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Feature: Made-in-China water guns bring joy to kids in Myanmar during Thingyan water festival

Xinhua) 09:44, April 16, 2024

YANGON, April 15 (Xinhua) -- As the annual Thingyan water festival celebration is in full swing in Myanmar, the streets of the Southeast Asian country come alive with music and laughter from revelers.

Amidst the celebration, children were gleefully wielding colorful water guns, joining the playful festivities.

"I'm happy to play with a water gun. I splash water on others here. I came here with my relatives," said Eaint Thethtar, 8, among a playful crowd celebrating the water festival in downtown Yangon.

Eaint said she came from Mogok of Mandalay region, and this is her first experience of the water festival in Yangon, the former capital and the largest city of Myanmar.

Local water festival materials sellers in Yangon told Xinhua that nearly all the water guns and water festival items in Myanmar came from China. Ko Soe Thu, 39, a water festival items seller in Yangon, said: "Children mostly buy water guns for the Thingyan festival. Most of them are boys aged under 12 years old. Nearly all the water guns are China-made."

Moe Pwint Phyu, 8, happily splashing water with her friends near the Yangon mayor's pavilion, told Xinhua on Sunday: "I purchased this water gun two days ago because I liked it. I came here with my friends and parents. I'm happy to splash water on others."

The appeal of water guns is undeniable for young revelers. Ma Chel Yi, 35, said she bought her 9-year-old son a water gun because he liked it. "I accompany him here as I want to make him happy. Thingyan festival is the period of happiness."

Thuzar Moe, selling water festival materials in a stall near the Yangon mayor's pavilion, said on Sunday: "Water guns are the bestsellers in my shop. Waterproof phone pouches, water bowls, and fancy glasses are also selling well."

As the festivities continue to unfold, Yangon's streets resonate with the laughter and excitement of children, reminding all of the enduring spirit of Thingyan.

With the festival spanning four days until Tuesday, Myanmar eagerly awaits the dawn of the New Year on Wednesday, heralding a fresh beginning filled with hope and joy.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay an official visit to Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) from April 18 to 23, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced on Tuesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, will chair the Fourth Meeting of the China-Indonesia High-Level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism and the Seventh Meeting of the China-Cambodia Intergovernmental Coordination Committee, Lin said.
PRNewswire Shizuoka [Japan], April 16: tesa, an international manufacturer of innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions, and ABB, a technology leader in electrification and automation system integrator, are giving a live demonstration of the tesa ProSeal cartridge-based tape applicator for fully automated hole covering. The event will take place over five days from 15 to 19 April, 2024. tesa and ABB are inviting Japanese and Korean automotive OEMs to ABB's technical center in Shimada City, Japan, to demonstrate the most advanced automation technology for the hole covering tape application process in the automotive industry. Innovative ecosystem for maximum efficiency and waste reduction tesa ProSeal is the unique ecosystem that offers significant improvements in production efficiency and flexibility, while achieving waste reduction in automotive hole covering application. The cartridge is compatible with different materials and/or dimensions of tesa hole cover patches, and the robot automatically switches the cartridge in 10 seconds to apply the appropriate patches, minimizing the complexity of the process and the capital investment in automated equipment. Moreover, tesa collects the used cartridge and replenishes the cartridges with new patches to minimize packaging materials and reduce liner waste. With production innovations like these, tesa supports customer to achieve their sustainability targets as well as reduces operation costs with fully automated processes. "We are proud to collaborate with ABB to introduce tesa ProSeal, our innovative hole-covering automation technology, to the automotive industry in Asia Pacific," said Andreas Gunnestrand, President & Regional Manager, tesa Asia Pacific. "This partnership highlights our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that not only drive automation, but also contribute to sustainability and waste reduction in the automotive industry." "This strategic collaboration exemplifies ABB's commitment to pioneering innovative robotics and automation solutions to transform industries and future-proof business," says Takashi Asari, head of ABB's Robotics & Discrete Automation division, Japan. "We are also introducing our new Omnicore robot controller, which has market-leading motion control capabilities and reduces power consumption by up to 20 per cent, making manufacturing more accurate, efficient and sustainable." tesa has a long-standing partnership with the automotive industry, providing intelligent solutions that contribute to areas such as automation and e-mobility. Its innovative self-adhesive tape solutions and application process technology play a critical role in improving manufacturing processes and product performance for automotive OEMs and their suppliers worldwide. Through continuous innovation and collaboration, tesa remains committed to driving the automotive industry towards a more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced future. Get more information about tesa ProSeal here. About tesa: As a multinational company, tesa develops innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions for various industries, commercial customers, and end consumers. There are already more than 7,000 tesa adhesive solutions that help improve the work, products or lives of our customers. Today, the focus is on sustainability and energy-saving processes. tesa invests in the development of environmentally friendly products and solvent-free manufacture processes as well as in the use of renewable energy sources at its locations. About ABB: ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company's solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on over 140 years of excellence, ABB's more than 105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who has been in constant touch with superstar Salman Khan in light of the firing incident outside his Bandra residence, will meet him in person at the Galaxy Apartments on Tuesday. Earlier, two persons were arrested for the firing incident outside the superstar's home on Sunday, last week. According to a source close to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Shinde will personally visit Salman at his residence before departing for Nagpur. In the aftermath of the firing incident, CM Shinde spoke to Salman over the phone and provided him with additional security cover. Shinde also brought up the firing incident with the Mumbai Police Commissioner and suggested increasing the superstar's security. He assured Salman that the government was with him and he need not worry. Earlier, on Tuesday, Kutch Police arrested the two accused persons and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Later, a city court sent the two accused to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until April 25 in connection with the firing incident. The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) from Bihar, were presented before the court after a medical examination. The two men, who came on a motorbike, fired four rounds outside the Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, around 5 am on Sunday morning and fled. CCTV footage showed that both accused sported caps and carried backpacks. The clip also showed them firing in the direction of the actor's home. After the arrest of the accused, Kutch DSP AR Zankant said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. "Mumbai Police is investigating the case of firing outside the residence of actor Salman Khan. We informed the Kutch Police that the two accused had fled to the Gujarat district. Different teams were formed to catch the accused. They were eventually arrested by the Kutch Police and handed over to the Mumbai Police. During primary interrogation of the accused, we learned that they were in contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang," DSP Zankant said. Notably, since November 2022, Salman's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus after threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. The actor was also authorised top carry a personal firearm and has also acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection. On Monday, Salman's brother Arbaaz Khan issued a statement on the family's behalf, saying they all have been affected due to the 'disturbing' firing incident. "The recent incident of firing by two unidentified person in a motorcycle at Galaxy apartment the residence of the Salim Khan family is very disturbing and unnerving. Our family has been taken aback by this shocking incident that took place. Unfortunately, some people claiming to be close to our family and pretending to be the spokesperson have been making loose statements to the media saying it's all a publicity stunt and the family remains unaffected which is not true and these views should not be taken seriously," the statement read. He also shared that the family was fully cooperating with the Mumbai Police in the ongoing probe into the incident. "No member of the Salim Khan family has made any statement regarding this incident to the media. At this time, the family is helping and cooperating with the police in the investigation of this untoward incident. We have faith in the Mumbai police and we have been assured they will do everything in their capacity to protect and secure our family. Thank you everyone for your love and support," Arbaaz added in his statement. (ANI)
Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who is currently shooting for her upcoming project 'Heads of State,' shared "bloodied up" pictures from the sets. Taking to Instagram stories, Priyanka treated fans to a new picture from her professional life. The image captured Priyanka showing her scars on the right side of her forehead. She captioned the picture, "I wonder how many bloddied up pictures from work I've posted over the years." The actress also likes to keep her fans updated about her whereabouts. Priyanka also posted a cute sun-kissed picture of her daughter, Malti Marie. The image captured Malti enjoying a bright sunny day with her mother. Donning a floral outfit paired with a peacock pendant, Malti looked super cute. Recently, the 'Barfi' actress shared a series of photos on her Instagram account, featuring pictures from the sets of her upcoming films, 'Heads of State' and 'The Bluff'. Meanwhile, Priyanka announced her new film in collaboration with the production team of Barry Avrich's new feature documentary 'Born Hungry' as a producer. Taking to Instagram, Priyanka treated fans with this exciting news by sharing an article with a note. Priyanka and her production company Purple Pebble Pictures banner have joined Barry Avrich's new feature documentary. The note said, "Aligning with stories and filmmakers that have the ability to move the audience by having a unique point of view is what we always look for at @purplepebblepictures. @barryavrich22's new feature documentary, Born Hungry is exactly that."Priyanka added, "I was so moved by Sash's incredible story of resilience and determination, and also that it is an amazing rendition of an extremely sensitive story, it was a no-brainer for us to collaborate. We cannot wait to share this story with you." According to Deadline, 'Born Hungry' is a gritty drama about a young Indian boy who finds himself abandoned by his family, lost on trains and thousands of miles from home. Celebrity chef Sash Simpson, who was eventually adopted by a Canadian couple after surviving on the streets of Chennai alone and eating out of trash cans, is now returning to India with only hazy memories in an attempt to locate his family. Priyanka and Mary Rohlich, Head of TV and Film at Purple Pebble Pictures, will serve as producers. 'Born Hungry' premiered at the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2024 and will screen at the Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto on April 26. Not only that, she lent her voice to Disneynature's upcoming film Tiger. The movie will be released on Disney+ Hotstar and it revolves around understanding the intricacies of the intriguing world of one of our planet's most loved creatures. On the Bollywood front, she will be seen in Farhan Akhtar's next directorial 'Jee Le Zaraa' alongside Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt. However, no update has been provided on the film since the announcement was made a couple of years ago. (ANI)
Taking to Instagram, Shilpa shared a video of her performing worship with Samisha.The video gave glimpse of a decorated temple, followed by Shilpa washing and affectionately and reverentially bowing to her daughter's feet.

Shilpa's pet dog also made an appearance during the aarti.

The video ends with a photo of the Ashtami Prasad Thali which included poori, halwa, and chana.

For the occasion, Shilpa wore a pink kurta set and her daughter wore a pretty pink crop top and skirt.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C50IWHnSGfY/

Sharing the video, she wrote, "Celebrating the auspicious occasion of Ashtami today starting with the Kanya Pujan with our own Devi Samisha. May the Supreme Goddess Maha Gauri bless everyone with prosperity, love, and peace."

The eighth day of the Navratri festival is dedicated to an eighth form of Maa Durga - Maa Mahagauri, a symbol of purity, serenity, and tranquillity.

Shilpa tied the knot with businessman Raj Kundra on November 22, 2009. In May 2012, the two became parents to a son Viaan. And in February 2020 the couple welcomed Samisha, who was born via surrogacy.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Shilpa was recently seen in Rohit Shetty's OTT debut 'Indian Police Force', which also stars Sidharth Malhotra and Vivek Oberoi. The series is streaming on the OTT platform Amazon Prime.

She will also act in 'KD-The Devil' as Satyavati alongside V Ravichandran, and Sanjay Dutt. The pan-India multilingual will be released in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. (ANI)
Richa Chadha, who is gearing up for the upcoming series ''Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'', revealed how she delved into the iconic performances of legendary actor Meena Kumari to craft her character. Richa Chadha, who essays the role of Lajjo, a courtesan with a captivating persona, shared that she found inspiration in Meena Kumari''s portrayal of Shahibjaan in the timeless classic ''Pakeezah''. "Carefully observing, learning from and taking lessons from Meena Kumariji''s character in ''Pakeezah'' was a truly enriching and deeply transforming experience for me ahead of shooting for Heeramandi. In the movie, Paakezah, Meena Kumari''s character has a certain tragic depth and complexity that resonated with Lajjo, the character that I play in the show. I worked on the voice and diction, while studying Meenaji''s work, to the point of imitation sometimes. I felt like I was walking in the footsteps of a cinematic legend, and it was an honour to pay tribute to Meena Kumariji through my portrayal of Lajjo," she said, according to a statement. Recently, the makers unveiled the trailer. Set against the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle of the 1940s, ''Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'' promises to be an epic saga of love, power, revenge, and freedom. Through the stories of courtesans and their patrons, the series delves deep into the cultural reality of Heeramandi. Bhansali Productions shared the trailer on their official Instagram handle. The caption reads, "In the glittering, regal halls of Shahi Mahal, romance and revolution clash in silence...Sanjay Leela Bhansali''s sweeping saga of love, loss and liberation - Heeramandi: The Diamond bazaar..Trailer out now!" The intriguing trailer showcases the lives of courtesans in Heeramandi, Lahore, British India. Mallikajaan (Manisha Koirala) governs over an aristocratic courtesan house. She plans, fearing no one, until the homecoming of her late nemesis'' daughter, Fareedan (Sonakshi Sinha), which raises problems in the household. Outside, the city is rolling with revolutionaries seeking India''s independence from British domination, with Mallikajaan''s daughter, Bibbojaan (Aditi Rao Hydari), joining the struggle for freedom. Meanwhile, Mallikajaan''s youngest son, Alamzeb (Sharmin Segal), fantasises about falling in love with the son of a nobleman, Tajdar (Taha Shah Badussha), and wishes to escape Heeramandi. At one point, it gives glimpses of India''s freedom struggle and on the other hand, it also shows Mallikajaan and Fareedan face off in an epic battle for the title of Heeramandi''s huzoor. ''Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'' is scheduled to be out on May 1. The series, which marks Bhansali''s debut in the web world, also stars Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Sharmin Segal in pivotal roles. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa lashed out at the Congress party over its allegations of "democracy in the country being in danger" and said that the party that imposed emergency should not make such statements. He further said that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can protect democracy in the country. "Was India safe under Indira Gandhi? What she did with the Constitution? Congress killed 900 people with bullets since 1979. Operation Blue Star was carried out in Punjab. They insitigated riot against Sikhs in Delhi. These statements don't suit Congress. The party that imposed emergency, killed Sikhs, Assamese will now talk about democracy?" Sarma told reporters in Tezpur on Monday. Attacking Congress further, the Assam CM said, "A senior Congress leader had offered Namaz on Eid. We don't have any objection with that. But the same leader protested against against Pran Pratishtha of Ram Mandir...Congres can love Muslims, but they can't love Hindus." He also slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing her of facilitating influx of migrants and "appeasement politics". "If you want to protect democracy in India then vote for Narendra Modi. Only he can protect democracy. Mamata Banerjee has opened the gate for as many Bangladeshis to enter India. What kind of democracy is this? Appeasement is democracy? Not going to Ram Mandir event is democracy? Does democracy means being anti-Hindu," the Chief Minister added. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to pay a two-day visit to Assam on April 16 and 17. PM Modi will address a mega-election campaign rally at Nalbari in Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency on April 17. Elections for the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam will take place in three phases on April 19, April 26 and May 7. The counting will take place on June 4. (ANI)
The Mumbai Police have confirmed that the two accused were caught in Gujarat's Bhuj late on Monday night.

"Both the accused, who fled Mumbai after the firing, have been arrested from Gujarat's Bhuj," officials said.

They will be brought to Mumbai for further investigation, they added.

The firing incident, which occurred on Sunday early morning, saw two unidentified men opening fire outside Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, and fled from the spot.

The incident prompted swift action from law enforcement agencies.

According to preliminary investigation, the suspects arrived at the scene on a motorcycle, covering their faces under helmets, indicating a "meticulously planned attack."

They discharged a total of four rounds during the incident, leaving behind a live cartridge at the scene.

Earlier, the Mumbai Crime Branch had summoned two individuals for questioning in connection with the recent firing incident.

Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to Salman over the phone regarding the incident. Shinde also discussed with the Mumbai Police Commissioner and suggested increasing the actor's security.

Since November 2022, Salman Khan's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus due to threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. Khan has also been authorized to carry a personal firearm and has acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection. (ANI)
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticized the Congress on Monday, stating that despite continuous rhetoric about eradicating poverty from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, the party failed to provide effective solutions. Addressing a public rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, Singh emphasized the lack of concrete plans from the Congress over the years. He also highlighted the BJP's initiatives, including uplifting over 1 crore women to 'Lakhpati Didi' status through Self Help Groups. "From 1951, the Congress, from Jawahar Lal Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, had talked about eradication of poverty, but did not present any solution to eradicate it," Singh said, according to a BJP press release. He said that more than 1 crore women have been made 'Lakhpati Didi' through the help of the Self Help Group and the BJP has promised to make 3 crore women Lakhpati Didi. Union Minister and incumbent MP and BJP Lok Sabha Candidate from Kathua Jitendra Singh, BJP General Secretaries Ashok Kaul and DK Manyal, among other leaders, were present in the public rally. According to the BJP release, Rajnath Singh mentioned that the BJP has worked for the development of Jammu and Kashmir and also took the decision of abrogating Article 370 to integrate Jammu and Kashmir as an inseparable part of India. However, Singh criticized the NC, PDP, and Congress for opposing the article and misleading the public. Rajnath Singh praised Jitendra Singh, stating that as a minister, he fulfills his responsibilities excellently and effectively presents viewpoints in the Parliament. Singh claimed that instead of relying on previous trends, Jitendra Singh will emerge victorious with the public's blessings and majority votes. The Union Defence Minister highlighted that it is not just India but the whole world that acknowledges the nation's rapid progress. India's stature has increased internationally. Earlier, when India spoke on the international stage, its words were not taken seriously enough. But today, when India speaks on the international stage, the whole world listens attentively, he said. Rajnath Singh noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has progressed economically, jumping from the 11th to the 5th position in terms of its economy's size since 2014. Recognized economists and esteemed financial firms worldwide also agree that India's rapid advancement will likely lead it to become the world's 3rd largest economy by 2027. India is fortunate to have a strong leadership, he said. Singh highlighted that there has never been a disparity between the actions and words of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He also emphasized that if the leaders of the Congress party had fulfilled even partially the promises made to the people after India gained independence, India would have emerged as one of the leading nations in the world 25-30 years ago. "The Congress party and other political parties also released manifestos and made grand promises to the public, but after coming into power, they did not fulfill their commitments," he said. Singh emphasised that since the inception of the Jan Sangh, the BJP's manifesto has repeatedly stated that whenever the party comes to power, Article 370 will be abolished in Jammu and Kashmir. And this promise was fulfilled upon the BJP coming to power. BJP has always promised to construct a magnificent mandir for Bhagwan Ram in Ayodhya, the promise was once mocked by the opposition parties that "Mandir Wahi Banayenge, Par Tareekh Nahi Batayenge". However, on January 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla, fulfilling the commitment. "The beginning of Ram Rajya has now begun in India, and no one can stop the advent of Ram Rajya now," he said. Singh explained that Ram Rajya means instilling a sense of duty within people, raising awareness about their responsibilities, and fostering a sense of accountability, not blind obedience. He emphasized that the BJP doesn't engage in politics solely to form a government but also to build the nation. "The government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has demonstrated this. The BJP had promised to pass the citizenship law, and it was passed. Despite this, opposition are attempting to spread misinformation that people's citizenship will be revoked," he said. Singh assured that under no circumstances will any Indian citizen lose their citizenship. He highlighted the Uniform Civil Code and mentioned that in this year's manifesto, the BJP has clearly stated that within 5 years, the UCC will be implemented in the country. "For independent India, it had been a significant crisis, there was a disconnect between the actions and words of leaders. As a result, trust in India's politics and its leaders gradually eroded. There was a perception that those who lied were the only ones who became leaders. The Bharatiya Janata Party took on the task of breaking this perception. Indian politics had created a crisis of trust among other political parties, and BJP accepted this challenge as an opportunity," he said. Defence Minister further emphasized that when discussing triple talaq, opponents often question, "Why do you intervene in the matters of people from other religions? What right do you have?" However, Rajnath Singh affirmed that the BJP, regardless of a woman's religion, will not tolerate any compromise on her dignity. Whether in government or not, the BJP will never tolerate any infringement on women's respect. Rajnath Singh highlighted that in Jammu and Kashmir, previously dominated by Congress, National Conference, and PDP, opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 was strong, fearing it would lead to bloodshed in the state. However, post-abrogation, there has been a significant development in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that the BJP has fulfilled its resolution of 'Jahan Hue Balidan Mukherjee, Wo Kashmir Hamara Hai'. He also mentioned Rahul Gandhi's recent Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir, including his visit to Gulmarg, made possible only after the abrogation of Article 370. In the past, when devotees visited the Maa Vaishno Devi Mandir, their buses and luggage were subjected to checks, a practice that was halted by the Central government, allowing devotees to visit the temple freely, he pointed out. Rajnath Singh highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced numerous beneficial schemes catering to every section of society. "The 'Nal Se Jal' scheme was initiated to address the water scarcity issue in households. Over 4 crore houses have been constructed across the country, and the BJP manifesto promises an additional 4 crore houses in the future. Additionally, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana provides an annual health cover of 5 lakh rupees," he said. He also assured that after forming the government, within a month, everybody above 70 years regardless of caste or religion, will get a free treatment of Rs 5 Lakh under Ayushman Bharat. During the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi ensured two vaccine doses for every citizen. "Amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict, numerous Indian students found themselves stranded in Ukraine, leading their parents to appeal to PM Narendra Modi for assistance. Responding promptly, PM Modi engaged in telephonic conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and USA President Joe Biden. Consequently, a ceasefire was arranged for 4.5 hours, enabling the safe evacuation of 22,500 students from Ukraine. Rajnath Singh emphasized that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, according to IMF and other financial institutions, over 25 crore people have been lifted above the poverty line in a relatively short period. "Previously, India was perceived as a soft state, characterized by its policy of non-aggression and reluctance to engage in conflicts or acquire territory. However, after the incidents at Uri and Pulwama, the world recognized India's valor and determination. It became evident that India would not hesitate to defend itself and respond strongly to any threats or attacks from its adversaries," he said. He also mentioned that previously, women in Kashmir who married outside the state lost their right to property. However, this was changed, and now women have the right to property even if they marry outside the state. He also appealed to the voters to vote for Dr Jitendra Singh and ensure the BJP government in Centre for the third consecutive time, the release added. (ANI)
In a major development in the firing incident outside actor Salman Khan's home in Bandra, Bhuj police arrested two accused and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. A press release issued by Bhuj police reads, "West Kachchh Police arrested two accused of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang who opened fire outside the residence of actor Salman Khan on April 14. The two accused have been identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), belonging to Bihar. The entire operation was conducted by Bhuj police." "They have been handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch for further questioning," the press release further read. The firing incident, which occurred on Sunday morning, saw two unidentified men open fire outside Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, and fled from the spot. The incident prompted swift action from law enforcement agencies. According to preliminary investigation, the suspects arrived at the scene on a motorcycle, covering their faces under helmets, indicating a "meticulously planned attack." They discharged a total of four rounds during the incident, leaving behind a live cartridge at the scene. Meanwhile, reacting to the incident Salman Khan's brother and actor Arbaaz Khan stated that the particular "disturbing" incident has affected the family. "The recent incident of firing by two unidentified person in a motorcycle at Galaxy apartment the residence of the Salim Khan family is very disturbing and unnerving. Our family has been taken aback by this shocking incident that took place. Unfortunately, some people claiming to be close to our family and pretending to be the spokesperson have been making loose statements to the media saying it's all a publicity stunt and the family remains unaffected which is not true and these views should not be taken seriously," the statement read. He also shared that the family is fully cooperating with the Mumbai Police in investigating the matter. "No member of the Salim Khan family has made any statement regarding this incident to the media. At this time the family is helping and cooperating with the police in the investigation of this untoward incident. We have faith in the Mumbai police and we have been assured they will do everything in their capacity to protect and secure our family." Earlier, the Mumbai Crime Branch had summoned two individuals for questioning in connection with the recent firing incident. Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to actor over the phone regarding the incident. Shinde also discussed this with the Mumbai Police Commissioner and suggested increasing the actor's security. Since November 2022, Salman Khan's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus due to threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. Khan has also been authorised to carry a personal firearm and has acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday expressed happiness over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the state saying they are fortunate that the latter is arriving here. CM Yadav also showed confidence in winning the Chhindwara parliamentary seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "We are fortunate that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is coming to Chhindwara this evening. We are continuously receiving good news from Chhindwara. In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, BJP is going to win the Chhindwara seat. BJP workers and leaders are preparing for the Union Home Minister's roadshow in Chhindwara," the CM told ANI. Union Minister Shah is scheduled to visit Chhindwara on Tuesday evening and will hold a roadshow in support of BJP candidate Vivek Bunty Sahu. Sahu is contesting against former CM Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath. Chhindwara is a hot seat in the state and it is considered a stronghold of Congress stalwart Kamal Nath. The former CM's son Nakul Nath is contesting from the seat and it was the only seat that the Congress managed to win in the previous 2019 general elections in the state. This time, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to win the Chhindwara Lok Sabha in the upcoming polls. Chhindwara will go to polls in the first phase on April 19 with five other parliamentary seats in the state. Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh will be conducted in four phases. The first phase of polling would be held on April 19, followed by April 26, May 7 and May 13. Madhya Pradesh has a total of 29 Lok Sabha constituencies, making it the sixth-largest state in terms of parliamentary representation. Out of these, 10 seats are reserved for SC and ST candidates, while the remaining 19 are unreserved. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, the BJP secured a massive victory in Madhya Pradesh, winning 28 out of the 29 seats. The Indian National Congress (INC) managed to win only one seat. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said that the verdict of Supreme Court on the matter of electoral bonds should be respected as "it is the highest body and has to be respected". The remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an interview with ANI, accused the opposition parties of "spreading lies" over the electoral bonds scheme and said "everyone will regret it when there is an honest reflection". Speaking to ANI, DK Shivakumar said, "The Supreme Court has given the decision. We all have to bow to the decision of the Supreme Court because that is the highest body which we all have to respect. So I hope everyone in this country will respect and accept the decision on the verdict of the Supreme Court." The Supreme Court in February this year struck down the electoral bond scheme and said it was unconstitutional. In its decision, the Supreme Court asked the SBI to stop issuing electoral bonds. In compliance with a directive from the Supreme Court, the Election Commission of India (ECI) uploaded data on electoral bonds on its official website. The data was provided by the State Bank of India (SBI) on the directions of the apex court. In an interview with ANI, PM Modi said the electoral bonds scheme was aimed at curbing black money in elections and said the opposition wants to run away after making allegations. He said of the 16 companies that gave donations when action was taken by probe agencies, only 37 per cent of the amount went to the BJP and 63 per cent to opposition parties opposed to the BJP. "This is the success story of electoral bonds, there were electoral bonds, so you are getting a trail which company gave, how it gave, and where it gave. Whether what happened in the process was good or bad can be an issue of debate....I never say that there is no shortcoming in decision-making. We learn after discussing and improving. There is a lot of scope for improvement in this as well. But today we have completely pushed the country towards black money, hence, I say everyone will regret it. When they think honestly, everyone will regret it," PM Modi said. (ANI)
The Mahayuti of the BJP, the Shiv Sena and the NCP appears to have ironed out the creases in their alliance in Maharashtra. Sources have told ANI that the Yuti will now see a candidate from Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena contest from the prestigious Thane Lok Sabha seat. The BJP leadership on Tuesday cleared this seat for the Sena and a formal announcement of the same is expected soon. Sources say that winning ability of a candidate from the Shiv Sena was a key criterion in leaving the seat for them. The Thane Lok Sabha seat comprises of 6 assembly constituencies; Mira Bhayandar, Kopri-Pachpakhadi, Ovala-Majiwada, Thane, Airoli and Belapur. The Yuti alliance feels that with the seat being a Marathi voter dominant seat the Sena is assured of a thumping victory. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde himself is an MLA from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi seat and wields considerable influence in the area that was once dominated by his mentor the late Anant Dighe. Additionally, the Sena also holds the Ovala-Majiwada assembly seat, while Eknath Shinde's son Shrikant Shinde is the MP from the neighbouring seat of Kalyan. The other four assemblies in Thane Lok Sabha seat are held by the BJP. The declaration of the candidate is expected on Wednesday. Sources say the BJP central leadership has asked the state leadership to rein in possible claimants for the Thane Lok Sabha seat. Recently incumbent Thane BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar had been spoken of as a possible claimant to the seat. From the Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena, Ovala MLA Pratap Sarnaik and party spokesperson Naresh Mhaske have been touted as front runners for the candidature of the party. The Thane Lok Sabha seat is currently held by three-time MP Rajan Vichare who is with the UBT Shiv Sena. Vichare has been named the candidate for the seat again and has already been campaigning vigorously. Vichare however battles severe anti-incumbency along with the loss of several cadres from the region who earlier this month pledged loyalty to Eknath Shinde. In 2019, UBT Sena's Rajan Vichare who then fought as a candidate of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance won with 740969 votes. The runner up was Anand Paranjpe of NCP. The margin of victory was 412145 votes. The Thane Lok Sabha seat goes to the Polls on May 20 in Phase 5 of the elections. The results of the elections are on June 4. Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second-largest after Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 seats it contested in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena.Elections to the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party Uttar Pradesh Minority Morcha has said that it will depute women from the Muslim community as agents in the minority dominant polling booths to combat bogus voting in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The state president of the BJP Minority Morcha, Kunwar Basit Ali, said that the BJP in Uttar Pradesh has formulated a strategy to prevent the issue of fraudulent voting by forming 'minority booth committees' in areas with significant Muslim population. This will benefit the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he said. Ali said that around 20,000 booth committees will be formed statewide to target Muslim majority areas. Out of the approximately around 1,64,000 booths in Uttar Pradesh, nearly 20,000 are Muslim-majority booths. The committees, which include Muslim women, will be deployed at every booth, he said. "Our Muslim workers will be deputed as the party's polling agents in their own local respective booths," Ali said adding that a committee member from the same locality will also be appointed at every booth. The committee member will help security personnel and authorities to check any suspicious voters and identify bogus voters wearing veils and inform the relevant authorities. Yasir Jilani, national media spokesperson of the BJP Minority Morcha, said, "UP BJP Minority Morcha will deploy its women workers at minority booths across India in view of the elections. First of all, 20,000 such booths have been identified, which are in Muslim dominated areas and where voting has been less in favour of BJP. 11 member committee, including women will be deployed at each booth." Jinali said that committee will be able to alert security officials about suspicious voters. "This programme will continue till the elections all over India," he said. (ANI)
A case has been registered against Anmol Bishnoi in connection with the firing incident outside the house of actor Salman Khan, police said. The police said that Anmol Bishnoi, who is the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, wrote about the firing incident on Facebook and used threatening language. Earlier in the day, Kachchh police arrested two accused and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Later, Mumbai's Killa Court sent the two arrested accused to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until April 25 in connection with the firing incident outside Salman Khan's Bandra house. The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), belonging to Bihar, were presented before the court after a medical examination. Meanwhile, after the arrest of the accused, Kachchh DSP AR Zankant said that during the primary interrogation, it was revealed that the accused were in contact with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's gang. "Mumbai Police was investigating the case of firing outside the residence of actor Salman Khan. Mumbai Police informed the Kuchchh Police that the two accused had reached Kuchchh. Different teams were formed to catch the accused. Both accused were arrested by Kuchchh Police and handed over to Mumbai Police. During primary interrogation, it was found that they were in contact with Lawrence Bishnoi's gang," DSP Zankant said. Notably, since November 2022, Salman Khan's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus due to threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. Khan has also been authorised to carry a personal firearm and has acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection. Earlier, a press release issued by Bhuj police read, "West Kachchh Police arrested two accused of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang who opened fire outside the residence of actor Salman Khan on April 14. The two accused have been identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), belonging to Bihar. The entire operation was conducted by Bhuj police." "They have been handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch for further questioning," the press release further read. The firing incident, which occurred on Sunday morning, saw two unidentified men open fire outside Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, and flee from the spot. The incident prompted swift action from law enforcement agencies. According to preliminary investigation, the suspects arrived at the scene on a motorcycle, covering their faces under helmets, indicating a "meticulously planned attack." They discharged a total of four rounds during the incident, leaving behind a live cartridge at the scene. Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to Salman Khan over the phone regarding the incident. Shinde also discussed this with the Mumbai Police Commissioner and suggested increasing the actor's security. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday held a roadshow in support of Congress' Tripura West Lok Sabha poll candidate Asish Kumar Saha and INDIA bloc candidate for Ramnagar assembly by-polls Ratan Das in Agartala. Thousands of Congress supporters turned up for the roadshow, with many carrying Congress flags. Amid the sloganeering in support of her and the Congress party, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Asish Kumar Saha and Ratan Das waved to the crowd from an open vehicle as it moved slowly. The roadshow concluded in front of Congress Bhavan at Paradise Chowmuhani, Agartala, after travelling across various parts of the city. She left for New Delhi soon after the event ended. Earlier in the day, she held a similar event at Jorhat, Assam, in support of Congress MP and party candidate for the Jorhat constituency, Gaurav Gogoi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also set to address a rally at Swami Vivekananda Maidan on April 17. With the Prime Minister's rally, curtains would be brought down on the high-octane campaign blitz for the high-profile electoral battle. Tripura Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha will contest against former chief minister and BJP candidate Biplab Kumar Deb for the Tripura West parliamentary constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The elections to the West Tripura parliamentary constituency and Ramnagar by-polls will be held on April 19. While East Tripura will witness voting on April 26,. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. The CPI (M) had secured a landslide victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, winning both seats in the state. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP won both seats in the state, The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats in the country will be held in seven phases, starting April 19. Nearly 97 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in the general elections. The upcoming Lok Sabha election in Tripura is set to be a thrilling event as the INDI Alliance prepares to challenge the ruling BJP. This election will indeed be a pivotal moment for both the INDIA Alliance and the BJP, potentially reshaping the political landscape of the region. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday asserted that after 500 years, Ram Lalla will celebrate his birthday within the temple premises rather than in a temporary tent. Addressing a public rally in Kotdwar, Union Home Minister praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for overseeing the temple's construction and conducting the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. "Today is Ashtami, tomorrow is Ram Navami and after 500 years, Ramlala is going to celebrate his birthday in a grand temple instead of a tent. It is a matter of great fortune that we have witnessed the Pran Pratishtha of Ramlala in our lifetime. The Congress party kept the issue of Ram Mandir pending for 70 years. During the 5-year rule of Modi ji, the decision regarding Ram Mandir came, the Bhoomi Pujan of Ram Mandir was performed, and the Pran Pratishtha was also done," Amit Shah said. He further praised Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state. "When the Bharatiya Jana Sangh was founded, our election manifesto demanded that no religion-based laws would exist in the country, only a Uniform Civil Code will exist. I am proud to say that Uttarakhand has become the first state to implement a Uniform Civil Code. In the party's recent manifesto, PM Narendra Modi has mentioned the implementation of a UCC in the whole country," Shah added. Amit Shah said that making Modi the Prime Minister for the third time means creating a 'Vikshit Bharat.' "Making Modiji the Prime Minister for the third time means creating a 'developed India'. Making Modiji the Prime Minister for the third time means making India the third largest economy in the world. Making Modiji the Prime Minister for the third time means making three crore lakhpatis didi," he asserted. He further said that by implementing CAA, citizenship will be granted to Hindu refugees who came to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. "By implementing CAA, the Modi government has done the work of granting citizenship to Hindu refugees who came to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and were living in misery for the last 70 years," he said. The Lok Sabha elections for all five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand are scheduled to take place in a single phase on April 19, and to increase voter turnout in the hill state, more than 11,000 polling booths are being set up across the state. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Tejasvi Surya launched a fierce attack on the Congress government in Karnataka, alleging that it is adopting the political culture of the DMK, the ruling party of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, which he accused of being "anti-Hindu and anti-majoritarian." In an interview with ANI, the BJP leader, in a sharp attack on MK Stalin's party, said that the DMK "represents everything that is negative and wrong." "When you look at the kind of politics that the DMK has been practicing, it represents everything that is negative and wrong about the country's political system. It clearly looks like the Congress party in Karnataka is getting inspired by certain SOPs that the DMK follows in Tamil Nadu," Surya said. Invoking the alleged pro-Pakistan slogan incident in the Karnataka assembly, the BJP leader further said, "The rabid anti-Hindu and anti-majoritarian statements and that kind of political culture is something that is also coming to the Congress in Karnataka. We had never before seen 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans heard in Vidhan Soudha. After the election of a Congress MP, the slogans of 'Pakistan Zindabad' were raised. This was something new to Karnataka and you have not one, not two but five cabinet ministers who came out and defended it in an attempt to mislead people. Once the FSL reports came, they had eggs on their faces." On February 27, soon after Nasir Hussain's victory march at the Vidhana Soudha, a video clip highlighting the "anti-national" slogans at the victory rally went viral. As the BJP attacked Congress over this, the ruling government in the state claimed necessary actions would be taken once the video and its audio were scientifically tested at the Forensic Science Lab. Later, three people were arrested in connection with the incident. Tejasvi Surya also accused that the single-window corruption system that is in "existence" in Tamil Nadu has now been replicated in Karnataka. "You go around and ask any builder in Bengaluru--they say that ever since the Congress government came into power in Karnataka, they have set up a single window clearance system where per square feet of developed land, you have to pay 70 to 75 rupees to the concerned people and only upon that payment, their plan sanctions are given and this, again, is a model that is in existence in Tamil Nadu. Now, Congress has brought it to Karnataka," the Bengaluru South added. On being asked about the allegations of corruption levelled against the former chief minister of Karnataka, Basavraj Bommai, the BJP MP said that the Congress failed to present any evidence against him. "Well, not a single iota of evidence was presented by the Congress and even assuming that was true, people rejected the BJP in assembly elections," he added. Notably, the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka are scheduled to take place over two phases, with polling slated for April 26 and May 7, as announced by the Election Commission on March 16. The BJP has given a ticket to Yuva Morcha chief and MP Tejasvi Surya from Bengaluru South. Surya is one of the party's youngest MPs, having first contested for Lok Sabha in 2019. Out of a total of 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, the BJP won 25 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday extended wishes to the people on the eve of Ram Navami and asked them to emulate Lord Ram's ideals in life. Ram Navami, which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, will be celebrated on April 17. "Lord Ram is a symbol of our faith and belief, his ideal character inspires us to move forward in life. The importance of Ram Navami has increased further this year with Lord Shri Ram being enthroned in a grand temple in Ayodhya. The occasion of the divine anointment of the Lord's forehead with the rays of the sun on the occasion of Ram Navami will also be unforgettable. We should try to inculcate the personality of Maryada Purushottam Lord Shri Ram in our lives," he said. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also wished the people of the state on Navratri. "This festival is a symbol of our culture and tradition. This festival is a symbol of the great tradition of Indian culture. This festival of Navratri indicates the importance and strength of women in society. The Kanya Pujan performed on this occasion shows the importance of women's power," he said. Ahead of the last day of Chaitra Navratri and the occasion of Ram Navami, Ayodhya has geared up for the magnificent celebrations at the Ram Janambhoomi Temple. 56 types of Bhog Prasad will also be offered to Ram Lala. Speaking to ANI, the chief priest of Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, informed that all the arrangements for the festival are being managed by the trust and the occasion of Ram Navami will be celebrated with great enthusiasm. "All arrangements are being made by the trust. The trust is also managing the decorations. Ram Navami will be celebrated with great enthusiasm." The chief priest also hailed the celebrations as special as they are happening for the first time after the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the trust constituted to look after the management of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, has made special arrangements for the convenience of the devotees visiting during the festival. The trust on its official X handle informed that on the day of Ram Navami, starting at 3:30 am during the Brahma Muhurta, arrangements will be in place for the devotees to queue up. The trust has also extended the duration of Darshan to 19 hours, starting from the Mangala Aarti and continuing until 11:00 pm. The curtain will be closed only for five minutes during the four Bhog offerings. The celebration will be broadcast on about a hundred large LED screens throughout Ayodhya. There will also be live broadcasts on the trust's social media accounts, the trust said in a post on X. (ANI)
During the roadshow, the BJP supporters chanted slogans of 'Abki Baar 400 Paar' and 'Jai Shri Ram'.

The roadshow commenced from Bhagat Singh Chowk in Saharanpur.

Lotus flags adorned the surroundings, and the cut-outs of PM Modi and CM Yogi were displayed

BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Saharanpur, Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma, along with state government ministers Brajesh Singh and Jaswant Saini were present at the event.

Earlier on Monday, CM Yogi floated a new slogan following party releasing its manifesto, "80 banega aadhar, NDA 400 paar, Phir ek bar Modi sarkar."

Addressing the media in the party office, Yogi said, "The BJP's Sankalp Patra is Modi's guarantee. It reaffirms our dedication to building a developed India while also reinforcing our firm stance against corruption."

He added that the pillars of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Sankalp Patra are the nation's impoverished, youth, farmers, and women (Gareeb, Yuva, Annadata and Nari).

Addressing the media in the party office, the CM said, "This sankalp patra is Modi's guarantee. It reaffirms our dedication to building a developed India while also declaring a firm stance against corruption."

The Chief Minister highlighted that on the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Bharatiya Janata Party's Sankalp Patra. Its first four copies are to represent the four social pillars of the country: Gareeb (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women), collectively known as GYAN, he stated.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the BJP is more than just a political entity today, embodying aspirations of 140 crore people with commitment to realizing India's vision on a mission mode.

Meanwhile, talking about Uttar Pradesh, the Lok Sabha election 2024 will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The votes will be counted on June 4.

In the 2019 elections, turning the arithmetic of the SP-BSP 'Mahagatbandhan' in Uttar Pradesh upside down, the BJP and its ally Apna Dal (S) won 64 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats. The partners in the alliance, Akhilesh Yadav's SP and Mayawati's BSP could only muster 15 seats. (ANI)
Referring to the row over the Katchatheevu island, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday accused the Congress of endangering India's sovereignty and national interests. Stressing upon BJP's "Ab ki baar 400 paar" slogan for the Lok Sabha polls, Thakur said, "We are fighting a battle of 400 and Congress is fighting a battle of 40. There is no leader in the INDIA bloc nor do they have any intentions (Naa neeti hai naa neeyat). These are people of the 'tukde-tukde' gang who want to see the country divided. They want to weaken the country. They will never think about the country's interests". The minister accused the Congress party of historical betrayals, alleging that during their tenure in power, they compromised India's territorial integrity. "The Congress party, during their time in power, ceded vast stretches of Indian land to China, allowed Pakistan to occupy Kashmir, and gave up control of Kachchatheevu Island. The Congress party has done injustice to the country," Thakur asserted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently targeted Congress over "ceding" of the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974. He cited a media report and alleged that new facts revealed that the Congress "callously" gave away Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. The media report was based on an RTI reply received by Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai to his queries on the 1974 agreement between India and Lanka when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister.Echoing the party's stand Defence Minister Rajnath Singh drew a comparison between the Congress and the BJP government at the Centre and said that his government established a good diplomatic relationship with Sri Lanka so that Indian fishermen do not face problems in comparison with the Congress regime 10 years ago. Addressing the longstanding Kachchatheevu Island issue, he said, "Everyone knows the Kachchatheevu Island issue...It was done by Congress, not us. But, so that our fishermen do not face any problems, we established a good diplomatic relationship with Sri Lanka. You know what the condition was 10 years ago." (ANI)
Hitting out at the Congress government in Karnataka, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Tejasvi Surya said that the policies of the grand old party are pushing the state into 'bankruptcy'. He alleged that the Karnataka government is diverting money from the developmental and infrastructure projects towards "mindless freebies." In an exclusive interview with ANI, Surya said, "Look at the headlines that Karnataka is making over the last few months. DK Shivakumar says that we that we don't have money for development...an honest admission because all the money is now diverted to fulfil the Congress guarantees, the freebies. The state is being pushed towards bankruptcy." He also slammed Congress for announcing similar policies in its manifesto for Lok Sabha elections and said that it is having a "disastrous effect" in the state of Karnataka. "The Congress has also released its manifesto and has five guarantees that are now a national project. We have seen in Karnataka over the last 7-8 months the debilitating and disastrous effect of this kind of an economic policy," he added. Tejasvi Surya, who represents the Bengaluru South constituency in the Lok Sabha, is set to contest polls again from the same seat. Citing the Karnataka government's allocation for energy, the BJP leader said that the expenditure has increased because the government is providing 200 units of free electricity, which was one of the main poll promises of the Congress party ahead of Karnataka assembly polls. "In the budget this year, Karnataka has allocated 6.7 per cent of its total expenditure towards energy which is higher than the average allocation by all states, which is around 4.7 per cent. Now the 6.7 per cent that is about 2 per cent increase is because of the 200 units free electricity that they providing under this Gruha Jyoti Scheme. now because they have provided the 2 per cent extra here, they have to make up for it somewhere else and where are they doing it," the BJP MP said. "Karnataka has allocated 0.6 per cent of its total expenditure towards Urban Development while other states are providing 3.5 per cent so you take away money from Bengaluru and use it on your freebies," he added. The BJP leader further emphasised that Bengaluru is a city that contributes 60 per cent of the state's GDP, yet no money is being allocated for infrastructure development in the city. "The city suffers from traffic jams, the city suffers from water crisis. The city's lakes are being encroached upon, the city's roads are ridden with potholes, and not a single MLA in Karnataka in Bangalore in the last 8-10 months has been given even a single rupee for any infrastructure development work in the constituent because all your money is going for freebies," he further added. Citing the allocation for education by the state government, he alleged that the policies are having an adverse impact not just today but also on the children of tomorrow. "Karnataka has given 11 per cent allocation for education in the year 2024-25 while other states the average is 14.7 per cent so you are taking away money that would otherwise have been allocated to education just to fund your freebies now what is the casualty not just development of today but the casualty is also the quality of education of young people of Karnataka the children of Karnataka for tomorrow," he added. Karnataka, with 28 Lok Sabha seats, will vote in two phases on April 26 and May 7. The counting of votes is scheduled on June 4. In the 2019 elections, the Congress and JD-S alliance -- which was also in power in the state at that time -- suffered a significant defeat, with the BJP winning 25 seats and the alliance partners getting one each. This time, however, the BJP and JD-S are contesting the polls together, with former contesting on 25 seats. The Congress party is currently in power in the state after registering a huge victory in assembly polls last year. (ANI)
Ambassadors and diplomats from various countries boarded the Vande Bharat Train from Kashi to New Delhi on Monday to experience India's rapid infrastructural development and progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trip was organised by the Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF). The ambassadors and diplomats were returning from Kashi after attending the two-day mega event 'Prayas: Dharohar Kashi Ki'. They included Said Hijri, Counsellor, Embassy of Morocco, Arunkoemar Hardien, Ambassador, Embassy of Surinam, Harisoa Lalatiana, High Commissioner, High Commission of Seychelles, Haymandoyal Dillum, High Commissioner, Mauritius High Commission, Hassane Diallo, Second Counsellor, Embassy of Mali, Yawo Edem Akpemado, Charge d Affaires, Embassy of Togo; and Charles Rwanga, Counsellor, Embassy of Burundi. Praising India's transformation in the past decade, they said that PM Modi transformed India with mega infrastructure for better connectivity and world-class railways, roads and airports. They added that with a rapid pace of development across sectors, India can achieve its goal of Viksit Bharat before 2047 under PM Modi's leadership. Ambassadors and diplomats said that the economy in India is booming due to the development of infrastructure under PM Modi. Moreover, the development and transformation of India have laid the foundation for the country to become the third biggest economy sooner than later. Ambassadors and diplomats said that with the work done by PM Modi, India is poised for further progress and to get its rightful place in the global arena. They said every Indian should take pride in the nation's achievements under PM Modi's leadership, including initiatives like the Vande Bharat train and various infrastructure projects. The Suriname ambassador to India, Arunkoemar Hardien, said, "With the pace of development that is taking place across different sectors in recent years, India can achieve its goal of Viksit Bharat before 2047." Hardien further explained his experience travelling in Vande Bharat. "I am travelling by Vande Bharat train for the first time and it has been quite a remarkable experience. Ever since I arrived in India, I have always wanted to take a train trip in India and I took this opportunity with both hands. This train trip has given me an idea of the rich landscape of India. The Indian Railways is one of the biggest rail systems. The introduction of the Vande Bharat train by honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi is indeed a success story," Hardien said. Further, he compared it with other countries' railway systems and stressed that it is on the same level. "Even if you compare it with the European or American rail system, it's on the same level, and India can be very proud of that. In the last couple of years, India has redesigned its development and the massive investment that has been undertaken by the Indian government will help it attain PM Modi's goal of Viksit Bharat till 2047," he said. He also praised the infrastructural development; construction of airports and better connectivity in India. "This is enough evidence that India will achieve its goal of being a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) on or before 2047; Suriname can be part of the growth story of India, take our share back to our country and get encouraged to do the same in our country as well," he said. With the pace of development across different sectors in the past few years under the Modi government, I am very confident that India can achieve its goal of Viksit Bharat before 2047, he added. "PM Modi has focused on the needs of the people of India and has the ambition to fulfil them," he said. Said Hijri, Counsellor in the Embassy of Morocco at New Delhi, emphasised that the well-designed Vande Bharat offers ample amenities for work, watching a movie, and reading a book, ensuring utmost comfort. "Railways are an environment-friendly means of transportation, and India, as a vast country with substantial influence on the continent, underscores the impact of its railway development in fostering economic growth in the region. The economy in India is already booming, and the infrastructure will further propel growth," he added. Looking ahead, India is poised to further progress and become the third-largest economy by 2030, leaving a positive impact on its people. With a population of 1.4 billion, India deserves its rightful place in the global arena. Every Indian should take pride in these achievements under PM Modi's leadership, including initiatives like the Vande Bharat train and various infrastructure projects," he said. Charles Rwanga, Consular, Embassy of Burundi, said India is a country of diversity and PM Modi is doing a great job of keeping the country together by preserving India's rich spiritual and cultural legacy. "PM Modi chose Varanasi (as his Lok Sabha constituency) because of the cultural things that bind the country as one. The force of India lies in its culture and if PM Modi is working on that one, there is a reason. PM Modi has done a wonderful job with his wonderful ideas," he said. (ANI)
Four Israeli soldiers were injured in a blast that occurred as troops operated several hundred metres inside Lebanese territory overnight, The Times of Israel reported, citing the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Monday. The Hezbollah terror group took responsibility for the explosion on the border. The cause of the blast that wounded the soldiers in the western region of the border with Lebanon was under investigation by the military, which said in a statement that the explosion was of "unknown origin." The military said the incident took place during "operational activity" carried out by troops of the Golani Brigade's reconnaissance unit and the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, on the Lebanese side of the border, several hundred metres from Israel's fence. One soldier was seriously wounded, two were listed in moderate condition, and another was lightly hurt, according to the IDF. The troops were airlifted from Lebanese territory to a hospital in Israel. Claiming the blast, Hezbollah said it placed several explosive devices adjacent to the border, inside Lebanese territory, in an area across from the northern Israeli community of Adamit. Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi warned Monday that Iran's missile and drone attack on the country a day earlier, which caused slight damage to an airbase, "will be met with a response," The Times of Israel reported. The comments were made as he met soldiers at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, where four Iranian ballistic missiles struck during the attack early Sunday. It came hours after the war cabinet met to decide on an Israeli response. "Iran wanted to harm the strategic capabilities of the State of Israel--that is something that had not happened before. We were prepared for the 'Iron Shield' operation--preparation that brought Iran to also encounter aerial superiority," he said, referring to the effort to counter the Iran blitz by its military code name. (ANI)
Former US President Donald Trump made his first appearance in a New York courtroom on Monday for the start of his trial over charges of falsifying his business record, CNN reported. Notably, Trump became the first US President, past or present, to stand trial on criminal charges. The trial is also the first of four separate criminal trials Trump faces. It comes in the midst of his 2024 bid for the presidency. Trump appeared at the Manhattan court, where the prosecution and defence teams began jury selection, an undertaking that could last weeks, particularly given the political sensitivities involved. After arriving at the court, Donald Trump called the trial an "assault on America" and "political persecution," Al Jazeera reported. The criminal trial of Donald J. Trump, the nation's 45th president and the Republican Party's presumptive nominee, started with potential jurors assembling in a drab courtroom in New York City while Trump looked on. Trump was charged in Manhattan, a deeply Democratic county and his former home, with falsifying nearly three dozen business records in an attempt to cover up a payment to a porn star, Stormy Daniels, who has said she had a brief sexual encounter with him in 2006. The jury of 12, along with six alternates, will be chosen from hundreds of New Yorkers after an exhaustive selection process that could stretch beyond the first week of the trial, CNN reported. Court officials expect about 500 new jurors to appear each day for the selection process. About 100 prospective jurors at a time will be brought into Judge Juan Merchan's courtroom to be vetted. Trump has regularly dismissed the charges against him as a political "witch-hunt". He has also used the legal proceedings against him to energise his base and collect donations amid his myriad legal woes. Early in the day, for instance, Trump's campaign released a "fact sheet" on the trial, seeking to frame it as a means of tilting the upcoming presidential election in November. "Fact 1: President Trump did nothing wrong. These charges are entirely fabricated in order to interfere in the election and distract from the failed presidency of Crooked Joe Biden," the email said, Al Jazeera reported. Trump reprised that theme outside the court, taking direct aim at US President Joe Biden. "It's a country that's failing, it's a country that's run by an incompetent man and is very much involved in this case," Trump said. "This is really an attack on a political opponent. That is all it is, so I'm very honoured to be here." He also accused the judge and prosecutors leading the case, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, of being partisan, Al Jazeera reported. "It's a scam. It's a political witch hunt. It continues, and it continues forever. And we're not going to be given a fair trial," he told reporters at the end of the day. (ANI)
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), led by Maulana Fazl, and Imran Khan-founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have "agreed on increasing party-level contacts" as the former pulled up for starting a nationwide movement against election rigging, according to Geo News. Asad Qaiser, the central leader of the PTI, verified that he spoke with JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on the phone and wished him a happy Eid ul Fitr. "We exchanged views on the current political situation and the process of forming government in our telephonic conversation," Qaiser said in a statement, adding that both sides agreed on increasing party-level contacts. The former speaker of the National Assembly also disclosed his party's concerns about the establishment of a coalition government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with support from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other allies following the national elections on February 8, as per Geo News. Qaiser asserted that by "stealing public mandate" in the general elections of 2024, both parties repudiated the entire process that resulted in the formation of the current government. Additionally, he emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated public movement opposing the "fake government." According to the politician, there is "ideological coordination" between the PTI and the JUI-F with respect to the public movement. Additionally, Qaiser proposed that parties that uphold the rule of law launch a political movement opposing the current administration under the banner of "Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Dastoor," reported Geo News. These are not the first interactions between the former political opponents who grew closer after their performance in the national polls did not meet their expectations. The meeting between a team from the erstwhile ruling party and the JUI-F supremo in October of last year drew criticism from several Imran-founded party factions. (ANI)
Former First Lady of Pakistan, Bushra Bibi, filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday and appealed to the court for a check-up and medical tests from Shaukat Khanum Hospital or any other private hospital of her choice to examine if she was poisoned through contaminated food, Dawn reported. In her petition, Bushra Bibi said that she is suffering from heartburn, aches in throat and mouth and that she believes that it is the result of eating poisonous meals. Further, she stated that she was poisoned and subjected to psychological torture at her Banigala residence, which has been declared a sub-jail, as per Dawn. Moreover, the petitioner alleged that the government was trying to eliminate her to put pressure on PTI founder Imran Khan. She also alleged that the jail authorities had installed closed-circuit cameras in her bathroom, which was a violation of her privacy, the News International reported. According to Dawn , the petitioner said she has not been given ample time to meet her family members and lawyers. Bushra Bibi has also appealed for her transfer to Adiala Jail, with a petition concerning this matter currently awaiting consideration by the IHC Further, she urged the authorities to ensure the protection of her fundamental rights. In the Iddat case, the counsel of complainant Khawar Farid Maneka continued his arguments in support of the conviction and the sentence awarded to former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. The counsel of Khan, Salman Akram Raja, on the other hand, urged the court to conclude the arguments of the complainant's counsel advocate, Raja Rizwan Abbasi. Raja accused Abbasi of applying delaying tactics in the case. During the course of the arguments, Abbasi read out the verdict of the trial court and said the key witnesses in the case were Mufti Saeed, who solemnised the Nikkah; Aun Chaudhry, a witness of the Nikkah ceremony; and Latif, a domestic servant of Khawar Maneka. He said that Section 496-B (fornication) was added to the charges against Khan and his wife on the complaint of Maneka, but the trial court deleted this offence during framing of the charges. He argued that he would assist the trial court on Section 496 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and requested that the court adjourn the hearing until May. He said that he would require at least 4 to 5 hours to conclude the arguments. Raja, on the other hand, pointed out that if the trial continued in late hours, the arguments on the appeal against conviction could continue after the regular court timings. He, however, asked judge Shahrukh Arjumand to adjourn for a single day. The judge responded that the courts have remained closed for Eid holidays and, therefore, he has a workload for the entire week. (ANI)
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, on his visit to Washington, will attend the spring meetings organised by the IMF and World Bank, beginning on Tuesday.

Citing sources, ARY News reported that the negotiations between Pakistan and the IMF are scheduled for next week.

The Pakistani delegation consists of the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, the Secretary of Finance, the Additional Secretary, and other individuals.

The meetings will have two clear objectives, including, helping countries combat climate change and assisting the world's most indebted nations.

The meetings, which bring central bankers together with finance and development ministers, academics, and representatives from the private sector and civil society to discuss the state of the global economy, will kick off with the IMF's publication of its updated World Economic Outlook, Dawn reported.

Pakistan witnessed its general elections in February this year, marred by allegations of rigging with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in prison, barred from running elections, and his party subject to a crackdown, according to Dawn.

Later, the shaky coalition led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was tasked with dealing with an economic upheaval and bringing up measures to resolve it.

Last month, Pakistan and the IMF came to a staff-level agreement over the third and final review of the USD 3 billion standby arrangement. (ANI)
As Sudan marks the one-year anniversary of the civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), aid agencies have warned that the country is on the verge of collapse and facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, CNN reported. Islamic Relief, a humanitarian and development agency, warned that the country is on the brink of mass famine, with young children facing the prospect of starving to death. The situation in Sudan is dire, with over 8.4 million people, including 2 million children under the age of five, forced to flee their homes in the wake of the conflict, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). However, despite these alarming figures, it has not received an adequate international response. Islamic Relief added that only five per cent of the 2025 humanitarian response plan for Sudan has been funded, reported CNN. The agency's country director for Sudan, Elsadig Elnour, said, "Over the past year, I've seen my country descend into violence, madness, and destruction, neglected by the rest of the world." The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has left millions of people displaced and countless civilians dead or severely injured, according to CNN. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned in a statement on Monday of a further escalation in violence in Sudan "as parties to the conflict arm civilians, and more armed groups join the fighting." Moreover, since the beginning of the civil war, thousands of homes, schools, hospitals and other vital civilian structures have been destroyed. The war has pilunged the country into a severe humanitarian crisis, creating the world's largest displacement crisis, his office said, as reported by CNN. "Nearly 18 million people face acute food insecurity, 14 million of them children, and over 70 percent of hospitals are no longer functional amid a rise in infectious diseases," Turk added. Earlier on Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that "crimes against humanity" were potentially being committed in the country, adding that recent reports of escalating hostilities in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, were a "fresh cause for deep alarm." Over the weekend, RSF-affiliated militias attacked and burned villages west of El Fasher, leading to "widespread new displacement," Guterres said. Moreover, the fighting continued Monday on the outskirts of El Fasher, he added. "Let me be clear, any attack on El Fasher would be devastating for civilians and could lead to full-blown intercommunal conflict across Darfur," Guterres said. (ANI)
The Association announced on Monday that fuel supply would remain suspended from Tuesday, citing what they deemed as 'unfair' measurement practices by the authorities.

According to the Oil Tankers Owners' Association, they had sought redressal of their grievances from both the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, but their efforts proved futile, as reported by ARY News.

The Association members have parked their containers in the PSO depot and voiced their demands through slogans.

Blaming the administration for fuel shortages, the oil tanker owners declared their strike would persist until their demands are met.

They insisted on the acceptance of their demands, particularly emphasising the implementation of a metered system for filling. The association claimed that the authorities had breached the agreement reached on February 20, ARY News reported. (ANI)
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Tuesday, in their manifesto, demanded the "Rights to Health" be recognised as a fundamental right in Pakistan, the HRCP said in a report. The HRCP issued a report titled, "The Right to Health: A People's Manifesto" that demanded that the Pakistani administration make major changes in the health infrastructure and policy formation in the country. Addressing the severe condition of health infrastructure in Pakistan, the HRCP further demanded that the right to health be recognised as a fundamental and constitutional right and must be rightfully enjoyed by every individual without discrimination based on race, language, religion, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, or class. "Health must be considered as comprehensively as physical, mental and social well-being," it added. According to the HRCP report, health must not be measured in terms of political, economic, social or environmental conditions, but must be an integral part of local, provincial and national policymaking. Additionally, at least 10 per cent of the provincial budget should be allocated to health provisions to develop health-related infrastructure. Moreover, free and affordable health facilities must be provided to all classes of society, even in remote areas. Conclusively, the manifesto also highlighted that preventive measures to prevent diseases, overcome misconceptions through education and nationwide awareness campaigns, and create an atmosphere of well-being must be planned and executed. Till now, the manifesto has been signed by lawyers, development professionals, auditors, educators, members of the HRCP, and journalists. According to the report, the challenges in the health infrastructure include, inadequate infrastructure and limited healthcare access, particularly in rural and remote areas. The lack of trained healthcare professionals and essential medical supplies creates significant barriers to timely and effective healthcare delivery, which in turn burdens existing facilities, often leading to overcrowding and suboptimal care, perpetuating a cycle of health challenges. Further, the HRCP also stated that Pakistan had inadequate health education and awareness, which, coupled with limited access to vaccinations, contributed to the prevalence of preventable and communicable diseases such as polio, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. This puts numerous lives at risk while again imposing a substantial burden on the healthcare system. Additionally, maternal and infant mortality rates remain alarmingly high. Gaps in maternal care, skilled birth attendance and access to quality antenatal and postnatal services persist. Similarly, high infant mortality rates highlight the need for improved neonatal care and comprehensive healthcare support for children. Mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders, are often exacerbated by societal stigma and a lack of adequate mental health services, the report stated. The report also claimed that socioeconomic disparities provide relatively different access to healthcare services. The concentration of healthcare facilities and resources in urban centres disproportionately favours higher-income urban populations. This leaves rural and remote areas underserved, limiting healthcare options for the less privileged, and leading to overcrowding, strained resources, and suboptimal healthcare delivery. Similar health-related issues are faced by women and gender-diverse individuals when accessing quality healthcare. Occupational diseases and accidents underscore the vulnerability of workers facing hazardous conditions, the HRCP stated. (ANI)
Gujarat CM Patel emphasised that Brzazilian industrialists could consider investing in Gujarat's auto parts sector.

"During this courtesy meeting, the Brazilian Ambassador conveyed his interest in advancing cooperation with Gujarat in the automotive, energy, and agriculture sectors," according to an official release.

"During the conversation, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel mentioned that Brazilian industrialists could consider investing in Gujarat's auto parts sector, given Gujarat's reputation as an automotive hub," it added.

Moreover, during the discussions, the Brazil envoy said that Brazil's expertise in biofuel technology and the biogas sector requires suitable partners, and further raised his eagerness to advance cooperation in these fields.

"During the courtesy meeting with the Chief Minister, it was noted that beyond the pharmaceutical sector, companies from India and Gujarat are also active in Brazil's IT and energy sectors," the release stated.

The Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, K Kailashnathan, and Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department, SJ Haider, along with First Secretary of Trade and Investment Promotion Sector of the Brazil Embassy in New Delhi, Wagner Silva Antunes, were also present during the courtesy meet. (ANI)
11-year-old girl breaks away as next-door neighbor gets into her bed, Utah cops say

A neighbor who entered the house next-door to use the bathroom climbed into bed with an 11-year-old girl, Utah police reported.

The neighbor tried to make increased physical contact with the girl until she was able to break away, the Ephraim Police Department said in an April 15 news release.

The incident took place Sunday, April 14, police said. The girls family called 911 and reported she had been touched wrong, police said.

The suspect, whose name and age were not released, left the home and drove away, but police later located and arrested him, police said.

He faces charges of burglary, attempted rape of a child, drug possession and consuming alcohol and possessing tobacco as a minor, police said.

Ephraim is about a 120-mile drive southwest from Salt Lake City.

Parents fight off 25-year-old intruder found in 4-year-olds bedroom, Arizona cops say

Two men shove boulders off ancient rock formation in Nevada, wrecking it, video shows

Womans dog attacks her when she tries to stop dogs from mating, California cops say
19-year-old found dead after first date; suspect due in court: What to know about Sade Robinson case

The man suspected in the killing of Sade Robinson is set to appear again in court after officials say he went on a date with the Wisconsin teen the day before her remains were found.

Maxwell Anderson, 33, was arrested on April 4 at a traffic stop and charged with the in the death of Robinson, 19, after police received a report of a severed leg located near a golf course in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. The leg was discovered April 2, the day after Anderson met with Robinson.

Robinson was reported missing on April 2. When the teenager, who had a date with Anderson the night before at a Milwaukee seafood restaurant he used to work at, didn't show up for her shift at a pizza restaurant, her coworkers suspected something was wrong.

Now, the man she went on a date with is charged with the following:

first-degree intentional homicide

mutilating a corpse

arson of property other than a building

Previously in the Sade Robinson case: Milwaukee man Maxwell Anderson charged after human remains found

Maxwell Anderson appears in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, as prosecutors were seeking to detain Anderson for an additional 72 hours before making a charging decision, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

What happened in Robinson's death?

Anderson, 33, and Robinson went on a first date in Milwaukee on April 1, according to prosecutors.

He took her to a seafood restaurant after she texted him that she felt like eating seafood, reports 6ABC, citing a criminal complaint.

After a night out, Robinson went back to Anderson's home, prosecutors said.

The next day, authorities found a severed human leg at Warnimont Park in Cudahy, which has now been identified as belonging to Robinson, according to prosecutors.

The case received extensive publicity as additional human remains were found in Milwaukee in the days since.

A missing poster for Sade Carleena Robinson is seen April 8, 2024, at Pizza Shuttle on Milwaukees east side, where Robinson worked for three years.

Anderson's court date

Anderson is scheduled to return to court for his preliminary hearing on April 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Milwaukee County Courthouse Criminal Justice Facility, where Assistant District Attorney Ian Vance-Curzan will be expected to provide probable cause that Anderson committed a felony. Anderson's defense attorney, Anthony Cotton, will be able to cross-examine witnesses the state provides.

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jean Kies will decide if there's probable cause. If she believes there is, then Anderson will stand trial then the case will move to an arraignment hearing where Anderson would plea guilty or innocent.

How did prosecutors build a case against Anderson?

The prosecution used surveillance footage, witness statements and phone tracking records to build a case against Anderson. Officials with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office and Milwaukee Police Department said last week that the investigation and search for more body parts is ongoing.

A week after his arrest, Anderson was charged with first-degree intentional homicide (which carries a life sentence), mutilating a corpse and arson.

Sade Carleena Robinson

Who is Sade Robinson?

In May, Robinson would've turned 20 and graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College with an associate degree in criminal justice, her mother Sheena Scarbrough told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Her mother said Robinson dreamed of joining the U.S. Air Force and that she loved to take solo trips. This year she went to Jamaica, but traveled to New Orleans, Atlanta and other places as well.

But for the time being, she was a favorite among coworkers and customers at the local pizza place she worked at, said her manager.

Her manager, Justin Romano, told local media outlet 6ABC she was "very outgoing, she would talk to everybody here. She was always there to lighten the mood."

'I didn't know that was going to be the last day I saw my baby'

Scarbrough, spent the Easter evening with her daughter and the rest of the family. That was the last day she saw her in person.

The next day, Robinson videocalled her mother to talk about the rest of her night and how she planned to style her hair.

"She looked as beautiful, glowing as she always is," said Scarbrough.

Scarbrough said her daughter was still figuring things out, but was always willing to help others.

"Her whole life was so ahead of her, she was so, so amazing. So beautiful, such a beautiful angel. Everywhere she went, people just admired my baby," Scarbrough said.

Scarbrough urges anyone with information to share it. Police asked anyone with information to call 414-935-7252.

Contributing: David Clarey, Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Ahjane Forbes, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sade Robinson case: What to know as Maxwell Anderson due in court
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada is imposing another round of sanctions against Belarus officials over continuing human rights violations after a 2020 presidential election that the opposition denounced as fraudulent, Ottawa said on Monday.

The punitive measures target 21 current and former senior government figures, including members of the security forces, public prosecutors and members of the judiciary system, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"These individuals have been involved or complicit in arbitrary arrests and detentions, brutality, intimidation and excessive use of force against Belarusians who protested the fraudulent elections," it said.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly accused the West of trying to topple him after mass protests against his rule erupted in 2020 after the election. Lukashenko said he had won fairly, while conducting a sweeping crackdown on his opponents.

Canada has so far announced 14 rounds of sanctions against a total of 211 individuals and 71 entities in Belarus. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly is due to meet exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya this week in Ottawa.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Coming to a district near you? Pennsylvania law now permits a 4-day school week.

Students in Pennsylvania public school districts could go to school just four days a week.

Legislation signed into law in December amended the Pennsylvania School Code to eliminate the requirement for a minimum 180 school days providing 900 or more instruction hours each academic year. Districts now can choose between 180 school days and hourly instruction requirements: 900 for elementary students and 990 for secondary students.

Four-day school weeks with extended hours Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday would meet the hourly instructional requirements. But Erie area school districts aren't raising their hands to sign on.

"We've not had those conversations here," said Brad Whitman, executive director of Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5. IU5, based in Edinboro, provides educational services to 17 public school districts in Erie, Crawford and Warren counties.

"It comes with challenges that I don't think we're ready for," said Erie School District assistant Superintendent Teresa Szumigala.

Not a new concept

School districts in other parts of the country, mainly in the Midwest and West, already operate on four-day weeks. And their number is growing.

Nearly 900 school districts in 26 states have abbreviated schedules, up from 662 in 2019, Paul Thompson, of Oregon State University, told the Associated Press. Thompson has studied the trend.

Two-thirds of Colorado's 178 school districts have a four-day week. In Oregon and Missouri, the percentage is roughly one-third.

A high school classroom in Columbia, Missouri, is unoccupied on a weekday. Roughly one-third of the state's school districts operate on a four-day week.

Pennsylvania school officials will need time to carefully consider potential benefits and drawbacks of an abbreviated week, which wasn't the primary intent of the new legislation, Whitman said.

The idea was to give school officials more flexibility to cope with things like boiler failure, water line breaks and fire  including the May fire that closed Girard's Elk Valley Elementary School for the remainder of the academic year.

"The change allows districts more flexibility and allows them to change instructional modalities as they see fit so long as they still meet hourly instructional requirements," Whitman said. "The solar eclipse was a prime example of districts having the flexibility to change their mode of instruction or even take a day off without being penalized."

School officials may also see fit to lop a day off the school week.

Potential benefits and challenges

Four-day school weeks can be attractive to staff and thereby help school districts fill vacancies. Teachers can use the day off classes to prepare lessons, grade papers, catch up with other work or simply as an extra day off, depending on contract agreements.

Manhattan School District #3 in New York switched to a four-day school week this academic year at the request of its teachers' union, according to the district website. The union requested the shorter school week to help the district attract and retain teachers.

It worked in the Independence School District in Missouri, where the superintendent told CBS News in August that teacher applications increased four-fold after the district switched to a Tuesday-Friday schedule.

And in a December Education Week Research Center survey of teachers, principals and school district leaders, two-thirds said that they would be either "slightly" or "much more" willing to accept a job in a school district with a four-day week.

The Millcreek Township School District bus fleet is shown at the First Student lot in Millcreek Township in this 2017 file photo. Buses have been on the roads to McDowell High School a little later in the day since the district delayed school start times last fall. [FILE PHOTO/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The shorter week also could help districts attract bus drivers that are in short supply nationwide. It also could save districts money on transportation and food service costs.

"I've heard of some discussions in the eastern part of the state about four-day school weeks, mainly because of transportation issues," Whitman said.

Opponents point out that the advantage of four-day districts in attracting teachers, drivers and other staff will disappear if more districts abbreviate the school week.

And a 2011 analysis by the Economic Commission of the States found that savings in transportation, food service and other costs were minimal, from 0.4% to 2.5% of school districts' annual budgets.

In part, that may be because districts offer meals, at least at some schools, on Mondays or Fridays when classes aren't in session, primarily to serve children who depend on government-subsidized school meals.

Other services might have to be abbreviated if school weeks are abbreviated.

"There are so many services that we provide for students through the week, not only meals but after-school programming, mental health and counseling services, and other services and supports to students and families through our community school model," Erie School District's Szumigala said. "To provide those services, we need students to be in front of us as much as possible."

And parents would need to make arrangements for child care, particularly for elementary-aged children, on Mondays or Fridays. And that can come at a cost.

Maybe surprisingly, 89% of parents of elementary-aged students recently surveyed by Rand Corporation researchers said that they were "mostly" or "very" satisfied with four-day school weeks.

How do students fare?

Research on the effect of four-day school weeks on student learning is contradictory.

A Rand Corporation study found that declines in student achievement in four-day districts aren't apparent in the short term but became apparent over years.

However, in Missouri, where some schools have had four-day weeks since 2011, the change has had "no statistically significant effect" overall on either student achievement or growth, according to an analysis commissioned by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The study, released in early March, was based on student test scores and academic growth from 2008 through 2022.

Students could benefit from flexible time off school by taking job training or college courses, participating in enrichment programs, and working, state Rep. Jesse Topper, of Bedford County, R-78th Dist., said in a December statement. Topper was the primary sponsor of the legislation allowing Pennsylvania school districts more flexibility in scheduling instruction.

And teacher development programs can be scheduled periodically on Mondays or Fridays when classes aren't in session rather than on traditional in-service days during the school year, freeing those days for instruction.

"This legislation... will lead to more participation in internships and extended career and technology hours, allowing for increased individualized educational opportunities, student support and more focused workforce development," Topper said.

Closer to home: Schools pioneering shorter weeks

Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown switched to a Monday-Thursday school week this school year, extending each school day by 50 minutes to meet the state's requirement of 990 instructional hours. Parochial schools had not been required to have 180 class days.

Students are able to get extra help or participate in enrichment programs on Friday, school Principal and Chief Academic Officer Tom Smith said in a video detailing the four-day schedule.

"We are opening them up to a new world of college visits to do tours of colleges. We are going to have career fair opportunities, academic fair opportunities. They're going to have more access to tutoring and job shadowing," Smith said.

Manhattan School District #3 is pioneering the four-day school week in New York state.

The first so-called four-day school week in Ohio is in suburban Cincinnati's North College Hill School District, which actually launched a hybrid learning schedule this school year. Students and teachers work at home on Monday and are in school Tuesday through Friday.

At issue in Fort LeBoeuf district: Renovating 3 elementary schools versus building a single unified school

Time will tell

Increased costs, decreased revenues and increased competition for staff could prompt local school districts to weigh if they could shift to a four-day school week without impeding student achievement or severely curtailing student and family services.

"Right now, on the surface, it doesn't look to be too beneficial for us," said Szumigala, of the Erie School District.

"But it's not necessarily something we wouldn't look at in the future."

'It's my happy place': Two Catholic nuns keep teaching tradition alive at Erie school

Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: 4-day school week is now legal in PA. It's already a thing out West.
A CT river is named one of most endangered in US. Heres why and what it means for residents.

The Farmington River, the top priority watershed in the state, according to the states environmental agency, has been named one of Americas Most Endangered Rivers by the organization American Rivers.

The 47-mile river, which flows into the Connecticut River, has the potential to be the biggest positive environmental impact to fish restoration, according to Paul Woodworth, senior ecological restoration project manager for Save the Sound.

The reason its listed as endangered is the hydroelectric Rainbow Dam, which is only partially operating, Woodworth said. The dam is run by the Farmington River Power Co. in Windsor, which is owned by Stanley Black & Decker.

The Farmington River supports diverse fish and wildlife, is a vital source of clean drinking water for the region, and provides boating and other recreation opportunities, but this dam is an ongoing threat, said Katie Schmidt of American Rivers, in a statement.

What got us concerned about the situation there was the toxic algae blooms, said Aimee Petras, executive director of the Farmington River Watershed Association. The blue-green blooms, which can harm humans, dogs and wildlife, arrived in 2019, 2020 and 2022, she said.

We started studying it and thats when it became clear to us that a little bit of this is getting exacerbated by the conditions of the dam and the way that the dam owner is running the facility, she said. And thats really why FRWA nominated the river for Most Endangered Rivers.

Petras said company officials didnt respond until the association told them they would be part of Tuesdays announcement.

The conditions at the facility really are concerning and Connecticut (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection) shut down the fishway in March of 2023 and that also just made us feel a little bit more like something needs to happen here, Petras said.

And the other reason we reached out to the company is that theres historical federal funding to fix the fish passage. And we just wanted them to come to the table and hear about that opportunity.

Debora Raymond, a spokeswoman for Stanley Black & Decker, issued a statement saying, Farmington River Power has safely operated the Rainbow Dam for more than a century, providing sustainable hydropower for the local grid. We are committed to finding ways to make the Farmington River a vibrant and healthy river for fish, wildlife, and the community.

Woodworth said there are five migratory fish affected by the dam: American eel, sea lamprey, blueback herring, alewife and American shad.

Now that DEEP has condemned this fishway, basically saying its doing more harm than good to the migratory fish run, we now recognize this as being a major impediment to any restoration of migratory fish in the Farmington River, he said.

So that, compounded with the water quality issues, make this a really negatively impactful hydropower dam than many other hydropower dams around, he said.

Woodworth maintained that the dam has been neglected and hasnt been upgraded or repaired or well maintained since it was built about 100 years ago.

Petras said the fishway was condemned because it wasnt succeeding in helping the fish swim upstream.

Its a series of cubes that are built up on each other.  Its almost like a game. They have to get through each of these steps. Its a 65-foot-high dam and they have to gather through each of those steps, she said.

Those that do get up through it actually come out of it injured, Woodworth said. Theyll have scales missing or their fins will be damaged or something. So a lot of the fish come out so harmed that DEEP was concerned that it was actually injuring the fish too much for them to be successfully recolonizing the population.

He said the company hasnt installed a screen in front of the turbines for fish to be able to swim downstream safely. And so the fish that were getting up into the watershed were not able to get back down without getting either killed in the turbines or just not making it at all, he said.

The other important factor here for migratory fish is that the Farmington River is the best chance in the state to restore migratory fish, Petras said. We have such pristine habitat upstream.

One reason is that other dam owners, such as Canton Hydros Upper Collinsville Hydroelectric Project have rehabilitated dams upriver. But Stanley is grandfathered in without a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Petras said.

There are no dams south of the confluence of the Farmington River and the Connecticut River, she said. Thats why we have this great opportunity for restoring fish migrations is because of the size of the river and the location in Connecticut and in the Long Island Sound and in the Connecticut River watershed.

She added, Its a prized river because its got two wild and scenic river designations. Its got pristine habitat. Its known for fishing. Its one of the best fish rivers in the state. Its time for the company to take control of its facility and fix their problems.

Woodworth said the river was nominated now also to bring attention to the magnitude of the opportunity we have to deal with it, with the availability of funding. Some of the money comes out of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

He said Save the Sound and other organizations that make up the River Restoration Network would really want to partner with Stanley to find a permanent and complete solution, trying to tap into this funding thats available and we expect to expire or become unavailable in a year or two, Woodworth said.

So its a timing of opportunity right now for Stanley Black & Decker, he said.

Ed Stannard can be reached at estannard@courant.com.
Dictatorships have never been closer  it's time for democracies to do the same

Dictatorships have never been closer  it's time for democracies to do the same

After the election of Vladimir Putin for yet another presidential term last month, the list of those who lined up to congratulate the Russian dictator made for intriguing reading.

Belarus Lukashenka said support for Putin was overwhelming; Azerbaijans Aliyev offered his warm regards on the occasion of Putins claimed 87,28% of the vote - whilst just last month Aliyev received congratulations from Putin for his 92% victory.

Kim Jong Un said he would firmly join hands with his neighbour to the west. Iran was, of course, keen to congratulate the former KGB man.

An anti-ideology links these countries  anti-democracy, anti-human rights, anti-justice. They increasingly work together in unison, strengthening their economic and political collaboration, while democratic powers hesitate and retreat.

China and Iran keep passing Moscow the ammo

Russia's official military spending in 2024 will amount to no less than 117.5 billion. Ukraine's military expenditure in 2024 will be at least three times less, amounting to approximately 39bn.

For now, the confirmed financial and military aid from the West to Ukraine is dramatically less than what is needed.

Meanwhile, China is supplying Russia with military and dual-use goods, as well as providing significant economic assistance, increasing the volume of trade.

In 2023, the trade turnover between Russia and China amounted to 225.8bn, compared to 178.7bn in 2022 and 138.1bn in 2021.

Chinese honor guards stand at attention during the arrival of Russia's President Vladimir Putin at Beijing Capital International Airport, October 2023 - Parker Song/AP

In 2023, the trade turnover between Russia and China amounted to 225.8bn, compared to 178.7bn in 2022 and 138.1bn in 2021.

Russia and other countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)  Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan  are all deepening relations with Iran. In December 2023, the EAEU countries signed a comprehensive free-trade agreement with the Islamic Republic.

Duty-free trade will cover a wide range of goods, including industrial products (machinery, aircraft and shipbuilding, equipment manufacturing, and much more). Russia controls the airspace of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries, which include Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Attempts by Western powers to keep Central Asian nations onside by staying silent on human rights have clearly failed miserably.

Abuse of political prisoners has never been worse

Human rights in the region are rapidly deteriorating. In Belarus, the abuse of political prisoners has reached a critical point, with thousands enduring beatings, systematic denial of medical care, and isolation from the outside world.

Opposition figures such as Mikalai Statkevich have been forcibly disappeared for over a year. Since 2021, five political prisoners  Vitold Ashurak, Mikalai Klimovich, Ales Pushkin, Vadzim Khrasko, and Ihar Lednik have died in prison, effectively assassinated in the manner of Alexei Navalny.

With many politically motivated crimes in contemporary Russia, no one will be held accountable until Putins regime ends. There are nearly a thousand political prisoners in Russia, whose lives hang in the balance.

Police detain a man who wanted to lay flowers to honor Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in St. Petersburg, February 2024 - AP Photo

At the start of 2023, Azerbaijan had 98 political prisoners. By the end of the year, this number neared 300. The crackdown on civil society and activists began with the case of human rights defender and academic Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, jailed for criticising the governments role in channelling Russian fossil fuels to the West.

With grim irony, Baku is set to host COP29 later this year, taking the lead on the worlds climate policy, whilst some Western leaders go as far as to attack core democratic institutions that uphold international law for short-termist electoral reasons.

And in Russia, Putins regime continues to outdo itself in cruelty and madness. Vladimir Putin is undoubtedly responsible for the murder of Alexei Navalny.

As with many politically motivated crimes in contemporary Russia, no one will be held accountable until Putins regime ends. There are nearly a thousand political prisoners in Russia, whose lives hang in the balance.

Putin's firmer grip on power will help other authoritarians

The tragic insufficiency of financial and military support from the West for Ukraine could culminate in Putin's victory, a result that promises catastrophic repercussions for every nation within the former Soviet Union.

And Putins regime has gone to great lengths to ensure that this happens, going as far as bribing EU lawmakers in order to block a cohesive Western front against them from emerging. But the time for unity in the face of authoritarianism and corruption is now.

Instead of introducing new packages of ineffective sanctions, it is necessary to tighten existing sanctions aimed at reducing Moscow's military potential.

Vladimir Putin and Alexander Karamyshev the head of aerial weapons training and tactical training center visit a military facility in Torzhok, March 2024 - Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik via AP

With the resulting strengthening of Putin's regime, the authoritarian regimes in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan will solidify, and civil society in these countries will lose any opportunity for any democratic transformation for many decades.

At a meeting of the World Liberty Congress in Washington DC in March, dozens of democracy activists from around the world gathered to lay out their plans to defeat dictatorship.

Asked by one reporter what the US could do for them, WLC president Masih Alinejad replied: Were not asking the American government, Washington, DC, European governments to save us. We want them to stop saving our oppressors.

Democracies must change their stance on authoritarian states

Democratic governments need to amplify and extend financial and military support to Ukraine. And Western countries must change their policy towards authoritarian states.

A shift in policy towards authoritarian countries, primarily regarding China and Central Asian nations, must be accompanied by a change in the sanctions approach towards Russia and its allies.

Instead of introducing new packages of ineffective sanctions, it is necessary to tighten existing sanctions aimed at reducing Moscow's military potential.

Most importantly and urgently, democratic governments must  as a united front  reassess their strategies and substantially increase financial and military support for Ukraine.

This support is paramount in effectively confronting and overcoming the threats that could shape our world for decades to come.

Carine Kanimba is spokesperson, and Natalia Pelevina is the Regional Secretary for Eastern Europe and Central Asia for the World Liberty Congress (WLC).

At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.
MUNCIE, Ind.  The East Central Indiana region  including Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph and Wayne counties  has received $35 million in funding from Indiana's Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI).

"Funding from READI promises to fuel transformative growth and opportunity across communities in the region," according to a news release.

"I am incredibly proud of the work that was put in across the region to make this award a reality," Trevor Friedeberg, president and CEO of the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership, said in the release. "With this award we will accelerate growth in our region that will have an impact for years to come."

A rendering of the Village business district, and beyond, after a planned revitalization project.

Launched by Gov. Eric Holcomb and spearheaded by the the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, READI "encourages regional collaboration and data-informed, long-term planning to attract and retain talent in Indiana."

In the first stage of READI, ECI received $15 million for 19 projects across various sectors, including broadband, childcare, infrastructure, arts and culture, recreation, and talent attraction, with $5 million disbursed to date.

More: East Central Indiana Regional Partnership readies READI Grant application for February

The regional development plan has several goals to be completed by 2031.

It seeks to attract 1,500 new residents to the region each year, enable 1,300 people to earn a bachelor's degree or higher annually and develop about 7,200 new housing units.

For Muncie, READI grant projects include Ball State University's remake of The Village retail area, including an on-campus performing arts center and a new 100-room Tapestry by Hilton Hotel.

Statewide, Holcomb announced plans to award $500 million to 15 regions representing all 92 Indiana counties.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: ECI to receive $35 million grant from READI program
Gov. Tony Evers criticizes Republicans members of the Joint Finance Committee for failing to appear at a special meeting called to release funding for PFAS remediation. Joining him Tuesday April 16, 2024, in the state Capitol are state Rep. Deb Andraca, D-Whitefish Bay, Rep. Tip McGuire, D-Kenosha, and Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison.

MADISON  Gov. Tony Evers isn't ruling out filing a lawsuit to force Republicans to release funding meant to help communities across the state address "forever chemical" contaminations.

Evers appeared alongside Democratic members of the Joint Finance Committee Tuesday morning after the Republican majority failed to show up. Evers last week called the meeting of the budget committee to release funding to address both PFAS and the lack of medical resources in the northeastern portion of the state.

"The options are kicking some people out of their positions next November, or finding a judge someplace that says we need to move forward," he said.

The governor accused the Joint Finance Committee of acting as a fourth branch of power within the state and not as just a part of the Legislature.

"It seems ridiculous that we need to go to the court for relief," Evers said. "You have an obligation to release (the funding), and it seems we are wasting time and energy of the people of Wisconsin."

No Republican members of Joint Finance attended the meeting Tuesday morning, leaving too few in attendance to convene.

Evers called for the meeting of the committee last week, after he vetoed a bill aimed at outlining how the Department of Natural Resources could spend the $125 million PFAS "trust fund" that was set aside last year during the budget process. The governor then called for the Joint Finance Committee to instead come in for a special meeting, to release the funding and allow the agency to spend the fund without the strict guidelines contained in the vetoed legislation.

If Evers had signed the bill, it would have created grant programs aimed at providing aid to communities with contamination, in addition to limiting the actions that the DNR could take to address contamination or hold polluters accountable.

It would have also commissioned studies, required a reduction in costs for testing, expanded a well compensation grant program, and established an innocent buyer program that would help property owners who unknowingly purchase land contaminated with PFAS.

But environmental groups, the Evers administration and residents in impacted communities pushed back on the Republican-authored bill, saying that it would have harmed the DNR's ability to enforce cleanup of PFAS and that it would have allowed businesses to get away with contamination.

The authors argued that the complaints were unfounded.

Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay, who is a member of the committee, fired back in a press release, accusing Evers and Democrats for wanting to make the public pay for pollution.

While PFAS-affected families suffer, Democrats would rather stage publicity stunts than actually listen to the needs of impacted communities. The same Democrats calling for these funds to be released voted against including them in the budget," he said. "If Democrats on the budget committee are actually serious about helping PFAS victims get clean water, I look forward to their vote to override the Governors veto.

Evers called attention to the Town of Campbell, the French Island community that neighbors La Crosse, and the struggles its residents have been facing for years. Nearly all private wells on the island are contaminated with PFAS and the community has relied on bottled water as they wait for a solution to be implemented.

"Think about the people of French Island, they've been messing with this for I'd say half a decade and they're continuing to drink Culligan water," he said. "It's wrong. It's wrong."

Evers said the lack of funding might make it even harder for communities to reach new standards issued by the Environmental Protection Agency last week, which sets the limit for two of the most common PFAS compounds at just 4 parts per trillion, well below the current Wisconsin standards.

"Municipalities are already struggling with this issue," he said. "People are drinking water they have to buy at the grocery store. And that puts immense pressure on local folks."

PFAS will likely take billions of dollars to address in Wisconsin. In Wausau, for example, the city is spending $17 million to install a treatment system to filter the elevated levels of PFAS in all of its wells.

"One of the most important parts of our work is our work with health and safety and we're sitting here with no Republicans," Evers said. "Taking the time to do the right thing. It sucks."

Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, was one of three Democratic members of the committee who appeared for the meeting. She said the lack of interest in getting money out to PFAS-impacted communities is just the latest in the line of things Republicans want to take credit for, "without actually solving the problem."

"This has been long-standing, many sessions in the making with PFAS," she said. "This is a consistent pattern. There was no need to put this money in a lockbox."

What are PFAS?

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of man-made chemicals used for their water- and stain-resistant qualities in products like clothing and carpet, nonstick cookware, packaging and firefighting foam.

The family includes 5,000 compounds, which are persistent, remaining both in the environment and human body over time. The chemicals have been linked to types of kidney and testicular cancers, lower birth weights, harm to immune and reproductive systems, altered hormone regulation and altered thyroid hormones.

Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on Twitter at @SchulteLaura.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tony Evers considering suing Republicans over release of PFAS funding
Five stores in the Charlotte region were among more than a dozen North Carolina retailers fined over $256,870 combined for overcharging customers so far this year.

A total of 14 stores were fined in eight counties for excessive price-scanning errors, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Standards Division said Tuesday.

Four stores in Mecklenburg County were fined a total of $44,825 and a Union County store was fined $14,430. All of the local retailers are Family Dollar stores.

Last year, dozens of stores, from AutoZone and Circle K to Walgreens and Walmart, were fined a combined $462,480.

Many of the stores penalized this year that are facing fines had multiple failed inspections and a high rate of overcharging errors, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a statement. He said its important for customers to check their receipts and notify store managers if the charges dont match shelf prices.

Several Charlotte-area Family Dollar stores were fined for price scanning errors, according to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Standards Division.

Overcharging in Charlotte-area retail stores

Periodic, unannounced state inspections in retail stores check if shelf and register prices match. Heres what turned up during the latest round around Charlotte:



 Family Dollar at 8500-C Pineville Mathews Road, Pineville, paid $23,480 in penalties for seven failed inspections. An initial inspection in December 2022 found an error rate of 14% based on seven overcharges in a 50-item cart. Follow-up inspections last year in January, March, May, August, October and December found error rates from 18.3% to nearly 6.7% for overcharges on 300 items. The store passed inspection in February.



 Family Dollar at 4130 Rozzlles Ferry Road, Charlotte, paid $11,055 in penalties for four failed inspections. An initial inspection in July found an error rate of 12% based on six overcharges on 50 items. Follow-up inspections in August, October and January found error rates ranging from 10.3% to nearly 8.7% based on overcharges on 300 items. The store passed inspection in March.



 Family Dollar at 2716 West Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, paid $7,680 for four failed inspections. An initial inspection in July found an error rate of 21% based on 21 overcharges on 100 items. Follow-up inspections last year in August, October and December found error rates from 4% to 7.3% on 300 items. The store passed inspection in February.





 Family Dollar at 4005 Sunset Road, Charlotte, paid $2,610 in penalties. An initial inspection in October found an error rate of 7% based on seven overcharges in a 100-item cart. A follow-up inspection in November found an error rate of nearly 6.7% based on 20 overcharges on 300 items. The store was re-inspected in January and March and assessed an additional $10,000 in penalties based on error rates of 19.3% and 12.3% in 300-item lots. The store will be reinspected.

 Family Dollar at 7907 Idlewild Road, Indian Trail, paid $14,430 in penalties for six failed inspections. An initial inspection in March 2023 found an error rate of 18% based on nine overcharges for 50 items. Follow-up inspections in last year in April, June, August, October and December found error rates from 8% to 3% based on overcharges on 300 items. The store was last inspected in February and assessed a $4,420 penalty for an error rate of nearly 5.7% based on 17 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be reinspected.











Other stores fined

Other Family Dollar stores throughout North Carolina were fined this year, as well as retailers Dollar General, Michaels and Sheetz.

 Alamance County: Michaels at 1455 University Drive, Burlington, paid $2,900 in penalties for three failed inspections.

 Forsyth County: Family Dollar at 1019 Rural Hall Road, Rural Hall, paid $23,560 in penalties for six failed inspections; Family Dollar at 1425 Waughtown St., Winston-Salem, paid $27,345 in penalties for seven failed inspections; and Family Dollar at 550 MLK Blvd., Winston-Salem, paid $42,215 in penalties for 10 failed inspections.

 Hertford County: Family Dollar at 1216 E. Memorial Drive, Ahoskie, paid $45,000 in penalties for 10 failed inspections; and Family Dollar at 1678 Ocean Drive, Hertford, paid $8,775 for four failed inspections.

 Stanly County: Family Dollar at 103 N. Main St., Norwood, paid $43,530 in penalties for 11 failed inspections.

 Wake County: Sheetz at 5200 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh, paid $2,955 in penalties.

 Wilkes County: Dollar General at 5172 Rock Creek Road, Hays, paid $1,335 in penalties.

How store inspections work in NC

Stores are fined for failing to meet the 2% or less price scanning error rate, according to the state.

If a store has more than a 2% error rate on overcharges, inspectors talk with the store manager and make a follow-up inspection. Stores are penalized if they fail the follow-up inspection.

Stores are re-inspected every 60 days until meeting the 2%-or-less error rate, and could face additional fines. Undercharges are also reported but dont count against a store.

What to do about a price scan error?

Along with notifying store employees about price discrepancies, customers who see price scanner errors on their receipts may file a complaint with the state Standards Division. Call 984-236-4750.

NC Reality Check reflects the Charlotte Observers commitment to holding those in power to account, shining a light on public issues that affect our local readers and illuminating the stories that set the Charlotte area and North Carolina apart. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@charlotteobserver.com
UPPER PENINSULA  The memory of the first time Denise Amo spotted a wolf in the Upper Peninsula has remained crystal clear over the years.

I wish I couldve filmed it, but we didnt all have smartphones in our pockets back then, said Amo, a retired 32-year Brimley resident who lives on the shores of Lake Superior.

It was in the depths of winter shortly after we moved here, she recalled. The ice on Whitefish Bay was at its thickest, and it was an unusually clear, calm day. I happened to look out over the bay towards Ontario and there it was, a wolf crossing the ice, probably migrating from Ontario to Michigan, or perhaps returning to a pack. The wolf trotted confidently across the frozen bay like a large dog, but far more elegant, alert, graceful and wild. I knew right away I was in the proximate company of a truly regal creature, and while the days before and after that moment are lost to me like the infinite grains of sand Lake Superior gives and takes each season, that particular moment is one I will never forget.

Its been over three decades since gray wolves returned to the Upper Peninsula, but a sighting like Amos is still incredibly rare. Yet even if locals and visitors don't see them, knowing wolves are out there in the wild U.P. landscape provides cultural benefits.

People value them, said Kristie Sitar, a 22-year veteran wildlife biologist with the Michigan DNR based in Newberry. Even if they never see them, they know theyre out there, and that has value.

A gray wolf is seen at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

As a top predator, wolves also benefit the ecosystems in which they live. According to the DNR, wolves have a positive natural selection effect on the ecosystem, with the return of wolves to the U.P. having similar yet less obvious ecological effects as the nationally renowned return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park.

They prey on whitetail deer, beaver and hare, just to name a few, said Sitar. While most of their hunts are unsuccessful, their successful hunts usually involve taking down the elderly, sick, infirm, weak and malnourished. Their hunting patterns are a story in natural selection, which then improves the overall health of every prey population they hunt.

Yet, some residents are not thrilled with the presence of wolves in the U.P.

Livestock and pet conflicts, mostly wolf-dog encounters, are legitimate concerns we hear from some residents, said Brian Roell, a Marquette-based DNR wildlife biologist who specializes in wolves and other large carnivores. Incidents are extremely rare, especially considering how vast the U.P landscape is and how many pets there are, but such incidents do happen due to the wolfs naturally territorial behavior.

Officials noted there is much the public can do to prevent wolf-dog conflicts. The vast majority of wolf-dog encounters involve hunting hounds, so the DNR provides four recommendations for preventing such encounters:

Report all suspected wolf-dog conflicts to the DNR immediately.

Become familiar with coyote and dog tracks to distinguish them from wolf tracks.

Consider adding bells or beepers to dog collars. Some hunters have reported this can reduce wolf attacks.

Remain up-to-date on wolf-dog conflicts in the area by periodically checking the map of wolf-dog conflict events.

The DNR created an online map that updates geographic locations where wolf-dog interactions have occurred. Since recording began in 2009, 80 dogs have been killed by wolves in the U.P. The majority of those incidents, 51, occurred between 2009 and 2014. Also, 67 of the 80 were hunting dogs.

Though rare, livestock and pet conflicts are also legitimate concerns, yet they're only the beginning of wolf-related controversy. Some U.P. residents, including members of the Straits Area Sportsmen's Club, said they believe the return of wolves is to blame for the declining deer population.

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Deer in the U.P. are well-studied, and while the return of a predator to the ecosystem will have an effect, officials said it is not the primary cause of declining deer numbers.

Severe winter weather is the most significant factor limiting deer abundance, said Sitar. Since 1996, the Upper Peninsula experienced more than three times as many severe winters as compared to the 1980 to 1996 recording period, along with two instances of back-to-back and two instances of three consecutive severe winters. Severe winters place significant stress on adult deer, leading to low birth weight in fawns and higher fawn mortality, which, even under normal conditions, is already quite high (47 percent).

"Also, severe winters and the predation that does occur go hand-in-hand," she said. "Climate changes effects on the Great Lakes have led to less ice coverage and more lake effect snow. More snowpack means more deer predation by bears, coyotes, bobcats and wolves, as deer are less able to flee predators in heavy snow.

DNR wildlife biologists led by Sitar and Roell published a paper that compiled months of research into the physical condition of deer at different stages of the year, particularly during heavy snowfall and especially when preyed upon by wolves in heavy snow. During the study period, Sitar and Roell found that nearly 70 percent of wolf predations of adult deer occurred in the late winter and spring months when the body condition of deer was at its poorest. Further investigation into adult deer killed by wolves in the high snowfall zones found that nearly half (43 percent) were in extremely poor nutritional condition and likely would not have survived the winter even if they were not preyed upon.

Another concern among some residents is the size of the wolf population. Some sportsmen with deer camps set up throughout the U.P. use trail cameras to track deer movement, and they claim the sheer number of wolf images they collect must mean there are more wolves in the Upper Peninsula than the DNRs latest 2022 minimum population survey of 631 wolves plus or minus 49.

More: Michigan DNR releases 2022 wolf population survey

More: Gray wolf ends up in southwest Michigan, far from U.P. habitat, sparking DNR mystery

The assumption that thousands of images of wolves captured on trail cameras means thousands of wolves living in the U.P. is not true, said DNR wildlife biologists. They counter that argument in three parts:

First, wolves cover a lot of ground daily, often branching off in different directions.

Five wolves you see on a trail cam photo do not move like the five fingers on your hand, said Roell. They branch off and go out on their own for days before returning to the pack. Wolves are natures best long-distance joggers. A wolf runs across terrain for 10-12 hours every day of its life, and each packs territory is huge.

Second, how wolves move across a landscape compared with where trail cameras are placed makes it extremely likely one will capture images of wolves.

They stick to trails, roads and two-tracks because theyre easier to move through, but those are also the same places hunters place trail cams, leading to a higher incidence of wolf images than if cams were placed in the middle of thick forest and heavy undergrowth, said Roell. A couple landowners living in the same area who capture 40 images of wolves throughout their properties are likely spotting the same pack of 4-5 wolves, not 40 individual wolves.

Finally, the U.P. cannot biologically sustain a population of thousands of wolves. The DNR shows this using math and data about gray wolves.

You can estimate the wolf population if you know a few data points, said Sitar. Two studies from 2005 and 2017 arrived at the same conclusion as to what percentage of the U.P.s 16,378 square miles of land is suitable wolf habitat. The studies found 63 percent of the U.P., or 10,395 square miles, is suitable habitat for wolves and is also currently occupied by wolves, meaning the available habitat has reached its saturation point, also known as biological capacity.

"Take 10,395 and divide it by 82, the average square mile territory size of a wolf pack. Multiply that by 4.8, which is the average gray wolf pack size in this part of the country.

The result? From Sitars math, 608 wolves in the U.P., right within the population range the DNR estimated in their 2022 survey.

Sitar and Roell both said wolves remain controversial because humans have competed with them for resources for thousands of years. From the perspective of the scientists who study them, todays challenge lies in humankind's ability to shirk an obsolete biological compulsion to eliminate wolves and other predators. Until then, the U.P.'s wolves will continue to pad across the forested terrain, oblivious to the heated debates ranging from within the communities of its only natural predator.

Ren Brabenec is a Brimley-based freelance writer and journalist with The Sault News. He reports on politics, local issues, environmental stories, and the economy. For questions, comments, or to suggest a story, email hello@renbrabenec.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: The U.P.s most controversial animal: Michigan DNR provides information on gray wolves
Residents in Great Falls will soon receive ballots in the mail for their annual school board elections. The school board elections will be conducted solely by mail-in ballot, which will be sent to all eligible registered voters in the Great Falls and Centerville school districts on April 19.

The ballots must be returned no later than election day, Tuesday, May 7. They can be returned by mail to the Cascade County Election Office, P.O. Box 2305, Great Falls, Montana 59403-2305; or in person to the Election Office located at 325 2nd Ave North, Great Falls during regular business hours (8 a.m.  5 p.m. weekdays).

Only one of the seven positions on the Great Falls Public School Board will be on the ballot this year. Incumbent Marlee Sunchild will face off against Rodney Meyers, and Tony Rosales to fill a three-year term on the board.

The main purpose of the school board is to provide governance over the school district and to ensure that its students have ample opportunity to achieve their learning goals. The boards powers include broad authority to adopt and enforce policies for the management and governance of public schools within the district, and to hire and evaluate the districts superintendent who serves as the districts chief executive officer.

Tonight, Tuesday, April 16, the public is encouraged to attend a Board of Trustees Candidates Forum where Sunchild, Meyers, and Rosales will take questions from the audience. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m. and is sponsored by the community service organization Great Falls Rising. It will be held at The Church of the Incarnation located at 600 3rd Ave. N. in Great Falls.

Audience questions for the candidates may be emailed to dsaslav@gmail.com in advance of the event or written down and submitted to a Great Falls Rising facilitator at the event.

This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Great Falls voters will soon receive ballots for the school election
Who among us hasnt paid for sex? Trumps supporters ask wild questions outside historic first criminal trial

Trump supporters gather at Collect Pond Park on the first day of his hush money trial (Getty)

You can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep, but what about the people who come out to protest at their criminal trial?

Had Donald Trump glanced out of a window on his way to the Manhattan Supreme Court for the opening day of his historic trial, he would have seen that his supporters had dwindled since his arraignment a little over a year ago.

Back then, there was palpable shock and outrage among the gathered protesters that a former president could be arrested and charged with a crime. Although that was no great mass either, that day in March last year seemed to attract not just hardcore followers, but a smattering of relatively middle-of-the-road folks concerned about the implications of such an event.

Today, however, the crowd had thinned to a handful of true believers and true characters  those who dont leave their house without a giant flag, a bullhorn, and an offensive T-shirt they made themselves.

Its not only that the crowds are getting smaller, its that they are getting significantly weirder.

Of the people willing to step up to a microphone outside the courthouse and defend Mr Trump for allegedly paying off a porn star to hide his alleged affair from prospective voters, two offered something of a wild defence: that they opposed the charges because they too had paid for sex on more than one occasion, and assumed most men had done the same.

It didnt matter to them that Mr Trump is not being accused of paying for sex, but rather accused of having embarked on several extra-marital affairs and falsifying business records over payments made to hide those affairs from the voting public in 2016.

A protester holds a banner against Donald Trump outside the courthouse (Reuters)

A man holds a protest sign outside of court as former president Donald Trumps trial begins (Natalie Chinn/The Independent)

One of the supporters offered, unprompted, that he had spent a lot of time in the east Asia in the pursuit of such earthly pleasures.

What do you think I do in Thailand, just sit in a chair? he asked, incredulously. Thats what we do as men, you know?

It wasnt just men who were inexplicably linking Mr Trumps trial to prostitution, either.

It was hard to move outside the court without bumping into people proudly declaring they had stormed the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, and at least one person baselessly blamed child-trafficking Democrats for a politically motivated prosecution  a pet theory of the QAnon movement.

Another supporter, who identified himself as Gary from Staten Island, delivered an animated and updated interpretation of Dwight D Eisenhowers speech on the military-industrial complex to a confused reporter from German television news, expertly connecting the dots between the war in Ukraine, the British establishment and Stormy Daniels.

Former US president Donald Trump appears at a court hearing in New York (Reuters)

Trump rallies, and his protests, have never been a cross-section of America, but these court spectacles have become a media event, rather than a participation sport. They are attended by people who crave a camera in their faces and know this is the one place it can be assured  even if it is just German television.

For a man who views his crowds as a sign of his strength, the former president might have been worried by his showing today.

No senior Republican politicians turned up to show their support. Laura Loomer, a far-right and anti-Muslim agitator was perhaps the most famous face to show up outside. (Last year, Marjorie Taylor Greene and the as-of-then unindicted George Santos came out in person to defend Mr Trump).

Mr Trump had warned of death and destruction if he was ever charged for the alleged payment to Ms Daniels, which he is accused of handling with campaign funds and falsifying the records to cover his tracks. As his trial begins, however, the case mustered barely a whimper.

Trump at the first day of his trial at Manhattan Criminal Court (AFP/Getty)

Interest had dwindled on the other side of the Manhattan park, too, where a year ago dozens of anti-Trump protesters gathered to cheer his arrest. Only a handful came this time. Joel Anderson, a cop from Washington state, held a sign that read Trumps lies got cops killed.

Its disheartening and sad for me as a police officer to know Im the outlier whos standing up and saying, were police officers, were supposed to have people like this held accountable, he said.

To make excuses for him just because hes their preferred candidate, its not what being a police officer is about.

Granted, this is New York, a liberal city that holds no love for Mr Trump. And there could be an element of trial fatigue, with Mr Trump currently involved in several criminal proceedings  most of them related to his efforts to steal or overturn the 2020 election. And not everyone can take every Monday off to shout at the judicial system.

But this is also an election year  a close election year  and such elections are won by the ability of candidates to grab voters in the middle. Its unclear how sex tourists and Capitol rioters becoming the unofficial face of Donald Trumps legal defence will help him win those votes.
An artists impression of southeastern South Australia during the Pleistocene epoch showing various plants and animals that lived there alongside Protemnodon. The almost one-tonne Zygomaturus trilobus in the bottom right. None of the kangaroos shown is a Protemnodon, but there are two short-faced kangaroos in the center-right. One wallaby is also being attacked by a Tasmanian tiger (top left).

Earth used to be absolutely crawling with more megafauna. The fossil record is full of enormous birds like New Zealands Heracles inexpectatus, giant lemurs from Madagascar, large marine reptiles that would put todays sea snakes to shame. Paleontologists have now found evidence of three unusual new species of giant fossil kangaroo in present day Australia and New Guinea. The creatures are described in a study published April 14 in the journal Megataxa and indicate that these species were likely much more diverse in terms of shape, range of habitat, and hopping method.

Living kangaroos are already such remarkable animals, so its amazing to think what these peculiar giant kangaroos could have been getting up to, study co-author and Flinders University PhD student Isaac Kerr said in a statement .

An artists impression of the newly described fossil species Protemnodon viator and its relative Protemnodon anak, compared at scale to the living red kangaroo and eastern gray kangaroo. CREDIT: Traci Klarenbeek, 2024.

Meet the giant kangaroos

The three new species belong to an extinct genus of giant kangaroos called Protemnodon that lived from five million to about 40,000 years ago. They would have looked somewhat similar to modern gray kangaroos , but were generally more squat and muscular. Some species were roughly 110 pounds, but others were up to twice as large as todays biggest living kangaroos.

Protemnodon fossils are fairly common across Australia , but they have historically been found as individual bones instead of in complete skeletons. This has made it difficult for scientists to determine just how many species there were and how they differed in geographic range, movement, and size.

[Related: What prehistoric poop reveals about extinct giant animals .]

The fossils of this genus are widespread and theyre found regularly, but more often than not you have no way of being certain which species youre looking at, study co-author and Flinders University paleontologist Gavin Prideaux said in a statement .

For this study, the team was able to use multiple complete fossilized kangaroo skeletons from Lake Callabonna in South Australia , which may help give scientists a more clear picture of these giant kangaroos. Researchers also reviewed all known species of Protemnodon and found that they were all quite different from one another. The animals also adapted to live in different environments and even had different methods of hopping.

One very heavy, wayfaring kangaroo

One of the new species is named Protemnodon viator. The word viator means traveler or wayfarer in Latin. This wandering marsupial was also much bigger than other known giant kangaroos at weighing up to 374 pounds. According to the team, this is roughly twice as much as the largest living male red kangaroos .

A near-complete fossil skeleton of the extinct giant kangaroo Protemnodon viator from Lake Callabonna, missing just a few bones from the hand, foot, and tail. CREDIT: Isaac A. R. Kerr

Protemnodon viator was also likely well-adapted to its arid central Australian habitat. It lived in a smaller geographic area than the red kangaroos of today. It was also long-limbed and could hop quickly and efficiently.

A robust creature and a swamp wallaby-like kangaroo

Another of the new species is named Protemnodon mamkurra and it connects the paleontologists of today with a famous scientist of the past. British paleontologist and naturalist Sir Richard Owen famously coined the term dinosaur in 1842 , but also described the first species of Protemnodon in 1874.

When he first found these giant kangaroo fossils, he followed a common scientific approach at the time. He mainly focused on fossilized teeth, seeing slight differences between the teeth of his specimens. He ultimately described six species of Protemnodon and further study chipped away at some of Owens early descriptions. He also suggested that some or all Protemnodon have four legs, While not all of them do, this study agrees that one of his speciesProtemnodon anak likely did have four legs.

[Related: Giant beasts once roamed Madagascar. What happened to them? ]

However, our study suggests that this is true of only three or four species of Protemnodon, which may have moved something like a quokka or potoroothat is bounding on four legs at times, and hopping on two legs at others, Kerr said. The newly described Protemnodon mamkurra is likely one of these. A large but thick-boned and robust kangaroo, it was probably fairly slow-moving and inefficient. It may have hopped only rarely, perhaps just when startled.

The best of these fossil species comes from the Green Waterhole Cave in southeastern Australia, on the land of the Boandik people . The species name mamkurra, means great kangaroo and was chosen by Boandik elders and language experts in the Burrandies Corporation .

An artists reconstruction of the extinct kangaroos Protemnodon anak (upper) and Protemnodon tumbuna (lower). Despite being closely related, the two were quite different animals in terms of their habitat and their method of hopping. CREDIT: Peter Schouten (year unknown).

According to Kerr, it is unusual for a single genus of kangaroo to live in such varied environments. For example, the different species of Protemnodon are now known to have inhabited a broad range of habitats, from arid central Australia into the high-rainfall, forested mountains of Tasmania and New Guinea.

The third new species is named Protemnodon dawsonae. It is known from fewer fossils than the other two, so it is more of a mystery. The team believes it was likely a moderate speed hopper and potentially similar to the living swamp wallaby. It was named in honor of Australian paleontologist Lyndall Dawson .

While most species became extinct about 40,000 years ago on mainland Australia, they potentially lived longer in New Guinea and Tasmania . Future studies could shed more light on their extinction, as it is still an enduring paleontological mystery.
A senior Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee has said his party will help prevent the ouster of House Speaker Mike Johnson if the Louisiana Republican allows a defence aid package including humanitarian aid for Gaza to receive an up-or-down vote on the House floor.

Brad Sherman, a California Representative who serves as the second highest-ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs panel, told The Independent Mr Johnson could receive Democratic assistance on a vote to remove him if he ensures that the humanitarian aid provisions remain in the bill he has promised to put to a vote this week.

Weve got to pass it and its got to include the humanitarian aid, he said. I think if he does that, and then theres a motion to vacate the speakership because he did the right thing, even if he did it in four separate notebooks on unlimited colored papers, the Democrats will not allow it [the motion to vacate] to pass.

Earlier in the day, Mr Johnson refused to heed calls for his resignation from a far-right colleague after he agreed to allow the House to consider legislation to authorise further military aid to Ukraine along with defence assistance for Israel and Taiwan.

The Louisiana Republican was urged to step down by Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie during a meeting of the House GOP Conference on Tuesday after Mr Johnson said he was putting forth legislation to fund Israeli and Ukrainian defence needs over the objection of members such as Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene, who weeks ago filed a motion to remove him as Speaker after he allowed the House to vote on funding the federal government for the rest of the current fiscal year.

Brad Sherman, left, pictured with fellow Democratic congressman Al Green, said his party could help save the Speaker  as long as Gaza aid was on the table (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Mr Massie, a MIT-educated engineer who routinely opposes all government spending bills, said he would co-sponsor Ms Greenes measure, which would declare Mr Johnsons office vacant. It is the same procedural tactic a group of Republicans used last year to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy after he allowed a vote to keep the government funded.

But at a press conference on Tuesday, he dismissed Mr Massies demand outright.

It is, in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our jobs, he said. I am not concerned about this, I am going to do my job, and I think thats what the American people expect of us.

Mr Shermans comment is the first direct sign from a senior Democrat that members of his party are prepared to cross over and vote against Ms Greenes motion to vacate the speakership under any circumstances. A handful of other Democrats, though none connnected to leadership, have made similar indications in recent days.

But that potential support could quickly evaporate if Mr Johnson fails to bring the entirety of the supplemental foreign aid package to the floor, or allows poison pill amendments to drag the Ukraine funding portion into oblivion. House Democrats voted in lockstep in favour of the motion to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last fall, declining to save the flagging GOP leader who had burned his credibility with many in the chamber.

Mr Johnson has yet to last one full year in the job, similar to his predecessor. This week, the House is almost entirely focused on foreign policy and is pursuing a series of bills targeting Iran following the drone and missile attack Tehran directed at Israel over the weekend. A final vote for passage of the Ukraine and Israel funding bills is set for Friday.

Before that, the speaker faces one key test: the passage of a rule vote governing debate and procedure for the passage of the entirety of the supplemental funding package. Mr Johnson is likely to see some form of conservative rebellion during that vote this week, as he did last week when Republicans revolted against the renewal of Americas foreign operative surveillance program.
TOKYO, Apr 16 (News On Japan) - As Japan faces an aging population, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare is considering extending the National Pension payment period from age 60 to 65. The proposal has sparked mixed reactions among the public.

A 59-year-old woman, soon to finish her pension payments, shared insights into her frugal lifestyle, buying bent vegetables at a discount and pickling them to save money. She noted, "Prices are rising, and everything seems to be getting more expensive. I'm always careful to save money on small everyday things."

This move could mean that individuals might have to pay up to an additional 1 million yen in total if the insurance period is extended by five years. Currently, the monthly pension insurance premium is 16,980 yen. Over five years, this would amount to nearly 1 million yen in extra payments.

However, the extension could potentially increase the pension amount received by about 10,000 yen.

Opinions from the public vary significantly:

A 62-year-old business owner expressed concern: "For those over 60, re-employment is tough. Many see their salaries decrease, making it harder."

A 64-year-old business owner sees the benefit: "It's okay to extend it. Everyone is getting older."

In Tokyo's Koto Ward, a 50-year-old tempura shop owner lamented, "What we relied on is becoming unreliable. Is it wrong to live too long?"

A 60-year-old cleaning shop owner shared, "When I turn 65, I'd like to relax, maybe travel. It would be tough if I didn't have enough money then."

A retail businesswoman living alone in Tokyo voiced her frustration: "I thought I was almost done with pension payments, but I don't think they're really considering us."

In France, similar pension reform plansfrom 62 to 64 yearsled to nationwide protests after the government pushed through the decision.

Meanwhile, Japan is also reconsidering the "Employed Elderly Pension" scheme, which currently reduces the welfare pension by half for any amount exceeding 500,000 yen per month combined with wages for those aged 65 and above.

The Ministry's review includes potential changes to this scheme, suggesting it might be favorable for those who wish to keep working while healthy.

However, there is criticism too, pointing to "favoritism towards high-income earners" and "increasing disparities."

The Ministry plans to finalize the calculation items through its expert panel, publish the verification results, and then decide on the future direction of the pension system.

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Apr 16 (News On Japan) - With the start of the new school year this spring, one technology that's drawing significant attention is the child-monitoring GPS device, which ensures the safety and security of children.

Currently, companies are fiercely competing to introduce the latest features in child GPS trackers. These devices not only offer enhanced accuracy in location tracking but also receive voice messages like "Where are you? What time will you be home?" allowing for quick voice communication between parents and their children through a simple long-press of a button on the device.

Ryo Sato of MIXI Corporation, who developed this advanced feature, said, "The ability for parents and children to easily communicate via voice is an incredibly convenient feature."

A survey of over 4,000 parents revealed that approximately 90% want to know their child's location when they are apart. With many elementary schools prohibiting smartphones, MIXI Corporation has seen a demand for child GPS trackers increase about 17 times compared to two years ago.

"As more parents work and children spend time alone at after-school clubs, tutoring, or lessons, the need for children to act independently is growing," said Sato, the head of the Mite-ne Business Development at MIXI Corporation.

In one family that provided their first-grader with a GPS, there was an instance where the child triggered an emergency alarm. The parents rushed to find their child, who had merely strayed off the route home and used the GPS button to call for help, fortunately avoiding any serious incident.

Elementary students using the device feel secure, knowing they can press a button to have their mom come to pick them up.

Meanwhile, Kokuyo Corporation has introduced a pioneering technology in Japan to their GPS devices. They have developed a smart tag that can be attached to a childs wallet or water bottle, allowing parents to check via their smartphones if their child has left anything behind while out.

Additionally, Kokuyo's newly developed monitors come equipped with a microphone and camera, enabling parents to communicate with their home-alone children from work through messages and voice calls.

Yoko Yamamoto, leader of the Hello Family Group at Kokuyo Corporation, remarked, "Being able to know in real time what your child is doing contributes to safety and peace of mind."

Kokuyo Corporation plans to conduct internal trials to see how these devices can help balance parenting with work and will publish the results.

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Apr 16 (News On Japan) - The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) is set to issue an administrative order to Google for possibly violating antitrust laws by allegedly restricting transactions for digital ads with "LINE Yahoo."

Search-linked advertising, a digital marketing strategy that displays ads related to search terms on search engines, has been provided to "LINE Yahoo" by Google since 2010.

According to sources, around the mid-2010s, Google unilaterally demanded that "LINE Yahoo" cease the distribution of certain search-linked ads, and "LINE Yahoo" complied with the request.

The JFTC believes that such actions might constitute a violation of the Anti-Monopoly Act and has decided to issue an administrative order to Google to prevent a recurrence.

Google's dominant position in the digital advertising market is under scrutiny not only by domestic authorities but also by regulators worldwide.
OSAKA, Apr 16 (News On Japan) - The Osaka District Court handed down a guilty verdict on Monday, with a suspended sentence, to a doctor accused of leaving a catheter wire inside a patient, which subsequently penetrated the heart and led to the patient's death.

In 2017, Dr. Shinkichi Kamata (76) conducted a catheter insertion surgery at a hospital in Neyagawa City, Osaka Prefecture. He left a wire inside the body of Hiroshi Suzuki (then 69) without performing proper follow-up procedures, which led to the wire piercing Suzuki's heart and causing his death. Dr. Kamata was charged with professional negligence resulting in death.

Throughout the trial, Kamata denied any causal link between the retention of the wire and the patient's death, pleading not guilty. Meanwhile, the prosecution had sought a prison sentence of two years.

In its verdict, the Osaka District Court declared, "The defendant was aware of the possibility that the wire had been left inside but neglected to address it, which had serious consequences," and consequently sentenced Kamata to one year in prison, suspended for three years.

Source: YOMIURI
TOKYO, Apr 17 (News On Japan) - Japanese manhole covers are capturing the attention of foreign tourists, featuring designs from local symbols to popular anime and video game characters, such as "Sailor Moon" and "Street Fighter."

In Tokyo's Minato Ward, many people can be seen looking down, photographing manhole covers adorned with characters from "Sailor Moon." These were installed in five locations across the ward, the setting for the anime, in March this year. Fans from both Japan and abroad have been visiting these spots, not just for sightseeing but specifically to see these unique manhole covers.

A tourist from Canada mentioned, "I've been walking around trying to find the Sailor Moon manhole covers." A British visitor commented, "They are beautiful. Its really great, and the locations of the manholes are related to the anime's settings. In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!"

Manhole covers in Japan vary in design from one region to another and have recently begun featuring anime and manga characters, appealing not only to domestic fans but also attracting enthusiasts from overseas.

In March this year, manhole covers featuring characters from the popular fighting game "Street Fighter" were installed at three locations near Kintetsu Yamato-Yagi Station in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture. These have drawn both Japanese and international game fans.

A tourist from Hong Kong shared, "He used to play Street Fighter a lot when he was younger. He loves this character, Ryu." Another exclaimed, "Hadoken!"

Mutsushi Wakamori, the Deputy Director of the Planning and Strategy Department in Kashihara City, noted, "About 90% of the 'Street Fighter' content is broadcasted globally, so while there are many fans in Japan, there are even more overseas. We are hoping to attract more international visitors to Kashihara City with these new inbounds."

Source: MBS
(Newswire.net  April 15, 2024)  Being charged with a crime for the first time is a life-altering experience. It can happen in the blink of an eyea minor disagreement that escalates into assault, a night of bad decisions leading to a DUI, or even an unwitting mistake that gets tangled up in fraud.

This isnt just about traffic tickets. This is about serious criminal charges that can leave a lasting stain on your record. Criminal offenses may include the following:

Crime Against People : Assault, robbery, kidnapping, homicide, domestic violence, felony, and perjury

: Assault, robbery, kidnapping, homicide, domestic violence, felony, and perjury Crime Against Property : Theft, vandalism, arson, and burglary

: Theft, vandalism, arson, and burglary White-Collar Crime : Fraud, embezzlement, forgery, extortion, and bribery

: Fraud, embezzlement, forgery, extortion, and bribery Cybercrime : Hacking, identity theft, and online harassment

: Hacking, identity theft, and online harassment Traffic Offense: DUI/DWI, reckless driving, and driving without a license

Facing any of these charges can be overwhelming. But take a deep breath. Youre not alone. Heres a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this difficult situation.





Stay Calm and Breathe

The world just stopped. That official document in your hand says youve been charged with a crime. Panic wants to take over, but take a deep breath. Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of four, feeling your chest rise. Hold for a second, then exhale completely through your mouth for a count of six. Repeat. Each breath is a chance to regain control. You can get through this.





Understand the Charges Against You

Understanding the criminal offense youre charged with is critical for your case. The paperwork might throw around legal jargon based on federal law or common law, depending on the severity of the accusation.

Dont be afraid to ask for clarification. This is where a criminal offence lawyer comes in. Theyll translate the legalese, explain the charges in plain English, and walk you through the entire legal process one step at a time.





Invoke Your Right To Remain Silent

You might feel pressured to answer questions and explain yourself. But heres the thing: you have the right to remain silent. This means you dont have to answer any questions the police ask you after youve been arrested for a crime, whether its embezzlement, misdemeanor, or kidnapping.

Why? Anything you say can be used against you in court, even if youre just trying to be helpful. You might accidentally say something that incriminates yourself, or the police might twist your words.

So, politely but firmly, let the law enforcement officer know you want to speak with a lawyer first. This protects your rights and gives you time to clear your head before saying anything you might regret later.





Gather Evidence (If Possible)

If you have anything that proves your innocence, dont just keep it stashed awayturn it into your lawyer. Maybe you have a receipt that shows you were nowhere near the crime scene, a witness who can verify your alibi or a security camera recording that exonerates you. Every piece of evidence, big or small, can be crucial.

The burden of proof lies with the prosecution. They must convince the jury beyond reasonable doubt that youre guilty according to federal law or the interpretations set by the Supreme Court.

Anything you can provide that casts doubt on their case strengthens your position. So dig deep, talk to anyone who might have seen what happened, and dont underestimate the power of even a seemingly minor detail in your criminal case.





Attend Your Court Hearings

Missing court hearings can have serious consequences, like a bench warrant being issued for your arrest. Show up on time and dress appropriately. Your lawyer will advise you on what to expect in court throughout the criminal procedure.





Understand Your Plea Options

Heres where things get real: youll be asked to enter a plea. This isnt a simple yes or no. Each option has a domino effect on your case. Heres the breakdown:

Not Guilty

This is a bold statement. Youre asserting your innocence and forcing the prosecutor in charge to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. If they cant, the charges could be dropped.

Guilty

This means you accept responsibility for the offense. It might seem daunting, but it can lead to a lighter sentence during sentencing. Sometimes, the prosecution might offer a plea bargain in exchange for a guilty plea. This could involve reduced charges or a lighter sentence recommendation.

No Contest

Youre not admitting guilt, but youre not fighting the charges either. The judge can still find you guilty and sentence you accordingly, but it cant be used against you in a future civil case.

This decision has real consequences. A guilty plea could mean probation, community service, or even prison time. Dont make this choice alone. Talk to your lawyer about the best path forward, considering the strength of the prosecutions case and your desired outcome.





Consider Pretrial Diversion Programs

In some cases, depending on the severity of the offense, your criminal history, and whether its a white-collar crime or misdemeanor, you might be eligible for pretrial diversion programs. These programs allow you to avoid a criminal conviction by completing tasks like community service, anger management classes, or substance abuse treatment.





Final Thoughts

Facing a criminal charge is stressful, but you dont have to go through it alone. By staying calm, understanding your rights under the law, and getting a qualified criminal offense lawyer on your side, you can increase your chances of a successful outcome.
LONDON (AP)  Phones hold so much of our digital lives  emails, social media and bank accounts, photos, chat messages and more  that if they ever get stolen or go missing, it can cause major disruption beyond just the loss of a device.
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Morocco is strengthening its defense and deterrence capabilities by acquiring new military technology, enabling the North African Kingdom to address threats to its national security and regional peace.

Moroccan lawmakers have already passed laws allowing the setting up of joint ventures in the defense industry as the country aspires to reduce its dependence on the imports of arms.

After the parliaments approval, Israeli company Bluebird said it will open soon a production site of its unmanned aerial systems in Morocco. The announcement was made lately by Ronen Nadir, CEO of BlueBird Aero Systems in a statement to online magazine Zona Militar.

Following the normalization of relations between Rabat & Tel Aviv in 2020 under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, the two countries agreed to enhance their cooperation in defense, security, technology, industry, trade, industry, scientific research, healthcare 

In 2021, the Moroccan army acquired Israels Skylock Dome System to upgrade its defensive power. In February 2023, Morocco purchased Barak MX air and missile defense system manufactured by Israel aerospace industries (IAI).

Barak-MX is a modular air defense system and is designed to address missile and aircraft threats. It operates both in marine platforms and land, and belongs to the Barak missile family

To maintain its airpower superiority, Morocco also acquired Spy X loitering weapon systems made by Blue Bird company, in addition to other combat and reconnaissance drones purchased from Turkey, France, the United States and China.

According to Frost & Sullivan group, a research and consulting firm, Morocco is set to become a weapons producing country in the few coming years as the country will host foreign factories specialized in arms manufacturing by 2025.
Visiting Belgian Federal Minister of the Interior, Annelies Verlinden, and Moroccan Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, have discussed in Rabat Monday means to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and strategic partnership in migration, terrorism, crime, and other sectors of common interests.

During the meeting, which was attended by the Belgian State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor, and senior officials from both ministries, discussions revolved around combating terrorism, extremism, and irregular migration, the Interior Ministry said in a press release.

The two ministers shared their convergent analysis on multifaceted regional and international issues and agreed to strengthen the exchange of expertise and useful information to better anticipate the multifaceted threats and common challenges induced by the criminal activities of terrorist groups and networks which are active in different forms of cross-border trafficking, the press release added.

In counterterrorism, Laftit reviewed Moroccos overall strategy which combines the operational fight and the exchange of information with the preventive approach, particularly against radicalization, as well as reintegration aspects.

In the field of migration, he underlined Moroccos holistic and humanist approach to migration governance which puts the migrant at the center of public authorities.

Laftit also recalled Moroccos active solidarity and its major efforts in terms of border control and the fight against all forms of cross-border crime, which reflects the Kingdoms major contribution to regional security.

The two sides emphasized the role of the Permanent Joint Migratory Group set up by the two countries to achieve qualitative and coordinated advances, reconciling all the synergies and sectoral logic around a global and balanced approach to migration management.

Discussions also highlighted the positive role of the Moroccan community in Belgium, which constitutes a vector of human and civilizational rapprochement between the two countries, the press release said.

Following the meeting, Annelies Verlinden praised the already close collaboration between Morocco and Belgium, particularly on security matters. There is already significant information exchange between our police and security services, and we have discussed ways to strengthen this collaboration to jointly combat organized crime, terrorism, extremism, and human trafficking, she said.

Annelies Verlinden arrived in Rabat on Sunday evening as part of the delegation accompanying the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, for a visit to the Kingdom to take part in the Morocco-Belgium Joint High Commission meeting.

The joint high commission meeting, co-chaired by PM Alexander De Croo and Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, highlighted by the signing of two memoranda of understanding on judicial and police cooperation and a roadmap for the implementation of the 2022 Joint Declaration.

A Cooperation Convention in the fight against organized crime and terrorism entered into force in 2022, and the two countries are bound by a 2022-2024 action plan in the field of police cooperation.

The Joint Commission meeting was also marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding on green energies, meant to strengthen cooperation in the field of energy transition.

In this connection, the two sides expressed resolve to cooperate on climate and energy transition through the development of renewable energies and green molecules. They also agreed to enhance cooperation in water management, infrastructure, transport, trade, and investments.

PM Alexander De Croo and his accompanying delegation were guest to a lunchgeon hosted in their honor by King Mohammed V.
Morocco and Belgium have reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity of Libya.

This position was expressed in the Joint Declaration adopted by the 3rd meeting of the High Joint Commission, co-chaired by Moroccan Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

In this Declaration, the two Heads of Government reiterated the central role of the United Nations in facilitating an inclusive political process led by Libyans, resulting in the organization of presidential and legislative elections in the North African country.

In this regard, the Belgian party welcomed Moroccos efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis, notably by hosting, from May 22 to June 7, 2023, meetings of the Joint Commission (6+6), tasked with drafting Libyan electoral laws as part of the dialogue process initiated under the auspices of the United Nations.

Morocco and Belgium also share the same strategic objective of contributing to the strengthening of peace, security, and development in the Euro-African region, as stated in the joint Declaration, which notes that both countries reaffirm their commitment to peace, security, and development for the benefit of the populations of the Sahel.

Belgium, considering the action of its partners, including the European Union, has adopted an Integrated Strategy for the Sahel region.

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Morocco and Belgium, both condemned attacks against civilians, expressed strong concern about the situation in Gaza and called for an immediate, comprehensive, and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.

Both countries called for compliance with Security Council Resolution 2728 of March 25, 2024, while allowing unhindered access for humanitarian aid through all crossing points and throughout the Gaza Strip. In this regard, Morocco and Belgium reject any attempt at forced displacement of civilian populations.

The two parties also affirmed that the two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, is the only way to achieve a lasting and equitable peace in the Middle East.

Reaffirming the paramount importance of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, both parties expressed their condemnation of any violation of these principles and the use of violence.

In this context, they expressed deep concern about the repercussions of the war in Ukraine, particularly regarding the worsening global humanitarian, food, and energy crisis.

Morocco and Belgium also reaffirmed the centrality of the historic and privileged partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union and agreed to act to preserve the stability and continuity of the strategic partnership between the two sides.

They thus reiterated their commitment to contribute to strengthening this partnership at all levels, while continuing to work together within Mediterranean fora to promote sustainable development, peace, security, and stability in the region, notably through the Union for the Mediterranean.

Regarding regional issues, the two Heads of Government emphasized the constructive and positive roles of Morocco and Belgium in maintaining peace and stability in their respective regions.

In the context of their joint presence at the United Nations Human Rights Council, both countries reaffirmed their willingness to continue their efforts in promoting and defending human rights, to strengthen their consultation on issues related to the defense of human rights, and to explore the possibility of jointly organizing events within appropriate multilateral forums, as stated in the Joint Declaration.
Photo: TJ Kirkpatrick/The New York Times/Redux

Back in the early days of the Trump presidency, various Republicans alarmed at the presidents increasingly erratic behavior  and their partys growing acquiescence to it  started meeting in the basement conference room of a think tank not far from the Capitol. Many of them were already well known: Bill Kristol, the founding editor of The Weekly Standard; Evan McMullin, the former CIA officer who mounted a quixotic run for president as an independent in 2016; former Republican members of the House; Republican strategists turned cable-news pundits like Rick Wilson, Steve Schmidt, and Tim Miller. Concerned about whether Donald Trump would fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was investigating his campaigns ties to Russia, they did what any group of pundits and politicians would do: They released a public letter. We hereby call on House Speaker Ryan and Senate Majority Leader McConnell to make clear, both publicly and privately, that they support the Mueller investigation , the letter read, sounding as if it were unscrolled at the blast of a trumpet. We further urge all Republican members of Congress to issue public statements on these issues as well.

As they soon discovered, Republicans wouldnt stand up to Trump, and public letters and cable-news hits werent enough. If this group wanted to have an impact, it needed to do the stuff of politics, possibly even running a primary opponent against Trump in 2020. None, though, seemed to have the know-how or the energy to do it.

It was very clear to me that Donald Trump was just a bad person, and I found it alarming to have a genuinely bad person running the country, says Sarah Longwell, who attended those early meetings. And I just have a very strong bias toward action, and I was in all of these rooms with Sad Republicans where everybody was very clear-eyed about the threat and why it was so upsetting, but nobody was really devising a plan on how to change it.

Longwell was the head of the Log Cabin Republicans and had effectively blocked the group from endorsing Trump in 2016. She is mostly unknown to people in the D.C. political firmament. A lobbyist and strategist, she had built a career running PR campaigns for Rick Berman, a notorious lobbyist known as Dr. Evil, famous for his ability to create astroturf groups for unpopular causes designed to fight back against government agencies that wanted to clean the water we drink and the air we breathe. (In one famous example, Berman, on behalf of the alcoholic-beverage industry, created Beverage Retailers Against Drunk Driving to counteract what the industry saw as the excesses of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.)

She kind of did what I thought everybody was going to do given the nature of the threat, says Miller, who had worked on Jeb Bushs presidential campaign. She has this cozy corporate job that was only adjacent to conservative politics, but then Donald Trump won and she sprang into action. She was the one who was like, Buck the fuck up. Lets start something.

Today, Longwell sits at the center of a sprawling network of what were once known as Never Trump Republicans and are now better thought of as center-right Democrats and independents trying to rally the remaining persuadable members of the ideological tribe over to the cause of stopping Trump. She is the executive director of Defending Democracy Together, a group founded by Kristol in 2019 to defend norms and institutions. She also runs its political offshoot, Republican Voters Against Trump, which plans to pour $50 million this year into efforts to defeat the former president again. If that werent enough, shes also the publisher of The Bulwark, the house organ of the Never Trump movement.

Longwell may be best known for her focus groups with Trump supporters that show up in many stories about the 2024 election. She hosts a popular podcast called The Focus Group that gives listeners a taste of what she has learned by speaking to these voters over the past seven years to find out why they backed Trump and what, in her view, can be done about it.

There is a realignment that American politics is going through that I am trying to understand, she says. The voters Longwell talks to are angry, sad, and feeling isolated from family and friends over political differences. There is this old parable about how everyone has two wolves inside them, and which one wins? Its the one that you feed. And right now, Donald Trump is feeding everybodys worst impulses. One of the things Rick Berman taught me was that there are five dominant human emotions. Its FLAGS: fear, love, anger, greed, and sympathy. But fear and anger are the ones that motivate people. And social media has allowed us to hypertarget people in ways that appeal to their fear and anger, and so now we have an American public that is scared and angry.

Although it has now been some time since Longwell was a bona fide Republican, she has ideas gleaned from the focus groups of how to peel those on the fence about Trump over to the Democratic side. The key, she says, ironically, is not to convince them to like Joe Biden  for people who voted for Trump twice, that is never going to happen. Instead, it is to tell them they are right to think Biden is wrong on the border or taxes or the economy but that all of that pales in comparison to the peril that another Trump term would bring. If you voted for Trump twice and you arent going to vote for him again, the reason is January 6th, she says.

One such voter in a focus group I viewed is Matt, a middle-aged white man from Georgia, who, like other participants, consented to have only his first name used. I wanted change like everybody else, wanted somebody that wasnt a politician into the system, he says. Trump was good for his business, he adds, and he couldnt bring himself to vote for Biden in 2020. But even before the assault on the Capitol, Matt was tiring of Trumps postelection antics: To me, when he started [talking about] all the cheating and said, I really won the election, and Im not leaving the White House preJanuary 6th, that was it for me.

Some Democrats think voters like Matt are key to the election, especially as Biden faces declining enthusiasm from core Democratic constituencies like voters of color and young people. Its part of the reason that Biden has been hammering the point that a second Trump term would be a mortal blow to American democracy, or as he put it in March at the State of the Union, Not since President Lincoln and the Civil War have freedom and democracy been under assault here at home as they are today. Such rhetoric has unnerved some who have argued that the presidents efforts would be better spent on issues like health care, the economy, and abortion and not on what they say are abstractions like democracy. But operatives working with the Biden campaign say the focus is deliberate, referencing some of Longwells findings.

Longwell thinks a sizable portion of Republican voters may be up for grabs. She points to Nikki Haley getting 20 to 30 percent of the GOP primary vote against Trump, even after dropping out of the race. According to Longwell, that mirrors the percentage of Republican voters who say that the 2020 election was not stolen and the percentage who say they would definitely not vote for Trump if he were convicted of a crime. They can be divided into roughly three groups: Democrats who voted for Biden in 2020 but voted in a GOP primary to vote against Trump, Haley voters who are going to back Trump by the time November rolls around, and those who remain up for grabs. This last group made up between 5 and 10 percent of the primary electorate and consists of voters whom Democrats should focus their efforts on.

I call them Normies, Longwell says. They arent Democrats. They are old-school Republicans, and they maintain their Republican registration and identity. I want to use the term kindly, but they are RINOs in the sense that they were Republicans  like, legit Republicans  but then the party changed. And so now they havent quite given up the brand, but they dont like this Republican Party.

These voters, according to Longwell, vote for normal Republicans, not ones who seem weird or extreme to them like Herschel Walker or Kari Lake or Blake Masters. They would be likely to vote for a No Labels ticket headed by Larry Hogan or Mitt Romney if such a one existed. Up until Trump, they would have been pretty reliable Republican voters. They talk in the focus groups about Democrats being a little too woke, but at the same time theyre socially pretty moderate. They are pro-choice typically, but theres things about the Biden administration and about Biden himself that they really struggle with. But they also really dislike Trump and dislike many of the policies, she says. Theyre just kind of moderate centrist squishes. And this is a voter I identify with greatly, personally.

Polling by Blueprint, a Democratic strategy firm funded by megadonor Reid Hoffman, found that in battleground states, all Haley voters break for Biden over Trump 45-24 with another 26 percent undecided. The report found they are aligned with Biden on issues such as abortion, democracy, Social Security, Medicare, and health care (though not energy production, immigration, and government spending). Converting a fraction of them would give Biden a voting bloc that is significantly larger than the 2020 margin of victory in states like Georgia and Michigan that will decide the election, according to the firm.

For many Republicans, this is nothing more than a Democratic false hope. If Biden outperformed Trump in their respective primaries, it is only because Trump faced real opposition from Haley, while Biden faced Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson. It just all seems a little far-fetched, says Patrick Ruffini, a Republican pollster. If Gretchen Whitmer ran for the nomination, it would be a better comparison. Besides, he points out, polls show that it is Biden, not Trump, who is bleeding support from his 2020 coalition.

For Longwell, the key to changing this dynamic is to do to Trump what Democrats did to Trump-like candidates like Lake, Walker, and Masters in the midterms: portray them as far outside the mainstream. If voters are concerned about January 6th, you have to use that to show what a Trump second term is going to be like, which is that he is going to be a lunatic surrounded by lunatics, she says. The other thing that I think is key for these voters is the fact that Donald Trump is not in it for Americans. Hes in it for himself. People cannot tell these court cases apart, but they can understand that Donald Trump is running for himself to stay out of jail and because he needs money.

In her focus groups, Trump-Trump-Biden voters seemed to get this with one saying that even Trumps former Cabinet members that he hand-chose, that worked with him on a daily basis that now want nothing to do with him and who call him unhinged was enough to tip him into the Democratic column.

Kristol says the next order of business for him and Longwell is to roll out a group of former Trump officials against Trump, recruiting a group that could theoretically include not just his former vice-president but his former attorney general, two former secretaries of defense, his former secretary of state, two former national security advisers, two former chiefs of staff, two former communications directors, and other aides and advisers.

That there is now a slew of former administration officials opposed to Trump  but also almost no one else in the party who is  shows Kristol how the Never Trump movement has morphed since those early days of basement meetings. This has been a much longer fight than we thought it would be, he says. We thought he was an aberration and that the Republican Party would limit his sway in a pretty big way. But he was more dangerous than we realized, more of a transformation of American politics than we realized, and more consequential than we realized.

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Marjorie Taylor Greene, not one to make her colleagues lives easy, has threatened twice in the past three weeks to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson from the job he really doesnt like doing. She gained an ally on Tuesday morning when Johnson brought three separate bills, for aid to Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine, to the House floor.

In response to one that could send as much as $60 billion to Ukraine, Kentucky representative Thomas Massie joined Greene in her call to get rid of Johnson. In a closed-door caucus meeting, Massie told fellow Republicans that he believes Johnson should resign and that he would co-sponsor Greenes recent motion for Johnson to vacate the Speaker position.

He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker, Massie then posted on X. When asked on the platform whether the recent FISA bill or the aid packages were the final straw for him, Massie responded all of the above and this camel has a pallet of bricks.

Any sign of rebellion on the House right is bad for Johnson, who is struggling to maintain enough control to get anything done. But Massies participation in the cause to oust him does not seem to indicate any greater popular movement, at least for now. Axios reports that Massie was booed by a majority of the conference after laying out his plan, whereas Johnson drew cheers. It is, in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our jobs, Johnson said after the meeting.

Perhaps more important than Republican support, Johnson has the tacit backing of most Democrats in the House. When Kevin McCarthy was deposed last year, nearly all House Democrats voted for the motion to vacate the chair. With a much weaker caucus on the other side of the aisle, Democrats have publicly stated they will back Johnson if he is willing to pass aid bills to American allies at war. Ill make a common cause and an alliance with anybody in Congress who will try to save the Ukrainian people at this point, Democrat Jamie Raskin said last month. So if Greene wants a new Speaker, she will need about 100 more Republicans to team up against Johnson. Right now, thats not looking too likely.

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Trump speaks at a rally on April 13 in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

For many years, Donald Trump has been engaged in a posthumous, one-sided rivalry with Abraham Lincoln. Trump has repeatedly suggested that he might actually have been a better president than Lincoln, noting that his predecessor did not use the art of the deal to negotiate his way out of the Civil War and that he had lower poll numbers (though presidential polling didnt exist in the 1860s).

Now, Trump has bested Lincoln once again  in a way. While Lincolns 1863 speech commemorating the Battle of Gettysburg remains one of the best-known in American history, Trumps speech about Gettysburg features a pirate impression.

During an April 13 rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania  about two hours from Gettysburg  Trump regaled the audience with a retelling of the turning point in the Civil War. While Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle in the conflict, with more than 50,000 estimated casualties over three days, in Trumps version, it was so beautiful.

Trump goes on a weird rant about the battle of Gettysburg and then notes of Robert E Lee that "he's no longer in favor. Did you ever notice that?" pic.twitter.com/hs9GjmCh6K  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 14, 2024

Gettysburg, what an unbelievable battle that was, Trump said. The Battle of Gettysburg. What an unbelievable  it was so much and so interesting, and so vicious and horrible, and so beautiful in so many different ways. It represented such a big portion of the success of this country. Gettysburg, wow.

Wow indeed. Trump continued rambling about Robert E. Lee, lamenting that the Confederate general who fought to preserve slavery is no longer in favor, then suggesting that his men had screwed up Lees famous directive Never fight uphill, me boys. Explained Trump:

Robert E. Lee, whos no longer in favor  did you ever notice it? Hes no longer in favor. Never fight uphill, me boys, never fight uphill. They were fighting uphill. He said, Wow, that was a big mistake. He lost his big general. Never fight uphill, me boys, but it was too late.

The problem with this account is that Robert E. Lee did not talk like Captain Jack Sparrow or the Lucky Charms leprechaun. The Confederate general didnt give this command at the Battle of Gettysburg. And as historian T.J. Stiles pointed out on X, several months later the Union won the Battle of Missionary Ridge after soldiers charged uphill to overtake the Confederates.

Lee is not known to have spoken like a stereotype of an Irishman, nor to have issued downslope-only orders. Fighting uphill *could* work. Troops above often shot too high. That may be a reason why the Union charge up Missionary Ridge at Chattanooga succeeded gloriously.

5/9  T.J. Stiles (@TJStiles_Author) April 14, 2024

But back to the passive-observer angle: Trump's rambling, unhinged depiction of Lee is that of a great general betrayed by his stupid troops. You'd never know he gave the orders for the campaign and battle. He said after Pickett's charge that it was all his fault. It was.

6/9  T.J. Stiles (@TJStiles_Author) April 14, 2024

Whatever, historian. Most Americans cant remember what four score and seven years ago means, let alone actual facts about the Civil War. Wouldnt it be more fun if we ditched the textbooks and let kids enjoy cool monuments to American traitors and run around shouting, Never fight uphill, me boys?
Surfing icon Kelly Slater has all but confirmed the end to his trailblazing pro career after missing the mid-season cut in 2024. Tributes have poured in for icon Slater after the American admitted he was ready for the next part of his life after falling to current World No.1 Griffin Colapinto at the Margaret River Pro.

Unfortunately, losing to his countryman was a sad ending for Slater after it resulted in him missing the World Surf League's mid-season cut. While Slater would have liked to go out on his own terms, fans and fellow surfers carried Slater up Main Break with the 11-time world champion finishing his career with a record 52 titles in a feat that might never be repeated.

Surfing icon Kelly Slater (pictured) appeared to call the end to his pro surfing career after missing the mid-season cut. (Images: Channel 7/Getty Images)

Slater admitted he was still hoping to continue for a bit longer if he had made the cut, but was now looking forward to the next part of his life after professional surfing. "It's almost hitting me, it's right there, it's bubbling," Slater said after leaving the water.

"It is what it is, everything comes to an end and if you don't adapt you don't survive and my motivation hasn't quite been there to put in that 100 per cent that everyone's doing now. I couldn't quite pull a miracle off this week but I've pulled off a few over the years.

"I've been struggling since my surgery, fighting through the pain and hoping for adrenaline. It's been an incredible lifetime of memories. It's so much emotion for so long ...it's not all roses but it's been the best times of my life. It feels like the end but it's the start of something else, the rest of my life."

"I couldn't quite pull a miracle off this week but... I pulled a few off over the years." 



An emotional Kelly Slater with a message to his family. 



LIVE on 7plus: https://t.co/w7medSIWz1 pic.twitter.com/0gh6xWSHSs  7Sport (@7Sport) April 16, 2024

Friend and fellow American Colapinto was full of praise for Slater and admitted the whole surfing community owes so much to Slater and how far he has taken the sport. "The fact that he was chaired up after a heat with me, I was pretty blown away and was just trying to take it all in," he said.

"I gave him a high five as he was getting chaired up ... he's given me and everyone else on this tour so much, like we make a living because of him, he took the sport so far and it's pretty incredible." Fans around the world were left saddened to see career that last lasted more than 30 years come to an end.

Its really mind blowing. Hope everyone can be inspired by someone like this and channel a fraction of that kind of passion into doing something they love.  Yo Friend;) (@ItsWesSmithYo) April 16, 2024

After what seems forever the great Kelly Slater bows out from the pro surfing circuit. Lost his heat against a guy that wasnt born when Kelly had five world titles. #surfing #goat #margretriver pic.twitter.com/JmPYl6JoDQ  Brett Carter (@brettcarter62) April 16, 2024

What a legacy for Kelly Slater. Who knows where he goes from here. Hell definitely be back on tour in some form in the future pic.twitter.com/iNnp5JcryQ  Altered Brad IV (@FourYearPuma) April 16, 2024

Greatest surfer of all time booted from the tour in 3-foot, windblown Main Break, with a ridiculous use of overlapping heats. Everything about this is sad. Kelly Slater deserves better.  Jimmy Wilson (@Jimmicane) April 16, 2024

Kelly Slater looks for wildcard in one last surf

Slater has been battling a hip injury since 2022 and admitted his exit from the tour will now give him more time with his partner Kalani Miller. The pair are expected to have a baby in just under three months.

Kelly Slater (pictured) has appeared to retire from professional surfing.

While Slater may have called it for his time on tour, the American has left the door open for a return in Fiji later this year. Slater has never won in Margaret River and didn't want to finish his career this way.

"I've had a fight with this wave (at Margaret River) my whole career, so it's not necessarily the wave I want to end on. I have put in for a wildcard for Fiji and we'll see how that goes," he said.
Hulu's #UndertheBridge is a harrowing tale of teenage cruelty while also being one of the few true crime dramatizations to actually respect its victim; @annagovert reviews: https://t.co/rEIWISyLyo  Paste Magazine (@PasteMagazine) April 16, 2024

Under the Bridge Review: Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough Dont Fit in Hulus Emotional Teen Mystery https://t.co/zNSuvOLJoF  TheWrap (@TheWrap) April 16, 2024

REVIEW: Under the Bridge is an entertaining series, well-cast and well-acted, and featuring what is, at its core, a compelling story. However, two flaws keep it from being a complete success. https://t.co/cA5j2E45R6  San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) April 16, 2024

A lot will be said about Riley Keough & Lily Gladstone (they deliver breathtaking performances) but Archie Panjabis work here cant be understated. Shes incredible & might be the best performance of her career. Also the kids in this series both carry it & impress while doing so  Sara Clements (@mildredsfierce) April 16, 2024

This is beside the point but Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone say gay rights whew wlw am I right  Sara Clements (@mildredsfierce) April 16, 2024

UNDER THE BRIDGE is a gripping crime series, a show about teenage bullying & a story about grief. Lily Gladstone & Riley Keough give exceptional performances but its the portrayal of the Virk family and Vritika Guptas acting thats particularly harrowing. A must-watch! pic.twitter.com/cczANxdFtL  Zofia Wijaszka (@thefilmnerdette) April 16, 2024

UNDER THE BRIDGE Review: The Kids Are (Not) Alright In This Heartbreaking #Hulu Original Starring Extraordinary #LilyGladstone and #RileyKeough / Reviewed by @thefilmnerdette   READ BELOW https://t.co/qTfCEbhA4u  Nerdspin (@nerdspin_) April 16, 2024

Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone Anchor Hulus Heartbreaking Murder Mystery Under the Bridge: TV Review https://t.co/NTzLjvI2Nb  Variety (@Variety) April 16, 2024

'Under the Bridge' Review: Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough Star in Hulu's Timid True-Crime Drama https://t.co/GvgXrx1K7l  The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 16, 2024

Under The Bridge Review: Riley Keough, Lily Gladstone Ground Heartbreaking True Crime Mini-Series https://t.co/yrKP7c64mt pic.twitter.com/12VpU9bQux  The Playlist (@ThePlaylistNews) April 16, 2024

Under The Bridge review: A hard-hitting, scattered true-crime drama https://t.co/lnVZOVKTPo pic.twitter.com/e2ivjNkPTS  The A.V. Club (@TheAVClub) April 16, 2024

'Under the Bridge' Review  Lily Gladstone's True Crime Series Is Spectacular

https://t.co/ILPhaFqXpL  Collider (@Collider) April 16, 2024

Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone give "Under the Bridge" an unnerving, deeply gut-wrenching sense of volatility and violence, one that makes the series impossible to look away from.https://t.co/d1w6O7xu3A  Daily Beast's Obsessed (@beastobsessed) April 16, 2024

 The show makes sure to tell victim Reena Virk's story with a focus on her home life and racism being a factor in her murder. Both depictions of fictional Cam (Lily Gladstone) and real life book author Rebecca Godfrey (Riley Keough) are compelling. Godfrey's depiction in the show is interesting considering Godfrey was closely involved with the series before her death from cancer in 2022. "While it is a triumph in its writing and pacing, its the performances that truly carry this series. Gladstone and Keough are phenomenal...Archie Panjabi is a true force as a mother at her wits end. But while the heavy hitters (perhaps expectedly) give tour de force performances, its the exceptional outings from the young cast that make this series shine." While it caused a bit of confusion when the news broke that Keough and Gladstone are being submitted under the Best Supporting banner at the 2024 Emmys, its understandable once you actually see the series. It's a true ensemble show. The show is too focused on Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough, fresh off their award seasons, that they forget about other characters. "Vritika Gupta gives [victim] Reena an air of expectancy that endears the girl from first close-up. Guptas open demeanor throughout Under the Bridge makes Reenas eventual fate all the more heartbreaking in signifying her lack of life experience and by extension, lack of opportunity to become a full-fledged person." Archie Panjabi gives the shows best performance as Reenas mother, Suman."Panjabi maintains an almost rigid reserve despite her characters exasperation when Reena does not cooperate while alive, and even when Suman learns of her daughters death. Yet Panjabi subtly conveys the mothers abject grief and devastation, delivering the shows single most powerful moment in a short reaction shot." "Its an entertaining series, well-cast and well-acted, and featuring what is, at its core, a compelling story." The two flaws: too-long without enough story, Lily Gladstone's fictional character in a true story. The teen actors are standouts. "Although Under the Bridge covers a wide range of topics and storylines, Reena and her familys story take center stage, and appropriately so...The portrayal of the Virk family in Under the Bridge sparks further discussion about bigotry and ignorance among Canadians towards immigrants. The series focuses on highlighting the truth about Reenas case to raise awareness and respect for her." Keough and Gladstone are unstoppable as the stars of the show and Keoughs portrayal of the real Rebecca Godfrey is "a revelation." Episode 3 titled Blood Oath, directed by Catherine Hardwicke and written by Jihan Crowther is a standout as well as the series finale titled Mercy Alone, directed by Kevin Phillips and written by Samir Mehta. The series is dark and gripping. The series is careful not to spotlight the murder visually. "Sharp and devastating, with a 90s hip-hop soundtrack laced throughout, Under the Bridge is an absorbing examination of cruelty, why some people receive empathy over others and how our own biases can prevent us from recognizing the truth." The Hollywood Reporter calls the show timid, saying "the writing ultimately proves too vague and too muddled in its messaging to shed new light on much of anything." Though Gladstone and Keoughs chemistry grounds the storys emotions, its their younger costars who truly get to shine. "Reena herself gets lost in the shuffle, despite copious flashbacks that detail not only the months leading up to her passing but the decades of family history that came before. As charming as Gupta is onscreen, the writing rarely transcends a generic portrait of adolescent angst." "Who killed Reena, and how, Under the Bridge does eventually tell you. Why it happened, it dares only to ask  but not, in the end, to answer." "Under the Bridge could have been just another tale of bullying gone too far. Still, its more ambitious than that, seeking to humanize and understand everyone involved and recognizing that these teenagers who have been forced to act like adults at too young an age are victims too, even if it doesnt entirely excuse the choices theyve made." Keough and Gladstone are giving performers, always moving aside to let their younger costars shine. Under the Bridge is indeed triggering and difficult to digest. "Under The Bridge struggles to weave everyones journey equally compellingly, making it sag at intervals and stifling the crucial points it wants to make." Gladstone and Keough are great. Lily Gladstone gives a mesmerizing performance. An Emmy nomination is all but guaranteed. "She is not just one of the best performers of her generation, but one of the best to ever do it." Under the Bridge is a refreshing take on true crime, delving into community dynamics and personal struggles with authenticity rather than merely aiming for shock. The series navigates dark themes without veering into exploitative territory. One standout episode focuses on Reenas parents' journey. Though Under the Bridge's two adult lead actors Keough and Gladstone are compelling, its the teen actors who run away with the series. In particular Chloe Guidry as Josephine is a standout among the kids."Guidrys distressing performance is totally beyond her years. She sizes up every single situation and interaction is studied, calculated, and executed with astonishing precision. In all of my years watching teenagers behaving badly on television, no one has struck fear in my heart the way Guidry does in Under the Bridge." "Under the Bridge alters some of the names involved in Reenas murder as well as some of the story to make it more of a dramatic adaptation. While some might find these modifications objectionableparticularly given that Virks murder spawned national moral panic in Canada, leading to an excess of reporting on bullying and aggression among teenage girlsthey ultimately aid the shows larger thematic framework." Under the Bridge premieres tomorrow on Hulu with two episodes, then a new episode weekly.Sources:
In recent months, several oil majors have emphasised the need for greater investment in oil and gas. Many fossil fuel companies have increased their oil and gas output in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions on Russian energy, to support government energy security efforts and fill the gap until there are sufficient green alternatives to meet the rising global energy demand. However, as governments worldwide pursue a green transition, scientists and environmentalists are stressing the need to cut fossil fuel funding to ensure that climate targets, such as those of the Paris Agreement, are met.

In March, at the CERAWeek by S&P Global energy conference in Houston, the CEO of Saudi Arabias state-owned oil company Aramco, Amin Nasser, emphasised the ongoing global dependence on fossil fuels. Nasser suggested that instead of pumping money into green energy, governments should support the expansion of fossil fuel operations worldwide, to ensure energy security in the face of the growing global energy demand. This opinion was shared by several other attendees at the conference representing a wide array of oil and gas companies.

Nasser caught the attention of climate activists last year when he publicly disagreed with the International Energy Agencys (IEA) prediction that oil, gas and coal demand will peak in 2030. He accused the IEA of being overly U.S.- and Europe-centric and overlooking the growing demand in other parts of the world. He, and several other oil and gas representatives, believe that we must continue to fund oil and gas operations until there is an alternative energy source that is stable and large enough to meet the global energy demand.

However, many scientists and environmentalists believe that the only way to achieve a widespread green transition is by cutting funding to fossil fuel operations in favour of renewable alternatives. There are several reasons for this view. Firstly, the money being spent on oil and gas exploration and related operations could be better spent on research and development into alternative energy sources. Secondly, funding new fossil fuel operations will lead to the production of higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions for decades longer. Thirdly, so long as fossil fuels are being used as a safety blanket, governments and consumers across the globe are unlikely to take the green transition seriously, as there is no imminent need for the switch beyond the threat of climate change.

In 2021, the IEA stated the need for an unprecedented transformation of how energy is produced, transported and used globally to achieve international climate goals. The Agencys 2021 Roadmap showed that the pledges at that point fell well short of what is necessary to reach net?zero emissions globally by 2050. It also highlighted several milestones that need to be achieved to support climate pledges, such as bringing an end to the sales of new fossil fuel boilers by 2025 and banning the sale of new internal combustion engine cars by 2035. Overall, the IEA emphasised that there should be no investment in new fossil fuel supply projects, and no further final investment decisions for new unabated coal plants.

Despite the IEAs continued efforts to draw attention to the dire state of the energy industry and the need to make an imminent shift away from fossil fuels in favour of green alternatives, governments and private companies have continued to fund oil, gas and coal projects. Some are doing this because they view fossil fuels as necessary for energy security and others are doing it for the high revenues that oil and gas bring to the table.

One lesser-explored criticism of oil and gas funding is its longevity. Some investors believe that although fossil fuels have offered a good return on investment in recent years  particularly following the Russian invasion of Ukraine  they do not offer a sound long-term investment. Tom Steyer, the founder and co-executive chair of Galvanize Climate Solutions, an investment firm focused on the energy transition, writes, If theres one lesson Ive learned in decades as an investor, its that things change. On closer examination, the simplest argument against funding new oil, gas and coal projects is not that theyre immoral. Its that theyre unsound.

Steyer believes that investing in new oil and gas projects is risky as they wont come online for several years; much of the oil and gas in traditional oil-rich regions has depleted and accessing the remaining supplies through technologies such as fracking will be more expensive; the oil and gas industry relies heavily on government subsidies, which are likely to be reduced as countries worldwide undergo a green transition; and massive funding into green energy in recent years has led to several major technological breakthroughs and the rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity. This suggests that investing in new fossil fuel projects could be a bad move, not only for climate change efforts but also in terms of profitability.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Tohoku University researchers have made a groundbreaking advancement in battery technology, developing a novel cathode material for rechargeable magnesium batteries that enables efficient charging and discharging even at low temperatures.

Details of the findings were published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A.

This innovative material, leveraging an enhanced rock-salt structure, promises to usher in a new era of battery energy storage solutions that are more affordable, safer, and higher in capacity.

Unleashing Disordered Rocksalt Oxides as Cathodes for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries. Image Credit: Tohoku University Institute for Materials Research. Click here to see the largest image at the press release page.

The study showcases a considerable improvement in magnesium (Mg) diffusion within a rock-salt structure, a critical advancement since the denseness of atoms in this configuration had previously impeded Mg migration.

By introducing a strategic mixture of seven different metallic elements, the research team created a crystal structure abundant in stable cation vacancies, facilitating easier Mg insertion and extraction.

This represents the first utilization of rocksalt oxide as a cathode material for RMBs.

The high-entropy strategy employed by the researchers allowed the cation defects to activate the rocksalt oxide cathode.

The development also addresses a key limitation of RMBs  the difficulty of Mg transport within solid materials.

Until now, high temperatures were necessary to enhance Mg mobility in conventional cathode materials, such as those with a spinel structure.

However, the material unveiled by Tohoku University researchers operates efficiently at just 90C, demonstrating a significant reduction in the required operating temperature.

Tomoya Kawaguchi, a professor at Tohoku Universitys Institute for Materials Research (IMR), notes the broader implications of the study.

The professor said, Lithium is scarce and unevenly distributed, whereas magnesium is abundantly available, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative for lithium-ion batteries. Magnesium batteries, featuring the newly developed cathode material, are poised to play a pivotal role in various applications, including grid storage, electric vehicles, and portable electronic devices, contributing to the global shift towards renewable energy and reduced carbon footprints.

Kawaguchi collaborated with Tetsu Ichitsubo, also a professor at IMR, who states, By harnessing the intrinsic benefits of magnesium and overcoming previous material limitations, this research paves the way for the next generation of batteries, promising significant impacts on technology, the environment, and society.

Ultimately, the breakthrough is a major step forward in the quest for efficient, eco-friendly energy storage solutions.

**

The headline is almost misleading. The new technology offered is still running at 90C, somewhat cooler than boiling water.

Yet, this is a considerable improvement for a battery chemistry with lots of possibility. And this research shows there is reason think this magnesium tech has enough going for it to stay in the research game.

There is cause to think the tech could get way cooler operating temps. It could be way less expensive. Lots of capacity potential. There is economic and political pressure to keep the hunt alive.

However, its a long way from running your EV on a cold morning.

By Brian Westenhaus via New Energy and Fuel

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The Federal Government of Iraq (FGI) centred in Baghdad several weeks ago ordered the speeding up of crucial repairs to its own oil export pipeline into Turkey while keeping its embargo on oil exports from the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraqi (KRI) based in Erbil in place, a senior source who works closely with Iraqs Oil Ministry exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. According to a subsequent statement from Iraqis Deputy Oil Minister for Upstream Affairs, Basim Mohammed, the pipeline is likely to be operational and ready to restart flows by the end of this month. As repeatedly highlighted by OilPrice.com, from the moment the oil export embargo was imposed on Iraqi Kurdistan on 25 March of 2023, the objective for Baghdad was always to end the regions semi-autonomous status, which meant destroying all its financial independence, which meant stopping all independent oil sales. As far as foreign oil companies working in Iraqi Kurdistan are concerned, a senior European Union (E.U.) energy security source exclusively told OilPrice.com recently: Baghdad [] is not concerned whether all [of them] operating there just leave.

There are several reasons for this view from Baghdad, according to the Iraqi oil and E.U. security sources. Financially, to begin with, the benefits to the FGI in Baghdad of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are negligible, if not actually negative. The deal between Baghdad and Erbil for budget payments to be made [from the FGI] in exchange for oil [from the KRI] was intended to provide a benefit for both sides, but it never worked properly, so continuing to allow the Kurds [the KRI] to keep selling oil independently does not benefit Baghdad one dinar, said the Iraqi source. More specifically, the deal was made in November 2014, and involved the KRI exporting up to 550,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil from its own fields and Kirkuk via the FGIs State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO). In return, Baghdad would send 17 percent of the federal budget after sovereign expenses (around US$500 million at that time) per month in budget payments to the Kurds. Even before Russia effectively took control of the KRIs oil sector in late 2017 through three key deals, as analysed in depth in my new book on the new global oil market order, neither the FGI or the KRI fully lived up to their commitments. After Russia took control, disagreements between the two sides increased, with Moscow looking to create for itself the role of mediator so it could gain further traction for oil and gas developments in southern Iraq as well. Without the deal working, Baghdad was losing out on billions of dollars a year in revenue from oil sales done independently by the Kurds, so why would it continue to put up with this? said the Iraq oil source last week.

Related: ADNOC Considered Buying Oil Giant BP

Legally speaking as well, Baghdad thinks there is no reason why it should, as it believes Kurdistans oil exports are illegal and the international oil companies (IOCs) working in the region are complicit in breaking the law. This is founded on its interpretation of the Iraq Constitution, adopted by referendum in 2005. In this, it is clearly stated under Article 111 that oil and gas is under the ownership of all the people of Iraq in all the regions and governorates. Consequently, Baghdad argues, all IOCs that have not so far submitted contracts originally drawn up with the government of the Kurdistan region of Iraq (KRG) for them to be revised now by the Iraq Oil Ministry  so that they can revised in accordance with the Iraq Constitution  have no right to use independent Kurdish routes to export the oil they produce. The KRG, however, believes it has authority under Articles 112 and 115 of the Constitution to manage oil and gas in the Kurdistan Region extracted from fields that were not in production in 2005. Again, for Baghdad its irrelevant whether the IOCs working in the Kurdish region stay or go, as it [the Federal Government] doesnt benefit at all, said the Iraq oil source. If they [the IOCs in Iraqi Kurdistan] want to keep working there then they can apply for updated contracts here [in Baghdad] but if not they can go, as there are plenty of other oil companies that can replace them, and work well with the [Oil] Ministry, he added.

Politically as well, Baghdad believes there are no benefits at all from having a semi-autonomous Kurdish state in its north. For a start, there remains the constant threat that it might push again for full independence, for which it voted 92 percent in favour in the independence referendum on 25 September 2017, as also analysed in depth in my new book on the new global oil market order. For key Iraqi regional sponsor Iran, and for Turkey and Syria, rising Kurdish independence movements would also pose a distinct threat to the existing regimes, given the size of these populations in these countries. Irans Kurdish population is around 9 percent of its total, Syrias 10 percent, and Turkeys about 18 percent. Baghdads true view of this was shown in the quick and brutal clampdown on the KRI after the massive 2017 vote in favour of full independence. For its superpower sponsor of China, the fractious would-be breakaway Kurdistan Region of Iraq with strong former ties to the U.S. makes the administration of Iraqs massive oil and gas sector much more difficult. China has been building up its influence in southern Iraq, through multiple deals done in the oil and gas sector that have then been leveraged into bigger infrastructure deals across the south. The apotheosis of Beijings vision for Iraq is all-encompassing Iraq-China Framework Agreement of 2021. This in turn, was an extension in scale and scope of the Oil for Reconstruction and Investment agreement signed by Baghdad and Beijing in September 2019, which allowed Chinese firms to invest in infrastructure projects in Iraq in exchange for oil. The same political concern applies for Russia, even with its strong position in the KRIs oil sector, which would likely be continued anyway if Baghdad is successful in destroying the regions remaining independence.

That this remains a core aim of the Federal Government of Iraq was underlined on 3 August last year when Iraq Prime Minister, Mohammed Al-Sudani, stated that the new unified oil law  run, in every way that matters, out of Baghdad - will govern all oil and gas production and investments in both Iraq and its autonomous Kurdistan region and will constitute a strong factor for Iraqs unity. The completion of the ongoing repairs to Baghdads own oil export pipeline to Turkey - bypassing any input from the Iraqi Kurdish region at all  clearly signals that the endgame is in sight for it. Baghdads 600-mile pipeline was the original Iraq-Turkey Pipeline, running from Kirkuk in Iraqs north to Ceyhan in Turkey, before it was closed in 2014 after repeated attacks by various militant groups in the region, including Islamic State. It consisted of two pipes, with a nameplate capacity of 1.6 million bpd combined (1.1 million bpd for the 46-inch diameter pipe, and 0.5 million bpd for the 40-inch one). It was only after it was closed that the Iraq Kurdistan regional government oversaw the construction of a new single side pipeline, from the Taq Taq field through Khurmala, which runs into the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline in the border town of Fishkhabur. With the Kurds cut out of the new pipeline and their own pipeline shut down, the new oil law can move forward, unifying the countrys oil sector as originally intended, concluded the Iraq oil source.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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Chinas crude oil imports hit a record high in 2023, rising by 10% year-over-year and breaking the previous record from 2020 when the worlds top crude oil importer took advantage of the price crash to gorge on cheap crude.

Last year, Chinas crude oil imports averaged 11.3 million barrels per day (bpd), up by 10% compared to 2022, according to Chinese customs data compiled by Bloomberg and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

After China lifted the Covid-related restrictions in early 2023, Chinese refiners boosted imports to record-high levels last year, to support transportation fuel demand and produce feedstocks for Chinas growing petrochemical industry, the EIA noted in an analysis published on Tuesday.

Russia, thanks to cheaper crude supply, was Chinas top source of crude imports last year, the data showed. Russia was also the supplier whose crude sales in China jumped the most.

In 2023, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq were Chinas main sources of crude oil imports. Compared with 2022, Chinas 2023 crude oil imports increased the most from Russia, Iran, Brazil, and the United States.

Between 2019 and 2021, Saudi Arabia was Chinas top crude oil supplier, with Russia second with 15% of Chinese imports.

In 2023, Russia was Chinas top source of crude oil imports, supplying 19% of Chinas crude oil imports, which averaged 2.1 million bpd, the EIA said.

The surge in Chinese crude oil imports from Russia was the result of discounted Russian prices due to the Western sanctions and price caps on Russias crude.

While China bought large additional volumes of crude from Russia, it reduced imports from Western Europe, notably from Norway and the UK, due to the higher prices of Western European crudes compared to the discounts on Russian oil, the data showed.

This year, China has continued to import large volumes of crude from Russia, despite only a 0.7% increase in overall Chinese crude imports in January to March 2024. Much of the increase in Chinese crude oil imports in recent weeks has been due to cheap abundant flows of Russian crude, which  hampered en route to India by the U.S. sanctions  has found a home in the worlds top crude oil importer, analysts say.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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The Biden Administration is unlikely to attempt to dramatically curtail Iranian oil exports after Irans attack on Israel, due to concerns about higher oil and gasoline prices in an election year and an unwillingness to further harm U.S.-China relations as Beijing is Irans key remaining oil customer, analysts have told Reuters.

The U.S. toughening the sanctions enforcement against Iranian oil exports was expected by analysts after Iran launched drones on Israel this weekend. Most investment banks and analysts do not see a major escalation in the Middle East that would directly hamper oil production and exports. But some expect tougher U.S. sanction enforcement against Irans oil exports.

On Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act by a vote of 383-11. The bill expands sanctions to cover Chinese financial institutions that buy petroleum products from Iran.

The bill proposes to impose restrictions on correspondent and payable-through accounts in the United States with respect to Chinese financial institutions that conduct transactions involving the purchase of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran.

However, considering that most of Irans oil goes to China and that removing further barrels from the market would lead to higher oil prices, the Biden Administration could opt not to ramp up enforcement of the sanctions, analysts say.

I would not expect the administration to tighten enforcement in response to Iran's missile and drone attacks against Israel over the weekend, mainly for concerns (that) could lead to increases in oil prices, Kimberly Donovan, a sanctions and anti-money laundering expert at the Atlantic Council, told Reuters.

Another anxiety about a clampdown on Iranian oil sales could be concerns about encroaching on Chinas oil imports. China has been a major buyer of Iranian crude as it has brushed off all Western sanctions on Iranian, Russian, or Venezuelan oil exports so far. The Chinese teapots, the independent refiners, are estimated to be buying 80% of all Iranian crude oil exports.

I'd expect to see a gesture in the direction of (imposing) economic consequences on Iran, but I don't expect the White House  or any future White House  to be able to completely turn off the spigot of Iranian oil, Jon Alterman, a Middle East analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Reuters.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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German oil and gas production fell again in 2023 compared to 2022, industry association BVEG said on Tuesday, calling for increased domestic production to reduce dependence on more emissions-generating LNG imports.

Last year, Germanys oil production dropped by 5.9% year-over-year, while natural gas output slumped by 10.4%.

The share of domestic gas supply of total German supply was 5.7%, while domestic oil production met about 2.2% of Germanys oil consumption in 2023, figures by BVEG showed.

Germanys oil and gas production peaked in the 1960s and 1990s, respectively. Output has been falling in recent decades, increasing the share of imports to meet demand.

Germany should maximize domestic oil and gas production, which would be extracted with 30% lower emissions compared to LNG imports, Ludwig Mohring, Managing Director at the BVEG association, said at a press conference. Higher domestic output would also boost the security of supplies and reduce dependence on imports, Mohring added.

The BVEG association groups the companies operating in Germany, including the local affiliates and joint ventures of ExxonMobil, Shell, Neptune Energy, and Wintershall Dea, among others.

Politicians must commit to decarbonization and at the same time to continuous domestic production, Mohring said.

Germany has faced two difficult years scrambling to secure gas supply with energy prices spiking after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the halt of Russian pipeline gas exports to Germany.

Last year, Germany imported the equivalent of 968 terawatt hours (TWh) of natural gas in 2023, down by 32.6% from the 1.437 TWh imports in 2022, as consumption also dropped, according to the countrys energy regulator Bundesnetzagentur. Norway was Germanys top natural gas supplier last year, delivering as much as 43% of the imported gas, followed by the Netherlands with 26% and Belgium with 22%.

Germanys industry is unlikely to fully recover from the energy price shock and return to the competitiveness from before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the chief executive of Germanys top utility, RWE, told the Financial Times last week.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The frontrunner in Mexicos next presidential elections, Claudia Sheinbaum, will invest billions in new natural gas generation capacity and solar power, Bloomberg has reported, citing a plan presented to local business leaders.

The plan also includes upgrading hydropower capacity and expanding Mexicos grid with 3,850 km of new transmission lines.

Sheinbaum will also continue supporting state-owned oil major Pemex but will not focus on this as exclusively as incumbent Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador does. Her energy plan will cost $13.6 billion.

We are going to accelerate the energy transition, Sheinbaum said Monday, as quoted by Bloomberg. Going forward, we are working on this energy plan not just with an eye on 2030, but also through 2050 to align with international commitments on climate change.

We have the possibility and potential to develop Mexico in a way that generates investment with well-being, the presidential candidate also said. At the same time, that development does not have to negatively impact the environment.

Sheinbaums energy plan envisages the addition of some 13.7 GW of new power generation capacity to the grid over the next six years, with a portion of this coming from solar installations. For context, Mexico is set to add 3.3 GW in new capacity from gas and solar this year.

The countrys current president is not a fan of either wind or solar. During his term he focused on propping up Pemex and developing local refining capacity so more of Mexicos oil can stay at home, replacing costlier imports of fuels.

The flagship project of that plan, the Dos Bocas refinery, entered operation a few months ago and is in the process of ramping up. As a result, Pemex has started curbing crude oil exports and redirecting them to local processing facilities. For next month, the company has said exports would be 330,000 bpd lower. The company has been struggling with natural depletion at its fields and a lack of sufficient new oil discoveries.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Russia exported the highest level of oil from its ports in 11 months in the week to April 14, as export terminals likely shipped more crude that couldnt be processed at refineries knocked offline by Ukrainian drone attacks, tanker-tracking data monitored by Bloomberg showed on Tuesday.

In the second week of April, Russias crude oil shipments jumped by as much as 560,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 3.95 million bpdthe highest level since May last year, according to the data reported by Bloombergs Julian Lee.

The four-week average shipments, which tend to be less volatile and give a clearer picture of monthly exports, were also significantly up in the four weeks to April 14, compared to the previous four weeks. These shipments were estimated by Bloomberg to have surged by 250,000 bpd to 3.66 million bpd. Thats also the highest average in nearly a year, since June 2023.

The shipments so far in April have been far above Russias own target of oil exports as part of the OPEC+ deal, Bloombergs data found.

At the end of March, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that Russia would be cutting oil production instead of exports in the second quarter of 2024 so that all OPEC+ producers that reduce output contribute equally to the cuts.

Russia has brought back online some oil refining units in recent weeks, reducing the capacity taken offline by Ukrainian drone hits to around 10%, from 14% at the end of March, calculations by Reuters showed on Monday.

Output cuts will be most of the extra Russian supply cut, and they could be the result of reduced refining capacity with maintenance coming in Q2 and refinery rates estimated to have slumped due to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries. These attacks are estimated to have cut Russias crude processing capacity and, in the absence of spare storage capacity, Moscow needs to cut output.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Indias largest private refiner, Reliance Industries, has sought to resell U.S. WTI crude within weeks of buying it, anonymous trading sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg, as signs have started to emerge that more Russian crude may have resumed heading to India.

Last week, Reliance tried to sell WTI Midland for loading in May to other potential buyers in Asia, Bloombergs sources said.

Amid issues with payments and stricter U.S. sanctions on Russian crude exports, including sanctions on Russias state tanker fleet operator, Sovcomflot, Indian refiners have recently ramped up purchases of other grades similar to Russias Sokol. WTI Midland is one of these crudes, and India is set to import in April its highest oil volumes from the United States in 11 months.

It wasnt immediately clear if Reliances attempt to resell the WTI Midland crude was linked with increased purchases of Russian Sokol, according to the traders who spoke to Bloomberg.

Before offering the U.S. crude, Reliance had also tried to sell in Asia cargoes of Murban crude from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) loading this month and next, Bloombergs sources said.

Russian crude is cheaper than alternatives as it is being offered at discounts in Asia, but Indian refiners are now said to be refusing to take Russias oil transported on vessels of the sanctioned Sovcomflot to avoid running afoul of the stricter enforcement of the U.S. sanctions on Russia.

Despite stricter enforcement of the U.S. sanctions against Russian oil exports, some tankers loaded with Sokol crude are near India signaling Indian ports as their destinations, vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg showed earlier this month.

After more than a year of gorging on cheaper Russian crude, Indian refiners began to avoid Sokol shipments at the end of last year and avoid taking delivery of crude loaded on Sovcomflot tankers. It now appears that some of the Sokol trade may have returned to India, via traders offering attractive discounts, refining sources have told Bloomberg.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The United States will only extend a sanction relief regime for Venezuela if the Maduro government makes progress on commitments undertaken last year to ensure fair elections.

This is according to a Reuters report that quoted a State Department speaker who said "Absent progress by Maduro and his representatives in terms of implementing the road maps provisions, the United States will not renew the license when it expires on April 18, 2024."

The report comes on the heels of the news that U.S. and Venezuelan officials met in secret in Mexico City to discuss the extension of the relief regime on conditions of Venezuela implementing election reforms.

The United States granted a six-month oil sanction waiver to Caracas in October last year after the two sides discussed election reforms that would have given Venezuelas opposition a chance in the upcoming vote in July.

However, just months later, the Maduro government effectively banned the oppositions leader, Maria Corina Machado, from running for office, prompting threats from Washington that the sanctions would snap back.

Following the sanction waiver last October, Venezuela had planned to expand its oil production from below 800,000 bpd to over 1 million bpd. The prospects of that happening have dimmed since then and seem likely to dim even further with three days left for Caracas to signal any willingness to carry out the reforms that the U.S. insists on.

Meanwhile, thanks to the sanction relaxation, Venezuelas oil exports rose to the highest since 2020 in March. The increase was mainly driven by a rush among buyers to secure cargos ahead of the return of the sanctions.

The return seems almost certain, especially after President Maduro said on Monday on national TV that "We are going ahead with a license or without a license, we aren't a gringo colony."

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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An Omaha man is facing 11 felony charges after he allegedly struck two sheriffs deputies with a stolen vehicle before leading police on a high-speed chase and striking two other cars.

Jake Scripter, 32, appeared in jail court on Tuesday and was ordered held on 10% of $200,000 bail, meaning he would have to pay $20,000 to be released. He faces two counts of assaulting an officer with a motor vehicle, one count of attempted assault on an officer with a motor vehicle, three counts of attempted use of a weapon to commit a felony, flight to avoid arrest, possession of methamphetamine, resisting arrest-second offense, theft by receiving and criminal mischief.

According to an arrest affidavit for Scripter, deputies with the Douglas County Sheriffs Office were waiting to take Scripter into custody outside Moes Mart Gas Station at 8242 Maple St. about 7:30 p.m. on April 11. Deputies had information that the car Scripter was driving, a silver Acura TL Tech, had been reported stolen. Scripter also had a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for drug testing after he was released from custody on bail on a separate charge of possession of methamphetamine.

After Scripter left the gas station, according to the affidavit, deputies attempted a vehicle takedown of the Acura by positioning two Sheriffs Office vehicles at the back of the Acura. Deputies exited their vehicles and gave loud verbal commands to Scripter.

Scripter entered the drivers seat of the Acura, turned on the car, and quickly reversed, crashing into the two Sheriffs Office vehicles positioned behind the Acura. Two deputies were struck by the Acura and sustained minor injuries: One had minor injuries to his arm and legs, and the other had his foot run over by the Acura as Scripter fled. A third deputy was nearly struck by the Acura as Scripter fled from the gas station, but he was not injured.

According to the affidavit, Scripter fled westbound on Maple Street as Able-1, the Omaha police helicopter, tracked the pursuit from above. As Scripter fled, he struck two other vehicles with the Acura and did not stop at either crash. The occupants of the two vehicles sustained minor injuries.

Scripter crashed after colliding with a tall cement curb near 90th and Spaulding Streets, about one mile from the gas station where the pursuit began. He tried to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended. According to the affidavit, he flailed his body and arms in an attempt to resist arrest.

According to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, Scripter has served four prison sentences. Three sentences were for theft and one for possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person.
The candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of assisting Governor Nyesom Wike, to rob him of victory in the Rivers State governorship election. Wike had defeated Awara, who is backed by Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, and the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) [] More
Fugitive US whistleblower Edward Snowden on Thursday slammed the arrest in London of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, calling it a dark moment for press freedom.

Snowden fled to Russia in 2013 after leaking thousands of classified documents to the media about the US governments extensive surveillance activities.

Images of Ecuadors ambassador inviting the UKs secret police into the embassy to drag a publisher of  like it or not  award-winning journalism out of the building are going to end up in the history books, the former contractor with the US National Security Agency said on Twitter.

Assanges critics may cheer, but this is a dark moment for press freedom, said the fugitive former US government contractor.

Snowden denounced Ecuadors decision to withdraw asylum from Assange, who had been living in its London embassy since 2012.

He called the decision an extraordinary and very likely unprecedented revocation of what at least the United Nations considers a legitimate grant of asylum.

Like Snowden, Assange remains a polarising figure, with some calling him a heroic campaigner for openness, while others accuse him of being an enemy of the US trying to avoid justice.

I dont have to agree with every part of a mans journalism to believe he shouldnt be arrested for it, Snowden wrote in response to criticism of Assanges methods.

Snowden has largely maintained a low profile in Russia after being given refugee status by the authorities.

(AFP)

Post Views: 40
The federal troops battling banditry in Zamfara have killed 35 bandits and rescued 40 abducted people, including children and women.

The campaign however extends to neighbouring states.

The Acting Force Information Officer of Operation Sharan Daji (OPSD), Major Clement Abiade, said in a statement on Friday.

No fewer than 18 suspected bandits informants, rustlers, kidnappers and logistics suppliers were also arrested.

The troops, he said, have continued to dominate the Area of Operation with aggressive fighting patrols and conducting day and night patrols deep into the forest areas to deny the bandits freedom of action while building the confidence of the local population.

He noted that the intensity and redoubled efforts in the conduct of military activities were complemented by Exercise Harbin Kunama III, which commenced on April 1.

The OPSD spokesman said the operations have achieved tremendous successes, leading to the recovery of weapons, ammunition and rustled animals in various parts of their area of operation.

He disclosed that during the period, the Air Component of the operation carried out several air strikes around Kagara, Gando, Fankama, Fete and Dumburum Forests.

According to Abiade, the forests provide sanctuaries and hideouts where kidnapped victims are often hidden but the air strikes are precision activities designed to avoid collateral damage.

He further revealed that one Muhammed Iso suspected to be a notorious kidnapper was intercepted in Niger Republic in collaboration with the security forces in the country.

The bandit hails from Naagwalam in Katsina State and confessed to being a member of a five-man syndicate responsible for kidnapping and highway robbery in Batsari and Jibiya axis, the statement said.

It added, It is instructive to state that the suspects arrested have been handed over to Nigerian Police and other agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.

It is significant to mention that subsequent operations in the forests led to the rescue of 40 abductees consisted of men, women and children from communities in Zamfara State.

The OPSD spokesman said troops recovered four AK47 rifles, two locally-made pump action rifles, 17 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and 20 cartridges.

Additionally, 10 motorcycles, 94 rustled animals, and two handsets were recovered during the period under review.

Major Abiade affirmed that the Force Commander, Major General Hakeem Otiki, and men of OPSD remained committed to tackling the menace of armed banditry and other forms of criminal activities in Zamfara.

He also said they were determined to ensure that bandits do not establish sanctuaries in the contiguous states of Kebbi, Katsina and Sokoto.

Post Views: 49
Arrested Yoruba Nation agitators have said they do not regret their action.

Recall that the agitators were arrested after invading the Oyo State Governors Office and the state House of Assembly on Monday.

A 55-year-old lecturer at the Federal College of Education (Special), in Oyo State, Alabi Ogundeji said he doesnt regret his action.

Corroborating his view, a 29-year-old phone repairer, Ademola Adeniyi, who was part of the arrested agitators, also said he didnt regret joining the struggle.

The PUNCH reports that about 20 persons were arrested by the police after some masked men in military camouflage with rifles and charms suspected to be Yoruba Nation agitators early Saturday invaded the Governors Office and the state House of Assembly.

Speaking with newsmen separately at the state Police Command, Eleyele in Ibadan, the state capital, during their parade by the police, the duo insisted that their actions were lawful under Nigeria and international law.

Ogundeji said, Im part of the agitation and I cant deny it. Yoruba as an indigenous nation is a nation on its own. We have so many nations in Nigeria and Yoruba is one of them.

Oodua Nation leaders have taken every step and action that needed to be taken. So, we embarked on a referendum which was 500 petitions signed by all Yorubas, and this has served as the referendum.



Our leadership went to all Yoruba-speaking states to serve official letters written by our leaders and we were given our copy. After that is proclamation, declaration, occupation, and notification to the world that Yoruba is an indigenous nation.

We were at the Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan to celebrate and rejoice because of the new nation that was born. It is not a new thing that Yoruba is a nation and we want to stand on our own. We have been together with Nigeria for over 100 years.

In his own, the 29-year-old phone repairer, Adeniyi, also amongst those arrested said, We all know that nothing is working in Nigeria and things are hard for everyone except those in government. We were at the Secretariat waiting for our leader to address us.

We believe our leader knows much about the law. So, we are not afraid to join when we are called upon. Our leader told us that all challenges Yoruba are facing shall be addressed if we achieve our aim, he stressed.

While parading all the suspects, the state Police Commissioner, Hamzat Adebola, described the act as criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism which would be meted with adequate sanctions.

He explained that the continued existence of Nigeria as a sovereign indivisible entity is a task that must be accomplished, adding that the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.

As a parent, I enjoin other parents, guardians and leaders in every sphere of political, religious and socio-economic influence to prevail on their children, ward, proteges and followers against being used by unpatriotic individuals to promote anarchy in the state and by extension, Nation.



I would like to use this medium to remind the criminally minded that the state is home to many responsible, hospitable and extremely intelligent individuals who pride themselves on creativity, hard work and resourcefulness.

He, therefore, vowed that it would not be reduced under his watch to a playground for the criminally minded and misguided individuals or groups who intend to make their livelihood by distorting the relative tranquillity enjoyed by the good people of the state.
The immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that fuel subsidy is back in a bigger measure without the awareness of Nigerians.

He stated this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Recall that in his inaugural speech, President Bola Tinubu had announced the removal of fuel subsidy, saying its payment was no longer justifiable.

However, according to El-Rufai, Fuel subsidy is another policy that has been implemented by the president, its the right policy. I always supported withdrawing fuel subsidy. But, in the course of implementation as you can see the government has now realized that the subsidy has to be back because right now, we are paying a lot of money for subsidy even more than before.

So, we are still subsidizing Petrol because the government has realised that the way it implemented the fuel subsidy initially required some adjustments.
A US-based Nigerian bodybuilder, Michael Chidozie, has died weeks after his wife shot him multiple times at their apartment in Houston, Texas.

The 26-year-old died last week after his wife Keaiirra Shavoiyae Chidozie, 28, shot him four times in front of their kids in their home on March 21, 2024. National Daily gathered that the deceased was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital after police found him with gunshot wounds and his wife in panic holding their two kids, aged three and two.

Chidozie lingered on life support as his family prayed for his recovery, but he suffered a devastating spinal injury and died of complications 18 days later.

According to the report, Keaiirra was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after the shooting, and her charges have not been upgraded since his death.

She claimed to have shot Chidozie in self-defense as she feared for her life during the argument when he followed her into their bedroom. Its unclear what the argument was over.
WHEN we think of Rivers State, we are quickly reminded of The Everly Brothers, particularly in one of their chart bursters of the mid-1960s, So sad to watch good love go bad.

Essentially, Rivers State can only be meaningfully discussed within the context of Greater Rivers  the geographical expression that has been loosely separated into Rivers and Bayelsa states. This is one small space in Nigeria where God left a large deposit of the good things  both human and material.

On the human side, even a casual observer soon sees among them people of higher intelligence; courageous people; people of stoic discipline. People who know what they want and how to go about them. They realize that only the best is good enough for them. That is one way of explaining why they aim high and work hard.

In these discussions, we shall restrict ourselves to modern history. We sometimes ponder if it is by accident that in virtually every recent election cycle, more than from anywhere else, we have had men from this small enclave almost becoming the President of Nigeria.

We remember the Constituent Assembly of the President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida years. While some of us were yet busy pinning those motions and resolutions together, Chief Pere Ajuwa who represented Yenagoa/Sagbama Federal Constituency was busy seriously oiling the machine for his presidential ambition.

At the expiration of the Assembly, Ajuwa assembled a crack team made up of some of the best brains from the Assembly and outside to work on the project. He created a formidable team backed by strong connections from the highest quarters that only a superior political machine of the IBB Junta could have torpedoed.

[Enter Gov. Peter Odili  Renowned medical doctor turned politician].

While his contemporaries were still parading the corridors of their government houses, looking for crumbs that fell off the Governors table, Odili had finished his two tenures as Governor of Rivers State. Odili was not done yet.

By May 29, 2007, Odili could easily have been sworn in as the President of Nigeria. But only time and place could bring a big change.

Clearly, that years election was Odilis to win. But it must have taken a lot of pleading, appealing to and what have you, to get Odili to see that after 8 years of a Southern President, Olusegun Obasanjo, the only sensible way to go was to the North. That was how he yielded to the entry of the late President Musa Yaradua.

We may never know the full ingredients that went into the mix in getting Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan to be Yaraduas running mate; and ultimately, the President of Nigeria. For all we know, he was from the small enclave, Greater Rivers and he could not have been sleeping at Otuoke when they woke him up to come and become Vice President.

Besides Jonathans forays at the Presidency, the nearest that Rivers ever got to the exalted office was in the immediate past election cycle, 2023. Staring us in the face, a win-win situation in which each of the major political parties were to produce two candidates contending with each other.

At the National Convention of the PDP, former Governor Nyesom Wike was already coasting home to victory before the last-minute maneuvers of Governor Aminu Tambuwal, which resulted in his withdrawal from the contest and the declaration of support for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

On the APC side, former Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi was already in clear lead at the convention before the last-minute maneuvers through the instrumentality of the Northern Governors. Barring the last-minute maneuvers on both sides, it was to be Rivers versus Rivers. Head they would win; tail, they would not lose!

Initially, there was no cause to worry since by our reckoning, Rivers people were steadily inclining towards the presidency. Next time around, they will clinch the position. But we were wrong. Their gallant gamble has since ended in the dust, no thanks to the greed and avarice of a few.

All the gains of the past have been totally consumed by the current terrible rumble in the jungle pervading the enclave.

Essays of this nature cannot end without a prediction. Thats where we are now. After the Wike/Fubara imbroglio, Rivers will not be the same again for a long time to come. We may never know all the initial undercurrents that went into the Nyesom Wike/Siminalayi Fubara clandestine arrangement.

For all we know, Fubara knows, or he ought reasonably to know, what he was getting into.

At first, some thought Fubara was deaf and dumb. During the electioneering, Wike did all the talking and made all the presentations. Apparently, Wike paid all the expenses, including the purchase of the necessary forms. It was a perfect example of the feeding Bottle Democracy.

As they say, there is no free lunch, even in Freetown. Did Fubara not know that at a point, Wike would name his prize? If such a prize includes asking Fubara to jump in front of a moving train, should he look back before jumping?

It is the more painful watching the derailment of plans put in place by our heroes past. To paraphrase the Everly Brothers, it is so sad to watch a great state go down.

It is a sordid affair, and it gets messier by the day. And they are pulling everyone along. In the process, men have lost their reasons.

See how they wrong-footed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into over-riding the Supreme law of the land  the very constitution that he swore to uphold.

In what looks like an obvious case of modern Gbomo-gbomo, Tinubu would rather accept the illegitimate children brought to him; ask their parents to dissolve their existing marriage; and go before those illegitimate children to have the marriage re-enacted.

In using the most foolish things to confound the wise, Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court can no longer decipher the difference between a Federal High Court judge and a State High Court judge, at least in their jurisdiction. He would rather be a meddlesome interloper in a state case that has no federal colouration whatsoever!

In furtherance to his adventurism, he will soon get to the Customary Court, oust the judges and takeover their functions! In a rumble in the jungle, anything goes.

Initially, Fubara rode on the crest of the popular support of the leaders and supporters of Rivers State. He soon messed everyone up at the altar of No price is too high to pay for peace. He could as well be referring to the peace of the graveyard, who knows.

Apparently, there must be things Wike and Fubara know that are unknown to others; and thats how it should be.

Whichever path they choose, it is not going to be a walk in the park. The PDP doesnt look like a safe haven anymore. And if they choose to empty themselves into the APC, the Emeka Beke/O.C.J. Okocha imbroglio is waiting to ambush them! In any case, let them save the Rivers people the unnecessary aggravation!
Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, April 15, 2024, adjourned the alleged N4.8 billion fraud brought against a businessman, Chief Cletus Ibeto, till May 27, 2024.

The matter, which was initially before Justice I.O. Ijelu, of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, suffered several adjournments due to the absence of the defendant to take his plea with respect to the 10-count charges raised against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

He was charged alongside his companies, Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd.

Ibeto had approached the appellate court , following the bench warrant issued against him by Justice Ijelu pending his arraignment. The defendant, through his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, had also approached the appellate court, challenging the jurisdiction of the High Court to hear the matter.

At the resumed sitting on Monday, defence counsel, Adebayo Oshodi, prayed the court to withdraw the application for stay of proceedings, pending the determination of the appeal and the one challenging the courts jurisdiction filed by Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN.

He also told court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court, and prayed the court to allow him to move the application.

However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob, SAN, opposed the application on the grounds that the defendant had filed an appeal on the same issue before the Lagos Division of Court of Appeal. He also told the court that the appellate court had yet to decide on it.

He also informed the court that the defendant, in his bid for out-of-court settlement, had repaid the sum of N2 billion in installments to the Commission.

After listening to both parties, Justice Ogala ruled that hearing the defendants application would amount to nothing because the same issue is currently pending before the appellate court.

The Judge further held There is nothing to sway me to hear it in a hurry. The defendant is not here. The court of appeal will sit on it. I will not waste time writing a ruling, while the case is still pending at the Appeal Court. If there was nothing in the Court of Appeal, I would have heard the application.

Consequently, Justice Ogala adjourned the matter till May 27, 2024.

The Judge further directed the parties to notify the Court on the outcome of appeal, which has been fixed for May 7, 2024, at the appellate court.

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The chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Alh Rabiu Ahmad Baba Arabab has disclosed that the recent scarcity of fuel being exprianced in the state metropolis was not from their members.

Arabab made this known while speaking to journalists over the development in the state, Monday in Bauchi. Saying Its not only parculiar to the independent marketers along but also in the major marketers are still facing the same problem,.

He explained that the shortages in the commodity eminated from the Easter and Sallah breaks were must of the drivers and some of the staff travelled out to celebrate the festivity with their families.

He further explained that bad road also contributed in delaying the drivers expecially when coming back from Western part of the country to the North.

According to the Chairman, the situation will be normal in few days as many drivers have begun trip to burden the products after the festive season.

Recall that the state began to experienced the scarcity of fuel some days back immediately after the Easter and Sallah Celebrations.

However, some of the motorists interviewed during visitations to filling stations within the metropolis said that many filling stations have the commodity but they refused to open to sell the product because of the recent price reduction announced by the federal government.
From Nasir Shuaibu BAUCHI

The family of Bani-Yakubu founder of Bauchi State have paid a thanked visit to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State over recognising one its son Dr Rilwanu Suleiman.

The Chiroma Bauchi, Alh Nura Adamu Jumba who led the group appreciated the governor for what he has done to the family of Yakubu Bauchi since his inception as governor in 2019 to date.

He told the governor that in Bauchi the family of bani-Yakubu is one in-respective of their differences like in the other Emirate councils in other palaces.

The Chiroma Bauchi explained that the family of Bani-Yakubu has many rooms, but yet the family has not been divided like other kingdoms. we remain equal and the same in respective of our rooms differences,.

Also speaking, the Bunun Bauchi, Alh Aminu Adamu Jumba hailed the governor for reconstruction of the new government house which is one of the latest government house in the country.

He recalled that during one of the function someone from People Democratic Party PDP has said that if the government house project is completed, the edefice would be one of the best in the country.

He commended the governor for job weldone and urged him to continue with the good work already in place to the overall development of the State and its people.

He used the medium to appreciated the governor over recognising the family of Bani-Yakubu for namining a particular place in government house to immotilize the entire family

Corroborating, the Marafan Alh Abdullahi Yakubu and Alh Aminu Mahmood Dan Kaden Bauchi also commended the Governor for efforts in keeping the state free from attacks of kidnappers, bandits and other forms of criminality in the state.

In his respond, governor Bala Mohammed started by appreciating the Bani-Yakubu family for this auspicious visit and assured them of his administration continues support to the entire family and Emirate Council.

The governor disclosed that the motive behind naming the place with the Emir Dr Rilwanu Adamu Square was as a result of his Emirs humility, loyalty, humbleness and God fearing in his dealing and above all, love for his people. Thus, becomes necessary for me as a governor to immotilize him and to be remembered.

The however, used the occasion to condole with the Bani-Yakubu family over the unfortunate incident which led to the death of one of its son Mahammadu Ghani a day after Sallah and informed the gathering that the government and security agencies are in top gear to fish out those behind it and face wrath of the law.

In a related development, the governor also recieved a deligations from the members of the Bauchi Emirate Council on a similar thank you visit over the gesture.

The council members were led by the Galadima of Bauchi, Surveyor Alh Saidu Ado Ibrahim Jahun during the visit.

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The self-proclaimed interim government of Yoruba Nation has issued a warning, stating that President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde will face the consequences if activists arrested for hoisting Yoruba Nation flags at the Oyo State Secretariat are not released.

Victor Mobolaji Adewale, the deputy coordinator of Yoruba Nation agitators and deputy interim president, delivered the threat.



Adewale, who resides in Sweden and serves as the European Coordinator of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), holds the title of Akingbayi Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland since 2020, bestowed by Gani Adams.

He warned that if Makinde persists in holding their members captive, it will lead to severe consequences for Tinubu, potentially affecting his presidential ambitions.

Adewale emphasized, If Seyi Makinde refuses to release our men that were arrested and keeps them in cells, he is inviting war, and Bola Tinubu will be greatly affected. The extent of our retaliation will be beyond comprehension.



I am mandated to issue this final warning: Seyi Makinde must release our warriors arrested at the secretariat in Ibadan. He must release them immediately, return them to the secretariat, and let them continue their activities there while we do ours.

If he persists in holding them, wherever you are Tinubu, you will face consequences. Our proclamation letters are in their possession. Tinubu, Tunji Disu, Makinde, all Amotekun forces in Yorubaland, and the police, you must release those individuals immediately. War is imminent, and I urge Yoruba people to protest. Whether accepted or not, we have an interim government for Yoruba Nation.
Veronica Anyim, the lady who testified about her graduation as a BSc graduate of law from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), met with Senior Pastor Dr. Paul Enenche and his wife, Becky Enenche on Monday.

During a Sunday service, Vera claimed to have graduated from NOUN after ten years, but Pastor Enenche interrupted her testimony, accusing her of lying about having a BSc in law.

The incident sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians demanding an apology from the pastor.



In response, the church issued an apology, clarifying that the situation was not intentional.

After the apology surfaced, Vera shared photos of herself with Pastor Enenche and his wife on her Facebook page.

She expressed no grudges against the pastor or the church, emphasizing her commitment to serving God as a member of Dunamis Church.

Veras post stated, I want to inform the whole world that I just had a warm meeting with my spiritual father and mother Dr. Paul Enenche and Dr. Becky Enenche. I dont have any grudge against the church or them. I remain committed to serving God as a member of Dunamis Church. I am thankful for the concern of the public. I have put the situation at my back and I have moved forward and I want everybody to do the same. Peace.
This move was announced by the APCs legal adviser in the ward, Haladu Maigwanjo, during a press conference in Kano on Monday.

Maigwanjo cited allegations of corruption leveled against Ganduje by the Kano State Government as the reason behind his suspension from the party.

He stated that the decision to suspend Ganduje was reached following a vote of no confidence due to his failure to address various corruption allegations against him.

These allegations include the widely circulated videos purportedly showing him accepting bribes from contractors.

Maigwanjo said, The members decided to suspend the national chairmans membership after a vote of no confidence was passed on him due to his inability to clear his name from various allegations of corruption against him, which range from the circulated dollar videos where he was allegedly collecting bribe from contractors.

The suspension of Ganduje from the party takes immediate effect, according to Mr. Maigwanjo.

However, in response to this development, the State Working Committee of the APC swiftly took action against the Ganduje ward executives who announced the suspension.

The state chairman of the party, Abdullahi Abbas, disclosed that the ward executives have been suspended for a period of six months due to their involvement in what he described as anti-party activities.

Abbas further stated that evidence of meetings between the state government officials and those responsible for the suspension of the National Chairman was available.

We have evidence of meetings between the State Government officials and those that suspended the National Chairman, and the state working committee has agreed to sanction them for six months and they stand suspended, Mr Abbas said

He emphasized that the suspension declared by the ward executives is deemed invalid, null, and void, urging concerned parties not to give it any credence.

This comes nine months after Abdullahi Ganduje was appointed as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
By Izunna Okafor, Awka

The arrangements and program of activities have been slated for the burial of former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr. Chukwuemeka Pius Ezeife (Okwadike)

Recall that Chief Ezeife, who was the Governor of Anambra state from January 2, 1992 to November 1993 passed away in his Abuja residence on December 14, 2023, at the prime age of 85.

According to a burial poster signed by Mr. Paul Nwosu, the State Commissioner for Information, the former Governor will be given a state burial, with the obsequies commencing with some pre-burial events, which include: Service of Songs at the Ecumenical Centre, FCT Abuja (slated for April 12, 2024, at 5.pm); Celebration of Life and Times of Okwadike at the Eagle Square, FCT, Abuja (slated for April 13, at 10.am); and National Night of Tributes at Thisday Dome, FCT, Abuja, (slated for April 15, at 5.pm).

These will be followed by State Burial Events, which include: State Commendation and Thanksgiving Service at the International Conference Centre, Awka (slated for April 19, at 10.am) with tributes commencing immediately after Service; Service of Songs at his country home, Igboukwu, by the Salvation Army Church, (slated for April 19, at 5.pm)

Following these is Burial Service at Okwadikes Residence, Igboukwu (slated for April 20, at 10.am), with interment and condolences visits following immediately after the Service.

These will be capped up with a Thanksgiving Service at the Salvation Army Church, Igboukwu (slated for April 21, at 9.am).

The Commissioner further announced that every guest attending the State Commendation and Thanksgiving Service slated for Friday, April 19 at the International Conference Centre, Awka, should be seated by 10.am when the body of the former Governor will be escorted to the venue.

On Friday April 19, all the invited special guests, political associates, friends and family of our late former Governor, including all the staff of Anambra State MDAs should proceed to the International Convention Centre (ICC), Awka for the State Commendation and Thanksgiving Service.

Everybody is expected to be seated by 10.am when Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR; his Deputy, the Speaker, and the Chief Judge will escort the body of Okwadike into the ICC venue of the event, he said.

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A feud between an illegal oil bunker, Endurance Okodeh alias Amangbein and a sophisticated cartel of powerful illegal oil bunkers led to the killing of 17 soldiers in the Okuama community in Ughelli South LGA of Delta, Impartial Observers has learned.

Findings by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting ICIR unmasked how the leader of the cartel, ex-militant leader Government Ekpemukpolo alias Tompolo who operates a private security company, in a bid for total control of the creeks of Niger Delta, earlier warned Amangbein, who is an ally of a sitting governor in one of the Niger-Delta States, to stay off illegal oil business, a development the latter saw as oppression.

Amangbein, a known ex-militant, hails from the Igbomotoru community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa state. He is also a leading voice against Tompolo and the ex- Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) boss, Patrick Akpobolokemi, in both the creek business and the Okuama/Okoloba land dispute.

Investigations revealed that the military authorities zeroed in on Amangbein in search of the leader of the militant group that killed 17 officers and soldiers of the 181 Battalion of the Nigerian Army that went to Okuama community to free one Anthony Aboh, said to be an ally of Akpobolokemi.

The former NIMASA chief allegedly built a mansion in the disputed land between Okuama and Okoloba communities. The building of the house on the disputed land is said to be the genesis of the debacle that led to the killing of the soldiers.

Amangbeins mother hailed from Okuama, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South LGA, in Delta state. He is now said to have fled to his paternal community in Bayelsa state, apparently informed of the militarys raid of the Igbomotoru community, which left several residents injured and properties destroyed.

A general and the chief of defence staff, Christopher Musa, had earlier said that the 17 military personnel, including four officers and 13 soldiers, were murdered in relation to illegal bunkering business. But Okuama community insisted that the soldiers stormed the community, accusing them of being in possession of one Anthony Aboh, whose lifeless body has since been recovered floating in Forcado River near Ayakoroma community.

Sources said the lifeless body of Anthony Aboh was recovered floating on River Forcados close to the Ayakoromo community in Delta state. One of the sources in Okoloba said, We found the lifeless body of Mr. Anthony Aboh floating on River Forcados near Ayakoromo community.

How the illegal oil cartel works

The illegal oil cartel in the Niger Delta comprises influential Nigerians and foreigners, including top military operators, government officials, highly-placed and retired oil industry players, politicians and business persons, and they are the financiers of oil bunkering syndicates, which over the years have plunged the countrys economy in the abyss of decline.

Their oil bunkering cartel, working with insiders, steals crude directly from major crude oil pipelines in the oil-rich region while officials pump crude to the different terminals. They know the time and duration of pumping and the exact pipelines.

The damage inflicted by small oil bunkers who illegally refine crude oil in the Niger Delta region is childs play compared to the havoc the almighty cartel that owns giant vessels and equipment wreaks on the nations economy

Investigations revealed that the military authorities zeroed in on Amangbein in search of the leader of the militant group that killed 17 officers and soldiers of the 181 Battalion of the Nigerian Army that went to Okuama community to free one Anthony Aboh, said to be an ally of Akpobolokemi.

The former NIMASA chief allegedly built a mansion in the disputed land between Okuama and Okoloba communities. The building of the house on the disputed land is said to be the genesis of the debacle that led to the killing of the soldiers.

Amangbeins mother hailed from Okuama, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South LGA, in Delta state. He is now said to have fled to his paternal community in Bayelsa state, apparently informed of the militarys raid of the Igbomotoru community, which left several residents injured and properties destroyed.

A general and the chief of defence staff, Christopher Musa, had earlier said that the 17 military personnel, including four officers and 13 soldiers, were murdered in relation to illegal bunkering business. But Okuama community insisted that the soldiers stormed the community, accusing them of being in possession of one Anthony Aboh, whose lifeless body has since been recovered floating in Forcado River near Ayakoroma community.

Sources said the lifeless body of Anthony Aboh was recovered floating on River Forcados close to the Ayakoromo community in Delta state. One of the sources in Okoloba said, We found the lifeless body of Mr. Anthony Aboh floating on River Forcados near Ayakoromo community.

How the illegal oil cartel works

The illegal oil cartel in the Niger Delta comprises influential Nigerians and foreigners, including top military operators, government officials, highly-placed and retired oil industry players, politicians and business persons, and they are the financiers of oil bunkering syndicates, which over the years have plunged the countrys economy in the abyss of decline.

Their oil bunkering cartel, working with insiders, steals crude directly from major crude oil pipelines in the oil-rich region while officials pump crude to the different terminals. They know the time and duration of pumping and the exact pipelines.

The damage inflicted by small oil bunkers who illegally refine crude oil in the Niger Delta region is childs play compared to the havoc the almighty cartel that owns giant vessels and equipment wreaks on the nations economy

There are local oil mafias who also siphon from major pipelines and later sell their product to the big oil players, who use superior tubes and experts to drain off crude oil.

Every security officer involved in the business is well taken care of and so, secrecy is maintained. Security operatives who mount sentry on waterways also collect levies from local oil bunkers, and many want to serve in such lucrative beat. They also make returns to superior officers, an insider told this reporter.

This reporter gathered that even with the militarisation of the waterways and the award of security contracts to Tompolo to secure crude oil, the illegal oil business has continued to blossom in Niger Delta. A development the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) GMD, Mele Kyari ascribed to Nigerian professionals and elites as the brain behind oil theft in the region.

This claim was controverted by Niger Delta elder statesman Edwin Clarke, who fingered the NNPC and the military as the big-time oil thieves.

Crux of the killing

The incident leading to the current crisis is said to have started as unrest in January 2024, following an age-long land dispute between the people of Okoloba and Okuama, leading to a deadly conflict that has brought about loss of lives on both sides. Consequently, the military command unit of the JTF at Bomadi was invited to the scene. It was, however, said that the invitation of the military was at the behest of the ex-NIMASA boss, who had allegedly used his influence to skew the military intervention in favour of his community, Okoloba.

According to Okuama community president-general James Oghoroko, Akpobolokem is an ally of Tompolo, who works closely with the military to secure the creeks. The militarys involvement in the dispute has elicited great suspicion from the people of Okuama, who feel unfairly treated.

Consequently, the attempt by the military personnel to invite the leaders of Okuama was greatly resisted, as it was believed that it was merely an attempt to unduly victimise the people of the community. Until the military authorities can explain the exact nature of the peace mission warranting the soldiers presence in the community, the street narrative of the military intervention of working under the dictates of Tompolo and Akpobolokem may become attractive and may snowball into a nationwide narrative.

The ICIR also gathered that Akpobolokem, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a N754 million fraud, built a white mansion on the disputed land, a development that Amangbein and Okuama community elders challenged. It was gathered that an ally of the ex-NIMASA boss, Anthony Aboh, was taken hostage by Okuama people rising from the house built on the disputed land. Residents said that it was this persons abduction that the military had come to investigate and, perhaps, effect his release, not any peace mission as claimed by the military authorities.

Who killed the 17 soldiers?

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the soldiers, according to Army sources, 17 military personnel, including a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 soldiers were murdered by suspected youths of Okuama community. Insiders confided to The ICIR that the soldiers used a speed boat owned by Tantita security outfit, Tompolos private security outfit.

The soldiers: Cpl Yahaya Danbaba; Cpl Kabir Bashir; LCpl Bulus Haruna; LCpl Sole Opeyemi; LCpl Bello Anas; LCpl Hamman Peter; LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi; Pte Alhaji Isah; Pte Clement Francis; Pte Abubakar Ali; Pte Ibrahim Adamu, and Pte Adamu Ibrahim. Others include, Lt. Col. AH Ali (Commanding Officer, 181 Amphibious Battalion); Major SD Shafa; Major DE Obi; Capt. U Zakari and Sgt. Yahaya Saidu were reportedly lured into the creek opposite Okuama community and were all killed but no one has questioned why trained soldiers were killed and those that conveyed them with speed boat survived. The question begging for an answer is, does Tantita security rent their speed boats? Does it mean that the 181 Amphibious Battalion has no speed boat they use for routine patrol?

Tompolo refuses to speak.

Since there were allegations that the speed boat used by the slain soldiers belonged to Tantita security firm, which Tompolo owns, The reporter went to Oporoza on Saturday, March 30, 2024, to obtain comments from the ex-militant leader but was told that all media activities of the ex-militant leader is being handled by his media consultant, Paul Bebenimibo.

The ICIR contacted Paul Bebenimibo on his known MTN cell phone number but he did not take his calls. Short message service (SMS) and WhatsApp messages were sent to him on March 31 and April 1, 2024, asking him to clarify his boss stance on the use of the Tantita speed boat by the soldiers and whether the firm rents out its speed boats and whether Tompolo was in cold war with Amangbein. However, all attempts were unsuccessful, as he did not return calls or respond to the SMS or WhatsApp messages sent to his cell phone.

Who are the oil mafia?

According to a Port Harcourt environment activist, Imabong Cliff, the government has not demonstrated seriousness to fight the oil theft, and whatever tough measures are said to have been adopted have not put off the cartel.

An activist with Young Nigerian Rights Organisation based in Asaba, Delta state, Victor Ojei, also criticised government efforts at dealing with the issue of oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.

The tenacious ascent in oil robbery despite significant interests in securing oil pipelines brings up issues about the adequacy of the public authoritys methodology. It is conceivable that the actions taken to this point by the federal government of Nigeria have not sufficiently tended to the main drivers of the issue or have been inadequate to counter [quote]the refined strategies utilised by the oil criminals.

A knowledgeable source said that the cartel, over the years, successfully sold a decoy, making successive governments believe that oil theft was being carried out by small-time oil bunkers and Niger Delta militants bent on destroying the countrys economy, and so they must be eliminated. The Presidency believed that the big-time oil thieves continued their brisk business with protection from security operatives.

How Tompolo was awarded a surveillance contract

But the real challenge is not the small-time oil thieves, it is the influential cartel that is strongly connected and has continued to operate with impunity despite the security measures in place.

Related
Air strikes conducted by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft have resulted in the deaths of three terrorist leaders and 30 foot soldiers in Borno State.

The spokesperson for NAF, Air Vice Marshall Edward Gabkwet, announced on Tuesday April 16 that the airstrikes targeted the hideouts of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) within Kolleram village along Lake Chad. The airstrikes also led to the destruction of several terrorist vehicles, motorcycles, and logistical assets.

Gabkwet stated, Intelligence gathered after the air strike further indicated that the aerial bombardment effectively obliterated a key facility within the Kolleram enclave, which served as a hub for the terrorists food processing activities, including grinding machines.



He emphasized that the destruction of the terrorists logistics severely hampered their operational capabilities, marking a significant step forward in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

Gabkwet reaffirmed NAFs commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety of Nigerian citizens, stating, The success of these airstrikes underscores NAFs commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of Nigerian citizens. These airstrikes complement the ongoing efforts of ground forces in the Lake Chad flank and represent a crucial step forward in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.
Olalekan Oyeyemi, an appointee of Governor Ademola Adeleke standing trial for terrorism and unlawful killing, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State.

Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, ruling on the bail application on Tuesday, granted bail to Oyeyeki in the sum of N50 million and required two sureties in the same sum. One surety must be a traditional ruler, submitting their instrument of appointment, while the other must either be a member of the National Assembly or a level 17 civil servant, providing their certificate of return or letter of appointment.



Additionally, Oyeymi, also known as Emir, must deposit N5 million and surrender his national passport to the court registry. He is also ordered to undertake to be of good behavior and not to interfere with the investigation to avoid jeopardizing his bail conditions.

Previously, Oyeyeki had been arraigned on ten counts including conspiracy, terrorism, unlawful killing, and arson. Initially denied bail, his counsel, Edmond Biriomoni, submitted a formal bail application, leading to this decision.

Security was tight during the hearing, with armed security personnel present within and outside the court premises, including three police patrol vehicles stationed outside. This measure aimed to prevent any potential attacks, especially following an incident during the last court session on March 19, where journalists were targeted.
Biden reiterates U.S. commitment to Israel's security, underscores need to contain conflict

Xinhua) 10:09, April 16, 2024

WASHINGTON, April 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated his country's commitment to Israel's security on Monday, underscoring as well the need to contain the conflict from further spreading.

"The United States is committed to Israel's security. We're committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading beyond what it already has," Biden said as he sat side-by-side with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in the Oval Office of the White House.

These were Biden's first public remarks since Iran launched a large-scale retaliatory attack against Israel on Saturday, in which most of the missiles and drones used were intercepted -- mainly by Israeli and U.S. forces.

The Biden administration has been trying to prevent a wider regional war that the Iranian attack and a potential Israeli military response would otherwise lead to.

"We're also committed to the security of our personnel and partners in the region, including Iraq," Biden said.

"The partnership between Iraq and the United States is critical," he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A Nigerian lawyer, Oyinkansola Alakija, and her father-in-law, Alaba Alakija, have been arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an amended two-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy and using false documents.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on Monday, April 15, 2024.

One of the counts reads: Alaba Alakija and Oyinkansola Alakija, on or about the 6th day of August, 2015 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to financially benefit from the property located at No.10, Keffi Street, South-west, Ikoyi, Lagos, conspired amongst yourselves to use a false document titled: Vesting Deed by Dr. Omodele Alakija and Mr. Afolabi Alakija, the executors of the estate of the late Sir Ademola Alakija, purporting same to be made by Dr. Omodele Alakija and Mr. Afolabi Alakija.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were to them.

Counsel to the first defendant, M.O. Akangbe, SAN, informed the court of the bail application of his client, which he said he had filed and served on the prosecution. While praying to move the application, he urged the court to grant bail to his client in the most liberal terms.

However, counsel to the second defendant, Victor Giwa, stated that his client, whom he described as a lawyer, has a two month-old baby, whom she still breastfeeds, and that she would not jump bail. However, in a dramatic twist, the second defendants husband debunked the claim and told the court that their baby is nine months old.

After listening to both parties, Justice Dada granted bail to the first defendant in the sum of N10 million, with sureties in like sum, who must submit their international passports to the court.

The court, however, took possession of the passport of the second defendant. The judge adjourned the matter to May 28, 2024 for commencement of trial.
There is heightened security at the Federal High Court in Osogbo, where Olalekan Oyeyemi, an associate of Governor Ademola Adeleke, is undergoing trial for charges related to murder and terrorism.

Oyeyemi faces a ten-count charge brought against him by the Inspector General of Police, accusing him of killing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and involvement in terrorist activities. He has pleaded not guilty and has been remanded in the Ife Correctional Facility.



His counsel, Edmund Biriomoni, who was appointed by Adeleke, filed a formal bail application on seven grounds. However, the prosecution counsel, Francis Osie, opposed the bail application citing Sections 162 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

The presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, has postponed the ruling on the bail application to today.

During the previous court session on March 19, 2024, three journalists were held captive in court by thugs who were unhappy with the media coverage of the proceedings. The journalists were later rescued by nine armed policemen from the court premises.

As of Tuesday morning, heavy security measures were observed, with armed policemen and patrol vans stationed strategically around the court premises. Both inside and outside the court, operatives were present. The defendant was also present in court.

As of the time of this report, the proceedings for the bail ruling have not yet commenced.
A Nigerian soldier identified as Private Yahaya Sani, with service number 23NA/85/10147, has reportedly stabbed his colleague, Private Aliyu Musa, following an accusation of theft in Enugu State.

Sani and Musa were both serving in the 74 Supply and Transportation Brigade, 82nd (Airborne and Amphibious) Division of the Nigerian Army.

According to a source who spoke with SaharaReporters, Musa had complained on Monday night about his missing phone, alleging that Sani was the last person seen with him before the disappearance.

During an argument over the phone, Musa allegedly attacked Sani.

The source explained, Private Yahaya Sani of 74 Supply and Transportation Brigade stabbed his course mate, Private Aliyu Musa of the same 82 Division 74 Supply and Transportation, Enugu, with a dagger on his head Monday night while they were both coming back from a new artisan in Enugu metropolis.

Musa complained that his phone had disappeared while they were in transit. Sani Yahaya was with him at the spot before his phones sudden disappearance. All efforts to know who was with his phone were futile, which resulted in him attacking Yahaya. Sani Yahaya, in retaliation, disarmed Musa and stabbed him in the head with a dagger.



Currently, Musa is receiving treatment in 82DMSH, while Sani is under custody for further investigation in 82Div Garrisons guard room.

This incident occurred shortly after another soldier, Private Mohammed Adamu, with service number 21NA/80/0365, attached to the 82nd (Airborne and Amphibious) Division, killed a pregnant woman named Miss Hauwakulu Tabra.
According to Punch Metro, following the mysterious death of cows at a sacred land called Oke Owa in Ijare, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, the community was preparing to perform some traditional rites on the land and the dead cows.

No fewer than 36 cows, belonging to some Fulani herdsmen, were struck dead by thunder on Saturday on a land considered to be sacred for anyone to enter or farm in the community.

It was gathered that the Fulani herdsmen had earlier been warned not to graze their cattle on the sacred land because the land was meant for past and present kings in the community but the herdsmen allegedly ignored the warning.

Speaking with our correspondent on the development, in a telephone interview chat on Monday, the second in command to the Ijare monarch, High Chief Wemimo Olaniran, said the community was preparing to perform some rituals on the land, following the development.

According to him, the incident of thunder striking to kill was spiritual and it had to be addressed spiritually by the community.

He said, The community will do the traditional ritual on the matter after which we have the arrangement to bury the dead cows . May be the government would do something about the cows later.

This is necessary because anything killed by the thunder, you can not do anything about it until certain traditional rituals are performed. So that is what the community is trying to do now.

The traditional chief and legal practitioner also allayed the fears that the Fulani herdsmen would cause crisis as a result of the incident, saying the lightening was not caused by anybody but those who entered into the sacred land.



The problem was not caused by anybody. When their leaders (Miyatti Allah) came here they too admitted that it was an act of God, so nobody should be blamed for it, Olaniran posited.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Wednesday, cautioned the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the cabal in the Presidency against plots to push a third term agenda for President Muhammadu Buhari.

PDP described such as a dangerous underhand politics capable of derailing our democracy and destabilizing our nation.

The party berated the statements by the Presidency and the APC as unhealthy ploy to introduce a repugnant issue into official discourse in a bid to give it life and achieve its fruition in the political arena.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, the opposition party said: It is preposterous for the Presidency cabal and the APC to think that Nigerians cannot see through their shenanigan to import and elevate what they labeled as rumor and internet-based gossip, into official national discourse.

Our party notes that Nigerians will not be surprised when, after the statements by the Presidency and APC, new groups surface to orchestrate more forceful agitations in the public space for the alteration of the 1999 Constitution to achieve an ignoble aim.

We, however, caution the Presidency and the APC to note that Nigerians are already aware of individuals and political interests in the Presidency cabal in addition to known APC agents who are behind the street demonstrations for a third term for President Buhari.

The party invites Nigerians to note how, having been busted, the presidency cabal and the APC are now groping for ways to cover their trails by making frivolous allegations which directly point back to them.

The party, therefore, urged Buhari to personally speak out and immediately call his supporters to order as Nigerians will never allow anybody, no matter how highly placed, to alter any part of our constitution to serve a selfish interest.

It insisted that this has become imperative in view of the series of constitutional violations and provocative undermining of our laws by the APC and power mongers in the Buhari Presidency.
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

April 16, 1924: With heavy grading for the Meridian highway between Bloomington and Heyworth practically completed by the contractor, Cameron-Joyce & Co, the work of concrete surfacing will open shortly. McMahon Brothers have the contract for the north portion and Louis Kuhn the south sections. Both will start work in the immediate future. The highway is under contract all the way from Bloomington to Wapella.

75 years ago

April 16, 1949: The sweetheart of Miller Park Zoo is Margie, a gentle red deer. She is the only four-legged creature in the outdoor zoo who will allow humans to come within 10 feet without bolting. The 8-year-old lives with another red deer that does not like to be petted; the two do not run with the herd of light tan fallow deer also in Miller Park.

50 years ago

April 16, 1974: All over the city, people going to their cars found that they had been vandalized by someone with a BB gun or slingshot. By 11 a.m. April 15, the Bloomington Police Department had received reports of 87 cars or businesses being damaged. Police Chief Harold Bosshardt said he believed the vandals could "have no idea of the amount of damage" they had done.

25 years ago

April 16, 1999: Illinois Power Co. has entered into exlcusive negotiations with AmerGen Energy Co. in an effort to sell the Clinton Power Station and exit the nuclear energy business, the two companies said. Preliminary talks have produced an asking price of $20 million plus the cost of operating the plant during the negotiations  about $18 million.

Vintage Pantagraph newspaper ads for medicine, 'magic' remedies Clover Blossom Extract - Nov. 15, 1883 St. Jacobs Oil - July 14, 1887 Castoria - July 26, 1892 Rheumatic Ring - May 29, 1894 Beefmalt - May 29, 1894 Wakefield's Cough Syrup - Feb. 13, 1908 S.S.S. - April 23, 1908 Olive Tablets - Nov. 20, 1911 Cold-go - Dec. 11, 1911 Dr. Danby - Dec. 11, 1911 Allcock Plasters - March 2, 1917 Olive Tablets - Feb. 23, 1918 Laxative Bromo Quinine - Oct. 16, 1918 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 24, 1919 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 29, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 22, 1919 Beecham's Pills - Nov. 22, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 29, 1919 Doan's Kidney Pills - March 8, 1920 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - Sept. 21, 1920 J.C. Hutzell's Eczema Treatment - Nov. 11, 1922 Gude's Pepto-Mangan - April 2, 1923 O-Joy Corn Wafers - March 4, 1930 Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription - March 19, 1930 666 Tablets - March 25, 1930 Cuticura - March 25, 1930 Geo-Mineral - Dec. 8, 1948 Anacin - Jan. 16, 1963 Liquiprin - Aug. 27, 1970 Icy Hot - Nov. 20, 1977
The Ministry of Finance has disclosed that government will do everything in its power not to overburden Ghanaians with the payment of numerous taxes.



According to the Finance Minister, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, instead of the introduction of numerous taxes, the government would use the hard way to collect revenue from businesses and agencies who evade the payment of taxes and those who do not pay their appropriate taxes.



During a press briefing on Saturday, April 13, after Ghana successfully reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the countrys Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, the minister of Finance indicated that the suspension of the 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity consumption by households and the petroleum levies introduced by the government had created a revenue gap of GHS 1.8 billion.



According to him, there was an urgent need to increase revenue in line with the implementation of the US$3 billion loan-support programme from the IMF, but the government was also being careful not to overly burden the taxpayers who are relatively few in the country adding that the government would be resolute in ensuring the effective implementation of revenue mobilization mechanisms announced, both in the 2023 and 2024 budgets, but lacked effective implementation.



He noted, Now, were determined to go out there and collect the taxes from those who have not been paying and those who have been evading taxesto generate the desired revenue to fill the gap created due to the suspension of the taxes.



Speaking further, Dr. Amin Adam stated that the Akufo Addo led government was pursuing reforms within the tax administration to ensure that proper assessments were done, and people made to pay the appropriate taxes to the state in the easiest and fastest ways possible.



The Minister added that the intended aggressive revenue mobilisation alone, would not be an ideal situation for the country, therefore, there would be a focus on expenditure rationalisation too.



Dr. Amin Adam said the government felt the plight of Ghanaians, individuals and businesses alike, hence, had to ensure that their living conditions are made better, thus, the suspension of the proposed taxes.



While lauding Ghanaians for the sacrifices made since the implementation of the programme in May 2023, he encouraged them to continue to remain patient and sacrificial.



He said, Some of the reforms that were implementing are biting, but I know that well persevere and lead together, and ensure that the benefits of the fiscal consolidation will bring significant relief to the people of Ghana so that we can be counted once again as one of the fastest growing in the world.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Government says an amount of GH26,000,000.00 has been released to institutional suppliers.



In a statement, the Ministry of Education explained that the cash will go to suppliers responsible for supplying school uniforms, PE kits, and stationery, among other items, as part of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) program.



"The Ministry of Education is pleased to announce the disbursement of GHC 26,000,000.00 to institutional suppliers responsible for the supply of school uniforms, PE kits, stationery, etc, as part of the Free Senior High School program.



The Ministry's spokesperson, Kwasi Kwarteng, indicated that "the amount released underscores the government's commitment to fostering quality education and ensuring the smooth running of educational institutions."



He continued: "The Ministry affirms its commitment to ensuring smooth, timely, and efficient distribution of resources as we continue our efforts to improve and sustain quality education in Ghana."





















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The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Friday (April 12) intercepted a church leader in Sudan as he was traveling out of Omdurman and temporarily jailed him, area sources said.

The Rev. Antar Abbas Abu Hidia, general secretary of the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC), was traveling to Shendi, 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of Khartoum, to attend an annual denomination assembly when he was apprehended on his way out of Omdurman, said attorney Motawakil Ibrahim Kambil, chair of SCOCs Advisory Board.

The RSF, which has been fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 15, 2023, detained the pastor, incarcerated him in Khartoums Soba Prison and demanded he pay a ransom for his release, sources said.

The RSF gave no reason for his detention. The Sudanese church condemned the incident, calling for his immediate release, and Hidia was released over the weekend, though no ransom was paid.

Hidia proceeded to Shendi to attend the meeting, said the Rev. Almin Musa, chairman of SCOC.

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Rev. Antar has been released, and he is now in Shendi, Musa said.

Christians appear to have been targeted amid the military fighting, and a year after war broke between the RSF and the SAF, there is no sign of resolution.

Fighting between the RSF and the SAF, which had shared military rule in Sudan following an October 2021 coup, has terrorized civilians in Khartoum and elsewhere, leaving more than 14,600 people dead and displacing an estimated 8 million others inside and outside the country.

Christian sites have been targeted since the conflict began.

The SAFs Gen. Abdelfattah al-Burhan and his then-vice president, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, were in power when civilian parties in March 2023 agreed on a framework to re-establish a democratic transition the next month, but disagreements over military structure torpedoed final approval.

Burhan sought to place the RSF  a paramilitary outfit with roots in the Janjaweed militias that had helped former strongman Omar al-Bashir put down rebels  under the regular armys control within two years, while Dagolo would accept integration within nothing fewer than 10 years. The conflict burst into military fighting on April 15, 2023.

Both military leaders have Islamist backgrounds while trying to portray themselves to the international community as pro-democracy advocates of religious freedom.

In Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Sudan was ranked No. 8, up from No. 10 the previous year, as attacks by non-state actors continued and religious freedom reforms at the national level were not enacted locally.

Sudan had dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in six years when it first ranked No. 13 in the 2021 World Watch List.

Following two years of advances in religious freedom in Sudan after the end of the Islamist dictatorship under Bashir in 2019, the specter of state-sponsored persecution returned with the military coup of Oct. 25, 2021.

After Bashir was ousted from 30 years of power in April 2019, the transitional civilian-military government had managed to undo some sharia (Islamic law) provisions. It outlawed the labeling of any religious group infidels and thus effectively rescinded apostasy laws that made leaving Islam punishable by death.

With the Oct. 25, 2021 coup, Christians in Sudan feared the return of the most repressive and harsh aspects of Islamic law. Abdalla Hamdok, who had led a transitional government as prime minister starting in September 2019, was detained under house arrest for nearly a month before he was released and reinstated in a tenuous power-sharing agreement in November 2021.

Hamdock had been faced with rooting out longstanding corruption and an Islamist deep state from Bashirs regime  the same deep state that is suspected of rooting out the transitional government in the Oct. 25, 2021 coup.

The U.S. State Department in 2019 removed Sudan from the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) that engage in or tolerate systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom and upgraded it to a watch list. Sudan had previously been designated as a CPC from 1999 to 2018.

In December 2020, the State Department removed Sudan from its Special Watch List.

The Christian population of Sudan is estimated at 2 million, or 4.5 percent of the total population of more than 43 million.






The High Court in Accra has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the Director General (DG) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police and the DG of the Legal and Prosecution Unit of the Ghana Police Service.



The arrest orders were issued following the persistent failure of the two to appear in court to answer for alleged contempt charges.



The court's decision came in response to an application filed by Sureword Global Outreach, seeking an order for the respondents to release a vehicle they had impounded, with registration number GN 2925-20 to the applicant.



Despite the court's orders, the respondents repeatedly failed to appear before the court, leading to the issuance of the bench warrant.



During proceedings on Monday, April 15, Counsel for the applicant, Abraham Arthur, moved an application for the committal of the CID boss and the DG of the Legal and Prosecution Unit for contempt.





The court found that the respondents had "blatantly refused" to honour its directives, prompting the issuance of the arrest warrants.



The Court had specifically ordered the IGP to order the Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service as well as the Director of the Legal and Prosecution of the Ghana Police Service to appear before the court Monday morning, and while the orders had been carried out, the two respondents were not in court.



According to the court, there was evidence on record to show that the court orders had been carried out and that there was affidavit of service indicating that the order of the court to serve on the IGP had been carried out.



Again, a previous order was served on the IGP on March 26.



"This court has extended enough courtesy to these public officers and due to the fact that there is nobody above the law, I hereby issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the respondents," said the court.

Source: myjoyonline.com









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The Ministry of Transport has issued a directive to the officers of the Ghana Police Service to clamp down on any commercial driver who has decided to charge new transport fares other than the existing fares.



According to the Transport Ministry, the commercial drivers decision to increase their fares is going to put Ghanaians in further distress, thus calling on the security agencies to act swiftly to avert any anomalies.



This information was contained in a press release dated Sunday, April 14, 2024, signed by the Ministrys Public Relations Unit in Accra.



The Ministry of Transport added that negotiations for new public transport fares are still ongoing with the road transport operators following the recent increase in fuel prices and other related operational costs.



It, therefore, wants the commercial drivers to continue charging existing public transport fares as directed by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC).



The excerpts of the statement read, The Ministry is urging the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to be on the lookout for any driver who goes contrary to the directive issued by the GPRTU and the GRTCC.



It is recalled that the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), together with the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), issued a joint statement in Accra on Thursday, April 11, 2024, urging commuters not to pay any additional fares outside the existing fares agreed upon by the various stakeholders.



We are currently engaging stakeholders to consider the various cost components and agree on the way forward. As has been the practice, the leadership met with the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, to present our demands. Once consensus is reached, the general public will be duly informed, the statement indicated.

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Three teacher unions, namely the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), and Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT-GH), have voiced their disappointment with the government for failing to uphold its end of the agreement.



Following the commencement of a nationwide strike on March 20 due to concerns regarding their working conditions, these three pre-tertiary teacher unions opted to conclude the industrial action on April 2 after engaging with the National Labour Commission (NLC).



The matter was subsequently taken to court, which instructed them to suspend the strike.



The General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah, expressed dissatisfaction with the government's lack of commitment to adhering to the court's directive and facilitating conclusive negotiations between both parties.



He highlighted that the ongoing negotiations have failed to yield meaningful outcomes due to the government's conduct in addressing the matter.



As a result, the unions are urging the government to comply with the court's directives and promptly address their grievances if they wish to prevent a resumption of the strike action.

Source: Sika Ayim/ Peace FM Newsroom









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Sub-Saharan Africa stands at the brink of a digital revolution, where telecommunications and technology are poised to be the driving forces behind sustainable socio-economic development.



With a youthful population and vast economic opportunities, the region is embracing digital transformation as a pathway to inclusive growth and prosperity.



We believe there will be a few key drivers of this digital transformation on the continent that will unlock significant economic value in the years to come.



AU Digital Transformation Strategy



The first is the African Union's Digital Transformation Strategy which outlines a bold vision for an integrated and inclusive digital society and economy in Africa. Key objectives include building a secured Digital Single Market, ensuring digital empowerment for all citizens, and creating a harmonised environment for investment and innovation.



Central to this vision is the development of digital infrastructure, including telecommunications networks, broadband connectivity, and digital platforms, to facilitate inclusive growth and development.



For this to be achieved, a number of elements will need to be integrated. This includes the implementation of laws and regulations required to stimulate and accelerate digital transformation for national, regional, and continental development  particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). To this end, there is a desire to develop policies and regulations and establish and improve digital networks and services with a view to strengthening intra-Africa trade, intra-investment and capital flows and the socio-economic integration of the continent, while maintaining a relational balance with other continents in the context of networked economies.



Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity



Access to affordable, reliable digital infrastructure is fundamental to achieving inclusive digital transformation. Despite significant progress, nearly 300 million Africans still lack access to high-speed broadband internet. Mobile devices remain the primary means of internet access, highlighting the importance of mobile networks in bridging the digital divide. However, high taxes and levies on the mobile sector pose challenges to affordability and accessibility, hindering widespread adoption of digital services.



5G Technology and Future Prospects



While 5G technology holds promise for enhancing connectivity and driving innovation, its adoption in Africa remains nascent.



As of now, only a few countries have launched commercial 5G services, with South Africa and Nigeria leading the way.



However, expanding 5G coverage and spectrum allocation are critical steps toward unlocking its full potential. The benefits of 5G, including increased productivity, innovation, and economic growth, are expected to be substantial, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing and services. With the right investment and regulatory frameworks, 5G technology has the potential to propel Sub-Saharan Africa into the forefront of the global digital economy.



Building Digital Skills



To realize the full benefits of digital transformation, Sub-Saharan Africa must overcome various challenges, including limited access to infrastructure, high tax burdens on the mobile sector, and a lack of digital skills.



Investing in human capital and cultivating a skilled workforce is crucial for harnessing the potential of emerging technologies. Moreover, addressing regulatory barriers and promoting collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society is essential for fostering an enabling environment for digital innovation and entrepreneurship.



Absa has recognised this challenge and has invested in a number of digital initiatives across the continent including a world-class Cyber-Security academy aimed at tackling a rising global scourge of Cyber-crime.



The Role of Mobile Money and Financial Inclusion



Mobile Money has emerged as a powerful tool for promoting financial inclusion and driving economic growth in Africa.



In countries like Ghana, the growth of mobile money has led to significant improvements in financial access and inclusion. However, the imposition of taxes and levies on mobile services, such as the E-levy in Ghana, poses risks to the affordability and accessibility of mobile money services. Balancing the need for revenue generation with the goal of promoting financial inclusion is crucial for sustaining the momentum of digital transformation.



Telecommunications and technology have the potential to catalyse sustainable development and inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a leading Pan-African banking group, we are passionate about the role that technology will play in economic growth and we look forward to being a partner of choice to technology entrepreneurs across Africa.

Source: : Chele Moyo, TMT Coverage Banker at Absa CIB & Barbara Asafu-Adjaye, Head of TMT, Absa Bank Ghana









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Former President John Dramani Mahama and the 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed worry over the attitude of African Governments who seem to target businesses owned by their political opponents.



According to John Dramani Mahama, some reasons more Africans are not establishing businesses on the continent is due to the fear of being sabotaged and their businesses crushed down with a governments perceives it to be an affiliate of their opposition party.



He added that, some businesses owned by politicians and political influencers are mostly targeted by the ruling government in order to cripple their finances.



Mr. Mahama urged African leaders to do all they can to encourage more African businesses to thrive on the continent adding that, they should act in ways that will destroy businesses on the continent.



In a panel discussion at the 2nd edition of the Afro-heritage Conference and Awards in Lagos, Nigeria, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said, we must not be afraid for our business people to succeed, we must not be afraid to have rich Africans."



Governments must not come and think that because some other governments created this business, then we must kill it. Thats part of the problem that we have. We must believe in ourselves, in adversity comes opportunities.



Mr. Mahama also made a case for African leaders to take seriously investment in young people to make innovations that will affect the ordinary citizens on the continent. Mr. Mahama noted that when investment is made in the African youth, the continent will be taken over from the worlds super powers. He therefore encouraged the African leaders not to feel threatened when their fellow African is financially powerful but rather work together to make the continent financially resilient and powerful.

















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National Youth Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) Salam Mustapha has disclosed that a research by info analytics that tips Ghana's former president John Dramani to win 2024 elections is biased.



According to him, the researcher is a known NDC fanatic and the research done only favour Mr. Mahama.



Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme with Kwame Nkrumah Tikese, he explained that the New Patriotic Party is not worried by the outcome of the research and that Ghanaians have seen the works of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia led government to vote to retain them in power with Veep Bawumia as president.



"As a party we don't take things like this for granted and we will certainly not take the research for granted though every one knows the position of the research team at info analytics, but I believe that Ghanaians having seen the massive developmental projects going on across the country will vote massively for the vice president who is now the flagbearer of the party."



He maintained that former president John Dramani Mahama has nothing new to offer Ghanaians and that he is destined to lose the 2024 general elections too.



"Ghanaians know your worth and what you are capable of doing. They will not entrust the country into your hands again," he added.



Watch Video Below





The Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, is in a commanding lead with less than 9 months to the December 7, 2024, elections, the April 2024 poll by research agency, Global Info Analytics, has shown.According to the poll, over 54 percent of Ghanaians have indicated they will vote for Mahama, who is seeking a win that will bring him back to power for a second time, from the December 7 national elections.The Vice President of Ghana and Flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, came in second, with nearly 35 percent of voters indicating they would vote for him.The survey also showed that a significant 7.5 percent of voters indicated they would vote for Alan Kyerematen, the leader of the Movement for Change, while over 2 percent said they would vote for the leader of the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako, aka Cheddar.A national opinion poll by Global InfoAnalytics for the 2024 presidential election shows the ruling partys candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia (DMB) trailing the main opposition candidate, John Dramani Mahama (JDM) in the race to lead the country in 2025.The poll shows JDM leads with 54.3%, DMB, 34.9%, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen (AKK), 7.5%, Nana Kwame Bediako, 2.3%, and others, 1%, an executive summary of the poll reads.It added Using weighted polling data, JDM surges ahead with nearly 56%, DMB, 34% and AKK, 7%, Nana Kwame Bediako (NKB), 2% and others 1%.The poll also found that majority of first-time voters (52 percent) have indicated that they will vote for former President John Mahama.The poll shows that, among first-time voters, JDM leads DMB 52% to 33% and among non-first-time voters, JDM leads DMB with 55% to 35%.

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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Following the untimely demise of the Member of Parliament for Ejisu, in the Ashanti region, Hon. John Kumah, the electoral commission is organizing a by-election as prescribed by law, however, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is set not to partake in the contest.



In an official statement by the partys General Secretary, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) stated that it will not partake in the Ejisu by-election scheduled for April 30.



According to Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the party is focusing on the December 7 general elections which is about some eight months away.



John Kumah, who was a deputy finance minister met his untimely death enroute to seek medical care on the 7th of March, 2024. His death has created a huge vacuum within the New Patriotic Party as well as Ghanas parliament where he served as a representative of the people of Ejisu.



Following his demise, it is required by law that, a by election is held. In view of this, the NPP delegates in the constituency has elected Kwabena Boateng, the second Vice Chairman for the party in the constituency last Saturday, April 13 as their candidate for the by-election.



However, during a media interaction, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey highlighted the NDCs decision to abstain from the by-election, emphasizing their commitment to the groundwork for the December polls.



Mr. Kwetey said, NDC will officially not be taking part in the Ejisu by-election. We have already set into motion processes leading to December 7, just a few months away. We want to continue those processes and ensure that come December 7, we are prepared to combat in all the constituencies and Ejisu will be one of them. So for this particular by-election, NDC will not be part of it. We are very confident about the processes we have in place. We just want to make sure we have the time to implement them fully. And between now and December 7, we will be in the position to make sure we are deploying everything that we have done so that really will be the way we want to go."

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Dome Kwabenya, Mike Ocquaye Jnr, demonstrated a remarkable act of humility during his campaign tour.



In a touching moment captured by onlookers, Ocquaye Jnr was seen helping one of his constituents wash her clothes, including a pair of black underwear, as his supporters cheered him on.



His gesture is in a bid to connect with grassroots as the December 7 election approaches.



While some view Ocquayes gesture as a genuine attempt to establish rapport with constituents and understand their everyday challenges, others question the lengths to which politicians are willing to go in their quest for power.



Watch video below

NPP Parliamentary candidate for Dome Kwabenya constituency, Mike Ocquaye Jnr, seen bending down to wash underwear and clothes, in an obvious attempt to gain favor. pic.twitter.com/9J9TIzt44h  GHANA MADE IT! (@ghanamadeit_) April 15, 2024

Source: twitter









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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to formally introduce its running mate for the upcoming 2024 general elections.



In a statement released by the party's National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, the ceremony is set for Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the Kofi Ohene Konadu Auditorium, located at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA).



"It is slated to commence promptly at 4:00 pm, and will be graced by the NDCs Flagbearer for the 2024 General Elections, John Dramani Mahama, along with members of the Functional Executive Committee and the Council of Elders of the party. Additionally, attendees will include members of Parliament and various distinguished guests from the Diplomatic Corps, Clergy, Nananom, Women Groups, academia, Civil Society Organizations, Labour Organizations, and Creative Arts, among others," the statement said.



The NDC Running Mate, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, will also address the nation on the NDCs vision for a progressive, inclusive, and prosperous Ghana.



She will also highlight the transformative policies proposed by the party's flagbearer for the upcoming general elections, it added.



In his statement, Sammy Gyamfi emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating that it will mark a pivotal moment in the party's preparation for the 2024 general elections.



"This event signifies an important milestone for the NDC as we officially unveil our running mate for the upcoming election. We are confident that Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang will articulate our party's vision for Ghana and garner support for our transformative agenda," he stated.



This is the second time Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has been named running mate for the NDC, pairing with John Dramani Mahama.



Below is the full statement



PRESS STATEMENT For Immediate Release: 16/04/2024 NDC TO OFFICIALLY OUT-DOOR ITS RUNNING MATE FOR THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION The National Democratic Congress (NDC), announces for the information of its rank and file and the general public, that the party shall hold a ceremony to out-door its Running Mate for the 2024 General Election in Accra next week. The event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 24th April, 2024 at the Kofi Ohene Konadu Auditorium at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA).



The event will commence at 4:00pm prompt, by which time all invited guests and attendees must be seated. The event will be graced by the NDCs Flag-bearer for the 2024 General Election, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, members of the Functional Executive Committee and members of the Council of Elders of the party. Also in attendance will be members of Parliament and an array of distinguished guests from the Diplomatic Corps, the Clergy, Nananom, Women Groups, academia, representatives of Civil Society Organizations, Labour Organizations, Creative Arts, among others. The Running Mate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang will address the nation on the NDCs vision for a progressive, inclusive and prosperous Ghana, as well as the live-transforming policies of our visionary Flag-bearer for the 2024 general elections.



This address will be preceded by a number of activities, between 4:00pm and 4:55pm before the official commencement of the main program of the day at 5pm prompt.



For emphasis, all attendees to the event must be seated by 4:00pm prompt. All media houses who intend to deploy reporters to cover the event are entreated to contact the National Communication Bureau of the NDC for necessary accreditation. SIGNED. SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ. (National Communications Officer)











Source: ghanaweb.com









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Representative CT slices from chips of the Winchcombe meteorite and contoured orientation data on the long and short shape axes of chondrules plotted on a lower hemisphere stereographic projections and n denotes the number of chondrules measured for each plot. Credit: Meteoritics & Planetary Science (2024). DOI: 10.1111/maps.14164

Intensive new nano-analysis of the Winchcombe meteorite has revealed how it was affected by water and repeatedly smashed apart and reassembled on the journey it took through space before landing in an English sheep field in 2021.

Researchers from dozens of institutions in the UK, Europe, Australia, and the U.S. collaborated on the research. Together, they subjected mineral grains in fragments of the Winchcombe meteorite to a diverse range of cutting-edge analytical techniques.

Their work, which was conducted on a scale more typically reserved for investigating samples returned to Earth by multibillion-dollar space missions, has given them unparalleled insight into the history of the Winchcombe meteorite in the process.

Their analysis has helped them roll back the clock to the meteorite's earliest days as an ice-bearing dry rock, then trace its transformation through the melting of the ice into a ball of mud which was broken apart and rebuilt over and over again.

The Winchcombe meteorite is an unusually well-preserved example of a group of space rocks called CM carbonaceous chondrites, which were formed during the earliest periods of the solar system. They carry minerals altered by the presence of water on their parent asteroid.

Analysis of those minerals within the Winchcombe meteorite will help scientists unravel the answers to questions around the processes which formed our solar system, including the possible origins of the Earth's water.

Unlike most meteorites, which can lie undiscovered for months or years after entering the Earth's atmosphere, the Winchcombe meteorite was recovered within hours of hitting the ground. Members of the public, citizen scientists and the amateur meteorite enthusiast community recognized that rocks had hit the ground and helped scientists to identify the location of samples, aiding their recovery.

The speed of its recovery helped prevent it from being further altered by exposure to the Earth's atmosphere, offering scientists a rare opportunity to learn more about CM chondrites by scrutinizing it down to the atomic level.

In a paper published in the journal Meteoritics and Planetary Science, researchers describe how they explored the complex breccia of the Winchombe meteorite.

A breccia is rock formed from chunks of other rocks cemented together in a structure called a cataclastic matrix. The team's analysis carried out using sophisticated techniques including transmission electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and atom probe tomography, showed that the Winchcombe breccia contains eight distinct types of CM chondrite rocks.

The team found that each type of rock has been altered to different degrees by the presence of water, not just between the types of rocks but also, surprisingly, within them. The team found many examples of unaltered mineral grains next to completely altered ones, even down to the nano-scale. For comparison, a human hair is around 75,000 nanometers thick.

The team suggests that the likely explanation for the jumbled nature of the different types of rocks and their extreme variation in aqueous alteration is that the Winchcombe asteroid was repeatedly smashed into pieces by impacts with other asteroids before being pulled back together.

Another significant finding of the analysis is the unexpectedly high proportion of carbonate minerals like aragonite, calcite, and dolomite, along with minerals that have subsequently replaced carbonates, in the samples the team analyzed.

This suggests that the Winchcombe meteorite was more carbon-rich than previously thought and likely accumulated abundant frozen CO 2 before it melted to form the carbonate minerals the team observed. The team's analysis could help explain the large carbonate veins that have been observed on the surface of the Asteroid Bennu by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission.

The study was led by Dr. Luke Daly of the University of Glasgow, who is also the lead author of the paper. Dr. Daly also led the search party which recovered the largest fragment of the Winchcombe meteorite after it was spotted as a fireball streaking across the skies over Gloucestershire on February 28th, 2021.

Dr. Daly said, "We were fascinated to uncover just how fragmented the breccia was within the Winchcombe sample we analyzed. If you imagine the Winchcombe meteorite as a jigsaw, what we saw in the analysis was as if each of the jigsaw pieces themselves had also been cut into smaller pieces, and then jumbled in a bag filled with fragments of seven other jigsaws.

"However, what we've uncovered in trying to unjumble the jigsaws through our analyses is new insight into the very fine detail of how the rock was altered by water in space. It also gives us a clearer idea of how it must have been battered by impacts and reformed again and again over the course of its lifetime since it swirled together out of the solar nebula, billions of years ago."

Dr. Leon Hicks from the University of Leicester and co-author of the study said, "This level of analysis of the Winchcombe meteorite is virtually unprecedented for materials that weren't directly returned to Earth from space missions, like moon rocks from the Apollo program or samples from the Ryugu asteroid collected by the Hayabusa 2 probe."

Paper co-author Dr. Martin Suttle from the Open University said, "The speed which the fragments of Winchcombe were recovered left us with some pristine samples for analysis, from the centimeter scale all the way down to individual atoms within the rocks. Each grain is a tiny time capsule that, taken together, helps us build a remarkably clear view into the formation, re-formation, and alteration that occurred over the course of millions of years."

Dr. Diane Johnson from Cranfield University, a co-author of the paper, added, "Research like this helps us understand the earliest part the formation of our solar system in a way that just isn't possible without detailed analysis of materials that were right there in space as it happened. The Winchcombe meteorite is a remarkable piece of space history and I'm pleased to have been part of the team that has helped tell this new story."

More information: Luke Daly et al, Brecciation at the grain scale within the lithologies of the Winchcombe Migheilike carbonaceous chondrite, Meteoritics & Planetary Science (2024). DOI: 10.1111/maps.14164 Journal information: Meteoritics and Planetary Science
A Muslim in eastern Uganda is suspected of killing his mother last week by putting pesticide in her food for refusing to leave her Christian faith, a relative said.

Sulaina Nabirye, 50, of Kamuli, Kamuli District, put her faith in Christ on Feb. 10, and since then her 31-year-old son had tried to persuade her to return to Islam, said the relative, whose name is withheld for security reasons.

During the month of Ramadan, she complained of her son pressuring her to stop attending church and revert back to Islam, since he was studying to become an imam at Bugembe Mosque, the relative said. When she refused to convert back to Islam, he stopped visiting her at her house and threatened to chase or even kill her.

Nabiryes fears led the source to make frequent visits, praying with and encouraging her to withstand the threats.

She had peace and joy and was encouraged by the sermons from the pastor, the source said.

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The threats from Nabiryes son, Arajabu Mukiibi, intensified during Ramadan, and the source was present when Mukiibi visited on April 9 to tell Nabirye that his wife would prepare dinner for them.

At 7 p.m. he came with food, which he gave to us, and he left, the relative said. I was praying and fasting, so I did not eat the food. Shortly after eating the food, Sulaina started vomiting, and then followed diarrhea. I tried what I could, but things were worsening, I called a nearby clinic officer who came with medication. He tried to put her on drip, but all was in vain.

Nabirye died that night at 2 a.m., April 10. The relatives bitter weeping and wailing at Nabiryes death alerted neighbors, who arrived to learn of the tragedy.

The source had the food tested at a medical clinic and discovered that it contained Methanol, a toxic alcohol used as an industrial solvent and pesticide.

Her son did not come to help his mum, the relative said. He and his wife who were living close by did not show up. This made me conclude that he is the one who planned the poisoning.

Areapeople have condemned Mukiibi for allegedly taking his mothers life for becoming Christian and have vowed to take revenge, the source said. Relatives planned to file a report with police.

Nabirye, whose husband died in an auto accident in 2019, is also survived by a second adult child.

Nabirye attended church services every Sunday after putting her faith in Christ, the source said.

On Feb. 9, I shared with her the Christian faith, and the following day we attended an open-air preaching, the relative said. After the preaching, she requested the pastor to prayer for her salvation. She was prayed for and received Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The killing was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.



Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.






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The HertzsprungRussell diagram for Berkeley 50. Credit: arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2404.04435

Using the Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT), astronomers from the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, have observed a young Galactic open cluster known as Berkeley 50. Results of the observational campaign, presented April 5 on the preprint server arXiv, shed more light on the properties and stellar content of this cluster.

Open clusters (OCs), formed from the same giant molecular cloud, are groups of stars loosely gravitationally bound to each other. So far, more than 1,000 of them have been discovered in the Milky Way, and scientists are still looking for more, hoping to find a variety of these stellar groupings. Studying OCs in detail could be crucial for improving our understanding of the formation and evolution of our galaxy.

Berkeley 50 (also known as IC 1310) is a poorly studied young Galactic open cluster located some 12,200-12,400 light years away. Previous observations have found that the cluster has a diameter of 7.0 arcminutes and its reddening is at a level of 0.97 mag.

A team of astronomers led by Lowell Observatory's Meghan Speckert decided to take a closer look at Berkeley 50 using LDT's Large Monolithic Imager (LMI), hoping to get more insights into the stellar content of this cluster. Their observations were complemented by data from ESA's Gaia satellite.

"Images were taken on the LDT using the Large Monolithic Imager (LMI). The imager consists of a single 92.2-mm by 92.4-mm e2v CCD231-C6 chip with a multilayer anti-reflective coating," the researchers wrote in the paper.

First, the team obtained photometry of 1,145 stars in the field of Berkeley 50. Then they used Gaia to determine potential membership of these stars and to select the ones suitable for spectroscopy.

The astronomers managed to conduct optical spectroscopy of the 17 brightest stars near a known supergiant star designated TYC 2679-0322-1, which is one of the central stars of Berkeley 50. Next, they classified the stars of this sample as mid-to-late B-type stars and one A0 star. Given that the proper motions and parallaxes of these stars were all similar, this allowed the researchers to establish 64 stars as certain cluster members.

"An inspection of the distribution of parallaxes of these proper-motion selected sample allowed us to impose a cutoff of 0.215 mas to 0.265 mas for the parallaxes of potential members. This reduced our sample of likely cluster members to 64 stars," the authors explained.

The study found that Berkeley 50 has a strong main sequence and that its most massive stars are about seven times more massive than the sun. The age of the cluster was estimated to be 5060 million years, while its reddening was determined to be approximately 0.9 mag. The distance to the cluster was measured to be 12,400 light years, which is consistent with previous estimates.

More information: Meghan Speckert et al, The Stellar Content of the Young Open Cluster Berkeley 50 (IC 1310), arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2404.04435 Journal information: arXiv

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Credit: Christopher Watson (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Some Australian desert mammals use distinct strategies to promote evolutionary fitness in response to changing environmental conditions over short timescales, according to a new study.

Populations of sandy inland mice (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis), which are rodents found in Australia, rise and fall dramatically after periods of heavy rainfall and drought, respectively. How the rodents maintain genetic diversity and viability despite "boombust" population cycles has not been well understood.

Scott Edwards and colleagues examined population size and genomic data obtained from 1,335 sandy inland mice and 568 lesser hairy-footed dunnarts (Sminthopsis youngsoni), a marsupial with overlapping range, in Australia's Simpson Desert between 2006 and 2018. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Professor Glenda Wardle from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney says, "Desert mammals in Australia have been found to employ distinct strategies to promote evolutionary fitness in response to changing environmental conditions over short timescales. Populations of sandy inland mice (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis) rise and fall dramatically after periods of heavy rainfall and drought, respectively.

"How this Australian rodent maintains genetic diversity and viability despite such 'boombust' population cycles is not well understood. Scott Edwards and colleagues studied population size and genomic data obtained from 1,335 sandy inland mice and 568 lesser hairy-footed dunnarts (Sminthopsis youngsoni), a marsupial with overlapping range, in Australia's Simpson Desert between 2006 and 2018.

"Over the 13-year study, which included three boombust phases, the genetic diversity of the mice declined as their populations dwindled and became isolated during the bust periods but quickly rebounded as the populations came back together within the first month of the large rainfall event that marked the beginning of a boom period. The dunnarts maintained more stable population sizes and genetic diversity during the study period.

"Based on the genomic data, the authors estimate a long-term decline in the overall population sizes of both species, beginning about 3,000 years ago for the mice and about 200 years ago for the dunnarts. According to the authors, these results highlight the diversity and vulnerability of species' responses to a changing climate, especially in the context of human activity."

Provided by PNAS
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Beavers are being found dead in Utah, and the disease killing them can spread to humans, officials said.

So it's important not to touch any dead animalsespecially rodentswhile wildlife officials learn more about the "unusual" event that killed nine beavers so far since the end of March, Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources said in a news release.

The beavers were found dead in Summit, Wasatch and Utah counties, officials said.

Officials tested several of them and discovered they were positive for a disease called tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, hare plague and deerfly feverbecause it can be transmitted through a tick or deerfly bite.

It's an "acute, fatal infectious disease of rabbits, hares and other rodents, including beavers" that is "present throughout North America," officials said.

The last confirmed case of the disease killing wildlife in Utah was a cottontail rabbit in the Kanab area in 2017, officials said.

"The bacteria that causes this infection is known to be in the environment in many parts of Utah; however, it is unusual to see this many animals die from it at once," DWR veterinarian Ginger Stout said in the release.

The first five dead beavers were found near the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter by the preserve's staff between March 23 and April 2, officials said. All five of the beavers shared a lodge at the preserve.

A DWR fisheries crew found another dead beaver near Midway on April 5, officials said. Two more beavers and a vole were found dead near the Jordanelle Dam on April 8, and the ninth dead beaver was found in the Birdseye area of Utah County on April 10.

Humans are susceptible to tularemia and are typically exposed through tick or deerfly bites in the summer and from handling infected animals harvested during hunting and trapping seasons, officials said.

It can be life-threatening for people if it isn't treated quickly, but most infections can be treated with antibiotics, officials said.

"There is a concern about the possibility of tick-borne or fly-borne diseases, so it's advised to take the necessary precautions by wearing protective clothing, using appropriate insect repellent, and checking for ticks after being in brushy areas," Stout said.

Anyone who spots dead rabbits, beavers or other rodents should avoid the carcasses and report it to the nearest DWR office, officials said.

2024 The Charlotte Observer. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Nineteen out of 34 countries surveyed failed to fully meet their 2020 climate commitments set 15 years ago in Copenhagen, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.

The study, published in Nature Climate Change, compared the actual net carbon emissions of more than 30 nations to their 2009 pledged emission reduction targets set during the Copenhagen Climate Summit.

The paper led by researchers at UCL and Tsinghua University is the first effort to comprehensively gauge how well countries were able to meet their Nationally Determined Contribution reduction pledges from COP15.

Of the 34 nations analyzed in the study, 15 successfully met their goals while 12 failed outright. The remaining seven countries fell into a category the study authors termed the "halfway group": nations that reduced the carbon emissions within their own borders but did so in part by using trade to shift emissions they would have made to other countries. Known as "carbon leakage" or "carbon transfer," this outsourcing of carbon emissions is a growing concern among environmental policy makers as countries seek to meet newer net-zero targets.

To track this carbon leakage the researchers used a "consumption-based" emissions tracking method which provides a more comprehensive scheme to calculate a country's total carbon emissions. It not only accounts for the emissions originating from economic activities within the nation's territorial borders, but the carbon footprint of imported goods manufactured abroad.

Lead author Professor Jing Meng (UCL Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction) said, "It's important to be able to completely track carbon emissions, even when they're offshored, enabled by consumption-based analysis. Our concern is that the countries that struggled to reach their commitment from 2009 will likely encounter even more substantial difficulties reducing emissions even further."

These emissions goals were set in 2009 at the COP15 international climate summit in Copenhagen. There, despite being unable to reach a comprehensive global agreement, individual countries around the world established their own individual emissions reductions targets. This meant that established goals varied widely, from Croatia's modest but successful pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 5%, to Switzerland's relatively ambitious but unsuccessful effort to reduce its carbon emissions by 2030% by 2020, relative to 1990 levels.

The research also highlights the disparities between the countries' different starting points. Though four eastern European nationsEstonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Romaniawere successfully able to achieve their goals, the researchers point out that this was largely because much of the region's industry involved many outdated and highly inefficient technologies left over from the early 1990s that they've more recently transitioned away from using.

In addition, the researchers caution that the countries that struggled the most to meet their COP15 goals are likely to encounter even bigger challenges in the future as they face even greater demand for energy as their economies further expand and develop.

The main ways that countries were able to meet their emissions targets were by increasing the amount of clean energy they produced, especially transitioning away from coal power, and making more efficient use of the energy produced. Countries unable to meet their targets were largely unable to do so because increased consumption associated with rising GDP per capita and population grown outpaced their efforts to increase efficiency, even though many of the countries were able to increase their efficiency somewhat.

The more recent Paris Agreement, signed in 2015 at COP21, established a more ambitious and comprehensive global framework to reduce carbon emissions which superseded these nationally determined contributions.

Senior author Professor Dabo Guan (UCL Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction) said, "Reducing emissions is critical to combat the ongoing climate crisis. To do this, it's imperative we have an accurate and reliable account of emissions, and this research shows some of the challenges countries face to reduce emissions while maintaining their economic growth. Developed countries have a dual rolerapidly reducing their own emissions, and providing financial aid and capacity building to developing countries, which most of them deliver insufficiently."

The full list of countries failing to meet their pledges is Australia, Austria, Canada, Cyprus, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.

The halfway group is Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Luxembourg, Malta and Poland.

The group that achieved their emissions reduction goals are Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
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These images are all from the same instant in the simulation. The two on the left show different aspects of the chemistry, the middle right one shows the temperature, and the right-most one shows the speed in Mach number. Credit: US Department of Energy

You may have flown a flight simulator in a computer game or at a science museum. Landing without crashing is always the hardest part. But that's nothing compared to the challenge that engineers are facing to develop a flight simulation of the very large vehicles necessary for humans to explore the surface of Mars. The Red Planet poses innumerable challenges to astronauts, not the least of which is getting there.

That's where the Department of Energy Office of Science's user facility supercomputers come in. Researchers at DOE's Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) are working with NASA engineers and scientists to simulate the process of slowing down a huge spacecraft as it moves towards Mars' surface.

Landing spacecraft on Mars isn't new to NASA. The agency ran its first missions to the planet in 1976 with the Viking project. Since then, NASA has successfully carried out eight additional Mars landings.

What makes this goal different is the fact that it's much more difficult to land the huge spacecraft required for human exploration than those for robotic missions. The robotic vehicles use parachutes to decelerate through Mars' atmosphere. But a spacecraft carrying humans will be about 20 to 50 times heavier.

A vehicle this large simply can't use parachutes. Instead, NASA will need to rely on retro-propulsion. This technology uses rockets that fire forward to slow down the vehicle as it approaches the surface.

A number of challenges come with using retro propulsion. The high-energy rocket engine exhaust interacts with both the vehicle and the Martian atmosphere. Those dynamics change how the team needs to guide and control the vehicle. In addition, engineers can't fully replicate how a flight on Mars would go on Earth. While they can test spacecraft in wind tunnels and use other tools, those tools aren't a perfect replacement or direct analog for the Martian environment.

To fill in the gaps, NASA turned to the OLCF supercomputers and their expert computer scientists. In theory, programs running on supercomputers could fully simulate the Martian environment and many of the complex physics associated with using retropropulsion.

The project team has relied on FUN3D, a long-standing suite of software tools that models how fluidsincluding airmove. Engineers created the first version of the code in the late 1980s and have continually made major improvements since then. Agencies and companies in aeronautics and space technology have used it to tackle major challenges.

The current Mars effort began in 2019 on Summit, OLCF's fastest computer at the time. The initial simulations assumed fixed conditions. They simulated just one point along the vehicle's trajectory. Those early versions allowed scientists to evaluate the impacts of flight speeds, engine settings, and more. Further developments enabled engineers to explore real gas effects.

They could account for the liquid oxygen-methane rocket engines and the carbon dioxide-heavy Martian atmosphere. Even these early simulations typically resulted in petabyte-sized datasets. It would take about 1,000 powerful home computers to store a single petabyte. But even these weren't full simulationsthat wasn't possible yet.

The next step was to incorporate a whole new piece of software into the simulationthe Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories (POST2). NASA developed POST2 to analyze flight mechanics for a broad range of applications. While initial simulations relied on static conditions, POST2 allowed scientists to dynamically "fly" the vehicle in the simulation. The team engaged researchers from Georgia Tech's Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory.

They had previously developed unique strategies to couple POST2 with high-fidelity aerodynamic simulations. Incorporating POST2 also required engineers to change the project workflow. The software's use was restricted to NASA computing systems for security reasons. As such, the team needed to ensure the NASA systems could communicate smoothly with Summit at OLCF.

Resolving issues with firewalls, network interruptions, and other programs required a full year of planning for the cybersecurity and system administration teams at both facilities!

The latest advance involved moving the entire simulation over to the newest and most powerful computer at OLCFFrontier. The first exascale computer in the world, Frontier is massively more powerful than previous supercomputers. With a series of coordinated runs over a two-week period, the team ran its most elaborate flight simulation to date.

It was a 35-second closed-loop descent from 5 miles altitude to approximately 0.6 miles. The simulation slowed the vehicle from 1,200 miles per hour to approximately 450 miles per hour. POST2 was able to autonomously control the vehicle in a stable fashion using its eight main engines and four reaction control system modules.

With the immense power provided by Frontier at OLCF, NASA engineers are moving forward to tackle new frontiers in space travel.
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Credit: Macmillan Publishers

Whether life exists anywhere besides Earth is a burning question that, at long last, may soon be answered.

The clues we find on exoplanets could be as strange as a bioluminescent glow or a rainbow hue, as astronomer Lisa Kaltenegger describes in her accessible new book, "Alien Earths: The New Science of Planet Hunting in the Cosmos."

The director of the Carl Sagan Institute (CSI) and associate professor of astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences, Kaltenegger has been searching for life on other worlds for decades. In "Alien Earths," to be published April 16, she describes her own personal and professional journey, and those of other pioneers as they track down answers to big questions, including a chapter that examines "What Is Life?"and how can we identify it if we can't even define it?

Kaltenegger spoke with the Chronicle about her book:

You share a good bit of your personal story in the book, interweaving it with the science, including being in on the ground floor of exoplanet research. What is it about searching for life in the universe that you find so compelling?

The first planet around another star like our sun was discovered when I started college. That was fascinating, but I didn't think that I could be part of it, because I'm from a very small town in a small country, Austria. And as a woman I just didn't see anybody who looked like me doing this.

But then I attended one of the first small conferences on the topic, just three years after the discovery. There weren't many people there and the lively discussions between the scientists, professors and students about all these open questions showed that no one had answers yet.

I remember several professors saying, "We need people to help us answer these questionswhat do you think?" And all of a sudden, I was a part of the conversation about these new worlds. It was the first time that I got the impression that I could be part of this search, that I could actually help figure out if we are alone in the universe.

That changed my world-view: I came back from that conference realizing that nobody had answers to these questions and trying to answer them was something everyone could be part of, including myself. And this is how I got into the field.

You cover a huge range of scientific discoveries, from the question of how to define life to the dramatic variation in planet surfaces, which range from lava to ocean worlds. What do you see as the most important goal as we hunt for planets with life on them?

We need to find a biosphere that changes its planet. This is why I built the network of researchers from many different fields here at Cornell: the Carl Sagan Institute, which I founded nearly 10 years ago. To succeed in identifying signs of life in other worlds, we need to combine ideas from many different fields.

My research team, for example, focuses on modeling how we could spot signs of life in the air or on the surface of Earth-like planets under different conditions, like under a red sun's light or on worlds covered in oceans. But to do that, the diversity of life is another critical puzzle piece we need to addlike how different colors could uncover biota on other worlds.

So I created the Color Catalog of Life, which is capturing more and more forms of life, because of inspiring collaborations in the CSI with colleagues in the microbiology and civil engineering department here at Cornell, as well as colleagues all over the world.

If there is a combination of gases in the planet's air that I can only explain with life, but I also found biopigments that life createsa completely different line of evidencethen both together would make a much stronger case for life on another world.

These are just two pieces in the huge puzzle of how to find life in the cosmos. No single person can know all of science anymore; luckily there is just too much now to learn. The CSI has successfully connected thinkers all over Cornell, who tackle these questions together. It has been exciting to see the Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell grow and carry Carl Sagan's legacy into the future.

Through your descriptions of Earth's evolution, you make the point that to understand other worlds we first have to understand our own, and vice versa. What have we learned from the study of other worlds that is important to understanding our own?

We don't have much data yet, but for the first time it's possible, with the James Webb Space Telescope, to explore other rocky worldsfrom lava worlds that are so hot that rocks on the surface melt, covering it with lava oceans, to worlds that may be like ours.

Studying other alien earths, some older and some younger than ours, will give us crucial insights into how an earth functions and what processes shape a planet like ours at different stages of its evolution. It may even provide a glimpse into our potential future. Such insights might even be able to help us address problems before they become severe on our own planet.
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The Florida Wildlife Corridor opportunity areas and conserved lands. Credit: Archbold Biological Station

From rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns to intense weather events such as hurricanes, Florida is experiencing significant climate-related challenges in tandem with skyrocketing insurance rates. As the state's population continues to surge by 1,000 new residents a day, it is projected to lose 3.5 million acres of land to development by 2070, threatening Florida's future ability to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services.

A first-of-its-kind study highlights how Florida can buffer itself against both climate change and population pressures by conserving the remaining 8 million acres of "opportunity areas" within the Florida Wildlife Corridor (FLWC). Currently, about 10 million acres of the expansive FLWC's 18 million acres are already conserved permanently.

This superhighway of interconnected acres of wildlands, working lands and waters is the only designated statewide corridor in the United States, and a world-class adaption plan facing down ground zero of climate change in an already warm location. Spanning from Alabama to the Everglades, the FLWC not only protects endangered species like the Florida panther, but also brings economic and climate benefits to local communities. About 90% of Floridians live within 20 miles of the corridor.

The new report, "The Florida Wildlife Corridor and Climate Change: Managing Florida's Natural and Human Landscapes for Prosperity and Resilience," is a joint project by Florida Atlantic University, Archbold Biological Station, Live Wildly Foundation and numerous collaborators. The report paints a holistic picture of how climate change and population growth will impact Florida's communities and natural resources, and how the FLWC, if it were fully enacted, can continue to moderate those impacts.

A graph depicts Florida's population growth from 2010 to 2020. Credit: FAU Center for Environmental Studies

The report offers hope that there are actions public and private partners can take to keep Florida's lands, waters and communities safe from the worst impacts of climate change. Protecting the FLWC not only shields wildlife from climate change and development, but also supports jobs, economies and ecosystem services such as drinking water and flood protection for people living both inside and outside the corridor.

The FLWC, a critical conservation initiative aimed at preserving natural landscape connectivity across Florida, is the culmination of four decades of research, advocacy and land protection by agencies, landowners and nonprofit organizations that led to the passage of the FLWC Act in 2021. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law on July 1, 2021, after votes of 1150 in favor in the state House and 400 in favor in the Senate. In recent years, the Florida Legislature has appropriated more than $2.3 billion to help protect its lands.

"State leadership has demonstrated its understanding of the deep link between clean water, healthy lands and a strong economy by supporting the creation of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and ongoing efforts," said Colin Polsky, Ph.D., lead author, founding director of the FAU School of Environmental, Coastal and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) and a professor of geosciences in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.

"Yet to date, the interactions between the corridor and climate change had not been examined. Findings from our report show substantial climate resilience benefits from the Florida Wildlife Corridor, yielding a much higher return on investment than originally thought."

Twenty-four percent of all Florida properties are at high-risk of being affected by flooding in the next 30 years. Credit: Live Wildly Foundation

Among the report's key findings:

Since the FLWC was approved in 2021, private property owners, with the support of state funding, have voluntarily conserved more than 170,000 acres of their lands within the corridor.



Florida burns more area with prescribed fire each year than any other region of North America, and possibly the world. The more that new housing, infrastructure and other development are scattered across the state, the more difficult it becomes to conduct prescribed burns and manage fire risk. If the corridor is not protected from expanding development, climate change could spark a fire crisis in Florida not unlike that in the western U.S. However, conserving the corridor is not sufficientfunding and policies to allow controlled burns are needed to keep fuel loads from accumulating.



Twenty-four percent of all Florida properties have a more than 1 in 4 chance of being affected by flooding in the next 30 years. The FLWC provides billions of dollars of flood hazard protection, a vital service as precipitation increases under climate change. A large part of this benefit comes from keeping floodplains undeveloped. About 10 million acres of Florida's floodplains are located within the FLWC.



Incentivizing clustered, mixed-use development that takes the FLWC into account will preserve ecosystem services and minimize habitat fragmentation while reducing infrastructure costs.



The FLWC incentivizes keeping working lands in production, preserving their climate benefits while protecting farmers and billions of dollars of agricultural revenue. Farmers can contribute to climate resilience by implementing climate-smart management solutions. The FLWC helps reduce greenhouse gases and offers the potential for carbon markets.



Some wildlife species will need to move north to escape higher heat and saltwater intrusion into South Florida's Everglades. For example, the Florida black bear is being forced to move north to escape higher temperatures caused by climate change. But habitat fragmentation blocks these migratory escape routes. Designating linkages within the FLWC as areas of critical state concern would help ensure that the larger corridor remains a viable means of wildlife movement.



The FLWC and this report can be models for other regions experiencing growing populations, climate risks and at-risk biodiversity.

"The Florida Wildlife Corridor provides a leading example of ambitious landscape conservation planning on a regional scale. Florida has long been a leader in habitat connectivity planning, and the state should be proud that its efforts inspire others around the world," said Joshua Daskin, Ph.D., project manager, and director of conservation, Archbold.

"The corridor is an example of how public and private partners can come together to achieve mutual economic, social and environmental goals at the local and state levels."

Aerial views of the expansive Florida Wildlife Corridor, prescribed burns, and the iconic, endangered Florida panther captured by the Corridor Observatory. Credit: Archbold Biological Station and UF/IFAS

The FLWC climate report also provides policy recommendations for climate resilience such as limiting coastal, wetland and floodplain development in order to maintain flood mitigation services as well as supporting policies and legislation that integrate climate resilience into land use planning and conservation within the corridor.

"Even though our built environments are responsible for many of the luxuries we enjoy in Florida, our urban design and development choices are fundamental to protecting us from fires, floods, hurricanes, sea level rise and even human health risks such as heat stroke and heat-related death," said John "Jay" Baldwin, Ph.D., co-lead author, a professor of biological sciences and associate dean for faculty development, FAU College of Science.

"Our report provides a blueprint for planning that will fulfill the economic ambitions of growing Florida communities while mitigating climate change risks and protecting Florida's people, places and wildlife."

The FLWC climate report collaborators include Florida State University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, UF Center for Landscape Conservation Planning, University of South Florida, South Florida Water Management District, reTHINK Energy Florida, and Dover, Kohl & Partners Town Planning.
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This is a common scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini. Credit: Wikimedia Commons, photo by Barry Peters

For the second year in a row, over 100 hammerheads have gathered at one of Australia's busiest beaches, Burleigh Beach in the Gold Coast.

Why aren't we alarmed? Because these are small scalloped hammerheads, not the larger great hammerhead. Even this species is feared far more than it deserves. Plus, these scalloped hammerheads are juveniles between 40 cm and 1 meter.

Scalloped hammerheads prefer tropical and temperate oceans. But as the oceans heat up, they're moving further southjust as we're seeing in Western Australia, where these timid sharks are now gathering off Perth.

These remarkable sharks are one of the few social sharks, gathering in large numbers as juveniles and adults. But this behavior makes them easy to catch and kill for their fins or meat. Their numbers have fallen by over 80% over the last five decades. It's urgent we find ways to protect them wherever they school.

Why are they here?

Schooling behavior is about safety in numbers. This behaviorknown in sharks as "shivering"can also help them hunt prey. Sharks of similar age tend to migrate and form a shiver together.

For young sharks, the open ocean has many dangers with very few places to hide from larger sharks. Young scalloped hammerheads seek sheltered, warm waters with abundant small prey, where they can grow fast.

Last year, young scalloped hammerheads spent several weeks at the end of the summer at Burleigh Beach on the southern Gold Coast.

Why this location? This year's gathering of even more sharks at the same location and time as last year coincides with warm water temperatures of 26C. This, combined with the sheltered waters behind the sand bar and an abundance of small prey, means Burleigh might hit the sweet spot.

High rainfall in recent months has brought more nutrient-laden runoff into the ocean, boosting prey species such as small fish, squid and crustaceans.

Where the young sharks migrate after this is still being studied. But during the cooler months we do see young scalloped hammerheads skimming the sea surface further offshore. As adults, they can swim vast distances, reaching as far as Papua New Guinea or Pacific island nations.

We have seen a similar shiver of scalloped hammerheads in the Shoalwater Island Marine Park off the coast from Perth's southernmost suburbs. Here, young hammerheads have gathered since 2011.

These sharks are bigger in size than those on the Gold Coast, though still considered immature. The Perth aggregation happens during summer and takes place a few hundred kilometers further south than the Gold Coast. In fact, it's the most southerly known aggregation in Australia.

On the east coast of Australia, this species has been sighted as far south as Sydney with a remarkable sighting of about 15 sharks last year in January. We don't yet know if they are reliably gathering here.

Up to 100 scalloped hammerheads have gathered off the popular Gold Coast swimming and surfing beach, Burleigh Beach, in April 2024. Credit: Roving Media

Fear and wonder

We're primed to associate the word "shark" with danger. But of the world's 500 plus shark species, there are only a handful which pose any kind of threat.

Still, when sharks appear close to shore near popular beaches, safety concerns spike.

It's important to stress that this gathering of young sharks poses no threat to people. In fact, it's the opposite. Hundreds of people have swum out to see them where they gather, drawn by social media posts and news coverage. Unfortunately, sharks have been chased and are unable to keep swimming close together for their safety.

While it's encouraging to see so many people interested, it also points to the need to show our interest respectfully. We don't want to exhaust or scare off these young sharks.

Hunted for flesh and fin

The world's authority on threatened species lists the scalloped hammerhead as critically endangered. This means in the last 70 years, scalloped hammerhead numbers have fallen globally by at least 50% of its pre-1950 abundance globally. It's sought for its high-value fins and meat.

Despite this, scalloped hammerheads can still be legally caught in Australia by both commercial and recreational fishers. They often also suffocate in shark nets such as those at Burleigh Beach.

Shark nets are at least partly responsible for the decline in scalloped hammerhead and other shark populations. Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia have maintained their shark nets despite the lack of evidence that they make swimmers safer.

There are signs of positive change. From January 1 this year, taking and possessing of any hammerhead sharks became illegal for commercial and recreational fishers in Queensland.

But Northern Territory fishing boats can take up to 50 metric tons of each hammerhead species every year, while Western Australia has no limits at all.

What's next for the scalloped hammerhead?

In February, Australia's threatened species committee advised environment minister Tanya Plibersek to leave the species' conservation status as "conservation dependent" rather than "endangered."

As a result, the species can still be fished without recovery plans in place.

This is disappointing, as the committee's advice overlooks the lack of conservation management since the species was last assessed in 2018 and ignores the lack of evidence of any recovery.

The fact this shark is now appearing in more southern waters suggests a climate link as well. Other shark species have headed southward as the oceans heat up. Young scalloped hammerheads may well be doing the same.

Given their plight, we should look to safeguarding aggregation areas wherever possible.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Generative visual AI in the wild. Credit: Digital Journalism (2024). DOI: 10.1080/21670811.2024.2331769

New research into generative AI images shows only over a third of media organizations surveyed at the time of research have an image-specific AI policy in place.

The study, led by RMIT University in collaboration with Washington State University and the QUT Digital Media Research Centre, interviewed 20 photo editors or related roles from 16 leading public and commercial media organizations across Europe, Australia and the US about their perceptions of generative AI technologies in visual journalism.

"Generative Visual AI in News Organizations: Challenges, Opportunities, Perceptions, and Policies" was published in Digital Journalism.

Lead researcher and RMIT Senior Lecturer, Dr. TJ Thomson, said while most staff interviewed were concerned about the impact of generative AI on misinformation and disinformation, factors that compound the issue, such as the scale and speed at which content is shared on social media and algorithmic bias, were out of their control.

"Photo editors want to be transparent with their audiences when generative AI technologies are being used, but media organizations can't control human behavior or how other platforms display information," said Thomson, from RMIT's School of Media and Communication.

"Audiences don't always click through to learn more about the context and attribution of an image. We saw this happen when AI images of the Pope wearing Balenciaga went viral, with many believing it was real because it was a near-photorealistic image shared without context.

"Photo editors we interviewed also said images they receive don't always specify what sort of image editing has been done, which can lead to news sites sharing AI images without knowing, impacting their credibility."

Thomson said having policies and processes in place that detail how generative AI can be used across different communication forms could prevent incidents of mis- and disinformation, such as the altered images of Victorian MP Georgie Purcell, from happening.

"More media organizations need to be transparent with their policies so their audiences can also trust that the content was made or edited in the ways the organization says it is," he said.

Banning generative AI use not the answer

The study found five of the surveyed outlets barred staff from using AI to generate images, and three of those outlets only barred photorealistic images. Others allowed AI-generated images if the story was about AI.

"Many of the policies I've seen from media organizations about generative AI are general and abstract. If a media outlet creates an AI policy, it needs to consider all forms of communication, including images and videos, and provide more concrete guidance," Thomson said.

"Banning generative AI outright would likely be a competitive disadvantage and almost impossible to enforce.

"It would also deprive media workers of the technology's benefits, such as using AI to recognize faces or objects in visuals to enrich metadata and to help with captioning."

Thomson said Australia was still at "the back of the pack" when it came to AI regulation, with the US and the EU leading.

"Australia's population is much smaller, so our resources limit our ability to be flexible and adaptive," he said.

"However, there is also a wait-and-see attitude where we are watching what other countries are doing so we can improve or emulate their approaches.

"I think it's good to be proactive, whether that's from government or a media organization. If we can show we are being proactive to make the internet a safer place, it shows leadership and can shape conversations around AI."

Algorithmic bias affecting trust

The study found journalists were concerned about how algorithmic bias could perpetuate stereotypes around gender, race, sexuality and ability, leading to reputational risk and distrust of media.

"We had a photo editor in our study type a detailed prompt into a text-to-image generator to show a South Asian woman wearing a top and pants," Thomson said.

"Despite detailing the woman's clothing, the generator persisted with creating an image of a South Asian woman wearing a sari."

"Problems like this stem from a lack of diversity in the training data, and it leads us to question how representative are our training data, and what can we do to think about who is being represented in our news, stock photos but also cinema and video games, which can all be used to train these algorithms."

Copyright was also a concern for photo editors as many text-to-image generators were not transparent about where their source materials came from.

While there have been generative AI copyright cases making their way into the courts, such as The New York Times' lawsuit against OpenAI, Thomson said it's still an evolving area.

"Being more conservative and only using third-party AI generators that are trained on proprietary data or only using them for brainstorming or research rather than publication can lessen the legal risk while the courts settle the copyright question," he said.

"Another option is to train models with an organization's own content and that way they have confidence they own copyright to resulting generations."

Generative AI is not all bad

Despite concerns about mis- and disinformation, the study found most photo editors saw many opportunities for using generative AI, such as brainstorming and generating ideas.

Many were happy to use AI to generate illustrations that were not photorealistic, while others were happy to use AI to generate images when they don't have good existing stock images.

"For example, existing stock images of bitcoin all look quite similar, so generative AI can help fill a gap in what is lacking in a stock image catalogue," Thomson said.

While there was concern about losing photojournalism jobs to generative AI, one editor interviewed said they could imagine using AI for simple photography tasks.

"Photographers who are employed will get to do more creative projects and less tasks like photographing something on a white background," said the interviewed editor.

"One could argue that those things are also very easy and simple and take less time for a photographer, but sometimes they're a headache too."

More information: T. J. Thomson et al, Generative Visual AI in News Organizations: Challenges, Opportunities, Perceptions, and Policies, Digital Journalism (2024). DOI: 10.1080/21670811.2024.2331769
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Wild type (left) Ciona intestinalis (tunicate) and Exaiptasia diaphana (cnidarian) beside the same stage animals treated with PVC pellet leachates (right). Credit: University of Exeter

High levels of plastic pollution can kill the embryos of a wide range of ocean animals, new research shows.

Scientists tested the effects of new PVC pellets (pre-production "nurdles" used to make many plastic products) on the development of seven species, spanning all major groups (superphyla) of ocean animals.

Exposure to high concentrations of PVC pellets prevented healthy development in all seven species.

The main process affected was morphogenesisan organism developing its shapeand shapeless embryos cannot survive.

The study, by an international team led by the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (Italy) and the University of Exeter (UK), highlights the "potentially catastrophic effects" of rising levels of plastic in the ocean.

"When exposed to high levels of new PVC pellets, the species we examined went wrong in different ways," said first author Dr. Eva Jimenez-Guri.

"Some failed to make a shell or a notochord; some failed to form proper bilateral (left-right) features, and some just stopped developing after a few rounds of cell division."

"They all failed to make a viable embryo."

The study also included three species that reproduce asexually by regeneration (splitting) and found these were also affected by high concentrations of new PVC pellets.

"The level of pollution we examined would only be seen in circumstances such as a spill of PVC pellets," Dr. Jimenez-Guri said.

"We know these happen. For example, millions of pellets were spilled from a cargo ship off Portugal in January.

"Rivers and beaches near petrochemical plants have also been found to contain very high levels of pre-production pellets."

The European Union is currently debating legislation aimed at reducing releases of pre-production plastic pellets.

The study also examined the toxic effects of plastic samples recovered from beaches.

While the effects were not as widespread as those of new PVC pellets, high concentrations were found to affect the development of mollusks, sea urchins, sea stars, and sea squirts.

Coasts and rivers are known hotspots for plastic pollution, andas the species in the study all live in coastal areassevere pollution could have a major impact.

"If you have extreme pollution at a time when these species are reproducing, then you don't have the next generation of those species," Dr. Jimenez-Guri said.

Explaining how plastics cause developmental abnormalities, Dr. Jimenez-Guri said plastics contain a complex variety of potentially harmful components, including zinc in this casewhich are slowly released once the plastic is in the water.

She added, "If we reach these extreme levels of plastic pollution at our coastswhich happens in isolated cases but is thankfully uncommon at presentmany species may become unable to reproduce, with massive impacts on marine life, the wider environment, and people."

"We need urgent action to reduce the amount of plastic entering the ocean."

The paper is published in the journal Chemosphere.

More information: Eva Jimenez-Guri et al, Developmental toxicity of pre-production plastic pellets affects a large swathe of invertebrate taxa, Chemosphere (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141887 Journal information: Chemosphere
In the night of Saturday to Sunday local time, Iran launched more than three hundred drones and missiles towards Israel, almost all of which were shot down by air defense systems and aircraft in Israel and Jordan, with support from the U.S. and the U.K.

Iran stated that the military action was in retaliation for a recent attack on its consulate in Damascus, Syria that killed two generals and several other officials. Israel is widely assumed to have been behind the attack some two weeks ago, although it has not officially confirmed it.

Citing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, Iran has justified the direct retribution  the first time it has directly launched an attack from its own soil  as self-defense and stated, the matter can be deemed concluded, according to reporting by the BBC. The UN Charters Article 51 recognizes "the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs."

Irans permanent mission to the United Nations tweeted, Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Irans military action was in response to the Zionist regimes aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus."

It warned that, should Israeli regime make another mistake, Irans response will be considerably more severe.

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While acknowledging that the widely-condemned attack was bigger than many analysts expected, a BBC report also pointed out that Iran had given warnings for days and that the statements as well as the attack itself showed a desire to cool down the situation rather than escalate further.

Iran chose to open the attack not with supersonic ballistic missiles, but with slow drones, that were on radar screens for two hours as they approached their targets, BBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen writes.

Much of the international community has condemned Irans actions but also called for restraint and de-escalation. While life in Israel is returning to normal with airports resuming normal operation, Israel said it would respond to Irans aggression when the time is right.

A further escalation of the war in Gaza that began with the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel has been a lingering concern for months. Iran has been involved in a proxy war against Israel for years, mainly through its financial and military support for Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi rebels in Yemen and others, while Israel has been striking targets related to Iran in neighboring countries.

The ongoing war has been a polarizing issue in many parts of the world, also dividing opinions among Christian leaders.

A recent opinion article on Christian Daily International pointed to the complexity and dilemma of both, the war aiming to eradicate Hamas or a cease-fire that is poised to be a pre-lude to another attack on Israel in the future.

Meanwhile, Christian voices in the region point to the spiritual issue at the heart of the conflict.

In an interview with CDI last month, Jordanian Rami Al Halaseh, Arabic Channels Executive Director of Sat-7, said, According to the Bible, we as Christians shouldn't think of any human being as the enemy. Because according to the Bible, our fight is not against flesh and blood, it's against spiritual forces. (Ephesians 6:12) And we believe that any conflict in the world, any conflict that leads to the killing of children, women and men, is in its essence a spiritual problem, and we cannot solve a spiritual problem with carnal solutions.

They talk about peace. They have been talking about peace for the last seventy years and beyond. But peace cannot happen and cannot be experienced without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, he commented.

The Bible says that Jesus is the author of peace and author to me means he invented the concept. He invented that status of peace. So, unless we believe in Jesus, unless we are in Christ, we can never see peace established. It will only last for a few years, but then something else will happen. And then we'll go back to the same old Psalm.

And while the secular media focuses on Irans military aggression and political power play, Christian ministries serving in the country highlight that large parts of the population are dissatisfied with their government and many are coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
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Credit: Augustinus Martinus Noppe from Pexels

Providing hotel guests with messages about water use while they are taking a shower can reduce the length of time they spend showering by more than 25%, a new study has shown.

In a first-of-its-kind study, published in the Journal of Travel Research, an innovative smart water saving technology was installed in tourist accommodation shower cubicles and provided continuous feedback to the user about their shower length.

The technology was used in combination with persuasive messages on stickers located in the vicinity such as "will you beat the clock?," "water conservation starts with you," and "make a difference!" with a view to test their effectiveness.

The trial monitored the lengths of more than 17,500 showering events from hotels in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Spain.

Analysis showed that shower water runtime was 77 seconds quicker (25.79%) in the group that received continuous, real-time eco-feedback than in the group that received no feedbackthe equivalent to around 10 liters of (hot) water per shower.

With people using up to 250 more liters of water per day while staying in hotels than they would in their homes, the researchers behind the study hope it could lead to better strategies for tackling water use in the tourism industry.

The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Surrey, University of Plymouth, and Universidad de Alicante in Spain. Dr. Pablo Pereira-Doel, Lecturer at the University of Surrey and Water program co-lead at the Surrey Institute for Sustainability, is the study's lead author.

He said, "Many tourist hotspots worldwide face unprecedented water stress levels, and we are trying to do our part to help the tourism industry use less water. Our research demonstrates that guests in tourist accommodations take shorter showers with enabling technology, reducing water, energy, and carbon emissions.

Kayleigh Wyles, associate professor in psychology, says, "It's becoming more apparent that we need to conserve how much water and electricity we use for showers and baths generally. There are numerous campaigns asking us to reduce our shower time, but these findings are important as they show that carefully worded messagesand making people aware of their behaviorcan have a real and positive impact.

"As we approach what will likely be another busy tourism season here in the South West, people and organizations that want to help conserve energy and water can hopefully use these findings to help transform society and be more sustainable."

Continuous, real-time eco-feedback is a technique that involves providing consumers with real-time information during a particular behavior with the particular purpose of reducing their environmental impact.

The smart technology used in this researchcreated by Danish company Aguardiowas equipped with sensors to detect showers, to provide continuous feedback on their length, and to send the shower data to the researchers via Wi-Fi, with a newer version of the technology now using Bluetooth.

Through the sensor unit, the technology continuously detected water sound, motion, temperature, and humidity. Based on these variables, it used an algorithm to identify showers in real-time and their duration was fed back to the in-situ display unit in the form of a timer. The shower data collected was sent regularly to the Cloud via Wi-Fi.

More information: Pablo Pereira-Doel et al, Reducing Shower Duration in Tourist Accommodations: A Covert True Experiment of Continuous Real-Time Eco-Feedback and Persuasive Messaging, Journal of Travel Research (2024). DOI: 10.1177/00472875241245045
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Researchers who created "family trees" for nearly 10,000 fish have found that first-generation, wild-born descendants of hatchery-origin Chinook salmon in an Oregon river show improved fitness.

The finding, based on data collected over 13 years, is encouraging for Chinook salmon recovery efforts, said Kathleen O'Malley, an associate professor at Oregon State University and the study's senior author. In this study, fitness is measured by the number of adult offspring a fish produces, with higher fitness leading to more offspring.

"Previous studies have shown that hatchery-origin Chinook salmon have lower reproductive success relative to their natural-origin counterparts when they spawn in the wild, but this study looks beyond that," said O'Malley, who directs the State Fisheries Genomics Lab.

"While our work doesn't contradict the earlier findings, we found that the first-generation descendants of these hatchery-origin Chinook salmon produced more offspring than hatchery-origin salmon spawning alongside them in the river, meaning that reproductive success may improve in the wild as quickly as it declines in the hatchery."

The results are published in the journal Evolutionary Applications. The paper's lead author is David Dayan, who was a faculty research assistant in O'Malley's lab and now works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Spring Chinook salmon in the Upper Willamette River are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. The McKenzie River, a tributary to the Upper Willamette River, has historically supported one of the largest populations of spring Chinook salmon, and today supports a large portion of the natural-origin spring Chinook salmon in the Upper Willamette Basin.

Cougar Dam on the South Fork McKenzie River blocks about 40 kilometers of historical spawning habitat within the McKenzie sub-basin. At the base of the dam, an adult fish collection facility, constructed in 2010, allowed fisheries managers to collect and reintroduce returning adult Chinook salmon above the dam.

Researchers collected tiny fin samples from salmon arriving at the collection facility over the years and used them to determine parent and offspring relationships and quantify their numbers.

"Essentially, we created family trees for each fish, similar to how you would trace your own ancestry using a DNA service," O'Malley said. "We were able to create a pedigree for nearly 10,000 fish in this system."

They found that first-generation, wild-born descendants of two hatchery-origin fish produced significantly more adult offspring than hatchery-origin salmon that spawned alongside them in the river. These first-generation descendants produced similar numbers of offspring to natural-origin fish.

"Attempts to recover or reintroduce a population using wild salmon are often limited by the lack of a healthy nearby donor population," O'Malley said.

The findings offer hope that naturally spawning Chinook salmon populations can be established from hatchery-origin salmon and that reestablished populations may experience generational increases in fitness as they spawn naturally in the wild.

The researchers' study design did not allow them to determine what led to the increase in fitness between the first generation, wild-born salmon and the hatchery-origin salmon.

"We don't know if it's genetic, if it's the environment or if the two interact," O'Malley said.

Concerns remain over the risk hatchery-origin salmon pose to the genetic integrity and productivity of natural populations. Continued interbreeding between hatchery-origin and natural-origin salmon could contribute to a decline in overall fitness for the natural-origin fish, unless the level of interbreeding is carefully managed, she said.

The study's authors also cautioned that their conclusions may not apply to other river systems that have reduced natural production or historical transfers of non-local origin salmon stock; the conclusions also may not apply to other species, such as steelhead. In addition, practices specific to the McKenzie River hatchery may have maintained adaptive genetic diversity and the capacity for increased fitness among the wild-born descendants of hatchery-origin salmon.

Nonetheless, the study's findings offer encouraging news for the use of hatchery salmon in support of conservation and recovery efforts, O'Malley said.

O'Malley, Dayan and co-author Cristin Fitzpatrick are all affiliated with OSU's Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, which is part of the College of Agricultural Sciences and based at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.

Additional co-authors include Nicholas Sard of the State University of New YorkOswego; Marc Johnson, formerly of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and now with the National Marine Fisheries Service; and Ryan Couture of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

More information: David I. Dayan et al, A single generation in the wild increases fitness for descendants of hatcheryorigin Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Evolutionary Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1111/eva.13678
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

New details have emerged about the history of one of St. Augustine's most popular tourist attractions. University of South Florida Spanish Professor David Arbesu pieced together documents that were scattered around the world that helped connect the dots about the life of Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, believed to be the first priest in the United States. An 11-foot statue of him is located on the grounds of Mission Nombre de Dios near Matanzas Bay.

As published in the Florida Historical Quarterly, "The First Man to Plant the Holy Gospel in Florida" chronicles Mendoza's journey in helping establish the first permanent Christian mission in the United States and his role in what many scholars believe was the first Thanksgiving feast.

Mendoza, who we now know lived from 1527 to 1586, sailed across the Atlantic in 1565 alongside Pedro Menendez de Aviles, who the King of Spain tasked to remove French settlers and establish a colony in Florida. After the three-month expedition, Menendez founded America's first city, St. Augustine, where Mendoza would play a crucial role.

"He brought Catholicism to America and gave the first Christian mass in the United States," Arbesu said. "As important as Mendoza may have been for the early history of Florida, all we knew about his life were the first four years he spent in Floridathat's it."

After finding Mendoza's baptismal records that were recently made public by a church in Spain, Arbesu was able to pinpoint the year Mendoza was born and, from there, piece together a timeline of what his life was like before and after he joined Menendez's expedition.

At 38 years old, Mendoza began the three-month expedition to Florida, where Arbesu believes he stayed for about seven years before moving back to his native community in Spain. After a couple of years, Mendoza moved to Nicaragua, according to new documents Arbesu discovered in Oklahoma. There, Mendoza held several distinguished roles in the Leon Cathedrala World Heritage Sitebefore eventually becoming Commissary of the Holy Inquisition as he continued to spread Catholicism in the Americas.

"These records trace the priest's lineage back to the Middle Ages and reveal a previously unknown side of his personality," Arbesu said. "This new evidence allows researchers to revisit all the records on Mendoza's life to clarify aspects, correct mistakes and ultimately understand the first parish priest in the continental United States."

The biography reveals details of his life for the first time, including the name Francisco Grajales de Mendoza he used when he was younger, the fact he likely practiced cannibalism to survive the winter of 1565 to 1566 and the witness account of him fighting at knifepoint over a woman. But the most moving: Letters Arbesu found in the National Archives of Mexico that determined the exact date of Mendoza's death.

"He wrote to the inquisitors of Mexico City that he had become so ill that he was 'in the last trance and end of my life'," Arbesu said. "It was a touching letter to read after studying his life for so long. To see him get to a point where he could not even sign his name, it was emotional."

More information: "The First Man to Plant the Holy Gospel in Florida:" A New Biography of Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales (1527-1586) stars.library.ucf.edu/fhq/vol101/iss2/3/
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This artist's concept by citizen scientist William Pendrill shows, at left, a cool brown dwarf called a T Dwarf, and, at right, a warmer brown dwarf passing in front of a distant star. Pendrill, also an illustrator, participates in Backyard Worlds: Planet 9, which uses NASA data to look for brown dwarfs and other objects. Credit: William Pendrill

To take a census of nearby cosmic objects, sending out a survey won't work. Scientists need to use many telescopes with different specializations to chart what is in the general neighborhood of the sun.

Looking to understand more about our neighbors and how they came to be, scientists collaborate with citizen scientists and volunteers from around the world. They have helped professional scientists create a new census of more than 4,000 cosmic objects through the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 citizen science project.

A new study in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series shows the results of that census within 65 light-years of the sun. Researchers found that there are four times more stars than brown dwarfs in this area but that low-mass objects are more common than high-mass objects. The average mass of an object in this area is 40% of the mass of the sun.

"There is something about the process of star formation buried in those data," said J. Davy Kirkpatrick, lead author of the study and research scientist at Caltech's IPAC (Infrared Processing and Analysis Center) in Pasadena, California. "We have another clue of how it works."

What are brown dwarfs?

Brown dwarfs are not quite stars and not quite planets, but somewhere in between. They are generally more massive than Jupiter but do not fuse hydrogen in their cores the way even the lowest-mass stars do. The study supports the idea that the process of forming brown dwarfs is somehow different from the process of forming higher-mass stars. Both kinds of objects are thought to form when a cloud of gas and dust collapses, but there could be different "seeds" that determine whether one kind of object forms versus another.

Citizen scientists sped up the process of identifying objects in this census by about 10 to 15 years, compared to if researchers had done the work without them, Kirkpatrick said.

How citizen scientists helped

Through Backyard Worlds, citizen scientists indicate whether objects in sets of images could be "nearby"that is, within our sun's general neighborhood in the galaxyby looking for movement of objects relative to the background.

A small team of citizen scientists developed a tool called WISE View, using images from NASA's WISE (Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer) mission to easily stitch together images into animations.

A larger group of volunteers then used those animations to find moving objects. "They've made the project more efficient for everyone else," Kirkpatrick said. (WISE's mission ended in 2011, but the spacecraft was reactivated with the name NEOWISE in 2013, focusing its survey on near-Earth objects).

Kirkpatrick also created a program called Stellar Ambassadors through which citizen scientists helped look through scientific literature on what was known about these objects before.

One complicating factor in estimating the prevalence of brown dwarfs is that some are virtually indistinguishable from low-mass stars. For example, an object 75 times the mass of Jupiter could be either a brown dwarf or a faint star, and current telescopes cannot tell the difference.

The next step in this line of research is to examine data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, which is studying molecular clouds that hold the seeds of stars, brown dwarfs, and planets. Future investigations could reveal more about how those seeds differ from each other.

Meet a citizen scientist

Citizen scientists who participated in the new study and earned credit as co-authors included Leopold Gramaize in Paris. When he's not scouring cosmic data, he works as the director of security and operations for Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Le Bourget airports.

Gramaize encountered the Backyard Worlds project in 2019 and loved the idea of looking for brown dwarfs, which he had never heard of before. Gramaize became so interested in these objects that he learned how to code so he could search astronomical databases faster. As part of this particular study, he co-discovered a few brown dwarfs and helped with the scientific literature review.

"I like the fact that brown dwarfs are a bit mysterious," he said. "It's just a few pixels, and yet they are here." Three citizen scientists from the Backyard Worlds project have won observing time on Webb as co-investigators on selected Webb proposals.

More information: J. Davy Kirkpatrick et al, The Initial Mass Function Based on the Full-sky 20 pc Census of 3600 Stars and Brown Dwarfs, The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series (2024). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4365/ad24e2 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Supplement

Provided by NASA
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This photo provided by NASA shows, from left to right, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen during a test at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 20, 2023. These astronauts are scheduled to fly to the moon in 2025. Credit: NASA

"Oh, come on Daniel, space travel is so expensive, and pointless!" These were the words of my friend Max, during a Christmas party where I was discussing my thesis project: studying places on Earth where the living conditions are so extreme, they could hold lessons for future space missions.

This disdainful attitude toward space research is actually quite common.

Space exploration is currently booming. Just think of the Artemis missions, SpaceX's ambitious plans for Mars, the deployment of the James Webb telescope or the recent "race to the moon."

A number of large-scale projects are getting the green light now, mainly from NASA, including the Artemis II mission that will carry four astronauts to the moon, which will have Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen aboard. This will be a first since 1972. Incredibly, it's been 50 years since the last human mission to Earth's natural satellite.

Although many people find space exploration inspiring, others are skeptical and even angered by what they see as an unjustifiable waste of resources and money on an activity that only spreads pollution to another place. This sums up the feelings of my friend Max.

In this article, I will try to prove him wrong.

Humans are explorers first

My great curiosity has led me to travel to extreme places so I can study them. But I am not the only one with this desire to explore.

In my Grade 9 history class, my teacher stood on top of her desk and, with a grave and serious tone, went on to act out Jacques Cartier's arrival in North America in her own, colorful style. A few years earlier, I had learned about how the first humans left their caves to climb mountains. One hundred and thirty years ago, humans sailed further and further south until they saw the glacial landscapes of Antarctica for the first time. At the same time, humans were attempting to dominate the skies and aiming for the beyond with planes and rocketswhich is how we got to the moon.

What is the common denominator in our history? Exploration, of course.

Human nature is characterized by a propensity to travel, to look further and to discover. We are all curious by nature. If we stop wanting to explore, we stop being human.

The Earth has rings

So, my friend Max, let me invite you outside. It's a beautiful, starry night with no moon. It's a bit cold, but at least the atmosphere isn't too humid, which makes the sky more transparent. We can see stars flickering. Some are blue, others are red. And the more our eyes adapt, the more the sky reveals its secrets.

Suddenly, something else stands out. It's another light, but it's not flashing, and it's moving quite quickly. A shooting star? No, the atmosphere would have burned it up in a few seconds.

It's a satellite, one of thousands that orbit the Earth like rings. These satellites are a direct consequence of space exploration. We would be living in a completely different world without them.

Satellites are like our planets artificial rings (artistic view). Credit: European Space Agency, 10.1126/science.abi6892

Indeed, not an hour goes by in our lives when we don't use a satellite.

On the one hand, you would likely have gotten lost on your way here, Max, because there would have been no GPS to show you which exit to take. And secondly, I wouldn't have been able to help you find your way because there would be no wifi. We can push our thinking even further; agriculture, environmental monitoring, communications, the weather, even banks, all of these depend on satellites.

But how does this work? You have to understand that these satellites move so quickly they actually circle the Earth several times a day. Combined with a very large workforce, they provide a complete view of the globe. From the middle of the oceans to the highest mountains and the almost inaccessible poles, we have eyes everywhere. By drawing on this vast quantity of observations, we obtain data on changes to the earth's surface, the spread of forest fires, the movement of winds, the melting of ice and many other things, while enabling global communication and credit card transactions.

Space exploration was the trigger that enabled us to develop and operate these technologies. And it doesn't stop there.

Two birds, one stone

The practice of medicine in remote areas also benefits from space exploration. It's not easy for communities in remote areas to access health care, especially since hospitals don't always have the sophisticated equipment they need.

If you think about it, when astronauts explore space, they become a small population in a very, very remote region. It's true. What happens if someone has a really bad stomach ache? Or breaks an arm? They don't have time to come back home for treatment, so we have to react, and quickly.

Scientific research in telemedicine has developed to address this important issue, producing a number of innovative technologies. And if these are useful for astronauts, why not use them for rural populations, too?

A few years ago, three Quebec researchers from different universities were working on a tiny probe that could rapidly analyze and diagnose a blood sample.

Although some prototypes are not yet on the market, others are already in widespread use, such as the ultrasound scanner designed by NASA. This scanner takes precise photos of organs and bones that can be transmitted to a doctor, who will then have crucial information on hand to recommend treatments.

In a way, space exploration provides us with opportunities to respond to urgent needs on Earth. So, Max, are you beginning to see the need for it?

Another perspective

Finally, I have to admit that I find it rather encouraging to see Russians, Americans, Japanese, Canadians and Europeans living together on the Space Station. Not so long ago, some of these countries were attacking each other with nuclear bombs. In space, no such borders exist.

Exploration brings people together. It opens our eyes to new perspectives. It shows us that we're all in the same boat together. That's pretty important, don't you think, Max?

Our planet is magnificent and unique, an oasis of impossible life. But it is fragile. We need to protect it. That's why exploring beyond the Earth should not be considered a luxury; it's an investment in our shared humanity.

So, Max, when Jeremy Hansen and his crew take off in 2025, will you be there to watch them?

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Rutgers scientists measured the physical characteristics of surf clams collected from the waters off Virginia to assess their health. Credit: D. Munroe

The Atlantic surf clam, an economically valuable species that is the main ingredient in clam chowder and fried clam strips, has returned to Virginia waters in a big way, reversing a die-off that started more than two decades ago.

In a comprehensive study of surf clams collected from an area about 45 miles due east from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Rutgers scientists have found the population to be thriving and growing. A likely reason could be that environmental conditions have improved, and another possibility is that the clams have adapted, the scientists said. The report, published in the journal Estuaries and Coasts, details the characteristics of a population of healthy-size surf clams of different ages living just under the surface of the sandy ocean bottom.

It's all a bit of a surprise.

"It's unexpected and it's good news," said Daphne Munroe, an associate professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences in the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and an author of the study. "They disappeared some time agowe thought they were gone. But we found there were more clams there than we thought we were going to see. And they are flourishing."

Surf clams started disappearing from waters off the coast of Virginia in the late 1990s, affected by warming water, Munroe said. By the turn of the 21st century, there were too few present to justify fishing in those waters.

One day in 2021, Munroe received a phone call from one of her fishing partners with whom she often collaborates.

"He said, 'Daphne, do you know I've got five boats working out of Cape Charles [off Virginia's Eastern Shore] right now? They're catching surf clams and we're putting them on trucks,'" Munroe said.

She added, "And I said, 'What is that? What are they doing? How is that possible?'"

The refrigerated trucks carting seafood were headed to Port Norris, N.J., she was told, the location of one of the main surf clam processing plants on the East Coast. Munroe works out of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station's Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory in Port Norris, just around the corner from the processor.

"I told him, 'I have to see those clams. That's crazy.'"

Munroe, an expert in the dynamics of coastal and marine ecosystems, examined the surf clams and a new research study was born. She hired a Michigan State undergraduate, Brynne Wisner, as an intern. Wisner, who would lead the collection, preparation and measurement of the clams, became first author on the study.

The Atlantic surf clamits shell well-known to beachcombers in the northeastern U.S.is one of the most common species of bivalves in the western Atlantic Ocean. Surf clams can live 40 years and grow their shells up to 8 or 9 inches long.

While its habitat ranges from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, the surf clam's primary population lives off the coast of New Jersey. There, the relatively shallow Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf provides an ideal, vast breeding habitat, extending for about 100 miles before a falloff to the canyons of the deep ocean. The animals also thrive in the Cold Pool, a band of cold near-bottom water that streams through the lower regions of this section of the New York-New Jersey Bight.

The researchers used the New Jersey surf clam population, perfectly located in the middle of the species range, as a standard of comparison in the study. From the samples collected from Virginia waters, scientists recorded the ages of each surf clam shell (as with trees, the successive rings on the shells equate to years lived), its size, rate of growth and whether the surf clam contained a generous portion of meat. They also collected tissue samples for genetic analysis.

"The clams in the southern range are in good shape," Munroe said. "They are still young, and growing as we would expect."

The study found multiple generations of surf clams in the animals collected, a sign of a healthy, expanding population.

"The finding suggests that environmental conditions may have improved for surf clams in the south, or that this population has acclimated to altered conditions," Munroe said.

Understanding the population of surf clams at the southern edge of their range can help researchers better understand shifts in the ranges of species and possible adaptation and recovery, Munroe said.

The genetic analysis indicated that among the population of the surf clam species Spisula solidissima solidissima, a smaller subspecies better known for favoring warmer climates, Spisula solidissima similis, was also found living there.

Further research, Munroe said, will investigate the possibility of mating between these species. This phenomenon, known as subspecies hybridization, can be an important path for species to adapt to a changing environment.

In addition to Munroe and Wisner, other Rutgers scientists on the study included Ximing Guo, a distinguished professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences; Zhenwei Wang, a doctoral student; and Ailey Sheehan, a lab technician, all with the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory.

More information: Brynne Wisner et al, Genetics, Age Demographics, and Shell Size of Atlantic Surfclams from the Southern Edge of Their Range, Estuaries and Coasts (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s12237-023-01281-z
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Water depths in Death Valleys temporary lake ranged between about 3 feet (or 1 meter, shown in dark blue) to less than 1.5 feet (0.5 meters, light yellow) from February through early March. By measuring water levels from space, SWOT enabled research to calculate the depth. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

California's Death Valley, the driest place in North America, has hosted an ephemeral lake since late 2023. A NASA-led analysis recently calculated water depths in the temporary lake over several weeks in February and March 2024, demonstrating the capabilities of the U.S.-French Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, which launched in December 2022.

The analysis found that water depths in the lake ranged from about 3 feet (1 meter) to less than 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) over the course of about 6 weeks. This period included a series of storms that swept across California, bringing record amounts of rainfall.

To estimate the depth of the lake, known informally as Lake Manly, researchers used water level data collected by SWOT and subtracted corresponding U.S. Geological Survey land elevation information for Badwater Basin.

The researchers found that the water levels varied across space and time in the roughly 10-day period between SWOT observations. In the visualization above, water depths of about 3 feet (1 meter) appear dark blue; those of less than 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) appear light yellow. Right after a series of storms in early February, the temporary lake was about 6 miles (10 kilometers) long and 3 miles (5 kilometers) wide. Each pixel in the image represents an area that is about 330 feet by 330 feet (100 meters by 100 meters).

"This is a really cool example of how SWOT can track how unique lake systems work," said Tamlin Pavelsky, the NASA freshwater science lead for SWOT and a hydrologist at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Using data from SWOT, this video shows changes in water depth for Death Valleys temporary lake from February into March of this year. Depths ranged between about 3 feet (1 meter) deep (dark blue) to less than 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) deep (light yellow). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Unlike many lakes around the world, Death Valley's lake is temporary, relatively shallow, and strong winds are enough to move the freshwater body a couple of miles, as happened from Feb. 29 to March 2. Since there isn't typically water in Badwater Basin, researchers don't have permanent instruments in place for studying water in this area. SWOT can fill the data gap for when places like this, and others around the world, become inundated.

Since shortly after launch, SWOT has been measuring the height of nearly all water on Earth's surface, developing one of the most detailed and comprehensive views of the planet's oceans and freshwater lakes and rivers. Not only can the satellite detect the extent of water, as other satellites can, but SWOT is also able to measure water surface levels. Combined with other types of information, SWOT measurements can yield water depth data for inland features like lakes and rivers.

The SWOT science team makes its measurements using the Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) instrument. With two antennas spread 33 feet (10 meters) apart on a boom, KaRIn produces a pair of data swaths as it circles the globe, bouncing radar pulses off water surfaces to collect surface-height information.

"We've never flown a Ka-band radar like the KaRIn instrument on a satellite before," said Pavelsky, so the data represented by the graphic above is also important for scientists and engineers to better understand how this kind of radar works from orbit.

Provided by NASA
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A Desulfosporosinus cell with immobilized uranium on the surface. Credit: B. Schroder/HZDR

When designing repositories for high-level radioactive waste in deep geological layers, various factors must be carefully considered to ensure their long-term safety. Among other things, natural communities of microorganisms can influence the behavior of the waste, especially when it comes into contact with water. The microorganisms interact with released radionuclides and influence their mobility.

Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) have taken a closer look at a microorganism that occurs in the vicinity of a potential repository. Their findings are published in the journal Science of The Total Environment.

In Germany, rocks that are suitable for the permanently safe storage of highly radioactive waste in a repositoryso-called host rocksare certain clay rock formations in addition to rock salt and crystalline rock. A multi-barrier system is preferred, consisting of the waste container as a technical barrier, the backfill material as a geotechnical barrier and the host rock as a geological barrier. This system is intended to isolate the radioactive waste from the environment.

"The combination of clay formations with the backfill material bentonite, which consists of various clay minerals, is an example of such a system. We know that so-called sulfate-reducing microorganisms occur in both the host rock and in the backfill material. In our work, we investigated a representative of the genus Desulfosporosinus in more detail. We were particularly interested in its influence on uranium present in the bentonite-clay system," explains Dr. Stephan Hilpmann from the HZDR Institute of Resource Ecology.

Uranium can occur in a variety of compounds and can assume different oxidation states. In natural deposits, uranium is mainly found in tetravalent and hexavalent form. Under normal conditions, tetravalent uranium compoundsin contrast to hexavalent compoundsare almost insoluble in water. Uranium compounds are toxic, whereby the toxicity depends mainly on their solubility. This distinct behavior of the compounds with different oxidation states is of great importance for understanding the processes in the repository.

Microbial defense removes uranium from water

Desulfosporosinus lives under anaerobic conditions: It only grows in the absence of air. This allowed the researchers to study the microorganism under realistic conditions, such as those found in deep layers of rock. To do this, they brought the bacterial cultures into contact with uranium salt solutions in natural pore water of the clay rock, covered by a nitrogen atmosphere that protects them from atmospheric oxygen.

They observed that the bacteria convert the easily water-soluble hexavalent uranium into sparingly soluble tetravalent uranium. The bacteria can deposit this sparingly soluble uranium in membrane vesicles on their cell surface in the form of incrustations.

The team assumes that this is a defensive reaction of the microorganismsa behavior that has previously been observed in other types of bacteria.

"After one week, the bacteria have converted about 40 percent of the originally dissolved uranium into the poorly soluble variant," Hilpmann reports.

The team also observed a further oxidation stage with pentavalent uranium, about whose formation in this process not much was previously known. This is mainly due to its typical instability. The researchers suspect that they were only able to detect pentavalent uranium because the bacteria stabilize it to some extent in solution. They were able to detect this oxidation state even after one week.

Multispectral view into contaminated subsurface

To observe the various uranium compounds, the team used a range of modern spectroscopy and microscopy methods. The HZDR researchers have access to highly specialized techniques at the Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research and at the Rossendorf Beamline (ROBL), which the HZDR operates at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. At the French site, for example, they can investigate radiochemical processes spectroscopically. Here they have also observed the formation of pentavalent uranium in the process using a method called HERFD-XANES.

HERFD-XANES stands for fluorescence detection with high-energy resolution, which is coupled with X-ray near-edge absorption spectroscopy. This is an X-ray absorption spectroscopic method that can be used to study the behavior of electrons. The team was able to visualize the uranium-containing aggregates on the cell surface of Desulfosporosinus using scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

"Our findings deepen our understanding of the complex processes in a potential final repository. They may also be relevant for the removal of radioactive pollutants from contaminated waters and thus for their remediation," says Hilpmann.

More information: Stephan Hilpmann et al, Presence of uranium(V) during uranium(VI) reduction by Desulfosporosinus hippei DSM 8344T, Science of The Total Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162593 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment
The prayer that I pray for those who are coming for the global gathering is that they will see that God is on the move, says Rev. Dr. Casely Essamuah, Secretary of the Global Christian Forum (GCF) as 250 representatives from all streams of Christianity are gathering in Accra, Ghana from April 16-19 for what is likely the most diverse meeting of Christian leaders globally.

From Roman Catholics to Pentecostals, from Orthodox to evangelicals, from Mainline Protestant to independent churches: the global forum is the place that brings them together for the fourth time as the GCF celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

In an exclusive interview with Christian Daily International, Essamuah recounts the history, vision and purpose of what is not an organization but a table as he emphasizes more than once. And he expresses his hope for this weeks forum where he says his mission is to set the table right, get the logistics right, get the microphones to be working, and get out of the way for the Holy Spirit to do that, which only the Holy Spirit can do.

The issue: preaching unity but living divided?

Today, Christianity is split up into more than 45,000 denominations globally, which poses a great obstacle to many non-Christians who are questioning the authenticity of the Christian message because of divisions, Essamuah laments.

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All of us are claiming that humanity needs to be reconciled to God. All of us are saying God in Jesus Christ has reconciled broken humanity to himself, so please come along. But then we dont even talk to each other, or we ignore each other, or we are indifferent towards each other, or in some instances, we even persecute each other, he says.

Meanwhile, the world is looking on and they say: these people are talking about reconciliation, but they dont seem to have their act together. Theyre eager to have us reconciled with God but not with one another. Theyre eager to tell us that were all going to spend the same eternity together if we believe in Jesus Christ, but theyre not extending the same grace and the same love to one another as they should.

Indeed, Christian history is full of episodes of division, conflict and even war between those adhering to different traditions. Oftentimes, newer expressions and movements have suffered persecution at the hand of the more established churches.

During the time of the Reformation in Europe, the Roman Catholic Church suppressed dissent and persecuted those who sought to reform the Church. The Reformers, on the other hand, at times persecuted expressions that went against their convictions, such as the Anabaptists. And while less extreme than in the past, suspicion, discrimination and conflict between churches or believers of different traditions remain a reality in various parts of the world today.

Discovering unity rather than manufacturing unity

Essamuah is clear-eyed about the challenges and obstacles to fostering greater unity in the global body of Christ. And he acknowledges differences in theology and other areas that are real and cannot be overlooked simply for the sake of presenting a superficial image of unity through an umbrella organization or by issuing joint statements.

Instead, the GCF focuses on bringing people together to listen to each others stories of faith, so that they could see how much they have in common as individual believers and followers of Jesus Christ, rather than looking at each other merely as official representatives of different Christian traditions.

We are not there to manufacture unity. We are not there to organize unity.

We are not there to manufacture unity. We are not there to organize unity, Essamuah says. We are there to open our eyes to the unity we have in Christ. We are there to lean into it. We are there to say, oh my goodness, these are brothers and sisters.

We are not an organization, we are not there to issue a statement, we are not there to work on some doctrinal issues. We start from the standpoint of what unites us. And I always say immediately it is about who unites us. We are at the table because of Jesus Christ. He invites us to be at the table, Essamuah says. And we try to do that creating a space which is almost like an incubator for collaboration, for partnership. But in order to do that, we need to know each other. We need to know each other well.

He says the question that drives these conversations is always the same: What is God doing in your life as a person?

He describes it further, saying, Yes, you are there representing X church in this country. You have this title. But for you as a person, what is God doing in your life? Where did God take you from where you were to where you are now? How is God on the move in your life, in the life of your church, in the life of your country?

And as we begin to share those stories, there are bridges that we are able to cross and walls that we are able to tear down just because we realized that there's a lot of similarity. There's a lot that we work with as a result of our ethnicities, as a result of our denominations, as a result of our nations. But when you focus on who you are in Christ and what Christ has done for you, all of sudden you look at that person who is wearing a robe that you're not familiar with and say, oh my goodness, that's a brother!

Everyone a guest at the table

While the GCF has succeeded in bringing together mostly high-level representatives of the different streams of Christianity, its history and format reveal the tension that remains between organized traditions and bodies that seek to foster unity among denominations.

Giving an overview of GCFs history, Essamuah says, 25 years ago, the World Council of Churches was going through an evaluation of its mission, its strategy, its values, and realized that while it's called the World Council of Churches, it represented only 25% of the global Christian body. The Roman Catholic Church, which participates in some of its programs is not a full member. And even more importantly, the evangelicals, the Pentecostals and the charismatics who  by God's grace  are growing by leaps and bounds all over the world, didn't want to have anything to do with the World Council of Churches.

And so, they had a visionary leader in the person of Konrad Raiser who felt that the mission of the World Council of Churches was much more important and significant than the organization itself.

If you set up an organization, nobody's going to come because there's a lot of suspicion. What about setting up a forum where no one has any privileged position?

So, in order to facilitate the mission, which is to work towards realizing the unity that we have in Christ, how do you do that? Well, if you set up an organization, nobody's going to come because there's a lot of suspicion. What about setting up a forum where no one has any privileged position? The result was the launch of the GCF as a space where everyone who comes is a guest, Essamuah says.

Today, the World Council of Churches, the World Evangelical Alliance, the Roman Catholic Church and the Pentecostal World Fellowship stand as the four pillars supporting the work of the GCF, with the Orthodox churches and independent churches completing the picture. The only requirements for participation are accepting the statement of faith that speaks about the humanity and deity of Jesus Christ, and the salvation found in Jesus Christ alone.

The two things followers of Christ cannot say

Not being organizationally tied together and by avoiding joint statements and doctrinal discussions, the GCF manages to navigate sensitive issues that could open it up to criticism from those who say theological differences are too significant to ignore.

Among evangelicals especially, there are those who are very conscious of what they consider serious compromises with non-negotiable Biblical beliefs, such as Mariology (the devotion to Mary) in the Roman Catholic Church or LGBTQ-affirming churches within the World Council of Churches. They argue that as long as these remain, they present insurmountable obstacles to spiritual unity.

Nevertheless, Essamuah believes in the importance of sharing faith conversation to create space for deeper understanding. He points to 1 Corinthians 12 where the Apostle Paul writes about the body of Christ and says being Christian means that unity is not optional.

I always say there are two things that you can't say if you are a Christian, at least according to 1 Corinthians 12. You can't say, I do not belong to the body. This is very clear. And you can't say, I do not need you. Those two things, they're incompatible with being a Christian, he says, and adds, You're part of the body. Are you a Christian? Do we believe in Jesus Christ? Oh, then you are part of one body. Then you just got to open your eyes.

Essamuah believes a lot of division and misunderstandings come from ignorance and prejudice about others. But the faith conversations reveal that there is often much more in common, even in terms of the formative faith journey and discipleship that individuals went through.

There are one or two or three or four organizations that come up all the time, like Intervarsity, Scripture Union, Campus Crusade (now called Cru in some parts of the world), Navigators. But while they went to the same activities and fellowships, they then have different denominational labels, Lutherans or Catholics or Pentecostals or whatever.

Trust goes up, suspicion goes down because you grew in your faith with the same elements that they all had.

But hearing this, then all of a sudden, you're like, oh my goodness, we had the same discipleship, we had the same foundations of our walk with Jesus Christ. Trust goes up, suspicion goes down because you grew in your faith with the same elements that they all had, Essamuah says, highlighting that this is a significant part of what the GCF is about.

For evangelicals who are still suspicious of engaging in conversation with those of other traditions, Essamuah points to a 2005 book by late theologian John Stott titled Evangelical Truth: A Personal Plea for Unity, Integrity and Faithfulness. Although 20 years old, it is still relevant today, Essamuah says.

I think a lot of evangelicals will remember the name John Stott. He listed twelve things where within evangelicalism  this is within evangelicalism!  there's a wide spectrum of opinion diversity. I'll go through them very quickly because it's very interesting.

He then went on to name them one by one, Baptism: should it be infant or mature believers? Lord supper: should it be weekly, monthly, or once a year? Church governance: should it be episcopal or congregational? Worship: should it be liturgy or spontaneous? Charismata, the gifts of the Spirit: are they still important? The role of women: are they egalitarian, complementarian or neither? What degree of involvement should we have with others? Old Testament prophecy; sanctification; Church and state; mission; eschatology. These twelve areas and that's just among evangelicals, that's not Pentecostals, World Council of Churches, or others. Even among evangelicals, we have all this diversity!

So sometimes it's good to just pull back and ask yourself, what is our disunity and division doing to our witness? How is it affecting the witness that we are called to give to the world? Essamuah says.

That the world may know

The GCF has been inspired by Jesus prayer in John 17:23, where he prays for the unity of his disciples as a witness to the world. Therefore, the theme of this years gathering is That the world may know.

There are a few things that stand out for Essamuah as particularly important this time. Firstly, it is the first gathering post-Covid, and he says, Covid has had such a devastating impact on the world, and everybody knows that. But particularly on the Church, there are many churches that have not recovered from Covid.

There are many churches that have long-Covid. True that Covid gave us a lot of things that we are thankful and grateful for. We do more things by Zoom, by internet and all of that, yes. But it has also shown us the need and the desire and imperative for in-person connection.

Secondly, the 25th anniversary provides an opportunity to look back and look ahead. It's been 25 years, so it's a time to just pause, celebrate God's faithfulness in our lives as a forum and in the lives of those that are represented, and to ask God, what is it that you want us to do for the next 25 years or however long before the Lord? Essamuah says.

And thirdly, a visit to Cape Coast. Cape Coast is a wonderful town, but it has what we call slave castles. Those are places where slaves were kept and then were shipped to the West. We are going there as a symbolic gesture of pilgrimage, he says.

These are 250 leaders from all over the world. We're going there to say this is a painful part of our history because we know that the Bible was used, and the Bible was abused in justifying or rationalizing slavery. But we are not going there just to say, okay, this happened in the past. We want to ask ourselves, where is it now in our systems, in our world that we need to bring a Christian perspective to issues of injustice and how do we do that in a Christ-like way?

So we are not just going to look at those slave castles and all the dungeons and all of that. We're also going to have a service of lament, a service of repentance, a service of reconciliation, because ultimately our healing comes through Jesus Christ, he comments.

Coming back to his hopes for the forum, Essamuah says, God is on the move. At any such global gathering, you bring people from so many countries and so many languages together and you see that, my goodness, God is on the move.

God's Church is on the move. It's thriving in places, it's in persecution and it's suffering in places. But God is on the move. Believers are not sitting still. Believers are bearing witness, bearing faithful witness. And I hope that those who come will really be encouraged by it. And I hope that those who come will see that God's Church is bigger than my church.
For the past eight decades, people throughout the area have been able to go see Dr. Foote when they didnt feel well.

It started in the 1950s in Indian Lake with Dr. Joseph Foote, a country doctor who practiced medicine before computers, who routinely made house calls and who sometimes would accept a shotgun  or even a live turkey  as payment for services rendered.

It ended on April 1, after moves to Fort Ann and Hudson Falls, when his son Dr. David Foote, who embraced technology and the power it held to better treat patients, retired from the Main Street, Hudson Falls practice the duo built in 1990.

With his Dr. David Foote M.D. lab coat hanging on his office door and flanked by two integral office staff members both named Bonnie, David reflected about moving on from a practice that he felt was a little different than most  where someone always answered the phone and where personal touches were a priority.

It was a place, where the doctors really knew the patients and listened to the heart, and not just the heartbeat, according to Bonnie Foote, chief information officer and Davids sister-in-law, quoting from David at his recent retirement party.

For David, retirement hasnt really sunk in yet.

Ive been saying goodbye to people for six months and its really emotionally draining, he said, adding that hell mostly miss the interaction with staff and patients, some of whom were treated initially by his dad, who passed away in 2011. You get a certain amount of satisfaction solving problems and helping people.

And its nice to follow in his footsteps, though I didnt know it at the time.

Unpacking the life before packing up the officeIn a 90-minute interview in his office, David talked about his life before and after he became a doctor. He revealed that his biological dad died when he was 9, and when his mom married the divorced Joseph, the union created a Brady Bunch scenario with a total of eight children, four on each side  and all boys. That would balloon to 10 kids when his mom and Joseph had another child of their own and adopted a girl.

David also talked about not really wanting to be a doctor as a kid because he saw the toll it took on Joseph, who literally allowed himself to be on call 24/7.

Though he maintained an office in Fort Ann from 1965 until he retired in 2003, Joseph at one point was also simultaneously working out of offices in Schuylerville and Hudson Falls and Indian Lake, where he started.

And he did house calls throughout the entire area on top of that.

We were always waiting for him sitting in the car while he was doing house calls. I didnt really like his lifestyle, David said with a laugh.

But a senior year biology class in high school sparked an interest, and before long he was following in the Foote footsteps. Although initially not interested in family medicine like his dad, in April 1984, exactly 40 years ago, he started working in the Fort Ann family practice, learning from his dad.

The duo then expanded, opening an office at 100 John Street in Hudson Falls for six years before building and moving into the current complex at 340 Main Street in 1990.

While they shared a name and profession, however, the two Footes werent much alike, according to Office Manager Bonnie Ballweber, who started working for Joseph in 1978 at the age of 19.

Joseph was soft-spoken, resourceful, and didnt care about punctuality if it meant giving a patient a little more needed time. His office waiting room was often stacked with people who would patiently wait for hours, she said.

Buskirk resident Deb McCauliffe, whose first-born daughter, Marisa, was delivered in her home by Joseph in 1978, can attest to the office scene.

At seven months pregnant, she was unhappy with her doctor and dreaded the thought of delivering a baby in such a antiseptic hospital room after a field trip there as part of a lamaze class. She learned of Joseph Foote and his experience with home deliveries, but she was shocked when he agreed to take her on as a patient that far along.

She would visit the Fort Ann office in the weeks prior to delivery to find it packed with people  at 8 or 9 p.m.  patiently waiting their turn.

I would feel this vibe in there that they love him and will wait as long as they have to. He had a very kind sprit, she said. And he drove down at midnight, in the winter, to deliver her.

As for him being resourceful, Ballweber told the story about when his old pick-up truck transmission failed to move him forward one day, he drove it in reverse from Glens Falls Hospital to Fort Ann.

David, according to Ballweber and Bonnie Foote, is super punctual, was more diligent about running the office, but is also more of type A guy who likes to talk and laugh.

But both were really good doctors, they said.

And they complimented each other with completely different skills and aspirations, Bonnie Foote said. They were a paradoxical balance that I dont even have language for.

Ballweber, who was also married to one of Davids brothers and called Joseph dad, talked lovingly about all he did for her. She said he took a shy, 19-year-old kid and basically gave her a career in medicine  from serving as a makeshift nurse and accountant for him in the office to helping him dress the turkey he received for one house call around Thanskgiving.

The turkey, still alive, road home with them in the back of the cap-covered pickup truck, she said.

I didnt eat any of it because I knew it, Ballweber said laughing.

As old school as Joseph was, in the next breath, though, the two Bonnies were telling about how David saved the life of a woman in the Hudson Falls office parking lot, even leaping over the sidewalk rail to get to her quicker.

Ballweber said she had worked much more closely with Joseph, but seeing David save a woman who was blue and lifeless when she arrived, was life-changing.

He came down the stairs, jumped over the rail, pulled her out of the car and onto the grass and started working on her. I was like, wow! I got to see him save a life and Ill never forget it.

Moving on is hard

David Foote said three years after his father retired because of poor hearing, he announced he was coming back to work. David said he worries hell be in the same boat once retirement sets in.

But for now, he does have some retirement plans.

He has projects mapped out, like modernizing a family camp in Indian Lake. He also wants to explore the Adirondacks more and travel abroad  maybe doing mission work in Africa, where he has been twice. Africa is also a perfect canvas for his photography hobby. His landscape handiwork still hangs on the walls of the waiting room. He also plans to continue his photography hobby using a drone.

Its like being an eagle and seeing what they see, he said.

But as hard as it might be for him to move on, the two Bonnies are feeling it as well  perhaps more. They talk about the office staff as family  and that extends to the patients.

This is Cheers. We know our patients, Bonnie Foote said, adding thatll be hard to let go of.

And Ballweber said working for the Footes is all she has known since 1978.

Thats all Ive lived, eaten and breathed for 47 years so its hard to imagine. Its like losing a part of you, like breathing, Ballweber said.

She said she might continue in the medical field in some capacity  if it involves improving patient care.

Bonnie Foote, who has worked in the office since 1986, said shes struggling with the next chapter too, but figures it will likely involve more community work. She stressed that whatever she does next, shell stay busy to avoid falling flat on my face.

I want to work a little bit more because I do have a skill set, she said about her work with technology and medicine. I dont have a solid plan, but I want to do things that somehow add value somewhere.

Longtime patients like Cathie Shortt are lamenting Davids retirement too.

Shortt and her now deceased husband, Jim, traveled from Indian Lake to Fort Ann and Hudson Falls since the 1960s to be treated by the Footes. They even bought a parcel of land from Joseph to build a house on after moving up from New York City to raise a family.

While Joseph was their doctor and the doctor for their children for decades, David took over their care in their later years. Joseph, she said, was more stern and direct with his health directives to her and her somewhat stubborn husband.

David, she said, was easier to talk to, and she credits him with counseling her when her husband was in failing health before his death just over two years ago.

I was breaking down and went to see David and he was just so great to talk to, she said.

Now that David is retiring, she said shes in the unenviable position of having to find a doctor.

I told them both theyre not supposed to retire before I die, she said with a laugh. I told David, Youre going to be bored. You could work part-time and Id come and see you.

Ive never looked for a doctor.

Though the Foote legacy has ended on Main Street, a new practice has started in the same location under the direction of Nurse Practitioner Antonio Izzo, who worked for Foote.

David said several of his patients will continue coming to see Izzo and he said unofficially hes happy to help him out with advice if he needs it.

Hes my child, he said with a chuckle. If he has any questions he can ask, as long as they dont involve billing.

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<&rdpEm>David Blow is a freelance journalist and professor of Communications at Vermont State University Castleton and may be reached at davent67@gmail.com</&rdpEm>
Operation Rescue Endorses Donald J. Trump for President As Pro-Life Americans, We Must Give President Trump Our Full Support, Here's Why



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Operation Rescue

April 16, 2024



WICHITA, Kan., April 16, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Operation Rescue President Troy Newman: Over the last week, many pro-life Americans have expressed a sudden disdain for President Donald Trump  the most pro-life GOP president or nominee in our lifetime. This is not only self-defeating and destructive, but it is also hypocritical when compared to previous presidents and nominees that have had the full support of the pro-life community.



Let's look at some history.



President Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) nominated Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Justice Anthony Kennedy. Both were disasters. However, we did get Justice Antonin Scalia.



Don't forget that, in 1967, as governor of California, Reagan also signed the most liberal abortion law in the country. He gave us little more than a pro-life proclamation, yet we still revere him as the gold standard of conservative presidents.



President George H. W. Bush (1989-1993) Nominally pro-life, he gave us pro-abortion Justice David Souter, but we did get pro-life Justice Thomas.



President George W. Bush (2001-2009) gave us pro-abortion Justice John Roberts and pro-life Justice Samuel Alito.



So, altogether, these three presidents had less than a 50% batting average on SCOTUS, thus prolonging child killing for decades and allowing millions of babies to be murdered. Yet, all the pro-life organizations faithfully and enthusiastically endorsed all of them.



Now, to our failed nominees:



In 1996, we had pro-abortion Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS) who tried to cut the pro-life plank from the GOP platform and failed. And he was the last openly pro-abortion candidate the GOP has had.



In 2008. we had Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). He never had a pro-life voting record, but the pro-life community thought he walked on water when he was our nominee.



Then. of course, in 2012, we had the untested Gov. Mitt Romney (R-UT), who was formerly pro-abortion. We all see what a pathetic slime bag he has turned out to be. But again, the national pro-life organizations support him with enthusiasm.



I admit that I held my nose and voted for every one of these people  except for Bob Dole.



Now, let's go back to President Trump:



He hit it out of the park with three pro-life justices! And we finally got what we had been asking for, for over 50 years: an overturn of Roe v. Wade. Additionally, President Trump is the only president in history to take money away from Planned Parenthood.



President Trump's recent statement on abortion is certainly no worse than all the aforementioned former presidents and the GOP's nominees. It also echoes the position of many statewide and national pro-life organizations.



The pro-life betrayal of Trump seems to lack reason. Why is he held to a higher standard than anyone else when he has done more for us than any other President in history? The attacks on him make it look like pro-lifers are more concerned with getting their own way than they are with saving the lives of children and saving our nation.



Some are standing on a soapbox and declaring our job is to reach people for Jesus, to "change hearts and minds." That sounds exactly like the pathetic and spineless pastors in our country who refuse to get involved in politics.



In November, we have two choices. We can choose more tyranny and radical abortion policies or we can seize the opportunity to save our Republic. The time for equivocation and naysaying is over. It's time to take a stand. If we are ever to defeat the "demon-crats," Joe Biden, and the communists, there is only one path in November, and that is through Donald J. Trump!



Together, let's make America pro-life again!



Troy Newman, President, Operation Rescue Click HERE to view this release on the Operation Rescue website.



Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the U.S. Our goal is to expose abortion abuses, demand enforcement, save innocent lives, and build an Abortion-Free America.



Click here to support Operation Rescue.



SOURCE Operation Rescue



CONTACT: Troy Newman, President, 316-683-6790 ext. 111;

Anne Reed, Senior Policy Advisor, 316-683-6790



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A Gillette man charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual contact with a minor in Pennington County has elected to continue the battle to represent himself.

Richard Wayne Gray, 40, is facing two counts of first-degree rape of a minor less than 13, three counts of sexual contact with a minor less than 16, and three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Court documents alleged Gray raped a 10-year-old between March 31 and April 2, 2021. He was indicted by a Pennington County grand jury in May 2023.

At his status hearing Tuesday, Gray, who appeared from the Pennington County Jail where he is currently being held in administrative segregation, requested a Faretta hearing in front of Judge Robert Gusinsky. A Faretta hearing allows a criminal defendant to make the case to represent themselves.

Gray has filed numerous hand-written motions since his indictment, many of which were sent while he was incarcerated in Campbell County last year. Within those motions are several requests for dismissal.

Gray asked for the repeated charges to be dropped, calling the charges "stacking" and claiming they are "unlawful, excessive and unconstitutional." Additionally, he claimed statements made before the grand jury were false, again asking for all charges to be dismissed. Later motions alleged prosecutorial misconduct, and Gray claimed his rights were violated because he was not given the right to cross-examine witnesses during grand jury proceedings. Grand juries are typically ex parte proceedings where there is no right to cross-examination.

Each first-degree rape charge is a class C felony, punishable by life in prison, a $50,000 fine or both. Sexual contact is a class 3 felony with a maximum penalty of 15 years, a $30,000 fine or both. Sexual exploitation is a class 6 felony, punishable by up to two years in prison, a $4,000 fine or both.

The state has also filed a part II information alleging Gray is a habitual offender. If proven, the charge would increase the maximum penalties Gray is facing. Court documents show Gray was convicted of distribution of a controlled substance in Wyoming in May 2012.

Gray is set to appear in court at 9 a.m. May 13 for the Faretta hearing.
A Box Elder man is facing up to 15 years in prison for aggravated child abuse after he was indicted for allegedly abusing a child between October and November 2021.

Wesley Cole Weston, 23, appeared via video conference from the Pennington County Jail and pleaded not guilty to the charge in front of Judge Joshua Hendrickson on Monday.

Court documents allege Weston abused the child, who would have been a newborn at the time of the alleged crime.

Judge Hendrickson reduced Westons bond from $5,000 cash-only to $2,500 cash-only at the request of his defense attorney, Elizabeth Regalado. Regalado stated Weston is not a flight risk and has no charges since, agreeing the charges are serious but adding she isnt sure why it took nearly two years for an arrest warrant to be issued.

Weston is due back in court for a status hearing at 3:15 p.m. May 13.
Gregorian Chant Retreats on Sunny Cape Cod - Opportunity for Refreshment Surrounded by the Beauty of a Monastery

Discover the beauty of Gregorian Chant, an ancient and timeless tradition, at Summer & Fall Chant Retreats on beautiful Cape Cod Bay with the Benedictine monastic Community of Jesus at the Church of the Transfiguration



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Community of Jesus

April 16, 2024



CAPE COD, Maine, April 16, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- On June 3-6 and September 8-11, the Community of Jesus welcomes visitors to take part in the ancient and beautiful form of sung prayer, focusing on the Chants of the Martyrs and the Chants of Mary at The Church of the Transfiguration. Community members lead the retreats sharing treasures of this spiritual practice that harken back through the centuries, yet offer a fresh and new voice for today. From the richness of the Latin texts, to the expressive melodies, and the simple genius of the ancient neumes, participants will gain deeper experience and understanding into this monastic tradition.



RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS:

All are Welcome.



Chant instruction for all experience levels taught by members of the Community of Jesus, where Gregorian chant is sung in Latin daily



Participate in singing the Liturgy of the Hours on special Feast Days



Opportunity for refreshment surrounded by the beauty and peace of the monastery



Lovely meals and accommodations at Paraclete Guest House overlooking Cape Cod Bay

WHAT PEOPLE SAY:

"An inspiring blend of singing, scholarship, and spirit." -- JOSEPH



"I came as less than a novice, with a love of listening to chants. I left as almost a novice, with a love of singing chants!" -- CAROL



"Passionate and expert chant instruction and exceptional hospitality." -- MARIA & JOHN



SOURCE Community of Jesus



CONTACT: Sr. Genevieve Cleverly, 508-737-8820


Originally from Spain, Inigo Arroniz, a professor of business at Randolph-Macon College, says he often jokes about being the odd one out with his wife and children, who were born in the U.S.

Ive always been the oddball, Arroniz said.

At Randolph-Macon on Monday, that changed for Arroniz as families, friends and officials cheered and waved American flags welcoming 55 new U.S. citizens. He and one other college employee were among the participants.

It could have happened anywhere, Arroniz said. In fact, all of the interactions Ive had with immigration have been in D.C. or the Norfolk area. So this is really special.

Naturalization ceremonies in the region are held once a month, often at the federal courthouse in Richmond, but sometimes at larger venues such as museums and college campuses. Last September, nearly 600 people became naturalized U.S. citizens at the Siegel Center on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.

The ceremony in Ashland saw 55 immigrants from 34 countries sworn in to become U.S. citizens.

U.S. District Court Judge David Novak welcomed the soon-to-be citizens on what he called a fine day to become an American. Judge Novak later encouraged them to write their own page in the story of Americas history, noting that many of Americas accomplishments can be credited to immigrants, including the song, God Bless America written by Irving Berlin, who was born in Russia.

After reciting the Oath of Allegiance, the candidates received their certificates of citizenship. Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution passed out programs, U.S. flags and the naturalization certificates.

Attorney General Jason Miyares was the keynote speaker for Mondays ceremony, sharing his personal connections to the citizenship process. At 6 years old, Miyares watched his mother become a U.S. citizen after leaving Havana, Cuba, in 1965.

Its kind of a circle-of-life moment for me to speak at a naturalization ceremony, experiencing one as a child and seeing my mother become a citizen. It represents the very best of what America is, Miyares said. This is an extraordinary moment.

Gabe Laplante, originally from Canada, was another participant in the naturalization ceremony. Laplante graduated from Randolph-Macon in 2019 and is now the assistant manager of the campus store.

Im super thrilled, I cant even explain how I feel. I was nervous this morning and now Ive just got this glow on my face, Laplante said. I went to school here, work here and now Ive been naturalized here. Its really become a home within a home.

Laplante said he decided to become naturalized because of his interest in U.S. politics.

Ive been keeping up with the politics and have not been able to participate, he said. Now I can, and I get to live the full American dream.
A large storm system hitting much of the central U.S. over the next few days is expected to bring severe thunderstorms to Kansas and Nebraska on Monday evening, the National Weather Services Storm Prediction Center said.

The two states could see strong tornadoes, too, while parts of Oklahoma, Missouri and Virginia face a slight risk.

Severe scattered thunderstorms are also expected to bring strong winds, hail and flash flooding.

WHAT AREAS ARE MOST AT RISK?

After moving through the Great Plains, NWS says the the storm system could move into the Mississippi Valley, Great Lakes and Ohio Valley areas on Tuesday and bring severe weather and isolated flash flooding."

Southern Iowa, Northern Missouri and Central Illinois face the largest threat of "significant hail and tornado potential," on Tuesday the agency said.

The risk of tornadoes forming Monday evening over parts of Kansas and Nebraska will increase with the development of a few, discrete supercells, NWS said. Those are the tall, anvil-shaped producers of tornadoes and hail that have a rotating, powerful updraft of wind often lasting for hours.

WHEN IS TORNADO SEASON AND IS IT CHANGING?

May is generally considered the midpoint of tornado season, said Harold Brooks, a tornado scientist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory.

Brooks said late April to the middle of May is when the strongest tornadoes that cause fatalities usually appear.

There's a lot of uncertainty in those estimates, Brooks added, because of how much each tornado season varies year to year.

Some scientists believe that over the past few decades, tornadoes in the U.S. have been shifting  with more spinning up in states along the Mississippi River and farther east. But scientists arent entirely sure why thats happening.

One possible factor could be that the western Great Plains are getting drier thanks to climate change, said Joe Strus, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, and so your precipitation has shifted east a little bit.

 Associated Press
The calls roll in, 24 hours a day. Sometimes, its abuse as a relationship becomes unbearable. Sometimes, money worries are unsurmountable. Sometimes, its the depths of depression so severe that there seems no way out. Sometimes, delusions wont leave a sufferer in peace.

Virginias 988 crisis line fields them all, some 8,000 a month.

And as implementation of the 988 crisis line lags nationally, it is evolving in Virginia into a place to take a first step to getting help before mental troubles reach a point of no return.

Really, basically, its three things. Its someone to call, someone to respond and somewhere to go. Those are the three parts of the 988 system, said Nelson Smith, commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

Smith said the 988 lifeline is a keystone to the states high-priority effort to build out a comprehensive crisis system, which now also includes 98 mobile crisis teams. These days, when Virginians are in a crisis, trained mental health emergency clinicians go to them, instead of having family, friends or a police officer carry the person to a hospital or other facility. The state is building a network of crisis receiving centers, too. These are places where someone can stay for up to 23 hours and get help.

People can call or text 988 or find help online at 988va.org for themselves or a friend or family member who may need crisis support.

The idea is that no matter where you live, you can connect with a trained counselor who can help when youre experiencing mental health-related distress.

The U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee has found that the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has disbursed only about 17% of the $1 billion it received that is intended to help states, territories and tribes implement the 988 hotline.

But Virginias gone full speed ahead with the program.

The state has committed $9.4 million of its funds to fast-track 988 and launched an intensive outreach effort. Smith wants to be sure all Virginians know the resource is there.

Fielding 988 calls is demanding work.

Staff at Virginias two call centers typically get at least a couple of heart-wrenching calls a shift, said Laura Clark, senior director of crisis services at HopeLink Behavioral Health. The Northern Virginia-based center covers most of the state except for its far southwestern corner.

Calls can last for hours. Thirty minutes is typical.

Empathy is the key, Clark said.

It takes careful listening and delicate probing to get to the heart of a problem.

Is it money? Then: How did you get there? What have you tried doing already?

Abuse? Tell us whats been happening. Where are you now  someplace safe?

Depression? Was there a trigger? Have you had medications? Are you taking them?

Theres listening for the disconnection of thought and feeling that delusions bring  and listening, too, to get a sense of whether too much alcohol or too many drugs are an issue, since that means some options for immediate help might not be open.

A key function is triage.

Just stop for a second and think about those individuals in the call center, and the amount of information thats coming at them and the amount of trauma that theyre listening to and processing with these people and with their families, said Smith, the commissioner.

And while theyre listening, theyre accessing the data in the Crisis Connect system, a database of services, he said.

If they need a mobile crisis response, which is connected to our system, they can find the nearest mobile crisis team and in the background, be launching that team to go meet this individual where they are, he said. If they hear of weapons, they can get ahold of 911  and 911 dispatchers are now connected to the 988 call center when they get calls about people in mental health crisis.

Roughly 90% of the time, the conversation is enough to move people past the moment of crisis and toward the still-challenging path to finding a better place, Clark said.

But sometimes the conversation steers a person to same-day assessment at a local Community Services Board. That is one of the core services Virginias 6-year-old System Transformation Excellence and Performance (STEP-VA) initiative has implemented.

Sometimes, with people deeper in crisis, the conversation leads to the dispatch of one of Virginias new mobile crisis teams; 70% of the time, those teams can calm a crisis and steer someone to longer-term help without admitting them, typically against their will, to a hospital.

Sometimes, for individuals who need still more time to come to terms with a crisis, the next step is one of the states new crisis reception centers. In such cases, a stay of up to 23 hours finds a path other than hospitalization 65% of the time.

Police intervention rarer

Sometimes, if rarely, the answer is something more drastic: the intervention of police and the issuance of emergency custody and temporary detention orders that send people against their will to a hospital for assessment and treatment.

In the past, this has been the most common response to a crisis. And it has sent more people to state hospitals than those hospitals can care for.

Every once in a while, but more often than in years past, the call is from someone in the act of suicide who does not want to be alone as life ebbs away or who wants to be sure someone knows where to find the body.

Call center staff burn out. Many have themselves been to the brink of committing suicide. Most others are family or friends of suicide victims. Some are students seeking clinical experience at the cutting edge.

If its tough on the call center staff, the current approach is much better for people in crisis and for the police who have long been the ones who deal with people in mental health distress.

When you call 911, lets say for a heart attack or medical emergency, OK, you fell, broke a leg. You call 911, what shows up? An ambulance, Smith said. You call 911 for a mental health care crisis, a family member is having some sort of event. What shows up typically, its gonna be law enforcement.

The shock of arrest, the usual involuntary detention and commitment to a hospital is traumatic, mental health professionals say.

To counsel people to the standards the state requires means knowing a lot of things.

Core training includes four online modules on fundamentals of crisis counseling, four more on essential skills and four on assessing safety and suicide risk. Additional training can include participating in simulation sessions and continuing education webinars.

Counselors in Virginia need to know the kind of resource information that is in the Crisis Connect system database, and how to find a food bank, if thats the issue, or a shelter for someone whos in crisis because they have no home.

Marcus Alert system

They also need to be up on state behavioral health law and regulations, including the Marcus Alert law that establishes a specialized behavioral health response from law enforcement when responding to a behavioral health situation. It is in effect in 10 localities, including Richmond and Chesterfield County, as well as the Roanoke, Fredericksburg and Bristol areas.

The law is named for Marcus-David Peters, a 24-year-old man killed by Richmond police in 2018 during a mental health crisis.

The Marcus Alert law is just one reason why knowing where a caller is matters.

The resources and procedures of Virginias 40 public community mental health agencies vary. Private and nonprofit resources do, too. Call center staff need to know all that.

Theres no one script for the staff. Still, there are underlying themes, Clark said.

The first is to make clear that the call center staffer knows the callers suffering is real.

Another is to suggest it can be possible to find a way past a crisis, to make the suffering end.

Much of the conversation then is about what those possibilities are.

If its financial, we cant give you money, but we can help you find resources to help; if its a relationship, we cant fix that, but can talk about ways you might or what else you can do, she said.

Its not necessarily easy, but there are possibilities, she said.

And perhaps the most important theme of all  the essential message about ending the callers pain:

To end your life means there are no possibilities for that.

Close A candle is placed during the inter-faith vigil near the Jefferson Hotel Thursday night, July 2, 2020. Protesters gathered here and at sunset walked to I-95 retracing the last day of Marcus-David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. Princess Blanding, Marcus-David Peters sister, spoke during an interfaith vigil near the Jefferson Hotel in July. A candle was lit and placed in front of Marcus David Peters' photo, middle, during an inter-faith vigil near the Jefferson Hotel Thursday nght, July 2, 2020. Protesters gathred here and at sunset walked to I-95 retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. Rev, Lauryn Everic and her partner join protesters during a vigil outside the Jefferson Hotel. At sunset, they walked to I-95 retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. The inter-faith vigil was held Thursday nght, July 2, 2020. Protesters meet outside the Jefferson Hotel for an inter-faith vigil Thursday nght, July 2, 2020. At sunset they walked to I-95 retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. Protesters stand along Belvidere Street as police show up when protesters on bikes blocked the entrance ramp to northbound I-95 Thursday nght, July 2, 2020. Protesters had walked to I-95 from outside th Jefferson Hotel, retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. The inter-faith vigil was held Protesters walk down Belvidere Street after holding a vigil outside the Jefferson Hotel during an inter-faith vigil Thursday nght, July 2, 2020. At sunset they walked to I-95 retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. The Protesters walk down the ramp from Belvidere Street to northbound I-95 Thursday night, July 2, 2020, retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after Protesters hold a vigil near northbound I-95 along the ramp from Belvidere Street Thursday night, July 2, 2020. They retraced the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after PHOTOS: 2020 interfaith vigils and march for Marcus-David Peters Protesters retraced the last day of Marcus David Peters' life with a vigil near the Jefferson Hotel and another near I-95 at Belvidere Street. Peters, while having a mental health breakdown, was killed after he charged a RPD officer. A candle is placed during the inter-faith vigil near the Jefferson Hotel Thursday night, July 2, 2020. Protesters gathered here and at sunset walked to I-95 retracing the last day of Marcus-David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. Princess Blanding, Marcus-David Peters sister, spoke during an interfaith vigil near the Jefferson Hotel in July. A candle was lit and placed in front of Marcus David Peters' photo, middle, during an inter-faith vigil near the Jefferson Hotel Thursday nght, July 2, 2020. Protesters gathred here and at sunset walked to I-95 retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. Rev, Lauryn Everic and her partner join protesters during a vigil outside the Jefferson Hotel. At sunset, they walked to I-95 retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. The inter-faith vigil was held Thursday nght, July 2, 2020. Protesters meet outside the Jefferson Hotel for an inter-faith vigil Thursday nght, July 2, 2020. At sunset they walked to I-95 retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. Protesters stand along Belvidere Street as police show up when protesters on bikes blocked the entrance ramp to northbound I-95 Thursday nght, July 2, 2020. Protesters had walked to I-95 from outside th Jefferson Hotel, retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. The inter-faith vigil was held Protesters walk down Belvidere Street after holding a vigil outside the Jefferson Hotel during an inter-faith vigil Thursday nght, July 2, 2020. At sunset they walked to I-95 retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after charging a Richmond police officer in 2018. The Protesters walk down the ramp from Belvidere Street to northbound I-95 Thursday night, July 2, 2020, retracing the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after Protesters hold a vigil near northbound I-95 along the ramp from Belvidere Street Thursday night, July 2, 2020. They retraced the last day of Marcus David Peters' life. Peters, who was having a mental health breakdown, was shot and killed after
Michael Paul Williams Columnist Follow Michael Paul Williams Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

A Nation at Risk, a federal report issued in 1983, became a gospel of education reform. The phrase at risk became shorthand for Black urban youths in danger of plunging through an increasingly porous safety net.

In Richmond, our kids have become appallingly at risk of gun violence. Since Easter, a Christian celebration of resurrection, eight people have been killed in the city  four of them juveniles.

This shocking state of affairs is, horrifically, a trend: 169 young people shot in Richmond since 2019, said Richmond Superintendent Jason Kamras. Nearly all of those were RPS students.

Kamras didnt sign up for this: Hes an educator, not a law enforcement officer or an infantry platoon sergeant. But as the leader of the citys public schools, he has witnessed an unnatural level of youth carnage, as have the districts teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists, custodians and other employees.

Before free meals became a staple of public education, educators argued convincingly that hunger hinders learning.

No less applies to community violence.

Our community, our schools, they are hurting. And they should be focused on the SOLs, which were giving in two weeks, Kamras said at Mondays City Hall news conference. And instead, many of them this morning and last week and tomorrow are holding grief sessions.

Remember that the next time we lament RPS underperformance on standardized tests. Its hard to see how any vestige of education reform would avert these tragedies. These deaths did not come as a result of a mass shooting inside a schoolhouse; they occurred in the community.

Its been a terrible two weeks in our city, Police Chief Rick Edwards said. Kids have seen their parents killed. Parents have seen their kids killed.

And lest people feel safe, snug and smug in suburbia, Chesterfield and Hanover counties have also experienced deadly teen violence in April.

I believe the children are our future, Whitney Houston sang in her 1980s hit, The Greatest Love of All. This violence, and our inability to shepherd our kids through adolescence, is robbing our city of a piece of its future.

The bloodshed has led Edwards to lay down a curfew and start Operation Safe Summer on Friday, nearly two months ahead of schedule. But there are no easy answers for a problem with so many root causes, including traumas vicious cycle.

Last week, Kamras attended a standing-room-only funeral for a slain Martin Luther King Middle School student. And what struck me is all of the kids from MLK who were able to attend, they all have the T-shirts with the picture of the friend that they lost, he recalled.

What is heartbreaking is that so many of our kids have that T-shirt, and many of them have multiple T-shirts. No child should have a T-shirt of a friend that they lost to gun violence, let alone two, three or four of them.

Edwards recalled escorting four children at a homicide scene at Mosby Court last week. From 15-year-old down to the 3-year-old, having to see those children crying as theyre passing their dead parents is heartbreaking for all of us. A 17-year-old male was found with a gunshot wound at the scene.

Our criminal justice system, no doubt out of frustration, is targeting parents and educators in response to unfathomable youth violence.

Last week, former Richneck Elementary School Assistant Principal Ebony Parker was charged with felony child neglect amid allegations that she ignored warnings that a 6-year-old who shot his first grade teacher had brought a gun to school. The boys mother, Deja Taylor, was sentenced in December to two years in state prison for felony child neglect; she also received 21 months in federal prison on federal gun and marijuana-related charges.

Michigan parents James and Jennifer Crumbley were convicted earlier this year of involuntary manslaughter for failing to adequately respond to signs of their teenage sons acute mental strife and secure the gun he used in a school shooting that killed four students at his high school in 2021.

I want every parent to know that has opened up a whole nother level of case law, Mayor Levar Stoney said of the Michigan case during Mondays news conference.

Im not sure if tough on parents will be any more effective than tough on drugs as a crime prevention measure. These teens hardly need to snatch a parents piece. There are plenty of firearms to be had illegally on the streets in a nation with the dubious distinction of having more guns than people.

We wax nostalgic for the era when the village stepped in to help raise each child. And yes, Im a byproduct of that era in which every adult in the community felt a sense of responsibility for other peoples children. But nowadays, I suspect its hard enough for parents to keep track of their own kids, especially in communities with a paucity of two-parent households.

Government tries to fill the void. But its a poor substitute for a parent.

Theres no dollar that can fill in every single gap, Stoney said. Theres no employee on the city payroll that can fill in every single gap. And thats why we are here collectively pleading with our neighborhoods, which back in the day used to raise our kids as well.

That village, nowadays, has been gutted by an information superhighway and buffeted by the noxious effects of social media and the easy availability of firearms, a match-to-fuse combination for the young mind.

Edwards recalled the 1990s, when the motives for violence were turf, drugs and robbery.

As bad as those are, at least that makes more sense, he said. Nowadays, small arguments escalate. Everyone in the war of words is armed. One bullet fired leads to many.

When folks long for the good old days of a fistfight, or look at Richmonds triple-digit homicide era of the 1990s as a time of relative sanity, you know weve reach a point of deep despair and desperation. Our region is not alone. Since 2020, firearms have been the No. 1 cause of death among children and teens in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When energy we could exert to educate our kids is being expended to keep them alive, were a nation at risk for sure.

Who are Richmond public schools named for? Barack Obama Elementary Elizabeth D. Redd Elementary Gurney Holland Reid Elementary George Washington Carver Elementary Henry L. Marsh III Elementary School John Bowler Fisher Elementary J. L. Francis Elementary J.H. Blackwell Elementary John B. Cary Elementary Linwood Holton Elementary Miles J. Jones Elementary Mary Munford Elementary Overby-Sheppard Elementary Overby-Sheppard Elementary William Fox Elementary Albert Hill Middle Binford Middle Boushall Middle Lucille Murray Brown Middle Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Thomas H. Henderson Middle Armstrong High George Wythe High John Marshall High Thomas Jefferson High Maggie L. Walker Governor's School Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts Virgie Binford Educational Center
British man found dead in Cancun hotel in alleged suicide pact with wife

Cancun, Q.R.  The report of a deceased British man found inside a Cancun hotel is being treated as a suicide. On Tuesday morning, a British woman was taken to hospital after an alleged suicide attempt with her husband.

It was around 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning when the body of an approximately 55 year old man was found by police after a 9-1-1 report. Paramedics confirmed his death inside the hotel room. The woman, his wife of around 53 years of age, was taken to hospital with wrist injuries.

The State Attorney General (FGE) has said the mans death is being investigated as a suicide in which both the man and woman intended to take their own lives.

In an official statement, the Fiscalia General del Estado (FGE) of Quintana Roo said the FGE reports that after receiving the report of a deceased person of foreign nationality in a hotel in Cancun, an investigation was initiated to clarify the facts.

The first lines of investigation suggest that this unfortunate event could be a case of suicide, in which the two people intended to take their own lives.

This autonomous body works in coordination with security authorities so that the crimes committed do not go unpunished.

Likewise, close collaboration has been established with the consulate to provide the necessary support and accompaniment to family members with the relevant procedures.

The couple, who are reported to be tourists, were found inside a Cancun hotel Tuesday morning. According to information obtained, they arrived at the hotel April 5 and were scheduled to depart April 9, but extended their hotel reservation until April 17.

The woman was taken to hospital with wrist injuries and, according to local information, is being questioned due to inconsistencies surrounding the death of her husband. Contradictory statements to authorities include both a suicide attempt and a heated verbal argument between them.

A broken blood-stained bottle neck was reported found inside the hotel room. Local authorities are working to verify what actually happened.
El Salvador man wanted for human trafficking extradited to Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico  In compliance with the Extradition Treaty signed between Mexico and the Republic of El Salvador, a man from that country was extradited to Mexico.

Luis R was returned to Mexico City to face human trafficking charges in the form of sexual exploitation. Luis R was wanted in Mexico City for sexually exploiting his then-girlfriend in various city hotels.

According to the State Attorney General of the Republic (FGR), Luis R obtained money by sexually exploiting his girlfriend, making dates with men in different states of the country in hotels in Mexico City.

He was wanted by the Accusatory Criminal Procedure System of Mexico City for the crime of human trafficking with the modality of sexual exploitation. The Government of the Republic of El Salvador granted his extradition to the Government of Mexico.

His delivery into the hands of Mexican agents took place at the El Salvador International Airport Sunday.
Extremely hot muggy days continue to be Yucatan Peninsula forecast

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  Extreme heat and muggy days continue to be the forecast for much of the Yucatan Peninsula including the state of Quintana Roo. State Civil Protection is warning residents of the continued 35C (95F) to 40C (104F) degree temperatures that have been felt in recent days.

The extreme heat is being labeled as the states official first heat wave.

An Anticyclonic Circulation at medium levels of the atmosphere will maintain the first heat wave with a very hot daytime environment in the State of Quintana Roo with temperatures of 35 to 40C, Coordinacion Estatal de Proteccion Civil (State Civil Protection) reported early Tuesday morning.

Some areas of the state are also experiencing strong winds that have affected nautical services as well as downed weak trees and large billboard signs.

Wind with gusts of 30 to 50 kms/h is forecast for the municipalities of Tulum, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Jose Maria Morelos, Bacalar and Othon P Blanco, they added.

The forecast strong winds could cause the demolition of trees and billboard advertisements, so the population is urged to heed the warnings of the National Meteorological Service (SMN) and the National Water Commission (Conagua) and follow the recommendations of state and Civil Protection authorities, Mexicos Servicio Meteorologico Nacional (SMN) reported.

The ongoing strong wind gusts are forecast for to continue Tuesday and Wednesday along the coast.

People are recommended to take preventive measures such as avoiding prolonged exposure to solar radiation, hydrating adequately, paying special attention to chronically ill people, children and older adults, as well as following the instructions of the health and Civil Protection sector, the SMN added.

The meteorological agency has not forecast an end to the extreme temperatures associated with the states first official heat wave.
Salman Rushdie, a Booker and Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian-British author, had to live through a horrific scene that he thought would only exist in the highly dramatized novels he writes when a crazed attacker plunged a knife deep into his right eye socket.

In an interview with the BBC, the writer even recalls his eyeball looking like a "soft-boiled egg" soon after the attack and that its loss upsets him "every day."

Now, in a bizarre full circle, this jolting incident is the main subject of Rushdie's new memoir that was aptly named "Knife." It entails the difficulties he experienced after being subject to the cruel assault and the retrospection that was unlocked by the sheer shock of fearing for his life.

"I remember thinking I was dying," the author said. "Fortunately, I was wrong." He added that, through writing about his harrowing experience and creating the memoir, he is fighting back against it in his own way.

About Salman Rushdie's 'Knife'

The book is not at all a lengthy read nor is it a short one, with its middle-of-the-pack 200 pages. That said, compared to other works by one of the most exuberant and expansive of today's contemporary novelists, it is a brief work.

"Knife" also marks Rushdie's first memoir in over a decade since he published his 2012 work: "Joseph Anton," which is about the "fatwa," or the death decree, that was issued against him more than two decades earlier by Iran's former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

The decree was mainly because of allegations of blasphemy against the writer, specifically because of content from his novel "The Satanic Verses."

Soon after the decree, Rushdie was forced into hiding and was under the protection of constant security until the threat eventually died down.

Because of this seemingly improving situation, the writer once again returned to the life of travel he enjoyed the most and eventually dished out his recent works: "Quichotte" and "Victory City."

As Rushdie delved into in his new memoir, he already had an embedded fear for his life and had imagined the appearance of his "public assassin" long before the now-infamous attack.

However, once the 2022 incident played out he was still brought back to that initial feeling of utter horror, describing it as the return of a "murderous ghost from the past" trying to settle a life debt.

Despite all that, Rushdie himself said he has grown "stronger in body and mind" after recovering from the attack and will return to partaking in annual events he religiously attended beforehand like the PEN America Gala.

As per the author, the brush by death's hand may impart a great deal of loneliness, but the words of others can pull you out of that hole and "make you feel that you're not alone."
Jalisco murder suspect captured in Cozumel as local drug pusher

Cozumel, Q.R.  The main suspect in a murder case in Jalisco has been arrested in Cozumel. The State Attorney General has reported on the capture of Alvaro Jose N on an outstanding arrest warrant.

Alvaro Jose N was taken into custody on the island in collaboration with the Jalisco State Prosecutors Office. According to local authorities, Alvaro Jose N has been a wanted fugitive since February 10, 2022 for his probable participation in the crime of homicide.

Investigative agents assigned to the Specialized Prosecutors Office in Combating Drug Dealing detained Alvaro Jose N on Calle 3 Sur B in the San Gervasio neighborhood. During his arrest, he was found in possession of a variety of narcotics.

The first acts of investigation indicate that the detainee is part of a violent criminal group dedicated to the distribution of drugs in the municipality of Cozumel. His function is to carry out intelligence work within the criminal structure on the island, they reported.

Alvaro Jose N remains in Quintana Roo custody but will be handed over to agents of the state of Jalisco for his return to face charges.
New police security booth delivered for Tulum Hotel Zone

Tulum, Q.R.  Businessmen from Tulum delivered a new security booth that was built in the Tulum Hotel Zone. The new building will contribute to the reinforcement of public security in the hotel zone, Governor Mara Lezama said in a statement.

The building was handed over to the municipal government and the Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR) Monday.

Governor Mara Lezama was invited to the opening of the booth which is outfitted with security cameras, a command office, medical dispensary, citizen service area, dormitory for 20 officers, toilets, food area, water, electricity, gas and internet services and four ATVs to monitor the hotel zone.

This is a great step to work as a team, together with private society, businessmen, government, all hand-in-hand in building peace and tranquility. The objective is to take care of the citizens, of course the tourists, said Governor Lezama.

This security booth is located adjacent to the Shibari Hotel. To formalize this delivery, an agreement will be signed between the group of investors, the Secretary of the Navy and the Municipality of Tulum.

The new police security booth was delivered to the Tulum Hotel Zone Monday. Photo: April 15, 2024.

Governor Mara Lezama was accompanied by the Director of the Shibari Hotel, Miguel Soto, as a representative of the business sector, David Mena, President of the Tulum Hotel Association, the Secretary of Citizen Security, Julio Cesar Gomez Torres, the person in charge of the Office of the Tulum City Council, Fili Manances Tah Balam, and councilors.
A TMJ patient in Maine had six surgeries to replace part or all of the joints of her jaw.

Another woman in California, desperate for relief, used a screwdriver to lengthen her jawbone daily, turning screws that protruded from her neck.

A third in New York had bone from her rib and fat from her belly grafted into her jaw joint, and twice a prosthetic eyeball was surgically inserted into the joint as a placeholder in the months it took to make metal hinges to implant into her jaw.

I feel like Mr. Potato Head, said Jenny Feldman, 50, of New York City, whose medical records show shes had at least 24 TMJ-related surgeries since she was a teenager. Theyre moving ribs into my face, and eyeballs, and I feel like a toy  put together [by] somebody just tinkering around.

These are some of the horrors of temporomandibular joint disorders, known as TMJ or TMD, which afflict up to 33 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Dentists have attempted to heal TMJ patients for close to a century, and yet the disorders remain misunderstood, under-researched, and ineffectively treated, according to an investigation by KFF Health News and CBS News.

Dental care for TMJ can do patients more harm than good, and a few fall into a spiral of futile surgeries that may culminate in their jaw joints being replaced with metal hinges, according to medical and dental experts, patients, and their advocates speaking in interviews and video testimony submitted to the FDA.

TMJ disorders cause pain and stiffness in the jaw and face that can range from discomfort to disabling, with severe symptoms far more common in women. Dentists have commonly treated the disorder with splints and orthodontics. And yet these treatments are based on strongly held beliefs and inadequate research  not compelling scientific evidence nor consistent results  according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, which reviewed decades of research on the topic. The NIH echoes this message, warning that there is not a lot of evidence that splints reduce pain and recommends staying away from any treatment that permanently changes the teeth, bite, or jaw.

I would say that the treatments overall have not been effective, and I can understand why, said Rena DSouza, director of the NIHs National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. We dont understand the disease.

For this investigation, journalists with KFF Health News and CBS News interviewed 10 TMJ patients with severe symptoms who said they felt trapped by an escalating series of treatments that began with splints or dental work and grew into multiple surgeries with diminishing returns and dwindling hope.

In every interview, the patients said the TMJ pain worsened throughout their treatment and they regretted some, if not all, of the care they received.

The grand irony to me is that I went to the doctor for headaches and neck pain, and Ive had 13 surgeries on my face and jaw, and I still have even worse neck pain, said Tricia Kalinowski, 63, of Old Orchard Beach, Maine. And I live with headaches and jaw pain every day.

TMJ has become an umbrella term for about 30 disorders that afflict roughly 5% to 10% of Americans. Minor symptoms may not require treatment at all, and many cases resolve by themselves over time. Severe symptoms include chronic pain and may limit the ability to eat, sleep, or talk.

In a comprehensive study of TMJ disorders by the national academies, including input from more than 110 patients, experts found that most health care professionals, including dentists, have received minimal or no training on TMJ disorders and patients are often harmed by overly aggressive care and the lack of proven treatments.

The American Dental Association, which represents about 160,000 dentists nationwide and establishes guidelines for the profession, declined an interview request. In a written statement, ADA President Linda Edgar said that TMJ disorders are often managed rather than cured and that it sees great potential in new efforts to research more treatment options.

Terrie Cowley, a longtime TMJ patient who leads the TMJ Association, an advocacy group that has spoken with tens of thousands of patients, said she was so disillusioned with dental care for TMJ that she advises many patients to avoid treatment entirely, potentially for years.

Almost 100 years this has been in dentistry, and look at what we have, Cowley said. A whole ton of people pretending they know everything, and we dont know anything.

Not Taken Seriously

Scientific studies have found that TMJ disorders arise up to nine times as often in women, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, leading to theories that the cause may be linked to reproductive hormones. But a true understanding of TMJ disorders remains elusive.

Kyriacos Athanasiou, a biomedical engineering professor at the University of California-Irvine, said it was because TMJ disorders are more prevalent among women that they were historically dismissed as neither serious nor complex, slowing research into the cause and treatment.

The resulting dearth of knowledge, which is glaring when compared with other joints, has been a huge disservice to patients, Athanasiou said. In a 2021 study he co-authored, researchers found that the knee, despite being a much simpler joint, was the subject of about six times as many research papers and grants in a single year than the jaw joint.

DSouza agreed that TMJ disorders were not taken seriously for decades, along with other conditions that predominantly affect women.

That has been a bias that is really long-standing, she said. And its certainly affected the progress of research.

Patients have felt the effect too. In interviews, female patients said they felt patronized or trivialized by male health care providers at some point in their TMJ treatment, if not throughout. Some said they felt blamed for their own pain because they were viewed as too stressed and clenching their jaw too much.

We desperately need research to find the reasons why more women get TMJ disease, wrote Lisa Schmidt, a TMJ Association board member, in a 2021 newsletter from the organization. And surgeons need to stop blaming this condition on women.

Schmidt, 52, of Poway, California, said she was diagnosed with TMJ disorder in 2000 due to headaches, and an orthodontist immediately recommended her for a splint, braces, and surgery.

After wearing the splint for only three days, Schmidt said, she was in excruciating pain and could no longer open her mouth far enough to eat solid food. Schmidt said she spent the next 17 years stuck on a surgery carousel with no escape, and eventually was in so much pain she abandoned her career as an aerospace scientist who worked alongside NASA astronauts.

Schmidt said her low point came in 2016. In an attempt to restore bone that had been cut away in prior surgeries, a surgeon implanted long screws into Schmidts jaw that protruded downward out of her neck. Schmidt said she was instructed to tighten those screws with a screwdriver daily for about 20 days, lengthening the corners of her jaw to restore the bone that had been lost. It didnt work, Schmidt said, and she was left in more pain than ever.

Every time you have a surgery, your pain gets worse, Schmidt said. If I could go back in time and go talk to younger Lisa, I would say Run!

Lack of Sufficient Evidence

Many of the shortcomings of TMJ care were laid bare in the 426-page report published by the national academies in March 2020 that received limited public attention amid the coronavirus pandemic. The reports 18 authors include medical and dental experts from Harvard, Duke, Clemson, Michigan State, and Johns Hopkins universities.

Sean Mackey, a Stanford professor who co-led the team, said it found that patients were often steered toward costly treatments and pathways of futility instead of being taught to manage their pain through strategies and therapies with good evidence.

We learned its a quagmire, Mackey said. There is a perverse incentive in our society that pays more for things we do to people than [for] talking and listening to people.  Some of those procedures, some of those surgeries, clearly are not helping people.

Among its many findings, the national academies said it has been widely assumed in the field of dentistry that TMJ disorders are caused by a misaligned bite, so treatments have focused on patients teeth and bite for more than 50 years. But there is a notable absence of sufficient evidence that a misaligned bite is a cause of TMJ disorders, and the belief traces back to inadequate research in the 1960s that has been repeated in poorly-designed studies ever since, the report states.

Therefore, TMJ treatment that makes permanent changes to the bite  like installing braces or crowns or grinding teeth down  has no supporting evidence, according to the national academies report. The NIH warns that these TMJ treatments dont work and may make the problem worse.

Dental splints, the most common TMJ treatment, also known as night guards or mouth guards, are removable dental appliances that are molded to fit over the teeth and can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars out-of-pocket, according to the TMJ Association. Like most medical devices, splints generally go through the FDAs 510(k) clearance process, which does not require each splint to be proven effective before it can be sold, according to the agency.

The national academies report states that splints produce mixed results for TMJ patients, and even when splints succeed at reducing jaw pain it is not understood why they work. Hundreds of splint designs exist, the report states, and some dentists reject research that challenges the use of splints unless it focuses on the specific design they prefer.

Because of the hundreds of variations in [splint] design, it is unlikely that any study could ever be conducted that will be considered sufficient to a particular dentist with a pre-existing belief about the effectiveness of one appliance, the report states.

Other treatments fare no better. The FDA has not labeled any drugs specifically for TMJ disorders, and pain medicines can be too weak or addictive to be a long-term solution, according to the TMJ Association. Botox injections may ease pain but have raised concerns about bone loss during animal testing. The NIH warns that minor surgeries that flush the jaw with liquid bring only temporary pain relief and that more complex surgeries should be reserved for severe cases because they have yet to be proved safe or effective in the long term.

To improve care, the national academies called for better education about TMJ disorders across medicine and dentistry and more research funding from the NIH, which has a ripple effect on research and training across the nation.

Since the 2020 report, the NIH has launched a TMJ research collaborative and increased annual research funding from about $15 million to about $34 million, DSouza said. TMJ care was added to the standards that dental schools must teach to be accredited in 2022. The national academies launched an ongoing forum on TMJ disorders last year.

But TMJ funding still pales in comparison to other ailments. The NIH spends billions each year to research deadly diseases, like cancer and heart disease, that also afflict large numbers of Americans. It spends millions more on research of non-life-threatening conditions like arthritis, back pain, eczema, and headaches.

Mackey noted that much of the NIHs spending is allocated by Congress.

If Congress comes in and says, We want to devote X amount of money to [TMJ], all of the sudden you will see an increase in money, Mackey said. So thats my message to people out there: Raise your voices. Write your legislator.

Total Jaw Replacements

Plagued by TMJ symptoms, and after failed treatments, some patients turn to a last resort: replacing their jaw joint with synthetic implants. Surgeons might replace the cartilage disk at the core of the joint or use total joint replacement surgery to fasten a metal hinge to the bones of the skull.

But the implants have a harrowing history: Several disk implants were recalled or discontinued in the 1990s due to dangerous failures. The FDA now classifies TMJ implants among its most closely monitored medical devices because the products on the market today can cause adverse health consequences if the devices fail, according to the agencys website.

Two companies, Zimmer Biomet and Stryker, make the only total jaw replacement implants currently sold in the U.S.

Zimmer Biomet, which has made its implant for more than two decades, described it in email statements as a safe and efficacious solution for patients who need their jaw joint replaced, either due to TMJ disorders, failed surgeries, injuries, or other ailments. An FDA-mandated study completed in 2017 found about 14% of patients who get the Zimmer Biomet implant require additional surgery or removal within 10 years, said agency spokesperson Carly Pflaum.

Stryker, which in 2021 bought a company that made a total jaw replacement implant and now makes the implant itself, declined to comment. Although the NIH has advised TMJ patients to avoid surgery since at least 2022, Stryker launched a patient-facing website for the implant last year and is recruiting surgeons to be added to a surgeon locator feature on the site, according to posts on Facebook and LinkedIn.

A study of the Stryker implants success rate was mandated by the FDA and completed in 2020, but the agency has yet to make the results public.

DSouza, the NIH official, said that based on her professional experience, she estimates that most total jaw replacement surgeries are ultimately ineffective.

The success rate is low, DSouza said. It is not very encouraging.

Multiple patients provided KFF Health News and CBS News with medical records showing their total jaw replacement implants had to be removed due to malfunction, infection, or previously unknown metal allergies. Several patients said that since their implants were removed months or years ago, they have lived with no hinge in their jaw at all.

Kalinowski, the TMJ patient in Maine, has had portions of her jaw joint replaced six times, including receiving four implants. Her medical records show that the cartilage disk on her right side was replaced in 1986 with an implant that was later recalled and again in 1987 with another that was later discontinued. Her left and right disks were replaced in 1992 with a muscle flap and rib graft, respectively, and her entire right joint was replaced with yet another implant that was later discontinued in 1998. Both joints were replaced again in 2015, her records show.

Since then, Kalinowski said, her artificial jaw has functioned properly, although she remains in pain and cannot move her jaw from side to side. Her mouth hangs open when her face is at rest, and she drinks protein shakes for lunch because its easier than struggling with solid food.

But the worst part, Kalinowski said, is that her surgeries caused nerve damage on her lower face, and so she has not felt her husbands kisses since the 1990s.

If there was one moment in my life I could take back and do over again, it would be that first surgery. Because it set me on a trajectory, Kalinowski said. And it never goes away.

CBS News producer Nicole Keller contributed to this article. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

How much do prices for health services vary within a city? Prices vary more in some cities than in others
" " Those people are hanging out over a model of interferon gamma, an immune system protein, that researchers recently manipulated to change how mice interacted with other mice. George Clerk/Laguna Design/Getty

Key Takeaways

Emerging research suggests that the microbiome, the collection of microbes in our bodies, may influence our behavior and personality.

The gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in this interaction, with gut microbes communicating with the brain and potentially affecting mood and cognitive function.

Understanding how germs impact our personalities could lead to new insights into mental health and potential therapies.

Human brains are built for socialization. They evolved to support and thrive on the complex interpersonal behaviors required for species survival. Exactly how that came about is still unclear, but social neurologists generally believe the benefits of pair bonds and two-parent child-rearing drove the process.

In a curious twist, it now seems germs may have been involved, too.

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According to recent research, our immune-system responses may directly control some aspects of our personalities.

In a study published in the journal Nature in July, neuroscientists from the University of Massachusetts' medical school and the University of Virginia medical school's Kipnis Lab discovered they could control socialization behavior in mice by manipulating immune activity in the rodents' brains.

Like Flipping a Switch

To determine the social effects of disabling a particular immune response, the researchers timed how long mice spent checking each other out under both normal and immune-deficient conditions.

"Normal mice are very social and will always have a preference to investigate another mouse," Jonathan Kipnis, co-author on the Nature paper and chair of UVA's department of neuroscience, writes in an email.

That inquisitive behavior changed when they genetically blocked the signaling pathways of interferon gamma (IFN-), a protein secreted by immune-system cells to battle pathogens. Mice without IFN- spent less time checking out other mice. When the researchers reopened the pathways, the mice returned to their normal levels of social interest.

The findings raise the possibility that humans are, as Kipnis told UVA Today, "just multicellular battlefields for two ancient forces: pathogens and the immune system."

The Neuro-immune Connection

To fully grasp the significance of the discovery, it helps to know that until last year, science thought the immune system didn't reach the brain. According to anatomy textbooks, the mammalian brain has no lymphatics, the vessels that carry infection-fighting molecules almost everywhere else in the body.

In 2015, UVA scientists found the brain's lymphatics. (So did a research team from the University of Helsinki, around the same time, in a totally separate study, using a different method.) The news was revolutionary. For many, it was like finding a missing link.

Immune activity can have profound impacts on the brain, as in multiple sclerosis, a brain disorder caused by a malfunctioning immune system. And scientists have long seen a connection between behavior and immunity. Geriatric psychologist William Matteson notes that multiple sclerosis is often misdiagnosed as a mental illness due to the personality changes that can accompany it. Brain disorders like autism, Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, which have strong behavioral components, present with immune dysfunction. Anxiety disorders and depression have immune features, too.

In the search for effective treatments, if immune dysfunction is a cause and not a symptom, it changes everything.

An Evolving Relationship

Anthony J. Filiano, a neurology fellow in the Kipnis Lab and lead author of the latest study, says research from multiple sources is starting to bear out a causal relationship, especially in behaviors like learning and memory.

"A lot of the action of the immune system is initiated in a tissue's draining lymph node," Filiano explains in an email, "and we published a study in 2014 showing that surgically removing the deep cervical lymph nodes in mice caused memory impairment."

If immune activity enables normal socialization, as well, it could have dramatic implications for disease research. It suggests immune responses and social behavior evolved in tandem, which makes sense: Social species can't survive if socialization spreads disease. IFN- may serve to protect people from pathogens while they interact with others, in which case the immune system has some control over how we socialize  and a malfunctioning immune system could disrupt the brain activity that regulates healthy social behavior.

The New Neuroscience

While the findings are exciting, Kipnis is cautious.

"Determining if the immune system 'controls' human social behavior can only be speculated," he writes. "However, we know that directly manipulating the immune system in mice results in social deficits."

If the findings do translate to humans, it points to countless new, neuro-immune avenues of research for myriad brain conditions that feature both immune and social dysfunction, including autism, Alzheimer's and a slew of psychiatric disorders.

It also highlights what Kipnis sees as a disconnect in his field.

"Unlike what is thought by some neuroscientists," he writes, "[the] brain's health and proper function is dependent on many cells, including the immune cells." Focusing on neurons alone, Kipnis says, is inhibiting our understanding of the brain.

Filiano agrees.

"We should train the future generation of neuroscientists to be open-minded," he writes, "and to realize that there are more than neurons to neuroscience, no matter how important the neuron is as the functional unit."

The lab is currently exploring a role for the newly discovered brain lymphatics in multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

Now That's Direct A 2016 study out of Harvard found a particular immune response can produce the types of brain plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease.
Opening night for the much-anticipated Matt Gould and Carson Kretzer production of "Lempicka" finally came for Longacre Theatre on Broadway's 8th Avenue on Sunday, April 14, following previews held last March 19.

Helmed by Tony-winning director Rachel Chavkin, the new biographical musical follows the life of the titular queer artist and exiled Polish aristocrat: Tamara de Lempicka, in a goosebump-inducing series of art-world-infused musical numbers.

About the New Broadway Bio-Musical: 'Lempicka'

Eden Espinosa headlines the production as the illustrious Lempicka, a young aristocrat-turned-artist, who fled with her husband away from the rising contentions of the Russian Revolution at the time and into Paris.

After arriving, the artist then meets Rafaele, who eventually becomes her new muse, and helps Lempicka begin her ascent to success in the art world.

The book and lyrics, along with the original concept, are all credited to Kreitzer, while Gould is recognized for co-writing the book and composing the music.

As per the latter's interview with Playbill on the opening night of the show, the musical is the result of 14 grueling years of work, which is why Gould could not prevent himself from being emotional and expressing amazement on behalf of their production.

"It's a childhood dream come true to get to be here on Broadway doing a show about a queer artist," he said, voice subtly breaking. "This is the stuff we dream about as kids, making art here in this space."

Also present in the red carpet showing of the production are other cast members who starred opposite Espinosa, including Amber Iman, Beth Leavel, and Andrew Samonsky as Rafaela, The Baroness, and Tadeusz Lempicki, respectively.

They are joined by George Abud as Marinetti, Natalie Joy Johnson as Suzy Solidor, Zoe Glick as Kizette, and Nathaniel Stampley as the Baron.

For the full list of the cast and more information on the musical, click here. You can also sample what 'Lempicka' has to offer in the official music video of "Woman Is" right below.
SIOUX CITY  During Monday's Sioux City Council meeting, a handful of citizens spoke in support of the city's community inclusion liaison, who has been serving an indefinite suspension since February.

Some of them held artwork featuring Semehar Ghebrekidan's likeness, which was created by local artist Jessica Hammond. Hammond was among Ghebrekidan's supporters who addressed the council.

"This artwork I created is a representation of Semehar and all the beautiful work she does in our community. She's educated, highly qualified and recognized as a leader, not only locally, but nationally," Hammond said. "She listens to people. She connects people with the resources they need and gives everybody a chance for their voices to be heard."

Jessica Hammond speaks at City Council meeting Local artist Jessica Hammond speaks to the Sioux City Council Monday at City Hall in support of Semehar Ghebrekidan. Ghebrekidan, the city's c

According to an internal memo obtained by The Journal, Ghebrekidan was suspended with pay effective Feb. 21, pending the completion of an investigation concerning "violations of city work rules." Ghebrekidan, who has been employed with the city since 2021 and oversees the Inclusive Sioux City Advisory Committee, reports to the City Manager's Office and is not a department head.

City staff and council members have said little publicly about Ghebrekidan's suspension. City Attorney Nicole DuBois said personnel matters are confidential and "the city is prohibited from comments." DuBois also denied multiple open records requests concerning Ghebrekidan's suspension, which were made by The Journal under the Freedom of Information Act. Mayor Bob Scott previously said Ghebrekidan has hired an attorney, so the City Council doesn't "have the privilege or the opportunity to say anything in the public about that."

On Monday, Scott read a prepared statement that said the city and the council is "committed to creating more opportunities for inclusivity" and supports the efforts of the Inclusive Sioux City Advisory Committee, which provides guidance to the council on matters relating to diversity, inclusion and equity. Scott said the "personnel matter" involving Ghebrekidan "will not be discussed publicly."

"With that, that doesn't mean citizens can't speak to the council that is unable to respond," he said.

Greg Guelcher, a history professor at Morningside University and founder of the Yamanashi City Sister City Committee, told the council he's gotten to know Ghebrekidan through on-campus activities. He said Ghebrekidan has met with "multiple and diverse campus groups" and shared a message that is meant to "encourage young people to get more involved in the community."

"I want to emphasize, simply, that Semehar has always been a pleasure to work with. I found Semehar to be professional, organized, thoughtful, welcoming and very enthusiastic about the sister city project," he said. "I hope to be able to work with Semehar again."

Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore thanked those who spoke for their remarks.

On March 28, LaShawna Moyle, the Inclusive Sioux City Committee's chair, and two other members, Sara Berntson and Erica Carter, met with City Manager Bob Padmore and Councilman Alex Watters, according to a source familiar with the meeting.

A recording of that closed-door meeting, which is just over an hour in length, was obtained by The Journal. Since Iowa requires one-party consent, one person can legally record a conversation without telling the other person.

"She's not being punished for anything, right now. It's  she's being investigated for some things that have happened," Padmore said on the recording of Ghebrekidan. "I'm frustrated that it's five weeks in and I can't tell you when it's going to end. I'm hoping sooner than later."

Padmore stressed the Inclusive Sioux City movement is very important to the city.

"People are watching what we're doing. I think the best thing that we can do is show that Inclusive Sioux City as a committee and as a movement in our community is alive and well and moving forward," he said.

Semehar Ghebrekidan supporters Citizens hold up artwork featuring suspended Sioux City cultural inclusion liaison Semehar Ghebrekidan's likeness, during Monday's City Counci

On Wednesday, the 11-member committee held its first monthly meeting at City Hall without Ghebrekidan. Trisha Rivers, a Sioux City resident and member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, called on city leaders to be transparent.

"I really don't like the fact that our leadership is going to different people in this community like it's not going to come back to us. We deserve transparency, too. We're a governmental body, too. So please, continuing forward, I urge you to have all stakeholders at future meetings. Let's be transparent. Let's air it all out," Rivers said.

The idea for the committee came out of meetings between city staff and Sioux City NAACP leadership in the wake of protests that erupted in May 2020, following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by an ex-Minneapolis police officer. The talks were designed to explore how the city could begin moving forward.

Ghebrekidan worked in a variety of diversity, equity and inclusion positions throughout her time in college. Before coming to work for the City of Sioux City, she was employed as an HIV case manager at Siouxland Community Health Center.

In March 2023, Ghebrekidan was honored during the 38th annual Women of Excellence Awards ceremony with the award for "Women Striving to Improve the Quality of Life." Then, in November, Ghebrekidan launched a campaign for a vacated Sioux City school board seat. She ultimately lost the election to Dan Greenwell, who is currently serving the two-year term on the board.

'Work through the harm' - Sioux City committee member says as liaison suspension continues On the recording, Watters said he doesn't think the city does a "good enough job" of reflecting the community within City Hall's walls and expressed disappointment about being unable to defend himself against negative comments made at a March 18 council meeting.
WASHINGTON  The first criminal trial facing former President Donald Trump is also the one in which Americans are least convinced he committed a crime, a new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll finds.

Only about one-third of U.S. adults say Trump did something illegal in the hush money case for which jury selection began Monday, while close to half think he did something illegal in the other three criminal cases pending against him.

They're fairly skeptical that Trump is getting a fair shake from the prosecutors in the case  or that the judge and jurors can be impartial in cases involving him.

Still, half of Americans would consider Trump unfit to serve as president if he is convicted of falsifying business documents to cover up hush money payments to a woman who said he had a sexual encounter with her.

While a New York jury will decide whether to convict Trump of felony charges, public opinion of the trial proceedings could hurt him politically. The poll suggests a conviction could hurt Trump's campaign.

Trump enters a rematch with President Joe Biden as the first presumptive nominee of a major party  and the first former president  to be under indictment. A verdict is expected in about six weeks, well before the Republican National Convention, where he'll accept the GOP nomination.

Trump has made the prosecutions against him a centerpiece of his campaign and claimed without evidence that Biden, a Democrat, engineered the cases. That argument helped him consolidate GOP support during the Republican primary, but a conviction might influence how many Americans  including independent voters and people long skeptical of Trump  perceive his candidacy.

"Any conviction should disqualify him," said Callum Schlumpf, a 31-year-old engineering student and political independent from Clifton, Texas. "It sets a bad example to the rest of the world. I think it misrepresents us, as a country, as to what we believe is important and virtuous."

Yet only about 3 in 10 Americans feel that any of the prosecutors who have brought charges against Trump are treating the former president fairly. Only about 2 in 10 Americans are extremely or very confident that the judges and jurors in the cases against him can be fair and impartial.

"It's very obvious political persecution," said Christopher Ruff, a 46-year-old political independent and museum curator from Sanford, North Carolina. "I'm no fan of Trump in any way, shape or form. Didn't vote for him, never will. But it's obviously all political."

Consistent with AP-NORC polls conducted over the past year, the new poll found that about half of Americans say Trump did something illegal regarding the classified documents found at his Florida home, and a similar share think he did something illegal regarding his alleged attempt to interfere in Georgia's vote count in the 2020 presidential election. The poll also found that nearly half of Americans believe he did something illegal related to his effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Prosecutors in New York will argue that Trump falsified his company's internal records to hide the true nature of a payment to his former lawyer Michael Cohen. Cohen alleges he was directed by Trump to pay adult film actor Stormy Daniels $130,000 one month before the 2016 election to silence her claims about an extramarital sexual encounter with Trump.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 34-count indictment and denied any sexual encounter with Daniels.

The poll found that 35% of Americans say Trump did something illegal with regard to the hush money allegations. Slightly fewer, about 3 in 10, think he did something unethical without breaking the law. Fourteen percent think he did nothing wrong at all. Those numbers haven't shifted meaningfully in the year since he was first charged in the case.

Republicans are much less likely than Democrats and independents to say Trump committed a crime in the hush money case.

Fewer than one in 10 Republicans say Trump did something illegal in the case, while 4 in 10 Republicans think he did something unethical but did not break the law. About 3 in 10 Republicans say he did nothing wrong.

By contrast, about 6 in 10 Democrats and roughly 3 in 10 independents believe he did something illegal.

Nearly 6 in 10 Republicans say they would consider Trump fit to be president even if he were to be convicted of falsifying business documents in the hush money case. About 8 in 10 Democrats say Trump would not be fit to serve in the event of a conviction.

Monica Brown, a Democrat from Knoxville, Tennessee, thinks Trump did something unethical, though not illegal, in the New York criminal case under way. But a conviction would ruin his credibility to serve as president, she said.

"I don't believe any president  whether it's Donald Trump or anyone else  should have a criminal conviction on his record," said Brown, a 60-year-old veterinary technician and social worker. "Even if it's related to something like hush money, what respect are they going to get from anyone? Citizens of the country or world leaders, they aren't going to respect you."

Photos: Scenes from Donald Trump's hush money trial
DES MOINES  Automated traffic enforcement cameras would not be banned in Sioux City and other cities in Iowa but they would be regulated and their use limited under legislation receiving final approval from lawmakers Monday.

The legislation, which requires local authorities to receive a permit from the state to place a traffic camera and stipulates how local governments would be required to spend revenue from tickets, needs only Gov. Kim Reynolds signature to become law.

That a traffic camera bill is headed to Reynolds desk is a significant development, where previous legislative attempts  mostly to ban the devices  over the course of multiple years have failed.

But momentum for addressing traffic cameras built during this years session as more of the devices have cropped up across Iowa.

This has been a long time coming. I think five or six years weve debated this, Sen. Tony Bisignano, a Democrat from Des Moines, said Monday during debate in the Senate. We were in such a tie down of ban or no ban that this came to make sense. There is a need for automated traffic cameras, especially in the urban areas.

As of January, the states nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency  which provides statistical analysis for the Iowa Legislature  found 25 cities in Iowa with automated traffic enforcement cameras operating in the 2023 fiscal year. The agency was able to obtain data on traffic camera usage in 10 of those cities, including Sioux City.

Sioux City had nine fixed red light traffic cameras and two mobile speed kiosks operating in fiscal 2022, according to the agency. The city issued 9,775 citations and collected fines of $100 apiece on 41 percent of those, collecting $264,240 in revenue, according to the analysis. The camera provider received $264,240.

The Legislative Services Agency did not have accurate full year data for fiscal 2023 for Sioux City because the city changed its provider.

Iowas 377 traffic deaths in 2023 were the states most since 2016, and the states 11.2 percent increase in vehicle-related deaths from 2022 to 2023 was the nations fourth-highest, according to a recent federal report.

Sioux City speed camera Traffic moves past a speed camera kiosk in the 4700 block of South Lakeport Street, near Stoneridge Parkway in this Journal file photo.

How the law would work

Under the approved legislation, House File 2681:

Local governments would be required to obtain a permit from the Iowa Department of Transportation to place an automated traffic enforcement camera on any Iowa road. Existing cameras would be allowed to continue operation until Oct. 1, but local governments must obtain an Iowa DOT permit to continue them beyond that point.

When applying for a permit, the local authority would be required to provide supporting data, including traffic and crash figures that illustrate why a traffic camera is needed in that location.

Cameras could be used to cite only drivers who fail to yield or stop at a traffic signal-controlled intersection or railroad crossing, or who exceed the speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour. Local authorities would be required to review and approve a record of the alleged traffic violation captured by a traffic camera before a citation is issued. Sioux City, among other cities, already meets the requirements.

Cities with a population of 20,000 or less would be prohibited from issuing fines from violations observed by mobile automated traffic enforcement cameras  equipment installed in a vehicle or trailer parked along a shoulder. Those cities could issue only warnings for violations observed by mobile devices.

Local governments would be required to spend post-installation and maintenance revenue from traffic camera citations on transportation infrastructure projects or police or fire department operations.

Of the 10 cities for which the Legislative Services Agency was able to acquire traffic camera usage data, six send traffic camera ticket revenue to the citys general fund. Sioux City directs its revenue to public safety expenses.

What lawmakers said about the bill

Those who have sought to ban automated traffic cameras say their use violates constitutional due process.

This bill was a good first step. However, it is still my belief the traffic enforcement cameras are unconstitutional and a money grab, Sen. Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale who has led the charge on traffic camera legislation in previous years  usually in an attempt to ban them  told The Gazette.

Zaun voted in favor of the bill, which passed the Senate on a near-unanimous, 46-1 vote. It previously passed the House, 85-12.

Mike Klimesh, a Republican from Spillville who was that towns mayor for 22 years, said during Senate debate that he believes the legislation establishes a very robust regulatory framework that requires local governments to justify the need for traffic cameras.

Reynolds office did not respond to a request for comment on the legislation.

Hands-free requirement fails

This year, in an attempt to secure enough votes to pass his legislation, Zaun combined his proposed traffic camera ban with a proposal that drivers use only hands-free technology when operating a mobile device  a provision that is highly sought by law enforcement officials.

That combination upset some Iowans, including advocates for the hands-free requirement, who want to see it passed into law.

Law enforcement officials have asked lawmakers in recent years to pass legislation to ban hand-held use of mobile devices while driving in Iowa. Officers say the states prohibition on texting while driving, enacted in 2017, is difficult to enforce because drivers can say they instead were making a call or using the devices GPS, which still is allowed under Iowa law.

A proposed hands-free requirement, Senate File 547, overwhelmingly passed the Iowa Senate last year, but the House hit the brakes.

Despite data showing the dangers of phone use while driving, Rep. Brian Best, a Republican from Glidden who chairs the House Transportation Committee, said there are not enough votes among House Republicans to pass the bill in the GOP-controlled chamber.

Im disappointed. I wish we could have done something with it. But its just not going to happen this year, Best said. Maybe next year  with retirements, maybe there will be some different ideologies that come in that might support it.

But I think theres just a group that kind of felt like there was an infringement on the rights of drivers to be picked up for just having a phone in your hand.

Best, who is not running for re-election, said he believes pressure is mounting to eventually pass a hands-free requirement.

I hope it doesnt take some type of huge tragedy to get everybody on board, he said.

The Journal's Dave Dreeszen and the Cedar Rapids Gazette's Tom Barton contributed to this report.
Lubica Roskova, a psychologist, ran a firm that applied for agricultural subsidies for non-existent arable land.

Former Smer MP Lubica Roskova in a courtroom in Pezinok, western Slovakia, on April 12, 2024. (Source: TASR - Martin Baumann)

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On Tuesday, the Specialised Criminal Court found former Smer MP Lubica Roskova guilty of fraud and damaging the EUs financial interests, due to obtaining agricultural subsidies for fictitious arable land during the Smer partys reign in Slovakia.

From 2016 to 2017, the 69-year-old former lawmaker obtained 152,000 from the Agricultural Paying Agency.

My client did nothing wrong, Roskovas lawyer Ondrej Urban said last week, as quoted by Dennik N. Even if she had committed the crime, the prosecutor proved nothing, he added, questioning the presented evidence.

Judge Milan Cisarik disagreed, saying that Roskova used farming as a cover for receiving agricultural subsidies. He reclassified the crime and sentenced Roskova, who headed the Smer partys branch in the Michalovce district, eastern Slovakia, to a three-year probation. She will also have to pay the sum that she received from the paying agency.

Roskova, who is infamously known as the Countess, had originally faced 7-12 years in prison.

The verdict is not final yet. Like Roskovas lawyer, Prosecutor Matus Harkabus has appealed.

Were not satisfied with the legal qualification of the crime for which she was found guilty, the prosecutor explained, as quoted by the news agency SITA.

Yet, he welcomed the guilty verdict.
Drinking coffee has a way of speeding things up in the tum-tum, of greasing the wheels of gastrointestinal commerce. Coffee makes you poop is what Im trying to get at (though not everyone, inexplicably). But its not just drinking coffee thatll give you a certain sense of urgency. Turns out, just being in places where coffee is frequently served can make it go-time for some. Coffee shops, book stores, and heck, even shopping malls can give folks the urgent need to make a restroom break.

But dont just take my word for it. Dr. Saurabh Sethi is a gastroenterologist/social media personality (find a more cursed phrase than that, Ill wait) who took to TikTok to explain to his 350,000 followers how the two are correlated. As reported by Daily Mail, this particular phenomenon even has a name: the Mariko Aoki phenomenon, named after a woman in Japan who wrote into a magazine about experiencing it. In short, every time she was walking around a book store, she felt the overwhelming urge to use the restroom.

The phenomenon is present at coffee shops as well. Much like coffees effect on the bowels, scientists are entirely sure of what it causing the urge, but they have a few leading candidates. Most of the theories revolve around smells. The smell of coffee, as well as those of ink and paper, are thought to have a laxative effect on individuals; caffeine in particular has been showing to stimulate colon contractions even without being consumed. Other theories suggest that the leaning over and bending downas one does when perusing a book shelfmassages the digestive organs and leads to an easier time passing a bowel movement.

For some, this is a bit of a godsend. Finding relief from constipation just by looking for new reading material is a simple and effective solution. And theres synergy there. What else are you going to do for those 10? 15? minutes other than read that new book you just found? Just make sure you pay for it first. Just remember, its like Jimmy Johns says: Smells are free. But bathrooms may not be.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240415/it-sets-precedent-israels-conflict-with-iran-shows-potential-to-spiral-1117949992.html

'It Sets Precedent': Israel's Conflict With Iran Shows Potential to Spiral

'It Sets Precedent': Israel's Conflict With Iran Shows Potential to Spiral

Sputnik International

Maloof joined Sputniks Fault Lines on Monday. Speaking to the shows hosts, Maloof said that the Israelis attack on a diplomatic compound has set a precedent for how other countries may approach foreign affairs.

2024-04-15T23:58+0000

2024-04-15T23:58+0000

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On Saturday, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said. The attack was a response to Israels airstrike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital in early April. According to the IDF, Israel had intercepted 99% of the aerial targets fired by Iran, including all drones.It was later reported that at least nine Iranian missiles hit two of Israels air bases during the attack, damaging infrastructure. Five ballistic missiles hit Israels Nevatim air base, damaging a C-130 military transport aircraft, a runway and storage facilities, while four more missiles hit an Israeli air base in the Negev desert, though no significant damage was reported.Michael Maloof, a former senior security policy analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, an author and political commentator, joined Sputniks Fault Lines on Monday. Speaking to the shows hosts, Maloof said that the Israelis attack on a diplomatic compound has set a precedent for how other countries may approach foreign affairs.The fact that the Israelis attacked a diplomatic compound, there is an international convention on consulates to protect them. No matter whether they're friend or foe, you don't attack consulates. Now, the fact that Israelis did this means that all other consulates of every country are going to be fair game if you don't like them, the former senior security policy analyst said. That's what this is. It sets precedent. International law set by precedent.Sputniks Melik Abdul then asked whether Israel wanted to involve the US in a larger, regional war.The Israelis would not have done it unless and until they knew they had the US where they wanted them in terms of commitment. Not only logistically but financially, and that's when they made their move and to bomb a diplomatic facility with impunity the way they did in another country, another sovereign country, I might add, answered Maloof.I think that this is something that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu has been savoring and salivating over for some time. He wanted to get the US engaged. He's done that even though Biden says, well, we're not going to support any offensive effort against Iran. But, once attacks begin, how do you distinguish between offense and defense? Maloof continued.When asked what could happen next regarding a potential retaliation from Israel, Maloof responded that he has been hearing conflicting reports.Number one I'm hearing, into this morning, is that they're still mulling over what reaction they're gonna have in retaliation. But on the other hand, The Times of Israel published a story saying that in the conversation between Biden and Netanyahu, Netanyahu agreed that he would not launch a counterattack, said Maloof of Israel.Biden has laid the groundwork that we will not agree to work with them on an offensive, but what happens if Israel starts it anyway? Are we going to say, no, we're not doing it? No, we're not. I mean, the repercussions in this country would be very, very great, particularly in the Congress, Maloof said. And so, Netanyahu's basically going to call Biden's bluff and I think that Netanyahu will win.It was reported on Monday that Netanyahu had asked the IDF to list possible targets in Iran to send a message to Tehran without causing casualties. Israel could strike Iran with a cyberattack, for instance. Israel reportedly wants to attack Iran in a way that would not anger its allies or undermine opportunities of building an alliance against Iran.We see [Antony] Blinken running around all the time and he might as well just stay home because he's totally useless. So, there's no projection of strength and authority coming out of this administration and Netanyahu and other countries have picked up on that.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240415/us-hard-pressed-to-react-as-iran-gets-complete-map-of-israeli-defense-capabilities-1117944044.html

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'Nothing You Can Do to Stop Us': Iran's Strikes on Israeli Bases 'Establish Deterrence'

'Nothing You Can Do to Stop Us': Iran's Strikes on Israeli Bases 'Establish Deterrence'

Sputnik International

Former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter urged observers to look beyond Israel and the United States framing of Irans retaliatory strike, noting Tehran was able to successfully deal damage to Israeli military assets.

2024-04-15T22:53+0000

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Former United Nations weapons inspector Scott Ritter stressed that Iran is playing the long game in its dealings with Israel, carefully calibrating its actions to restore deterrence against the country rather than concerning itself with world opinion.The former US Marine Corps intelligence officer offered the analysis on Sputnik's Fault Lines program Monday, challenging the perception that Israel is in a stronger position after intercepting most of Irans retaliatory strikes over the weekend.The point is prior to this Israel had established a dominance  I'll call it deterrence dominance, claimed Ritter. Meaning that, from an Israeli perspective, nobody should ever dare attack Israel, that Israel has let it be known that if you attack Israel, there will be a ten-fold response, that your life would end, it would be horrible, you can't do it. And, for the most part, people didn't attack Israel.Israel frequently bombs Syrian airports and other infrastructure and has been illegally occupying the countrys Golan Heights territory since 1967. In 1982 the Israeli military bombed the Lebanese capital of Beirut so aggressively the US President Ronald Reagan referred to the event as a holocaust, hurting the feelings of Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin.Observers also suggest Zionist opposition to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein played a role in the United States decision to invade the country and remove him from power in 2003. It's very clear: Israel had the most influence in this and more so since we know how the Israelis were running into the Pentagon consulting with Rumsfeld and all those guys without even having to show any badge or anything, former CIA Analyst Ray McGovern claimed on Sputniks The Critical Hour program recently.And then they struck the wrong target, said Ritter, referring to Israels recent strike on Irans diplomatic compound in Syria earlier this month. You see, Iran said, we have a great latitude for pain because we'll absorb that pain, because we recognize that in a broader sense of the word Iran is prevailing strategically against Israel, especially when it comes to Gaza and the Israeli defeat that is ongoing in Gaza.The job wasn't to say, we're going to hurt you. The job was to say, hey, Israel, look around you. Right now you have America's most sophisticated X-band radar to give you intelligence when we launch our missiles you have the whole world coming to your assistance to protect you and you can't stop our missiles from hitting your most important bases. That's the future, if you dare attack us again.Israel has claimed in public statements that it was allegedly able to intercept most of Irans strikes and prevent major damage. But the country has conspicuously forbidden journalists from observing the aftermath of the attack on Israels bases, notes former CIA analyst Larry Johnson. Video posted to social media appeared to show several hypersonic missiles striking Israels Ramon military airbase in the Negev desert.Host Jamarl Thomas pushed back on Ritters analysis, asking, At the point where their generals keep getting murdered, are you really projecting that level of strength if ultimately you are just choreographing in this way?... Is it really a projection of strength if you're choreographing what you're doing?You're referring to the Iranian attack on al-Assad airbase after the [US] assassination of Qasem Soleimani and the fact Iran telegraphed that so that they struck empty buildings and they didn't kill Americans, Ritter responded. Let's look at it this way. When Iran shot down a Global Hawk [US drone] and Donald Trump wanted to bomb Iranian air defense sites, did he? The answer's no. Why? Because the Pentagon said they'll kill everybody. They just set their deterrence. They showed us what they got, and we got nothing to defend against it.Iran doesn't want a shooting match with the United States, Ritter argued. They wanted to avoid it, and they have done so. The United States is scared to death of bombing Iran, of creating a conflict because they know what Iran will do. Iran will flatten every single American military base with the range of their missiles. And if the United States takes its next step, Iran will shut down international oil supplies and the economy will crash, and Joe Biden will never get reelected.Ritter insisted that Iran attacked Israel in such a way that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could save face and back down while also revealing Tehrans capabilities if Israel strikes it again.All those things that were shot down  understand those were designed to be shot down, he claimed. Iran put a program together with the United States that said, we're going to let you shoot all this stuff down so you feel good. But in the end our good stuff hit the bases, just so you know that we can do that anytime we want, and there's nothing you can do to stop us.Ritter also claimed Iran is focused on economic development rather than seeking military conflict with Tel Aviv.They've been focused on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, they've been focused on BRICS, they've been focused on their strategic pivot to the East, he noted. So for them to come in and do this feel good thing to make you, me and everybody else feel good  because apparently that's what this is about, making the larger audience that has nothing to do with Iran feel good about the Iranian response  they don't care.Haaretz [newspaper]  I think a day before the Iranian retaliation  came out with a headline story that said Israel's lost this thing, it's over. I mean, there's nothing Israel could do to turn this around in Gaza. They've lost the world. They can't defeat Hamas. Hamas is emerging still intact militarily, they're stronger politically. And Iran's like, we want to sustain that, too. We don't want to distract the world with this larger Israeli-Iranian conflict, we want to keep the focus on Palestinian statehood.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/anarcho-capitalist-president-javier-milei-wraps-elite-subservience-in-radical-package-1117950611.html

'Anarcho-Capitalist' President Javier Milei Wraps Elite Subservience in Radical Package

'Anarcho-Capitalist' President Javier Milei Wraps Elite Subservience in Radical Package

Sputnik International

Analyst Caleb Maupin joined Sputniks The Critical Hour program Monday to discuss the latest developments in Argentina, claiming the self-declared anarcho-capitalist Javier Milei is attempting to sell elite-friendly neoliberal economics in a faux-radical package.

2024-04-16T01:13+0000

2024-04-16T01:13+0000

2024-04-16T01:13+0000

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President Javier Milei isolated Argentina from economic partners and its South American neighbors recently with announced plans to consider sending military aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia.The controversial leader revealed the proposal during an interview with US-based news outlet CNN in which he called Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador ignorant and labeled Colombian leader Gustavo Petro a terrorist assassin. The impolitic remark about Petro led to Argentine diplomats being expelled from the countrys embassy in Bogota.The controversy comes as Mileis approval rating has sunk amidst unyielding protest in Argentina. The country is coping with widespread hunger for the first time since the early 2000s as Argentinas economic challenges continue. Milei has been criticized in recent days after police violently repressed demonstrators in the nations capital calling for support for the countrys soup kitchens.Analyst Caleb Maupin joined Sputniks The Critical Hour program on Monday to discuss the latest developments in Argentina, claiming the self-declared anarcho-capitalist Milei is attempting to sell elite-friendly neoliberal economics in a faux-radical package.I must say that I'm not shocked by Milei's behavior, said the journalist. He pulled Argentina out of the BRICS talks. He has been mouthing nothing but hatred for both China and Russia since coming into office. He's a huge supporter of Israel and its atrocities against the Palestinians and what's going on right now.A layer of people seem to blindly believe this man is somehow on their side simply because he espouses libertarianism, simply because he frames things in terms of fighting globalism, fighting socialism.Milei rose to prominence as a political commentator on Argentine television, known for his bombastic rhetoric and criticism of the countrys political establishment. Many observers gave the upstart candidate little chance of winning the countrys presidency late last year. But Milei was able to channel deep discontent over Argentinas dire economic straits after the Covid-19 pandemic into victory over Peronist candidate Sergio Massa.This existence  what some economists are referring to as the precariat, precarious employment  has made these folks very angry at the existing Argentine state that requires them to have certain licenses and taxes them at a substantially higher rate because theyre technically not employees, they're technically business owners, he explained. I think that needs to be addressed because that's an issue that's not just affecting Argentina, it's affecting our country.Maupin claimed that despite his anti-establishment rhetoric, Milei is merely pursuing familiar policies that place Argentina under the influence of Western financial institutions.He's now giving up Argentina's currency, he's trying to make Argentina at this point have the US dollar, Maupin noted. Look across the region. When Ecuador took these moves in the late 90s it completely destroyed Ecuador's economy. Ecuador had a man-made famine in 1999 where people were starving and dying of malnutrition.Neoliberalism is still the same, and free market policies are what the World Economic Forum and the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and these huge globalist institutions, it's what they've been pushing from the beginning.

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Australia Refused Palestinians Visitor Visas Out of Fear Their Stay Wouldnt Be 'Temporary'

Australia Refused Palestinians Visitor Visas Out of Fear Their Stay Wouldnt Be 'Temporary'

Sputnik International

In November, the Albanese government had to explain that Palestinians granted visas had undergone standard security checks in order to assuage terrorism fears caused by the Coalition.

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In the first three months of the Israel-Gaza conflict, about 160 Palestinians were refused visitor visas by Australia mostly due to concerns that they would not stay temporarily, a recent report revealed. About 150 people were refused because they did not demonstrate a genuine intention to stay temporarily in Australia, while ten others who applied were rejected for other reasons.This report comes after one made a month ago which revealed that some Palestinians who had been granted visas were experiencing cancellations. Nearly 2,300 temporary visasallowing persons to travel to Australia but not work, access healthcare, nor educationhad been granted to Palestinians with Australian connections between October 7 and February 6. However, only 330 people made it to Australia during that time period.Rasha Abbas, the co-founder of the Palestine Australia Relief and Action Foundation, said that many of the rejected Palestinians had been encouraged by the Australian government to use the tourist visa clause that was being rejected.We are really perplexed as to what changed, said Abbas. Palestinian groups and refugee advocates later said they were relieved when the federal government finally reversed its visa cancellations for those fleeing Gaza.The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president, Nasser Mashni, said it is unbelievable that the Australian government is rejecting some visa applications while implying that it believes people wont leave Australia because of how unbearably oppressive and dangerous the Israeli government has made life for Palestinians, according to Mondays report.Ukrainians were told to apply for these same visas ... in 2022, and there were no reports of visas being rejected on these grounds, he added. The government must treat Palestinians with the humanity and compassion it so rightly offered to Ukrainians.Palestinians fleeing that devastation are being denied safety in Australia because their homes have been destroyed, with their lives and the lives of their family threatened, said Shoebridge.Like the US, the Australian government had insisted that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas following the October 7 attack, but they also urged Israel to show restraint. The Australian public is also divided on the conflict, with 19% of those over 18 believing their government should do more to support Palestine and 17% saying the government should do more to support Israel.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240211/israel-strikes-rafah-killing-dozens-after-netanyahu-hints-of-ground-offensive-1116726122.html

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EU-China GI Pavilion opens during 4th China International Consumer Products Expo

People's Daily Online) 13:43, April 16, 2024

The EU-China GI Pavilion is inaugurated during the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) on April 13, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the organizer of the CICPE)

The EU-China GI Pavilion, which displays over 100 geographical indication (GI) products from China and the EU, was inaugurated during the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou city, south China's Hainan Province, on April 13.

The GI products include grape wine, cheese and champagne from the EU, and tea, apples, ham, and coffee from China.

The China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications took effect in March 2021. A total of 200 GI products from the two sides100 from China and 100 from the EUare being protected. By 2025, the number of GI products from each side will reach 175.

Pan Feng, vice president of the China-Europe Association for Technical and Economic Cooperation (CEATEC), said despite global economic uncertainty, China's agricultural exports to the EU stood at $1.86 billion in 2023, the blocs third-largest destination for agricultural exports.

The EU-China GI Pavilion, as an important platform for showcasing GI products from the EU and China, will highlight the benefits of EU food products to Chinese consumers and foster collaboration between food enterprises from both sides.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Steak n Shake, which is owned by San Antonio-based Biglari Holdings Inc., has been urged to disclose its policies regarding the treatment of animals in its supply chain. Sardar Biglari is chairman and CEO of San Antonio-based Biglari Holdings Inc., parent company of Steak n Shake. He opposes a shareholder proposal regarding disclosure of animal welfare standards in the restaurants supply chain. Billy Calzada, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

Steak n Shake, the burger chain owned by San Antonio-based Biglari Holdings Inc., is again being called upon to develop and disclose policies intended to improve the treatment of animals in its supply chain.

Massachusetts-based nonprofit the Accountability Board made the request in a shareholder proposal that has the backing of two influential shareholder advisory firms that counsel institutional investors, but its likely doomed to fail.

Thats because Biglari Holdings chairman and CEO, Sardar Biglari, is its controlling shareholder with 71% of the voting interest. Without his support, the proposal will fail.

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Biglari Holdings has come out against the proposal, saying in its proxy statement that it already has a well-defined set of animal wellbeing standards in place, which serve as rules of engagement for all of its suppliers.

Steak n Shake partners only with suppliers who commit to meet or exceed our standards of farm animal welfare, the company added.

Sardar Biglari didnt respond to a message seeking comment, so it couldnt be determined why his company wont publish its standards. The company, which also owns insurance and oil and gas companies, is scheduled to hold its annual meeting Wednesday at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio.

Managing risk

Matt Prescott, the Accountability Boards president and chief operating officer, said Biglari Holdings and its CEO arent adequately managing risk associated with animal cruelty in the companys supply chain.

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We think if a majority of all shareholders who arent Sardar Biglari express support for this proposal, then it will send a message to him and to the rest of the board that this is something that matters to the company shareholders, he said. Hopefully, that will have some kind of impact on him.

Prescott was an official with the Humane Society of the United States seven years ago when it urged Biglari Holdings to improve its animal-welfare practices. At the time, he said Steak n Shake was the only major restaurant chain to continue using eggs from caged chickens and the only one to allow its pork supplier to lock pigs in crates.

Today, all major restaurant chains essentially adhere to certain standards for managing the treatment of animals in their supply chains, Prescott said. Many even devote attention to the subject on their websites. For example, McDonalds said it achieved its commitment to using 100% cage-free eggs at the end of 2023  two years ahead of schedule.

Biglari and Steak n Shake are really alone in the industry in that they have no disclosures whatsoever on the topic, other than a vague statement now in their proxy (statement) claiming to have an animal welfare commitment, Prescott said.

The Accountability Board is an activist investor  like Sardar Biglari  that holds shares in more than 100 publicly traded companies, according to its website. It focuses on making sure the companies are managing various risks on issues that people care about, such as the treatment of animals, Prescott said.

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Other support

Two shareholder advisory firms, Glass Lewis & Co. LLC and Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., issued support for the nonprofits proposal, with the latter saying it is reasonable and not burdensome.

In its report, Glass Lewis said that failure to take action on certain environmental, social and governance issues may carry the risk of damaging negative publicity.

We are concerned that a lack of disclosure does not allow investors to gain a sufficient understanding of the nonfinancial risks facing the Company, and could also act as a deterrent to customers, who are becoming increasingly aware and concerned about companies environmental and social impacts and policies, Glass Lewis said.

Both firms support for the Accountability Boards proposal represents a rare rebuke for Biglari Holdings management, Prescott said.

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Separately, Institutional Shareholder Services recommended that shareholders withhold their support for Sardar Biglari and his companys four other directors, while Glass Lewis only recommended shareholders vote for one of the directors. Both cited corporate governance issues at Biglari Holdings in raising concerns.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/fire-breaks-out-at-us-plant-producing-shells-for-ukraine---reports-1117955755.html

Fire Breaks Out at US Plant Producing Shells for Ukraine - Reports

Fire Breaks Out at US Plant Producing Shells for Ukraine - Reports

Sputnik International

A fire has broken out at a military plant in the US city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, that has been producing munitions including artillery and mortar shells for supply to Ukraine, US media reported on Tuesday.

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The major fire broke out at the ammunition plant at around 19:00 GMT on Monday, the Atlas News reported, citing spokesperson for US defense corporation General Dynamics and eyewitnesses. The eyewitnesses also shared video and photos showing dark smoke coming from the plant's pipes. General Dynamics, which owns the facility, told Atlas News that the fire was soon extinguished without causing casualties. The plant is one of the seven production arsenals manufacturing military munitions for the US army, including large-caliber metal projectiles and mortar shells such as 155 mm caliber projectiles, the report said. The Scranton plant has been specially modernized to produce shells for Ukraine, US magazine National Defense reported. Before the Ukraine conflict, the factory produced an average of 7,000 artillery shells per month, while now it is expected to manufacture as many as 35,000 artillery shells per month by 2027, the report said. Western countries have been providing military and financial aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. In April 2022, Russia sent a diplomatic note to all NATO countries on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/hamas-rejects-all-clauses-of-gaza-ceasefire-agreement-1117953896.html

Hamas Rejects All Clauses of Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

Hamas Rejects All Clauses of Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

Sputnik International

Palestinian movement Hamas has rejected all clauses of the latest hostage deal proposal, increasing the number of Palestinian prisoners, who have to be released by Israel as part of the agreement, Israeli newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing a senior Israeli official.

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In addition, Hamas is ready to release only about 20 hostages - women and men over 50 - as part of the first stage of the agreement, the report said. The movement also demands that Israel agree to a six-week ceasefire before Hamas releases these hostages, the newspaper reported. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted during the attack. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 33,700 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240415/scott-ritter-ukraine-owned-by-us-while-with-israel-its-the-other-way-around-1117944704.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/israeli-air-force-kills-hezbollah-coastal-sector-commander-in-lebanon-attack---idf-1117960582.html

Israeli Air Force Kills Hezbollah Coastal Sector Commander in Lebanon Attack - IDF

Israeli Air Force Kills Hezbollah Coastal Sector Commander in Lebanon Attack - IDF

Sputnik International

An Israeli Air Force (IAF) strike killed a commander of the Hezbollah movements coastal sector in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

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"Earlier today, an IAF aircraft struck and eliminated Ismail Yusaf Baz, the commander of Hezbollahs coastal sector, in the area of Ain Ebel in Lebanon," the IDF wrote on its Telegram channel.On April 12, the Lebanese movement Hezbollah said on Friday that it had fired dozens of missiles at Israeli artillery positions.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240412/lebanese-hezbollah-fires-dozens-of-missiles-at-israeli-positions---statement-1117898465.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/putin-discusses-middle-east-escalation-with-iranian-president-raisi-in-phone-call---kremlin-1117958477.html

Putin Discusses Middle East Escalation With Iranian President Raisi in Phone Call - Kremlin

Putin Discusses Middle East Escalation With Iranian President Raisi in Phone Call - Kremlin

Sputnik International

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and discussed the situation in the Middle East after the Israeli strike on the Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

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"The aggravated situation in the Middle East after the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus and the retaliatory measures taken by Iran were discussed in detail," the statement said. Putin expressed hope that all parties in the Middle East will show restraint and not allow for a new round of confrontation, the Kremlin said. Putin, Raisi Confirm Commitment to Further CooperationPresident Putin and President Raisi have expressed mutual commitment to further develop bilateral cooperation."When exchanging views on current issues of Russian-Iranian relations, the sides expressed a mutual desire for the further progressive development of bilateral cooperation in various fields, including the implementation of mutually beneficial infrastructure projects," the Kremlin noted.Both Leaders Confirm Stances in Favor of Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza The leaders have confirmed their stances in favor of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and easing the humanitarian situation.The presidents also noted that the root cause of events in the Middle East is the unresolved Palestine-Israel conflict, the statement added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240414/strike-on-israel-just-a-slap-in-the-face-previewing-irans-true-capabilities-1117931030.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/russia-and-ukraine-nearly-signed-a-new-black-sea-shipping-deal-media-claims-1117964278.html

Russia and Ukraine Nearly Signed a New Black Sea Shipping Deal, Media Claims

Russia and Ukraine Nearly Signed a New Black Sea Shipping Deal, Media Claims

Sputnik International

Russia and Ukraine had nearly managed to work out a deal on shipping safety in the Black Sea before said draft agreement was torpedoed by Kiev at the last moment, Reuters claims citing people familiar with the matter.

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Russia and Ukraine had nearly managed to work out a deal on shipping safety in the Black Sea before said draft agreement was torpedoed by Kiev at the last moment, Reuters claims citing people familiar with the matter.According to the media outlet, the deal was reached in March with the help of Turkiye who mediated the negotiations, and was meant to ensure the safety of merchant shipping in the Black Sea."Though the Ukrainian side was for some reason reluctant to sign the agreement formally, it gave its assent for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to announce it on March 30, as the media outlet put it. However, "at the very last minute, Ukraine suddenly pulled out and the deal was scuttled," one of the sources said.All of the parties allegedly involved in these talks  namely, Russia, Ukraine and Turkiye  declined to comment on this matter, the media outlet adds.In July 2022, Russia and Ukraine signed on to the so-called Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by Turkiye and the United Nations, which provided for a humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea to facilitate safe maritime traffic of Russian and Ukrainian agricultural products and fertilizers.In 2023, however, Russia refused to renew the deal as it expired, pointing at persistent violations of the deals aspects related to Russian grain and fertilizer exports.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/us-attempts-to-sideline-russia-under-black-sea-security-strategy-wont-work--military-expert-1116414137.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/russias-fsb-detains-ukrainian-agent-behind-bombing-of-defectors-car-in-moscow-1117957010.html

Russia's FSB Detains Ukrainian Agent Behind Bombing of Defector's Car in Moscow

Russia's FSB Detains Ukrainian Agent Behind Bombing of Defector's Car in Moscow

Sputnik International

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Tuesday it arrested a Russian national who had planted explosives onto the car of a former Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) officer in Moscow at the instruction of the Ukrainian special services.

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This past Friday, a car belonging to former SBU Lt. Col. Vasily Prozorov exploded in Moscow while he was inside the vehicle. Prozorov survived, with minor injures, and blamed the assassination attempt on Ukrainian intelligence. "FSB has detained a Russian national, born in 1983, who, under the instructions of the Ukrainian special services, detonated an explosive device planted onto the car of a Russian national and ex-SBU employee in Moscow," FSB said. Russian investigators have established that following the launch of the Russian special military operation in February 2022, the perpetrator went to Ukraine, where he was subsequently recruited by a SBU employee in October 2023, FSB said. "All the organizers and accomplices in the crime, including foreign citizens, will be put on the wanted list and prosecuted according to Russian legislation," FSB said. Prior to fleeing to Russia, Prozorov worked in the SBU department for the Zaporozhye Region. After the 2014 coup in Ukraine, he moved to Kiev to serve in the so-called Anti-Terrorism Center of the SBU and has been commandeered to the so-called Anti-Terrorist Operation Zone in Donbass several times.In 2018, Prozorov moved to Russia and has since participated in investigating crimes believed to have been committed by the Ukrainian government. He has recently been working on a documentary about the events of May 2, 2014, in Odessa.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240412/ukrainian-defectors-car-explodes-in-moscow-owner-sustains-minor-injuries---assistant-1117900181.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/ukraine-loses-up-to-630-soldiers-in-donetsk-direction-in-past-day-1117957294.html

Ukraine Loses Up to 630 Soldiers in Donetsk Direction in Past Day

Ukraine Loses Up to 630 Soldiers in Donetsk Direction in Past Day

Sputnik International

Ukraine has lost up to 630 soldiers in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

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"Enemy losses amounted to up to 630 military personnel, an armored combat vehicle and four vehicles [in the Donetsk direction]," the ministry said in a statement. Kiev has also lost over 380 soldiers in the Avdeyevka direction over the given period, the ministry added.According to the data provided by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, since the start of special military operation Ukraine has lost more than 444,000 soldiers.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/ukraines-recruiting-efforts-sowing-panic-as-draft-eligible-men-flee-certain-death-1117120652.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/us-army-secretary-says-ukraine-running-very-low-on-patriot-interceptors-1117962023.html

US Army Secretary Says Ukraine Running Very Low on Patriot Interceptors

US Army Secretary Says Ukraine Running Very Low on Patriot Interceptors

Sputnik International

Ukraine is in dire need of ammunition and running "very low" on Patriot interceptors amid a stalemate in Congress regarding the supplemental bill with additional aid for Kiev, US Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said on Tuesday.

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"The Ukrainians are in dire need [of US funding]. They are running very low on ammunition, they are running very low on Patriot interceptors," Wormuth said during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. While the United States has already invested a billion dollars in its organic military-industrial base to increase the production of 155mm ammunition, it will not be able to reach its target of 100,000 rounds per month without the supplemental funding, Wormuth added. Russia has been conducting a special military operation since February 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the special operation aims to protect people subjected to genocide for eight years by the Kiev regime. Putin said the ultimate goal of the operation is to liberate Donbass and create conditions that guarantee Russia's security. Russia has sent a note to NATO regarding arms supplies to Ukraine while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240413/ukraines-anti-terrorist-operation-in-donbass-licensed-neo-nazis-bloodbath--1117908365.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/us-defense-of-israel-shows-west-has-never-been-committed-to-international-law-1117951888.html

US Defense of Israel Shows West 'Has Never Been Committed' to International Law

US Defense of Israel Shows West 'Has Never Been Committed' to International Law

Sputnik International

Economist Radhika Desai said the United States unwavering defense of Israels deadly Gaza campaign proves the West is merely interested in upholding historic patterns of colonial subjugation and domination.

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Western powers never believed in a rules-based order, declared author and international law expert Richard Falk in a blog post on the Pearls and Irritations website Monday.The noted professor at Princeton University disparaged the United States foreign policy since the end of the Cold War, also criticizing its modern alliances with special allies, such as Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine, no matter how deeply they challenged international law and evaded peaceful settlement procedures.The aftermath of the Cold War led to an era of geopolitical unilateralism, concluded Falk.Economist Radhika Desai assigned another word to US foreign policy: imperialism. The author and researcher responded to Falks article Monday on Sputniks The Critical Hour program.Richard Falk is one of the most respected progressive thinkers in the US, conceded Desai. I suppose when I say the most respected it means he has a wide audience, and you can see that you can't really have a wide audience in the United States unless you make a lot of compromises.Desai challenged Falks claim that the West wanted to create a world order genuinely rooted in respect for the sovereignty of other countries, insisting the colonial powers were unwilling to give up their global hegemony.The only reason the West was forced to at least pay lip service to doing that is because, number one, it couldn't have won the Second World War without the critical aid of the Soviet Union and Chinese forces, the economist claimed. And, number two, because the developing world or what was then the colonized world was up in arms and the imperialism there had to end. So they had to appear to do this.Desai claimed the creation of Western-led institutions like NATO was designed to offer an alternative to the more egalitarian United Nations and its conception of international law. Through institutions like NATO the United States and its allies could continue to make the rules as we go along, she argued.Although frequently billed as a defensive alliance, the end of the Cold War and the United States status as the lone global superpower allowed NATO to undertake a number of openly offensive military operations. NATO played a role in Western operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, but has perhaps been most criticized for its destructive role in the former Yugoslavia.NATOs 1999 bombing of Belgrade, which came on the heels of its 1995 campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was conducted in open defiance of international law after the United Nations Security Council vetoed the alliances proposed action. Hundreds of civilians were killed in the assault while increased rates of cancer and birth defects are still observed decades later after NATOs use of radioactive depleted uranium in the operation.I think what's really emerging now is how the US has never been committed to anything vaguely like the United Nations Charter and anything vaguely like international law, Desai claimed as the Biden administration has repeatedly undermined the UN in recent months in its ironclad defense of Israels Gaza campaign.Host Garland Nixon agreed with Desais analysis, offering his view through the lens of a Black person in America.Most Western countries did not become democratic until after the Second World War, Desai observed. The attempt to impose democracy [in Germany] after the First World War led more or less immediately to the rise of fascism because the elite was simply not prepared for popular power, and Hitler could never have come to power unless the elite supported him.The fact of the matter is you can't talk about geopolitics, she concluded. You've got to talk about geopolitical economy. Because what do you think all this militarism is about? It's about essentially materiel or economic plunder, oppression, subordination, etcetera. So let's call it what it is. The word imperialism very tidily encompasses that whole range of phenomena.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/us-imperialism-is-trapped-us-and-iranian-officials-reportedly-held-talks-on-nuclear-program-1117951204.html

'US Imperialism is Trapped': US & Iranian Officials Reportedly Held Talks on Nuclear Program

'US Imperialism is Trapped': US & Iranian Officials Reportedly Held Talks on Nuclear Program

Sputnik International

During the talks, the US made it clear that Iran will pay a heavy price should they acquire 90% uranium enrichment, sources said.

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Last month, US and Iranian officials held indirect talks in Oman to discuss Tehrans nuclear program and other issues, according to a recent report from an American news source. The talks represent the first indirect engagement between the US and Iran, after White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk traveled to Oman secretly on May 8 for the talks with Omani officials.During the talks, the US made it clear that Iran will pay a heavy price should they acquire 90% uranium enrichment, sources said.Dr. Gerald Horne, who holds the John Jay and Rebecca Moores Chair of History and African-American studies at the University of Houston, joined Sputniks The Critical Hour on Monday. Horne suggested that US imperialism is trapped following an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.Israel has a problem in Gaza with a tattered global image, and so they decided to enlarge the problem, by, on April 1st attacking the Iranian legation in Syria. Iran, obviously, had the right to reply and respond and has done so in a measured manner.Sputniks Garland Nixon noted that about three quarters of American voters aged 18 to 29 disapprove of the way US President Joe Biden is handling the Gaza war, citing recent polls.Recent polls also found that overall, registered voters say they favor Trump over Biden, for the upcoming US presidential election, by about two percentage points. About 46% of registered voters said they trust the job of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to Trump compared to 38 who said the same about Biden.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240415/it-sets-precedent-israels-conflict-with-iran-shows-potential-to-spiral-1117949992.html

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Valero Energy Corp.s headquarters near Loop 1604 and Interstate 10 is pictured in July 2020. Pro-Palestinian protesters on Monday blocked the entrance to the companys campus to show support for Gaza in its conflict with Israel, as well as their disapproval of Valero selling fuel to the Israeli military. Billy Calzada, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

Roughly two dozen pro-Palestinian protesters on Monday blocked the entrance to Valero Energy Corp.s headquarters off the Loop 1604 access road on the Northwest Side, snarling traffic for nearly two hours as they chanted against the oil refining company selling fuel used by the Israeli military.

Not another nickel, not another dime, the group yelled, as some sat cross-legged by the headquarters entry road, no more money for Israels crimes.

The protest, which included a 25-person blockade, was done in coordination with other major cities across the U.S. to coincide with Tax Day and what activists call the U.S. governments complicity in funding and arming genocide. The local group was part of the A15 Action  for April 15  to coordinate choke points and create economic blockages in support of Palestinians in cities such as San Antonio, Chicago and San Francisco.

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Valero has been chosen for its significant economic contributions to San Antonio, San Antonio A15 organizers said in a statement following Mondays protest. Valeros deep entanglement with Israeli occupation and genocide has left them with blood-soaked hands.

Valero did not respond to a request for comment or to questions about business dealings with the Israeli military.

RELATED: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators block traffic into Chicago airport, causing headaches for travelers

The A15 protesters say that military machinery, such as helicopters, that has contributed to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza was powered by fuel made by Valero. San Antonio protesters sat or laid in the roadway to halt traffic near the oil refiners campus starting at about 8 a.m.

Marine logs show ships have have recently traveled carrying jet fuel from Corpus Christi, which Valero uses as a port, overseas to ports known to be used by the Israeli military.

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Passengers walk to a security checkpoint at OHare International Airport in Chicago on Monday. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked a freeway leading to three Chicago OHare International Airport terminals Monday morning, temporarily stopping vehicle traffic into one of the nations busiest airports and causing headaches for travelers. Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Anti-war protesters, especially at city functions, have sprouted up in San Antonio since Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that killed nearly 1,200 people. Israeli warplanes and ground troops have conducted a scorched-earth campaign on the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli offensive has killed more than 33,700 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but it says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

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As protesters gathered at San Antonios Valero offices, others set up human-chain blockages outside Chicago OHare International Airport that halted traffic and created a headache for travelers.

Traffic in the San Francisco Bay Area, meanwhile, was held up for four hours Monday morning as demonstrators shut down traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge and stalled a 17-mile stretch of Interstate 880 in Oakland.

Several protesters were arrested at the Golden Gate Bridge demonstration, according to the California Highway Patrol. Chicago police said that multiple people were taken into custody after a protest where people obstructed traffic, but law enforcement officials there did not have a detailed count.

The San Antonio Police Department was at the local protest. It did not make any arrests.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240416/xi-scholz-oppose-use-of-nuclear-weapons-attacks-on-peaceful-nuclear-objects---reports-1117954647.html

Xi, Scholz Oppose Use of Nuclear Weapons, Attacks on Peaceful Nuclear Objects - Reports

Xi, Scholz Oppose Use of Nuclear Weapons, Attacks on Peaceful Nuclear Objects - Reports

Sputnik International

Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who is paying a three-day visit to the Asian nation, have discussed the Ukrainian crisis and expressed opposition to the use of nuclear weapons and attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities, China's state-run reported on Tuesday.

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The leaders exchanged opinions on the Ukrainian crisis and reiterated that China and Germany are committed to upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the broadcaster said. The parties also expressed their support for the proper resolution of international food security issues and respect for international humanitarian law.International Peace Conference on Ukrainian Crisis China supports the idea of convening an international peace conference to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who is paying a three-day visit to the Asian nation.All parties to the Ukrainian crisis must work to restore peace as quickly as possible to prevent the situation from getting out of control, the president said, adding that to restore peace in Ukraine as soon as possible, attention must be paid to peace and stability rather than to the pursuit of one's own interests.Scholz arrived in China on April 14 and has already visited the municipalities of Chongqing and Shanghai. Later on Tuesday, the German chancellor is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing to discuss trade cooperation, the Ukraine conflict and the Middle East crisis.

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The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), issued Notification No. 06/2023, dated 15th April 2024, concerning the imposition of port restrictions on the supply of prohibited or restricted essential commodities to the Republic of Maldives for the fiscal year 2024-25. This notification, issued under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, aims to regulate the export of essential goods to Maldives under the bilateral trade agreement between the Governments of India and Maldives.

Under the authority vested by Section 3 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, the Central Government has laid down specific conditions regarding the export of essential commodities to Maldives. Exporters are now restricted to four designated Customs Stations for shipping essential commodities categorized as prohibited or restricted:

1. Mundra Sea Port

2. Tuticorin Sea Port

3. Nhava Sheva Sea Port (JNPT)

4. ICD Tughlakabad

This directive underscores the governments efforts to ensure the regulated supply of essential goods to the Republic of Maldives. By confining exports to designated ports, authorities can closely monitor and manage the flow of these commodities, maintaining stability in trade relations between India and Maldives.

The implications of this notification are significant for traders and stakeholders involved in bilateral trade with Maldives. The imposition of port restrictions aligns with the quota system outlined in DGFT Notification No. 03/2023 dated 05.04.2023. This measure aims to streamline the export process while safeguarding against the unauthorized or unregulated trade of essential commodities.

*****

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

(Department of Commerce)

(DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF FOREIGN TRADE)

Notification No. 06/2023- DGFT | Dated: 15th April, 2024

Subject: Imposition of Port restrictions on supply of Prohibited/Restricted essential commodities to the Republic of Maldives during 2024-25.

S.O. 1715(E). In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 (No.22 of 1992), as amended, read with paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023, the Central Government hereby incorporates following conditions in Notification No. 03/2023 dated 05.04.2024 for exporting of essential commodities to Maldives under bilateral trade agreement between Government of India and Government of Maldives: 

Export of essential commodities under Prohibited/restricted category to the Republic of Maldives during 2024-25 shall be permitted only through the following 4 Customs Stations: 

i. Mundra Sea Port

ii. Tuticorin Sea Port

iii. Nhava Sheva Sea Port (JNPT)

iv. ICD Tughlakabad

2. Effect of this notification:

Imposition of Port restrictions for exporting of essential commodities under Prohibited/restricted category to the Republic of Maldives during 2024-25, as per the quota notified under DGFT Notification No. 03/2023 dated 05.04.2024, has been notified.

[ F. No. 01/91/171/59/AM20/EC/E-20816]

SANTOSH KUMAR SARANGI, Director General of Foreign Trade Ex-officio Addl. Secy.
Dionne Clark was surprised by how few public showers are available in Longview.

This was the motivator, she said, to creating Soul Showers, a nonprofit that aims to offer basic human needs like food and hygiene, with the goal of housing showers inside vehicles to regularly visit areas in Longview and Kelso.

Everyone deserves to be clean and healthy, said Clark, of Woodland. You dont immediately think of having access to a shower as a health issue, but being clean is an important part of avoiding disease and infection.

Hundreds of people live without shelter in Cowlitz County, and some residents dont have access to complete plumbing.

Last year, local agencies counted 318 people experiencing homelessness in Cowlitz County in the states annual point in time count, and according to the U.S. Censuss latest American Community Survey, 0.2% of county residents dont have complete plumbing.

For the last two years, Clark and her husband Max have tried to make it easier for such residents to access basic necessities.

Soul Showers operates a once-a-month outreach out of Promise Church on 17th and Hemlock. Every third Saturday, the organization provides sack lunches, hygiene products like toothpaste and shampoo, and clean clothes, underwear and socks and occasionally shoes.

Now the couple is looking to bring the services to the people with their first goal: converting a donated van to hold a shower and resource pantry.

The plan

Mobile showers arent a novel idea. Clark said Soul Showers is following in the footsteps of another aid organization in Modesto, California called Cleansing Hope Shower Shuttle, which has its own shower shuttle, a bus converted into a mobile shower and hygiene station.

Clark said she reached out to the organization with questions about how to start a shower ministry. They invited her to see for herself how it worked, and in the end, the organization donated a 1996 Ford E-350 shuttle bus to the Clarks.

They are still in the process of installing an ADA-compliant shower in the bus  estimated to cost $7,500  and are fundraising for another $35,000 to purchase a trailer to house two more showers. They are also applying for a Cowlitz Tribal Grant and Kaiser Permanentes Community Health Grant.

Clark said once they secure the money, the couple can have the mobile shower running within 90 days.

The plan is to offer low-barrier access, by locating the mobile showers where people need them most because some might find it too difficult to get further than a mile, she said.

They hope to regularly visit three locations in Longview and Kelso, but havent confirmed the exact spots, though one will likely be the Promise Church parking lot near the New West Side.

The van will be ran by volunteers, but Clark hopes to eventually hire someone to help people navigate the network of local aid while they wait for their shower. She also eventually wants to offer laundry services.

Clark, who was a support councilor with Columbia River Mental Health, said she learned closing the distance between aid and the people who need it can be a major hurdle.

Resources can be hard to tap into, she said. Weve had people come up to us during our ministry asking for help paying rent or electricity payments.

Another shower option

Soul Showers wouldnt be the only shower facility in Longview. The Salvation Army has been operating a hygiene center with a shower at 1639 10th Ave., Longview since May.

Earlier this year, the charitable organization expanded the hygiene center from one shower and one washing machine/dryer combo to two of each.

Longview Salvation Army Major Phil Smith said there were initial concerns from neighbors the center would attract loitering and vandalism, but that hasnt been the case.

Strong neighborhood relations and a firm response to bad actors kept the system running smooth, he said, also leading the Salvation Army to expand the availability of its hygiene center from three days to five. To use the shower requires the person sign up earlier that day.

Smith said the need exists for another shower service in Longview, including further from downtown, where most providers are located.

How to help Volunteer or partner with Soul Showers by contacting info@soulshowers.org or 360-453-7374. Donate at www.soulshowers.org.
Jurors deliberating in a federal lawsuit alleging three San Antonio police officers used excessive force against a man they mistook for a suspect. Josie Norris, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

A federal jury is weighing whether three San Antonio police officers used excessive force by beating and injuring a man they mistook for a suspect they were pursuing.

Rogelio "Roger" Carlos III was taken to the ground and subdued in May 2014 at the construction site of his family's pediatric clinic by an undercover officer identified only as Detective John Doe and then-SWAT officers Carlos Chavez and Virgilio Gonzalez.

Carlos' lead lawyer, Philip G. Bernal, said in closing arguments Tuesday morning that the officers beat Carlos, and that one of them pressed his knee to his head with his full weight  before they realized he wasnt the person they were after.

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The officers' lawyers argued they acted as any reasonable officer would under the circumstances, even if they targeted Carlos by mistake. Their actions, the lawyers said, were within the confines of the law.

U.S. District Judge Fred Biery split the trial. The jury is deliberating only whether the officers are liable of violating Carlos' civil rights. If they find against the officers, a second phase will then be held to determine damages. The jurors hadn't yet reached a verdict as of Tuesday afternoon.

Bernal told jurors that Carlos' version has been consistent from the day of the incident through his testimony nearly 10 years later, but that the officers have given different versions to fit their narrative in order to try to by covered by legal protections that otherwise would not shield them.

"Roger was on his property," Bernal said. "He's minding his own business. He's going to go pick up his three boys. He's this close to getting in his car."

But then, a suspect the three officers were after fled from an officer assisting a drug-task force unit, and abandoned his car near the West Side pediatric clinic and ran into the nearby brush.

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Carlos "was approached by an unmarked vehicle driven in a crazy manner by a police officer who in plain clothes," Bernal said. "Roger had no idea who that was. (The officer) jumps out of the vehicle, and then the beat-down begins."

MORE COVERAGE: Chief William McManus says suspending officers who mistakenly beat the wrong man was not political

Carlos, 51, uses a wheelchair after he was left paralyzed by a spinal surgery to alleviate pain he says stemmed from the 2014 incident. He settled claims in the lawsuit against the spinal treatment center before trial.

Testimony showed he was able to walk away after the police encounter, but had been bloodied, with injuries to his face. He complained to the media at the time that he suffered from pain after the incident.

Carlos was barred by prior rulings in the case from alleging to jurors that the officers caused other injuries to his back and neck that led to the spinal procedure.

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The incident made headlines, and San Antonio Police Chief William McManus later found the officers violated a section of the department's use-of-force policy  there were too many officers subduing one person. He proposed a 15-day suspension for each officer, but then reduced it to five days The officers agreed to the punishment.

The officers and a former supervisor of Chavez and Gonzalez testified at trial that they believed McManus bowed to public or political pressure to punish the officers, going against the findings of his internal investigator, who testified he found the officers had not violated department policy.

"They agreed that they violated the policy and procedure," Bernal told jurors. "You do with that what you will."

The encounter occurred before the San Antonio police began wearing body-worn cameras and using de-escalation tactics.

MORE COVERAGE: Man injured in mistaken police encounter files suit in federal court

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Testimony established that Carlos was not armed. He had his black iPhone, which he was using to take pictures of the construction site before officers approached him.

The officers also alleged the suspect fled from them, and that when they encountered Carlos, he would not comply with their orders to get on the ground or show his hands.

"Not listening to (police) commands is resistance," one of the officers' lawyers, Clarissa M. Rodriguez, said in her closing argument. "Mr. Carlos may believe he had a right to be on his property, but that doesn't mean he could ignore police commands."

Rodriguez urged the jury to look at the whole picture "without 20-20 hindsight."

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A new roof for affordable apartments, an elevator for the local Salvation Army headquarters, and continuing a program to educate renters.

Those are just some of the projects recently awarded money set aside for Longview to supply housing and economic opportunities.

City Council voted unanimously Thursday to fund a total of about $300,000  mostly from federal funds  to five projects.

Lower Columbia CAPs Soundview Apartments on 33rd Avenue is set to receive $101,000 for a new roof; the Salvation Armys Temple Corps at 1639 10th Ave. is set to receive $112,512 for an elevator; and Housing Opportunities of Southwest Washington will receive $49,272 for its program to educate renters on issues like repairing credit and maintaining a healthy home.

The money comes from HUDs Community Development Block Grant, which provides annual funds to help people with low- and moderate-incomes.

Longviews program coordination specialist Kenny Robinson said staff recommended the re-roofing and elevator projects over another application  a shelter staircase update at Community House on Broadway  because both projects propose to resolve immediate problems.

The roof at Soundview Apartment, located southwest of Dairy Queen, are in critical condition, he said, and have been in need of repair for some time.

Plus, the Salvation Armys non-functioning elevator throws a wrench into the charitable organizations ability to transport food to and from its kitchen. The Salvation Army offers meals for seniors, people with disabilities and the homeless.

Council also voted unanimously to fund $25,000 to the Emergency Support Shelters operating costs and $23,979 to Community House on Broadways utilities assistance program with document recording fee revenue, added to certain local documents such as liens and deeds by the state.

Dispute

Longview Councilmember Erik Halvorson originally requested not to fund Housing Opportunities of Southwest Washingtons Rent Well program to educate renters.

Halvorson said he would rather the money be allocated to capital costs. Instead, he motioned to fully fund the Soundview Apartments re-roofing project, and split the remaining allocations to partially fund the elevator project at $80,892 and the shelter staircase update for $80,892.

Councilmember Angie Wean opposed the motion. She agreed with Robinson that the elevator project should take priority, but splitting the funding between the Salvation Army and Community Houses staircase project would be less efficient than fully funding one.

Wean also wanted to see Rent Well receive funding because of the programs success.

If we want people to be more successful, educating them, giving them those tools and lifting them up with something like this is critical, Wean said. By taking this away, I think we are doing a very big harm and disservice to those that have been homeless.

Gregg Bournival, housing projects manager at Lower Columbia CAP, thanked the council for prioritizing the apartment repairs.

Preserving Soundview Apartments prevents displacement, mainly stabilizing families who have called Longview home for generations, he said.

Waiting on HOME funds

The council decided to postpone making a decision on how to use the $261,375 in HUD HOME funds Longview was recently allocated because they dont need to make a decision for two years.

Community House on Broadway requested $50,000 of the money for rental assistance, but the council didnt OK the request because the nonprofit is already sitting on almost that much money from last years allocation.

Robinson said Community House has a balance of about $48,000 in rental assistance funds, with plans to spend about $3,000 a month to help renters stay housed.

We can totally not do anything with it, let it stack and add it to something next year, Robinson said.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced a new delivery center in Londrina, Parana, Brazil. This new center will create more than 1,600 new job opportunities over the next five years, contribute to the local economy and strengthen TCS presence in the region.

Present in Londrina since 2018, TCS employs around 1,700 people in the city. The new centralized campus will bring the city workforce under one roof, creating a vibrant hub for collaboration and innovation in Londrina. The delivery center will specialize in key areas such as Business Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, and Cognitive Business Operations, offering a comprehensive suite of IT services to clients in Brazil and around the world.

During his recent visit to the Tata Experience Center in Mumbai, Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior, Governor of the State of Parana, Brazil, said, This announcement by TCS is so important to us, because it involves a strategic area for the development of our state. I have come to India to learn more about the capabilities that the country has built in many areas, especially in digital technologies, where India is a global leader, and leveraging experiences from here we can deepen digitization of various services and products for the Brazilian economy.

Bruno Rocha, Country Head, TCS Brazil, said, The new delivery center in Londrina is a testament to our ongoing commitment to Brazil and our confidence in local talent. We are looking to double the number of associates in key areas such as Cybersecurity, Cloud, CBO, ITIS, AI, and automation, reflecting our dedication to innovation and excellence in technology services.

TCS has been operating in Brazil for over two decades, with operations in Londrina, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Serving over 140 clients in the region across industries such as banking, insurance, mining, retail, and telecommunications, TCS has earned recognition as a Top Employer in Brazil for 10 consecutive years and received the diversity seal from the state of Sao Paulo in 2022.
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A screenshot shows all nine versions of Aarabis test website, each filtered to simulate a variation of colour-blindness. The bottom-right version is weak protanomaly, or a reduced ability to perceive red light. Credit: Parham Aarabi

University of Toronto researcher Parham Aarabi has created an artificial intelligence model that mimics how people use e-commerce websitesand it may be able to help retailers optimize their sites for people experiencing color blindness and other conditions.

Called PRE, the AI-generated tool sees virtual users browse, pause on a page, add items to cart and click on discounted items.

While the tool shows that users tend to be drawn to colorful images, Aarabi also wanted to see how those experiencing full and partial color blindness might respond.

"Around 8% to 10% of the population has a type of color-blindness," says Aarabi, an associate professor in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. "There are a number of ways the eye can be confused by color, commonly between red and green or blue and yellow.

"I wanted to see how this might impact web navigation."

Aarabi set up an experiment. He altered a retail clothing website to simulate how it would appear to someone with protanomaly, or a reduced ability to perceive red light. One might think of it as applying a filter, or lens, which Aarabi then modified to approximate eight other variations of color deficiency.

For each variation, Aarabi initiated 1 million navigation sessions with AI virtual users and tracked the image click rates. He found that, in general, someone with color-blindness is 30% more likely than a color-abled user to click on a monochrome image. These results will be presented in a paper at the 46th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (IEEE EMBC 2024) this summer.

The boost factor that website designers count on with color doesn't translate to everyone, notes Aarabi.

"When people are designing sites or presenting products, they need to stay cognizant that 8% of the population is not going to be impacted. You need to add better descriptions and more textual information to guide users through the shopping process."

Aarabi sees this study as one of many that can benefit from PRE, whose neural net took two years to train with data from 110,000 real-life user sessions.

"To measure its accuracy, we set up a sample site and predicted what actions the AI virtual users will takewhat percentage would add to cart, what percentage would buy a particular product, and so onand also ran a test of the site with people," says Aarabi. "PRE correctly mimics a human user's actions 90% of the time."

There are benefits with using AI virtual users for a study. One can run experiments more quickly, on a larger scale, and can recreate as many sessions as desired. The AI model eliminates the need, for example, to locate and coordinate many thousands of willing color-blind participants.

Aarabi has plans to use PRE to test other barriers to accessibility, such as dyslexia or motor impairments. His long-term goal is provide an auditing service for companies that allows them to test a web design's impact on users with various conditions before or after launch.

Such goals are part of Aarabi's research effort to mitigate negativity about AI.

"There's a lot of worry, even within the tech community, about AI taking over or replacing us in some capacity," he says. "If we can make AI more humanlike in some way, build in some empathy and have it mirror the reactions that humans have, we could dispel some of those concerns."

"Professor Aarabi has been a pioneer in the application of AI, from past research cautioning against bias in training data sets to this current project, which uses the AI advantage to address accessibility issues," says Professor Deepa Kundur, chair of the department of electrical and computer engineering. "Parham brings a valuable, forward-thinking approach to leveraging AI for positive outcomes."
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Amazon's Maple Valley, Washington, warehouse is built for speed. At night, big rigs pull up to one end to unload boxes and padded mailerssome after a short drive from a bigger warehouse down the road, others following a flight in the hold of a cargo plane. Waiting employees scan, sort and load them into rolling racks.

Before 7 a.m. each day, many of those racks are wheeled out to dozens of vans lined up in four painted lanes. It's the starting line at a Formula One race, but for $22-an-hour delivery drivers who ferry bottles of shampoo and packs of batteries to suburban Seattle doorsteps.

Their routes, the last step in a journey that can take products thousands of miles, are the source of a large chunk of the carbon emissions Amazon has pledged to eliminate in the coming decades.

The solution lies in the parking lot across the street: 309 Siemens electric vehicle chargers, which power delivery vans built by Rivian Automotive Inc. Making deliveries without tailpipe emissions, and increasing the size of the electric fleet, is among the most straightforward ways Amazon can wipe carbon from its operations.

In a little more than two years, Amazon has installed more than 17,000 chargers at about 120 warehouses around the US, making the retail giant the largest operator of private electrical vehicle charging infrastructure in the country. "We've figured out the path," said Tom Chempananical, who oversees Amazon's fleet of last-mile delivery vehicles.

Logistics companies like United Parcel Service Inc. and FedEx Corp. have rolled out their own ambitious electric vehicle targets, though many have failed to meaningfully curb the growing emissions from e-commerce deliveries.

Amazon, meanwhile, backed away from a vow to make half of all deliveries with zero carbon pollution by 2030, saying that initiative was superseded by broader climate goals. But the company has come farther and faster in the transition to EVs than most of its competitors.

Understanding the challenges faced by Amazon, a company known for going to extreme lengths to meet tight delivery deadlines, can help chart a roadmap for other companies across industries trying to eliminate their own carbon bills.

"Amazon's scale matters," said Kellen Schefter, director of transportation at the Edison Electric Institute, a trade group for investor-owned utilities that has worked to connect Amazon to power companies. "If Amazon can show that it meets their climate goals while also meeting their package-delivery goals, we can show this all actually works."

Amazon has a long way to go. The Seattle-based company says its operations emitted about 71 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2022, up by almost 40% since Jeff Bezos's 2019 vow that his company would eventually stop contributing to the emissions warming the planet.

Many of Amazon's emissions come from activitiesair freight, ocean shipping, construction, and electronics manufacturing, to name a fewthat lack a clear, carbon-free alternative, today or any time soon. The company has not made much progress on decarbonization of long-haul trucking, whose emissions tend to be concentrated in industrial and outlying areas rather than the big cities that served as the backdrop for Amazon's electric delivery vehicle rollout.

But Amazon is on track to purchase by next year as much electricity produced by solar, wind and other carbon-free sources as it uses to power its operations. And in Rivian, which Amazon has backed with a massive investment and an order for 100,000 custom-built delivery vans13,500 of which have been delivered to datethe company has suggested it can eliminate much of the emissions associated with its last-mile delivery business.

To get there, Amazon had to learn how to pick up the phone and call the power company. Electric utilities, which to that point primarily dealt with electric vehicles through powering the odd home car charging setup, encountered a new type of customer in Amazon. Government electricity use estimates show a 100,000-square-foot warehouse tucked in an industrial area might be powered by about 50 kilowatts, mainly for lighting and air circulation. Setting up 100 chargers in the parking lot could require 10 to 20 times as much power.

"What was different here was this was a new type of electric use," said Schefter, of the EEI. "That's a really big power requirement in a parking lot." That need could be met relatively quickly if the transmission lines in the area have spare capacity. In areas of the grid that don't, upgrades can take years.

Amazon also learned how to be flexible and how to wait. The company prefers cookie-cutter processes that can be run like a production line. That breaks down in the physical world, where Amazon's hundreds of last-mile delivery warehouses come in different designs or parking lot layouts, subject to differing local utility protocols.

"It was a bit of a surprise, how long we would need to prepare for the lead time for infrastructure," said Chris Atkins, who leads Amazon's logistics sustainability teams.

In 2020, Amazon met with some of the country's large utilities, who probed the company on how much power it would need and where. Representatives of Commonwealth Edison, Illinois's largest power provider, were there. The utility, which was struggling to secure some types of new equipment during the pandemic, opted to repurpose old transformers for Amazon.

"We were doing some pretty creative stuff internally to make sure that we had what they needed and that we could meet the timelines that they wanted," said Diana Sharpe, who deals with large customers at the Exelon Corp.-owned company.

By the time Rivian began rolling out large quantities of vans during the spring of 2022, ComEd had routed additional power to an Amazon warehouse in Chicago's Pullman neighborhood. Rivian's CEO stopped by that July for a ribbon cutting to announce the vans were hitting the road. Today, ComEd powers about 1,100 chargers at four Amazon warehouses in greater Chicago.

Another lesson Amazon learned is one the company isn't keen to talk about: going green can be expensive, at least initially. Based on the type of chargers Amazon deploysalmost entirely mid-tier chargers called Level 2 in the industrythe hardware likely cost between $50 million and $90 million, according to Bloomberg estimates based on cost estimates supplied by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Factoring in costs beyond the plugs and related hardwarelike digging through a parking lot to lay wires or set up electrical panels and cabinetscould double that sum. Amazon declined to comment on how much it spent on its EV charging push.

In addition to the expense of the chargers, electric vehicle fleet operators are typically on the hook for utility upgrades. When companies request the sort of increases to electrical capacity that Amazon hasthe Maple Valley warehouse has three megawatts of power for its chargersthey tend to pay for them, making the utility whole for work done on behalf of a single customer.

Amazon says it pays upgrade costs as determined by utilities, but that in some locations the upgrades fit within the standard service power companies will handle out of their own pocket.

When Amazon made the Rivian order, people who worked on the program expected that running an electric delivery fleet would eventually be cheaper than the company's conventionally fueled fleet, a hodgepodge of bulk-ordered gasoline and diesel vehicles built by the likes of Ford Motor Co., Mercedes-Benz Group AG, and Stellantis NV. It's unclear if Amazon is there yet, though Chempananical said Amazon was happy with the price tag of the Rivian vehicles.

"All of those costs continue to scale down," he said. "As usage grows, there's more demand, there's more supply, it gets more efficient and continues to drive to a better spot."

Amazon also had to figure out the logistics of charger sharing. That's not an issue at the Maple Valley warehouse, where 77 electric vans have their pick from among a fleet of 307 Level 2 chargers. But other sites have fewer chargers than available vans. Fully charging a van can take several hours, and at first, that created some headaches.

Amazon initially required the subcontractors who manage van fleets and drivers to keep their own staff working overnight to rotate vans among available chargers. Last fall Amazon brought that work in house, freeing subcontracted workers to drive, rather than babysit chargers. "They need the drivers, at the end of the day," Chempananical said.

Amazon's contract drivers say they love the vans, which were built for the company's sometimes punishing, package-every-90-seconds routes and frequent stops. The people who employ the driversAmazon's Delivery Service Partnershave some complaints. Two West Coast delivery service providers, who asked for anonymity to protect their relationship with Amazon, said body work can cost two or three times as much as conventional vehicles, because few body shops are authorized to work on Rivian vans. Spare parts can be hard to come by.

Trucking presents a bigger challenge, for Amazon and the industry. Automakers are much farther along in electrifying cars and light-duty trucks than the tractors that haul shipping containers from ports and between warehouses (see Tesla's semi truck, which is still in pilot production years after being unveiled).

Bug-eyed Rivian electric vans are a common sight crisscrossing major cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, New York and their suburbs. But the communities that host the massive warehouses further up the supply chain, often poorer precincts in places like northeast Pennsylvania or California's Inland Empire, have yet to see the same benefits of electrification.

In the company's post-pandemic cost cutting drives, Amazon has delayed and shelved some trucking-related and other so-called "middle mile" sustainability investments, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Atkins rejected the critique, rattling off moves Amazon has made in the arena: buying trucks that run on compressed natural gas, and investing in makers of green hydrogen, among other fuel sources. "It's important that we get it right and not just scale with the wrong partners," he said.

"It will get there," Chempananical said of Amazon's investments in the "middle mile." "It's just a matter of when and how we get there."

Back at the Maple Valley warehouse, Justin Shearer, who runs Pacific Delivery and Logistics, an Amazon delivery service provider, gives a tour of his corner of the facility. Like many of Amazon's small army of delivery contractors, he holds another job. Shearer is a commercial fisherman, and earlier in his career he sold mining and logging equipment. He doesn't consider himself an environmentalist. But the benefits of keeping oil products off the road are obvious, he said.

"Putting this infrastructure in is expensive," he said. "It's not been done at this scale, but you're not going to get better at it unless you start somewhere."

2024 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A class-action lawsuit filed in North Carolina accuses Atrium Health of allowing Facebook and Google to access patient information online to use in targeted ads.

The plaintiffs, identified only as North Carolina-resident J.S. and Michigan-citizen J.R., allege they received spam mail and Facebook ads related to their medical conditions after sharing information with Atrium.

Facebook's Meta Pixel, a free piece of code that can be installed on websites, intercepted private information on Atrium's website in violation of federal law, the lawsuit alleges. It was filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

Atrium is a Charlotte-based health care organization with seven emergency departments, 40 hospitals, and 1,400 other care locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, according to its website. It sees about 34,000 patients a day, the lawsuit says. It is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States.

"No protected health information is shared with common consumer platforms, such as Facebook," Atrium Health spokesperson Dan Fogleman wrote in a statement. "Atrium Health patients are directed to secure, confidential portals where information is shared only with their care teams."

Screenshots filed with the federal lawsuit show how Pixel collected information by following the plaintiffs' searches for pulmonology, neurology, radiology and emergency departments, as well as COVID testing locations and alcohol-rehab centers. The plaintiffs allege they first discovered misconduct in June 2022.

J.R.an Atrium patient of nearly 20 yearsalleges that Facebook and other social media started to push medication and prescription ads into her feed after she submitted "protected health information," including specific symptoms and treatments, to Atrium.

Pixel followed search activity on Atrium's website before patients logged in to their portal, the lawsuit alleges.

"The full scope of [Atrium's] interceptions and disclosures of  communications to Meta can only be determined through formal discovery," says the new lawsuit.

The lawsuit indicates Atrium removed Pixel "following a wave of negative press and litigation against other health care companies for the same unlawful activities."

A 2022 investigation by nonprofit newsroom The Markup named North Carolina's Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Duke University Hospital, Novant Health and WakeMed. The Markup found that 33 of the top 100 hospitals in America use the Meta Pixel.

Also in 2022, Meta was sued in the Northern District of California after a Facebook user began receiving targeted ads for heart and knee conditions she entered in her private patient portal at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.

Atrium's actions, according to the lawsuit, violated those patients' expectations of privacy and constituted "criminal conduct."

On its website, Atrium says it uses "cookies and similar technology" to connect patients with more information about services.

"Our advertisers may display targeted advertisements when you visit third party websites and social networks based on your previous interactions with our Sites as tracked by cookies and similar technologies," the website reads. "This process also helps us understand the effectiveness of our content and marketing efforts."

Atrium's spokesperson said the hospital network would reserve additional comment for its response to the lawsuit, but, he added, a "nearly identical case" was previously filed against Atrium Health.

"The plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew their case after reviewing the facts about Atrium Health's patient health portal safeguards in our request for the court to dismiss the case. Ultimately, they recognized that their case was unlikely to succeed," Fogleman wrote in a statement.

2024 The Charlotte Observer. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The world's largest seller of cybersecurity products has a problem with its own cybersecurity.

In recent years, Microsoft Corp. has been hit with a series of embarrassing hacks that have exposed corporate and government customers. Earlier this month, the U.S. Cyber Safety Review Board issued a scathing report documenting the company's inability to stop hackers tied to the Chinese government from pilfering the email boxes of U.S. officials. The report's authors called on Microsoft to institute urgent reforms.

Amid the mounting criticism, the company has pledged its most ambitious security overhaul in two decades. Among other steps, Microsoft says it will move faster to address cloud vulnerabilities, make it harder for hackers to steal credentials, and automatically enforce multifactor authentication for employees.

The security reboot is a major commitment, but critics question whether Microsoft has sufficient incentive to make deep and lasting changes. Because customers are so reliant on the company's software, they can't easily switch to other providers. Microsoft's cybersecurity operation, meanwhile, generates more than $20 billion in sales per year and has been among the company's fastest growing sources of revenue.

Many of the anti-hacking tools are sold as a bundle with Microsoft's software, prompting some critics to accuse the company of anticompetitive business practices.

Citing Microsoft's "shambolic cybersecurity," U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden introduced draft legislation on April 8 that would require the government to set mandatory cybersecurity standards for collaboration software. The Oregon Democrat said "vendor lock-in, bundling, and other anticompetitive practices" result in the government spending "vast sums" on insecure software.

Noting the cyber review board's assertion that Microsoft isn't focused on security, Wyden told Bloomberg: "For a company that is entrusted with as much sensitive government information, particularly one generating tens of billions of dollars in cybersecurity revenue alone, that is unacceptable. Relying on government tech vendors to do the right thing out of the goodness of their own hearts has been a losing strategy for decades."

Microsoft declined to comment on Wyden's draft legislation or remarks. Describing a cybersecurity landscape that has never been more challenging, the company said it has a "unique role to play in keeping the world safe."

'Ground zero'

In an interview at Microsoft's Seattle-area headquarters earlier this month, security chief Charlie Bell described the company as "ground zero" for hackers working on behalf of foreign governments. In part, that's because Microsoft dominates the market for corporate productivity and desktop operating system software.

Recent attacks have struck alarmingly close to home. Early this year, a Russian state-sponsored group was blamed for combing through the email accounts of top Microsoft executivesprompting the company to reassign thousands of engineers to help mitigate the intrusion and accelerate security updates. In May, a hacking gang linked to the Chinese government was accused of stealing one of Microsoft's access tools and used it to break into the email accounts of U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns and hundreds more, prompting the cyber review board inquiry.

"They're incredibly good at collecting data over time, gathering and gathering more and more momentum and then figuring out how to keep parlaying that into more and more success," Bell said. "It's very difficult to defend against."

The onslaught, according to Bell, prompted executives to say, "Well, let's step back for a moment."

The result, announced in November, is the Secure Future Initiative, a companywide security reboot that executives say will better position Microsoft to combat current threats as well as future ones that may be turbocharged by artificial intelligence. The effort is being led by Bret Arsenault, a vice president and chief cybersecurity advisor, who served as Microsoft's chief information security officer for 14 years. Asked why the company didn't address the cyber issues sooner, he said the emergence of AI and current hacking trends were among the reasons for a more comprehensive security review.

"There's certain sort of watershed moments or changes in the environment that make you rethink how you want to go do it," he said, later adding that company officials are "energized and focused" on executing the initiative's commitments, "which align to much of what the government is calling for."

Microsoft says it will use AI and automation to make software safer, as well as rely more on programming languages deemed more secure. The company says it's beefing up security protocols to make it harder for hackers to use stolen credentials or access tools to pilfer data. And it vows to respond to security vulnerabilities more rapidly, including mitigating cloud-based problems 50% faster.

It's a daunting task given Microsoft's size and the complexity of its product portfolio. The company offers Windows, Office, Exchange email and other products via the cloud, but continues to provide them to customers with their own servers. In the latter instance, Microsoft offers "patches" for flaws in so-called legacy systems and relies on customers to install them and maintain security protocols. Customers don't always follow through, and efforts to end support for outdated programs like Windows XP or Windows 7 created an uproar because many were embedded in ATMs, hospital hardware and other critical systems.

"You have a whole bunch of things out there that have to be cleaned up," Bell said. "And that's growing over time."

Microsoft is accelerating efforts to remove old or unused accounts as well as applications that are no longer supported by software updates or meet new security standards. So far, the company has removed more than 1.7 million identities tied to aged or unused accounts and 730,000 apps that were out of date or not meeting security standards, though it wasn't clear how many identities and apps overall might fit that description.

Microsoft is also beefing up its use of multifactor authentication, automatically enforcing it for more than 1 million accounts within the company, including those used for development, testing, demos and production, Arsenault said.

The company now requires a video call between managers and employees or vendors who are creating digital IDs and is issuing short-lived credentials to new workers or vendorssteps designed to make it harder for attackers to impersonate someone or steal their ID. Even users with high-level administrator privileges can no longer turn off multifactor authentication when creating new accounts, Arsenault said.

Michael Daniel, the chief executive officer of the Cyber Threat Alliance, a nonprofit that shares intel about cyber risks and is funded in part by some of Microsoft's rivals, reviewed the company's current efforts at Bloomberg's request. Daniel said they would boost security on the company's platforms, including the cloud, if fully implemented. But he added that the security revamp doesn't appear to fully address several key issues highlighted by the cyber review board, including an "inadequate" security culture.

'Trustworthy computing'

If Microsoft's current woes sound familiar, it's because the company went through a similar crisis in the early aughts. At the time, computer worms were disrupting computers running Windows. In January 2002, co-founder Bill Gates issued his "trustworthy computing" memo urging software developers to prioritize security.

"So now, when we face a choice between adding features and resolving security issues, we need to choose security," Gates wrote. "Our products should emphasize security right out of the box."

Microsoft halted the development of new Windows features for months to fix the flaws and attempted to create a more security-minded culture among its software engineers

Looking back on that period, Arsenault says it was a simpler time. Because Microsoft was releasing a version of Windows every few years, a pause was possible. That's no longer the case because Microsoft and its rivals update software multiple times a day in the cloud. "It's just a different company," Arsenault said.

In the following years, Microsoft also fell behind Google in search, Apple in mobile devices and Amazon in cloud-based services. The pressure to catch up prompted the company to prioritize speed over security. Microsoft wasn't alone. Many tech companieskeen to cash in on Silicon Valley's explosive growthembraced an ethos epitomized by the then Facebook slogan: "Move fast and break things."

Microsoft's belated shift to the cloud began about 2010. The move let the company fix security flaws directly, rather than asking customers to install patches. But cloud services presented new security challenges, as the recent breaches have made clear.

Given the sophistication and resources of nation-backed hackers, it may be impossible to completely stop them. Microsoft's security overhaul will help, but critics say the company should again slow down the release of new products to ensure better resilience going forward. Last week, the cyber board urged Microsoft to "deprioritize feature developments across the company's cloud infrastructure and product suite until substantial security improvements have been made."

In fact, Microsoft is racing to capitalize on its early advantage in generative artificial intelligence. Already customers are asking how they'll protect all the new AI programs, Bell said. He's got an answer for them: Buy more Microsoft security software.

Even the cybersecurity unit has caught the AI buglaunching an assistant for security professionals that helps detect and thwart hacking attempts. In the past few weeks, executives have been traversing the U.S. showing off the tool, called Copilot for Security. Early customer feedback for the AI assistant has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Vasu Jakkal, a vice president in Microsoft's security division.

"I have never seen interest like that in any security tool," she said.

2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Microsoft is to invest $1.5 billion in the United Arab Emirates artificial intelligence firm G42, taking a minority stake and a seat on the board, the companies said on Tuesday.

The deal, in which G42 will run its applications and services on Microsoft's Azure platform, comes days after the US giant said it would plow $2.9 billion into Japanese AI.

Microsoft has become a major player in the advancement of AI through its partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAIpropelling it past Apple as the world's biggest company by market capitalization.

According to the New York Times and Bloomberg, the strategic investment follows talks between the US and UAE governments where G42 agreed to drop Chinese partnerships in favor of American technology.

"The commercial partnership is backed by assurances to the US and UAE governments through a first-of-its-kind binding agreement to apply world-class best practices to ensure the secure, trusted and responsible development and deployment of AI," Judson Althoff, Microsoft executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, said in a statement.

Microsoft president Brad Smith, who will join the board of G42, told Bloomberg that his company "got strong encouragement from the US government to move forward in this process".

"That reflects a recognition by the US government of the importance of the relationship between the two countries and the importance of continuing to encourage responsible companies," he was quoted as saying.

The deal appears to mark the latest salvo in the battle between the US and China over technology, which includes Washington's sanctions on Huawei and centers on fears over intellectual property and data protection.

Abu Dhabi-based G42 is part of the reported $1.5 trillion business empire of National Security Advisor Tahnoon bin Zayed, brother of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed.

Under the new arrangement, G42 will offer AI services via Azure to public sector clients and large enterprises in various sectors, focusing on the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa.

 2024 AFP
Fiesta is nearly here, but the NIOSA Egg Ladies still have one more session before they wrap up preparations for this years cascaron sales.

Theyve been meeting weekly over the past year  meticulously painting, filling and sealing about 60,000 cascarones to sell at A Night in Old San Antonio.

Better known as NIOSA, the Fiesta celebration for preservation is put on by the Conservation Society of San Antonio, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The four-day event raises an average of more than $1.6 million a year, which goes to helping preserve historic properties and parks, such as the citys Spanish Colonial missions, and funding education programs, according to the group.

BEST FIESTA EVER: Your 2024 guide to San Antonios biggest party

A portion of those proceeds come from the sale of those cascarones ($1 for a set of three) that about 15 volunteers have been creating over the past year.

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Thousands of eggshells painted, filled and sealed by the NIOSA Egg Ladies are prepared to be sold at NIOSA. Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor

Judy Simon, chair of the cascarones committee, started working with the NIOSA Egg Ladies, as the volunteers on the committee are known, when she retired in 2011. She had been making cascarones for decades for Easter and Fiesta in my classroom, at church and in my home, she said. Making NIOSA cascarones for me is the continuation of a festive and historic tradition.

But what do you know about NIOSA, the tradition of cascarones and the connection between the two? Check out this primer for some answers.

What is NIOSA?

The four-day event is now one of over 100 official Fiesta events. It traces its history back to 1936, when it was a harvest festival held at Mission San Jose. In 1946, the city reached out to the Conservation Society about moving the event, then known as the River Festival, from the fall to April and becoming part of Fiesta. The society held its one-night festival, now known as A Night in Old San Antonio, as a Fiesta event for the first time in 1948. By 1958, it had grown to four nights.

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In 1936, the event raised $336.11; nowadays, its the nations top fundraiser for historic preservation, according to the society.

Maureen Berryman seals cascarones to be sold at NIOSA, which will be held April 23-26 in La Villita Historic Arts Village. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL/Contributor Sonya Lentz fills cascarones to be sold at this years NIOSA, which runs from April 23-26. About 15 volunteers from the cascarones committee, the NIOSA Egg Ladies, have been meeting weekly to decorate and fill about 60,000 cascarones to be sold at NIOSA. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL/Contributor Confetti and ribbons settle in Sonya Lentzs hair as she fills cascarones April 11, the next to last meeting before this years NIOSA. About 60,000 cascarones will be sold as part of efforts to raise money for historic preservation projects. Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor Angelica Teneyuca seals cascarones to be sold at NIOSA. The proceeds from the four-day event put on by the Conservation Society of San Antonio, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL/Contributor Volunteers with the NIOSA cascarones committee paint, fill and seal thousands of eggshells April 11, the next to last meeting before this years NIOSA. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL/Contributor The NIOSA Egg Ladies paint, fill and seal thousands of eggshells. The cascarones committee will sell about 60,000 cascarones during the four-day event at La Villita Historic Arts Village. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL/Contributor Judy Simon facilitates the cascarones committee as they paint, fill and seal thousands of eggshells to be sold at NIOSA. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL/Contributor Thousands of eggshells painted, filled and sealed by the cascarones committee will be sold at NIOSA, which will be held April 23-26 in La Villita Historic Arts Village. Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor

The Conservation Society says it takes about 16,000 volunteers  including the NIOSA Egg Ladies  to put on NIOSA, which is held annually at La Villita Historic Arts Village. This years event will run from 5:30-10:30 p.m. April 23-26. It has grown from featuring the Mexican Market to showcasing the citys cultural diversity through 14 distinct areas, such as Frontier Town (added in 1966), the French Quarter (1969), Sauerkraut Bend (1971), Clown Alley (1977), China Town (1984), Mission Trail (1991) and Froggy Bottom (2004).

What is a cascaron?

If youve been in San Antonio for either Easter or Fiesta, you know the answer. But for those of you who havent, a cascaron is an egg thats been emptied (and cleaned), decorated and filled with confetti. Revelers crack them open over each others heads, spilling the confetti in the hair, inside shirts and all over the ground (or keyboards if youre in the office). H-E-B, which offers instructions on making them yourself, describes cascarones as a cross between an Easter egg and a pinata.

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GET THE LATEST: Keep up with Fiesta news and features

Tip: You dont smash the cascaron on a persons head; you keep it in your hand as you crack it open and then let the confetti (and maybe the eggshell pieces) fall onto the head.

Thousands of eggshells painted, filled and sealed by the cascarones committee will be sold at NIOSA, which will be held April 23-26 in La Villita Historic Arts Village. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL/Contributor

Why crack cascarones over someones head?

Its believed to bring good fortune to the person showered with confetti (though finding pieces of confetti off and on for months may not seem like a blessing).

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Where does the word cascaron come from?

Cascaron is Spanish for eggshell. Its related to cascara, Spanish for bark, shell or outer covering, and to cascar, which means to crack or to hit.

Where did the tradition of cascarones come from?

The story thats repeated from site to site is that Marco Polo discovered cascarones in China and brought them to Europe. Originally, they were filled with perfumed powder or ashes, and young adults threw them at each other as a form of flirtation.

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In the mid-1860s, Maximilian, the archduke of Austria and a descendent of the king of Spain, became the emperor of Mexico. His wife, Carlotta, was intrigued with cascarones and brought them to Mexico, or so the story goes.

Ofelia Pena seals cascarones to be sold at NIOSA. Cascarones committee volunteers have been meeting weekly to prepare about 60,000 cascarones for the four-day event. Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor

Cascarones got a makeover in the New World, with confetti replacing the perfumed powder. And instead of being a way to show romantic interest, the practice of cracking them over heads began  and inspired their name.

At some point, cascarones fell out of favor. But interest was revived in the 1960s in Texas and other parts of the Southwest  with some sources specifically giving San Antonios Fiesta the credit for sparking the new interest.

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Whats the connection between cascarones and Fiesta?

Cascarones have been part of NIOSA since 1959 when they were introduced as a feature in the Mexican Market. Since then, sales of cascarones have raised over $700,000 for historic preservation projects, according to the Conservation Society.

Thousands of eggshells painted, filled and sealed by the NIOSA Egg Ladies will be sold at NIOSA, which will be held April 23-26 in La Villita Historic Arts Village. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL/Contributor

Cascarones are now a Fiesta staple, with signs of them throughout the festivities. Theres the Festival de Cascarones, an event at the Texas A&M University-San Antonio that features the smashing of 6,000 confetti-filled eggs, and The Order of the Cascaron. You can buy them by the dozen at H-E-B and also at the Cascaron Store and other retailers in San Antonio.
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Schematic of dynamic hyperspectral holography enabled by inverse-designed metasurfaces with oblique helicoidal cholesterics. Credit: POSTECH

Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) have advanced online security by integrating an AI-based metasurface with oblique helicoidal cholesteric liquid crystals.

Led by Professor Junsuk Rho from the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, along with Dr. Sunae So (also a professor at Korea University) and Ph.D./MS student Joohoon Kim from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor Young-Ki Kim and Ph.D./MS student Jun-Hyung Im from the Department of Chemical Engineering, the team has successfully developed ten holograms in ten different colors, seamlessly switching among them.

Their research has been published in Advanced Materials.

The rise in digital technology has made online personal data security increasingly crucial in today's society. Encryption systems play a vital role in maintaining the stability of internet communication, serving as the cornerstone of online privacy. The realm of online security has seen a notable surge in interest regarding the fusion of metasurface technology, known for its light manipulation capabilities, with holograms.

Nonetheless, limitations have existed with respect to the amount of information that can be stored on a single metasurface.

To overcome this challenge, the research team utilized an inverse design technique driven by artificial intelligence to encode holograms with various colors and shapes across ten wavelengths ranging from 420 to 720 nanometers (nm). Additionally, they integrated an oblique helicoidal cholesterics-based wavelength modulator to accurately implement the designed holograms, even in the absence of the exact light wavelength.

The oblique helicoidal cholesterics can precisely reflect light at specific wavelengths (bandwidth external stimuli, such as electric fields and temperature, within a wide wavelength range (400 nm to 720 nm).

The research team integrated this equipment with metasurface technology to develop ten independent holograms with varying colors and shapes as switch seamlessly among them. Furthermore, they established an optical security system requiring specific electric fields and temperature conditions for the encrypted hologram to be implemented.

Professors Rho and Kim commented, "The incorporation of various external stimuli conditions, including magnetic fields, specific light wavelengths, and electric field frequencies, enables the establishment of an advanced optical encryption platform. Moreover, this technology allows for the implementation of full-color or image holograms, positioning it a core technology in the field of next-generation displays."

More information: Joohoon Kim et al, Dynamic Hyperspectral Holography Enabled by InverseDesigned Metasurfaces with Oblique Helicoidal Cholesterics, Advanced Materials (2024). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311785 Journal information: Advanced Materials
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

International shipping does not want to be a climate bad guy and is aiming to be emission-free by 2050. A new tool designed by researchers in Trondheim can help shipowners who are searching for green solutions.

Shipowners around the world are in a very difficult position because they are having to order new ships now that will run on fuel and technologies that are not yet fully developed.

A new study suggests that ammonia could be a smart and energy-efficient fuel in the race to achieve net zero in shipping. Researchers at the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management (IT) and the Department of Marine Technology (IMT) at NTNU and SINTEF Ocean are behind the study.

Help making choices in uncertain times

The researchers have developed a new model that can help shipowners and ship designers make good decisions in a time of great uncertainty. The study was recently published in Maritime Transport Research.

Postdoctoral fellow Benjamin Lagemann at the Department of Marine Technology describes the challenges the industry is facing. "They need to choose a machinery system and make plans for the future. At the same time, there is considerable uncertainty related to fuel prices, carbon pricing, fuel bunkering availability and safety," he says.

Anyone investing in new ships or upgrading their fleet must make decisions now, or have plans for how they intend to meet the climate requirements.

The ships that are now being ordered will likely be part of the international fleet in 2050.

They need to be equipped such that the enormous machinery can be converted to run on new types of fuel in the future. In shipping terminology, this is called retrofitting.

"A lot is still under development, but the decisions made today will affect the possibilities for retrofitting and fuel choices in the future. This means that the shipowners have to commit to a decision to a certain extent, and thereby run the risk of not meeting future standards and expectations related to the environment," says Lagemann.

Supramax ships as an example

The study is based on a fleet of Supramax ships. The model incorporates factors such as emission figures from production to end use using a variety of different fuels, prices and other assumptions.

The ambition of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is for shipping to be climate neutral by 2050. In addition, the industry must achieve major emission cuts by 2030 and 2040.

The NTNU researchers' model shows that IMO's ambitions have a strong impact on shipowners and ship designers' choice of propulsion systems.

"Anyone investing in new ships or upgrading their fleet must make decisions now, or have plans for how they intend to meet the climate requirements," says Professor Kjetil Fagerholt from the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management.

A lot is at stake, and shipowners need to act quickly. A standard Supramax cargo ship costs approximately NOK 300 million to build, and specialized ships can cost a lot more. The service life of these vessels is typically 2030 years.

There is still a lot we don't know about the new low and zero-emission fuels, and how they will affect technology, machinery and propulsion systems. This year, a carbon quota system for shipping will be introduced in the EU, but no one knows what the carbon prices will be in the future.

"All this makes future prices for the different fuels very uncertain," says Fagerholt.

Decisions must be sustainable

The researchers have fed all the variables into the models, and developed a probability distribution for how conditions might develop in the future.

"We create many different scenarios of what might happen, but don't draw any final conclusions on any of the outcomes," says Fagerholt.

Benjamin Lagemann says the model highlights many of the issues related to the choice of fuels, but not all of them. It requires few input parameters, and is therefore relatively easy to reuse. The intention is to give an indication of which solutions will work best over time.

Ammonia for the most ambitious

More than 80% of the goods in global trade are transported refrigerated. The Supramax ships on which NTNU researchers' models are based are about 200 meters long, transport dry loads and weigh between 58,000 and 65,000 deadweight tons. There are currently almost 3,000 ships of this type in operation, and they account for almost 10% of global transport operations measured in ton-miles.

It is not yet known what the requirements for emission cuts are going to be, so the researchers have studied two scenarios. One of them assumes a 90% cut in emissions by 2045. The conclusion is that the fleet should be designed for ammonia-based propulsion systems. If the ambitions are lowered to a 50% cut in emissions, the model recommends liquefied natural gas, i.e., methane-based propulsion systems.

In recent years, many reports have indicated that ammonia could lead the fleet into an emission-free future. The acrid smell of this chemical that is used in detergents and agricultural fertilizers is something we all recognize. When properly produced and used, ammonia can be an energy-efficient fuel to replace today's polluting fossil fuels. Ammonia does not emit any CO 2 , sulfur oxides or particles.

Providing advice for operating entire fleets

The researchers' work builds on previous research from postdoctoral fellow Benjamin Lagemann, showing how one single ship could be retrofitted over time to meet increasingly strict emissions requirements. They have now expanded the model to what they call a fleet perspective, and created two versions.

Simply explained, one version can suggest what shipping companies with many ships of different ages should do, and when it is smartest to do so. The other version will provide decision support to shipowners planning to build an entire fleet of new ships. One example is companies that are currently investing in building a fleet of completely new ammonia-powered ships.

When shipping companies invest, they want two things at once: the investment should yield the highest possible return while minimizing the danger of unwanted risk. A company with 12 ships can spread the risk over time by choosing three different technologies for fuel and engine types. All of them can be retrofitted, but not all of them need to be retrofitted at the same time.

When the researchers were asked if they know whether their models will actually be used by those who need them, Lagemann replies, "No, we don't know. But several industry actors, designers and shipping companies, both in Norway and abroad, have shown interest."

More information: Olav Loennechen et al, Maritime fleet composition under future greenhouse gas emission restrictions and uncertain fuel prices, Maritime Transport Research (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.martra.2024.100103
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Research assistants Mathewos Bunaro (far right) and Nahil Gemechew (sitting in pink), interview households in the Gelta Dada Zone. Credit: Yujin Lee

Even though solar home systems are becoming cheaper and easier to access, barriers to their adoption persist among remote communities in developing countries, where solar panels can promote health and education, according to a new study of two rural villages in Ethiopia.

Affordable but uncertified and substandard solar panels, coupled with minimal government involvement in the rural energy-transition process, are among the key factors that hinder access to reliable electricity for local communities.

At the same time, when solar panels are added to homes, they offer a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to kerosene lamps, and they support education by providing children electric light to study past sundown.

"Not a lot is known about how the energy transition to renewable energy is occurring in rural areas in the Global South, so we wanted to understand how households are involved," said Yujin Lee, a doctoral student of Regional Science in the Department of City and Regional Planning in the College of Architecture, Art and Planning.

Lee is first author of the study "Upholding Household Agency in Climate Mitigation and Socio-technical Energy Transition in Ethiopia," published March 23 in the journal Energy Policy.

"We need to ensure that a global energy transition toward renewable and clean sources should not leave behind those remote or rural populations in the developing world," said Chuan Liao, the paper's senior author and assistant professor in the Department of Global Development in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Ethiopia has developed a national electrification program with an existing and planned national grid system with the aim of electrifying all households within 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) of the nearest grid by 2030. Households located beyond 25 kilometers are expected to receive long-term off-grid solutions.

For the study, Lee traveled to Ethiopia in the summer of 2023 to interview people in three locations. She interviewed government and institutional workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, at the epicenter of the grid system; and local leaders and residents in the Geta Data Zone beyond the 25 kilometer buffer from the existing grid and in the Kaffa Zone within the 25 kilometer buffer zone.

She found rural people were very open to adopting solar panels. "Having light at night has educational effects, allowing children to do homework and study longer," Lee said. "All 16 households that were interviewed responded that they had no intentions of going back to using kerosene in the future." Traditionally, young girls collect firewood for cooking, but when solar electricity can power stoves, it frees up time for girls to go to school, she added.

But adoption is partly thwarted by a lack of good quality solar panels in rural areas. Cheap, uncertified panels break within a few years, and they are often left as garbage, creating environmental pollution, Liao said.

Ongoing discussions between international organizations and the Ethiopian government seek to standardize solar panels and regulate disposal of batteries, Lee said.

Also, government officials rarely visited villages, especially those outside of the grid buffer zone and those that didn't have roads. As a result, they were poorly informed about the realities of rural solar adoption. In Addis Ababa, officials claimed that solar adoption in rural areas was close to 80%, but in interviews with townships in villages, Lee found that number closer to 20%.

"It becomes problematic when government officials try and codify documents based on their understanding, which is very different from reality," Lee said.

Local rural youth, many of whom are unemployed, also wish the government offered technical education on solar installation and maintenance, which could create livelihoods, yet no program exists for that.

Lee recommends that government officials take the time to visit rural areas, for communities to create platforms to be more involved in managing and being accountable for their own energy needs, and for governments, private companies, international organizations, and end users to develop systems for communicating more effectively.

More information: Yujin Lee et al, Upholding household agency in climate mitigation and socio-technical energy transition in Ethiopia, Energy Policy (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2024.114067 Journal information: Energy Policy
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Credit: Tara Winstead from Pexels

The future of artificial intelligence, technology to fight climate change and other glimpses at the cutting edge were in focus Tuesday as mega-tech conference Web Summit opened in Rio de Janeiro.

Known as the "Davos for Geeks," the conference is holding its second edition in the Brazilian beach city, with more than 600 tech gurus, public personalities and other speakers joining entrepreneurs from more than 1,000 startups.

In a male-dominated industry, organizers said 45 percent of the startups represented this year were founded or are led by women, a record for Web Summit, which started in 2009.

Dozens of women tech entrepreneurs from countries including Argentina, Brazil, Portugal and Uruguay took the stage to applause as organizers opened the three-day event.

"Discussions at this year's event focus on technology's role in addressing crucial global issues, such as AI, fintech, climate change and human rights," said conference director Artur Pereira.

The gathering is "an opportunity for Web Summit to convene technology's leaders in Latin America's already dynamic and rapidly growing tech scene" and connect them with global players, he said.

Launched in Dublin 15 years ago, Web Summit moved to Lisbon in 2016. The Latin American edition is held in parallel with the original, which still convenes each November.

Organizers plan to hold the Rio edition at least through 2028. AFP is a media partner of the event this year.

The conference brings together startups with giants like IBM, BYD, Salesforce, Huawei and JP Morgan.

"Our mission is to transform Rio into the capital of innovation of Latin America," Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said in his opening speech.

"We believe that tech and innovation can act as key drivers of Rio's economy."

Rio officials say the event will draw 40,000 people a day and inject some 33 million reais ($6.4 million) into the economy.

 2024 AFP
The death of Joseph Banales, 22, remains open and active, Selma police said. Police urge the community to come forward with any information regarding his death. Courtesy San Antonio Crime Stoppers

A year after Joseph Banales was found dead inside his car on the Northeast Side, the case remains open.

The 22-year-old college student dropped off his girlfriend after they attended a Military Ball and never returned home.

This week, the Selma Police Department issued a news release stating it was reaffirming its resolve to bring the murderer to justice.

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We have interviewed hundreds of people but just havent found the right one yet, a post from February stated. Police have urged the community to come forward with any information regarding the 22-year-olds death.

Selma police found Banales unresponsive around 11:45 p.m. April 15, 2023, in the 15400 block of Interstate 35 North. Initially, it was reported as an accident, but investigators found that he had been shot in the back of the head through the drivers side window.

Witnesses said Banales began swerving while he was driving. His car almost struck another vehicle before crashing into a median, police said.

Police identified a vehicle of interest near the crime scene. It was listed as a dark-colored Nissan 350z or 370z.

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Banales was a nursing student slated to graduate from the University of Incarnate Word. He was also part of the schools Army ROTC program and headed toward being commissioned as an officer in the Armys nursing corps.

Last December, Banales parents accepted his posthumous degree during UIWs commencement ceremony.

We are proud to honor Joseph today by presenting his diploma to his mother and father, UIW Vice Provost Dimitri Tamalis said.

In an October interview with KENS 5, Banales mother, Frances Szabo, said she was in disbelief when she got the call that her son had died. Her family believes it was an act of road rage that killed her son that night.

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He was a beautiful young man. There was no reason for this; anger is never the answer, Szabo said.
Marta Lamar Prater, 49, was fatally shot in a confrontation with officers about 8 p.m. Friday in the 200 block of North Crossroads Boulevard. Tetra Images/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

A woman possibly experiencing a mental health crisis was wielding a makeshift whip with scissors and attacked an officer moments before she was fatally shot by Balcones Heights police.

The incident occurred before 8:30 p.m. Friday in the 200 block of North Crossroads Boulevard, according to Chief John Jahanara.

It started when the officer was making routine business checks and saw Marta Lamar Prater, 49, who had her belongings at a nonfunctioning car wash. Jahanara said the officer recognized that she was possibly experiencing homelessness and told her to move down the street.

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As the officer returned to his vehicle, a police-issued Chevrolet Tahoe, the back window was suddenly blown out.

ALSO READ: Erik Cantu sues San Antonio over police shooting that left him critically injured

The officer turned and saw Prater swinging her weapon like a helicopter, Jahanara said. Investigators would later find out the weapon was a pair of scissors loosely attached to a nylon rope.

This went from zero to 100, Jahanara said.

The officer radioed his situation to headquarters and called for backup while pulling out his stun gun and asking Prater to drop her weapon.

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Jahanara, who reviewed body camera footage of the incident, said Prater began moving toward the officer. The weapon could be heard hitting the ground.

Another officer arrived, and the first officer fired his stun gun, but it had no effect. His partner also fired his stun gun, but it too had no effect, and the officer reloaded the cartridge for a third attempt.

Meanwhile, the first officer asked Prater her name and told her to drop the weapon. His partner fired his reloaded stun gun at her once more. Again, it was ineffective, Jahanara said.

As the three stood in a triangle, Prater began sprinting toward the first officer.

Jahanara said the officer turned to run before she stopped, and the confrontation reset. The officer continued asking her to drop her weapon.

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In the final moments, Prater again began swinging at the first officer. This time, his partner fired shots from his handgun, hitting her once in the neck and a second time in her head.

As soon as Prater went down, officers began administering first aid, Jahanara said. One officer used a pair of medical shears to cut through her clothing to see her wounds.

She was wearing at least eight layers of shirts, the chief said. One officer told the other where to put pressure as EMS arrived.

Ultimately, Prater died at the scene.

When officers examined the scene afterward, they found a knife and a saw blade between 13 and 14 inches long, the chief said.

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Both officers were placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into the shooting.

The officer who fired the shot has been with the department for just over a year, while the initial officer who encountered Prater has been with the department for five months. Both officers have prior law enforcement experience.
Students arrive for the school day at Great Hearts Monte Vista North in San Antonio, Texas, as Austin Walker plays the bagpipe on Nov. 10, 2021. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Great Hearts Texas, a San Antonio-based charter network, has placed an undisclosed number of teachers on administrative leave after a state probe revealed that they didnt complete mandatory background checks.

According to an email Great Hearts Texas sent to families last week, the Texas Education Agency identified the issue while reviewing the charter networks human resources-related compliance measures as part of an ongoing investigation.

Sunshine streams into a classroom at the start of the school day at Great Hearts Monte Vista North in San Antonio, Texas, on Nov. 11, 2021. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

During the review, the TEA identified a list of current employees who were not properly vetted through the states system due to having incomplete records and background paperwork.

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This was primarily related to fingerprints not being fully processed through the states system, the email said.

Texas law requires all certified educators, substitute teachers, educational aides and contracted employees with direct contact with students to be fingerprinted as part of a criminal background check before employment.

The TEA directed Great Hearts Texas to place all affected employees on paid administrative leave while our leadership team resolves all inconsistencies with our records and those on file with TEA, the email said.

We expect this matter to be cleared up within a couple of business days, the email said. This is a compliance issue that GH Texas must act on and should not be perceived in any way as a corrective action being taken against the employees or academies impacted.

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Great Hearts Texas said it did not believe any of the employees were ineligible for employment and emphasized that there were no known safety risks to students.

The charter network would not disclose which campuses were affected, how many employees were suspended or how many of them were teaching in a classroom.

Great Hearts Texas operates seven well-regarded schools in San Antonio, five in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and 22 in all, serving more than 10,000 students.

In a statement provided to the San Antonio Express-News, Great Hearts Texas interim Superintendent Kurtis Indorf said they are cooperating with the TEA and working to submit all missing paperwork as soon as possible.

Great Hearts Texas is investigating how these errors in process and submission occurred and is implementing immediate corrective action, starting with bringing the employee onboarding and background check function in-house as of last Friday for increased accountability, scrutiny and safety, Indorf said.

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Until last week, the charter networks human resources had been managed by its Arizona-based parent organization, Great Hearts America.

The TEA launched a special investigation into Great Hearts Texas in November after the charter network accused Great Hearts America of illegally siphoning millions of dollars from its state funding.

The Texas group filed a lawsuit against the Arizona group after an alleged board takeover, sending an email to parents claiming that significant legal and noncompliance issues came to light after board leadership changed in 2020 and a new superintendent, Brendan Miniter, was hired in 2021.

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Around that time, Great Hearts America had begun to assert influence over the local charter networks finances, human resources, recordkeeping, employee benefits, real estate acquisition, board governance and overall operational authority and control, the lawsuit said.
Multiple airplane incidents, including a handful of Texas-related incidents, made headlines recently and prompted official investigations.

Clusters of plane mishaps might leave the impression that the sky is falling, but thats not the case, according to Peter Knudson, spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board.

An Express-News analysis of the agencys data shows aviation incident rates for commercial airlines havent increased significantly.

"The accident and incident rate, they've (been) pretty stable," Knudson said. "What we do see is clusters of events.

While the most recent incident involving San Antonio International Airport was in 2021, Texas has seen a recent cluster of events, mostly involving Houston-area airports. An engine fire caused by bubble wrap forced a United Airlines flight from Houston to return to the airport. The same week, a United plane landing in Houston slid off a slick runway into the grass.

A third incident reported by Click2Houston involved a United fight returning to Houston due to a loose door handle. In January, American Airlines aircraft diverted to Houston after a report of a fire in an oven in the aircraft's galley. In April, a Southwest Airlines flight from Denver to Houston issued an emergency landing after the aircraft lost an engine cover mid-flight.

But a cluster of incidents doesnt necessarily indicate an overall rise. A series of back-to-back mishaps may be followed by a long period with little activity, he said.

It's hard to explain, Knudson said of incident clusters. They're not necessarily connected.

Have there really been more airplane incidents lately?

The Express-News analysis looked at commercial airline incidents investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board from 2008-2023, with causes ranging from turbulence and engine failure to lightning strikes and mid-air collisions.

The year with the highest rate of incidents was 2010, with 14 incidents per 100,000 flights. Rates fell steadily to a low of about 6 per 100,000 flights in 2015 and then began climbing again. But aside from 2021, which saw 11 per 100,000 flights, incident rates have lingered around 8 or 9 per 100,000.

Why do these incidents happen?

Personnel and environmental factors have been the most common contributors to commercial flight incidents since 2008. Personnel issues were involved in about 54% of incidents and environmental issues contributed to about 42%, the agencys data shows.

One of the biggest risks planes face from weather comes from strong thunderstorms, said Justin Ballard, a Hearst Newspapers meteorologist.

"Microbursts can quickly prove devastating to a plane taking off or landing," he said. "Microbursts produce strong and sudden wind gusts, posing a significant hazard to an aircraft during takeoff and landing due to sudden changes in wind speed and direction."

Other environmental issues can cause problems for an aircraft including reduced visibility in inclement weather, slippery runways, severe turbulence, and ice accumulation on the plane's wings and other critical surfaces.

How many of these incidents happen in Texas?

In Texas, about 90 aviation incidents either started from or were headed to state airports with another 10 experiencing issues while over Texas. Fewer than five were flights traveling to or leaving San Antonio.

What are these incidents?

The National Transportation Safety Board is required to investigate plane issues that result in injury or plane damage. Only 4% of incidents investigated by the agency involve commercial flights.
The threat actor tracked as TA558 has been observed leveraging steganography as an obfuscation technique to deliver a wide range of malware such as Agent Tesla, FormBook, Remcos RAT, LokiBot, GuLoader, Snake Keylogger, and XWorm, among others.

"The group made extensive use of steganography by sending VBSs, PowerShell code, as well as RTF documents with an embedded exploit, inside images and text files," Russian cybersecurity company Positive Technologies said in a Monday report.

The campaign has been codenamed SteganoAmor for its reliance on steganography and the choice of file names such as greatloverstory.vbs and easytolove.vbs.

A majority of the attacks have targeted industrial, services, public, electric power, and construction sectors in Latin American countries, although companies located in Russia, Romania, and Turkey have also been singled out.

The development comes as TA558 has also been spotted deploying Venom RAT via phishing attacks aimed at enterprises located in Spain, Mexico, the United States, Colombia, Portugal, Brazil, Dominican Republic, and Argentina.

It all starts with a phishing email containing a booby-trapped email Microsoft Excel attachment that exploits a now-patched security flaw in Equation Editor (CVE-2017-11882) to download a Visual Basic Script that, in turn, fetches the next-stage payload from paste[.]ee.

The obfuscated malicious code takes care of downloading two images from an external URL that come embedded with a Base64-encoded component that ultimately retrieves and executes the Agent Tesla malware on the compromised host.

Beyond Agent Tesla, other variants of the attack chain have led to an assortment of malware such as FormBook, GuLoader, LokiBot, Remcos RAT, Snake Keylogger, and XWorm, which are designed for remote access, data theft, and delivery of secondary payloads.

The phishing emails are sent from legitimate-but-compromised SMTP servers to lend the messages a little credibility and minimize the chances of them getting blocked by email gateways. In addition, TA558 has been found to use infected FTP servers to stage the stolen data.

The disclosure comes against the backdrop of a series of phishing attacks targeting government organizations in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Armenia with a malware dubbed LazyStealer to harvest credentials from Google Chrome.

Positive Technologies is tracking the activity cluster under the name Lazy Koala in reference to the name of the user (joekoala), who is said to control the Telegram bots that receive the stolen data.

That said, the victim geography and the malware artifacts indicate potential links to another hacking group tracked by Cisco Talos under the name YoroTrooper (aka SturgeonPhisher).

"The group's main tool is a primitive stealer, whose protection helps to evade detection, slow down analysis, grab all the stolen data, and send it to Telegram, which has been gaining popularity with malicious actors by the year," security researcher Vladislav Lunin said.

The findings also follow a wave of social engineering campaigns that are designed to propagate malware families like FatalRAT and SolarMarker.

Update

Cybersecurity company ITOCHU Cyber & Intelligence, in a report published on May 15, 2024, said it observed a Japanese-language spam email campaign adopting similar infection techniques as SteganoAmor to deliver Agent Tesla.

"This sample employed a combination of various traditional attack tactics, including obfuscated VBScripts and PowerShell scripts, malicious codes embedded in images (steganography), and the exploitation of free image-uploading and text-sharing websites used as payload retrieval infrastructure," the company said.

In a follow-up report published by F.A.C.C.T. on July 25, 2024, the cybersecurity company detailed TA558 campaigns employing the same modus operandi to deliver Agent Tesla or Remcos RAT in attacks targeting enterprises, government agencies, and banks in Russia and Belarus.
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Joann Stroman, RN, MHA, MSN, BSN, has been selected as a volunteer item writer for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

NCSBN, headquartered in Chicago, is responsible for developing and administering the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examinations.

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Stroman, Wellness Director at the Bamberg Job Corps Center and Adjunct Instructor at Denmark Technical College was approved by the South Carolina State Board of Nursing and selected by NCSBN to participate on the NCLEX item development panel of subject matter experts that was held in Chicago on March 26-29, 2024. She was selected on the basis of her clinical specialty and nursing expertise.

Denmark Tech, other S.C. schools in pilot to streamline college credit transfers South Carolina is one of the first three states in the country to partner with the national nonprofit Ithaka S+R to pilot a platform designed to streamline the college transfer process by providing current and clear information to students and those who support them.

The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examinations identify those candidates who demonstrate minimal competence to practice nursing at the entry level. Passing the NCLEX exam is one of the requirements necessary for attaining a nursing license/registration in the United States and participating Canadian provinces and territories.

DTC inducts 14 in inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony Denmark Technical College has inducted 14 distinguished alumni into its inaugural class of the Alumni Hall of Fame.

Stroman said This was an honor and highly respected and prestigious recognition by the State Board of Nursing and selection by the Nation Council of State Board of Nursing. My passion is helping, caring for and sharing my skills and knowledge with others.

Stroman is a University of South Carolina graduate where she obtained her BSN and obtained a double Masters (MHA & MSN) from the University of Phoenix. Stroman brings to the table National training of nurses, EKG technicians and certified nursing assistants. She has 45 years of nursing experience in all avenues of the field. She serves on the Board of Directors for CASA and has served on other boards in the past.

A resident of Cope, she describes herself as humble, giving, and caring."
Approximately 2,000 Voorhees University GEAR UP scholars exited their buses at Carowinds on March 28, 2024. They anticipated a day full of STEAM activities. They were ready to accept the challenge of participating in the activities and listening to the instructors as they demonstrated hands-on experiments.

GEAR UP Approximately 2,000 Voorhees University GEAR UP scholars exited their buses at Carowinds on March 28, 2024. They anticipated a day full of STE

It is evident that GEAR UP plays a significant role in motivating students towards continuous learning. According to Atomz Lab Dawn, My staff and I wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful day with the students. This is our fourth year at Carowinds, and we have never had students that were so polite and nice. They really seemed to enjoy the activities at all the stations, and we hope they have gained some knowledge today. Keep up the amazing work that you are doing for these kids.

While at the park the students were able to apply what they have learned while showing relevance to science, technology, engineering, art, and math. As the students ate their lunch and talked amongst their peers, you could overhear the chatter about the STEAM activities and the operation of the rides. They were very appreciative of the $10 spending card as they purchased treats, souvenirs and played games.

Voorhees celebrates Founders Day and Springfest DENMARK  Voorhees University is gearing up to commemorate its 127th Founders Day with its annual Founders Day Convocation.

From this experience the students took away how calculation, measurement, and experimentation can be used in everyday life and turned into a career. What they learn will enhance their creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills.
U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack, pictured in 2008. Todd Yates/AP

A federal judge has fined Texas $100,000 a day for failing to implement orders she put in place to fix the states struggling foster care system, marking her third contempt order and largest fine ever levied in the yearslong legal saga.

U.S. District Judge Janis Jack said Monday that the Health and Human Services Commission had violated two previous court orders requiring the state to investigate abuse and neglect allegations lodged against its providers in a timely manner. On Tuesday, the state said it planned to appeal and asked Jack to temporarily pause the order and give the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals time to issue its ruling.

READ MORE: Former Texas foster youth describes dangerous conditions as judge weighs state sanctions

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In the judge's 427-page order Monday, she offered more than a dozen examples of investigations that had serious deficiencies that caused some of the most vulnerable foster children to remain in dangerous placements for long periods. Jack said she found it notable that most investigations were prompted by people other than the childs caregiver, such as a health care provider or law enforcement officer.

She also pointed to reports from court-appointed monitors that found more than half of the complaints they reviewed werent sufficiently investigated.

It is the courts ongoing concern that caregivers failure to report as required is a systemic issue and not merely anecdotal, Jack said. The state has a responsibility to follow-up and investigate outcries made by the children in its care and ensure each childs safety and well-being.

The order will stay in place until the state can certify that all open provider investigations involving children in state custody since Dec. 4 are substantially compliant and can provide data on all open and closed cases. The monitors will review the cases and report their findings to the court.

Jack previously held the state in contempt in 2019 and 2020. In 2019, she fined the state $50,000 a day for failing to ensure that foster children were receiving around-the-clock supervision at large-scale foster care facilities.

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That year, the state ended up paying $150,000 in fines after spending three days doing unannounced visits to supervisors of foster children in Texas and other states.

The attorney generals office, which represents state agencies in court, did not respond to a request for comment. In its filing Tuesday, the state argued that Jack improperly focused on about 35 cases out of thousands conducted annually.

"When evaluated more broadly, defendants are in substantial compliance with these orders as established by the monitors own reports," they wrote.

Houston lawyer Paul Yetter, who is representing the foster children plaintiffs, said the system remains broken and "children are suffering every day."

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In a statement Tuesday, he added: "Rather than certify safe, timely investigations of reports of child abuse and neglect, the state seems determined to avoid responsibility. This appeal sends a terrible message to Texas children that state leadership just doesnt care about their safety.

A spokesperson for the health commission said officials there are still reviewing the judges order. Lawyers for the state previously have argued that while there is always room for improvement, state officials have sufficiently complied with the courts remedial orders.

The state also has argued that the court monitors havent reviewed a large enough sample size of children in the system to make any blanket conclusions.

Jack disagreed, criticizing the state for minimizing foster children and saying they are not just a data set, they are some of the most vulnerable children in the states care  children who suffered for months or years while the state bungled investigation after investigation.

She pointed to the monitors conclusion that over half of the investigations that were closed with a disposition of unconfirmed or inconclusive between Jan. 1, 2023, and April 30, 2023, were deficient.

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The deficiencies reported were serious and egregious, especially considering the alleged victims were children with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities, Jack wrote.

The investigations were so delayed in some cases that an investigators first attempt to speak with an alleged perpetrator came after they stopped working at the facility, couldnt be located or refused to speak, Jack said. In most cases, there were lengthy, unexplained delays that caused investigations to remain open without activity even as, in some cases, more allegations racked up, she said.

A compliance hearing is set for June 26 in federal court in Austin.
(TBTCO) - Trong bai viet Chong lang phi viet thang 10/2024, Tong Bi thu, Chu tich nuoc To Lam khang inh: e nam bat co hoi, ay lui thach thuc, gia tang manh me nguon luc cham lo cho nhan dan, lam giau cho at nuoc trong giai oan cach mang moi, xay dung tuong lai tot ep, cong tac phong, chong lang phi can uoc trien khai quyet liet, ong bo voi nhung giai phap huu hieu, tao su lan toa manh me, tro thanh tu nguyen, tu giac cua moi can bo, ang vien va nguoi dan, van hoa ung xu trong thoi ai moi; chu trong mot so giai phap trong tam.
A father yesterday called for police officers to be trained to handle people with mental health conditions, after his son was shot and killed by a municipal officer on Friday afternoon.

He needed help and they kill him, Cleophas Noel said of his son, Elijah Noel.

Cleophas said Elijah, 20, was schizophrenic.
Shown are expected rainfall totals through Sunday in South Texas, according to the National Blend of Models. Pivotal Weather

Fiesta San Antonio is just days away, and a fairly active weather pattern is starting to look more likely here in South Texas from Thursday through the first weekend of the annual 11-day festival. San Antonio could see scattered thunderstorms, some of which could be strong to severe. In addition, a cold font is expected to move through the region over the weekend.

If youve already bought your tickets to events like the Oyster Bake, a Taste of New Orleans, or the Fiesta Arts Fair, dont fret. Storms are not expected all day. But be sure to stay updated with the forecast at expressnews.com/weather to know when the best chance of storms could arrive.

Fiesta Fiesta

Fiesta starts on Thursday, and this years kickoff party, Fiesta Fiesta, is from 4 to 11 p.m. at the Alamodomes H-E-B Plaza. If you come early, get ready for the heat. Temperatures on Thursday are expected to reach the low 90s, which is about 10 degrees warmer than average for mid-April.

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Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop in parts of Central Texas during the late afternoon. These storms will move toward San Antonio Thursday evening. The best chance of storms will be between 6 and 9 p.m.

The Storm Prediction Center's outlook for Wednesday shows a level 1 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms for a large part of Texas, including San Antonio. Under this threat level, isolated storms are possible. Pivotal Weather

Thankfully, storms will be quite scattered, meaning that San Antonios rain chance is only 20% to 30%. However, the storms that do develop could become strong to severe, capable of large hail and damaging winds. The National Weather Services Storm Prediction Center included San Antonio in a level 1 of 5 risk for severe weather Thursday evening. Such a risk includes the possibility of isolated severe storms.

Friday and Saturday events

A Taste of New Orleans and the Fiesta Oyster Bake, two of the most popular Fiesta events, kick off Friday and Saturday. You may have to dodge a few showers and storms yet again as the cold front stalls out north of San Antonio on Friday. With the dry air corralled behind the front, warm and humid weather is expected in the city, with afternoon temperatures rising into the 80s.

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A few scattered showers and storms will be possible by Friday evening, but overall rain chances will stay relatively low, only at 20% to 30%.

The cold front will move ever closer to San Antonio on Saturday. Actual high temperatures will depend on the fronts exact location. If it stays north, highs in the 80s are possible again. But if the front moves farther south, highs in the 70s would be more likely.

Future weather radar models for 7 p.m. Saturday show increasing thunderstorms across parts of Central and South Texas. Pivotal Weather

The closer cold front also means that rain chances will increase, especially by Saturday night. Rain chances will be 30% to 40% during the afternoon, but theyll jump to between 60% and 80% after 7 p.m. The best chance for rain all weekend long is on Saturday.

While a severe weather outbreak is not expected, a chance remains for a few strong to marginally severe storms during this time. If you plan on being out, have a way to receive weather alerts and warnings, and have a plan to take shelter if necessary.

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Drier Sunday
City Council did the right thing

In an emotionally packed city council, our council members chose to unify our community, instead of ripping it apart. No one wins in the matter of the Israel/Gaza conflict, the healing has to come from within with hate and vitriol from one side, I hope they find peace. Quoting Golda: When peace comes we will perhaps in time be able to forgive the Arabs for killing our sons, but it will be harder for us to forgive them for having forced us to kill their sons. Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us. I pray this time will come soon.

Andrew Kunsberg

East side

Outrage great! Action needed!

The responses of outrage to the recent Arizona Supreme Court upholding an 1864 Abortion law are welcome. We need more than outrage. We need action! The immediate threat (in approximately 50 days) is that even though our State Attorney General has promised not to prosecute under this heinous law, many providers will be concerned and may stop providing. The Arizona Legislature is majority Republican. They have so far refused to allow discussion of repealing the 1864 law. Rather than engage with the Democrats they closed their session. They seem to have short memories. In 2022 Republicans wrote and passed a 15-week bill. Arizona has been operating under this bill for two years. The Arizona Supreme Court stated that only the legislature can correct the problem of the two competing laws.

Action is needed  call and email your state House and Senate members and ask them to repeal the draconian 1884 law. www.azleg.gov/ findmylegislator/

Mary Keerins

Foothills

Mayor Romero, fix the roads!

Short and succinct. Mayor Romero, Fix the roads! This is your main job. You got a massive pay raise recently. Show your appreciation. Avoiding potholes on Irvington between Kolb and Houghton is impossible. Do we still have a road maintenance department? Fix the roads!

Galen Paton

East side

Tucson Community Schools 75th year

Congratulations to Tucson Community School (TCS) for 75 years of early childhood education, which it celebrated on April 13, 2024. In 1949, parents started a school for young children using indoor and outdoor classrooms with planned activities that encouraged exploration and learning. Parents and faculty worked together to provide for the needs of each child using an accredited curriculum. Thousands of children and parents have had the opportunity to participate in this school. As a past parent, teacher, director and trustee of this remarkable school, I am thankful that I enrolled my 3-year-old son at TCS in 1980. I attribute much of his subsequent successes in life to this early childhood learning experience. TCS should be congratulated on its 75 years of service and contributions to young children and their families of our community.

Barbara Earnest, M. Ed

Foothills

Another silly conspiracy theory

Re: the Feb. 29 letter Different viewpoints.

Oh dear! The letter writer sees a conspiracy where liberal writers coordinate their efforts and are on the Stars payroll. Perhaps a spectral liberal bogeyman hiding under her bed revealed the plot. Writers have plenty of motivation to criticize the falsehoods of the other side and Donald Trump without compensation or coordination, as Trump attacks the rule of law.

Writers also need not be liberal to be critical. Former congressional representative Liz Cheney, my very conservative hero, said on NBCs Today show in early December 2023: A vote for Donald Trump may mean the last election that you ever get to vote in. A vote for Donald Trump is a vote against the Constitution.

Trump and MAGA are playing for keeps with their Project 2025 and bloodbath threats. We will not be silenced in our defense of human decency and democracy, even if the scofflaw fraudster slithers back into power.

Ronald Pelech

Midtown

Powers for diversity on City Council

Late April, Tucson Mayor and Council will appoint our new Ward 6 representative. The Mayors procedures, approved last month, have no provision for public input. An oversight? or an indicator that the appointment was already decided? Regardless, lets make our choices heard.

Will Mayor/Councils appointment ensure no more of those pesky 6-1 votes that we in Ward 6 came to expect? I appreciated having a council member who asked tough questions after doing his in-depth homework. I believe diversity of thought should be welcomed at study sessions, not eliminated.

The applicant I find most likely to continue that Ward 6 tradition is Pamela Powers. As a former Democrat state legislator, she know political issues, how to vote No and how to communicate with her constituents.

The Ward 6 appointee will serve 18 months  too long for a rubber stamp; too short for a newcomer to learn; just right for an experienced, long-term Ward 6 resident to contribute to City problem-solving. My choice  Pamela Powers.

Ruth Beeker

Midtown

Lake promotes desalinization plant

Kari Lake is at it again. Wanting to be senator, she supports building desalinization plants in Mexico and California. She is just plain wrong about these plants. She tries to compare Israel and its desalination efforts with Arizona.

First, Israelis pay twice much for desalinated water as we pay for our water. No household or farmer would be willing to pay such an exorbitant fee (nothing more than a tax).

Second, Israel is a small country next to Arizona. Israel ships its desalinated water 10-20 miles. The desalinization plant proposed for Puerto Penasco would ship water 200 miles to Phoenix.

Third, any effort to build and ship water from a plant in Mexico would require a treaty, unlikely. California has turned down building a new desalinization plant for itself because of environmental problems. It certainly would not agree to build one for Arizonans.

Do not believe Lakes latest con.

Howard Strause

Foothills

SAVE Plan loan forgiveness

Those complaining about our governments SAVE Plan loan forgiveness reminds me of Matthew 20:1-16, The Laborers in the Vineyard. When those hired first complain that they worked longer and harder but earned no more money than those who worked less, the owner replied, Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Those of us who paid our student loans worked hard and long and met our agreements need not be envious nor dissatisfied with others good fortunes. Friend, I am doing you no wrong.

John (Jay) Van Echo

West side

We still have choice

Im a retired attorney and close observer of Arizonas abortion laws saga. The recent Arizona Supreme Courts convoluted decision stripping women of their reproductive rights was legally wrong. These judges  including Kathryn H. King and Clint Bolick, who are on the ballot this fall  had a straightforward case of statutory construction. Had they done their duty, i.e, applied time-honored, sensible rules governing conflicting laws and avoiding constitutional conundrums, they would have harmonized the 2022 and 1864 laws while showing preference to preserving the more recent, specific 15-week abortion ban.

Thats what a normal court would have done. They didnt. Instead, ignoring legally required off ramps and hiding behind contorted legal reasoning, these judges simply CHOSE to remove our reproductive rights. Was it incompetence, extreme partisanship, both?

What to do? The answer is as straightforward as the legal problem they fumbled: this fall vote to remove justices Kathryn King and Clint Bolick; vote Democrat, the pro-choice party; and vote for the Abortion Access Act.

Mary Theisen

Foothills

Kindness in Tucson

It was the day of the eclipse and I was running around trying to find glasses and everyone was out  but Walgreens suggested trying the library. I knocked on the window and a volunteer said I would have to wait an hour and I was late already! He held his hand up and said wait a minute. He went and got the glasses and opened the locked door. That is kindness and that is Tucson!

Jackie Gerard

Foothills

Giving credit where it is due

I want to thank a couple of brave and competent politicians. Thank you Gov. Hobbs for protecting us from these hillbilly state legislators. If not for her our school classrooms would each have an armed guard and the kids would spend half their day watching Fox News and Prager U. propaganda.

Thanks to Mayor Romero for fixing our streets! She impressed me by being the only politician I have ever seen that admitted a mistake and then fixed it as she did regarding saving Barnum Hill. Her campaign to plant a million trees is great idea our grandkids will thank us for. I planted a tree she gave me (now named Regina) and it is thriving. She told me she loves her job and it shows.

Robert McNeil

Midtown

Wrong definition of genocide

Re: the April 14 letter Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism.

Id like to know what facts the letter writer is basing her claim that Israel was founded on the mass displacement of the indigenous people of that land As a Jewish person and grandchild of Holocaust survivors, I can speak to the facts of my familys history. My great-uncle Mordecai Pakier, after escaping from the ghetto in Baranovich, Poland, then fighting in the Partisans, immigrated to Israel in 1946, with the help of my grandpa, Israel Pakier, who helped open the Jewish Office of Refugees in Berlin. Uncle Mordecai first lived at Kibbutz Eilon, established in 1938, ten years before Israels independence.

That is a brief glimpse into my familys story, however, Jewish people have populated the land of Israel for over 4,000 years. I take issue with the letter writers definition of genocide. I encourage the letter writer to look at her grandparents experience during the Holocaust, as a more accurate description of genocide.

Lori Riegel, PhD

Northwest side

Get our finances in order

Re: the April 13 article Why are our national finances so weak?

Columnist Megan Mcardle has written an outstanding piece on a critical issue threatening to blow up America. All those who profess patriotism and care about our childrens future should read it!

Mcardle shines light on an issue we seldom think about or discuss, Our federal government is pursuing an unsustainable financial path of year after year spending more money than it takes in, leaving us with about $34 Trillion in debt we must pay back but with no realistic strategy to do so.

What is so alarming is that our national leaders do not mention the problem anymore. Trump pushes tax cuts and Biden pushes new spending, neither of which we can afford while we owe so much money.

Economists warn our debt will cost more and more in interest payments, taking that money from important services (defense?). Wake up and demand we get our financial house in order.

Jim Greene

Northwest side

Engel will move us forward

Re: the April 14 article Schweikerts budget proposal support could spell disaster for Arizona.

I applaud Dr. Goodricks opinion piece about the Republican (aka MAGA) 2025 Budget proposal. It demonstrates yet again that the only people Trump and the MAGA Republicans, including our own Juan Ciscomani, are interested in serving are the very rich and those who support their very conservative views on womens and LGBTQ+s rights to control their own bodies. In addition, they clearly do not believe that healthcare should be a universal right, available to all irrespective of their ability to pay. We are, I believe, the ONLY so-called 1st World country that does NOT provide some form of universal healthcare. MAGA Republicans are taking us backwards, not forwards, and Juan Ciscomani is right there with them. We need a representative who will take us forward, support the entire constituency, including all beliefs and genders, and ensure all of CD-06 retain their rights to live healthy lives. Kirsten Engel will do that.

Nancy Atherton

Foothills

Hudbay Mining is outrageous

For a foreign country to come in and destroy the beauty of the mountains sacred to Native Americans (here long before white men) in order to sell copper to a foreign country that then manufactures products to sell back to the USA at high cost is outrageous!

There will be a permanent dust haze enveloping Green Valley, probably needing to change its name to Brown Valley.

All of the technological jargon does not disguise the destruction involved. There are copper deposits elsewhere in Arizona to fulfill our needs.

Diane Stephenson
Jimmie Tramel Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow Jimmie Tramel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The press conference date wasnt randomly selected: To spread the word about the upcoming AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa, a news conference was staged 66 days in advance of the event.

That news conference took place Tuesday at Mother Road Market, a popular food destination on Tulsas stretch of Route 66. Jared Peterson, executive vice president of AAA Oklahoma, was joined by state, county and city leaders at the news conference. They spoke in support of the third annual AAA Route 66 Road Fest, scheduled for June 22-23 at the SageNet Center at Expo Square.

The news conference also featured a short video played for attendees. In the video, Richard Rawlings announced that he will be a guest at the AAA Route 66 Road Fest. Rawlings starred in the Discovery Channel reality TV series Fast N Loud, and hes the founder and owner of Gas Monkey Garage.

A news advisory says the AAA Route 66 Road Fest will again feature its incredible Route 66 Journey exhibit consisting of over 14,000 square feet, providing an immersive and entertaining walk back through time and celebrating the history and nostalgia of the Mother Road.

The news advisory says to expect an expanded family activity area, an indoor drive-in theater, a fun and interactive Vintage RV Park, vendor booths, speakers and an expanded car show with 200-plus classic cars.

Wade Bray, creative director of SRO Productions and curator of the Road Fest, was among the guests at the news conference. He talked about how, when planning started taking place for the inaugural Road Fest, the goal was to stage an event that would get people excited enough to get in their cars and explore Route 66.

The Road Fest takes up two days per year. That leaves the other 363 days for exploring communities such as Claremore, Miami, Elk City and Clinton.

Bray said its a real honor to be able to put something together to try to engage people in the history of Route 66 and, therefore, the history of the country. He said there are millions of people who come from all over the world every year to experience a car drive or motorcycle ride along the entire Route 66 path.

And you think about what they see starting in Chicago and ending out on the coast, he said. You see the landscape literally change from Chicago to the plains to the desert to the Pacific Ocean.

And along the way its the kitsch. Its the family feel. Its the small towns. Thats what (Route 66) is about. And thats Americana. Thats what its really all about. And so I think its such an amazing representation of the country and of the countrys history in a really positive way.

Bray also talked about the goal of having Road Fest attractions that would be of interest to people of all ages.

Ive been doing events for 30 years; its always dangerous to try to make something that appeals to everyone, he said. But we took a big swing at it, and I think we did a pretty good job of being able to accommodate pretty much anybodys interest.

Other speakers included Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell; Ken Busby, executive director and CEO of the Route 66 Alliance; Renee McKenney, president of Tulsa Regional Tourism; John Feary, Visit Claremore and Discover Rogers County; Karen Keith, Tulsa County commissioner; and Cassia Carr, Tulsas deputy mayor.

Attendees were reminded that Oklahoma is home to the nations longest stretch of driveable Route 66 miles and about the importance of the financial impact of welcoming Route 66 travelers. Pinnell said half of all sales tax collections in the state are collected in Route 66 communities.

The news conference started a countdown to the 2024 Road Fest while continuing the countdown for Route 66s centennial in 2026.

For tickets and information about AAA Route 66 Road Fest, go to route66roadfest.com.

The Tulsa World is where your story lives
Explainer: Why foreign leaders prefer other Chinese cities over Beijing as first stop of China trip?

Xinhua) 15:36, April 16, 2024

Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz learns about a Sino-German cooperative scientific research project on water monitoring in Jiangbeizui, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

China, the world's third-largest country by territory with a population of over 1.4 billion and a rich history, is home to a myriad of vibrant cities. From the political center of Beijing to the financial hub of Shanghai, the trade port of Guangzhou and the inland municipality of Chongqing, each city offers its unique characteristics.

BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- When foreign leaders plan visits to China, the destination of their first choice is not always the nation's capital, Beijing.

It might seem surprising at first glance, given Beijing's status as the political heart of China. However, it is understandable if the purpose of their visit, its political or cultural symbolic meanings, or the message they aim to convey are taken into account.

CHONGQING

The booming megacity of Chongqing in southwest China is famed for its mountainous terrain and fire-breathing hotpot. The Yangtze River winds its way through the city, painting a mesmerizing panorama.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Chongqing on Sunday morning to kick off his packed three-day visit. He then traveled to Shanghai on Monday and is scheduled to conclude his visit in Beijing on Tuesday.

This aerial photo taken on Sept. 10, 2023 shows a view of Zhangjiang area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

The various fields in which China and Germany enjoy promising cooperation are believed to have played a major role in determining his itinerary.

As an economic engine in the inland region, Chongqing has a strong industrial base and has reshaped its industrial landscape through innovation.

Accompanied by a large delegation of ministers and business executives, Scholz visited Sino-German joint venture Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. and experienced the assembly of hydrogen fuel cell power modules.

He is impressed by the cooperation between German and Chinese enterprises in the field of hydrogen technology, and Germany is willing to continue to deepen friendly exchanges with China and push bilateral cooperation to a new level.

Chongqing has been actively expanding its capacity in hydrogen production, creating remarkable potential for bilateral cooperation in the area.

In December 2023, a major hydrogen supply center for vehicles in southwest China went operational in Chongqing.

As Germany faces challenges with its green energy push, it is expected that German automakers will take advantage of the visit to deepen collaboration with their Chinese peers, which have become leading global players in new energy vehicles, said Sun Yanhong, a senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Additionally, Chongqing serves as a pivotal hub for China-Europe freight trains. Observers said that Scholz's visit paves the way for future bilateral cooperation in infrastructure.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the inauguration of the China-Europe freight train services in the German city of Duisburg.

Soren Link, mayor of Duisburg, said that the demand for logistics between China and Europe is still high, and Duisburg is willing to maintain and strengthen ties with China while endeavoring to foster greater connectivity between the two sides.

Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz visits Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. in Jiulongpo District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

GUANGZHOU

Political and economic considerations also play a major role in foreign leaders' selection of cities, as exemplified by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's China trip earlier this month.

She commenced her journey in the southern city of Guangzhou, and then visited Beijing amid ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. economic and high-tech restrictions against China and the issue of production capacity.

According to Huo Jianguo, a vice chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies in Beijing, Yellen's decision to choose Guangzhou as her first stop indicates the "pragmatic" nature of the visit that focuses on commercial issues and businesses.

"Choosing Guangzhou as the first stop appears to be downplaying the official tone ... Yellen was more pragmatic during this trip and willing to have contacts with companies so as to create a more relaxed atmosphere," Huo said.

Yellen's Guangzhou trip drew widespread attention both within China and worldwide.

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 4, 2023 shows a view of the Hengqin International Financial Center in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

"Yellen's visit to China sent a positive signal, showing that China and the U.S. are willing to communicate," Huo said.

China, the world's third-largest country by territory with a population of over 1.4 billion and a rich history, is home to a myriad of vibrant cities.

From the political center of Beijing to the financial hub of Shanghai, the trade port of Guangzhou and the inland municipality of Chongqing, each city offers its unique characteristics.

By immersing themselves in different Chinese cities, foreign leaders can get firsthand experiences and develop a more comprehensive understanding of China's multifaceted geographical, economic and cultural landscape, thereby enabling them to refine their policy decisions and improve relations with China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Texas is awash in clouds in this weather satellite photo taken around 1:30 p.m. Monday. The cloud cover will be typical of what Texans east of the Balcones Escarpment will experience this week. NOAA/National Weather Service

San Antonio can look forward to some mostly gray days this week, yet with little to no rain to show for it, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service.

Thanks to a resurgence of moisture-rich air from the Gulf of Mexico, we can also expect more muggy weather in South Texas along with the cloudy skies this week. The elevated humidity brought in by the south-southeast winds will help keep morning low temperatures above a balmy 70 degrees in San Antonio. Daytime highs could reach 87 degrees by the late afternoon, closer to 5 p.m.

Daytime temperatures flirt with the 90-degree mark this week in San Antonio, according to the National Weather Services extended forecast. National Weather Service

Despite the arrival of a Pacific cold front sweeping across Texas late Monday into Tuesday morning, the dry air mass behind the front should stay west of the Interstate 35 corridor.

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Full frame of a low angle shot of a gray sky with clouds of rain. Pakin Songmor/Getty Images

Some shower activity could be induced along the front as well before dissipating into Tuesday afternoon, weather service meteorologist Matt Brady wrote in a short-term forecast bulletin Monday. Expect for the front to get near the I-35 corridor before stalling.

The dry air behind the front, combined with gusty winds, will provide near-critical fire weather conditions that will make the spread of wildfires easier across the Rio Grande Plains and the western Hill Country through Tuesday afternoon, Brady wrote.

Whats the forecast for Wednesday?

San Antonios weather on Wednesday will be similar to Tuesdays: Look for morning low temperatures to start around 70 under mostly cloudy skies and with light southeast winds. Daytime temperatures could peak as high as 90 degrees in the late afternoon before sliding into the 70s at night, forecasters said.

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The stalled front is forecast to move back northwest Tuesday night, but potentially waffle back southeast as a dry line Wednesday afternoon into the northwest Hill Country, southern Edwards Plateau and Rio Grande, the weather service said in its long-term forecast.

Meanwhile, in the upper levels of the atmosphere, a rain-friendly system of low atmospheric pressure will cross northern Mexico and aim for South Texas, forecasters said, adding that weather models indicate that showers and thunderstorms could develop out of Mexico and into portions of the Rio Grande Plains and southern Edwards Plateau Wednesday night.

Although rain could arise along the Rio Grande, San Antonio is unlikely to have any notable rain chances until Thursday  and even then, chances for showers only amount to 20%, which means the city has an 80% chance of staying dry. The rest of the Thursday forecast for San Antonio appears to be just as disappointing for parched South Texas soils: Mostly cloudy with a high near 90.

Since last years record-hot summer, rain continues to be in demand across the region. San Antonio may be slightly above normal so far for cumulative rainfall this year, but spotty and inconsistent storms have allowed water levels at Canyon Lake to continue to reach new record lows, Express-News meteorologist Anthony Franze wrote last week. Medina Lake, as of last Friday, was only 2.8% full.

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Beyond Thursday the forecast confidence remains low, the weather service said. In general, global models continue to indicate a polar cold front sometime over the weekend, but there remains a large spread in the guidance on when.
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OKLAHOMA CITY  Legislation that might have led to a new precedent in the way appellate and Supreme Court judges are selected in Oklahoma failed in a critical vote Tuesday on the House floor of the state Capitol.

The measure, Senate Joint Resolution 34, proposed a statewide vote on whether to do away with the Judicial Nominating Commission and turn its responsibility for screening and selecting candidates for judicial appointments over to the governor.

It earlier passed through the Senate on a vote of 32-14 but fell short of passage in the House. After questions and debate in that chamber that lasted for the better part of an hour, representatives voted 60-36 to derail the measure.

Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, who authored SJR 34, said it proposed replacing Oklahomas current system with one more in line with the federal process as dictated by the U.S. Constitution.

Its House author, Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, said adopting the federal approach would have made the process of judicial selection more transparent. During his closing statements on the House floor, Lepak also cited evidence that states that utilize bar associations in judicial nominating processes have been shown to have courts influenced by liberal politics.

Several House lawmakers, Republican and Democrat, spoke out against passage of the resolution. Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, reminded lawmakers that prior to Oklahomas adoption of the Judicial Nominating Commission, a Supreme Court bribery scandal made the state the laughingstock of the nation.

He argued that the commission has worked well for the state, that the federal system has been shown to be flawed and that it would be better to reform rather than repeal the states current system if change is in order.

I dont want to D.C. my Oklahoma, he said.

Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, agreed that a complete reboot of the states system isnt necessary. He suggested that if the Judicial Nominating Commission were more subject to rules of the states Open Meeting Act, we might not be having this conversation.

Democrats also objected to SJR 34. Rep. Forrest Bennett, R-Oklahoma City, said the Legislature several years ago granted the governor more authority to appoint key agency executives and that many lawmakers have since regretted that decision. He insisted, too, that the Oklahoma Bar Association has been an invaluable partner in its role, applying consistency, knowledge and moderation to the judicial nominating process.

Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa, said the Judicial Nominating Commission has nominated judges on the basis of merit and that allowing the governor to exert authority over the process would taint the process with politics.

Politics gets in the way of the work of the Legislature, he said. If we pass this, politics will get in the way of justice in Oklahoma.

An amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution adopted in 1967 established the Judicial Nominating Commission and rules for how it is organized. Its members serve without compensation. The governor appoints six members, all representing different parts of the state. No more than three of them can belong to any one political party.

Additionally, six lawyers are elected by members of the Bar Association to serve six-year terms, staggered at two-year intervals. Of those, no more than three can belong to any one political party.

Other at-large members are appointed by the Senate president pro tem and the speaker of the House, and one is selected by other members of the commission. Of those, no more than two can be from the same political party.

When vacancies occur on the Oklahoma Supreme Court or appellate courts, and in some other cases, the commission is responsible for nominating the three most qualified candidates for appointment by the governor.

After the House floor vote, Lepak moved to keep SJR 34 technically alive for new consideration if he feels opinions of colleagues can be changed.



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OKLAHOMA CITY  The Muscogee Nation and the Cherokee Nation responded Monday to comments made by Gov. Kevin Stitt concerning millions of dollars worth of turnpike tolls that the governor said currently arent being collected from tribal members.

I dont know why everybodys not outraged by this, Stitt said during a press briefing at the Capitol on Friday. When you drive on our turnpike system, call me crazy, but everybody should have to pay the same amount.

Muscogee Nation spokesman Jason Salsman responded Monday that tribal members from the time of the states earliest turnpikes have paid tolls just the same as other Oklahomans. He insisted that the state brought the current problem it faces onto itself and should take responsibility for working it out in cooperation with tribes.

It was (Stitt) who ignored tribal sovereignty and refused to work with tribes but went ahead and implemented a new multimillion dollar system that cant read tribal plates, Salsman said in a text. If hes looking for someone to logically blame, the governor should look closer to home.

Salsman also said the governor might consider why the state has traditionally kept all toll revenues and not shared any with the tribes.

We have a turnpike that runs through our reservation. It bears our name, yet we were never consulted on the planning, construction or distribution of collected fees from motorists, Salsman said. For more than 30 years we have received zero. If the governor wants to negotiate, thats a good place to start the discussion.

It has been estimated that about $30 million in toll revenues has been lost annually since the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority implemented the PlatePay system of reading license plates and then sending toll bills to the addresses of turnpike users who arent enrolled in the PikePass system. Much of the toll money lost can be attributed to things such as license plates being obscured and impossible to read or people getting bills but then deciding to risk not paying them.

However, more than a third of the lost toll revenue can be attributed to tribal tags. Vehicle owner information from tags issued by various tribes currently isnt shared with the OTA, so toll bills cant be forwarded to their addresses.

Stitt said the Cherokee Nation currently owes the state upward of $5 million worth of unpaid tolls and that members of the Muscogee Nation owe $1.8 million for these illegal tags that are running up and down the turnpikes.

In an emailed statement, Cherokee Nation Attorney General Chad Harsha said the states largest tribe has collaborated successfully with the state in working out numerous issues in the past. He said the state hasnt acted as a partner when it comes to tribal tags and PlatePay.

At no time (have) representatives from Oklahoma (Department of Public Safety) or Service Oklahoma contacted the Cherokee Nation with concerns about Cherokee Nation car tags as it transitioned to the new PlatePay system, Harsha wrote.

At his meeting with the press, Stitt said it was a headscratcher that members of a state House committee recently voted not to advance a bill passed in the Senate that he said would have addressed the problem.

I have no idea why you would think that you should allow one race of people not to pay on the turnpikes, he said.

Members of the House Public Safety Committee cited two primary reasons they voted against Senate Bill 1907.

Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, said tag information visible to the Department of Public Safety is supposed to be used exclusively for law enforcement, not to help the state collect money. He said, too, that the state went forward with PlatePay knowing that toll revenues would be lost and that it is now trying to hijack the law enforcement system to make up for losses.

Also, I support the governor on a lot of tribal issues, but not his approach that everything has to be a big fight, Humphrey said.

Another committee member, Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, agreed that the state and tribes might still be successful in working out compact agreements to collect tolls and that intervention by the Legislature would be premature.

Rep. Stan May, R-Broken Arrow, another committee member who voted against the measure, echoed the concerns of others and added that new legislation mandating the sharing of tribal tag information might actually work against the state in negotiating new compact agreements with tribes.

I think the governor could probably get all the tribes (to compact) if they went into negotiations and decided whats going to be shared, May said. There shouldnt be a need for this bill. That information should be agreed upon.

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Technicians are capitalizing on the high demand for air conditioner maintenance services amid the sweltering weather in Ho Chi Minh City.

Currently, the price of air conditioner maintenance in Ho Chi Minh City ranges from VND250,000 (US$10) to VND350,000 ($14) per unit for household machines, while the rates for larger quantities at companies are cheaper.

Additional costs for gas pumping fluctuate from VND250,000 to VND350,000 per pump.

N.V. Minh, from Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam, who has been repairing and maintaining air conditioners for nearly five years, noted an unexpected surge in customers this year due to the hot weather.

Tuesday's temperature in Ho Chi Minh City hovers between 25 and 38 degrees Celsius, with a heat index reaching around 40 degrees Celsius, as reported by the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The average annual temperature in the city is 27 degrees Celsius, according to the Climate Data website.

Unexpectedly, there are more and more customers calling to book our services, Minh said.

The other day, after finishing one house, I did a tour of five other houses adjacent to it.

We send two workers to each house, taking turns disassembling and cleaning.

The hotter the weather, the more money we make.

Yesterday, minus all expenses, I earned VND5 million [$198].

Cleaning the condenser, checking the air conditioner, replacing components, refilling gas, and relevant tasks are separate steps in the air conditioner maintenance service, each quoted individually.

We rarely refuse package service bookings because the cost can sometimes reach VND1 million [$40] or more, Minh added.

Nguyen Long Van, from the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang, shared that his working day for an employer in Ho Chi Minh Citys Tan Binh District typically starts at 6:00 am and ends at 10:00 pm.

The hotter the weather, the more I race against time, as every homeowner urges me to examine their air conditioners, Van said.

In online advertisements for air conditioning maintenance services, prices are often lower than the actual costs, he said, but service providers raise their prices when they arrive.

The cheap price in online advertisements is just to make it attractive, there is no such price, he explained.

The cheapest service costs VND300,000 [$12].

Priority is given to severely broken machines, as technicians earn a 30-percent incentive from the total cost, according to Van.

Now every month I earn VND30-35 million [$1,190-1,390], Van said.

Dishonest practices

With 15 years of professional experience, Thanh, who resides on Phung Van Cung Street in Ho Chi Minh Citys Binh Thanh District, is the proprietor of an air conditioning maintenance service.

Promoted through social network platforms, his business has afforded him insight into the deceptive practices prevalent in the industry.

For instance, employees may swap components and equipment for customers machines, fabricate stories about broken parts, coerce replacements, and then collect the supposedly damaged but valuable old components, Thanh said.

"They may also deceive customers about the length of connecting wires and copper pipes. "Gas leaks or losses present an opportunity for workers to exploit customers by simply adding more gas instead of addressing the leak and then refilling the gas."

He recommended that consumers directly observe the worker, request detailed quotes for replacements or repairs, ensure that replaced components come with appropriate documentation, and even retain the replaced equipment for further examination.

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Apple Inc wants to boost its investment in Vietnam, state media quoted the U.S. tech giant's CEO Tim Cook as saying in Hanoi on Tuesday, a day after the U.S. company said it wanted to increase spending on suppliers in the Southeast Asian nation.

Vietnam is already a key manufacturing hub for Apple and Cook was speaking while meeting Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, state media reported.

Vietnam will set up a working group to support Apple's investment, Chinh told Cook during the meeting, according to state media.

"Today, Apple announced it will increase spending on suppliers in Vietnam, along with new progress in an initiative to support clean water for local schools," the company said in a statement released on Monday on its website.

Its spending has already reached some VND400 trillion (US$15.84 billion) and has created some 200,000 jobs, the statement added.

Apple did not respond to a request for additional comments about its spending.

Cook arrived in Hanoi on Monday for the two-day visit during which he met suppliers, students, content creators and users of Apple products.

Apple manufactures iPads, AirPods and Apple Watches in Vietnam and suppliers for MacBooks are also investing in the Southeast Asian country.

The company had 25 suppliers in Vietnam as of 2022, according to its latest suppliers list, the same as in the previous year and up from 21 in 2020. These suppliers include Foxconn, GoerTek, Luxshare, Intel, Samsung Electronics and Compal.

Suppliers to its main vendors, such as Foxconn, are also moving or planning to move to Vietnam, and some are shifting some activities out of China, amid U.S.-China tensions, according to several industry sources who declined to name the companies as the moves were still confidential.

While meeting Cook, Chinh said that Vietnam was seeking support from Apple to develop renewable energy as well as in high-quality human resource training, VTV said in a report.
Many gold shops in Ho Chi Minh City erected signs of temporary closure following the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillances large-scale inspection into gold shops in various localities.

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper found that plenty of gold shops in the An Dong Market area in District 5 and the Thiec Market area in District 11 had closed on Monday. Some hung signs announcing their closure for weeks.

As a case in point, K.H.N., a gold shop on Nguyen Duy Duong Street in District 5, announced that it would stay closed from April 1 to 18. The D.T. gold shop next door also closed its doors.

A series of other large gold shops, including one at 87-89 Nguyen Duy Duong Street and two nearby shops, N.T. and N.T.L., on the street also shut down on Monday, said Q., a local resident.

Nguyen Duy Duong Street is a gold trade hotspot in Ho Chi Minh City.

The same scene was seen in the Thiec Market area, with gold shops closing in droves.

Some gold shops announced they would close for over half a month. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre

The Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance has launched an inspection into many gold shops in different localities and detected violations.

The owner of a gold shop in District 5 said gold shops closed temporarily to avoid inspections as they are sure that inspectors will find their violations. Two typical violations are selling products mimicking those of popular global brands, such as Chanel, Cartier, LV, and Bulgari, and failing to prove the origin of products.

Once their violations are detected, they may face a fine of hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong (VND100 million = US$3,944) each and have their products seized. As a result, gold shops responded to the inspection wave with such temporary shutdowns.

Besides inspecting bricks-and-mortar gold shops, a team in charge of e-commerce under the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance has kept a close watch on the online sale of gold.

Market surveillance officers check products at a local gold shop. Photo: Supplied

The market surveillance agency in Ho Chi Minh City has also inspected multiple local gold shops and detected many products without clear origins and invoices as well as products imitating those of well-known brands.

The prime minister had previously required strengthening the management of the local gold market. He asked the State Bank of Vietnam to keep a close watch on international and domestic gold prices and take measures to regulate the gold market.

Some gold shops in the Thiec Market area in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City have also shut down. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre

Domestic gold prices have repeatedly set new records.

The prices were above VND80 million ($3,155) per tael for both buying and selling on Monday. A tael equals 1.2 troy ounces.

Vietnams gold prices were around VND12 million ($474.5) higher than the worlds average.

Several gold shops on Pho Co Dieu Street in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City have closed their doors. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre

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Authorities in Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam granted investment certificates and investment registration certificates to a series of projects during the opening ceremony of the Horasis China Meeting 2024 on Monday.

The Horasis China Meeting 2024, which kicked off in the province on Sunday, and runs until Tuesday, features around 700 representatives from local and international trade associations, investors, experts, and diplomatic agencies.

The opening ceremony was attended by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and other high-ranking officials.

Ten foreign-invested firms were awarded investment registration certificates for their projects in the province, with a total pledged capital of more than US$223 million.

Among them are Dan On Foods Corporation, which received a certificate for its investment in a milk processing project with a total registered capital of $40 million, and Paihong Vietnam Company, which was awarded a certificate for its $65-million project to produce fabric.

Investment certificates were also issued to many infrastructure, social housing, and real estate projects funded by local enterprises.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (standing, 5th, left), officials from Binh Duong Province, and guests witness the signing of a cooperation agreement between a Vietnamese firm and a Chinese company. Photo: Ba Son / Tuoi Tre

Besides, many cooperation agreements were signed within the framework of the event. Specifically, Becamex IDC Corp cut a deal with Sunwah, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate.

Under the deal, the two firms will focus their partnership on innovation, digitalization, and sustainability toward a net-zero emission approach.

Vo Van Minh, chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, signed a cooperation agreement with Viettel Post Joint Stock Corporation to spur logistics infrastructure and e-commerce fields, moving toward building a world-class logistics hub in Binh Duong.

The Horasis China Meeting 2024 was co-held by the provincial Peoples Committee, Horasis, which is an independent, international think tank, and the China Federation of Industrial Economics.

Before the event, the Horasis Asia Meeting 2023 and the Horasis India Meeting 2022 took place in Binh Duong Province.

Binh Duong was ranked among the three largest recipients of foreign investment in Vietnam in 2023.

Over 4,000 foreign-invested projects are operating in the province.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh greeted Apple CEO Tim Cook at the Government Office in Hanoi on Tuesday, suggesting Apple help Vietnam with green growth.

Cook arrived in the capital city of Vietnam on Monday morning for his two-day business trip.

Apple CEO Tim Cook gestures during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi, April 16, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

After giving a warm welcome to Cook, PM Chinh thanked him for his visit to Vietnam at the government leaders invitation extended to the executive during the top Vietnamese officials working trip to the United States in May 2022.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs a meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook in Hanoi, April 16, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Speaking at the reception for the Apple leader, the Vietnamese premier highly valued the tech behemoths strategy for expanding its production in Vietnam. The firm has created more than 200,000 jobs for local workers.

He underlined that Vietnam is focusing on three key development strategies on legal frameworks, infrastructure, and workforce training to facilitate enterprises business and production operations.

To contribute to cementing the Vietnam - U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership, which was established in September last year, the prime minister called on Apple to keep up its support for Vietnam to foster green growth and strengthen renewable energy.

He also expected Apple to help the Southeast Asian nation with high-quality workforce training, and see the country as its base of global production and supply chains.

The prime minister underscored that the government would set up a working team to support Apple in the Vietnamese market.

Cook appreciated the Vietnamese prime ministers commitments to Vietnams orientation and development plans.

The Apple executive desired to further bolster the firms cooperation and investment activities in Vietnam.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gestures during a meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook in Hanoi, April 16, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) talks to Apple CEO Tim Cook in Hanoi, April 16, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) introduces the Government Headquarters to Apple CEO Tim Cook in Hanoi, April 16, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

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U.S.-based Warburg Pincus, a leading global growth investor, announced on Monday its investment in Ho Chi Minh City-based Xuyen A (Trans-Asia), a major private general hospital group.

The investment size has yet to be revealed but Warburg Pincus said it is currently the largest global private equity investor in Vietnam.

The firms investment in Xuyen A, with its full English name being Trans-Asia Hospital Investment Joint Stock Company, underscores its focus on Vietnams rapidly emerging healthcare sector, Warburg Pincus said on its website on Monday.

The private hospital group has built a reputation for medical excellence over the years and always strives to provide high-quality medical care at affordable prices, Warburg Pincus commented.

We believe the private healthcare sector in Vietnam presents a tremendous opportunity for outsized growth, as the hospital infrastructure in the country is significantly underdeveloped, said Saurabh Agarwal, managing director and head of Southeast Asia private equity at Warburg Pincus.

Agarwal expressed his belief that his firm can help Xuyen A grow into a preeminent private hospital group in Vietnam while continuing to provide quality health services at affordable prices.

Xuyen A now owns and operates four large-scale, multi-specialty hospitals situated in densely populated cities in southern Vietnam, including its flagship hospital Xuyen A General Hospital - Ho Chi Minh City, located in the citys Cu Chi District.

Dr. Nguyen Van Chau, founder and CEO of Xuyen A, said the group is really pleased to partner with Warburg Pincus to speed up Xuyen As growth and jointly build a next-generation leader in the hospital industry in Vietnam.

Together with Warburg Pincus, Xuyen A will continue to explore opportunities to enhance our care offering, scale up through further greenfield or brownfield development, and strengthen our medical team, Warburg Pincus quoted Dr. Chau as saying.

Xuyen A on the same day announced the launch of a new oncology center of excellence at its flagship hospital in Cu Chi, marking itself as one of the few private hospital groups in Ho Chi Minh City to offer a full suite of oncology services including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical oncology.

Since its founding in 1966, Warburg Pincus, headquartered in New York, has invested more than US$116 billion in over 1,000 companies globally across its private equity, real estate, and capital solution strategies, states its website.

As a leading global private equity firm focused on growth investing, Warburg Pincus has more than $83 billion in assets under management.

First investing in Vietnam in 2013, Warburg Pincus now has over $2 billion in market leading companies, such as Vincom Retail, MoMo, Techcombank, BW Industrial, and Lodgis, among others.

These companies have collectively created over 40,000 jobs, contributing to Vietnam's economic growth and development.

Warburg Pincus said it has completed two of the largest initial public offerings (IPOs) in Vietnam, namely Vincom Retail and Techcombank.

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As Americans file for their tax returns, pro-Palestinian protesters made a coordinated string of protests across the country to send a message to the public not to allow US taxpayer money to Israel.

According to the Washington Post, demonstrators blocked roads, highways, bridges, airports, and even some factories on Monday (Apr. 15) to coincide with Tax Day, sparking traffic jams and arrests across the nation, with activists declaring the action as a coordinated day of economic protest against the war between Israel and Hamas.

The protests spanned Wall Street in New York to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Protests were also reported in Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, San Antonio, and Seattle.

As of Monday evening, the Post reported that the morning protests in Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, San Antonio, and other areas have been dispersed.

On the West Coast, while the protest at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has been cleared off, a protest approaching the Tesla facility in Fremont, California, was reported. California Highway Patrol troopers were also reported throwing pepper balls to disperse the crowd.

Despite reports of multiple arrests, no significant violence had been reported.

Due to the protests, daily life and commutes have been disrupted, but a coordinated string of protests like the one held on Monday is very rare.

The protests were also held after Iran launched a massive airstrike against Israel over the weekend.
A fire ripped through Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange, one of the Danish capital's best-known buildings, on Tuesday, engulfing its spire which collapsed in a scene reminiscent of the 2019 blaze at Paris' Notre-Dame.

Parts of the roof had collapsed and the fire spread to several floors of the building, Copenhagen fire department chief Jakob Vedsted Andersen told reporters.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, police said.

People were seen carrying large paintings away from the building to save the historic artefacts from the flames.

"Horrible pictures from the Bourse. So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us ... Our own Notre-Dame moment," Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen wrote on X.

Thick grey smoke rose above the city and sirens could be heard as emergency services were called to the site. Around 90 conscripts from the Royal Life Guards, an army unit, were helping cordon off and secure valuables, the military said.

The historic building, whose spire was shaped as the tails of four dragons intertwined, had been under renovation and clad in scaffolding when the fire broke out.

The Dutch Renaissance style building no longer houses the Danish stock exchange, but serves as headquarters for the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

"We are currently working hard to save our historical art from the Bourse," the Chamber of Commerce wrote on X.

Dragons on the roof

The presence of dragons on the roof had been seen as symbolically protecting the exchange from enemies, as well as from fire, the Chamber said on its website.

The scaffolding around the building made it harder for the emergency services to get through to the flames, while the copper roof was trapping the heat.

"We are saving everything we possibly can," a spokesperson for the fire department told reporters.

The nearby finance ministry was evacuated as a result of the fire, the police said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze.

Copenhagen police asked people to avoid driving in the inner part of the city.

The Danish Chamber of Commerce, which has owned the building since 1857, has worked on restoring it to the style of Denmark's King Christian IV, who had the building constructed in the 17th century.

"400 years of Danish cultural heritage in flames," Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt wrote on X. "The building is filled with art that tells a lot about our history, about who we are as a people," he told reporters.
The administration of Hanoi has issued a dispatch ordering more stringent measures against rabies because of a possible increase in exposure to the disease as summer usually prompts more outdoor activities.

As per the dispatch, the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has to supervise rabies prevention and control efforts adopted by local authorities, while its Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Health Division continues to support the districts citywide in setting up and protecting rabies-free areas.

The Hanoi Center for Disease Control, operating under the municipal Department of Health, has been instructed to consistently update data on people diagnosed with confirmed or suspected rabies.

It is also tasked with collaborating with relevant divisions to trace the sources of rabies transmission and implement preventive measures.

The health department is required to provide adequate anti-rabies vaccinations for people bitten by rabid animals.

The district-level administrations must make sure domestic cats and dogs are well managed in their respective areas.

They are also required to request grassroots authorities to form task forces responsible for capturing free-roaming cats and dogs, as well as ensuring that these task forces receive sufficient benefits.

Authorities need to carry out anti-rabies vaccination drives to ensure the vaccination coverage reaches over 90 percent.

The municipal administration emphasized the need for strict enforcement of prevailing regulations against those who violate rules concerning pet management and anti-rabies vaccination.

In 2022, Nguyen Manh Quyen, vice-chairman of the Hanoi Peoples Committee, passed a plan to implement a campaign on rabies prevention and control during the 2022-30 period.

Pursuant to this plan, the Vietnamese capital city ordered 579 wards, communes, and towns citywide to provide training for task forces in charge of catching free-ranging, suspected rabid dogs.

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The owner of an illegally-built 12-story building in Phu Quoc, an island city off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam, has completed its demolition after three months, Huynh Quang Hung, chairman of the local administration, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday.

The land on which the building was developed belongs to a man named V.M.H., residing in Hanoi.

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, six floors of the building were erected, with the remaining six stories being constructed afterward.

In August 2022, the Phu Quoc Peoples Committee imposed an administrative fine of VND61.5 million (US$2,441) on the developer, including VND55 million ($2,183) for the illegal construction and VND6.5 million ($258) for the unlawful conversion of agricultural land use into non-agricultural use.

On May 16 last year, Phu Quoc City chairman Huynh Quang Hung issued an order for the dismantling of the building, covering an area of 2,746 square meters, and instructed the restoration of the original status of the 473-square-meter plot of land.

The building developer pull down the construction on January 29 this year.

The city will complete related procedures to dismantle other illegally-built projects in a bid to tighten construction order and land management on the island.

They include over-water bungalows off Ham Ninh Commune and villas in Duong To Commune, Hung said.

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Authorities in Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam and Ulyanovsk City of Russia on Tuesday held the inauguration ceremony for a statue of Vladimir Lenin in Vinh City, the capital of the Vietnamese province.

Nghe An is the homeland of late President Ho Chi Minh, a revolutionary icon in Vietnam.

The inauguration of the 4.5-metric-ton, 3.6-meter-tall pure copper statue was meant to commemorate the 154th birthday anniversary of the late Russian leader (April 22, 1870  April 22, 2024).

The statue is a symbol of the partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

Speaking at the ceremony, vice-chairman of the Nghe An Peoples Committee Bui Dinh Long said the relations between Vietnam and Russia had developed strongly.

Nghe An Province and Ulyanovsk, the birthplace of Lenin, established their cooperative partnership in 1990.

A five-meter-tall full-body bronze statue of late President Ho Chi Minh was erected in Ulyanovsk in 2017, Long informed.

The Lenin statue in Vinh City serves as a cultural and artistic emblem symbolizing the friendship between the two regions.

Nghe An Province and Ulyanovsk City will tighten their collaboration in investment, trade, healthcare, education and training, as well as tourism in the future, Long added.

The statue weighs 4.5 metric tons, is 3.6 meters tall, and is made of copper. Photo: Doan Hoa / Tuoi Tre

Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko described the Lenin statue as a fresh symbol of friendship and cooperation, not only between Ulyanovsk and Nghe An, but also between Vietnam and Russia.

The statue was crafted from pure copper in Ulyanovsk and gifted by the Russian city to Nghe An.

It is situated at the intersection of V.I.Lenin Boulevard and Nguyen Phong Sac Street in Vinh City.

The statues venue, completed in June 2020, spans an area of 1,036.5 square meters.

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A man who said he was able to pray for rain in Ho Chi Minh City and other southern provinces has apologized for providing incorrect information.

He had claimed that four days after his prayers, it would rain in Ho Chi Minh City.

The temperature in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday ranges from 25 to 38 degrees Celsius, with a heat index peaking at around 40 degrees Celsius, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said.

Many have thus been longing for rain these days.

The man in question, Le Minh Hoang, a resident in My Duc District, Hanoi, was introduced to the Ho Chi Minh City irrigation agency by Dr. Nguyen Hoang Diep, director of the Center for Translation, Cultural Services and Science  Technology, visiting lecturer of three universities and former head of the Institute for Research and Application of Human Potentialities.

Diep said that Hoang could pray for rain in Ho Chi Minh City and the southern region as a whole, emphasizing that Hoangs ability has not been proven.

In the introduction, Diep expressed sadness over witnessing the prolonged drought and crop losses in Vietnam's southern region.

A document on the introduction made headlines on social media.

On Sunday, Hoang told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that he expected to get the citys approval so that he could pray for rain.

He claimed to have amassed 20 years of experience in independently studying climate change, meteorology, and hydrology, adding that he used to pray for rain in Lam Dong Province in the Central Highlands, Ben Tre Province in the south, and some other provinces.

He affirmed that he just needed to pray and it would rain four days later. The more sincere local residents are, the heavier the rain would be, Hoang noted.

I cannot come to cities and provinces myself and tell them that I can pray for rain. As a result, I asked Dr. Diep to introduce me to various localities, Hoang added.

Hoang also showed Tuoi Tre a document with a seal of the agricultural cooperative in My Thanh Commune, My Duc District, Hanoi, and the signature of the cooperative director Dinh Quang Thanh.

The document stated that Hoang has a special ability to cushion natural disasters for the agriculture sector.

As per the document, when Hoang witnessed rice crops falling in My Thanh Commune in August 2023 due to strong winds, he offered prayers to alleviate the losses suffered by local farmers.

The document indicated that losses during the crop season plummeted by 80 percent compared to the 2021-22 crop season.

After the administrations of Bot Xuyen and My Thanh Communes worked with Hoang, he made an apology for saying that rice in My Duc District fell less amid winds thanks to his prayers.

Hoang admitted his faults and suggested withdrawing all documents he had submitted, a leader of the My Duc administration told Tuoi Tre on Monday.

The documents include a certificate of Hoangs ability to help reduce rice fall in My Thanh Commune.

Local authorities confirmed that the certificate was signed by director of the cooperative Dinh Quang Thanh.

The My Thanh administration later asked Thanh to review his violation as he had certified a superstitious matter.

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The High Command of Coast Guard Region 3 under the Vietnam Coast Guard delivered 1,000 20-liter bottles of fresh water to residents in need in Binh Dai District under Ben Tre Province, southern Vietnam on Monday, as the locale is teetering on the brink of water crisis following worsening saline intrusion.

With a desire to help residents gain access to safe drinking water, the High Command ran the fresh water donation program in collaboration with the provincial Party Committee's Commission for Mass Mobilization and Binh Dai District's Fatherland Front.

The drinking water donation was just a simple act, but it generated enormous and positive effects on such a salinity-struck area.

Apart from transporting water bottles to the water-deprived district, coast guards taught locals to save water and use water sources safely amid the ongoing saltwater intrusion and drought.

The High Command will continue to donate drinking water to other water-stressed areas in the southern region in the next few days.

Over the past month, saline intrusion and droughts have caused a severe shortage of fresh water in many provinces in the Mekong Delta region, such as Ben Tre, Long An, Kien Giang, Tien Giang, and Ca Mau, local media reported.

People in the region are struggling to obtain clean water for their daily needs, while crops are suffering from drought.

Extreme heat is battering the southern region, with the highest temperature forecast to reach 38 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, according to the national weather center.

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During the full moon and International Day of Yoga 2024, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Vietnam is offering a yoga and nature reconnection retreat for the first time, inviting guests to delve into a deeper level of yoga, meditation, mindfulness rituals, and wellness dining experiences.

All of them are aimed at nurturing the inner spirit and improve mental and emotional well-being.

Located on the pristine Ninh Van Bay, accessible only by speedboat, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is naturally a sanctuary of well-being where its 62 rustic villas are designed to harmonize with the lush jungle backdrop, offering breathtaking views of the ocean.

By using natural wood and sustainable material in design, each villa provides a tranquil space for inner reflection and an opportunity to immerse oneself in the beauty of the surroundings during the retreat.

Whether guests opt for the Beachfront Pool Villa or the Hilltop Pool Villa, they are immediately enveloped in a healing atmosphere where every detail is thoughtfully considered.

Joining the four-day retreat program from June 20 to 23, 2024, guests will be guided by Dorelal Singh, a distinguished yogic practitioner from India also serving as Six Senses Yoga Master.

With years of dedicated study, practice, and teaching in various forms of yoga and yogic philosophy, Singh brings a wealth of wisdom to the retreat.

Reconnect and Rejuvenate Retreat begins its journey with forest bathing and yoga sessions each morning.

The initial two days of the retreat are dedicated to guided meditation, yoga sessions, and rituals aimed at helping guests rejuvenate their inner strength and energy.

Subsequently, guests will participate in sound healing meditations, forest bathing, and breathwork sessions led by Anna Phan, a resident medical wellness expert.

These activities will allow guests to rediscover balance in their mind, body, and emotions, fostering a sense of peace as they continue their life journey.

A wellness retreat is not complete without a dedicated culinary experience focused on well-being.

On the day of arrival, guests will enjoy a group welcome dinner at The Farmhouse, where executive chef Timothy Goddard will showcase his expertise in crafting mouth-watering plant-based dishes from locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a truly sustainable farm-to-fork dining experience.

Additionally, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay produces and bottles its own high-quality drinking water, which remains free from contact with plastic after filtration.

Guests not only stay hydrated with this pure drinking water every day (a fundamental aspect of wellness and healing) but also indulge in nutritious breakfasts and detox lunches with a healthy twist, including plant-based options which make up 50 percent of the menu.

For those looking to enjoy some free time at the resort, there are several activities worth exploring, such as stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing, among others.

Guests can choose between a Beach Pool Villa or a Hilltop Pool Villa for their three-night retreat, starting from $2,811 for single occupancy and $3,774 for double occupancy.

Guests may choose to take full advantage of the US$100 spa credit to indulge in a Vietnamese Bamboo Massage at the Six Senses Spa, or be fascinated by the wildlife of Hon Heo Mountain, where they can embark on a hiking excursion and observe langurs, an endangered species native to the area.

This Retreat of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay promises a holistic approach to wellness, featuring a customized schedule of functional movements and wellness activities designed to inspire and empower participants.

Through these experiences, guests will foster newfound strength and confidence, discovering a profound sense of well-being and vitality.

To reserve a space for the Reconnect and Rejuvenate Wellness Retreat from 20 to 23 June, 2024, email reservations-ninhvan@sixsenses.com.

Further details can be seen at https://www.sixsenses.com/en/resorts/ninh-van-bay/wellness-spa/retreats/reconnect-and-rejuvenate/

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay sits on a dramatic coral bay with golden sand and towering mountains.

It comprises 62 pool villas on the beach and nestled between rocks.

Guests enjoy many family-friendly activities, culinary experiences and excursions, and the Six Senses Spa is a sanctuary for the senses.
This week on Insight, Kumi Taguchi takes a deep dive into relationships of convenience. Can they really work?

Lutgarda Porciuncula Espiritu, or Lee, was experiencing a difficult time when she saw a newspaper ad from an Australia man seeking a Filipina penpal. She replied on a whim and it changed the course of her life.

Our decision to get married was a mutually beneficial one for my husband and I, and with time our love grew, she tells Insight.

I came across him by chance one day in 1986, as I was reading an English-language newspaper in my hometown, Manila.

There was an ad that read: An Australian man who wants to meet a Filipina lady for friendship.

At the time, I had an underlying sense that my life was approaching a major crossroads.

I had completed a journalism degree in Manila and was working as a high school teacher. But the previous few years had been hard.

The Philippines was in political turmoil, which spurred the beginning of the massive exodus of Filipinos seeking work opportunities and greater freedoms abroad.

And my family had experienced a tragedy five years earlier, when a house fire caused us to lose my father at the age of 43 and our home. To make things worse, we had no insurance.

I was soul-searching and I was curious. So I decided to respond to the ad.

8:30pm tonight on SBS.
It was after she missed out on a role to a younger actress that New Zealands Robyn Malcolm conceived After the Party with writer Dianne Taylor.

While that was before the pandemic hit -which understandably stalled the project- they were responding to trends in casting.

We started talking about this thing which they call aspirational casting, which is if a character is written for a 50 year old woman we were being told that 50 year old women in the audience dont want to see themselves played by a 50 year old woman. They want to see themselves played by a 35 year old woman, says Malcolm.

The role was going to actresses 15 years my junior

If theres a 70 year old character, 70 year olds want to see themselves played by a 50 year old woman.

I had three separate experiences over a two year period where I had gone into audition for a character which on the page was my age, but the role was going to actresses 15 years my junior.

And I had friends my age who were going out and auditioning for 70 year old characters.

So Diane, I had a very long conversation about why that should be and why older women playing themselves seemed to be a problem in western storytelling at the time.

Films like Its Complicated with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin, or Somethings Gotta Give with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson were full of women in large white collars.

As you get older youre youre becoming more disagreeable, so how can we make you agreeable?'

It seemed to be that middle aged woman in America could only be seen on screen if they wore white and laughed a lot. Because we as you get older youre youre becoming more disagreeable, so how can we make you agreeable?' she continues.

We talked a lot about middle aged female rage and how theres so much that goes on within the middle ages of a woman that is really unpalatable and kind of wonderfully unpalatable.

There have been improvements in casting in more recent years, Malcolm agrees, but not so much when After the Party was in its genesis.

The two that came out when we were in development, were Olive Kitteridge and Mare of Easttown, both stories of middle aged women who werent written to be well-liked. Id always been very lucky with my career having come up through more as a sort of character actor, you know. Id always played the interesting side-character to something, Malcolm observes.

Cheryl was such a massive character

That changed when I was an Outrageous Fortune, but Cheryl was such a massive character. I always felt that she was she character actors character. That has kind of kept me in work all the way through, but what I was noticing and it wasnt a direct response to not being cast in Dis film, but not being cast was how we met.

Pandemic delays notwithstanding, the product of their collaboration is 6 part drama series After the Party in which Malcolm stars as teacher and mother Penny who loses everything when she accuses her Phil husband (Peter Mullan) of a sex crime and no one believes her. Five years later, he returns from Scotland and moves in with Pennys daughter Grace and grandchild.

The series produced by Australias Lingo Pictures with NZs Luminous Beast filmed in Wellington and features Tara Canton, Dean OGorman, Ziggy OReilly and Catherine Wilkin.

The duplicitous nature of the scene which serves as the catalyst for Pennys marriage split from Phil proved to be complex, and deliberately grey for the audience.

We didnt want to tell a story about a bad guy and a good guy

Its very deliberate. Because what were asking you to do is trust this woman as an audience. In life do you trust what youre told? Do you trust face value? Its about perspective. Its about truth. Its about all that stuff. She knows her husband, but does she know her husband? So its also about what kind of truth exists within a marriage, she explains.

We didnt want to tell a story about a bad guy and a good guy. And we didnt want to tell a simple linear story which is about hero and antihero. We really wanted to dig into what makes people tick, the complexity of that and also what exists within a marriage. So the unfolding of information is in a lot of ways really slow.

I have to know what happened! Ill drop your mortgage if you tell me!

Such were the accolades for Malcolms performance as the conflicted, flawed Penny that she won an acting award from the prestigious Series Mania television festival in France.

It follows from critical acclaim in New Zealand where audiences were provoked and polarised by what they were watching.

I had my bank manager in New Zealand ring me up halfway through the show airing and said to me I have to know what happened! Ill drop your mortgage if you tell me!' she recalls.

People became absolutely desperate to know the the outcome because theyd become invested in a whole bunch of stuff. But they didnt know as an audience, whether they were right in being invested in the right thing, which again, was deliberate on our part.

We think we know the story in life and so often we dont. So that was the intention.

After the Party premieres 8:30pm Sunday April 28 on ABC (all episodes on iview).
The suspects accused of killing two Kansas mothers who went missing in Oklahoma allegedly had previously planned to kill one of the women with an anvil, court documents obtained by HNGN have revealed.

The suspected bodies of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, were found over the weekend.

They disappeared on their way to pick up Butler's children for a court-ordered visitation.

Police arrested 54-year-old Tifany Adams, who was the children's grandmother, 43-year-old Tad Bert Cullum, 50-year-old Cole Earl Twombly and 44-year-old Cora Twombly on murder, kidnapping and conspiracy charges.

A teenaged witness in the case told investigators that in February the four had traveled to Hugoton, Kansas in a previous attempt to kill her.

They allegedly planned to throw an anvil through Bulter's windshield while driving. They reportedly thought it would look like an accident because anvils "regularly fall off of work vehicles," according to Adams' arrest affidavit obtained by HNGN.

The group allegedly called off the plan when they couldn't lure Butler out of the house.

Authorities say a search of Adam's phone showed searches for "how to get someone out of their house." Other searches reportedly were for taser pain level, gun shops, and prepaid cellular phones.

The witness aid that Adams had provided "burner" phones for the group to use so they could communicate without using their personal devices.

The four were members of an anti-government group with a religious affiliation called "God's Misfits," according to their arrest affidavits. They reportedly held weekly meetings at the Twombly's home and another home.

Authorities in Oklahoma say they have located the bodies believed to be two women who went missing in rural Oklahoma and are believed to have been murdered.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said the bodies believed to be of Butler and Kelly were found in Texas County and the medical examiner's office to make an official identity.

Their vehicle was found abandoned near Highway 95 in Texas County and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said there was evidence to indicate foul play.

They had arranged with the grandmother of Butler's two children to meet at a highway intersection and pick up the 6- and 8-year-old on March 30. The children were supposed to attend a birthday party.

Butler was in a long-running custody battle with Adams. Her son, the father of Butler's two children, was in a rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma City.

Butler was allowed supervised visits with the children each Saturday.

Kelley, the wife of a pastor, was Butler's court-authorized choice to supervise visitations.

The teenage witness told authorities that Cora Twombly said that she and her husband blocked the road to stop Butler and Kelley and divert them to where Adams, her boyfriend Cullum and another person were waiting for them.

The teen reportedly asked why Kelley had to die and was told that "she wasn't innocent either" because she supported Butler," the court papers said.
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Colombians asked to 'shower as couple' as water crisis worsens

In an interesting advice, Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan has urged the local residents to 'shower as couple' as water shortage in the Colombian capital has worsened.



Tuesday April 16, 2024 10:31 AM , ummid.com News Network

Bogota: In an interesting advice, Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan has urged the local residents to 'shower as couple' as water shortage in the Colombian capital has worsened.

Colombian capital Bogota, located at around 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) high in the Andes, is confronting a water crisis that has never occurred in generations, The Guardian reported.

In the face of the water shortage, Carlos Fernando Galan has issued rationing rules, which include bifurcating the city sections and water supply cuts for 24 hours.

"But, let's not waste the water," Galan emphasised that people should decrease the water usage. Shower as a couple, said Galan.

This is an educational exercise in saving water, nothing else. That kind of thing is going to help us a lot. Those behavioural changes are key", he added.

Unusual Climate Situation

The Colombian capital city Mayor's advice came after the El Nino climate phenomenon pushes reservoir levels to their lowest point in decades.

According to BBC, about ten million residents in Bogota are being forced to ration water amid crippling water shortages. Hospitals and schools have been exempted from water rationing.

Insufficient rainfall and unusual heat has seen Colombia's reservoirs dry up at an alarming rate. The Chuza reservoir, part of the system which provides around 70% of the city's water, is at less than 17% capacity, the BBC reported.

Bogota, like some other metropolitan areas in South America, is facing the consequences of the outbreak of drought. In terms of rationing water, Mexico City was forced to start this plan last month, whereas Guatemala announced a wildfire emergency recently.

The future remains uncertain as Some experts say that Bogota's water supply could last only 54 days.

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Israeli PM Netanyahu hid in bunker to escape from Iranian missiles

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sheltered himslef in a missile-proof bunker while his fellow citizens ran helter skelter for their safety in the aftermath of the hundreds of drones and missiles launched on Tel Aviv, Occupied Jerusalem and other cities by Iran Saturday April 13, 2024.



Tuesday April 16, 2024 1:46 PM , ummid.com News Network

[Netanyahu with Simon Falic in a file photo. (Image source: Social media)]

Occupied Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sheltered himslef in a missile-proof bunker while his fellow citizens ran helter skelter for their safety in the aftermath of the hundreds of drones and missiles launched on Tel Aviv, Occupied Jerusalem and other cities by Iran Saturday April 13, 2024, according to local media reports.

Netanyahu and his wife Sara stayed over the weekend at the home of billionaire Simon Falik's family in Jerusalem. This is a luxury villa in the Talfiot neighborhood of Occupied Jerusalem and according to reports, has an advanced anti-missile shelter, Walla, a news portal in Hebrew, reported.

Who is Simon Falic?

Simon Falic, a close friend of Benjamin Netanyahu, is an American tycoon and one of the three brothers who run the Falic Group, a privately held duty-free retail company headquartered in Miami, Florida that operates duty-free stores in airports and other travel-related locations around the world.

The company is known for selling luxury goods such as perfumes, cosmetics, and fashion accessories.

Falics are also one of the largest American donor families in Netanyahu's career, and one of the family's close associates.

Citing Channel 13, The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahus had also brought in his state-paid personal chef to Falic's Talpiot estate, a breach of regulations that do not allow for a state employee to work in a private home.

Israeli daily Haaretz also confirmed the whereabouts of Netanyahu at the time of Iranian attack publishing a piece with a telling title When Iran fired missiles at Israel, Netanyahu was safe in a tycoon's bunker!

The reports sparked a huge outrage and thousand of Israelis gathered outside Falic's Talpiot villa demanding Netanyahu to come out.

You are the head [of government], youre responsible, call the protestors, who are told by Border Police officers to stand behind the fencing set up outside the mansion, according to The Times of Israel.

Watch Video

Jerusalem: Protest gathers outside home of US duty free billionaire Simon Falic, where the Netanyahous are hunkering down in his private reinforced bomb shelter. (For real)

(Orna Kupferman) pic.twitter.com/nqfEsxM4k1  Noga Tarnopolsky     (@NTarnopolsky) April 13, 2024

Netanyahu frequenting the bunker since Oct 7

The Israeli media is also reporting that Benjamin Netanyahu and his family members are spending more time in Simon Falics missile-proof villa than the Prime Ministers official residence in Occupied Jerusalem since Oct 7, 2023 when the Palestinian Resistance Groups led by Hamas stormed Israel.

Iran retaliated Israeli attack on its Consulate in Damascus, Syria by launching over 200 missiles and drones on Tel Aviv, Occupied Jerusalem and other cities late in the night Saturday.

According to the reports, the Iranian authorities had given prior information to the United States regarding the Saturday night attack .

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UPSC 2023 Toppers: 50+ Muslims among 1016 in Civil Services Merit List

More than 50 Muslims figured in the UPSC Civil Services Merit List 2023 released today, with four of them securing different ranks and positions in the list of top 100.

Tuesday April 16, 2024 3:54 PM , ummid.com News Network

UPSC Civil Services Toppers 2023: More than 50 Muslims figured in the UPSC Civil Services Merit List 2023 released today, with four of them securing different ranks and positions in the list of top 100.

Of the total 51 Muslims who figured in the Civil Services Merit List 2023 released today, four - Nausheen, Wardah Khan, Zufishan Haque and Fabi Rasheed are in the Top 100 list.

List of Muslims in Civil Services Merit List 2023

9: NAUSHEEN

18: WARDAH KHAN

34: ZUFISHAN HAQUE

71: FABI RASHEED

111: ARFA USMANI

157: SYED ADEEL MOHSIN

165: KHAN SAIMA SERAJ AHMED

188: SAYEM RAZA

241: FARHEEN ZAHID

253: AREEBA SAGHIR

278: EHTEDA MUFASSIR

311: NAZISH UMAR ANSARI

312: SYED MUSTAFA HASHMI

317: FATHIMA SHIMNA PARAVATH

323: SHAHIDA BEGUM S

332: HAMID NAVED

339: AREEBA NOMAAN

345: MOHAMMAD HARIS MIR

369: MOHAMMAD FARHAN SEH

374: MD TABISH HASAN

388: GHULAM MAYA DIN

418: ALIFA KHAN

447: DANISH RABBANI KHAN

469: ZOHRA BANU

481: MD ASIM MUJTEBA

507: ABDUL FASAL P V

512: MOHAMMAD AFTAB ALAM

516: SEERAT BAJI

574: AFZAL ALI

659: MOHAMED RISWIN I

670: NAZIA PARWEEN

677: SYED TALIB AHMED

730: SHOIAB

744: ABDULLAH ZAHID

745: THASLIM M

758: SOPHIA SIDDIQUI

762: MD SHAHANSHAH SIDDIQUE

770: MOHD ASHFAQ

819: ATIF WAQUAR EKRAM ANSARI

822: MD BURHAN ZAMAN

825: GHANCHI GAZALA MOHMADHANIF

826: SYED SADIQUE

839: NAJMA A SALAM

840: RASHIDALI A

845: J ASHIQ HUSSAIN

851: INBA S

852: AHRAS A N

866: HAMSA SHREE N A

1012: MD WARSHID KHAN

1013: AZMAL HUSSAIN



(Disclaimer: The UPSC does not identify candidates by their religion. The above list is compiled based on the names of candidates as mentioned in the Civil Services Final result published by the UPSC. Few names are Muslim sounding but confusing as they are used by people belonging to more than one religion.)

Muslims in UPSC  Previous Years Record

In 2023 UPSC CSE Exam, more than 125 Muslims had appeared in the Personal Tests.

In 2022, around 2,529 candidates who cracked the Civil Services Prelims and Main exams were called for the Personal Interviews. Among them were 83 Muslims . A total number of 933 candidates were recommended for IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other civil services posts. Of them 30 were Muslims .

In 2021, a total of 1,823 candidates who had cracked the Civil Services Main exams were called for the Personal Interviews. Out of them, 685 were recommended in the UPSC Civil Services 2021 Merit List . Of them, 21 were Muslims. This was the worst performance of Muslim candidates in a decade .

On ther hand, a total of 31 Muslims had cracked the Civil Services Exam (CSE), also known as IAS exam, in 2020 when UPSC had recommended 761 candidates for the top CS posts.

In 2019 , 42 Muslims had cracked the exam whereas in 2018 just 27 Muslims had made it to the final result.

The years 2016 and 2017 were the brightest period for Muslim candidates. In 2016 , 52 Muslims figured in the list of successful candidates whereas in 2017 their tally was 50.

In 2015 , 34 Muslims were among the 1,078 candidates recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) whereas 38 Muslims were in the list of total 1,236 candidates in 2014 .

In 2013 , a total of 34 Muslims had cleared the exam, whereas in 2012, 30 Muslims were among the successful candidates, four of them were among top 100.

Similarly in 2012 , 30 Muslims were among the successful candidates and in 2011 , 31 Muslims were among the 920 selected for the civil services.

Likewise, in 2010 among the 875 successful candidates 21 were Muslims with Dr. Shah Faisal of Kashmir topping the exam at the national level.

In 2009 , a total of 31 Muslims were in the list of 791 successful candidates.

UPSC CSE Result 2023

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced the final result of Civil Services exams held in May 2023 and Personal Interviews conducted in February/April 2024 today on Tuesday April 16.

Aditya Srivastava has bagged the first rank, Animesh Pradhan got the second rank, Donuru Ananya Reddy secured the third rank, while Ruhani, Nausheen and five others figured in the Top 10.

Category wise UPSC result

A total number of 1016 candidates have been recommended by the Union Public Service Commission for IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other civil services posts.

Of the 1016 in the Civil Services Merit List, a total of 347 are from General Category, 115 from Economic Weaker Sections, 303 from OBC, 165 from Scheduled Caste and 86 from Scheduled Tribe category.

A total of 2,844 Civil Services aspirants had cracked the CSE Main Exam 2023 and were called for the personal test held in three phases.

The Personal Tests of 1,026 candidates were conducted from January 02 to February 16, 2024 in Phase I, according to the schedule released by the UPSC.

The Personal Interviews of 1,003 candidates were conducted from February 19 to March 15, 2024 in Phase II.

The Phase III of UPSC Civil Services Exam 2023 concluded on April 09, 2024. Under this phase, the Union Public Services Commission conducted the Personal Interviews of 817 candidates.

31 from Jamia Millia RCA in Merit List

A total of 151 candidates, including Nausheen, from Jamia Islamia Free Coaching Centre appeared in the written test, 71 appeared in the personal interview and 31 finally selected for various civil services posts. Of them 11 are girls.

Civil Services Topper Nausheen is from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

The 1016 recommended candidates will be post on various Civil Services posts including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Central Services, Group A and Group B based on their ranks.

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HCM CITY  Cross-border beauty and personal care is a huge market for Vietnamese companies thanks to the growing realisation of gender equality in which more women are immersing themselves in the workforce globally.

Currently, with a growing awareness of gender equality, economic pressure, and the gradual implementation of Government policies and measures to encourage womens employment, more women in the world are immersing themselves in the workforce.

This shift has ignited a surge in products catering to their multifaceted needs, encompassing work, household responsibilities, and personal interests.

In addition, factors such as rapid urbanisation, busy lifestyles, and rising purchasing power have contributed to the growing popularity of women's products being sold through online channels.

These platforms offer convenience, extensive product selections, promotional deals, and various payment options, making them the preferred shopping destination for many consumers.

Therefore, there are increasing demands and requirements for women-related products to tailor to their lifestyle and needs globally. Also, such products have expanded more on online purchasing channels.

According to McKinsey and Company, e-commerce is expected to continue as the fastest-growing sales channel for beauty products, with an annual growth rate of 12 per cent from 2022 to 2027.

Additionally, Statista indicates that the global market of beauty and personal care e-commerce alone is estimated at around US$119 billion, and is forecasted to hit $184 billion by 2028.

Another example shown in Amazons Global Consumer Trends and Purchasing Behavior Vol. 2 2023 data indicates a strong inclination among Japanese women towards household products that streamline and simplify domestic chores.

This includes a preference for smart washing machines, dryers, portable vacuum cleaners, and sweeping robots, reflecting a desire for convenience and efficiency in managing household tasks.

Amazons Global Consumer Trends and Purchasing Behavior handbook Vol. 1 2023 pointed out that The rise of SHE power is a trend that most businesses and organisations advocate and promote. Women consumers seek fair treatment. Limited and basic products are not enough; they choose brands that advocate female empowerment and purchase personalised products tailored to their body type, age, or life stage.

Products for women cover many categories, including beauty and personal care, fashion, home and kitchen, and mom and baby supplies.

There are some rising trends in terms of functionality and design style for these product categories that manufacturers and sellers around the world need to pay attention to and promptly apply to win global female customers, Amazon said.

Amazon's Product Opportunity Explorer underscores the enduring allure of beauty and personal care products on their online stores. Consumers globally are increasingly turning to online channels to discover and purchase a diverse array of skincare items, hair care solutions, nail polish, and beauty applications.

In Viet Nam, for the first time, beauty has emerged as one of the top five best-selling categories from Vietnamese selling partners on Amazon globally in 2023.

Meanwhile, apparel has maintained its position in the top-selling list from Vietnamese sellers on Amazon for the latest three years, highlighting the consistent demand for fashion items tailored to women's preferences.

According to Amazons Vietnams SMEs Empowerment Report 2023, over the 12 months ending August 31, Vietnamese selling partners sold more than 17 million products on Amazon, a collective growth of more than 50 per cent year-over-year in export value growth through selling on Amazon that demonstrates the opportunity Amazon unlocks for small businesses across the country.

The most exported and sold categories from Vietnamese selling partners in Amazons store in 2023 were home, kitchen, health and personal care, apparel, and beauty.

This list reaffirms Viet Nams extensive experience in producing and exporting key goods including furniture, handcrafted home decor, and garments.

This year, the ongoing emergence of health, and personal care and beauty, which have been rapidly growing in recent years, broadened the picture of flourishing online exports and strengthened the supply role of Viet Nam in women-related products for female customers around the world, the company said.

The attainment of these figures owes much to Vietnamese brands and businesses leveraging Viet Nam's distinctive strengths. The textile and garment industry in Viet Nam, characterised by craftsmanship, innovation, and cultural heritage, exemplifies the nation's ability to capitalise on global trends.

The beauty and personal care manufacturing industry leveraged the country's abundant natural resources, such as turmeric, coconut, aloe vera, rice, and locust, known for their anti-inflammatory, moisturising, and antimicrobial properties, positioning Viet Nam as an emerging supply chain in the beauty and personal care industry, and thus setting the launchpad for V-beauty in the global market.

Abera, a Vietnamese beauty brand founded by men, has successfully earned consumer trust on Amazon with its range of gentle skincare products for women.

By focusing on specialised treatment solutions instead of multi-purpose ones, Abera targets specific market gaps and leverages natural resources to craft high-demand products. They utilise natural Viet Nam-originated ingredients and tailor solutions for the skin, hair, and oral care needs of customers.

Upon observing these trends in women-oriented products, it becomes evident that Vietnamese beauty, fashion, and mom and baby brands are not only thriving but also continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation within their respective fields, Amazon said, confirmed that brands have boldly ventured into cross-border e-commerce, enabling them to not only accelerate their growth but also establish connections with global economic leaders. VNS
HA NOI  The State Bank of Viet Nam will resume gold bar auctions in an effort to improve supply to the market after 11 years of suspension.

A representative of the SBV said on Monday that preparations for gold bar auctioning are being completed. The SBV will send notice about detailed information one day before the auctioning. After the floor price is announced, credit institutions and gold businesses will fill out the bids. They will have 30 minutes to decide the bidding volume and prices. One hour after closing the bid, the SBV will announce the results.

Businesses will have to deposit to participate in the bidding no later than 5:00pm on the day of receiving the bidding notice.

Currently, there are 26 establishments, including commercial banks and gold business, have gold bar trading with the central bank. Among them, 15 are qualified to participate in the bidding.

The first gold bar auction was held on March 28, 2013. In 2013, 76 gold bar auctions were organised with a total winning volume of 1.819,9 million taels out of 1.932 million tael bids. At that time, SJC gold price was about VN4.2 million per tael more expensive than the world gold price.

SCJ is listed at more than VN84.3 million (US$3,345) at 9:30 am this morning while the world price is at $2,388.60, meaning a difference of $957 per tael.

The gold bar auction is expected to contribute to narrowing down the gap between domestic and world gold prices.

Increasing the supply of gold bullion is one among bold solutions raised by the SBV in response to the Prime Ministers requirement to stabilise the domestic gold market and ensure its transparent, healthy and efficient operation.

The SBV also focus on ensuing raw materials for jewellery production and export, asking gold businesses to issue e-invoices for every transaction, preventing smuggling of gold, speculation and gold price manipulation as well as increasing inspection to ensure compliance.

At a recent meeting about gold market, the PM asked the State Bank to promptly implement solutions effectively manage the gold market, especially handling the existing huge gaps between SJC gold prices with the world prices.  VNS
HA NOI  Vietnam Airlines will add more than 100 domestic and international flights totaling more than 15,000 seats for the National Liberation Day (April 30) and May Day holiday which will last five days.

A representative from the national flag carrier said it is working to optimise the use of its current fleet and add early-morning and late-night flights on the busy routes.

A total of 575,000 seats will be provided on 2,900 flights during the peak season from April 26 to May 5, with those for domestic and international routes increasing 10 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively.

Most of the additional flights are on the routes that connect famous tourist destinations such as Ha Noi/HCM City and a Nang, Hue, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, a Lat, Phu Quoc and Con ao.

Regarding the international network, the airline is increasing its frequency to Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

To date, the seat occupancy rate on the flights has reached 70 per cent.

The Vietnamese aviation industry is grappling with a severe shortage of aircraft and high input costs, making airfares more expensive. Against this backdrop, Vietnam Airlines has joined hands with partners and competent agencies to carry out various measures since the end of 2023.  VNS
HAI PHONG Coastal city Hai Phong's science and technology department has jointly organised an event to promote investment and innovation with Korea's Cheongju City and Chungbuk Technology Park as part of the International Techfest Connect 5+ event, held in Hai Phong on April 15-16.

According to the organisers, the event offered Vietnamese business startups opportunities to connect with domestic and international companies, especially those in high-tech sectors.

Pham Thi Sen Quynh, the department's deputy director, said the city has been working together with South Korean partners to promote business opportunities and innovation. The department signed a cooperation agreement with Chungbuk Technology Park, South Korea in September last year.

"The event has been an opportunity for investment funds to connect with startups from both countries to seek investment deals, helping to develop the market and growth on both sides," she said.

Quynh said many Vietnamese businesses, especially startups, have been facing numerous difficulties in the search for and implementation of new technologies, including administrative procedures and communication.

She said product development in high-tech sectors remains a complicated process for startups, which requires businesses to seek partners and investors that can help them develop sustainably.

At the event, representatives from Vietnamese and South Korean businesses and organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a joint development effort for collaboration in high-tech sectors, as well as agreements to simplify and streamline administrative procedures in granting Vietnamese businesses access to the South Korean market.

They said accessing and increasing startup capital from investors, investment funds play a vital role in helping young technology businesses in Vietnam to create breakthroughs, design products and achieve sustainable growth.

Lee Beom Seog, Cheongju City's mayor, said Cheongju positions itself as an industrial hub with a diverse selection of industries, including biotechnology, transportation, machinery, materials and renewable energy. The city has been home to major South Korean businesses in the past such as SK, Samsung and LG.

"Cheongju shares Hai Phong's vision of becoming an innovation hub and building a developed ecosystem for startups. Our collaboration will help both cities better adapt to rapid changes in the world of science and technology," he said.

Director of the Hai Phong Department of Science and Technology Tran Quang Tuan said the tech event contributes to improving the quantity and quality of connection and promotion events between the citys businesses and those in the region, as well as international businesses.

Pham Hong Quat, Director of the Market Development Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the event helps localities and businesses find solutions to local development problems, especially those related to green transformation, digital transformation and circular economy. This is also an opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to cooperate with international ones and gradually master some value chains in semiconductor and green technology. VNS
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, left, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan at a press conference at the state Capitol in 2021. Patrick has ordered the Texas Senate to come up with a plan to eliminate property taxes, setting up the end of public schools. Stephen Spillman/for Express-News Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick listens to questions from reporters about recent energy bills at the Texas State Capitol in Austin last year. Patrick has ordered the Texas Senate to come up with a plan to eliminate property taxes, setting up the end of public schools. Nell Carroll/special contributor Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about a school voucher plan during a rally in March 2023 at Cypress Christian School in Houston. Abbott and his allies say the voucher effort is about school choice. Critics say they are private school vouchers that allow people to take money out of the public school system to benefit private schools. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Love Elementary School in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks fantasy of abolishing property taxes would set the state up for financial failure and end public education as we know it by placing a greater burden on low- and medium-income Texans.

The most powerful man in Texas politics wants you to believe hes looking out for homeowners, but theres always an unacknowledged goal for significant initiatives like this one. You need only look at who deposited $3 million in Patricks campaign account and who gave the record $6 million donation to Gov. Greg Abbott to boost private religious schools.

As lieutenant governor, Patrick appoints the leaders of Senate committees, sets their agendas and decides whether a piece of legislation gets a vote. Patrick also rewards senators who appease him and punishes those who dont with his fat campaign war chest.

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Last week, the lite guv ordered the Senate Finance Committee to determine the effect on other state programs if general revenue were used to fully replace school property taxes, particularly during economic downturns.

Rising property taxes are directly correlated to the growing cost of housing in Texas. When home or apartment values go up, so do taxes, and the two combined create a crisis across the country.

Median property taxes in Texas rose 26% between 2019 and 2023, according to data from real estate research firm CoreLogic, and first reported by Axios, an online news agency. In four years, the median payment rose to $4,916 from $3,900 as property values nationwide grew 40%.

Texas has crazy property taxes due to a convoluted system that protects the wealthy and pushes the burden of paying for government services onto low- and middle-income families.

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To understand how and why, Texans must remember that we pay for schools through property taxes levied by school districts. The state is forbidden from collecting a property tax, so the Legislature depends primarily on sales taxes and severance taxes levied on oil and gas production.

The Texas Constitution also forbids an income tax, perpetuating the myth Texas is a low-tax state. The wealthy, who spend less of their income on retail purchases and real estate, get off easier than in other states. But the half of Texans who struggle to make ends meet pay a higher proportion of their income in sales and property taxes.

Most states rely on the proverbial three-legged stool of income, property and sales taxes to fairly charge families and businesses based on their ability to pay. Texas relies on only two legs, and Patrick is talking about kicking away one of them.

Patricks command comes less than a year after the Legislature took $18 billion from sales taxes and oil and gas severance taxes to pay down school taxes. Most of that money came from high crude oil and natural gas prices and a roaring economy that generated huge sales tax returns. The move marked the first tax reduction paid by most property owners in decades.

Ending property taxes is part of the Republican Party of Texas platform, but it would require collecting $73.5 billion from the remaining leg of the stool, the sales tax.

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The state sales rate is 6.25%, while local authorities can collect up to 2% more. The Texas Taxpayers and Research Association in 2018 calculated the sales taxes would need to reach 25% to replace property taxes.

Right-wing fantasists will point at Texas colossal budget surplus last year as proof that lawmakers will only need to raise sales taxes a tiny bit. However, anyone whos lived in Texas for a decade or more knows the fossil fuel business goes through boom-and-bust cycles.

During a bust in 2011, Texas lawmakers slashed school funding by $4 billion. When the money runs out, the Republicans who control every lever of power in Texas do not hesitate to sacrifice public education to avoid raising taxes. Even with last years windfall, they refused to give teachers a raise.

This is where school vouchers and property taxes collide. The billionaires backing Abbott and Patrick believe public schools are Marxist, woke indoctrination factories. They want to give parents vouchers to choose Christian nationalist indoctrination factories exempted from state or federal oversight.

The vouchers, though, are insufficient to cover private school tuition, so families must pay the difference. The GOP hopes to create a system in which the state pays a defined amount and normalizes parents' paying the rest.

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TRA VINH  The Tra Vinh Farm Co Ltd (Sokfarm) in the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh has successfully exported its first shipment of organic coconut flower nectar products to Australia - the fifth main importer of the localitys product.

As scheduled, the firm will continue to export its second shipment to this market after two weeks.

Pham inh Ngai, CEO of Sokfarm, said blossom products from coconut flower nectar of the company have been officially exported to Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, the US and Australia.

The company currently owns a 20-hectare coconut plantation certified with international organic certifications such as USDA (US), EU (Europe), JAS (Japan), and Canada Organic (Canada).

Currently, Sokfarm is investing in constructing new production facilities with a daily production capacity of 10-12 tonnes of coconut flower nectar.

The firm plans to expand its raw material plantation area to 50 ha and purchase the nectar from 80 local coconut-growing households, generating jobs for 100 labourers.

By 2029, the company aims to develop a 300-hectare raw material area, establish production linkages with and consume products of 500 households, and create jobs for 400 local workers.

Le Van ong, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Sokfarm's organic condensed coconut nectar has been recognised as a specialty of Tra Vinh. The product has been sold in more than 30 provinces and cities nationwide, and exported to many demanding markets. Currently, the company is marketing six main products to.

Tra Vinh, the countrys second largest coconut producer after neighbouring Ben Tre Province, has nearly 27,400 ha of coconut, mostly in Cang Long, Tieu Can, and Cau Ke districts. It plans to widen its coconut growing area to 30,000ha by 2030.

The locality is home to more than 50 companies, co-operatives, and households which make products such as dried coconut flesh, coconut milk, coconut oil, and others for both domestic consumption and exports.  VNS
HCM CITY  The fifth International Exhibition on Fertilisers, Pesticides and Agrochemicals (AgroChemEx Vietnam 2024) opened in HCM City on April 16, creating opportunities for producers, distributors and importers to enhance connections and tie-ups.

AgroChemEx Vietnam 2024, held on an area of 1,500sq.m at White Palace Convention Centre in Phu Nhuan District, has attracted nearly 80 exhibitors from various countries and territories, including China, the US, India, and host Viet Nam, who are showcasing new chemical products, agricultural machinery, fertilisers, and advanced technologies.

It will feature conferences on Viet Nams plant protection markets, government regulations on the distribution of plant protection products, fertiliser production and trading and other topics and a business matching programme to bring together local and foreign firms.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Le Van Thiet, deputy director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments plant protection department, said the management of trading, import, export, production, and use of agricultural materials is a key criterion in achieving the countrys goal of developing ecological, organic, circular, and low carbon-emissions agriculture.

The exhibition offers opportunities for producers and traders of agricultural chemicals at home and abroad to exchange information and experiences, and learn about the market, and enable government agencies and domestic businesses to access advanced technologies and solutions and potential partners for research, development and trading agricultural chemicals.

Guo Wei, deputy general secretary of the China Crop Protection Industry Association (CCPIA), said Viet Nam and China have long-term cooperation in the pesticide industry.

The expo would help Chinese enterprises understand the Vietnamese market and cooperate with Vietnamese partners, he added.

According to the plant protection department, the pesticide industry is in a period of transition towards green and sustainable development with the proportion of biological pesticides used in the country increasing from 16.67 per cent in 2021 to 18.49 per cent in 2022.

Many domestic and foreign enterprises are also investing in research, production and sales of biological pesticides, it said.

The expo would be an effective and important channel for promoting sustainable development of agriculture, it added.

The exhibition, organised by Minh Vi Exhibition and Advertisement Services Co., Ltd and the CCPIA, is expected to get 2,500 trade visitors.  VNS
HA NOI  Long An Province Peoples Committee on Tuesday held a dialogue with Korean investors with an aim to remove difficulties and obstacles to their operation in the province.

Ho Joong, Chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce Long An, proposed the province set up a specialised unit to support foreign direct investment (FDI) companies after they obtain investment licenses which is similar to an after-service system in the Republic of Korea.

Kang Chun Seok, director of Korean Speed Vina, said that the value-added tax refund procedures remain complicated, urging further efforts to simply the process.

The focus should also be on improving the provinces transport infrastructure system, a representative from Simone Handbag Viet Nam said.

In response, Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Ut said that the local government commits to create the most favourable conditions for Korean businesses to invest and operate in Viet Nam.

Long An aims to become an investment  friendly destination, Ut said, stressing that the local government will accompany enterprises to achieve success in doing business in the province.

Ut also askes relevant departments and agencies to review existing roadblocks to promptly propose solutions.

The Republic of Korea is an important investor which pours US$975 million in 208 projects in Long An, ranking third out of 40 countries and territories with investments in the province. In the first three months of this year, Long An attracts six projects from the Republic of Korea worth $26.4 million or 16 per cent of the total FDI influx into the province in the period.  VNS
BINH DUONG  The Binh Duong Provincial People's Committee awarded licences for projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars to corporations from around the world at the 2024 Horasis China Meeting on Monday.

The event was organised by Horasis, an independent think tank headquartered in Switzerland, along with the province and the China Federation of Industrial Economics (CFIE).

They included three projects in logistics infrastructure and industrial clusters, An Son Inland Container Depot project by the Thanh Le Import-Export Trading Company, the Tam Lap No 2 industrial cluster by the Trung Hau Co. Ltd and the An Lap industrial cluster by the An Lap Infrastructure Development Limited Company worth VN1.5 trillion (US$59.7 million), VN585 billion and VN456 billion respectively.

In real estate, the province prioritises green, environment-friendly projects such as the inh Hoa social housing project worth VN1.59 trillion and Hoa Phu social housing project worth VN2.725 trillion.

It also issued investment certificates to other foreign-owned enterprises like Kiswire Viet Nam, Protron Electrical and Vorxen Electrical.

Furthermore, the province approved plans to increase investment in many projects such as Paihong Viet Nam.

Binh Duong also signed an agreement with the Viettel Post Corporation for developing infrastructure, logistics and e-commerce, and setting up an international-scale green and smart logistics and agricultural trade centre.

Binh Duong has attracted 4,226 projects with total registered investment capital of $40.6 billion, the third highest of any province or city in the country behind only Ha Noi and HCM City.

Creating favourable conditions for co-operation

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received Xiong Meng, executive vice-chairman and secretary-general of the CFIE, at the event along with representatives of many major Chinese companies.

He said the Vietnamese Government is committed to creating favourable conditions for foreign enterprises, including from China.

He spoke about the importance of collaboration between Viet Nam and China in science and technology, green development and digital transformation.

Xiong expressed strong support for strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, and pledged to make efforts to bring more Chinese businesses to Viet Nam.

Ha said the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Viet Nam and China have been steadily consolidated, particularly in the economic sphere, with the sides now discussing further joint work in green energy, climate change and carbon-neutral initiatives.

Ha also met with a number of German and European business delegations, and assured them of the Vietnamese Governments support.

Urs Unkauf, federal managing director of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, appreciated the increasingly favourable investment and business environment in Viet Nam and expressed interest in expanding operations in the country, especially Binh Duong.  VNS
HCM CITY - Viet Nam is an attractive choice for businesses who are looking for outsource solutions, given its affordable workforce, highly skilled human resources and the constantly developing infrastructure of information technology and the telecommunications industry, said real estate consultancy firm Knight Frank in its report Asia-Pacific Horizon: Harnessing the Potential of Offshoring.

The report studies the essential factors that define the region's appeal as the best location for offshore services and sheds light on the significant changes in the industry.

Amid a challenging business environment that saw a reduction in sentiment among corporate real estate leaders, the Asia-Pacific offshoring market is forecast to more than double to US$185.1 billion by 2032.

In the global context, the market is forecast to grow to $544.8 billion in 2032, reflecting an 8.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Although North America will continue to retain its dominant market share, Asia-Pacific is expected to record the highest CAGR globally at 10.2%.

According to the Knight Franks report, global companies increasingly seek cost-effective solutions to minimise expenses. A growing number are now looking towards offshoring functions as a strategic avenue. Within the Asian-Pacific region, four markets  India, the Philippines, Malaysia and Viet Nam - offer the best offshoring locations around the world.

For Viet Nam, the offshoring market revenue is expected to reach $840 million with a 2024-2028, CARG of 8.78%, the report said, citing statistics of Statista. The country is ranked the 7th best global outsourcing location. The presence of major technology firms positions the country as a global digital hub.

Viet Nam is a popular choice in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), especially in the information technology industry, with skilled human resources just after India.

Viet Nam also offers the highest value for business costs, specifically in terms of labour, together with a bright outlook for tenants when office rent, which can account for 10% to 15% of operating costs, is decreasing. It is expected that office rents in major cities in India will be higher than rents in HCM City in the next three years.

With abundant supply from new and upcoming office building projects in Thu Thiem new urban area in Thu uc City, rents are expected to decrease by more than 20% by 2026.

Analysing the trends and main factors developing the outsourcing market, Knight Frank experts said that Viet Nam s affordable labour force is the main factor to attract outsourcing activities. A notable trend in the offshore market in Viet Nam is the shift toward high-value services such as software programming or research and development.

On the other hand, Vietnam has human resources with high skills and foreign language proficiency. Consulting firm A.T. Kearney ranks Viet Nam seventh in the Global Service Location Index (GSLI) for top outsourcing destinations.

According to Knight Frank, another notable point is that Viet Nam's information technology and telecommunications industry infrastructure is constantly developing. The Vietnamese government has been increasing investment to improve internet speed, build data centres and technology infrastructure, and ensure a high-speed, reliable communication network to serve offshore activities. - VNS
HA NOI - A Vietnamese musical film with scenes shot entirely in the United States oa Hoa Mong Manh (A Fragile Flower) has been released in Viet Nam.

A Fragile Flower tells the tale of resilience and hope through the eyes of a blossoming Vietnamese songstress blessed with both a mesmerizing voice and a gentle soul.

The film revolves around the life of Thach Thao played by actress Maya. Thanks to her talented voice and top-notch beauty, she quickly became famous, reaching the peak of glory.

It also partly reflects the miniature lives of artists of Vietnamese origin overseas and successful Vietnamese people in America.

"This is the first Vietnamese film to be shot entirely in the US," said actress and director Mai Thu Huyen. "The story is very different from some previous films which are about hidden corners of Vietnamese overseas.

"Viewers will get to know other aspects of Vietnamese overseas, not only the hardship but also the success as well as the native people."

The film has up to 15 songs in Vietnamese, English and French with arrangements by musician Le Thanh Tam promising to bring touching melodies.

Before its release in Viet Nam, the film has toured cinemas in US cities of Las Vegas, Chicago and New York. It also has won the Best Female Director Feature Film award at the World Film Festival in Cannes in France and honourable mention at Chicago Women Film Fest.

At the Flow Festival and Film Market 2024, it won the best actress, the best supporting actress and the best first film.

It was also introduced at the International Women Filmmakers Festival (IWFF) held in Turkey from February 26 to March 2.

A Fragile Flower will be shown at the 1st HCM City International Film Festival on April 11 at BHD Star Cineplex Thao ien and in the national cinemas from April 12.

It will be screened in India from May 31 with dubbed in English and Hindi. - VNS
HA NOI Overseas Vietnamese communities in nearly 50 countries around the world are slated to take part in a global programme celebrating Kings Hung's Day, the anniversary of the death of the legendary founders of the nation on April 18.

The programme, themed Peace - An Ancestral Legacy, will be held both on-site and in online formats.

This is a culturally significant event, not only for the Vietnamese communities living, studying and working abroad, but also for international friends who have a deep affection for Viet Nam.

The programme has been organised annually by the Global Vietnamese Ancestral Day Project Committee since 2015 with a similar script. It aims to establish a common cultural day to connect and foster friendship between Vietnamese people worldwide and international friends.

It will take place live in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and will be livestreamed on various social media platforms and media channels, including the Fanpage of Global Vietnamese Ancestral Day - facebook.com/quoctovietnamtoancau.

The programme will include diverse cultural activities like ancestral memorial rituals in countries having statues of Kings Hung, the "Happy Vietnam" photo exhibition in Russia, the premiere of the musical composition Song of Peace and introduction of the Global Vietnamese Ancestral Day Project at the Influential Vietnamese Forum in France, Poland and Italy.

The commemoration of Kings Hung, from King Hung I to King Hung XVIII, is a national holiday that takes place annually on the 10th day of the third lunar month, which falls on April 18 this year.

The practice of worshipping them in the northern province of Phu Tho was recognised by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage in 2012. VNS
Happiness is a skill that can  and should  be learned, according to Dr. Ha Vinh Tho, founder of the Eurasia Learning Institute for Happiness and Wellbeing.

The son of a Vietnamese father and a French mother, Dr. Tho spent most of his formative years in Europe. He first visited Viet Nam with his father in 1982 at the age of 31 and immediately felt a connection to the country.

The chairman of the Eurasia Foundation served as the programme director of Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Center from 2012 to 2018. He is a well-known international speaker on Gross National Happiness (GNH), looking beyond GDP for happiness and well-being in education, business and communities and the mastermind behind the Happy Schools project in Viet Nam.

He spoke to Viet Nam News reporter Nguyen Khanh Chi on the sidelines of a seminar on happiness held this month in Ha Noi.

Everyone has a different definition of happiness. How do you define it and what is the essence of happiness?

Genuine happiness transcends short-lived pleasures and mere superficial satisfaction based on consumption. True happiness comes from balancing external conditions with cultivating inner competencies that foster happiness and well-being. The structural conditions can be summarised by the four domains of GNH.

First of all, I want to mention sustainable and equitable socio-economic development. This pillar emphasises the importance of ensuring that economic growth is sustainable and benefits all sections of society.

Second, it is the conservation of the environment. Recognising the intrinsic value of the natural environment, this pillar focuses on the protection and preservation of natural resources.

The third domain is the preservation and promotion of culture. This pillar aims to maintain and promote the rich cultural heritage of the country.

Finally, it is good governance. The governance pillar stresses the importance of an administration that is responsive, transparent, accountable, and ethical.

The inner dimensions can be summarised in three harmonies: living in harmony and caring for oneself, living in harmony and caring for others and society, and living in harmony and caring for nature and the planet.

As you often say, Happiness is a skill and each individual needs to master it. Could you elaborate on that?

To achieve the three harmonies described above, it is necessary to develop core competencies:

Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally focusing one's attention on the present moment without judgment. Scientific research supports its benefits for mental health, including reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Harvard Medical School has created an institute for Mindfulness in Public Health dedicated to studying the impact of mindfulness on health.

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage our own emotions, empathise with others, and make responsible and ethical decisions. It is grounded in neuroscience and psychology, showing its significance for personal success, leadership effectiveness, and mental well-being.

These two elements are skills and like all skills, they can be learned and trained.

The Happy Schools project started in Thua Thien Hue Province in 2018. How has it been expanded into other localities in Viet Nam?

The Happy Schools project focuses on fostering self-care, empathy, and environmental awareness among students. It includes training teachers in mindfulness and socio-emotional learning. It has also been implemented in seven schools in Ha Noi, and we are currently developing an online version to scale it up.

Hue College of Education has conducted a third-party assessment of the impact of Happy Schools in Hue, and the results clearly show the beneficial impact on students, teachers, and even families.

In 2023, we conducted an International Symposium at Hue University that attracted up to 500 participants from Viet Nam and from many other countries, including the former Minister of Education of Bhutan, the Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc, and the Director of the OECD PISA survey, Prof. Andreas Schleicher.

Academic achievements can be measured through grades. With happiness, is there any way to measure or evaluate the success of a happy school?

Yes, happiness and well-being in educational settings, akin to "happy schools", can be measured using tools such as the new PISA Happy Life Dashboard. This innovative approach offers an example of how international benchmarks are evolving to assess students' happiness and well-being, alongside traditional academic achievements. The Dashboard integrates various indicators related to emotional and social learning, mental health and overall life satisfaction, providing a comprehensive measure of the success of schools in fostering a nurturing and happy environment for students.

Aside from the Happy Schools project, you are also working with businesses. How are you supporting companies implementing Gross National Happiness in their business?

The three fundamental elements of GNH for businesses involve redefining Vision, Mission, and Values considering the GNH framework; developing Happiness Skills among leaders, managers, and employees; and Measuring What Matters by using the GNH index.

Businesses aligning with GNH principles incorporate values that promote inclusive growth, ethical behaviour, and the well-being of employees, stakeholders, and society.

Central to GNH is the cultivation of Happiness Skills such as resilience, positivity, empathic communication, and emotional intelligence, enhancing the overall health of the work culture.

Furthermore, the adoption of a comprehensive measurement framework, guided by the nine domains of the GNH Index, enables businesses to evaluate their impact on various well-being indicators, fostering balanced and sustainable operations.

BITIS and Mainetti are the first two companies in Viet Nam that have successfully implemented GNH in their business model.

With the release of three books Happy Organisations, Happy Children and Happy Schools in Vietnamese, are you really happy with your efforts to scale up happiness for Vietnamese children, schools and communities?

Since I began promoting Gross National Happiness in Viet Nam, I have been positively surprised by the openness of the Vietnamese public to these ideas, and by the willingness of educators and businesspeople to courageously implement them in their context.

I think that deep down, these values resonate with Vietnamese culture, and that the time is ripe to focus on the happiness and well-being of all people, after decades that were necessarily focused on economic growth and rebuilding the country after decades of war.

Furthermore, the slogan of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is "Independence - Freedom - Happiness" (oc lap - Tu do - Hanh phuc). Past generations have made tremendous and heroic sacrifices to ensure Independence and Freedom; it might be the mission of current generations to focus on happiness.

Will you plan to release more books on happiness for Vietnamese readers?

Two books have already been written and will be released by Thai Ha Books in the coming months.

Happy Families is a practical guide for young parents on nurturing happy, well-adjusted children. Combining scientific insights with personal experiences, it covers child development, emotional security, and mindful parenting, while addressing modern challenges. The book aims to support parents in building strong, resilient families by providing actionable advice and fostering a supportive home environment.

Pathways to Happiness: The Many Faces of Love explores the complexity and diversity of love, drawing from personal experiences, literature, philosophy, and psychology to illustrate its transformative power on individual happiness and societal well-being. Through engaging narratives and reflective prompts, the book offers a profound journey into understanding love's various forms and its crucial role in human development and fulfillment.

Furthermore, I am currently writing a new book. Happy Village explores the integration of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and the Gross National Happiness framework within Vietnamese culture, presenting a vision for sustainable village development that harmonises traditional values and modern innovations. The book offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of Vietnamese village life and its significance in shaping a balanced, harmonious future. VNS
HAVANA  Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Lt. Gen. Le Van Tuyen had a working session with Minister of the Interior of Cuba Lt. Gen. Lazaro Alberto Alvarez Casas in Havana, as part of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quangs official friendly visit to the Caribbean country.

Tuyen affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) is always ready to share experience and consult with the Cuban Ministry of the Interior about national construction and defence policies.

The MoPS will continue to stand side by side, share and stay ready to offer the highest support to the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, he said.

The two sides discussed a wide range of cooperation contents from ensuring national security, fighting crimes, building legal documents, health care, fire prevention and fighting, rescue operations, to logistical, technical support and capacity building training.

Recognising the growing challenges of global and regional security in 2024 and beyond, with various types of crimes, especially transnational, cyber, drug and human trafficking crimes, they highlighted the need to expand and strengthen cooperation between the two ministries for the benefit and national security of each country.

The officers vowed to further step up collaboration in the fields of security and police, fight organised, trans-national, cyber, terrorism, human trafficking, commercial and tourism-related crimes, emerging types of crimes and non-traditional security threats, and in technical and professional areas.

The host and guest concurred to jointly study and launch projects, scientific research works, adopt new technologies and produce specialised equipment, and offer training to improve the capacity of officers and soldiers.

In the field of health care, the two ministries will continue bolstering collaboration in cancer treatment, cerebral vascular intervention, organ transplantation, training and transferring technologies related to stem cells, gene, treatment methods using antibodies and vaccines.  VNS
HA NOI - The Viet Nam Coast Guard Region 2 High Command and frigate Vendemiaire of the French Navy held a joint maritime exercise on April 15.

During the training session, the two sides exchanged experience on anti-smuggling at sea and information sharing, fire prevention and control, maritime safety, anti-pollution measures and sea search and rescue operations.

This is the first time the Viet Nam Coast Guard force has joined a training exercise at sea with the French ships crew.

Frigate Vendemiaire of the French Navy docked at Tien Sa port, Da Nang, on April 11, beginning a five-day visit to the central city.

During their stay, the crew members paid a courtesy visit to leaders of the city and took part in a volleyball competition with the High Command of Navy Region 3. Besides, they visited renowned landscapes in a Nang, Hue and Quang Nam.

Departing from Noumea in New Caledonia on February 29, Vendemiaire has performed several maritime patrol missions with several ASEAN countries and Australia.

The frigate measures 93 metres in length and accommodates a crew of approximately 100 along with a Dauphin-type helicopter. VNS
Hunter Todd, (left) founder of WorldFest, with director Ang Lee with his award at the 1992 WorldFest film festival, and Kathleen Haney, the then WorldFest Program Director. WorldFest Cinemark Memorial City in Houston was due to the site for this year's WorldFest. Cary Darling

This article has been updated with a statement from Worldfest.

Houstons annual WorldFest film festival has been canceled just a week before the event was scheduled to begin April 24.

WorldFest, which was founded in 1961 and bills itself as the third oldest film festival in North America, was all set for its 57th showing of movies from the U.S. and around the world at the Cinemark Memorial City. Filmmakers from various countries were expected to attend screenings.

Instead, WorldFest, which was due to run for five days, announced all of its category winners on Monday.

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WorldFest will not be presenting the public programming this year due to unforeseen circumstances, said the recording on the official WorldFest phone number. Organizers did not initially respond to requests for comment via phone, text or email but issued a statement late Tuesday.

With the WorldFest Jury teams about to do their Final Wrap-up for this years Competitive results, we are preparing to post this years WorldFest Winners List on our website by the end of the month, said festival representative Kathleen Haney in the release. In spite of not being able to present a Public Program this year due to severe health challenges to several of our key staff, we are so happy that our Team of Jury members kept going and worked earnestly to find the very best from all the submitted projects.

We wholeheartedly Thank everyone for their submittals as well all the good thoughts, kind wishes, patience, understanding and in particular, dear personal prayers, she continued. Those projects which attained the Official Selection status will have a special designation on the Winners List, since they are the ones to have been our Public Programming for this year. We have WorldFest Laurels available to use both as Remi Winners and also for Official Selection. We Thank them for their great creative work and look forward to a better year after this challenging hiatus.

The website Film Industry Watch reported that WorldFest will not be issuing refunds on tickets or submission fees from entrants. They referenced director and cinematographer Tim Naylor of Saint Mark Pictures having correspondence with the festival that was troubling.

HOT SUMMER MOVIES: The 25 films that moviegoers are going to be talking about this season.

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According to local filmmaker and head of the Laughing Dog Film Festival Joe Grisaffi, notices about cancellations went out a few weeks ago. His longtime collaborator Sara Gaston, whose short film directorial debut I Was Gone For Awhile was accepted in the festival, also received word that the event was canceled, and the festival did not offer her a refund on her fee.

That is not common, says Grisaffi, whose films have appeared in dozens of festivals. There are festivals that you pay and they never happen, but those are fly-by-night ones, not established ones.

WorldFest is certainly established. Debuting in 1961, its alumni include Ang Lee and Steven Spielberg. In the past, figures like former President Donald Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott, and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick have written glowing notes of praise for WorldFests programming book.

However, the festival has appeared on somewhat rocky ground over the past couple of years. In 2022, founder Hunter Todd admitted to having a significantly reduced staff and struggling with his own personal health issues after multiple bouts with COVID-19.

Its a mess, Ill tell you, he told the Chronicle that year. Its been the worst year in our history. We lost all our staff, one person died, and we cant hire anyone. I caught COVID four times, and I am still not functioning at full bore. The mind fog is the worst.

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Update:

When contacted about the cancellation, Cinemark Memorial City said it had not heard one way or the other from the festival. As tickets were not sold through Cinemark, the company will not be issuing refunds. Currently, there is no way to buy tickets on the WorldFest site, and it is unknown how many tickets, if any, have actually been sold.

The Westin, where many visiting filmmakers stay and which often hosts events related to WorldFest, would not say whether guests had canceled reservations, citing confidentiality issues.

Gaston said she was torn by the news that her short would not be screened. The official communication from the festival said that the reason was a medical emergency among the staff.

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I can totally get that. Stuff happens, Gaston said. But the reason I submitted my film was that I wanted it to be screened and shown to people. At least I was nominated for an award.
HAVANA  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang held talks with Cuban Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Ricardo Cabrisas on April 15 (local time), as part of his visit to the Latin American country.

The Vietnamese official expressed gratitude for the sincere and fraternal assistance by Leader Fidel Castro, Cuban leader generations, and people towards Viet Nam in its struggle for national liberation, construction and defence.

He affirmed that Viet Nam attaches importance to the special relations of traditional solidarity and friendship between Viet Nam and Cuba and will always stand by the side of the brotherly country in the current context of difficulties and challenges, adding the Vietnamese government is determined to implement projects supporting Cuba in strengthening agricultural production.

Deputy PM Quang suggested the Cuban government provide support and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in the Latin American nation.

Cabrisas affirmed the Cuban governments determination to further deepen the Viet Nam-Cuba fraternal relationship, expressing his belief that the visit will contribute to effectively implementing agreements between the two countries high-ranking leaders.

He thanked Viet Nam for helping maintain a stable commercial rice supply and assisting Cuba in developing food and seafood production, affirming that cooperation with Viet Nam is of strategic importance in the current context.

The Cuban official highly valued Viet Nam's investment and business projects in Cuba in various sectors including commerce, industrial infrastructure, construction materials, essential goods, renewable energy and agriculture; saying that these have contributed to stabilising and developing Cubas economy.

Host and guest reviewed bilateral cooperation projects and discussed measures to promote economic, trade and investment relations, and to improve the effectiveness of the activities of the Viet Nam-Cuba Intergovernmental Committee mechanism, as well as collaborative projects in various fields.

They agreed to continue close coordination in implementing high-level agreements reached, further enhance the effectiveness of key cooperation projects, and find solutions to support Vietnamese businesses in doing business and investing in Cuba.

The 41st session of the Viet Nam-Cuba Intergovernmental Committee took place in Havana on April 12 - 15, seeking ways to expand and diversify bilateral economic relations to be commensurate with the traditional political relationship between the two Parties and States, and the people.  VNS
HAVANA  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang had a meeting with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel in Havana on April 15.

The Vietnamese official congratulated Cuba on its significant achievements obtained amid numerous difficulties and challenges. He affirmed Viet Nam's consistent solidarity with and support for Cuba as well as objection to the embargo against the Caribbean nation.

He informed his host about the outcomes of his talks and working sessions with Cuban Government leaders and made some suggestions for pushing ahead with the comprehensive, substantive, and effective cooperation between the two countries.

The Deputy PM stressed the need to devise mechanisms and measures for tackling difficulties, further promoting bilateral economic, trade and investment ties, and fruitfully implementing joint projects, especially in agriculture, thus helping strengthen the countries friendship and all-round partnerships.

Welcoming Quang on the first official visit to Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel stated that the Cuba-Viet Nam relations are special and have continually been reinforced on the basis of mutual trust, with their strategic importance affirmed in the current context.

He congratulated Viet Nam on its recent political - diplomatic and socioeconomic attainments while appreciating the Vietnamese Party, Government, and peoples assistance for his country through the stable rice supply and technical support in terms of rice and fisheries production.

The host leader praised joint ventures and investment projects with Vietnamese enterprises, which have effectively contributed to Cubas economic stability and development.

Cuba always pays attention to and provides optimal conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to do business and invest in such fields as trading, consumer goods production, renewable energy, construction material, and industrial park infrastructure, he stated.

Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed his hope that more Vietnamese firms will cooperate with Cuba in agriculture, food processing, energy, automobile industry, bio-pharmaceutical production and health services to tap into each countrys advantages and herald a new period of cooperation for common development.

At the meeting, Quang also conveyed Vietnamese leaders invitation to Miguel Diaz-Canel to pay a visit to Viet Nam.

Meeting with Cuban PM Manuel Marrero Cruz the same day, the visiting Deputy PM noted that leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State always keep a close watch on Cuba's situation and share the Caribbean countrys successes as well as difficulties and challenges on the path of national development and protection.

Viet Nam, within its capacity, will continue standing side by side with and assisting Cuba, he remarked, stressing its consistent solidarity with and support for the latter, along with objection to the embargoes against the country.

The Cuban PM applauded the Southeast Asian nations role as the biggest Asian-Pacific investor in Cuba and the second biggest in the Mariel Special Development Zone.

He asked the two Governments to keep enhancing coordination in implementing high-level agreements and the outcomes of the 41st session of the Inter-Governmental Committee.

Calling on Viet Nam to encourage its enterprises to increase investment and business activities in Cuba, he affirmed that the Cuban Government will work out mechanisms and measures for facilitating activities of Vietnamese firms, thereby benefiting enterprises and people of both countries and contributing to local socio-economic development.

At the meeting with Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Deputy PM Quang said Viet Nam believes that with its traditional heroism and dauntlessness, Cuba will manage to weather difficulties and challenges and harvest greater achievements.

The Cuban Foreign Minister appreciated the attention and support from Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, other leaders, the Government, and people of Viet Nam for his country in food and fisheries production and at international forums as well.

As part of the official visit, Deputy PM Quang laid floral tributes to President Ho Chi Minh at a park named after the late Vietnamese leader in Havana, as well as to Cuban hero Jose Marti at his monument.

He also visited Vietnamese projects at the Mariel Special Development Zone and had a meeting with Vietnamese enterprises and people in Cuba.

Quang is set to visit the Vo Thi Thang Primary School and the Fidel Castro Ruz Centre, where the late Cuban leaders legacy is preserved.  VNS
HA NOI  On the occasion of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's birthday on April 14, leaders of countries and political parties including those from Laos, China, Cuba, Russia, Belarus, and Dominica, have sent letters and messages of congratulations to the Vietnamese Party chief.

The leaders of countries and political parties congratulated Viet Nam on its outstanding achievements in national construction and development under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam led by Trong. They affirmed that they will keep working with the Vietnamese Party leader to grow bilateral relations.

Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith emphasised that Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong pays great attention and actively contributes to cultivating the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people of Laos and Viet Nam.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping affirmed that he "attaches great importance to China-Viet Nam relations and is ready to work with Trong to maintain strategic exchanges and the orientation to develop Viet Nam-China community with a shared future.

First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel stressed that "Nguyen Phu Trong's contributions are decisive in leading the Communist Party of Viet Nam on the path of building socialism in Viet Nam".

Russian President Vladimir Putin also appreciated the invaluable contributions of the Vietnamese Party General Secretary to the development of the Russia-Viet Nam comprehensive strategic partnership. Russian Prime Minister M. Mishustin and Chairman of the United Russia Party (URP) and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev emphasised Trong's great contribution to consolidating the friendship, mutual understanding, and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation G. Zyuganov affirmed that Trong's life is associated with the growth and increasing prestige of the Communist Party of Viet Nam in the international arena.  VNS
HA NOI  National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong inh Hue on Tuesday said that Viet Nam always values and wishes to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Hungary, a traditional partner and the only comprehensive partner of Viet Nam in the Central Eastern European region when receiving First Officer of the Hungarian National Assembly Marta Matrai in Ha Noi.

Speaking at the reception, Hue appreciated the fifth legislative conference on the role of the parliament in supreme supervision of bilateral cooperation agreements between Vietnam and Hungary held earlier the same day in Ha Noi, during which, NA Vice Chairman Tran Quang Phuong and Marta Matrai reached consensus on many important issues, particularly those on cooperation between the two countries legislatures.

For her part, the Hungarian guest said Hungary considers Viet Nam a priority partner in its policy of strengthening and expanding relations with Southeast Asian countries, especially in the fields of diplomacy, economy, and parliamentary cooperation. Hungary is a bridge between EU member countries and Viet Nam, she said, adding her country is ready to share experience with Viet Nam in agriculture, science, and digitalisation.

Noting that Hungary will take on the role of rotating President of the European Council in the second half of 2024, she affirmed Hungary will help hasten other EU member countries to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and urge the European Commission to soon remove the yellow card imposed on Viet Nam regarding illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and other problems in the EU-Viet Nam trade ties.

Hue said that the two countries have good cooperative relations in many fields and that there is still ample room for cooperation, particularly in science and technology, innovation, education, and sports.

The host and the guest agreed that the two sides need to strengthen cooperation and connections at central, local, and business levels. Their friendship parliamentarians' groups should establish an alumni network and propose initiatives to further develop the two countries relations.

Hue agreed on the theme of the next legislative conference, which will be held alternately in Hungary in 2025. On this occasion, he thanked Hungary for providing scholarships to Vietnamese students and hoped that it will continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to stabilise their lives and make positive contributions to the host countrys socio-economic development and Viet Nam-Hungary friendship.

The same day, Marta Matrai met with Chairman of the NA's Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh, who is also Chairman of the Viet Nam-Hungary Friendship Parliamentarians' Group.

Thanh said it is necessary to promote cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, especially the Viet Nam-Hungary Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to facilitate bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties.

He hoped that Hungarian businesses will increase investment in areas that Viet Nam has demand for and Hungary has strengths such as water resources exploitation, environmental protection, pharmaceuticals, livestock, food processing, renewable energy, manufacturing and processing industries, and infrastructure development.

He wished that Hungary will support and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to further access its market. Meanwhile, Viet Nam is ready to act as a gateway for Hungarian products to enter the ASEAN market, he added.  VNS
HA TINH After obtaining his degree in civil and industrial engineering from Ha Noi University of Civil Engineering, Mai Khac Thach opted to utilise his skills differently. He returned to his hometown and opened a civet farming business, which proved highly lucrative and earned him and his partners billions in profit last year.

The Khanh Ngoc Civet Cooperative in Quan Ngoc Hamlet, Khanh Vinh Yen Commune, Can Loc District, Ha Tinh Province led by Thach is one of the province's most effective economic development models.

Having graduated from Ha Noi University of Civil Engineering with a degree in civil and industrial engineering, Thach's story took a turn after he returned from a job as a contractor on construction projects in Angola. He came home in 2019 because he felt "far from home, tired of construction work, and wanted to return to the countryside to find stable employment."

Thach then began exploring local economic models and fell in love with civet farming.

"I researched many economic models such as pig and chicken farming but found them ineffective. During my research, I found that the civet farming model of a young person in Ha Tinh City was quite successful, providing stable income, so I wanted to follow suit," Thach recounted.

Within a span of three months, Thach embarked on a journey to Ha Tinh City to delve into the intricacies of civet farming. Guided by experienced professionals in the field, he boldly invested in constructing farm enclosures and kickstarted his venture with an initial stock of 50 civets.

However, the initial phase proved challenging, as Thach encountered difficulties due to his lack of experience, resulting in gastrointestinal issues among the civets. Through perseverance and hands-on learning, he gleaned valuable insights into civet care, and gradually turned the business into a success.

Impressed by his achievements, many of Thach's friends expressed interest in collaborating and establishing a cooperative to further develop and expand the civet farming model.

In 2022, Thach and five friends from Quan Ngoc Hamlet came together to form the Khanh Ngoc Civet Cooperative. The cooperative garnered attention and support from local authorities, with the Can Loc Forestry Department issuing licences and conducting regular inspections to aid in its growth.

Thanks to this initiative, Thach's cooperative and his friends have been able to capitalise on their strengths and achieve steady development.

Thach revealed that the farming area spans nearly one hectare and comprises five breeding sections housing over 300 civets, including more than 200 breeding civets, 50 male civets, and 50 juvenile civets. Commercial civets are typically sold after at least 10 months, while breeding civets are sold within four months.

"We invested about VN5 billion (US$198,000) to build the farm. This money was borrowed and mobilised from members within the cooperative," he said.

With commercial civets fetching prices ranging from VN1.8-2 million ($71-79) per kilogram, and typically weighing between 3-4.5kg, a single civet can bring in considerable revenue. A breeding pair of civets costs around VN10 million ($400). After a year of trial and error, accounting for expenses, the cooperative earned approximately VN1.5 billion ($60,000) in profit last year. This year, they aim to recover their investment capital and continue with restructuring efforts.

A member of the Khanh Ngoc Cooperative shared that civets can start breeding at around 10 months old, averaging two litters per year. It's crucial to provide civets with a food source that ensures cleanliness and freshness for their optimal health and reproduction.

"The weakness of civets is their poor gastrointestinal system, so the food must be guaranteed; otherwise, civets can easily get sick. Bananas are the daily food of civets. In addition, food must be diversified such as fish, snails or chicken necks to prevent civets from getting bored," this member said.

Looking ahead, Thach outlined plans for the cooperative's growth and development.

"We aim to increase our civet herd from over 300 to about 500 by the end of the year. With this expansion, we anticipate earning approximately VN3 billion ($120,000) in profit by 2024. Currently, there is high demand for our civets due to their guaranteed cleanliness; we are still unable to meet all orders," Thach revealed.

The leaders of Khanh Vinh Yen Commune People's Committee commended Thach's civet farming model as a novel and successful economic venture in the local area, showing initial effectiveness. VNS
SON LA  The Standing Board of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Young Union Committee of Son La province coordinated with local universities and colleges to hold a get-together on Monday the occasion of Bunpimay - the traditional New Year festival of Laos.

An art performance was organised as part of the event, aiming to help audience better understand the culture, fine traditions, and special close friendship between Viet Nam and Laos.

Participants at the event also had a chance to join in a water splashing ceremony and traditional folk games.

Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Thanh Cong extended New Year wishes to Lao students.

He also highly appreciated the universities' efforts, including providing training and ensuring a decent living and learning environment for Lao students, thereby making an important contribution to the effective implementation of the comprehensive cooperation programme between Son La province and nine northern provinces of Laos on education and training of high quality human resources.

On this occasion, the Department of Education and Training, and the provincial Study Encouragement Association awarded certificates of merit to 45 Lao students who had outstanding academic achievements and participated in local youth union activities.

Since 2015, more than 3,000 Lao students have studied in Son La. After graduation, many of them have returned home and became key officials in government agencies, actively contributing to the development of their homeland.  VNS
HA NOI  Resolute implementation of measures must be deployed to ensure electricity supply during peak periods in this year and the following years.

This was the order of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh following the Official Dispatch 38/C-TTg that he signed on Monday, regarding the resolute, comprehensive and effective implementation of measures to ensure electricity supply during peak periods this year and the following years.

The dispatch was issued in the context of the potential risk of electricity shortage this year. Electricity consumption during the dry season (from May to July) is forecast to increase significantly (up to 13 per cent, much higher than the estimation of 9.6 per cent). Particularly, the northern region is expected to see a record increase of 17 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Therefore, PM Chinh told the Minister of Industry and Trade to implement the approved plans for electricity supply and operation of the national power system this year to timely meet the upcoming electricity demand and ensure no power shortages under any circumstances.

The ministry was also assigned to monitor the management and operation of the power system to ensure safety, efficiency and minimisation of incidents.

The ministry was required to submit a mechanism of Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) for issuance before April 30; a mechanism to encourage rooftop solar power development; and policies for the development of gas power, offshore wind power and coastal wind power projects.

For electricity transmission projects, Chinh tasked relevant units to expedite the progress of the 500kV transmission line circuit 3 from Quang Trach to Pho Noi to be operational before June 30, 2024; as well as electricity transmission projects from Laos to supply power to the northern region.

He also urged localities to implement electricity-saving measures, prioritise maximum reserve water sources for power generation during peak periods, and promote efficient use of resources.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was ordered to guide localities to expedite procedures related to forest land-use conversion and temporary forest use, to accelerate the implementation of power generation and grid projects.

Vietnam Electricity (EVN), Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group (PVN), and Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group - Vinacomin (TKV) were urged to effectively implement electricity purchase contracts, coal supply and gas supply for the national interests, combatting negativity and waste; and promptly addressing power source incidents.

PM Chinh also assigned EVN to speed up electricity project schedules. Specifically, the 500kV transmission line circuit 3 from Quang Trach to Pho Noi was told to complete steel pole installation by April 30, begin pole installation by May 31, string wires and be put into operation by June 30, 2024.

The EVN must make efforts to complete transmission projects to serve electricity imports from Laos in May 2024, such as ak Ooc Station and Nam Sum - Nong Cong 200kV transmission line.

Localities are urgently required to implement plans for the National Power Development Plan 8, and large-scale projects in the northern region such as the Nghi Son LNG Plant in Thanh Hoa Province and Quynh Lap LNG in Nghe An Province.

Commencement was targeted in the second quarter of 2025, with electricity generation completion of the Quang Ninh LNG and Thai Binh LNG plants by 2027.

Heads of the People's Committees in localities must instruct relevant agencies to implement electricity-saving measures, especially applying optimal solutions, using automation technology, solar energy, replacing energy-saving lights in public lighting, advertising and outdoor decoration.

They were also tasked to direct local agencies to closely coordinate with ministries, sectors, EVN, and investors of hydropower plants to use water resources optimally, ensuring agricultural production and daily life, while maximising backup water sources for power generation during peak periods.

The Minister of Information and Communications was assigned to coordinate with Vietnam News Agency, Viet Nam Television, Voice of Viet Nam and EVN to enhance information dissemination about policies, electricity pricing calculations, continue transparency, and publicise data and information related to the electricity industry to create social consensus.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha was directly responsible for inspecting, urging and handling relevant issues within his authority and to report to the Prime Minister if the issues were beyond his authority.

The Government Office was ordered to monitor and urge the implementation of the dispatch, and report to the Prime Minister on the implementation results.  VNS
HA NOI Ha Noi Party Committee Secretary inh Tien Dung has urged Ba inh District's People's Committee to swiftly relocate households from dangerous dilapidated D-level houses in April.

During his inspection of old apartment buildings in Ba inh District, Dung directed the Ha Noi City People's Committee and the district to focus on completing inspections, evaluating technical infrastructure projects, and approving detailed planning tasks for apartment buildings.

The People's Committees of Ba inh, Cau Giay, and Hoan Kiem districts are expediting the preparation and approval of plans for compensation, support, and resettlement for projects in their areas, aiming to submit project consolidation plans for individual apartment buildings by the third quarter of 2024.

The city's party leader urged competentdepartments and branches to adhere to guidance from the Steering Committee and directives fromthe People's Committee, emphasising the need for timely implementation of plans to renovate and rebuild old apartment buildings in Ha Noi by the second quarter of 2024.

He also stressed the urgency for Ba inh District People's Committee to complete the relocation of households from hazardous houses by April 2024.

Ba inh District collaborates with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Planning and Architecture to promptly define the project scope for renovating and reconstructing the entire area, including component projects, and approve detailed planning tasks for phased investment in feasible apartment buildings. Works for the remaining buildings will be "done in a phased manner" as per Article 5 of Decree 69/2021/N-CP, with completion targeted for April 2024.

The district prioritises completing inspection work and making plans in accordance with Decree No 69/2021/ND-CP, focusing on the renovation and reconstruction of three collective housing areas: Khuong Thuong, Trung Tu, and Giang Vo, with a view to finish these tasks by the third quarter of 2024.

Should an extension of the schedule be necessary, the district People's Committees must provide detailed reports on reasons, difficulties, and propose specific schedule recommendations. These reports will be submitted to the Department of Construction and the city People's Committee for consideration and guidance from the Party Committee, with completion targeted for April.



Wastewater treatment plant near ready

Accompanied by a delegation, Dung also inspected the Yen Xa wastewater treatment system project and old apartment buildings renovation in Ba inh District. The visit included an on-site examination of package No 2, focusing on the underground sewer system under the To Lich River in Hoang Mai District.

The Yen Xa project, with an investment exceeding VN16.293 trillion (US$644 million), primarily funded by ODA loans from the Japanese Government, encompasses critical components such as a wastewater treatment plant and a sewer system spanning 52.62km in Ha ong's new urban area.

The wastewater treatment plant, situated in Thanh Liet Commune, Thanh Tri District, occupies approximately 13.8ha. Construction began in 2019 across all four packages, with package No 1 and No 2 already completed and set for testing and operation by 2024. However, the remaining packages face ongoing challenges.

During the inspection, Dung stressed the importance of urban wastewater treatment, aligning with the city's development plans as outlined in key Party resolutions and programmes.

Ha Noi aims to achieve a 50-55 per cent urban wastewater treatment rate by 2025. Currently, the rate stands at about half of the target, expected to rise significantly with the completion of the Yen Xa wastewater treatment system project.

Given the project's importance, Dung urged special attention from relevant committees to resolve issues, particularly regarding packages 3-4, with the goal of operationalising the plant by 2024.

Dung praised the units involved for their construction efforts, emphasising the project's significance and the need for continued dedication to ensure its timely completion and operational efficiency. VNS
Amanda Solis on the set of her music video for 'To'a la Noche' BRAD EU

Amanda Solis leads a girls night out, Texas style, in the music video for new single "To'a la Noche."

The vibrant clip, premiering exclusively on houstonchronicle.com, is from Solis' upcoming debut album "Space Vaquera," a modern take on regional Mexican music. It was directed by Houston-based GFilms. Watch the premiere below.

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Solis has built a nationwide following as a Selena tribute artist and pays tribute to the Tejano icon throughout the video, who would have turned 53 years old this month.

"To'a la Noche" was filmed in Corpus Christi and features scenes along the seawall and of the Mirador de la Flor, the life-size Selena statue visited annually by fans. Solis says the video's karaoke scenes were also a callback to the start of her Selena tribute. In 2016, she was at a bar in Kemah when a friend prompted her to sing "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" in a karaoke contest. She won and began receiving offers to perform at events.

"I imagine everyone in their car, sunroof open, windows down, just cruising and jamming out," Solis says of her hopes for the song. "We are here for a good time, not a long time."

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The scene inside Houston Grand Opera Mirror Ball held at the Wortham Theater on Saturday, April 13, 2024. This year's Ball benefits HGO's community programs, nurturing a love for the arts in new generations, providing vital music education and opera access for all, and reflecting the stories of Houstonians, in all their beautiful diversity, from the mainstage and beyond. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Kirk Kveton and Daniel Irion with Ann and Jonathan Ayre J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Houston Grand Opera CEO and general director Khori Dastoor J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Members of the cast from the "Sound of Music" perform during the Houston Grand Opera Mirror Ball held at the Wortham Theater on Saturday, April 13, 2024. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle The scene inside Houston Grand Opera Mirror Ball held at the Wortham Theater on Saturday, April 13, 2024. This year's Ball benefits HGO's community programs, nurturing a love for the arts in new generations, providing vital music education and opera access for all, and reflecting the stories of Houstonians, in all their beautiful diversity, from the mainstage and beyond. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Houston Grand Opera Ball's theme often reflects an upcoming production. Last weekend, this wasn't exactly the case, though there were memorable "The Sound of Music"-inspired moments throughout the evening.

Some of the young cast members, who play the Von Trapp children in HGO's rendition of the musical, performed Rodgers and Hammerstein's well-known tune "So Long, Farewell" before dinner service. And Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, who stars in a leading role as Maria, sang "Habanera" from Bizet's "Carmen" before dessert.

"The Sound of Music" lands onstage Friday-May 12 at Wortham Theater Center, while the scene last week was intended for Houston audiences  and HGO supporters  to better see themselves in the opera company's repertoire.

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Hence the "Mirror Ball"-themed gala, which ultimately raised $1.3 million toward expanding local access to the opera.

Houston Grand Opera chairs Isabel and Ignacio Torras J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Chairs Isabel Lombana and Ignacio "Nacho" Torras played a key role in bringing the community into the fold. The husband-and-wife team of Torras, founder of Tricon Energy, and Lombana are perhaps best known as restaurant owners of BCN Taste & Tradition and MAD. Menu favorites from both spots made cameos. BCN's signature goblet-style gin and tonics were served during cocktail hour. Executive chef Luis Rogers set up sous vide stations on-site to get his main course filet mignon just right.

Members of the Rocambolesc genuine internship program, which offers professional opportunities for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism, circled the room with tableside gelato as the dance floor began to heat up. Later, a disco ball descended from the ceiling as mirrored glasses and silver cowboy hats were handed out to get the gleaming after-party started.

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Ilyas Colombowala and Elizabeth Abraham Colombowala J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Lily Jang J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Alex Blair J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Beth Muecke J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Stacey and Al Lindseth J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Betty and Jesse Tutor J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Ann Ayre J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Farida Abjani J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Heather Almond J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Margaret Alkek Williams J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle

Khori Dastoor J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle
Vinexposium offers a cohesive focal point for every strand of the wine and spirits industry by designing a variety of relevant event formats, all year round and across the globe.

By bringing together exhibitors and visitors at 10 events a year, and its community every day of the year at vinexposium365.com, Vinexposium is the industrys ally, geared to developing its sales reach.

Vinexposiums commitment to Asia is reflected in the trust shown by the wine and spirits industry in the Vinexpo brand name since the maiden event in Hong Kong 26 years ago. Since 2023, Vinexpo Asia has become an annual gathering, now alternating between Singapore and Hong Kong.

Vinexpo Asia plays a vital role from an economic perspective and represents a major platform for commercial transactions, fostering partnerships between producers, distributors, and buyers. This concentration of key stakeholders has a direct impact on boosting economic relationships within the wine and spirits industry.

Building on Vinexpo Asias proven success in Singapore in 2023, Vinexposium continues to play a central part in the economic growth and vitality of the wine and spirits industry in Asia, consistently raising industry standards and promoting an environment conducive to trade and investment, said Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.

Since the staging of its inaugural edition in 1998 in Hong Kong, Vinexpo Asia has grown into the regions flagship event of the wine and spirits industry. We are delighted to see the return of the show, leveraging the citys diverse and inclusive culture, favourable business and trading environment, and the enormous opportunities brought by both the Greater Bay Area and the fast-growing Asian markets to scale up the event further, and provide more business opportunities for both exhibitors and buyers in Asia, said Kenneth Wong, general manager of MICE and Cruise Division, Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Strategically located in the heart of Asia and being the gateway of the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong is a key driver of success. The area boasts a population of 87 million and has a decisive influence on Asia, standing as the entry to the Chinese market. The Chinese market remains a strategic market for the wine and spirits industry. According to the IWSR, the global benchmark for beverage alcohol data, consumption of wine and spirits in China should experience value growth of 19 per cent by 2027.

Participating in Vinexpo Asia 2023 was a success for our company, said Gordon Gebbie, sales director for Australias Rathbone Wine Group last May. We look forward to Vinexpo Asia in Hong Kong to address the Chinese market further.

While Vinexpo Asia has a strong focus on China, it also caters to many key import markets in Asia, including Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Vinexpo Asia 2024 is again preparing to leverage unparalleled sales development. Asia-Pacifics flagship event will attract 40 exhibitor countries.

The range of spirits and craft companies will be equally divided between international and French exhibitors, with twelve countries registered to attend. From whisky to mezcal, rum, sake, baijiu, and non-alcoholic drinks, Vinexpo Asia will explore every type of on-trend product.

10,000 trade visitors, half of whom are importers and half wholesalers, distributors, wine merchants, retailers, hoteliers and restaurateurs, are expected to attend.

Vinexpo Asia is a key meeting place for our line of business. I meet up with many of my colleagues there, and there's a great range of producers exhibiting, said Ronald Khoo, head of wines and spirits at Cathay Pacific.

Vinexpo Asia will also be providing participants with a unique experience through a choice of over 50 premium sessions, whilst at the same time maximising a return on investment in terms of business relations.

Bettane+Desseauve Grand Tasting

On May 27, the day before Vinexpo Asia, the B+D Grand Tasting will take place at the HKCEC. The tasting is hosted by Bettane+Desseauve in conjunction with Vinexposium and is designed for both the trade and consumers. Over 1,000 participants will be given the opportunity to meet nearly 70 producers from across the globe. Concurrently with this, a series of six masterclasses will complement the Grand Tasting experience, allowing visitors to discover prestige wines alongside their makers

Pre-registration for visitors to Vinexpo Asia can be accessed online here
"Boeing is confident in the safety and durability of the 787 and 777," the company said in a powerpoint presentation accompanying a media briefing with two senior engineers, who summarized exhaustive testing procedures to refute whistleblower allegations that some 1,400 Boeing planes suffer from significant safety issues.

Boeing says testing of 787 proves aircraft is safe, Source: freepik.com

Wednesday's Senate hearing is scheduled to include testimony from Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour, who went public last week with sweeping charges alleging Boeing's safety practices are deficient and that the company retaliated against him for speaking out.

The hearing, titled Examining Boeing's Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts, comes as regulators and politicians escalate scrutiny of Boeing in the wake of a near-disastrous January 5 Alaska Airlines flight on a 737 MAX that made an emergency landing after a panel of the fuselage blew out in mid-flight.

Salehpour's charges include allegations that the 787 Dreamliner contains gaps between parts well above company standards, a dynamic that could "ultimately cause a premature fatigue failure without any warning," creating unsafe conditions "with potentially catastrophic accidents," according to an official complaint to the Federal Aviation Administration released by Salehpour's attorneys.

Steve Chisholm, chief engineer for Boeing Mechanical and Structural Engineering, told reporters gathered at a Charleston, South Carolina factory and on a webcast, that "there was zero fatigue" found in testing.

"We were not surprised by the lack of fatigue findings," said Chisholm, who noted that the composite materials behind the 787 were picked because they do not fatigue or corrode like traditional metals.

Described by his attorneys as a veteran quality engineer at Boeing, Salehpour slammed Boeing for a series of "shortcuts" that have "allowed potentially defective parts and installations in 787 fleets," according to the FAA complaint.

To compensate for gaps between parts beyond the .005 inch standard set by Boeing, Salehpour said Boeing has employed force during assembly of 165 times the recommended level of 10 pounds.

After Salehpour's complaint last week, Boeing released a lengthy rebuttal insisting it is "fully confident" in the aircraft and noting that regulators with the FAA signed off on Boeing's processes when the company addressed the gap issue in 2022.

Company engineers pointed to testing for plane fatigue undertaken between 2010 and 2015 involving 165,000 cycles, or simulations of 165,000 flights.

In this process, a 787 was placed in a test rig and subjected to pressurization meant for a time period more than three times as long as the aircraft's expected 787 lifespan of 44,000 cycles.

Company employees raised concerns about gaps and other aspects of the 787 in the 2020-2022 time period.

With 787 deliveries suspended during large stretches of this span, the company removed thousands of fasteners on some 120 planes in inventory and conducted rework on eight planes, company officials said.

While Boeing maintains that around 99 percent of the gaps conform to the .005 inch standard, a small percentage exceeds it.

However, testing has shown no sign of fatigue, said Chisholm, who also described the elevated force during manufacturing as a non-issue.

"We're talking about 150 pounds on structure that's meant to carry many thousands of pounds of load. This is not a large load," Chisholm said. "It's acceptable."

Boeing CEO: Alaska Airlines incident 'our mistake,' vows transparency Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun took responsibility on Tuesday for a near-catastrophic Alaska Airlines incident last week, vowing "complete transparency" as the aviation giant tries to pivot from its latest crisis.

Boeing shares take another hit from latest safety problem Shares of Boeing plunged Tuesday on expectations that toughened federal scrutiny following the aviation giant's mid-air safety problem earlier this month will drag on its financial performance.
Central bank will resume gold bar bidding after 11 years (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) will resume gold bar bidding after 11 years, aiming to increase the supply of gold to the market, promptly and immediately settle the high difference in domestic and international gold prices, thus ensuring the gold market operates in a safe and stable, healthy, open, transparent and effective manner in accordance with the Prime Minister's direction.

The SBV said that it will release a notice one day prior to the bidding. After the floor price is announced, credit institutions and gold businesses will have 30 minutes to decide the purchase volume and price. One hour after closing the bid, the bank will announce the results. Businesses will have to make a deposit to participate in the bidding no later than 5pm on the day of receiving the bidding notice.

So far, 26 units, including commercial banks and gold businesses have set up a gold bar trading relationship with the SBV. Of which, 15 have been eligible for bidding. The type of gold offered for bidding is SJC gold bars.

The first gold bidding session was held on March 28, 2013. In that year, the SBV organised 76 bidding sessions, during which 1,819,900 out of the 1,932,000 taels of gold bullion were sold.

SBV Deputy Governor Pham Thanh Ha said that the move is part of the banks efforts to deal with the high difference in domestic and international gold bar prices. The official added that the bank will continue to roll out various measures to stabilise gold prices.

Since the beginning of this year, domestic gold prices have increased strongly, recently setting new records and widening the gap with the global prices.

At 1:30pm on April 15, the Saigon Gems and Gold One Member Limited Liability Company listed SJC gold prices at 83.3 million VND per tael for buying and 85.52 million VND per tael for selling, an increase of 3 million VND per tael for buying and 2.6 million VND per tael for selling compared to the previous trading session.

State does not encourage gold bar trading: SBV The State does not encourage the trading of gold bars, protect their prices, nor accept too large differences between domestic and global gold prices, and between SJC and other types of gold bars, said Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Dao Minh Tu.
Sunita Dubey, GEAPPs country delivery lead for Vietnam

The network was publicly introduced at the Women in the Green Economy event on April 12 hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), alongside the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the United States Agency for International Development. This event underscored Vietnams exemplary achievements in fostering womens participation in the workforce and political spheres, well above global averages, as a cornerstone for driving the country's climate strategy.

Vietnams impressive female workforce participation rate, which exceeds 70 per cent, alongside a significant 30.26 per cent of women in parliament, outpacing the global average of 25.5 per cent, serves as a testament to the nations commitment to gender equality.

However, despite these achievements, womens representation in the highest echelons of business leadership and ownership still lags, with only 26.5 per cent of such positions being held by women. This discrepancy underscores a crucial area of potential growth and impact in the context of Vietnam's green economic transition and climate resilience efforts.

The CLN is dedicated to elevating women's roles in climate action, informing stakeholders about Vietnam's climate challenges and the gender-climate connection, and encouraging emerging female leaders in the environmental sector.

Sarah Twigg, IFC's lead for gender and economic inclusion in East Asia Pacific, detailed the importance of this initiative, stating, Vietnam stands at the forefront of integrating gender equality with climate action. IFC, through initiatives like the CLN, aims to transform this existing foundation into a dynamic force for environmental and economic resilience. IFC is committed to driving investments in ways that advance climate solutions, and we recognise that womens leadership is central to this ambition.

Sunita Dubey, GEAPPs country delivery lead for Vietnam, offered a complementary perspective, The establishment of the CLN signifies breaking new ground in the environmental sector by addressing the under-representation of women in leadership roles. Our approach leverages Vietnam's achievements in gender equality as a model for creating innovative and inclusive climate strategies. By focusing on gender-smart solutions, GEAPP aims to inspire systemic change that benefits both the planet and its people.

The event celebrated the role of women in leading climate action, and also set a blueprint for future initiatives aimed at enhancing their impact in green sectors. It highlighted the need for policies that support womens entrepreneurship and leadership in the green economy, acknowledging the pivotal role that gender equality plays in achieving comprehensive climate goals.

Through the CLN, IFC, GEAPP and partners are seeking to increase the representation of women in leadership across Vietnams key economic sectors, and to empower them to play a decisive role in shaping the nations climate policies and actions. By facilitating dialogue, sharing best practices, and providing support for women leaders and entrepreneurs, the network aims to build a resilient and inclusive green economy.

IFC focuses on Vietnams transition to low-carbon model To help boost the value and competitiveness of Vietnams agricultural sector, the IFC a member of the World Bank Group is supporting A An Food JSC to enhance its rice production quality and sustainability. This will raise income for farmers and mills along the companys supply chain and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in rice farming.

Australia strengthens climate and energy cooperation with Vietnam Australia's Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister will travel to Vietnam to drive cooperation on climate and the energy transition under the recently signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Australias Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
When legendary caterer Jackson Hicks passed away, his partner Milton Townsend found himself suddenly single after nearly 30 years. With the help of interior designer Mary Patton, a fresh eye helped breathe new life into a 114-year old Greek Revival in historic Montrose. Molly Culver When legendary caterer Jackson Hicks passed away, his partner Milton Townsend found himself suddenly single after nearly 30 years. With the help of interior designer Mary Patton, a fresh eye helped breathe new life into a 114-year old Greek Revival in historic Montrose. Molly Culver "Milton just needed help organizing. It's around 5,000-square feet and over 100 years old. Taking care of a large home is really time consuming," said interior designer Mary Patton. Molly Culver "I think cocktail parties are best when you have heavy hors d'oeuvres and heavy drinks. Lap food, then walk into the kitchen and find a lasagna. In general, that's how I want to entertain," said homeowner Milton Townsend. Molly Culver Her client was happy to get transform a dining room with heavy sideboards into a sitting room Molly Culver Mary Patton's interior client credits her with pointing out that not every bedroom needs a chest of drawers -- they're not moving in. Molly Culver Mary Patton's interior client credits her with pointing out not everyone needs a TV -- they all have laptops. Molly Culver The historic, Greek Revival home on Westmoreland in Montrose has four fireplaces. Molly Culver A green marble bathroom inside the 114-year old historic, Greek Revival on Westmoreland in Montrose. Molly Culver A view from the backyard at Milton Townsend's 114-year old Greek Revival home in historic Montrose. Molly Culver

The gray and white Greek Revival on Westmoreland in historic Montrose is the kind of home a passerby might pause and wonder about the people who live there. Before 2020, the answer would have been legendary caterer Jackson Hicks and longtime partner Milton Townsend. Houston's "prince of parties" died suddenly in April of that year.

Townsend says he was 32 when he and Hicks moved into the house, which was built in 1910; it was added to the National Register of Historic Places shortly after they moved in. Thirty years later and now a bachelor, Townsend considered selling the place and leaving it all behind for something smaller with less maintenance and memories. But the loss was too fresh, and nothing on the market felt quite right.

"It's an old house, it always needs attention," he said. "And I hadn't found anything as interesting, that's new anyway."

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Milton Townsend turned to Mary Patton, an interior designer he met during a party shortly before his late partner, caterer Jackson Hicks passed, to breathe new life into their historic Greek Revival in Montrose. Molly Culver

Instead, Townsend turned to Mary Patton, an interior designer he met during a party shortly before Hicks died.

"Milton just needed help organizing. It's around 5,000 square feet and over 100 years old. Taking care of a large home is really time consuming," she said. "He'd been with Jackson for 30 years, and for the first time, he's been single as an adult, making choices just for him. I was able to help him declutter and streamline and really make some selections that he liked, just because he liked them."

After he and Hicks sold their catering business, Jackson & Company, during the pandemic, Townsend found himself in early retirement. The idea struck, during his and Patton's de-assessment process, to open an antiques shop. But it turns out, he didn't love sitting around a store all day; so many pieces went to New Orleans Auction House or Upper Kirby Consignment.

Next, Patton urged him to reconsider hutches that hid TVs and VCRs. The switch to wireless electronics meant that most of the larger storage furnishings could disappear permanently from the house  leaving Townsend with a clean-ish slate.

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"It's a three-bedroom, two-bathroom with a carriage house, which is essentially a loft apartment with a bath, pool room and home gym," he said. "The house is Greek Revival, and I've tried to keep that in play, though a few things have changed. When Jackson and I moved in, we installed the traditional iron fence that everyone else had. During the pandemic, we rebuilt it into a picket fence, something I brought back from being in Nantucket all summer. I also pulled up the rugs, because I enjoy the hardwood floors so much."

During Jackson & Company's heyday, the hospitality-loving couple would often host big donors for cocktail parties or charity kickoffs in their home. The carriage house out back was once Hicks' office, too.

Now, it's a nightclub.

Mary Patton helped transform a former office in a dance party room/ballroom. Molly Culver

"We turned it into a mini-ballroom/dance party room," Patton said. "We pulled themes from the house that already existed, like floor-to-ceiling dark red velvet draperies and different seating areas, so you can still have a dinner up there."

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She describes Townsend's style as more minimalist and modern, and was careful to update the house in a way that leans contemporary while still being respectful to its century-old blueprint.

Her client was happy to transform the dining room, with its heavy sideboards, into a sitting room. "I've used that more in the past couple of weeks than I did in the last six or seven years," Townsend said of new the configuration. "I can create a dining room in a night if I need to. I think cocktail parties are best when you have heavy hors d'oeuvres and heavy drinks. Lap food, then walk into the kitchen and find a lasagna. In general, that's how I want to entertain."

He credits Patton with pointing out that not every bedroom needs a chest of drawers  guests aren't not moving in. And not everyone needs a TV; they all have laptops.

There are just-for-fun updates, too. Like adding floor-to-ceiling curtains in what's now the ballroom. Or replacing the breakfast table with a corner sofa and installing a bar in the kitchen, where most of houseguests stand to eat.

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Townsend hasn't changed everything. The spirit of the house remains the same, and so has the contemporary art he and Hicks collected over decades of travel to places like San Francisco and London.
Malaysia sets up clean energy exchange, Source: freepik.com

Kuala Lumpur  The Malaysian government has agreed to establish the Energy Exchange Malaysia (Enegem) to facilitate cross-border sales of green electricity to neighbouring countries.

In a statement issued on April 15, the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry said the setting up of Enegem is in line with Malaysias energy transition aspiration and commitment to support regional energy integration via the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) initiative.

Accordingly, the cross-border sales of energy through the Enegem platform will be implemented based on the latest Guide for Cross-Border Electricity Sales' (CBES) issued by the Energy Commission.

The statement said the auctioning process for cross-border sales of green electricity shall commence with a 100 megawatts (MW) pilot run, utilising the existing interconnection between Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia.

Among the key features of the auction for the purchase of green electricity is the pilot scheme which is open to Renewable Energy (RE) Bidders who hold electricity generation and/or retailer licences for the Singapore electricity market, it said.

Auctioning via the Enegem Platform will allow Malaysia to further strengthen its cross-border electricity integration framework while paving the way for greater renewable energy development and regional cooperation on cross-border energy trading between ASEAN countries, the ministry stressed.

The APG is an initiative to construct a regional power interconnection to connect the region, first on a cross-border bilateral term, and then gradually expand to a sub-regional basis leading to a total integrated South-East Asia power grid system.

Malaysia issues heatwave alert for 14 areas The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued hot weather warnings for 14 areas across the country, particularly in the states of Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Sarawak and Sabah.
Samsung returns to top of the smartphone market: industry tracker, Source: freepik.com

South Korea-based Samsung overtook Apple as worldwide smartphone shipments grew nearly 8 percent in the first quarter of this year to 289.4 million, IDC said, citing its preliminary data.

It was the third consecutive quarter of growth in the global smartphone market, signalling that a recovery from a slump in the sector is underway, according to IDC.

IDC Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers team vice president Ryan Reith expected top smartphone companies to gain share and small brands to struggle for position as recovery progresses.

Samsung shipped 60.1 million smartphones in the first quarter of this year, claiming nearly 21 percent of the market, according to IDC figures.

Apple shipped 50.1 million iPhones, garnering just over 17 percent of the market in the same period, IDC reported.

Apple smartphone shipments were down 9.6 percent in a quarter-over-quarter comparison, while Samsung shipments slipped less than one percent, according to the market tracker.

Meanwhile, China-based Xiaomi saw shipments grow about 33 percent to 40.8 million and Transsion about 85 percent to 28.5 million, taking third and fourth positions in the overall smartphone market, IDC reported.

"While Apple managed to capture the top spot at the end of 2023, Samsung successfully reasserted itself as the leading smartphone provider in the first quarter," Reith said.

IDC expects Samsung and Apple to maintain their hold on the high end of the smartphone market while Chinese competitors seek to expand sales, according to Reith.

Nabila Popal, research director with IDC's Worldwide Tracker team, said: "There is a shift in power among the Top 5 companies, which will likely continue as market players adjust their strategies in a post-recovery world.

"Xiaomi is coming back strong from the large declines experienced over the past two years and Transsion is becoming a stable presence in the Top 5 with aggressive growth in international markets."

Samsung Pay to drop support for Russia's Mir card Samsung said Wednesday it will stop supporting Russia's Mir card on its mobile payment service from April 3, in a fresh blow to Moscow's flagship rival to Mastercard and Visa.
After reviewing the proposal, Quang Tri Department of Planning and Investment has given approval for the consortium to carry out a feasibility study.

However, Quang Tri authorities will still need to check if the project falls into the provincial master plan as well as National Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8).

In addition, the province is completing procedures to terminate an MoU on the construction of a long-stalled thermal power plant in the province. The MoU was signed by Thailand's EGAT International Co. Ltd and Quang Tri People's Committee.

Following the upcoming termination of the MoU, Quang Tri Department of Planning and Investment has recommended the granting of in-principle approval to the SK E&S and T&T Group consortium.

"According to PDP8, as of June 2024, if the Quang Tri thermal power plant project has not started, it can be switched from coal-fired to LNG power generation," said Pham Quang Minh, director of Quang Tri Economic Zones Management Authority. "The consortium of SK E&S and T&T Group has made a proposal to implement this project if the government approves the conversion from coal-fired to LNG power generation. The investors have also sent a proposal to the prime minister."

The 1,200MW thermal power plant would have covered 450 hectares in Quang Tri. The project, approved in 2013, has yet to be launched, although local authorities and EGAT held a groundbreaking ceremony in 2019.

EVNGENCO2, CSGI partner on hydroelectric project EVNGENCO2, in partnership with China Southern Power Grid International (CSGI), has put forward a proposition for a pioneering 500-megawatt pumped-storage hydroelectric plant in the central province of Quang Tri.

China's Electric Wind Power to provide turbines for Quang Tri plant Electric Wind Power, a subsidiary of Shanghai Electric and China's largest onshore wind power equipment manufacturer, announced on February 23 that it has signed a deal to provide its advanced wind turbines to a wind farm in the central province of Quang Tri.
Cook arrived in Hanoi on April 15, starting a two-day visit to Vietnam.

The prime minister thanked Apple for its business expansion in Vietnam, creating jobs for more than 20,000 people. He also briefed Cook on the outstanding achievements made by Vietnam over more than 40 years of the doi moi process and the country's development strategies.

The prime minister further noted that the government would set up a working group to facilitate Apple's development effectively in Vietnam.

In response, Cook said that he had enjoyed a wonderful working trip to Vietnam, with a warm welcome from local people, and had witnessed the strong development of the innovation community in Vietnam.

Apple to shift iPad development resources to Vietnam Tech behemoth Apple Inc. is for the first time planning to allocate product development resources for its iPad range to Vietnam, according to sources cited by Nikkei Asia. This move marks a significant shift in the tech giant's manufacturing strategy.

Apple suppliers spend billions diversifying from China A recent research report from TD Cowen cited by newswire Appleinsider has revealed that Apple suppliers are diversifying their manufacturing bases from China as a result of production delays, the country's COVID-19 measures, problems with energy supply, and the ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
Residents at Thanh Ha Urban Area in Hanoi line up to get clean water in October 2023 due to shortage of water. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - Vietnam will need to invest 20-30 billion USD on water supply and drainage to make sure that 100 per cent of the population has access to clean water, according to experts.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment forecasts that water use demand by 2030 is about 122.47 billion cubic metre per year.

Urban development, discharge of untreated industrial wastewater, and use of fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture, are putting great pressure on river basins, affecting clean water sources. This is particularly the case for large cities where clean water sources are a concern.

Chairman of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association Nguyen Ngoc Diep said Vietnam is a water-abundant country but it still confronts many issues as a result of climate change, including saltwater intrusion, floods and drought.

Water use in agricultural production, along with thousands of irrigation and hydroelectric dams that ensure water source security pose deterioration and potential safety risks.

The online system for monitoring water consumption and exploitation will be maintained and operated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for approximately 600 projects by 2024. Additionally, it has encouraged the creation and use of digital maps for drought warning and forecasting.

Public health has been impacted by water contamination, and socioeconomic growth has decreased. As this is happening, the majority of wastewater in Vietnam is not treated before release into the environment.

Urban flooding has also grown to be a major issue, particularly in major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Vinh and Da Lat.

Several streets in Hanoi and HCM City have remained submerged after heavy rains in recent years. The National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting consistently issues warnings about floods in metropolitan areas.

According to Diep, there are 750 clean water treatment facilities in Vietnam as of right now, with a combined capacity of over 1 million cubic meters each day and night.

Up to 92 per cent of people living in cities have access to clean water.

The country has nearly 410 industrial parks using and treating wastewater with a capacity of 400,000cu.m per day and night.

There are 71 drainage and wastewater treatment enterprises operating 82 wastewater treatment plants.

Despite having a design capacity of one million cubic metres per day, the plants have only been used to a capacity of roughly 700,000cu.m per day.

The real wastewater collection rate is only about 60 per cent, and the treatment rate is only 17 per cent of the approximately 80 operational wastewater treatment projects, each having a capacity of more than two million cubic meters per day and night.

Professor Nguyen Viet Anh, Director of the Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering (University of Civil Engineering) said Vietnams water industry has faced too rapid urban development. Infrastructure cannot keep up with growth, and essential water services fail to meet requirements.

He cited the Mekong Delta region as an example, where several provinces have had to establish water delivery systems upstream, kilometres away from the province boundary, as another challenge brought about by climate change.

A lot of localities have to bring water from other places to supply agricultural production and domestic water. This shows that the challenge of climate change is increasingly fierce and present," he told VietnamPlus.vn, saying that it is necessary to find new solutions to droughts and saltwater intrusion.

He said Vietnam still relies on ODA capital. The water sector is not attractive for private sector investment due to low profits, although it benefits society.

Diep, Chairman of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association, said in order for 100 per cent of people to have clean water, Vietnam will have to make a large investment of about 9 billion USD by 2030, a "very challenging" issue for Vietnam when investment resources are still limited.

Anh said with current water resource challenges, in the next 10 years, Vietnam's water industry will need to raise about 20-30 billion USD to meet all water supply and drainage requirements, including clean water supply projects, and domestic and industrial wastewater treatment.

In order to develop a suitable policy framework, he advised managers to do a thorough assessment of the value of water.

He stated that funding must be raised in order to invest in this field's infrastructure.

Halla Maher Qaddumi, a senior water economist at the World Bank, said Vietnam might lose 6 per cent of its GDP every year until 2035. Water pollution alone may cause a drop of 3.5 per cent of GDP.

To resolve issues in the water sector, the World Bank said attracting investments from the private sector should be done to replace old infrastructure. To attract investments, the government needs to have strong financial policies and legal frameworks, Halla said.

Huda's initiative eases clean water scarcity in Central Vietnam Hudas Fresh water for beloved Central programme has been continuing to bring positive changes to the lives of thousands of households in the region.
Known as V-UP, the project will focus on digital transformation and IFRS application with SAP S/4 HANA Cloud solutions, helping VitaDairy optimise its corporate resources, and enhance business efficiency to support the company's vision and strategic development.

V-Up is a digital transformation project applying international financial reporting standards IFRS with SAP S/4 Hana Cloud solutions.

The implementation of the project will leverage VitaDairys total operational system by integrating and standardising corporate procedures from financial planning, demands and supplies forecasting, and integrated business planning, to supply chain optimisation, including inputs, warehouses, and production.

It will optimise production and operating costs, and stimulate the expansion of product distribution channels and sales while increasing productivity.

Moreover, the SAP S/4 HANA Cloud solution will assist the management's decision-making process thanks to a synchronised and easily extracted data system that is primed to support VitaDairy's long-term growth strategy.

According to Nguyen Thi Ha, general director of VitaDairy, science and creativity are two of VitaDairy's core values that the company has been constantly trying to develop.

Today, our board of directors has decided to advance our business digital transformation through the world's leading SAP ERP technology solution. With our partnership with one of the most reputable consulting firms with solid experience in the implementation of the SAP ERP system, together with the determination and efforts of the board of directors and the entire company, we believe that the V-UP project will bring a great transformation for VitaDairy, sustain our growth, and prime us for future successes, she said.

As one of the top three powdered milk manufacturers in Vietnam, VitaDairy has been growing steadily.

The V-UP project is a testament to VitaDairys determination and continuous self-improvement efforts, while also affirming the vision and aspirations of the business leadership team in keeping with the evolving business landscape, while leveraging its corporate position and adhering to global standards.

With experience consulting on many successful digital transformation projects, Ross Macallister, managing partner, head of Consulting, KPMG in Vietnam and Cambodia, said, We are pleased to become VitaDairys partner in the digital transformation project V-UP. For us, V-UP is not just a project to implement an ERP solution but a transformative step towards redefining your business processes, enhancing efficiency, and setting a solid foundation for innovation and growth. Implementing SAP ERP is a testament to VitaDairys commitment to not only keep pace with the evolving business landscape but leading from the front!

VitaDairy is expected to complete its strategic development missions through the transformation of operating systems, optimisation of processes, and operational digitalisation thanks to an intelligent analytical reporting system that strictly complies with risk management.

The project will also solidify the company's foundation to create more value for domestic and international consumers and partners.

Deputy PM calls for Dells participation in digital transformation in Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received Robert McIntosh, Senior Vice President of US-based Dell, in Hanoi on December 14.

Top names guide Vietnamese businesses through digital transformation The three heavy hitters have outlined the latest trends in technology and digital transformation among businesses in Vietnam in 2023.
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The Conroe City Council will again address a new $7.2 million fire station project Thursday after it voted not to proceed with construction. Jason Fochtman

The Conroe City Council will again address a new $7.2 million fire station project Thursday after it voted not to proceed with construction.

Fire Chief Ken Kreger said Fire Station No. 8 has been on the citys Capital Improvement Plan since 2021.

Kreger said the city has selected the new station's site at 676 FM 3083, completed road improvements, and ordered a new fire truck. The station will use the same design as Fire Station No. 7 to reduce costs.

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MAY ELECTION: Mayor calls meeting to release emails in Conroe May 4 ballot application controversy

We do not expect any issues with construction and cost overruns, Kreger said.

The council will meet at 2 p.m. in the council chambers, 300 West Davis in Conroe.

In June, the council approved a $274,000 contract with Houston design firm PGAL.

Kreger said that while the design committee reviewed nine submittals for the project, it chose PGAL, which designed Fire Station No. 7 and the training facility. He noted that PGAL also provided the design work for the citys new police headquarters off Plantation Drive.

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Councilmembers Marsha Porter, Harry Hardman and Howard Wood were the nay votes.

Porter asked if the project could be scaled back to the original $5.5 million estimate.

I think if you reduce costs you will change the project, said Norm McGuire, assistant city administrator and director of public works.

Wood said the council should defer the issue until after the May 4 election.

I dont feel right voting on it today since we may have new (councilmembers), Wood said.

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Kreger said the city's growth has increased the need for fire protection.

The 11,300-square-foot Fire Station No. 7 is designed to support 12 additional personnel  three lieutenants, three engine operators and six firefighters. The $6 million station at 7971 Longmire Road in the Panorama Village and Piney Shores came online in March 2018.
WATERLOO -- For the 40th year in a row, the City of Waterloo has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management.

Waterloo is one of 74 Iowa communities to qualify for the status.

To receive the award, a city must at minimum have either a city forester or an active city tree board; have a tree ordinance; spend at least $2 per capita annually for its community forestry program; and have a tree planting and maintenance plan.

This year Waterloo Leisure Services will be focusing tree resources on a planting at Gates Park where 125 trees are planned to be planted throughout the park. The city received grants from the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa and MidAmerican Energy's TreesPlease program.

It will also be distributing 216 trees to city residents that have already purchased them at a reduced rate through the Young Family Foundation's Plant Waterloo program.

The city of Waterloo will recognize Arbor Day, April 26, with a proclamation.
DES MOINES  A bill that would allow trained school staff to carry firearms on school grounds is headed to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to be signed into law.

House lawmakers agreed to a Senate amendment that removed a provision in the bill that would have established a school security personnel grant program that would match up to $50,000 for hiring police or armed private security officers at schools.

The state's largest school districts  those with 8,000 or more students  would be required to employ a school resource officer or private school security in each high school unless the district's school board votes to opt out.

School districts with fewer than 8,000 students would be encouraged to employ armed school resource officers.

School districts would not be required to arm staff. Rather, the bill provides requirements for those districts that choose to do so.

The measure also provides qualified immunity to school districts and school employees from criminal or civil liability for all damages incurred pursuant to the application of reasonable force.

Approved staff would be allowed to carry concealed weapons during school hours. It would be up to districts to decide what firearms staff could carry and whether the district would provide those or allow use of personal firearms.

House File 2586 passed 62-36 with all Republicans in support. Rep. Matthew Rinker, R-Burlington, joined all Democrats in opposition.

The legislation comes in the wake of Januarys fatal shooting at Perry High School. Eleven-year-old Ahmir Jolliff and Principal Dan Marburger were killed and six others were injured. The 17-year-old shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Supporters of the bill said the fastest way to respond to a school shooting is to have armed personnel on site, trained and available to respond at a moment's notice.

Opponents contend arming teachers puts the lives of students, teachers and law enforcement in danger, and warned of the potential for firearms at school to be stolen or misused.

Ahead of the vote, a coalition of leading gun violence prevention organizations urged lawmakers to reject the measure, noting most professional education organizations have rejected the call to arm teachers, as have the National Association of School Resource Officers and the American Bar Association.

It is truly absurd that instead of taking any measures to actually keep our classrooms safe, Iowa lawmakers are instead considering forcing more guns into our schools, said Chloe Gayer, a gun violence survivor and volunteer leader with Drake University Students Demand Action chapter. Iowa lawmakers should immediately reconsider their support on HF 2586 and roll back this foolish bill. If they really want to show they care about kids and our safety, they need to stop before their votes result in more tragedy.

House GOP takes another stab at cutting campus DEI programs

Iowa House Republicans are taking another try at regulating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at public universities, proposing new regulations similar to those the Senate declined to advance earlier this year.

The changes are part of the Houses education budget, which was set to be passed out of subcommittee on Monday. It includes several policy proposals that House lawmakers already passed as individual bills this year but stalled in the Senate  in addition to more than a billion dollars for Iowas education system.

The bill would ban universities governed by the Board of Regents from establishing or funding DEI offices for any reason not required by federal or state law or accreditation standards. The rules would apply to Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa.

The bill defines DEI as, in part, any effort to promote differential treatment of or provide special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, color or ethnicity.

The universities would not be able to hire or assign an employee to perform DEI duties, and they would be prohibited from requiring DEI statements and giving preferential treatment to a person based on a DEI statement.

The regulations come after the Board of Regents imposed similar rules on the public universities after conducting a DEI study mandated by the Legislature last year.

Any funds that would otherwise be directed to DEI offices at the end of fiscal year 2025 would have to be directed to the Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program, which provides grants to students in high-demand majors.

Other policy proposals in the bill would require school districts address chronic absenteeism and reinstate a deadline for open enrollment.

Rep. Carter Nordman, R-Panora, who leads the subcommittee, said the policy proposals, including on DEI, had been the result of negotiations with the Senate and they have support from the chamber's Republicans.

Iowa police chiefs: New illegal immigration law worrisome

A group of Iowa police chiefs say legislation signed into law last week by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds making illegal immigration a state crime will make the job of Iowa law enforcement more difficult.

Reynolds last week signed into law Senate File 2340. The law, which takes effect July 1, allows state officers to arrest migrants who enter the state after having been previously deported from the United States, denied entry to the country or left the country while facing a deportation order.

The legislation was modeled after a Texas law allowing state-level enforcement of federal immigration laws, which is currently being challenged by the U.S. Justice Department and civil rights organizations in a federal court of appeals on constitutional grounds.

Federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have ruled that immigration laws can only be enforced by the federal government.

"The problems at the southern border cannot be solved from Des Moines, Iowa," Marshalltown Police Chief Michael W. Tupper said in a statement.

Tupper is a member of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force, which seeks to build trust with Iowa immigrant communities to report crimes, identify issues and establish mutual respect and communication.

"Playing politics with public safety never helps public safety, Tupper continued. This law will make the job of law enforcement more difficult. It will diminish public safety because it will cause people to needlessly fear the police. This law has severely harmed community relationships that took decades to build."

Mark Prosser, retired public safety director and former Storm Lake police chief, said Iowa law enforcement has neither the training, staffing nor resources to involve themselves in immigration enforcement.

This law and others like it will erect a barrier of fear between the diverse populations in our Iowa communities and their local law enforcement, Prosser said in a statement.

Biomarker testing bill headed to Gov. Reynolds

A bill that would require Iowa insurance plans to cover biomarker testing when used to diagnose, treat, manage or monitor cancer and other diseases is headed to Gov. Reynolds desk.

Biomarker testing checks for certain genes or proteins that may be linked to certain diseases. Advocates say it could help doctors diagnose diseases earlier.

House File 2668 would increase access to biomarker testing, ensure Iowans covered by Medicaid and state regulated insurance plans have coverage for testing when medically appropriate.

Supporters say that would enable more patients to access the most effective treatments for their disease, hopefully leading to better health outcomes, improved quality of life and reduced costs.

The bill passed the House 97-1 on Monday, after lawmakers agreed to a Senate amendment to change the definition of when insurance companies have to pay for biomarker testing that has shown to provide meaningful information to guide treatment decisions that can lead to better health outcomes. The definition was changed to reflect language upon between patient advocacy groups and the health insurance industry.
Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Carajillo from Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Hibiscus Margarita from Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Tilapia dish from Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Flaming Queso from Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Dragonfruit Margarita from Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Mexican Martini from Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Fish Taco plate and a Mexican Martini from Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Flaming Molcajete from Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Flaming Molcajete from Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Bruschetta de Camaron from Spanish Flowers Restaurant on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Ximena Hernandez, 28, Spanish Flowers Restaurant owner is photographed on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Yet another familiar Houston restaurant name soon will expand into The Woodlands.

Spanish Flowers, which has served as an iconic late-night Tex-Mex haunt for more than four decades of Houstonians, will open its newest location at The Woodlands Mall ahead of the shopping center's $100 million expansion.

After thirty years of manning the kitchen at its longtime downtown Houston locale, owners Eli Rodriguez and Mary Bernal have since passed on the torch to The Woodlands-based Hernandez family.

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While Houston Tex-Mex staples such as Ninfa's were building empires, the couple focused its attention on perfecting its location in the heart of downtown. The Hernandez family bought the restaurant in 2009, but it wasn't until Mary was ready to expand that Spanish Flowers opened its second location, Ximena Hernandez said.

"I would explain it more like a merge (than a buyout,)" Hernandez said. "We never really made a big deal of it because we've continued working together."

Still the same

The original downtown Spanish Flowers still resembles itself from 45 years ago  colorful decor, an expansive menu and an eclectic mix of essential workers and partygoers when it opens for 24 hours on weekends.

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"We can test new things with different locations, but we don't want that one to lose its essence," Hernandez said. "We have some customers that have been going there for 40 years and they still sit at the same table, in the same section."

Its newer offshoots get more experimental. The second Spanish Flowers at 14915 North Freeway focuses more on the "Tex" in Tex-Mex, while its newest location near Rice Military and the Heights is more refined. A soon-to-open location in Aldine will be a seafood and oyster bar, Hernandez said.

Unlike national chains, Spanish Flowers wants to provide an experience at every location that caters to the surrounding community, Hernandez said. Spanish Flowers is like The Woodlands, Hernandez said  while it continues to grow and change, its core remains the same.

Woodlands focus

"The Woodlands means a lot to us...especially because when we moved here, it was a tiny little town," Hernandez said. "It identifies a lot with the (Spanish Flowers) brand in the sense that despite everything that's going on around it, The Woodlands is still able to retain its essence."

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Its new mall location will go for a more contemporary aesthetic, with more neutral hues, an airy patio and pops of color. Many of its menu items will be the same as those at 4071 N. Main, although it will offer more salads, smaller dishes and tostadas, Hernandez said.

"It's going to be a bit more upscale, and we're also integrating a bit more seafood dishes and simpler, smaller dishes," Hernandez said.

Sitting at just under 7,000 square feet, the restaurant should open by the end of the year, The Woodlands Mall manager Ted Harris said.

More food options at mall

Spanish Flowers will be joined by fine dining restaurant and steakhouse The Capital Grille and classic American chain Yard House, which will both soon occupy mall-adjacent property on Mall Ring Road.

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The Capital Grille, which operates two restaurants in Houston's CityCentre and the Galleria, is taking on a $2.5 million remodel of the former Romano's Macaroni Grill location near The Woodlands Mall, according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation data.

Yard House, which prides itself in having more than 100 beers on tap, will take over a former standalone TGI Fridays. The Capital Grille's estimated completion date is March 2025, while Yard House is slated to be finished by November, according to TDLR data.

Both are owned by Darden Restaurants. No other information is available, Darden spokesperson Carly Maddock said.

While not owned by Brookfield Properties, Brookfield retail leasing vice president Randy Holcombe said occupying vacant space near the mall will help promote continued interest ahead of its $100 million expansion.

"The industry has really pivoted over the last several years, and it's really been focused on food and beverage and having a really well-rounded and curated restaurant offering," Holcombe said. "Those are great additions that aren't on our property, but in the immediate area, and I think Spanish Flowers is going to be a great addition."

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The project, which will add two hotels with conferencing space, 80,000 square feet of retail space and a parking garage with up to 1,200 stalls, is set to break ground in 2025.
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Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (15 April 2024)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 14th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade close to Zagoruykovka and Kotlyarovka (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses were up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one 155-mm U.S.-made M198 howitzer, as well as Plastun and Anklav-N electronic warfare stations.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 81st airmobile, 24th and 53rd mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Belogorovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Novoye and Krasnogorovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses were up to 420 Ukrainian troops, one tank, 10 motor vehicles, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one 105-mm UK-made L-119 howitzer.

In Avdeyevka direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have actively improved the tactical situation and defeated manpower and hardware of 24th, 47th, 54th, and 115th mechanised, 25th airborne and 68th jaeger brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Novgorodskoye, Umanskoye, Semyonovka, Novokalinovo, and Ocheretino (Donetsk Peoples Republic)..

In addition, seven counterattacks of AFU 25th airborne, 71st jaeger, 59th motorised infantry, 23rd and 115th mechanised brigades have been repelled close to Pervomayskoye, Novobakhmutovka, Umanskoye, and Berdychi (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 295 soldiers, one tank, four armoured fighting vehicles, including one German-made Marder IFV, and four motor vehicles.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, Russian troops have hit one 155-mm U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, one 105-mm U.S.-made M102 howitzer, and one Khmara electronic warfare station.

In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces units have improved the situation along the front line and defeated the units of 72nd mechanised, 58th motorised infantry, and 128th territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Urozhaynoye, Vodyanoye, and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses were up to 90 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage to manpower and hardware of the 65th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses were up to 60 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, and one 152-mm D-20 howitzer.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have destroyed one command and observation post of the 13th Ukrainian National Guard Brigades battalion, as well as AFU manpower and military hardware in 110 areas.

Air defence facilities have shot down 270 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and six HIMARS MLRS projectiles.

In total, 583 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 21,137 unmanned aerial vehicles, 502 air defence missile systems, 15,789 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,266 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,884 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 21,050 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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WtR
Not everyone who graduates from Minnesota State College Southeast will be in Winona to walk across the stage at its commencement ceremony on May 10.

Ornelia Watson-Bennett, who is serving in the United States Army, stationed in Hawaii, is one such student. She is graduating with an associate of applied science degree in computer aided design drafting technologies.

Her instructors, Jim Ziegler and Tyler Litscher, were pleased to receive a glowing thank you note from her when she finished her final courses at Southeast in December.

Reaching out to express how grateful I am for the support I have received throughout the duration of this course.  The past two years have been truly eventful and stressful on most days, but with your support and understanding I got through the school portion of those days, she wrote.

Born and raised in St. Catherine, Jamaica, Watson-Bennett immigrated with her husband and children to Monticello, Minnesota, in December 2018.

She enlisted in the United States Army in November 2019. She is currently stationed at Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu in Hawaii and intends to commit to a 20-year career in the Army.

As a soldier, she discovered the CAD program at Southeast through the ArmyIgnitED portal.

I am working toward becoming a warrant officer, she explained. To accomplish this, I need to have at least an associate degree. I registered for military tuition assistance while doing this process and came across this program, which will assist me with accomplishing both my goals: to complete my bachelors degree in civil engineering and become a warrant officer while doing so.

Watson-Bennett began the CAD program at Southeast in January 2021. She said she has balanced many challenges with the help of a strong support system.

If it wasnt for my husband, I would not be able to accomplish most of what I have accomplished today. Being a mom, student and active-duty service member feels like a breeze most days with his support.

Her day starts at 5 a.m. every day.

My husband gets the kids ready and out the door for school. His work schedule is very flexible, so he supports my schedule daily to relieve some of the burden I face when I return home.

Despite a full day of military duty, she managed to find time for keeping up with her classes late at night.

Im up late most nights. Being up while everyone is asleep, its very quiet. Theres less distraction, so I use the time to complete assignments and get things prepared for the following day.

She added that she used down time during the day to do course work.

During lunch while in the field I would use my phone to do what I could, such as writing reports or responding to classmates discussion answers.

Even though Watson-Bennett has never met her instructors in person, she still felt connected to the college as an online student.

I have only communicated with my instructors through email, but communication was very convenient and easy, even with the five hours time difference in Hawaii and 12 hours while I was on rotation in South Korea, she said. My instructors were very understanding and supportive.

It is impressive how she has managed to fit all this in, said Ziegler. She is an excellent student, and she should be very proud.
The Washoe County District Attorneys Office has filed a lawsuit against the United States Postal Service after receiving authorization from the County Commission on Tuesday.

The lawsuit seeks to stop the USPS from implementing its plan to move processing operations from Reno to Sacramento as part of a larger national strategy to consolidate their processing network.

Federal law requires the USPS to first go through the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), an independent body overseeing their operations, before implementing changes that affect service on a substantially nationwide basis.

The DA's lawsuit alleges that the USPS has not done so, and it asks the U.S. District Court in Reno to halt any further action on the USPS plan and instead require them to go through the PRCs advisory opinion process. If successful, the District Attorneys Office, on behalf of Washoe County, will participate in the PRC process and assert its position in opposition.

For now, the county will serve the USPS, which will have a chance to respond before the parties then argue their sides in court.

Update, May 28:

The Washoe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to allow the Washoe County District Attorney's Office to take legal action against the USPS to prevent mail processing moving from Reno to Sacramento.

It says this is because the USPS didn't seek out an opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission before making the decision.

The board voted to authorize up to $25,000 to cover legal costs.

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Update, April 24:

The Postal Service says after a business review, they still plan to go ahead with the transfer of mail processing to West Sacramento.

As we've reported, the Postal Service is also planning millions in upgrades to the Reno Processing Center which will remain open.

Critics of the plan say that will delay mail deliveries in Reno to those who need them most like veterans and the elderly especially when severe weather results in the closure of I-80.

USPS will invest up to $13.4 million as part of a 10-year Delivering for America plan - $8.4 million will go towards modernization and deferred maintenance, such as new lighting and renovations to bathrooms and breakrooms.

"The Local Processing Center (LPC) will continue to sort inbound mail in Reno. The Sacramento P&DC will process the outgoing mail. The vast majority of which already leaves the local area. We currently sort that outgoing mail in Reno and then put it on a truck to Sacramento. With this change, were simply taking out that expensive and inefficient first handling," a USPS spokesman told 2 News Nevada.

The agency also said there will be no career employee layoffs due to these improvements.

"Once changes are implemented, Business Mail Entry, Post Office, station, and branch retail services are not expected to change, and delivery services will be enhanced. After the Reno facility is converted to an LPC, it is anticipated that it will be able to mail and ship packages, manual letters and flats. The LPC is also anticipated to offer express services and accept bulk and permit mail."

In a statement, Senator Jacky Rosen said, I am outraged that out-of-touch Washington bureaucrats think they know whats best for our state, and have decided to move forward with this misguided plan to move mail processing operations to Sacramento. As Nevadans have made clear all along, this decision will impact hardworking families and small businesses that rely on timely mail delivery. Let me be absolutely clear: this fight is not over. As a member of the committee with jurisdiction over the Postal Service, I will continue to fight against this ill-advised decision and explore all available options to prevent it from being implemented.

In a statement posted on X, Senator Cortez Masto said, "The USPS's decision to move Reno's mail processing operations to California is 2025 is a mistake that will hurt Nevada. I'll keep doing everything I can to protect Nevada jobs and ensure that Nevadans can get their mail on time."

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown released the following statement:

"This is yet another example of Jacky Rosen failing the Nevadans she supposedly represents. Our campaign was the first to raise the alarm over the terrible impact this proposal would have on all Nevadans. From mail ballots to medication for Nevada veterans, this change will cause delays and immense harm to our local Northern Nevadan communities. Jacky Rosen instead chose to ignore this proposal until it was too late, and as a result, Nevadans will suffer and the D.C. bureaucrats will get their way. Nevada deserves a Senator who shows up, not one who is constantly derelict in her duties."

Northern Nevadas congressional delegation  which includes Rosen, Democratic U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei  sent a letter to USPS opposing the move and have long spoken out against it.

Other opposition came from Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo and the Washoe County Commission, which includes Reno.

Lombardo said his administration, along with Nevadas congressional delegation, will continue to fight against mismanagement in Washington for timely and efficient mail services for Nevadans.

Lawmakers have expressed concerns that mail service can be caught in traffic delays even in the best of weather by the hour-long round trip drive over the Sierra Nevada, which lies between Reno and Sacramento. The area is also known for harsh blizzards throughout much of the year, including one in March that dumped up to 10 feet of snow and provided ammo for critics of the move.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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April 16, 2024:

A Congressional hearing was held Tuesday to discuss whether to relocate the USPS Processing & Distribution Center from Reno to Sacramento.

You can watch the hearing here by clicking on this link

During the hearing, Senator Rosen (D-NV) will question Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on the proposed downsizing and relocation of the mail processing operations. Witnesses for the hearing include Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, USPS Board of Governors Chairman Roman Martinez IV, Postal Regulatory Commission Chairman Michael Kubayanda, and USPS Inspector General Tammy Hull.

Senator Rosen had a meeting with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) and USPS executives to discuss the possible move.

Sen. Rosen says, "I sit in the committee with direct oversight of the US Postal Service and we are actually scheduled to have a hearing next week on all of the USPS plans with Post Master General."

The plan of downsizing and relocation would mean that over 60 USPS employees in Reno would lose their jobs. Sen. Rosen said this plan would mean mail from Reno would have to go over Donner Pass to Sacramento and back over the pass to be processed -- and with I-80 shutdowns from weather and wildfires, this could cause delays.

Last month, Senator Rosen and Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV) visited the Reno Processing & Distribution Center to see firsthand what impacts the proposal would have on service delivery time and jobs.

Earlier, the center was proposed to move to Sacramento impacting local jobs and further slowing mail delivery, especially to rural areas.

Nevada lawmakers have been opposed to the proposed relocation because of the negative impact it would have on northern Nevada. Senator Rosen had joined a group of over 20 Senators in a letter urging Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to stop any changes or relocations to USPS processing facilities.

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March 7, 2024:

Governor Joe Lombardo sent a letter to Postmaster General DeJoy on Thursday, March 7 about the proposed changes to the USPS Processing and Distribution Center.

Last month, the United States Postal Service proposed downsizing the Reno Processing and Distribution Center to a Local Processing Center, requiring mail to be sent to Sacramento, California for processing.

In the letter, Governor Lombardo cited the recent snowstorm as a reason why they shouldn't move mail processing to Sacramento.

He also wrote about how the Department of Health and Human Services relies heavily on the US Postal Service. For example, the move could result in delays receiving and processing applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid.

You can read the full letter below:
NEW YORK (AP)  The first seven jurors for Donald Trump's hush money trial were seated Tuesday after lawyers grilled the jury pool about their social media posts, political views and personal lives to decide who can sit in fair judgment of the former president.

The panelists who were selected are an information technology worker, an English teacher, an oncology nurse, a sales professional, a software engineer and two lawyers.

Eleven more people still must be sworn in before opening statements begin as early as next week in the first criminal trial of a former commander in chief. It's a moment of reckoning for Trump, who has tried to put off his prosecutions until after the November election and casts himself as the victim of a politically motivated justice system.

The trial puts Trumps legal problems at the center of his closely contested race against President Joe Biden. Its the first of Trumps four criminal cases to reach trial, and it may be the only one to return a verdict before voters decide whether to elect the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.

The methodical process unfolding in the Manhattan courtroom highlights the challenge of finding people who can fairly judge the polarizing defendant in the city where he built his real estate empire before being elected president in 2016. Even so, jury selection moved quicker than expected Tuesday afternoon. It was set to resume Thursday.

On his way out of the courthouse, Trump stopped in the hallway to rail against the case to reporters, accusing Judge Juan Merchan of "rushing the trial. He has denied any wrongdoing.

We are going to continue our fight against this judge, said Trump, who pushed unsuccessfully to have Merchan removed from the case.

During an appearance later Tuesday at a bodega in Harlem, Trump was asked what he thought of the jurors he had seen. He said it was a little bit early to see," adding, "Well see what happens.

Over two days, dozens of potential jurors have been excused after saying they could not be impartial or because they had other commitments. Trump's lawyers challenged a handful of people over social media posts, and one person was dismissed over a 2017 post about Trump that said Lock him up!

Several would-be jurors told the judge they believed they could decide the case fairly, no matter their feelings about Trump or his policies as president.

Trump looked on in the courtroom as potential jurors  whose names are known only to prosecutors, Trump and their legal teams  shared details of their lives and impressions of him. The judge admonished Trump at one point after he spoke loudly and gestured while the judge questioned one woman about a social media post.

I dont know what he was uttering, but it was audible and he was gesturing. And he was speaking in the direction of the juror, Merchan said. "I wont tolerate that. I will not tolerate any jurors being intimidated in this courtroom.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass took Trump's notoriety head-on, telling the jury pool that attorneys were not looking for people who had been living under a rock for the past eight years. They just needed to keep an open mind.

This case has nothing to do with your personal politics  its not a referendum on the Trump presidency or a popularity contest or who youre going to vote for in November. We dont care. This case is about whether this man broke the law," he said.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged effort to keep salacious  and, he says, bogus  stories about his sex life from emerging during his 2016 campaign.

With the trial expected to last for six weeks or more, several jury pool members brought up plans they have for Memorial Day and beyond.

One man was excused after saying he feared his ability to be impartial could be compromised by unconscious bias from growing up in Texas and working in finance with people who intellectually tend to slant Republican.

Im not sure that I can say beyond a reasonable doubt that I can be fair," another person told the judge. I can try. But Im not 100% sure I can be fair. She was also dismissed.

One person chosen to sit on the jury said he found Trump fascinating," adding that he walks into a room and he sets people off one way or another.

Another woman said she disagrees with Trumps policies and sometimes finds herself frustrated by him. But she pledged to be fair and impartial, telling defense lawyer Todd Blanche that she would give her level-headed best if she were picked for the jury.

I didnt sleep last night thinking about could I do that, she said.

Trump broke into a grin, nodding his head in an exaggerated manner, when one person said he had read two of the former president's books, The Art of the Deal and How to Get Rich." The man, who said some of his wife's family members are lobbyists for the Republican Party, said he didn't think there was anything that would prevent him from looking at the case fairly.

I feel that no ones above the law," he said.

The charges center on $130,000 in payments that Trumps company made to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen. He paid that sum on Trumps behalf to keep porn actor Stormy Daniels from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has denied the encounter ever happened.

Prosecutors say the payments to Cohen were falsely logged as legal fees. The prosecution has described the money as being part of a scheme to bury damaging stories Trump feared could help his opponent in the 2016 race, particularly as Trumps reputation was suffering at the time from comments he made about women.

Trump has acknowledged reimbursing Cohen for the payment and that it was designed to stop Daniels from going public about the alleged encounter. But Trump has said it had nothing to do with the campaign. He hinted Tuesday at the defense his legal team will mount, telling reporters: I was paying a lawyer and marked it down as a legal expense."

Thats exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that?" Trump said.

If convicted of falsifying business records, Trump faces up to four years in prison, though theres no guarantee he will get time behind bars.

(Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)
Chinese language teachers, learners share encounters with Chinese characters abroad

People's Daily Online) 13:21, April 16, 2024

The Center for Language Education and Cooperation, an organization under China's Ministry of Education, recently launched an online activity to discover the landscape of Chinese characters across five continents.

In the activity's comment section, Chinese language teachers and learners shared their experiences spotting Chinese characters in unexpected places around the world.

Liu Ming, a Chinese language teacher at the Confucius Institute at Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE) in Budapest, Hungary, expressed her fascination with the ubiquity of Chinese characters in the city.

Chinese characters spell out the name of a restaurant in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo courtesy of Liu Ming)

"Apart from the obvious places like Chinatown and Chinese restaurants, I've noticed Chinese characters on signs near the Castle of Buda and even on stylish clothing in shopping malls," Liu said. She further mentioned that she was particularly impressed by a store sign in the city center displaying five Chinese characters representing the five elements of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, which are fundamental to traditional Chinese philosophy.

Wu Ruifang, a volunteer working at a school in Jakarta, Indonesia, excitedly captured photos of Chinese characters during her early days in the country.

During a recent trip to the resort island of Bali, she and her friends were delighted to see Chinese characters on signs at the airport and to interact with merchants who could speak Chinese.

"What surprised and warmed me the most was when I was seeking medical treatment at a hospital, where a doctor wrote down medication instructions in Chinese characters on the medicine boxes," Wu said.

Wang Pan, a Chinese language volunteer in Nepal, has also discovered the "landscape of Chinese characters" in the capital city of Kathmandu. Chinese signs can be found in restaurants and supermarkets, and product descriptions are often written in Chinese. Wang was particularly moved by an inscription on a bridge that read "everlasting friendship between China and Nepal" in Chinese characters.

An inscription of Chinese characters reads "everlasting friendship between China and Nepal" on a bridge in Nepal. (Photo courtesy of Wang Pan)

"These Chinese characters gave me a feeling of warmth. I also felt the charm of Chinese characters. I was most impressed by the characters on the bridge, which not only displayed the beauty of Chinese characters but also made me feel the friendship between the two countries," Wang said.

One comment said that Chinese characters seen overseas serve as bridges for cultural exchange and emotional bonds that transcend national borders.

Teaching Chinese characters is essential in overseas Chinese language education. It helps students understand Chinese culture and connects Chinese language teachers with students studying abroad.

Currently, Liu's students include both beginners and intermediate-to-advanced learners of Chinese. She surveyed students to understand why they chose to learn Chinese.

"For many students, the initial consideration for learning Chinese is their fascination with the beauty and mystique of Chinese characters. They believe that Chinese characters have connotations and undertones, and being able to write them is very cool," Liu said.

Whenever Liu sees her students carefully writing Chinese characters in her classes, she feels deeply moved. "I recognize my worth as a Chinese language teacher and feel that Chinese characters connect us," she added.

Chinese characters are seen on a piece of paper in the Central Market Hall in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo courtesy of Liu Ming)

Chinese characters are both the carrier and an important component of traditional Chinese culture. As a key to cultural exchange, Chinese characters have opened the door for people worldwide to appreciate and understand China.

The Chinese Character Festival in Paris in 2019, which combined calligraphy and painting exhibitions, lectures, cultural experiences, and interactive activities, showcased the culture of Chinese characters to the French public. The local community warmly welcomed the festival, making it a successful case of the international dissemination of Chinese characters.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Alexandra Kanik is the data visualization editor for Hearst Texas. She can be reached at alexandra.kanik@houstonchronicle.com.

Alexandra leads a team of reporters that produce interactive charts, graphics and story templates in collaboration with the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. She joined Hearst in May 2021 after stints at City Monitor, Louisville Public Media and Public Source.

She holds a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Maryland Institute College of Art.
Homes in the Magnolia Crossing subdivision are seen in 2023. Every year, county appraisal districts around the state assess property values for homeowners with results that are sometimes inaccurate. If property owners believe they are being overtaxed, they can protest their appraisals. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Homes in the neighborhood of The Woodlands are seen in 2023. Every year, county appraisal districts around the state assess property values for homeowners with results that are sometimes inaccurate. In the case of over taxation on personal property, residential and commercial property owners can protest their appraisals. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Every year, county appraisal districts around the state assess property values for homeowners with results that are sometimes inaccurate. If a homeowner believes they are being overtaxed on personal property, they can protest their appraisals.

Some homeowners go through this process themselves, while others may hire a company to take care of it for them.

Heres what to know about the process to protest and how to hire a firm to to protest your appraised value.

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How does property tax appraisal work in Texas?

Every year, county appraisal districts across Texas determine each propertys value based on a mass appraisal process.

The mass appraisal process takes into account the properties being appraised, market area, supply and demand of the property market, income and land value.

Richie Gill, partner with the property tax consulting firm Gill, Denson and Co., said the process can easily lead to overtaxation for many property owners, both commercial and residential.

If you think of the Harris County Appraisal District, they are trying to appraise hundreds of thousands of properties every single year, and that is a big daunting task, especially when you have limited staff, limited resources, Gill said. Because of those budget and staffing constraints, they use whats called mass appraisal methods, meaning they use software to come up with values of peoples homes and peoples businesses.

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Harris County Chief Appraiser Roland Altinger said mistakes in the appraisal process are not uncommon with 7,000 residential neighborhoods in the county.

You cannot appraise 1.9 million parcels and not have errors, and thats why we have due process rights for the property owner to bring to our attention where we might have made a mistake, Altinger said.

Why protest my property tax appraisal?

Due to the mass appraisal methods generalized approach, Gill said the appraisal data can be outdated and inaccurate.

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(The county) doesnt know if the property is in good condition, bad condition, how the neighborhood looks, and so theyre basically making an educated guess on the value of the property, Gill said.

Gill and Kyler Knudsen, principal with Appraisal Protest in Southlake, both said many homeowners leave opportunities on the table by failing to protest.

Values dont just stay stagnant, so its either up or down, Knudsen said. Youre seeing a lot of fluctuation on the commercial side too, be it industrial, retail, residential restaurants.

Gill said it is a right to protest, a sentiment echoed by Altinger and other experts in the Houston area.

Its their legal right to do it and there are some people that never do anything about it, Gill said. Theyre paying hundreds or thousands of dollars more than they should be every single year. So, exercise your right.

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Property owners can also lose money by failing to file for property tax exemptions, such as homestead exemptions available for residents older than 65. Homeowners should file for their relevant exemptions before protesting the value, Gill and Knudsen said.

What does the protest process look like?

Whether a property owner decides to take on the process themselves or hire a firm, the process follows the same steps.

First, a protest is filed by the property owner, followed by an informal hearing from the local appraisal district. Depending on the county, appraisal protests can be submitted online, through the mail or in person. Evidence can include comparable property values, sales prices and property improvements.

This informal hearing is sometimes done online, and its sometimes done in person at the appraisal district, Gill said. Its a meeting where the property owner or the representative talks to the appraisal staff and says, This is why we believe the property is being over appraised. Heres our evidence.

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While the process can stop at the informal level with a settlement, the process may move forward to a more formal hearing with the appraisal review board of the property owners county, consisting of three local citizens looking to hear evidence and reasoning for why the owners taxes should be changed.

Its really important to have strong, compelling evidence, just like if youre in court defending yourself in a court case, Gill said. Otherwise youre gonna go through this whole process and not be successful.

Finally, a decision is made by the appraisal district. If the results are not what the appealing property owner was expecting, then they can file a rare judicial appeal afterwards.

We basically take it out of the countys hands and if the property owner is being egregiously overtaxed, we can bring it through judicial appeal and thats another opportunity for us to get the case heard, Gill said.

Is it common to protest a property tax appraisal?

Both Gill and Knudsen think more people should protest their appraised property value, although they said more people started to protest in the early 2020s due to COVID-19 and its effects driving up home values and taxes.

We saw the gloves come off for everybody in 21 and 22, Knudsen said. Some of those values doubled and it was asinine. The market justified some of that. Sometimes we went in and were like, Okay, we cant really find anything that says your house shouldnt be twice the value you paid for it.

What will happen if I hire a firm to protest?

Tax consulting firms can be hired to protest a property appraisal value, with benefits like regularly updated property value knowledge and expertise on the protesting process and court-like procedures. The firm can also help protesters see if they even need to protest in the first place by checking their property values.

We know how to file the paperwork, schedule the hearings and find compelling evidence, Gill said. We have advanced appraisal software and appraisers on our staff. This is all they do all day, 365 days a year. We do this one specific task and get really good at it, put together new appraisal grids and know why we believe there should be a new value.

Altinger said he thinks property owners are capable of protesting on their own.

You know your house better than anybody else, Altinger said. You know all the good and the bad about your house. Why not do it yourself? Weve got all the mechanisms for you to do it yourself, so why not do it yourself?

Altinger said the price of hiring a firm to protest taxes may not be worth the money if they do not obtain a reduction in taxes.

Were not evil, he said of the appraisal district. Were here to get the right value on your property. Dont be intimidated if you have to go in front of the appraisal review board. Theyre citizens of the community that listen to your case. Its not something to be intimidated about.

While a protest can be filed without a property tax consultant, Knudsen said the process can be complex and confusing.

He said homeowners also have the option to bring in a consultant even if they already started their protest.

Homeowners do not do quite as good as tax consultants, Knudsen said. Everybody has the right to do it themselves. If a case is submitted and the county comes back and says, We dont think thats credible, thats when we can step in or help out.

Some property tax consultant firms also have their own mass appeals made to the county on the behalf of multiple clients.

How does a firm charge for protesting services?

Typically, property tax consultants take a percentage of the funds saved through the protest.

For instance, if you hire us, we only charge a percent of the savings, and thats on our website, Gill said. So if we dont save anything, youre not paying anything. Its a kind of a risk-free process to assess.

Prices vary by firm, with some taking a larger percent of the amount saved than others and some firms charging a flat rate. If the protest fails, many firms do not charge the client for their services.


March 2024 Quarterly Activities Report

Perth, April 17, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd ( ASX:PIQ ), a pioneer in predictive diagnostics is pleased to provide the following update on its business activities for the three months to 31 March 2024.



Key Highlights



- Institutional Placement raises A$6.5m: Placement to new and existing institutional investors added global reach to the share register and strengthened Company balance sheet



- Update on commercialisation of PromarkerD in the USA: Work is continuing toward a national launch of PromarkerD, the predictive blood test for diabetic kidney disease (DKD), in the USA



- Latest results validate biomarkers for PromarkerEndo blood test for endometriosis: Critical milestone achieved for PromarkerEndo with biomarker panel clinically validated in an independent patient group



- Agreement signed with University of Oxford to validate PromarkerEndo test for endometriosis: Proteomics International to acquire 600 patient plasma samples for further clinical validation of its diagnostic blood test



- Latest results validate biomarkers for PromarkerEso blood test for oesophageal adenocarcinoma: Critical milestone achieved for PromarkerEso, with biomarker panel clinically validated in second independent patient group



- Proteomics International retains its ISO 13485 certification: international standard recognises safety and quality management systems in the manufacture of medical devices, such as PromarkerD



- European patent granted for OxiDx technology: Proteomics International's subsidiary OxiDx Pty Ltd granted a patent in 19 major European countries for its platform technology to measure oxidative stress using a simple fingerprick blood test



*To view the full Quarterly Report, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/71G425KY





About Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd





Proteomics International Laboratories (ASX:PIQ) is a wholly owned subsidiary and trading name of PILL, a medical technology company at the forefront of predictive diagnostics and bioanalytical services. The Company specialises in the area of proteomics - the industrial scale study of the structure and function of proteins. Proteomics International's mission is to improve the quality of lives by the creation and application of innovative tools that enable the improved treatment of disease.

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It's time to protest your home's appraised value in Texas, if you feel that the government has overvalued your property. Here's everything you need to know. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

When property values rise in Houston and Texas, many residents decide to protest their new home appraisals for the year to save money on taxes.

Appraisal districts across the Houston region are currently notifying property owners of their new appraised value, which will be used later in 2024 to determine how much each homeowner pays in taxes.

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However, the process can be confusing if you've never done it before. Now that property value notices have been mailed, here are some tips to help navigate the process of filing an appeal in Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County and others.

SHOULD YOU PROTEST? How does a property appraisal protest work? Houston chief appraisers explain

How does property tax appraisal work in Texas?

Every year, county appraisal districts across Texas determine each property's value based on a mass appraisal process.

The mass appraisal process takes into account the properties being appraised, market area, supply and demand of the property market, income and land value.

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Harris County Chief Appraiser Roland Altinger said mistakes in the appraisal process are not uncommon with 7,000 residential neighborhoods in the county.

You cannot appraise 1.9 million parcels and not have errors, and thats why we have due process rights for the property owner to bring to our attention where we might have made a mistake, Altinger said.

PROTEST FOR HIRE: Here's how to hire a firm to protest your property taxes for you

When should you file a property value protest?

The amount a homeowner pays in property taxes is based on their houses value, which is determined by the appraisal district for the county the property is in. The higher your homes taxable value, the more you pay in property taxes.

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If you are unsatisfied with your homes appraisal, you may file an appeal to protest the value. According to the Harris County Appraisal Districts website, the deadline to protest is May 15 or 30 days after the property value notice was mailed  whichever date is later.

How do you protest your home value in Harris County?

According to the Harris County Tax Office, the fastest way to file a protest is online through the iFile system at www.hcad.org/ifile. When you receive your property value notice, be sure to check in the upper right corner where your account number and iFile number will be displayed for protesting your appraisal.

Homeowners are encouraged to use iSettle, which allows you to file your protest online along with the amount you think your homes market value is. The appraisal district will send a proposed iSettle value. If you accept the value, your protest will be complete. The homeowner can also reject it and go directly to an appraisal review board protest hearing.

A protest form also is provided with the taxpayers notice of appraised value. The appraisal district also has protest forms in office and online. Here are some places you may find forms:

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Online at HCAD.

Telephone at 713-957-7800.

HCAD offices located at 13013 Northwest Freeway

All Harris County Tax Office locations

The tax office states that while using an official form isnt required, a notice of protest must include the property owners names, the propertys address and legal description, and an indication of dissatisfaction with the districts appraisal.

What happens after you file a protest?

In Harris County, you should receive a scheduling notice with a date for an informal meeting with an appraiser youll meet with either in person or through videoconference. While an informal meetings not legally required, its an opportunity to settle a protest and avoid a formal hearing with the appraisal review board.

If a settlement is not agreed upon informally, a hearing before an appraisal review board will be scheduled. A detailed overview of what to expect at the hearing may be found here.

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What do you need to bring for a property tax protest?

When filing, remember to verify measurements for your home and gather photographs and statements from contractors. Never forget to include if your property has hidden defects to structure or needs major repairs.

Once you have filed your protest, make sure to request a copy of the evidence used to determine your protested propertys appraisal value. The request to the appraisal district must be in writing at least 15 days prior to your protest hearing.

Here are four things the tax office suggests you bring during your protest hearing:

Your closing statement (if the property was purchased in the last year)

An appraisal report for the property

Evidence gathered about your property and other properties in your area

Any other material you intend to use during your presentation.

Appraisal districts weigh some home issues stronger than others, Rex Wogan, director of communication and outreach for the Fort Bend County Appraisal District. The best way to assess issues that might affect home value is to look at your home from the perspective of a potential buyer.

What would a potential buyer be interested in getting credit for? he said. Maybe theres a foundation issue, maybe its a roof issue, maybe theres cracks in the walls, maybe theres some extreme deferred maintenance. These are the kinds of things you would want to bring up with the review board.

Altinger recommends asking a real estate agent for a comparative market analysis of homes that have recently sold in order to better assess the homes value.

When presenting to the review board, Wogan recommends keeping the presentation short and concise while providing photographic evidence to support your claims.

Bring a list, have some bullet points and have some supporting documents for each of your bullet points, he said. Dont belabor each point. Make your point and then move on to your next point.

What happens if your property value protest fails?

Theres no penalty for filing, even if your protest is not successful.

Property owners can feel confident that if they submit a notice of protest, it wont come back on them negatively, said Wogan.

Do I have to protest my property taxes in person?

Larger counties like Harris County offer online services, but some other counties require in-person protests.

Homeowners must first research their options for filing, as it varies from county to county, said Rex Wogan, director of communication and outreach for the Fort Bend County Appraisal District.

What if I hire a firm to protest my property value for me?

Companies will help you protest your appraised value, usually in exchange for a percentage of your savings. Many firms do not charge a property owner unless the protest is successful, said Richie Gill, a partner with the consulting firm Gill, Denson and Co., and Kyler Knudsen, principal with Appraisal Protest in Southlake.

You can hire a company at the outest to handle the entire protest, or you can hire them later if you try protesting on your own and you are unsatisfied with the outcome. Find more information here.

How to file a property tax protest in Fort Bend County?

According to Fort Bend Central Appraisal District, each Houston-area county may appraise homes differently based on the value of all taxable property within the county boundaries.

An online appeal can be one of your fastest options to submit a Notice of Protest, according to FBCAD. When submitted, a FBCAD appraiser will review your protest and will give you options on how to settle the matter.

How to file a property tax protest in Brazoria County?

Brazoria County follows a similar process to Fort Bend and Harris. Homeowners must notify the appraisal district 30 days from the date of the notice or May 15. When protesting your home, it doesnt need to be on an official form although the Appraisal District may send a protest form to complete and submit.

When you submit your form, you are required to use property owners name and reason for protesting. Your form should be sent to the Appraisal Review Board at 500 N. Chenango, Angleton. Then you will have the option of settling via an informal protest with an appraiser in Angleton, or proceeding to the Appraisal Review Board.

How to file a property tax protest in Galveston County?

Each property owner must present evidence to and take questions from the Galveston County Central Appraisal District.

The owner will first take part in an informal process to determine whether the property value should be changed. If the issue is not resolved, the property owner and an appraisal representative will go in front of the Appraisal Review Board in person, by written affidavit or on a 1520-minute phone or video call to make a decision. The property owner will receive a Notice of Final order by mail.

How to file a property tax protest in Montgomery County?

When protesting appraisal values in Montgomery County the property owner may begin with an informal protest, filing online and uploading evidence. They may review settlement offers online.

If the protest proceeds to the Appraisal Review board, the property owner and a representative from the appraisal district will present evidence in front of the ARB members, via affidavit, in person or via phone conference. The panel will ask you questions about your home appraisal.
Renowned content creator and actor Bhuvan Bam, celebrated for his captivating performance in the debut web series "Taaza Khabar," is gearing up to mesmerize audiences once more with the highly anticipated Season 2. Fresh off the success of the first season, Bhuvan Bam is ready to embark on another thrilling journey filled with intrigue and excitement. This is interestingly the first time that Bhuvan will be working in a project outside of his own production.

Amidst the shoots for "Taaza Khabar 2," exciting news has emerged regarding Bhuvan's next projecta riveting murder mystery featuring one of India's top actresses from the 90s. The project, helmed by a debutant director, promises to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience for audiences.

Speaking about the upcoming project, a source close to the production reveals, "The murder mystery project starring Bhuvan Bam alongside one of India's iconic actresses from the 90s is set to captivate audiences. Shot in Mumbai, the film guarantees to keep viewers on the edge of their seats with its gripping storyline and suspenseful narrative. Bhuvan's excitement to share screen space with this female superstar is palpable, as he has long been an admirer of her work and never missed watching her films."

With production slated to commence in mid-2024, anticipation is already building for Bhuvan Bam's next cinematic endeavor. As fans eagerly await the release of "Taaza Khabar 2" and the unveiling of this intriguing murder mystery project, Bhuvan Bam continues to solidify his position as one of India's most versatile and talented entertainers.
Breaking news Houston Chronicle

A humorous press release issued by the Harris County Sheriffs Office on Monday described an ultimate gotcha moment with a man allegedly pretending to be a police officer trying to pull over a car full of cops. But the truth may not be as perfect a moment of karmic justice as believed.

Shaun Arnold, 42, of Houston was arrested and charged with impersonating a public servant on Saturday, according to the sheriffs office. But according to Arnolds defense attorney and a department spokesman, the initial description of Arnolds arrest after he attempted to pull over undercover deputies at a racing event in Houston, may not have been accurate.

When the facts come out, I dont think that story is going to match up with what really happened, said Ryan Fremuth, Arnolds court-appointed defense attorney.

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When reached by the Chronicle, a sheriffs office public information officer described different details about Arnolds arrest than were in the release.

Sheriffs Office senior deputy Thomas Gilliland said Arnold didnt try to pull over the undercover deputies in a faux traffic stop.

Rather, Gilliland said Arnolds white Hyundai Santa Fe was seen attempting to part the crowd gathered for the street race with flashing red and blue lights and a horn. The deputies saw the vehicle, and contacted a marked officer, who pulled Arnold over.

He wasnt trying to pull people over, Gilliland said. He was trying to pull people out of the way and drive through.

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The undercover deputies were part of an unified auto-crimes task force monitoring a street racing event near the tunnels in Memorial Park in the early hours of Saturday morning.

When he was pulled over, Arnold told the officers that he was a security guard, Gilliland said.

Fremuth said the description he had of Arnolds arrest was similar to the one provided by Gilliland.

The news release stated Arnold was wearing a uniform shirt, body armor, a body-worn camera, a security badge, radio and a Taser and was fully equipped to deceive.

A document specifying the charges against Arnold accuses him of intending to make the undercover deputy submit to his pretended official authority by using red and blue emergency lights and sounding an emergency horn.

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A description of Arnolds arrest in a bond document accuses him of having turned on the lights and sirens behind the deputies, but doesnt describe Arnolds actions as an attempted traffic stop.

Hes also accused of unlawful possession of body armor by a felon. None of the other items found in his car have resulted in charges.

Gilliland said the initial press release  which was missing other details about Arnolds arrest, like the time and block number he was apprehended  was written and published by the auto crimes division.

Similar past arrests

Arnold has been convicted of impersonating a public servant in other places, including Jefferson County and Illinois, according to court records. Details about those convictions werent immediately available.

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The sheriffs office asked for the publics help identifying potential victims of Arnold. Arnold hasnt been accused of any kind of theft related to Saturdays arrest. Fremuth said he wasnt aware of any other accusations against Arnold. Gilliland said the tip line hadnt turned up any results as of Tuesday.
Today, Dairylea launches Discovery Days, an integrated campaign in partnership with Trainline, with global creative agency of record VCCP London, Publicis Media and Channel 4. The vast, multi-platform campaign aims to highlight the importance of childrens unstructured play.

Dairylea Discovery Days aims to help families to provide their children with more opportunities for essential development and happiness, after new research found that three-quarters of UK children (75%) express their greatest happiness when they have the freedom to play in their own way.

To bring the creative concept to life, Dairylea, part of Mondelez, and VCCP created a series of social-first films set across key UK locations: like the woods and beach. Each film follows a child, wearing a GoPro, who has been given the freedom to play outdoors. VCCPs global content creation studio Girl&Bear worked with director Emma Hvengaard, to capture genuine and authentic moments of discovery, highlighting the importance of Discovery Days.

In addition to social, the campaign will feature dynamic out of home and audio creative to ensure that everyone sees the most relevant targeted Discovery Day messaging. The radio actively reflects the weather in each location - so when raining, the audio focuses around playing in puddles, and when the sun is shining, radio reacts, urging the nation to get out to the beach and go rockpooling. The OOH and social is fuelled by retail data to help reach Dairyleas audience across both of these channels, led by Publicis Media.

Something to look forward to is an impending two-part content series with Channel 4, driven by Publicis Media, where Dairylea Discovery Days are brought to life with the help of a pair of the nation's favourite comedians.

Tin Man Communications is leading the PR and influencer arm of the campaign, which aims to drive awareness of the initiative and the benefits of unstructured play through discovery. The PR campaign will see actor and celebrity Dad, Joe Swash, along with his four-year-old son, Rex, enjoy discovering new things together. This is underpinned with a wider influencer programme where family content creators will bring to life what a Dairylea Discovery day looks like for them, providing inspiration for families across the country.

VCCP London additionally helped Dairylea forge a new partnership with Trainline: with Dairylea offering families 10 off Trainline tickets across the UK, providing children with more opportunities to explore and discover.

This campaign continues to evolve Dairyleas Set them free with Dairylea brand platform, which has been running for three years and aims to create more authentic moments of discovery for the children of the UK.

Caroline Rawlings, Creative Director at VCCP London said: It's a special career treat when you get to work on a project that's close to your heart. I can't wait to see what impact Dairylea Discovery Days has this spring. Even if it results in just a few more kids getting to benefit from a really good muddy socked, grazed kneed, pocket full of stones, knotty haired day of freedom and discovery (with a cheese triangle to fuel them, of course) Ill be one happy hearted lady.

Well done and thank you to a brilliant team from Dairylea, VCCP, Girl&Bear, C4, Publicis Media and Tinman. Proud.

Kirsten McPherson, Marketing Director at Mondelez said: Dairylea is synonymous with the unstructured moments we can all remember from our own childhoods. It's a handy triangle of cheese that kids can take anywhere and eat in any way they please. This bold campaign urges everyone to embrace the surprising and extraordinary experiences that happen when families get out there and discover.

Paige Tilley, Business Director at Publicis Media said: This Dairylea campaign truly is the perfect blend of emotive content and smart data. Leveraging retail data via The Trade Desk for better targeting, supercharged with dynamic creative, this omnichannel strategy allows people to find out more about the fantastic opportunity that Dairylea and The Trainline have to offer. The heart-warming partnership with Channel 4 will encourage families to get out there and discover moments of true, unbridled fun.

The campaign will run from the 15th April for six weeks, with media planning and buying led by Publicis Media and PR managed by Tin Man Communications.

Research methodology

Research conducted by OnePoll between 26th March and 4th April 2024 of 1,000 UK parents and 1,000 of their children between the ages of 6-10 years old.
HyFun Foods, a trailblazer in the frozen food industry, today announced the appointment of Soundararadjane S as Chief Executive Officer for their groundbreaking initiative HyFarm.

Soundararadjane brings a wealth of experience of over 30 years in agriculture and a proven track record of success with global leaders like Monsanto and ITC (Technico). His strategic vision coupled with a passion for sustainable agriculture, aligns perfectly with HyFun Foods' commitment to delivering superior-quality fresh produce while minimizing environmental impact.

Our appointment of Soundararadjane S as CEO of HyFarm underscores our commitment to driving positive change in the fresh produce industry," said Mr. Haresh Karamchandani, MD & Group CEO at HyFun Foods. "His deep understanding of the industry coupled with his strategic foresight will positively contribute in driving HyFarm's mission to create a sustainable and efficient ecosystem for fresh produce.

Empowering the Indian Farmer: A Spectrum of Agricultural Abundance

HyFarm is set to introduce a range of innovative solutions aimed at optimizing the entire value chain of fresh produce. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and strategic partnerships, HyFarm aims to empower farmers, enhance supply chain efficiency, and deliver premium-quality produce to consumers worldwide.

Under Soundararadjane S's leadership, HyFarm will continue to explore new avenues for growth and collaboration, working closely with farmers, industry partners and varied stakeholders to bring its vision to life. By embracing innovation and sustainability, HyFarm is poised to shape the future of fresh produce, delivering unparalleled quality and value to consumers worldwide.

Rooted in Sustainability: The HyFarm Initiative

Sustainability is at the heart of HyFun Foods philosophy. This commitment is exemplified by the HyFarm initiative, a program that utilizes regenerative agriculture practices. These practices prioritize water conservation, minimize fertilizer use, and promote healthy soil, fostering a more sustainable future for farming. "Sustainability isn't just a buzzword at HyFun," declares Soundararadjane. "By implementing these regenerative methods, we contribute to a brighter future for farming and a more sustainable food supply chain as a whole." HyFarm epitomizes HyFun Foods unwavering commitment to harnessing India's plentiful fresh produce and building a backward integrated business model, with a goal of bringing 30,000 farmers into its fold by 2030. Fresh produce strongly contributes to the success of HyFun Foods, and through this initiative, they aim to strengthen commitment to sourcing high-quality fresh produce while empowering farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Building Bridges for Collective Success

Soundararadjane plans to leverage his extensive network to connect HyFarm with key stakeholders, including farmers, processors, and international markets. "We're a platform for collaboration. We actively seek partners who share our vision for a sustainable and thriving fresh produce industry."

A Global Vision: A Partner for Growth

HyFun understands the growing interest in India's agricultural sector. HyFarm is actively pursuing table potato, onion and other fresh vegetable procurement directly from farmers. "This strengthens our supply chain and positions us as a reliable partner for global investors seeking opportunities in the Indian market," explains Haresh Karamchandani, MD & Group CEO of the company.

Collaboration is Key: Beyond the Humble Spud

HyFuns vision extends beyond potatoes. HyFun is exploring fresh vegetable exports to international markets. "This underscores our commitment to operating across diverse segments and venturing beyond just potatoes," says the company. This move signifies HyFun's ambition to become a leader in the broader vegetable industry.
The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) together with The Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) is hosting the Retrospect & Prospects interaction with Manish Anandani, Managing Director - India, Kenvue (erstwhile Johnson & Johnson) on the 24th April in Mumbai.

Avinash Pandey, President, IAA India Chapter and CEO, ABP Network said "Retrospect & Prospects, is the definitive annual industry review, offering a 360-degree perspective on the past year while illuminating the road ahead. As the steward of this esteemed program, I am thrilled to convene the industry's top minds to explore the evolving landscape. The insights shared here have played a pivotal role in shaping strategic agendas. This year, under the guidance of Manish Anandani, Managing Director-India, Kenvue, the event promises a stimulating exploration of the industry's past, present, and future, providing unparalleled opportunities for marketing leaders to gain a competitive edge and position their organisations for success in the years ahead."".

Adds Sunil Kataria, Chairman, The India Society of Advertisers & CEO of Raymond's Lifestyle Business, The ISA as the unique voice and apex body of advertisers pan India over 70 years, has member education as one of the key areas of its services to members. Apart from periodically conducting our own seminars and workshops and knowledge series programs, we bring to the table of our members a variety of webinars on topics in marketing and media matters of contemporary interests from World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) of which the ISA is a founder member. We constantly look for opportunities of partnering with fraternity organizations to engage with our members. Working with the IAA is one such avenue that we have looked at. It is also a matter of pride that the speaker Manish Anandani, Managing Director - India, Kenvue (erstwhile Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health) is from the leadership of an advertiser member company. I am confident this collaborative event and congregation of IAA and ISA members in a common venue would add further value to the excellent partnering that they have in the industry.
Leo Burnett India, part of the Publicis Groupe India today announced the appointment of Rajeev Rakshit as Executive Director, Leo Burnett, Bangalore. Rajeev will be reporting to Amitesh Rao  CEO, Leo Burnett  South Asia, and is entrusted with taking the agency forward to the next level across client relationships, solutions, talent and growth. The appointment comes on the back of the agencys strong partnerships with Bengaluru based clients including Ikea, RedBus, Kingfisher, Heineken, Lenovo, Acko, Flipkart to name a few.

Speaking about the announcement Amitesh Rao, CEO, Leo Burnett  South Asia said Leo Burnett is a formidable creative force in Bengaluru with great momentum, energy and ambition, working with some incredible brands, and lucky to have some of the most talented people onboard. Rajeev comes with a distinctive blend of a future facing orientation, maturity and deep industry knowledge, and we are delighted to have him join us in building on the foundation of our Bengaluru operation to take it to greater heights.

Added Rajdeepak Das, Chief Creative Officer - Publicis Groupe, South Asia and Chairman - Leo Burnett, South Asia says The Bangalore team energy is infectious and we currently work with some of the best clients of India from there. We already have Pravin Sutar leading the creative mandate from Bangalore and together with Rajeev who comes with solid hands -on experience, and we are confident of building meaningful solutions for our client partners.

Speaking about his appointment, Rajeev Rakshit, Executive Director, Leo Burnett Bangalore, commented, Having had a substantive stint with Leo Burnett in the past, it feels like coming home. The agencys inspired creativity, portfolio of iconic brands and numerous client success stories has resulted in its staggering momentum and I am excited to be a part of this journey. I have always admired Leo Burnetts ability to reimagine and redefine industry norms and look forward to collaborating and contributing to propel the agency towards its next significant milestone.

Rajeev joins Leo Burnett with over two and a half decades of hands on experience in the field of Upstream Marketing, Strategic Planning, Digital Strategy, Account Management, General Management and Business Head (Country & Region). His last stint was as Group CEO and Managing Partner  Thinking Folks, an independent upstream advertising and marketing solutions organisation. Rajeev has previously worked at Publicis Groupes L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett and Publicis in various stints spanning his career.

He has also worked at JWT/WPP (Global Team Ford) where he was the Managing Partner and India head for GFT an integrated agency created exclusively for Ford; and McCann Erickson India, Saregama (RPG group) and Everest brand solutions.
Luminous Power Technologies, India's leading energy solutions company, has partnered with Republic Media Network and announced a strategic Election Studio Branding in India's media sphere. This partnership marks a significant milestone as the country prepares for the General Election 2024.

Republic Media Network, recognized as India's fastest-growing media network, commands vast reach and influence nationwide, annually reaching an astounding 62 crore people. With its commitment to unbiased journalism and comprehensive coverage, Republic Media Network has emerged as a trusted source of news and analysis for millions of individuals.

With over 35 years of expertise, Luminous has created innovative and technology-driven products, establishing itself as one of India's most trusted and reliable brands. A pioneer in providing renewable energy solutions, the company is on a mission to deliver transformative solutions and aims to guide its consumers through every facet of their solar journey and is set to bring a unique touch to the upcoming General Election. With India's real celebration being the electoral process itself, Luminous aims to infuse this spirit into every household, emphasizing the importance of participation and engagement in shaping the nation's future.

Arnab Goswami, Founder and Chairman of Republic Media Network "We are delighted to welcome Luminous as our power partner for Election headquarters studio branding. Republic Media Network has always strived to offer viewers insightful and impactful coverage, and this collaboration further enhances our commitment to delivering excellence. Together with Luminous, we aim to create an immersive experience for our audience, fostering dialogue and engagement around this crucial event. This strategic partnership is just the beginning of some spectacular innovations to be created across our platforms. "

Neelima Burra, Chief Strategy Transformation & Marketing Officer, Luminous Power Technologies said, The partnership between Luminous and Republic for a Strategic Election headquarters studio branding will seamlessly integrate the brand and election news updates, creating the next big thing in brand-media collaborations. With this first-ever Studio, we are excited to bring viewers a top-notch experience and redefine how the world sees brand partnerships. It is a unique integration of technology, brand, and media to bring uninterrupted election news this season, creating an immersive experience for the consumers. This partnership takes forward our like-minded ideologies of being end-to-end players and paves the way for an array of opportunities for both of us.

Through this collaboration, Luminous will be prominently featured in Republic Media Network's Election Studio Branding, offering viewers an immersive experience that blends informative content with Luminous's commitment to reliability and empowerment. By aligning with Republic Media Network, Luminous seeks to amplify its message of fostering joy and security in every Indian home, resonating with the essence of the electoral process.

Furthermore, Luminous is excited to announce its strategic partnership with Republic Media Network for the Election's Headquarters Studio Branding across the network. This state-of-the-art studio will utilize cutting-edge technology to provide viewers with comprehensive coverage of the General Elections, enhancing the overall experience for millions of viewers.

For more information about Luminous and its collaboration with Republic Media Network, please visit [Website Link].
Bang in the Middle's recent social media post regarding Medanta has ignited widespread discussion across various social media platforms and news outlets. The post sheds light on a contentious rift between Medanta, a prominent healthcare institution, and its former lead communication agency-Bang in the Middle.

During its tenure spearheading Medanta's communication efforts from November 2022 to November 2023, Bang in the Middle encountered significant challenges. Despite entering the partnership with enthusiasm and extensive experience in the healthcare sector, the agency faced repeated rejection and appropriation of its campaign proposals. This tumultuous relationship ultimately deteriorated into a one-sided power struggle, marked by dismissals and alleged plagiarism of the agency's work by Medanta's in-house social agency.

Central to the controversy is the resurrection of a campaign previously rejected by Medanta, which is now prominently featured in the institution's communication strategy without acknowledgment of its origins. Bang in the Middle alleges unethical business practices, asserting that Medanta unjustly appropriated their intellectual property.

Efforts to resolve the dispute amicably were met with resistance from Medanta, prompting Bang in the Middle to pursue legal action. This case underscores broader issues within client-agency relationships, emphasizing the importance of professional integrity and respect for intellectual property rights.

The Medanta saga serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the necessity for clear boundaries, mutual respect, and ethical conduct in client relations. Agencies must remain steadfast in defending their creative work and holding clients accountable for their actions to prevent the normalization of exploitation and impunity in the industry.
Mitgo Ventures, an investment arm of one of the world's leading MarTech companies, Mitgo Group, has invested in Spanish next-generation cashback service Qoala. It is a browser extension that allows users to get cashback and automatically apply coupons in over 4,000 stores. For Mitgo Ventures, this is one of the first investments in its new global Publisher Investments program of more than $20 million over the next two years. This investment program is accessible in the Indian market as well. Mitgo Ventures estimates that at least 15% of the overall current 20$ million investment plan will be invested in publishers from APAC.

Qoalas browser extension has already reached an audience of 150,000 users in LATAM and Europe and is considering entering the Indian market in the future. It is a new generation cashback service that is revolutionizing the space with their combined cashback and one-click checkout experience. The service partners with such well-known brands as Adidas, HP, Nike, IKEA, Vans, Booking.com, ASOS, AliExpress and many others.

"We are thrilled to announce a strategic investment and partnership with Mitgo Ventures, marking a significant milestone in our journey toward becoming the premier cashback solution across Europe and Latin America. This collaboration aligns us with a major industry leader, Mitgo, whose expertise and standing in the market are unparalleled. Together, we are poised to redefine the cashback landscape, leveraging our combined strengths to enhance user experiences and extend our services to over 1 million users in the coming year", believes Rafael Rubio, co-founder and co-CEO of Qoala.

The project team includes e-commerce specialists and second-time founders with many years of experience in the industry in focus regions. It was their strength and enthusiasm that was one of the decisive factors in attracting investment.

"We are entrepreneurs as well, and it's great to see an energetic and inspired team that has the necessary skills in addition to passion. Qoala is great at combining both the B2C component and value to the user, as well as focus on B2B and great adaptability to large clients and their audiences. Our 10+ years of experience at the intersection of ecommerce and marketing allows us to offer dozens of ideas to accelerate their growth and increase revenue per user. And given the experience of our own startup studio and venture fund, we know 99 mistakes that most often ruin young projects, and will help Qoala avoid them," says Max Volokhov, Managing Partner at Mitgo Ventures.

In addition to capital and expertise, Qoala will also gain the opportunity to work with an expanded number of advertisers who already partner with Mitgo Group in India, Europe and LATAM. The group currently has contracts with more than 30,000 brands and online stores.

The investment in Qoala will be the first in a series of many under the Publisher Investments program launched by Mitgo in 2023. Aimed primarily at projects working in the FinTech, smart shopping, gig economy, generative AI, HRtech, MarTech, Influencer and no-ads sectors, the program intends to help publishers solve one of the biggest issues they face: finance gaps and cash flow problems that stand in the way of growth.

Applicants must also currently - or plan to through investment - earn more than 50% of their revenue from cost per lead, cost per click, cost per sale and other performance-based models or have the potential to become a tech partner for affiliate publishers.

Initial investment capital of the program is at $20 million over the next two years, but this amount will increase depending on the number of promising applications from publishers. Mitgo Ventures has already received numerous applications from India, and the influx continues.
Muneet Pal Singh has recently joined B4U Network as Senior Vice President - Revenue, a move he announced on LinkedIn. Prior to this, Singh held the position of Vice President - Revenue at Pen Music, where he played a crucial role in expanding business operations.

Having spent 6.5 years at Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), Singh brings nearly two decades of diverse experience in the media industry. His career has seen him contribute significantly to companies like Goldmines Telefilms, Sony Pictures Networks India, and Colours TV.

Singh's expertise spans various sectors including print, media, events, and advertising sales. With notable stints at companies like Times of India, Zee Network, Viacom, and Sony, he is well-versed in the intricacies of the industry.

Johnson Jain, CRO of B4U Network, expressed his excitement about Singh's appointment, highlighting his focused vision and extensive industry network. Singh, in turn, expressed his readiness to leverage his experience to drive the growth of B4U Network, particularly in the North & East regions.

Singh's deep understanding of various genres, including GEC, Hindi Movies, and Music channels, positions him well to propel B4U Network into its next phase of expansion.
Pune based home-grown brand NIC Ice Cream, has announced the appointment of Madison Media Ultra, a unit of Madison World, as their official Media Agency on Record. The account will be handled by the Agency from their Mumbai office and will manage all media aspects for the brand, which includes traditional, digital and outdoor.

Co-founded in 2012 by Jeetendra Bhandari, Sanjiv Shah, and Raj Bhandari, NIC Ice Creams keeps true to its tagline 'Honestly Crafted' by producing exotic and seasonal ice creams using only milk and real ingredients, while ensuring that artificial flavors, coloring agents, and preservatives are excluded from the recipe. With over 50 delicious flavours, NIC Ice Creams serves in 86 cities across India.

Commenting on this new association with Madison, Jeetendra Bhandari, Founder, NIC Ice Creams, said, Our partnership with Madison Media Ultra will help us to further grow our media and business footprint as we embark on our growth journey. This is extremely exciting news and we are looking forward to a collaborative process with the Madison team to create 'cool' and impactful pieces of work.

As proud partners, we are pleased to be able to participate in the exciting growth journey of NIC Ice Cream. Together with them, me and my team are eagerly looking forward to creating honestly crafted work, says Jolene Fernandes Solanki, Chief Operating Officer of Madison Media Ultra.

Madison Media, Indias largest homegrown communication agency, is now the Worlds 4th Largest Independent Media Agency as per RECMA. Madison Media also tops RECMAs qualitative ranking chart for the last 4 consecutive years with a Dominant Score. At DMAsias Echo and Sparkies Awards 2023, the Agency was titled Media Agency of the Year along with winning 28 metals. At GoaFest 2023, the Agency won a total of 17 metals and came in 3rd at the Media Abbys. In E4M Prime Time Awards 2023, the Agency won for the 6th time TV Media Agency of the Year. The Agency is also ranked the 2nd Most Powerful Media Agency by The Economic Times Brand Equity Ad Agency Reckoner in addition to winning over 470 awards since 2020.

Madison Media Ultra is a part of Madison World, Indias largest homegrown communication agency group established in 1988, that handles media planning and buying for clients like Godrej, Marico, Asian Paints, Titan, Blue Star, TVS, Raymond, CEAT, Pidilite, Bajaj Electricals, Jyothy Labs, McDonalds, Lodha, Shaadi.com and many others. Madison World through its 11 Units served last year, as many as 500 Advertisers.
Astroworld Festival at NRG park on Friday, November 5, 2021. Jamaal Ellis/Contributor

Attorneys representing people killed and injured at the 2021 Astroworld festival on Monday tried to persuade a Harris County civil district court judge to keep the events headliner, rapper Travis Scott, among the defendants in the sprawling civil lawsuit.

This event was Travis Scotts festival and it was crafted through his tour agreement with Live Nation, said Noah Wexler, one of the attorneys representing the victims, responding to arguments that Scott wasnt central to the concerts planning.

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Mondays hearing came three weeks before the planned start of the first trial related to the concert tragedy where a crowd crush killed 10 people and injured scores of others. District Court Judge Kristen Hawkins did not make a decision on Scotts involvement on Monday.

Scotts attorneys in March filed a motion asking for Hawkins to issue a summary judgment in favor, arguing that he couldnt be held responsible for the planning and security of the concert because he primarily acted as a performer. Brody said there were examples of Scott stopping the show four times, but he said the artist wasnt aware of the greater peril in the crowd until the show had ended.

He did what he does at all of his performances, said Steve Brody, one of Scotts attorney. If he sees an issue in the crowd, he does stop. He stopped four separate times.

Motions filed over the first part of this year have laid out two main arguments about responsibility for the disaster: that the people planning the concert knew about safety concerns beforehand and that efforts to stop the show once the danger was apparent were too slow.

If next months trial happens, it will be the first time the concerts aftermath reaches a courtroom. Last year, a grand jury declined to indict Scott and five other people on criminal charges related to the concert. The families of four of the people killed in the concert have reached settlements over their deaths.

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Hawkins last week denied a motion to dismiss two of Scotts companies from the lawsuit. The motion to dismiss Scott and XX Global, another of his companies, was opposed by both the plaintiffs and by another defendant, ASM Global, the company that manages NRG Park.

Wexler argued that Scotts agreement with concert promoter Live Nation gave him a large degree of control of the show. Scotts attorneys argued other people were trusted with the responsibility of planning and security.

Theres no evidence of extreme or outrageous conduct on the part of my clients, Brody said.

Scott, a Houston native, wasnt present in the courtroom. Instead, dozens of attorneys, their staff members and reporters watched more than three hours of arguments about who should and shouldnt be on trial on May 6.

Apple again seeks a way out

Scott wasnt the only defendant who argued they should be removed from the case. Mondays hearing also included arguments for summary judgment by lawyers from Apple Inc., which live-streamed the concert; ASM Global, the company that manages NRG Park, which also made arguments seeking summary judgment; B3 Risk Solutions, the staffing company hired to provide a safety management team to the concert; and Unified Command LLC, which set up the festivals closed circuit cameras and command center.

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Apples attorney accused the victims attorneys of attacking the companys First Amendment rights through arguments that blamed the tech company for building up hype for the show and accused it of ignoring the crisis in the crowd.

A live-streamer at an event has no affirmative duty to ensure an event is safe or to rescue concert-goers from harm, said Apple attorney David Singh.

The company also pushed back against the victims arguments that it had placed live-stream cameras within the concert area without permission, pointing to communications that Singh said showed the concerts organizers knew and approved of the cameras' location on the morning of the show.

The victims attorneys opposed both companies efforts to get out of the lawsuit. Hawkins had previously ruled against a different motion by Apple, which argued that the victims hadnt shown enough evidence to keep the company in the suit.

All the companies said that parts of Texas civil law should protect them from being held liable for the concert, including one case in which a court ruled that a radio station couldnt be held responsible for the death of a person who died in a drunken driving crash after a show they promoted.

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The plaintiffs said that the companies that produced and promoted the show, and the other companies they hired, acted as a joint enterprise and should be brought into the trial.

Special master appointed

Hawkins also announced that she had appointed a special master to review discrete discovery issues.

The special master, Terry Jennings, a former state appeals court judge, will sift through data obtained by the Houston Police Department as parts of its criminal investigation into the concert.

Some of the defendants have argued that they didnt release the data personally, but rather that Apple released data to police, and that it should be returned to them instead of allowing the victims attorneys to see the information, according to Hawkins order.

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The police department obtained about 17 terabytes of data, according to Hawkins order.

A single terabyte can contain millions of documents and hundreds of thousands of photos.

Hawkins tasked Jennings with reviewing the police data and making recommendations to her.

Attorneys of one of the plaintiffs, Seyth Boardman, told Hawkins in court they were seeking a stay of her orders regarding the special master, which will result in another hearing later this week.

Separately, Wexler told the judge that he was still seeking data from Scotts cellphone, which he reportedly dropped in the ocean in October 2023. Wexler complained that while Scotts attorneys had obtained data from the phone, he hadnt been given everything from it.

Scotts attorney said the data recovery efforts retrieved 120,000 texts dating back to 2017 and said that all of the responsive data from the phone had been produced.
ShareChat (Mohalla Tech Pvt Ltd), Indias largest homegrown social media company, today announced the closure of its US$49 million funding round via convertible debentures led by existing investors Lightspeed, Temasek, Alkeon Capital, Moore Strategic Ventures and HarbourVest, amongst others. This capital raise will help the company invest further behind its Ad targeting technology as well as continuing the growth of consumer transactions business on ShareChat Live and Moj Live. The ShareChat app is already operationally profitable, and the short video app Moj is expected to achieve operational profitability over the next few months.

As the company marches towards profitability, it announced an organization wide ESOP bonus program that will double the ESOP ownership for all of its current employees. This move is aimed at retaining its top talent and rewarding them for taking the company to a financially healthier state.

Commenting on the latest funding round, Ankush Sachdeva, CEO and Cofounder, ShareChat and Moj said, We are happy to announce the closing of our latest funding round by our existing investors. Their continued support in a challenging financial environment is a resounding vote of confidence for the path we have taken over the past years to move rapidly towards profitable growth. The new funds will be utilized to bolster our robust monetisation plans and propel us on our path to break-even and beyond.

Talking about the expanded ESOPs he further added, Our employees were the single most important force powering 2x revenue growth and 90% reduction in our monthly losses over the past two years. We wanted to recognize their efforts and incentivize our teams to continue this momentum and push the company to profitability in the next 4-5 quarters and then to IPO. We are excited to announce a special bonus grant that will double the total ESOP grant for every employee. We are setting aside an ESOP pool equal to3.5% of the cap table to be disbursed as bonus grants.

ShareChat (Mohalla Tech) runs Indias largest short video platform, Moj besides the ShareChat app, which together cater to over 325 million users. ShareChat has democratized social media in India by offering content in over 15 Indian languages. The company has in the past year, focused on rapidly monetizing its various platforms and seen its revenue surge. It has built diversified monetization avenues beyond advertising in areas like virtual gifting. And today it is the market leader in virtual gifting by a big margin.
Mickey and friends are here to liven up your summer! Starbucks, in a timeless collaboration with Disney once again, brings its latest Starbucks Experience: introducing a joyous world of friendship, with a bold and vibrant lineup of drinkware and lifestyle accessories.

The limited-edition Starbucks collection is inspired by the time-honored bonds of friendship shared by fan-favorite Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and more. It features a cheerful range of merchandise adorned with colorful Disney characters and heartwarming messages, bringing the positive energy of Mickey and Friends closer to home for people of all ages.

Starting now for a limited time only, the lineup will be launched in the Indian market, rooted in Starbucks values of nurturing human connections.

A colorful collection celebrating the playful world of friendships

Each item is a collectible in the merchandise collection. The collection features multi-colored hues of overlapping cut-outs to represent building up the layers of joy, paired with quotes that evoke feelings of togetherness.

Friends can now raise a toast over a cup of coffee to celebrate a lifetime of joy and friendship. Showcasing a bold and vibrant range of drinkware items and accessories, the range will feature:

A stainless-steel Chip and Dale tumbler as a charming and durable beverage container designed to delight Disney fans

A Donald Duck plastic water bottle to keep yourself hydrated

A Travel Kit featuring beloved Disney characters to travel in style

A Lunch Tote bag that besties and pals can create magical memories together with a functional and fun bag: right in time for summer adventures!

Fans and customers can look forward to sharing a sip of joy with their family and friends from today onwards. The new themed collection will be available at select Starbucks stores across India, until supplies last!
In the last 10 years, PR has taken a different dimension, especially after the entry of social media and the rapid shift to digital during the pandemic period. At the same time, the industry has been facing stiff challenges; moreover client expectations have also increased, with more emphasis being given to digital and online reputation management. The industry has undergone a radical shift and the current times have pushed the industry to change gears.

In an exclusive interview with Adgully, Pallavi Tinekar, Vice President - Technology & Startups, Concept PR India, shares her journey from communications to technology and startups, addressing challenges in mentoring, accelerating funding conversations. She also highlights a successful communications campaign for a tech product and discusses staying updated with digital marketing trends, PRs role in the startup ecosystem, navigating diverse audiences, fostering innovation.

Could you share with us your journey from communications to technology and startups, and how your expertise in combining these fields has influenced your role as VP of Technology & Startups at Concept PR India Ltd?

I started working with a couple of startups back in 2002, which were intended to increase potential businesses for the STD/PCO booth owners. At the time, their business was struggling as mobile phones entered the Indian market. This was my first brush with technology and its power to help a fellow citizen. The product was a smart card and it covered the whole spectrum  from paying bus fares to buying groceries. The PCO owners were supposed to collect electricity and relevant bill monies from households as part of increasing business, like an extension to e-seva, to be implemented nationwide. Such projects needed visibility and a degree in communications did just that. Once you realize the influence you have had on a project, you never want to look back. That is what happened to me. From startups to agencies to working in corporate communications roles, I have realized that simplicity can be a valuable asset and can offer numerous advantages over complexity.

Moving on, I had the privilege to work with the finest professionals in the communications business which shaped me in the past two decades. Dealing with the Satyam crisis taught me a lot of resilience and team spirit. Goals cannot be achieved in silos; every team member is crucial for collective success. It is pertinent to understand the power of resources at hand to deal with any situation. As I collaborated with the communications team at Microsoft, I learned more about communication strategies and their direct impact on the quality of stories or results garnered. It was an unlearning and (a lot of re-learning) as I led the business communications for Microsoft, after doing PR for Red Hat, an open-source software provider, after moving agencies.

Then I moved into a corporate communications role with CA Technologies and it had been a refreshing experience working with the team. I worked with various domestic and international leaders, giving me global exposure to cultures, diversity & inclusion, marketing strategies, internal communications, managing events, and analyst relations, among other things. Previous experiences helped shape communications at CA Technologies India and various APAC-level vertical businesses as well as the R&D centre in India.

My second corporate communications stint was with Amazon Web Services with a crucial role in launching their India Region in 2016. As their first comms hire, there was a lot of pressure, building the strategy and working with communications teams worldwide, to launch the India region within two months of onboarding. But that was the thrill too! This was the mother-ship as I call it  working with enterprises, startups, channel partners, global and regional leadership  all in one to land a successful campaign that lasted for a few months.

My journey entails working with technology companies  software, services, products, and each day I learn more. I have had the privilege to work with global CEOs and CXOs, including Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Jim Whitehurst (Red Hat/IBM), Mike Gregoire (CA), Andy Jassy (Amazon) and Werner Vogels (Amazon).

Years later, the combination of all of the above experiences helps to build the foundation of a sustaining business with Concept PR. I have in-depth experience in external, internal, and CSR communications as well as reputation management for large IT MNCs, early-stage startups, and SMEs. As part of various local and global teams, I have collaborated and trained several executives for media and speaking engagements and have successfully initiated and run industry speaking programs. As part of my corporate communications experience, I have managed agencies, budgets, and communications mandates for various spokespeople (India, APAC, and global).

What are some key challenges that you have faced while mentoring startups and helping them accelerate funding conversations and achieve growth?

Mentoring startups and facilitating their growth can be both rewarding and challenging. I have been in some situations where mentoring was viewed as just another task rather than a personal development opportunity. It took several conversations for the teams to look at the opportunities such sessions got them.

Mentoring is synonymous with patience. It takes a lot of convincing to get buy-in from a startup team, especially if they are not inclined to a certain thing. That can be image management, for example. Sometimes the founders are more focused on their image management than building the product. With my PR background, I may agree on that, but an MVP or pivoting on a product may get the founders more eyeballs from the right audience, that is, the funding teams. Image management can always follow on the back of a viable product that solves a current market problem.

Sometimes, I also learn about mismatched expectations or over-dependence on mentor/s, thereby expecting them to solve the founders of startups' problems. Some founders want to follow a certain route under peer pressure, which may or may not work for their kind of product or company. In my experience, a bulk of the time is invested in making them see perspectives and balancing views and outcomes.

Right advice along with time investment is crucial for early-stage startups, which also comes when they have put their best foot forward to receive funding and/or are part of an accelerator. Founders need a few degrees of extra attention and that can be due to language barriers, or less exposure to funding processes.

Could you discuss a particularly successful communications campaign or event you led for a technology product or startup, and the impact it had on the target audience?

I will talk about a product which created such an impact that its audience started talking about it. At the time, there was no visibility in the press. The implementation of Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) led to a study conducted by IIM Bangalore, highlighting the role of FOSS and its impact in developing countries. Often a substitute for more expensive proprietary software, FOSS can impact the economy and progress of a country, like India, in a very positive way.

We worked on a campaign to highlight the impact and talk about the positives from the survey report Economic Impact of FOSS in India which was based on 20 case studies from various Indian government departments and educational institutions with FOSS being used as an operating system, server, or application. It was a strategic communications campaign and with the support of the media, propelled conversations with various companies. It was exciting to see that our primary target audience from a PR point of view, the media, was very intrigued. We experienced a wave of questions, in ways of interviews and meetings to learn more about FOSS. Without mentioning numbers, the quality of conversations was overwhelming and encouraging.

With your experience in new media and content creation, how do you stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in digital marketing for technology brands?

I have identified some reputable sources of information in the digital marketing and technology sector and follow them for trending topics and best practices. This includes industry-leading blogs, websites, and online publications that cover topics related to digital marketing, technology trends, and insights. Some popular sources include HubSpot, Moz, Search Engine Journal, Neil Patels blog, and Social Media Examiner.

Attending industry conferences, events, and webinars focused on digital marketing and technology helps to navigate your business conversations and general understanding of consumer behaviour. Networking with professionals in the field can also provide valuable knowledge and connections.

I encourage joining online communities and forums, where digital marketers and technology professionals gather to discuss trends and share insights. Platforms such as Reddit, Quora, LinkedIn Groups, and specialized forums like GrowthHackers and Warrior Forum can offer opportunities to participate in discussions, ask questions, and learn from industry peers. Identify influential individuals and thought leaders in the digital marketing and technology space. Follow them on social media platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, where they often share valuable insights, industry news, and updates. Engage with their content and participate in discussions to stay current with emerging trends.

Most of my reading involves market research reports to gather insights and be abreast of trends, consumer behavior, and technology adoption.

The landscape is constantly evolving, so it is important to allocate time and develop a habit of consuming relevant content regularly, engaging with industry professionals, and continuously seeking opportunities to learn and grow within the digital marketing field.

What role do you believe public relations plays in the growth and success of technology startups, especially in terms of building brand reputation and attracting investment?

The role of Public Relations is integral to startups as they aim to build brand awareness. Startups often struggle to stand out in a cluttered market. PR can cut through this by putting their message out through various formats. In this, the founders go through some internal churn (if not already) to think through positioning and perception about themselves and their offerings.

PR also helps to build trust. Trust is vital, especially for startups. People are cautious about investing in new, unproven businesses. PR consistently generates positive media coverage, fostering reliability and credibility, which is essential for attracting customers and investors.

Many startups need external investment for growth. Good PR highlights a startups potential, showcases its value, and puts it on investors radars. A positive public image increases attractiveness to potential backers. PR enables startups to establish their founders and key executives as thought leaders and experts in their respective fields. By leveraging PR channels, such as speaking engagements, industry conferences, and bylined articles, startups can share their insights, knowledge, and vision with a wider audience. This can enhance the startup's credibility, create trust, and attract attention from investors seeking innovative and knowledgeable entrepreneurs.

Parallelly, startups need to be cognizant of crises-led situations that can arise  whether from a product, a social media blunder, negative reviews, etc. Effective PR helps manage these situations, minimizing damage and maintaining reputation. Founders and teams need to understand and rely on the role of PR in their business.

How do you navigate the challenges of managing communications for both domestic and international audiences, considering the diverse cultural and market dynamics?

Just like any business, or startup, understanding the market is crucial to make an impact. Managing communications for both domestic and international audiences while considering diverse cultural and market dynamics can be challenging. There is a growing need to understand the cultural nuances, preferences, and even communication styles of audiences. I recollect one time in an internal team meeting, in an international market, a colleagues idea, though with an honest intent, was shot down within seconds, because it lacked cultural sensitivity. While dealing with varied audiences, we need to be aware of etiquettes, taboos, cultural sensitivities to say the least to avoid potential misunderstandings or offense. Adapting your messaging and communication approach to align with cultural norms can help build trust and resonate with diverse audiences.

Localizing content also works, to make it relevant and appealing. This includes translating your materials into different languages, adapting visuals, and tailoring messaging to reflect local customs, preferences, and market dynamics. Working with local experts or agencies who have a deep understanding of the target market to ensure accuracy and cultural appropriateness is beneficial to making correct impressions.

For many markets, English may not be the first language. Utilizing multilingual communication channels, and providing content and support in the local language can enhance the user experience. For many campaigns, I have relied on local partners or media outlets to provide valuable insights. Always seeking feedback and adapting to varied styles should be inculcated in teams, as they progress together.

Last but not the least, we need to listen more than talk or express, while working with diverse audiences because active listening and adaptability are key. By investing in research, localization, and understanding cultural contexts, we have navigated the challenges of managing communications for both domestic and international audiences, fostering meaningful connections and driving engagement across diverse markets.

As VP of Technology & Startups, what strategies do you employ to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within Concept PR India Ltd and among your clients?

PR has come a long way, and in its evolution, PR professionals have increasingly realized that it is not just media coverage, but an overall brand strategy emphasizing brand equity. It is with campaigns that resonate with the audience contributing to long-term success. That also indicates that we need to think about the whole spectrum and bring in synergies with functions like advertising, social media, and content creation for a more holistic approach.

Whether external or internal, we constantly train to dig deep to find opportunities where others may see challenges. There are conversations to innovate by identifying unique angles, untapped markets, or unconventional channels. Sometimes, the most impactful PR campaigns emerge from unexpected places. While media coverage remains essential, our clients and internal teams leverage social media, influence partnerships, and get involved with direct communications with stakeholders. We also realize that not all conversations will result in tangible outcomes, so increasing focus is also on whether we moved the needle, even if it was an intangible outcome.

We have embraced data-driven insights, monitored online sentiment, and adapted strategies accordingly. Each of the team members is tasked with a question or an assignment to think differently, and innovatively to achieve positive attention. There is on-ground training and assessment when they are tasked with new business conversations to test their entrepreneurial skills. They have shadowed me at most meetings to learn the ropes. New training, new skill acquisition, and constant learning are part of my teams professional lives.

Could you share a memorable experience or achievement from your career that you are particularly proud of, and how it has shaped your approach to communications and technology?

As I mentioned earlier, I got the opportunity to work with Amazon Web Services, I was their first PR hire in India. My first assignment was to launch the AWS India Region within a steep time frame. Everything about the period leading to the launch - including working on the PR strategy, internal team for customer speak, analysts, partners, and startups  is memorable to me! My experience is a combination of what makes a successful campaign  right from team collaboration to joint goals, always putting the customer ahead, making the right choices, resulting in smiling faces, a sense of pride, and exhaustion with contentment. Rightfully, those learnings have helped me to understand customer asks today.

As we completed the 3-city conference with Andy Jassy, we realized that India had topped the charts globally with the kind of media attention generated in that week and that was truly an achievement. A global award followed later in the coming months, but even today, thinking about that time makes me smile and I wish, every PR professional gets such experience at least once in their lifetime.

The bulk of my learnings in the past two decades are my north star, personally!

Limited Resources: Startups often operate with limited financial resources, which can make it challenging to attract investors, develop their products or services, and scale their operations. Mentors can help startups identify creative solutions, optimize resource allocation, and explore alternative funding options.

Startups often operate with limited financial resources, which can make it challenging to attract investors, develop their products or services, and scale their operations. Mentors can help startups identify creative solutions, optimize resource allocation, and explore alternative funding options. Market Validation: Startups need to demonstrate the viability and potential of their business ideas to investors. Market validation involves conducting market research, gathering customer feedback, and proving that there is a demand for their product or service. Mentors can guide startups in refining their value proposition, identifying target markets, and validating their business models.

Startups need to demonstrate the viability and potential of their business ideas to investors. Market validation involves conducting market research, gathering customer feedback, and proving that there is a demand for their product or service. Mentors can guide startups in refining their value proposition, identifying target markets, and validating their business models. Networking and Relationship Building: Building relationships with potential investors, industry experts, and strategic partners is crucial for startups. However, establishing these connections can be a challenge, especially for early-stage startups without an extensive network. Mentors can provide guidance on networking strategies, making introductions, and leveraging existing connections.

Building relationships with potential investors, industry experts, and strategic partners is crucial for startups. However, establishing these connections can be a challenge, especially for early-stage startups without an extensive network. Mentors can provide guidance on networking strategies, making introductions, and leveraging existing connections. Pitching and Communication: Startups need to effectively communicate their vision, value proposition, and growth potential to investors. Crafting a compelling pitch that captures the attention and interest of potential investors requires strong storytelling and presentation skills. Mentors can assist startups in refining their pitch, providing feedback, and improving their communication abilities.

Startups need to effectively communicate their vision, value proposition, and growth potential to investors. Crafting a compelling pitch that captures the attention and interest of potential investors requires strong storytelling and presentation skills. Mentors can assist startups in refining their pitch, providing feedback, and improving their communication abilities. Competitive Landscape: Startups often operate in highly competitive markets, which can present challenges in differentiating themselves and securing funding. Mentors can help startups analyze their competition, identify unique selling points, and develop strategies to stand out in the market.

Startups often operate in highly competitive markets, which can present challenges in differentiating themselves and securing funding. Mentors can help startups analyze their competition, identify unique selling points, and develop strategies to stand out in the market. Managing Growth: Rapid growth can bring its own set of challenges for startups. Scaling operations, managing cash flow, hiring and retaining talent, and maintaining a strong company culture become critical as startups accelerate their growth. Mentors can provide guidance on growth strategies, operational efficiencies, and talent acquisition.

Rapid growth can bring its own set of challenges for startups. Scaling operations, managing cash flow, hiring and retaining talent, and maintaining a strong company culture become critical as startups accelerate their growth. Mentors can provide guidance on growth strategies, operational efficiencies, and talent acquisition. Regulatory and Legal Compliance: Startups need to navigate various regulatory and legal requirements, which can be complex and time-consuming. Lack of compliance can hinder funding opportunities or even lead to legal issues. Mentors can help startups understand and navigate the regulatory landscape, connect them with legal experts, and ensure compliance.

These challenges require a combination of strategic thinking, perseverance, adaptability, and mentorship. While mentors can provide valuable guidance and support, its important for startups to proactively seek knowledge, network, and continuously learn from their experiences to overcome these challenges and achieve sustainable growth.
Wowtickets.com, a UK-based airline ticketing platform that recently entered India has teamed up with Orion Digital to drive their performance marketing. As part of the mandate, Orion Digital will strive to enhance online presence, market penetration and drive customer engagement for wowtickets.com.

The mandate will focus on performance marketing across Search Engines and Social Media platforms to increase website visits, enhance online visibility and drive customer engagement and action. In addition to this, Orion Digital will enable actionable insights for localized targeting through simplified digital analytics.

Indias GDP growth has helped the travel and tourism sector thrive due to advancements in infrastructure and transportation, catering to the evolving preferences of travellers across age-groups who seek memorable and unique experiences. Our priority is to grow in India and ensure exceptional customer experience, reach and accessibility. To reach these milestones, we are looking forward to our partnership with Orion Digital and working collaboratively to engage our audiences through creative and strategic digital communication said Dmitrijus Konovalovas Director & CEO, wowtickets.com.

The travel and tourism sector in India is projected to experience a massive growth. For a startup brand to capitalize on this opportunity whilst operating in a highly competitive flight ticketing market in India, it is important to create a very focused differentiation amongst the target audience through creative and highly optimized targeting. Orion Digital will be enabling precisely this through strong and uniform presence across platforms for wowtickets.com. said Arshad Jamal, Group Head, Orion Digital.
OMCO Solar plans to invest more than $10 million into its second production facility in Alabama, creating 70 full-time jobs in Limestone County.

Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair announced the move today by one of the nations largest manufacturers of steel structures for solar panels.

OMCO is leasing Building 100 in the Huntsville West Industrial Park, at 7620 Greenbrier Parkway Northwest, and has outfitted the facility for the production of solar racking.

Arizona-based OMCO produces solar trackers - the devices that direct panels toward the sun - and tilt structures for solar arrays.

OMCO has a heritage in steel fabrication dating back decades and has built a national manufacturing footprint through savvy investment projects, McNair said.

OMCO now operates six U.S. plants, located in Arizona, Ohio, Indiana, along with an existing facility in Talladega.

The Huntsville facility will be built near First Solars new $1.1 billion solar panel factory in Lawrence County, scheduled to come online later this year.

We are thankful to the state of Alabama and their approach to business with tax incentives that line up with our commitment to support domestic manufacturing, create U.S. jobs, and provide factory-direct solutions that solve for the complexity of utility-scale solar projects, Gary Schuster, CEO of OMCO Solar said in a statement. Our newest facility in Huntsville is our second in the state and shows our dedication to driving growth in Alabama.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said the city looks forward to providing OMCO the long-term support that Huntsville is known to deliver.

OMCOs expansion into the Huntsville Greenbrier corridor is another testament to Huntsvilles economic development strategy, which has been to make key infrastructure investments and to utilize existing policy to create jobs and new capital investments, he said.
If youre a Jimmy Buffett fan and you love hearing music on vinyl, good news: This summer, youre going to be able to drop the needle on tunes such as Come Monday, Stars on the Water, He Went to Paris and many more.

Universal Music Enterprises (Ume) announced Monday that it plans to re-release a slew of Buffett albums this summer, including early classics that havent been available as LPs for 40 years and some 90s albums that were never released in the format.

In all, 10 albums will be available on fresh vinyl (standard black vinyl and limited-edition colors) this summer. The release plan:

June 7

Living and Dying in  Time (1974)  Buffetts fourth album yielded his first Top 40 hit, Come Monday. Other favorite tracks include Pencil This Mustache.

One Particular Harbour (1983)  In addition to the title track, this album included the concert staple Stars on the Water and the playful We Are The People Our Parents Warned Us About.

Fruitcakes (1994)  Ume says this was the first Buffett album ever to break into the Top 5 of Billboards Top 200. Its a double LP; in addition to the title song, notable tracks include covers of Uncle Johns Band by the Grateful Dead, Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks and the Hank Cochran song Shes Got You, made famous by Patsy Cline.

July 12

A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean (1973)  Released before Living and Dying in  Time, this album laid out the boundaries of Buffetts escapist world with tunes such as He Went to Paris, The Great Filling Station Holdup, Grapefruit-Juicy Fruit and, of course, the anthemic Why Dont We Get Drunk.

Havana Daydreamin (1976)  Buffett nearly broke into Billboards Top 20 country album chart with this one, which includes the hangover lament My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, and I Dont Love Jesus.

Banana Wind (1996)  This mid-90s set debuted at No. 4 and added Jamaica Mistaica to the Buffett canon.

August 16

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (1977)  Behold Margaritaville, the tune that turned a shifting refrain into one of the biggest hooks in all pop music and gave birth to a business empire.

Son of a Son of a Sailor (1978)  This is the one where Buffett revolutionized the concept of paradise by introducing cheeseburgers to its menu.

Volcano (1979)  The title track obviously became a major addition to the Buffett setlist. So did Fins.

Barometer Soup (1995)  Buffetts cover of James Taylors Mexico made it onto the charts and the album went to No. 6.

Buffett, who was born in Pascagoula and who grew up in Mobile, died Sept. 1, 2023. His last studio album, Equal Strain of All Parts, was released posthumously.

The three albums being released in June are available for pre-order now through shop.udiscovermusic.com and thesoundofvinyl.us.
In The Atlanta Journal-Constitutions hip-hop documentary, The South Got Something To Say, music producer Rico Wade recounted how he grew up in Atlanta under the large shadow of Maynard Jackson, the citys first Black mayor.

Jackson, partly through his bureau of cultural affairs, helped create avenues for Black kids in the city to express themselves artistically and Wade admitted that he benefited from them.

From the legendary dungeon of his mothers home in southwest Atlanta, he crafted Atlantas hip-hop sound through his collective, Organized Noize, which begot OutKast and the Goodie Mobb, and told the stories of Atlantas grit, grime and glamour.

And with it, he rose to become one of the genres most influential producers.

Rico demonstrated what Atlanta will give to you if you come at Atlanta right, said author and historian Maurice Hobson, who has written extensively about Wade.

He added that Wade was able to identify and promote talent, even if it meant pushing himself into the background.

When he saw OutKast, instead of being about him rising, he was like, We can get behind these boys, Hobson said. The fact that he was willing to sacrifice is a beautiful story about his selflessness. He would give you the shirt off his back.

Rico Wade, one-third of the legendary Atlanta production group Organized Noize and a founding member of the Dungeon Family, died Saturday. He was 52.

We are deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of our son, father, husband, and brother Rico Wade, Wades family said in a statement sent to the AJC. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a talented individual who touched the lives of so many. We ask that you respect the legacy of our loved one and our privacy at this time.

A representative for the family said the cause of Wades death is unknown. He was survived by his mother, two sons, wife, and a host of brothers and sisters.

Atlanta rapper Killer Mike announced the news in an Instagram post Saturday morning.

I dont have the words to express my deep and profound sense of loss, Killer Mike said in the tribute post. I am praying for your wife and children. I am praying for the Wade family. I am praying for us all. I deeply appreciate your acceptance into the Dungeon Family, mentorship, friendship and brotherhood. Idk where I would be without yall.

Hobson, who interviewed Wade extensively for his book, The Legend of the Black Mecca: Politics and Class in the Making of Modern Atlanta, called him, Just a brilliant brother from southwest Atlanta.

Hobson, who teaches African Studies at Georgia State University, said Wades legacy has to be put in the context of Atlantas history, particularly as it relates to civil rights, or an extension of it.

Everyone wants to make Atlanta about civil rights and the respectable notion of civil rights. But there is this other Atlanta that is connected to the ideal of civil rights, Hobson said. Hip-hop is a conversation on the ground about the experience of those who are vulnerable. Rico elevated that component.

Regina N. Bradley, the author of Chronicling Stankonia: The Rise of the Hip-Hop South, put it succinctly in a post in X, formerly known as Twitter: There was literally no Dungeon Family without Rico Wade or his mamas house.

She would write later that she felt like she lost a big cousin.

There would be no Atlanta hip-hop without him. We wouldnt have an OutKast or a Goodie Mob without his production, said Bradley, a professor of English and African Diaspora Studies at Kennesaw State University. He had the insight and the vision for what he wanted to see and hear. He was the sonic architect.

Organized Noize, which also includes Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown, was established in the early 1990s. The production team created hits for Outkast, Goodie Mob, TLC and more. The groups funk and soul-inspired sound became a pillar for the future of Atlanta hip-hop.

Outkast and Goodie Mob were part of Organized Noizes Dungeon Family musical collective, which also included artists like Killer Mike, Janelle Monae and Future (who is Wades cousin). The Dungeon Family got its name from the Dungeon, Wades studio, which was located in the basement of his moms East Point home.

We are devastated by the news of the passing of our dear brother Rico Wade, Organized Noize and the Dungeon Family said in a statement. The world has lost one of the most innovative architects in music, and we have lost an invaluable friend. Rico was the cornerstone of Organized Noize and the Dungeon Family, and we will forever treasure his memory and the moments we shared, creating music as a united team. Our hearts weigh heavy with sorrow, and we kindly request privacy and empathy during this challenging period. Ricos presence will always have a special spot in our hearts and in the music we presented to the world.

Organized Noize was the subject of the 2016 documentary The Art of Organized Noize. The group also appeared in the AJCs documentary The South Got Something to Say.

Bradleys 2021 release, Chronicling Stankonia, looked at the influence of OutKast as a social movement spearheaded by the work that Wade was doing with the Dungeon Family and Organized Noize.

And he did it with such grandeur and innovation. No one could replace what he did and how he did it, Bradley said. He dared to dream and he dreamed big. It paid off for him and us.

2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Art enthusiasts get ready: Tickets are now on sale for Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience in Huntsville, Ala. The unique art exhibit thats receiving rave reviews will be on display Thursdays-Mondays in May at the Exhibition Hub at Huntsville Art Center at 6123 University Drive, Unit 110.

You can go here for tickets. Tickets will be $24.90 for adults and $14.90 for children beginning tomorrow.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is a 360-degree digital art exhibition that invites you to step into the universe of the Dutch genius, Vincent van Gogh, the website says. This captivating experience, a previous winner of USA Todays 10 Best Readers Choice Award, is brought to you by the organizers of a collection of widely successful exhibitions present in cities across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Visitors will feel they are inside some of the famed artists most iconic works, such as Starry Night.

Fever says: Become completely immersed in the works of art around you, and feel the shift in reality as you dive deep into the world created by Van Goghs brush strokes.
Octavia Johnson is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at octavia.johnson@houstonchronicle.com.

Before joining the Chronicle, Octavia worked as a digital content producer at WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., where she became a leader in producing fast paced, audience-focused content.

Octavia graduated from UNC Pembroke with a bachelor's degree in journalism before earning her master's degree in media and communications at Norfolk State University.
Two men were killed Saturday in separate Montgomery shootings.

Police on Monday identified the victims as Ronel Gomez, 26, and John Moore, 56, both of Montgomery.

Authorities were dispatched at 9:42 p.m. to the 3600 block of Gas Light Curve on a report of a person shot.

Capt. Raymond Carson said the wounded Gomez was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Less than two hours later  at 11 p.m.  officers and fire medics responded to the 3600 block of Kelly Lane. They arrived to find Moore dead on the scene.

Additional circumstances surrounding the shootings have not been released, and no arrests have been made.

The men are among three people killed in the city over the weekend.

Summer Blackmon died early Sunday after, according to court records, after she was hit in the head with a dumbbell. A suspect has been charged.

Anyone with information in either of the Saturday homicides is asked to call police at 334-625-2831, the Secret Witness tip line at 334-625-4000 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP.
Two men were arrested over the weekend after a man allegedly told dispatchers by text message that he had been kidnapped.

WHNT is reporting that Jessie Ryan Fain Jr., 21, and Clayton Ty Calahan, 18, have been charged with second degree kidnapping, and are being held at the Marshall County Jail on a bond of $15,000 each.

According to police, the incident began around 5:40 p.m. Saturday. Morgan County 911 received a text message that a man had been kidnapped from his home in Decatur and taken to a residence in Arab on Second Street.

The man was able to text after he retrieved his phone, because the men responsible had handcuffed him in front of his body, according to WAAY.

Officers arriving at the Arab address found the victim still handcuffed, sitting in the living room. There were two other men in the home, police said, later identified as Fain and Calahan.

The unnamed victim told police that Fain and Calahan said they were going to take him to his girlfriends house so they could work their relationship out. He was handcuffed to keep him from attacking them, they said.

The men appeared armed with a gun, which was later determined to be an air pistol, according to police.

When they arrived in Arab, the victim realized they were going in the opposite direction of his girlfriends house. He then texted dispatchers, asking for help.
State lawmakers will consider a bill to authorize the Alabama Department of Corrections to create a new team of employees who will be responsible for providing information to the family members of incarcerated men and women.

Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, who is chairman of the Legislatures Joint Prison Oversight Committee, is sponsoring the bill.

In December, relatives and friends of inmates told the oversight committee stories about relatives and friends assaulted, raped, and killed in Alabama prisons, and about difficulty of getting information from prisons about what happened and their loved ones condition.

Some said they learned from other inmates that their relative was injured or hospitalized and had to make repeated calls to the prison to get any answers.

Chambliss said the bill comes in response to what the committee heard.

Weve been talking about it individually and back and forth and just felt like we need to do something to help with the communication and help folks get information about their loved ones that are incarcerated, Chambliss said.

Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm told the oversight committee at its last meeting two weeks ago about plans to create a family services unit to address the communications problems.

Hamm said one employee would be assigned to each of the ADOCs 14 major prisons.

We will be able to have that one individual at the facility dedicated to run those answers down for the family and respond back to them in a timely manner, Hamm said.

One family services employee would work at the ADOC central office and oversee the family services program.

Hamm told the oversight committee at the April 2 meeting that it would be important to have legislation authorizing those positions in order to keep the policy in place under future commissioners.

Lets put it in law, Hamm said. My time is limited so when I leave, whoever the next commissioner is, that will still be there that they have to follow through on.

Hamm said prisons now have a person who is responsible for communicating with family members but said the system is fractured and that those employees are often busy with other tasks.

Under SB322, the ADOC commissioner will pick the family services employees, who will not be part of the state merit system and will work for the commissioner, not the warden in the prison where they are assigned.

The point there is to have somebody thats directly reportable to him, directly accountable to him, Chambliss said. So that we can make sure that we eliminate any holdups in communicating.

The bill by Chambliss, SB322, says the ADOC commissioner may appoint up to 15 employees for constituent services, including one who will oversee those services and will serve as a liaison to the prison oversight committee. The ADOC has 14 prisons, plus a dozen smaller work centers.

As for funding the 15 new positions, Chambliss said he believes the ADOC budget can absorb the new hires, at least for now, because it has funding for correctional officer positions and other jobs that are not filled. The ADOC is working to address a severe staffing shortage.

SB322 also says the oversight committee will study and address the ADOCs family services efforts.

Hamm said at the April 2 meeting that the ADOC will work on a media campaign and through social media to to tell the public about the new information efforts.

The need for better communication channels for family members is especially important because of the level of violence and other problems in Alabamas prisons, which have been overcrowded and understaffed for years.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued Alabama in December 2020, alleging the failure to protect prisoners from inmate-on-inmate violence and sexual abuse, failure to protect them from excessive force by staff, and failure to provide safe conditions of confinement violate constitutional prohibitions on cruel and unusual punishment. The state has acknowledged problems in the prison system but has denied that conditions violate the constitution. The case is heading toward a trial, possibly later this year.

Chambliss said the Joint Prison Oversights next meeting will be a public hearing on July 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the State House. People interested in speaking at the public hearing should contact the senators office at (334) 261-0872.

The Senate County and Municipal Government Committee is scheduled to consider SB322 at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
A Birmingham man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he shot at a Brighton police officer over the weekend in western Jefferson County.

Willie Dave Williams, 47, is charged with attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, certain persons forbidden to possess a pistol and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Midfield police Chief Jesse Bell said the ordeal began about 9:45 p.m. Saturday when his officers were dispatched to the 10 block of Hoadley Street on a report of shots fired into a home.

The homeowner told police a relative had fired the shots following a disagreement.

Officers were not able to find the suspect and cleared the area.

At 10:10 p.m., Bell said, officers were called back to the residence when the homeowner called 911 to report the suspect had returned.

They arrived to find the suspect running from the back yard into a nearby wooded area.

Brighton police and Jefferson County sheriffs deputies responded to the call for assistance and set up a perimeter.

A Brighton officer heard movement in the woods near where the suspect had entered and turned on his spotlight, Bell said. He then encountered Williams and ordered him to show his hands.

The suspect fired multiple rounds at the officer, and the officer returned fire.

Star 1 helicopter arrived, and Williams was taken into custody a short time later. He was hiding under a vehicle in the back yard of a nearby home.

Bell said fortunately no one was injured.

Williams is in the Midfield City Jail awaiting transfer to the Jefferson County bond. His bond is set at $73,000.
A woman has accused a 73-year-old Mobile priest of fondling her and kissing her without consent, which led to his arrest Saturday on charges of sexual misconduct and harassment.

Fr. David J. Tokarz turned himself in Saturday after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was booked into Mobile Metro Jail late Saturday morning and released on $1,500 bond a few hours later.

Tokarz, 73, is the pastor at Our Savior Church in Mobile and has been in the priesthood for 32 years.

WALA reported Monday that Tokarz is alleged to have hugged the woman on March 2, during which is rubbed his hands on her breasts and patted them. Four days later, Tokarz is accused of kissing the woman on the lips in the church rectory, without her consent.

The Archdiocese of Mobile released a statement following Tokarz arrest.

The Archdiocese of Mobile is aware that misdemeanor charges have been brought against Fr. David Tokarz, Pastor of Our Savior Church in Mobile, but an adult woman, the statement read. Since this is an active legal matter, questions about the charges should be referred to Fr. Tokarz attorney. We ask for your prayers for all affected by this situation.

In a Facebook post dated April 1, the Community of Christ Church in Mobile asked for prayers for Tokarz.

Currently his prayer needs are undisclosed to us, but God already knows, so in faith, led us hold him up, the post read.

Both charges against Tokarz are misdemeanors. Sexual misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama, carries a possible jail sentence of up to one year and a maximum fine of $6,000. Harassment is a Class C misdemeanor with possible jail time of three months and a maximum fine of $500.

Tokarz is due to be arraigned in Mobile County Court May 1.
Birmingham-born writer Dennis Covington, a former creative writing professor at UAB and Texas Tech University and author of Salvation on Sand Mountain and other books, has died, said his daughters, Ashley and Laura.

Covington died Sunday night in Lubbock, Texas. He was 75. He had been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2020.
A 36-year-old Miami man is charged with murder after police say he beat his roommate to death over $1, according to multiple Miami-area media reports.

An arrest report obtained by WPLG indicates the murder occurred just after 5 a.m. Friday at the apartment the two men shared. Police responded to the scene and found the suspect, identified as Brandon Carlos Grant, laying on the sidewalk outside the apartment building, with blood on the gray hoodie he was wearing.

Grant told officers he couldnt breathe and asked for water, according to the report. Officers entered the apartment to find Grants roommate unresponsive, on his knees leaning on a couch. The report indicated the victim appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma to his face.

The victim, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Grant reportedly waived his Miranda rights and told investigators he became enraged when the victim would not give him a dollar, the report states. Grant said he and the victim fought and at one point the victim asked him to stop out of fear Grant would kill him.

Additional details were redacted from the report released to Miami media.

Grant has been charged with second-degree murder. He remained held without bond as of Monday.
The man who raped and murdered Kamarie Holland, the 5-year-old Georgia girl whose body was found in an abandoned east Alabama house, was sentenced to death Monday by a Russell County judge.

Jeremy Williams, 40, who was convicted of four capital offenses for Kamarie rape and murder, was given the death sentence on all four charges, WTVM reported.

A Russell County jury convicted Williams on Friday of the four capital counts: murder of a child less than 14 years old, murder during a rape, murder during sodomy and murder during a kidnapping, the station reported.

Williams earlier pleaded guilty to rape and murder charges in Kamaries death.

During Williams trial on Wednesday, jurors were shown graphic footage of Williams sexually assaulting the girl, WRBL reported.

Some law enforcement personnel in the courtroom were fighting back tears as the footage was displayed, according to the station.

Williams confessed to raping and murdering Kamarie as well as his 1-month-old daughter in Alaska -- a cold case that was reopened after the confession, WRBL reported.

The confession was made during a five-hour interview with the Russell County Sheriffs Office in 2021.

When a sheriffs deputy asked Williams why he was confessing he said it was because he wanted to get right with God before hes executed, according to the station.

Kamaries body was found in an abandoned home in east Alabama in December 2021.

Kristy Marie Siple, Kamaries mother, had a sexual relationship with Williams, who said he was tired of Siple and asked for Kamarie instead.

Siple allegedly asked for $2,500 for Kamarie when Williams countered with $1,300. Although Wiliams agreed, he never paid Siple the $1,300, WRBL reported.

Williams recorded the abuse of Kamarie, which included forcing her to perform oral sex and making the girl smoke methamphetamine with him.
Multiple shots rang out at an east Birmingham gas station Monday afternoon, leaving one man seriously injured.

The shooting happened about 2:30 p.m. outside Eastlake Chevron on Oporto-Madrid Boulevard South, between First and Second avenues.

Officer responded to the area after Shot Spotter registered 10 rounds fired in the area.

The victim showed up in a private vehicle a short time later at Birmingham Fire and Rescue Station 12 on First Avenue North.

The shooting happened about 2:30 p.m. Monday at Chevron in the 100 block of Oporto-Madrid Boulevard.(Carol Robinson)

Police radio communications indicated the victim was shot in the face. Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said he was taken to UAB Hospital with life-threatening wounds.

`Police marked 11 shell casings in the parking lot of the Chevron. It appears the shooting was captured on store surveillance video.

No arrests have been announced.

This story will be updated if more information becomes available.
A Mobile police officer was speeding through an intersection when a motorcycle slammed into the side of the police SUV, ejecting the motorcyclist who later died at a local hospital.

A crash investigation conducted by the Mobile Police Department, found on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) records page, cited two contributing factors in the accident which claimed the life of 67-year-old Robert Sayen of Semmes.

Investigators determined Sayen, riding a 2007 Harley-Davidson Road King, had failed to yield the right of way, while Mobile police officer Paul Callegari was driving 56 mph in his 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe police unit through an intersection with a posted speed limit of 40 mph.

There was no police emergency or pursuit at the time of the incident, MPDs investigators determined, which occurred at the intersection of Cody Road and Ziegler Boulevard about 7 p.m. on March 29.

Callegari was placed on administrative leave in the wake of the accident. Its unclear whether hes been returned to duty. While Callegari is identified as the officer involved through a search of the ALEA records page, Mobile police have never confirmed his identity nor released additional information.

The report also indicates the traffic lights at the intersection were not fully functional the night of the crash. Callegari, traveling west on Ziegler Road, had a yellow flashing lights, while Sayen was traveling north on Cody Road and had red flashing lights at the intersection.

While the report says Sayens failure to yield the right of way was a contributing factor, its not clear whether he ran the red light, expected the other vehicle to also have a red flashing light, or simply failed to see Callegaris police cruiser coming toward the intersection.

The incident marks the second time in recent months Callegaris name has been in the news. In October, Callegari was seen in a viral video repeatedly punching a handcuffed man. Initial court filings showed that as he was being placed under arrest by Callegari, the suspect grabbed Callegaris testicles and penis and twisted them, causing serious physical pain.

Callegari was placed on administrative leave following that incident, with Mobile police promising a thorough examination of all aspects of the case by the police departments Office of Professional Responsibility.

Mobile Chief of Staff James Barber said the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI were also notified of the incident.

The results of that investigation were never made public.

Callegari was also one of the Mobile police officers who attended a rally in support of Mobile police chief Paul Prine, who is himself on administrative leave amidst a flurry of accusations between Prine and Mobile city administration. Prine specifically asked for Callegari as he spoke to the crowd at Municipal Park Saturday afternoon.
A dual language program teacher teaches third grade students on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 at Gregg Elementary School in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Houston ISD introduced a proficiency screening this year to determine which teachers will be eligible to teach in 130 New Education System schools during the 2024-25 academic year.

The screening evaluates teachers in current and future NES schools on their professionalism, student achievement and quality of instruction. The district assigns achievement and instruction scores to teachers based on a targeted distribution, and they must earn a passing score on the end-of-year screening on May 6 to be eligible to work in a NES school.

Heres what you need to know about the new screening process:

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Why was the teacher proficiency screening implemented this year?

HISD is conducting a proficiency screening at the middle and end of the year to determine if teachers at current or prospective NES schools can keep their jobs or be eligible to work in the district next year. The district  which introduced the screening this year  wrote that its least proficient schools should be staffed with the most proficient teachers.

Districts that are concerned about educational equity and who want to turn around academically struggling schools should place their most effective teachers with their least proficient students, the district wrote in a document obtained by the Chronicle.

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State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles converted 85 schools to NES this year, and the program is expanding to 45 more campuses next year based on their low unofficial state accountability scores. The system includes longer hours, standardized curriculum, timed lessons, stricter rules, higher pay for educators and additional staff who support teachers.

HISD declined to comment about the screening process.

THE REPORT CARD: Subscribe to the Houston Chronicles weekly newsletter recapping HISD news

How does the teacher screening process work?

Teachers at the 130 campuses that will be NES next year must pass two screenings to be guaranteed to keep a job in their school during the next academic year. If they meet the criteria for the first screening but not the second screening, their principal or executive director will decide whether they can keep working at their current campus.

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If an NES teacher passes the second screening but not the first, they will be offered a job in one of their top three campus choices but potentially not their first choice. These teachers may also be placed in the on deck pool if there is not space available at their preferred campuses.

How are the screening results calculated?

The district calculates the professionalism component based on one domain of the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System, or T-TESS, which is the official state evaluation system.

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The domain reviews teachers based on four dimensions: professional demeanor and ethics, goal setting, professional development and school community involvement, and teachers must earn Proficient scores or better on at least three components.

The quality of instruction factor is based on the average of a teachers highest spot observations. The district then applies a targeted distribution to a teachers total spot average score before assigning them a ranking of Unsatisfactory to Exemplary II, according to district documents.

This district averages the four highest spot observation scores from October, November, January and February for the first screening, and then it considers the scores from February, March, and April during the second screening.

Student achievement is calculated based on student performance on exams taken in the middle of the year, such as the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills or the Northwest Evaluation Associations Measures of Academic Progress Growth assessment. Their scores are also assigned a ranking of Unsatisfactory to Exemplary II during the first screening.

HISD EXAM GUIDE: Here's what you need to know about the standardized tests students are taking this spring

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Teachers who dont teach a tested subject are evaluated based on Student Learning Objectives, or measurable performance outcomes such as a certain percentage of students demonstrating proficient technique during a dance performance.

Teachers who don't pass the first screening and earn the lowest 15% of scores on the instruction component during the final screening will not be able to work at NES schools next year, and the bottom 3% of all teachers deemed unsatisfactory will not be eligible for any job in the district. The student achievement component is only considered during the first screening.

How do NES teachers pass the proficiency screening?

HISD teachers must earn a proficient rating in at least three of four dimensions on the T-TESS professional demeanor and ethics domain, during both the first and second screening to be guaranteed to keep their current jobs. Teachers can receive an improvement needed, developing, proficient, accomplished or distinguished rating on each section.

They must have scored at least a Progressing II on either the student achievement or quality of instruction component and a Proficient I on the other during the first screening to have been eligible to sign a contract in late March for next year. If the teacher earns a Progressing II on both components, their principal decides if they passed or failed the first screening.

DISTRICT REVERSAL: HISD announces it will not use proficiency screening ratings to fire principals this year

Teachers who passed their first screening must then earn at least a Progressing II on the instruction component during the second screening to keep their contract. If they earn a lower score, the principal or executive will decide whether to keep or remove the teacher. The district wrote that this process ensures that teachers maintain strong performance all year.

Can teachers who dont pass the first screening still be eligible to work in NES schools?

Yes, but they will not be guaranteed to keep their current jobs.

Teachers who did not pass the T-TESS professionalism domain and/or earn at least a Progressing II on both components will proceed to the second proficiency screening. They must earn a proficient rating on the T-TESS domain and score a Progressing II on instruction during the second screening to be eligible for a job in a NES school during the upcoming school year.

Teachers learned the results of the first screening on March 8, and they will learn the results of the second screening on May 6. Teachers who did not pass the first screening but passed the second screening will be placed in their first, second, or third choice for an NES campus on May 15, according to the district.

'VIOLATIONS OF STATE LAW:' Houston lawmakers call for state hearing into state's largest school district

What about the proficiency screening for non-NES teachers?

The district will also have a screening, known as Proficiency Screening III, that will provide high-performing teachers at schools outside the NES program with an extra $1,000 to $2,000 if they continue teaching at non-NES schools next year.

To qualify, teachers must score Proficient in at least three of the four domains of the state teacher evaluation systems professionalism dimension. They also must earn a Progressing II score for their spot observations and end-of-year student achievement.
The Mobile City Council continued with a similar position on Tuesday about the dizzying dispute between the citys suspended police chief and Mayor Sandy Stimpsons Administration: Were waiting for a report.

That report, which focuses on the police departments policies and procedures over the use of force, is expected to come next Tuesday.

Until then, council members had little to say during Tuesdays meeting about a rare public spat that has rattled the upper tiers of city management over the past week ever since Police Chief Paul Prine was placed on paid administrative leave.

Its been a difficult week, I think for everyone, said Councilwoman Gina Gregory, the councils longest-serving member. Public safety remains our No. 1 priority. We look forward to the report.

Said Councilman Ben Reynolds, I think for the entire council, we are in a fact-finding stage on all of this. We look forward to receiving the report soon.

The report by former federal prosecutor Kenyen Brown is expected to be released next Tuesday. Prine has called it a sham report, aimed at removing him from his chiefs position that is based on a dispute over an intelligence-led policing initiative.

Browns report comes after a series of deadly incidences in Mobile last year in which multiple Black men were killed following an encounter with a Mobile police officer. The most high-profile incident involved 36-year-old Jawan Dallas in July, which led to his family filing a $36 million federal lawsuit against the city in December.

The council scheduled its meeting next week for 3 p.m. to accommodate the time that might be needed to address the report, and Police Chief Paul Prines status with the city, during what is expected to be a closed-door executive session meeting.

Council President C.J. Small declined to say what the council might do regarding Prine, who was placed on paid administrative leave last week. Assistant Police Chief Randy William Jackson was appointed as interim chief.

Im waiting for the report next week, Small told the media after the council meeting. The report might give us some light on what the administration and police have going on. Right now, nothing is before us and wont be until next Tuesday.

The council met for little over an hour on Tuesday during a closed-door executive session that Small said had to do with questions and statements on potential lawsuits.

Asked if the council could consider dismissing Prine outright on Tuesday, Small said he wasnt sure.

We have to see exactly what the report states and  the administration has not shown us anything in writing, said Small.

Smalls comments come after a document from City Attorney Ricardo Woods date on March 27 is circulating on social media showing two options on separating from Prine. The first option included retiring with his reputation intact and supporting a nondisclosure agreement that would allow the city to mitigate Browns public report. The second option called for a removal from office, that relieves Prine of his duties with pay pending council action and does not include a non-disparaging agreement. The second option includes a press conference to release the findings of Browns report.

Concerns have been raised on social media whether the document illustrates an effort for the Stimpson administration to collude with Brown to get Prine removed as chief. Stimpson, during his interview with AL.com on Friday, said he was unaware of the contents of Browns report that has been described as a third-party review of the agencys procedures.

Paul Prine was not the focus, nor within the scope of Kenyen Browns letter of engagement, Candace Cooksey, spokesperson with the City of Mobile, said. Once he began conducting interviews, concerns surfaced around culture and Prines leadership and general attitude towards the public.

In a statement from the mayor last week, preliminary findings of Browns review uncovered disturbing instances of Prines authoritarian style, irreconcilable differences between Prine and other public safety officials, and a series of frivolous complaints, which Stimpson said were demonstrably false.

I was shocked and disappointed to hear that at one open roll call in the first precinct, several officers who were present at the time confirmed that Prine said something to the effect of Dont pay attention to what I say in the media, f--- the public, Stimpson said in his statement.

Stimpson said the information uncovered led him to make a change. But a dispute has occurred over Prines severance package, which remains unresolved.

Out of respect for Prines 27 years of service to our community, we offered an amicable retirement with a reasonable severance package, which was in line with his current salary, Stimpson said. We further advised him we would need an answer quickly.

Prine, 53, is a Prichard native and has been Mobiles chief since 2021. Prine was seeking $600,000, while the mayor said he was attempting to assemble a more competitive separation agreement that was more in line with his existing salary. Prine currently earns $146,208 as police chief.

Prine said he believes Browns review of the department is not entirely objective, since its the city that is paying for the review. The city has spent $79,000, so far, to produce the report. Prine also suggested the incident involving his use of profanity in an open roll call was fabricated.

Under no circumstances would the city manipulate a public report from Kenyen Brown, said Candace Cooksey, the city spokesperson. We wanted to offer Prine an option that would not damage his reputation by choosing to retire amicably. Had he chosen to take the separation agreement, both parties would have signed a standard non-disparagement agreement. With that agreement in place, Kenyen would have not been able to name Prine in his executive summary, which will be made public That would not have had any material impact on the findings or the outcome of the port.

Prine has described himself in TV media interviews as a whistleblower after what he said were two grievances he filed with the administration. Only one of those grievances, an email to Stimpson, was uncovered by the administration forwarded to media outlets late last week, alleging improper communication disparaging Prine before a subordinate that was initiated by Rob Lasky, the executive director of public safety.

Prine was not available for immediate comment Tuesday afternoon.
Mobiles executive director of public safety, thrust into a high-profile dispute with citys suspended police chief, was the special agent in charge of the FBIs Miami division and a spokesman for the agency following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

The Feb. 14, 2018, massacre is considered the worst mass shooting ever at a U.S. high school, and the 11th deadliest on record. Seventeen people were killed, and 17 others injured in a shooting that sparked a wave of activism and fierce debates over gun control.

Rob Lasky, who has been overseeing Mobiles police and fire departments since October, became one of the public faces of the FBI in the immediate aftermath of Parkland.

It is a connection that Police Chief Paul Prine, who was placed on paid administrative leave last week, pointed to in an email blasting Lasky for what he said was a conspiracy accusing him of failing an intelligence-driven police initiative called Operation Echo Stop.

AL.com has been unable to reach Prine for comment. But Prine has commented repeatedly in electronic media,

Maybe you know, maybe you dont  a failure of biblical proportions, Prine wrote about the incidences in a March 18 email to Stimpson, obtained by AL.com through an information request. The email was a following up to a Jan. 22, grievance letter Prine wrote to Stimpson complaining about Lasky for undermining his position as police chief.

Jack Jozefs places a sign at a memorial outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, on the one-year anniversary of the deadly shooting at the school that killed 17 people, in Parkland, Fla. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP)AP

Prine, who says he is retiring, could face dismissal soon through a vote of the Mobile City Council. No action is anticipated Tuesday. Most council members declined to comment on Monday, opting to wait until a report about the police departments policies and procedures on the use of force was released by former federal prosecutor Kenyen Brown. The release is expected next week.

Browns report comes after a series of deadly incidences in Mobile last year in which multiple Black men were killed following an encounter with a Mobile police officer. The most high-profile incident involved 36-year-old Jawan Dallas in July, which led to his family filing a $36 million federal lawsuit against the city in December.

Laskys Parkland role

A spokesperson for Stimpson said the mayor was aware of Laskys history with the FBI, and his involvement in Miami during the Parkland shooting, but that they saw no problem with hiring him to his current role.

Candace Cooksey, a spokesperson for Stimpson, said Laskys office was not to blame for not following up on a tip to the FBI that could have alerted authorities to the shooters disturbing behavior.

The (Miami) field officer never got the tip, but it went into Washington, D.C., and was never sent down (to the local investigators), said Cooksey. It is common knowledge. Lasky talks about it.

Two incidences happened before the shooting, according to national media reports at the time. Neither incident prompted the FBI to approach the eventual killer Nikolas Cruz, according to reports. Cruz was sentenced in 2022 to a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The incident Cooksey references occurred on Jan. 5, 2018. According to media accounts, someone who was reportedly close to Cruz attempted to inform authorities about his strange behavior, gun ownership and desire to kill people.

Lasky, during public remarks after the mass shooting, said the tip should have been forwarded to his office in Miami, which apparently it was not.

Another incident occurred on Sept. 24, 2017, when a Mississippi-based YouTube video blogger reportedly told the FBI about a comment from a username nikolas cruz warning that he was going to be a professional school shooter.

The vlogger, Bill Bennight, told CNN in 2018 that agents from the FBIs field office in Mississippi contacted him and came to his office for an in-person interview. After the shooting, he received another call from an agent in Miami inquiring about the blog post five months before.

Bennight, who could not be reached by AL.com on Monday, told CNN at the time, When the FBI said it was the same name, the first thing that went through my mind was, Wow, I hope you were at least watching this guy that I alerted you (to) months ago.

Lasky said at the time that investigators had looked into the comment but could not identify the person behind it.

Lasky retired from the FBI in 2018. He was hired to head up the City of Mobiles Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) in 2021, at a salary of $148,000 as of last year, according to salary information compiled last year by The Mobile Press-Register. As executive director of public safety, replacing Lawrence Battiste, Lasky earns $165,492 annually.

Chiefs objections

Mobile Police Chief Paul Prine speaks in support of legislation being introduced by Democratic Rep. Barbara Drummond that increases penalties for shooting into buildings. Drummond, D-Mobile, introduced the legislation during a news conference on Monday, Feb. 19, 2023, at Mobile's Government Plaza that increased the felony penalties against someone who discharges a firearm into an occupied and unoccupied dwelling.John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

Prine has taken issue to Laskys leadership style, accusing him of making derogatory comments about him in front of a subordinate police officer.

In the Jan. 22, email to Stimpson, Prine claims Lasky contacted the citys public safety recruiter, Tony McCarron, on Jan. 19, to raise questions about a digital recruiting campaign. The conversation was on a speaker phone and McCarron was traveling with a police officer, Reagan Clegg, at the time.

Tony was apparently feeling pressure to agree to the campaign; however, he advised (Lasky) that Paul Prines name was at the top of the letter head and that he did not have the authority to approve it, Prine wrote. Tony emphasized that the Chief of Police had to grant that request.

Prine continued, While on the speaker phone, in front of a sworn officer, the director made a statement something to the effect that he was tired of Paul Prine.

Prine said he spoke with Clegg the next day, who said she did not believe that Lasky knew she was present during the conversation. According to Cooksey, McCarron reports directly to Lasky.

She further advised that (Lasky) did make a derogatory statement to the chief something to the effect that he was tired of Paul Prine, the letter continues. (Clegg) stated he made her uncomfortable. Based on the tone of the voice, it was apparent (Lasky) was not a fan of the Chief.

Prine, on the same day he emailed Stimpson, accused Lasky of trying to compel personnel within the Intelligence Division to document every issue they had with the police chief and put together a package to present to Stimpson.

While the director has not personally been adversarial with me since December 2021, this conduct has undermined my authority and the moral (sic) of the department as it creates a hostile work environment within the rank and file of two of my subordinates, and with the recruiter whom I work closely with, Prine said. This behavior is unacceptable as a leader and as a person who has his credentials.

Lasky, on March 13, attached a third-party review of Operation Echo Stop, which suggests the program was highly effective while being fully supported. Lasky, in his note to Stimpson, said he did not have the full story on why it was not fully supported through the entire test period.

Prine has publicly blasted that review, saying it cost $92,000 to perform from a firm out of Florida that opened in October. He claimed no one conducting the review interviewed him or his staff, according to interviews he has done on TV.

Prine submitted the $92,000 contract with 321z Insights LLC for approval before the Mobile City Council on Nov. 14, according to the agenda item. The contract the council approved was for deployment and management of technical, technology, and consulting services.

Prine, in a March 18 rebuttal letter to Stimpson, said he felt Lasky and Chief of Staff James Barber  the citys former police chief and executive director of public safety  were conspiring to suggest he was the failure of OES.

Communication breakdown

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson (left) said police chief Paul Prine was placed on administrative leave due to information from a independent review of the police department. Prine called the City's actions "vindictive."(File photos/AL.com)

Stimpson, last week, said Prine was on administrative leave pending the outcome of Browns report. The mayor said there had been a breakdown in communications between Prine and the citys intelligence unit.

Kevin Levy, a Mobile police commander, is the current director of Technology and Cyber Intelligence within the department and answers to Prine. But Levy is also the head of the Gulf Coast Technology Center (GCTC) that serves as a forensics laboratory for multiple agencies, not just police. Stimpson, on Friday, said it was the foremost multi-agency forensic labs in the country with 43 agencies utilizing it on a routine basis.

The GCTC falls under Laskys oversight, according to an updated City of Mobile personnel chart.

Prine has told local TV media outlets that there has been no relationship between him and the cyber unit. Prine has said that Barber oversees the cyber unit, and that it represents the only division out of five he does not have monetary control or oversight, but which he is required to sign off on spending.

Stimpson, in a Q&A on Friday, said the administration was attempting to get Prines concerns addressed, but that challenges existed in the personnel, personalities involved.

Stimpson and Prine have also engaged in a dispute over his severance; Prine was seeking $600,000, while the mayor said he was attempting to assemble a more competitive separation agreement that was more in line with his existing salary. Prine currently earns $146,208 as police chief.

Prines dismissal has fueled intense reaction on social media and propelled a Saturday rally at Municipal Park in support of the police chief. During the rally, Prine spoke about a spiritual battle and quoted the Bible to defend his position and draw applause from the large crowd. Some people even yelled for Prine to consider a run for mayor in 2025.

I thought those that were in leadership wanted me because they really wanted a job to get done but apparently, its not really about One Mobile or the job, it really is about these other things -- the lust of power, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, Prine said, mocking Stimpsons past campaign slogans of One Mobile, while speaking before the crowd of supporters at the Saturday rally.
A woman died Sunday after she was hit in the head with a dumbbell in Montgomery.

The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Summer Blackmon.

Police and fire medics responded at 12:05 a.m. Sunday on a general medical call in the 600 block of Community Street, said police Capt. Raymond Carson.

Blackmon was dead on the scene.

Initially, Carson said, the circumstances surrounding Blackmons death were unknown. Further investigation turned up evidence of a homicide.

Charging documents against 41-year-old Darrick Onel Wilson state Blackmons blunt force trauma death resulted from a blow to the head with a dumbbell.

Wilson, charged with murder, was booked into the Montgomery County Detention Center at 9:33 a.m. Sunday and remains held without bond.

A possible motive has not yet been disclosed.
A Tuscaloosa County High School teacher was taken into custody Monday, accused of being sexually involved with a student.

Lorenza Freeman Jr., 25, is charged with one count of school employee having sexual contact with a student under the age of 19.

Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Capt. Jack Kennedy said the victim is a minor student. No additional information is being released about the victim or the circumstances surrounding the alleged crime.

Freeman was undergoing booking Monday afternoon. His bond is set at $30,000.

The schools website does not list any information on Freemans employment.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey today joined governors of five other Southern states in blasting the United Auto Workers for its ongoing unionization campaign in Southern auto plants.

The joint statement comes the same week as a key union vote at Volkswagens Chattanooga plant, and ahead of an expected vote at Mercedes-Benzs Vance factory, which has not yet been scheduled.

The statement by the governors says they are highly concerned about the unionization campaign driven by misinformation and scare tactics that the UAW has brought into our states. It also warns that foreign auto plants could close if union drives are successful.

As governors, we have a responsibility to our constituents to speak up when we see special interests looking to come into our state and threaten our jobs and the values we live by, the statement reads.

Ivey was joined in the statement by Georgias Brian Kemp, Tate Reeves of Mississippi, South Carolinas Henry McMaster, Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

The UAW earlier this year committed $40 million over the next two years to organizing efforts in plants without unions, with a concentration in the South.

In the statement, the governors said they have worked tirelessly for good jobs in their states, which they say unionization will put in jeopardy.

In America, we respect our workforce and we do not need to pay a third party to tell us who can pick up a box or flip a switch, the statement reads.

The experience in our states is when employees have a direct relationship with their employers, that makes for a more positive working environment. They can advocate for themselves and what is important to them without outside influence. The UAW has come in making big promises to our constituents that they cant deliver on. And we have serious reservations that the UAW leadership can represent our values.

The six governors, all Republicans, said the union seems more focused on helping President Biden get reelected than on the autoworker jobs being cut at plants they already represent.

As governors, we speak up when we see special interests looking to threaten our states jobs & values.

The UAW has come in making big promises they can't keep  we won't stand for that. #alpolitics

My joint statement with other southern governors: https://t.co/4NjVPzCKS0  Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) April 16, 2024

Its not the first time Ivey has made comments against the union. In January, she said the union push by the UAW means that Alabamas model for economic success is under attack. A month later, she called the union a looming threat to the states economy.

In April, after Alabama was recognized as the leading exporting state for automobiles, Ivey said on social media platform X, Its no wonder the UAW wants a piece of the pie here in Alabama.

In response to her comment earlier this month, Jeremy Kimbrell, Mercedes worker and member of the volunteer organizing committee to unionize with the UAW, said, Its sad that our governor thinks so little of Alabama workers, that were only good for cheap labor. We know better, and thats why were choosing to unionize and end the Alabama discount.

UAW President Shawn Fain this weekend predicted success for the union in the upcoming elections.
Advocates in Mobile and across Alabama are pushing to get the state to opt into a federal program that would provide money to families to help with groceries during the summer monthsbut for next summer.

Its too late for that federal program for 2024.
A central Alabama gunshot victim was flown to the hospital Monday in serious condition, police said.

A suspect in the shooting, which occurred Monday in Tallassee, is in custody, said Tallassee Police Chief N. Todd Bruce.

Officers responded to the area of 3rd Avenue and Cherry Street on a report of a person shot, Bruce said.

The victim, only identified as a male, was contacted by police at Tallassee Community Hospital.

The victim identified LaJonathan Kennebrew, 39, as the alleged gunman, said Bruce.

The victim was later taken to Baptist Hospital in Montgomery via LifeFlight helicopter in serious condition, the chief said.

Kennebrew turned himself in to Tallassee police and was in custody as of late Monday afternoon.

Kennebrew was charged with first-degree assault.


This is a guest opinion column



Summertime often can be the hungriest time for Alabama children. By investing in Summer EBT, our policymakers can take an important step toward addressing that problem.



School kids who receive free breakfast and lunch during the school year  too often the only meals they eat during the day  lose access to these meals over the summer. Nearly 1 in 4 children in our state dont always know where their next meal is coming from. Though some in-person summer feeding programs exist in Alabama, they reach barely 6% of the kids who need the meals. And unfortunately, this number continues to decline.



Summer EBT was created so children in families with low incomes can receive up to $120 of additional funds to help cover the missing meals over summer break. The federal government provides 100% of these payments. All states have to do is cover a portion of the administrative costs to set up and run the program.



Summer EBT funding would help bridge the hunger gap when school is out for 545,000 Alabama children, particularly among our most vulnerable communities. It would have the added benefit of creating significant economic activity, as those funds are spent immediately at local stores and grocers.



As lawmakers wrap up this years legislative session, Feeding Alabama and Alabama Arise urge them to include funding for a Summer EBT program in the states 2025 budgets. An investment of $10 million could generate more than $100 million in economic activity across the state.



Our regional neighbors Arkansas and Tennessee are among the states that have opted to fully fund Summer EBT for 2024. Because Alabama is one of only 14 states that will not fund the program this summer, we are missing out on the benefits of that investment this year. We are hopeful, however, that Alabama will fund Summer EBT for the summer of 2025 and beyond.



The negative ramifications of a failure to fund Summer EBT would show up in our classrooms, in our states educational performance and in the lines at our food pantries. Hungry children struggle to focus and learn and have poorer educational outcomes. That reduces quality of life and holds our state back from reaching its full economic potential.



Alabama can choose a better path. We call on our policymakers to include Summer EBT funding in the states 2025 budgets and support a healthier future for the children of Alabama.



Laura Lester is chief executive officer of Feeding Alabama, a nonprofit organization that works to end hunger by assisting the food bank network in obtaining more food and funds, fostering public awareness of the food banks mission, and creating partnerships to help alleviate hunger in Alabama. Email: laura@feedingalabama.org.



Carol Gundlach is a senior policy analyst at Alabama Arise, a statewide, member-led nonprofit organization advancing public policies to improve the lives of Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty. Arises membership includes faith-based, community, nonprofit and civic groups, grassroots leaders and individuals from across Alabama. Email: carol@alarise.org.










English News To embrace commercialization of 5G-A

Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 13 Avril 2024



5G-A represents a critical phase in the evolution from 5G to 6G, serving as a bridge between the two generations. Last June, the International Telecommunication Union approved the new Recommendation on the IMT-2030 Framework (IMT stands for International Mobile Telecommunications, aka 6G), outlining the vision and consensus for 6G. Around 70 percent of the key technologies involved overlap with the current 5G-A standards under research. Therefore, the development of 5G-A is also a precursor to cultivating the industrial elements for 6G, laying the groundwork for its eventual deployment. This year, the world is expected to achieve large-scale commercial application of 5G-A, which will usher in a more intelligent and convenient era.

By Zhao Dong Since 5G was commercialized in 2019, the number of 5G users around the world has exceeded 1.5 billion, making it an important driving force for high-quality economic and social development.



With the continuous iteration of telecommunications technology and emergence of new terminals and business models, 5G-Advanced, also known as 5G-A or 5.5G, has emerged. Combined with new technologies such as Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), passive IoT, and intrinsic intelligence, 5G-A can enhance network performance by 10 times and meet the demands of more complex and diverse application scenarios.



Currently, many countries and regions around the world are rapidly embracing 5G-A to unleash its development potential.



For the production side, 5G-A features significantly enhanced connectivity and ubiquitous connection. It creates new possibilities for industries such as intelligent transportation and smart manufacturing.



For example, a factory in east China's Shandong province has achieved automated inspection, rapid fault isolation and power restoration, thanks to the application of 5G-A-enabled distributors and circuit breakers, as well as drones and robots. The inspection efficiency has increased by 24 times, and the average annual power outage duration has been reduced from 5.4 hours to 25 minutes.



So far, 5G-A has seeped into core production sectors. For instance, it has been employed on an automated car roof production line of a factory, ensuring faster and more stable movements of robotic arms with its powerful network performance that enables ultra-low latency and super stable wireless connections.



In a factory of Chinese home appliance manufacturer Midea in Jingzhou, central China's Hubei province, 5G-A is employed throughout the entire production process, significantly improving the production efficiency. Every seven seconds, there is a washing machine rolling off the production line.



For the consumption side, 5G-A can bring consumers better experiences in immersive services and home broadband services, and provide support for smart homes, smart tourism, and more. The upgrade in network bandwidth offers technical support for users to watch 4K and 8K high-definition videos, and promotes the large-scale application of immersive services such as naked-eye 3D and augmented reality, thus allowing consumers to enjoy a brand-new mobile internet experience. For instance, during the 19th Asian Games last year, a mini app was launched to offer immersive 3D game-watching experience.



Global telecommunications operators and equipment manufacturers are actively laying groundwork and pursuing innovation in the 5G-A domain. During the recent 2024 Mobile World Congress, multiple global mobile communications companies and operators, including Qualcomm, Ericsson, Huawei, and ZTE, released 5G-A-related technologies, products, and service solutions. Nearly 60 companies jointly launched an initiative "Embracing Year One of 5G-A Commercialization."



So far, over 30 operators in countries including Finland, Malaysia, Brazil, and Turkey have completed technological verification of 5G-A, and the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have started preparing for 5G-A commercialization.



China is accelerating the commercial deployment of 5G-A. China Mobile, the world's largest telecom carrier by mobile subscribers, announced that it will deploy 5G-A commercial networks in over 300 cities this year. It has already released a list of the first 100 cities.



China Unicom, another Chinese telecommunications company, has developed a 5G-A-based ultra-high-definition shallow compression encoding and real-time production system, setting a global record for the highest uplink bit rate.



In many Chinese provinces and municipalities, China Telecom has built over 100 stations for three-component carrier aggregation (3CC). It is also exploring the application of 5G-A in multiple industries such as steel making, mining, healthcare.



Huawei, as a global leading equipment manufacturer, released the world's first full-series solutions for 5G-A in October 2023, supporting the commercial development of 5G-A with three innovative technologies: Native Giga, Native Green, and Native Intelligence.



5G-A represents a critical phase in the evolution from 5G to 6G, serving as a bridge between the two generations. Last June, the International Telecommunication Union approved the new Recommendation on the IMT-2030 Framework (IMT stands for International Mobile Telecommunications, aka 6G), outlining the vision and consensus for 6G. Around 70 percent of the key technologies involved overlap with the current 5G-A standards under research. Therefore, the development of 5G-A is also a precursor to cultivating the industrial elements for 6G, laying the groundwork for its eventual deployment. This year, the world is expected to achieve large-scale commercial application of 5G-A, which will usher in a more intelligent and convenient era.

(The article is compiled by People's Daily journalist Yan Huan based on an interview with Zhao Dong, vice president of Huawei Wireless Solution.)



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AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 22: Students walk through the University of Texas at Austin on February 22, 2024 in Austin, Texas. President Joe Biden has announced another $1.2 billion in student loan forgiveness, adding to a total of $138 billion forgiven. That announcement comes despite a Supreme Court Ruling that blocked relief for student loan debt last June. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Brandon Bell/Getty Images The University of Texas at Austin tower on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Austin Alyssa Gisselle Olvera/Staff photographer

A University of Texas at Austin shakeup that led to the layoffs of 49 employees  many of whom were previously reassigned from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion positions  was partly driven by a desire to protect the long-term outlook of the institution as conservatives have increasingly lost trust in higher education, President Jay Hartzell told faculty Monday.

Hartzells statements at a meeting of universitys Faculty Council became the most detailed explanation provided since UT-Austin shuttered a rebranded version of its diversity office and advocates sounded the alarm about the consequently closed programs and job losses.

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The decisions were not made to comply further with Senate Bill 17, which bans diversity hiring programs, DEI training and DEI offices in public higher education, Hartzell said. He believed that the university came into compliance with the bill by its Jan. 1 deadline  although a number of complaints have made clear that some people think otherwise, he said  but he decided to close some programs in the rebranded office as an effort to eliminate job redundancies. Another factor was a recognition that UT as a flagship is subject to more scrutiny than other Texas institutions and needed to prove to lawmakers that it is a good steward of state resources.

Ultimately, my role is to worry about the long-run future of the university  thinking about not only what had to happen by Jan. 1 but as this plays out over the coming months and years, how am I doing what I can to mitigate what I believe and many others believe are real and imminent risks? Hartzell said.

Those are risks, he said, that if left unchecked, could affect the very basic way we run the university.

SB17 led to major changes at universities across the state, with UT-Austin among several that reorganized its diversity offices to toss a focus on minority populations and serve all students. The announcement earlier this month to close the rebranded Division of Campus and Community Engagement and relocate some of its programs then came as a surprise  as did the following revelations about the firings and some program closures, including the Womens Community Center.

Hartzell clarified Monday that several factors led to the program closures. In addition to the changing climate surrounding a mistrust of higher education, the original adjustments stemming from SB17 caused some redundancies across the university as programs became more general, the president said.

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Administrators looked for programs overlapping with others at UT and opted to discontinue those programs, he said. The result was a smaller division with more autonomous programs that could be moved elsewhere.

In all, 49 positions were eliminated and eight associate or assistant deans will be returned to their full faculty positions, Hartzell said. Those who were fired will be paid through July 5 but will also receive special consideration for any open positions for which theyre qualified. The president took responsibility for the decision, which he made in consultation with his leadership team, he said.

That is something that we clearly dont take lightly, Hartzell said. I hate that it affected people. Its something our whole leadership team worked on and fretted over.

The changes this month came as many students and faculty in the UT community already feared overcompliance with the law.

Hartzell pointed Monday to several signals of high levels of scrutiny. State Sen. Brandon Creighton, a Conroe Republican and the author of the ban, had warned state university officials that simply renaming DEI offices and job titles was not enough to comply with SB17. Hearings will occur in May where high-ranking officials in the states university systems will explain how they have implemented the law. And Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick last week issued a charge for the continued monitoring of the ban.

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The state will conduct an audit every four years to ensure universities' compliance, carrying ramifications on state funding for those in violation, said Andrea Sheridan, deputy to the president for governmental affairs and initiatives.

Some people have been spending their days looking for ways the university has not been in compliance, Hartzell added. There have been some honest mistakes, he said, and some where those filing the complaints got it wrong.

Im sure its not over, Hartzell said.

Changes to the public perception of higher education have changed starkly in recent years. About 50% of people self-identifying as Democrats say in public surveys that they trust the field, and fewer than 20% of people self-identifying as Republicans say the same, the university president said, citing data shared at an Association of American Universities conference.

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The UT System Board of Regents has also instructed the university of its desire for UT-Austin to act in ways that restores and raises public confidence in the institution, Hartzell said.

Were all working on trying to help people understand how great we are, but were in a setting where theres a lot of concern about higher education, the role that we play in society, he said.

One associate professor expressed relief that the changes to the community engagement division didnt stem from compliance to SB17. But the overarching issues are still problematic, especially if they ever lead to attacks on what faculty members can teach, she said.

Its deeply concerning however to hear that they do relate to concerns about the long-term stability of the university and particularly the support of our Legislature for what we do on campus, Jennifer Ebbeler said. It seems like theres a potential for a dynamic here in which we are continually trying to appease the Legislature.

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Hartzell answered that hes an optimist, although he understands the worry that universities are a moving target.
Last week controversy arose at the home of the Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the Berkeley Law School, at a luncheon he and his wife were hosting for senior law-school students. To become the law-school dean at one of the most leftist universities in the country requires a man who is also an extreme leftist; That man is Dean Erwin Chemerinsky. At one time he was considered as a potential candidate for the U.S. Supreme Court. That destiny, which was derailed by controversy in 2007, resulted in America dodging a bullet which would have impacted SCOTUS to this day. More on that later.

Chem, as he is popularly called, had the leftist credentials that a Democrat president would require as a fit for the Court: Harvard Law, DoJ work in the Carter administration, professor of law at DePaul, the University of Southern California, and Duke.

He is prolific in his writings, with over 200 law-review articles and eleven books to his credit. Additionally, he espouses all the go to positions one would expect from a leftist: Favors gun control, opposes the death penalty, Roe was good law, favored gay marriage long before the Obergefell decision. He also once termed the Electoral College to be one of the "compromises concerning slavery.

In 2007, Chem was appointed to be the Dean of Law at the then brand-new school of law at the University of California at Irvine (UCI). Much of what we now know about the man has emerged with the passing of time. But insiders, those in tune with rising stars in the upper echelons of the nations legal system, knew him and they knew just how far left he was. For that reason, he was a perfect candidate not only to become dean but also a potential candidate for a SCOTUS appointment for the soon-to-be president Barack Obama. However, he also had strong and vocal opposition to his appointment at UCI.

The fight against Chem was led by a group of prominent Republicans in Orange and LA County. The appointment also drew criticism from California Supreme Court's Chief Justice Ronald M. George and Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. The opposition was fierce, as well as being successful, at first, as the offer was soon rescinded.

Democrats then circled the wagon in a fight to save their buddy, much as is done in actual judicial nominations. This fight also garnered national attention including an editorial from the New York Times. In that editorial, the Times sang the praises of Chemerinsky and also stated:

A law school would be mighty fortunate to have Erwin Chemerinsky, a distinguished Duke Law School professor, as its dean. The University of California, Irvine, realized this when it asked him to head up its new law school. This week, however, it rescinded the offer, evidently because of his political views. Its a disgraceful decision. The University of California system should admit its mistake and, with apologies, extend the offer again.

The folks at UCI quickly got the message and UCI chanceller Drake was soon on a plane for a weekend meeting in North Carolina with Chem. The meeting resulted in an agreement and Erwin Chemerinsky was soon named as the Dean of the new UCI School of Law.

As to SCOTUS and dodging that bullet? When we look at the justices who have risen to the top of their legal profession, we can divide them into two broad categories: The Persuaders and the Persuadables. The Persuaders are those who because of their high intellect, knowledge of the law, personality, and most of all, the respect they hold among their colleagues, are both rare and very desirable to have on your side. They are the ones listened to by the Persuadables and can have an impact on decisions made by the court. They also represent the ones who will face the most grueling of hearings by the opposition. If those opposed to a nominee cannot openly destroy their chances of approval, they can severely dent or reduce their potential influence. Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Ginsberg, Antonin Scalia, and Elena Kagan all come to mind as being Persuaders. Robert Bork would have been a Persuader had Ted Kennedy not destroyed his chances early on in the hearing process. Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh had the potential, but the respectability factor of both men was severely damaged in the horrible and false attacks made by the Democrats on these men.

The rest of the justices generally fall into various degrees within the Persuadables category, with Sotomayor and Brown-Jackson occupying the lowest rungs of this group.

Chemerinsky, had he been nominated to replace Sandra Day OConnor, would have been a Persuader and a formidable one. As a justice, Chemerinsky had the potential not only to staunchly defend far-Left principles, but he would likely have held sway over other justices who may have been on the fence on some particular issues. Would he have been Obamas selection in 2009? Maybe. Certainly, the kerfuffle at UCI was well known and would have been a major factor at any congressional hearings. Would Obama have wanted an ugly fight, or would he have preferred to appease the far Left with an affirmative-action candidate? Of course, we now know the answer; instead of a personable highly intelligent nominee we got the Wise Latina. Given the choice between the two, it would appear that the nation did indeed dodge a bullet.

Image: Roxanne Makasdjian/UC Berkeley
On April 1st, The Florida Supreme Court announced that a proposed constitutional amendment (Initiative #22-05) to legalize marijuanas recreational use will appear on November ballots (South Dakotans will also see it). 60% of voters have to say yes for this to pass. So far, 13 states have legalized marijuana for medical use and 24 states have done so for recreational use. But, given the statistics and lessons revealed over several years, was it a wise move?

Medical marijuana has been around in Florida for a few years now. Voters approved medical marijuana for medical patients in 2016 by more than 71%. But recreational pot is another matter. Governor Ron DeSantis quickly announced his misgiving about the recent proposition by stating, Do we really need to do more with that? Do we want more marijuana in our communities? I dont think that will work out well.

Well, why wont it work out well? Why the apprehension? What has happened to other places where the growing, processing, selling, and casual marijuana use have increased?

Statistics have been accumulated from legalized states like Colorado, Washington, and Alaska, that reveal positive correlations between marijuana legalization and things like increased crime, impacts on the homeless, the work force, and drugged driving stemming from as early as 2012 to 2018. Now, in 2024, the social problems related to legalization (including results from California, Oklahoma, Oregon, etc.) have drastically expanded and deserve even more cautious consideration if we wish to promote health and safety in our society. Judge Cheryl Allen, of the Counsel for Pennsylvania Family Institute, said,

The purposes of government include: to establish laws, maintain order and provide security, protect citizens from external threats, and promote the general welfare by providing public services. Legalizing marijuana for recreational use will not serve any of these purposes.

Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin also gets it. Last month he rejected seven bills including a proposal to legalize marijuana. He says, Addressing the inconsistencies in enforcement and regulation in Virginias current laws does not justify expanding access to cannabis, following the failed paths of other states and endangering Virginians health and safety.

Of course, behind such opinions lies the true crux of the matter: marijuana is dangerous.

First of all, marijuana is not the pot of yesterday. Todays marijuana is a high-potency industrialized THC (the high producer) drug that is up to 99% potency as compared to the 3% THC of 60s. This industrialization makes it even more addictive and more dangerous. And ingesting this modern weed -- whether by smoking, eating Gummy bears, candies, concentrates, waxes, or vaping -- has brought a host of health hazards.

The high potency of marijuana has been associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, and cannabis-induced psychosis. We also learn from the CDC that three in 10 people who use marijuana have marijuana-use disorder. And according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 1 in 10 people who use marijuana will become addicted. With repeated use, there is even an increased risk of schizophrenia and social anxiety. And, if that were not enough, suicides by cannabis users continue to climb.

These ailments and mental disorders have been shown to likely occur when the brains normal function has been hijacked with extended use of an addictive drug. Dr. Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, has had a long career analyzing brain images that demonstrate that drug addiction is actually a brain disease, which in this case relates to a decrease in function of the dopamine system thereby causing a disruption in the frontal brain region which involve motivation and drive.

And this becomes very critical when it comes to young people whose brains continue to develop to the age of 25. Making marijuana easily available for our youth will likely contribute to permanently affecting their brains executive function of thinking, planning, solving problems, making decisions, and setting priorities.

And, as evidenced by the candies above, our youth are targeted. Ring Pots, Pot Tarts, and marijuana brownies have been popping up across the country for some time now. Who do you think they are marketed toward? Observe this chart and see how marijuana dispensaries sell to thousands of minors every year. Big Marijuana will stop at nothing to make all of the U.S. pay to keep up our physical dependency, thereby enriching their pockets. And they will spin it as if legalization were a good and just thing. Kevin Sabet, of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SMART), makes it clear:

Floridians can expect to see Big Marijuana and its allies in Big Tobacco dump millions of dollars into a ballot initiative that will unquestionably be framed around things like social justice, tax revenue, rights, and even health care. The truth is legal marijuana is about none of those things, but rather making money off of products that have been medically proven to be dangerous.

And these powerful interests are not stopping with marijuana. The aim is to legalize all drugs, including psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, DMT, mescaline, and LSD. Such a movement is spearheaded by groups like the Drug Policy Alliance, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Open Society Foundation. So, theres big money and power behind what we are witnessing.

Pro-legalization supporters, such as those who proposed legalization in Florida, have a tendency to decontextualize the world in which todays marijuana breaths. For instance, it is not simply an abstract world in which legal weed will beat the black market. In fact -- in the real world -- drug cartels and the black market continue to thrive under legalization as they undercut legal market costs and control potency, to name just two problems.

Rather, it is a world in which vulnerable humans with vulnerable brains will see a dangerous product that is made to appear more acceptable because it is made more accessible. Legalized supply can and does create new demand. Those making policy decisions and proposals must make decisions based on our imperfect nature and biology, as well as the susceptibility of our impressionable youth. And with all the evidence that has been accumulated, of which I have only tapped a small amount, that should not be too difficult. Given all the alarm bells, including the nefarious characters behind such a push, are we actually better off adding marijuana to the mix of legal drugs today with other monsters like cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl roaming? My answer is an emphatic no!

In a 2014 survey in the International Journal of Drug Policy, 10 percent of high school students made it clear that they did not use marijuana but would if it were legal. I cant think of a better reason to steer clear of this dangerous pathway. Factual, science-based analyses exist and are sending a pretty convincing message of caution and restraint. Legalization, on the other hand, sends the wrong message.

Victor Fernandez is a former Logic/Philosophy of Science adjunct and retired math teacher.

Image: USAF
As I write this, more than one hundred, (mostly Israeli) Jews are still being held hostage. They have been imprisoned and are tortured 24/7. They are deprived of food; the males are beaten just for fun, and the girls, women, and boys are raped.

We know this thanks to Arabic language documents IDF soldiers found when they cleared out Hamas nests. The documents contain explicit instructions about how to torture and maim and the best way to kill a Jew with a knife by stabbing him in the neck and/or spine. The same orders tell the captors to keep the captured Jews on the most meager rations.

These instructions also order the captors to show no tolerance to any hostages who show even the slightest resistance or objection to doing what they are told. If they do, they must be killed.

The inhumanity of these orders illustrates the culture behind the people carrying out these cruel rituals: Domination and submission, and oppression and humiliation, are what the Koran demands.

Image: Muslim humiliation of female slaves in the 18th century by Charles Boulay. Public domain.

That is how Believers in the One True Faith, who hold that theirs is the correct religion of Ibrahim (whose name they chronically mispronounce), are supposed to treat Jews, and that was their relationship with Jews in their lands until 1948. For fourteen centuries, wherever Jews lived in a Muslim country, they were not citizens with rights equal to those of Muslims. They lived in ghettoes for centuries, long before that institution emerged in 16th-century Christian Europe.

Muslims view Zionism as the Jews impermissible rebellion against their Sharia status as dhimmi. Dhimmi must pay a hefty annual communal jezya tax for the crime of refusing to convert to Islam. Paying the jezya also means buying the right to continue practicing the Jewish faith for another year. Zionism, in Muslim minds, is the intifada of the Jews.

Beginning in 1968, when Muslims hijacked an El Al flight (the only time thats ever happened) and kept Israelis hostage until Israel released 16 imprisoned terrorists, Muslims have been kidnapping Israelis, and the Israeli government has freed Muslim terrorists for their return. However, I am suspicious of the current, presumptive concern Hamas is said to feel for its brethren in Israeli prisons. The monsters of October 7 who hide behind women and children and use them as human shields will never be mistaken for their concern for others.

This ostensible concern for their brethren in Israeli prisons may not be the true engine powering their murderous and sadistic brutality. They dont need that excuse. What these death cultists really want is to abuse, oppress and humiliate, soil, torment, horrify, and cause intense pain to Jews. To rape their boys, women, and girls, shoot them in the head at the same time, and, in the end, as the final insult, spill their seed into the corpse.

Of course, its possible that Yahya Sinwar may not really care all that much about freeing fellow Muslim Brothers from Israeli prisons in exchange for Israeli captives. He may want Israel to eventually understand that he will not free the captives for any price, so that the IDF will have no choice but to crash into Rafah to free the hostages and kill Sinwar and his minions. That act will turn Hamas terrorists into shahidin/martyrs, while killing thousands of non-combatant Believers.

That sacrifice is worth it because the Jews will then be painted with their victims blood and, in the eyes of a hostile world, will be exposed, not as Chosen People who think they are better than everyone else, but as guilty of genocide, just like the Nazis. They will be humiliated as the most evil agents of the Shaitan in the world (Arabics plagiarized mispronunciation of the Hebrew Sa-tanh.)

From the first day of Islam, its prophet plagiarized Judaism, Muslims have viewed Jews with murderous envy, worthy of an embittered, first-born son named Ishmael who lost his primacy to his younger half-brother Yitzhak when his father, the kindest man in the ancient world, expelled this violent man from the country G-d promised to Abrahams seed.

The Koran is an antisemitic tract. The New Testament is undeniably anti-Jew but at least respects the Jewish Bible, while the Muslims dismiss it as a fraud. While both Islam and Christianity claim to be successors to Judaism, they are very different in their relationship to the parent religion. The New Testament purports to be a continuation of the Jewish people. Thus, the Roman Catholic Church calls itself Verus Israel, the true Jews.

Islam, however, claims that the Jewish Bible is bogus. Muslims deny that Moses brought the Ten Commandments down from Mt. Sinai and took dictation from the Almighty for the text of the first Five Books of the Bible. Instead, Muslims claim that Moses brought down the Koran and, when he descended from Mt. Sinai, the evil Jews snatched it away and re-wrote it.

This is how Muslims explain why the Koran contains numerous Jews and their stories, as recounted in the Jewish Bible, only re-written and changed. To explain the different versions of the same stories, Muslims say that, when Muhammad came into the world, he restored the original text (i.e., todays Koran).

Therefore, Islam teaches that the Jews Five Books (Torah) are a corrupt plagiarization of the Koran. For one infamous example, Islam teaches that Avraham did not bind his son Yitzhak for a sacrifice as the Jews believe. He bound his son Ismail (their mispronunciation), and the episode took place in Mecca. When the Jews say in the Bible that the son chosen was Yitzhak and it happened in Jerusalem, the Jews lie.

Hamas knows it has no ability to destroy Israel militarily, but it can oppress and humiliate Israel as the Koran demands. Hamas headmen have shamelessly said the hundreds of miles of tunnels they built are for the leadership to survive in, but surely, he also had in mind the kidnapping and raping, torture, and humiliation of the Jews, 24-7, as an end in itself. How elated the Muslims were, Douglas Murray said after viewing the IDFs 47-minute video compilation of their October 7 horrors.

The great medieval Spanish Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra (1089-1167) lived all his life surrounded by Muslims and said that Arabic, which he surely spoke perfectly, was the bad Hebrew of larcenous, illiterate, nomadic, desert brigands.

Shai ben-Tekoas Phantom Nation: Inventing the Palestinians as the Obstacle to Peace is available at Amazon.com in hard cover or a Kindle ebook. His podcasts can be heard on www.phantom-nation.com.
Joe Biden has proven to be a puppet of the Chinese, Russian, and Ukrainian oligarchsa true Manchurian Candidate. Hunter Biden, Joe Bidens princeling, raked in millions of dollars at arms length from Uncle Joe for the Biden crime family from adversaries for no credible business reason. Why?

The purpose was to gain access to Joe Biden for favorable policy decisions and actions, i.e., going soft on China and Russia, releasing funds to the Iranian Mullahs whose proxies attack Israel, selective prosecution of political enemies, and allowing a two-tiered justice system.

Its become clear in the past three years that a whole cadre of domestic and foreign adversaries all engaged in or aided and abetted in a coup to unseat a duly elected President and to prevent his reelection. The list includes the World Economic Forum (WEF); the globalists; the World Health Organization (WHO); the Marxist left; self-dealing and corrupt politicians, including President Joe Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama; the Deep State including the DOJ, FBI, CIA, DNI, DHS and others; the leftist media complex; big pharma; big tech; and multinational corporations.

Facts show that the Biden and Clinton families are criminal enterprises as defined in the RICO Act. The families conspired with others, both foreign adversaries and domestic operatives, for their personal gain or benefit to undermine and even sabotage the best interest of the American people and Americas national security interests, including using election fraud.

Image by AI.

The DOJ, FBI, CIA, and others targeted Donald Trump, Hillarys opponent in the 2016 election, by making up espionage claims to secure FISA surveillance warrants and then retargeting the espionage investigations to spy on Trump. This continued with the bogus Russian Collusion narrative. In 2020, they had the temerity to claim Hunters laptop was the product of Russian disinformation when they knew otherwise.

The FBI currently possesses a laptop that belonged to DNC staffer Seth Rich, who was murdered in DC shortly before the 2016 election. The FBI has twice failed to comply with a federal court order to release the laptops information. Shades of Hunters laptop. What are they hiding now?

To cover for the Democrat collectives illegal acts, the Biden administration, via the DOJ and FBI, is using lawfare, in the form of malicious and selective prosecution, and vexatious civil litigation to target Trump to make it impossible for him to be a viable in the 2024 election. The federal government has self-evidently coordinated closely with state prosecutors. These cases, in chief, lack merit and use convoluted stretches of the law.

The J6 insurrection that wasnt was a Democrat effort to entrap and delegitimize Trump and his supporters and to disqualify Trumps candidacy. Evidence shows that then-Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, spearheaded the plan by limiting security at this significant political event and then leading the impeachment against Trump for leading and inciting an insurrection, which she followed with a show trial (the illegitimate J6 Special Committee).

That committee, without due process, referred Trump to the DOJ for criminal prosecution. Several states followed suit to remove Trump from the ballot based on the J6 Committees findings. The DOJ and several states then indicted Trump for bogus criminal actions, i.e., falsely claiming the 2020 election was rigged. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the claim that there was election fraud. Furthermore, questioning the results of an election is protected political free speech.

Because of the consequences if hes found guilty, the most serious charge against Trump is that he violated national security by taking classified documents from the White House. In fact, there is no underlying crime in the Presidential Records Act (PRA), which the DOJ bootstrapped into a criminal charge of obstruction of justice.

Special Prosecutor Jack Smith, in his latest filing, admits that the PRA does not apply. Instead, Smith is alleging Trump illegally possessed classified documents under the Espionage Act 18 USC  793(e) when his term of office ended. The search warrant for Mar-a-Lago cites these crimes as the basis for the warrant: willful retention of national defense information, concealment or removal of government records, and obstruction of federal investigation. Smith goes to great lengths to say that Trump never declassified records using the methods described in these acts or EOs before he left office and, indeed, implies that Trump never declassified anything.

All these charges are ludicrous. The PRA, other acts, and Executive Orders such as EO 13526 are advisory to a sitting President. Presidents are free to act as they wish:

The sitting President is categorically exempt from these laws and administrative policies regarding classified documents, including nuclear, under the absolute or plenary powers of Article II of the US Constitution (See discussion Navy v. Eagan), including being barred from holding office as touted by the media.

In line with federal law, Kash Patel, a high-ranking official in the Trump Administration, said, . . .Trump declassified whole sets of materials in anticipation of leaving government that he thought the American public should have the right to read themselves [My emphasis added]. See also this excellent summary by Kash Patel.

An important question is whether Jack Smiths frantic press is about more than knocking Trump off the ballot. What if Trump were compiling documents while still in office that would prove the illegal actions in which the various Democrat enterprises (the DOJ, FBI, DNC, etc.) had engaged to unseat him as sitting President? Why would Trump follow the procedures for declassifying documents in these Acts or EOs when doing so would expose the hypothetical strategy to the conspirators? There is nothing like telegraphing your hand to your enemies.

Contrary to what Smith implied, one of Trumps last acts as president, using a Presidential Memoranda he ordered published in the Congressional Record, was to declassify the binder containing information on the Russian Collusion narrative. The DOJ and FBI let the clock run out on Trumps term, effectively violating his order. Trump also ordered the declassification of the transcript of the call with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Trump ordered the release of transcripts of notes of James Comey and surveillance information related to Carter Page to show anti-Trump bias at the highest levels of the FBI.

My professional opinion as a criminal investigator is that Trump was investigating officials and agencies subordinate to him for potential illegal or seditious acts in order to hold the Administrative State accountable. The Democrats raid on Mar-a-Lago was to recover any copies of the Russian collusion binder or incriminating documents that Trump still possessed. Also, this raid was a warning to others who would seek to expose the governments criminal activity by reminding them that the Administrative State can retaliate by using a flagrant and unaccountable abuse of power.

After the raid, the FBI didnt disclose anything incriminating. Instead, it released photos staged for public consumption showing empty file folders spread on the floor with classified markings, along with carefully placed boxes. Its entirely possible the FBI did not find what it was looking for.

If its ever released, the binder will expose the Democrats criminal activity. Its likely to touch on every power player: President Biden and his operatives, former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Director of the CIA John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former Director of the FBI James Comey, the current Director of the FBI Christopher Wray, and others.

Our federal law enforcement and intel agenciesthe DOJ, FBI, and CIAhave gone rogue. They are an American Stasi, flagrantly violating the Peoples fundamental civil rights to support the administrative state. As Lt. Col. Grossman says in his analogy to sheepdogs who guard the flock from wolves, Any sheepdog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours

Accountability to the Constitution of those who govern for the people must be restored lest we descend further into a totalitarian Banana Republic.

Ron Wright is a retired detective, having served thirty-five years with Riverside PD, Calif. Ron earned a BA in political science from Cal State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Administration from the University of California, Riverside. Facebook at Ron T. Cop.
As I write this, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments in Fischer v. United States, a singularly important case that will affect the fates of hundreds of J6 defendants and, if decided correctly, will severely curtail federal prosecutorial overreach. However, the Supreme Courts rules and a Sesame Street analysis say that the DOJ cannot get away with lumping Free Speech into the same felony class as destroying evidence or threatening witnesses.

The issue is how to interpret 18 U.S.C.  1512(c)(2). Anyone who graduated from law school before the year 2000 (after that date, all law school graduates are presumptively ideologically corrupt) knows that the DOJ has perverted the statutes meaning, which is manifestly intended only to address the willful destruction of evidence. It remains to be seen how ideologically corrupt the Supreme Court is (or isnt).

The statute at issue is entitled Tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant. Thats a pretty telling clue about its purpose. However, the DOJ has used the phrase official proceeding in subsection (c)(2) to create a felony against anyone who was even near Congress on January 6 to speak out against the vote to install Biden as president.

Im going to reprint here almost the entire statute so that you can see its focus on evidence. Ill highlight the cherry-picked language the DOJ has relied upon to persecute J6 defendants:

(a) (1) Whoever kills or attempts to kill another person, with intent to (A) prevent the attendance or testimony of any person in an official proceeding; (B) prevent the production of a record, document, or other object, in an official proceeding; or (C) prevent the communication by any person to a law enforcement officer or judge of the United States of information relating to the commission or possible commission of a Federal offense or a violation of conditions of probation, parole, or release pending judicial proceedings; [snip] (2) Whoever uses physical force or the threat of physical force against any person, or attempts to do so, with intent to (A) influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person in an official proceeding; (B) cause or induce any person to (i) withhold testimony, or withhold a record, document, or other object, from an official proceeding; (ii) alter, destroy, mutilate, or conceal an object with intent to impair the integrity or availability of the object for use in an official proceeding; (iii) evade legal process summoning that person to appear as a witness, or to produce a record, document, or other object, in an official proceeding; or (iv) be absent from an official proceeding to which that person has been summoned by legal process; or (C) hinder, delay, or prevent the communication to a law enforcement officer or judge of the United States of information relating to the commission or possible commission of a Federal offense or a violation of conditions of probation, supervised release, parole, or release pending judicial proceedings; [snip] (b) Whoever knowingly uses intimidation, threatens, or corruptly persuades another person, or attempts to do so, or engages in misleading conduct toward another person, with intent to (1) influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person in an official proceeding; (2) cause or induce any person to (A) withhold testimony, or withhold a record, document, or other object, from an official proceeding; (B) alter, destroy, mutilate, or conceal an object with intent to impair the objects integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; (C) evade legal process summoning that person to appear as a witness, or to produce a record, document, or other object, in an official proceeding; or (D) be absent from an official proceeding to which such person has been summoned by legal process; or (3) hinder, delay, or prevent the communication to a law enforcement officer or judge of the United States of information relating to the commission or possible commission of a Federal offense or a violation of conditions of probation [1] supervised release,,[1] parole, or release pending judicial proceedings; shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. (c) Whoever corruptly (1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the objects integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or (2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. (d) Whoever intentionally harasses another person and thereby hinders, delays, prevents, or dissuades any person from (1) attending or testifying in an official proceeding; (2) reporting to a law enforcement officer or judge of the United States the commission or possible commission of a Federal offense or a violation of conditions of probation 1 supervised release,,1 parole, or release pending judicial proceedings; (3) arresting or seeking the arrest of another person in connection with a Federal offense; or (4) causing a criminal prosecution, or a parole or probation revocation proceeding, to be sought or instituted, or assisting in such prosecution or proceeding;

It doesnt take a genius to understand that the entire statute is about preserving the integrity of trials or other judicial-style proceedings. Any lawyer or judge with a smidgen of knowledge and integrity would know that exercising First Amendment rights at Congress does not fall into the same category.

And speaking of categories, a basic statutory construction controls this outcome. Indeed, its so basic that its No. 16 in the Supreme Courts own Rules of Statutory Construction and Interpretation.

The rule is called ejusdem generis (i.e., of the same class or nature). Ejusdem generis holds that when a statute has a very specific list of words, any general words that follow it must be interpreted within the parameter of those specific words. For example, if a statute says, This rule applies to cows, pigs, goats, chickens, and other animals, the phrase other animals must be understood in the context of barnyard animals. A lion is not an other animal.

In the same way, when it comes to  1512(c)(2), to the extent it falls within a statute that is manifestly dedicated to preventing destroying evidence or intimidating witnesses in connection with any type of judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, all prohibited acts must fall within those parameters. Protesting a vote in the Senate is not the same.

Heck, the two types of activities are so different that you could just sing that old Sesame Street song, One of These Things (Is Not Like the Others). DOJ lawyers are smarter than preschoolers. They know the difference. Theyre just hoping the Supreme Court doesnt know.

Thankfully, judging by the oral argument in Fischer v. United States as of now, it appears that the judges, even the leftist ones, pass the Sesame Street test.

Collage made using a photograph by TapTheForwardAssist. CC BY-SA 4.0.
Nazis blowing up the very establishments practicing eugenics? Or, inconsistent Hollywood-like tripe to whip mindless Democrat voters into an hysteria during an election year?

I suspect the latter. Heres the story, via a report at the New York Post:

A former US Marine who firebombed a Planned Parenthood clinic in Southern California and plotted other attacks has been sentenced nine years in prison  with officials claiming his Nazi worldview was the fuel for his crimes.

I mean seriously, is it just me, or is anyone buying this? If this man genuinely resonates with the ideologies of Naziism, then how can he possibly view Planned Parenthood as an institution that needs to be decimated?

Need I remind anyone that Planned Parenthood is just an evolution of Margaret Sangers American Birth Control League? Sanger, who was a staunch believer in Malthusian eugenics and the recipient of fan mail from the one and only Adolf Hitler? Hitler also penned letters of admiration to Madison Grant, one of the founders of the American Eugenics Society, an organization which worked closely with Sangers own; Hitler referred to Grants book The Passing of the Great Race as his bible.

If Brannon really possesses a Nazi worldview, then one can reasonably infer Hitler would be his idol, correct? And therefore, the American institution most conspicuously carrying out the eugenics of said idol would be an ally, not an enemy. Furthermore, if in some bizarre turn of events this story were true, and Brannon really wanted to wreak havoc, why didnt he firebomb the business during business hours, inflicting maximum damage and death? Pictures from the incident show a moderately-scorched wall outside what looks like the front entrance; no smashed windows, and no other vandalism. Far-right terrorists who dont kill the butchers of the abortion mill, and only inflict superficial damages?

The Post item also reports this:

Brannon used racial slurs for various minority groups, made hateful comments towards all non-white individuals, and discussed cleans[ing] the United States of particular ethnic groups, according to the governments sentencing memorandum.

Again, if thats true, then why in the world would he disrupt the day-to-day operations of an abortion mill? Planned Parenthood strategically plants itself in within walking distance of low-income minority neighborhoods; the business notoriously earmarks abortion donations to be used for non-white babies; and its staff murder black and brown babies (but especially black babies), at a shockingly disproportionate rate. As far as Brannon should be concerned, Planned Parenthood is one of Naziisms greatest American allies.

Lastly, this:

The US Attorneys Office revealed that Brannon had also made plans for additional attacks on a second Planned Parenthood clinic, a Southern California Edison substation in furtherance of a race war and an LGBTQ pride night celebration at Dodger Stadium.

Sabotaging energy infrastructure and threatening peoples access to power? The Democrats of California are way ahead of Brannon on that one. And okay, Hitler did hate the queers, despite initially exploiting their misfit chip-on-the-shoulder for his agenda, so this is the only believable chapter in the tale.

I mean, the details of this story are pretty inconsistent, which isnt conclusively condemning, but typically in my experience, reality is consistentthis smells like a psy-op. Brannon is also an ex-Marine, and as long as you dont actually break down the story and scrutinize the details (as weve done thus far), it sure is convenient for the Democrat narrative that the military is a breeding ground for white rage and white extremism.

And, since when do the Feds deserve the benefit of the doubt on anything? Yes, an individual should always be considered innocent until proven guilty, but the government? Hardly; its definitely deserving of the guilty until proven innocent paradigm.

If this were fake Fed news, what would be a possible motive? Well, perhaps the response of someone in the comments:

This is the Trump team at work trying to destroy America. They are sick people with a sick ideology willing to kill actual people in the name of protecting a fetus. Red ideologies are creating these madmen.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
Can somebody please explain to me how what President Trump said to Billy Bush in 2005 has anything to do with the Stormy Daniels trial in New York? Heres what Forbes reported yesterday:

Former President Donald Trumps first criminal trial will include his inappropriate comments about women that surfaced ahead of the 2016 election, Judge Juan Merchan ruled Monday as proceedings got underway[.]

Even if Trump had actually had an affair with Stormy (both parties have denied this, although Daniels has flip-flopped), the comments to Bush would have still been irrelevant. The crass locker room talk between Bush and Trump certainly does not have anything to do with the supposed $130,000 nuisance payment and Non-Disclosure Agreement.

What Trump said on the tape certainly wasnt election interference, which is what the prosecution alleges in this case, so the purpose of allowing the locker room talk with Bush is meant to further bias the jury, nothing more.

Nuisance payments and NDAs are executed all the time, legally. They are clearly meant to hide things from other employees, the public, stockholders, banks, the media, and the government among others.

My intelligent guess is that when companies, law firms, accounting firms, networks, hospitals, banks, and other parties make these payments, they classify them as business expenses, no matter what they are trying to hide.

I do not think Alvin Bragg has ever brought a case like this until Trump, just like Letitia Peekaboo James never charged any other real estate developer for inflating their net worth, especially when there were no victims. These cases are purely political. These politicians have sought to destroy Trump for years, and they need garbage trials to do it.

It is sad and humorous when entertainers, journalists, and other Democrats feigned outrage at what Trump said to Bush, when they participate in and encourage things that are far more disgusting all the time.

The media and other Democrats lie, claiming that Republicans are trying to ban booksall that banning is just trying to prevent small children from seeing pornographic and disturbing material, which is much worse than what Trump said.

I would say the waitress sandwiches of Ted Kennedy and Chris Dodd was far more degrading to women than a few words from Trump about what some women allow, yet there was little to no outrage. From the New York Post:

Kennedy then picked up the terrified waitress, who was just 24 at the time, and put her on Dodds lap  Kennedy forcing himself on Gaviglio and rubbing his genitals on hers, the report said, the alleged assault becoming known by the cruel moniker waitress sandwich. The account was confirmed to the magazine by another waitress, Betty Loh, and the La Brasseries late owner, Raymond Campet.

Yet, Kennedy was always presented as a champion of women.

Bill and Hillary Clinton treated women who dared tell the truth about Bills sexual hobbies, which appeared to include rape, like dirt. They were called bimbos by the campaign, and targeted by the Clintons for total ruin; but the media and other Democrats act like the Clintons always respected women. From Politico:

It wasnt a Clinton enemy that came up with the phrase bimbo eruption, but an ally and friend, Betsey Wright. The word bimbo, by the way, says it all about the contempt Clinton World had for women with the poor judgment to succumb to Bills wiles.

I would say seeking to destroy victims of sexual assault and calling them names is much worse that what Trump said, but there was little outrage at the Clintons. The media buried the truth.

If prosecutors like Peekaboo and Bragg wanted cases about fraud and election interference, they should have gone after Hillary and the DNC, who couldnt figure out how to beat Trump based on their destructive policies and facts, so they paid over $10 million to Christopher Steele to create the fictional Russian dossier. The corrupt and politicized DOJ used this fictional document as evidence when they lied to the FISA court to justify spying on people surrounding Trump.

The DNC and Hillarys campaign laundered the payments through a law firm, seemingly committing fraud when they reported to the DNC that the payments were for legal work. It would have also been fraudulent to call the payments opposition research, because everything was fictional.

Basically these trials are political hit jobs meant to destroy a politician they dont like and to mislead voters as they intentionally interfere in elections.

It is truly pathetic when Democrats and the sycophantic media feign outrage!

Image generated by AI.
A mothers three-year battle to jail the man who systematically enticed her son to make a sex video and perform lewd acts resulted in the first unlawful grooming and solicitation of a minor conviction in 2014, and led to a series of laws just passed in Florida. (Thankfully, the man was caught before he was able to make physical contact.)

Until now, there have been only two anti-grooming laws on the books: one in Illinois, and one at the federal level. The excuses in other states have been, grooming is very hard to prove, children would be emotionally harmed by having to testify in public, and these charges often rely on hearsay evidence.

Yet, landmark legislation passed on April 10th in the state of Florida that significantly changes the laws on sexual predation and grooming. There were five different bills signed by Governor DeSantis:

HB 1545 protects children from grooming activities, prohibiting adults from engaging in a pattern of communication to a minor that includes explicit and detailed verbal descriptions of sexual activity; increases penalties for child exploitation crimes such as promoting sexual performances or possessing child pornography, and establishes this conduct as a third-degree felony, thereby increasing severity of punishments associated with child exploitation.

HB 1131 establishes a grant program within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to create online sting operations to target sexual predators.

HB 1235 creates stricter guidelines for sex offender registration, and makes it more difficult to qualify for registration removal.

HB 305 expands the evidence that can be presented to a jury in sex-abuse cases where the victim is a minor, and increases penalties on those who take part in sex trafficking of minors. It allows a hearsay statement made by a minor up through the age of 17 to be admissible. It also requires offenders convicted of human trafficking minors to be registered sex offenders on their first offense.

SB 1224 strengthens the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and helps law enforcement better assess domestic violence situations. It helps children who age out of foster care  a particularly vulnerable group to sexual abuse.

Unfortunately, similar legislation in other states has stalled. Iowas grooming law sponsored by Rep. Mark Thompson passed the House 94-0 but is now sitting in their Senate committee. The Senate President is Jack Witver who is not calling the bill for vote.

Illinois HB4340  an amendment to the current criminal code anti-grooming law  is also stalled in committee. This amendment would prevent those charged with grooming from being able to take a plea deal, which will be known as Andrews Law. The representative responsible for calling this bill for vote in this committee is State Representative Justin Slaughter.

Grooming is a term used to describe the calculated and gradual process by which an offender sexually abuses a child. It is a horrifyingly planned and manipulative act that makes victims of sexual abuse feel complacent and adds an additional layer of protection for the offender.

Grooming occurs in gradual stages, and groomers purposely choose jobs where they have access to children. Needless to say, the abuse results in permanent emotional scarring of the child (up to and including suicide) who may become an abuser as an adult, since this is the history with many pedophilesbreaking the cycle of abuse means enforcing strict laws on the books for abusers.

The current climate of our government and education system permits these tragedies to manifest on a regular basis as they weaken laws; offenders receive light sentences or plea deals which quickly put them back in public to offend again.

There has been an organized effort to normalize aberrant behavior: Pedophiles have been rebranded as Minor Attracted Persons. Age gap love is another term that has been used.

Parents can protect their children by teaching them the difference between appropriate and inappropriate contact (both online and offline), and fostering open and honest communication, without blame or stigma. They can focus on being safe online by deleting and blocking message requests from people they dont know.

We need honest and accurate elections so we can remove prosecutors who wont prosecute, and judges who accept plea deals. We must protect the most vulnerable and innocent among us: our children.

Michelle Peterson, the mother of the abused child in Illinois, has made it her lifes work to encourage the passing of stricter grooming laws across the country and restricting plea deals for offenders. Sex trafficking investigators now use the 2014 case in Illinois as precedent in their own cases. She warns:

Parents, protect your children online and on their mobile devices. Check their text messages, including private messages in the chats of apps (including Bible apps), their email, and their online activity and their online gaming. Use other apps to have the text messages on your childrens phones go to your phones. Bottom line, protect your children and fight for your children and that includes fighting for laws that will protect them and voting for those who will protect your children.

Government officials often react to pressure from their constituents, but also to publicity. Share this article with your local radio, television, and newspapers.

Reach out strongly and directly to your elected leaders. Ask them why legislation on this subject is being ignored or delayed.

In Iowa, their grooming law must be called up for a vote by Senate President Jack Witver. He can be reached by phone: (515) 281-3371 jack.whitver@legis.iowa.gov.

In Illinois, please contact Rep Slaughter and ask him why this bill has not been brought to vote. District Office (773) 445-9700 Springfield Office (217) 782-0010 and Email: office@repslaugher.com.

Stop It Now! USA works to prevent the sexual abuse of children. Their prevention helpline (1.888.PREVENT) provides free, confidential, and direct support and information to individuals with questions or concerns about child sexual abuse.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
Pay attention people, because the canary in the coal mine isnt breathing.

Heres the story, via an Associated Press report published yesterday:

Maine will become the latest to join a multistate effort to elect the president by popular vote with the Democratic governors announcement Monday that shes letting the proposal become law without her signature. Under the proposed compact, each state would allocate all its electoral votes to whoever wins the national popular vote for president, regardless of how individual states voted in an election.

Now, if youre unaware as to what this compact is, allow me to explain: its a nationwide movement to undermine the integrity of, and sidestep the political protections implemented by the Electoral College.

While these anti-EC activists have loudly called for the abolition of the institution at the federal level, theyve been quietly and methodically laying the framework at the state levelthe National Popular Vote interstate compact. These anti-American operatives are playing the long-game, and were barreling toward a shocking and devastating checkmate. (The first state to sign on to the scheme was Maryland in 2007.)

Maines governor is Democrat Janet Mills, who said this about her decision to allow the NPV bill to become law:

Without a ranked voting system, Mills said she believes the person who wins the most votes should become the president. To do otherwise seemingly runs counter to the democratic foundations of our country.

Uh lady, thats called tyranny of the majority, which is exactly what our Founders didnt want, and warned againstbut shes a Democrat, so why would she care?

Many times though, this movement even gets its foot in the door thanks to Republicans. Of course, when caught red-handed, they claim ignorancebut at some point, the Im-just-a-pitiful-idiot-politician-mea-culpa card gets played one too many times, and I start to suspect something a little more nefarious is going on. Exhibit A:

Mark Finchem and Katie Hobbs were once political allies In 2016, a host of Arizona legislators introduced House Bill 2456, with a reference title of national popular vote; interstate agreement  of the 45 lawmakers who signed on as sponsors, two names stand out in particular: Mark Finchem and Katie Hobbs. Yes, the very same Mark Finchem recognized for his perpetual existence in a ten-gallon hat and his firebrand rhetoric, and the very same Katie Hobbs currently embroiled in Kari Lakes lawsuit. The bill would have handed over Arizonas sovereignty, entering into a multi-state agreement to give Arizonas electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate won the popular vote.

Had Finchem, a Republican, successfully lobbied the bill through Arizonas legislature, Hillary would have taken Arizona in 2016.

Now, if all of that werent convincing enough that this is a very dangerous movement, uber-left Brennan Center for Justice published an article in 2019 in which the author made the case for NPV legislation, because the EC is one of the most undemocratic features of U.S. elections.

As a colleague mentioned, this NPV plot isnt constitutional because it directly conflicts with Article II, Section 1which is exactly right, but when has that ever stopped them before? Furthermore, I personally have absolutely zero trust in the Supreme Court as a whole, finding only two of the nine justices to be principled and reliably pro-Constitution; of course, Im referring to Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

Now, this interstate compact only takes effect when the participating states have 270 electoral votes, but with Maines participation, the NPV movement has a total number of 209 electoral votes in the bag. The movement is well-funded, and picking up speedjust last year, Minnesota signed on to the compact. Michigan is headed that way too. Nevada is also close. And, its only a matter of time before its back on Arizonas menu too.

So what can you do? NPV legislation has been introduced in all fifty states, and you can find out what the status is where you live at this link here. If NPV is already law, it must be repealed; this is where the legislators come in, or citizens initiatives, or whatever other political recourse might be legal in your state. If NPV isnt in effect, make sure it stays that way.

Wouldnt it be just surreal and amazing if these people who took an oath of office and swore to uphold the Constitution knew what they were swearing to uphold! Sure would make our lives a whole lot easier instead of babysitting a bunch of doddering dopes and anti-American saboteurs with the political power of yeas and nays.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
On the first day of Trumps trial regarding Stormy Daniels, we were once again reminded of liberals choosing words carefully to push a narrative. The trial is referenced everywhere by liberals as Hush money which carries connotations of guilt. If indeed money were paid by Trumps lawyers to Stormy Daniels to make her go away (which is not uncommon in any settlement to avoid trial where there is no guilt on the part of the defendant), then it was Just go away money, not Hush money. We cannot allow the Left to corrupt our language. I will never use hush money in reference to this trial. I pray the readers dont, either. Its a trial involving Stormy Daniels. Period.

Continuing the subtle co-opting of our language, as reported in Breitbart, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) was interviewed on CBSs Face the Nation by Margaret Brennan about the repeal of Roe v. Wade and what that means to his State of Arizona. Placing the blame squarely on Trump, Mark says:

Donald Trump owns this. He said just yesterday that he broke Roe v. Wade and because he did that, this enabled our court to bring back this draconian 1864 law to take away this right, send doctors to jail.  my first concern is women in Arizona and their health and women could die from this 1864 ruling that once again was enabled by the former president.

Let me see if I get this right the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization dispute that started in 2018 and got the ball rolling toward the Supreme Court was Donald Trumps doing? And Donald Trump, even though he is proud of the decision under his watch, was somehow directly responsible for the justices in the Supreme Court making a correct legal interpretation which overturned Roe v Wade that the Constitution says nothing about a womans right to abortion, and that any laws on the matter be left up to the states, right? How can Mark Kelly take an oath to uphold the Constitution when apparently, hes never read it?

Roe was made law in 1973. Doing the math, 1973 minus 1864 is 109 years. Were women dying in droves all those years before the 1973 ruling because they couldnt get an abortion? News to me.

So where was Arizona all those years leading up to Roe? Disinterested enough to pass new laws that updated the 1864 Civil War era law? If all those women were dying for 109 years, who owns that? Donald Trump? That antiquated law Mark Kelly is referring to bans nearly all abortions except to save the life of the mother. The full text of the law reads:

A person who provides, supplies or administers to a pregnant woman, or procures such woman to take any medicine, drugs or substance, or uses or employs any instrument or other means whatever, with intent thereby to procure the miscarriage of such woman, unless it is necessary to save her life, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than two years nor more than five years."

Apparently, Mark Kelly doesnt understand that abortion is not a right granted by any authority other than state law since one cannot ignore the rights of the unborn, yet he uses that word in context as if it were a given.

Kelly also says that not only will women die, but doctors will go to jail. For what? For breaking the law? Isnt that a good thing when people break the law, they are tried in a just legal system and potentially face jail time for voluntarily killing a human whose existence at some point during pregnancy has a right to life prescribed by state law?

Im glad that Kelly believes he has an opportunity to fix it in his state, since, as he says I dont think this represents who we are in the state of Arizona. I pray that he wont fix it, but thats just my opinion. I dont live in Arizona. But unless Kelly changes the Constitution (good luck with that) that responsibility now falls on the Arizona state legislature, not Mark Kelly.

Image: Gage Skidmore
Ronnie DeVillier outside the Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in his case this week. Institute for Justice

The Supreme Court ruled that four dozen Winnie-area ranchers and other property owners can continue to sue Texas for compensation for flooding damages.

The suit alleges a state project widening Interstate 10 caused the flooding that killed animals and left homes and land under feet of water after Hurricane Harvey and Tropical Storm Imelda.

Floodwaters destroyed equipment on Ronnie DeVillier's ranch. Institute for Justice During floods, the land near to the dam turned into an lake for days on end. Homes were flooded. Families were displaced. Cows and horses died. DeVillier family

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously to vacate a lower courts decision dismissing the case. The ruling now allows the case to be tried and means that in Texas, property owner rights are protected by both the state and federal constitutions.

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The case alleges that when the state widened I-10 between Houston and Beaumont from two lanes in either direction to three, a 3-foot-high concrete barrier separating the traffic hurtling east and west was erected to act as a dam. Water in the area drains south toward the Gulf; after Tropical Storm Imelda poured down on the region, floodwaters the height of the barrier covered the Winnie area as far as the eye could see to the north while the lanes south of the barrier remained comparatively dry, allowing for transportation.

Steve Devillier, right, watches as his family and friends help load one of his calves they found in high water. They are taking her to higher ground on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Winnie. Devillier's house and ranch also got flooded during Hurricane Harvey. Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle

Lawyers for the property owners argued that the flooded lands constituted a violation of both the state constitution and the federal Constitution. The Fifth Amendments takings clause protects against the government taking private property for public use without just compensation.

Texas had moved for the case to be heard in federal court, then said there were no grounds for the property owners to bring a case against a state in federal court. Instead, the states lawyers said an act of Congress would be necessary to give plaintiffs grounds to sue in federal court. While laws passed in the 1800s explicitly allow people to sue local jurisdictions for taking private property without just compensation, there is no law that mentions such cases against states, the state argues. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed.

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However, when the case reached the Supreme Court, justices pushed back on this logic. This seems to me like a totally made-up case because they did exactly what they had to do under Texas law, said Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Its almost a bait and switch.

Texas lawyers protested and said that state law actually did allow suits under the Fifth Amendment. The Supreme Court ruling says that, in that case, the suit should be heard.

Richie DeVillier, 60, looks out at the cattle on his ranch on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Winnie. DeVillier and some of his neighbors are suing the state of Texas for expanding the I-10 freeway near his home in a way he says has caused his and neighboring homes to flood severely. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Robert McNamara, an Institute for Justice lawyer who argued the case on behalf of the Winnie-area property owners, called that outcome a victory that increased property rights protections in Texas. Texans can now sue under both the state constitutions takings clause and the federal Constitutions takings clause.

If you have access to both constitutions, whichever one is most protective rules, he said.

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The Texas Department of Transportation said it does not comment on pending litigation.

The decision is significant because whether a state action is a taking that merits compensation has been broadly interpreted. Lawyers have argued that the takings clause applies to a range of regulations, including rent control, COVID eviction moratoriums and limits on developing wetlands, with varying success. In Texas, its clear federal courts can weigh in on a broad swath of state policies.

However, the courts ruling voiding the court of appeals decision dodged a larger question that would provide similar clarity in all states: whether a law has to be in place to allow a suit under the Fifth Amendments takings clause.

This case does not require us to resolve that question, wrote Justice Clarence Thomas.

A loose calf stands in high water in the flooded neighborhood on Devillier Road on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Winnie. While water has started to go down on the south side of the Interstate Highway 10, the north side of the highway was still under deep water. Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle

Nonetheless, Richie DeVillier, one of the cattle ranchers in the suit, was happy. In the first flood, he lost tractors, air compressors, welding machines, over 60 head of cattle, 100 calves and childhood photos of his son. In the second, he resolved to bring about change.

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When he heard the Supreme Courts decision, he felt good, he said, although he had never doubted how the case would turn out.
Something extraordinary happened above Israel over the weekend. It wasnt that Israel repelled a massive Iranian rocket and drone barrage, although that was sufficiently miraculous. Nor was it that amazing that Saudi Arabia helped defend Israel against Iranian incursions because its been rumored for decades that Saudi Arabia occasionally lends a hand in those matters. What was truly extraordinary was that Saudi Arabia openly admitted to helping Israel fight back against Irans attack. It shows the truth of the ancient proverb that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Saudi Arabia acknowledges helping defend Israel against Iranhttps://t.co/ymYMGrFSO3  The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) April 15, 2024

Many people are pointing to President Trumps Abraham Accords as the genesis for this changed Saudi policy, but I credit Barack Obama.

No, that was not a typo. To toot my own horn, back in 2009, I wrote about Obamas perfidy toward Israel by forcing her to admit a closely kept secret, namely that she was a nuclear power. If this was a clumsy attempt to get Israel to give up her nuclear weapons, it failed because Israel knew that Iran would never give up its nuclear dreams.

But more than that, I explained then that, much as the surrounding Arab nations complained about Israel, they knew that Israel posed no threat to them. The real threat, always, has been Iran. For that reason, I predicted that Obamas (and, now, Bidens) efforts to increase Irans power in the region would inevitably push Saudi Arabia and other Sunni nations into allying with Israel:

I also think that, under the rubric of the enemy of my enemy is my friend, allegiances are going to start shifting in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, etc., may hate Israel, but they fear a nuclear Iran even more than they hate Israel. My long-held suspicion since Obamas election (which instantly meant Israel lost her only friend) is that Saudi Arabia, somehow or other, is going to give Israel cover for an attack against Iran.

Its possible that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman risks the disapproval of the radical Wahhabi clerics in his kingdom, the ones who have been driving Saudi Arabias policies since 1979, but I doubt it. Let me explain.

In 1979, Islamic hardliners besieged Mecca. Following the siege, the Wahhabi clerics informed the Saudi royal family that, if the House of Saud would give the clerics total power over Saudi Arabias approach to Islam, the clerics would ensure that the Sauds would not suffer the same fate as the Shah of Iran.

Thats why its been Saudi Arabia, acting at the behest of the Wahhabi clerics, that has been founding radical Islamic madrassas around the world. These madrassas, in turn, have seeded much of the Islamic radicalism weve seen over the past 50 years.

However, whats important to keep in mind is that the Wahhabi approach to Islam is Sunni in origin, and its focus is Mecca, which is located in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the Iranian approach to Islam is Shia, and its focus is on the return of the 12th or hidden imam. He will return as part of the apocalypse.

While the Shia Muslims share with evangelical Christians a belief in the coming apocalypse, they have a slightly different view of their responsibilities. Christians prepare for its coming by trying to live righteous lives and by stockpiling supplies in case theyre not picked up during the Rapture.

Shia Muslims, however, believe that they can kickstart this apocalypse through their actions. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad often referred to his belief that Iran had a role in getting the apocalypse going by slaughtering their enemies and starting a major conflagration.

The House of Saud does not want a major conflagration, and it knows that its one of the targets of an Iranian slaughter. Thats because the ferocity with which Shia and Sunni Muslims hate each other is almost equal to their joint hatred for the Jews.

Its very likely that the Wahhabi clerics understand this pointsomething that the tea leaves predicted in 2017 when Saudi Arabias grand mufti denounced Hamas, an Iranian puppet, and forbade war against the Jews. (Im sure that Trumps and, interestingly, his Jewish son-in-laws good relationship with bin Salman helped a great deal.) Its my guess, therefore, that the reason the Saudis openly announced their support for Israel is that Prince bin Salman got approval from the clerics to do so.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Image: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Donald Trump. Public domain.
As the curtain rose on what could arguably be dubbed the most theatrical event in recent political history, former President Donald Trumps hush-money trial in New York, the stage was set not just for a legal battle, but for a spectacle that seems ripped straight from the pages of a satirical novel. On day one, Trump boldly declared the proceedings "an assault on America," framing the trial as nothing short of a politically motivated attack.

Indeed, Trumps pronouncement before even setting foot in the courtroom was as much a performance as it was a defiant stand against what he views as a travesty of justice. This is, after all, a man who has mastered the art of the media soundbite, and his claim that Nothing like this has ever happened before was not just a comment on his own unprecedented predicament but a stark reminder of the bizarre political era we find ourselves navigating.

But as Trump rightly pointed out, the implications of this trial extend far beyond the courtroom. Describing the case as election interference underscores a worrying trend of politicizing legal processes, casting a long shadow over the integrity of both the judicial system and the democratic process. The mention of District Attorney Alvin Bragg as George Soross Favorite DA adds another layer to this narrative, suggesting a confluence of political and financial interests behind the scenes.

Trumps characterization of the case as nonsense and the trial as a Rigged Trial! might seem like typical Trump hyperbole, but it touches on a deeper issue that resonates with many Americans: the perception of an unequal application of justice, where political affiliation seems to dictate legal scrutiny. The gag order placed on Trump, barring him from speaking about witnesses and jurors, while aimed at ensuring a fair trial, paradoxically serves to highlight this very concern. Trumps protestation, I want my VOICE back, speaks volumes about the perceived stifling of dissenting voices in the current political climate.

Moreover, the logistical and political complications of potentially incarcerating a former president -- a scenario that seems as fraught with challenges as it is with constitutional questions -- adds a layer of absurdity to the proceedings. How would the Secret Service handle a former president behind bars? The question itself seems like the setup for a dark comedy.

Yet, beneath the veneer of spectacle and hyperbole lies a stark reality: the trial of a former president, on charges stemming from alleged hush-money payments, is a moment of reckoning not just for Trump but for the American political and judicial system. It is a litmus test for the state of American democracy, a measure of our collective ability to navigate the murky waters of political bias, judicial integrity, and the principle of equal justice under the law.

As Trump vows to tell the truth and insists that they have no case, the nation watches, riveted by the unfolding drama, yet uneasy about the precedent this trial may set. Will justice be served, or will the trial devolve into a political circus? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: this is more than just a trial; its a reflection of the deep divisions and challenges facing America today. As we tune in to this political soap opera, one cant help but wonder: Are we witnessing the trial of a former president, or the trial of American democracy itself?

Michael Letts is an educator, political commentator, and the founder of InVest USA, a nonprofit organization that provides bulletproof vests to law enforcement officers. With over two decades of experience in civic engagement and public discourse, Letts is known for his insightful analysis of American politics and his commitment to supporting first responders. His work emphasizes the importance of public safety, fiscal responsibility, and the preservation of constitutional rights.

Image: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
Last week, a moderate(ish) Democrat broke ranks with NPR, writing an expose to protest that NPR was more ideologically extreme than even he could tolerate. Uri Berliner described an outlet that receives significant funding from federal and state taxpayers but is completely dominated by hardcore, progressive Democrats. He ascribed many of the problems to former CEO John Lansing, who was all-in on DEI and other woke policies, and expressed hope that the new CEO, Katherine Maher, a tech leader, would bring positive change. Thats unlikely. Maher, 40, has embraced every extreme idea the Democrats have promulgated in the last 20 years.

Following Berliners expose, Maher's deputy, Edith Chapin, wrote an internal memo claiming that it was profoundly disrespectful to dare challenge NPRs integrity. Its a very, very long letter that falls into a Shakespearean error: The lady doth protest too much, methinks. In fact, both Maher and Chapin know that everything Berliner wrote is true because Berliner backed it up with receipts: that is, NPRs own reporting, which speaks for itself. Indeed, all that his essay did was repackage the obvious.

So, who is Katherine Maher, the new doyenne of a taxpayer-funded media outlet that increasingly exists to serve the Democrat party? Well, her work history speaks volumes about someone who has worked only within the leftist bubble:

The new NPR CEO's work history is almost a perfect list of the institutions that have been most corrupted... pic.twitter.com/qqXBExaFkZ  Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) April 15, 2024

Still, Mahers career did ostensibly revolve around internet access and free speech. I mean, so what if Wikipedia became a hard-left, censorious outlet during her tenure. Her intentions were good. Or were they?

I ask because Mahers Twitter page (She/her) reveals a hardcore progressive Democrat who buys into every leftist policy.

Most obviously, Maher doesnt like Trump and has never been shy about that fact:

The Trump administration continues to be on the wrong side of history. @Wikimedia rejects any ban based on national origin, and will continue our work to unite our shared humanity. https://t.co/97l1gs5h1G  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) July 3, 2018

Maher was pleased that Wikipedia relentlessly edited the Trump page to keep it current with Democrat perceptions in the lead-up to the 2020 election:

Im impressed. @aarontmaks piece does a great job illustrating the tensions, debates, and intentions of the editors who work to keep Donald Trumps @Wikipedia page accurate, neutral, and up-to-date. https://t.co/qtDFpOyDJh  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) May 30, 2019

Huh. Wikipedia editors have added a disputed neutrality warning to the lede of the article about Donald Trumps, as they attempt to calibrate how much of the weeks news should define his biography.  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) October 4, 2019

Maher, a self-identified unalloyed progressive, supported Hillary, but sometimes even Hillary wasnt leftist enough for her:

I'm an unalloyed progressive and supporting Hillary this time around. :)  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) July 29, 2016

I do wish Hillary wouldn't use the language of "boy and girl" - it's erasing language for non-binary people.  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) October 10, 2016

And speaking of those non-binary people, Maher was and is excited about the whole LGBTQ+ spectrum. Her support for a group that makes sex the sine qua non of its existence dates back at least as far as her time living near San Franciscos Castro district:

I know it's Pride! (I do live on 17th). It was just the sheer number of sexy lube boxes. And the incongruousness of the DPW dudes.  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) June 11, 2011

It's no surprise to learn that Maher applauds so-called transgenderism and worked to wipe out Wikipedias cis white male bias.

NeutraL POV in Wikipedia is a cis white male POV. Editing activism is discouraged, yet trans visibility is essential. #WikiConference  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) October 8, 2016

Transgender narratives are shaped by cisgender people. There aren't reliable sources for trans experiences. @funcrunch #WikiConference  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) October 8, 2016

Maher was offended when Trump dared to say that American embassies should fly only the American flag, not flags celebrating random peoples sexual propensities:

I get that some pride support can be performative, and theres plenty of reason for skepticism when institutions fly the flag and dont walk the walk.



But the issue is not the absence of the absence of the flag, but its explicit denial. https://t.co/mayivONbdv  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) June 8, 2019

No wonder the password at a COVID testing facility thrilled her:

Getting a COVID test and love this little prompt of inclusion. pic.twitter.com/Pz1QJvPH9n  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) June 12, 2020

Maher was also all in on Black Lives Matter. During the riots, Maher explained that law and order and private property were all racist, given that, more than 150 years ago, there were black slaves in America. Insurance, which passes its costs on to working- and middle-class people, exists to fund the riots, said the woman whose salary (around $790,000 annually) comes from those same peoples taxes:

I mean, sure, looting is counterproductive. But its hard to be mad about protests not prioritizing the private property of a system of oppression founded on treating peoples ancestors as private property.  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) May 31, 2020

(Also to be clear, I am not conflating provocateurs with protestors. Instead, saying this should not be the thing anyone sheds tears over. Cheesecakes are insured; the right to be black and breathe is without measure.)  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) May 31, 2020

It makes perfect sense that Maher checked her privilege in 2020:

Lots of jokes about leaving the US, and I get it. But as someone with cis white mobility privilege, Im thinking Im staying and investing in ridding ourselves of this spectre of tyranny.  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) July 30, 2020

Also in 2020, Maher transferred her Hillary love to Biden, especially because of his open border plans and, as of November 2020, the implication that hed go after Trump:

The best part of AZ GOTV is my Biden grandpa hat. pic.twitter.com/EvoJax9h2b  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) November 2, 2020

Could it be any more on the nose? If Joe Biden doesn't put out a "tear down this wall" ad I truly don't know. https://t.co/Ql0CjVoeeX  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) June 4, 2020

I cant wait to start holding the new administration to account.  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) November 7, 2020

Maher is almost a parody of a progressive Democrat woman, buying into every shibboleth from Trump hatred to Biden worship and from LGBTQ+ madness to Black Lives Matter extremism. A woman given to this type of passionately partisan ideology has no business chairing an institution that receives even a dollar of support from taxpayers (both state and federal). But of course, its not just Maher. The real question is who appointed her to her position. Those people need to be called to account.

This post has been updated to correct an error about the authorship of the memo castigating Berliner's conduct as disrespectful.

Image: X screen grab.
On November 1, 1952, the U.S. detonated the worlds first hydrogen bomb, codenamed Mike, as part of Operation Ivy. It was the first full test of a breakthrough design created by Hungarian-American physicist Edward Teller and Polish mathematician Stanislaw Ulam. Mike represented a remarkable feat of engineering, towering at 20 feet tall and weighing an impressive 74 metric tons. While not deployable as a conventional weapon, its significance lay in being the first nuclear device to derive a substantial portion of its explosive power from fusion, the process of atomic fusion, rather than solely relying on fission, the division of atoms. Its functionality relied on a fission reaction to ignite fusion within liquid deuterium, a heavy isotope of hydrogen.

Mushroom cloud of the Ivy Mike test. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Mike's appearance was more akin to an industrial complex than a traditional weapon. It was housed within a substantial corrugated-aluminum structure known as the "shot cab," accompanied by a towering 300-foot signal tower for communication with the control room situated aboard the USS Estes, where the firing party was stationed. Due to its use of liquid deuterium as fuel, a sizable cryogenics plant was required to maintain the deuterium at temperatures close to absolute zero. Powering this intricate setup was a formidable 3,000-kilowatt power plant dedicated to the cryogenics facility.

The bomb was set up on a small uninhabited rocky islet called Elugelab, that was part of the Enewetak atoll, in the South Pacific. Eniwetok consists of forty small islets and atolls, spread out into the shape of an oval ring spanning twenty miles in length and ten miles in width, with two entrances leading into its central lagoon. The Eniwetok Atoll, which is part of the Marshall Islands, was originally held by the Japanese from 1914 until its capture by the United States in February 1944, during World War II. It then became a Naval base for over forty years until the Marshall Islands became independent in 1986. During this time, the atoll became the site for nuclear testing. Between 1948 and 1958, a total of 43 nuclear tests were conducted on Enewetak atoll, forever altering its landscape and historical significance.

The bomb. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Shot Cab.

On the morning of November 1, 1952, Mike unleashed its cataclysmic force upon the world. The detonation produced a fireball, stretching an astonishing five kilometers in diameter. Within a mere 90 seconds, the mushroom cloud ascended to an altitude of 17 kilometers, swiftly soaring to 33 kilometers a minute later. Eventually, it stabilized at a towering height of 41 kilometers, its expansive crown spanning a diameter of 161 kilometers, with a formidable stem measuring 32 kilometers wide. The yield of this awe-inspiring explosion measured an unprecedented 10.4 megatons.

A military report on the history of Operation Ivy noted, The Shot, as witnessed aboard the various vessels at sea, is not easily described. Accompanied by a brilliant light, the heat wave was felt immediately at distances of thirty to thirty-five miles. The tremendous fireball, appearing on the horizon like the sun when half-risen, quickly expanded after a momentary hover time.

U.S. nuclear weapon test Ivy Mike. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

The impact was as profound as it was devastating. Elugelab, once a solitary rocky islet, was instantly vaporized by the ferocity of the blast, leaving behind a vast crater stretching 1.9 kilometers in diameter and plunging 50 meters into the Earth's surface. The explosion generated a tsunami with waves up to 6 meters high that stripped the surrounding islands clean of vegetation. Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Gordon Dean succinctly summarized the results for the newly inaugurated President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, with a chilling declaration: "the island of Elugelab is missing!"

The Ivy Mike test also led to the discovery of two new elements. Shortly after the bomb was detonated, a fleet of U.S. Air Force planes fly through the atomic cloud, equipped with modified fuel tanks designed to capture and filter airborne debris. The filters from the planes were sealed in lead and sent to Los Alamos, New Mexico for analysis. Among those intrigued by the potential scientific treasure trove contained within these filters was nuclear scientist Albert Ghiorso of the University of California, Berkeley. Ghiorso speculated that the filters might contain atoms that had transformed, through radioactive decay, into the predicted but undiscovered elements 99 and 100. Ghiorso, along with chemist Stanley Gerald Thompson and Glenn Seaborg, obtained half a filter paper from the Ivy Mike test. On it, they were able to detect the existence of elements 99 and 100, which had been produced by intensely concentrated neutron flux about the detonation site. In 1955 the two new elements were name einsteinium and fermium, in honor of Albert Einstein and Enrico Fermi.

Enewetak Atoll, before "Mike" shot. Notice island of Elugelab on left.

Enewetak Atoll, after "Mike" shot. Notice crater on left.

Nuclear testing on Enewetak Atoll ended in 1958. In 1977, the United States military began the arduous task of decontaminating Enewetak and its surrounding islands. This endeavor involved the meticulous scraping of topsoil from the affected areas, which was subsequently mixed with cement before being interred within an atomic blast crater on the northern expanse of Runit Island. This crater, measuring 110 meters in width and plunging 30 meters into the earth, was then encased in additional layers of concrete to form a protective dome.

In 2000, another round of clean up followed. This time, rather than scrape the topsoil off, replace it with clean topsoil, and create another radioactive waste repository dome at some site on the atoll, areas still contaminated on Enewetak were treated with potassium. Soil that could not be effectively treated for human use was removed and used as fill for a causeway linking the atoll's principal islands, Enewetak and Parry. Scientists believe the atoll will be fit for human habitation by 20262027.

References:

# The Island is Missing!, US Army

# What the First H-Bomb Test Looked Like, Time
OpenAI launched ChatGPT back in November 2022, prompting Google and other companies to release their generative AI tools. These models have revolutionized many aspects of work and life, and education is no exception. However, the influence of AI isnt universally beneficial, particularly when it comes to writing papers.

Nearly 11% of papers contain at least 20% contribution of AI

The news comes from Turnitin, a leader in academic integrity for more than 25 years. Their dedicated AI engineering team launched an AI writing detection tool in April 2023, just months after the release of OpenAIs ChatGPT.

Since then, Turnitin has been conducting an extensive study with the help of its AI writing detection tool with over 200 million papers submitted by students. They have been looking for the use of AI in the papers that are considered to be at least one of the parameters that represent how wise a student is.

Notably, the result they got is surprising, to say the least. Approximately 11% of the 200 million papers (over 22 million) from students contain at least 20% contribution of AI models. Approximately 3% (over 6 million) of papers contained at least 80% contribution of AI.

Furthermore, Turnitin also shared another recent study conducted by Tyton Partners. According to their survey, nearly half of the students are using generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT on a regular basis. Notably, 75 percent of the students surveyed said that they will continue to use AI tools even if their institutions ban them.

There needs to be open discussions about the fair use of this technology

Were at an important juncture in education where technologies are transforming learning, and the need for academic integrity is more critical than ever, said Annie Chechitelli, chief product officer of Turnitin. She also noted that their AI writing detection feature should help in finding instances where students have unfairly used AI to write their papers.

Nonetheless, the successful detection of AI-written papers isnt a complete solution. As Turnitin suggests, there needs to be open discussions about the fair use of the technology. AI has a lot of potential to revolutionize education in a more positive way. Students can use AI to find, summarize, and translate information from another language faster and easier than ever.
A rather interesting piece of information just surfaced. Based on what IDC said, Android will grow at twice the pace of iOS in 2024. IDC shared this information with CNN. To be more specific, the companys Research Director, Nabila Popal, said it.

Android is expected to grow at twice the pace of iOS this year

As you may have read recently, Apples iPhone sales have dropped 10% in the first quarter of the year. Samsung took over the crown of the number one smartphone manufacturer. The main reason for the shift are Apples sales in China.

While talking with CNN, Popal said that Android had a strong decline over the past few years. Therefore, it now has a lot more room to grow. Thats what CNN reported, at least, we did not see a direct quote for that part.

The iPhone 16 series is not expected to bring major design changes

Androids growth seems to be IDCs prediction for 2024. If we take into account reports that the iPhone 16 series wont exactly be groundbreaking, it does make sense. The iPhone 17 series next year is expected to be a lot more exciting.

These are only predictions, of course, things could pan out differently. It will be interesting to see what will things look like at the end of the year. Based on the predictions Android could grow quite a bit.

Samsung managed to grab over 20% of the market in the first quarter of the year

It is worth noting that Samsung occupied 20.8% of the market in Q1 2024, while Apple grabbed 17.3%. The Korean giant shipped out 60.1 million devices, while Apple shipped out 50.1 million units.

Xiaomi managed to squeeze itself into third place with 14.1%. The company managed to sell 40.8 million smartphones. Xiaomi actually grew quite a bit, as it did a great job with its smartphones in the last year or so. That is especially true for the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
If you know or use the phrase Google it then you might be from the generation where searching on the Internet and using Google to search was synonymous. Before the introduction of platforms like TikTok, users used a variety of search engines like Google to fulfill all of their internet search needs.

The current technological advancement, however, has changed the playing field significantly. Social media platforms have also become a significant tool for users to search for information or news. Thanks to time constraints and personal preferences, platforms offering short videos or pictures with to-the-point captions are becoming increasingly popular.

Google is still the top search engine among Gen Z

While Gen Z is reportedly turning towards social media platforms like TikTok for their searches, Google still maintains its number 1 position among the Gen Z age group. According to data collected by Ypulse, 46% of internet users between the ages of 18 and 24 first search for things on Google. For comparison, 58% of internet users between the ages of 25 and 39 have Google as their first search option.

This data highlights the significant change in the search habits of Gen Z and millennials. Millennials primarily depend on traditional search engines and think of social media as a means of communicating with friends. Gen Z, on the other hand, has been shifting to platforms like TikTok and YouTube for their information searches.

Why the shift from Google to social media is happening

There are various reasons why this shift is occurring, and one of them is the most obvious  Gen Z has been raised with social media. Ironically, they are accustomed to social media as millennials were with Google as a search engine. This further elaborates the abovementioned point that many people, especially Gen Z, prefer watching videos over reading their information. Things like TikTok paying creators to make trending search content are major factors too.

As a business, Google needs to make money, and ads are a notable chunk of revenue. This requirement to appeal to companies that pay for ads can sometimes cause Google to censor some information. Those who want authentic news likely look for other information-gaining options.

Lastly, social media is just quicker. While Google likely gives more detailed explanations of everything, which is why even Apple thinks its the best search engine, social media posts are quick and snappy. Those who just want a quick information fix before moving on with their lives might find looking at social media posts more convenient.
Googles experimental generative AI search feature within Google Maps seems to be reaching more users. Announced in February, this tool aims to change how people find interesting places by providing personalized recommendations based on a vast database of information. However, early reviews suggest that the feature may still need some polishing.

According to Google, generative AI leverages large language models (LLMs) to understand natural language queries and analyze Google Maps massive repository of businesses, photos, reviews, and ratings contributed by the community. This, in theory, allows for tailored results far beyond the capabilities of standard keyword searches. For example, you could ask for places with a vintage vibe in San Francisco or steakhouses for dinner in Monterey, the results will include follow-up questions and even consider factors like weather.

However, based on early reviews, this is far from the truth. The initial rollout has drawn mixed reactions. Artem Russakovskii, founder of Android Police, expressed disappointment, citing failure to perform simple tasks like planning for a day. Others have also echoed this sentiment on social media, noting that the AI component doesnt seem fundamentally better than traditional Google Maps or general Google searches. Concerns about AI generating inaccurate or non-existent places have also surfaced.

Speed appears to be a notable weakness, with users like Johanna Romero of Phone Arena reporting slow processing times for recommendations. Some users find the generative AI search results to be limited, potentially missing out on well-reviewed spots compared to a standard Google Maps search.

The potential and Googles stance

The promise of personalized discovery powered by AI remains exciting. However, given its experimental nature, it is bound to have some of the issues users are experiencing. As more users gain access, their feedback will be crucial to refining its capabilities.

If youre curious about the future of search within Google Maps, this generative AI experiment is worth exploring. Keep in mind that the feature might be inconsistent in its current form. By providing feedback, you can contribute to shaping the way people discover new places through Google Maps. But before jumping into generative AI search on Google Maps, take note of the following:

Generative AI: This technology can creatively generate text and answers, but results may occasionally be inaccurate or misleading.

Experimental feature: Google is transparent about this being under development. Patience and providing constructive feedback will be key for users who want to see it improve.

Traditional Google Maps: For reliable navigation and well-established search tools, you can always rely on Google Maps standard features.

Besides generative AI, Google is also rolling out Androids system share sheet and Gemini direction prompts to Maps users.
The US government will award Samsung up to $6.4 billion in grants for its chip investments in the country. The funding comes under the CHIPS and Science Act and was announced by the Commerce Department on Monday. The Korean firm also plans to claim an investment tax credit from the US Treasury Department. The Biden administration previously announced multi-billion dollar grants for TSMC, Intel, and other chip firms.

Samsung gets $6.4 billion chip grant from the US government

In 2022, the Joe Biden-led US government established the CHIPS and Science Act to boost the domestic chip industry. The act encourages semiconductor companies to expand their production capacity in the country by constructing new manufacturing facilities. In return, they get various grants and subsidies from the government.

All major chip firms, including Samsung, TSMC, and Intel, have since announced new investments in the US. TSMC increased its investment from $40 billion to $65 billion. The Biden administration awarded the Taiwanese company with a grant of $6.6 billion. Intel, which plans to invest more than $100 billion in the US chip industry over the next five years, will get $8.5 billion in subsidies.

Samsung originally planned to invest $17 billion to construct a new chip factory in Taylor, Texas. This was announced in 2021 before the CHIPS and Science Act was passed. Various factors have since added to the cost. The company is now aiming to double the amount to $44 billion. It will construct another chip factory in Taylor and add a research center and a packaging facility to the site.

The Korean tech giant will also expand its existing chip plant in Austin, Texas. According to Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo, Samsungs investments will boost the countrys chip output for the aerospace, defense, and auto industries. The proposed project will propel Texas into a state-of-the-art semiconductor ecosystem, Raimondo said. It puts us on track to hit our goal of producing 20% of the worlds leading-edge chips in the United States by the end of the decade.

Samsung will create thousands of jobs in Texas

Raimondo estimates Samsungs proposed investment projects in Texas to create more than 20,000 jobs. The Korean firm may create at least 17,000 construction jobs and 4,500 manufacturing jobs. Located in Williamson County, the road near Samsungs semiconductor facility in Taylor was officially renamed Samsung Highway in December 2022. It was previously known as Future County Road.

To meet the expected surge in demand from US customers, for future products like AI chips, our fabs will be equipped for cutting-edge process technologies and help bring security to the U.S. semiconductor supply chain, said Samsung co-CEO Kyung Kye Hyun. The company expects to begin production in the new factories in 2026. It may start with 4nm chips before expanding into more advanced solutions3nm and 2nm.
Metas messaging social app Threads will shut down in Turkey starting this month. According to the company, it does not comply with local privacy regulations. The Turkish Competition Authority (TCA) took issue with the way Threads automatically links users data to their Instagram profiles.

Threads launched last summer as Metas attempt to capitalize on growing interest in more private social networking. But it was too tightly integrated with Instagram. Setting up a Threads profile required an Instagram account, and deleting one also deleted the other by default. This raised obvious privacy concerns by forcing a data connection without options.

Meta will shut down Threads for Turkey on April 29

In response to regulators, Meta has since added options to separate the two profiles. But it seems that these changes came too late for the Turkish authorities. As of April 29, Threads will be temporarily blocked in the country, according to the latest order from the TCA. Notifications are informing millions of users to either delete or deactivate their profiles before then.

To comply with an interim order of the Rekabet Kurumu/Turkish Competition Authority (TCA), Meta writes on the blog. We will shut down Threads in Turkey from Monday 29 April. We know this will be very disappointing for the many people in Turkey who engage on Threads with their community.

This is the latest privacy battle between Meta and Turkish authorities. In 2022, Meta was fined $18.6 million in Turkey for combining user data across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. It also faces cumulative daily fines of $160,000 for failing to comply with previous data-sharing orders.

Meta also says it is taking steps to minimize any disruption. However, the shutdown highlights Metas ongoing struggle to balance data usage policies across regions. While its popularity remains high, aggressive integration also brings increased scrutiny. In this matter, you can read our guide on how to deactivate your Threads account.
A United Airlines jet is seen after leaving the taxiway, Friday, March 8, 2024, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. No passenger or crew injuries have been reported, according to a United Airlines spokesperson. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

United Airlines officials are reviewing circumstances surrounding a series of airplane mishaps that have prompted a revamp of the companys safety and training procedures, its chief executive officer announced Monday.

CEO Scott Kirby sent a statement to customers acknowledging multiple recent issues involving United Airlines planes that occurred in some cities, including Houston.

In early March, a Boeing 737 attempting a flight from Houston to Florida had to immediately return to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport after one of the engines caught on fire because it ingested bubble wrap. Another Boeing 737, landing from a Memphis to Houston trip, slid off the taxiway into the grass.

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MORE STORIES: Mishap at United Airlines hangar floods part of IAH with foam

There were no injuries reported in either situation.

"Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety," Kirby said on LinkedIn. "While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus."

Company officials are reviewing the details of each case to understand what happened and use the information for the safety training and procedures at the airports, Kirby said. United Airlines has changes underway include an extra day of in-person training for pilots starting in May and a centralized training curriculum for new maintenance technicians.

"In the past few years, we've done a lot at United to build a new culture, improve our business and earn your trust. I'm confident that we'll learn the right lessons from these recent incidents and continue to run an operation that puts safety first and makes our employees and customers proud," Kirby said.

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This is not the first time a plane from United Airlines in Houston had an issue. In 2023, United Flight 129 from IAH returned to the ground safely after attempting to travel from Houston to Rio de Janeiro when its left engine caught on fire due to "a mechanical issue." United Flight 437 from Houston to Denver returned to the airport after crews found issues with the main landing gear.

In Texas, another United flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to San Francisco landed safely Thursday after it "encountered a hydraulic leak as it neared its destination," CBS reported.

FIRST AT A MAJOR AIRPORT: New prayer and ablution rooms at IAH

The New York Times found that there were eight plane issues requiring emergency landings or diversions throughout the nation in the past two weeks.

The demand for more safety measures hasn't only been directed toward airlines but also the companies that make the planes, such as Boeing.

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Boeing has faced criticism about whether the company cooperated with an investigation into the blowout of a door-plug panel on one of its planes during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, according to the New York Post. The incident has led some of the passengers to sue the plane company.

The Federal Aviation Administration called for Boeing to compile an action plan after finding multiple instances where the company and Spirit AeroSystems allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.

Boeing posted an update last week on their website stating what actions the company plans to take to improve. Actions include working with employees to ensure they fully understand the work instructions and procedures; implementing weekly compliance checks; dedicating time in each shift for mechanics to complete compliance and FOD sweeps; auditing toolboxes and removing boxes that aren't compliant; and planning additional audits this month.

"As we conduct quality stand downs across our company, your improvement ideas have been invaluable. We have used your feedback, and those from our regulator and customers, to take immediate actions to strengthen our safety and quality. These actions are central to a comprehensive plan we will soon deliver to the FAA," Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplane CEO said on the website.

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Mountainous village in N China's Shanxi generates wealth through salmon farming

People's Daily Online) 14:28, April 16, 2024

A mountainous village in north China's Shanxi Province has succeeded in salmon farming, generating wealth for local villagers.

The salmon are cultivated in a breeding base in Zhangfeng village, Zhengzhuang township, Qinshui county, Jincheng city. Owned by Shanxi Qinze Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. and built with the local government's support, the base is the largest cold-water fish farming base in north China.

Aerial photo shows the salmon breeding base in Zhangfeng village, Zhengzhuang township, Qinshui county, Jincheng city, north China's Shanxi Province. (Photo/Cui Dengke)

"Salmon farming requires excellent water quality and flowing water conditions," said Hu Jinfu, general manager of the company. He added that the water for salmon farming here comes from the Qinhe River. Deep in the mountains, the water is clear and oxygen-rich, and has a suitable temperature.

"The growth cycle for salmon is three years, during which time they need to be graded and moved into 43 different pools," said Hu Jinfu. He added that the fish eggs are hatched in the incubation room. When the salmon fingerlings weigh about 7 grams, which is usually three months later, they are transferred to the first pool. When they tip the scale at 20 grams, they are moved to the next pool, and will pass through all 43 sequential pools. Once the salmon weigh in at around 3.5 kilograms, that means they are ready for the market.

Two villagers move salmon to different pools in the salmon breeding base in Zhangfeng village, Zhengzhuang township, Qinshui county, Jincheng city, north China's Shanxi Province. (Photo/Cui Dengke)

The farming base now produces 800 tonnes of market-size salmon every year, generating sales of over 40 million yuan ($5.53 million), and a net profit of more than 8 million yuan. As the cultivation mode integrates the company, breeding base and villagers, it has brought wealth to 516 people from 253 households in 18 villages.

"Since I started to work at the base, my income has doubled, and I earn 60,000 yuan a year," said Hu Lijie, a villager of Zhangfeng village, who is responsible for feeding and taking care of the salmon.

Photo shows the salmon breeding base in Zhangfeng village, Zhengzhuang township, Qinshui county, Jincheng city, north China's Shanxi Province. (Photo/Cui Dengke)

A comprehensive salmon industry chain integrating cultivation, processing, and cold-chain transportation has taken shape here. Within 12 hours, fresh salmon from the farming base can be served in Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Taiyuan, Nanjing, and Zhengzhou.

Pang Yaliang, deputy governor of Qinshui, said that the salmon farming project is the first of its kind for cold-water aquaculture in north China. It serves as a benchmark for local agricultural companies to explore a new growth path while contributing to rural revitalization.

Two villagers show off salmon in the salmon breeding base in Zhangfeng village, Zhengzhuang township, Qinshui county, Jincheng city, north China's Shanxi Province. (Photo/Cui Dengke)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Shakari Briggs is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at shakari.briggs@houstonchronicle.com.

Before joining the Chronicle in November 2023, she worked for Spectrum News as a digital journalist based in her hometown. Shakari comes to the Houston newsroom with experience in broadcast reporting and producing as a former multimedia journalist and associate producer. The Dallas native has also worked at small to medium-sized newspapers throughout her career.

Her reporting on the rise and fall of a shopping mall won an Arkansas Associated Press Managing Editors Contest award. She also earned an Arkansas Press Association award for freelance reporting.
Who doesn't like getting the occasional surprise treat? A lucky Andean bear and her cubs were treated to some 'hives' full of honeycomb recently at the San Diego Zoo, and they seemed to enjoy not only eating it, but digging around to find it!

ABC News shared a video on Sunday, April 14th of the bears enjoying a sweet treat from hives they were given. The hives were actually gourds filled with honeycomb that zookeepers hung around their habitat for the bears to find. Watch as they enjoy the yummy treats!

ABC News explained in their caption that zookeepers place the honeycomb in gourds to mimic beehives that the bears would find in the wild. They then have to break open the gourds, just like in the wild. I guess the zoo doesn't want a bunch of bees and beehives hanging around!

Related: Bear Breaks Into Woman's Car and Chugs Down 69 Cans of Soda

Where Do Andean Bears Live in the Wild?

I've never heard of or seen Andean bears before, so I did a little digging to find out more about them. National Geographic shared some interesting facts about them that provided information about these relatively unknown bears.

Andean bears are also called Spectacled bears and are South America's only bear. They live in the dense Andean jungles, so it makes sense they'd be called Andean bears. But why they are called spectacled bears amused me, "Spectacled bears are so named for the whitish to yellowish rings that encircle their eyes, resembling large eyeglasses. These lines, however, don't always fully encircle the eyes, and some individuals lack the markings altogether."

Compared to other bears, these bears are relatively small, "Males, which are significantly larger than females, grow over 5 feet in length and weigh up to 340 pounds. Females rarely weigh more than 180 pounds." I still wouldn't want to run into one out in the jungle! The chances of that happening though are slim. They are described as "intensely shy bears" and they prefer to live in the isolated cloud forests on the slopes of the Andes, where they climb as high as 14,000 feet.

They're solitary animals for the most part and the only time you'll find males and females together is during mating season. Females usually give birth to one or two cubs that will remain with mom for up to eight months, often hitching a ride on the mothers back.

While they are not listed as an endangered species, their numbers in the wild continue to decline. Like many animals, Andean bears populations decline mainly due to the destruction and fragmentation of their habitats. They are also hunted for their meat and body parts, and farmers kill them as agricultural pests since they are known to raid cornfields. Fortunately, many zoos like the San Diego Zoo are safe havens for animals and they educate the public about animals that we may never otherwise get to see.

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Scotlands First Minister has said bad faith actors lodged vexatious complaints with police in the first days of the countrys new hate crime laws taking effect.

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into force on April 1, sparking a deluge of complaints, with almost 3,500 on the first day, prompting concerns about police being overwhelmed.

By the end of the first week, more than 7,000 complaints had been made online  most of them anonymously  but just 240 hate crimes had been recorded along with 30 non-crime hate incidents.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland on Tuesday, First Minister Humza Yousaf said the legislation had been weaponised.

What we have seen with the introduction of the Hate Crime Act, in the first few days in particular, was a series, I think, of bad faith actors who decided to put in vexatious complaints in order to try to waste police time  which is a pretty serious matter, he said.

We have issued data relating to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021. Data shows there were 7152 online hate reports received 1 April to 7 April. During this period 240 hate crimes and 30 non-crime hate incidents recorded. View the data: https://t.co/PROiKMRkJw pic.twitter.com/L6i3Pj7yb8  Police Scotland (@PoliceScotland) April 10, 2024

Mr Yousaf added there were almost 7,000 reports of hate crime in the 2021-22 financial year and the new legislation is designed to safeguard minorities.

The Act consolidates existing hate crime legislation and creates a new stirring-up offence for some protected characteristics  but opponents have suggested it could have a chilling effect on free speech.

This week, the Scottish Tories will hold a debate in Holyrood pushing for the legislation to be repealed, with the party claiming it is straining police resources.

The SNP and Greens form a majority in Holyrood that would require all opposition parties to vote for the motion and 13 from within their own ranks to rebel, meaning it will most likely fail.

One of the criticisms of the legislation is it does not create a stirring-up offence for the protected characteristic of sex.

Ministers, following engagement with womens groups, decided to create a standalone misogyny Bill, with the help of Baroness Helena Kennedy KC.

The Bill is yet to be introduced at Holyrood but the First Minister committed to put some urgency and pace behind the legislation due to concerns from women.

The misogyny Bill, the First Minister added, would also cover trans women.

Women and girls will be protected and, of course, trans women will also be protected as well because they will often also be the ones who suffer from threats of rape, for example, or threats of disfigurement, he said.

Men making such threats to trans women, the First Minister said, may very simply make that threat because their perception of that person is as a woman, regardless of whether theyre a trans woman or a cisgendered woman.
An all-female crew skippered by a British sailor has completed a race around the world after crossing the finish line at the Isle of Wight.

The 13-strong crew, made up of international sailors, five of them Britons and skippered by Heather Thomas, from Otley, West Yorkshire, completed the Ocean Globe Race aboard their yacht, Maiden, at 10.52am on Tuesday.

Ms Thomas said: It really is testament to how amazing these women are that even when things werent going to plan, we still stayed together as a team and we still got the boat back safely.

The crew celebrate their arrival at the Isle of Wight (Kaia Bint Savage/The Maiden Factor/PA)

It was really phenomenal to have all of those boats and people come and see us. The first person we saw was Tracy, of course. That was amazing and weve had an amazing welcome back here on land.

Tracy Edwards, skipper of the boat in the 1989-90 race and director of The Maiden Factor Foundation, a foundation dedicated to the education of women and girls, said: We are so proud of this talented and courageous, international all-female crew who have battled extremely unusual weather conditions around the world with only a sextant and paper charts!

The 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race, which marks the 50th anniversary of the first edition of the Whitbread Round the World Race, featured 14 boats representing eight countries.

Setting sail from Cowes in September last year, crews travelled over 27,000 nautical miles  as far as Auckland, New Zealand  and stopped in three continents, all without the use of modern technology.

Heather Thomas and Tracy Edwards (Kaia Bint Savage/The Maiden Factor/PA)

The Ocean Globe Race comprised four legs, with boats racing from Cowes to Cape Town, Auckland, and Punta del Este, Uruguay, before returning to the UK.

First mate Rachel Burgess said it is always a bit overwhelming when finishing a race, adding that she experienced a whole range of emotions.

It makes me well up to see all the support that weve had, the amount of support that weve had has been just overwhelming, she said.

Its not fully sunk in yet, I dont think it will for a few days. Its amazing to be finished but I dont want it to be over.

Some of the original crew met the new crew before the race (Kaia Bint Savage/The Maiden Factor/PA)

The event marks a break in Maidens world tour which began in September 2021, having covered 30,000 nautical miles and visiting 20 destinations as part of The Maiden Factors mission to educate, empower and elevate girls, including raising money to fund girls educational projects around the world.

Maiden was part of this years Ocean Globe Races Flyer Class, for yachts previously entered in the 1973, 1977 or 1981 Whitbread Round the World Race, or of relevant historic significance.

In 1989 Maiden became the first boat with an all-female crew to participate in the Whitbread Round the World Race  the predecessor to the Ocean Globe Race, which was staged every four years until 1997-98.

This years competition has preserved the spirit of the historic races, with crews circumnavigating the globe without the use of satellites, GPS or computers.

Instead, they used sextants, paper maps and celestial navigation to complete the journey, with four boats forced to retire over the course of the seven months.
Chance to do treble again an inspiration and motivation  Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva is motivated by the prospect of making history as Manchester City chase an unprecedented second successive treble.

City have put themselves in a strong position to retain the three trophies they won in glorious fashion last year after taking control of the Premier League title race at the weekend.

Pep Guardiolas side are now two points clear of rivals Arsenal and Liverpool with six games remaining.

Their attention now switches to the Champions League and the second leg of a quarter-final tie against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday that will begin with the aggregate score at 3-3. They then head to Wembley on Saturday for an FA Cup semi-final date with Chelsea.

Midfielder Silva said of Citys triple target: Of course its obviously (an) inspiration and motivation.

We want to create that legacy and win another Premier League, to do six in seven years and four in a row, and we want to win the Champions League, to do two in a row, that only Madrid did (with) three in a row. No-one else has won consecutive Champions Leagues, if I am not mistaken.

If we can win two trebles in a row, that no-one did, that would be legacy. That is definitely motivation.

Its very difficult as in one week we could be out of all the competitions, but we are fighting for it and going to do everything in our power to be, each day, a step closer that goal.

Pep Guardiola is focused on the clash with Real Madrid (Martin Rickett/PA).

Manager Pep Guardiola, who was speaking alongside Silva at a press conference, was more circumspect in detailing his ambitions but made clear his team will be giving everything to achieve the maximum.

He said: I am not going to say dont feel this to my players when they feel this, but I have a different opinion. We are far away from those hypothetical dreams.

When we are in the final of the FA Cup, and (have) two or three games (to go in the Premier League) with an advantage, and in the final of the Champions League, I will start to think about that. But not before a game against Real Madrid.

We have a lot of difficult games. It is one game at a time and it is Real Madrid tomorrow. I started to think of the treble last season when we beat (Manchester) United in the FA Cup final.

The success for me this season is that we are still there, in this position four or five weeks away, still in contention. Its incredible.

Now, extend the chance one more week, then one more week. This is what we try to do tomorrow and Saturday and the next games.

The first leg in Spain ended in a 3-3 draw (Nick Potts/PA).

Guardiola, as a former Barcelona captain and manager, has had a fierce rivalry with Real Madrid throughout his career.

This is the third successive year his City side have played Real in the Champions League knockout stages, with the Spanish side going through in 2022 but the Premier League outfit prevailing a year ago.

And after last weeks pulsating draw in the Bernabeu Stadium, Guardiola is relishing another contest against Carlo Ancelottis team.

Guardiola said: Real Madrid in this competition is always a big game. Its been special for me as a player and manager, but that doesnt count. What counts is what we have to do to win tomorrow.

I dont fear them but I respect them a lot.

City hope to have Kyle Walker back after five games out with a hamstring injury.
If you spend much time on the canine side of TkTok, you know that the number of animals in shelters across the country is a major problem. Shelter workers and volunteers are struggling to care for the increasing number of residents, and fewer people are signing up to foster, adopt, or volunteer. Many animal shelters are in need of donations, too!

Not every shelter, rescue, or humane society has the same needs, though. You'll want to check with your local organizations to find out what they need the most, but if you live in Southern California, please consider giving your time, money, or donations to the South LA Animal Shelter.

As Los Angeles animal rescuer Megan Lombardi revealed in a shocking and saddening April 6 TikTok video, the shelter staff is struggling to care for all the animals in their care. The dogs are especially in need of better care, but the shelter is already exhausting all of its resources.

It's difficult to even form words after seeing just what poor conditions these shelter dogs are in. And please don't think for a second that it's the fault of shelter staff or volunteers! Generous people like Megan are working around the clock to try to give these adoptable animals everything they need to thrive, but it's physically impossible to keep up.

Related: 12-Year-Old Raises Over $2K From Lemonade Stand to Help Animals At a Local Shelter

As of April 15, the Chesterfield/South LA Animal Shelter is housing 1515 dogs. To understand just how overcrowded it is, the shelter is only meant to house 737 dogs. There are literally only a handful of people taking care of over 1000 dogs, most of whom are medium or large dogs!

It's inspiring to see so many commenters saying that they'll sign up to volunteer at the animal shelter, and everyone's fingers are crossed that they meant what they said. The good news is that it's extremely easy to sign up as a volunteer on the shelter's website.

How to Help If You Can't Adopt

Not everyone is in a position to adopt a shelter animal, and that's OK. There are many other ways to make shelter animals' lives a little easier, including volunteering your time. You may clean out their kennels, which helps keep them healthy, or you may walk the dogs when their mental health needs it the most.

If you can't commit to volunteering, that's OK, too! Monetary donations go a long way in helping shelter pets, and most shelters happily accept donated items, too. Your local rescue or shelter might be in need of a specific item, or they may only feed their dogs a specific dog food, so be sure to browse a shelter's website before dropping off a donation.

Whether or not you live in LA, you can help shelter animals!

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EasyJet has extended its suspension of flights to and from Israel for six months following Irans missile and drone barrage aimed at the country.

The Luton-based airline announced it will not resume its Israel operations before late October.

An easyJet spokesman said: As a result of the continued evolving situation in Israel, easyJet has now taken the decision to suspend its flights to Tel Aviv for the remainder of the summer season until 27 October.

Customers booked to fly on this route up this date are being offered options including a full refund.

In the UK, easyJet previously served Gatwick, Luton and Manchester airports from Israel.

A spokesman for British Airways, which operates four daily return flights per week between Heathrow and Tel Aviv, said: Our flights are continuing to operate as planned and we continue to monitor the situation.

Wizz Air announced it resumed its flights to Tel Aviv on Tuesday after cancelling them on Sunday and Monday following the ongoing escalation in the region.

The airline warned that passengers may experience some schedule changes.

A spokeswoman said: The airline is closely monitoring the situation with the relevant authorities and keeping its passengers informed of all schedule changes.

She added: The safety and security for our passengers, crew and aircraft remains our number one priority. We hope that normality comes back to the region soon.

Some airlines changed their flight paths for services between Europe and Asia due to airspace closures in the Middle East after Irans attack on Saturday night.

In February, Virgin Atlantic extended its suspension of Israel flights up to September 4.

Several other major airlines resumed Israel flights in recent weeks after suspending them following the Hamas attack in October last year.
A High Court ruling that a schools ban on prayer rituals is lawful should give best-placed headteachers confidence in making decisions for their pupils, the Education Secretary has said.

The Michaela Community School in north London successfully defended a legal challenge brought by a Muslim pupil over the schools policy after she claimed it was discriminatory and uniquely affected her faith due to its ritualised nature.

However, the school, founded and led by headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh, a former government social mobility tsar, argued its prayer policy was justified after it faced death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site.

I have always been clear that headteachers are best placed to make decisions in their school. Michaela is an outstanding school, and I hope this judgement gives all school leaders the confidence to make the right decisions for their pupils.  Gillian Keegan MP (@GillianKeegan) April 16, 2024

In a judgment on Tuesday, Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupils bid and said there was a rational connection between the aim of promoting the team ethos of the school, inclusivity, social cohesion etc and the prayer ritual policy.

Following the decision, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said the ruling should give all school leaders confidence in making the right decision for their school while prioritising tolerance and respect between those of different faiths and none.

She added: The Government has always been clear that heads are best placed to take decisions on what is permitted in their school on these matters, to balance the rights of all with the ethos of the school community  including in relation to whether and how to accommodate prayer.

This judgment confirms this.

Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch said: This ruling is a victory against activists trying to subvert our public institutions.

No pupil has the right to impose their views on an entire school community in this way.

The Equality Act is a shield, not a sword, and teachers must not be threatened into submission.

In response to the Michaela School prayer ban ruling, we've called on UK Government to develop guidance for schools in England on the question of religious practice. Clearly, guidance is needed. Schools shouldn't be left alone to deal with this. https://t.co/7yN02m0kfK  Humanists UK (@Humanists_UK) April 16, 2024

The Church of England said it believed school heads are best placed to address issues locally and would uphold their right to do so.

The churchs chief education officer, Nigel Genders, said: This case does not appear to be about banning prayer in schools but relates to day-to-day decisions of a particular school in its own circumstances.

We agree that heads and governing bodies of individual schools are best placed to address these issues locally and would uphold their right to do so.

We do not believe this judgment challenges the principle of Freedom of Religion or Belief, or indeed Collective Worship in schools, which we strongly support.

In the wake of the ruling, Humanists UK called on the Government to develop national guidance on religious practices in schools to address building resentment in the system.

The charitys chief executive, Andrew Copson, said: In the absence of national guidance on religious practices in schools and of a serious national discussion about existing laws, cases like this will continue to be brought. Schools shouldnt be left alone to deal with this.

Todays High Court judgment requires serious thinking from the Government about how to protect the childs freedom of religion or belief while also making sure our education system is fair and inclusive to all.

Secular campaigners said the ruling serves as a reminder that claims of religious freedom do not trump all other considerations.

Stephen Evans, chief executive of the National Secular Society, also welcomed the judgment.

He said: If a school wishes to uphold a secular ethos, it should be entitled to do so.

Schools should be environments where everyone feels welcomed and valued, but that doesnt mean students have untrammelled religious freedom.

Where the manifestation of religion is deemed divisive or disruptive, a balance must be struck. Were pleased the schools actions have been vindicated.
Hollywood actor Johnny Depp has said he tried to talk the director of his latest film out of casting him as King Louis XV.

The Hollywood star returned to the red carpet in London on Monday night for the UK premiere of his first feature film since the conclusion of his high-profile defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.

Historical drama Jeanne Du Barry, in which Depp, 60, stars as King Louis XV, received a seven-minute standing ovation when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023.

The film follows the life of Jeanne, played by French actress Maiwenn, a working-class woman who uses her intelligence and allure to climb the social hierarchy, eventually landing on the radar of Frances King Louis XV.

Terry Gilliam and Johnny Depp arrive for the UK premiere of Jeanne Du Barry (Ian West/PA)

The project, which was also co-written and directed by Maiwenn, is Depps first major onscreen appearance since the defamation case.

Speaking on stage at the premiere, the actor, from Owensboro, Kentucky, told the audience he was surprised when he was approached for the role.

He said: Instantly what happens in your brain is that you go back to eastern Kentucky  you realise that you come from the ombelico, nombril, the belly button of nowhere and youre playing the king of France, according to Hollywood trade publication Deadline.

Johnny Depp signed autographs as he arrived at the premiere (Ian West/PA)

It made no sense to me, I tried to talk her out of it. She wasnt hearing it, and she had great courage to take me into her cast.

In 2022 Depp successfully sued his former partner over a 2018 article she wrote for The Washington Post about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, which his lawyers said falsely accused him of being an abuser.

Maiwenn and Johnny Depp (Ian West/PA)

It followed a damning ruling by the High Court in London in 2020 that found he assaulted Heard and left her in fear for her life.

On Monday night the Oscar-nominated actor reunited with British director Terry Gilliam, 83, who directed Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, which starred Depp as main character Raoul Duke.

Johnny Depp wore a grey coat over a black suit to the premiere (Ian West/PA)

In clips shared on social media, Depp jokingly presents Gilliam to the photographers and videographers gathered around as director Tim Burton, whom Depp has worked with on films including 1990s Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street in 2007.

Gilliam, who is known for being a part of the original Monty Python crew, also directed Depp in his 2009 film The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus.
A curbside mail drop off box is shown at the Klein Post Office, 7717 Louetta Rd., Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff photographer

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy defended his scrutinized Delivering for America plan during a Tuesday hearing in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs.

The 10-year project is designed to modernize the postal system but has been cited as an overarching reason for recent United States Postal Service delays across the country, including in the Houston area.

DeJoy said he believes the plan will succeed despite recent problems.

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"It's probably to no one's satisfaction in this room or in this town but it's what we got," DeJoy said. "This is the plan we're going with. We're moving forward and it is in fact having an impact and it will make the Postal Service better."

DeJoy was one of four witnesses at Tuesday's hearing, which lasted more than two hours, along with United States Postal Service Board of Governors Chairman Roman Martinez IV, Postal Regulatory Commission Chairman Michael Kubayanda and USPS Inspector General Tammy Hull.

Martinez also backed the Delivering for America plan during his opening comments.

"In my view, the Delivering for America plan is working but it needs time to achieve its goals," Martinez said.

Most of the questions from committee members were directed toward DeJoy and touched on a variety of topics, not just mail delays in places like Houston.

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However, Hull did mention the Houston mail delays and its recent audit of the South Houston Local Processing Center in Missouri City. The audit, which was released last week, found multiple problems that led to significant delays in the Houston area during a site visit in January.

"Following media reports of undelivered packages, we visited a South Houston facility in January and found 384,000 pieces of delayed mail, mostly packages," Hull said. "The Postal Service had moved operations from another plant but staffing, equipment and logistics were not aligned with the new workload."

AUDIT RELEASED: Audit uncovers 384K pieces of delayed mail during January inspection of USPS Missouri City facility

Two areas seeing similar significant mail delays are Atlanta, Georgia, and Richmond, Virginia. Those delays stem from the conversion of their center hubs into regional processing and distribution centers as part of implementing the Delivering for America plan.

DeJoy said that even though there have been problems, those two areas will soon be the "finest" parts of the postal system.

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"We have paused. We have changed. We have reorganized. We have committed additional resources," DeJoy said.

Sen. Jon Ossoff from Georgia said performance in the state is low. The state of Georgia has a 42.29% on-time rate for inbound first-class mail from March 1 to March 29. The percentage for the week of March 16 to March 22 was 36.15%.

LOOKING AT DATA: USPS data reveals Houston-area performance dropped below previous standards for months starting in November

Ossoff said he sent DeJoy a letter in mid-March about the problems in Georgia. The Postmaster General said he had not read it.

"Let me just give you just a friendly piece of advice, you should personally read letters from members of the U.S. Senate committee that funds and oversees your operations, particularly where you are failing abysmally to fulfill your core mission in my state," Ossoff said. "Everyone in my state is losing. The amount of distress this is causing my constituents is massive."

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DeJoy said improvements in Georgia should be expected within 60 days. But Ossoff said improvements need to be made quicker.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has launched the first product for her brand, American Riviera Orchard. (Getty Images) (SUZANNE CORDEIRO via Getty Images)

Meghan Markle has revealed the first product from her recently-launched lifestyle brand, America Riviera Orchard.

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, first announced her new brand in March with a dedicated Instagram page and accompanying video, and now she has sent the first product to her friends to try.

Posting on Instagram, Argentine socialite and friend of Meghan and Prince Harry, Delfina Balquier, posted two images of a jar of American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam to her Instagram Stories.

The first image saw the jam spread on a piece of toast, and the second praised the jam by tagging Meghans lifestyle brand and stating that she loved their jam.

Delfina Balquier posted these images to her Instagram Stories. (Instagram/@delfinabalquier)

Balquier had previously attended the Sentebale polo match with Meghan and Harry last week alongside her polo player husband, Ignacio Figueras.

Tracy Robbins, wife of Paramount Pictures president Brian Robbins and another pal of Meghans also posted the jam to her Instagram Story.

Thank you for the delicious basket! she captioned the image. I absolutely love this jam, so not sure Im sharing with anyone.

Tracy Robbins also shared images of the jam. (Instagram/@mrstracyrobbins)

This is the first product that has been shared from the brand, while the Duchess has been tight-lipped on any further details. But what is American Riviera Orchard and what do we know about the brand so far?

What is American Riviera Orchard?

American Riviera Orchard is a lifestyle brand that was quietly launched by Meghan last month after a page of the same name appeared on Instagram.

The bio of the page only says 'by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex', and the website that it is linked to simply takes users to a waitlist sign up page.

At the time the page was launched, it had an accompanying video showing Meghan cooking in the kitchen and picking flowers.

The name is a nod to Santa Barbara, which is where Meghan and Harry live, as it has been nicknamed the American Riviera for over a century.

"Meghan finds the name American Riviera Orchard perfect. It feels authentic to her. She cant wait for the website to launch," one source told People.

The same source added that the brand "will reflect everything that [Meghan] loves  family, cooking, entertaining and home decor".

"She is excited about her latest, personal venture," they continued. "This is something shes been wanting to do for a while. She is excited to share her style and things that she loves."

Meghan and Harry moved to California in 2020. (Getty Images) (Anadolu via Getty Images)

What will American Riviera Orchard sell?

Strawberry jam is likely to be the first product from the brand, after a small batch of 50 jars were sent to Meghans friends and select influencers.

Nut butter has also been rumoured to be one of the products, and trademark applications suggest the site will sell marmalades, fruit preserves, cookbooks, tableware, textiles, stationery, yoga gear, bags, and pet-related items like collars and bird seed.

What about The Tig?

Before Meghan married Harry and became a member of the Royal Family, she ran a lifestyle blog called The Tig where she shared travel tips, recipes, and wine recommendations.

While there were rumours that The Tig could be revived, it appears that Meghan is starting fresh instead with this new venture.

Royal Family: Read more
'Love Is Blind' fan favorite Jess Vestal has a new love in her life and it's way cuter than Jimmy Presnell - the dude who rejected her in the pods on the popular Netflix reality dating series.

This new love may be pretty hairy and on occasion kinda smelly, but it's probably a lot less heartache than any dude she could have hooked up with from the show. The gorgeous single mom from Charlotte, North Carolina revealed on her socials that she recently got her very first puppy!

Awww, the new addition is a mini-Dachshund that Vestal named Summer. In the above video you can see Jess loading up on supplies for her new little family member before she surprises her daughter Autumn at school to have her go with to pick up the new puppy. Autumn had no idea that the plan was to go and pick up the puppy that day, and Jess joked that her poor daughter thought she was being picked up early due to a death in the family.

Related: Golden Retriever Puppy Meeting Her New Lab Sibling Is Giving People the Feels

In this previous video you can see Jess and Autumn explaining that they have never had a dog before, because they consider themselves to be more "cat people." Then you get to see them going to meet the litter that Summer comes from.

Here's another sweet video of Jess playing and cuddling with the little pup that she says she is obsessed with.

We certainly can't blame her, that is one cute puppy!

How To Introduce Your Puppy To a Cat

Jess has Bengal cats and she posted a video of her cats checking out the new puppy.

There are ways you can make introducing your cats to a new member of the family like a puppy go a lot smoother.

First you need to make sure your all of your pets are free of fleas and ticks and have their first vaccinations.

You want to remember to go slowly, and it's helpful to get them used to each other's scents before meeting in person. Give your puppy a cloth or blanket with your cat's scent on it, and vice versa.

Keep your puppy on a leash when first meeting a cat and go slow. Get them used to seeing each other and don't force it. Make sure the cat has a safe space to retreat to if they are overwhelmed. Puppies can be wild and rambunctious!

Keep the first visits short and sweet at first, and give both pets lots of praise and affection when they are in each other's company so they start to associate being close to each other as a very happy experience.

If your puppy shows any aggression towards the cat, or if they are too hyper and trying to jump on your cat,, remove the cat immediately. You can try again at a later date, still keeping the puppy leashed and close to you.

Here's hoping we get to see a video of Summer cuddling those Bengal cats at some point!

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
Muslim leaders have told of their disappointment in a court ruling upholding a ban on prayer rituals at a London school as they criticised a ministers comments on the issue as divisive and sensationalist.

Imam Ajmal Masroor said the High Court ruling showed a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to be a Muslim, after a judge concluded the ban did not interfere with the Michaela Community School students rights.

The London-based faith leader told the PA news agency he would urge the students family to appeal against the judgment so that we can get a more nuanced ruling on this.

Imam Ajmal Masroor said the High Court ruling showed there had been a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to be a Muslim (Jonathan Brady/PA)

He rejected comments by the judge who said the pupil could perform Qada prayers  permitted by Islam to make up for missing prayers earlier in the day  to mitigate the failure to pray within the allotted window.

Imam Masroor said: If a child is in secondary school and misses their mid-afternoon prayer for five years, thats not an exception. Thats been imposed as a rule.

He said there had been a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to be a Muslim, adding: As a Muslim I have to pray my five daily prayers, there is no compromise.

It is my identity.

The imam branded comments by equalities minister Kemi Badenoch that the ruling is a victory against activists trying to subvert our public institutions as divisive.

Calling into question what he perceived as different approaches when it comes to Christianity, he said: If we are going to be creating a secular space in a school, should we cancel Easter break? Because thats inspired by Christianity. Should we cancel Christmas break? Because thats inspired by Christianity.

Should we cancel singing the national anthem which says God Save the King? The mention of God is at the forefront of this very anthem.

Where do we draw the line? Or is it that its only for Islam and the Muslims that Badenoch and others suddenly scream foul but stay silent when its Christianity? Its a double standard and hypocrisy, Im afraid.

Dr Abdul-Azim Ahmed, who is secretary general of the Muslim Council of Wales, told PA he was really disappointed that the court hasnt defended a very well-established British principle of freedom of religion.

He added: Its not looking for preferential treatment, its looking for fairness in schools. Its looking for the basic religious freedoms which have long been a part of the British public sphere.

Commenting on Ms Badenochs statement, he said: I think unfortunately the ministers comments are sensationalising this case and playing into a culture war and a rhetoric which doesnt reflect the reality of whats happening on the ground.
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa's cabinet agreed to abolish the death penalty - JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP via Getty Image

When a young independence fighter called Emmerson Mnangagwa was caught and tried in 1965 in what was then Rhodesia, the judge made it clear his youth alone would not save him from the hangman.

He might have said he was only 18 when his gang of saboteurs bombed a train in Fort Victoria, now Masvingo, but the court still had the discretion to execute him.

However, opting to spare him, the judge instead sentenced Mnangagwa to 10 years in jail and it was there he befriended the man who became his political patron: Zimbabwes future leader Robert Mugabe.

Some six decades later, with Mr Mnanagagwa now himself Zimbabwes president, his cabinet in February agreed to abolish the death penalty which had once threatened his young life.

Mr Mnanagagwa, who is thought to have actually been aged 23 at the time of the attack, has long opposed what he has called a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. Political commentators believe his views have been strongly shaped by his experience all those years ago.

Mr Mnanagagwa has long opposed what he has called a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment - Siphiwe Sibeko/REUTERS

Zimbabwes parliament must still approve the abolition, but the measure has widespread support and is expected to pass easily in the coming months.

Such a move would see the nation join a string of African countries in ending capital punishment in recent years.

Ghana abolished the death penalty for everything except high treason last year. Sierra Leone and the Central African Republic both totally removed the punishment the year before. They are among a total of eight African countries who have abolished it completely since 2014.

Many of those which do retain it have not carried out any executions for years, or even decades. Kenya still sentences people to death, but has not held an execution since 1987. Tanzania has not held one since 1995. Others, such as Burkina Faso, Zambia and Equatorial Guinea, now only keep it for extreme circumstances, such as martial law.

A beacon of abolitionist hope

Campaigners across the continent and their international supporters now believe there is momentum for perhaps the whole continent, or at least sub-Saharan Africa, to scrap the punishment eventually.

Bronwyn Dudley, of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, said 26 African countries are considered abolitionist in law with at least 14 currently observing a moratorium on executions.

This demonstrates and confirms an on-going trend that could make Africa the next abolitionist continent, she said.

As well as the ban currently before Zimbabwes parliament, Liberia, Malawi and Kenya all have bills at varying stages that would abolish the death penalty.

Oluwatosin Popoola, of Amnesty International, said: In the abolitionist movement, we have always seen Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, as a beacon of hope.

In fact lots of countries in Africa have abolished the death penalty in the past decade.

He went on: Im optimistic that many countries, the majority, will abolish the death penalty very soon.

I think in the next five to ten years, we will cross the half-way mark.

Campaigners have successfully highlighted the vulnerability of those who end up on death row, particularly the poor - Kaveh Kazemi/Hulton Archive

The drivers behind the wave of abolition vary, but many countries see the punishment as a colonial era legacy imposed on them by foreign governments.

Mr Popoola said: The death penalty was used by a lot of colonial powers in Africa to oppress the local population and nationalist leaders and agitation for independence.

In countries in Africa that still have a lot of anti-colonial sentiment that is used as grounds to abolish the death penalty.

African leaders who for decades did not believe abolition was a political priority have also been emboldened by opinion polling showing either popular support, or at least indifference to scrapping the punishment.

Others have come to see abolition as a way to improve relations with international institutions.

Campaigners have also been successful in highlighting the vulnerability of those who end up on death row, particularly the poor who cannot afford decent lawyers, and the resulting scope for appalling miscarriages of justice.

Wrongful convictions

Ishmail Gome spent 12 years on death row in Malawi after being fitted up for murder.

When Foliasi Chibwazi was found dead, police discovered a single set of footprints from the scene of the crime to the home of Pitilizani Chabuka, Mr Gomes nephew.

But after Mr Chabuka was arrested, he falsely implicated Mr Gome as an accomplice and his uncle was beaten and coerced into signing a confession he could not even read.

When I heard the sentence, it hurt, Mr Gome said earlier this year recalling his death sentence.

All your plans are ruined. You are not doing anything. I just worried every day. It made my blood pressure go up. I asked myself Is this what God wanted me to do? What future do I have now?

The miscarriage was only corrected after his case was reviewed by human rights lawyers and his nephew admitted to falsely accusing him.

Executions and death sentences on the continent are increasingly concentrated in just a handful of countries.

The latest figures from Amnesty show Egypt executed 24 people in 2022 and handed down 538 death sentences.

Somalia executed at least six people that year and South Sudan executed at least five. No other African countries held any executions in 2022.

Worldwide, the use of the death penalty is dominated by China, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Its use in America has declined significantly.

Inmates at San Quentin State Prison  which houses one of the few remaining death rows in the US  exercise in cages - David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

China closely guards the scale of its executions and death sentences, but Amnesty estimates they are annually in the thousands.

Iran executed at least 576 people in 2022 and Saudi Arabia executed 196.

As well as the current political and popular momentum behind abolition in Africa, campaigners have also successfully used legal challenges to limit use of the penalty.

Campaigners in Africa have learned from legal challenges elsewhere, often other Commonwealth countries, to press their cases.

Death penalty abolitionists in some Caribbean countries have successfully challenged its use at the UKs Privy Council, which remains their final court of appeal.

African Commonwealth countries, who have full independence and different constitutional arrangements, have gone on to successfully use similar arguments, said Saul Lehrfreund, founder of the Death Penalty Project, which has been helping death row prisoners for more than 30 years.

In one 2005 case, the project and a young Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, helped Ugandan lawyers persuade the countrys constitutional court to overturn the death sentence for 417 people.

As more countries abolish capital punishment, pressure grows on the remainder, Mr Lehrfreund believes.

He said: Which side of history do you want to be on? If you were to ask that question 25 years ago, it wasnt really a question. But now it does matter, because the vast majority of the continent have moved away from the death penalty.

Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security
Smacking children made them much more likely to suffer poor mental health, do badly at school and be physically assaulted or abused, the college said. Photograph: Mark Waugh/Alamy

Parents in England and Northern Ireland should be banned from smacking their children because doing so is unjust, dangerous and harmful, leading doctors have urged ministers.

It was a scandal that Scotland and Wales had outlawed smacking but not the other two home nations, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said on Wednesday.

Smacking children made them much more likely to suffer poor mental health, do badly at school and be physically assaulted or abused, it added, condemning the practice as a complete violation of childrens rights.

It said parents in England and Northern Ireland should no longer be able to claim that hitting their child was reasonable punishment, as was allowed under the current law.

The paediatricians want the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, to change the law before the general election expected later this year. All political parties should include a commitment to do so in their election manifestos, they added.

The laws around physical punishment as they stand are unjust and dangerously vague, said Prof Andrew Rowland, a consultant paediatrician, who is the colleges officer for child protection. They create a grey area in which some forms of physical punishment may be lawful and some are not.

The vagueness created by the lack of legislative clarity  makes it extremely challenging to talk to families about what the rules are on physical punishment of children, thus making it more difficult to talk about the best interests of their children, he added.

Rowland said that he saw children sometimes once a week at his clinics in Manchester who had been hit by a parent.

I see children who have been physically punished with a smack or a slap [or] sometimes with an implement. They can be hit on their leg, arm, back or bottom.

Ive seen children who have been hit with a belt or blunt implement from the kitchen, like a spoon, or cables from a phone or laptop charger thats been used as a whip. That can leave a child needing medical attention for an injury such as a bruise, open wound or even a fracture.

Ive seen this happen to children aged two to 18. This is wrong for all children, no matter what the circumstances, and it leaves them upset, angry and confused. It shouldnt happen.

Bess Herbert, an advocacy specialist at the campaign group End Corporal Punishment, said hundreds of studies had found that, besides physical and mental harm, the damage from being smacked could include poorer cognitive development, a higher risk of dropping out of school, increased aggression and perpetrating violence and antisocial behaviour as adults.

Sixty-five countries had banned smacking and 27 others had committed to doing the same, Rowland said. England and Northern Ireland are out of step, internationally speaking.

The NSPCC backed the colleges call. All children deserve the same protection from assaults as adults, said Joanna Barrett, the charitys associate head of policy.

In England and Northern Ireland, children continue to be exposed to a legal loophole that can undermine their basic right to protection under the guise of reasonable chastisement, Barrett said.

Hitting a child can have harmful and lasting consequences. We know from Childline that physical punishment can impact a childs mental and emotional health and damage the relationship between parent and child.

Rachel de Souza, the childrens commissioner for England, did not express a definitive view on the issue when she answered questions from MPs on the Commons education committee at her confirmation hearing in December 2020.

However, she indicated to Times Radio in April 2022 that she wanted ministers to consider banning smacking. I absolutely abhor, and Im against, violence of any kind against children, she said.

Because children are more vulnerable than adults, I think we do need to ensure that their rights are supported.

The Guardian has approached the Department for Education for comment.
Birmingham Airport has reopened after suspending all takeoffs and landings

Birmingham Airport has reopened after suspending all takeoffs and landings when a suspicious item was reportedly found aboard an Aer Lingus flight.

An aircraft from the Irish airline took off from the airport on a scheduled flight to Belfast on Tuesday afternoon but then returned to Birmingham, data from Flight Radar 24 says.

Unconfirmed reports suggested a suspicious item may have been found on board, but an Aer Lingus spokesman said: We can confirm that an undeclared item discovered on Aer Lingus Regional flight EI3647, operated by Emerald Airlines, from Birmingham to Belfast today was not a security risk.

Our teams are currently working to accommodate impacted passengers..

The flight, which appeared to be EI3647, had been scheduled to depart at 3.10pm but took off after a delay of around 40 minutes. It returned to Birmingham just over an hour later, landing at 4.25pm.

A Birmingham Airport spokesman said the airport had temporarily suspended operations due to a security incident on an aircraft.

Live footage from the scene suggested that the aircraft, an ATR-72 regional turboprop airliner with 72 seats, was parked at a remote corner of the airfield.

The airliner was later moved back to the terminal after officials declared it was safe.
Damien Guerot used a bollard and later a mental chair in attempts to thwart Joel Cauchi - TWITTER

The man who helped stop the Sydney shopping centre knifeman with a bollard has been offered Australian citizenship.

Damien Guerot was nicknamed bollard man after security footage showed him using the item to confront Joel Cauchi at the top of an escalator, near a childrens play area.

On Tuesday, Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, lauded the Frenchmans extraordinary efforts during the attack at Bondi Junction Westfield, telling him to stay as long as you like.

If Bollard Man wants to become an Australian, wed welcome him with open arms, he said.

Cauchi, 40, fatally stabbed six people before he was shot dead by Insp Amy Scott.

The diagnosed schizophrenic may have inflicted further carnage were it not for Mr Guerots bravery, who helped Insp Scott locate Cauchi, Mr Albanese said.

I think that on Saturday, we saw some of the best of human character at the same time as we saw such devastating tragedy, he said.

In a statement to The Telegraph, Andrew Giles, the immigration minister, said: I am aware of Mr Guerots case and have asked my department to look into visa options for him.

Mr Guerots extraordinary bravery is an example of the character we all want to see in our society, Mr Giles said.

Damien Guerot was with a friend headed to the gym when he confronted Joel Cauchi - FRAT

Mr Guerot and Silas Despreaux, his friend, were walking to the gym on Saturday when they saw Cauchi  who had already stabbed 17 people including a baby  nearing a group of children.

We just saw him coming ... we were thinking, We need to try to stop him, Mr Guerot told Seven News. I saw a guy on the floor with a lot of blood, I saw one girl from the balcony get stabbed.

He said that when he confronted Cauchi on the escalator, the killer had empty eyes.

He wasnt there, Mr Guerot said. We tried to throw the bollard. We really wanted to stop him.

The friends also used a metal chair to block Cauchi.

Referring to Insp Scott who shot Cauchi dead when he lunged towards her with the knife, Mr Guerot said: She was the hero, she did the job. We just did what we did.
The Australian prime minister has offered a French citizen who confronted the Bondi Junction attacker with a bollard the ability to stay in Australia as long as he likes and even become a citizen.

French construction worker Damien Guerot was dubbed bollard man after CCTV footage showed him confronting Joel Cauchi on an escalator in Westfield Bondi Junction, where Cauchi allegedly fatally stabbed six people on Saturday before he was shot dead by police.

On Tuesday Anthony Albanese thanked Damien Guerot for his extraordinary bravery and offered to resolve visa issues for the French citizen after reports his visa is due to expire in July.

I say this to Damien Guerot  who is dealing with his visa applications  that you are welcome here, you are welcome to stay for as long as you like, Albanese told reporters in Canberra.

This is someone who we would welcome becoming an Australian citizen, although that would of course be a loss for France.

Related: A great heart: Sydneys Ahmadiyya Muslim community mourn Faraz Tahir, killed in Bondi knife attack

It says a lot about the nature of humanity at a time when we are facing difficult issues, that someone who is not a citizen of this country stood bravely at the top of those escalators and stopped this perpetrator from getting on to another floor and potentially inflicting further carnage on citizens.

I think that on Saturday we saw some of the best of human character at the same time as we saw such devastating tragedy. And I thank Damien for his extraordinary efforts.

Guardian Australia has contacted the immigration minister, Andrew Giles, to clarify if the government is offering to waive the four-year residency requirement for becoming an Australian citizen, as it has done in the past for elite athletes hoping to represent Australia at the Olympics.

Mr Guerots extraordinary bravery is an example of the character we all want to see in our society, Giles said.



I am aware of Mr Guerots case and have asked my Department to look into visa options for him. Once again, we thank Mr Guerot as well as other members of the public, our heroic police officers and first responders who have helped protect others from danger.

Earlier, Albanese told WSFM radio that Australia needs to do more to protect women in the wake of the Bondi Junction attack, after New South Wales police confirmed they are investigating whether Cauchi deliberately targeted women and children.

Women should be safe going about their shopping on a Saturday afternoon, Albanese said. They also should, of course, be safe in their home.

Related:Bondi Junction mass stabbing attack: who are the six victims?

And weve seen too many incidents of domestic violence as well already this year. It is a tragic statistic that tells a story well beyond just numbers. That a woman loses their life to someone that they know on average once a week in Australia.

We need to do more on the scourge of domestic violence.

On ABC Melbourne, Albanese declined to get into a definitional debate about whether violence motivated by misogyny could constitute terrorism.

Albanese said the Bondi Junction attack was completely unacceptable and horrific, but said there is an ongoing investigation as to motivation.

Albanese said that it is absolutely up to every Australian  including men  to deal with violence against women.

Women shouldnt feel like they have to change their behaviour [or that] they shouldnt be able to walk home from the train station or bus stop at night.

Men are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of this violence and men as a group have to change their behaviour.
Nigel Farage said there had been 'no public order threat whatsoever' - Yves Herman/Reuters

Downing Street has said attempts by police in Belgium to shut down a conservative conference featuring Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman on Tuesday were extremely disturbing.

Mr Farage was on stage at the National Conservatism Conference in Brussels when officers entered the venue to serve a court order demanding its closure with immediate effect.

Legal papers, seen by The Telegraph, suggested speeches at the event could cause public disorder, be homophobic or offend minorities.

The conference organisers had been forced to relocate to the venue on Monday night after a conference hall and a hotel cancelled their bookings following claims of political pressure from the local Left-wing mayor.

A No 10 spokesman said: Clearly, these reports are extremely disturbing. The Prime Minister is a strong supporter and advocator for free speech, and he believes that should be fundamental to any democracy.

Speaking more broadly to the principle of such events, he is very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming speakers is damaging to free speech and to democracy as a result. He is very clear that free debate and the exchange of views is vital, even where you disagree.

Mrs Braverman, the former home secretary, who also spoke at the gathering, criticised what she called the Brussels thought police for undermining free speech.

After her speech, she told reporters: The thought police instructed by the mayor of Brussels are so fit to try and undermine and denigrate what is free speech and free debate.

I remember the words of Mrs Thatcher, and Im going to misquote her, but the more ridiculous and far-fetched and extremist their attempts are to silence us, the more cheered on I am. Because it just shows that theyve lost their political argument.

Suella Braverman said opponents had 'lost their political argument' - Omar Havana/Getty Images

Miriam Cates, the Tory MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, had to be smuggled into the venue to deliver her speech on protecting children. She was disguised in a tartan headscarf and taken in through a service entrance.

She said: Its just incredible. Many of the speakers are elected politicians in their own countries, and people can disagree with them, but theyre legally elected. Its just extraordinary that theres been an attempt to shut them down like this. Its the opposite of liberalism.

Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Farage said: The monstrous reaction in Brussels to this conference comes as no surprise to me. I was personally banned from restaurants, pubs and coffee bars in my last few years in this city.

But today, the Brussels elite have exhibited their culture on a global stage. In fact, its far more serious than that.

Cancel culture is saying: I do not want to hear your opinion. What happened today is an updated form of Soviet communism. It says that no other view is allowed, that anybody that holds it is, by definition, mad, bad, and dangerous. Its an approach that has, and will always, fail in the end.

Mr Farage, the honorary president of Reform UK, told the audience that police would have to drag him from the stage if they wanted to silence him.

A police cordon was erected to prevent people from entering the venue, but officers did not go into the conference room to remove speakers or delegates as a court battle ensued.

The event was allowed to continue while organisers mounted a legal challenge against the order to shut it down from Emir Kir, a local Brussels mayor. This event could undeniably lead to violent reactions [and] considerable disturbances of public order, the order said.

Mr Kir, the long-serving mayor of the citys Saint-Josse district, was kicked out of the Socialist Party in Brussels in 2020 after he met politicians from Turkeys far-Right.

The event had originally been due to be held at the Concert Noble ballroom, but on Friday Yoram Hazony, the conference chairman, said his team had been told by the venue that it had to pull the event amid political pressure from Philippe Close, the Socialist Party mayor of Brussels.

Belgian police enter the conference venue on Tuesday - Omar Havana/Getty Images

The Claridge club, owned by Lassaad Ben Yaghlane, a Belgian-Tunisian businessman, stepped in to host it. As he defied orders to shut it down, officials ordered his car to be towed away and catering firms were blocked from delivering supplies.

These are not the people I normally share the same values with, Mr Ben Yaghlane said of the conference attendees. The difference is that I understand they want stability and maintaining [of] traditional values, but we live in a world that evolves a lot at the moment and needs more openness and acceptance for the values of others.

Mr Ben Yaghlane has owned the venue, which is more used to hosting weddings, bar mitzvahs and parties, since 2013. Mr Farage said: He is hugely brave.

Nigel Farage

Nasty Brussels police have just proven Brexit right

Read more

Mr Farage, who delivered a speech on his history of clashing with the ruling class in Brussels, said there was no public order threat. Eric Zemmour, the French firebrand, delivered his speech on the pavement outside after he was refused entry by police.

Mr Hazony, the conference chairman, said: We work very hard to make sure that fringe elements, political extremists dont catch a ride on our conferences. A spokesman also insisted the event was extremely peaceful.

Frank Furedi, of the MCC Brussels think tank, said the attempt to shut down the event was an entirely political act ... political decisions are masqueraded as technical ones.

On Tuesday, organisers were working to secure a new venue for the second day of the conference, when Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, is due to speak. There were doubts the legal challenge to overturn the court order would succeed in time to hold the event.

In her speech, Mrs Braverman claimed Rishi Sunak lacked the political will to take Britain out of the European Convention of Human Rights.

She said the Prime Ministers promise to prevent foreign courts from stopping Britain from sending asylum seekers to Rwanda was inauthentic, calling leaving right and necessary and also the politically expedient option for the Government.
The tree, in truth, is much reduced since 1769, when it was lassoed by Daines Barrington and measured at 15.9 metres. Photograph: Mark Cocker

The yew in the churchyard here has a legend as the oldest tree in Britain, although its exact age is a matter of dispute. Many propose that it is older than Christianity and some that it could even predate Stonehenge.

Perhaps a more revealing comparison arises with an artefact from about the same period (circa 3000BC). Its the man called Oetzi, whose leathery, ice-preserved remains were extracted from a Tirolean glacier in 1991, along with his deerskin boots and bearskin cap. Oetzi carried a mark of high prestige in his little copper axe, but this state-of-the-art technology also had a handle made of the same wood as the tree in Fortingall. The Scottish yew has thus endured from the age of copper to a time when children (like those standing next to us as we visited) take Snapchat shots on smartphones.

The tree, in truth, is much reduced since 1769, when it was lassoed by Daines Barrington and measured at 15.9 metres. Souvenir hunters began hacking off parts of its monumental girth until concerned locals threw up a wall  some see it as a prison  to protect the remains. As I pondered my tree, I wondered how best to capture its full eldritch condition.

Should I photograph the blackening heartwood, some of whose laminar swirling shapes suggest the eddying surface to a pollen-stained river, but also the flames licking up from a wood fire? Or does its true exceptionalism lie in the cone-like flowers that are still sprouting at the twig ends and, at this very moment, look for all the world like any rain-sodden greenery in this landscape?

My dilemma reminded me of a pronouncement by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, known for a series of fragmentary sayings, many paradoxical in nature. Life, he proposed, was akin to music produced when the strings of a bow are laid crosswise upon a lyre. Harmony arises in the tension of these diametrically opposed strings. The name of the bow is life, he wrote, and its work [the music] is death. The Fortingall yew, which is closer to immortality than any other resident in these islands, is perhaps the most death-like life Ive ever seen.

 Country diary is on Twitter at @gdncountrydiary
Shown is future weather radar for Tuesday morning in Southeast Texas, according to the High Resolution Rapid Refresh model. Showers will be widely scattered and light. WeatherBELL

A weak cold front is forecast to push into Southeast Texas on Tuesday, bringing with it a very slim shower chance. If youre holding onto hope the cold front will sweep through the Houston metro area with cooler, less humid weather, you may be disappointed with the forecast this week.

Before getting into the not-so-cold front, lets highlight Tuesdays chance for rain.

First, lets clarify that many of us will escape the day with no rain to speak of. If youre in Conroe or Huntsville, an extra shower or two might arise from the sky because youll be closest to where the cold front loses steam.

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So if the cold front is likely to lose momentum as it approaches Houston through Tuesday, it means that only minor chances for showers will occur through Friday.

Rain chances are going to be a paltry 10% or 20%, which warrants nothing more than a passing mention. But this slim shower or sprinkle chance is about the only active weather we have this week, so its worth noting.

TRACK YOUR CHANCES: With slim chances for rain this week in the forecast, use our interactive maps to see where rain is falling

Wednesday is likely to be the driest day as forecast rain chances of less than 10% are likely for most of the Houston area. Not surprisingly, Wednesday will also be the warmest day of the work week. By Thursday, chances for rain should be mostly confined to between Interstate 10 and the Texas coast.

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Getting close to 90

Despite mostly cloudy skies this week and even a stray sprinkle here or there, temperatures this week should steadily climb. Tuesdays temps top out a degree or two warmer than Monday. Afternoon temperatures should peak between 83 and 85 degrees.

Well crank up the heat just a bit by Wednesday with forecast highs coming within a degree or two of 90 degrees. For those keeping track, the 30-year average date for Houstons first 90-degree day isnt until May 27.

In 13 of the past 30 years  and four of the past five years  daily high temperatures have hit 90 degrees before May 1. Could it happen this week in Houston? Its possible, especially if we can keep cloud cover to a minimum.

WHEN DO TEXAS CITIES HIT 100? : We all know triple-digit heat is coming sooner than later. How soon can we expect it on average?

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By Thursday, as rain chances remain slim and cloud cover fairly dense, temperatures drop just a tad from 89 degrees to around 87. The slightly lower temps Thursday rebound again by Friday, with highs again expected to close in on 90 degrees.

This map of Texas shows areas with the highest chances of reaching 90 degrees or higher on Friday, according to the American GFS forecast model. While odds are much better along the Rio Grande, Houston has a 30% to 40% chance of hitting 90 degrees for the first time this year by the end of the week. WeatherBELL

Weekend cold front

The weather pattern this week features a weak and stalling cold front, small chances for showers, and unseasonably warm temperatures. However, another cold front late in the week could bring changes to the pattern this weekend.

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This new cold front arrives sometime between Friday and Saturday afternoon, the exact timing is still uncertain this far out. But global forecast models suggest this cold front will also run out of steam as it passes Southeast Texas. This should keep scattered showers and storms around through both days of the weekend. Based on the latest forecast guidance, rainfall chances of 30% to 50% are expected Saturday into Sunday.
Nigel Farage's speech was cut short at the National Conservatism conference in Brussels on Tuesday - Yves Herman/REUTERS

As Nigel Farage strolled around the stage regaling tales of his decades in Brussels, panicked officials and members of the press started heading for the exit.

Had the former Ukip leader, a natural entertainer, lost his touch for captivating an audience?

Or was it the three police officers brandishing two identical court orders  one in French, the other in Dutch  that were more entertaining?

They had been dispatched to Le club Claridge, a venue in the Belgian capital more used to holding Turkish weddings than political conferences, to shut down the Right-wing National Conservatism event being held there.

Emir Kir, the mayor of the Brussels commune of Saint Josse, had signed a court order demanding the closure of the event with immediate effect, on the grounds that speeches by the likes of Mr Farage and Suella Braverman could cause public disorder.

Outside the venues doors, Anthony Gilland, a former maths teacher turned think-tanker, remonstrated with the officers carrying out their orders.

Anthony Gilland (left) speaks to the press after police try to shut down the event - Anadolu

A gaggle of journalists soon formed round them, this reporter clambering up a metal fence, positioned to keep protesters out, for a better vantage point.

Mr Gilland, the chief of staff at the MCC Brussels think-tank, had been standing outside in the rain all morning, trying to keep order amid the threat that Left-wing Brussels politicians would succeed in ousting the conference from a third venue.

There had been warnings all morning that the police could arrive to turf out hundreds of delegates attending the second NatCon conference to be held in Brussels since 2022  the first had passed with little publicity.

When I arrived at the venue, a sign reading We are very sorry. The doors are shut. If you are a speaker call this number had been placed on the door.

Only speakers and journalists were permitted in. Paying guests were left in the rain. The ban was later extended to everyone.

Instead of barging in uninvited, police officers simply strolled in to drop off their court orders and then retreated across the road.

A Dutch-speaking member of the MCC Brussels team was left with one copy, with the other in the hands of French-speaking Prof Bill Durodie, who was manning the reception.

Journalists tried to catch a glimpse of the orders to establish the exact justification used by the police for closing down the event.

The Telegraph can reveal the order said: This event could undeniably lead to violent reactions [and] considerable disturbances of public order.

Nigel Farage leaves the building - JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE / Avalon

It also claimed the speakers could hold provocative and discriminatory views that are deemed homophobic, non-respectful of people and minorities.

A deal was brokered with the police: the event was allowed to continue, but nobody else would be let into the venue. Five police officers were placed on the door.

Upstairs in the managers office, Lassaad Ben Yaghlane, the club owner, and Prof Frank Furedi, MCC Brusselss director, were on the phone to lawyers attempting to mount a legal challenge.

Police officers stand on the door, barring entry to ticket holders - Anadolu

The mood turned tense, nobody genuinely knew whether the two-day event would go into its second day  with Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, due to deliver a keynote address.

As Prof Furedi, a Tottenham season ticket holder, hit the phones of journalists to raise awareness of the situation, I joked: Whats easier, this or watching Spurs?

What followed can only be described as an expletive response that soon turned to smiles.

The lawyers had been on the phone. There was an air of confidence that the conference would see its second day, at the same venue.

Most of the plaudits, however, went to Mr Ben Yaghlane, who despite openly telling The Telegraph he disagreed with his guests politics, he believed that freedom of speech was more important.

The price, a battle with the local mayor, whose office threatened to withdraw his venues operating licence. His car was also towed.

He may have not left his office  that was his sons job to run operations on the venues dance floor  but he was held up as a hero by NatCons organisers, who insisted their gathering couldnt have gone ahead without him.
Lord Cameron suggested that negotiators from the countries involved were close to an agreement - House of Lords/UK Parliament/PA

The leaders of the G7 countries are close to agreeing a plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraines war effort, Lord Cameron has said.

The Foreign Secretary said an emerging consensus existed between Western countries on how to take advantage of more than 220 billion in Russian assets that have been frozen since Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The United States has been pushing a plan to borrow billions to send to Ukraine in loans, secured against the future interest on the Russian money  most of which is in Brussels.

The idea is supported by the UK, but has encountered opposition from some European states including Germany, which has been cautious about the future of such a loan if it had a 10-year maturity date.

Such a deal would be likely to be agreed between members of the G7 and the EU, where some other countries, including Hungary and Slovakia, have expressed concerns about repurposing Russian money to fund the war.

Speaking in the House of Lords on Tuesday, Lord Cameron suggested that negotiators from the countries involved were close to an agreement.

I think there is an emerging consensus that the interest on those assets can be used to support much larger financial support for Ukraine, he said, adding that there was an answer around which G7 countries can coalesce.

He said: If we can get that done, we really will be able to provide real financial firepower to Ukraine based on those assets rather than delivering the assets directly.

The debate comes amid major concern in Western capitals about the sustainability of Ukraines war effort following months of funding holdup in Washington.

Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, said on Monday night that he expected to bring Ukraine aid to a vote among US lawmakers, possibly ending the logjam.

His strategy would see financing for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan separated into different votes, but he faces significant opposition to the vote from some Republican congressmen, and there is no guarantee that his plan would pass the Senate.

Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, said he would raise the issue with Janet Yellen, his US counterpart, on a visit this week.

I think we should be thinking about anything we possibly can to come to the support of Ukraine, he told Bloomberg, saying everyone has to do their bit and that he would have a very open discussion about the plans with EU countries.

Joe Biden and several of his intelligence and military officials have warned that Ukraine will lose significant territory this year without more US funding for the war.

Last week, the US military commander in Europe said Russia was outfiring Ukraine on the battlefield by five to one because of ammunition shortages, and warned that the figure would soon be 10 to one.

The plan to use Russian assets frozen in the West would be likely to involve interest payments being removed and sent directly to Kyiv, or the creation of a bond tied to the future revenue from Russian capital.

One version of the plan, supported by the European Commission, would see the interest payments used directly, with 90 per cent funding weapons purchases and 10 per cent put back into the EU budget.

However, Daleep Singh, the US deputy national security adviser for international economics, last week suggested a debt-based plan under which Ukraine would be sent the present value of the future interest stream of the immobilised assets, either through a bond or a loan.

He said: Instead of just transferring the yearly profits from the reserves it is conceptually possible to transfer the 10 years of profits or 30 years of profits. The present value of those profits adds up to a very large number.

As it faces another summer of war with Russia, Ukraine is also struggling to refinance its public spending, with talks between Kyiv and private creditors expected to conclude later this year.

The IMF is running a four-year loan programme for Ukraine, which has so far released $5.4 billion (4.3 billion) of a total $15.6 billion. Its third loan payment, of $880 million, was approved at the end of last month.
A member of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps shows his AK47 weapon during an annual rally to mark Quds Day - Sobhan Farajvan/Shutterstock

When the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was first established in the aftermath of Irans 1979 Islamic revolution, it was nowhere near as powerful as it is today.

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the new Iranian leader, wanted to consolidate various militias into a single, regime-loyal force to counteract the power of the countrys official army and suppress internal dissent.

But Saddam Husseins unprovoked invasion of Iran the following year provided the catalyst that would turn the IRGC into a military in its own right.

What is the IRGC?

Not to be confused with Irans traditional armed forces, the IRGC is a parallel military body that protects Irans fundamentalist regime.

It fought off attempts to subjugate it to the regular army and instead expanded to include its own air, land, naval, and special forces who operated overseas.

In the 2000s, it was allowed to build its own intelligence agency to rival its official counterpart and granted government contracts that saw its economic and political power inside the country balloon.

Today, it is Irans primary armed force, with an estimated 125,000 regular personnel. It has a navy that may be bigger than the actual navy, fields a significant air force and runs Irans ballistic missile program.

It is one of the most powerful paramilitary organisations in the Middle East.

At home, its volunteer Basij militia, a religious outfit often used to suppress domestic protests, may number in the millions.

It runs news agencies and a vast network of businesses with interests in telecommunications, construction, oil and gas.

But it is the overseas operations wing, the Quds Force, that most bothers foreign governments.

What does the IRGC do abroad?

Described as a hybrid of the CIA and Americas special operations command, the Quds  or Jerusalem  Force is Israels main antagonist in the decades-long shadow war between the two countries.

It helped found Hezbollah in Lebanon in 1982 as an instrument to project Iranian power, was heavily involved in insurgencies in post-Saddam Iraq, and ran Irans intervention in the Syrian civil war.

Today, it coordinates a regional network of allies and proxies including Hezbollah, Shia militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen and Hamas in Gaza.

Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the long-serving commander of the Quds, in a drone strike in Iraq in 2020.

Israels April 1 strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus killed Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, the head of Quds Forces Lebanon Corps and its key liaison with Hezbollah.

Hezbollah supporters carry pictures of Qasem Soleimani, the Quds commander, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the Iraqi militia commander - WAEL HAMZEH/REX

Who considers the IRGC to be a terrorist group?

The United States designated the IRGC as a terrorist group in 2019. A handful of other countries including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, have also done so.

The European Parliament approved a resolution calling on the EU to designate the IRGC a terrorist group in 2023, but the resolution is not binding and most EU members  as well as key Western powers like Britain and Canada  have resisted calls from hawkish MPs, Iranian opposition groups and Israel to follow suit.

Instead, they have confined themselves to imposing sanctions on the organisation and some members.

Israel is now pushing for that to change.

Alongside the military response to the firing of the missiles and the UAVs, I am leading a diplomatic offensive against Iran, Israel Katz, the countrys foreign minister, said on X, formerly Twitter.

This morning, I sent letters to 32 countries and spoke with dozens of foreign ministers and leading figures around the world, calling for sanctions to be imposed on the Iranian missile project and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps be declared a terrorist organisation.

Mr Katz didnt specify to which governments he had written.

Members of Iran's Basij militia take part in an anti-US rally - Anadolu Agency

Why has the UK not proscribed the IRGC?

Although the US publicly called for its allies to proscribe the IRGC after the Oct 7 attacks, The Telegraph understands that American diplomats have privately asked the UK not to do so.

The US has not had diplomatic relations with Iran since 1980 and relies on other Western allies, including the UK, to act as a backchannel with Iran.

Some US officials have privately raised concerns that if the UK was to proscribe the group, Tehran would sever diplomatic ties with London and cut off a key diplomatic backchannel.

There are other reasons the UK resists calls to proscribe the IRGC.

One is that it is now such a vast organisation that it provides opportunities for subtler forms of engagement.

A blanket proscription would hinder efforts to foster division within its ranks.

In the long-run, fractures in the IRGC could be instrumental in ensuring the regimes collapse or survival. Calling all of its 125,000 members terrorists, some argue, only gives potential dissenters reason to remain loyal.

Sir John Sawers, a former head of MI6, also cast doubt on the wisdom of proscribing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.

I dont think its necessary. The counterterrorism legislation was designed to deal with terrorist groups, its not designed to deal with states.

Now Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism, theres no doubt about that, but a state poses a much more substantial threat than a terrorist organisation does. Parliament passed only last year a new intelligence and security act that gave MI5 the powers it needs to defend this country.

If the head of MI5 came out and said I really need a proscription against the revolutionary guards, that would be one thing, but Im not hearing that.

I think its more of a rhetorical position of people in various parts of the political spectrum, looking for something to do, without really thinking about the substance of it.
Two technicians in Iran's uranium conversion facility - MEHDI GHASEMI/ISNA/AP PHOTO

Iran closed down its nuclear facilities amid fears of an Israeli attack, the United Nations has revealed.

Inspectors were blocked from the sites on Sunday, Rafael Grossi, the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency chief, said.

The shutdown came as Israels war cabinet was locked in talks over how to respond to Irans first direct attack on its territory.

Experts have warned Iran is on the threshold of becoming a nuclear power and could build a bomb in six months to a year. Uranium enrichment is accelerating as the regime faces calls to create a deterrent.

There is limited evidence the Islamic Republic wants to create a nuclear bomb, and Israel is not understood to be preparing an imminent attack on nuclear facilities.

Rafael Grossi, the International Atomic Energy Agency chief, said inspectors had been turned away - CHRIS GALLAGHER/REUTERS

But Mr Grossi said UN inspectors in Iran were informed by the Iranian government that all the nuclear facilities we are inspecting every day would remain closed on security considerations following the Iranian strikes.

He added that the facilities reopened on Monday but the inspectors would not be coming back there until some time on Tuesday.

The UN inspections are a legacy of the now defunct Iran nuclear deal, which exchanged sanctions relief for curbs and monitoring of the nuclear programme to prevent Tehran getting the bomb.

Inspectors this year found Iran was scaling up production of nuclear fuel approaching weapons grade uranium.

They also found newly installed equipment, ever faster speeds of uranium enrichment, and a planned expansion to double output.

The countrys Atomic Energy Organisation also used the term deterrence in relation to its nuclear programme earlier this year.

Hassan Rouhani, then president of Iran, at a nuclear facility in 2019, when Tehran announced it would no longer respect the limits of its deal with the West - IRANIAN PRESIDENCY/AFP PHOTO

Kelsey Davenport, the director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association, said, Iran is sitting on the threshold of nuclear weapons; it can build a bomb more quickly than at any point in its history.

Ms Davenport warned that Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities would be counter-productive.

A strike against Irans nuclear facilities should be off the table, she said. Targeting Iranian nuclear sites in reaction to a drone and missile attack that did minimal damage to Israel would be a reckless and irresponsible escalation that increases the risk of a wider regional war.

A large-scale attack on Irans nuclear facilities is more likely to push Tehran to decide that developing nuclear weapons is necessary to deter future attacks.

Iranian officials have always insisted that Tehran is pursuing its nuclear programme for civilian needs.

But the Islamic Republic has warned of a severe and painful response to any Israeli retaliation as the regimes supporters urged it to build the weapons of mass destruction.

An engineer works in Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment plant in a video shown to government officials on the country's National Nuclear Technology Day in 2019 - IRANIAN PRESIDENCY/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Abolfazl Amoei, the spokesman for the Iranian parliaments national security committee, said: We are prepared to use weapons we havent used previously, and we have strategies for every possible scenario. The Zionists should be careful.

On social media, Madhi Mohammadi, an adviser to the speaker of the Iranian parliament, posted: In addition to its missile programme, Iran also has a nuclear programme.

Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran, said in a call on Monday with the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani: We firmly declare that the slightest action against Irans interests will definitely be met with a severe, extensive and painful response.

Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday summoned the Israeli war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours, amid pressure from Joe Biden, the US president, and European allies to show restraint.

Hardliners tell Netanyahu to go berserk

The Israeli prime minister is also under pressure from hardliners in his own Likud party and hard-Right ministers to go berserk, despite fears of the Israel-Hamas war escalating into a regional conflict.

This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response, Herzi Halevi, the Israeli militarys chief of staff, said after most of the drones and missiles dispatched in n Irans first ever direct attack on Israel were shut down.

If this government gives in to Bidens demands, and doesnt use this golden opportunity to attack Iran and eliminate the Iranian threat  as far as Im concerned, this government no longer deserves confidence, said Tally Gotliv, a Likud MP.

Every Israeli will rue for years every passing minute it doesnt attack Iran [...] If the government is led by cowards, it will be guilty of the inferno, God forbid, afflicted on Israel in the future.

Yoav Gallant, the defence minister, has urged a more cautious approach. Benny Gantz, the most popular politician in the country and the main opposition to Mr Netanyahu, has also called for restraint.
An Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon on Tuesday, the IDF confirmed.

Ismail Yusaf Baz, a commander of Hezbollahs coastal sector, was killed in the area of Ain Ebel in Lebanon. The IDF said Baz served as a senior and veteran official in several positions of Hezbollahs military wing.

As part of his position, Ismail was involved in the promotion and planning of rocket and anti-tank missile launches toward Israel from the coastal area of Lebanon. In addition, during the war, he organized and planned a number of terror attacks against Israel, the army said.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it fired explosive-laden drones at northern Israel on Tuesday, setting off rocket sirens.

Read more about how Israel could respond to Irans attack here.

Follow the latest updates below

07:05 PM BST

Todays live coverage has ended

Todays live coverage has ended. Here is a roundup of the days main events:

An Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon.

The Israeli war cabinet agreed that the response to Irans attack should be strategic but painful, a source said.

The Iranian president told Vladimir Putin that Tehran is not interested in escalating the situation.

Senior defence figures warned that Britain needs an Iron Dome to boost defences against missile and drone attacks.

Israel urged further sanctions in a diplomatic offensive against Iran.

06:54 PM BST

Netanyahu to blame for Iranian attack on Israel, says Turkey

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, has said Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, is the main person to blame for Irans attack on Israel.

The Turkish leader said that Israels deadly April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, violated international law and was the straw that broke the camels back.

The main one responsible for the tension that gripped our hearts on the evening of April 13 is Netanyahu, Mr Erdogan said.

Those who have been silent for months about Israels aggressive attitude immediately condemned the Iranian response, he added. But its Netanyahu himself who is the first who should be condemned.

Israel has not confirmed it carried out the attack on the Iranian consulate, but is widely believed to have done so. Thirteen people were killed in the strike, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi  a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander.

06:33 PM BST

Iran to return seized Russian sailor, says Russian foreign ministry

Iran has said it will not prevent the return of a Russian national who was on board the MSC Aries when it was seized by Iranian commandos on Saturday, the Russian foreign ministry has said.

During a telephone call between the two countries foreign ministers on April 14, the Iranian side said that it had no claims to the Russian sailor, promising to provide consular access to him shortly, as well as not to prevent his return to his homeland if he wants so, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced.

The Portuguese-flagged commercial ship was seized by Iran shortly before Tehran launched a salvo of drones and missiles at Israel.

Israel accused Tehran of piracy for the action, while Iranian state media said the vessel was affiliated with the Zionist regime in the Persian Gulf.

06:11 PM BST

US Navy spent $1 billion on munitions to counter attacks on ships in Middle East

The US Navy spent nearly $1 billion on munitions to counter attacks on US military and merchant ships in the Middle East over the past six months, the US Navy secretary said on Tuesday as he urged lawmakers to replenish depleted stocks.

We currently have approaching $1 billion in munitions that we need to replenish at some point in time, Carlos Del Toro said.

Over the course of the last six months . we have actually countered over 130 direct attacks on US Navy ships and merchant ships, he added.

The high cost of counter-drone technology has been highlighted by Richard Kemp, who argues that this form of modern warfare is bankrupting Western militaries.

You can read the article in full here.

05:51 PM BST

At least 33,843 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, health ministry says

At least 33,843 Palestinians have been killed and 76,575 wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Telegraph cannot independently verify these figures.

05:13 PM BST

Watch: Israeli air force control room responds to Iranian drones and missiles

The Israeli military releases footage from the Israeli Air Force's control room at the IDF's underground headquarters, as the first interceptions of the Iranian missiles and drones were carried out early Sunday. pic.twitter.com/bay0HeXRDA  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) April 16, 2024

05:07 PM BST

Iranian salvo failed to deter Israel, defence minister says

The Israeli defence minister has declared that Irans unprecedented attack on Israel on Saturday failed, and that Tehran will not deter Israel from its aims.

The Iranians will not be able to implement a different equation of deterrence against the State of Israel, Yoav Gallant told Israeli troops in the north of the country.

The Air Force planes are operating everywhere, the skies of the Middle East are open, any enemy that will fight against us, we will know how to hit it wherever they are, he added.

04:45 PM BST

Israeli strike kills senior Hezbollah commander

An Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon on Tuesday, the IDF confirmed.

Ismail Yusaf Baz, a commander of Hezbollahs coastal sector, was killed in the area of Ain Ebel in Lebanon. The IDF said Baz served as a senior and veteran official in several positions of Hezbollahs military wing.

As part of his position, Ismail was involved in the promotion and planning of rocket and anti-tank missile launches toward Israel from the coastal area of Lebanon. In addition, during the war, he organized and planned a number of terror attacks against Israel, the army said.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it fired explosive-laden drones at northern Israel on Tuesday, setting off rocket sirens.

                    ,     .



          .     " >> pic.twitter.com/UzL6qkqGu0     (@idfonline) April 16, 2024

04:33 PM BST

Israel aims to end exchange of blows with Iran

Israels retaliation against Iran for Saturdays unprecedented attack will aim to send a message to Tehran while drawing a line under the current round of hostilities, a senior Israeli lawmaker has said.

Tel Aviv must consider negative responses from its allies, risks to Israeli aircrew and the need to focus on the fighting in Gaza in its response, Yuli Edelstein said.

We are not interested in a full-scale war. We are not, as I have said, in the business of revenge, Mr Edelstein, a former Likud party minister whose current role involves reviewing government decisions, added.

It was earlier reported that US intelligence believes an Israeli retaliatory strike against Iran would be narrow and limited.

04:04 PM BST

Strategic but painful: Israel prepares to strike Iran

The Israeli war cabinet agrees that the response to Irans missile and drone attack should be strategic but painful, a source familiar with the issue told The Telegraph.

The war cabinet is still adamant about retaliating for the 350 missiles and drones fired from Iran, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon, but theres still disagreement over when the attack should take place and in what form.

Although Israel has previously warned that any country launching an attack would face an Israeli attack, the source added that the cabinet is considering striking Iranian targets outside their territory.

Israel isnt shedding tears over the anxiety in Iran over a looming Israeli attack, as Israel experienced a similar situation for nearly two weeks following the assassination of a top Revolutionary Guard Corps commander in Damascus, according to the source.

By Jotam Confino in Tel Aviv

03:42 PM BST

Pictured: IDF displays reported Iranian ballistic missile wreckage

Israel's military displays what they say is an Iranian ballistic missile retrieved from the Dead Sea - Amir Cohen/Reuters

03:38 PM BST

US expects Israeli retaliation to be narrow and limited

Washington expects an Israeli response to Saturdays Iranian missile and drone attack to be limited in scope, a senior US official told CNN.

US intelligence suggests that Israels retaliation would be a narrow and limited strike inside Iran, as Tel Aviv feels it must respond to Saturdays assault with some form of kinetic response, the official said.

The official also reported that the US has not received notice about when an attack on Iran could occur, but that they hoped Israel would give us some warning so that were prepared to protect our personnel.

If Israel chooses not to respond, the US is confident that there will be de-escalation, the official added.

03:14 PM BST

Broker launches Red Sea war insurance for cargo ships

Insurance broker Howden has begun offering war risk cargo insurance to cover ships sailing through the Red Sea against drone and missile attacks.

The cost of insuring voyages through the Red Sea has surged since Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen began attacking merchant shipping in November, in what they called a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Howden said the new product was the first dedicated insurance coverage of its kind to protect cargo vessels within an active conflict zone, which encompasses the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean.

The insurance has a 12-month term and offers cover of $50 million per vessel, Howden said.

02:51 PM BST

Israeli army says Iran wont get off scot-free after attack

Israels army said on Tuesday that Iran will not get off scot-free after the Islamic republic launched an unprecedented wave of missiles and drones at Israel last weekend.

Iran will not get [off] scot-free with this aggression, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman, told reporters at Julis military base while displaying the remains of an intercepted missile.

We will not allow this aggression in the region, Rear Adm. Hagari said, speaking in English.

He said that, even as the world was talking about the nuclear threat from Iran. the Islamic republic was building a conventional threat, meaning to create a ring of fire across Israel.

02:31 PM BST

Lebanons Hezbollah claims drone attack on Israel

Lebanons Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah claimed an attack on Israel using two explosive drones on Tuesday, which Israeli local authorities said wounded three people.

The Israeli military said two armed drones entered from Lebanon and exploded near a town in northern Israel, Beit Hillel, adding that the incident is under review.

Footage circulating on social media shows a drone flying over the Galilee Panhandle, with initial reports saying it exploded in the Beit Hillel area. The IDF has not yet commented on the incident. pic.twitter.com/xeKURvg3vF  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) April 16, 2024

Hezbollah fighters launched an air attack with suicide drones in two phases... striking the Iron Dome [air defence system] platforms and their crew, the group said in a statement.

The Israeli local regional council said three people were wounded in the explosion. No air raid sirens were heard at the time of the incident.

02:06 PM BST

Iran told Putin that Tehran is not interested in escalating

Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran, told Vladimir Putin by telephone that Tehrans strikes on Israel were limited and that the Islamic Republic was not interested in escalating, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

Putin expressed hope that all sides would show reasonable restraint and so prevent a fall towards a confrontation that could have catastrophic consequences for the entire region, the Kremlin said.

01:36 PM BST

Pictured: Israeli tank rolling across Israels Gaza border

Israeli tank rolling along Israel's border with Gaza - Menahem Kahana/AFP

01:16 PM BST

UK needs an Iron Dome after wake-up call of Iranian attack on Israel

The United Kingdom needs an Iron Dome to boost defences against missile and drone attacks after Irans attack on Israel acted as a wake-up call to the West, senior defence figures have said.

There is concern that although Britain has a comprehensive air defence strategy, the country lacks land-based systems to defend London or its nuclear power stations.

Tobias Ellwood, a former chairman of the Commons defence committee, said the changing nature of modern warfare, where Britains adversaries launch huge barrages aimed at overwhelming air defence systems, meant the country needed a permanent umbrella of security.

Read the full piece, by Joe Barnes and James Crisp, here.

01:01 PM BST

Netanyahu tells army recruits Israel fighting Hamas without mercy

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, told new army recruits on Tuesday that Israel was fighting Hamas without mercy, according to a statement from his office.

You are joining the IDF (army), the splendid combat positions in order to repel a brutal enemy ... We are striking them back without mercy and we will defeat them, he said.

12:46 PM BST

Berlin: EU countries considering new Iran sanctions

Annalena Baerbock, Germanys foreign minister, said she has noticed that a number of players at the European level have said they would take another look at extending an existing EU sanctions regime against Iran that targets drone production.

Ms Baerbock had campaigned with France and other EU partners last autumn to extend the European Union sanctions regime.

I hope that we can now finally take this step together as the EU, said Ms Baerbock in Berlin on Tuesday at a news conference with her Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi.

A virtual meeting of EU foreign ministers on the tensions in the Middle East is planned for Tuesday.

12:34 PM BST

Pictured: Mourners in Gaza

Mourners react near the bodies of Palestinians (not pictured) killed in Israeli strikes - Mohammed Salem

12:18 PM BST

Israels war cabinet meeting to discuss Iran

Israels war cabinet will meet on Tuesday to discuss the response to Irans attack over the weekend, an Israeli official said.

No time was set for meeting, the official said.

It will be the third time that the decision-making cabinet convenes since Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones against Israel on Saturday night.

12:05 PM BST

EasyJet suspends flights to Israel

EasyJet on Tuesday suspended flights to Israel until October 27 citing the security situation in the Middle East.

As a result of the continued evolving situation in Israel, easyJet has now taken the decision to suspend its flights to Tel Aviv for the remainder of the summer season, a spokesperson said in a statement, after the airline on Sunday paused flights to the Israeli city.

Customers booked to fly on this route up to this date are being offered options including a full refund.

It comes as British holidaymakers heading to the Middle East and as far away as Australia face travel disruption, after Iran carried out a major drone attack on Israel on April 13, writes Greg Dickinson, Senior Travel Writer.

Read about how the Iran attacks could impact holidays, to the Middle East and beyond, here.

11:49 AM BST

Listen: Could Irans strike on Israel lead to full-scale war?

11:39 AM BST

US Treasury preparing fresh sanctions on Iran

The US Treasury is preparing fresh sanctions on Iran in response to Irans attack on Israel, Axios reported on Tuesday.

The Treasury will not hesitate to work with our allies to use our sanctions authority to continue disrupting the Iranian regimes malign and destabilizing activity, Janet Yellen, the US Treasury Secretary, is prepared to say Tuesday, as per the Axios report.

The attack by Iran and its proxies underscores the importance of Treasurys work to use our economic tools to counter Irans malign activity.

Ms Yellen said previously that Irans actions threatened stability in the Middle East and could cause economic spillovers, adding that the US would use sanctions and work with allies

11:23 AM BST

UN commission accuses Israel of obstructing Oct 7 probe

A UN-mandated commission of inquiry that probes violations of international human rights law on Tuesday accused Israel of obstructing its efforts to collect evidence from the victims of the attack by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct 7.

So far as the government of Israel is concerned, we have not only seen a lack of cooperation, but active obstruction of our efforts to receive evidence from Israeli witnesses and victims to the events that occurred in southern Israel, said Chris Sidoti, one of three members of a commission of inquiry into abuses committed in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

We have contact with many, but we would like to have contact with more.

11:13 AM BST

Iran has chosen self-destruction, and is happy to take the world down with it

The Iranian regime has chosen suicide, writes Sherelle Jacobs.

True, it will take some time for the logical conclusion of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneis fatal and probably irreversible course of action to play out.

Like a pre-AI automaton incapable of adapting to the input of new information, the BBC will continue to blather about Irans capacity for strategic patience and the risks of Israel dragging the US into a regional war.

Read the full piece here.

10:59 AM BST

War in pictures

Woman reacts next to the bodies of Palestinians (not pictured) killed in Israeli strikes - Mohammed Salem

Child rides past a banner during a protest in front of the US Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv - Jack Guez/AFP

Girl holds up a leaflet dropped by the Israeli army with text in Arabic designating the northern Wadi Gaza area as a 'dangerous combat zone' - AFP

10:43 AM BST

Not necessary to ban IRGC, says former MI6 chief

John Sawers, the former head of MI6, said:

I dont think its necessary. The counterterrorism legislation was designed to deal with terrorist groups, its not designed to deal with states. Now Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism, theres no doubt about that, but a state poses a much more substantial threat than a terrorist organisation does. Parliament passed only last year a new intelligence and security act that gave MI5 the powers it needs to defend this country. If the head of MI5 came out and said I really need a proscription against the revolutionary guards, that would be one thing, but Im not hearing that I think its more of a rhetorical position of people in various parts of the political spectrum, looking for something to do, without really thinking about the substance of it.

10:17 AM BST

Israeli artist refuses to open Venice show in war protest

The artist chosen to represent Israel at the prestigious Venice Biennale art fair said on Tuesday that she was refusing to open the national pavilion until there was a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza.

I feel that the time for art is lost, Ruth Patir wrote in a statement on Instagram, explaining why she and the exhibits two curators had decided to shutter the show.

And so if I am given such a remarkable stage, I want to make it count, she said.

09:47 AM BST

Egypt and Turkey to discuss Middle East tensions

Sameh Shoukry, Egypts foreign minister, is expected to discuss developments in the Middle East and the situation in Gaza with his Turkish counterpart during a visit to Turkey at the weekend, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Tuesday.

Mr Shoukry and Hakan Fidan, the Turkish foreign minister, will also evaluate the latest developments in negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, the source said.

09:35 AM BST

Israel urges sanctions in diplomatic offensive against Iran

Israel launched a diplomatic offensive against Iran on Tuesday, calling on 32 countries to impose sanctions against the Revolutionary Guards and their missile programme.

Alongside the military response to the firing of the missiles and the UAVs, I am leading a diplomatic offensive against Iran, Israel Katz, Israels foreign minister, said on X.

09:27 AM BST

Watch: Pro-Palestine protests across Golden Gate Bridge

09:17 AM BST

Danger lurks for Israel in its tactical victory against Iran

I hope this does not sound frivolous  goodness knows, the threat to Israeli lives is real enough  but it seems to me that Irans weekend attacks contained an element of play-acting, writes Charles Moore.

For its part, Iran wished to assert its right, as it saw it, to retaliate for the Israeli attack on its consulate  better described as a hideout of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)  in Damascus.

The notion that Iran believes in the sanctity of diplomatic status is richly comical, given that violations of diplomatic immunity have been its stock in trade ever since the 1979 revolution. But let that pass.

Read the full piece here.

09:10 AM BST

South Korea orders preemptive response to Middle East tensions

Yoon Suk Yeol, the South Korean president, said on Tuesday there should be a preemptive response to any risk factors arising from the tensions in the Middle East following Irans attack on Israel because of the countrys energy dependence on the region.

Tensions in the Middle East have a direct impact on international oil prices and that, in turn, has a significant impact on South Koreas economy and supply chain, Mr Yoon said at the start of a cabinet meeting.

There should be a preemptive response to various risk factors that can arise, he said, without elaborating.

Mr Yoon said the Strait of Hormuz is the transport corridor for 60 per cent of the oil imported by South Korea. The large increase in transport costs and oil price increases will directly lead to increases in prices for us, he said.

09:01 AM BST

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators shut down airport highways and bridges in major US cities

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked roadways in Illinois, California, New York and the Pacific Northwest on Monday, temporarily shutting down travel into some of the nations most heavily used airports.

In Chicago, protesters linked arms and blocked lanes of Interstate 190 leading into OHare International Airport around 7am in a demonstration that they said was part of a global economic blockade to free Palestine, according to Rifqa Falaneh, one of the organisers.

Traffic in the San Francisco Bay Area was held up for hours as demonstrators shut down all vehicle, pedestrian and bike traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge and chained themselves to 55-gallon drums filled with cement across Interstate 880 in Oakland.

08:52 AM BST

Beijing: Iran able to handle situation and spare Middle East more tension

China said it believed that Iran could handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity, referring to an attack on Irans embassy in Syria and its retaliatory strike over the weekend.

Wang Yi, Chinas foreign minister, told his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, via a phone call on Monday that China appreciated Irans emphasis on not targeting regional and neighbouring countries, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.

Mr Wang also said he noted that Iran had described its actions as limited and carried out in self-defence. China strongly condemns and resolutely opposes the embassy attack, and calls the incident unacceptable, Mr Wang added.

08:42 AM BST

Pictured: US protests over war in Gaza

Demonstrators wave flags and temporarily block and intersection in downtown Los Angeles during a "Strike for Gaza" protest - Robyn Beck/AFP

Protesters stopping traffic on the golden gate bridge - Telegraph

Demonstrators in California protesting the ongoing war in Gaza - Bronte Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle

08:31 AM BST

Exiled Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi calls for toppling of Islamic regime

My compatriots,



The war of Khamenei and his Guards with Israel is not the Iranian nation's war. But it is you, burdened by economic problems and psychological pressures of a regime that has used Iranians as human shields for the past 45 years, that will bear the cost. I feel https://t.co/iL1fEyJsCg  Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) April 15, 2024

08:21 AM BST

Israel pushing for more sanctions against Iran

Israels foreign minister said on Tuesday he was urging countries to place sanctions on Irans missile programme and proscribe its Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation after Irans first-ever direct attack on Israel.

Alongside the military response to the firing of missiles and drones, I am leading a diplomatic attack against Iran, Israel Katz said in a social media post.

Mr Katz said he sent letters to 32 countries and spoke with numerous counterparts, calling on them to place sanctions on Irans missile project and declare the Revolutionary Guard a terror organisation, as a way to stop and weaken Iran.

We must stop Iran now, before it will be too late.

08:09 AM BST

Japan calls on Iran to exercise restraint

Japan urged Iran to exercise restraint following its attack against Israel during a telephone call between the two countries foreign ministers, the Japanese foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

Yoko Kamikawa, Japans foreign minister, urged that the safety of navigation be ensured in the regions waters in the call with her Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Japanese government said.

07:58 AM BST

Iran threatens severe response to any action against its interests

Iran has threatened a severe and widespread response to any action against its interests, according to the Iranian Student News Agency.

We categorically declare that the smallest action against Iranian interests will certainly be met with a severe, widespread and painful response against any perpetrator, Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian president, told the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Tuesday.
Javier Milei has sacked an estimated 24,000 public workers in order to rein in public spending - Zak Bennett / AFP via Getty Images

Javier Milei, Argentinas president, has dismantled a team of historians whose research has led to the convictions of numerous officers for serious human rights abuses during the 1976-1983 dictatorship.

Since 2010, the Team of Investigation and Research has pored over military archives, scouring more than 17,000 documents, including cabinet minutes of the military junta that routinely tortured and killed thousands of its leftist opponents, real and perceived.

But Mr Mileis government has now fired 10 of the 13 civilian researchers and reassigned the remaining three.

The decision potentially undercuts around 30 separate current human rights prosecutions, which the team had been actively supporting.

Mr Milei has sacked an estimated 24,000 public workers in a desperate attempt to rein in runaway public spending.

However, Luis Petri, the defence minister, has justified the decision by accusing the group of McCarthyism and persecuting military personnel.

The team had established a formidable reputation for its forensic snooping through dusty archives, including uncovering a junta black list of artists and public intellectuals and logs from the notorious Army Mechanical School, which was used as a torture centre.

An estimated 5,000 Argentines passed through the school before eventually being disappeared, most by being dumped  alive  from military flights high over the South Atlantic.

The teams research resulted in several of those pilots being convicted three decades after the atrocities were carried out.

Although the president is largely uninterested in the legacy of the dictatorship, his vice president, Victoria Villarruel, has made a career out of challenging the long-held consensus in Argentina that the military rulers committed crimes against humanity that must never be repeated.

Ms Villarruel, 49, is the daughter of a lieutenant colonel, who rose up against the elected government of Raul Alfonsin in 1987, shortly after the return of democracy.

She focuses on the victims, often military personnel, of Left-wing insurgents in the 1970s, who also used violence but whose bloodletting was subsequently dwarfed by the scale of the juntas state repression.

Human rights groups estimate the junta killed around 30,000 people, although Ms Villarruel also challenges that number.
Col Ko Star, 42, a leader of the Tanintharyi PDF, crosses a river by boat near the frontline in Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar - Valeria Mongelli/The Telegraph

Sitting on flimsy plastic chairs in an old town hall with holes in the roof and flaking paint on the walls, a dozen young people wait patiently for their turn to join Myanmars rebel army.

As they kill time, they compare notes about the junta-controlled cities and villages they have come from.

Some are just mere miles away from the rebel-held town of Tagu, one of several areas in southern Myanmars Tanintharyi region which the insurgent Peoples Defence Force (PDF) has captured from the ruling military government over the past year.

I didnt even know a place like this existed, said Jenny, 18. She asked not to use her real name for fear of repercussions for her family, like all the people interviewed for this story.

Jenny wanted to join the fight against the countrys junta ever since they launched a coup in February 2021 and jailed then-leader Aung San Suu Kyi. She watched appalled as the army launched a campaign of violent repression, mass rape and bombing campaigns.

No way would I choose the Burmese military  they kill civilians, she said. I want to be a revolutionary.

Jenny, 18, fled to join the rebels to avoid conscription - Valeria Mongelli/The Telegraph

Her parents had always refused. That all changed when the army said it would be introducing conscription from mid-April. Women were initially included, and then exempted.

But Jennys family did not want to take the risk of her being called up. They gave their blessing for her to flee to Tagu.

I would have liked my own small business, but we lost our dreams a long time ago, she said. Instead, she now plans to make combat drones to destroy the military columns.

Jenny is one of hundreds of young people flocking to rebel-held territory to escape being conscripted into the Burmese army as it tries to plug major troop shortages.

Ever since the 2021 coup, the commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing and his forces have done everything in their power to stamp out any opposition, from shooting peaceful protesters to launching relentless air strikes to torching villages.

But they are continuing to lose troops  through defections and deaths  as well as territory to a loose alliance of ethnic rebel groups and a civilian militia movement that has squeezed the junta away from Myanmars borders with Thailand, Bangladesh, China and India and into a central rump of territory.

The army began training conscripts in April after announcing it would impose a mandatory service law for men aged 18-35, or 45 for professionals.

The regime wants 60,000 sign ups in the first year to almost double its current troop strength, estimated at 70,000, but it is not an enticing pitch.

Joy, 30, who defected from the governments home affairs department two months after the coup, said: With the conscription law, the people they are targeting could be more educated, younger people who have more political awareness.

New conscripts would be placed away from the rank and file, and closely vetted to find out who can be trusted, he said.

Those who cant be trusted may be used as porters or as human shields to cross mine fields.

Lists of new recruits have already been drawn up through Hunger Games-style local lotteries. Some names have allegedly been included by local regime officials to settle grudges. Draft dodgers face up to five years in prison.

The aim is to increase the war effort but so far it appears to be backfiring, instead causing a fresh exodus from the country.

New PDF recruits gather in a former school near the frontline, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar - Valeria Mongelli/The Telegraph

Newly recruited PDF fighters train near the frontline in Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar - Valeria Mongelli/The Telegraph

Newly recruited PDF fighters train near the frontline in Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar - Valeria Mongelli/The Telegraph

In the rush to escape, two women were crushed to death in a queue for Thai visas, while at least two men killed themselves after their names were drawn in conscription lotteries.

In the western state of Rakhine, where Burmese troops have been accused by the UN of textbook genocide against the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority, the same men that were once persecuted have now been forcibly enlisted to fight alongside their persecutor.

Bom, 31, said the atmosphere in his home city  which he didnt want to name for security reasons  was intense, because of the pressure from the dictatorship.

He described soldiers snatching young people from the streets, and families paying bribes of over $100 to avoid the draft.

We have to unite and fight the dictatorship now, said Bom. I am joining the PDF to fight.

Htet, 20, said like Jenny he too was held back by his family until the draft order was announced.

The conscription law sucks, he said. Its just a way to get civilians to kill each other. Since the coup, Ive wanted to join the PDF, but my parents were worried. When the conscription was announced, they let me leave.

Yone Lay, 25, left behind his job at a highway bus station. I dont want to fight the PDF, so I joined them instead. At the beginning I was afraid, but not now.

Tun Myint Zaw, 51, a headmaster in Tagu, is in charge of registering newcomers to the rebel-held area. He said he had signed up roughly 230 people over the past two weeks, 30 per cent of whom were women.

The resistances appeal among young people is helped by the fact that at the moment they appear to be winning.

The PDF claimed responsibility for a bold and unprecedented barrage of drone attacks on an air base, the airport and the military generals lair in the capital, Naypyidaw, in April. It was not clear how much damage was caused  if any  but the rebels ability to penetrate what should be a heavily fortified city was embarrassing for the junta.

A joint force of ethnic Karen forces and the PDF have captured Myawaddy, a key border town for most of Myanmars overland trade with Thailand.

Maintaining that momentum is the key challenge facing the resistance.

Back near the front line in the Tanintharyi region, 42-year-old Ko Star, a nom de guerre, assesses a room of 69 new recruits aged between 16 and 35 about to embark on two months training.

Once a parliamentarian, he was ousted in the coup and is now a regional PDF leader.

Ko Star, 42, a leader of the Tanintharyi PDF, is portrayed during an interview near the frontline in Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar - Valeria Mongelli/The Telegraph

PDF and fighters from other local resistance groups march in Tagu, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar - Valeria Mongelli/The Telegraph

Due to weapon and ammunition shortages, not all the new recruits would receive a gun, and none would receive a salary, he explained.

That made the strong will of the new recruits all the more important, said Ko Star.

Recruits come to us based on their own decisions and their own feelings.

He compared the people joining the PDF of their own free will with the people being forced into the army and undergoing training without a desire to fight.

That will definitely fail, he said.

PDF fighters ride through the market on the back of a truck in Tagu, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar - Valeria Mongelli/The Telegraph

Not everyone comes to Tagu to wage war, however.

Headteacher Tun Myint Zaw said: If they want to join the PDF, we can help them.

If they dont, they can stay in the village and we can help them with food and accommodation as much as we can.

Fresh arrival Bo Pein, 27, is one of those planning to stay off the battlefield, at least for now.

Wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words Life is Easy above a picture of a cannabis leaf, he was vague about what he would do instead.

Ive never liked the military, he said. If necessary, I am ready to join the PDF. For now, I will stay in the village.
Palestinians taking shelter in a tent camp near the border of Egypt. Earlier in the war, some Palestinians were refused visitor visas to Australia because they did not demonstrate a genuine intention to stay temporarily. Photograph: Mohammed Salem/Reuters

About 160 Palestinians were refused visitor visas to come to Australia in the first three months of the Israel-Gaza conflict, mostly due to concerns they would not stay temporarily.

According to answers to questions on notice, 150 people with Palestinian citizenship were refused because they did not demonstrate a genuine intention to stay temporarily in Australia  a justification labelled cold-blooded and cruel by crossbench senators. Ten people who applied during the same period were rejected for other reasons.

Adam Aljaro, a civil engineer from Townsville who arrived in Australia in 1996, has two brothers and two sisters in Gaza who applied for visas in mid-November.

Aljaro says one brother, a doctor in central Gaza, has seen too many people die.

Related: Palestinian groups relieved after Australia reverses visa cancellations for people fleeing Gaza

His house has been destroyed. Our farm has been destroyed. My own house there has been destroyed.

Why are Palestinians being rejected  They think they will stay and not go back. I will support them, I am OK financially, I can look after them.

I dont want to tell them they have been rejected. They have hope. If I tell them they will lose their hope, especially the kids.

Mohammed Ameen, a construction worker from Maribyrnong, Victoria, who arrived in Australia in 2013, applied for visas for his father, three sisters and their families five months ago.

The first time I put the full application, they said I did something wrong, he said. I filled the application and then I fixed it, but still we are waiting.

The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president, Nasser Mashni, said it beggars belief that the Australian government is rejecting some visa applications while implying that it believes people wont leave Australia because of how unbearably oppressive and dangerous the Israeli government has made life for Palestinians.

Ukrainians were told to apply for these same visas when Russia invaded back in 2022, and there were no reports of visas being rejected on these grounds, he said.

The government must treat Palestinians with the humanity and compassion it so rightly offered to Ukrainians.

The Greens immigration spokesperson, David Shoebridge, said: It is beyond cruel to deny people fleeing the onslaught in Gaza the possibility of safety because they might be unable to return to their homes.



Lets be clear, the main reason people would be unable to return to Gaza is because of the Israeli invasion, with 80% of homes in Gaza made uninhabitable.



Palestinians fleeing that devastation are being denied safety in Australia because their homes have been destroyed, with their lives and the lives of their family threatened.



Independent senator Lidia Thorpe said to reject visa applications from people fleeing  a war zone is a cold-blooded act from the Albanese government.

We should know if any of the applicants who have been rejected remain in Palestine. The government should review those applications and fast-track the approval of visas for those people to come to Australia as a matter of urgency, she said.

Related: Meet the Sydney volunteers who are feeding the families fleeing Gaza

Max Kaiser, the co-executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, said it is unconscionable to apply bureaucratic rules to people fleeing war.

In March Guardian Australia reported on the plight of Palestinians who came to Australia on tourist visas, and were therefore unable to work, relying on the generosity of community organisations.

Charity groups said that at least 70 people who had to cancel or postpone flights due to cancellation of their visas were collateral damage for the federal governments failures on visa processing.

Palestinian groups and refugee advocates said they were relieved when the federal government later reversed its visa cancellations for people fleeing Gaza.

According to figures from the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian government granted 2,273 temporary (subclass 600) visas for Palestinians between 7 October and 6 February but only 330 people had arrived in Australia in that period.

In the answers to questions on notice, the department said although additional resources are applied to assist with processing, in order to be granted a visa, whether in a conflict zone or not, every person must satisfy [requirements]  including health, security and character criteria.

The department also noted those seeking to flee the conflict in Gaza, which it described as grave, and remains extremely fluid are not limited to one visa pathway.

People coming from the Occupied Palestinian Territories can apply for a 12-month bridging visa E as a safety net where they are unable to access standard visa pathways. The visa grants access to Medicare and work rights.

In November the Albanese government explained Palestinians granted visas have undergone all standard security checks, rebuffing fears raised by the opposition that the cohort carried a terrorism risk.

Guardian Australia contacted the home affairs department, minister and immigration minister for comment.
Rishi Sunak met Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, at No 10 Downing Street this month - TOLGA AKMEN/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

Peers have blocked Rishi Sunaks flagship Rwanda deportation scheme for a third time, piling pressure on ministers to offer a concession.

The House of Lords backed four amendments to the Safety of Rwanda Bill on Tuesday to send it back to the Commons and further delay efforts by the Prime Minister to begin flights to the east African country this spring.

Ministers will now have to decide whether to offer any concessions, particularly on a demand by peers for Afghans who worked with the UK military or Government overseas to be exempted from removal to Rwanda.

The amendment enacting the Afghan exemption and put forward by Lord Browne, the former Labour defence secretary, secured the biggest majority  of 57  as peers backed it by 275 votes to 218.

A plane was ready to take asylum seekers to Rwanda in June 2022 from Boscombe Down air base in Wiltshire but was halted by an Appeal Court decision - FINNBARR WEBSTER/GETTY IMAGES

Three former chiefs of the defence staff as well as a former chief of the general staff and a former chief of the naval staff, warned the Prime Minister that failure to exempt the Afghans would be a dereliction of our moral duty.

In a letter to The Telegraph, the group of 13 senior military figures warned that any brave men and women who have fought alongside our Armed Forces or served the UK Government overseas must be exempt from removal to Rwanda.

The Lords voted as the Government was dealt a new blow in its search for an airline to transport migrants to Rwanda.

It emerged on Tuesday that AirTanker, an aviation company that provides a fleet of 14 airbuses to the RAF to fuel and transport the military, is not in talks with the Home Office to provide the service.

The Bill, and its allied new treaty with Rwanda, aims to answer the criticisms by the Supreme Court that the African state is unsafe for migrants deported from the UK.

Demand for independent monitoring

Measures have been introduced by Rwanda to prevent asylum seekers being sent back to face persecution in their home states, the courts biggest concern.

However, peers are demanding that Rwanda should not be treated as a safe country until an independent monitoring body has verified protections in the treaty are fully implemented and remain in place.

This was backed by 266 votes to 227, a majority of 39.

The amendment, by Lord Hope, a former head of the Scottish judiciary, has significant support within the Lords, particularly among senior crossbenchers who have been critical to inflicting defeats on the Government.

Two other amendments requiring the Bill to have due regard to international and domestic law and to restore the jurisdiction of UK courts garnered small majorities of 25 and 17, respectively.

Migrants picked up from a small boat in the Channel are helped ashore at Dungeness - BEN STANSALL/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Lord Stewart, for the Government, warned that the amendments undermine the fundamental purpose of the Bill  to deter migrants from crossing the Channel and stop the boats.

That deterrent will only work when there is an end to the spurious legal challenges that seek to do nothing more than frustrate their removal and prevent us from having control of who can stay in the UK, he said.

Ministers have so far resisted offering any concessions apart from a minor proposal for an annual report on the impact of the Bill on victims of modern slavery and trafficking.

However, Labour sources warned that the Lords could block the Bills progress again on Wednesday if there were no concessions.

MPs are expected to vote down the amendments before the Bill returns to the Lords.

One source said: If the Government digs in then, given the fact that some of these majorities are holding up, there will be an appetite to bring forward a narrower amendment.

Stephen Kinnock, the shadow immigration minister, said: It beggars belief that the Prime Minister could send Afghans who served alongside British troops to Rwanda.

Today the Lords have voted yet again to try to stop this from happening. Tonight, Luke Pollard [the shadow armed forces minister] and I have written to ministers urging them to do the right thing.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: The Prime Ministers message to parliamentarians across both houses hasnt changed. We need to act to save lives and thats what this Bill will help us to do.

Meanwhile, a senior Tory MP has warned migrants from a cohort of 40,000 stuck in limbo may have to be granted amnesty rather than sent to Rwanda.

Tim Loughton, a former minister, and a member of the Commons home affairs committee, said the backlog of 40,000 migrants who had entered the UK illegally since the Illegal Migration Act gained royal assent was too big for them all to be sent to Rwanda.
Katharine Birbalsingh is known as Britain's strictest headteacher

A prayer ban imposed at Katharine Birbalsinghs school is lawful, a High Court judge has ruled.

Michaela Community School in Brent, north-west London, has defended a legal challenge from a Muslim pupil, who claimed the schools ban on prayer rituals was discriminatory.

The prayer ritual policy did not interfere with the pupils freedom to manifest her religious beliefs, according to a ruling handed down on Tuesday.

The pupil had chosen the school knowing of its strict regime and could have chosen to attend a different school that would have allowed her to pray at lunchtime, the ruling found.

In his written ruling, Mr Justice Linden said the prayer policy was a proportionate means of achieving the legitimate aims of the school and was therefore justified.

He found that the disadvantage to Muslim pupils was outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.

However, the judge upheld the pupils challenge to a decision to temporarily exclude her from the school after allegations by fellow pupils about comments she had made.

He said the pupil ought to have been asked for her version of events before the head teacher excluded her.
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee answers a question from the press during a press conference responding to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons lawsuit challenging the Uplift Harris program, the guaranteed income program, Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Harris County Administration Building in Houston. Harris County officials called the lawsuit by Paxton a targeted act. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Lets play a game. Its called, Which taxpayer-funded giveaway is unconstitutional?  with your host, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Behind Door One is Samsung, the South Korean Big Tech behemoth. The company wanted to add nine facilities to its 1,260-acre site in Taylor, qualifying it for a $4.8 billion property tax abatement. Taylor ISD and Williamson County rubber-stamped that giveaway. While Samsung claimed the expansion could create 8,200 jobs, the specific tax break they applied for only required them to create a maximum of 25. Either way, theyd still pocket millions in tax savings that would otherwise fund Texas public schools.

Behind Door Two, we have a $20.5 million pilot program in Harris County offering monthly payments of $500 to 1,928 low-income households for 18 months. The program is bankrolled by the federal government using funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan. Participants must be at least 18 and a U.S. citizen, green card holder, refugee or have been granted asylum. They must have household incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level and live in one of 10 high-poverty ZIP codes. They cant use the money on anything illegal or criminal or on products that would cause harm to others or support terrorist entities. The program will be evaluated by a third-party nonprofit which will report on participants financial and health outcomes.

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So which violates the Texas Constitution? If you guessed Door Two, youre the big winner! Tell em what theyve won, Ken!

READERS WEIGH IN: Why would Paxton oppose a program that helps Texans?

Well, it aint a new car. In fact, its a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent Harris County from implementing its guaranteed basic income program two weeks before participants are set to receive their first check.

Theres no such thing as free money  especially in Texas, Paxton wrote in his petition to a Harris County district court judge.

That would be news to Samsung.

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We wish we could say we were surprised by Paxtons stunt, but he long ago dispensed with the illusion that he is a dutiful and fair enforcer of the law. Hes proven time and time again if there is an opportunity to poke the Democrat-led Harris County in the eye, hell be first in line to take a swipe. Yet even by his standards, this latest maneuver reeks of hypocrisy and selective prosecution.

Harris County is one of several Texas jurisdictions with some form of a guaranteed income program. Austins pilot program offers eligible participants $1,000 per month. Dallas gives 500 recipients making $14,000 per year a $250 check every month. From 2020 through 2022, San Antonio gave 1,000 low-income families $400 every quarter for two years. El Paso County in December approved its own guaranteed income program, providing $500 a month for roughly 130 families.

These programs have apparently eluded Paxtons interest. Paxton argues these cities are protected by their home rule designation, but Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee told us Paxtons legal argument doesnt make that distinction. Paxton claims the Harris County program plainly violates a constitutional provision which states the Legislature shall have no power to authorize any county, city, town or other political corporation or subdivision of the State to lend its credit or to grant public money or thing of value in aid of, or to any individual, association or corporation.

Yet Menefee told us, This constitutional provision, the gift clause that Paxton is relying on, it bans giving public funds from multiple types of local government entities, including cities and counties.

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If Menefees interpretation is accurate, any conscientious judge would see through Paxtons gambit and rule accordingly.

There are certainly reasonable policy critiques of Harris Countys guaranteed income program. There will always be a segment of taxpayers skeptical of handing out no-strings-attached checks to people without setting work requirements or strict rules on how that money should be spent. Yet theres also evidence that it can tangibly improve peoples lives. When President Joe Biden experimented with monthly direct cash assistance through a one-year expansion of the child tax credit, child poverty dropped to its lowest level on record. Heck, even Paxtons hero Donald Trump understood the political value of direct cash assistance when he doled out stimulus checks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most disturbing about Paxtons legal argument is the assertion that local governments must spend taxpayer dollars only to benefit all citizens. If that were true, then virtually any government voucher program  whether to help tenants pay their rent or to help low-income students afford private school tuition  could be deemed unconstitutional because they apply to people who fit specific criteria.

There is, of course, value to tax incentive programs that reward the private sector for economic development. The Biden administration just awarded $6.4 billion to Samsung to subsidize its chip factories in Taylor, a down payment that it believes will kick-start domestic chip manufacturing. Even in Texas, where property taxes are notoriously high, abatements can help spur capital investment.

But do all citizens benefit from massive property tax breaks? Hardly.

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MORE FROM READERS: Glad to see Ken Paxton is finally getting punished

In fact, that property tax revenue is the only dedicated funding source for our states public school system. The Chapter 313 tax break Samsung qualified for  which has since expired but was revived under a different name  became such a boondoggle that it cost the state more than $1.1 million in tax breaks per new job, according to the states own metrics. It created a stratified system where a small portion of Texas school districts attracted corporate investments and larger urban districts, such as Houston ISD, were robbed of tens of millions of dollars in revenue due to the states education funding formula known as Robin Hood.

Paxton is the opposite of that famed medieval do-gooder. Hed prefer to deny a relatively tiny group of poor people in Harris County of $500 per month while allowing fat-cat corporations to pocket our public school dollars. He may despise socialism, but he seems to have no problem with corporate welfare.

Want to stay up to date on our most recent thought-provoking editorials, columns and Letters to the Editor? Our Opinion-focused 'SaysHou' newsletter delivers our weekly highlights, directly to your inbox. Sign up now.
Abortion-rights supporters rally in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Monday. Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images

Republicans are nearly evenly divided over the Arizona supreme courts decision to uphold an 1864 law that would ban almost all abortions, new polling shows.

Forty-nine per cent of Republicans strongly or somewhat disapprove of the decision, while 46% of Republicans strongly or somewhat approve of it, according to polling of more than 1,000 likely voters released on Tuesday by the left-leaning thinktank Data for Progress. That split reflects the GOPs identity crisis over post-Roe v Wade abortion politics, as Republican politicians have struggled to talk about an issue that was once their bread-and-butter but has become increasingly toxic for them.

Related: Democrats bank on abortion in 2024 as Arizona and Florida push stakes higher

Data for Progress found that voters diverged along party lines on whether they believed Donald Trumps statements on the issue. Trump has said that the Arizona supreme court went too far while insisting that the decision will be straightened out. He has also continued to say that abortion remains an issue best decided by state governments, a position he took in a video issued just a day before the Arizona supreme court ruling.

In the groups polling, more than 80% of Democrats said that they believed Trump was being dishonest and would sign national restrictions on abortion. About the same percentage of Republicans said that Trump was being honest and would not restrict abortion further.

Independents were more split. Forty-four per cent of independent and third-party voters said that they thought Trump was being honest, but 41% per cent of those voters believed that Trump was being dishonest.

Forty-one per cent of independent and third-party voters also believed that Trump would restrict abortion access if elected president, while 30% thought he would keep abortion access roughly the same. Only a quarter of Republicans thought Trump would restrict abortion access; about half thought he would leave abortion access alone. Just 12% thought he would tighten abortion restrictions, with the rest of the Republican voters in the poll saying that they did not know.

Ultimately, though, most voters thought that the president of the United States has relatively little to do with abortion rights. Republicans, independent voters and third-party voters, in particular, think members of Congress, statewide officials and state lawmakers all have more to do with setting abortion policy.

Before the US supreme court overturned Roein 2022, the GOP embraced abortion bans and passed scores of restrictions that, now that Roe has fallen, have been able to take full effect and cut off access to the procedure for millions of women. But most Americans believe abortion should at least be available in the first trimester of pregnancy and, powered by outrage over Roes demise, abortion-rights supporters have won multiple red-state ballot measures to protect abortion rights.

Some Republican officials and candidates have since attempted to moderate their stance on abortion; multiple Arizona Republicans with a history of anti-abortion beliefs denounced the Arizona supreme court decision. However, Republicans in the state legislature also blocked an effort to repeal the 1864 abortion ban, which would only permit abortions in cases where the pregnant persons life was in danger and does not have exceptions for rape or incest.
The legislation aims to ensure anyone born after 1 January 2009 will never legally be sold cigarettes. Photograph: Daisy-Daisy/Alamy

Rishi Sunaks tobacco and vapes bill aims to create the UKs first smoke-free generation, in a landmark public health intervention.

What is the ban and how would it work?

The tobacco and vapes bill ensures anyone turning 15 from 2024, or younger, will be banned from buying cigarettes, and aims to make vapes less appealing to children.

The legislation does not ban smoking outright, as anyone who can legally buy tobacco now will still be able to do so if the bill becomes law. It will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009. The plan was first reported by the Guardian, and announced by the prime minister in his speech to the Conservative party conference last year.

It will raise the age of tobacco sale by one year every year, with the aim of stopping todays young people from ever taking up smoking.

As well as raising the smoking age every year, the legislation includes provisions to regulate the display, contents, flavours and packaging of vapes and nicotine products.

Trading standards officers will be able to fine retailers who ignore the new restrictions, with the revenue raised funding further enforcement.

What are the arguments in favour?

Health leaders, NHS bosses and medical professionals say phasing out smoking will save thousands of lives. Smoking kills about 80,000 people a year.

Ministers say smoking rates among those aged 14-30 could be near zero by 2040 as a result of the legislation.

Prof Steve Turner, the president of the Royal College for Paediatrics and Child Health, said: By stopping children and young people from becoming addicted to nicotine and tobacco, we decrease their chances of developing preventable diseases later in life, and will protect children from the harms of nicotine addiction.

The government says creating a smoke-free generation could prevent more than 470,000 cases of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other diseases by the end of the century.

Government figures show smoking costs the UK about 17bn a year, including 10bn through lost productivity alone. It says this cost dwarfs the 10bn raised through taxes on tobacco products.

And against?

Some Tory MPs have expressed concerns, with the former prime minister Liz Truss saying the plans are profoundly unconservative, and her predecessor, Boris Johnson, describing the ban as nuts.

Truss said earlier this year: A Conservative government should not be seeking to extend the nanny state. It only gives succour to those who wish to curtail freedom.

Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary, was the only cabinet minister to vote against the bill going to a second reading, arguing that the burden of enforcement would fall on private businesses, and that the bill undermined the principle of equality.

We should not treat legally competent adults differently in this way, where people born a day apart will have permanently different rights, she posted on X before the vote.

Other Tory MPs object to the plans because they claim they are unworkable and could lead to other things being banned. The former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said: An enforcement nightmare and a slippery slope  alcohol next?

How soon will the bill pass?

A final vote in the Lords is expected to take place in the middle of June after the bill passes its third reading there, but much has to happen in the Commons first.

Tuesday was MPs first opportunity to debate the bill and to vote on it. It cleared its first Commons hurdle by 383 votes to 67, giving a majority of 316, with the support of the Labour party.

The committee stage comes later in April, when amendments can be tabled, before there is a vote on them in May and then a vote by MPs on the bills third reading.

What is the likelihood it will run into political trouble?

There was opposition from 57 Conservative MPs and six ministers, including Badenoch, Julia Lopez, Lee Rowley, Alex Burghart, Steve Baker and Andrew Griffith.

The Commons leader, Penny Mordaunt was reported to be wavering but in the end abstained, one of 106 Tory MPs who did not cast a vote. Some of these will have had other reasons for staying away, such as the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, who was travelling to the International Monetary Fund in Washington.

Tory critics best hope for frustrating the bill will now be to overload it with amendments and slow down its passage.

Amendments are likely to include a push to introduce licensing for vaping retailers or to change the age of people affected.

Tory opponents also believe there could be more ideological opposition in the Lords.

The final vote in the Lords is expected to take place in June. While peers have been a block on Sunaks flagship Rwanda deportation plan, they are not expected, ultimately, to stand in the way of the tobacco bill.

Which other countries have attempted a ban?

A similar law had been expected to come into effect in New Zealand in July, but was repealed by the countrys new coalition government in February. The toughest anti-tobacco rules in the world would have banned sales to people born after 2009, cut nicotine content in smoked tobacco products and cut the number of tobacco retailers by more than 90%.

Countries with notable restrictions on smoking include Mexico, which has smoking bans at beaches, parks and some homes.

Portugal is aiming to become smoke-free by 2040, with plans to ban the sale of tobacco products in bars and cafes. Meanwhile, Canada became the first country to require health warnings to be printed on individual cigarettes.

More than a quarter of the worlds population are covered by smoking bans in public spaces, according to the World Health Organization.

Of the 74 countries with smoke-free policies, Ireland was the first to ban smoking in all indoor workplaces, in 2004.
The 880 southbound in Oakland. Photograph: Bronte Wittpenn/AP

Thousands of people held protests across the US on Monday condemning Israels attack on Gaza, shutting down airports and disrupting traffic in major cities from New York to San Francisco.

A portion of the Kennedy Expressway into Chicago OHare international airport, one of the USs busiest, was blocked off by protesters calling for an end to the violence.

NBC Chicago reported that some travelers were seen getting out of their cars and walking along the highway to the airport. The Chicago aviation department said the protests caused substantial flight delays. Many protesters were arrested following the incident.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, two major highways  the southbound 101 across the Golden Gate Bridge and northbound 880 in nearby Oakland  were disrupted during morning rush hour as demonstrators echoed calls for a ceasefire and an end to US support for Israel.

All traffic lanes have since been reopened.

Protesters were also arrested on New Yorks Brooklyn Bridge and in Philadelphia, where several streets in the city center were blocked off.

Near Seattle, a demonstration closed the main road to Seattle-Tacoma international airport, authorities said. Social media posts showed people holding a banner and waving Palestinian flags while standing on the highway.

Oregon state police said 52 protesters were were arrested for disorderly conduct following the Interstate 5 protest in Eugene, about 110 miles (177km) south of Portland. Six vehicles were towed from the scene.

The protests were just a few of many demonstrations held around the world since Israels violent siege on the Palestinian territory began last year.

Following the 7 October attacks on Israel, carried out by Hamas fighters who killed more than a thousand people and took hundreds of hostages, the Israeli government has launched an unrelenting attack on the heavily populated Gaza strip, killing more than 30,000 people, many of whom are women and children.

Despite calls for a ceasefire from numerous countries and an order from the UNs top court, the international court of justice (ICJ), to prevent genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide, Israel has yet to pull back.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has instead continued its military operations and disrupted humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza, where Palestinians remain at risk of famine and an almost totally destroyed healthcare infrastructure.

The UN says of the 36 hospitals in Gaza only a dozen are partially functional while the others are ruined.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
Salman Khan greets fans outside his home on April 11 in an interaction that some have suggested caused the feud to reignite - SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP

An Indian gang has fired shots at a Bollywood actors home in a 20-year feud sparked by the death of two holy antelopes.

Salman Khan has repeatedly received death threats from Lawrence Bishnoi, a jailed gang member, ever since he killed two blackbucks in Rajasthan in 1998 while shooting the film Hum Saath-Saath Hain (We Are Together).

Bishnoi comes from a small community of the same name that considers the Indian antelope to be the reincarnation of Bhagwan Jambeshwar, their religious guru, also known as Jambaji.

The community has repeatedly pressed for legal action to be taken against Khan over the shooting.

In 2018, Khan was sentenced to five years in jail by a local court for violating a wildlife protection act but the sentence was suspended days after the film actor was sent to prison.

At the time, Bishnois gang warned it would take matters into its own hands.

Salman Khan was sentenced to five years in prison for killing two antelope but it was suspended - SANJIV SHUKLA/ISTOCKPHOTO

Two attackers identified by police as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal  both close associates of Bishnoi  are alleged to have monitored Khans Mumbai house.

Lakhmi Gautam, Mumbai joint commissioner of police said: The duo carried out a recce around Khans apartment three times before the incident.

They shot five rounds at Khans residence. No one was injured.

The assailants were apprehended late Monday in Kutch district of Gujarat after they fled from Mumbai.

A Facebook account believed to be run by Anmol, Bishnois younger brother, posted to claim responsibility for the attack.

He described the incident as a trailer, adding: We have only shown you a trailer so that you understand the magnitude of our strength and do not test it. This is the first and last warning.

Bishnoi is alleged to have been involved in multiple kidnappings and murders, including the killing of Sidhu Moose Wala, the Indian rapper, in 2022.

Why the gang has decided to retaliate now is not clear but many speculate it might be sparked by Khans popularity during Eid celebrations last week, when he greeted thousands of fans.

A prominent Bollywood actor with nearly 150 film and TV credits since the 1980s, Khans personal life has been marred by controversy. In 2002, he was involved in a late-night hit-and-run crash in Mumbai, resulting in fatalities. Despite being cleared initially, authorities have challenged his acquittal in 2016 and the case is ongoing.
Kemi Badenoch leaving Downing Street on 16 April. She said she could not support the ban as it would mean different rights for people born a day apart. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

Kemi Badenoch has announced she is opposing Rishi Sunaks smoking ban because it will mean people born a day apart will have permanently different rights.

In a blow to the prime ministers authority, Badenoch published a statement before the vote saying she had significant concerns about the legislation.

Badenoch, the business secretary, who is seen as a potential Conservative leadership challenger, said she agreed with Sunaks intentions but that the principle of equality under the law is a fundamental one.

Her statement signalled her decision to wavering Conservative MPs before the first Commons vote on the the prime ministers tobacco and vapes bill on Tuesday evening. It could encourage more Tory MPs, several of whom have already spoken up against it, to oppose the ban. Conservative MPs have been given a free vote.

Badenoch wrote on X: Smoking rates are already declining significantly in the UK and I think there is more we can do to stop children taking up the habit. However, I do not support the approach this bill is taking and so will be voting against it.

Penny Mordaunt, another cabinet minister and potential Conservative leadership challenger, is among those wavering over whether to support the ban. The Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan has also said she will oppose the proposed ban.

Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons, is known to have reservations about bill and the precedent it would set for banning other unhealthy practices.

The legislation would ban smoking for future generations by making it illegal for anyone born in 2009 or later to buy tobacco products in the UK.

Mordaunts position appears to mirror criticism from other Conservative figures who attacked the bill on Tuesday, which is having its second reading in the Commons. MPs will hold their first vote on it before a final one expected in June.

The former prime minister Liz Truss blamed unelected individuals in the Department of Health and Social Care for the governments planned smoking ban as she launched an apparent attack on civil servants such as the chief medical officer for England, Prof Chris Whitty.

She also claimed Therese Coffey, her friend and health secretary in Ther short-lived government, had put the plans in the bin but that they had re-emerged like a bad penny.

Truss launched her attack in an interview with the BBC as hostilities opened among Conservative MPs before the second reading of the bill on Tuesday, with another former minister rejecting her claim that the plans were unconservative.

What I think about this smoking ban is that its something that the Department of Health  ie unelected individuals  have been pursuing for some time, Truss told the BBCs political editor, Chris Mason, in one of the latest in a series of interviews to promote her new book.

Truss, who has limited support among Tory MPs after her disastrous period in Downing Street but is one of the leaders of the rebellion against the bill, claimed she was worried about where the proposals would lead, suggesting people could end up with a sugar allowance.

The bill is important to Sunak as a legacy achievement of his time in Downing Street. Opposition by Mordaunt  regarded as a leadership candidate of the centre  could leverage her more traditional Conservative credentials among Tory grassroots and MPs from the partys libertarian wing.

Before she became an MP in 2010, Mordaunt was a director at Media Intelligence Partners (MIP), a communications company. After she resigned from the firm it was involved in working for the tobacco firm Philip Morris International as it campaigned against the coalition governments plain packaging plans for cigarettes.

Truss in her attack did not name Whitty, who used an article in the Guardian on Tuesday to say that lobbying by big tobacco needs to be addressed head on, as email evidence emerged of campaigning tactics to put pressure on MPs to sink Rishi Sunaks smoking ban bill.

Another former minister, Jesse Norman, aimed a broadside at colleagues in his own party on Tuesday, saying on X: Very hard to see what is supposed to be unconservative about the tobacco and vaping bill. Its a gradual long-term reform that doesnt affect anyone now smoking, protects young people from a dangerous addictive drug, supports the NHS and saves the taxpayer and society a fortune.

Simon Clarke, a former minister and one of the Tory MPs opposing the bill, claimed the governments generational smoking ban risked making the habit cooler and that it was a slippery slope to bans on alcohol and fast food.

There are good ways to tackle a problem like this and then there are bad ways, and I think that an outright ban risks being counterproductive. I think it actually risks making smoking cooler, it certainly risks creating a black market, and it also risks creating a unmanageable challenge for the authorities, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

Clarke said education and the tax system should be used as tools to deter people from smoking.

Asked about opinion polls that showed two-thirds of people in Britain backed a phased smoking ban  a figure that extends to 70% among those who voted Conservative in 2019, Clarke said: There are some things, of course, which are not necessarily philosophically or practically right that would command support in the opinion polls.
The call between the two prime ministers was delayed by more than 24 hours, with the Israeli leader locked in war cabinet meetings - Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Rishi Sunak has warned Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that launching a retaliation attack on Iran for Saturdays strikes would leave Israel less secure.

Mr Sunak told the Israeli Prime Minister that a significant escalation was in no ones interest, according to a Downing Street readout of the 30-minute call on Tuesday afternoon.

The conversation makes the Prime Minister the second world leader to talk to Mr Netanyahu since Irans missile and drone attack.

US president Joe Biden told Israel to call off immediate revenge in a call on Saturday night during the Iranian attack.

Mr Sunaks call with Mr Netanyahu had been delayed by more than 24 hours, with the Israeli leader locked in war cabinet meetings.

The UK joined the US and France in helping Israel shoot down some of the 350 drones, missiles and rockets fired by Iran on Saturday night.

During the call Mr Netanyahu thanked Mr Sunak for the UKs rapid and robust support for Israel in the attack, according to the read-out circulated by Number 10.

A Downing Street spokesman said: The Prime Minister said Iran had badly miscalculated and was increasingly isolated on the global stage, with the G7 coordinating a diplomatic response.

He stressed that significant escalation was in no ones interest and would only deepen insecurity in the Middle East. This was a moment for calm heads to prevail.

During the call Mr Netanyahu thanked Mr Sunak for the UK's 'rapid and robust support' for Israel in the attack - Xinhua News Agency/eyevine

It is understood that Mr Sunak explicitly said on the call that Israel would become more insecure if a retaliation strike on Iran was launched.

The call is the latest attempt by the West to urge restraint on Israel after what was seen militarily as the successful intervention of Irans rockets.

Mr Biden reportedly told Mr Netanyahu that he would not support any counter-attack against Iran in what has been seen as having a significant impact on Israeli government thinking.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, had not yet spoken to Mr Netanyahu when Mr Sunak had his call. He has said we will do all we can to avoid things flaring up, escalating.

Israeli media reported on Tuesday night that the war cabinet has agreed that any attack should be measured and take place on Iranian soil but that it cannot lead to a wider conflict with Iran.

One source told The Telegraph the cabinet has agreed that the retaliation should be strategic but painful.

Irans president told Vladimir Putin that Tehrans strikes on Israel were limited and that it wanted to avoid further escalation in the allies first phone call since Sundays missile and drone attack.

The Russian president spoke to Ibrahim Raisi, with the Kremlin saying Russia hopes that all sides will show reasonable restraint and prevent a new round of confrontation fraught with catastrophic consequences for the entire region.

Earlier on Tuesday, Wang Yi, Chinas foreign minister, also showed support for Iran, saying that Beijing thinks Iran can handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil.

Mr Yi said China had noted Irans claim that its action taken was limited and was an act of self-defence.

The regime in Tehran is expecting a retaliation to Sundays unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israeli territory.

The United States believes that Israel is considering a narrow and limited strike inside Iran, US officials have said.

But any additional move now opens up a series of other possibilities, some of which are quite frightening, the senior official told CNN, adding that there was no guarantee that Israel would alert its ally before launching its retaliation.

Mr Sunak used the phone call to once again demand that more aid be let into Gaza, saying he was gravely concerned about the deepening humanitarian crisis.

The UK wanted to see a massive step change in aid access to flood Gaza with vital supplies, including Israel opening up new aid routes as quickly as possible. The Prime Minister said it was deeply disappointing that Hamas blocked a deal at the weekend that would have saved Palestinian lives and secured the safe release of hostages.

Downing Street had said that the Prime Minister was due to speak to Mr Netanyahu on Monday but it happened late afternoon on Tuesday.

Downing Street denied the UK was being taken for granted by Israel and suggested Mr Netanyahus other commitments meant a call had not been possible.

Suella Braverman

Grow a backbone and ban the IRGC

Read more

Since Tehrans air strikes some Tory MPs have renewed calls to ban Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.

Senior Tories including Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, and Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, have urged the Prime Minister to proscribe the group as a terrorist organisation.

But Laura Farris, the Home Office minister told LBC: I dont think theres any disagreement, actually, on the principle.

Were not for a second defending the IRGC. Were simply saying that maintaining that channel with Tehran at this moment in time is, at present, in our national interest.
Australian security chiefs are on alert for further attacks as the stabbing of a bishop in Sydney is declared an act of terrorism.

A 15-year-old boy is accused of attacking Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a senior figure in the ultra-conservative Assyrian Orthodox Church, and wounding three others during a live broadcast of a sermon.

At least 30 people, including two police officers, were injured when angry crowds congregated outside the church to demand vengeance on Monday night.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said thousands of police officers were deployed to protect religious organisations and structures in order to avoid retaliation or tit-for-tat violence.

The incident has prompted the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, his Deputy Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong to convene for an emergency security meeting with the heads of the defence force and ASIO, the countrys spy agency.

Karen Webb, the New South Wales Police Commissioner, confirmed on Tuesday morning that she had declared the alleged assaults at Christ The Good Shepherd Church a terrorist act.

Strikeforce Katrina has been established to investigate that side of the events last night and a referral has been made and agreed to by the joint counter-terrorism investigation team, Ms Webb said.

Noting the teenager had made comments centred around religion when he approached the bishop, she said investigators believe the incident could be considered religious-motivated extremism.

Police confirmed the boy was known to police, but not well known.

He wasnt known to us from a terrorism point of view, he was not on any terror watchlist, Ms Webb said.

This is the first time this individual has come to our attention in this manner.

Graphic footage captured during the Monday evening Mass showed a person dressed in black approaching the altar and launching a furious attack on the bishops head and upper body.

Father Isaac Royel suffered a shoulder wound and multiple lacerations when he tried to intervene to stop the attack, police will allege.

The bishop is known for his anti-LGBTQ views and scepticism over Covid vaccines. - Facebook

Officers were later forced to barricade themselves and the suspect inside the church when hundreds of people gathered to demand vengeance for the stabbing, the second major knife assault in Australia in three days.

Dominic Morgan, the states Ambulance Commissioner, said paramedics were holed up in the church for more than three hours during the violence which resulted in at least 30 people requiring medical treatment.

A police constable sustained a twisted knee and a chipped tooth after being hit with a metal object.

Another constable sustained a broken jaw after he was hit with a brick and a fence paling, NSW police said.

Two other men who intervened inside the church were treated in hospital for minor injuries.

The teen suspect underwent surgery on Monday night for a hand injury sustained when witnesses held him down on the floor. Rumours swirled amongst the community that the boys finger had been cut off.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said: His injuries are quite severe in his hand, hes fairly upset and fairly distraught.

In a post shared to the churchs Instagram page on Monday night, a spokesperson asked the mob of angry protesters to leave in peace and pray for both the victims and for the teenage suspect.

We ask for your prayers at this time, a post shared to the Churchs instagram just before midnight on Monday.

It is the Bishop and Fathers wishes that you also pray for the perpetrator.
Michaela community school in Brent, north-west London. Photograph: James Veysey/Rex/Shutterstock

A high court decision to uphold a prayer ban at one of the highest performing state schools in England has been welcomed by Rishi Sunak and Kemi Badenoch, who described it as a victory against activists trying to subvert our public institutions.

The case against Michaela community school in Brent, north-west London, which is famous for its strict discipline code, was brought by a Muslim pupil, known only as TTT in court proceedings, who claimed the ban was discriminatory and breached her right to religious freedom.

In a written judgment handed down on Tuesday, Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupils arguments against the prayer ban on all key grounds.

Related: Michaela school will keep its prayer ban  but as a Muslim teacher I know it doesnt have to be this way | Nadeine Asbali

Commenting in a post on X, Badenoch, the equalities minister, said: No pupil has the right to impose their views on an entire school community in this way. The Equality Act is a shield, not a sword and teachers must not be threatened into submission.

Her comments were later criticised by a senior Muslim leader who accused her of sensationalising the case, while the Runnymede Trust, an independent race equality thinktank, warned the ruling set a dangerous precedent.

Also on X, the trust posted: It targets Muslim students and cannot be removed from the ramping up of Prevent and recent govt extremism definition. No child should be policed for the peaceful practice of their faith.

The judgment followed a two-day hearing in January at the high court in London, which heard the prayer ban was introduced in March last year by the schools founder and former government social mobility tsar, Katharine Birbalsingh, after the school found itself the target of death and bomb threats over its approach to religious observance.

Birbalsingh, who is often called Britains strictest headteacher, defended the policy, arguing it was vital in order to maintain a successful learning environment where children of all races and religion can thrive.

However, the pupil claimed the prayer ban had fundamentally changed how she felt about being a Muslim in the UK. It was like somebody saying they dont feel like I properly belong here, the court heard. She also argued that the ban uniquely affected her faith due to its ritualised nature, and that Michaelas policy on prayer was the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society.

Linden ruled the prayer ban did not interfere with the pupils religious freedom as they could have moved to another school that allowed prayer at lunchtime and said it was justified, given the secular ethos of the school.

He added: The disadvantage to Muslim pupils at the school caused by the prayer ritual policy is in my view outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.

The prime ministers spokesperson said: The PM welcomes the judgment. The Michaela community school is an outstanding school with a history of excellent outcomes for pupils. The government has always been clear that heads are best placed to take decisions on what is permitted in our schools. And this judgment supports that.

Dr Abdul-Azim Ahmed, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Wales, told the PA news agency he was disappointed the court had failed to defend a very well-established British principle of freedom of religion.

Its not looking for preferential treatment, its looking for fairness in schools. Its looking for the basic religious freedoms which have long been a part of the British public sphere.

Commenting on Badenochs statement, he said: I think unfortunately the ministers comments are sensationalising this case and playing into a culture war and a rhetoric which doesnt reflect the reality of whats happening on the ground.

After the judgment, the pupil, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she was disappointed, but added: Even though I lost, I still feel that I did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban. I tried my best, and was true to myself and my religion. Being involved in this case has not been easy for me. My main focus now is my GCSEs.

The pupils mother, who also cannot be named, said: Im profoundly dismayed by the cases outcome. The case was rooted in the understanding that prayer isnt just a desirable act for us  its an essential element that shapes our lives as Muslims.

Birbalsingh welcomed the courts decision as a victory for all schools. She said: A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves. Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they have decided they dont like something.



She warned against a false narrative about Muslims being an oppressed minority at Michaela. They are, in fact, the largest group. Those who are most at risk are other minorities and Muslim children who are less observant. If parents do not like what Michaela is, they do not need to send their children to us. Can it be right for a family to receive 150,000 of taxpayer-funded legal aid to bring a case like this?

A representative for the family said Birbalsinghs figure was incorrect and the capped legal aid costs were a fraction of that sum.

The case could have implications for other state schools in England amid renewed discussion about whether faith and religion should have any role in the education system.

Humanists UK chief executive, Andrew Copson, said: Todays high court judgment requires serious thinking from the government about how to protect the childs freedom of religion or belief while also making sure our education system is fair and inclusive to all. Schools shouldnt be left alone to deal with this.
Tesla's stock wobbled as the company said it would lay off staff. (Jeff Gritchen, Associated Press)

Tesla (TSLA)

Tesla stock dropped 5.6% on Monday and looks set to continue declining when the market opens in the US, following an announcement by the company that it will cut jobs. Job cuts will be partly focused on China in the sales department, according to a report by Reuters, which cited sources.

Overall, the company will look to cut 10% of its global headcount amid stiff competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market, the report said.

Read more: FTSE 100 LIVE: European stocks slump as China growth fails to cheer traders

A price war between Tesla and Chinese rival BYD has meant Tesla's foothold in its second biggest market, China, is slipping. BYD has clinched an edge by producing cheaper vehicles while benefitting from owning many of the crucial elements that make up EV supply chains, such as lithium mines in the region.

Last quarter, Tesla also reported its quarterly deliveries fell.

Microsoft (MSFT)

Software giant Microsoft said it will invest $1.5bn (1.2bn) in UAE-based artificial intelligence (AI) firm G42  a move which would give it a minority stake and a board seat.

The deal comes as powers in the US continue to block technological advances by foreign actors. Chinese companies have been added to an export blacklist after the company tried to acquire AI chips for its military. The US has also had concerns about China's ties to the Gulf states.

Read more: Emerging-market assets sink to 2024 low amid growth, rate risks

Both Microsoft and G42 said they had made assurances to the US and UAE governments over security measures.

Stock fell almost 2% in trade on Monday but looked set to pick up slightly in trade on Tuesday.

Fintech company Wise saw its stock plunge on Tuesday following a full-year earnings report that missed analyst expectations.

Its fourth-quarter revenue came in at 277.2m, bringing its full-year figure to $1.1bn  1% below consensus estimates.

Its Q4 income of 381.2m also fell short of expectations, according to Jeffries.

Stock was trading around 8% lower by mid-morning in London.

Dr. Martens' stock was down around 30% on Tuesday after news of turnover in its top ranks. The company's CEO Kenny Wilson will leave this year following the latest profit warning for the shoemaker, with Ije Nwokorie  currently chief brand officer  taking over.

Read more: Dr Martens shares plunge as tough outlook sets challenge for new CEO

The news comes as costs have ramped up at the business, which says it does not plan on increasing its prices. It said on Tuesday that it expects revenue to decline, with a potential fall in profit of almost 70%.

The latest downgrade follows four profit warnings in 2023.

Watch: Is Ford a hybrid winner and Tesla an EV loser?
Iranians hold signs and a portrait of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a celebration after the missile and drone attack on Israel, in Palestine Square, central Tehran, on Monday. Photograph: Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images

The US has said it will impose sanctions aimed at Irans missile and drone programme as well as the Revolutionary Guard and defence ministry in the next few days, and expects its allies to follow suit, in the wake of Tehrans large-scale air attack on Israel at the weekend.

The national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, made the announcement on the same day Germany said it expected concerted EU sanctions, as the allies rushed to punish Iran economically while urging Israel not to launch military reprisals that could ignite an all-out war. Sullivan also said that a regional air defence and early warning system would be expanded to help defend against future attacks.

As Israels war cabinet met for a third day in a row to consider its response to the Iranian assault, which was launched in retaliation for Israels strike on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Damascus, Syria, on 1 April, international pressure was mounting on Israel to avoid steps that would lead to a regional conflict.

The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, called for urgent de-escalation of hostilities during a phone conversation with Irans foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.

The Israeli government has told Washington that it will carry out a response but that response will be calibrated to limit further escalation. Any direct attack on Iranian territory would be further complicated by US refusal to participate and the likely reluctance of Israels Arab neighbours to allow its planes to flight over their territory.

While urging Israel to show restraint, Washington has sought to reassure its closest Middle Eastern ally that it can count on broad support in its defence against Iranian attack.

Related: IDF chief of staff says Israel will respond to Iran missile attack

In the coming days, the US will impose new sanctions targeting Iran, including its missile and drone program as well as new sanctions against entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Irans Defense Ministry, Sullivan said. We anticipate that our allies and partners will soon be following with their own sanctions.

He added that the US military was also taking steps to further strengthen and expand the successful integration of air and missile defense and early warning systems across the Middle East to further erode the effectiveness of Irans missile and UAV [drone] capabilities.

On the same day as Sullivans announcement the German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbockannounced she was travelling to Israel for discussions on how to prevent an escalation of tensions in the region. Baerbock said she had noted a European appetite for quickly expanding sanctions against Tehran, perhaps within days.

With senior Israeli officials promising a response to the Iranian airstrikes, governments keen to avoid a dangerous escalation  including that of Germany  have increasingly talked up new international sanctions.

One potential target for expanded sanctions, officials have suggested, was widening the scope of those involved in Irans production of drones, which were used in this weekends attack and have also been widely used against Ukraine by Russia.

On Monday, the Israeli military chief, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, said Israel was considering its next steps but that the Iranian strike will be met with a response, while the armys spokesperson, Rear Adm Daniel Hagari, said Israel would respond at the time that we choose.

Israeli analysts have suggested, however, that the longer Israels delay in responding, the less significant it is likely to be.

Related: Middle East crisis: visual guide to Irans attack on Israel

The Iranian attack, launched overnight on Saturday, occurred as Israel was already fighting on two fronts, against Hamas in Gaza and around the Lebanese border with the Iranian ally Hezbollah.

Under strong international pressure over the high civilian death toll in Gaza, where more than 85% of the population has been displaced and agencies have been warning of famine, the Iranian strikes  during which most of the missiles and drones were shot down  marked a worst-case scenario in international efforts to stop the war spreading.

Iran has tried to signal that the attack was a limited and justified response to the Israeli attack on its consulate on 1 April  in which two generals died  most recently on Tuesday in a phone call between the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and Irans president, Ebrahim Raisi. The Kremlin said Raisi told Putin that Tehrans strikes on Israel were limited and that the Islamic Republic was not interested in escalating.

Commenting on the prospect of sanctions, Baerbock said she had noticed that a number of players at the European level had said they would take another look at extending an existing EU sanctions regime against Iran that targets drone production.

Related: Why Israels attack on Iranian consulate in Syria was a gamechanger

I hope that we can now finally take this step together as the EU, she said in Berlin on Tuesday.

Baerbocks comments came as Yellen suggested Washington could also expand its sanctions regime against Iran.

The US treasury secretary, Janet Yellen said Washington was continuing to use economic tools to pressure Hamas, but said the treasury was emphasising that its sanctions should not impede life-saving aid to Gaza. It is incumbent on all of us here at these meetings to do everything in our power to end this suffering, she said.

According to a report by the Axios news site, Yellen will press fellow international finance ministers  visiting Washington for the annual spring IMF meetings this week  to focus their governments on possible coordinated sanctions.

In Gaza, residents reported that Israeli tanks had pushed back on Tuesday into some areas of the northern Gaza Strip that they had left weeks ago. Warplanes conducted airstrikes on Rafah, the Palestinians last refuge in the south of the territory, killing and wounding several people, medics and residents said.

Residents reported an internet outage in the areas of Beit Hanoun and Jabaliya in northern Gaza. Tanks advanced into Beit Hanoun and surrounded some schools where displaced families had taken refuge, said the residents and media outlets of the militant Palestinian group Hamas.

Occupation soldiers ordered all families inside the schools and the nearby houses where the tanks had advanced to evacuate. The soldiers detained many men, one resident of northern Gaza told Reuters via a chat app.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire speaks during a press conference about his water bill improvement plan held at City Hall Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

Growing pains

Regarding Houston Mayor Whitmire to reopen Montrose library, reversing former directors decision, (April 11): New Mayor John Whitmires decision-making so far suggests that, more than anything, he just wants everyone to like him. Longstanding pay dispute with firefighters? Give them whatever they want! A few citizens upset over what was probably a smart decision to close an aging, undersized library branch that was falling apart? Re-open it!

Whitmire looks to be a classic politician whose go-to solution to problems is to avoid difficult decisions and kick the can down the road. It also appears that he hasnt yet realized that hes no longer in the Legislature. In Austin he had multi-billion dollar budget surpluses, thanks largely to oil and gas revenue. With the city we have a property tax revenue cap and projected budget deficits as far as the eye can see.

Sylvester Turner wasnt perfect, but he understood that, as mayor, he was going to have to make difficult decisions, and that as much as hed like to, he wasnt going to be able to make everybody happy.

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Hopefully Whitmire will grow into the job.

David Bradley, Spring

Should not be tolerated

Regarding 1 dead, 13 injured after truck intentionally crashes into Brenham DPS office, officials say, (April 12): This article is a sad story of people going about their lives only to be injured and killed because a man did not get a drivers license and he decided he was going to get even because he didnt get his way.

Unfortunately, this reminds me of the recent private school vouchers issue. Our governor tried to get even with members of his party who were honest citizens voting their conscience against the bill. Our governor tried to arrange so that these fellow party members would not be re-elected.

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Getting even is childish and should not be tolerated by any society.

David Norman, Katy

Vice president

Regarding Texas Gov. Greg Abbott positions himself as Trumps biggest cheerleader. Is he vying for VP? (April 10): Why in the world would the former president want a vice president at all? Veeps are unreliable and untrustworthy (see Mike Pence). A running mate wouldnt carry any states for Donald Trump; he can carry them all by himself.

Having a vice president presumes that (1) the president would ever seek counsel on matters-politik, (2) Trump might have to relinquish his office midterm, and (3) president-for-life might be jeopardized by a prez-in-waiting. Besides, the former president, if elected, will have a de facto mate-in-arms whose initials, coincidentally, are V.P.

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Paul N. Spellman, Richmond

Earth Day promise

Regarding Where to celebrate Earth Day around Houston, from festivals to tree planting and more, (April 15): I shop at many different grocery stores (Central Market, Randalls, Kroger and Whole Foods). The workers who pack my groceries are excellent at 3D geometry because they pack the grocery items without problem, even though my reusable bags are all of different sizes and shapes. Only Whole Foods gives me a discount (10 cents a bag) for bringing my own bags.

In honor of Earth Day, I will try to buy more reusable bags, as I often dont bring enough. I do find it an easy way to not have so many bags to recycle or throw out. And while its a small step for the planet, the more people that do it, the larger step it would be.

Julia Wangler, Houston

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Grammar refresher

Regarding Wily migrants conspire with eclipse at border | Thumbs, (April 13): Dont they teach grammar in grade school anymore? I used to love diagramming sentences when I was in grade school. Hearing someone use the pronoun I when me is the correct choice grates on me like fingernails on a chalkboard. Is it because of some misplaced sense of modesty that people who should know better do that? Or is it now a form of political correctness?

Its really very simple. When you are dealing with a first-person pronoun, the correct word to use is me when the object of a verb, not I. My ire this morning and example of bad grammar comes from a quote in Thumbs talking about how the University of Kentucky had reportedly courted Baylors Scott Drew to replace John Calipari. Drew wrote in a statement, We truly believe God has called my family and I to continue our work here at Baylor.

He should have said God has called my family and me. Thats because family and me are both objects of the verb called. I know this is small potatoes in the grand scheme of things, and maybe its because Ive only had one cup of coffee, but today I just had to vent.

David Kelly, Spring

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UT rivalry

Regarding Lets be clear: UTs rival isnt Texas A&M | Opinion, (April 12): Jay Kopfers letter says that Oklahoma University, not Texas A&M, is the University of Texas rival. Then why is the second line of the Texas Fight song and its goodbye to A&M instead of goodbye to Oklahoma?

Richard Blakely, Richmond
On 2 May, voters will go to the ballot box to elect their local councillors, police and crime commissioners and, for those in London, 25 members of the London Assembly

Most of England will be heading to the polls on 2 May for local elections and, in Englands biggest cities, mayoral elections.

Voters will go to the ballot box to elect their local councillors, police and crime commissioners and, for those in London, 25 members of the London Assembly.

Here, The Telegraph sets out everything you need to know about how to vote before heading to the ballot box in your area.

Am I registered to vote?

You can check if you are on the register by contacting your local electoral registration office.

What time do polling stations open?

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.

Where is my polling station?

Local electoral registration offices can provide information about where the nearest polling station is - but voters are also sent a poll card that says when the vote is and which station to attend.

How to vote in person

Since May 2023, voters in England and Wales have needed to provide a form of photographic ID at the ballot box.

Again for the upcoming local elections, voters will need to show a form of identification such as a driving licence, passport or blue badge in order to be able to cast their vote.

Certain travel passes can be used as valid photographic ID.

The name on the ID must match the name provided on the electoral register, otherwise a voter can bring a document with them to the polling station that proves they have changed their name.

Voters are also able to apply for a free voter authority certificate (VAC) either online or by post if they do not have accepted photo ID available.

Can I vote online?

No, you cannot vote in the local elections online.

Experts say that security and anonymity concerns make it difficult to implement an online voting system.

How to apply for a postal vote

Anyone who wishes to apply for a postal vote must have done so before 5pm on 17 April.

How to vote by proxy

You are able to get someone else to vote on your behalf if you cannot attend a polling station in person for the upcoming local elections.

To apply to vote by proxy, you must have done so before 5pm on 24 April, though you may be able to put in an application for an emergency proxy vote in certain cases including lost photographic ID or a medical emergency.

Your chosen proxy must be someone you trust to vote on your behalf; they must be registered to vote and can do so at the polling station on your poll card.
Lego artist Nathan Sawaya with his sculpture Big Yellow. Sawayas show the Art of the Brick has opened in Melbourne. Photograph: Mitchell Haddad

Hes made a living out of building sculptures from Lego and his work has been shown in 100 cities and 24 countries, attracting millions of visitors. But you wont find any Lego in Nathan Sawayas home. Call it work-life balance: I love what I do, but it is a job  not a hobby, the 50-year-old American artist says.

It is a job, but its also something like a dream. Sawaya was a Wall Street lawyer who was unhappy with his career, playing with his favourite childhood toys after hours to unwind. Creating elaborate sculptures from scratch wasnt unfamiliar to him  as a child, when his parents wouldnt buy him a dog, he fashioned a lifesize pet from Lego bricks. It was very rudimentary, but it was what I could do as a kid, he recalls.

Sawaya began posting photos of his sculptures online. When his website crashed from all the clicks, he took it as a sign to quit law and pursue Lego. The first iteration of Sawayas travelling exhibition, the Art of the Brick, was held at a small art museum in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 2007, featuring about two dozen sculptures. I treated it like a wedding and invited all my friends and family from all over, he says. I expected that to be my last solo show, but fortunately it has kept going ever since.

Initially, Sawaya was met with resistance from Lego  the companys first ever contact was a cease and desist. But he eventually went to work for Lego as a master model builder (the people who build the models for Legoland and other official operations). The audition process sounds simple enough, but it requires skill. They say: heres a pile of bricks, build a sphere out of it. You build the sphere and they roll it across the table or the floor to see how you did.

Related: Inside the Lego House  in pictures

After a short stint with Lego, Sawaya branched out on his own. Hes now a Lego certified professional, a title reserved for those who have made their own businesses from the bricks. Its a very good business relationship, Sawaya says of his dealings with Lego these days. He has to buy the bricks, like anyone else. I understand that theyre a toy company, and they understand that Im an artist.

Is there any tension in making art from a branded product? Of course, he says. Im subject to the decisions of a third party. For example, hes limited to the colours that Lego produces  he gets around this by having an extensive inventory of about 10m bricks between his two studios in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Sawaya doesnt see his exhibition as promotional for Lego  I dont call the show the art of Lego, he points out  but he acknowledges that the accessibility that makes him love the medium so much also equates to something of a monopoly. It is still a brand, and that is a part of it, he says. When you get up very close to every sculpture of mine, you can see the word Lego on every individual piece.

The Art of the Brick, which has just opened in Melbourne, has been a worldwide hit  there are three or four exhibitions running simultaneously at any given time. Theyre all different, but there are favourites that Ive replicated because theres some expectation that certain pieces are going to be there, he says.

Sawayas most well-known piece is 2007s Yellow, a sculpture of a man opening his own chest to reveal Lego pieces spilling out  Lady Gaga superimposed her head on to it in the video for her 2014 single G.U.Y. At the Melbourne show it looms large, surrounded by seven smaller-scale versions in different colours.

But there are plenty more. Sawaya doesnt keep count of how many sculptures hes created over the past two decades, but estimates that it might be close to a thousand. Hes made a six-metre-long Batmobile and a lifesize replica of Central Perk, the cafe from Friends, with fellow Lego artist Brandon Griffith, which required 1m bricks.

So what goes into planning a Lego sculpture on this level? It depends on the piece, of course, but it all starts with the idea, he says. Theres some mapping that goes into it  sometimes its just drawing it out. Sometimes its digital.

Theres also a lot of research that goes into it: am I doing a piece that people are familiar with? If its a replica  lets say an art history piece  thats going to require going and looking at the original, gathering photographs and whatnot. If its just pouring out of my brain, then its more trial and error.

Related: Experience: I make prosthetic arms with Lego

In Melbourne, Sawayas works are animated with kinetics for the first time  250 glowing skulls move in mesmerising waves against a mirrored wall, with lights and music adding a new dimension. In another room, theres a lit-up recreation of Formula One driver Lando Norriss helmet at an 18:1 ratio; in yet another, realistic animals, including a giraffe and a polar bear mother and cub, are projected against their natural habitats in a collaboration with the Australian photographer Dean West.

These creations are undeniably impressive, but peer into some corners of the internet and youll find some people asking: is it art? In Sawayas mind, at least, it doesnt matter. I leave it up to the art critics and students to decide what the art world thinks, he says. Im not striving for it  Im just doing my own thing.
Authorities in Brussels have ordered the closure of a right-wing conference that was due to hear from British politicians including Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman.

Emir Kir, the mayor of Brussels district Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, said he had issued an order banning the National Conservatism conference from taking place on Tuesday to guarantee public safety.

He added: In Etterbeek, in Brussels City and in Saint-Josse, the far-right is not welcome.

Nigel Farage speaks during the National Conservatism conference in Brussels (Virginia Mayo/AP)

The conference had already struggled to find a venue, with two event spaces cancelling the National Conservatives booking in the face of public pressure  leading organisers to accuse Brussels mayor Philippe Close of seeking to cancel the event.

According to a report on social media, police arrived while Mr Farage, the honorary president of Reform UK, was addressing the event, giving attendees 15 minutes to leave the venue.

Footage later showed police officers entering the venue.

However, officers did not appear to force the event to shut down and speeches continued.

We are legally challenging the order to shut down #NatConBrussels2 at the new, third venue. There is no public disturbance and no grounds to shut down a gathering of politicians, intellectuals, journalists, students, civic leaders, and concerned citizens. The police entered the pic.twitter.com/oiVGfIfGlg  National Conservatism (@NatConTalk) April 16, 2024

Conference organisers said they were launching a legal challenge to Mr Kirs order, adding: There is no public disturbance and no grounds to shut down a gathering of politicians, intellectuals, journalists, students, civic leaders, and concerned citizens.

The police entered the venue on our invitation, saw the proceedings and the press corps, and quickly withdrew. Is it possible they witnessed how peaceful the event is?

They added that police were preventing people entering the venue and blocking delivery of food and water to the conference.

In a video on social media, Mr Farage said the Brussels authorities were behaving like the old Soviet Union.

He said: At the meeting, over the next two days, youve got the prime minister of Hungary, youve got a bishop, youve got members of the European royal families coming, well-known international businessmen and women, politicians, leaders of parties that will win European elections in countries this year in June.

And yet, because they are questioning ever-closer union, because they are questioning globalism, they are literally being shut down.

What just happened in Brussels this afternoon was a disgrace. For the Mayor and police to shut down a peaceful political event makes me more convinced of Brexit than ever. pic.twitter.com/RTJbr0FkDj  Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) April 16, 2024

The conference had been due to hear from two Conservative MPs, Ms Braverman and Miriam Cates, later on Tuesday, before hosting a speech by Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday.

Rishi Sunak had faced pressure to block Ms Bravermans attendance at the conference, with shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth urging the Prime Minister to stop the former home secretary giving oxygen to these divisive and dangerous individuals.

Under Boris Johnsons government in 2020, Conservative backbencher Daniel Kawczynski was reprimanded for attending a National Conservatism conference in Rome, with a Tory spokesman condemning the views of some other speakers, including Mr Orban.

Both Ms Braverman and Ms Cates addressed the National Conservatism conference in London last year, which was disrupted by protesters.
Anyone not registered to vote in the local, mayoral and police commissioner elections on May 2 has only a few hours left to apply, amid signs of a late surge in interest.

A range of contests are taking place across England and Wales on polling day, with every voter able to take part in at least one type of election.

Nearly 2,700 council seats in England are up for grabs across 107 local authorities, while 37 police and crime commissioners in England and Wales will also be chosen.

Polls are also taking place to elect some of the most high-profile mayors in the country, including Greater Manchester, London and the West Midlands.

People who have not yet registered to vote, or are not sure if they are eligible, have until 11.59pm on Tuesday to submit an application.

This can be done online at gov.uk/registertovote.

(PA Graphics)

Around 44 million people are estimated to be eligible to vote in the elections on May 2, but as many as seven million people are either incorrectly registered or missing from the register entirely, according to the Electoral Commission, which oversees all elections in the UK.

Some 43,037 applications were made on Monday, the highest for a single day so far this year and some way above the previous peak of 31,496 on April 2, Government figures show.

An average of 26,968 applications to vote were made per day in the week to April 15, up from 25,552 the previous week and 20,220 a fortnight ago.

Craig Westwood, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, told the PA news agency: Today is the last day to register to vote ahead of the elections on May 2.

Only people who are registered can have their say on issues important to their local area, so dont delay.

Registering to vote is quick and easy  all you need is your name, date of birth, address, and National Insurance number.

Those previously on the register who have recently moved home or whose details have changed will need to register to vote again.

Elections are taking place across England and Wales on 2 May. Dont have ID? Youll need it if you want to vote at a polling station. Apply for free voter ID by 5pm on 24 April https://t.co/1kX8mOnQlF pic.twitter.com/d3vuhRKito  Electoral Commission (@ElectoralCommUK) February 7, 2024

All voters intending to cast a ballot in the elections on May 2 will not only need to be registered but also show a form of photo identification at the polling station.

Not all types of photo ID will be accepted, but a passport, driving licence or blue badge are valid.

Anyone without the correct identification will need to apply for a voter authority certificate by 5pm on April 24, which can be done online at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

Photo ID rules were brought in as part of the Elections Act 2022, with the Government saying they were necessary to combat the risk of in-person voter fraud.

The requirements were first enforced at last years local elections in England.

A report by the Electoral Commission suggested at least around 14,000 people  0.25% of voters  did not vote in those elections after being unable to show an accepted form of photo ID at their polling station.

Some 33,677 applications for a voter authority certificate (VAC) have been made so far this year, Government figures show.

The average number of VAC applications per day stood at 859 in the week to April 15, down slightly from 865 the previous week, but up sharply from 507 a fortnight earlier.

Just 8% of VAC applications in the most recent week came from people under 25, while 3% came from those aged 75 and over, according to analysis by the PA news agency.

Applications from 55 to 64-year-olds accounted for 29% of the total, followed by 45 to 54-year-olds (22%), 35 to 44-year-olds (17%), 25 to 34-year-olds (12%) and 65 to 74-year-olds (9%).
A ruling dismissing a Muslim students High Court challenge against a ban on prayer rituals at her school is a victory for all others, its headteacher has said.

Michaela Community School in Brent, north London, faced legal action from the pupil, who claimed its policy was discriminatory and unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom.

In a judgment on Tuesday, a judge concluded the ban did not interfere with the students rights and was proportionate amid the schools aim to promote an ethos of inclusivity and social cohesion.

Katherine Birbalsingh, the high-achieving schools founder and headteacher, said: A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves.

The courts decision is therefore a victory for all schools.

Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they have decided they dont like something at the school.

She said the school of some 700 pupils, about half of whom are Muslim, embraces traditional values where children are happy and are friends with each other across racial and religious divides.

Ms Birbalsingh said people are informed about its strict rules before pupils join, adding: If parents do not like what Michaela is, they do not need to send their children to us.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: The Government has always been clear that heads are best-placed to take decisions on what is permitted in their school on these matters, to balance the rights of all with the ethos of the school community  including in relation to whether and how to accommodate prayer. This judgment confirms this.

The student, who cannot be named, said after the ruling that her school was very well run, had good teachers and that being involved in the case has not been easy for me.

Even though I lost, I still feel that I did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban. I tried my best and was true to myself and my religion, she said.

Her mother, who supported the challenge, said: The case was rooted in the understanding that prayer isnt just a desirable act for us  its an essential element that shapes our lives as Muslims.

In our faith, prayer holds undeniable importance, guiding us through each challenge with strength and faith.

She continued: My daughters impassioned stance compelled me to support her and I stand firm in that decision.

Her courage in pursuing this matter fills me with pride and Im confident shes gained invaluable lessons from the experience.

Some Muslim leaders told of their disappointment in the ruling, with Dr Abdul-Azim Ahmed, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Wales, saying the court hasnt defended a very well-established British principle of freedom of religion.

At a hearing in January, the court was told that Ms Birbalsingh, a former government social mobility tsar, introduced the policy in March last year, with it being backed by the governing body in May.

In March 2023, up to 30 students began praying in the schools yard, using blazers to kneel on.

Lawyers for the school said students seen praying outside contributed to a concerted campaign on social media over the schools approach to religion, with there also being a since-removed online petition attracting thousands of signatures.

Katharine Birbalsingh, founder and headteacher of Michaela Community School in north London (PA)

The court heard the school was targeted with death threats, abuse, false allegations of Islamophobia and a bomb hoax.

The students lawyers argued the ban on prayer rituals on the premises uniquely affected her faith due to its ritualised nature.

The pupil alleged the schools stance on prayer  one of the five pillars of Islam  was the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society.

Her legal team said she was making a modest request to be allowed to pray for around five minutes at lunch time, on dates when faith rules required it, but not during lessons.

The school argued its policy was justified as it risked undermining inclusion and social cohesion between pupils, would again expose it to an unacceptable risk of threats and that it avoided logistical disruption.

Mr Justice Linden concluded there was a rational connection between the aim of promoting the team ethos of the school, inclusivity, social cohesion etc and the prayer ritual policy.

He said: The disadvantage to Muslim pupils at the school caused by the prayer ritual policy is in my view outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.

He said the student had at the very least impliedly accepted that she would be subject to restrictions on her ability to manifest her religion when joining the secular school.

The judge said the pupil could also perform Qada prayers  permitted by Islam to make up for missing prayers earlier in the day  to mitigate the failure to pray within the allotted window.

He accepted the prayer policy caused the pupil a detriment but concluded it was a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, adding that the school was justified in deciding that there were practical difficulties in allowing indoor Muslim prayer during the school day.

Mr Justice Linden said of the student: I do not doubt that she has strong feelings, but she says that they are based on the whole of the events which have led to this claim  and on her views that she has been treated differently because she is a Muslim, that she is the victim of discrimination, and that she has effectively been told that she does not properly belong here, none of which is in fact the case.

Evidence showed that since the prayer rituals ban was introduced good relations within the school community have been restored, the judge said.

He upheld the students challenge to a decision to temporarily exclude her from the school as a breach of its duty to act fairly.
The parliamentary ping-pong over Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks Rwanda scheme will continue on Wednesday after peers gave the controversial policy a fresh beating.

Despite MPs overturning previous changes by the House of Lords, the unelected chamber on Tuesday again pressed demands for revisions to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, prolonging the parliamentary wrangling.

The latest Government setbacks mean the proposed law is being sent back to the House of Commons, where it is expected to be presented again on Wednesday before once again being passed back to the Lords.

We're stopping the boats Here's how  pic.twitter.com/HwTMmCGIc9  Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 14, 2023

The legislation seeks to clear the way to send asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats on a one-way flight to Kigali.

The Bill and a treaty with Rwanda are intended to prevent further legal challenges to the stalled asylum scheme after the Supreme Court ruled the plan was unlawful.

As well as compelling judges to regard the east African country as safe, it would give ministers the power to ignore emergency injunctions.

But the Lords insisted on an amendment to restore the jurisdiction of domestic courts in relation to the safety of Rwanda and enable them to intervene.

Peers also renewed their demand for the Bill to have due regard for international and key domestic laws, including human rights and modern slavery legislation.

In addition, they backed a requirement that Rwanda cannot be treated as a safe country until an independent monitoring body has verified that protections contained in the treaty are fully implemented and remain in place.

An exemption from removal for those who worked with the UK military or government overseas, such as Afghan interpreters, secured renewed support.

The Lords insistence on the amendments ensures a third round of ping-pong over the Bill, where legislation is batted between the two Houses until they agree on its final wording.

It will only receive royal assent and become law once agreement is reached.

Ahead of the upcoming general election, Mr Sunak has made stopping the boats a key pledge of his leadership.

He sees the Rwanda scheme as a vital deterrent to Channel crossings.

The Prime Minister could use RAF Voyager aircraft for Rwanda deportation flights after the Home Office failed to find an airline that would charter the flights, The Times reported.

Downing Street has drawn up plans to order the Ministry of Defence to repurpose at least one of the leased aircraft for this purpose, according to the newspaper.

The Home Office declined to comment on specific leaks but a spokesperson said: We make no apology for pursuing bold solutions to stop illegal migration, dismantle the people smuggling gangs and save lives.

Nearly two years after then-home secretary Dame Priti Patel first announced the deal with Rwanda, Labour attacked the Tories over the plan, noting that more than 75,000 migrants have made the journey since then.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: On the two-year anniversary of the Rwanda farce, ministers need to be honest with the public about how much time and taxpayers money has been wasted.

They were warned repeatedly about the cost and weaknesses of the Rwanda scheme. Meanwhile the serious problems with our border security, with criminal gangs and rising asylum hotel bills have all got worse and worse. Yet all the Government has done is to write more and more cheques to Rwanda. Talk about fiddling as Rome burns.

The Prime Minister must end this farce and instead back Labours plan to boost our border security and fix the asylum chaos.
Sir Salman Rushdie will discuss surviving an attempt on his life when he appears at the Edinburgh International Book Festival later this year.

The Satanic Verses author, who was gravely injured when he was repeatedly stabbed on stage in New York state in 2022, will address the event remotely on August 17.

The 2024 Edinburgh International Book Festival, running from August 10 to 25, is being held for the first time at the new Edinburgh Futures Institute.

Our first author events for 2024, a brand-new series called The Front List taking place at McEwan Hall, in partnership with Underbelly. A stellar line-up, jam-packed with bestsellers, prize-winners, and iconic names.  https://t.co/gV2bvecpC7 pic.twitter.com/I7pwlbzsdG  Edinburgh International Book Festival (@edbookfest) April 16, 2024

A brand-new series called The Front List will take place at the nearby McEwan Hall, with high-profile guests discussing current affairs, memoirs and also historical fiction.

The Front List programme which is hosted by Fringe producer Underbelly, will feature nine authors and will open on August 10 with actors Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson, talking about characters from Victor and Barrys Kelvinside Compendium. The pair also wrote and starred in the 1990s BBC comedy The High Life.

On August 12, LBC host James OBrien will discuss the current state of the UK and his book How They Broke Britain.

Sir Salman Rushdie will speak about an attempt on his life (Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

Alice Oseman, author of Heartstopper  now a smash-hit Netflix series  will appear on August 13, followed by millennial guru Dolly Alderton on August 14.

Booker Prize-winning writer Sir Salman will appear live from his home in New York to talk to journalist Mishal Husain about his new memoir Knife: Meditations After An Attempted Murder, in which he discusses being attacked in August 2022.

Sir Salman was stabbed repeatedly as he gave a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution, suffering wounds in the neck, eye, hand and abdomen.

Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson will appear at the festival (Lucy North/PA)

Historical novelist Philippa Gregory will discuss her new non-fiction book, Normal Women, on August 22, with young adult author Sarah Crossan speaking at an event for secondary school pupils the previous day.

Richard Osman  whose Thursday Murder Club series repeatedly appeared on The Sunday Times top 10 bestselling books of 2023  will talk about the first instalment of his new mystery series, We Solve Murders, on August 24.

Mental health activist Matt Haig, whose most recent book The Midnight Library has sold nine million copies, returns to the Festival to discuss his upcoming novel The Life Impossible on August 25.

New Makar Jackie Kay will be an interviewer at the book festival (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

Chairs for the events include crime authors Sir Ian Rankin and Val McDermid, as well as national poet Jackie Kay and BBC journalist Husain.

Most events will be streamed live, and all events will be BSL interpreted and captioned.

Edinburgh International Book Festival director Jenny Niven said: We are absolutely thrilled to be presenting such a stellar line-up in a venue that will enable us to welcome more people than ever before.

These are just the first of our 2024 events, with a further incredible 500-plus still to be announced.

Richard Osman will speak about his new crime novel (Jonathan Hordle/PA)

Our line-up gives a taste of whats to come, ranging from history to mystery, hope to romance, politics to comedy  and featuring some of the best interviewers in the business, including Mishal Husain and our very own Jackie Kay.

This marks the first release of events as we open an exciting new chapter for the Book Festival  we cant wait to welcome audiences this August.

Underbelly co-director Charlie Wood said: This is such a great partnership to be part of, bringing together two of Edinburghs summer festivals in a crown jewel of the city, allowing a wider audience to see these amazing writers discuss their work in a venue with a fabulous and long history of speakers.

Were delighted that the Book Festival will be part of our wider and soon to be announced McEwan Hall programme.

Tickets will go on sale to the public at 10am on April 25, with tickets available to book at https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on and https://underbelly.co.uk/
Rishi Sunak has told Benjamin Netanyahu it is a moment for calm heads to prevail in Israels response to Irans missile and drone attack.

The Prime Minister spoke to his counterpart on Tuesday afternoon after first telling MPs 24 hours earlier that he would speak to Mr Netanyahu shortly.

Israeli media had reported that Mr Netanyahu was refusing to take calls from world leaders seeking to influence the response to Saturday nights attack.

After the call, a Downing Street spokesperson said Mr Sunak reiterated the UKs steadfast support for Israels security and for wider regional stability.

Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked the UK for its rapid and robust support in the face of Irans reckless and dangerous attack on Saturday, they added.

The Prime Minister said Iran had badly miscalculated and was increasingly isolated on the global stage, with the G7 co-ordinating a diplomatic response. He stressed that significant escalation was in no ones interest and would only deepen insecurity in the Middle East. This was a moment for calm heads to prevail.

Mr Sunak also told the Israeli prime minister he remained gravely concerned about the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The UK wanted to see a massive step change in aid access to flood Gaza with vital supplies, including Israel opening up new aid routes as quickly as possible, the spokesperson said.

The Prime Minister said it was deeply disappointing that Hamas blocked a deal at the weekend that would have saved Palestinian lives and secured the safe release of hostages.

Benjamin Netanyahu (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo/AP)

Responding to questions about the delay to the call earlier, Downing Street denied the UK  which supplied Royal Air Force jets to help thwart Irans barrage  was being taken for granted by Israel and suggested Mr Netanyahus other commitments meant a call had not been possible.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: He has obviously been in discussions with his war cabinet.

The Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary have been speaking to their counterparts.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, who is reportedly set to visit Israel soon, has urged Tel Aviv to be smart as well as tough by not escalating the conflict with Iran.

Today I have been speaking with counterparts in Lebanon and United Arab Emirates. I reiterated the UKs condemnation of Irans attack, as well as the urgent need to work with partners in the region to de-escalate tensions.  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) April 15, 2024

The UK joined allies in defending Israel when Iran launched about 350 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday, with British jets shooting down a number of drones.

The onslaught followed Israels targeting of an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria earlier this month.

Mr Sunak has come under pressure from senior Tories and the Israeli government to ban Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation in the wake of the attack.

The IRGC wields significant influence over Irans politics and has been blamed for destabilising the Middle East through its support for groups including Hamas and Hezbollah targeting Israel and the Houthis in Yemen who have attacked Red Sea shipping.

But Home Office minister Laura Farris said to proscribe the group could jeopardise the UKs ability to engage with Tehran.
A humanoid robot described as the most advanced in the world will be showcased in Scotland.

The National Robotarium, the UKs centre for robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) based at Heriot-Watt University in partnership with The University of Edinburgh, has purchased the robot, named Ameca, from Engineered Arts.

Ameca is described as able to interact with people in a natural and engaging way, and facial expressions include playful and pondering.

Ameca, the humanoid robot, has a range of facial expressions along with embedded microphones and cameras (National Robotarium/PA)

The acquisition is a bid to demystify complex technologies and foster a greater understanding of the potential benefits of robotics, and AI.

The robot has embedded microphones, cameras, facial recognition software and articulated motorised components.

The National Robotarium hopes to break down barriers and build trust between humans and robots by exhibiting Ameca in schools and workshops to provide opportunities for people of all ages to interact directly with the robot and learn about the latest advancements in robotics and AI.

The robotarium aims to introduce Ameca as part of its public engagement initiatives by summer.

The facility is supported by 21 million from the UK Government and 1.4 million from the Scottish Government in a bid to turn Edinburgh into the data capital of Europe.

Researchers will also use Ameca to study public perceptions and attitudes towards humanoid robots, gathering valuable insights to inform the development of future technologies that prioritise trust, transparency and user-friendliness.

Steve Maclaren, chief operating officer at the National Robotarium, said: The arrival of Ameca at the National Robotarium marks a significant step forward in our mission to make robotics more accessible and relatable to the people of Scotland, the UK and beyond.

Since opening our doors in September 2022, weve successfully hosted more than 100 in-person and virtual events and engaged thousands of school-aged children.

Ameca represents an exciting opportunity to build on that success and take public engagement to the next level.

By giving people the chance to interact with this state-of-the-art humanoid robot first hand, we aim to demystify robotics, foster trust in human-robot interaction, and showcase the remarkable potential of these technologies to improve our daily lives and benefit society as a whole.

Will Jackson, founder and chief executive of Engineered Arts Ltd, said: We are incredibly proud to have Ameca join the many preeminent robots at The National Robotarium.

Meeting an AI-embodied humanoid robot is a unique experience that very few people have witnessed and we are very excited to be able to share what can be a profound moment with a wider audience.
Legal counsel for Ohio's top election official, a Republican, sent a letter on Monday signaling that the secretary of state's office can't accept a proposed workaround to certifying President Joe Biden on the state's November general election ballot amid a conflict with the Democratic National Committee over convention scheduling and confirming Biden as the party's official nominee.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose's attorney threw cold water on a new proposal by a Democratic lawyer to provisionally certify Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris -- that is, formally notify the state before the party's August convention whom they expect to be the nominee so that both candidates can be on Ohio's ballot before the state's Aug. 7 ballot certification deadline.

LaRose's attorney asked the Ohio Democratic Party to provide clarification as to how they intend to comply with state law. Possible courses of action brought up in his initial letter were moving up the party convention or seeking a legislative fix like an exemption.

In a letter received by the Ohio secretary of state last week, Ohio-based attorney Donald McTigue, who appears to be working with the Democratic Party, based on his letter -- though the Biden campaign declined to confirm or deny that -- said that Democrats could provisionally certify Biden and Harris by Aug. 7 and later technically confirm the results at the convention.

But the "notion of providing a 'provisional certification' by the statutory deadline simply is not provided for by law," according to the Ohio's attorney general's office, whom LaRose's Chief Legal Counsel Paul Disantis cited in the letter on Monday, which was obtained by ABC News.

Disantis also said he saw some ambiguity in McTigue proposals.

"You use the personal pronoun 'we' throughout the document, but I am unclear on whose behalf you are communicating," Disantis wrote.

Neither McTigue or his office has responded to ABC News' request for comment.

MORE: Washington rule could leave Biden off the November ballot, but state has a solution

PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks about an agreement to provide Intel with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and $11 billion in loans for computer chip plants in Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico and Oregon, March 20, 2024, in Chandler, Ariz. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

LaRose's office had alerted both Ohio and the DNC on April 5 of "an apparent conflict in Ohio law" between the national party's nominating process and the deadline by which their presidential pick must be certified to the secretary of state's office.

Alabama and then Washington later raised similar concerns. As in Ohio, state lawmakers previously enacted exemptions for cases when national parties held their conventions after the deadlines -- and the candidates still appeared on the ballot.

The Biden campaign has said their first line of defense in combating these calendar issues rests on the provisional certification of Biden and Harris.

Reacting to LaRose's letter on Monday, the Biden campaign provided the same response they've delivered since these conflicts arose earlier this month.

"Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states. State officials have the ability to grant provisional ballot access certification prior to the conclusion of presidential nominating conventions. In 2020 alone, states like Alabama, Illinois, Montana, and Washington all allowed provisional certification for Democratic and Republican nominees," a Biden campaign spokesperson said.

Like in Ohio, Alabama's Secretary of State Wes Allen, another Republican, quashed the idea that he would provide "for 'provisional certifications' or any other exceptions" after an attorney representing the Biden campaign sent a letter saying the DNC could do so by the state's Aug. 15 deadline and then later confirm the results at the convention.

In Washington, Democratic Secretary Steve Hobbs has indicated that their office will make an exception to their deadlines if the DNC submits a provisional certification for Biden and Harris.

MORE: Biden could face challenges getting on Ohio general ballot

PHOTO: Ohio Secretary of State and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Frank LaRose speaks to supporters during a campaign event in Hamilton, Ohio, March 18, 2024. (Paul Vernon/AP, FILE)

If provisional ballot certification cannot be achieved in the places where the president is facing ballot access uncertainty, Biden officials have said their strategy would shift to the state legislatures, where they would push to carve out extensions, like in the past.

This legislative action has been done before in Ohio, where laws were passed ahead of both the 2012 and 2020 elections to skirt around the state's 90-day deadline for nomination ahead of an election.

In their initial letter to Democrats regarding the calendar conflict, legal counsel for LaRose in Ohio suggested legislative action by a May 9 deadline.

It's unclear, however, how willing the majority-GOP Legislature would be in working with Democrats on this issue.

Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, a Republican, said in a podcast last week that the issue was a "Democratic problem" but that if they had a proposed solution, he's "all ears."

ABC News' Juhi Doshi contributed to this report.

Will Biden be on the Ohio ballot? Election official still concerned about deadline issue originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Visitors to the financial district walk past the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in New York. After sweeping through battles in statehouses across the country, the war against what's called ESG investing is heating up in Congress. Mary Altaffer/Associated Press

The Texas Permanent School Fund on Monday adopted a new ESG skeptical policy that will dictate how its managers vote in corporate elections, further broadening the states war against so-called environmental, social and governance investment policies.

Just under half of the $54 billion held by the PSF is invested in various types of equities. As a shareholder, the fund gets to vote in matters of corporate governance, such as company policies or appointment to leadership positions. An outside firm called Institutional Shareholder Services casts proxy votes on behalf of the PSF.

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The action on Monday directs ISS to vote against ESG policies, including any that might be proposed against investing in the oil and gas industry. The investment industry has faced pressure from environmental and other advocates, government regulators and clients to consider factors like climate change and human rights when making financial decisions.

Those moves have in turn angered conservatives who view it as a political attack on the fossil fuel industry.

The PSF is proud to step up and be a national leader on this issue, said Tom Maynard, a member of the State Board of Education who also chairs the PSF Board of Directors. We are committed to voting our shares in a manner that reflects Texas values and protects not only the assets under the stewardship of the PSF Corporation but also the mineral, oil and gas assets that create new capital to support Texas students.

Last month, ISS unveiled an ESG skeptical voting plan, saying the plan was in keeping with our longstanding mission to provide a wide array of voting policy choices.

An explainer posted online about the policy by Bowyer Research said it was not an attempt to move companies to the right, but rather an attempt to move them to neutral.

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Although some might try to describe these guidelines as conservative, they are not designed to impose conservative politics on companies, the explainer says. Instead, they seek to depoliticize corporate governance, to put hotly debated issues such as climate change, abortion and racial justice back in the electoral process and out of corporate governance.

Earlier this year, the PSF divested about $8.5 billion from BlackRock, initially describing the move as an effort to comply with a new state law that prohibits investing state dollars in companies with ESG policies.

Maynard and other board members later acknowledged it was actually a financial decision unrelated to the law. Maynard, a Florence Republican, faces a runoff election at the end of May against a well-funded challenger who is accusing him of being insufficiently conservative.

Texas Republicans have criticized large public pension funds in the past for taking proxy votes critical of the oil and gas industry. State law prohibits investment in companies that boycott fossil fuels, but theres no law relating to proxy votes.

The PSF casts between 40,000 and 50,000 proxy votes each year through ISS, the largest proxy advisory firm in the world.

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Companies like ISS have faced criticism from some for a one-sized-all approach that improperly influences corporate governance without sufficient checks and balances against conflicts of interest or bad policy decision-making.
The Biden administration will deny federal approval to a metallurgical mining companys proposed industrial road through parts of northwestern Alaska, two sources familiar with the process confirmed to The Hill.

One of the sources, who asked to speak on background, confirmed that the official statement of no action from the Interior Department could come as soon as Wednesday.

The proposed project, the Ambler Access Project, would span more than 200 miles, including federally-owned land, meaning it requires the Interior Departments signoff.

The road would be used exclusively by Ambler Metals to access the site of large copper deposits.

The outgoing Trump Interior Department approved the project in late 2020, but shortly after taking office, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland ordered a review of the approval process.

It is backed by the states two Republican senators, Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, as well as its congressional representative, Rep. Mary Peltola (D). However, it is vocally opposed by local tribal leaders, who have said it would pose a threat to local wildlife and fisheries that Native Alaskans rely on.

The Ambler Road will pierce the heart of the hunting and fishing lands that our people have depended on for thousands of years, the Tanana Chiefs Conference, which represents 42 tribal groups, said in a fact sheet opposing the project. The road alone would cause harmful impacts along 125 miles and 200,000 acres of public lands managed by the State in trust for its people.

A spokesperson for Ambler told The Hill that the company had not yet received direct confirmation of a denial. But the spokesperson was critical of any decision that would deny the construction.

[I]f true, this decision ignores the support of local communities for this project, while denying jobs for Alaskans and critical revenues for a region where youth are being forced to leave because of a lack of opportunity, the spokesperson said.

The decision comes as polling indicates many of the younger voters who helped secure President Bidens victory in 2020 are wavering in 2024. While many younger voters indicate Bidens handling of the ongoing conflict in Gaza is a major factor, those voters are also far more likely to name climate and the environment as a major priority.

Bidens earlier approval of the massive Willow oil drilling project in Alaska was a bitter disappointment to many environment-focused voters, and Haaland herself, who opposed the project while representing New Mexico in Congress, kept a notably low profile as the approval was announced.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
LAKE ARIEL, Pa.  As the late-March sky turned from pitch-black to a dappled purple, Tony Milidantri and a group of long-retired veterans filed into the wooden booths at Loris Corner Kitchen to sip coffee and chat about the issues facing the country.

It's something they've done every morning for years, and these days, Milidantri, 81, and the other regulars have a lot to talk about. A former union electrician, Milidantri commuted into New York City every day for decades to bring light to the citys skyscrapers. He took pride in the work and made enough money to build a house for him and his wife on a small lake near the nearby Poconos.

But now, Milidantri, once a union-blue Democrat, worries that rising costs are preventing others from finding the same opportunities. Its among the reasons he plans to support former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Anthony Milidantri, a retired electrician, plays word games as he sits for breakfast at LoriOs Corner Kitchen in Ariel, PA.on March 28, 2024.

They've changed tremendously, Milidantri said of the Democratic Party, which he left around 2016. They used to help people. Now it doesn't seem that way.

President Joe Biden's path to holding the White House could hinge on his ability to win back blue-collar former Democratic voters like Milidantri who live in Pennsylvanias 8th Congressional District. Situated in the northeastern corner of the state, the area is expected to serve as the perfect barometer to test the mood of disillusioned swing voters  particularly in post-industrial parts of the country.

Trump actually won the Pennsylvania congressional district in the 2020 presidential election even though it also returned a longtime Democratic member to the U.S. House in the 2022 midterm elections. Only two other congressional districts  Ohios 9th District, spanning from the Indiana border to the tip of Lake Erie, and Maines 2nd District, which encompasses the states northern territory  experienced the same trend with their incumbent Democrats.

Apr 3, 2024; Fremont, Ohio, USA; Downtown Fremont, Ohio. Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, won reelection in 2022 despite running in Ohio's 9th Congressional District, that is newly re-drawn and leans Republican.

The finicky politics of all three districts also reflect their common identity as once-prosperous industrial hubs whose economies have declined as manufacturing jobs have moved abroad.

Both major party candidates have put a heavy focus on winning over similar voters in the past few weeks. Trump held a weekend rally in Pennsylvania, and Biden campaigned in his hometown, Scranton, on Tuesday and other parts of the state Wednesday with events highlighting his economic, middle class and tax policies.

The contest for working-class voters

In 2016, Trump wooed working-class voters in areas like Pennsylvanias 8th District with a message centered on economic grievances and a pledge to make America great again. He also tapped into their anger toward politicians, who many believed had left them in the dustbin of a quickly globalizing society. And it worked.

Former Democratic-leaning counties overwhelmingly voted for Trump, helping the reality TV celebrity and New York businessman go on to an upset White House victory in his first-ever political campaign. Notably, Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clintons margin of victory in dark blue counties dwindled from the levels former President Barack Obama achieved when he won the presidency in 2008 and 2012.

Luzerne County, an area with a strong union presence in the southwestern tip of Pennsylvanias 8th District, voted for Obama in 2012 by a margin of about 5 percentage points. Trump won it in 2016 by almost 20. In the New Jersey border county of Monroe, Clinton won by less than 1 percentage point compared with Obamas 14-point victory in 2012.

Thomas Shubilla, Luzerne County Democratic Party Chair, poses for a portrait in their office in Scranton on March 27, 2024.

Thomas Shubilla, chair of the Luzerne County Democratic Party, attributed Clintons 2016 loss in Pennsylvanias 8th District partially to an assumption that Democrats would automatically win union voters and partially to a lack of campaigning in the area.

Shubilla argued that it wasnt so much that Democrats had failed unions but that they had failed to voice why Democrats are the union candidates.

In 2020, Biden leaned into that message  targeting working-class voters by touting his own blue-collar roots and by running on a moderate message. In front of his childhood home in Scranton, Biden unveiled an economic plan designed around building up American manufacturing by using government investments to stimulate the infrastructure, energy and health care industries.

Ben Toll, a professor at Wilkes University, argues that Pennsylvanias 8th District reflected the political dynamics that engulfed suburban and blue-collar swing areas  and it could again in 2024.

Ben Toll, assistant professor of political science at Wilkes University, poses for a portrait in his office on March 27, 2024.

Biden didnt win the district, where he lived for the first 10 years of his life. But he built on Clintons lead in Democratic strongholds, like Scranton, and shrunk Trumps margins in the districts more rural communities.

But where Biden merely needed to hold the margins in these areas to win states like Pennsylvania in 2020, Toll suggested that the incumbent Democratic president might have a more difficult time this year.

The mood of the country is still not supportive of Biden's presidency, he said. The suburbs are going to be less likely to break as decisively for him as they did in 2020  and that means he needs to win the places that he can win, that maybe other, more progressive Democrats can't.

Democrats' strategies in Trump-won districts

The strategies of Democratic representatives who have managed to win over conservative voters in working-class areas have done so by almost exclusively campaigning on infrastructure- and jobs-related bills they have passed.

The three Trump-won 2020 districts to which House Democrats won reelection in the 2022 midterms remain competitive: The Cook Political Report labels all three as toss-ups in 2024.

Even so, the approaches Democratic lawmakers have used to connect with voters in these districts may provide a road map for Biden to navigate similarly tricky areas in 2024.

Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright has served Pennsylvanias 8th District since 2013 and has hung on despite Trumps popularity with the area's constituency, partially because of his focus on passing district-specific funding projects.

Gerald Ephault, 76, a resident of the district and self-described conservative Democrat, said that where Biden was doing a good job, Cartwright was doing an excellent job for the region.

Gerald Ephault, right, has lunch with a friend at Coney Island of Scranton on March 27, 2024. Ephault says he will vote for President Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election this November.

He's bringing in money, and he's supporting our Department of Defense industries. He's supporting infrastructure, Ephault said. In particular, he noted Cartwrights efforts to restore passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City, a measure that was passed under Bidens sweeping 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.

The railroad helped Scranton flourish in the 19th and 20th centuries as garment factories relocated to the area from New York City, while local iron and coal were transported to other parts of the East Coast. But Scranton hasn't been connected via passenger service since 1970. Amtrak estimates the new corridor will have an explosive $84-million-a-year economic impact on the region when it is up and running.

Biden has sought to connect his broader policy initiatives to local projects like the railroad. When he visited Scranton in 2021 to drum up support for his infrastructure proposal, he emphasized its impact on Pennsylvania.

The president has also appeared recently with longtime Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who has held Ohios 9th Congressional District, in the northwest corner of the state, since 1983. At the heart of Kapturs district sits the union town of Toledo  a former industrial powerhouse at the edge of Lake Erie.

Apr 3, 2024; Fremont, Ohio, USA; Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, won reelection in 2022 despite running in Ohio's 9th Congressional District, that is newly re-drawn and leans Republican.

As the Midwestern state has shifted from purple to red over the past decade, Kaptur has remained a dominant force in its politics. Her district became redder during Ohios 2022 mapmaking process, but a Republican challenger who reportedly misrepresented his military record and Kapturs ability to reach independent voters helped her win reelection that year.

Kaptur, now the longest-serving woman in Congress, credits her electoral victories to her efforts in building and maintaining the industries in her district.

I could point to 1,000 things  voting for the automotive industry, not against it, voting for the steel industry, not against it, Kaptur, 77, told USA TODAY. People remember, they remember.

She and Biden visited the picket line when United Auto Workers held a strike last year against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.

UAW Local 14 President Tony Totty said some members support Trump, but he cant see them backing Kapturs 2024 opponent, Republican state Rep. Derrick Merrin, who supported anti-union legislation in the statehouse.

Apr 3, 2024; Toledo, Ohio, USA; Tony Totty, is the president of UAW Local 14, in Toledo Ohio. Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, won reelection in 2022 despite running in Ohio's 9th Congressional District, that is newly re-drawn and leans Republican.

Totty also credited Kaptur with securing federal funding for an electric vehicle center in Toledo, which will train students and mechanics on the new technology to head off worker shortages as the auto industry evolves from producing gas- to electric-powered vehicles.

You won't agree with her 100% of the time, but she is effective, Totty said.

Republicans say they feel good about Merrins chances against Kaptur this year, but they acknowledge her influence in the district.

I think the worst mistake Republicans can make is underestimating Marcy Kaptur, said Caleb Stidham, chair of the Erie County Republican Party. Shes a fierce competitor. Shes been around for 40 years for a reason. She knows how to campaign.

Apr 3, 2024; Defiance, Ohio, USA; John Weaner finishes up his meal at Bud's Restaurant, in Defiance, Ohio. Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, won reelection in 2022 despite running in Ohio's 9th Congressional District, that is newly re-drawn and leans Republican.

John Weaner, 89, a Republican and retired lawyer in Defiance, feels the same way. Weaner has never voted for Kaptur, but he conceded that shes a good public servant  but one he believes has been in office too long.

Shes tough to beat, Weaner said. Shes been in there a long time, and shes done a good job.

Why national races matter in local politics

One of the reasons these representatives have found success, said Tim Hellwig, a political science professor at the University of Buffalo, is their focus on district-specific issues. But in 2024, that could be a more difficult formula for Biden and Democrats to replicate.

In off-year elections like 2022, politics is more local, Hellwig said. But in presidential years, especially when you do have two very, very, very different candidates  it's more stylistic.

He argued that Democrats shouldnt get too excited that these districts are going to keep shifting their ways.

April 4, 2024; Lewiston, Maine, USA; Lewiston is the largest city in Maine's 2nd Congressional District, which supported former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

Though Maine is a Democratic-leaning state, it's northern, conservative-leaning 2nd District poses a particular threat to Biden in 2024. The state is one of just two in the U.S. that awards an electoral vote to the candidate who wins in each of its congressional districts. That means even if Biden wins Maine, Trump could walk away with an electoral vote from the 2nd District. That's what happened in 2020, when Trump won the area by 7 points.

Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, who has served the 2nd District since 2018, also won that year.

But when it comes to navigating the more conservative voters in his area, Golden, 41, told USA TODAY he doesn't have a strategy that can be replicated.

It's just in my blood, said Golden, who has lived in the area for most of his life. At the end of the day, it's just the majority of the voters in this district recognize me as someone who gets them."

Golden briefly left the district in 2002 after enlisting in the Marine Corps and serving combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He later attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and went on to work for Republican Sen. Susan Collins before launching his own campaign for office.

Goldens' local persona has helped him attract the support of typically Republican voters, like Jerry Bernatchez. The 61-year-old from Auburn, Maine, voted for Trump in 2020 but supported Golden during the 2022 midterms because of the congressman's down to earth and typical Mainer style.

April 4, 2024; Lewiston, Maine, USA; Democratic Rep. Jared Golden has represented Maine's 2nd Congressional District since 2018.

This November, Bernatchez plans to vote for Golden again. But when it comes to the presidential race, hes not keen on either major party candidate.

None of the above  thats basically my take on it, the self-described independent said. Maybe myself. I know how to spell my name.

If Biden and national Democrats want to win back voters similar to Bernatchez, Golden suggested they need to spend more time talking with and understanding them.

The party is just a little out of touch with working-class communities, Golden said. It's a long distance from, you know, your childhood growing up to 30- or 40-plus years of public service.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden's battle for blue-collar voters: These districts may hold clues
Boeing on Monday scrambled to address safety and quality concerns about its planes ahead of a whistleblower hearing in the Senate on Wednesday.

A briefing for journalists came in the wake of reports last week that the Federal Aviation Administration is looking into allegations raised by Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour that Boeing took shortcuts when manufacturing its 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets and that risk of catastrophic failure will increase as the planes age.

Salehpour is set to be the key witness at a Wednesday hearing of the Senate permanent subcommittee on investigations. Boeing, which has seen its once pristine reputation for safety and engineering quality badly diminished recently, held the briefing Monday to try to pre-emptively answer Salehpour, although the executives said they wouldnt comment directly on his allegations.

Boeing has faced more than five years of questions about the safety and quality of its commercial jets following two fatal crashes of a different model, the 737 Max, in 2018 and 2019. Those crashes killed 346 people and led to a 20-month grounding of that jet.

It came under renewed scrutiny earlier this year after a door plug blew out on an 737 Max flight by Alaska Airlines on January 5, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the jet. That has sparked investigations and allegations that some Boeing employees felt reluctant to raise questions about the safety of the planes they are building or inspecting for fear of retaliation.

Boeing cites increased tips, vigorous tests

While Salehpour charged last week that Boeing employees are scared to speak up about problems at factories, Boeing says the number of employee tips about quality and safety issues  as well as improvement ideas  has exploded since the Alaska Air incident. January and February submissions already equal the number of submissions for all of 2023, according to the company.

Were continually encouraging it, said Lisa Fahl, Boeings vice president of engineering for Airplane Programs at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, during Mondays briefing.

Fahl and Steve Chisholm, Boeings vice president and chief engineer for mechanical and structural engineering, told media members Monday that Boeings planes face stress tests designed to replicate far more flights taking place than they ever will in the real world. The average 787 does 600 flights a year, according to Chisholm, and the tests Boeing put the planes through simulated 165,000 flights.

And they said real world inspections on the planes now in service show even after as many as 16 years of use, no evidence of fatigue in parts of the plane now facing questions. Chisholm said the planes were designed to pass tests replicating far more stress over many more flights than they are subjected to in the real world.

Frankly were not surprised by lack of fatigue findings, he said.

Salehpours complaint alleges crews assembling the plane failed to properly fill tiny gaps when joining separately manufactured parts of the fuselage. That puts more wear on the plane, shortening its lifespan and risking catastrophic failure, Salehpours attorneys alleged.

Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration have admitted that some of the planes did have problems with the gaps between parts of the fuselages that were wider than the standards set by Boeing. The delivered planes were allowed to continue to fly, but the non-conformance with Boeings standards led to long periods in recent years during which the aircraft maker had to halt deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner.

But Chisholm said the inspections done after those questions were raised have shown no problems in actual operations of the planes. He said some of the standards for the size of the gaps were changed in the wake of the inspections.

Fahl described the original standards of a gap of only 5/1000th of an inch, as equal to the width of a human hair or two pieces of paper. Chisholm said the original standards were hyper-conservative ones set by Boeing, not by regulators.

It was very difficult to meet that standard. There are areas where weve increased what is allowable. Were [still] talking about very tight alignments, he said.

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The owners of a Colorado funeral home accused of mishandling nearly 200 sets of human remains are now facing charges for allegedly fraudulently obtaining more than $880,000 in Covid-19 relief funds and using it for personal expenses like trips and jewelry, federal prosecutors said.

Jon and Carie Hallford each face federal charges, including 13 counts of wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the United States Attorneys Office for the District of Colorado said in a news release Monday.

The Hallfords are accused of using $882,300 in pandemic relief loans meant to help support small businesses on things like a vehicle, multiple vacations, entertainment, dining, tuition for a minor child, cryptocurrency, cosmetic medical procedures, jewelry and items from Amazon, an indictment filed in the US District Court of Colorado said.

A hearse and van sit outside the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado on October 6, 2023. - David Zalubowski/AP

The two pleaded not guilty at their arraignment Thursday. Federal Judge Scott T. Varholak said Jon Hallford will remain in custody pending trial. Carie Hallford is eligible for release, the judge ruled, but must wear a GPS monitoring device and live in a halfway house. A hearing on that matter is scheduled for Tuesday.

CNN reached out to both of their attorneys for comment. The policy of the office of the federal defender is to not comment on ongoing cases, Jons attorney said. Caries attorney declined to comment.

The Hallfords also face state charges related to the October discovery in of 190 sets of human remains improperly stored at their Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado. The facility said it offered green burials, without embalming fluid, in a biodegradable casket or none at all. Their arraignments on those charges are scheduled for June 6.

Investigators were called to the funeral home after receiving a report of an odor coming from the building, Fremont County officials said at the time.

The Hallfords were arrested in November by the Colorado Bureau of Investigations on 190 counts of abuse of a corpse and counts of theft, money laundering and forgery, according to state charging documents.

They have not yet entered pleas for those charges.

The federal indictment alleges the pair defrauded their funeral home customers by not providing a cremation or burial for the deceased as promised.

Beginning as early as September of 2019, and continuing through October of 2023, the Hallfords failed to cremate or bury approximately 190 bodies in connection with the scheme, the indictment said. They allegedly collected in excess of $130,000 from victims for cremation or burial services which they never provided, prosecutors allege.

The Hallfords concealed the gruesome collection of bodies  by preventing outsiders from entering their building, covering the windows and doors of the building to limit others from viewing inside, and providing false statements to others regarding the foul odor emanating from the building and the true nature of the activity occurring inside, the indictment said.

The Hallfords each face up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines if convicted in the federal case, according to the indictment.

Demolition of the funeral home is set to begin Tuesday, the US Environmental Protection Agency said last month.

Following the assessment, EPA has determined that demolition of the building is necessary to safely remove all residual medical and biological materials found in the building. The cleanup will be conducted under the direction of EPAs Emergency Response personnel and its trained hazardous materials contractors, the agency said.

CNNs Andi Babineau contributed to this report.

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The vehicle driven by the attackers in the carjacking and slaying of a woman in Seminole County, Florida, is connected to the killing of a tow truck driver, authorities said.

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said investigators found the green Acura that followed Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas, 31, before she was carjacked at an Orange County apartment complex over the weekend.

The vehicle had been "parked and abandoned," Lemma said at a news conference Monday. It was towed and taken to the Orange County Sheriffs Office to be evaluated for evidence.

Investigators are searching for the people who were in the Acura but were able to uncover details about it. Lemma told reporters that after a series of sales, he believes the car had been on the streets since February unregistered and that any license plate it had would have been stolen.

Seminole County Sheriff's Office

On March 19, before the deadly carjacking, the vehicle was towed from an Orlando apartment complex because it was illegally parked, Lemma said.

Investigators learned that the driver of the truck that towed the Acura, Juan Luis Cintron Garcia, 39, was killed about a month later, on April 10.

Lemma said that Garcia had been shot and that more than 100 rounds were found at the scene, as well as a green vehicle matching the description of the Acura.

The Orange County Sheriffs Office said Garcias death is under investigation.

"We are still in the early stages of this open and active murder investigation, but we can tell you that this was not a random act and that detectives believe Mr. Cintron Garcia was targeted," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "We have no suspect or motive information."

Lemma said he "absolutely" believes the deaths of Garcia and De Aguasvivas are connected.

"But well have to have physical evidence that absolutely proves that," he told reporters Monday.

Cellphone video from Thursday captured the Acura behind De Aguasvivas white Dodge Durango at a red light in Seminole County. The video showed a gunman force his way into the backseat of her vehicle. She drove away once the light turned green, and the Acura followed.

Lemma said the gunman was wearing a black hoodie and a "ski-type of mask" and carrying what appeared to be an automatic handgun. He said that it was not a random incident and that the attackers "knew exactly who they were following."

An SUV so badly burned that "you could not positively identify the vehicle" was found in a construction area about two hours after the carjacking, Lemma said. A body authorities believed to be De Aguasvivas was found inside, according to Lemma, who said DNA and dental records were needed to confirm the identity.

Twelve shell casings were also found at the scene.

Moments before the carjacking, De Aguasvivas had called her husband to tell him that someone had rammed the back of her vehicle and was following her. Her husband told her not to stop anywhere, but neither called 911, Lemma has said.

He said the husband is cooperating with the investigation but accused him of withholding information. The husband had told detectives that his wife, of Homestead in Miami-Dade County, was in Seminole County to visit family members.

"You dont have your wife communicate with you that youre getting rammed by a car and go two hours without calling anybody," Lemma said at the news conference Monday. "So he has cooperated; he has provided information. I think the initial story was she was up here to visit family members. I dont know that we believe that. ... I think theres a lot more blanks he could help fill in."

The husband is not a person of interest or a suspect, Lemma said.

In another twist, an Orange County sheriff's deputy was arrested and charged with five felonies and accused of leaking information about the case to De Aguasvivas' husband.

The deputy, Francisco Estrella, is accused of providing the man with details about the Seminole County investigation, as well as the lead detectives home address. Lemma said Estrella's wife is a family friend of De Aguasvivas husband.

Estrella was charged with obstructing a criminal investigation, illegal disclosure of communication, accessing an electronic device without authorization, using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and eavesdropping.

A call to a number listed for Estrella was not answered Tuesday afternoon, and it was not clear whether he had an attorney.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office said he has been relieved of all law enforcement duties without pay pending an investigation.
Editor's note: This page reflects the news from Donald Trump's criminal trial from Tuesday, April 16. For the latest updates on Trump's hush money trial, follow our live updates for Tuesday, April 23.

NEW YORK  Former President Donald Trump has been back in court for the second day of his Manhattan criminal trial as he's accused of covering up giving hush money to a porn star to help his 2016 presidential campaign.

Trump, 77, faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal payments to Stormy Daniels. She has said she and Trump had sex in 2006, not long after Melania Trump gave birth to their son Barron. Trump has long denied the claim.

Prosecutors allege the falsification was done to conceal violating federal campaign finance contribution limits and a plan to violate New York tax and election laws, making the crimes felonies.

Keep up with USA TODAY's live updates from inside and outside the Manhattan courthouse:

Donald Trump trial live updates: Latest from gag order arguments, David Pecker testimony

Former U.S. President Donald Trump returns to the courtroom after a short recess during the second day of his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 16, 2024 in New York City. Jury selection continues in the criminal trial of the former president, who faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. This is the first-ever criminal trial against a former president of the United States.

Trump says judge is 'rushing this trial'

While leaving court for the day, former President Donald Trump repeated his assertion that Judge Juan Merchan is biased against him,

He's a conflicted judge," Trump said. "We're having a hard time with the New York state system."

Merchan is "rushing this trial," the defendant added. "And hes doing as much as he can for the Democrats.

The New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics' found no "reasonable basis to question the judges impartiality."

Trump also questioned the basis of his prosecution.

"This is a Biden-inspired witch hunt and it should end," he said.

Trump has not provided any evidence that Biden had a role in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's decision to bring charges.

-Ben Adler

Trump leaves the courtroom

Former President Donald Trump left the courtroom after a long day of jury selection in his New York criminal hush money case. There will be no proceedings on Wednesday, but a large group of potential jurors was asked to be at the court at 9:30 a.m. ET on Thursday.

 Aysha Bagchi

Seventh juror selected

Of three potential jurors who remained by 5:30 p.m. ET, one was selected to serve on the jury. The prosecution used "peremptory strikes"  a kind of veto  to get the other two excused. One of the excused jurors was a man who said he worked in the real estate industry and knew people who knew former President Donald Trump.

That makes seven selected jurors. 12 jurors plus several alternates are needed before the case may proceed to opening statements.

 Aysha Bagchi

More juror selection coming this evening?

It's possible we could have more jurors selected this evening. Judge Juan Merchan asked remaining potential jurors to step outside the courtroom after lawyers for the prosecution and the defense questioned them about their ability to be fair and impartial in the case. Merchan said the lawyers will review their notes.

 Aysha Bagchi

Trump to hold campaign rally Saturday in North Carolina

Bodegas in Harlem aren't the only campaign trail stops Trump has planned this week. The Trump campaign is moving forward with plans to hold political rallies during his hush money trial on days when he doesn't need to be in court.

Trump has a campaign rally scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at an airport in Wilmington, N.C.

North Carolina is an important state in the fall presidential race between Trump and President Joe Biden.

Trump carried North Carolina by narrow margins in 2016 and 2020, but Biden supporters believe that issues like abortion and Trump's legal problems give them a chance to flip the state this fall.

David Jackson

Trump to target crime in New York

In an attempt to clap back at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Donald Trump is going to Harlem  Bragg's native neighborhood and political home base  to campaign at a bodega that was the site of a fatal stabbing in 2022.

In an incident that inflamed critics, the bodega clerk was charged with murder after he stabbed an attacker in self-defense. The charges were later dropped.

Trump, a former New Yorker, is expected to characterize the nation's largest city as crime-ridden, in order to portray Bragg as a left-wing zealot who is misdirecting his energies on Trump's prosecution for 34 counts of falsifying business records, instead of focusing on street crime. Trump has previously attacked Bragg on social media.

Although Trump and congressional Republicans have previously argued that New York City suffers from high crime, the murder and violent crime rates in the city are lower than the national average, lower than most other large cities, and well below the rates during the 1990s when Rudy Giuliani was mayor.

Trump's new home state of Florida has a higher murder rate rate than New York, and West Palm Beach, Florida, which neighbors Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, has the ninth-highest murder rate in the country.

-Ben Adler

Potential juror in real estate industry says he knows people who know Trump

It's a big city, but a small world: A potential juror who said he has lived on Manhattan's Upper East Side since 2004 said he knows people who know former President Donald Trump.

The New Yorker's comment didn't come in response to a question. Instead, he brought the indirect connection up after responding to the 42 preliminary questions jurors are being asked before lawyers for the two sides will speak to them.

The potential juror said he has worked in the real estate development industry since 2010. He also briefly followed Trump when Trump was on Twitter, which is now called X. He added that he read Trump's book, "Trump: The Art of the Deal," a long time ago.

 Aysha Bagchi

Jury selection continues: Multiple potential jurors dismissed as group responds to Judge Juan Merchan's questionnaire

Multiple potential jurors were dismissed late Tuesday as a group of six individuals was brought in to respond to the the list of 42 questions for potential jurors that Judge Juan Merchan decided on before trial.

One of the individuals was excused over work timing issues. Another was let go after she said she "deeply" felt she had concerns, upon being in the courtroom, about her ability to be fair and impartial.

 Aysha Bagchi

Is hush money illegal?

Hush money is a wide-ranging term used to refer to paying someone to not speak publicly about an issue. It's not necessarily illegal, so why is Donald Trump in court over a hush money case?

The former president isnt actually charged with making a $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels in exchange for a non-disclosure agreement. Instead, he's accused of falsifying business records to hide the payment.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg described the payments to Daniels and another woman, former Playboy model Karen McDougal, as part of a catch-and-kill strategy to prevent the women from telling their stories. But the criminal charges are that Trump falsified his companys business records to conceal the payments.

 Bart Jansen

Why is Trump on trial?

Prosecutors claim Donald Trump falsified records to conceal that he was reimbursing his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Daniels has said she had sex with the real estate mogul shortly after his wife, Melania Trump, gave birth to their son, Barron. Trump denies Daniels' claim, and has pleaded not guilty in the case.

The charges are felonies, as opposed to misdemeanors, because prosecutors claim Trump falsified the records in order to conceal violating federal election laws through a payment that was meant to help his 2016 presidential campaign but exceeded campaign contribution limits.

The payment was made less than two weeks before the 2016 election. Prosecutors also allege the records were falsified in order to violate New York tax and election laws.

 Aysha Bagchi

New potential jurors told to come back Thursday, but jury questioning continues Tuesday for others

Judge Juan Merchan had several dozen new potential jurors brought into the courtroom and instructed them to return Thursday at 9:30 a.m. ET. A court security officer told one of them, "Ma'am, ma'am put your cell phone away," after the woman saw Trump and tried to take out her phone.

"I know that youve been sitting around all day," Merchan told the new group. He said things would start promptly on Thursday.

Proceedings aren't over for the day, however. There are six more people from an earlier group of potential jurors still to be questioned.

 Aysha Bagchi

Six jurors chosen for Trump's hush money trial

Six jurors have been selected to serve throughout Donald Trump's New York criminal hush money trial. All six were sworn in late Tuesday afternoon.

12 jurors, plus several alternates, are needed in total before the trial can move forward to opening statements.

Merchan instructed the six selected jurors to plan to come back Monday at 9:30 a.m. ET, indicating it's possible opening statements in the trial could happen next week.

 Aysha Bagchi

Judge Juan Merchan allows potential juror to continue despite satirical posts

The judge allowed another potential juror to continue after the Trump team took issue with her previous social media posts. Merchan said the posts were satire, and the prospective juror was fairly open about disagreeing with Trump's political views.

 Aysha Bagchi

Trump trial dates: Holidays, Barron Trump's high school graduation and more

While Donald Trump's hush money trial is expected to extend six to eight weeks, the former president won't be in the courtroom every day. Judge Juan Merchan said Tuesday that the trial will take a break on Wednesdays for its duration, and there will not be any trial on April 29.

The judge also said there will not be any trial dates that would conflict with religious observances. That could include Passover, though the courtroom hours could simply be cut short on April 22 and 23.

The case will also potentially adjourn for the high school graduation of Barron Trump, Donald Trump's youngest son, next month.

 Marina Pitofsky

Juror who posted 'I'm dumb as f---' parody video featuring Trump dismissed

Judge Juan Merchan dismissed a potential juror who posted on social media a parody video generated by artificial intelligence that was titled "I'm dumb as f---" and featured Trump. The potential juror also posted "no one is above the law" about Trump's separate criminal case over his handling of classified documents.

 Aysha Bagchi

Potential juror allowed to continue despite Trump's trial team knocking a post from her husband

Judge Juan Merchan allowed another potential juror to continue despite the Trump trial team taking issue with a social media post it uncovered from her husband, which the judge said was from eight years ago.

 Aysha Bagchi

Donald Trump smirks at potential juror who posted 'lock him up'

Donald Trump craned his neck toward a potential juror and flashed a smirk, after the man said he didn't still believe Trump should be "locked up." The non-verbal expression from Trump came after his trial team uncovered a social media post in which the potential juror celebrated a court striking down a Trump travel ban and then stated, "Get him out and lock him up." The man said he didn't still believe Trump should be behind bars after the man was called in for questioning by Judge Juan Merchan, who ultimately struck him from consideration based on the post.

 Aysha Bagchi

Juror who posted 'lock him up' about Donald Trump dismissed by judge

Judge Juan Merchan struck a potential juror from consideration after Trump's legal team uncovered a social media post in which the potential juror said "lock him up" about Trump.

The post wasn't shown to reporters, but the judge read it out loud (without detailing what the spelling, capitalization, or spacing looked like, although he described the exclamation points): "Good news!! Trump lost his court battle on his unlawful travel ban!!!"

The post continued by stating about Trump, "Get him out and lock him up."

Merchan said if the post ended before the last phrase, he wouldn't really have a problem. However, the juror expressed a desire for Trump to be locked up.

"I don't think that I can allow this juror to remain," Merchan said.

 Aysha Bagchi

Judge Juan Merchan allows juror linked to anti-Trump 'party' video to continue

Judge Juan Merchan allowed a potential juror linked to a video of anti-Trump celebrations to continue being considered for the jury after she acknowledged seeing the gathering outside and maintained she could be fair and impartial.

Trump lawyer Susan Necheles described the video as "clearly an anti-Trump event that she's out celebrating and partying at." Merchan agreed it was an anti-Trump event of some kind (the video wasn't shown to reporters), but said it wasn't clear the potential juror was there. He did allow the juror to be questioned about it.

The potential juror said she remembered seeing people out in the street celebrating. She maintained she could be fair and impartial in the case, repeating Merchan's explanation to potential jurors on Monday that jurors decide the facts in the case, while the judge decides the law.

 Aysha Bagchi

Judge tells Trump lawyer: 'I will not have any jurors intimidated. ... Speak to your client.'

After a potential juror was questioned about a video on social media, she left the courtroom and Judge Juan Merchan said he heard Trump audibly making comments, although the judge couldn't hear what Trump said.

"I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom," Merchan told Trump lawyer Todd Blanche. "Speak to your client," Merchan instructed.

Blanche leaned over to Trump and whispered to him. Trump then leaned forward at the defense table.

 Aysha Bagchi

Trump lawyer: Video proves juror should be excluded

The judge just reviewed a video that Trump's legal team says is grounds for the judge to exclude a potential juror from the case. Reporters weren't shown the video, but the legal team indicated they found it through online searches.

"This is clearly an anti-Trump event that she's out celebrating and partying at," said Susan Necheles, a lawyer for Trump.

Merchan agreed it appears to be that kind of event, but it's not clear to the judge the potential juror was there.

The judge says he is going to allow Trump's team to ask her questions about it. The potential juror has just been brought in.

 Aysha Bagchi

Donald Trump's lawyer says not all potential jurors gave accurate answers

Trial proceedings have resumed after a break for lunch, although the jury hasn't been brought into the courtroom yet.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche says a look at the social media activity of potential jurors suggests not everyone was truthful. He wants Judge Juan Merchan to strike multiple potential jurors "for cause," which would mean the judge determines a juror doesn't meet certain qualifications or probably can't be impartial in the case.

 Aysha Bagchi

Gary Phaneuf of Staten Island, who identified himself as an insurrectionist during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, gathers outside of the New York State Supreme Court for the arrival of former President Donald Trump on day two of jury selection in the hush money trial on April 16, 2024 in New York City.

What happened this morning in Trump's hush money trial?

After a slight delay for two late potential jurors, more New York residents answered a set of 42 questions Judge Juan Merchan decided on before the trial, such as where they get their news.

Along the way, a handful of jurors were excused after saying they had now concluded they couldn't guarantee they would be impartial in the case or had conflicts that might prevent them from being present and giving their full attention to the trial.

And for the first time since the trial started Monday, attorneys for Trump and the prosecution questioned jurors directly. Trump lawyer Todd Blanche asked several potential jurors what their opinion of Donald Trump was. Some said they disagreed with Trump's policies, others said they didn't have an opinion, while at least a couple said their opinion wasn't relevant in the courtroom.

 Aysha Bagchi

When is Trump's Georgia trial?

Donald Trump faces 10 criminal counts in Georgia related to alleged election interference.

His trial in the Peach State hasn't been scheduled yet, but it will be televised, making it the only of Trump's four criminal cases to be broadcast.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis proposed to start the trial Aug. 5, but that would mean the potentially five-month trial would be running on Election Day.

 Bart Jansen & Kinsey Crowley

Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles: Donald Trump's lawyers

They arent household names yet like their universally known client, Donald Trump. But the lawyers trying to keep the former president out of prison in his New York hush money trial  Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles  likely will become minor celebrities once the court battle gets going this week.

A year ago, when a grim-faced Trump made history as the first former president to face criminal charges, Blanche and Necheles sat by his side as he pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records associated with hush money payments to two women.

Blanche, who usually does the talking in court on the hush-money case, told reporters that Trump was determined to fight the charges.

"He's frustrated, he's upset," Blanche said. "It's not going to stop him."

 Josh Meyer

Judge will hold Donald Trump contempt hearing on April 23

Judge Juan Merchan on Monday moved the date for a hearing over whether Donald Trump violated a gag order and should be held in contempt in the New York hush money case. The hearing will now be held on Tuesday, April 23, one day sooner than originally planned.

Prosecutor Christopher Conroy argued on Monday that Trump should be held in contempt and fined $3,000 for three social media posts that Conroy said violated the judge's prohibition on Trump publicly commenting on the participation of potential witnesses.

 Aysha Bagchi

President Joe Bidens campaign puns Stormy criticism of Donald Trump

President Joe Bidens Democratic campaign put out a statement Monday criticizing Republican rival Donald Trump over abortion and highlighting the controversy in Arizona where an 1864 law has been reinstated to outlaw all abortion.

But the headline sounded more like an Empire State of mind than focused on the Grand Canyon state. The same day Trumps trial began on charges he falsified business records to pay hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels, the Biden campaign headline cited Stormy coverage of the abortion ban and the attempt to hush panic.

Trump has claimed credit for appointing as president three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade, which had guaranteed a right to abortion. He recently said states should be left to decide the decision, but that the Arizona law went too far and should be overturned.

Bart Jansen

Is Trump trial being televised?

The trial won't be televised, as is typical in New York courts. Reporters will be present in the courtroom and an overflow room that will have a live stream of the proceedings.

Trump may hold press conferences outside of court and speak to reporters in the courthouse hallway.

 Aysha Bagchi

Why did Michael Cohen go to prison?

Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former attorney, pleaded guilty in 2018 to concealing more than $4 million from the IRS and "causing $280,000 in payments to be made to silence two women who otherwise planned to speak publicly about their alleged affairs with a presidential candidate, thereby intending to influence the 2016 presidential election," according to court records.

Prosecutors said Cohen arranged a $150,000 payment to McDougal and a $130,000 payment to Daniels.

Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison but was released early to home detention because of the spread of COVID-19.

 Bart Jansen

Trump supporter Stephanie Lu rallies outside of the New York State Supreme Court for the arrival of former President Donald Trump on April 16, 2024 in New York City.

Donald Trump lashes out over hush money case on Truth Social

Donald Trump has used Truth Social in the last few hours to attack his hush money trial, calling it a "farce" on his social media platform and an effort to target his reelection bid.

There is no evidence that the sweeping criminal charges Trump faces across four cases are attempts to undermine his presidential campaign.

Trump has also shared a poll on Truth Social on Tuesday showing him leading Biden in pivotal swing states including Georgia, Nevada and Michigan.

 Marina Pitofsky

Jurors dismissed for lunch

Judge Juan Merchan dismissed potential jurors for lunch, telling them to be back at 2:15 p.m. ET.

Outside of their presence, Merchan indicated in a conversation with lawyers for both sides that a process of striking jurors would begin later this afternoon. That could mean the lawyers will begin to use "peremptory strikes"  essentially vetos on particular jury candidates.

 Aysha Bagchi

Trump lawyer to jurors: What is your real opinion of Donald Trump?

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche posed the same question to several potential jurors: What is your real opinion of Donald Trump?

Blanche got a variety of answers.

"I'm a female. He's targeted some females," one potential juror said. She added that some of her friends have strong opinions on Trump, and she knows there are opinions that he doesn't treat females correctly, but she doesn't know the details and doesn't have her own conclusion about it.

Another potential juror said he has a lot of friends in law enforcement who are fairly "pro-Trump," but he didn't personally have an opinion on Trump on national politics.

One woman said she's a person of color, so people around her have opinions on Trump. But she appreciated that Trump actually speaks his mind.

Another prospective juror said he would be happy to share his view with Blanche if they were in a bar, but in the courtroom his opinion isn't important. After being pressed, he told Blanche he's a Democrat, but all Trump is to him in this room is a defendant.

Trump is "fascinating," another potential juror said. Trump walks into a room and just sets people off "one way or the other."

 Aysha Bagchi

Trump lawyer to jurors: Trump wants 'a fair shake'

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche began questioning potential jurors in the early afternoon. "This isn't a baseball game," Blanche started off by saying. This is extraordinarily serious, and it's extraordinarily important to President Trump that we're getting "a fair shake."

 Aysha Bagchi

Who is Karen McDougal?

Karen McDougal is a former Playboy model. She indirectly received a hush money payment in 2016 after claiming to have an affair with Donald Trump.

Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney, funneled the money through the publication National Enquirer owned by American Media Inc., under a "catch and kill" approach, paying the tabloid to buy rights to her story and prevent her from telling anyone else about it.

McDougal has since spoken out about her affair with Trump, saying it lasted for about 10 months starting in 2006. He denies the allegation.

 Kinsey Crowley

Prosecutor references Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, asks if jurors can keep open mind on witnesses with 'baggage'

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass told potential jurors that several witnesses in the case have some "baggage." He said they include a tabloid publisher, an adult film star, and a former lawyer for Trump, Michael Cohen. The adult film star Steinglass referenced is almost certainly Stormy Daniels, who received the $130,000 hush money payment at issue in the case.

Cohen pleaded guilty to several crimes, including lying to Congress, Steinglass noted, adding that some witnesses have been given immunity.

Steinglass said those are factors that should be taken into account by jurors, but asked if those factors would, on their own, prevent the potential jurors from listening to or believing the witnesses. No one said they would.

 Aysha Bagchi

Trump changes mind on listening to private talk between lawyers and judge

A lawyer for Trump previously indicated the former president wanted to be present for "sidebars" in the trial. Those are communications between the judge and at least one lawyer from each side that are outside the earshot of the potential jurors.

But a little past noon on Tuesday, after lawyers from each side went up to Judge Juan Merchan for a private conversation, the judge asked Trump to confirm that he was now waiving his right to be present for those conversations. Trump confirmed he was.

There are various reasons to have a sidebar, such as a lawyer's desire to explain an objection to something when giving that explanation means saying things that could prejudice the jury.

 Aysha Bagchi

Would-be juror Kara McGee reports on happenings inside the courtroom, says jury box is balanced

"You walked in and you felt like history was happening which was a really, really cool sensation," excused potential juror Kara McGee told a crowded field of reporters.. "I wish I could have stayed for the entire trial. It's fascinating, it's unprecedented."

"You got a sense that people were really trying to put anything they had brought to this aside and step in and do their civic duty," McGee said. She reported being pleasantly surprised at the honesty of fellow jurors  some disclosed they were on Trump mailing lists or watched Fox News, while others said they had volunteered for anti-Trump causes, giving a clearer picture of the political makeup of the jury, which she said seemed fairly balanced.

McGee herself is "not a fan" of the former president. During COVID-19 she lived with someone who was immunocompromised and wasn't pleased with how he had handled the pandemic. She also has a sister adopted from China and cited his divisive rhetoric about the country.

Her views on his policies don't mean he shouldn't get his day in court though, she said.

"Something extremely important in this country, especially in this age where en masse we do not trust each other, is the right to a fair trial," McGee said. "No matter what you think of someone as a person and what other things they may have done, what he is on trial for is a very specific thing that even he deserves the right to a fair trial"

Anna Kaufman

Lawyers begin addressing jury candidates directly

Around 11:37 a.m. ET, lawyers began to ask potential jurors questions directly. Before, the jury candidates had only been answering questions from a 42-question list Judge Juan Merchan decided on before the trial.

Joshua Steinglass from the Manhattan District Attorney's office was the first lawyer to speak. He introduced himself and his team, and said they are trying to pick jurors who will be fair to the defense and to the prosecution.

"Let's start with the obvious," Steinglass said, noting Trump is a former president and current presidential candidate. Steinglass said jurors aren't expected to have been living under a rock; the important thing is that jurors are able to be fair.

 Aysha Bagchi

Defendant Trump to hold political rally Saturday in North Carolina

The Trump campaign is moving forward with plans to hold political rallies around the hush money trial, scheduling an event for Saturday in Wilmington, N.C.

The airport rally is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Saturday; the trial takes weekends off.

North Carolina is an important state in the fall presidential race between Trump and President Joe Biden.

Trump carried North Carolina by narrow margins in 2016 and 2020, but Biden supporters believe that issues like abortion and Trump's criminal cases give them a chance to flip the state this fall.

David Jackson

Dismissed juror touts importance of fair trial

Kara McGee, a dismissed juror, exited the courtroom Tuesday afternoon to a swarm of microphones and cameras eager to hear what she thought of the former president and why she had been ousted from the pool.

McGee is one of the roughly 500 potential jurors called Monday when the trial kicked off. She was released Tuesday for scheduling conflicts with her cyber-security job.

"It was a little bit surreal to be that close to a former president, someone who's been on the news in the public eye so much," McGee told reporters. She reported looking down on the questionnaire while in the jury box and making only minimal eye contact with Trump who she assumed was looking at her.

Some of the questions she was asked dealt with whether she had an opinion on the defendant being a former president, and how that should affect the trial. Mcgee told the judge she could be unbiased. "It's very difficult for anyone really in this country to not come to this with prior opinions, I think we all have prior opinions about the defendant unless you've been living in a cardboard box since 2014," she said. "But, personally, the right to a fair trial in this country is more important to me than anything this particular defendant has done or any feelings about him I personally have."

Anna Kaufman

Kara McGee an excused juror from the Trump hush money trial speaks to the media on April 16, 2024 in New York City. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. This is the first-ever criminal trial against a former president of the United States.

Trump mutters at defense table as potential juror says he is being treated fairly

Former President Donald Trump could be seen muttering at the defense table after a potential juror said she believed he was being treated fairly in the case.

The woman, who has lived in New York for more than 20 years, was responding to one of the questions each potential juror is being asked: "Do you have any feelings or opinions about how Mr. Trump is being treated in this case?"

The woman was later excused after she said she was "not 100%" sure she could be impartial in the case.

 Aysha Bagchi

How long will the Trump trial last?

The trial will last about six-to-eight weeks, according to a court media advisory.

The proceedings are generally scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week. The court may make some accommodations for the Passover holiday in April. Trump has asked for May 17 off for Barron Trump's high school graduation, but the judge has not yet issued a ruling on the request.

-Kinsey Crowley and Aysha Bagchi

Juror with Republican friends and family excused over bias concerns

A potential juror who said he believed he had unconscious bias that could get in the way of being impartial was excused Tuesday morning.

Originally from Texas, the man added he wasn't sure he could be fair and impartial. Judge Juan Merchan then told him there was a need for an unequivocal assurance that he can be impartial. The potential juror said growing up he had a bunch of Republican family and friends and it would "probably" be hard to be impartial.

After conferring privately with attorneys, Merchan excused the man from service.

 Aysha Bagchi

Trump would rather be on the campaign trail

The former president and presumptive Republican nominee argued as he entered the courtroom Tuesday that he should be campaigning in state such as Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia rather than attending the trial. He alleged again without evidence that the trial was being directed from the Biden White House.

Theyre using this in order to try and win an election, Trump said.

Bart Jansen

Monday featured mass dismissals of potential jurors

The beginning of jury selection Monday afternoon demonstrated how many New Yorkers will be quickly deemed ineligible. About 96 potential jurors came into the courtroom and more than 50 were swiftly excused because they said they couldn't be fair and impartial. At least 10 more potential jurors were excused later for other reasons, leaving a much smaller group.

In total, the New York criminal court has called upon 500 New Yorkers to potentially comprise the 12 jurors and several alternates who will be asked to hear all the evidence in the trial.

Aysha Bagchi

New Yorkers unperturbed by Trump trial circus

New Yorkers who work in the Manhattan courts lined up behind police barricades to enter as NYPD officers reported there was a security freeze while Trump entered Tuesday morning.

Dan Horwitz, a white-collar defense attorney who had a case later that day sat in nearby Foley Park. You get used to it, he said of the interruptions the former presidents cases have caused Its just another day in New York.

Jury selection may take some time, he says, but he does think its possible to find an impartial bench. Jurors take their jobs seriously, its New York so you gotta weed out the nuts and people who are going to say 'I hate this guy,' he said, but most people take it seriously.

Anna Kaufman

As crowds dissipate, Trump becomes just another New Yorker getting his day in court

Day 2 of Donald Trump's first criminal trial kicked off with little fanfare. Even the modest crowds from the day before had dissipated leaving just two pro-Trump demonstrators wandering outside the courthouse.

Anna Kaufman

Trump continues futile call for judge's recusal

In his pre-trial statement to the press Tuesday morning, Trump repeated his argument that Judge Juan Merchan should be removed from the case because his daughter works for Democratic politicians.

Merchan has refused to withdraw, noting that the New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics' found Merchan's impartiality couldn't be reasonably questioned. The New York City Bar Association has described Trump's accusation of bias as "baseless."

Trump said legal scholars such as Jonathan Turley and Andrew McCarthy have called the prosecution a disgrace.

It should have never happened, Trump said. It should have been thrown out a long time ago.

Bart Jansen

Jurors are running late, judge says

Judge Juan Merchan arrived in the courtroom at about 9:45 a.m. ET for the second day of trial proceedings. After the lawyers identified themselves and Trump, Merchan said, "Good morning, counsel, good morning Mr. Trump." Trump made a displeased expression as the judge acknowledged him.

The judge said two potential jurors still haven't arrived, while a third has arrived despite feeling sick. Although she indicated she had tested negative for COVID-19, she also said she didn't feel well enough to be there. After checking with the lawyers, Merchan excused her from service.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said the missing jurors are running more than 15 minutes late and asked that they be excused from service. Merchan indicated he will give them at least a couple more minutes.

 Aysha Bagchi

Trump contends payments accurately described as legal expenses

Former President Donald Trump gave a preview of his defense Tuesday at his New York criminal trial by arguing his payments to his former lawyer Michael Cohen  which the prosecution and Cohen say were reimbursements for hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels  were accurately described as legal expenses on his company records.

I was paying a lawyer and marked it down as a legal expense  some accountant, I didnt know  marked it down as a legal expense, Trump said during a two-minute statement to reporters before entering court. Thats exactly what it was. And you get an indictment over that?

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records. Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 to silence her claim before the 2016 election about having had sex with Trump in 2006, while Trump was married. Trump has denied her allegation.

Bart Jansen

Trump arrives in courtroom for day 2 of hush money trial

Donald Trump entered the courtroom and sat down at the defense table at 9:30 a.m. ET Tuesday for the second day of his New York hush money trial. He is wearing a blue suit jacket and striped blue tie.

Jury selection is expected to resume in the morning. Judge Juan Merchan sizably whittled down the first batch of about 96 potential jurors on Monday. Dozens were excused because they said they couldn't be fair and impartial in the case, while several more were let go for other reasons.

 Aysha Bagchi

Trump trial day 2: schedule and location

The trial is scheduled to reconvene at 9:30 a.m. today at the criminal court in lower Manhattan.

The legal teams are expected to pick up where they left off yesterday, questioning dozens of potential jurors.

Proceedings are likely to run through the afternoon with a break for lunch. The trial takes off on Wednesdays, so after today, the trial will reconvene on Thursday morning.

Kinsey Crowley

Monday was a bad day for Trump

Inside the courtroom, Monday wasn't a good day for the former president.

Judge Juan Merchan opened proceedings by denying Trump's request for the judge's recusal. Trump argued Merchan should get off the case because his daughter leads a marketing agency that does work for Democratic political candidates. But Merchan noted the determination by the New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics that his impartiality couldn't reasonably be questioned based on his daughter's work because the Trump case doesn't involve her business.

Merchan also denied a similar request from Trump back in August. "The court will not address this matter further," he said Monday.

The Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office also asked for Trump to be held in contempt and fined based on alleged violations of Merchan's gag order on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Merchan prohibited Trump from publicly commenting on the participation of potential witnesses in the case. But prosecutor Christopher Conroy pointed to three potential violations, including when Trump appeared to refer to Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen as "sleaze bags" on his Truth Social media platform.

The judge scheduled a hearing on the gag order issue for April 23  a signal he may entertain the prosecution's request.

 Aysha Bagchi

Protests fizzle out on second day of Trumps trial

As reporters slowly trickled inside the Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday morning, the park across from the courthouse was mostly empty aside from a handful of people sitting on benches. Near the court, a man held up a pro-Trump flag. Another man, wearing a black balaclava, held a sign Israel vs. TikTok.

-Eduardo Cuevas

Members of the media and a few protestors gather outside of the New York State Supreme Court for the arrival of former President Donald Trump on April 16, 2024 in New York City.

Was Trump sleeping at the New York trial?

Trump glared at New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman for several seconds when he walked out of the Manhattan courtroom during a short break Monday afternoon. Haberman reported earlier in the day that the presumptive Republican presidential frontrunner appeared to be sleeping in the courtroom: she saw his head drop down multiple times and his mouth go slack.

 Aysha Bagchi

Trump and supporters complain about possibly missing his sons graduation ceremony

Donald Trump is continuing to campaign for the White House during his criminal trial in New York, but he and his allies are complaining about how the case could hinder his other priorities, such as attending Supreme Court arguments or his sons graduation ceremony.

Judge Juan Merchan acknowledged attending arguments April 25 over whether the former president is immune from federal prosecution is important, but not as much as the trial on charges he falsified business records to hide hush money payments.

This shows such great disdain and disrespect for our Nations Highest Court, especially for a topic so important as Presidential Immunity, without which our Country would never be the same! Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social.Trump also asked to not appear at the trial May 17, so he could attend his son Barrons high school graduation. Merchan said hed think about it.

Trump called Merchan a highly biased Judge and the case a Witch Hunt. Rudy Giuliani, Trumps former campaign lawyer and a co-defendant in his election racketeering case in Georgia, also blasted the decision as if it was already made. Heartless and cruel, Giuliani wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. These people have no heart or soul.Bart Jansen

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump hush money trial day 2 recap: Judge Merchan selects 7 jurors
A trio of new investigations is underway Monday to see who might be responsible for the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse that killed six people, destroyed a major thoroughfare and crippled the local economy.

On Monday, authorities confirmed the body of a fourth victim had been recovered. Officials have not released the victims identity, at the request of his family.

While federal authorities launch a criminal investigation, both the city and attorneys for several victims are also seeking accountability  especially after the ships owner and manager filed a court document trying to limit their financial liability.

The bridge collapsed around 1:30 a.m. March 26 after a massive cargo ship called the Dali lost power, veered off course and struck the bridge.

Six construction workers who were repairing potholes on the bridge plunged into the Patapsco River and die d. But nearly three weeks after the disaster, two of their bodies are still missing.

What the criminal probe will look into

The FBI and the US Coast Guard are leading the criminal investigation into the ship crash that obliterated Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a US official familiar with the matter.

Federal investigators will also look into whether the crew failed to report an earlier issue with the ship that delayed its departure, the official said Monday.

The FBI is present aboard the cargo ship Dali conducting court authorized law enforcement activity, the agency told CNN in a statement Monday.

The Washington Post first reported the criminal investigation.

The National Transportation Safety Board has also been investigating why the 213-million-pound ship lost power and crashed into the 47-year-old bridge.

That probe has been focused on engine room equipment, the NTSB said last week.

Immediate and long-term harm

The city of Baltimore is now looking into who might be responsible for destroying the bridge that 30,000 Marylanders relied on every day and clogging a channel vital to the local economy.

Today, the City of Baltimore announced a partnership with the national complex issues and trial firm DiCello Levitt and Philadelphia law firm Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky Trial Lawyers to launch legal action to hold the wrongdoers responsible and to mitigate the immediate and long-term harm caused to Baltimore City residents, Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement Monday.

Through this engagement, the City of Baltimore will take decisive action to hold responsible all entities accountable for the Key Bridge tragedy, including the owner, charterer, manager/operator, and the manufacturer of the M/V Dali, as well as any other potentially liable third parties.

The mayor has also announced programs to help families of the victims as well as businesses and workers impacted by the catastrophe.

We are continuing to do everything in our power to support everyone impacted here, the mayor said, including seeking recourse from those who may potentially be responsible.

But, with the ships owner filing a petition to limit its liability mere days after the incident, we need to act equally as quickly to protect the Citys interests, he said.

What the ships owner and manager want

The ships owner, Grace Ocean Private Limited, and manager, Synergy Marine PTE LTD, filed a petition in federal court asking for a $43.6 million limit on potential liability payouts.

The Casualty was not due to any fault, neglect, or want of care on the part of Petitioners, the Vessel, or any persons or entities for whose acts Petitioners may be responsible, the companies attorneys wrote in the petition filed April 1.

Petitioners claim exoneration from liability for any and all losses or damage arising out of the Casualty and from any and all claims for damages that have been or may be filed. Petitioners further allege that they have valid defenses to any and all such claims.

Alternatively, if any such faults caused or contributed to the Casualty, or to any loss or damage arising out of the Casualty, which is denied, such faults were occasioned and occurred without Petitioners privity or knowledge, the petition states.

But attorneys for some of the victims families slammed the companies efforts, saying theyre relying on an archaic maritime law from 1851 to try to limit liability.

Whats getting lost in this entire situation

Attorneys for the families of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Jose Maynor Lopez, who both died in the collapse, and Julio Cervantes, who fell from the bridge and survived, announced their own investigation Monday.

We all know that the more eyes to investigate, the better  especially when youre dealing with corporate giants of an industry, attorney L. Chris Stewart said.

As the bodies of our clients were still under the bridge, the owner of this boat was in court trying to protect their assets.

CNN has reached out to the ships owner, Grace Ocean, for response to Mondays newly announced investigations.

A spokesperson for Synergy Marine, the ships manager, expressed condolences to all those impacted by this incident but declined to respond in detail to the latest investigations.

Due to the magnitude of the incident, there are various government agencies conducting investigations, in which we are fully participating, the spokesperson told CNN on Monday.

Out of respect for these investigations and any future legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

Stewart, one of the victims families attorneys, said its important to not overlook the human toll of the catastrophe.

(Ship owner) Grace Ocean has temporarily lost a ship. Baltimore has temporarily lost a bridge. But six families have permanently lost fathers, uncles, brothers  irreplaceable loved ones, Stewart said. Thats whats getting lost in this entire situation.

Kevin Mahoney, another attorney representing victims families, said the companies petition relies on an outdated law and called for Congress to repeal it.

Salvage crews remove wreckage from the cargo ship Dali last Tuesday. - Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Limitation of Liability Act was passed 173 years ago, in 1851. Thats about 20 years before Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, Mahoney said.

And yet it is being invoked today in this case in 2024, to not only attempt to limit but eliminate compensation to these families, he said.

We must take this opportunity to call upon Congress and take action and repeal the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Chris Boyette, Pete Muntean, Greg Wallace, Sahar Akbarzai and Sarah Dewberry contributed to this report.

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A major fire broke out at Copenhagens old stock exchange on Tuesday morning, causing the twirled spire that has been an integral part of the Danish capitals skyline to collapse.

Jakob Vedsted Andersen, a fire service spokesman, said: The extinguishing work is very difficult, adding that firefighters could not enter parts of the building because it was too dangerous.

Smoke from the blaze was visible from as far away as the Swedish city of Malmo, across the Oresund Strait made famous by the crime series The Bridge.

Police, who blocked off areas of the city centre as part of the firefighting efforts, said there were no immediate reports of injuries.

Video footage from the scene showed people including Brian Mikkelsen, the head of the chamber of commerce, carrying large paintings away from the building.

The 17th-century Brsen, located a stones throw from the Danish Folketing Parliament and Christiansborg Royal Palace, is one of the citys oldest buildings. It had been under renovation when the fire broke out.

The blaze, falling on its 400th anniversary, has been compared to the fire that ravaged Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris while it was being renovated five years ago.

Troels Lund Poulsen, the Danish defence minister, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: Horrible pictures from the Bourse. So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us ... Our own Notre-Dame moment.

The 184ft spire featured four dragons, with crowns representing the ties between Denmark and its close neighbours Sweden and Norway. Onlookers gasped as it collapsed onto the street below.

Klavs Lockwood, a local resident who helped to rescue national artefacts from the fire, said: I saw the tower topple over. It fell like a tree being felled. It was violent. This is Notre-Dame in Denmark. For us, this is just as big a disaster.

When the fire broke out on Tuesday morning, several carpenters were still working on the roof and had to be rescued.

The scaffolding around the building made it harder for emergency services to reach the flames, while the structures copper roof held the heat, the Copenhagen fire department said.

Firefighters work at the scene - Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix

Locals watched in horror as the building burned - EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Jens Kastvig, a fire safety expert, said workers often covered fire alarms during dusty work to prevent false alarms.

As the blaze continued to rage inside the building on Tuesday, there was reportedly a loud bang, with Berlingske, a Danish broadsheet, reporting that a section must have collapsed.

The Dutch Renaissance-style building no longer houses the stock exchange but serves as headquarters for the Danish chamber of commerce. It hosts a collection of paintings of important Danes dating from the 17th century.

One of the paintings rescued was Peder Severin Kroyers From Copenhagen Stock Exchange, a monumental 1895 oil on canvas group portrait that depicts 50 of the most powerful traders of the time.

The chamber of commerce wrote on X: We are met by a terrible sight. The Bourse is on fire. In a post on the social media network, Morten Langager, the Brsen director, wrote: We are currently working on saving everything that can be saved.

Jakob Engel-Schmidt, the Danish culture minister, said it was touching that passers-by were helping emergency workers save art treasures and iconic images from the burning building. He added: 400 years of Danish cultural heritage in flames.

Peder Severin Kroyer's From Copenhagen Stock Exchange was among the artefacts saved from the fire - Twitter

It is likely to take 24 hours or more to fully extinguish the blaze, according to fire services.

Jakob Vedsted Andersen, the emergency manager at Hovedstadens Beredskab, said: The fire in Brsen has been so extensive that large parts of Brsen are burned out. The fire damage in there is irreparable.

Furniture, floor separations and everything that could burn had been destroyed, he said, with emergency services working to keep the outer walls and facade intact.

A large proportion of valuables have been saved. Camilla Jul Bastholm, the unit manager for storage at the National Museum, said: We have secured several hundred works of art from Brsen. They have been brought to the National Museums warehouse with a police escort because of the large amount of value.

In a message on Instagram, King Frederik, Denmarks recently-crowned monarch, said that an important part of our architectural cultural heritage was and continues to be in flames.

Leif Hansen, the architect behind the restoration, told local media: This shouldnt have happened. It is the 400th anniversary of this fantastic building, which has never burned down. I can hardly stand it.

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A neo-Nazi former U.S. marine who firebombed a Planned Parenthood clinic in California in an act of "hateful extremism"  and planned attacks on a LGBT event and on Jewish families  was sentenced to 9 years in federal prison on Monday.

District Judge Cormac J. Carney said that Chance Brannon, 24, "engaged in cruel and indefensible domestic terrorism" while stationed at Camp Pendleton,

Brannon pleaded guilty in November last year to one count of conspiracy, one of malicious destruction of property by fire and explosives for the clinic attack in 2022, and one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Brannon, from San Juan Capistrano, was also told to pay $1,000 in restitution. He has been in federal custody since he was arrested and charged in 2023.

Mehtab Syed, acting assistant director in charge of the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office, said that law enforcement efforts prevented more acts of domestic terrorism.

"Mr. Brannons deep-rooted hatred and extremist views inspired him to target individuals or groups who did not conform to his neo-Nazi worldview and, in one case, led him to carry out a violent attack which could have killed innocent people," he said.

Burn marks on the exterior of the Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa, Calif., on March 13, 2022. (U.S. District Court for the Central District of Calif.)

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said the Molotov cocktail attack on the Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa was part of a "hate-fueled agenda" and "was designed to terrorize patients seeking reproductive healthcare and the people who provide it."

Brannon and two co-defendants  Tibet Ergul, 22, and Xavier Batten, 21,  conspired to use a Molotov cocktail to destroy a commercial property, The United States Attorney's Office said in a statement.

"Brannon considered various targets, including the Anti-Defamation League office in San Diego, but ultimately chose to target a Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa to scare pregnant women, deter doctors and staff from providing abortion services, and encourage similar violent acts," the statement said.

In the Planned Parenthood attack in March 2022, the clinic's entrance was set alight by Brannon and Ergul, but no one was hurt. The pair returned hours later to review their work, the attorney's office said. Around 30 appointments at the clinic had to be rescheduled.

In a sentencing memorandum, the government said Brannon praised Adolf Hitler and told fellow Marines that "all Jews deserve to die. He "took matters into his own hands, weaponizing fear and intimidation to achieve his political ends," it said.

Then in June 2022, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe. Vs Wade, ending 50 years of constitutional access to abortion services, the court heard that Brannon and Ergul planned a second attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic  which was abandoned due to increased police presence at abortion centers.

The pair also "discussed starting a race war by attacking an electrical substation" and taking out the power grid of Orange County, the attorney's office said. "Can we just be done with elections and have the race war already," he texted a friend, the sentencing memorandum said.

A file containing a plan for this and list of gear required was kept on a thumb drive disguised as a military-style necklace, the statement said.

On that gear list was a rifle with "Total [N-word] Death" written in Cyrillic and a recording of the 2019 mosque shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, in which a white supremacist terrorist murdered 51 people and injured dozens more. The Christchurch attack has since provided inspiration for multiple white nationalist terror plots.

In summer 2023, Brannon and Ergul also discussed attacking Dodger Stadium in LA on the night it celebrated LGBTQ pride  they were arrested two days before the event.

Also before his arrest, Brannon was planning to rob Jewish households in Hollywood Hills, actions that prosecutors said "would at worst harm or even kill real victims." At the time of his arrest, Brannon possessed a short-barreled rifle and two silencers, which he had not registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

Battan and Ergul separately pleaded guilty to their charges earlier this year and will have their own sentencing hearings on May 13 and May 30 respectively.
The Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix was filled with fans awaiting the arrival of Genesis' Steve Hackett on Saturday, all while the guitarist was being rushed to the hospital from backstage.

Hackett shared a photo of himself in a hospital room on Facebook Sunday to accompany a post about what happened.

"Im so sorry for the scare," he wrote.

"Id hoped to power through the Phoenix show but I had a bronchial infection and a last-minute adverse reaction to medication. Consequently, the medics took me to hospital. I am now recovering and glad to be feeling okay. I was very sad to miss the show and I will return to play in Phoenix as soon as possible. My thanks to you all for your understanding and support."

Steve Hackett of Genesis was rushed to the hospital moments before a show in Arizona.

The post was signed, "With warmest wishes, Steve."

The tour was part nostalgia, part new material

The concert was part of a tour that features Hackett revisiting Foxtrot, one of several classic albums he made with Genesis, while also showcasing the highlights of The Circus and the Nightwhale, a solo album he released in February.

In an exclusive interview with The Republic, Hackett talked about the tour.

Im keeping the museum doors open in the revisited sense of Genesis, he says, but also doing new stuff to keep it vital so I don't entirely pension myself off into a glorious past with all those lovely exhibits, beautiful though they are, but they are of a certain time-warp value.

Kate Beckinsale shares photos from the hospital, thanks 'incredible' mom for her support

Will refunds be issued for the show?

The tour was brought to Phoenix by Danny Zelisko Presents.

DZP rep Kathy Koz Perschke said they are attempting to reschedule the performance, noting that Hackett has been released from the hospital. "If it doesn't get rescheduled, obviously, people will be refunded their money. It will go right to the credit card the ticket was purchased on."

Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EdMasley.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett hospitalized: Here's why
(Photo : Unsplash/ Joshua Hanson)

The Allied Pilots Association warned its members that American Airlines could face the same public and government scrutiny as United Airlines in a memo released on Saturday.

The memo detailed several safety incidents, such as tools being left in wheel wells and eliminating overnight maintenance checks unless scheduled. It also claimed that due to aircraft shortages, there has been pressure to return planes to service quickly to maintain on-time performance.

The Airline Industry Under The Spotlight

The airline industry has come under heightened scrutiny regarding safety, especially following an incident in January when a door plug unexpectedly blew off an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9.

In March, United Airlines encountered criticism due to several safety incidents, including a panel falling off a Boeing 737-800, an engine emitting flames on a departing jet, and another plane sliding off the runway in Houston.

United CEO Scott Kirby reassured customers on March 18, emphasizing safety as the airline's top priority after the incidents. The Federal Aviation Administration then heightened its supervision of United, potentially delaying future projects based on its assessments. Consequently, United had to postpone the launch of flights from Newark to Faro, Portugal, and Tokyo to Cebu in the Philippines.

American Airlines' Positive Response to Union's Safety Concerns

On Monday, a spokesperson mentioned that union officials discussed their concerns with senior airline managers and found the company's response promising.

Based in Fort Worth, Texas, American Airlines claims to have a top-notch safety management system. It highlights its comprehensive safety program, which is informed by its leading safety management system. America also mentioned its collaborative initiatives with the FAA and all its unions, including APA, to reinforce its solid safety track record and advance its continuously improving safety culture.

Dennis Tajer, a pilot and spokesperson for the union, said they recently discussed concerns with senior management. The initial response was positive, and they fully intend to do everything they can to ensure that American Airlines maintains strong margins of safety.

Tajer emphasized that while changes to safety processes may be legal, legality does not guarantee safety or wisdom.

The union also observed longer intervals between regular aircraft inspections and noted that Americans conduct shortened flight check tests when a plane resumes service after extensive maintenance or prolonged storage.

READ ALSO: Southwest Airlines Reaches New Labor Contract, Commits Better Pay, Working Conditions with Transport Workers Union

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) did not address the union's claims directly or indicate any increased oversight of Americans. In a statement, a spokesperson mentioned that airlines must have systems to identify potential hazards before they escalate.

The Allied Pilots Association's safety committee emailed members on Saturday to notify them about a notable increase in safety and maintenance issues within their operations.

American Airlines and Unions' Collaboration for Safety

The union reported that American has extended the intervals between routine inspections on aircraft and has ceased overnight maintenance checks unless a plane requires special attention or is scheduled for maintenance. The airline now also conducts shortened test flights for planes returning to service after major maintenance checks or extended storage periods.

In an email, the union encouraged its members to report any safety or maintenance concerns they encounter, emphasizing the importance of catching potential errors to prevent tragedies.

RELATED ARTICLE: Aircraft Suppliers Turning to Foreign Workers, "Simply Putting Ads" No Longer Works For Labor Shortages

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Speaker Mike Johnson announced Monday evening the House will take up separate bills this week to provide aid for Israel and Ukraine, heeding demands from the far right to keep the issues separate as the threat of a vote to oust him from the speakership looms.

The long-awaited decision by Johnson marks a pivotal moment for the Louisiana Republican as he has faced intense pressure from his conference over how he would handle foreign aid to the key US allies.

Johnson predicted the House will vote Friday evening on the separate bills.

There are precipitating events around the globe that were all watching very carefully, Johnson told reporters after a GOP conference meeting Monday evening. And we know that the world is watching us to see how we react.

Despite the speakers attempt to thread the needle, however, GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who continues to dangle the threat of a vote on Johnsons ouster, was quick to criticize the foreign aid plan.

I am firmly against the plan as it stands right now, Greene told reporters, though when asked whether she would force a vote on the motion to vacate as a result, she said, I havent decided on that yet.

Johnson dismissed concerns over a vote to oust him by his conservative flank if he moves on aid to Ukraine, telling CNN, I dont spend my time worrying about motions to vacate. Were having to govern here and were going to do our job.

In addition to aid for Israel and Ukraine, Johnson said in a post on X that the bills would support allies in the Indo-Pacific and there would be additional measures to counter our adversaries and strengthen our national security.

But Republican leaders could still take procedural steps to send all those pieces as one package to the Senate, which could enrage the right wing of the House GOP conference.

Johnson left open the possibility that the bills could ultimately be packaged together, setting up a potential fight with the right flank.

Were discussing whether they would be merged together in one package thats sent to the Senate or if it goes over as individual measures, Johnson said. My personal preference is to do it individually, but well let the body decide.

Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, a hardline conservative who had initially expressed support for Johnsons approach to foreign aid, pushed back on the possibility of merging the bills.

Israel funding should not be held hostage by Ukraine funding. The American people deserve to know where their senators stand on each funding component, he wrote on social media.

Among the ways GOP leaders plan to address Ukraine aid: a bill to seize Russian assets, a lend-lease program for Ukraine military aid and convertible loans for humanitarian relief.

Former President Donald Trump, who recently met with House Speaker Mike Johnson at Mar-a-Lago, has expressed openness to structuring Ukraine aid as a loan.

GOP Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma told CNN that Johnson is allowing germane amendment votes on these bills as well  a process that far right Republicans had been demanding of Johnson.

In the wake of Irans unprecedented retaliatory strikes on Israel, Democrats have called on Johnson to bring up a Senate-passed foreign aid package that includes aid to Israel and Ukraine, but hardline conservatives have urged the Louisiana Republican against attaching Ukraine funding to any Israel aid package  a warning that comes as the speaker faces the threat of a potential vote to oust him from his leadership post.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged immediate passage of the foreign aid package passed by the Senate in a new letter to colleagues.

The gravely serious events of this past weekend in the Middle East and Eastern Europe underscore the need for Congress to act immediately. We must take up the bipartisan and comprehensive national security bill passed by the Senate forthwith, Jeffries wrote.

In November, the House passed a bill to provide $14.3 billion in aid to Israel, but Democrats objected to the fact that the bill did not include aid to Ukraine and would enact funding cuts to the Internal Revenue Service.

The Senate passed its bill in February  a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine, Israel and other priorities.

A significant number of House Republicans are opposed to sending further aid to Ukraine. Now, Johnson faces the most significant threat to his speakership to date after GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is among those who oppose additional Ukraine aid, filed a motion against him that could be used to force a vote on his ouster.

Greene told CNN on Monday that Trumps backing of Johnson during a Friday press conference will not deter her from moving to oust the speaker.

No, no, and as a matter of fact, theres more people that are probably going to be angry from whatever happens this week, she said.

Later, Greene said, Hes definitely not going to be speaker next Congress if were lucky enough to have a majority. I think that is a widely held belief throughout the Congress.

Asked if she thinks hell remain speaker for the remainder of the current session of Congress, the congresswoman said, That is to be determined. Like I said, Im still processing.

Johnson called Greenes decision to file the motion to vacate a distraction during an interview on Fox News.

Thats a distraction. What Marjorie has done with the motion to vacate is not helpful for our party, for our mission to save the country, because if we dont grow the House majority, keep the House majority, win the Senate and win back the White House for President Trump, were going to lose the republic, he said.

This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Morgan Rimmer and Kristin Wilson contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The Republican-led House on Monday voted in favor of a series of bills aimed at squeezing Iran financially in response to an unprecedented drone and missile attack launched by the Islamic Republic against Israel over the weekend.

Three separate bills were brought to the floor Monday under suspension of the rules, a fast-track process that requires two-thirds support for passage, allowing for floor votes to be taken immediately.

The bills largely seek to impose financial penalties on Iran, those that support it and its network of proxies.

Israel, in partnership with the U.S., the U.K., France, and allies in the Middle East, repelled a massive Iranian aerial assault launched Saturday night, shooting down what they said was 99 percent of nearly 300 drones and missiles.

The bills voted for on Monday night are largely noncontroversial and enjoy support from a majority of Democrats.

They include a bill to terminate the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations found to be supporting terrorist groups; legislation aimed at disrupting the Chinese purchase of Iranian oil and petroleum products; and an effort to cut off the Iranian government from using the U.S. financial system.

But even as Democrats support this package of bills, they are critical of Republicans for failing for weeks to bring to a vote the Senate-passed $95 billion national security supplemental, which includes aid for not only Israel but also Ukraine and Taiwan.

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) expressed support for H.R. 6408  a bill that would terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist-supporting organizations, which he co-sponsored with Rep. David Kustoff (R-Tenn.).

But Schneider pleaded with Republicans to bring the national security supplemental legislation to the floor.

I again want to thank my colleague, Rep. Kustoff, for his partnership and work on this legislation  and I urge all of my colleagues to not only support this legislation, but also, as we have said, to support the essential security funding that came from the Senate, he said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Monday evening unveiled a plan to Republicans to move four separate bills to address aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other national security priorities. Its not yet clear how Democrats will respond to the proposals.

The White House earlier on Monday said it opposed a stand-alone bill for aid for Israel.

Earlier on Monday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers called for Johnson to put to a vote on Monday night the Senate-passed national security supplemental.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The House on Monday settled its procedural business on a bill to reform the nations warrantless surveillance powers, kicking the controversial reauthorization over to the Senate.

The Monday vote came after a tie in the chamber on an amendment that would have added a warrant requirement to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

The push by privacy hawks was down to the wire, failing with a 212-212 vote.

Two representatives then offered competing motions on whether to reconsider the issue, pushing the House to again consider the FISA bill after otherwise approving it without a warrant requirement on Friday.

Lawmakers voted 259-128 Monday to table the motion to again take up the bill.

The vote leaves the reauthorization bill heading to the Senate without a warrant requirement that united some firebrand conservatives with progressive Democrats.

Section 702 empowers the nations intelligence agencies to spy only on noncitizens living abroad. But in the course of those operations, the government frequently sweeps up communications from Americans in contact with the foreigners under surveillance.

While those in favor of a warrant said it was necessary to protect Americans Fourth Amendment rights, those opposed argued it was not legally required and would gut the bill, stopping law enforcement from acting on information in real time.

The bill reauthorizes FISA 702 for another two years and includes some reforms to the program, including a drastic winnowing of the number of personnel who can authorize use of the 702 database to query information relating to a U.S. person. Such queries will also now get an after-the-fact audit.

It is best understood as the most comprehensive set of reforms in the history of the 702 program. This is a true reform bill that will change the way we do business, especially the FBI, in a way that will be more protective of civil liberties and privacy, a senior Justice Department official told The Hill Monday.

In the Senate, the bill likewise faces opposition from those wishing to see stronger reforms.

This bill represents one of the most dramatic and terrifying expansions of government surveillance authority in history, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a member of the chambers Intelligence Committee who has pushed for reforms to Section 702, wrote on social platform X shortly after the passage of the House bill.

I will do everything in my power to stop it from passing in the Senate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Fixes formatting)

By Tamara Vaal

PETROPAVLOVSK, Kazakhstan (Reuters) -More than 2,000 houses were flooded in Kazakhstan's northernmost region as of Tuesday, authorities said, while across the border in Russia, Kurgan and Tyumen provinces were also evacuating thousands of people due to the deluge.

Water levels in rivers in swathes of Russia's Ural and southwestern Siberian regions, as well as adjacent areas of Kazakhstan, were still rising rapidly, officials said.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Petropavlovsk on Tuesday, where local governor Gauez Nurmukhambetov told him 10,345 people in the region have been evacuated as parts of the city remained under water, Tokayev's

office said.

"We are going through tough times. This is a disaster of a national scale," Tokayev said at a meeting with residents.

"I think the next 10 days will be critical, but we are already taking measures to rebuild the country and deal with the aftermath of this disaster."

More than 300 houses and nearly 700 residential plots have been flooded in Russia's Kurgan region straddling the Tobol River near the border with Kazakhstan, Russia's emergency ministry said on Tuesday.

"The water level in the Tobol River is rising rapidly," the ministry said on the Telegram messaging app.

In the city of Kurgan, the region's administrative centre, power was cut off, affecting about 1,500 residents, local officials said late on Monday.

Vadim Shumkov, governor of the Kurgan region, had said that he expected a "very difficult" situation, with the waters in the Tobol rising possibly up to 11 meters (36 ft), or nearly double the bursting level at some places.

Residents of Ishim, a town of 65,000 people in the Tyumen region in southwestern Siberia, bordering Kazakhstan, were asked early on Tuesday to urgently evacuate because of a critical rise in the water level in the Ishim River that flows through the town.

Regional governor Alexander Moor also urged residents of the Kazanky and Ishim districts to evacuate.

"The probability is growing of dams bursting, or water pouring over them. Therefore we are beginning an urgent evacuation of the population," he said in a video address posted online.

"You all know about the danger. Gather your valuables. Immediately drive to safe places, to relatives or evacuation points where we will supply you with all essentials."

Russia's southern Ural region, southwest Siberia and northern Kazakhstan have been grappling with the worst flooding in living memory after large snow falls melted swiftly amid heavy rain over land already waterlogged before winter.

By late Monday, melt waters that swelled the tributaries of the world's seventh longest river system, had forcing more than 125,000 people to flee their homes.

In the West Kazakhstan region crossed by the Ural river, authorities said they expected the flood wave to hit the province on April 20 and were pre-emptively evacuating some settlements on the river.

From West Kazakhstan, the Ural continues to the Atyrau region, Kazakhstan's oil industry hub, where it flows into the Caspian Sea.

(Additional reporting by Lidia Kelly in Lisbon and Mark Trevelyan in London, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli tanks pushed back into parts of the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday which they had left weeks ago, while warplanes conducted air strikes on Rafah, the Palestinians' last refuge in the south of the territory, killing and wounding several people, medics and residents said.

Residents reported an internet outage in the areas of Beit Hanoun and Jabalia in northern Gaza. Tanks advanced into Beit Hanoun and surrounded some schools where displaced families have taken refuge, said the residents and media outlets of the militant Palestinian group Hamas.

"Occupation soldiers ordered all families inside the schools and the nearby houses where the tanks had advanced to evacuate. The soldiers detained many men," one resident of northern Gaza told Reuters via a chat app.

Beit Hanoun, home to 60,000 people, was one of the first areas targeted by Israel's ground offensive in Gaza last October. Heavy bombardment turned most of Beit Hanoun, once known as 'the basket of fruit' because of its orchards, into a ghost town comprising piles of rubble.

Many families who had returned to Beit Hanoun and Jabalia in recent weeks after Israeli forces withdrew, began moving out again on Tuesday because of the new raid, some residents said.

Palestinian health officials said an Israeli strike had killed four people and wounded several others in Rafah, where over half of Gaza's 2.3 million people are sheltering and bracing for a planned Israeli ground offensive into the city, which borders Egypt.

Just before midnight, an Israeli airstrike hit a house in Rafah and killed seven people, including children, and wounded several others, Palestinian health officials said. There was no immediate Israeli comment.

Palestinian health officials and Hamas media said an Israeli airstrike had also killed 11 Palestinians, including children, in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

"My brothers were sitting by the door, my brother was injured, and his cousin too, and I lost my son, I do not have a house, nor a husband, nor anything anymore," said Wafaa Issa al-Nouri, whose son Mohammad and husband were killed in the strike.

"He was playing by the door, we didn't do anything, I swear we didn't do anything," she said.

The Hamas-run interior ministry also said an Israeli air strike had hit a police car in the Tuffah district of Gaza City, killing seven police officers.

GUNMEN TARGETED

After six months of fighting, there is still no sign of any breakthrough in U.S.-backed talks led by Qatar and Egypt to clinch a ceasefire deal in Gaza, as Israel and Hamas stick to their mutually irreconcilable conditions.

The Israeli military said its forces continued to operate in the central Gaza Strip and that they had killed several gunmen who attempted to attack them.

"Furthermore, over the past day, IDF fighter jets and aircraft destroyed a missile launcher along with dozens of terrorist infrastructure, terror tunnels, and military compounds where armed Hamas terrorists were located," it added.

In Al-Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, residents said Israeli planes had bombed and destroyed four multi-storey residential buildings on Tuesday.

Israel is still imposing "unlawful" restrictions on humanitarian relief for Gaza, the U.N. human rights office said on Tuesday, despite assertions from Israel and others that barriers have eased.

The amount of aid now entering Gaza is disputed, with Israel and Washington saying aid flows have risen in recent days but U.N. agencies say it is still far below bare minimum levels.

Israel is under international pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, especially northern areas where famine is expected by May, according to the United Nations.

Israel's military said it had facilitated the entry of 126 trucks into northern Gaza late on Monday from the south.

It also said it was working in collaboration with the World Food Program (WFP) to facilitate the opening of two more bakeries in northern Gaza after the first began operations on Monday with WFP help.

The Palestinian health ministry said more than 33,000 Palestinians have so far been killed by Israeli fire since Oct. 7, including 46 in the past 24 hours.

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after militants of the Hamas group that has been running the territory attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages according to Israeli tallies.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by Ari RabinovitchEditing by Gareth Jones and Deepa Babington)
Maine will become the latest state to join an interstate effort to elect the nations president by a popular vote, Gov. Janet Mills (D) announced Monday.

Mills said she will allow the legislation to become law without her signature, paving the way for Maine to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a proposal aimed at guaranteeing the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Under the proposal, each state would give all its electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote for president, no matter how the individual states voted in an election.

The compact, however, is on hold and will not come into play for this Novembers election, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

The proposal must receive state pledges that equal at least 270 electoral votes, the number needed to elect a president, Mills said. Sixteen states and Washington, D.C., have already joined the compact, and with the addition of Maine, the law has 209 electoral votes so far, the governor added.

It is not immediately clear if congressional approval is needed for the compact to be implemented.

In explaining her decision, Mills noted that she is aware that enacting the measure is not irreversible and will not take effect until at least 61 additional electoral votes approve it.

Mills spent several days considering the bill and hearing arguments from both sides. Ultimately, she said she struggle[d] to reconcile the fact that a candidate who has fewer actual votes than their opponent can still become the nations commander in chief.

Opponents of the law raised concerns over whether presidential candidates would continue to visit Maine knowing the chance to win our electoral votes declines, Mills said. The governor said she is aware of these concerns but noted it is possible candidates could spend more time in every state since every vote would be counted equally.

Supporters of the law noted that two of the last four presidents clinched the Oval Office despite having fewer popular votes.

Some argue that this measure would dilute the influence of rural voters, although this measure ultimately would provide that each vote carries equal weight, whether the voter is a rural, urban or suburban resident and thus create greater equity among voters, Mills said. I see merit to arguments on both sides.

Still recognizing that there is merit to both sides of the argument and recognizing that this measure has been the subject of public discussion several times before in Maine, I would like this important nationwide debate to continue, and so I will allow this bill to become law without my signature, she continued.

Maine is one of only two states to split their electoral votes, the AP noted. It awards two of its four electoral votes to the statewide presidential winner and one each to the winner of each congressional district.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
There are so many dogs who have been in shelters far too long and one of these dogs is an adorable Pit Bull mix named Rihanna who has been in a Maryland shelter for 426 days.

When you hear about how awesome she is it's pretty unfathomable that someone hasn't given her a forever home yet!

The Montgomery County Animal Services And Adoption Center explains that Rihanna is not only house trained and crate trained, but that she is great with kids, smart as a whip and good on her leash! She does need to go to a home with no other pets, however.

Here's another sweet post about beautiful Rihanna.

It's so heartbreaking because the shelter explained that Rihanna was briefly adopted, but she was returned to the shelter through no fault of her own and that "upon her return, staff members report that Rihanna resisted returning to her kennel, urinated on herself, and had a visibly broken heart."

This poor girl needs the best forever home as soon as possible. You can just tell she'd make someone the most wonderful companion ever. Fingers crossed for you Rihanna!

What To Know Before Adopting a Dog

Adopting a dog, especially a dog that has spent weeks or months in a shelter, if an absolutely wonderful thing to do. But there are many important factors to take into consideration before you add a fur baby to your family, and they can include things like how much time do you have to spend with a dog? Do you work long hours? If you are gone most of the day it may be a good idea to adopt an older dog instead of a puppy who needs frequent attention and bathroom breaks.

Where you live. A larger dog may need a yard or close access to a park so they can have room to run, where a smaller dog may be better suited to apartment living.

What grooming requirements a dog has. Are you willing to shell out money for monthly grooming appointments or do you want a shorter hair breed dog who can do with the occasional bath?

Do you want a more playful dog, a dog that follows commands well, or a lazy dog? The AKC is such a wonderful resource for information on so many different dog breeds. You can also ask shelter volunteers what they would suggest for the best type of dog for your family. We are sure they'd love to match you with your forever friend. If you are interested in donating, volunteering, or adopting your own cat or dog, please check with your local animal rescue, breed specific rescue, or Humane Society.

If you would like more information about beautiful Rihanna, you can visit the website for the Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center (MCASAC) here.

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
Police say a Missouri mother too drunk to drive had her 8-year-old son get behind the wheel and take her and his 3-year-old sibling home, according to court documents.

The 28-year-old woman was in custody at the St. Louis City Justice Center on two counts of felony first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, inmate records show. She was released Tuesday on sponsored recognizance, so she'll receive help while her case is pending, according to Missouri court records.

Officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department got a call from a security guard who saw the 8-year-old boy driving a car in the wrong direction of traffic around 4 a.m. Monday, KSDK-TV in St. Louis reported.

USA TODAY contacted the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, who said to speak to the Circuit Attorneys Office. The Circuit Attorney's Office has not responded to USA TODAY's emails or phone calls.

Toddler not in a car seat when police stopped driving 8-year-old, court doc says

Police said the boy was driving because his mother was passed out in the back seat, according to a probable cause statement obtained by USA TODAY.

Arriving officers found a 3-year-old toddler in the back of the vehicle not in a car seat, the probable cause statement said.

Preliminary information determined the woman was drunk and tired, so she allowed her son to drive home, police said, according to KSDK.

Police took the woman to a local hospital to determine whether she was well enough to be taken to jail, the St. Louis-based TV station said.

A detention hearing for the woman is scheduled for May 16, Missouri court records show. It is unclear what will happen to the woman's children. USA TODAY is not naming her to protect her children's identities.

Pictured are handcuffs at the Columbia County Sheriff's Substation in Evans, Ga., on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022.

Woman's attorney cites 'exceedingly unusual' circumstances

The woman's attorney, Steven Kratky, said at his client's bond hearing that she not only has two children to take care of but also works as a home health aide and provides care for an elderly homebound grandparent, according to the Riverfront Times.

While authorities alleged substance abuse as a factor in charging the woman, Kratky said he believes mental health and stress are key underlying factors.

The woman is "no danger to the community" and the events leading to her arrest were "exceedingly unusual," he told the court, according to the Times.

USA TODAY has been unable to reach Kratky.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missouri mom accused of getting drunk, having 8-year-old son to drive
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi once famously made a simple election promise: good days are coming.

To his adoring supporters, its a vision of a future now finally within reach should Modi and his right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secure an emphatic and rare third consecutive term at this months nationwide election.

At his rallies, tens of thousands gather in near frenzied religious devotion in support of a man whose policies they say have transformed the lives of ordinary Indians  and helped enshrine the nascent promise of social mobility in a country still riven by caste divisions.

Modi projects himself as an outsider from humble origins. Born as the son of a tea seller in a small town in Gujarat, he does not fit neatly within the often privately educated, resolutely metropolitan, English-speaking template set by many previous Indian leaders.

The 73-year-old is single, has no children, and seemingly shuns expensive material possessions in favor of a simple, ascetic lifestyle.

And though little is shared about Modi the man  his private life is assiduously guarded by a formidable public relations team  his persona resonates with many.

His political rise in some ways mirrors Indias own path from a newly independent nation freed from the shackles of colonialism to a confident, secure country inching ever closer to superpower status  albeit one wracked by deep and abiding fault lines.

Modi, his opponents argue, has done little to soothe those divisions.

Religious persecution and Islamophobia have increased sharply on his watch, with many accusing the prime minister of tacitly endorsing sectarianism as a means of further bolstering his Hindu-nationalist credentials, while diverting from policy failures  such as youth unemployment, which now stands at close to 50% among 20- to 24-year-olds.

Among Indias minorities, particularly the countrys 230 million Muslims, the prospect of another five-years for a prime minister who calls himself the chowkidar  or watchman  remains deeply concerning.

Many dont believe Modi is watching out for them  instead, they say they are marginalized as he fulfills his partys dream of transforming secular, pluralistic India into a majoritarian Hindu state.

As he goes toward seeking a third term, Prime Minister Modi has positioned himself as a head priest alongside the head of the political system  the protector of the nation (and), as the creator of a Hindu-first nation, said Saba Naqvi, author of The Saffron Storm: From Vajpayee to Modi.

This seemingly potent, populist mix of economic empowerment and Hindu nationalism has proved to be a successful electoral formula for Modi, confounding longstanding social and regional voting lines.

According to 2023 Pew research, about eight-in-ten Indian adults have a favorable view of Modi, including 55% who have a very favorable view. Such levels of popularity for a two-term incumbent prime minister defy all modern conventions, both in India and throughout much of the democratic world.

Hes done something which has not happened before in Indian politics among all our prime ministers, said Naqvi. He has willfully created a cult of his own personality.

Many people think he is God

As the sun sets across the Ganges, Hindu devotees bathe in the holy rivers waters and priests offer daily prayer by its banks. Its here, in the city of Varanasi  Modis own constituency  that this so-called cult of personality is on full display.

Billboards with the prime ministers face appear on the corners of roads, and saffron flags with his partys lotus symbol are hoisted on buildings across the dusty, meandering gulleys of the ancient city.

On the streets, his partys volunteers go door-to-door advocating for the leader.

When Modi first ran for prime minister a decade ago, he did so on a promise of infrastructure, development and anti-corruption, choosing the city of gods as his constituency  its religious symbolism the perfect backdrop for his BJPs Hindu nationalist ambitions.

In one of Varanasis oldest spice markets, shopkeepers say their lives have been transformed since.

Varanasi BJP President Dileep Patel at his office, in front of a Modi cutout. - John Mees/CNN

Many people think he is God, said father of two, Akash Jaiswal, pointing to Modis welfare schemes and business incentives. Weve never had a prime minister like Modi ever. Hes done a great sacrifice for India, for us  We want him to be prime minister forever.

Jaiswal even praised some of Modis most controversial leadership moments. India had the least casualties during Covid, he said, when in fact the country had the third highest number of pandemic-related deaths, after the United States and Brazil, according to the World Health Organization. Modi was highly criticized for his handling of the pandemic and accused of being underprepared, as hospitals reached their limit and morgues overflowed with bodies.

The citys BJP President, Dileep Patel, who has helped Modi with all three of his election campaigns, however, isnt surprised by his enduring levels of popularity. To him, Modi represents Indias future.

Today India is strong, capable, and self-reliant under the prime ministers leadership, he said.

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Son of a teaseller

Modis official party biography tells the story of a poor boy, the third of six children, whose father was a chaiwallah or tea seller, whod serve customers at the local train station to support his young family.

Promoted by the BJP, analysts say this tale of humble beginnings makes him relatable to hundreds of millions across the country. And it stands in stark contrast to the generations of Indias elite, urbane politicians that have historically risen to the top job.

He comes from a poor background and that helps him understands the people of India, said Varanasi BJP president Patel.

Indias first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a member of the Indian National Congress, a political party that was pivotal in ending nearly 200 years of British colonial rule. His daughter, Indira Gandhi, also became prime minister, as did her son, Rajiv. All three studied overseas at Cambridge or Oxford.

The face of todays Congress Party, and Modis primary opponent, is Rahul Gandhi, son of Rajiv, and an alumni of both Cambridge and Harvard.

Modi, by contrast, had a modest upbringing in the small town of Vadnagar, far from the political cut and thrust of the capital New Delhi, according to Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times.

Mukhopadhyay notes Modi was an average student at school and his marriage was arranged to a woman at 17.

Though Mukhopadhyay claims the tale of Modis poverty is grossly exaggerated, his charisma  and confidence  was evident from an early age.

He liked acting in school plays, said Mukhopadhyay. He always wanted to have the lead role. If the lead role was not given to him, he would not act in the play at all.

Modi was still a child when he was exposed to the idea of Hindu nationalism through classes at the local branch of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing paramilitary organization that advocates for the establishment of Hindu hegemony within India.

Founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, a campaigner who had split from Nehrus Congress party over what he believed to be undue pampering of the Muslims, its central mission is to nourish the Hindu culture, according to the groups website.

At 17, Modi abandoned his family and his wife, left his village and traversed India with the group in search of a spiritual awakening, according to his biography. He devoted himself to the RSS, never remarried and learned to leave all the pleasures in life, according to an interview he gave in 2019.

By 1972, he had become a pracharak for the RSS, according to his biography, someone appointed to spread their cause through meetings and public lectures.

The turning point for the young activist came in 1975, when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi invoked what she called necessary shock treatment to stamp out internal unrest. She imposed a state of emergency, tightening government control, rounding up critics, censoring her opposition and silencing the press.

Detached from the demands of marriage, Modi then 25, saw an opportunity, according to his biography. He joined a movement to restore democracy to India, his profile states, marking the start of his journey to political high office.

And in the absence of a family life, many of his supporters have claimed him as part of their own, adding to his everyman appeal. Modi is our family, said the shopkeeper Jaiswal in Varanasi. We are all his family.

Entry into the BJP

Modi joined the BJP in 1987, when the fringe political party started gaining traction fueled by the rise of Hindu nationalism in India.

Considered to be the political arm of the RSS, the BJP gained prominence that decade when it advocated for the destruction of the Babri Masjid, a 16th-century mosque believed by Hindus to have been built on the site of the birthplace of the religions revered Lord Ram.

And it was thrust into the mainstream in 1992, when  spurred on by members of the BJP  Hindu hardliners attacked the mosque, ripping it apart with their hands, and setting off a wave of sectarian violence that reverberated through the nation.

India's next prime minister and BJP co-founder Lal Krishna Advani in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, May 20, 2014. - AP

One of the BJPs founders Lal Krishna Advani  widely believed to be the brains behind the mosques destruction  saw a leader in Modi, giving him immense responsibilities within the party.

No politician brings the experience that Modi does, Naqvi, the author, said last month from her home in New Delhi, referring to his various political roles.

Modi thrived under Advanis guidance, working his way through the ranks of the BJP. In 2001, he was appointed chief minister of the wealthy state of Gujarat.

Under Modis governance, the state introduced a wave of infrastructure, industry, and innovation to its arid landscape  making the Gujarat model synonymous with development and government efficiency.

His tenure was not without controversy.

Violence erupted in Gujarat in 2002 when Hindus blamed Muslims for setting fire to a train in an incident that killed dozens of Hindu pilgrims and sought revenge by attacking Muslim-owned homes and stores.

More than 1,000 people  mostly Muslims  were killed, according to government figures. Critics accused Modi of being complicit in the violence, alleging that his administration failed to prevent or adequately respond to the unrest.

Then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi waves to supporters in Kadi, Gujarat state, on September 9, 2002. - Amit Dave/Reuters

Modi faced international repercussions in its aftermath, with the United States banning him from entering the country for many years over concerns about human rights violations.

He vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and the Supreme Court cleared him of complicity. Months after the violence, he was re-elected with a roaring majority  the first evidence of his cult following, said Naqvi, the author.

But the polarization of communities deeply divided the nation, leaving scars that persist to this day.

Political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot suggested events in Gujarat made Hindu nationalists more confident. But Modi himself is so insecure, he cannot face any questions, he said.

Modi infamously walked out of an interview in 2007, when journalist Karan Thapar pressed him on his role in the Gujarat riots. He rarely gives interviews, and has not held a solo press conference since becoming Prime Minister.

He cannot face debate, Jaffrelot said.

Becoming prime minister

Modis Gujarat model had become a blueprint for India and in 2014, the BJP won by a landslide, crushing the Congress  the partys worst defeat in more than 100 years of its existence.

Since entering into office, Modis administration has upgraded the countrys aging transport network, building highways connecting small villages with major cities. His administration has built new power plants and maritime projects, and, according to recent remarks from Modi himself, subsidized the construction of some 40 million concrete homes for improvised families.

The administration also bolstered the countrys military capabilities. And its invested money in sports, science and high-end technology  letting India thrive on the world stage.

But for some observers, a troubling pattern has also emerged.

Narendra Modi casts his vote in the general election in Ahmedabad on April 30, 2014. - Amit Dave/Reuters

He was able to popularize Hindu nationalistic politics and their ideology, said Mukhopadhyay, the writer and unofficial Modi biographer.

Modi appointed Hindu nationalists to top positions in government, giving them the power to make sweeping changes to legislation, instilling a sense of fear among the 230 million Muslims living in the country.

In 2019, he roared through polls yet again  this time on a more clearly defined ticket of Hindu supremacy.

He abrogated the special autonomy of Kashmir  Indias only Muslim-majority state  bringing it under the direct control of New Delhi. His government implemented a controversial citizenship law considered by many to be discriminatory against Muslims.

He built the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on the site of the destroyed mosque, reviving painful memories of 1992s bloodshed for many Muslims, but brought a sense of pride for millions of Hindu devotees.

And to his more vocal critics, Modis economic policies are also open to question. Despite India now boasting an economy that is projected to grow 7.3% this fiscal year  the highest rate among major global economies  accusations persist that Modi has failed to create enough jobs, or adequately bridge the gap between the countrys billionaire class and its most impoverished.

He has made the poor, poorer. He has increased inequalities, said Jaffrelot, in reference to the countrys wealth gap, which according to a recent study is more unequal than it was during British rule.

On the diplomatic front, hes grown closer to the US, been wooed by Australia and courted by the United Kingdom.

At the same time, Modi has kept Indias historically close relationship with Russia  snapping up huge amounts of Moscows oil despite the Ukraine invasion  and he maintains relations with both Israel and other Middle Eastern countries at a time of increased polarization.

President Joe Biden visits Raj Ghat memorial with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and other G20 leaders in New Delhi on Sept. 10, 2023. - Kenny Hoston/Pool/Reuters

And an overwhelming majority of Indians appear to put their weight behind his leadership. A recent Morning Consult poll ranked Modi as the worlds most popular global leader, with an approval rating of 76% at home.

Hes the number one figure right now. Hes the only candidate for prime minister, Naqvi said.

At a Modi rally in the northern city of Ghaziabad earlier this month, thousands of supporters thronged the large grounds as he walked on stage. Some dressed as the Indian god Ram, others head to toe in saffron, the official color of his BJP, their triumphant cries reverberating through the air.

In the city of Meerut in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, a Modi supporter says she is voting for him because he is unlike any other politician in the world.

I have put Modis poster in my sons room, Raniva, who is 36 and goes by one name, said. The way (he) is doing so much for the country, I hope my son also does good work for the country.

On the streets of the capital New Delhi, opinion is more divided. Nowadays there is so much fighting between Hindus and Muslims. We all know why, said one rickshaw driver sitting outside the citys famed Jama Mosque.

With Modi widely expected to comfortably win the upcoming election, some analysts say they have genuine fears about the future of the countrys democracy.

I definitely see a decline in the quality of democracy in the country, said Mukhopadhyay. I see greater insecurity and marginalization of Muslims in India. Thats not a very rosy picture. But its the likely path India is going to take.

CNNs Sania Farooqui contributed reporting from Meerut.

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When the pandemic upended daily life in his small Missouri town, small-business owner Scott Volner went into overdrive to keep his employees on the payroll, despite a drop in revenue.

Then he started to get bombarded by telemarketers who were claiming to be tax service specialists, telling him he qualified for a special IRS pandemic relief credit. Among hundreds of calls and emails, he signed up with a company and agreed to pay a 10% fee. He ended up with a check for $330,000  money he plowed back into his business.

They are promoting it, and they have the service to put the whole package together for you so you dont have to fill out the forms, said Volner, who runs a fertilizer business in Rolla, Missouri.

But it turned out Volner wasnt eligible for whats known as the Employee Retention Tax Credit, or ERC, which has very specific and narrow criteria. For one, the credit is available only to business owners based in states where there were mandatory shutdowns.

Now Volner has to figure out how to pay back money he has already spent.

Its going to be a long, hard road to tow to get this all paid back, said Volner, who had used a company called ERC Specialists, which didnt respond to requests for comment.

A screengrab showing Scott Volner. (NBC News)

Volner is among tens of thousands of people caught up in the latest pandemic relief debacle  one the IRS acknowledges is costing taxpayers hundreds of billions more than it should have.

Congress said the Employee Retention Tax Credit would cost around $55 billion, but new estimates put the cost at $250 billion, and claims are still pouring in.

IRS officials say the program has been a magnet for unscrupulous promoters who took as much as a third of each payout while filing what the IRS commissioner calls a tsunami of bad claims on behalf of businesses who never qualified. They say there also has also been a significant amount of outright fraud by people who lied on their applications.

The problem is we have promoters out there who are trying to put one over on small businesses, convincing them theyre eligible for something that theyre not eligible for, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in an interview. We have significant concern that promoters and marketers are trying to essentially trick small businesses.

Its not just promoters and marketers who have sought to deceive the government. A convicted murderer in a California prison is accused of orchestrating a scheme using ERC claims to steal more than a million dollars, some of which he used to throw a party at a $9,000-a-night Las Vegas penthouse and then fly his relatives home on a private jet, according to court documents.

Werfel said the IRS has found tens of thousands of claims for businesses that either never existed or didnt have employees during the pandemic.

There are ways in which you can, unfortunately, trick the IRS, he acknowledged.

The ERC joins a list of pandemic relief programs that have been plundered by fraudsters, with losses reaching as much as $280 billion, or enough to fund the FBIs annual budget for 25 years. And there arent enough FBI and other criminal investigators to catch even 1% of the fraudsters, experts say.

The Justice Department last week announced it had charged around 3,500 people and seized $1.4 billion in stolen Covid-19 relief funds  a tiny fraction of the estimated fraud.

Werfel, who wasnt the IRS commissioner when Congress designed the program, described a dynamic that was present in all pandemic relief programs  a desire to get the money out quickly, leading to decreased scrutiny of claims.

When you have an acute situation like a pandemic and emergency, youre always balancing lets get funds to people that need it quickly versus asking for a bunch of extra paperwork and a bunch of extra proof, he said. There are certainly things we need to learn and do better in the future for the next crisis or the next emergency.

The IRS is scrambling to stop the bleeding and to claw back what it can.

The agency suspended the processing of ERC claims and says it has launched thousands of audits and at least 400 criminal investigations to go after ineligibility and fraud. Its also focusing on promoters, six of which have been charged criminally, according to the IRS.

So far, the larger promoters who blanketed TikTok with ads havent faced charges. Some of those companies raised awareness of the tax credit by featuring celebrities, including Kevin OLeary of Shark Tank and Ty Burrell, who played dad Phil Dunphy on ABCs Modern Family.

Neither could be reached for comment.

Im upset  its frustrating and its aggravating on multiple levels, because the marketing firms had too much power to be involved in this, said Michelle Hance, who runs a small audio/visual business in Missouri.

She signed up to get the tax credit with Innovation Refunds, and she says she received $13,000 from the federal government, which she recently had to pay back. She said she paid the promoter 25% of the money the IRS paid her, and she now feels misled because its now obvious to her that she never qualified.

The promoters got rich, Werfel told NBC News. And then you turn around, if youre the taxpayer, and you say, Promoter, you said no risk, and the promoter is gone. Theyre abandoning you.

Over the last two months, Innovation Refunds has reported two rounds of layoffs at its Des Moines, Iowa, offices, according to state labor records.

A spokesperson for Innovation Refunds said by text message that it would issue clients refunds on the fee the company collected if it had told business owners they qualified for the ERC and the owners then found out from the IRS that they didnt.

Innovation Refunds is not a tax preparer, the spokesperson wrote. Independent tax professionals, to whom Innovation Refunds refers its customers, make ERC eligibility determinations for the businesses they serve. If that independent tax professional determines that money should be returned to the IRS, then we fully support that decision.

The spokesperson said businesses can contact Innovation Refunds via email to get money back if they have discovered they are ineligible.

IRS scrutiny of ERC promoters will continue, Werfel said.

Were working with tax professionals that are helping alert us to the types of promoters out there that are driving these types of false claim activities, he said. We have criminal investigations underway related to about $3 billion in false claims.

He said the IRS has recovered $500 million in bad claims and is urging Congress to pass legislation to extend the audit period. Without that, the IRS wouldnt be able to scrutinize claims from 2020.

Congress is also considering legislation to repeal the ERC entirely, but it has stalled amid a lobbying campaign to keep it going. Innovations Refunds spent $720,000 lobbying Congress last year, according to Open Secrets, a website that publishes lobbying disclosure records.

That company told CNBC it had processed $7 billion in claims.

Larry Gray, a CPA in Rolla, Missouri, was among the early voices warning that ERC fraud could become a major problem. He took to YouTube from his office in 2020, sounding the alarm. He also helped Volner and Hance learn they didnt qualify for the credit.

Gray says the responsibility for the mess spans the federal government.

IRS bears a lot of responsibility, he said. Congress bears responsibility. Treasury should have got more guidance out.

Early on, Gray said, he realized that anyone could easily defraud the program.

You could put in a fraudulent federal ID number. You could put in fraudulent employees, send it in.  Because everybodys focused on getting the money out, not seeing if they qualified to get the money.

Soon, third-party promoters sprung up, marketing the tax break.

One of the heaviest advertisers was Miami-based Bottom Line Concepts, run by Josh Fox, who boasted online of millions in earnings for his clients, telling companies they were missing out if they didnt apply for the credit. In a clip posted on TikTok, Fox told an interviewer that he was surprised by how few businesses and elected officials were aware of the tax credit.

Its amazing how many politicians we speak to who are unaware of the program and when we explain to them that their citizens, the people that own businesses in their town, can typically get hundreds of thousands and potentially millions of dollars back from the federal government, he said.

Fox didnt respond to multiple messages left at his office in Miami.

Many didnt qualify. In fact, Gray said, the most common way businesses thought they did  if they were significantly affected by government-mandated shutdowns  didnt apply in many red states where mandatory shutdowns were few and far between.

It appears they didnt go through the right test or ask the right questions, Gray said.

But so far, when the IRS comes after a business that didnt qualify, the promoters arent the ones on the hook  the businesses are.

Scott Volner used the $330,000 he got from the credit to keep employees on the payroll and expand his business, which recycles spent alkaline batteries into fertilizer by chemically extracting the zinc and manganese inside.

At the moment, he is trying to persuade the IRS to put him on a gradual repayment plan.

Volner said he hasnt spoken to ERC Specialists since he learned he didnt qualify for the tax credit because he didnt think it would do any good.

I feel betrayed, because I think I was sucked into it, he said.
(Photo : Unsplash/Tobias Tullius )

The surge in remote work has made corporate leaders increasingly paranoid, needing to monitor their employees' every digital action.

According to a recent article in The New York Times, eight of the ten largest American companies utilize tracking software to monitor their employees. The Washington Post reports a 65% increase in global demand for employee monitoring tools between 2019 and 2022.

Employee productivity software typically tracks vanity metrics like the number of emails sent, virtual meetings attended, and keyboard typing time. However, it often overlooks tasks performed away from the computer, such as thinking, reading, or writing on paper, and fails to measure actual accomplishments and outcomes. Not even the creators of productivity software endorse this narrow usage of their apps.

When employees realize that their performance is being evaluated based on productivity software metrics, they often prioritize responding to emails and messages over their actual tasks, which only creates a harmful cycle of responsiveness, as described by consultant turned-professor Leslie Perlow in her book Sleeping with Your Smartphone. It happens when employees adapt to work demands by adjusting their technology use, daily schedules, work methods, and even personal interactions to meet the increasing demands on their time.

READ ALSO: Micromanagement As Top Indicator of a Toxic Workplace, Causing People to Quit -Survey Finds

Here are four strategies to help you transform your habits and cultivate a focused workplace:

Open a Dialogue Tackling Distractions

A major challenge with workplace distractions is the reluctance to address them openly. Employees may fear repercussions for speaking up about distractions, making it difficult to gather meaningful feedback.

To create an environment where employees thrive, managers must cultivate psychological safety and a sense of security where individuals feel free to voice reasonable concerns without fear of punishment. When people feel comfortable discussing workplace challenges, it becomes possible to identify and address them effectively. Other workplace issues will likely be ignored if distractions are off-limits for discussion.

Schedule-Sync With Your Downlines

Many managers struggle to understand how their employees allocate their time. When tasks take longer than expected, it is natural to question employees' capabilities or motivation. However, distractions like constant interruptions, unnecessary meetings, and an influx of emails are often the culprit, not lack of competence or drive.

Schedule-syncing offers a solution by providing insights into employees' daily schedules. One approach is to have employees share a time-boxed calendar detailing their planned activities, including times for focused work, email correspondence, and meetings. This visibility allows managers to avoid disrupting focused work or personal time and suggest adjustments if needed. Managers can also share their calendars to establish boundaries for interruptions.

Another tactic involves establishing designated distraction-free periods for the entire team each day, ensuring no messages, calls, emails, or meetings occur during these times.

Implementing schedule-syncing tactics empowers managers to understand employee time management without micromanagement.

Do Not Hold Meetings Without Any Agenda

Agendas serve a purpose, yet their importance often gets overlooked in corporate settings. While high school student councils may follow this practice diligently, it disappears in business.

Too often, meetings are scheduled as a quick fix to avoid tackling problems independently. While collaboration is valuable, meetings should not distract from the real work of problem-solving. Requiring an agenda helps keep meetings focused and reduces unnecessary ones by demanding some effort from the organizer before scheduling one.

Lead by Example

Company culture is influenced by leadership behavior. Avoid distractions during meetings and off-hours, and communicate your availability.

Start with yourself to create an environment where employees can work without distractions. But remember, the biggest source of distraction is not social media or streaming platforms; it is often how we structure our work. The pivotal step in creating a workplace free from distractions is for the boss to lead by example and embody a focused, undistracted work approach.

RELATED ARTICLE: The Repercussions of Employer Surveillance, Workers Getting Worse at Their Jobs And More Likely To Quit

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
This week the worlds biggest democratic election kicks off in India, as almost 970 million voters decide whether to give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a third term. The election will last six weeks after a campaign that has sprawled across India  and into the United States as well.

Modis supporters credit him with putting India on the global stage and turning it into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. His critics, however, say Modi has fanned a wave of Hindu nationalism, cracked down on opponents, stifled press freedom and stoked religious tensions with Muslims and other minority groups.

In the weeks leading up to the election, which begins Friday, the overseas arm of Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has enlisted members of the Indian diaspora in the U.S. to campaign on his behalf, either by phone calling friends and family in India or by traveling to India themselves.

Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party-USA campaign event (Nathan Howard / Reuters)

More than 60 Modi supporters turned up to an event at the Potomac Community Center in Maryland last month, many of them wearing scarves of saffron, a color associated with Hindu nationalism.

At the event, leaders of the Overseas Friends of BJP listed what they saw as Modis achievements since taking office in 2014: developments in infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, technology and education and, more recently, the inauguration of a grand Hindu temple on a contested holy site.

Attendees were urged to use these as talking points to nudge friends and family in India to vote for Modi, and many stood ready to help.

Especially when they see me, that Im from [the] United States, it carries a weight, said Kanwaljit Soni, OFBJPs coordinator for the Sikh community, who was planning to travel to India to campaign ahead of the election, which runs from April 19 to June 1.

Its a familiar routine for him. During the last election, in 2019, he said, he spent three weeks in India traveling from village to village to encourage people to vote for the BJP.

I will be going to where my roots are in the different states, he said.

Aware of the gargantuan task of defeating Modi, the fractured opposition has tried to consolidate into a single coalition by fielding a single candidate against the BJP. But many candidates have already switched to the BJP or backed out of the coalition.

Its no longer party versus party. Its a person against a person, and there is no other credible person with a national stature like Modi, said Sanjoy Chakravorty, a professor of geography, urban studies and global studies at Temple University in Philadelphia and the author of The Truth About Us: The Politics of Information From Manu to Modi.

The opposition has been further constrained by what it says are strong-arm tactics by Modi and his government. Dozens of opposition politicians have been jailed or are under investigation, and there were protests last month when Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, was arrested in connection with corruption allegations that he denies.

Last month, Modis government froze the bank accounts of the main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, in a tax dispute. The party said the move was politically motivated and hindered its ability to campaign.

Modi has said that Indias democracy remains robust and that there is absolutely no discrimination. His government says the Congress party fears a historic defeat and that its accounts were frozen because it failed to file tax returns for past donations.

The Congress party has also tried to mobilize support among Indian Americans with rallies across the U.S., arguing that India cannot afford a third Modi term.

Democracy is under an existential crisis in India right now and people are afraid to speak out, said George Abraham, vice president of the Indian Overseas Congress.

But it is hard to compete with Modi, who experts say has built the narrative of being a great leader, his face appearing everywhere in India from outdoor displays to vaccination certificates. That has extended abroad to the Indian diaspora in the U.S., which has never been more passionate about politics at home.

Modis state visit to Washington last year drew a few hundred protesters, but thousands of South Asians also flooded the citys landmarks, either to support him or just to revel in the historic moment.

Its the convergence of the whole nation into a person, Chakravorty said.

Adapa Prasad, president of Overseas Friends of BJP, said the group aimed to reach almost 50,000 members of the Indian diaspora in the U.S., with the goal of helping Modi and the BJP secure a landslide victory.

And Maryland was just the first stop.

The group planned to hold pre-election rallies in 20 U.S. cities, modeled after Modis Chai Pe Charcha, or discussions over tea  televised programs in which he discusses various issues with citizens and top leaders.

There are an estimated 4.4 million people of Indian origin living in the U.S., making them the largest Asian American group, according to the Census Bureau. While many are U.S. citizens, barring them from voting in Indian elections, they may still have family links in India.

For those unable to travel to India, there is also the option of campaigning by phone, Prasad said.

People who are sympathetic to BJP will call their relatives in India and urge them to vote, he said.

India Prepares For First Phase Of General Elections (Abhishek Chinnappa / Getty Images)

India has a multiparty parliamentary system in which the candidate who receives the most votes in their home constituency wins. The party with the biggest share of candidates in the Legislature gets to pick the prime minister. Even though Modis party received 37% of the votes in 2019, it won 303 out of the 543 seats.

Flanked by almost a dozen party flags, supporters in Maryland chanted Victory of Mother India and, This time, above 400 in Hindi, referring to the BJPs goal of securing more than 400 seats.

Calling Modi a sensible leader, Peeyush Uniyal, who is originally from the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand and now lives in Ellicott City, Maryland, said that especially from the development point of view, I think it becomes a no-brainer.

He dismissed concerns about the rise of Hindu nationalism as overblown.

Virginia resident Upasana Dhankhar said it was her first time venturing into politics. Its the consistency of leadership, said Dhankhar, a former professor of Indian history.

She moved to the U.S. in 2019, the same year Modi revoked the Indian Constitutions Article 370, which granted semiautonomous status to Kashmir, Indias only Muslim-majority region. The widely criticized move in the disputed territory was followed by the arrival of thousands of troops and a six-month communications blackout.

Resolving the Kashmir problem was a big thing, Dhankhar said, mirroring an argument from a PowerPoint slide titled Article 370 SCRAPPED.

The BJPs campaign in the U.S. was another way of revving up Modis global fanbase, Chakravorty said.

The entire civilization is on the rise, he said, and they want to be part of it.

CORRECTION (April 16, 2024, 1:55 p.m. ET): Because of an editing error, the headline on a previous version of this article misstated Narendra Modis position. He is prime minister, not president.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Coal miners will be better protected from poisonous silica dust that has contributed to the premature deaths of thousands of mine workers from a respiratory ailment commonly known as black lung disease, the Labor Department said Tuesday as it issued a new federal rule on miners' safety.

The final rule, announced by Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, cuts by half the permissible exposure limit for crystalline silica for an eight-hour shift.

Mine workers, community advocates and elected officials from Appalachian states have pushed for the stricter rule, noting that health problems have grown in recent years as miners dig through more layers of rock to gain access to coal seams when deposits closer to the surface have long been tapped. The increased drilling generates deadly silica dust and has caused severe forms of pneumoconiosis, better known as black lung disease, even among younger miners, some in their 30s and 40s.

It is unconscionable that our nations miners have worked without adequate protection from silica dust despite it being a known health hazard for decades, Su said Tuesday. Today, were making it clear that no job should be a death sentence, and every worker has the right to come home healthy and safe at the end of the day.''

In Central Appalachia, an estimated one in five tenured coal miners has black lung disease. The condition reduces life expectancy by an average of 12 years and makes it a struggle to get through a phone call or play with their grandkids without losing their breath,'' Su said in a speech in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where she appeared with Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, and other union leaders.

For too long, we accepted this as just the way things are for people who work in mines,'' Su said. Theyve had to work without the same protections from silica dust that people in other industries have, even though weve known about the harms of silica dust since Frances Perkins," who was labor secretary in the 1930s and 1940s.

The election-year rule shows "what it looks like to have the most pro-worker, pro-union president in history,'' Su said, a political comment referring to Democratic President Joe Biden.

Rebecca Shelton, director of policy at the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, which pressed for stricter rules to protect miners, said the group was reviewing the rule to ensure regulators from the Mine Safety and Health Administration accounted for comments by health professionals, attorneys and miners who have worked on the rule for years.

There are too many lives at stake to get this wrong, and well do whatever we can to ensure that this rule provides the protection that miners deserve,'' Shelton said.

Democratic senators from Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia hailed the new rule, saying it will be essential in safeguarding miners.

A spokesman for the National Mining Association said the group was reviewing the rule but supports the lower limits. The mining lobby has pushed to allow use of administrative controls and personal protective equipment to meet safety standards. Unfortunately, those recommendations were not included in the final rule, said spokesman Conor Bernstein.

Vonda Robinson, whose husband, John, was diagnosed with black lung a decade ago at age 47, said shes felt hopeful as officials considered the rule changes. But she was skeptical how the rule will be enforced.

Robinson, who lives in rural Nickelsville, Virginia, near the Tennessee line, said the mine safety office does not have enough staff or resources to adequately protect workers and their families.

You can have rules, but until you back it up with enforcement, its not going to mean anything, she said in an interview. If theyre going to put out these rulings, you need to hire more people.

The White House requested a $50 million increase to the mine safety office's budget for the current year, most of which would have been for more inspectors and enforcement. Congress rejected it, keeping the budget at the 2023 level of $388 million.

Vonda Robinson said her husband struggles every day. John Robinson worked in the mines for almost three decades. Two years ago, the couple met with a physician about a lung transplant.

Until you see it and live with it, you dont understand, Vonda Robinson said. And knowing what were looking at now -- miners being diagnosed at 32  theyll probably never see their children graduate or have grandchildren."

The Labor Department rule lowers the permissible exposure limit of respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a full-shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour average. If a miners exposure exceeds the limit, mine operators must take immediate corrective actions.

The rule is in line with exposure levels imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on construction and other non-mining industries. And its the standard the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was recommending as far back as 1974.

The Labor Department began studying silica and its impact on workers health nearly a century ago, but the focus on stopping exposure in the workplace largely bypassed coal miners. Instead, regulations centered on coal dust, a separate hazard created by crushing or pulverizing coal rock that also contributes to black lung.

In the decades since, silica dust has become a major problem as Appalachian miners cut through layers of sandstone to reach less accessible coal seams in mountaintop mines where coal closer to the surface has long been tapped. Silica dust is 20 times more toxic than coal dust and causes severe forms of black lung disease after even a few years of exposure.

___

Willingham reported from Charleston, West Virginia.
By Nette Noestlinger

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Lobbyists can easily bypass EU transparency rules to influence policy, the 27-nation bloc's auditors said on Wednesday.

The European Court of Auditors' (ECA) report comes as European Union institutions discuss a new Ethics Body to guide the conduct of officials and ahead of a planned review of the bloc's transparency register of lobbyists.

That review follows a 2022 cash-for-influence scandal at the heart of the European Parliament in which Qatar and Morocco have been accused of bribing decision-makers.

Qatar has denied wrongdoing. Morocco has complained of "judicial harassment" after a probe by Belgian prosecutors.

More recently, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said her pick for the EU's new business envoy had decided not to take up the post, after critics alleged cronyism.

Any accusations of wrongdoing risk damaging the EU's reputation ahead of European Parliament elections in June.

ECA warned the transparency register risked becoming "a paper tiger" unless it was significantly bolstered.

"A range of lobbying interactions with EU lawmakers can be hidden from the public eye," said Jorg Kristijan Petrovic, who lead the audit, which identified major loopholes.

These include requirements to register meetings between lobbyists and high-ranking staff only and solely for pre-scheduled appointments. The report also said that funding for more than one in three NGOs was unclear.

Currently, a formal record is not required for spontaneous meetings, unscheduled phone calls and email exchanges, said ECA.

New EU ethics rules are expected to set standards regarding acceptance of gifts, hospitality or travel, meeting lobbyists, financial interests, and on conditions for activities after terms have ended.

While roughly 12,500 organisations are listed in the EU register, watchdog Lobbycontrol estimates up to 29,000 lobbyists are active in Brussels where bloc-wide policies are honed.

Lobbycontrol campaigner Max Bank said Big Tech has stepped up its lobbying considerably in recent years, spending 113 million euros ($120 million) in 2023, with the five largest companies alone spending 33 million euros in the EU hub.

"No one is naive anymore after Qatar, money can buy your influence," said Paul Tang, a Dutch socialist member of the 705-strong European Parliament.

($1 = 0.9414 euros)

(Reporting by Nette Nostlinger; Editing by Gabriela Baczynska and Alexander Smith)
Though American and Mexican women have long relied on one another for abortion care, the impending restrictions in Arizona are set to create a regional lack of access that spans into the neighboring Mexican state of Sonora  where abortion is also banned with minimal exceptions.

Such stringent abortion restrictions have left organizers scrambling to support women seeking care on both sides of the border.

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Because we are on the border with the United States, what happens there affects us, Leticia Burgos Ochoa, an abortion rights activist and former Mexican senator based in Sonora, told NBC News.

For women in Sonora seeking safe, legal abortions, going to Arizona was already part of a limited set of options, Ochoa said.

Before, those who had the financial opportunity did not hesitate to go to the United States to have the care that is required, Ochoa said. Now, we have more demand for assistance from the United States.

Arizonas Supreme Court ruled last week that an 1864 law banning most abortions from the moment of conception could be enforced, creating chaos that will force women who need abortions to look elsewhere.

I would go to a different state, a Phoenix woman told NBC News outside an abortion clinic days after the ruling. Theres a way around this, but theyre making it hard. If you cant go here, go to California or Mexico, go somewhere.

A patchwork of restrictions

The growing number of American women seeking abortion care in Mexico have to navigate a medley of laws that, like the U.S., vary according to Mexicos different states. In September, Mexicos Supreme Court decriminalized abortion nationwide in a ruling that was embraced as a victory for Latin Americas green wave movement. But 20 of the countrys 32 states continue to ban elective abortions in the first trimester.

Once Arizonas law takes effect, abortion will be banned along the majority of the U.S.-Mexico border. Sonora, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas  four of the six Mexican states that make up its share of the border  also severely restrict the procedure, expanding an abortion desert that would span thousands of miles in a remote and politicized region.

The communities most impacted are those who are undocumented, those who live in rural communities with very little resources, immigrant communities where language barriers are present for them, low income communities, and individuals who are facing other intersecting issues, said Eloisa Lopez, executive director of the nonprofit abortion rights group Pro-Choice Arizona.

Many U.S. women are crossing the border to access the abortive drug misoprostol, which is sold over-the-counter in most of Mexico to treat stomach ulcers.

In Sonora, a sophisticated network of local activists have formed organizations that help get misoprostol to Mexican women  and American women  despite the states abortion ban.

But activists in Sonora say theyve seen misinformation and price gouging by pharmacies in Mexican states with stringent abortion restrictions.

Andrea Sanchez, an organizer with the Sonora-based abortion advocacy network Aborto Seguro Sonora, said that most pharmacists in the state will require a prescription or overcharge women for the drug on the black market.

We have heard of women who are sold a dose of no more than four misoprostol pills for 5,000 ($300) or 6,000 pesos ($360) and with that dose they generally will not achieve a successful abortion, Sanchez said. The serious thing is that womens vulnerability is being abused, the situation they are going through, but also that they are playing with womens health.

A blueprint for cross-border collaboration

After Texas implemented a six-week abortion ban in 2021, activists in Mexican border states began receiving a flurry of calls and messages from American women seeking care on their side of the border.

Only one state along the Texas border, Coahuila, allows abortion in the first trimester.

Vanessa Jimenez, an activist with the Necesito Abortar Mexico network in Nuevo Leon, another state bordering Texas, said she remembers on June 24, 2022, when Roe v. Wade was overturned, her organization received 70 calls, many from women in the U.S.

There were very frightened women, there were even girls who had their appointments scheduled and had them canceled at that moment, recalls Jimenez, who said that for decades  before Texas implemented strict abortion restrictions  women protesting for their reproductive rights in Nuevo Leon shouted slogans like poor women cant have an abortion, but rich women can go to Houston.

In Nuevo Leon, there are only two legal grounds for obtaining an abortion: in the case of rape and when the person's life is in danger if the pregnancy continues.

Due to these restrictions, Jimenez and a group of 20 women have focused on guiding and offering recommendations to people who wish to have an abortion using medications such as misoprostol and mifepristone, following the guidelines established by entities such as the World Health Organization and other leading groups.

Apart from American women who write and speak only English, we also get a lot of women who are migrant women who cannot go to a clinic or pay for a trip to New York or California, where abortion is legalized, and who cannot cross into Mexico, said Jimenez, who has been an abortion activist for more than 15 years. Most of the women we help in the U.S. we also provide the medication free of charge.

We help more than 1,000 women per month, said Jimenez, who estimated that approximately 30% of the counseling offered by her organization is for people from the United States, who contact them through social media or arrive in person.

In addition, seven years ago Jimenez founded a project called La Aborteria, which is a space in her home where she helps women who dont have a place to have a medical abortion. There is a belief that you need to have a doctor at your side and a nurse, but the World Health Organization itself has stated that medical abortion can be performed as an extremely safe procedure, she explains.

In Arizona, Lopez said that women affected by the states impending ban will likely seek abortions in California, Nevada or New Mexico before resorting to options in Mexico.

Whether Arizonas ban stands after Election Day remains to be seen. State organizers say they have more than enough signatures to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would let voters weigh in on whether to create a fundamental right to abortion in the state until fetal viability. Dawn Penich, a spokesperson for the nonprofit coalition Arizona for Abortion, said the amendment has gained widespread support and momentum since last weeks ruling.

Appreciation for ones personal freedoms and liberty is a very Arizona idea, said Penich, who added that, especially in the states rural communities, the idea of getting the government out of your bedroom, out of your private life and out of your exam room is very popular.

Its about having the choice and the ability to make the decision thats right for you and your family, she said.

Isabela Espadas Barros Leal reported from New York, and Albinson Linares from Mexico City.
A piece of metal that tore through a Florida home last month was space junk from the International Space Station, according to NASA.

The agency confirmed Monday that the 1.6-pound object was debris from a cargo pallet that had been intentionally released from the space station three years ago.

The pallet, packed with aging batteries, was supposed to burn up harmlessly in Earths atmosphere, but a piece survived  the piece that smashed into a house in Naples, Florida, on March 8.

WINK News, a CBS News affiliate in southwestern Florida, first reported the incident. Naples resident Alejandro Otero told the outlet that the object crashed through the roof and two floors of his home. Otero was not home at the time, he told WINK News, but the metal object nearly hit his son, who was two rooms away.

Otero did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a blog post about the incident, NASA said it had analyzed the object at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and confirmed that it was part of the equipment used to mount the batteries on the cargo pallet.

The piece of space junk is roughly cylindrical in shape and is about 4-inches tall and 1.6-inches wide. NASA said agency staff studied the objects features and metal composition and matched it to the hardware that had been jettisoned from the space station in 2021.

Right, the metal object that NASA determined was debris from the cargo pallet released from the space station in 2021. (NASA)

At that time, new lithium-ion batteries had recently been installed at the space station, so the old nickel hydrogen batteries were packed up for disposal. The space stations robotic arm released the 5,800-pound cargo pallet containing the batteries over the Pacific Ocean, as the outpost orbited 260 miles above the Earths surface, according to NASA.

Its not uncommon for space agencies and commercial space companies to discard defunct hardware in this manner, since it avoids contributing to Earths space junk problem. Tens of thousands of pieces of such junk  and millions more smaller bits of orbital debris  already clutter the space around the planet. Objects that enter the atmosphere leave space and burn, rather than joining that debris field.

In most cases, dead satellites, spent rocket parts and other objects burn up completely in the atmosphere, but occasionally, some pieces survive the fiery journey.

Most fall into the ocean. In May 2021, for instance, debris from a 20-ton Chinese rocket landed in the Indian Ocean. China was criticized for not adequately tracking its used rocket stages, and the episode sparked ongoing debates on the safe handling of space junk.

In February, the European Space Agency monitored a dead satellite as it fell back to Earth uncontrolled over the Pacific Ocean.

In 2011, NASA dealt with a similar situation when a bus-size satellite made an uncontrolled re-entry through the atmosphere. What survived from the decommissioned satellite plunged into a remote part of the Pacific.

NASA said it will perform a detailed investigation of the latest debris incident to determine how the object withstood the extreme trip through the atmosphere.

NASA specialists use engineering models to estimate how objects heat up and break apart during atmospheric re-entry, agency officials wrote in the blog post. These models require detailed input parameters and are regularly updated when debris is found to have survived atmospheric re-entry to the ground.
PM to urge restraint in message to Netanyahu after Iranian attack

Rishi Sunak is set to urge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show restraint on Tuesday after the thwarting of an Iranian attack over the weekend.

Britain joined the US and other allies in shooting down Iranian attack drones on Saturday night, and has subsequently joined the US in urging calm in the region.

The Prime Minister had been due to speak to Mr Netanyahu on Monday, but with the Israeli prime minister locked in a war cabinet this proved not to be possible.

In a Commons statement, Mr Sunak said he would express our solidarity with Israel in the face of this attack and discuss how we can prevent further escalation.

The Foreign Secretary is also expected to visit Israel soon, and on Monday urged Tel Aviv to be smart as well as tough by not escalating the conflict with Iran.

Israel is still considering its response to Saturday nights attack, which saw Iran launch around 350 drones and missiles, but on Monday night said the barrage will be met with a response.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Netanyahus official account said his country deeply appreciates the support of the United States, Britain, France and others in thwarting the Iranian attack against Israel.

He added: Directly and through its terror proxies Hamas and others, Iran is conducting a full-scale campaign of aggression that threatens not only Israel but the entire Middle East.

The international community must continue to stand united in resisting this Iranian aggression, which threatens world peace.

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace argued that the UK should use support for Israel as leverage to secure Israeli support for Ukraine (Victoria Jones/PA)

Mr Netanyahu has already spoken to US President Joe Biden and congressional majority leader Steve Scalise, according to posts on X.

Meanwhile, former defence secretary Ben Wallace urged the Government to use its defence of Israel as leverage to secure Israeli support for Ukraine.

Mr Wallace, writing in The Daily Telegraph, said Israel had been absent from the list of countries donating weapons and other items to Ukraine, and that he had pleaded with the countrys ambassador but been told Israel didnt want to upset Russia.

He said: We stand by Israel because we share common values, oppose terrorism and respect sovereignty. But if pilots of the RAF are to help protect Israel, then we should expect Israel to help Ukraine with lethal weapons and other assets, because alliances work both ways.

The former cabinet minister also called for a strong response to Irans attack, saying the UK was weak in Tehrans eyes.

He said: I have learnt, working against Britains adversaries, that the only way to deal with a bully is to retaliate.

The only option when Iran and Russia hit, I have concluded, is to hit back twice as hard and not stop until they get the message.
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Scientists have identified three new species of giant kangaroo that lived from 5 million to 40,000 years ago, one of which is around double the size of the biggest kangaroos alive today.

The giant kangaroos are from the genus Protemnodon, and would have demonstrated more variability in shape, range and hopping method than researchers previously thought, according to a statement from Flinders University in South Australia.

The research, published Monday in the journal Megataxa, is based on the discovery of several complete fossil skeletons by paleontologists working in Lake Callabonna in southern Australia. This allowed a team led by Isaac Kerr, a paleontologist at Flinders University, to answer longstanding questions about Protemnodon.

Volunteers on the archeological dig in Lake Callabonna, South Australia - Aaron Camens/Flinders University

Although Protemnodon fossils are fairly common in Australia, our understanding of the creatures was hampered by the fact that the fossils historically consisted of individual bones rather than complete animals.

While the kangaroos would have looked fairly similar to those we see today, they were more squat and muscular, according to the statement.

The three newly described species would have also hopped in different ways and adapted to live in different environments, the researchers added.

One species  P. viator  would have weighed up to 170 kilograms (375 pounds), making it around twice as heavy as the largest male red kangaroos living today.

Lead study author Isaac Kerr is pictured with kangaroo fossil. - Flinders University

The largest specimens would have stood more than 2 meters (6.6 feet) tall, Kerr told CNN on Monday.

With narrow feet, relatively short thighbones and long shinbones, it was proportioned much like the living red and grey kangaroos  built to hop quickly and efficiently, he said.

This would have helped it move between food and water sources in its open, arid central Australian habitat, he added.

Its name, viator, means traveler or wayfarer in Latin, and Kerr told CNN that the kangaroos would probably have moved in large groups known as mobs, as red and grey kangaroos do today.

Their main predator would have been Thylacoleo carnifex, the now-extinct marsupial lion, he added. About the size of a large dog, Thylacoleo was an ambush predator believed to have specialised in hunting kangaroos.

The other two newly described species are P. mamkurra and P. dawsonae.

P. mamkurra would have been quadrupedal, Kerr said in the statement, meaning it would have mainly moved on four legs rather than hopping on two.

A large but thick-boned and robust kangaroo, it was probably fairly slow-moving and inefficient. It may have hopped only rarely, perhaps just when startled, said Kerr in the statement.

Comparatively less is known about P. dawsonae because there are fewer fossils for scientists to study, but it was probably a mid-speed hopper, the researchers said.

The paper also demonstrates Protemnodons unusual ability to survive in varied environments.

The different species of Protemnodon are now known to have inhabited a broad range of habitats, from arid central Australia into the high-rainfall, forested mountains of Tasmania and New Guinea, Kerr said in the statement.

By around 40,000 years ago Protemnodon had become extinct on mainland Australia, despite the differences between the various species.

This extinction, however, did not affect similar animals such as wallaroos and grey kangaroos, for reasons scientists do not fully understand.

The team hope the study will contribute to future research that goes some way to explaining why this happened.

Next for Kerr is a trip to Papua New Guinea to undertake what he said would be the first paleontological dig there in more than 40 years, he told CNN.

There is a species of Protemnodon present in the formation well be digging at, Protemnodon otibandus, and Im hoping for a complete skull of this very interesting species, he said.

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WASHINGTON  A second House Republican said he will support an effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from power over his handling of foreign aid for Ukraine and other issues.

Rep. Thomas Massie, of Kentucky, who is a member of Johnson's own Rules Committee, said he informed the speaker directly in a closed-door meeting of House Republicans on Tuesday that he is co-sponsoring a resolution offered by far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to remove Johnson, R-La., from the top job.

Side by side of Mike Johnson and Thomas Massie (Getty Images)

"He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP speaker," Massie wrote on X, referring to former GOP Speaker John Boehner, who resigned in the middle of his term in 2015 while facing a similar conservative rebellion from Massie and others.

In addition to objections over Ukraine aid, Massie also faulted Johnson for pushing through a massive government funding package this year and passing a bill to renew a controversial FISA spying tool last week.

"He's going for the trifecta, the Triple Crown," the Kentucky congressman said.

"There are people riding him like a horse here. They don't care if the horse collapses," Massie added. "I do because it's going to throw our conference into turmoil."

Johnson told rank-and-file House Republicans in the room that he wont resign, Massie said, a point he reiterated to reporters.

I am not resigning. And it is in my view an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our jobs, Johnson said after the private meeting. It is not helpful to the country. It does not help the House Republicans advance our agenda which is in the best interest of the American people here: a secure border, sound governance  and its not helpful to the unity that we have in the body.

He added: I am not concerned about this. I am going to do my job.

With the GOP majority hanging by a thread, Johnson can afford only two GOP defections if Greene files her motion as "privileged," forcing a floor vote to vacate the speaker's chair. To successfully remove him, at least three Republicans  and all Democrats  would then need to vote for the motion to vacate.

Some Democrats, however, have said they would vote to save Johnson to prevent the House from spiraling out of control, similar to what happened last fall after conservatives toppled then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, ushering in three weeks of chaos and ultimately paving the way for Johnson's ascent.

"Massie wants the world to burn, I won't stand by and watch. I have a bucket of water," Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., wrote on X.

Its unclear how many Republicans might rally behind overthrowing Johnson, seven months before the presidential election. Other conservatives, including Reps. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Troy Nehls, R-Texas, have said they dont support a motion to vacate.

We dont need that. No way, no way! said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the founding chairman of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus and Judiciary Committee chairman who is a Johnson mentor and ally.

Many MAGA Republicans are taking their cues from their partys presumptive nominee, former President Donald Trump, who appeared with Johnson at Mar-a-Lago on Friday and signaled his support for the GOP speaker.

I stand with the speaker, Trump told reporters when asked about Greenes efforts, adding that he gets along great with both Greene and Johnson.

Its not an easy situation for any speaker. I think hes doing a very good job. Hes doing about as good as youre going to do.

One moderate Republican facing a tough re-election bid this fall, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., called Greene and Massie's efforts "idiotic."

It "does not serve the purpose of advancing the issues that these folks want," he said, "and it, in fact, undermines the majority and it undermines our ability to deal with these important issues."

Another vulnerable New York Republican, Rep. Marc Molinaro, called it "an utter waste of time and frankly a distraction from really important business.

Asked if Johnson was in trouble, Molinaro replied: No.

This week's conservative rebellion comes as Johnson attempts to move stalled foreign aid for U.S. allies including Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan through the House. Far-right members, including Greene, are demanding that Johnson and his leadership team focus their attention and resources on shoring up security of the southern border with Mexico.

Massie's support for Johnson's ouster is significant in another regard. Members of the Rules Committee, known on Capitol Hill as the "speaker's committee," are appointed by the speaker and typically carry out the speaker's wishes. Massie, however, was put on the influential panel by McCarthy last year, and Johnson has had to bypass the Rules Committee on a number of occasions to get critical legislation to the floor.
(Left to right) Ohio residents Lindsey Rusch of Grandview Heights, Sue Rusch of Columbus, and Lisa Rusch of Grandview Heights visiting Whalers Village in Kaanapali near Lahaina on Maui.

In a nod to its rich cultural heritage, Hawaii's State Legislature appears poised to designate the iconic "shaka" gesture as the island's official symbol, recognizing it as its birthplace.

The shaka, also known as "hang loose" or "hang ten," is characterized by extending the pinky and thumb while curling down the remaining fingers and waving. The gesture, an intrinsic part of Hawaiian culture and embraced by the surfing community, is commonly used to convey greetings, gratitude and camaraderie.

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Aloha State lawmakers introduced a pair of bills earlier this year to make the shaka the official gesture of Hawaii. If the bills pass, the iconic two-finger sign of goodwill would become the first state-sanctioned wave in the nation.

But where did the shaka come from, and how do locals feel about the bill?

The history of the Hawaii hand gesture

The roots of the "shaka" symbol can be traced back to the early 1900s, intertwined with the indomitable spirit of one man: Hamana Kalili.

Kalili, a worker at the Kahuku Sugar Mill, endured a life-altering accident when his hand was caught in the factory rollers. This left him with only two fingers on his right handthe thumb and the pinky. Despite the hardship, Kalili found a new purpose as the security officer for the local train, tasked with warding off mischievous children from hitching joyrides.

With a wave of his unique two-finger hand, Kalili signaled the children to halt their antics. Initially born out of necessity, the gesture soon became a symbol of respect and understanding within the community, and residents adopted Kalili's distinctive wave.

As the waves of tourists began to flock to Hawaii after World War II, the shaka symbol found its way beyond the shores of Kahuku. Visitors embraced the gesture, embodying its message of inclusivity and compassion.

Today, Hamana Kalili's legacy endures through a bronze statue erected in his honor at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie.

Though the exact origins of the term "shaka" remain debated, some theories suggest a link to Japan's Shaka Buddha.

Residents feel a deep connection with the gesture.

The legislation enjoys widespread bipartisan support from both residents and lawmakers, indicating a clear path to becoming law. While some view it as a mere formality, others are more enthusiastic.

Kara Simpson, a 32-year-old small business owner from Kailua, said the gesture is already "engrained" in Hawaii's culture.

"I think it's pretty standard and already a symbol of the state. I don't think they have to officially make it (a distinction), but it's cool. I think it's already a big thing here," Simpson said.

Marian Clark, a 40-year-old nurse from Windward Oahu, said the bill was "important" and noted how she taught her son to "shaka" whenever someone lets them cross the street.

"It's an expression of love. Hi, goodbye. Thank you. I feel like it has multiple meanings, but it's positive," Clark said. "It's just a symbol of Aloha and representation of where you're from."

Jeff Kamakele, a 70-year-old resident from Windward Oahu, agreed with Clark's sentiment.

"It's unique to the islands because it really started from here. You know, so it's something that we can relate to," Kamakele said. "I think it's a good thing because it identifies us."

Project Shaka takes over Hawaii in 2024

'Shaka-mania in Hawaii' gains momentum, with several other statewide projects celebrating the iconic gesture later this year.

Starting in June, Hawaii residents can visit the state's Department of Motor Vehicles and sign up for a special license plate featuring the shaka hand gesture. The aloha tags will cost $30.50, with $20 of the proceeds supporting business education programs.

The shaka gesture has come a long way from being a simple hand sign to a cultural symbol. Technology experts are recommending that the Unicode Consortium, which decides on the creation of emojis, reconsider a new shaka symbol that accurately represents the gesture by having the fingers facing inward. The decision is expected in November, and if approved, the shaka emoji will be used in countless text messages worldwide.

Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter @JeremyYurow.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hawaii's 'shaka' hand sign proposed as official state symbol
Emergence of SF-friendly generation, globalization of K-drama boost new SF series

By KTimes

The K-content market is currently experiencing a surge of interest in science fiction dramas.

This month, streaming platforms are unveiling high-profile SF titles, including "Parasyte: The Grey" and "Blood Free," along with Netflix's "Goodbye Earth," which depicts a society plunged into chaos for 200 days following a predicted collision between Earth and an asteroid.

Together with "Chicken Nugget," released in March, the lineup of SF dramas for the first half of the year has more than doubled compared to the same period in 2022.

An overseas viewer of the Netflix drama "Parasyte: The Grey" called it "an impressive science fiction show. The transformation from human to monster and back is terrifying."

According to the movie and drama rating site IMDB, "The Grey" has earned an average score of 7.3 out of 10, with 5,900 participants weighing in.

Since its release on April 5, it has maintained the top spot in Netflix's series category worldwide for ten consecutive days, as tracked by FlixPatrol. The drama depicts a clash between humans and alien parasitic creatures that use humans as hosts.

In a striking scene from the Disney+ drama "Blood Free," a holographic image of cattle strung up on the ceiling of a hotel hall is displayed as Han Hyo-joo's character, Yoon Ja-yoo, CEO of a biotech company, unveils a cultured meat project to her guests.

The scene intricately shows the production process, where stem-cell-derived bright red meat is precisely layered with white fat, resembling the lines on a human's palm. "Blood Free" is set in a speculative future where traditional livestock like cows and pigs are replaced by artificially cultured meat. It follows the investigation into mysterious deaths and uncovering the truth behind them.

Shifting consumer preferences



Historically, South Korea has been a challenging market for SF dramas. In 2021, JTBC invested 20 billion won to mark its 10th anniversary with the ambitious "Sisyphus: The Myth," which failed to resonate with viewers.

Even Kim Eun-sook, a writer known for hit shows, could not revive the struggling SF genre with "The King: Eternal Monarch" in 2020. Given this frosty reception, the current surge in SF drama production is unprecedented.

The shift is intertwined with changes in consumer behavior. Young adults, particularly those aged between 10 and 30, are already living lives that mirror SF narratives.

After experiencing social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, many now interact with AI chatbots as if they were human friends, and teenagers, increasingly aware of the climate crisis, are actively involved in environmental movements.

This familiarity with SF thinking and lifestyle has created a fertile ground for the consumption of SF dramas. Park Saeng-gang, a novelist and drama critic, said, "The rise of star writers like Kim Cho-yeop and Chung Bora and their approach to depicting the stifling realities of Korean life through SF have already made a significant impact in the publishing industry, and now we see this influence extending to drama production."

Globalization fuels SF dramas

The globalization of K-content has played a catalytic role in the production boom of SF dramas. The four SF dramas released from January to April were all funded by global streaming platforms.

According to culture critic Jung Deok-hyun, "SF's characteristic global narratives are appealing to international audiences through Korean dramas, which not only underscores the global impact of K-content but also reflects a strategic move to attract global subscribers with uniquely Korean SF stories."

This shift in production capital from traditional strongholds like the United States and Britain to Korea is significant, as evidenced by Korean actor Lee Jung-jae wielding a lightsaber in the upcoming "Star Wars" series "The Acolyte."

As the production of SF dramas increases, actors and crew members are facing new challenges. Jeon So-nee, who portrays a hybrid of human and parasitic lifeform in "The Grey," shared her difficulties, "When I went to action school, even the trainers were unsure of what to teach for such a role. We ended up just focusing on basic physical training."

The continued production of SF dramas is also seen as a reaction to acute social issues like a low birthrate and generational conflicts, which have heightened a sense of crisis about coexistence.

"Envisioning extraterrestrial threats to solidify internal cohesion is a classic trope and social function of science fiction. Challenges such as low birthrates add a layer of realism to the imaginative possibilities of the SF genre in Korea," said Yun Seok-jin, a professor of Korean literature at Chungnam National University.

Half growth reliant on Japanese originals

In contrast to the original Japanese series featuring an ordinary high school student as the protagonist, "Parasyte: The Grey" features Jeong Su-in (played by Jeon So-nee), a woman and a crime victim who works at a supermarket and experiences a near-death revival.

This mirrors contemporary issues in Korean society, including hate crimes, such as an incident where a woman convenience store worker was assaulted by a stranger simply because she had short hair.

Director Yeon Sang-ho of "Parasyte: The Grey" said, "I incorporated elements that allow us to contemplate what coexistence truly means, assuming that the events dealt with in the original Japanese version happened simultaneously in Korea."

While the production of SF dramas is on the rise, reliance on Japanese originals for series like "The Grey" and "Goodbye Earth" highlights the ongoing challenges in diversifying SF content in the Korean market. As the industry looks outward to international markets, the drive to innovate within the SF genre is stronger than ever, providing both opportunities and challenges for creators.





This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.
The Supreme Court grappled Tuesday with the breadth of obstruction charges filed against one-fourth of the defendants from the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, including former President Donald Trump.

Prosecutors have applied a 2002 law adopted in the wake of a financial scandal so broadly that even peaceful protesters could face 20 years in prison if the government's interpretation is allowed to stand, Jeffrey Green, a lawyer for Jan. 6 defendant Joseph Fischer, told the court.

Green urged the justices to interpret the law narrowly, applying it only to the destruction of documents, and to avoid turning a catchall provision into a dragnet.

If the high court sides with the Fischer, a former Pennsylvania police officer, hundreds of people convicted or facing trial for entering the Capitol on Jan. 6 could see their top felony charge dismissed  a victory for those defendants and for supporters, including Trump, who say they were unfairly targeted.

But Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the Justice Department, told the justices that the obstruction law's limits are clear, noting that three-quarters of the Jan. 6 defendants havent been charged with it. She argued the law applied to obstructing an official meeting, such as Congress counting Electoral College votes, with corrupt intent  such as threating violence.

Several justices said they were searching for boundaries for what crimes the law should cover.

We need to find out what are the outer reaches of this statute, under your interpretation, Justice Samuel Alito said to Prelogar.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked about how broadly the law was being interpreted. Should I be concerned? Barrett asked Prelogar.

Joseph Fischer is seen in photos that were part of an FBI arrest warrant. Joseph Fischer, a former police officer in central Pennsylvania, faces seven charges including disorderly conduct and impeding police officers in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. His trial has been on hold since his arrest in February 2021 while he asks the Supreme Court to rule on whether one of the statutes behind an obstruction charge applies to him. More than one in four of the Jan. 6 defendants  including former President Donald Trump  were charged under the same obstruction statute, so the case could have wide-ranging impact. It might get violent, Fischer wrote in a series of texts about his plans for Jan. 6, according to court records. He warned his police chief he might need him to post bail. Fischer made it inside the Rotunda before police pepper-sprayed him and he left, according to court records. He spent less than 4 minutes inside the Capitol. Take democratic congress to the gallows, Fischer wrote later during the riot, according to court records. Cant vote if they cant breathe..lol.

Does pulling a fire arm or heckling at the State of the Union qualify for obstruction charge? Gorsuch asks

Justice Neil Gorsuch and Alito asked whether non-violent protests could be charged. Gorsuch asked whether pulling a fire alarm before a congressional vote, disrupting a trial or heckling the presidents State of the Union speech would qualify for charges with a 20-year maximum sentence.

Alito asked whether a protest in the courtroom would warrant charges if five people standing up to speak about Jan. 6 were removed forcibly, delaying arguments for 5 minutes.

"Has the government applied this provision to other protests in the past, and has this been the government's position throughout the lifespan of this statute?" Justice Clarence Thomas asked.

Prelogar said there have not been previous charges involving protests under the law, but it had been used in cases other than for shredding paperwork, such as in tipping off suspects about a grand jury or about an undercover cop.

In response to Alito and Gorsuch, she said it would be difficult to charge brief protests under the obstruction law because the disruption was brief and because the protesters would have First Amendment claims. She contrasted that to the violence on Jan. 6.

I think its in a fundamentally different posture than if they had stormed into the courtroom, overrun the Supreme Court police, required the justices and other participants to flee for their safety and done so with clear evidence of intent to obstruct, Prelogar said.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor sounded friendlier to the governments position. She said if a theater posts a sign threatened to kick out anyone who photographed or recorded the actors, an audience member could still be kicked for yelling that obstructs the performance.

Its not the manner in which you obstruct, its the fact that youve obstructed, Sotomayor said.

Justices focus on meaning of word 'otherwise'

The disputed language in the law prohibits anyone from corruptly destroying or concealing a government record, or who otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so.

The otherwise is a key part of the legal dispute. Green argued the otherwise means the law is targeted at document destruction. If the law applied to disrupting official meetings, it would be too harsh and broad, Green argued.

The government wants to unleash a 20-year maximum penalty on potential peaceful protests, Green said. People are going to worry about the kinds of protests they engage in even if theyre peaceful because the government has this weapon.

But Prelogar argued the otherwise was a classic catchall that lawmakers adopted to cover creative forms of obstruction.

After Enron, what Congress thought is, We dont want novel ways that we are thinking about to obstruct a proceeding to not be a crime. We do want to cover the waterfront of obstructive conduct with the backstop of a criminally corrupt frame of mind, Prelogar said.

Justice Alito said the governments interpretation might be the more straightforward and urged Green to explain why his version is better.

I think that you may be biting off more than you can chew by suggesting  if you are indeed suggesting  that the otherwise clause can only be read the way you read it, Alito said.

Justice Elena Kagan said Congress adopted the law in 2002 after the Enron scandal, which included shredding documents, to fill gaps in what charges could be filed.

They said, Lets have a backstop provision, Kagan said. This is their backstop provision.

(FILES) Justices of the US Supreme Court (from left) Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justice Samuel Alito and Associate Justice Elena Kagan, (Standing behind from left) Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, pose for their official photo at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on October 7, 2022. The US Supreme Court unveiled an ethics code on November 13, 2023, following a series of scandals over lavish gifts and luxury vacations received by some of its justices. The nine members of the nation's highest court are the only federal judges not explicitly subject to ethical oversight, and pressure has been mounting from Democrats in the Senate for them to adopt a code of conduct. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_343E4EL.jpg

Sentencing under law much shorter than 20-year maximum: lawyer

Fischer, a former police officer in central Pennsylvania, faces the obstruction charge plus a handful of misdemeanor counts for entering the Capitol Rotunda and being driven out by police with pepper spray.

Two of four charges against Trump in his federal election interference case are based on the same law, so the Supreme Court's decision could affect him and hundreds of others. But special counsel Jack Smith has argued that, even if Fischer is successful, Trump could still be charged because of other actions he took to recruit alternate presidential electors before the congressional count on Jan. 6.

Despite Greens concern about the laws 20-year maximum sentence, Prelogar said prison terms from Jan. 6 have been far shorter. Congress adopted the law in 2002 after the Enron scandal, when the failed energy firm's accountants were found to have destroyed documents and no charges were available to use against them.

About 350 out of 1,350 Jan. 6 defendants were charged under the obstruction law. Prosecutors charged defendants by arguing they knew Congress was meeting and tried to disrupt it, threated violence or showed a willingness to use violence, or brought tactical or military gear, she said.

Weve never had a situation like this before where theres been a situation like this attempting to stop a proceeding violently, Sotomayor said.

The average sentence for a Jan. 6 defendant without a criminal history who committed violence was 10 to 16 months, Prelogar said. The average for a non-violent defendant was six to 12 months.

Among about 50 defendants whose only felony conviction was the obstruction charge, the sentences averaged 26 months, Prelogar said.

There is no reasonable argument to be made that the statutory maximum is driving anything with respect to sentencing, Prelogar said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court weighs limits on obstruction charge in Jan. 6 cases
Donald Trump attends the second day of his trial on Tuesday. Photograph: Justin Lane/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump met a stern rebuke on Tuesday from the jurist presiding over his criminal hush-money trial, with the judge warning: I wont have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom.

Trumps apparent misbehavior did not derail the trials progress; seven jurors were picked by days end.

Judge Juan Merchans comment came shortly after jury selection resumed after lunch. Trumps team had found video on one possible jurors social media that appeared to show a street celebration over his loss in the 2020 election.

She was called in to answer questions about it, and when she left, Merchan directly addressed Trumps lawyers. Your client was audible, Merchan said, noting that she was just 12ft from him.

It was audible. He was gesturing and he was speaking in the direction of the juror, Merchan said, insisting he would not accept such behavior.

I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom, Merchan admonished. Take a minute to speak to your client.

Merchans warning to Trump marked a sharp diversion from what was otherwise a relatively routine jury selection process.

Trump had arrived at the Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday morning for the second day of jury selection in his historical criminal trial involving hush-money payments to a porn star.

When Trump walked into court around 9.30am, the ex-president winked at a court security officer and took his seat at the defense table. His longtime aide Jason Miller was seated at the back of the courtroom, according to a pool report.

On Monday afternoon, of the 96 potential jurors who were asked if they would have trouble being impartial, 50 raised their hands and were excused  further evidence of the challenge facing the judge, Juan Merchan, of finding 12 jurors and six alternates who do not have strong biases either for or against Trump.

The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, brought the case against the former president over payments purportedly aimed at keeping secret his alleged affairs with the adult film star Stormy Daniels and the Playboy model Karen McDougall. Prosecutors said Trump schemed to keep these alleged liaisons hidden from American voters so he would not suffer in the 2016 presidential election.

The trial is unfolding amid a presidential contest in which Trump is all but guaranteed to be the Republican nominee facing Joe Biden in November.

Braggs office contends that Trump, whom a grand jury indicted in spring 2023 on 34 counts of falsifying business records, was part of an alleged catch-and-kill scheme from August 2015 until December 2017, with his then attorney, Michael Cohen.

Trumps criminal hush-money trial: what to know

Trumps former consigliere, who in 2018 admitted to federal charges for his involvement in that particular hush-money scheme, wired $130,000 to Danielss then attorney less than two weeks before the election. Cohen funneled these funds via a shell company.

After Trump won the presidential election, he repaid Cohen with a smattering of monthly checks, initially from the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust, which was set up in New York to hold the presidents companys assets during the 2016 presidency.

The company, however, framed the payments as legal expenses, which prosecutors say indicate that Trump was liable for making false business records with intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime  specifically, violating campaign finance laws in an effort to influence the outcome of the US election.

The papers in prosecutors contempt motion against Trump were publicly available on Tuesday. They argued on Monday in court that he violated Merchans gag order against attacking witnesses. Judge Merchan has convened a hearing on the motion for 23 April.

When selection resumed on Tuesday another prospective juror was excused after citing his Texas upbringing. While he said he did not lean in any particular political direction, growing up, a bunch of family [and] friends [were] Republicans meaning it was probably going to be hard for me to be impartial.

I appreciate your candor, Merchan replied. Im going to have to excuse you at this time.

Another prospective juror said he had read three of Trumps books, prompting a rare smile from Trump.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass later asked prospects who had yet to be dismissed about their impartiality.

This case has nothing to do with your personal politics, he said. Its not a referendum on the Trump presidency or a popularity contest or indication of who youre going to vote for in November. We dont care.

This case is about whether this man broke the law.

Directly after court, Trump visited a New York bodega in his first campaign appearance since his hush-money trial began, making the presumptive GOP nominee the first former president in US history to stand criminal trial.

Trump will be confined to the courtroom on most days, dramatically limiting his movements and his ability to campaign, fundraise and make calls. Aides have been planning rallies and other political events on weekends and Wednesdays, the one weekday when court is not supposed to be in session. Plans also include local appearances Trump can make after court recesses each day.

Trump stopped by the Sanaa Convenient Store, a tiny bodega that sells chips, soda and other snacks. Trump aides said the former president and presumptive GOP nominee chose the store because it has been the site of a violent attack on an employee although the case was resolved nearly two years ago when the charges were dismissed.

His local campaign stop in Harlem allows him to make a serious play at winning his native state despite its heavily Democratic lean.

They want law and order ... every week theyre being robbed, Trump said of businesses in New York, as he tried to compare his prosecution with the state of New York streets. You know where the crime is? Its in the bodegas.
U.S. officials expect a possible Israeli response to Irans attack over the weekend to be limited in scope and most likely involve strikes against Iranian military forces and Iranian-backed proxies outside Iran, four U.S. officials told NBC News.

The U.S. assessment is based on conversations between U.S. and Israeli officials that happened before Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night.

As Israel was preparing for a possible Iranian attack last week, Israeli officials briefed U.S. officials about possible response options, the U.S. officials said.

The U.S. officials stressed that they have not been briefed on Israels final decision about how it will respond and that the options could have changed since the weekend attack. They also said that it is not clear when an Israeli response will happen but that it could happen at any time.

President Joe Biden and other leaders have called for restraint after Israel vowed it would respond to Irans attack Saturday, which was in retaliation for an Israeli strike April 1 on an Iranian consular building in Syria, which killed two of Tehrans top generals.

The scenarios briefed about last week regarding possible retaliatory action for the consular strike ranged from a modest attack by Iran to a widespread attack that resulted in Israeli casualties and the destruction of Israeli facilities, the officials said.

The potential Israeli responses ranged from no military action to strikes inside Iran.

Because the Iranian attack did not result in Israeli deaths or widespread destruction, the U.S. officials said, Israel could respond with one of its less aggressive options  strikes outside Iran.

The options could include striking inside Syria, three U.S. officials said. The officials do not expect the response to target senior Iranian officials but to instead strike shipments or storage facilities with advanced missile parts, weapons or components that are sent from Iran to Hezbollah.

The U.S. does not intend to take part in the military response, the officials added. They do expect Israel to share information about the actions with Washington in advance, specifically if it could have negative repercussions for Americans in the region.

An Israeli official said Monday after a meeting of Israels war Cabinet that Israels response to the Iranian attack may be imminent, noting that decision-makers believed it was important for any response to follow close to the attack. The Israeli official said several diplomatic and military options were examined during the meeting.

The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system launches in central Israel to intercept missiles fired from Iran over the weekend. (Tomer Neuberg / AP)

The U.S. and other allies came to Israels aid during the strikes, helping it intercept the vast majority of drones and missiles fired at the country. But in a call Saturday, President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not participate in offensive operations against Iran, a senior administration official has said.

A chorus of chorus and diplomats has condemned the weekend strikes while also cautioning against further escalation in the region.

I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Sunday at a meeting of the Security Council.

Gilad Erdan, Israels representative to the U.N., said at the meeting that Israel reserves the legal right to retaliate and that the world cannot settle for inaction.

Iran has said in a statement from its Foreign Ministry that the strikes were carried out in exercise of its inherent right of self-defense. The statement said Iran would not hesitate to take further necessary defensive measures to protect its legitimate interests against any act of military aggression or unlawful use of force.
Understand the different styles of gin beyond London Dry.

Sarah Maiden / Food & Wine

Among the most widely consumed distilled spirits, gin is unique. Where other liquors are defined by their base ingredient, distillation style, and geographical origin, gin is set apart by the distinctive botanicals used to flavor the spirit.

When you hear gin, juniper is the first thing that should come to mind, says Summer Goff, lead bartender at Death & Co. Denver. Legally, juniper must be in the botanical blend for anything labeled gin. The other botanicals used are completely up to the producer and can vary based on where the spirit is made.

Related: How Is Gin Made?

The broader spectrum of gin has very few rules, says Natasha Bahrami, owner of The Gin Room in St. Louis. It can be distilled from anything that can be fermented, [it] must use juniper but predominance is not strictly measured, and [it can be] distilled in so many ways from pot still to vapor distilled to distilling each botanical separately.

The category is incredibly diverse due to the relative freedom given to producers, but also because of the spirits long and storied history. Think of gin as the ultimate spectrum of flavors, says Bahrami. Every gin is not for everybody, but there definitely is a gin for every palate.

There are many sub-categories of gin. This can also include genever or jenever, sometimes called Holland gin, the predecessor of modern gin though one that has its own unique distinctions. In modern bartending, however, there are typically four main styles of gin to note. These are the differences between each and how best to use them in your drinks, according to experts.

London Dry Gin

Sarah Maiden / Food & Wine

The London Dry style is what most casual drinkers think of as gin. Its the most widely consumed style of the spirit, typified in classic brands like Beefeater, Tanqueray, and newer labels like Fords Gin.

London Dry gin is the only subcategory of gin that has any sort of legal definition, though interestingly, it isnt required to be made in London.

Related: What Is London Dry Gin?

To be considered a London Dry gin, the botanicals used must all be natural, and they must be included during the distillation process rather than macerated or infused after distillation is complete. [Londong Dry gin] is recognizable for its very juniper and citrus-forward aroma and flavor profile, says Goff. The color will be clear, sometimes with a silvery tint from the botanical oils. It should be bright, clean, and crisp, warming but not sharp.

When it comes to classic gin cocktails, bartenders usually reach for London Dry gin first. Its crisp juniper-forward flavor and aroma can maintain its character when mixed with syrups, citrus juice, and liqueurs, such as in a Gimlet or a Last Word. For the person who prefers their Martini dry, this is the gin category for you, says Goff.

Old Tom Gin

Sarah Maiden / Food & Wine

Although theres no legal definition for Old Tom gin, this style dates back to the 1800s and is often described as a bridge between London Dry gin, and genever.

Old Tom Gin has the same classic gin botanicals of juniper, citrus, coriander, and orris root, but has some added sugar post-production and may see some barrel aging, says Goff. Because there are no legal standards dictating production, each distillery can approach the style however they choose.

The addition of sugar or barrel aging has a pronounced effect on the flavor and viscosity, though the classic botanical notes associated with London Dry gin are still present. It has a softer, more viscous mouth feel and its softer demeanor lends itself to cocktails like the Bees Knees, Martinez cocktail, or a barrel-aged Old Tom Bobby Burns with the Barr Hill Tom Cat, says Bahrami.

Plymouth Gin

Sarah Maiden / Food & Wine

Plymouth gin is a unique subcategory of gin thats represented by only one brand, also named Plymouth. Made in the town of Plymouth on the southern coast of Devon, England, the style of gin once had a specific geographic certification, but the brand allowed it to lapse in 2014 to avoid having to disclose its production process.

Plymouth is made similarly to the London Dry style, meaning most of the familiar botanicals are used to flavor it. Where it begins to differ is the balance of those botanicals, says Goff. Where other London Dry brands allow juniper to take center stage, Plymouth allows the other botanicals to step up, resulting in more present earthy and citrus notes.

The aroma of Plymouth gin is more focused on citrus and a bit of earthiness thats supported by juniper. It has a softer flavor profile than London Dry gin which makes it a versatile base for cocktails. Plymouth lends itself well to almost any cocktail application, from Gimlets to Martinis, says Goff. My favorite Martini is 50/50 Plymouth and blanc vermouth, with a twist.

Bahrami also enjoys Plymouth gin in a Martini. Plymouth gin has somehow always been my favorite gin for a Dirty Martini, the cocktail that got me into gin, she says.

New Western/Contemporary Gin

Sarah Maiden / Food & Wine

Contemporary, New Western, or New American gin are catch-all terms that describe more modern gins that dont fit into any of the historic subcategories. Although the use of juniper is required, producers who make gin in the New Western can use a variety of techniques and often experiment with things like vapor distillation or going beyond the classic botanicals used to flavor more traditional gins.

I think the most exciting examples of this category are producers using botanicals that represent where it's being made, says Goff. St. George Terroir and Leopold No. 25 are great examples. Theyre using botanicals that grow specific to the region, or even on the distillery estate. The use of freshly foraged rose, native sage, cucumber, lavender, jasmine, and chamomile have all been explored by various producers.

Because of the diversity in flavor across this sub-category, this style can work with a wide range of drinks.

In cocktails, you can start to flex your creativity and choose the cocktail based on the gin, says Goff. [A gin] that has delicate florals like jasmine and chamomile, try it in a Clover Club. [For] one that has a bunch of alpine herbs, try in a White Negroni.

Bahrami agrees. Contemporary gins can be a lot of fun as they are quite expressive in their botanical builds and lend themselves especially well to a range of tonics, she adds.

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Read the original article on Food & Wine.
By Sriparna Roy and Leroy Leo

(Reuters) -UnitedHealth Group said on Tuesday it expects the hack of its Change Healthcare unit to cost the company up to $1.6 billion this year but maintained its 2024 earnings forecast, suggesting a less severe impact of the cyberattack than many on Wall Street had feared.

Despite the massive disruptions, the healthcare conglomerate beat estimates for first-quarter earnings as medical costs dropped from higher rates hit late last year, sending its shares up 5.3%. Through Monday's close, United shares had fallen nearly 15% since it disclosed the ransomware attack on Feb. 21.

UnitedHealth's upbeat results drove up the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Tuesday. Shares of some rival health insurers including Elevance, CVS Health and Humana were also up, with Humana climbing more than 2%.

The hack at Change, a provider of healthcare billing and data systems and a key node in the U.S. healthcare system, disrupted payments to doctors and healthcare facilities nationwide for a month while taking a harsh toll on community health centers that serve more than 30 million poor and uninsured patients.

The health insurer relaxed, or removed, prior authorization processes for some claims following the hack, stoking concerns of an increase in medical costs. Executives said on Tuesday that these have recently been reinstated.

There were also delays in claim submissions as medical care providers, unable to access the Change system, struggled with paperwork.

"Weve made substantial progress and we will not rest until care providers connectivity needs are met," UnitedHealth Chief Executive Andrew Witty said on a conference call to discuss results.

UnitedHealth has so far provided advance funding worth more than $6 billion to certain healthcare providers. While several of its major services have resumed operations, many more continue to reel from the impact of the outage.

Change's pharmacy claims and payment management businesses are 80% functional, and the company will bring more products online in the coming weeks, according to Roger Connor, CEO of UnitedHealth's OptumInsight unit, which runs Change. The company believes Change will return to its baseline performance next year.

Connor said he is confident Change can bring back customers who had to go to rivals because of the outage.

'NOT AS SEVERE'

The company said it had already booked $872 million in costs related to the data breach in the quarter, most of it as one-time items.

Still, UnitedHealth backed its 2024 adjusted profit forecast of $27.50 to $28 per share. Disruptions from the hack are expected to impact profit by $1.15 to $1.35 per share this year, the company said.

"The impact of the hack is not severe as expected, especially seeing that they maintained their adjusted earnings outlook for the year despite the business disruption," said Gerrit Smit, head of global equity management at investment firm Stonehage Fleming, which held more than 90,000 UnitedHealth shares as of the end of last year.

Morningstar analyst Julie Utterback said demand for medical care trends were in line with management's expectations, which should be a relief to industry investors who have been concerned about those elevated costs.

UnitedHealth reported a rise in medical care ratio - the percentage of premiums spent on medical care - to 84.3% from 82.2% a year earlier. The company's fourth-quarter ratio was 85%, which it had blamed in part on older Americans seeking respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines and receiving additional medical services.

UnitedHealth has yet to disclose the amount of personal data that was breached in the hack. It must report that information within 60 days as required by federal law.

For the quarter, UnitedHealth reported a profit of $7.16 per share, excluding a hit of 25 cents from business disruptions caused by the data breach, compared with the analysts' estimates of $6.61 per share, according to LSEG.

The company recorded a net loss of $1.53 per share due also to a $7 billion charge related to the sale of its Brazil unit, Amil.

(Reporting by Leroy Leo and Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru, Additional reporting by Michael Erman in New Jersey; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Bill Berkrot)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said spending legislation will be released later on Tuesday with lawmakers still hammering out final figures, as the House prepares to vote on four separate measures providing aid to Israel and Ukraine.

The measures, which would also include aid to Taiwan and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, could come for a vote as early as Friday  more than two months after the Senate passed a bill providing additional assistance for the two allies embroiled in conflict.

Johnson, in an interview on Fox News, said the fourth bill addressing national security priorities will include additional sanctions on Russia and Iran as well as a provision regarding the "seizure of corrupt Russian oligarchs' assets to assist with all this."

He also said lawmakers are "trying merge some" provisions to secure the U.S. border into the legislation but gave no additional details. Regarding the spending amounts, "some of that's still being decided," Johnson said, adding that lawmakers could to amend the measures to require "pay fors" to offset costs.

Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden has been pushing Johnson to allow a vote on supplemental funding, as have Senate Republicans and Democrats. But Johnson had given a variety of reasons to delay, including them the need to focus taxpayer dollars on domestic issues.

Many hard-right Republicans, especially those closely allied with former President Donald Trump, who is challenging Biden in the November presidential election, have been skeptical of assisting Kyiv in its fight against Russia and fiercely oppose sending billions more dollars to Ukraine.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
Keanu Reeves and his girlfriend Alexandra Grant are still going strong.

The couple made a rare public appearance on April 13 when they attended the MOCA Gala 2024 at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles.

Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves attend MOCA Gala 2024 at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA on April 13, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Charley Gallay / Getty Images for The Museum of C)

The couple of several years posed for photos on the black carpet. Grant looked lovely in an aqua ball gown, while the actor wore a navy suit with brown boots and a scarf.

Grant and Reeves did not hide their love for one another at the event. During one moment, they were photographed kissing.

Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves share a kiss as they attend MOCA Gala 2024 at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA on April 13, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Stefanie Keenan / Getty Images for The Museum of C)

Grant previously said she's glad she met the Matrix actor when she was already established in her career.

During a Sept. 23, 2023, interview with People, Grant talked about her relationship with Reeves and the pros of falling in love in her adult years.

The good news about falling in love as an adult is that I had built my own career by the time that my relationship had begun, she said. I feel very confident in the relationship on the red carpet. I feel confident on it alone.

Grant noted that sometimes she gets frustrated creatively and could feel like a Maserati stuck in traffic. But thanks to Reeves, hes helped her overcome this feeling.

What I love about Keanu and our exchange is that were pushing each other to build new roads, she said. Seeing the other persons problem-solving is inspiring, like, Oh, well, okay, this one, thats a cul-de-sac. How do I try this other thing?"

Hes such an inspiration to me, she continued. Hes so creative, hes so kind. He works so hard.

Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant (David M. Benett / Getty Images)

Grant said that as an artist, her work has absolutely changed since she started dating Reeves.

I had a studio visit a few years ago, and this very kind, very high-level person said, I can see that your work has gotten happier,  she recalled. Thats real. Were all human beings. Were animals. Were expressing from where we are and certainly feeling happier. I think the work is happier.

Read on to learn more about how Reeves and Grants relationship evolved.

Reeves and Grant meet in 2009 and worked on a project together in 2011

Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant met in 2009 at a dinner party, according to The New York Times Style Magazine, and just two years later, Reeves and Grant published a book together titled "Ode to Happiness," which Reeves wrote and Grant illustrated.

In a 2020 interview with British Vogue, Grant recalled what it was like to work on the project with Reeves and said their friends were the ones who pushed them to publish the book.

The book was made as a surprise, by me, for Keanu, as a private gift, Grant said. All our friends sitting in the room got the giggles when I gave it to him  they said, Please publish it! So thats how we got into publishing.

Reeves and Grant go public with their romance

In 2019, the pair were pictured at several red carpet events together. In May 2019, they attended the MOCA Benefit in Los Angeles, then one month later, they went to the Saint Laurent Mens SS20 show in Malibu, California, where they were seen holding hands.

The couple were pictured holding hands again at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles in November 2019.

Alexandra Grant looks endearingly at Keanu Reeves as they attend the 2019 LACMA Art + Film Gala at LACMA in November 2019. (Taylor Hill / Getty Images)

By the time they walked that red carpet, fans were starting to put two and two together about their relationship. Rumors began surfacing that Reeves and Grant were dating one another, even though they never officially confirmed it themselves.

Grant opens up about the public's reaction to her relationship with Reeves

In her 2020 interview with British Vogue, Grant revealed how she felt about her relationship with Reeves going public.

I think every single person I knew called me in the first week of November, and thats fascinating, she said. But the question Ive been asking in all of this is: What is the opportunity for good?

During the interview, Grant also shared her views about marriage. When asked if she would be interested in getting married, Grant responded, Over a glass of wine I would love to tell you."

Love at every level is deeply important to my identity. Hows that for dodging the question?" she continued. "I do not believe that isolation is the way. There is a period of isolation that I do as a painter, but I deeply value the experience of being in relationships.

Reeves opens up about his 'last moments of bliss' with Grant

In a March 2023 interview with People, the John Wick" star was asked to share his last moment of bliss and he immediately started to think about the time he spent with his girlfriend.

A couple of days ago with my honey, Reeves recalled. We were in bed. We were connected. We were smiling and laughing and giggling. Feeling great. It was just really nice to be together."

The couples PDA moments

MOCA Gala 2023 - Arrivals (Momodu Mansaray / WireImage)

In April 2023, Reeves pulled his girlfriend in close and gave her a big kiss on the lips at the 2023 MOCA Gala in Los Angeles.

The pair were also pictured smiling together on the red carpet and holding hands.

2023 LACMA Art+Film Gala, Presented By Gucci - Red Carpet (Michael Kovac / Getty Images for LACMA)

Not shy about showing their love for one another, the pair held hands while posing for pictures at the LACMA Art + Film Gala on Nov. 4, 2023.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Risks vs rewards of communicating directly with fans online

By KTimes

Celebrities' social media activities have sparked controversies recently, especially when stars post content without the approval of their agencies.

This is not a recent phenomenon. Fans have frequently criticized agencies for not effectively managing their stars' social media accounts.

For instance, actor Han So-hee faced a backlash for making comments on social media targeted at Hyeri, a former partner of actor Ryu Jun-yeol, after news about her own relationship with him arose.

Another actor, Hwang Jung-eum, had to apologize after wrongly accusing a non-celebrity of being her ex-husband's mistress. Both actors, previously enjoying positive public perceptions, saw their reputations damaged.

The repeated controversies have alarmed their agencies. Managing celebrity social media accounts has become a stressful task for many in the industry. Allowing stars to control their official accounts undoubtedly boosts engagement with fans, who crave direct interaction, but it also brings considerable risks.

Unexpected repercussions

"There are definite advantages to celebrities managing their own social media. They can post freely about their personal lives or agency-approved content, which is generally problem-free. However, when it comes to their professional lives, a greater level of caution is necessary," said an official from an agency with several 30-something actors under its wing.

The official said that issues often arise when celebrities share information about ongoing discussions with the agency under the guise of keeping fans updated, which can lead to unexpected repercussions.

"Agencies are compelled to constantly monitor these accounts because any controversial post can have adverse effects on both the agency and the artist," he added.

This is why agencies tend to be more involved with the social media activities of less experienced stars. While seasoned artists can navigate social media with less oversight, particularly for personal or promotional content, impulsive and emotional posts still pose a risk.

A promoter working with a young actor said, "Social media allows stars to reveal new aspects of themselves and connect more closely with their fans, but they must handle it with greater care given the potential for significant issues."

Complex challenges

Another experienced industry official noted that the age of the celebrity does not necessarily correlate with the likelihood of causing controversy.

"Issues that arise from social media don't automatically justify ending an advertisement contract unless they involve grave accusations like drug use or alcohol abuse," the official said. "Ending a contract between a star and an agency may be straightforward, but the celebrity must bear the responsibility for their public image."

Overall, the industry consensus is that while social media is part of celebrities' personal lives and thus outside of agency control, discretion is required for posts that could misalign with promotional activities or advertising strategies.

Following recent controversies, Han So-hee's agency faced criticism for inadequate management, admitting a significant lapse in its duty to care for the actor properly.

A legal expert pointed out that managing a star's social media can infringe on their rights, so agencies cannot impose censorship.

Social media platforms, despite all the associated challenges, can't be foregone by celebrities due to the innate potential as a source of advertising revenue.





This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.
YEREVAN, APRIL 16, ARMENPRESS. The Courtyard by Marriott hotel complex opened in Yerevan, offering professional service and a fresh perspective to Armenian tourism and the hotel industry.

Armenpress conducted an interview with Tomas Vesely, the General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott, discussing various aspects including the opening of the new complex, its services, the employee selection process, and the unique characteristics of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.

Mr. Vesely, the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Yerevan is scheduled for early April. I am sure the people would like to know more details on it, what kind of hotel complex we are talking about, why the city of Yerevan was chosen and what services the hotel is going to provide to its guests?

The Courtyard by Marriott brand, inspired by a passion for excellence, with over 1,285 locations in 60 countries worldwide, making it one of the largest and most prominent brands in the market. Courtyard by Marriott is dedicated to empowering its guests, ensuring their needs are met no matter the purpose of their trip. This commitment extends beyond providing quality service and accommodations to encompass all aspects of business travel. For instance, for guests with business needs, we offer dedicated areas where they can conduct their work requirements. This exemplifies the Courtyard experience. Our thoughtfully designed guestrooms provide an elevated environment to relax and recharge, featuring plush bedding and flexible workspaces. Guests can seamlessly transition between work and relaxation, ensuring they remain productive and refreshed throughout their stay. Courtyard is also proud to be part of Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program by Marriott International, offering members access to an exceptional portfolio of global brands and exclusive experiences.

The hotel boasts 172 rooms spanning from the 2nd floor to the 9th floor. In Armenia, or this region of the world, the ground floor is often referred to as the first floor. On the ninth floor, we offer two-bedroom Suites with breathtaking mountain views. Each floor also features one-bedroom Suites, along with 35 twin rooms and 89 standard rooms, ensuring a diverse range of accommodations to suit every guest's needs.

From a food and beverage standpoint, we offer multiple venues for guests to enjoy time with friends or conduct business. Our Lobby Lounge comprises two sections: the regular Lobby Lounge, where guests can indulge in pastries, lunch, or dinner, and the Cocktail Bar Lounge, ideal for evening gatherings with friends or business partners. On the first floor, GIA restaurant serves breakfast buffet-style, featuring Mediterranean cuisine renowned for its design and culinary excellence. With approximately eighty seats indoors and another eighty on the fully-covered terrace facing Teryan street, guests can relish their dining experience in a picturesque setting.

Additionally, we offer four meeting rooms, including a VIP boardroom equipped with ten seats, a central table, and an interactive TV. The remaining three meeting rooms are versatile and can be combined to create a larger boardroom space. All our meeting rooms feature state-of-the-art technology, including an interactive 85-inch TV in the VIP boardroom, ensuring seamless and productive meetings for our guests.

On the second floor, we provide a Co-working area for our guests, adhering to Courtyard brand standards. Here, guests can comfortably work with access to computers and all necessary equipment to meet their business needs.

On the ninth floor, guests can find our Gym and Spa facilities. Our spa features three treatment rooms where guests can indulge in relaxation and rejuvenation therapies. Additionally, our Gym boasts state-of-the-art equipment to ensure a satisfying workout experience.

As you know, in Armenia we already have three properties as a Marriott family: Luxury Alexander, Marriot Yerevan and Marriot Tsaghkadzor. We view this as a significant achievement for both the country and the city, which is why we chose Yerevan as the location for our new property.

Considering the fact that the establishment of a new hotel also entails the opening of new vacancies, I would also like to talk about the selection process of new employees, are there any specific criteria set for this purpose?

We seek individuals who are energetic and eager to learn and grow. Effective communication skills and the ability to connect emotionally with others are essential. Creativity and a willingness to go the extra mile are valued traits. Our goal is to assemble a team capable of delivering exceptional service to both our guests and each other. Additionally, an important aspect of our industry is the ability to entertain.

Marriott International is globally renowned, offering our employees vast opportunities to build rewarding careers. Within the hotel industry, there are various roles available, from chefs to housekeepers. For those eager to learn and grow, we provide avenues for advancement such as cross-training, online learning, and exposure to other properties worldwide. Your career path can span different departments, countries, or even continents. Our employees are the cornerstone of our company's future.

Mr. Vesely, what new breath will the Courtyard by Marriott bring to the hotel industry in Armenia?

Our primary focus is our team, as I mentioned earlier. We are committed to developing our team and ensuring that everyone is treated with care and respect. Our goal is to provide passionate service and change the perception of hotels in Armenia. Having experienced a similar mentality in my home country of the Czech Republic, where hotels were not always embraced, we aim to break that taboo here. Our main emphasis is on engaging with the local community and fostering positive relationships.

As Armenia prioritizes tourism, our aim is to position ourselves as the top hotel choice for individuals seeking workation opportunities in this region. However, our ultimate goal extends beyond tourists; we aspire to be a beloved destination for locals as well. Our vision is to offer an inviting atmosphere where people can enjoy dining or drinks in a setting characterized by modernity and warmth, all at an affordable price point. We aspire to be more than just a hotel  we want to be a landmark, a venue where residents proudly bring their friends and family to celebrate special occasions. Our hope is to create lasting memories for all who visit Yerevan, with our establishment serving as the perfect backdrop for their experiences.

I am particularly passionate about our commitment to sustainability. Being part of global environmental efforts is a top priority for us. We understand that businesses play a crucial role in addressing the world's most pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges. With our size and influence, we recognize our responsibility to contribute positively to the planet. We continually strive to optimize our existing processes to be more sustainable, and sustainability is a key consideration in the design of new properties. Demonstrating a tangible commitment to sustainability is essential for us, not only for our guests, clients, staff, and shareholders, but also for the communities and environments where we operate. This commitment will be evident in our operations in Yerevan as well.

How significant do you think the opening of a new hotel complex will be for tourism in Armenia?

It's always a positive indicator when new hotels are introduced in a country because it expands the range of choices available to travelers. To foster tourism growth, it's crucial to provide diverse options in terms of budget, location, design, and dining experiences. The addition of new hotels tends to draw more visitors, particularly when established and reputable brands like Marriott International enter the market.

For our Marriott Bonvoy members, who we value as VIPs and consider part of our extended family, having a variety of options to choose from is paramount. This flexibility is one of the greatest advantages we offer to our loyal members. Armenia is clearly making significant investments to welcome travelers from around the globe, and I am optimistic that these efforts will yield positive results given the immense potential of this region. With its rich history that appeals to culture enthusiasts, breathtaking natural landscapes, delectable cuisine, and the warm hospitality of its people, Armenia is truly a perfect destination for holidaymakers.

Mr. Vesely, could you please highlight three unique characteristics of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel that set it apart from others in the industry?

My three key points would be the team, service, and commitment to a multicultural and gender-equal environment.

As J.W. Marriott, Jr. once said, "You've got to make your employees happy. If the employees are happy, they are going to make the customers happy."

Second is the service, which embodies passion, energy, and style. To quote Mr. Marriott again, "good food and good service at a fair price." We take pride in attention to detail every day, in every destination.

And the third one, which comes from me, is a multicultural and gender-equal environment. I strongly believe that any company aiming for success should foster a diverse and balanced gender environment. We learn and educate ourselves from each other, making this an integral part of our ethos.

And finally, Mr. Vesely, could you please provide details regarding the investment program's cost?

"I wouldnt delve into the financial aspects of the investment, but I can assure you that an immense amount of time, dedication, and resources have been poured into this project. It's a culmination of countless hours, days, and months of effort, driven by our unwavering commitment to quality. From the products to the design, from our staff to the service, everything has been meticulously crafted with passion. Quality has always been our foremost priority, regardless of the investment involved.

Rest assured, we are fully committed to delivering excellence, and I'm confident that we will exceed expectations."

Mr. Vesely, I appreciate this opportunity and the insightful interview. Thank you.

David Mamyan
A. Robert Lee is such a wide-ranging author in both his creative and academic books that I wont try to characterize his writings other than to say they invariably illuminate life and literature with a wealth of scholarship, intelligence, and linguistic mastery. I will add, however, that his sense of humor is one aspect of his writings that I most treasure.

In this brief excerpt from Everywhere You Look, just released by Moloko Plus, his deceptively polite, understated satire is so clear that no more need be said.

Cover sculpture by Blas Miras

Delivery Service

Black Country Porcelain Ltd.

Dudley UK (Temporary)

Trading Across Europe



Dear Sirs,

If you check Invoice 79999950 youll see that our order for Regency pottery was sent last November just before the floods.

It was for a set of what your brochure calls Prince of Wales Specials. Dance miniatures of gentlemen in period frockcoats and ladies in hoops and bonnets. We have been long-time fans since honeymooning in Florida at Disney World. My wife thought it would make a great decoration for the back parlor which overlooks the Birmingham commuter line.

Imagine our shock when your delivery man turned up with what I assume was someone elses special order. Namely a set of (and I quote) copulating pythons.

The accompanying catalogue lists the following: Fergies Toe, Blood Cleavage, and a Spring discount on Dead Meerkats and Bridge of Thighs. All by some artist called Demi-Hurst. Some artist indeed.

These may be pearls or even oysters for your other clientele but it came as a shock to my wife and I, and even to her mother who retired ten years ago as a drum majorette with the Gurkhas and now lives in our attic. Her very words were worse than anything you could see in Bhutan or the Himalaya Foothills.I dont know how your 7-Day Return policy works but we expect a full refund.

These works do a disservice to everyday suburban life. Our own children have long gone their own way (our son is in the Strangeways prison service, our daughter a trainee coder at college in Berwick Upon Tweed). But had they cast eyes on this so-called art when young, then heaven knows how they might have turned out. Likely sociologists or vegans. This was a long time before wellness clinics and round the clock pilates.

In the name of decency, I hope you will think better of allowing orders of this kind to travel the nations delivery services.

Yours most faithfully

Rev. Canon Tobias Axelrod, Rtd.
RAIPUR: The security forces killed 29 Naxals in an encounter on Tuesday in the biggest ever counterinsurgency operation in Kanker district of Bastar. Three jawans including a Border Security Force (BSF) inspector were injured in the incident.

Two Naxal commanders identified as Shankar Rao and Lalita Madhvi, who were in the rank of divisional committee member in the cadre and carried a bounty of Rs 25 lakh each, were among the 29 slain ultras, police sources said.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs on the presence of large number of armed Leftwing guerrillas including some senior Naxal leaders, a joint team comprising personnel of BSF and District Reserve Guards (DRG), the tribal counterinsurgency wing of Chhattisgarh police, launched a search operation in Binaguna- Koragutta jungles under Chhotebtiya police station in Kanker district, police said.

The joint search party came under attack by Naxals near the forested village of Happatola at around 2 pm on Tuesday, leading to a fierce encounter between them. After the encounter, bodies of 29 Naxals along with huge cache of AK 47 assault rifles, INSAS, self-loading rifles (SLRs), carbines, and .303 rifles and huge quantities of arms and ammunition were recovered at the spot, Bastar range inspector general of police P. Sunderraj told this newspaper.

The injured BSF inspector, Ramesh Choudhury, and two DRG jawans were airlifted from the encounter site to Raipur for medical treatment, police said.

The security forces for the first time launched the anti-Naxal operation in the strategic tri-junction of the Maad area in Kanker and Narayanpur districts in Chhattisgarh and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. This is a surgical strike against Naxals in Bastar, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma who is also state home minister said.

Union home minister Amit Shah, who is currently in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, spoke to Sharma on phone to take stock of the situation.
Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday tore into West Bengals ruling Trinamul Congress for opposing the Ram Navami celebration and the Citizenship Amendment Act implementation in the state, but patronising the infiltration of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas across the border.

Mr Modi took chief minister Mamata Banerjee head on over the Ram Navami celebration after the TMC chief cautioned people of the possibility of a riot on Wednesday during the Hindu festival. Incidentally, both were in North Bengal and crossed swords against each other from their Lok Sabha election campaign rallies in separate districts of the region.

Mr Modi said at Balurghat in South Dinajpur: This is the first Ram Navami when Ram Lalla has come to his existence at his temple in Ayodhya. I am aware that the TMC, however, tries all out every year to stop the Ram Navami celebration. They hatched all types of conspiracies but the truth always wins.

Referring to a Calcutta high court order allowing the Ram Navami rally in Howrah, the PM added: Court has granted permission. Tomorrow processions will be taken out with respect and devotion. I congratulate you for this.

He later told another BJP rally, at Raiganj in North Dinajpur: Law cannot decide what should get permission or not in Bengal under TMC rule. It is the miscreants and extortionists of the TMC who take the call. In Bengal, Ram Navami procession does not get permission.

Mr Modi alleged: One has to move the court for this. But the TMC government has given permission to those who pelt stones on the Ram Navami and Durga Puja processions.

Earlier, Ms Banerjee accused the BJP of spreading fake videos on the Ram Navami violence in the past in the state. She claimed: I want to tell my minority brothers and sisters that if you find sloganeering on April 17, it is their day to start riots. However, I want it to be a day of respect for people, a day of unity. Even if they abuse you, stay calm and pray to Allah and ask for them to be packed off.

The CM pointed out: Don't fall for any provocation. We have to keep the peace. They want to create riots and bring in the National Investigation Agency so that voting does not happen and they can rig the polls.

On the CAA and infiltration, Mr Modi said: The TMC has put Bengal on a lease to the infiltrators and criminals. It has given permission to infiltrators, including Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, to derail the demography and legal system of Bengal. Thats why the Bengal government gives protection to the infiltrators and opposes the CAA which is for giving citizenship to the legitimate migrants.

He elaborated: TMC does not want citizenship be given to them to protect its vote bank. Thus it has put a bet on the future of Bengal. You shouldn't fall for their rumors. You have to punish the TMC for its sin by pressing the button of Lotus.

Ms Banerjee argued: If the BJP thought they were winning, they would not engage in such a level of lies and propaganda. The BJP will not win this time. They will not even get more than 200 seats. In Bengal, we will win the battle.

She observed: In Tamil Nadu, Stalin will win. In Punjab, Arvind will win. In Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh will win. The BJP will be reduced to zero as they inflicted suffering upon the people. I promise that we will remove the BJP from the country. This is our pledge.
Tensions had been mushrooming across the entire West Asian region ever since the October 7 lethal attack by Hamas on Israeli settlements and troops around Gaza, in which they also seized several hostages, many of whom still remain in captivity. Global opinion has gradually swung behind the Palestinians after Israels scorched earth approach as it tried to wipe out Hamas. Israel showed limited concern for civilian casualties as hospitals, churches and mosques were bombed, alleging they were atop an underground labyrinth of hundreds of miles of tunnels. Hamas fighters, its leadership and hostages were supposedly in that maze.

One episode of ceasefire provided some respite to civilians, hounded from one temporary shelter to another, facing disease and starvation. US President Joe Biden, facing criticism at home for pandering to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has only partially and infrequently succeeded in coaxing Israel to moderate its brutal military campaign. In Israel, public demonstrations had reignited over the hostages not being rescued. The Israelis were being just held back from invading Rafah, the last surviving big city in Gaza.

On April 1, Israel bombed the Iranian diplomatic complex in Damascus, killing seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel. More significantly, among them were three senior commanders overseeing liaison with Iranian allies like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Bashar al-Assad government in Damascus. After the killing of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a celebrated Iranian commander of the Quds Force, by the US, this was a strategic win for Israel. But it came at the cost of riling Iran and breaching internationally recognised sanctity of diplomatic missions. The debate then shifted to how and when Iran would retaliate. There were no takers for Iran quietly absorbing the loss.

The Iranian retaliation came on the night of April 13-14, with over 300 ballistic and cruise missiles, including drones, fired at an Israeli air base in Israels southern desert. The Israeli anti-missile defence, called the Iron Dome, and its Air Force combined with similar defence offered by US naval vessels and aircraft took out all but seven missiles. Israel claimed that the damage was minimal, with only one Arab girl hit by shrapnel. The reaction of G-7 countries, which went into a huddle, was sharper over the Iranian retaliation than the initial Israeli provocation.

The Indian governments positioning is interesting. The Damascus Iranian embassy bombing was not condemned, but mere distress expressed over escalating tension and breach of international norms. This was akin to India seeking observance of international humanitarian law and not vociferously condemning the merciless Israeli targeting of civilians in Gaza.

More disturbing, though hardly surprising, is Indias bilateral labour transfer agreement, finalised during last years India trip of Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen. In the past Israel employed nearly 80,000 Palestinians from the West Bank, and 17,000 from Gaza. After the attack on October 7, Israel plans to substitute them with workers from China, Sri Lanka and India. Bangladesh is skipped, perhaps due to the workers religion. From India, Israel seeks 42,000 workers for the construction industry and another 8,000 as health workers. This accord invited attention due to an Indian travel advisory about the danger now of travel to Israel, only days after dispatching the latest batch of workers. This is a typical case of contradictory policies followed by different arms of the government.

Its implications are in fact wider than simply the security of the workers. It has been obvious since the BJP-led government assumed office in 2014 that Israel has special lure for it. When Lal Krishna Advani began his foreign travel as home minister with Israel, I conveyed informally to his close friend that he needed to moderate his hawkish anti-Muslim image. A trip to Israel did not achieve that.

While Israel has had broad support across India, for Prime Minister Narendra Modi it is more than friendship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite the current Israeli coalition government having rabidly bigoted ministers from the extreme right fringe, the Indian government appears to be unconcerned about close engagement. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich also oversees the occupied West Bank, despite his known support for expanding settlements.

National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, convicted in 2007 on terrorism charges, strongly advocated free fire authority to the security forces in dealing with Palestinians. The suspected transfer to Indian agencies of Pegasus, an invasive phone-tapping virus, underscores the malignant dimension of the India-Israel bonhomie.

Considering the eight million-plus Indian diaspora in the Arab Gulf countries, the policy of Indian labour depriving Palestinians of their jobs is myopic. The rush to show large recruitment for jobs abroad, as the Lok Sabha election approaches, hardly answers the Oppositions charge of high unemployment. The assumption is that because the ruling families of the UAE and Saudi Arabia want to engage Israel, they will block any backlash. The six Gulf Coordination Council members met last week in Doha to approve a Vision for Regional Security, which accepts Israels legitimate place in a regional security order. But they also could not ignore the Palestinian question. Popular resentment in the GCC nations can lead to quiet scaling back of Indian recruitment by individual entities.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar has been balancing Indias relations with Iran and Israel. But the language of official statements betrays differential empathy for Israel. This will become more difficult if Israel retaliates against Iran directly. Until now, Israel has used cyber sabotage, assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists, etc. But a direct attack can ratchet up tension multi-fold.

The latest Israel-Iran standoff has served Mr Netanyahus primary purpose of distracting attention from the Israeli killing of civilians in Gaza, especially with the Rafah operation imminent. It also reduces the pressure on him to quit and face fresh elections. The Iranian attack seemed to be carefully calibrated to minimise damage. It came with forewarnings, targeted an isolated airbase and the US played along to negate it. It is a bit like the Pakistani retaliation to Balakot in 2019 when their fighter jets hit an uninhabited part of an Indian military facility. The aim in both cases being to satisfy public opinion without causing excessive damage, thereby avoiding any counter reaction.

If so, any further conflagration may be avoided. If, however, Israel uses the opportunity to decapitate Irans strategic nuclear infrastructure, then the next Iranian attack would be modulated to hurt. Iran would have gauged weaknesses in the Israeli defensive system after analysing the last attack. The world is keeping its fingers crossed.
In the elections for the 300-member South Korean National Assembly on April 10, the main Opposition Democratic Party won 175 seats while the conservative bloc led by President Yoon Suk Yeols People Power Party won only 108 seats. This is even less than the 114 seats held by President Yoons supporters in the outgoing House. The results have also strengthened forces within the conservatives which are opposed to President Yoon.

Under South Koreas Constitution, the President has only one five-year term. The National Assemblys term is four years. President Yoon was elected in March 2022 with 48.56 per cent of the vote against the Democratic Party rival who received 47.83 per cent. In the face of rising youth unemployment, unaffordable rents and the high cost of higher education, the popular mood is against President Yoon, whose approval ratings have hovered at 36-38 per cent. The Yoon governments plan to increase medical school seats was stoutly opposed by the entire doctor fraternity, and led to chaos in medical services in hospitals.

After assuming office in May 2022, President Yoon Suk Yeol adopted a strongly pro-American foreign policy. He is a former prosecutor with little foreign policy experience. He also reversed the pro-North Korea policies of his left-of-centre Democratic Party predecessor, President Moon Jae-in.

The most dramatic foreign policy shift by President Yoon was to make earnest efforts to promote strategic trust with Japan and in tempering the ever-simmering anti-Japan sentiments among South Koreas public. Nudged by the United States, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida responded positively. This new-found confidence between the current leaderships of South Korea and Japan led to the historic trilateral summit of the US, Japan and South Korea hosted by President Joe Biden at Camp David in August 2023. The Spirit of Camp David document could be a game-changer for future strategic equations in the Indo-Pacific.

The Spirit of Camp David brings together two key US defence allies and bind the three democracies to greater military and security cooperation. The document voices concern over Chinas dangerous and aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea and calls for a peaceful resolution of the cross-Taiwan Straits issues. It also expands the area of security cooperation between the three allies from Northeast Asia to the South China Sea and across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

In the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the two Koreas are firmly in opposite camps. North Korea has been sending artillery shells to Russia with reportedly a contract to supply one million shells worth $24 billion to Russia. On the other hand, South Koreas President is openly backing Ukraine and had attended the two Nato summits held after the Russian attack on Ukraine -- in Madrid in 2022 and Vilnius in 2023.This is the first time ever that a South Korean President attended Nato summits.

Stung by the continued economic sanctions, North Korea has adopted a very hardline stance towards both South Korea and the US. Speaking at the North Korean Supreme Peoples Assembly on January 15, 2024, Chairman Kim Jong Un called for change in North Koreas Constitution to designate South Korea as a primary foe and invariable principal enemy.

North Koreas supreme leader also declared the goal of completely occupying, subjugating and reclaiming South Korea in case a war broke out on the Korean peninsula. Signalling a complete turnaround from the policy of accommodation and rapprochement between the two Koreas pursued during 2018-19, Chairman Kim declared that seeing Seoul as a partner of reconciliation was a serious anachronistic mistake. Formally ending the policy of widening bilateral cooperation, North Korea dismantled three agencies: Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, National Economic Cooperation Bureau and Kumgausan International Tourism Administration.

North Korea is more confident and aggressive after Chairman Kims visit to the Russian Far East in September 2023 when he met President Vladimir Putin and toured a Russian cosmodrome. Later, in November 2023, North Korea successfully placed a spy satellite, Mallingyong-1, in orbit after several failed attempts. Ominously, a North Korean statement in February 2024 claimed that this satellite had captured detailed images of the White House, the Pentagon and several US aircraft-carriers.

South Koreas polity is almost evenly divided between left-of-centre Democratic Party, which advocates an even-handed approach towards the United States, the nations security guarantor, and its main economic partner, China; and the ruling Conservatives, who pursue a more pronounced pro-US policy. The other difference is that of a rather accommodating approach towards North Korea by the Democrats versus a policy of strict reciprocity followed by the Conservatives.

South Koreas attempts to reduce its dependence on exports to China from the present 20 per cent of total exports of $632 billion are not showing the expected results. While South Korean exports to China declined by 20 per cent in 2023 to $125 billion, imports from China declined by only eight per cent to $143 billion. The trade deficit of $18 billion in 2023 is the first such bilateral shortfall with China in 31 years.

With lack of control over the National Assembly now, President Yoons legislative agenda will suffer. During his almost two-year term, only about 29 per cent of the bills submitted by the government have been approved by the National Assembly.

During the election campaign, the Democratic Party proposed a more balanced approach on Ukraine and Taiwan. Despite this setback, Mr Yoon is unlikely to change his strongly pro-US foreign policy. Taking a clear pro-Israel position, the Yoon administration strongly condemned Irans massive attack on Israel on April 13. No positive movement is likely in inter-Korean relations in the remainder of President Yoons term, till May 2027.

There is strong bipartisan support for strengthening South Koreas special strategic partnership with India. The National Assembly poll results are unlikely to have any impact on the growing economic and strategic bilateral relationship.
G-Dragon, K-pop band BIGBANG's main rapper, is preparing for a new solo album with the goal of making a comeback to the music scene in the second half of this year, his agency said Tuesday.

Galaxy brought up the news in a press release on the artist's recent meeting in Korea with Frederic Malle, the founder of the renowned French perfume brand Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle.

The New York-based French perfumer was in Seoul to visit the brand's flagship store that recently opened its doors in the city for the first time in Asia, according to the agency.

The brand recently collaborated with the Korean rapper to release a special edition of its popular fragrance Musc Ravageur, which is now known as the "G-Dragon perfume."

"The artist said he is pleased to collaborate with a brand and product that he has personally enjoyed for over 10 years," the agency said. "He is working on a new album with the goal of returning with it in the second half of the year. Please stay tuned," it added, without providing further details of the new project. (Yonhap)
by Sumon Corraya

It was the payment of a ransom that helped free the ship, the crew were hostages of Somali pirates. The cargo ship is now on its way to Dubai escorted by EU naval forces. Work is in progress for the release of the 25 people working on the MSC Aries, which was detained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. India demands the release of its 17 citizens on board

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - While there is hope for the release of the 25 crew members (Indians, Filipinos, Pakistanis, Russians and Estonians) of the MSC Aries ship of the Zodiac group flying the Portuguese flag and linked to Israel, seized three days ago in the Strait of Hormuz by a unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the 23 Bangladeshi sailors of the cargo ship MV Abdullah of the KSRM group held captive since March 12 by a commando of Somali pirates were freed off the coast of Somalia.

The release took place on Sunday 14 April, after the ship had been diverted into the Indian Ocean, following the payment of a substantial ransom by the company.

The people who witnessed the liberation operations said that the money was sent following a reconnaissance carried out by a small plane near the vessel with the aim of gathering evidence on the positive state of health of the sailors.

The latter showed themselves on the bridge, raising their hands, thus confirming that they were safe. After this confirmation, the aircraft dropped three bags of dollars wrapped in white waterproof tape, which were recovered by seven pirates with the help of two motorboats.

Shahriar Jahan Rahat, deputy CEO of the KSRM group, made no statement regarding the amount paid. In recent hours, however, he said he was relieved by the favorable outcome of the case.

A group official hinted at a ransom of more than million. A figure later denied by another employee. The pirates released the ship for a much lower ransom  less than four million dollars  than the MV Jahan Mani, he said.

The reference is to the seizure in December 2010 of the Kabir Group ship, whose crew was released after 100 days of captivity. The MV Abdullah, followed on sight by the Indian Navy in recent days, is now headed to Dubai, where she is expected to drop anchor on April 22nd. After completion of the unloading procedures the sailors will be free, with the possibility of going home, or wherever they wish.

The route to the United Arab Emirates is a very delicate phase, due to the crossing of high-risk waters. After docking in Dubai, repatriation formalities will begin, reiterated Shahriar Jahan Rahat. For this reason it was deemed necessary to strengthen the safety measures of the vessel.

The sections of barbed wire and fire hoses were thus installed and strengthened, ready for use in case of attacks by pirates. After the release, two EU ships escorted the MV Abdullah; a gesture also shared through the Union's channels, which showed the vessel traveling under protection.

However, apprehension continues over the release of the crew of the MSC Aries, which was headed to the port of Nhava Sheva, Mumbai. In particular, diplomatic efforts are increasing to obtain the release of the 17 Indian sailors on board.

There is an ongoing back and forth between the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and his Iranian namesake, Hossein Amirabdollahian. Jaishankar's demand is for immediate release, made public during a press conference in Bangalore.

Accompanied by the request to Iran not to escalate tensions with Israel, which happened with the missile and drone attack on the Jewish state last Saturday night. In fact, these also have a global impact, in particular on India due to the massive diaspora living in Western Asia, the Minister announced.

At the moment, negotiations are underway for a meeting between the Indian Embassy staff and the kidnapped people.

This will be my first point of satisfaction. Secondly, we will absolutely push for these people to return to India as quickly as possible. My Iranian counterpart has been quite responsive in this regard, Jaishankar continued.

The official reason for the seizure is violation of maritime laws. The underlying reason, however, is the link between the cargo ship and the Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.

However, the detention has an effect on the global economy, as well as fueling the risk of war escalation. For India, today there are almost 90 thousand Indian citizens living in this part of the world. Much of our maritime traffic passes through this part of the world, he said.

In response, Tehran has asked India to carry out work in the competent bodies - for example at the UN - to bring an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip, thus promoting detente and peace.
by Nirmala Carvalho

The Diocese of Mananthavady, in the southern state of Kerala, released a statement addressed to all parties regarding issues affecting Wayanad constituency, like the lack of infrastructure, schools, and hospitals. Gandhi spoke about the same things during a rally but also attacked the ruling partys ideology.

Thiruvananthapuram (AsiaNews)  A few days before the start of elections to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indias parliament, the Diocese of Mananthavady, in the southern state of Kerala, issued a press release addressed to all political parties regarding what it considers the main issues affecting the people of the Wayanad constituency.

Rahul Gandhi, who is trying to win the seat for the main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, held a local rally yesterday ahead of upcoming countrywide vote. The latter is set to start on 19 April with voting in Kerala on 26 April, and results announced on 4 June.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is running for a third term, while the BJP leader in Kerala, K. Surendran, party chief, is running against Gandhi.

In its statement, the Diocese of Mananthavady highlights a series of issues so far ignored by politicians.

As the Lok Sabha Election 2024 approaches, we, the residents of the Wayanad Constituency, urge you to address the following pressing issues, reads the circular released by the diocese yesterday.

The people had high expectations when the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency was formed 15 years ago. However, Wayanad remains without a central plan that can be highlighted, unlike other Lok Sabha constituencies in India.

The diocese's statement goes on to say that the constituency lacks hospitals. Wayanad is characterised by the absence of adequate medical facilities and transportation, resulting in human lives being endangered in the rush to seek medical care.

The local government-run medical college is inadequate. Despite being an aspirational district, Wayanad's potential for a central medical college is restricted to only one board," the statement laments.

Despite promises, several infrastructure projects, like a railway or airstrip, have never been realised, the diocese stressed.

Finally, the authorities have never addressed the conflicts and accidents that arise from encounters between residents and wildlife. There are individuals in Wayanad who have lost peace and happiness due to the fear of wild animal attacks.

The press release ends with a series of requests, ranging from guarantees to religious freedom to support for small businesses, non-unionised workers, and farmers without a pension plan.

Rahul Gandhi also touched upon these points in his rally yesterday. The INC leader used the occasion to attack the BJPs ideology of one nation, one language, one leader, one people.

For Gandhi, language is not something that is imposed from the top, but is something that comes from a persons heart. In Kerala, people have a strong connection with their culture, including Malayalam, their distinct language.

Malayalam is not just a language, it is your link to your civilisation, Gandhi told the people at the rally, adding that India is like a bouquet and every flower has to be respected.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

In many regions of the two countries, rivers have been flooding since the beginning of April. Among the worst affected areas are the Kazakh region of Atyrau and the Russian city of Orsk. Astana rejects the criticism that it did not manage the discharge of snow accumulations properly. There is controversy over the Russian civil defence not taking measures to mitigate the impact of the water.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Ministry for Water Resources of Kazakhstan has responded to the accusations coming from Russia, stating that the Kazakhs can in no way influence the floods that are inundating the cities in the southern area of the Urals, as the water from the The Tobol River that flows into their territory comes from Russia, and decisions about the flow of these waters must be made from these sources of flow.

The ministry's statement reads that "since April 2, the Kazakh side has been regularly informing the Russians about decisions regarding this part of the river, and it is not correct to attribute responsibilities to Kazakhstan that do not correspond to reality."

The two countries exchange information in this regard 24 hours a day, and "there can be no question of non-agreed initiatives". It was Russia's representative in the Ural federal district, Vladimir Jakusev, who pointed the finger at Kazakhstan, stating that the discharge of snow accumulations, which were very heavy during the winter, needed to be agreed upon more carefully.

In many regions of Kazakhstan, as in Russia, all river levels have increased since the beginning of April, hence the continuous flooding. A state of emergency has been declared in ten regions; in Atyrau, the most affected by the floods, tens of thousands of people were evacuated.

President Kasym-Zomart Tokaev defined the massive floods as true "natural catastrophes" that have no equal compared to similar events in the country for many years. In Russia, floods were recorded in 39 regions, in the territories of the Siberian, Overvolga and central Russia districts, with emergency areas and appeals from local administrations to evacuate homes.

The most affected city in Russia was Orsk on the Ural river, with over 10 thousand houses completely submerged by the flooding of the tributary Elsanka, and the local hospital was also flooded. In the Orenburg region a dam broke, affecting over 4 thousand houses, with some victims, and there are fears that the phenomenon could worsen further in the coming days.

The inhabitants of the area have directed very heated criticism at the minister of civil protection, who had organized only "demonstrative" rescue teams under the direction of the commissioner appointed for the emergency, Vladimir Putin's former security chief, Aleksandr Kurenkov.

According to statements by residents of towns and villages in the Orenburg region, rescuers limit themselves to taking photos and shooting videos for "feature reports" to be shown on television. One of them said that "I haven't slept for 7 days, and they don't do anything, they sit in their places eating pancakes, get a move on!".

According to various media, the civil protection had already had information on the flooding that would have occurred for over a month, but no measures were taken to reduce the possible negative consequences. In Orsk, one of the most effective relief points proved to be the local community of Seventh-day Adventists, capable of distributing water, food and clothing to all the inhabitants, considering the thousands of submerged houses and the over 2 thousand evacuees, including almost 700 children.
News of the day: Israel reiterates that it will respond to Iran, while Hamas reduces the number of hostages it would release for the ceasefire to 20. WHO warns of new contamination in ingredients used for cough syrups. In Manila the regulation banning electric jeepneys on main roads has come into force. In Chinese songs, women no longer speak of love but of freedom and personal fulfilment.

AUSTRALIA

The 15-year-old boy arrested yesterday after stabbing a Syrian Orthodox bishop and at least four faithful during a celebration in Sydney is accused of terrorism. The attack took place last night at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley. None of the injured are life-threatening. The bishop attacked on Monday is Mar Mari Emmanuel, considered a popular but also controversial figure. Ordained by the Assyrian Syriac Orthodox Church in 2011, he was later suspended for disobeying the canons and forming a separate church.

ISRAEL-IRAN-GAZA

Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said the Iranian attack "will receive a response." The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has prudently withdrawn its inspectors from Iranian nuclear sites. Meanwhile - while Israel carried out new bombings on Gaza during the night with 5 deaths including a child - Hamas is once again holding back on a ceasefire agreement, claiming that it is only willing to release 20 "humanitarian" hostages (women and elderly) and insisting on the end of the war and the return of the population to North Gaza.

PAKISTAN

The World Health Organization has issued an alert to drug manufacturers over five contaminated batches of propylene glycol, an ingredient used in medicinal syrups. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) issued three alerts between January and March over high levels of ethylene glycol (EG), an industrial solvent known for its toxicity, found in drums listed as being produced by subsidiaries of Dow Chemical in Thailand, Germany and Singapore. Contaminated cough syrups produced in India and Indonesia have been linked to the deaths of more than 300 children worldwide since the end of 2022. In the Indonesian case, authorities found that a supplier had placed fake Dow Thailand labels on drums containing EG which he had sold to a distributor for pharmaceutical use.

PHILIPPINES

In Manila, a new regulation has come into force that limits the use of light electric vehicles (LEVs) on around twenty major roads in the metropolis. The ban includes electric bicycles but also Jeepneys, the small four-wheeled vehicles typically used by the less well-off to get around quickly at low cost. Several groups have urged the authority to reconsider the ban, which they say is anti-poor.

CHINA

Mandarin song lyrics written, performed and aimed at Chinese women have undergone a drastic change in recent years, focusing much less on romantic love and much more on freedom and personal fulfillment, recent research has shown. This is supported by research conducted on the texts by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

RUSSIA

The director of the Pushkin Institute for the Russian Language, Natalja Trukhanovskaja, argued that street vocabulary and swear words are destined to disappear as perceived vulgarity, as their frequent use even by official figures (such as President Vladimir Putin ) will downgrade them to normal linguistic expressions.

UZBEKISTAN

Hundreds of car showroom owners have appealed to the President of Uzbekistan Savkat Mirziyoyev, asking to cancel the restrictions on the import of foreign cars, which could leave thousands of people without work, introduced to encourage the import of Chinese cars following a agreements made by the president in Beijing.
Chinese Human Rights Defenders released a report detailing the stories of children and young people victims of human rights violations, like He Fengmei's daughter, who was separated from her mother a month after her birth and kept in a psychiatric hospital in Henan. In another case, a boy is rejected by schools because his lawyer father defends activists. In Xinjiang children are placed in boarding schools as "orphans" to uproot them from their families.

Milan (AsiaNews)  Repression against all forms of dissent in the People's Republic of China affects even the very young, this according to a new report released yesterday by Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD), a coalition of Chinese and international human rights non-governmental organisations dedicated to human rights in China.

Titled If I disobey, my family will also suffer, the study looks at the state of human rights in China in 2023, focusing on forms of collective punishment that affect the families of those who fight for freedom in the country.

In addition to the arrests of spouses or forced separations of members of the same family, what is striking are the stories about various forms of intimidation that directly target the children of dissidents.

A case in point is that of He Fengmei (pictured), a Henan woman jailed for protesting in 2020 against unsafe Chinese anti-COVID-19 vaccines. Police arrested her first, then her husband in October 2020.

She was jailed along with her six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter at the Henan Xinxiang Gongji Psychiatric Hospital. At the time, she was five months pregnant.

In February 2021, she gave birth to a daughter; a month later, she was arrested and transferred to a Xinxiang detention centre, separating her from the newborn, who was left in the psychiatric hospital along with her other children.

The son was later placed in foster care, without the consent of the parents or next of kin, while the two daughters remained in the psychiatric hospital despite the pleas of relatives to entrust them to their care.

When Ms He's lawyers finally got permission to visit her in prison for the first time in late 2022, they tried to see the girls in the psychiatric hospital as well, but were pushed back at the gate by security guards who said they had no knowledge about it.

In early 2024, a group of activists reported that local government officials went to He Fangmei's brother's home to get the detainee's 75-year-old mother to waive custody of her grandchildren.

On 1 April, the two girls  due to pressures  were taken from the psychiatric hospital but it is not clear where they are now.

Another reported case involves the four children of activist-artist Wang Zang, who was jailed in 2020, and his wife, who was also detained between 2020 and 2022.

Wangs mother stepped in to take care of the children, but police still put her under strict surveillance, going so far as to prevent her from receiving packages from friends and benefactors with food and clothes for the children.

After the mothers release on 16 December 2022, the children returned with her, but the threats did not end. In Chuxiong, police ordered her to stop posting on social media about her incarcerated husband or she would risk seeing her children end up in an orphanage.

Another prominent case concerns Quanquan, the son of human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang, who was released from prison in June 2020 but subjected to very strict surveillance measures that also impacted the child's life.

Last October, he passed an interview and a written test for admission to a new school. His parents had paid the tuition and enrolled Quanquan in the fifth grade. But he was only able to attend for one day before the school administration gave in to pressure from the authorities and withdrew his admission.

Last month, 20 police showed up at a middle school in Guangdong province just ten days after the boy started attending. His mother felt helpless: He was once again forced out of school!

Another form of pressure is to deny children a passport, which prevents them from going to study abroad.

Human rights lawyer Li Heping was detained from July 2015 to April 2017 and sentenced to three years for "subversion of state power.

His wife Wang Qiaoling has written extensively about the government's repeated efforts to prevent their children from getting a proper education.

In an essay, she sadly recounted that her son, then 17, no longer even wanted to apply to go to foreign universities. He looked up at me and said, Mom, forget it. Even if I get an offer, I cant get a passport and go.

Finally, a separate chapter concerns the children in the autonomous regions of Tibet and Xinjiang, separated from their parents due to the Chinese government's campaigns to "hit hard" the local cultural and religious identity, seen as dangerously secessionist for Beijing.

According to UN sources, as many as one million Tibetan children are forced to attend boarding schools, which are designed to assimilate them into the Han majority culture.

In Xinjiang, the state-run boarding school system is being expanded to admit very young children. Taken from their parents who "are in exile or interned, they are treated as "orphans" by Chinese authorities.
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By Baek Seung-bo

Under the slogan Powerfully, Quickly K-procurement! Beyond Korea to the world, Korea Public Procurement Expo 2024 is set to be held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, from Wednesday to Friday. Since its inception in 2000, this year marks the 24th anniversary of the expo. It is the only domestic event in the public procurement sector, which has shown continuous growth and broken records in terms of participating companies, visitors and export performance. Participating companies are promising small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) actively supplying the public procurement market, which represent 97 percent of Korea's manufacturing firms, vital to the Korean economy.

SMEs often face difficulties in finding markets for their new technologies and products, despite significant efforts. In response, the Public Procurement Service (PPS) has focused its policy to strategically utilize Korea's annual public purchasing power of 200 trillion won ($143 billion) to alleviate these challenges. The PPS implements various procurement schemes tailored to the technological level, product characteristics and growth stages of SMEs. They include "excellent procurement," "innovative procurement," "multiple supplier contracts" and Venture Nara (an online shopping mall dedicated to venture firms).

Additionally, SMEs that have demonstrated competitiveness in the domestic public procurement market are assisted in accessing the global procurement market, which is valued at over $2 trillion, through the designation of "Promising Companies for Overseas Market Entry." This support is crucial as the domestic market, where SMEs already secure over 80 percent of contracts, has become saturated.

Korea Public Procurement Expo 2024 is an essential event that supports the expansion of both domestic and international market opportunities for SMEs. It offers them a prime opportunity to display their newly developed technologies to a wider audience, including procurement officials from Korean public institutions, international procurement agencies and leading private buyers from around the world looking for partnerships. This year, participating SMEs will have the opportunity to conduct business consultations with representatives from approximately 100 domestic public agencies and major corporations, as well as around 90 international buyers.

Especially for this year, the expo will also feature a variety of themed exhibition spaces designed to maximize its impact, including the CES Pavilion for CES award-winning products, the New Growth Pavilion highlighting innovative products and several joint pavilions in collaboration with entities like the Ministry of National Defense, Gyeonggi Province, the Korea Expressway Corp. and the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development.

It is also expected to help them in accessing the international procurement market. It's typically challenging for lesser-known SMEs to secure direct interactions with foreign buyers, international organizations and foreign procurement officials. During the expo, there will not only be export consultation sessions between the SMEs and foreign buyers, but also dedicated presentations by representatives from international organizations and foreign procurement agencies, explaining their procurement processes. Additionally, a program organized in partnership with the International Network of Korean Entrepreneurs (INKE), affiliated with the Korea Venture Business Association, will provide explanations and support for entering foreign procurement markets, enhancing opportunities for SMEs to expand globally.

There's a saying, "The significance of the present is in looking towards the future." Korea Public Procurement Expo 2024 serves as an excellent platform for SMEs engaged in our public procurement market to display the current standards, competitiveness and potential future growth of their self-developed technologies and products.

I hope many procurement officers from public agencies and representatives from large and medium-sized enterprises attend this expo. This would not only support the market expansion of promising SMEs but also provide insights into the latest trends in technology and products, offering opportunities to gain strategic insights and explore potential collaborative relationships.





Baek Seung-bo is the vice administrator of the Public Procurement Service.
By Park Jin-hai

Korean fashion brand Matin Kim unveiled the new cabin crew uniform for domestic airline Aero K, Monday. This collaboration commemorates the low-cost carrier's (LCC) first launch at the country's main transport hub, Incheon International Airport, slated for late May.

The flight attendant uniform, a limited-edition Maxi Hoody Jumper designed by Matin Kim, combines bold styling with practical elements for cabin service.

The hoodie coat has a loose silhouette with adjustable waist strings for easy movement around the cabin and is water-resistant. Complementing the outfit is a Clutch Belt Bag made from cowhide leather, specifically designed for cabin crew needs.

The crew at Aero K started wearing the new uniform on Monday and a limited quantity of the collaborative products will be available at the Matin Kim store at Hyundai Department Stores branch in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, which is the LCC's hub.

"Matin Kim's unique charms met with Aero K's boundary-pushing efforts to create new synergy," the fashion company said in a statement. "We will continue to expand our reach to more customers and establish Matin Kim's unique position by showcasing diverse collaborations across different fields."

The collaboration has received acclaim for its inventive approach, with social media feedback praising the uniforms as "innovative," "cool" and "trendy." Fashion fans and airline customers alike have expressed enthusiasm, with many inquiring about online availability of the jumper and belt bag.

Matin Kim is widely loved by young people in Korea and Japan for its unique appeal. Through a partnership between Hyundai Department Store and Japan's major retail group PARCO, signed on April 9, Matin Kim and 10 other Korean fashion brands will run pop-up stores for two months from May 10 to the end of July at the Shibuya PARCO, known as a popular shopping spot for Gen Zers in Tokyo.

The company, established in 2015 by designer Kim Da-in, already enjoys notable recognition in Japan. The brand had its successful first pop-up in October 2023, followed by a second one at Hankyu Department Store's flagship Umeda main store in Osaka in February.

During the seven-day pop-up event, it saw substantial sales thanks to Matin Kim's core fans who have previously visited Korea as well as a high proportion of female customers in their 20s who are interested in K-fashion.
Thrilled to welcome the first Canadian Expert Alexander Grushevskiy to the EUMA. Canada is the first Third Contributing State supporting the Mission, it wrote, thanking the Canadian side for its valuable cooperation.

The Canadian mission, in its turn, wrote on X: Pleased to have a Canadian expert joining the EUMA and to continue Canadas long-standing tradition of taking part in EU CSDP (Common Security and Defense Policy) missions.

Canadas participation in the EU border-monitoring mission in Armenia was first announced in July 2023.

The move was welcomed by official Yerevan that said that it highly appreciates Canadas contribution and presence in Armenia for the sake of peace and stability in the region.

In approving the establishment of a civilian border-monitoring mission in Armenia in January 2023 the EU said that its monitors sent by different EU member states would strive to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, build confidence and human security in conflict-affected areas, and ensure an environment conducive to the normalization efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The agreement on such a mission in Armenia between Yerevan and Brussels was first reached in the fall of 2022 when the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian began to openly criticize Russia, a formal political and military ally of Armenia, for failing to respond to its security challenges.

Yerevan, in particular, accused Moscow of refusing to provide support in defending Armenias borders following a series of incursions by Azerbaijani forces that resulted in deadly clashes along the heavily militarized frontier in 2021-2022.

About 100 European monitors arrived in Armenia in late February 2023. At present, the number of EUMA monitors in Armenia is 138 and is due to increase to 209 by September.

Last month the Armenian parliament ratified an agreement with the EU on the status of its border-monitoring mission in Armenia, essentially granting diplomatic immunity to EUMA members.

Baku has repeatedly criticized the EUMA, claiming that the mission is actively used as a tool for anti-Azerbaijani propaganda. It also claimed that Canadas participation in it makes it a de facto NATO mission.

Officials in Moscow have also criticized the EUMA, claiming that through this mission the West is trying to oust Russia from Armenia and the South Caucasus region as a whole.

European officials have cited EUMA reports on the actual situation along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on several occasions during escalations.
The incident happened on Tuesday and its video was published by the man himself. He was later identified as Samvel Vardanian, an apparent government critic who had also been briefly detained before for allegedly calling Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian a traitor upon seeing him in the street.

The video shot by Vardanian shows him confronting Hakob Aslanian, a member of the parliamentary faction of Pashinians ruling Civil Contract party, on a bus and calling him an anti-Armenian scumbag.

How dare you appear in public, you scumbag? Vardanian is heard saying to Aslanian on the video before a quarrel begins during which both men exchange strong words and apparently slightly push each other.

The incident took place in front of other passengers who are heard trying to calm down the quarreling men.

Vardanian was later detained by police on suspicion of hooliganism.

Talking to reporters in parliament on Tuesday, Aslanian claimed that the man who confronted him on the bus was clearly acting deliberately.

I was going to get off the bus when he blocked my way, he said, denying that it was a case of free speech, as Vardanian claimed in interviews with different media before his detention.

Aslanian said he would not have taken the matter to the police had Vardanian not published the video of the incident on social media.

Meanwhile, opposition lawmaker Arman Ghazarian, who said he had contacted Vardanian, said that the man had told him about violence being used against him while he was being escorted to a detention center in a police car last night.

Citing Vardanian, Ghazarian said that the violence took place when the police officers escorting him pulled in and went out for personal matters. Then, he said, citing Vardanians account of the events, a group of four or five masked men came to beat the young man.

His [Vardanians] right wrist was swollen, thats all Ive seen. He may have had other injuries as well under his clothes, but I couldnt see it. It wasnt within my jurisdiction, the opposition lawmaker said.

He said that the young man had told him he had been too scared to tell the administration of the detention center about violence used against him as those who beat him had allegedly threatened to repeat the beating if he told anyone about it.

The police did not immediately report any information on the alleged violence against Vardanian. RFE/RLs Armenian Service could not verify the claim independently. Later, the Ministry of Internal Affairs told local media that an internal probe into the allegation had been ordered.

The Investigative Committee said that along with making insulting remarks in public transport, threatening member of parliament Aslanian, and grossly violating the public order, Vardanian also made expressions spreading hostility towards a political force in a public place.
The Islamic Republics ambassador to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani said in Yerevan on Tuesday that Tehran had a discussion with the Armenian authorities about Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians April 5 meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen which the Western powers said was focused on helping Armenia increase its resilience and diversify its economy, which is still heavily dependent on Russia.

The Armenian authorities have told us that it is not directed against any third country, that this is just to strengthen the economy of Armenia and to receive humanitarian aid and support for those displaced from Karabakh. Naturally, Armenias efforts to develop the economy and solve the problems of the people displaced from Karabakh are not the problem whose solutions we oppose. And this is Armenias right to look for ways to develop its economy and solve its problems, the Iranian diplomat said.

Our concern is that Armenia and the [South] Caucasus should not turn into an arena for geopolitical rivalry and that the development of Armenias foreign relations should not be at the expense of other countries. And the Armenian authorities have informed us that the diversification of their countrys foreign policy is not directed against Armenia-Iran relations, Sobhani added.

At the press conference, the Iranian ambassador also addressed the question of which are the extra-regional forces whose intervention in the South Caucasus is considered dangerous by Tehran.

If I am talking about extra-regional forces, I am talking about oversees countries, which are not related to any security or geopolitical issues [of the region]. That is, they come here from across the ocean and try to make decisions for the people of this region, Sobhani said.

Asked whether members of the EU mission who have been monitoring the Armenian-Azerbaijani border since last year are among such extra-regional forces, the Iranian ambassador said: Yes, some European countries and the United States are.

Meanwhile, the Iranian diplomat said that Tehrans red lines regarding borders in the South Caucasus have not changed.

Iran has expressed its opposition to the change of internationally recognized borders at the highest level, at the level of the head of the country, and it cannot be ignored. We are categorically against the change of any geopolitical and internationally recognized borders. If there are problems on the border, they should be solved on the basis of dialogue, mutual understanding, with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries respected, Sobhani said.

The Iranian ambassador to Armenia also spoke about Israel, claiming that it is trying to create tensions between the countries of the region and Iran.

It is also clear to everyone that one of the factors of instability in the South Caucasus is the Israeli regime. This regime, in addition to trying to develop militarism in the region, also attempts to create tension between the countries of the region and Iran. I believe that the peoples of the region are so prudent that they will never confront any country with such steps as the Zionist regime, Sobhani claimed.
16 April 2024 12:17 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

On April 15, the opening ceremony of the Caspian Basin Studies program organised by the Specialisation Programs of the Institute of Development and Diplomacy operating under ADA University was held, Azernews reports.

The program activity brought together foreign diplomats from 18 countries related to the Caspian region, representatives of academic institutions, and think tanks. Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Egypt, Nepal, Jordan, Kuwait, Turkey, Brazil, and other countries are among the represented countries.

At the opening ceremony, the vice-rector of ADA University and the director of the Institute of Development and Diplomacy, Fariz Ismayilzade, as well as his advisor and deputy director of IDD, Aygun Hajiyeva, welcomed the participants.

Vice-rector Fariz Ismayilzade noted that the Caspian Basin Studies program plays the role of a humanitarian bridge between different continents. Diplomats get to know not only Azerbaijan, but the wider Caspian region. The speaker added that the participation of the ambassadors of Hungary, Moldova, Tajikistan, Jordan, Pakistan, and Brazil assigned to Azerbaijan at the opening is an indication of confidence in the Program.

Deputy Director Aygun Hajiyeva spoke about the history of ADA University, the Institute of Development and Diplomacy, as well as the program that was inaugurated today.

She said that the methodology of the Caspian Basin Studies program balances academic and practical approaches and prompts the participants to work in groups and conduct research on the Caspian littoral countries. In this way, the program ensures the establishment of professional relations between representatives of different continents and deepens their knowledge about the history, culture, ethnic, and demographic structure of the region.

It should be noted that the participants will listen to the lectures of the professors and teachers of ADA University, experts representing IDD, as well as high-ranking representatives of various state institutions and think tanks. Those lectures will cover many current topics, such as the geopolitical, cultural, and economic structure of the region, as well as the development strategy for renewable energy.

Within the framework of the program, the participants will visit the Garabagh region and observe the restoration and construction works there.

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North Korea's state media reported Tuesday that South Korea's ruling People Power Party (PPP) suffered a crushing defeat in last week's parliamentary elections, commenting on the election outcome for the first time about a week after the polls.

In Wednesday's general elections, the opposition bloc, led by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, secured 192 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, while the PPP only managed to secure 108 seats, an outcome that could render President Yoon Suk Yeol a lame duck for the remaining three years in office.

In a report on an anti-government rally in the South, the Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's main newspaper, said the South Korean public staged a struggle to impeach Yoon after delivering a "crushing defeat" to the PPP in the parliamentary elections.

"This is a stern judgment by the people against the Yoon Suk Yeol group of puppets," the paper said, citing a participant in the rally.

But it did not unveil other details, such as the number of parliamentary seats that the rival parties each earned in the elections.

As for South Korea's 2016 general elections, North Korea's state media carried related reports right after the vote counts were completed. But it kept silent about the outcome of the South's parliamentary elections in 2020.

Earlier this month, Seoul's unification ministry warned against North Korea's attempt to meddle in the April 10 elections, citing an increase in the North's state media disparaging Yoon and seeking to sow division in the South. (Yonhap)
16 April 2024 19:18 (UTC+04:00)

Kyrgyzstan aims to include mountain-related issues in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) agenda, Kyrgyzstans Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Kairat Osmonaliev, told Kyrgyz media, Azernews reports.

The ambassador noted that he proposed this initiative during a meeting with Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, COP29 PresidentDesignate Mukhtar Babayev.

"Kyrgyzstan is a mountain agenda leader and originator, addressing mountain community problems while also protecting mountain ecosystems. Kyrgyzstan heads the Group of Friends of Mountainous Countries, which primarily supports the interests of the worldwide community that lives in mountainous regions. Azerbaijan assists us in our endeavour," Osmonaliev said.

"COP 29 in Baku is a prestigious event and comes with great responsibility. Azerbaijan is currently preparing for the event," added the ambassador.

To note, 2022 was declared by the UN General Assembly as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development by Kyrgyzstan's initiative.

Azerbaijan will host the COP29 this November. This decision was reached during the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11, 2023. In less than two weeks, Baku is poised to become the epicentre of global climate discussions, welcoming an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 foreign delegates.

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16 April 2024 15:12 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Registration for the project "Creative Talks" has begun, Azernews reports.

Launched by the Culture Ministry, the project is an educational initiative that promotes the development of skills in the fields of culture and creativity in the capital and regions. The initiative is being implemented to support the formation of creative subjects.

Seminars, master classes, meetings with well-known people, and trainings will be organised within the framework of the project in more than 10 creative clusters.

The project "Creative Talks," scheduled for May, will initially cover the cities of Guba, Ganja, Mingachevir, Shaki, and Shamakhi, and then Lankaran, Nakhchivan, Sumgait, Baku, and Shusha in September and October.

In general, the sessions will be on cinema, theatre, painting, design, carpet weaving, cooking, animation, virtual game business, creative startups, photography, music, artistic glass art, fashion, and other topics.

Registration for the sessions held in Guba, Ganja, Mingachevir, Shaki, and Shamakhi has started, and it is possible to register during the month of April.

It should be noted that one hundred educational events were organised in ten regions within the framework of the project held in 2023 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. About 3000 participants took part in the events. For registration, please follow the link.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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16 April 2024 13:36 (UTC+04:00)

Separately, passenger, light-type vehicles, and passenger buses in units of the Azerbaijani Army were inspected, Azernews reports, citing the Defence Ministry.

The Ministry noted that during the inspection, the technical condition of the vehicles, the correctness and completeness of the control systems ensuring traffic safety were checked.

Special attention has been paid to the maintenance of joints and mechanisms, running parts, as well as other parts in the construction of automobiles, and to technical maintenance.

The best-performing military units were awarded at the end of the review.

It should be noted that eliminating a malfunction in the equipment and providing it with proper maintenance requires high experience and knowledge.

The technical reviews held between units of the Azerbaijani army play an important role in improving the knowledge and skills of personnel in this field and maintaining a high level of combat and technical training.

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16 April 2024 11:37 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

There has never been an international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan; it is just an administrative border; therefore, delimitation and demarcation of borders are necessary.

Vasilis Maragos, the head of the delegation of the European Union (EU) in Armenia, said this in an interview with an Armenian source.

According to him, the EU actively participates in the peace process.

"Brussels is committed to the principle of peaceful settlement of all disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan. First of all, the border between the two countries needs to be delimited."

It is worth noting that, throughout history, the geographical location and natural resources of the South Caucasus have always attracted the attention of foreign forces. For centuries, wars and invasions were carried out on these lands. Also, Tsarist Russia paid great attention to the Caucasus in its foreign policy and started pursuing occupation policy since the beginning of the 20th century.

Russian generals, choosing Garabagh in the occupation plan of the Caucasus, sought to use Armenians as an instrument in order to benefit from the regions geo-strategic position. With this plan, treaty of Turkmenchay, which was signed in February 1828 between Russia and Iran, created favourable conditions for Tsarist Russia to move Armenians to the occupied territories. Of course, after this operation, Russian authorities will diminish all the maps and documents about Azerbaijan's real lands.

Relations between Baku and Yerevan have remained tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Garabagh, a territory internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions. For almost 30 years, Azerbaijan tried to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict through negotiations with Armenia, which had occupied 20 percent of its territory. The talks yielded no results. On the contrary, it was clear that the Armenian side was simply trying to gain time, consolidate the status quo, and perpetuate it. Azerbaijan could not and did not come to terms with the occupation.

On September 27, 2020, a counter-offensive was launched in response to Armenias yet another large-scale military attack on Azerbaijani Army positions and civilian settlements. The counter-offensive later became known as Operation Iron Fist, which led to the Patriotic War. Most of the territory was liberated by Azerbaijan during a war in the fall of 2020, which ended after a Russian-brokered peace agreement that also opened the door to normalization. Azerbaijan established full sovereignty in Garabagh after a local anti-terrorism operation in September 2023, after which separatist forces in the region surrendered.

Both countries continue discussions to determine their mutual border, with talks having been held between the border commissions on seven occasions since May 2022. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan persistently says that he will reach an agreement on the peace treaty with Azerbaijan and on the issue of delimitation and demarcation of the borders based on the map of 1975. However, there is no accurate information about the mentioned map itself or what areas are included in it.

The map drawn up in 1975 applies only to a part of the general border between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The other part should be compiled according to the maps published in other years. Armenia is resorting this way because it does not want the signing of the peace agreement.

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16 April 2024 14:53 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

The Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of Turkiye-Azerbaijan University was approved, Azernews reports, citing the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's decree in this regard.

The Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of Turkiye-Azerbaijan University (TAU) between the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan and the Council of Higher Education of Turkiye signed on February 19, 2024 in Ankara was approved by the decree.

After the Memorandum of Understanding enters into force, the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan must ensure the implementation of its provisions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must send a notification to the Government of the Republic of Turkey that the domestic procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Memorandum of Understanding have been completed.

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16 April 2024 10:43 (UTC+04:00)

A special security regime was applied in the Parliament of Georgia today.

Azernews informs with reference to foreign media that access will be limited to visitors only, but only invited persons will be able to enter the building. The restrictions will not affect accredited journalists.

At the plenary session, deputies will discuss the draft law "On Foreign Agents". Opponents of the law promised to resume their protests near the parliament on April 16 at 11 am.

It should be noted that yesterday the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Georgia detained 14 people during the protest against the law "On Foreign Agents" in Tbilisi.

According to information, they violated public order, resisted the security guards, and insulted the police officers. During the clashes with the protesters, an employee of the law enforcement agencies was injured, and he was given medical assistance.

Besides, according to local media, the leader of the opposition "Girchi - More Freedom" Party, Zurab Caparidze, is among those detained.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili supported the protesters on her "X" account.

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16 April 2024 20:20 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Armed forces of Taiwan have successfully tested a new ground-based anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) "Lujian-2," Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets.

The Lujian-2 mobile launcher on a wheeled chassis successfully hit a target drone with a TC-2 missile ("Tianjin-2", English-language name - Sky Sword 2). The tests took place at the Zhongshan Institute of Science and Technology's Jiupeng military training ground. They were originally supposed to be held last week, but were postponed due to bad weather conditions. The armed forces of Taiwan plan to conduct such shootings on an annual basis in the future.

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16 April 2024 21:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The group of leading OPEC+ oil producing countries is exploring the possibility of joining Namibia, where oil fields with a total volume of 2.6 billion barrels have been discovered, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets.

The first step towards Namibia's possible accession to OPEC+ will be its signing of the charter of cooperation of oil-producing countries, the agency notes. The Namibian authorities announced in the autumn of 2022 that they would consider applying to join OPEC if large oil reserves on its shelf were confirmed. So far, Namibia has not made a similar request to OPEC or OPEC+.

According to the plans, the first oil from the already explored fields on the Namibian shelf will enter the world market in 2030. In the first years, daily production will amount to 700 thousand barrels. Experts believe that in the next 10 years, Namibia is capable of becoming the fourth largest oil producing country in Africa.

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16 April 2024 21:25 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The 135th session of the China Import and Export Goods Fair, known as the Canton Fair and which is the largest trade exhibition in the country, has started in Guangzhou, the center of China's foreign trade, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets.

The fair, which is attended by about 30 thousand companies, of which 680 are foreign, will last until May 5. For the first time, 4,300 companies will present their products.

Some 145 thousand buyers from about 200 countries of the world registered at the fair with a total exhibition area of 1.55 million square meters. It will feature more than a million new products.

It should be noted that the Canton Fair, which has been held since 1957, is considered a barometer of China's foreign trade. It is one of the largest trade fairs in the world in terms of the number of visitors and participating companies, trade deals and types of products presented. The exhibition, organized jointly by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Government of Guangdong Province, takes place twice a year  in spring and autumn.

China ranks first in the world in terms of the total value of exported goods and second after the United States in terms of the value of imported goods. According to the World Bank, China's economy, which is the second largest in the world in terms of nominal gross domestic product, has a huge impact on the global economy. It is no coincidence that the forecasts of a number of analytical centers on the global economy are based on forecasts of the development of the Chinese economy.

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The United States is looking at "out of the box" options with South Korea and other countries to continue the sanctions monitoring on North Korea, its top envoy to the United Nations said Tuesday, after Russia's veto on a U.N. mandate meant to renew the sanctions monitoring panel.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the remark during a visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, suggesting that "all possibilities" are on the table, even outside of the U.N. regime.

"We're working closely with Korea, with Japan, with other like-minded council members to look at some creative ways, some out of the box thinking, on how we might move forward on continuing the important work that the panel of experts was able to do," she said, when asked by reporters of the prospects of the panel.

"Whether that's the (U.N.) General Assembly, or entities outside of the U.N., I think we have to consider all possibilities."

The U.S. envoy was on a four-day trip to South Korea this week for talks with Seoul officials, as part of her two-nation Asia swing that will also take her to Japan.

Late last month, the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) failed to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts on monitoring the enforcement of sanctions against the North due to Russia's veto. China abstained in the vote.

Russia is one of the five permanent members of the UNSC that hold veto power, along with Britain, the U.S., China and France.

Moscow's rejection drew criticism that it could undermine international efforts to monitor violations of anti-Pyongyang sanctions aimed at blocking its illicit weapons development. The panel is now set to expire on April 30.

The veto also came amid concerns over the growing military ties between Russia and the North. The U.S. and countries aligned with Washington have accused Pyongyang of providing weapons to Moscow for use in its war in Ukraine in return for Russia's assistance in advanced military technologies.

"It's clear that the reason they're doing that is because of the alliances that they have established with the DPRK," the envoy said, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Thomas-Greenfield urged Moscow and Beijing to "reverse course" from turning a blind eye on North Korea emboldening its pursuit of illicit weapons programs and evading sanctions.

"Both countries continue to use their positions in the Security Council to shield the DPRK from accountability and most recently to prevent all U.N member states from learning about the DPRK's unlawful weapons program and sanctions evasion efforts," she said.

"We urge Russia and China to reverse course," she said. "Hiding the truth does not change it. Rewarding bad behavior only encourages it."

Thomas-Greenfield reiterated the U.S. call on Pyongyang to return to diplomacy for "constructive" dialogue rather than continuing with its escalatory rhetoric, repeating that Washington harbors no hostile intent toward the North.

"We remain open to dialogue." she said. "All the DPRK has to do is say yes, and show up to the table in good faith."

Her visit marked the first such trip by a top U.S. envoy to the U.N. in more than seven years.

Since Russia's veto on the panel extension, Seoul and Washington have been in talks to explore alternatives, a topic that topped the agenda during Thomas-Greenfield's talks with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Monday, Cho's office said earlier.

After the visit to the DMZ, Thomas-Greenfield met with a group of North Korean defectors to talk about the North's human rights violations. She was then expected to have a roundtable session with students at Ewha Womans University.

On Monday, she met with Cho and Defense Minister Shin Won-sik.

Thomas-Greenfield will wrap up her trip to Seoul and fly to Japan on Wednesday. (Joint Press Corps-Yonhap)
It used to be when pro-jihad crowds shouted "Death to America" it happened in Iran. Now, under Biden, it is happening repeatedly in the US itself as pro-Hamas mobs close airports, streets, and bridges. In Chicago, the pro-Hamas mob shouted the slogan in Farsi, the language of Iran, but today in New York City, they again did so in English, while burning American flags. One flag they burned was held by a counter-protester whose clothing caught fire, too.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13312551/Pro-Palestinian-protesters-chant-death-America-waiving-Hezbollah-Flags-NYC.html

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/04/hezbollah-flags-wave-terrorist-rally-nyc-protestors-assault/

Why are these terrorist sympathizers not arrested in mass, so those who are not American citizens can be separated out and deported? Those who are American citizens need criminal charges for whatever the mobs do, whether assaulting people, or blocking roads or bridges or airports.

In Florida, it was a different story, as police quickly moved in, put the pro-Hamas protesters in handcuffs and carried them off to jail to be charged criminally. While the state has no control over deportation of those not citizens, helpfully they will at least demand the Biden regime take action on that.

https://redstate.com/bonchie/2024/04/15/watch-pro-hamas-simps-learn-that-florida-isnt-new-york-as-consequences-are-delivered-n2172816

Biden refuses to do anything because he is pandering to Muslim voters. Hopefully, Jewish voters are watching closely and seeing that Biden is stabbing them in the back.
Yoon indicates intention not to back down from medical school quota hike plan

By Jun Ji-hye

No signs of a breakthrough in the prolonged confrontation between the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and doctors are in sight, leading to concerns that already serious disruptions in hospital operations could worsen further.

The health care standoff was caused since the government in February announced its plan to increase the number of medical school seats by 2,000 starting next year from the current 3,058, to improve public access to medical services. Doctors claimed such a drastic hike could compromise the quality of education.

Some raised cautious expectations that the two sides could move to find a breakthrough after the April 10 general elections, in which Yoons People Power Party won only 108 out of 300 seats in the National Assembly, but both sides are maintaining their original positions.

On Tuesday, Yoon indicated he had no intention to pull back from his efforts to reform the medical sector, including the medical school admission quota hike plan, which has caused thousands of trainee doctors across the country to walk off their jobs.

I cannot stop structural reforms for this country. I will continue to press on with major reform plans, Yoon said during a Cabinet meeting. While pursuing labor, education, pension and medical reform initiatives, I will pay more attention to reasonable opinions.

Yoon made the pledge in his first public remarks on the elections.

The ruling party's election defeat prompted assessments that the Yoon administration had significantly lost momentum in pushing for the quota hike policy. However, Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong echoed similar sentiments during a government meeting later in the day, emphasizing the government's commitment to maintaining the emergency medical system in response to doctors' collective action, with the aim of protecting the people.

The health ministry also announced decisions to extend its financial assistance in operating the emergency medical system, which was initially set to end this month. This extension is seen as an apparent bid to prepare for a potentially prolonged standoff.

Just the day before, the minister emphasized that expanding the medical school admission quota and pursuing other reform initiatives are "prerequisites to reviving essential medical treatment fields, as well as services in underserved areas."

However, doctors have remained firm in their position too, as they are calling on the government to withdraw the policy and go back to square one.

The doctors side stepped up its offensive, as 1,325 trainee doctors filed a complaint with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials against Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo, Monday, accusing him of abusing ministerial power and interfering with the exercising of their rights.

We will not return to work unless the government fires Park, Jung Guen-young, a former representative of trainee doctors at CHA University Bundang Medical Center, said during a press conference.

Kim Taek-woo who heads the emergency response committee of the Korean Medical Association  the biggest doctors coalition  also said in a recent briefing that the only requirement of doctors is that the government go back to square one.

Kim urged the government to immediately stop the ongoing process to allocate the 2,000 new slots to universities, mindful of concerns that the policy will be irreversible once universities announce guidelines for applicants for medical school entrance next month.

Amid the protracted conflicts, 10,445 medical students, or 55.6 percent of the total, have applied for a leave of absence, assisting in doctors collective action, though none of the applications have been accepted by their respective schools, according to the Ministry of Education.

Students are also boycotting classes at 11 medical schools, the ministry added.
A man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for a 2021 stabbing inside of Mercy Surgery Center-Springfield (Mo.), according to an April 12 report from NBC affiliate KYTV.

In January, Charles Turner pled guilty to first-degree domestic assault after stabbing an employee at the ASC. The employee survived the attack and Mr. Turner turned himself into police following the incident.

Mr. Turner was the father of the victim's child and allegedly committed the crime because he became upset he could not visit his daughter after splitting with the victim.
A North Carolina dentist had his license suspended April 2 for allegedly being impaired at his dental office.

The North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners took emergency action against the license of Paul Jeffrey Lowe, DMD, after allegedly receiving evidence that Dr. Lowe was impaired at his dental office and was unfit to practice.

Dr. Lowe's license is suspended pending further review by the board, according to board records.
Brentwood, Tenn.-based TriStar Health, part of HCA Healthcare, plans to build a $250 million full-service hospital in Spring Hill, Tenn., local news outlets reported April 15.

TriStar Health is planning to submit a certificate of need application with the state's health facilities commission to build an acute care hospital in Spring Hill, currently the largest city in Tennessee without a hospital. If approved, the facility would be built on the same site as TriStar Health's existing emergency department in Spring Hill.

News of the plan comes as the community's population continues to grow to an expected 64,000 residents in the next five years. Plans for the 68-bed hospital include an ICU, labor and delivery unit, neonatal ICU, four operating rooms, cardiac catheterization and imaging services.

Local officials anticipate the hospital would bring more than 3,000 new jobs to Spring Hill.

"We are proud to have served thousands of patients in Spring Hill and surrounding communities over the past 10 years with convenient emergency care," said Mitch Edgeworth, president of HCA Healthcare's TriStar Division, according to local news outlets. "As Spring Hill's population continues to grow, it is time for the community to have access to essential healthcare services at a full-service hospital closer to where they live, work and play."

TriStar Health includes 11 hospitals, as well as a network of surgery centers, urgent care centers, freestanding EDs and physician practices across Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. It is part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare's TriStar Division.
UnitedHealth Group drew the ire of federal lawmakers during the first hearing on the fallout surrounding the unprecedented cyberattack on Change Healthcare in late February.

Individuals representing the American Hospital Association, private cybersecurity groups and providers testified before members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on April 16 to discuss the healthcare industry's response to the attack and how the federal government should act.

"It has been reported that UnitedHealth has exploited this crisis in order to acquire health practices that are in urgent need of revenue just to keep their doors open," Rep. John Joyce, MD, said during the hearing. "While patients and physicians are still struggling, UnitedHealth's day-to-day operations have continued. This underscores that while Change Healthcare was a target of this ransomware attack, ultimately the patients and the physicians were and continue to be the real victims."

No individuals representing UnitedHealth Group or its subsidiaries attended the hearing, but lawmakers said the company had previously briefed the committee; the Senate Finance Committee is planning a hearing with CEO Andrew Witty on April 30. Rep. Annie Kuster suggested that UnitedHealth be subpoenaed to testify.

"The attack shows how UnitedHealth's anti-competitive practices present a national security risk because its operations now extend through every point of our healthcare system," Rep. Anna Eshoo of California said. "This really deserves a strong response by the Congress  the outrageousness of this."

Optum first reported "enterprisewide connectivity" issues on Feb. 21, which quickly led to widespread claims processing delays for hospitals, insurers, pharmacies and medical groups nationwide. UnitedHealth said Change was hit by BlackCat ransomware group, which claims to have stolen 6 terabytes of data, including medical records and Social Security numbers.

In March, the cybercriminal organization received $22 million in bitcoins, though UnitedHealth Group has not addressed whether the company paid the ransom. On April 15, ransomware group RansomHub posted files on its dark web leak site comprising personal and protected health information on patients whose data was taken in the hack. The files also include contracts and agreements between Change and its clients, marking the first time hackers have posted data from the attack.

The AHA found that about 94% of hospitals have felt a financial impact from the attack, and more than half have reported a "significant or serious" impact. Seventy-four percent of hospitals have reported a direct effect on patient care. Optum introduced a temporary funding assistance program for providers struggling with cash flow after the attack. To date, the company has provided more than $6 billion in advance payments to providers.

During the House committee hearing, experts stressed the need for more long-term federal cybersecurity investments within the healthcare sector, a mapping of the nation's healthcare infrastructure, and a more comprehensive federal incident response plan for similar attacks in the future. Experts agreed that President Joe Biden's proposed $7.3 trillion budget  which includes an $800 million investment in hospital cybersecurity protections  is "woefully insufficient," though a good place to start.

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers pointed to the hack as an example of what they said are the harms caused by vertical integration and industry consolidation. Those testifying recommended that future reviews of healthcare mergers and acquisitions by federal regulators involve cybersecurity considerations. UnitedHealth purchased Change in 2022 following a failed antitrust challenge by the Justice Department.

"The FTC has failed the American people by allowing vertical integration to happen, and it needs to be busted up," Rep. Buddy Carter said.

"We have got to do a better job here," Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD, said. "I do think that vertical integration in our healthcare system, [which is] supposed to save money, is actually going the other direction."

In March, HHS launched an investigation into UnitedHealth and Change over the cyberattack within the context of HIPAA compliance. Unrelated to the attack, the Justice Department has also begun an antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth, The Wall Street Journal reported Feb. 27.

UnitedHealth Group posted a $1.4 billion net loss in the first quarter of 2024 following the sale of its Brazil operations and the cyberattack. Despite the losses, the company beat investor expectations and shares rose 5.2% to almost $469, the WSJ reported.

"Without UnitedHealth Group owning Change Healthcare, this attack likely would still have happened," Mr. Witty told investors April 16. "It would have left Change Healthcare, I think, extremely challenged to come back. Because it is a part of UnitedHealth Group, we've been able to bring it back. We're going to bring it back much stronger than it was before."

UnitedHealth estimates a full-year business disruption between $0.30 to $0.40 per share. In total, the attack had an $872 million impact on the company in the first quarter, which is expected to rise up to $1.6 billion for the full year.
John Dalrymple, MD, was selected as the new dean and CEO of the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine in Pasadena, Calif.

Dr. Dalrymple is the senior associate dean for medical education at Boston-based Harvard Medical School. He will begin his new role on July 1, according to a news release from Kaiser's school of medicine.

"Dr. Dalrymple's dedication to championing inclusivity and diversity in medical education and the health profession will inspire and empower our faculty, staff, and students to continue shaping the future of medical education and healthcare delivery," Holly Humphrey, MD, chair of the school of medicine's board of directors, said in the release. "His appointment marks an exciting chapter in the history of the school, and we are confident that Dr. Dalrymple will lead us in making a profound impact on the communities we serve. Together, we will ensure that our school remains at the forefront of innovation, equity, compassionate care, and excellence in medical education."

Before his current role, Dr. Dalrymple served as associate dean for medical education quality improvement at Harvard Medical School. He also previously served as the assistant dean for clinical integration at the then newly formed University of Texas, Austin, Dell Medical School.

The Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, named in honor of Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente's late chair and CEO, opened in July 2020 with an inaugural class of 50 students. Dr. Dalrymple replaces founding dean and CEO Mark Schuster, MD, PhD.

Dr. Schuster plans to step down at the end of June and will remain a professor in health systems science at Kaiser's medical school, according to the release.
Members of the National Union of Healthcare Workers are holding a one-day strike April 16 at MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae, Calif.

The union represents more than 100 MarinHealth medical technicians, including MRI technologists, pharmacy technicians, ultrasound technologists and cardiac sonographers, according to an NUHW news release shared with Becker's.

Union members, who have been without a new labor contract since October, contend that the 327-bed public district hospital is insisting that they accept a contract with lower wage increases and higher medical costs than it has provided to other hospital workers.

"We're on the front lines, taking care of this community. To treat us like this is just a slap in the face," Cierra Thlang, an X-ray technologist, said in the union release. "Our hospital has been successful because patients know they'll get good care from experienced caregivers, and management is putting that at risk. We're losing too many good healthcare workers, and we're struggling to replace them."

David Klein, MD, CEO of MarinHealth, expressed surprise about the strike.

"NUHW has chosen to give a strike notice despite the hospital's continued effort to bargain in good faith," Dr. Klein said in a statement shared with Becker's. "Nevertheless, we will continue active negotiations with the NUHW on the remaining few issues, primarily pertaining to compensation, to see if we can reach an agreement that is satisfactory to both parties."








Registered nurses at two Ascension hospitals in Wichita, Kan., ratified new contracts after pledging to strike for a third time if they deemed it necessary to close negotiations.

Nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis voted 96 percent yes in favor of ratifying their new contract, and nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph voted 100 percent yes in favor. The two-year contract marks the nurses' first collective bargaining agreement at the hospitals, part of St. Louis-based Ascension, effective through April 2026.

National Nurses United represents nearly 1,000 nurses combined at the two hospitals. Nurses at St. Francis voted to join in November 2022, while nurses at St. Joseph voted to join the union in March 2023.

Nurses at both hospitals conducted two strikes in 2023 alongside nurses from Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin in Texas  first in June and again in December.

"We are pleased Ascension Via Christi St. Francis and St. Joseph represented registered nurses have ratified their initial RN contracts. These contracts respect the needs of our registered nurses and create a solid foundation for a collaborative and respectful working relationship," an Ascension spokesperson told Becker's.

"We thank our nurses for voting to accept these fair and equitable contracts and are eager to move forward together as we continue to fulfill our Mission of caring for all and improving the health of the communities we are privileged to serve," the spokesperson said.
A Mississippi man faces up to 25 years in prison for his alleged role in a Medicare fraud scheme exceeding $70 million.

In an indictment unsealed earlier this month in a U.S. District Court in Tampa, Joel Rufus French, 46, of Amory, Miss., is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive illegal healthcare kickbacks, conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

From 2017 through 2019, Mr. French allegedly managed multiple durable medical equipment companies without disclosing his role to Medicare, according to court documents.

Prosecutors claim he used the companies to bill Medicare for orthotic braces obtained by the use of fraudulent physician orders, which were generated by contacting Medicare beneficiaries and obtaining personally identifiable information through call centers. The indictment alleges that kickbacks and bribes were also used to obtain medical providers' signatures, generating the fraudulent physician orders. Mr. French also allegedly paid for physicians' orders for orthotic braces that were then sold to suppliers and brokers in exchange for millions in kickbacks and bribes.

Mr. French managed several durable medical equipment companies in Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Missouri, and also operated a company called R&L Marketing in Amory, Miss., according to the indictment.
The FDA has removed social media posts decrying the use of ivermectin for treating COVID-19 following a court ruling, Bloomberg News reported April 16.

The FDA posted an uncharacteristically snide tweet Aug. 21, 2020, in which it reminded Americans why it does not support the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19: "You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y'all. Stop it," the tweet read. It also included a link to a webpage the FDA created earlier in the year titled "Why You Should Not Use Ivermectin to Treat or Prevent COVID-19."

Not long after, three Texas physicians filed a lawsuit claiming the agency's actions interfered with their medical practices and harmed their reputations. Because of the FDA's posts, pharmacists refused to fill ivermectin prescriptions for their patients and one physician claimed they lost their position at a hospital and medical school for promoting ivermectin use.

In September, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that the FDA's tweets overstepped its authority by sharing medical advice or recommendations. The agency agreed to remove the post and webpage updates as part of the settlement.

"The agency has chosen to resolve this lawsuit rather than continuing to litigate over statements that are between two and nearly four years old," an FDA spokesperson told Bloomberg. "FDA has not admitted any violation of law or any wrongdoing."

The deleted social media posts have spurred claims the courts forced the FDA to walk back its statement, though the FDA said its position remains unchanged, the report said.

"We didn't retract everything we had to say about ivermectin," FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee meeting. "There is no benefit of ivermectin in the treatment of Covid."
Critiques of out-of-pocket spending in healthcare have long centered on the erratic nature of prices, with comparisons resting on sticker stability in other industries  a reference point that may not be as valid today as it once was.

Christopher Beam, writing fellow at The Atlantic, delves into the plethora of pricing models confronting consumers daily and the idea that add-ons, surges and personalization mean "there's no such thing as a price anymore," as his headline asserts.

Airlines pioneered the use of dynamic pricing going back to the 1980s, marking one of the early widespread instances where customers could buy at lower prices by booking early, with prices escalating for later bookings. In the 2000s, they moved on to master the art of the fee  those for checked luggage, Wi-Fi, meals and six inches of extra leg room, among others. "The practice spread and soon became a major driver of airline profits," according to The Atlantic.

Travel and events industries followed suit. Unexplained "resort fees" peppered hotel bills, "facility fees" came with car rentals, and ticketing websites charging markups as high as 78% for concerts. "Some fees sounded like jokes," writes Mr. Beam. "In 2014, an airport in Venezuela charged customers a fee to cover its ventilation system, a surcharge widely mocked as a 'breathing tax.'"

More recently, personalized pricing has entered the scene, in which user data is used to set prices to a different amount based on users' calculated willingness to pay. "The concept of willingness to pay contains endless potential for mischief," Mr. Beam writes, a concern that becomes particularly palpable with AI-based pricing and anything related to necessary, life-saving healthcare.

Healthcare services are riddled with pricing complexities, marked by opaque processes, inconsistencies, and hurdles like prior authorizations with insurers. But the once-valid comparisons to better pricing experiences in other industries are becoming less compelling, too. As more companies and industries experiment with Frankenstein prices aimed at maximizing profits, leaders in pricing integrity are increasingly difficult to come by.

It now takes a company such as Mark Cubans to remind consumers  and competitors  that pricing models in 2024 can still be sane. Mr. Cuban's pricing model for his pharmaceutical wholesaler has become a competitive advantage, and it can be explained in one sentence: Each drug is priced at its manufacturing cost, plus a 15% markup, $5 pharmacy fee and $5 shipping fee.

But of course, this model rests on an uncommon attitude. Mr. Cuban has made his interest in maximizing profits clear: "I could make a fortune from this," Mr. Cuban said in late 2021. "But I won't. I've got enough money. I'd rather f up the drug industry in every way possible."
The top U.S. envoy to the United Nations and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul discussed ways to build a new mechanism for monitoring the enforcement of U.N. sanctions on North Korea, Cho's office said Monday, after Russia vetoed a resolution meant to renew the monitoring mandate.

The meeting between Cho and Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield came amid growing concerns that Moscow's rejection to extend the mandate for the U.N. Panel of Experts on North Korean sanctions could undermine international efforts to monitor violations of sanctions imposed on Pyongyang over its illicit weapons programs.

Thomas-Greenfield arrived in Seoul on Sunday on a four-day trip as part of an Asia swing that will also take her to Japan.

"Minister Cho and Amb. Thomas-Greenfield expressed deep disappointment that the bid to extend the expert panel under the U.N. sanctions committee on North Korea was thwarted due to Russia's veto," the ministry said in a release.

"They discussed various ways to establish a new mechanism to monitor the implementation of sanctions against North Korea," it said.

In a separate readout, U.S. Mission to the U.N. spokesperson Nate Evans said that Cho and Thomas-Greenfield talked about the "next steps to ensure a continuation of independent and accurate reporting" of the North's ongoing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile advancements and sanctions evasion activities, following Russia's veto.

As an elected member of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) for 2024-25, Cho expressed hope that South Korea will use the platform to deepen trilateral cooperation with the United States and Japan in responding to pending global issues at the UNSC level, according to the foreign ministry.

Thomas-Greenfield also suggested capitalizing on this occasion in which South Korea and Japan are both serving on the UNSC as nonpermanent members, noting how the elected members like South Korea played an important role in the successful adoption of the resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Cho asked for Washington's attention on the human rights situations in North Korea and North Korean escapees. Thomas-Greenfield reaffirmed the importance of the three-way cooperation involving Japan to increase the visibility of the issue within the U.N.

Iran's attack on Israel, the security situation in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas group, and efforts to expand humanitarian assistance in this region were also among what was discussed at Monday's meeting, Cho's office said.

Later Monday, the U.S. envoy met with Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and expressed concern over Russia's recent veto, noting that it could create lapses in implementing U.N. Security Council sanctions resolutions on the North, according to Seoul's defense ministry.

The U.S. envoy explained that Washington is making efforts to ensure that an alternative credible report on North Korean sanctions can continue to be produced, and expressed hopes for support from South Korea, it said.

The U.S. envoy called North Korea's advancement of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions, and an illegal act that undermines the universal values of the international community.

The two sides also expressed concern over increasing uncertainty in the global security situation, and agreed to cooperate to push for projects connected to the U.N. Security Council resolutions, according to the ministry.

Her visit came after Russia last month vetoed the U.N.'s annual renewal of an expert panel monitoring the North's compliance with U.N. sanctions.

North Korea has been under tightened U.N. sanctions, which call for, among other things, a ban on the country's exports of coal and other mineral resources to cut off North Korea's access to hard currency.

With the veto, the panel's mandate is set to expire April 30, a termination that observers say could chip away at international efforts to curb evolving North Korean nuclear and missile threats.

During her trip, the U.S. envoy will also travel to the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, meet young North Korean defectors and speak with students at Ewha Womans University before heading to Japan on Wednesday.

It marks Thomas-Greenfield's first visit to Seoul, and the first trip by a U.S. ambassador to the U.N. since 2016. (Yonhap)
It has been over a year since the FBI and Justice Department disclosed "Operation Nightingale," which cracked open a fake nursing degree scheme at three now-shuttered schools. More than 7,600 fraudulent diplomas and transcripts were sold to aspiring nurses, who paid $10,000 for the documents  without completing the necessary coursework to graduate.

Omar Perez Aybar, special agent in charge with HHS' Office of Inspector General, called it "one of the most brazen schemes [he had] ever seen." The effects are still felt throughout the nurse licensing process, as questions about some schools' legitimacy linger. For human resources leaders, the scandal raised questions about hiring practices and, in some cases, the qualifications of those among their ranks.

Operation Nightingale was one of the most widely publicized healthcare imposter cases, but several individual bad actors have also been reported over the past year. In March, a teenager who posed as a PA at two Texas hospitals was sentenced to five years in prison; the same week, a former Iowa hospital administrator pled guilty to identity theft. A Michigan woman currently faces seven years in prison for using another person's identity to gain employment as a nurse and making false statements related to healthcare matters. A Kansas health system fired its CFO in the fall after discovering that he had changed his name and was actually a convicted felon.

These cases are not extraordinarily common, but they're also not exceedingly rare. Becker's connected with four health system human resources chiefs for their takes on the issue.

How concerned should HR leaders be about imposters?

Dallis Howard-Crow wouldn't say she's "concerned" about imposters slipping through the cracks  but as chief human resources officer at Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth, she is "aware."

Shelley Parn, HR chief at Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare, feels similarly. She told Becker's that the issue is not as prevalent as people might think it is, given the high publicity of certain cases. But the health system is "very risk averse," she said, and takes extra precautions to ensure its bases are covered.

Some leaders believe that the issue is at a tipping point. The rise of artificial intelligence has made it easier for people to fabricate identities, according to Leeann Kaminsky, senior vice president and CHRO at WVU Medicine in Morgantown, W.Va.

"I don't think anything is failproof," Ms. Kaminsky said of HR leaders' efforts. "Unfortunately, we live in a world with bad actors."

Calvin Allen, executive vice president and HR chief at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, shared Ms. Kaminsky's concerns.

"Bad actors are becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially with social engineering and identity theft, so no one has a 100% air tight system," Mr. Allen said. "HR professionals can't solve this issue alone. We need the engaged partnership of hiring leaders and all who are involved in the interview process to be vigilant in the recruiting process."

How to prevent un(der)qualified hires?

Most HR leaders agreed that their states' minimum hiring requirements are insufficient filters.

Illinois regulations only require a state background check to hire healthcare workers, but OSF HealthCare has been running federal background checks for the past few years. Sometimes, a licensed healthcare worker will be cited in one state, then apply for jobs in another state. Due to backlogs in state licensure departments, those issues might not show up anywhere but a federal background check.

"I think as HR professionals, we have to think beyond that [state requirement] in today's society," Ms. Parn said. "All healthcare organizations should have a very comprehensive compliance approach to licensures: You go above and beyond what the regulations say you have to do."

In addition to federal background checks, OSF conducts monthly licensure checks (significantly more frequent than the biannual requirement); this way, any disciplinary changes that slipped through the hiring process due to reporting delays can be caught in real time. The system has been able to catch licenses on probation using this method, Ms. Parn said. Bots placed by the system's analytics division frequently grab and audit the licenses, saving the HR department a significant amount of time and labor.

Patients and employees play a live role in the process, according to Ms. Parn. They can call an "integrity line" to report any issues they see, and the health system has a system specifically for employees to report concerns about a co-worker's license. OSF HealthCare is "like a small town" with 25,000 employees. Ms. Parn said the lines get occasional use.

UCHealth also requires "intense" background checks, including both universal and Colorado background checks, and employment verification for the past three years. Like Ms. Parn, Ms. Howard-Crow has found that applicants on the cusp of getting fired in other states are more likely to show on the federal checks. Additionally, frequent competency checks are commonplace at UCHealth.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia takes extra precautions due to its status as a pediatric provider. Pennsylvania's child protection law is so strict that the hospital is more thorough than its adult-care counterparts, Mr. Allen said. Formal criminal background, child abuse and FBI checks reveal issues at the local, state and federal levels and are repeated every five years after hire. The hospital formally verifies all required education, licenses and certifications  and participates in an ongoing "list serve" for in- and out-of-state sanctions, which allows any issues with nurses, advanced practice providers and physicians to surface.

At WVU Medicine, extra sets of eyes provide added layers of protection, Ms. Kaminsky said. The system has hired some executives through a search firm and uses a vendor to support its screening process. The HR team keeps an eye on the news  when the nurse degree scheme broke, it conducted an audit to ensure there were no fake diplomas among WVU's ranks. All were clear.
A pork belly dish at Clenaghans which has announced its closure

The Federation of Small Businesses NI has blamed a triple whammy of economic pain for recent restaurant closures across the country.

Alan Lowry, FSBs NI Policy chair, said the hospitality industry has been hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis.

It comes as three popular restaurants announced their closures over the weekend.

Broker in east Belfast, The Sooty Olive in Derry and Clenaghans in Co Antrim have all attributed their closures to rising costs.

Mr Lowry said the cost of doing business has risen for all firms in recent years but that for retail and hospitality it has gone through the roof.

He added that the NI Assembly is failing to support struggling businesses.

Alan Lowry, chair of the FSB's NI Policy Board

Businesses are getting hit from all directions, said Mr Lowry.

Some pressures are global, such as energy prices, but many are because of the action, or inaction, of the government.

Mr Lowry added that business owners in Northern Ireland receive disproportionately less support than those in the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

A hike in the minimum wage added significantly to costs last week, he explained.

For the third year in a row, Stormont failed to offer the same support through reduced rates bills that Westminster provided, and our hospitality sector has to charge half as much again in VAT as their competitors in the Republic.

Thats a triple whammy of economic pain, and these most recent, deeply regrettable business closures show that the effects are real, serious and immediate.

Mr Lowry feels that if NI businesses were offered rates relief similar to businesses in England, less restaurants would be forced to close.

For three years in a row, businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England have received 75% discount on their rates, yet Northern Irelands businesses have been left high and dry. Its not good enough.

They should be getting the same discount on their rates as their counterparts in England.

Mr Lowry believes that allowing restaurants in NI to close will cause greater strain on Northern Irelands economy.

They [restaurants] cannot be expected to continue absorbing the impact of the huge rise in the cost of doing business, he said.

These businesses create jobs, stimulate the economy and help make Northern Ireland an even more attractive place for people to live, work and bring up their families.

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors should be getting the 75% discount on their rates  and that should be an Executive priority.

Mr Lowry also praised business owners across Northern Ireland who have managed to keep their restaurants afloat.

The fact that Northern Ireland retains so many successful businesses despite these challenges is testament to the innovation, dedication and hard work of inspirational business leaders. However, a lot more could be done to support them, he said.

He also stressed that if something isnt done soon to lower the cost of running a restaurant in Northern Ireland, more will close.

Politicians must act to make sure that they relieve the pressure so that as many as possible stay open and that we encourage budding entrepreneurs to make the jump into opening their own businesses.
Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan TD, NTA chief executive Anne Graham, and Bus Eireann chief executive Stephen Kent at the launch on Friday

Ballymena bus manufacturer Wrightbus is providing the battery-electric buses which are being rolled out in Limerick, which is expected to have Irelands first fully-electric regional city bus service.

Fifty-five of the firms rapid-charge double deck StreetDeck Electroliners are being used, all built at Wrightbuss Ballymena headquarters.

The company said the buses mean cleaner air and quieter streets in the areas theyre used.

Limericks bus service, operated by Irelands national bus company, Bus Eireann, is set to become Irelands first fully-electric regional city bus service as part of a 54 million investment by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

As part of the investment, the 55 buses will service more than 2.1 million emission-free kilometres across Limerick city service annually. Currently, 34 all-electric buses are in Limerick ahead of their introduction into service en-masse, with a further 21 of these buses expected to enter service in early 2025.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO at Wrightbus, said: We are delighted to partner with the NTA in the drive to zero-emission public transport and to have played our part in helping it develop Irelands first fully-electric regional city bus service.

We are at the forefront of zero-emission technology and have a tremendous reputation for our fleet, both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses.

Our ambition is to see many more of our buses be rolled out across cities, towns and rural areas all over the world.

The new service was launched by Irelands Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD at Limericks Colbert Station on April 12 and builds on the success of Irelands first ever all-electric town bus service, which was launched in Athlone in January 2023.

Minister Ryan said: It is great to see the launch of electrified bus services in Limerick city. This follows on from the successful roll-out of a fully-electrified town bus service in Athlone last year and the ongoing decarbonisation of the Dublin bus fleet.

Government is committed to the greening of our public transport services and today represents an important step toward meeting our climate targets, while also providing a quieter, cleaner bus service for the people of Limerick.

In preparation for the new all-electric service, Bus Eireann drivers and mechanics have undergone a comprehensive training programme  more than 500 hours  on the driving, maintenance and operation of the new fleet.

Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA, said: These zero-emission vehicles will not only provide a smoother, more accessible journey for our customers, but will also significantly reduce CO2 emissions and noise pollution in the areas they operate.

This investment highlights the NTAs dedication to creating a cleaner, greener and more efficient future for the people of Limerick.

Speaking in advance of the launch, Stephen Kent, CEO of Bus Eireann, said: Our mission is to help make life better and this transformative 54 investment in new zero-emission fleet, funded by the NTA, helps us reduce greenhouse gas emissions, providing a cleaner and greener public transport solution for everyone in Limerick city.

Wrightbus was founded in 1946 and has been at the forefront of the movement to decarbonise public transport across the UK and Ireland with its world-first hydrogen double deck, the StreetDeck Hydroliner, alongside the Electroliner.
Northern Ireland

Its a moment in history so we wanted to be on the first train: Rail services get underway at Belfasts Grand Central station
Jeremy Hunt will insist the UK economy is on the up as he travels to the United States for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings.

The Chancellor will seek to further strengthen UK-US economic ties and stress the importance of standing together with allies at times of instability across the globe.
A statement confirmed the food venue is moving on to new ventures

The future of Trademarket street food outlet has been thrown into uncertainty after IT firm Kainos announced that planning permission has been approved for its new headquarters on the Dublin Road site.

Planning permission was granted by Belfast City Council at the Planning Committee meeting on April 16 for Kainos Bankmore Exchange HQ and for Queen's University to develop managed student accommodation next to the Kainos building.

The companys temporary leasing agreement with Trademarket, which currently occupies the site, will end as planned on July 31 this year with the statement confirming the food venue is moving on to new ventures.

The Belfast Telegraph has asked the social enterprise about its future plans, although it will not continue in its current location, which was always due to be a temporary arrangement.

The construction of the new Kainos headquarters is set to begin in September and the project is scheduled for completion within 24 months, with Kainos aiming to take occupancy in early 2027.

The tech firm said the news signifies a major investment in the regeneration of the citys Linen Quarter.

"The project will provide a state-of-the-art workspace for its people and contribute significantly to the economic and social fabric of Belfast, stated the IT services company.

CGIs of the newly approved Kainos Headquarters. Credit: Cyanotype Media

Russell Sloan, CEO at Kainos, added: We are delighted to have received planning approval, and it is exciting to know we will be moving into our new headquarters at Bankmore Exchange in just a few years. This development not only marks a significant milestone in our journey but also reaffirms our commitment to Belfast, the city where Kainos was founded. As we look to the future, we are eager to continue making a positive impact, driving growth, and creating new opportunities in the region. I would also like to take a moment to thank Trademarket for their partnership. As they move on to new ventures, we wish them every success.

Kainos is dedicated to fostering community development and enhancing the technological landscape in Belfast. The company is eager to see the positive changes its new headquarters will bring to the local community and industry.

Queen's University is planning to welcome students to their new facilities for the beginning of the September 2026 academic year.

Kainos now employs some 3,000 staff across its sites.

Last year, the FTSE 250 company announced it would invest 10m in the advancement and scaling of generative AI.

It says that will foster innovation, elevate client experiences, and drive digital transformation for its clients.

Last year, Kainos also reported turnover up by 24% year on year to 374.8m in the 12 months to March 31, 2023.

Its accounts to March 31, 2024 have not yet been published.
A 40-year-old man described by a judge as displaying all the hallmarks of a domestic abuse perpetrator has been remanded in custody following his latest alleged offending against his ex-partner and children.
A prohibition on police accessing secret recordings about a former IRA members activities during the Troubles is set to be rescinded, the High Court ruled today.

Senior judges held they had no jurisdiction to allow Anthony McIntyre to mount a further appeal against disclosure of interviews he gave to Boston College in the United States.
Specialists urge for end to unjust laws and introduction of smacking ban

Research shows physical punishment to be associated with anxiety and depression among children. Picture posed

The law in Northern Ireland must be changed to end the practice of smacking children, paediatricians have urged.

Currently in England and Northern Ireland, a parent can use the defence of reasonable punishment to justify physically punishing a child in certain circumstances, for example by slapping, smacking, or hitting.

Childrens doctors in both countries are now calling for equal protection for children and young people against such physical assault.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has published a landmark report which lays out the health, education, and legal case for a legislative change to remove the reasonable punishment defence and to prohibit all physical punishment of children in all circumstances in England and Northern Ireland.

While adults in both countries are protected by law from all forms of physical assault, children do not have this same protection in all circumstances.

Scotland and Wales are among more than 60 other countries around the world that have brought in measures to give children the same protection from assault that adults enjoy.

Recommendations in the report include amending the Law Reform Order 2006 in Northern Ireland and introducing a smacking ban in legislation.

RCPCH Officer for Ireland, Dr Ray Nethercott, pointed out that smacking a child is not a necessary nor harmless form of discipline.

In fact, we have endless evidence which shows the extensive harm that smacking has on a child, including the learned belief that violence is accepted or even encouraged by society, he said.

For many children, this belief can lead to further instances of violence and harm later in life. We know all too well the intergenerational and cyclical nature of violence, but we also know that these cycles can be broken.

I strongly believe that children in Northern Ireland and England should have the very same rights and protections as their peers in Scotland and Wales, he added.

By introducing this small legislative change, we can level the playing field for children and young people across the UK, reduce instances of child abuse, and create a safer and healthier society for our children.

Internationally, 65 states have full prohibition of physical punishment of children, while 27 more states have committed to reforming their laws to achieve a complete legal ban.

Bess Herbert, Advocacy Specialist at End Corporal Punishment, said: The science on physical punishment of children is now settled. Hundreds of studies have found that it is associated with a wide range of negative outcomes, including physical harm, poorer mental and physical health, atypical brain function, lower cognitive development and educational outcomes, school dropout, increased aggression and poor moral internalisation, and perpetration of violence and anti-social behaviour in adulthood.

Happily, 65 countries have now passed laws prohibiting physical punishment of children, and their experience shows that this legal reform can play a powerful role in reducing the prevalence of physical punishment and other forms of violence against children, often positively impacting extremely large numbers of children.

Experience also shows that laws prohibiting physical punishment are most effective when they are well communicated and implemented, through a comprehensive and sustained programme that ensures parents and carers, professionals, children and the public understand the new law and are supported to adopt positive and healthy ways of raising children, she added.

I hope that England and Northern Ireland will soon join the ever-growing number of countries that have taken this fundamental step in protecting children, upholding their rights, and supporting healthy and positive child raising."
Diplomats from South Korea and the United States held a new session of their bilateral dialogue on North Korean human rights in Washington on Monday, as the two sides see a close link between Pyongyang's weapons programs and its rights conditions.

Chun Young-hee, director general for the Korean Peninsula peace regime at Seoul's foreign ministry, and Julie Turner, the U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, led the second session of the dialogue that was relaunched in November following a yearslong hiatus, according to the ministry.

The two sides noted that the North Korean regime's "obsession" with its development of nuclear weapons and missiles has led to an infringement on North Korean people's basic rights and further exacerbated the human rights situation.

"(They) stressed that the international community should pay more attention to the issue of improving North Korean people's access to information so as to make them realize the North's reality by themselves," the ministry said in a press release.

Chun expressed concerns that less than 0.1 percent of the North's 26-million population use the internet, while underscoring the need to raise voices for the removal of the North's tough public control measures to help address the "information divide" between the North and the outside world.

The two sides also agreed to continue joint efforts to spread consensus over the seriousness of the North Korean rights issues and ensure accountability for those responsible for rights violations in the North.

Turner called for close bilateral coordination over specific measures to substantively improve rights in the North.

The two sides agreed to push for the next session of the dialogue in the second half of the year.

While in Washington, Chun also met with U.S. Senior Official for North Korea Jung Pak to discuss North Korea's ties with Russia and other issues. (Yonhap)
There have been 50,000 attacks on healthcare workers over the last five years

Security must be improved across hospitals here before someone is killed, it has been warned.

More than 50,000 attacks have been carried out on healthcare staff in the last five years, according to the Department of Health.

Conor McCarthy of Unison said the lack of security has been raised for some time and its pure luck no one has died.

Health trusts adopt different approaches to security.

The Northern Trust has a private security company at Antrim Area and Causeway Hospitals.

The Southern Trust has security porters, while the Western Trust relies on a staff attack alarm system and hospital portering staff, who provide support 24 hours a day.

The Belfast Trust hires professional security officers whose sole role is to deal with attacks, and the South Eastern Trust has trained security staff.

A Department of Health framework outlines its commitment to ensuring the prevention, reduction and management of violence and aggression towards staff.

However, Mr McCarthy said the focus is on holding attackers to account, rather than preventing attacks in the first place.

It is just pure luck that somebody hasnt been killed, he claimed.

He added porter security was nonsense because it put workers, patients and visitors at unnecessary risk, as they are nowhere near trained to do that.

Theres an over-reliance on CCTV as a substitute for boots on the ground. And we are tired telling them all that CCTV does is record the incident, he said.

Theres no evidence of prevention, no evidence that somebody is not going to act violently because there is CCTV.

He believes a security presence at all hospitals would act as a deterrent.

One of the biggest problems facing hospitals was the issue of drug use and distribution.

Those with addiction issues still phone suppliers to meet them in hospitals, and other unwanted characters enter hospitals to steal drugs, he said.

There is a campaign for syringe boxes to be placed in public toilets because cleaning staff were constantly being pricked with needles in the course of their work.

It is not about having burly doormen, Mr McCarthy said, as women are effective security officers who de-escalate tensions due to their training.

Unison wants a regional review of security services and to work closely with community mental health and addiction services to take a holistic approach.

He argued that would reduce assaults and help those in distress.

Tom Black, chair of the the BMAs Northern Ireland Council, said: The threat of violence adds to the stress of doctors working lives and that of all other frontline healthcare workers. It impacts on already dwindling morale at a time of increasing workloads and falling staffing numbers.

Workforce is the most valuable asset of the health service, so more needs to be done across all health trusts to protect their safety.

That includes improving security measures across all hospital sites to help minimise the likelihood of attacks, as well as supporting staff who experience such attacks.

More also needs to be done to ensure that anyone who commits an act of violence against healthcare staff is dealt with appropriately.

The Department of Health said no one should face the threat of aggression or violence in the course of their job, least of all HSC staff who dedicate their lives to protecting and caring for patients.

It added: The department launched a new violence and aggression framework in December 2023, outlining the HSCs commitment to ensuring the prevention, reduction and management of violence and aggression towards staff.

It has also been designed to ensure that the right structures, policies and support are in place to enable staff to work safely.

The framework also acknowledges that it is not possible to fully eliminate incidents of inappropriate behaviour when providing health services, as staff are required to treat and care for a wide range of people in challenging circumstances.

Nonetheless, employers have a duty to provide a safe, secure environment and support for staff and others.

Trusts are therefore required to undertake risk assessments as applicable and when incidents do occur, it is vital that they are dealt with appropriately and that staff are supported.

The framework makes clear that trusts will also be expected to ensure incidents are reviewed and lessons learnt to reduce the risk of future occurrences.
There were more than double the amount of assaults on police constables in Northern Ireland last year compared to officers in Greater Manchester  despite the latter having around a million more residents.

The figures were revealed in an answer to a Policing Board question by DUP member and MLA Keith Buchanan.

In 2022/23 there were 3,272 assaults on PSNI constables, of which 971 resulted in injuries.

This figure dwarfs not only the 1,625 assaults on constables in Greater Manchester over the same period, but also Northumbria (782 assaults), the West Midlands (2,475 assaults) and West Yorkshire (2030 assaults).

Greater Manchester is the third largest police force in the UK, followed by the West Midlands and West Yorkshire.

Northern Ireland has a population of 1.9m people, according to the latest 2021 census, while Greater Manchester has a population of 2.8m.

Read more Sharp rise in number of offenders being recalled to prison for breaching licences

Over the last five years, eight PSNI officers per day on average were assaulted while on duty.

Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, branded the figures appalling, adding that they show a massive disrespect for the work our officers do every day.

"Regrettably Northern Ireland has the unenviable position of now being one of the worst regions in the UK for assaults causing injury to our men and women, he said.

"The injuries they sustain are shocking and can have a lasting physical and psychological effect on them. They are kicked, punched, head-butted, spat at, and attacked with weapons.

"Whats needed as a matter of urgency are tougher sentences handed down by our Courts. We have to make violent individuals think twice before committing an assault and they must be made to realise that if they do attack police officers and our emergency service colleagues they should face a stiff, deterrent custodial sentence.

Mr Buchanan said the figures on police assaults are startling and deeply alarming.

Police officers are not just statistics, they are human beings with families who have chosen to step forward and serve their communities, he said.

The fact that police officers in Northern Ireland are being assaulted more than comparable police forces across the UK should be cause for concern. Northern Ireland is running almost double the number of assaults on officers that are experienced in forces like Greater Manchester.

With 6,500 officers in the PSNI, it is incredible that there were almost 1,000 serious assaults last year.

This reinforces the need for officers to be fully trained in defending themselves and be fully equipped to defend themselves. The police leadership needs to examine if officers are fearful of deploying reasonable and justified force to the extent where the officers are getting injured.

We supported every officer being armed with a firearm and with a Taser.

PSNI Superintendent Gary Busch said that assaults add pressure to an already stretched workforce.

Assaults on our officers and staff place additional unnecessary burden at a time where our resources are already stretched with declining officer numbers, he said.

The last thing the service needs is officers not being able to finish their shift due to injury.

Were just trying to make a difference.

We, as a Police Service, are committed to investigating these attacks rigorously, just as we would were it a member of the public.

Superintendent Busch added: Our priority is the safety and welfare of all our staff and to ensure support is available when its needed. Assaults on police pose a serious threat to the vital service police provide and we will continue work with the Police Federation for Northern Ireland to support our officers.

Our message to those who think this behaviour is acceptable, it is not; it should not be seen as part of the job and we will pursue those individuals and bring them before the courts.
An inquest to be held into the circumstances surrounding Matthew McCallans disappearance and death will most likely now not take place until next year.

The 15-year-old from Co Tyrone was found dead in a ditch outside Fintona late last year after attending a country music festival with friends.

His frantic family and scores of volunteers spent almost two days searching for him after he was reported missing on December 4.

His body was found by a local woman the following day. It was one of the coldest nights of the winter, and an initial post-mortem examination found Matthew died of hypothermia.

The Coroners Service advised last August that Coroner Joe McCrisken intends to hold an inquest into the Dungannon teenagers death.

During a preliminary hearing for the inquest last week, a solicitor informed the court that there was no prospect of the matter being addressed this year, with 2025 being the likely timeframe for the inquest.

However, a potential opening in September 2024 could be considered depending on the progress of other matters.

The next pre-inquest review will take place on June 10, when it will be decided whether the inquest will take place this September or not.

There is a chance that it could take place in either Omagh or Dungannon, as a more suitable location for the family and witnesses involved.

It was further noted that the disclosure of crucial documents related to the inquest was still in the early stages.

Frances McCallan, Matthews grieving mother, said that at this stage she isnt sure whether she could mentally handle the details of an inquest currently.

"I feel I need time to breathe and prepare myself for whats to come, she told The Belfast Telegraph.

Solicitor Niall Murphy of Belfast-based KRW Law will represent the McCallan family.

He said: The family also reiterates their public appeal for anybody with any information in relation to the events of the night [that Matthew died] to make themselves known to me or the coroners office.
The Royal College of GPs Northern Ireland has launched new strategy to tackle GP workforce retention (Stock image)

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has revealed its plan to try to keep staff in NI, as many are choosing to work abroad.

In 2023, a record number of GP surgeries in Northern Ireland (14) handed their contracts back, including six in the Northern Trust.

At the time, Dr Alan Stout, chair of the British Medical Associations Northern Ireland GP committee, said: General practice is under sustained pressure. There are not enough GPs to meet the rising workload requirements.

On Tuesday, the RCGP announced the publication of its new report, A Workforce Fit For The Future: RCGPNI Retention Strategy, in a bid to retain staff.

As the foundation of the health service in Northern Ireland, general practice has shouldered the burden of escalating demand, a declining workforce, and real-terms funding cuts to a point of geographical destabilisation never seen before, said the RCGP upon publication.

Urgent action is needed to preserve and protect the existing general practice workforce.

The report has made 10 recommendations to the Department of Health to ensure that NI compares favourably with other regions of the UK and the Republic of Ireland as an attractive place to work.

They include the launch of a state-backed GP indemnity scheme for NI; to invest in further support for practices at risk of contract hand-back; and improve support for practice mergers.

State-backed GP indemnity schemes, which refers to a contractual obligation of one party to compensate the loss incurred by another party, were launched in 2019 for England, Scotland and Wales  but not NI, following extensive BMA lobbying and contract negotiations.

The RCGP has also recommended investing in and modifying GP retention schemes to ensure more flexibility and greater financial stability for practices and to support GPs across all career stages to remain in practice.

In NI, the average salary for a partner in a GP practice is around 92,300; in England, its around 98,000.

Other recommendations include commissioning a practitioner health programme to support clinicians in crisis across NI, as well as providing support for GPs and practices on recruiting staff who require a Health and Care Worker visa.

The colleges report has also suggested the Department of Health work with the Government to secure solutions to pensions that are equitable across all UK nations.

It has also recommended that specific schemes are launched for later-career GPs through education, mentoring and leadership roles.

In 2020, the average age of GPs here was 45 years old.

Other recommendations include ensuring that practices in areas of contract instability are not further disadvantaged by having to compete for locum cover with Trust-run practices offering hugely inflated fees for sessional work.

Providing additional support for newly qualified GPs to take up substantive posts in practice was also noted.

Commenting on the report, Dr Ursula Mason, a GP in Carryduff and chair of RCGPNI, said: We know that general practice needs investment in a sustainable funding model and a properly enacted and resourced workforce plan in the long-term, but there are actions that could be taken in the short- to medium-term that would make a real difference.

We need to provide tailored interventions to make working as a GP in NI more attractive across all career stages.

We need a practitioner health programme to support clinicians in crisis amid increasing rates of burnout.

We need tangible interventions addressing the burden of workload in general practice, to improve the efficiency and safety of our services, and the provision of support for practices at risk of collapse.

Ultimately, improving the retention of our GP workforce is about keeping general practice afloat and being able to provide the safe, effective and person-centred care which all patients need and deserve. I commend these findings now to decision-makers to take action.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health confirmed on Monday that it had appointed a new contractor providing GP services to the patients of Larne Medical Practice, with effect from May 1.

A letter will be sent to the patients registered with the practice in the coming days.

The previous contractor terminated its contract in October 2023.
Leader of the Opposition Matthew OToole expressed regret at the number of MLAs from the two parties who were present in the chamber (Oliver McVeigh/PA)

Sinn Fein and the DUP have been accused of showing a lack of respect on the issue of child poverty after the SDLP criticised their turnout at an Assembly Opposition Day debate on the issue.

SDLP MLAs made the claims as they tabled a motion calling on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to draw up a plan to remove the controversial two-child limit on Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit benefit payments.

Tuesday was an Opposition Day at Stormont, with the SDLP controlling the order of business in the Assembly chamber.

The partys first motion of the day focused on the UK Governments contentious two-child-limit welfare policy, which restricts families to claiming Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit support for only their first two children, with no further support paid out for a third child or subsequent children.

Leader of the Opposition Matthew OToole, centre, with members of his SDLP party and anti-poverty and childrens lobby groups outside Parliament Buildings (Rebecca Black/PA)

The SDLP also tabled motions on eradicating fuel poverty and banning no-fault evictions in Northern Ireland.

Leader of the Opposition Matthew OToole opened his remarks on the two-child-limit debate by expressing regret that only two Sinn Fein and four DUP MLAs, including Minister Lyons, were present in the chamber for the start of proceedings.

I would note with some regret today Madam Principal Deputy Speaker (Caral Ni Chuilin), the Opposition is the smallest of the five main parties represented in this chamber but we still have more MLAs in the chamber now than the two main parties combined, who have nearly 60 MLAs between them.

I recognise that they may not want to give the Opposition Day much credence, but I would say that it would do them some credit to do the issue of poverty a little bit more  give it a little bit more respect than to have such a paltry turnout today.

Mr OTooles party colleague Daniel McCrossan also raised concerns.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons made clear he was opposed to the two-child limit (Liam McBurney/PA)

Maybe its the case that their track record of failure around poverty and actually resolving some of the problems is an embarrassment for them and thats why they havent showed up in this chamber, he said.

Later in the debate, Mr Lyons addressed the issue of attendance and rejected the SDLP claims. The minister further questioned the SDLPs own non-attendance at a debate on housing last week.

I have to say, I thought it was very strange that the SDLP and Mr OToole and then Mr McCrossan both indicated that attendance at debates shows the interest, or the levels of interest, the parties have in this matter and he (Mr OToole) pointed towards the attendance of other parties in this place, he said.

I dont think that he can draw anything from the attendance of people here today. But, if he is to do that, and if he does continue down that line, that must mean that the SDLP have no interest in housing, because there was an adjournment debate here in this chamber last week on housing and not a single member of the SDLP turned up  so they may want to reconsider their thoughts on that particular issue.

On the substance of the debate, Mr Lyons made clear he was opposed to the two-child limit. But he cited the cost implications of removing it in Northern Ireland while it remained in place elsewhere in the UK.

He said it would cost Stormont more than 56 million a year  a total that excluded the associated IT and administrative costs of setting up a different system.

I am certainly not in any way supporting or defending that two-child limit, I dont think it is of benefit to people here in Northern Ireland, he said.

I however have to look at the cost of what mitigating that would be if we were to take that cost on for ourselves.

During the debate, several MLAs raised particular concerns around the policys so-called rape clause, that allows women who give birth to a third or subsequent child as a result of non-consensual sex to claim addition benefit support, but only if they provided evidence confirming they were a victim of rape.

Mr Lyons branded the clause horrendous.

Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew said his party supported offsetting the impact of the two-child limit on families in Northern Ireland.

We believe that this policy discriminates against women and children, that it is a key driver of child poverty, and that it disproportionately impacts on people here because of our larger family size, he said.

The inclusion of what has become known as the rape clause highlights just how wrong and unjust this policy is at every level.

No child should be denied the financial support required to meet their essential needs. We have called repeatedly for the British Government to scrap this policy and we reiterate that call here today.

A DUP amendment to the SDLP motion deleted the call for the minister to bring forward a plan to remove the two-child limit by the end of 2024 and replaced it with calls for him to consider the merits of a proposal to offset the payment cap with a Better Start Larger Families payment.

Members backed the amendment by 69 votes to 10, with the amended motion then passing without objection on an oral vote.
Seven fire crews were in attendance at a fire on the roof of Belfast City Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the City Hospital tower block in the south of the city shortly before 1pm.

Upon arrival firefighters discovered that the fire that is understood to be accidental had already been extinguished.

A spokesperson for NIFRS said: "Firefighters were called to reports of a fire on the roof of a building on the Lisburn Road, Belfast, at 12.52pm.

News Catch Up: Tuesday 16th April 2024

"It was established on arrival that the fire had been extinguished. Firefighters carried out an intensive inspection but found no further hot spots or fires. The cause of the fire was accidental and the incident was dealt with by 2.19pm."
Jim Allister last night presented a united front with loyalist activist Jamie Bryson after a day of speculation over the make-up of the anti-protocol ticket in East Belfast.

The TUV leader posted on the social media platform X, highlighting that he and Mr Bryson remain united on their views after a day of speculation sparked by Brysons comments that he was considering standing against DUP interim leader Gavin Robinson.
NI Assembly no closer to removing two-child benefit limit despite vote, says anti-poverty academic

A DUP amendment deleted the call for Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to bring the plan forward

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons

Liam Tunney Tue 16 Apr 2024 at 16:35







Northern Ireland is no closer to removing the pernicious two-child limit on Universal Credit after an Assembly vote on the issue, according to an an anti-poverty campaigner and academic.
Israel has replaced reason with revenge and is not listening to countries calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, the Irish premier has said.

Simon Harris, who became Taoiseach last week, said the EU should use every lever at its disposal to halt the violence in the region.

Last week, Mr Harris and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said they wanted to work with like-minded countries to recognise Palestinian statehood.

The Irish leader will meet other heads of EU governments at a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Wednesday.

Simon Harris welcomes Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to Government Buildings (Brian Lawless/PA)

After an attack by Iran on Israel, which was condemned by Ireland, Mr Harris said he and other European leaders would be calling for stability and restraint to be shown by all parties.

He added: Anything other than that at this stage would result in very significant bloodshed and very significant catastrophe for so many millions of people in the region.

Speaking on CNN Internationals Amanpour programme on Tuesday, Mr Harris said Israel had not been listening to the Irish Governments calls for a ceasefire.

Asked if the EU had any influence in the region, Mr Harris: It is obviously a matter for the Israeli government, for the Netanyahu administration, as to who they wish to listen to.

They certainly havent been listening to Ireland and other countries and European states who have been calling for a ceasefire, for example, in Gaza for many, many months now but I do hope at this stage that common sense prevails.

In his first television interview since becoming Taoiseach, Mr Harris said Ireland would continue to speak truth to power.

Were a country that we believe has a respected voice in the world community, a country that is known for being an honest broker, a country that knows a lot about peace processes and one that intends to speak out in favour of international human rights law and a cessation of violence.

Asked why he had focused on the conflict in his first week in power, Mr Harris replied: Quite frankly, we have to speak out against what is an incredible humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.

He said there is no doubt that Hamas is a terrorist organisation.

He added that the attack on Israel should be condemned and all hostages should be immediately released without preconditions.

It is entirely, though, compatible to also say the next bit that I dont think enough people have been saying.

What were seeing in Gaza now has moved well beyond a right for a country to defend itself to a situation where there is a disproportionate impact on women and children as well as civilian infrastructure.

This country [Ireland] that Im proud to lead in Government knows a lot about the spectre of famine. We are now seeing children in Gaza at risk of starvation.

He said the only way to resolve the issues in the Middle East is a political process to bring about a two-state solution.

Mr Harris said he intended to continue to speak out in favour of peace, immediate cessation of violence and a two-state solution.

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He added this may sound almost impossible under Benjamin Netanyahus administration but that is not a reason not to speak out.

I want to see the European Union use every lever at its disposal to exert the maximum amount of pressure to bring about a ceasefire.

Asked about Ireland and Spains moves towards recognising Palestinian statehood, Mr Harris said it is a very good starting point to recognise two states: Israel and Palestine.

We also believe that alongside a secure and safe Israel should be a secure, peaceful and safe Palestine.

He said there is huge logic and rationale in recognising Palestine as part of moving towards a two-state solution.

Asked about the Israeli ambassador to Dublin saying Ireland was on the wrong side of history, and that recognition of Palestinian statehood would reward terrorism by sending a dangerous signal to Hamas, Mr Harris replied: Youll excuse me for finding it a little bit hard to hear the representative of the Netanyahu government about being on the wrong side, because I think the actions of the Netanyahu government right now, in terms of allowing this humanitarian catastrophe to unfold in Gaza and the impact on women, children and civilians and civilian infrastructure, is profound.

Ireland is extraordinarily clear in its condemnation of Hamas, extraordinarily clear in the need for release without condition immediately of all hostages, were extraordinarily clear of the right of Israel to live in peace and security.

But We also believe that reason has now been replaced by revenge and there needs to be an immediate cessation of violence.
Diabetes test may be inaccurate for thousands of South Asian people in UK, new research has found (Peter Byrne/PA)

A common type 2 diabetes test may be inaccurate for tens of thousands of South Asian people in the UK, new research suggests.

The research identified a genetic variant among people of South Asian heritage that affects the results of the HbA1c test.

The findings suggest that the test, which measures average blood sugar levels, may give falsely lower results in South Asian people who carry this genetic variant, leading to delayed diagnosis.

Data suggests that there are more than 420,000 people from a South Asian background living with diabetes in England, and more than 230,000 have a diagnosis of prediabetes and are therefore at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

With around 7.6% of South Asians carrying this variant, this suggests the HbA1c test is underestimating blood sugar levels in around 32,000 South Asian people with diabetes and 17,500 with prediabetes in England alone.

The test is crucial for diagnosing type 2 diabetes, monitoring prediabetes, and guiding diabetes treatment.

Dr Miriam Samuel at Queen Mary University London and colleagues in the Genes and Health Research Team identified the genetic variant that is found in 7.6% of people of South Asian heritage but is ultra rare in other ethnicities.

Dr Samuel said: Many genetic variants linked to red blood cell conditions are ultra-rare amongst the Northern Europeans who have historically dominated genetic studies.

We demonstrate one such variant that is carried by 7.6% of South Asians which could affect the accuracy of HbA1c and cause delays in diabetes diagnosis.

Studies such as Genes and Health, focusing on populations who are underserved in genetic research, are vital to understand the different pathways that may contribute to diabetes inequalities in these communities.

Dr Elizabeth Robertson, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: This evidence showing that the accuracy of a common test to diagnose and monitor type 2 diabetes is linked to a persons ethnicity should be urgently investigated further.

Its incredibly important that healthcare professionals are armed with a precise way to evaluate average blood sugar levels over extended periods.

Without this, they are navigating in the dark and potentially at risk of overlooking cases of type 2 diabetes.

Every individual at risk or with diabetes, regardless of their background, deserves equal access to effective diabetes care to live a healthy life and mitigate long-term diabetes complications.

The researchers looked at genetic and health data from the Genes and Health study  which included more than 60,000 individuals of Bangladeshi or Pakistani ethnicity living in England  and the UK Biobank.

A nurse gives a patient a diabetes test at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital (Peter Byrne/PA)

They found that people with this gene were found to have falsely lower HbA1c levels and differences in their full blood count.

HbA1c tests estimate average blood sugar levels by measuring how much sugar is attached to haemoglobin in red blood cells.

The research suggests that the genetic variant is linked to changes in red blood cells, and that this affects HbA1c test results.

According to the findings, people who had one copy of the genetic variant were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes on average one year later.

While those with two copies were diagnosed on average two years later, than those without the genetic variant.

Inaccurate results might also mean people do not receive timely and appropriate treatments needed to manage blood sugar levels and reduce risk of long-term complications, which could include heart attacks, strokes, amputations, and sight loss, the experts suggest.

The findings indicate additional blood sugar testing, such as fasting glucose and oral glucose tolerance tests, and alternative monitoring methods might be needed in South Asian people who carry the variant.

The findings will be presented at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2024.
Korea "strongly" protested against Japan on Tuesday after Tokyo issued an annual diplomatic report renewing its territorial claims to the easternmost islets of Dokdo.

To lodge a formal protest over the report, Korea's foreign ministry called in Taisuke Mibae, the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul.

The claim, strongly disputed by Korea, which has long maintained effective control of Dokdo with the permanent stationing of security personnel there, was included in the 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook that was reported to the Cabinet by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

In this year's report, Japan continued to claim that Dokdo is Japanese territory historically and under international law, and that Korea is carrying on with an "illegal occupation" of the area.

"The government strongly protests against the Japanese government's repeated unfair territorial claims over Dokdo, which is clearly our own territory historically, geographically and under international law, as announced in its Diplomatic Bluebook released on April 16, and urges (Japan) to withdraw it immediately," foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a commentary.

Lim added that such claims by Japan have no impact whatsoever on Korea's sovereignty over the islets, which are Korea's inherent territory.

Korea has long maintained the position that Dokdo is an integral part of Korean territory historically, geographically and under international law.

Japan again took issue with the Korean Supreme Court's ruling in 2018 that ordered Japanese companies to compensate Koreans forced into wartime labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule.

Tokyo has long held the position that all reparation issues were settled in the 1965 treaty that normalized the bilateral diplomatic ties.

Seeking to mend ties with Japan, Korea announced the so-called third-party reimbursement plan in March last year to compensate the victims through the foundation without compensation from liable Japanese firms.

Japan has insisted the issue be resolved through the third-party system.

On the bilateral ties, the bluebook referred to Korea as a "partner" for the first time in 14 years, pointing out Seoul and Tokyo's close cooperation is needed now more than ever, given the grave security environment of the Indo-Pacific region.

The Seoul ministry said Japan's use of the word "partner" appears to reflect its views on the improving bilateral ties.

"We believe the descriptions of Korea have improved partially compared with the previous year, including the inclusion of the expression 'partner' in defining our relations," Lim told a regular press briefing.

"We hope the two countries will cooperate closely in establishing a future-oriented relationship ahead of the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic ties next year," he said. (Yonhap)
A 69-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Una Crown, who was found dead in her bungalow in Wisbech in 2013 (Cambridgeshire Police/ PA)

Police have charged a man with the murder of 86-year-old widow Una Crown, who was found dead in her bungalow in 2013.

The retired postmistress was found in a pool of blood and with her clothing burnt in her hallway in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

Her death was initially treated as an accident when she was found at her home in Magazine Lane on January 13, before a murder investigation was launched days later.

Cambridgeshire Police said on Tuesday that a 69-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Mrs Crown.

The force said David Newton, of Magazine Close, Wisbech, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Cambridge Magistrates Court later on Tuesday.
All voters in England and Wales will be able to cast a ballot in at least one election on May 2 (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Anyone not registered to vote in the local, mayoral and police commissioner elections on May 2 has only a few hours left to apply, amid signs of a late surge in interest.

A range of contests are taking place across England and Wales on polling day, with every voter able to take part in at least one type of election.

Nearly 2,700 council seats in England are up for grabs across 107 local authorities, while 37 police and crime commissioners in England and Wales will also be chosen.

Polls are also taking place to elect some of the most high-profile mayors in the country, including Greater Manchester, London and the West Midlands.

People who have not yet registered to vote, or are not sure if they are eligible, have until 11.59pm on Tuesday to submit an application.

This can be done online at gov.uk/registertovote.

(PA Graphics)

Around 44 million people are estimated to be eligible to vote in the elections on May 2, but as many as seven million people are either incorrectly registered or missing from the register entirely, according to the Electoral Commission, which oversees all elections in the UK.

Some 43,037 applications were made on Monday, the highest for a single day so far this year and some way above the previous peak of 31,496 on April 2, Government figures show.

An average of 26,968 applications to vote were made per day in the week to April 15, up from 25,552 the previous week and 20,220 a fortnight ago.

Craig Westwood, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, told the PA news agency: Today is the last day to register to vote ahead of the elections on May 2.

Only people who are registered can have their say on issues important to their local area, so dont delay.

Registering to vote is quick and easy  all you need is your name, date of birth, address, and National Insurance number.

Those previously on the register who have recently moved home or whose details have changed will need to register to vote again.

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All voters intending to cast a ballot in the elections on May 2 will not only need to be registered but also show a form of photo identification at the polling station.

Not all types of photo ID will be accepted, but a passport, driving licence or blue badge are valid.

Anyone without the correct identification will need to apply for a voter authority certificate by 5pm on April 24, which can be done online at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

Photo ID rules were brought in as part of the Elections Act 2022, with the Government saying they were necessary to combat the risk of in-person voter fraud.

The requirements were first enforced at last years local elections in England.

A report by the Electoral Commission suggested at least around 14,000 people  0.25% of voters  did not vote in those elections after being unable to show an accepted form of photo ID at their polling station.

Some 33,677 applications for a voter authority certificate (VAC) have been made so far this year, Government figures show.

The average number of VAC applications per day stood at 859 in the week to April 15, down slightly from 865 the previous week, but up sharply from 507 a fortnight earlier.

Just 8% of VAC applications in the most recent week came from people under 25, while 3% came from those aged 75 and over, according to analysis by the PA news agency.

Applications from 55 to 64-year-olds accounted for 29% of the total, followed by 45 to 54-year-olds (22%), 35 to 44-year-olds (17%), 25 to 34-year-olds (12%) and 65 to 74-year-olds (9%).
President Joe Biden has said the US is considering dropping the prosecution of Assange (PA)

The United States government has provided an assurance regarding the treatment of Julian Assange if he was extradited, the WikiLeaks founders wife has said.

Assange faces prosecution in the US over an alleged conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information following the publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

During a two-day hearing in February, lawyers for the 52-year-old asked for the go-ahead to challenge a judges dismissal of the majority of his case to prevent his extradition.

Last month Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Johnson dismissed most of Assanges legal arguments but said that unless assurances were given by the United States he would be able to bring an appeal on three grounds.

These assurances are that Assange would be protected by and allowed to rely on the First Amendment  which protects freedom of speech in the US  that he is not prejudiced at trial due to his nationality, and that the death penalty is not imposed.

On Tuesday, the deadline for the assurances to be provided, Assanges wife Stella Assange said the US had provided blatant weasel words in response.

She said: The United States has issued a non-assurance in relation to the First Amendment, and a standard assurance in relation to the death penalty.

It makes no undertaking to withdraw the prosecutions previous assertion that Julian has no First Amendment rights because he is not a US citizen.

Instead, the US has limited itself to blatant weasel words claiming that Julian can seek to raise the First Amendment if extradited.

The diplomatic note does nothing to relieve our familys extreme distress about his future  his grim expectation of spending the rest of his life in isolation in US prison for publishing award-winning journalism.

Stella Assange speaking during a press conference after her husbands bid for an appeal against extradition to the US was delayed last month (Lucy North/PA)

Judges are now expected to consider the submission from the US authorities, as well as any response from Assanges lawyers, at a hearing in May.

Mrs Assange also called on the US government to drop this dangerous prosecution.

The statement comes after President Joe Biden said the US was considering dropping Assanges prosecution.

Mr Biden told reporters at the White House on April 11 were considering it when asked about a request from the Australian government to drop the prosecution.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been pressing for Assanges release for the past few months.

In February, Mr Albanese voted in favour of a motion in the Australian House of Representatives that called on the US and the UK to bring the matter to a close so that Mr Assange can return home to his family in Australia, the Associated Press reported.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping to pressure Russia to end its insane campaign in Ukraine, the latest in a parade of European leaders and senior officials to make such an appeal.

The Chinese side gave no sign of any change in its position, which has been to blame Europe and the US for prolonging the fighting by supplying Ukraine with weapons and calling for peace negotiations that recognise Russian as well as Ukrainian concerns.

China is not a party to the Ukraine crisis but has consistently promoted talks for peace in its own way, read a Chinese statement following talks between Mr Xi and Mr Scholz in the Chinese capital Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz walk together in Beijing, China (Ding Haitao/Xinhua via AP)

Mr Scholz, winding up a three-day visit to China, told journalists that he believes a building block has been put in place that will contribute to discussions on diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Earlier, he said in a post on the social media platform X that he had asked Mr Xi to use his influence with Russia.

Chinas word carries weight in Russia. So I asked President Xi to bear upon Russia so that Putin finally breaks off his insane campaign, withdraws his troops and ends this terrible war, he wrote.

China has broken with the West in refusing to criticise Russias invasion.

While the government says it is not sending military aid to Moscow, it has provided an economic lifeline by growing trade with Russia, helping it cope with Western sanctions.

A US intelligence report last week found Beijing has increased equipment sales to Moscow to indirectly boost its war effort against Ukraine.

Mr Scholz said the talks had addressed Chinas exports of so-called dual-use goods, which can have both civilian and military purposes.

There is an absolute insistence that there be no weapons exports, but the question of dual-use also must not be ignored, he said.

It was Olaf Scholzs second trip to China since he became chancellor in late 2021 (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)

And it was possible to bring up everything that is necessary here in a way that it cant be misunderstood.

Mr Scholz also said the use of nuclear weapons should not even be threatened, according to a German government transcript of his remarks at the start of the meeting with Mr Xi.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned last month that his government is ready to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or independence is threatened, his latest such threat since invading Ukraine.

A Chinese statement said the two leaders noted that China and Germany stand committed to the UN Charter and oppose the use of nuclear weapons.

China encourages and supports all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis, and supports the holding in due course of an international peace conference that is recognised by both Russia and Ukraine and ensures the equal participation of all parties and fair discussions on all peace plans, the Chinese statement said.

On trade, Mr Xi told Mr Scholz that their two countries should stay vigilant against the rise of protectionism and take an objective view of the issue of manufacturing capacity, according to the statement.

The German leaders visit has underscored trade-related tensions as the European Union and the United States complain that China is competing unfairly through the use of subsidies that have created massive production capacity, particularly for solar panels, electric cars and other green-energy products.

The EU is mulling tariffs to protect its producers against cheaper Chinese electrical vehicle imports, which some fear will flood the European market.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a press conference in Beijing, China (Andres Martinez Casares, Pool Photo via AP)

Mr Scholz, meeting separately with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, called for concrete improvements in several areas for German companies operating in China, including market access, fair competition, intellectual property protection and the legal system.

In order for these companies to be able to continue doing so, they need the right conditions, he said.

Despite the political and trade frictions, China was Germanys top trading partner for the eighth straight year in 2023, with 254.1 billion euros (217 billion) in goods and services exchanged between the sides, slightly more than what Germany traded with the US but a 15.5% contraction from the year before.

This is Mr Scholzs second trip to China since he became chancellor in late 2021.

It is his first visit since the German government last year presented its China strategy, which met with criticism from Beijing.

Mr Li, the Chinese premier, visited Berlin in June.
An Israeli soldier attaches an Israeli flag on top of an armoured personnel carrier in southern Israel (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Israeli security forces must immediately end their active participation in and support for settler attacks on Palestinians, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights said on Tuesday.

The statement follows a wave of settler attacks on Palestinian towns and villages in the West Bank triggered by the killing of a 14-year-old Israeli boy in what authorities say was a militant attack.

The Palestinian Health Ministry says seven Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since the attacks began on Friday, and another 75 have been wounded.

Israeli authorities have urged people not to resort to vigilante attacks as tensions soar. But rights groups have long accused Israeli forces of routinely ignoring settler attacks or even taking part in them.

Israels Iron Dome air defence system intercepts missiles fired from Iran on Sunday (Tomer Neuberg/AP)

Tensions in the region have ramped up since the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war on October 7, when Hamas carried out a devastating cross-border attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel saw 250 others kidnapped.

Israel responded with an offensive in Gaza that has caused widespread devastation and killed more than 33,800 people, according to local health officials.

World leaders have urged Israel not to retaliate after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles over the weekend in an unprecedented revenge mission that pushed the Middle East closer to a regionwide war.

The attack happened less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building.

An Iranian official said his country will respond within seconds if Israel seeks to retaliate for its attack over the weekend.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani said late on Monday that Israel will face a resolute and hard response if it takes further action against Iran.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she will fly to Israel on Tuesday to help de-escalate the tense situation after Irans weekend attack and express Germanys support for Israel.

She called on all sides to prevent the conflict from spreading to other countries in the region and for new sanctions against Iran.

I will assure our Israeli partners of Germanys full solidarity, she said. And we will discuss how a further escalation with more and more violence can be prevented. Because what matters now is to put a stop to Iran without encouraging further escalation.

Referring to Irans attack, the German minister said that of course, this further military escalation now also has further consequences.

Ms Baerbock also said she would use her Tel Aviv visit to again demand that more humanitarian aid be let into Gaza.

She also condemned the latest violence in the West Bank.

I condemn the violent death of an Israeli boy in the strongest possible terms. At the same time, this must not be misused as a pretext for further violence.

I also strongly condemn the attacks by extremist settlers in the West Bank, in which four or more Palestinians were killed, she said.
Former US president Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Michael M Santiago/Pool Photo via AP)

More potential jurors have been dismissed from Donald Trumps hush money case as lawyers worked for a second day to find a panel of New Yorkers to decide whether the Republican will become the first former US president convicted of a crime.

The first day of the historic trial in Manhattan ended on Monday with no-one yet chosen to be on the panel of 12 jurors and six alternates.

In short order on Tuesday morning, several others were excused after saying they could not be impartial or because they had other commitments.

Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Curtis Means/DailyMail.com via AP, Pool)

Dozens of potential jurors have yet to be questioned.

It is the first of Trumps four criminal cases to go to trial and may be the only one that could reach a verdict before voters decide in November whether the presumptive Republican presidential nominee should return to the White House.

The trial puts Trumps legal problems at the centre of the closely contested race against President Joe Biden.

Trump paints himself as the victim of a politically motivated justice system working to deprive him of another term.

It also presents a major test for the criminal justice system because the allegations are being viewed through a partisan lens, and Trumps attacks on prosecutors and the judge threaten to undermine the publics faith in the courts.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass told would-be jurors they could still be fair if they knew about the case or discussed it with friends, they just need to keep an open mind.

This case has nothing to do with your personal politics  its not a referendum on the Trump presidency or a popularity contest or who youre going to vote for in November. We dont care. This case is about whether this man broke the law, he said.

Donald Trump speaks before entering the courtroom at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Mary Altaffer/AP)

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged effort to keep salacious  and, he says, bogus  stories about his sex life from emerging during his 2016 campaign.

Trump arrived at court just before 9am, giving a quick wave to reporters as he headed inside.

Before entering the courtroom, Trump stopped briefly to address a TV camera in the hallway, repeating his claim that the judge is biased against him and the case is politically motivated.

This is a trial that should have never been brought, Trump said.

After he went inside, reporters saw him wink at one of the court officers and mouth How are you? while he walked down the aisle.

Trump then took his seat at the defence table with his lawyers.

With the trial expected to last for six weeks or more, multiple jury pool members brought up plans they have for Memorial Day and beyond.

In this courtroom sketch, former US president Donald Trump sits beside his lawyer Todd Blanche in Manhattan Criminal Court (Christine Cornell via AP Pool)

One parent was excused on Monday because of a childs wedding in late June.

Another person was dismissed on Tuesday because of a trip they have planned.

Several possible jurors were dismissed after saying they were not sure they could be fair.

They included a man who said he feared his ability to be impartial could be compromised by unconscious bias from growing up in Texas and working in finance with people who intellectually tend to slant Republican.

Im not sure that I can say beyond a reasonable doubt that I can be fair, another potential juror told the judge.

I can try. But Im not 100% sure I can be fair.

She was dismissed.

Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings at Manhattan Criminal Court (Justin Lane/Pool Photo via AP)

After another juror said she would be unable to serve impartially, Trump twisted in his chair, looking in the direction of the box.

Through the first few minutes of the day, he appeared generally attentive, jotting down notes and raising sheets of paper to his face as jurors rattled off answers to a lengthy questionnaire.

Trump broke into a grin, nodding his head in an exaggerated manner, when another person said he had read two of the former presidents books, The Art Of The Deal and How To Get Rich.

The man, who said some of his wifes family members are lobbyists for the Republican Party, said he did not think there was anything that would prevent him from looking at the case fairly.

I feel that no-ones above the law, he said.

The charges centre on 130,000 dollars (104,400) in payments that Trumps company made to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen.

He paid that sum on Trumps behalf to keep adult film actor Stormy Daniels from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier.

Trump has denied the sexual encounter ever happened.

Members of the media gather outside Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

Prosecutors say the payments to Mr Cohen were falsely logged as legal fees.

Prosecutors have described it as part of a scheme to bury damaging stories Trump feared could help his opponent in the 2016 race, particularly as Trumps reputation was suffering at the time from comments he had made about women.

Trump has acknowledged reimbursing Mr Cohen for the payment and that it was designed to stop Ms Daniels from going public about the alleged encounter.

But Trump has previously said it had nothing to do with the campaign.

I was paying a lawyer and marked it down as a legal expense, he said.

Thats exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that? I should be right now in Pennsylvania, in Florida, in many other states  North Carolina, Georgia  campaigning, Trump told reporters on Tuesday.

Jury selection could take several more days  or even weeks  in the heavily Democratic city where Trump grew up and catapulted to celebrity status decades before winning the White House.

Only about a third of the 96 people in the first panel of potential jurors brought into the courtroom on Monday remained after the judge excused some members.

Donald Trump arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

More than half of the group was excused after telling the judge they could not be fair and impartial, and several others were dismissed for other reasons that were not disclosed.

Another group of more than 100 potential jurors sent to the courthouse on Monday has not yet been brought into the courtroom for questioning.

In court papers filed on Tuesday, prosecutors urged the judge to fine Trump 3,000 dollars (2,410) over social media posts they say violated a gag order limiting what he can say publicly about witnesses.

In the posts, Trump called Mr Cohen and Ms Daniels two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly!

Prosecutors wrote that the judge should admonish Trump to comply with the gag order and warn him that further violations could be punished not only with additional fines but also jail time.

If convicted of falsifying business records, Trump faces up to four years in prison, though there is no guarantee he will get time behind bars.

Trumps cases involving allegations of election interference and hoarding classified documents could lead to lengthy prison sentences, but those cases are tied up with appeals or other issues that make it increasingly unlikely they will be decided before the election.

And if Trump wins in November, he could presumably order a new attorney general to dismiss his federal cases.
Korea and Australia plan to hold their two-plus-two talks among the foreign and defense ministers in Canberra early next month, diplomatic sources said Tuesday.

The two sides are fine-tuning the details for what will be the first high-level gathering in more than two years, sources familiar with the matter said. The last meeting took place in Seoul in September 2021.

The sixth session was initially set to take place in October last year, but it was canceled as the outbreak of the clash between Israel and the Hamas militant group prompted countries to attend to the urgency of the situation, including evacuating their nationals from the region.

If held, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Defense Minister Shin Won-sik will fly to Australia for talks with their respective counterparts: Penny Wong and Richard Marles.

Australia is the only country that Korea holds regular talks of the foreign and defense chiefs besides its ally, the United States.

The two sides are expected to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, from the deepening cooperation in defense and the situation on the Korean Peninsula to regional and global issues.

Australia has become Korea's key partner in the defense industry. Korea's defense equipment manufacturer Hanwha Group won a supply deal for its 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles from the Australian arms procurement agency.

They are also likely to reaffirm the commitment to strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, considered an important strategic area by both countries.

Also drawing attention is whether the talks will touch on the possibility of Korea participating in one of the two pillars of the AUKUS security partnership, comprising Australia, Britain and the U.S.

AUKUS, launched in September 2021, is largely seen as a group of like-minded countries formed to counter China's assertiveness.

Following a defense chiefs' meeting of AUKUS countries early this month, a U.S. official said that Korea is one of a few countries considered potential partners for cooperation in high-tech areas, quantum computing, artificial intelligence and hypersonics. (Yonhap)
A woman gestures during an election campaign parade in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara on April 16, 2024.

Noisy, colorful parades brought traffic to a standstill in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara on the last day of election campaigning as thousands also left the city on ships and ferries to vote in hometowns and villages across the archipelago.

Voting in national and provincial elections starts early Wednesday and a campaigning blackout is now in place. Police and troops from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand have descended on the Pacific island country  which was rocked by riots as recently as 2021  to provide security during the election.

Be Wise. Be Responsible. Be Courageous. Value your two votes and do it! the Election Commission urged Solomon Islanders in text messages blasted to mobile phones. It also sent messages about help for disabled voters and reminders that breaching the campaign blackout is an offense.

As the economically lagging country of more than 700,000 people prepares to vote, the governments ineffectiveness in providing basic services and the struggle to earn enough money to get by is preoccupying many voters.

Whether Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will stay in power is being keenly watched by governments from China to Australia and the United States. The election is the first since the combative pro-Beijing leader switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 2019 and signed a secretive security pact with the Asian superpower.

Honiaras port has been inundated with crowds in the past week as many people in Guadalcanal flocked to get on vessels to other islands where they are registered to vote.

The final day of campaigning on Monday attracted thousands onto Honiaras dusty, pothole-filled main road  supporters of various candidates piled onto trucks and some stood atop moving cars, sounded air horns and danced in the street.

Nearly 400 independent observers are monitoring the election, the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission said Tuesday, including from regional organizations such as the Pacific Island Forum, a joint team from universities in Australia and the Solomon Islands and the local chapter of anti-corruption organization Transparency International.

The election was due to be held in 2023 but was delayed, ostensibly, because the Solomon Islands couldnt afford to hold it in the same year it was hosting the 24-nation Pacific Games that was bankrolled by countries such as China, Australia and Indonesia.

Between them, New Zealand and Australia have contributed about U.S. $21 million towards the running of the election and deployed warships and aircraft to deliver ballots to remote locations.

People wait to board vessels at the port in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara on April 12, 2024. [Stephen Wright]

Ruth Liloqula, head of the Solomon Islands chapter of Transparency International, said an efficiently-run election doesnt automatically mean the election process has complete integrity.

Many problems occur in the months and weeks before the election when observers arent on the ground, she told BenarNews.

Some stem from institutional issues such as constituency development funds, which is money that members of Parliament get from the national budget to spend in their communities with little oversight.

With all the international and regional observers that come in the country, through their reports we get at the end of the day that the election is free and fair but it doesnt contribute to reforms, she said.

Women, particularly, can be disenfranchised, Liloqula said. Campaigns can be intimidating for some communities as candidates have been known to turn up with boatloads of supporters from outside the area, which inhibits genuine debate and questions.

Only 20 of the 334 candidates in the elections are women, according to the electoral commission, compared with 26 in the 2019 election, while the total number of candidates is almost the same.

James Batley, part of a joint Australian National University and Solomon Islands National University observer and research team, said a component of its work is interviewing voters about their perceptions and attitudes before the election.

One of the findings from the previous election in 2019, he told BenarNews, was that voters tended to believe they wouldnt benefit from their member of Parliaments constituency cash unless they voted for them.

Batley, a former Australian high commissioner to the Solomon Islands, said the joint team doesnt make judgements on the election but hopes its research is useful to organizations such as the electoral commission.

The good thing is we have got data from five years ago and well be able to compare it to data this time around, he said.
In a subtle dig at his predecessor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said nobody died in massive narcotics seizure.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspects a massive drug haul April 16, 2024 in the town of Alitagtag, in Batangas province, just south of the Philippine capital. The drug haul of more than 2 tons of crystal meth has an estimated street value of some 13.3 billion pesos ($242.29 million).

UPDATED at 12:27 p.m. ET on 2024-04-16

In an apparent swipe at his predecessor, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. praised police on Tuesday for making the countrys largest ever seizure of crystal methamphetamine without anybody being killed, saying it was the right approach to the drug war.

Police found more than 2 tons of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of 13.3 billion pesos (U.S. $242.29 million), on Monday after stopping a van and arresting the driver at a checkpoint in the town of Alitagtag, some 80 km (49.7 miles) south of Manila.

Marcos said that police were tracing the source of the haul, but it appeared to have been imported.

This is the biggest shipment of shabu that weve seized, Marcos told reporters, referring to methamphetamine by its local name. But not one person died. Nobody died, there was no shootout, no one was hurt. As long as we handle our (police) operations delicately.

In a subtle dig at his immediate predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos added that this should be the approach in the drug war.

Duterte, who was known for his tough-talking manner while in office, openly encouraged police officers to shoot and kill drug suspects.

His war on drugs drew international condemnation from Western governments, the United Nations and civil society groups for potentially enabling human rights violations.

The Philippine government has said that about 8,000 suspected dealers and addicts were killed during the counter-narcotics campaign by the Duterte administration (2016 to 2022), but rights advocates have said the figure could be more than twice as much.

Marcos has said that the drug war will continue, even as the approach will be different and focus more on rehabilitating suspects. Still, officer-involved killings have continued under his watch.

Data from the Dahas Project of the University of the Philippines that tracks down drug-related killings show that 611 suspects have been slain since Marcos assumed the presidency in 2022 until April 7 of this year.

Carlos Conde, a senior Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch, said in a statement on Tuesday that the operation proved that the war on drugs could be carried out without any violence.

Killing drug users will never solve the problem, said Conde, adding that Marcos should end the drug war as a state policy.

Marcos needs to institutionalize harm reduction as a strategy in dealing with illegal drugs, he said. Harm reduction puts a premium on the rights of people who use drugs. Drug use is a public health issue.

Duterte, 79, is facing two complaints at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for mass murder and crimes against humanity over his anti-drugs crusade.

One was filed by a former police officer, a self-styled assassin who accused him of ordering the deaths of opponents and criminals when Duterte served as mayor of southern Davao city. The second was filed by relatives of people killed during Dutertes anti-drug campaign while he served as president.

An investigation by the justice department in 2021 said that in many cases, police officers involved in the killings did not follow protocol and could be prosecuted. Four police officers have been convicted of murder linked to drug-war killings.

Despite signs of growing tensions with Duterte, Marcos has said on multiple occasions he would not allow his predecessor to be handed over to the ICC.

We dont recognize the warrant that they will send to us, Marcos said during a forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on Monday.

We are well within international law when we take the position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of ICC in the Philippines.

Marcos succeeded Duterte in mid-2022, joining forces with his daughter, Sara Duterte, who is the current vice-president.

However, cracks are starting to show in the political alliance. Duterte has accused Marcos himself of being a drug user  a claim that has been flatly denied. Marcos, meanwhile, has claimed that Duterte was a long time user of the opioid fentanyl.

Most recently, the pair have clashed over an alleged secret agreement that Duterte struck with Beijing to keep the status quo in the South China Sea.

Jeoffrey Maitem and Jojo Rinoza contributed to this report
By Nam Hyun-woo

The ASEAN-Korea Centre said Tuesday it appointed former Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae-shin as its new secretary general.

Kim is a career diplomat, leading the Korean mission in the Philippines from 2015 to 2017, after serving as the ambassador to Germany from 2012 to 2015. He was the deputy foreign minister and a presidential secretary for foreign affairs during the 2008-2013 Lee Myung-bak administration.

He is a graduate of Korea University who majored in political science and international relations.

The ASEAN-Korea Centre was established in 2009 to increase trade, accelerate investment, invigorate tourism and enrich cultural and people-to-people exchange between ASEAN and Korea. The member states include Korea and the 10 ASEAN countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Kims appointment came as the center celebrates its 15th anniversary, while Korea and ASEAN are set to upgrade their relations to mark the 35th anniversary of their dialogue relations this year.

The center said that Kims rich diplomatic experience and expertise in ASEAN affairs will play a significant role in the countrys efforts to elevate Korea-ASEAN relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership during a Korea-ASEAN summit in October. A comprehensive strategic partnership is one of the highest diplomatic relations that Korea forms with other countries.
ARLINGTON  Mack Molding has chosen a successor for longtime company President Jeff Somple, who plans to retire in the fall.

Josh Pang, previously chief commercial officer at Orchid Orthopedic Solutions, an orthopedic medical device design and manufacturing services provider, has begun working alongside Somple and has moved to the area.

Pang was hired after a nationwide search and will become president of Mack Moldings Northern Division operations, including those in Vermont and headquartered in Arlington.

Somple, who has been with the company for 36 years, including 21 as president, said Tuesday, Im going to be retiring at the end of the summer, and I am so thrilled that we found someone who I am excited about, who I think will carry on our traditions for the next 21 years.

He said the situation of searching for a replacement could be something where you have a premonition where you say, 'Boy, I hope this works out. But I have total confidence in Josh. Ive gotten to know him quite well over the last several months in this whole process. And he just started, and Im smiling.

Moved to Vermont

My wife and young children moved here about a week ago, Pang said during a joint interview with Somple. We are renting right now and finding a permanent place to live in the area.

He added, Not only from the professional side, but from the personal side, it has been very enjoyable learning about the area. Ive been traveling around all the different parts of this [Bennington County] community.

Pang said they most recently were living in the Detroit area, where he and his wife grew up.

He said theyve already experienced a lot of [weather] within a short period of time in Vermont.

Multiple hikes

Michigan has changing seasons, he said, but the really attractive thing that we dont get is so much of the outdoor activity and the community, where there is just so much to do, so much of a greater focus on the community and on being outside.

In their time here, We have been embracing it fully, Pang said. Ive been on more hikes in a week than I have in a lifetime.

Somple said Pang will work alongside him and in various departments and locations in the company, and I am just trying to impart to him as much of the tribal knowledge as I can, gained over so many years here, and all the little things that someone needs to know to run Mack.

He added, I will slowly start fading into the back, and he will starting moving to the front, and when the timing is right, one day I just wont show up.

Positive impressions

Pang said there are several positive things about the company he has recognized and spoken about with others. Those include, he said, That its really a hidden gem in that you have in a family-owned company for over a hundred years  I think its the 104th anniversary this year.

He also cited the companys reputation within the community, encompassing the Kendall family and the entire Mack organization.

The company is very much caring, customer oriented, very much in terms of high quality, he said. Its very authentic and genuine. Thats what Ive really enjoyed the most about this short period of time and am really embracing this. Im really excited about the opportunity.

Many organizations espouse these ideals, he said, but Macks application of them is second to none, and I look forward to carrying on that tradition while fostering continued growth.

Overall, Pang said, he hopes to build off the success that has already been built [at Mack Molding].

There is a lot to be excited about with Mack and the direction the company is going, he said, and it is just a great privilege to have an opportunity ... I will just be a sponge and absorb as much as possible from Jeff. There is a lot of culture that has grown throughout his tenure here, and I want to absorb that, and it takes time.

Mack Northern Division

Pang will be responsible for the companys four Vermont facilities, as well as Mack Prototype, a prototyping and low-volume manufacturing facility in Massachusetts, and Synectic Product Development, an engineering services group in Connecticut.

Mack Molding is part of Mack Group, which includes global provider of complex electronic manufacturing services Mack Technologies, and is led by President and CEO Will Kendall.

Mack Group also includes Mack Molding Southern Division under President Bryan Campbell. Both report to Kendall.

Of Pang, Kendall said in a media release, As a strategic leader with more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing focused on market share expansion and revenue growth in medical contract and [original equipment] manufacturing, Josh is an excellent fit for Macks business objectives. On top of that, Joshs collaborative approach to managing internal and external stakeholders, along with his strong work ethic, make him an excellent cultural fit to the benefit of our employees and customers.

During his tenure, Somple has overseen tremendous growth, including diversifying our customer base, securing our place in the medical market and establishing Mack as a true, vertically integrated manufacturing partner, Kendall said. Over 36 years he has built a strong organization, and we appreciate his commitment to guiding Josh as he prepares to build on this legacy.

Saying goodbye

Somple said during the interview, I just want to take the opportunity to say goodbye to the area that has been so good to me.

While raising his children  who are now grown  in Southwestern Vermont, he said, It has been a tremendous life that Ive led.

Somple said he told Pang, You know, it is really a Vermont lifestyle you are signing up for.

Mack Molding is a leading custom plastics molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services. The company specializes in plastics design, prototyping, molding, sheet metal fabrication, full-service machining and medical device manufacturing.

Founded in 1920, Mack is a privately owned business that operates 11 facilities throughout the world.

More information is available at www.mack.com.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High 47F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 43F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
Fae Morgana Barbone's car was found last month near a remote hiking trail in Williamstown. Their body has been found across the border in New York, according to a Williamstown police Facebook post.
Korea will provide $12 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan and the neighboring countries struggling with a yearlong conflict between rival military factions, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Choi Jai-chul, Korean Ambassador to France, announced the plan Monday (local time) during an international humanitarian conference in Paris, as he voiced concerns over the worsening situation in Khartoum.

"Our government will continue to join international efforts to assist countries suffering from the ongoing humanitarian crisis as a responsible member of the international community and nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council for the 2024-2025 term," the ministry said in a press release.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that around 8.6 million people are displaced inside and outside Sudan due to the current fighting.

The International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighboring Countries, organized by France, Germany and the European Union, brought together ministers and representatives from 58 countries to call on the warring parties to put an end to the hostilities, a year after the Sudanese conflict broke out. (Yonhap)
Joe Durwin is a local historian specializing in research on residential and commercial properties for owners in Berkshire County. He can be reached at info@berkshirehomehistory.com
A National Grid employee works at the Adams substation as crews work to restore power to North Berkshire County in 2014. National Grid says a customer is making changes that should address the flickering LED lights in Adams and Cheshire.
GREAT BARRINGTON  A town resident won the lottery last week after buying a Massachusetts State Lottery ticket at Silk's Variety in Sheffield.

It is the second winning $1 million prize from tickets bought at the store since January.

On April 10, Richard Swiatek won $1 million in the lottery's $4,000,000 Monopoly Doubler, a $10 instant ticket game, according to the state lottery's announcement on its website.

Swiatek, 78, chose to receive one-time payment of $650,000 before taxes, the lottery said. He told the lottery that he "did not have any immediate plans for his winnings."

He was reluctant to talk more about his win, saying only that it felt "good." He said he is retired, and has lived in the area since 1985.

Silk's will receive a $10,000 bonus for its sale of this ticket, according to the lottery announcement.

The Main Street store also sold a winning, $1 million scratch ticket in January to Jonathan Seward for which the store also received a $10,000 bonus.

"It's been a crazy couple of months at Silk's," said employee Jamie Seward, who happens to be related to the January winner.

Seward says it is "exciting" that it happened at the "small-town store that's been here since the '70s." The store is owned by Susan Silk and her son Patrick Silk.

"That [the winners] were locals makes it even better," Seward said. "It's brought fun vibes into the community and something for people to talk about."
Do you believe that God still does miracles? Do you live with a faith that only accepts the explainable? That relies on self-help rather than reliance on Christ? How much of your life is spent behaving as an atheist rather than a child of the one true God?

One year I went back over every prayer request I had written to see how God had responded. I kid you not every prayer was answered! How easily we take for granted his faithfulness. The record I kept opened my eyes to how much he loves me. How those words are not useless but are the most powerful practice I could engage in to help see my life excel towards grace and healing.

Why can we be confident that prayer matters? That our faith is something that produces change? Because the Bible promises that our prayers are heart! 1 John 5:14 says,  And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

If we are Christ followers, we dont live by our own might or power, but we are called to rely on Gods Spirit to meet our needs (Zachariah 4:6). Prayers of faith are essential to our relationship with God because they boost our ability to trust in him. What good would it be to us to know a God who leaves us to our own broken devices? God only matters because knowing him changes us. It changes our eternal destiny. It gives us access to wisdom. Grace. Peace, Joy. Comfort. Healing. Power. Guidance. And the list goes on.

Dont hold back in approaching God with your needs! He loves to lavish us with his love; its who he is. We arent putting him out but requesting grace to show up in our chaos-filled world. Its exactly what he wants us to do! Bring Heaven down, thats the point of this Christian life (Matthew 6:9-13).

Father, I thank you that you're a miracle worker! You have been showing up in the details of your people's lives going all the way back to the start of history. Your greatest miracle was the gift of your son, which paved the way for us to be a forever part of your family. For this we are so grateful and live in awe of your love that was displayed so boldly through a cross.

What grace you show in that you continue to offer us what we need beyond salvation from death and sin. You offer us healing. Your spirit guides us in wisdom. You give us assignments for our lives so we can feel your purpose. You bring Heaven down to Earth through us. Jesus in my life continues to bring Heaven down. Bring order to the chaos of my relationships, my body, my schedule, my community, my family, my worries, and more. I thank you for showing up in the details of life, in both the moments of abundance and the moments of despair. You never leave us or forsake us! Do what only you can do for me today. Amen.

Photo Credit: GettyImages/stock_colors

Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.
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Israeli deputy ambassador hopes people in Korea can relate, sympathize with Jewish state

By Lee Hyo-jin

Israel does not intend to trigger an all-out war in the Middle East region but will take necessary steps to protect its people in the wake of Iran's unprecedented attack on the Jewish state last week, according to Barak Shine, Israel's deputy chief of mission to Korea.

"A U.N. member state has attacked another U.N. member state with very heavy arms which included about 60 tons of explosives ... We are worried that Iran will see this as an opportunity that will allow itself to continue to attack Israel," Shine told The Korea Times in an interview Tuesday.

"It's a very, very grave situation not only for us but for everyone in the world because it can give signals to other malicious actors in the world to open wars and launch new attacks in other regions," he added.

Iran mounted an immense aerial attack on Israel late Saturday night through early Sunday, launching around 350 drones and missiles in an unprecedented scale of direct assault on the Jewish state by Tehran. Despite the severity of the attack, minimal damage with no fatalities was inflicted on Israel, primarily thanks to the effectiveness of Israel's top-tier air defense system backed by its Western allies.

The damage was light, but its implications are severe, said Shine.

"Let us not forget that because the damage is minimal, it doesn't indicate the severity of the attack itself. It could have been much worse. We need to look at the intention of the attacks, not just the results," he said.

When asked whether the current tensions could potentially escalate into an all-out war in the Middle East region, the envoy replied, "Israel does not have any intention to create an all-out war. This whole situation was forced on Israel. The point is that Israel is doing whatever it can to protect itself, and part of this is to respond to actions in order to make all those actors to stop attacking."

However, Shine refrained from commenting on a possible Israeli military counteroffensive against Tehran, saying that it is a decision for the Israeli government to make.

The diplomat viewed that Koreans could easily relate to the situation in Israel, given that their nation is also under constant threats from its nuclear-armed northern neighbor.

"I hope that people in Korea can relate and sympathize with our situation. I think they can because all the security threats that were launched toward Israel on Sunday are the same security threats that Korea could face. Unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missile, ballistic rockets ... We hear all about it here as well," Shine said.

In that regard, he thanked the Korean government for showing support to his nation.

Hours after the Iranian attack, Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement strongly condemning Iran's massive attack, calling on all parties to exercise restraint in order to prevent further escalation of the situation.

Shine assured that Korean nationals residing in Israel are currently safe.

According to Seoul's foreign ministry, no injury, death or damage was reported among around 500 Korean nationals residing in Israel in the wake of the attack on Sunday. However, the government is still on alert, issuing a special travel advisory for Iran from Monday.

"The fact that no one got killed from 350 missile attacks  it's not a miracle. It's something that happened because we invest a lot of efforts to protect our people," Shine said. "So I think that the 500 Koreans who live in Israel are still there because they can stay there and feel secure."
Thermo Fisher has equipped AIC-CCMB with state-of-the-art platforms

The Atal Incubation Centre-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (AIC-CCMB), a premier bio-incubator in Hyderabad, has signed an agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific. The agreement includes equipping AIC-CCMBs state-of-the-art facility, the Centre for Innovation, with cutting-edge technology to enable scientists in startups with opportunities to enhance their expertise and entrepreneurial acumen.

Speaking on the agreement, Dr Madhusudhana Rao, CEO, AIC-CCMB said As one of the largest facilities supporting startups in healthcare, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, AIC-CCMB endeavors to build an ecosystem that fosters innovation. Through our agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific, we are enabling startups to drive research initiatives and reduce time-to-market for new products.

Thermo Fisher has equipped this Centre for Innovation with state-of-the-art platforms such as CellInsight CX7 LZR Pro High Content Screening Platform, KingFisher Flex automated nucleic purification system, EVOS M7000 imaging system as well as laboratory freezers and refrigerators, and thermal cyclers. These tools will help scientists in research, drug discovery and assay development to support molecular biology, protein biology, cell biology and cell analysis workflows.

The Government of Indias flagship initiatives such as the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), are aimed at fostering an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship. We are proud to work with the various bio-incubators to set up these Centres for Innovation as a part of our nationwide efforts to support innovative startups in becoming scalable and sustainable, stated Srinath Venkatesh, Managing Director, India & South Asia, Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Renames Sahara Hospital as Max Super Speciality Hospital

Max Healthcare Institute has unveiled its plan to invest ~Rs 2500 crore for the development of world class healthcare infrastructure in the city. It has also announced renaming of Sahara Hospital as Max Super Speciality Hospital, Lucknow.

Max Healthcare recently completed the acquisition of Healthcare Undertaking consisting of 550 bedded Sahara Hospital on a slump sale basis from Sahara India Medical Institute at an enterprise value of Rs 940 crore.

Situated in the heart of Lucknow, Max Super Speciality Hospital has a current operational bed capacity of 285 beds. It is located on a land parcel of 27 acres at Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, an upmarket residential and commercial hub.

The acquisition of Sahara Hospital marks the beginning of Max Healthcares plans to scale up its presence and investments in the region. The company plans to invest an aggregate of Rs 2500 crore which includes setting up of a new 500 beds hospital on 5.6-acre parcel of land located at Shaheed Path and augmentation of capacity at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Lucknow.

The investment will also help in bring in cutting edge medical technology including Robotics, Radiation Therapy in Oncology, Transplants (Liver, Kidneys, Bone Marrow, heart and lung transplants) and greater focus & impetus to nursing education.

Max Healthcare plans to invest Rs 150-200 crore to upgrade the Max Super Speciality Hospitals medical infrastructure, add 265 more beds and renovate the civil infrastructure. The hospital will undergo significant enhancements with the introduction of state-of-the-art Max Institute of Cancer Care, strengthening of the Organ Transplantation programme and the introduction of world-class Robotic Surgical systems.

Commenting on the acquisition, Abhay Soi, Chairman and Managing Director, Max Healthcare Institute said "This gives us an opportunity to participate in the development of Uttar Pradesh as it marches towards becoming $1 trillion economy by 2027. Through our investments, we shall be providing employment opportunities for over 10,000 people in the state."

With this, Max Healthcare will be the largest private healthcare network in Uttar Pradesh, with over 2000 beds, treating 1.5 million people.


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Senior diplomats of South Korea and Australia held talks in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss joint efforts to boost bilateral cooperation in their Indo-Pacific strategies and a wide range of issues, the foreign ministry said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won met with his Australian counterpart, Elly Lawson, deputy secretary of the Strategic Planning and Coordination Group at the Australian foreign ministry, Seoul's ministry said.

The two sides shared the view that their bilateral ties are strengthening in the military and defense sectors, pointing to a contract signed last year on infantry fighting vehicles.

In December 2023, the Australian subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace signed a 3.1 trillion-won ($2.2 billion) deal to sell 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles to Australia.

During the talks, they also agreed to continue close cooperation in their Indo-Pacific strategies to create a "synergy" effect in the region.

The two sides discussed North Korea's recent developments, noting that its nuclear and missile program and growing military cooperation with Russia pose a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond. (Yonhap)
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Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun held talks with the chief of a United Nations agency on international civil aviation to discuss ways to strengthen their partnership, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Kang met with Juan Carlos Salazar, secretary-general of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to share concerns over North Korea's missile launches and explore ways to enhance cooperation.

During the meeting, Kang said North Korea's missile and spy satellite launches pose "a serious threat" to international civil aviation and asked for the ICAO's close coordination to address the concerns, according to the ministry.

Salazar shared concerns about the threats posed by North Korea's provocations, and said the ICAO will continue to monitor related activities and enhance international coordination, it said.

The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in such areas as digital transformation and climate change.

North Korea placed its first spy satellite into orbit in November and vowed to launch three more this year. It has conducted a string of ballistic and cruise missile tests this year. (Yonhap)
Hollywood actor Johnny Depp has said he tried to talk the director of his latest film out of casting him as King Louis XV.

The Hollywood star returned to the red carpet in London on Monday night for the UK premiere of his first feature film since the conclusion of his high-profile defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.

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Historical drama Jeanne Du Barry, in which Depp, 60, stars as King Louis XV, received a seven-minute standing ovation when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023.

The film follows the life of Jeanne, played by French actress Maiwenn, a working-class woman who uses her intelligence and allure to climb the social hierarchy, eventually landing on the radar of Frances King Louis XV.

Terry Gilliam and Johnny Depp arrive for the UK premiere of Jeanne Du Barry (Ian West/PA)

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The project, which was also co-written and directed by Maiwenn, is Depps first major onscreen appearance since the defamation case.

Speaking on stage at the premiere, the actor, from Owensboro, Kentucky, told the audience he was surprised when he was approached for the role.

He said: Instantly what happens in your brain is that you go back to eastern Kentucky  you realise that you come from the ombelico, nombril, the belly button of nowhere and youre playing the king of France, according to Hollywood trade publication Deadline.

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Johnny Depp signed autographs as he arrived at the premiere (Ian West/PA)

It made no sense to me, I tried to talk her out of it. She wasnt hearing it, and she had great courage to take me into her cast.

In 2022 Depp successfully sued his former partner over a 2018 article she wrote for The Washington Post about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, which his lawyers said falsely accused him of being an abuser.

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Maiwenn and Johnny Depp (Ian West/PA)

It followed a damning ruling by the High Court in London in 2020 that found he assaulted Heard and left her in fear for her life.

On Monday night the Oscar-nominated actor reunited with British director Terry Gilliam, 83, who directed Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, which starred Depp as main character Raoul Duke.

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Johnny Depp wore a grey coat over a black suit to the premiere (Ian West/PA)

In clips shared on social media, Depp jokingly presents Gilliam to the photographers and videographers gathered around as director Tim Burton, whom Depp has worked with on films including 1990s Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street in 2007.

Gilliam, who is known for being a part of the original Monty Python crew, also directed Depp in his 2009 film The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is investigating whether assets linked to disgraced former solicitor Michael Lynn are the benefits of crime relating to his 18 million bank thefts.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Tuesday that the DPP is formally initiating the process of investigating Lynn's assets, including three bank accounts containing 2.8 million that the prosecution believes is linked to him, as well as a house in Wicklow that was purchased by a corporation which is believed to be strongly linked to the former solicitor.

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The DPP is also in the process of investigating whether 3 million in assets that were confiscated by the Portuguese authorities are also linked to the crimes for which he was convicted, the court heard.

Lynn (55), formerly of Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co Wicklow, was found guilty by a jury of 10 of the 21 theft counts against him following a second Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial last year.

He was jailed in February for five-and-a-half years for the thefts he carried out at the height of the Celtic Tiger in 2006 and 2007, when he was working as a solicitor and property developer. He was convicted of stealing a total of just over 18 million from six financial institutions.

The DPP is engaged in enquiry as to the assets of the defendant in circumstances where it appears he is a person who has benefitted from the commission of this offence, Joe Mulrean BL, prosecuting, told the court on Tuesday.

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He said Lynn was required to set out which allegations he refutes and which he accepts. The notice was being served under sections 9, 10 and 11 of the Criminal Justice Act of 1994, the court heard.

The property in question is a house in Brittas Bay where Lynn was living, which was purchased by a corporation, the court heard. That corporation, through its officers, is strongly linked to Mr Lynn himself, Mr Mulrean told the court.

There are also three bank accounts with 2.8 million which we say are connected to Michael Lynn, Mr Mulrean said.

When asked by Judge Martin Nolan if these monies came from the thefts which were committed by Lynn, the prosecution replied: We can't say with any sort of clarity if that is the case.

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It appears to the Director [of Public Prosecutions] that he has benefitted.

Paul Comiskey O'Keeffe BL, defending Lynn, said the court had to be satisfied that Lynn had been served with the notice before adjourning the matter. He noted there may be further notices from the prosecution.

Judge Nolan agreed to adjourn the case, noting the matter is likely to be contested.

Mr Comiskey O'Keeffe also stated his intention to apply for further legal aid for Lynn, in case that is not in place. Lynn has been on legal aid for both of his criminal trials. He has recently changed solicitor, the court heard.

The prosecution stated it may require a statement of means in that case.

The case will return to court on July 8th.
Israel has replaced reason with revenge and is not listening to countries calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, the Taoiseach has said.

Simon Harris, who became Taoiseach last week, said the EU should use every lever at its disposal to halt the violence in the region.

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Last week, Mr Harris and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said they wanted to work with like-minded countries to recognise Palestinian statehood.

He will meet other heads of EU governments at a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Wednesday.

Simon Harris welcomes Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to Government Buildings (Brian Lawless/PA)

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After an attack by Iran on Israel, which was condemned by Ireland, Mr Harris said he and other European leaders would be calling for stability and restraint to be shown by all parties.

He added: Anything other than that at this stage would result in very significant bloodshed and very significant catastrophe for so many millions of people in the region.

Speaking on CNN Internationals Amanpour programme on Tuesday, Mr Harris said Israel had not been listening to the Governments calls for a ceasefire.

Asked if the EU had any influence in the region, Mr Harris: It is obviously a matter for the Israeli government, for the Netanyahu administration, as to who they wish to listen to.

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They certainly havent been listening to Ireland and other countries and European states who have been calling for a ceasefire, for example, in Gaza for many, many months now but I do hope at this stage that common sense prevails.

In his first television interview since becoming Taoiseach, Mr Harris said Ireland would continue to speak truth to power.

Were a country that we believe has a respected voice in the world community, a country that is known for being an honest broker, a country that knows a lot about peace processes and one that intends to speak out in favour of international human rights law and a cessation of violence.

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Asked why he had focused on the conflict in his first week in power, Mr Harris replied: Quite frankly, we have to speak out against what is an incredible humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.

He said there is no doubt that Hamas is a terrorist organisation.

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He added that the attack on Israel should be condemned and all hostages should be immediately released without preconditions.

It is entirely, though, compatible to also say the next bit that I dont think enough people have been saying.

What were seeing in Gaza now has moved well beyond a right for a country to defend itself to a situation where there is a disproportionate impact on women and children as well as civilian infrastructure.

This country [Ireland] that Im proud to lead in Government knows a lot about the spectre of famine. We are now seeing children in Gaza at risk of starvation.

He said the only way to resolve the issues in the Middle East is a political process to bring about a two-state solution.

Mr Harris said he intended to continue to speak out in favour of peace, immediate cessation of violence and a two-state solution.

"Ireland is extraordinarily clear in its condemnation of Hamas[& for] the right of Israelto live in safety & security. But we also believe that reason has now been replaced by revenge"



I spoke with @SimonHarrisTD, his first TV interview as Taoiseach. Watch our full interview pic.twitter.com/AohIoIiMT8  Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) April 16, 2024

He added this may sound almost impossible under Benjamin Netanyahus administration but that is not a reason not to speak out.

I want to see the European Union use every lever at its disposal to exert the maximum amount of pressure to bring about a ceasefire.

Asked about Ireland and Spains moves towards recognising Palestinian statehood, Mr Harris said it is a very good starting point to recognise two states: Israel and Palestine.

We also believe that alongside a secure and safe Israel should be a secure, peaceful and safe Palestine.

He said there is huge logic and rationale in recognising Palestine as part of moving towards a two-state solution.

Asked about the Israeli ambassador to Dublin saying Ireland was on the wrong side of history, and that recognition of Palestinian statehood would reward terrorism by sending a dangerous signal to Hamas, Mr Harris replied: Youll excuse me for finding it a little bit hard to hear the representative of the Netanyahu government about being on the wrong side,

"I think the actions of the Netanyahu government right now, in terms of allowing this humanitarian catastrophe to unfold in Gaza and the impact on women, children and civilians and civilian infrastructure, is profound.

Ireland is extraordinarily clear in its condemnation of Hamas, extraordinarily clear in the need for release without condition immediately of all hostages, were extraordinarily clear of the right of Israel to live in peace and security.

But we also believe that reason has now been replaced by revenge and there needs to be an immediate cessation of violence.
A murder accused "targeted" and "relentlessly pursued" a young Dublin construction worker walking alone on the street of a rural town before "proudly and boastfully" using the phrase "a Conor McGregor knockout" to describe "flooring" the victim as he retreated, a prosecution barrister has told a Central Criminal Court jury.

However, the defence argued in their closing address that the pathologist could not have been clearer in her evidence that the fall caused the damage to the deceased Cian Gallagher and not the punch from the accused.

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Michael Bowman SC, defending, submitted that to attach weight to the "ludicrous and offensive statement" of "a Conor McGregor knockout" was no more than "drunken mouthing off" and a facile reference.

Maurice "Mossie" Boland (36), of Bridgeview Close, Tallow, Co Waterford has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Cian Gallagher (26) at Barrack Street in Tallow on November 10th 2022.

The jury heard the deceased man was from the Malahide Road in Dublin 17 and worked in a managerial type role mainly on civil construction projects up to the time of his death.

The 12 jurors were told by the State in the opening address that Mr Gallagher, who was working on a construction project in Co Waterford, died from a brain bleed eight days after he was punched and knocked to the ground by the accused man in the early hours of November 2nd.

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At the opening of the trial, prosecution counsel told the jury that CCTV footage shows the accused punching Mr Gallagher when the deceased had his hands up and was backing away.

She said the footage showed that Mr Gallagher was not at all offensive even when he was being "set upon".

Addressing the jury, Roisin Lacey SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said that whilst the accused accepted he caused the death of Mr Gallagher they would have to look at his mental intent.

She said they should look not simply at Mr Boland's intention at the time "of the connection of the punch", which she said "floored" the deceased, but from when Mr Boland first engaged with Mr Gallagher on Barrack Street that night.

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She told the jurors that "the spectre of drink" was hanging over this case like "a bad smell" and intoxication had been highlighted by the defence in their cross-examination of witnesses. She said drunken intent to kill or cause serious injury was still an intent in law for the purpose of murder.

Injuries

Going through the pathologist's evidence in the trial, Ms Lacey said Dr Margaret Bolster was able to say there was no fracture on the deceased's body other than a significant one on the back of the skull, which could clearly be attributed to the fall.

However, Ms Lacey said the pathologist indicated that there was deep bruising on the right side of the deceased's temporalis muscle nine days after the assault.

Counsel said that when Mr Boland was asked in his garda interviews where the punch had landed the accused said on the right-hand side of Mr Gallagher's face.

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"On the basis of his words there is no room for doubt that his face connected with the right hand side of Mr Gallagher's face and that the deep bruising on the right temporalis was caused by what he described to gardai," she said.

Ms Lacey told the jurors it was the punch which caused the deceased to fall and hit the back of his head.

She also referred to the accused accepting in his second interview with gardai that he had hit the deceased twice. She said the presence of blood in Mr Gallagher's mouth was indicative of force being used around his head and face.

She said "the two hits", which the accused acknowledged, were consistent with the injury to the deceased's right temporalis.

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She added: "It feeds into the idea of the phrase "knockout", that's how Mr Boland described what he had done. It was a 'Conor McGregor knockout' of which he seemed proud and boastful, indicating he knew exactly what he had done and intended to cause that serious injury".

The barrister pointed to the accused's account; where she submitted that the accused said he met a man, there was a conversation between them, he asked for a light, the deceased invited him back to his for a drink, that there was a conversation about the Russians and the deceased had thrown the first punch and then Mr Boland hit back.

Ms Lacey said it was "as plain as a pike staff" that Mr Boland did not meet Mr Gallagher but that he had targeted him, pursued him and approached him from behind. She said the innocent explanation by Mr Gallagher of looking for "a light" didn't hold water as the accused had two lighters on him when he was taken into custody.

She noted that Mr Gallagher was totally oblivious to the presence of Mr Boland on Barrack Street, who had made "a purposeful and diagonal beeline" behind the deceased. She submitted that the deceased had been "relentlessly pursued" by the accused.

"He was coming after him, accosting him, assaulting him, all from the time Mr Gallagher was backing away from him with his hands up".

Counsel went on to tell the jury that the "sobering" CCTV footage had not captured the deceased "hitting out" at Mr Boland and all the evidence pointed to the contrary. She said Mr Gallagher didn't hit or punch back or kick out. "He is doing nothing in retaliation to Mr Boland," she added.

The lawyer said injuries to the accused's hand were caused by the punch to the deceased and that CCTV footage showed the accused punching Mr Gallagher, who was retreating at the time. "Of course the accused knew his own strength, he was pushing him when Mr Gallagher was trying to back away from him".

Ms Lacey submitted the accused had said Mr Gallagher was "talking shit about the Russians" when they met. "Even if he was, so what. Cast your mind back to November 2022. Everyone was talking about the Russians and Ukraine.

"Putin [President of Russia Vladimir Putin] had just announced his partial immobilisation of troops and Navalny [now deceased Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny] had just finished his sixth or seventh stint in Russian confinement so what is wrong with Mr Gallagher looking that up or talking about it or being concerned about it".

She went on to tell the jury that there was nothing to indicate the deceased was the aggressor on the night. She said the accused went after Mr Gallagher and it only stopped when the deceased fell. "We say it is nonsense that Mr Gallagher threw the first punch," she continued.

Intention

In conclusion, Ms Lacey argued that the accused's intention at the very least was to cause serious injury to Mr Gallagher and submitted that he had on the night. She said the construction worker had died as a result of a serious injury and fall and urged the jury to find the accused guilty of murder.

Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC said in his closing speech that he did not agree with a lot of what Ms Lacey said.

Counsel said his client accepted his actions that night without justification and takes responsibility for the death of Mr Gallagher. He said the deceased was a decent man who should have been allowed to get on with his life and that his client had to answer for that.

He argued that an injury of this nature is observed quite frequently when intoxicated and one doesn't put their hands out to break a fall as one would ordinarily do in the cold light of day.

He said the law of unintended consequences is one that everyone can relate to and doesn't require a textbook definition. "When we bring our common sense to bear, how often are we responsible for unintended consequences".

The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women.
The referendum on the Unified Patent Court now looks like it won't go ahead.

The poll was set to be held in early June alongside the local and European elections.

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Its understood the Government now believes there isn't enough time left to explain and campaign for the patent court.

The Unified Patent Court aims to make it easier for businesses and inventors to copyright their ideas and inventions across the EU  meaning they would only need to make one patent application instead of several.

The court opened in June last year and has 17 EU countries as members.

The Government said in January it had approved the drafting of a bill that would allow Ireland to take part in the patent court.

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Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke says the referendum is now likely to held on a later date.

"I will be bringing a memo in relation to the Patent Court which I will be sending out to Government in relation to the postponement of it potentially for a future date. We have to see what Government says in relation to that.

"Also, if we look at the real politics, we are about seven weeks out from the dates of the loacl and European elections, and that is the date the court referendum was set to take place.

"Obviously, it is a big challenge in terms of getting information out there. We saw with the previous referendum commission, they needed about a 14, 15 week period, and we still have not got the legislation through the Seanad at this stage."
A fire has swept through one of Copenhagens oldest buildings, destroying about half of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange and collapsing its famous dragon-tail spire, as passers-by rushed to help emergency services save priceless paintings and other valuables.

The blaze broke out on the buildings roof during renovations, but police said it was too early to pinpoint the cause.

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The red brick building, with its green copper roof and distinctive 56-metre (184ft) spire in the shape of four intertwined dragon tails, is a major tourist attraction next to Denmarks parliament, Christiansborg Palace, in the heart of the capital.





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Bells tolled and sirens sounded as fire engulfed the spire and sent it crashing on to the building, which was shrouded by scaffolding.

Huge billows of smoke rose over central Copenhagen and could be seen from southern Sweden, which is separated from the Danish capital by a narrow waterway.

A piece of Danish history is on fire, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wrote on Instagram, saying that it hurt to see the loss of such irreplaceable cultural heritage.

Ambulances were at the scene but there were no reports of casualties.

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Firefighters, who reportedly pumped water from a nearby canal, sprayed water through the doorway of the Old Stock Exchanges gilded hall that is used for gala dinners, conferences and other events and where many paintings were on display.

Danish culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said it was touching to see how many people lent their hand to save art treasures and iconic images from the burning building.

One man jumped off his bicycle to help soon after the fire broke out, and members of the public helped first responders to carry huge works of art to safety.

Among the pieces that had been on display in the building was a huge painting completed in 1895 by Danish artist PS Kroyer called From Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

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Historical paintings are carried out of the burning building as the Stock Exchange burns in Copenhagen (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

No information has been released about which works of art were saved from the blaze, although video footage appeared to show the Kroyer painting being removed.

Brian Mikkelsen, chief of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, which has its headquarters in the Old Stock Exchange and owns the building, was seen with his staff scrolling through a binder of photos of paintings to be saved.

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Works were carried to the nearby parliament and national archive building.

Rescuers used crowbars and other tools to remove valuables and save them from the fire, Mr Mikkelsen said.

We have been able to rescue a lot, a visibly moved Mr Mikkelsen told reporters.

It is a national disaster.

Jakob Vedsted Andersen, a Greater Copenhagen Fire Department spokesman, said the fire began on the roof on Tuesday morning and quickly spread, collapsing parts of the roof and destroying about half of the building.

He said no other buildings were at risk but that it could take firefighters 24 hours to secure the scene.



Fire rages from the dragon spire of the Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

Tim Ole Simonsen, another fire department spokesman, said the fire started in the part of the building where work has been going on, but thats all I can say about it.

Rene Hansen, of the coppersmith company that was renovating the roof, told broadcaster TV2 it had 10 people on the roof when the fire alarm went off.

After five minutes, smoke began to rise from the floor to the ceiling, Hansen said.

Tommy Laursen, of the Copenhagen police, said it was too early to say what caused the fire and that officers would be able to enter the building in a few days.

Up to 90 members of an army unit were deployed to cordon off the area and secure valuables, Denmarks armed forces said.

King Frederik wrote on Instagram that an important part of our architectural heritage was being destroyed.

This morning we woke up to a sad sight, he wrote.

The exchange was built in 1615 and is considered a leading example of Dutch Renaissance style in Denmark.



This photo combo shows from top left the progress of the spire collapsing as fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen (Ida Marie Odgaard, Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

The Chamber of Commerce moved into the building after Copenhagens stock exchange left in 1974.

The roof, masonry, sandstone and spire were being renovated, and Mr Mikkelsen said there had been plans for the royal family, government officials and other dignitaries to review the work later this year.

That wont happen now, he said.

The future of the structure was unclear, but Mr Engel-Schmidt wrote on the social platform X that he would do everything he could so that the dragon spire will once again tower over Copenhagen, describing it as a symbol of Denmarks strong history as a trading nation.

The adjacent Christiansborg Palace has burned down several times, and in 1990 a fire broke out in an annex of the Danish parliament, known as Proviantgaarden, but the Old Stock Exchange was unscathed.

Police closed a main road in Copenhagen and warned on X that the public should expect the area to be cordoned off for some time.

Several bus lines were rerouted and Danish media reported huge traffic jams.

Queen Margrethe, who turned 84 on Tuesday, toned down the celebrations because of the fire, broadcaster TV2 said.



Smoke rises from the Stock Exchange in Copenhagen (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

A band with the Royal Life Guard had been scheduled to play for the former monarch outside the Fredensborg Castle, where she is staying for the spring and summer, but that was cancelled.

The fire in Copenhagen was reminiscent of an April 2019 blaze at Notre Dame.

The 800-year-old cathedral in Paris also lost its spire.

Its restoration is slated for completion this year.

In November 1992, soldiers and workers scrambled to save priceless works of art when Windsor Castle in England was consumed in flames.

That fire destroyed the state dining room and other parts of Queen Elizabeth IIs weekend home.
Germanys Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Chinese leader Xi Jinping who hosted him in Beijing on Tuesday that Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine threatens global security.

It was an apparent call for China to apply greater pressure on its neighbour and close strategic partner to resolve the conflict.

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Mr Scholz also told Mr Xi at their meeting that the use of nuclear weapons in the two-year-old war should not even be threatened, German media reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned last month that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or independence is threatened, his latest such threat since invading Ukraine.



German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, visits German company Covestros Asia-Pacific Innovation Centre in Shanghai (Fang Zhe/Xinhua via AP)

Mr Scholz told Mr Xi that Germanys core interests were impacted by the war against Ukraine, which has threatened to spread into a regional conflict and has disrupted energy and global food supplies and other trade.

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Russias actions violate a principle of the United Nations Charter and the principle of the inviolability of national borders, Mr Scholz was quoted as saying by German media.

China has refused to criticise the invasion and has maintained ties with Russia. While China says it is not sending military aid to Moscow, it has provided it with an economic lifeline to help it cope with sanctions from the West.

Beijing has also been urging peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, offering a proposal that says nothing about the settlement of the key territorial disputes between them and which has received a tepid response from the two countries or the international community.

Despite that, China continues to insist that the United Nations Charter should prevail in international affairs and that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations be respected, in apparent contradiction with Russias military agenda.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz learns about a Sino-German co-operative scientific research project on water monitoring in Jiangbeizui, southwest Chinas Chongqing Municipality (Huang Wei/Xinhua via AP)

Chinas official Xinhua News Agency quoted Mr Xi as saying the two leaders discussed Ukraine among other issues.

China encourages and supports all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis, and supports the timely convening of an international peace conference recognised by Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation by all parties, and fair discussion of all peace options, Mr Xi said.

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China is willing to maintain co-operation with all relevant parties, including Germany, in this regard, Mr Xi was quoted as saying.

Mr Scholz on Monday called for fair competition in trade relations while warning about dumping and overproduction during a talk to college students in the financial hub of Shanghai, where German companies have major investments.

His visit has underscored trade-related tensions as the European Union and other nations complain that China is competing unfairly through the use of tariffs, intellectual property theft and political interference.

The European Union is mulling tariffs to protect its producers against cheaper Chinese electrical vehicle imports, which some fear will flood the European market.

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Mr Scholz began his three-day China trip on Sunday in the industrial hub of Chongqing, where he and his delegation of ministers and business executives visited a partially German-funded company and other sites in the vast city, which is a production base for Chinas auto and other industries.

Mr Scholz was due to meet Premier Li Qiang later Tuesday in Beijing before returning to Berlin in the late evening.

Along with Russia, China is one of five permanent veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council, and a US intelligence report last week found Beijing has increased equipment sales to Moscow to indirectly boost its war effort against Ukraine.

Berlin is also worried about a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a self-ruled island 130 kilometres (80 miles) off Chinas coast that Beijing claims as its own.

Mr Scholz told students in Shanghai that borders must not be moved by force.

We should not be afraid of our neighbours, he said, emphasising the importance of international institutions such as the World Trade Organisation.

Despite the political and trade frictions, China was Germanys top trading partner for the eighth straight year in 2023, with 254.1 billion euros (218 billion) in goods and services exchanged between the sides, slightly more than what Germany traded with the US but a 15.5% contraction from the year before.

This is Mr Scholzs second trip to China since he became chancellor in late 2021.

It is his first visit since the German government last year presented its China strategy, which met with criticism from Beijing. Premier Li and a delegation of senior officials visited Berlin in June.
Britain's Prince Harry's initial bid to bring an appeal has been refused after he lost a High Court challenge over a decision to change the level of his personal security when he visits the UK.

Harry took legal action against the UK Home Office over the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.

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Ravecs decision came as a result of a change in the dukes status after he stopped being a full-time working member of the royal family, a judge was told.

In a judgement in February, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected Harry's case and concluded Ravecs approach was not irrational nor procedurally unfair.

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Following the previous ruling, a spokesperson for Harry said he intended to challenge the judgement, adding that Harry hopes he will obtain justice from the Court of Appeal.

On Monday, a judicial spokesperson said that Harry has lost his initial bid to appeal against the decision.

In the initial decision to refuse the duke the go-ahead to appeal, Mr Lane said Harrys appeal bid was largely a recapitulation of the case advanced by the claimant at trial.

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He continued: The reality of the matter is that the claimant considers he should receive a different approach to his protection whilst in the UK than Ravec decided he should, based in part on his comparison of his own position with that of others. Ravec, as an expert body, concluded otherwise. It was entitled to do so.

However, Harry is still able to ask the Court of Appeal directly for the green light to bring an appeal.

Separately, Harry has been ordered to pay 90 per cent of the Home Offices legal costs of defending his challenge.

In an order published on Monday, Mr Lane said that Harry should pay most of the Home Offices legal costs, but said the UK government department had committed breaches during the legal battle which were sanctionable.

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Prince Harry has lost his initial bid to appeal against the decision (PA)

He continued: They have resulted in the case being largely contested by reference to new grounds, which have not been subjected to the normal permission process.

The breaches resulted from misapprehensions on the part of the defendant as to the duty of disclosure, which this decision has had to address at some length. It is, therefore, right that there should be a modest but still significant reduction in the award of costs to the defendant.

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The retired judge said the costs to be paid should be reduced by 10 per cent, rejecting an argument from Harrys lawyers that it should be reduced by at least 50 per cent.

Mr Lane said: There is no merit in this partial success submission  The fact that the court did not accept each and every submission of the defendant as to the path to take towards dismissal of the claim does not alter the fact that the claimant comprehensively lost.

In his 52-page partially redacted ruling dismissing Harry's claim, Mr Lane said Harrys lawyers had taken an inappropriate, formalist interpretation of the Ravec process.

He added: The bespoke process devised for the claimant in the decision of February 28 2020 was, and is, legally sound.

Harry, who was not present during the hearing in December, lives in the United States with wife Meghan and their two children after the couple announced they were stepping back as senior British royals in January 2020.

He returned briefly to the UK on February 6th without his family after making a transatlantic dash to be with his father following the shock news of King Charles' cancer diagnosis.
Authorities in Brussels have ordered the closure of a right-wing conference that was due to hear from British politicians including Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman.

Emir Kir, the mayor of Brussels district Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, said he had issued an order banning the National Conservatism conference from taking place on Tuesday to guarantee public safety.

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He added: In Etterbeek, in Brussels City and in Saint-Josse, the far-right is not welcome.

The conference had already struggled to find a venue, with two event spaces cancelling the National Conservatives booking in the face of public pressure  leading organisers to accuse the Brussels mayor Philippe Close of seeking to cancel the event.

According to a report on social media, police arrived while Mr Farage, the honorary president of Reform UK, was addressing the event, giving attendees 15 minutes to leave the venue.

Footage later showed police officers entering the venue.

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The conference had been due to hear from two Conservative MPs, Ms Braverman and Miriam Cates, later on Tuesday, before hosting a speech by Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday.

Rishi Sunak had faced pressure to block Ms Bravermans attendance at the conference, with Labour shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth urging him to stop the former home secretary giving oxygen to these divisive and dangerous individuals.

Under Boris Johnsons government in 2020, Conservative backbencher Daniel Kawczynski was reprimanded for attending a National Conservatism conference in Rome, with a Tory spokesman condemning the views of some other speakers, including Mr Orban.

Both Ms Braverman and Ms Cates addressed the National Conservatism conference in London last year, which was disrupted by protesters.
Sir Salman Rushdie has revealed he had a cancer scare not long after he was repeatedly stabbed during a literary event in New York.

The 76-year-old Indian-born British author suffered severe, life-changing injuries including losing sight in one eye following the violent knife attack which occurred ahead of him delivering a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in August 2022.

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In his new book, Knife: Meditations After An Attempted Murder, Rushdie has recounted his experience of the near-fatal incident and the aftermath.

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After recalling the event and his initial recovery process, the Booker Prize-winning author explained a small bump was found when he had his prostate examined by his doctor as part of a health check-up.

After I narrowly survived a murder attempt, now I had to face the prospect of cancer? he wrote.

This was unacceptable. It was unfair.

After undergoing an MRI scan, he received the results which stated: Cancer likely.

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On the 1-to-5 scale of probability they used, I had scored a wretched 4, he added.

However, the author recalled the normal prostate cancer PSA test, which checks the amount of prostate-specific antigen in your blood, showed a different story.

He wrote: The PSA number on my blood test was low: 2.1. This would normally be read to mean no prostate problem. But the MRI results said cancer likely.

After seeking the opinion of a second urologist, he was told that a urinary-tract infection he had recently been treated for might be responsible for the bump on his prostate.

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He recalled that as he waited for further tests to give him a conclusive answer, the doctor tried to reassure him that if it was prostate cancer, it spreads slowly.

After two months, he received the all-clear he had been waiting for.

The second MRI took place in December, five weeks after Dr U-2s inspection, two months after the message reading cancer likely. This time the scan was clear, he wrote.

On the scale of 1 to 5, I was now a proud 1. There was no lump. I didnt have prostate cancer.

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The universe wasnt quite as cruel as that, even though it had waited two long months to tell me so.

Sir Salman Rushdie is made a Companion of Honour by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle (Jonathan Brady/PA)

When the attack happened on stage in August 2022, the author was due to speak about safe places for writers at the event being held in the small town of Chautauqua.

The incident was not the first time Rushdies life has come under threat as in 1989 Irans former ruler Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for his death after the publication of his novel The Satanic Verses, which some Muslims consider blasphemous.

The Iranian government withdrew support for the death sentence in 1998.

Ahead of his new books publication, Rushdie revealed he did not want to attend the talk where he was attacked in 2022 after having a premonition of the incident.

In his first major television interview since the attack, the author told Anderson Cooper on CBS programme 60 Minutes that he had dreamed of a man bearing down on him with a spear in an amphitheatre in the days before the event.

The author also explained that he does not name his attacker  a 24-year-old man from New Jersey named Hadi Matar, who has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial  in the book.

I dont want his name in my book and I dont want him in my life, he said.

We had 27 seconds together (the length of the attack), I dont want to give him any more of my time.

Knife: Meditations After An Attempted Murder is released on April 16th.
By Bereket Alemayehu

It was about two years ago when I saw Daniel Kim demonstrating his talents on the bagpipes. He was one of the participants in public antiwar demonstrations during the first weeks of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, performing in a street concert for peace in Ukraine held in front of the Ukrainian Embassy in Seoul.

Recently, I got a chance to learn more about Daniel , who can often be seen at foreign community events in Korea. His journey with the bagpipes transcends mere musical expression  it's a testament to heritage, history and the pursuit of solidarity. Hailing from a military family with roots ingrained in the 1950-53 Korean War, Daniel's fascination with the bagpipes stems from their solemn connection to military rituals.

I have to indicate this factor because this is the primary reason that I'm from a military family," he told The Korea Times. "My two grandfathers served during the Korean War. My father's grandfather enlisted in 1948 even before the war and my mother's side grandfather was also enlisted. He was drafted in 1950 when the North Korean invasion was getting more expanded."

It was during an emotional moment at the U.N. Memorial Park in Busan that Daniel found inspiration to play the bagpipes. Witnessing a British Korean War veteran's final wish to be buried in Korea, accompanied by the mournful sounds of the bagpipes, stirred something within Daniel's soul. He felt compelled to honor not only his ancestors but also the countless soldiers from around the world who fought bravely in the Korean War.

"The bagpipes are very related to these solemn rituals especially related to military exercises, drills, military ceremonies and rituals. Therefore, I was very impressed by the bagpipes' historical connections to the Korean War," he said. "The bagpipes are not just an instrument; they're a symbol of resilience."

Daniel's journey into bagpiping began in 2021, a pursuit marked by determination and dedication. He embarked on this path, driven by a profound sense of duty, despite financial constraints as a college student.

"I couldn't afford to purchase the full instrument at (first) because I was a student," he said. "After all, the instrument costs a lot of money. I bought mine at an affordable price and then started my musical journey to playing the pipes in 2021."

Now in his third year of playing, he has been learning by himself through YouTube videos. He also has one online instructor based on Canada.

"It took me a lot of time and effort because its a very difficult instrument to learn, but I didn't give up," he said. "Time after time, I got used to it. It's very a unique instrument, of course. There are a few other Korean pipers in this country but the issue is like they don't speak English. But I have more connections with foreigners in Korea and overseas."

Daniel's dedication to his bagpipes extends beyond a musical pursuit; it intertwines with his keen activism against war and injustice. As a steadfast advocate for peace, Daniel sees the bagpipes as more than just a musical instrument  they symbolize a powerful expression of solidarity and resistance against conflict and invasion. Through his music, Daniel endeavors to amplify the voices of those affected by war, particularly in regions like Ukraine and Russia, where the echoes of conflict continue to vibrate in many places, including Korea.

While Daniel finds support in the familiarity of Korean culture, his curiosity and engagement with global politics, conflicts and history have shaped his identity as more of a historian than an activist. His academic background in international security and development helped his quest for knowledge and understanding, guiding him on a path of exploration.

The bagpipes serve as both a medium of expression and a symbol of defiance for Daniel. Unlike many instruments that require amplifiers to boost their sound, the bagpipes possess an innate power, capable of producing high volume and attracting attention. This inherent strength of bagpipes aligns with Daniel's desire to stand in solidarity with others or signal against conflict, echoing the sentiments of the battlefield where pipers directed the charge with their melodies during battles.

When it comes to playing the bagpipes, Daniel leans towards tradition, preferring to honor the fallen through designated tunes rather than improvisation. While he acknowledges the value of embracing innovation, his ultimate goal remains rooted in remembrance and reverence for those who have sacrificed in service of freedom and democracy.

Playing the bagpipes comes with challenges, from finding suitable practice locations to overcoming societal misconceptions about the instrument's loud and imposing presence. Yet, Daniel remains determined and driven by a sense of purpose that transcends personal situations.

Usually, I practice around a train station near Yonsei University under the bridge, where noises of the trains are already quite loud. It covers my bagpipes' loudness, he said.

Looking toward a bright future, he envisions expanding his musical endeavors, with aspirations to perform at the United Nations headquarters and collaborate with like-minded individuals to form a dedicated pipe band. His message to aspiring pipers echoes his journey  practice and perseverance are key elements, and the path to mastery of the instrument may be difficult, but the rewards are worth it.



Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel who was stabbed during a church service live streamed from Sydney on Monday is a social media star with followers around the world, but the bearded clergyman is also a divisive preacher.

Dressed in dark robes, clutching a large cross and sporting a bushy grey beard under a black cowl, Emmanuel's sermons from the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church range from homilies on the Bible to fiery criticisms of homosexuality, Covid vaccinations, Islam and US president Joe Biden's election.

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The 53-year-old bishop, who has a popular youth following on TikTok and was awarded by YouTube in 2023 for hitting 100,000 subscribers, has been a target for criticism, hate and online trolling.

On Monday night, a male teenager stabbed him and other worshippers with a knife during a sermon at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church in western Sydney.

Footage posted online showed the attacker criticising Emmanuel's comments about Islam while pinned to the ground by the congregation. Police said on Tuesday it was a terrorist attack motivated by suspected religious extremism.

In some sermons posted online and shared widely, Emmanuel questions parts of Islamic theology, although in others he stresses his love for the Muslim community and how he regularly prays for them. In a recent post he expressed support for Palestinians in Gaza.

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"He's not saying your religion is rubbish, he's just proving them wrong and very well articulated to the point where it gets under their skin ... the only way you can bring him down is through physical violence," said Manuka (20), a local resident who follows Emmanuel on TikTok.

Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley in Sydney, Australia. Hundreds clashed with police after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed at the altar. Photo: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty

In other sermons Emmanuel took aim at the secular world, casting doubt on Biden's election, attacking his support for gay rights and urging Trump to stay true to God and resist the influence of Freemasons.

Emmanuel's popularity peaked during the Covid pandemic because his sermons were online, according to Mary Anoya (17), whose family attends his church. She, like the other students at her high school, prefer to watch his sermons on TikTok.

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"I think everyone follows him on TikTok," said Anoya on Tuesday outside the church.

"Ever since he started to become famous his words just got twisted. I grew up knowing who he was, I know what type of person he is and it's all just taken out of context."

Residents who spoke with Reuters said the violent outrage that followed the attack on Emmanuel, which saw an angry crowd throw rocks and bricks at police, reflected fears about religious persecution by many in the community which is popular with Christians from Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Lebanon, some of whom fled their homeland because of their faith.

"We've been persecuted for generations," said Chris, who asked for his last name not to be used for fear of retribution.

"Enough is enough, a priest can't be touched. I'm not speaking about retaliation but the Australian government must play a role so no persecution is tolerated."
Rishi Sunak faces the prospect of another backbench rebellion on Tuesday as his plans to stop young people from ever smoking come before the UK House of Commons for the first time.

The plan, which would make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1st, 2009, was one of three key policies announced by the UK prime minister in his speech to the Conservative Party conference last year.

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But the more libertarian-minded members of his party have criticised the ban, raising the prospect that Mr Sunak may need to rely on Labour votes to secure the passage of one of his flagship policies.

Opponents of the ban include Mr Sunaks immediate predecessor, Liz Truss, who has previously described the plans as profoundly unconservative.

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Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson also described the plans last week as nuts.

Conservative MPs have been granted a free vote on the legislation, and several are expected to oppose the Tobacco and Vapes Bill when it has its first full debate in the Commons on Tuesday.

But Labour has given its backing to the proposals, making it likely that the legislation will clear this first hurdle regardless of any Conservative opposition.

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Ahead of the debate, doctors and health charities urged MPs to vote in favour of the proposals, which would ensure that nobody aged 15 or under today would ever be able to legally buy tobacco products.

Professor Steve Turner, president of the Royal College for Paediatrics and Child Health, said the Bill would without a doubt  save lives.

He said: By stopping children and young people from becoming addicted to nicotine and tobacco, we decrease their chances of developing preventable diseases later in life, and will protect children from the harms of nicotine addiction.

As paediatricians, we strongly urge MPs to use the important responsibility they have and support this Bill to protect childrens and our nations current and future health.

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UK prime minister Rishi Sunak could be facing another backbench rebellion (PA)

Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: Decisive action is needed to end this ongoing public health tragedy  we urge every MP to vote for this landmark legislation at the Bills second reading.

As well as raising the smoking age every year, the legislation includes provisions that will regulate the display, contents, flavours and packaging of vapes and nicotine products.

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Smoking kills about 80,000 people a year in the UK and costs the NHS and the economy an estimated 17 billion annually.

According to the British government, creating a smokefree generation could prevent more than 470,000 cases of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other diseases by the end of the century.

Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, said: Too many people know someone whose life has been tragically cut short or irreversibly changed because of smoking which, despite significant progress, remains the UKs biggest preventable killer.

The trust is that there is no safe level of tobacco consumption. It is uniquely harmful and that is why we are taking this important action today to protect the next generation.

This Bill will save thousands of lives, ease the strain on our NHS, and improve the UKs productivity.

Backing the Bill, Labours shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: Rishi Sunak is too weak to stand up to the Liz Truss wing of his party, so has given his MPs a free vote.

Though Tory MPs may oppose this measure, Labour will not play politics with public health. Labour will vote through this Bill, so that young people today are even less likely to smoke than they are to vote Tory.
It is a moment in history  the first US president facing criminal charges in an American courtroom. Yet only a handful of observers are able to see or even hear what is going on.

Instead, most of the US is getting news of former president Donald Trumps hush money trial secondhand. Starting with preliminary motions and jury selection on Monday, reporters in a Manhattan courtroom must convey what is being said to the outside world after the fact.

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That is all because New York state law regarding media coverage of court proceedings is one of the most restrictive in the country. Last weeks death of OJ Simpson, whose murder trial beamed live from a California courtroom captivated a nation three decades ago, was a telling reminder of how New York is behind the times  or, at least, a holdout.

 Why wont New York let me see it?

Former US president Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Curtis Means/DailyMail.com via AP, Pool)

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Regulations limiting media coverage in courtrooms date back nearly a century, when the spectacle of bright flashbulbs and camera operators standing on witness tables during the 1935 trial of the man accused of kidnapping and killing Charles Lindberghs baby son horrified the legal community, according to a 2022 report by the New York-based Fund for Modern Courts.

Rules to enforce decorum spread nationally, amended to account for the invention of television, as defence lawyers worried that video coverage would harm their cases, the report said.

Yet an interest in open government chipped away at these laws and  slowly, carefully  video cameras began to be permitted in courts across the country, often at the discretion of judges presiding in individual cases.

New York allowed them, too, on an experimental basis between 1987 and 1997, but they were shut down. Lobbyists for defence lawyers remain strong in New York and hold particular sway among lawyers in the state assembly, said Victor Kovner, a former New York City corporation counsel who advocates for open courtrooms.

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New York and Louisiana are the only states remaining that completely restrict video coverage, the Fund for Modern Courts said.

Donald Trump talks to reporters as he arrives for the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court (Mark Peterson/Pool Photo via AP)

To Mr Kovner and others, that is outrageous.

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Were the media capital of the world, we like to think, and the fact that cameras arent permitted in one of our three branches of government is unacceptable, said New York state senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who has sponsored a Bill to try to change that.

Its one of the most consequential trials of our modern age, the senator said. I think the public has a right to see exactly what happens in that courtroom.

On the trials first day, some reporters suggested that it appeared there were times that Trump drifted off to sleep while watching the proceedings. The former presidents campaign disputed that. With no video camera in place and trained on him, there is no way of knowing for sure.

 Wait  I saw a picture of Trump in court at the trials start

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In this courtroom sketch, former US president Donald Trump sits beside his lawyer Todd Blanche on the second day of jury selection in his criminal trial in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Christine Cornell via AP Pool)

That is because the presiding judge, Juan M Merchan, permitted a handful of still photographers to shoot photos of Trump before the days proceedings started. Once court was called into session, courtroom sketch artists  a dying communications form  hold sway.

There is actually some video coverage of the trial, available on monitors in an overflow room adjacent to the main courtroom. It was packed on Monday with reporters, court officers and a few members of the public, including Ron Sinibaldi, a former accountant from Long Island who lined up outside the courthouse before midnight for a seat.

I read presidential biographies, Mr Sinibaldi said. I go to presidential libraries. Im here for the history.

 How can those involved get around the restrictions?

Members of the media gather outside Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

In a hallway outside the courtroom, a limited number of cameras and a small pool of reporters are positioned to capture remarks of anyone involved in the trial who want to address the outside world. That included Trump, even before the proceedings started.

In the absence of live coverage of the trial, how often the former president chooses to take advantage of those cameras and whether news organisations carry his remarks either live, taped or not at all will play a big role in how the case is perceived publicly.

MSNBC carried his remarks live on Monday morning. Theyre trying to grab the narrative regardless of the outcome, CNN reporter Phil Mattingly said of the Trump defence team.

 How are journalists covering the trial handling it?

With some difficulty. CNN stationed a team on the streets of Manhattan outside the courtroom, where a truck festooned with pro-Trump flags frequently drove by, blaring horns and music from loudspeakers. Reporters sometimes struggled to be heard. It is kind of a circus down here, CNNs Kaitlan Collins said.

Commentators and experts, many of them with experience in jury selection, offered opinions from outside the courtroom or from studios. Fox News analyst Jonathan Turley said most cities, at least those outside of New York, will see the case as a weaponisation of criminal justice.

With estimates that jury selection could take two weeks, and no way of showing it, journalists will have a lot of time to fill unless they turn their attention elsewhere.

 Will other Trump cases be televised?

Donald Trump, second from left, arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

Georgia, where Trump faces charges of election meddling, gives judges discretion over whether to allow television cameras. Superior Court of Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee has said he will make all hearings and trials in that case available for broadcast. That has already included hearings on whether Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis would be allowed to argue the case.

Federal courts do not allow cameras in criminal cases. Trump is facing separate federal cases for election interference and mishandling classified documents, although it is not clear when, or if, trials will take place.

The feds offer one glimmer of hope: The US Supreme Court permits audio of oral arguments to be broadcast outside of the courtroom. But there is no indication that this would apply to Trumps case. New Yorks law does not allow audio coverage of his hush money trial.

Proponents of legislation to open up New York courts to electronic media coverage are hoping the attention paid to the Trump case may boost their proposals. The idea is being considered as part of current negotiations over the New York state budget so, theoretically, a new law could even affect the Trump trial if it is passed and goes into effect immediately.

Given New York states history, it is best not to count on it.
Israelis awaited word on how prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu would respond to Iran's first-ever direct attack as international pressure for restraint grew amid fears of an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

Netanyahu on Monday summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh a response to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack, a government source said.

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Military chief of staff Herzi Halevi said Israel would respond. He provided no details.

"This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response," he said at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, which sustained some damage in Saturday night's attack.

The prospect of Israeli retaliation has alarmed many Iranians already enduring economic pain and tighter social and political controls since protests in 2022-23.

Iran will respond to any action against its interests, president Ebrahim Raisi told Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Tuesday, according to the Iranian Student News Agency.

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Iran launched the attack in retaliation for what it says was an April 1st Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus, and signalled that it does not seek further escalation.

Fears of Gaza violence spreading

While the attack caused no deaths and limited damage, it has increased fears of open warfare between the long-time foes and fuelled concerns that violence rooted in the Gaza war is spreading.

US president Joe Biden told Netanyahu at the weekend that the United States, which helped Israel blunt the Iranian attack, will not participate in an Israeli counterstrike.

Since the war in Gaza began in October, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq. Israel said four of its soldiers were wounded hundreds of meters inside Lebanese territory overnight.

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It appeared to be the first such known incident since the Gaza war erupted, although there have been several exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon's armed group Hezbollah.

We're on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it.

"We're on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it," Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign affairs chief, told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. "We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear."

French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and British foreign secretary David Cameron made similar appeals. Washington and United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres also have called for restraint.

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White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined on Monday to say if Mr Biden urged Netanyahu in talks on Saturday night to exercise restraint in responding to Iran.

"We don't want to see a war with Iran. We don't want to see a regional conflict," Mr Kirby told a briefing, adding that it was for Israel to decide "whether and how they'll respond".

US treasury secretary Janet Yellen said Iran's actions threaten stability in the Middle East and could cause economic spillovers. The US would use sanctions, and work with allies, to keep disrupting Iran's "malign and destabilising activity", she added.

However, some analysts said the Biden administration was unlikely to undertake dramatic sanctions action on Iran's oil exports due to worries about boosting oil prices and angering top buyer China.

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In a call between the Chinese and Iranian foreign ministers, China said it believed Iran could "handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil" while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity, according to Chinese state media.

Russia has refrained from publicly criticising its ally Iran but has also urged restraint.

"Further escalation is in no one's interests," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

G7 mulls Iran sanctions

Iran's retaliatory attack, involving more than 300 missiles and drones, caused modest damage in Israel and wounded a 7-year-old girl.

Most were shot down by Israel's Iron Dome defence system and with help from the US, Britain, France and Jordan.

In Gaza itself, where more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive according to Gaza health ministry figures, Iran's action drew applause.

Israel began its campaign against Hamas after the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel on October 7th, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages by Israeli tallies.

British prime minister Rishi Sunak said the Group of Seven major democracies were working on a package of coordinated measures against Iran.

"I spoke to my fellow G7 leaders, we are united in our condemnation of this attack," Mr Sunak said in parliament.

Italy, which holds the rotating G7 presidency, said it was open to new sanctions and suggested any new measures would target individuals. In an interview with Reuters, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said all G7 members would have to back new sanctions.

Iran's attack has disrupted travel, with at least a dozen airlines cancelling or re-routing flights, and Europe's aviation regulator reaffirming advice that airlines use caution in Israeli and Iranian airspace.
Four days before the Federal Court found that Bruce Lehrmann had raped his then-colleague Brittany Higgins in a ministerial office, the former Liberal staffer was being evicted from a multimillion-dollar North Sydney home, much to the relief of neighbours fed up with frequent outbursts of karaoke.

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But Lehrmann, whose previous waterfront apartment came courtesy of Seven West Media, had other, better options. After his north-of-the-harbour exodus, he was spotted coming and going from a harbourside mansion in Point Piper owned by Lady Penelope Street, the widowed second wife of former NSW chief justice and lieutenant governor Sir Laurence Street, of the storied Sydney judicial dynasty.

The exclusive residence, designed by Walter Burley Griffin, architect of Canberra, is just across the beach from the home of Malcolm Turnbull, coincidentally a mentee of Sir Laurence. By the time Federal Court justice Michael Lee rejected Lehrmanns defamation claim against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson on Thursday afternoon, he had left.

But what on earth was he doing there in the first place? Lady Penelope denied Lehrmann had stayed with her in Point Piper. When we asked her why eyewitnesses had seen him on the premises, and why his car was parked on the street, she didnt respond.
Its rare one comes across a survey exhibition that feels so personal, so achingly sincere, as the 18th Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, subtitled Inner Sanctum. Guest curator Jose Da Silva has put heart and soul into his choices and gone to great pains to explain them in the catalogue, writing at length on every artist.

This doesnt guarantee a show of masterpieces, but its a masterful display of the curators art, which is essentially one of persuasion. Even if you dont love everything assembled here  and there are plenty of things that leave me cold  you have to respect the effort that has gone into the presentation. Da Silva, whose day job is director of the UNSW Galleries in Sydney, has understood that its not sufficient to put a bunch of things in a room and assume audiences will love it.

The works of Nik Pantazopoulos on display at Inner Sanctum: 18th Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art. Credit: Saul Steed

The works in Inner Sanctum complement one another, adding up to a vision of the world, yet there is no grand overarching theme. The show features 24 artists and poets who share an interest in the human condition. This may seem akin to saying nothing, as one only needs to be human to share that interest, but its also a reminder of all the distractions, all the ideological claptrap and white noise we put between ourselves and lifes most fundamental experiences.

What are those experiences? Birth, family, nature, love and death. We all feel the need to belong somewhere, to be part of a family and a community. We all ponder the nature of the universe, many of us seeking solace in religion. We need to love and be loved. We all need to come to terms with death and loss. Da Silvas Inner Sanctum is a place of contemplation in which we are invited to reflect on the ways a group of artists and poets have related to these things.
Rooftop solar is now supplying more than 10 per cent of Australias electricity, and last year a record 57,000 households installed a storage battery to beat soaring electricity bills.

Solar industry analyst SunWiz reports more than a quarter of a million households nationally have batteries, after the number of installations rose 21 per cent in 2023.

SunWiz managing director Warwick Johnston said the payback period for batteries had shortened significantly because of electricity price rises, despite the devices themselves remaining expensive.

Peter Horsley from Wahroonga has invested a fortune in solar panels, batteries and electric cars. Credit: Oscar Colman

Theres been considerable growth in the market and thats reflective of both growing appetite for savings on electricity bills, as well as people seeing all the blackouts that are happening around the place as violent weather becomes more commonplace, and deciding that they want to ensure their electricity supply, Johnston said.
ORR STRUCK Anyone fronting the Victorian Court of Appeal hoping to find a soft touch on the bench might soon be in for a little Shock and Orr. Thats the nickname Rowena Orr, KC  whose appointment as a judge to the court was announced on Tuesday by the state government  earned for herself as her forensic grilling of a succession of senior banking figures facing the royal commission into wrongdoing in the sector back in 2018 and 2019 napalmed the reputations of several executives. Rowena Orr, KC, at the royal commission into the banking sector in February 2018. Credit: Eddie Jim And although there was grumbling from the institutions that they were roughly treated in front of Kenneth Haynes royal commission  which was ferociously assisted by Orr and her co-inquisitor, Michael Hodge, KC  nobody would argue that the wealth management sector, in particular, will ever be the same again.

So Orr was a handy pick by the Victorian Labor government for the states solicitor-general in 2021, with the added benefit that the Melbourne silk wouldnt be retained to appear against Daniel Andrews premiership anywhere. Orr will be replaced as solicitor-general by Alistair Pound, SC, a former Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons) senior associate who was once an associate to Hayne back in the royal commissioners days on the High Court bench. Small world, right? CHINA SYNDROME Recent years have been boom times for foreign policy think tanks, what with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morrison governments red scare approach to an increasingly wolfish China and the chaotic presence of Donald Trump. China Matters chief executive Linda Jakobson in 2018. Credit: Ashley St George

But it looks like were now heading for a bit of a downturn. On Tuesday, China Matters, a policy initiative created in 2015 to inject nuance and realism into discussion of Chinese-Australian affairs, wrote to supporters announcing it would be winding down. China Matters founder, Linda Jakobson, who is returning to her native Finland, had a pointed message for the haters. Our supporters  anonymous ones but also vocal ones  not only kept encouraging us when we were on top and respected in Canberra, but also in 2020 when we attracted the ire of those in government who wanted to muzzle us and who sought to have our voice removed from the China debate in Australia, Jakobson wrote. Back in 2020, China Matters fell out of favour with a hawkish Morrison government, which scrapped the think tanks federal funding and painted it as pro-Beijing, a claim China Matters has always strenuously denied. But the writings been on the wall since then. China Matters did have some serious diplomatic, business and political types involved. Former Liberal MP Peter Hendy, whose Queanbeyan home was the site of plotting to depose former PM Tony Abbott, was on the board. So was former top China adviser Stephen FitzGerald and the late leading foreign policy expert Allan Gyngell.

STREET FIGHTER Loading As Melbourne paused on Tuesday to mourn its much-loved social warrior Les Twentyman, who was honoured with a state funeral at St Patricks Cathedral, the legendary youth worker and social activists great mate, TV chef Iain Huey Hewitson, got in touch to share one of his memories. Huey told us he was woken in the small hours one morning in the early 2000s by a man on the other end of the phone asking in a gruff Northern Irish accent if this was Huey from the telly? The chef  then at the height of his fame  had a slot at the time on Rex Hunts fishing show, which had become an unlikely hit in Northern Ireland.

After Hewitson confirmed his identity, the mystery caller asked if Huey knew someone called Les Twentyman, who was claiming to be a youth worker from Australia. It turned out that Twentyman had been visiting Belfast and aroused the suspicion of local paramilitaries  who fancied themselves in those days as the true forces of law and order  by striking up chats with youths on the troubled citys streets. Twentyman thought he was in a bit of strife for a while there, before hitting on the idea of getting his mate Hewitson to offer an emergency character reference. Twentyman had seen Hewitson on TV in his Belfast hotel room the previous night. Once Hewitson explained the situation, the local hard man became a lot friendlier, and later even downed a few pints with Twentyman, but not before issuing a not-so-polite warning. As Hewitson tells it, Twentyman was told: The next time you visit Belfast, maybe make a phone call to me or my mates concerning your intentions before wandering the streets of our fair city.
Back to the Olympic inquiry, where John Coates has insisted he did not reveal to the state government his preference for the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre to be a Games venue, before making his position clear in the media.

Coates said he could recall one conversation with Premier Steven Miles during the time Graham Quirk was conducting his review into Olympic venues.

Hed been on the Gold Coast and at the end of a media conference he did there, said Carrara was an option for athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies, he said.

Olympics powerbroker John Coates and Queensland Premier Steven Miles. The pair spoke in the days before Graham Quirks final report on Olympic venues was released. Credit: Collage

Coates said he told Miles there were consequences to what he said, such as moving the largest pool of athletes from the Hamilton to the Robina Olympic village.

He thanked me for that and I think he took it on board, he said.

Asked whether QSAC came up in that conversation, Coates was unable to say with any certainty.

I dont recall that, but presumably I did, he said.

As for Victoria Park, Coates said he did not want the Olympic movement to be blamed for the $3.4 billion cost.

You can go ahead and build Victoria Park if thats what the city needs, but dont tick it off as an Olympic cost, he said.

If we can do QSAC at $1.6 billion, thats what we should be doing.
More than 60 Victorian public schools will share in federal funding for essential upgrades such as toilet blocks and playgrounds, but those that missed out may have to look elsewhere for help as the one-off capital program expires with no commitment for its renewal.

The federal Education Department will on Wednesday announce $45 million for upgrades to 67 Victorian public schools with the greatest level of need, under its Schools Upgrade Fund.

Sixty-seven Victorian public schools will receive federal government grants, but education advocates say the funding should continue. Credit: Louise Kennerley

This is the second round of the governments existing two-year election commitment, yet there is so far no pledge for more, despite calls from states, the teachers union and education experts to close the gap between public and private school infrastructure funding.

The states provide the bulk of public school funding, but they say the Commonwealth should re-establish a permanent dedicated fund for public capital works, as private schools have already.
The defense ministry on Tuesday reaffirmed capabilities to respond to North Korean missile threats amid renewed attention to the country's air defense system after Israel repelled a missile barrage by Iran.

On Saturday, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles toward Israel but many of them were shot down by Israel's defense systems, according to foreign media reports.

Iran's attack renewed concerns in South Korea over Seoul's capabilities to counter a possible North Korean salvo of missiles and artillery firing, as the North has developed weapons that could put the entire territory of the South within its striking range.

"South Korea and the United States possess the capabilities to detect and intercept various mixed attacks by North Korea, including ballistic missiles, as well as overwhelming strike capabilities in a contingency," Jeon Ha-kyou, the ministry's spokesperson, said in a press briefing.

South Korea operates the homegrown Cheongung-II and the U.S.-made Patriot systems to shoot down low-tier missile threats, while the U.S. military stationed in the country operates the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system that intercepts upper-tier threats.

Jeon said the country is making efforts to further bolster its defense system, noting the development of an interceptor against North Korean long-range artillery firing.

Many of the North's long-range artillery pieces are stationed within striking distances of the South's wider capital area  home to nearly half of the country's 51 million people.

Meanwhile, Jeon said the military has extended the deployment period of military doctors to civilian hospitals to support their operations amid a protracted walkout by trainee doctors nationwide.

Around 120 military doctors have been dispatched since the collective action began in February in protest of the government's plan to sharply increase the number of medical school seats. (Yonhap)
Australian defence firms are bracing for major cuts when the federal government releases its 10-year defence spending plan on Wednesday, as Labor seeks to free up funding for missiles and warships.

Defence Minister Richard Marles will use an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday to unveil the governments new national defence strategy, and its rolling plan for military capability spending: a public version of its integrated investment program.

Defence Minister Richard Marles will address the National Press Club on Wednesday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Marles has in recent weeks flagged cancellations, reductions and delays to defence projects, and warned hard decisions were required to prevent the $50 billion annual defence budget spiralling out of control.

We feel like the sword of Damocles is about to drop on our heads, Australian Industry and Defence Network chief executive Brent Clark said on Tuesday.
Australias two Middle Eastern Christian MPs, Peter Khalil and Michael Sukkar, say local Assyrians scarred by ISIS barbarity and historic persecution have been left traumatised by Mondays church stabbing as they joined calls for calm.

Peter Dutton on Tuesday wrote to Anthony Albanese offering rare bipartisan co-operation on the response to the stabbing spree at a western Sydney church, as both leaders condemned the attack and subsequent riots during which several police officers were injured.

As NSW Premier Chris Minns warned against retributory attacks, Islamic leaders condemned the livestreamed stabbing of well-known Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, an Assyrian Orthodox preacher whose conservative and sometimes contentious sermons had gained a worldwide following.

Police said the stabbing  which set off ugly riots outside a church 35 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD  was suspected to be religiously motivated and perpetrated by a 16-year-old whom authorities noted had made remarks about religion before attacking the priest, a frequent critic of elements of the Islam faith.
Loading NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, speaking in Sydney, said there was evident premeditation and an attempt to intimidate members of the church, especially by committing it during a livestreamed service. Webb also pointed to comments around religion made by the accused before allegedly stabbing the preacher whose criticisms of Islam, COVID-19 public health measures, and gender fluidity have gained him a large following online and overseas. We believe there are elements that are satisfied in terms of religious motivated extremism, Webb said. Albanese did not mention the Christian community until asked a question about the bishops Assyrian church. The prime minister said he knew the group and added they were big contributors to Sydney community life.

Chris Bowen as the local federal member who represents much of the Assyrian community in Sydney is with his community this morning. And we will come through this, Albanese said. Burgess said Australias terror threat level of possible  which was downgraded in 2022 as Islamic State diminished in global significance  still meant extremism was a present danger. In terms of the events in the Middle East, of course they do resonate here in Australia, but we have not seen that to date actually cause individuals to go to acts of terror. Of course, in this case, were keeping an open mind and well let that be a subject to the investigation, Burgess said. Federal police boss Kershaw said: All Australians should remain vigilant and I urge people who see or hear something that they feel is not right to contact the national security hotline immediately on 1800 123 400.

In a statement, the Australian National Imam Council sought to ease tensions and expressed sympathy with the injured priest. Loading These attacks are horrifying and have no place in Australia, particularly at places of worship and toward religious leaders, it stated. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bishop Emmanuel and the victims and we pray for their speedy recovery. We urge the community to stay calm and work together towards the safety and the security of all Australians. Kershaw and Albanese both emphasised their disappointment with people involved in the riot that erupted outside the church after the attack, injuring several police officers. Albanese said the atmosphere outside the church was not helped by the use of social media by bad-faith actors, revealing he had spoken with Communications Minister Michelle Rowland about the publication of videos that can be very harmful.

I just say to people think before you press send, Albanese said. Ive said before, that often on social media people will say things they would never say to your face. Albanese said Australia was overwhelmingly a harmonious society. In my local community people of different faiths live side by side. And that is overwhelmingly the experience of Australians, he said. Premier Chris Minns warned against tit-for-tat violence perpetrated by those who felt angered by Mondays church attack. As speculation swirled on social media regarding the alleged attackers motivation, Minns implored the community to stay united.

There is no such thing in Australia as taking the law into your own hands. It doesnt exist, he said. You will be met by the full force of the law if theres any attempt of tit-for-tat violence in Sydney over the coming days. Loading Federal MP Dai Le, whose federal electorate of Fowler includes Wakeley, said the church is one of seven Assyrian churches that are much loved in the community. [They have] participated in activities in terms of handing out food and presents to the community and over the years, she said. Asked whether the bishops sometimes controversial public stances on social issues could have played a role in the attack, Le said people should not jump to conclusions.
His sentiments were echoed by Sasha Berg, managing director of Bizcap UK, who emphasized the companys mission to empower entrepreneurs. Our mission has always been to empower small businesses, and the UK launch is a testament to our commitment, he said. We understand the challenges that entrepreneurs face, and Bizcap is here to provide not just funding but a partner in their journey. With our proven track record, we look forward to being a catalyst for growth in the UK market.
In the realm of real estate, comparisons between nations often spark curiosity and contemplation. Australians, in particular, find themselves pondering the contrast in property prices between their homeland and the United States. From tales of friends acquiring bargain homes in the sunbelt states to discussions within government circles about innovative solutions like build-to-rent, the allure of American real estate resonates deeply.
The old way we would work is that we look to support every SME thats out there, Morris said. We consider ourselves to be not fair-weather friends  in other words, we are there for the duration of the time for the SME.
Queen Elizabeth II's health condition has been a wide topic since Prince Philip died in 2021. (Photo: UK Home Office, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Liz Truss expected to meet Queen Elizabeth following their final encounter.

Truss, a British politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from September to October 2022, recounted her last meeting with the late British monarch in September 2022 at Balmoral in her new book "Ten Years to Save the West."

According to her, when they were about to part ways, Her Majesty told her, "I'll see you again next week," The Sun reported.

Queen Elizabeth died two days later, thus their subsequent encounter did not occur. Queen Elizabeth most likely said those words because British monarchs meet weekly with Prime Ministers.

Truss described the remarkable event in greater detail in her publication. According to her, Queen Elizabeth was "standing up as she greeted me in her drawing room." She had no notion how she felt at the moment, but was aware that the late royal made an effort to arrange the meeting.

"I was told she'd made a special effort to do so, but she gave no hint of discomfort throughout our discussion," Truss wrote. "This was only my second one-on-one audience with her. On the previous occasion, after I'd been removed from a different job in the government, she'd remarked that being a woman in politics was tough."

They discussed politics for 20 minutes, and she remarked how "attuned" the Queen was to everything. She also praised King Charles' mother for being "sharp and witty." Truss had no idea that it would be their final meeting.

"There simply wasn't any sense that the end would come as quickly as it did," Truss added.

The politician reflected on her encounter with Queen Elizabeth and stated that it was remarkable. She also discussed the counsel she received from the Queen.

"I knew I'd never forget my last meeting with Her Majesty - and especially what she said towards the end of our talk in her drawing room," Truss continued.

"Being Prime Minister, she warned me, is incredibly ageing. She also gave me two words of advice: 'Pace yourself.' Maybe I should have listened."

She said in her book that she was overcome with emotion when she learned of the Queen's condition before her death. She remembered how the "machine kicked into action" as Queen Elizabeth's health deteriorated.

"My black mourning dress was fetched from my house in Greenwich, south London. I started to think about what on earth I was going to say if the unthinkable happened," she shared.

"On Thursday, we received the solemn news that the Queen had died peacefully at Balmoral. To be told this on only my second full day as prime minister felt utterly unreal. In a state of shock, I found myself thinking: 'Why me, why now?'"

When the Queen died, Truss, the Prime Minister at the time, broke down in tears. She was "overcome by a profound sense of sadness" and broke down in "floods of tears on the sofa" when she saw the Queen's coffin return to London the next weekend, according to her.

Following Queen Elizabeth's death, the UK government proclaimed a 10-day national mourning period. On September 19, 2022, she received a state funeral and was interred at Windsor Castle's King George VI Memorial Chapel in the Royal Vault, alongside her parents, sister, and husband, Prince Philip.
The government plans to provide about 300 billion won ($215.2 million) worth of financial support to defense companies this year by partially covering their interest payments, the state arms procurement agency said Tuesday.

The low-rate loan program, launched in 2007, calls for the government to cover the significant amount of interest payments if defense companies borrow money from designated financial firms, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

DAPA Minister Seok Jong-gun unveiled such a support plan for this year during his visit to the defense company Young Poong Electronics in Changwon, 298 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Monday, his office said. (Yonhap)
This stock has been delisted. Data presented here are the latest available.

This stock has been delisted. Data presented here are the latest available.

Kuber Floritech Incorporated on 29 Jul.'93 as Kuber Plantations, Kuber Floritech was promoted by Praduman Kumar Sharma and his associates. The company grows fresh cut roses using the latest and modern computerised greenhouse facilities imported from Holland. The company has entered into an agreement for technical know-how, supervision and marketing with Flodac, Netherlands. It has imported live rose plants from Swaziland. It will be producing two types of roses -- Eskada and Boronesse. The basic colour of the roses will be dark red with stem length of 40-50 cm. The company came out with a public issue in Jun.'95 to part-finance a 100% EOU for the cultivation and export of cut flowers, with installed c ... Read More

This stock has been delisted. Data presented here are the latest available. This stock has been delisted. Data presented here are the latest available.

Kuber Floritech - Key Fundamentals PARAMETER VALUES Funds Owning this Stock Scheme Name Amount Invested ( Cr) No Of Shares Net Asset (%) Research Reports Date Broker Action Prices() Report Data Not Found

This stock has been delisted. Data presented here are the latest available.

This stock has been delisted. Data presented here are the latest available.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday finalized a suspended prison term for a former vice oceans minister charged with interfering with an independent panel's investigation into the cause of the deadly sinking of the ferry Sewol in 2014.

Yoon Hag-bae, who served under the then Park Geun-hye administration, was indicted in 2018 on charges of ordering ministry officials to come up with and implement various measures to interfere with the activities of a special investigation panel looking into the accident.

The panel was set up in 2015 under a special law to determine why the 6,800-ton ship capsized and who was responsible for the tragedy that claimed the lives of 304 people, mostly high school students on a school field trip.

A district court had initially sentenced Yoon to one year and six months in prison, suspended for two years, but a higher court reduced the sentence to a six-month prison term, suspended for two years.

The Supreme Court, however, struck down the verdict and sent the case back to the high court for retrial, and the high court sentenced him to a revised one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The top court finalized the sentence Tuesday, the 10th anniversary of the sinking, one of the country's deadliest maritime tragedies.

Four other former high-ranking government officials were also indicted on charges connected to the interference with the investigation panel, including former presidential chief of staff Lee Byung-kee; An Chong-bum, a former senior presidential secretary for policy coordination; and former Oceans Minister Kim Young-suk.

Not-guilty verdicts were finalized for the three, while Cho Yoon-sun, a former senior presidential secretary for political affairs, received a finalized six-month prison sentence, suspended for a year. (Yonhap)


Motorola, Indias best## 5G smartphone brand##, today announced the launch of moto g64 5G- a leading# 5G smartphone in the segment. The moto g64 5G disrupts the sub 15k smartphone market with the Worlds first MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Processor and Segments best 6000mAh Battery and with Segments leading shake free 50MP OIS Camera with Quad Pixel Technology at just Rs. 14,999 (Rs. 13,999 including offers). Along with a leading processor, battery, and camera it also features segments best in-built 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage smartphone in its segment priced just Rs. 16,999 (Rs. 15,999 including offers).



The moto g64 5G boasts the Worlds First MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Processor, a powerful octa-core processor offering frequencies up to 2.5GHz. This incredibly fast processor is capable of delivering ultrafast performance. This allows the users to make the most out of their device and experience gaming without glitches and smoother videos as well as better photography experience with its latest Imagiq technology powered by MediaTek for better night light photography. Also, with its superfast 5G powered with the highest in the segment 14 5G Bands with VoNR and 4X4 MIMO and 3 carrier aggregation, users can download games and movies at lightning-fast speeds without worrying about battery life.



The moto g64 5G offers unbelievable battery life with its massive 6000mAh battery, which is the best in its segment and allows heavy smartphone usage for hours on end. Additionally, it also charges up fast with TurboPower 33W charger which allows for extended hours of video chatting, gaming, and binge-watching.



The moto g64 5G features the segments best 12GB + 256GB  in built RAM and storage. It comes with an additional RAM boost** of up to 24GB which is again the highest in the segment. The moto g64 5G storage can be further upgraded to 1TB with a microSD card.



In addition to a worlds first processor, this disruptive smartphone also features the Segments leading shake free 50MP OIS Camera with Quad Pixel Technology that captures incredibly clear, shake free and blur free photos and smoother videos even in the low light. The second camera in the rear is an 8MP Ultrawide + Macro vision camera which gives the users two different experiences. The ultra wide-angle lens captures 4x more than a standard lens and Macro Vision lens brings the users 4x closer to the subject, for a detail rich picture for capturing Instagram worthy moments up-close and professional looking portraits On the front, the device features a 16 MP selfie camera optimized in a way to deliver brilliant selfies and video recording.



The moto g64 5Gs 120Hz 6.5 Full HD+ IPS LCD Display comes with an edge to edge delivering an astonishingly immersive viewing experience. Its incredibly fluid and adaptive 120Hz refresh rate makes switching between apps, playing games, and scrolling websites feel smooth and seamless. Additionally, the refresh rate adjusts automatically based on the type of content on the screen for better viewing experience and battery saving. It boasts a low latency touch sampling rate of 240Hz which makes it far more responsiveness than a standard display.



The moto g64 5G stands out with a sleek look and tactile feel, complimented by a streamlined aluminum camera housing. Considering the massive 6000mAh battery, it is super lightweight with just 192 grams and super slim with just 8.89 mm for a great in-hand feel. Its glass like rear finish feels comfortable in hand and the overall design is water-repellent with an IP52 rating to protect the device from accidental spills or splashes.



The moto g64 5G is available in 3 stunning shades of - Pearl Blue, Mint Green, and Ice Lilac, theres a colour that suits everyones style and personality.



Commenting on the launch, Mr. T.M. Narasimhan, Managing Director, Mobile Business Group  India, said, "This launch is a true embodiment of our commitment towards providing Indian consumers with segments firsts at the most disruptive price points, staying true to our vision of making technology accessible to all. The moto g64 5G is a product that has been designed specifically for the Indian market and is equipped with the segments best performance, advance battery, camera, and entertainment experience. Through this launch, we transcend the current offerings in the Indian smartphone market, empowering individuals to delve into smartphone experiences and connectivity like never before.



In addition to a sleek design and immersive display, the moto g64 5G has an equally incredible audio system that elevates the multimedia experience. The dual stereo speakers tuned with Dolby Atmos Hi-Res certified sound system, outputs multi-dimensional studio quality audio, that feels extremely immersive and enhanced. Integrated with Moto Spatial Sound, users get greater depth, clarity, and detail when listening to music, watching films, or playing games.



Users can make the smartphone more personal, protected, and accessible with Android 14 and assured upgrade to Android 15 with 3 years of security updates.



Following the tradition, the moto g64 5G also comes with various stand-out experiences, like all the popular moto gestures, ThinkShield for Mobile which offers business grade security along with Moto Secure, which stores all your phone's vital security and privacy features. The Family Space 2.0 application is designed to establish a secure area on the phone dedicated to children's learning and play. Plus, Through My UX, users can personalize the smartphone to achieve a unique and distinct appearance.



Availability:



The moto g64 5G will be available in three beautiful colours: Mint Green, Pearl Blue, and Ice Lilac, featuring a 3D Acrylic glass (PMMA) finish. It comes with built-in 12GB RAM + 256GB storage, and is also available in an 8GB RAM + 128GB storage option.



The moto g64 5G will be available on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores starting 23rd April, 12PM onwards.



Pricing & Launch Offers:



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With the aim to encourage positive action for biodiversity and inspire others by showcasing the notable work of those it honors, nominations are now invited for the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2024. The call for nominations remains open until 15 June 2024.

The MIDORI Prize, a biennial international prize co-organized by AEON Environmental Foundation and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Established by AEON Environmental Foundation during the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, up to now, 19 individuals from 17 countries have received the prize.

The Prize will be awarded during the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the CBD to be held from 21 October to 1 November 2024 in Cali, Colombia, under the theme Peace with nature. To strengthen collaboration with the prizewinners, various initiatives to disseminate their activities are planned thereafter through to 2025, such as holding forums in the prizewinners countries of origin.

Nominations are accepted through the website of AEON Environmental Foundation.

https://www.aeon.info/ef/en/

Details Solicitation period: 15 April to 15 June, 2024 Eligibility: Individuals who have made outstanding achievements in the conservation, sustainable use, promotion, education, and sharing of biodiversity at a global, regional, or community level Organizer: AEON Environmental Foundation and Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) Nominal Support: Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan No. of prizewinners: Two Prize money: 100,000 US dollars each Award ceremony: Late October 2024 (to be held at the venue of COP 16) Application method: See the Foundations website at https://www.aeon.info/ef/en/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240415098456/en/
By Jun Ji-hye

Korean authorities have discovered that certain dangerous items, such as powder-actuated nail guns, which can pose threats to human life, are available for purchase through popular overseas online shopping platforms.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced the findings of its inspection, Monday, saying its officials are moving fast to formulate countermeasures against domestic consumers access to the dangerous products, which include pistol-style crossbows and scare guns used to deter birds as well as powder-actuated nail guns, whose imports are illegal here.

The NIS inspected the products sold at multiple overseas e-commerce platforms that have seen a rapid increase in the number of users in Korea. The agency did not disclose the names of the platforms, but they are believed to include players such as Amazon and AliExpress.

During its inspection, the NIS also confirmed consumers can easily purchase parts for hand-made guns at those platforms.

It is not easy to regulate overseas online shopping platforms as domestic laws can be hardly applied, an NIS official said. We found that some of the products could pass through customs without any restraints.

The spy agency conducted experiments to test a powder-actuated nail gun and three kinds of guns made of parts purchased on the overseas platforms. All of these products were confirmed to be able to fatally injure humans.

The agency noted these DIY guns included a pipe-shape gun used to kill former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. At the time, the attacker was believed to have made the weapon in a day or two after obtaining readily available materials such as wood and metal pipes.

The NIS said it is cooperating with the Korea Customs Service and other related agencies to prevent the life-threatening items from being carried in Korea, according to counter-terrorism laws.
Despite the deadly 2014 sinking of the Sewol ferry, efforts to build a safer society have not borne fruit, the chief of the National Human Rights Commission said Tuesday, marking the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.

Chairman Song Doo-hwan made the remark in a statement, noting that the exact cause of the Sewol's sinking has not been clearly determined and efforts to make institutional improvements to prevent such tragedies have not made enough progress.

The Sewol ferry sank off the southwestern coast of Korea while en route to the resort island of Jeju on April 16, 2014. The accident, one of the country's worst maritime tragedies, claimed 304 lives, mostly high school students on a school trip.

"We need to do serious soul-searching about why we could not find the truth and whether the current system, which failed to punish those responsible in a way acceptable to people, is truly righteous," Song said.

"It's time to recall the promise we made 10 years ago and stand in solidarity with all those longing for a safe society," Song said, calling on the government and the National Assembly to work together to make fundamental institutional improvements. (Yonhap)
Ambuja Cements acquires 1.5Mta Tuticorin grinding unit

Suzanne Starbuck By 16 April 2024

Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 1.5Mta grinding unit from My Home Industries Group. The deal, which involves the Tuticorin facility in Tamil Nadu, India, has an estimated value of INR4137.5m (US$49.6m), which will reportedly be funded through internal accruals.

The acquisition will take Adani Groups total cement production capacity to 78.9Mta and will enhance the companys coastal footprint across the southern markets of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

We are glad to announce this acquisition, strengthening our foothold in the region and aligning perfectly with our commitment to delivering high-quality products and services to our customers, said Ajay Kapur, CEO, cement business, Adani Group. In addition to the infrastructure and geographical advantages, Ambuja Cements will also inherit the existing dealer network and retain current employees, facilitating a smooth transition and enabling the rapid ramp-up of utilisation.

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By Jung Da-hyun

The Busan Metropolitan Government has decided not to bid to host next year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

The summit will bring together leaders from 21 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, including the United States, China and Japan, to discuss inclusive and sustainable growth strategies and innovative measures.

Since the city announced its bid to host the event last year, it has been mentioned as a strong contender thanks to its track record of hosting the 2005 edition.

Notably, the city had been steadily preparing for the 2025 APEC summit, such as by providing research services for the Busan Development Institute in 2022, aiming to prepare to play host.

Busan's decision to bow out also came after its failure to host the World Expo 2030 last year. Saudi Arabia won the right to host the quadrennial event, and some believe that negative sentiments sparked by the setback may have led to the port city's recent decision.

Instead, the city intends to focus on becoming a global hub with legislative backing.

Previously, Busan sought to put itself on the map as a global hub, aiming to make 2024 the inaugural year through an act including regulatory reform and tax support to foster the city as one of the two pillars of national development along with the country's major metropolitan area, which includes Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province.

Consultations between relevant ministries have been completed, but the act is still pending at the National Assembly. Given this, the Busan city government announced that it would prioritize this issue for the development of the southern city.

Meanwhile, with Busan dropping its bid, the race will become a three-way one  Jeju Island, Gyeongju of North Gyeongsang Province and Incheon.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will accept applications from cities hoping to host the event by Friday and will select a candidate city through a written review within this month. Following an on-site inspection of the candidate cities next month, the foreign ministry plans to announce the final host city in June.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee joined five other governors in issuing a joint statement opposing United Auto Workers (UAW)s unionization campaign.

Workers at the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant will vote Wednesday-Friday on joining the UAW.

The statement says:

We the Governors of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas are highly concerned about the unionization campaign driven by misinformation and scare tactics that the UAW has brought into our states. As Governors, we have a responsibility to our constituents to speak up when we see special interests looking to come into our state and threaten our jobs and the values we live by.

"The reality is companies have choices when it comes to where to invest and bring jobs and opportunity. We have worked tirelessly on behalf of our constituents to bring good-paying jobs to our states. These jobs have become part of the fabric of the automotive manufacturing industry. Unionization would certainly put our states jobs in jeopardy  in fact, in this year already, all of the UAW automakers have announced layoffs. In America, we respect our workforce and we do not need to pay a third party to tell us who can pick up a box or flip a switch. No one wants to hear this, but its the ugly reality. Weve seen it play out this way every single time a foreign automaker plant has been unionized; not one of those plants remains in operation. And we are seeing it in the fallout of the Detroit Three strike with those automakers rethinking investments and cutting jobs. Putting businesses in our states in that position is the last thing we want to do.

"The experience in our states is when employees have a direct relationship with their employers, that makes for a more positive working environment. They can advocate for themselves and what is important to them without outside influence. The UAW has come in making big promises to our constituents that they cant deliver on. And we have serious reservations that the UAW leadership can represent our values. They proudly call themselves democratic socialists and seem more focused on helping President Biden get reelected than on the autoworker jobs being cut at plants they already represent.

"We want to keep good paying jobs and continue to grow the American auto manufacturing sector here. A successful unionization drive will stop this growth in its tracks, to the detriment of American workers.

In addition to Governor Lee, signatories include Governor Kay Ivey (AL), Governor Brian Kemp (GA), Governor Tate Reeves (MS), Governor Henry McMaster (SC), and Governor Greg Abbott (TX).
Lee Universitys Helen DeVos College of Education will host the 3rd Annual Doctoral Student Research Poster Symposium in the Mayfield Annex Fine Arts Gallery on Wednesday, April 24, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The symposium will feature students from Lees Doctor of Education, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy programs.

This symposium is an opportunity to foster cross disciplinary discussions on campus and to build networks between faculty, colleagues, and graduate students within the field of professional practice, said Dr. Roy Y. Chan, assistant professor of education and director of graduate studies in education at Lee. We believe this university-wide, graduate student-led conference highlights the diversity of research from a Christian worldview perspective that will positively impact the church, community, and the East Tennessee region.

Dr. Debbie Murray, Lee provost and distinguished professor of education, will serve as this years keynote speaker.

The research poster symposium allows faculty members, staff, and students to meet the doctoral students at Lee and to bring together colleagues, friends, family, and community members interested in graduate education.

Presenters include Hannah Barnett, Andrew DiPastena, Robert England, Brandon Holt, Tamara Milanovic, and Ghalysa Swann from the PhD program; Erin Hattabaugh, Michelle Helie, Shalee Lastoria, Susan Rodriguez, and Ryan Swartzentruber from the EdD program; and Silvia Kozak from the DNP program.

Our faculty, staff, and students look forward to this years event, said Dr. Brandon Rodgers, director of graduate studies in counseling and assistant professor of MFT at Lee. Weve had several remarkable research studies conducted over the course of this past year, and our PhD students are excited to share their dissertation research and passions with our academic community and beyond.

The event is co-hosted by the EdD program, the DNP program, and the PhD in MFT program.

"The School of Nursing appreciates the opportunity for our DNP students to gain academic experience in presenting their scholarly work at the poster symposium and to collaborate with other doctoral students across campus, said Dr. Julie Campbell, director of graduate studies in nursing and assistant professor of nursing at Lee.

Dr. Murray joined the Lee faculty in 1980 as an assistant professor of education. She served as dean of the Helen DeVos College of Education, director of graduate studies in education, director of the teacher education program and chair before being promoted to vice president for academic affairs in 2013. As a faculty member, she was a winner of the Lees Excellence in Advising Award and was selected as Alumnus of the Year from the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in 1997.

"I look forward to joining our doctoral students in the upcoming poster symposium, said Dr. Murray. In the previous two years the presentations have been exceptional, and I know this year will be no different. Our doctoral candidates are focused on excellence in their studies and research, and they are ready to share their findings with expertise and passion.

The EdD Program in Professional Practice seeks to develop passionate and empathetic educational leaders through the practice of ethical action, redemptive service, and responsible citizenship in the church, community, and the world. The program was developed by faculty in the Lee University HDCOE and Local Education Agency partners.

The DNP Program offers a terminal degree that prepares graduates to practice at the highest level of nursing and lead change through translational research. Students benefit from Lees distinctive programming related to rural, global, and disaster healthcare, with the integration of a Christian worldview.

The mission of the Lee University MFT Doctoral Program is to prepare leaders in the marriage and family field that serve the underserved through Christian organizations and their surrounding communities. The core priorities of the program are to develop each student to become an innovative clinician, a proficient educator, a systemic supervisor, and a pragmatic researcher.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information about Lees EdD program, visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/graduate/edd/.

For more information about Lees DNP program, visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/nursing/dnp/.

For more information about Lees MFT doctoral program, visit leeuniversity.edu/graduate/ and click Graduate Studies in Counseling.

For more information about the symposium, contact Graduate Studies in Education at 614-8544.






Professional Educators of Tennessee, our association is concerned about SB 1325/HB 1202. The legislation allows teachers in public schools to carry firearms under certain conditions. When we consider arming teachers to protect students from school shootings, we are essentially admitting that these incidents are inevitable and will continue to happen.

Rather than finding ways to prevent them, we burden educators to serve as the first line of defense. It's disheartening that we have come to a point where the only solution for school safety is to arm our teachers. The legislative objective should be to provide for the presence of School Resource Officers as they are necessary for the safety and security of schools.

The legislative sponsors have included several notable features to make the accessibility for teachers of staff difficult, if not impossible, to implement in schools. Those in favor acknowledge the limits. Most importantly, it will not actually make a school safer. These conditions include obtaining an enhanced handgun carry permit and completing annual training, including a psychological profile.

Concealed handguns on school premises pose a heightened liability risk. Because of this increased risk, many insurance companies will not protect schools that allow employees to carry concealed firearms. Under this legislation, the teacher bears the entire responsibility and risk.

The state is willing to provide immunity to a local education agency from claims for monetary damages that arise solely from or are related to a faculty or staff member's use of a handgun or failure to use a handgun, provided that the faculty or staff member is authorized to carry the firearm under this legislation. However, this immunity does not extend to the educators responsible for protecting the students and has been approved by them to carry a gun. It is recommended that further discussion and study occur before this legislation is introduced or passed due to its existing limitations.

Here are a few additional concerns we need to consider:

Accidental Injuries: There is a potential danger of teachers accidentally misusing firearms, which could lead to harm to students, fellow staff members, or even the teachers themselves. This could result in legal action against the individual teacher for negligence.

Lack of Proficiency: Most educators are trained to educate students, not to handle firearms in high-stress situations. Public trust is essential for military and law enforcement's responsible use of force for public safety; now, we are considering adding educators to the mix. Approximately 11 percent of deaths caused by lethal force involve unarmed individuals shot by law enforcement. Such errors impact both the victim and the community. Use-of-force issues are complex and multi-faceted, touching on human behavior, psychology, sociology, and law. Even with proper handgun training and experience in the use of firearms, there is a risk of errors or poor judgments, which may cause unintended harm and lead to legal consequences.

Psychological Impact: If educators are responsible for using their discretion and judgment in making split-second decisions to use deadly force in the line of duty, there will be a psychological impact. This legislation should outline this process. What happens after an educator has to decide to fire a weapon? What is the process, protocol, and support outlined in the legislation? It would be crucial to offer flexible access to mental health professionals, respect those involved, and obtain unwavering support from top state and local officials.

Increased Potential for Lawsuits: Arming teachers may result in accidental shootings, improper use of force, violations of due process, and inadequate security measures, leading to legal action against educators. Liability issues can vary, so assessing risks and legal implications is crucial before implementing such a policy in schools.

As a Marine Corps veteran and Second Amendment advocate with a handgun permit, it is not reasonable to expect teachers with minimal training to make life-or-death decisions in a classroom full of children under attack. However, this idea does not originate within most classrooms that prefer a School Resource Officer. Educators and most parents understand before engaging an armed assailant, intense and immersive training is required. This skill is possessed by law enforcement, not educators who spend limited time at a firing range.

We have discussed liability concerns with many lawmakers at the Tennessee General Assembly and the lack of protocols. The Tennessee General Assembly is rushed to complete its work and may have lost sight of the argument during the session. It's crucial to prioritize school safety legislation to protect all students and educators. Debating the issue fully is worth the time.

JC Bowman

Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee

* * *

Mr. Bowman, let me ask you if one student's life is saved by a teacher with a firearm, are all the negatives for teachers to be armed you mentioned irrelevant?

Sure, trained resource officers should be in all schools armed and ready to protect our kids.

However, any teacher who is firearm proficient passes a background check, meets the requirements, and wants to carry a concealed weapon should be able to do so. I'm not saying all teachers need to carry a firearm, and many shouldn't for valid various reasons.

As you and I know, we live in a different world today, we must take the blinders off and see the real world for what it is, we owe it to the kids.

Jim Rosenbloom, NRA Firearms safety instructor

* * *

Regarding Mr. J.C. Bowman's excellent and well-thought piece recommending that school resources officers are the better response to school shootings than armed teachers...Mr. Bowman is quite right. His discussion of the potential dangers and damages that could be caused by arming teachers makes excellent points.

Mr. Rosenbloom in his response, apparently assumes that shootings are inevitable, that there is no reason to prevent unstable people and convicted felons from having weapons, and that the burden for protecting children should be added to the already overburdened teachers. The state legislature apparently refuses to think through the problem, too.

No overworked, underpaid teacher who is already serving as teacher as well as surrogate parent to children whose parents refuse to take responsibility for their own children should be burdened further. I have family members who have served many years in the classroom and I have served as a volunteer in the classroom and observed first-hand the reality of overworked teachers. Besides, a school shooter is typically armed with a rifle that can engage targets at a distance; the teacher would be armed with a pistol which requires shorter range to a target, meaning that he or she would have to be closer to the shooter and thus become an easier target.

As an Army veteran who has fired plenty of weapons, I know that a teacher should not be expected to serve as a security force.

Contrary to NRA-controlled state legislatures and US Congress, more weapons are not the solution. Preventive measures - secure school buildings, trained, credentialed and visible resource officers, and faculty and staff trained in procedures to limit exposure to shooters - are better than reactive ones.

Tim McDonald

* * *

Is it worth arming teachers in school to save one life at the expense of jeopardizing the lives of other children, fellow teachers, staff and volunteers?

Teachers come from that same general population as everyone else. Some come with issues. Serious issues. There's just no amount of passing a psych test, training that will remedy the fact.

I once worked in the system. Anyone who's ever witnessed two teachers getting into a physical cat-fight over both dating the same person, you'll know the dangers and only increase the chances of one pulling out a gun on the other by throwing guns into the mix. The chance for bullets missing its target, going astray and hitting others.

If you ever witnessed a grade schooler being grabbed by his collar, raised by the neck, slammed against a set of lockers, then dragged upwards against those lockers. Why increase the chance for a child having a gun drawn on him/her instead for not turning their homework in on time? Not correctly answering a question? Or, just because?

Allowing teachers to pack the heat in schools aren't going to make students, teachers, volunteers and faculty safer. However, it will increase the chance that one will whip out that gun on some child, a fellow teacher, faculty member whether that gun-totin' teacher becomes unhinged or not. That's human nature. No matter the amount of training or how many psych tests they're able to pass.

Brenda Washington

* * *

Well, once again, the NRA's response to school safety is the best defense against a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. We saw how well that worked at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and at Robb Elementary. The Good Guys with the guns were abject failures.

A recent article in The Atlantic (Jan. 29) outlined just how inadequately trained the SRO was at Stoneman Douglas High School. The people of Uvalde are still dealing with the tragic consequences of the indecisiveness and lack of leadership by law enforcement.

I spent 23 years as an infantry soldier in the U.S. Army and have a very solid understanding of how to train individuals and teams and squads in the use of firearms. I also had the opportunity to serve for 24 years as a high school teacher in the Hamilton County system. With all due consideration, respect and high regard for my colleagues in public education, I never met one  other than my fellow JROTC instructors - who I would trust in a high stress, fluid and chaotic situation involving live ammunition and innocent bystanders.

Teachers are trained to teach. Society and the legislature and the school boards have tasked teachers with duties far beyond their training and now they are asked to undertake the task of going armed. The reality is the legislature and the school boards are too cowardly to admit that denying an armed intruder access to a school building, under current conditions, is impossible. The only way to prevent an armed intruder from coming on school grounds is to harden the perimeter. Oh, but the parents and the community complain that they dont want their schools to look like prison.

Todays parents and the community dont want to be inconvenienced by the measures necessary to keep weapons off the campus. They are too entitled and lazy and special to follow the policies that might secure the campus. Policies like those are for those other schools. If society really wanted to stop school gun violence, they would harden the perimeter. Its that simple.

Paul E. Dean
The Moccasin Bend Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution held their monthly meeting at the Mountain Creek Church of Christ.Acclaimed watercolor artist and master craftsman Alan Shuptrine was the speaker for this meeting. Mr. Shuptrine is the author of Alan Shuptrine: Appalachian Watercolors of the Serpentine Chain, and I Come From a Place. He and his wife, Bonny, are the owners of Shuptrines Gallery."Alans captivating presentation regarding The Serpentine Chain was enjoyed by every member in attendance," officials said."He shared information regarding the historical aspect of the Serpentine Chain, his journey on the Appalachian Trail, museum exhibition and his award-winning books."
A lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Tuesday that it would not be a bad idea for Lee Jae-myung to serve another term as party chairman, following the party's resounding victory in last week's parliamentary elections.

Rep. Jung Sung-ho, a four-term lawmaker and close aide to Lee, made the remark during a radio interview, saying having Lee as leader again would help strengthen unity in the party.

Lee was elected DPK chairman in August 2022 for a two-year term. Calls have risen within the party for Lee to serve another term as leader after the party won a resounding victory in last week's general elections by sweeping 175 seats in the 300-member National Assembly.

"I don't think it is a bad card," Jung said of the possibility of Lee serving another term.

DPK lawmaker-elect Park Jie-won has previously said Lee should hold the position for two consecutive terms, as there is no party rule prohibiting such a move. (Yonhap)
Ever since its discovery in 2004, graphene has been revolutionizing the field of materials science and beyond. Graphene comprises two-dimensional sheets of carbon atoms, bonded into a thin hexagonal shape with a thickness of one atom layer. This gives it remarkable physical and chemical properties. Despite its thinness, graphene is incredibly strong, lightweight, flexible, and transparent. It also exhibits extraordinary electrical and thermal conductivity, high surface area, and impermeability to gasses. From high-speed transistors to biosensors, it boasts an unrivaled versatility in applications.

Schematic illustration for the formation NCG during liquid metal dealloying of amorphous manganese-carbon (Mn-C) alloy in a molten bismuth (Bi) to induce selective dissolution of manganese (Mn) atoms and self-organization of carbon (C) atoms into graphene layers. S.H. Joo & H. Kato

Nanocellular graphene (NCG) is a specialized form of graphene that achieves a large specific surface area by stacking multiple layers of graphene and controlling its internal structure with a nanoscale cellular morphology.

NCG is coveted for its potential to improve the performance of electronic devices, energy devices and sensors. But its development has been stymied by defects that occur during the manufacturing process. Cracks often appear when forming NCG, and scientists are looking for new processing technologies that can fabricate homogeneous, crack-free and seamless NCGs at appropriate scales.

"We discovered that carbon atoms rapidly self-assemble into crack-free NCG during liquid metal dealloying of an amorphous Mn-C precursor in a molten bismuth," says Won-Young Park, a graduate student at Tohoku University.

Dealloying is a processing technique that exploits the varying miscibility of alloy components in a molten metal bath. This process selectively corrodes certain components of the alloy while preserving others.

Park and his colleagues demonstrated that NCGs developed by this method exhibited high tensile strength and high conductivity after graphitization. Moreover, they put the material to the test in a sodium-ion battery (SIB).

"We used the developed NCG as an active material and current collector in a SIB, where it demonstrated a high rate, long life and excellent deformation resistance. Ultimately, our method of making crack-free NCG will make it possible to raise the performance and flexibility of SIBs - an alternative technology to lithium-ion batteries for certain applications, particularly in large-scale energy storage and stationary power systems where cost, safety, and sustainability considerations are paramount."
Within the Appalachia region lie some mysterious ancient ruins, and from its depths rose a Cherokee legend hinting at a civilization that predated the landing of Columbus in America and possibly even the Native Americans themselves.

According to Cherokee legend, moon-eyed people lived deep in the woods of what is now North Carolina and Georgia.

They were small in stature, had pale skin and blue eyes, and were sensitive to light, so they slept during the day and were active at night.

These beings were not mythical or monstrous like others that have appeared in Indigenous folklore. In fact, the moon-eyed people were human, just like the Cherokees.

Some suspect that the moon-eyed people were related to Welsh settlers who arrived in the area hundreds of years before Christopher Columbus.

In the 18th century, European settlers started trickling into North America, which was when the first records of the legend of the moon-eyed people surfaced.

According to writings from 1797 by Benjamin Smith Burton, an American botanist and educator, the Cherokee had told the settlers that when they first arrived in the country, it was already inhabited by moon-eyed people who couldnt see during the day.

In 1782, a Cherokee chief, Oconostota, told the story to Tennessee governor John Sevier. Oconostota said his ancestors had reported that white men had crossed the ocean long ago and landed near the mouth of the Alabama River.

It is believed that the moon-eyed people were Europeans, possibly Welshmen, who came to North America during the 12th century.

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Keith Lance / Getty

Growing up, our car radio was always tuned to 90.7, American Family Radio. We lived about 15 minutes from the nearest town, so we spent a lot of time driving. If we were lucky, Mr. Whittakers warm, grandfatherly voice invited us to join him for Adventures in Odyssey. But more often, wed listen to alarmed (and alarming) talks from Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association, or Focus on the Familys James Dobson, each warning my parents of all the ways the world was coming for us.

Their message was convincing, and not only for my parents. Id plug my ears when Ms. Barbie, my warm-hearted school bus driver who wore denim cutoffs and had brightly lacquered nails, sometimes tuned her portable radio to 96.9 KISS FM, Amarillos #1 Hit Music Station, and started singing along to secular music on the 45-minute ride to school. I felt palpable relief when I instead climbed aboard to the sound of Garth Brooks crooning about his friends in low places. After all, everyone in Texas knows God has a soft spot for country.

One of the strangest things about being raised in that embattled mindset was how my side seemed embarrassed of what we had to offer the wider world. We said we knew the truth about God and humanity, but I got the distinct impression that we were far from confident that the truth could hold its own out there.

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My elders and the voices they heeded on the radio seemed to take a defensive posture, self-conscious about our intractable fuddy-duddy-ness and anxious that these commitments would cost us. It felt like they werent sure we could ever compete on a level field. We had God on our side, but they had MTV. Our only option was to circle the wagons and pray we could outlast the storm.

Seeing this attitude in the adults in my life wasnt reassuring. Instead, it made me wonder: If we knew the truth, why were we so afraid? Now I see the youthful ignorance in that kind of binary question, but I earnestly wrestled with it in those days, and as I entered adulthood, I sought to become a Christian who didnt meet the world with fear, defensiveness, and accusations.

Perhaps its this history that leaves me fascinated whenever I encounter people who arent Christians and yet independently arrive at truths Christians knowespecially truths about how to order healthy, safe families for the flourishing and well-being of children. It helps me remember that even though Christians have at times advanced these principles poorly, sometimes doing more harm than good both inside and outside the church, the principles are true. We do have something to offer the world. And rather than circling up in fear or anger, we should make that offering in love, showing how a real and living God changes hearts, heals relationships, and restores lives.

Ive most recently had such an encounter while reading Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class by Rob Henderson, released last month. Born to a drug-addicted mother and passed through ten different foster families before finally being adopted, Henderson chronicles a life of chaos. Reading about his movement from a childhood of upheaval to a distinguished military career, undergraduate education at Yale, and a PhD from Cambridge feels a bit like riding river rapids on a flimsy inner tube.

Rather than simply recounting his tragic and shocking experiences, though, Henderson moves from the particular to the universal with an expertise few memoirists have. With his own life as an example, he invites readersespecially those who dismiss traditional family systems as outdated, unnecessary, or worseto turn a critical eye on their own assumptions. Upward mobility (along with trappings like elite education) shouldnt be a goal in and of itself, he argues. But it may well be a byproduct of the pursuit of more important things: family, stability, and emotional security for children.

Though hes not making this argument in the same way Dobson or former US vice president Dan Quayle did in the 1990s, Henderson arrives at a very similar conclusion: that a stable, nurturing, two-parent family confers considerable advantage to children. He also argues that the progressive elites public dismissal of traditional family values doesnt reflect the reality of their personal lives, and he has the data to back it up. By 2005, Henderson writes, 85 percent of affluent families were still intact, but for working-class families the figure had plummeted to 30 percent. Similarly, just 10 percent of students at Cornell University were raised by divorced parents, compared with a national divorce rate of 40 percent.

Henderson calls the claim that marriage doesnt matter a luxury belief, a term he coined and defines in Troubled as ideas and opinions that confer status on the upper class at little cost, while often inflicting costs on the lower classes. If youre like me, once Henderson helps you see one luxury belief, you start to see them everywhere: Defund the police is a slogan that might earn you some street cred as a student at an Ivy League protest, but its not a policy many residents of fragile communities want. Arguing that monogamy is passe might get you on the New York Times bestseller list, but its not how you get a table full of generations of family on Thanksgiving Day.

Henderson doesnt root his arguments in a religious framework, but its easy to see the connection to a Christian ethos. While making a secular case for the importance of healthy families, his story and research also illustrate another value that finds ample expression in our faith: the transformative and redemptive power of community.

For Henderson, much of that community came outside the context of family, although not through a church. And though he doesnt follow that trail far, it seems obvious that our culture needs these other sources for social stability and support. This is where the local church can shineif we choose to open our circle of wagons.

Churches can be a profound force for good in families both in ministry and in mission. While there are obviously broken families both within and outside the church, research shows regular churchgoers marry more and divorce less than their peers, and an active faith appears to be connected in some way with more stable marriages. And local churches are well positioned to care for kids living in the rubble of broken families and the fallout of others destructive choices. God still places the lonely in families (Ps. 68:6), after all, and sometimes that looks like showing up for Grandparents Day or the father-daughter dance for a child who sits in the pew in front of you.

Another new memoir, Between Two Trailers, by J. Dana Trent, gestures at that latter sense. Trent tells stories from a childhood with drug-dealing, mentally ill parents. The book reads like a fever dreamfantastical and outlandish, yet heartbreakingly vivid and real. Between Two Trailers never makes clear how Trent came out on the other side, but little moments of grounding offer at least some of the answer: summers with her paternal grandparents and extended family, and Wednesday night dinners and youth group at a church that became Trents safe haven. The church was, she reflects, an environment where people were required by sacred law to be nice to me.

My childhood was marked by chaos and instability too. But unlike the memoirists families, my parents remained consistently plugged into churches, and when I reflect on those years, I think of all the people in those faithful Christian communities who looked past the drama and difficulties that came with my family and welcomed us.

Pastor Mike, Ms. Katy, Rex, the Longs, the Brownsnot to mention myriad aunts, uncles, grandparents, and teachers. The list of names, too long for me to complete, points to the grace of God who always kept my head above turbulent waters. His peoplesome of the very same people who were worried about all the ways the world was coming for us childrenwere my life raft.

These days, my own children have a decidedly more mundane life. Theres not a lot of drama or chaos, other than when I try to get them out of bed and into a pew on a sleepy Sunday morning. But when we get to church, I know they are seen and known and loved. They are enveloped in a community of caring, safe adults who fill in the gaps left by the inevitable fallibility and shortcomings my husband and I have as parents. Even in the absence of capital-T traumas, as researchers at Harvard have found, grounding our children in a faith community offers a protective factor for a range of health and well-being outcomes in early adulthood.

I believe itand the rest of a growing body of independent evidence that faith and the shape of life it demands is tangibly good for children. And why wouldnt it be if were following our creator? Why would we be surprised to find an indelible connection between God and the good life?

Hendersons book, while at times troubling, offered me an unexpected gift. Reading it helped me look at my messy, confusing, evangelical childhood a bit more charitably. I had long ago rejected the shrill and scolding voices of conservative evangelicals shrieking about the decline of family values as unhelpful and obnoxious. As it turns out, they got a lot right, even if I still think their delivery got a lot wrong (and even contributed to the coarsening and hardening of our culture).

Stories like Hendersons and Trentsand even my ownalso remind me of how badly the world needs a healthy church. Amid all the talk of deconstruction and dechurching, abuse of authority and political polarization, these stories refocus my gaze from the church in the abstract to the church where I take my children every week. They remind me of ordinary, imperfect congregations of kindhearted Sunday school teachers and long-suffering childrens choir directors and patient youth volunteers.

When I pay attention to whats right in front of me, I see the way so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ steadily pull the awkward, the outcast, the uncomfortable, the uncertain, and the troubled into the fold.

For all the churchs flawed messengers, the message is still there. It is still true. Despite all the fear and outrage, the local church is still offering ordinary faithfulness to salve the wounds of a troubled world. We still have good news to tell.

Carrie McKean is a West Texasbased writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Texas Monthly magazine. Find her at carriemckean.com.
Ulet Ifansasti / Stringer / Getty

Indonesia will stop using the Arabic term for Jesus ChristIsa al Masihwhen referring to Christian holidays celebrating his birth, death, and ascension. Starting in 2024, the government will instead use the Bahasa term Yesus Kristus, which is more common among Christians in the majority-Muslim country. Most believers see it as a positive development, but some are concerned about attempts to legislate religious terminology. In 1986, the government tried (but ultimately failed) to forbid Christians from using the word Allah for God.

United States: Hate crime report shows some anti-Protestant violence

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported 2,042 antireligion hate crimes were committed in 2022. More than half targeted Jews. About 100 targeted Catholics, 78 Eastern Orthodox, 63 Protestants, and 97 other Christians. Reports of anti-Protestant violence have increased by about 20 percent over the past two decades, while antireligious violence overall has increased by more than 40 percent.

Cuba: Pastors kept from participating in freedom of religion event

Two pastors were detained before a freedom of religion event and were kept so long they couldnt present an award. Alejandro Hernandez Cepero and Luis Eugenio Maldonado Calvo, both Protestants, were told by state police that attending such events could lead to accusations of terrorism. The event was hosted by the Patmos Institute, an independent civil society organization founded by Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso, an exiled Baptist pastor. The Cuban dictatorship views the theme of religious freedom as a sensitive topic, associated with the United States, Lleonart Barroso said. They are unable to understand that they are dealing with a universal theme.

Argentina: Recognition for evangelicals considered

Eighteen of Argentinas 24 provinces celebrated evangelicals on Reformation Day, and the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill, drafted in 2021, for the holidays annual federal recognition. If passed by the Senate, the bill would give evangelicals the visibility some leaders have sought for decades. It will fall short of granting legal equality with Roman Catholics, however. Argentina has no official religion, but the Catholic church has a privileged status and receives state support. Evangelicals first organized to request equal treatment in 1999. A gathering of about 250,000 believers marched under the slogan Jesus Christ for all and to all. Two years later, 400,000 rallied with the motto For my country, I want religious equality. But multiple bills proposing religious freedom reforms failed between 2001 and 2019. The most recent census reported that a little more than 15 percent of the country is evangelical.

The Netherlands: Reformed Congregations to require rebaptism

A Calvinist denomination has ruled that people baptized by women must be rebaptized before they can join the Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands. Reformed churches have traditionally accepted the validity of all baptisms performed by ordained ministers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. However, according to the Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands, which has about 23,000 members, a woman cannot be ordained and thus cannot administer a sacrament.

Spain: Assemblies of God dreams of 1 million congregations

At the Assemblies of God (AG) World Congress in Madrid, church leaders challenged each other to grow the denomination 170 percent in the next decade. The Assemblies of God currently has about 370,000 congregations globally. Dominic Yeo, the AGs new international president, said the AG can reach its goal if every existing congregation plants two churches by 2033.

Sudan: Church destroyed in shelling

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Omdurman, Sudan, was destroyed by Sudanese Armed Forces shelling on November 1, All Saints Day. Three shells struck the 81-year-old building around 9 p.m., destroying the worship space and everything inside, including Bibles and hymnbooks. No one was reported killed, and an orphanage attached to the church was unharmed. Two factions of the Sudanese military have been fighting since April 2023, both reportedly targeting churches. Two evangelical schools were destroyed in Omdurman about three weeks before the Presbyterian church. After six months of fighting, more than 10,000 people are dead, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. Another 5.6 million people have been forced to flee their homes.

Kenya: Pastor in viral lion video is not a pastor

Video footage of a zookeeper petting lions went viral in Kenya with false claims that the man was a pastor attempting to prove nothing can happen to a man of God. A member of the countrys parliament believed the social media story and challenged the man to walk with wild lions in a Kenyan nature preserve. The video, however, originated in Somalia, where a zookeeper feeds dangerous animals and attracts audiences with demonstrations of how tame they are.

Saudi Arabia: Christian martyr celebrated 1,500 years later

The Roman Catholic Church is celebrating the 1,500th anniversary of a martyrs death in Najran, in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Al-Harith bin Kab, known to Catholic and Orthodox Christians as Saint Arethas, was killed in 523. Kab was older than 80 and reportedly prophesied that, as a vine pruned at the correct time gives a good yield of fruit, God will multiply the Christian population. Many hope a celebration of his faith in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates will strengthen the regions believers.
President 'apologized' for failing to reflect public sentiment: presidential office

By Nam Hyun-woo

President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday he humbly accepts the sentiment of voters shown in last week's general elections, where the ruling party suffered a crushing defeat, and pledged to make earnest efforts to heed the voices of the people with a flexible attitude.

He also expressed regret, stating he was "sorry" for failing to fully reflect the public's sentiment, according to a senior presidential secretary. That term was not initially used at the beginning of the Cabinet meeting, which was televised.

We all have to humbly accept the public sentiment shown in the general elections, Yoon said at the beginning of the Cabinet meeting. Starting with myself, we will listen to the public's opinions more carefully and engage in candid communication with a humble and flexible attitude.

Yoon made those remarks six days after the ruling People Power Party (PPP) secured only 108 out of 300 seats in the National Assembly in the general elections. It was his first public remark since the crushing defeat.

The president acknowledged that throughout the last two years of his term, his primary focus has been on advancing the interests of the people. However, he conceded that despite his efforts, they fell short of public expectations, and his policies lacked the effectiveness needed to translate into tangible changes for the public.

"I'll pay more attention to people's voices and make much more efforts to improve people's livelihoods," he said.

Regarding bipartisan cooperation, Yoon said, The government will cooperate with the National Assembly more closely. A more comprehensive explanation about bills and budgets will be made to stabilize the public's livelihood and improve communication with the people."

But the president did not specify how he will engage with the opposition. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party have each requested a meeting between their leaders and Yoon.

The senior presidential secretary said that Yoons comments imply the president is open to a potential meeting with opposition leaders. But he said the office has to consider that the 22nd National Assembly will begin in late May, and the ruling party, which is now suffering a leadership vacuum, has to join any meeting with opposition leaders.

According to the secretary, Yoon conveyed to Cabinet members his apologies to the public for not adequately reflecting their sentiment, and expressed his commitment to doing whatever is necessary for their well-being. These remarks, however, were not televised.

Yoon was initially anticipated to outline envisioned changes to his direction of governing as he said, through Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Kwan-sup a day after the elections, that he would do his best to reform his governing style and stabilize the economy.

However, during the speech at the Cabinet meeting, Yoon stated that he has been leading the country in the right direction, but there have been shortcomings in the government's moves to make the public feel concrete changes.

While we have set the right direction for state affairs and exerted our utmost efforts to achieve that, we acknowledge that we have fallen short in bringing about changes that the people can truly feel, Yoon said, listing several policies that his administration has been pursuing over the past two years.

Despite the policies being aimed at benefiting the people from a broad perspective, they have lacked the necessary details. Regardless of the correctness of the direction in governing state affairs and the pursuit of numerous positive policies, the government has failed to fulfill its role if the people do not perceive actual change, Yoon said.

Yoon added that his reform initiatives in labor, education, pension and medical sectors should not be halted for the sake of the countrys future.

The senior presidential secretary said, The majority of the public's sentiment is that Yoons polices are heading toward the right direction, but there are problems in his way of realizing them.

The official added, The Yoon government entered office with the mandate to uphold such public sentiment, and fundamentally altering the approach to handling state affairs constitutes a neglect of the president's promise to the public."

Regarding Yoons speech, the DPK said he disregarded the public's hope for change in his governing style.

Yoon defended himself by saying that the direction was right but the outcome was not satisfactory, instead of repenting for his stubborn governing stance, DPK spokesperson Han Min-soo said.

Despite expressing a willingness to cooperate with the National Assembly, he remained silent on the public's wish for him to recognition the opposition as a partner in governing  We cannot expect the president to reform his governing style when he says the direction was right and the government did its best.

The Rebuilding Korea Party also said in a statement that the content of Yoons speech was shocking and the elections were a reflection of the peoples stance that Yoon should acknowledge the opposition as a partner in running state affairs.








Interview with leader of new evangelical alliance describes his escape from Khartoum and the pressure to pick a side.

Luis Tato / Contributor / Getty

Overlooked by crises in Gaza and Ukraine, Sudan has now endured one year of civil war. Nearly 16,000 people have been killed, with 8.2 million fleeing from their homesincluding 4 million children. Both figures are global highs for internal displacement.

The United Nations stated that the worlds worst hunger crisis is looming, warning that one-third of Sudans 49 million people suffer acute food insecurity and 222,000 children could die of starvation within weeks. Yet an international emergency response plan, endorsed by UN agencies including the Cindy McCain-led World Food Program, is only six percent funded.

Sudanese Christians feel like no one cares.

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Five years earlier, they had great hope. In 2019 a popular revolution overthrew longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir, wanted for war crimes against his people. The new civilian government repealed the law of apostasy, removed Islamist elements from the bureaucracy, and implemented other democratic reforms. But in 2021 the general of the army, in cooperation with the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)a government-aligned paramilitary group accused of the atrocities in Darfurdeposed the prime minister.

Continuing negotiations with civilian leaders demanded a merger of the two armed forces, but neither general could agree on terms. And while it is not clear who fired the first shot, last year on April 15 the conflict exploded in the capital of Khartoum. Much of the North African nation is now a war zone.

Yet somehow, an evangelical alliance has formed and joined two regional bodies.

Rafat Samir, secretary general of the Sudan Evangelical Alliance, witnessed the outbreak of violence firsthand. Now resident in Egypt, he oversaw the dialogue between his own Evangelical Presbyterian synod and the Sudanese Church of Christ, shuttling between safe havens in his home country and in neighboring Ethiopia.

Earlier this month, these denominational partners, which Samir says represent at least 75 percent of Sudanese evangelicals, successively affiliated with the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) regional associations for both the Arab world and sub-Saharan Africa. Catholics, Anglicans, Coptic Orthodox, and various Protestant denominations account for about 4 percent of the population of Sudan, which ranks No. 8 on the Open Doors World Watch List of countries where it is hardest to be a Christian.

CT asked Samir about the impact of civil war on the church, why its WEA identity exists in two directions, and why his only remaining hope is in God:

Where were you on April 15 last year?

My home is in the Bahri neighborhood, where both the army and the RSF have bases, and antiaircraft guns were firing right outside my bedroom window, with bombing campaigns morning and night. Electricity and water services were cut. As it was Ramadan, one day I went out at sunset to find food, thinking there would be a lull in the fighting. A bullet missed me by mere centimeters.

I wanted to flee immediately, but my brother preferred to wait it out, as we have witnessed clashes before, and he anticipated it would end after a few days, as previously. Bodies lie dead in the streets, and we covered them with sand to suppress the smell. But after enduring these harsh conditions with his wife and two daughters for 15 days, he agreed to leave when a bomb hit his neighboring house.

How did you escape?

We searched three days just to find a vehicle to get us out of the city, and eventually had to pay $500 USD to travel only two kilometers (1.2 miles). We then negotiated getting a small bus with 40 other people to take us to the Egyptian border, but then the driver upped the price upon our arrival to $10,000 total. We had room only for our personal documents, leaving everything else behind.

But leaving Khartoum was entirely dependent on Gods timing.

The battle was still raging, with barrel bombs damaging the road out of town. An earlier bus was stopped by the RSF, who killed the people and stole their money. We heard that, at an army checkpoint, a later bus experienced the same thing. We were luckysoldiers only searched our vehicles for weapons and simply wanted a bribe to let us move onward.

A friendly family in the city before Egypt gave us a place to sleep and running water. But the next day, the border was so crowded it took us three days to pass through. Some slept in the mosque, others under the scattered trees. When I finally made it to Aswan, an Egyptian friend met me and gave me a place in the German mission hospital guesthouse. He cried when he saw me.

I didnt know why until I finally settled in and looked at myself in the mirror.

Where are others in your church?

We have over 100 members in our Bahri church. Those who took shelter there were beaten by the RSF when they attacked our building, and they had to flee. Many went to Egypt, others to Ethiopia, Chad, the Nuba Mountains region, or to South Sudan. But there, it is expensive, so several traveled onward to Uganda. A few stayed in Sudan, but renting in-country is also expensiveand for those with children there is no school.

Even a bottle of water costs up to $10.

Everyone is making as much money off this crisis as they can. So, basically, people went where they had family, could find work, or get a visa. But outside of Khartoum, most churches are still functioning. They are not at peace, but they have no possibility to leave. Evangelicals are not from the elitemost believers come from war zones in Sudan. Many dont have travel documents, and while they can work and eat, they remain poor.

The Church of Christ members are nearly all from the Nuba Mountains, which was at war with the government. Presbyterians are majority Nuba also, with 20 percent originally from South Sudan and another 20 percent from the various tribes. I am of Egyptian descentothers are from Darfur or the Arab north.

How do you manage this diversity?

Identity is a big problem in Sudan. Our country is African, but we speak Arabic. This is why we joined both regional alliances. If you say Arab to someone from the Nuba Mountains or South Sudan, it means the people who killed their families, raped their daughters, and tried to Islamize them. But in the north of the country, the Arab is his friend, family, and who he wants to bring to Jesus.

When we started reaching out to Muslims, some from the south resisted, saying: We dont want to see them in heaven, they dont deserve salvation. I understand this sentiment. But some of our congregations operate out of their tribal identity and refuse to speak Arabic.

For a long time, many in our country wanted to call ourselves an Arab republic. We are part of the Arab League, but when we need African help, we start calling ourselves Africans. But in the end, we are Africans who speak Arabic, multiethnic in our tribal makeup.

Sudan is a crossover countrysome have origins from Yemen and East Africaand most of us are of mixed heritage. Only the Nuba Mountains and a few others are not. We were even a Christian country until the 14th century, and in the 19th century an eschatological Muslim movement killed many Christians and forced others to convert to Islam.

Presbyterian missionaries came in 1899 and started the first schools for girls, agriculture, and vocational training. The Church of Christ was established in 1920 and is the largest evangelical denomination today. But Sudan is neither a Muslim country nor a Christian country, and likewise, neither Arab nor African entirely.

We joined the Middle East and North Africa Evangelical Alliance because we speak Arabic and face similar issues with Islam and government discrimination. We joined the Association of Evangelicals in Africa because we face the same issues with ethnic identity. I checked with WEA regional leadershipit is not a problem to belong to two alliances.

How has the church been able to help?

The main thing we did was help people escape and find shelter.

Our schools in Wad Madani (100 miles southeast of Khartoum) received families and provided basic meals and trauma care. All the homes are full of those displaced from Khartoum, but then when the war reached this area, many were dislocated again eastward to other cities and Port Sudan. We also helped 15 Muslim-background believers escape abroad, as they would not have been welcomed in their original villages.

We didnt get much help from outside; a lot is funded from our own resources. This is why we havent been able to do much relief work. We pray and try to give hope to the people. We urge them to remain as salt and light and to keep their children from the fighting. The easiest way to make money is to join the army or the RSF and join in the looting.

But it is clear: Now is not the time for logic or reason. Bullets are talking.

Do the churches have a political opinion about the war?

Only that we will never support warwe want peace.

Last week officials approached me to make a statement in favor of the war. I told them it is not about the army or the RSF; it is about human life. We cannot support killing and destruction.

So then they went to the same Christians they used against us during the era of Bashir, who belonged to his political party and usurped leadership in our church councils. They took nice pictures with the army general.

Did the RSF reach out to you also?

As evangelicals, both sides hate us. They burned our churches. We know how the RSF killed our people in the Nuba Mountains and Darfur, so even when they were part of the post-revolutionary government, we did not deal with them. I have met with army leaders in the past, and I met our civilian prime minister and his cabinet. But we do not engage the RSF.

We are clear that we stand for life.

Security bodies approached the Church of Christ also, which faces the same problems we do. Refusing them may put us in a difficult position later on. But we cannot lie, we cannot forget who we are in Christ.

What would you like to say to those outside Sudan?

There is suspicious silence coming from the international community. The Arab League is not helpingeven in Egypt they ask us if we are still in a civil war. Our issues are not on CNN, and no one pays attention to news from Sudan.

It makes the church feel like no one cares.

No one is standing up to say: Stop the war. We dont hear that people are praying for us. We dont see statements from churches to represent us before their governments.

To the Sudanese abroad, I say: Settle down, it will take a while before you can return. They are not settled in their spirit, but I tell them to wait on God and avoid being negative about their nation. Eventually, many will come back and bring with them the fruit from life in other countries. Others will stay and can support from the diaspora.

But we are all aliens and strangers in this world, like Abraham, living in tents.

Do you maintain hope in God?

We never lose itwe know that God is good.

From Deuteronomy, we know he can change a curse into a blessing. From Isaiah, we know he can change mourning into laughter. And from Romans, we know he will make all things work together for good.

Like with Samsons lion, he can turn a carcass into something sweet.

This is the only hope we have. We know the situation now is not the end. God is working, we are safe, and we manage to have enough to eat. This is all a blessing from him.

But we have nothing we can do, except wait for God to move.
Every child enters the world embodying two beautiful truths: They are made in the image of God, and they are wholly unique. Through a combination of nature and nurture, personalities take shape, interests and hobbies are discovered, and hopes and dreams are cultivated. During childhood, trusted adults provide a stable and enriching environment where children can flourish.

But for a staggering number of childrenone in every 49, exceeding 1.5 millionparental incarceration disrupts their formative years; the emotional toll is devastating, leaving children vulnerable to trauma, separation anxiety, and daily struggles beyond their control.

Seeing these profound needs, many organizations work to support the children of incarcerated parents, especially around the holidays. While such generosity is commendable, it often falls short of addressing the ongoing challenges these families face. But by investing in consistent, year-round outreach, churches can honor the inherent dignity and dreams of these children, equipping them with the resources and emotional support they need to hold fast to their hopes, break the cycle of trauma, and build brighter futures.

The Human Cost of Incarceration

While not incarcerated themselves, children of incarcerated parents often experience a similar sense of isolation and disruption. Karen Roscigno, who took custody of her grandchildren after her daughters sentencing, recalls how Riley and Angel would still cry for their mother years into her imprisonment. Roscigno says that families are "doing time alongside their loved ones, and for many like Roscigno, this sudden shift in responsibility can carry a significant emotional, physical, and logistical burden.

The trauma of having an incarcerated parent also lingers long after release. Nine-year-old Devin and three-year-old Jordyn witnessed their mother, Johnna, being dragged away from their home by officers with guns drawn. Jordyn couldn't grasp why her mom wouldn't come home. When Johnna finally did so almost six years later, Jordyn and Devin struggled to accept her as an authority figure. They had spent so many formative years being raised by their grandparents, and now they had to readjust while Johnna faced challenges like finding housing and employment as she tried to reintegrate into society.

Johnna, Devin, and Jordan eventually found their way, but the road was often bumpy, with the scars of Johnna's incarceration remaining even after she made her way home.

These complex layers of readjustment and emotional turmoil often result in a desire for normalcy and stability that can be difficult to achieve due to systemic challenges and persistent shadows of the past. This necessitates comprehensive support systems that address both immediate crises and long-term healing.

Connecting Children to Churches

Similar stories are common among these families. And while seasonal programs like Christmas gift drives offer valuable temporary encouragement, these families need ongoing investment in their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Churches are uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive support to families of the incarcerated. As children often struggle with loneliness and isolation, the church can offer a sense of belonging. Changes in parental custody or the powerlessness experienced when a parent is incarcerated far away can create profound insecurity, while the church can provide stability and safety.

Many congregations already address physical needs through outreach efforts like food pantries, clothing drives, and community events, combining practical resources with spiritual support. These regular interactions convey to families that they are not alone in their struggles, which is a valuable message for children of incarcerated parents.

Stephen Wilson, prison ministries campus pastor at Gateway Church in Dallas, Texas, emphasizes the importance of further integrating people affected by incarceration into the full life of the church. Together, prison-specific programs and other church ministries can form a strong support network. Gateway participates in Angel Tree Christmas, allowing congregants to sponsor gifts from incarcerated parents to their children. This ministry allows the church to identify families, connect with them, and invite them to participate in ongoing activities.

Gateway's holiday outreach touched one such family. In January, a mother supported by this ministry contacted the church again, facing difficulty paying bills. Gateway offered financial support and connected them with a local partner who donated furniture for their home. This act of kindness resonated deeply, leading the entire family to attend a Gateway service. On the way to church, one of the children expressed a desire to be baptized. Though initially hesitant due to it being their first visit, the mother learned it was Gateway's baptism weekend, and by the end of the service, the whole familymother and children alikewas baptized together. This ministry's impact went far beyond the Christmas season, allowing the family to enter into a relationship with Jesus and join a community of believers where they can grow in their faith and receive spiritual and practical support.

Wilson personally understands the importance of including children of incarcerated parents in the full life of the church, having been incarcerated himself. The kindness shown by a local church to his children, then aged seven, five, and two, made a significant positive impact on their lives. The church ministered to his family in ways that addressed their specific needs without judgment. Wilson continues this approach, leading Gateway's congregants to partner with prison-specific programs like Angel Tree and incorporating those affected by imprisonment into all aspects of church life.

Taking Action in Your Community

Every action, no matter how seemingly small, contributes to a brighter future for the children of incarcerated parents. Here are practical ways you can help:

Deepen your churchs understanding through personal stories. Begin by inviting members of your congregation who have personal or family experience with incarceration to share their stories. These firsthand accounts offer valuable insights and humanize the issue, fostering empathy and commitment. Build awareness and mobilize support for the cause. Organize educational events or discussions featuring experts on the impact of incarceration on families. This can raise awareness, build a supportive community spirit, and identify volunteers passionate about supporting this cause. Establish a partnership with Angel Tree. Collaborate with Prison Fellowship Angel Tree. They offer resources, guidance, and a framework to help your church minister to local families with a parent in prison. Angel Tree can guide you through the process, from providing gifts at Christmastime to understanding best practices for engaging with and supporting these families year-round.

Your church can quickly transition from concern to active support, providing meaningful assistance to local children who need it most. Through collaboration with Prison Fellowship, the world's largest Christian nonprofit supporting prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, your congregation can connect with these vulnerable children and welcome them into your ministries year-round.

Learn more about how you can extend the hope of the gospel to children with incarcerated parents.

Posted
Home News Christian woman killed by son, daughter-in-law for refusing return to Islam Imam in training, wife suspected of poisoning her food

NAIROBI, Kenya  A Muslim man in eastern Uganda is suspected of killing his mother last week by putting pesticide in her food for refusing to leave her Christian faith, a relative said.

Sulaina Nabirye, 50, of Kamuli, Kamuli District, put her faith in Christ on Feb. 10, and since then her 31-year-old son had tried to persuade her to return to Islam, said the relative, whose name is withheld for security reasons.

During the month of Ramadan, she complained of her son pressuring her to stop attending church and revert back to Islam since he was studying to become an imam at Bugembe Mosque, the relative said. When she refused to convert back to Islam, he stopped visiting her at her house and threatened to chase or even kill her.

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Nabiryes fears led the source to make frequent visits, praying with and encouraging her to withstand the threats.

She had peace and joy and was encouraged by the sermons from the pastor, the source said.

The threats from Nabiryes son, Arajabu Mukiibi, intensified during Ramadan, and the source was present when Mukiibi visited on April 9 to tell Nabirye that his wife would prepare dinner for them.

At 7 p.m. he came with food, which he gave to us, and he left, the relative said. I was praying and fasting, so I did not eat the food. Shortly after eating the food, Sulaina started vomiting, and then followed diarrhea. I tried what I could, but things were worsening, I called a nearby clinic officer who came with medication. He tried to put her on drip, but all was in vain.

Nabirye died that night at 2 a.m., April 10. The relatives bitter weeping and wailing at Nabiryes death alerted neighbors, who arrived to learn of the tragedy.

The source had the food tested at a medical clinic and discovered that it contained Methanol, a toxic alcohol used as an industrial solvent and pesticide.

Her son did not come to help his mom, the relative said. He and his wife who were living close by did not show up. This made me conclude that he is the one who planned the poisoning.

Locals have condemned Mukiibi for allegedly taking his mothers life for becoming Christian and have vowed to take revenge, the source said. Relatives are planning to file a report with police.

Nabirye, whose husband died in an auto accident in 2019, is also survived by a second adult child. She attended church services every Sunday after putting her faith in Christ, the source said.

On Feb. 9, I shared with her the Christian faith, and the following day we attended an open-air preaching, the relative said. After the preaching, she requested the pastor to prayer for her salvation. She was prayed for and received Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The killing was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.

Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12% of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.

Originally published by Morning Star News
Home News International House of Prayer Kansas City to shutter in wake of Mike Bickle scandal: report

UPDATE: 11 a.m. ET April 17: In a statement shared with The Christian Post, the International House of Prayer Kansas City refuted reports that the 24/7 prayer ministry plans to close entirely, saying it's going through a restructuring phase and will close its school of ministry, IHOP University, after this year's graduation.

Original:

International House of Prayer Kansas City is reportedly winding down the operations of its movement and missions organization based in Missouri due to the financial impact of the sexual abuse scandal connected to founder Mike Bickle, with whom the organization was forced permanently cut ties last December.

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Citing a leaked recording from leaders at an internal IHOP University staff meeting as well as an email from IHOP University President Matt Candler, the leaders revealed that the ministry was losing some $500,000 per month due to donors being too connected to Bickle, the Roys Report said.

IHOPKC as an organization is beginning to wind down ...  Candler said during the meeting. Were going to be maintaining our prayer room and eventually beginning a new organization.

The 24/7 prayer ministry did not immediately respond to requests for confirmation of the report from The Christian Post on Tuesday, but Isaac Bennett, who leads IHOPKCs Forerunner Church, noted that lawsuits from the victims in Bickles sexual abuse scandal presented the ministry with significant liabilities.

Were the people to sue at the end of the day, he said. That produces significant liabilities.

Boz Tchividjian, Billy Grahams grandson, an attorney and longtime advocate of sexual abuse survivors who is representing one of Bickles alleged victims, said if IHOPKC leaders believe the ministry can just shutter then re-emerge as a rebranded organization to escape liability, they are living in fantasyland.

The notion that they can just shut it down and start a new organization and all of that prior potential liability is wiped away is fantasyland, he told the news outlet. To suddenly take all the property, put it in name of [a] new organization to limit liability that would what I believe be called a fraudulent transfer. A court would not allow that.

In February, after a third woman alleged she was groomed and sexually abused by Bickle in the 1980s when she was 14, Tchividjian, said the ministry should close permanently.

Its time. Its time to permanently close the doors at IHOPKC, Tchividjian said in a statement via the X account of his law firm, BozLaw P.A.

Its time to take whatever monies are left & put them into a fund for those whose lives have been wrecked by a place that claims to love Jesus so much it prays to him 24/7. The praying hasnt worked. Its just made IHOPKC more pious in defending the indefensible. Its time.

Using her maiden name, the third woman, Tammy Woods, who is now a 57-year-old mother and grandmother, told The Kansas City Star that Bickle abused her in St. Louis where he pastored a church before moving to Kansas City and starting IHOPKC in 1999.

Woods said Bickle abused her in his car, at her home, in the church and his office. She said the abuse, which began when she started babysitting his two sons, involved sexual contact but not intercourse. She revealed that the IHOPKC founder also told her several times that his wife, Diane, would die young and suggested that she could be the mother to his sons.

He would kiss my neck, he would kiss my cheeks, he would kiss my forehead, Woods told the Star, recalling the first time Bickle kissed her like a lover at her house when she was still just 14. The first, like, kiss kiss was in my house. He kind of pulled me into my bathroom. And he kissed me like a man kisses a woman.

Woods revelation came in the wake of an independent report released to the public on Jan. 31 and prepared by attorney Rosalee McNamara, where Bickle confessed to engaging in "consensual sexual contact" with a woman connected to the 24/7 prayer ministry in addition to a previously confessed relationship with a primary Jane Doe who alleged she was his kept woman for several years.

While Bickle never touched the second Jane Doe in McNamaras report, Woods said he did touch her.

He did touch me, she recalled. He moved my hand to touch him sexually. And he did touch me in return.

Woods explained that Bickle would be remorseful each time he abused her.

I have witnessed him genuinely weep and repent, like ask the Lords forgiveness, ask my forgiveness, she said. I saw at 14, a man in anguish over failure, and he would always be like, I cant, we cant do this again. And please forgive me. I believed all of that to be genuine  but it didnt stop. Wed do good for a while and then crash.

A day after the Stars story was published, IHOPKC condemned Bickles actions as sick and apologized for the manner in which they handled the investigation into allegations of abuse against him, which have long been criticized by Tchividjian and a group of former leaders at IHOPKC known as the advocate group.

Bennett explained in the leaked recording that while IHOPKC has been looking at different ways to navigate the sexual abuse scandal, they have found no way around the liability the organization has been exposed to as a result of the allegations of the ministrys mishandling of the abuse allegations.

In cases where theres clergy abuse, where theres allegations that are outstanding  when theres now interest in having an investigation that goes back through all of our 24-year history to find cases where theres been mishandling of abuse, or where theres been cover-up, or whatever else it is people believe has been gone on  those things will produce inevitably a contingent of individuals who are wanting to get restitution, Bennett said. And theyre not going to go knock on Mikes door because, well, he probably wont answer. But theyre not going to knock on Mikes door because he doesnt have any money. But IHOPKC has facilities.

To keep IHOPKC at its current operational level, IHOPKC would have to let go 90% of its paid staff, Bennett said. So, instead of 500 staff, IHOPKC would have to run the organization with just 50, Bennett said.

We are at an impasse, Bennett said. Theres no other way forward. So, the Lord is kindly inviting us into a new era.
Home News Mark Driscoll slams Jezebel spirit after megachurch hosts sword swallower Alex Magala

Mark Driscoll has been forced to defend himself after he was temporarily asked to leave the stage during James River Churchs Stronger Mens Conference in Missouri for calling a performance by an aerial sword swallower and admitted male stripper, which opened the conference, the Jezebel spirit.

A viral video clip of Alex Magalas sword-swallowing performance, which made him famous on family-friendly shows like "Americas Got Talent" and "Britains Got Talent," followed by Driscolls response to it, has already sparked a wave of comments on social media and headlines in a variety of publications like USA Today, which Driscoll insisted on Monday misinterpreted what he means by the Jezebel spirit.

Merriam-Webster defines a jezebel as an impudent, shameless, or morally unrestrained woman. It's a derogatory word akin to 'tramp,' and, according to the Jim Crow Museum, has ties to racism and anti-black imagery," USA Today reported.

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Driscoll, the outspoken senior pastor of Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, took the time, however, to correct USA Today.

The Jezebel spirit is not a synonym for tramp, and it's got nothing to do with racism. The Jezebel spirit is a demon that has worked through men and women for centuries, from Queen Jezebel in 1st Kings to Jesus's rebuke of the church in Thyatira in Revelation 2, he wrote on X. This demon seeks to control and dominate, most often through seductive women but oftentimes through overbearing, domineering men. I literally wrote the book on this. I want to give it away absolutely free. I get nothing out of it, I just want men and women to learn more about the spiritual war behind the war we see.

In his book NewDays, Old Demons Driscoll presents a prophetic study of sex, gender, woke politics, and how progressive Christianity is just a rebranding of ancient paganism. The same demons that were active in the days of Elijah are active today castrating the men, mutilating the children, closing the churches, and silencing the Bible teachers.

In his critique of Magalas performance at the Stronger Mens Conference, which ran from April 11-12, Driscoll objected to the performance, arguing that it embodied the Jezebel spirit. It was unclear whether he was aware of Magalas performance prior to the event and James River Church did not respond to questions from The Christian Post asking if Driscoll was aware.

In 2016, while Magalas star was rising as a family-friendly sword swallower on "Britain's Got Talent," a Daily Mail report revealed that Magala also worked as a pole-dancing striptease artist in Los Angeles and Las Vegas for women and gay men.

My life is like a movie, Magala told the publication. Perhaps you've seen in films when a killer gets a text about his next victim. I have the same story. I receive the address of the club, the time, and the color of underwear. I arrive at the place: lights, music, fire.

Magala, now 34, did not immediately respond when asked by CP if he still worked as a striptease artist.

We're going to talk about how to be an Elijah and how to deal with the average Jezebel. But let me do this, Driscoll said, kneeling in a video of his critique of Magalas performance at the conference posted on X.

I've been up since 1 in the morning. The reason I'm hoarse is Ive been praying for you, and my heart is very burdened for you. I want to be very careful with this, and it's not what I want to say, but the Jezebel spirit has already been here. The Jezebel spirit opened our event. This is a rebuke and a correction of no one; this is an observation, he explained.

Before the word of God was open, there was a platform. It was a high place. On it was a pole, an Asherah. The same thing that's used in a strip club for women who have the Jezebel spirit to seduce men. In front of that was a man who ripped his shirt off, like a woman does in front of a pole at a strip club, he continued.

That man then ascended. See, our God is not arrogant. He doesn't ascend. Our God is humble. He descends. And then, he swallowed a sword, and Jesus Cr, he said as he was cut off by James River Churchs Senior Pastor John Lindell who indicated Driscoll was out of line.

Let me just say this  If Mark wanted to say that he should have said it to me first. He didnt. Matthew 18. Matthew 18. If your brother offends you, go to him privately, Lindell said in a recording of his comments posted on X.

I talked to Mark for a half-hour. There was not one word of that! Hes out of line. If he wanted to say it, he could say it to me. You may not agree with me. You may not agree with him. But we are brothers in Christ, and there's a right way to handle disagreement, he added.

Not everyone at the conference was happy with Driscolls removal from the stage and video shared by Protestia on X, show that Driscoll was eventually brought back on stage where he admitted he did not handle the situation well.

Driscoll referred to Lindell as a good pastor and spiritual father who had been there for him and his family during the toughest seasons of his life.

Lindell admitted that as Driscoll was calling out the Jezebel spirit, he told his sons that he was like John the Baptist.

Marks a prophetic voice to our generation, Lindell said. Nothing about what was said changes that. And Mark and I talked. We went outside where we could be alone so we could talk, and we reaffirmed our friendship. And Mark, I want you to know. Youre a gift to the Kingdom. Youre a gift to James River.

Driscoll called the Stronger Mens Conference the greatest mens event I believe in the country right now and apologized for the most awkward moment in the history of any mens event.
Home News 60% of Catholics think abortion should be legal, support lower among weekly churchgoers: poll

A majority of American Catholics think abortion should be legal in all or most cases, although support for legal abortion is much lower among Catholics who attend Mass regularly, according to a survey.

The Pew Research Center released a blog titled 9 Facts about U.S. Catholics on Friday. One fact included on the list, based on research conducted from March 27 through April 2, 2023, found that 61% of Catholics living in the United States believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. This is a slightly smaller percentage than the number of U.S. adults who said the same (62%).

Support for abortion differs among subgroups within the sample of Catholic adults surveyed. A slightly higher share of Hispanic Catholics (63%) favor keeping abortion legal in all or most cases than their white Catholic counterparts (59%).

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Conversely, the difference in support for abortion among Catholics who attend Mass weekly and those who go less frequently is much starker. Only 34% of Catholics who go to Mass every week think abortion should be legal in all or most circumstances. Meanwhile, 68% of Catholics who attend Mass once a month or less or not at all support legal abortion in all or most cases.

Michael New, a pro-life scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, reacted to this particular finding from the survey on X Friday. Church attendance tells us far more about abortion attitudes than denomination, he said.

Carol Swain, a conservative commentator and former Vanderbilt University professor, cited the report's findings as evidence that Pope Francis and progressive public Catholics like Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Democrat President Joe Biden have been disastrous for orthodox Christians of all denominations.

Swains comments suggest that Pelosi and Biden, self-professed practicing Catholics who support abortion despite its direct contradiction to the teachings of their faith, are causing many of their fellow Catholics to stray from church teaching on the matter.

The report measured the share of U.S. Catholics who attend Mass weekly at 28% while finding that 10% of American Catholics go to church once a month, and the remaining 62% attend Mass a few times a year or less. Catholic Church teaching, as laid out in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, declares that direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law and that formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense.

Additional findings from the Pew Research Center show that partisan affiliation also plays a role in Catholics level of support for abortion. Forty-three percent of Catholic Republicans favor legal abortion in all or most circumstances compared to 78% of Catholic Democrats.

The partisan divide within the Catholic Church as it relates to abortion mirrors the divisions among the American public as a whole. Among all U.S. adults, 40% of Republicans think abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 84% of Democrats said the same.

Pew Research Center also released data examining U.S. Catholics views about Pope Francis. The pontiff has drawn the ire of some conservative Catholics over his restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass and the Vaticans recent document enabling priests to give blessings to same-sex couples. While a majority of U.S. Catholics (75%) have a favorable opinion of the pontiff, views about Francis vary based on partisan affiliation.

Specifically, 89% of Catholic Democrats have a favorable view of the pontiff compared to 63% of Catholic Republicans. The opinion poll measuring Catholics views about Francis is based on responses collected from Feb. 1325.

Pew Research Center Associate Director of Research Greg Smith shared his thoughts about the findings of his organization in an appearance on EWTN News Nightly on Friday. He noted that those favorable ratings for Pope Francis have ticked down a little bit in recent years, explaining that when the research organization asked a question about the religious leader in the past, the pontiffs favorability rating among the American public tended to be north of 80%.
Home Opinion The maniacal magnetic pull of moral relativism: An upside down universe

I grew up on the coast of Maine and learned early on how difficult it was to swim against the tide. Life on the jagged and rugged rock-bound coast is governed by the moon's magnetic pull on the Earths oceans. Lobstermen, clam diggers, "periwinklers," seaweed harvesters, and sea trout fishermen alike assiduously study the daily tide calendars to work their respective wares, considering not only the time of tide but its size and strength as well.



As I look back upon those years living now in the Midwest, I reflect upon the morally tumultuous times we are living in as a nation and silently wonder if America has lost the art of swimming upstream against the magnetic pull of delusional, progressive thought running contrary to moral absolutes.

I was recently interrupted in my discouraged stupor by an article I read about the Vaticans stance against this perversity. Their newly released Dignitas Infinita (Latin for Infinite Dignity), five years in development by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith, is an exceptionally worded piece that is a clarion call for all to remember that God created mankind and did so with exquisite beauty and in unique specificity. I was happily encouraged by reading excerpts of the document which rightly criticizes gender theory, transgender surgery, and surrogacy as affronts to human dignity.

Pope Francis has called transgenderism one of the worlds most dangerous ideological colonizations. Dignitas Infita states that transgenderism denies the greatest possible difference that exists between living beings: sexual difference. The document continues by adding that this difference is foundational and the most beautiful and powerful of them all. These words echo the Scriptures finest comment on Gods creation, repeated seven times throughout Genesis chapter one: And God said it was good.



If God said it was good, why then has man sought to upend His perfectly designed creation? Through the weeping prophet Jeremiah, God gave us a succinct and unalterable answer when he declared The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked? Who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9). The Apostle Paul built on this sentiment when he wrote all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). It is the fallen nature of man to be his own god and decide his way, attempting in vain to rewrite even the most basic design of creation.



Believers must stand up against the increasingly rebellious behaviors emanating from this warped worldview, a worldview and mindset the Apostle Paul told young Timothy would become more and more self-centered (For men will be lovers of themselves 2 Timothy 3:2 NKJV). We may often grow tired of having to confront these seemingly obvious and unreasonable moral conundrums born out of extreme narcissism. The temptation to retreat into our corner of creaturely comfort often allures us into inactivity. We should resist this temptation by recalling Gods word through Ezekiel, words that should haunt our conscience: When  you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. (Ezekiel 33:9, NKJV).

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In many cases, believers have tried in vain to warn others but to no avail. Experiences like this can discourage us. Its easy to become emotionally and spiritually worn out. However, remembering another one of Pauls encouraging words can help us continue to stand against the surrounding flood tide of immorality: Dont be weary in well-doing for in due season you shall reap (Galatians 6:9, NKJV). As people of a thoughtful and biblical worldview, we must not back down against the seemingly maniacal and magnetic pull of moral relativism as it rapidly reaches a zenith of expression, knowing that its result will be destruction not the perverse recreation of some upside-down universe, contrary to the original design of our Creator. It would be wise to take a cue from our Catholic brothers and sisters, remembering the insightful words of American writer, poet, and essayist Suzy Kassem: Strong people stand up for themselves. Stronger people stand up for others. Years from now, we will want to have left an invisible time capsule for future generations that believers of this current culture didnt capitulate to the times we were living in but boldly and clearly articulated an opposing, scriptural view in the face any and all who might truly listen or, as in some cases, the vitriol of maddening crowds.



Despite the accurate observation that many of us have of living in a similar time as the Israelites in the period of the judges where everybody did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25), we must be patient and allow God to work out His agenda while still standing strong against unreasonable, unethical and untenable immoral progressivism. It is difficult to be sure but necessary. Let love and patience prevail with those who wish to vouchsafe their comfort away from the inevitable and rapidly disintegrating moral fabric of our culture. In her bestseller series Newsflash, author Mira Grant (Seanan McGuire) writes ... to those who would choose safety of inaction over the danger of taking a stand, I have this to say, You bloody cowards. May you have the world that you deserve. It would be all too easy to say a hearty Amen! and yell a few cheers with Grant but we must be patient, remembering the character of our Lord who is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Home News Afghan migrant on terror watchlist released into US by border agents

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has denied that border agents knowingly released an Afghan migrant on the national terrorist watchlist into the United States, saying it could not initially corroborate the man's identity before he was released.

Agents initially apprehended 48-year-old Mohammad Kharwin in March 2023 after he crossed the US-Mexico border illegally through California. While agents for U.S. Customs and Border Protection suspected Kharwin might be the person of the same name on the terrorist watchlist managed by the FBI, they didn't have corroborating information to confirm it.

In a statement to The Christian Post, a DHS spokesperson said the department takes seriously its responsibility to ensure individuals who enter the country do not pose a threat to national security. If an individual poses a threat to national security or public safety, the spokesperson said the process includes referring that person to other federal agencies for further vetting.

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"NBC's assertion that CBP knowingly released an individual on the terrorist watchlist is inaccurate and entirely inconsistent with our practice at the border," the DHS spokesperson told CP.

As NBC News reported last week, Kharwin was arrested last month but released again by an immigration judge who was not told the man is on the FBI's terrorist watchlist as a member of the Hezb-e-Islami terror group. The judge ordered Kharwin released on bond, and the man paid the $12,000 bond on March 30.

Customs and Border Protection released the man last year after collecting his biometric data, NBC News notes, but the agency did not inform ICE about the Afghan national's potential match to a name on the terror watchlist. The report said Kharwin was referred to ICE's Alternatives to Detention Program, allowed to fly domestically and apply for asylum and work authorization.

According to the National Counterterrorism Center, Hezb-e-Islami is a political and paramilitary organization founded in the late 1970s by former Afghan Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Hezb-e-Islami is a "virulently anti-Western insurgent group" that sought to replace the "Western-backed" Afghan government with an "Islamic state rooted in sharia."

"At the time of the initial encounter, the information in the record could not have provided a conclusive match. As soon as there was information to suggest that this individual was of concern, he was taken into custody by ICE," the DHS spokesperson said. "Law enforcement has been tracking the matter closely to protect against public safety risks. The individual is currently in U.S. custody."

According to the spokesperson, vetting is a "point-in-time check that evaluates information available to the U.S. Government at that time."

"If individuals who have entered the country are later found to be associated with information indicating a potential national security or public safety concern, DHS and our federal partners have procedures in place to investigate and take appropriate action in keeping with the mission of protecting the homeland," the spokesperson continued.

Reports of Kharwin entering the U.S. come not long after FBI Director Christopher Wray warned the House Select Intelligence Committee of an increase in the number of known or suspected terrorists using fake identification after crossing the southern border.

During his testimony in March, Wray said the FBI had seen an increase within the last five years of known or suspected terrorists attempting to cross the southern border.

"There are a few different categories of people that we have concerns about," Wray said. "When a known or suspected terrorist, as in known that they're a known or suspected terrorist, is apprehended at the border, I'm confident in the vast majority of instances there's very close lash-up between FBI and DHS (Department of Homeland Security) on it.

"The bigger concern is a situation, for example, where somebody presents fake identification documents at the border and there's not biometrics to match up  so there's no way to be able to know that they're not who they say they are. Then, they get into the country; then somehow we find out that they're someone in fact who's on the list."

Last month, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended a man trying to illegally cross the border near El Paso, Texas, who claimed he was a member of the terror group Hezbollah.

Basel Bassel Ebbadi, 22, stated in a sworn affidavit that he trained with Hezbollah for seven years and served four more as a guard for weapons locations.

According to documents shared last month by The New York Post, Ebbadi said that he was in the U.S. because he wanted to "try to make a bomb." At one point during an interview with officials, the migrant claimed he fled Lebanon to escape Hezbollah, saying that he "didn't want to kill people" and "once you're in, you can never get out."

Data from U.S. CBP shows that border patrol encountered 159 people within the Terrorist Screening Data Set at land border ports of entry so far in 2024. For the year 2023, the number was 564, compared to 380 in 2022. The number of encounters in 2021 was 157.
Home News Catholics who accept all of the church's teachings are most likely to vote for Trump: poll

Catholic support for President Donald Trump has increased but theres a disconnect between Catholics who agree with all of the Churchs teachings and those who dont.

The Eternal Word Television Network and RealClear Opinion Research released the survey of over 1,521 registered self-identified Catholic and former Catholic voters Monday.

The results show that even though Trump is still trailing Democratic candidates in head-to-head polling, one of the most prevalent predictors of whether or not a Catholic voter will vote for Trump is whether or not he or she accepts the entirety of Catholic church teachings.

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About 18 percent of the respondents said that they accept all the Churchs teachings, which conflict with Democratic Party positions on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.

Thirty-eight percent of respondents said that they accept most of the Churchs teachings, while 29 percent said they do not accept some of the key teachings. Thirteen percent said Catholicism has a minor influence on them, while 2 percent identified as former Catholics.

[The 18 percent group] is the one that has opinions that are distinct from essentially the other 80 percent who indicate that their religion plays a less integral role in their lives, John Della Volpe, the director of polling at RealClear Opinion Research, said on a conference call with reporters.

While the majority of Catholics surveyed (53 percent) said they disapprove of the job Trump is doing as president, 59 percent of Catholics who say they accept all the Churchs teachings indicate that they are sure they will vote to reelect Trump in 2020. As well, 8 percent of devout Catholics said there is a very good chance they will vote to reflect Trump.

So thats 67 percent [of devout Catholics who] say they are sure to reelect him or there is a very good chance they will, Volpe said. This is a core group of that 18 percent. In addition to that, they are more likely to follow the news and they are much more likely than the other Catholics to indicate that they never miss an election. Seventy-five percent indicate that they vote in almost every federal election.

By comparison, 34 percent of the 1,521 total respondents said they are sure to vote for Trump in 2020 and 12 percent said there is a good chance theyll vote for him in 2020. Thirty-six percent of all respondents said they will never vote for Trump, while 10 percent said it is unlikely theyll vote to reelect the president.

About 8 percent of all respondents said that it is possible they will vote for Trump in 2020.

The poll is the second in a series of four polls on Catholic political and theological opinions during the 2020 election cycle to be conducted, the first of which was released in December. The respondents were surveyed online between Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 and the results have an error margin of 2.77 percent.

Trumps job approval rating among Catholics of 47 percent is in line with the national average, Volpe explained. In the December polling, Trumps job approval among Catholics was at 44 percent.

Historically, if the Catholic vote is evenly divided, you're looking at a close election, Real Clear Politics Washington Bureau Chief Carl Cannon said. It happened last time. The job approval rating in social sciences is the gold standard because the question has been asked the same [way] starting with George Gallup in the 1930s.  It's not always been a predictor of reelection. But with this president, it kind of feels like it is.

Volpe said that the 18 percent group of respondents who accept all the Churchs teachings is unique for different reasons.

One, he said, is they include more people of color (41 percent Hispanic), with nearly half of the demographic being white. He added that there are slightly more females (52 percent) in the group than males. Nearly one-third of the respondent group is below the age of 45.

Volpe said that 72 percent of those who say they accept the Catholic Churchs teachings attend mass at least once per week and 92 percent say they pray at least once per week.

Additionally, at least half of the Catholics who accept all the Churchs teachings are Republican and 38 percent are Democrats.

As for the less devout Catholics, about 30 percent consider themselves Republican.

Among Democratic Catholics, former Vice President Joe Biden, the only Catholic in the primary, seems to have a slight edge over his competitors.

Twenty-nine percent of respondents who said they are likely to cast a Democrat primary ballot said they are likely to vote for Biden and 24 percent said they are likely to vote for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Seventeen percent said they would likely vote for former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and 10 percent indicated support for Massachusets Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

I want to note that when we think about the upcoming primary on a national basis, we see the race at the top level unchanged since the last wave was polled, Volpe said.

The poll also questioned respondents about their opinions on various political issues.



A major issue for Catholics over the years has been abortion, as Catholics have led the pro-life movement over the decades through events like the annual March for Life.

On abortion, 47 percent of all respondents said that they think abortion is intrinsically evil, while 71 percent who say they accept all the Churchs teachings said the same.

Twenty percent of all respondents surveyed said they think abortion should always be legal (20 percent). Thirty-one percent of respondents said they think abortion should be legal but want limits on late-term abortion. Thirty-three percent said they think abortion should be illegal except in cases of rape, incest or to save a mothers life. Eleven percent said they think abortion should always be illegal.

Among the 18 percent of Catholics who say they accept all the Churchs teachings, 23 percent said they think abortion should always be illegal and 32 percent said that it should be illegal except in the cases for rape, incest or to save a mothers life. Twenty-seven percent of devout Catholics think abortion should always be legal.

What it tells me is that even the most devout Catholics, they take the separation of church and state pretty seriously, Cannon said. They don't always just go with what their faith says. That doesn't mean they do it in their own lives. But they think they grant some space to the political sphere to work out these issues.

Catholics are divided when it comes to whether or not Christian business owners should have the right not to provide services for a same-sex wedding.

While 45 percent of all respondents said they think business owners should have that right, 40 percent said business owners should be required to provide services for same-sex weddings. Fourteen percent said they did not know.

About 55 percent of all respondents said they think that transgender individuals use of public restrooms should be consistent with biological sex. Meanwhile, 30 percent believe transgender individuals should be allowed to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.
Home News Episcopal bishops oppose seminary's lease agreement with Catholic choral group over LGBT stance

Episcopal Church bishops have objected to a New York-based seminary possibly allowing a Catholic choral group to lease space on its property because of the reported theologically conservative views of one of its donors.

Seven bishops with the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island and the Episcopal Diocese of New York released a statement objecting to The General Theological Seminary reaching a lease agreement with the School of Sacred Music.

GTS, founded in 1817 and currently based in New York City, became affiliated with the Virginia Theological Seminary due to financial issues in 2022.

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The dioceses emailed a copy of the statement to The Christian Post this week in which the bishops said they oppose the lease arrangement between the seminary and SSM.

We are concerned by the lack of full acceptance of the LGBTQ stance of its founders and the lack of transparency in its funding, read the statement.

We recognize the difficult financial situation of VTS/GTS with the General Seminary campus. We are also making difficult decisions about the future use of sacred spaces. Its important to make decisions that align with our mission and values. Human dignity is not negotiable.

Signatories of the letter include New York Bishop Matthew Heyd, New York Bishop Suffragan Allen K. Shin, New York Bishop Assistant Mary D. Glasspool, Long Island Bishop Lawrence Provenzano, Long Island Assistant Bishop Geralyn Wolf, Long Island Assisting Bishop Daniel Allotey and Long Island Assisting Bishop R. William Franklin.

According to the Episcopal News Service report, SSM is a group of lay Roman Catholics and a subsidiary of the Ithuriel Fund, a nonprofit with over $75 million in assets.

One of the major donors is Colin Moran, chairman and president of the Institute on Religion and Public Life, which publishes the theologically conservative magazine and website First Things.

The Christian Post reached out to the School of Sacred Music for this story. The organization did not return comment by press time.

Nicky Burridge, spokesperson for VTS, told CP that SSM has a short-term rental agreement with the New York-based seminary that began last year.

Any arrangement with SSM will be a commercial agreement, not a partnership or an affiliation, explained Burridge, adding that the negotiations remain ongoing.

Burridge provided a statement from GTS President the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, who also serves as dean and president of VTS, who noted that the parties involved understand the concerns of the Bishops and we share their commitment to inclusivity.

We have met with them to reassure them that we are confident about the due diligence we have conducted, stated Markham. The SSM is committed to a spirit of ecumenism and inclusion of all people. Even so, safeguards to ensure the Close remains a welcoming space to LGBTQIA+ persons will be included in any agreement with the SSM.

According to a statement released last month by Markham, GTS had $7 million in operating expenses for fiscal year 2023 but only $4.3 million in annual income.
The possibility is open for talks between President Yoon Suk Yeol and opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, the presidential office said Tuesday, following the ruling People Power Party's defeat in last week's parliamentary elections.

Yoon has not met one-on-one with Lee, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), since taking office aside from brief encounters at official events. Lee has called again for talks with Yoon after his party won a resounding victory in last week's general elections.

"Everything is open," a senior presidential official told reporters when asked about Lee's call for talks with Yoon. "President Yoon said there is nothing he cannot do for the people. I think the answer is in that" remark, the official said.

However, the official emphasized the need to consider the time required for both parties to prepare for talks, especially with the new National Assembly taking office in May.

Yoon could possibly hold one-on-one talks with Lee, but there is a greater likelihood of Yoon meeting with leaders of both the ruling party and other opposition parties. (Yonhap)
Home News Iran's attack on Israel did not deter Christians from visiting holy sites

Christian pilgrims and tourists continued to visit Holy sites this weekend despite the Iranian regime's aerial assault against Israel, an attack that has heightened fears about existing regional tensions.

Over the weekend, Iran launched around 300 missiles and drones, including ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. According to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the attack was retaliation for Israel allegedly striking its consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month, which resulted in the deaths of two high-ranking officers.

Israel's defense system successfully intercepted the threats, with allies like the United States, Jordan and the United Kingdom coming to its aid.

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As Breitbart reporter Joel B. Pollack noted Sunday, the lines were a little shorter this weekend but still long at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, which is believed to be the place of Jesus' crucifixion and tomb.

Christian pilgrims also visited the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, under the control of the Palestinian Authority.

"Christians have been subjected to social and political pressure in Bethlehem as they have become a minority, relative to Muslims, and they have suffered from the Palestinian Authority's policies as well," Pollack wrote. "However, neither that history nor the ongoing threat of terror kept pilgrims and tourists from visiting this weekend."

Some Muslim tourists from places like Turkey or neighboring Palestinian areas also visited Bethlehem and its holy sites, according to Pollack.

According to Catholic Answers, Muslims also revere the Virgin Mary as the Quran praises her purity and the fact that God chose her above all women.

The Jewish Virtual Library also highlights Bethlehem as "biblically important" to all three Abrahamic religions.

On Sunday, Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Major Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, told Iranian state TV that Iran would carry out a larger attack if Israel retaliated and threatened to attack U.S. bases if the U.S. supports any Israeli attack, The Times of Israel reports.

U.S. officials familiar with the matter told CNN that President Joe Biden and his national security team have said the U.S. will not take offensive action against Iran.

Biden reportedly told Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu during a phone call Saturday that he should consider it a "win" that Israel intercepted Iran's attack. According to a senior U.S. military official, the U.S. determined that there was "no significant damage within Israel itself."

On Saturday, the White House released a statement in which the president called Iran's attack "unprecedented." Biden also "condemn[ed] these attacks in the strongest possible terms."

"Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran's brazen attack," the president said. "My team will engage with their counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close touch with Israel's leaders. And while we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people."

The following day, G7 leaders issued a statement condemning Iran's attack against Israel while expressing its commitment to defending the security of the Jewish state. The intergovernmental forum also warned that Iran's actions risk "provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation," an outcome G7 leaders expressed a desire to avoid.

"We will continue to work to stabilize the situation and avoid further escalation. In this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, and we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives," the leaders stated.

The statement also pledged to keep working toward an "immediate and sustainable ceasefire" and the release of individuals still held hostage by Hamas. The statement called for the delivery of "increased humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in need."

Israel has been at war with Hamas after the terror group killed at least 1,200 people and abducted over 240 during an Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israeli civilian communities.
Home News Supreme Court allows Idaho to enforce law banning sex change surgeries, puberty blockers for minors

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled 6-3 in favor of overturning a lower court ruling that temporarily blocked Idaho from enforcing a law banning surgical and hormonal gender interventions for trans-identified minors amid ongoing lawsuits.

Under Idaho's Vulnerable Child Protection Act, which Republican Gov. Brad Little signed after state lawmakers passed it last April, doctors who provide puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones and sex-change surgeries for trans-identified minors face up to 10 years in prison.

U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill, a Clinton appointee, issued a preliminary injunction in December blocking enforcement of the law to protect two anonymous teenage plaintiffs and their parents who sued over the law's constitutionality.

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After the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to stay the lower court's opinion, Idaho's Republican Attorney General Raul Labrador filed an emergency motion requesting that the U.S. Supreme Court limit Winmill's injunction to the two plaintiffs while allowing the law to take effect.

Labrador said at the time that "the state has a duty to protect and support all children" from "the devastating consequences of drugs and procedures used on children with gender dysphoria."

While the Supreme Court's decision this week did not rule on whether Idaho's state law is constitutional, Justice Neil Gorsuch warned about the precedent of judges issuing broad injunctions against laws in response to a "limited dispute" involving a few plaintiffs.

"In recent years, certain district courts across the country have not contented themselves with issuing equitable orders that redress the injuries of the plaintiffs before them, but have sought instead to govern an entire State or even the whole Nation from their courtrooms," Gorsuch wrote in an opinion that was joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

"As in so many other recent cases, the district court's universal injunction effectively transformed a limited dispute between a small number of parties focused on one feature of a law into a far more consequential referendum on the law's every provision as applied to anyone," Gorsuch added.

Gorsuch wrote that the plaintiffs "face no harm from the partial stay the State requests" and that "the district court's preliminary injunction will operate to prevent state authorities from taking any action to interfere with their ability to access the particular drug treatments they seek."

Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett also ruled in favor of allowing the law to be otherwise enforced. However, they did not express the same concerns about overbroad injunctions.

"In short, a rule limiting the scope of district court injunctions may be correct as a matter of law, even apart from its effects on this Courts emergency docket. And the result of a rule against nationwide or statewide injunctions may be to somewhat reduce the number of emergency applications involving new laws where this Court must assess likelihood of success on the merits," Kavanaugh wrote.

"But that rule would not eliminate the need for this Court to sometimes decide important emergency applications involving new laws by assessing likelihood of success on the merits."

The court's three liberal-leaning justices wrote that they would have continued to block the law. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote that it would have been preferable to allow the lawsuit to proceed "unfettered by our intervention."

"We can, and usually should, wait to provide our assessment in the ordinary course when it is our turn to do so," she wrote. "Put differently, whenever this Court must determine whether to exercise its discretionary power to intervene in pending cases on an emergency basis, I firmly believe we must proceed with both reason and restraint. Because the majority demonstrates neither today, I respectfully dissent."

Chief Justice John Roberts did not write or join an opinion.

Lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Idaho, which is representing the plaintiffs, criticized the high court's ruling as "an awful result for transgender youth and their families."

"Today's ruling allows the state to shut down the care that thousands of families rely on while sowing further confusion and disruption," they wrote. "Nonetheless, today's result only leaves us all the more determined to defeat this law in the courts entirely, making Idaho a safer state to raise every family."

Idaho is one of 23 states that have enacted bans on some or all forms of gender transition procedures for minors. The others are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

In Arkansas, a federal judge struck down a similar restriction as unconstitutional last year, which is presently under appeal in the 8th Circuit. A similar ban in Montana is also temporarily on hold.
Home News Episcopal clergyman arrested, charged with online child solicitation

A minister at an Episcopal church in Texas has been arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor and has been suspended from his position at the church.

The Rev. Jason Myers, an associate rector at Trinity Episcopal Church of Fort Worth, was arrested on the felony charge on April 11 by authorities in Collin County.

The Rev. Robert F. Pace, the rector at Trinity Episcopal, sent a letter to the congregation on Saturday in which he detailed the situation, noting that Bishop Andy Doyle suspended Jasons ministry under the Title IV clergy disciplinary canons of the Episcopal Church.

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This means that Jason is not permitted to function as an Episcopal priest in any way for the duration of the investigation and legal proceedings now underway, wrote Pace.

It will not be possible for him to have contact with anyone in our congregation. Please know that he and his family will have pastoral support as the legal situation unfolds.

Pace went on to explain that while we do not have any reason to believe that anyone in our congregation or school has been harmed, there is much that we do not know or understand, and we have many questions that cannot yet be answered.

I want to assure you that we are cooperating fully with law enforcement and will share information with you as it becomes available., he continued, adding that this situation comes as a shock.

As we grieve this news and seek understanding, please join me in praying for everyone affected. We pray for all children and adults who have experienced harm. We pray for our parish family. We pray for Jasons wife and their children. Please also pray for Jason.

In recent times, there has been much debate within The Episcopal Church over how transparent it has been regarding moral complaints leveled against clergy, especially bishops.

In February, the mainline Protestant denomination launched a three-part protocol to generate more transparency regarding disciplinary cases made against clergy.

These three parts included creating a webpage for reporting alleged misconduct, another webpage that gives updates on cases, and a yearly report documenting complaints.

In a letter sent last month, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said, "experience over the past several years with Title IV matters involving Bishops has given rise to calls for more transparency in the process."

"The protocol will provide for greater transparency around Title IV processes while also appropriately protecting privacy, all in the service of encouraging the goals set out in Canon I of Title IV," wrote Curry.
Home News Man pepper sprays priest during confession at Texas church

A Catholic Church in Texas is suspending confessions indefinitely after a priest was doused with pepper spray while administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation to the public.

St. Marys Catholic Cathedral in Amarillo, Texas, announced on its Facebook page on April 10 that this evening someone dealing with mental health issues pepper sprayed Fr. Tony while he was hearing confessions. The post, written by the churchs pastor, the Rev. Tony Neusch, stressed that he was okay and did not require medical attention.

He added, We will suspend confessions, except by appointment, until security cameras can be installed in the Chapel.

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The priest expressed regret for any inconvenience this may cause, adding, the safety of our confessors and those wanting to receive the Sacrament needs to be preserved.

Neusch did not provide an estimate for when the installation of security cameras would be complete or when regularly scheduled confessions would resume.

The Facebook post noted that police have been informed and will be investigating but did not provide further details, such as whether the assailant was a parishioner. Besides stating that the perpetrator had mental health issues, the church did not elaborate on the motivation behind the assault. The incident at St. Marys last week comes at a time when Catholic churches have found themselves subject to violence and vandalism.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also referred to as penance, is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It involves practicing Catholics confessing their sins to a priest, who then absolves them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The practice of confession varies from church to church. In some cases, the penitent faces the priest directly in the same room. In other cases, the sacrament takes place in a booth referred to as a confessional where the priest and penitent sit on opposite sides of a wall and do not face each other directly.

Churches typically set aside at least one time window every week where the public can receive confessions. In the case of St. Marys in Amarillo, confessions are usually held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, meaning that the assault against Neusch took place during regularly scheduled confession times. Additionally, confessions are often available by appointment at the request of parishioners.

Catholics are required to go to confession before receiving communion if they have committed a mortal sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a mortal sin as an act that results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. The Catechism states that if a mortal sin is not redeemed by repentance and Gods forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christs kingdom and the eternal death of hell.
Knife attack on bishop was 'act of terrorism'

Australian security chiefs have declared Monday's attack on a bishop in Sydney an act of terrorism.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, of the Assyrian Orthodox Church, was stabbed in his upper body and head during a livestream of a sermon at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in the Wakeley area of the city.

The bishop has undergone surgery on his injuries. A priest, Father Isaac Royel, and two others were injured as they tried to stop the attacker.

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the attack.

Tensions flared when large crowds gathered outside Christ the Good Shepherd Church to protest the attack, some clashing with police.

This has prompted New South Wales premier Chris Minns to deploy thousands of police officers to religious organisations ''in order to avoid retaliation or tit-for-tat violence".

On Tuesday, the NSW government convened a meeting with faith leaders from across Sydney's religious communities who were invited to sign a statement calling for peace and calm.

Lyle Shelton, evangelical leader and National Director of the Family First Party, said, "The knife attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in Western Sydney last night was shocking and hard to bear, particularly after the Bondi Junction massacre at the weekend.

"All such violence is truly evil. While anger and high emotions at the brazen attack on the Bishop is understandable, it was disappointing to see violence deployed by some. Violence is not the way and targeting and injuring police is reprehensible.

"Premier Chris Minns' calls for calm must be heeded."

Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher called the attack "shocking" and said it "has caused distress to many in the community".

That the attack took place on a religious leader during a service inside a church "has been especially confronting", he said, but he also condemned the subsequent violent protests.

"The images of the violence that subsequently occurred outside the church are also confronting," the Archbishop said.

He added, "I urge the faithful to not respond to these events with fear, avoiding places of worship because they are worried about further attacks, nor with anger, engaging in acts of reprisal or revenge. The best response to violence and fear is prayer and peace."
Number of Catholic priests worldwide has declined

(CP) While the number of Catholics worldwide slightly increased from 2021 to 2022, new statistics show that the number of priests continues to decline.

The Vatican released the 2024 Pontifical Yearbook and the 2022 Statistical Yearbook of the Church earlier this month. Edited by the Vatican Secretariat of State's Central Statistical Office, the publications are being distributed in bookstores and published by the Vatican Printing Press.

The publications highlight "statistical data to assess the main trends affecting the evolution of the Catholic Church worldwide," reports Vatican News.

The latest edition of the Statistical Yearbook shows the number of baptized Catholics in the world increased from 1.376 billion in 2021 to 1.39 billion in 2022, which amounted to an increase of 1.0%.

Africa saw the highest rate of increase in the number of Catholics (3%), followed by the Americas (0.9%) and Asia (0.6%). The number of Catholics in Europe remained relatively stable at 286 million, while Oceania "reported stability" as well.

The number of priests worldwide registered a very small decrease between 2021 and 2022. While there were 407,872 priests in 2021, that number dropped to 407,730 a year later.

Even as the number of priests declined worldwide, increases were reported in Africa (3.2%) and Asia (1.6%). On the other hand, the number of priests decreased by 1.7% in Europe and 1.5% in Oceania. The number of priests in the Americas remained "almost stationary."

As the number of priests declined, permanent deacons increased from 2021 to 2022. While deacons can take on some administrative roles within a church and give homilies, they cannot preside over mass.

Worldwide, deacons increased by 2% from 49,176 in 2021 to 50,150 in 2022. In Africa, Asia and Oceania, the number rose by 1.1% from 2021 to 2022, reaching a total of 1,380 in 2022. In the Americas and Europe, permanent deacons saw respective increases of 2.1% and 1.7%.

The Vatican's statistics also examined the number of non-priest professed religious men. In 2022, 49,414 religious men held such positions, a decrease from the 49,774 recorded in 2021.

"The decline was attributable, in order of importance, to the European, African, and Oceanian continents," the Vatican News report stated. "In Asia, on the other hand, religious men increased considerably, and to a lesser extent in the Americas."

The number of religious women in the Catholic Church dropped by 1.6% from 608,958 in 2021 to 599,228 in 2022. While religious women increased by 1.7% in Africa and 0.1% in Southeast Asia, the number of professed religious sisters dropped in South and Central America (2.5%), North America (3%), Europe (3.5%) and Oceania (3.6%).

Looking to the future, the number of seminarians studying to become priests declined by 1.3% from 2021 through 2022. Although seminarians increased by 2.1% in Africa and 1.3% in Oceania, the other regions in the world saw a decrease in the number of men seeking to join the priesthood. A drop in vocations was recorded in Europe (6%), the Americas (3.2%) and Asia (1.2%).

 The Christian Post
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Yoon must cooperate with majority opposition

When President Yoon Suk Yeol opted to address the ruling party's general election rout during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, his choice of format spoke volumes, raising concerns about the significance placed on presentation over substance.

Speaking at the start of the meeting that was aired live, Yoon said, "I will humbly accept the public's sentiment expressed through the general elections." Acknowledging criticism of his unilateral communication style, he added, "With a more humble stance and greater flexibility, I will engage in deeper communication and attentively listen to public sentiment." Regarding calls for him to cooperate with the large opposition bloc, he emphasized, "We must foster close collaboration with the National Assembly. It's imperative that we provide comprehensive explanations and engage in effective communication within the National Assembly."

The April 10 general elections awarded the ruling People Power Party (PPP) 108 seats, while the opposition bloc secured 192 seats out of the total 300-seat National Assembly. This outcome demands a thorough retrospective analysis of the ruling bloc's performance over the past two years and necessitates the courage to engage with the formidable opposition bloc. However, the message, both in its content and format, raises questions about whether the president recognizes that "the buck stops" with him, in terms of being held accountable for election results, given his unilateral and uncommunicative governance style. The presidential office later added that Yoon apologized in person, saying that "I, as the president, am at fault first," in an undisclosed portion of the meeting.

The election data offers valuable insights for the president. In the general elections, the PPP suffered a defeat to the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) by 5.4 percentage points in terms of contested votes earned. Considering that the president won by a margin of just 0.73 percentage point in the 2022 presidential election against the DPK's Lee Jae-myung, it marks a difference. While the deterioration in the public's livelihood is undeniably a significant source of voter discontent, the president must delve deeper into this dissatisfaction. It's crucial for him to recognize that people are yearning for greater fairness and inclusiveness in his pursuit of rightful objectives.

The president's commitment to prioritize improving the livelihood of the public is undoubtedly commendable. However, the approach he has taken to achieve that goal has been fraught with issues. While he has emphasized his pursuit of a path aligned with national interests, he himself acknowledges that these efforts have fallen short of people's expectations. There's a palpable sentiment that the changes enacted have not been sufficiently felt by the populace.

If Yoon wants his labor, education, pension and health care reforms to become the pillars of his presidential legacy, he must reconsider his approach to how he works and communicates. The 192-seat opposition bloc, which includes not only the DPK but also the New Reform Party led by Lee Jun-seok, a former PPP leader, and the Rebuilding Korea Party led by former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, stands in clear opposition to the ruling bloc. Yoon must prioritize engaging with those who hold different views. Relying on presidential vetoes and persistently refusing to meet with the main opposition party leader or hold press conferences will not be a sustainable strategy.

Indeed, a cooperative political environment could begin with the president meeting the leader of the DPK, who has recently renewed the offer for talks following the election. Despite the years-long calls for discussions to enhance the public's livelihood, there has been no response from the president, highlighting a missed opportunity for constructive dialogue.

We hope the presidential office and the government will develop more innovative and collaborative ways to cooperate with the opposition bloc in the days ahead. While challenges persist, there remains ample opportunity for improvement and the shaping of better governance and policies. The chief executive must think creatively, beginning with the upcoming reshuffle of presidential aides and the appointment of a new prime minister, by selecting those from the opposition if needed. This approach could signal a willingness to bridge divides and foster unity for the collective benefit of the nation.




























Aboneaza-te la rubricile dorite si primeste zilnic notificari pe email cu link-uri la articolele care au fost adaugate in ultimele 24 de ore. Notificarile vor fi expediate la adresa indicata mai jos. Daca doresti sa schimbi adresa - o poti modifica editand informatia de profil aici.
Consimtamantul pentru Antecedente / Verificare de lichidare

Eu, confirm ca am aplicat la Secretariatul de Pre-Verificare / Verificare a Procurorilor si recunosc ca candidatura mea este supusa unei verificari de antecedente / de validare efectuata de Centrul National Anticoruptie (CNA) din Moldova. Furnizarea datelor mele personale, copia pasaportului meu, CV-ul si semnatura de mai jos servesc drept consimtamant pentru ca datele mele personale sa fie verificate de catre CNA pentru a finaliza verificarea antecedentelor/autorizatiei necesare.

Inteleg ca rezultatele verificarii antecedentelor/autorizatiei mele vor fi transmise catre Dexis Consulting Group ca autoritate de angajare si contractare pentru postul la care am aplicat.

De asemenea, confirm ca urmatoarele sunt atasate aici ca parte a transmiterii mele:

__XX_ Copie pe fata si spatele pasaportului meu

__XX_ CV-ul actual care arata toate angajarile si studiile anterioare.
Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund logo

A charity which has had Prince Harry and Prince William as joint patrons since 2009, is set to close.

Set up in 2007 to fight poverty in Uganda, the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund is closing due to its key trustees deciding the time was right.

Claire van Straubenzee, co-founder of the charity, told Civil Society: The decision has not been taken lightly and in no way is the result of any financial difficulties.

The key trustees will be over 70 years of age by the end of 2024 and feel that the time is right to close.

Princes support invaluable

The van Straubenzee family set up the charity in 2007, in memory of their middle son, to fight poverty in Uganda through education.

It started with a one-off donation of 3,000 to the Ugandan school where Henry van Straubenzee was to have taught during his gap year.

Since January 2009, the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex have been patrons, and the charity states their support has been invaluable to the charity, with both princes supporting the fundraising efforts and profile of the charity.

Data for the financial year ending 31 December 2022, filed with the Charity Commission, puts its total income at 147,000 and total expenditure at 208,000.

Following King Charless accession, the royal household is conducting a review of royal patronage.

The review will cover the organisations of which Queen Elizabeth II was patron and those organisations to which the king and the Queen Consort were connected through patronage or presidency as the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
By bank_jay / Adobe

Charity regulators have said they are assessing concerns raised about three recently-registered charities that have referred to witchcraft, black magic and exorcism practices.

This week, the National Secular Society (NSS) posted a blog claiming that the charities were stoking fear of black magic and promoting exorcism.

It referred to recently-registered East Birmingham Central Masjid, Cambridge Papers Limited and the Mountain Of Fire And Miracles Ministries Belfast.

The Charity Commission for England and Wales said it was assessing concerns about East Birmingham Central Masjid and Cambridge Papers Limited.

Meanwhile the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland said it was looking into concerns at the Mountain Of Fire And Miracles Ministries Belfast.

Charity warns of menace of black magic

East Birmingham Central Masjid has a section on its website that claims the menace of black magic has grown disturbingly widespread in our society.

To combat it, it refers to its ruqyah service, which is an Islamic form of exorcism that claims to expel demons (known as jinn) from an individual.

It strives to protect our Muslim brothers and sisters from the snares of sorcerers and magicians, the website reads.

On its website, the charity writes that it aims to illuminate the perilous indicators and symptoms of black magic, the evil eye, and jinn possession.

The charity did not respond to Civil Societys request for comment.

Increasing witchery in our society

The NSS also raised concerns over the website of Cambridge Papers Limited, which has recently been registered as a charity.

It raised issues with an article on the charitys website that says witchcraft is real and we need to beware of increasing witchery in our society.

Written in 2010 by Jonathon Burnside, a professor of biblical law at the University of Bristol, it says: I use the generic term witchcraft loosely in this paper to refer to engagement with the spirit world in ways that, in practice, ignore Gods reality.

NSS also raised concerns over another article on the Christian charitys website, written in 2012 by professor of law at the University of Bristol Julian Rivers, titled the case for caution and regarding the plans to legalise same-sex marriage.

The paper argues it risks breaking the connections between marriage, childbearing and kinship and children becoming the ultimate accessories which are subject to their parents agendas.

A spokesperson from Cambridge Papers Limited told Civil Society: "The Cambridge Paper mentioned by the National Secular Society encourages people to avoid involvement in witchcraft and says that 'God has made us in his image  [and] wants us to enjoy and express our spiritual lives in ways that are creative and which enhance our humanity.

A Charity Commission spokesperson said: We are aware of concerns raised in the media about East Birmingham Central Masjid and Cambridge Papers Limited and are assessing the information available to us.

This will determine if there is a role for the Commission, and any next steps.

Belfast charity still being assessed

NSS also repeated its concerns about the Mountain Of Fire And Miracles Ministries Belfast, which had shared a social media post from a sermon that listed five kinds of witches or familiar spirits.

Last July, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland confirmed it was looking into allegations that the Christian charity had shared content about witches on Facebook.

The regulator said it could not provide any more information while the case is ongoing, as it would not want to prejudice any current or future investigations.

NSS: Enabling charities to spread harm

Campaigns officer at NSS, Alejandro Sanchez, said: Charities are meant to benefit the public. But promoting the idea that some people can be witches or possessed by evil spirits can lead to extreme harm to children and vulnerable adults.

Its yet another example of the advancement of religion enabling charities to spread harm. This charitable purpose must be urgently reviewed.

No charity, religious or otherwise, should be allowed to promote ideology which fuels spiritual abuse.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
The lawyers who negotiated a $600 million settlement with Norfolk Southern over that railroads disastrous 2023 derailment in Ohio want residents to talk with them before deciding the historic deal isnt enough.

They said Wednesday that the settlement for everyone within 20 miles (32 kilometers) of the East Palestine disaster is bigger than any derailment settlement ever made public, including the worst in recent memory when a crude oil train rolled out of control downhill, killing 47 people in Lac Megantic, Canada, in 2013.

Apocalyptic images from the derailment in the small town on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border inspired calls for railroad safety reforms and exposed lasting fears for the community. Three days after a toxic mix of chemicals caught fire in the crash, officials unleashed a massive plume of black smoke over East Palestine when they blew open five tank cars of vinyl chloride and burned the chemicals because they feared an explosion.

On Wednesday, the lawyers moved to address residents fears that the settlement wasnt enough, saying compensation would vary based on the severity of the derailments impact on each person. Several residents said after the settlement was announced Tuesday that they worried the money, once divided among many, wouldnt be enough to cover potential future health care costs should they develop cancer later.

This is not like your AT&T settlement where everybody gets two bucks. No, this is very individualized with respect to how close people were to the impact area, what their current situation is, whether they own, whether they rent  all sorts of criteria, said Jayne Conroy, one of the lead attorneys with Simmons Hanly Conroy.

That formula dictating how much each person receives is still being written, they said. And a federal judge would have to grant the deal preliminary approval before those awards could be calculated.

The deal does include a provision to compensate people for person injuries. Accepting that money would preclude a future claim over cancer or some other horrible illness that might develop, but area residents can decline the health money and still receive a payment for property damage.

Mike Morgan, one of the other lead attorneys in the case with Morgan & Morgan, said this settlement wasnt really designed to compensate for crippling health problems that might emerge later. But he said none of the experts consulted during the litigation expect this derailment to lead to a huge cancer clusters even with all the chemicals that spilled and caught fire  or even the vinyl chloride intentionally released and burned three days later to prevent five tank cars from exploding.

Morgan said its important to remember that this lawsuit wasnt about the massive cleanup costs that the railroad has already spent more than $1.1 billion on. There are separate lawsuits filed by the state and federal governments to address that.

Gas station owner Anna Doss said shes optimistic that this settlement will help the town move forward though shes awaiting specifics of how the money will be divided up. Like many others in town, Doss is ready to try to put the derailment behind her although her business is struggling. She lost one quarter of her sales last year, and now her retirement plan is up in the air because her niece who had planned to buy the businesses moved away to Florida.

We just pray that things go well and that everything that has been done is going to work to build a better community, Doss said.

Of course no one in East Palestine is immune from the fears that the derailment could lead to major health problems years from now. Tammy Tsai choked up when she said her and her husband had decided to cash out their retirements to move away, fearful of staying in the toxic community.

Were fortunate that we have some retirements, she said. But what about the people that dont? That want to get out of here, that are sick?

The fact that the settlement includes several larger towns around East Palestine had Tsai imagining residents walking away with only small pieces of the larger figure. She worries about any sickness worsening in future years and residents having difficulties getting compensated then.

She felt the settlement only benefited Norfolk Southern, and would hardly make a dent in their pocket.

The railroads CEO Alan Shaw acknowledged the deal would help remove some financial uncertainty for his company, but he argued during a presentation to investors Wednesday it would also be good for the town and help people recover.

This gives monetary relief to individuals and qualifying businesses that they can apply in a manner to which they choose, Shaw said. What it really does is it addresses a lot of the financial exposure that was out there for Norfolk Southern and our shareholders, and takes that tail risk out of it.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a new op-ed Wednesday that what the country really owes East Palestine  more than monetary payments  is to make railroads safer. He again urged Congress to pass a package of reforms proposed after the derailment that would set tough standards for inspections and trackside detectors while giving authorities power to impose much bigger fines.

If we get this right, their community will be known not only for the derailment that upended everyday life there, but for the lifesaving reforms that came next, Buttigieg said.

___

Former Associated Press reporter Brooke Schultz contributed to this report from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Photo: A family from Pennsylvania inspects the wreckage of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, US, on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. Three weeks after a Norfolk Southern Corp. train crashed and caught fire in East Palestine, Ohio, releasing hazardous chemicals into the air and water, the towns residents have more questions than answers. Photographer: Matthew Hatcher/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
By Ahn Ho-young

The U.S. Army issued a white paper titled "Army Force Structure Transformation" on Feb. 27. The transformation reflects the systemic changes in the security environment in the world and in Northeast Asia over the past two decades. At the same time, the transformation is to have a significant impact on the security cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the United States. Let me highlight some outstanding points in the white paper.

The report repeatedly emphasizes that the transformation is called for so that the U.S. can effectively conduct large-scale combat against technologically advanced military powers. After the end of the Cold War, in particular, after Sept. 11 when the U.S. fought wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. Army's structure has been transformed to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations more effectively. Today, in the U.S.'s assessment, more imminent threats to national security are posed by technologically advanced military powers. Now, the U.S. Army's structure must be refocused on conducting large-scale combat operations.

The report then lists and elaborates the transformations the U.S. Army intends to make. One of the most significant new structural additions is to complete the buildout of the Army's Multi-Domain Task Forces (MDTFs). The U.S. military has long recognized the necessity of multi domain operations in view of the fact that the spatial scope of modern warfare surpasses land, sea and air and extends to cyberspace and space. The U.S. launched its Cyber Command in 2010 and re-launched its Space Command in 2019.

The MDTFs are being formed at the brigade level and optimized to effectively fight modern warfare. They will consist of, among others, a multi-domain effects battalion, a long-range fire battalion and an indirect fire protection capability (IFPC) battalion.

These battalions will work to conduct intelligence gathering and synchronization, deliver non-kinetic space and cyber effects to shape operations, and deliver long-range firing in support of joint force maneuvers. The long-range weapons will range from the M142 HIMARS with a range of 500 kilometers to hypersonic missiles with more than 2,500-kilometer range. The IFPC battalion will provide mobile, ground-based protection to defeat cruise missiles, unmanned aircraft systems, rockets, artillery and mortars. The importance of IFPC capability became all the more apparent in the wake of the Ukrainian war.

Three task forces will be assigned to the U.S. Army Pacific. One will be assigned to the U.S. Army Europe-Africa, and another will likely focus on the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Significant investments in the force structure supporting multi-domain effects, long-range fire and indirect fire protection capability in particular will be made at the corps and division levels as well.

What are then the implications of this transformation for security cooperation between South Korea and the U.S.? The U.S. national security strategy was changed significantly through the 2002 U.S. National Security Strategy report. That change was eventually reflected in the U.S. Global Posture Review and brought about important changes in security cooperation between South Korea and the U.S., such as the redeployment of U.S. troops in the South, the Yongsan Relocation Plan and the construction of Camp Humphreys, updated strategic flexibility for U.S. troops stationed in South Korea and the transfer of responsibility to the South Korean military.

The U.S. national security strategy underwent another important change through the 2017 U.S. National Security Strategy report. The current U.S. Army Force Structure Transformation is conducted in line with that change. As we experienced in the early 2000s, the ongoing transformation will, in turn, impact the security cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. As an example, the white paper states the inactivation of legacy formations, including cavalry squadrons in continental U.S.-based Stryker brigade combat teams. They are, in fact, deployed in Korea on a rotational basis.

Seoul needs to heed the implications of these transformations and proactively respond to these changes. For that, Korea will have to start with a rigorous assessment of its security needs and force structure. The U.S. white paper explains that the U.S. arrived at the above decisions through such assessments using a process known as Total Army Analysis.

Over the past two decades, on top of the changes in the security environment in the world and in Northeast Asia, significant changes have taken place on the Korean Peninsula as well. With respect to North Korea's nuclear capability alone, it conducted nuclear testing no less than six times, now alleging that it succeeded in testing a hydrogen bomb. In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the cooperation between Russia and North Korea has evolved to an unprecedentedly high level, with Russia providing oil, materials and diplomatic support to North Korea, quite possibly even weapons of mass destruction technologies. In comparison with the early 2000s, these are highly ominous developments on and around the Korean peninsula. They call for Seoul's proactive response.

Ahn Ho-young is chair professor at the Kyungnam University. He served as Korean ambassador to the U.S. and vice foreign minister.
Inappropriate comments by a superior to a social worker and between other employees at the state Department of Human Services did not justify a $790,000 jury award for sexual harassment, the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled.

Fridays ruling reversed a lower courts verdict for Tracy White, a social work administrator and manager who sued the state agency in 2019, alleging a pervasive pattern of harassment and sexual conduct, the Des Moines Register reported.

Her lawsuit alleged lewd and graphic remarks by others in the office, including a superior joking about her wearing leather and whipping him; managers showing favoritism for more attractive and less assertive female employees; and a sexually charged atmosphere in which workers called women eye candy and joked about the tightness of their clothing.

White, who continued to work for the department after filing suit, testified in a 2021 trial that she suffered depression, shingles and other effects of stress related to a hostile work environment.

A jury awarded her $260,000 for past harms and $530,000 for future harm.

But the Supreme Court ruled that White failed to prove that the alleged misconduct she personally experienced was severe or pervasive enough, and that much of it involved alleged harassment of other employees, not her.

It said White heard many of the details for the first time when the jury did, and Justice Thomas Waterman wrote that well settled law prevents plaintiffs from relying on me-too evidence of which they were not aware.

Whites attorney, Paige Fiedler, said in an email to the Des Moines Register that her client remains grateful to the jurors who sided with her, and she accused the Supreme Court of a pattern of disregarding evidence and overriding juries factual findings.

When judges choose not to follow legal precedent, they normally overrule it or explain why it doesnt apply. They are not supposed to simply omit any mention of prior cases that contradict their ruling, Fiedler wrote.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Hip-hop artist Drake has been dismissed from a lawsuit over the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival in Houston in which 10 people were killed, a judge has ruled.

Drake was a special guest of rap superstar Travis Scott, who had headlined the festival. He performed with Scott at the end of the concert on Nov. 5, 2021, as the crowd surged and attendees were packed so tightly that many could not breathe or move their arms or legs. Authorities and festival organizers were trying to shut down the show.

The families of the 10 people who died during the concert, as well as hundreds who were injured, sued Drake, Scott and Live Nation  the festivals promoter  as well as dozens of other individuals and entities.

Many of those who were sued, including Drake and Scott, have asked state District Judge Kristen Hawkins to dismiss the lawsuits against them. On Wednesday, Hawkins dismissed Drake from the case in a brief order.

Lawyers for Drake, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, had argued during a court hearing April 1 in Houston that he was not involved in putting the concert together so was not liable for the deaths and injuries that had occurred.

During a deposition he gave in November in Toronto, the Canadian rapper said in the moments before he took the stage, no one told him that people in the crowd were suffering cardiac arrests or other injuries. He said when he was on stage, the crowd looked like a blur and he couldnt make out any details.

In the deposition, Drake was shown a video that the youngest victim, 9-year-old Ezra Blount, took as he sat on his fathers shoulders.

Do you see the panic in those peoples eyes? an attorney asked Drake about the video.

I do, sir, the rapper responded.

Later, when asked by an attorney for Blounts family about whether it would be important for him to hear from those who put the concert together about why Blount died, Drake said, I think I would want answers for what happened, yes.

On Monday, Hawkins dismissed seven companies and individual people who had been sued. But she denied motions to dismiss that were filed by 10 other companies and individuals, including Apple Inc., which produced a livestream of the concert, and two companies associated with Scott. Hawkins was set to hear other motions to dismiss, including one related to Scott as an individual, on Monday.

Following an investigation by Houston Police, no charges were filed against Scott. A grand jury in June declined to indict him and five other people on any criminal counts related to the deadly concert. Police Chief Troy Finner declined to say what was the overall conclusion of his agencys investigation.

In July, the police department made public its nearly 1,300-page investigative report in which festival workers highlighted problems and warned of possible deadly consequences.

Those killed, who ranged in age from 9 to 27, died from compression asphyxia, which an expert likened to being crushed by a car.

The first trial from the lawsuits is scheduled for May 6.

Some of the lawsuits have since been settled, including those filed by the families of four of the people killed during the concert. The most recent settlement related to a person who was killed was announced in court filings on Feb. 5, with lawyers for the family of 23-year-old Rodolfo Rudy Pena saying they had settled their case.

Top photo: The Astroworld main stage where Travis Scott was performing Friday evening where a surging crowd killed eight people, sits full of debris from the concert, in a parking lot at NRG Center on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Houston. ( Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP).

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Just one month after launching new service between Cleveland and Montego Bay, Jamaica, Frontier Airlines has canceled the route, starting in late June.

A spokesperson for the airline attributed the cancellation, at least in part, to the State Departments travel advisory for Jamaica, which recommends that Americans reconsider travel to the island nation.

We have been evaluating consumer demand for the Cleveland-Montego Bay service we launched in early March, particularly in light of the current U.S. Travel Advisory involving Jamaica, said Jennifer de la Cruz, senior director of corporate communications. Unfortunately, the demand has not proven sufficient to continue the route for the full summer season and the last flight will operate on June 29. We will continue to evaluate market conditions going forward.

She added that customers who are booked on canceled flights will receive a refund or credit for future travel.

The new route, which launched March 9, is the first of 13 nonstop destinations that Frontier is adding in Cleveland since opening a new crew base at Cleveland Hopkins airport last month.

Service to Montego Bay was initially scheduled to end in August, so the cancellation affects two months of flights. The route currently runs three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Frontier is also cutting new nonstop service from St. Louis to Montego Bay. Flights from Atlanta and Philadelphia to Montego Bay will remain, de la Cruz said.

The State Department in January updated its travel advisory for Jamaica, providing new information about crime and health care concerns in the country. It noted, Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.

Its unclear what effect the travel advisory has had on tourism to the country  traveler numbers for January and February are up over 2023, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board.

The load factors on the Cleveland flights  that is, the percentage of seats occupied  have been dismal on the Montego Bay route, at less than 50%.

Read more: Will this new Frontier flight from Cleveland to the Caribbean last? Enjoy it while you can

Industry observer Brett Snyder said Frontier and other low-cost airlines dont have a business model that allows new routes to develop over time.

They have to earn their keep or theyre gone, said Snyder, who follows the industry at CrankyFlier.com. They dont give them time to develop. They either work or they dont.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Hopkins declined to comment on Frontiers decision.

The carrier, based in Denver, is set to launch a total of 13 new destinations from Cleveland this spring and summer.

Daily service to New York Citys LaGuardia Airport started last week. Meanwhile, next month, Frontier will launch new service to Minneapolis, New Orleans, Austin, Salt Lake City, Pensacola, Jacksonville, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Savannah, Houston and Baltimore.

Once the summer expansion is complete, Frontier will fly to 30 destinations from Cleveland  or 29, when the Montego Bay flights have finished in June.

Read more:

5 days in Jamaica, from Negril to Montego Bay, beaches, bamboo rafting and waterfalls
By Baek Byung-yeul

Samsung Electronics has entered into a full-fledged competition with its foundry business rivals, TSMC and Intel, in the rapidly-growing AI chip market, by receiving $6.4 billion in subsidies from the U.S. government, according to the company and industry experts, Tuesday.

The anticipation heightened following an announcement from the U.S. Department of Commerce on Monday confirming a contract with Samsung to provide up to $6.4 billion in subsidies for facility investments under the CHIPS and Science Act. This development underscores Samsung's commitment to expanding its presence in the AI chip market and positions it as a formidable contender against rivals TSMC and Intel.

The massive subsidy is the third-largest grant support offered by Washington, trailing behind the $8.5 billion allocated to Intel and the $6.6 billion provided to Taiwan's TSMC.

In response, Samsung unveiled plans to construct an additional semiconductor factory adjacent to a foundry plant in Taylor, Texas, which has been under construction since 2022. This expansion will also include the establishment of packaging and R&D facilities. The investment amount is set to surge from $17 billion to $45 billion by 2030.

The subsidy and the expanded facilities in the U.S. are anticipated to bolster Samsung's ability to strengthen local production for major clients in the region, particularly in the face of fierce competition in the chip market.

Kyung Kye-hyun, semiconductor CEO of Samsung, emphasized that the company's U.S. facilities will foster closer connections with customers and partners in the region. He added that these expanded operations will play a vital role in stabilizing the chip supply chain for the U.S.

We're not simply expanding production facilities. We're actively fortifying the local semiconductor ecosystem and positioning the U.S. as a premier destination for global semiconductor manufacturing, Kyung said during an event held at Taylor on Monday announcing Samsungs chip investments.

To meet the expected surge in demand from U.S. customers, particularly for future products like AI chips, our fabs will be outfitted with cutting-edge process technologies and help bring security to the U.S. semiconductor supply chain.

Experts said Samsung's increased investments in semiconductor infrastructure in the U.S. will bolster its standing in the industry as the company strives to fortify its foundry business and broaden the availability of AI memory chips.

"The main purpose of Samsung's increased investments in the U.S. is to strengthen the foundry business at a time when TSMC is leading the business and Intel is catching up, Lee Jong-hwan, a professor at the department of system semiconductor engineering at Sangmyung University, said.

There are many fabless companies in the U.S., and due to their connectivity, the U.S. government provides many subsidy benefits, so Samsung is also making additional investments to strengthen its competitiveness in the foundry market.

The professor added that Samsung is poised to gain significant momentum in expanding its AI memory chip business, particularly in the realm of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, which are experiencing growing demand for AI services.

"The strengthening of the advanced packaging business in the U.S. is largely attributed to the packaging of HBM memory semiconductors. Recently, SK hynix also disclosed plans to invest in constructing an advanced packaging plant in the U.S., and Samsung appears to be following suit with additional investments, Lee said.

Washington passed the CHIPS Act in 2022 to incentivize semiconductor manufacturers to invest in production facilities in the U.S. The goal is to domestically produce 20 percent of the world's most advanced semiconductors by 2030.

The commerce department said that Samsung's investment would significantly contribute to the U.S.' semiconductor competitiveness and job creation.

"Samsung  the only leading-edge semiconductor company that is a leader in both advanced memory and advanced logic technologies  is expected to invest more than $40 billion in the region in the coming years, and the proposed investment would support the creation of over 20,000 jobs," the department said in a press release.

This announcement will unleash over $40 billion in investment from Samsung, and cement central Texass role as a state-of-the-art semiconductor ecosystem, creating at least 21,500 jobs and leveraging up to $40 million in CHIPS funding to train and develop the local workforce," President Joe Biden also said through the commerce department.
Korea's industry ministry said Tuesday it has discussed ways to broaden cooperation in the aviation, space and defense sectors with U.S. aviation giant Boeing.

Industrial Policy Director General Lee Seung-ryeol met Patty Chang-Chien, the vice president and general manager of Boeing Research & Technology, in Seoul to discuss bilateral cooperation, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

During the meeting, Lee expressed hope that the U.S. company continues to pay attention to technologies under development among Korean firms and Boeing so that they can be applied to aircraft.

Since 2020, Korean companies and Boeing have been collaborating on the development of a smart cabin system for civil aircraft, funded with a budget of 11.8 billion won ($8.48 million).

They have also invested 28 billion won in developing a health monitoring artificial intelligence system since 2022, which focuses on identifying irregular patterns in the operational data of airplanes.

In response, the U.S. firm said the Boeing Korea Engineering & Technology Center launched in 2019 is an example of a mutually beneficial investment, noting that the company will continue to expand research and development projects in Korea.

Lee also asked Boeing to make efforts to clinch business partnerships with more Korean firms, noting that the U.S. aviation firm has been playing a key role in the global supply chain. (Yonhap)
Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko paid a visit to HD Hyundai Construction Equipment (HCE) to explore opportunities for collaboration in rebuilding Ukraine after the war, the Korean company said Tuesday.

During his visit to HCE's global education center in Eumseong County, 84 kilometers southeast of Seoul, CEO Choi Cheol-gon and other officials had talks with the Ukrainian diplomat about strategies to supply construction equipment for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction efforts and to facilitate the training of local technicians and experts.

The meeting follows HCE's previous partnership with Ukraine's local government, during which the company donated excavators for emergency recovery operations in the country last year as part of the Seoul government's delegation to support Ukraine's reconstruction projects.

"Ensuring rapid recovery requires not only the supply of equipment but also the training of maintenance technicians," said an HCE official. "We are committed to assisting Ukraine in developing its construction industry following the post-war reconstruction phase." (Yonhap)
Artificial intelligence (AI) startup Upstage said Tuesday it has attracted about 100 billion won ($71.7 million) from investors, as it seeks to make inroads into the global generative AI market.

New investors, including state-run Korea Development Bank, KT and Mirae Asset Venture Investment, participated in the latest round of financing, Upstage said.

Existing investors, including SBVA, which was formerly known as SoftBank Ventures Asia, also joined the so-called Series B financing, Upstage said.

Upstage secured 31.6 billion won in the so-called Series A financing in 2021.

Sung Kim, co-founder and CEO of Upstage, said his company will use the funds to expand its businesses in the United States, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Last year, the Korean AI software company launched digitalization solutions for corporate documents named "Document AI" and its large language model (LLM) model "Solar" in the markets.

In the first quarter of this year, the company received 10 billion won worth of deals to deliver the Document AI and Solar solutions to its customers.

With the two rounds of financing, Upstage aims to make inroads into the global generative AI markets by exploring business opportunities with IT infrastructure companies and meeting LLM demands in multinational firms. (Yonhap)
 
TAYLOR, Texas  The Commerce Department is on track to dole out all of the $39 billion in grant money allocated under the CHIPS Act by year-end, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told CNBC on Monday.

The Commerce Department is providing the money to semiconductor companies to incentivize them to build out manufacturing production capabilities in the U.S. The Biden administration announced earlier Monday that it would be providing Samsung with up to $6.4 billion in grants to expand two chip plants in central Texas  leaving roughly $16 billion left in subsidies to be distributed before the end of 2024.

"We're on a roll. We've done three of these in the past month. We'll be doing more in the coming weeks," Raimondo said in an interview on the sidelines of Samsung's award announcement event at its Taylor facility. "I expect all of the money in the CHIPS Act will be allocated by the end of this year."

The award announcements so far have focused primarily on leading-edge chips, the most advanced type of semiconductors. Intel will receive up $8.5 billion in incentives to invest in projects in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio and Oregon, while Taiwan Semiconductor is due to receive up to $6.6 billion in grants for projects in Arizona.

Now that the biggest grants have been doled out, future award packages will focus on memory chips and investments in suppliers, wafers, and chemicals, Raimondo said.

The Samsung award announced Monday will help the company create what officials call an "advanced manufacturing ecosystem" in central Texas, where multiple steps in the chip production process will all be done on a single campus. The Taylor facility will be twice as big as Samsung's signature facility in South Korea, Raimondo said.

"It's a little city of manufacturing, and around it will come suppliers," she continued. "So when I say the whole ecosystem, it's research and development, packaging, manufacturing, job training, and all of the upstream suppliers which will make America stronger and more secure."
Senior U.S. officials discussed with Beijing officials a range of regional and global issues, including North Korea, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea during their visit to China this week, the State Department said Monday.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and National Security Council Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs Sarah Beran met with Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and Yang Tao, director general of the North American and Oceanian Affairs Department at China's foreign ministry.

Their trip to China from Sunday to Tuesday comes as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication and "responsibly" manage competition, according to the department.

"The two sides discussed a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, including the Middle East, PRC support for Russia's defense industrial base, cross-Strait issues, the South China Sea, and the DPRK," the department said in a press release.

PRC and DPRK stand for the official names of China and North Korea, the People's Republic of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, respectively.

"The United States emphasized its commitment to advancing its interests and values and those of its allies and partners," it added.

Asked to comment on Kritenbrink's trip in Beijing, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller noted that North Korea is always on the agenda during senior-level diplomatic engagements between Washington and Beijing.

"Certainly, every time that we engage with our Chinese counterparts  whether it is the secretary at his level or assistant secretary at his  one of the things that is always on the agenda is stability on the Korean Peninsula and preventing North Korea from realizing its nuclear ambitions," Miller told a press briefing.

Kritenbrink and Beran also met Taiwan Affairs Office Deputy Director Qiu Kaiming to discuss cross-Strait issues.

"The assistant secretary and senior director underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and reiterated there has been no change to the U.S. one China policy," the department said.

The Taiwan issue has been a source of tension between Washington and Beijing as China hopes for reunification with the self-governing island democracy with the U.S. opposing any unilateral change to the status quo by either side.

The U.S. officials' visit to China came after President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held phone talks early this month amid a U.S. effort to "de-risk" the bilateral relationship despite a hardening rivalry on multiple fronts, including technology, security and trade. (Yonhap)
A group of stocks are about to form a chart pattern that suggests investors are bearish: the worrisome death cross. A death cross encompasses a price chart pattern that emerges when a stock's 50-day moving average slips below its 200-day moving average. This can signal that momentum is weakening or that investors' sentiment over a particular stock is souring. Moreover, a death cross is also touted as a predictor of a forthcoming bear market pattern. Using data from FactSet to screen for stocks that are approaching a death cross, CNBC found four names, including fast-food giant McDonald's and athleisure brand Lululemon . McDonald's is once again flashing a death cross signal. Shares have slipped 10% in 2024, while analysts polled by FactSet remain optimistic, with 67% issuing either a buy or overweight rating. Average analyst price targets call for 21% upside for the stock moving forward. McDonald's has been under pressure in 2024 as tensions in the Middle East weighed on its fourth-quarter results. The company said earlier this month that it would purchase all of its franchises in Israel from local licensee Alonyal Ltd . Market sentiment toward McDonald's is somewhat sour heading into quarterly results later this month, according to Deutsche Bank analyst Lauren Silberman. However, she said concerns tied to "global strength and value leadership are overblown," and she thinks "the brand is well positioned for outperformance over time, particularly in a more challenging consumer backdrop." The analyst also lauded the company's positioning as a defensive stock in a more challenging macroeconomic environment and highlighted its favorable risk-to-reward skew. Lululemon is also nearing a death-cross chart pattern. The sportswear retailer has plummeted nearly 34% in 2024, but analyst sentiment remains high. Nearly 70% of those polled by FactSet maintain either a buy or overweight rating on Lululemon stock, and their average price targets imply about 39% upside ahead. Shares have struggled in recent months after the company issued soft guidance in March, underpinned by slowing U.S. sales and weaker demand. "While a fresh cloud of uncertainty now hangs over LULU, underlying growth dynamics for the brand appear intact, improved innovation and marketing should bolster sales expansion, at least somewhat, nearer-term, and share valuations are tracking close to historic troughs," Oppenheimer analyst Brian Nagel said in a report earlier in April. Other stocks flashing the death-cross signal on the list include telecom-focused real estate investment trusts Crown Castle and American Tower , as well as health-care tech name Teleflex .  CNBC's Nick Wells contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden announces a new plan for federal student loan relief at Madison Area Technical College Truax Campus, in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 8, 2024.

The Biden administration on Tuesday released the draft text of its new student loan forgiveness proposal, which could reduce or eliminate the balances of millions of borrowers.

The proposed rules should be formally published in the Federal Register on Wednesday and will be followed by a 30-day comment period.

"Today's announcement shows that the Biden-Harris Administration is continuing to fulfill our promises to fix a broken higher education system," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a statement.

The regulatory text comes about a week after President Joe Biden revealed the details of his Plan B for student loan forgiveness.

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The administration has been working on that do-over since the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Biden's first attempt at loan cancellation last summer.

After the U.S. Department of Education reviews comments from the public, it hopes to finalize the new rules and start canceling borrowers' debts in the fall, it said.
David Ellison, the son of Republican megadonor Larry Ellison, gave $929,600 to back the reelection efforts of President Joe Biden, putting him among the top recent donors to the incumbent Democrat.

David Ellison's donation is the largest recorded contribution that the Skydance Media CEO ever made to a federal candidate, according to Federal Election Commission records.

His contribution in February to the Biden Victory Fund is tied with other large contributors in the first quarter of 2024.

Others who gave the same amount as David Ellison in that quarter include the attorney George Conway, who is a leading critic of former President Donald Trump, and Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz.

David Ellison's donation comes as his father, Larry Ellison, the chairman of Oracle, has kept his wallet firmly shut this election cycle.

Larry Ellison, who historically has been a major Republican donor, has not made a single federal political donation so far in 2024, records show. Ellison donated more than $31 million to GOP candidates during the 2022 congressional midterms, according to data from OpenSecrets.

Charles Myers, the former vice chairman at investment bank Evercore and a Biden campaign bundler, said the donation from David Ellison to support Biden is a "very big deal," citing the donor's family ties.

"It's as impactful as if one of the Soros sons started writing huge checks to Trump," Myers told CNBC, referring to Democratic megadonor George Soros.

Biden's allies made a full-court press to recruit David Ellison, as the president's political team tries to build a campaign war chest large enough to effectively battle the presumptive Republican nominee Trump in the presidential election.

The move to gain David Ellison's support  and his big donation  was largely orchestrated by Hollywood mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter, who was granted anonymity to discuss private matters.

Katzenberg is co-chair of Biden's campaign, and his efforts to land David Ellison as a backer included arranging a meeting with Biden, the source said.

David Ellison, in December, attended a private roundtable discussion in Los Angeles featuring Biden and fewer than a dozen other attendees that included wealthy donors, the source said. That event was held at the home of Kurt Rappaport, a real estate investor and Biden donor.

Rappaport told CNBC that he invited a "small group of friends" to his home to attend the event and those in attendance were "not necessarily" all major Biden financiers, but declined to comment further.
The tower of the historic Boersen stock exchange collapses as the building is on fire in central Copenhagen, Denmark on April 16, 2024.

A fire broke out on Tuesday at Denmark's nearly 400-year-old historic stock exchange building, engulfing its iconic dragon-tail spire, which collapsed onto the roof.

The cause of the fire at one of Copenhagen's oldest buildings was not immediately clear. There were no reports of any injuries, Reuters reported, citing police.

Videos and images from the scene on Tuesday morning showed a violent fire engulfing the stock exchange building, or Boersen, which had been undergoing renovation work.

Crowds of people gathered in the Danish capital as black smoke billowed from the building and emergency services worked to tackle the blaze. Some were seen carrying large paintings in an attempt to save the artifacts from the fire.

The incident comes five years after a mammoth fire ravaged the Notre-Dame Cathedral in the French capital of Paris, which sent shockwaves across the globe on April 15, 2019.

Denmark's Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the fire as the Scandinavian country's own "Notre Dame moment."

"Terrible pictures from the Stock Exchange. So sad," Poulsen said in a post on social media platform X, according to a Google translation. "An iconic building that means a lot to all of us, I think."
Iranian soldiers take part in an annual military drill in the coast of the Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images

The containership MSC Aries seized by Iran over the weekend marked at least the sixth vessel hijacked by Iran and its proxies in response to the Israel-Gaza war, and it's adding to the challenges to longstanding freedom of navigation principles that maritime shipping relies on. Before this weekend's tanker seizure, the last vessel Iran hijacked was the St. Nikolas on January 1. According to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, that brought the total number of vessels being held to five, and over 90 crew members hostage. Previous to that, the Iranian-backed Houthis hijacked The Galaxy Leader on November 19. The latest development has shipping and energy experts bracing for a long-term timeline of uncertainty. "Iran is in this for the long haul," said Samir Madani, co-founder of Tankertrackers.com, an independent online service that tracks and reports crude oil shipments in several geographical and geopolitical points of interest. The MSC Aries was identified by Iran as having a link to Israel. The containership has a carrying capacity of 15,000-TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent containers). MSC leases the Aries from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime, which is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. MSC declined to comment directly to CNBC. In a statement released by MSC on Wednesday, it said the crew members were safe and discussions with Iranian authorities were underway to secure their earliest release and to have the cargo discharged. Madani said he does not expect a quick release. "They will hold the MSC Aries for a long period. Iran has been holding some tankers for about a year, if not longer now," he said. According to Tankertracker information, Madani said the vessel is being held in the Khuran Straits, not too far from three other tankers Iran hijacked: the Advantage Sweet, Niovi, and St. Nikolas.

A Planet Labs satellite image of the location of the MSC Aries and other tankers recently hijacked by Iran. Planet Labs PBC

As the U.S. considers more sanctions against Iran in response to its recent attack on Israel, Iran has been using the hijacked ships as a means of sanctions retaliation. "Iran has already seized the Kuwaiti oil that was onboard the Advantage Sweet and has been loaded onto their VLCC supertanker the Navarz. Iran chose to do this as a way to compensate for sanctions," Madani said. While the Niovi was empty at the time of the seizure, the St. Nikolas is filled with a million barrels of Iraqi oil. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Tuesday that the government may do more to prevent Iran's ability to export oil despite U.S. sanctions. China's purchases of Iranian oil in recent years have allowed Iran to keep a positive trade balance.

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According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, China, the world's largest importer of crude oil, imported 11.3 million barrels per day of crude oil in 2023, 10% more than in 2022. Iran ranked second in oil exports to China behind Russia. Customs data indicates that China imported 54% more crude oil (1.1 million b/d) from Malaysia in 2023 than in 2022, with industry analysts speculating that much of the oil shipped from Iran to China was relabeled as originating from countries such as Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman to avoid U.S. sanctions. The markets continues to assess the risk of further escalation in the military tensions between Israel and Iran, which could lead to a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 30% of the world's seaborne oil passes, according to JPMorgan. On Tuesday, oil edged higher amid talk of sanctions. An Iranian blockade would supercharge oil prices, but the risk is low given that the strait has never been closed off despite many threats by Tehran to do so over the past four decades, according to JPMorgan. "They can't close the Strait of Hormuz, but they can do significant damage to energy infrastructure, to vessels in the region," RBC's head of global commodity strategy and Middle East and North Africa research, Helima Croft, told CNBC on Monday, referring to Iran's capabilities. "While I can't imagine Iran would want to fill up their anchorage with vessels, they want to keep the waters in a constant state of chaos," Madani said. But with a closure, he said, "They would shoot themselves in the foot since their biggest client is China." Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, says the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would result in a spike of Brent crude oil prices to the $120 to $130 range. "This would strain ties with China and India who purchase a significant amount of Persian Gulf oil to meet much of their energy demand." Lipow also said Iran might be reluctant to shut the waterway for fear of antagonizing Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq, who depend on the strait being open for most of their oil exports. The bigger immediate fear in the oil market, he said, is that the attack by Iran on Israeli territory leading to a counterattack by Israel on Iran damaging oil-producing and exporting facilities. Kevin Book, managing director of ClearView Energy Partners, says the markets need to keep an eye on sanctions from both the US and UN potentially. In a note to clients, ClearView highlighted that the House of Representatives added several Iran sanctions bills to its calendar for consideration this week, under suspension rules, including new sanctions on Iranian oil exports to China. Book said the House was considering 11 bills in all in response to Iran's attack on Israel. "We think most if not all bills could garner (notionally) veto-proof bipartisan support," the note said. "Passage requires a two-thirds majority of all members present and voting." Israel has also asked the U.N. to reinstate multilateral sanctions lifted by the Iran nuclear deal, but for this to happen, France, Germany and the U.K., parties to the nuclear deal, would have to agree. "There are many risks unfolding. The forest is on fire," Book said.
Passengers checks their flight status in the departure terminal in Ben Gurion airport on the morning after a drone and missile attack from Iran, near Tel Aviv, Israel on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Flights to Israel are set to remain disrupted for months amid heightened tensions with Iran, while other routes may take longer as airlines skirt the volatile region.

British low-cost carrier easyJet on Tuesday said it was extending its suspension of Israel flights for the remainder of the summer season, until Oct. 27, and would refund customers due to fly.

Rival Wizz Air resumed flights to Tel Aviv on Tuesday but said that passengers may experience "schedule changes" and that it was monitoring the situation.

Dutch airline KLM canceled flights to Israel until April 21, and said it was not flying over Iran and Israel. Air India said it had temporarily suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv and its Tuesday service was listed as canceled.

Germany's Lufthansa Group said it had resumed flights to Tel Aviv, Amman, Jordan, and Irbil, Iraq, on Tuesday, but had canceled flights to Tehran, Iran, and Beirut up until Thursday. It also said it is not using Iranian airspace currently.
Motorists drive their vehicles past a billboard depicting named Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web", in Valiasr Square in central Tehran on April 15, 2024. Iran on April 14 urged Israel not to retaliate militarily to an unprecedented attack overnight, which Tehran presented as a justified response to a deadly strike on its consulate building in Damascus. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Crude oil futures held steady Tuesday as the U.S. prepares new sanctions against Iran that could target the country's oil exports in the wake of the Islamic Republic's weekend air assault against Israel.

The West Texas Intermediate contract for May delivery fell slightly by 5 cents to settle at $85.36 a barrel. The June Brent futures contract lost 8 cents to settle at $90.02 a barrel.

"Clearly, Iran is continuing to export some oil," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Tuesday. "There may be more that we could do. I don't want to preview our actual sanctions activities, but certainly that remains in focus as a possible area that we could address."

The oil market's response to Iran's attack has been muted so far, with futures closing lower Monday after Israel and the U.S. successfully repelled the assault. Fears of a wider war have also eased as the U.S. expects an Israeli response to Iran's attack to be limited in scope, four U.S. officials told NBC News.

"Tensions are high, and either party's next moves are hard to predict, but all the significant signs point toward an easing of hostilities and restraint in the short term," said Jorge Leon, senior vice president at Rystad Energy, a consulting firm.

Israel's wartime Cabinet met for several hours Monday to weigh how Israel should respond. An Israeli official told NBC News after the meeting that a response may be "imminent."
Oil prices were in a holding pattern in early Asian trading on Monday as markets awaited an OPEC+ meeting on June 2 where producers are expected to discuss maintaining voluntary output cuts for the rest of the year.

Oil prices rose on Tuesday amid heightened tensions in the Middle East after Israel's military chief said his country would respond to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack amid calls for restraint by allies.

Brent futures for June delivery rose 46 cents, or 0.5%, to $90.56 a barrel by 0005 GMT. U.S. crude futures for May delivery rose 43 cents, or 0.5%, to $85.84 a barrel.

Oil prices had ended Monday's session lower after Iran's weekend attack on Israel proved to be less damaging than anticipated, initially easing concerns of a quickly intensifying conflict that could displace crude barrels.

The attack, which Iran called retaliation for an air strike on its Damascus consulate, caused only modest damage, with missiles shot down by Israel's Iron Dome defense system.

But Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh how to react to Iran's first-ever direct attack on Israel, a government source said. That raised market concerns that retaliatory measures could impact oil supply.

Iran produces more than 3 million barrels per day of crude oil as a major producer within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC.

The benchmarks had risen on Friday in anticipation of Iran's retaliatory assault, with prices soaring to their highest since October.

In China, the world's biggest oil importer, official gross domestic product figures due on Tuesday are expected to show growth slowed to 4.6% year-on-year from 5.2% in the previous three months. That would maintain pressure on policymakers to unveil more economic stimulus measures that could boost oil prices.
Investors who are concerned they are overexposed to Nvidia could replace the name with these steady growth stocks instead, according to Trivariate Research's Adam Parker. Nvidia's earnings results next month will likely be "the most important pending data point" this earnings season, as strong guidance from the chipmaker could mean the artificial intelligence trade still has legs, Parker wrote Sunday. "If NVDA reports that demand is still robust as far as the eye can see, owning AI-exposed semiconductors remains prudent," Parker said. NVDA 1Y mountain Nvidia shares over the past year But for investors worried Nvidia could be due for a pullback, it may be time to find alternatives to the stock, Parker continued. Nvidia shares have made an eyewatering advance this year, up more than 80%, but it has dipped slightly this month amid concerns that a weakening macro could finally put a dent in the stock. "A change in financial conditions will create more volatility," Parker wrote. "For those investors who are performing well  and worried about losing the alpha they have generated YTD in a pending rotation, it is prudent to look for growth stocks with positive alpha that have a low correlation to NVDA." The strategist screened for large-cap growth stocks with either a negative or low correlation to Nvidia, as well as a positive beta-adjusted return since the beginning of 2023. A positive beta-adjusted return refers to a stock's ability to beat the market after adjusting for volatility. "For those looking to hedge their aggressive AI-semiconductor bets, this group appears prudent," Parker wrote. Here are some of the stocks. Berkshire Hathaway surfaced as a large-cap growth stock with low correlation to Nvidia that is also able to beat the market. Shares are higher by more than 12% this year. Eli Lilly came up on the screen. The pharmaceutical stock surged more than 30% this year, but some on Wall Street anticipate further expansion ahead. This month, Citi hiked its price target to $895 from $675, saying Eli Lilly can continue "riding the GLP-1 rocket." Shares closed Friday at $751.64. Charles Schwab was another large-cap growth stock with low correlation to Nvidia. Shares of the financial services company on Monday reached a fresh intraday high, suggesting the trend is to the upside for the stock. Shares are up more than 5% this year. Waste Management and Emerson Electric also surfaced on the screen.
DETROIT  Republican governors of six states on Tuesday condemned the United Auto Workers' push to organize automotive factories in the South, warning the union's efforts could lead to layoffs and fewer future investments.

The joint statement  signed by governors in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas  comes a day before Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, begin voting on whether to join the UAW.

The VW vote is part of an unprecedented labor organizing drive announced last year by UAW President Shawn Fain that targets 13 automakers operating in southern states and elsewhere. Last year the union negotiated record contracts with General Motors , Ford Motor and Chrysler parent Stellantis .

The elected state leaders, including Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, argue such contracts provide short-term assistance but have long-term negative implications on jobs and investments.

"We have worked tirelessly on behalf of our constituents to bring good-paying jobs to our states. These jobs have become part of the fabric of the automotive manufacturing industry. Unionization would certainly put our states' jobs in jeopardy  in fact, in this year already, all of the UAW automakers have announced layoffs," read the statement.
Israelis awaited word on how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would respond to Iran's first-ever direct attack on their country as international pressure for restraint grew amid fears of an escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

Netanyahu on Monday summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh a response to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack, a government source said.

Israel's military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said the country would respond. He provided no details.

"This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response," he said at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, which sustained some damage in Saturday night's attack.

Israel remained on high alert, but authorities lifted some emergency measures that had included a ban on some school activities and limits on large gatherings.

The prospect of Israeli retaliation has alarmed many Iranians already enduring economic pain and tighter social and political controls since protests in 2022-23.

Iran launched the attack in retaliation for what it says was an April 1 Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus, and signalled that it does not seek further escalation.

While the attack caused no deaths and limited damage, it has increased fears of open warfare between the long-time foes and fuelled concerns that violence rooted in the Gaza war is spreading.

U.S. President Joe Biden told Netanyahu at the weekend that the United States, which helped Israel blunt the Iranian attack, will not participate in an Israeli counter-strike.

Since the war in Gaza began in October, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq. Israel said four of its soldiers were wounded hundreds of meters inside Lebanese territory overnight.

It appeared to be the first such known incident since the Gaza war erupted, although there have been months of exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon's armed group Hezbollah.

"We're on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it," Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign affairs chief, told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. "We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear."

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron made similar appeals. Washington and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also have called for restraint.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined on Monday to say if Biden urged Netanyahu in talks on Saturday night to exercise restraint in responding to Iran.

"We don't want to see a war with Iran. We don't want to see a regional conflict," Kirby told a briefing, adding that it was for Israel to decide "whether and how they'll respond."

Russia has refrained from publicly criticizing its ally Iran but has also urged restraint.

"Further escalation is in no one's interests," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Iran mounted its attack after the April 1 killing in Damascus of seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers, including two senior commanders. Israel neither confirmed nor denied carrying out the strike.

Iran's retaliatory attack, involving more than 300 missiles and drones, caused modest damage in Israel and wounded a 7-year-old girl. Most were shot down by Israel's Iron Dome defense system and with help from the U.S., Britain, France and Jordan.

In Gaza itself, where more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive according to Gaza health ministry figures, Iran's action drew applause.

Israel began its campaign against Hamas after the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages by Israeli tallies.

G7 mulls Iran sanctions

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Group of Seven major democracies were working on a package of coordinated measures against Iran.

"I spoke to my fellow G7 leaders, we are united in our condemnation of this attack," Sunak said in parliament.

Italy, which holds the rotating G7 presidency, said it was open to new sanctions and suggested any new measures would target individuals.

In an interview with Reuters, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said all G7 members would have to back new sanctions.

"If we need to have more sanctions for people clearly engaged against Israel, supporting for example terrorism, supporting Hamas, it is possible to do it," Tajani said.

Iran's attack has disrupted travel, with at least a dozen airlines cancelling or rerouting flights, and Europe's aviation regulator reaffirming advice that airlines use caution in Israeli and Iranian airspace.

Iraqi Airways announced a resumption of flights between Iraq and Iran on Tuesday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Tehran had informed the United States that the attack on Israel would be limited and for self-defense, and that regional neighbors were informed 72 hours in advance.

Kirby said that Iran did not give advance warning to the United States of the attack's timeframe or targets, calling reports that Tehran had done so "categorically false." (Reuters)
Angie Cella was a "Shark Tank" investor's perfect candidate, according to the show's judges: a big dreamer and go-getter with a powerful backstory.

The only catch, the investors said on Friday's episode of the ABC show: Cella's business needed a major overhaul, and Barbara Corcoran wanted to be the woman for the job.

Cella and her daughter Cambria went on the show to pitch Blinger, a patented hair styling tool that uses medical-grade adhesive to add crystals and pearls to your strands. An adult version retails at $49.99, and a kids' version sells for $29.99.

The Avondale, Pennsylvania-based entrepreneur said the idea came to her in a dream in 2014. Creating a prototype took four years and put her $1.7 million in debt, she added: "I couldn't get any more loans and no one wanted to invest."

Cella sold her house to cover the costs, she said  moving herself and her four children into a rented townhome, while working virtually with a factory in China to bring Blinger to life.

By the time of filming last year, the product was projected to bring in $4.2 million in annual sales, Cella said. She asked the show's investor judges for $200,000, in exchange for 5% of her product, which she sold through a parent company she named GEMC.

But her backstory's twists and turns weren't over yet.
The TGI Fridays logo is seen on one of its restaurants in London, U.K., on May 27, 2020.

TGI Fridays and Hostmore, the chain's U.K. franchisee, announced plans to merge on Tuesday.

The all-share deal is valued at 177 million pounds, or $220 million. If it closes, TGI Fridays, best known for its potato skins, chicken wings and endless appetizers, will be publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker "TGIF."

The company's headquarters for its U.S. and global brand operations will remain in Dallas, Texas. CEO Weldon Spangler, who has led the company since October, will keep his current role.

"As we were thinking about our future and working with Hostmore on their future, it was one of those ideas that somebody brought up and everybody looked at each other and said, 'This might just work,'" Spangler told CNBC.

The new company would own 189 restaurants in the U.S. and the U.K., the companies said. Franchisees would operate the remaining roughly 400 locations of the chain's global footprint, which spans 44 countries.

If approved by regulators, the merger is expected to close in the third quarter.

TriArtisan Capital Advisors bought TGI Fridays from longtime owner Carlson Restaurants in 2014 in a deal reportedly valued at more than $800 million. TriArtisan also owns stakes in P.F. Chang's and Hooters.

In 2019, TGI Fridays announced plans to go public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, but that deal fell apart as the Covid-19 pandemic roiled financial markets and the restaurant industry.

In 2022, TGI Fridays' revenue rose 3.6% to $75.2 million, according to U.S. franchise disclosure documents. But the bar-and-grill chain has been stuck in turnaround mode as shopping malls decline and the casual-dining segment loses customers.

Spangler told CNBC that TGI Fridays is now returning to its roots and focusing more on its bar offerings. Across the restaurant industry, alcoholic drinks are typically more profitable than food. Under Spangler, the chain also brought in new blood, like hiring Del Frisco's Restaurant Group veteran Ray Risley as its U.S. president.

Earlier this year, TGI Fridays closed 36 underperforming restaurants in the U.S.
The best companies to work for include big names in tech, health care and financial services, according to new research from LinkedIn.

On Tuesday, the networking platform released its annual Top Companies list identifying the 50 best places in the U.S. for professionals to grow their careers.

JP Morgan Chase & Co. claimed the No.1 spot, with other recognizable names like Verizon, Amazon and Wells Fargo rounding out the top 10.

To determine the ranking, LinkedIn rated each organization on several factors, including gender diversity, upskilling opportunities for employees and the frequency and speed at which employees are promoted.

LinkedIn published two lists as part of its report: one for midsize companies with at least 250 employees and another for large companies with 5,000 employees or more.

Here are the top 10 large U.S. companies to work for in 2024, according to LinkedIn:

JP Morgan Chase & Co. Amazon Wells Fargo Deloitte PwC UnitedHealth Group AT&T Verizon Moderna Alphabet Inc.

LinkedIn also considered factors like attrition and layoffs  companies that have laid off 10% or more of their workforce between January 2023 and April 2024 were ineligible for the list.

Citi, which ranked 14th on LinkedIn's list last year, was not eligible for this year's list after announcing it was eliminating approximately 10% of its workforce in January 2024.

While some companies such as AT&T, JP Morgan Chase & Co. and UnitedHealth Group appeared at the top of LinkedIn's ranking in 2023, nearly half (44%) of the companies on this year's ranking are new to the Top Companies list, including Moderna and Visa (#36).

In a bid to attract and retain talent, the most competitive companies are offering hybrid work arrangements, increasing salaries or investing more in employees' career development, per LinkedIn's research.

For example, American Express (#49) offers a flexible work program that allows many employees to work up to four calendar weeks per year from any location without coming to the office, while Amazon (#2) provides free skills training to its hourly employees.

In its report, LinkedIn also called out how several companies across tech, finance, consulting and health care are using AI to help their employees advance their careers.

Procter & Gamble (#22) offers "Competing in the Age of AI" classes from Harvard Business School to its employees, while AT&T (#7) created an AI chatbot to support employees with a variety of tasks including generating code and writing meeting summaries.

Even if you're not interested in working for one of the companies on the list, you can use it as a "scorecard" to help guide your next job search, says Andrew Seaman, senior managing editor for jobs and career development at LinkedIn News.

"Not everyone can work at Verizon or Amazon, but I think this list highlights the qualities of a good, solid employer, and you can measure potential employers against those metrics," Seaman explains. "Ultimately, knowing what other companies are doing well, and how they're supporting their employees, can help you figure out what you want, or don't want from a workplace."

Want to land your dream job in 2024? Take CNBC's new online course How to Ace Your Job Interview to learn what hiring managers are really looking for, body language techniques, what to say and not to say, and the best way to talk about pay.

Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.
Crude oil prices have been volatile in April amid heightened geopolitical risks. Fears of a spillover conflict in the Middle East have led some market watchers to predict oil prices could soar to $100 per barrel and beyond . Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles against military targets in Israel on Saturday, marking the first direct attack on the Jewish state from Iranian territory. While oil markets have remained relatively calm over the recent air offensive, a significant retaliation by Israel could trigger an oil price rally , according to Bartosz Sawicki, market analyst at Conotoxia. Iran is home to vast oil resources and ranks as the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Any disruption in its capacity to supply global markets could send oil prices higher, analysts told CNBC. "Any attack on oil production or export facilities in Iran would drive the price of Brent crude oil to $100, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would lead to prices in the $120 to $130 range," said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates. CNBC Pro screened for stocks in the MSCI World Energy Index that are both highly correlated or inversely correlated with international benchmark Brent crude oil prices over the past week, month, and year. Oil and gas stocks that show a negative correlation with crude oil prices will enable investors to withstand any volatility while remaining invested in the sector. In the tables below, a correlation of 1 would mean that as oil prices move, either up or down, the stock price also moves in lockstep, in the same direction. Conversely, a negative 1 would mean that prices are in perfect synchrony in the opposite direction. A correlation of 0 would mean no link between the crude oil price and the stock price.  CNBC's Lee Ying Shan and Jenni Reid contributed to this report.
Janet Yellen, US treasury secretary, during a news conference at the Treasury Department in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Tuesday that the U.S. is preparing new sanctions on Iran after the country launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel over the weekend.

"Treasury will not hesitate to work with our allies to use our sanctions authority to continue disrupting the Iranian regime's malign and destabilizing activity," Yellen said in remarks ahead of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's Spring Meetings this week. "The attack by Iran and its proxies underscores the importance of Treasury's work to use our economic tools to counter Iran's malign activity."

Yellen's comments come as Israel's wartime Cabinet is weighing how to respond to the attack, which Iran launched in retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month. Israel said it intercepted 99% of the more than 300 projectiles from Iran that came in on Saturday.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Iran and its proxies in recent years for their connections to terrorism and for the country's missile program. Yellen said she expects new sanctions in the coming days.

"We don't preview our sanctions tools, but in discussions I've had all options to disrupt terrorist financing of Iran continue to be on the table," Yellen said.

Yellen said the Treasury may do more to prevent Iran's ability to export oil despite U.S. sanctions. China has in recent years imported more Iranian oil, which has allowed Tehran to keep a positive trade balance.

"Clearly, Iran is continuing to export some oil. There may be more that we could do. I don't want to preview our actual sanctions activities, but certainly that remains in focus as a possible area that we could address," Yellen said.

Yellen said the Treasury has an important role in deterring Iran but that President Joe Biden and the administration are conducting a broader diplomatic initiative.

"From this weekend's attack to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Iran's actions threaten the region's stability and could cause economic spillovers," Yellen said.

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to correct that Yellen's comments were from remarks ahead of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's Spring Meetings this week.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Tuesday said that Russia could be encouraged by the U.S. debate over aid for Ukraine and called on the House of Representatives to pass a Ukraine aid bill.

"I do fear that Russia is beginning to see signs that the U.S. and our allies are tiring and finding it more difficult to find ways to support Ukraine and that gives them the hope that they can outlast us and wait for our resolve to crumble," Yellen said in a news conference ahead of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's spring meetings.

Yellen said that there was "no substitute" for the U.S. Congress providing military and budget support to Ukraine.

A bill that would see the U.S. support Ukraine with fresh aid has been stuck in the House of Representatives for months. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday said he planned to separate the aid package into four individual bills that would each cover one aspect of the overall package.

Yellen on Monday reiterated that it was important to find a way to unlock the value stored in Russian assets that have been frozen by the U.S. and and its allies.

A debate about whether or not there is a legal way to use these funds to support Ukraine has engulfed Western leaders in recent months. A key concern is that frozen assets are by definition only temporarily retained rather than fully seized, so it is unclear whether they can be redistributed.

Yellen on Tuesday said she believed the risks were manageable, especially if the G7 acted as a united group.

 Sophie Kiderlin
United Airlines shares surged more than 17% Wednesday to a seven-month high after the carrier forecast second-quarter earnings well ahead of Wall Street estimates despite ongoing delivery delays from Boeing.

The airline expects to post earnings of between $3.75 and $4.25 in the second quarter, ahead of analysts' estimates of about $3.76 a share. Airlines make the bulk of their profits in the second and third quarters, during peak travel season.

The carrier also reiterated its full-year earnings forecast of between $9 and $11 a share.

United cut its aircraft-delivery expectations for the year. It expects it will receive just 61 new narrow-body planes this year, down from 101 it said it had anticipated at the beginning of the year and contracts for as many as 183 planes in 2024.

"We've adjusted our fleet plan to better reflect the reality of what the manufacturers are able to deliver," CEO Scott Kirby said in an earnings release. "And, we'll use those planes to capitalize on an opportunity that only United has: profitably grow our mid-continent hubs and expand our highly profitable international network from our best in the industry coastal hubs."

United said it plans to lease 35 Airbus A321neos in 2026 and 2027, turning to Boeing's rival for new planes as the U.S. manufacturer faces caps on its production and increased federal scrutiny. In January, United said it was taking Boeing's not-yet-certified Max 10 out of its fleet plan. The airline said it has converted some Max 10 planes for Max 9s.

It lowered its annual capital expenditure estimate to $6.5 billion from about $9 billion.

United is also facing a Federal Aviation Administration safety review, which has prevented some of its planned growth. A spokeswoman told CNBC earlier this month that the carrier will have to postpone its planned service from Newark, New Jersey, to Faro, Portugal, and service between Tokyo and Cebu, Philippines.

Because of that review there are a "small number of aircraft" that won't be certified to enter service but it won't have an impact on the airline's overall capacity plans for the year, Kirby said.

United earlier this month postponed its investor day, which was scheduled for May, "because our entire team is focused on cooperating with the FAA to review our safety protocols and it would simply send the wrong message to our team to have an exciting investor day focused primarily on financial results."

The carrier has paused pilot hiring this month and is offering aviators unpaid time off in May with new aircraft limited, CNBC has reported.

The airline said it would have reported a profit for the quarter if not for a $200 million hit from the temporary grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 in January. United said in a securities filing Wednesday that it has a "confidential" compensation agreement with Boeing for the grounding and the delays to the Max 10 aircraft in the form of "credit memos" for future Boeing purchases.

The FAA temporarily grounded those jets after a door plug blew out minutes into an Alaska Airlines flight, sparking a new safety crisis for Boeing and slowing deliveries of its planes to customers including United, Southwest and others.

Alaska Airlines said it received $160 million in compensation from Boeing already.

United posted a net loss of $124 million, or a loss of 38 cents a share, in the first quarter compared with a $194 million loss, or 59 cents, a year earlier. Revenue rose nearly 10% in the first quarter compared with the year-earlier period to $12.54 billion, with capacity up more than 9% on the year.

Here's what United reported in the first quarter compared with what Wall Street expected, based on average estimates compiled by LSEG:

Loss per share: 15 cents adjusted vs. a loss of 57 cents expected

15 cents adjusted vs. a loss of 57 cents expected Revenue: $12.54 billion vs. $12.45 billion expected

Kirby on Wednesday brushed off safety concerns about the 787 Dreamliner raised by a Boeing engineer-turned-whistleblower, who said the wide-body planes aren't structurally sound. Boeing has denied those allegations and called them "inaccurate."

"I am totally confident that the 787 is a safe airplane," Kirby told CNBC's Squawk Box.

Airline shares rallied across-the-board on Wednesday but Boeing's stock was down slightly ahead of two Senate hearings focusing on aerospace safety, including one that will feature the whistleblower.
UnitedHealth Group reported better-than-expected revenue in its first-quarter results on Tuesday, though the company is still dealing with the fallout from the cyberattack on its subsidiary Change Healthcare.

Here's what the company reported compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

Earnings per share: $7.16 per share adjusted vs. $6.61 expected

$7.16 per share adjusted vs. $6.61 expected Revenue: $100.08 billion adjusted vs. $99.26 billion expected

UnitedHealth reported revenue of $99.80 billion, up from $91.9 billion in the same period last year. The adjusted $100.08 billion revenue figure excludes the impact from the cyberattack.

The company said it incurred a charge of around $7 billion during the quarter from selling its Brazil operations, according to a release Tuesday. The currency effects from the Brazil sale as well as adverse impacts from the cyberattack contributed to a net loss during the period, UnitedHealth said. The company reported it had a net loss of $1.41 billion, or $1.53 per share, compared with net income of $5.61 billion, or $5.95, a share, a year earlier.

UnitedHealth reported adjusted earnings of $6.91 per share for the quarter. The company said the adjusted figure excludes the Brazil sale, but only part of the impact from the cyberattack. It broke down the effects from the cyberattack into two categories: "direct response" and "business disruption" costs.

Direct response efforts, like UnitedHealth's effort to restore Change Healthcare platforms, amounted to an impact of 49 cents per share in the quarter. Business disruption costs, like lost Change Healthcare revenue, amounted to 25 cents per share. UnitedHealth said its adjusted earnings figure included the business disruption impacts, but excluded the direct response costs. The $7.16 adjusted EPS figure excludes the entire impact from the cyberattack.

The company said the total impact from the cyberattack in the first quarter was 74 cents per share, and it expects the full-year impact to be between $1.15 and $1.35 per share.

UnitedHealth reported a medical cost ratio, which is the amount of every premium dollar that goes toward medical costs, of 84.3% for the first quarter. That included 40 basis points of impact from the cyberattack, the company said. Analysts were expecting an MCR of 83.8%, according to StreetAccount. A lower ratio typically indicates higher profitability.

Shares of UnitedHealth rose more than 5% Tuesday morning. As of Monday's close, the stock was down around 15% for the year.

UnitedHealth is made up of two major business units: Optum and UnitedHealthcare. Optum offers a range of pharmacy services, consulting services and provides medical care for around 103 million consumers, according to the company's website.

Optum reported $61.1 billion in revenue for the first quarter, up from $54.1 billion in the same period last year. UnitedHealth said Optum's revenue growth was led by its patient care and pharmacy arms due to "strong expansion" in the number of people served.

In 2022, Optum completed a $13 billion merger with Change Healthcare, which offers tools for payment and revenue cycle management. Change Healthcare processes more than 15 billion billing transactions annually, and one in every three patient records passes through its systems, according to the company.

UnitedHealth disclosed in February that a cyberthreat actor breached part of Change Healthcare's information technology network, prompting the company to immediately disconnect the affected systems. The fallout has been far reaching across the health-care sector, as many doctors were left without a way to fill prescriptions or get paid for their services.

The company has been working to bring systems back online in recent weeks, and UnitedHealth said Tuesday that it has advanced more than $6 billion to health-care providers in need of assistance.

UnitedHealth said it continues to make "significant progress" in restoring Change Healthcare's services.

"I'm immensely grateful for our colleagues who continue to work tirelessly  day and night  to restore services, free up funds for providers and protect the broader health system.," UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty said during the company's quarterly call with investors.

UnitedHealth's other business unit, UnitedHealthcare, provides insurance coverage and benefit services to millions of Americans, according to its website. UnitedHealthcare reported revenue of $75.4 billion for the first quarter, up from $70.5 billion a year ago.

The company said the growth was driven by an increase in the number of people that UnitedHealthcare serves in the U.S. The unit's total number of domestic consumers served grew by 2 million during the first quarter.

UnitedHealth said it updated its full-year net earnings outlook and expects to report between $17.60 and $18.20 per share, largely due to the cyberattack and the Brazil sale.

During the company's earnings call, UnitedHealth CFO John Rex said UnitedHealthcare is "pretty much back to normal in terms of claim submission activity" in the wake of the cyberattack. He said claims are flowing as expected.

In late February, the U.S. Department of Justice reportedly launched an antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. The company declined to comment on the matter during its investor call.
A teenager has been accused of wounding a Christian bishop and a priest during a church service in the second high-profile knife attack to rock Sydney in recent days, leaving communities on edge, leaders calling for calm and a besieged church urging against retaliation.

The 16-year-old was overpowered by the shocked congregation at Christ the Good Shepherd Church after he allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and the Rev. Isaac Royel during a service on Monday night that was being streamed online.

Police have not commented on reports that the boys fingers were severed by parishioners in the Orthodox Assyrian church in suburban Wakeley, but confirmed his hand injuries were severe.

Video of the attack spread quickly on social media and an angry mob converged on the church demanding vengeance. They hurled bricks, bottles and fence boards at police, who temporarily barricaded the boy inside the church for his own safety. Many in the crowd chanted an eye for an eye and bring him out.

Several people including police officers required hospital treatment following the hourslong riot.

The church said in a statement on Tuesday it "denounced retaliation of any kind. Police stood guard around mosques in parts of Sydney on Tuesday after reports that text messages were circulating urging the Assyrian Christian community to retaliate against Muslims.

Sydney's Lakemba Mosque, Australia's largest, has hired additional private security for the next week after receiving fire bomb threats on Monday night.

Police and community leaders said public anxiety had been heightened by a lone assailants knife attack in a Sydney shopping mall on Saturday that killed five women and a male security guard who attempted to intervene. The 40-year-old assailant, Joel Cauchi, had a history of mental illness and trouble with women and a fascination with knives. He was shot dead by police.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged the public not to take the law into their own hands.

We understand the distress and concerns that are there in the community, particularly after the tragic event at Bondi Junction on Saturday, Albanese told reporters, referring to the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall.

"But it is not acceptable to impede police and injure police doing their duty or to damage police vehicles in a way that we saw last night," Albanese added.

News South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb on Tuesday declared the church attack a terrorist incident, but not the shopping mall rampage.

The declaration gives police expanded powers to stop and search people, premises and vehicles without a warrant.

Webb said the teen's comments and actions pointed to a religious motive for the attack. She didnt detail the wording of the comments that led her to believe he had been religiously motivated.

Ten Network television reported the boy had told churchgoers who restrained him, in Arabic: If they didn't insult my Prophet, I wouldn't have come here.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said state police were urging social media platforms to shut down accounts posting misinformation that incited violence since Monday's stabbing.

New South Wales Police and community leaders have been battling misinformation spreading around the web inciting community members to rush to particular religious facilities and mosques and churches on the hint or the rumor of some kind of violent activity taking place, Minns told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

It's very difficult to maintain community cohesion when outright lies are spread within the community inciting the worst fears of particularly young people, Minns added.

The teen suspect was in hospital on Tuesday under police guard. He has yet to be charged.

Webb said he had been known to police, but was not on a terror watch list. He had been convicted in January for a range of offenses including possession of a switchblade knife, being armed with a weapon with an intention to commit an indictable offense, stalking, intimidation and damaging property, ABC reported.

A Sydney court released him on a good behavior bond, ABC reported.

The boy used a switchblade, which is an illegal weapon in Australia, in Mondays attack, ABC reported.

Juvenile offenders cannot be publicly identified in New South Wales.

The church in a message on social media said the bishop and priest were in stable condition and asked for peoples prayers. The church said in a statement on Tuesday the 53-year-old Iraq-born bishops condition was improving.

Emmanuel has a strong social media following and is outspoken on a range of issues. He proselytizes to both Jews and Muslims and is critical of liberal Christian denominations. He also speaks out on global political issues and laments the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.

The bishop, described in local media as a sometimes divisive figure on issues such as COVID-19 restrictions, was in the national news last year over comments about gender. (AP)
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A study published in the medical journal Neurology has unveiled alarming projections regarding the impact of climate change on global health, specifically in relation to stroke mortality rates.

The study, conducted by researchers from Xiangya Hospital Central South University in China, revealed a stark rise in the number of strokes linked to extreme temperatures, with implications that extend worldwide.

According to the study, over half a million deaths in 2019 were attributed to strokes triggered by both high and low temperatures.

The research, spanning 204 countries and territories, utilized a comprehensive model incorporating global health data and climate variables to assess the correlation between temperature fluctuations and stroke incidence.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, the study noted a significant increase in stroke cases associated with cold temperatures in 2019, underscoring the complex interplay between climate change and weather patterns.

Dr. Mary Rice, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, emphasized the gravity of the findings, citing the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the escalating health crisis.

"I really think that group did a very nice job of taking a global approach looking at historic data and to draw attention to a health issue that I think it's not really getting a lot of attention," Rice explained CNN reported.

"The total burden of people who died from strokes from temperature is actually a very large number."

Stroke, already a major public health concern, is poised to become even more prevalent as temperatures continue to rise.

Dr. Ali Saad, a neurologist affiliated with the Climate and Health Program at the University of Colorado, stressed the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the risk of stroke, particularly in the face of escalating climate-related threats.

"I tell them 'I'm worried that you're going to overheat and there are things we can do to prevent both stroke and worsening climate change,' " Saad reportedly said.

"People, when they think of pollution or heat when it's related to health outcomes, stroke or otherwise, tend to think of low- to middle-income countries, but it's happening across the board, and it's expected to get worse."

The study serves as a call for immediate action to safeguard public health and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. With the frequency of extreme weather events on the rise, the need to address the intersection of climate change and health outcomes has never been more pressing.
Change is an unavoidable part of life, and those who can adapt are the ones who thrive. Adaptability, the ability to adjust to new circumstances, is a valuable skill that offers numerous benefits in various aspects of life.

From relationships to work and personal growth to mental well-being, embracing change fosters resilience and empowers a person to navigate life's complexities with confidence.

At work

Because of today's fast-paced world, adaptability has become a valuable asset in the workplace. Employees who demonstrate flexibility and adapt quickly to changing demands are highly sought after by employers. They can easily transition between tasks, learn new skills and thrive in diverse work environments.

Adaptability in the workplace boosts innovation and problem-solving, enabling a person to tackle challenges with creativity and resourcefulness. Adaptable employees are also better equipped to handle setbacks and bounce back from failures, contributing to a more resilient and dynamic workforce.

For personal growth

Adaptability is also crucial for personal growth and success. It enables a person to navigate change with confidence, boosting resilience and promoting mental well-being. By embracing change, people can overcome obstacles and turn setbacks into learning experiences.

Adaptability helps manage stress and anxiety by focusing on solutions and opportunities for growth. Cultivating this mindset promotes emotional intelligence and a sense of fulfillment in life, allowing a person to continuously evolve into their best selves.

In relationships

Adaptability plays an important role in maintaining healthy relationships. Adaptable people are better equipped to navigate the ups and downs of interpersonal dynamics.

Whether it means compromising on a decision or being understanding during tough times, adaptability promotes resilience in relationships. It allows partners to grow together, accommodating each other's evolving needs and aspirations. By embracing change and being open to new experiences, couples can strengthen their bond and build a lasting connection.
Movies dont have to be realistic. When John Wick gets shot and falls off a roof and then recovers, thats fine because we want him to get back up again. However, you may still be interested in how differently that would play out in real life. You should know this, both for the sake of general knowledge and because you will have to have put that knowledge into practice within the next few minutes. They are on their way. They are coming for you.

So, while youre welcome to continue enjoying action movies where everything is both exciting and convenient, dont be fooled by any of the following tricks they try to pull on you.

5 The Sudden Spacewalk Don't Miss You flip through a couple movies where characters leave their spacecraft for a quick jaunt. In one, a guy moves out of his ship without a spacesuit, using the power of rocket boots. In another, an unconscious Jedi wakes and propels through space using the power of her mind. In a third, an astronaut suits up and pops out to the exterior of the station to do some repairs. Which of these is the least realistic? Netflix Hint: Its the one that cant be justified by superpowers. Its the third one  or at least, thats the one that isnt as realistic as its framing itself. Real astronauts dont leave the ship for extravehicular activity (EVA) without first pausing for a routine that takes hours. If they go straight out, that opens them up to decompression sickness, which might mean death. It might also mean tingling or joint pain, but death is the more worrying concern. The issue is the space shuttle or spacecraft contains atmospheric pressure, but the astronaut wont experience that once they step out. Thanks to the lower pressure outside, nitrogen dissolved in their blood will form bubbles, which can lead to all kinds of awfulness, up to and including their heart going kaput. You might have heard of decompression sickness (aka the bends) hitting divers who surface too quickly. This is like that, except in spaaaace. NASA More dangerous in some ways, but with fewer angry whales. But wait, you might say. Surely the spacesuit is pressurized. It is  a little. It has a pressure of about 4 psi, which is more than the vacuum of space, but a big drop from the 15 psi of the station interior. If the suit were pressurized more, that would remove the risk of decompression sickness, but it would have to be built differently, impeding how well the astronaut can move around and do their job. Advertisement So, before setting out for an EVA, an astronaut must go through a session of pre-breathing, in which they switch from the stations healthy mix of oxygen and nitrogen to breathing pure oxygen. This removes all the nitrogen from their blood. As recently as 2006, this process (shown in the photo below) took some 14 hours. NASA Conversation really started to dry up around hour three. More recently, weve sped it up a bit and gotten the astronauts to exercise at the same time to reduce how long they take to adapt. Now it takes only two hours or so. Netflix should totally release a movie called Rebreathing, ostensibly about a spacewalk, which consists only of this two-hour process. Advertisement

4 The Drawn-Out Dogfight We all have a very old-fashioned conception of how planes shoot at each other, and for the most part, we like to imagine were self-aware about this. When Top Gun: Maverick came out, people knew the movie was going to have to jump through some hoops to justify classic dogfighting in the age of drone warfare, but we were ready to sit back and enjoy whatever they set up. As it so happened, even the original Top Gun was a throwback to how fighting had worked earlier. Planes didnt still fight so up-close in 1986. The filmmakers considered portraying longer-range combat, but that proved too boring. Paramount Pictures Characters sing 1950s songs in both movies because they do 1950s combat. When it comes to aerial combat, were all mentally stuck in World War II. So lets talk about World War II dogfights then. When the Spitfire  that classic British aircraft we associate with big battles  shot at a target, how long do you think it could fire before the plane was all out of ammunition? Keep in mind, for the sake of drama, such a fight should surely stretch out as long as possible. Advertisement Advertisement The answer is 20 seconds. The gun fired 1,150 rounds per minute, and each gun only held 300 rounds. In other words, a single gunfire session didnt have too much rising and falling action. Still, few back then considered 20 seconds of trigger time too short. The pilot would have an enemy in his sights for only a couple seconds, so if he couldnt do the job with a single two-second burst of fire, more rounds wouldnt help much. Airwolfhound/Wiki Commons Its called a Spitfire, not a Pee-for-Several-Minutes-at-A-Time Fire. We were saying just now that the Air Force is much more advanced today than it was back in the 1940s. Well, lets consider a more modern plane then. The F-35 fires 3,300 rounds per minute. Its gun carries a total of 220 rounds. So, in contrast with the Spitfire, this gun can fire for a total of four seconds. Again, that doesnt lend itself very well to a sequence with many twists and turns, but were confident that the next time an F-35 is aimed at us, four seconds is all it will need. Advertisement

3 The Growling Bear Lets say theres this bear that ate a bunch of cocaine. Its angry, its growling and its going to kill us all. We have no objections to the basics of this movie premise. That bear really existed, and you can go visit its body today, preserved as a tourist attraction. We have just one note, and it's about what sort of sounds the bear makes. 20th Century Pictures The movie about that cocaine bear? Its called The Revenant. Bears dont really growl. Movies make bears growl because were used to animals growling (dogs growling, mostly), and associate that with a beast whos preparing to attack, but real bears dont do that. A bear will roar, sure. A bear also might snort or moan in a threatening manner, and this might be bluster indicating a bear who wont attack. A bear may also sneak up to you without making any vocalization at all and then maul you without warning. But it wont growl or snarl like we think a predator should. Advertisement Advertisement Hold on now, we hear someone say. I myself met a bear once, and it growled! And heres a guide a I found about bear sounds, and it says several types of bear growl! To this, bear experts reply that some people will interpret any sound as a growl, but these sounds are not growls. That might seem like this is turning into an argument purely over labels, but the fact is, when movies want to show a bear growling, they dont dub in bear sounds. They dub in wolf sounds because bear sounds dont sound bear-like enough. It may be instructive now to turn to footage of bears in action and see how growly or snarly they appear. Below is one clip of a couple bears fighting in Finland. Its not bloody, so watch without fear. Advertisement This next clip of Alaskan bears contains some roars and does feature a little blood but not that much. Instead of mauling each other to death, the two bears tussle, and when one clearly gains an advantage over the other, they stop, as though following previously set rules. Advertisement Advertisement As you can see from these videos Uh, we dont even remember our initial reason for digging these clips up. We now just want to go watch more clips of bears.

2 The Resilient Suspension Bridge Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed last month, and the footage of its destruction was unlike anything wed seen before. Wed never seen anything like it in real life or even in movies, though movies are actually huge fans of spectacularly destroying bridges. Thats because the Key Bridge was a truss bridge, while Hollywood prefers destroying suspension bridges, so we can see those cables snapping and flailing wildly. The Golden Gate Bridge is the most common victim in these movies. Blockbusters destroyed it nine times in the decade leading up to 2019. Warner Bros. Blockbusters destroy stuff. Its right in the name. That image above is from 2014s Godzilla. Its easy to forget, thanks to where the series later went, but this movie about giant monsters attacking was envisioned as a gritty and realistic street-level depiction. Military missiles destroy this bridges suspension cable. That big tube-looking thing on the right is one of the severed cables, mid-swing, and this severing has zero effect on the horizontal part of the bridge (the road deck), which remains intact, leaving drivers time to flee. In reality, a bridge's cable supports the road deck. Thats what the cables for. If the cable snaps, the deck breaks. Advertisement Then Godzilla smashes right through the bridge, and this leaves the bridge with a huge gap, but the bridge otherwise remains intact. To dig into how absurd that is, lets take a look at another movie that does the same thing and lingers more on the shot: The Dark Knight Rises. Like Godzilla, this movie never claimed to be totally realistic  it features a radiation-free nuke with some unusual properties  but its terrorist bombings are supposed to feel real, which makes them scary. Heres what some of Gothams bridges look like when Bane blows sections out of them: Advertisement Warner Bros. As though setting up a scene where the Batmobile jumps the gap, which never happens. The cables here, as with all suspension bridges, run from one end of each bridge to the other, secured to bases called anchorages. Along the length of the bridge, the cable curves into parabolas, resting on top of towers and supporting the deck through additional vertical connections. The cable is under high tension. Break such a cable at any point, and the tension is gone. The decks weight will pull down the loose cable, which will slide off the tower. Blow a hole in the deck as well, and it becomes doubly insane that the remainder should stay put. This article by an engineer likens it to cutting a section out of a loaded clothesline and the remaining line and clothes now just hovering in midair. Advertisement When we nerds gathered and pointed out the holes in this film, how did we miss this literal hole, this literal gap in logic?
Many successful British comedy formats have, over the years, been remade for American audiences. Many have died swift deaths, like Men Behaving Badly, Coupling and The Inbetweeners. Some have lasted far longer than their original inspirations, like The Office, Shameless and All in the Family (based on Till Death Do Us Part). Some viewers may not know that Threes Company, which ran on ABC from 1977 to 1984, belongs to the latter category: It was based on Man About The House, which ITV aired from 1973 to 1976, and which spawned two other U.K. spin-offs in addition to its American remake.

I mention it since, for viewers of a certain age, Threes Company is shorthand for a TV comedy thats broad, filled with slapstick and rests its plots on the madcap lengths characters will go to keep a secret or make a lie convincing. Now, 40 years since Threes Company aired its last episode, Dinner With the Parents is hoping to fill the Threes Company-shaped hole your TV schedule may or may not have.

Dinner With the Parents, a remake of Channel 4s Friday Night Dinner, is about the Langer family. Middle-aged parents Harvey (Dan Bakkedahl) and Jane (Michaela Watkins) have a standing family meal with their adult sons. David (Henry Hall), the elder, is newly returned to the area after extensive postgraduate study, and is now working as a math professor. Gregg (Daniel Thrasher) still lives at home, generally shows up to dinner in a tracksuit, and is unemployed and possibly unemployable; he is constantly seeking investors in Gregg By Gregg West, the music festival hes trying to launch.

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Other series regulars include Carol Kane as Janes mother, called Nana by everyone else, who lives with the family, and Donnie (Jon Glaser), a Steelers-obsessed neighbor with a crush on Jane. As in the original series, the protagonists are secular Jews, but meeting for dinner on Fridays is pretty much the extent of their traditional observance, though one later episode does take place at a shiva for a barely remembered great-uncle, and another at Passover.

The premise is elegantly simple  a nuclear family, who basically get along, check in with each other every week  which provides a solid foundation for each episodes plot to spin out into absurdity. For instance: David is trying to get himself invited to dine with his parents next-door neighbors, the Spiegels, because hes had a crush on their daughter Jenny (Izuka Hoyle) since high school, so he lies that his family is in Atlantic City, forcing them to stay inside no matter what in order not to give away the ruse. Jane and Harvey are going to Hawaii for their anniversary, so Gregg and David list the house as a short-term rental, but Harvey booked their departure on the wrong day, so everyones going to be sharing the house for the night. Amy (Mircea Monroe), Janes momfluencer sister, brings her family for a visit, inflaming Janes intense jealousy and competitiveness.

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With each episode taking place over just a few hours, the comedic situations progress quickly, but the stakes stay low enough not to make watching too stressful. And while the actors playing the Langer sons are unknown to me  Thrasher came up on YouTube, so hes none of my business; Hall, as of this writing, doesnt even have a headshot on IMDb  Bakkedahl, Glaser, Kane and Watkins are all extremely seasoned pros who bring what authenticity they can to even the most contrived scenarios.

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The problem is, the contrivance is oppressive. The tone is extremely broad: an adult Batman costume, a box of hairnets, an old lady stuck in a dog door, an appendage chopped off in an Instagram Live cooking demo and a pet snake lost in the house are just a few of the wacky elements that run through the first season. With the exception of Jane and Harvey, the characters rise only rarely above the level of caricature: If you werent sure what kind of senior citizen Nana is based solely on her leopard-print tops and all-over silver sequined skirts, her ubiquitous vape pen makes it clear. And while the show seems to be set in Pittsburgh (based on Donnies everything), it shoots in England. Every tertiary character being played by a Briton faking an American accent makes the finished product vaguely uncanny as well as largely unfunny.

Usually, the appeal of a show based in comical misunderstandings and physical buffoonery is that a household full of people ranging widely in age and comprehension can watch together  if not particularly delightedly, at least all finding a median level of moderate satisfaction. But Dinner With The Parents, amazingly, is too dirty and violent to serve even this purpose. Freevee already has a wonderful family comedy thats funny and smart. Watch Primo again and leave Dinner With the Parents to the compost bin.
As if you needed another reason not to see the new Woody Allen movie

Warning: This article contains details of sexual assault.

Filmmaker, and self-described poster boy for the #MeToo movement (seriously) Woody Allen has a new movie out, Coup de Chance, his first ever French language film, which was either a stylistic choice or he has finally run out of Americans who are willing to work with him.

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Coup de Chance is about a married woman who has an affair with a writer. But the new lover soon gets whacked by her husband when he finds out about the relationship. So pretty much the same movie that Allen has already made twice before.

Obviously a lot of people dont want to support this film, or any project helmed by Allen, due to the allegations that he sexually abused his daughter, Dylan Farrow, when she was seven-years-old (see also: all the other creepy shit hes done). But this movie may be particularly objectionable, because one aspect of the story could potentially be interpreted as a grotesque nod to his alleged crime.

In their review of the film, NPR noted that Coup de Chance contains one appalling detail  the villainous husband character is obsessed with model trains. Could Allen be referencing his own off-screen scandals, and to what purpose? the reviewer asked.

Thats because a model train set was one of the most important elements in the case against Allen. By Dylan Farrows account, she was instructed to play with a toy train set during the alleged assault. To this day, I find it difficult to look at toy trains, Farrow wrote in a 2014 open letter published by The New York Times.

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But Allen and his supporters have attempted to discredit Farrow by suggesting that there was no train set in the attic. Then came the 2021 HBO documentary series Allen v Farrow, which presented a particularly damning piece of resurfaced evidence: a 1992 police diagram of the attic where the alleged abuse took place, and it clearly referenced a toy train track.

HBO

In his 2020 memoir Apropos of Nothing, Allen tried to argue that the train set didnt exist, claiming that Farrows description of the toy train was a fresh creative touch, a plot twist that had been belatedly added to make her story seem more credible. He pointed out that the train never came up a single time during all the months of investigation in any of Dylans numerous interviews. But according to Allen v Farrow, the toy train set was brought up in at least seven interviews with (Dylans) pediatrician and key investigators in 1992.

So, the exact opposite of what Allen said?

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HBO

Which is all to say that Allen sticking a model train set into his first movie since all of this was brought to the fore by the documentary seems pretty weird. His fans might argue that its just a coincidence, but come on, Allen has made roughly 5,000 movies (give or take) in his lifetime, and only now decided to write about a character whos obsessed with toy trains?

If we were to further pick apart this movies message, the train-loving husband kills his wifes lover, a jazz-loving writer literally named Alain (subtle, Woody). So the Allen surrogate falls victim to a man whose favorite hobby reflects the controversial evidence against Allen? Its as if Allen took his cultural cancellation and twisted it into a story about unjust murder in which he is the victim. In his dumb book, Allen similarly compared himself to a victim in a Hollywood movie: I was now the real-life protagonist of a drama about an innocent person, wrongly accused.

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I mean, sure, it is just a train set, but if O.J. Simpson had ever written and directed a movie in which one of the characters kept trying on gloves, you have to admit, it would be tough not to focus on that one detail.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
IntelGroup, a prominent Serbian hacker from the CyberNiggers threat group, has claimed to breach Space-Eyes, a geospatial intelligence firm, catering exclusively to the US government agencies.

The breach, which has allegedly compromised the digital infrastructure of the Miami-based firm, stands to expose the US national security data.

IntelBroker claimed  through a message posted on BreachForums  that it took the threat actor only 10-15 minutes to access sensitive data from Space-Eyes systems.
Photo: EPM Real Estate Photography

By now, Montauks identity as a working-class fishing village has, like its beaches, largely eroded, between Surf Lodge and Gurneys and trailers selling for $3.75 million. But the dome home at 54 East Lake Drive, built by a local handyman in 1976, is a vestige of an earlier era in the towns history. With shingled sides and extensive interior wood detailing, its also a particularly well-preserved example of the DIY building craze that swept the country in the late 60s and 70s among hippie and back-to-the-land types. But the house, which just listed with Kevin Iglesias and Sarah Fox from Signature Premier Properties, is asking the very 2024 price of $2.99 million.

The dining area  domes are known for their large, open spaces. Photo: EPM Real Estate Photography

He wasnt a builder, but he had a vision, says Iglesias of the late owner, Eugene Tallarico, whose son is selling the property. He always had a liking of the dome shape and he wanted to do something architectural. Its one of the few domes on the East End, as far as Iglesias knows, and there is another dome home, an exceptionally large one, on the North Fork. His son Euguene Thomas Tallarico says that his father worked on the home while living in Greenwich Village and working as a purser for TWA. Whenever he had time off, hed come to Montauk and camp out at the building site. He was an inventive person, according to his son, who installed unusual features in the home like a built-in vacuum system. It was a unique adventure, he says. And I want someone to carry on his inspiration.

Dome homes, popularized by Steve Baers 1968 Dome Cookbook, which detailed how to frame one out yourself with two-by-fours or PVC pipes, were based on Buckminster Fullers geodesic-dome design from 1954. (You dont need to know much, you just have to go ahead and try it out, the book advised, although it appears you did need to know some trigonometry.) Part of the beauty of the dome fad was the notion that one need not be a professional, or spend a lot of money, to build a house. (A big focus of the movement was on reusing materials, such as steel from junked cars or bottle caps, as external coverings for the homes, not all of which survived the decades well.) The house at 54 East Lake Drive, however, was clearly built by a skilled craftsperson with an artistic eye. (Tallarico also painted, says Iglesias, and his paintings are still displayed throughout the home.) There are customized wood and stone floors, huge triangular windows that let in copious amounts of light, and cathedral ceilings in addition to three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, and a sprawling, curving kitchen. In all, the house is about 2,000 square feet.

The house isnt on a huge amount of land, but it isnt far from the water, and you can see the sound, and Connecticut, from the windows in the aerie at the top, a cupola with 360-degree views, according to Iglesias. Its also relatively secluded, at the end of a very quiet, dead-end street about a five-minute drive from the village. All of which might help save it from demolition, a fate thats befallen a number of other unusual, architecturally significant homes in the Hamptons. But given the current Montauk buyers market and the limited appeal of dome living  the homes, like octagon houses before them are, though inventive and often beautiful, not to everyones tastes  its survival isnt a given, either. It would be a shame to tear it down, says Iglesias. Its a unicorn in Montauk. You cant find another house like it.

The home has high, dramatic ceilings with triangular windows. Photo: EPM Real Estate Photography

The kitchen is unusually spacious. Photo: EPM Real Estate Photography

The longtime owner added many custom elements and finishes to his home. Photo: EPM Real Estate Photography

One of the bathrooms. Photo: EPM Real Estate Photography

The dome has great views from the many large windows. Photo: EPM Real Estate Photography

The aerie has 360-degree views. Photo: EPM Real Estate Photography

The builder was a local handyman who also painted. Photo: EPM Real Estate Photography
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Its been one year since Kaylin Gillis was killed when she and a group of friends pulled into the wrong driveway on April 15, 2023. Monday night at 6:30 p.m. friends and family gathered at Fort Handy Park in Gansevoort to commemorate her.

WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT

That Saturday night, Gillis, her boyfriend and a group of friends were headed to a party. The group, traveling in two cars with one member of the group on a motorcycle, was unfamiliar with the sparse area and mistakenly pulled down the wrong driveway. Gillis was in the passenger seat of one of the cars when the homeowner, Kevin Monahan, fired two shots. Gillis was struck once and died from her injuries soon after.

Neighbors, as well as Gillis' companions, tried to call 911. Gillis friends had to drive about five miles away in order to obtain cell service and get through to emergency dispatchers. The remote area was difficult to navigate and first responders also entered the wrong driveway at first.

THE TRIAL

Monahan was arrested the night of the shooting. The following Wednesday he was denied bail.

In early May 2023, Monahans defense attorney, Kurt Mausert, unsuccessfully attempted to appeal the bail denial, saying it was a violation of procedure law and abuse of discretion. Monahan was held in Warren County jail because Gillis father is a Washington County corrections officer.

Later that month, Monahan was indicted on murder charges, as well as reckless endangerment and tampering with evidence. According to the indictment, Monahan had a depraved indifference to human life when he recklessly engaged in conduct which created a grave risk of death to another person causing their death.

The trial, originally scheduled for October 2023, was delayed until January to accommodate the defneses request for more time to analyze evidence.

On Jan. 8, jury selection began.

Jan. 11, opening statements were made.

Jan. 20, Monhan took the stand.

Monahan said he thought he was under siege and that his reaction was out of fear. He expressed remorse and said he did not do it on purpose. He claimed that the second shot, which was the one that killed Gillis, was an accident.

THE VERDICT

On Jan. 23, the jury deliberated for less than an hour before coming back with a guilty verdict. On March 1, Monahan received the maximum sentence of 25 years to life.

ADDITIONAL SUITS

Both Gillis father and boyfriend filed lawsuits against the Monahans in relation to Kaylin's death.

Her father, Andrew Gillis, filed a wrongful death suit in Saratoga County Court. The lawsuit notes he and his wife Angelique Gillis have experienced economic loss, including funeral and administration expenses as a result of their daughters death. The lawsuit is seeking punitive and exemplary damages as well as attorney fees and other relief the court deems appropriate.

Kaylin's boyfriend, Blake Walsh, is seeking punitive damages in an amount exceeding the jurisdictional limits of the lower courts and inferior courts, according to the lawsuit. The civil suit was filed in state Supreme Court in Washington County in March.

The lawsuit states that Walsh has been rendered emotionally distressed and suffered psychological harm because of the actions of Kevin and Jinx Monahan, which Walsh continues to suffer from to this day.

Additionally, the company overseeing the Monahans homeowners insurance  Preferred Mutual Insurance Company in Chittenango County  filed a complaint in its local county court, which, if approved, would relieve the company of defense and indemnity of the Monahans home in the lawsuit against the couple.

COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Since Gillis death, which garnered national attention, there has been an outpouring of support from community members.

A vigil was held the week after her death. Ahead of the gathering, a GoFundMe was created to raise money for the family. It raised more than $140,000 by the time of the vigil.
In conjunction with Earth Week, WMHT/PBS will broadcast the debut of "An Above Average Day" on April 24 at 5:30 p.m.

Filmed in the mountains and wilderness of the Adirondacks and Vermont, "An Above Average Day" is a documentary that poses the question: What could two men with a 30-year difference in age (Ray OConor, 69, and Joe Murphy, 39), who met by chance (or fate) on a mountain-climbing adventure, possibly have in common that would compel them to climb more than 400 mountains and hike in excess of 4,000 miles of trails?

Produced and directed by Katera and Aviral Kapoor, founders of Veda Films, "An Above Average Day" follows the hiking and wilderness adventures of Ray and Joe.

Hiking is not just a pastime but an avocation for Murphy, a University at Albany academic adviser, and O'Conor, a bank board chairman. They challenge themselves and each other physically while replenishing themselves in mind and spirit. The view from atop a mountain, sitting along a forest stream, standing beneath a thundering waterfall and listening to classic rock and folk music during their travels makes the troubles of life and the world melt away. They have discovered that there is nothing better for the mind, soul and body than time in the wilderness and chasing their dreams.
Jackie Kucskar, DVM, is veterinary medical director at the Animal Protective Foundation. APF contributes Animal Chronicles articles and welcomes animal-related questions and stories about the people and animals in our community. Visit animalprotective.org, follow us on social media @AnimalProtectiveFoundation or email chronicles@animalprotective.org.
When Angela Rayner last week said shed do the right thing and resign if a police investigation into her former living arrangements found that she had broken the law, I was instantly suspicious.

If Labours deputy leader is so confident about the outcome of the probe by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), then why not tell us what we need to know now. Where was she living between 2010 and 2015, and why wont she publish the tax advice she says she was given when she sold her house?

Put an end to all the speculation. The negative publicity is a distraction for her party and surely cant be pleasant for her family and friends?

The deeper you dig into this story  first revealed by The Mail on Sunday  the murkier, potentially, it becomes. Indeed, I think there is every reason for GMP to hand the Rayner investigation over to another force.

Lets remind ourselves of the facts: GMP announced last Friday that it was re-examining a complaint  initially dismissed by them  made by the dogged Conservative MP James Daly.

He claims Rayner may have broken electoral law over information she gave about where she lived before she became an MP.

She says that for the first five years of her marriage, from 2010, she remained living at the former council house she had bought in 2007 in Vicarage Road, Stockport (where she was registered to vote). Her husband and children lived at his house in nearby Lowndes Lane.

But a string of neighbours and now her ex-chief adviser dispute this. They are adamant her principal residence was Lowndes Lane, and her own social media posts from that period appear to confirm this. This also raises the issue of whether Rayner was liable for capital gains tax when she sold her property in 2015 for a profit of 48,500.

The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has let it be known that neither he nor his deputy, Kate Green, will be involved in the investigation into Rayner. The Mayors role incorporates that of Police and Crime Commissioner, a responsibility Burnham has delegated to Green.

The negative publicity is a distraction for Angela Rayner's party and surely cant be pleasant for her family and friends?

Labour's deputy leader says that for the first five years of her marriage, she remained living at the former council house she had bought in 2007 in Vicarage Road, Stockport (where she was registered to vote, above)

Andy Burnham, pictured above with Ms Rayner in Birmingham last month, is a former Cabinet minister and a friend of hers who backed her for the deputy leadership

Given his and Greens political and personal allegiances thats not surprising.

Burnham, a former Cabinet minister, is a friend of Rayners who backed her for the deputy leadership. They bash out a great karaoke number together  most famously at the 2021 Labour Party Conference.

Kate Green, former Labour MP for Stretford and Urmston, a neighbouring seat to Rayners, is another good friend.

Burnhams spokesman has said the probe is purely an operational matter for GMP. Of course it is, because that is what is written in the statute books.

But to pretend this avoids any perceived conflict of interests is disingenuous to say the least. One of the powers a regional Mayor like Burnham has (or whoever he delegates the Police Commissioner role to  in this case Green) is the ability to hire and fire a chief constable and rule on police budgets.

How can that fact not be an influence on GMP? Burnham and Green dont have to do or say anything for their influence to be felt. It puts Chief Constable Stephen Watson, one of the most experienced officers in the country, in an impossible position.

Questions are already being asked about why Dalys initial complaint about Rayner was dismissed. Why did it take investigations by this newspaper before GMP reconsidered its position?

Any inquiry into Rayners affairs in which her friends are a presence is unacceptable  which is why GMP should hand this over to another force immediately.

Hannah Waddingham gave short shrift to a photographer at the Olivier Awards

Hannah goes out on a limb

In an off-the-shoulder lilac gown, Hannah Waddingham was causing a stir on the red carpet even before her exchange with a photographer went viral.

The Ted Lasso star had arrived to host the Olivier Awards on Sunday when one snapper asked her to show a little leg. Hannah, quick as a flash, responded: Oh my God, youd never say that to a man! Dont be a d**k, or Ill move off. Then she did move off, telling him to show some manners. Now, thats how a real star looks  and acts.

Steady as she goes - the Mail's Nadine Dorries with Boris Johnson

The two Mail columnists nearly come a cropper out on the water

Don't rock the boat!

With blue skies and cherry blossom floating on the surface of the river, two Mail columnists thought it was a perfect day for a punt.

So Boris Johnson and I took to the water, while friends remained on the bank predicting disaster. They werent wrong. Water came on board, leaving me with a very wet bottom. To get to the other end to add ballast wasnt easy  not when you are laughing so hard you can barely breathe.

Ratty was right. There is nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.

My heart has been so well and truly stolen by my two-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter that I find any tragedy involving young children affects me almost too deeply.

When I read about the crazed knifeman who went on a murderous spree at a shopping mall in Sydney on Saturday, killing a mother and wounding her nine-month-old baby girl, I could barely finish the article.

Ashlee Goods last act was to protect her precious daughter by passing her to a stranger, whose prompt action in compressing the wound undoubtedly helped save the childs life.

In a matter of seconds, that unique gift of a mother  unconditional love  was tested and not found wanting.

The spat between Amanda Holden and Sharon Osbourne over comments the latter made about Simon Cowell is most entertaining.

The two, who have both worked with Cowell (Sharon on X Factor; Amanda on Britains Got Talent), slugged it out on social media.

The score must be 1-0 to Sharon for putting Amanda in her place with such deliciously bitchy comments as unlike you, the brand of Sharon Osbourne is known worldwide.

But well done to Amanda for defending Simon. The publicity is perfectly timed for the return of BGT at the weekend. A coincidence, Im sure.

Today's literary gem

'Motherhood: All love begins and ends there' - Robert Browning
Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may feel he faces an impossible dilemma following the successful neutralisation of Irans missile and drone onslaught over the weekend.

President Biden is counselling him to take the win and refrain from escalation of hostilities. But the hawks in his war Cabinet and the Israeli public want their PM to press home his advantage and take the battle to Tehran. After all, the mullahs have never been closer to developing a nuclear bomb.

While there is no doubt Irans nuclear ambitions pose a grave threat to Israel and the West, as David Ben-Gurion  Israels prime minister from 1955 to 1963  once said, the Jewish state cannot afford long wars.

He was right then and hes right today. Even with its allies help, defending itself against that single Iranian attack is estimated to have cost Israel no less than $1 billion and the last thing it needs is a long and drawn-out internecine conflict with the theocrats of Persia.

But nor can Jerusalem do nothing. In my firm view, the answer is for Israel to mount surgical strikes against Irans missile launch sites and the factories that make its ordnance. Even if Iran does develop a bomb, without a delivery system, it will be unable to use it against its enemies.

Benjamin Netanyahu may feel he faces an impossible dilemma following the successful neutralisation of Iran's onslaught over the weekend

Israel's Iron Dome air defence system launches to intercept missiles fired from Iran

And we should be in no doubt as to the danger an Iranian bomb would present  and just how terrifyingly close the regime is to building one.

In a desolate mountainous region 140 miles south of Tehran is a one-square-mile site protected by anti-aircraft batteries and a detachment of Irans Revolutionary Guard: the Natanz nuclear facility.

Over the years, Natanz has been subjected to a remorseless campaign of sabotage in a bid to prevent it creating the wherewithal for a nuclear warhead.

In 2009, it was hit by a sophisticated cyber attack using a computer virus called Stuxnet believed to have been created by Israel, with the Americans.

For months, Iranian technicians scratched their heads in puzzlement as its centrifuges, vital tools in the uranium enrichment process, failed at an unprecedented rate. Israelis also organised the targeted assassinations of key scientists involved in the nuclear programme and destroyed elements of the Natanz facility using bomb-carrying drones.

But now there are signs that great strides have been made in improving security at Natanz, to the point where it has become virtually impregnable.

An analysis of satellite images of the site conducted last year concluded that the Iranians are building an underground facility at Natanz at a depth of between 260ft and 328ft.

As the Americans most advanced bunker-busting bomb, the GBU-57, is designed to plough through just 200ft of earth before detonating, this is bad news for the Israelis and their allies.

Meanwhile, in the five years since Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from a nuclear accord that strictly limited Irans enrichment of uranium to 3.67 per cent purity  enough to fuel civilian power stations  and keep its stockpile to just some 300kg (660lb), it has made good progress towards developing weapons-grade uranium.

Last year, inspectors discovered that it had produced uranium particles that were 83.7 per cent pure, just short of the 90 per cent weapons threshold.

And Natanz and its sister sites are not the Iranians only nuclear option. Just as Britain and Russia developed civil nuclear energy, which produces plutonium as a by-product of the electricity-generating process, to give themselves a source of the necessary nuclear warhead material, so Iran has acquired a plutonium-powered plant of its own.

At the port of Bushehr on the Persian Gulf, there is an atomic energy plant controlled by Russian engineers.

Conventional wisdom has it that the plant will not bring Iran any closer to building a nuclear bomb, because Moscow supplies the enriched uranium for the reactor and  under a peaceful use clause in the deal  repatriates to Russia spent fuel rods that could be reprocessed into weapons-grade plutonium.

But much has changed in the world of geopolitics since that deal was struck. Russia has turned itself into a pariah following its unprovoked, brutal war against Ukraine, for example.

It was also striking quite how pro-Iran Putins UN ambassador was at the Security Council meeting on Sunday. Whos to say Russia would object to Iran purloining enough plutonium to produce a range of nuclear warheads?

Using the plutonium produced at Bushehr would be a quicker route to making a bomb than waiting for Natanz to come up with sufficient enriched uranium.

Given that Tehran could, theoretically, have a bomb within months, the need for Israel to take out Irans ability to make delivery systems could not be more urgent. The destruction of manufacturing facilities for rockets, guidance systems and detonator plants at centres such as Parchin would mean Iran would not have a deployable nuke even if it had sufficient highly-enriched uranium. Precision strikes would also spare civilian Iranians the calamity engulfing Gaza.

Such a move would also send a powerful signal to Irans increasingly restive population. A decisive Israeli military strike now, added to the fiasco of Irans mass attack on Saturday could destabilise the Ayatollahs regime and remove fear of his Revolutionary Guards enforcers. What will really make Israel and the world safe is when Iranians liberate themselves from rulers who threaten us all.
At 1.50pm, the police stormed in. Clad in body armour, with stun guns strapped to their belts, the officers pushed past the assembled Press, barged through the audience and silenced a democratic forum for the sharing of ideas.

But this was not North Korea. This was the Claridge Hotel in Brussels yesterday, where the annual National Conservative Conference (NatCon) had been brought to a terrifying and abrupt close on the instruction of three left-wing mayors of districts in the Belgian capital.

Along with hundreds of others, I found myself holed up inside the hotel for much of the afternoon, fearing for my safety. The hours were long and tense  and, at times, dangerous.

Deciding against a violent eviction of the auditorium, the police instead formed a cordon outside the hotel forbidding entrance to the premises. Through glass doors I saw some officers hiding their faces behind balaclavas.

These armed agents of the EU's capital city bellowed intimidatingly that anyone who left the venue would not be allowed back inside. This was siege warfare - and hundreds of us were effectively being held prisoner. Our crime? Holding mildly Right-of-centre views.

Nigel Farage had been at the podium telling the conference that the EU had shifted gravely from its original post-war constitution  to become an increasingly totalitarian organisation

Other speakers included serving and former Tory ministers Suella Braverman (pictured), Michael Gove and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, as well as newspaper columnist Melanie Phillips

If anyone, anywhere, needed any clarification as to why Britain was right to leave the European Union  this should surely be it.

Brussels police had turned up to shut down NatCon on trumped-up 'public disorder' grounds. The event's organisers plan to challenge this absurd order, but far more revealing to me is what these grotesquely heavy-handed actions say about free speech and free assembly in the putative EU superstate.

Purporting to be a bastion of peace and liberalism, the bloc has morphed into an overreaching, anti-democratic body that crushes debate and silences its critics. What we witnessed yesterday in Brussels was a historic unmasking of the EU for what it really is: a would-be tyranny.

At 2pm, a cheer went up from the crowd. Miriam Cates, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge and a powerful advocate for women and traditional family values, had been smuggled into the venue through a side door.

Deflation had turned to defiance. You could see it in people's eyes and in the hum of chatter around the venue: We will not be silenced.

Police officers secure the area outside the venue where a conference titled National Conservatism takes place, in Brussels, Belgium April 16

NatCon is an annual event attended by major conservative thinkers  many of them elected politicians  speaking on issues such as lowering immigration, protecting national borders and preserving tradition.

This year, President Viktor Orban of Hungary and one-time French presidential candidate Eric Zemmour  both sworn enemies of mass migration  are expected, among many others.

In other words, everything the European Union loathes. The Claridge was in fact the third chosen location for this year's conference. The first, the nearby Sofitel Hotel, cancelled on us at 5pm on Monday citing 'security concerns'. I suspect the hotel was probably pressured into cancelling by proxies of Emir Kir, the socialist mayor of Brussels' Saint-Josse district. He had earlier tweeted: 'The far Right is not welcome.'

A second location had been chosen but the same thing happened. And so we ended up at the Claridge, whose Tunisian owner has now himself been subjected to violent threats from pressure groups including the radical far-Left organisation Antifa. It is thought his wife has also been personally threatened.

At the moment that police stormed the venue, Nigel Farage had been at the podium telling the conference that the EU had shifted gravely from its original post-war constitution  to become an increasingly totalitarian organisation.

Could there be any better vindication of this thesis than the police charging in and attempting to silence him? 'I understand the police are very keen to shut this down,' said Farage, weathering the storm of chaos in the doorway. 'Well, in that case, they can do it while I'm still on stage.'

It's beyond absurd that the authorities in Brussels think they can silence anyone whose views they dislike simply by labelling them as 'far Right'. This is woke student politics being played out on an international stage. Even London mayor Sadiq Khan, when NatCon was held in the capital last year, thought better than to intervene. If you're taking lessons from Mr Khan about freedom of expression, then frankly you've lost the plot.

But perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that the European elites are resorting to such tactics. After all, EU elections are due to be held this June and the outlook for those starry-eyed souls who crave 'ever-closer union' is decidedly bleak. Eurosceptic candidates in countries including Spain, Portugal, Sweden and, yes, Belgium itself are expected to be elected.

National populism is booming across the continent. Why? Because the EU manifestly no longer serves the interests of the people it governs.

Incidents like this will only fan the flames of discontent across the EU. And with vile tactics like those deployed by Emir Kir today, the Union will not, in the long run, hold.

Hungary's Prime Minister Orban tweeted earlier that the last time he had been attacked by the Belgian police 'was when the Communists set them on me in '88.'

Whatever you think of Orban  and I have very different views to his when it comes to the war in Ukraine  he has a point. These are tactics straight out of the Soviet playbook  and they shame an international body that proclaims itself so hypocritically to be a bastion of human rights and freedom.
Submissions open for 2nd Silk Road Global News Awards

People's Daily Online) 16:00, April 15, 2024

The Belt and Road News Network (BRNN), chaired by China's People's Daily, launched a global call for submissions for the second Silk Road Global News Awards (SRGNA) on April 12.

The SRGNA, a major signature event of BRNN, aims to recognize outstanding journalism that promotes the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. It encourages media outlets from countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to learn from each other and work together to share stories of the BRI.

The second SRGNA features four award categories: Best Reporting, Best Photography, Best Video, and Best Innovation. Each category will have one grand prize winner, four nominees, and 10 finalists.

Works that support the BRI, convey the Silk Road spirit, reflect exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, align with the vision of building a global community with a shared future, and make a substantial international impact are eligible for the awards.

Submissions should be produced by foreign entities. Works co-produced by Chinese and foreign entities, or Chinese productions released on foreign platforms, are also eligible for consideration.

Applicants should register on the BRNN official website (www.brnn.com) and submit information about their work.

The evaluation process involves a preliminary review by an academic committee and a final review by the SRGNA judging committee. Updates will be posted on the BRNN website.

The inaugural edition of the SRGNA collected submissions between January 2020 and September 2021. The selection process concluded in December 2022, and the awards ceremony was held in 2023.

Two recipients of the first Silk Road Global News Awards (SRGNA) draw ink-and-wash paintings of Bombax ceiba, the city flower of Guangzhou, during a cultural exchange event held in Yongqing Fang historical alleyways of Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Photo/Yang Shuobi and Wang Yan)

A total of 19 works were granted awards in five categories. The "Kazakhstan Belt and Road Initiative: The Road to Somewhere," a news report written by Chris Wright from the U.K., won the In-depth Reporting Award.

Mushahid Hussain Syed, head of Pakistan's Friends of Silk Road club and chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, received a Special Contribution Award.

The BRNN is a cooperative platform jointly established by media outlets from BRI countries and regions. Its mission is to boost understanding, friendship, and cooperation, and form a mechanism for regular collaboration among media outlets.

To date, 261 media organizations from 109 countries have joined this key media cooperation platform under the framework of the BRI.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Today's 40th anniversary of the murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher outside London's Libyan embassy revives unhappy memories at Scotland Yard.

Police kidnapped the media, holding them for four hours in the Travellers Club, while the murderers and other 'diplomats' were secretly smuggled from the embassy.

Reporters and cameramen were summoned from the scene to a police briefing, kept incommunicado and not permitted to leave.

BBC reporter Michael Cole, finding the outside broadcast units unmanned at the embassy on the 11th day of the siege, alerted his news desk to send reinforcements.

'By the skin of their teeth, the OB started just as the first of the alleged diplomats emerged, single file with their hands above their heads,' recalls Mr Cole. 'Not for the first time, the Met used the media but did not hesitate to frustrate legitimate journalism with cavalier disregard for the public's interest. There was never a word of apology.'

Pictured: Police officer Yvonne Fletcher who was murdered in 1984

Police kidnapped the media, holding them for four hours in the Travellers Club, while the murderers and other 'diplomats' were secretly smuggled from the embassy. Pictured: The Libyan embassy in London

Reporters and cameramen were summoned from the scene to a police briefing, kept incommunicado and not permitted to leave. Pictured: A photograph taken during the siege of the Libyan embassy

Garter King of Arms and the King's heraldic adviser David White, in the royal doghouse for using unorthodox means to get Charles to nod through a favoured appointee, reportedly went ungonged for not shouting 'God save the King' at the Queen's funeral.

Not So Hapless Dave was one of the four Kings of Arms who defied the King's decree that peers couldn't wear their coronets at his Coronation.

This clearly irked His Majesty, who failed to honour any of them in the post-Coronation list.

So how does Brian Cox rate Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Napoleon in Sir Ridley Scott's biopic?

'Terrible. A truly terrible performance,' barks Brian. 'It really is appalling. I don't know what he was thinking. I think it's totally his fault and I don't think Ridley Scott helps him. I would have played it a lot better than Joaquin Phoenix, I tell you that.' Apart from that, Cox, how was Waterloo?

So how does Brian Cox rate Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Napoleon in Sir Ridley Scott's biopic? 'Terrible. A truly terrible performance,' barks Brian. Above: The actor pictured in London last March

Centre stage in Netflix's Bridgerton, former opticians assistant Nicola Coughlan can't fathom how her life has changed.

'I'm about to begin a global press tour for one of Netflix's biggest ever shows. It's hard for me to comprehend it,' she tells Harper's Bazaar.

'The funny thing is, I don't feel any different to the girl who used to ring people up and tell them they're overdue for their eye test.'

A kerfuffle in the literary world with the London Library inviting American scholar Elizabeth Winkler to speak on her theory that Shakespeare was female.

No danger of an invitation for cross-dressing Rupert Everett who, in the 2009 St Trinian's spin-off The Legend Of Fritton's Gold, declared Will a woman.

Presumably she will avoid using Everett's co-star Zawe Ashton's declaration: 'The Bard was a bird.'
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It's one of the newer products in the cult Alpha-H range, but the High Tide Water Cream has already amassed a huge following of beauty fans, following its launch last year.

The 'ultra-hydrating' gel has racked up plenty of five star reviews from devotees who cannot get enough and now the Aussie skincare brand has announced a flash deal on the popular product.

For a limited time only shopper will be able to buy one, get one free on the High Tide Water Cream ($79.99), exclusively on the Alpha-H website.

The great value deal is timed well ahead of the cooler winter months, which can be notoriously drying for skin, and it will be well received by many customers who have raved about the product's ability to nourish and hydrate 'thirsty' skin.

Deeply nourishing: For a limited time only shopper will be able to buy one, get one free on the High Tide Water Cream ($79.99) , exclusively on the Alpha-H website.

The weightless moisturiser has been described as 'a big drink of water for skin' and contains skin-friendly ingredients like Australian Native river mint and Hyaluronic Acid, known for aiding the skin's ability to retain moisture.

The cream also includes, Vegan Squalane, a weightless emollient that helps to reduce skin water loss and soothing Panthenol (Vitamin B5) and is claimed to hydrate skin for up to five days.

One happy customer who gave the product five stars said: 'This product is helping to keep my extremely dry skin at bay. Glad to have found something that actually works especially with Winter coming up.'

Described by shoppers as offering extreme hydration, the Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream was formulated to tackle dryness and dehydration and has received rave reviews since launch

The moisturiser has been described as 'a big drink of water for skin' and contains skin-friendly ingredients like Australian Native river mint and Hyaluronic Acid

Another raved: 'I cant get enough of the high tide hydrating cream! Super hydrating!'

A third shared that the cream was a 'go-to moisturiser,' adding 'My skin just drinks this moisture, it truly leaves me skin feeling so hydrated. An absolute staple.'

The silky cream texture of the cream is formulated to feel cooling on the skin, drying down with a dewy, non-greasy finish that layers beautifully under makeup.

One happy customer raved: 'I cant get enough of the high tide hydrating cream! Super hydrating!'

It is a multi-use product to applied both day and night and consists of a lightweight yet ultra-hydrating formula that can be used to soothe dry and irritated skin or just give your complexion a moisture boost.

The Australian skincare brand is well known for its exfoliating tonics, mainly the cult Liquid Gold with 5% Glycolic Acid, which has racked up over 600 five star reviews on Alpha-H's website alone.

The brand has expanded its range to include a wide variety of cleansers, serums and mask treatments, among other skincare products.

The buy one get one free deal is only available for a week long period, so you'll need to be quick to snap up the offer

Most recently the Alpha-H launched a Vitamin Discovery Set, with four different serums to target specific needs and instructions on when to use and how to layer for the those who are new to active ingredients.

The set contains a Vitamin A Serum with 0.5% Retinol, a Vitamin B Serum with 5% Niacinamide, a Vitamin C Serum with 10% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and a Vitamin E Serum with 1% Ceramide Complex for $99.95.

The Buy One, Get One Free High Tide Water Cream ($79.95) deal is available until 22nd April 2024. For more information click here.
The BBC has divided opinion after appearing to use a wheelchair to film scenes from The Apprentice.

A video posted on TikTok shows a candidate strolling while pulling a suitcase next to the River Thames by Tower Bridge in London.

The classic and iconic shot from the programme captures candidates with their suitcases after they have been 'fired' by Lord Alan Sugar.

But the programme seems to have employed an unusual filming method as the cameraman is sat in a wheelchair while being pulled along by another member of the crew.

The clip was posted online by Nicole Venglovicova (@nicole_ven), who wrote: 'Low budget filming but works! Put your director of photography in a wheelchair. Do you find it offensive?'

The BBC has divided opinion after appearing to use a wheelchair to film scenes from The Apprentice

The video has racked up a whopping 1.4 million views and those on social media were quick to accuse the corporation of 'budget cuts':

'Since when has The Apprentice been low budget?' one commented while another added: 'This is embarrassing for the show';

'How professional,' concluded another.

Meanwhile Harry Mahmood, who was the first candidate to leave the show in 2022, wrote: 'Aww sweet memories lol' - implying it is a technique that has been reused over the years.

Others didn't see a problem with it, writing: 'Why would we be offended by this? I'm a wheelchair user and couldn't care less. If it's helping them do their job and they're not being disrespectful then it's none of my business';

'Anyone who finds this offensive needs to touch grass.'

The scene appears to be for the 19th season of The Apprentice due to air in 2025 - as this year's series is set to draw to a close in the final on Thursday as Phil Turner and Rachel Woolford battle it out as Lord Sugar's final two candidates.

The winner will receive a 250,000 investment from the business tycoon into their own business, with Sugar as their business partner.

A cameraman sat in a wheelchair while being pulled along by another member of the crew

A video posted on TikTok shows a candidate strolling while pulling a suitcase next to the River Thames by Tower Bridge in London

Though the filming method may seem unusual, 'wheelchair tracking' has in fact been used in filming for many years, though the method is now often seen as outdated.

A wheelchair was used by French director Jean-Luc Godard while filming scenes in Breathless (1960) to film tracking shots, as he was unable to afford a dolly.

And filmmaker Robert Rodriguez made El Mariachi (1992) with a borrowed camera on a wheelchair doubling as a dolly - meaning he was able to make a feature-length film for just $7,000.

Meanwhile, one Reddit thread advises users on how to 'use a wheelchair to get smooth shots if you're on a budget'.

These days a Steadicam is more commonly used - a stabilising system used to capture tracking shots with motion picture cameras. However, these cost upwards of 5,000.

Alternatively a camera dolly, a wheeled cart or similar device often raised onto a track, can be used to get the horizontal shot.

It comes after a former Apprentice star slammed the popular show and labelled it 'stale'.

Viewers were quick to accuse the corporation of 'budget cuts' while former candidate Harry Mahmood said it brought back 'sweet memories'

This year's series is set to draw to a close in the final on Thursday as Phil Turner and Rachel Woolford (pictured) battle it out as Lord Sugar's final two candidates

Raj Dhonota made it through to week nine on the first-ever series of the show, headed by Alan Sugar in 2005.

But Raj has since admitted he would 'change everything' about the programme as it stands today.

He told the Daily Star: 'Id change everything. I havent seen the most recent ones  I didnt even watch all of mine to be honest  but if its the same format over 18 years it just feels a bit stale. Id make it more real, more business oriented.'

FEMAIL has reached out to the BBC for comment.
London-based Devon Lloyd took to TikTok to alert others about her experience

A woman has warned others against using clothing rental services after she was unable to receive compensation when an expensive item came back damaged.

Aspiring lawyer Devon Lloyd, 24, from London, took to TikTok to explain her 'stress' after she received her 400 ski coat back from a renter spoiled.

The 24-year-old used the rental platform HURR, which takes a fee for its services, but despite Devon receiving her item back damaged, she is unable to guarantee reparations.

The platform warns that 'wear and tear' is a possibility when lending items, adding on their website: 'It's essential to note that as a marketplace, HURR cannot assume financial responsibility for any loss or damage.

Now, Devon has caused a storm online after expressing her disappointment with the platform, with others taking to the comment section to recount similar experiences with clothing rental sites.

Devon Lloyd (pictured), 24, from London, took to TikTok to her express her concern over a clothing renting platform after she was unable to secure compensation for her damaged item

Taking to TikTok, Devon said: 'If anyone is considering renting their clothes on HURR, this is your sign not to do it.

'I have never felt stress like I had on this app. No one tells you. They say: 'Oh my god, it's great, you can rent your clothes and make back the money you pay for it.'

'What they don't tell you is that these companies do not protect your goods at all. It says it in the small print, but they are not liable for your items.

Devon continued: 'I rented out a ski jacket, this was brand new. I basically bought this with the purpose of renting it out, but I also wanted to wear it myself as well.'

She explained that the first rental went without issues. However, things took a turn the second time when she received the coat back with a damaged belt.

Devon said: 'This was a brand-new jacket, and this was not regular bobbling, it was almost like someone had put Velcro on it and ripped the belt.'

'I messaged her, and they're like: 'Hi, just try and use a de-bobbling machine, this should sort it.'

'But in the meantime, I had another rental coming up, so I sent the coat out to the next rental and thought I would try and sort the bobbling out when I get it back.

The 24-year-old explained that the incident has led her to cease renting out her clothes on HURR

'So, I sent out the third rental; this was like chaos, [and] she did not reply to any of my messages.

The 24-year-old added: 'The rental came to an end... about three days later, I still [did not] have the coat. I contact HURR, and I'm like: 'The coat hasn't been returned, and I'm stressed about this.'

'They replied with no support, they were like 'We'll get in contact with her, but there's not much else we can do'... so not very reassuring.'

'So, I wait a bit longer and one day the coat does turn up at my house I open the coat... I look closely and the belt is missing.'

'At this point, I am literally about to lose my mind, the belt had already come back bobbling from the previous person, and now it's missing.'

'I contacted HURR, and they are not taking any responsibility for this. They are saying that it's my problem.

'They are trying to contact the renter to see if she's got the belt... but ultimately they are not responsible, so if I do not get the belt back, it's not their problem, it's just mine.'

Devon concluded: 'I just think it's crazy that even though you're paying a fee, they do not have any responsibility... and you can request to charge renters, but it's their choice whether to pay or not.'

'I think you have to be aware of this if you're renting on these sites, I personally am going to take my clothes of this site, I don't think it's worthwhile for me to be renting with this level of risk.'

MailOnline has contacted HURR for comment.

Hurr outlines its protocol on its website: 'If the damage is minor and you're happy to take the item to a cleaner or tailor of your choice, please discuss this with the renter to come to an agreement.

'If they took out Damage Protection, they'll be covered by us for up to 50.

'The Damage Protection would be shown on their price breakdown for the rental if they aren't sure about this. If Damage Protection was not taken out, your renter is liable for any charges.'

'While we are dedicated to providing support and guidance in resolving disputes between renters and lenders, it's essential to note that as a marketplace, HURR cannot assume financial responsibility for any loss or damage. We will, however, do our utmost to assist you throughout the process.'

'We ask that you kindly bear in mind that minor wear and tear is sometimes to be expected when lending items. Should a repair slightly alter an item please let us know and we'll advise on whether you can keep renting it on HURR. Just because an item's lived a little doesn't mean it can't live a little more.'

Users took to the comment section of Devon's video to share their thoughts, and many were surprised

Users took to the comment section to share their thoughts on Devon's experience. One said: 'I was considering renting my things out to Hurr, but I cannot believe there's nothing that can be done if someone doesn't return or damages item.'

A second added: 'This is exactly why I can't get with renting, can't even trust people on reselling sites, now I've got to trust people to respect my stuff and return it?'

'Not a chance I'd want anyone else wearing my clothes. I don't understand', a third wrote.

A fourth said: 'It's just sad that these days people don't look after our items - especially when they're rented. I don't trust people enough anymore to do this.'
She revealed that she was 'depressed' and 'lonely' while in the industry

A 24-year-old woman has detailed her 'wild' lifestyle that saw her become a sex worker from the age of 15 - and how her husband eventually helped her get out of the 'depressing' and 'lonely' industry.

The anonymous Kansas-based mom-of-one took to Reddit to dish about the 'violence' she saw and experienced while working as an escort as a teenager.

She explained that she was at the center of chaos until she met her husband, adding he was the one person who 'cared' and wanted to see her do well.

In the AMA (ask me anything) subreddit, the unknown woman answered people's questions about the industry and how she got out.

A 24-year-old has lifted the lid on her 'wild' lifestyle that saw become a sex worker at the age of 15 (stock image)

The anonymous Kansas-based mom-of-one took to Reddit to dish about the 'violence' she saw and experienced while working as an escort as a teenager

She titled the post: 'I used to be an escort/prostitute. Now I'm married with one child. Ask me anything.'

The mom wrote: '[I'm a] 24-year-old female. [I] was an escort from 15 until 21. Wild a** s***. Pimps, violence, etc. I saw a lot of [bulls***] and did a lot of [bulls***]. I've never done drugs other than liquor. Always carried myself as old[er] than I was.'

In the comments section, she explained that she began lying about her age at 15 and would go on dates with older men 'just for fun'.

Her life as a sex worker began when she broke her phone and was too scared to ask her parents for a new one, so she began charging men to have sex with her and be around her.

The mom explained that her parents were always working and didn't know about her life in the industry.

'My mother was home and she didn't care as long as my grades were good. She didn't know, she just thought I was running the streets being a kid I guess. My dad was always at work. They are older and just really didn't know,' she wrote.

She confessed that she lost her virginity aged 13 to her friend's brother, who was five years older than her.

'Virginity was at 13 to my friend's brother. He was 18. I had no clue about sex,' she said.

In addition to getting paid to have sex, she also revealed that she had 'over 100' partners that she dated.

'I got out when I met my husband, I finally had someone who cared about me and wanted to see me do well. I was so alone and depressed doing that stuff. He accepted me for what I was. He took me away from that.

People on the web flooded the comments section and asked her a slew of questions

'I got out with no problems but mental stuff now about my past,' she said.

The former sex worker also detailed the type of customer she often had - admitting that she once got too close to a client.

She added: 'I had a lot of repeat customers. They were my fav because I could trust them and we had a bond. I actually hated meeting new dudes because you just never know! I did get attached to like three men. I was excited to see them and one of them I actually had sex with for fun one time. Then went back to paying cause I thought what the f*** am I doing!'

When it came to the physical appearance of the men she had sex with, the mom-of-one said that they were very much not her type.

'Most of the men were old and unattractive and REALLY not my type... I didn't look at them often during sex or whatever. I avoided that as much as I could,' she revealed.

When asked about pricing, she shared that she often made her services more expensive in hopes that she wouldn't have to endure sex with more men than needed.

She admitted: 'I charged $100-$120 for 10-15 mins, $160-$180 for 30 mins, and $250-$300 for an hour. I didn't like hours because men can't even go an hour so I'd make it "pricey" hoping they wouldn't.'

The former sex worker also recounted a terrifying moment while in the industry. She explained that it occurred when a client of hers took her gun.

'The scariest experience was one time I had my gun sitting on the kitchen counter and the date I was seeing then had picked it up to steal it. I didn't know what the f*** he was going to do,' she said.

The mom-of-one said she finally got out when she was 21 after she met her husband through 'social media.' She explained that he didn't care about her past, and revealed how he reacted when she first told him.

She added: 'We don't talk about it. We live normal lives. We were friends for a few years but not very close, so he knew before we started seeing each other. We originally saw each other during a friendly gathering with him and some dudes and me and my homegirls. [I] didn't really like him enough to be together until one day he randomly asked me to come over on Facebook and hang out because he was lonely and I did. We have been together ever since that day. '

The former sex worker noted that her past hadn't affected her relationship with her child, and she now lives a very 'normal' life.

'I'm a regular momma I wake up every morning before work. And make breakfast. And we all leave to drop the baby at daycare and go to work. Its a regular life. I read, sing, and dance with my baby, and we go out on family outings to the park, and zoo and other things. It's very normal,' she said.
When billionaire oil heiress Ivy Getty sealed her marriage to Tobias Engel with a kiss at City Hall in San Francisco, the bridal crown she was wearing fell off her head.

It was a moment guests quickly forgot as they were immediately serenaded with Myra's Miracles Happen, from the hit film Princess Diaries, but as Ivy files for divorce after just a few years of marriage, they may reflect it was a moment of foreboding.

Tying the knot in November 2021 (after a private ceremony 11 months earlier), when the Covid pandemic was still ripping through communities, meant that large gatherings were a risky business. Nonetheless, Ivy, great-granddaughter of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, managed to make her miracle happen as she wore a John Galliano mirrored bridal gown to walk down the aisle in a ceremony officiated by Nancy Pelosi.

Ivy, who is also a model, was accompanied by bridesmaids including actress Anya Taylor-Joy and also some cousins, with every detail of the fantasy union documented in the pages of Vogue.

The marriage of Ivy Getty and Tobias Engel is over, Page Six reports, as the billionaire heiress has filed for divorce

But for Tobias and Ivy, who had met a few years earlier through mutual friends at Paris Fashion Week, the fairytale romance is over, as Page Six reports the 29-year-old heiress filed for divorce in January.

Ivy previously told Vogue she and Tobias, known to friends and family as 'Toby', got engaged on one of the many trips the couple had taken abroad, in Capri.

She revealed they had attended a Unicef ball a few days earlier, before deciding to spend some time in Italy, and went out for dinner one night but, in a break from the couple's usual routine, Toby picked the restaurant for dinner.

Although Ivy said she was always the one who chose the couple's dinner plans, she was happy to go along with her partner's choice - and when they arrived at the restaurant, all became clear.

Ivy Getty wed her beau in a gown designed by John Galliano and made of mirrors in a 2021 San Francisco ceremony

The first night of the three-day celebration was a mod themed party at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco

Ivy's engagement ring featured an enormous blue stone surrounded by smaller diamonds taken from a necklace her grandmother had given her when she was a teenager

'As the sun was getting ready to set, we went outside to take photos of it. Toby set his iPhone timer and got down on one knee. The timer went off at the perfect moment as we have the most incredible photo,' she said.

The ring was a large stone surrounded by diamonds which had been sourced from a necklace Ivy had been gifted by her grandmother as a teenager - which the heiress said gave it enormous sentimental value to her and always brought a 'smile' to her face.

However, the couple couldn't throw themselves into wedding planning quite yet, as the world was still in the throes of the pandemic which threw everything into uncertainty. So, like the rest of the world, they sat tight.

Sadly, 2020 saw Ivy lose two relatives; her grandmother Ann, an interior designer, and her father John Gilbert Getty. A postmortem later concluded John had died from a fentanyl overdose coupled with a heart condition.

The couple finished off their three day wedding extravaganza at Mansion Getty with the entire home being the inspiration for the celebration

The couple had a private wedding in December of 2020, before holding a more public and lavish ceremony in November 2021

Ivy explained the loss of two close relatives made her realise the importance of waiting until the pandemic had settled to get married, so she could be surrounded by loved ones. It also made her sure she wanted the entire wedding to be an homage to her grandmother - meaning part of the three-day extragavanza was to be held in her home (the interiors of which had been designed by Ann).

Fast-forward to November 2021 and guests arrived in San Francisco for the lavish nuptials, which included a mod party on night one in which guests including bridesmaid Anya Taylor-Joy and Princess Olympia of Greece were dolled up in swinging sixties gear.

Other guests included designer Wes Gordon, designer Mimi Wade, influencer Marta Mae, musician Petite Meller, fashion editor Hamish Bowles, activist Marsha Molinari, model Laura Hanson Sims, British TV host Fletcher Cowan, and filmmaker (and Kiernan Shipka's boyfriend) Christian Coppola.

In a post on Instagram, Ivy shared photos of herself and revellers at the party, where Mark Ronson was on the DJ decks and Earth Wind and Fire performed, and thanked her stylists, photographers and acts saying the wedding celebrations were the 'best week of my life'.

The bride's shoes were Christian Louboutins designed in collaboration with John Galliano

The artist and model called it quits on her marriage to the photographer and actor after four years together according to Page Six; seen in 2022

To host the British Invasion Mod Party at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, a team of event organisers led by the bride's close friend Stanlee Gatti spent a week transforming the venue into the perfect 60s party space. Over the course of the night, Ivy appeared in three vintage outfits.

On the second day of festivities, guests were invited to attend a picnic party at a the Log Cabin in Presidio, a venue which overlooks the city.

To attend the picnic, the bride wore a black lace gown from Alexander McQueen's 2016 collection, while any guests who might have been suffering from sore heads after the mod party were treated to IV drips to help them replenish their stocks.

That evening, the bridal party attended a rehearsal ceremony at City Hall before an 'intimate' dinner as they got ready for the big ceremony the following day.

That evening, the bridal party attended a rehearsal ceremony at City Hall before an 'intimate' dinner as they got ready for the big ceremony the following day.

According to the court documents, it is a 'contested' divorce. That means the former pair did not settle with a mediator before Getty filed the paperwork; seen in 2023 in New York

According to the court documents, it is a 'contested' divorce. That means the former pair did not settle with a mediator before Getty filed the paperwork; seen in 2023 in New York

Getty filed for divorce in January. The couple have a prenup in place to protect her billionaire family's assets; seen in 2022

As the bride and her 14 bridesmaids got ready for the big day in City Hall, they had a 'pyjama party' to celebrate the upcoming nuptials.

The late John Galliano, who designed Ivy's mirrored bridal gown, revealed he also designed all 14 bridesmaid dresses - something he wouldn't normally do because the wedding dress itself takes up so much time.

However, he said he had been 'bewitched' by Ivy and her tales of the women who were accompanying her down the aisle, so he decided to make and exception.

As the ceremony took place, with Nancy Pelosi standing before the couple, guests were enamoured by Toby's vows in which he said Ivy had been the 'biggest gift' of his life.

Following the ceremony, guests moved to Getty Mansion for the wedding reception - at which point Ivy changed into her second wedding gown, a lace couture dress by Maison Margiela.

After an evening of partying, the San Francisco elite called it a night at around 1am.

Reflecting on the three-day extravaganza, Ivy said: 'It's just like everything I could have dreamed of and more.'

However, two-and-a-half years on, the couple's fairytale has come to an end as Ivy has filed for divorce, according to Page Six. The couple have a prenup in place to protect her billionaire family's assets.

'Obviously, being a member of the Getty family, Ivy is careful about legal entanglements,' a source told the publication.

According to the court documents, it is a 'contested' divorce.

That means the former pair did not settle with a mediator before Getty filed the paperwork.

Ivy has since deleted a number of pictures featuring Engel from her Instagram, though he still remains in some carousel posts from their wedding.
A 23-year-old CEO said she rejected three girls who bullied her at school when they applied to work at her successful company, adding that 'what they put out' meant they got 'nowhere in life'.

Vicky Owens, from Stockport in Greater Manchester, is the founder of Alderley Edge-based Socially Speaking Media, a thriving six-figure business.

According to Vicky, she posted a job advertisement on LinkedIn earlier this year after wanting to recruit more employees to work at her social media agency.

She says she couldn't believe it when three girls who once ridiculed her at school applied for the position.

Vicky claims two of the girls who sent their CVs used to ignore her in school but she was shocked to get an application from a third who actively bullied her.

Vicky Owens, from Stockport in Greater Manchester, is the founder of Alderley Edge-based Socially Speaking Media, a thriving six-figure business

Above: Vicky is pictured with ketchup in hair at Nando's as she claims the girl who did it applied to work for her business

Vicky claims two of the girls who sent their CVs over used to ignore her in school, but says she was most shocked by the third girl who applied, as she claims she proactively bullied her

Vicky when she was younger, around the time she claimed she was bullied

Vicky claims the third applicant poured yoghurt over her head in the school canteen and covered her in ketchup at Nando's when she out with friends in year 10.

Due to the torment she endured at school, Vicky says her mental health suffered - she began to have panic attacks and struggled to leave the house after leaving full-time education.

After sharing her experience on TikTok, the businesswoman claims users were quick to suggest revenge on the girls but Vicky says she was 'bigger person' and ignored their applications.

The entrepreneur has now emphasised the importance of always being 'kind' to others because you never know when a personal connection could help you succeed in the real world.

She suggested the world's karma would correct itself as she said 'the good that you put out does eventually come back to you even if it feels like it's never going to'.

Vicky said: 'The company just started to get bigger and bigger so I put out a hiring post and three of the girls that were absolutely awful to me at high school applied for the job.

The entrepreneur has now emphasised the importance of always being 'kind' to others as you never know when a personal connection could help you succeed in the real world

Vicky when she got the keys to her new office in Cheshire as her thriving business expanded

Vicky, pictured at the Nobu Hotel in Marrakech, is now flown around the world by her clients

Vicky says she thinks she was bullied because she was an 'easy' target who 'didn't speak much'

'Two of the girls were people who just didn't give me the time of day at school and then the other girl was someone who flung yoghurt all over my head in the canteen in Year 10.

'Another time I was out with some of my friends in Nando's in year nine or year 10 and this girl walked past and flung ketchup across my face.

'I don't know why people did this to me. I think I was just an easy target as I was quiet and didn't say much. Both of these incidents were done by girls who then applied to work for me.

'I think in a really sad way I got used to it [the bullying]. When you're younger everyone makes it out that it's funny.

'The pinch me moment was when I saw the girl that was awful to me at school wanted to now work for me. That was a full-circle moment.

'I found it very interesting [that they had applied]. I was really baffled whether to reply to them [the job applications] or to decline them.

'Some people on TikTok were so nasty and suggested I invite them into an interview and make them feel awful but this is just not in my character.

'I just ignored them and every time we go to hire every couple of months there are definitely familiar faces in the applications that definitely weren't horrible to me at school but didn't give me the time of day.

Vicky said it was a 'full circle' moment when the girls who were mean to her at school now wanted to work for her

Her business, Socially Speaking Media, is a social media agency based in Alderley Edge in Cheshire and is currently a team of four employees

Vicky, pictured on holiday in Palma De Mallorca, said her advice is to be kind to everyone and not to stoop to the bully's level

Since creating her company from her bedroom in 2021, Vicky has collaborated with the Netflix show Emily in Paris, Grace Beverly (pictured with Vicky) and helped clients feature in Vogue magazine

'I started to have panic attacks after I finished high school and had all that to deal with. My parents also went through a divorce.

'It was all the build-up from the tormenting over the years and then my parents' divorce.

'My body was just a bit in shock. I continued to have them and they got so bad I couldn't work or leave the house and therefore had no income so this is when I started my business.'

Socially Speaking Media is a social media agency based in Alderley Edge in Cheshire and is currently a team of four employees.

Since creating her company from her bedroom in 2021, Vicky has collaborated with the Netflix show Emily in Paris, Grace Beverly and helped clients feature in Vogue magazine.

Vicky said: 'We're definitely at a six-figure business and we're very soon to be moving into the multi-six figures.

'Even though it does feel like it, high school is such a short time [in your life].

'I would just say to everyone to be kind. I never stooped to their [the bully's level] and the good that you put out does eventually come back to you even if it feels like it's never going to.

'If you stay consistent and get your head down, you will see results in the end.'
He's been at the centre of a trans rights scandal in Ireland for the past two years - and now Enoch Burke's father and brother have become embroiled in their own legal battles.

In May 2022, the history teacher found himself in the centre of Ireland's culture wars after he refused to refer to a transitioning transgender student as 'they' rather than 'he'.

It sparked a chain of events that has led to him being jailed for repeatedly showing up at Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath after being sacked, and entering the staff room saying he was there to do his job.

Enoch has spent over 300 days in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin and has no prospect of release because he refuses to comply with a court order to stay away from the school premises. Last month, he refused a High Court offer to spend Easter out of prison and accused the judge of colluding with the school.

In recent months, Enoch's father and brother have faced legal issues of their own - after the family passionately supported the teacher during various hearings in Dublin's Four Courts.

Pictured: Enoch Burke seen arriving at the High Court in Dublin in February 2023 during his ongoing dispute with his ex-employer

Enoch's father held up a sign outside the school in December 2023 reading: 'Christmas in Mountjoy for Christian teacher'

In January, Enoch's father Sean Burke pleaded not guilty to assaulting a female garda during an incident at Dublin's Four Courts, which houses the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and Dublin Circuit Court.

Sean allegedly assaulted Garda Victoria Fisher on 7 March 2023, the same day his son's case was taken to the Court of Appeal.

Meanwhile, Simeon Burke was also charged for a 'volatile' breach of the peace on this occasion too.

Sean's assault charge was deemed a minor offence that is only tried at district court level by a judge.

After the father-of-10 pleaded not guilty at Dublin District court, Judge Michele Finan set a date for the trial in May - as not enough witnesses were available for a proposed date in February.

As he will represent himself, Sean told the judge he was 'anxious to proceed' with the hearing, which a state solicitor said would take half a day.

However, Sean defiantly said that the court hearing would last 'an hour, maybe two', according to the Irish Independent.

Earlier this week, Enoch's younger brother Simeon Burke had his conviction for a 'volatile' breach of peace during one of the teacher's hearing at the Four Courts overturned.

Enoch Burke's brother Simeon, sister Ammi and mother Martina Burke and other family members arriving at the The Criminal Courts of Justice earlier this year

Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath, Ireland. The former teacher took issue with the former headteacher asking staff to refer to a transgender student by their new name and pronouns

Although Judge John Martin said Simeon's behaviour in the courtroom was 'unbecoming', he ruled that it did not meet the requirements for a public order offence.

Simeon - who was also representing himself - had previously been convicted under Section 6 of Public Order, which states that the person had engaged in 'threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace'.

The Irish Times reports Judge Martin said: 'I have heard evidence that he strongly resisted [gardai] and was obstructing them and was crying terms concerning transgenderism and that gardai should deploy their resources to other parts of the city.

'Does it reach the criminal standard? I am afraid it doesnt and I am allowing the appeal.'

Last month, the Irish High Court offered to release Enoch from prison over Easter in the hope that he would reflect over his actions and 'find a better way' to express his faith without returning to the school.

During the hearing, Enoch accused the judge of working with the school's lawyers and interrupted him on multiple occasions.

His mother Martina and sister Amni were told to leave the courtroom. Meanwhile, his brother Issac was also forcibly removed twice.

Over the past two years, the father-of-10 has been vocal in his support for Enoch and stood outside Wilson's Hospital School in December 2023 with a sign reading: 'Christmas in Mountjoy for Christian teacher.'

Former History and German teacher Enoch Burke seen outside Wilson's Hospital School in January, violating their court order to stay away

Enoch Burke's mother, father, sister and brother seen protesting outside Ballinrobe Community School in November on the day it was being visited by Norma Foley, the Minister for Education

On top of this, Sean and his son Isaac were physically removed from the Court of Appeal for interrupting Justice John Edwards in November 2023.

That same month, Sean was joined by his wife Martina - who founded the Burke Christian School in Castlebar - and two of their children to protest at Ballinrobe Community School on the day it was being visited by Norma Foley, the Minister for Education.

In 2020, Martin's son Elijah Burke successfully won a High Court battle against the politician, who had previously excluded him from the calculated grades system as his mother had been marking his work.

Enoch's brother argued that he had been discriminated against for being home-schooled.

Justice Charles Meenan ruled that the calculated grade system excludes students who are home-schooled. He went on to rule that it was 'unreasonable and unlawful' to suggest that their teachers have a conflict of interest in marking their work.

While Martina dubbed the politician the 'minister for transgenderism', Sean's sign read: 'Enoch Burke [is in] Mountjoy Prison for [his] Christian belief.'

During a previous hearing, Enoch's mother Martina accused the judges of 'bowing to the altar of transgenderism' while waving a copy of the Constitution.

Burke's sister Ammi is forcibly removed from the Court of Appeal in March 2023 for interrupting a judgment being read out

Enoch's mother Martina protests outside the school, where the annual carol concert was being held in December 2023

His sister Ammi, a solicitor, also attempted to argue with the judges mid-ruling, saying her brother's constitutional rights were not being upheld.

Judge Birmingham asked her to sit down, and then requested that gardai remove her from the courtroom.

In Spring 2022, headteacher Niamh McShane sent an email to her staff informing them of the student's new name and pronouns.

After receiving the email, Burke is said to have raised his issue with the change of pronouns during a staff meeting on May.

While giving evidence in a later trial, deputy headteacher John Galligan said that Burke 'erupted' during the meeting and 'changed colour completely'.

According to the former deputy head, Burke  whose 'forte' was said to have been extracurricular debating  spoke for a 'good five to eight minutes'.

After this, guidance counsellor Freda Malone told a court that she approached Burke to tell him she was sorry he was so upset and noted that he had tears in his eyes.

In a follow-up meeting between the headteacher, her deputy and Burke, Mr Galligan claimed the jailed teacher repeated how he was 'opposed to transgenderism' as a result of his religion.

Following this, Burke is said to have publicly interjected after a religious service celebrating the school's 260th anniversary to criticise Ms McShane's supposed 'demand' that staff refer to the student by their chosen pronouns.

In 2022, Ammi had attended a meeting between Enoch and his former employer, which determined if he was going to be suspended or face any kind of disciplinary.

Enoch's former boss Niamh McShane submitted a stage-four report to the chair of the board John Rogers about Burke's outbursts  which prompted the representative to arrange a meeting with the teacher.

The purpose of the meeting was to decide if Burke should be suspended or face any kind of disciplinary.

Burke's sister Ammi is said to have joined him for the meeting  which was adjourned for 15 minutes by Mr Rodgers, who said it was 'going nowhere'.

When the representatives returned to the meeting room, the Burkes had left.

After this, the board made the unanimous decision to place Burke on paid leave while they dealt with the misconduct allegation.

According to Mr Galligan, there were growing concerns 'about what [Burke's] next protest might and the form it would take' in the new school year.

Despite being put on leave, Burke is said to have attended a staff meeting at the start of the school year.

After repeatedly arriving on school grounds, Burke was allegedly asked to leave 'every hour' by the deputy head.

Enoch's siblings Ammi and Josiah Burke seen outside an Irish court in October 2023. The pair have been vocal in their support of Enoch

Burke seen arriving at the High Court, Dublin, after he was committed to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin for breaching a temporary court order that he was to stay away from his workplace

The ex-deputy head said: '[Burke] would be there for the day, standing in the room reading from a book. Thats where he remained.'

Mr Galligan says Burke refused to leave the premises - insisting he was 'there to work and attend meetings'.

In May 2023, the Irish High Court ruled that the school had acted lawfully in suspending Burke and said Enoch had been 'trespassing' on their grounds.

In an attempt to keep Burke away from the premises while they conducted the investigation, the school took out a temporary court order against the teacher  which still didn't deter him.

In August 2022, Enoch was sued by the school for his failure to comply with the court order and later arrested for being in contempt of court.

At his initial hearing on September 6 that year, Mr Burke told Judge Quinn: 'I am a teacher and I don't want to go to prison. I want to be in my classroom today, that's where I was this morning when I was arrested.'

'I love my school, with its motto Res Non Verba, actions not words, but I am here today because I said I would not call a boy a girl.'

When the case went to the High Court the following week, Burke, who was representing himself, maintained that he would not purge his contempt of court for violating the order, insisting that he was being persecuted for his faith.

When asked by Judge Eileen Roberts if he would abide by the order, Burke said: I cannot do that. I go back to jail as a law-abiding citizen of the state always. But God first.

Burke seen outside Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath after following a bus through the school gates. The school's new headteacher Frank Milling said that having to lock doors was creating a health and safety issue for faculty

Former history and German teacher Burke seen arriving at the Four Courts in Dublin after being dismissed by the school

Addressing the court, Burke said: The question is not will I purge my contempt but how this court order could have been granted?

The court is asking me to purge my contempt, but this court has robbed me of my constitutional right. It was wrong what the court did. How can I purge my contempt of that which is wrong?

But Judge Roberts disagreed with his argument. The teacher was escorted out of the court to prison by three prison guards to loud applause from the public gallery with many hollering: The country is with you Enoch.

In September 2023, Burke was jailed for a second time after refusing to comply with the High Court order.

The school's new headteacher Frank Milling said that having to lock doors was creating a health and safety issue for faculty.

On top of this, the headteacher said he was unable to carry out some of his everyday duties as he has to monitor Burke  who has been known to follow cars through the gates.

After gaining access by following a bus in January, Mr Milling  who has expressed concern for how the situation is impacting current students  told Burke: 'Stop. Stop. Get off the property.'

Despite being removed from the premises by two uniformed gardai, Burke returned to the gates following his release later that same day.

Speaking at the gates, Burke told local press that he had been 'wrongfully arrested' for trespassing and insisted he has 'broken no laws' and 'done nothing wrong', the Irish Independent reports.
Jamie Oliver has failed to impress viewers with his new Channel 4 series about cooking with air fryers.

The first episode of the programme, Jamie's Air Fryer meals, broadcasted across the UK on Monday evening, but, unlike the nifty kitchen device that the 48-year-old represents, it's left viewers less than dazzled.

The television chef, who admitted he was initially 'sceptical' about air fryers, kicked off the two-part series by sharing a prosciutto fish recipe, a roast chicken dinner curry and a peach-baked Alaska.

But his bid to show that air fryers are about 'so much more than nuggets and chips' failed to impress critics, with the Guardian branding the show 'bewilderingly cringe' and 'deafening'.

Meanwhile, viewers on X, formerly Twitter, reported a similar viewpoint, and one remarked: 'The Jamie Oliver air fryer programme is nowhere near reality.'

Jamie Oliver failed to impress viewers with the first episode of his new Channel 4 series, Jamie Oliver's Air Fryer Meals

Oliver created the Channel 4 show in partnership with Tefal following the device's boom in popularity in recent years.

The episode saw Oliver employ an air fryer to create prosciutto-baked fish, cheddar cheese and chive scones, Keralan-style roast chicken, pork and pineapple noodles, and a peach-baked Alaska.

TikTok influencer and Michelin-trained chef Poppy O'Toole also featured in the new show alongside Jamie.

Despite the television chef's best attempt to create tasty, simple air fryer recipes, backlash has brewed among critics and viewers.

Discussing the show, Lucy Mangan of the Guardian wrote: 'Jamie Oliver jumps on the culinary bandwagon in this bewilderingly cringey two-parter. Hasn't even he tired of his own shtick by now?'

'There are only two episodes in Jamie's latest venture and things are starting to feel stretched long before the end of the first.

Meanwhile, Benji Wilson on the Telegraph questioned whether the show's product placement with Tefal was problematic.

He wrote: 'Basically then, Jamie's Air Fryer Meals with Tefal is itself an advert. It could be called Tefal's Air Fryer Meals with Jamie. The question is whether this is a problem or not.'

The television chef prepared several recipes using a Tefal air fryer, including prosciutto baked fish and a Keralan-style roast chicken

The 48-year-old chef attempted to impress viewers with a prosciutto baked fish (pictured) recipe

Elsewhere, similar concerns spread across social media after the first episode aired on Monday evening.

One mocked the concept of the show and wrote: 'The Jamie Oliver air fryer programme is nowhere near reality.'

'It's basically a 30 min advert for Tefal... The bloke would sell his soul for a few quid', said another.

A third questioned: 'Jamie Oliver is doing Air Fryer Meals on ch4... is he that desperate for cash?'

Meanwhile, a fourth added: 'You can tell Jamie Oliver doesnt have to clean his own air fryer grating cheese straight into the drawer? Monster!'

Another said: 'Jamie, like all the other TV chefs, seem to think we don't notice they seem to have about two or three different air fryers, depending on what they're trying to cook. Like we all have two or three of them?'

A sixth added: '#Jamiesairfryermeals this programme is no good if youre on a budget, firstly you need to spend about 50 quid on ingredients and that doesnt include the meat.

Jamie has been sponsored by Tefal, which make air fryers, for the new two-part show on Channel 4

Viewers flocked to X, formerly Twitter, took share their thoughts on the cooking show and many were unimpressed

In a statement announcing the new Channel 4 show - which will be sponsored by Tefal, which makes air fryers - Oliver said: 'It's super-rare for a piece of kitchen kit to revolutionise how people are choosing to cook in the way the air fryer has done.

'At first, I was sceptical, but as soon as I started to test and play around with ideas, settings and new ways to create flavour and texture, I was totally hooked.

'In my mind, anything that gets people cooking is a win. And the fact that the air fryer uses less energy, saves time and creates much less washing-up  all while turning out delicious, nutritious food  can only be a good thing.

'It's a great solution for the modern family, where days are often hectic and decent meals are needed, fast.'

Oliver also cited the popularity of air fryer recipes he has been posting on his website since last year, saying they had been 'a huge hit' with more than 500,000 views.

Katie Millard of Jamie Oliver Productions said: 'Working with our long-term partner, Tefal, Jamie was able to respond to the huge public demand for more air fryer recipes and loved every second developing the new recipes.

'As this series will show, there is so much more to an air fryer than nuggets and chips.'
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has revealed that he already has an abdication date in mind - placing him in the fray of older European monarchs rumoured to be considering stepping down from duty to let their young heirs take the reigns.

Speaking to La Libre, as reported by Point de Vue, the royal, 69, quipped that he knows the exact date he plans to pass the baton to his son Guillaume, 42 - but 'won't tell' the press yet.

'All this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective,' he added.

'Transmission and trust are the two essential elements in my relationship with my son Guillaume.'

The outlet, reporting on a conversation the Grand Duke had with programme Place Royale, also revealed that he said it's 'obvious' that he 'intends to retire at some point'.

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg (pictured with his wife Maria Teresa in 2023) has revealed that he already has an abdication date in mind - placing him in the fray of older European monarchs rumoured to be considering stepping down from duty to let their young heirs take the reigns.

'There are plans,' Henri - who has reigned since October 2000 - explained. 'There will come a day when it will have to be done.'

His comments follow a series of abdication rumours amid European royals, after Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the shock decision to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January.

At the time, royal biographer Phil Dampier told MailOnline that he believes King Charles will be influenced by events in Denmark since New Year's Eve - especially if it would protect the future of the British Royal Family.

He added that the Prince and Princess of Wales are very friendly with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, and will have been in contact with them.

'Our late Queen would never abdicate because of what happened in 1936 when her uncle abdicated and her father came to the throne. But times change,' he explained.

'William and Kate get on very well with Frederik and Mary and will be among the first to congratulate them. They will be fascinated to see how they get on as King and Queen and it will make them think about their future as well'.

However, King Harald of Norway has confirmed he has no plans to abdicate after speculation he could follow in the footsteps of his former Danish counterpart.

The monarch, 86, (who is the second cousin of King Charles III) insisted that the promise he made to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded the throne in 1991 'lasts for life'.

King Harald told Faktisk.no: 'I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life.'

Speaking to La Libre , as reported by Point de Vue , the royal, 69, quipped that he knows the exact date he plans to pass the baton to his son Guillaume, 42 (pictured with his wife in 2023) - but 'won't tell' the press yet.

The Grand Duke and his wife Maria Teresa, 68, have five children including Guillaume - Prince Felix, 39, Prince Louis, 37, Princess Alexandra, 33 and Prince Sebastien, 31.

Guillaume and his wife Stephanie, 40, have two sons: Charles, three, and Francois Henri Louis Marie Guillaume, who turned one last month.

It comes as Prince Felix and Princess Claire of Luxembourg have just earlier this year welcomed their third child, Prince Balthasar Felix Karl.

The baby was born on 7 January at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital in the centre of Luxembourg and tipped the scales at eight pounds.

Claire, 38, and the baby, who is the seventh in line of succession to the throne, are said to be in 'perfect health'.

The outlet, reporting on a conversation the Grand Duke had with programme Place Royale, also revealed that he said it's 'obvious' that he 'intends to retire at some point'

His comments follow a series of abdication rumours amid European royals, after Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the shock decision to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January. Pictured: The late Queen Elizabeth II with The Reigning Sovereigns Of Europe in 2002

Proud grandmother Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, 67, took to Instagram to share a selection of family photos with Balthasar.

She wrote: 'What an immense joy the arrival of Balthazar, our seventh grandchild, born on January 7 in Luxembourg.'

The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg shared the first complete family photograph with Prince Felix, Princess Claire, and their three children  Princess Amalia, nine, Prince Liam, seven, and Prince Balthasar.

In the first photograph, Claire held baby Balthasar in her arms next to Felix, while Amalia and Liam looked equally adorable on the hospital bed.

In another shot, seven-year-old Liam sweetly offered his younger brother a peck on the forehead while his sister Amalia kissed his head.

The Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg also posed for cameras with baby Balthasar.

In her New Year speech, Margrethe abdicated the throne and handed the reins to her son Frederik

However, King Harald of Norway has confirmed he has no plans to abdicate after speculation he could follow in the footsteps of his former Danish counterpart

Maria looked as glamorous as ever in a pink silk blouse as she held the newborn in her arms.

Meanwhile, Henri looked dapper in a pinstripe suit for the occasion. Already a doting grandfather, the royal proudly glanced at his seventh grandchild while he rested in his hands.

It comes after the news that Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg is expecting her first child with husband Nicolas Bagory after the pair got married earlier last year.

The princess, 31, wed French businessman Nicolas, 33, in a civil ceremony at Luxembourg Town Hall in April.

The royal baby will be eighth in line to the Luxembourg throne, regardless of gender, but will have no title due to this usually being inherited from the father.

In 2011, the Luxembourg Succession Rules were revised to allow women in the line of succession - which added Princess Alexandra along with her future children.

For her civil wedding to Nicolas, Alexandra opted for a sleek cream bridal suit rather than a dress, while the groom wore a crisp navy blue suit with a pale blue tie.

After the ceremony, the beaming couple stood on the steps outside the Town Hall and waved to adoring fans who had gathered to see them.

A week later, Alexandra and Nicolas continued their wedding celebrations as they tied the knot in a lavish religious ceremony in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southeastern France.

Alexandra looked elegant for the occasion in a flowing, off-white gown. Her dress was slightly off the shoulder, with pleated details.

The princess opted for a long veil decorated with beads and pearlescent embellishments. She also wore an opulent tiara, and kept her make-up natural for the occasion.

Alexandra was accompanied by her father, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, as she entered the Saint Trophyme Church in Bormes-les-Mimosas for the religious event.

Her mother Maria Teresa, the Grand Duchess, was spotted entering the church a few moments beforehand in a bold navy and green fitted dress.

Alexandra and Nicolas announced their engagement in November, 2022.
Rushdie's book, Knife, discusses the August 2022 attack on his life in New York

Nigella Lawson has lavished praise on Salman Rushdie's new book, saying she rushed out to buy her close friend's latest 'profound' work, which recounts the New York knife attack that blinded his right eye, as soon as she could.

Currently in Australia, the TV chef, 64, said she made the most of the time difference - Sydney is nine hours ahead of the UK - to pick up a copy at a favourite book store in the city, and said she didn't stop reading until she'd finished the whole book.

The book, Rushdie's 22nd, is called Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, and recounts the assassination attempt made on his life while he was on stage at a New York literary festival in August 2022.

Nigella Lawson said she'd rushed to buy her close friend of more than 40 years' new book, Knife, about the 2022 assassination attempt on his life, while staying in Sydney, calling Rushdie's new work an 'absolutely stunning piece of writing' (pictured together in 2005)

Salman Rushdie, who spent more than a decade in hiding after his 'blasphemous' 1988 novel The Satanic Verses led a Muslim leader to put a 'fatwa' on his head, lost his right eye in the New York literary festival attack in August 2022 (Pictured discussing his new book this weekend)

The 'frenzied' attack saw the 76-year-old stabbed 15 times; he lost an eye and revealed afterwards that he thought he would die at the hands of the knifeman.

Rushdie spent more than a decade in hiding after his 'blasphemous' 1988 novel The Satanic Verses led a Muslim leader to put a Fatwa on his head.

Nigella and Rushdie have been friends for over 40 years, and the cook revealed in 2021 that MI5 had once stormed her kitchen after mistakenly fearing there had been an 'assassination attempt' on Rushdie's life.

In an interview with The Sun, she recounted the bizarre tale, which unfolded after she invited her friend to dinner, and intelligence officers came along too.

In 2021, Nigella revealed how she'd experienced the 24hour security that surrounded the author first-hand after inviting Rushdie to her flat to have dinner while he was in hiding; as exploding oven caused Salman's protection officers to storm her kitchen (Rushdie and Nigella in 2007)

She said at the time: 'Ive known Salman Rushdie since I was 23, and when he had to go into hiding because he had the Fatwa, he came to have dinner with me when I lived in a very little flat.

'Special Branch, who were protecting him, had to go and sit in my bedroom and wait there. When I was cooking, something went wrong with my oven and it kind of blew up, and I ended up looking like Lucille Ball.'

She added: 'I had black-brown cheeks and of course Special Branch obviously thought there had been some sort of assassination attempt on him in my house. They all then stormed into the kitchen in an instant, so that probably is one of the worst blunders.'

The 64-year-old domestic goddess said she took advantage of the nine hour time difference to get her hands on a copy of friend Rushdie's book early

Nigella, who spends several months of the year in Australia, made getting her friend's latest literary release a priority, she posted today.

She said: 'Time differences being what they are, Tuesday the 16th came earlier here in Australia. This is hardly significant in itself, but since this is the publication date of by Salman Rushdie, in this regard its of supreme importance.'

Nigella continued: 'So I rushed to the @pottspointbookshop this morning, started reading, and couldnt stop till I finished. It is an absolutely stunning piece of writing: the ugliest thing turned into the most beautiful. No words of mine can do it justice. But I do have to say that its such a profound love story, too.'

In interviews this week ahead of the book's release, Rushdie has revealed he was shaken by a premonition of being stabbed by a Roman gladiator just two days before the knife attack that nearly killed him.

Author Salman Rushdie has described his 256-page memoir as 'a way to take charge of what happened, and to answer violence with art' after the attack in August 2022

The Indian-born author had a $3million fatwa placed on his head and endured at least six state-sponsored assassination attempts after the publication of The Satanic Verses in 1988

He said the attack two years ago still upsets me every day. He writes about the attack in the book, saying: 'I confess, I had sometimes imagined my assassin rising up in some public forum or other, and coming for me in just this way.

So my first thought when I saw this murderous shape rushing towards me was, 'So it's you. Here you are.'

Rushdie spent years living under 24-hour police protection after the publication of his 1988 novel, which was inspired in part by the life of the Prophet Mohammed.

The Indian-born author spent ten years in hiding after Iran placed a $3million fatwa contract on his life for the blasphemy contained in his 1988 novel The Satanic Verses.

His police minders alerted him to half a dozen serious assassination attempts from state-sponsored terrorists before Iran called off its attempts in 1998.

But the Fatwa remains in place and a lone wolf nearly claimed the prize after Rushdie accepted an invitation to speak at the Chautauqua Amphitheater in August 2022.

He nearly pulled out after having a dream two nights earlier in which he was being violently attacked.

Perhaps spurred unconsciously by the venue's name, he found himself dreaming that he was in a Roman gladiatorial arena.

Rushdie's account of the attack will be published by Penguin Random House

It was just somebody with a spear stabbing downwards, and I was rolling around on the floor trying to get away from him, he told CBS.

The dream was so vivid he thrashed around in his bed trying to escape, waking his wife, the poet and novelist Rachel Eliza Griffiths, who had to wake him in turn and reassure him.

I was quite shaken by it, he told the BBC, and I said to Eliza, I dont want to go.

'And then you wake up a bit more, and you think, its just a dream, and youre not going to allow your life to be ruled by something that happened in a dream.

And so I thought, Ill go. Its a gig.

He brushed his fears aside but discovered that there was no security as he took to the stage to deliver a lecture on the importance of protecting writers whose lives are under threat.

In the corner of my right eye  the last thing my right eye would ever see  I saw the man in black running towards me down the right-hand side of the seating area, he writes in his book.

But he did not see the knife and thought, at first, that he'd just been punched.

I think he was just wildly, you know, flailing around, Rushdie said.

But then he saw a pool of blood spreading out from my body, and realized that his right eye was kind of hanging out of my face, sitting on my cheek, I've said like a soft-boiled egg. And blind.

The author spent eight hours in surgery, 18 days in hospital, and three weeks in rehabilitation after being airlifted to hospital from New York's Chautauqua Amphitheater

I remember thinking that I was probably dying. And it was interesting because it was quite matter of fact. It wasn't, it wasn't like I was terrified of it or whatever.

It was 27 seconds before festival staff managed to pull the attacker off the then 75-year-old.

That's quite a long time, Rushdie said. 'That's the extraordinary half-minute of intimacy, you know, in which life meets death.

The author was airlifted to hospital where he underwent eight hours of emergency surgery before being placed on a ventilator, unable to speak.

It took 27 seconds for festival goers and festival staff to drag Rushdie's attacker off him

He said he felt a 'profound sense of loneliness' at the prospect of dying away from his family, but recovered because 'A part of me, some battling part deep within simply had no plan to die'.

After 18 days in hospital and three weeks of rehabilitation, Rushdie was discharged.

One of his surgeons told him that he was both really unlucky and really lucky.

I said, 'What's the lucky part?' And he said, 'Well, the lucky part is that the man who attacked you had no idea how to kill a man with a knife, Rushdie said.

His attacker, Hadi Matar, 24, was dragged off the stage by stewards and has been held without bail at the Chautauqua County Jail as he awaits trial.

Born in California to Lebanese parents he was found with a false driving license in the name of two Hezbollah commanders when he was seized, admitting he had only read two pages of the book which had so outraged the Iranian clerics.

His alleged attacker, Hadi Matar, 24, admitted he had only read two pages of the book which had so outraged the Iranian clerics

Rushdie is likely to see Matar again in person when he eventually comes to trial but has refused to name him in his new book.

He and I had 27 seconds together, you know? That's it, Rushdie told 60 Minutes correspondent Anderson Cooper. I don't need to give him any more of my time.

The author has always fought against being defined by the attempts on his life and was reluctant to turn his pen on the attack that nearly killed him until he decided it might help him come to terms with it.

I need to focus on, you know, to use the cliche, the elephant in the room, he said.

And the moment I thought that, kinda something changed in my head. And it then became a book I really very much wanted to write.

I mean, language is a way of breaking open the world. I don't have any other weapons.
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg is in Belgium for an official State visit today

King Philippe of Belgium and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg appeared cheerful as they marked their respective birthdays together.

The first cousins got together to celebrate ahead of the Grand Duke's State visit to Belgium, which officially commenced today. Philippe marked his 64th birthday yesterday, while Henri turns 69 today.

King Philippes father, King Albert II, and Henris mother, Grand Duchess Josephine, were brother and sister.

Prior to today's official engagements, Philippe and Henri gathered at the Palace of Laeken to mark the dual festivities, complete with a birthday cake.

Both looking equally dapper in the new images, which were shared on the royal family's official Instagram page, the first cousins smiled as they blew out the candles, before Henri enjoyed a raspberry off of the sweet treat.

First cousins King Philippe of the Belgium (right) and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg (left) appeared in high spirits as they celebrated their respective birthdays with a joint cake

This year, Henri will spend his special day his wife, Duchess Maria Teresa, as they visit Belgium, including with a trip to Belgian Parliament, alongside Philippe and Queen Mathilde.

Yesterday, the Belgian Royal Palace shared the post with the following caption: 'The State visit doesn't start until tomorrow, but the King and the Grand Duke already have something to celebrate together.

'Their respective birthdays, that fall within a day of each other (15 and 16 April)! Happy birthday, Your Majesty, and Your Royal Highness!'

It comes amid a busy time for the Belgian royal family, and today marks Princess Eleonore of Belgium's 16th birthday.

Eleonore is the youngest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, who are also parents to Princess Elisabeth, 22, Prince Gabriel, 20, and Prince Emmanuel, 18.

Today's event is the second State visit to Belgium by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess with the event serving a multitude of purposes.

'In addition to consolidating long-standing partnerships, the State visit also provides an opportunity to highlight new areas of cooperation and to stimulate progress and innovation with the aim of ensuring sustainable growth that respects the environment,' the Luxembourg Government website reads.

The official welcome ceremony took place earlier today on the Place des Palais, where Philippe and Mathilde embraced the Duke and Duchess into Belgium.

Later in the day, Henri and Philippe are expected to review troops before delegations are presented and gifts are exchanged at the Palace of Laeken.

Philippe celebrated his 64th birthday yesterday while Henri turned 69 today during a State visit to Belgium

It comes after Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg revealed that he already has an abdication date in mind - placing him in the fray of older European monarchs rumoured to be considering stepping down from duty to let their young heirs take the reigns.

Speaking to La Libre, as reported by Point de Vue, the royal, 69, quipped that he knows the exact date he plans to pass the baton to his son Guillaume, 42 - but 'won't tell' the press yet.

'All this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective,' he added.

'Transmission and trust are the two essential elements in my relationship with my son Guillaume.'

The outlet, reporting on a conversation the Grand Duke had with programme Place Royale, also revealed that he said it's 'obvious' that he 'intends to retire at some point'.

'There are plans,' Henri - who has reigned since October 2000 - explained. 'There will come a day when it will have to be done.'

Grand Duke Henri and and Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg commence their official State visit to Belgium today (pictured during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla)

His comments follow a series of abdication rumours amid European royals, after Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the shock decision to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January.

At the time, royal biographer Phil Dampier told MailOnline that he believes King Charles will be influenced by events in Denmark since New Year's Eve - especially if it would protect the future of the British Royal Family.

He added that the Prince and Princess of Wales are very friendly with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, and will have been in contact with them.

'Our late Queen would never abdicate because of what happened in 1936 when her uncle abdicated and her father came to the throne. But times change,' he explained.

'William and Kate get on very well with Frederik and Mary and will be among the first to congratulate them. They will be fascinated to see how they get on as King and Queen and it will make them think about their future as well'.

However, King Harald of Norway has confirmed he has no plans to abdicate after speculation he could follow in the footsteps of his former Danish counterpart.

The monarch, 86, (who is the second cousin of King Charles III) insisted that the promise he made to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded the throne in 1991 'lasts for life'.

King Harald told Faktisk.no: 'I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life.'

The Grand Duke and his wife Maria Teresa, 68, have five children including Guillaume - Prince Felix, 39, Prince Louis, 37, Princess Alexandra, 33 and Prince Sebastien, 31.

Guillaume and his wife Stephanie, 40, have two sons: Charles, three, and Francois Henri Louis Marie Guillaume, who turned one last month.
A blind psychic, who supposedly predicted 9/11 and the Covid-19 pandemic, also made a chilling WW3 prediction - which has resurfaced as tensions between Iran and Israel escalate.

Baba Vanga, who died 27 years ago in 1996, was a Bulgarian prophetess who become a cult figure among conspiracy theorists after some of her pronouncements proved eerily true.

Known as the Nostradamus of the Balkans, she left behind predictions for every year up until 5079- when she said the world would end.

According to the mystic, 2024 will reportedly bring a host of dark events, including terrorist attacks in Europe, biological attacks and World War 3 - and as tensions rise in the Middle East, some of them seem eerily plausible.

As Iran unleashed a missile and drone strike on Israel on Saturday, prompting a retaliation strike on Lebanon, some are concerned the prediction could soon be realised.

Blind psychic Baba Vanga, who died 27 years ago in 1996 has made a chilling WW3 prediction as tensions between Iran and Israel escalate

The prophetess warned of an incoming wave of terror and even suggested an undisclosed 'major country' could dabble with biological warfare.

She warned the developments could come following Hamas' attack when they invaded southern Israel and killed 1,200 people on October 7, 2023.

Iran's deployment of suicide drones, missiles and rockets, were largely shot down by US and UK aircraft, however the as tensions are rising discussions about a third world war are circulating on social media, while world leaders remain on high alert.

As the West urged for calmer heads to prevail in the Jewish state, Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee Abolfazl Amoue stated that Iran is 'prepared to use a weapon that we have never used' if Israel responds further.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also warned Israel it will face a 'painful response' if it takes the 'slightest action' in response to his country's attack.

The psychic, who was born Vangelia Pandeva Dimitrova, claimed she had a rare gift from God that helped her see into the future after losing her sight at the age of 12.

She has previously correctly predicted the Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as the 9/11 attacks in New York City.

An Israeli army F-15 fighter jet flies over central Israel on April 15, 2024

She even terrifyingly once claimed in a 1979 interview that Russia was to dominate the world and that president Vladimir Putin (pictured) is to become 'Lord of the World'

She even terrifyingly once claimed in a 1979 interview that Russia was to dominate the world and that president Vladimir Putin is to become 'Lord of the World'.

During the interview with writer Valentin Sidorov, she said Putin's 'glory' will remain 'untouched'.

She said: 'All will thaw, as if ice, only one remain untouched - Vladimir's glory, glory of Russia. All will be removed by her from the way and not only will be kept, but also becomes the lord of the world.'

It is claimed that during her 50-year career, she also predicted the Coronavirus pandemic, Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986 and the death of Princess Diana in 1997.

The psychic reportedly predicted the Covid outbreak 'years ago' when she warned: 'The corona will be all over us.'

In 1989, she reportedly said of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre: 'Horror, horror! The American brethren will fall after being attacked by the steel birds. The wolves will be howling in a bush, and innocent blood will be gushing.'

Baba also correctly predicted that the 44th US president [Barack Obama] would be the first to be black, although she did say he would be the very last.

She also said the 45th president of the United States was to be 'faced with a crisis' that would 'bring the country down' which could be linked to the challenges faced during Trump's time in office, including the storming of the State Capitol in Washington DC.

She incorrectly predicted that Europe would 'cease to exist' by 2017, the mystic said the continent would be turned into a 'wasteland almost entirely devoid of human life.'

Vanga grew up on a farm, in what is now Macedonia, and became blind after being dragged into a tornado when she was young, with believers saying this freak accident was what gave her second sight.
The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg was in high spirits as she and the Queen of Belgium huddled under an umbrella to chat during a ceremony at the Place des Palais.

Maria Teresa, 68 - who along with her husband Grand Duke Henri met the royals as they kicked off their state visit in Brussels today - grinned as Mathilde, 51, held up the parasol over them, to shield away from the rainy weather.

The official welcome ceremony took place on the palaces' square, where both national anthems played after a presentation from the troops.

The Belgian Queen was effortlessly elegant in a dusky pale pink ensemble, featuring an A-line dress that cinched at the waist with a belt.

She accessorised her look with a matching headpiece and handbag, teamed with pastel gloves.

The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg was in high spirits as she and the Queen of Belgium huddled under an umbrella to chat

Meanwhile, Maria Teresa opted for a deep navy frock and ornate overcoat.

The Grand Duchess also went for bedazzled earrings and a glamorous make-up look, styling her short blonde tresses in gentle waves.

Elsewhere the Grand Duke, 69, and King Philippe of Belgium , 64, sported smart suits as they walked and chatted alongside each other.

For the three-day visit to Belgium, the Grand Ducal couple are also joined by Luxembourg officials as well as Prime Minister Luc Frieden and the Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth.

Also on the agenda today is a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in memory of those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

Then, there are meetings at the Palais de la Nation scheduled, before the royals all meet for lunch.

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess will also join the Belgian couple for an appearance on the balcony of the Town Hall.

Day one will end with a State Banquet at the Chateau de Laeken. This trip aims to highlight 'new areas of cooperation', as outlined by the Luxembourg Government.

The pair chatted as they found shelter from the rain under an umbrella together - as day one of the state visit kicked off

Elsewhere the Grand Duke, 69, and King Philippe of Belgium , 64, sported smart suits as they walked and chatted alongside each other

For the three-day trip, the Grand Ducal couple are also joined by Luxembourg officials as well as Prime Minister Luc Frieden and the Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth

Also on the agenda today is a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in memory of those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

Then, there are meetings at the Palais de la Nation scheduled, before the royals all meet for lunch

'This is the second State visit to Belgium by TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess,' a statement on the site read.

'Reflecting the excellent relations between Luxembourg and Belgium, who are close neighbours united by strong historical, political, socio-economic and cultural ties.'

It comes as Henri has revealed that he already has an abdication date in mind - placing him in the fray of older European monarchs rumoured to be considering stepping down from duty to let their young heirs take the reigns.

Speaking to La Libre, as reported by Point de Vue, the royal quipped that he knows the exact date he plans to pass the baton to his son Guillaume, 42 - but 'won't tell' the press yet.

'All this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective,' he added.

Day one will end with a State Banquet at the Chateau de Laeken. This trip aims to highlight 'new areas of cooperation', as outlined by the Luxembourg Government

The official welcome ceremony took place on the Place des Palais, where both national anthems played after a presentation from the troops

.The Belgian Queen was effortlessly elegant in a dusky pale pink ensemble, featuring an A-line dress that cinched at the waist with a belt

Mathilde accessorised her look with a matching headpiece and handbag, teamed with pastel gloves

'Transmission and trust are the two essential elements in my relationship with my son Guillaume.'

The outlet, reporting on a conversation the Grand Duke had with programme Place Royale, also revealed that he said it's 'obvious' that he 'intends to retire at some point'.

'There are plans,' Henri - who has reigned since October 2000 - explained. 'There will come a day when it will have to be done.'

His comments follow a series of abdication rumours amid European royals, after Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the shock decision to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January.

At the time, royal biographer Phil Dampier told MailOnline that he believes King Charles will be influenced by events in Denmark since New Year's Eve - especially if it would protect the future of the British Royal Family.

He added that the Prince and Princess of Wales are very friendly with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, and will have been in contact with them.

Meanwhile, Maria Teresa opted for a deep navy frock and ornate overcoat. The Grand Duchess opted for bedazzled earrings and a glamorous make-up look, styling her short blonde tresses in gentle waves

Mathilde elevated her classy look with a pearl necklace and ornate earrings, adding to her dusky pink outfit

The royals shielded themselves form the rainy weather with clear umbrellas as the state visit kicked off

Maria Teresa was all smiles as she donned a navy dress and patterned overcoat for day one of the visit

The royals greeted each other warmly, leaning in to chat to one another as they state visit began today

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were in good spirits as they walked alongside each other today

The Grand Duke of Luxembourg and the King of Belgium matched in sleek black coats for the outing

The royal couples chatted and smiled as they kicked off day one of the state visit, starting today

Mathilde added warmth to the glum weather with a dusky pink ensemble which she adorned with a matching bag

Mathilde accessorised her look with a hat and gloves, elevating the already elegant and glamorous look

'Our late Queen would never abdicate because of what happened in 1936 when her uncle abdicated and her father came to the throne. But times change,' he explained.

'William and Kate get on very well with Frederik and Mary and will be among the first to congratulate them. They will be fascinated to see how they get on as King and Queen and it will make them think about their future as well'.

However, King Harald of Norway has confirmed he has no plans to abdicate after speculation he could follow in the footsteps of his former Danish counterpart.

The monarch, 86, (who is the second cousin of King Charles III) insisted that the promise he made to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded the throne in 1991 'lasts for life'.

King Harald told Faktisk.no: 'I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life.'

The Grand Duke and his wife Maria Teresa, 68, have five children including Guillaume - Prince Felix, 39, Prince Louis, 37, Princess Alexandra, 33 and Prince Sebastien, 31.

Guillaume and his wife Stephanie, 40, have two sons: Charles, three, and Francois Henri Louis Marie Guillaume, who turned one last month.
Gosh, Meghan, you and I have so much in common! We even use the same hexagonal jam jars for our  what some people call  'preserves'. (Not us, though, because we don't like that word.)

Now, I don't want to hurt your feelings because this is an exciting new enterprise for you  creating 50 pots of jam, the first product in your chic American Riviera Orchard food range  but those frilly maids' caps on jars are a bit twee and Seventies. The august judges at the World Marmalade Awards in Dalemain, Cumbria, very much frown on frilly hats and nobody argues with them. Go for plain silver lids, I would.

I know a bit about jams (never, ever, use the word 'jelly', even though you're in America). I have my own range, just like you, and in 2019, I even won a Gold Medal at the Dalemain Awards.

In fact, looking at your jam in the hands of the friends and influencers you've sent it to, and at the video you posted to Instagram of you cooking in that elegant Montecito kitchen, I'd be happy to share some jam making tips.

While we're on the subject of presentation, I notice the label on the jar you sent to fashion designer Tracy Robbins is slightly coming off and flapping to one side. A dab more glue should do the trick.

Fashion designer Tracy Robbins posted a picture of Meghan's jam, ordained with the logo for American Riviera Orchard and 'Montecito' underneath. The label also had the words '17 of 50'

Were you really making this jam in the video you posted? The soft focus makes it quite hard to see. If you were, I'm impressed that you appeared to be making it without a white coat on or even an apron; I find that strawberry jam gets everywhere. But maybe you were just bottling it up in the video. Then I expect you put the jars into a low oven for five minutes. After that you will have screwed the lids up tightly to make a perfect seal so that the jar opens with a reassuring airtight pop. Without that finishing touch, of course, one of your friends could open a jar and find a little furry crop of mould on top.

One burning question for you: where will you find all these people in California who eat strawberry jam? I thought you were as likely to find anyone in LA with a loaf of bread in the house as you were to find them eating deep fried Mars bars or smoking a Silk Cut.

Again, I don't want to put you off. I'm sure your jam will fly off the shelves, but if you do happen to see, months down the road, an old uneaten jar in someone's fridge, just think of it as character building and rise above it.

Lucy Deedes won a Gold Medal for her marmalade at the Dalemain Awards in 2019

Socialite and photographer Delfina Balquier also posted a photo on Instagram which read: 'Strawberry jam makes me happy'

Although making marmalade is my day job, I do make an exception for strawberry jam, though only when strawberries are in season in the UK. 'Seasonal' and 'air miles' are a big deal here in your titular county of Sussex, where (what are the chances?) I live. You probably have strawberries all year round in California so it won't matter.

Let's talk basics. I never subscribed to 'the strawberries have gone mushy; they'll do for jam' idea. You want top quality and slightly under-ripe strawberries to make good jam.

We can't see the back of your jar so I don't know what the ingredients label says, but do use preserving sugar, not granulated; Lord knows why, but it makes a better and clearer set. And while we're on the subject of sugar, don't whatever you do use too much. Oversweet jam will literally make your teeth hurt and I would've thought that, in California, where sugar is the enemy, the less the better. I think a ratio of 4:3 strawberries to sugar is fine, and plenty of lemon juice.

Because we have so much in common, I'm happy to share a precious trade secret with you, which is that I add a few sprigs of rosemary when the jam is boiling. They'll like that in LA.

I don't have to explain the set to you, do I? Without it the jam will be hopelessly runny, and runny jam is the devil's work. You want it nicely holding its shape in the spoon, a bit like a bosom, but not so hard it's like a fruit gum.

That brings us to pectin, which as you'll know is a thickening agent often used in home-made preserves. I'm not a fan - you'll hardly believe this, but I've heard some people even use it in marmalade. For jam, however, I reluctantly admit that pectin is necessary; just do what it says on the jar.

I should wear a chef's jacket, if I were you, because your clothes look expensive and strawberry jam boils in a hysterically gloopy way, almost as dangerously as quince. Be careful not to burn your hand. There will be jam on the floor, on the cooker, behind the cooker and on you.

If you've used my top tip and added rosemary, then tie it in muslin while the jam boils so that you can easily take it out afterwards. Nobody wants rosemary stuck in their expensive veneers.

When that volcanic jam reaches 105 degrees, put it somewhere to settle for 15 minutes or so and have a little breather yourself. This rest is vital for the jam otherwise the whole strawberries will swim to the surface like hungry guppies, leaving an embarrassing clear space at the bottom of the jar. You don't want to hear what the Dalemain judges say about that.

I'm sure you probably know all this stuff, Meghan, but watch out for wasps; they will get in the pan and the jar if possible.

At this point, your jars and lids are obviously ready, sterilised and warm from the oven. And once you've poured the jam in, don't forget that extra five minutes in the oven before you tighten the lids.

Another thing about hygiene: I can imagine that since you're selling your jam, the local district health officer will have to come round to check your kitchen. I believe Montecito is in the Californian county of Santa Barbara? Did you hide your dogs like I did? One thing they would have wanted to see was what you wear on your head when you're cooking. (If anyone ever found a hair in a jar of my marmalade I'd have to leave the country.)

You could wear one of those blue hair nets if you wanted, but just keep Harry out of the kitchen because it's not a great look.

Or you could do what I do which is wear a chef's hat I bought from the Sandringham gift shop. Have you been? Some great stuff in there and my hat says Buckingham Palace on the front which I think you'll agree is pretty smart.
MailOnline's spell-binding chart tracks how the populations of the world's largest and smallest nations have dramatically shifted over time.

India, home to 1.41billion people, pips China to top spot, with its population having tripled in size since the 60s. Over a third of the world's 8billion residents live in one of the two nations.

The US ranks a distant third at around 333million people.

For context, that's approximately one billion fewer than 2nd-placed China, which is battling a population slump that has fuelled concerns of an impending 'disaster' for the economic superpower.

The Pacific island of Tuvalu, meanwhile, has 124,000 times fewer people (11,312), according to World Bank data spanning 1960 to 2022.

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When the global league table of more than 200 countries is broken down, India has witnessed the largest spike in terms of raw numbers over the past decade (143million).

China saw the second biggest jump, with a rise of 58million.

Latest UN projections, however, forecast China's population will shrink in size, even falling below 1billion before the end of the century. Births have plunged to a historic low and Beijing's efforts in recent years to encourage women to have more children have failed.

When it comes to percentage growth, however, Jordan saw the biggest jump (56.5 per cent).

Niger (46 per cent), Turks and Caicos Islands (42.5 per cent), Somalia (41.5 per cent) and Qatar (41.4 per cent) rounded out the top five.

War-torn Ukraine, meanwhile, witnessed the most dramatic population drop, losing 7.6million between 2012 and 2022.

Japan and Poland also saw huge falls of 2.5million and 1.2million, respectively.

Ukraine, dragged into a war with Russia when Vladimir Putin's forces invaded Crimea in 2014, saw the third biggest percentage drop (down 16.7 per cent).

It was only beaten by the Marshall Islands (20.4 per cent) and fellow Pacific ocean nation American Samoa (17.5 per cent).

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The data, captured by The World Bank, also saw Britain plunge from the world's ninth largest nation in 1960 to just 22nd spot by 2022.

This is despite recording a 14.6million hike in population during the same period.

The US, meanwhile, retained third place throughout witnessing a 152.6million spike, according to the Washington-based organisation.

Our booming global population is thanks to increasing life expectancy and decreasing mortality rate as a result of improvements in healthcare, according to the UN.

Latest data from the UN's Population Division shows global male life expectancy is predicted to be 70.8 years, with women benefiting from an additional five years at 75.6.

In 2010, expectancy stood at just 68 and 73 years, respectively.

Women are also expected to outlive men in all regions and countries in the world, including as many as seven years in Latin America.

Latest projections by the UN suggest the world's population could grow to around 8.5billion in 2030 and 9.7billion by 2050. In November 2022 it passed the 8billion mark.

It is the countries of sub-Saharan Africa that are expected to contribute more than half of the increase anticipated through 2050.

But despite these high fertility rates, global fertility is projected to plummet.

Alarming research last month warned that three in four countries face the threat of 'underpopulation' by 2050 because of plunging birth rates.

By 2100 this could rise to 97 per cent of all nations, in what experts have described as a 'staggering social change'.

Powerhouses such as Britain and the US will have to become reliant on immigration to avoid 'immense' consequences, The Lancet study concluded.

In the UK, the birth rate is predicted to fall to 1.3 children per woman of childbearing age by 2100.

The rate stood at around 2.2 in the 1950s, dropping to 1.9 in the 1980s.

Currently it stands close to the 1.5 mark.

The US will see a similar downward trajectory as the UK.

Without replenishment of an ageing population, scientists claim public services and economic growth are at risk. Ever-declining birth rates will also heap extra pressure on the NHS and social care.

Commentators warned that policymakers need to 'wake up to the fact that falling fertility rates are one of the greatest threats' to the West.

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Fertility replacement doesn't account for the impact of migration, meaning overall population levels can still increase in a country despite a drop in fertility rates.

The threat of underpopulation sparked by 'baby busts' has also been a pet topic of eccentric billionaire Elon Musk, who has preached about it for years.

In 2017, he said that the number of people on Earth is 'accelerating towards collapse but few seem to notice or care'.

Then in 2021 Musk, who has 11 known children, warned that civilisation is 'going to crumble' if people don't have more children.

At Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's 'Atreju' political festival in Rome in December, Musk also urged Italians to have more children to 'save Italy's culture'.

Later, he added: 'My advice to all government leaders and people is make sure you have children to create a new generation or the culture of Italy, Japan and France will disappear.'
Since then, more than 21,000 Canadians have died via assisted death

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) was legalized in Canada in 2016

Rod Stewarts Forever Young played in the background as a dozen people gathered under twinkling lights and drank champagne and tequila.

The family and friends were gathered around the host, Dr Yolanda Martins, who was throwing her own goodbye party. But the 45-year-old wasnt taking a trip or moving.

On that day in July 2018, she was going to die.

Dr Martins sat in the corner of the room in a plush velvet chair, with her guests weeping, reaching out to touch whichever body part they could.

A cocktail of drugs were then delivered via IV, which would slip Dr Martins into a coma, stop her heart and end her life.

Just before the first medication traveled through her veins, she said: 'I couldn't have asked for a better send-off.'

Eight months prior, Dr Martins had applied for Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) - a policy that allows anyone with an incurable medical condition to die by assisted suicide.

Dr Yolanda Martins applied for Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) because she was in constant pain from her rare condition - lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)

After her diagnosis, the once-adventurous woman felt 'tethered to Earth' and could no longer partake in any of her favorite hobbies

For three decades, Dr Martins had been suffering from a rare and incurable condition, called LAM, that causes cysts to grow in the lungs and obstructs breathing.

After being approved for MAiD and organizing logistics to donate her body to science, she threw her 'death party.'

For years Dr Martins was unable to lead a normal life - she slept for 19 hours a day, couldn't work and had to move into her parents' house.

The academic and researcher who used to jump out of planes and swim with sharks could now barely leave the house and was exhausted - both physically and mentally - from battling her disease.

She had been living with the incurable disease for three decades and decided she would rather end her life painlessly than continue to have her health deteriorate and be in constant agony.

Dr Martins' MAiD case was among several detailed in the book 'The Last Doctor' by Dr Jean Marmoreo and Johanna Schneller.

Dr Martins' MAiD case was detailed in the book 'The Last Doctor: Lessons in Living from the Front Lines of Medical Assistance in Dying' by Dr Jean Marmoreo and Johanna Schneller.

The patient arrived at her death party at a friends house dressed in a blue kimono, leggings and velvet slippers.

Not far behind her was a tank hooked up to tubing that supplied life-sustaining oxygen to Dr Martins, who struggled to breathe.

The hearse and funeral home attendants waited outside for her to die so they could take her body to the hospital to retrieve her organs.

When it was time to begin, Dr Martins settled in a velvet chair in the corner of her friends living room.

As part of the process, there were a few last formalities to check off a list: 'Im now going to ask for your consent, Dr Marmoreo said.

Youve been diagnosed with a rare lung disease. Its in an advanced stage. Youve been told your alternatives. None are acceptable to you. You are suffering as a result of your condition. 'You are requesting assistance to die, the family physician rattled off.

She listed out the five drugs to be used to end her patient's life.

Then she asked: 'You know this will result in your death. I will then call the coroner. Do you want me to proceed?'

Dr Martins gave her consent for a final time and left her guests with 'her last quote:' 'I'm surrounded by love and peace and I've never felt more sure of my decision.'

The process began at 10:40am as people crowded around her, crying and reaching out to hold on to whatever part of Dr Martins body they could reach.

In San Diego, Betsy Davis (center) was suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as ALS. The 41-year-old threw a two-day party to say goodbye to friends and family before she would take a deadly dose of drugs and end her life in 2016

More than 30 people attended the event. People played instruments, sipped on cocktails, ate pizza and watched one of Ms Davis' favorite movies

Ms Davis was then wheeled to a bed on a hillside where she took a handful of medications prescribed by her doctor that ended her life

By 11:23 am, she was declared dead.

LAM is a painful disease that almost exclusively impacts women - affecting about three to eight of every 1million, primarily of child-bearing age.

In Dr Martins' case, she had hundreds of cysts growing in her lungs, taking up air space and leaving her struggling to breath.

LAM is often misdiagnosed in early stages as asthma or pulmonary disease and there is no known cause.

A lung transplant and supplemental oxygen can help alleviate symptoms, but there is no cure and the life expectancy is only two years after diagnosis.

Like thousands of others unwilling to live any longer with a deadly condition, Dr Martins was one of the more than 21,000 Canadians who have opted to die via MAiD since its passage in 2016.

Euthanasia, assisted dying or physician-assisted suicide is legal in many countries, including parts of the US (it is still illegal in the UK) and as more people exercise their right to die on their own terms, similar death or euthanasia parties, life celebrations and living funerals have become more common.

In San Diego, Betsy Davis was suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as ALS. The 41-year-old threw a two-day party to say goodbye to friends and family before she would become one of the first patients in California to take a deadly dose of drugs and end her life in 2016.

More than 30 people attended the event. People played instruments, sipped on cocktails, ate pizza and watched one of Ms Davis' favorite movies.

At the end of the weekend, friends said goodbye and gathered for one last photo. Ms Davis was then wheeled to a bed on a hillside where she took a handful of medications prescribed by her doctor that ended her life.

In Canada, the granddaughter of an 88-year-old with sepsis who was in extreme pain threw her grandmother an assisted suicide party.'

Susie Adelson wrote for Toronto Life in 2019 that a dozen friends and family gathered in her grandmother's room at Sunnybrook Health Centre for a deathbed party.

Sonia Goodman swiped on her bright red lipstick and laid in her hospital bed as guests gathered around her while Mozart and Bach played in the background. The room was decorated with drawings by her great-granddaughter and champagne was shared.

A doctor administered a series of drugs to make Ms Goodman fall asleep, relax her muscles and stop her heart.

In 2019, a 68-year-old grandfather  also from Canada  suffering complications from his worsening diabetes threw a death party before undergoing a medically-assisted death.

In Canada in 2019, Susie Adelson threw her 88-year-old grandmother with sepsis who was in extreme pain an assisted suicide party'

In 2019, a 68-year-old grandfather  also from Canada  suffering complications from his worsening diabetes threw a death party before undergoing a medically-assisted death

Dan Laramies gathering was filled with live music, food, whiskey and cigars. At the end of the celebration, nurses arrived to administer drugs that would kill him.

Canadas MAiD is widely considered one of the most permissive assisted dying policies in the world.

At first, only people with terminal illnesses whose natural death was reasonably foreseeable  known as Track One patients  were eligible to apply for MAiD.

But in March 2021 the legislation was updated to create Track Two patients. These are defined as people who suffer 'intolerable' and 'irreversible' disease or disability who may not be near natural death.

In 2022, data showed 13,241 people chose MAiD to die, a 31 percent increase from 2021. This accounted for one in 20 total deaths in the country.

The controversial policy, which some worry will see people kill themselves out of desperation, was further updated in December 2022 so people looking to MAiD to end their lives solely due to mental illness will be eligible in March 2024.

However, earlier this year, Canada delayed the plan to offer MAiD to people suffering solely from mental illness.

Dr Marmoreo immediately felt compelled to participate in MAiD cases. When the policy was passed, she told herself: 'This would be my next job - and my last.'

She wrote in her book: 'I had long believed in assisted death, but I never thought it would happen in my lifetime.

'Now I could close out my 45-year career as a physician by helping people end their lives their way.'

Dr Marmoreo was contacted by Dr Martins in November 2017 for a MAiD consultation at a friend's home.

More than 21,000 Canadians have opted to die via MAiD since its passage in 2016

Dr Martins said in 2017: 'For years now, Ive felt tired all the time. My lungs dont open and close the way they should, so my muscles are always tight. My body is stiffening because I cant move around freely. I cant get comfortable. My sleep is horrible.

'Sitting in a chair is work. Projecting my voice is work. I dont like background music anymore because I have to talk over it. Its hard to bend forward because my diaphragm is so tight.

'I cant make my bed anymore. I can only wear flat shoes. I struggle to follow conversations.

'I don't feel happy. I don't feel depressed. I feel nothing.'

She could no longer cook for herself, go out on her own or travel.

Dr Martins added: 'A long time ago, I promised myself that when I couldn't travel, when I lost interest in it - when I lost interest in participating in the world - that's when I would know it's time.

'It's time for me to say goodbye. My body has been fighting this disease for more than half my life. I'm ready to stop fighting.

'This is my path. Im going to die from this disease. Theres no saving me from it. The only question is "Will I have a peaceful death or a terrifying one?"'

Dr Marmoreo said her patient 'wasn't afraid of dying... but she was afraid of suffering and of the pain her family would feel.'

Death was certain for Dr Martins - the lifespan for LAM was just two years after diagnosis.

And after speaking extensively with her, Dr Marmoreo knew she was an appropriate candidate for MAiD.

But over the next several months, both Drs Martins and Marmoreo struggled with paperwork and logistics. Dr Martins wanted to donate her body to science for research.

This meant timing needed to be precise from the moment she died to the moment she would be in an operating room.

But weeks of dozens of emails between her extensive medical team, a transplant team, the coroner and funeral home left Dr Martins 'shouting for help as loudly as she could.'

She said: 'Westernized culture focuses on getting treatments  'Its available, try it!"

'We assume that more life is always the goal. But in my case, that hasnt been the goal for a long time. I dont want to keep living this way. The last two days its been so nice out, but I havent left the house.

'I dont have the stamina to fill my own oxygen tank and put it in my walker. My life is a regimen of pills and exercises. Whats left for me is sitting in a home, fading away, and Im going to skip that part.

'So now what I want is to relax and see the people I love, try to go to the beach, and be as free from a schedule as I can be. I want to be as chilled out as possible until it happens.'

Finally, everything came together and she died on July 31, 2018.

Dr Marmoreo wrote: 'I wouldnt understand until later that Yolanda represented the best of my hopes for MAiD  that for the right person, its an essential component of care  and she also represented the worst of my frustrations with MAiDs shortcomings. Were doing a good thing. We have to do it better.'

She added: 'An end to intolerable suffering. A dignified, peaceful exit, honoring the patient, their values, and the meaning of their lives. A moment of grace. We all want that. Im honored to help provide it.'
Plastic surgeons have weighed in on rumors that Drake has had cosmetic surgery  after a feud involving a rival rapper turned ugly over the weekend.

Hip-hop star and former friend Rick Ross accused 37-year-old Drake  who is mixed race  of getting an 'operation to make your nose smaller than your father nose'.

In a series of online posts antagonizing the Canadian rapper, Ross also claimed that Drake had surgery to remove fat and accentuate his abs  calling Drake 'BBL Drizzy'.

While the nose job accusation is new, rumors that Drake  whose real name is Aubrey Graham  has had work done on his body have been circulating for years.

DailyMail.com put the claims to top plastic surgeons.

Drake, 37, has likely received a nose job, according to two plastic surgeons. They pointed to his nose' reduced top and thinner bridge to show the shift. (Left, a young Drake, and right, in 2022)

Dr Elie Levine, a plastic surgeon in New York City, said that if Drake had gotten a nose job, 'it was done in a subtle way'.

'It's not like he has gone from looking like one person to a totally different person, but there is definitely more definition in the later photos,' he added, claiming that lighting, camera angles or simple natural aging could all impact this.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Dr Levine said: 'Light can always affect these things and can make a difference.

'But, if you really scrutinize it  there is a high likelihood that he did some nasal contouring [where part of the nose is shaven down or reshaped].

'The tip looks better defined in the [more recent] photos, and it also looks a little more subtle and a little less obvious.

'I would point to the bridge too, which looks slightly narrowed. If you are making subtle changes to one part of the nose, then you are almost always obligated to make subtle changes to other parts.'

Dr Raja Mohan, a plastic surgeon in Texas, said: 'There is a high likelihood he had a rhinoplasty [nose job] because his tip looks smaller and his nasal bridge is narrower.'

But he said he could not be certain because 'in the more recent photos, there is still a slight hump on the [bridge of the nose] and some tip fullness on the right... or asymmetries that I noted.'

Usually, during these procedures, any imperfections are rectified during the surgery.

Rick Ross has posted a number of images referring to the alleged nose job and BBL on Instagram. Many tagged Drake's Instagram account '@champagnepapi' directly

Drake has pushed back on the allegations with the above screenshot, which he claimed showed a conversation between himself and his mother

Rapper Rick Ross has accused Drake of having a nose job, which has opened up a long-running feud between Drake and other artists

The surgeons compared pictures of Drake from his childhood, as well as images from around 2009  when he released his breakthrough mixtape 'Best I Ever Had'  to those from nearer the present day for their assessment.

Drake has denied the nose job rumors, and shared an alleged text conversation between himself and his mother where he says: 'I would have got us a 2 for 1 deal if I went ma.'

Drake shared this picture in 2019, which led to comments suggesting he had had liposuction

It is not the first time Drake has been accused of getting plastic surgery after rumors emerged in 2016 that he had had liposuction in order to get sculpted abs.

Rapper Joe Budden made the allegation in his song Afraid where he said: 'Yeah Aubrey that's the one we trust, not this new Aubrey with his stomach sculpted.'

The rumors resurfaced again in 2018, with rapper Pusha T's diss song aimed at Drake, called 'The Story of Adidon'.

The song included the lyrics 'surgical summer' and 'snip, snip, snip'.

Drake has never fully been able to shake the allegations since.

In 2023 Drake shared a photo of himself topless after a cold plunge, which prompted several comments questioning whether his abs were natural.

One wrote, 'does Drake know that people with defined abs usually have other defined muscles too?', while a second said, 'Drake and these tummy tuck abs'.

Dr Andrew Peredo, a plastic surgeon in New York City, said: 'It is possible that he got liposuction, but with the photos available it is hard to tell.

'I can't see any incisions or any cannula marks, and it looks uniformly like he has toned up, so it doesn't seem like it  and looks pretty natural.

'That said, the only way to really tell is when you touch it. Something looks like a six-pack, but when you touch it you find out whether it is muscle or just fat  which would be liposuction.

'He could also have gone in for minimal liposuction, which some patients with access resources go in for and you barely see it.'

Minimal liposuction is when small pockets of fat are removed from different areas of the body  like around the abs  to enhance curves and provide a more natural-looking definition. This differs from standard liposuction which removes larger areas of fat. The incisions are also smaller and more subtle.

The latest feud between Drake and Rick Ross comes after several rappers and former collaborators of Drake's began 'dissing' him.

Former frequent collaborators Future and Metro Boomin, the rapper-producer duo, seemingly fired off a series of shots at Drake on their new album We Don't Trust you.

Kendrick Lamar, the Weekend and A$AP Rocky all appeared to diss Drake during guest features on the album.

DailyMail.com reached out to Drake's representatives for comment ahead of the publication of this story.
A 21-year-old woman developed lethal toxic blood after taking a popular weight loss drug for just three weeks.

The unnamed patient, who had been injecting a medicine in the same class as Ozempic, was admitted to the hospital after two days of abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Blood tests revealed that she was suffering a potentially fatal condition called ketoacidosis - which happens when fat-melting proteins called ketones build up in the blood.

In small, short-lived doses, ketones are relatively harmless, and can speed up weight loss. But in large quantities, they cause the blood to become too acidic, causing catastrophic heart problems.

The patient, whose case was documented in the European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine, was found to have 26 times the normal level of ketones in her blood.

An unnamed patient in Kuwait went into ketoacidosis after taking tirzepatide, the active ingredient in blockbuster weight loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound

The cases have been recorded in an FDA monitoring system used to track the safety of medicines used in the US, called FAERS. They are shown above in a graphic

Three weeks earlier, she started taking tirzepatide, the active ingredient in blockbuster weight loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, once a week. She had lost about 11 pounds.

The complication is one in a long line of side effects linked to GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Mounjaro, which have also been tied to over 100 US deaths.

Normally, the body breaks down glucose, or sugar, in food and converts it into energy.

But if the body isn't getting enough, it breaks down fat stores as a backup. This chemical reaction produces ketones as a by-product.

This could be more likely in patients on GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic or Mounjaro because the medications suppress appetite, which means patients are not getting much energy from food.

Ketoacidosis is normally seen in diabetic patients, as their bodies cannot produce enough insulin - which helps convert food into energy - leaving fat to be broken down instead.

Symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, stomach pain, weakness, shortness of breath, confusion, and fruity-scented breath - this is because ketoacidosis produces high levels of the chemical acetone, which has a hallmark fruity smell.

Left untreated, ketoacidosis can lead to low blood sugar, brain swelling, and death.

In the hospital, the patient, from Kuwait, suffered severe trouble breathing, high heart rate, and elevated blood pressure.

She was given IV fluids to restore her sodium and potassium levels and stop the vomiting and diarrhea.

Four weeks later, her symptoms resolved, though she had gained two pounds. The patient was advised to stop taking tirzepatide.

Ketoacidosis adds to a long list of complications linked to blockbuster weight loss drugs.

Patients previously told DailyMail.com that they suffered organ failure, stomach paralysis, and suicidal thoughts.

They include a mother who went into kidney failure on her daughter's birthday and a man whose sister begged him not to attempt suicide for the third time after Ozempic 'ruined' his life.

Ashley Keenan, 37, went into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in 2021 after several months on Ozempic.

She told DailyMail.com that her potassium got so low that her heart stopped.

She then had to spend 10 days in the ICU with DKA, gallstones, and pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas.

Ashley Keenan (left) went into diabetic ketoacidosis after taking Ozempic. She told DailyMail.com that her potassium got so low that her heart stopped. Brea Hand (right) said that she was diagnosed with gastroparesis after taking the drug

'For the first 48 hours, they weren't sure if I would make it. I can't tell you how strange it is to have doctors visit you from the ER to see if I lived,' Ms Keenan said.

'My body had become acidic, and my organs were shutting down.'

Additionally, a DailyMail.com analysis of FDA data revealed that more than 100 deaths have been linked to these weight loss drugs.

In total, the FDA's system has recorded 117 fatalities among people taking blockbuster weight loss drugs since 2018.

Of these, 81 were linked to patients using semaglutide  the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy  while 36 were linked to patients using tirzepatide.

Symptoms recorded ranged from seizures to blockages in the intestines and pancreatic cancer.

Experts told DailyMail.com they were surprised that the fatalities figure linked to weight loss drugs 'was not higher'.
The CDC is investigating botched Botox shots that have hospitalized women in multiple states.

The agency received reports of 19 women across the US who were given counterfeit or mishandled botulinum toxin injections, commonly known as Botox, by unlicensed or untrained individuals in non-healthcare setting such as homes and spas.

Nine patients have been hospitalized and four were treated with botulism antitoxin because of their symptoms were 'consistent with possible spread of toxins.'

The key ingredient in Botox injections, widely loved for their ability to paralyze facial muscles and smooth out wrinkles, is botulinum toxin, one of the most poisonous biological substances known to man.

Botulism is a neurotoxin that can cause paralysis, difficulty breathing, and even death if injected improperly or at too high a dosage.

The women reported blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, general weakness, and difficulty breathing.

Nine patients have been hospitalized and four were treated with botulism antitoxin because of their symptoms were 'consistent with possible spread of toxins'

States reporting the reactions are Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and Washington.

The key ingredient in Botox injections, widely loved for their ability to paralyze facial muscles and smooth out wrinkles, is botulinum toxin, one of the most poisonous biological substances known to man

The CDC, FDA, and state and local health departments are working together to investigate these reactions.

No deaths have been reported so far.

The patients were between 25 and 59 years old, with a median age of 39. All but one of the women were receiving Botox injections for cosmetic reasons.

Medical conditions that can be treated with Botox include excessive sweating, eyelid twitching, overactive bladder and chronic migraines.

If you are considering Botox for medical or cosmetic reasons, you should check that your provider is licensed and trained to give the injection, and that the product is FDA-approved and obtained from a reliable source.

'If in doubt, don't get the injection,' it added.

To begin with, the CDC was only investigating cases in Illinois and Tennessee, but recently expanded their investigation after receiving further reports.

Just last week, two people in Illinois were hospitalized with facial paralysis and trouble breathing after being injected with potentially bogus Botox.

The patients in LaSalle County presented to the hospital with symptoms including blurred or double vision, droopy face, fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and hoarse voice, after receiving shots from a nurse 'who was performing work outside her authority.'

FDA-approved Botox is generally considered safe and complications are rare, but the state public health agency have warned hospitals to 'be on heightened alert' for similar cases of a botulism-like disease from botched injections.

Both patients in Illinois, whom the Illinois Department of Public Health has not identified, were injected by a nurse licensed to practice in the county, but who was unauthorized to do so.

The injections were either Botox or a counterfeit. Health officials have not confirmed either.

If the injections were, in fact, real Botox, it is possible that the nurse injected too much of it, which can lead to excessive muscle weakness and symptoms consistent with botulism.

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr Sameer Vohra said: Receiving these treatments in unlicensed, unapproved settings can put you or your loved ones at serious risk for health problems.

Please only seek cosmetic services under the care of licensed professionals trained to do these procedures and who use FDA approved products.

'If you are experiencing any health problems after a recent cosmetic treatment, please contact your healthcare provider immediately for help and assistance.

Anything labeled Botox that did not come from manufacturer Allergan should be met with suspicion.

Legitimate Botox also lists the ingredient OnabotulinumtoxinA, while counterfeits in the past have said Botulinum Toxin Type A.

And while the injections are quick and relatively painless, they can go horribly wrong, resulting in one drooping eye or a chin marked with lumps and divets, among other possible negative effects.

The news out of Illinois comes just a few days after the Tennessee Department of Health announced its investigation into potentially counterfeit Botox, which caused serious botulism symptoms in four people and hospitalized two of them.
I'm now at Day 23 of the '100-day' cough. The cough that's meant to last 'only' 100 days - though my friend Cath, 50, in Winchester, is now on Day 136. Her 16-year-old daughter has had it too.

We compare symptoms - a cough that leaves you unable to breathe, coughing fits so bad they cause urinary incontinence, broken sleep.

And in my case, every so often my airway temporarily blocks, as a result of spasms of my laryngeal muscles. These laryngospasms may only be short-lived but they are terrifying nonetheless. I also feel absolutely wiped out.

I'm now at Day 23 of the 100-day cough. The cough that's meant to last only 100 days - though my friend Cath, 50, in Winchester, is now on Day 136. Her 16-year-old daughter has had it, too

What I have is whooping cough, or pertussis. It started with a mild cough in March, but within days I had severe coughing fits.

And while I'd noticed a few people coughing at the university where I am currently a PhD student, I wasn't aware of anything doing the rounds.

In fact, as I've learned there's been an alarming surge of cases of whooping cough.

Already in the first two months of 2024, in England and Wales alone there were 1,468 new laboratory-confirmed cases reported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), compared with a total of 858 cases for the whole of 2023.

Meanwhile the total number of cases reported (these haven't been confirmed by lab tests) is currently at 6,384. For the whole of 2023 the number was just 1,578.

And this may be a significant underestimate, as even the UKHSA agrees that: 'The numbers of lab-confirmed figures will not represent all cases in the UK. Some people with mild disease will not present to primary care.'

Most adults and older children who get whooping cough will feel generally unwell, but will get through it even if it takes weeks to get over the cough. The cough can last around 10 weeks or so, hence the name, the 100-day cough.

But even they can suffer complications such as pneumonia, broken ribs - from the coughing - loss of bladder control and passing out. One of my sisters works as a GP for 111 and says she's receiving large numbers of calls from patients saying they are having 'the worst cough of their lives, with vomiting after they cough'.

Those with some pre-existing health conditions can be at risk of serious problems.

But life-threatening complications are more likely in infants. They might not have a cough, but turn blue through lack of oxygen because it can literally make them stop breathing.

Babies under three months old are most at risk (the first dose of the pertussis vaccine is normally given at two months).

That's why pregnant women are offered the jab between 16 and 32 weeks of their pregnancy.

Before the pregnancy jab for pertussis was introduced, every year dozens of babies in England alone died from this disease (63 in 2012  the jab was introduced in the UK in October).

In the first two months of 2024, in England and Wales, there were 1,468 new laboratory-confirmed cases reported by the UKHSA compared with a total of 858 cases for the whole of 2023

The total number of deaths over the next 11 years, to 2023, fell to 21. Each one is an absolute tragedy, but a significant drop in the toll. Out of the 21 deaths, 19 of the babies, or their mothers, had not been vaccinated.

This vaccine is a lifesaver and yet the uptake amongst pregnant women has fallen dramatically, from 74.7 per cent in 2017 to just 59.5 per cent in 2023.

And now the numbers of babies affected is rising fast. In 2022 there were just two reported cases of babies under three months, this rose to 48 in 2023. And in just the first two months of this year, the number is already 52. We know of one reported death so far from the last quarter of 2023.

The infection is highly contagious, spread via bacteria in the air from an infected person coughing or sneezing. The bacteria attach to the tiny, hair-like structures (the cilia) that line the upper respiratory system and release poisons that damage them.

This causes the airways to swell, making it harder to breathe.

Whooping cough is considered so serious that since 1940, it's classed as what's known as a notifiable disease - it is one of 34 diseases, mainly highly infectious ones, that need to be notified to official bodies, such as the UKHSA (others include anthrax, leprosy and rabies).

The problem is that it doesn't seem to be on our radar  patients and medics alike.

When I first became ill, I thought 'Covid' but a test was negative and a few days later I posted on X, asking if anyone else had the cough that was keeping me awake at night.

A friend and GP Dr Linda Dykes replied asking if I'd been tested for whooping cough. I was not expecting that.

The last time I'd heard that whooping cough was a 'thing' was back in the 1980s when an epidemic was sweeping the country, with warnings that this was potentially deadly for babies. I had two baby siblings at the time and kept asking for reassurance from my mother that they had been fully vaccinated.

GP and journalist Dr Mark Porter told me that the infection is currently 'more common than official figures suggest' and pointed out that the disease in previously vaccinated older children and adults tends not to cause the classic 'whoop'.

'The most common clues we see are paroxysm of coughing (coughing fits) often interspersed with long periods of normality. It lasts weeks,' he said.

One morning, I woke up coughing and to my horror, I couldn't inhale. I could feel a block in my throat. I waited a few seconds believing it would self-resolve as before. It didn't

After that I went to the GP because getting the right antibiotics helps kill the bacteria causing the infection, and after 48 hours of treatment you're then safe to be with others. If it gets to 21 days of coughing, there's no point in antibiotics because the bacteria will have died, leaving behind the cough that lingers.

Fortunately my GP knew about the surge and prescribed me antibiotics. A few days later I also got a call from the UKHSA, checking if I'd been in contact with pregnant women, babies or healthcare workers.

Over two weeks after a throat swab and blood tests to check if it is whooping cough, I've still not got my results back.

According to the UKHSA: 'With increased whooping cough activity in the population, associated testing has also increased.' Further confirmation, in my view, there's been a big surge in numbers.

Getting diagnosis and prompt treatment is key to stopping the spread.

But in older children and adults it can sound like a normal cough, especially in the early stages, when typically it's most contagious.

My friend Cath didn't go to the doctor because she thought it was 'just a cough'. She says she would have if she'd heard that whooping cough is on the rise.

The UKHSA is currently trying to get the message out widely. Dr Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes told me: 'We have undertaken extensive media work to remind parents to check their children have received [all] their childhood vaccinations, as well as stressing the importance for pregnant women to get a vaccine.'

Because  as with MMR  childhood vaccination rates have dropped. In September 2023, the number of two-year-olds who'd completed the schedule of routine six-in-one vaccinations (given at eight weeks, three months and four months), which includes protection against pertussis, was 92.9 per cent, compared with 96.3 per cent in March 2014.

As well as encouraging vaccination, the UKHSA sent an alert about pertussis surges to GPs in March.

But as one GP told me, it can be hard to keep up with all the alerts. There are many.

And based on my straw poll of friends and family, the message isn't cutting through to the wider public, or doctors. While my GP in Cambridgeshire was swift to act, my partner has not had the same experience in North London  he's now got symptoms but has been told it cannot possibly be whooping cough.

Dr Doug Jenkinson, a retired GP from Nottinghamshire, with a special interest in whooping cough runs an awareness website, whoopingcough.net. He told me: 'Doctors are still reluctant to diagnose it because they are not familiar with it. It can be difficult to separate this from other respiratory conditions going around.

'This contributes to spread, and the true numbers will be higher than those caught by UKHSA data.'

The condition is both being missed, and/or confusingly labelled.

Ela Wyn Price and her two boys, Charlie, four, and Alfie, three, developed whooping cough in December. Her nephew, eight, and his nine-month-old sister also had it.

For Ela, a newly-qualified midwife, terminology is key.

'My sister didn't know that the '100-day cough', which is what she was told they had, was whooping cough. The language and advice is far from where it should be,' she said.

Ela's baby niece had stridor  a high-pitched breathing noise that indicates breathing problems - and had to be taken to A&E but even then it was not considered whooping cough.

When Ela first went to her GP in North Wales she was told it was a chest infection. She returned eight weeks later as she was still coughing as were her sons.

On this visit, the GP diagnosed whooping cough and notified Public Health Wales. Ela got sent an information leaflet but had no direct contact with them. No one asked Ela if she had been near pregnant women, or healthcare workers or if she was in close contact with children.

She took the initiative to keep her sons off school for two weeks and she did the same, as she works with pregnant women.

Dr Jenkinson wonders if the lack of wider knowledge about whooping cough is because the focus has been on encouraging vaccine take up in pregnant women and babies.Wider publicity about whooping cough circulating through the population generally has not been part of the current campaign.

Worryingly, of the 1,468 cases laboratory-confirmed cases between January and February this year, half (729) were in those aged 15 or older, and 441 were in children aged between ten and 14 years.

It's clearly spreading through schools and the worry is that these children might have younger siblings or pregnant mothers not covered by the vaccines.

But the drop in vaccination uptake is not the whole story.

Dr Ramsay points to whooping cough being a disease where cases rise cyclically every few years, with the last peak occurring in 2016.

'The current rise in cases is occurring after a prolonged period of low numbers due to the restrictions implemented during Covid-19,' she said.

As with other infections, pertussis rates were exceptionally low across England from April 2020, when the UK was in grips of the first wave of Covid and we were in lockdown, remaining low until summer 2023.

The rise in whooping cough is a problem causing concern worldwide.

In Greece, a prime holiday resort, there were two deaths in early April - a newborn baby and an adult with an underlying health condition died  and 50 other people reported ill. The health minister, Erin Agapidaki, has urged travellers to Greece vaccinate against the illness.

Other countries are affected, including Croatia, Norway, the Netherlands and Spain. In the Czech Republic, where they call it the 'black cough', there have been 7,888 cases this year so far - the worst number in 60 years. Two adults, aged 62 and 84, and a newborn have died this year.

Whooping cough has made a comeback in China, with cases surging more than 20-fold in the first two months of 2024 compared with same period last year (32,380 cases compared with 1,421), according to the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration.

Yet despite the alerts, there is a misconception amongst some healthcare providers in relation to the infection.

I was told by ones that because I had the childhood vaccines I am covered and cannot possibly get whooping cough.

But I have since learnt that the vaccine wanes over the years  and this can begin as early as in adolescent years.

I want to share how frightening whooping cough can be.

In the second week of coughing, my airway was constricting each time I coughed. It lasted seconds and would resolve.

But one morning, I woke up coughing and to my horror, I couldn't inhale. I could feel a block in my throat. I waited a few seconds believing it would self-resolve as before. It didn't. I was on my period at the time and with the effort I was making to breathe, getting more and more frightened, blood poured out and pooled on the floor. I still couldn't breathe.

Then after what seemed minutes but was around 30 seconds, my larynx opened and air flooded in. It was terrifying. When people describe it as the worst cough of their lives, they mean moments like this.

And now imagine that is a baby who is not old enough yet to be vaccinated.

The added concern is the problem of antibiotic resistance. In some places, the bacteria are becoming resistant to macrolides, used to treat whooping cough. This has been reported globally, but is especially noted in China.

Right now I'm in the throes of coughing fits. Pertussis makes you prone to secondary infections like pneumonia. I've now just also tested positive for Covid.

Roll on those 67 more days. And once this has cleared, I'm following the Royal College of Emergency's advice  which, like the UKHSA, is encouraging the public to get vaccinated against whooping cough  and I'm going straight to the GP for a booster.

Dr Saleyha Ahsan is an A&E doctor and broadcaster
Rishi Sunak's bold plan to ban Generation Alpha from smoking has today moved a step closer to becoming law.

Under the Prime Minister's flagship proposal, anyone born after 2009 won't ever be able to legally buy tobacco.

If eventually passed, it means the age at which people can purchase cigarettes will be raised by one year annually.

But what does the full Bill actually contain? And how do the measures compare with other nations?

Here MailOnline explains everything you need to know about the proposed smoking ban...

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2023 health report showed 12.7 per cent of Brits over the age of 15 smoke cigarettes daily, far higher than the US and New Zealand, the latter of which recently introduced a similar phased smoking ban

What is in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill?

The Bill will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009.

The legislation would not ban smoking outright, as anyone who can legally buy tobacco now will be able to continue to do so if the Bill becomes law.

The law would also hand ministers power to restrict the flavours and promotion of vapes in an effort to thwart the UK's child e-cig epidemic.

This could change how nicotine-laden vapes are displayed in shops, moving them away from other products such as sweets. They would be limited in flavours and sold in plain, tobacco-style packaging.

Council officers will also be given powers to dole out 100 on-the-spot fines to shops caught breaking the rules.

Why is the Government introducing the legislation?

Announcing the plans last year, Mr Sunak said he was motivated by wanting to 'build a better and brighter future for our children'.

The Government believes the phased ban, raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco by one year every year from 2027, will lead to 1.7million fewer people smoking by 2075.

This could save tens of thousands of lives, and avoid up to 115,000 cases of strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and other lung diseases.

The smoking ban was initially recommended in a Government-commissioned report last year by ex-children's charity chief Javed Khan.

He warned that that without urgent action, England would miss the 2030 'smoke-free' target by at least seven years, with the poorest areas not meeting it until 2044.

How soon could the bill pass?

Health leaders, NHS bosses and medical professionals have widely welcomed the plan to create smoke-free generation.

A final vote in the Lords is expected to take place in the middle of June after the bill passes its third reading there, but much has to happen in the Commons first.

Today was MPs' first opportunity to debate the bill, and to vote on it.

The committee stage comes later in April, when amendments can be tabled.

There will then be a vote on them in May and a further vote by MPs on the bills third reading.

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How dangerous is smoking for the heart? How does tobacco damage the heart? Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including tar and others that can narrow arteries and damage blood vessels. While nicotine - a highly addictive toxin found in tobacco - is heavily linked with dangerous increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Smoking also unleashes poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide, which replaces oxygen in the blood - reducing the availability of oxygen for the heart. How many people does smoking kill? Smoking is known to kill more than seven million people across the world each year, including 890,000 from breathing in second-hand smoke. But many people are unaware that nearly half of those deaths, around three million, are due to heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Advertisement

What are opponents of the Bill saying?

Critics and MPs opposed to 'nanny-state' measures worry the move to create a smoke-free generation will backfire and cause a black market boom.

Some fear that health chiefs may eye up crackdowns on sugar, caffeine and alcohol next, calling the move a 'slippery slope'.

Vocal nay-sayers include ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage and former PM Boris Johnson, who last week labelled the ban 'absolutely nuts'.

Liz Truss, Johnson's short-lived successor, also told the BBC: 'We shouldn't be telling people not to smoke and I worry about where it will lead.'

Maxwell Marlow, director of research at thinktank The Adam Smith Institute, also said the ban was 'no way to govern a free society'.

He told MailOnline: 'The public have not been properly asked whether they want their liberties to be infringed in this unprecedented manner.

'This ban is a charter for criminals, who will sell far more dangerous products to the unsuspecting public, even those who smoke now.

'This is a slippery slope, and gives rise to the valid concern that our public health bureaucrats will next seek to further regulate sugar, caffeine, and alcohol because they don't believe that the British public is smart enough to understand the risks.

Responding to the ban's backlash, England's chief medical officer, however has rejected 'pro-choice' arguments.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty argued instead that cigarettes were a product 'designed to take your choice away'.

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How do the measures compare with other countries?

Measures in the Bill would constitute some of the toughest anti-smoking measures in the world.

The plans were inspired by a sweeping crackdown planned by New Zealand's previous government.

But in November, the country's new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced he was ditching the 'world first' plan, with the U-turn instead funding tax cuts.

Countries with notable restrictions on smoking include Mexico, which has smoking bans at beaches, parks and some homes.

Portugal is aiming to become smoke-free by 2040, with plans to ban the sale of tobacco products in bars and cafes.

Meanwhile, Canada became the first country to require health warnings to be printed on individual cigarettes.
President Joe Biden's administration will help 50 countries identify and respond to infectious diseases, with the goal of preventing pandemics like the COVID-19 outbreak.

Federal officials will work with the countries to develop better testing, surveillance, communication and preparedness for such outbreaks in those countries in order to help 'effectively respond to biological threats wherever they emerge.'

The announcement about the strategy comes as countries have struggled to meet a worldwide accord on responses to future pandemics.

The program will rely on the State Department, the CDC, HHS, and the Agency for International Development, or USAID - to help countries refine their infectious disease response.

President Joe Biden announced the cooperative inititiative with 50 countries in order to close preparedness gaps and improve global national security threatened by biological weapons and health threats

More than seven million people worldwide have died of Covid while nearly 705 million have gotten sick

The White House on Tuesday will release a website with the names of the countries that are participating in the program.

Biden officials are seeking to get 100 countries signed onto the program by the end of the year.

The 50 countries involved is up from 19.

The U.S. has devoting billions of dollars to the effort. Biden, a Democrat, is asking for $1.2 billion for global health safety efforts in his yearly budget proposal to Congress.

Meanwhile, four years after the coronavirus pandemic, the prospects of a pandemic treaty signed by all 194 of the World Health Organization's members are flailing.

The cooperation among the 50 countries 'to ensure they are better able to prevent, detect, and respond to global health security threats.'

Over the next five years, the United States will work with these 50 partners 'to build, further strengthen, and sustain a level of demonstrated capacity in at least five [global health security] areas.

The Biden Administration oversaw much of the Covid vaccine rollout, which saved millions of American lives. But Covid-19 will not be the last of the administration's public health hurdles.

Bird flu is on the rise nationwide, infecting poultry and cows after the virus was able to jump from the former to the latter.

The second person ever to be infected with avian flu was reported earlier this month after catching it from a cow.

Shown is Biden's pandemic approval rating circa 2022. Another 57 per cent of respondents in a new Politico-Morning Consult said they disapproved of President Joe Biden's handling of the coronavirus pandemic

The CDC maintains the threat to general health is low, but administration officials said they are 'closely monitoring the situation'.

Former health officials said they were not comforted by the assurances made by the government - highlighting how the Trump Administration played down fears about Covid in the early days of the pandemic.

The Biden administration entered the White House with a national strategy to beat Covid, which included restoring trust in government institutions, getting more people vaccinated, and expanding masking, testing, and surveillance protocols.

Cases and deaths at the time were being driven by the onslaught of the Covid delta strain. Deaths during this period of the pandemic reached their all-time highs globally.

It is not known which countries will be involved in the Biden-led initiative, but many countries both rich and poor, including the US early on, struggled to get a handle on the outbreaks early on, with fewer vaccines at many countries' disposal, and drastically overcrowded health centers.
A mutant strain of monkeypox with 'pandemic potential' has been found in a town in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The virus is a descendent of the deadlier clade 1 mpox strain, but has evolved to become even more infectious and better at evading tests than its predecessor.

The concerning discovery was made in Kamituga  a poor, densely populated gold mining town that is feared to be ripe for an explosive outbreak. So far there have been 108 cases.

Researchers who detailed the virus in a pre-print have called for 'urgent measures' to contain the virus and avoid a global outbreak.

The new virus is spreading in Kamituga. The town is feared to be ripe for an explosive outbreak (stock)

'Without intervention, this localised Kamituga outbreak harbors the potential to spread nationally and internationally,' the authors wrote.

'Given the recent history of mpox outbreaks in DRC, we advocate for swift action by endemic countries and the international community to avert another global mpox outbreak,' they add.

The researchers are concerned that the 'highly mobile' population of Kamituga could be the perfect breeding ground for the new virus.

Miners and sex workers frequently travel to and from the town for work from neighboring countries like Rwanda and Burundi.

And 'many people with mpox symptoms remain in the community and do not seek care', the authors wrote.

The pre-print warns that the 'local healthcare infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle a large-scale epidemic'

The experts have called for the roll out of vaccines and drugs and for heightened surveillance and contact tracing measures to be deployed in the area.

Mpox caused an international epidemic in 2022 when it spread to more than 100 countries and killed hundreds of people - including 58 Americans.

That outbreak was caused by the more mild clade 2 strain, which is rarely fatal.

The outbreak that worried health officials then was primarily concentrated within the gay and bisexual male community.

It is not yet clear whether the genesis of the outbreak in the DRC was driven by sexual contact.

For the past year, the DRC has been struggling to contain a deadlier version of the virus known as 'clade 1', which kills up to 10 per cent of those infected.

The new mutant strain - named 'clade 1b' - appears to be just as deadly. Of the 108 cases, there have been two deaths.

It is believed to have emerged sometime between July and September 2023 in animals and jumped to animals.

As it spread in Kamituga it acquired new mutations that helped it spread - especially among sex workers.

Nearly 30 percent of cases were among sex workers, suggesting the virus spreads in a similar way to the one that caused the 2022 outbreak.

Some 85 per cent of people had genital lesions, while 10 per cent were hospitalized.

The research was led by Congolese scientists in collaboration with experts across Africa, Europe, the US and Canada.

The findings were discussed by the ministers of health of 12 countries at a meeting convened by the Africa Centres for Disease Control last week, The Telegraph reports.
An article on March 19 said that a report by the Asphalt Industry Alliance had blamed electric cars for the rise in potholes. In fact, while the report did refer to the impact of heavier vehicles, it did not specify electric cars.

To report an inaccuracy, please email corrections@mailonline.co.uk. To make a formal complaint under IPSO rules please go to www.mailonline.co.uk/readerseditor where you will find an easy-to-use complaints form. You can also write to Readers Editor, MailOnline, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or contact IPSO directly at ipso.co.uk
Are you a victim of one of these scams?

Are you a victim of one of these scams? Email matthew.lodge@mailonline.co.uk

This is Money readers had money taken by scammers impersonating hotels

Customers of Booking.com have told how they lost money after falling for a convincing scam when trying to book holidays.

As previously reported by This is Money, the hotel and short let website's messaging system has been infiltrated by scammers, who tell customers that they need to pay additional fees to secure their booking and pocket the cash.

Booking previously told This is Money that this was not a breach of its site or app, but that scammers were gaining access to the accounts of hotels and apartments and messaging customers pretending to be them.

Now This is Money has heard from customers who sadly fell for the messages and handed over cash.

Are you a victim of one of these scams? Email matthew.lodge@mailonline.co.uk

App trap: Customers of Booking.com have received messages from scammers, who are pretending to be from hotels they have booked

Becky (whose name has been changed at her request) lost 900 to the Booking.com scam while on a trip to Thailand in October 2023.

She had booked a hotel for one night in Bangkok, to stay in before heading to the airport for her flight home the next day.

She was on her way there late at night when she received a message on the Booking.com app appearing to be from hotel staff.

They requested a payment in the local currency, and said if she did not pay the booking would be cancelled.

'I should have picked up that this was more than I paid for the hotel, but it was obviously in a different currency and when you are panicking your booking may be cancelled whilst on route in the middle of the night, it's not your first thought,' she said.

She tried to get the money back from her bank, but her claim was turned down.

Banks may decide to reimburse scam victims, but their policies differ and the decision to do so is ultimately at their discretion.

This is Money contacted Booking.com to see if it was willing to refund Becky.

A week after we got in touch, it agreed to reimburse her for the 900.

Another This is Money reader, Rhiannon from Warwickshire, also had money taken from her account by a scammer operating via Booking.com

She recently pre-booked two nights at a Hampton by Hilton hotel in Blackburn to attend a friend's wedding in the summer of 2024.

Rhiannon had already messaged back and forth with the hotel about an early check-in, so when another message came through on the same Booking.com chat log she assumed it was genuine.

It said the hotel was changing its system and that she needed to give her card details again to secure her booking. She was told the hotel would take a small amount of money from her account and then refund it shortly after.

A 4 sum was taken initially  but this was followed up by another 144.72.

Shock: Rhiannon found that 144.72 was snatched from her account, after she confirmed her card details to the hotel she had booked (stock image, posed by model)

'I messaged Booking.com who said to contact the hotel directly,' Rhiannon said. 'The hotel then confirmed that they did not take this money and that it sounded like a scam.'

In Rhiannon's case, she was able to make a successful claim for a refund with her bank.

'I was lucky that my bank refunded it back to me after I told them what had happened,' she said.

'Booking.com didn't seem bothered by what had happened and it's put me off using them in future.'

Booking.com didn't seem bothered by what had happened and it's put me off using them in future

A third customer, Jean (whose name has also been changed) was forced to rebook hotel rooms at a higher cost, after someone  she believes a scammer  logged into her account and cancelled them.

She had booked nine rooms at a London hotel for late March this year, as accommodation for an event she was hosting. Her guests were going to pay for the rooms themselves on check-in.

In February she received an email from Booking.com out of the blue confirming that she had cancelled them, which she had not. She also had a holiday booked later in the year at a different hotel, which was also cancelled.

'I did not request this, but the hotel says that they were cancelled by me, using my Booking.com account,' she said.

'I have had emails saying someone else has been trying to access my account and change my password, and I assume they must have got in.

'The whole situation is very frustrating because I had already changed my password after I had read an article about scammers using Booking .com.'

'I called Booking .com immediately to re-instate the bookings but was told they couldn't do anything because the booking was cancelled,' she continues. 'I called the hotel who informed me they couldn't do anything because the booking was made via a third party.'

In the end, Jean re-booked the same rooms  for a cost of 800 more.

Convincing: According to Booking.com, fraudsters have managed to gain access to the accounts of individual hotels on its platform - meaning they can pose as staff in messages

She doesn't know what the scammers were aiming to do with her account, but they later reset it and deleted her personal information - which cancelled out the rewards she had built up for being a regular user.

Booking.com declined to compensate Jean when contacted by This is Money.

A spokesman for Booking said: 'We were sorry to hear about the customer cases you've brought to our attention. As we previously confirmed, there has not been a security breach on the side of Booking.com.

'Some of our accommodation partners have been directly targeted by very convincing phishing tactics, led by professional cyber criminals, encouraging them to click on links or attachments, which in turn has resulted in malware being loaded onto their machines, and in some cases giving unauthorised access to their Booking.com account.

'This then enables these professional fraudsters to impersonate the accommodation and communicate with guests via email or messages.

'While this was not a breach of Booking.com, and the actual numbers of accommodations affected are a small fraction of those on our platform, we have made significant investments to limit the impact, putting new measures in place to protect our customers and support our partners, as the scam has evolved.

'If a customer ever has any concerns about a payment message, we encourage them to carefully check the payment policy details outlined on the property listing page and in the booking confirmation.

'Customers can also report messages to us via our customer service team, or by clicking on 'report an issue', which is included in the chat function, where we also have clear guidance for customers on how to avoid suspicious activity.'

Sunseekers warned over holiday scams

A major bank has also issued a warning over holiday scams as Britons look forward to summer getaways.

Lloyds said that holiday scams had risen 7 per cent over the last year, with those aged between 35 and 44 most likely to become victims. The average amount its customers lost to holiday scams was 765.

According to Lloyds, most holiday scams (49 per cent) start on Facebook Marketplace, where fraudsters list fictional holiday homes and take payments from customers before disappearing.

However, Lloyds added that fraudsters were increasingly looking to more official booking websites to draw victims in.

Advice for travellers: Lloyds says there has been a spike in scams targeting holidaymakers

Lloyds said: 'Fraudsters have also been able to compromise the Booking.com mobile app, using it to successfully message holiday makers, posing as a booked hotel.

'While pretending to be the hotel, the scammer will ask for a further payment, to be sent in a different way to the original booking, or for card, bank account or other personal information. It's a sophisticated and layered scam, as it appears to be a message from the genuine hotel, sent through the actual Booking.com app.

Lloyds used the example of its customer Holly (whose name it changed) who lost 534 after falling for the Booking.com scam.

After booking a hotel room on the website and paying a deposit, she was contacted by someone who said they worked at the hotel, asking for a deposit again.

The telephone number was the same as the one listed for the hotel on Booking.com.

Holly questioned the second deposit, but ultimately paid up when she was told she'd lose the room if she didn't. She also agreed to pay an extra fee, which the hotel said was required as she was being joined by her partner.

Sadly, in Holly's case the scam went one step further. Not only did she pay deposits to a scammer, but it turned out the entire listing was fake.

The hotel never existed at all - and Holly only discovered this when she turned up with her suitcase.

She looked up the name of the business online and it came up with nothing, after which she discovered she had been sending money to the scammer's personal account.
Money Mail today demands that Royal Mail stops fining thousands of innocent people with a 5 penalty for receiving mail with a counterfeit stamp.

We insist it accepts that as many as one million fake Royal Mail stamps from China are flooding the market every week, and demand the immediate suspension of all penalties to customers who are sent stamps with fake barcodes.

Our call for a full inquiry is being backed by Liberal Democrats, who want the ridiculous fines to be halted until ministers have got to the bottom of this.

Meanwhile, former Post Office minister Paul Scully has also called for an investigation to stamp out the fakes.

Mr Scully, the Conservative MP for Sutton and Cheam, said: It does not seem fair that the end user or recipient should be penalised for using a stamp that they had no idea was a counterfeit.

Probe: Our investigation exposed how Britain is being flooded with as many as one million fake Royal Mail stamps a week from China

What we need right now is an investigation into where these stamps are actually coming from  where the stamps were purchased.

Customers can help Royal Mail by sharing these details.

Sarah Olney, Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park, said: It is ridiculous to be penalising innocent people caught up in this mess.

Ministers need to launch an investigation, including questioning the Chinese Embassy.

Weve been contacted by hundreds of people who are furious that they have had to pay penalties on cards and mail, with many of them reporting that the fine of 5 is worth more than the mail itself.

They are outraged that they not only bought stamps from what they believed to be a legitimate source, but that they are also accused of buying knock-off versions online.

Royal Mail says it believes the forgeries are being sold online or unwittingly by small shops  some could even be sharing the premises with a post office counter.

Under legislation introduced in 1989, shops are no longer required to buy their stamps directly from Royal Mail and can instead buy them from wholesalers or online.

It is understood that convincing copies sold for as little as 4p each are being purchased by smaller retailers. Spotting a fake stamp is not easy  but if it appears particularly shiny, this may indicate that it was printed on different paper used by a forger.

Security ovals might not be included on a fake stamp, or else they might be put in the wrong place.

Fakes stamps can also sometimes have fainter or inconsistent colours compared to those used on real stamps.

Fakes: Royal Mail says it believes the forgeries are being sold online or unwittingly by small shops  some could even be sharing the premises with a post office counter

A Royal Mail spokesman said: The combination of new barcoded stamps with added security features, the surcharge, and Royal Mail actively working with law enforcement authorities has led to a 90 per cent reduction in counterfeits.

We recommend that customers only purchase stamps from post offices and other reputable high street retailers.

We advise not to buy stamps online unless from the official Royal Mail shop.

What are your rights if you receive mail with a counterfeit stamp and Royal Mail demands that you pay the fine? The Mails consumer lawyer Dean Dunham says the Royal Mail is entitled to levy these penalties.

However, the recipient of letters or post has no obligation to pay such a penalty unless they want to receive the mail.

All is not lost, as the Consumer Rights Act provides that traders must only sell goods  in this case stamps  that they have the right to sell, and that this will form a term in every consumer contract.

Here, the Post Office has sold fake stamps to customers, albeit unknowingly. It obviously had no legal right to do this, and this amounts to a breach of contract.

This means that if you buy fake stamps from a post office or any other trader, then you will be entitled to a full refund.

You will also be entitled to the reimbursement of any associated losses that you have incurred, such as paying Royal Mail penalties.
I am at my wits' end with wealth manager St James's Place. I am the executor of my friend's estate and he held investments with the firm.

There is a substantial inheritance tax bill of 800,000 to pay on his estate due to various properties and shares that he owned.

I contacted SJP in December 2023 and asked it to close his Isa and transfer the balance  213,197  to HM Revenue & Customs to go towards the bill.

SJP wrote to confirm that they had successfully completed the transaction in January this year.

SJP were asked to transfer an Isa balance of 213,197 to HMRC, which said it had not received the money

But when I contacted HMRC in February, I was shocked to discover it had not received the money.

On phoning SJP the same day, it admitted it had put the incorrect reference number on the payment. It apologised and said it would rectify the mistake.

Five weeks later, after making various phone calls, an official complaint and sending an email to the chief executive, I have no update as to where the money is.

I am worried as I have had nothing in writing stating that SJP made a mistake. Please help. A.P., Essex

Sally Hamilton replies: I can only imagine the sinking feeling that must have come over you when you found out that more than 213,000 had disappeared into the ether and no one seemed able to reassure you of its whereabouts.

The payment reference gaffe is now holding up probate on your friend's estate, as at least some of the inheritance tax bill must be paid before probate is granted.

It is therefore also stalling the sale of your friend's properties (the law says properties belonging to a deceased person cannot be sold until probate is completed).

It is also causing you significant worry that interest will soon be applied to the inheritance tax bill if it's not credited in time.

When someone dies and they owe inheritance tax  which typically applies at 40pc on an individual's estate worth over 325,000  interest is charged from the first day of the seventh month after death.

This means that from May 1 if the tax bill is still not paid, an interest charge of 7.75pc will kick in.

On a 800,000 bill, the charge could be substantial.

On March 14, I asked SJP to investigate as a matter of urgency, which it agreed to do.

With some additional prodding along the way, it finally came back on March 28 with an explanation of events.

It confirmed that the 213,197 payment had been made to HMRC on January 4 but that it had not included the correct reference number on the transaction and although the money had been sent, HMRC had been unable to locate the funds.

To deal with your concerns over the looming deadline, it made a second payment for the same sum on March 18, four days after I contacted the firm. It said it was now pursuing HMRC for a repayment of the original sum.

A spokesman says: 'We apologise to A.P. for any unnecessary distress and inconvenience caused at an already difficult time. We recognise that we should have arranged this sooner, once the error was identified.

'Given the circumstances, we have offered payment of 500 for the distress and inconvenience caused.

'In addition, if any further costs are incurred as a direct result of our error and the subsequent delay, we have offered to cover those costs also.'

It may have let you down at the start but well done to SJP for making the second payment off its own bat and putting you out of your misery before the interest clock started ticking.

I still wanted to know where the first chunk of money had gone. I asked HMRC to investigate and explain what happens to payments that go AWOL.

A HMRC spokesman says: 'We can trace and match payments made without a correct reference but this depends on the information submitted with the payment.

'If a customer believes a payment has been sent with an incorrect or missing reference we encourage them to contact us directly.'

The spokesman explained payments received with incorrect or missing reference numbers end up in a central account.

Efforts are then made to match them manually. HMRC says the funds can usually be allocated to the correct account if an executor gets in touch with the correct reference.

This might have resolved matters sooner, but you weren't to know  and apparently hadn't been told this when you queried what was happening with HMRC.

Reassuringly for others in your position, HMRC said that if the original payment is made on time, as in your case, no interest would be charged even if a mistake is made and the money is missing due to incorrect reference information.

You told me you were delighted to have the matter resolved, and as a thank you for my intervention kindly offered a donation to the Marfan Trust, a charity I support.

Why won't Eon Next give me a smart meter?

I want to have a smart meter installed so I can benefit from one of my supplier's better tariffs, which is available to those who want to charge an electric vehicle.

For 18 months I have been calling Eon Next repeatedly to try and get it set up.

Each time I am given a different reason as to why it cannot be done. On the last occasion, I was told it was because I have the wrong type of gas meter and I was asked to contact National Grid to get it changed.

National Grid told me this was not necessary. It makes no sense that my gas meter is holding up the installation of my electric meter. Please help. N.G., Wandsworth, London.

Sally Hamilton replies: You explained that some years ago you had to change the main gas pipe going into your house as it wasn't large enough to supply the amount of gas you needed for the size of your detached home.

This also meant you had to have a different meter from the usual type, one normally installed for businesses.

But as you said in your letter, you wondered why Eon Next, which supplies your electricity and your gas, was having issues with this as the two types of meters are separate devices.

I contacted Eon Next on your behalf to see if I could establish the issue. I didn't receive an acknowledgement, but my contact clearly sparked the smart meter team into action as Eon Next contacted you shortly afterwards and within days the electricity smart meter was installed.

It turns out your suspicions were correct  your gas meter was causing the blockage.

Because the type of gas meter is technically one used on commercial premises, Eon Next assumed you must be a commercial electricity user and therefore the deal for the residential tariff didn't apply.

To enjoy this offer, it expected customers to have a domestic smart meter for both gas and electric.

Eon Next managed to brush aside this hurdle and has allowed you to take advantage of the tariff you wanted.

When we caught up you said you were happy with your new smart meter, saying it helped you spot ways to reduce your electricity consumption.

You said your family had reduced its usage from 750W to 450W an hour by changing bulbs and using appliances more efficiently. You are still researching options for an electric vehicle.
My sister is selling her car  but she has outstanding parking tickets.

She says the tickets will be traced to her, not the vehicle and it won't affect the sale.

Is this correct? N.C., Southampton.

A parking ticket, also known as a Penalty Charge Notice or PCN for parking violations on public roads, is linked to the vehicle not the driver. The position with parking tickets given out on private land differs depending where the ticket is issued.

Consumer rights lawyer Dean Dunham replies: The legal position differs depending on whether the ticket was issued on a public road/property or on private land; and whether it was within England/Wales; or Northern Ireland/Scotland.

When you get a parking ticket, also known as a Penalty Charge Notice or PCN for parking violations on public roads, it is linked to the vehicle not the driver.

This means the vehicle's registered keeper  usually the owner  is initially liable for the ticket. Many people think this means the owner at the time the ticket is enforced.

This is not the case.

The Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices, Charging Guidelines and General Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022 (section 20) states any tickets must be enforced against the owner of the vehicle 'at the time of the contravention', so this means your sister.

The position with parking tickets given out on private land differs depending where the ticket is issued. In England and Wales, under the Protection of Freedoms Act, the registered keeper is liable for private parking charges the vehicle may incur, unless they give details of the person driving the vehicle at the time the parking ticket was obtained.

However, the law is different in Northern Ireland and Scotland. It is the driver  not the registered keeper  who is liable.

If you receive a parking ticket that should have been sent to the previous owner of your vehicle, write a short statement explaining that you weren't the owner at the time of the offence.

Send it to whoever contacted you about the ticket and provide as much information and evidence as possible, including; the date you bought the car, the full name and address of the previous owner  or firm that sold you the car, a copy of the DVLA registration certificate (V5C) and a copy of the receipt or invoice from when you bought the car.

As long as you've sent this evidence, the notice against you must be cancelled. It will then be issued to the person who was driving  known as 'transfer of liability'

Airline won't pay compensation due to Frankfurt strikes - but we didn't even fly there

I flew to Argentina for a two-week holiday but on the day of our return, the flight was cancelled.

The airline gave us an alternative flight home and paid our expenses but has refused to pay compensation.

It says our flight was cancelled due to strikes at Frankfurt airport  but we did not fly to Frankfurt! M.M., Durham.

Dean Dunham replies: Here the relevant law, known as UK261, says that if a flight is cancelled with less than 14 days' notice prior to the date of departure, the airline must pay passengers compensation, unless the cause of the cancellation falls within the definition of 'extraordinary circumstances'.

To fall within this definition, the event causing the cancellation must have been beyond the airline's control and it must show that it took all reasonable measures to avoid the cancellation, or that there were no steps that could have been taken.

I've had many court cases on this so have a fairly definitive list of events that fall within this definition.

One is airport strikes, where the staff striking are not employed or controlled by the airline, so on the face of it your airline could be correct.

But airlines do not always cite the real reason for a delay or cancellation so you should always investigate further.

Here, it is hard to see why a strike at an airport not part of your journey could be the legitimate reason for the cancellation.

If you are not satisfied with the answer, ask for a deadlock letter  a letter setting out the airline's final position in relation to your complaint.

Armed with this make a complaint to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Scheme (ADR) it is subscribed to (CEDR or Aviation ADR).

If the airline is not subscribed to either of these schemes, take your complaint to the Civil Aviation Authority's PACT scheme  but only if the airline is not subscribed to one of the two ADR schemes, above.
Bargain hunters have boosted sales at B&M, with the discounter committing to opening 45 new British stores this year

The FTSE 100-listed retailer said that group revenue rose by 10.1 per cent to 5.5billion over the past year.

On home turf, B&M's UK division, where the group does the bulk of its trading, saw sales climb 8.5 per cent to 4.41billion.

B&M has already opened 47 new stores over the past year, having bought out some of Wilko's closed shops, which it said were 'performing ahead of expectations'.

B&M has already opened 47 new stores over the past year and promises to deliver more

The company's French division also saw a 19.2 per cent rise to 514million whilst its Heron Foods division saw sales soar by 15.3 per cent to 560million.

In a full-year trading update, covering the 53 weeks to 30 March 2024, Liverpool-based B&M said growth had benefitted from an extra week of trading and an early Easter compared to 2023.

Alex Russo, chief executive of B&M, said: 'The business and team are well set up for the year ahead, our pipeline remains on track to open not less than 45 UK B&M stores in each of the next two financial years and our French and Heron businesses continue to demonstrate significant profitable growth potential.'

A key part of the retailer's success lies in the retailer's ability to source its huge range of merchandise directly from B&M's own Asia-based buying operation, which it says gives it an edge on design and value.

After Wilko's collapse last summer, B&M snapped up 51 of the homeware chain's stores from administrators in a 13million deal.

Then, in November 2023, B&M said it expected to launch at least 125 more shops across the UK over the coming three years.

At the same time, the business expanded its long-term domestic store target from 950 to 1,200.

The company operates around 717 UK shops under the B&M brand, as well as 122 French outlets and more than 330 stores under the 'Heron Foods' and 'B&M Express' names.

Despite the positive results, B&M shares were down 1.8 per cent to 496.50p in Tuesday morning trading and have fallen 11 per cent this year.
Threat: John Wood Groups shares have slumped nearly 40% in the past year

John Wood Group is facing calls to ditch the London stock market as shares continue to dwindle.

Activist investor Sparta Capital Management has written to the FTSE 250 engineering groups chairman, Roy Franklin, to urge him to explore a US listing or the sale of the company.

John Woods shares have slumped nearly 40 per cent in the past year, giving it a market cap of around 992million.

If the UK public markets are unwilling or unable to engage in Woods story, we believe you should undertake a strategic review and actively seek alternative solutions, said Spartas letter, which was seen by Sky News.

Wood Group shares gained 1.5 per cent yesterday.
1.2m hours of sewage leaked due to lack of capacity and 500k due to leaky pipes

Seven in ten major sewage leaks last year were caused by leaky pipes or a lack of treatment works to cope with demand, data analysis by MailOnline can has reveal.

After Environment Agency data from last month that English water firms dumped raw sewage into waterways for 3.6million hours last year, water companies pointed the finger on 2023 being a particularly wet year.

But campaigners have slammed claims from water firms that wet weather was to blame. Charles Watson, founder of River Action UK, told MailOnline ' "the weather" is becoming an increasingly untenable excuse', adding that it was like 'blaming the rain for the fact that you are getting wet because you failed to fix that hole in your roof'.

Analysis of EA data by MailOnline shows nearly 1.2million hours of raw sewage spills were caused by a insufficient hydraulic capacity - too few sewage works and pipes, the most common cause by far.

This is 48 per cent of the 2.46million hours of discharges at the nearly 3,500 sewage works across England where an investigation has determined a main cause. A probe is triggered when more than 60 individual sewage spills are reported in one year.

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OXFORDSHIRE: This sewage plant in Didcot, Oxfordshire spilled for 1,275 hours straight due to cracks and holes in pipes

LONDON: Discharge is seen flowing into the River Thames at Crossness sewage treatment works on March 27

'Blaming the rain because you failed to fix that hole in your roof': River Action founder Charles Watson

The Environment Agency says hydraulic capacity being the main cause of overflows 'indicates there is insufficient capacity (conveyance or storage) in the sewer network to cope with the wastewater flow plus typical rainfall entering the sewer network'.

More than 525,000 hours of sewage leaks last year were caused by infiltration - the sewers getting overloaded due to water leaking in through cracked and leaky pipes, forcing a storm overflow, around 21 per cent of major leaks.

'Confirmed exceptional weather' was the cause of 511,000 hours of raw sewage leaks - nearly 21 per cent - putting a dent in claims made by Water UK that wet weather was the cause.

Other maintenance issues, such as power failure, were the main cause of 167,000 (7%) hours of major sewage leaks and 77,000 (3%) hours were caused by flooding.

Raw sewage discharges are meant to be released from storm overflows only in exceptional circumstances due to extreme weather such as torrential rain.

Last year was the sixth wettest on record, with 1045mm of rain, compared to 788mm of rain in 2022. But both the frequency and duration of spills were also up on 2020 levels, which saw comparable amounts of rainfall.

Water firms blamed high rainfall for the high leakages, but this analysis shows that less than a quarter of major spills can be attributed to exceptionally wet weather. Both the frequency and duration of spills were also up on 2020 levels, which saw comparable amounts of rainfall.

River Action UK founder Charles Watson told MailOnline: 'When digging into the detail of the EA data, it becomes increasingly apparent that blaming last year's atrocious levels of sewage spills on "the weather" is becoming an increasingly untenable excuse.

'One major stated cause of these huge levels of discharges is listed as "infiltration", or to put it more simply  the fact that sewage pipes leaked.

'While this phenomenon is clearly exacerbated by high rainfall causing ground water penetration into the system, the prime cause of the problem is the fact that these pipes have negligently been failed to be properly maintained over recent years.

'For the water industry to blame the weather is the equivalent of blaming the rain for the fact that you are getting wet because you failed to fix that hole in your roof.

'Instead of distributing 72billion of cash to shareholders as dividends, our water industry should have been using its now long spent financial resources to invest responsibly in maintaining its basic infrastructure.'

Muck covering the waters at Mill Brook in South Moreton, Oxfordshire where Thames Water dumped raw sewage for 1,275 hours straight earlier this month

Thames Water leaked raw sewage into a river in the idyllic Cotswolds village of Bledington for 338 hours straight (the water treatment station pictured)

The Bledington sewage treatment station which spewed raw sewage into Bledington Brook

Under-fire Thames Water saw zero hours of spills where the confirmed cause was high rainfall, with 76,000 hours of spills (50% of major ones), being caused by capacity, 42,000 hours (28%) being caused by leaky pipes and 35,000 (23%) being caused by other maintenance issues.

This comes despite Thames Water previously blaming 'higher than average long-term rainfall across London and the Thames Valley, with groundwater levels exceptionally high for the time of the year' on sewage leaks.

Thames Water's parent company, Kemble, recently defaulted on its debts and shareholders have refused to provide new funding for investment, and instead want to jack up bills by 40 per cent.

The water company claimed that overflows caused by sewage capacity were 'heavily influenced by excessive rainfall', but the Environment Agency says these sites experienced 'typical rainfall' last year.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: 'We regard any untreated discharges as unacceptable, and we're committed to stopping them from being necessary. Where sewage capacity is listed as the primary cause in the Environment Agency data, this is heavily influenced by excessive rainfall.

'In 2023 we experienced above average rainfall, so our storm overflow system has operated to protect customers' homes during the wet weather. The overflows are designed to operate automatically when the sewer network is about to be overwhelmed by heavy rainfall, by releasing diluted wastewater into rivers, rather than letting it back up into people's homes.

'We have published plans to upgrade over 250 of our sewage treatment works. In many cases, this will improve performance and reduce the number of overflows during heavy periods of rainfall.'

United Utilities saw 320,000 hours of leaks caused by sewage capacity, 93,000 caused by other maintenance issues, 63,000 caused by infiltration and just 47,000 caused by exceptionally poor weather.

The water firm claimed that overflows due to 'hydraulic capacity' were due to 'constant high rainfall' - but the Environment Agency says these are in areas with 'typical rainfall'.

A United Utilities spokesperson told MailOnline: 'United Utilities has the highest proportion of combined sewers in the country - 54% compared to an industry average of around 33%. These figures show that the main cause of storm overflow operation in 2023 was "hydraulic capacity"  which is due to constant high rainfall.

'This categorisation is the first stage of an in depth investigation which we are now carrying out to understand the root cause of high spilling sites and to allow us to prioritise and plan the necessary remedial work  which will involve a proposed 3billion programme of investment from 2025 to 2030.'

Nearly all of Yorkshire Water's major leaks were caused by hydraulic capacity, with 357,000 hours (84%) of raw sewage being discharged last year because of this. Just 24,000 hours (6%) of sewage leaks were caused by exceptional weather.

Total hours water companies in England leaked sewage into rivers, lakes and the sea in 2023 shown by the areas they cover

Exceptional weather was listed as the biggest cause of leaks by just two firms, Anglian Water - which saw 116,000 hours (74%) leaked because of rain - and Severn Trent Water, which saw 142,000 hours of leaks because of the weather.

A Water UK spokesperson said: 'We recognise the current level of spills is unacceptable and have a plan to sort it out. Water companies in England want to invest more than 10 billion to cut sewage spills by nearly 40% by 2030.

'Heavy rainfall and high groundwater play a significant role in increasing the number of spills and climate change is making extreme weather more common.

'This is why we need to radically increase the capacity of our network by building thousands of massive storm tanks to hold rainwater and invest in nature-based solutions to stop rainwater getting into sewers in the first place.

'We now need the regulator Ofwat to give us the green light so that we can get on with it.'
Councils across England have spent thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money on destroying XL Bully dogs, MailOnline can reveal.

After a spate of savage attacks in recent years, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared the ban and rescue centres swiftly saw an influx of the dogs which have to be put down if they are not claimed or rehomed.

In the six months since the government announced a ban on the dangerous breed, local authorities up and down the country have recovered dozens of the unregistered pets.

Now a MailOnline investigation has revealed that Liverpool council is the top spender, with a cost of more than 7,000 to euthanise just 16 stray XL Bully dogs in what a spokesperson called an 'unprecedented level of activity' under the new laws.

The next council to splash the most cash on destroying the banned breed is Birmingham, which euthanised 45 of 67 dogs found - costing over 6,000.

The Local Government Association, a national body which represents local authorities, added that there have been unexpected 'challenges' for the councils such as some vets refusing to put the dogs down.

Local authorities up and down the country have recovered and destroyed XL Bullys since the ban was announced. A MailOnline graphic shows which councils have spent the most

Councils across England have spent thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money on destroying XL Bullys, MailOnline can reveal (stock image)

MailOnline asked councils England how many XL Bully dogs had been found abandoned between September 2023 - when the government ban was announced - and February of this year.

The cost between councils varied drastically. The councils who were asked spent as little as 36.50 per dog - in the case of Islington in North London - and as much as 452.78 per dog in Liverpool.

The investigation has uncovered not just an excessive difference in the cost to destroy XL Bullys but the number of stray dogs found in each area.

Some councils, such as Greenwich in south east London, did not recover a single abandoned XL Bully in the five month period. Meanwhile, Birmingham City Council found a whopping 67 stray XL Bullys in the same time period.

A spokesperson for Birmingham council told MailOnline: 'Birmingham is a densely populated area, and as the largest local authority in the country, it's unsurprising that populations of XL Bully dogs are higher in places like this compared to more sparsely populated areas.'

Of the 67 recovered, 45 were destroyed at a cost of 6,364.87. This is still less than eye-watering 7,244,48 Liverpool City Council spent in the same time period to destroy just 16 dogs.

Esther Martin, 68 (pictured) from London, was mauled to death by her son-in-law's XL Bully dogs - as her screaming grandson ran for help - just three days after the ban came into force

The dogs which killed Ms Martin were owned by breeder Ashley Warren, a wannabe rapper

The variation in cost are often due to different practices in each local authority.

A spokesperson for Islington Council, which spent just 109.50 to euthanise four dogs, said: 'The cost is low because we partner with a vet who works with a charity.

'They charge us only for their costs, not time, when sadly an XL Bully has to be put to sleep. We are very grateful to them for their understanding and support.'

Meanwhile, Liverpool City Council said: 'The expenditure outlined in this FOI response reflected an unprecedented level of activity in light of new legislation.

'The contract for collecting and euthanising these animals has also recently been reviewed and we expect to make considerable savings under the new agreement.'

A source at a London council, who asked not to be named, said that since the ban was introduced councils have had to destroy more dogs. They claimed to have destroyed no dogs in the four years before the ban was introduced.

APRIL 2024: Londoners were left terrified as they climbed onto car bonnets in a desperate attempt to escape an 'out-of-control' XL Bully in Battersea before it was shot by police

It easily jumped on the bonnet of the car but became distracted and chased someone else

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They said: 'Since the ban was introduced we have been treating XL Bully dogs under the Dangerous Dog Act.

'When a dog isn't banned we can work to rehome them. However, when you get an XL Bully, or any other banned breed, you can't rehome them. So that means that after ten days of being in council custody that dog becomes the property and the council and then they can destroy it.'

A spokesperson for the Local Government Association, a national body which represents local authorities, said: 'Protecting the public from dangerous dogs is complex work and we remain concerned that the ban on XL Bullies has been introduced without sufficient time to plan how it would work in practice.

'More than five times as many XL Bullies exist in the UK as was originally thought and councils are encountering a number of challenges when implementing this ban.

'This includes finding that some kennels are refusing to take XL Bullies as well as some vets are unwilling to destroy them, leading to existing arrangements breaking down in some areas. This has led to councils having to make new costly arrangements at short notice.'

Since February 1, it has been a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption. It is also an offence to sell an XL Bully dog, abandon an XL Bully dog or give away or breed them.

The ban followed numerous incidents of out of control XL Bullys attacking members of the public.

In September 2023, an XL Bully was filmed attacking an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham before the animal went on a rampage biting two men.

JANUARY 2020: Jonathan Halstead, 35, died after a severe neck injury and dog bites

NOVEMBER 2021: Jack Lis was attacked by an XL Bully dog while playing with a friend

MARCH 2022: Bella-Rae Birch was just 17-months-old when an Bully XL mauled her to death

In another incident which happened in February this year in Bootle, in Merseyside, an eight-year-old boy was mauled by an XL Bully while playing outside. The boy then had to be taken to hospital and Merseyside Police seized the dog.

And just three days after the ban come into force in England, 68-year-old grandmother Esther Martin was savagely mauled to death by her son-in-law's XL Bully dogs, MailOnline revealed at the time.

She had previously warned the owner, Ashley Warren, 39, about the dogs, but the East London wannabe rapper fired back with a foul-mouthed rant: 'No one tells me what to do with my f*****g dogs.'

He has since spoken out in support of the ban and admitted he was 'learnt the hard way' how dangerous the breed is.
America's low-technology Amish sect has doubled in size since 2000 and will hit 1 million members this century as it spreads far beyond its Pennsylvania heartland, new research shows.

Steven Nolt, an expert on the Amish, told DailyMail.com that its 378,000-strong US population was doubling every 20 years, thanks to families with lots of children who most often stick to the faith.

Amish communities have spread beyond their traditional areas of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, with fledgling outposts as far afield as Maine, Florida, New Mexico, Texas, and Idaho, said Nolt.

The expansion underscores the tightness of a group that eschews technology to focus on family time, even as modern America grapples with cell phones and social media that may harm kids' mental health.

Members of the Amish Brenneman family head home to Iowa after a vacation in Maine

Members of the Amish community repair a destroyed barn in Fulgham, Kentucky

The Amish are spreading far beyond their established homes in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana

Still, the group remains dogged by revelations from runaways about an ultra-conservative Christian lifestyle, most recently including the adherent-turned stripper Naomi Swartzentruber, 43.

'We can anticipate 1 million Amish well before the end of the century,' Nolt, a history and Anabaptist studies professor and director of the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College, told DailyMail.com.

Steven Nolt says the Amish are heading West

He foresaw further Amish expansion across rural parts of the Mountain West and Southeast.

'There will be more Amish living in more places, with new neighbors,' he said.

'That does pose the possibility of potential misunderstanding. But also the possibility of keeping some rural areas alive and populated in the face of otherwise predicted rural depopulation in the next 50 years.'

The Amish, a Christian sect that migrated to the US from Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, typically refuse to drive cars, use computers or connect to a public electricity supply.

They speak a German dialect and travel through their mostly rural villages in horse-drawn buggies.

At a time when some other ethnic and religious groups fear dilution through mixed marriages, the Amish have boosted their numbers by marrying within the group and teaching their kids at Amish-only schools.

Their population growth rate has accelerated in the past 20 years because they have an average of five or six children per family, and have done a better job of retaining their young people, and are having longer, healthier lives.

Amish Trump supporters are seen raising flags in a clip believed to be shot in New York

The Amish, a Christian sect that migrated to the US from Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, typically refuse to drive cars, use computers or connect to a public electricity supply

America's Amish population doubles every 20 years and is headed toward 1 million this century

Amish children are seen on an Amish horse in the community's heartland of central Pennsylvania

A tenth of Amish families in the Pennsylvania heartland have 10 or more children  far above the 1.9 children of the average US family.

Birth control and abortion are frowned upon.

Unlike other religious groups, the Amish don't convert, so population growth comes from children.

According to Nolt, nearly 90 percent of Amish children stay within the church.

'The 10-15 percent who don't join rarely run away; they just never join  maybe drift away, or simply choose a different life path within the same geographic community as their family,' he said.

The group's estimated North American population was 384,290 last year, a 116 percent jump from 2000.

That includes 6,100 in Canada.

Amish numbers more than doubled in 10 states, and there was an 82 percent increase in the number of Amish communities throughout the US.

There are now Amish communities in 32 US states.

There are now Amish communities in 28 US states and a thriving community in Canada

A row of Amish buggies head home after church near Ronks, Pennsylvania

New outposts often spring up because members spot a deal for farmland  the economic mainstay of the group  and are willing to relocate.

They can grow fast thanks to strong community ties.

Settlements have sprung up since 2000 in six new states: Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.

At the same time, Minnesota's Amish population has surged by 230 percent.

In New York it has more than quadrupled, growing from 4,505 to some 21,230 people.

Though farming is a mainstay, many members work in construction, woodworking, blacksmithing, or start small businesses.

A community that started in Brownington, Vermont  30 minutes from the Canadian border  in 2013, is said to be thriving now.

But the group's traditional ways are not beloved by all.

Their dress is characterized by straw hats and suspenders for men and bonnets and long dresses for women.

A Mennonite group enjoy the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey

Amish people participate as US President Donald J. Trump host a campaign rally at the Lancaster Airport in Lititz, Pennsylvania, in 2020

They largely avoid marrying outside their community because they know doing so would mean being kicked out of the church.

Politically, the Amish lean heavily Republican.

Members have been seen at Donald Trump rallies in Pennsylvania, some even decorating their buggies with campaign banners.

Swartzentruber recently lifted the lid on life inside a community that she fled when she was 17.

The 43-year-old was raised in one of the largest and most conservative subgroups of the Amish, known as the Swartzentrubers.

From the young age of five, Naomi Swartzentruber, 43, was thrust into the center of Amish life and was expected to wake up at 5am to help on the farm

She had to follow strict rules on how she dressed and who she could talk to.

At the age of five, she was expected to wake up at 5am to help on the farm in Michigan.

By the time she was 14, school was no longer considered a priority and instead she left her education behind to cook, clean, and do household chores full-time.

'We'd get up at dawn and work all day until the sun went down,' she said.

'Women would be expected to do the cooking, cleaning and washing the clothes  while men would do all the farming.'

However, her homemaker life became too mundane for her, and she found herself wishing she could have a taste of the world outside the settlement.

'There wasn't much time for play  and we had to dress modestly,' she said.

'When I asked my parents why we had to dress and work, they said it was 'just our way.'

Soon enough, she began rebelling in small ways by donning lingerie under her gowns, listening to the radio through her neighbor's window and even secretly dating non-Amish boys, who were known as 'English' men.

Naomi explained: 'I started feeling really rebellious  I decided I wanted to get a job, find an English boy, and wear whatever I want.'
House of Lords officials are under fire after it was revealed they spent almost a million pounds last year on health and safety guards a tiny one-way system inside the Palace of Westminster.

A team of traffic marshalls has been overseeing slow movements of cars, vans and pedestrians through the narrow roadways in the palace while restoration work has been going on to maintain the historic buildings.

But questions have been raised about the cost of the health and safety operation going on in a few tiny carriageways and yards inside the Thames-side palace, and whether the marshalls are needed at all on the eight acre site.

In a House of Lords finance committee meeting in late February it was revealed that the set up, employing just nine marshals, cost 700,000 in 2023 - plus 140,000 VAT at 20 per cent for a total of 840,000. This equates to 93,000 per marshall.

However, peers who had been asking questions were not told about the meeting in advance or invited to address it or quiz attending members of the Restoration and Renewal Programme (RRP), which is charged with maintenance of the historic buildings.

Tory peer Lord Hayward, who has repeatedly questioned the cost of the scheme, has now written to committee chairman Lord Morse, requesting answers and criticising the decision to meet in 'virtual secret'.

He told MailOnline: 'This is a huge sum being spent with few answers as to why. It's now 56 days since the committee meeting and still no-one has had the courtesy to speak to me about a matter I raised on the floor of the House 13 days previously - 69 days ago.

A team of traffic marshalls has been guiding cars, vans and pedestrians through the narrow roadways in the palace while restoration work has been going on.

In a House of Lords finance committee meeting in late February it was revealed that the set up, employing just nine marshals, cost 700,000 in 2023 - plus 140,000 VAT at 20 per cent for a total of 840,000. This equates to 93,000 per marshal.

Tory peer Lord Hayward, who has repeatedly questioned the cost of the scheme, has now written to committee chairman Lord Morse, requesting answers and criticising the decision to meet in 'virtual' secret.

'When I write to them with polite questions about the figures I've received previously they don't answer.

When I put down written questions they give the answers they want to give, not answers to the questions I've asked.'

It followed a separate admission by the House of Commons authorities that a marshall was being paid to stand guard over the parliamentary underground car park 24 hours a day to make sure no one drove on a ramp that was closed.

Sir Charles Walker, who sits on the House of Commons Commission which is overseeing the RRP along with its Lords' counterpart, made the admission in answering a question by DUP MP Gregory Campbell.

In his letter, seen by MailOnline, Lord Hayward said: 'The sole reason I now know about this process is because a journalist from the Daily Mail drew it to my attention 35 days after the meeting of February 21. Again, nobody even thought it appropriate to write nor speak to me!!

'Is there any point in raising an issue if the Finance Committee intends to continue to handle matters in such a way?'

Peers have been trying to find out for more than a year how much money has been spent on a team traffic marshals employed on a route a few hundred metres long while restoration work is carried out.

Lord Morse was previously the head of the National Audit Office, charged with getting value for money from public projects for the taxpayer.

The minutes of the February meeting reported: 'The cost of the marshals used to manage the temporary one-way system, was just under 700k in 2023. When managing the one-way system there were at present six marshals on the day shift and three on the late shift...

'Following discussion of the costs and reasoning for traffic marshals on the estate the Committee agreed it was content it did not need to revisit the topic again.'

It followed a separate admission by the House of Commons authorities that a marshall was being paid to stand guard over a car park ramp 24 hours a day to make sure no one drove on it.

It also noted that 'it was common construction industry practice to use traffic marshals where it was not possible to have separation between pedestrians and vehicles' and that 'regular reviews had taken place since the one-way system was implemented and marshal numbers had been reduced where possible. Marshals were not deployed in the evening when the House was not sitting, and their utilisation was paused altogether for a number of days over the Christmas recess'.

A House of Lords spokeswoman said: 'The Senior Deputy Speaker proposed on February 8 in answer to a question in the Chamber that the Finance Committee might consider the issue, and it did so on February 21.

'These are matters of parliamentary and public record. The Committee discussion took place in the usual way. The Committee considered that the reasoning for the use of traffic marshals on the estate made sense in the current circumstances. The Committee would revisit the question of traffic marshals if circumstances change in the future.'
Tory MPs are pushing the government to give domestic landlords tax cuts if they make their homes more energy efficient in order to cut bills and make the UK less reliant on foreign gas.

Jeremy Hunt is being urged to give incentives to retrofit improvements including to insulation to improve the UK housing stock, which has been called the leakiest in Europe.

It comes as other methods of getting people to make their homes falter. The Great British Insulation Scheme, which helps with the cost of improving heat retention in homes, will take decades to hit its target at its current rate of take-up.

Green Tories are now urging the Chancellor to take a Tory approach to getting landlords to improve the homes they rent out.

Former deputy prime minister Damian Green said: 'While the price of gas is now falling, improving energy efficiency is the only way to guarantee lower household bills permanently - by reducing the amount of gas we need to burn to stay warm. The last two years have shown the costs of our reliance on imported gas.

'Reducing this energy waste will bolster our national energy security. For both homeowners and renters, this also means lower household bills in the long term, reducing our emissions and saving households money.

That is why the government should offer tax incentives to help people improve their energy efficiency, including landlords. One way to encourage more landlords to retrofit their houses is to let them claim the costs of energy efficiency improvements as a tax deductible expense. This would be a win-win for landlords and tenants, improving the value of the property and lowering energy bills.'

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The Great British Insulation Scheme, which helps with the cost of improving heat retention in homes, will take decades to hit its target at its current rate of take-up.

The Conservative Environment Network has previously urged the chancellor to use a range of tax breaks to improve the energy efficiency of homes.

They include lower stamp duty rates for buyers who purchase well-insulated homes and rebates for those who carry out work after moving in.

Sam Payne, CEN's climate programme manager, added: 'Improving energy efficiency is vital to reduce our gas usage, in turn making us more energy secure and less reliant on imported gas. It means less heat escaping through leaky walls, windows and doors, resulting in lower household bills. With 70 per cent of 2019 Conservative voters thinking the government should increase investment in energy efficiency, it is also a vote winner.

However, this cant be achieved through regulation alone. There must be appropriate incentives, namely through tax cuts, to make it as cheap and easy for people to boost their homes energy efficiency. Making energy efficiency upgrades tax deductible for landlords is a straightforward way of encouraging these improvements in the private rented sector, to the benefit of both tenants through lower bills and of landlords through more valuable properties.'

It comes as it was claimed households with insulation and clean tech such as heat pumps and electric cars are more 'energy patriotic' as they rely far less on imported fuels.

Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found green conscious consumers make more use of British energy and use less than half the imported fuel of a household reliant on gas and petrol.

People who want to be 'energy patriotic' should be buying British by switching from gas boilers and petrol cars to cleaner alternatives that run on electricity increasingly powered by domestic wind and solar energy, ECIU suggested.

And the Government should help those who cannot afford to invest in new technology by agreeing more contracts for new UK wind farms, ensuring homes can buy British for more of the power they use for appliances and lighting, the think tank argued.

ECIU analysis found a typical household with a gas boiler, petrol car and average electricity demand relies on imports of energy, mostly gas and oil, for nearly 70 per cent of its total needs, around 17 megawatt hours (MWh) a year.

Former deputy prime minister Damian Green said: 'While the price of gas is now falling, improving energy efficiency is the only way to guarantee lower household bills permanently - by reducing the amount of gas we need to burn to stay warm. The last two years have shown the costs of our reliance on imported gas.'

But a house with good levels of insulation, using a heat pump and an electric car will use less than half that level of energy imports (45 per cent), at around 7.5 MWh a year, from gas used in electricity generation.

Homes with solar panels as well would use around a third (36 per cent) of the fuel imports of a typical home, at just 6MWh a year, the analysis said.

ECIU looked at the use of oil and gas imports alone, rather than 'net imports' which balances the amount of energy the UK brings in against the amount produced and exported, to give what it said was a more detailed view of the country's reliance on imported fuels.

Jess Ralston, energy analyst at the ECIU, said: 'Those who want to be 'energy patriotic' and buy British homegrown energy should be switching from gas boilers and petrol cars to electric heat pumps and EVs that increasingly run on British wind and solar energy.

'As North Sea oil and gas output continues its inevitable decline, the dependence on foreign imports for households using boilers and internal combustion cars will only become more stark.

'Generating more British renewable energy and using it to power heat pumps and electric cars would get households, and the UK as a whole, off energy imports and remove the risk of the kind of price volatility we've seen in recent years.

'The Government has increased the grant for heat pumps, but then cut other policy under intense lobbying pressure from gas boiler manufacturers which likely means fewer heat pumps sold, leaving households and the UK more dependent on foreign gas.'

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: 'Nearly half of all homes in England now have an EPC rating of C or above, up from just 14 per cent in 2010, and we're supporting families make the switch to heat pumps, rather than forcing them, with our 7,500 heat pump grant - one of the most generous schemes in Europe.

'At the same time, we're taking the common sense approach to reduce our reliance on imports by backing domestic gas production, which is four times cleaner than liquefied natural gas imports from abroad.'
TikTokkers filming on a nudist beach in Cornwall and trying to kick a goose in a London park are among the latest social influencers to have caused outrage.

The two-man film crew who invaded the privacy of Pedn Vounder were also filmed flying a drone over the naturist beach after being told to stop vlogging.

But a young woman promoting the seafront at Whitby came unstuck when her blogging stunt backfired and a seagull went to the toilet on her head midway through filming.

The videos are the latest in a slew of antics by social media wannabes at some of Britain's most prized getaways that have left locals enraged. Earlier this month MailOnline revealed how locals near beauty spots were complaining about the impact of tourists with photos and video showing piles of rubbish left behind and fights breaking out over issues like parking and queueing.

Now, bestselling children's author GP Taylor, who lives in Whitby, said social influencers should be banned from the Yorkshire coast.

The furious local slammed 'talentless scumbags' who are 'completely vacuous and promote a life-style that is unreal.'

The writer added: 'They attract the wrong sort of person - drunks who vomit in the street and think they can behave how they want. I was in London and saw a social influencer chasing the geese in St James' Park. His mates were taking videos thinking he was highly amusing he was running around trying to kick a baby goose.'

Cameras have also been descending on Pedn Vounder after footage of the nudist beach was posted on YouTube by a number of influencers.

Although the beach is highly regarded as a gem of the Cornish coast anyway, influencers have been playing on its links to the naturist community.

Naked people are not photographed but one camera man remarks: 'There are naked people over there which is why I am pointing the camera the other way.

I another video, by Yorkshire couple Aaron and Em, the man films himself walking along the beach chanting: 'D***s D***s Everywhere Little One Here Little One There.'

One of the vloggers is caught filming on a nudist beach in Cornwall, chanting 'd***s, d***s everywhere'

The two-man film crew who invaded the privacy of Pedn Vounder were also filmed flying a drone over the naturist beach after being told to stop vlogging.

Later they appear further up the beach, saying: 'We were just told off for filming at the nudist beach so we are not going to film any more except in the water.'

Yet in a subsequent video they are seen flying a drone over the beach and joking about the nudists being already out.

In another video, by Yorkshire couple Aaron and Em, the man films himself walking along the beach chanting: 'D***s D***s Everywhere Little One Here Little One There.'

He is then seeing blowing up a paddle board leering 'Trying to get it big and hard on a nudist beach'

Bestselling children's author GP Taylor witnessed the incident where the selfie taker was dive bombed by the gull. He said: 'She was blocking the traffic and pedestrians taking a picture of herself with Whitby as a backdrop.

'Just as she was doing it in a white plastic mac a seagull s*** on her. Best thing that ever happened.

'Social media Influencers are talentless scumbags. No one should follow them because they are completely vacuous and promote a life-style that is unreal.

'All they do is set up shots which are not real and lie into their cameras. Whitby is beautiful on its own and does not need them.

'They attract the wrong sort of person - drunks who vomit in the street and think they can behave how they want.

'I was in London and saw a social influencer chasing the geese in St James' Park. His mates were taking videos thinking he was highly amusing he was running around trying to kick a baby goose.

'I told him if I caught him what I would do with the goose. We also have a problem with influencers during Whitby Goth Week.

'A lot of the Goth ladies are dressed in excitable clothing and the influencers get people to come and Goth Watch.

'It is not right. They should be able to dress how their want without people coming here to perv on them. Influencers do the Yorkshire Coast no good at all and should be discouraged from coming.'

Many in the tourist industry believe social influencers gained a strong foothold in the Staycation market during Covid.

Vloggers filming on the nudists beaches have provoked outrage on social media

Pictured is a grab from Stamp Trampers during their trip to the nudist beach in Cornwall

Their blogging was blamed for attracting the wrong sort of crowd to traditional family resorts, leading to litter and anti-social behaviour problems.

Patrick Holdsworth, guiding light of the the community further up the coast in Robin Hood's Bay, said: 'We are lucky that we have never attracted that sort of teenage market.

'So we have not really had that sort of problem with influencers. We tend to attract more walkers and that sort of visitor.'

Unsavoury scenes see influencers seemingly disrespecting monuments - including a woman who ran away from security and touched the stones at Stonehenge.

Other influencers filmed themselves signing their social media handles on beaches and climbing on top of an abandoned tank.

One video showed a woman at the Stonehenge monument in Wiltshire touching the 13m-tall standing stones before being ushered away.

Footage has also been shared of a TikToker signing her internet name on a Cornish beach

A TikTokker caught on camera and shared online pictures of the confrontation at Stonehenge

A TikTok user condemned 'idiot tourists' plaguing Snowdonia in Wales

People have been seen climbing on the abandoned Ramshaw tank in Derbyshire's Peak District

The TikTok user who uploaded the footage described her as a 'bad tourist', with comments in response including 'The no touching is to protect the bioculture on the stones' and 'Shouldn't she get a ticket or something?'

Another clip was posted by a TikTokker writing her online profile name Barbiana in the sand at a beach in Cornwall.

She told viewers: 'I'm a city girl, don't get me wrong, but look at this - you can't beat this, it kind of looks like Greece.

'Of course I had to sign my name out, always, before leaving the beach.'

A third revealed how cars have been clogging up the area around Snowdonia in Wales, while there has also been footage of people clambering on an abandoned tank in Derbyshire's Peak District countryside.

The Snowdonia video was posted by someone who told viewers: 'I thought there was some stupid people in the world and then there's this - three rows of cars, middle row completely locked in.'

And the footage of the Ramshaw tank in the Peak District was shared by the group Derbyshire Young Walkers, who accompanied it with the caption: 'Has anyone been to all three of these amazing hidden gems?! The Peak District is full of them!'

The two other attractions they recommended were a waterfall beside an aqueduct in Chatsworth, Derbyshire, and the nearby Hidden Druids Caves in Birchover.

Complaints from UK locals come as fed-up residents in the Canary Islands in Spain have also launched protests demanding a crackdown on British holidaymakers - with graffiti appearing on walls saying: 'Tourists go home.'
Disgusted villagers claim they are being engulfed every summer by a 'plague of flies' attracted to a huge new poultry unit nearby.

They say millions of the pests are infesting their homes, forcing them to sleep under nets and keep windows closed even on hot days. Fly paper and traps are quickly overwhelmed.

There have also also been complaints about smells and the constant noise of whirring ventilation fans, as well as from lorries travelling to and from the site.

Residents in Westhall, near Halesworth in Suffolk, say the problems began two summers ago when the new 1.5 million unit opened at Fox Covert Farm.

The facility holds a licence for up to 40,000 chickens - although a previous owner was granted planning permission for up to 120,000 birds at the site.

Grandfather Alasdair Cameron, 84, whose 18th century barn home overlooks the site, said: 'We've had to put up with problems of smell and noise. But the worst thing is the millions of flies that have infested the area in the two summers since it began operating'

Residents in Westhall, near Halesworth in Suffolk, say the problems began two summers ago when the new 1.5 million unit opened at Fox Covert Farm

The poultry farm in Westhall, near Halesworth, Suffolk. Local residents claim it causes swarms of flies which infest their homes. The two 120m-long poultry sheds are operated on land leased from farming company E C Drummond by Crown Chicken, a subsidiary of food giant Cranswick

Dead flies in Mr Cameron's kitchen. He said: 'It starts getting bad in May and carries right on through September. You can't ask anyone over for dinner because it is too much. They swarm at first light and I am forced to sleep under a mosquito net but the constant buzzing still keeps me awake'

The two 120m-long poultry sheds are operated on land leased from farming company E C Drummond by Crown Chicken, a subsidiary of food giant Cranswick.

Last week the Mail revealed how residents living next to a Cranswick farm were suffering headaches, nosebleeds and breathing problems because of the stench from the unit in Stow Bedon, Norfolk.

The local council claims it has checked for fly problems in Westhall  a tiny village with around 400 residents, a Grade I listed Norman church and a pub - and didn't identify any issues with the chicken farm. But residents insist it is responsible for the annual swarm of flies.

Grandfather Alasdair Cameron, 84, whose 18th century barn home overlooks the site, said: 'We've had to put up with problems of smell and noise. But the worst thing is the millions of flies that have infested the area in the two summers since it began operating. The swarms are just horrendous.

'It starts getting bad in May and carries right on through September. You can't ask anyone over for dinner because it is too much.

'They swarm at first light and I am forced to sleep under a mosquito net but the constant buzzing still keeps me awake.

'There were some flies when we had the old farm, which is what you expect when you live in the country, but they are much worse now.

'It makes life pretty intolerable and it is impossible to stop them coming into your house. I hang up strips of tape and put out special traps but they quickly fill up.

'They land on every surface in my kitchen and they are attracted to anything white, so they are all over my sink and kettle. I even have to stuff paper down the spout of my kettle to stop them getting in the water.'

Mr Cameron has filled his yard with signs highlighting the problem. They include notices saying 'fly zone', 'buzz off' and 'maggot farm', with others naming farm operator 'Crown' and landowner 'Drummond' next to a message proclaiming 'Naff off'

The local council claims it has checked for fly problems in Westhall  a tiny village with around 400 residents, a Grade I listed Norman church and a pub - and didn't identify any issues with the chicken farm. But residents insist it is responsible for the annual swarm of flies

Mr Cameron, who previously worked as a diver in the offshore industry and a Merchant Navy deck officer, has filled his yard with signs highlighting the problem.

They include notices saying 'fly zone', 'buzz off' and 'maggot farm', with others naming farm operator 'Crown' and landowner 'Drummond' next to a message proclaiming 'Naff off'.

The divorced father-of-three also blames fumes from the farm for his rhinitis  constant cold-like symptoms - caused by inflammation of his nasal passages, making him sneeze and his eyes water.

He said: 'When the summer comes along, and the days get warmer, it gets worse and worse. It is just a smell of chicken s**t. It's very unpleasant.'

Four different estate agents have told Mr Cameron that the value of his house has plummeted 50,000 to 300,000 because of the chicken unit over the road.

Neighbour Chris Lynch, 75, a retired senior farm company manager, said: 'The problem with the flies is just horrific. It is far worse than it used to be before. We can't eat outside in the summer and we are embarrassed to have people round.

'You also got excrement and outwash when the buildings are cleaned out.'

Two representatives from Cranswick were meant to attend a recent parish meeting but failed to turn up, he added.

Beth Keys-Holloway, the local Green councillor for Halesworth and Blything on East Suffolk Council, said: 'I visited Alasdair's place when the flies were at their worst during the summer and it was pretty rank.

Mr Cameron said: 'They land on every surface in my kitchen and they are attracted to anything white, so they are all over my sink and kettle. I even have to stuff paper down the spout of my kettle to stop them getting in the water'

Four different estate agents have told Mr Cameron that the value of his house has plummeted 50,000 to 300,000 because of the chicken unit over the road

'The flies were incredibly irritating. I was in his place for between 30 minutes and an hour and the nuisance was relentless, even when the windows were shut.

'The flies are affecting the mental health of people. People say flies are normal in the countryside  but this level is not normal.'

Planning consent was originally given after an application was made for the new sheds to be a broiler unit rearing chicks from one day old to 'table weight' when 38 days old.

A design and access statement in the application stated that there was a ten-day turnaround period to allow cleaning of buildings before arrival of new chicks.

It added that poultry litter would be removed to provide fuel for biomass power stations.

The statement said that the farm was needed to meet 'increased demand for chicken meat from the UK population' and would 'contribute to national food security in a sustainable way' and 'without causing harm to the environment.'

Drummond and Cranswick didn't respond to requests for statements.

An East Suffolk Council spokesman said: 'We arranged for an independent entomologist to visit the site in August 2023 and found no sign of active infestations of flies internally or externally at the premises.

'The site was found to be internally very well managed with very effective insect management and bio security arrangements.'

Engineering work over the winter had reduced noise from fans at the air handling plant, they added.
We are all familiar with the famous 'rainbow' flag which was created by American artist Gilbert Baker in 1978 to celebrate members of the gay and lesbian community.

The original version comprised of eight symbolic colours to evoke a rainbow as a symbol of hope: pink (sex), red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), turquoise (magic), indigo (serenity), and violet (spirit).

A year later the pink and turquoise colours were dropped due to a shortage in fabric which resulted in the recognisable six-colour flag we see today.

But there are now colourful flags for all 72 individual genders with some displaying striking designs and unusual symbols.

Among the lesser-known identities is Astergender for non-binary genders that feel 'bright and celestial'.

The flag displays a yellow star with the male, female, and gender fluid icon signs.

Vertical pink, purple, black, grey and white coloured stripes with a cartoon-like eyeball in the middle adorns another flag for those who identify as Epicene.

It is associated with a strong feeling of not being able to relate to any of the two genders of the binary gender or both of the binary gender characteristics.

So do you know your Epicene from your Demiflux? How about your Affectugender from your Genderpuck?

MailOnline has produced a handy interactive guide to all 72 gender flags amid the NHS being accused of 'woke pandering' after a LGBTQ+ banner was unfurled at the Royal Stoke Hospital.

Just hover over each flag below to find out about each identity and a full description of their meanings.

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We are all familiar with the famous 'rainbow' flag (pictured) which was created by American artist Gilbert Baker in 1978 to celebrate members of the gay and lesbian community

Yesterday, NHS bosses were accused of 'woke pandering' after they brought out a banner featuring flags for 21 genders or sexualities.

Different terms for those who consider themselves not belonging to any sex, or are a combination of both, are included on the banner at Royal Stoke Hospital.

The familiar Gay Pride flag, which features a rainbow, appears on the banner alongside a selection of lesser-known identities - such as Polysexual, Demiromantic and Genderqueer. The collection of flags is titled 'Everyone is welcome here'.

Patients at the hospital in Stoke-on-Trent have expressed outrage at the banner, with one telling The Sun: 'People are waiting months and even years for treatment but the NHS is more interested in woke pandering than taking care of patients it seems.'

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust - considered one of the country's worst performing - said the flag enables patients to 'be themselves'.

The trust added that the banner shows support for LGBTQ+ communities ahead of Pride month in June.

Jane Haire, UHNM Chief People Officer, said: 'We understand that different individuals may have varying views on symbols and flags used to represent different identities but this banner symbolises our commitment to achieving a more inclusive organisation where both colleagues and the people we care for are encouraged to be themselves.'

A banner featuring flags for 21 genders or sexualities appears at Royal Stoke Hospital

The new banner comes after an NHS hospital was criticised last year for including 18 gender options on a patient form.

In November last year, NHS doctors also hit out at a new 'nonsensical' form they were being asked to fill out which involved ticking whether patients have a penis or vagina.

The form included questions about sexual orientation, gender, sex assigned at birth, preferred pronouns, if they have transitioned and if so to what extent and whether they have any plans to change gender in the future.

Medics were asked to fill in what 'organs the patient currently has,' 'organs present at birth,' 'organs surgically enhanced or constructed' and 'organs hormonally enhanced,' according to the Telegraph.

Doctors were given a list of possible organs the patient has which includes a penis, vagina, uterus, cervix, breasts, prostate, testes and ovaries.

But some staff have described the forms as 'insane,' 'bizarre' and 'nonsensical' from a scientific point of view.
The ringleader of a notorious paedophile gang who recruited Vanessa George into abusing babies and toddlers has been granted a rare two-day parole hearing and believes he will be freed.

Colin Blanchard, 53, from Rochdale, has been told by the Parole Board that he will get extra time to personally present his case to the three person panel on May 29 and 31.

He was handed an indeterminate sentence in 2011 for sex abuse charges and told he would serve a minimum of nine years. So far, Blanchard has been behind bars for a total of 12-years.

The paedophile had convinced nursery worker George to abuse 64 babies and toddlers in her care at Little Ted's nursery in Efford, Plymouth.

She shared videos of her attacks with Blanchard and was jailed for seven years and released in September 2019.

Colin Blanchard (pictured) has been granted a rare two-day parole hearing and believes he will be freed

Blanchard, 53 from Rochdale, was the ringleader of a notorious paedophile gang. He was handed an indeterminate sentence in 2011 for sex abuse charges and told he would serve a minimum of nine years. So far, Blanchard has been behind bars for a total of 12-year

Blanchard had been due to have a one day hearing in private on the 8th February, but as MailOnline revealed, it was adjourned at the last minute due to the complexity and sensitivity of the appeal.

The decision to give the hearing an extra day was taken to ensure that the panel could thoroughly question Blanchard, who will give evidence via a video link from a closed prison.

He has been buoyed by extra time given to the hearing as he believes his behaviour in jail and the number of courses he's undertaken to address his sex offending means he has a good chance of being recommended for release on licence.

A source said: 'He feels a two-day hearing will help his cause as the extra time will give him an opportunity to explain in depth all the strides forward he believes he has taken and his good behaviour in jail.

'Blanchard feels there is no logical reason for the Parole Board to reject his application to be freed on licence. He will state he is no longer a threat to the public.'

Blanchard, a former IT expert, was handed an indeterminate sentence in 2011 for sex abuse charges and told he would serve a minimum of nine years. The pervert has so far spent an extra three years in jail.

The businessman is currently being held at Category C HMP Wymott, near Leyland, Lancaster, which has specialist facilities for housing sex offenders.

Vanessa George (pictured) was recruited by Blanchard into abusing babies and toddlers. The paedophile convinced nursery worker George to abuse 64 babies and toddlers in her care at Little Ted's nursery in Efford, Plymouth

The new parole hearing next month follows a number of previous adjournments, reflecting the high profile of the case, which made national headlines after Blanchard was described at his trial as a perverted 'svengali' who persuaded a number of women to abuse children for his own personal pleasure.

During his sentencing at Bristol Crown Court in 2011, Blanchard was described as a 'Svengali' figure at the centre of one of the 'most sickening paedophile rings this country has ever seen'.

Blanchard persuaded a string of middle-aged women he met on Facebook to abuse children for his sexual pleasure.

Angela Allen and Tracey Lyons, who were both jailed for their roles in the ring, have already been released from prison.

Police uncovered their activities only when Blanchard forgot to log out of his personal email account and his business partner spotted images of child abuse at the firm in Manchester.

After sentencing, Detective Constable Andy Pilling, of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'Blanchard is the common link between all these women.

'However, no one should be under the misapprehension that they were somehow forced into abusing children  they willingly took part.'

Police outside Little Ted's Child Day Care Unit in Laira, Plymouth. Blanchard persuaded a string of middle-aged women he met on Facebook to abuse children for his sexual pleasure. Police uncovered their activities only when Blanchard forgot to log out of his personal email account

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said:'An oral hearing has been listed for the parole review of Colin Blanchard and is scheduled to take place in May 2024.

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Notorious paedophile Colin Blanchard who coaxed nursery worker Vanessa George into abusing dozens of babies and toddlers has parole hearing delayed after 12 years behind bars Advertisement

'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

'Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements are then given at the hearing.

'The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.

'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'

Families of the many young victims will be allowed to air their views on Blanchard's potential release in impact statements to experts.

George cruelly refused to tell police the names of all her victims, leading to a decade of 'hell' for families.

Blanchard's last appeal was in 2020 when it was rejected.
Republican voters say they are frustrated with the dysfunction of their current GOP lawmakers in Washington as they rally behind Donald Trump's bid to return to the White House.

The disapproval comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson faces one of the toughest weeks of his short tenure in leadership to date amid mounting pressure to pass foreign aid which could also prompt his removal from office.

In the battleground state of Pennsylvania, Trump supporters told DailyMail.com they want Republicans to move their intraparty bickering behind closed doors as they face a tough election season this fall.

'I wish Republicans would get their act together and at least put on a united front for the public,' said Courtney Bracken, 46. 'I think that it's really important in an election season for at least the optics to appear the we are united.'

She went on that she does not care 'if they fight in the back room.'

Trump fan Michael Mann, 61, said Republicans in Washington are 'a mess.'

'I think they need to get their act together. They're very disorganized. It's about time they get it together instead of trying to be on an ego trip,' Mann said.

In the battleground state of Pennsylvania , Trump supporters told DailyMail.com they want Republicans to move their intraparty bickering behind closed doors as they face a tough election season this fall

'I wish Republicans would get their act together and at least put on a united front for the public,' said Courtney Bracken, 46

Trump supporters lined up to get into his rally in Schnecksville, PA on Saturday. Attendees told DailyMail.com they wanted Republicans to stop fighting in public ahead of the 2024 election

Attendees at Trump's rally had mixed opinions of Republican Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership. Some thought he was doing a good job, but others want a shakeup in DC

Johnson has faced a number of humiliating defeats since he was elected to leadership.

Last week, he has dealt another blow from his own hardliner party members revolted and blocked a procedural vote to move forward with the reauthorization of the controversial surveillance law - the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

It was only the latest in a series of procedural hurdles where Johnson has come up short with an unwieldy caucus.

'I like Mike Johnson, I really do. I know some of the MAGAs don't like him, but I think he's a good guy for the job,' said Paul Sayre, 66, of the embattled speaker.

'This has gone too far. He's doing a good job,' said Stephanie Colofa. 50.

But other Republicans who back Trump want to see a greater shakeup in Washington come November.

'I think our government overall needs a reset,' said Matthew Onuschak, 44.

'I think the leadership on both sides is -- I shouldn't say leadership because there isn't any,' he said.

Johnson and Trump met on Friday at Mar-a-Lago where they stood together for a press conference.

The joint appearance comes as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has set in motion the process to remove Johnson and has warned him against putting the Senate's foreign aid package up for a vote.

Ex-president Donald Trump speaking to reporters after meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, April 12

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaking with Johnson on the House floor on April 11

Supporters cheer while former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania

'We're getting along very well with the speaker,' Trump said in response to a question about whether the would bad the motion to vacate to stands behind Johnson. Trump said he also gets along Greene.

'We have a speaker. He was voted in. It was a complicated process and I think very... it's not an easy situation for any Speaker. I think he's doing a very good job,' Trump said as Johnson stood beside him.

'He's doing about as good as you're going to do,' Trump said. Trump claimed Greene 'has a lot of respect for the speaker.'

Later Trump said it's unfortunate the motion to vacate is brought up because the U.S. has 'much bigger problems.'

Speaker Johnson told Fox News on Sunday that he and the former president 'are 100 percent united on these big agenda items.'
Shopkeepers in New York City have slammed the sudden increase of migrants who are flagrantly running illegal street markets, including flogging stolen goods and prostitution.

Milton Reyes, the manager at Mi Farmacia, whose shop is located along the Roosevelt Avenue strip in Jackson Heights, Queens, told DailyMail.com that these illegal vendors are a nuisance - smoke, drink, leave garbage behind - and called the situation 'out of control.'

He said: 'It started with one or two guys sporadic and now it is so bad you can't cross the street. The random neighbors. The stores being pillaged.

'We are having issues with prostitutes, issues with people not feeling safe, can't cross the street, can't visit their doctors offices.'

The pharmacy is located on the same street as some medical offices, a health clinic, and discount stores, but when the illegal street market opens it becomes 'unruly.'

Milton Reyes (pictured) manager at Mi Farmacia located along the Roosevelt Avenue strip in Jackson Heights said these illegal vendors 'will sell anything they can sell'

Illegal vendors are out on the streets of Roosevelt Avenue with one vendor - wearing a black face mask over his head - loading up his goods, including speakers and electronic equipment on a trolley

Black garbage bags, toaster ovens, and electronic equipment tossed out on the corner of the Jackson Heights street

Reyes said: 'They start as 8am and stay until dusk - all day - everyday - selling anything from pot and pans, clothes and shoes, to electronics and power equipment.

'To be honest with you I don't know where they are getting this merchandise - they will sell anything that they can sell.'

The situation, he predicts, will get worse as the weather gets warmer. 'Eventually they will be on both sides of the streets all the way around.'

'I understand coming to a country like this is not easy, but you are also infringing on the rights of other people who live here and pay taxes - it is not fair.'

He said some of them are up against the store windows and blasting music and smoking weed right in front of the pharmacy all day long.'

'I have to tell them not to sit there and place merchandise there. I have to tell them please lower the music, this is a business.'

Reyes said at times he feels unsafe. He added: 'Sometimes the vendors are arguing over where to set up - it is unruly. You don't want a customer feeling uncomfortable spending money in your business you want them to feel comfortable and feel safe.

When he has asked them to leave, he said some listen but others, 'look at you like, "this is a free country I will do what I want."'

There was a police van spotted further down the Avenue.

Reyes said: 'The police will come by from time to time and they'll pick up some of the vendors - fifteen minutes later they will set up all over again.'

Claudia Canizlez, manager of discount store on Lot-Less on the corner of 91st. and Roosevelt Avenue said that the illegal market affects their business and its employees

Lot-Less is one of the stores located on Roosevelt under the train trestle

He said that many of the elderly people take car services to their doctor's appointment are unable to get dropped off in front of the medical officers along the block.

'Where are they going to cross the street,' he asked. 'We are talking about elderly people with canes and walkers.'

Reyes said the prostitutes, at first, were on Roosevelt, but after a police crackdown the shops were closed down. But he said: 'The prostitution has escalated all over again.'

The pharmacist said: 'I am not sure they are all migrants but where did these woman come from all of a sudden - sometimes that is the easiest way they can make money.'

Claudia Canizlez, manager of discount store, Lot-Less across from Mi Farmacia said that the illegal market affects their business and its employees.

'It upsets me because it takes business away from us. They sell it cheaper, and people will buy it from them instead of coming inside to shop.

Some of the clothing she has seen them selling are name brand merchandise that still have tags on them - like what shoppers would see in stores like Macy's, JC Penney and Target.

Rafael (left) and Carlos (right) , who have been living in the country for more than 20 years, sell used clothes and used shoes on the same street- and have to compete with these vendors that are peddling stolen goods

'We are the ones paying rent, paying taxes and paying people to work, but if there is no customers coming in then we have to cut their hours because the sales are not there - all because of this.'

The loss of business is not her only gripe. It is also the garbage that is left behind.

A woman, who did not want to be identified but lives nearby, called it a 'disaster.'

Canizlez said that the street is 'narrow, congested, and hard to walk,' when the vendors are out.

She said: 'The doctors will tell you they have issues because their patients can't come in because they are blocked so their appointments are being canceled.'

On Sunday, The New York Post showed photos of many of the illegal vendors selling used clothes, used shoes, power tools, electronics, microwaves, but on Monday, it appeared that many of those vendors were not present.

Two men, Rafael and Carlos, who sell used clothes and used shoes on Roosevelt and 91 Avenue told DailyMail.com that they have been in the country for more than 20 years.

Speaking through a translator, the men said that they come to the Avenue to sell their goods, in order to be able to support their families, but now they have to compete for business and share the street with the new wave of migrants.
Neighbours on a 20mph street where a four-year-old girl was killed by a suspected drink and drug driver have slammed 'boy racers' causing havoc in the area.

Two men, 21 and 24, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs following the tragedy in Birmingham on Sunday night.

Two women were also hurt but their injuries were not life threatening, while another young child escaped uninjured.

All four people were hit by a silver Corsa just after 9.45pm on Sunday, which police say had collided with a Mercedes before crashing into the pedestrians.

The tragedy sparked calls from locals for urgent action to tackle speeding drivers in the second city - as the area is home to a number of tower blocks and 20mph speed limit zones.

People living near the scene of the crash said motorists regularly drove at reckless speeds and use the residential street as a short cut to avoid speed cameras elsewhere in the city.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at Upper Highgate Street (pictured) at 9.45pm yesterday, after reports that four pedestrians had been mowed down by a vehicle

A young girl has died and two women injured after a car ploughed into them on Upper Highgate Street

Video footage shows one man being led away by officers following the collision

One local resident claimed that drivers continued 'flying' down the road even while paramedics were treating the injured girl at the scene, were she was later pronounced dead.

The man who witnessed the aftermath of the crash said: 'It's disgusting, something has to be done. Its the boy racers coming down here so fast. The poor child. People were speeding past even while they were trying to save her.'

Police have appealed for CCTV and dashcam footage from the incident, while West Midlands mayor Andy Street said the region had a 'systemic problem of dangerous driving'.

He wrote on X: 'A 4-year-old has lost her life - on a pavement outside a playground, where she should have been safe.

'We owe it to victims' families to end this needless violence once and for all.'

An 87-year-old woman, who chose to not be named said the roads in the area can be 'frightening'.

She said: 'I've been crossing this road [Upper Highgate Street] for a long time. One time a driver came the wrong way and almost hit me.'

Mohammed Ibrahim, 36, heard the sound of screaming moments after the crash. He said: 'I live on the 11th floor so when we heard voices, screaming, we came down and found something had happened here. It's very sad. We need [speed] bumps in this road. It's very dangerous.'

West Midlands Ambulance Service said staff immediately began administering advanced life support to the child who was critically injured after arriving at the scene but she could not be saved.

One of the railings which has been ripped from the ground following the road traffic collision yesterday

West Midlands Ambulance Service said three ambulances, two paramedic officers, a MERIT trauma doctor and two critical care paramedics were sent to the scene

Police said the drivers of the vehicles remained at the scene following the crash

Police said the drivers of the vehicles remained at the scene following the crash.

Video footage shows one man being led away by officers. Two men remained in custody last night.

Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) said: 'A young girl has tragically lost her life and I can only imagine the pain her loved ones are going through at this awful time.

'This is deeply upsetting for everyone and we'll be doing everything we can to support them and get answers to exactly what happened last night.

'These are early days in our investigation and I'd urge people not to speculate around the circumstances.

He added: 'We need to deal with facts so we can complete a thorough investigation, and provide the answers the girls family and friends deserve.'
Senate candidates are raking in millions in fundraising for what is expected to be a wildly expensive campaign season as the race for the Senate kicks into high gear.

Candidates had their fundraising deadline for the first three months of the year at midnight and filings show some record fundraising figures in battleground states as well as whopping amounts of cash ready to be spent.

While much focus in 2024 is on the presidential race, Republicans are looking to flip the Senate come November and they have a pretty favorable map to do so.

Democrats currently hold a one seat majority in the Senate, but several Democratic Senators are up for reelection in increasingly red states and ones that voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump in 2020 including Montana and Ohio.

The filings show Democrats have been vastly outraising their Republican challengers while some of those GOP candidates are putting millions of their own money into their bids.

But while major fundraising hauls can help candidates prepare for November, hiring staff and buy adverting, it is not a clear indicator of who will win.

Candidates have beat opponents by double digits in fundraising only to suffer epic losses in the past.

However, the fundraising can also give a sense of who has momentum and what raises people are prioritizing in an election year.

Here are some of the biggest cash hauls in the largest Senate battlegrounds for the first quarter of 2024:

Arizona

Democrat Ruben Gallego is in a tough Senate races against Republican Kari Lake for the open seat in Arizona

Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego is set to face Republican Kari Lake for the open Arizona Senate seat after Senator Kyrsten Sinema said she would not seek reelection after just one term.

Lake, a close ally of Trump who recently held a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, raised $4.1 million in the first three months of the year.

99 percent of the donations were under $200, according to her campaign. Her campaign ended March with $2.5 million cash on hand.

Gallego raised $7.5 million and had more than $9.6 million cash on hand.

Arizona is one of the biggest battlegrounds of 2024 for both the Senate and the presidential election.

The most recent The Hill/Emerson poll showed Gallego with a two point lead in the race.

Montana

Democratic Senator Jon Tester will likely face Republican Tim Sheehy in November. The primary is June 4

In Montana, a state Trump won in 2020 by more than 16 points, Democratic Senator Jon Tester is likely to face off against Republican Tim Sheehy in November.

On Monday, Tester's campaign revealed he raised more than $8 million in the first three months o f the year, the most ever raised in the first quarter in a Montana Senate election.

96 percent of the donations to Tester were for less than $100 and the average donation was less than $50 his campaign said.

His GOP challenger Tim Sheehy brought in $3 million including $500,000 loaned by the candidate. He finished March with $1.9 million in his campaign war chest.

Ohio

Republican Bernie Moreno won a tough GOP primary and will take on Senator Sherrod Brown in what will be one of the toughest Senate races in November

In one of the toughest races in the country, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown will face Republican Bernie Moreno in November in an increasingly red state.

Republicans see Ohio as a potential path to retaking the Senate.

In the first three months of the year, Brown raised a record $12 million signaling just how tough a fight the race will be. He ended March with more than $15.9 million cash on hand.

Meanwhile, Republican Bernie Moreno faced a tough three-way primary last month. The Trump-backed businessman raised $3.8 million including the $1.5 million he loaned his campaign. He finished March with $2 million in campaign cash.

The Real Clear Politics polling average shows Brown with a five point lead on Moreno.

During the primary, Democrats promoted Moreno as a candidate viewing him as an easier candidate to beat this fall, but the race is expected to be a bruising race until Election Day.

Pennsylvania

Senator Bob Casey is likely to face Republican Dave McCormick in the Pennsylvania Senate race. The primary is on April 23

In Pennsylvania, incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey is set to face off against Republican Dave McCormick, who ran and lost the GOP primary in 2022.

The Real Clear Politics average of polls shows Casey with a more than five point lead in the race. Trump endorsed McCormick as rally in Schnecksville, PA on Saturday.

Casey is leading McCormick in fundraising. He raised $5.6 million through April 3 and has more than $6.2 million cash on hand.

McCormick raised $5.3 million in the first three months of the year through April 3 including a loaning his own campaign $970,900. He also has $6.2 million cash on hand.

Wisconsin

Democratic Senator Tammy (D) will face Republican Eric Hovde in November

In the battleground state of Wisconsin, incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin raised $5.4 million in the first three months of the year. She as more than $10 million cash on hand available to her.

Her opponent, Trump-backed Eric Hovde raised $9 million in the first quarter of the year, but filings show it includes Hovde loaning his campaign a whopping $8 million. Hovde has $5.3 million cash on hand.

The latest The Hill/Emerson poll from mid-March shows Baldwin with a three point lead in the race.

Nevada

Senator Jacky Rosen is expected to face a tough reelection in Nevada. The frontrunner to challenger her is Republican Sam Brown

Republicans in Nevada will choose their Senate nominee in June and whoever wins the primary will face Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen come November in what is expected to be a close race.

Sam Brown, an army veteran, is the current frontrunner in the GOP race and backed by multiple Republicans. Nevada Assemblyman Jim Marchant is also running in the primary.

Rosen raised $5 million and had more than $13 million cash on hand.

Brown raised $2.4 million and had $2.3 million at the end of the quarter available. Marchant raised less than $50,000 and had roughly that available for his campaign.

The Real Clear Politics average of polls shows Rosen with four point lead over Brown. In a race against Marchant she has a nearly 10 point lead.
Speaker Johnson originally planned to deliver the articles last week, but after speaking with GOP senators, he agreed to hold off until Tuesday

The hand-off of the articles comes over two months after the House passed them

Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas arrived on Capitol Hill to testify the same day the House will deliver his articles of impeachment to the Senate

Alejandro Mayorkas arrived on Capitol Hill to attend a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee the hours before the House is set to send articles of impeachment against him to the Senate.

The articles of impeachment against Mayorkas for were passed in February and have been kept in limbo for months as the House has prioritized legislation for government funding, foreign aid and TikTok divesture.

Mayorkas arrived just before 10:00 a.m. for a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee on why his agency requires $108 billion in funding for the 2025 fiscal year, House Republicans will be readying the articles for delivery to the Senate.

'You abolished working policies, and following the statements of your boss on his campaign trialpromises to improperly grant asylum to anyone who came,' Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., said in his opening remarks.

'As a result, people from all over the world tested the system, came and were released, phoned home, and the mass waves began.'

'With this increased demand, the cartels took advantage, regulated that flow to overwhelm the crossing sites at our border.'

'Your refusal to follow those laws is contemptible,' Green added.

Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas' future in the position is unclear as the House has passed articles of impeachment against the man in charge of U.S. border security but the Democrat-held Senate is likely to acquit the charges against him

In response, the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., praised Mayorkas' performance handling the U.S.-Mexico border.

'Through it all, Secretary Mayorkas has remained steadfast.'

'He continues to do his job across the Department's many critical homeland security missions, including border security and immigration enforcement.'

Mayorkas 'has used the full range of authorities at his disposal and stretched the resources provided by Congress to secure the border,' Thompson continued.

In a testy exchange, Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., lashed out at Mayorkas telling him 'This is not funny Mr. Secretary,' before adding 'misdemeaning the office and high authority that has been entrusted' in him as Homeland Security secretary is reprehensible.

Still, the plan, as it stands, is for the 11 impeachment managers and several House employees to physically deliver the articles to the upper chamber at 2:00 p.m.

On Monday, Speaker Mike Johnson signed the articles of impeachment against the border boss, teeing them up for a delivery.

'The catastrophe at the southern border is the number one issue for the American people,' Johnson said in a statement Monday. 'We must hold those who engineered this crisis to full account.'

'While it will force him to grapple with the crisis his party and the President have created, Senator Schumer must hold a public trial on Secretary Mayorkas impeachment.'

'Pursuant to the Constitution, the House demands a trial,' the speaker continued.

How the Senate decides to handle the articles, however, remains up to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

There are many routes the Schumer could take in addressing the articles, including a trial, but the leader has yet to reveal how he wants to move forward.

Nonetheless, the Senate is expected to be sworn in as jurors for Mayorkas' impeachment on Wednesday.

And GOP senators previously said they would try to invoke points of order to set the ground rules for the impeachment, but whether they are recognized by the Democrat-held chamber is unlikely.

Speaker Mike Johnson signs the articles of impeachment against Alejandro Mayorkas on Monday. Johnson has claimed about 9 million migrants have been encountered illegally crossing into U.S. under Mayorkas' tenure

Republicans charge that Mayorkas has intentionally loosened restrictions around illegal immigration under the orders of President Joe Biden

How did we get here? Mayorkas impeachment timeline:

The Republican-led House Homeland Security Committee has been investigating Mayorkas' mishandling of the U.S. border since last summer.

The committee released a five-installment report spanning from July 2023 to December 2023.

In January, Chairman Green released an impeachment resolution with two individual charges against Mayorkas.

The impeachment articles said that Mayorkas 'refused to comply with Federal immigration laws' amid a record surge of migrants and that he has 'breached the public trust' in his claims to Congress that the US-Mexico border is secure.

After a late night vote passing the articles out of the committee on January 31, the resolution was teed up for a vote on the House floor.

A week later, the House voted 216-214 on the impeachment articles and the Republican-backed motion failed.

But a week later, on February 13, the House tried again and the articles of impeachment passed by a single vote.

'Secretary Mayorkas impeachmentthe first of a sitting Cabinet official in U.S. historyindicates how seriously the House takes his refusal to comply with the law and his breach of the public trust,' Green told DailyMail.com in a statement.

'This historic vote followed a thorough, fair, comprehensive, and nearly year-long investigation conducted by the House Committee on Homeland Security into Secretary Mayorkas and his handling of the unprecedented border crisis.'

'The Framers of our Constitution gave Congress this grave authority when public officials choose to ignore the law and inflict grave harm on our constitutional order. The Democrat-led Senate must hold the trial, render a verdict, and hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable,' Green added.

Republicans say that Mayorkas has incentivized migrant to come across the U.S. border illegally because DHS has lessened penalties for doing so

A number of asylum seekers await transportation from Custom and Border Protection. In recent months thousands of migrants from China have crossed into the U.S. illegally

Following the passage of the articles in the House, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's office released a statement indicating that the articles would be promptly acted upon after the following a in-district work period.

But as that time came and went the House did not send the Senate the articles, instead working for weeks on massive funding packages to keep the government from a partial shutdown.

After another at home work period for Easter recess, Speaker Johnson and his appointed impeachment managers sent a letter to Schumer on March 28 informing him they would walk the articles to the Senate on April 10.

On April 9, however, a group of GOP Senators led by Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, John Kennedy, R-La., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., held a press conference advocating for the House to hold off sending the articles.

The 11th-hour plea for delaying was because the Republicans knew if the articles were delivered on schedule - Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. - the Senate would have little motivation to have a long trial as many had planned to fly out of D.C. by Thursday.

'Many House and Senate members think Johnsons timing is dumb, because a Wednesday night delivery [and] Thursday afternoon floor fight arent enough time to win the news cycle and to hammer the fight in Washington,' a senior Senate aide told DailyMail.com Tuesday.

Later that evening, Speaker Johnson agreed to the Senator's request and held off on sending the articles.

A spokesperson for Speaker Johnson said that 'to ensure the Senate has adequate time to perform its constitutional duty, the House will transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate next week.'

'There is no reason whatsoever for the Senate to abdicate its responsibility to hold an impeachment trial,' Taylor Haulsee told DailyMail.com.

A source familiar with the matter told DailyMail.com that the House is expected to deliver the articles to the Senate on Tuesday, April 16.

The U.S.-Mexico border is an inhospitable place where migrants who cross illegally regularly need immediate medical attention after their dangerous journeys

What will happen this week?

The articles of impeachment against Mayorkas will be physically walked across the Capitol from the House to the Senate on Tuesday by the Johnson-appointed impeachment managers.

House impeachment managers Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn.

Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.

Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La.

Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va.

Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.

Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas

Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo.

Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Fla. Advertisement

The procession from the House to the Senate will be led by House staff workers and will also feature the eleven impeachment managers following behind them.

The last time the impeachment ceremony took place was in January 2021, when former President Donald Trump was impeached by the House for high crimes and misdemeanors related to his behavior on January 6.

Once over on the Senate side the House employees are expected to enter the upper chamber and present the articles to the senator presiding over the floor.

Delivery of the articles immediately begins the process in the Senate.

'As busy as we are, one issue the Senate will soon have to address is the House vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas,' Schumer said Wednesday after Johnson agreed to delaying the articles' transmission.

'Our plan over here has not changed: the Senate is ready to go whenever the House is. We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible.'

'And as I said yesterday, impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements. That sets an awful precedent.'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not revealed what he plans to do with the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, requested Johnson delay sending the articles of impeachment to allow the Senate more time to deliberate the motion

Schumer stating that the Senate will work quickly on the matter without providing further detail shows how closely he is holding his cards to his chest.

Will Democrats move to quash the trial for Mayorkas?

He has several routes forward upon receiving the articles.

First, he could put the articles up for an immediate vote, which could and likely would result in the Democrats voting to table the motion, meaning there would be no impeachment trial in the Senate and Mayorkas would be cleared of wrongdoing.

Democrats control the Senate by a slim majority of 51-49, but some Republicans have indicated that they would vote to dismiss because there is no path forward for a trial.

Second, he could proceed by swearing in the Senate as jurors in the case, which would then enable the House impeachment managers to argue their case against Mayorkas before the upper chamber.

After hearing the case, the Senate would then vote on the articles.

Schumer's third option is to send the articles into committee for review.

The special committee would then investigate the articles of impeachment and would later provide recommendations for how the Senate should move forward.

In that case, the Senate floor would not be jammed up with impeachment proceedings, allowing them to legislate on other matters while simultaneously addressing Mayorkas' impeachment.

Still, how Schumer wants to move forward is remains to be seen.

Senate Republicans are hoping for a full trial as they argue it is the Senate's Constitutional duty.

But as the Senate is controlled by Democrats, it appears unlikely Schumer will decide to move forward in that matter.
Democratic senators killed a standalone Israel bill's chances of quick passage in the Senate on Monday night.

Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Roger Marshall, R-Kan., requested unanimous consent to quickly pass a House-passed $14 billion aid package - offset by cuts to the IRS - and another $17 billion measure (that failed in the House) for the embattled U.S. ally, but Democrats objected.

The bills include some $4 billion to replenish Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, which intercept '99%' of Iran's drone attacks over the weekend.

It comes as the White House has made clear President Joe Biden does not support a package with aid for only Israel, but Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will put Ukraine and Israel on the House floor separately.

Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Roger Marshall, R-Kan., requested unanimous consent to quickly pass a $17.6 billion aid package for the embattled U.S. ally, but Democrats object

Johnson on Monday decided to push three separate bills this week to send billions to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, DailyMail.com confirmed.

A fourth bill will reportedly include several measures such as requiring TikTok divest from its Chinese-owned parent company, an effort to obtain seized Russian assets, a lend-lease program for military aid to Ukraine and also loans for humanitarian aid.

All four bills would be lumped together under the same 'rule' to advance them to the House floor for final passage this week before going to the Senate.

Iranian missiles launched into Israel, as seen on Iranian TV

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024

Johnson put the Israel-only aid package on the House floor in February but it failed to garner the two-thirds majority it needed to pass under suspension.

'We're going to try again this week, and the details of that package are being put together right now,' he said. 'We're looking at the options and all these supplemental issues.'

The House passed a $14 billion aid package for Israel in October, but the deal was offset by cuts to IRS funding that led to its demise in the Democrat-led Senate.

Conservative hardliners have warned Johnson against attaching any Ukraine funding to an Israel aid bill. Johnson has remained coy on how he'd like to move forward but called an emergency all-conference meeting of his Republicans for Monday evening.

'Under no circumstances will the House Freedom Caucus abide using the emergency situation in Israel as a bogus justification to ram through Ukraine aid with no offset and no security for our own wide-open borders,' the conservative hardliner Freedom Caucus said in a statement on Monday.

Israel has deemed Iran's 350-missile attack a 'declaration of war,' though it said 99 percent of the missiles were intercepted.

The attack was in response to Israel's drone strike in Syria tht killed 12 Iranians, including two top generals.
Alleged teenage stabber cut his own finger off

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel's life was likely saved from death because his alleged attacker's flick-knife failed to open properly during the stabbing - and the suspect cut his own finger off in the botched attack.

Close friend Danny Abdallah spoke to the bishop as he recovered in hospital overnight and on Tuesday he revealed further details that had come to light.

Mr Abdallah - who became a public figure when three of his children and his niece were killed by a drunk and drugged driver - called the bishop's survival an 'act of God'.

Bishop Emmanuel was stabbed multiple times and rushed to hospital in a stable condition after a horrific incident which was livestreamed online.

A 16-year-old boy dressed in black was seen calmly walking up to the bishop at his altar at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, west Sydney, about 7.10pm on Monday.

He appeared to strike the bishop a series of blows to the head and neck, repeatedly swinging down in a stabbing motion.

In the video clip, the alleged attacker pauses briefly to look at his hand before resuming the attack - but was unable to properly open the flick knife.

It's since been confirmed the attacker cut his own finger off with the knife during the attack.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel's life was saved when his alleged attacker's flick-knife failed to open properly during the frenzied onslaught (pictured)

Danny Abdallah (pictured with his wife), who lost three children and a niece in 2020, labelled the alleged knifeman's struggle to open the knife 'an act of God'

'He (the alleged knifeman) went for the face and when he was going for the face, it (the knife) didn't open,' Mr Abdallah told 2GB's Ben Fordham.

He told Fordham the bishop appeared to be recovering well on Tuesday morning.

'As far as I know he's okay,' Mr Abdallah said of Bishop Emmanuel. 'He didn't get hurt that much yesterday. He was in a stable condition.

'He's a good man, he's a spiritual man. He loves his church, he loves his people.'

Father Isaac Royel was also among four people injured in the incident, which has now been declared a terrorist attack.

Mr Abdallah lost three of his children - Sienna, eight, Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13 - and his 11-year-old niece, Veronique Sakr, in a tragic west Sydney crash in 2020.

The family are very religious and Mr Abdallah is friends with Bishop Emmanuel.

The alleged knifeman (pictured being held down) has been labelled by police as an alleged terrorist

A mob gathered outside Christ The Good Shepherd Church (pictured) in Wakeley in the wake of the incident, resulting in several more injuries

READ MORE: Bishop prays for attacker after the boy stabbed him during church service Advertisement

Mr Abdallah also condemned the mob who attacked police, angry that officers were preventing reprisals.

Hundreds of Bishop Emmanuel's gathered outside the church and expressed their anger toward the attacker, believing him to be sheltered by officers inside the church.

The protest quickly turned into a violent riot which resulted in 30 people being injured, including police officers.

Footage showed the mob hurled bottles and bricks at a police barrier and yelled 'an eye for an eye' and 'bring him out'.

The church attack has been declared a terrorist incident with religious motivation, with the alleged assailant reportedly invoking 'my prophet' in explaining his actions.

Bishop Emmanuel has been a public critic of aspects of Islam.

NSW Premier Chris Minns warned members of the Assyrian Orthodox faith or any other allied groups from taking action against Muslims.

'There is no such thing in Australia as taking the law into your own hands,' Mr Minns said.

'You will be met by the full force of the law if there is any tit-for-tat violence in Sydney over the coming days.'

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said 20 police cars were damaged in the riots.

'The police officers, of which there were many, acted courageously to protect that community, witnesses, victims and the ambulance officers,' she said.

'They went there to do their job last night and they were turned on.'

It's understood 30 people were injured in riots (pictured) following the alleged stabbing on Monday night

Footage showed the mob hurled bottles and bricks at a police barrier and yelled 'an eye for an eye' and 'bring him out' (pictured, remains from the riot on Tuesday)

NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dom Morgan claimed several paramedics were trapped inside the church due to the riot.

'Paramedics became under threat and ... had to retreat into the church,' he said.

'The officers that serve this community and police every single day were holed up in that church for three-and-a-half hours.

Six of our paramedics could not leave that facility for fear of their own safety.'

Up to 100 police officers, including riot squad cops, were called to the scene along with POL AIR.

Mr Abdallah said of the riot: 'I condemn it, it's not right.

'They should have left it with the police to look after it, they shouldn't have done what they did.

'These are kids that look at him as a spiritual father and they felt like that their father got stabbed and they were probably angry, but they still have no right to do what they did.'

Footage taken immediately after the attack showed the teenage knifeman was pinned down by at least three people, including a police officer.

The teenager appeared to smile and mock his captors as they held him in place.

One man, with blood visible on his jeans, sat with his legs straddling his head.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb (pictured) said 20 police cars were damaged in the riots

'People are praying and you come and do this?,' he said.

The police officer interjected: 'Stop, just let go, please. You're going to make it worse.'

Police have declared the alleged attack was an act of terrorism.

'Strike Force Petrina has been established to investigate that side of the events last night and a referral has been made and agreed to by the joint counterterrorism investigation team that we will work jointly with NSW police lead, with AFP and other Commonwealth agencies in this investigation,' Commissioner Webb said.
On my way to work one morning, my eye falls on graffiti outside my front door. 'Free Palestine' has been scrawled across a street sign and 'Think about Gaza' on a telecoms cabinet three feet from my house.

No other anti-Israel graffiti is in sight. Is it a coincidence that I'm the editor of the Jewish Chronicle? Am I being paranoid? Or is it a message: 'We know w

here you live'?

Every British Jew I know is on high alert right now, and with good reason. Hundreds, even thousands, of Islamist extremists under Iranian orders are operating in Britain. As Security Minister Tom Tugendhat confirmed last year, they have been identifying prominent Jewish people in the UK, mapping where they live and work.

The words 'Free Palestine' written on a brick wall in South Bank, London

Stickers saying 'From the river to the sea Palestine will be free' and 'Boycott Israeli Apartheid' on a pole in Munich, Germany

But it's not just Jews like me who are living in fear: ordinary Britons of all stripes are coming up against the unrest and terror being fomented by this evil regime.

The Iranians' intention is not only to intimidate people into silence, but to have the option of unleashing a spate of assassinations in the event of all-out war between our countries, or between Iran and Israel.

Already these operatives have made attempts on the lives of at least two dozen individuals on British soil. Last year, Scotland Yard revealed that 15 murder or kidnap plots were foiled by the security services, and ten others the previous year. Almost all occurred before the slaughter by Hamas of 1,200 innocent people in Israel on October 7.

No one knows who is most at risk in Britain from Iranian assassins and kidnappers. So far, it has largely been brave Iranian dissidents.But it could be courageous celebrities, highlighting the spread of anti-Semitism in the media. It could be politicians, journalists and religious leaders.

Or perhaps their targets might be ordinary Jewish people, without any public profile. Iran's goal is to undermine any kind of support for Israel while stoking radical Islamic sentiment through propaganda, street demonstrations and recruitment campaigns.

Jake Wallis Simons is the Editor of The Jewish Chronicle and author of the book Israelophobia

Israelophobia is a book on anti-Semitism written by Jake Wallis Simon

All this is being co-ordinated from within the UK by an arm of Iran's brutal Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Incredibly, the IRGC is not a proscribed terrorist organisation, even though its goals and methods are sometimes indistinguishable from groups like Islamic State. In fact, it directs, trains and funds Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

In Parliament yesterday, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith urged the Government to 'consider proscribing the IRGC and doing so in a way that makes sure it can no longer foment extremism here in the United Kingdom.'

Unbelievably, the headquarters of the IRGC has charity status in Britain. Known as the Islamic Centre of England (ICEL), it is based at a former cinema in Maida Vale, in the heart of North London's Jewish community.

Yesterday, a new report by the Policy Exchange think-tank argued that this headquarters is Iran's 'UK nerve centre', and that Tehran has spent decades 'curating a politico-religious infrastructure in Britain'.

According to senior Tory MP Alicia Kearns, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, the ICEL is 'solely there to spread the word of the Islamic repressive regime'. It co-ordinates the free movement in Britain of hate preachers: shamefully, the UK has granted 100 visas to Iranian religious figures since 2005, with 21 of them issued to clerics trained by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The report also highlighted the protests that occurred outside Batley Grammar School in 2021, which forced into hiding a teacher who had shown his pupils a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed, which is an offensive act in Islam, during a religious studies class as an example of Iran's 'ability to stir the pot of religious prejudice within the UK', enforcing de facto blasphemy laws that run contrary to British freedom of speech.

The ICEL is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission, which launched a statutory inquiry last year after its then director, Seyed Moosavi, denounced anti-government protesters in Iran as 'soldiers of Satan'.

He was speaking after a 22-year-old woman in Tehran, Mahsa Amini, died in custody in September 2022, having been arrested by Iran's 'morality police' for refusing to wear the hijab in public.

A star of David graffitied with a large black cross through it on a bus stop in Stamford Hill, north London

Moosavi also described one of the heads of the IRGC, Qaseem Soleimani, as 'a martyr' and 'a dedicated soldier of Islam' after he was killed in a U.S. airstrike in 2020. The ICEL organised a vigil for Soleimani: the Charity Commission warned that this 'risked associating the ICEL with a speaker who may have committed an offence under the Terrorism Act'.

In 2022, as the Jewish Chronicle revealed, the ICEL filmed children aged seven to 15 at an Iranian school in Kilburn, singing a song in English called 'Hello Commander'. It lauded the murderous Iranian regime and called for the slaughter of all Tehran's enemies.

Labour MP Steve McCabe called for a a 'full, urgent investigation into this organisation's relationship with the Iranian regime'.

Despite this, the ICEL continues to act as a proxy for the Revolutionary Guards, although last May it was obliged to suspend religious services while the inquiry launched by the Charity Commission was carried out.

It continues to operate, however. As a sign of Iranian power in Britain, earlier this month the annual Quds Day rally took place in London, a recruiting exercise for Islamists. This year's event was branded as a 'national demonstration for Palestine' and marchers carried placards calling for 'resistance by any means necessary'.

The Revolutionary Guards also advance their toxic agenda through the Islamic Student Association of Britain (ISAB), based in an Edwardian former Methodist church in Hammersmith, West London. In January 2021, for example, the ISAB organised an online lecture by Saeed Ghasemi, a former senior commander in a vigilante branch of the IRGC called the 'Lebas-shakhsi' or 'plain clothes men'.

Ghasemi, who boasts that he stood 'side by side with Al-Qaeda' before the Twin Towers attack in 2001, talks of his desire for an 'apocalyptic war' between Iran and its enemies  not only Israel, but the U.S. and Britain.

He claims this country was responsible for atrocities in Iran a century ago, while denying that the Nazi Holocaust ever took place: 'The one that the Jews say happened is fake,' he said. 'The real Holocaust happened in my country in the First World War, 1917-19, when the UK occupied Iran.'

Ghasemi, like many radical Shiite Islamists in Iran, believes that by bringing about the end of Western civilisation in a global nuclear war, Muslims can summon their saviour, the ninth century Imam Mahdi.

'This will bring an end to the life of the oppressors and occupiers, Zionists and Jews across the world,' he told British students.

To achieve this, Iran has a three-pronged war strategy. As well as its vast arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones and its atomic programme, it boasts a third and most effective state weapon. Though the least known or understood, this the Islamic Republican Guards Corp and its overseas proxy militias.

The fact that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has not been proscribed as a terrorist organisation in Britain is an open door for Iran to continue its murderous, nakedly hostile activities here.

There is a simple solution: it has to be outlawed. Every day that it is permitted to keep operating here brings us one step closer to an unimaginable atrocity.
Ten people have been sentenced for their part in an immigration scam that allowed people from Pakistan to enter the UK by deception and 'systematic manipulation of the rules'.

Men and women already resident in Britain were provided with forged documents to allow their spouses into the country even though they did not qualify for entry.

Ringleader Mahmood Hussain, 56, a respected member of the community in Burnley, Lancashire, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years' imprisonment for assisting unlawful immigration.

Preston Crown Court heard how he had forged documents and provided false information on visa applications by claiming the applicants had worked for him at a garage he ran in Burnley.

Crucially, he claimed they were earning the minimum 18,600 required under immigration rules that allow a spouse to enter the country without being a burden on the state.

Asim Hussain Shah (left) and Sakab Asghar (right) were both sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work for assisting unlawful immigration into the country

Sidhra Riaz, 28, guilty of assisting with the unlawful immigration of non-EU citizens

Sentencing, Judge Andrew Jefferies KC said that while was no evidence Hussain was running a commercial enterprise by providing false documents for money, 'this case involves the systematic manipulation of the rules for entering the UK'.

He said: 'You, Mr Hussain, were providing supporting evidence for these people.

'Your claim that you were a sort of Robin Hood figure helping out poor people in your community would have had more credence if you had pleaded guilty in the first instance.

'You could have assisted the people in your community in a lawful way but instead you chose to fabricate documents and provide false pay slips.

'You were related to none of these people but they all came from your local community and I cannot on the evidence find this was a commercial enterprise.'

The court heard that all the defendants were living in the Burnley and Nelson area of Lancashire when the scam was taking place between 2018 and 2020.

Many of them were in full time employment but were not making the minimum of 18,600 so they turned to Hussain to help them bring their spouses to Britain.

At one point, one of the defendants, Sidra Ali, 32, had to be rushed to the garage from her home when the Home Office  which brought the prosecutions - made an unexpected call to check if she was working there.

Sidra Ali, 32, was convicted of assisting with the unlawful immigration of non-EU citizens

Maria Khan, 27, was found guilty of obtaining leave to enter or remain in the UK by deception

Ali (left) and Riaz (right) smile and embrace outside Preston Crown Court

Mahmood Hussain, 56, was the 'Robin Hood' ringleader of a gang that forged documents and provided false information on visa applications for people in Pakistan

Mohammed Uldin, 34, and Asim Shah, 34, were sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 12 months

Sidhra Riaz, 28, (left) and Sakab Asghar, 34, (right) were sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work for assisting unlawful immigration into the country

Quasim Khan, 31, and Junaid Ali, 29, were also members of the immigration scam gang

Ali, Sidhra Riaz, 28, Sakab Asghar, 34, Asim Shah, 34, and Junaid Ali, 29, were all sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work for assisting unlawful immigration into the country.

Quasim Khan, 31, who was found guilty of the same charge, was given a 15-month sentence suspended for a year and ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work.

His wife Maria Khan and Taimoor Ali, the husband of Sidra Ali, were two of the people who came to Britain on false documentation and each were each found guilty of obtaining leave to remain in the country by deception.

Khan, 27, was given a nine-month sentence suspended for a year and ordered to do 70 hours unpaid work while Ali, 29, to an eight-month suspended sentence and 65 hours' unpaid work.

Mohammed Uldin, 34, was also found guilty of assisting unlawful immigration into the country and was sentenced to nine months suspended for a year and ordered to do 70 hours of unpaid work.

All the defendants face a victim surcharge payment which will be decided at a later date.

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'This sentencing sends a powerful message that those who attempt to abuse our immigration system will face the full consequences of the law.

'There can be no hiding place for the organised crime groups who facilitate immigration fraud. We will continue to seek out all those that defraud the system and make them pay for their crimes.'

The case comes as the earnings threshold to allow family visas to be issued will be raised to 29,000. A further increase will see it raised to 34,500 and finally 38,7000 by early 2025.
The police community is in mourning after the long search for one of their own came to a tragic end with the discovery of his body, with his death blamed on depression.

The remains of Senior Constable Scott Duff, 50, was discovered after a week-long search in the Cairns suburb of Edmonton.

Authorities said they were not treating his disappearance as suspicious.

A police community Facebook group Survive The Streets Down Under said: 'We are saddened to share that QLDPOL have lost an officer to the 'black dog'.

The term is commonly used to refer to depression.

'Following a lengthy land search, involving many police and volunteers from other agencies, the body of the officer was located.

'We pass our sincere condolences on to the officer's family, friends and colleagues.'

The extensive search efforts in surrounding bush drew in multiple police units including the Tactical Crime Squad as well as State Emergency Services volunteers. Drones and the Rescue 510 helicopter were also deployed.

After a week-long search the body of 50-year-old police officer Scott Duff, 50, has been found

Officers from Townsville and the south east also bolstered the effort.

Locals rallied to support the search effort by donating snacks and drinks to the teams.

Police thanked the public, media and SES members who supported the search effort.

Superintendent Monique Ralph last week said that Constable Duff's disappearance seemed 'very out of character'.

'Scott is a much loved and valued member of the Queensland Police Service as well as the community,' she said.

Constable Duff was last seen on Slipper Street in the Cairns suburb of Edmonton on April 8

'He's a very well respected officer in that southern corridor having worked at Edmonton, Gordonvale and down in that area for roughly the last 20 years.

'His disappearance is also having an effect on our local police and our community, and we've been extremely overwhelmed with the support that the community has provided us.'

Police are preparing a report for the coroner but are yet to formally identify the body.

For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14 or Beyond blue 1300 22 4636
A former Tory MP last night attacked the police watchdog over 'inexcusable delays' in bringing the head of the shambolic VIP abuse inquiry to justice for allegedly lying in public about the case.

Nearly a year after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) ruled that Steve Rodhouse should face disciplinary proceedings, no date has been fixed for a misconduct board.

And to deepen the scandal, the former Met deputy assistant commissioner has been given a newly created senior position at the National Crime Agency on a basic salary of around 180,000 a year.

He led Operation Midland, which is widely regarded as the worst Scotland Yard investigation in modern times after being taken in by serial liar Carl 'Nick' Beech, later jailed for his deceit.

Ex-MP Harvey Proctor, falsely accused of murder and child sex abuse, said: 'I am appalled but not surprised at the lax treatment of Steve Rodhouse.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has ruled that Steve Rodhouse (pictured), who led the Scotland yard investigation into VIP child sex abuse, should face disciplinary proceedings

Serial liar Carl 'Nick' Beech (pictured) concocted lies about the existence of a murderous VIP paedophile ring at the heart of British government

One of Beech's victims who was caught up in the scandal was ex-MP Harvey Proctor (pictured) who was falsely accused of murder and child sex abuse and had his home raided in 2015

'There have been inexcusable delays in his misconduct board hearing.

'When I was under investigation, I lost my job, my home and had to leave the country for nearly a year. Rodhouse has faced no such consequences. I have no faith that Rodhouse will face justice.'

IOPC director of operations Amanda Rowe said: 'We are sorry about the time this is taking. Our work is in its final stages and we hope to provide the relevant material to the Met shortly.'

Mr Rodhouse was charged with gross misconduct over allegations that he used 'inaccurate or dishonest' words at the end of Operation Midland.

These centre on a 2016 press statement in which Mr Rodhouse said 'officers have not found evidence to prove they were knowingly misled by a complainant' and then repeated this in a TV interview.

But two years ago the Mail revealed how two other serial liars who backed Beech's far-fetched claims were not charged despite evidence they had made up stories about innocent VIPs.
Sunrise host Matt Shirvington has asked the question on the minds of many about the consequences for Bruce Lehrmann after he lost his defamation case against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson.

On Monday, Lehrmann was found most likely to have raped Brittany Higgins and his defamation action was dismissed, but Federal Court Justice Michael Lee delayed making any ruling on who would bear the legal costs of the case, estimated to be about $10million.

Speaking to Channel Ten's lawyer Justin Quill on Tuesday morning, Shirvington asked how much Lehrmann will be liable to pay.

'You'd know better than anyone, Justin, wouldn't you, the cost of a case like this. What sort of legal costs potentially will Bruce Lehrmann be facing?' he asked.

Mr Quill predicted the costs Lehrmann is facing 'will be significant'.

Justice Lee had asked for submissions from both sides about their costs before he rules on who should pay what.

'That order... I would be reasonably confident, will be in Ten's favour and perhaps on an indemnity basis which means Ten would be entitled to all of its costs back,' Mr Quill said.

On Monday, Bruce Lehrmann was found most likely to have raped Brittany Higgins (pictured), but Justice Michael Lee did not rule on costs, estimated to be in the vicinity of $10million

Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) made no comment to media as he left the court on Monday

READ MORE: Bruce Lehrmann case - one witness won BIG from blockbuster trial Fiona Brown (pictured) showed 'integrity' Advertisement

'Whether they're able to recover those costs is another thing and will depend by and large on Bruce Lehrmann's means,' he said.

Mr Quill explained that a civil case like the one Lehrmann brought does not have the 'reasonable doubt' standard that demands dismissal of anything unproven, but instead just rules on the balance of probability.

'One of the biggest differences... is that Bruce Lehrmann is at home, waking up at home this morning, and not waking up in prison,' he said.

'It is a lower standard and that's important to remember, but still ultimately (the judge) found that Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins.'

The Channel 10 lawyer also spoke about the case on Monday in the immediate aftermath of Judge Lee's ruling, saying it was an 'unmitigated disaster' for Lehrmann.

Mr Quill said the result was a warning for other prospective plaintiffs expecting to 'make a quick buck' from companies with deep pockets that might be inclined to settle to protect their reputations rather than go to trial.

'You can come up with a con that might get you through a TV interview, or an interview with your bosses, or down at the pub with your mates,' he said.

'But when you come to the court and you are cross-examined and forensically examined, you can't get away with it.'

When it was pointed out that Lehrmann is currently studying law, Mr Quill suggested he should switch to 'another degree'.

In his ruling, Judge Lee said 'It is more likely than not that Mr Lehrmann's state of mind was such that he was so intent upon gratification to be indifferent to Ms Higgins' consent'.

'And hence (he) went ahead with sexual intercourse without caring. Mr Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins.'

This was an assessment by the judge in assessing whether Lehrmann was defamed, but it does not mean he has been convicted of rape or any offence.

Channel 10 lawyer Justin Quill (pictured right) spoke with Sunrise host Matt 'Shirvo' Shirvington (left) on Tuesday morning and said the costs Bruce Lehrmann is facing 'will be significant'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked about the case on ABC Radio Melbourne on Tuesday morning and said he had 'every sympathy for the experience that Brittany Higgins has gone through'.

'It's been extraordinarily difficult for her. The Federal Court, of course, has made these findings yesterday. What's clear is that everyone has a right to be safe at work.'

1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
The late Queen Elizabeth II's last recorded words have been revealed by former Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Ms Truss, 48, visited Britain's longest-serving monarch at her beloved Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, just two days before her death in September 2022.

In her new memoir, which was serialised in the Mail, Britain's shortest serving prime minister revealed how she was advised by the Queen to 'pace' herself.

Ms Truss - the last of the 15 prime ministers to serve the Queen - has now told The Sun the final six words that the monarch told her when their meeting came to an end on September 6, 2022.

The Queen said: 'I'll see you again next week.' Ms Truss recalled: 'I absolutely thought that would happen.'

But on September 8, just two days after the pair were pictured shaking hands, the world was plunged into mourning as Queen Elizabeth's death was announced by Buckingham Palace.

Ms Truss visited Britain's longest-serving monarch at her beloved Balmoral Castle in Scotland just two days before her death in September 2022

Liz Truss (pictured) was the last of the 15 prime ministers who served the late Queen Elizabeth II

The official cause of death would later be recorded as 'old age'.

Ms Truss - who had flown to Scotland after defeating Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership contest in summer 2022 - survived just 49 days in her role.

READ MORE: Liz Truss reveals the advice Queen Elizabeth gave her before she died which the former PM now wishes she had listened to Advertisement

Her brief tenure was marred by economic turmoil  including reforms that sent the pound tumbling  before her ousting from No 10.

Speaking about the final meeting with the Queen on The Sun's Never Mind the Ballots show, Ms Truss said: 'She was an extremely wise woman and so, so on the ball.'

The Mail has previously revealed that Ms Truss writes of the late Queen in the book, Ten Years To Save The West: 'She was completely attuned to everything that was happening, as well as being typically sharp and witty.

'Towards the end of our discussion, she warned me that being prime minister is incredibly aging. She also gave me two words of advice: "Pace yourself." Maybe I should have listened.'

Summoned to Scotland due to the Queen's poor health, Ms Truss described her as 'frail' but 'alert', 'absolutely on top' of things and seemed intent on meeting again.

At the time, the Queen was using a walking stick because she had been suffering from episodic mobility problems.

Upon news of the Queen's death  which came just days after Ms Truss entered No 10  the former prime minister recalls thinking: 'Why me? Why now?'

The state ceremony and protocol that followed left her 'a long way from my natural comfort zone', she writes. Ms Truss said she broke down 'into floods of tears on the sofa'. She added: 'Once again the grief was mixed with a feeling of awe over the sheer weight of the event, and the fact that it was happening on my watch.'

'Ten Years to Save the West': Former Prime Minister Liz Truss's new book

Ms Truss admitted previous prime ministers may have been better suited to the events by providing 'the soaring rhetoric and performative statesmanship necessary'.

She said that, despite being under massive political pressure, her first meeting with King Charles sparked 'a bizarre sense of camaraderie between us, with both starting out in our new roles and having to navigate unfamiliar territory'. At the time, Tory MPs had already begun making moves to relieve Ms Truss of her duties. As she curtseyed to Charles, he said: 'So you've come back again?'

Ms Truss replied: 'It's a great pleasure,' but the King added: 'Dear, oh dear. Anyway'

On the anniversary of the Queen's death in September 2023, Ms Truss said the Queen was 'mentally alert' during their meeting.

In the meeting at Balmoral, she was absolutely on top of what was happening,' she told GB News at the time.

'She was very, very keen to reassure me that we'd be meeting again soon. It was very important to her.

'I'd met the Queen before when I was Justice Secretary. I've met her on several occasions. And although she was physically quite frail, she was always absolutely mentally alert and determined to do her duty.'
Alec Baldwin may be sweating heavily after Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's maximum sentence on Monday, ahead of the star's criminal trial in July.

Gutierrez-Reed, the primary weapons handler on the set of the ill-fated indie film Rust, was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison for the fatal, on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

She was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March by a jury, making her the first crewmember to be convicted in the accidental shooting of Hutchins by actor Alec Baldwin, 66.

Baldwin's criminal trial is set to begin on July 10, after a grand jury indicted him for involuntary manslaughter back in January.

Legal analyst and personal injury attorney Miguel Custodio says that could be 'bad news' for the 30 Rock star, who faces the same sentence if found guilty.

Alec Baldwin takes a walk in New York on April 8

Rust armorer Hannah Guttierez-Reed was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison for the involuntary manslaughter of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins

The expert said that Baldwin's best bet is taking a plea deal - but doubts that will be the actor's legal strategy.

'[It] shows the court is taking this fatal shooting seriously and that it's not just for show as his defenders claim,' Custodio said.

'A plea deal would be the best strategy for him right now, considering today's sentencing, and the information the prosecution has about the chaos on the set and Baldwin's failure to do anything about it. But I don't see that happening,' he added.

Baldwin has consistently maintained his innocence, but Guttierez-Reed's attorneys claim the environment he created on set led to Hutchins' death.

'[He] may think that he will have an easier time if he believes that his team can convince a jury to see that the only culpable party has already been convicted,' Custodio added.

'That's a risky proposition, given Baldwin's role as a producer actually involves him in all aspects of the production. Potential jurors will clearly know what went on with Gutierrez-Reed and will really scrutinize Baldwin's lack of responsibility for the chaos on the set.'

Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger and said he had been directed to aim the weapon at the camera. FBI and private firearms experts determined the gun would not have fired without the trigger being pulled.

He has repeatedly attempted to get the charges against him dropped, most recently in the direct aftermath of Guttierez-Reed's guilty verdict.

It was reported last year that Hutchins' widower, Matthew Hutchins, will testify against Baldwin at his criminal trial.

In July, prosecutors will make the case that Baldwin, who was a producer on the doomed film, shares responsibility for Hutchins' tragic end.

Legal analyst and personal injury attorney Miguel Custodio says that could be 'bad news' for the 30 Rock star, who faces the same sentence if found guilty

Baldwin has consistently maintained his innocence, but Guttierez-Reed's attorneys claim the environment he created on set led to Hutchins' death

The judge said the Rust armorer was given the length of her sentence because of her failure to show remorse

'We know prosecutors will frame their case around Baldwin overseeing the chaos and not doing anything about it, yet knowing that Gutierrez-Reed was relatively inexperienced and overwhelmed,' the co-founder of of Custodio & Dubey LLP said.

'And still he decided to not bring anyone else in, or to make any other personnel changes. This morning she herself said she lacked the proper resources and staffing, and tried to do the job anyway.'

His attorneys have said he had no ability to regulate his emotions in the weeks leading up the shooting and was pressuring the crew to work quickly and 'routinely compromised safety.'

The legal analyst also notes that it will be the same judge and community prosecuting him on the same facts.

Hutchins was killed when Baldwin pointed his gun at the cinematographer and cocked the weapon as she set up a scene.

Gutierrez-Reed cried as her fate was read aloud to her in court today by a judge who reprimanded her for her apparent lack of remorse.

'Your attorney had to tell the court you were remorseful,' said Judge Mary Marlow Sommer.

The onset weapons professional, who is the step-daughter of Thell Reed - an esteemed Hollywood gun trainer - was sentenced by New Mexico District Court Judge Sommer.

Halyna Hutchins, 42, was a mother-of-one and up-and-coming cinematographer when she was fatally shot on the set of the Alec Baldwin-produced indie Western 'Rust'

Alec Baldwin, Halyna Hutchins and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed appear in this photo of the cast and crew of Rust

The infamous gun fired on set that ended up killing cinematographer Hutchins

Attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed requested she be given a sentence of probation, but prosecutors argued for the 18-months due to an apparent lack of remorse from the defendant.

Judge Sommer sided with the prosecutors, delivering the full recommended sentence to Gutierrez-Reed after it was pointed out that she had called jurors 'idiots' and said the judge had been 'paid off' during phone calls she made from jail.

She also continued to blame Baldwin and others on set and on the production team for the shooting.
Flight tracker showed the flight from JFK to Heathrow on Monday was cancelled

A trans-Atlantic flight from JFK to Heathrow was cancelled after a catering car rolled into the plane's engine and caused damage to its casing.

A bizarre image circulating online shows a white car with 'Gategourmet' branding on the side wedged beneath the Airbus A350, which aviation bloggers claimed was the reason why the Virgin Atlantic flight from New York City to London was grounded on Monday.

The company confirmed that the flight had been canceled after an incident at the gate at JFK.

In a statement provided to DailyMail.com, the airliner said it involved 'the engine cowling of a stationary aircraft and a catering service provider's car that rolled into it.'

'We can confirm that no customers were on board the aircraft during this time,' they reportedly added.

A Virgin Atlantic flight from JFK to Heathrow was cancelled after a catering car rolled into the plane's engine and caused damage to its casing (stock photo)

JFK airport's flight tracker shows the Virgin Atlantic flight from JFK to Heathrow was cancelled on Monday morning

The airline reportedly opened an investigation into the incident and was looking into whether there had been any damage to the aircraft.

The jet, registered as G-VDOT, parked at JFK's gate A terminal 4 on Sunday night at 10.30pm local time after arriving from London.

The flight had been due to take off again to head back over the pond at 8.20am, landing in London at 8.10pm.

But this flight was canceled, with it now scheduled to take off at the same time on Tuesday.

A Virgin Atlantic Spokesperson told DailyMail.com on Tuesday: 'Yesterday's VS26 from New York JFK to London Heathrow was cancelled following an incident at the gate at JFK involving the engine cowling of a stationary Virgin Atlantic aircraft and a catering service provider's car that rolled into it. We can confirm that no customers were on board the aircraft during this time.

'The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority. We've commenced a full and thorough investigation of this occurrence and our engineering teams are performing maintenance checks on the engine cowling. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and are working hard to ensure all customers complete their journey soon.'

A GateGroup spokesperson said: 'At Gate Gourmet, we hold safety first as our mantra meaning the safety of our employees, customers and all personnel working in and around aircraft is our first priority.

'We are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident involving our vehicle. We are grateful there were no injuries to anyone working in the area yesterday.'
Britain needs its own 'Iron Dome' after Iran's attacks on Israel represented a 'wake up call' to the West, defence chiefs claimed last night.

Tobias Ellwood, a former chairman of the Commons defence committee said the UK needs a 'permanent umbrella of security' due to the evolving nature of modern warfare.

There is rising concern, especially considering the levels of current conflict, that although the UK has a strong air defence strategy, the country lacks land-based systems to defend London or its nuclear plants.

Over the weekend, Iran fired over 300 drones and ballistic missiles into Israel - and all but a few were intercepted by the country's Iron Dome defence system.

The impressive system works to detect incoming rockets, before determining it's path and blasting them out of the sky before they cause any destruction on land.

Of the barrage of projectiles fired on Saturday night, at least five ballistic missiles were not intercepted and managed to slip through the defences.

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Senior UK defence officials have said the UK needs its own 'Iron Dome' to boost its defence following a wake-up call after Iran's attacks on Israel over the weekend

The Jewish state has at least 10 missile batteries capable of intercepting enemy rockets and missiles scattered across the country

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip in January

Israel's Iron Dome air defence system has been dubbed one of the best in the world, and according to its developer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is '90 per cent effective'.

The three-part, multi-billion pound Iron Dome system, developed by Israel with US backing after the 2006 Lebanon War, has been crucial in defending Israeli cities for over a decade and is credited with preventing serious damage or casualties.

Similar tactics have also been used by Russia to blast Ukraine's flurry of Western and Soviet-era surface-to-air systems.

The Jewish state has at least 10 missile batteries capable of intercepting enemy rockets and missiles scattered across the country.

The device is made up of three main sections: a radar detection system, a computer to calculate the incoming rocket's trajectory, and a launcher that fires interceptors if the rocket is deemed likely to hit a built-up or strategic area.

Each Iron Dome battery consists of three to four launchers that can each carry up to 20 Tamir interceptor missiles.

We need to prepare for a multitude of types of attack from the non-state to state actors. And that will require investments, absolutely, in an Iron Dome for the UK,' Ellwood told The Telegraph.

He warned that the country must quickly realise where the world is headed and suggested that spending three per cent of GDP - just over 68billion - on an Iron Dome would be a sensible idea.

Britain currently relies on a sophisticated, multi-layered approach to its air defences, with Typhoon fighter jets (pictured) and Type-45 destroyers acting as the main anti-missile firepower

Type-45 destroyers are another one of the UKs strongest anti-missile systems

Sky Sabre is an air defence missile system comprising of three separate components: its radar, its command and control and its missiles

The Iron Dome batteries can neutralise threats launched from up to 43 miles away, while at the same time ignoring projectiles that are projected to strike unpopulated areas.

The 10 Iron Domes placed throughout the country are able to defend up to nearly 60 square miles of land - protecting countless civilians and critical infrastructure.

However, it was today claimed that Downing Street had 'rebuffed' a request by the MoD for funding to set up a similar system, a veteran MP revealed.

Mark Francois, the former armed forces minister who sits on parliament's Defence Committee, told MailOnline: 'We have nothing remotely comparable to the very comprehensive Israeli Iron Dome system, bar a very few missies, with only limited range.

'On the Defence Committee, we recently heard public evidence that the MoD went to No. 10 and specifically asked for funding for a wider air defence system - but were refused.

'Given the attempted "swarm" attack on Israel, that now looks like an extremely poor decision.'

Britain currently relies on a sophisticated, multi-layered approach to its air defences, with Typhoon fighter jets and Type-45 destroyers acting as the main anti-missile firepower.

The British military can monitor ballistic missiles launched from Russia at the RAF radar base at Fylindales, North Yorkshire.

However, munitions fired from the Middle East, are more likely to be tracked by NATO-accessed radars based in Turkey, Qatar, and Israel.

Sky Sabre can control the flight of 24 missiles simultaneously whilst in flight, guiding them to intercept 24 separate targets. Pictured: Prince William inspecting the system during a visit to Poland last year

It is likely that in the situation of a missile heading towards the UK, it will be intercepted by air defence systems based across NATO allies before they have the chance to hit the country.

But in the event that a projectile makes it through the system, Typhoons can be quickly scrambled to tackle the missile.

In the wake of the current conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, Justin Crump, CEO of geopolitical risk firm Sibylline, warned that air and missile defence has been 'lower priority'.

'You rarely get the war you planned or hoped for, and in an increasingly turbulent world contingencies have to be in place,' he told the newspaper.

The UK has only one medium-range, ground-based air defence system - Sky Sabre.

According to the Army website, the system 'can control the flight of 24 missiles simultaneously whilst in flight, guiding them to intercept 24 separate targets'.

But it is unclear how many of the 250milllion systems the UK has, with one deployed in the Falklands and another in Poland.

Along with the UK, several other countries have also expressed interest in buying Iron Dome systems in recent years, including Germany, Romania and India.
Rishi Sunak has been told Britain needs more fighter jets after aircraft meant to protect NATO airspace were moved to the Middle East.

Only days after starting sorties over the Black Sea, a quartet of RAF Typhoons were rushed to defend Israel against attack by Iran.

Last night, the move triggered claims the Royal Air Force's fast jet fleet is too thinly spread, a vulnerability the UK's enemies could exploit.

While in Westminster, the Prime Minister came under fire over a 'ridiculous decision' to further reduce this country's aerial combat capability.

Remarkably, in 2025, 30 of Britain's 137 Typhoons will be withdrawn from operations, years ahead of when they were supposed to retire.

Rishi Sunak has been told Britain needs more fighter jets after aircraft meant to protect NATO airspace were moved to the Middle East (file pic)

In a desperate bid to save money the jets will either be cannibalised for spare parts, so the remainder of the fleet can continue flying, or sold.

An immediate increase in military spending - as called for by the Mail's 'Don't Leave Britain Defenceless' campaign - would pay for a full complement of Typhoons to remain in service.

The four Typhoons had deployed to Romania earlier this month on Op Biloxi - a longstanding mission to deter Russian jets from attacking Eastern Europe.

But on Friday UK defence chiefs were warned of Iran's bid to bombard Israel with 'kamikaze' drones and cruise missiles.

The four Typhoons were ordered to withdraw from NATO duties, relocated to the Middle East, and joined the US-led international coalition against Iran.

The Mail has learned the aircraft and their crews will remain on the tarmac at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, pending further developments in the conflict.

In their absence, the Op Biloxi sorties have been conducted by Spanish fighter jets - accompanied by a single RAF Typhoon which had remained behind.

Last night, former UK military intelligence officer Philip Ingram said: 'Using the Typhoons which were on NATO duties is an indicator of much wider issues that should concern us all in a 'pre-war' era.

'That is borrowing from one mission for another. It suggests there aren't enough aircraft to go around. The RAF needs more frontline jets, pilots and weapons. Waiting for the conflict to start is too late.'

Rishi Sunak has committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP - from the estimated current level of 2.3 per cent - but only when the UK economy improves.

Only days after starting sorties over the Black Sea, a quartet of RAF Typhoons were rushed to defend Israel against attack by Iran

This caveat was described as 'absurd' yesterday by former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

He said: 'The line deployed by both political parties that we shall only invest in defence 'when economic conditions allow' has been exposed as a political excuse.

'We need to invest as the threat determines. Without such investment our security will be at risk and our forces will be stretched.'

The stretching of UK military assets could get worse when the Typhoon fleet is slashed, according to MPs - and at a time when Britain faces threats from Russia, Iran and China.

Conservative former Defence Minister Mark Francois opened fire on the Prime Minister over the controversial decision - which has been widely criticised and challenged.

He said: 'I wholly commend our RAF pilots and their superb Typhoon aircraft.

'But we only have 137 Typhoons and because of budget pressures the MOD plans to retire 30 of them.

'The move would be akin to selling of Spitfires before the Battle of Britain.

'Will the Prime Minister, when he has a moment, go back to his office and place that ridiculous decision under immediate review and, at the very least, put those Typhoons in a war reserve in case we need them for ourselves.'

Mr Sunak replied: 'My honourable friend will know individual equipment decisions are taken by service chiefs in conjunction with ministers. I am happy to look at the point he has raised.'

Last night Ministry of Defence officials said it had been a 'prudent measure' to temporarily move a number of aircraft from Romania to bolster its presence in the Middle East.

A spokesperson said: 'Allied air forces continue to patrol NATO airspace to ensure it is protected from all threats. We have coordinated with NATO and our allies to ensure there is no gap in Romania.'
Natalie Barr has asked the question on the minds of many after a 16-year-old boy allegedly stabbed a bishop during a live-streamed church service in Sydney's west.

Video of the attack showed the boy in all black approaching and stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in the head and chest at the altar of the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley at about 7.10pm on Monday.

Horrified parishioners are seen rushing to the bishop's aid while others grabbed the assailant and held him captive inside the church.

The terrorist attack came just two days after six people were killed in a knife attack at Westfield Bondi Junction in the city's east on Saturday.

Barr asked former NSW Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing how the alleged attacker may have become radicalised.

She asked: 'Where does someone like this come from? Are they sort of sitting on their computer, in their spare bedroom, being turned into a terrorist?'

Sunrise host Natalie Barr asked former NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Mick Willing how the alleged attacker may have become radicalised

A man dressed in all-black is seen approaching and stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in the head and chest at the altar of the Wakeley church during a sermon on Monday night

Mr Willing said it was a 'difficult question' to answer due to the limited information y known about the alleged attacker.

'In answer to your question Nat, sometimes that does occur,' he said.

'Sometimes people get radicalised online, sometimes their radicalised in different ways. So every situation like this is unique unfortunately.

'All of that will be part of the investigation, they will search holdings across a range of agencies to see whether or not he was known to authorities.'

The 16-year-old boy was captured on the live stream of the attack shouting the Islamic phrase 'Allahu Akbar' and witnesses said he was speaking in Arabic saying the Christian bishop had brought this upon himself by 'swearing at my prophet'.

Police will investigate the apparent religious motivation for the stabbing which resulted in the bishop receiving eight wounds to his head, neck and torso.

Horrified parishioners leapt into action, with some rushing to the bishop's aid and others helping to detain the teenager inside the church.

Video showed the alleged 16-year-old perpetrator detained by police on the ground inside the church before he spoke in Arabic.

It is understood the words translate to: 'If he didn't swear at my Prophet I wouldn't be here. If he didn't involve himself in my religion I wouldn't be here'.

One of the men involved in restraining the teenager following the attack, before police arrived, described how he approached the teenager from behind and forcefully pushed him to the ground.

'He kept saying: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar",' the man said in a video posted to social media.

The Australian National Imams Council and individual Muslims have publicly condemned the attack on Bishop Emmanuel.

'These attacks are horrifying and have no place in Australia, particularly at places of worship and toward religious leaders,' the Imams' Council aid in a statement.

Shock new details emerge about criminal record of teenage boy

The teenager was charged with a number of offences after an incident at a Sydney train station in November last year, reported the ABC.

The charges included possessing a flick-knife, being armed with a weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, stalking and/or intimidation and recklessly destroying or damaging property.

He had been on bail before a court appearance in January where the charges were 'proven' but dismissed with a good behaviour bond issued.

The outlet reported there were no supervision orders in place when he allegedly carried out the attack on Monday night.

It comes amid revelations the 16-year-old boy arrested over the attack had recently been given a good behaviour bond for knife crime (pictured, The Christ the Good Shepherd Church)

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel's life was saved when his alleged attacker's flick-knife failed to open properly, close friend Danny Abdallah revealed on Tuesday

'Miracle' saves life of bishop

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel's life was saved when his alleged attacker's flick-knife failed to open properly.

Close friend Danny Abdallah spoke to the bishop as he recovered in hospital overnight and revealed fresh new details of the incident on Tuesday morning.

Mr Abdallah - who lost three of his children and his niece to a drunk and drugged driver - called the bishop's miracle escape an 'act of God'.

The bishop remains in hospital after undergoing surgery on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, temporary powers have been granted to police to allow them to search people, vehicles and property following the alleged attack.

The incident was declared an act of terror by NSW Police Comissioner Karen Webb and confirmed by the Police Minister which triggers the legislation in the state.

Officers will be able to search people, vehicles and properties without a warrant, establish roadblocks, cordon off areas and demand confirmation of ID's.

The powers, granted to prevent any further attacks, will last for two weeks.
A Frenchman who confronted the Bondi Junction attacker will be allowed to stay in Australia, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promising to grant him citizenship after his heroic act.

Damien Guerot earned the nickname 'Bollard Man' after a viral video showed him bravely confronting mass murderer Joel Cauchi on an escalator.

Daily Mail Australia understands he intervened to stop the knifeman from reaching an area where many children had been playing at Westfield Bondi Junction.

This was just one of many instances where Mr Guerot rushed to assist others in need during Cauchi's horrific stabbing spree, where he killed five women and a man.

Damien Guerot (pictured) earned the nickname 'Bollard Man' after a viral video showed him bravely confronting stabber Joel Cauchi on an escalator

Mr Guerot's visa expires in a month, and a petition was launched to grant him Australian citizenship after his heroic acts during the Bondi Junction stabbing.

Mr Albanese was asked about Mr Guerot's visa on Tuesday morning.

'I say this to Damien Guerot, who is dealing with his visa applications, that you are welcome here. You are welcome to stay for as long as you like.

'This is someone who we would welcome becoming an Australian citizen, although that would of course be a loss for France.

'We thank him for his extraordinary bravery. It says a lot about the nature of humanity.

'At a time when we are facing difficult issues that someone who is not a citizen of this country stood bravely at the top of those escalators and stopped this perpetrator from getting onto another floor and potentially inflicting further carnage on citizens.

'I think that on Saturday we saw some of the best of human character at the same time as we saw such devastating tragedy and I thank Damien for his extraordinary efforts.

Six people were stabbed to death at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday (pictured left-right, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Dawn Singleton, 25, Yixuan Cheng, 27, Ashlee Good, 38 and Faraz Tahir, 30.

Shoppers were evacuated into shop store rooms to escape the killer

He was going to the gym with his fellow Frenchman Silas Despreaux on Saturday afternoon when they stumbled across the scene of carnage.

'We tried to catch him but he was going down the stairs,' Mr Guerot told 7News.

'Then we saw him going down so we followed him from the top. We tried to maybe throw the bollard to him but we couldn't.'

Mr Guerot said he was running off pure 'adrenaline'.

'We didn't think. You cannot think in that moment,' he said.

Mr Guerot said Cauchi had 'empty eyes' and pictures of him released today looked nothing like the man who embarked on an indiscriminate stabbing frenzy.

'His eyes were like empty eyes... he wasn't there,' Mr Guerot said.

The two mates launched the bollards at Cauchi but he managed to escape.

He was going to the gym with his fellow Frenchman Silas Despreaux (pictured) on Saturday afternoon when they stumbled across the scene of carnage.

Emergency vehicles flooded the Bondi area in the aftermath of the attack

Mr Guerot grabbed a chair and made chase with NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott who shot Cauchi dead after he lunged at her.

The Frenchman praised the quick-thinking of Inspector Scott.

'She was actually the hero, she did the job,' he said.

Cauchi seemingly targeted women in the attack but authorities are yet to pinpoint a motive for the nation's worst massacre in recent years.

He was shot dead after killing Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Yixuan Cheng, 27 and 30-year-old Faraz Tahir, while Ashlee Good, 38, later died in hospital.

A baby girl critically injured in the carnage is showing signs of recovery.

Seven people, including the child, remained in hospital on Monday night.

Health Minister Ryan Park said her condition had improved.

'Pleasingly, we have seen the nine-month-old baby in the children's hospital at Randwick have her condition downgraded from critical to serious,' he said.

'We hope to have her on a ward over the next few days.'
The number of migrants arriving illegally in Britain must fall by about 10,000 for the Rwanda policy to prove value for money, the head of the Home Office has admitted.

Sir Matthew Rycroft told MPs yesterday that a one-third reduction in small boat crossings from last year's figure of 29,437 would be needed given the cost of the deportation scheme, which will reach 290million by next year.

He revealed that the government in Kigali will be handed another 50m of the total almost as soon as the new law aimed at getting flights off the ground is passed by Parliament this week.

Sir Matthew was asked by members of the Public Accounts Committee what would happen to the 40,000 people already in Britain left 'in limbo' when the latest legislation aimed at stopping the boats takes effect as they will not be eligible to claim asylum and will be in a long queue to be sent to Africa.

The number of migrants arriving illegally in Britain must fall by about 10,000 for the Rwanda policy to prove value for money, the head of the Home Office has admitted (File Image)

Sir Matthew Rycroft (pictured) told MPs that a one-third reduction in small boat crossings from last year's figure of 29,437 would be needed given the cost of the deportation scheme

He insisted Rwanda is ready and able to take as many migrants as Britain can send, however.

'It's the responsibility of the third of our Rwanda partners to provide that accommodation and they have assured us, and we have tested that over the over the month indeed over the last two years, that they have that capability to accommodate the people who will be relocated.'

Sir Matthew and his team were also blasted by the MPs over the soaring costs of two former Ministry of Defence sites being turned into accommodation for illegal migrants.

He accepted their allegation that the Home Office had got the sums 'so so wrong' for the set-up and refurbishment of Scampton and Wethersfield, both originally estimated at 5m each and now put at 27m and 49m respectively.

'We made an assessment about how much the set up costs would be, which in the case of both of those sites was woefully short. So there was a very significant optimism bias.'
Israel has vowed that it will respond to Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack over the weekend despite Western calls for calm, as the Middle East teeters on the edge of all-out war.

Army Chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi said that Israel is still considering what steps it will take, but was unequivocal as he declared that the Iranian bombardment of his country on April 13 'will be met with a response'.

Leaks from Israel's war cabinet have reportedly suggested that a 'painful' revenge strike on Iran is being planned that will not cause mass casualties, though hardliners have demanded that Netanyahu shows that it is willing to 'go berserk'.

As Benjamin Netanyahu continues to debate what retaliation it will unleash, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to use a phone call with the Israeli premier today to urge him to show 'restraint'.

But leading voices in defence, including respected former minister Ben Wallace, have urged Western leaders to support Israel in its response to 'bullies' like Iran - and to even stand up to the regime themselves if necessary.

Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, speaks during a meeting with pilots at the Nevatim Air Force base in southern Israel

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak making a statement on Iran's missile attack on Israel, in the House of Commons, in London, on April 15, 2024

An Iranian missile launch is seen in this footage, claimed to be the first missile launched towards Israel in Tehran's attack over the weekend

'Everybody agrees that Israel must respond,' an Israeli official told the Washington Post. 'How to respond, when to respond, is the question.'

It comes as the United Nations nuclear watchdog chief expressed concerns on Monday about Israel potentially targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, as he announced inspections paused on Sunday and Monday would resume nonetheless.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said Iran closed its nuclear facilities temporarily over 'security considerations' and that while they reopened on Monday, he kept IAEA inspectors away 'until we see that the situation is completely calm.'

When asked about the possibility of an Israel strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Grossi said: 'We are always concerned about this possibility.' He urged 'extreme restraint.'

As Benjamin Netanyahu walks a 'tightrope' between escalation and deterrence, former defence secretary Ben Wallace did not mince his words of warning.

'The only way to deal with a bully is to retaliate,' he said. 'The only option when Iran and Russia hit, I have concluded, is to hit back twice as hard and not stop until they get the message.'

The Iranian attack on Saturday marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi expressed concerns on Monday about Israel potentially targeting Iranian nuclear facilities

The attack happened less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building.

The Israeli military says that 99 per cent of the around 350 drones and missiles launched by Iran were intercepted, with the help of other countries including the United States, the UK and France.

Despite the unprecedented scale of the attack, experts have said it exposed Iran's 'lacklustre' arsenal, signalling how its outdated aircraft and defences would be no match for Israel's in the event of full-scale war.

'I think the attack, which was designed to be spectacular but not fatal, really puts on display the limits to Iran's deterrence,' Ali Vaez, who heads the Iran Project at International Crisis Group.

He added that if Iran's regional deterrence is diminished, Tehran 'is likely to consider the ultimate deterrent, which comes in the form of nuclear weapons,' adding 'they've never been closer'.

Israel today threatened airstrikes on Iran in retaliation for a 350-missile blitz amid fears the conflict will spiral into all-out war in the Middle East. Pictured: Rocket trails are seen in the sky above Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as Iranian missiles are intercepted by air defences

Iran could be seeking to stock up on modern aircraft and weapons with help from Russia, according to a Washington Post report last night, which suggested that Moscow has made pledges to its ally to help secure its defence against Israel.

Citing intelligence officials, the paper reported that Russia is 'advancing' agreements negotiated in secret to supply Iran with Su-35 fighter-bombers, which could help to dramatically upgrade the ageing Iranian air force.

Moscow also promised technical help with Iranian spy satellites and rocket-building assistance with the aim to launch more satellites, the officials are reported to have said.

Rumblings about the IRGC becoming a terrorist organisation in the UK have been ongoing for months now, and since the attack Mr Sunak has come under mounting pressure to designate Iran's military as a terrorist group following its attack on Israel.

The Prime Minister condemned Tehran as a 'despotic regime' in the wake of its unprecedented missile blitz at the weekend.

Mr Sunak praised RAF pilots who helped shoot down more than 300 drones and missiles fired at Israel by Iran on Saturday night  and said that defending Israel's security was a 'non-negotiable' priority for the UK.

But he faced calls from both senior Tories and Labour to take tougher action against Tehran, including formally proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.

An anti-Israel billboard with a picture of Iranian missiles is seen in a street in Tehran, Iran April 15, 2024

An Israeli army f-15 fighter jet flies over central Israel on April 15, 2024

Israel's ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely backed the move, saying Iran was 'a threat to the UK as well'.

She told LBC: 'Maybe the UK will be next with these kind of drones... they won't hesitate to do that here.'

In the Commons yesterday, Mr Sunak said: 'With this attack Iran has once again shown its true colours. They are intent on sowing chaos... on further destabilising the Middle East. We're working urgently with our allies to de-escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed.

'We want to see calmer heads prevail and we're directing all our diplomatic efforts to that end.'

Mr Sunak also acknowledged that the behaviour of Iran, including the actions of the IRGC, 'poses a significant threat to the safety and security of the UK'.

The IRGC operates as an elite military force for Iran's regime and works closely with Hamas and Hezbollah, which have already been designated as terrorist groups. Proscribing the IRGC would squeeze its ability to operate in the UK by making it a criminal offence to deal with it or promote it. It would also effectively label Iran a terrorist state.

But Whitehall sources warned that proscribing the IRGC would make it impossible to talk to the organisation directly, removing a valuable diplomatic back channel.

The move is being resisted by Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, who has spoken of the need to have 'diplomatic channels as a route to de-escalation', including on Iran's nuclear programme.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman urged the PM to 'put the UK's security first', adding: 'We have known for years that the IRGC is the world's chief sponsor of terrorism.' Sir Iain Duncan Smith told the PM: 'All roads lead back to Tehran when it comes to the terrible violence and wars in the Middle East.'

Labour also backed tougher action against the IRGC. Sir Keir Starmer said Iran was 'a regime that sponsors terror across the Middle East and beyond, that murders and represses its own people, and supports Putin's war efforts in Ukraine'.
The Supreme Court has ruled that Idaho can enforce its ban on puberty blockers and sex change surgery for transgender youth while lawsuits over the law proceed, reversing lower courts.

The justices' order Monday allows the state to put in place a 2023 law that subjects physicians to up to 10 years in prison if they provide hormones, puberty blockers or other gender-affirming care to people under age 18.

Under the courts order, the two transgender teens who sued to challenge the law still will be able to obtain care.

The court's three liberal justices would have kept the law on hold. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote that it would have been better to let the case proceed 'unfettered by our intervention.'

Justice Neil Gorsuch of the conservative majority wrote that it is 'a welcome development' that the court is reining in an overly broad lower court order.

A federal judge in Idaho had blocked the law in its entirety after determining that it was necessary to do so to protect the teens, who are identified under pseudonyms in court papers.

The Idaho bill is one of several bills in the state legislature that takes aim at LGBTQ+ rights. South Dakota and Utah have both enacted all out bans on gender transition healthcare

Idaho Gov Brad Little, a Republican, is a staunch opponent of transgender rights and can be expected to sign HB 71 into law

Lawyers for the teens wrote in court papers that the teens' 'gender dysphoria has been dramatically alleviated as a result of puberty blockers and estrogen therapy.'

The American Civil Liberties Union, representing the teens and their families, called the Supreme Court's order 'an awful result for transgender youth and their families across the state.

'Todays ruling allows the state to shut down the care that thousands of families rely on while sowing further confusion and disruption.'

Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador said in a statement that the law 'ensures children are not subjected to these life-altering drugs and procedures.

'Those suffering from gender dysphoria deserve love, support, and medical care rooted in biological reality. Denying the basic truth that boys and girls are biologically different hurts our kids.'

Gender-affirming care - including puberty blockers and sex change surgery for youth - is supported by every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association.

Medical professionals define gender dysphoria as psychological distress experienced by those whose gender expression does not match their gender identity.

The action comes as the justices also may soon consider whether to take up bans in Kentucky and Tennessee that an appeals court allowed to be enforced in the midst of legal fights.

At least 23 states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, and most of those states face lawsuits.

A federal judge struck down Arkansas ban as unconstitutional. Montanas ban also is temporarily on hold.

The states that have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.
A Just Stop Oil protester who delayed 4,000 plane passengers by scaling a gantry above the M25 near Heathrow has said she 'would do it all again'.

Cressida Gethin, 22, was convicted of causing a public nuisance for her part in the motorway protest that caused a nine-mile tailback on July 20, 2022, and could be jailed when she is sentenced next month.

The disruptive demonstration came one day after the UK saw a record high temperature of 40C and two days after the government's Net-Zero Strategy was declared illegal.

Cressida Gethin, 22, was convicted of causing a public nuisance for her part in the motorway protest that caused a nine-mile tailback on July 20, 2022

Specialist police climbers preparing to remove a protester after they climbed an overhead motorway gantry on the M25 causing both carriageways to be closed by police

Gethin and a fellow Just Stop Oil protester on the M25 motorway gantry in July 2022

The Cambridge University music student - who has taken two years out of her studies to focus on climate activism - admits having 'mixed feelings' about her actions and would like to meet the people who were impacted by them.

In an interview with environmentalist Chris Packham for the Radio Times, Gethin said: 'I would [do it all again], but there's one thing I'd do additionally - and I'm still considering it.

'I'd find some way of meeting with anyone who had been affected by what I did, so they could tell me how they felt.'

The music student added: 'Sitting up there, surrounded by six lanes of empty motorway, I recall thinking that if the aim of the action was to get media attention we'd succeeded.

'But at the same time, the very real moral dilemma of knowing that people would be stuck in their cars and missing important events - I heard one person missed their parent's funeral, which I would never want - doesn't sit easy with me.'

During her trial Grethin said she aimed to 'interrupt business as usual' and draw media attention to the 'dire situation' represented by the temperature in Britain.

She also told the court that she did not realise she was so close to Heathrow and did not choose the location.

Mr Packham (pictured with Gethin), 62, was stuck in the traffic caused by the protest for four to five hours during a trip from Hampshire to Surrey, where he was working on a BBC show

In her closing statement, Gethin told the jury: 'You must use your judgement as human beings, who are aware of the context in which this action was taken - the deadly 40C heatwave, thousands of people dying of heatstroke.

'If your house had just burnt down, would four hours in traffic feel serious in comparison?

'If you were a climate refugee, forced out of your home country by heat, drought and social conflict, would missing a flight feel serious in comparison?

'In a vacuum, you could reasonably assume that someone stuck in a four hour traffic jam would be feeling very annoyed.

'But we are not in a vacuum - no one here can disagree that the climate crisis we're in is dire; billions of refugees, starvation, mass suffering and death - this is coming to us all.

'There may well have been more people in the traffic jams who felt like Chris Packham - we heard from Mr Packham that he did not feel seriously annoyed when stuck in the traffic.'

Mr Packham, 62, was stuck in the traffic caused by the protest for four to five hours during a trip from Hampshire to Surrey, where he was working on a BBC show.

Giving evidence in defence of Gethin during her trial, the broadcaster told jurors he came to 'sympathise' with the fact he needed to be put in a position where he was 'forced to think about the gravity of the situation' around climate change.

Gethin's father Nick - who was a member of Musicians Against Nuclear Arms as a young man - said that he would not have tried to stop her had he known about the plans.

However, he did raise concerns of his daughter potentially putting herself in 'real physical danger' by meeting the people impacted by her protest.

He said: 'You've seen the level of hatred and abuse you get just sitting in the middle of the road.'
The sentences of the two torture-obsessed teenagers who murdered transgender schoolgirl Brianna Ghey were not too lenient and will not be reviewed, the Attorney General has ruled.

Evil killers Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratfliffe were both 15 when they lured 16-year-old Brianna deep into Culcheth Linear park, Cheshire, and stabbed her 28 times with a hunting knife in a 'frenzied' attack.

Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, who had developed an obsession with killing and torture, were unmasked as Brianna's murderers on February 2 when a judge lifted an anonymity order at their sentencing.

The twisted killers were then handed life terms for murder, with a minimum of 22 years for Jenkinson and 20 years for Ratcliffe.

Their cases were referred to the Attorney General to review under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. But the minimum terms have been deemed acceptable and will not be referred onwards to the Court of Appeal.

Brianna Ghey was stabbed to death by Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe on Saturday 11 February 2023

The killers were unmasked earlier this year after both being jailed for the murder of Brianna. Pictured: Scarlett Jenkinson, left, and Eddie Ratcliffe

The Attorney General's Office told The Sun: 'A referral can only be made if a sentence is not just lenient but unduly so, such that the sentencing judge made a gross error or imposed a sentence outside the range reasonably available in the circumstances of the offence.

'The threshold is a high one, and the test was not met for these sentences.'

The trial at Manchester Crown Court heard how Jenkinson and Ratcliffe met Brianna off the bus at 1.53pm on February 11 last year, before they walked towards Culcheth Linear park together.

But one hour and 23 minutes later, the killers were spotted calmly walking away from the park without Brianna.

During that window of time, the pair inflicted a vicious assault on Brianna and murdered her. The pair still blame each other for inflicting the fatal wounds.

'Timid' Brianna was found lying face-down in the mud with 28 stab wounds.

Her savage killers, described as a 'danger to society' by their victim's mother, had planned the attack in great detail, with a handwritten note in Jenkinson's room reading: 'Saturday 11th February 2023. Victim: Brianna Ghey'.

They then desperately sought to cover their tracks, with Jenkinson posting a Snapchat tribute that called Brianna 'such an amazing friend' and 'one of the best people I've ever met'.

Pictured is 16-year-old Brianna Ghey, who died after being stabbed 28 times last February

Tributes left during a vigil in Golden Square, Warrington, to mark the first anniversary of the murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey

The trial heard how Jenkinson was able to access twisted videos of the torture and murder of real people before she and Ratcliffe murdered Brianna.

Jenkinson also sent 'dehumanising' messages over Snapchat and WhatsApp in which she described Brianna as 'it'.

Last week, a coroner revealed that an inquest into Brianna's death will examine if she was put at risk when Jenkinson was moved into her class.

Brianna was being taught in the same 'inclusion room' as Jenkinson at Birchwood High School in Warrington, Cheshire, before her death, coroner Jacqueline Devonish was told.

Jenkinson was moved to Birchwood from Culcheth for giving another pupil sweets laced with cannabis five months before Brianna's murder.

Following the killers' conviction in December, the judge agreed to lift anonymity when they were sentenced.

Mrs Justice Yip said there was 'a strong public interest in the full and unrestricted reporting of what is plainly an exceptional case'.

The killers, both 16, will be transferred to adult prisons when they turn 18.

MailOnline has contacted the Attorney General's office for comment.
His alleged attacker said bishop had 'involved himself in my religion'

The teenager who allegedly stabbed a bishop in an act of terrorism justified his actions by telling police the Christian leader had 'sworn' at 'my prophet', and reportedly screamed the Islamic phrase 'Allahu Akbar'.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was attacked while performing a service at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydney's west, on Monday night.

He was captured on the live stream of the attack shouting 'Allahu Akbar' as he stabbed the bishop in the head, neck and torso at least eight times.

Horrified parishioners leapt into action, with some rushing to the bishop's aid and others helping to detain the teenager inside the church.

Video showed the alleged 16-year-old perpetrator detained by police on the ground inside the church before he spoke in Arabic.

It is understood the words translate to: 'If he didn't swear at my Prophet I wouldn't be here. If he didn't involve himself in my religion I wouldn't be here'.

One of the men involved in restraining the teenager following the attack, before police arrived, described how he approached the teenager from behind and forcefully pushed him to the ground.

'He kept saying: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar",' the man said in a video posted to social media.

AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw was asked to confirm if the teenager had an Islamic motivation, but despite the witness testimony, he would not say.

'We have a lot of intelligence to go through and confirm,' he said.

'I can't go through that. One of the things I want to say it's a disgraceful act from the community who attacked police at that scene.'

The Australian National Imams Council and other individual Muslims have condemned the attack on Bishop Emmanuel.

'These attacks are horrifying and have no place in Australia, particularly at places of worship and toward religious leaders,' the Imams Council said in a statement.

ASIO boss Mike Burgess was asked if he was aware of the comments and if the bishop had said or done anything to trigger the attack.

'We're aware of those comments, and everything else is open inquiry lines to understand why the individual got to where he did,' he said.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel (pictured) was attacked while giving a sermon at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church on Monday night with a 16-year-old boy arrested by police

In video of the melee the alleged attacker is heard saying in Arabic: 'If he didn't swear at my Prophet I wouldn't be here. If he didn't involve himself in my religion I wouldn't be here'

AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw (pictured) was asked to confirm the teenager's religion amid speculation he had recently converted to Islam

Mr Burgess was asked why the incident in Wakeley was considered a terrorist attack while the stabbing in Bondi Junction wasn't.

'The simple answer there is to call it a terrorist attack you need indications of, information or evidence that suggests actually the motivation was religiously motivated or ideologically motivated,' he said.

'In the case of Saturday that was not the case. In this case [Wakeley] information that we and the police have before us it would indicate strongly that is the case and that's why it was called an act of terrorism.'

Mr Burgess said ASIO would 'look at individuals connected with the attacker to assure ourselves there's no one else in the community with similar intent'.

The spy boss added: 'At this stage, we have no indications of that.

'But it's prudent that we do this to determine there's no threats or immediate threats to security. At this time, we're not seeing that.'

Mr Burgess said Australia's national terrorism threat level would remain at 'probable' as one incident was not enough to make a change.

He urged all Australians to be mindful of the language they used amid rising tensions in the community.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in condemning the violence said the National Security Committee had held a meeting on Monday night.

He said a joint counter terrorism taskforce had been established with the AFP and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb on Tuesday declared the attack was a terrorist incident 'centred around religion'.

Police were seen outside the Orthodox Assyrian church in Wakeley on Tuesday

Residents in Wakeley have expressed their concern for the bishop's welfare

Police confirmed one of the alleged 16-year-old attacker's fingers was cut off as he was pulled away from the bishop.

It had been speculated one of those who initially detained him had cut it off, but it is now understood he accidentally severed the finger himself amid the chaos.

Shared pictures which showed all four fingers on the left hand severed are understood to be fake.

The attack led to further violence on the street near the Assyrian church, where hundreds of people gathered and began targeting police officers.

They were forced to shelter inside the church for several hours after their attempt to extract the injured alleged attacker, as some members of the enraged crowd called for his lynching.

Bricks, concrete and fence palings were used to attack police and damage equipment, injuring officers and rendering vehicles unusable.

Police officers were injured, and one was left with a broken jaw.

'That is unacceptable and those that were involved in that riot can expect a knock at the door,' Ms Webb said.

'We will find you and we will come and arrest you.'

Paramedics assessed and treated 30 patients, with seven taken to hospital, NSW Ambulance commissioner Dominic Morgan said.

'This was a rapidly evolving situation where the crowds went from 50 to a number of hundreds of people in a very rapid period of time,' he said.

'Our paramedics became directly under threat ... and had to retreat into the church.'

Mr Albanese said people should let police and security agencies do their job rather than taking the law into their own hands.

'It is not acceptable to impede and injure police doing their duty or to damage police vehicles in a way that we saw last night,' he said.
Lisa Wilkinson has reclaimed credit for her exclusive story about Brittany Higgins being raped by Bruce Lehrmann, after having distanced herself from it during prickly parts of the defamation trial.

After Justice Michael Lee found in Network Ten's favour, Ms Wilkinson gave a triumphant speech on the steps of the Federal Court, declaring: 'I published a true story about a rape at a federal politician's office in March 2019.'

The speech glossed over harsh comments Justice Lee made about Ms Wilkinson's conduct throughout the trial - and the fact that aspects of the story claiming there was a 'political cover-up' were found to be false.

But her ultimate embrace of the story was a further reversal for the veteran journalist who had earlier said she had left it up to Ten producers to decide what parts of it went to air.

Her lawyers went so far as to challenge the idea that she had investigated the veracity of Ms Higgins' claims or that she was consulted over the preparation of what content made the final cut.

Here, Daily Mail Australia retraces what Ms Wilkinson has said about the story in the years since it aired in February 2021.

Ms Wilkinson appeared ecstatic as she left court with her high-powered legal team

Logies speech

In her now-infamous Logies speech, Ms Wilkinson declared her work with Brittany Higgins 'the most important' of her career.

She said: 'I knew it from the very first phone call I had early last year with a young woman whose name she told me was Brittany Higgins.

'Four incredibly intense, sleepless weeks later, when our story went to air, the entire country knew the name Brittany Higgins.

'As Brittany warned me before we went to air, her story would be seen by many of the most powerful people in this country, not as a human problem, but as a political problem.

'Brittany Higgins was a political problem. And governments tend to like political problems to go away. But Brittany never did. And the truth is, this honour belongs to Brittany. It belongs to a 26-year-old woman's unwavering courage.

'It belongs to a woman who said "enough". It belongs to a woman who inspired more than 100,000 similarly pissed, exhausted women and men to take to the streets across this country [at the March 4 Justice rally] to roar in numbers too big to ignore.

'Brittany, thank you for trusting me.'

In her now-infamous Logies speech, Ms Wilkinson declared her work with Brittany Higgins 'the most important' of her career

Under cross-examination during the defamation trial

By the time she was being cross-examined, Ms Wilkinson's story, speech and her professional integrity had faced extensive scrutiny.

Early in the trial, she was asked whether she agreed she had 'developed, conducted and delivered' the story.

But she later backed down, instead stating her involvement in preparing the program had decreased in the lead-up to its screening, and decisions about what went to air were instead made by Ten's senior management and lawyers.

'My understanding was that appropriate checks were being done and advice was being sought within Channel Ten on whether or not those facts were appropriate to include in the broadcast,' Wilkinson said under cross-examination.

'And I left those decisions to others more qualified than me to decide whether or not it was appropriate to keep those details in the broadcast.'

By the time she was being cross-examined, Ms Wilkinson's story, speech and her professional integrity had faced extensive scrutiny

Later she said: 'To put it in general terms, Mr Richardson [barrister Matthew Richardson SC, acting for Lehrmann], I knew the Channel Ten legal department were across this story and I trusted that it was appropriate for those details to be in there.'

Wilkinson also expressed unhappiness when Mr Richardson drew to her attention that a significant detail Higgins had mentioned in the unedited version of their two-hour interview had been cut before its broadcast.

Richardson: 'That's very poor journalism, isn't it, to conceal that?'

Wilkinson: 'I'm disappointed to see that.'

Referred again to a text message sent before the broadcast by The Project's executive producer Christopher Bendall declaring Wilkinson had been responsible for 'developing, conducting and delivering' the Higgins story, she seemed less willing to take so much credit.

'That was a very kind text from Mr Bendall,' Wilkinson said. 'But there was an entire team who also deserved words to that effect.'

Richardson: 'I think you agreed though that what he said about you was accurate yesterday - correct?'

Wilkinson: 'But I wasn't the only person working on the story, Mr Richardson.'

Early in the piece, she was asked whether she agreed that she 'developed, conducted and delivered' the story

In court documents

Court documents from Ms Wilkinson's lawyers show they attempted to argue she had a 'limited role' in the final broadcast.

In final submissions tendered by Sue Chrysanthou SC, Ms Wilkinson was described as an 'experienced presenter' whose role was to 'read the pre-prepared script'.

Any assertion that Ms Wilkinson was a senior journalist investigating Ms Higgins allegations would be 'incorrect,' the document stated.

'Decisions and changes were being made at a rapid pace and my client was not consulted,' Ms Chrysanthou told the court.

In final submissions tendered by Sue Chrysanthou SC, Ms Wilkinson was described as an 'experienced presenter' whose role was to 'read the pre-prepared script'

After judgement

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Bruce Lehrmann's staggering seven-figure bill is exposed after crushing court loss Advertisement

Outside court, a vindicated Ms Wilkinson said: 'Today, the Federal court has found that I published a true story about a rape at a federal politician's office in March 2019.

'I sincerely hope the judgment gives strength to women around the country.

'I'm also so grateful to have had the benefit of our independent legal team'.

She thanked her barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC for her 'expertise and wise counsel' that has been a 'source of ongoing strength to me for the past 14 months.'

Wilkinson also thanked her family, friends and 'generous' members of the public who often approach her in tears.

'Throughout every step of this process I have been surrounded by the love of my incredibly supportive family, as well as incredibly supportive friends and colleagues. I can never thank them enough.

'I also wanted to say how grateful I am to members of the public who approached me almost every single day to express - often through tears -their unwavering support.'

Outside court, a vindicated Ms Wilkinson said: 'Today, the Federal court has found that I published a true story about a rape at a federal politician's office in March 2019'

What did the judge say about Ms Wilkinson?

Lisa Wilkinson celebrated the ruling - but her knowledge and experience as a journalist were called into question during Justice Lee's ruling.

The judge described Wilkinson as a 'polished and articulate witness' but added 'regrettably, these not inconsiderable skills were often deployed by her in the witness box to advocate for her views'.

The judge took aim at her speech at the Logie Awards, which ultimately delayed Bruce Lehrmann's rape trial.

'Her refusal to make the obvious concession about the speech at the Logies... conveyed the message that Ms Higgins was credible and to be believed and her rape allegations were correct,' he said.

The judge pointed out that she made the speech eight days before the criminal trial was due to begin and, given her experience as a journalist, she should have known better.

He accepted that Ms Wilkinson was 'sincere and genuine' in accepting the underlying truth of Ms Higgins' allegations, noting she described the story as 'the most important work I have ever done' in the offending speech.

The judge said Wilkinson was linked to Ms Higgins and delivered the speech because she felt the need to stand up for her, rather than because she was under pressure to do so from her employer as she had indicated.

What were the findings?

Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins at Parliament House after a long night of drinking, Federal Court Justice Michael Lee has found.

The former Liberal staffer sued Network Ten and Wilkinson over an episode of The Project broadcast in February 2021.

In the interview, Ms Higgins went public with her allegations for the first time, claiming an unnamed staffer raped her at Parliament House in March 2019.

Mr Lehrmann claimed friends and colleagues were able to identify him as the alleged rapist. He has always maintained his innocence.

While Justice Lee on Monday accepted there was 'no doubt' that Mr Lehrmann was identified in the program, he said he accepted the basis of the report.

Bruce Lehrmann lost his defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson

After several hours of explanation, Justice Lee came to the conclusion: 'Mr Lehrmann did rape Brittany Higgins.'

Justice Lee determined that, contrary to Mr Lehrmann's evidence, sexual intercourse did occur, and that Ms Higgins did not consent.

'I am convinced that sexual intercourse took place,' the judge said.

'Taking all my reservations as to the credibility and reliability of Ms Higgins into account, her evidence that she was not aware of her surroundings and became aware when he was on top of her struck me forcefully as being credible and having the ring of the truth,' he said.

'Ms Higgins did not consent to intercourse when she became aware that Mr Lehrmann was on top of her.'

While he accepted the rape did occur, Justice Lee made clear in his judgement that the other central allegation made by The Project - that there was a political cover-up and Ms Higgins was pressured to keep quiet - was not true.

Justice Lee stated that Ms Higgins' claims in the aftermath of her 2019 rape were truthful - but things changed in 2021 when the narrative shifted from that of a rape to a cover-up orchestrated by the Liberal Party to avoid a pre-election scandal.

This shift from a story about a rape to a story about a political scandal coincided with Higgins' then-boyfriend, now-fiance David Sharaz becoming involved in the saga.
Bruce Lehrmann's legal costs could exceed $2million after losing his blockbuster defamation trial against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.

In the Federal Court on Monday, Justice Michael Lee found on the civil standard that Lehrmann did rape a highly-intoxicated Brittany Higgins inside Parliament House in the early hours of March 23, 2019.

It was a crippling blow for the former Liberal staffer-turned law student, who has no fixed address and hasn't had a job since early 2021 when Ms Higgins first went public with her allegations in an interview with Wilkinson on The Project.

Lehrmann wasn't named in that broadcast but launched defamation action in a bid to clear his name - an effort that spectacularly backfired when Justice Lee's slammed him as a sex offender, an unreliable witness, and a liar in his three-hour judgement.

The defeat means he now has to worry about covering the costs for Network Ten and Wilkinson's lawyers.

His one saving grace could be that he does not have to worry about paying his own solicitors because they worked on a no-win, no-fee basis.

Bruce Lehrmann is pictured collecting dog poop on the balcony of his former Sydney home in December last year

Brittany Higgins is pictured with her fiance, David Sharaz. On Monday, a judge found her rape allegations against Bruce Lehrmann to be true

The exact figure owed to Ten and Wilkinson will be determined at a later date, with Justice Lee marking April 22 as the due date for costs submissions.

But it will likely be a seven-figure sum.

Wilkinson's barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC alone charges $8000 a day and her total bill was worth more than $700,000 in October - two months before the actual month-long defamation hearing.

Since then, Ms Chrysanthou attended court for almost every day of the month-long hearing in December. Her costs are likely now worth more than $1million.

There's also the costs of solicitors on both sides, and the fees for Network Ten's barrister Matthew Collins KC.

The cost of the whole case is worth an estimated $10million.

Outside court on Monday, Ten's lawyer Justin Quill said he is confident the network will be able to recoup some of the costs.

And speaking on Sunrise on Tuesday morning, Mr Quill explained the judge had asked for submissions from both sides about their costs before he rules on who should pay what.

Lisa Wilkinson and her barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC walked away from the defamation case on Monday, arm-in-arm

'That order ... I would be reasonably confident, will be in Ten's favour and perhaps on an indemnity basis which means Ten would be entitled to all of its costs back,' he said.

'Whether they're able to recover those costs is another thing and will depend by and large on Bruce Lehrmann's means.'

Lehrmann did get two out-of-court settlements from the ABC and News Corp last year, worth a combined $445,000, after he filed defamation action against them for the same reason he sued Ten and Wilkinson.

His rent was also covered for a year thanks to a $105,000 arrangement with Channel Seven in exchange for two exclusive interviews on the network's program Spotlight, which aired in June and August last year.

That agreement ended earlier in April. Lehrmann is currently understood to be couch-surfing with no fixed address and remains unemployed.

If he can't find a way to pay his bills, he may have to declare bankruptcy.

During his judgement on Monday, Justice Lee said: 'To remark that Mr Lehrmann was a poor witness is an understatement.'

Bruce Lehrmann is pictured outside court on Monday, after losing his defamation case

'His attachment to the truth was a tenuous one, informed not by faithfulness to his affirmation but by fashioning his responses in what he perceived to be his forensic interests.'

Justice Lee found that Lehrmann brought Ms Higgins back to a 'secluded place', being the ministerial suite, after a night out with colleagues for the purpose of having sex with her.

'Mr Lehrmann was hellbent on having sex with a woman he found sexually attractive, had been mutually passionately kissing and touching, had encouraged to drink, and knew had reduced inhibitions because she was very drunk,' he said.

'I am satisfied that it is more likely than not that Mr Lehrmanns state of mind was such that he was so intent upon gratification to be indifferent to Ms Higgins consent.'

Lehrmann was tried for sexual assault in the ACT Supreme Court in October 2022, but the case toppled due to misconduct by a juror.

The former ACT Director of Public Prosecutions then dropped the charge against him, citing concerns for Ms Higgins' mental health.

He had pleaded not guilty.
The mother of a 16-year-old fatally bashed in brutal retribution for allegedly stealing AirPods burst into tears and stared down one of the adult ring-leaders after a court found the pair guilty of murder.

Kayla Dawson, 22, and Richard Sione, 34, were convicted on Monday of teenager Jason Galleghan's murder, which occurred inside Dawson's home in the western Sydney suburb of Doonside on August 6, 2021.

When the verdict was announced Jason's mother Rachel Galleghan began sobbing and fixed her glare on Sione as he was led back into custody.

Dawson, who was appearing via audiovisual link from a prison, only nodded briefly as the sentence was passed, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Both are accused of being associates of a western Sydney postcode gang.

Dawson believed Jason Galleghan had stolen her AirPods and she lured the boy into from a western Sydney train station into an ambush by a group of six assailants, as purported retribution.

Richard Sione, 34, has been jailed over the bashing murder of 16-year0old Jason Galleghan in 2021

Sione led the assault on Jason, which was then taken up by five teenagers who referred to him as 'uncle' or 'dad'.

The assault lasted for more than half an hour, and about seven minutes of it was recorded by Dawson and shared.

One part of the recording captured a teen assailant saying: 'Oi, stop  look at him (Jason)'.

Jason died of injuries from two days later in hospital.

Both Dawson and Sione pleaded not guilty to the killing.

Kayla Dawson lured Jason to her Doonside home in Sydney western's suburbs where he was fatally assaulted

Sickening moment autistic girl is brutally bashed by gang of older bullies at Melbourne's Altona pier Dakota, 14, from Melbourne's west, had been walking along Melbourne's Altona pier with her friend when five older teenage girls set upon her on Wednesday afternoon Advertisement

However, Justice Robert Allan Hulme found Dawson's role was 'central' to the horrific crime as the organiser of the payback for the purported theft.

A teenager invited by Dawson to participate in the attack even boasted about it before the event.

'Me and two of the boys are bashing someone today lmao,' a text from teen, who was handed a 15-year jail term over the incident last August.

Dawson applied to have her charge reduced to manslaughter claiming she had substantial cognitive impairment that affected her capacity to control herself or judge her own actions.

The argument did not sway Justice Hulme.

'The fact that (she) chose to leave the room on at least one occasion to go outside and speak to the concerned neighbours seems at odds with the proposition her capacity to control herself was substantially impaired,' he said.

'She wanted the deceased to be assaulted, because he had annoyed her and had bullied her, she willingly involved herself and encouraged the protracted beating by being present and recording and transmitting it with apparent glee.'

Justice Hulme said Dawson's decision to film and transmit video of the incident also undermined her claims of impairment, according to a report by Seven News.

'I just can't stop laughing, I'm sending it to Johnno,' Dawson said during the assault.

Sione argued that five young people who continued the bashing after he left Dawson's home were responsible.

However, Justice Hulme found Sione was part of the joint criminal enterprise which planned and carried out the assault.

When the two adults were found guilty of her son's murder Jason Galleghan's mother Rachel burst into tears

'He and others detained the deceased in the bedroom, without his consent, to obtain a psychological advantage by humiliating him to exact punishment and retribution for the perceived theft of Kayla Dawson's AirPods,' Justice Hulme said.

'He simply walked out  he said and did nothing to deter any continued assault by the co-participants in the enterprise.'

Dawson and Sione will be sentenced on July 8.

A number of other teenagers charged over the fatal beating remain before the courts.
Terrified parents have fled a Melbourne shopping centre with their children after a bloody fight broke out between a group of machete-wielding youths.

The group clashed inside the Woodgrove Shopping Centre at Melton in Melbourne's north-west at about 5pm on Monday.

Witnesses claim those involved, who were described as teenagers and Sudanese, were armed with a variety of weapons and were seen waving knives and throwing chairs during the melee.

One woman said she fled the centre with her children after spotting a man 'waving a machete around'.

'Kids brawling, throwing chairs around ... Ran out with my kids and advised everyone walking in to turn around,' she wrote on social media.

Police have arrested two boys, aged 15 and 16, following a bloody brawl at Woodgrove shopping centre in Melton, in Melbourne's north west

During the attack, the teens were seen throwing chairs and swinging machetes and large knives

The woman said she was 'disgusted' with the group's actions, coming just days after after six people were killed in a horror stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction last Saturday.

'You would think these idiots would take pause after what happened in Bondi. I'm so disgusted that I had to explain to my five-year-old why we had to run out of the shops,' she wrote.

'Woodgrove needs a police presence for all hours that it's open and these little turds need harsher punishments. There is zero value for human life.'

Another shopper said she and her three children hid inside the baby changing rooms with other scared mothers.

'It was a machete that a teen pulled out,' she wrote on Facebook. 'Happened right where the play area is in front of the parents/babies changing room.

'My three kids and I ran into the parents' room with a group of mums and young kids. Sad that my six-year-old was so scared because he saw the machete.'

Another witness explained people started 'throwing things' at one of those involved after he walked into the food court with a 'large knife'.

Three were spotted leaving the shopping centre covered in blood, with one holding a jumper to his head to cover a wound.

Witnesses claim one of the teens left the centre with a jumper held to his head and covered in blood

Terrified shoppers fled the centre (pictured), while some hid inside shops as the melee unfolded

Victoria Police launched an investigation into the incident after a 15-year-old boy was found injured inside the complex before being taken to hospital.

Two boys, a 15-year-old from Melton South and a 16-year-old from Harkness were arrested on Tuesday and are being interviewed by police.

The 16-year-old has been charged with affray, possessing a prohibited weapon and being armed with criminal intent. He is set to face a children's court on Tuesday afternoon.

Police will charge the 15-year-old with affray, possessing a controlled weapon and being armed with criminal intent and then will be directly presented to a childrens court.

The boy who remains in hospital will be interviewed about the incident once he is released.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

It comes after six innocent shoppers - including five women and one man - were fatally stabbed in a horror attack at Westfield Bondi Junction at about 3.20pm on Saturday.

The knifeman, Joel Cauchi, 40, was seen walking through the centre wielding a 30cm hunting knife and stabbing shoppers at random.

Twelve others - including a nine-month-old baby - were seriously wounded before NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott single-handedly confronted Cauchi and shoot him dead.
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife have been charged with viciously beating their teenage daughter in an argument over her dating life - two weeks after dragging her in front of cameras to deny rumors about the crimes.

The Democrat, 50, and his wife La'Quetta Small, the superintendent of the Atlantic City Public School System, are accused of abusing their daughter on numerous occasions after she refused to stop seeing a boy she was dating.

According to reported charging documents, they carried out a barrage of abuse from December 2023 to January 2024, including beating her unconscious with a broom, threatening to 'earth slam' her down stairs, striking her with a belt, and punching her in the mouth.

But weeks before charges were brought, Small held a bizarre, foul-mouthed press conference in response to his home being raided by cops, where he insisted his daughter was not pregnant with twins via a drug dealer, and stressed he had 'nothing to hide.'

With his daughter stood awkwardly beside him, he listed off a string of denials, some of which he has since been charged with by Atlantic City prosecutors.

Among the claims, he denied that his she 'was pregnant with twins, and I beat the s*** out of her so bad that I killed the babies, and I'm gonna be charged with double murder.'

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr (center), 50, and his wife have been charged with abusing their teenage daughter in a row over her dating life

The Democrat mayor and his wife La'Quetta Small, the superintendent of the Atlantic City Public School System (pictured together), are accused of beating their teen daughter with a broom, punching her in the face and pulling her hair

At the press conference, Small directly denied claims he abused his daughter, as he instead said any allegations were fueled by 'political and racial' motivations.

'We don't have City of Atlantic City money in our house. I didn't steal anything,' he said in the press conference. 'No, we don't have drugs in our house. And we don't have guns.'

'First of all, let me confirm an undisputed fact: My daughter is not pregnant,' he continued. 'My daughter has never been pregnant.'

Addressing rumors that Small said came from an Atlantic City police officer, the mayor doubled up his denials that his 'daughter got knocked up by a drug dealer in Stanley Homes village - false.'

'My wife beat the bleep out of her, while my son recorded the whole thing, and I just stood there - false,' he said.

Small also addressed what he referred to as 'the most egregious' of the rumors - that his 'daughter was pregnant with twins, and I beat the s*** out of her so bad that I killed the babies, and I'm gonna be charged with double murder.'

'Now, would you be able to handle this like I'm handling it?' he concluded.

Small's daughter did not speak at the press conference, which was opened by a reverend quoting Martin Luther King Jr.

Both parents have been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and Marty Small is also charged with third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree aggravated assault and disorderly persons simple assault.

After charges were brought, Smalls took to social media to share a close-up selfie, with several hashtags including #unbothered, and #2sides

Both parents have been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and Marty Small is also charged with third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree aggravated assault and disorderly persons simple assault

La'Quetta is also charged with disorderly persons simple assault, and Atlantic City High School principal Constance Days-Chapman - a reported close friend of the mayor and his wife - is also facing charges.

Days-Chapman is accused of failing to notify authorities when the teen told her she was being 'emotionally and physically abused' by her parents.

After charges were brought, Smalls took to social media to share a close-up selfie, with several hashtags including #unbothered, and #2sides.

According to a criminal complaint reported by NBC10, the search of Smalls' home - and subsequent charges - were triggered by the mayor's daughter telling a school staffer about the alleged abuse.

In January, Students at Atlantic City High School were receiving mental health training, and were asked to circle faces on a ticket indicating if they were happy, neutral or sad.

Small's daughter reportedly wrote the word 'abuse' on the back of a neutral ticket, and asked to speak to a counselor.

She then told a mental health trainer that she had been knocked out with a broom, and described her father as a 'big guy', the complaint said. She added that she had previously told Principal Days-Chapman.

Small Sr pictured with his wife La'Quetta, son and daughter

The mayor's home (pictured) was raided on March 28. He lives at the home with his wife, two children and mother- in-law

Atlantic City High School principal Constance Days-Chapman - a reported close friend of the mayor and his wife - is also facing charges after she allegedly failed to report the abuse to authorities when it was raised by school staff

Days-Chapman claimed to have not been told before, but told the advisor that she would report the alleged abuse to the Department of Child Protection & Permanency.

The teen also reportedly told a therapist that same day about the abuse throughout December and January, and cops said that she told the therapist: 'I was really stressed, I was crying a lot, I wasnt mentally stable, I wasnt comfortable around them, I just didnt feel safe.'

When contacted by the therapist, La'Quetta reportedly said that her daughter was struggling with personal issues due to a 'young man' that her parents didn't approve of.

According to the criminal complaint, she endured two months of abuse over refusing to stop the relationship, including having her legs repeatedly punched by her father, causing bruising.

La'Quetta allegedly punched her daughter multiple times in the chest, also causing bruising, and also dragging her by her hear and striking her with a belt.

She is also accused of punching her daughter in the mouth during one incident.

Mayor Small denied the claims against him, and insisted it was a 'private family issue'

Small (pictured with rapper Snoop Dogg) has served as mayor of Atlantic City since 2019

When the alleged abuse was reported to the NJ Department of Children and Families, it was allegedly noted that it should have already been reported and the meeting was just following up.

This reportedly led the department to claim that no one from the school ever notified them, the criminal complaint said, leading them to notify the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office.

An interview with the DCP&P, with Small, his wife, daughter and son all present, saw the children deny the abuse with their parents present, NBC10 reported.

Smalls' daughter allegedly said she was angry with her parents over the relationship and claimed to have made up the abuse allegations.

However, when investigators met her boyfriend, he claimed that she would repeatedly describe incidents when her parents abused her, and included video footage from his cellphone with evidence, the complaint said.

The boy's mother also reportedly told officers that he had raised the issue with her before. Investigators also found several others, including her cousin who worked at the school and a therapist, who said she had reported abuse to them in recent months.

On March 28, cops carried out a search of Small's home, which recovered a letter reading: 'Honestly, Im going for peace, I keep disappointing you all, Im just going to go. Must hate me for not being perfect.

'Getting called dumb, crazy, mental and sick hurts but thats okay, I guess Im the biggest disappointment for defending myself.'

Small pictured with at his swearing-in ceremony in October 2019 with his daughter

The search triggered the bizarre press conference from the mayor, before charges were brought, where he stressed that the search of his home and vehicles was a 'private family issue.'

The press conference, where his daughter was in attendance, saw a string of denials around rumors circulating about the case, including allegations that he 'beat the s***' out of his daughter that prosecutors now claim did happen.

He also implied that law enforcement officials were targeting his office for political reasons and that the media should connect the dots.

However, Smalls' lawyer said at the end of the conference they were not alleging that the search of the mayor's home was politically motivated, but they were 'not ruling anything out,' as per a report.

Following the charges, the mayor's attorney Ed Jacobs told NBC10: 'The charges filed by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office today make no claims of public corruption or misconduct in office or any failure by Mayor Small, to properly discharge his responsibilities as the mayor of Atlantic City.

'On the contrary, they focus only on personal, private family matters.'

The mayor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.
An Assyrian Orthodox Church bishop who was stabbed during a livestreamed church service in Sydney had spoken critically about Islam in a video recorded four months ago.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was preaching at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley in Sydney's west just after 7pm on Monday when a 16-year-old boy walked up to the altar and allegedly stabbed him multiple times.

On a separate video of the aftermath of the alleged terror attack, the boy said in Arabic 'If they didn't insult my prophet, I wouldn't have come here. If he didn't involve himself in my religion, I would not have come here.'

Churchgoers said he also used the Islamic phrase 'Allahu Akbar' repeatedly.

The teenager's comment about an attack on his prophet was possibly referring to the bishop's appearance on a video made last December for the PBD Podcast, hosted by American broadcaster Patrick Bet-David.

On the podcast, Bishop Emmanuel questioned Islamic beliefs around Jesus, who he calls Isa, and said 'the truth hurts'.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was preaching at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley in Sydney's west just after 7pm on Monday when a 16-year-old boy walked up to the altar and allegedly stabbed him multiple times

READ MORE: The miracle that saved Bishop Mar Marie Emmanuel's life and kept his alleged attacker from killing him - 'Act of God' The alleged knifeman (pictured being held down) has been labelled by police as an alleged terrorist Advertisement

'Your book (the Koran) says that Isa, son of Mary, went up to Heaven alive and he will come back to judge the dead and the living.

'If I ask a Muslim "Who judges?", they will say God.

'Well, you're telling me this prophet (Muhammad) will judge, so which is which? Has the prophet taken the role of God, has God gone on vacation and he's come and taken his position?'

The bishop said 'Isa is the living messiah, even (the Koran) says'.

'Now let me ask you, my dear Muslim, if you're claiming Isa is a prophet, then how come all the other prophets which you believe in - you believe in Moses, you believe in Isa, you believe in all the prophets of the Old Testament.

'How come none of the Old Testament prophets were referred to as "The word of God", except Isa? Why?'

Bishop Emmanuel then spoke about Jesus' birth to Mary and how he is the son of God.

'How come all the prophets and every single human being on the face of this planet was born of an Earthly father and an Earthly mother, yet Jesus, son of Mary, was born in a virginal birth,' he said.

'He has an Earthly mother, but has no Earthly father. For his father (is) who art in Heaven.'

The outspoken bishop added that 'The very reason Muhammad failed is because he's dead. Their book says that ...

'I know truth hurts. I'm not offending people, I'm speaking the truth. And if it offends you, I'm really sorry. Not. I'm not sorry for that.'

He later told his fellow panellists on the podcast that 'When you go to Heaven, I can assure you ... Muhammad will not greet you, Buddha will not greet you, (Hindu deity) Krishna will not greet you, because they will not.

'It will be only one, who is the way, the truth and the life, it will be Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who died for you and me.'

Bishop Emmanuel prayed for his alleged attacker moments after he was injured on Monday night.

The New South Wales ambulance service said four people had been injured in the incident.

After the attack, a furious mob of around 2,000 people swarmed near the church with riots breaking out and police struggling to maintain order.

A mob gathered outside Christ The Good Shepherd Church (pictured) in Wakeley after the incident, resulting in several more injuries

More than 100 police officers were ultimately called in to deal with the unrest, and two were taken to hospital with injuries, police said.

Both the bishop and his alleged attacker had surgery on Tuesday morning.

The alleged teenage terrorist is understood to have severed his own finger during the alleged attack

ASIO chief Mike Burgess said the attack 'does appear to be religiously motivated but we continue our lines of investigation'.
Some 2,000 furious demonstrators stormed the streets surrounding a small church following the alleged terrorist attack when Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was allegedly stabbed on Monday night by a 16-year-old boy.

The attack sparked chaos in Sydney's west as the religious leader's followers condemned the alleged knifeman.

Here Daily Mail Australia breaks down how the night of terror unfolded.

The alleged attack

At about 7.10pm on Monday night, a 16-year-old boy allegedly walked up to Bishop Emmanuel during a service livestream at Christ The Good Shepherd Church.

The church is an ultra-conservative sect of the Assyrian Orthodox faith located in Wakeley, south-west Sydney.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel (right) was allegedly stabbed multiple times by a 16-year-old boy with alleged terrorist ideologies

The church (pictured on Tuesday ) is an ultra-conservative sect of the Assyrian Orthodox faith located in Wakeley, west Sydney

Some 2,000 demonstrators flooded the streets around the church following the alleged attack (pictured, officers at the scene)

Horrified viewers watched in shock as the alleged knifeman approached the altar and began stabbing the bishop.

Three other church members, including Father Isaac Royel, were injured in the following struggle with the teenager.

Parishioners holds down alleged knifeman

Footage captured moments after the alleged stabbing showed some churchgoers working to stem the bishop's injuries while others ran from the building, screaming.

The alleged teenage knifeman was captured and held down by members of the congregation while waiting for police to arrive.

It was rumoured churchgoers had cut off the boy's fingers but it has since been clarified the alleged terrorist accidentally cut his own finger off in the botched attack.

The alleged attacker is not a regular attendee at the church.

A video later showed the alleged teenage knifeman pinned down by at least three people, including a police officer.

The teenager appeared to smile and mock his captors as they held him in place.

One man, with blood visible on his jeans, sat with his legs straddling his head.

'People are praying and you come and do this?,' he said.

The police officer interjected: 'Stop, just let go, please. You're going to make it worse.'

The hysterical mob (pictured) prompted a the deployment of a police helicopter, tactical unit, 30 vehicles and more than 100 officers

The alleged knifeman (pictured) appeared to smile and mock his captors as they held him in place after his alleged attack

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Riot

Some 2,000 people rushed to the church after news of the stabbing broke with the gathering quickly deteriorating into a violent riot.

A neighbour near the church said the chaos began about 7pm and did not stop until after midnight.

The hysterical mob prompted the deployment of a police helicopter, tactical unit, 30 vehicles and more than 100 officers.

Riot Squad officers were seen trying to push back the angry crowd with shields while a helicopter above broadcast the urgent plea: 'All persons, please vacate the area immediately.'

New South Wales Ambulance Commissioner Dom Morgan claimed the madness meant six paramedics 'could not leave that facility for fear of their own safety'.

'Paramedics became under threat and ... had to retreat into the church,' he said.

'The officers that serve this community and police every single day were holed up in that church for three-and-a-half hours.'

NSW Police acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said the large group also meant officers were't able to remove the alleged knifeman from the scene.

'A decision was made to retain the young person in the church for his safety,' he said.

It's understood many from the riot believed the alleged teenage terrorist was still inside the church and purposely barred him from leaving to prevent him from getting medical treatment.

The violent demonstration saw some attendees break into nearby homes to grab weapons and projectiles to throw at police and their vehicles.

Some 2,000 people rushed to the church after news of the stabbing broke with the gathering (pictured) quickly deteriorating into a violent riot

Six paramedics were forced to stay inside the church (pictured) while waiting for the riot to die down

Police weren't able to remove the alleged knifeman from the scene until 10pm due to the riot (pictured)

Some also threw items at the church in a failed bid to gain access and deliver their own vigilante justice against the alleged knifeman.

One constable was left with a chipped tooth and twisted knee after being hit by a metal object.

Another officer's jaw was broken after he was hit with a brick and fence paling.

'The police officers, of which there were many, acted courageously to protect that community, witnesses, victims and the ambulance officers,' NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said.

'They went there to do their job last night and they were turned on.'

Pepper spray

Video from the riot shows police threatening to pepper spray rioters if they did not ignored the instructions to disperse.

But the mob remained, chanting for the alleged attacker to be brought out to face their vigilante justice, prompting police to unleash the pepper spray.

Friend of the church, Dominic Cammareri, who lives just streets away, said he was caught up in the violence and was pepper sprayed from a distance.

'People were vomiting from the pepper spray and running into people's homes to get water,' he said.

He blamed the power of social media for how things escalated so severely.

'If it wasn't for social media the police would have arrived before the people rioting and this wouldn't have happened,' he said.

'They wanted blood. It was a great build-up of mayhem.

'My only concern was for the bishop's welfare. He is recovering but I don't think he'll be released from hospital any time soon.'

Another neighbour said: 'They were just running from every direction.

'They were chanting 'f*** the police' and 'you're a dead man' towards the alleged attacker.'

One constable was left with a chipped tooth and twisted knee after being hit by a metal object (pictured, officers at the scene)

Tactical police and specialist officers were called to calm the rioters (pictured, specialist squad arriving)

Video from the riot shows police threatening to spray them with pepper spray if they did not listen to instruction (pictured, a riot squad)

Lina Davis, 73, said those who were involved in the riot 'should be ashamed of themselves'.

'I could hear the helicopters, I was scared but I felt safe in my home,' the grandmother-of-two said.

'A church is the safest place in the world, it should be.

'The footage was horrifying to see, what those people were doing to police, there is no need for that.

'There is no need for anybody to treat police in a bad way because who do you call when you're in trouble?'

The alleged attacker was bundled into the back of an armoured police Bearcat vehicle shortly after 10pm and evacuated to an undisclosed hospital.

However, Mr Holland said it took several more hours for police to establish order over the area.

'Terrorist attack'

NSW Police have branded Monday's alleged stabbing as a terrorist attack.

It's understood the alleged attacker made comments highlighting a religious motivation as he approached Bishop Emmanuel.

Video showed the alleged 16-year-old perpetrator detained by police on the ground inside the church before he spoke in Arabic.

It is understood the words translate to: 'If he didn't swear at my Prophet I wouldn't be here. If he didn't involve himself in my religion I wouldn't be here'.

While the boy was not on any watchlists, he was known by police.

On Tuesday it emerged the teenager had attended court in January on stalking and intimidation charges.

He had also only recently been given a good behaviour bond for knife crime.

His charges included possessing a flick knife, being armed with a weapon with intent to committ an indictable offence, stalking and/or intimidation and recklessly destroy or damage property.

PM's briefing

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday morning told reporters he had been briefed by the Australian Federal Police on the incident.

'As police continue their investigations, Australians are thinking of those who have been injured, the first responders who rushed to help and the police who worked to restore order,' he said.

'In testing times, Australians stand together.'

He reflected on the added tragedy to the attack, which came just days after a deranged knifeman killed six shoppers in Westfield Bondi Junction.

'I certainly understand the distress and concerns which are there, particularly after the tragic event at Bondi,' Mr Albanese said.

'But it is completely not acceptable to impede and injure police doing their duty or to damage police vehicles in the way that occurred last night.

'There's no place for violent extremism. We're a peace-loving nation.

'I applaud the leadership of the police and our emergency services once again rushing to the scene to provide that support.

'And I commend as well Chris Minns, the Premier, who called a meeting of faith leaders last night in order to calm the situation.'

NSW Police have categorised Monday's alleged stabbing as a terrorist attack (pictured, flowers left outside the church on Tuesday)

Several NW Police officers were injured during the riot and their cars were damaged (one pictured)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured with AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw and ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess) on Tuesday morning told reporters he had been briefed by the Australian Federal Police on the incident

READ MORE: Sonny Bill Williams posts bizarre message about Sydney church stabbing horror from influencer and accused rapist Andrew Tate Advertisement

Police on Tuesday morning revealed the alleged teenage terrorist underwent surgery for his injuries and was recovering in hospital under police guard.

Bishop Emmanuel and Father Isaac Royel were also both recovering well in a stable condition.

National Security Committee met on Monday night following the attack and established a joint counter terrorism taskforce, which includes the Australian Federal Police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

'I urge people who see or hear something that they feel is not right to contact the National Security hotline immediately on 1800 123 400,' AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said.

ASIO chief Mike Burgess said the nation's terrorism threat level was at 'possible' and that the 'most likely' incident would be someone acting alone.

'It does appear to be religiously motivated but we continue our lines of investigation, he said.

ASIO was looking at individuals with links to the alleged attacker to ensure there were no further threats.

Premier Chris Minns described Monday's scenes as 'disturbing' and called for peace in the coming days.

'My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and first responders who are working to keep us safe,' he said.

'It's important that the community remain calm and continue to listen and act to the directions of Police and Emergency Services.

'We are a strong community in NSW and it's important that we all stick together, particularly in the face of adversity.'

NSW Acting Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said he was 'disappointed' in the community for injuring officers, reports which have been confirmed by the Police Association NSW.

'A number of police were injured and multiple police vehicles were damaged,' Mr Holland said.

'We are a little bit disappointed in the community themselves. A number of houses have been damaged.

'They've broken into a number of houses to gain weapons to throw at the police.

'They've thrown weapons and items at the church itself. It was obviously people who wanted to get access to the young person.'

Mosque patrols as tensions remain high

Police will increase security and patrols at mosques and places of worship in west Sydney while tensions remain high.

Officers will also work to charge those responsible for assault and property damage during the riot in the coming days.

Federal MP for Fowler Dai Le, whose south-west Sydney electorate includes the Christ The Good Shepherd Church, said her community was stunned by the stabbing, especially as it occurred only two days after the Westfield Bondi Junction mass stabbings.

'This has shocked us,' she said.

She described Emmanuel as a 'wonderful bishop leading the Assyrian community'.

'He's increased his followers tremendously,' she said.

Fowler has one of the country's biggest Assyrian communities, including many members who fled war-torn Iraq for a safer life in Australia.

'We have one of the most multi-faith communities in country,' she said.'I do not believe we will be divided by this.'

The Australian National Imams Council said it and the Australian Muslim community 'unequivocally condemns' the attack on the bishop.

'These attacks are horrifying and have no place in Australia, particularly at places of worship and towards religious leaders,' the organisation said in a statement.

'We urge the community to stay calm and work together towards the safety and security of Australians.'

NSW Police are working to identify those involved in the riot (pictured, the cleanup from Monday's riot)

In a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Albanese (pictured) said: 'In testing times, Australians stand together'

Police on Tuesday morning revealed the alleged teenage terrorist underwent surgery for his injuries and was recovering in hospital in an undisclosed location (pictured, officers at the scene)

Faith NSW chief executive Murray Norman said an attack on one faith was an attack on all, and that faith communities stood unified against hate and violence.

'During a week of mourning where we have seen the worst of humanity on display, this is yet another sobering reminder that we all need to do more to stamp out this vile conduct from our state,' he said.

'Incidents such as these will only strengthen our resolve and we will emerge stronger and more united.'
USC's valedictorian has been banned from making a speech during the university's commencement ceremony after she allegedly made antisemitic posts on social media calling for the 'complete abolition' of Israel.

Asna Tabassum, from Chino Hill, California, who is a Muslim, had been selected as this year's valedictorian but questions arose over her suitability after she publicly raised questions about the current Israel-Gaza conflict and included links that promoted antisemitism.

In an unprecedented move, the college removed Tabassum from its undergraduate lineup stating 'tradition must give way to safety' - but in doing so USC has failed to tackle her comments head-on.

Tabassum, who is majoring biomedical engineering with a minoring in resistance to genocide, would have addressed 65,000 people at the ceremony. USC officials chose her from nearly 100 student applicants who had GPAs of 3.98 or higher.

In letters sent to USC administrators, critics accused her of posting on a social media a link to a website that 'takes a swinging bat at over 10% of the USC student body and mudslings by calling Zionists 'racist-settlers.'

USC's valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, has been barred from speaking at commencement due to alleged antisemitic social media posts

Tabassum has shared pro-Palestinian views and 'likes' expressed through her Instagram account which she has since made private and removed her postings

Tabassum's pro-Palestinian stance and links promoting the abolition of Israel led to sites with prose, seen above

Tabassum has shared pro-Palestinian views and 'likes' expressed through her Instagram account which she has since made private and removed her postings.

Tabassum's current Instagram bio links to a landing page that says 'learn about what's happening in Palestine, and how to help.'

'Ms. Tabassum unabashedly and openly endorses the link's calls for 'the complete abolishment of the state of israel (sic),' according to a letter circulated for critics to submit to administrators.

'As if the unqualified command for abolition of the State of Israel was unclear in any way, Ms. Tabassum's link reinforces racism with another link, urging readers to 'reject the hegemonic efforts to demand that Palestinians accept that Israel has a right to exist as a . . . Jewish state.'

But the university has so far sidestepped any mention of Tabassum's alleged views and instead describing the reasoning to no longer have her speak as being due to 'security concerns', the school's provost announced.

'While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety,' Provost Andrew Guzman wrote in a letter to the university community.

Tabassum is majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in resistance to genocide would have been planning to address 65,000 people at the ceremony

A link from Asna Tabassum leads to a website containing various antisemitic sentiments

Provost of USC Andrew Guzman attends cited Tabassum's removal as being down to 'security concerns'

'While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety,' Provost Andrew Guzman wrote in a letter to the university community

USC officials chose her from nearly 100 student applicants who had GPAs of 3.98 or higher. Pictured, last year's ceremony

'This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation - including the expectations of federal regulators - that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe.

'It applies the same values and criteria that we have used in the past to guide our actions. In no way does it diminish the remarkable academic achievements of any student considered or selected for valedictorian.

'To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free- speech entitlement to speak at a commencement. The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.'

Following the letter, the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Los Angeles has now demanded that Tabassum be permitted to speak at the event while Tabassum herself suggested she was was being silenced and that her university had 'abandoned her'.

'Anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all,' Tabassum began in a statement.

'This campaign to prevent me from addressing my peers at commencement has evidently accomplished its goal: today, USC administrators informed me that the university will no longer allow me to speak at commencement due to supposed security concerns.

'I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice,' she went on.

'I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own university -- my home for four years -- has abandoned me.'

CAIR-LA called the USC decision 'cowardly' and its reasoning 'disingenuous.'

'Asna is an incredibly accomplished student whose academic and extracurricular accomplishments made her the ideal and historic recipient of this year's valedictorian's honor,' Ayloush said in a statement.

'I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice,' undergraduate student Asna Tabassum of the University of Southern California wrote in a statement

One Instagram account, We Are Tov, spend time looking through Tabassum's links

'The university can, should and must ensure a safe environment for graduation rather than taking the unprecedented step of cancelling a valedictorian's speech.

'The dishonest and defamatory attacks on Asna are nothing more than thinly veiled manifestations of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism, which have been weaponized against college students across the country who speak up for human rights -- and for Palestinian humanity.'

Provost Guzman, in a message to campus also said the uproar over the choice of valedictorian had taken on 'an alarming tenor.'

The university told the LA Times how threats had been made over email, letters and through phone calls to the campus.

'The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement,' Guzman wrote.

'We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses. As always, and particularly when tensions are running so high across the world, we must prioritize the safety of our community,' he said.

'And as we do every year, we have been monitoring our commencement security needs based on all the information we have and the facts on the ground. We are resolute in our commitment to maintain and prioritize the existing safety and well-being of our USC community during the coming weeks, and allowing those attending commencement to focus on the celebration our graduates deserve.'
An illegal migrant accused of the rape of a child under 16 in Massachusetts was finally arrested by immigration authorities after a local district court ignored a request to detain him.

The Boston ERO (Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations) has often been critical of the state's various liberal municipalities for allowing migrants convicted of repulsive crimes to go free despite their requests to keep them detained amid one of the largest migrant crises in US history.

The unnamed 20-year-old, a Brazilian national, was arrested by Border Patrol on July 28, 2021 after he and his mother entered the US illegally near San Luis, Arizona.

They were ordered to appear before an DOJ immigration judge before being released on recognizance.

Even before his horrific child sex abuse accusation, he'd run into further problems with the law after turning up in Massachusetts. He was arrested in August of 2023 for operating an unlicensed motor vehicle. Those charges were later dismissed.

An illegal migrant accused of the rape of a child under 16 in Massachusetts was final arrested by immigration authorities after a local district court ignored a request to detain him

In December, a warrant was issued for his arrest in the town of Milford over raping a child and enticing a child under the age of 16, according to ERO Boston.

He was eventually found and arrested in Portland, Maine, about 140 miles north on January 10, 2024. In addition to the rape charge, he was charged with being a fugitive from justice.

The man, who has not been named by immigration officials, was taken to the Milford District Court on January 18, where he was arraigned on the charges and had bail set at just $5,000, though he would be required to wear a GPS monitor.

ERO Boston requested that he remain in jail but the court ignored it and released the accused child rapist after he paid bail.

He was eventually apprehended again near his residence in the city of Lowell on March 28.

'This Brazilian noncitizen is accused of sexually abusing a Massachusetts minor,' said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons in a statement.

'Every second he spends roaming free in our communities, he represents a potential threat to the children of our communities.'

'The men and women of ERO Boston will always prioritize public safety by protecting the residents of New England from egregious noncitizen offenders,' Lyons added.

In December, a warrant was issued for his arrest in the town of Milford over raping a child and enticing a child under the age of 16, according to ERO Boston

The 20-year-old, a Brazilian national, was arrested by Border Patrol on July 28, 2021 after he and his mother entered the US illegally near San Luis, Arizona

He was eventually found and arrested in Portland, Maine, about 140 miles north on January 10, 2024. In addition to the rape charge, he was charged with being a fugitive from justice

DailyMail.com has reached out to Milford District Court for comment.

According to ERO data, agents made 170,590 arrests in 2023, a 19.5 percent increase from the previous year.

The agency registered the apprehension of 73,822 non U.S. citizens who had a criminal history - 108 were fugitives wanted by their governments for crimes including homicide, rape, terrorism and kidnapping.
Do you know more? Contact tita.smith@mailonline.com

EXCLUSIVE

The parents of a teenage boy accused of stabbing multiple people in a shocking terrorist attack at a church are horrified and distressed by their son's alleged actions, a relative says.

The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly lunged at Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, 53, and stabbed him in the head during his sermon at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydney's west, at about 7pm on Monday.

Father Isaac Royel, who serves in the Assyrian ministry at St Shimun Bar Sabbae and St Mary Cathedral, was among many parishioners who attempted to intervene - and as a result he allegedly suffered lacerations and a shoulder wound.

Churchgoers said they had seen the alleged offender wandering the perimeter of the church before the attack and said he stood out from the regular parishioners.

'He knew the service was being live-streamed and he waited for the camera to turn on before the (alleged) attack,' said Mary Anoya.

Both men and the 16-year-old boy were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, where the teen remains under police guard.

Now, a relative has revealed the family's shock over last night's event, describing the boy as a 'quiet teenager' who was 'not a terrorist or ISIS sympathiser'.

A boy, 16, (pictured) has been arrested over a terror attack at a church in Sydney's west

The alleged attack was live streamed over the church's YouTube page

'His parents are freaking out, they didnt know what to do or why this happened,' the relative said.

'Hes just a kid who spends a lot of time at home but he doesnt even have a computer. I know what has been reported what he said but it doesnt fit with this kid.

'Hes really quiet... He's been looking to leave school and get a job, maybe in construction.'

The boy is one of three children. His taxi driver father is a Lebanese immigrant who moved to Australia 25 years ago and the family live in a humble home in south-west Sydney.

The relative said the teens parents live 'like ordinary Aussies', but on Monday had become concerned when their son left home and did not return.

After the alleged stabbing attack, the relative said the boy's 'panicking' father had contacted him.

'They didnt know where their son was or what was happening,' he said.

'They are simple people, a good family, but I had to help them get some information from the police about where to go.

As far as I knew [the teen] hasnt been in trouble before, and the idea that he follows ISIS is crazy.

Police were seen searching the family's home on Tuesday, with detectives carrying two large evidence bags and a black case out of the property.

Bishop Emmanuel (left) and Father Royel (right) were rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

Relatives, turning up to show their support for the boy's parents, were seen coming and going from the property during the afternoon.

When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, the boy's father passed the phone on to another relative who said: 'Sorry mate, they aren't really in shape to talk.'

The new details comes as it's revealed the boy had previously faced court on knife charges.

In November, he was charged with a series of offences - including knife possession, stalking and/or intimidation and recklessly destroy or damage property - after at incident at a Sydney train station involving three other teenage boys.

He was released on bail and placed on a good behaviour bond in January after his case was 'proven'.

It is understood he was no longer subject to any court orders or supervision by law enforcement at the time of the alleged attack.

Bishop Mar Mari is a respected leader of an ultra-conservative sect of the Assyrian orthodox who has gained thousands of followers on social media.

He gained notoriety during the pandemic when he slammed Sydneys Covid lockdown as 'mass slavery' and claimed vaccines are futile because living 'normally' will boost immunity.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb overnight designated the stabbing a 'terror incident', with detectives probing whether the boy had links to extremist ideologies.

Horrifying footage of the alleged attack, which was broadcast live on the church's YouTube page, shows dozens of parishioners screaming and rushing to the bishop's aid as he fell to the ground.

The boy was subsequently restrained until police arrived at the scene.

The incident sparked riots as an angry mob of parishioners clashed with police as they fought to gain access to the boy, who had to be separated from the crowd for his own safety.

During the furore, projectiles were thrown at officers, more than 20 police vehicles were damaged, and property was stolen.

Two police officers were taken to hospital after being injured by members of the crowd who broke into 'a number of houses to gain weapons to throw at the police'.

The 16-year-old was removed from the church and taken to hospital where he underwent surgery for hand injuries sustained during the alleged attack.

He accidentally cut off one of his own fingers during the alleged attack, after rumours initially spread on social media he had been injured by vigilantes.

A NSW joint Counter Terrorism Team has been launched to investigate the incident, comprising members from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.
Russia has been supplying weapons and knowledge to Iran as it heads into war

Russian military officials have quietly been supporting Iran with weapons and information as the crisis in the Middle East escalates, it has emerged.

A strategic alliance between the two hostile nations, reports the Washington Post, has seen Russia supply an array of artillery to Iran, including prized anti-aircraft launchers and drones.

The reported deals are evidence of a concerning dynamic between the two nations, which experts warn show Iran is growing in strength and negotiating power as it barrels towards war.

'Its no longer the patron-client dynamic, where Russia holds all the leverage,' said Hanna Notte, director of the Eurasia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

'The Iranians are accruing benefits from this change. The nature of their relationship has gone beyond just getting things. Theres knowledge transfer, theres intangible gains.'

Russia has reportedly been pushing to sell an array of weapons and information to Iran as it heads into war, including its prized S-400 anti-aircraft launchers (pictured)

Experts warn that Russia has bolstered its relationship with Iran at the same time it has been using the nation to support its invasion of Ukraine

Experts warned that the growing relationship between Russia and Iran took a large step forward in 2022, when Iran agreed to help bolster the invasion of Ukraine.

This agreement saw Iran supply thousands of battlefield drones and missiles, a move that the Kremlin has reportedly been interested in reciprocating.

Russia has vowed to support Iran with air defense technology and advanced fighter jets, particularly as it is facing the possibility of counter strikes from Israel in the wake of its halted attack on Tel-Aviv last week.

Intelligence officials and weapons experts told the Washington Post that the supply of weapons to Iran make it a far more formidable military in modern warfare if it has an enhanced ability to shoot down planes and missiles.

Such a capability was shown in full force following Iran's strikes on Israel, as international allies helped shoot down almost all drones heading to the nation.

In particular, Iran is said to covet Russia's S-400 anti-aircraft launchers, which military analysts say are able to detect and destroy stealth fighter jets operated by Israel and the United States.

Iranian armed forces members march during the annual military parade in Tehran, Iran, September 22, 2023

According to the outlet, a Russian arms dealer was caught inviting a delegation of Iranians to tour one of his weapons factories, named NPP Start, in March 2023.

The factory was under US sanctions for supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and its hosting of the Iranian delegation was not known until February.

That month, a hacker group shared stolen Iranian emails that saw Russians describe the meeting as an exhibition for 'scientific and technical potential and production capabilities.'

While it is not clear whether any weapons were bought in that trip, analysts have seen it as a clear intention that the relationship between the two nations is already forged as they head deeper into conflict.

According to the cited anonymous experts, this collaboration will extend beyond anti-aircraft launchers, and may also include the co-production of military drones inside Russia.

It may also include the sharing of anti-jamming technology, and information sharing over weapons deployment against forces in Ukraine.

Pictured: A Russian Su-35 fighter jet, among the weapons feared to be shared between Russia and Iran

The emerging dynamic between Russia and Iran may also be enhancing Iran's air force, which had been seen as falling behind other world militaries.

The Iranian air force is primarily made up of rebuilt US and Soviet jets from before 1979, however intelligence officials warned that Russia has been 'advancing' a deal to supply Su-35 fighter jets.

The fighter jets would be a significant upgrade on Iran's fleet, however the officials reportedly said there is no evidence they have received them yet, which may be due to a delay in payment.

Russia may also be looking to support Iranian efforts to increase its supply of spy satellites, and help build rockets to send more into space, the intelligence officials reportedly said.

The potential step up in Iranian military might comes as the nation continues to barrel towards war with Israel, including sending hundreds of drones and missiles in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1.

The strike in Damascus killed two Iranian generals, leading Iran to send its counterstrike directly from its homeland instead of via proxies in a dramatic escalation.

US officials have reportedly stressed the need for restraint from Israel in response, however IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi warned Monday that Iran 'will be met with a response.'
Bruce Lehrmann has pulled out of a $110-a-head speaking event organised by a prominent men's rights activist, following his crushing defamation defeat.

Lehrmann was set to headline a conference called 'Restoring the Presumption of Innocence', to be held at an unnamed location in Sydney's Rushcutters Bay on June 1.

The event was organised by author and #MenToo advocate Bettina Arndt, and sponsored by Mothers of Sons - a group of 'ordinary women' whose sons have been falsely accused of gendered violence, according to its website.

It promised to 'challenge the group-think muzzling our cultural dialogue to expose the truth about what counts as justice in Australia' and Lehrmann was to be the star attraction.

However, Mothers of Sons confirmed on social media on Tuesday that he cancelled 'in light of recent events'.

The move came just one day after Federal Court judge Michael Lee found on a civil standard that he raped Brittany Higgins on March 23, 2019.

Bruce Lehrmann is pictured outside the Federal Court on Monday, after losing his defamation battle

Mothers of Sons confirmed on Tuesday that Lehrmann pulled out of a speaking event (pictured)

'In light of recent events, Bruce Lehrmann has decided not to appear at the Restoring the Presumption of Innocence conference,' the post read.

'He is being subject to extremely aggressive pursuit by the media and is concerned that his participation may threaten the audience, jeopardise this important event and distract from its main purpose.

'ASF and Mothers and Sons have accepted his decision, and will find an alternative presenter while ensuring that the Lehrmann case still receives appropriate attention at the conference as a powerful example of trial by media undermining the vital legal principle of the presumption of innocence.'

Ms Arndt previously said Lehrmann was asked to speak 'as a victim of trial by media, since he is the best-known example of how the media has signed up to the #MeToo narrative, rather than doing their proper job'.

Lehrmann had sued Channel Ten and Ms Higgins for defamation over an episode of The Project in 2021, during which she made her rape allegations for the first time in a television interview with Lisa Wilkinson.

He was not named in that broadcast but claimed that he was identified by friends and colleagues as Ms Higgins' alleged rapist.

The conference was organised by men's rights activist, Bettina Arndt (pictured)

Five months later, he was then charged with sexual assault and his name was released by the courts.

Ms Higgins made her allegations on television before she finished making a formal police complaint and, consequently, Lehrmann believed he was denied the right to a fair trial and presumption of innocence.

In his judgement on Monday, Justice Lee said Lehrmann's anger in that regard was justified.

'It seemed to me that where his real hurt emerged was when he gave evidence as to how the conduct of others had prejudiced his ability to have a fair trial,' the judge said.

'Certainly, this included the improper conduct of the respondents relating to the Logies speech, but extended to those who made statements which were implicitly but necessarily premised on his guilt.'

The rest of the judgement was damning and included findings that Lehrmann was a rapist on a civil scale of probabilities.

The conference in June will go ahead with a replacement speaker.
Disturbing new details have emerged about a violent riot that erupted outside a church after its bishop was allegedly stabbed several times by a teenage boy.

Up to 2,000 furious locals gathered outside Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydney's south-west, from about 7pm on Monday after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was allegedly attacked.

The sermon was being live-streamed when a 16-year-old allegedly confronted the bishop and stabbed him.

Hundreds of locals were alerted about the incident by social media and turned up 'wanting blood', with an out-of-control riot surrounding the church for several hours.

Police then descended onto the church, deploying pepper spray on some of those who'd gathered, which left people vomiting and struggling to see.

A friend of the church, Dominic Cammareri, who lives, said he was caught up in the violence and was pepper sprayed from a distance.

'People were vomiting from the pepper spray and running into people's homes to get water,' he said.

Disturbing new details have emerged about a violent riot that erupted outside a church after its bishop was allegedly stabbed several times by a teenage boy

Up to 2,000 furious locals gathered outside Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydney 's south-west, after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was allegedly attacked

Police and local residents' cars were smashed in the melee outside the church on Monday night, with the extent of the damage becoming clear on Tuesday morning

Dominic Cammareri, (pictured) who lives nearby, said he was caught up in the violence and was pepper sprayed from a distance

He blamed the power of social media for the way things escalated so dramatically.

'If it wasn't for social media, the police would have arrived before the people rioting and this wouldn't have happened,' he said.

'They wanted blood. It was a great build-up of mayhem.

'My only concern was for the bishop's welfare. He is recovering but I don't think he'll be released from hospital any time soon.'

Nearby Welcome Street was covered in shattered glass and rubbish on Tuesday morning.

Bricks were seen sprawled across the ground, while wooden fence palings which had been torn off and used as weapons were also left behind.

Plastic bottles, a vape and odd shoes were also scattered along the road and nature strip.

A group of neighbours understood to be members of the church used brooms and shovels to try and clean up some of the debris as camera crews lined the usually quiet street.

Nearby Welcome Street was covered in shattered glass and rubbish on Tuesday morning

Bricks were seen sprawled across the ground, while wooden fence palings which had been torn off and used as weapons were also left behind

A group of neighbours understood to be members of the church used brooms and shovels to try and clean up some of the debris as camera crews lined the usually quiet street

Jaklin Bityou was at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church with her husband when the horror unfolded.

Her teenage daughter, Mary Anoya, was watching the live-stream from home with her aunt and grandmother when she saw Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel stabbed several times, knowing her parents were also potentially in danger.

Ms Bityou and her husband were not in the same room as the bishop at the time of the attack but were nearby in the hall.

Ms Bityou said they weren't able to leave until 11pm and her car is still sitting in the church parking lot, being dusted for fingerprints by forensic officers.

'I'm still shaking, it was horrible, we just heard people screaming,' she said.

'We heard the bishop had been stabbed in his eye.'

Jaklin Bityou (pictured with her teenage daughter Mary Anoya) was at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church with her husband when the horror unfolded

Ms Bityou said her car is still sitting in the church parking lot, being dusted for fingerprints by forensic officers

The 16-year-old accused of stabbing Bishop Emmanuel had recently been given a good behaviour bond for knife crime.

Ms Bityou and her daughter said the church had a strong sense of community and everybody knew each other.

She said churchgoers had seen the alleged offender wandering the perimeter of the church before the attack and said he stood out from the regular parishioners.

'He knew the service was being live-streamed and he waited for the camera to turn on before the (alleged) attack,' Mary said.

'I was just watching the livestream with my auntie and grandma and they let out the biggest screams.

'It's terrifying, it's something you wouldn't expect.'

Ms Bityou said she was able to contact her family to let them know she was okay.

She said while the actions of those rioting were not acceptable, their anger was coming from a 'place of love' for the bishop.

Local resident Lina Davis was among those outraged by the reaction of the mob

Jaklin Bityou said while the actions of those rioting were not acceptable, their anger was coming from a 'place of love' for the bishop.

Jaklin Bityou said the church had a strong sense of community and everybody knew each other.

It comes as the 16-year-old accused of stabbing Bishop Emmanuel had recently been given a good behaviour bond for knife crime.

The teenager was charged with a number of offences after an incident at a Sydney train station in November last year, reported the ABC.

The charges included possessing a flick knife, being armed with a weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, stalking and/or intimidation and recklessly destroy or damage property.

He had been on bail before a court appearance in January where the charges were 'proven' but dismissed with the good behaviour bond.

The outlet reported there were no supervision orders in place when he allegedly carried out the attack on Monday night.
Woman sentenced to over six years in prison

The woman convicted of killing two young tradies on the Sunshine Coast has sobbed in court as powerful victim impact statements were read at her sentencing hearing on Tuesday - with the mother of one recalling how she missed her son's last breath by minutes.

Kelly Renee Liddicoat, 44 was sentenced in the Maroochydore District Court on Tuesday afternoon to to six and a half years in prison.

She will be eligible for parole on April 15, 2026. The 181 days she has spent in custody was declared as time served.

Liddicoat had been found guilty of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance in the Maroochydore District Court on October 18, 2023, which caused her to hit and kill Baringa man Lleyton Bartlett, 22, and Currimundi man Aaron Pitt, 25, with a white BMW.

At the time, April 21, 2022, the duo were performing a good Samaritan act of repairing a broken down bus on Nambour Connection Rd at Woombye on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Currimundi man Aaron Pitt, 25, was killed after he was hit by Liddicoat's white BMW while repairing a bus

Judge Williamson told Liddicoat that the her ability to drive had been affected by the 'cocktail' of prescription drugs' she had taken and which she had been warned about.

'You should have ceased driving, but you did not,' he said.

Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks read three victim impact statements written by the families of Mr Bartlett and Mr Pitt at the sentencing hearing.

In the first statement read by Ms Marks from Mr and Mrs Bartlett, the grieving parents wrote of 'the pure joy' their son had brought into their lives and how 'they miss him terribly'.

They wrote Mr Bartlett's had 'his whole life ahead of him and his death has impacted 'every aspect' of their lives.

Baringa man Lleyton Bartlett, 22, was killed after being run over by Liddicoat's white BMW

In the heartbreaking statement, Mrs Bartlett tragically recalled the day her son died, writing that, 'After seeing him for myself, I was broken. I missed his last breath by only four minutes.'

'No words can describe the depths of my despair of that moment,' she wrote.

Mrs Bartlett wrote that Mr Bartlett's brother had 'lost his anchor' and how he had looked up to his brother.

She revealed the family had left the Sunshine Coast and she struggles to navigate her world 'without Lleyton in it'.

Mrs Bartlett wrote of how much she misses her son and how 'the nightmares never seem to go away'.

Liddicoat was sentenced on Tuesday in the Maroochydore District Court on a charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance

She concluded by writing, 'Every morning I wake up and think to myself, 'I am one step closer to seeing him. We miss him so much.'

Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks then read a victim impact statement written by Mrs Pitt, the mother of Mr Pitt, who wrote, 'We started our life sentence on the day Aaron died.'

Mrs Pitt said her son had been 'enjoying life so much' and went on to recount the horrific moment she was told of her son's death.

'The doctor came into the room and sat down with us and proceeded to tell us that they did everything they could to save Aaron, but ultimately, due to the severity of his injuries, he died.

All I could hear was the cry of anguish from my husband. I felt totally numb,' she wrote.

The impact statement revealed how Mrs Pitt and her husband were 'forever scarred' after seeing their son in hospital and how she is triggered by the sight of men in hi-vis clothing, the sound of sirens and seeing CDC buses.

She concluded by writing: 'Our sons are victims who no longer have a voice', and requested the court consider the maximum sentence for Liddicoat.

The final victim impact statement read to the court by Ms Marks was written by Mr Pitt. He recalled telling family members of his son's death.

'I could barely speak and I remember their cries of terror,' he wrote.

He wrote of the final moments with his son in hospital, 'I could not leave the hospital without seeing and holding my son', and how this vision of him on haunts him every night and every morning.

The Crown Prosecutor choked on these words as she read them to the court.

Mr Pitt wrote how his son had recently begun dating a woman just before he was killed.

She worked at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in the emergency resuscitation unit and had tragically seen Mr Pitt as he was rushed in to the hospital.

Writing how he is 'devastated' not having his son around and is now 'not the same person' without his son, he also requested the maximum sentence for Liddicoat.

'No sentence will ever come close to easing our pain,' he wrote. 'The defendant made her choice, and now we have to deal with the consequences.'
Progressive Oakland District Attorney Pamela Price is set to face a recall after just 15 months, with a mass movement to get rid of her getting enough signatures over the soaring crime rate in the area.

Alameda County DA Price has been under pressure over the soaring levels of crime in the Bay Area city, with a recall effort she has claimed is 'financed by billionaires' and based in 'hatred and racism' gaining momentum.

Price herself has taken over $1 million from three political action committees funded by left-wing billionaire George Soros, according to the Washington Times.

Save Alameda For Everyone (SAFE) has gotten the 73,195 valid signatures required to trigger a recall election against Price, according to the Registrar of Voters.

The city's board of supervisors says they will discuss the recall on April 30 at a meeting but those involved with the recall campaign are demanding it be scheduled within the next 125 days, according to California State law.

Progressive Oakland District Attorney Pamela Price is set to face a recall after just 15 months, with a mass movement to get rid of her getting enough signatures over the soaring crime rate in the area

Save Alameda For Everyone (SAFE) has gotten the 73,195 valid signatures required to trigger a recall election against Price, according to the Registrar of Voters.

Price was elected in 2022 as the county's first black district attorney with 53 percent of the vote and a liberal wish list of policies including reducing mass incarceration, lower sentences for people under the age of 25 and police reform.

Those sponsoring the recall have said she's gone too far in her leniency on crime and isn't making the county safe.

'Today marks a historic moment for our community,' said Brenda Grisham, an organizer with SAFE.

'The resounding support for this recall petition sends a clear message that the people of Alameda County demand accountability and ethical leadership from their elected officials.'

The recall campaign has raised over $2 million and has hired a consultant who successfully took out woke San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin in 2022, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

That has progressives who still back Price suggesting the effort is funded by carpet baggers and real estate lobbyists.

The largest donation was $390,000 from Oakland resident and financier Phillip Dreyfuss.

Price herself has yet to comment on the recall efforts, DailyMail.com has reached out to her office.

Oakland's district attorney Pamela Price has vowed to fight against the 'hatred and racism' as she faces a possible recall vote after just 14 months in charge

Crime has continued to spiral on Price's watch, up by almost 20 percent in 2023 compared to 2019. A woman is pictured being dragged by her bag during a mugging in Oakland

In the past, she claimed the campaign against her is being 'financed by billionaires who have no interest in public safety', according to the Chronicle.

'I plan to push back against the hatred and racism that they have brought to Alameda County,' Price said in March, following a panel with other county prosecutors at the University of California, Berkeley.

It comes after she was accused of regularly dubbing 'the media and the Asians' as her enemies in a bombshell $1.5 million legal filing.

Patti Lee, who worked as Price's spokesperson for around six months last year until she fired her, said the DA 'constantly and openly' made derogatory comments about Asian Americans.

Her legal claim - a precursor to a lawsuit - says that she was fired because of anti-Asian discrimination, and after she complained about breaches of duty in the office.

She is seeking a $1.5 million settlement for emotional distress stemming from retaliation, discrimination, wrongful termination and failure to pay wages.

Oakland saw crime soar by 21 percent between 2022 and 2023. Robberies rose by 38 percent, while vehicle theft rocketed by 45 percent.

The dystopian city saw 15,000 cars stolen last year - meaning roughly one in every 30 of its residents had their car stolen.

Price, who was previously a civil rights lawyer, became the county's first black district attorney when she was elected in 2022

An Apple store in Oakland was raided by a customer who yanked multiple iPhones off their stands earlier this week. The Bay Area city has become synonymous with soaring crime and prosecutors seemingly unable to tackle it

Oakland's only In-N-Out Burger announced it is closing amid a spate of crimes against its patrons, including break-ins such as this

In-N-Out Burger closed its only restaurant in the city over a spate of break-ins in its parking lot - the only closure in the chain's 70 year history.

A nearby Denny's also closed, with California Governor Gavin Newsom sending in his own prosecutors in a bid to try and clear up the mess.

Oakland's similarly progressive Mayor Sheng Thao is facing her own recall over the chaos after the city's reputation crumbled on her watch.
A transgender woman who identified as a vampire has been convicted of sexually terrorizing a 16-year-old Wisconsin girl with learning difficulties - while under investigating for a strangling a man to death in her home.

Adam 'Sabrina' Hetke, 35, has already been jailed twice for sex offences against women dating back to 2007, and police warned that she had a 'high probability to reoffend' when she was released in 2016.

But she was free to scare the young teen into jumping out of her bedroom window after following her home from a Waukesha gas station with a knife and sexually assaulting her in July 2021.

Just weeks before the sex assault, Hetke allegedly admitted strangling a man to death in Milwaukee, after telling a friend: 'I killed him. God can't bring him back but I can because I'm the devil.'

It was only after she assaulted the 16-year-old that she was arrested for murder.

Adam 'Sabrina' Hetke, 35, has been jailed twice for sex offences dating back to 2007

Police warned she had a 'high probability to reoffend' when released in 2016

Hetke is due to stand trial for the murder of mentally disabled 28-year-old Vydale Thompson-Moody who was strangled to death at Hetke's home in Milwaukee two months earlier

Police noted that Hetke had begun identifying as a woman when she was freed again on mandatory release in November 2020 after serving her latest sentence for sexual assault.

Five months later she was living with three women in a house in the Concordia neighborhood of Milwaukee when she invited a young man with learning difficulties around.

Vydale Thompson-Moody, 28, was found dead in the house the following morning with a 15-foot electrical cord underneath him and marks to his neck and forehead.

One of his housemates told police that Hetke had been bullying Thompson-Moody and wrapped a cord around his neck.

She said Hetke said he was removing demons from Thompson-Moody as she tightened the cord but was pulled off her victim by the housemates who eventually went to sleep, only to find their guest dead the next morning.

Hetke was arrested within 24 hours and told police Thompson-Moody had been 'possessed by a demon' and stabbing himself in the chest with tongs before wrapping the cord around his own neck.

She claimed she had succeeded in exorcising the 'demon' and was discharged days later on administrative release as investigators struggled to pin charges on her.

Thompson-Moody's mother Serena took matters into her own hands and managed to track down another of the housemates who told her that Hetke had admitted wanting to kill her son for being 'disrespectful'.

She took her findings to police who decided to re-interview the housemates, one of whom said that Hetke had admitted the killing immediately after being released from their custody.

One said he was afraid of Hetke, who claimed she could inject demons into people's bodies, the witness said.

The evidence was enough for police to re-arrest Hetke, but not before she had sexually assaulted the teenage girl in Waukesha, threatened her with a knife and warned her that she was a vampire.

'Being that they let this person go and commit another crime, it hurt,' Serena Thompson said. 'It could've been prevented.'

Thompson-Moody's mother Serena was instrumental in tracking down witnesses for the case

Serena said that after his death she discovered a letter revealing her son had been accepted to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Hetke was charged three days later with first-degree sexual assault with a dangerous weapon and second-degree sexual assault of a mentally disabled person.

She was given two examinations to check whether she could plead not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, but both found she was sane.

She was convicted of both counts by a jury last week and is due to be sentenced on June 7.

Two weeks after she was arrested in Waukesha, she was charged with Thompson-Moody's homicide.

Kent Lovern, the Milwaukee County Chief Deputy District Attorney told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel it was 'important for us to receive additional information related to the investigation before issuing criminal charges'.

Serena Thompson said: 'Vydale would have wanted me to be persistent. I will never give up on him.'

Vydale's grandfather Thomas Lloyd said his grandson struggled to tell when people wanted to do him harm. 'He never met a person he couldn't be a friend to,' he explained.

'He was just friendly. He didn't think people could hurt him. I'm sure people took advantage of him because of how he was.'

And he praised his daughter for finding the evidence to put Hetke on trial.

'She hustled and got that evidence, I'm proud of her to have done that.'

She said that after his death she discovered a letter revealing her son had been accepted to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

'I was so proud,' she said. 'He didn't like taking no for an answer.

'You couldn't tell him that his disability would stop him. He just wanted to be recognized as any other human being.'
Guests at an 80th birthday bash believe a batch of ham and pea soup, which took the party's host three days to make, was behind 11 people falling violently ill.

As many as 64 guests arrived at the party on Hope Street in Norman Park, Brisbane, at 3.30pm on Sunday to celebrate the 80th birthday of John Weir.

Emergency services were immediately called after 11 guests became ill experiencing severe gastro symptoms including fatigue, dizziness, nausea and fainting.

Guests suspect a batch of pea and ham soup, which was cooked by Mr Weir himself and took three days to make, was to blame.

Things took a turn during the speeches when one woman fainted and another fell to the floor.

Guests at John Weir's (pictured) 80th birthday party suspect his 'infamous' pea and ham soup was the cause of 11 people falling violently ill

Paramedics assessed a total of 10 elderly guests at the home before taking six of them to Princess Alexander, Mater and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospitals

All six guests taken to hospital have since been discharged and are doing well.

Emergency services were later called to another home in Shorncliffe at midnight after receiving reports a woman, who was also a guest at the party, was experiencing similar symptoms.

She was taken to Princess Charles Hospital in a stable condition.

Kellie Peta, who attended the party with her dad to celebrate his best friend's birthday, said the soup looked 'watery and gross'.

'The birthday boy was very late and made his 'infamous' pea and ham soup which dad and I were laughing about and everyone was making a fuss over,' Ms Peta told the Courier Mail.

'Someone sat next to me that had the pea and ham soup and it looked watery and gross.

'Dad and I were making a bit of a joke about the quality of uncle John's infamous pea and ham.'

One guest said the pea and ham soup - which took Mr Weir three days to make - looked 'watery and gross' (stock image)

Paramedics assessed 10 elderly guests at the home before taking six to hospital for treatment. They have all since been discharged and are doing well

When guests started getting sick, Ms Peta turned to her dad and joked that it was due to the infamous soup.

Police have ruled out food poisoning as the likely cause after Queensland Fire and Emergency Services tested the food and found no toxic substances present.

Police have not made an official determination on what caused the sickness - but many believe it was the pea and ham soup as those who fell sick all had a serving.

Birthday boy Mr Weir had little to say about the incident, joking that he was glad he did not get sick.

'Oh the pea and ham, oh Christ,' Mr Weir told 9News. 'Oh, I feel really, really sorry for them. Thank God it's not me.'
A man has been arrested after reports of an attempted rape of a woman as she walked near Tooting Common.

The woman called police in the early hours of Sunday morning, April 14, to report the incident in south London.

The alleged victim is being supported by specialist officers as police investigate what happened.

The Met Police said it arrested a 20-year-old male following the report on suspicion of attempted rape and he remains in custody.

Scotland Yard is appealing for witnesses or anyone who might have any information about what happened to get in touch.

The incident is alleged to have taken place in Tooting Common in the early hours of Sunday morning. Pictured: A file image of Tooting Common

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: 'An investigation is under way after police received a report of an attempted rape in Tooting.

'Police were called at around 2.50am on Sunday, 14 April after the incident on Tooting Common.

'The woman who reported the incident is being supported by specialist officers.

'A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and remains in police custody.

'Any witnesses are asked to call police on 101 or 'X' @MetCC and quote CAD931/14Apr.

'You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'
He was tailed to the Central Coast by freelance photographers

Bruce Lehrmann made a frantic dash up the highway and out of Sydney in the moments after he was branded a rapist by a Federal Court judge, seeking refuge from media inside a police station.

Lehrmann found out he lost his lengthy defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson on Monday morning when Justice Michael Lee handed down his 324-page judgement.

The judge found, on a balance of probabilities, that Lehrmann did rape Brittany Higgins inside Parliament House in the early hours of March 23, 2019 - despite his insistence to the contrary.

The findings were an unexpected blow for Lehrmann, who brought the legal action on himself, and he apparently couldn't wait to get out of the court on Monday.

Together with his lawyers, he charged from the court, dodging television cameras and reporters with microphones, and refusing to answer questions like, 'how humiliating is this for you?' and 'was it worth it?'

He was chased across the road on foot and into his lawyer's office, before he left the office and jumped in a borrowed Mazda CX9 and drove to the Central Coast.

One freelance photographer told Daily Mail Australia that Lehrmann knew he was being followed and drove around Lane Cove and the M1 motorway trying unsuccessfully to lose the cameras.

Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) bolted from the court to his lawyers office on Monday, before he fled Sydney

Bruce Lehrmann sought refuge inside Gosford Police Station (pictured)

Following a pursuit around Sydney's lower north shore, the pair wound up travelling along North Connex before a woman in a white utility appeared to try to block the photographer's view.

According to the freelancer, the aim was to block so his view so he couldn't see Lehrmann exit the highway.

But that didn't work either.

Eventually, he was tailed all the way to Avoca, which is about 100km north of Sydney.

'He came up to north Avoca, past a cop shop, then called out to some cops who were walking by, and drove another lap around,' the photographer said.

'He went up the road and around a cul-de-sac, then drove past the cop shop again and then carried on like that.

Lehrmann then pulled up to a police officer for help, before the photographer shouted out his car window: 'We're news and that's Bruce Lehrmann.'

He said: 'The cop looked at me and looked at him, and he didn't care.'

Lehrmann then abandoned the car in a No Stopping zone outside Gosford Police Station and bolted inside, before officers drove him to an undisclosed location for his own safety.

Brittany Higgins wore a white pencil dress (pictured) on the night she alleges she was raped. Bruce Lehrmann is pictured standing next to her in a light blue shirt

Police called the photographer later to verify he was news media, rather than a dangerous stalker.

When asked how Lehrmann was doing, the officer said: 'Yeah, he's alright.'

Police are not investigating the matter.

The situation unfolded in the hours after Lehrmann's defamation case backfired.

Lehrmann sued over an interview Ms Higgins did with Wilkinson on Network Ten's program The Project in February 2021, during which she aired her rape allegations against him for the first time.

He wasn't named in that broadcast but claimed friends and colleagues were able to identify him as Ms Higgins' rapist. He strongly denied raping Ms Higgins and launched defamation action over in a bid to clear his name.

However, on Monday, Justice Lee found that Lehrmann brought Ms Higgins back to a 'secluded place', being the ministerial suite, after a night out with colleagues for the purpose of having sex with her.

He said Lehrmann was 'hell-bent' on having sex with Ms Higgins, that he knew she was very drunk and didn't consider whether she consented to sexual intercourse.
A 300million mansion is at the centre of a High Court battle between an exiled Russian businessman and a Putin sanctioned oligarch, with the winner set to claim London's largest private house.

Alexander Gorbachev has taken Andrey Guryev to court in London over claims he is owed shares in the fertiliser firm PhosAgro.

Gorbachev, not a relation of former Soviet Union leader Mikhail, claimed he had a handshake agreement with billionaire Guryev that he would be given a share in the latter's business.

If his claim is successful, Gorbachev could be given ownership of the 25-bedroom Witanhurst House in the plush postcode of Highgate, north London.

The Grade II* listed Georgian-style mansion boasts an underground village and starred as the backdrop for BBC's Fame Academy in the early noughties.

As part of the court battle between the two ownership of Witanhurst, which is the largest private home in London after Buckingham Palace and is owned by Mr Guryev, could change hand

Alexander Gorbachev (pictured left) is suing his former business partner Andrey Guryev (right) for a share of a Russian fertiliser firm

A graphic showing how the underground village beneath Witanhurst House might look

An interior shot of the dining room at Witanhurst from its time on Fame Academy, when it was redressed with plush surroundings and, in the corner, a large screen print of Elvis Presley

Pictures of the house from its Fame Academy days - showing its plush fixtures and fittings and ornate decoration

In its BBC era the house also featured Andy Warhol-style prints of the Beatles (above) in its grand entrance hall, alongside gold discs to inspire its hopefuls

A shot of the inside of Witanhurst during its tenure as the Fame Academy house - showing its grand ceilings and doorways

Gorbachev has alleged Guryev offered only $30million (23m) for his share of the business after he was forced out of Russia and given asylum in the UK; when he rejected this, Gorbachev was told he had no right to any share in PhosAgro.

The Grade II* listed home is one of Guryev's few known assets in the UK, and Mr Gorbachev's representatives expect him to try and claim the 25-bedroom Highgate estate if he wins, The Times reports.

The building will be recognisable to some as the grand estate once featured on the BBC's Fame Academy - a short-lived challenger to ITV's mighty Pop Idol.

Contestants stayed in the mansion's plush accommodation as they were whittled down - with songwriter David Sneddon and now-retired singer Alex Parks its only two winners.

Sneddon, who hails from Paisley near Glasgow in Scotland, has since carved out an enviable career writing songs for the likes of Lana Del Rey, Lewis Capaldi and Louis Tomlinson.

The grand house itself reportedly boasts 65 rooms, including 25 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and a walnut-panelled ballroom - some of which was seen on TV screen more than two decades ago.

Since then, the estate has been transformed with a host of new additions.

It now boasts a subterranean complex of saunas, a cinema, a games room, a hair salon, staff quarters and even a car park with room for 25 vehicles. It connects to a 70ft swimming pool on the site.

The estate also has 'The Orangery' - an additional, modern, Georgian-style house that was built on the site of a demolished wing around the same time.

It has living rooms, a kitchen and a media centre, with direct access to the underground village. Plans for the additions were signed off more than a decade ago after back-and-forths with Camden borough council.

Guryev, Russias 28th richest man with a fortune of 2.6billion, is also believed to own a penthouse in Vauxhall, which is close to the headquarters of MI6.

The feud between the pair and their subsequent High Court battle, which got underway yesterday, has been complicated by Guryev being sanctioned by the British government in relation to the war in Ukraine.

Guryev, who is an ally of autocratic Russian leader Vladimir Putin, will give evidence to Mr Justice Pelling KC in Dubai, with his own solicitors paying the trial judge's flights and accommodation fees.

Gorbachev claims he and Guryev ran mining firm Apatit in the late 1990s, with the business being owned by Menatep Group, a holding company of Mikhail Khordokovksy.

After the arrest of Khordokovsky in 2003 on tax evasion and fraud charges, Guryev convinced the Russian billionaire to sign over his shares in PhosAgro to him.

Khordokovsky would later be jailed, and fled to Britain following his release from prison in 2013, where he was granted asylum.

Witanhurst starred as the backdrop for the BBC's Fame Academy in 2002 and 2003 (pictured: the line-up at the mansion for the second series)

Witanhurst House is a Grade II* listed mansion in the heart of Highgate, north London. Pictured: The site during construction of the 'Orangery' house (left, in scaffolding) and other additions including a basement space, which were approved in 2011

The ownership of the house could change hands following a court battle between a Russian exile living in Britain and an oligarch with links to Vladimir Putin

An aerial view of the Witanhurst estate in Highgate, north London, which is owned by Guryev

Gorbachev, who was born in Moscow in 1962 and served as chairman of PhosAgro, fled to Britain from Khordokovsky's arrest.

He says he was forced to leave to avoid politically motivated fraud charges and was granted asylum in the UK in 2005.

He says that while in London he was offered $30million - the equivalent of around 23million - for his share in the business.

When he rejected the offer, he claims he was told he was not entitled to any share of PhosAgro, and has since taken the matter to court.

Both Guryev and Gorbachev have asked Mr Justice Pelling to act as a special examiner for the former at a meeting in Dubai.

During the meeting, which is taking place at the Dubai International Financial Centre, he will question Guryev about the case and take evidence from him.

Guryev came to public prominance last year after ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt tried to buy his superyacht, the Alfa Nero.

The yacht, which has been abandoned in Antigua and Barbuda since March 2022, was due to be auctioned off by the Caribbean nation.

Schmidt won the auction with a bid of $67.6million (52.5million), but withdrew after Guryev's daughter challenged the decision in court.

Andrey Guryev (left) pictured with Vladimir Putin (centre) at a visit to the city of Cherepovets in Russia in 2020

PhosAgro is one of Russia's biggest chemical firms. Pictured: A PhosAgro PJSC plant in Cherepovets, Russia

The 267ft vessel can sleep 12 guests and contains a swimming pool that turns into a helipad.

While Guryev denied he owned the superyacht, his daughter, Yulia Gurieva-Motlokhov, later stepped forward to claim it.

After the government lifted sanctions on the vessel, officials in Antigua auctioned it off despite Gurieva-Motlokhov's attempts to block the sale.

Bloomberg reported that following this, her lawyers have been appealing to courts in Antigua to void the transaction.

According to the The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Guryev is a known close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The OFAC said that he had previously served in the Russian Government from 2001 until 2013.
Teachers did not report a Muslim convert to officials when they found a picture of Osama bin Laden as his phone background before the FBI caught him plotting a terror attack on the Isle of Wight music festival.

The teenager, now 16, was being closely monitored in late 2021 by five tutors at a specialist education provider.

However, one teacher dismissed the screensaver of the al-Qaeda leader when they saw it on his phone saying he 'was often trying to shock people with what he said'.

The same tutor also said the schoolboy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told him he had become involved in an online anti-gay group 'with Muslims in it' before his conversion.

Staff had considered referring him to the Government's Prevent anti-radicalisation programme but the teenager became angry when he heard about this, a trial heard.

Yesterday, he was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court to seven years in jail, with one year extended licences for preparing acts of terrorism, possession of a knife and disseminating terrorist publications.

A terrorist teenager who plotted an attack on the Isle of Wight music festival has a picture of Osama Bin Laden as his phone screensaver - but teachers did not report him to the authorities

The court heard the boy searched for knives, stab vests and pick-up trucks and researched the Isle of Wight event's security arrangements

After changing his plan to attack Isle of Wight Festival in June 2022, the boy allegedly drew up 'alternative targets for a knife attack'

The court heard the boy searched for knives, stab vests and pick-up trucks and researched the Isle of Wight event's security arrangements before abandoning the plan because he couldn't drive or find a vehicle.

He instead decided to 'slice' the throat of a teacher at his special educational unit who he believed had insulted Islam but was eventually arrested.

UK counter terrorism police became aware of the teenager as a result of information shared by the FBI from instant messaging platform Discord.

He was arrested on the day of his planned festival attack and found with a knife in his rucksack and notes saying farewell to his mother and grandmother and begging them to become Muslim.

A court heard that since his arrest, the youth - who cannot be named - has been involved in 18 separate offences of attacking staff at a detention centre and using makeshift weapons.

On March 9, following the end of his trial, police found graffiti about 'Islamic matters' on his cell wall at Feltham Young Offenders' Institution, the judge was told.

In one online exchange, the youth was warned by another user on Instagram: 'If they get your phone it's curtains' but boasted: 'Nah, even if I do get caught I'm 15 they will just tell me off and put me on some prevention course trust me.'

Sentencing him to seven years in youth custody, Mrs Justice McGowan said the youth was an 'isolated and troubled young man who looked for the fellowship and comfort of religious faith' and 'came to believe it was acceptable to kill those who insulted his faith.'

The rucksack which contained the knife, with stab marks, was seized by police after the teenager's plan for the atrocity was foiled

The by wrote to his mother saying that 'anything which happens did not be caused by you and what you limited me from doing'

The youth was found with a handwritten note titled 'To My Family' in the event anything happened to him, which said whatever he did would be 'driven by hatred of the 'kuffar'

She told him: 'You thought about killing two people who offended you and your religion - both those two people had tried to help you.'

The annual Isle of Wight music festival took place between June 16 and 19 2022 with an attendance of around 90,000.

In the days before, the boy made four searches for a 'fast lorry' and 21 for pickup trucks and Ford trucks.

He performed 21 searches for knives at Waitrose and B&Q and also looked for hunting knives and swords.

Another convert, aged 16 messaged the youth via Instagram on July 4, asking: 'I heard you were going to attack the festival, is this true?'

The boy replied: 'Correct. But I had no car.'

Instead, the youth planned to attack individuals who worked at the educational unit for pupils with 'complex needs' where he was studying.

On July 6, the told another Discord user that he was planning to do an attack 'for Allah' and that he 'stole a knife from a kafir 2day.'

When asked, 'What's the plan?' he responded: 'To slaughter a kafir.'

He was asked to swear that he was telling the truth and responded 'wallahi' - I swear by god.

The festival in 2022 was attended by a total of 90,000 people and featured performances from the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Madness, Kasabian and Happy Mondays

The teenager also searched the internet for 'Jihadi John', the Islamic State executioner

The youth, who had the screen name TawhidOverKufir - meaning 'god over disbelief' - planned his attack for July 11, 2022 but was arrested that afternoon.

His bag was searched and a stainless steel kitchen knife recovered, along with a series of handwritten notes.

One note on a torn off piece of card, stated: 'Did you think you could commit major sins such as eating pork. We see ur aggression. Stay away from the Muslims unless you want your throat sliced.'

A second note, titled 'To My Family' had the word 'Mum' and read: 'Please know that anything which happens did not be caused by you [sic] and what you limited me from doing. Rather if anything does happen then it was fueled by my hatred to the kuffar.'

The youth was also found guilty of sharing links to graphic ISIS propaganda videos called Ma Vengeance - 'My revenge' - and 'O Disbelievers of the World.'

He appeared in the dock wearing a white shirt buttoned to the neck and dark trousers and was jailed for seven years with one year extended licences for preparing acts of terrorism, possession of a knife and disseminating terrorist publications.

The judge declined to lift his anonymity.

The teenager had converted to Islam in the autumn of 2021 and it was initially seen as having a positive impact by his mother and teachers.

However, within a few months, his views hardened and he had to be provided with taxis to get to school because he refused to travel with women.

Around March or April, staff at the educational unit considered referring the boy to the Prevent de-radicalisation programme but, instead, sessions were arranged with a local imam so the youth could explore his religion further in a safe context.

However, he posted to Instagram users that 'some so-called Muslim' was coming to talk to him about 'anti-terrorism', adding: 'As if I'm gonna listen.'

Between February and May 2022, he looked up terms including the 'ISIS Paris Attacks,' 'Charlie Hebdo attack' and 'Jihadi John', the ISIS executioner.

Following the boy's arrest, one tutor was interviewed by police and recalled a general conversation where he had been talking to the youth about belief and made a brief 'doodle' to illustrate a concept.

The youth was found with a rucksack that had several stab marks and a knife inside it

A search of the teenager's internet history showed that in the months before the festival, he had searched for 'Jihadi John,' ISIS Paris attacks' and 'Charlie Hebdo' (Pictured: French firefighters load one of the three people injured into a waiting ambulance near the former offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo)

The youth asked whether it was a picture of god and replied that it was 'just a shape to illustrate our thoughts.'

Another tutor said he had told the boy he had a girlfriend who worked in a meat packing plant and made an 'ill-advised joke' that she was packing 'pork chops in the shape of the Prophet Mohammed.'

The court heard the boy's father committed suicide and the boy was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of five but was described as 'bright, articulate and capable of exchanging ideas with others.'

Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright, head of Thames Valley Police's Counter Terrorism Policing South East, said: 'We know that terrorist groups use their toxic rhetoric to try to exploit vulnerable people.

'This case was particularly concerning because a teenager had gone so far as taking active steps to prepare for an attack. Thanks to a swift response we were able to stop him, and he has now been sentenced to imprisonment as a result of his actions.

'Where we can, we really do prefer to intervene early and divert young people away from extremism long before it gets to this point.

'So if you are worried that someone you know is being drawn down a path of extremism, please do act by telling someone. There is support and advice available through ACT Early and Action Counters Terrorism.'
A Queensland Greens MP has made an emotional return to state parliament, two months after being seriously injured in a car crash.

Amy MacMahon on Tuesday said her recovery was far from over despite having been on medical leave since the two-car collision at a busy Brisbane intersection on February 12.

But she was grateful to be back at work after suffering head and suspected spinal injuries in the Kangaroo Point crash.

Dr MacMahon was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition after her Toyota Prius and a Hyundai i30 collided.

'I returned to parliament today after two months of medical leave following a car crash and I have some recovery ahead of me but I'm feeling immensely grateful to be back at work,' she told parliament on Tuesday.

Queensland Greens MP Amy MacMahon (pictured) has made an emotional return to state parliament, two months after being seriously injured in a car crash

The MP had left a function and was on her way to another community event when the collision occurred.

Dr MacMahon said Greens Brisbane city councillor Trina Massey had called an ambulance and stayed with her until help arrived.

She thanked Ms Massey and members of parliament who reached out during her recovery along with the community, parliamentary and Greens staff as well as emergency services.

'Most importantly thank you to the doctors, nurses, paramedics and allied health workers at the Princess Alexandra Hospital for their ongoing care,' she said.

Dr MacMahon said she was grateful to be back at work after suffering head and suspected spinal injuries in the Kangaroo Point (pictured) crash

'I am a product of the public health system and I stand here today thanks to them.'

Rani Paige Lowry was charged over the crash and appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on March 14.

Police allege Lowry was driving the Hyundai i30 at more than 80km/h in a 60km zone and a passenger asked her to slow down before the incident.

Lowry is on bail, with her matter adjourned until April 22.
The National Portrait Gallery is facing backlash after wrongly claiming that an art dealer built his career using money from slavery, according to a relative.

Donald Gajadhar, the great-great-grandson of art dealer Edward Fox White, spotted the slur when he visited the gallery last summer.

In the caption, placed next to a portrait of Mr White, the gallery claimed that a payout he received for freeing slaves was used to 'establish and sustain' his career.

However, his relative says 'the claim simply isn't true' and has asked for a public retraction and an apology following the smear.

Mr Gajadhar told The Telegraph: 'They had no evidence that his (Mr White's) father-in-law, Moses Gomes Silva, gave him any money from his slave compensation.

He added: 'It seems to me that it was put there to tick some boxes, but that's not right, they should have done their due diligence.'

Pictured: The oil painting of oil painting of Edward Fox White, by French artist James Tissot, which has been the source of the tension after the Gallery claimed Mr White built his career using money from slavery in the caption

Donald Gajadhar, a descendent of Mr White, spotted the slur while visiting the gallery last summer

The National Portrait Gallery has removed any reference to slavery from the caption and curators have admitted there is no evidence for the link

Mr Gajadhar said it made him feel as though the gallery had an 'agenda' which was 'more important to them than the facts.'

The full caption read: 'White's first marriage linked him to a wealthy Sephardic Portuguese Jewish family who had owned Jamaican sugar plantations.

'Following Abolition in 1836, White's future father-in-law received a 'large amount' of compensation for 28 enslaved Africans  money that would later help establish and sustain White's career.'

The National Portrait Gallery has removed any reference to slavery from the caption, pertaining to 'insufficient direct evidence'.

Who was Edward Fox White? (1828-1900)

Edward Fox White was an art dealer who opened his first picture gallery in Glasgow in 1854. Mr White moved to Mayfair in London where he set up a premises based in St James. He dealt in etchings, watercolours and oil paintings from top artists of the day including Turner, Tissot, Gainsborough and Courbet. Two of his sons, Edward Silva White and Edward Fox White, went on to set up the fine art dealers business 'E & E White'. Another one of his sons was a British geographer and administrator and founded the British Scottish Geographical Society in 1884. Source: fox-white.com Advertisement

Mr Gajadhar, who is a descendant of slaves himself, said he felt compelled to seek clarification from the gallery as the caption didn't align with his own knowledge of his family history.

Edward Fox White opened his first picture gallery in Glasgow in 1854 before moving to Mayfair in London where he established premises in St James.

Mr White dealt in etchings, watercolours and oil paintings of the top artists of the day, including Courbet, Gainsborough, Turner and Tissot.

His sons followed in his footsteps and ran the first E & E Silva White art dealership in London.

The oil painting of Mr White, by French artist James Tissot, was sold by Mr Gajadhur's grandmother in 1988 and is on loan to the National Portrait Gallery.

A spokesperson for the National Portrait Gallery said: 'In the original label for the portrait of Edward Fox White, the text indicated that Whites career benefitted from inheritance money from his father-in-law, Moses Gomes Silva, a sugar plantation owner and merchant who received compensation money following the abolition of slavery.

'Having listened to Mr Gajadhars concerns, the Gallery accepted that there was insufficient direct evidence to show that compensation money received by his father-in-law benefitted Whites financial situation and business.

'Following the correspondence with Mr Gajadhar, we have amended the label, which is on public view next to the portrait.

'We have thanked him for his feedback and would be very happy to continue to discuss the matter with Mr Gajadhar, if there are further areas of concern.'
A British tourist was left in intensive care after being bitten by a venomous snake during a meditation session while on holiday to Cyprus to mark her 40th birthday.

Sam West, 40, from Shifnal, in Shropshire, was bitten by a 5ft-long blunt nosed viper on April 3 as she was getting ready to start a meditation session at the Atlantica Aphrodite Hills hotel.

'It quickly, before I had time to react, bit me just above my left ankle,' she told the BBC.

'I started to shake the snake off as I shouted that I had just been bitten by a snake.'

'My leg was burning and throbbing, the pain was instantaneous,' she added. Hotel staff quickly came to her aid and she was taken to A&E, where she was told she urgently needed anti-venom.

Sam West (pictured), 40, from Shifnal, in Shropshire, was bitten by a 1.5m-long blunt nosed viper on April 3 as she was getting ready to start a meditation session at the Atlantica Aphrodite Hills hotel

She has since relied on a wheelchair to get around after pictures showed her leg being severely bruised and swollen due to the snake bite

Ms West, 40, was staying at the Atlantica Aphrodite Hills hotel in Cyprus when she was bitten

Ms West was bitten by a blunt-nosed viper in Cyprus that was hiding in the greenery around the mediation platform

Ms West, who is on holiday in Cyprus with her wife, had to spend four days in intensive care and another in a different ward.

She was finally discharged to the hotel with medication last Monday.

She has since relied on a wheelchair to get around after pictures showed her leg severely bruised and swollen due to the snake bite.

Ms West is now paying 260 a night for a room with disabled-access.

She is currently waiting on an update from her insurance company on when she could fly back to the UK after not being fit to fly until today.

Ms West said the hotel had cut back the area around the meditation platform where she was bitten and has repeatedly called pest control.

'It quickly, before I had time to react, bit me just above my left ankle. I started to shake the snake off as I shouted that I had just been bitten by a snake,' she told the BBC

Ms West, who is on holiday in Cyprus with her wife, had to spent four days in intensive care and another in a different ward until she was finally discharged to the hotel with medication last Monday

In addition, meditation sessions have since been moved to the hotel's dance studio.

She reportedly received more than 350 messages since the incident and was being supported by TUI staff.

The employees also rushed to her side to help her when she was bitten, Ms West said.

TUI UK & Ireland told the BBC that it was 'aware' of Ms West getting bitten by a viper at the hotel, adding that the safety of the guests was the company's 'highest priority'.
Denmark's historic stock exchange erupted into flames after a fire broke out during renovations in Copenhagen today, leaving locals horrified and authorities scrambling to preserve artifacts of the city's rich history.

A 'large bang' was heard early this morning before the 400-year-old spire collapsed. Dramatic video captured the moment the 183ft monument toppled down into the street below in a burst of orange as bystanders watched on in tears.

'It's horrible. It was one of the city's most beautiful buildings. I pass by here every day It's Notre Dame all over again,' one witness told state broadcaster DR, recounting the horrifying blaze at Paris' historic cathedral five years ago this month.

'So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us, I think. Our own Notre Dame moment,' Danish deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen posted on Twitter/X.

A large police and firefighting presence remains on the scene around the Brsen building, where scaffolding is seen to have collapsed into the inferno. Authorities say the blaze is too risky to tackle from the inside, and that they are trying to limit the damage by closing off what they can.

Surrounding streets in the Danish capital have also been cordoned off and commuters urged to avoid the inner city as authorities desperately try to tackle the fire, with the military drawn in to help manage public safety.

Crowds gathered in disbelief to look on as the building appeared to collapse in on itself. The Brsen, once the financial heart of Denmark, dates back as far as 1625 and contains many precious relics of the country's proud merchant history.

Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Danish Culture Minister, said that 400 years of cultural heritage had gone up in flames as artifacts were hurried out of the fire.

Smoke billows and flames rise around the scaffolding of the old stock exchange in Denmark

Flames engulfing the Copenhagen's Stock Exchange building, in Copenhagen, on April 16

The iconic spire is seen surrounded by collapsing scaffolding early on Tuesday morning

Smoke engulfs the fragile frame of the spire in Copenhagen, Tuesday, April 16

Firefighters expect to be on the scene for 24 hours to stop the ferocious blaze

From a distance, a general view shows the extent of the fire and efforts to stop it spreading

Locals carry paintings and other objects as a fire burns the old Stock Exchange (Boersen) in Copenhagen, Denmark, 16 April 2024

People gather in disbelief as the historic building goes up in flames, on April 16

A man reacts as the Old Stock Exchange burns in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16

The fire began Tuesday morning in the copper roof of the Old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, spread to much of the building and the roof, parts of which also collapsed, and destroyed the building's interior, said firefighters spokesman Jakob Vedsted Andersen.

'The fire is still not under control,' firefighter spokesperson Vedsted Andersen said later this morning, adding that half the building was destroyed and collapsed.

He said that there was no risk of the blaze spreading to other buildings. Firefighters said they expect to be at the scene for the next 24 hours.

'This is crazy, I've never seen such a big fire in my life. The fire has grown, more and more serious, it seems to be spreading to a larger part of the building,' a reporter for local outlet Politiken said from the scene.

Emergency services said they had mobilised 'on a massive scale' to quell the outbreak.

'The fire makes it too dangerous to tackle it from inside the building,' said Jakob Vedsted Andersen, heading the emergency operation.

'Our plan is to block the fire so that it does not spread to the other half (of the building).

'But what we can only ascertain is that it is a very, very extensive fire, which is developing all the time.'

Brian Mikkelsen, director of Dansk Erhverv, Denmark's Chamber of Commerce, was seen helping the efforts to salvage artifacts from the fire.

'We have been able to rescue a lot,' a visibly moved Mikkelsen told reporters. 'It is a national disaster.'

He also took part in saving paintings and other valuables from the flames, and said they had to use tools including like a crowbar to remove them.

Video from the scene showed firefighters battling to rescue historic paintings from the building.

Pictures from the scene showed a group carrying out the monumental 'Fra Kjbenhavns Brs' painting by PS Kryer, apparently undamaged by the fire.

'We are currently working on saving everything that can be saved,' director Morten Langager, said in a post to X.

But fire services were forced to admit there was 'no guarantee' the facade could be saved.

'This is our Notre Dame, it is our national treasure,' reiterated Elisabeth Moltke, a 45-year-old Copenhagen resident, who watched the blaze.

Others could not hold back tears as they watched the devastation.

Peter Hummelgaard, Justice Minister, applauded the efforts of emergency services in working to 'save human life and our historical cultural heritage' in a post on Twitter/X.

There were no reports of injuries. Ambulances attended the scene.

The nearby Christiansborg Palace, now the Danish parliament, was partially evacuated as the fire raged.

'Suddenly there was an announcement that we had to leave the building,' local outlet Berlingske reported shortly after 8am BST.

'It happened quietly, and now we have about a hundred people standing outside.'

Early reports claimed parts of the spire had broken off and fallen onto the street by 7.30am BST (8.30am local time).

Members of an army unit were seen being deployed to cordon off the area, and the Danish Emergency Management Agency was also helping.

The Stock Exchange is a major landmark in the city, identifiable for its twisting 183ft 'Dragespir' (Dragon Spire) and three crowns on top, representing the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The building was undergoing renovations to restore its original facade and correct errors made during an attempt in the 19th century.

During the 1800s, the building was roofed with copper, as much of the original lead lining was scrapped to produce cannon balls during the Swedish occupation, 1658-59.

The building still contains many wooden structures, according to local media.

The roof, masonry, sandstone and spire of Boersen - built in 1615 and considered a leading example of Dutch Renaissance style in Denmark - was being renovated, said the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

The tragedy comes five years since Notre Dame erupted into flames in Paris during renovation work, on April 15 and April 16, 2019.

Today is also the birthday of former Queen Margrethe II, who abdicated on January 14 and turns 84 today.

The former monarch 'toned down' celebrations because of the fire, according to broadcaster TV2.

A band set to play outside the Fredensborg Castle has been cancelled.

Dansk Erhvervs direktr, Brian Mikkelsen hjlper selv med at redde malerier ud fra #brsen pic.twitter.com/UXOoTbxUSX  Mads Bisgaard (@MadsBis) April 16, 2024

Firefighters said half the building was destroyed and had collapsed by late this morning

Emergency services said they had mobilised 'on a massive scale' to quell the outbreak

Smoke billows during a fire at the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, April 16, 2024

Firefighters continue to work to put out the blaze, having cordoned off vulnerable areas

Smoke rises out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark

Many of the internal structures are still made of wood in the building soon turning 400

Firefighters try to extinguish the flames as smoke billows from the historic Boersen stock exchange building which is on fire in central Copenhagen, Denmark on April 16, 2024

People salvage a painting from the historic Boersen stock exchange building which is on fire in central Copenhagen, Denmark on April 16, 2024

Firefighters work at the main entrance of the Boersen stock exchange building on Tuesday

The building, one of the oldest in the Danish capital, was undergoing renovation work when it caught fire this morning

Picture taken on April 15, 2024 shows renovation work on the historic Boersen stock exchange building in Copenhagen

The building, one of the oldest in the Danish capital, was undergoing renovation work when in the morning of April 16, 2024 it caught fire

A view of the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark, January 28, 2019

File photo of the historic Borsen building in Copenhagen, Denmark

File photo. Smoke billows as fire rages at the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, April 15, 2019

The building - originally built by Christian IV in a bid to strengthen trading on the continent - came to house the Danish stock market in 1974.

The Brsen managed to escape a fire at the neighbouring Christiansborg Palace in 1990.

The Dutch Renaissance style building no longer houses the Danish stock exchange, but serves as headquarters for the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

The Old Stock Exchange is used for conferences and parties, and not open to the public, according to Visit Copenhagen.

The exact cause of the fire outbreak is currently unknown.
Madison Cawthorn rear-ended a police cruiser in Florida on Monday, smashing into it in his Mercedes while driving along the interstate.

In video posted on TikTok, Cawthorn is seen in his wheelchair on the busy roadway next to the wrecked vehicle. It's unclear what prompted the accident but Cawthorn appears to have been unharmed.

On Twitter, a woman claims he had been tailgating her first.

The crash left the state trooper with minor injuries and is now under investigation, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Cawthorn has not yet commented on the incident.

Madison Cawthorn, 28, the former North Carolina congressman, pictured in the aftermath of the apparent crash on Monday

Roadworkers talk with Cawthorn beside his wrecked Mercedes after the crash. The Florida Highway Patrol said a 2021 Mercedes was involved - similar to the model driven by the former congressman

Shapiro says in her post that as she was driving, a black sportscar with tinted windows began tailgating her. Moments after she switched lanes to allow the car to pass, traffic on the highway came to a complete stop.

The Trump loyalist uses a wheelchair stemming from a 2014 car crash in which his friend fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a concrete barrier.

A Florida Highway Patrol statement confirmed that a crash occurred in the area which saw a cruiser rear-ended by another car causing a trooper minor injuries.

The driver of the other car was so far only described as a 28-year-old from Cape Coral, Florida.

The former congressman turned MAGA activist served as congressman for North Carolina's 11th district between 2021 until 2023.

He was ousted at the first time of asking, losing the district's primary in 2022 to Chuck Edwards.

Cawthorn gained regular appearances on cable news claiming that the 2020 presidential election had been stolen, and quickly became a favorite of former President Donald Trump

Cawthorn's two years in office were marked by a series of political and personal errors, including stops by police while driving; being caught with guns at airport checkpoints; calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a 'thug;' and the release of videos showing him in sexually suggestive poses.

He later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor involving the gun charge and said there were 'no excuses' for the error in judgement.

Cawthorn also was found with an unloaded gun in 2021 while trying to get on a plane at Asheville Regional Airport.

Airport police confiscated the gun but allowed him to board.

Some blunders have been headline-grabbing, like one that rankled GOP colleagues who believe he insinuated they were holding orgies and snorting cocaine.

Also in 2021, Cawthorn filed for divorce after one year of marriage for fitness influencer Cristina Bayardelle. In a statement, she said that she was not prepared for how his political career would impact their relationship.

'I want to live in the world he creates, I just dont want to be married to someone changing the world. While we have agreed to be apart now, we still have a great friendship and theres no ill-will. Madison is a fighter  he will help save this country,' she said at the time.

A little over a year later, Bayardelle was engaged to a Brazilian underwear model, the couple are now married.

Cawthorn later slammed conspiracy theorists who alleged his ex-wife was a Russian spy.

In 2022, Cawthorn was charged with driving with a suspended license after it was temporarily revoked over speeding tickets.

'Seriously. When I moved over to let him pass me he floored it so hard & fast his engine revved loudly & I rolled my eyes & thought 'what an impatient baby.' So to see this outcome was quite SHOCKING,' Shapiro wrote in a follow-up message.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported in November 2022 that Cawthorn, who had won his election in 2020 at age 25, had purchased a home in Cape Coral, Florida. He later said in an Instagram post that there were 'many reasons' for the move.

'I enjoy the position I'm in now,' said Cawthorn, said in 2023. 'The world really is the oyster for the young.'

'I'm still hardcore for Trump,' Cawthorn told DailyMail.com in November 2023, adding: 'I would fight and die for Trump.'
There are also over 200 criminal counts pending against them in state court

Jon and Carie Hallford have been indicted on 15 charges by a federal grand jury

A couple accused of hiding away 190 decaying bodies in their Colorado funeral home have now been hit with federal charges for fraudulent spending of coronavirus relief funds, newly unsealed court documents reveal.

Jon and Carie Hallford were indicted on federal charges that they misspent nearly $900,000 in pandemic relief funds on vacations, cosmetic surgery, jewelry and other personal expenses, according to court filings unsealed on Monday.

The 15 charges brought by the federal grand jury are in addition to more than 200 criminal counts already pending against the Hallfords in Colorado state court for corpse abuse, money laundering, theft and forgery.

The indictment also reaffirms accusations from state prosecutors that the couple gave families who utilized services at their Return to Nature funeral home in Colorado Springs dry concrete instead of cremated ashes and alleges the couple buried the wrong body on two occasions.

The couple also collected more than $130,000 from families for cremations and burial services they never provided, the indictment said.

The federal offenses carry potential penalties of 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines, the indictment said.

Jon (left) and Carie Hallford (right) were indicted on federal charges that they misspent nearly $900,000 in pandemic relief funds on vacations, cosmetic surgery, jewelry and other personal expenses, according to court documents unsealed Monday

The couple were also accused of hiding away 190 decaying bodies at their Return to Nature funeral home in Colorado Springs. Pictured are investigators seizing the corpses from the property in October last year

The indictment also reaffirms accusations from state prosecutors that the couple gave families who utilized services at their Return to Nature funeral home in Colorado Springs dry concrete instead of cremated ashes and alleges the couple buried the wrong body on two occasions. Pictured are Fremont County deputies guarding the road by the funeral home as investigations were underway on October 5, 2023

The Hallfords entered a federal courtroom on Monday bound in shackles as they made an initial appearance before US Magistrate Judge Scott Varholak.

Assistant US Attorney Tim Neff argued the couple were a flight risk, after they allegedly fled to Oklahoma last October when the decaying bodies were first discovered and before their arrest on state charges on November 8.

'They simply evaporated from the community,' Neff said.

The judge did not immediately decide if the couple should be released pending trial. He set an arraignment hearing for Thursday.

Carie Hallford's attorney, Chaz Melihercik, said he would argue against detention at the next hearing.

Jon Hallford's public defender, Kilie Latendresse, told the judge that he had been following his bond conditions in the state case and that detention was unnecessary.

Before the new indictment was unsealed, public records showed the Hallfords had been plagued by debt - facing evictions and lawsuits for unpaid cremations even as they spent lavishly on themselves.

The indictment alleges the couple used $882,300 in pandemic relief funds to buy items that also included a vehicle, dinners, tuition for their child and cryptocurrency. The fraud involved three loans obtained between March 2020 and October 2021, authorities said.

Previously released court documents from the state abuse of corpse case reveal more details about what they were spending money on.

They bought a GMC Yukon and an Infiniti that together were worth over $120,000 - enough to cover cremation costs twice over for all of the bodies found in their business' facility last October, according to previous court testimony from FBI Agent Andrew Cohen.

'That is just thoroughly disgusting for a lack of a better term, just reading about all the money that they had,' said Wilson. 'Just the price of the two vehicles that he bought...it was enough to just do right by these families.'

Jon and Carie Hallford, pictured outside their funeral home in this file photo, also collected more than $130,000 from families for cremations and burial services they never provided, the federal indictment stated

The federal offenses carry potential penalties of 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Pictured are a hearse and debris can be seen at the rear of the Return to Nature Funeral Home in October last year

The Hallfords also paid for trips to California, Florida and Las Vegas, as well as $31,000 in cryptocurrency, laser body sculpting and shopping at luxury retailers like Gucci and Tiffany & Co., according to court documents.

The couple have not yet entered pleas to the state's abuse of corpse charges.

The Hallfords left in their wake a trail of unpaid bills, disgruntled landlords and unsettled business disputes.

The couple once claimed to a former landlord that they would settle their rent when they were paid for work they had done for the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the COVID-19 pandemic. The business' website featured logos for FEMA and the Department of Defense.

FEMA has said they did not have any contracts with the funeral home. A defense department database search also showed no contracts with Return to Nature.

The company failed to pay more than $5,000 in 2022 property taxes at one of its locations, public records show. Then last year, the business was slapped with a $21,000 judgement for not paying for 'a couple hundred cremations,' according to public records and attorney Lisa Epps with Wilbert Funeral Services crematory.

The Hallfords' alleged lies, money laundering, forgery and manipulation over the past four years devastated hundreds of grieving family members.

The 190 bodies were discovered last year in a bug-infested storage building in the small town of Penrose, about two hours south of Denver. Some of the remains had languished since 2019.

An investigation found that the Hallfords likely sent fake ashes and fabricated cremation records to families who did business with them.

They appear to have written on death certificates given to families, along with ashes, that the cremations were performed by Wilbert Funeral Services, which denied performing them for the funeral home at that time.

As the decomposing bodies were identified, families learned that the ashes they'd received could not have been the remains of their loved ones. Court documents allege at least some were dry concrete.

As far back as 2020, there were concerns raised about the business's improper storage of bodies. But there was no follow-up by regulators, letting the collection of bodies grow to nearly 200 over the following three years.

The 190 bodies were discovered last year in a bug-infested storage building in the small town of Penrose, about two hours south of Denver. Some of the remains had languished since 2019. Fremont County coroner Randy Keller, center, and other authorities are pictured at the funeral home during their investigation last year

As far back as 2020, there were concerns raised about the business's improper storage of bodies. But there was no follow-up by regulators, letting the collection of bodies grow to nearly 200 over the following three years. Investigators are pictured at the funeral home in November last year

The new charges and accusations triggered more anguish for families who sent their loved ones to the funeral home.

Every new revelation about the case is a jolt to Tanya Wilson, who hired Return to Nature to cremate her mother's remains and then spread the ashes with family in Hawaii.

After the grim discovery, Wilson was told those ashes weren't actually her mother, whose body has since been identified among the 190 decaying bodies.

Hundreds of family members, like Wilson, had thought they put their loved one's to rest, or clutched their ashes close, only to have that healing torn away.

'I honestly feel like I have whiplash, and I can't hold onto one emotion long enough to be able to process it,' Wilson said over the phone.

Colorado has some of weakest funeral home regulations in the country. Funeral home operators in the state don't have to graduate high school, let alone study mortuary science or pass an exam.

The Hallfords case and others in recent years spurred Colorado lawmakers to introduce legislation to strengthen oversight with rules that are in line with or exceed those in other states. Those bills are currently moving through the state Legislature.
A British tourist is in a coma fighting for his life after collapsing in a hostel in Cambodia, with his family facing medical bills of 8,000 a day.

Ben Wilkins, 32, from Chinley in Derbyshire, was just two weeks into his holiday to the island of Koh Rong when he fell sick.

He was found unconscious in his room last Monday by friends before being rushed to a hospital in Siem Reap and then transferred to the capital Phnom Penh.

Ben's sister Imogen said he had 'kidney failure and severe pneumonia' and is now in a coma with a ventilator supporting his breathing. He has not woken up in five days.

The family are now facing costs of up to 8,000 a day for intensive care in the notoriously bad third-world hospitals - or an air ambulance back to the UK for up to 200,000.

Imogen, from Manchester, said: 'We do not know how long Ben had been unconscious in his room on his own.

'The ambulance ride which took five and a half hours from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh was to enable him to receive dialysis as he would have died without this.

'Most of the country does not have treatments such as dialysis available.'

British tourist Ben Wilkins is in a coma fighting for his life after collapsing in a hostel in Cambodia

Ben's sister Imogen said he had 'kidney failure and severe pneumonia ' and is now in a coma with a ventilator supporting his breathing. He has not woken up in five days

Ben's family are now facing bills of 8,000 a day for intensive care in the notoriously bad third-world hospitals - or an air ambulance back to the UK for up to 200,000

Ben is pictured with mum Carolyn

Imogen said the previously healthy young man had no underlying health conditions, and did not take out travel insurance as he had travelled to the country several times before without problems.

He even adopted two dogs from the island before flying them back to the UK with his girlfriend.

Ben's mother, father and stepfather have now all flown out to Cambodia to be by his side.

Imogen added: 'When you're young you think you're invincible, so all of this is not just a heart-breaking strain on us all but is coming at a huge financial cost to our family.

'It's 8000 a day to be kept in ICU, before the costs of ambulances, medication, procedures, dialysis and tests being done.

'We have spent upwards of 60,000, with every day the amount growing massively.'

In an effort to manage the spiralling costs of Ben's care, Imogen and her mother Carolyn launched a Go Fund Me page to appeal for donations.

'Please help us save Ben, anything you can spare to help towards the cost of the medical bills to try and save his life and bring him back home would be greatly appreciated.

'I need my brother and my parents need their son home.

'He is halfway around the world and he needs to be back home.

'Thank you so much.'

The fundraiser had accumulated 36,000 as of Tuesday morning.

Ben Wilkins, 32, from Chinley, Derbyshire, was just two weeks into his holiday to the island of Koh Rong when he fell sick

In an effort to manage the spiralling costs of Ben's care, Imogen and her mother Carolyn launched a Go Fund Me page to appeal for donations

An update posted to the Go Fund Me page this morning suggested Ben had begun responding to treatment, though remained in a coma.

'Such a massive thank you to everyone who has donated. We are so overwhelmed by the response and kindness shown,' Imogen wrote.

'Ben is definitely starting to respond to his treatments in the last 24 hours, which is great news. Hes still on a ventilator and receiving dialysis for his kidney failure and his pneumonia is still severe.

'But there is positive news and he is responding to the treatments.'

Cambodia was once home to one of the world's greatest Empires and the capital was the 'Pearl of the Orient' in the 1950s but the country is now one of the most underdeveloped in Asia.

It was decimated by U.S. bombing campaigns in the 1970s followed by the twisted reign of the genocidal Khmer Rouge, which was supported by neighbour Thailand.

Its infrastructure has never fully recovered, and its hospitals are notoriously bad.
Rishi Sunak is facing a Tory meltdown today as MPs vote on legislation to create a 'smoke-free generation'.

Dozens of the PM's own rank and file, and several ministers, are set to oppose the plans to ensure anyone currently aged 15 or younger will never be able to buy a cigarette legally.

Liz Truss is among the most strident critics of the 'nanny state' move, which has been branded 'absolutely nuts' by Boris Johnson.

However, Mr Sunak has insisted it is right to protect children, while Chief Medical Office Chris Whitty dismissed criticism saying many people cannot give up after becoming addicted.

Although technically MPs will have a free vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill this evening, as by convention it is a conscience issue, significant opposition among Conservatives would still be a blow to Mr Sunak's authority.

There has been speculation that 50 Tories could go against the premier's policy, but it is not in danger of being derailed as Labour backs the plans.

The legislation will ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1 2009, meaning no one under the age of 15 in England will be able to legally buy a cigarette (Stock Image)

Rishi Sunak giving a statement to MPs in Parliament. The Prime Minister could face a revolt in his own party against his proposed smoking ban

Liz Truss is among the most strident critics of the 'nanny state' move, which has been branded 'absolutely nuts' by Boris Johnson

The legislation would ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1 2009 - meaning children aged 15 or younger today will never legally be sold a cigarette in England.

It also gives the Government powers to tackle youth vaping, with restrictions on flavours and new rules on packaging and selling vapes.

Tory sources said they expected a number of ministers to rebel over fears the proposals are 'unconservative'.

Ms Truss branded the proposals 'unconservative'.

She told the BBC that children should 'absolutely' be protected 'while they are developing decision-making capabilities'.

But the ex-PM added: 'We're a free country.

'We shouldn't be telling people not to smoke and I worry about where it will lead.'

Former Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said he is 'both sceptical and downright opposed' to the plans.

'There are good ways to tackle a problem like this and then there are bad ways, and I think that an outright ban risks being counterproductive, I think it actually risks making smoking cooler, it certainly risks creating a black market, and it also risks creating a unmanageable challenge for the authorities,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Sir Simon said education and the tax system should be used as tools to deter people from smoking.

Asked about opinion polls which show that two-thirds of people in Britain back a phased smoking ban  a figure which extends to 70% among those who voted Conservative in 2019, Sir Simon said: 'There are some things, of course, which are not necessarily philosophically or practically right which would command support in the opinion polls.

'I think probably if you were to do an opinion poll on bringing back hanging you'd find that there was a significant proportion of people who backed it, that wouldn't necessarily mean it was the right thing to do.'

Boris Johnson has branded the plan 'absolutely nuts', saying last week: 'We're banning cigars. What is the point of banning - the party of Winston Churchill wants to ban cigars... Donnez moi un break, as they say in Quebec. It's just mad.'

Chief Medical Office Chris Whitty dismissed criticism saying many people cannot give up after becoming addicted

Despite the Tory opposition, Labour is expected to whip in favour of the Bill meaning it will almost certainly pass.

The Government believes creating a 'smokefree generation' could prevent more than 470,000 cases of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other deadly diseases by the turn of the century.

Professor Whitty said: 'Smoking kills and causes harm at all stages of life from stillbirths, asthma in children, stroke, cancer to heart attacks and dementia.

'This Bill, if passed, will have a substantial impact - preventing disease, disability and premature deaths long into the future.'
Sadiq Khan's much-hated Ulez scheme suffered a humiliating defeat today after TfL admitted wrongfully fining a motorist for using his car in London despite having donated it to the Ukraine army.

Charles Cooper, 65, drove his Volvo SUV more than 1,400 miles to donate his car to a Ukrainian charity in August last year only to find that just two months later it had been fined for being driven in a Ulez area in London.

The chartered accountant was on holiday in Greece at the time of the alleged incident and when he returned home in January he discovered a pile of scathing letters from Transport for London.

TfL had threatened to take him to court and appoint bailiffs if he didn't pay the fine, forcing Mr Cooper to spend over 300 on lawyers to fight the case.

But now, in an embarrassing step-down, the Greater London Council body told MailOnline the charge 'was issued in error' and apologised to Mr Cooper 'for any distress caused' after cancelling the fine.

Charles Cooper, 65, who donated his car to the Ukrainian war effort but just two months later the vehicle had been issued with a penalty charge for being driven in a Ulez area in London

Charles is seen donating his car to a Ukrainian charity in August last year. But in October it was fined for being driven in a Ulez area in London

Sadiq Khan's who first introduced the Ulez scheme, which requires people to pay a 12.50 daily charge for driving non-compliant vehicles, in April five years ago

Mr Cooper, who is the former chief executive of BRI Wealth Management, said he was sent photographs by TfL, allegedly showing his car driving in a Ulez area on October 10.

However, he disputed that it was his car in the pictures, not only because he had donated it to the Ukrainian army in August, but also because the number plate of the car did not appear to be his.

Mr Cooper told The Telegraph he was given a 'very unclear photograph of the front of a Volvo which they claim was my number plate'.

He claimed the 'photographs provided did not clearly indicate the full registration', adding that to him, the picture seemed to show a number plate ending in OKK, while the TfL argued it was his plate, which ends in OKW.

Mr Cooper said: 'However, more pertinently, on that date (October 10) I was in Greece. Furthermore the Volvo in question was given, by me, to the Ukrainian army on August 18 2023. The DVLA has this recorded as an exported vehicle.'

Mr Cooper drove his car across the Ukrainian border and delivered it to the charity 4Ukraine, a humanitarian aid group which delivers surplus aid supplies to the country, on August 18.

The accountant said he told TfL about this and even sent a picture of him handing the car over to an army contact.

Sadiq Khan and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are seen on a visit in London on March 18

File photo of an information sign for London's ULEZ, a scheme expanded by Mr Khan last year

Protesters against Mr Khan's ULEZ expansion have been vandalising cameras, including this one in Uxbridge, west London, which had its lens sprayed over with white paint

Protesters opposed to the expansion of London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone demonstrate outside BBC Broadcasting House in London on July 22 last year

However, Mr Cooper claimed TfL has 'ignored' this, and has only been met 'with greater threats'.

He said: 'The last thing I got from them was that I was going to be sent to court and bailiffs would be appointed, which was when I wrote to them saying, well, there's no point in doing that, because I would rather go to prison than pay you anything.'

Mr Cooper said he was due to go to court in Northampton within 21 days of January 17, which he did not attend but is 'yet to be arrested for contempt of court'.

The accountant claimed he had hired solicitors to fight the court order, which has so far cost him over 300, while TfL has now ceased any further communications.

He said: 'I have been obliged to put this matter in the hands of my solicitors, as it was the last resort to avoid TfL's threat to appoint bailiffs.

'This has cost me well over 300 but has caused TfL to cease communication, though not to admit any form of culpability. I am not aware if the case has been abandoned.

'This situation is positively Orwellian. What sort of country are we living in?'

A TfL spokesperson said: 'After a review of Mr Coopers case it is clear that the charge was issued in error. We apologise for any distress caused and have cancelled the outstanding charge.'

Sadiq Khan's Ulez scheme, which requires people to pay a 12.50 daily charge for driving non-compliant vehicles, was first introduced in April five years ago.

Last year it was expanded to cover the whole of Greater London, sparking a furious backlash among drivers and so-called 'Blade Runner' activists tearing the cameras down.

Surprisingly, Mr Cooper's case is not the first time someone has been wrongfully charged for driving in a Ulez area.

MailOnline reporter Darren Boyle was fined for driving his 2002 Porsche Boxster, which features a 2.7-litre flat six Boxer engine producing 220bhp, was fined 90 despite his car being Ulez compliant.

Meanwhile, Partab Singh, 35, from Leicester saw his bank account deducted five times after Ulez cameras misread the details of other cars - confusing the digits for those on his private plate.

MailOnline journalist Darren Boyle recently purchased a Porsche 986 Boxster

The car, pictured, is on a 2002 plate and has a very extensive service history and was bought for less money than a 2013 Ford Fiesta

Because the car is on a 2002 plate, TfL automatically say it is not up to the applicable Ulez standard. Darren is pictured driving his Porsche along a leafy woodland road

Partab Singh's BMW which was mistakenly charged by the ULEZ scheme five times

Between October and December, the BMW owner paid Ulez charges for a Renault and a Mercedes-Benz as they had similar - though not identical - number plates.

He told MailOnline: 'It's ridiculous, I've never had any issues with that number plate before registering for ULEZ. It makes no sense, why is the newest camera network in Britain also the worst?

'The cameras and technology in place are clearly not working and fit for purpose. Why do I keep getting charged when I live in Leicester and generally only travel within the Midlands?

'They should not have introduced the system which cost taxpayers millions until it had been tested thoroughly.'

In October, almost 1,000 motorists in Harrow, north west London were unjustly fined because the ULEZ camera had been installed pointing the wrong way and was catching drivers skirting outside the zone.

The Tory candidate in the Mayoral election set for May 2, Susan Hall told MailOnline: 'Sadiq Khan's ULEZ expansion is nothing but a tax grab, which is why even compliant vehicles are being forced to jump through hoops to prove they don't owe him 12.50 per day.

'His own impact assessment found it would do next to nothing to improve air quality, and yet it is hitting families, small businesses and charities that cannot afford to replace their car.

'I will scrap the ULEZ expansion on day one of my Mayoralty, no ifs, no buts.'
More Channel migrants have come from Vietnam this year than any other country - with ministers blaming the surge for driving a record number of arrivals.

A total of 534 migrants in 10 boats reached Britain on Sunday, taking the total number this year to 6,265  28 per cent higher than by this time in 2023 and seven per cent up on 2022.

The number of Vietnamese people making the perilous journey more than doubled last year from 505 in 2022 to 1,323, and the increase has continued this year to make them the biggest cohort of Channel migrants. Last year it was Afghans.

Rishi Sunak's spokesman yesterday gave the 'increasing number of Vietnamese' as one reason why the government's Safety of Rwanda Bill needed to be passed by Parliament to 'save the lives of those being exploited by people-smuggling gangs'.

'It's an unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel and that demonstrates exactly why we must pass this Bill and get flights off the ground as soon as possible and provide the important deterrent that the Bill will provide,' he said.

Vietnam was the most common source country for Channel migrants this year. Pictured are migrants landing at Dover on Sunday after arriving by small boat

A migrant boat in the Channel on Sunday (bottom right) alongside two Border Force clippers and a P&O ferry in the background

Vietnamese migrants are often trafficked by gangs to work in nail bars, cannabis farms and the sex trade.

This has meant crime bosses have tended to use lorries instead of small boats - where passengers are more likely to be detained by Border Force - but tighter security has made the cross-Channel route increasingly common.

The death of 39 Vietnamese migrants in a refrigerated lorry trailer in Essex in 2019 may have also persuaded more people to take the sea route.

Mimi Vu, a trafficking and modern slavery expert in Vietnam, said some people pay as much as 20,000 to trafficking gangs.

She told the Telegraph that the interest on these payments could be as much as 1,000 per cent - allowing gangsters to keep them in a state of servitude as they repay the eyewatering bill.

Home Secretary James Cleverly spoke to his Vietnamese counterpart yesterday as officials seek to conclude a new agreement to curb the number of people leaving Vietnam for the UK.

The Southeast Asian country will be one of those targeted for a Home Office scheme that will see local influencers paid to dissuade their compatriots from entering Britain illegally.

Vietnam has a booming economy but poverty rates remain high in poorer regions, and it is from these areas that most illegal migrants come from.

Downing Street has admitted the number of Channel crossings this year was 'unacceptable' and said it showed the need for the new Safety of Rwanda Bill  which has been held up by Government defeats in the House of Lords  to deter more people from making the crossing.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'It's an unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel and it demonstrates exactly why we must pass this Bill and get flights off the ground as soon as possible and provide the important deterrent that the Bill will provide.'

The legislation, which declares Rwanda is a safe country for migrants to be sent to after the Supreme Court ruled the scheme unlawful last autumn, returned to the Commons last night for fresh consideration of amendments voted through by the Lords before Easter.

Home Secretary James Cleverly spoke to his Vietnamese counterpart yesterday as officials seek to conclude a new agreement to curb the number of people leaving Vietnam for the UK

Vietnam has a booming economy but poverty rates remain high in poorer regions, and it is from these areas that most illegal migrants come from. File photo

Illegal Migration Minister Michael Tomlinson told MPs: 'Here we are, back again, debating the same issues and amendments we have already rejected. We're not quite at the point yet of completing each others' sentences, but we are almost there.

'The issue before the House is whether the clearly expressed views of this House, throughout the entire passage of the Bill, should prevail.

'We cannot accept amendments to provide for loopholes which would perpetuate the current cycle of delays and late legal challenges.

'We have a moral duty to stop the boats. We must bring an end to the dangerous, unnecessary and illegal methods that have been deployed. We must protect our borders and, most importantly, save lives at sea.'

He added: 'Our partnership with Rwanda is a key part of our strategy. The message is absolutely clear: if you come to the United Kingdom illegally, you will not be able to stay; you will be detained and swiftly returned to your country, to a safe country or to a safe third country, Rwanda.'

He rejected the need for the Lords' amendments, including one that would exempt those who helped UK armed forces overseas from being deported, insisting 'we will not let them down'.

But Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said the Rwanda scheme was 'doomed to fail' and that in the two years since it was announced, it had led to hundreds of millions of pounds being handed to the Rwandan government, while the only people flown to the capital Kigali had been three Home Secretaries. 'The boats have kept coming, the backlog has kept growing and the people-smugglers are still laughing all the way to the bank.

'Two years of headline-chasing gimmicks, two years of pursuing a policy that is fundamentally unworkable, unaffordable and unlawful. Two years of flogging this dead horse,' he said.

It is expected that the Lords will table more amendments aimed at watering down the Bill again today, which could be passed if crossbenchers and rebel Tories continue their opposition to the plan.

That will lead to a final round of parliamentary 'ping pong' on Wednesday when the Bill returns to the Commons for the amendments to be undone again before they are finally agreed to by the Lords. Ministers then hope the first deportation flight will take off 'within weeks'.

However, refugee charities, including Care4Calais, have vowed to launch legal challenges.

Veteran Tory MP Sir Bill Cash told the Commons: 'Let's get this Bill done. Let's get the House of Lords to calm down a bit.

'Let us also see what the judgment of the Supreme Court is on the wording  providing it is clear and unambiguous  of this Bill.'

MPs began voting on a series of amendments to the Bill at 8.30pm last night. Due to the Tory majority, the Government was expected to win all of them, undoing the changes inserted by the Lords.
Around 40,000 migrants living in the UK are still 'pending relocation' after having their asylum claims ruled inadmissible, officials have admitted.

The Illegal Migration Act - passed last July and backdated to March - bars anyone who has entered the UK without prior permission from claiming asylum.

Officials say 33,000 people arrived in the UK without government approval from March 3 to the end of the year followed by another 6,200 in 2024.

These people are now liable for removal, but in practice this is often impractical due to the lack of returns agreements between the UK and other nations and the absence of alternative places wiling to take them.

Simon Ridley, second permanent secretary at the Home Office, was asked by MPs yesterday what was happening to the 40,000 arrivals.

Simon Ridley (left), second permanent secretary at the Home Office, was asked by MPs yesterday what was happening to 40,000 migrants whose asylum claims had been ruled inadmissible but remained in the UK. Pictured right is Sir Matthew Rycroft

A total of 534 migrants in ten boats reached Britain on Sunday, following 214 in five dinghies the day before

'They are pending relocation,' he told the Public Accounts Committee, adding that they would be provided with accommodation and subsistence while in the UK.

Sir Matthew Rycroft, permanent secretary at the Home Office, told MPs he could not say how many of these people could be sent to Rwanda if the government is able to begin flights to the country.

But he insisted Rwanda is ready and able to take as many migrants as Britain can send, saying: 'They have that capability to accommodate the people who will be relocated.'

Sir Matthew also told the committee that the number of migrants arriving illegally in Britain should fall by about 10,000 for the Rwanda policy to prove value for money.

He said a one-third reduction in small boat crossings from last year's figure of 29,437 would be needed given the cost of the deportations, which will reach 290million by next year.

He revealed that the government in Kigali will be handed another 50million of the total almost as soon as the new law is passed.

A total of 534 migrants in ten boats reached Britain on Sunday, following 214 in five dinghies the day before. That takes the total number of arrivals so far this year to 6,265  28 per cent higher than by this time last year.

Downing Street has admitted the figures were 'unacceptable' and said they showed the need for the new Safety of Rwanda Bill  which has been held up by Government defeats in the House of Lords  to deter more people from making the crossing.

The House of Lords will again debate the Prime Minister's flagship Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill this afternoon

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'It's an unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel and it demonstrates exactly why we must pass this Bill and get flights off the ground as soon as possible and provide the important deterrent that the Bill will provide.'

The legislation, which declares Rwanda is a safe country for migrants to be sent to after the Supreme Court ruled the scheme unlawful last autumn, returned to the Commons last night for fresh consideration of amendments voted through by the Lords before Easter.

More Channel migrants have come from Vietnam this year than any other country, it emerged this week - with ministers blaming the surge for driving a record number of arrivals.

Vietnamese migrants are often trafficked by gangs to work in nail bars, cannabis farms and the sex trade.

This has meant crime bosses have tended to use lorries instead of small boats - where passengers are more likely to be detained by Border Force - but tighter security has made the cross-Channel route increasingly common.

The death of 39 Vietnamese migrants in a refrigerated lorry trailer in Essex in 2019 may have also persuaded more people to take the sea route.

Mimi Vu, a trafficking and modern slavery expert in Vietnam, said some people pay as much as 20,000 to trafficking gangs.

A government spokesperson said: 'Asylum seekers who arrived illegally after 20th July 2023 will be relocated to a safe third country such as Rwanda.

'Once the Safety of Rwanda Bill and Treaty are in place, we will get flights off the ground as soon as possible.'
For four decades, the Islamic Republic's rulers have pledged to destroy Israel, and Tehran's latest threat again raises the spectre of a nuclear-armed Iran

Iran has threatened to use 'weapons it has never used' in a 'painful and severe' response if Israel launches airstrikes in retaliation to Tehran's weekend salvo.

Israel earlier vowed that it will respond to Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack, amid fears that the Middle East is teetering on the edge of an all-our war.

As the West urged for calmer heads to prevail in the Jewish state, Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee Abolfazl Amoue stated that Iran is 'prepared to use a weapon that we have never used' if Israel responds further.

Speaking on Monday, he said Israel should consider its next steps and 'act wisely.'

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also warned Israel it will face a 'painful response' if it takes the 'slightest action' in response to his country's attack.

The threats raise fears that Iran's lacklustre drone and missile barrage - 99 percent of which was intercepted by Israel and its allies - could further push Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran has threatened to use 'weapons it has never used' in a 'painful and severe' response if Israel launches airstrikes in retaliation to Tehran's weekend salvo. In this picture released by the Iranian Defense Ministry on Thursday, May 25, 2023, Khorramshahr-4 missile is launched at an undisclosed location in Iran

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (pictured in February) warned Israel it will face a 'painful response' if it takes the 'slightest action' in response to his country's attack

Iran has several nuclear research sites, two uranium mines, a research reactor and uranium processing facilities - including three uranium enrichment plants.

A UN report in 2007 found that Iran had halted an alleged nuclear weapons programme in 2003, and a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2018 said it had found no evidence of nuclear weapons activity after 2009.

In 2015, Iran signed up to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - or Iran Nuclear Deal - along with countries including the US, UK, France, Russia and China, imposing restrictions on Iran's nuclear facilities.

However, the agreement took a hit in 2018 when the US - under president Donald Trump - withdrew and imposed new sanctions on Iran under a 'maximum pressure' policy, essentially cutting Iran off from the international financial system.

In November 2023, an IAEA report estimated Iran's uranium stockpile was 22 times larger than the limit agreed upon in the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal.

In December, the UN's watchdog warned that Iran had escalated the rate at which it is enriching uranium to up to 60 per cent purity, levels close to weapons-grade.

The report said Iran has enough uranium enriched to up to 60 per cent purity for three atom bombs by the International Atomic Energy Agency's definition.

Its leaders have long maintained it 'does not need' nuclear weapons and is only enriching uranium for peaceful purposes.

However, for four decades, the Islamic Republic's rulers have pledged to destroy Israel, and Tehran's latest threat again raises the spectre of a nuclear-armed Iran.

Meanwhile, Tel Aviv has worked to stymie Iran's nuclear weapons programme - including the suspected assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists.

United Nations nuclear watchdog chief expressed concerns on Monday about Israel potentially targeting Iranian nuclear facilities in retaliation, as he announced inspections paused on Sunday and Monday would resume nonetheless.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said Iran closed its nuclear facilities temporarily over 'security considerations' and that while they reopened on Monday, he kept IAEA inspectors away 'until we see that the situation is completely calm.'

When asked about the possibility of an Israel strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Grossi said: 'We are always concerned about this possibility.'

He urged 'extreme restraint.'

Speaking to MailOnline on Monday before Iran's latest threat, Justin Crump - British army veteran and CEO of global risk analysis firm Sibylline, pointed to the nuclear threat posed by Iran when discussing Israel's possible responses.

'At the back of everyone's minds, though, is the nuclear issue,' he said.

'Iran has shown it can and will strike at Israel and those who have always held concerns about a nuclear capability will be speaking loudly in the coming days.'

In addition to its possible nuclear weapons programme, Iran has a vast array of missiles and other weapons in its arsenal that it could use to strike Israel.

An Iranian missile launch is seen in this footage, claimed to be the first missile launched towards Israel in Tehran's attack over the weekend

Israel today threatened airstrikes on Iran in retaliation for a 350-missile blitz amid fears the conflict will spiral into all-out war in the Middle East. Pictured: Rocket trails are seen in the sky above The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem as Iranian missiles are intercepted by air defences

Saturday's attack already demonstrated some such weapons, including cruise missiles and kamikaze drones - the likes of which have also been seen in Ukraine after Iran sent Russia Shahed 136 drones to be used in its continuing invasion there.

In fact, with more than 3,000 ballistic missiles - according to a US estimate - Iran has one of the largest missile stockpiles in the Middle East, and is believed to have nine types of missiles with enough range to reach Israel's territory.

What's more, Iranian authorities unveiled what the Tehran regime billed as its first domestically-made hypersonic ballistic missile last June.

Hypersonic missiles are defined as a missile that can travel five times the speed of sound, making them incredibly hard to detect and intercept.

In addition to its own stockpile, Iran also has several proxies across the region willing to do its bidding. These include Hamas in Gaza - who attacked Israel on October 7 sparking the on-going crisis, the Houthi rebels in Yemen and the powerful Hezbollah.

In their own right, Hezbollah - based in Lebanon on Israel's northern border - is a powerful fighting force in itself.

Financed by Iran and trained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, the group's leader has claimed to have 100,000 trained fighters who have tanks and a vast weapons armoury at its disposal, much of which is maintained in neighbouring Syria.

Iranian missiles exhibited in a park on January 20, 2024 in Tehran

Fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah carry out a training exercise in Aaramta village in the Jezzine District, southern Lebanon, Sunday, May 21, 2023

A shell from Israeli artillery explodes over Dahaira, a Lebanese border village with Israel, south Lebanon, Monday, October 16, 2023

Iran's first-ever direct attack on Israel, which began on Saturday, was in response to an April 1 air strike on Tehran's consulate in Damascus, widely blamed on Israel.

The strike levelled the five-storey consular annexe of the Iranian embassy and killed seven Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals.

'We firmly declare that the slightest action against Iran's interests will definitely be met with a severe, extensive and painful response,' Iran's President Raisi said in a call late Monday with Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Raisi reiterated that Iran was acting in 'self-defence', saying the operation targeted Israeli bases used to carry out the consulate strike, a statement from his office said.

He criticised the support of some Western government for Israel.

Israeli armed forces chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi vowed Monday to respond to the unprecedented attack, even after appeals for restraint poured in from world leaders fearing wider regional conflict.

'This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response,' Halevi told troops at the Nevatim airbase, which was hit in Iran's Saturday night barrage.

The Israeli army has said the vast majority of the weapons were shot down - with the help of the US and other allies - and the attack caused only minimal damage.

But leaks from Israel's war cabinet have reportedly suggested that a 'painful' revenge strike on Iran is being planned that will not cause mass casualties, though hardliners have demanded that Netanyahu shows that it is willing to 'go berserk'.

'Everybody agrees that Israel must respond,' an Israeli official told the Washington Post. 'How to respond, when to respond, is the question.'

As Benjamin Netanyahu continues to debate what retaliation it will unleash, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to use a phone call with the Israeli premier today to urge him to show 'restraint'.

But leading voices in defence, including respected former minister Ben Wallace, have urged Western leaders to support Israel in its response to 'bullies' like Iran - and to even stand up to the regime themselves if necessary.

As Benjamin Netanyahu walks a 'tightrope' between escalation and deterrence, former defence secretary Wallace did not mince his words of warning.

'The only way to deal with a bully is to retaliate,' he said.

'The only option when Iran and Russia hit, I have concluded, is to hit back twice as hard and not stop until they get the message.'

Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, speaks during a meeting with pilots at the Nevatim Air Force base in southern Israel

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak making a statement on Iran's missile attack on Israel, in the House of Commons, in London, on April 15, 2024

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi expressed concerns on Monday about Israel potentially targeting Iranian nuclear facilities

Despite the unprecedented scale of Iran's weekend attack, experts have said it exposed Iran's 'lacklustre' arsenal, signalling how its outdated aircraft and defences would be no match for Israel's in the event of full-scale war.

'I think the attack, which was designed to be spectacular but not fatal, really puts on display the limits to Iran's deterrence,' Ali Vaez, who heads the Iran Project at International Crisis Group.

He added that if Iran's regional deterrence is diminished, Tehran 'is likely to consider the ultimate deterrent, which comes in the form of nuclear weapons,' adding 'they've never been closer'.

Iran could be seeking to stock up on modern aircraft and weapons with help from Russia, according to a Washington Post report last night, which suggested that Moscow has made pledges to its ally to help secure its defence against Israel.

Citing intelligence officials, the paper reported that Russia is 'advancing' agreements negotiated in secret to supply Iran with Su-35 fighter-bombers, which could help to dramatically upgrade the ageing Iranian air force.

Moscow also promised technical help with Iranian spy satellites and rocket-building assistance with the aim to launch more satellites, the officials are reported to have said.

Rumblings about the IRGC becoming a terrorist organisation in the UK have been ongoing for months now, and since the attack Mr Sunak has come under mounting pressure to designate Iran's military as a terrorist group following its attack on Israel.

An anti-Israel billboard with a picture of Iranian missiles is seen in a street in Tehran, Iran April 15, 2024

The Prime Minister condemned Tehran as a 'despotic regime' in the wake of its unprecedented missile blitz at the weekend.

Mr Sunak praised RAF pilots who helped shoot down more than 300 drones and missiles fired at Israel by Iran on Saturday night  and said that defending Israel's security was a 'non-negotiable' priority for the UK.

But he faced calls from both senior Tories and Labour to take tougher action against Tehran, including formally proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.

Israel's ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely backed the move, saying Iran was 'a threat to the UK as well'.

She told LBC: 'Maybe the UK will be next with these kind of drones... they won't hesitate to do that here.'

In the Commons yesterday, Mr Sunak said: 'With this attack Iran has once again shown its true colours. They are intent on sowing chaos... on further destabilising the Middle East. We're working urgently with our allies to de-escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed.

'We want to see calmer heads prevail and we're directing all our diplomatic efforts to that end.'

Mr Sunak also acknowledged that the behaviour of Iran, including the actions of the IRGC, 'poses a significant threat to the safety and security of the UK'.

The IRGC operates as an elite military force for Iran's regime and works closely with Hamas and Hezbollah, which have already been designated as terrorist groups. Proscribing the IRGC would squeeze its ability to operate in the UK by making it a criminal offence to deal with it or promote it. It would also effectively label Iran a terrorist state.

An Israeli army f-15 fighter jet flies over central Israel on April 15, 2024

But Whitehall sources warned that proscribing the IRGC would make it impossible to talk to the organisation directly, removing a valuable diplomatic back channel.

The move is being resisted by Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, who has spoken of the need to have 'diplomatic channels as a route to de-escalation', including on Iran's nuclear programme.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman urged the PM to 'put the UK's security first', adding: 'We have known for years that the IRGC is the world's chief sponsor of terrorism.' Sir Iain Duncan Smith told the PM: 'All roads lead back to Tehran when it comes to the terrible violence and wars in the Middle East.'

Labour also backed tougher action against the IRGC. Sir Keir Starmer said Iran was 'a regime that sponsors terror across the Middle East and beyond, that murders and represses its own people, and supports Putin's war efforts in Ukraine'.
This is the dream Portuguese house a British family has been forced to abandon mid-way through renovating - after locals branded them 'English pigs' and allegedly killed their dog before threatening to come after them.

Pictures show the partially refurbished home in the Guarda municipality of the country - with bags of packed-up belongings littered across the house as the family plotted their escape amid racist abuse from locals.

Lynn and Richard Appleby-Brisco escaped to Portugal in 2016 with plans to start a more 'affordable' life with their two young daughters, appearing on Channel 4's Our Wildest Dreams sharing the story of their new beginning.

But since then the family has faced a 'storm of resentment' from locals, who are said to have killed their cats and later attacked their dog, which died of its injuries.

They have since returned to the UK - which is presenting a fresh set of challenges; the heartbreaking images, shared online, show the dream home they had hoped to restore, only to be forced to leave it behind.

Has your dream move abroad gone wrong? Email: jon.brady@mailonline.co.uk

The entrance to the Appleby-Brisco's Portuguese home - which they have been forced to abandon after a 'storm of resentment' from locals

Bags and boxes are stacked on top of a mattress inside one of the rooms - but the family says Portugal has now 'taken everything we had'

The living room, still undergoing renovation, with a sofa, TV and some basic furniture

A teddy bear sits on the settee in the living room in the dwelling - which the family has been driven out of over alleged resentment from locals

Furniture and mugs sit on top of a table in the farmhouse - with a child's play oven underneath

The farmhouse, which the family is hoping to sell as they relocate to the UK so they can start life again

The Appleby-Briscos' move to the remote village was filmed for Channel 4's Our Wildest Dreams. They are pictured on the show in 2018 here

The images, circulated by Mrs Appleby-Brisco in a bid to sell the house, show the living room and several bedrooms - with still-wrapped mattresses and furniture lining the walls.

Carrier bags full of personal possessions are stacked on top of a mattress which is still inside its plastic packaging.

The living room has a TV on the floor, and opposite it a sofa and rug - with a teddy bear sat in the corner of the plush settee.

READ MORE: How family's dream life in Portugal turned into a nightmare after they were targeted by locals who saw them on show Advertisement

Elsewhere, drawers and coffee cups sit on top of a table in another room, surrounded by bags and boxes of hurriedly gathered belongings - including a child's play oven.

A video also showed a converted attic, accessed via a ladder, with a large unused space that the family was never able to fill - and access to a balcony space.

The Appleby-Briscos have returned to the UK after being chased out of Portugal - but their problems have not ended after touching back down on home soil.

A close friend of the family has told MailOnline authorities did not deem the family's situation 'desperate enough' for them to be deserving of help after they touched down in Britain.

Denny Lewis, who has launched a fundraiser to help her friends, said: 'She (Lynn) landed at Heathrow with her two young girls and had to get the night bus to Bedford and went to a local Premier Inn.

'I went to see her and we got her some clothes sent down by a friend and by other people. But the local housing authorities said, and I quote, that their situation 'wasn't bad enough'.'

Ms Lewis added: 'She wasn't in a desperate state enough to be helped apparently, so she started to go to food banks and we have now started a GoFundMe page.

'Lynn had no money, nowhere to live and she would have been on the streets. The local government would have left her on the streets with two young girls and they still won't help her now.

'She had paid her taxes for 30 years before she went to Portugal. She was literally on the streets and with very little money.

'So as they wouldn't help her, a friend and me found her a little place in Kempston. It is like a little holiday chalet.

'So she and the girls moved into there, but she couldn't get any Government help.

'But Lynn is not a shirker, so the minute she got into the hotel , she was setting up interviews to get herself a job.'

Lynn and Richard Appleby-Brisco moved to the Mediterranean country's Guarda district in 2016 - and are seen here in the Channel 4 show ahead of their big change

Lynn and Richard Appleby-Brisco moved abroad in 2016 to start a more 'affordable' life with their two daughters (all pictured together) in Portugal's Guarda district

Lynn said she was 'scared to be in the house' on her own and would 'carry a knife' when she went down to the farm

Ms Lewis said her friend was joined by her husband who had made the journey back from Portugal by road and with some of their possessions.

She said that the mother-of-two is now working as a chef in a pub restaurant and doing 12 hour shifts.

'It hasn't been good, she and Richard were certainly left by the wayside,' she said.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: My dream retirement to Portugal became a nightmare when neighbour tried to steal my land, someone tried to ram my car off the road and my dog was tortured to death - I fear for my life Advertisement

The couple's harrowing experience in Portugal reached a chilling climax when angry locals attacked the family's dog Cu - an estrela mountain cross retriever - which later died at the age of four.

The Appleby-Brisco's ordeal has chilling echoes to that of Orla Dargan, who faced years of of threatening behaviour from a neighbour and found her rescue dog dead in a shallow well after she moved to Portugal in 2016.

The family-of-four, from Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, say that after their goats were poisoned after a local admitted to stealing their cat Ponyo and her kitten Bubbles in January.

Ms Appleby-Brisco, 51, said that when she confronted a villager about the mystery deaths, she was told: 'We've taken your pets and you're next.'

She told The Sun: 'I just couldn't take it anymore, and it was my absolute lowest point.

'I was scared to be in the house on my own so I would hang around the biggest local town all day to feel safe.

'It was so bad that when I would go down to the farm I would carry a knife with me, and I consider myself a pacifist.'

The family believe they inadvertently put a target on their backs after their episode aired in 2018.

Among the outrageous incidents of harassment, the family were spat at and called 'English pigs' - while rumours were spread about Ms Appleby-Brisco being a devil-worshipping prostitute after she planted flowers outside their home.

The family flew home to the UK in February with a small suitcase holding a change of clothes and pyjamas.

Ms Appleby-Brisco and her children, Emily, 12, and Yvie, 10, are now living in a one-bed apartment, while their father is still trying to sell the property in Portugal and drive back all of their belongings.

It comes after a former City investment banker who retired to the Algarve told MailOnline about her years of hell after an 'aggressive' neighbour took over her land and drove her out of her home, forcing her to go into hiding.

Richard is pictured building their Portugal home before they were forced back to the UK

The family have raised 3,700 through a GoFundMe page to try and recover from the failed plan to move abroad

Orla Dargan bought her dream Portuguese villa for around 600,000 in 2016

Orla Dargan in Portugal with her rescue dog Henry, who she says was 'killed' amid an ongoing boundary dispute

Orla Dargan bought her dream Portuguese villa for around 600,000 in 2016, and lived there happily for several years before her neighbour, an estate agent she describes as a 'dangerous' man, moved in next door.

The mother-of-two said she was warned about his 'temper' and went on to face years of threatening behaviour, including an alleged attempt to drive her off the road near her home.

Her beloved rescue dog was also found dead, floating in a shallow well with horrifying injuries.

The Appleby-Briscos have raised 3,800 through a GoFundMe page to try and recover from the failed plan to move abroad.

On the page, Ms Appleby-Brisco wrote: 'We arrived in Portugal almost eight years ago full of excitement of starting a new, sustainable life. We were followed by the film crew from Channel Fours Our Wildest Dreams as we wanted to inspire others.

'Initially our lives were great, we wanted to integrate locally so didn't mix as much with the expats, put our girls in the village school, bought a little farm on the edge of the village, started to learn the language better, did everything we thought right.

'Little did we know there was a storm of resentment in the village towards us, we had done nothing wrong so why would we even question it.'

Channel 4 has been approached for comment.
Holidaymakers have slammed Booking.com accusing the platform of failing to crack down on 'appalling' scammers who have tricked customers on its official app.

MailOnline has been contacted by dozens of people targeted by cybercriminals, with some forced to cancel their holidays due to the cost and stress of resolving the issue.

Posing as hotels who they have reserved rooms with, the scammers trick travellers into handing over their bank details by claiming they need to pay straight away or face losing their booking.

One family had to cancel their dream holiday to Thailand after they were scammed out of 465 by fraudsters and left unable to get a refund from Booking.com, the hotel or their bank.

Another victim had nearly 1,200 pilfered from her account by scammers after tricking her into thinking she was interacting with a hotel she had made a booking at.

Booking.com told MailOnline that its systems 'have not been breached' but some of their accommodation partners have been targeted by 'very convincing and sophisticated phishing tactics'.

Have you been targeted by this scam? Email matthew.lodge@mailonline.co.uk

Kira Smith (pictured) had 700 taken from her bank account by scammers pretending to be staff at a hotel she had reserved a room at through Booking.com

Kerry Wilde had nearly 1,200 taken from her account by the scammers after being messaged through the Booking.com messaging service

When contacted by concerned customers about the scam, Booking.com claims that the issue is not with its site, but with hotels that have been tricked by scammers into allowing them access to their accounts.

However, that will be scant consolation to those who have they holiday plans impacted by the scam, which includes people attempting to stay in Britain for shorter breaks.

Kerry Wilde, 57, from London, was targeted after she booked a one night stay in Whitstable.

The overnight booking, which was meant to be a gift for her daughter and partner, ended up turning into a nightmare after they took 1,200 from Kerry's account.

Kerry claims she received a message from within the Booking.com site messaging system to say she needed to pay the rest of her booking fee or face losing the reservation.

'As the message was sent within Booking.com it didn't cross my mind that it could be a scam,' she told MailOnline.

'The message was within the message thread that I already had for the booking so I went ahead with the payment.

'I received the message just prior to an important appointment so that added to the "must do now" urgency of the situation.

'The payment buffered so after the appointment I tried again and the buffering happened again.

'So I then messaged the owners of the property asking them if the payment had gone through and queried that I had thought that payment was due several weeks later.

'They replied that they hadn't changed the payment date or requested payment so alarm bells rang loud!'

Kerry immediately went onto her online banking and saw that four transactions worth 1,200 had gone through in the space of just 10 minutes.

After ringing her bank's fraud department they agreed the transactions were fraudulent and agreed to return the money.

Kira Smith says the cruel scammers told her 'thanks for the money' after she said she couldn't transfer any more to them

Kira says she was left 'sick' after realising she had been scammed to the tune of 700 on the app

'My card was cancelled and re issued which took over a week,so again that caused more inconvenience,' she said.

'I rang Booking.com customer service to report the fraud and said that as it had occurred within their app it left me with no sense of security to use the app again.

'They said that they had never had another incident and that it would be investigated by them. I have never heard a word from them since.

'I cancelled my booking because I didn't want to use my new card within the app to pay for the rest of the booking in case the scammers could access the details.

'I was furious with the incident and all the inconvenience it caused.'

Kira Smith, from Newport in South Wales, fell victim when the fraudsters impersonated her hotel in Singapore ahead of her stay in January.

'I got a message through the Booking.com in-app messaging system saying they needed some card details to confirm my identity to stop fraud,' she said.

READ MORE Dozens of holidaymakers from Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and LA turn up at home of woman from London after scammers put her address on Booking.com Advertisement

'I did think it was a little odd but it came through the app so I thought it was fine.

'There was a link in the message which took me to a payment portal. It wasn't working but I ended up live web chatting with who I thought was the hotel

After taking 700 from her account, the scammers told Kira, 38, the transaction had failed and she needed to do it again.

However, she told them she couldn't as she didn't have another 700 to send, sparking a cruel retort from the criminals.

'That's when they said "thanks for the money" then promptly disappeared. The link no longer worked.

'I was horrified. I'm always so careful. It wasn't just that they taken the money, but it was how it made me feel.'

Kira, who ended up going on her trip to Singapore as part of a larger journey to New Zealand with her partner over Christmas, said she has been left 'sick' following the scam.

'I contacted Booking.com straight away who said they'd look into it,' she said.

'I received a message from the hotel which basically said to be aware of scammers and that was the last thing I heard from either of them. I tried messaging but no one ever responded.

'They wouldn't refund me. I felt sick. I've been using Booking.com for years and was so disappointed and how I was treated. They just didn't care.'

An example of a message sent by suspected scammers through Booking.com while pretending to work at a hotel

Another example of a message suspected to have been sent by scammers to one Booking.com customer

Sarah Maynard said she was forced to cancel a potentially magical trip to Thailand in after being targeted by the fraudsters who posed as one of their hotels in August last year.

She told MailOnline: 'We booked a trip to Thailand and one of the hotels was clearly hacked (upon reflection).

READ MORE Cyber criminals are targeting Booking.com customers with bogus WhatsApp messages warning of a security breach in a bid to steal cash Advertisement

'However their email and message through Booking.com said our booking had failed payment verification so we had to re-enter our card details. Unbeknownst to us, it was fraud.'

Sarah said they had 465 taken from her husband's account, with hotel only noticing the issue on their end three days later.

Despite the evidence of the scam and paying on credit card, she was unable to get the money back from her bank.

'Booking.com did not care and the hotel would not cancel our booking without a fee,' she said.

'We ended up cancelling the holiday due to this experience.'

Cathy, who was targeted by the scam but was able to keep hold of her money, told MailOnline it was 'appalling' that it was being allowed to take place.

She revealed how she received a message through the Booking.com app in which the scammers 'knew all my details and hotel booking details' and claimed the reservation would be cancelled if she didn't update her card information.

'When I entered the details it buffered for a while and I felt a red flag,' she said.

According to Booking.com, fraudsters have managed to gain access to the accounts of individual hotels on its platform - meaning they can pose as staff in messages (file image)

Customers of Booking.com have received messages from scammers, who are pretending to be from hotels they have booked (file image)

'I have two step verification on my MBNA credit card, the text message showed a higher value, in euros to a gaming company. I didn't authorise it. MBNA cancelled my card so luckily I didn't lose out but it was very convincing.'

The scam has caught eyes in financial industry, with one of Britain's biggest banks urging people to be mindful about potential fraudsters online.

Lloyds said that while most holiday scams start on Facebook Marketplace, where fraudsters list fictional holiday homes and take payments from customers before disappearing, the criminals are increasingly looking to more official booking websites to draw victims in.

Lloyds' tips for dodging holiday booking scams Purchase tickets and hotel stays from trusted retailers or, even better, direct from the airline or hotel. When booking stays, look for valid reviews on websites such as TripAdvisor. Always use your debit or credit card. This helps to protect your money should something go wrong. When booking stays through websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com, only pay through their systems. Do not transfer any money directly to the host. If you're booking a hotel through a third party  like Booking.com  and receive what appears to be a message from the hotel asking for more money, after the original booking has been confirmed, do not pay this without contacting Booking.com or the hotel directly using the contact details on their websites. Be cautious on social media. You don't know if the user or what they're selling is genuine and have few ways of checking. If buying a caravan or motorhome, always see the item in person before handing over any form of deposit. Don't succumb to pressure. If a seller is trying to rush you, or bombarding you with messages, take a step back and question their keenness as this is likely to be pressure selling. Pay attention to warnings. Your bank is likely to provide a warning when you set up a new payee or make an unusual payment. Be sure to follow any advice provided. Advertisement

Lloyds said: 'Fraudsters have also been able to compromise the Booking.com mobile app, using it to successfully message holiday makers, posing as a booked hotel.

'While pretending to be the hotel, the scammer will ask for a further payment, to be sent in a different way to the original booking, or for card, bank account or other personal information. It's a sophisticated and layered scam, as it appears to be a message from the genuine hotel, sent through the actual Booking.com app.'

When contacted by MailOnline, a Booking.com spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that Booking.com's sytems have not been breached.

'Some of our accommodation partners have been directly targeted by very convincing phishing tactics, led by professional cyber criminals, encouraging them to click on links or attachments, which in turn has resulted in malware being loaded onto their machines, and in some cases giving unauthorised access to their Booking.com account.

'These bad actors then attempt to impersonate the partner (or even Booking.com) - sometimes very convincingly - to request payment from customers outside of the policy in their booking confirmation, with the attackers sometimes using a sense of urgency often coupled with what appears to be a reasonable context to convince unsuspecting customers to provide them with sensitive information.'

'In tackling this particular attack, we implemented various safeguards early on but are continuously evolving our approach as these criminals pivot quickly and are using AI and machine learning.'

Some of the measures include: Requiring additional two-factor authentication, banners notifying guests that they should not communicate or provide credit card information via chat or email, Booking.com's own fake reservation detector and removing links sent from partners to guests and only allow pre-approved links.

The spokesperson added: 'As information is key, via multiple email campaigns over recent months, we have also been sharing additional tips and updates with our partners about what they can do to protect themselves and their businesses, including how to work together with us to keep their accounts secure while providing up to date information on the latest trends and techniques we are seeing on a regular basis.'

But despite the preventative measures 'it remains an area of priority and focus for us,' they said.

'We believe that sharing information on the attacks will help others in the hospitality industry improve their own defences.'
Warning comes as UK think tank urges govt to create undersea warfare strategy

A top NATO commander has warned Europe and North America are vulnerable to 'undersea hybrid warfare', with Russia having developed the capability to sever cables responsible for maintaining online communications.

Vice Admiral Didier Maleterre, the deputy commander of the security alliance's Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and former submariner, said: 'More than 90 per cent of [the] Internet is under the sea. All our links between the US, Canada and Europe are transmitting under the sea, so there are a lot of vulnerabilities.

'We know the Russians have developed a lot of hybrid warfare under the sea to disrupt the European economy, through cables, internet cables, pipelines... That's a very important concern because it's a security issue for nearly 1 billion NATO-nation civilians,' he told The Guardian.

V. Adm. Maleterre's stark warning comes just weeks after British think-tank Policy Exchange published a report urging government ministers to develop a strategy for 'seabed warfare'.

The 60-page report, backed by the likes of former UK defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon, Air Chief Marshal Lord Peach and former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West, said a plan to guard subsea assets 'must be incorporated into the Royal Navy's maritime doctrine at the highest order of priority'.

In a foreword to the report, Lord Peach wrote: 'Moscow has already begun probing Atlantic undersea infrastructure as the weak underbelly of our national security.

'Regular sightings of suspicious Russian activity in nearby waters, mysterious cable-cutting incidents, and the growing concern amongst our friends and allies about undersea infrastructure vulnerabilities, all signal that we have arrived in a new era of undersea warfare.'

Vice Admiral Didier Maleterre, the deputy commander of the security alliance's Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), has warned Europe and North America are vulnerable to 'undersea hybrid warfare'

Russia's nuclear submarine 'Tula' is seen on patrol on Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Ministers must draw up a 'seabed warfare' strategy to defend Britain from attacks by hostile states on its undersea cables, a report warns

More than 97 per cent of the world's communications are transmitted through sub sea optical fibre cables surrounded by armouring wire and a Polyethylene cover

A global network of undersea fibreoptic cables crisscrossing the ocean floor is responsible for carrying roughly 97 per cent of international communications.

The UK relies on such cables snaking across the Atlantic from the US and on to Europe.

According to the Policy Exchange report, '99 per cent of the UK's digital communications with the outside world depend on this cable network'.

If some of these cables were to be damaged or disabled, it would not just prevent Britons from accessing the Internet on smartphones and laptops.

Everything from agriculture and healthcare to military logistics and financial transactions would crash, effectively plunging the country into an unprecedented depression.

But as world powers, particularly Russia and China, continue to develop highly capable nuclear submarines and unmanned marine drones, these vital subsea networks are becoming ever more susceptible to sabotage.

And in shallower waters, such technology is not required - a ship could simply drag an anchor along the seabed to rip the cables apart, passing it off as an accident.

An incident of this nature unfolded in October last year, when a gas pipeline and several telecoms cables connecting Estonia with Finland under the Baltic Sea were damaged by an anchor.

Investigators have not yet concluded which ship was responsible for the damage, but said that a Russian-flagged ship and a Chinese-owned vessel were in 'close proximity' to the site of the incident.

V. Adm. Maleterre explained that huge parts of these networks were developed by private tech companies, and as a result are not designed for protection against military threats.

'They didn't know that such hybrid warfare would develop so rapidly,' Maleterre said. 'And it's very difficult to have a permanent surveillance of every cable - it's not possible.'

But the difficulty of surveilling and monitoring thousands of miles of undersea cabling is just one vulnerability, according to Policy Exchange.

'The current tactical, operational and technological landscape affords outsized advantages to the aggressor over the defender,' the report concluded.

'Ease of access, and the near-impossibility of attributing intentional interference, combines with the difficulty of monitoring and policing such a vast area to an extent unparalleled by other infrastructure targets.

'The strategic benefits of disrupting these transnational digital connective systems makes hostile action, both below and above the conflict threshold, an immediate and future threat in emergent seabed warfare.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured, has been investing heavily in his country's submarine fleet, including developing technology to interfere with sub sea cables

In this file photo taken on September 27, 2022 this handout picture released by the Danish Defence Command shows the gas leak at the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

Concerns over the security of undersea cables have endured for decades, and were thrust into the public consciousness amid the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September 2022.

Some US and European officials initially suggested Moscow had blown up its own pipelines, an interpretation dismissed as 'idiotic' by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Instead, Putin has blamed the US, UK and Ukraine - all of which deny any role - while the White House dismissed a blog post by American investigative journalist Seymour Hersch alleging Washington was behind explosions as 'utterly false and complete fiction'.

Investigators are yet to conclude which party or parties were responsible for the attack on Nord Stream.

But fears were heightened one year ago when NATO's intelligence chief David Cattler declared Russia was likely mapping Western cable networks.

'There are heightened concerns that Russia may target undersea cables and other critical infrastructure in an effort to disrupt Western life, to gain leverage against those nations that are providing security to Ukraine,' Cattler told reporters in May 2023.

'The Russians are more active than we have seen them in years in this domain,' he said, adding they were patrolling more throughout the Atlantic than in recent years and had also stepped up activities in the North and Baltic seas.
Parents across England faced a nervous wait today to find out what primary school had offered their child a place for the next academic year.

Families were expected to learn this afternoon or evening whether their three and four-year-olds had received their preferred school on what is 'National Offer Day'.

The decision will be sent by the council by either letter or email, with some parents able to use an admissions portal. Councils vary in what time they reveal the offers.

The Government said 92.5 per cent of children received an offer from their first choice last year, while 98.3 per cent got chosen by one of their top three.

The national figure for 2024 has not yet been revealed, but some councils this morning announced their individual rate of children being offering first choices - with 91 per cent in Warwickshire, 96 per cent in York and 97 per cent in Leicester.

The Government said 93% of children got an offer from their first choice in 2023 (stock image)

Ministers added that more than one million additional school places had been created between May 2010 and May 2023, with 'many more in the pipeline'.

Q&A on National Offer Day for primary schools What time are places released? Parents will find out today which primary school has offered their child a place for September. Exactly what time this is released varies by council. How do you find out the decision? The decision will be sent by the local council by either letter or email. Some councils allow parents to view their results through the admissions portal. How likely are you to get first choice? Figures have not yet been revealed for 2024. But in 2023, 92.5 per cent of families got their first choice and 98.3 per got one of their top three choices. What happens after you get an offer? A parent or carer must formally accept the offer by the council's deadline. Can you appeal a decision? If you're not offered your first-choice, you can appeal - but even if you do, you should accept the offer your child did receive so that they have a place if the appeal is unsuccessful. Accepting another offer won't affect your appeal. How do you appeal? Parents wanting to appeal should contact a school's admission authority, which is responsible for organising an independent appeal panel. How are school places decided? All state-funded schools must give top priority to admitting children who are in care or have been in care. But admission criteria below this is different for each school. They may choose to give priority to children who live close to the school; who have a brother or sister at the school already; from a particular religion (for faith schools); who are eligible for the pupil premium; or whose parent has worked at the school for two years or more. Can you join a school's waiting list? You can add your child's name to the waiting list for any school that you've applied for. You should still accept the offer you received and this won't affect where you stand in the waiting list. Advertisement

But among those waiting on a decision today was Victoria Oatway, a designer from Chichester, who tweeted West Sussex County Council to say: 'Could you tell me why the school admissions decisions for starting school 2024 arent available on the parent portal this morning as your email when we applied stated they would be? We applied on time and we still have no email and no decision is visible on the portal.'

Communications professional Isabel Johnston tweeted Southampton City Council to say: 'Please can you urgently fix your citizen portal so parents awaiting their primary places can actually log in and see them? Its shown runtime error screen since last night.'

And another parent from Kent wrote: 'Not got the patience to be waiting to find out Alex's primary school place. Why can't they just press the button at midnight and be done with it?'

When a parent receives an offer, they must formally accept this by a given deadline which is normally set through the council's admissions portal.

If a child is not given their first choice, parents can appeal  but are advised to accept the offer they did receive, so they still have a place if the appeal is unsuccessful. The Government says that accepting another offer does not affect the appeal.

The criteria for admissions varies can either be set by the school or council, although all state-funded schools must give top priority to children who are in care or have been in care.

Below this category, admission criteria can vary and may give preference to children who live close to the school, already have a sibling at the school or who are eligible for the pupil premium.

Faith schools can also give preference to those from a particular religion.

Parents are also able to add their child's name to the waiting list for a school that they missed out  but should still accept the offer they did receive, which will not affect their waiting list position.

It comes after an Education Policy Institute (EPI) report found schools across the UK could be forced to close due to falling pupil numbers fuelled by a lower birth rate.

Overall, schools stand to collectively lose more than 1 billion in funding by 2030 because they cannot fill their places, according to the think tank's study.

The EPI says it will lead to heads taking 'cost-cutting measures', mergers with other schools and closures. The problem will affect primary schools at first, but eventually the problem will move to secondary level too.

It comes after a Daily Mail investigation found hundreds of schools may close in the next six years, with dozens already earmarked to be axed or are at risk.

The population of primary school children is expected to drop by more than half a million by 2030, the equivalent of 17,000 classes or 1,800 schools.

The fall is due to the end of the baby boom of the early part of this century, which was partly fuelled by migration.

Pupil numbers are projected to fall the most in London and the North East, according to the EPI.
Unelected peers are today set to continue their battle with the House of Commons over the Rwanda migrant plan.

The House of Lords will again debate the Prime Minister's flagship Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill this afternoon.

The latest stage of parliamentary 'ping pong' over the legislation comes as Rishi Sunak faces increasing pressure over his pledge to 'stop the boats'.

The Government successfully overturned six Lords' amendments last night as MPs returned the Bill to its original form.

But peers could yet prolong the wrangle over the legislation, which declares Rwanda a safe destination to send asylum seekers, by seeking further changes tonight.

An analysis of Home Office data found more than 75,000 migrants have crossed the Channel to Britain since ministers first announced the Rwanda plan two years ago.

No asylum seekers have yet been sent to the east African country after the multi-million pound scheme got bogged down in legal challenges.

The House of Lords will again debate the Prime Minister's flagship Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill this afternoon

People sit onboard an inflatable boat before attempting to cross the Channel to reach Britain, off the coast of Sangatte, northern France

The latest stage of parliamentary 'ping pong' over the Rwanda Bill comes as Rishi Sunak faces increasing pressure over his pledge to 'stop the boats'

On Sunday, 534 people were detected crossing the Channel - which was the highest number on a single day so far this year.

It is not yet clear if the Lords will stage another bid to amend the Rwanda Bill today, which it has already done twice now, or if peers will concede defeat and allow the legislation through.

If peers vote to approve another series of amendments, the Bill will return to the Commons on Wednesday for more votes before once again being passed back to the Lords.

The legislation will only receive royal assent and become law once both Houses have agreed on its final wording in a process known as parliamentary ping-pong.

Among the amendments overturned by MPs last night were proposals to ensure the Bill has 'due regard' for domestic and international law and that Rwanda is only regarded as safe for as long as the provisions of the UK's treaty with that country are in place.

During Monday's debate, veteran Conservative backbencher Sir Bill Cash urged peers to 'calm down' and described their amendments as 'ridiculous'.

Home Office minister Michael Tomlinson stressed that the 'elected' Commons had voted in favour of an unamended Bill and called on MPs to 'stand with the Government in upholding the will of the House of Commons'.

But Labour's shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said the Rwanda scheme was 'doomed to fail' and described the policy as 'fundamentally unworkable, unaffordable and unlawful'.

The ongoing standoff between the two Houses of Parliament continues to delay flights deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, seen by the Government as a vital deterrent to the small boats crossing the Channel.

The Government has previously said it wanted to get flights off the ground in the spring.

But on Monday the PM's official spokesman would only say it was committed to implementing the policy 'as soon as possible'.
A dog lover was saved by her pet when an XL Bully she had taken in became violent and mauled her, the shaken woman has revealed.

Charlie Watts was left with around 200 puncture wounds to her arms and legs after she was savaged by the 'unlicensed' dog she was looking after.

The unnamed animal is said to have turned on her when she tried to stop it from fighting with her own dog, which she describes as an XL Bully cross called Titan.

Ms Watts managed to escape the crazed beast by locking herself in her bathroom at her home in the Norfolk market town of Holt.

A neighbour is understood to have heard her cries for help shortly before midnight on April 9 and raised the alarm.

A neighbour is understood to have heard Ms Watts; cries for help shortly before midnight on April 9 and raised the alarm (Ms Watts is pictured with her beloved pet, Titan)

The unnamed animal is said to have turned on her when it began fighting with her own dog, described as an XL Bully cross called Titan (pictured). The attacking dog has since been put down while Ms Watts' pet has been seized by police

Firefighters helped her escape through a window to avoid the XL Bully she was looking after that was camped outside.

Norfolk Police confirmed the dog that attacked Ms Watts had been put down.

The force added they were continuing to hold onto Titan while officers establish what breed it is, and whether the pet falls into the official category for an XL Bully - which is banned in the UK.

Heavily tattooed Ms Watts, who is in her 20s, was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where she spent four nights before being released on Saturday.

Her grandfather, Alan Gilbey, who was at her home on Monday, said: 'She's recovering. I'm just cleaning up the blood and stuff.

'She's out of the hospital. She has got something like 200 puncture wounds on her arms and legs. She had stitches, sutures, glue whatever.'

He added his granddaughter hadn't regained the use of her hands yet but said: 'Fortunately, her dog saved her life. He pulled the other one off. He was a smaller dog.

'She's got him neutered and registered because they said he was borderline, so she should be getting him back tomorrow.

'He's not a banned dog because we already had him tested two years ago but you know what the police are like. They took one look and said he was a banned dog but that is not the case.'

Norfolk Police confirmed the dog that attacked Ms Watts had been put down and said they were continuing to hold onto Titan (pictured) while officers establish what breed it is

Heavily tattooed Ms Watts, who is in her 20s, was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where she spent four nights before being released on Saturday

Mr Gilbey explained the dog his granddaughter had been looking after was an unlicensed XL Bully which needed a home as its owners couldn't 'look after' it anymore.

'She was looking after it. It was like a rescue and she took it in. She had only just got it and didn't realise what it was,' he said.

A series of messages have been posted on Facebook by Ms Watts, calling on police to release her pet as soon as possible.

One said: 'TITAN SAVED MY LIFE & police have him. Need him home asap, not only (for) him but for my mental health. Any help & advice welcome!! Please help me get Titan back.'

Another post claimed: 'Titan got the dog that was trying to kill me.'

A third message, accompanied by a photo of Titan with loveheart emojis, said: 'Getting some rest. Thinking of you my king. Mummy get you soon. This is killing me.'

Ms Watts also posted a video on Facebook over the weekend, showing her sitting on her hospital bed, clutching a bunch of flowers with her arms and left leg bandaged.

Friends have rallied round to back her account that Titan saved her life and is not a banned or unregistered pet.

Danna Barber wrote on Facebook: 'Titan has been seized by the police after saving his Mum's life when the other dog attacked her!!

Ms Watts managed to escape the crazed beast by locking herself in her bathroom at her home (pictured) in Holt, Norfolk. She was eventually helped out of a window to escape

Friends have rallied round to back Ms Watts' account that Titan saved her life and is not a banned or unregistered pet

'I see this boy when they took him away!! He was so confused and scared it broke my heart. We are now all standing strong around Charlie to make sure we get this boy home!!'

Ms Barber posted another message which said: 'Best boy in the world. Saved his mum's life.'

Another friend wrote: 'I've never met your lad Titan but can see in his eyes he's a good boy bless him. He's probably so confused. I hope he's home soon.'

Restrictions on XL Bullies came into force on February 1 this year following a string of attacks that led to fatalities and life-changing injuries.

It is now an offence to own one in England and Wales without an exemption certificate or to walk one without a lead and muzzle.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: 'Emergency services were called to an address at 23.45 on April 9 to reports of a woman injured after she intervened between two dogs that had attacked each other.

'The victim, a woman in her 20s, sustained serious injuries. She was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for treatment.

'One dog, an XL Bully, has since been destroyed. A second has been seized and its breed is being determined. Enquiries are ongoing.'
Multiple false alarms rang out at the Los Angeles storage facility where a super heist occurred in the months preceding the brazen $30million theft on Easter Sunday, it has emerged.

Burglars stole $30million under the cover of darkness from the cash vaults at the GardaWorld facility in the San Fernando Valley, near Los Angeles, in one of the largest heists in US history on March 31.

But police service logs have revealed that officers were called to the facility at least 13 times before the super heist last month, with 12 of the calls logged as false alarms, according to records obtained by TMZ. An alarm was triggered the day before the heist, the records showed, but was also reportedly dealt with as a false alarm.

Records further revealed that three calls for service, reported as triggered alarms, were logged the day of the heist. It was during one of these calls that police learned millions had been stolen from a safe at the facility.

Law enforcement sources told TMZ the calls for service are on federal investigators' 'radar' and are 'being looked into as part of the investigation'. The insiders also claimed that investigators are reviewing staffing issues at the facility, including having insufficient security personnel on site, as part of their probe.

More than two weeks on, police have still not made any arrests in connection to the case. Both the LAPD and FBI have told DailyMail.com that the 'investigation into the theft is ongoing'.

Multiple false alarms rang out at the GardaWorld storage facility (pictured on April 4) in Sylmar, California - near Los Angeles - in the months preceding the brazen $30million super heist on Easter Sunday, police service logs obtained by TMZ have revealed

Burglars stole $30million under the cover of darkness from the cash vaults at the GardaWorld facility in the San Fernando Valley, near Los Angeles, in one of the largest heists in US history on March 31. A GardaWorld truck is pictured at the facility

Aerial footage of GardaWorld captured days after the theft showed a large hole on the side of the building that appeared to be boarded up (pictured) with plywood. Police have said that the thieves were able to breach the building, as well as the safe where the money was stored. The operators of the business did not discover the massive theft until they opened the vault

Officers received a call for service at the facility in the suburban Sylmar neighborhood at 4.30am on Easter Sunday.

Aerial footage of GardaWorld captured days after the theft showed a large hole on the side of the building that appeared to be boarded up with plywood.

LAPD Cmdr. Elaine Morales previously revealed that the thieves were able to breach the building, as well as the safe where the money was stored. The operators of the business did not discover the massive theft until they opened the vault.

It is thought the gang broke in through a hatch on the roof and some how circumnavigated the security systems to access the vaults without raising the alarm, before escaping through a hole on the southeastern side of the building.

The LAPD and FBI have been tight-lipped about the case, but are understood to be jointly investigating the theft 'to determine the person or group responsible.'

GardaWorld stores and transports cash for America's biggest banks in facilities across the country, as well as holding major government and diplomatic contracts and running security for events.

The Canada-based company, which also operates fleets of armored cars, did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

GardaWorld stores and transports cash for America's biggest banks in facilities across the country, as well as holding major government and diplomatic contracts and running security for events. The Canada-based company also operates fleets of armored cars, some of which are pictured at its facility in Sylmar in the days following the heist

After the break-in, serious questions emerged over the security of GardaWorld sites after thieves were able to slip in and no one noticed the cash was missing until the next day. Pictured is the boarded up hole in the storage facility's Sylmar building

After the break-in, serious questions emerged over the security of GardaWorld sites after thieves were able to slip in and no one noticed the cash was missing until the next day.

According to an armored car and physical security expert, a facility like GradaWorld should have two alarm systems and a seismic motion detector right on the safe, as well as additional motion sensors throughout the building.

Randy Sutton, a former police detective in New Jersey and Las Vegas who investigated major crimes and high-end burglaries, said a crime of this magnitude had likely been planned for months or longer and involved numerous people.

'This took a tremendous amount of research and tremendous amount of knowledge on the technical end regarding the circumvention of security systems and surveillance,' he said earlier this month.

Sutton said that much of the cash at a facility like the one operated by GardaWorld has already been in circulation, so the majority of it may not be traceable.

He added that law enforcement has almost certainly started interviewing anyone who worked at GardaWorld or knew anything about its security protocols.

'You can bet that not just current employees of that organization are going to be scrutinized, but prior employees as well,' he said.

Law enforcement officials have not discussed details of the cash that was stolen, but regardless of the denomination of the bills, such a massive amount of cash would be difficult to move and transport.

The weight of $1million in $100 bills alone is about 22 pounds (10 kilograms), according to testimony from a US Treasury official to Congress.

If the cash were in various denominations, like $5s, $10s and $20s, the weight of $1million in cash could be closer to 250pounds, which could bring the overall weight of the Easter weekend haul to about 3.5tons.

Experts suspect the criminals who pulled of the heist already had a plan in place for how to launder that much money.

It is thought the gang broke in through a hatch on the roof and some how circumnavigated the security systems to access the vaults without raising the alarm, before escaping through a hole on the southeastern side of the building

In the days following the theft, a string of historic scandals surrounding the multi-national company have resurfaced with reports of millions of dollars of lost money, data breaches and cover-up schemes.

The Tampa Bay Times in 2020 published an extensive investigation into a pattern of accidents and losses at GardaWorld facilities.

The Times alleged that 'Garda lost track of millions of dollars inside its vaults, then concealed the missing money from the banks that were its clients.'

At the time, they were storing money for at least five of the nation's biggest banks: JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC Bank and TD Bank. They also store money for the federal reserve.

There are 425 branch offices across 45 countries, according to the company, with 132,000 security professionals.

According to their interview with a former branch manager at GardaWorld, Brian Newell, branches were ordered to move thousands of dollars between themselves so bank auditors wouldn't notice missing sums when they visited.

In total, the Times estimated they were missing $9million.

Another branch manager, Jammie Bolton, confirmed to the paper that employees would scramble to move money between banks' accounts when auditors came so that they could show them the amount they expected.

Other former employees told the outlet that they were shocked by how little the company did to keep track of the cash in its care, and there were too many losses to make it a series of mistakes.

Former managers told the Times that employees had 'ample opportunity' to steal, and thefts sometimes went unnoticed until clients pointed out money was missing.

As well as storing money, Garda runs a network of armored trucks that they use to shuttle cash between banks, businesses and their facilities.

But a separate Times investigation in 2020 alleged that the trucks are poorly maintained, lacking reliable brakes, seatbelts and sometimes even seats.

They found that hundreds of people had been injured in Garda crashes and at least 19 had died at the time.

An employee who works at the site of one of the largest bank heists in Los Angeles history has suggested the Ocean's Eleven-style break-in was an 'inside job'

The FBI and LAPD are still trying to piece together how burglars breached the roof of GardaWorld in Sylmar on Easter Sunday without triggering any alarms

On Garda's website, they say that 'Government and Diplomatic contracts are part of the lifeblood of GardaWorld' and boast of operations with British and American governments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Libya.

The security of those operations has been called into question following the Easter weekend heist and recent reports of serious data breaches at the company.

On March 22 2024, GardaWorld Cash filed a notice of a data breach with the Attorney General of California, and weeks later, on April 17, they filed another notice with regulators in Maine for a data breach.

They had discovered that they had been the target of breach in November 2023 where an unauthorized person was able to access customers' names, social security numbers, insurance and health information.

In the Maine attack, the Attorney General said 39,928 people were affected.

As well as money storage and security, GardaWorld has been hired to set up and run migrant shelters in major US cities.

They were hired by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson under a $29million contract to build tent shelters - a project which has now been canceled over environmental concerns - and in Denver too.

The Denver project was canceled after community organizers pointed out Garda's poor record building shelters in Canada and Texas.

In Texas, the company built a center at Fort Bliss in El Paso which the US Department of Health And Human Services singled out for substandard living conditions and insufficient training of staff.

A BBC investigation into the facility uncovered allegations of sexual abuse of children, lice outbreaks and poor nutrition.

In a statement at the time GardaWorld said they were not responsible for 'case management' at the site.

Armored trucks are parked outside the GardaWorld facility in the Sylmar section of Los Angeles on Thursday, April 4, 2024

The heist at the GardaWorld facility in Sylmar, California (pictured) is among the largest ever in the US. The largest cash heist in the world is believed to be the plundering of the Central Bank of Iraq during the US invasion in 2003

More than two weeks on, police have still not made any arrests in connection to the case. The FBI has told DailyMail.com that its 'investigation into the theft is ongoing'. Pictured are cars in the parking lot of the GardaWorld facility in Sylmar, California

Although the largest cash heist in the world is believed to be the plundering of the Central Bank of Iraq during the US invasion in 2003, and other large cash heists have been pulled off in Europe and South America, the Los Angeles heist would be among the largest ever in the US.

The 1997 armed robbery of nearly $19million at the Los Angeles Dunbar Armored Co. depot was the largest cash robbery in US history at the time, according to the Los Angeles Times.

That caper, during which five armed robbers in black clothing and masks tied up a handful of workers at the depot, was planned with the help of a former employee at the facility. It took years to crack the case, and although all five culprits were caught, most of the cash was never recovered.

Although not a cash heist, nearly two years ago, as much as $100million in jewels and other valuables were stolen from a Brink's big rig at a Southern California truck stop. The thieves haven't been caught.
They are more used to helping stricken climbers down from perilous positions on Scotlands mountains.

But two members of a Scots rescue team used their skills to save a stranded sheep from above beauty spot made famous by Harry Potter.

The ewe was stuck on a ledge more than 100 feet up at Steall Gorge in Glen Nevis, Lochaber.

Two members of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team abseiled down to take it to safety.

Deputy team leader John Hepburn said that while it was not an official operation it was one of their more unusual jobs.

The sheep was stuck on a ledge 100 feet above a beauty spot made famous by the Harry Potter films

He added: It was an act of goodwill by two members. The sheep had been stuck on a rather precarious little ledge high above the river for over a week.

With an abseiling pincer movement from above and a bit of high school rugby skills, a tackle was administered to contain the hungry girl before she could fall off the ledge. After a bit of wrangling she was hauled up and released onto the hill for a well earned meal.

Two members of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team with the rescued sheep

Dealing with animals is always tricky because you dont know how they will react. Fortunately she did not jump or struggle and was in reasonable condition, given where she was and for how long.

The river is close to Steall Falls, which featured in the film Harry Potter Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Lochaber MRT, which cover 4,413ft high Ben Nevis, is Scotlands busiest mountain rescue team.

In total it answered a record 157 call outs, including to five fatalities, last year.

The 52 members are under increasing strain in an unprecedented year of call-outs as more people took to the hills.

The previous record was 132 call outs and in 2022 there were 122.

Fiona, was stranded at the base of a cliff at Balintore, Easter Ross, for two years before being rescued in November, 2023

It comes after Britains loneliest sheep was rescued last November - two years after it became stranded at the foot of a cliff north of Inverness.

Three-year-old Fiona was saved from a cave near Brora and now lives at Dalscone farm park, near Dumfries.
Three men have been arrested in India over the murder of a mother who accused two boys of gang-raping her deaf and mute teenage daughter.

The 50-year-old mother, who has not been named, was working in a field in Jharkhand, when the fathers of the two 14-year-old boys allegedly hacked her to death with the help of a relative.

Cops believe the murder was a brutal act of revenge after she confided in police following the alleged rape of her 19-year-old daughter.

'The motive appears to be revenge for the police action initiated against the sons and the land dispute with the victim,' local police reported, adding that they had recovered a weapon.

Two fourteen-year-old boys are suspected of having broken the lock to the woman's home in Gumla village while she was asleep one night last month, before distracting her in order to kidnap her deaf-mute daughter.

They then dragged her to a school building and raped her, according to the investigating officer.

Stock image. A woman was allegedly dragged from her home and raped after two boys broke the lock and forced their way in, in Jharkhand, India, last month

The arrests were reported on Monday, a day after the brutal attack in Jharkhand.

The suspects include the two fathers of the two boys suspected of the rape attack and a third who allegedly had a long-standing dispute with her.

An investigating officer said the woman had been asleep in her home with her daughter on March 13, while her eldest daughter attended a wedding function.

The two boys allegedly broke the lock to gain entry to the house, and told the mother to go and check on her eldest, who was 'up to something indecent' at the party.

Investigators believe they dragged her other daughter from the home after she left, taking her to a school building before attacking her.

The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her right to privacy.

A complaint has been registered and an investigation launched.

Two minors are currently being held in an observation home, the Times of India reported.

In March, a 28-year-old Spanish tourist and travel influencer said she was robbed and gang-raped in Dumka, Jharkhand.

Fernanda, 28, and Vicente, 63, who were making their way to Nepal from India on separate motorcycles, were reportedly attacked by a group of seven after setting up camp in a makeshift tent in the district.

Vicente said his 'mouth was destroyed' when his attackers used a helmet and a stone to beat him.

Fernanda, who was seen with visible bruises on her face, said: 'They thrashed us and robbed us, but their main aim was to rape me.'

She added that they had approached the police for help, but later said that she was made to take down the video from her page so as not to 'disturb' the police's investigation.

Fernanda told a Spanish broadcaster that the attack lasted for two hours, and each of the men 'took turns.'

'They raped me, they took turns while some watched and they stayed like that for about two hours,' she said last month.

According to The Telegraph, the couple were given just 9,500 as compensation for their troubles by Indian authorities.

Fernanda said she thought she and her partner were 'going to die' in the attack in March

Three men arrested for the alleged gang rape of a Spanish tourist are brought by police to be produced before the Dumka District Court in Dumka, Jharkhand, India, Monday, March 4

In April 2023, a 10-year-old girl was found dead in Jharkhand after a suspected gang-rape.

Police said the body was found in the backyard of the girl's house in Jharkhand's Latehar district.

Chandwa police inspector Amit Gupta said the girl was last seen at a neighbour's house where a crowd had gathered following a snake sighting.

The girl was only discovered the next morning in a 'semi-naked state'.

'Injury marks were also found on her body,' he said. 'Prima facie it seems that the girl was raped by a gang before being murdered.'
Police are looking for a man who grabbed a teenage girl while she was walking down a street, then sexually assaulted her.

The 17-year-old girl was walking along Craven Court, near the intersection of Randell Elbow, in Bunbury, Western Australia, at about 10.45pm on Saturday when she was approached by a man she did not know.

'The unknown male then took hold of the victim and sexually assaulted her,' police said.

Police are looking for a man who allegedly grabbed a teenage girl while she was walking down a street, then sexually assaulted her (file picture)

Detectives would like to see any vision between 10pm and 11.30pm that might show people or vehicles on Craven Court or the surrounding area.

CCTV or dashcam vision can be uploaded directly to investigators.

Anyone with information, or who believes they may have seen or heard anything suspicious, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
A homeless man who posed as a 'Good Samaritan' to help a drunken woman he found staggering across a park home before raping her has been jailed.

Louai Dahman preyed on the victim by posing as a chaperone, taking her on a bus from Green Park to her flat in south London, where he followed her inside and raped her, the court heard.

The 26-year-old of no fixed address, who is now facing deportation, came across the victim in the Royal Park near Buckingham Palace at around 2.30am on July 15, 2022.

Dahman and the victim arrived at her home at around 5am, where she let herself in, got undressed and went to bed, the court heard.

Apparently assuming he was invited too, Dahman went inside and jumped into bed with her, where he raped her and sexually assaulted her.

Louai Dahman was jailed for seven years and six months at Inner London Crown Court heard on Friday, April 12.

Louai Dahman, 26, (pictured) posed as a chaperone, taking her on a bus from Green Park to her flat in South London, where he followed her inside and raped her, the court heard

William Saunders, prosecuting, said: 'It must have been obvious to him she was drunk and he was taking advantage of her.'

Dahman's barrister said his client thought he was invited into the flat, and 'took things the wrong way'.

'There may be a cultural difference in the lead-up,' the defence counsel argued, as they asked for the lowest possible sentence.

Judge Freya Newbery said the victim was 'in a drunken stupor' and asleep when she was woken up by the act of penetration.

She said the victim was 'just about as vulnerable as you can be'.

'You thought she had given you a green light to have sex with her. Whether she had been drunk or vomiting, whether she was awake or asleep, that was your intention,' the judge said.

'She fell into sleep and she was awoken by you trying to, and committing, serious sexual assaults.

'She was woken from sleep when you were assaulting her in this way. At the same time, she was protesting and saying 'No no', trying but not succeeding to push you away.

Louai Dahman preyed on the victim by posing as a chaperone, taking her on a bus from Green Park (pictured) to her flat in South London

'She has not got over what happened to her and it's really affected her trust and confidence in the people around her. She remains very upset and affected by it.'
A Chinese translator accused of luring a millionaire into a 'predatory marriage' before he died has lost 200,000 in inheritance to his daughter after a High Court battle.

Wealthy pensioner Robert Harrington passed away aged 94 in May 2020, just 11 months after marrying his carer Guixiang Qin, 54, who had moved from China and had also previously worked as a trained lawyer.

Mrs Qin, was taken to court by Mr Harrington's daughter Jill Langley, 70, after she was made executor of her husband's estate in his final will, which was written two months before he died.

Mrs Langley, who was disinherited by her father in the process, claimed Mrs Qin had lured him into a 'predatory marriage' and 'dumped him in the cheapest possible grave' once she 'had got all his money'.

Now after a trial, the will has been declared invalid, with a judge finding that Mrs Qin exerted 'undue influence' and 'control' over Mr Harrington and his finances after rewriting his will with her 'guiding hand'.

A High Court judge has also ruled that Mrs Langley will now get about 200,000 out of her father's estate now valued at 680,000.

Guixiang Qin walking outside Central London County Court. She was accused of luring her millionaire husband into a 'predatory marriage' before he died

This picture shows Robert Harrington with two children before his death. The wealthy pensioner married Mrs Qin in 2019

Mr Harrington's daughter Jill Langley arriving at Central London County Court. She had claimed Mrs Qin lured her father into a 'predatory marriage' and 'dumped him in the cheapest possible grave' once she 'had got all his money'

Recorder Robert McAllister's sitting at Central London County Court found Mr Harrington was mentally unfit at the time he made his last will and that Mrs Qin had been the 'guiding hand' behind it.

Mr Harrington wrongly believed he was a retired army major and that he had been estranged from his daughter for 30 years - and it would not have taken much for Mrs Qin to build on his delusions in order to write a new will, said the judge.

Mrs Langley would have benefitted under the terms of a previous 2012 will which named her as her father's ultimate heir, before it was rewritten in 2020.

Mrs Langley's barrister James McKean told the court that Mr Harrington was already displaying 'strange behaviour' when he moved into his final home at North Farm, Gayton Road, Kings Lynn, in 2015, after 'fortifying' it with numerous CCTV cameras.

Medical evidence suggested he was 'most likely suffering from a paranoid delusional disorder' in his final years, Mr McKean added, and he had even begun to believe he was a retired army major.

The last time Mrs Langley saw her father was at the funeral of her mother, Eileen - her father's wife of 66 years - in January 2018 when she recalled him looking 'very frail and vulnerable' and 'rambling'.

Soon after the funeral, she received a bombshell letter, stating: 'this letter will be the last contact I ever attempt to make.'

The first Mrs Langley knew of his new marriage was when she received a note from Mrs Qin in March 2020, reading: 'just to let you know that Dad married again last year'.

Mr Harrington was in poor physical shape given his advanced years and 'unable to even stand for a photo on his wedding day' and was not even able to pronounce his bride's name, Mrs Langley claimed.

During the trial, her barrister Mr McKean suggested Mrs Qin had received payments totalling up to 350,000 from Mr Harrington and buried him in a pauper's grave because she only wanted his money.

'Once you had got all his money you dumped him in the cheapest possible grave - that's right isn't it?' he put to her, adding, 'You haven't even bothered to maintain the grave properly.'

Mrs Qin denied the claims, saying she received about 100,000 from him and telling the judge she and Mr Harrington had embarked on 'a loving and sexual relationship' and that he 'wanted to look after her'.

Summarising her evidence, the judge said: 'She wasn't physically attracted to him when she first saw him, but she thought he was rather adorable and that he acted and spoke like a gentleman and he was a pretty humorous and smart person.'

Their first encounter was on the telephone, Mrs Qin said in her evidence, during which he came across as a 'gentleman' and soon after he was driving her around in his car and taking her on a trip to the seaside.

The pair enjoyed a whirlwind romance, she explained, meeting for the first time in January 2019, moving in together in February and with Mr Harrington proposing the following month.

She accepted that their relationship developed 'extremely quickly' but denied that she was motivated because 'she saw an opportunity to make money'.

Although 'serious amounts of money' were transferred to her from her husband's accounts following their marriage, she insisted the payments were legitimate in the circumstances of a romantic relationship.

But Recorder McAllister commented: 'The figures involved might suggest that there was an element of salary/payment for care, potentially reinforced by the reference to 'care' on some payments, but Mrs Qin denied that she was a carer.

'Accordingly, I find that there are multiple and frequent payments that have not been properly explained and are, therefore, at a minimum suspicious - those made when the deceased was in hospital or had just been discharged particularly so.'

Although he did not find Mrs Qin was Mr Harrington's carer, he said she had exerted some control over his finances.

'The fact that payments were made for 'care' from the deceased to Mrs Qin in early 2019 suggests that the relationship started on a basis that was not what she tells the court,' he said.

'There was clearly an element of control by her of the deceased and his finances that increased over time.'

The Royal Courts of Justice, which houses the Central London County Court where the trial was held

The judge found that Mr Harrington had a 'delusional state of mind' which was highlighted by a series of false beliefs including about his army career and that he had been estranged from his daughter for up to 30 years.

As a result of his confused state, he lacked sufficient 'testamentary capacity' when he made his last will in March 2020, the judge ruled, also finding that there was no proof he 'knew and approved' the contents of the will.

He added: 'In broad terms, I have found Mrs Qin unable to satisfactorily explain the transfers of money to her over time and her description of the development of her relationship with the deceased so speedily raises concerns.

'Whilst her barrister Mr Buston may be right, in a narrow sense, that a married man leaving his estate to his wife and not benefitting his adult child may be rational, in my judgment Mrs Langley has satisfied the evidential burden so as to raise a real doubt about capacity.

'The deceased could not and did not appreciate the claims to which he had to give effect as in his mind at the time Mrs Langley had not been in his life since 1987 and their last meeting had been at around the time that the 2012 will was made, under which she was the residual beneficiary, rather than continuing until at least 2015.

'At this time, the deceased was also labouring under a false understanding of his own career history and own family history, extending to false understandings of the arc of the previous 30 years.

'I find that he lacked testamentary capacity and the claim succeeds in that regard.'

Turning to the allegation of 'undue influence,' he continued: 'On the basis that Mrs Qin met the deceased in early 2019, he was already telling others that there was a 30 year estrangement [from his daughter].

'Whilst this might suggest that the die was cast, and there was little to influence, this would ignore the fact that there had been no such disinheritance prior to Mrs Qin coming on the scene and their marriage.

'The numerous enquiries for will services does, in my judgment, show that there was shopping around, which on her own evidence Mrs Qin knew about and in my judgment was involved in.

'Not only do these lend support to question marks about capacity being raised, they tend to suggest a guiding hand, which I find to be Mrs Qin's.

'It would have taken very little, from early 2019, to build upon the defendant's stated views about his estrangement, which I find were delusional, and put these into effect for her financial benefit.

'Accordingly, I find that the claim succeeds on undue influence.'

Because Mr Harrington's 2020 will has been overturned, he is now legally deemed to have died without making a will and his estate will be divided up under intestacy rules, with his daughter getting about 200,000.

Mrs Qin, as his widow, will automatically receive about 475,000 as his surviving spouse, although as the loser in court she will be left to pay lawyers' bills estimated at around 139,000.

Mrs Langley did not challenge her father's capacity to marry during the trial.
A Muslim pupil today lost a High Court challenge against a ban on prayer rituals at a high-achieving school in London which was once dubbed Britain's strictest.

The student, who cannot be named, took legal action against Michaela Community School in Brent, claiming the policy was discriminatory and 'uniquely' affected her faith due to its ritualised nature.

She argued the school's stance on prayer - one of the five pillars of Islam - unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom and was 'the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society'.

The school, founded and led by headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh, a former government social mobility tsar, argued its prayer policy was justified after it faced death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site.

The ban was introduced in March last year after 30 students began to pray in the school's yard, using blazers to kneel on  with the rules imposed due to concerns about a 'culture shift' towards 'segregation between religious groups and intimidation within the group of Muslim pupils', the court was told.

In a written ruling issued at the High Court in London this morning, Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupil's arguments against the prayer rituals ban. But the judge upheld the student's challenge to a decision to temporarily exclude her from the school.

Ms Birbalsingh described the main ruling as a 'victory for all schools' while the pupil said they were 'obviously very disappointed' having 'tried my best' in bringing the case. The pupil's mother said she was 'profoundly dismayed by the case's outcome'.

The school's headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh said it was defending its 'culture and ethos'

The pupil took legal action against Michaela Community School in Brent, North London

The judge said there was a 'a rational connection between the aim of promoting the team ethos of the school, inclusivity, social cohesion etc and the prayer ritual policy'.

Who is 'Britain's strictest headteacher' Katharine Birbalsingh? Katharine Birbalsingh, who has been commonly described as Britain's strictest headteacher, is no stranger to controversy. Ms Birbalsingh, headteacher of Michaela Community School in Brent in North London, has been at the centre of a legal challenge after she decided to ban prayer rituals at the secondary school. The high-profile school leader has attracted a lot of media attention over the years for her outspoken views on education and 'woke' culture. She first grabbed the headlines at the 2010 Conservative Party conference with a damning speech on the state of England's schools where she said standards had been 'so dumbed down that even the teachers know it' and the education system was broken 'as it keeps poor children poor'. A few weeks after her speech to delegates at the Tory conference, Ms Birbalsingh left her post as deputy headteacher of St Michael and All Angels Church of England Academy in south London. In 2014, she founded Michaela Community School - a free school which has been dubbed the strictest in the country. Year 7 pupils at Michaela are required to attend a behaviour 'boot camp' which teaches them how to walk to lessons quickly in single file, how to sit properly on a chair, and how to concentrate in class. Students at the school get detentions if they talk in the corridor or if they forget their pencil case or ruler. The high-achieving school, which has been rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, has been praised by a number of Tory ministers in the past for its academic success, and in 2020 Ms Birbalsingh was made a CBE. In October 2021, Ms Birbalsingh was appointed as chairwoman of the Government's Social Mobility Commission (SMC). Liz Truss, who was equalities minister at the time, celebrated the headteacher for 'expecting high standards and not indulging the soft bigotry of low expectations'. But Ms Birbalsingh, who describes herself on social media as having 'small c conservative values', faced criticism for comments she made as the Government's social mobility tsar. In April 2022, she found herself in hot water over comments to a Government committee which implied girls do not choose to study A-level physics because they dislike 'hard maths'. In her inaugural speech as the SMC chairwoman, Ms Birbalsingh, an Oxford University graduate, said understanding of social mobility needed to move beyond a 'rags to riches', 'Dick Whittington' approach where there is a 'focus on big-leap-upward mobility from the bottom to the top in one generation'. She quit her role as the Government's social mobility tsar in January 2023, citing the fact that she came with 'too much baggage' and was doing 'more harm than good'. She added that some of her 'controversial' statements had put the commission in 'jeopardy'. Just four months later, Ms Birbalsingh made headlines again when she told the National Conservatism conference that parents should be willing to take their children out of schools if they are 'too woke'. Ms Birbalsingh is not afraid to speak her mind - especially on social media - and the recent events surrounding her school are no exception. In January, in a post on X, Ms Birbalsingh defended the school's policy on prayers as she said it came amid a backdrop of violence, intimidation and racial harassment of teachers. In the same week that the case against the school was heard in the High Court, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan hailed Ms Birbalsingh's leadership of Michaela School as 'incredible' on social media. Advertisement

He added: 'The disadvantage to Muslim pupils at the school caused by the prayer ritual policy is in my view outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.'

In an 83-page judgment dismissing the student's case, Mr Justice Linden wrote: 'It seems to me that this is a case ... where the claimant at the very least impliedly accepted, when she enrolled at the school, that she would be subject to restrictions on her ability to manifest her religion.

'She knew that the school is secular and her own evidence is that her mother wished her to go there because it was known to be strict.

'She herself says that, long before the prayer ritual policy was introduced, she and her friends believed that prayer was not permitted at school and she therefore made up for missed prayers when she got home.'

Mr Justice Linden continued in his ruling: 'The essential nature of the school regime is one which the claimant and her fellow pupils, or at least their parents, have chosen and, indeed, that they have chosen to remain at the school notwithstanding the prayer ritual policy (PRP).

'Although the claimant says that she is aware of resentment of the PRP amongst some Muslim pupils, there is no evidence that this has affected enrolment or led any of them to choose to leave.

'Nor, indeed, is there evidence of the issue being raised with the school since the PRP was introduced, other than in the context of this claim.

'On the contrary, the evidence is that since the PRP was introduced good relations within the school community have been restored.'

He added: 'Balancing the adverse effects of the PRP on the rights of Muslim pupils at the school with the aims of the PRP and the extent to which it is likely to achieve those aims, I have concluded that the latter outweighs the former and that the PRP is proportionate.'

Reacting to the ruling today, Ms Birbalsingh said on X: 'A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves. The court's decision is therefore a victory for all schools.

'Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they have decided they don't like something at the school.'

She also said Muslim pupils last year had been put under pressure 'to pray, to drop out of the choir, to wear a hijab' while teachers faced abuse and intimidation.

In the statement, Mr Birbalsingh added: 'In 2014, 30 per cent of our intake was Muslim. It is now 50 per cent. We are oversubscribed.

'If our families did not like the school, they would not repeatedly choose to send their children to Michaela.'

Reflecting on previous events at the school, Ms Birbalsingh said: 'Last year, we watched our Muslim pupils put under pressure by a tiny number of others to fast, to pray, to drop out of the choir, to wear a hijab.

'I watched one of my black teachers racially abused and intimidated, another teacher who had her personal home nearly broken into, and another with a brick thrown through her window.'

She added: 'There is a false narrative that some try to paint about Muslims being an oppressed minority at our school. They are, in fact, the largest group.

'Those who are most at risk are other minorities and Muslim children who are less observant.'

Rishi Sunak's official spokesman told reporters: 'We welcome the judgement. The Michaela Community School is an outstanding school with a history of excelling in its outcomes for all pupils, who are regularly from some of the most disadvantaged parts of London.

'The Government has always been clear that headteachers are best placed to take decisions on what is permitted in their schools on these matters, to balance the rights of all with the ethos of the small community, including in relation to whether and how to accommodate prayer. And this judgement supports this.'

But the pupil who brought the legal challenge said in a statement provided by law firm Simpson Millar: 'I am obviously very disappointed that the judge did not agree with me.

'As is set out in the judgment, I do not agree that it would be too hard for the school to accommodate pupils who wished to pray in the lunch break.

'The school is very well run and generally very good at managing everything. The school doesn't wish to allow pupils to pray, has chosen a different path and the judge has found in their favour.

Michaela Community School was targeted with death threats and abuse, the court was told

'Even though I lost, I still feel that I did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban. I tried my best and was true to myself and my religion.

What are the unique practices at 'Britain's strictest school'? Lunchtime poetry chanting, national anthem singing, restrictions on socialising, silent corridors and constant supervision form part of the 'unique ethos' of a school dubbed Britain's strictest, a judge was told. The high-achieving Michaela Community School in Brent, Morth London, hit the headlines after a Muslim pupil brought a High Court challenge against its allegedly discriminatory ban on prayer rituals. The school defended against the claim, arguing it had the discretion to adopt the stance amid death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site. A ruling was issued today in favour of the school. Details of Michaela's practices and its 'ultra-strict enforcement' of behaviour rules were revealed by lawyers during the hearing of the student's legal challenge. They include: - 'Family lunch', poetry chanting and singing the national anthem At lunchtime, children cannot choose where they sit in the school's halls but are allocated to tables of six depending on their year and form. The first stand behind their chairs and chant poetry from memory and a teacher sets a mandatory topic of conversation for pupils to discuss. The aim is to 'develop the skill of conversing at a meal table'. Children also have set roles, such as collecting food or cleaning tables. Only vegetarian food is served to avoid division on racial or religious lines. Students also have to sing the national anthem twice a week. - The Michaela 'full stop' Pupils must end every interaction with teachers with 'Sir' or 'Miss'. - 'Tracking' in lessons and 'constant supervision' Under the tracking system, pupils 'must pay constant attention' to the teacher during lessons. There is no time in during classes where children may socialise with others. Teachers are specifically placed on corridors, staircases and at the door of the toilet to supervise children during breaks. - Silence in corridors Students move around the school's narrow corridors in single file and in silence and can only acknowledge staff. - The 'Rule of four, no more' Groups of more than four pupils are not allowed, including when in the school yard. The aim is to prevent social exclusion, with the school claiming that 'bullying is virtually unheard of'. Efforts to 'aggressively promote integration' include teachers actively intervening in school yard conversations and games to ensure pupils do not feel left out. - A strict uniform policy There is a mandatory blazer, tie, and navy-blue bag carrying the school's logo. Jewellery and make-up are banned and hairstyles must be 'appropriate'. All of the children have identical transparent plastic cases to carry their things in and a branded water bottle. Certain religious dress is allowed, such as headscarves. Only certain items can be carried by students, with all others banned. Phones seen or heard are confiscated until the end of half term. According to the pupil's lawyers, students are not allowed to wear coats, even in winter when they have to go outside in the cold. Advertisement

'Being involved in this case has not been easy for me ... The teachers are very good here and I hope to do the best that I can. I am also grateful for the understanding that my non-Muslim friends at school have shown as to the issues that affect us.'

The pupil's mother said she was 'profoundly dismayed by the case's outcome'.

In a comment also issued by Simpson Millar, she said: 'The case was rooted in the understanding that prayer isn't just a desirable act for us - it's an essential element that shapes our lives as Muslims.

'In our faith, prayer holds undeniable importance, guiding us through each challenge with strength and faith.'

She added: 'My daughter's impassioned stance compelled me to support her and I stand firm in that decision.

'Her courage in pursuing this matter fills me with pride and I'm confident she's gained invaluable lessons from the experience.'

Dan Rosenberg, a lawyer at law firm Simpson Millar who represented the pupil, said the judge had noted the case raised 'issues of genuine public interest in circumstances where the school's approach has come into conflict with the religious perspective of an important section of society'.

He added: 'Obviously, the result was not a result that our client wanted but given the strength of her feelings, she did not feel it was right to merely accept the situation without seeking to challenge it.

'I respect our client's mother for supporting her in this.'

However, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: 'I have always been clear that headteachers are best placed to make decisions in their school.

'Michaela is an outstanding school and I hope this judgment gives all school leaders the confidence to make the right decisions for their pupils.'

And secular campaigners said the ruling serves as a reminder that claims of religious freedom 'do not trump all other considerations'.

Stephen Evans, chief executive of the National Secular Society, said: 'Given the disruption experienced by the school, a ruling that the ban on prayer rituals was lawful is welcome.

'It also serves as a useful reminder that claims of religious freedom do not trump all other considerations. If a school wishes to uphold a secular ethos, it should be entitled to do so.

'Schools should be environments where everyone feels welcomed and valued, but that doesn't mean students have untrammelled religious freedom.

'Where the manifestation of religion is deemed divisive or disruptive, a balance must be struck. We're pleased the school's actions have been vindicated.'

Another organisation said the Government should develop national guidance on religious practices in schools to address building 'resentment' in the system.

Andrew Copson, chief executive of the Humanists UK charity, said: 'In the absence of national guidance on religious practices in schools and of a serious national discussion about existing laws, cases like this will continue to be brought. Schools shouldn't be left alone to deal with this.

'Today's High Court judgment requires serious thinking from the Government about how to protect the child's freedom of religion or belief while also making sure our education system is fair and inclusive to all.

'We believe a first step should be to resolve the wider issue of mandatory collective worship in schools and replace it with an inclusive form of assembly that makes all pupils feel welcomed, while making reasonable accommodations for those who want to privately pray or worship where it doesn't infringe the rights and freedoms of others.

'Without such holistic attention, resentment will continue to build within our school system.'

In January, lawyers for the pupil told the judge at a hearing that the 'prayer ban' unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom, adding that it made her feel 'like somebody saying they don't feel like I properly belong here'.

The court was told the pupil, referred to only as TTT, was making a 'modest' request to be allowed to pray for around five minutes at lunch time, on dates when faith rules required it, but not during lessons.

The student also challenged allegedly unfair decisions to temporarily suspend her from school.

Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupil's arguments against the prayer rituals ban at the school

The school's lawyers claimed its prayer policy was 'justified' and 'proportionate' after it faced death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site.

They added that the governors and headteacher at the school of some 700 pupils, about half of whom are Muslim, had 'a margin of latitude, discretion or judgment' over its policies.

During a two-day hearing, the school's founder and headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh said on social media that it was defending its 'culture and ethos' along with decisions to 'maintain a successful and stable learning environment where children of all races and religions can thrive'.

Posting on X, she said the school decided 'to stop prayer rituals when some pupils started them, against a backdrop of events including violence, intimidation and appalling racial harassment of our teachers'.

The court was told that Ms Birbalsingh, a former government social mobility tsar, first introduced the policy in March last year, with it being backed by the governing body in May - allegedly 'on the basis of misinformation and errors'.

In March 2023, up to 30 students began praying in the school's yard, using blazers to kneel on.

Lawyers for the school said students seen praying outside contributed to a 'concerted campaign' on social media over the school's approach to religion, with there also being a since-removed online petition attracting thousands of signatures.

The court heard the school was targeted with death threats, abuse, 'false' allegations of Islamophobia, and a 'bomb hoax'.

Reversing the school's 'emergency' ban would again expose it to 'an unacceptable risk of threats', its lawyers said, adding that it avoided 'the logistical disruption and detriments to other school activities'.

The court was told 'Muslim children were observed to be applying peer pressure to other Muslim children to act in certain ways', with the school claiming that allowing prayer rituals risked 'undermining inclusion and social cohesion between pupils'.

Following the hearing, Ms Birbalsingh told The Sunday Times the legal process was 'taking a massive toll' and argued the school should 'be allowed to be secular'.

She told the paper that the school will 'definitely appeal if we lose', adding: 'I will not divide children according to race and religion; it will not happen under my watch.'
Trainspotting star Vincent Friell has died aged 64, his agent said today.

The Glasgow-born star's breakout role came in iconic film Restless Natives, where he played Will, one-half of a criminal duo who became modern highwaymen.

He went on to portray the father of character Diane in Trainspotting and also starred as a property developer in an episode of Scottish sitcom Still Game.

Trainspotting star Vincent Friell has died aged 64, his agent said today. The Glasgow-born star's breakout role came in iconic film Restless Natives, where he played Will, one-half of a criminal duo who became modern highwaymen. Above: Friell (centre) in Restless Natives

He went on to portray the father of character Diane in Trainspotting (above)

Fans and former colleagues paid tribute to Friell today.

Restless Natives film writer Ninian Dunnett told the Scottish Sun: 'I'm desperately sad to get this tragic news, he died far too early.

'We were blessed to find him for Restless Natives as he had a gift for that character - the romantic worrier with the world on his shoulders.

'Vince's lugubrious, doe-eyed, young face really is the spirit of the film to many people. And always will be.'

Former radio presenter Ronnie McGhie said: 'I'm totally shocked to hear that Scottish actor Vincent Friell has passed away.

'He was in many programmes, but it's his performance in the movie Restless Natives that he'll be remembered for. A wonderful film.

'My thoughts are with his family and friends. Vincent, you shall be missed.'

Vincent Friell (right) alongside Joe Mullany in Restless Natives, which was released in 1985

Restless Natives became a cult classic after its release in 1985. Above: Friell alongside Joe Mullaney in the film's poster

Rab C Nesbitt creator Ian Pattison worked with Friell when he appeared in the BBC comedy series in 1992.

He said in The Sun: 'Vince did us the honour of appearing in the Eorpa episode of Rab C. Nesbitt.

'His passing has come as a huge shock to his many friends and work colleagues.

He starred as a police detective alongside Ray Winstone and Peaky Blinders star Adrian Dunbar in TV film Tough Love in 2002

Friell starred as a property developer in an episode of Scottish sitcom Still Game

Friell also had roles in the theatre, including at the Young Vic in 'Slab Boys' in 1995

Still Game and Trainspotting star Vincent Friell has died aged 64, his agent said today

'What comes over clearly is how respected Vince was, not only as an actor but as a funny, sensitive and caring human being.'

Friell also had roles in the theatre, including at the Young Vic in 'Slab Boys' in 1995.

He featured in episodes of Taggart and starred as a police detective alongside Ray Winstone and Peaky Blinders star Adrian Dunbar in TV film Tough Love in 2002.
Emmanuel Macron has declared 'Bollard Man' a French hero after he faced down crazed killer Joel Cauchi during his Westfield Bondi Junction massacre.

Damien Guerot earned the nickname 'Bollard Man' after a viral video showed him bravely facing down the knife-wielding killer on an escalator.

The heroic actions of Mr Guerot and his his fellow Frenchman Silas Despreaux stopped the knifeman from reaching an area where many children had been playing in the shopping centre.

Now the French President has praised the bravery of his two countrymen, while sharing his 'condolences' for the six victims of Saturday's attack.

'Condolences to the Australians struck by an attack in a shopping center in Sydney on Saturday,' Mr Macron posted on X.

'Two of our compatriots behaved like true heroes. Very great pride and recognition.'

Damien Guerot (pictured) earned the nickname 'Bollard Man' after a viral video showed him bravely confronting stabber Joel Cauchi on an escalator

Mr Macron's comments come after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to grant Mr Guerot citizenship for his heroism amid reports his visa expires in a month.

It is understood Mr Despreaux already has permanent residency.

'I say this to Damien Guerot, who is dealing with his visa applications, that you are welcome here,' Mr Albanese said on Tuesday.

'You are welcome to stay for as long as you like.

'This is someone who we would welcome becoming an Australian citizen, although that would of course be a loss for France.

'We thank him for his extraordinary bravery. It says a lot about the nature of humanity.

Emmanuel Macron has declared 'Bollard Man' a French hero after he faced down crazed killer Joel Cauchi during his Westfield Bondi Junction massacre (the French President is pictured with Australian PM Anthony Albanese)

Six people were stabbed to death at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday (pictured left-right, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Dawn Singleton, 25, Yixuan Cheng, 27, Ashlee Good, 38 and Faraz Tahir, 30.

Shoppers were evacuated into shop store rooms to escape the killer

READ MORE: Major update after nine-month-old baby girl was brutally stabbed in horror Westfield Bondi Junction massacre

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'At a time when we are facing difficult issues that someone who is not a citizen of this country stood bravely at the top of those escalators and stopped this perpetrator from getting onto another floor and potentially inflicting further carnage on citizens.

'I think that on Saturday we saw some of the best of human character at the same time as we saw such devastating tragedy and I thank Damien for his extraordinary efforts.'

He was going to the gym with Mr Despreaux on Saturday afternoon when they stumbled across the scene of carnage.

'We tried to catch him but he was going down the stairs,' Mr Guerot told 7News.

'Then we saw him going down so we followed him from the top. We tried to maybe throw the bollard to him but we couldn't.'

Mr Guerot said he was running off pure 'adrenaline'.

'We didn't think. You cannot think in that moment,' he said.

Mr Guerot said Cauchi had 'empty eyes' and pictures of him released today looked nothing like the man who embarked on an indiscriminate stabbing frenzy.

'His eyes were like empty eyes... he wasn't there,' Mr Guerot said.

The two mates launched the bollards at Cauchi but he managed to escape.

He was going to the gym with his fellow Frenchman Silas Despreaux (pictured) on Saturday afternoon when they stumbled across the scene of carnage.

Emergency vehicles flooded the Bondi area in the aftermath of the attack

Mr Guerot grabbed a chair and made chase with NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott who shot Cauchi dead after he lunged at her.

The Frenchman praised the quick-thinking of Inspector Scott.

'She was actually the hero, she did the job,' he said.

Cauchi seemingly targeted women in the attack but authorities are yet to pinpoint a motive for the nation's worst massacre in recent years.

He was shot dead after killing Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Yixuan Cheng, 27 and 30-year-old Faraz Tahir, while Ashlee Good, 38, later died in hospital.

A baby girl critically injured in the carnage is showing signs of recovery.

Seven people, including the child, remained in hospital on Monday night.

Health Minister Ryan Park said her condition had improved.

'Pleasingly, we have seen the nine-month-old baby in the children's hospital at Randwick have her condition downgraded from critical to serious,' he said.

'We hope to have her on a ward over the next few days.'
Prince William today announced his first public engagements since news of his wife the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis nearly four weeks ago.

The Prince of Wales, who has spent the past three-and-a-half weeks with Kate and their children during the Easter holidays, will return to public work this Thursday.

William, 41, will visit Surrey and West London to 'spotlight the community and environmental impact organisations in the area are having through their work'.

The Prince will first visit the Surplus to Supper charity to see how surplus food is delivered, sorted and re-packaged for delivery to community organisations.

He will then visit a youth centre in the capital which receives regular deliveries of surplus food from the charity, and hear how this helps the young people it supports.

William last attended a public engagement at an event tackling homelessness in Sheffield on March 19 - three days before Kate's cancer revelation on March 22.

The announcement comes on the day that William's sister-in-law Meghan Markle launched the first product from her new business venture American Riviera Orchard in California, sending influencers and friends a jar of branded strawberry jam.

April 11 -- Prince William and Prince George watch Aston Villa v Lille at Villa Park last Thursday

March 22 -- Kate reveals in a video that she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'Reducing food waste has a considerable number of environmental benefits, including reducing emissions from landfill that contribute to climate change.

'Protecting the environment for future generations is one of The Prince of Wales's key priorities and in 2020 he launched The Earthshot Prize, a global environmental prize and platform to discover, award, celebrate and scale ground-breaking solutions to repair and regenerate the planet.

'In 2021, The City of Milan won an Earthshot Prize in the 'Build a Waste-Free World' category for its innovative Food Hubs that collect excess food and distribute it to the communities who need it.'

It comes after William and his son Prince George attended an Aston Villa match together last Thursday in their first public outing since Kate's cancer announcement.

The Prince was seen smiling and applauding in the Villa Park stands during the club's 2-1 win against Lille in the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-final.

March 19 -- Prince William is pictured during a visit to the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield

March 11 -- William and Kate are seen leaving Windsor together as they are driven in a car

William also posted a message congratulating the Lionesses' Rachel Daly on her retirement on the Prince and Princess of Wales social media accounts last week.

On March 22, the Princess of Wales, 42, revealed she is undergoing treatment for cancer in an emotional video message.

She, the Prince of Wales and their three children, all missed the Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, following the announcement, despite attending last year.

The family spent the Easter holiday together as they adjusted to Kate's diagnosis, which was discovered in post-operative tests after major abdominal surgery.

In the message revealing the diagnosis last month, Kate said: 'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time.

March 10 -- A Mother's Day photo of Kate with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, which was released by Kensington Palace. Kate later apologised for editing the image

December 25, 2023 -- Kate was last seen at a royal event attending church at Sandringham

'It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.

'But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.'

Since revealing the diagnosis, the Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be 'enormously touched' and 'extremely moved' by the public's warmth and support.

The King, who has been carrying out low-key official duties behind palace walls, made his most significant public appearance at the Easter Sunday service since his own cancer diagnosis was announced at the start of February.

He was described by the palace as being 'so proud' of the princess for her courage in speaking out and is said to be in 'the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law'.
A 25-year-old man stopped growing aged five due to a rare condition and now has to be carried around by his mother.

Ravi Kumar is only 24 inches tall and weighs just 15.4lbs (7kg) and is believed to be one of the smallest adults in India.

Kumar, who comes from Jhansi, in the northern Uttar Pradesh state, is the only member of his family with a growth deficiency.

His family said they had taken him to a doctor as a young child, after he stopped growing physically when he was five years old.

His mother, who now carries him around on her hip, said they learned he was suffering a 'thyroid disease' that stunted his growth.

Ravi Kumar, 25, is only 24 inches tall and weighs just 15.4lbs (7kg) and is believed to be one of the smallest adults in India

His mother (right), who now carries him around on her hip, said they learned he was suffering a 'thyroid disease' that stunted his growth

His mother said: 'Treatment is possible, but we don't have enough money to afford it'

Ravi Kumar, who comes from Jhansi, in the northern Uttar Pradesh state, is the only member of his family with a growth deficiency

He only weighs 15.4lbs (7kg) after he stopped growing aged five due to a rare thyroid disease

She said: 'We have taken him to many doctors we were told that he was suffering from thyroid disease.

'Treatment is possible, but we don't have enough money to afford it.'

The shortest man on record was Chandra Bahadur Dangi from Nepal who measured just 21.5 inches.

Dwarfism is a medical condition characterized by significantly shorter stature compared to average height.

It is typically caused by genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, or medical conditions that affect bone growth.

While individuals with dwarfism may face physical challenges, they can lead fulfilling lives with the same range of abilities and aspirations as people of average height.
Pensioners and other vulnerable people are still in the dark about the digital landline switchover, as bosses are warned by campaigners that many still do not understand how to avoid being left with broadband they don't know how to use.

Amid a national concern over a lack of support for customers, MailOnline can reveal it will take months for telecoms firms and government to develop a definition for 'vulnerable' people in the midst of the national switchover from copper landlines.

At a meeting with leading campaigners, civil servants confirmed that no current customer will be forced to switch to the new internet-based system for the time being, but 'enhanced' protection for vulnerable customers remains far off.

All broadband companies are currently working to switch customers to digital, voice-based landlines, which they laud as a better alternative to the ageing and increasingly less-reliable traditional copper wires.

But the current timetable of completing the change by 2025 across the UK is looking increasingly unlikely amid concerns that older and vulnerable people, who are more likely to rely on landlines for communication, could be placed in danger. Campaigners have slammed the deadline as 'ludicrous'.

It comes after a petition organised by Silver Voices and the Digital Poverty Alliance for the government to review the current timetable gained more than 11,000 signatures and reports that it could be delayed by up to two years.

Head of Silver Voices, an organisation that represents senior citizens of the UK, Dennis Reed said the current timetable is 'ludicrous'

This is when the change from the old copper network to a new broadband-based connection was scheduled to take place across the UK

At a recent meeting between civil servants from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the head of Silver Voices Dennis Reed, MailOnline understands it was pledged that no existing customers at telecoms firms such as BT, Virgin and EE will be forced to switchover to the new digital system.

This includes customers who are set to renew their existing contracts, but new customers are not covered by the agreement, meaning they may have to receive the new digital landline service.

The DSIT also said it was working with telecoms firms to develop a definition of 'vulnerable' customers, who would be in line for 'enhanced' support with the switchover.

It pointed to Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan's work on the issue and said she secured even more measures to protect customers last month.

This followed cases in which vulnerable people who had had the new internet-based service installed finding that personal alarms, designed to automatically call for help in emergencies, no longer worked.

Ms Donelan personally held meetings with multiple telecoms firms after these reports.

But the process to define 'vulnerable' people is expected to take several months, potentially leaving thousands of people who take on a new landline contract without this package of support.

The definition is expected to go beyond simply applying to people with health alarms, although the exact parameters remain unclear.

Mr Reed told MailOnline: 'Under the radar there has been a massive change in the strategy to implement the digital switchover from traditional landlines.

'The process is now voluntary and the customer's consent to switch must be obtained. Telecom companies can no longer insist on renewed contracts being digital only.'

The government is working with telecoms firms on the definition of 'vulnerable', but hopes to have this resolved by the summer

CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance Elizabeth Anderson said confusion still remains about how to avoid migration to digital services

He continued: 'The ludicrous former timetable for every household to be switched by the end of next year must now be extended significantly, as Silver Voices has consistently argued.

READ MORE: Plan to rip up landlines could be delayed by two years amid fears the switch to a digital network is putting the elderly and vulnerable at risk Advertisement

'Until older and vulnerable customers can be assured that they will be able to make emergency calls under the new system, the existing copper wire landlines must be maintained.'

In March, BT reportedly informed the government it would no longer be able to transfer all customers by 2025, with talks underway for a new deadline which could be pushed back as far as 2027.

But officially the timetable remains set to migrate all landline households by next year.

MailOnline previously reported how the forced rollout was paused in December following a number of 'serious incidents' in which personal alarms failed.

The alarms, used by 1.8million people in the UK, are unable to function in the case of an internet outage or power cut - in contrast to alarms that are linked to traditional landlines, which maintain the ability to make phone calls for some time after a power outage.

Telecoms giants such as BT and Virgin Media are currently working to switch all UK landlines to internet-based services by 2025

Other forms of alert systems, such as burglar alarms which automatically call the police in the event of a break-in, are also affected.

Providers previously promised to carry out extra checks on those who have already been forcibly migrated to digital to ensure they do not have telecare devices the provider was unaware of, and if they do, to ensure suitable support is provided.

Secondary methods such as battery powered back-up phones and hybrid systems have been deployed by some firms, but campaigners are concerned they could confuse some vulnerable people and are not sufficient.

Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of Digital Poverty Alliance, told MailOnline she is pleased that forced migrations have been halted, but that there is still confusion amongst many about how to avoid their system being changed.

She said: 'There is still confusion for those who are unclear that moving to a new contract will constitute consent to move to a digital telephone line, and what this means for them in the event of power cuts or for private lifeline solutions.

'Disappointingly, despite the Parliamentary debate on the petition focusing on digital poverty, DSIT did not reach out to us about our concerns, including that much more work is required to tackle digital exclusion that the current policies deliver.'

A Government spokesperson said: 'While the decision to switch off the analogue landline network has been taken by the telecoms industry, we have taken decisive action to get telecoms companies to agree to new measures to further protect vulnerable customers throughout the digital transition.

'This includes stopping telecare users from being switched to a digital network until they have a compatible solution in place and working with industry and charities to define 'vulnerability' so these customers can receive additional support.

'This is a collaborative effort which takes the agreement of many different parties, but we aim to have an agreed definition by summer.'
Soldiers in the British Army have been showing off their new beards for the first time after King Charles gave the green light to lift a 100-year ban on facial hair.

Fuzzy-faced troops from the Welsh Guards have become the first to be pictured sporting their military whiskers, while wearing their iconic black bearskin hats and red tunics.

The infantry soldiers are part of the Army's Household Division and are charged with guarding royal palaces and carrying out frontline combat operations overseas.

The Welsh Guards posted images of their ranks on X, formerly Twitter, saying: 'The beards have arrived! Like it or lump it, the beards are here!

'Members of Number 2 Company proudly took up their posts on Kings Guard this morning, marching from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace.'

Soldiers in the British Army have been showing off their new beards for the first time after a 100-year ban on facial hair was lifted last month

Fuzzy-faced troops from the Welsh Guards have become the first to be pictured sporting their military whiskers, while wearing their iconic black bearskin hats

The infantry soldiers are part of the Army's Household Division and are charged with guarding royal palaces and carrying out combat operations overseas.

And the new bushy-faced band of squaddies have received quite the reception online, with one person saying: 'A long overdue update to the regulations. Looks good.' Another added: 'Looking sharp.'

But others weren't so keen and branded the the troops 'scruffy looking' and 'a mess'.

'Yes its now permitted but they look a bloody mess,' said one person. 'Thats it, say goodbye to the British Empire. Outrageous!'

While a third joked that Regimental Sergeant Majors, charged with overseeing troop discipline would be 'incandescent with rage'.

Soldiers and officers were finally allowed to grow a full beard after King Charles gave his approval, last month.

General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the army, decided the British Army's policy should be overhauled after a survey of serving and reservist troops showed an 'overwhelming majority' felt soldiers should be allowed beards.

The army's most senior non-commissioned officer announced the change just before Easter, meaning those wishing to stop shaving over holiday break would have time to grow out their facial hair.

Warrant Officer Class 1 Paul Carney told troops that their beards will be subject to review and that crucially, they must be kept neat.

Only a 'full set beard' will be permitted and the length must be between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm or one inch), according to the new policy.

Soldiers and officers were finally allowed to grow a full beard after King Charles gave his approval, last month (pictured are troops from the Welsh Guards)

Beards were already permitted for some military positions on parade, including Pioneer Sergeants (pictured)

It will need to be 'trimmed off the cheekbones and neck' and there must be 'no patchy or uneven growth' and 'no exaggerated colours'.

In a four-minute video outlining the new regulations, WO1 Carney warned soldiers: 'Our standards can't drop.

'The Army has a reputation for professionalism and a smart turnout, with our allies and with the British public.

'We must maintain that reputation by continuing to look our best.'

The ban on beards for most British soldiers dates back to the 19th century, despite years of debate and criticism of what is widely seen as an outdated policy.

The Royal Navy has long permitted sailors to have full beards and moustaches, with their commanding officer's consent.

The RAF changed its dress regulations in 2019 to allow serving members to grow beards.

The army has long cited a reason for the ban as being that beards can prevent gas masks from sealing to soldiers' faces.

Responding to such concerns, a defence source told The Telegraph that 'if there's a chemical threat then people will shave'.

Only moustaches are allowed for most soldiers in the Army, but beards are permitted for some military positions on parade, including Pioneer Sergeants, Drum Majors, Pipe Majors, Bugle Majors, and Goat Majors.

Only a 'full set beard' will be permitted and the length must be between 2.5mm and 25.5mm (one inch), according to the new policy

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps recently slammed what he called the 'ridiculous' ban, saying that armies in other parts of the world are 'perfectly capable of fighting with beards'.

READ MORE: Three out of four people applying to join the army never end up serving Advertisement

'The armed forces get terribly pernickety about whether people have beards or not. Nowadays people have beards.

'How is it we are still struggling with recruitment and then arbitrarily saying you can't join [if you grow a beard], he told The Times, adding: 'It is time to modernise.'

It is hoped that the new policy will help to attract recruits as Britain's armed forces face a recruitment crisis, with fears that the number of personnel could drop below the target force of 73,000 within months.

Last year alone, almost 74,000 people who applied to join the army, RAF or navy withdrew, amounting to more than half of the potential recruits.

This was particularly stark in the army with seven in ten applicants giving up on the process altogether before getting accepted.
A leading Harley Street children's doctor has been suspended after he prescribed millions of pounds worth of medicines overseas in the mistaken belief he was on a 'humanitarian' mission to help Third World countries.

Consultant paediatrician Sam Lingam, 78, sanctioned 299 different prescriptions for powerful anti-cancer and HIV drugs after he agreed to act as a go-between for a pharmaceutical company and London's King Edwards VII private hospital.

Over the course of 15 months, Russian-born Lingam, of Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, pocketed 40 every time he signed off potentially lethal prescriptions for people he had never met.

The 78-year-old, who arrived in the UK as a refugee in 1970 before working at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, believed the medication was destined for impoverished patients in Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, however many went to First World nations including Canada and Australia.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) eventually launched a criminal investigation into the racket following complaints about Lingam, who ran the Medical Express clinic in Harley Street.

Prof Sam Lingam, 78, (pictured) has been suspended after he illicitly prescribed millions of pounds worth of medicines overseas

The 78-year-old mistakenly believed he was on a 'humanitarian' mission to help Third World countries around the world, when the medicine was really going to First World nations

It emerged he already had two previous warnings from the General Medical Council (GMC) and the British Medical Association (BMA) about issuing similar 'third party prescriptions'.

Inquiries revealed the pharmacy company he dealt with, Kool Pharma Ltd, was renting the basement at his clinic.

Investigators also discovered that some of the patients Lingam wrote prescriptions for did not even exist whilst some of the medicines, such as chemotherapy agents, were so toxic they could have killed patients if administered incorrectly.

The MHRA concluded that unbeknownst to Lingam, Kool Pharma obtained the prescription medicines in the UK and then sold them at 'great expense' overseas.

His prescriptions alone were said to have amounted to 'millions of pounds worth of drugs'. He himself pocketed 11,960 from the racket - at one stage making 960 in a single day.

When quizzed, Lingam insisted: 'I was only a pawn in this. I really thought I was doing some humanitarian help to people suffering in other countries.

'There was no fraud intended. No financial gain intended. Nothing other than just helping on humanitarian grounds and that's always in my mind.'

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in Manchester, Lingam was condemned for his 'cavalier approach' to prescribing medicines as he was suspended from medical practice for ten months following a nine year investigation.

A previous disciplinary panel in 2022 had allowed to him to carry on working whilst supervised but the High Court sent it back to the MPTS following an appeal. He resigned as a director of the clinic in 2018.

The probe began in 2015 after a new pharmacy manager took over at the King Edward where many senior members of the Royal Family are patients - and began following up on concerns about Lingam's private prescriptions as they had no patient addresses on them.

The manager was told Medical Express was helping overseas patients and prescriptions were written and then collected by officials from Kool Pharma Ltd.

Investigators discovered how the Russian-born consultant paediatrician wrote prescriptions for patients that did not even exist

The MHRA concluded that unbeknownst to Lingam, who ran the the Medical Express clinic in Harley Street, Kool Pharma sold the prescriptions at 'great expense' overseas (Stock image)

But, it emerged Lingam was prescribing medicines in 'vast quantities' despite being given no details of the patients including their gender, medical history, contact details for their GPs or even proof of identity.

Although he was a paediatrician, he was not deemed competent to prescribe certain 'hospital-only' prescription medications as he was a not a specialist in those relevant areas.

An expert involved in the probe said he was 'prescribing large quantities of potentially toxic medications to patients that he had never seen and would never likely see'.

The medications were frequently of 'high value' to be used for in-patient settings, such as intensive care units, but serious risks were posed to patients including 'extreme possibilities of death' if treatment was not properly monitored.

The MHRA interviewed Lingam and two other doctors at the clinic in 2019 but no criminal action was taken, as investigators at the General Medical Council (GMC) concluded the medics had been 'duped' by Kool Pharma staff.

It emerged Kool Pharma had falsely claimed to the King Edward VII Hospital that the medications were not being delivered to patients overseas but rather the patients were visitors to the UK. Its licence was suspended but subsequently lifted, however.

During the tribunal Lingam insisted he was 'engaged in a humanitarian venture' and he thought the medicines were to go to 'those who otherwise would not have access to them'. He said Kool Pharma told him African countries wanted access to these products and he was happy to sign off some because they were from poorer countries.

After introducing Kool Pharma to Edward VII hospital, staff said it could only provide hospital-only medication to the company if Lingam prescribed it.

He agreed to prepare private prescription forms on which he 'transcribed' information which came to him through Kool Pharma. He said Kool Pharma 'tricked' him and his colleagues and insisted he had no vested or financial interest.

Lingam told the hearing: 'I was convinced I was helping someone get better, that is what doctors do, even if the patient is not in front of you. If you can help and believe you can help that is what you do.

Lingham agreed to act as a go-between for Kool Pharma and London's King Edwards VII private hospital, pictured

Lingham's prescriptions alone were said to have amounted to 'millions of pounds worth of drugs'. King Edward VII hospital pictured (Stock image)

'We thought we were doing something very good for people with incurable, difficult conditions. Some of these were very expensive medications which were difficult to get hold of in many countries and Britain is at the forefront.

'I did a silly thing, I made a mistake and I have let myself down. I have given my life to medicine. I am the first to arrive at work in the morning and the last to leave. I have served and taught, helped overseas students to get into British medicine, provided work experience for prospective medics and had trained three pharmacists. Suspension would be very shameful to me and my family.'

'We thought we were doing something very good for people with incurable, difficult conditions. Some of these were very expensive medications which were difficult to get hold of in many countries and Britain is at the forefront.

Earlier for the GMC Mr Saul Brody said: 'Prof Lingam adopted a cavalier attitude to remote prescribing and here was a real risk his actions could have led to serious patient harm or death.

'He does not know where the medicines went or whether or not there were any adverse outcomes and he does not fully acknowledge the gravity of his misconduct, nor has he taken responsibility by acknowledging the risks - instead trying to shift blame onto Kool Pharma.'

MPTS chairman Mrs Helen Potts said: 'The tribunal accepts Prof Lingam had taken, at face value, Kool Pharma's explanation that the purpose in obtaining hospital-only medication was to help patients in developing countries to obtain European branded medication which was not available in their own countries.

'This was consistent with his desire to be helpful, which the Tribunal considered to be genuine, if naive. But his actions put patients at real and unwarranted risk of serious harm and even death.

'By his own admission, his actions had been reckless, and in the view of the Tribunal his approach to remote prescribing had been cavalier.'

She added: 'Prescribing is a privilege that comes with responsibility and the public expects that doctors will prescribe responsibly and safely.

'The Tribunal considered that the public would be appalled to learn that any doctor, not least a doctor of Professor Lingam's experience and standing, had put such a large number of patients at risk of harm and even death by his disregard for basic precepts of safe prescribing.'
Tory woes mounted today as a poll found West Mids mayor Andy Street faces humiliating defeat in next month's local elections.

Mr Street, who has held the post since 2017, is trailing his Labour rival Richard Parker by 14 points, according to Redfield & Wilton Strategies research.

The figures will raise anxiety about the prospects of a nightmare for the Conservatives on May 2.

There are fears that the party will also lose the mayoralty in Tees Valley, while Sadiq Khan is on track to be re-elected in London and a swathe of councillors could be ousted.

A bad night could set the stage for a fresh coup bid against Rishi Sunak, with rebels preparing for a final bid to change leader before the looming general election.

Andy Street, who has held the post since 2017, is trailing his Labour rival Richard Parker by 14 points, according to Redfield & Wilton Strategies research

Mr Parker was on 42 per cent in the West Mids poll, with Mr Street (pictured) - a former John Lewis boss - on 28 per cent

Mr Parker was on 42 per cent in the West Mids poll, with Mr Street - a former John Lewis boss - on 28 per cent.

Reform UK's Elaine Williams had 13 per cent support.

The latest Techne poll showed Keir Starmer with a 21-point lead nationally, on 44 per cent compared to 23 per cent for the Tories.

Polling experts Professor Colin Rallings and Professor Michael Thrasher, associate members of Nuffield College, Oxford, have said Tory losses in England and Wales on 2 May are 'inevitable'.

They pointed out the party is defending many council seats at the local elections that were last contested at a high point in Boris Johnson's premiership.

The expert duo warned the Conservatives are on course to lose up to 500 seats  half the party's councillors facing election.

As the mood among Tories darkens, a grassroots survey suggested yesterday that a third of Cabinet ministers are viewed negatively.

The latest research by the ConservativeHome website showed 12 out of 32 Cabinet ministers had a negative rating among party members.

Both Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt were among the bottom three in the keenly-watched Cabinet rankings.

Mr Sunak was found to have a net satisfaction rating of -27.7, while Mr Hunt scored marginally better with -22.7.

Only Michael Tomlinson, the illegal migration minister, fared worse than the PM and Chancellor with a net satisfaction rating of -43.1.

The website claimed it was 'looking as bleak as ever it has' for Mr Sunak's Government amid the low ratings for many Cabinet ministers.

Kemi Badenoch (+56.2) was the most popular Cabinet minister with Tory members in the ConservativeHome survey.
An 88-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison over the killing of his ill wife and her in-house carer, a judicial source said on Tuesday.

The retired teacher from the French island of Reunion said that he had acted out of compassion because his spouse, 78, suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

But the accused - described as 'violent' and 'authoritarian' by prosecutors - was found to have ended his wife's life in 2021 by striking her several times with a sledgehammer before killing her in-house carer as she arrived on the scene.

The man claimed he had 'a blackout' and did not remember attacking the second victim.

The double murder took place in Saint-Joseph, in the south of the Indian Ocean French overseas territory, in March 2021.

File photo of an elderly couple. The accused said he was acting out of compassion when he struck his wife several times with a sledgehammer

Ahead of Monday's verdict, the public prosecutor had called for 25 years' imprisonment for the elderly husband.

File photo shows a sledgehammer

According to the judicial authorities, Reunion ranks fourth in France in terms of the numbers of incidents of domestic violence.

Between 2006 and 2024, 52 women were victims of femicide on the island.

Reunion, known as La Reunion in French, is located east of Madagascar and has a population of less than one million people.

In March, a man was jailed in France for burning his partner alive for trying to leave him, also blaming the incident on a 'blackout'.

Witnesses said Sandy Cucheval, 33, was lit up like a 'human torch' as she tried to escape the vehicle they were travelling in - and named her partner, Jonathan Boillet, 36, as her attacker in her dying moments.

The victim died in hospital a week after the incident which left her with burns on 70 per cent of her body.

Boillet initially denied murdering Cucheval in November 2020, claiming she died as the result of an accident while he tried to light a cigarette.

During his trial this year, he admitted: 'It was me who doused her in petrol'.

Reunion, which is 6000 miles from Paris, is one of five overseas departments and regions of France

Speaking in court, the accused claimed he had a 'blackout' and only woke up as the inferno triggered an explosion.

'I always tried to create hypotheses because I didn't believe I was capable of doing that.

'But according to the experts, there is no photo, it's really me,' he said when asked if he wanted to change his version of events.

'I really have a blackout,' he claimed. But 'it was really me who doused her in gasoline, we can't say otherwise.'

Boillet was sentenced to 30 years in jail for the attack.
A French chateau once owned by the King of Morocco has been put up for sale for a whopping 363million - a price tag that would make it one of the world's most expensive private residences.

The sprawling Chateau d'Armainvilliers, located in Seine-et-Marne on the outskirts of Paris, is a true sight to behold.

Constructed in the late 19th century upon the foundations of a 12th century castle, it was owned by the Rothschild banking empire before being acquired by Morocco's King Hassan II in the 1980s.

Since then, the Moroccan monarch is believed to have made a battery of renovations and improvements to the huge mansion, which boasts more than 100 rooms, 2500 square metres of living space, 1000 hectares of land and a private lake, among many other decadent features.

Hassan II's son sold the property following his father's death to an undisclosed buyer in the Middle East in 2008 - and now it has returned to the market for a stunning 425million.

Ignace Meuwissen, a self-described 'real advisor to the global elite' who is managing the sale, said the estate embodies 'opulence and grandeur'.

But it remains to be seen whether potential buyers will meet the astronomical asking price after French real estate experts described it as 'absurd' and drastically inflated.

The sprawling Chateau d'Armainvilliers, located in Seine-et-Marne on the outskirts of Paris, is a true sight to behold

Constructed in the late 19th century upon the foundations of a 12th century castle, it was owned by the Rothschild banking empire before being acquired by Morocco's King Hassan II in the 1980s

The chateau, nestled in the countryside less than 20 miles from the heart of the French capital, is undoubtedly fit for royalty.

Besides the enormous living space, the massive property is replete with luxurious upgrades made by the Moroccan monarch.

It is said to include a hammam spa, beauty and hairdressing salon, and a fully-equipped medical and dental facility so the King and his family could receive top quality care in the comfort of their own home.

The interior has been painstakingly decorated with classic Moroccan mosaics and wall tiles, and there is also a set of stables large enough to house 50 horses - more than adequate for any equine enthusiast.

But perhaps the most decadent addition made by the King is found underground.

Underneath the property sits a huge network of tunnels, kitchens, cold rooms, storage spaces and staff quarters dubbed 'the metro'.

This not only houses huge quantities of food and goods, but enables residents and guests to enjoy their stay without ever having to come into contact with staff.

Meuwissen said of the property: 'It is the most expensive castle in France and perhaps in the world. The price of 425million is justified by the property itself but also by the 1,000 hectare land which offers numerous possibilities.

'An investor could build thousands of apartments there if he wanted,' he told Paris Match magazine.'

But French real estate sources cast doubt on what they said was a highly inflated price tag.

Speaking on condition of anonymity to French real estate publication Le Figaro Immobilier, three luxury property agents said the nine-figure asking price 'doesn't make sense, it's absurd'.

They also expressed concern over the secrecy of the current owner who bought the property for 200million in 2008 and whose identity remains a mystery.

'If a transaction was concluded at these price levels, I even imagine that the Safer (Land Development and Rural Establishment Company) would look closely at the transaction, estimating that this would overvalue the land,' one source said.

Chateau d'Armainvilliers hits the market weeks after what is believed to be America's most expensive estate was listed in February for $295million.

A stunning shot shows part of the nine-acre compound listed for $295 million in Naples, Florida, that'll be the most expensive home ever sold in the United States if it reaches its asking price

TheDonahue family is listing the crown jewel of their estate - a compound in Naples' Port Royal neighborhood - for a potentially record-setting $295 million

The beachfront compound in Naples, Florida, was built by financier John Donahue for his family of 13 children and 84 grandchildren in the 1980s, after he spotted a plot of undeveloped land during a plane ride and paid $1m for it.

The Donahue family enjoyed decades of gatherings and celebrations at the Naples property, hosting notable figures such as former President George H.W. Bush and Arnold Palmer, their son Bill Donahue said in a Wall Street Journal exclusive.

The property boasts three houses and a private yacht basin, and represents the highest-priced listing in the US.

It could set a record for the most expensive residential sale in the country if it achieves its asking price - and realtors say its likely buyers are so rich they could end up tearing down the existing mansions, then rebuilding them.

The main residence, spanning approximately 11,500 square feet, was built around 1989.

Two additional homes were added later, one around 1990 and the other in 2013.

The compound also includes a portion of Keewaydin Island, where the family constructed a 16,000-square-foot house around 2005 for additional accommodations.
The alleged teen terrorist accused of stabbing a western Sydney church leader during a service had recently been given a good behaviour bond for knife crime.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with a number of offences after an incident at a Sydney train station in November last year, reported the ABC.

The charges included possessing a flick knife, being armed with a weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, stalking and/or intimidation and recklessly destroy or damage property.

He had been on bail before a court appearance in January where the charges were 'proven' but dismissed with the good behaviour bond.

The outlet reported there were no supervision orders in place when he allegedly carried out the attack on Monday night.

The 16-year-old boy allegedly lunged at Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, 53, and stabbed him in the head during his sermon at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydney's west, at about 7pm on Monday.

The alleged teen terrorist accused of stabbing a western Sydney church leader during a service had recently been given a good behaviour bond for knife crime

The alleged attack was live streamed over the church's YouTube page

Father Isaac Royel, who serves in the Assyrian ministry at St Shimun Bar Sabbae and St Mary Cathedral, was among many parishioners who attempted to intervene - and as a result he allegedly suffered lacerations and a shoulder wound.

Churchgoers said they had seen the alleged offender wandering the perimeter of the church before the attack and said he stood out from the regular parishioners.

'He knew the service was being live-streamed and he waited for the camera to turn on before the (alleged) attack,' said Mary Anoya.

Both men and the 16-year-old boy were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, where the teen remains under police guard.

Now, a relative has revealed the family's shock over last night's event, describing the boy as a 'quiet teenager' who was 'not a terrorist or ISIS sympathiser'.

Bishop Emmanuel (left) and Father Royel (right) were rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

'His parents are freaking out, they didnt know what to do or why this happened,' the relative said.

'Hes just a kid who spends a lot of time at home but he doesnt even have a computer. I know what has been reported what he said but it doesnt fit with this kid.

'Hes really quiet... He's been looking to leave school and get a job, maybe in construction.'

The boy is one of three children. His taxi driver father is a Lebanese immigrant who moved to Australia 25 years ago and the family live in a humble home in south-west Sydney.

The relative said the teens parents live 'like ordinary Aussies', but on Monday had become concerned when their son left home and did not return.

After the alleged stabbing attack, the relative said the boy's 'panicking' father had contacted him.

'They didnt know where their son was or what was happening,' he said.

'They are simple people, a good family, but I had to help them get some information from the police about where to go.

As far as I knew [the teen] hasnt been in trouble before, and the idea that he follows ISIS is crazy.

Police were seen searching the family's home on Tuesday, with detectives carrying two large evidence bags and a black case out of the property.

Relatives, turning up to show their support for the boy's parents, were seen coming and going from the property during the afternoon.

When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, the boy's father passed the phone on to another relative who said: 'Sorry mate, they aren't really in shape to talk.'
Atlantic City's Mayor has refused to step down after he and his wife were charged with viciously beating their teen daughter in an argument over her dating life.

Defiant Marty Small Sr., 50, even posted photos on social media with the captions '#Unbothered' and 'two sides' after news of the scandal broke.

His lawyer, Edwin Jacobs, said the matter 'focuses on private personal matters, including challenges that Mayor Small as a dad and his wife, La'Quetta, as a mom have been facing raising a teenage child'.

He also denied the allegations related to 'improprieties in his [client's] office' and stated Small, will 'continue to faithfully perform his duties as mayor'.

The charges emerged two weeks after Democrat Small dragged his daughter in front of cameras to deny rumors about the crimes, including that he beat her so savagely she miscarried.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. has refused to step down after he was charged with viciously beating their teen daughter

The defiant mayor even posted photos captioned, '#Unbothered' and '2sides' in the wake of the scandal

Small Sr (center), 50, and his wife have been charged with abusing their teenage daughter in a row over her dating life

The Democrat, 50, and his wife La'Quetta Small, the superintendent of the Atlantic City Public School System, are accused of abusing their daughter on numerous occasions after she refused to stop seeing a boy she was dating.

According to reported charging documents, they carried out a barrage of abuse from December 2023 to January 2024, including beating her unconscious with a broom, threatening to 'earth slam' her down stairs, striking her with a belt, and punching her in the mouth.

But weeks before charges were brought, Small held a bizarre, foul-mouthed press conference in response to his home being raided by cops, where he insisted his daughter was not pregnant with twins via a drug dealer, and stressed he had 'nothing to hide.'

With his daughter stood awkwardly beside him, he listed off a string of denials, some of which he has since been charged with by Atlantic City prosecutors.

Among the claims, he denied that his she 'was pregnant with twins, and I beat the s*** out of her so bad that I killed the babies, and I'm gonna be charged with double murder.'

At the press conference, Small directly denied claims he abused his daughter, as he instead said any allegations were fueled by 'political and racial' motivations.

'We don't have City of Atlantic City money in our house. I didn't steal anything,' he said in the press conference. 'No, we don't have drugs in our house. And we don't have guns.'

'First of all, let me confirm an undisputed fact: My daughter is not pregnant,' he continued. 'My daughter has never been pregnant.'

The Democrat mayor and his wife La'Quetta Small (pictured together), are accused of beating their teen daughter with a broom, punching her in the face and pulling her hair

La'Quetta Small, 47, is the superintendent of the Atlantic City Public School System

After charges were brought, Smalls took to social media to share a close-up selfie, with several hashtags including #unbothered, and #2sides

Both parents have been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and Marty Small is also charged with third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree aggravated assault and disorderly persons simple assault

Addressing rumors that Small said came from an Atlantic City police officer, the mayor doubled up his denials that his 'daughter got knocked up by a drug dealer in Stanley Homes village - false.'

'My wife beat the bleep out of her, while my son recorded the whole thing, and I just stood there - false,' he said.

Small also addressed what he referred to as 'the most egregious' of the rumors - that his 'daughter was pregnant with twins, and I beat the s*** out of her so bad that I killed the babies, and I'm gonna be charged with double murder.'

'Now, would you be able to handle this like I'm handling it?' he concluded.

Small's daughter did not speak at the press conference, which was opened by a reverend quoting Martin Luther King Jr.

Both parents have been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and Marty Small is also charged with third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree aggravated assault and disorderly persons simple assault.

La'Quetta is also charged with disorderly persons simple assault, and Atlantic City High School principal Constance Days-Chapman - a reported close friend of the mayor and his wife - is also facing charges.

Days-Chapman is accused of failing to notify authorities when the teen told her she was being 'emotionally and physically abused' by her parents.

Small Sr pictured with his wife La'Quetta, son and daughter

The mayor's home (pictured) was raided on March 28. He lives at the home with his wife, two children and mother- in-law

Although he has never been convicted, Small has an arrest record dating back to 1993 when he was charged with drugs distribution offences which were dropped, Atlantic City Press reports.

In 2005 he faced an arson charge which was also dropped. Small has also been indicted twice for voter fraud charges, for which he was acquitted.

After charges were brought, Smalls took to social media to share a close-up selfie, with several hashtags including #unbothered, and #2sides.

According to a criminal complaint reported by NBC10, the search of Smalls' home - and subsequent charges - were triggered by the mayor's daughter telling a school staffer about the alleged abuse.

In January, Students at Atlantic City High School were receiving mental health training, and were asked to circle faces on a ticket indicating if they were happy, neutral or sad.

Small's daughter reportedly wrote the word 'abuse' on the back of a neutral ticket, and asked to speak to a counselor.

She then told a mental health trainer that she had been knocked out with a broom, and described her father as a 'big guy', the complaint said. She added that she had previously told Principal Days-Chapman.

Days-Chapman claimed to have not been told before, but told the advisor that she would report the alleged abuse to the Department of Child Protection & Permanency.

The teen also reportedly told a therapist that same day about the abuse throughout December and January, and cops said that she told the therapist: 'I was really stressed, I was crying a lot, I wasn't mentally stable, I wasn't comfortable around them, I just didn't feel safe.'

Atlantic City High School principal Constance Days-Chapman - a reported close friend of the mayor and his wife - is also facing charges after she allegedly failed to report the abuse to authorities when it was raised by school staff

Mayor Small denied the claims against him, and insisted it was a 'private family issue'

When contacted by the therapist, La'Quetta reportedly said that her daughter was struggling with personal issues due to a 'young man' that her parents didn't approve of.

According to the criminal complaint, she endured two months of abuse over refusing to stop the relationship, including having her legs repeatedly punched by her father, causing bruising.

La'Quetta allegedly punched her daughter multiple times in the chest, also causing bruising, and also dragging her by her hear and striking her with a belt.

She is also accused of punching her daughter in the mouth during one incident.

When the alleged abuse was reported to the NJ Department of Children and Families, it was allegedly noted that it should have already been reported and the meeting was just following up.

This reportedly led the department to claim that no one from the school ever notified them, the criminal complaint said, leading them to notify the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

An interview with the DCP&P, with Small, his wife, daughter and son all present, saw the children deny the abuse with their parents present, NBC10 reported.

Smalls' daughter allegedly said she was angry with her parents over the relationship and claimed to have made up the abuse allegations.

Small (pictured with rapper Snoop Dogg) has served as mayor of Atlantic City since 2019

Small pictured with at his swearing-in ceremony in October 2019 with his daughter

However, when investigators met her boyfriend, he claimed that she would repeatedly describe incidents when her parents abused her, and included video footage from his cellphone with evidence, the complaint said.

The boy's mother also reportedly told officers that he had raised the issue with her before. Investigators also found several others, including her cousin who worked at the school and a therapist, who said she had reported abuse to them in recent months.

On March 28, cops carried out a search of Small's home, which recovered a letter reading: 'Honestly, I'm going for peace, I keep disappointing you all, I'm just going to go. Must hate me for not being perfect.

'Getting called dumb, crazy, mental and sick hurts but that's okay, I guess I'm the biggest disappointment for defending myself.'

The search triggered the bizarre press conference from the mayor, before charges were brought, where he stressed that the search of his home and vehicles was a 'private family issue.'

The press conference, where his daughter was in attendance, saw a string of denials around rumors circulating about the case, including allegations that he 'beat the s***' out of his daughter that prosecutors now claim did happen.

He also implied that law enforcement officials were targeting his office for political reasons and that the media should connect the dots.

However, Smalls' lawyer said at the end of the conference they were not alleging that the search of the mayor's home was politically motivated, but they were 'not ruling anything out,' as per a report.

Following the charges, the mayor's attorney Ed Jacobs told NBC10: 'The charges filed by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office today make no claims of public corruption or misconduct in office or any failure by Mayor Small, to properly discharge his responsibilities as the mayor of Atlantic City.

'On the contrary, they focus only on personal, private family matters.'

The mayor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.
Police have busted an Albanian people smuggling gang who charged migrants 10,000 to come to the UK on private jets and lorries before providing them with fake travel documents via an 'Amazon style' delivery service.

Albanian nationals Myrteza Hilaj, 50, and Kreshnik Kadena, 37, from Leyton in East London, organised at least nine illegal migrant journeys in 2016 and 2017, three of which were by jet to an aerodrome in Essex.

Pictures show their Cessna aircraft being grounded by French police at a private airport near Calais before the pair convened an emergency meeting in a British pub - unaware they were being photographed by undercover officers.

Hilaj and Kadena were convicted yesterday after an eight-year investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) which also brought down four forgers running an 'Amazon-style' fake documents service and blocked 50 migrants from from getting into the UK illegally.

A 100-strong law enforcement team from across Europe secured a total of 27 arrests, 11 UK convictions and 9 convictions overseas. Officers seized four tonnes of cannabis and 30kg of cocaine and have sought orders seeking the recovery of more than 6million in ill-gotten gains.

A light aircraft flown by David Green, an Essex pilot, that was intercepted by French police at an airfield near Calais on July 17, 2017

Following the bust Albanian smugglers Myrteza Hilaj, 50, and Kreshnik Kadena, 37, held a crisis meeting in a pub - where they were recorded by officers

The NCA say Hilaj served as a 'fixer' for smuggling gangs using lorries while Kadena worked with the pilots.

Many of the migrants had Hilaj's number saved on their phones, and had either communicated directly with him or with mutual contacts.

Police believe he was trying to recruit lorry drivers after finding a note he left on the windscreen of a vehicle at Thurrock services on the M25 which read 'call me'.

He ensured that the vehicles transporting migrants arrived safely at a discreet location in the UK, dropped off their passengers and returned to their scheduled legitimate route without arousing suspicion.

He was also in regular contact with illegal migrants before and during their journey as part of a service costing as much as 10,000.

Kadena acted as his assistant and was primarily involved in smuggling migrants using light aircraft.

On July 9, 2017, he helped to organise a flight carrying an unknown number of migrants from Calais to Stapleford airfield in Essex, where he arrived to pick them up after they had landed.

Another flight eight days later was intercepted by French police before the aircraft took off from Marck airfield near Calais.

Four migrants, including a child under 10, were taken into custody. A smuggler and the pilot, British architect David Green, were arrested and convicted in France.

On the same day, following the interception in France, NCA surveillance officers observed Hilaj and Kadena at a 'fallout' meeting in a pub.

Hilaj and Kadena were convicted after an eight-year investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) which also brought down four forgers running an 'Amazon-style' fake documents service. Pictured are documents seized from the site in East London

Sergiy Mykhaylov, a 43-year-old Ukrainian, ran the plant - which supplied documents for smugglers including Hilaj and Kadena

Hilaj and Kadena were arrested during a raid on their home on July 26, 2017 and convicted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court. They are due to be sentenced at the same court on May 17.

The NCA, also known as 'Britain's FBI', also caught several fraudsters used by the pair.

Sergiy Mykhaylov, a 43-year-old Ukrainian, ran an 'industrial-scale' forgery factory in Stratford, East London, where he generated thousands of false ID cards and work permits for illegal immigrants.

When officers searched his home they found more than 3,000 identity documents, 3,500 passport style photos and 300 building work certificates together with 15,000 in cash and enough material to produce 40,000 fake ID cards.

Mark McCormack, of the NCA, said most of his customers were from Albania and described Mykhaylov as being 'like the Amazon of false identity documents.'

He told The Sun: 'His services spread rapidly by word of mouth - the organisation would provide cards to anybody. It is a very lucrative market.'

Mykhaylov was jailed for five and a half years after pleading guilty to a string of fraud charges in 2018.

Middlemen Genadijs Kalinns, 43, of Loughton in Essex, and Dymtro Mykhailytskyi, 45, from Romford, were jailed for six years and five-and-a-half years respectively.

Hilaj and Kadena were arrested during a raid on their home on July 26, 2017 and convicted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court. They are due to be sentenced at the same court on May 17

Arsen Baculi, 24, of East Ham, was given five years and eight months for intent to deliver fake documents and possessing drugs. A fifth man, Oleksandr Sukhoviy, 45, was jailed for six years.

Saju Sasikumar, NCA Senior Investigating Officer, said: 'This investigation has dismantled an organised crime group who not only facilitated illegal migration, but provided a complete service to those they helped into the country, ensuring they could gain work and access services illegally.

'Tackling organised immigration crime is a priority for the NCA and we work tirelessly to target people smugglers here in the UK and overseas, who risk lives and exploit others in the pursuit of profit.

'Today's convictions may mark the end of this particular operation, but our work to tackle the threat from organised immigration crime is only increasing.'

Earlier this year the Home Office sacked the independent borders inspector after he voiced concerns about 'high-risk' aircraft landing in Britain without security checks.

David Neal was fired by James Cleverly after he shared his fears about a 'scandal' of unchecked private jet flights at UK airports.

This may have seen gangsters, illegal immigrants, trafficking victims and even extremists enter the country without even rudimentary scrutiny, he warned.
A former US ambassador who pleaded guilty to spying for Cuba says he was radicalized while studying at Yale university.

Victor Manuel Rocha, 73, was arrested in December in Miami and accused of gathering intelligence for the rogue communist state since 1981.

His activities came to light after an undercover sting operation where he detailed his clandestine activities for Havana and praised Fidel Castro.

While being sentenced on Friday to 15 years behind bars, Rocha told the court that it was his time at Yale University that radicalized him into becoming a spy.

In a statement, Rocha said: 'During my formative years in college, I was heavily influenced by the radical politics of the day.'

Victor Manuel Rocha, seen here, was arrested in December in Miami and accused of gathering intelligence for the rogue communist state since 1981

Rocha, seen here with his wife Karla, was arrested in December in Miami and accused of gathering intelligence for the rogue communist state since 1981

Karla Wittkop, wife of Rocha (left) and lawyer Jacqueline Arango (right), leaves the James L. King Federal Court in Miami, Florida, on December 4, 2023

'My deep commitment at that time to radical social change in the region led me to the eventual betrayal of my oath of loyalty to the United States during my two decades in the State Department.

'Today I no longer see the world through the radical eyes of my youth. My long and successful transition to the private sector culminated in my becoming a top international executive in the mining sector for well over a decade.

'The latter, however, cannot erase the damage done during my earlier career working for the Government.

'I take fully responsibility for that and accept the penalty I must pay. I am making significant amends through my unconditional collaboration to those I have betrayed.'

Rocha was born in Colombia and moved to New York City at the age of 10, living in Harlem with his widowed mother and two siblings.

According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, his mother worked in a sweatshop and the family got by on food stamps.

In 1965 he won a scholarship to attend The Taft School, an elite boarding school in Connecticut.

He went on to study at Yale where he graduated with honors with a degree in Latin American studies and then on to graduate work at Harvard and Georgetown.

He initially pleaded not guilty in February to charges of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government, but later accepted a plea deal with federal prosecutors in March

Rocha bragged to an FBI agent posing as a Cuban intelligence officer that the U.S. was 'the enemy' and described his decades-long assignment as a 'grand slam'

Rocha served on the National Security Council from 1994 to 1995 in the administration of president Bill Clinton

Rocha joined the State Department in 1981 and rose through the ranks as a career diplomat, also serving in posts in Havana, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, the Dominican Republic and Washington.

He began aiding Havana as a covert agent of Cuba's General Directorate of Intelligence (DGI) in 1981, and his secret activities continued until his arrest.

Rocha served on the National Security Council from 1994 to 1995 in the administration of president Bill Clinton and was the ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002 under Clinton and George W. Bush.

He also served as an advisor to the US military command responsible for Cuba.

Rocha left national service in 2006 and later served as an advisor to the US Southern Command, which oversees Cuba, until 2012.

Rocha was arrested in December for what US officials called 'one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations of the United States government by a foreign agent.'

The father-of-two diplomat appointed by Bill Clinton was living in the open in Florida with his graphic designer wife Karla Wittkop Rocha when he was charged.

He initially pleaded not guilty in February to charges of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government, but later accepted a plea deal with federal prosecutors in March.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, announcing Rocha's arrest in December, said he had 'repeatedly referred to the United States as 'the enemy'' and 'repeatedly bragged about the significance of his efforts.'

Rocha was born in Colombia and moved to New York City at the age of 10, living in Harlem with his widowed mother and two siblings

Bolivian President Hugo Banzer shakes hands with Rocha, the new U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia, during a ceremony in the Government Palace in La Paz, August 3, 2000

Bolivian acting President Jorge Quiroga (L) chats with Manuel Rocha, Ambassador of the Unites States in the vice presidency office in La Paz, July 11, 2001

'Rocha always kept his status as a Cuban agent secret in order to protect himself and others and to allow himself the opportunity to engage in additional clandestine activity,' a criminal complaint reads.

The agent contacted Rocha via WhatsApp claiming to be a representative of 'your friends in Havana.'

The pair met multiple times, including once at a food court, where he was asked if he was still 'with' Cuba.

His response was 'angry,' and he replied: 'It's like questioning my manhood.'

He admitted traveling to Havana in 2016 or 2017 to meet with his handlers and asked the undercover agent to send 'my warmest regards to the Direccion,' referring to the DGI, the secret intelligence agency of Cuba.

Rocha told an undercover agent that the rules for Cuban spies included referring to Havana as 'the island' and to adopt the personality as political conservative in the US.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, seen here, said he had 'repeatedly referred to the United States as 'the enemy'' and 'repeatedly bragged about the significance of his efforts'

The father-of-two diplomat appointed by Bill Clinton was living in the open in Florida with his graphic designer wife Karla Wittkop Rocha, seen here, when he was charged

At the time of his initial arrest, it was reported that Republican Maria Elvira Salazar returned Rocha's $750 donation to her campaign.

In December, a former colleague of Rocha's, John Feeley, told The Washington Post that the spy was 'charming' and 'ambitious.' Feeley described him as an expert in Latin American affairs.

Around the time of his arrest, Feeley said that Rocha had 'gone full-on Donald Trump.' 'It was the perfect cover,' Feeley said.

Rocha was sentenced to five years for conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government and ten years for acting as a foreign agent to be served consecutively.

Numerous protesters were seen outside the courthouse in Miami on Friday, demanding the 'maximum sentence' for Rocha.

Judge Beth Bloom told Rocha on Friday: 'You turned your back on this country over and over again,' and said she would impose 'the maximum penalty permitted by law,' after a three-and-a-half-hour hearing in Miami.
Police today barricaded the entrance to a right-wing political conference as a local mayor tried to shut down the event attended by Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman.

The two-day 'National Conservatism' gathering in Brussels descended into chaos as authorities attempted to enforce a ban.

As well as Mr Farage, the ex-UKIP leader, and Mrs Braverman, the former home secretary, other keynote speakers were due to include Hungarian PM Viktor Orban.

But the future of the conference was thrown into jeopardy following an order issued by Emir Kir, the mayor of Brussels district Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.

He said he was banning the event from taking place in the Belgian capital 'to guarantee public safety'.

'In Etterbeek, in Brussels City and in Saint-Josse, the far-right is not welcome,' Mr Kir added.

Police were seen inside the 'Claridge' venue around midday - as Mr Farage took to the stage to deliver a speech - and officers held talks with conference organisers.

It was reported that attendees had been given 15 minutes to leave the venue. But officers did not appear to force the event to shut down and speeches continued.

Event organisers later claimed that police were 'not letting anyone in' and posted a video on social media of a police barricade outside the venue.

Eric Zemmour, the controversial former French presidential candidate, was said to have been denied entry with his keynote address postponed 'possibly indefinitely'.

In his own address to the conference, Mr Farage lashed out at the 'monstrous' efforts to shut down the gathering on its first morning, saying: 'We are up against a new form of communism.'

Mrs Braverman attacked the 'thought police' who were trying to close the event. And Downing Street this afternoon described the Belgian police action as 'extremely disturbing'.

Police barricaded the entrance to the right-wing 'National Conservatism' conference as a local mayor tried to shut down the event attended by Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman

Eric Zemmour, the controversial former French presidential candidate, was said to have been denied entry with his keynote address postponed 'possibly indefinitely'

Nigel Farage lashed out at 'monstrous' efforts to shut down a gathering of right-wing politicians in Brussels and warned: 'We are up against a new form of communism'

Tony Gilland, from the MCC Brussels think tank, who organised the National Conservatism conference, was pictured speaking to police officers

Police officers secured the area outside the venue where the conference was taking place

Police arrived at the event venue but officers did not appear to force the event to shut down and speeches continued

Officers stood guard outside the Claridge venue in the Belgian capital as the event continued amid the chaos

Those behind the event said they were launching a legal challenge to the order by Emir Kir, the mayor of Brussels district Saint-Josse-ten-Noode

Event organisers later claimed that police were 'not letting anyone in', adding on X/Twitter: 'People can leave, but they cannot return'

Event organisers said they were launching a legal challenge to Mr Kir's order, adding: 'There is no public disturbance and no grounds to shut down a gathering of politicians, intellectuals, journalists, students, civic leaders, and concerned citizens.

'The police entered the venue on our invitation, saw the proceedings and the press corps, and quickly withdrew.

'Is it possible they witnessed how peaceful the event is?'

They later claimed that police were 'not letting anyone in', adding on X/Twitter: 'People can leave, but they cannot return. Delegates have limited access to food and water, which are being prevented from delivery.'

As he begun his conference address amid the chaos, Mr Farage said the ongoing events reminded him why Britain was 'right to leave' the Brussels-based EU.

Speaking on his first official trip back to the Belgian capital since Britain left the bloc, Mr Farage said: 'What has happened over the course of the last 48 hours is simply monstrous.'

He detailed how two venues had already pulled out of hosting the 'National Conservatism' conference prior to a third venue being found last night.

'What you may or may not know in the audience now is that this venue, which accepted this booking last night - and we give huge thanks to the Tunisian owner of this business for his courage and for allowing free speech to take place,' Mr Farage said.

'What is happening as we speak is he is receiving phone calls from the local mayor, the police are being encouraged to come in and shut down this conference.'

He added: 'This is what we are up against, we are up against an evil ideology, we are up against a new form of communism - this is nothing less than that.

'And if anything ever said to me that Brexit was the right thing to do.

'That leaving this place, regaining our national sovereignty - even if we could have carried it out better - that recognising that you cannot be an independent, democratic, self-governing nation state and a member of this monstrous union with its ideology behind it.

'Today has told me, I shall never forget it, we were right to leave, no question.'

Mr Farage lashed out at police and a local mayor for attempting to cancel the right-wing political gathering

As he begun his conference address, Mr Farage said the events of the past hours had reminded him why Britain was 'right to leave' the Brussels-based European Union

As well as Mr Farage, speakers at the two-day event included ex-home secretary Suella Braverman and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, who is scheduled to appear tomorrow

Mrs Braverman, who addressed the conference after Mr Farage despite the confusion sparked by the mayor's closure order, hit out at local officials she described as 'thought police'

Police for the Brussels district of Saint-Josse, where the venue is located, confirmed to the AFP news agency that they had been tasked by the local mayor with notifying organisers of a ban.

'We are taking all necessary operational measures to prevent a public disturbance,' police spokeswoman Audrey Dereymaeker said.

Mrs Braverman, who addressed the conference after Mr Farage despite the confusion sparked by the mayor's closure order, hit out at local officials she described as 'thought police'.

She told Sky News: 'I'm here with like-minded democrats, democratically elected politicians, leaders and experts in their fields.

'And we are here talking about the issues that matter to the British people but also many citizens around Europe.

'Securing our borders, making our communities safer and how to protect our countries.

'It's a real shame that the thought police instructed by the mayor of Brussels has saw fit to try and undermine and denigrate what is free speech and free debate.'

She added: 'Could this happen in the UK? I generally think we have a culture of freedom of speech, we value debate and the free flow of ideas.

'It's a cherished foundation of our democracy and long may it continue.'

Mrs Braverman had used her speech to repeat her call for Britain to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

She attacked the ECHR as incompatible with parliamentary democracy and the Strasbourg-based court charged with enforcing it as 'profoundly undemocratic and politicised'.

Speaking as he left the venue after finishing his own conference address this afternoon, Mr Farage told reporters: 'What's happened here... where there is global media, we can see that legally-held opinions from people who are going to win national elections is no longer acceptable here in Brussels, the home of globalism.

'Because if you don't agree with ever-closer union, you must be a bad thing.'

The eurosceptic politician, who is honorary president of Reform UK, also told GB News: 'This is cancel culture in a very, very big way.

'Often cancel culture kicks in when somebody pushes the boundaries of what might be seen to be legitimate debate.'

John O'Brien, head of communications at MCC think tank, one of the joint organisers of the event, decried the closure order as 'Orwellian'.

He said the apparent justification was over public safety concerns, with anti-fascist demonstrators planning to protest at the venue later in the day.

Downing Street described the Belgian police action to shut down the National Conservatism conference as 'extremely disturbing'.

A Number 10 spokeswoman said: 'Clearly, these reports are extremely disturbing.

'The Prime Minister is a strong supporter and advocator for free speech and he believes that should be fundamental to any democracy.

'Speaking more broadly to the principle of such events, he is very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming speakers is damaging to free speech and to democracy as a result.

'He is very clear that free debate and the exchange of views is vital, even where you disagree.'

The spokeswoman added she was not aware of any plans to raise the issue with the Belgian government.

The Belgian League of Human Rights is among the groups opposing the event.

'Freedom of speech may indeed apply to everyone, within the limits of the law, but that does not mean we have to open our home to the far-right,' it said in a statement last week.

As well as Mrs Braverman, the conference had also been due to hear from fellow Conservative MP Miriam Cates on Tuesday while Mr Orban was scheduled to speak tomorrow.

PM Rishi Sunak had faced pressure to block Mrs Braverman's attendance at the conference.

Labour shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth urging Mr Sunak to stop the former home secretary 'giving oxygen to these divisive and dangerous individuals'.

Under Boris Johnson's government in 2020, Conservative backbencher Daniel Kawczynski was reprimanded for attending a National Conservatism conference in Rome.

At the time, a Tory spokesman condemned the views of some other speakers, including Mr Orban.

Both Mrs Braverman and Ms Cates addressed the National Conservatism conference in London last year, which was disrupted by protesters.
Downing Street today admitted it is still trying to schedule a call between Rishi Sunak and Benjamin Netanyahu.

The PM said last night that he would be speaking to the Israeli leader to urge him to 'show restraint' in responding to Iran's attack.

But the conversation was pushed back, with Mr Netanyahu apparently holding a war Cabinet, and No10 acknowledged this afternoon that there is still no time set.

Israel is still considering its response to Saturday night's attack, which saw Iran launch around 350 drones and missiles, but has insisted the barrage 'will be met with a response'.

Posting on the X site, Mr Netanyahu's official account said his country 'deeply appreciates the support of the United States, Britain, France and others in thwarting the Iranian attack against Israel'.

Downing Street today admitted it is still trying to schedule a call between Rishi Sunak and Benjamin Netanyahu

Mr Netanyahu has already spoken to US President Joe Biden and congressional majority leader Steve Scalise since the attacks at the weekend

He added: 'Directly and through its terror proxies Hamas and others, Iran is conducting a full-scale campaign of aggression that threatens not only Israel but the entire Middle East.

'The international community must continue to stand united in resisting this Iranian aggression, which threatens world peace.'

Mr Netanyahu has already spoken to US President Joe Biden and congressional majority leader Steve Scalise, according to posts on X.

In his Commons statement last night, Mr Sunak said he would 'express our solidarity with Israel in the face of this attack' and 'discuss how we can prevent further escalation'.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is also expected to visit Israel soon, having urged Israel to be 'smart as well as tough' by not escalating the conflict with Iran.

Meanwhile, former defence secretary Ben Wallace urged the Government to use its defence of Israel as leverage to secure Israeli support for Ukraine.

Mr Wallace, writing in The Daily Telegraph, said Israel had been 'absent' from the list of countries donating weapons and other items to Ukraine, and that he had 'pleaded' with the country's ambassador but been told Israel 'didn't want to upset Russia'.

He said: 'We stand by Israel because we share common values, oppose terrorism and respect sovereignty. But if pilots of the RAF are to help protect Israel, then we should expect Israel to help Ukraine with lethal weapons and other assets, because alliances work both ways.'

The former cabinet minister also called for a strong response to Iran's attack, saying the UK was 'weak' in Tehran's eyes.

He said: 'I have learnt, working against Britain's adversaries, that the only way to deal with a bully is to retaliate.

'The only option when Iran and Russia hit, I have concluded, is to hit back twice as hard and not stop until they get the message.'
Donald Trump's attorney Alina Habba echoed her client's frustrations that he might miss son Barron's high school graduation because of appearing in court in his first criminal trial.

Habba, one of the more well known members of Trump's legal team, is a civil attorney for the former president  so she did not appear alongside her client during his criminal proceedings Monday.

Trump lambasted Judge Juan Merchan in his historic hush money trial for the potential he could refuse him permission to get out of court to attend his 18-year-old son's graduation next month.

The 77-year-old appeared in New York criminal court on Monday in the first day of jury selection in the case alleging he falsified documents related to payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about their affair ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

'This is political,' Habba told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday of the trial. 'It's election interference.'

Trump attorney Alina Habba lambasted Judge Juan Merchan for not ensuring former President Donald Trump will be able to get out of going to court in Manhattan on May 17 to attend his son's high school graduation

Pictured with his father, Barron Trump, 18, is graduating from high school next month

'You're not even allowing a father  never mind a former president  but a father attend his son's graduation?' she lamented, adding: 'It's just a sad state of affairs for the American people. I can assure you of that.'

Some questioned why Habba wasn't with the former president for his bombshell first appearance at the criminal trial in Manhattan on Monday.

She told conservative podcast The Benny Show of her absence: 'Obviously, you know, being a type A person, I wish I was a criminal attorney but I'm not.'

'But the great news is that, then I can do this and let everybody know what is actually happening,' she countered.

Habba defended Trump in the civil trial in Manhattan were he was convicted of inflating the value of his businesses' properties and ordered to pay $355 million plus interest.

Trump castigated Judge Merchan for stopping him going to the U.S. Supreme Court next week for a hearing related to January 6 at the same time he complained about potentially missing his son's high school graduation.

He let loose outside the court after day one of jury selection as he became the first U.S. ex-president to stand criminal trial.

Barron, 18, graduates from high school on May 17 and the trial is set to still be going on by then.

A furious Trump said: 'It looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son who's worked very, very hard.

Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower in Manhattan on Tuesday, April 16, for the second day of the historic criminal trial against him as jury selection continues from the day prior

'He's a great student and he's very proud of the fact he did so well and was looking forward for years to having his graduation with his mother and father there, and it looks like the judge isn't gong to allow me to escape this scam, it' a scam trial.'

Habba slammed the judge for also not allowing those involved in the proceedings out to observe Passover.

'And let's not forget  Passover, ok?' she said to Hannity on Monday. 'Observant the Jews have a right to go and pray to who they want and observe Passover. And this judge would not allow it. Not for any of the attorneys.'

'And there are observant Jewish attorneys on the Trump team and as well on the D.A. team.'

Merchan decided that the court will not meet on the last two days of the holiday, which lasts one week.

He did, however, refuse Trump permission to be at the Supreme Court next week for arguments related to charges against January 6 defendants for obstructing an official proceeding, a case which could impact other criminal trials against the former president.

Trump claimed it was part of a 'political witch hunt' that 'continues forever'.

The former president said: 'We're not going to be given a fair trial. He's a very conflicted judge. He won't allow me to leave here for half a day go to D.C. and go before the U.S. Supreme Court because he thinks he's superior, I guess, to the Supreme Court.

'We've got a real problem with this judge and a real problem with a lot of things having to do with this trial.'

Outside the court, Trump lamented: 'It looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son who's worked very, very hard. He's a great student and he's very proud of the fact he did so well and was looking forward for years to having his graduation with his mother and father there'

Trump said those problems included that 'you go right outside and people are being mugged and killed all day long and he (the judge) is sitting here all day with about 10 or 12 prosecutors over nothing, over what people say shouldn't be a trial.'

He went on: 'That I can't go to my son's graduation, that I can't go to the U.S. Supreme Court, that I'm not in Georgia or Florida or North Carolina campaigning like I should be...it's perfect for the radical-left Democrats.

'That's exactly what they want. This is about election interference, that's all its about.'

Earlier, Trump's lawyers had asked the judge not to sit on the day of Barron's graduation.

But the judge said he was not able to rule at this stage if the court could take that day off.

Judge Merchan said: 'If everything is going according to schedule then I'm sure we'll be able to adjourn...but if we're running behind schedule we will not be able to. It really depends on if we are on time and where we are in the trial.'

Merchan dismissed dozens of potential jurors on Monday who said they could not fairly decide whether the 2024 Republican presidential candidate illegally covered up a hush money payment to a porn star.

The judge told nearly 100 prospective jurors they must set aside any biases or personal attitudes about the defendant or the case, including 'political orientation.'

At least 50 were dismissed after saying they could not be impartial in judging the highly divisive former president.

Trump appeared in a historic first day of criminal trial in Manhattan on Monday

Anti-Trump protesters hold signs and chant outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse on Monday, April 15 ahead of the former president's arrival for the first day of jury selection in the hush money case

A supporter for the former president drives his truck by the courthouse in Manhattan on Monday while flying flags supporting Trump's 2024 presidential bid

Others were excused who said they could not serve for other reasons.

'I just couldn't do it,' one prospective juror was heard to say outside the courtroom.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, charged Trump with falsifying records to cover up a $130,000 payment in the waning days of the 2016 presidential campaign to buy the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels about a 2006 sexual encounter she has said they had.

Trump pleaded not guilty and has denied any extramarital relationship with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

Former Trump lawyer and longtime fixer Michael Cohen will testify during the criminal trial that he made the payment to buy Daniels' silence ahead of the 2016 election, in which Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trump must attend the trial, which is expected to last through May, the judge said.

Lawyers from both sides will seek to impanel 12 jurors and six alternates to hear what could be the only criminal case Trump faces before the Nov. 5 election.

Choosing a jury from a pool of people from heavily Democratic Manhattan could take several days, to be followed by opening statements and testimony from a parade of potentially riveting witnesses, including Cohen and Daniels.

Judge Merchan said that in order to convict, jurors must find that Trump is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, not that he is 'probably' guilty.

A guilty verdict would not bar Trump from running for presidential office.

Falsifying business records in New York is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, though many of those found guilty have been sentenced to fines or probation.

Prosecutors also asked the judge to fine Trump $1,000 for each of three social-media posts this month about Cohen and Daniels following a gag order that bans the former president from speaking about anyone involved in the trial.
She is now awaiting a new trial - but remains behind bars on other offenses

Jennifer Pan was convicted of first degree murder but the charge was tossed

One of Netflix 's most popular true crime documentaries has revealed astonishing details about a 2010 murder-for-hire case, including the fact that the perpetrators are currently awaiting retrial.

What Jennifer Did, released April 10, chronicles the life of Jennifer Pan and the events that led to her the slaying of her mother, Bich Pan, and attempted murder of her father, Huei Hann Pan.

Jennifer was found guilty of hiring hitmen to kill her parents, but she successfully appealed her first degree murder charge and is now awaiting a new trial date.

She remains in prison on an attempted murder charge, but will be back in court in June for her next court date.

Netflix's What Jennifer Did has exposed the shocking details behind Jennifer Pan's murder-for-hire plot that led to the death of her mother and attempted slaying of her father

The documentary highlights Pan's complicated relationship with her parents, Huei Hann Pan (right) and Bich Pan (left)

Pan was convicted in 2015 and handed a life sentence - but the case is now heading to retrial after she and her three co-conspirators appealed the ruling

Huei Hann Pan fled to a neighbor's house after suffering gunshot wounds to his face and shoulder, and later went on to testify against his daughter, who was just 24 years old at the time.

During the trial, prosecutors claimed Pan began plotting her parents' murder after they forced her to choose between them and her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Daniel Wong.

After her parents forbade her from seeing him, the pair allegedly conspired to kill them to get their hands on her $500,000 inheritance.

Pan testified she had a contentious relationship with her father, who she dubbed the 'rule maker,' but was closer with her mother.

The documentary highlights Pan's complicated relationship with her strict parents including a web of conspiracy stretching back to high school, when she doctored report cars, faked her graduation and subsequently lied about attending college.

On the night of November 8, 2010, prosecutors asserted, Pan left the door unfastened so Wong's hitmen could slip inside and carry out the murders. They shot her parents multiple times, killing her mother and badly wounding her father.

In 2015, the 28-year-old Pan was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder and handed a life sentence with no parole for 25 years.

Wong and his co-conspirators, Lenford Crawford and David Mylvaganam, were also found guilty.

A fourth man, Eric Carty, was also implicated in the scheme. He was serving a separate sentence for killing his friend when he was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to an additional 18 years.

He died in 2018 after being stabbed in prison, police said.

Pan and her boyfriend, Daniel Wong(left), allegedly conspired to kill her parents to get her inheritance. Eric Carty (right) was also implicated in the scheme, but was killed in prison while serving back-to-back sentences

Wong's hitmen, Lenford Crawford (left) and David Mylvaganam (right) were both found guilty of their involvement in the crime and sentenced to time behind bars

Prosecutors accused Pan of leaving a door unlocked at the family's Markham home to allow the killers to enter

However, all convictions, including Pan's, have since been tossed out, and the documentary ends without explaining why they are slated for retrial.

The overturned convictions came after Pan and the three surviving co-conspirators appealed the verdict.

Attorneys for the defendants argued that presiding judge Justice Cary Boswell improperly instructed the jury, leading them to consider only two 'paths to liability' for the accused.

Boswell laid out two possible scenarios for how the crime occurred - either the defendants plotted to murder both of Jennifers parents, or they planned to 'commit a home invasion/robbery' that caused the deaths.

The appeal argued these instructions limited conclusions the jurors could have drawn from the evidence, including a third scenario presented by Pan herself, who argued she had hired the hitmen to kill her, not her parents.

In May 2023, a Canadian appellate panel agreed with the defense.

'In my view, this is the most difficult and most consequential error that is put forward,' Justice Ian Nordheimer wrote in the decision.

Netflix's What Jennifer Did is set to be released on April 10

The group stole some money hidden around the home and then led the parents to the basement where each was shot multiple times

Police found splatters of blood trailed throughout the house as one investigator branded it as 'something we had never seen before'

'If it succeeds, it requires a new trial for all the appellants on the murder charge. I have concluded that it does.'

The defendants have remained in jail while awaiting their retrials after the court rejected their appeals for their convictions for Huei Hann Pan's attempted murder.

Unlike the United States, Canadian prosecutors also have the right of appeal at this stage in the proceedings. In August 2023, prosecutors for the Pan case filed their own appeal against the appellate ruling with the Canadian Supreme Court.

Now, the case has entered a standstill as the parties await a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada on whether to hear arguments on the appeal.

If the Supreme Court declines to do so, or if they hear the arguments but side with the defense, the retrial order remains, meaning the parties will then have for the lower courts to decide whether to bring the case to a retrial.
Airlines across the world are rerouting and cancelling services due to the conflict in the Middle East in what has been described as the biggest disruption to air travel since 9/11.

This includes budget airline easyJet cancelling all flights to Israel until at least October 27.

The situation, which shot up the global agenda after Hamas' October 7 attack in Israel has recently been escalated by Iran's failed drone and missile attack on April 13.

The intervention caused 'chaos' in the aviation industry - further narrowing options for planes navigating between Europe and Asia - with over 10 airlines cancelling or rerouting flights in the following week.

Luton-based easyJet had previously suspended flights until April 21, but has now extended the ban to cover the entire summer season.

A graphical representation of air traffic shows airspace over Iran and the neighbouring Middle East countries at 1am on April 14 following Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel

EasyJet said it would not reopen routes to Tel Aviv until October 27 - with any customers who already have tickets offered the choice of a refund

Passengers wait for flight updates at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 13

easyJet

Besides pausing flights to and from Israel - which only operates in and out of Tel Aviv in the country - easyJet routes remain unaffected.

A spokesman said on April 16: 'As a result of the continued evolving situation in Israel, easyJet has now taken the decision to suspend its flights to Tel Aviv for the remainder of the summer season.

'Customers booked to fly on this route up to this date are being offered options, including a full refund.'

Lufthansa

German airline Lufthansa has suspended regular flights to and from Tel Aviv, Erbil (Iraq) and Amman (Jordan) up to and including April 16.

Flights to Beirut (Lebanon) and Tehran (Iran) will remain suspended until at least April 18, with all Iranian airspace also being unused in that time.

The decision made by Lufthansa Group also extends to its other subsidiary airlines: Eurowings, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines.

Disruption is changing by the hour: Travel expert NICKY KELVIN reveals what to do if you're worried about a flight being cancelled Flight disruptions related to Iran's attack on Israel are significant and are changing by the hour. Not all airlines and routes are affected - for example, airlines like Qatar and Emirates are still flying in Iranian airspace. Lots of airlines have been cancelling flights to and from both Israel and Iran, but these are short-term measures and are not blanket measures across all airlines. Therefore, the best advice for travellers both in that region - but also any travellers flying over the region, who may be affected by airspace restrictions  is to check the latest with their airlines, and airports, especially for those flying in the next day or two. For those that are able to rearrange travel easily, it could be advisable to delay travel to try and avoid the disruptions and the knock-on effects of the disruption happening right now, which could take some days or weeks to fully resolve. Most airlines cancelling flights are offering flexible rebooking options, or free cancellation, or in some cases rebooking on different airlines. You should contact your airline now if your flight is in the coming days, and ask what your available options are. For those wanting a real time view on where aircraft are flying, the FlightRadar24 website is a helpful tool to see exactly where aircraft are on the map, what airspace might be open or closed, and which airlines are flying where. NICKY KELVIN is editor at The Points Guy. For more of his tips, click here Advertisement

KLM

Dutch Airline KLM, sister companies with Air France, has restarted flights to and from Tel Aviv from April 16.

As a precaution following Iran's strike, the airline had stopped flying over Israeli and Iranian air space.

WizzAir

Ultra-low-cost airline WizzAir has also resumed flights to and from Israel as of April 16 after three days of cancellations.

The Hungarian-headquartered company is offering flights to Tel Aviv from both Gatwick and Luton.

Finnair

Finnair has suspended flights over Iranian airspace until further notice.

This may cause longer flight times on flights from Doha with a spokesperson saying the Finnish carrier will reroute over Egypt, resulting in delays of a 'few minutes'.

SAS

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has rerouted flights between Copenhagen and Bangkok, which will result in slightly elongated flight times.

This is because the route passes partially over the region of concern.

Qantas Airways

Australian airline Qantas is another which has had to reroute flights.

Their route between Perth and London has been affected.

A Qantas spokesperson said: 'We're temporarily adjusting the flight paths for our flights between Perth and London due to the situation in parts of the Middle East.

'We'll reach out to customers directly if there's any change to their booking.'

Qantas said no flights between Perth, the capital of Western Australia state, and London had been paused or cancelled, but that flights on the route were operating on the adjusted flight path via Singapore.

The Sydney-based airline's other flights to and from London remained unchanged as they take different flight paths.

Air India

Air India has decided to temporarily stop flights to and from Israel due to the rising tensions.

This will pause the airline's weekly flights between New Delhi and Tel Aviv.

Emirates Airlines

Major Middle East airlines, including Emirates Airlines, said on April 15 they would resume operation in the region after cancelling or rerouting some flights.

This includes routes in and out of Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways resumed some routes, including services to Amman, Beirut and Baghdad, on April 14.

The following day, they also reopened their regular flights in Iran.
Brewery blames tough climate for the failure of 250,000 saplings to take root

Controversial beer brand BrewDog's much-vaunted efforts to plant new trees in the Scottish Highlands have hit a snag after it emerged 250,000 of the saplings planted in a partly publicly funded project have already died.

The 'Lost Forest' on Kinrara estate in the Cairngorms has been a key part of the Scottish brewery's marketing campaign as it seeks to reinvent itself as a 'carbon negative' beer producer, a claim that has landed it in hot water with ad watchdogs.

But campaigners have obtained documents showing more swathes of the trees it has planted on the estate have already died - and that 690,000 of taxpayer cash has been put towards the company's environmental efforts to date.

BrewDog, which stands to receive 1.2million of grants in total for its forestry project, says that the trees were killed by an unseasonably hot summer as company boss James Watt moaned: 'Sustainability is hard.'

However, the failure to protect the trees has prompted environmentalists to call for the cash to be returned.

BrewDog's 'Lost Forest', the Kinrara estate in the Scottish Highlands, where half a million trees have been planted - with half of them dying

A view of the Kinrara estate. BrewDog has pledged to plant trees here in order to offset its brewing and become 'carbon negative'

BrewDog boss James Watt took to LinkedIn to complain that 'sustainability is hard' after the failure of 250,000 trees to take root was revealed

The Kinrara estate is located within Cairngorms National Park, around 25 miles south-east of Inverness

Scottish Forestry estimates half of pines and almost 95 per cent of oak trees planted in the Lost Forest have died - while BrewDog has been given 690,000 of grants for the project from the public purse

Campaigner Nick Kempe discovered that 690,000 had been paid to BrewDog or one of its subsidiaries to date by Forestry Scotland, a Scottish Government agency responsible for woodland management.

Via Freedom of Information requests, the agency confirmed to him that, while inspectors had not carried out a full assessment of the site, they believed more than half of the trees were dead, including almost all oak trees planted.

BrewDog had pledged to plant around 460,000 trees within five years - with a total of 20 years to meet its obligations.

But the forestry body noted: 'There was high mortality of (pine) trees across the site, with an initial estimate of 50 to 56 per cent.'

It added of native broadleaved (oak) trees: 'They noted very high mortality of around 95 per cent.'

Inspectors say that evidence of deer within the fencing was noted - with the animals believed to enjoy tucking into tasty saplings more than older trees - and that 'climatic factors' may also be to blame.

But campaigner Mr Kempe has accused BrewDog of 'greenwashing' - using eco schemes to outwardly improve its environmental credentials - and says its efforts have been 'disastrous' for the estate, with land churned up to plant the trees.

He also claims the company may have actually generated more carbon emissions with its efforts that will take years to offset.

Writing on his Parks Watch Scotland blog, he said: 'Scottish Forestry and BrewDog decided to plant a new forest, financed with large sums of public money, with disastrous consequences for nature and carbon emissions.

'It is to the credit of the Scottish Forestry staff involved in the inspection that they made some attempt to describe all the dead trees and natural regeneration at Kinrara.

'However, they are powerless to change this ecologically destructive system of publicly financed greenwashing.'

After Mr Kempe published his findings, BrewDog boss James Watt took to LinkedIn to admit that some 250,000 trees had died because of what he said were extreme climatic conditions.

He wrote: 'Last year we planted 500,000 trees in partnership with our friends at Scottish Woodlands. But then came the fifth hottest Scottish summer on record.

'An incredibly hot and dry summer was followed by a harsh winter as savage gales and sweeping frosts hammered the Scottish Highlands.

'It's disappointing. Our partners have estimated that around 50% of the 500,000 saplings planted did not survive their first 12 months.'

Mr Watt, who is dating Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo, added 50,000 trees have been replanted in the last two weeks.

He continued: 'One thing that is for sure is that sustainability is hard. Whatever you do, you could do more.

'Whatever you do, there are critics who love nothing more than to tear it down. Whatever you do, it can feel totally insignificant. And things don't always go to plan.

'Sustainability, like life, is hard, but it sure as hell beats the alternative.'

BrewDog prides itself on its environmental credentials and claims to be 'carbon negative' - offsetting more carbon dioxide than it produces

BrewDog has pledged to plant a million trees in the Lost Forest - but half of the 500,000 already planted are dead

Sales of BrewDog Lost Lager were initially tied to the planting of trees in the forest - before the brewery said sales of the beer would actually be for another project

BrewDog boss James Watt - who has been accused of improper behaviour, which he has strenuously denied - is dating Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo

A BrewDog spokesperson referred MailOnline to Mr Watt's social media post and said it would not comment further.

Scottish Forestry says it believes the most likely cause of the tree deaths last year was 'very dry conditions last spring when the trees were put in the ground'.

A spokesperson said of the grant: 'Every woodland creation scheme that we award grant funding to is fully and rigorously assessed against the UK Forestry Standard and environmental regulations.

'The public funds allocated to the woodland creation project are fully protected.

'We will expect the applicant (Lost Forest) to make good through replacement planting at their own cost to ensure that the agreed amount of woodland creation, and at the correct tree density, takes place.

'If we found that this was not the case then we can reclaim the grant. Scottish Forestry will continue to monitor the site to ensure that the forestry grant conditions are met.'

The Lost Forest estate is owned and operated by Lost Forest Ltd, which has one-time BrewDog finance director Neil Simpson as a director and is registered at the brewery's Ellon, Aberdeenshire headquarters.

Companies House records show there is an unspecified loan secured against the entire estate, while land registers show the land was purchased for 8.8million.

BrewDog landed itself in hot water as it launched the Lost Forest project - initially tying it into sales of its Lost Lager beer, promising that it would plant a tree in the forest for every pack of the beer sold.

'For every pack we plant a tree in the BrewDog Lost Forest,' the firm said - before later claiming this was an error, and that sales of the beer would support an Eden Project scheme in Madagascar.

And Lost Lager was among the beers that were shipped with 'gold cans' in one giveaway - before winners pointed out that they were largely made of brass and plated with gold.

It led to the company paying out nearly 500,000 to those who thought they had literally struck gold when they found the prize tins.

BrewDog has also had its knuckles rapped by advertising bods over a recent advert proclaiming its 'carbon negative' credentials - the idea it is actually offsetting more carbon dioxide than it is producing.

The Advertising Standards Authority said in December a claim that BrewDog was a carbon negative businesses did not include enough information to back up its claims of its offsetting.

Elsewhere, the company and Mr Watt have been criticised for their business practices, including some that critics say go against the so-called 'punk' ethos that underpins BrewDog's principles.

BrewDog was founded by James Watt and Martin Dickie (left and right) with a so-called 'punk' ethos that critics say has been undermined by its recent business practices

It is now a global brand, selling its beer in over 55 countries and opening bars in locations as diverse as China (a BrewDog bar in Shanghai, above)

BrewDog was criticised over a competition to win a 'solid gold' can that turned out to be largely made of brass and plated with the rare metal

Earlier this year, the brewery failed to have a single objection upheld against a BBC documentary that aired in 2022, containing allegations about BrewDog's business practices and of improper behaviour by Mr Watt, which he strenuously denied.

Ofcom said that Mr Watt and BrewDog had been given adequate time to respond to the allegations and that their responses had been appropriately included in The Truth About BrewDog, made by BBC Scotland.

The programme included reports that Mr Watt had purchased 500,000 of shares in Heineken and invested 2million in a Cayman Islands hedge fund.

It has been suggested that this - along with allegations of stealing a beer name from a smaller Scottish brewery - clash with the 'punk', anti-establishment image curated by Mr Watt and the firm over the course of several years.

Mr Watt said following the airing of the show that he regretted 'anyone feeling in any way uncomfortable around me, as the programme set out'.

Earlier this year, BrewDog was also criticised for dropping its commitment to the 'real living wage', which is higher than that set out by the government, for new hires.

The company reported its third annual loss in a row last summer, with an operating loss of 24million in the year ending December 31 2022.
Boeing has hit back at whistleblower allegations that its planes are flawed ahead of a Senate hearing on Wednesday.

Two Boeing engineer executives issued a robust defense of how the company's 787 Dreamliner is constructed during a media briefing on Monday.

The suggested the plane's carbon-composite panels are immune to metal fatigue that often weaken traditional aluminum fuselages.

Steve Chisholm, Boeing's vice president of structural engineering, said the company tested the safety of 787s by replicating 165,000 flights and did not find any evidence of fatigue in the composite structure.

His remarks come just one week after Boeing whistleblower Sam Salehpour claimed he 'literally saw people jumping on the pieces of the airplane to get them to align.'

'Thats not how you build an airplane,' said Salehpour, who worked as a Boeing engineer for over a decade and is now set to testify on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

A doorplug blew out midair on an Alaska Airlines flight on January 7, 2024 in Portland, Oregon

Pictured: Outgoing Boeing CEO David Calhoun speaking with reporters weeks after a Boeing 737's door plug blew out

Whistleblower Salehpour claims he saw people jumping on airplane panels to get them to align

Boeing has faced enormous scrutiny since a faulty door plug on an Alaska Airlines 787 Max 9 plane blew out at 16,000 feet in January. A month later, three passengers on that flight filed a $1 billion lawsuit against Boeing and Alaska Airlines.

Salehpour is the latest in a line of Boeing whistleblowers to come forward to raise safety concerns.

Former Boeing staffer John Barnett, 62, raised concerns about under-pressure workers deliberately fitting sub-standard parts to aircraft on the assembly line earlier this year.

After alleging his bosses were spying on him, Barnett then committed suicide under mysterious circumstances in early March.

Meanwhile, Boeing is in damage control mode. The plane maker has strongly disputed Salehpour's claim people were jumping on panels to snap them into place.

The company put out a statement last week expressing its full confidence in the 787 Dreamliner, a widebody jet often used for international flights, while calling concerns about its structural integrity 'inaccurate.'

The company said the actual way the fuselage is put together is through adding shims to fill gaps.

Additionally, fasteners are attached to apply what's called a 'pull-up force' that the company claims results in gaps the width of a human hair, about .005 inches, 99% of the time.

But issues with the Dreamliner model go back to at least 2021, when the FAA and Boeing halted deliveries of the plane while it looked into tiny gaps in the fuselage that were wider than Boeing allowed.

A little over a week ago, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 was forced to make an emergency landing at Denver International Airport after part of the engine blew off.

In March, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 landed in Portland with its cargo door slightly open. Passengers' luggage and pets were down below but Boeing said no harm came to the animals.

Pictured: Boeing whistleblower John Barnett who was found dead in March after an apparent suicide

Barnett posing for a selfie with his niece

A door plug area of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft awaiting inspection

NTSB officials examining the door plug from the Boeing 737-9 MAX jet incident on January 5

Pictured: Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut

The Senate is holding dual hearings about Boeing safety concerns on Wednesday.

First, the Senate Commerce Committee will hear from three aviation experts from MIT, NASA and the University of Southern California who will speak about what improvements Boeing can make.

A Senate subcommittee led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal is meeting the same day to speak with Salehpour after the whistleblower reached out to the senator's office last month.

Blumenthal has also requested that outgoing Boeing CEO David Calhoun make an appearance, but there's no update on whether that will happen.

These hearings come as the FAA has mandated that Boeing develop a sound quality control plan for its suite of aircrafts by next month.
Linda Reynolds has broken her silence following Bruce Lehrmann's evisceration in the Federal Court, vowing she is 'committed to fully vindicating' her reputation.

The Senator revealed that she will continue with her own defamation proceedings against her former staffer Brittany Higgins and Ms Higgins' fiance David Sharaz.

Ms Reynolds is suing both Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz separately in the WA Federal Court over social media comments the pair made about her.

Ms Reynolds had long been criticised for her handling of Ms Higgins' rape allegation, which was alleged to have been committed by Mr Lehrmann on a sofa in her office in Parliament House in the early hours of March 23, 2019, when she served as defence industry minister.

Justice Michael Lee, in his 324-page judgement handed down on Monday, found that the rape did likely take place.

Former Coalition Minister Linda Reynolds (pictured) has revealed she will to continue with her own defamation proceedings against her former staffer Brittany Higgins and Ms Higgins' partner David Sharaz

Ms Reynolds is suing both Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz (pictured) separately in the WA Federal Court over social media comments the pair made about her

But Justice Lee also found no evidence for the political 'cover-up narrative' he said was pushed by Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz 'from the first moment' of their decision to speak to Lisa Wilkinson on The Project in February 2021.

He described the conspiracy narrative as 'objectively short on facts but long on speculation and internal inconsistencies'.

On Wednesday, Ms Reynolds told Daily Mail Australia it 'would be an understatement' to say she was pleased with Justice Lee's ruling, describing the whole affair as the 'cover-up that never was'.

'For three years I have endured intense public scrutiny, vilification, vile trolling and have been demonised as the villain in a story of a political cover-up I have always known to be untrue,' she said.

Ms Reynolds said that she and her former chief-of-staff Fiona Brown had both 'had our reputations destroyed and have had our health seriously and irreparably compromised'.

'The decision of his Honour Justice Lee has finally set the record straight with respect to the conduct of Ms Brown and myself and the demonstrably false narrative that has dominated headlines and ruined lives and careers.

'To say I am pleased with the findings in relation to Ms Brown, myself and the cover up that never was, would be an understatement.'

Ms Reynold said she would not make further comment on the matter due to her ongoing defamation proceedings against Ms Higgins and her fiance, David Sharaz.

'I note as a matter of law that the findings by Justice Lee are not binding on Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz in respect of their defences to my actions in the Supreme Court of WA,' she added.

'I therefore remain committed to fully vindicating my reputation.'

Ms Reynolds had long been criticised for her handling of Ms Higgins' rape allegation, which was alleged to have been committed by Mr Lehrmann (pictured) on a sofa in her ministerial office in Parliament House in the early hours of March 23, 2019

While Justice Michael Lee, in his 324-page judgement handed down on Monday, found that the rape did take place

Ms Brown - who was Mr Lehrmann and Ms Higgins' boss in 2019 - was one of the only witnesses in the defamation case to receive a lot of praise from Justice Lee.

He said she had shown 'integrity' in her handling of the rape claims.

The staffer had resisted political pressure to report Ms Higgins' incident to the Federal Police, the judge said.

'Despite Ms Brown facing sustained pressure from her Minister and one of the Ministers colleagues to report the incident to the AFP  even though she was unsure an allegation was then being made of rape and irrespective of the wishes of Ms Higgins  she pushed back,' Justice Lee observed.

He added: 'She showed integrity in resisting pressure she subjectively considered inappropriate and evinced a concern for the autonomy and welfare of Ms Higgins,' he said.

'In these circumstances, to be later vilified as an unfeeling apparatchik willing to throw up roadblocks in covering up criminal conduct at the behest of ones political overlords must be worse than galling.'

Ms Reynolds said that she and her former chief-of-staff Fiona Brown (pictured) had both 'had our reputations destroyed and have had our health seriously and irreparably compromised'

The judge also said he 'unhesitatingly' preferred Ms Brown's evidence over Ms Higgins and Mr Lehrmann's.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said on Tuesday that Ms Reynolds had 'absolutely been vindicated'.

'Shes a first-class individual, a person of great honour and integrity, her reputation has been besmirched, and shes right to pursue the matter in the way that she is,' he said in reference to Ms Reynolds defamation suits.

'I would have thought, off the back of the judgment yesterday, people would be looking to settle the matter against Linda Reynolds and issuing a full apology to her for the way in which her reputation has been tarnished.'

Nine-hour-long mediation talks held last month between Ms Higgins, Mr Sharaz and Ms Reynolds failed to reach a settlement.

Ms Higgins' was admitted to hospital several hours after the talks collapsed.

Unless the couple decide to settle, a trial is expected to go ahead, likely to begin in May and lasting for six weeks.
This is the terrifying moment builders caught up in the Copenhagen stock exchange inferno realised that the iconic spire was about to come down on them.

Footage shows builders working on the scaffolding outside the landmark building as they were running away from the flames which broke out around 7.30am.

One of the workers was Ole Hansen, 60, a bricklayer, who said he noticed the fire on the roof and quickly snapped a picture, before telling his colleagues to rush to safety.

'There were some stonemasons who shouted: "We have to go down, we have to get out",' Hansen, who was working on the scaffolding alongside 14 others, told Danish outlet Fagbladet 3F.

'I have never experienced anything like this,' he added, before saying that he was quite shaken by the inferno after barely getting away before the building's 400-year-old spire collapsed.

'It was just terrible,' apprentice carpenter Claus Wolter Hansen agreed.

Danes have expressed their horror at '400 years of culture going up in flames' after the huge blaze broke out at the historic stock exchange.

Authorities are scrambling to preserve artefacts of the city's rich history, with even passers-by seen carrying large paintings away from the building in a race to save them from the spreading flames, which police said was under control around 3pm.

Footage shows builders working on the scaffolding outside the landmark building as they were running away from the flames, with a stonemason shouting: 'We have to go down, we have to get out'

Builders working on the scaffolding outside the building filmed and photographed the inferno before running to safety

Smoke billows and flames rise around the scaffolding of the old stock exchange in Denmark

Flames engulfing the Copenhagen's Stock Exchange building, in Copenhagen, on April 16

The iconic spire is seen surrounded by collapsing scaffolding early on Tuesday morning

Smoke engulfs the fragile frame of the spire in Copenhagen, Tuesday, April 16

Firefighters expect to be on the scene for 24 hours to stop the ferocious blaze

People salvage a painting from the historic Boersen stock exchange building which is on fire in central Copenhagen, Denmark on April 16, 2024

Among them was Mr Hanse, who helped carry paintings out of the burning landmark called The Brsen.

He said: 'There were four officials carrying a large painting. It was very windy and it looked like the painting was going to turn into a giant surf parachute because the four men were too light. So I ran over and helped.'

The stock exchange's 400-year-old spire has already been destroyed in the fire, leading to some to call the tragic incident Copenhagen's 'Notre-Dame moment'.

'I saw the spire on the Stock Exchange come down. It was violent,' Mr Hansen said, before adding that the building would look 'quite different' when the fire would finally be put out.

'It's horrible. It was one of the city's most beautiful buildings. I pass by here every day It's Notre Dame all over again,' another witness told state broadcaster DR, recalling the horrifying blaze at Paris' historic cathedral five years ago this month.

'So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us, I think. Our own Notre Dame moment,' Danish deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen posted on X.

Danish King Frederik shared a statement on Instagram, writing: 'This morning we woke up to a sad sight, when smoke over Copenhagen's roof gave evidence of the destructive fire at Brsen. An important part of our architectural cultural heritage was and continues to be in flames.

'For 400 years, Christian IV's building edifice Brsen has been a significant landmark for Copenhagen. Through generations, the characteristic dragon spire has helped to depict Copenhagen as the "city of towers".

'Until today, we have considered the historic building as a beautiful symbol of our capital and a building that we, as a nation, have been proud of.'

A 'large bang' was heard early this morning before the spire collapsed.

Dramatic video captured the moment the 183ft monument toppled down into the street below in a burst of orange as bystanders watched on in tears.

The Danish Chamber of Commerce, which has owned the building since 1857, has worked on restoring it to the style of Denmark's King Christian IV, who had the building constructed in the 17th century.

'400 years of Danish cultural heritage in flames,' Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said, also on X. 'The building is filled with art that tells a lot about our history, about who we are as a people,' he later told reporters.

A large police and firefighting presence remains on the scene around the Brsen building, where scaffolding was seen to have collapsed into the inferno which has since been brought under control.

Authorities previously said the blaze was too risky to tackle from the inside, and that they were trying to limit the damage by closing off what they can.

'We are saving everything we possibly can,' Copenhagen fire department chief Jakob Vedsted Andersen told reporters.

Denmark's National Museum sent 25 employees to the scene to help evacuate cultural artefacts and paintings, it said on X.

The historic building, whose spire was shaped as the tails of four dragons intertwined, had been under renovation and clad in scaffolding when the fire began.

Parts of the roof had collapsed and the fire spread to several floors of the building, Vedsted told reporters. 'It's always sad to put out fires in old buildings,' he said.

Some 120 people were working to contain the fire but only around 40 per cent of it was under control, Vedsted said early this afternoon, adding that the firefighting operation would go on for at least 24 hours. There were no immediate reports of injuries, police said.

Surrounding streets in the Danish capital were also cordoned off and commuters urged to avoid the inner city as authorities desperately tried to tackle the fire, with the military drawn in to help manage public safety.

Crowds gathered in disbelief to look on as the building appeared to collapse in on itself. The Brsen, once the financial heart of Denmark, dates back as far as 1625 and contains many precious relics of the country's proud merchant history.

From a distance, a general view shows the extent of the fire and efforts to stop it spreading

Locals carry paintings and other objects as a fire burns the old Stock Exchange (Boersen) in Copenhagen, Denmark, 16 April 2024

People gather in disbelief as the historic building goes up in flames, on April 16

A man reacts as the Old Stock Exchange burns in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16

The fire began Tuesday morning in the copper roof of the Old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, spread to much of the building and the roof, parts of which also collapsed, and destroyed the building's interior, said firefighters spokesman Jakob Vedsted Andersen.

'The fire is still not under control,' firefighter spokesperson Vedsted Andersen said later this morning, adding that half the building was destroyed and collapsed.

He said that there was no risk of the blaze spreading to other buildings. Firefighters said they expect to be at the scene for the next 24 hours.

'This is crazy, I've never seen such a big fire in my life. The fire has grown, more and more serious, it seems to be spreading to a larger part of the building,' a reporter for local outlet Politiken said from the scene.

Emergency services said they had mobilised 'on a massive scale' to quell the outbreak.

'The fire makes it too dangerous to tackle it from inside the building,' said Jakob Vedsted Andersen, heading the emergency operation. 'Our plan is to block the fire so that it does not spread to the other half (of the building).

READ MORE: Moment iconic spire of Copenhagen's stock exchange building collapses onto the street below as fire ravages historic building Advertisement

'But what we can only ascertain is that it is a very, very extensive fire, which is developing all the time.'

Brian Mikkelsen, director of Dansk Erhverv, Denmark's Chamber of Commerce, was seen helping the efforts to salvage artifacts from the fire.

'We have been able to rescue a lot,' a visibly moved Mikkelsen told reporters. 'It is a national disaster.'

He also took part in saving paintings and other valuables from the flames, and said they had to use tools including like a crowbar to remove them.

Video from the scene showed firefighters battling to rescue historic paintings from the building.

Pictures from the scene showed a group carrying out the monumental 'Fra Kjbenhavns Brs' painting by PS Kryer, apparently undamaged by the fire.

'We are currently working on saving everything that can be saved,' director Morten Langager, said in a post to X.

But fire services were forced to admit there was 'no guarantee' the facade could be saved.

'This is our Notre Dame, it is our national treasure,' reiterated Elisabeth Moltke, a 45-year-old Copenhagen resident, who watched the blaze.

Others could not hold back tears as they watched the devastation.

Peter Hummelgaard, Justice Minister, applauded the efforts of emergency services in working to 'save human life and our historical cultural heritage' in a post on Twitter/X.

There were no reports of injuries. Ambulances attended the scene.

The nearby Christiansborg Palace, now the Danish parliament, was partially evacuated as the fire raged.

'Suddenly there was an announcement that we had to leave the building,' local outlet Berlingske reported shortly after 8am BST.

'It happened quietly, and now we have about a hundred people standing outside.'

Early reports claimed parts of the spire had broken off and fallen onto the street by 7.30am BST (8.30am local time).

Members of an army unit were seen being deployed to cordon off the area, and the Danish Emergency Management Agency was also helping.

The Stock Exchange is a major landmark in the city, identifiable for its twisting 183ft 'Dragespir' (Dragon Spire) and three crowns on top, representing the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The building was undergoing renovations to restore its original facade and correct errors made during an attempt in the 19th century.

Dansk Erhvervs direktr, Brian Mikkelsen hjlper selv med at redde malerier ud fra #brsen pic.twitter.com/UXOoTbxUSX  Mads Bisgaard (@MadsBis) April 16, 2024

Firefighters said half the building was destroyed and had collapsed by late this morning

Emergency services said they had mobilised 'on a massive scale' to quell the outbreak

Smoke billows during a fire at the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, April 16, 2024

Firefighters continue to work to put out the blaze, having cordoned off vulnerable areas

Smoke rises out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark

Many of the internal structures are still made of wood in the building soon turning 400

Firefighters try to extinguish the flames as smoke billows from the historic Boersen stock exchange building which is on fire in central Copenhagen, Denmark on April 16, 2024

Firefighters work at the main entrance of the Boersen stock exchange building on Tuesday

The building, one of the oldest in the Danish capital, was undergoing renovation work when it caught fire this morning

Picture taken on April 15, 2024 shows renovation work on the historic Boersen stock exchange building in Copenhagen

The building, one of the oldest in the Danish capital, was undergoing renovation work when in the morning of April 16, 2024 it caught fire

A view of the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark, January 28, 2019

File photo of the historic Borsen building in Copenhagen, Denmark

File photo. Smoke billows as fire rages at the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, April 15, 2019

During the 1800s, the building was roofed with copper, as much of the original lead lining was scrapped to produce cannon balls during the Swedish occupation, 1658-59.

The building still contains many wooden structures, according to local media.

The roof, masonry, sandstone and spire of Boersen - built in 1615 and considered a leading example of Dutch Renaissance style in Denmark - was being renovated, said the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

The tragedy comes five years since Notre Dame erupted into flames in Paris during renovation work, on April 15 and April 16, 2019.

Today is also the birthday of former Queen Margrethe II, who abdicated on January 14 and turns 84 today.

The former monarch 'toned down' celebrations because of the fire, according to broadcaster TV2.

A band set to play outside the Fredensborg Castle has been cancelled.

The building - originally built by Christian IV in a bid to strengthen trading on the continent - came to house the Danish stock market in 1974.

The Brsen managed to escape a fire at the neighbouring Christiansborg Palace in 1990.

The Dutch Renaissance style building no longer houses the Danish stock exchange, but serves as headquarters for the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

The Old Stock Exchange is used for conferences and parties, and not open to the public, according to Visit Copenhagen.

The exact cause of the fire outbreak is currently unknown.
Hawaii's famous yet treacherous Ha'iku Stairs, known as the Stairway to Heaven, are being officially removed after social media influencers repeatedly ignored safety warnings to complete the illegal hike.

The 3,922 stairs wind up a steep, narrow ridge to the Ko'olau summit, offering stunning views from more than 2,800 feet above sea level. They were built more than eight decades ago by the U.S. Navy during World War II.

But while the perilous route has been closed to the public for decades, hikers and influencers have continued to sneak pass security guards and trespass on private property.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi described the decision to remove them as 'long overdue' and comes after numerous rescue operations to save stranded hikers.

'I can promise you that this was not a capricious decision,' Blangiardi said in a statement. The removal is expected to take at least six months.

Hawaii 's famous Ha'iku Stairs, known as the Stairway to Heaven, are officially being removed more than 80 years after the U.S. Navy built it during World War II

While these famous Oahu stairs have been closed to the public for decades, hikers and influencers have trespassed on private property or snuck past security guards to get the Instagrammable snapshots

Tourists who undertake early-morning excursions in the hopes of witnessing a sunrise from the ridge of the Ko'olau range, more than 2,800 feet above sea level, hike up the 3,922 stairs that wind up the mountainside

The Honolulu Fire Department reported that it responded to five rescue incidents on the Ha'iku Stairs between January 2022 and February 2024.

In October 2022, KHON2 reported that, in the previous 12 years, the Fire Department had saved 118 lives from the steps.

In September, a woman and her dog had to be evacuated from the dangerous trail by a helicopter crew following a 50-foot fall, according to Hawaii News Now.

And back in 2016, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that two hikers were left stranded for hours in the dark before rescue personnel could access the trail during the day.

Since 1987, access to the stairway  which was constructed to let military personnel access communication infrastructure on the ridgeline  has been limited.

Prior to the ban, the U.S. Coast Guard allowed hikers who signed a waiver to use the stairs.

However, officials later shut this program as a result of 'vandalism and liability concerns,' according to the Honolulu City Council.

The removal process is expected to take at least six months

In the past, hikers that have attempted to hike the stairway have ended up in precarious incidents in which search and rescue teams had to be deployed

When the Board of Water Supply in Honolulu decided it no longer needed the area for water, the U.S. Coast Guard handed the property rights for the Ha'iku Stairs to the utility business in 1999. The city subsequently took ownership of the rights.

While Honolulu repaired some of the stairway for the sake of preservation, it still remained closed to the public. At one point, security guards were sent to guard the stairs to keep hikers away.

But the rise of social media influencers searching for great content has made the trespassing problem worse.

In April 2021, a resolution by the city council calling for the stairs to be torn down cited that social media 'enabled the posting of illegal directions to the stairs and the sharing of panoramic pictures that have encouraged people from around the world to take the hike.'

Between August 2017 and March 2020, 11,427 people were stopped by police officers stationed around the stairway and surrounding neighborhoods from entering the historical land mark, Honolulu officials reported.

When the Board of Water Supply in Honolulu decided it no longer needed the area for water, the U.S. Coast Guard handed the property rights for the Ha'iku Stairs to the utility business in 1999

While Honolulu repaired some of the stairway for the sake of preservation, it still remained closed to the public. At one point, security guards were sent to guard the stairs to keep hikers away

The need for interesting and controversial content by social media influencers has made the trespassing problem worse

'Most of these people are thrill seekers because they want to say that they hiked here,' vice chair of the Honolulu City Council Esther Kia'aina told the Washington Post. She represents the district where the Ha'iku Stairs are located.

The hike to the stairway is just as dangerous for the rescue team as it is for the hikers, she said. It's also costly, as each rescue costs between $10,000 and $20,000.

'It's very windy up there, it's treacherous in fact,' she said. 'I just don't think people take that into account.'

As tourism continues to increase post-pandemic, the city council said the removal of the stairs was the 'only viable solution' to stop the hikers continuing to trespass and to remove the city's liability.

According to Mayor Blangiardi's statement, the final decision to remove the steps was made following months of deliberation with the Honolulu community and the city council.

The hike to the stairway is just as dangerous for the rescue team as it is for the hikers, she said. It's also costly, as each rescue costs between $10,000 and $20,000

The final decision to remove the steps was made following months of deliberation with the Honolulu community and the city council.

The operation formally started on Wednesday, and later this month, 664 stairway modules - seven-foot portions of stairs - will be removed. A helicopter will then descend on each module to begin disassembly.

But while the stairs will no longer be there, the view isn't going anywhere.

But while the stairs , the view isn't going anywhere.

'The beauty of the mountain there is still going to be there,' Kia'aina said.
A teenager who almost died after an anesthesiologist poisoned his IV bag has spoken out for the first time after the doctor was found guilty.

Jack Adlerstein, who was 18 at the time, went into cardiac arrest during routine nose surgery at Baylor Scott and White SurgiCare in Dallas in August 2022.

The day prior, Dr. Raynaldo Rivera Ortiz Jr had secretly filled syringes with different drugs and injected IV bags at the facility - all of which was caught on camera.

Speaking to Fox News, Adlerstein, who is now 19, said that after seeing the footage of Ortiz he thought 'you could just end the case then'.

What should have been a simple procedure for the teenager took a drastic turn after his heart rate climbed to 250 over 150.

Jack Adlerstein, seen here on the left with his dad Dovi, went into cardiac arrest during routine nose surgery at Baylor Scott and White SurgiCare in Dallas in August 2022

What should have been a simple procedure for the teenager took a drastic turn after his heart rate climbed to 250 over 150

During the procedure, doctor's frantically tried to figure out why his heart rate had skyrocketed, later testifying they had never seen such numbers

Adlerstein told Fox that he required nose surgery after he fell while trying to ride his friend's dirt bike.

'After that, my nose was very crooked. I didn't really care, but my mom really cared. Also, [I] couldn't breathe out of one nostril. It's not as bad as it seems', he said.

During the procedure, doctor's frantically tried to figure out why his heart rate had skyrocketed, later testifying they had never seen such numbers.

At one point, doctors could no longer feel his pulse - with fluid also being found in his lungs.

Another doctor, Chad Marsden had been in the hospital at the time when he saw the commotion in the surgery.

Dr. Marsden had something similar happen to a patient days prior and told Adlerstein's surgeon Dr. Thomas Hung to swap the IV bag.

A minute after the new IV bag had been administered, Dr. Hung testified that the patient's condition stabilized.

Jack added: 'There's not really words to thank someone who saved your life. The next 24 hours were really, really hard for me.

'I wasn't able to talk, breathe. They had to put me on a breathing mask. They gave me a cup of water and I was holding the cup of water and they took it away, and I wasn't able to move my hand for hours, I was frozen.'

Pictured, Baylor Scott and White SurgiCare, where 11 patients suffered cardiac emergencies while under Ortiz's care

Dr. Raynaldo Rivera Ortiz Jr., 61, reportedly showed no emotion as the verdict was read Friday, in Dallas's Earle Cabell Federal Building following a trial

His father Dovi Adlerstein added: 'We were told there was a real fear that there might be lasting neurological damage.'

The elder Adlerstein added it was unclear what would have happened without Dr. Marsden.

He said: 'He is the reason we have this guy around and most days we're rather fond of him. We're forever in his debt. All of his doctors really.

'Jack, as far as we can tell, we hope doesn't really have long-lasting effects, but some of the other victims do.

'This has changed their lives. I hope [Ortiz] can comprehend the magnitude of what he did and spend the rest of his life marinating in it.'

On Friday, Ortiz was found guilty in federal court following a weeklong trial into his actions.

A colleague's death spurred the doctor's downfall - after she took home one of the tainted bags to treat her dehydration and suddenly died.

Dallas police had opened an investigation into the death of Dr. Melanie Kaspar, 55, who died from a cardiac arrests minutes after administering herself with an IV bag.

Kaspar, who was also an anesthesiologist at the hospital, had taken the bag home from work after feeling dehydrated.

A toxicology report found her body contained the same drug in the IV bags Ortiz handled.

Dr. Melanie Kaspar died from a cardiac arrests minutes after administering herself with an IV bag

A toxicology report found her body contained the same drug in the IV bags Ortiz handled. Melanie is seen here with her husband John

John Kaspar, Dr. Melanie Kaspar's widower, said shortly after the verdict: 'There's no closure. My best friend is gone.'

A Medical Board's report found that the IV bag which killed Kaspar was one that had been handled by Ortiz.

Just before the incidents, Ortiz was placed under investigation and faced a disciplinary inquiry against him after a patient stopped breathing under his care during a routine procedure.

John Kaspar, Dr. Melanie Kaspar's widower, said shortly after the verdict: 'There's no closure. My best friend is gone.

'I don't think he ever looked me in the eye. It's almost like you have so many emotions you can't sift them out, you get flooded.

'Time stops. If you are lucky, you have a lot of friends who can shove you along. I've had many good friends.

'They've done exactly what was required of them. I thank every last one of them.'

Just before the incidents, Ortiz was placed under investigation and faced a disciplinary inquiry against him after a patient stopped breathing under his care..

An affidavit explained how Ortiz 'deviated from the standard of care by failing to maintain the patient's airway and failing to document critical aspects of the incident'

The strongest evidence, one juror said, was video of the accused filling syringes with multiple drugs the day of one of the victims' operations - the very same drugs he had been accused of injecting into IV bags, seen here

The video was one of many shown to jurors throughout proceedings in Northern Texas District Court, which began toward the start of the month, on April 3

It also revealed how he had expressed unhappiness about the probe, at one point telling a doctor how he believed the center was attempting to 'crucify' him.

Another doctor told cops how Ortiz told him how losing his job at the center 'would be financially 'devastating'.

Ortiz was convicted on four counts of tampering with consumer products resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of tampering with a consumer product and five counts of intentional adulteration of a drug, prosecutors said.

A sentencing date has not yet been set for Ortiz, but he faces up to 190 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton for the northern district of Texas, who oversaw the case, celebrated jurors verdict a video statement.

'Dr. Ortiz cloaked himself in the white coat of a healer, but instead of curing pain, he inflicted it,' she said,

'He assembled ticking time bombs, then sat in wait as those medical time bombs went off one by one, toxic cocktails flowing into the veins of patients who were often at their most vulnerable, lying unconscious on the operating table.

'We saw the patients testify. Their pain, their fear and their trauma was palpable in that courtroom.'
Defense claims he was mortally beaten inside the party Read dropped him off at

Prosecutors claim she backed over him with her SUV and left him to freeze

A girlfriend accused of running over her policeman boyfriend and leaving him to die has been mobbed by supporters after the first day of her murder trial.

Karen Read, 44, left Norfolk Superior Court, south of Boston, on Tuesday afternoon after jury selection, to a circus of protesters, media, and off-duty cops.

She walked to her car flanked by her superstar legal team in a sharp light-grey suit with a white blouse tied in a bow around her waist.

Read was surrounded by supporters waving 'Free Karen' and other signs insisting she was framed, which will be the core of her defense at trial.

John O'Keefe, a 16-year Boston cop, was found dead about 6am on January 29, 2022, outside a house where she dropped him off for an afterparty about 12.45am.

The financial analyst and former Bentley University professor faces second degree murder and manslaughter charges for allegedly backing over him with her SUV in a snowstorm after a fight.

The six-week trial begins today after two years of intrigue, conspiracies, social media circus, and a secretive parallel FBI investigation.

Karen Read, 44, smiles as she leaves Norfolk Superior Court, south of Boston, on Tuesday afternoon with her lawyer after jury selection

Read was surrounded by supporters waving 'Free Karen' and other signs insisting she was framed, which will be the core of her defense at trial

John O'Keefe, 46, was found dead 6am on January 29, 2022, outside a house where she dropped him off for an afterparty about 12.45am

Protesters must stay at least 200ft from the courthouse during the trial

Judge Beverly Cannone questioned a jury pool of 100 people as part of the daunting task of finding impartial jurors to decide the high-profile case.

About 70 people said they had seen, heard, or talked about the case, and two dozen said they had already formed an opinion about it.

'It is just that simple and that important. So, while public comment will likely continue, the rule of law will be upheld,' she told them.

Judge Cannone then began speaking to individual potential jurors in turn. Lawyers from each side can dismiss 16 from the panel for no reason, and more for cause.

Only four of 12 jurors were chosen by the end of the day, so the process will continue on Wednesday.

The prosecution has 87 witnesses and the defense has 77. The commonwealth's case is expected to last three to four weeks and the defense's two weeks.

Prosecutors will allege the couple's two-year relationship was breaking down and she rammed her car into O'Keefe after he repeatedly tried to dump her.

Read's black Lexus SUV had a broken taillight when it was seized by Massachusetts State Police investigators, pieces of which allegedly had O'Keefe's DNA on them.

Her defense instead claims O'Keefe, 46, was beaten up by people at the party and thrown outside where he died on the lawn, and Read is being framed.

The case, and Read's claims of a wide-ranging conspiracy against her, whipped up intense speculation online that spilled over into the real world.

Read's defense is that O'Keefe was bashed at the party, and possibly attacked by a dog as marks on his arm looked like bites

Read descends the courthouse steps after a day of jury selection. Opening arguments are yet to begin

Protests by Read's army of fans are likely to continue for the entire six-week trial

Before the trial, some rallies even went paraded through the streets visiting the houses of witnesses. Now they will focus on the courthouse

The court was picketed on Tuesday and likely will be for the whole trial by Read's supporters, including a local true crime blogger who was jailed for allegedly harassing witnesses.

Such is their ferocity that Judge Cannone banned protesters from coming within 200ft of the courthouse or its car park during the trial.

No one can enter the courtroom wearing buttons, photographs, clothing, or insignia relating to the case, or anyone involved.

'Law enforcement officers who are testifying or are members of the audience are also prohibited from wearing their department issued uniforms or any police emblems in the courthouse,' the order read.

Read and O'Keefe had a fight after a night out and she dropped him off at an afterparty they were invited to and went home alone. She woke up about 4.30am in a panic as he hadn't come home.

She called Jennifer McCabe, a friend of O'Keefe whom they were drinking with at Waterfall Bar the previous night, and they went looking for him.

Eventually they returned to 34 Fairview Road in Canton, where the afterparty was held. The house was owned by McCabe's brother-in-law Brian Albert, 60, a Gulf War veteran who was on the Boston Police Fugitive Unit until his retirement.

Karen Read, 44, arrives at court for her first day of trial, accused of murdering her Boston policeman boyfriend

Read, 44, takes her seat before jury selection begins on the first day of her trial, accused of murdering her policeman boyfriend

Read walks into Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday morning for the first day of her trial

#BREAKING: Karen Read has entered a

Dedham court room for what is expected to be day one of jury selection. She is facing charges for allegedly hitting and killing her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe. @NBC10Boston pic.twitter.com/pisssNoFt3  Eli Rosenberg NBC10 Boston (@EliNBCBoston) April 16, 2024

They found O'Keefe lying on the snow-covered lawn, bleeding from his nose and mouth with swollen eyes, and Read began CPR.

When police and paramedics arrived, they found Read still trying to revive her boyfriend, her face covered in blood from giving him mouth-to-mouth.

Prosecutors alleged Read said 'could I have hit him? Did I hit him?' and 'what if he's dead? What if a plow hit him? I don't remember anything from last night, we drank so much I don't remember anything'.

First responders also claimed to have heard her say 'I hit him. I hit him' repeatedly after they arrived, which Read claimed was preceded by 'did I'.

O'Keefe was pronounced dead and his autopsy ruled he died of head trauma and hypothermia, with no obvious signs of a fight.

Read was charged with manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision causing death on February 2, 2022.

She pleaded not guilty, and stuck to that when the charge was upgraded to murder on July 10 that year after a grand jury indictment.

Read's defense is that O'Keefe was bashed at the party, and possibly attacked by a dog as marks on his arm looked like bites.

Albert's family has lived in the area for generations and has deep connections to law enforcement both in Canton and Boston, while Read is more of an outsider.

Jury selection begins on Tuesday at the Norfolk Superior Court, south of Boston, where Read faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges

Karen Read, center and her lawyer Alan Jackson pass through a gauntlet of supporters en route to court

Read's defense is led by Alan Jackson (center, with Read on right), the high-powered lawyer who secured disgraced actor Kevin Spacey's acquittal of sexual assault charges

Read has an army of supporters after the case, and Read's claims of a wide-ranging conspiracy against her, whipped up intense speculation online

The court will likely be picketed for the whole six-week trial, as it was already on Tuesday

Read's defense is led by Alan Jackson, the high-powered lawyer who secured disgraced actor Kevin Spacey's acquittal of sexual assault charges.

'Certainly the Massachusetts State Police is involved. There are people that were in that house that are involved,' her said during a pretrial hearing.

'Brian Albert is involved. Jennifer McCabe is involved. The rest of the folks that were in that house, there's some level of involvement by every one of them. Every single one of them.

'We're not going to rest until we get to the bottom of exactly who's behind this coverup.

'Not only Karen Read deserves this. John O'Keefe deserves this, and has deserved this from moment one. And that's why they're not going to rest.'

Read said the same thing on the courthouse steps after a hearing last year, saying 'you all know' who did it and who was covering it up.

'I tried to save his life. I tried to save his life at six in the morning, I was covered in his blood. I was the only one trying to save his life,' she said.

A key component of the defense is that O'Keefe's injuries, in the view of some experts, are not consistent with being hit by a car.

'The damage on the car was inconsistent with having made contact with John O'Keefe's body. In other words, the car didn't hit him, and he wasn't hit by the car,' Jackson said at a hearing.

Prosecutors alleged the couple's two-year relationship was breaking down and she rammed her car into O'Keefe after he repeatedly tried to dump her

Prosecutors painted Read as a jealous girlfriend who believed O'Keefe was cheating on her - despite her own 'romantic entanglements'

Karen Read at her final pretrial hearing on April 12 at Norfolk Superior Court

The defense, and Read's army of supporters, argue his injuries were only above the neck and his right arm - which the SUV wouldn't have hit.

He also has injuries to his hands that looked like boxer's fractures, and a two-inch gash at the back of his head despite there being little blood at the scene.

Within months of O'Keefe's death, Albert and his wife ripped up the basement floor of their home and sold it, after living there for many years.

He and others at the party told police O'Keefe never arrived at the party.

The couple also rehomed their German shepherd named Chloe, which the defense said had a history of biting people, not long after that.

McCabe ran a Google search for 'ho(w) long to die in the cold', which the defense claimed was sent at 2.27am but prosecutors insisted was at 6.23am - after the body was found.

The is also considerable disagreement about the broken taillight prosecutors claim is a key indicator of her guilt.

Footage showed Read come very close to O'Keefe's car in their driveway as she raced off to look for him at 5.07am, which the defense was when the taillight was broken - not from her backing into O'Keefe.

The defense also claims other video of the house showed the taillight intact before Read left the driveway.

Prosecutors countered that no taillight fragments were found at the house, but they were at the crime scene - including on O'Keefe's body.

Read's supporters, including retired law enforcement and crime scene investigators, claimed police must have planted the evidence.

Matthew Pervier of Worcester with a sign he made to support Read

At the 200 foot protest zone supporters of Read gathered on High Street

Such is their ferocity that Judge Beverly Cannone banned protesters from coming within 200ft of the courthouse or its car park during the trial

Prosecutors painted Read as a jealous girlfriend who believed O'Keefe was cheating on her - despite her own 'romantic entanglements'.

They will introduce angry voicemails and text messages, both from the night he died and earlier, to support the claim.

She allegedly said 'you are a f**king loser, f**k yourself' and 'John, I f**king hate you' about 1am on January 29, 2022.

Prosecutors alleged there was a 'continuing animosity' between the couple after Read accused O'Keefe of cheating on her with a friend's sister during a holiday to Aruba four weeks before his death.

They cited voicemails and texts around the time of his death where Read was still angry and accusing him of cheating.

Prosecutors alleged in court documents that Read had her own 'romantic entanglement'.

'The defendant complains that the Commonwealth attempted to besmirch the defendant in some manner and fabricate problems within her relationship with the victim as a motive for murder by introducing testimony about an incident four weeks prior in Aruba,' they wrote.

'Yet the defendant avoids mention or challenge to the venomous voicemails she left on the victim's cellphone as well as evidence of other issues in their relationship, including the defendant's recent romantic entanglement.'

Judge Beverly Cannone ordered that no one can enter the courtroom wearing buttons, photographs, clothing, or insignia relating to the case, or anyone involved

Prosecutors alleged there was a 'continuing animosity' between the couple after Read accused O'Keefe of cheating on her with a friend's sister

True crime bloggers, podcasters, and TikTok videographers, along with professional and amateur sleuths, are obsessed with the case and largely believe Read.

'That poor son of a b***h was beaten to a pulp, he wasn't hit by a car. This is a bad, bad crime scene and the people trying to pin it on Karen are evil,' one local told the New York Post.

Melanie Little, a lawyer with 30 years of car accident litigation experience, analyzed the case in more than 50 hours of video on her YouTube channel.

'There is so much reasonable doubt in this case that you could drive a truck through it,' she claimed.

'It was totally mishandled. There's no way Karen hit him with her car. But the crux of it is that [the Albert] family has been in Canton for generations.

'Most of the witnesses in the case are not only related but are longtime locals. Karen is not.'

The most prominent of them all is Aidan 'Turtleboy' Kearney, who produced more than 300 blog posts and videos about the case.

There would be more, except he was arrested on 16 felony charges of witness intimidation and conspiracy, and was thrown in jail for two months when his bail was revoked over unrelated charges of assault and battery on his girlfriend.

Many of his videos show him harassing witnesses in the case, which he defended to a judge as being protected by his First Amendment rights.

His charges include eight counts of intimidation of a witness, five counts of picketing a witness and three counts of conspiracy to intimidate a witness.

'It's clear that Mr Kearney is encouraging his minions, his followers in the context of his blogs, YouTubes, etc,' prosecutors said at a hearing on his case.

Kearney's 'minions' make up most of the crowds at frequent demonstrations at Read's court appearances and at other times.

The most prominent of Read's online defenders is Aidan 'Turtleboy' Kearney (pictured outside court on Tuesday), who produced more than 300 blog posts and videos about the case

Kearney livestreams the protest outside the courthouse on to his social media channels

Kearney was arrested on 16 felony charges of witness intimidation and conspiracy, and was thrown in jail for two months when his bail was revoked over unrelated charges of assault and battery on his girlfriend

Kearney walks out of Stoughton District Court after his arraignment on October 11

Some rallies even went paraded through the streets visiting the houses of witnesses, which was allegedly aided by a police dispatcher also facing charges.

So many people are posting about the case that Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey made a five-minute video slamming 'conspiracies'.

'Conspiracy theories are not evidence,' he said.

'The idea that multiple police departments, EMTs, fire personnel, the medical examiner, and the prosecuting agency are joined in, or taken in by, a vast conspiracy should be seen for what it is - completely contrary to the evidence and a desperate attempt to re-assign guilt.'

Added into the mix is an extraordinary FBI probe into allegations of a police coverup that has morphed into a parallel investigation of O'Keefe's death.

Federal agents released almost no information about the investigation, but are said to have interviewed every witness police spoke with.

One source told the NYP that one of the people at the party admitted to agents that O'Keefe was there - directly contradicting what prosecutors alleged.

This claim remains unverified, but if true would be a catastrophic blow to the case against Read as she couldn't have rammed him with her car.

According to the defense, Massachusetts acting US attorney Josh Levy told all parties he 'could not in good conscience allow this trial to go forward'.

Levy then released 3,000 pages of federal investigation reports to both prosecution and defense, little of which is public.

Kearney is surrounded by supporters outside Norfolk Country Superior Court as he walked out

Kearney sits in court during a Read hearing on February 26

Yet the prosecution continued, despite sources close to the case being unnerved by the FBI probe - something that very rarely happens.

'It's pretty crazy and yet the Norfolk DA is going ahead with the trial and no one's stopping it. To me the [prosecutors] are on a suicide mission,' one told the Post.

The lead state police investigator, Trooper Michael Proctor, is since March 13 also under internal investigation for 'a potential violation of department policy'.

Proctor was not stood down and is working as usual, and it is unclear what the potential violation is and whether it relates to the Read case.

'Trooper Proctor remains steadfast in the integrity of the work he performed investigating the death of Mr John O'Keefe,' his lawyer Michael DiStefano said.

'To the extent that Trooper Proctor's personal text messages are alluded to in court proceedings regarding Ms Read, he respectfully submits that the objective investigative steps he and members of his unit took are in no way undermined by the content of the personal messages.'
Claims she was forced to keep shooting and later blacklisted over incident

A top adult film actress is suing Pornhub owners Aylo and a director after she was allegedly forced to continue with an orgy scene after her co-star overdosed on set.

Melissa Hutchison, who performs as Phoenix Marie, claims bosses tried to blacklist her after the traumatic incident in 2023, despite actually saving the actress' life.

She is suing director Danny Martin along with Aylo and others for $80million, claiming she was subjected to a smear campaign afterwards which lead to her losing out on big brand deals with the likes of sex toy maker Fleshlight.

She says her ordeal began when her co-star, an actress named Zaawaadi, ingested too much lithium during a shoot in Barcelona.

Hutchison alleges director and fellow porn star Martin, aka Danny D, then forced her to carry on with a scene despite her castmate nearly dying.

Adult film actress Phoenix Marie is suing Pornhub owners Aylo and a director after she was allegedly forced to continue with an orgy scene after her co-star overdosed on set

The pornstar, real name Melissa Hutchison is suing director Danny Martin (pictured) along with Aylo and others for $80 million

'Danny D forcibly grabbed Hutchison and forbade her from leaving the set demanding that she finish the scene [...] she was forced by Danny D to have sex despite repeatedly saying no,' the lawsuit states.

She also alleges that Martin was hesitant to call an ambulance and later threw her 'onto the floor saying, 'we need to get out story straight''.

The trauma of the situation left her with 'anxiety, panic attacks, sleepless nights, and sexual dysfunction', according to Hutchison.

She also claims executives tried to pin the lithium on her, by falsely painting her as an 'unhinged, grieving mother' who had become reliant on the drug to medicate following the death of her daughter in 2019.

Hutchison's filings allege the lithium belonged to Martin's girlfriend, but that Martin began a 'false narrative that Hutchison had poisoned and almost killed Zaawaadi'.

'Instead of looking at facts, however, the porn conglomerate launched a coverup; executives made Hutchison a scapegoat for the life-threatening incident on one of their sets,' Hutchison's law firm Kerr Simpson said.

Hutchison says she refused to accept a $60,000 NDA payoff and claims this prompted to Aylo harm her financially.

She alleges the porn conglomerate canceled shoots and signing events and untagged and buried her in videos on Pornhub and other sites they own.

She says her ordeal began when her co-star, an actress named Zaawaadi (pictured), ingested too much lithium during a shoot in Barcelona in 2023

This led to Hutchison being isolated from her friends and colleagues who fear retaliation from Aylo, so much so that she cannot find a makeup artist willing to work with her, according to the lawsuit.

Aylo is one of the largest distributors of online pornography, 'controlling an estimated 90% of all production and distribution of content', according to the lawsuit.

This means it has a monopoly position, providing it with the 'ability to cause significant damage to actors with minimal effort,' the filings state.

Hutchison estimates Aylo's actions have cost her nearly $2 million since the shoot, with tens of millions more in projected losses from the continued manipulation of her algorithm and damage to her brand.

Hutchison says she is also suffering PTSD from the sexual assault by Danny D., which has been both 'personally and professionally devastating', her law firm said.

Hutchison's lawyers filed a suit in Nevada in February, but it has since been moved to federal court by defendants' request over jurisdictional issues.

The original complaint seeks $30 million, but her lawyers say they plan on filing for $80 million, according to the Daily Beast.

'Melissa saved a girl's life on set and was rewarded by Aylo and Ethical Capital Partners with physical intimidation, sexual assault, humiliation, alienation, substantial financial losses, and a smear campaign unconscionably centered on her dead child,' saida representative of Kerr Simpson.

'We're looking forward to helping Melissa get justice not only to reclaim her daughter's memory, but also to hold the Aylo-Ethical Capital Partners Big Porn conglomerate accountable and stop them from continuing to wield their unregulated monopoly power to destroy people's lives.'

The adult actress also claims that Zaawaadi has been intimidated and bought into silence since she saved her life.

Hutchison has 20 years of experience in the industry and is believed to be one of the highest continually paid porn stars.

A spokesman for Aylo said: 'Out of respect for the integrity of court proceedings, our policy is not to comment on ongoing litigation. We look forward to the facts being fully and fairly aired in that forum.'

DailyMail.com has contacted Martin and Zaawaadi for comment.
Tifany Adams, 54, the grandmother of Butler's kids, were among those arrested

Four people were arrested on Saturday in connection to the case

The suspects accused of killing two Kansas mothers belonged to a creepy antigovernmental religious gang known as 'God's Misfits.'

Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, were traveling together to pick up Butler's children, ages six and eight, on March 30, when they disappeared about three miles from their destination.

Their bodies were recently recovered after 'pools of blood' were found next to their empty car. Butler was going through a nasty divorce and custody battle and Kelley, a pastor's wife, was one of her supervisors for her visitations with the kids.

Tifany Adams, 54, the children's grandmother and her boyfriend, Tad Cullum, 43, were arrested alongside Cole Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44, in a huge Oklahoma SWAT raid on Saturday.

According to the affidavit, the four suspects were involved in 'God's Misfits' and attended regular meetings that were held at the Twombly's house.

Veronica Butler, 27, went missing alongside Jilian Kelley on March 30 as the two were on their way to celebrate Butler's six-year-old daughter's birthday. Both of their bodies were recently discovered

Jilian Kelley, 39, was one of the supervisors that watched over visitations with Butler and her kids

Tifany Adams (bottom left), the children's grandmother, her boyfriend, Tad Cullum (top right), Cole Twombly (bottom right), and Cora Twombly (top right) were involved in an antigovernmental religious group known as 'God's Misfits.' They were all arrested over the possible kidnapping and murders of both women

Cora's teenage daughter overheard the group speak about Butler, and that her own mother told her that they were involved in the women's deaths, court documents reveal.

The unnamed teen told authorities that the group also used burner phones to communicate with each other. Agents found that Adams purchased three pre-paid phones from a Walmart in February.

Authorities said that all three phones were discovered near Butler's car around the time she and Kelley disappeared. A hole filled with hay was also discovered near the car.

The affidavit said that the group's original plan was to throw an anvil, or head of a large hammer, through Butler's car to kill her.

They created that plan to make it look like an accident, 'because anvils regularly fall off of work vehicles,' records said.

The teen also informed agents that Cora and Cole told her that they would not be home the morning of March 29, a day before Butler and Kelley were last seen, because they were going on a 'mission.'

The couple then told the teenager that even though the 'mission' did not go as planned, they didn't have to worry about Butler anymore, court documents said.

An affidavit revealed that Butler was going through a nasty divorce and custody battle with her husband Wrangler Cole Rickman (pictured). His mother is one of the suspects, Tifany Adams

The four suspects were arrested during a huge Oklahoma SWAT raid on Saturday over the possible kidnapping and murders of both women

The girl told Oklahoma State Bureau Investigation agents that this was not the first time the gang set out to kill Butler.

She explained to officers that in February, the group tried to take Butler's life, but the mother wouldn't leave her home. Agents later found that Adams had searched for ways to get someone out of a house on the internet.

Butler's mother-in-law had also searched for taser pain levels, pre-paid phones and gun shops, the affidavit said.

Agents found that in addition to buying burner phones, Adams also purchased five stun guns on March 23, according to the affidavit.

Butler's children were reportedly staying with their grandmother, Adams, as Butler and her husband, Wrangler Cole Rickman, were going through a divorce and custody battle.

On March 20, ten days before they went missing, Butler filed a petition in court that would grant her more time with her children, with her goal being full custody.

Court filings claimed that Butler and Adams were not getting along amid the custody battle.

Butler had weekly, court-mandated visits every Saturday with the kids, while Kelley, one of four people listed, supervised the visits.

They had made the 45-minute drive from Hugoton to a gas station in Eva, located near the Four Corners section of Oklahoma, but disappeared, with the car found just three miles from where they were supposed to meet.

Kelley is the wife of Pastor Heath Kelley (pictured), who serves at two churches in Kansas and Nebraska

Multiple puddles of blood were found near the vehicle in the desolate Oklahoma panhandle. A hole filled with hay was also discovered near the car

It was Butler's six-year-old daughter's birthday and they were planning to celebrate.

Multiple puddles of blood were found near the vehicle in the desolate Oklahoma panhandle, which was found 1,000 feet off of Oklahoma State Highway 95, near a school Butler attended and graduated from in 2015.

Kelley is the wife of Pastor Heath Kelley, who serves at two churches in Kansas and Nebraska.

On April 3, Kelley's Willow Christian Church in Nebraska posted to Facebook: 'We ask that you continue to pray for Jilian and Veronica and their families as the search and investigation continue.'

'Pray for strength, wisdom and faith for everyone involved. We appreciate everyone who has shared the prayer requests. We are getting messages from all over the country of people praying for these two women and their families.'

Adams, Cullman, Cora and Cole Twombly were booked into the Texas County Jail on two counts of First-Degree Murder, two counts of Kidnapping, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the First Degree.
Katharine Birbalsingh - headteacher of 'Britain's strictest school' - emerged victorious today after winning a High Court case launched by a pupil over a prayer ban.

The student, who is Muslim and cannot be named, today lost a High Court challenge against a ban on prayer rituals at Michaela Community School in Brent, London.

The pupil took legal action against the high-achieving secondary school - founded and led by 51-year-old Ms Birbalsingh - claiming the policy was discriminatory and 'uniquely' affected her faith due to its ritualised nature.

However, Ms Birbalsingh, a former government social mobility tsar, argued its prayer policy was justified after it faced death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site.

The headteacher has made headlines for her controversial views on 'woke culture' in schools - such as suggesting that some people from the poorest families should set their sights lower.

So, who is Katharine Birbalsingh and how has she become commonly known as 'Britain's strictest headteacher?' Find out more below.

Katharine Birbalsingh has found herself embroiled in controversy once again after the introduction of a prayer ban resulted in a High Court dispute with a pupil

Who is Katharine Birbalsingh?

Katharine Moana Birbalsingh CBE is a 51-year-old teacher and education reformer who founded the Michaela Community free school, located in the London borough of Wembley.

The daughter of an academic, Birbalsingh was born in New Zealand in 1973, and was raised in Canada until she was 15, before relocating to the UK when her father began lecturing at the University of Warwick.

She developed an interest in education while reading French and New College, Oxford, and, after graduating, went on to teach at state schools in south London.

In September 2014, Ms Birbalsingh established Michaela Community School and appointed former Home Secretary Suella Braverman as the first chair of governors.

Ms Birbalsingh is also the author of two books: Singleholic (2009) and To Miss With Love (2011).

In the 2020 birthday honours, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

In January 2023, Ms Birbalsingh revealed she was stepping down as head of the Social Mobility Commission after little more than a year.

The government's social mobility tsar quit after admitting her controversial public comments were 'doing more harm than good.'

Ms Birbalsingh cultivated an interest in education when reading French and philosophy at New College, Oxford, and, after graduating, went on to teach at state schools in south London

In September 2014, Ms Birbalsingh established Michaela Community School and appointed former Home Secretary Suella Braverman as the first chair of governors

Former Primer Minister Boris Johnson (pictured, left, with Ms Birbalsingh) takes part in a history lesson with pupils during his visit to Michaela Community School in 2015

How has Katharine Birbalsingh become 'Britain's strictest headteacher'?

Over the years, she has made headlines for her controversial views on 'woke culture' in schools.

She had previously suggested that people from the poorest families should set their sights lower, and implied that female students shunned subjects like physics at A-Level because of the 'hard maths.'

Ms Birbalsingh has also claimed that children allowed to self-identify as animals, moons and holograms should be moved to another school by their parents.

She added that she was aware of a child at one school who identified as a gay male hologram - and at least one school where a group of students identified as cats.

She claimed the 'issue' was widespread but that people are unaware because teachers are 'not allowed to tell you.'

In May 2022, Ms Bibalsingh appeared on ITV's documentary Britain's Strictest Headmistress, as it explored the teacher's controversial methods.

The programme highlighted the headteacher's manifesto, which is based on 12 'golden rules.'

Some of the rules she detailed in the programme include: Don't give children unsupervised access to the internet, teach them gratitude and don't let them listen to grime or drill music because 'that'll ruin their lives.'

In August 2023, the headteacher offered a scathing verdict on the record-breaking Barbie film, calling it 'two-dimensional and false' and that it contained a 'reductive narrative.'

Ms Birbalsingh's controversial opinions first came to prominence in 2010, after criticising the British education system at that year's Conservative Party conference, saying that 'the system is broken, because it keeps poor children poor.'

Over the years, Ms Birbalsingh has made headlines for her controversial views on ' woke culture' in schools

Ms Birbalsingh previously implied that female students shunned subjects like physics at A-Level because of the 'hard maths'

In August 2023, the headteacher offered a scathing verdict on the record-breaking Barbie film

In a detailed post on X, Ms Birbalsingh called the Barbie movie 'two-dimensional and false' and that it contained a 'reductive narrative'

How did Katharine Birbalsingh become the centre of a High Court challenge?

Ms Birbalsingh found herself at the centre of a legal battle after implementing a ban on prayer rituals at her high-achieving institution.

The ban was introduced in March last year after 30 students began to pray in the school's yard, using their blazers to kneel on.

The rules imposed were due to concerns about a 'culture shift' towards 'segregation between religious groups and intimidation within the group of Muslim pupils', the court was told.

The student, who had also been temporarily excluded from the school, argued the school's stance on prayer - one of the five pillars of Islam - unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom

They added that the move was 'the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society.'

However, school argued its prayer policy was justified after it faced death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site.

In a written ruling issued at the High Court in London this morning, Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupil's arguments against the prayer rituals ban - but the judge upheld the student's challenge to a decision to temporarily exclude her from the school.

Ms Birbalsingh described the main ruling as a 'victory for all schools' while the pupil said they were 'obviously very disappointed' having 'tried my best' in bringing the case. The pupil's mother said she was 'profoundly dismayed by the case's outcome.'

The judge said there was a 'a rational connection between the aim of promoting the team ethos of the school, inclusivity, social cohesion etc and the prayer ritual policy.'

He added: 'The disadvantage to Muslim pupils at the school caused by the prayer ritual policy is in my view outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.'
The boy accused of stabbing a bishop as he delivered a sermon had been mentally 'poisoned' in the lead-up to the alleged attack, Muslims who prayed with him have claimed.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly lunged at Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, 53, and stabbed him in the head at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydney's west, at about 7pm on Monday.

Father Isaac Royel, who serves in the Assyrian ministry at St Shimun Bar Sabbae and St Mary Cathedral, was among many parishioners who attempted to intervene - and as a result he allegedly suffered lacerations and a shoulder wound.

In the aftermath of the incident, a WhatsApp audio message circulated among Sydney's Muslim community allegedly identifying the boy accused, The Australian reported.

'Sadly, sadly that (alleged attacker) prayed today (with us)  These kids have been poisoned by a monster,' the audio message said.

'This kid has been poisoned,' the message continued. 'This kid, as soon as I saw (the videos), it's him. Keep calm, keep patient, inshallah.'

An audio message being shared across Sydney's Muslim community allegedly identifies the teen who allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel on Monday night (pictured)

Police declared the alleged stabbing, which played out on livestream, an act of terror - with federal and state police alleging it was motivated by religious extremism.

However, given the accused knifeman's young age, some have questioned the decision to brand the incident as terror-related, and insisted that mental health may have been the overarching cause.

NSW Premier Chris Minns, however, said he is comfortable with the police decision.

'It's really important to know, and I made this clear to community leaders that I spoke with today, that this is not a designation about the person of interest currently in police custody,' he told ABC's 7.30 Report.

'This is a designation that is required under legislation to unlock powers for that inquiry, and police made that judgement. This is not a performative gesture.'

The alleged attacker is pictured in the aftermath of the stabbing

Mr Minns said the state's police commissioner, Karen Webb, made the decision 'on information suggesting a religiously motivated attack' which was also allegedly premeditated.

When asked if the decision was correctly made, the premier said: 'I believe it was'.

'This is a judgement call,' he added. 'My judgement is it was the right decision last night.'

Churchgoers said they had seen the alleged offender wandering the perimeter of the church before the attack and said he stood out from the regular parishioners.

'He knew the service was being live-streamed and he waited for the camera to turn on before the (alleged) attack,' said Mary Anoya.

Both injured men and the 16-year-old boy were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The teen remains under police guard.

The incident sparked furore as about 2,000 people arrived at the church and clashed with police while trying to reach the teen while chanting 'an eye for an eye'

The incident sparked riots as an angry mob of parishioners clashed with police as they fought to gain access to the boy, who had to be separated from the crowd for his own safety.

During the furore, projectiles were thrown at officers, more than 20 police vehicles were damaged, and property was stolen.

Two police officers were taken to hospital after being injured by members of the crowd who broke into 'a number of houses to gain weapons to throw at the police'.

The 16-year-old was removed from the church and taken to hospital where he underwent surgery for hand injuries sustained during the alleged attack.

He accidentally cut off one of his own fingers during the alleged attack, after rumours initially spread on social media he had been injured by vigilantes.

A NSW joint Counter Terrorism Team has been launched to investigate the incident, comprising members from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.
Donald Trump didn't seem fazed by the prospect of a gruelling second day of jury selection as he left Trump Tower on Monday morning.

The former president seemed in high spirits as he strolled out of his Manhattan residence and prepared for the trip downtown to court.

Wearing a striped blue tie and light blue shirt, he waved and pointed to the crowd on the street before joining the motorcade.

On Monday he was warned by the judge that he could be jailed for misbehaving and slammed warnings that he may have to skip son Barron's high school graduation.

Donald Trump didn't seem fazed by a gruelling second day of jury selection as he left Trump Tower on Monday morning

Despite being stuck in court, he raised more than a $1million in donations during the first day of the Manhattan criminal trial, his daughter-in-law Lara said.

The co-chair of the Republican National Committee said the average contribution was $28, and ripped into the hush-money case.

'The people of America spoke up yesterday in support of Donald Trump to the tune of a million and a half dollars raised for his campaign,' she told Fox and Friends on Tuesday morning.

The average donation was $28, so even here, in the abysmal Biden economy, people are coming out and they are financially supporting this president'.

Hundreds of potential jurors will return to the court this morning to go through the gruelling process of getting on the panel.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records to help cover up an alleged affair with porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

Wearing a striped blue tie and light blue shirt, he waved and pointed to the crowd on the street before joining the motorcade

Despite being stuck in court, he raised more than a $1million in donations during the first day of the Manhattan criminal trial, his daughter-in-law Lara said

The marathon task of trying America's most famous man: Trump 'smirked' as he became the first ex-president to stand trial

By ROB CRILLY, SENIOR U.S. POLITICAL REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM AT MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT, NEW YORK

The first trial of a former U.S. president began not with fireworks, angry polemic or theatrics.

It began with a moment of quiet solemnity as 96 prospective jurors were sworn in at Manhattan criminal court on Monday afternoon.

And then half were dismissed after admitting there was no possible way they could stop their strong feelings about Donald Trump getting in the way of a fair verdict.

Trump, whose norm-busting time in office has given way to a precedent shattering post-presidency, sat grim faced through much of the proceedings.

'You are about to participate in a trial by jury. The system of trial by jury is one the cornerstones of our judicial system,' Judge Juan Merchan told the dozens of potential jurors arrayed before him.

Former American President Donald Trump became the first former president to go on trial when a jury was sworn in on Monday afternoon in Manhattan criminal court

Trump gave a thumbs up to reporters as he left the courtroom during a break in proceedings

'The name of this case is the People of the State of New York vs. Donald Trump.'

As he described in broad brush strokes the basis of the casethat Trump fiddled business records to hide payments allegedly made to silence ex lovers ahead of the 2016 electionsome of the jurors craned their necks to get a view of the blond-haired figure in front of them.

Trump stood and turned to look at them when Merchan introduced him and his legal team. The former president offered a tight-lipped smile as he surveyed the New Yorkers who could hold the fate of the 2024 election in their hands.

Merchan read a list of potential witnesses or other names that could come up during the trial, from Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal (two women at the center of the case) to family members such as Melania and Don Jr, to former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Michael Cohen, and officials in his White House such as Reince Priebus.

Finding a dozen men and women (plus alternates) who do not hold strong opinions about Trump or the witnesses will be hard. Especially in a liberal enclave like Manhattan where Trump won just 12 percent of the vote in 2020.

In fact the judge has set an easier task: Finding a dozen people who can set aside their feelings to decide a verdict on only the evidence before them.

Or maybe not.

When he asked the first batch of potential jurors whether or not they could not be impartial in the case, 50 immediately raised their hands and were excused.

Trump turned and craned his neck to watch them leave courtroom 1530, whispering to his lead lawyer Todd Blanche.
An Iranian-American attorney and activist has slammed pro-Palestine protesters for 'twerking on TikTok' and supporting Hamas, Houthis and Hezbollah.

Elica Le Bon, a British-born, American-educated lawyer, bashed Iran sympathizers on Chris Cuomo's NewsNation show on Monday.

'When we see this TikTok generation of people that are coming out and twerking on TikTok about how the axis of resistance is going to free watermelonia, now we have reached the point where you've completely lost it.'

She criticized protesters and supporters of Iran's Islamic regime amid recent bombings of Israel, saying they're 'supporting a terrorist regime.'

'You are supporting a terrorist regime that the Iranian people have been trying to free themselves from for the past 45 years.'

Elica Le Bon, a British-born, American-educated lawyer, bashed Iran sympathizers on Chris Cuomo's NewsNation show on Monday

She criticized protesters and supporters of Iran's Islamic regime amid recent bombings of Israel , saying they're 'supporting a terrorist regime'

She said this generation of people twerking on TikTok about how the axis of resistance is going to free watermelonia have completely 'lost it'

'This is not where the story began. And this is not where the story ends,' Le Bon said during an appearance on NewsNation's 'CUOMO.' 'This is not a new feud. It's a decade's long feud.'

'The 1979 revolution in Iran began exactly this way which was the progressive radicalization which led to this revolution that brought led to this regime,' she said to Cuomo.

'You're telling me there's no support for the parent company? the head o the snake? of course that's going to be the natural trajectory because its an ideological inconsistency to support the proxies and the instability and terror they're inflicting in the region and not support the head of the snake.'

'This was the watershed moment the turning point when we realized exactly what it was we as Iranians were anxious about the last six months. After we had spent all that time seeking to educate the world about the experience of Iranians under the iron boot of this oppressive regime,' she said to Cuomo.

' ... and how we need to stand with the people of Iran the women in Iran which quickly escalated to actually what we are going to is distort this narrative entirely and express our support for the Islamic republic in this relation against Israel

'You have no interest in celebrating our freedom and now what you want to do is live vicariously through this attack against Israel which did nothing but seriously injure a 7-year-old Bedouin girl and this is the liberation that you're fantasizing about.'

This comes after the popular TikToker shared a powerful message on her social media accounts over the weekend - calling out Iran and its clueless defenders.

This comes after the popular TikToker shared a powerful message on her social media accounts over the weekend - calling out Iran and its clueless defenders

She said this generation of people twerking on TikTok about how the axis of resistance is going to free watermelonia have completely 'lost it'

'In what capacity have you distorted the story to make the Islamic Republic the victim?' Le Bon said in a TikTok video Sunday.

'When we were screaming that they were killing Iranian women for not wearing a hijab, where were you?' Le Bon demands to know in the video, which has gone viral with more than 1 million views.

'When they were lynching Iranian men from cranes for protesting, where were you? When we were explaining that it's a terrorist occupying force, where were you?' said the lawyer, who has 300,000 followers.

'But all of a sudden everyone's graduated from Instagram school of law to say that it's a violation of international law and Iran has the right to defend itself,' she seethed.

Last month, Le Bon appeared on Cuomo's show with a similar message.

'It's an almost perverse fetishization of the suffering that people here in the west simply cannot understand because it is not a cancer of the west' she said.

Iran has threatened to use 'weapons it has never used' in a 'painful and severe' response if Israel launches airstrikes in retaliation to Tehran's weekend salvo.

Israel earlier vowed that it will respond to Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack, amid fears that the Middle East is teetering on the edge of an all-our war.

'You are supporting a terrorist regime that the Iranian people have been trying to free themselves from for the past 45 years

Police try to save a Pro-Israel supporter, center, by removing his American flag that was lit on fire by someone else during a Pro-Palestinian demonstration

Pro Palestinian protesters confront a small group of Israeli demonstrators during dueling events outside of the New York Stock Exchange

As the West urged for calmer heads to prevail in the Jewish state, Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee Abolfazl Amoue stated that Iran is 'prepared to use a weapon that we have never used' if Israel responds further.

Speaking on Monday, he said Israel should consider its next steps and 'act wisely.'

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also warned Israel it will face a 'painful response' if it takes the 'slightest action' in response to his country's attack.

The threats raise fears that Iran's lacklustre drone and missile barrage - 99 percent of which was intercepted by Israel and its allies - could further push Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.

There were shocking scenes on the streets of New York City on Monday as Palestinian activists set fire to an American flag being held by Israel supporters while chanting 'Death to America!' right under the noses of the NYPD.

There were audible gasps as the Stars and Stripes being held by a pro-Israel counter-protestor was set alight and then waved in the air - as bright yellow flames could be seen coming from the flag.

Police officers stationed at the protest outside the New York Stock Exchange could be seen wrestling the flag and stamping out the fire as it was brought to the ground.

Moments later, a fellow protestor could be heard yelling 'Death to America'.

Police officers appeared oblivious to what was happening right in front of them and in video footage appears to have little drive to chase down the man who shouted the offending phrase.

The multiple protests come just after Iran attacked Israel in a 350-missile airstrike early Sunday.

The attack has since been described as a 'declaration of war' as Israel's president Isaac Herzog insisted that Israel did not want a war, but suggested they would retaliate after Iran's audacious airstrike.

On Monday, around 8.23am, protestors sat in the middle of the Kennedy Expressway, linked to each other with PVC pipes and blocked the highway leading to O'Hare airport.
A Brazilian man turned himself in to the police after he said he murdered his wife because she bit his finger while having sex.

Marcos Paulino confessed to the Sao Paulo Civil Police that he stabbed his wife, Tatiele de Cassia, while she was sleeping at their home in the municipality of Caconde.

Paulino said he was upset after his 38-year-old wife bit one of his fingers on his left hand.

He waited until she fell asleep and attacked her with a kitchen knife.

Marcos Paulino (right) turned himself in to the police in the Brazilian southeastern city of Caconde on Monday and confessed to murdering his wife, Tatiele de Cassia (left), because she had bitten his finger while they were having sex

The Sao Paulo Secretariat of Public Security said in statement that Tatiele de Cassia (pictured) had 'holes in the chest and neck' as a result of being stabbed by her husband Marcos Paulino

The knife used by Marcos Paulino to allegedly murder his wife, Tatiele de Cassia, was recovered at their home in Caconde, a city in the southeastern Brazilian state of Sao Paulo

'After she changed (her clothes) and went back to bed and slept, he stabbed her in the neck and chest, killing her,' Civil Police chief Joao Delfino told Brazilian news outlet G1.

Paulino fled the home and was in hiding in the countryside region near Caconde before he returned Monday and turned himself in a local Military Police station.

Authorities went to the couple's home and found de Cassia's body 'with holes in the chest and neck, caused by a knife,' said Sao Paulo Secretariat of Public Security said in a statement.

Paulino killer told investigators that he had 'used cocaine' before killing de Cassia, Delfino said in an interview with EPTV.

Marcos Paulino fled the home after killing his wife Sunday night and turned himself in to the Sao Paulo Military Police

Marcos Paulino (right) is facing 12 to 30 years in prison if he is convicted of murdering his wife, Tatiele de Cassia

The couple started dating in October 2023 and moved in together in January

The couple started dating in October 2023 and moved in together in January.

Paulino is facing a femicide charge and faces up to 12 to 30 years in prison if convicted.

According to figures released in March by Brazil's Forum for Public Security, a total of 1,463 women were victims of femicide in 2023, an estimate of 1.4 deaths for every 100,000 women.

Brazil has registered 10,655 femicides since 2015 when the government passed a law that described it as murder 'caused by domestic or family violence due to the condition of the female sex.'

'We cannot normalize the deaths of more than 10,000 women murdered in less than a decade just because they are women,' said Samira Bueno, the director of Brazil's Forum for Public Security, in a statement.

'This topic has been the object of numerous debates by civil society, but this is not enough to reduce the number of these crimes committed each day in Brazil.'
The trial begins its second day on Tuesday as jury selection continues

44 percent of Americans are not confident that Trump will be treated fairly by New York prosecutors

As the trial of former President Donald Trump begins in New York, only about one-third of Americans believe he committed a crime, according to a new poll released Tuesday.

A new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows that just 35 percent of Americans in the poll say that Trump did something illegal in the hush money case. Thirty-one percent believe Trump acted unethically but not illegally and 14 percent believe that he did nothing wrong.

Trump is charged with falsifying business records to cover up money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels to ensure her silence about a sexual encounter she claimed to have with him in 2006. Trump continues to deny the encounter.

Former President Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower to head to Manhattan Criminal Court

The trial begins its second day on Tuesday as jury selection continues.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg believes that Trump violated election laws by recording the payment as part of his legal fees paid to his personal lawyer Michael Cohen. Bragg charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and the former president has pled not guilty.

A majority of Americans are skeptical about the trial, including some doubt about whether the former president will be treated fairly.

Forty-four percent of Americans are not confident that Trump will be treated fairly by the state prosecutors in New York, while 22 percent seem somewhat confident and 31 percent are very confident.

Former president Donald Trump speaks to the press prior to the second day of jury selection in his hush money trial

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (L) arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court for the second day of the trial of former US President Donald Trump

The trust in the New York prosecutors depends somewhat on party, as 75 percent of Republicans believe they will not treat the former president fairly and 57 percent of Democrats believe they will. Forty-four percent of independents are not confident Trump will be treated fairly

Only about two in 10 Americans are extremely or very confident that the judges and jurors in the cases against him can be fair and impartial.

The poll of 1,204 adults was conducted April 4-8 with a margin of error of 3.9 percent.
She faces one count of felony sexual abuse by a school employee

The Nebraska teacher accused of sexually abusing a teenage student has been pictured looking unkempt in a new mugshot before making her first court appearance, where bail was set at $25,000.

Erin Ward, 45, was visibly dazed and disheveled in a mugshot released by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office three days after her arrest.

She appeared in Douglas County Court on Tuesday, clad in an orange jumpsuit, to face one count of felony sexual abuse by a school employee.

'Ma'am, you are charged with a Class IIA felony. That is punishable by up to 20 years in jail, up to a $10,000 fine, or both. Do you understand the possible consequences here?' the judge asked.

Ward said 'yes' before the judge advised that she may have to enroll in the state sex offender registry if convicted.

Erin Ward, 45, appeared dazed and disheveled in a mugshot released by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office ahead of her first court appearance

Ward appeared in Douglas County Court on Tuesday to face one count of felony sexual abuse by a school employee, carrying a sentence of up to 20 years behind bars

The judge told the 45-year-old that she may have to enroll in the state sex offender registry if convicted

Ward appeared alongside her attorney, Jerry Hug, for the brief hearing. She is due back in court in May.

The married mother of three admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old student after the pair were caught in the backseat of a car belonging to Ward and her husband - who is a higher-up at the Department of Defense.

Before her arrest, Ward worked as a substitute teacher at several metro area schools. It was at Omaha Burke High School she met the teenage boy with whom she was found in the early-morning hours of April 13.

Around 3 a.m., Douglas County Sheriff's deputies were called to investigate a suspicious car parked on a dead-end road.

There, they found Ward and the victim inside a Honda Pilot 'determined to be owned by Ward and her spouse,' the DSCO wrote in a press release.

The 17-year-old jumped into the driver's seat and sped off in the SUV, crashing into a yard two blocks away. He then ran away wearing only a t-shirt, boxers and socks, and was found about an hour later.

Authorities found an Omaha Public Schools employee ID from inside the car. Ward confirmed she was a substitute teacher at Harry A. Burke High School, where the teen was enrolled, and admitted to having sexual intercourse with him.

Both she and the victim were taken to the hospital to treat minor injuries resulting from the crash.

As the age of consent in Nebraska is 16, the teacher was not charged with statutory rape, but faces a Class IIA felony charge carrying up to 20 years behind bars.

Ward, who lives with her family in Gretna, has an adopted daughter who is around the same age as her victim.

The married mother of three admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old high school student after police found them together in the early hours of Saturday morning

Ward's 10th-grade daughter (front left) is around the same age as the boy the substitute teacher admitted to sexually abusing

Ward was arrested after Douglas County Sheriff's deputies found her naked inside the car with the student, who crashed into a yard and fled on foot

Ward (center) worked at several Omaha-area schools include Harry A. Burke High School, where her victim was enrolled

She and the teen were found in a Honda Pilot she owned alongside her husband, 53-year-old Doug Ward, a U.S. Department of Defense employee

Doug graduated from the Harvard Extension School in 2021 with a master's degree in political science and government and has worked with the federal government for nearly two decades

Police recovered an Omaha Public Schools ID from the car where Ward and the boy were found and she admitted to the crime

Her husband, 53-year-old William Douglas 'Doug' Ward, is a Harvard-educated deputy at the Department of Defense.

Doug was appointed Deputy Director of the Commander's Action Group and Senior Nuclear Deterrence Advisor at the United States Strategic Command in February.

His LinkedIn shows he worked with the Strategic Command since 2005 and initially served as a Deputy Branch Chief.

The Strategic Command, which is headquartered in Omaha, is a military unit that detects and deters attacks against the country and its allies.

In addition to his impressive job title, Doug graduated from the Harvard Extension School in 2021 with a master's degree in political science and government.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office announced that it is working closely with Omaha Public Schools amid the ongoing investigation.

Burke's principal, Darren Rasmussen, released a statement to members of the community following news of Ward's arrest.

'We are writing to share that law enforcement has arrested a metro-area substitute teacher for inappropriate conduct with a minor,' he wrote.

'The individual worked at Burke High several days during the 2023-24 school year. They will not be returning to our school or any others in our district.

'Our top priority is always the safety and well-being of the students we serve. We take this most seriously. Counselors will be available on Tuesday for students in need of support.'

A police affidavit detailing the incident has been sealed by the court. Ward's primary hearing is scheduled for May 22.
The billionaire George Soros has donated $60 million to Democracy PAC, a super political action committee he uses to support Democrats, the second-biggest campaign donation in the 2024 election cycle.

A nonprofit founded and funded by Soros gave cash to boost the campaigns of congressional Democrats, pro-choice campaigners and black candidates in down-ballot races, a filing with the Federal Election Commission shows.

Democracy PAC spread $21 million to a dozen super PACs in the first quarter, including $4 million donations to both the House Majority PAC and the Senate Majority PAC.

It gave $2.5 million to Planned Parenthood Votes, and the same sum to Black PAC, which boosts candidates in state-level races for governors, attorneys general and lawmakers.

Hungarian-born US investor and philanthropist George Soros is spending big this campaign season

Americans for Contraception Victory Fund, which runs awareness campaigns, received $500,000

Soros' group is among the political organizations, including super PACs and joint fundraising committees that support President Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump, that have to disclose their first-quarter finances this week.

Other donations by Democracy PAC's include $500,000 for Americans for Contraception Victory Fund and $1.8 million for American Bridge, which has pledged to spend $140 million to help reelect Biden.

The $60 million donation from Soros' group, called the Fund for Policy Reform, is the second largest so far in the 2024 election cycle.

A state-level PAC that backed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' 2022 reelection donated $82.5 million to Never Back Down, which backed his unsuccessful Republican presidential bid.

It's also not the single biggest check Soros has written to a political committee ever.

He gave Democracy PAC $125 million in January 2022.

Democracy PAC started the second quarter with $39 million in the bank.

Soros' fortune is worth about $7.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

The 93-year-old Hungarian-born businessman's massive donations to left-wing causes and efforts to change public opinion alarm many conservatives.

Soros money finances campaigns to unseat anti-abortion politicians

Soros money has been used in campaigns against Connecticut state senator George Logan

The Democracy PAC donation comes as Soros Fund Management, another vehicle for the investor, is expanding into the US radio industry.

The group plowed more than $400 million into flailing radio company Audacy and its more than 220 stations nationwide in February, and looks set to expand further into audio content.

Three people involved in discussions with Soros executives told Semafor that the Audacy move was the start of a larger audio-buying spree.

This has stoked fears of an ultra-progressive billionaire having a megaphone in the 2024 election.

Super PACs that back GOP candidates are also disclosing first quarter financial results.

The Senate Leadership Fund, which backs Republicans, raised $27 million and ended the first quarter with $60 million cash on hand.

Citadel's Ken Griffin gave it $7.5 million, while energy industry companies and executives gave millions more.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. gave $2 million, Chevron Corp. and Trevor Rees-Jones, the billionaire owner of Chief Oil & Gas LLC each gave $1 million, and the American Petroleum Institute gave $1.5 million. Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz gave $250,000.
Republican National Committee co-Chair Lara Trump revealed that her father-in-law's reelection brought in $1.5 million on the first day of the hush money criminal trial proceedings.

Donald Trump appeared in Manhattan criminal court on Monday for the start of jury selection in the case alleging he falsified business records related to payments to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about their affair.

'The people of America spoke up yesterday in support of Donald Trump to the tune of a million and a half dollars raised for his campaign,' Lara told Fox & Friends on Tuesday morning.

Lara Trump said Tuesday morning that her father-in-law's reelection campaign raised $1.5 million on the first day of the criminal trial against former President Donald Trump on Monday

The former president leaves Trump Tower in Manhattan on Tuesday for the second day of the hush money criminal trial against him

She added: 'The average donation was $28, so even here, in the abysmal Biden economy, people are coming out and they are financially supporting this president.'

Trump arrived for a second day of trial on Tuesday at the courthouse in downtown Manhattan.

Just before the former president left Trump Tower for the first day of the trial on Monday, his campaign sent out an email seeking to fundraise off of the criminal prosecutions.

'THE BIDEN TRIALS ARE UNDERWAY!' the email reads. 'I'm heading to court THIS MORNING for my RIGGED TRIAL, and only YOUR SUPPORT will get me through this dark time.'

Trump's message to his supporters continued: 'BECAUSE OF YOU, I WILL NEVER SURRENDER!'

The email takes supporters to a survey page, which then prompts MAGA fanatics to donate $20.24, $47 or another amount to the former president's 2024 campaign.

Trump speaks briefly before entering the court room in Manhattan on Tuesday for the second day of jury selection

It seems the prompt worked considering the massive fundraising haul, according to Lara Trump.

During a March RNC meeting in Houston, Texas, Eric Trump's wife Lara was elected the new co-chair of the GOP with a leadership overhaul that solidified Donald Trump's hold on the Party ahead of November.

Trump arrived to court on both Monday and Tuesday to protesters in support of the former president and others opposing him and lauding the criminal cases against him.
Donald Trump walked into 100 Centre Street on Tuesday morning like a billionaire who owned the place.

The building may house Manhattan's criminal court but that didn't stop the former president throwing out a string of power moves as he arrived for day two of his hush money trial.

He waved at reporters outside the building then stopped when he arrived on the 15th floor to hold a brief press conference, denouncing the judge and the court, as security officers looked on.

And then as he stepped into courtroom 1530 he winked at a court officer and mouthed: 'How are you?'

It looked for all the world as if Trump was arriving for just another day at work, instead of a moment in history: The first trial in history of a former American president.

Former President Donald Trump took his seat in courtroom 1530 for day two of his 'hush money' trial. He arrived dispensing bonhomie as if he owned the building

Before taking his seat, Trump addressed a small pool of journalists on the 15th floor

The performance mixed confidence with a share of disdain. When Trump took his seat between his lawyers, he leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes, as if to show that he was so unintimidated he was in the mood for a nap.

The first day of Trump's history-making trial ended with not a single juror 'seated'the technical term for making it all the way through the selection process to a seat in the jury box.

It showed the magnitude of the task facing lawyers on both sides as they try to find 12 people, plus six alternates, able to set aside any personal feelings and judge Trump impartially.

More than half of the original batch of 96 raised their hands when asked if they didn't believe they could be fair, and were excused.

Trump's motorcade pulled up at court just before 9am Tuesday. His entry was hidden from reporters by an NYPD dump truck although he could be seen giving a quick wave.

Trump has denied 34 charges that he fiddled business records to hide payments to two women in exchange for their silence about alleged affairs.

In some ways the case is the least serious of the four facing the former president. But it could be the most consequential as the one most likely to conclude before voters go to the polls in November to choose between him and President Joe Biden.

Trump and his campaign have railed repeatedly about the scheduling, complaining that it keeps the Republican candidate from visiting voters in key swing states.

By day two, Trump appeared to have settled into a routine that combine politics with his legal battle.

Trump headed into the courtroom after delivering his thoughts on the judge and the court

Trump took up a seat between his lawyers, seen here alongside lead counsel Todd Blanche

It started with a string of social media posts.

'This conflicted, Trump hating judge wont let me respond to people that are on TV lying and spewing hate all day long,' he wrote, fulminating against a gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan.

'He is running roughshod over my lawyers and legal team. The New York system of "justice" is being decimated by critics from all over the World.'

Then he hopped in his motorcade, leaving Trump Tower at about 8:30am for the ride downtown.

A small pool of journalists was waiting for him behind iron railings on the 15th floor of the Manhattan courthouse.

He gave no impression of being on enemy territory as he brought the fight with him from midtown.

Trump's day started with posts on his Truth Social media site. In one he railed against the judge

Donald Trump didn't seem fazed by a gruelling second day of jury selection as he left Trump Tower on Monday morning, pointing and waving to fans

Police used a truck to block the view of journalists as Trump's motorcade arrived at Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday morning for a second day of jury selection

And he showed not an inkling that the gag order was going to get in his way.

'This is a trial that should have never been brought, a trial that was being looked upon and looked at all over the world,' he said.

'Every legal pundit, every legal scholar, said this trial is a disgrace. We have a Trump-hating judge. We have a judge who shouldn't be on this case. He's totally conflicted.'

Other defendants might opt for deference in the face of the court. That's not Trump's way. At least in the corridor.

Moments later he was entering Judge Merchan's court. His rant concluded, he went about dispensing the sort of bonhomie he more usually delivers among guests of his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida greeting the court officer like an old friend.

And given the number of times Trump has been in court throughout his career in New York property, he very well might be.
Nearly 50 Israelis in attendance at the Nova Festival attack have taken their own lives since the October 7 attack, with others sectioned over psychiatric issues, a survivor claimed during an emotional speech in parliament today.

Guy Ben Shimon spoke at a hearing for a State Audit Commission on the treatment of survivors, focusing on the alleged failures of Israeli state bodies to look after the victims of the attack.

'Few people know, but there have been almost 50 suicides among the Nova survivors,' he claimed. 'This number, which was true two months ago, may have increased since.'

Authorities have disputed the claim, according to state-owned Kan 11 TV. In January, the Health Ministry insisted that there had been no rise in suicide rates since October 7.

Ben Shimon spoke alongside a number of survivors amid repeated complaints from victims and former hostages of inadequate care since the assault.

'There are many survivors who had to be forcibly hospitalized due to their psychological state,' he claimed.

'I am practically unable to do anything. I had to get a dog to help me survive in my daily life. The goal for all of us is to return to work and function normally, but we cannot do it without adequate help.'

More than 360 people were killed at the Nova festival near Re'im when Hamas gunmen swept in on the morning of October 7, indiscriminately targeting festivalgoers with assault rifles.

Guy Ben Shimon (left) spoke at a hearing for a State Audit Commission on the treatment of survivors, focusing on the alleged failures of Israeli state bodies to look after the victims of the attack

Orly Efraim reacts near the marker of her niece Eden Liza Auhaion, who was killed on the October 7 Hamas deadly attack at the Nova music festival on April 7, 2024 in Re'im, Israel

Festivalgoers flee as Hamas gunmen storm the event on October 7 last year

Charred and damaged cars along a desert road after an attack by Hamas militants at the Tribe of Nova Trance music festival near Kibbutz Re'im in southern Israel on Saturday, October 7

An Israeli officer walks around a campsite at the festival near Re'im kibbutz on October 17

The hearing on Tuesday saw a number of survivors come forwards with concerns about how they had been treated since the horror unfolded a little over six months ago.

"Why should I constantly prove what I experienced?' said Na'ama Eitan, another survivor of the attack. 'Why am I forced to go back to the details of what I experienced for them to believe me?'

Israel 'is preventing UN investigators from speaking to victims and witnesses of the October 7 Hamas attack' Israel is preventing UN investigators from speaking to witnesses and victims of the October 7 Hamas attack, former UN rights chief Navi Pillay, who is chairing a three-person probe, said Tuesday. The unprecedented Commission of Inquiry was established by the UN Human Rights Council in May 2021 to investigate alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Israel and the Palestinian territories. 'I deplore the fact that people inside Israel who wish to speak to us are being denied that opportunity, because we cannot get access into Israel,' Pillay said. The investigation briefed diplomats at the UN in Geneva on its work and said that since October 7, it had focused on the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas. 'So far as the government of Israel is concerned, we have faced not merely a lack of cooperation but active obstruction of our efforts to receive evidence from Israeli witnesses and victims to the events that occurred in southern Israel,' said Chris Sidoti, one of the three members of the inquiry. Advertisement

She said that she took part in a study to monitor her health but now sleeps just two hours a night.

'Each morning at seven o'clock, I relive the moments when I was hidden in the bushes with the terrorists passing by me.

'I can no longer move on my own. I need to be constantly accompanied.'

Eitan described how she had spent seven hours under a tree, 'while terrorists passed beside me and I called the police and asked "Where are you? Why is no one coming?"

'If there is quiet around me, my head is noisy and I go back there,' she said.

'If it weren't for my psychologist, I would not be here.'

Or Nasa, a third survivor, shared how a friend stopped working because of a mental breakdown suffered in light of the attack.

'The National Insurance Institute doctors did not recognise her as suffering a work injury.

'I need to go to a psychologist but there is an appointment only five months from now.'

As many as 600,000 Israelis - of a population of around 9.3million - were awaiting psychological support since October 7, according to recent studies cited by i24.

Last month, freed hostage Moran Stella Yanai echoed the concerns, telling Channel 12 she was surprised nobody had 'picked up the phone' to contact her or check on her wellbeing since her release in November.

'No minister in the government picked up the phone and said: "Are you okay?"

'If they want to know what is really going on, they should close the room, close the windows, stop eating, stop drinking, ask permission to breathe, and then maybe they will understand - and do it for five months, in terror,' she said.

'Maybe then they will show some empathy.'

On October 7, attackers from Hamas and five other armed groups stormed into southern Israel, raiding compounds, gunning down civilians at the Nova festival and in kibbutzim near the border, and taking some 240 hostages back into Gaza.

Of the hostages, more than 40 had been at the festival, according to the Times of Israel.

Thousands of young people had gathered at the 'peace festival' in Re'im to dance to electronic music overnight near the Gaza border.

Survivors of the Nova massacre have shared how they fled on foot after hearing the first salvoes of rockets flying overhead just after dawn.

Security guards aimed to escort the 3,500 attendees safely out of the site, but were intercepted by gunmen arriving in vehicles.

Footage shared in the aftermath was presented as Hamas bodycam footage of a soldier wielding an AK-47 style assault rifle shooting into portaloos.

Of the 30 people who tried to hide inside the festival toilets, only three survived, according to the BBC.

One survivor told MailOnline those who made it out of the campsite were told to abandon their cars and run as gunfire erupted behind them.

Many who stopped to hide in a ditch were later found and shot, Natalie Sanandaji recounted.

'You're in an open field and there's almost nowhere to hide. It felt hopeless. It really felt hopeless. There's just simply nowhere to hide, there was nowhere to go. There's stories of some people that hid in drains, in trees and fields. A lot of those people... they ended up finding them and killing most of them.

'The ones that survived were the ones that hid under the dead bodies and pretended to be dead.'

A report compiled by rape centres in Israel concluded that a number of 'sadistic' crimes were carried out at the festival, in surrounding villages and on IDF bases during the October 7 attacks.

The chilling report from the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel was presented to the UN Special Envoy on Sexual Violence in Conflict Areas, who visited Israel in February to hear testimonies of sexual abuse.

An overview of the findings states: 'Hamas terrorists employed sadistic practices aimed at intensifying the degree of humiliation and terror inherent in sexual violence. 'Many of the bodies of sexual crime victims were found bound and shackled.

'The genitals of both women and men were brutally mutilated, and sometimes weapons were inserted into them.

'The terrorists did not stop at shooting, they also cut and mutilated sexual organs and other body parts with knives.'

The testimonies included claims Hamas gunmen repeatedly stabbed an injured woman while they raped her; that victims had nails, grenades and knives inserted into their sexual organs; and how survivors fleeing the festival witnessed 'girls whose pelvises were simply broken from being raped so much'.

The family of Liraz Assulin, 38, who fled from the Nova festival, creates a memorial for her, near Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel, January 21, 2024

Israelis attend a memorial for the victims of the Nova festival attack, on April 7, 2024

Destroyed cars and belongings left at the Supernova Music Festival site where hundreds were killed and dozens taken by Hamas militants near the border with Gaza, on October 12, 2023

Destroyed cars and personal items are still left scattered around the festival site, on October 13

One survivor of the Nova festival said the aftermath was an 'apocalypse of bodies, girls without clothes, some missing their upper, some their lower parts'.

Yoni Saadon, a survivor who witnessed the rape of a young woman enduring severe violence, recounted a victim crying out: 'Stop it - already I'm going to die anyway from what you are doing, just kill me!'

The witness said 'when they finished they were laughing and the last one shot her in the head'.

One witness said she saw a young woman with a back injury, her trousers pulled down below her knees, being raped by one terrorist as another 'pulled from her hair'.

'Each time the woman resisted, the terrorist stabbed her in the back.'

As many as 1,170 people, mostly civilians, were killed during Hamas' surprise assault into southern Israel on October 7.

Israel has responded with a devastating bombardment of the Gaza Strip, killing more than 33,800 people, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
The headteacher at a school once dubbed Britain's strictest has today hailed a court ruling after a Muslim student lost a challenge against its ban on 'prayer rituals'.

Katharine Birbalsingh, founder and leader of Michaela Community School in Brent, North London, said the High Court judge's decision was a 'victory for all schools'.

She added: 'Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they've decided they don't like something at the school.'

The former government social mobility tsar spoke out after the student - who cannot be named - took legal action against the high-achieving school, claiming the policy was discriminatory and 'uniquely' affected her faith due to its ritualised nature.

The pupil claimed the school's stance on prayer - one of the five pillars of Islam - unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom and was 'the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society'.

But the school argued its prayer policy was justified after it faced death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site.

The ban was introduced in March last year after 30 students began to pray in the school's yard, using blazers to kneel on  with the rules imposed due to concerns about a 'culture shift' towards 'segregation between religious groups and intimidation within the group of Muslim pupils', the court was told.

In a written ruling issued at the High Court in London this morning, Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupil's arguments against the prayer rituals ban. But the judge upheld the student's challenge to a decision to temporarily exclude her from the school.

The pupil said they were 'obviously very disappointed', having 'tried my best' in the case. The pupil's mother said she was 'profoundly dismayed by the case's outcome'.

The school's headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh said it was defending its 'culture and ethos'

The pupil took legal action against Michaela Community School in Brent, North London

The judge said there was a 'a rational connection between the aim of promoting the team ethos of the school, inclusivity, social cohesion etc and the prayer ritual policy'.

Who is 'Britain's strictest headteacher' Katharine Birbalsingh? Katharine Birbalsingh, who has been commonly described as Britain's strictest headteacher, is no stranger to controversy. Ms Birbalsingh, headteacher of Michaela Community School in Brent in North London, has been at the centre of a legal challenge after she decided to ban prayer rituals at the secondary school. The high-profile school leader has attracted a lot of media attention over the years for her outspoken views on education and 'woke' culture. She first grabbed the headlines at the 2010 Conservative Party conference with a damning speech on the state of England's schools where she said standards had been 'so dumbed down that even the teachers know it' and the education system was broken 'as it keeps poor children poor'. A few weeks after her speech to delegates at the Tory conference, Ms Birbalsingh left her post as deputy headteacher of St Michael and All Angels Church of England Academy in south London. In 2014, she founded Michaela Community School - a free school which has been dubbed the strictest in the country. Year 7 pupils at Michaela are required to attend a behaviour 'boot camp' which teaches them how to walk to lessons quickly in single file, how to sit properly on a chair, and how to concentrate in class. Students at the school get detentions if they talk in the corridor or if they forget their pencil case or ruler. The high-achieving school, which has been rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, has been praised by a number of Tory ministers in the past for its academic success, and in 2020 Ms Birbalsingh was made a CBE. In October 2021, Ms Birbalsingh was appointed as chairwoman of the Government's Social Mobility Commission (SMC). Liz Truss, who was equalities minister at the time, celebrated the headteacher for 'expecting high standards and not indulging the soft bigotry of low expectations'. But Ms Birbalsingh, who describes herself on social media as having 'small c conservative values', faced criticism for comments she made as the Government's social mobility tsar. In April 2022, she found herself in hot water over comments to a Government committee which implied girls do not choose to study A-level physics because they dislike 'hard maths'. In her inaugural speech as the SMC chairwoman, Ms Birbalsingh, an Oxford University graduate, said understanding of social mobility needed to move beyond a 'rags to riches', 'Dick Whittington' approach where there is a 'focus on big-leap-upward mobility from the bottom to the top in one generation'. She quit her role as the Government's social mobility tsar in January 2023, citing the fact that she came with 'too much baggage' and was doing 'more harm than good'. She added that some of her 'controversial' statements had put the commission in 'jeopardy'. Just four months later, Ms Birbalsingh made headlines again when she told the National Conservatism conference that parents should be willing to take their children out of schools if they are 'too woke'. Ms Birbalsingh is not afraid to speak her mind - especially on social media - and the recent events surrounding her school are no exception. In January, in a post on X, Ms Birbalsingh defended the school's policy on prayers as she said it came amid a backdrop of violence, intimidation and racial harassment of teachers. In the same week that the case against the school was heard in the High Court, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan hailed Ms Birbalsingh's leadership of Michaela School as 'incredible' on social media. Advertisement

He added: 'The disadvantage to Muslim pupils at the school caused by the prayer ritual policy is in my view outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.'

In an 83-page judgment dismissing the student's case, Mr Justice Linden wrote: 'It seems to me that this is a case ... where the claimant at the very least impliedly accepted, when she enrolled at the school, that she would be subject to restrictions on her ability to manifest her religion.

'She knew that the school is secular and her own evidence is that her mother wished her to go there because it was known to be strict.

'She herself says that, long before the prayer ritual policy was introduced, she and her friends believed that prayer was not permitted at school and she therefore made up for missed prayers when she got home.'

Mr Justice Linden continued in his ruling: 'The essential nature of the school regime is one which the claimant and her fellow pupils, or at least their parents, have chosen and, indeed, that they have chosen to remain at the school notwithstanding the prayer ritual policy (PRP).

'Although the claimant says that she is aware of resentment of the PRP amongst some Muslim pupils, there is no evidence that this has affected enrolment or led any of them to choose to leave.

'Nor, indeed, is there evidence of the issue being raised with the school since the PRP was introduced, other than in the context of this claim.

'On the contrary, the evidence is that since the PRP was introduced good relations within the school community have been restored.'

He added: 'Balancing the adverse effects of the PRP on the rights of Muslim pupils at the school with the aims of the PRP and the extent to which it is likely to achieve those aims, I have concluded that the latter outweighs the former and that the PRP is proportionate.'

Reacting to the ruling today, Ms Birbalsingh said on X: 'A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves. The court's decision is therefore a victory for all schools.

'Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they have decided they don't like something at the school.'

She also said Muslim pupils last year had been put under pressure 'to pray, to drop out of the choir, to wear a hijab' while teachers faced abuse and intimidation.

In the statement, Mr Birbalsingh added: 'In 2014, 30 per cent of our intake was Muslim. It is now 50 per cent. We are oversubscribed.

'If our families did not like the school, they would not repeatedly choose to send their children to Michaela.'

Reflecting on previous events at the school, Ms Birbalsingh said: 'Last year, we watched our Muslim pupils put under pressure by a tiny number of others to fast, to pray, to drop out of the choir, to wear a hijab.

'I watched one of my black teachers racially abused and intimidated, another teacher who had her personal home nearly broken into, and another with a brick thrown through her window.'

She added: 'There is a false narrative that some try to paint about Muslims being an oppressed minority at our school. They are, in fact, the largest group.

'Those who are most at risk are other minorities and Muslim children who are less observant.'

Rishi Sunak's official spokesman told reporters: 'We welcome the judgement. The Michaela Community School is an outstanding school with a history of excelling in its outcomes for all pupils, who are regularly from some of the most disadvantaged parts of London.

'The Government has always been clear that headteachers are best placed to take decisions on what is permitted in their schools on these matters, to balance the rights of all with the ethos of the small community, including in relation to whether and how to accommodate prayer. And this judgement supports this.'

Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch said: 'This ruling is a victory against activists trying to subvert our public institutions.

'No pupil has the right to impose their views on an entire school community in this way.

'The Equality Act is a shield, not a sword, and teachers must not be threatened into submission.'

Michaela Community School was targeted with death threats and abuse, the court was told

And former home secretary Suella Braverman, who co-founded the Michaela Community School, said she was 'delighted' by the judgment.

What are the unique practices at 'Britain's strictest school'? Lunchtime poetry chanting, national anthem singing, restrictions on socialising, silent corridors and constant supervision form part of the 'unique ethos' of a school dubbed Britain's strictest, a judge was told. The high-achieving Michaela Community School in Brent, Morth London, hit the headlines after a Muslim pupil brought a High Court challenge against its allegedly discriminatory ban on prayer rituals. The school defended against the claim, arguing it had the discretion to adopt the stance amid death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site. A ruling was issued today in favour of the school. Details of Michaela's practices and its 'ultra-strict enforcement' of behaviour rules were revealed by lawyers during the hearing of the student's legal challenge. They include: - 'Family lunch', poetry chanting and singing the national anthem At lunchtime, children cannot choose where they sit in the school's halls but are allocated to tables of six depending on their year and form. The first stand behind their chairs and chant poetry from memory and a teacher sets a mandatory topic of conversation for pupils to discuss. The aim is to 'develop the skill of conversing at a meal table'. Children also have set roles, such as collecting food or cleaning tables. Only vegetarian food is served to avoid division on racial or religious lines. Students also have to sing the national anthem twice a week. - The Michaela 'full stop' Pupils must end every interaction with teachers with 'Sir' or 'Miss'. - 'Tracking' in lessons and 'constant supervision' Under the tracking system, pupils 'must pay constant attention' to the teacher during lessons. There is no time in during classes where children may socialise with others. Teachers are specifically placed on corridors, staircases and at the door of the toilet to supervise children during breaks. - Silence in corridors Students move around the school's narrow corridors in single file and in silence and can only acknowledge staff. - The 'Rule of four, no more' Groups of more than four pupils are not allowed, including when in the school yard. The aim is to prevent social exclusion, with the school claiming that 'bullying is virtually unheard of'. Efforts to 'aggressively promote integration' include teachers actively intervening in school yard conversations and games to ensure pupils do not feel left out. - A strict uniform policy There is a mandatory blazer, tie, and navy-blue bag carrying the school's logo. Jewellery and make-up are banned and hairstyles must be 'appropriate'. All of the children have identical transparent plastic cases to carry their things in and a branded water bottle. Certain religious dress is allowed, such as headscarves. Only certain items can be carried by students, with all others banned. Phones seen or heard are confiscated until the end of half term. According to the pupil's lawyers, students are not allowed to wear coats, even in winter when they have to go outside in the cold. Advertisement

She said: 'Michaela has always been a school which prioritises high achievement.

'And I know how hard Katharine (Birbalsingh) has worked to make it a success right from the early days when I was involved in helping to set up the school as chairman of governors.

'This is a victory for the children and their parents who want them to live happy and fulfilled lives.'

But the pupil who brought the legal challenge said in a statement provided by law firm Simpson Millar: 'I am obviously very disappointed that the judge did not agree with me.

'As is set out in the judgment, I do not agree that it would be too hard for the school to accommodate pupils who wished to pray in the lunch break.

'The school is very well run and generally very good at managing everything. The school doesn't wish to allow pupils to pray, has chosen a different path and the judge has found in their favour.

'Even though I lost, I still feel that I did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban. I tried my best and was true to myself and my religion.

'Being involved in this case has not been easy for me ... The teachers are very good here and I hope to do the best that I can. I am also grateful for the understanding that my non-Muslim friends at school have shown as to the issues that affect us.'

The pupil's mother said she was 'profoundly dismayed by the case's outcome'.

In a comment also issued by Simpson Millar, she said: 'The case was rooted in the understanding that prayer isn't just a desirable act for us - it's an essential element that shapes our lives as Muslims.

'In our faith, prayer holds undeniable importance, guiding us through each challenge with strength and faith.'

She added: 'My daughter's impassioned stance compelled me to support her and I stand firm in that decision.

'Her courage in pursuing this matter fills me with pride and I'm confident she's gained invaluable lessons from the experience.'

Dan Rosenberg, a lawyer at law firm Simpson Millar who represented the pupil, said the judge had noted the case raised 'issues of genuine public interest in circumstances where the school's approach has come into conflict with the religious perspective of an important section of society'.

He added: 'Obviously, the result was not a result that our client wanted but given the strength of her feelings, she did not feel it was right to merely accept the situation without seeking to challenge it.

'I respect our client's mother for supporting her in this.'

However, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: 'I have always been clear that headteachers are best placed to make decisions in their school.

'Michaela is an outstanding school and I hope this judgment gives all school leaders the confidence to make the right decisions for their pupils.'

And secular campaigners said the ruling serves as a reminder that claims of religious freedom 'do not trump all other considerations'.

Stephen Evans, chief executive of the National Secular Society, said: 'Given the disruption experienced by the school, a ruling that the ban on prayer rituals was lawful is welcome.

'It also serves as a useful reminder that claims of religious freedom do not trump all other considerations. If a school wishes to uphold a secular ethos, it should be entitled to do so.

'Schools should be environments where everyone feels welcomed and valued, but that doesn't mean students have untrammelled religious freedom.

'Where the manifestation of religion is deemed divisive or disruptive, a balance must be struck. We're pleased the school's actions have been vindicated.'

Another organisation said the Government should develop national guidance on religious practices in schools to address building 'resentment' in the system.

Andrew Copson, chief executive of the Humanists UK charity, said: 'In the absence of national guidance on religious practices in schools and of a serious national discussion about existing laws, cases like this will continue to be brought. Schools shouldn't be left alone to deal with this.

Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupil's arguments against the prayer rituals ban at the school

'Today's High Court judgment requires serious thinking from the Government about how to protect the child's freedom of religion or belief while also making sure our education system is fair and inclusive to all.

'We believe a first step should be to resolve the wider issue of mandatory collective worship in schools and replace it with an inclusive form of assembly that makes all pupils feel welcomed, while making reasonable accommodations for those who want to privately pray or worship where it doesn't infringe the rights and freedoms of others.

'Without such holistic attention, resentment will continue to build within our school system.'

In January, lawyers for the pupil told the judge at a hearing that the 'prayer ban' unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom, adding that it made her feel 'like somebody saying they don't feel like I properly belong here'.

The court was told the pupil, referred to only as TTT, was making a 'modest' request to be allowed to pray for around five minutes at lunch time, on dates when faith rules required it, but not during lessons.

The student also challenged allegedly unfair decisions to temporarily suspend her from school.

The school's lawyers claimed its prayer policy was 'justified' and 'proportionate' after it faced death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site.

They added that the governors and headteacher at the school of some 700 pupils, about half of whom are Muslim, had 'a margin of latitude, discretion or judgment' over its policies.

During a two-day hearing, the school's founder and headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh said on social media that it was defending its 'culture and ethos' along with decisions to 'maintain a successful and stable learning environment where children of all races and religions can thrive'.

Posting on X, she said the school decided 'to stop prayer rituals when some pupils started them, against a backdrop of events including violence, intimidation and appalling racial harassment of our teachers'.

The court was told that Ms Birbalsingh, a former government social mobility tsar, first introduced the policy in March last year, with it being backed by the governing body in May - allegedly 'on the basis of misinformation and errors'.

In March 2023, up to 30 students began praying in the school's yard, using blazers to kneel on.

Lawyers for the school said students seen praying outside contributed to a 'concerted campaign' on social media over the school's approach to religion, with there also being a since-removed online petition attracting thousands of signatures.

The court heard the school was targeted with death threats, abuse, 'false' allegations of Islamophobia, and a 'bomb hoax'.

Reversing the school's 'emergency' ban would again expose it to 'an unacceptable risk of threats', its lawyers said, adding that it avoided 'the logistical disruption and detriments to other school activities'.

The court was told 'Muslim children were observed to be applying peer pressure to other Muslim children to act in certain ways', with the school claiming that allowing prayer rituals risked 'undermining inclusion and social cohesion between pupils'.

Following the hearing, Ms Birbalsingh told The Sunday Times the legal process was 'taking a massive toll' and argued the school should 'be allowed to be secular'.

She told the paper that the school will 'definitely appeal if we lose', adding: 'I will not divide children according to race and religion; it will not happen under my watch.'
Donald Trump risked jail as he slammed the 'Trump-hating judge' on the second day of jury selection at his blockbuster hush money trial.

The former president's rage could see him found in contempt of court for violating a gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan.

It bans him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and the judges family. Prosecutors have already asked for him to be fined.

After letting off steam on the way in Trump winked at a court official and mouthed 'How are you?' before taking his seat.

He has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records over a $160,000 payment to cover up an alleged affair with porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

Donald Trump attends the second day of jury selection in his hush money case

Judge Juan Merchan poses for a picture in his chambers in New York, Thursday, March 14, 202

Trump aide Margo Martin attends the second day of jury selection in his blockbuster hush money trial

Hundreds of potential jurors have been assembled and are being quizzed on whether they can be impartial.

Judge Merchan has called the list of 42 questions potential jurors are having to answer 'by far the most exhaustive questionnaire' ever used in a court case.

It includes whether they have strong opinions about Trump and even what news outlets they tune into.

Several were quickly dismissed from the pool of potential jurors for a variety of reasons including work schedule conflicts.

One dismissed juror later spoke outside court and revealed that she made eye contact with Trump.

Kara McGee said there was a 'massive sense of gravitas' and it was 'fascinating' to see 'history in the making'.

But she also realized, seeing Trump in person for the first time, that he is 'just a dude' and 'just a guy'.

Trump aide Natalie Harp arrives at court

Trump aides Natalie Harp (L) and Margo Martin (R) have been attending the case

Dismissed juror Kara McGee talks to the media outside of Former President Donald Trump's trial at Manhattan Criminal Court, New York City. 16 April 2024

One potential juror revealed in court that they had read three of Trump's books.

The disclosure caused Trump, who had been stony-faced, to break out into a broad smile.

The man said he had read 'Art of the Deal' and How to be Rich and then struggled over the name of Think Like a Champion.

When he got it right Trump nodded in approval.

Earlier, outside the court, Trump raged: 'I was paying a lawyer and marked it down as legal expenses account. Some accountant - I didn't know - marked it down as a legal expense. That's exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that?

'I should be right now in Pennsylvania in Florida, in many other states North Carolina, Georgia, campaigning.

This is all coming from the Biden White House because the guy can't put two sentences together. He can't campaign. They're using this in order to try and win an elect. And it's not working.'

Trump arrived in court wearing a dark blue suit, a blue shirt and a blue tie, a change from his usual bright red tie.

After entering the courtroom he sat at a table with his lawyers and looked forward, tilting his head from side to side and appearing impassive.

The jury questionnaire for Trump hush money trial

Donald Trump speaks before the second day of jury selection gets underway

Trumps lawyer Todd Blanche had an animated discussion with him, repeatedly gesturing with his finger while Trump responded by pointing.

The trial was delayed briefly as two potential jurors who were in the box on Monday were late.

As proceedings began a female potential juror was excused because she was sick with flu-like symptoms.

Judge Merchan said the woman wasn't Covid positive and was in court with a mask on, but after hearing no objection from both sides, she was excused.

Another potential juror, a partner in an accounting and consulting firm was dismissed by the court after saying that he would struggle to be impartial because he grew up in Texas in a Republican family.

The man said that in the accounting world 'a lot of people intellectually slant Republican' and he could have some 'unconscious bias around that'.

The man said he he attended Texas A&M university and 'growing up a bunch of family and friends were Republicans its going to be tough to be impartial' during the trial.

He said he listened to Barstool sports podcasts and watched Fox.

Judge Merchan excused him after consulting with lawyers for both sides.

Anti-Trump and pro-Trump protesters are demonstrating outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse in New York City

Former President Donald Trump and his lawyer Todd Blanche on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan criminal court, Tuesday, April 16, 2024

A female juror was excused after telling the court in a weak voice that after thinking about it I dont think I can be impartial and unbiased'.

A male juror who works in finance was dismissed after saying he had concerns about being able to manage his work while serving on the jury.

Then, a woman who works in cyber security and had signed up to anti-Trump groups, was dismissed after saying she was concerned about being away from her job.

The woman said she was concerned about how present she could be.

She had previously said yes when asked if she had previously signed up for any anti-Trump organization emails.

The woman said that I believe the law applies to everyone.

She also sparked laughter when she said she dated a lawyer for a while and it was fine.

Earlier, Trump had railed on social media against the trial and complained about a gag order.

The order bars him from from publicly commenting on jurors, potential witness and others related to his criminal cases.

"This conflicted, Trump Hating Judge won't let me respond to people that are on TV lying and spewing hate all day long," he wrote on his Truth Social network. "He is running rough shod over my lawyers and legal team."

The first day of Trump's Manhattan trial ended on Monday with no one picked to sit on the 12-person jury or as one of six alternates.

Donald Trump & Stormy Daniels in 2006

Donald Trump and former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal who will feature in the case

Dozens of people were dismissed after saying they didn't believe they could be fair, but a second batch of about 100 prospective jurors have yet to be questioned.

The criminal trial is the first of any former U.S. commander-in-chief and also the first of Trump's four indictments to go to trial.

Trump is accused of falsifying internal Trump Organization records as part of a scheme to bury stories that he feared could hurt his 2016 campaign, particularly as his reputation was suffering at the time from comments he had made about women.

Allegations against him focus on payoffs to two women, porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal, who said they had extramarital sexual encounters with Trump years earlier.
Chris Cuomo has compared OJ Simpson with Donald Trump on his podcast, claiming both cases exemplified the 'culture conflict between law and fairness'.

In an episode of The Chris Cuomo Project released on Tuesday, the ex-CNN anchor discussed the 30th anniversary of Simpson's murder trial and his recent death.

Cuomo compared Simpson's infamous murder trial with Trump's blockbuster hush money trial that kicked off on Monday.

He said: 'We are on the precipice of Donald Trump being the next example of the culture conflict between law and fairness politics and justice.'

The 53-year-old NewsNation anchor began by claiming he believes both men were guilty of their accused crimes.

Chris Cuomo compared OJ Simpson with Donald Trump on his podcast and said both of their cases exemplified the 'culture conflict between law and fairness'

Trump's long-awaited hush money trial got underway earlier this week

Cuomo said that OJ's murder trial was a 'no-brainer case' and that he was guilty of stabbing his wife and her friend to death in 1994

Cuomo said: 'OJ was a no-brainer case. Murder is most times about someone close to the victim. This is also an obvious case... Trump did it.'

He continued: 'You don't always have to have a trial to know. You need to know beyond a reasonable doubt, perhaps. I don't need that here.'

Cuomo claimed Trump's Stormy Daniels case is about what it culturally represents, rather than the legal proceedings.

'Donald Trump's case is more about what it means to prosecute this symbol in the form of a man than it does about the case itself,' he said.

Cuomo went on to describe how both Simpson and Trump represent 'prosecutorial discretion.'

Simpson was acquitted in 1995 of the gruesome murders of Brown, his ex-wife, and Ron Goldman, her friend.

'The OJ case was more about racial injustice than it was about fairness under law,' Cuomo said.

However, Cuomo said that Simpson did not necessarily get away with the murder because he was black - but because 'blacks were tired of an injustice-ridden process punishing them unfairly.'

It's been widely claimed that Simpson's 'dream team' of defense lawyers' played the race card in his trial - which ultimately led to the innocent verdict.

Long-time civil rights campaigner, Johnnie Cochran, who took on the case, employed the tactic of not asking the jury whether his client was a cold-blooded killer, but if the Los Angeles Police Department framed him as part of a racist plot.

This tactic worked especially well because the Simpson trial came in the wake of the 1992 acquittal of police officers in the beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles, which sparked ferocious rioting across the city.

Cuomo said both Simpson's acquittal and Trump's trial represent the 'broader issues of fairness, privilege, and the exercise of prosecutorial discretion.'

He discussed how the dynamics of both Simpson's case and Trump's trial are biased and involve group think.

'We're not talking about law and facts and the process there too with a jury, we are talking about the perception and the policy and the reaction.'

Cuomo said he believes Trump had disqualified himself from the presidential race 'a hundred times over' and that he was 'embarrassed by the idea that the best America can generate' are Trump and Biden.

Trump's long-awaited hush money trial started earlier this week.

The former president pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records over a $160,000 payment to cover up an alleged affair with porn star Story Daniels prior to the 2016 election.

The first day of Trump's Manhattan trial ended on Monday with no one yet chosen to sit on the 12-person jury or as one of six alternates.

In an episode of The Chris Cuomo Project released on Tuesday, the ex-CNN anchor discussed the 30th anniversary of Simpson's trial and his recent death

The former president pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records over a $160,000 payment to cover up an alleged affair with porn star Story Daniels prior to the 2016 election

The presumptive GOP nominee complained about a gag order, which prevents him from publicly commenting on jurors, potential witness and others related to his criminal cases.

Trump denied wrongdoing and said outside of court: 'I was paying a lawyer and marked it down as legal expenses account. Some accountant - I didn't know - marked it down as a legal expense. That's exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that?

'I should be right now in Pennsylvania in Florida, in many other states North Carolina, Georgia, campaigning.'
Liz Truss today slammed Rishi Sunak for 'limiting freedom' with his plans for a cigarettes ban as MPs gear up for a crunch vote.

During tetchy exchanges in the Commons, the ex-PM swiped that the government was 'infantilising' Brits by taking away their choice.

Stressing that she was not a supporter of smoking, she said she was 'disappointed' that the Tory administration thought the 'state knows best'. Ms Truss said Labour was the right home for 'finger-wagging, nannying control freaks'.

The intervention came as shadow health secretary West Streeting gloated that Ms Truss and her allies were right to brand the proposals 'un-Conservative'.

He said he was 'delighted' to support the measures after they were 'adopted' by Mr Sunak.

Dozens of the PM's own rank and file, and several ministers, are set to oppose the plans to ensure anyone currently aged 15 or younger will never be able to buy a cigarette legally.

However, Mr Sunak has insisted it is right to protect children, while Chief Medical Office Chris Whitty dismissed criticism saying many people cannot give up after becoming addicted.

Although technically MPs will have a free vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill this evening, as by convention it is a conscience issue, significant opposition among Conservatives would still be a blow to Mr Sunak's authority.

There has been speculation that 50 Tories could go against the premier's policy, but it is not in danger of being derailed due to Labour backing.

Liz Truss today slammed Rishi Sunak for 'limiting freedom' with his plans for a cigarettes ban as MPs gear up for a crunch vote

Health secretary Victoria Atkins (left) and her shadow Wes Streeting are both supporting the proposals

The legislation will ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1 2009, meaning no one under the age of 15 in England will be able to legally buy a cigarette (Stock Image)

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt in his own party against his proposed smoking ban

The legislation would ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1 2009 - meaning children aged 15 or younger today will never legally be sold a cigarette in England.

It also gives the Government powers to tackle youth vaping, with restrictions on flavours and new rules on packaging and selling vapes.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins kicked off the debate by insisting that smoking was causing huge suffering.

She told the Commons: 'I totally understand the concerns of fellow Conservatives. We are not in the habit of banning things, we do not like that, and so we will only bring these powers in when we are convinced, following a no doubt robust debate with the intellectual self-confidence that we have to have such debates on this side of the House we come to the conclusion that there is no liberty in addiction.

'Nicotine robs people of their freedom to choose. The vast majority of smokers start when they are young, and three-quarters say that if they could turn back the clock they would not have started.'

She added: 'That is why, through this Bill, we are creating a smoke-free generation that will guarantee that no-one who is turning 15 or younger this year will ever be legally sold tobacco, saving them from the misery of repeated attempts to give up, making our economy more productive and building an NHS that delivers faster, simpler and fairer care.

'I would argue it is our responsibility, indeed our duty, to protect the next generation and this is what this Bill will do.'

But Ms Truss said the policy was 'emblematic of a technocratic establishment in this country that wants to limit people's freedom'.

She added: 'The problem is the instinct of this establishment, which is reflected by a cross-party consensus today in today's chamber, is to believe that they, that the Government are better at making decisions for people than people themselves and I absolutely agree that that is true for the under 18s.

'It is very important that until people have decision-making capability while they are growing up that we protect them. But I think the whole idea that we can protect adults from themselves is hugely problematic and it effectively infantilises people, and that is what has been going on.

'And what we're seeing, is we're seeing not just on tobacco but also on sugar, also on alcohol, also on meat, a group of people who want to push an agenda which is about limiting people's personal freedom, and I think that is fundamentally wrong.'

Conservative MP Alexander Stafford said the Government should not be 'wasting our time talking about something that's dying out anyway', adding: 'Young people aren't smoking, it is not cool to smoke what this Bill should be focused on is more on the vape side of things, on the illegal vapes, the super-charged vapes, the colourful, the flavourful vapes.

'Instead, we are sitting here debating cigarettes that are naturally being gone out of existence anyway.'

But Ms Atkins replied: 'Sadly, there is nothing inevitable about a decrease in smoking rates. Indeed in 2020, the United States saw the first increase in tobacco sales in 20 years and in Australia in 2022, the proportion of teenagers smoking increased for the first time in 25 years.'

She added: 'Here in the United Kingdom, 100,000 children and young people take up smoking every year and so we must not be lulled into this sense of inevitability and security.'

Ms Atkins kicked off the debate by insisting that smoking was causing huge suffering

Earlier, former Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said he is 'both sceptical and downright opposed' to the plans.

'There are good ways to tackle a problem like this and then there are bad ways, and I think that an outright ban risks being counterproductive, I think it actually risks making smoking cooler, it certainly risks creating a black market, and it also risks creating a unmanageable challenge for the authorities,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Sir Simon said education and the tax system should be used as tools to deter people from smoking.

Asked about opinion polls which show that two-thirds of people in Britain back a phased smoking ban  a figure which extends to 70 per cent among those who voted Conservative in 2019, Sir Simon said: 'There are some things, of course, which are not necessarily philosophically or practically right which would command support in the opinion polls.

'I think probably if you were to do an opinion poll on bringing back hanging you'd find that there was a significant proportion of people who backed it, that wouldn't necessarily mean it was the right thing to do.'

Boris Johnson has branded the plan 'absolutely nuts', saying last week: 'We're banning cigars. What is the point of banning - the party of Winston Churchill wants to ban cigars... Donnez moi un break, as they say in Quebec. It's just mad.'

Chief Medical Office Chris Whitty dismissed criticism saying many people cannot give up after becoming addicted

Despite the Tory opposition, Labour is set to whip in favour of the Bill meaning it will almost certainly pass.

The Government believes creating a 'smokefree generation' could prevent more than 470,000 cases of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other deadly diseases by the turn of the century.

Professor Whitty said: 'Smoking kills and causes harm at all stages of life from stillbirths, asthma in children, stroke, cancer to heart attacks and dementia.

'This Bill, if passed, will have a substantial impact - preventing disease, disability and premature deaths long into the future.'
Torrential rain and violent thunderstorms have brought apocalyptic scenes to Dubai with parts of the UAE brought to a standstill by heavy flooding.

Video shows luxury cars submerged in deep water and waves buffeting the traffic while high-end muscle cars and Teslas were seen struggling through the floods as city authorities advised people to stay home.

More than 4.7ins (120mm) of rain has already fallen today - the typical yearly average in the city - with more expected in the coming hours.

Nearly 50 flights in and out of Dubai have been cancelled since this morning, with shocking video showing several jets cutting through murky water at Dubai International Airport, the busiest for international travel.

Flood water cascaded through luxury underground malls while shoppers in designer clothes waded through water.

Above ground, howling winds blew furniture off tower-block balconies while the skies turned black with apocalyptic videos showing lightning strikes every few seconds.

Unstable weather conditions are expected to continue in the region through to Wednesday, UAE's National Center of Meteorology said.

YouTuber and entrepreneur Jordan showed the extent of flooding in Dubai, UAE, today

One caught in the floods said their Rolls Royce had stalled after getting trapped in the deluge

Planes are caught in intense flooding at Dubai International Airport today

The sky turned black in Dubai today as storms continued to buffet the region

An SUV stalls out while trying to pass through standing water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Vehicles struggle to wade through the flooding in Dubai on Tuesday

Waves begin to crash in the road as cars are brought to a standstill in Dubai

Patio furniture appears to fall from a highrise balcony amid storm conditions in Dubai

People walk during torrential rain in the Gulf Emirate of Dubai on April 16, 2024

A Dodge Challenger and a Tesla become stuck in high waters in Dubai, UAE, April 16

Cars drive through a flooded street during a rain storm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 16, 2024

A view of the street after heavy rainfall as adverse weather conditions affect daily life in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 15, 2024

A clip shared on Twitter/X showed an entrepreneur trapped in his Rolls Royce in Dubai as deep water flooded the road.

'My Rolls Royce got flooded and we're stuck in the middle of the road in Dubai,' he wrote.

'Just like all my friends in crypto... today I am underwater,' he posted in a follow-up.

Underground, video showed water crashing through the ceiling of a Flying Tiger as shops began to flood and infrastructure buckle under the pressure.

Products were blasted out across the shop floor as water poured from the ceiling, bystanders helpless to act.

Bus services were promptly set up after water rushed into the Onpassive Metro station, causing severe disruptions.

Video shared online showed people wading through ankle-deep water, many removing their shoes to trudge through the flooded station.

Above the city, Dubai's skies - usually electric blue and cloudless - darkened to night-like conditions in mid-afternoon as a second storm front blew in.

Lightning flashed across the sky earlier today, occasionally touching the tip of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

And patio furniture was seen falling from high-rise buildings as strong winds rocked the city through Tuesday.

Dark, brooding clouds covered the sky above Dubai today

They brought with them plenty of rainfall, with cars struggling on the roads

A severe wave of thunderstorms has been hitting most of UAE's major cities

Many cars have been partially submerged as a result of the heavy rainfall

People push a BMW sports car during a heavy rainfall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Authorities sent tanker trucks out into the streets to pump away the water. but some inland areas of the desert country recorded more than 80 millimetres (3.2 inches) of rain, approaching the annual average of about 100 mm.

Rain is not common in UAE, but occurs periodically during the cooler winter months. Many roads and other areas lacks drainage for managing floods.

The weather board 'urged residents to take all the precautions... and to stay away from areas of flooding and water accumulation' in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

A total of 17 inbound and outbound flights were cancelled during the morning and three were diverted, Dubai Airports said in a statement.

Operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) were later suspended for 25 minutes on Tuesday due to an intense storm, the airport said in a statement this afternoon.

Motorists were backed up in a long traffic jam during the heavy rainfall

People could do little to escape the torrential rain, but tried in vain to use a plastic sheet

The Burj Khalifa looks down over the rain-drenched roads in Dubai today

Dozens of cars ploughed through the rainwater on Dubai's roads

The airport later confirmed intentions to continue operating departures as normal - but said arrivals would be temporarily diverted until weather conditions improve.

Some residents were told to shelter if they felt in danger or were asked by authorities to do so.

Police and the military were sent out to help evacuate citizens in the hardest-hit province of Ash Sharqiyah North, state media reported.

The Asian Champions League football semi-final between the UAE's Al Ain and Saudi side Al Hilal, due to be hosted in Al Ain, was postponed for 24 hours because of the weather.

Bahrain was also hit by heavy rain and flooding after being pummelled by thunder and lightning overnight.

'I like to play in the rain, but for the first time it scares me,' said nine-year-old Ali Hassan, as he helped his mother clear water from outside their house in Manama.

'I was terrified by the sound of thunder and the sky was lit by lightning. I had never seen anything like this, so I hid with my mother... the sound of rain scared me.'

Water pours from the roof of a Flying Tiger in a shopping mall amid the brutal storm

Indoor spaces, not prepared for the flooding, were also seen soaked through with water

A person rides a motorcycle near a flooded street during a rain storm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 16

A view of the street after heavy rainfall as adverse weather conditions affect daily life in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 15, 2024

Cars drive through a flooded street during a rain storm in Dubai, April 16, 2024

Cars are parked at a flooded street during a rain storm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 16

A bus stands abandoned in pouring rain as the sky turned green as a storm hit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16

The country's Interior Ministry issued public safety warnings late Monday amid thunder, lightning and high winds.

In Kuwait, the Meteorological Department warned of impending thunderstorms and advised the public to remain vigilant.

Saudi Arabia's equivalent centre warned that significant rainfall and thunderstorms were to be expected until Wednesday.

Wind and hail are expected in Al Qassim, Riyadh and Al Sharqiya, where temperatures can push past 40C in summer.

The storms descended on the UAE, Bahrain and areas of Qatar after passing over Oman, where they caused deadly floods and left dozens stranded.

Both the Emirati and Omani governments have previously warned that climate change is likely to lead to more flooding.

Individual weather events are often difficult to link to climate change, but scientists say that it increases both the likelihood and strength of extreme weather events.

The Foreign Office separately issued a fresh warning for travellers to multiple destinations on Friday, including Egypt, the UAE (including Dubai), Jordan, Israel, Morocco, Oman and Tunsia, citing the 'rising tension between Iran and Israel'.
A married Irish firefighter accused of raping a woman in a Boston hotel over St. Patrick's Day weekend has appeared in court for a probable cause hearing.

Terrence Crosbie, 37, was charged in March with one count of rape after a 28-year-old woman told police she had been sexually assaulted at the historic Omni Parker House hotel.

Crosbie appeared at Boston Municipal court on Tuesday wearing a navy t-shirt layered over a long-sleeved white shirt, dark pants, sneakers, and handcuffs. He also wore a stony-faced expression.

The married father attempted to flee the country on March 16 after being interviewed by authorities about his alleged crime.

Crosbie, a member of the Dublin Fire Brigade, is due back in court for an evidentiary hearing on May 1.

Terrence Crosbie, 37, appeared in Boston court on Tuesday after being charged with rape last month

The married Irish firefighter and father-of-two is accused of raping a sleeping 28-year-old woman in Boston during St Patrick's Day celebrations

The alleged victim told police that she had been sexually assaulted at the Omni Parker House by the member of the Dublin Fire Brigade

Crosbie's attorneys Daniel Reilly and Patrick Garrity spent the morning persuading Judge James Stanton to delay the probable cause hearing. Their client remains in jail on a $100,000 bail request.

Court documents indicate that the alleged victim met Crosbie's friend at the bar The Black Rose, and returned to the hotel, where Crosbie and the friend were sharing a room.

The woman and the friend then had consensual sex in the room.

Surveillance video shows Crosbie returning to the hotel some two hours later, after which the woman says she awoke to the horror of being sexually assaulted by Crosbie.

She said she told him to stop and he responded: 'This guy is sleeping. I know you want this.'

Crosbie wore a navy t-shirt layered over a long-sleeved white shirt, dark pants, and handcuffs

His attorneys, Daniel Reilly and Patrick Garrity, spent the morning persuading Judge James Stanton to delay the probable cause hearing

Boston Judge James Stanton is overseeing the case

Authorities found out that Crosbie had traveled to Boston from Dublin with several other members of the Dublin Fire Brigade for the typically drunken weekend.

After he was interviewed by police on March 16, he immediately attempted to leave the country. He booked an evening flight for the night of the interview, several days ahead of his scheduled departure date.

Crosbie actually boarded a flight scheduled to depart even earlier than the one he'd panic booked, but members of the Massachusetts State Police stopped the plane on the tarmac and apprehended Crosbie.

At the time, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said the department was grateful for the 'willingness of the victim to come forward' and 'deserved enormous credit for doing that in this case.'

Crosbie was led out of court on April 16, he is due back for an evidentiary hearing on May 1

The Boston tourist was arrested last month after a 28-year-old woman says she awoke to find him sexually assaulting her after she'd had consensual sex in hotel room with his friend

The interior of the Omni Parker House hotel in Boston - an historic building in which Crosbie was accused of raping a28-year-old woman

'Im grateful for the alertness of police in finding out that Mr. Crosbie was attempting to leave the country before he could be held accountable for his actions,' he added.

Authorities ordered Crosbie be held on $100,000 bail and surrender his passport. He was further ordered not to leave the state of Massachusetts.

When the Dublin Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer was made aware about his employee's allegedly sub-legal activities abroad, he placed Crosbie on leave immediately.

As Crosbie alleged sewed chaos across the Atlantic, his wife appears to have stayed back with the couples' two daughters.

The Irish firefighter accused of raping a woman in Boston, Terrence Crosbie, has a history of disturbing posts, including one where he shared his desire to 'rupture his wife's cervix'

Crosbie's wife appeared to have stayed in Dublin with the couples' two daughters

In a series of social media posts unearthed following his arrest, Crosbie was revealed to have something of a dirty streak when candidly discussing sex.

On October 10, 2021, the firefighter posted a X-rated message for his wife's birthday.

'Happy Birthday babe ... I will rupture your cervix later,' he wrote above a picture of the pair.

In a post from 2017, he wrote about his desire to see a soccer game in Amsterdam, before offering his thoughts on a very different facet of the city.

'Ajax away be a descent [sic] trip. 6ft blondes & most unreported rape capital of Europe sure even if it's Vigo vs Lyon be worth a trip,' he wrote.
Supreme Court decision in case could impact charges brought against individuals connected to January 6 including Donald Trump

Fischer v United States asks the court to invalidate an obstruction charge against a January 6 defendant

Country's highest court is in session for oral arguments on Tuesday

Supreme Court gave no reason for the justice's absence on Monday

Conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas returned to court on Tuesday for oral arguments after being mysteriously absent from court on Monday.

It comes as the Supreme Court hears arguments on a January 6 case Fischer v the United States.

On Monday, Chief Justice John Roberts said Thomas 'is not on the bench today' in court but he would 'participate fully' in two cases being argued based on the briefs and transcripts.

The Supreme Court did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for additional information on his absence. The court has in the past sometimes said when a justice is out sick but not always.

Thomas returned to the bench in time to hear arguments in a high-stakes case which could lead to some charges against individuals connected to the January 6 attack on the Capitol including Donald Trump being invalidated.

Conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, 75, returned to court Tuesday after being absent on Monday without explanation

The case involves a former Pennsylvania police officer, Joseph Fischer, who was charged with assaulting a police officer, disorderly conduct in the Capitol and obstruction of a Congressional proceeding after entering the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Fischer has asked the country's highest court to throw out the felony obstruction charge, arguing the law he is accused of violating was only intended to apply to evidence tampering not events such as January 6.

He is accused of violating a provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act which was passed in 2002 following the Enron scandal. Violators can face up to 20 years in prison.

It has been used to convict get guilty pleas from more than 150 individuals who participated on January 6.

Former Pennsylvania police officer Joseph Fischer brought his case to the Supreme Court after participating on January 6. Fischer wants obstruction charge against him to be invalidated. The case could have an impact on individuals charged in connection to January 6 attack including Donald Trump

Pro-Trump protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol and clashed with police during a rally on January 6, 2021

Thomas not only returned to the court on Tuesday after his unexplained absence but also asked the first question during arguments for the case.

Some critics suggested Thomas should have recused himself from January 6 cases due to his wife Ginni Thomas' role behind the scenes in the 'Stop the Steel' effort. Ginni Thomas was at the rally on January 6 but did not enter the Capitol.

Justice Thomas is one of nine on the Supreme Court which currently has a 6-3 conservative majority

Justice Thomas, 75, is one of nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court and has served on the country's highest court since 1991, making him currently the longest serving justice on the court.

While his one-day absence on Monday went unexplained, Thomas was hospitalized two years ago with an infection which caused him to miss several court sessions then too.

The Supreme Court has a conservative 6-3 majority.
A British family has spoken out for the first time about how locals who hounded them out of their dream home in Portugal accused them of being devil worshippers.

Lynn Appleby-Brisco told of how her move to Portugal's Guarda district in 2016 for a more affordable, off-grid lifestyle with her husband and daughters turned sour as she claims her new neighbours accused her of selling sex for five Euros, branded them 'English pigs' - and killed their pets.

Following what she described as a vicious six-year hate campaign, Lynn could finally face no more - and she and the children fled Portugal and returned to the UK last month while Richard stayed behind to try to sell their farmhouse and land in the hope of recouping some of the 40,000 they had spent purchasing it.

But last week, Richard also returned to the UK to rejoin his family after failing to sell the property claiming that prospective buyers had been deliberately put off by the terrifying attitude of 'hostile locals.'

Lynn Appleby-Brisco told how her move to the country's Guarda district in 2016 for a more affordable, off-grid lifestyle. Pictured are her husband and daughters

Following a vicious six-year hate campaign, Lynn could finally face no more - and she and the children returned to the UK last month while Richard stayed behind to sell the farmhouse

Recalling the 'hell' the family faced in Portugal, Lynn revealed that problems first arose with locals after they appeared on Channel 4's Our Wildest Dreams Programme

Lynn and Richard Appleby-Brisco moved abroad in 2016 to start a more 'affordable' life with their two daughters (all pictured together) in Portugal's Guarda district

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Lynn wept as she said: 'We have completely abandoned our house and land and our dream is dead. We put it on the market and just wanted to break even but sadly, nobody is even interested in buying it.'

Lynn added: 'Even the estate agent was shocked by how terrible the locals have been to potential buyers. He said he's never experienced anything like this. So, we've had to cut our losses and get on with our lives in the UK but it's left us facing very serious financial problems.'

Recalling the 'hell' the family faced in Portugal, Lynn revealed that problems first arose with locals after they appeared on Channel 4's Our Wildest Dreams Programme.

She said: 'That was our first stumbling block because a lot of locals complained that we should have asked permission from the village president, even though officially we didn't need to. Things just went from bad to worse after that.

'Before that we were living our dream life and actually getting on quite well with the locals. Things were good for about two years.'

She added: 'We lived off the land and the farm, it was giving us everything that we needed. We grew 75 different varieties of fruit and vegetables. We even had our own water source and lots of animals such as goats, pigs, chickens, ducks and geese. It was the life that we always wanted.

Richard failed to sell the property claiming that prospective buyers had been deliberately put off by the terrifying attitude of 'hostile locals'

The family claim locals even attacked their animals in the vicious hate campaign

Lynn said she was 'scared to be in the house' on her own and would 'carry a knife'

Lynn and Richard Appleby-Brisco are seen here in the Channel 4 show ahead of the change

The family's move to the remote village was filmed for Channel 4's Our Wildest Dreams. They are pictured on the show in 2018

'We had so much that I was making meals once a month for the locals and gave them away for free. When we slaughtered an animal, we had so much left over that we would advertise it on social media to give away for free for those in need.'

Soon after the Channel 4 programme aired, Lynn revealed that the 'hate campaign' started which continued until she fled the property in January this year.

READ MORE - How family's dream life in Portugal turned into a nightmare when they were targeted by locals who saw them on C4 show - as more Brits are hounded out of their foreign homes Advertisement

She said: 'I was accused of selling sex to local men for five Euros, they called us 'English pigs' and said that I was a whore and that we were devil worshippers.

'At first, I thought it would blow over, but it just continued. It got worse and worse and eventually, even our children were targeted. They could not walk to the local playground without being abused or having things thrown at them.

'Even the teacher in their school told the other kids not to play with them because they are 'English pigs.' I can't even begin to put into words the level of hate and torment we faced.'

The family say locals attacked the family's dog Cu - an Estrela mountain cross retriever - which later died at the age of four.

The family-of-four, from Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, also say their goats were poisoned, and their cat Ponyo and her kitten Bubbles kidnapped, with one villager later telling them: 'We've taken your pets and you're next.'

Lynn revealed that friends and relatives in the UK on hearing how they were living in fear urged them to return but the family was initially determined to continue pursue their dream.

Richard pictured building their Portugal home before they were forced back to the UK

She said: 'When I first met my husband it was our dream to go off grid. I was born and raised in the country, and we always wanted to live in a more sustainable way; to grow our own food and raise our own animals. It was also to give the children more freedom.

'Despite the hate we were facing, we thought we'd just get on with it and that things would eventually calm down, which sadly didn't happen.'

Prior to facing the hostility, Lynn described relations with locals as 'good' with Richard even rescuing some during wildfires that broke in rural Portugal in 2017.

But after continuing abuse Lynn revealed that matters came to a head in January this year when they received a letter saying that Portuguese police and social services would be visiting the family. They were accused of illegally taking their daughters out of local schools and fraudulently registering them at an online one.

Lynn said: 'We showed that letter to some friends and that they said that we should go into hiding because the kids might be taken off us. So, we went to stay at a place of safety and were in hiding for around two weeks.

'It was during this time that an organisation contacted us and said they worked with expats like us who are being persecuted by Portuguese authorities. Worryingly, there's quite a few cases like ours.'

Lynn revealed that the organisation, who she does not want to name, arranged for her and her daughters to be taken across the border into Spain and also paid for their travel. They boarded a flight from Madrid to London on February 2, arriving back in the UK the same day.

Lynn said: 'Me and the girls arrived back in the UK with barely a change of clothes, our pyjamas and their favourite cuddly toys. We lost all our other possessions, we had almost nothing with us. Richard stayed in Portugal in the hope of selling our home.'

'Richard is now back with us in the UK, and we are trying to rebuild our lives. There's absolutely no chance of selling our property in Portugal. Everyone who comes to look at it gets abused by the locals. Who wants to live in such a place?'

And Lynn cried that one thing she does feel sorry about is the impact their Portuguese experience had on her children.

Lynn said that one thing she feels sorry about is the impact the experience had on her children

The living room, still undergoing renovation, with a sofa, TV and some basic furniture

The entrance to the Appleby-Brisco's Portuguese home - which they have been forced to abandon after a 'storm of resentment' from locals

She said: 'The children are the one I feel the worst for, they had to leave almost everything behind. Almost all their toys, books and mementos are gone. Emily says that because we took them to Portugal we took away their childhood. All we want to do now is put everything behind us and move forward.'

Lynn revealed that the family are now living in a studio flat on a farm in Bedfordshire which is usually rented out to holidaymakers. She has already found a job in a local pub as a chef while Richard has also found work as a carpenter.

She said: 'We are not shirkers, we want to pay our own way and don't want any handouts. But we could really do with some help at this time because things are really difficult for us.'

Prior to leaving the UK Lynn ran a small bakery business while Richard was working as a logistics administrator. They lived in a three-bedroom house in Bedfordshire with their children, which they partially owned but sold so that they could make the move to Portugal.

Recalling her experience, Lynn said: 'I don't regret anything, and it's taught me a lot, especially that racism and xenophobia have no place on this earth.

'I don't hate Portugal. We had a beautiful farm and at one point, we were living our dream. I'm angry that we've lost it and the way it's happened but at least we tried to make our vision come true. At the end of the day, I'm glad that we gave it a go.'

In a warning to other Brits who may also be thinking of heading abroad to live their 'dream life' Lynn said: 'Be careful what you wish for. All I would say is - do your due diligence and get a good insight into the place where you'll be living.

'I don't think we did enough of this, so we have to take some responsibility. But if you're thinking of going to Portugal then be very careful because the tide has turned against expats living there. The country has a lot of problems and we're being blamed for them.'
The raid was in response to one dog being killed by the pack late last month

Police have raided the creepy woodland ranch of a man who kept wild wolf-dog hybrids after the pack killed a neighbor's pet and terrorized the area.

Officers with Shasta County Sheriff's Department raided the property in Shingletown last week, recovering three dogs and seven puppies, with three still on the loose.

The 'feral' animals - who are owned by David Celis - attacked and killed a medium sized pet dog on March 26, and struck again last week, local police said.

Speaking to KRCR, Celis said that the pet his dogs had attacked and killed was 'no angel', as he blasted the officers who raided his home.

He told the outlet: 'That dog they supposedly killed, he was no angel. The owner came over a couple times to get him.

'I said you know what's gonna happen if your dog keeps coming over here and harassing these guys. They're gonna jump the fence and go get him.'

Officers with Shasta County Sheriff's Department raided the property in Shingletown last week, recovering three dogs and seven puppies, with three still on the loose

The 'feral' animals, who are owned by David Celis, seen here,attacked and killed a medium sized pet dog on March 26

The 'feral' animals attacked and killed three-year-old Chief on March 26, and struck again last week, local police said

Celis added: 'I'm not negligent I didn't purposely let them out of the yard.'

Celis also hit back at the officers, saying: 'It's inhumane man, and you know, they wouldn't let me do nothing.

'They made me stand there for five hours the first day and if you move you're gonna get hand cuffed.'

Celis claims he does all he can to keep his animals contained inside his property, but his dogs still manage to find a way to escape.

He added: 'It's when I leave. If I go to Redding, or go do my chores and pay bills in Redding, that's when they get out. When I'm not there.'

The dog in question was three-year-old Australian-Pyrenees mix Chief, who was mauled to death by five of the dogs.

The sheriff's office had secured warrants to enter the property after receiving 'reports of how these animals were behaving to members of the public'.

All of the dogs recovered were transported to Haven Humane Society in Anderson, where they will be kept until a hearing date.

Celis claims he does all he can to keep his animals contained inside his property, but his dogs still manage to find a way to escape. One of the animals is seen here being captured

The sheriff's office had secured warrants to enter the property after receiving 'reports of how these animals were behaving to members of the public'

The dogs are seen mauling the first of two domesticated canines to fall victim to the crisis - an attack that occurred right in the family's driveway

Officers have already taken one of the dogs into custody , after Celis surrendered it to authorities

In a statement, the office said: 'The Shasta County Sheriff's Office is continuing their efforts to address a pack of dogs that are roaming the Lake McCumber area.

'As this investigation progressed, further information allowed the Sheriff's Office to secure warrants to seize the dogs from the owner.

'On Wednesday, April 10, and Thursday, April 11, deputies and Animal Regulation Officers served the warrants at a residence on Shenandoah Drive, Shingletown.

'At this point, 3 adult dogs and 7 puppies have been successfully captured. While serving these warrants staff were unable to successfully capture 3 additional adult dogs that escaped the property.

'The captured dogs have been taken to Haven Humane where they will remain pending a hearing. Efforts to capture the remaining three dogs will continue.'

Officers have already taken one of the dogs into custody , after Celis surrendered it to authorities.

In an emotional interview, Chief's owner Sharina Clark lamented her loss, previously told KRCR-7, 'For the first week, we were pretty much here grieving, and then had to bury our dog. And after we buried him I started looking into what was happening.'

'I don't want anyone to get hurt and this is a community of elderly people,' owner Sharina Clark said, asking her face not be shown out of fear the owner of the mutts might exact revenge

His owner buried Chief in the family backyard, picking the spot because it was his favorite spot to nap

Russel McCoy - a resident who lives two doors down from the sometimes fenced in pack - added his yard has also been imposed on by the pack

This attentiveness led her to her neighbor and the conclusion that the pack is not feral, but just vicious and uncontrolled.

Clark added: 'I don't want anyone to get hurt and this is a community of elderly people.'

She also shared their security camera footage showing the pack coming up their doorstep following the fatal attack, trying to get her other dog who was still inside.

She went on to add: 'We're the youngest family here. The very next day, [the pack] came back, and my daughter was outside 10 minutes before.'

Russel McCoy added his yard has also been imposed on by the pack, which he said are let loose 'Every time [the owner] leaves the house.

'Generally he leaves every day somewhere between 10 and 11 o'clock in the morning. And within minutes after he's gone, there's at least two out, if not four or five.'

Shingletown, meanwhile, is roughly a 175-mile drive north from Sacramento. Noted for its timber industry, it was once a camp for workers who cut roofing slats to supply miners during the Gold Rush era.

As for the Clarks, they have since buried Chief in the family backyard, picking a certain patch was his favorite spot to nap. The other dog mentioned by police, who also died, has not been identified.
New York mayor Eric Adams celebrated his 60th birthday at the luxury Plaza Hotel penthouse of a Chinese billionaire guilty of making $11,000 in illicit straw donations, it has been revealed.

Hui Qin, 56, admitted last month to illegally reimbursing people who made contributions on his behalf to the campaign committees for a candidate for a New York City-wide political office, a New York congressman and candidate for a House of Representatives from Rhode Island between December 2021 and 2022.

While court papers filed by federal prosecutors do not identify the candidates backed by Qin, there were only a handful of citywide races in New York that year, including the election of mayor Eric Adams. The New York Times has previously named Adams as one of the recipients of Qin's illicit donations.

Adams has denied having a close relationship with the billionaire and claimed he was just one of 'the thousands upon thousands of people' he met on his campaign trail.

But new photos and videos showed Adams at a party hosted by Qin and his former model wife Emma Duo Liu at their luxury Plaza Hotel penthouse in 2020 while embarking on his 2021 mayoral campaign, the Daily News reported.

Photos and video have been revealed of Mayor Adams (pictured center) celebrating his 60th birthday at the luxury Plaza Hotel penthouse of a Chinese billionaire guilty of straw donations

Following Qin's (pictured) guilty plea of making $11,000 in illicit straw donations to political candidates, the mayor denied having a close relationship with the billionaire

While court papers filed by federal prosecutors do not identify the candidates backed by Qin, there were only a handful of citywide races in New York that year, including the election of mayor Eric Adams (pictured)

A picture of a birthday cake with the then borough president's name was posted to Facebook, shaped like a Cohiba Behike cigar box and a cut off caption that reads 'mayor in the -', the outlet reported, citing an anonymous source.

That night, Qin's now ex wife Liu, appeared to also be celebrating her birthday.

In a statement to The News, Vito Pitta, Adams' campaign compliance counsel, reiterated Brooklyn federal prosecutors' claims that Qin 'concealed' his use of straw contributors.

'When he was borough president, the mayor stopped by a birthday party for Ms. Liu. This was not a campaign event,' he said.

'As the federal government made clear in its court filing, the Adams campaign had no knowledge of illegal activity by Mr. Qin  and any inference otherwise is reckless and false.'

In September 2020, Adams (pictured middle right) was celebrating his birthday with Qin as he was continuing his 2021 mayoral campaign, according to an anonymous source cited by Daily News with inside information about the event

A picture of a birthday cake with the then borough president's name was posted to Facebook, shaped like a Cohiba Behike cigar box and a cut off caption that reads 'mayor in the -'

Pictures of a party hosted by Qin and his former model wife Emma Duo Liu at their luxury Plaza Hotel (pictured) penthouse that have been circulating show that Adams and Qin were previously connected

In a statement to The News, Vito Pitta, Adams' campaign compliance counsel, reiterated Brooklyn federal prosecutors' claims that Qin 'concealed' his use of straw contributors

In video obtained by the Daily News from the 2020 Plaza party, Adams is socializing with other partygoers on the roof deck moments before he cuts his cigar-themed birthday cake

In video obtained by the Daily News from the 2020 Plaza party, Adams was seen socializing with other partygoers on the roof deck moments before cutting his cigar-themed birthday cake.

Per the outlet, attendees of the party can be heard chanting, 'Happy Birthday Emma' and 'Happy Birthday Eric.'

'Look around the room folks. Look at the diversity in this room. We all have one thing in common. We love New York. They're about to mess it up, but we're going to show people what New Yorkers are made of,' Adams was heard saying in the video, according to the outlet. 'Happy birthday. Let's make sure we take back our city.'

An investigation by the outlet The City alleged that Qin and Adams had closer ties than Adams claimed.

Not long after Adams assumed office, Liu was appointed to serve on the Asian Affairs Advisory Council, which was founded by top aide and director of Asian affairs at City Hall Winnie Greco.

Greco was also photographed at that party with Adams' arm wrapped around her.

In February Greco's Bronx home was raided by the FBI as she faced accusations of promising a contact a job in the mayor's office in return for a kitchen refurbishment.

It is not clear if the raid is related to the accusation, and Greco went on medical leave shortly after.

The FBI investigation is currently being overseen by prosecutors from the U.S. attorneys office in Brooklyn.

The probe led to a search warrant for the New World Mall in Queens, a place Greco attended at least twice in 2021 for fundraisers for Adams.

Not long after Adams (pictured left) assumed office, Liu was appointed to the Asian Affairs Advisory Council, which was founded by top City Hall aide Winnie Greco (pictured right)

Campaign finance records show Qin, who is a Chinese citizen with a U.S. green card, donated $2,000 to Adams in March of 2021.

Under the city's campaign finance rules, green card-holders can contribute to races and participate in the city's generous matching funds program, which caps donations at $2,100.

Nine months after he donated to Adams, federal prosecutors said Qin began working 'to find individuals to make more than $10,000 in straw donor contributions' to an unnamed New York City candidate.

At least one person donated $1,000 on Qin's behalf on Dec. 9, according to prosecutors. The following day, Qin spoke with an unnamed co-conspirator, who told him they expected to be able to obtain up to $20,000 in straw donor contributions for the candidate.

'As the federal government made clear today, the campaign had no knowledge of a straw donor scheme - and no member of the campaign has been charged with or accused of any wrongdoing,' said Pitta.

Sources told The New York Times the other politicians were two Republicans, Representative Andrew Garbarino of Long Island and Allan Fung, a former mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island who ran for Congress.

An FBI investigation into Greco (pictured) is currently being overseen by prosecutors from the U.S. attorneys office in Brooklyn. The probe led to a search warrant for the New World Mall in Queens, a place Greco attended at least twice in 2021 for fundraisers for Adams

The mayor has close connections to several people indicted or investigated on campaign finance fraud.

Eric Ulrich, the former New York City buildings department commissioner who raised funds for Mayor Eric Adams, was charged in five separate indictments for accepting more than $150,000 worth of bribes in September.

In November, the FBI raided the home of Adam's fundraising chief Brianna Suggs, who helped Adams has raised more than $2.5million for his re-election campaign, as part of an investigation into an alleged kickback scheme tied to the Turkish government and others.

Shortly after the Suggs raid, FBI agents stopped the mayor in the street and seized his cellphones and an iPad.

In July, the district attorneys office charged several donors to Adams campaign, including a former NYPD inspector, for illegally structuring campaign contributions to maximize additional money gained through the citys funds matching program.
The alleged ringleader of an illegal dog-fighting gang has been arrested after more than 120 'tortured and abused' dogs were rescued from a compound in New Jersey.

The dogs, which were kept in barren pens and cages on a Cumberland County compound, were discovered during a raid in the early morning of April 3.

Many had untreated wounds, including one dog that was missing a leg, and appeared emaciated, according to the Humane Society of the US, which aided in the rescue. Investigators also found two dogs that had been left dead in a fighting pit.

Bruce 'Hollywood' Low, Jr., 44, the suspected ringleader, was arrested and later charged with second-degree racketeering, second-degree conspiracy, second-degree money laundering, cruelty to animals, dog fighting for gambling on the outcome, falsifying records and six other charges.

Seven others - including members of Low's family - have been arrested and charged with second-degree racketeering. Some were also charged with money laundering and a series of dogfighting charges, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said.

In addition to the compound, authorities raided two other properties linked to Low's 'barbaric' operation which was believed to be operating on an international scale.

Bruce 'Hollywood' Low, Jr., 44, (pictured) is suspected of leading an illegal dog-fighting gang operating at a compound in Cumberland County, New Jersey. He was arrested following a raid and later charged with second-degree racketeering, second-degree conspiracy, second-degree money laundering, cruelty to animals, dog fighting for gambling on the outcome, falsifying records and six other charges

During the raid on April 3, (pictured) officials rescued more than 120 dogs that had been kept in barren pens and cages. Many had untreated wounds and appeared emaciated

Some dogs were found living in cages (pictured) throughout multiple buildings, while others were found shivering in rain in outdoor pens or on 'heavy chains'

A mother dog who was rescued during the raid is seen receiving treatment from a Humane Society team member. The dog, who rescuers have since named Joan Jett, was found stuck in a cold, bare kennel and standing protectively over her puppies while they nursed

Many dogs found on the compound were suffering from untreated injuries and had significant scarring from dogfights. Pictured is one of the injured dogs that was rescued in the raid

The New Jersey State Police partnered with the Humane Society of the US to execute the search warrant at the compound earlier this month.

When they arrived at the property, officials found many dogs were suffering from untreated injuries and had significant scarring from dogfights.

Some were found living in barren pens and cages throughout multiple buildings, while others were found shivering in rain in outdoor pens or on 'heavy chains'.

Rescuers say that despite having been severely abused, most dogs 'eagerly greeted responders with wagging tails and kisses'. Though some were hunched over and peered reluctantly at the team.

The team worked late into the evening, battling cold and rainy conditions, as they conducted medical examinations and provided care for each dog before removing them from the properties.

'What's striking is the level of suffering involved in dogfighting contrasted with how sweet and eager for affection these dogs are,' Janette Reever, animal crimes investigations program manager for the animal charity, said in a press release.

'Though they were shivering in the cold rain, these dogs still left their meager shelters to greet us.'

Low's mother and alleged business partner Terri A. Low, 67, (left) and his son Bryce J. Low, 20, (right) have been charged in connection to the case

Pictured: Dog breeder William McClinton, 68, (left) and dog trainer Coy Glenn Dickenson, 58, (right)

Pictured: Dog trainer/handler Travis J. Garron, 38, (left) and Roosevelt Hart IV, 29, (right), son-in-law of Low, Jr. and alleged kennel partner in training

Low ran the operation under Royal Bull Kennels, a dog-breeding company, and the construction company Kisdir Group, which authorities believe laundered the proceeds of his criminal activity, the AG's office said.

He and his co-conspirators would allegedly post about related sales and traded footage of dog fights on Facebook and in private messaging groups, according to court documents obtained by The New York Post.

The ring would also use code names, such as 'game dogs' or 'concerts', when describing their organized dog fights in a bid to go undetected by authorities.

Low was reportedly caught after corresponding with an undercover detective who pretended to be a potential customer interested in purchasing a dog.

The suspected ringleader allegedly told the agent that he held 61 'concerts' in 2023 alone, describing one incident in great detail, the court documents reportedly state.

Low ran the operation under Royal Bull Kennels, a dog-breeding company, and the construction company Kisdir Group, which authorities believe laundered the proceeds of his criminal activity. Pictured are veterinarians caring for a dog rescued from Low's operation

He and his co-conspirators would allegedly post about related sales and traded footage of dog fights on Facebook and in private messaging groups. Pictured is the Royal Bull Kennels website featuring an image of an apparently emaciated dog

Rescuers say that despite having been severely abused, most dogs 'eagerly greeted responders with wagging tails and kisses'. Pictured is a smiling dog that was rescued from the compound

A dog rescued from the compound is seen giving kisses to a veterinarian as rescuers provide necessary medical treatment following the raid

It is understood that dogs kept at the compound would be chained up from the age of eight weeks old and were usually only 'let out for breeding, conditioning or fighting', according to the affidavit. Pictured is a young puppy rescued from the dogfighting operation

The defendants are accused of operating a 'sophisticated organized crime enterprise that victimized a tragic number of dogs'. They were finally caught after a 'long-term collaborative investigation' by federal and state law enforcement officers, pictured during the property raid

His mother and alleged business partner Terri A. Low, 67; Low's son Bryce J. Low, 20; and his son-in-law, Roosevelt Hart IV, 29, were also charged in connection to the dog-fighting ring.

Other co-conspirators included Coy Glenn Dickenson, 58; Travis J. Garron, 38; Mark A. Runkle, 42; and William McClinton, 68, according to police.

During the surveillance operation Dickenson, a 'world-renowned game dog trainer', was allegedly observed strapping dogs to an ATV and forcing them to run at speeds of as 'high as 14 miles an hour' along trails on the compound as he conditioned them for fights.

He allegedly chained dogs in the yard, had them living in barrels and kept some in kennels around his trailer on the compound, a police affidavit reportedly states.

It is understood that dogs kept at the compound would be chained up from the age of eight weeks old and were usually only 'let out for breeding, conditioning or fighting', according to the affidavit.

The defendants are accused of operating a 'sophisticated organized crime enterprise that victimized a tragic number of dogs'.

The New Jersey State Police partnered with the Humane Society of the US to execute the search warrant at the compound (pictured) earlier this month

An injured dog received medical treatment after being rescued from a dogfighting compound

Veterinary staff treat a open wounds on a dog rescued from the compound. Officials believe many of the dogs suffered their injuries during fights

A Humane Society worker smiles as a young puppy rescued during the raid of a New Jersey dogfighting compound takes a big yawn

They were finally caught after a 'long-term collaborative investigation' by federal and state law enforcement agencies.

Attorney General Platkin, announcing the charges against the group, said in a press release: 'Profiting from dogfighting is callous, brutal, and cruel.

'These animals are born into lives of abuse, suffering, and violence, culminating with hours-long fights and frequently these dogs' slow and painful deaths. The alleged illegal activities that were uncovered by this investigation will not go unpunished.'

'Dismantling a dog fighting ring is not just about rescuing animals; it's about dismantling a culture of cruelty and restoring compassion to our communities,' echoed Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

'It represents a steadfast commitment against violence, showcasing the impact of justice and empathy.'
A fiery Mike Johnson insisted he won't resign from the speakership as more Republicans are demanding he step down over his push for foreign aid - without border security measures.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said he will be joining Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., in her effort to strip Johnson of his speakership, after asking Johnson to resign.

Johnson is taking heat from fellow Republicans over his decision to bring four foreign aid and national security bills to the House floor. Those bills would fund Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific - and would not include border security measures.

'He's going to lose more votes than Kevin McCarthy,' Massie told reporters. McCarthy was voted out of the speakership by eight GOP members last fall.

But Johnson told reporters following Massie's threats: 'I am not resigning. It is, in my view, an absurd notion,' he said of the motion to vacate.

'I regard myself as a war-time speaker,' Johnson said of the newly invigorated mission to oust him. 'I didn't think this would be an easy path.'

Massie harkened back to former Speaker John Boehner, who resigned when it became clear he would be ousted in 2015.

'I'm trying to persuade him to resign like John Boehner did at a date in the future. So that that gives us time to go to conference and pick the replacement,' the Kentucky Republican told reporters.

Massie suggested he would not make the resolution privileged, which would force a vote with in two days.

'I don't control the timeline,' he said. 'I don't think he makes it more than two or three more months.'

A fiery Mike Johnson insisted he won't resign from the speakership as more Republicans are demanding he step down over his push for foreign aid - without border security measure

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., told DailyMail.com that he will be joining Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., in her effort to strip Johnson of his speakership through a 'motion to vacate'

Conservative hardliners had warned Johnson against attaching any Ukraine funding to an Israel aid bill. And they want more money to secure the southern border

At least some Democrats have suggested they would vote against the Greene motion, which would change the math for how many GOP votes Johnson could afford to lose.

'I'm not inclined to support a motion to vacate,' top Armed Services Democrat Adam Smith, D-Wash., told DailyMail.com.

'Massie wants the world to burn, I wont stand by and watch. I have a bucket of water,' Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., wrote on X.

Massie earlier urged Johnson to 'pre-announce his resignation,' as former Speaker John Boehner did, 'so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker,' he wrote on X.

Massie said there is 'no shortage of people' who could be a better speaker than Johnson.

'We went through this last fall. It took two days and then we ended up with somebody nobody in America ever heard of,' he added.

A fourth bill will reportedly include several measures such as requiring TikTok divest from its Chinese-owned parent company, an effort to obtain seized Russian assets, a lend-lease program for military aid to Ukraine and also loans for humanitarian aid.

All four bills would be lumped together under the same 'rule' to advance them to the House floor for final passage this week before going to the Senate.

The fourth bill include a provision involving the REPO Act, meaning it would seize Russian assets that until now have only been frozen, and one that would involve the Lend-Lease Act, which would require Ukraine to give back U.S. military assets that are not destroyed in war.

Some Republicans are furious the bill does not include a single border provision, despite Johnson for months saying he would not fund Ukraine until there was border security.

'[Johnson failed to incorporate any border security into any of the FOUR of the bills hes going to ram down our throats this week. On more than half a dozen occasions in the last six months, he promised the American People this wouldnt happen,' Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., wrote on X.

Johnson noted Monday evening that some 65 percent of the package is just replenishing U.S. stockpiles that have been depleted, from giving arms to Ukraine to defending Israel from Iran's attacks.

The package is expected to be valued in total at around $95 billion. On the defense side, $14 billion would go to Israel, $48 billion would go to Ukraine, $5 billion would go to Indo-Pacific Command and $3 billion would go to the submarine industrial base, according to a source familiar with House leadership's plans.

The package is also expected to include humanitarian aid in the form of a loan.

White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Tuesday that they are waiting to see Johnson's plan 'in more detail' before making a determination.

'The important thing is that the House moves this week to help us get security assistance for Israel, Ukraine and also for the Indo-Pacific they need to move this week,' he said.

Bill text had not been released as of early Tuesday afternoon. But Johnson said members would get a full 72 hours to review before voting.

Conservative hardliners had warned Johnson against attaching any Ukraine funding to an Israel aid bill.

'Under no circumstances will the House Freedom Caucus abide using the emergency situation in Israel as a bogus justification to ram through Ukraine aid with no offset and no security for our own wide-open borders,' the conservative hardliner Freedom Caucus said in a statement on Monday.

Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz said he would vote against MTG's motion to vacate Johnson

Johnson has charted a path forward on foreign aid as Greene's resolution to oust him has loomed over his head since last month.

When Iran launched a barrage of attacks on Israel over the weekend, Johnson cleared the House calendar to finally act on funding for the embattled U.S. allies around the world.

With Republicans' razor-thin majority, Johnson can only afford to lose three Republicans and keep his job, unless Democrats vote to save him.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has suggested they would if Johnson does what Democrats want: passes the $95 billion supplemental.

Johnson told reporters he 'believes' he'll be able to pass a rule to allow debate for each bill. Passing a rule typically requires nearly all Republican buy-in since the minority party usually does not vote for a rule.

Hardliner Republicans have used the tactic of voting against the rule to paralyze House business seven times this Congress.

The other option would be to put the bills up under suspension, which would mean they would need a two-thirds majority to pass.

Johnson also said he wants to honor the 72-hour rule and give members three days to read the text of the legislation. 'That probably puts us into perhaps Friday evening,' Johnson said.

Democrats and Republican have remained at an impasse as the White House has made clear President Joe Biden does not support a package with aid for only Israel.

Israeli soldiers exit an armored personnel carrier near the border with the Gaza Strip on April 15

I have just spoken with the @HouseGOP conference on my plan to address national security supplemental legislation on the growing security crises.



This week, we will consider separate bills with a structured and germane amendment process to:



Fund our ally Israel

Support  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 15, 2024

Johnson tabled plans for 'appliance week,' where the House GOP would vote on messaging bills to push back on Biden's kitchen appliance regulations, so the House could work on legislation targeting Iran with sanctions and foreign aid for Israel.

Johnson put the $17 billion Israel-only aid package on the House floor in February, but it failed to garner the two-thirds majority it needed to pass under suspension.

'We're going to try again this week, and the details of that package are being put together right now,' he said on Sunday. 'We're looking at the options and all these supplemental issues.'

The House passed a $14 billion aid package for Israel in October, but the deal was offset by cuts to IRS funding that led to its demise in the Democrat-led Senate.

Israel has deemed Iran's 350-missile attack a 'declaration of war,' though it said 99 percent of the missiles were intercepted.

The attack was in response to Israel's drone strike in Syria that killed 12 Iranians, including two top generals.

The Senate-passed bill included both humanitarian and military aid: $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel in its war against Hamas and $4.83 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific.

Israeli armored personnel carriers moves near the border with the Gaza Strip on April 15, 2024 in Southern Israel

Johnson met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday

This photograph taken on April 15, 2024, shows an unexploded Russian FAB-500 aerial bomb in a field near the village of Ocheretyne not far from Avdiivka town in the Donetsk region, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine

Local residents sit at the entrance of an apartment building destroyed by shelling in the village of Ocheretyne not far from Avdiivka town in the Donetsk region, on April 15, 2024
A Greggs manager who was sacked for crossing out food use-by dates with a black marker pen has won her claim for unfair dismissal.

Rosario Lino was hauled to a disciplinary hearing after a surprise inspection found tuna crunch and chicken mayo containers with their expiry dates 'blocked out'.

The site manager at the popular bakery chain claimed she had marked the items with marker pen to show staff which food needed throwing out.

But she was sacked by bosses who accused her of avoiding disposing of the food to cover her own back and prevent waste figures at the bakery branch in Braywick, Maidenhead, from 'looking poor'.

The Gregg's site manager sued her employers and her claim of unfair dismissal was upheld because of flaws in the disciplinary procedure. Although she was not handed any compensation as she was found to be 'culpable' for her dismissal.

A Greggs manager who was sacked for crossing out food use-by dates with a black marker pen has won her claim for unfair dismissal (Stock image)

Rosario Lino was hauled to a disciplinary hearing after a surprise inspection at the bakery branch in Braywick, Maidenhead, (pictured) found tuna crunch and chicken mayo containers with their expiry dates had been 'blocked out'

The Manchester employment tribunal heard Ms Lino began working at the Braywick Greggs as a bakery assistant in 2015. After some four years, the Spanish employee was promoted to site manager.

The tribunal were presented with food safety documents which stated that any out of date stock must be removed and disposed of 'immediately'.

On 30 December 2020 a random food safety check was undertaken at the site by a regional manager.

The hearing was told he found chicken in a storage container without a label to show when it needed to be used by.

He also found a 'chicken mayo container' and a 'tuna crunch container' with use by dates that had been 'entirely blocked out using black marker pen'.

An additional package of lettuce - with a use by date of December 28 - also had the timestamp blocked out with black marker pen, although the date was still visible.

Employment Judge Phil Allen said: 'It was not in dispute that marking out-of-date food with a black marker was not part of [Greggs'] procedures.

'It was also not disputed by [Ms Lino] when it was put to her, that the matters identified might have resulted in the store being closed if they had been identified by inspectors.'

Ms Lino began working at the Braywick Greggs as a bakery assistant in 2015 (Stock image)

The site manager accepted that she had drawn the 'black pen marks' on the items but insisted she did so to indicate to employees that the food needed throwing out.

When asked why she did not 'simply throw the items away herself', Ms Lino said she had been busy with her workload and that she 'could not do everything'.

But, EJ Allen said the tribunal could not understand why the site manager 'would take the time required to mark the products rather than dispose of them herself'.

He added: 'We also did not understand why the mark for disposal would involve covering up the use by date.

'As a result, we found that [Ms Lino's] explanation lacked credibility and we did not accept that it was truthful.'

Ms Lino was invited to an investigatory meeting - which the site manager described as a 'persecution' - on February 5, and the 'serious breach of food safety' was put to her.

After this meeting, Ms Lino raised a grievance for several issues - including how she did not have a Spanish translator present at the initial hearing.

Then in March, in response to an invitation to a disciplinary hearing, Ms Lino wrote to Lisa Holt, a HR Business Partner, and offered an explanation to the blacked out dates.

She said she helped the supervisor 'out of courtesy' to do her job due to her lack of willingness and incompetence.

The site manager said she had told her supervisor to 'throw the out of date food that I had marked with a black pen away'.

She added: 'My duties were long so I left her to do what she is paid to do.

'I will point out that it is totally unreasonable for you to expect me to do the job of my supervisors and my own job all at the same time.

'That is all I have to say. There are no mitigating circumstances.'

Ms Lino attended the disciplinary hearing and responded 'no comment' to most questions. On April 2 2021, the site manager was dismissed.

In her conclusion, Ms Holt said: 'I believe that you crossed out the expiry dates to use the food items and reduce 'wastage' on site.

'This in return would have shown as the site not losing money due to food wastage.

'I believe this was done for personal gain to prevent your wastage figures from looking poor for the site.'

Ms Holt also emphasised that having out of date products on site could have resulted in serious harm to a customer's health.

The Gregg's site manager sued her employers and her claim of unfair dismissal was upheld by EJ Allen because of flaws in the disciplinary procedure.

Despite this, EJ Allen found that the site manager contributed to her sacking, by covering up the dates.

The employment judge said: 'As we have explained, we did not accept the claimant's evidence about why she crossed out the dates as having been truthful.

'We did not need to decide why she did it.

'Crossing out use-by-dates was not the respondent's policy.

'By marking the items and obscuring the dates the claimant was acting in breach of procedures.

'Her actions created a risk that products would be used after the use-by-dates had expired.

'That created a safety risk for the respondent and its customers.'

EJ Allen said Ms Lino was 'culpable and blameworthy' and contributed to her dismissal.

For this reason, her compensatory award was reduced by 100 per cent.

The site manager made other claims, of race discrimination and harassment, but these were not upheld.
A sixth-form student was fatally stabbed through the heart by a balaclava-clad stranger after leaving his school prom, a jury heard today.

Kajetan Migdal, 18, and three friends were changing clothes intending to go onto a club when they were confronted by a complete stranger, who said: 'You, from these ends?'

Patrick Sharp-Meade, now 20, mistakenly believed the group had spoken to his ex-girlfriend, pulled a large zombie knife from his trousers and plunged it into Kajetan's chest on the May 27, 2022.

Kajetan - who was a student at John Henry Newman Catholic school in Stevenage, Hertfordshire - was rushed to hospital, where he died in the early hours of the next morning, Luton Crown Court heard.

Patrick Sharp-Meade of Cuttys Lane, Stevenage denies murder.

At the start of the trial, Judge John Hillen told the jury of six men and six women: 'He accepts he stabbed and killed Kajetan.

Kajetan Migdal, 18, (pictured) was stabbed in the heart after leaving his school prom night

Patrick Sharp-Meade, now 20, (pictured) mistakenly believed Kajetan's group had spoken to his ex-girlfriend

Kajetan was a student at at John Henry Newman Catholic school in Stevenage, Hertfordshire

'The issue is whether he is guilty of murder or manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.'

Opening the case prosecutor, Jane Bickerstaff KC said: 'The stabbing by this defendant took place in the last hour of May 27 at 11.20. He died in the early hours of May 28, 2022.

'The defendant has pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article - the weapon he used.

'He has also has pleaded guilty to possessing a small number of wraps of cocaine that were found in his shoe when he was arrested.'

She said Sharp-Meade lived in a flat in Cutty's Lane near where Katejan had parked his grey Skoda.

Ms Bickerstaff said: 'It was a wholly unprovoked attack in a residential street in Stevenage. This defendant and Kajetan Migdal were both 18 and complete strangers.

'What was supposed to have happened is that Kajetan should have enjoyed a school prom at the Holiday Inn hotel in Stevenage.

'Then he should have headed on with his friends - three of them - to Cambridge to join his classmates at a club bar for an after party.

'None of that should have brought him in contact with the defendant.'

She said Kajetan had parked in Cutty's Lane close to the Holiday Inn. After the prom the four friends returned to the car to change from their prom suits into clothes more suitable for the bar in Cambridge. They intended to travel there by train.

The prosecutor went on: 'They never made it to Cambridge. They were approached by the defendant who was armed with [a] large zombie style knife. He had it concealed down his tracksuit trousers.

'He verbally challenged Kajetan and his friends in the pretence that they had been following or speaking to his ex-girlfriend as she walked past the group.

'It caused Kajetan's friends to back away. He had not quite finished changing and momentarily stood his ground.

'The defendant approached, pulled out a knife and stabbed him straight into the chest.

'It pierced his heart. Kajetan staggered into the road and the defendant fled the scene.

'Kajetan was treated in the road and quickly transferred to the Lister Hospital, but the injury was catastrophic. He died at five past four in the morning. '

The jury was told the defendant's ex-girlfriend was heading to Sharp-Meade's flat to collect a fur hood.

The trail is being heard at Luton Crown Court (pictured)

As she walked past the group she was talking to a friend on her mobile.

The defendant, who was in the flat with the person taking the call, heard the conversation and could hear the four teenagers talking in the background.

The prosecutor said: 'As a result of hearing them in the background, he became irrationally jealous.

'The defendant armed himself with knife. Once the ex-girlfriend arrived he threw her hood at her.

'He put on a balaclava and speed-walked to find and confront those who he wrongly thought had engaged with her.'

She said the defendant had been 'enraged by something that had not happened.'

After the stabbing Sharp-Mead returned to his flat and hid the knife in his mattress. He left the scene but was spotted at 2am by the police and arrested.

The case continues.
Closer to the coast of Africa than Europe, the sun-baked archipelago of the Canary Islands has long held an irresistible allure for the British.

The Victorians used to travel here, by boat, to enjoy the warm air  albeit in much smaller numbers.

In the 1880s there were just three hotels boasting a grand total of 45 rooms in Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife, the largest of the islands making up this Atlantic outpost of Spain.

Activist group Canarias Se Agota, which broadly translates as 'the Canary Islands are exhausted', has planned a protest against mass tourism across five islands this weekend

An anti-tourist message is scrawled on the side of a bollard on the island

Later, in 1927, Agatha Christie found a bolthole from turbulent times at home on the island. Winston Churchill visited in 1959 and then a trio of lads from Liverpool named Ringo Starr, George Harrison and Paul McCartney really put the island on the map when they took a holiday here in 1963.

In their wake a mass tourism market blossomed; and how times change.

Last year more than 16million visitors beat a path to the islands, somewhere north of five million of them British  a record-breaking number.

Holidaymakers come for the year-round balmy weather, short-haul flights and friendly welcome of the Canarian people.

But in recent weeks, much like the clouds of orange Saharan sand that sometimes blow around these parts, a cloud of discontent has swept across the Canaries.

Pockets of graffiti have been popping up on walls and buildings around the ever-popular south of Tenerife.

Tourists go home! Your paradise, our hell!

There have been protests too, with a larger one across five islands planned this weekend, organised by the group Canarias Se Agota, which translates, broadly, as 'the Canary Islands are exhausted', which is linked to several different associations including ecologist groups. Neighbouring island Lanzarote has also seen pockets of protest this month.

On Thursday a group of young Spaniards began an indefinite hunger strike, of all things, as part of a protest against the effects of mass tourism on island life.

So what exactly is going on in Britains favourite winter sun destination?

Last week we joined the holiday crowd flying into Tenerife and spoke to locals, tourists and protesters alike and found an island as warm and welcoming as ever.

But probe beneath the surface of the sunbeds and pedalos, and there are signs of the strain the ever-growing footfall of tourism is having on an island where the number of residents (approximately 950,000) is swollen by more than five million visitors each year, 2.2million of them British.

The welcome of locals from taxi drivers at the airport, to restaurant staff, right down to cleaners at the hotel I visit is nothing other than smiling and scrupulously polite.

There is a reason couples like John and Jane Lodder, from Hampshire, come back here year after year. John, 75, used to own a property here, but after he sold it ten years ago he kept coming back for holidays at a favourite hotel in the resort of Los Cristianos.

John, a retired senior manager for a biscuit manufacturer, says: We have never experienced any animosity at all, quite the opposite in fact.

Mail reporter Beth Hale by the seafront in Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife

Graffiti in the south of Tenerife highlights the low monthly salary for workers in the popular tourist hotspot of the Canary Islands

And yet, there is a problem on these islands that is inextricably linked to tourism.

One activist explained it thus: Were not against the tourists, we just want a change of model towards a type of tourism that is more sustainable, he said.

Tenerife is collapsing and there are tourists who are coming and are not enjoying their stays because theyre stuck in traffic jams all the time and wont come back if we continue along the route were going down at the moment.

Fellow protester Brian Harrison was once a visitor himself, hailing from Bridgend, south Wales, before arriving on the island in his 20s, marrying a local and making Tenerife his home.

His villa in La Tejita, a windswept, eerily barren beauty spot at the very bottom of the island, just a mile south of the ever-busy airport, stands as a stark reminder of the perilous balance between the natural landscape of this volcanic land and the footprint of mass tourism.

Turn one way, and theres a yawning stretch of almost empty sand, punctuated by a smattering of sunbeds, with waves crashing at the shore. Turn around, however, and stretching before you, as far as the eye can see, is a vast unfinished concrete jungle, a macro-hotel project, one of two massive developments that have become the focus of protests.

The five-star La Tejita development was given the green light in 2018, but until just a couple of months ago had been on hold for three years, amid protests and court battles.

On the ugly fences surrounding the giant, grey dustbowl, we find expletive-ridden graffiti, though aimed at the hotel, not the tourists who might one day come and stay here.

Brian, an engineer, says: Since I moved here all the urbanisable land has been built on... there used to be space on the island and now theres not. The island is unrecognisable from when I arrived.

It didnt happen overnight. Its kind of the boiling frog syndrome. The residents have witnessed it bit by bit and have acclimatised, but its come to a point where the waters are boiling and were suffering from a situation which is unsustainable.

Ive spent most of my adult life here. Its just that I feel helplessness with what Im seeing in front of my eyes.

Theres a lack of control over tourism. Towns where there are 500 homes which are operating as holiday rentals, with half of them owned by Brits or Germans and all the transactions occurring in their home countries  and these people buying more and more properties to make more and more profit.

Were saying, why not apply an eco-tax like in the Balearic Islands where every single tourist who enters maybe has to pay five euros a night, possibly more like ten euros a night in the all-inclusive hotels? says Brian.

And all that income goes to improving infrastructure on the island, public transport, roads, sewage treatment plants and so on, and that would automatically regulate the amount of tourism that enters. The same for rental cars, a daily tax on hire vehicles which then goes on improving roads.

Were not saying get rid of tourism but were presenting alternatives to improve how tourism affects the lives of people who live on the island.

Its a tricky balance. Certainly, nobody working in the tourism trade wants to see the holidaymakers, on whom the islands economy depends, disappear.

British expat John Parkes has lived on Tenerife for 37 years and owns tourist apartments as well as The Vault bar in bustling Los Cristianos

British businessman and YouTuber Andrew Knight, right, and his father Paul. In recent months Andrew's videos have attracted a regular scattering of abuse

British expat John Parkes has lived on the island for 37 years; he owns tourist apartments and The Vault bar, in bustling Los Cristianos, so is well-placed to appreciate the complexities at play.

Thankfully most of the residents in Tenerife realise that tourism is the lifeblood of the island, he says.

He does, however, think there is a problem, as do others we speak to. Until 2015, private holiday rentals were not allowed in the Canaries  it was only hotels and designated tourist complexes.

Then came the introduction of what is called Viviendas Vacacionales licences, which opened the door to those who wanted to rent their home out on Airbnb and the like.

The Airbnb effect is a phenomenon familiar to many global holidayspots in which areas with high concentrations of holiday lets have seen rental and house price rises, making it harder and harder for people who live there. Devon and Cornwall are prime examples of this.

Holiday rentals are far more lucrative than long-term rentals to local, low-paid workers, which have pushed up prices and put immense pressure on local residents who cant afford homes.

This isnt something that is just happening here, says John, sitting in the high-ceilinged lobby of perhaps the islands most eye-catching hotel, the Bahia Principe Fantasia  a Princess-castle, turreted resort that looks like a mini Disneyland  where he is enjoying his own short holiday.

Before 2015, a one-bedroomed apartment in Los Cristianos might cost 600-700 euros a month, but now its 1,100 or 1,200 euros. The problem is you have people who work in hotels, bars, restaurants and their take-home pay is about 1,300 Euros a month. It just doesnt add up.

House prices have rocketed too  a surge of 8.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2023 in the Canaries, according to data released by the Spanish Ministry of Housing.

In 2022, there were 29,582 Brits officially registered as living in the Canary Islands but the actual figure is said to be considerably higher.

Add in the digital nomads  the growing band of workers in the post-Covid era who would rather work from home in a place like Tenerife than in a tiny flat in London, say, and pressure mounts.

In 2022, Airbnb named the Canary Islands the top destination for digital nomads to live and work remotely.

The 90-day Schengen rule is quite enough to cover a three-month escape from the British winter and last year Spain introduced a digital nomad visa, allowing Britons and other non-EU citizens (fulfilling certain criteria) to live and work in the country for up to a year.

Glance online and there is a plethora of hubs and social media groups catering specifically to digital nomads on the islands, with co-working spaces and friendly networking meet-ups in sun-filled cafes.

With British incomes, they can afford local rental prices more readily than many islanders.

The colourful houses of Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife. While these properties are unconnected to the protests, second homes on the island have triggered ire

Over the past decade, rental costs in the Canary Islands have increased 85 per cent while salaries have only grown by 6 per cent. Wages in the Canaries are the second-lowest of anywhere in Spain and the lowest paid are those working in the hotel and catering sectors.

Ironic, isnt it?

In more than one location on the island, there are caravans lining quiet streets. Not all the occupants are travellers, looking for a low-cost holiday, some are local workers who have chosen a caravan over the unaffordable demands of an apartment.

We also spot signs of rough sleepers and stories abound of workers sleeping in caves.

In the bustling tourist metropolis that is Playa de Las Americas, a British mother-of-three, who has visited Tenerife on a handful of occasions over the last two decades, notes that her daughter spotted a man, sleeping surrounded by cardboard under a bridge.

Thats not something Ive ever seen here before, she says.

Undeterred, British businessman and YouTuber Andrew Knight is of the view there arent many places better to live or to visit.

The 29-year-old, originally from Liverpool, is sitting with his father Paul, 64, who has holidayed here for decades, explaining how he fell in love with the island life that he films and shares on his YouTube channel, the Knightsrider.

In recent months those videos have attracted a small, but regular scattering of abuse.

Andrew, who moved to Tenerife almost ten years ago, says: They see my videos on tourism in Tenerife where I am showing the beach and say we are full and go home.

These arent trolls, he says, but rather accounts that appear to belong to young locals. His response is simply to delete them.

Recently, he has had to field a growing number of worried messages from people who follow his social media accounts.

People have messaged me saying, My daughters coming over and Im concerned shes not going to feel welcome. I have been putting out videos reassuring people.

He thinks there are solutions to the genuine problems.

I think the government should do more to give tax breaks to owners for long-term rentals and protect them from squatters.

They could maybe tax the hotels more. And the government should be clamping down on complexes like one near us that are meant to be residential but are all Airbnbs.

As for tourism, he very wisely points out that the faceless minority who are besmirching this islands welcoming reputation dont realise how much the island relies on tourism.

Everything here comes back to the income from tourism, he says.

Back in 1797 British naval hero Horatio Nelson, then Rear-Admiral, assailed these shores in the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife  suffering not just a defeat, but losing an arm to boot.

Despite defeat, he and his men were still allowed to leave with their war honours and two loaned schooners.

A long tradition of hospitality  and a 200-year cordial relationship between these sun-baked islands and sun-loving Brits  thats surely worth fighting for.

Additional reporting: Gerard Couzens and Tim Stewart
A friend of Pikria Darchia - one of the women killed during the Westfield Bondi Junction attack - has revealed how she spent her final hours.

Nicole Mikhailidi told 7News that she had coffee with Ms Darchia, 55, just hours before she became one of six people stabbed to death by Joel Cauchi on Saturday afternoon.

'It's crazy to think we said goodbye, and it was the last time we would ever see her,' Ms Mikhailidi said.

'When I think about what she must have gone through in those moments .... that horrific fear and helplessness. It makes me sick to the stomach, really.'

Pikria Darchia was killed during the Westfield Bondi Junction attack

Mum-of-two Ms Darchia, an artist from Maroubra in Sydney's southeast, was originally from Tbilisi in Georgia and had two sons.

Here's what we know about the other victims.

Ashlee Good, 38

Dr Ashlee Good, 38, was a trained osteopath and a first-time mother to her baby girl Harriet

Dr Ashlee Good, 38, was a trained osteopath and a first-time mother. She is the daughter of former North Melbourne AFL player and board member Kerry Good.

She died in St Vincents Hospital on Saturday night after being stabbed by Cauchi while trying to protect her nine-month-old baby Harriet from the attacker.

The dying mother threw her baby girl into the arms of two strangers and begged them to help the little girl.

She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition for emergency surgery.

Harriet was on Tuesday night moved from intensive care to a normal children's ward in a sign she is recovering.

Dawn Singleton, 25

Dawn Singleton was the daughter of multi-millionaire advertising guru John Singleton and lawyer Julie Martin. She worked in e-commerce for White Fox Boutique

In a cruel twist of fate, her NSW police officer fiance Ashley Wildey responded to the incident not knowing his childhood sweetheart was a victim (the couple are pictured)

Dawn Singleton was the 25-year-old daughter of multi-millionaire advertising guru John Singleton and lawyer Julie Martin.

Her father, a horse racing enthusiast, had named his prized filly 'Dawnie Perfect' after his daughter.

Ms Singleton had worked in e-commerce for fashion brand White Fox Boutique and had attended Kambala Church of England Girls' School.

She had only arrived at Westfield Bondi Junction 15 minutes before she was attacked while shopping in Chanel for makeup for her upcoming wedding.

In a cruel twist of fate, her NSW police officer fiance Ashley Wildey responded to the incident not knowing his childhood sweetheart was a victim.

2GB host Ray Hadley on Monday revealed that he had broken the devastating news to Mr Singleton.

Hadley, who has been friends with the Singleton family for 30 years, said he had confirmed her name with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb.

He revealed Ms Singleton had put a deposit down for her wedding dress on Friday. She had also started sending save the dates to her friends and family.

Jade Young, 47

Jade Young was a 47-year-old Sydney architect and mother-of-two who grew up in Wollongong

Jade Young was a 47-year-old Sydney architect and mother-of-two who grew up in Wollongong on NSW's Illawarra region.

She was a member of Bronte Surf Club in Sydney's eastern suburbs, which cancelled their social drinks on Sunday following the attack.

'This is and will be a difficult time for the community,' the club said on Facebook.

'We are here to support the community, and our heartfelt condolences go out to everyone affected.'

Yixuan Cheng, 27

Yixuan Cheng, 27, was an economics student at the University of Sydney and was named on Monday as the sixth victim of the stabbing spree

Yixuan Cheng, 27, was an economics student at the University of Sydney.

Ms Cheng's parents told Chinese media their daughter was on the phone with her fiance, who is based in China, a few minutes before the tragedy.

She was on the fourth floor of the mall, shopping and sending her boyfriend photos of herself trying on clothes.

After ending the call to his girlfriend, her boyfriend saw the news about the stabbing attack in Sydney.

He immediately called her again, but Ms Cheng didn't answer. He had been planning to marry her after she graduated this year.

Wang Chunsheng, China's acting consul general in Sydney, said he was 'very sorry' to hear about the incident and that the consulate was in contact with her family.

Faraz Tahir, 30

Faraz Tahir was fatally stabbed on his first day as a security guard at Westfield Bondi Junction as he reportedly tried to stop Cauchi mid-rampage

Faraz Tahir was fatally stabbed on his first day as a security guard at Westfield Bondi Junction.

Mr Tahir arrived in Australia as a refugee after fleeing his home country of Pakistan.

He was a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia and participated in charity efforts for its youth organisation.

'He quickly became an integral part of our community, known for his unwavering dedication and kindness,' the group said in a statement.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Faraz's family and loved ones during this difficult time and with victims and their families affected by this senseless act of violence.'

Scentre Group CEO Elliott Rusanow said: 'We are devastated by Faraz's passing and recognise our team member's bravery and role as a first responder.

'Another member of our security team was injured and remains in hospital.'
The killer who stabbed a young Thai woman to death in a 4million luxury mansion near Hyde Park is believed to have fled abroad, an inquest heard today.

Kamonnan Thiamphanit - a tenant at the former Ethiopian embassy - was found dead last week shortly after neighbours heard ear piercing screams.

Police been working on the theory that 27-year-old - known as Angela - knew her killer and let them into the apartment in Bayswater, west London.

At an inquest into her death today, it was revealed police have a name for the prime suspect and believe he has left the country.

DCI Alison Foxwell told the hearing, held remotely by Westminster Coroner's Court: 'Angela which is what she was known as while here in the UK had been renting out the property as an Airbnb.

'We believe that the person who attacked her was known to her, this isn't a stranger attack but at some point after the 6 April at 6.15am she was attacked in the address and sustained a number of stab injuries.

Kamonnan Thiamphanit, who was found stabbed to death at a 4million home near Hyde Park

Police officers at the scene after forcing entry to the house near Hyde Park at around 8.30am on April 8

A forensic scene of crime officer at the property in Stanhope Place

'We are currently seeking the perpetrator but cannot give much more information about that at this stage, I'm afraid.'

READ MORE: Met Police refers itself to watchdog after taking hours to respond to calls about woman's welfare before she was found stabbed to death Advertisement

When asked by the corner Fiona Wilcox, for further details, DCI Foxwell said: 'We have a named individual. I think it unlikely that the person will be arrested in the next two weeks.

'We are asking the CPS whether we have sufficient evidence to extradite somebody from outside the UK.'

Ms Thiamphanit was described as working in property, though no other details were given.

The inquest also heard how she was identified by fingerprints through immigration records and her mother in Thailand had been informed of her death.

An inquest revealed she had died from multiple stab injuries.

The five story building, just a stone's throw from Hyde Park, has a video camera entry and police are believed to have recovered that and used it to identify their prime suspect.

No details of who that is have been released but the Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the IOPC watchdog over how it responded to an initial report of concern by the woman's friend 13 hours before she as found dad.

This map shows the street where Ms Thiamphanit was staying. It is located just off Bayswater Road, which is opposite Hyde Park in London

The front door of the house in Stanhope Place. Eyewitnesses say police forced the door open to gain access to the property after receiving concerned calls from friends of the woman

Scotland Yard said it had been made aware of concern for the woman's welfare the night before she was found on April 7 but now admit there were two phone calls made by a worried friend on the Sunday night, within two and half hours.

However she was not found until 8.30am on April 8 after police were seen forcing open the door to the building and then sealing it off.

Ms Wilcox passed on her condolences to Ms Thiamphanit's family in Thailand and then released the body.

She said: 'It is very unlikely that I am going to get a request from a defendant for a second post mortem within 28 days of death, so I will release the body.'
Protesters arranged coordinated disruptions across the US on Monday

Right wing activist Laura Loomer clashed with pro Palestine protesters in New York as cops in California slammed the 'shameful' tactics of a mob who shut down the Golden Gate Bridge.

The conspiracy theorist was seen surrounded by demonstrators including one person waving a Hezbollah flag as she made her way to the first day of Donald Trump's hush money trial on Monday.

'Why are you supporting this? This is terrorism!' Loomer was seen yelling at the demonstrator. The Lebanon-based group he was supporting has been designated a terrorist organization by the US and other western governments.

The confrontation occurred as pro Palestine protesters occupied the Golden Gate and Brooklyn Bridges, as well as O'Hare Airport in a coordinated attempt to bring America to its knees as part of an 'economic blockade' to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

Cops in California revealed that demonstrators had fixed themselves on Golden Gate Bridge by sticking their hands in oil drums and filling them with cement.

Right wing activist Laura Loomer clashed with pro Palestine protesters in New York on Monday

The confrontation came as cops in California slammed the 'shameful' tactics of a mob who shut down the Golden Gate Bridge

Cops in California revealed that demonstrators had fixed themselves on Golden Gate Bridge by sticking their hands in oil drums and filling them with cement

The stunt caused huge delays as officers were forced to dig through to extricate them, video posted by the police department shows

The stunt caused huge delays as officers were forced to dig through to extricate them, video posted by the police department shows.

'Tactics utilized by unlawful protesters this morning on I-880 and the Golden Gate Bridge. This is unlawful and will not be tolerated,' the cops said in a statement confirming several people had been arrested.

In New York, there were equally shocking scenes as Palestinian activists set fire to an American flag being held by Israel supporters while chanting 'Death to America!' right under the noses of the NYPD.

In total 48 people were detained with four people charged on suspicion of assault, resisting arrest, obstructing a government administration and disorderly conduct, the New York Post reports.

Loomer was among those caught in the confrontation as she clashed with a Hezbollah supporter.

Iran-backed Hezbollah has been blamed for 1983s bombing of American military barracks in Beirut that killed 241 service personnel, as well as a separate attack against a US Embassy which killed 61 people.

As the Trump ally berated the crowd for supporting the group, she was met with taunts telling her to kill herself.

'I don't give a f**k.  You're supporting Hezbollah, which is a terrorist organization,' Loomer retorted.

Loomer berated a protester waving a Hezbollah flag as she arrived for the first day of Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York

Police try to save a Pro-Israel supporter, center, by removing his American flag that was lit on fire by someone else during a Pro-Palestinian demonstration

Pro Palestinian protesters confront a small group of Israeli demonstrators during dueling events outside of the New York Stock Exchange

A Pro-Palestinian protester wears a broken flag of Israel as they demanding a ceasefire in Gaza

A man clutching a tattered Israel flag could then be heard shouting back, 'Israel is a pariah state'.

The exchange continued before Loomer eventually walked away, branding the protestors 'f***ing crazy'.

On Monday afternoon, more anti-Israel protestors took to the Brooklyn Bridge and were seen walking through traffic, chanting, banging drums and igniting flares.

Outside Brooklyn Borough Hall, another protester burned an American flag to cinders amid cheers of jubilation on Monday. In the background, a man chants: 'America falls today. America falls now. America will forever fall.'

'Yet another organized, coordinated attempt to shut down critical infrastructure. Disrupting the evening rush hour commute while hard working New Yorkers are trying to get home from work? Completely unacceptable!' NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry posted on X after the protest.

'New Yorkers are sick and tired of unlawful behavior and attempts to create disorder in our city.'

Pro Palestine protesters shut down O'Hare airport by blocking the highway

Chicago police intervene and take pro-Palestinian demonstrators into custody during the protest against Israel's attacks on Gaza on April 15

Anti-Israel protestors took to the Brooklyn Bridge on Monday afternoon and walked through traffic, chanting and banging drums

In Chicago, protestors sat in the middle of the Kennedy Expressway, linked to each other with PVC pipes and blocked the highway leading to O'Hare airport.

Frustrated travelers hopped out of their vehicles and trekked 20 minutes to make their flights in time.

Dramatic footage of the blockade showed dozens chanting 'Palestine will be free! Free, free Palestine!' with a loud drum roll in the background.

Pro-Palestinian protesters used Monday's tax day as a way to make a statement in a nationwide 'A15' protest.

The economic blockade was scheduled in solidarity with Palestine and called for an arms embargo and an end to US taxpayer funding for Israel.

Other protests broke out on Monday morning on a Philadelphia intersection and on Highway 880 in Oakland, California.
For four decades, the Islamic Republic's rulers have pledged to destroy Israel, and Tehran's latest threat again raises the spectre of a nuclear-armed Iran

Israel has said that Iran will not get off 'scot-free' after its barrage of missiles and drones - despite Tehran's threats that they will employ 'weapons we have never used before' in response to any retaliatory attack.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said his country 'cannot stand still from this kind of aggression' and that Iran would not get off 'scot-free' after it fired 300 missiles, drones and rockets at Israel.

This comes after Iran threatened to use 'weapons it has never used' in a 'painful and severe' response if Israel launches airstrikes in retaliation to Tehran's weekend salvo.

Iran said its attack was an act of self-defence following a deadly Israeli air strike on its consulate in Syria, and that it would consider the matter 'concluded' unless Israel retaliated.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi warned that 'the slightest action against Iran's interests will definitely be met with a severe, extensive and painful response'.

Iran has threatened to use 'weapons it has never used' in a 'painful and severe' response if Israel launches airstrikes in retaliation to Tehran's weekend salvo. In this picture released by the Iranian Defense Ministry on Thursday, May 25, 2023, Khorramshahr-4 missile is launched at an undisclosed location in Iran

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari (pictured next to Iranian missile) said his country 'cannot stand still from this kind of aggression' and that Iran would not get off 'scot-free' after it fired 300 missiles, drones and rockets at Israel.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (pictured in February) warned Israel it will face a 'painful response' if it takes the 'slightest action' in response to his country's attack

Israel earlier vowed that it will respond to Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack, amid fears that the Middle East is teetering on the edge of an all-our war.

As the West urged for calmer heads to prevail in the Jewish state, Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee Abolfazl Amoue stated that Iran is 'prepared to use a weapon that we have never used' if Israel responds further.

Speaking on Monday, he said Israel should consider its next steps and 'act wisely.'

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also warned Israel it will face a 'painful response' if it takes the 'slightest action' in response to his country's attack.

The threats raise fears that Iran's lacklustre drone and missile barrage - 99 percent of which was intercepted by Israel and its allies - could further push Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran has several nuclear research sites, two uranium mines, a research reactor and uranium processing facilities - including three uranium enrichment plants.

A UN report in 2007 found that Iran had halted an alleged nuclear weapons programme in 2003, and a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2018 said it had found no evidence of nuclear weapons activity after 2009.

In 2015, Iran signed up to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - or Iran Nuclear Deal - along with countries including the US, UK, France, Russia and China, imposing restrictions on Iran's nuclear facilities.

However, the agreement took a hit in 2018 when the US - under president Donald Trump - withdrew and imposed new sanctions on Iran under a 'maximum pressure' policy, essentially cutting Iran off from the international financial system.

In November 2023, an IAEA report estimated Iran's uranium stockpile was 22 times larger than the limit agreed upon in the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal.

In December, the UN's watchdog warned that Iran had escalated the rate at which it is enriching uranium to up to 60 per cent purity, levels close to weapons-grade.

The report said Iran has enough uranium enriched to up to 60 per cent purity for three atom bombs by the International Atomic Energy Agency's definition.

Its leaders have long maintained it 'does not need' nuclear weapons and is only enriching uranium for peaceful purposes.

However, for four decades, the Islamic Republic's rulers have pledged to destroy Israel, and Tehran's latest threat again raises the spectre of a nuclear-armed Iran.

Meanwhile, Tel Aviv has worked to stymie Iran's nuclear weapons programme - including the suspected assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists.

United Nations nuclear watchdog chief expressed concerns on Monday about Israel potentially targeting Iranian nuclear facilities in retaliation, as he announced inspections paused on Sunday and Monday would resume nonetheless.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said Iran closed its nuclear facilities temporarily over 'security considerations' and that while they reopened on Monday, he kept IAEA inspectors away 'until we see that the situation is completely calm.'

When asked about the possibility of an Israel strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Grossi said: 'We are always concerned about this possibility.'

He urged 'extreme restraint.'

Speaking to MailOnline on Monday before Iran's latest threat, Justin Crump - British army veteran and CEO of global risk analysis firm Sibylline, pointed to the nuclear threat posed by Iran when discussing Israel's possible responses.

'At the back of everyone's minds, though, is the nuclear issue,' he said.

'Iran has shown it can and will strike at Israel and those who have always held concerns about a nuclear capability will be speaking loudly in the coming days.'

In addition to its possible nuclear weapons programme, Iran has a vast array of missiles and other weapons in its arsenal that it could use to strike Israel.

Israel's military displays what they say is an Iranian ballistic missile which they retrieved from the Dead Sea after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, at Julis military base, in southern Israel April 16, 2024

An Iranian missile launch is seen in this footage, claimed to be the first missile launched towards Israel in Tehran's attack over the weekend

Israel today threatened airstrikes on Iran in retaliation for a 350-missile blitz amid fears the conflict will spiral into all-out war in the Middle East. Pictured: Rocket trails are seen in the sky above Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as Iranian missiles are intercepted by air defences

Saturday's attack already demonstrated some such weapons, including cruise missiles and kamikaze drones - the likes of which have also been seen in Ukraine after Iran sent Russia Shahed 136 drones to be used in its continuing invasion there.

In fact, with more than 3,000 ballistic missiles - according to a US estimate - Iran has one of the largest missile stockpiles in the Middle East, and is believed to have nine types of missiles with enough range to reach Israel's territory.

What's more, Iranian authorities unveiled what the Tehran regime billed as its first domestically-made hypersonic ballistic missile last June.

Hypersonic missiles are defined as a missile that can travel five times the speed of sound, making them incredibly hard to detect and intercept.

In addition to its own stockpile, Iran also has several proxies across the region willing to do its bidding. These include Hamas in Gaza - who attacked Israel on October 7 sparking the on-going crisis, the Houthi rebels in Yemen and the powerful Hezbollah.

In their own right, Hezbollah - based in Lebanon on Israel's northern border - is a powerful fighting force in itself.

Financed by Iran and trained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, the group's leader has claimed to have 100,000 trained fighters who have tanks and a vast weapons armoury at its disposal, much of which is maintained in neighbouring Syria.

Iranian missiles exhibited in a park on January 20, 2024 in Tehran

Fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah carry out a training exercise in Aaramta village in the Jezzine District, southern Lebanon, Sunday, May 21, 2023

A shell from Israeli artillery explodes over Dahaira, a Lebanese border village with Israel, south Lebanon, Monday, October 16, 2023

Iran's first-ever direct attack on Israel, which began on Saturday, was in response to an April 1 air strike on Tehran's consulate in Damascus, widely blamed on Israel.

The strike levelled the five-storey consular annexe of the Iranian embassy and killed seven Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals.

'We firmly declare that the slightest action against Iran's interests will definitely be met with a severe, extensive and painful response,' Iran's President Raisi said in a call late Monday with Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Raisi reiterated that Iran was acting in 'self-defence', saying the operation targeted Israeli bases used to carry out the consulate strike, a statement from his office said.

He criticised the support of some Western government for Israel.

Israeli armed forces chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi vowed Monday to respond to the unprecedented attack, even after appeals for restraint poured in from world leaders fearing wider regional conflict.

'This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response,' Halevi told troops at the Nevatim airbase, which was hit in Iran's Saturday night barrage.

The Israeli army has said the vast majority of the weapons were shot down - with the help of the US and other allies - and the attack caused only minimal damage.

But leaks from Israel's war cabinet have reportedly suggested that a 'painful' revenge strike on Iran is being planned that will not cause mass casualties, though hardliners have demanded that Netanyahu shows that it is willing to 'go berserk'.

'Everybody agrees that Israel must respond,' an Israeli official told the Washington Post. 'How to respond, when to respond, is the question.'

As Benjamin Netanyahu continues to debate what retaliation it will unleash, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to use a phone call with the Israeli premier today to urge him to show 'restraint'.

But leading voices in defence, including respected former minister Ben Wallace, have urged Western leaders to support Israel in its response to 'bullies' like Iran - and to even stand up to the regime themselves if necessary.

As Benjamin Netanyahu walks a 'tightrope' between escalation and deterrence, former defence secretary Wallace did not mince his words of warning.

'The only way to deal with a bully is to retaliate,' he said.

'The only option when Iran and Russia hit, I have concluded, is to hit back twice as hard and not stop until they get the message.'

Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, speaks during a meeting with pilots at the Nevatim Air Force base in southern Israel

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak making a statement on Iran's missile attack on Israel, in the House of Commons, in London, on April 15, 2024

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi expressed concerns on Monday about Israel potentially targeting Iranian nuclear facilities

Despite the unprecedented scale of Iran's weekend attack, experts have said it exposed Iran's 'lacklustre' arsenal, signalling how its outdated aircraft and defences would be no match for Israel's in the event of full-scale war.

'I think the attack, which was designed to be spectacular but not fatal, really puts on display the limits to Iran's deterrence,' Ali Vaez, who heads the Iran Project at International Crisis Group.

He added that if Iran's regional deterrence is diminished, Tehran 'is likely to consider the ultimate deterrent, which comes in the form of nuclear weapons,' adding 'they've never been closer'.

Iran could be seeking to stock up on modern aircraft and weapons with help from Russia, according to a Washington Post report last night, which suggested that Moscow has made pledges to its ally to help secure its defence against Israel.

Citing intelligence officials, the paper reported that Russia is 'advancing' agreements negotiated in secret to supply Iran with Su-35 fighter-bombers, which could help to dramatically upgrade the ageing Iranian air force.

Moscow also promised technical help with Iranian spy satellites and rocket-building assistance with the aim to launch more satellites, the officials are reported to have said.

Rumblings about the IRGC becoming a terrorist organisation in the UK have been ongoing for months now, and since the attack Mr Sunak has come under mounting pressure to designate Iran's military as a terrorist group following its attack on Israel.

An anti-Israel billboard with a picture of Iranian missiles is seen in a street in Tehran, Iran April 15, 2024

The Prime Minister condemned Tehran as a 'despotic regime' in the wake of its unprecedented missile blitz at the weekend.

Mr Sunak praised RAF pilots who helped shoot down more than 300 drones and missiles fired at Israel by Iran on Saturday night  and said that defending Israel's security was a 'non-negotiable' priority for the UK.

But he faced calls from both senior Tories and Labour to take tougher action against Tehran, including formally proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.

Israel's ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely backed the move, saying Iran was 'a threat to the UK as well'.

She told LBC: 'Maybe the UK will be next with these kind of drones... they won't hesitate to do that here.'

In the Commons yesterday, Mr Sunak said: 'With this attack Iran has once again shown its true colours. They are intent on sowing chaos... on further destabilising the Middle East. We're working urgently with our allies to de-escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed.

'We want to see calmer heads prevail and we're directing all our diplomatic efforts to that end.'

Mr Sunak also acknowledged that the behaviour of Iran, including the actions of the IRGC, 'poses a significant threat to the safety and security of the UK'.

The IRGC operates as an elite military force for Iran's regime and works closely with Hamas and Hezbollah, which have already been designated as terrorist groups. Proscribing the IRGC would squeeze its ability to operate in the UK by making it a criminal offence to deal with it or promote it. It would also effectively label Iran a terrorist state.

An Israeli army f-15 fighter jet flies over central Israel on April 15, 2024

But Whitehall sources warned that proscribing the IRGC would make it impossible to talk to the organisation directly, removing a valuable diplomatic back channel.

The move is being resisted by Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, who has spoken of the need to have 'diplomatic channels as a route to de-escalation', including on Iran's nuclear programme.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman urged the PM to 'put the UK's security first', adding: 'We have known for years that the IRGC is the world's chief sponsor of terrorism.' Sir Iain Duncan Smith told the PM: 'All roads lead back to Tehran when it comes to the terrible violence and wars in the Middle East.'

Labour also backed tougher action against the IRGC. Sir Keir Starmer said Iran was 'a regime that sponsors terror across the Middle East and beyond, that murders and represses its own people, and supports Putin's war efforts in Ukraine'.
The crazed homeless man who punched a nine-year-old girl in the face said he did it because he was 'thirsty.'

Jean Carlos Zarzuela, 30, was arrested on Saturday after he allegedly punched an unidentified girl inside New York City's Grand Central Terminal around 11.49am, police said.

Zarzuela told prosecutors on Monday during his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court: 'I hit the girl because I was thirsty. Maybe I hit her in the face by accident.'

A repeat offender who was recently released for a similar crime, then fled the scene and was later found by police at the Lexington Avenue/125th Street station.

Zarzuela was charged with aggravated assault of a victim under 11, second-degree assault, third-degree assault and attempted assault.

He is being held on $100,000 bail and must submit to a psychiatric evaluation.

Jean Carlos Zarzuela, 30, allegedly punched a nine-year-old girl in the face on Saturday morning at Grand Central Station

During his arraignment on Monday in Manhattan Criminal Court, Zarzuela told prosecutors: 'I hit the girl because I was thirsty. Maybe I hit her in the face by accident'. (pictured: the suspect captured on surveillance cameras in the station)

During the violent attack, Zarzuela allegedly approached the girl as she stood near her mother before he hit her in the face without warning, according to the MTA Police Department.

She suffered pain and dizziness after the attack and was taken to NYU Langone-Tisch Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

Surveillance footage caught Zarzuela near a Shake Shack in the food court, wandering in the station, and running out onto the street after the attack.

He was arrested by NYPD Transit Bureau officers around 10.20pm and told police that he lived at a homeless shelter nearby.

Zarzuela was seen in photos being escorted in handcuffs by MTA Police Detectives with multiple stains on his gray crewneck sweatshirt.

He donned black pants and had a blank look on his face as the officers walked him out of Grand Central Terminal.

This was not Zarzuela's first run-in with the law, as sources close to the investigation told amNew York Metro that he was arrested eight other times.

On April 4, Zarzuela assaulted a 54-year-old woman at the Grand Central Terminal near Lexington Avenue, police said.

During that encounter, the suspect allegedly punched the woman in the face in a random attack and broke her nose, MTA Police sources said.

The repeat offender who was recently released for a similar crime, fled the scene after he hit the girl and was later found by police at the Lexington Avenue/125th Street station

Zarzuela is seen wandering in surveillance footage outside of a Shake Shack in the terminal's dining area

He was arrested and charged with second-degree felony assault, but his charge was later decreased to third-degree misdemeanor assault after he appeared in court, records revealed.

Prosecutors first requested that he remain in jail on a $10,000 bail, which was soon downgraded to $2,500.

According to court records, days after his hearing, Judge Laurie Peterson ordered he be released from custody without bail after prosecutors and police couldn't obtain a supporting deposition from the victim or the MTA.

A deposition needed to be filed within five days of his arrest for him to remain in jail. It is unclear why the deadline was missed.

'It doesn't make any sense that this guy-- who recently was released after being charged with randomly punching someone else and breaking that victims nose-- should be back in a public space where he can attack others, especially children,' MTA Communications Director Tim Minton said.

'The people responsible for the criminal justice system need to learn from this episode before more innocent people become victims.'

Prosecutors said Zarzuela is also facing charges for an incident in 2023 where he hit another stranger in the face.

DailyMail.com contacted his lawyer, Gideon Oliver, for comment.

He was seen in photos being escorted in handcuffs by MTA Police Detectives with multiple stains on his gray crewneck sweatshirt

Zarzuela is seen running out of Grand Central Station shortly after he allegedly struck the girl. He is being held on $100,000 bail and must submit to a psychiatric evaluation

Zarzuela is expected back in court on Friday.

This year alone, there have been 465 reported felony assaults in the Big Apple, according to crime statistics.

In recent weeks, multiple women were randomly punched in the face by men, following a trend line of seemingly isolated incidents of violence in the city.

Last week, police released surveillance footage of a suspect who allegedly punched a 23-year-old woman on March 20 as she walked past a McDonald's on 6th Avenue in Chelsea around 10am.

She was inspected by medical professionals for a nose injury and filed a report with authorities on the same day.

The suspect, a man in dark pants, a light T-shirt and what looks like a light blue overcoat or unbuttoned dress shirt, was caught on surveillance camera jogging away after the attack.
House Republicans walked over their impeachment articles against Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on Tuesday in a dramatic show of disapproval for the Homeland Security secretary.

The handover immediately triggers a constitutional process that will force the Senate to decide the fate of the embattled border chief.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., with a slight smirk on her face, walked alongside Homeland Chair Mark Green, R-Tenn., and nine other Republican impeachment managers during the short ceremonial march to the Senate.

Mayorkas is the first Cabinet secretary in nearly 150 years to be impeached. Republicans voted to oust him from his position in February for facilitating the southern border crisis.

Senators aren't expected to be sworn in for the trial - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., plans to quickly dismiss - until Wednesday morning.

GOP Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he would 'strenuously oppose any effort to table the articles of impeachment.'

'Never before has the Senate agreed to a motion to table articles of impeachment.,' he said on the Senate floor. 'It would be beneath the Senate's dignity to shrug off our clear responsibility.'

Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green read the articles aloud on the Senate floor after marching them over alongside the other House impeachment managers.

Speaker Mike Johnson had originally planned to send the articles to the Senate last week but after speaking with GOP Senators he decided to delay until this week.

House Republicans walked over their impeachment articles against Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on Tuesday in a dramatic show of disapproval for the Homeland Security secretary

Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas' future in the position is unclear as the House has passed articles of impeachment against the man in charge of U.S. border security but the Democrat-held Senate is likely to acquit the charges against him

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., two impeachment managers walk with impeachment articles over to the Senate

'Mayorkas' willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law has had a calamitous consequence for the people of the United States,' Green said on the Senate floor after delivery.

The immigration court backlog has more than doubled,' he went on. The exploding backlog is destroying the courts ability to administer justice and provide appropriate relief in a timeframe that does not run into years or even decades.

How did we get here? Mayorkas impeachment timeline:

The Republican-led House Homeland Security Committee has been investigating Mayorkas' mishandling of the U.S. border since last summer.

The committee released a five-installment report spanning from July 2023 to December 2023.

In January, Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., released an impeachment resolution with two individual charges against Mayorkas.

The impeachment articles said that Mayorkas 'refused to comply with Federal immigration laws' amid a record surge of migrants and that he has 'breached the public trust' in his claims to Congress that the US-Mexico border is secure.

After a late night vote passing the articles out of the committee on January 31, the resolution was teed up for a vote on the House floor.

A week later, the House voted 216-214 on the impeachment articles and the Republican-backed motion failed.

But a week later, on February 13, the House tried again and the articles of impeachment passed by a single vote.

Republicans charge that Mayorkas has intentionally loosened restrictions around illegal immigration under the orders of President Joe Biden

Speaker Mike Johnson has claimed about 9 million migrants have been encountered illegally crossing into U.S. under Mayorkas' tenure

'Secretary Mayorkas impeachmentthe first of a sitting Cabinet official in U.S. historyindicates how seriously the House takes his refusal to comply with the law and his breach of the public trust,' Green told DailyMail.com in a statement.

'This historic vote followed a thorough, fair, comprehensive, and nearly year-long investigation conducted by the House Committee on Homeland Security into Secretary Mayorkas and his handling of the unprecedented border crisis.'

'The Framers of our Constitution gave Congress this grave authority when public officials choose to ignore the law and inflict grave harm on our constitutional order. The Democrat-led Senate must hold the trial, render a verdict, and hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable,' Green added.

Republicans say that Mayorkas has incentivized migrant to come across the U.S. border illegally because DHS has lessened penalties for doing so

A number of asylum seekers await transportation from Custom and Border Protection. In recent months thousands of migrants from China have crossed into the U.S. illegally

Following the passage of the articles in the House, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's office released a statement indicating that the articles would be promptly acted upon after the following a in-district work period.

But as that time came and went the House did not send the Senate the articles, instead working for weeks on massive funding packages to keep the government from a partial shutdown.

After another at home work period for Easter recess, Speaker Johnson and his appointed impeachment managers sent a letter to Schumer on March 28 informing him they would walk the articles to the Senate on April 10.

On April 9, however, a group of GOP Senators led by Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, John Kennedy, R-La., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., held a press conference advocating for the House to hold off sending the articles.

The 11th-hour plea for delaying was because the Republicans knew if the articles were delivered on schedule - Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. - the Senate would have little motivation to have a long trial as many had planned to fly out of D.C. by Thursday.

'Many House and Senate members think Johnsons timing is dumb, because a Wednesday night delivery [and] Thursday afternoon floor fight arent enough time to win the news cycle and to hammer the fight in Washington,' a senior Senate aide told DailyMail.com Tuesday.

Later that evening, Speaker Johnson agreed to the Senator's request and held off on sending the articles.

A spokesperson for Speaker Johnson said that 'to ensure the Senate has adequate time to perform its constitutional duty, the House will transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate next week.'

'There is no reason whatsoever for the Senate to abdicate its responsibility to hold an impeachment trial,' Taylor Haulsee told DailyMail.com.

A source familiar with the matter told DailyMail.com that the House is expected to deliver the articles to the Senate on Tuesday, April 16.

The U.S.-Mexico border is an inhospitable place where migrants who cross illegally regularly need immediate medical attention after their dangerous journeys

What will happen next week?

The articles of impeachment against Mayorkas will be physically walked across the Capitol from the House to the Senate by the Johnson-appointed impeachment managers.

House impeachment managers Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn.

Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.

Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La.

Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va.

Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.

Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas

Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo.

Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Fla. Advertisement

The procession from the House to the Senate will be led by House staff workers and will also feature the eleven impeachment managers following behind them.

The last time the impeachment ceremony took place was in January 2021, when former President Donald Trump was impeached by the House for high crimes and misdemeanors related to his behavior on January 6.

Once over on the Senate side the House employees are expected to enter the upper chamber and present the articles to the senator presiding over the floor.

Delivery of the articles immediately begins the process in the Senate.

'As busy as we are, one issue the Senate will soon have to address is the House vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas,' Schumer said Wednesday after Johnson agreed to delaying the articles' transmission.

'Our plan over here has not changed: the Senate is ready to go whenever the House is. We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible.'

'And as I said yesterday, impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements. That sets an awful precedent.'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not revealed what he plans to do with the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, requested Johnson delay sending the articles of impeachment to allow the Senate more time to deliberate the motion

Schumer stating that the Senate will work quickly on the matter without providing further detail shows how closely he is holding his cards to his chest.

Will Democrats move to quash the trial for Mayorkas?

He has several routes forward upon receiving the articles.

First, he could put the articles up for an immediate vote, which could and likely would result in the Democrats voting to table the motion, meaning there would be no impeachment trial in the Senate and Mayorkas would be cleared of wrongdoing.

Democrats control the Senate by a slim majority of 51-49, but some Republicans have indicated that they would vote to dismiss because there is no path forward for a trial.

Second, he could proceed by swearing in the Senate as jurors in the case, which would then enable the House impeachment managers to argue their case against Mayorkas before the upper chamber.

After hearing the case, the Senate would then vote on the articles.

Schumer's third option is to send the articles into committee for review.

The special committee would then investigate the articles of impeachment and would later provide recommendations for how the Senate should move forward.

In that case, the Senate floor would not be jammed up with impeachment proceedings, allowing them to legislate on other matters while simultaneously addressing Mayorkas' impeachment.

Still, how Schumer wants to move forward is remains to be seen.

Senate Republicans are hoping for a full trial as they argue it is the Senate's Constitutional duty.

But as the Senate is controlled by Democrats, it appears unlikely Schumer will decide to move forward in that matter.
No reason was given for the vice president pulling out of the interview and no future date was announced

The appearance is expected to be rescheduled for a later date

Vice President Kamala Harris canceled her scheduled appearance with Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, with plans to attend a campaign event instead.

The vice president was scheduled to appear on the show Tuesday which films in the afternoon.

She and her staff publicly gave no reason for canceling here appearance, according to Deadline.

The vice president's appearance on the show is expected to be rescheduled for a later date but they did not announce a new date.

US Vice President Kamala Harris waves during an event in Las Vegas, Nevada

Her updated schedule for Tuesday revealed plans for the vice president to attend a campaign event in Los Angeles 'later in the day' but closed it to the press.

The Biden campaign continues to closely guard the details of the vice president's campaign events, as protesters on the issue of climate change and the Israeli war in Gaza continue interrupting her.

On Monday, Harris campaigned in Las Vegas and returned to Los Angeles Monday evening. She did not go back to Washington, DC.

The vice president has made the issue of abortion rights a central part of her campaign message.

She made a surprise appearance at the Power Leadership and Influence of Black Women luncheon in Los Angeles on Saturday, where Sen. Laphonza Butler was being honored.

The states are passing Trump abortion bans. So were not going to fall for the okey-doke,' she said, referring to Trump's comments opposing a federal abortion ban. 'We are not going to be gaslit about what is at play and who is to blame.'

US Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage at a campaign event

Harris also attended a fundraiser on Friday at the Beverly Hills home of comedian Seth Macfarlane. About 30 people attended.

Vice President Harris has been a champion of this issue, doing her best under the toughest of circumstances to try to explain to her male colleagues how a period works, MacFarlane joked during the event.

The vice president last appeared on Jimmy Kimmel's show in July 2019, when she was running her own campaign for president.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas for his ties to a non-profit that has urged migrants crossing into the U.S. illegally to vote for Joe Biden.

The testy exchange occurred during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing examining the Department of Homeland Security's $108 billion 2025 budget request.

'You worked as a board member of an NGO that is working in conjunction with other NGOs, which are not only financing the invasion of the country, but also telling illegal aliens to vote in the United States elections,' Greene said.

'They are telling illegal aliens, noncitizens, to come vote for Joe Biden. That's your boss.'

'This is corruption at the deepest level,' Greene added. 'As a matter of fact, I would call it treason.'

Republicans went after Mayorkas during the hearing, which is taking place just hours before articles of impeachment for the secretary are scheduled to be delivered to the Senate.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., claimed Tuesday that Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas has committed treason for previously working with a non-profit that has connections to a group urging illegal immigrants to vote for Joe Biden

Resource Center Matamoras (RCM) has reportedly distributed fliers instructing migrants to vote for Joe Biden upon their arrival to the U.S. RCM claims to house functions for the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), a U.S.-based nonprofit on which Mayorkas used to hold a board seat

However, the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., praised Mayorkas' performance handling the U.S.-Mexico border

The Georgia Republican was referencing a recent report indicating that Resource Center Matamoras (RCM) - a Mexico-based nonprofit - has been distributing materials urging migrants to 'to vote for President Biden when you are in the United States.'

'We need another four years of his term to stay open,' RCM's memo's state, according to an image of the fliers posted on X.

According to the report, RCM houses functions for the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), a U.S.-based nonprofit on which Mayorkas used to hold a board seat.

RCM did not return a request for comment.

'You abolished working policies, and following the statements of your boss on his campaign trialpromises to improperly grant asylum to anyone who came,' Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., said in his opening remarks.

'As a result, people from all over the world tested the system, came and were released, phoned home, and the mass waves began.'

'With this increased demand, the cartels took advantage, regulated that flow to overwhelm the crossing sites at our border.'

'Your refusal to follow those laws is contemptible,' Green added.

In response, the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., praised Mayorkas' performance handling the U.S.-Mexico border.

'Through it all, Secretary Mayorkas has remained steadfast.'

'He continues to do his job across the Department's many critical homeland security missions, including border security and immigration enforcement.'

Mayorkas 'has used the full range of authorities at his disposal and stretched the resources provided by Congress to secure the border,' Thompson continued.

In a testy exchange, Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., lashed out at Mayorkas telling him 'this is not funny Mr. Secretary,' before adding 'misdemeaning the office and high authority that has been entrusted' in him as Homeland Security secretary is reprehensible.

The hearing comes just hours before articles of impeachment against Mayorkas are scheduled to be delivered to the Senate.

.@RepMTG to DHS Secretary Mayorkas: "The open border is the number one issue across America in poll after poll and that is exactly why this committee impeached you." pic.twitter.com/rsWvtGde45  CSPAN (@cspan) April 16, 2024

On Monday, Speaker Mike Johnson signed the articles of impeachment against the border boss, teeing them up for a delivery.

'The catastrophe at the southern border is the number one issue for the American people,' Johnson said in a statement Monday. 'We must hold those who engineered this crisis to full account.'

'While it will force him to grapple with the crisis his party and the President have created, Senator Schumer must hold a public trial on Secretary Mayorkas impeachment.'

'Pursuant to the Constitution, the House demands a trial,' the speaker continued.

How the Senate decides to handle the articles, however, remains up to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

There are many routes the Schumer could take in addressing the articles, including a trial, but the leader has yet to reveal how he wants to move forward.

Nonetheless, the Senate is expected to be sworn in as jurors for Mayorkas' impeachment on Wednesday.

Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas' future in the position is unclear as the House has passed articles of impeachment against the man in charge of U.S. border security but the Democrat-held Senate is likely to acquit the charges against him

Speaker Mike Johnson signs the articles of impeachment against Alejandro Mayorkas on Monday. Johnson has claimed about 9 million migrants have been encountered illegally crossing into U.S. under Mayorkas' tenure

Republicans charge that Mayorkas has intentionally loosened restrictions around illegal immigration under the orders of President Joe Biden

How did we get here? Mayorkas impeachment timeline:

The Republican-led House Homeland Security Committee has been investigating Mayorkas' mishandling of the U.S. border since last summer.

The committee released a five-installment report spanning from July 2023 to December 2023.

In January, Chairman Green released an impeachment resolution with two individual charges against Mayorkas.

The impeachment articles said that Mayorkas 'refused to comply with Federal immigration laws' amid a record surge of migrants and that he has 'breached the public trust' in his claims to Congress that the US-Mexico border is secure.

After a late night vote passing the articles out of the committee on January 31, the resolution was teed up for a vote on the House floor.

A week later, the House voted 216-214 on the impeachment articles and the Republican-backed motion failed.

But a week later, on February 13, the House tried again and the articles of impeachment passed by a single vote.

'Secretary Mayorkas impeachmentthe first of a sitting Cabinet official in U.S. historyindicates how seriously the House takes his refusal to comply with the law and his breach of the public trust,' Green told DailyMail.com in a statement.

'This historic vote followed a thorough, fair, comprehensive, and nearly year-long investigation conducted by the House Committee on Homeland Security into Secretary Mayorkas and his handling of the unprecedented border crisis.'

'The Framers of our Constitution gave Congress this grave authority when public officials choose to ignore the law and inflict grave harm on our constitutional order. The Democrat-led Senate must hold the trial, render a verdict, and hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable,' Green added.

Republicans say that Mayorkas has incentivized migrant to come across the U.S. border illegally because DHS has lessened penalties for doing so

A number of asylum seekers await transportation from Custom and Border Protection. In recent months thousands of migrants from China have crossed into the U.S. illegally

Following the passage of the articles in the House, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's office released a statement indicating that the articles would be promptly acted upon after the following a in-district work period.

But as that time came and went the House did not send the Senate the articles, instead working for weeks on massive funding packages to keep the government from a partial shutdown.

After another at home work period for Easter recess, Speaker Johnson and his appointed impeachment managers sent a letter to Schumer on March 28 informing him they would walk the articles to the Senate on April 10.

On April 9, however, a group of GOP Senators led by Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, John Kennedy, R-La., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., held a press conference advocating for the House to hold off sending the articles.

The 11th-hour plea for delaying was because the Republicans knew if the articles were delivered on schedule - Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. - the Senate would have little motivation to have a long trial as many had planned to fly out of D.C. by Thursday.

'Many House and Senate members think Johnsons timing is dumb, because a Wednesday night delivery [and] Thursday afternoon floor fight arent enough time to win the news cycle and to hammer the fight in Washington,' a senior Senate aide told DailyMail.com Tuesday.

Later that evening, Speaker Johnson agreed to the Senator's request and held off on sending the articles.

A spokesperson for Speaker Johnson said that 'to ensure the Senate has adequate time to perform its constitutional duty, the House will transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate next week.'

'There is no reason whatsoever for the Senate to abdicate its responsibility to hold an impeachment trial,' Taylor Haulsee told DailyMail.com.

A source familiar with the matter told DailyMail.com that the House is expected to deliver the articles to the Senate on Tuesday, April 16.

The U.S.-Mexico border is an inhospitable place where migrants who cross illegally regularly need immediate medical attention after their dangerous journeys

What will happen this week?

The articles of impeachment against Mayorkas will be physically walked across the Capitol from the House to the Senate on Tuesday by the Johnson-appointed impeachment managers.

House impeachment managers Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn.

Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.

Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La.

Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va.

Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.

Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas

Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo.

Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Fla. Advertisement

The procession from the House to the Senate will be led by House staff workers and will also feature the eleven impeachment managers following behind them.

The last time the impeachment ceremony took place was in January 2021, when former President Donald Trump was impeached by the House for high crimes and misdemeanors related to his behavior on January 6.

Once over on the Senate side the House employees are expected to enter the upper chamber and present the articles to the senator presiding over the floor.

Delivery of the articles immediately begins the process in the Senate.

'As busy as we are, one issue the Senate will soon have to address is the House vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas,' Schumer said Wednesday after Johnson agreed to delaying the articles' transmission.

'Our plan over here has not changed: the Senate is ready to go whenever the House is. We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible.'

'And as I said yesterday, impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements. That sets an awful precedent.'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not revealed what he plans to do with the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, requested Johnson delay sending the articles of impeachment to allow the Senate more time to deliberate the motion

Schumer stating that the Senate will work quickly on the matter without providing further detail shows how closely he is holding his cards to his chest.

Will Democrats move to quash the trial for Mayorkas?

He has several routes forward upon receiving the articles.

First, he could put the articles up for an immediate vote, which could and likely would result in the Democrats voting to table the motion, meaning there would be no impeachment trial in the Senate and Mayorkas would be cleared of wrongdoing.

Democrats control the Senate by a slim majority of 51-49, but some Republicans have indicated that they would vote to dismiss because there is no path forward for a trial.

Second, he could proceed by swearing in the Senate as jurors in the case, which would then enable the House impeachment managers to argue their case against Mayorkas before the upper chamber.

After hearing the case, the Senate would then vote on the articles.

Schumer's third option is to send the articles into committee for review.

The special committee would then investigate the articles of impeachment and would later provide recommendations for how the Senate should move forward.

In that case, the Senate floor would not be jammed up with impeachment proceedings, allowing them to legislate on other matters while simultaneously addressing Mayorkas' impeachment.

Still, how Schumer wants to move forward is remains to be seen.

Senate Republicans are hoping for a full trial as they argue it is the Senate's Constitutional duty.

But as the Senate is controlled by Democrats, it appears unlikely Schumer will decide to move forward in that matter.
Brazilian fishermen discovered a boat in the Atlantic Ocean with the corpses of nine dead African migrants.

The vessel was found adrift off Brazils northern coastal state of Para on Saturday.

Eight of the decomposed bodies were inside the boat and one was near it.

'Documents and objects found near the bodies indicate that the victims were migrants from the African continent, from the region of Mauritania and Mali,' the Federal Police said in a statement Monday.

The white and blue boat, about 39 feet long, was removed early Monday and transported later in the day on a flatbed truck to the medical examiners office in the municipality of Braganca.

Brazilian authorities removed Monday a boat found adrift in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the state of Para. The vessel, located by fishermen Saturday, had eight decomposing bodies onboard and one in the water near it

A vessel with nine African migrant corpses was discovered Saturday off Brazil's Atlantic coast

Firefighter Tadeu Barbosa told Brazilian news outlet G1 that the migrants appeared to have been 'very dehydrated and in the Para coastal waters for a couple of days or perhaps even more than a month.

The vessel is similar to the Mauritanian fishing pirogues utilized by West African migrants and refugees fleeing to Spains Canary Islands, suggesting the South American nation may not have been their destination.

The Atlantic route from West Africa to the European Union territory is one of the most dangerous in the world.

Boats that miss their destination can be swept away by Atlantic trade winds and currents from east to west, drifting for months. Migrants aboard often die of dehydration and malnutrition. Others have also been known jump into the ocean out desperation.

At least seven boats from northwest Africa were found in the Caribbean and Brazil, all carrying dead bodies in 2021, according to an Associated Press report published last year.

Police help move a boat that was carrying decomposing corpses to the Vila do Castelo port in Braganca, Brazil, on Monday

The vessel is about 39-feet -long and is similar to the Mauritanian fishing pirogues utilized by West African migrants and refugees fleeing to Spains Canary Islands

Security forces and forensics were dispatched Sunday after fishermen reported spotting a boat laden with decomposing corpses off the coast of Para, Brazil

A 500 percent spike in migration from the northwest coast of Africa to Spain this year has alarmed European authorities. Despite a 210 million euro deal signed in February between the European Union and Mauritania, the majority of departures have taken place from the West African nation.

While more than 13,000 migrants have reached the Canaries in 2024, according to Spain's interior ministry, hundreds others have been reported missing.

Families in Mauritania established set up a "national commission" that is tasked with searching for the missing migrants. They have been following news of the boat found in Brazil anxiously, according to families who contacted AP.

Brazilian federal police say they are still working to identify the bodies and the cause of death, a difficult task given the advanced state of decomposition they were found in.
The Manhattan District Attorney insisted that Donald Trump's criminal trial was not a 'popularity contest' and urged potential jurors to put personal politics aside as he addressed them for the first time.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass told 18 candidates that sufficiently answered 42 questions to make it to the jury box that 'everyone and their mother' has opinion on the hush-money case.

As the brutal selection process dragged into the second day, potential jurors revealed what they thought about the president.

One praised Trump for being able to 'speak his mind' while another admitted she was a fan of the Apprentice in middle school.

They all tried to make the case that they could be 'impartial' and give the former president a fair trial.

Steinglass spoke to the would-be jury members who hadn't been sent home after Trump arrived at court and attacked the judge, after he was warned he would be jailed if he was disruptive.

He asked them if they were prepared to 'look the defendant (Trump) in the eye and say he was guilty'.

The Manhattan District Attorney insisted that Donald Trump's criminal trial was not a 'popularity contest' and urged potential jurors to put personal politics aside as he addressed them for the first time

The ex-president is on thin ice with his outbursts and social media posts after a judge scheduled a hearing to hold him in contempt later this month.

Trump glared at each member of the jury as they were peppered with questions by prosecutors.

He has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records over a $160,000 payment to cover up an alleged affair with porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

At least eight jurors were sent home on Tuesday morning, including Kara McGee who was excused because it conflicted with work.

She admitted she didn't like Trump, but he still deserved a fair trial.

By lunchtime on Tuesday, 18 who answered questions from an 'exhaustive' list remained.

When questioned by Trump's lead attorney Todd Blanche, a man from Puerto Rico said of Trump: 'I find him fascinating

'He walks into a room and he sets people off and I find that really interesting.

'One guy can do all this. Wow. He makes things interesting.

'So many people are set off one way or the other. Thats interesting.'

One older white-haired woman with small black glasses became animated, speaking without the microphone, when it came to the question of whether or not Trump testifies.

'If he decides not to speak,  thats your right, you cant presume that makes him guilty,' she said, waving her hand for emphasis.

'Its really, the prosecutor is the one that has to present those facts and prove them, but as I said, he has the right not to say them.

At the end of her somewhat impassioned speech, Blanche said, 'I dont think I could have said it better myself.'

'Let's talk about the obvious,' Steinglass said. 'The defendant is both a former president and candidate for that office.

'This case has nothing to do with your personal politics,' he insisted. 'It's not a referendum' on the Trump presidency. 'This case is about whether this man broke the law.

With a heavy dose of understatement, Steinglass also told the court that several witnesses in the case have some baggage and that one was a tabloid publisher and another was an adult film star.

The jury questionnaire for Trump hush money trial

The court faces a monumental task of trying to seat 12 Manhattan residents who can be 'impartial' and 'fair' in the first trial of a former president in history

He spoke to the would-be jury members who hadn't been sent home after Trump arrived at court and attacked the judge, after he was warned he would be jailed if he was disruptive

Trump aide Margo Martin walks into court on the second day of jury selection

Martin was followed into court by another Trump staffer Natalie Harp

Then there was Michael Cohen who had pled guilty to several federal crimes including lying to Congress.

Trump shook his head in frustration when Steinglass said that some witnesses had written books and done podcasts and publicly denied many of the matters they were going to testify to in the trial.

Trumps frustration appeared to be aimed at Cohen, who he has repeatedly called a liar.

Steinglass said that the case was not a referendum on whether you like the witnesses.

Can you separate believability from likability? he said. Nobody in the jury said that was an issue.

Steinglass said he was going to go down the line, take a look at the defendant and look inside yourself and ask if they could render a verdict of guilty if that was their decision.

Many more jurors were sent home on Tuesday morning, including Kara McGee who was excused because it conflicted with work. She admitted she didn't like Trump, but he still deserved a fair trial

Donald Trump attends the second day of jury selection in his hush money case

Before taking his seat, Trump addressed a small pool of journalists on the 15th floor

Donald Trump & Stormy Daniels in 2006. He has denied 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 payment to the porn star to keep her quiet about their alleged affair

Donald Trump and former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal who will feature in the case

Trump stared intently in the direction of the jury as they did so. All of them indicated they could.

After the ex-president's outburst outside court, Trump let off steam by winking at a court official and asking 'How are you?' before taking his seat.

Hundreds of potential jurors have been assembled and are being quizzed on whether they can be impartial.

Judge Merchan has called the list of 42 questions potential jurors are having to answer, including what news outlets they tune into, 'by far the most exhaustive questionnaire' ever used in a court case.

On day two a potential juror revealed they had read three of Trump's books.

The discolure caused Trump, who had been stony-faced, to break out into a broad smile.

The man said he had read 'Art of the Deal' and How to be Rich and then struggled over the name of Think Like a Champion.

When he got it right Trump nodded in approval.

Earlier, outside the court, Trump raged: 'I was paying a lawyer and marked it down as legal expenses account. Some accountant - I didn't know - marked it down as a legal expense. That's exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that?

'I should be right now in Pennsylvania in Florida, in many other states North Carolina, Georgia, campaigning.

This is all coming from the Biden White House because the guy can't put two sentences together. He can't campaign. They're using this in order to try and win an elect. And it's not working.'

Trump arrived in court wearing a dark blue suit, a blue shirt and a blue tie, a change from his usual bright red tie.

After entering the courtroom he sat at a table with his lawyers and looked forward, tilting his head from side to side and appearing impassive.
A detective chief inspector who allegedly had a sexual relationship with a vulnerable junior officer asked her if she was having an affair when she broke it off, a court heard.

Detective Chief Inspector David 'Will' Rolls, 46, confronted the woman at work after she deleted his number from her phone.

He told the junior officer there was a rumour she was having an affair with another senior officer.

A court heard he said: 'I thought you'd replaced me. I thought there was someone else because you deleted my number.'

The junior officer told the jury said: 'I said: 'No.'

Detective Chief Inspector David Rolls was pictured at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday, where is facing a trial for misconduct in a public office

The court heard on Tuesday that Rolls confronted the woman he is alleged to have had a relationship with to ask if she was having an affair with another colleague

She said she had deleted his number because she wanted to end the relationship with the senior officer.

Rolls, who is married with two children, is accused of using his senior position in Sussex Police to take advantage of the vulnerable female officer between January 2016 to March 2018.

Rolls, who has since resigned as detective chief inspector, has denied the charge and is on trial at Lewes Crown Court charged with misconduct in a public office.

The court heard the pair, who worked in the same force, met while working in Sussex Police in July 2016.

They struck up a friendship and the senior detective began sending the junior officer a series of 'flirty texts'.

Although he knew the married officer had suffered mental health problems, he allegedly became increasingly close eventually asking her to send him intimate pictures.

She told the court she felt 'uncomfortable' with his demands, but sent naked photos of herself.

In return he showed her a photograph of himself on his phone where he is sitting naked in an intimate pose.

The court heard their relationship continued and the senior officer began to visit the woman at her home while on duty.

His visits became more and more sexual, the court heard, and he eventually asked her to perform a sexual act on him, which she did.

Rolls is accused of using his senior position to take advantage of the vulnerable officer between January 2016 to March 2018

The pair later went on to have sex on the floor of her home with the senior officer allegedly filming or taking photos of the act on his mobile phone.

Later DCI Rolls allegedly told the woman she must keep their relationship 'a secret' or he'd lose his job.

The woman, who was married but is now divorced, said that after she had sex with the senior officer she felt 'guilty'.

Today the jury was told the junior officer decided to break off the relationship and deleted his number.

In a police interview played to court she said Rolls accosted her at work and said there was a rumour she was having an affair with her line manager.

The woman, who was married, said: 'He said: 'I thought you'd replaced me.' I said: 'No.'

'He said: 'I thought there was someone else, because you deleted my number.'

Asked why she had deleted the chief inspector's number she said: 'I was feeling really guilty about what had happened. I didn't want it to continue. I'd had enough.

'The last incident was what happened in the front room and I thought no that can't happen.'

Earlier she told how she felt 'honoured' by the attention from the senior officer who allegedly told her she was 'sexy, attractive and amazing'

She said: 'This is Will Rolls - he's an inspector, you know. It felt amazing.'

But she said she felt 'uncomfortable' when DCI Rolls began asking her to send him intimate photos.

She told the court she sent a photo of herself wearing white pants and another of her lying in a bath with the bubbles concealing her nudity.

But she said he wanted to see more and more graphic photos so she eventually relented and sent photos of herself.

She said: 'I felt like I had to keep sending inappropriate ones and so I did and then I remember when he was coming round [to her house] and he showed me a picture of him online somewhere of him naked.'

The court heard on one occasion Rolls showed her a 10-second video of himself performing a sex act on himself in his bathroom.

On Tuesday, the jury was told the junior officer decided to break off the relationship and deleted Rolls' number off her phone

She said she told him the video turned her on because she didn't want to lose him as a friend.

The woman told the court she consented to the sexual activity because she wanted to please the senior officer.

After she broke off the relationship in November 2017 she said she had little contact with DCI Rolls.

The court heard the junior officer's husband later found three images of her naked on an old mobile phone.

He confronted her and demanded to know who she had sent the photos to.

Her husband also threatened to report the 'sexual abuse' if she didn't agree to his divorce terms, the court heard.

The trial continues.
A Pennsylvania woman charged with the mistreatment of 22 elderly nursing home residents allegedly sent flowers and a card to the family of a victim who was given a fatal dose of insulin.

Heather Pressdee, 41, is facing two counts of first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted murder, and 19 counts of neglect relating to incidents across five care facilities between 2020 and 2023.

She was charged with the murders of Irene Simons, 78, and Sandra Lincoln, 82, who died following unnecessary doses of insulin last year.

Their families filed separate wrongful death lawsuits against Sunnyview Operating LLC and Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center last week.

They claim the companies were negligent, careless or reckless as they hired Pressdee 'despite her alarming history of resident abuse at ten prior facilities including causing injuries and/or deaths of at least sixteen residents at the other facilities.'

Heather Pressdee, 41, charged with the mistreatment of 22 elderly nursing home residents, allegedly sent flowers and a card to the family of a victim who was given a fatal dose of insulin

She was charged with the murders of Irene Simons, 78, (pictured) and Sandra Lincoln, 82, who died following unnecessarily doses of insulin last year

Their families filed separate wrongful death lawsuits against Sunnyview Operating LLC and Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (pictured) last week

The lawsuit filed by the family of Simons alleges that Pressdee injected the elderly victim with 60 doses of insulin before administering another 60 when she did not immediately die in March 2023.

Her daughter Elizabeth Ozella, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, was visiting her on the day of the incident before she left the room for around 30 minutes and Simons was doing well and speaking with family.

But once she returned she noticed her mother's breathing became irregular and labored.

She asked Pressdee to check on Simons while she went to the bathroom. When Ozella returned, she allegedly saw the nurse with a medication cart and was told her mother was dead.

'Elizabeth broke down into tears and began to cry uncontrollably and lay in bed with her deceased mother,' the lawsuit alleged.

'Heather Pressdee did not then leave the room but rather stayed in the room/doorway and lingered watching Plaintiff grieve and lay in bed with her mother as she perceived the sudden and unexpected death of her mother, whose condition she was cruelly forced to watch deteriorate in real time.

'At the hands of whom she entrusted her mother's care, Heather Pressdee in her employment for Defendant Sunnyview.'

The lawsuit claims Pressdee also sent flowers, a handwritten note to the funeral home and a sympathy card to Simons' family following her death.

'Heather Pressdee sent flowers to the funeral home for Irene Simons with a handwritten note that stated "In loving memory of Irene Elizabeth Simons. She will be missed. Sorry for your loss. Love Heather (Sunnyview)"

'Pressdee sent the family of Irene Simons an additional handwritten sympathy card which stated "words can't say how sorry I am for the loss of Irene. She was one of a kind. She was an amazing woman. Heather."

It also alleged Pressdee admitted injecting the victim with 120 doses of short-acting insulin despite her not suffering from diabetes.

The family said it was not until May 1, 2023, that Sunnyview 'terminated Heather Pressdee for exhibiting abusive behavior towards residents and staff and escorted her off the premises.'

There are five counts in the lawsuit including negligence, vicarious liability and infliction of emotional distress.

It reads that 'Sunnyviews conduct was outrageous, willful, wanton and reckless' and that it should have been aware of Pressdee's alleged history of patient abuse and suspicious patient deaths.

The lawsuit claimed that the nurse was fired or forced to resign from 10 previous facilities 'in response to her exhibiting abusive tendencies and behaviors toward residents and staff.'

The lawsuit filed by the family of Simons alleges that Pressdee injected the elderly victim with 60 doses of insulin before administering another 60 when she did not immediately die in March 2023

'Defendant failed to conduct an appropriate background check prior to hiring Heather Pressdee,' it stated.

Simons family is seeking unspecified damages and has asked for a jury trial.

While the family of Lincoln, who died on April 17, 2023, filed a separate lawsuit that also includes Premier Healthcare Management, LLC as a defendant.

They claimed that Pressdee was heard saying Lincoln 'needed to die' 40 minutes before she was pronounced dead.

The victim had made it clear she wanted to be discharged from Sunnyview and taken off tube feedings so she could die at home.

Pressdee admitted to administering insulin to Lincoln before injecting one syringe of air into the victim to create a dangerous air embolism, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.

The lawsuit claims Sunnyview acted negligently by hiring Pressdee and is liable for its staff behavior.

The family added that the company failed to prevent the nurse from administering unnecessary insulin to Lincoln, did not tell the Pennsylvania Department of Health about unusual deaths at the home and failed to report or act on suspected abuse.

While the family of Lincoln, who died on April 17, 2023, filed a separate lawsuit that also includes Premier Healthcare Management, LLC as a defendant

Pressdee admitted to administering insulin to Lincoln before injecting one syringe of air into the victim to create a dangerous air embolism, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office

Lincolns family is seeking damages in excess of $35,000 and has requested a jury trial.

Pressdee, from Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, has confessed to trying to kill 19 others at five different rehabilitation centers across the US since 2020. She has been linked to 17 different deaths.

Her defense lawyers admitted they're trying to escape the death penalty.

The lawyers - James DePasquale and Phil DiLucente - told ABC news : 'What our goal has been from the beginning in this case is to avoid the possibility of the death penalty,' DePasquale said. 'I think that we are very very close to accomplishing that.'

DiLucente said: 'Within the next 90 days there will be more we can comment on how this case is going to proceed, but it's a substantial number of people and it's a very serious case. Probably one of the most serious cases I've experienced in my career.'

She typically administered the insulin during overnight shifts when staffing was low and the emergencies would not prompt immediate hospitalization. The victims ranged in age from 43 to 104.

DailyMail.com has contacted Sunnyview Operating LLC and Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for comment.
The case of the 'Woodland Rapist' - a serial molester who attacked at least three children in the 1990s - may have been solved using DNA left in a park 30 years ago and DNA submitted to an ancestry website.

Richard Neil, 64, was arrested in Toronto on March 3, in connection to multiple assaults beginning in the early 1990s in one of the biggest breakthroughs in the decades-long manhunt.

The suspected rapist allegedly lured at least three victims to a wooded area, tied them to a tree and assaulted them.

Police reportedly 'took several soil samples to test for DNA and found a profile' of the suspect after he allegedly assaulted a then 10-year-old boy in Brampton's Norton Place Park on September 29, 1994.

Richard Neil, 64, was arrested in Toronto on March 3, in connection to multiple assaults dating back to the early 1990s

At least three victims reported being lured to a wooded area, tied to a tree and assaulted by who the media dubbed, 'the woodland rapist'

The victim, who is now aged 34, was assaulted in Norton Place Park when a stranger forced him to perform sex acts on him

It was not until a 15-year-old girl reported a similar assault in Oakville in August 1995 that authorities conclusively linked all three attacks to the same perpetrator through DNA testing but were still unable to make a breakthrough.

Police have not confirmed what finally lead them to Neil but one victim, who was 10-years-old at the time of his assault, said it was after a family member of Neil submitted DNA to an ancestry website.

The victim, who is now aged 34 and has his identity protected by a court-ordered publication ban, told CBC News about the moment cops called him to confirm the arrest: 'I was shaking when I received the call.'

He was assaulted in Norton Place Park when a stranger forced him to perform sex acts on him.

The victim recounted his experience and the long road to justice, telling CBC News that the police did a 'poor' job investigating the incident initially.

He said police questioned his claims initially and insinuated he had made up the whole incident to gain attention.

'They accused me of making up what happened to me to get attention, not taking me seriously at all,' he said in an email to CBC.

The victim persisted, eventually leading authorities to the location where DNA evidence from sperm was crucially recovered.

A composite sketch of the suspect was distributed by police

Neil faces a total of 20 charges, including kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon, and making child pornography, though he denies all allegations.

The assaults, which took place in Brampton, Kitchener, and Oakville, involved victims being lured to wooded areas, tied up, and assaulted.

The case, known as 'Project Woodland,' involved a collaborative effort by Peel, Halton, and Waterloo police.

Neil's defense team claimed he 'has no knowledge of these crimes and maintains his innocence.'

Neil was released on bail in earlier April on the basis that he agrees to live with family on Vancouver Island or in Toronto with an electronic ankle monitor.

Neil's lawyer, Leo Adler, said he was 'under very strict bail conditions and the public can be assured that it's properly done,' according to CBC.

The victim told the outlet that he 'couldn't believe' it when he heard his alleged attacker was being released on bail. 'I was literally sick to my stomach.'

When he initially was made aware of the arrest, he said, 'I felt overwhelmed with joy, then sadness. As I started to recall the memories of that day.'
The captain of an English cargo ship has accused the French navy of 'illegally trafficking immigrant boats' across the Channel to Dover.

In damning radio messages, the angry senior officer complained to the French coastguard when his vessel, Scot Pioneer, was stopped from entering Dunkirk harbour as navy vessels, including a warship, guided the traffickers' boats around his ship.

In response, the coastguard informed him that there was an 'arrangement' between the London and Paris governments for the French navy to escort migrant boats towards Britain.

The captain begins his protest by radioing the French coastguard with the words: 'I would like to report what is an illegal operation in your waters.

'This morning we witnessed a French government vessel and a French navy warship escort a boat-load of illegal immigrants across the Channel to the midway point where they handed them over to another [Border Force] ship out of Dover. It has now arrived there.

File image shows a police officer on a beach in northern France during the departure of a boat carrying migrants attempting to illegally cross the English Channel to reach Britain

File image shows Cormoran Flamant-class patrol vessel of the French Navy sailing near Calais' harbour, northern France, in 2023

'Now I have the French warship passing under my stern, passing another boat-load of immigrants across the Channel. There is also another [French] vessel to the west of us which is escorting a third boat of migrants.

'This is not search and rescue  this is illegal trafficking of humans.'

A fisherman in British waters, who picked up the open-channel recordings, told the Mail: 'This captain witnessed first-hand the French navy escorting dinghies to waiting British Border Force vessels.'

A record number of 5,000 people in 100 small boats reached the UK from France this year by the end of March.

A Government spokesman said: 'The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get the flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible.

'We work with France in the English Channel to ensure people are recovered as safely as possible. Our successful work together helped to cut arrivals by more than a third last year.'

Staff at Scotline, the company which owns the Pioneer Scot, declined to name its captain.
Belgium's PM last night waded into a furious row over a local mayor's bid to ban a right-wing political conference attended by Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman.

Alexander De Croo slammed the 'unconstitutional' attempt to shut down the 'National Conservatism' event in Brussels on Tuesday.

It came as the two-day gathering in the Belgian capital descended into chaos on its first morning as local authorities attempted to enforce a ban.

Police barricaded the entrance and were claimed to have barred some attendees from entering the venue, while event organisers complained at being held 'hostage' inside.

As well as Mr Farage, the ex-UKIP leader, and Mrs Braverman, the former home secretary, other keynote speakers were due to include Hungarian PM Viktor Orban.

But the future of the conference was thrown into jeopardy following an order issued by Emir Kir, the mayor of Brussels district Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.

He said he was banning the event from taking place in the Belgian capital 'to guarantee public safety'.

'In Etterbeek, in Brussels City and in Saint-Josse, the far-right is not welcome,' Mr Kir added.

Police barricaded the entrance to the right-wing 'National Conservatism' conference as a local mayor tried to shut down the event attended by Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman

Ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage was on stage as police were seen inside the 'Claridge' venue following the local mayor's closure order

Belgium's PM Alexander De Croo slammed the 'unconstitutional' attempt to shut down the event

Police were seen inside the 'Claridge' venue around midday - as Mr Farage took to the stage to deliver a speech - and officers held talks with conference organisers.

It was reported that attendees had been given 15 minutes to leave the venue. But officers did not appear to force the event to shut down and speeches continued.

Event organisers later claimed that police were 'not letting anyone in' and posted a video on social media of a police barricade outside the venue.

The administrative order they were carrying, seen by the Mail, cited 'provocative and discriminatory' views held by 'traditionalists' that are 'deemed homophobic, non-respectful of people and minorities'.

Rising Tory star Miriam Cates MP, co-chairman of the New Conservatives group, was forced to smuggle herself in via a side entrance wearing a headscarf so she could give her speech on the dangers that social media poses to young children.

Mrs Braverman used her address to urge Rishi Sunak to leave the European Convention on Human Rights. She said: 'I wish the UK would do so now. Not only is it the right and necessary thing to do, it is also the politically expedient thing to do.'

It was unclear last night whether the conference's final day today will still be able to go ahead.

Saurabh Sharma, executive director of National Conservatism, posted on X: 'Brussels police are holding NatCon Brussels 2 hostage.

'They know that it would be a circus to frog-march us out of hereso they just won't let people come in. The conference will continueeither here or elsewhere.'

Eric Zemmour, the controversial former French presidential candidate, was said to have been denied entry with his keynote address postponed 'possibly indefinitely'.

In his own address to the conference, Mr Farage lashed out at the 'monstrous' efforts to shut down the gathering on its first morning, saying: 'We are up against a new form of communism.'

Mrs Braverman attacked the 'thought police' who were trying to close the event. And Downing Street this afternoon described the Belgian police action as 'extremely disturbing'.

Mr de Croo posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, to denounce the actions of the local mayor.

He wrote: 'What happened at the Claridge today is unacceptable.

'Municipal autonomy is a cornerstone of our democracy but can never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly since 1830.

'Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop.'

Eric Zemmour, the controversial former French presidential candidate, was said to have been denied entry with his keynote address postponed 'possibly indefinitely'

Nigel Farage lashed out at 'monstrous' efforts to shut down a gathering of right-wing politicians in Brussels and warned: 'We are up against a new form of communism'

Tony Gilland, from the MCC Brussels think tank, who organised the National Conservatism conference, was pictured speaking to police officers

Police officers secured the area outside the venue where the conference was taking place

Police arrived at the event venue but officers did not appear to force the event to shut down and speeches continued

Officers stood guard outside the Claridge venue in the Belgian capital as the event continued amid the chaos

Those behind the event said they were launching a legal challenge to the order by Emir Kir, the mayor of Brussels district Saint-Josse-ten-Noode

Event organisers later claimed that police were 'not letting anyone in', adding on X/Twitter: 'People can leave, but they cannot return'

Event organisers said they were launching a legal challenge to Mr Kir's order, adding: 'There is no public disturbance and no grounds to shut down a gathering of politicians, intellectuals, journalists, students, civic leaders, and concerned citizens.

'The police entered the venue on our invitation, saw the proceedings and the press corps, and quickly withdrew.

'Is it possible they witnessed how peaceful the event is?'

They later claimed that police were 'not letting anyone in', adding on X/Twitter: 'People can leave, but they cannot return. Delegates have limited access to food and water, which are being prevented from delivery.'

As he begun his conference address amid the chaos, Mr Farage said the ongoing events reminded him why Britain was 'right to leave' the Brussels-based EU.

Speaking on his first official trip back to the Belgian capital since Britain left the bloc, Mr Farage said: 'What has happened over the course of the last 48 hours is simply monstrous.'

He detailed how two venues had already pulled out of hosting the 'National Conservatism' conference prior to a third venue being found last night.

'What you may or may not know in the audience now is that this venue, which accepted this booking last night - and we give huge thanks to the Tunisian owner of this business for his courage and for allowing free speech to take place,' Mr Farage said.

'What is happening as we speak is he is receiving phone calls from the local mayor, the police are being encouraged to come in and shut down this conference.'

He added: 'This is what we are up against, we are up against an evil ideology, we are up against a new form of communism - this is nothing less than that.

'And if anything ever said to me that Brexit was the right thing to do.

'That leaving this place, regaining our national sovereignty - even if we could have carried it out better - that recognising that you cannot be an independent, democratic, self-governing nation state and a member of this monstrous union with its ideology behind it.

'Today has told me, I shall never forget it, we were right to leave, no question.'

Mr Farage lashed out at police and a local mayor for attempting to cancel the right-wing political gathering

As he begun his conference address, Mr Farage said the events of the past hours had reminded him why Britain was 'right to leave' the Brussels-based European Union

As well as Mr Farage, speakers at the two-day event included ex-home secretary Suella Braverman and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, who is scheduled to appear tomorrow

Mrs Braverman, who addressed the conference after Mr Farage despite the confusion sparked by the mayor's closure order, hit out at local officials she described as 'thought police'

Police for the Brussels district of Saint-Josse, where the venue is located, confirmed to the AFP news agency that they had been tasked by the local mayor with notifying organisers of a ban.

'We are taking all necessary operational measures to prevent a public disturbance,' police spokeswoman Audrey Dereymaeker said.

Mrs Braverman, who addressed the conference after Mr Farage despite the confusion sparked by the mayor's closure order, hit out at local officials she described as 'thought police'.

She told Sky News: 'I'm here with like-minded democrats, democratically elected politicians, leaders and experts in their fields.

'And we are here talking about the issues that matter to the British people but also many citizens around Europe.

'Securing our borders, making our communities safer and how to protect our countries.

'It's a real shame that the thought police instructed by the mayor of Brussels has saw fit to try and undermine and denigrate what is free speech and free debate.'

She added: 'Could this happen in the UK? I generally think we have a culture of freedom of speech, we value debate and the free flow of ideas.

'It's a cherished foundation of our democracy and long may it continue.'

Mrs Braverman had used her speech to repeat her call for Britain to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

She attacked the ECHR as incompatible with parliamentary democracy and the Strasbourg-based court charged with enforcing it as 'profoundly undemocratic and politicised'.

Speaking as he left the venue after finishing his own conference address this afternoon, Mr Farage told reporters: 'What's happened here... where there is global media, we can see that legally-held opinions from people who are going to win national elections is no longer acceptable here in Brussels, the home of globalism.

'Because if you don't agree with ever-closer union, you must be a bad thing.'

The eurosceptic politician, who is honorary president of Reform UK, also told GB News: 'This is cancel culture in a very, very big way.

'Often cancel culture kicks in when somebody pushes the boundaries of what might be seen to be legitimate debate.'

John O'Brien, head of communications at MCC think tank, one of the joint organisers of the event, decried the closure order as 'Orwellian'.

He said the apparent justification was over public safety concerns, with anti-fascist demonstrators planning to protest at the venue later in the day.

Downing Street described the Belgian police action to shut down the National Conservatism conference as 'extremely disturbing'.

A Number 10 spokeswoman said: 'Clearly, these reports are extremely disturbing.

'The Prime Minister is a strong supporter and advocator for free speech and he believes that should be fundamental to any democracy.

'Speaking more broadly to the principle of such events, he is very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming speakers is damaging to free speech and to democracy as a result.

'He is very clear that free debate and the exchange of views is vital, even where you disagree.'

The spokeswoman added she was not aware of any plans to raise the issue with the Belgian government.

The Belgian League of Human Rights is among the groups opposing the event.

'Freedom of speech may indeed apply to everyone, within the limits of the law, but that does not mean we have to open our home to the far-right,' it said in a statement last week.

As well as Mrs Braverman, the conference had also been due to hear from fellow Conservative MP Ms Cates on Tuesday while Mr Orban was scheduled to speak tomorrow.

Mr Sunak had faced pressure to block Mrs Braverman's attendance at the conference.

Labour shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth urging Mr Sunak to stop the former home secretary 'giving oxygen to these divisive and dangerous individuals'.

Under Boris Johnson's government in 2020, Conservative backbencher Daniel Kawczynski was reprimanded for attending a National Conservatism conference in Rome.

At the time, a Tory spokesman condemned the views of some other speakers, including Mr Orban.

Both Mrs Braverman and Ms Cates addressed the National Conservatism conference in London last year, which was disrupted by protesters.
Attorney General Merrick Garland insisted Joe Biden has no cognitive impairment as he was forced to defend the president on Capitol Hill after a bombshell report describing him as 'elderly' and 'forgetful.'

'The president has no impairment,' Garland said as Republicans hounded him over former special counsel Robert Hur's report.

'I have watched him expertly guide meetings of staff and cabinet members on issues of foreign affairs and military strategy and policy in the incredibly complex world in which we now face.'

Garland went on: 'I don't know how many ways I can say this, I have complete confidence in the president.'

That puts Garland at odds with the special counsel he appointed, who stepped down from the Justice Department shortly after releasing the report where he explained why he did not charge the president for mishandling classified documents.

Republicans once again demanded Garland hand over audio of Hur's interview with Biden.

While the DOJ has handed over transcripts of Hur's interviews with Biden that led him to conclude the president is 'elderly' and 'well-meaning' but has a 'poor memory,' Republicans are unsatisfied. They insist they need audio of the interview too.

Garland: 'I don't know how many ways I can say this, I have complete confidence in the president'

Hur said he found that Biden had 'willfully' retained classified material but stopped short of filing charges, believing a jury would not convict the president

They subpoenaed transcripts, notes, audio and video files largely related to Hur's interview - giving Attorney General Merrick Garland until Monday at noon and threatening him with contempt if he does not comply.

The DOJ said in a new letter to GOP committee chairmen that the department had already been 'extraordinarily' accommodating in giving up the Biden transcript.

They said releasing audio as well might make it harder for prosecutors to secure recorded interviews in the future, with witnesses knowing they could be blasted out into the public.

'The Committees have already received the extraordinary accommodation of the transcripts, which gives you the information you say you need,' the letter, written by assistant attorney general Carlos Uriarte, read.

'To go further by producing the audio files would compound the likelihood that future prosecutors will be unable to secure this level of cooperation. They might have a harder time obtaining consent to an interview at all. It is clearly not in the public interest to render such cooperation with prosecutors and investigators less likely in the future.'

The letter said that the Oversight and Judiciary committees have not identified any valid reasoning for needing the audio of the interview in addition to transcripts.

It said the DOJ had 'met or exceeded the Committees' informational needs' stated in the subpoenas.

'Our efforts at cooperation prove that we are, and continue to be, willing to do our part to show the American people that the officials who serve them can work together productively in the public interest while avoiding unnecessary conflict,' Uriarte went on.

Oversight Chairman James Comer clapped back in a statement: 'The Biden Administration does not get to determine what Congress needs and does not need for its oversight of the executive branch.'

'Its curious the Biden Administration is refusing to release the audio of President Bidens interview with the Special Counsel after releasing the transcript. Why shouldn't the American people be able to hear the actual audio of his answers? The American people demand transparency from their leaders, not obstruction.'

'Yet the Committees have responded with escalation and threats of criminal contempt. The Committees reaction is difficult to explain in terms of any lack of information or frustration of any informational or investigative imperative, given the Departments actual conduct. We are therefore concerned that the Committees are disappointed not because you didnt receive information, but because you did. We urge the Committees to avoid conflict rather than seek it.'

Hur, who had interviewed Biden over October 8 and 9, 2023, resigned as special counsel and left the DOJ shortly before testifying in Congress last month.

He found that Biden had 'willfully' retained classified material but stopped short of filing charges, believing a jury would not convict the president.

He sparked opposition from all sides - Republicans who questioned why he would not charge the president and Democrats who took issue with his description of Biden as a 'sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.'

He explained his decision to make the assessment in the hearing: 'I knew that for my position to be credible. I could not simply announce that there would be no charges, I needed to explain why. I needed to show my work.'

'We identified evidence that the President willfully retained classified materials after the end of his vice presidency, when he was a private citizen,' Hur said during a high-stakes hearing earlier this month.

In interviews with investigators, Biden became muddled about the dates he was vice president and could not even remember the year in which his son Beau died, according to the transcript reviewed by DailyMail.com.

The box circled in the foreground contained documents about Afghanistan. The picture was taken in December 2022 in Biden's garage, with other household items

Special Counsel Robert Hur spent a year investigating files found at President Joe Biden's home and former office. He said Biden's status as president meant he could not be prosecuted

Biden forgot the year Beau died, when Trump was elected and said 'I don't recall', 'I don't remember' and 'I have no goddamn idea' more than 100 times while cracking jokes and making car noises with the investigators.

And it said his cavalier attitude to classified documents, such as his habit of reading sensitive files to a ghostwriter, posed a significant national security risk.

One of the reasons they decided not to press charges was because 'at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.'

Hur said during testimony that he described Biden this way because of his 'inability to recall certain things' and that he had to be prompted by his lawyers to recall certain dates.

According to transcripts of Hur's interviews with Biden on October 8 and October 9, 2023, Biden's lawyer had to tell him what year his son Beau died of brain cancer and the president joked about the special counsel finding pictures of his wife Jill in a swimsuit.

I just hope you didnt find any risque pictures of my wife in a bathing suit. Which you probably did. Shes beautiful,' said Biden.

'What month did Beau die?' Biden mused at one point, adding, 'Oh God, May 30th.'

'He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died. And his memory appeared hazy when describing the Afghanistan debate that was once so important to him,' Hur said.

A White House lawyer then chimed in with the year, 2015.

'Was it 2015 he died?' Biden asked.
The Biden administration officially unveiled new rules it plans to use to wipe out millions in debt for student loan borrowers by tackling ballooning interest.

President Biden first announced his latest proposals to cancel student loan debt during a visit to Madison, WI more than a week ago after his original plan was blocked by the Supreme Court.

In total, the administration believes his combined efforts could cut debt for more than 30 million borrowers including the 4.3 million who have already seen their debt forgiven.

The new rules which will be formally published on Wednesday. The public will then have 30 days to comment on the proposals.

The Education Department will then finalize the rules to start canceling debt this fall.

President Biden at an event to address student loan debt in Madison, WI. The Education Department officially released the first set of draft rules under his new plan on Tuesday

It comes as Republicans have accused President Biden of attempting to 'buy votes' as he runs for reelection.

18 Republican-led states have already sued over another plan the president released, the SAVE plan.

The administration has wiped $153 billion in student loan debt since Biden took office and expects to new rules to cancel billions more.

The Penn Wharton Business Model estimates the new rules along with the president's recent SAVE plan would cost about $559 billion over a decade.

Protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court as the court blocked President Biden's previous student loan relief plan last June. Biden has already canceled $153 billion in student loan debt despite the court blocking the first effort

The first of the drafted rules focuses on canceling interest for borrowers who have more debt now than when they originally took out loans due to growing interest.

It would allow the Education Department to automatically cancel up to $20,000 in debt for borrowers on the amount they currently owe that exceeds what they owed when they started repaying loans.

It would apply to all types of student loans held by the Education Department including parent loans, consolidated loans and ones in default.

Another rule would allow the Education Department to cancel the full amount of debt borrowers saw their balances grow by after enrolling in Income-Driven Repayment plans.

Biden Administration Student Loan Debt Forgiveness August 2022: Biden announces original plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt June 2023: Supreme Court blocks Biden's first student loan forgiveness plan August 2023: Biden announces income driven repayment SAVE plan February 2024: Biden administration begins canceling debt under the SAVE plan March 2024: 11 states sue to block the SAVE plan April 2024: Biden unveils 5 new actions as second massive attempt to cancel student loan debt April 2024: 7 more states sue over the SAVE plan Advertisement

To qualify, borrowers would have to have an annual income of $120,000 or less if single and $240,000 or less if married.

The Biden administration estimates 25 million borrowers now owe more than they originally borrowed due to federal student loan interest. The new rules would wipe out the entire increase in balances of 23 million borrowers.

The Education Department also released a draft of the rule dealing with canceling debt for borrowers who have been making payments for 20 or more years.

It applies to undergraduates who started repaying loans on or before July 1, 2005.

Graduate school borrowers can see debt canceled after repaying loans for 25 years, or since July 1, 2000.

The administration estimates the one-time move would impact 2.6 million borrowers who have outstanding deb on old loans still in repayment. But officials are asking the public for feedback on ways to help borrowers who are close but don't quite meet the timeline qualifications.

Other rules that advanced include ones dealing with canceling debt for borrowers who are eligible under other programs but have not yet applied due to paperwork requirements, bad advice or other obstacles.

The Education Department will publish a second rule focused on providing relief for borrowers experiencing hardship in the coming months.

The steps this week are ones that move the Biden administration closer to canceling debt for millions.

Critics of President Biden have blasted the president's efforts to cancel debt calling it unfair to Americans who did not take out loans, go to college or already paid back debt.

Republicans have slammed the effort as a shift of the debt rather than eliminating it as the efforts could help drive up the national debt was less money coming in.

But some advocates praised the move Tuesday. The Center for Responsible Lending has advocated for eliminating accrued interest.

The group said the rules on Tuesday 'ensure a higher education system that is fairer and more accessible to all.'
This is the horrifying moment a gunman jumped out of his car and shot a 31-year-old driver in the chest in Philadelphia.

Police released dash cam footage of the roughly 30-second incident after responding to a 911 call about a shooting at around 9.40pm on Friday, April 12.

The video shows the unknown suspect leap out the passenger side of a Nissan Murano that had stopped in front of the victim while they were waiting at a red light on the 7100 block of Old York Road.

The assailant approaches the car with a pistol raised, appears to think twice and then runs away while firing two shots at the windshield.

The driver was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, with their current status unknown.

The shooter exits the car and draws his weapon

The shooter approaches the drivers' side of the car behind the Nissan Murano

The shooter gets back into the car, after which the two suspects flee the scene

It is unknown what caused the shooter to flee, but the victim's hand can be seen reaching for something.

After firing the shots, one of which pierced the victim's chest, the shooter gets back in the Nissan Murano, and the driver punches the gas to flee the scene.

Gunshot sounds appear to be heard from the victim's car as the suspects fled.

Police are now hunting both the driver and passenger seen in the video.

The suspect who fired the shots was described as 'black male, heavy build, full beard, wearing a black skull cap, large glasses with black frames, black hooded jacket with "Nike" logo on left chest, gray sweatpants, black and white sneakers.'

The driver of the Nissan SUV was described as a 'black male wearing a black balaclava style mask, black zip-up jacket over a white shirt, black or gray pants with a black belt.'

Their vehicle was last seen heading north toward Cheltenham Township.

Sources inside the Philadelphia Police Department told a local reporter that the shooting was an attempted robbery planned by the two suspects seen in the video.

The reporter, Steve Keeley, said the victim works at a company called Fast Cash and was transporting $100,000 in cash.

Driver targeted in attempted robbery was transporting $100,000 in cash, @PhillyPolice sources tell me. This was a planned robbery detective sources believe. No money was taken. Driver,31,is licensed to carry & pulled gun. He was shot in chest. He fired back. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/9Nu7HaTqE2  Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) April 16, 2024

The man transporting the cash reportedly has a license to carry a firearm, which was what caused the abrupt duck and run by the suspect.

Philadelphia police are appealing to community members to reach out with any information that could lead to the capture of either of the suspects.

Authorities are offering the anyone with actionable information that leads to an arrest and conviction a $5,000 reward. They also warned people not to approach the two suspects if they see them but to instead call 911.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Philadelphia Police Department for comment.
Kemi Badenoch became the first of Rishi Sunak's ministers to confirm they will vote against his smoking ban this afternoon as he faced a rebellion by the Tory Right.

The Business Secretary said she would not support the move for a rolling ban on tobacco products, which is set to be approved by the Commons tonight.

Ms Badenoch, who is seen as a leading contender to succeed Mr Sunak as party leader if the Tories lose the election, said that the legislation would 'treat legally competent adults differently' by bringing in an age limit on buying cigarettes that changed every year.

Writing on X she also questioned how enforceable it was, and said the burden for doing so would fall 'not on the state but on private businesses'.

Because it is a 'conscience vote' Ms Badenoch can defy Mr Sunak without fear of being sacked. She is one of a number of ministers who are expected to vote against the law.

Her intervention came after ex-PM Liz Truss had slammed Rishi Sunak for 'limiting freedom' with his plans for a cigarettes ban as MPs gear up for a crunch vote.

The Business Secretary said she would not support the move for a rolling ban on tobacco products, which is set to be approved by the Commons tonight.

Liz Truss today slammed Rishi Sunak for 'limiting freedom' with his plans for a cigarettes ban as MPs gear up for a crunch vote

Health secretary Victoria Atkins (left) and her shadow Wes Streeting are both supporting the proposals

The Business Secretary wrote on X ahead of the Commons vote: 'I have significant concerns and appreciate the PM making this a free vote. It gives me the opportunity to express my personal view, outside collective responsibility. The principle of equality under the law is a fundamental one. It underpins many of my personal beliefs.

'We should not treat legally competent adults differently in this way, where people born a day apart will have permanently different rights.

'Among other reasons it will create difficulties with enforcement. This burden will fall not on the state but on private businesses.

'Smoking rates are already declining significantly in the UK and I think there is more we can do to stop children taking up the habit.

'However, I do not support the approach this bill is taking and so will be voting against it.'

During tetchy exchanges in the Commons, Ms Truss swiped that the government was 'infantilising' Brits by taking away their choice.

Stressing that she was not a supporter of smoking, she said she was 'disappointed' that the Tory administration thought the 'state knows best'. Ms Truss said Labour was the right home for 'finger-wagging, nannying control freaks'.

The intervention came as shadow health secretary West Streeting gloated that Ms Truss and her allies were right to brand the proposals 'un-Conservative'.

He said he was 'delighted' to support the measures after they were 'adopted' by Mr Sunak.

Dozens of the PM's own rank and file, and several ministers, are set to oppose the plans to ensure anyone currently aged 15 or younger will never be able to buy a cigarette legally.

However, Mr Sunak has insisted it is right to protect children, while Chief Medical Office Chris Whitty dismissed criticism saying many people cannot give up after becoming addicted.

Although technically MPs will have a free vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill this evening, as by convention it is a conscience issue, significant opposition among Conservatives would still be a blow to Mr Sunak's authority.

There has been speculation that 50 Tories could go against the premier's policy, but it is not in danger of being derailed due to Labour backing.

The legislation will ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1 2009, meaning no one under the age of 15 in England will be able to legally buy a cigarette (Stock Image)

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt in his own party against his proposed smoking ban

The legislation would ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1 2009 - meaning children aged 15 or younger today will never legally be sold a cigarette in England.

It also gives the Government powers to tackle youth vaping, with restrictions on flavours and new rules on packaging and selling vapes.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins kicked off the debate by insisting that smoking was causing huge suffering.

She told the Commons: 'I totally understand the concerns of fellow Conservatives. We are not in the habit of banning things, we do not like that, and so we will only bring these powers in when we are convinced, following a no doubt robust debate with the intellectual self-confidence that we have to have such debates on this side of the House we come to the conclusion that there is no liberty in addiction.

'Nicotine robs people of their freedom to choose. The vast majority of smokers start when they are young, and three-quarters say that if they could turn back the clock they would not have started.'

She added: 'That is why, through this Bill, we are creating a smoke-free generation that will guarantee that no-one who is turning 15 or younger this year will ever be legally sold tobacco, saving them from the misery of repeated attempts to give up, making our economy more productive and building an NHS that delivers faster, simpler and fairer care.

'I would argue it is our responsibility, indeed our duty, to protect the next generation and this is what this Bill will do.'

But Ms Truss said the policy was 'emblematic of a technocratic establishment in this country that wants to limit people's freedom'.

She added: 'The problem is the instinct of this establishment, which is reflected by a cross-party consensus today in today's chamber, is to believe that they, that the Government are better at making decisions for people than people themselves and I absolutely agree that that is true for the under 18s.

'It is very important that until people have decision-making capability while they are growing up that we protect them. But I think the whole idea that we can protect adults from themselves is hugely problematic and it effectively infantilises people, and that is what has been going on.

'And what we're seeing, is we're seeing not just on tobacco but also on sugar, also on alcohol, also on meat, a group of people who want to push an agenda which is about limiting people's personal freedom, and I think that is fundamentally wrong.'

Conservative MP Alexander Stafford said the Government should not be 'wasting our time talking about something that's dying out anyway', adding: 'Young people aren't smoking, it is not cool to smoke what this Bill should be focused on is more on the vape side of things, on the illegal vapes, the super-charged vapes, the colourful, the flavourful vapes.

'Instead, we are sitting here debating cigarettes that are naturally being gone out of existence anyway.'

But Ms Atkins replied: 'Sadly, there is nothing inevitable about a decrease in smoking rates. Indeed in 2020, the United States saw the first increase in tobacco sales in 20 years and in Australia in 2022, the proportion of teenagers smoking increased for the first time in 25 years.'

She added: 'Here in the United Kingdom, 100,000 children and young people take up smoking every year and so we must not be lulled into this sense of inevitability and security.'

Ms Atkins kicked off the debate by insisting that smoking was causing huge suffering

Earlier, former Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said he is 'both sceptical and downright opposed' to the plans.

'There are good ways to tackle a problem like this and then there are bad ways, and I think that an outright ban risks being counterproductive, I think it actually risks making smoking cooler, it certainly risks creating a black market, and it also risks creating a unmanageable challenge for the authorities,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Sir Simon said education and the tax system should be used as tools to deter people from smoking.

Asked about opinion polls which show that two-thirds of people in Britain back a phased smoking ban  a figure which extends to 70 per cent among those who voted Conservative in 2019, Sir Simon said: 'There are some things, of course, which are not necessarily philosophically or practically right which would command support in the opinion polls.

'I think probably if you were to do an opinion poll on bringing back hanging you'd find that there was a significant proportion of people who backed it, that wouldn't necessarily mean it was the right thing to do.'

Boris Johnson has branded the plan 'absolutely nuts', saying last week: 'We're banning cigars. What is the point of banning - the party of Winston Churchill wants to ban cigars... Donnez moi un break, as they say in Quebec. It's just mad.'

Chief Medical Office Chris Whitty dismissed criticism saying many people cannot give up after becoming addicted

Despite the Tory opposition, Labour is set to whip in favour of the Bill meaning it will almost certainly pass.

The Government believes creating a 'smokefree generation' could prevent more than 470,000 cases of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other deadly diseases by the turn of the century.

Professor Whitty said: 'Smoking kills and causes harm at all stages of life from stillbirths, asthma in children, stroke, cancer to heart attacks and dementia.

'This Bill, if passed, will have a substantial impact - preventing disease, disability and premature deaths long into the future.'
Do you know the student?

Do you know the student? Email: taryn.pedler@mailonline.co.uk

Local reports claimed he was boarding a flight to London before he was caught

Fahad Uddin Ahmed, 25, allegedly had '10,000 doses' of the class-A drug on him

A British student has been arrested after allegedly being caught smuggling cocaine disguised as milk out of Colombia.

Fahad Uddin Ahmed, 25, was stopped as he tried to board a plane to London from Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport near the city of Cali.

Officers opened up the packets of powdered milk he was carrying in front of him before doing a drug colour test at the airport which they claim confirmed the packets contained the illegal class A substance.

The Brit student was made to pose in front of what it is claimed is an illegal drug stash by Colombian police before being taken away prisoner.

Local reports said the plane he was planning to board was bound for London with a connection in the German city of Frankfurt.

He is said to have been carrying four bags, marked Klim, in his hand luggage, which the police allege contain cocaine.

British student, Fahad Uddin Ahmed, 25, was arrested in Colombia after allegedly trying to smuggle out cocaine disguised as powdered milk

The student was suspected of attempting to carry '10,000 doses' of the class-A drug into London

It was not immediately clear today whether he had already gone before a judge and been remanded in custody pending an ongoing investigation

Police say he had '10,000 doses' of the drug on him, although the exact weight is not yet clear.

A police spokesman said: 'The arrested person is British.

'He was carrying cocaine disguised as milk. It was detected when his luggage was searched at Alfonso Bonilla Aragon Airport by officers stationed at the airport working with immigration officers,' police claimed.

Officers also released footage of the drug test they performed in front of the British traveller.

A person acting as a translator could be overhead saying: 'We're just verifying everything we're going to do' as an officer wearing gloves inspected the milk packets and explained he was going to analyse the substance inside.

The English speaker added: 'We are going to test each one individually as part of the narco test' moments before a chemical reaction led to the white napkins laid out in front of the packets turning a tell-tale blue.

The detained man was led away in handcuffs with a grim look on his face by two uniformed officers.

It was not immediately clear today whether he had already gone before a judge and been remanded in custody pending an ongoing investigation.

According to the Colombian criminal code, if a person has 10 to 28 grams of cocaine in their possession, it is considered trafficking, and for the first offense, they would be facing three to 10 years in prison.

At the start of last month a British man was arrested after trying to fly out of the Dominican Republic with two suitcases full of suspected cocaine.

The 32-year-old was held as he tried to board a plane to Frankfurt in Germany.

Police on the Caribbean island confirmed the arrest and said they were trying to find out if he was part a larger gang of drug traffickers.

Officers also released video footage showing them counting out the 36 cellophane-wrapped packets containing the suspected cocaine, barely hidden under a thin layer of clothing.

Londoner Modou Adams was arrested in October for seven years after being caught trying to fly out of Peru

The arrest was made at Punta Cana International Airport after specialist sniffer dogs honed in on the two suspicious suitcases. The British man was taken into custody after spot tests on the suspected drugs.

Last October a British model who flaunted his jet set lifestyle on social media was jailed for seven years in Peru after being caught trying to fly out of the country with 300,000 worth of cocaine.

Londoner Modou Dodou Adams wowed his thousands of social media fans with his trendsetting looks and VIP globetrotting under the self-styled moniker of 'boywholives' in a show of excess branded by authorities as a front for his criminal activities.

His apparent world of glamour was left in tatters after he confessed to being a drug trafficker and was told he now faces the next six years and eight months in a hellhole South American jail.

Adams, 25, was held at Lima's international airport as he tried to check in for a flight to London via Paris with almost three kilos of cocaine in his suitcase.

He was handed his sentence in a quickie trial 24 hours after his arrest by the same police force that held Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid, the so-called Peru Two in August 2013.

The Peru Two, Michaella McCollum from Dungannon, Northern Ireland, and Melissa Reid from Lenzie, Scotland, were arrested on August 6, 2013, on suspicion of drug smuggling at Jorge Chavez International Airport, Lima, Peru, after their luggage was found to contain 11 kilos of cocaine.

They initially claimed they had been coerced by an armed gang but subsequently pleaded guilty.

On December 17, 2013, the pair were sentenced to six years and eight months' imprisonment.

Melissa Reid (right) and Michaella McCollum Conolly (left) were arrested at Lima airport with cocaine in their luggage

In early 2016, both women sought to return to the United Kingdom.

McCollum applied to be freed on parole and was released on March 31, 2016, with the prospect of having to remain in Peru for up to six years.

In April 2016 the Peruvian authorities agreed to expel Reid from the country.

She was released from prison on June 21 that year and immediately returned to Britain, arriving at Glasgow airport the following day.

McCollum returned to Europe two months later, arriving at Dublin airport in Ireland on 13 August 2016.

She later wrote a book about her experiences titled 'You'll Never See Daylight Again.'

In June 2022 a British man named locally at the time as Russell Tamer was arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle cocaine out of a Colombian airport strapped to his body.

Police held him as he allegedly threw a packet containing the drug into an airport toilet after spotting uniformed officers at a security airport.

The arrest took place in Simon Bolivar International Airport, the airport serving Santa Marta city in Colombia which is the capital of Magdalena Department.

It was not immediately clear today if he has already been dealt with by the courts.

Cocaine production and trafficking are considered the main driver of an almost six-decade armed conflict in Colombia that has left more than 450,000 dead and millions displaced.
Customers who are looking to snag some free ice cream can do so today courtesy of Ben & Jerrys.

Ben & Jerrys will be giving out free ice cream cones and cups to patrons today between 12:00 and 8:00 pm at participating locations worldwide.

Every time you enjoy a scoop of Ben & Jerrys, youre showing us how much you care, their website read.

Were asking our fans to really bring it this year: invite their friends, family, and neighbors, and help us beat our goal of 1 million scoops on Free Cone Day 2024, said Ben & Jerrys CEO Dave Stever.

Ben & Jerrys customers can also enjoy their free ice cream cones and cups as many times as theyd like today - as long as they are willing to wait in line again each time they want another serving.

Ben & Jerrys will be giving out free ice cream cones and cups to all of their customers today between 12:00 and 8:00 pm at participating locations worldwide

Ben & Jerrys customers can enjoy their free ice cream cones and cups as many times as theyd like today

Ben & Jerry's goal is to serve more than one million scoops of ice cream today. They had done so already in 2015

Ben & Jerrys has hosted an annual free cone day since 1979 at their first store in Burlington, Vermont.

Their ice cream shop in Saratoga Springs, New York did their first Free Cone Day in 1984 every US location in 1993 eventually joined in on the fun.

Ben & Jerrys locations worldwide celebrated Free Cone Day together on April 18, 2000 and by 2010, their customers were able to see photos and tweets of their free ice creams through the scooper shops iPhone app.

Stever is asking Ben & Jerrys fans to really bring it this year and he encouraged them to invite their friends, family, and neighbors to help them beat their goal of over one million scoops of ice cream today.

Ben & Jerrys has already released a few tips on how their customers should prepare to participate in Free Cone Day.

According to their April 15 Instagram post, customers should prepare to choose an ice cream flavor, leave their wallet at home, bring an activity, wear comfy shoes, and bring their appetite.

According a Ben & Jerry's Instagram post, customers should prepare to choose an ice cream flavor, leave their wallet at home, bring an activity, wear comfy shoes, and bring their appetite

A woman that was featured on a video posted by Ben & Jerry's Instagram and TikTok gave a brief rundown on how to get free ice cream from the shop

A woman showed off a quick example of what to do in a video posted on TikTok and Instagram earlier today.

The line was not long at the Ben & Jerrys shop she went to, likely because she arrived right at the beginning of the giveaway.

However, its important to remember that lines at the participating ice cream shops will possibly be long.

Thats why Ben & Jerrys listed 10 ways to pass the time while someone is in line on free cone day.

These time-passing suggestions include talking to strangers, starting a sing-a-long, making phone calls, and high five a Ben & Jerrys employee.

X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok users have not stopped writing joyful comments on their social media pages since the one-day special began at noon.

Its #FreeConeDay at Ben & Jerrys!! Come see us at the Chapel Hill location from 12-3 today!!@benjerrych partnered with us as a community org!



Get free ice cream, learn more about @weare_org & if the spirit moves you, leave a donation #weare #antiracisteducators pic.twitter.com/1Dlve4F3Ya  we are (@weare_org) April 16, 2024

Social media users have been huge fans of the day - many of them showing off their free ice cream on X

X users have been giving positive feedback in their tweets about Free Cone Day and some of them have also posted pictures showing off their free ice cream treats.

One Ben & Jerry's location in Chapel Hill only celebrated Free Cone Day until 3:00 but there were plenty of customers in their shop.

The We Are non-profit organization in North Carolina partnered with the Ben & Jerry's Chapel Hill location and the shop's customers stopped by their display table during their Free Cone Day celebration.

There's even an X photo of two girls showing off an ice cream cone and promoting Free Cone Day.

Other social media users made simple compliments, but one user wrote in an Instagram comment that the shop line was 'crazy long.'
Rishi Sunak's proposed smoking ban cleared its first parliamentary hurdle tonight as MPs voted by 383 to 67 to give their backing to the Prime Minister's plans.

The House of Commons this evening overwhelmingly approved the second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to phase in a ban on the sale of tobacco products.

Mr Sunak, who views the ban as a key part of his long-term legacy, had allowed MPs a free vote on the issue.

But he will still be rocked by the fact 59 Tory MPs - including six Government ministers - actively opposed his plans, while many more abstained from voting.

A total of 165 Conservative MPs failed to back the PM's Bill tonight, which was just under half the total of 347 Tory MPs in the Commons.

After the vote, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting swiped that it was 'only thanks to Labour MPs' that Mr Sunak saw his plans approved by the Commons.

'Rishi Sunak put this Bill at risk by granting a free vote, because he is too weak to stand up to the Liz Truss-wing of his party,' he said,

'Labour first proposed a progressive ban on smoking more than a year ago, and it was only thanks to Labour MPs that this Bill passed.'

Rishi Sunak's proposed smoking ban cleared its first parliamentary hurdle tonight as MPs voted by 383 to 67 to give their backing to the Prime Minister's plans

The Conservative rebellion tonight came after key figures on the Tory Right spoke out against the Bill.

They were led by Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, who earlier became the first of Mr Sunak's ministers to confirm they would vote against the smoking ban.

She said the legislation would 'treat legally competent adults differently' by bringing in an age limit on buying cigarettes that changed every year.

Ms Badenoch was joined in voting against the Bill by fellow Government ministers Steve Baker, Alex Burghart, Andrew Griffith, Julia Lopez and Lee Rowley.

The 59 Tory MPs to oppose the plans - including two 'No' tellers - also included ex-Cabinet ministers Suella Braverman, Sir Simon Clarke, Robert Jenrick, and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg.

A further 106 Conservatives failed to record a vote tonight, meaning many will have actively abstained.

Those not voting included Penny Mordaunt, the Leader of the House of Commons, former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, and ex-defence secretary Ben Wallace.

Ms Badenoch is widely viewed as a leading contender to succeed Mr Sunak as party leader if the Tories lose the looming general election.

She and other ministers were able to defy the PM tonight without fear of being sacked due to Mr Sunak's move to make the issue a 'conscience vote'.

Ms Badenoch's intervention came after ex-PM Liz Truss - who has previously attacked the 'nanny state' plans - slammed Mr Sunak for 'limiting freedom'.

Mr Sunak wants to ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1, 2009 - meaning children aged 15 or younger today will never legally be sold a cigarette in England.

The PM's Bill also gives the Government powers to tackle youth vaping, with restrictions on flavours and new rules on packaging and selling vapes.

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch earlier became the first of Mr Sunak's ministers to confirm they would vote against the smoking ban

Ex-PM Liz Truss slammed Mr Sunak for 'limiting freedom' with his plans for a smoking ban as MPs geared up for a crunch vote

Health secretary Victoria Atkins (left) and her Labour shadow Wes Streeting are both supporting the proposals

Tory MPs voting against the Bill were joined by 7 DUP MPs, Reform Party MP Lee Anderson, and Workers Party of Britain MP George Galloway.

Some 178 Conservatives supported the Bill according to the list, alongside 160 Labour MPs, 31 SNP MPs, 5 Liberal Democrats, 3 Plaid Cymru MPs, 2 independents, and the Alliance Party's Stephen Farry.

Ms Badenoch wrote on X ahead of tonight's Commons vote: 'I have significant concerns and appreciate the PM making this a free vote.

'It gives me the opportunity to express my personal view, outside collective responsibility. The principle of equality under the law is a fundamental one. It underpins many of my personal beliefs.

'We should not treat legally competent adults differently in this way, where people born a day apart will have permanently different rights.

'Among other reasons it will create difficulties with enforcement. This burden will fall not on the state but on private businesses.

'Smoking rates are already declining significantly in the UK and I think there is more we can do to stop children taking up the habit.

'However, I do not support the approach this bill is taking and so will be voting against it.'

Mr Jenrick, the former immigration minister, also confirmed his opposition to the PM's plans prior to tonight's Commons vote.

He said: 'I believe in personal freedom. Let's educate more and ban less.

'I also believe in the principle of equality under the law. A phased ban of smoking would be an affront to that.

'I will therefore vote against the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. I respect those who disagree. The proponents have good intentions.

'I've seen the harmful effects of smoking in my own family, so I understand their perspective.

'But the best way to reduce smoking is to continue to educate, not a ban that will prove a nightmare to enforce.'

During tetchy exchanges in the Commons earlier, as MPs debated Mr Sunak's proposed smoking ban, Ms Truss swiped that the Government was 'infantilising' Brits by taking away their choice.

Stressing that she was not a supporter of smoking, she said she was 'disappointed' that the Tory administration thought the 'state knows best'.

Ms Truss said Labour was the right home for 'finger-wagging, nannying control freaks'.

The intervention came as Labour's shadow health secretary West Streeting gloated that Ms Truss and her allies were right to brand the proposals 'un-Conservative'.

He said he was 'delighted' to support the measures after they were 'adopted' by Mr Sunak.

Mr Sunak plans to ensure anyone currently aged 15 or younger will never be able to buy a cigarette legally.

The PM has insisted it is right to protect children, while Chief Medical Office Chris Whitty dismissed criticism of the ban by saying many people cannot give up after becoming addicted.

The legislation will ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1 2009, meaning no one under the age of 15 in England will be able to legally buy a cigarette

Mr Sunak, who views the smoking ban as a key part of his long-term legacy, had allowed MPs a free vote on the issue

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins kicked off this afternoon's Commons debate by insisting that smoking was causing huge suffering.

She told MPs: 'I totally understand the concerns of fellow Conservatives.

'We are not in the habit of banning things, we do not like that, and so we will only bring these powers in when we are convinced, following a no doubt robust debate with the intellectual self-confidence that we have to have such debates on this side of the House we come to the conclusion that there is no liberty in addiction.

'Nicotine robs people of their freedom to choose. The vast majority of smokers start when they are young, and three-quarters say that if they could turn back the clock they would not have started.'

She added: 'That is why, through this Bill, we are creating a smoke-free generation that will guarantee that no-one who is turning 15 or younger this year will ever be legally sold tobacco, saving them from the misery of repeated attempts to give up, making our economy more productive and building an NHS that delivers faster, simpler and fairer care.

'I would argue it is our responsibility, indeed our duty, to protect the next generation and this is what this Bill will do.'

But Ms Truss said the policy was 'emblematic of a technocratic establishment in this country that wants to limit people's freedom'.

She added: 'The problem is the instinct of this establishment, which is reflected by a cross-party consensus today in today's chamber, is to believe that they, that the Government are better at making decisions for people than people themselves and I absolutely agree that that is true for the under 18s.

'It is very important that until people have decision-making capability while they are growing up that we protect them. But I think the whole idea that we can protect adults from themselves is hugely problematic and it effectively infantilises people, and that is what has been going on.

'And what we're seeing, is we're seeing not just on tobacco but also on sugar, also on alcohol, also on meat, a group of people who want to push an agenda which is about limiting people's personal freedom, and I think that is fundamentally wrong.'

Conservative MP Alexander Stafford said the Government should not be 'wasting our time talking about something that's dying out anyway', adding: 'Young people aren't smoking, it is not cool to smoke what this Bill should be focused on is more on the vape side of things, on the illegal vapes, the super-charged vapes, the colourful, the flavourful vapes.

'Instead, we are sitting here debating cigarettes that are naturally being gone out of existence anyway.'

But Ms Atkins replied: 'Sadly, there is nothing inevitable about a decrease in smoking rates. Indeed in 2020, the United States saw the first increase in tobacco sales in 20 years and in Australia in 2022, the proportion of teenagers smoking increased for the first time in 25 years.'

She added: 'Here in the United Kingdom, 100,000 children and young people take up smoking every year and so we must not be lulled into this sense of inevitability and security.'

Ms Atkins kicked off the Commons debate by insisting that smoking was causing huge suffering

Earlier, former Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said he is 'both sceptical and downright opposed' to the plans.

'There are good ways to tackle a problem like this and then there are bad ways, and I think that an outright ban risks being counterproductive, I think it actually risks making smoking cooler, it certainly risks creating a black market, and it also risks creating a unmanageable challenge for the authorities,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Sir Simon said education and the tax system should be used as tools to deter people from smoking.

Chief Medical Office Chris Whitty dismissed criticism of the proposed ban by saying many people cannot give up after becoming addicted

Asked about opinion polls which show that two-thirds of people in Britain back a phased smoking ban  a figure which extends to 70 per cent among those who voted Conservative in 2019, Sir Simon said: 'There are some things, of course, which are not necessarily philosophically or practically right which would command support in the opinion polls.

'I think probably if you were to do an opinion poll on bringing back hanging you'd find that there was a significant proportion of people who backed it, that wouldn't necessarily mean it was the right thing to do.'

Former PM Boris Johnson has branded the plan 'absolutely nuts', saying last week: 'We're banning cigars. What is the point of banning - the party of Winston Churchill wants to ban cigars... Donnez moi un break, as they say in Quebec. It's just mad.'

The Government believes creating a 'smokefree generation' could prevent more than 470,000 cases of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other deadly diseases by the turn of the century.

Professor Whitty said: 'Smoking kills and causes harm at all stages of life from stillbirths, asthma in children, stroke, cancer to heart attacks and dementia.

'This Bill, if passed, will have a substantial impact - preventing disease, disability and premature deaths long into the future.'
North Korea is producing viruses and bacteria for their germ warfare programme that already has an arsenal capable of causing chaos and terror in the region, according to a US report.

In their latest assessment of Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction, the US said the mysterious state ruled by Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has developed sprays and 'poison pens' which can spread deadly diseases.

The weapons are said to be designed to spread germs such as smallpox and anthrax which some experts believe is more dangerous than Kim Jong-un's nuclear weapons programme.

The US State Department said the mysterious country ruled by Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un (pictured) has developed sprays and 'poison pens' which can spread deadly diseases

The weapons are said to be designed to spread germs such as smallpox and anthrax which some experts believe is more dangerous than Kim Jong-un's nuclear weapons programme

The report by the US State Department, which monitors foreign governments compliance with arms control obligations, said: 'The United States assesses that the DPRK [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] has a dedicated, national level offensive BW [biological weapons] programme.

'The DPRK has the capability to produce biological agents for military purposes [and] the technical capability to produce bacteria, viruses and toxins that could be used as BW agents. The DPRK also has the capability to genetically engineer biological products.'

It added: 'Pyongyang probably is capable of weaponising BW agents with unconventional systems such as sprayers and poison pen injection devices, which have been deployed by the DPRK for delivery of chemical weapons and could be used to covertly deliver BW agents.'

The reclusive state has been a party to the Biological Weapons Convention since 1987 and evidence that has gathered over time suggests that is has the will and the scientific capability to make biological weapons.

North Korea has never admitted being in possession of biological weapons and reliable intelligence from the inside is hard to come by.

Their founding leader Kim Il-sung understood that 'poisonous gas and bacteria can be used effectively in war' back in the 1980s.

In 1993, Russia's intelligence agency concluded that North Korea was testing biological weapons on offshore islands and was using universities and medical institutes to research anthrax, cholera, bubonic plague and smallpox.

A picture of Kim Jong-un released by North Korea's official news agency shows him inspecting the first test-fire of Hwasongpho-16B - a solid-fuelled tactical ballistic missile - on April 2

Guard posts and fences seen on a hillside on the North Korean border with Russia and China

This was confirmed in the US by the head of the CIA at the time James Woolsey.

Defectors who have left North Korea have claimed that testing on political prisoners takes place over there - however, claims like this are impossible to confirm.

The manufacturing of germ weapons has the potential to be extremely covert, taking place in ordinary laboratories that could also be used for harmless research, a stark comparison to the production of nuclear warheads which is harder to hide.

It was reported by state media that Kim Jong-un visited a pesticide facility in 2015, which may also have the capacity to make biological agents.

The US assessment report comes as United Nations diplomats in New York struggle to monitor the sanctions imposed on North Korea by the Security Council for its nuclear and ballistic missile testing.

The 'Panel of Experts' has issued numerous reports naming companies and governments that have allowed breaches of sanctions, by negligence or collusion.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, in Seoul on Tuesday speaking with a group of young North Korean defectors at the American Diplomacy House in Seoul

Now Russia has blocked the renewal of the panels mandate, which expires at the end of the month.

Moscow - a member of the Security Council - originally supported and voted for the sanctions when they were first imposed.

But now, in a blatant violation of those sanction, they are using North Korean weapons, including artillery shells, to attack Ukraine.

Other states that are members of the Security Council and who still support the sanctions are now considering an alternative.

One possibility is a new institution created by the UN General Assembly, rather than the Security Council.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, visited Seoul on Tuesday to discuss the issue with the South Korean government.
Florida detectives have given an unsettling update on the Miami mom who was abducted in broad daylight before being found dead in her burnt out car.

Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas, 31, of Homestead, was abducted at a busy intersection just before 6pm on April 11.

It was revealed that Aguasvivas made a call to her husband and told him someone was following her and had rammed her car. He told her to not stop and neither called 911, according to officers.

Detectives with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office found the remains of a body believed to Aguasvivas in a badly charred car hours later and are continuing to search for suspects.

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said in a news conference on Monday that an Orange County deputy was arrested for secretly recording and disclosing information about the case to the Aguasvivas family.

Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas, 31, of Homestead, was abducted at a busy intersection just before 6pm on April 11

Orange County deputy, Francisco Estrella (pictured), was arrested for secretly recording and disclosing information about the case to the Aguasvivas family

Video shows a man in a skin mask climb out of a green Acura behind Aguasvivas's car and point a handgun at her before climbing into the back driver's-side door

The deputy, 33-year-old Francisco Estrella, was childhood friends with Aguasvivas's husband. Estrella now faces five felony charges.

Cops said in an arrest warrant affidavit that Estrella had called one of the investigators pretending to be Aguasvivas's cousin and identifying himself as 'Francisco Archuela'

He said he was concerned about the investigation and the victim's safety and asked for an update on the case. The investigator told Estrella she could not share those details as the investigation was ongoing.

When cops inspected the phone of Aguasvivas's husband, they found WhatsApp messages between him and Estrella.

The messages included a photo of a business card for the investigator that Estrella called and a video recording of the conversation between the investigator and Estrella - which the investigator did not know had been taken.

There was also a picture of the investigator's driver's license profile - sent by Estrella to Miguel Aguasvivas.

Evidence that Estrella had used his access to law enforcement databases to look up the investigator was also found in the WhatsApp correspondence.

Her husband is not a person of interest in the case and is cooperating with the investigation - but detectives believe he knows more than he letting on.

'I've described the husband as cooperative; quite frankly I think he knows a lot more than what he's shared,' Lemma said.

Investigators believe the suspect ordered Aguasvivas to drive to a construction site, where a badly burnt vehicle was found later that day with a body inside

'You don't have your wife communicate with you that you're getting rammed by a car and go two hours without calling anybody.'

Lemma said Aguasvivas's husband has handed over his phone for a forensic examination.

'We would not have known about the Orange County deputy, at least not yet, if he did not do that,' Lemma said, referring to the correspondence between Aguasvivas' husband and the deputy on his phone.

Lemma said the green Acura that rammed into Aguasvivas during the carjacking was found in an empty apartment complex in Orange County on Saturday morning.

The same vehicle has been linked to a different case where a tow truck driver was shot multiple times and killed in Taft, Florida.

On March 19 the Acura had been towed from an Orange County apartment complex by a driver later identified as 39-year-old Juan Luis Cintron Garcia.

Lemma revealed that some of the rounds of shots at the scene where Garcia was killed match the rounds of shots where Aguasvivas was killed.

Investigators believe the 31-year-old was targeted and say her husband told her to keep driving when she told him she was being carjacked

A witness driving behind Aguasvivas on April 11 filmed the frightening daytime confrontation and later called 911.

The footage shows a man in a ski mask and black hoodie get out of an Acura sedan and approach the driver's side of Aguasvivas's Dodge Durango, pointing a 10mm handgun at her. When Aguasvivas unlocks the doors, the man climbs into the rear driver's side door.

Detectives with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office say the man climbed into the passenger seat before Aguasvivas resumed driving, while another man trailed behind them in the Acura sedan.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Sheriff Dennis M. Lemma said he was appalled by the footage.

'It is incredibly frightening to watch the boldness of this suspect, this perpetrator getting out of the car, wearing a hood, carrying a weapon in broad daylight, getting in the vehicle,' Lemma said.

In a 911 call released by the sheriff's office, the witness urged: 'You need to do something now because I don't know what's going on.'

Less than two hours after the carjacking, police received reports of gunshots and smoke in Oceola County.

A badly charred vehicle, believed to be Aguasvivas's Dodge Durango, was found at a construction site.

A dozen 10mm shell casings and one projectile were also found at the scene.

Aguasvivas had stopped at a red light at the time of the carjacking. Police say another man followed in the Acura sedan as she drove to the construction site

'There is no clear indicator why somebody would do this,' Lemma said. 'But we do feel and believe...that this was not a random act of violence. The perpetrators knew exactly who they were going after, why they were going after them.'

Aguasvivas hailed from the Dominican Republic and was a United States citizen. She lived with her husband in the Miami suburb of Homestead, where the pair worked at a barbershop and beauty salon.

The carjacking occurred just four days before her 32nd birthday.

Investigators believe she was forced by the gunman to drive to the construction site, and that the suspect was familiar with the area.

Lemma added neither Aguasvivas nor her husband called police at the time of the incident.

'Theres a lot of unknowns, a lot of things that will leave people scratching your head,' he said.

Aguasvivas's husband said she was in the area to visit family, though investigators were unable to identify any relatives in Central Florida

The 31-year-old hailed from the Dominican Republic and was a U.S. citizen. She and her husband lived in Homestead and worked at a barber shop and a beauty salon

'Why did she and her husband not call 911? I dont know. Why did she stop at the red light? Theres a lot of things that well absolutely never know, but this is a tragic incident nevertheless,' he said.

Authorities have not released further details about the suspects in the case.

Lemma said investigators do not know where Aguasvivas was heading.

Her husband told police she was in Central Florida to visit family, though investigators were unable to trace any relatives in the area.

The sheriff noted Aguasvivas's husband has cooperated with police and has no criminal record in the United States.
In the first photos that have been released of the seven-year-old who was hit by fragments of an intercepted Iranian missile during Iran's weekend strikes on Israel, the young girl can be seen smiling in a heartbreaking nod towards happier and healthier times.

Amina al-Hassouni has been left fighting for her life in hospital after being struck in the head by shrapnel in her home at 2am on Sunday morning.

Over the weekend, Iran launched 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles, and at least 120 ballistic missiles during the country's first ever direct attack on Israel.

And while little Amina was devastatingly caught in the crossfire, her father has released two images of the little girl who is still in a critical condition.

In one of the images shared with The Jewish Chronicle (JC) by Mohammed al-Hassouni, the schoolgirl can be seen with her hair in pigtails, while another showed her playfully smiling into the camera on a sunny day.

The first images have been released of Amina al-Hassouni, 7, who was hit by shrapnel from an Iranian missile during Saturday night's 'unprecedented' attack on Israel

The little girl is currently fighting for her life in a hospital in southern Israel after suffering a major head wound

The remains of a rocket booster that, according to Israel, critically injured a seven-year-old girl

Speaking to the JC, Mr al-Hassouni recalled the moment his young daughter was hit by the missile after it blasted through their house.

He said his house, located in the Bedouin village of Al-Fura, was not equipped with a shelter - resulting in fragments of shrapnel reaching sleeping Amina.

'We rushed out, went to our car and drove to Arad. There, Magen David Adom [Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service] met us and took Amina to the emergency room in Soroka Medical Centre' Mr al-Hassouni said.

'She is in a very serious condition, she went through two surgeries. They told us to wait so that's what we are doing. We wait and we pray all the time,' he added.

Soroka said eight others had been brought in with minor injuries, some also hit by shrapnel.

Medics looking after the little girl have warned her life is still in danger as they work urgently to treat her major head wound, while Mr al-Hassouni also fears for the lives of his other 14 children.

He revealed one of his sons fell during the intense 'unprecedented' blitz and hurt his stomach before his family noticed he was bleeding heavily.

'They gave him medication, he is with us now, but he still suffers,' said the distraught dad.

Residents transfer the remains of a rocket booster that reportedly injured seven-year-old Amina

People gathered around a destroyed building targeted by Israeli air strikes on the village of Nabi Sheet in the Baablbek district in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley on April 14, 2024

Following the ordeal, Mr al-Hassouni decided to move his family out of their home as he claims his children are too afraid to return.

He revealed that he and his family have now taken to living on the streets and have had no support from the government - regardless of his daughter's situation.

The dad-of-14 described Amina as a healthy girl who loves to sing and dance, adding that all of her siblings rely on her.

'Amina is not connected to this chaos, she doesn't know anything, she doesn't understand politics and she should be left out of it,' he said.

He has now called for Israel to develop a stronger protection system against air strikes as he says what he truly wants, is for every child to be able to live their lives.

It comes after IDF spokesman Dangiel Hagari revealed that '99 per cent' of the missiles launched on Saturday were intercepted over the night by the country's Iron Dome air defence system and with help from the UK and US, among other countries.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that RAF jets shot down 'a number of' Iranian drones as he condemned the strikes as 'dangerous and unnecessary'.

He warned that the fallout in regional stability would have been 'hard to overstate' if Iran had been successful.

But as tensions continue to rise, Israel vowed that Iran will not get off 'scot-free' - despite Tehran's threats that they will employ 'weapons we have never used before' in response to any retaliatory attack.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said his country 'cannot stand still from this kind of aggression' and that Iran would not get away with their actions.

Iran claimed its attack was an act of self-defence following a deadly Israeli air strike on its consulate in Syria, and that it would consider the matter 'concluded' unless Israel retaliated.

But this hasn't stopped Israel from stating it will respond to Israel's unprecedented attack as early as this weekend, amid fears that the Middle East is teetering on the edge of an all-our war.

Israeli armed forces chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi vowed Monday to respond to the attack, even after appeals for restraint poured in from world leaders fearing wider regional conflict.

'This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response,' Halevi told troops at the Nevatim airbase, which was hit in Iran's Saturday night barrage.
The failure of Iran's mass missile and drone attack last weekend was clearly a triumph for Israel's air defenses.

But it was equally a triumph for the painstaking diplomacy and military prowess of the United States, which has been working for years to engineer a more coordinated regional response in the event of major Iranian aggression. Saturday saw these efforts come to fruition.

Behind the scenes and with little fanfare, America managed to bring together an alliance which didn't just include Israel and the US but Europe's two most important military powers, Britain and France, and  most significant of all  several major Arab players, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and even Saudi Arabia.

The extent of the co-operation is remarkable, the resulting near-total destruction of the Iranian attack breathtaking.

Right from the moment Iran launched its missiles and drones against Israel, early warning radar stations in several Arab Gulf states picked up that an attack was underway and fed data and intelligence to US regional military command in Qatar which, in turn, alerted Israel and its allies across the region.

The failure of Iran's mass missile and drone attack last weekend was clearly a triumph for Israel's air defenses. But it was equally a triumph for the painstaking diplomacy and military prowess of the United States.

Israeli, American, British, French and Jordanian fighter jets were scrambled over Jordanian airspace to meet the incoming aerial onslaught.

Israel readied its formidable air defense systems, Iron Dome and Arrow 3.

US warships, including guided missile destroyers in the Mediterranean, and US land bases in the region prepared to take out Iranian missiles and drones.

As a result most of the Iranian attack never even made it into Israeli airspace. Those that did were destroyed by Israel's anti-missile defense systems, which, thanks to allied help, was never overwhelmed as the Iranians had hoped.

Without the help of its allies, old and new, the Iranian attack would have had at least limited success.

The remarkable cooperation between Israel and its allies was not put together at the last minute.

The US has been pushing Arab capitals for several years to recognize the need for region-wide air defense co-operation to be able to deal with Iranian hostilities. The strategy was given real momentum by the signing of the Abraham Accords under President Trump, which signaled a new era of cooperation between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. Even countries that didn't sign up, like Saudi Arabia, accepted that a new era of cooperation with Israel against a common enemy, Iran, had begun.

But not President Biden. He entered the Oval Office in January 2021 with wild talk of isolating Saudi Arabia and treating it as a 'pariah' while indicating he was up for detente with Iran.

Funds were released for the mullahs in Tehran which should never have been handed over. The Abraham Accords were left to atrophy, largely and pathetically because they were a Trump legacy. The foreign-policy establishment types around Biden never liked them anyway.

The US paid dearly for this Trump Derangement Syndrome. Instead of wooing the Saudis to join the Accords, they were given the cold shoulder, which resulted in Riyadh trying to appease Tehran.

But even as the White House struck all the wrong notes, behind the scenes, important, game-changing work was being done.

Two years ago, America moved its military command center for Israel from Europe to Central Command (CENTCOM) in Qatar. This was hugely significant because it meant America could deal with Israel and its Arab allies from the same command center, making intelligence sharing and the coordination of early warning systems more intertwined.

Biden and his foreign policy team were slow learners. But eventually they saw the virtue in encouraging closer cooperation between Israel and relatively friendly Arab nations.

The remarkable cooperation between Israel and its allies was not put together at the last minute. The US has been pushing Arab capitals for several years to recognize the need for region-wide air defense co-operation to be able to deal with Iranian hostilities. (Pictured: Signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, Trump with leaders of Israel, left, Bahrain and the UAE, right).

The strategy was given real momentum by the signing of the Abraham Accords under President Trump, which signaled a new era of cooperation between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.

Even countries that didn't sign up, like Saudi Arabia, accepted that a new era of cooperation with Israel against a common enemy, Iran, had begun.

Under US auspices, in the Spring of 2022 a meeting was secretly convened in Egypt to begin the coordination of an Israeli-Arab response to Iranian missile and drone attacks  a prophetic move which paid dividends last weekend.

It even began to dawn on Biden that it made sense to breathe new life into the Abraham Accords he had so stupidly neglected. The priority became, belatedly, to get the Saudis on board. The prospects of success so appalled the Iranians that they gave Hamas the green light to attack Israel on October 7.

It was undoubtedly a setback  the Saudis got cold feet and froze progress as the horrors of Gaza unfolded. But after last weekend moves to get the Saudis to sign the Accords are back on track.

It will now be a major US foreign policy goal, as it should be, whoever is in the White House after the election.

The Saudis are already intelligence sharing with Tel Aviv as if they were part of the Accords.

The real significance of last weekend is that it revealed there is now a putative alliance of Israel, America, the more robust European powers and a collection of key Sunni Arab states in the making, with the common aim of standing up to Iranian aggression designed to realize its goal of regional hegemony.

It has been a long time coming and there have been many wrong turns on the way.

President Bush's invasion of Iraq on a false pretext in 2003 degraded the one regional power with the military might to contain Iran on its own.

President Obama's dithering over Syria made way for Iran to prop up the tottering Assad regime and created new bases from which its proxies could threaten Israel and American bases in the region. It also allowed Moscow to return as a major player in the region.

Biden, as we've seen, made his mistakes too.

There is now the chance to rectify these mistakes and create an alliance which will thwart Iran's ambition to be the regional superpower.

Already the events of last weekend have ended stupid talk on both sides of the Atlantic of an arms embargo of Israel. There is also a better chance of getting a new aid package for Israel (plus Ukraine and Taiwan) through Congress.

Those in Congress who opposed funding for Israel's air defense systems, like Iron Dome and Arrow 3, should hang their heads in shame. If there had been no anti-missile defense, the Iranian missiles would have wreaked havoc in Israel and the region would now be going up in flames.

But not President Biden. He entered the Oval Office in January 2021 with wild talk of isolating Saudi Arabia and treating it as a 'pariah' while indicating he was up for detente with Iran.

President Biden will need to see down the vocal Palestinian lobby in his party and its wider supporters in the US, who do themselves no favors by blocking access to the Golden Gate Bridge or Chicago's O'Hare Airport.

It is performative nonsense that serves only to alienate ordinary folk trying to go about their business.

Plus consider this: at a time when an increasing part of the Sunni Arab world seeks to make common cause with Israel, by what possible yardstick would it make sense for America to turn its back on Israel now?

The very thought is an absurdity.

As the 21st century gathers pace, America will want to pivot more of its military and diplomatic resources to the Pacific to deal with the rising power of China. But it cannot contemplate even a partial disengagement from the Middle East without leaving a robust security structure of allies in place.

That process is now underway. In a fractious America, with bipartisan accord in short supply, this is surely one significant policy upon which sensible Republicans and Democrats can agree.
At this rate, Scotland is soon going to end up with more tsars than Russia.

It was reported yesterday that, over the next two years, the Scottish Government may create seven new commissioners  nicknamed tsars  to add to the seven that already exist.

On our behalf, these unelected high priests of Scottish public life already run the rule over issues such as the welfare of children and young people and the maintenance of human rights.

They advise MSPs on the standards which the public apparently expect to be met.

It now turns out that the Scottish Government is examining plans to create more of them, to cover  deep breath  victims, patient safety, old people, wellbeing, sustainable development, learning disability, and autism and neurodiversity.

Information Commissioner David Hamilton has been commendably outspoken in demanding greater transparency in public life

More. Thats the mantra of Scotlands governing classes.

Always more. There are so many worthy and important issues in public life, you see.

So many pressure groups and lobbying organisations with good reasons for their causes to be heard.

And so much virtue to be signalled by showing you care about them.

Moreover, look, you cant have a commissioner for children and young people and not have one for old people, too. That wouldnt be fair.

Thus, despite the fact the SNP Government is running out of money and will need to raise taxes and slash council spending again this year to keep the ship of state afloat, the great Holyrood boondoggle grows bigger and bigger.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am sure the commissioners we already employ do a worthwhile job (for example, the Information Commissioner David Hamilton has been commendably outspoken in demanding greater openness in public life).

The question here, however, is whether adding yet more public bodies to a lengthening list of quangos, agencies and government departments is necessary.

Few people in Scottish public life ever ask whether bigger government really is better. It often isnt. I think its time this great Scottish juggernaut was halted.

The Scottish state is now so top-heavy it is tripping over itself, and the potential proliferation of commissioners is a good case in point.

In a submission to a parliamentary inquiry being held into the matter, Gina Wilson, head of strategy at the Children and Young Peoples Commissioner, painted a Kafkaesque vision of all these numerous bodies fighting over turf.

Keep adding to the number of tsars, she warned, and they will find themselves intervening on similar or identical matters.

With more on the way, she added, there is a further risk of scope creep and competition and deliberate or unintentional power grabs.

Another commissioner told MSPs: The more that are set up, the more it muddies the landscape as to what were all actually doing.

It points to a confusing morass of agencies which spend more time squabbling over their limits than serving the public in the country.

And the truth is that the tsar creation scheme is just part of the wider story.

Take another great work-producing exercise thats become the hallmark of the Scottish state: the consultation exercise.

In a report last year published by the think-tank I work for, Our Scottish Future, we discovered in the past decade alone, a staggering 669 consultation papers and 529 strategy documents had been published by the Scottish Government.

No fewer than 113 strategies and plans on health and social care alone had been drummed up in that time.

Meanwhile, civil servants have managed to publish papers such as Challenging Mens Demand for Prostitution: Policy Principles, and Scotlands Honey Bee Health Strategy: Implementation Plan. We concluded that the country was suffering from consultitis.

Again, as with the proposed commissioners, Im sure these consultations were important to the people who wrote them. And perhaps by a few readers too.

But the problem, we concluded  after speaking to people in the public sector  was that all this paper and all this discussion ends up clogging up the system.

As one council leader told me, his own officials are now overwhelmed by the amount of Holyrood consultations they have to wade through.

Then theres another government growth area in Scotland: the number of Scottish ministers.

Trimmed back to 18 when Alex Salmond took over as First Minister in 2007, its now hitting 30 men and women. All require press releases, action plans, diarised events and civil service support.

All add complexity to an already top-heavy public sector landscape.

It isnt just a waste of public money, it is an active hind-rance to getting things done. A correction is required. So let me set out three principles ministers in Scotland may wish to follow.

Firstly, it is time for our political masters to adopt a more sceptical attitude towards the very nature of government.

Holyrood is a place where the virtue of government goes unquestioned.

Its catechism declares that if there is a problem in society, then government should be called upon to fix it, because government is good.

Politicians of both Left and Right once understood this was not always the case. It is time Holyrood was reminded of the fact.

Secondly, and following from that, ministers should ask themselves not what is nice but what is necessary.

There really is no money just now for fripperies. Our distressed public services need every penny going. A Commissioner for Wellbeing sounds absolutely lovely: spending the money on a few teachers sounds better.

And finally, let us see ministers adopt a more focused approach to government.

A government of 14 commissioners, 30 ministers and more than 500 consultations is one that prioritises everything and nothing.

Perhaps it is time for Edinburgh to follow the maxim set out by former First Minister Jack McConnell  that it should do less, better.

Parkinsons Law famously declares that, in government, no matter how little there is to do, work will expand to meet the time dedicated to doing it.

Over the past few years, the work creation scheme that is Scotlands public sector has become a perfect case in point.

Government doesnt need any more commissioners, consultations or ministers to tell us whats needed in order to pull Scotland out of the mire of mediocrity.
Scotland risks turning death into a form of therapy under plans to legalise assisted dying.

Legal expert Professor Trudo Lemmens said similar moves in Canada had led to euthanasia of the disabled  including a man who developed a bedsore and no longer wanted to be a burden.

He said the law had radically widened in scope since its introduction in 2016  with people who have autism and diabetes now being approved for the scheme.

Right-to-die in Canada will also extend to the mentally ill under plans which have raised fears the chronically depressed could end their lives with the help of doctors.

The warning comes after a Private Members Bill was introduced by Lib Dem Liam McArthur which would legalise assisted dying.

Professor Trudo Lemmens said a right to die law in Canada had widened with diabetics and autistic people being approved

Research published yesterday suggested that the proportion of Scots voicing strong public support for the reform has fallen sharply from 55 per cent in 2019 to 40 per cent in 2024.

Professor Lemmens, of the University of Toronto, has travelled to the UK to warn against making right-to-die lawful  and instead urged a greater emphasis on palliative care.

He said doctors in Canada had bought into right-to-die  which has undermined medic-patient trust.

He said: The medical profession now seems to offer death as a form of therapy.

I supported the first Canadian law on assisted dying but I would not support that law any more, because it is so open to abuse.

It is also open to putting vulnerable patients who are in difficult circumstances at risk of premature death.

Professor Lemmens said in most cases in Canada a doctor injects drugs to end life which he said was euthanasia.

Under the proposed legislation in Scotland, terminally ill people as young as 16 would be able to ask for help to end their lives.

The new Bill proposes that adults with an incurable illness can seek a lethal dose of drugs from their GP.

In Canada, there are moves to extend the scope of right-to-die to the mentally ill.

But Professor Lemmens said: People with mental illness [in Canada] are already receiving euthanasia when they have a disability.

If you have a catastrophic accident, and youre a paraplegic, you probably are struggling mentally with the adjustment to that.

And there is no protection in the system to prevent people in that situation from dying.

He added that Canada shows how health professionals and institutions can quickly normalise and self-justify practices even when they appear to run astray of the most basic professional standards of care.

Professor Lemmens highlighted the case of Normand Meunier, 66, who was hospitalised in Quebec with a respiratory virus and developed a severe bedsore which would lead him to seek medical assistance in dying (MAID).

In another case, a judge issued a ruling clearing the way for a 27-year-old woman with autism to receive MAID.

And a man, 23, suffering complications from diabetes was approved for MAID.

Mr McArthur said autism, bedsores or diabetes would not be grounds under the provisions of my Bill.

He added: This Bill contains robust safeguards.
Rachel Morin's family has released a video begging the public to join in the search for the mother of five's killer amid renewed fears that he may have slipped over the southern border.

Morin's mother, Patty, made a tearful appeal to viewers in the 30-second clip as she recalled the child she'd lost.

'Rachel Morin was my daughter. She was a mother to five children. She's a sister,' Patty said. 'Somebody just grabbed her and killed her. If he's willing to kill a perfect stranger he's willing to kill anybody.'

Morin, 37, went missing while jogging on the Ma and Pa Trail in the town of Bel Air, Maryland, last August. Her naked, battered body was discovered the next day in a tunnel along the route, some 45 miles north of Baltimore.

The new commercial includes a desperate plea for information about the suspect and includes a finalized sketch that was released to the public earlier this year.

Rachel Morin's family has released a desperate plea for information amid the hunt for the 37-year-old's killer

Her mother, Patty, asserted the murderer would be 'willing to kill anybody'

Morin's suspected killer was last traced to Los Angeles, where he broke into a home and attacked a young girl. DNA evidence linked the crime scenes together

'If you know this person, turn him in. Let's do this. Let's catch this guy and bring peace to Rachel Morin's family,' said attorney Randolph Rice.

In February, the Harford County Sheriff's Office announced authorities had finalized a sketch of the suspect in a news release.

'Over the last six months detectives have conducted more than 100 interviews and followed up on more than 1,000 tips,' the release read, adding that ten law enforcement agencies were assisting with the hunt across seven states.

'Thousands of bi-lingual flyers have been distributed in Maryland and California,' the statement continued. 'This investigation has not slowed or stalled.'

Capt. Andy Lane encouraged people to come forward with information.

'Remember Rachel, remember the area she was inif anyone remembers anything moving forwardthose small details can be the details that break the case open,' Lane said.

The sketch came nearly a year after police released home surveillance footage of the suspect leaving a home in Los Angeles after breaking in and attacking a young girl.

Maryland officials said DNA collected from the scene where Morin's body was found was linked to evidence from the assault and home invasion.

Flyers released by the HCSO describe the suspect as a Hispanic man with a 'muscular build' and 'dark hair,' noting that he is 'believed to have ties to the Los Angeles area and may have been involved in violent crimes in other states.'

The mother of five was killed while out jogging on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, around 45 miles outside Baltimore, in August 2023

The family's attorney, Randolph Rice, said the ad is being run in towns along the southern border out of fear the suspect fled the country

The Harford County Sheriff's Office released a finalized suspect sketch in February. In a statement, the office vowed that the investigation had not 'slowed or stalled'

Morin's body was discovered in a drainage tunnel along the route, a day after she went missing. She was naked and badly beaten

One witness who claims to have viewed Morin's body said she was lying on her back, fully naked, with 'brutal head trauma.' The witness described a '15- to 20-foot blood trail' and claimed she appeared to have been beaten in the head with a rock

The heartbroken mother and family attorney also appeared on NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas Reports to raise awareness about Morin's case.

Rice revealed that the ad was being released in Maryland, Los Angeles and towns along the southern border.

'We know he's an Hispanic male, we know he has the propensity to travel from California to Maryland, which would make logical sense that he may be willing to travel out of the country,' the attorney explained.

'And therefore we're running the ads along those border towns through Instagram and Facebook with the hope that somebody might have seen him either if he came across or if he went back.'

Morin's case has drawn renewed attention in the wake of Laken Riley's death, with members of the public pointing to similarities in the way the women were killed.

Both Morin and Riley, 22, were murdered while jogging on popular pedestrian trails.

Authorities have charged Jose Ibarra with second-degree malice murder and kidnapping, among other counts, in connection to the nursing student's death.

Ibarra allegedly disfigured Riley's skull before dragging her to a wooded area to hide evidence of the crime. Her remains were found in behind a lake on the University of Georgia campus.

Despite the similarities, Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said the two cases don't appear to be linked.

Flyers describe the suspect as a Hispanic man with a 'muscular build' who 'is believed to have ties to the Los Angeles area and may have been involved in violent crimes in other states'

Michael Gabriszeski had joined a search party when he claims to have stumbled upon Morin's remains, which were bloody and disfigured

The mom of five's boyfriend, 27-year-old Richard Tobin, was the first to report her missing. He initially drew suspicion due to his extensive criminal past, including arrests for assault

Witnesses who saw the crime scene told DailyMail.com that Morin had sustained horrific injuries.

Michael Gabriszeski was combing through the woods with a search party when he claimed to have stumbled upon her remains on August 6, 2023.

He and two others had decided to check drainage tunnels on the trail after noticing 'disturbances' on the ground. Inside, they found Morin lying in a pool of blood.

'She was laying on her back, fully naked, and she had brutal head trauma...it looked like her head had been smashed in with a rock,' Gabriszeski said.

'There was a 15- to 20-foot blood trail. So, it looked like she had been beaten and dragged into that position....The right side of her face was gone.'

A separate source close to the family told DailyMail.com the young mother had suffered such extensive head trauma that they couldn't hold an open-casket funeral.

Morin's boyfriend, 27-year-old Richard Tobin, was the first to report her missing. He initially drew suspicion due to his lengthy criminal history, including 14 arrests since 2014 on charges including assault and disorderly conduct.

Amid the swirling rumors, Tobin took to social media to plead his case.

'I love Rachel. I would never do anything to her, let the family and I grieve,' he wrote. 'Yes, I have a past but I also have 15 months clean and have changed as a person. Please.'

In February, the reward for information leading to the arrest of Morin's killer increased to $35,000 after a true crime podcast donated $5,000.

'We are profoundly grateful to the Mile Higher Podcast for their generous contribution to the Rachel Morin Reward Fund,' Randolph Rice said in a statement.

'This increase in funds represents the solidarity of the community in their relentless pursuit of justice for Rachel Morin. It sends a clear message that we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to find answers and bring the man responsible to justice.'

In a statement to DailyMail.com, HSCO Public Information Officer Robert Royster said there have been no investigative updates to the case since February.

However, he added, 'Detectives continue to process new leads and reevaluate old leads daily.'
An 11-year-old girl nearly died after she developed a life-threatening disease from E. coli following a meal at a 'dirty' Wendy's restaurant in Michigan.

Aspen Lamfers enjoyed a hamburger, chicken nuggets and fries at a Wendy's in Jenison following softball practice on August 1, 2022.

But she fell ill just three days later and was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome that develops from E. coli and can be fatal.

The young girl suffered brain, kidney and pancreas damage and was hospitalized for more than four weeks after she experienced seizures and left side paralysis. She also required dialysis.

Her family recently filed a lawsuit against Meritage Hospitality Group, which owns the Wendy's, on April 1 and is seeking $20million in damages as the restaurant Lamfers ate at was found to have significant Michigan Food Law violations that summer.

An 11-year-old girl nearly died after she developed a life-threatening disease from E. coli following a meal at a 'dirty' Wendy's restaurant in Michigan

Aspen Lamfers suffered brain, kidney and pancreas damage and was hospitalized for more than four weeks and experienced seizures and left side paralysis

Her family filed a lawsuit against Meritage Hospitality Group, which owns Wendy's, on April 1 and is seeking $20million in damages as the restaurant Lamfers ate at was found to have significant Michigan Food Law violations that summer

Lamfers was feeling sick and had symptoms including nausea, diarrhea and a fever - that are common with E. coli - three days after eating at the Wendy's.

She was then taken to hospital on August 7, 2022, and taken to a pediatric intensive care unit at Corewell Healths Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital.

The young girl then needed dialysis treatment as her kidneys were in stage 3 failure and the infection attacked her pancreas, which meant she needed an insulin drip.

Lamfers then suffered brain damage that caused paralysis on her left side, impacted her vision and led to hallucinations.

Her condition only began to improve after two weeks and she was moved to a rehabilitation hospital on September 1 before being allowed home on September 9.

She then continued with physical, speech, occupational and language therapy. Her family has now filed a lawsuit against the restaurant company and is looking to recoup medical fees.

'As a result of her STEC infection, Aspen has sustained permanent injuries and life-changing medical conditions,' the legal filing states.

It estimates that $500,000 was used for past medical bills, they will incur $1.6million in future medical expenses and will lose around $5million in future earning capacity.

The family's lawyer, Thomas Worsfold, said medical staff 'almost found it to be a miracle she survived'.

'She was that close to dying. Her parents try to balance being thankful that Aspen is doing as well as she is now, with all of the challenges she still faces,' he told MLive.com.

'If you look at those health department reports and just the hygiene and food safety practices by employees in that restaurant, youre almost guaranteed there to be cross contamination.'

He said Meritage did not want to resolve the case before litigation and it now has 28 days to respond to the lawsuit.

The Wendy's restaurant that Lamfers visited had received two bad health inspections that found significant Michigan Food Law violations in that same summer.

There was found to be moldy and spoiled food, incorrect hand hygiene, food stored at unsafe temperatures and a dirty store 'at an excessive end of the spectrum', Ottawa County health records state.

The inspection on July 27, 2022 found 17 health and food code violations against the restaurant which included sanitizing solution which was too diluted be effective, undated produce and cutting boards left dirty from the previous day.

'Due to excessive violations, employees not trained on completing food safety related tasks such as date marking, wash/rinse/sanitizing food contact surfaces, and discarding food that is no longer safe and is adulterated,' the report stated.

Lamfers was feeling sick and had symptoms including nausea, diarrhea and a fever - that are common with E. coli - three days after eating at the Wendy's

The Wendy's restaurant that Lamfers visited had received two bad health inspections which found significant Michigan Food Law violations in that same summer

'Cleaning not occurring at the establishment at a frequency to guarantee any cleanliness for staff and guests.'

The restaurant was temporarily closed to re-train staff on food and safety and deal with issues highlighted in the report.

It was then reopened on August 1, 2022 and was serving customers including Lamfers. Around the same time, the University of Michigan Health West Hospital allegedly reported an increase in hospitalization from E. coli.

The Lamfers family lawsuit claims the hospital found a link between the infections and the Wendy's restaurant.

The next health inspection at the store found 12 more violations including improper hand washing, staff not changing gloves after contamination and raw beef stored at at potentially hazardous temperatures.

'After being warned they completely disregarded it and continued business as usual and thats what got Aspen sick,' attorney Worsfold said.

'My heart just breaks for Aspen and her parents.

'This is permanent brain damage and shes coping with and dealing with it, but its just the loss of potential - its heartbreaking, its devastating.'

The Wendy's store in Jenison has significantly improved in its latest review with just two violations which were corrected on-site.

There are five Michigan lawsuits against Meritage linked with illness from E.coli in the summer of 2022 due to lettuce.

A spokesman for the company said: 'We take the health and safety of our customers very seriously.

'We deny any wrongdoing or failure of our food safety practices in these cases. We cannot provide further comment in light of the open litigation.'

DailyMail.com has contacted Meritage for comment.
The headmaster believes the family may take further action against the school

The headteacher at a school which won a High Court battle over its ban on prayer rituals has questioned why the Muslim pupil received '150,000 in legal aid' to fight her case - and fears the family may launch further action.

In a ruling on Tuesday, a judge dismissed the Muslim student's case against Michaela Community School's prayer policy.

The pupil - who cannot be named for legal reasons - had claimed the north London free school's stance on prayer rituals was discriminatory, but Mr Justice Linden ruled it did not interfere with her rights to religious freedom.

In a lengthy statement issued after the ruling, Katharine Birbalsingh, the founder and headteacher of the school - once dubbed Britain's strictest - defended its approach.

She also asked: 'Can it be right for a family to receive 150,000 of taxpayer-funded legal aid to bring a case like this? She claimed the pupil's mother, who helped her daughter bring the case, intended to send another child to the school.

Ms Birbalsingh alleged: 'At the same time, this mum has sent a letter to our lawyers suggesting that she may take us to court yet again over another issue at the school she doesn't like, presumably once again at the taxpayer's expense.'

A representative for the family said the figure included in Ms Birbalsingh's statement was incorrect, with the pupil's capped legal aid costs being lower than that sum. The representative did not comment on the suggestion of further legal action.

The school's headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh has questioned why the Muslim pupil was given '150,000 in legal aid'

The pupil took legal action against Michaela Community School in Brent, North London

They highlighted that the judge had said the case 'raises issues of genuine public interest in circumstances where the school's approach has come into conflict with the religious perspective of an important section of society'.

How a school's prayer rituals ban led to a High Court challenge A Muslim student at a London school has lost a High Court challenge against its ban on prayer rituals. The student, who cannot be named, took legal action against Michaela Community School in Brent, believing the policy was discriminatory. But how did events unfold? - Autumn term 2022 and start of term 2023 Pupils began talking about the possibility of praying at the school, the student said. - March 17 2023 One of the teachers saw a Year 9 pupil praying in the yard during the lunch break, using their blazer as a prayer mat. Headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh was informed but she did not intervene because this was within the school rules at the time. - March 22 2023 Around 20 Year 9 children prayed in the yard using prayer mats. Ms Birbalsingh said there was a 'high degree of concern and unease' among teachers and pupils as prayer rituals had not been conducted at the school before. A large number of Year 9 girls had co-ordinated with each other to bring in prayer mats without permission, despite this being against the rules. - March 23 2023 A senior teacher told children to put the prayer mats away as they were against school policy, but two students answered back to her. - March 24 2023 There were around 30 pupils praying in the yard, including from years 7 and 11. On the same day, an online petition started, accusing the senior teacher of 'disgusting, Islamophobic behaviour' the previous day, and was signed by at least 4,000 people. Ms Birbalsingh and the teacher were targeted with death threats, abuse and allegations of Islamophobia. - March 25 and 26 2023 An email was sent to the school saying several bombs had been planted in the building. Ms Birbalsingh spoke with the school's senior leadership team, and they agreed to ban prayer rituals. - March 27 2023 Police searched the school for explosives, nothing was found. The ban on prayer rituals was enforced by teachers and two security guards were hired amid threats. - May 23 2023 The school's governing body voted to introduce the ritual prayer policy. - January 16 2024 The student brought a High Court challenge against the school, alleging that the policy was discriminatory and had 'fundamentally changed' how she felt 'about being a Muslim in this country'. - April 16 2024 Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupil's arguments, saying there was 'a rational connection between the aim of promoting the team ethos of the school, inclusivity, social cohesion etc and the prayer ritual policy'. He said: 'The disadvantage to Muslim pupils at the school caused by the prayer ritual policy is in my view outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.' Source: PA Advertisement

Elsewhere in her statement, Ms Birbalsingh said: 'If our families did not like the school, they would not repeatedly choose to send their children to Michaela.

'At the two welcome events that all parents must attend before sending their child to Michaela, I run through everything that makes Michaela different to other schools: constant supervision, family lunch, silent corridors, no prayer room, easy ways to get detention, strict uniform etc.

'If parents do not like what Michaela is, they do not need to send their children to us.'

The pupil said in a statement issued by law firm Simpson Millar after the ruling that the school was 'very well run and generally very good at managing everything' but felt 'that I did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban'.

Her mother said: 'My daughter's impassioned stance compelled me to support her and I stand firm in that decision.

'Her courage in pursuing this matter fills me with pride and I'm confident she's gained invaluable lessons from the experience.'

Dan Rosenberg, a lawyer at Simpson Millar who represented the pupil, said: 'Obviously, the result was not a result that our client wanted but given the strength of her feelings, she did not feel it was right to merely accept the situation without seeking to challenge it.

'I respect our client's mother for supporting her in this.'

After the court ruling, an impassioned Ms Birbalsingh said: 'Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they've decided they don't like something at the school.'

The former government social mobility tsar spoke out after the student took legal action against the high-achieving school, claiming the policy was discriminatory and 'uniquely' affected her faith due to its ritualised nature.

The pupil claimed the school's stance on prayer - one of the five pillars of Islam - unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom and was 'the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society'.

But the school argued its prayer policy was justified after it faced death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site.

The ban was introduced in March last year after 30 students began to pray in the school's yard, using blazers to kneel on  with the rules imposed due to concerns about a 'culture shift' towards 'segregation between religious groups and intimidation within the group of Muslim pupils', the court was told.

In a written ruling issued at the High Court in London this morning, Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupil's arguments against the prayer rituals ban. But the judge upheld the student's challenge to a decision to temporarily exclude her from the school.

The pupil said they were 'obviously very disappointed', having 'tried my best' in the case. The pupil's mother said she was 'profoundly dismayed by the case's outcome'.

The judge said there was a 'a rational connection between the aim of promoting the team ethos of the school, inclusivity, social cohesion etc and the prayer ritual policy'.

He added: 'The disadvantage to Muslim pupils at the school caused by the prayer ritual policy is in my view outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.'

In an 83-page judgment dismissing the student's case, Mr Justice Linden wrote: 'It seems to me that this is a case ... where the claimant at the very least impliedly accepted, when she enrolled at the school, that she would be subject to restrictions on her ability to manifest her religion.

'She knew that the school is secular and her own evidence is that her mother wished her to go there because it was known to be strict.

'She herself says that, long before the prayer ritual policy was introduced, she and her friends believed that prayer was not permitted at school and she therefore made up for missed prayers when she got home.'

Mr Justice Linden continued in his ruling: 'The essential nature of the school regime is one which the claimant and her fellow pupils, or at least their parents, have chosen and, indeed, that they have chosen to remain at the school notwithstanding the prayer ritual policy (PRP).

Following the decision, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan (pictured) said the ruling 'should give all school leaders confidence in making the right decision for their school while prioritising tolerance and respect between those of different faiths and none'

Michaela Community School was targeted with death threats and abuse, the court was told

'Although the claimant says that she is aware of resentment of the PRP amongst some Muslim pupils, there is no evidence that this has affected enrolment or led any of them to choose to leave.

Who is 'Britain's strictest headteacher' Katharine Birbalsingh? Katharine Birbalsingh, who has been commonly described as Britain's strictest headteacher, is no stranger to controversy. Ms Birbalsingh, headteacher of Michaela Community School in Brent in North London, has been at the centre of a legal challenge after she decided to ban prayer rituals at the secondary school. The high-profile school leader has attracted a lot of media attention over the years for her outspoken views on education and 'woke' culture. She first grabbed the headlines at the 2010 Conservative Party conference with a damning speech on the state of England's schools where she said standards had been 'so dumbed down that even the teachers know it' and the education system was broken 'as it keeps poor children poor'. A few weeks after her speech to delegates at the Tory conference, Ms Birbalsingh left her post as deputy headteacher of St Michael and All Angels Church of England Academy in south London. In 2014, she founded Michaela Community School - a free school which has been dubbed the strictest in the country. Year 7 pupils at Michaela are required to attend a behaviour 'boot camp' which teaches them how to walk to lessons quickly in single file, how to sit properly on a chair, and how to concentrate in class. Students at the school get detentions if they talk in the corridor or if they forget their pencil case or ruler. The high-achieving school, which has been rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, has been praised by a number of Tory ministers in the past for its academic success, and in 2020 Ms Birbalsingh was made a CBE. In October 2021, Ms Birbalsingh was appointed as chairwoman of the Government's Social Mobility Commission (SMC). Liz Truss, who was equalities minister at the time, celebrated the headteacher for 'expecting high standards and not indulging the soft bigotry of low expectations'. But Ms Birbalsingh, who describes herself on social media as having 'small c conservative values', faced criticism for comments she made as the Government's social mobility tsar. In April 2022, she found herself in hot water over comments to a Government committee which implied girls do not choose to study A-level physics because they dislike 'hard maths'. In her inaugural speech as the SMC chairwoman, Ms Birbalsingh, an Oxford University graduate, said understanding of social mobility needed to move beyond a 'rags to riches', 'Dick Whittington' approach where there is a 'focus on big-leap-upward mobility from the bottom to the top in one generation'. She quit her role as the Government's social mobility tsar in January 2023, citing the fact that she came with 'too much baggage' and was doing 'more harm than good'. She added that some of her 'controversial' statements had put the commission in 'jeopardy'. Just four months later, Ms Birbalsingh made headlines again when she told the National Conservatism conference that parents should be willing to take their children out of schools if they are 'too woke'. Ms Birbalsingh is not afraid to speak her mind - especially on social media - and the recent events surrounding her school are no exception. In January, in a post on X, Ms Birbalsingh defended the school's policy on prayers as she said it came amid a backdrop of violence, intimidation and racial harassment of teachers. In the same week that the case against the school was heard in the High Court, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan hailed Ms Birbalsingh's leadership of Michaela School as 'incredible' on social media. Advertisement

'Nor, indeed, is there evidence of the issue being raised with the school since the PRP was introduced, other than in the context of this claim.

'On the contrary, the evidence is that since the PRP was introduced good relations within the school community have been restored.'

He added: 'Balancing the adverse effects of the PRP on the rights of Muslim pupils at the school with the aims of the PRP and the extent to which it is likely to achieve those aims, I have concluded that the latter outweighs the former and that the PRP is proportionate.'

Reacting to the ruling today, Ms Birbalsingh said on X: 'A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves. The court's decision is therefore a victory for all schools.

'Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they have decided they don't like something at the school.'

She also said Muslim pupils last year had been put under pressure 'to pray, to drop out of the choir, to wear a hijab' while teachers faced abuse and intimidation.

In the statement, Mr Birbalsingh added: 'In 2014, 30 per cent of our intake was Muslim. It is now 50 per cent. We are oversubscribed.'

Reflecting on previous events at the school, Ms Birbalsingh said: 'Last year, we watched our Muslim pupils put under pressure by a tiny number of others to fast, to pray, to drop out of the choir, to wear a hijab.

'I watched one of my black teachers racially abused and intimidated, another teacher who had her personal home nearly broken into, and another with a brick thrown through her window.'

She added: 'There is a false narrative that some try to paint about Muslims being an oppressed minority at our school. They are, in fact, the largest group.

'Those who are most at risk are other minorities and Muslim children who are less observant.'

Rishi Sunak's official spokesman told reporters: 'We welcome the judgement. The Michaela Community School is an outstanding school with a history of excelling in its outcomes for all pupils, who are regularly from some of the most disadvantaged parts of London.

'The Government has always been clear that headteachers are best placed to take decisions on what is permitted in their schools on these matters, to balance the rights of all with the ethos of the small community, including in relation to whether and how to accommodate prayer. And this judgement supports this.'

Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch said: 'This ruling is a victory against activists trying to subvert our public institutions.

'No pupil has the right to impose their views on an entire school community in this way.

'The Equality Act is a shield, not a sword, and teachers must not be threatened into submission.'

And former home secretary Suella Braverman, who co-founded the Michaela Community School, said she was 'delighted' by the judgment.

She said: 'Michaela has always been a school which prioritises high achievement.

'And I know how hard Katharine (Birbalsingh) has worked to make it a success right from the early days when I was involved in helping to set up the school as chairman of governors.

'This is a victory for the children and their parents who want them to live happy and fulfilled lives.'

But the pupil who brought the legal challenge said in a statement provided by law firm Simpson Millar: 'I am obviously very disappointed that the judge did not agree with me.

'As is set out in the judgment, I do not agree that it would be too hard for the school to accommodate pupils who wished to pray in the lunch break.

'The school is very well run and generally very good at managing everything. The school doesn't wish to allow pupils to pray, has chosen a different path and the judge has found in their favour.

'Even though I lost, I still feel that I did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban. I tried my best and was true to myself and my religion.

'Being involved in this case has not been easy for me ... The teachers are very good here and I hope to do the best that I can. I am also grateful for the understanding that my non-Muslim friends at school have shown as to the issues that affect us.'

The pupil's mother said she was 'profoundly dismayed by the case's outcome'.

Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupil's arguments against the prayer rituals ban at the school

In a comment also issued by Simpson Millar, she said: 'The case was rooted in the understanding that prayer isn't just a desirable act for us - it's an essential element that shapes our lives as Muslims.

What are the unique practices at 'Britain's strictest school'? Lunchtime poetry chanting, national anthem singing, restrictions on socialising, silent corridors and constant supervision form part of the 'unique ethos' of a school dubbed Britain's strictest, a judge was told. The high-achieving Michaela Community School in Brent, Morth London, hit the headlines after a Muslim pupil brought a High Court challenge against its allegedly discriminatory ban on prayer rituals. The school defended against the claim, arguing it had the discretion to adopt the stance amid death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site. A ruling was issued today in favour of the school. Details of Michaela's practices and its 'ultra-strict enforcement' of behaviour rules were revealed by lawyers during the hearing of the student's legal challenge. They include: - 'Family lunch', poetry chanting and singing the national anthem At lunchtime, children cannot choose where they sit in the school's halls but are allocated to tables of six depending on their year and form. The first stand behind their chairs and chant poetry from memory and a teacher sets a mandatory topic of conversation for pupils to discuss. The aim is to 'develop the skill of conversing at a meal table'. Children also have set roles, such as collecting food or cleaning tables. Only vegetarian food is served to avoid division on racial or religious lines. Students also have to sing the national anthem twice a week. - The Michaela 'full stop' Pupils must end every interaction with teachers with 'Sir' or 'Miss'. - 'Tracking' in lessons and 'constant supervision' Under the tracking system, pupils 'must pay constant attention' to the teacher during lessons. There is no time in during classes where children may socialise with others. Teachers are specifically placed on corridors, staircases and at the door of the toilet to supervise children during breaks. - Silence in corridors Students move around the school's narrow corridors in single file and in silence and can only acknowledge staff. - The 'Rule of four, no more' Groups of more than four pupils are not allowed, including when in the school yard. The aim is to prevent social exclusion, with the school claiming that 'bullying is virtually unheard of'. Efforts to 'aggressively promote integration' include teachers actively intervening in school yard conversations and games to ensure pupils do not feel left out. - A strict uniform policy There is a mandatory blazer, tie, and navy-blue bag carrying the school's logo. Jewellery and make-up are banned and hairstyles must be 'appropriate'. All of the children have identical transparent plastic cases to carry their things in and a branded water bottle. Certain religious dress is allowed, such as headscarves. Only certain items can be carried by students, with all others banned. Phones seen or heard are confiscated until the end of half term. According to the pupil's lawyers, students are not allowed to wear coats, even in winter when they have to go outside in the cold. Advertisement

'In our faith, prayer holds undeniable importance, guiding us through each challenge with strength and faith.'

She added: 'My daughter's impassioned stance compelled me to support her and I stand firm in that decision.

'Her courage in pursuing this matter fills me with pride and I'm confident she's gained invaluable lessons from the experience.'

Dan Rosenberg, a lawyer at law firm Simpson Millar who represented the pupil, said the judge had noted the case raised 'issues of genuine public interest in circumstances where the school's approach has come into conflict with the religious perspective of an important section of society'.

He added: 'Obviously, the result was not a result that our client wanted but given the strength of her feelings, she did not feel it was right to merely accept the situation without seeking to challenge it.

'I respect our client's mother for supporting her in this.'

Following the decision, Ms Keegan said the ruling 'should give all school leaders confidence in making the right decision for their school while prioritising tolerance and respect between those of different faiths and none'.

She added: 'The Government has always been clear that heads are best placed to take decisions on what is permitted in their school on these matters, to balance the rights of all with the ethos of the school community - including in relation to whether and how to accommodate prayer.

'This judgment confirms this.'

And secular campaigners said the ruling serves as a reminder that claims of religious freedom 'do not trump all other considerations'.

Stephen Evans, chief executive of the National Secular Society, said: 'Given the disruption experienced by the school, a ruling that the ban on prayer rituals was lawful is welcome.

'It also serves as a useful reminder that claims of religious freedom do not trump all other considerations. If a school wishes to uphold a secular ethos, it should be entitled to do so.

'Schools should be environments where everyone feels welcomed and valued, but that doesn't mean students have untrammelled religious freedom.

'Where the manifestation of religion is deemed divisive or disruptive, a balance must be struck. We're pleased the school's actions have been vindicated.'

Another organisation said the Government should develop national guidance on religious practices in schools to address building 'resentment' in the system.

Andrew Copson, chief executive of the Humanists UK charity, said: 'In the absence of national guidance on religious practices in schools and of a serious national discussion about existing laws, cases like this will continue to be brought. Schools shouldn't be left alone to deal with this.

'Today's High Court judgment requires serious thinking from the Government about how to protect the child's freedom of religion or belief while also making sure our education system is fair and inclusive to all.

'We believe a first step should be to resolve the wider issue of mandatory collective worship in schools and replace it with an inclusive form of assembly that makes all pupils feel welcomed, while making reasonable accommodations for those who want to privately pray or worship where it doesn't infringe the rights and freedoms of others.

'Without such holistic attention, resentment will continue to build within our school system.'

In January, lawyers for the pupil told the judge at a hearing that the 'prayer ban' unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom, adding that it made her feel 'like somebody saying they don't feel like I properly belong here'.

The court was told the pupil, referred to only as TTT, was making a 'modest' request to be allowed to pray for around five minutes at lunch time, on dates when faith rules required it, but not during lessons.

The student also challenged allegedly unfair decisions to temporarily suspend her from school.

The school's lawyers claimed its prayer policy was 'justified' and 'proportionate' after it faced death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site.

They added that the governors and headteacher at the school of some 700 pupils, about half of whom are Muslim, had 'a margin of latitude, discretion or judgment' over its policies.

During a two-day hearing, the school's founder and headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh said on social media that it was defending its 'culture and ethos' along with decisions to 'maintain a successful and stable learning environment where children of all races and religions can thrive'.

Posting on X, she said the school decided 'to stop prayer rituals when some pupils started them, against a backdrop of events including violence, intimidation and appalling racial harassment of our teachers'.

The court was told that Ms Birbalsingh, a former government social mobility tsar, first introduced the policy in March last year, with it being backed by the governing body in May - allegedly 'on the basis of misinformation and errors'.

In March 2023, up to 30 students began praying in the school's yard, using blazers to kneel on.

Lawyers for the school said students seen praying outside contributed to a 'concerted campaign' on social media over the school's approach to religion, with there also being a since-removed online petition attracting thousands of signatures.

The court heard the school was targeted with death threats, abuse, 'false' allegations of Islamophobia, and a 'bomb hoax'.

Reversing the school's 'emergency' ban would again expose it to 'an unacceptable risk of threats', its lawyers said, adding that it avoided 'the logistical disruption and detriments to other school activities'.

The court was told 'Muslim children were observed to be applying peer pressure to other Muslim children to act in certain ways', with the school claiming that allowing prayer rituals risked 'undermining inclusion and social cohesion between pupils'.

Following the hearing, Ms Birbalsingh told The Sunday Times the legal process was 'taking a massive toll' and argued the school should 'be allowed to be secular'.

She told the paper that the school will 'definitely appeal if we lose', adding: 'I will not divide children according to race and religion; it will not happen under my watch.'
One of Scotlands most infamous killers has been refused parole in a decision which has been welcomed by the grieving family of his young victim.

Luke Mitchell, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of his 14-year-old girlfriend Jodi Jones, was denied his freedom as he poses a sexual risk to women.

He, too, was 14 when he stabbed Jodi to death in woods near her home in Dalkeith, Midlothian, in 2003 and he was later sentenced to serve a minimum term of 20 years before being eligible for parole.

Now 35, he has always refused to admit his guilt and will now remain in prison following the outcome of his hearing before the Parole Board for Scotland this week.

Jodis mother Judy Jones had been offered the chance to watch the hearing via videolink but is understood to have declined.

Mitchell is serving a life sentence for the murder of girlfriend Jodi Jones, 14

Jodi Jones was stabbed to death in woods near her home in 2003

Yesterday the boards decision was welcomed by the schoolgirls family, with one relative saying: If this man was released, I would fear for women.

He is a dangerous killer and should remain inside for a long time to come.

A psychiatric report branded Mitchell a sexual risk to women.

Police Scotland is also understood to have had an input.

Mitchell had been dating Jodi for four months when he killed her in what judge Lord Nimmo Smith later described as a truly evil murder.

Jodi had failed to return home on the evening of June 30, and Mitchell claimed to have been alerted to her body by his dog while out looking for her.

She had been stripped, bound and stabbed numerous times.

Following a ten-month police inquiry, Mitchell was accused of her murder and was 16 when he was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh in 2005.

He has lost four appeals but has attracted a significant following of online supporters convinced of his innocence since a TV documentary was aired in 2021.

Jodis family has been left devastated by the fraudulent campaign to clear his name, and had hoped it would not influence the parole boards decision.

The schoolgirls relative added: Since 2021 the family have been tortured almost daily through social media ghouls who are claiming Luke is innocent after a television programme showed a very biased view.

These people have ignored the evidence from court and destroyed her family.

Our grief has been trampled on and spat out in contempt by those who know nothing.

The campaign is fraudulent and built on lies.

We hope the parole board took this into account as well as the fact he has been assessed as a sexual danger to women.

He has shown not an ounce of remorse and instead has people on the outside terrorising the family on his behalf.

Another family member said: I try not to pay too much attention to the campaign as their leaders have told a lot of lies about my family.

This should draw a line under their campaign but it wont. But as a family we are relieved at the outcome.

Yesterday Dr Sandra Lean, a criminologist and adviser to Mitchell, said Jodis true killer is still at large.

She said: Lukes position has always been that he was never a risk because he did not commit this crime, so any assessment of his apparent risk now is meaningless.

My personal thought is its something of an irony spending time and money assessing the risk Luke might pose, while, for 20 years, all of the authorities have been ignoring the very real risk that a brutal killer is walking amongst us while an innocent boy, now man, serves time that is not his to serve.

The Parole Board does not comment on individual cases.
Do you know more about this case? Email rory.tingle@mailonline.co.uk

A British online predator who pressured a boy 4,500 miles away into raping a toddler has been jailed for 18 years - while the teenager he groomed will serve 50 years in the United States.

Twisted Nicholas Hatton, who had a huge stash of child abuse images, took advantage of the boy from the age of 12, Chester Crown Court heard.

The teenager had been in contact with Hatton for several years from 2014 and told officers that he had been coerced into sexually abusing his two-year-old family member on camera.

As a result of his confession, the boy has since been convicted of rape and sexual assault in America and sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Meanwhile, Hatton, 34, of West Street, Crewe, was handed an 18-year jail term in the UK.

DO YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS CASE? EMAIL RORY.TINGLE@MAILONLINE.CO.UK

Nicholas Hatton, 34, of Crewe, was sentenced to 18 years for his role in grooming a boy and coercing him to rape a young relative in the United States

The court heard the boy was one of Hatton's four victims. Detectives were able to identify two of them, who were both based in America.

The investigation into Hatton initially began in 2021 when officers from Cheshire Police received intelligence from a social media company in relation to his online activity.

A warrant was carried out at Hatton's home in Crewe where a number of electronic devices were seized and sent for analysis.

During examination of the devices, officers recovered more than 12,000 indecent images of children and 750 indecent videos, as well as 1,050 prohibited images.

Following the discovery, Hatton was rearrested in June 2022.

During questioning he denied all knowledge of who the children in the images were.

He was then released on conditional bail. It was at this point that a Cheshire Police Victim Identification Officer identified the two US-based victims.

Hatton was subsequently charged and later pleaded guilty to all of the offences.

He was charged with six counts of causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity; two counts of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13 to 17 and one count of possession of indecent images of children.

Chester Crown Court heard the victim, who had been in contact with Hatton for several years from 2014, told officers that he had been coerced into sexually abusing the two-year-old family member on camera

Hatton also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, three counts of taking indecent images of children and one count of possession of prohibited images of children.

Following his sentencing, Detective Constable Faye Taylor, of the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team at Cheshire Police, said: 'This has been a complex and lengthy investigation which ultimately uncovered Hatton's despicable behaviour.

'It was apparent throughout the investigation that Hatton is a sexual predator who preyed on vulnerable young boys and had no regard for the effects his actions would have on the victims or their families.

'Due to the grooming that he suffered as a child, one of Hatton's victim in America has been handed a lengthy prison sentence, while his family member suffered sustained sexual abuse.

'While none of the victims will ever be able to forget what happened to them, I hope that Hatton's conviction and the sentence handed to him will provide them with some closure.

'I also hope that Hatton's conviction will act as a reminder that there are no borders when it comes to sexual abuse, it can happen anywhere at any time and the impact can be lifechanging.'

In addition to his prison sentence, Hatton was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Aristocrat Constance Marten has an 'Upstairs, Downstairs' attitude and has told a 'constellation of lies' about her baby daughter's death, a court heard.

Marten, 36, and her boyfriend Gordon, 49, are accused of killing baby Victoria after taking her on the run in January last year to prevent the child being taken away by social services.

The baby's placenta was found in an exploded car on a Manchester motorway sparking a huge police hunt as the couple spent nearly two months camping in a blue tent in the South Downs near Brighton.

Victoria was later found dead in a Lidl bag for life and prosecutors claim she died from the exposure after weeks in bitterly cold conditions.

Marten claims the baby died in her arms after one night in the tent telling police: 'I believe I fell asleep on top of her.'

Pictured: Constance Marten, 36, in a handout photo from Greater Manchester Police

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The couple had four previous children taken into care which Marten blames on the meddling of her wealthy aristocratic family.

The couple deny manslaughter by gross negligence, concealment of the birth of a child, cruelty to a person under 16 and perverting the course of justice.

In the second day of his closing speech to the jury prosecutor Tom Little, KC, said Marten had mislead the jury by saying Victoria was born on Christmas Eve 2022.

He said she was actually born a week later and this is relevant to how old she was when she died.

There were multiple occasions before the car explosion on 5 January where a witness could have seen a baby or baby equipment but they did not.

Mr Little said: 'Mark Gordon was given ample opportunity in interview to say where the baby was born and he ducked it, why would you duck such an easy question to answer unless you had something to hide?

'Don't ignore where the placenta is found, in a towel in a car, when you consider where this baby was born... On any view there was a total lack of planning.

'Were they really going to smuggle the baby abroad with a nanny? What does that tell you about their parenting?'

He said the defendants had 'acted as a team' by allowing Marten to give one account of what happened while Gordon stayed silent.

Mr Little referred to two witnesses who had stopped to help the couple when their car caught fire by the M61.

'The father and son on the M61, the Hudsons, the good samaritans, pulled over when they saw smoke and then fire.

'They were honest witnesses. You may remember that obvious feeling of guilt that still haunts him because he touched baby Victoria on the head head and he knows if he stayed on the side of road it would all have been different.

'Constance Marten was keen to suggest to Mr Smith (prosecutor Joel Smith) his tone was patronising.

'But it's funny how some people aren't very good at looking in the mirror.

'What did she refer to the Hudsons as? 'Random workmen'. That you may think suggests an obvious sense of misunderstanding - almost an Upstairs, Downstairs mentality.

'Is it she who is patronising, or Mr Smith? It's a matter for you.

'He said he put his hand on the baby's head and said words to the effect of 'God bless, keep safe'.

Pictured: Mark Gordon, 49, in a photo issued by Greater Manchester Police

'Constance Marten says that simply did not happen.

'She has lied to you about why that 'random workman' touched the baby's head.

'It's another lie in a constellation of lies.'

He said Marten was also lying when she said they took some baby clothes for Victoria away from the burning vehicle and he said it was all dumped nearby.

'That baby had nothing more than a baby grow and a vest,' he said.

He said a grieving mother would never have thrown away any of the clothes her baby had worn.

'There is also something you would say is a big fat lie but where there is a grain of truth and 99 grains of falsity.

'That is the idea that in 2022 and 2023 there was some Mission Impossible style private investigators swooping out of the sky and coming from nowhere to detonate vehicles.

'It's fantastical, it's mythical, it didn't happen because you know from the agreed facts there were no private investigators in 2022 or 2023.

'She latched onto things, it's often the sign of a good fraudster, with an aspect of truth somewhere and twists it and warps it.'

Marten's parents have admitted hiring private investigators to find her in 2017 and 2021 but deny employing anyone in 2022 or 2023.

Mr Little said Marten had been 'caught out' in a lie saying she had pretended not to know whether Liverpool had a port before it was revealed she had previously taken a ferry from Liverpool to Ireland.

'No matter how intelligent you are lies will ultimately catch you out - it's a good example of her shameless approach to the truth.

'All evidence on that point is in one direction, apart from the serial liar and nothing from Mark Gordon.'

Mr Little suggested the fact Marten bought a bottle of petrol on 12 January did not mean she was telling the truth about the time the child died.

Marten had claimed she bought the bottle cremate Victoria's body.

'There would be every reason to purchase petrol to light a fire.

'The fact they never go on to do so is beside the point.

'Their presence in the petrol station and purchase of petrol is nothing to point as to whether you accept what Marten says about the death of Victoria.

'Why is she lying about the time of death? Because it got colder and colder in January and that is how the baby died.'

Mr Little said: 'Baby Victoria did not die as a result of some accident.

'Those four children were lawfully taken into care and what happened on the South Downs proved that judge right.

'Both caused the death of this child by hypothermia, and if not are not sure about that the position is the sleeping patterns taken were as dangerous as patterns of sleeping get and on that basis Constance Marten caused the death and Mark Gordon allowed it to happen.'

In his closing speech to the jury on behalf of Mark Gordon, John Femi-Ola, KC, said that Professor Fleming, who gave evidence saying there was not evidence the cause of death was hypothermia, was a respected doctor who had been awarded a CBE for his work on cot death.

He said: 'You saw him give evidence over a number of days in that witness box and we sat and watched the extraordinary, brutal, nasty and downright rude cross examination of that man.

'And why? Because he told you that he could find no evidence in the material he had examined of hypothermia being the cause of death.

'In opening this case Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon were described as callous and cruel.

'Callous means heartless, unfeeling, uncaring, insensitive, with a cruel disregard for others.

'That's a woman who you saw in that witness box over a number of days.

'Well, ask yourself in all honesty is 'callous' the first image that comes into your mind?

'The name Constance is rooted in the Latin Constantia.

'It means steadfastness, resolute, faithful, loyal, dedicated and perseverance no matter the obstacle.

'She gave her evidence, posh, but polite, you may think. Calm and intelligent.

'She was steadfast under cross examination. She was resolute and her deep, deep love for her children you may think overflowed.

'She is a strong woman. She's not a person to be pushed around by any man, partner or barrister. She's not easily for turning- she has a strong mind of her own.

'As you watched and listened to her you may think that she is a lioness. We're talking about children - her cubs. It is clear that she loved them.

'Her and Mr Gordon. This is if you like an unlikely couple.

'You will see how she described him in her interviews. She told you her family did not approve.

'She told you her family were embarrassed she had children with Mark.'

Mr Femi-Ola said after giving birth to their first child in Wales the couple moved into a house and cared for the baby well on their own between 2018 and 2019, giving birth to a second child.

'They set up home, they were not living in a tent or in a camper van or off grid.

'There is no suggestion they were drug addicts, no suggestion they're alcoholics no suggestion those two children were not well cared for, were not well clothed and well fed during that period of time.

'During the only time they lived like the rest of us between 2018 and 2019, raising their children without any interference - not a suggestion they were neglected or exposed to cold stress.'

Mr Femi-Ola reminded the jury that Marten had said the children were taken away because of an accident that the judge in the care proceedings believed was domestic abuse towards her by Gordon.

'Constance Marten said they had been in a relationship for nine years and there was an accident.

'Just imagine, put yourself in their shoes. Four children taken.

'The Crown say the whole pregnancy was shrouded in secrecy and whole case seems to proceed on the basis there was something unlawful about not registering a pregnancy.

'Why didn't the Crown tell you that a woman has an absolute right, absolute autonomy over her own body, regardless of whether she is pregnant or not.

'A woman can choose not to register her pregnancy, she can choose not to have antenatal care, she can chose not to have postnatal care.

'She can choose when and where to give birth. It's her choice. It is not unlawful.

'Since the time of Covid more and more women opted for home births without medical assistance.'

He said the couple were clearly paranoid about private detectives as 34 burner phones were found in their car.

'And on the trip south what happens? The first car breaks down.

'And if you are already paranoid about your family, the media, social services that you've got burner phones, and the first thing that happens on the way down is the car breaks down.

'Never mind, buy another one, and two days later they bought another one and it explodes on a motorway!

'Coincidence? Maybe, but it explodes. And can you imagine their mindset, what they must have been thinking?

'And they fled, you may think they fled in haste, they fled in fear and they fled in terror.

'And they left everything behind, 2000, all their clothing, a car, a cat, all left behind.

'Because as Constance Marten's told you she didn't want them to take the baby away, she wanted to protect the baby and be with baby.

'Let's assume it's totally a coincidence, but look what must be going through their minds. Just think about that.

'This other child is going to be taken away so they fled leaving all possession behind grabbing just what they had.'

Mr Femi-Ola said Marten would never have bought the bottle of petrol if the baby had not already passed away.

'We say the key, the real key is that bottle of petrol'.

'An accident happened and they can happen - as Professor Fleming said it can happen anywhere.

'149,000 babies go to sleep in with their parents every single night co-sleeping.

'If co-sleeping with a baby was unlawful they would be prosecuted.

'The law applies to each person equally, even to this unlikely couple.

'She was in her mother's arms. It was a tragic accident and one can only imagine the sheer terror they must have felt when they discovered that their beautiful daughter had passed.

'It wasn't a case of not caring, in fact it appears she couldn't be apart from the dead baby itself.'

He said Gordon could not have prevented the baby's death when he was asleep.

'When he was asleep how could he have stopped what happened?'

Francis FitzGibbon, KC, representing Marten, is due to give his closing speech to the jury tomorrow

Marten and Gordon deny manslaughter by gross negligence, concealment of the birth of a child, cruelty to a person under 16 and perverting the course of justice.

They also deny causing or allowing the death of a child.

The trial continues.

Listen to the latest updates in the Constance Marten & Mark Gordon trial on The Mail's podcast series 'The Trial,' taking listeners behind the scenes and into the courtroom of some of the biggest trials in the world. Available wherever you listen to podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
The family of a woman who was gunned down by her ex-father-in-law have blasted a family court judge for ignoring brutal text threats.

Dennis and Ashley Prince were fatally shot during a deposition involving Ashley's ex-husband, Dylan Houston, last week. Prince was representing his wife in the case.

Houston was represented by his father, 77-year-old Joseph Houston II, who opened fire during the proceedings before turning the gun on himself.

Prince, 30, was fighting for sole custody of her two oldest kids during the deposition, while Houston was representing his son Dylan.

At a press conference on Monday, Ashley's parents Julie and Paul said Dylan Houston would threaten her with text messages, as many as 70 a day.

These included threats like: 'I don't want to see you unless you're in a casket', 'I will chisel you down to a weaker and worthless sack of bones' and 'I'll crush you in way you don't even comprehend', the family said.

Dennis and Ashley Prince, seen here, were fatally shot during a deposition involving Ashley's ex-husband, Dylan Houston, last week

Ashley was married to Dylan Houston, another lawyer (left). His father Joseph (right) killed her, her new husband and then himself

Ashley with her ex-husband, Dylan Houston, at their wedding. The pair were entangled in a bitter custody dispute over their two young children

Her parents say their daughter's court battle had failed her as she tried to get protections in place for herself and her children.

Clark County District Court Judge Bill Henderson had handled the case, with a spokesperson for the court telling 8newsnow: 'The court cannot comment due to related pending matters.'

'Our daughter Ashley was a devoted and fierce protector of her children,' Page said, choking back tears as she told reporters that her daughter 'would have never given up the fight for her children.'

The outlet reported that five days before the shooting, Dylan Houston, who is also a lawyer, emailed Dennis Price.

In documents seen by the 8newsnow, Houston said: 'You have no idea what's coming do you, all your cards are on the table and I haven't played one.'

At a press conference on Monday, Ashley's parents Julie and Paul, seen here, said Houston would threaten her with text messages, as many as 70 a day

Paul and Julie Page speak to reporters in Las Vegas on Monday, April 15, 2024, while a photo of their daughter Ashley Prince is projected behind them on a screen

Houston himself was not present at the deposition, but the documents note that a private investigator had recorded 'concerning information regarding Plaintiff's drinking and dangerous behavior' a month earlier.

The investigator allegedly observed Dylan driving home from a bar on March 29 while swerving around the road.

Dylan, who is a partner at Resnick & Louis in Las Vegas, filed for divorce from Ashley in October 2021 following four years of marriage.

According to social media posts, the pair were together for several years before they wed, with Ashley announcing that she and Dylan were moving in together in 2014.

Clark County District Court Judge Bill Henderson, pictured here, had handled the case

Prince was representing his wife in an ongoing custody case involving her ex-husband, Houston's son Dylan

She was identified as Ashley Prince in court records as recently as last month.

A divorce decree issued in November 2021 granted the pair joint custody of their children, a son and daughter aged 5 and 4 - however, this remained in dispute.

Divorce filings allege Dylan grappled with substance abuse while he had custody of their children.

Another one of Ashley's lawyers, John Jones, made reference to 'a positive drug test for cocaine' as well as 'a positive alcohol test during his custodial time' as well as 'a missed alcohol test'.

Records show Dylan was arrested on a DUI charge in October 2020, but later pleaded it down to a misdemeanor reckless driving charge.

Following his no contest plea in February 2022, Dylan was ordered to complete community service and DUI classes.

Within hours of her death, Ashley's lawyers filed an emergency motion requesting that sole custody of the children be given to her sister. The motion was granted.

In that document, LoBello alleged Dylan 'knew or must have known of the intentions of his father prior to the commission of these heinous acts.'

Gunshots broke out during a deposition Monday morning, with Houston pulling out a handgun and shooting Prince in the chest four times

Dylan Houston was not present at the deposition, but records show Ashley had filed for sole custody of the pair's young son and daughter the very morning of the shooting

She cited an attempt to pick up his children 'in the middle of the school day, despite the details as to (Ashley's) status of dead or alive not being made public at this time'.

Dylan hit back at the accusations in a response.

'The motivation of the tragedy of April 8, 2024, is unknown to anyone but Joseph W. Houston himself. The Defense's suggestion that this was a 'planned attack' with the Plaintiff is insulting and quite speculative,' he wrote.

He asserted that his actions were 'not indicative of a co-conspirator as the Defense callously would like the Court to believe, rather that of a concerned father wanting to protect, console, love and support his children from any unnecessary discussion regarding this tragedy'.

According to Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill, gunshots broke out at around 10 a.m. inside the Prince Law Group's Summerlin office.

Court documents filed hours later detailed the moments preceding the senseless violence.

Five minutes after the deposition began, Houston 'stood up, had a very glazed and rattled look in his eyes, pulled out a handgun and shot Prince four times,' the documents state.

Prince was recognized as the Nevada Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2016 by the Nevada Justice Association and tried more than 100 cases to jury verdict at the time of his death.

He and Ashley had also recently welcomed a child together.
The judge in Donald Trump's historic hush money case tore into the former president after he muttered and gestured at a potential juror.

Judge Juan Merchan told Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche to 'speak to him' about his behavior.

It came as Trump already risks jail for contempt of court if he violates a gag order banning him from attacking people involved in the case.

Addressing Mr Blanche, the judge said: 'Your client was audibly uttering something. He was gesturing and muttering in the direction (of the juror).'

Raising his voice the judge went on: 'I will not tolerate that. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. Take a minute and speak to your client about it!'

Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits at the defense table during jury selection in his trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 16, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

Judge Juan Merchan tore into Trump in court

Margo Martin (C), former U.S. President Donald Trump's deputy communications chief, walks into the courtroom during the second day of his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 16, 2024 in New York City

Trump has already been warned that his rage could see him found in contempt of court for violating a gag order imposed by Judge Merchan.

It bans him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and the judges family. Prosecutors have already asked for him to be fined.

Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election.

Daniels says she had a sexual encounter with Trump about a decade beforehand.

The Republican candidate for president in the November 5 election has pleaded not guilty and denies an encounter took place.

On day two of jury selection Trump and his lawyers got a potential juror dismissed over a social media post from 2017.

The potential juror had written on Facebook about Trump, who was President at the time.

They wrote: Get him out and lock him up.

When the potential juror was called into court to explain himself he said I did have strong feelings at the time but that he could be impartial today.

Former US President Donald Trump sits while his lawyer Todd Blanche speaks during the second day of jury selection in his hush money criminal trial in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, New York, U.S. April 16, 2024

Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom with attorney Todd Blanche on the second day of his trial in Manhattan Criminal Court, New York City, New York, U.S. April 16, 2024

Judge Merchan said the quote about wanting Trump thrown in jail was a problem.

He said: Everyone knows if Mr Trump is found guilty in this case theres a potential jail sentence which would be lock up.

At that Trump, lookingon, shook his head.

Judge Merchan said: I dont think I can allow this juror to remain.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits with his attorneys as Judge Juan Merchan oversees the proceedings at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, April 15, 2024 in this courtroom sketch

Stormy Daniels appears at an event, May 23, 2018, in West Hollywood, California

Judge Merchan went on to reject a request to dismiss a female potential juror over Facebook posts by her husband, which led to a bizarre sequence in court.

The judge described a meme of a character from 'The Simpsons' holding Trumps head with a picture of Barack Obama in the frame.

It had a caption reading: I dont think this is what they meant with orange is the new black.

The judge read out another post which was a meme with the caption: The Avengers Unite against Donald Trump and to get Mark Ruffalo naked.

Judge Merchan said that if this was the worst thing they could find about the juror were posts from her husband that were humor, albeit not very good humour, from eight years ago, it gave him confidence in the juror.
Historical paintings were carried out of the burning Copenhagen stock exchange last night in a bid to protect the priceless artworks after the building went up in flames.

The 17th-century building was ravaged by flames as horrified onlookers watched the iconic 180ft spire collapse and grey plumes of smoke fill the sky.

But also housed within the stock exchange building - one of Copenhagen's oldest and a major tourist attraction - was a stash of cultural heritage that firefighters and passers-by were desperate to rescue.

'How touching it is to see how the employees at Brsen, good people from the emergency services and passers-by work together to rescue art treasures and iconic images from the burning building,' said Denmark's culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Local museum inspector Benjamin Asmussen told Denmarks TV2 that the building was full of historically significant Danish works dating as far back as the 1600s.

People were seen rescuing historical paintings from Denmark's stock exchange building after it went up in flames on Tuesday morning

Local museum inspector Benjamin Asmussen told Denmarks TV2 that the building was full of historically significant Danish works dating as far back as the 1600s

People salvage a painting from the historic Brsen stock exchange building which is on fire in central Copenhagen, Denmark on April 16, 2024

Locals carry paintings and other objects as a fire burns the old Stock Exchange (Brsen) in Copenhagen, Denmark, 16 April 2024

Smoke billows and flames rise around the scaffolding of the old stock exchange in Denmark

Among the rescued canvases was one by Peder Severin Kryer, also known as PS Kryer, showing 50 important Danish businessmen inside the building itself.

Following the rescue mission, the works have been transferred to the parliament building and the Danish National Archives for safekeeping.

Earlier today, Brian Mikkelsen, chief of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, which is headquartered in the Old Stock Exchange and owns the building, was seen with his staff scrolling through a binder of photos of paintings to be saved.

'We have tried to rescue a lot of historic paintings that were inside the building and the historic furniture,' Jakob Vedsted Andersen, an executive director at the Greater Copenhagen fire and rescue service, told CNN.

The fire began Tuesday morning in the copper roof of the Old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, spread to much of the building and the roof, parts of which also collapsed, and destroyed the building's interior.

'The fire is still not under control,' Andersen said later this morning, adding that half the building was destroyed and collapsed.

He said that there was no risk of the blaze spreading to other buildings. Firefighters said they expect to be at the scene for the next 24 hours.

'This is crazy, I've never seen such a big fire in my life. The fire has grown, more and more serious, it seems to be spreading to a larger part of the building,' a reporter for local outlet Politiken said from the scene.

'This is our Notre Dame, it is our national treasure,' reiterated Elisabeth Moltke, a 45-year-old Copenhagen resident, who watched the blaze.

Flames engulfing the Copenhagen's Stock Exchange building, in Copenhagen, on April 16

Firefighters expect to be on the scene for 24 hours to stop the ferocious blaze

The iconic spire is seen surrounded by collapsing scaffolding early on Tuesday morning

Others could not hold back tears as they watched the devastation.

Peter Hummelgaard, Justice Minister, applauded the efforts of emergency services in working to 'save human life and our historical cultural heritage' in a post on Twitter/X.

There were no reports of injuries. Ambulances attended the scene.

The nearby Christiansborg Palace, now the Danish parliament, was partially evacuated as the fire raged.

'Suddenly there was an announcement that we had to leave the building,' local outlet Berlingske reported shortly after 8am BST.

'It happened quietly, and now we have about a hundred people standing outside.'

Early reports claimed parts of the spire had broken off and fallen onto the street by 7.30am BST (8.30am local time).

Members of an army unit were seen being deployed to cordon off the area, and the Danish Emergency Management Agency was also helping.

The Stock Exchange is a major landmark in the city, identifiable for its twisting 183ft 'Dragespir' (Dragon Spire) and three crowns on top, representing the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The building was undergoing renovations to restore its original facade and correct errors made during an attempt in the 19th century.

Horror footage released this morning showed builders caught up in the inferno realising that the iconic spire was about to come down on them.

The video showed the workers on the scaffolding outside the landmark building as they were running away from the flames which broke out around 7.30am.

One of the workers was Ole Hansen, 60, a bricklayer, who said he noticed the fire on the roof and quickly snapped a picture, before telling his colleagues to rush to safety.

'There were some stonemasons who shouted: 'We have to go down, we have to get out',' Hansen, who was working on the scaffolding alongside 14 others, told Danish outlet Fagbladet 3F.

Footage shows builders working on the scaffolding outside the landmark building as they were running away from the flames, with a stonemason shouting: 'We have to go down, we have to get out'

Builders working on the scaffolding outside the building filmed and photographed the inferno before running to safety

'I have never experienced anything like this,' he added, before saying that he was quite shaken by the inferno after barely getting away before the building's 400-year-old spire collapsed.

'It was just terrible,' apprentice carpenter Claus Wolter Hansen agreed.

Danes have expressed their horror at '400 years of culture going up in flames' after the huge blaze broke out at the historic stock exchange.

Authorities are scrambling to preserve artefacts of the city's rich history, with even passers-by seen carrying large paintings away from the building in a race to save them from the spreading flames, which police said was under control around 3pm.

Among them was Mr Hanse, who helped carry paintings out of the burning landmark called The Brsen.

He said: 'There were four officials carrying a large painting. It was very windy and it looked like the painting was going to turn into a giant surf parachute because the four men were too light. So I ran over and helped.'

The stock exchange's 400-year-old spire has already been destroyed in the fire, leading to some to call the tragic incident Copenhagen's 'Notre-Dame moment'.

'I saw the spire on the Stock Exchange come down. It was violent,' Mr Hansen said, before adding that the building would look 'quite different' when the fire would finally be put out.

'It's horrible. It was one of the city's most beautiful buildings. I pass by here every day It's Notre Dame all over again,' another witness told state broadcaster DR, recalling the horrifying blaze at Paris' historic cathedral five years ago this month.

'So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us, I think. Our own Notre Dame moment,' Danish deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen posted on X.

Danish King Frederik shared a statement on Instagram, writing: 'This morning we woke up to a sad sight, when smoke over Copenhagen's roof gave evidence of the destructive fire at Brsen. An important part of our architectural cultural heritage was and continues to be in flames.

'For 400 years, Christian IV's building edifice Brsen has been a significant landmark for Copenhagen. Through generations, the characteristic dragon spire has helped to depict Copenhagen as the 'city of towers'.

From a distance, a general view shows the extent of the fire and efforts to stop it spreading

'Until today, we have considered the historic building as a beautiful symbol of our capital and a building that we, as a nation, have been proud of.'

A 'large bang' was heard early this morning before the spire collapsed.

Dramatic video captured the moment the 183ft monument toppled down into the street below in a burst of orange as bystanders watched on in tears.

The Danish Chamber of Commerce, which has owned the building since 1857, has worked on restoring it to the style of Denmark's King Christian IV..

'400 years of Danish cultural heritage in flames,' Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said, also on X. 'The building is filled with art that tells a lot about our history, about who we are as a people,' he later told reporters.

A large police and firefighting presence remains on the scene around the Brsen building, where scaffolding was seen to have collapsed into the inferno which has since been brought under control.

Authorities previously said the blaze was too risky to tackle from the inside, and that they were trying to limit the damage by closing off what they can.

People gather in disbelief as the historic building goes up in flames, on April 16

A man reacts as the Old Stock Exchange burns in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16

'We are saving everything we possibly can,' Copenhagen fire department chief Jakob Vedsted Andersen told reporters.

The historic building, whose spire was shaped as the tails of four dragons intertwined, had been under renovation and clad in scaffolding when the fire began.

READ MORE: Moment iconic spire of Copenhagen's stock exchange building collapses onto the street below as fire ravages historic building Advertisement

Parts of the roof had collapsed and the fire spread to several floors of the building, Vedsted told reporters. 'It's always sad to put out fires in old buildings,' he said.

Some 120 people were working to contain the fire but only around 40 per cent of it was under control, Vedsted said early this afternoon, adding that the firefighting operation would go on for at least 24 hours. There were no immediate reports of injuries, police said.

Surrounding streets in the Danish capital were also cordoned off and commuters urged to avoid the inner city as authorities desperately tried to tackle the fire, with the military drawn in to help manage public safety.

Crowds gathered in disbelief to look on as the building appeared to collapse in on itself.

The Brsen, once the financial heart of Denmark, dates back as far as 1625 and contains many precious relics of the country's proud merchant history.

During the 1800s, the building was roofed with copper, as much of the original lead lining was scrapped to produce cannon balls during the Swedish occupation, 1658-59.

The building still contains many wooden structures, according to local media.

The roof, masonry, sandstone and spire of Boersen - built in 1615 and considered a leading example of Dutch Renaissance style in Denmark - was being renovated, said the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

Dansk Erhvervs direktr, Brian Mikkelsen hjlper selv med at redde malerier ud fra #brsen pic.twitter.com/UXOoTbxUSX  Mads Bisgaard (@MadsBis) April 16, 2024

Firefighters said half the building was destroyed and had collapsed by late this morning

Emergency services said they had mobilised 'on a massive scale' to quell the outbreak

Smoke billows during a fire at the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, April 16, 2024

Firefighters continue to work to put out the blaze, having cordoned off vulnerable areas

Smoke rises out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark

Many of the internal structures are still made of wood in the building soon turning 400

Firefighters try to extinguish the flames as smoke billows from the historic Boersen stock exchange building which is on fire in central Copenhagen, Denmark on April 16, 2024

Firefighters work at the main entrance of the Boersen stock exchange building on Tuesday

The building, one of the oldest in the Danish capital, was undergoing renovation work when it caught fire this morning

Picture taken on April 15, 2024 shows renovation work on the historic Boersen stock exchange building in Copenhagen

The building, one of the oldest in the Danish capital, was undergoing renovation work when in the morning of April 16, 2024 it caught fire

A view of the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark, January 28, 2019

File photo of the historic Borsen building in Copenhagen, Denmark

File photo. Smoke billows as fire rages at the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, April 15, 2019

The tragedy comes five years since Notre Dame erupted into flames in Paris during renovation work, on April 15 and April 16, 2019.

Today is also the birthday of former Queen Margrethe II, who abdicated on January 14 and turns 84 today.

The former monarch 'toned down' celebrations because of the fire, according to broadcaster TV2.

A band set to play outside the Fredensborg Castle has been cancelled.

The building - originally built by Christian IV in a bid to strengthen trading on the continent - came to house the Danish stock market in 1974.

The Brsen managed to escape a fire at the neighbouring Christiansborg Palace in 1990.

The Dutch Renaissance style building no longer houses the Danish stock exchange, but serves as headquarters for the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

The Old Stock Exchange is used for conferences and parties, and not open to the public, according to Visit Copenhagen.

The exact cause of the fire outbreak is currently unknown.
Rishi Sunak has called for 'calm heads to prevail' during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that escalation in the Middle East following Iran's unprecedented missile and drone barrage is in nobody's interest.

Downing Street said the PM spoke to his counterpart this afternoon after reports the leaders had been unable to find a time to hold the call, with the UK government saying that Netanyahu 'has been very busy with war cabinet and engagements'.

During the conversation, Sunak 'reiterated the UK's steadfast support for Israel's security' and wider regional stability, while Netanyahu 'thanked the UK for its rapid and robust support in the face of Iran's reckless and dangerous attack'.

Sunak also told him that 'Iran had badly miscalculated' with its assault, adding that the Islamic Republic is 'increasingly isolated on the global stage', No10 said.

He additionally said that the G7 is working on a package of measures against Iran. Italy, which has the presidency of the group, suggested any new sanctions would target individuals, as opposed to the far-reaching measures Israel has pushed for.

Rishi Sunak told Israel's Prime Minister that 'Iran had badly miscalculated' with its assault

Netanyahu 'thanked the UK for its rapid and robust support in the face of Iran's reckless and dangerous attack,' Downing Street said

Sunak also used the call to put pressure on Israel to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where around half the population are believed to be starving.

'The PM said the UK wants to see a massive step change in aid access to Gaza, including Israel opening up new aid routes,' according to No10's statement.

It added: 'The Prime Minister said it was deeply disappointing that Hamas blocked a deal at the weekend that would have saved Palestinian lives and secured the safe release of hostages.'

It comes after White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined on Monday to say whether Biden had urged Netanyahu in talks on Saturday night to exercise restraint in responding to Iran.

'We don't want to see a war with Iran. We don't want to see a regional conflict,' Kirby told a briefing.

Meanwhile, Western allies have been eyeing swift new sanctions against Tehran to help dissuade Israel from a major escalation.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he was 'leading a diplomatic attack', writing to 32 countries to ask them to place sanctions on Iran's missile programme and follow Washington in proscribing its dominant military force, the Revolutionary Guard Corps, as a terrorist group.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the US would use sanctions, and work with allies, to keep disrupting Iran's 'malign and destabilising activity'.

She told a news conference in Washington that all options to disrupt Iran's 'terrorist financing' were on the table, and that she expected further sanctions against Iran to be announced in coming days.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, speaking in Brussels after an emergency video conference of EU foreign ministers, said some member states had asked for sanctions against Iran to be expanded and that the bloc's diplomatic service would begin working on the proposal.

Borrell said the proposal would expand a sanctions regime that seeks to curb the supply of Iranian drones to Russia so that it would also include the provision of missiles and could also cover deliveries to Iranian proxies in the Middle East.

Iran has threatened to use 'weapons it has never used' in a 'painful and severe' response if Israel launches airstrikes in retaliation to Tehran's weekend salvo. In this picture released by the Iranian Defense Ministry on Thursday, May 25, 2023, Khorramshahr-4 missile is launched at an undisclosed location in Iran

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said earlier on Tuesday that several EU members had promised to look again at extending sanctions, adding she would head to Israel within hours to discuss how to prevent an escalation.

In a call between the Chinese and Iranian foreign ministers, China said it believed Iran could 'handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil' while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity, according to Chinese state media.

Iran's weekend attack caused modest damage in Israel and wounded a 7-year-old girl. Most missiles and drones were shot down by Israel's Iron Dome defence system and with help from the U.S., Britain, France and Jordan.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (pictured in February) warned Israel it will face a 'painful response' if it takes the 'slightest action' in response to his country's attack

Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee Abolfazl Amoue stated that Iran is 'prepared to use a weapon that we have never used' if Israel responds further.

Speaking on Monday, he said Israel should consider its next steps and 'act wisely.'

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also warned Israel it will face a 'painful response' if it takes the 'slightest action' in response to his country's attack.

It has threatened to use 'weapons it has never used' in a 'painful and severe' response if Israel launches airstrikes in retaliation to Tehran's weekend salvo.

An Iranian missile launch is seen in this footage, claimed to be the first missile launched towards Israel in Tehran's attack over the weekend

Israel today threatened airstrikes on Iran in retaliation for a 350-missile blitz amid fears the conflict will spiral into all-out war in the Middle East. Pictured: Rocket trails are seen in the sky above Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as Iranian missiles are intercepted by air defences

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said Iran closed its nuclear facilities temporarily over 'security considerations' and that while they reopened on Monday, he kept IAEA inspectors away 'until we see that the situation is completely calm.'

When asked about the possibility of an Israel strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Grossi said: 'We are always concerned about this possibility.'

He urged 'extreme restraint.'

Speaking to MailOnline on Monday before Iran's latest threat, Justin Crump - British army veteran and CEO of global risk analysis firm Sibylline, pointed to the nuclear threat posed by Iran when discussing Israel's possible responses.

Iranian missiles exhibited in a park on January 20, 2024 in Tehran

A shell from Israeli artillery explodes over Dahaira, a Lebanese border village with Israel, south Lebanon, Monday, October 16, 2023

'At the back of everyone's minds, though, is the nuclear issue,' he said.

'Iran has shown it can and will strike at Israel and those who have always held concerns about a nuclear capability will be speaking loudly in the coming days.'

In addition to its possible nuclear weapons programme, Iran has a vast array of missiles and other weapons in its arsenal that it could use to strike Israel.

A third meeting of Israel's war cabinet set for Tuesday to decide on a response to Iran's first-ever direct attack was put off until Wednesday.
A convicted fraudster accused of drowning his heiress wife to cash in on her 3.5million life insurance is a 'serial liar' whose life of deceit 'goes beyond Walter Mitty territory', a court was told today.

Donald McPherson was dramatically cleared of murdering 47-year-old Paula Leeson in a swimming pool during a holiday to Denmark after prosecutors were unable to disprove his defence that she had fallen in or jumped.

Now her family have asked a judge to rule that she was 'unlawfully killed' by her husband, meaning he would forfeit the massive pay-outs he is due under policies he 'secretly' took out before her death in 2017.

Today their lawyers told the High Court how New Zealand-born McPherson changed his name multiple times and amassed 32 convictions spanning 15 years in three countries, while his previous wife and their child died in a mysterious house fire.

Lesley Anderson KC, representing the Leeson family, told the court in Manchester: 'We submit what happened here was an acquisitive killing.

Paula Leeson (pictured) was found drowned in a 4ft-deep swimming pool in an isolated Danish chalet. Her husband Donald McPherson was dramatically cleared of her death in 2021

Ms Leeson's father William, 81, and her brother Neville believe she suffered pressure to her neck which caused her to pass out and deny she committed suicide or drowned

McPherson (pictured) was labelled a 'serial liar' after it emerged that he had used several different aliases to commit 32 offences of fraud or dishonesty in New Zealand, Germany and the UK

The heiress's family have vowed to stop 'serial liar' McPherson, 50, (pictured) from accessing her 4.4million fortune

'The systematic setting up of policies was deliberate. This was in his mind since 2013. That's why he's planned Denmark.

'He has a propensity to commit offences and then try to move on.

'The number of lies goes beyond Walter Mitty territory.

'What you have is a consistent pattern of dishonesty in furtherance of a financially acquisitive objective and to protect himself when he needs to.'

The family  who run a successful civil engineering business which Ms Leeson and her brother Neville stood to inherit  have pledged they will 'never give up' fighting to stop McPherson 'deriving any financial benefit from Paula's death', despite 'astronomical' legal bills.

McPherson  who left the UK following his acquittal  is not attending the trial and the 50-year-old is not legally represented.

The murder trial heard that in June 2017 he booked the couple  who lived in Sale, Greater Manchester - a chalet with an indoor pool in a remote part of Denmark.

On the last day of the trip, McPherson frantically called an ambulance, saying he had awoken his wife fully-clothed in the pool - which was less than 4ft deep  after they went for a nap.

However today Ms Anderson said his account was 'palpably untrue' and inconsistent with steps recorded on a health app on her mobile phone.

'Right from the outset an elaborate lie develops,' she said.

According to prosecutors, within hours of her death he was 'tucking into' a steak dinner after transferring more than 20,000 from their joint account to start covering his debts.

But the trial was dramatically stopped as the prosecution were unable to disprove his defence that she had fallen in or jumped.

The judge directed a not guilty verdict  despite ruling it was 'clearly more likely' that he had killed her than her death being an accident  prompting her furious family to condemn McPherson as 'the devil incarnate'.

The Danish summer house at Sndervang, Nrre Nebel where Ms Leeson was found fully-clothed and drowned in a pool

Manchester Crown Court heard that McPhearson continued monthly repayments on life insurance policies totalling almost 400-a-month in the run-up to his wife's death

Jurors were not informed about McPherson's secret life of fraud, including a conviction in London of obtaining property by deception.

The Daily Mail later revealed he had been jailed in Germany for embezzlement after 12million was stolen from Commerzbank.

While behind bars his common law wife and three-year-old daughter died in a fire in Australia - which McPherson said was the result of criminal activity to blackmail him.

At his murder trial, his lawyers argued neck injuries found on Ms Leeson's body were sustained during resuscitation attempts.

But in documents in support of the unlawful killing claim  brought by her father William, 81, and her son by a previous relationship, Ben, 36 - Ms Anderson argued she had been subjected to 'a neck lock' which could have led to unconsciousness within ten seconds.

His actions in transferring thousands of pounds to his bank account later that day showed the 'indecent haste' with which he had begun 'chasing the money,' she told the court.

They also claim Mr McPherson was responsible for forging Ms Leeson's will as well as documents relating to 800,000 held in trust.

Following his acquittal, Mr McPherson insisted his wife's death had been 'a tragic accident'.

The trial continues.
Police investigating Angela Rayner over her living arrangements are examining multiple allegations including her tax affairs, and not simply looking at whether she broke electoral law, it was reported last night.

As Labour's deputy leader broke cover yesterday following the launch of the police probe into the 'two homes' saga, it emerged that at least a dozen officers are looking into a range of issues linked to where she lived in the 2010s.

Sir Keir Starmer's number two was pictured grinning broadly at a visit to a housing development in West Sussex with Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Wearing a crimson trouser suit with matching shoes and clutching paperwork, the 44-year-old was earlier seen leaving her London address.

But her appearance at the event in support of Labour's campaign at next month's local elections was overshadowed by new claims about the scale of the investigation announced last week by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

The move followed allegations that Ms Rayner had wrongly declared on the electoral roll that she was living at a former council house she had bought under right-to-buy rules when she was living primarily at her then-husband Mark's home a mile away in Lowndes Lane in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

Ms Rayner (pictured on Tuesday), 44, has promised to resign if she is found to have committed a crime over the accusations, but said she 'followed the rules at all times'

The address on Lowndes Lane - around a mile from Ms Rayner's property on Vicarage Road, which she insisted was her home

Yesterday, GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson said there were 'a number of assertions knocking about' and his officers were 'going to get to the bottom of what has happened'.

He stressed that launching an investigation was a 'neutral act' and did not mean there was 'hard and fast evidence' to base anything on.

The force has not specified what allegations it is looking into but, last night, The Times reported that in addition to potential electoral offences, police are also examining claims that Ms Rayner failed to pay capital gains tax that was due when she sold the property in 2015.

A source told the paper the investigation was 'very well resourced' and 'not a single issue'. 'There is a volume of material and a clear public interest to fully investigate,' they added.

Ms Rayner's council tax arrangements are also understood to be part of the police inquiry.

Stockport Council is already reviewing whether Ms Rayner claimed a single person's council tax discount on her property while allowing her brother to live there.

But police sources said it was possible that no offences would ultimately be identified, with matters potentially referred to other bodies such as HMRC.

The announcement of a criminal investigation followed a complaint from Tory deputy chairman James Daly, after which the force initially said Ms Rayner had 'no case to answer'.

The allegations  which date back to before she became an MP in 2015  first emerged in Red Queen? The Unauthorised Biography of Angela Rayner by Lord Ashcroft, serialised in the Mail.

Knowingly providing false information on an electoral registration form is an offence which can carry a six-month prison sentence or an unlimited fine.

Ms Rayner has also faced questions over whether she should have paid capital gains tax on the ex-council house when it was sold in 2015 for a 48,500 profit, if it wasn't her principal residence.

The Labour deputy has tried to put the weeks-long row behind her, going about business as usual on Tuesday when she attended a housing development in West Sussex to meet families struggling to get mortgages with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves

The Mail on Sunday uncovered social media posts in which the Labour deputy leader said she had 'just got home' on a backdrop of her then-husband's house.

Ms Rayner has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing but refused to publish tax advice which she claims exonerates her.

The mother-of-three says the couple, who have since separated, both 'maintained' their own properties until setting up a joint marital home after she was elected to Parliament.

Sources say she has 'never denied' that she also 'spent time' at her husband's house.

She says she will resign if she is 'found to have committed a criminal offence'.

The Labour Party pointed MailOnline to Rayner's statement on Friday.

Rayner said: 'I've repeatedly said I would welcome the chance to sit down with the appropriate authorities, including the police and HMRC, to set out the facts and draw a line under this matter. I am completely confident I've followed the rules at all times.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has backed Ms Rayner

'I have always said that integrity and accountability are important in politics. That's why it's important that this is urgently looked at, independently and without political interference.

'I make no apologies for having held Conservative ministers to account in the past. Indeed, the public would rightly expect me to do so as a Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

'We have seen the Tory Party use this playbook before  reporting political opponents to the police during election campaigns to distract from their record. I will say as I did before - if I committed a criminal offence, I would of course do the right thing and step down. The British public deserves politicians who know the rules apply to them.

'The questions raised relate to a time before I was an MP and I have set out my family's circumstances and taken expert tax and legal advice. I look forward to setting out the facts with the relevant authorities at the earliest opportunity.'

MailOnline has contacted GMP for comment.
Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake told a crowd to 'strap on a Glock' at a recent event as the 2024 election season intensifies.

Lake was speaking on Sunday at a Republican dinner in Mohave County when she told law enforcement and veterans in the audience it is going to be a 'crazy run' the next six months.

'They're going to come after us with everything. That's why the next six months is going to be intense,' Lake said.

'What do we want to strap on? We're going to strap on our seatbelt. We're going to put on our helmet or your Kari Lake ball cap. We're going to put on the armor of God,' Lake said.

'Then maybe strap on a Glock on the side just in case. You can put one here and one in the back or one in the front, whatever you guys decide,' she said gesturing to her hip.

Lake's remarks come as there has been a heightened tensions as the 2024 election season heats up and growing concerns over political rhetoric leading to violence.

Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake told a crowd to 'strap on a Glock' at a recent event as the 2024 election season intensifies

Far-right Republican candidate Kari Lake is running for Arizona's Senate seat

Lake is a close supporter of ex-President Donald Trump and has been a vocal critic of the charges against him

'We're not going to be the victims of crime. We're not going to have our second amendment taken away. We're certainly not going to have our first amendment taken away by these tyrants,' she added.

Video of the remarks was posted by NBC News.

The right-wing Arizona candidate and close ally of ex-President Trump said this was the 'moment we have to save our country.'

Lake said Trump is willing to 'sacrifice everything' and claimed 'they're coming after us with lawfare.'

DailyMail.com asked the Lake campaign to clarify what Lake meant in suggesting the audience 'strap on a Glock.'

Trump overwhelmingly won Mohave County on the western side of Arizona with 75 percent of the vote in 2020.

But overall, Arizona is one of the biggest battleground states in 2024 for both the presidential election and Senate race.

President Biden won the state over Trump by just over 10,000 votes in 2020.

The Democratic party slammed Lake's recent remark saying it has 'no place in our political discourse.'

This is not the first time Lake has made what appears to be veiled threats.

This is not the first time Lake has made what appears to be veiled threats

Speaking last June about Trump's indictments at an event in Georgia, Lake warned anyone coming after Trump would have to 'go through' her and 75 million Americans just like her.

'I'm going to tell you, most of us are card carrying members of the NRA,' she said at that event to a crowd.

'That's not a threat, that's a public service announcement.'
Employees of a game shop thought they had stopped a robber from looting Pokemon cards, until he suddenly pulled a gun.

The hooded thief walked into Into the RetroVerse in Colton, a suburb of San Barnardino, California, on Saturday and casually walked behind a shelf.

One employee spotted him acting suspiciously and confronted him, and along with the other two in the store tackled him after an exchange of words.

'I just need some money, bro, chill... I need it more than you do,' the bald bandit said.

One of the employees responded: 'Yeah? We're not gonna let you f**king rob us, dude.'

Employees of a game shop thought they had stopped a robber from looting Pokemon cards, until he suddenly pulled a gun

The hooded thief walked into Into the RetroVerse in Colton, a suburb of San Barnardino, California , on Saturday

One employee spotted him acting suspiciously and confronted him, and along with the other two in the store tackled him after an exchange of words

After a scuffle in which the robber is thrown to the ground, he pulled out a gun, pointed it one of the trio, and demanded they get off him.

'You f**king baby, you f**king b***h,' he said as the staff backed away and put their hands up, one saying 'sorry bro, sorry'.

The robber demanded their phones as they lay on the floor, then looted the shop of $3,000 to $5,000 worth of Pokemon cards and left.

One of the staff said he lost his phone in the fight and later found it.

The robber appeared to be limping slightly as he left the store.

The owners of the store posted security camera footage of the robbery to the shop's social media pages, asking if anyone recognized him.

The moment the robber suddenly pulls the gun and the staff are forced to back off

The robber demanded their phones as they lay on the floor, then looted the shop of $3,000 to $5,000 worth of Pokemon cards and left

This is the third time the shop has been robbed in the past few months - once on November 6 and then again on Thanksgiving

'Yesterday this piece of s**t comes in goes straight into where the Pokemon product was and starts taking it,' they wrote.

'Our employees decided to step up until this coward pulls out a gun and starts acting tough. If anyone recognizes him please please let us know.'

One Instagram commenter wrote that they should give police the footage as it showed the robber's face.

But the owners replied: 'Theyre useless.'

This is the third time the shop has been robbed in the past few months - once on November 6 and then again on Thanksgiving.
A former US Army financial counselor pleaded guilty to defrauding grieving military families of millions of dollars in life insurance payments.

Victims of Caz Craffy's malicious alleged scam include a teenage girl whose father died, as well as a handful of military widows.

Craffy, 41, may face up to a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to all ten of the charges that were thrown at him, including securities and wire fraud, and making false statements.

In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said: 'Those who target and steal from the families of fallen American servicemembers will be held accountable for their crimes.'

For more than four years from 2018 to 2022, Craffy - of Colts Neck, New Jersey - scammed members of at least 24 Gold Star families into transferring nearly $10million or survivor benefits into private brokerage accounts in his control, according to prosecutors.

Military financial counselor, Caz Craffy, 41, allegedly scammed grief-stricken families of soldiers killed at war out of millions of dollars

Craffy (pictured) pleaded guilty to ten counts relating to his fraudulent investing scheme. He will be sentenced in August

Gold Star families are those whose immediately family members die in active duty while serving the country.

Survivors of the fallen can receive up to $500,000 in total post-death benefits.

The alleged fraudster conducted more than 1,000 unauthorized trades, losing more than $3.4million, and generating more than $1.4million in commissions that he pocketed.

Victims were under the impression that the Army was authorizing Craffy's conduct, when in reality he was a civilian employee of the Army. He is also a major in the US Army Reserve, after enlisting in 2003 - it is unclear if he will receive further punishment via the military justice system.

According to court documents, Craffy traded away nearly two-thirds of a widow's $400,000 investment account meant to fund her children's college education and aging mother's care.

He also stole $50,000 from a 13-year-old girl's retirement account.

The defendant's plea was entered before US District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton, New Jersey.

He is due to be sentenced on August 21 of this year.

Recommended federal guidelines would put Craffy away for between 97 and 121 months (roughly 8-10 years).

Under the plea deal he entered, Craffy agreed not to appeal a sentence that falls within that range.

He also agreed to pay back his victims, using funds that include the proceeds from selling his home.

In the wake of the discovery of the fraud, Gold Star mom Sharon Hartz said: 'It's unimaginable. He disrespected me. He disrespected my son. My family.;

SSG Rodney C. Bevard's (pictured) widow handed Craffy the responsibility of conservatively investing about $370,000 in insurance money after Bevard's passing

Craffy, under his plea arrangement, has agreed to pay back the families he defrauded - including members of fallen Sgt. Thomas Anastasio's (pictured) family

Sharon Hartz (right) with her son Sgt. Thomas Anastasio, her daughter Morgan (center) and her younger son Mason, are some of the family members of the fallen who were scammed by Craffy

Craffy's job as originally intended was to provide basic financial guidance to Army families facing the loss of an immediate family member.

Had he not struck a plea deal, Craffy might've faced several decades in prison, if convicted.

'Nothing can undo the enormous loss that Gold Star families have suffered, but the Justice Department is committed to doing everything in our power to protect them from further harm,' said AG Garland.

Following Craffy's misdeeds, Washington lawmakers are now pushed through legislation that strengthens the military's oversight of financial counselors who assist the survivors of deceased service members.

The law requires financial counselors employed by the Department of Defense to submit records annually verifying that have 'no conflicts of interest' or 'stand to improperly benefit from their position' when they are hired.

Natasha Bevard, whose husband, Rodney C. Bevard, died by suicide in 2020 after a long military career, has praised the legislation, after committing to ensure 'no other Gold Star family will be taken advantage of financially. Especially at their most vulnerable mental state.'
Texas cops are hunting an armed and dangerous murder suspect who allegedly ran down a 75-year-old man in a stolen Ford Mustang.

The suspect's crime spree began in New Mexico where he stole a Ford Mustang and police believe he is now on the run in Texas after fleeing on foot, local outlet Everything Lubbock reported.

He is thought to be somewhere in Irion County near the city of Mertzon, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety for the West Texas region.

Ector County police have released several images of the alleged murder suspect from home surveillance at a residence near where the homicide unfolded.

He is described as a thin white male with blonde or light brown hair and was last seen wearing blue jeans and brown boots.

Pictured: Alleged murder suspect captured on a home video device

The suspect reportedly wanted to use the homeowner's phone but was told no

The suspect reportedly first stole a black 2014 Mustang convertible in Lea County, New Mexico. The car had a Texas license plate of CLP0753.

He later arrived at a house in West Odessa, Ector County, Texas, where the suspect asked homeowners on 5700 block of Greenway Avenue if he could borrow their phone.

When the suspect was rebuffed, a fight broke out, and he ran over the 75-year-old homeowner in the stolen car before fleeing, according to investigators.

Rumors had initially swirled that the suspect killed the homeowner with a gun, but police have dispelled that notion and said they will confirm the cause of death pending an autopsy.

Law enforcement in the area began pursuing him at around 10:50am on Monday after a someone called 911 claiming they'd been shot.

During the chase, the suspect crashed the Mustang but improvised and stole another vehicle - a tan Chevy Tahoe.

He then crashed this SUV in a field near Mertzon, which is about 140 miles away from West Odessa, the site of the alleged homicide.

He then fled on foot and remains at large.

Another image of the suspect near the home where the murder allegedly took place

The Mustang the murder suspect stole in New Mexico to kick off his crime spree

Sgt. Steven Blanco with the Texas Department of Public Safety said: 'The homicide suspect from Ector County is still at-large in Irion County in the area of RM 2469 near the city of Mertzon.

'All available DPS assets are being utilized to assist with the search for the suspect.

'We are advising the public to remain vigilant by keeping homes and vehicles locked. Please report any suspicious activity to law enforcement'.

Mertzon Mayor Aubrey Stewart said in a statement early Tuesday morning that police were still searching for the suspect.

Since the city of Mertzon is in a separate county - Irion County - authorities there are also involved in the search.

DailyMail.com reached out to the Ector County Sheriff's Office and the Irion County Sheriff's Office for comment.
A British man was found dead in a pool of blood alongside his wounded wife after an apparent suicide pact at a hotel in Mexico.

Detectives raced to the resort in Cancun just after 5am local time on Tuesday morning, as initial unconfirmed reports pointed to a possible crime of passion.

Local prosecutors said in their first official comments an investigation is still ongoing but they are currently treating the incident as a possible suicide pact which ended with only the husband taking his own life.

The 58-year-old British tourist found dead is said to have been discovered with blood around the room as well as on his arms and chest.

His 53-year-old wife was taken to hospital with multiple cuts to her arms amid unconfirmed reports she may have been under the effects of an unknown substance.

Sources close to the ongoing investigation said she had now been released and the cuts were not 'deep ones.'

No arrests are thought to have been made but her current whereabouts are not known.

Some Mexican local newspapers started reporting earlier today that the case was being treated as a homicide and the dead man's wife was a suspect.

One claimed the couple had been drinking heavily and ended up having a violent argument in their hotel, named locally as the City Express Hotel in Cancun.

Photos published in local press showed the dead man being stretchered into an ambulance under a blue sheet.

Last night prosecutors distanced themselves from the idea the death was linked to a crime in their first official statement on the incident.

Sources confirmed both the dead man and his wife were British.

A spokesman for the Attorney General's office in the state of Quintana Roo, which Cancun is part of, said: 'After receiving reports a foreign tourist had died in a hotel in the municipality of Benito Juarez, an investigation was launched to clarify what had happened.

A British man has been found dead in a pool of blood in his hotel room in the Mexican resort of Cancun (file image)

'The initial lines of investigation are pointing to this tragic incident being a possible suicide, in which two people had the intention of ending their lives.'

The spokesman added: 'There is currently close cooperation with the consulate to offer the support the families involved need.'

A source close to the investigation said: 'Both the dead man and his partner were travelling on British passports.

'The investigation remains open at this stage despite the initial findings.'

Another said: 'The British man's wife is now out of hospital.'

It was not immediately clear if the couple were accompanied by other family and friends.
The first six jurors for Donald Trump's blockbuster hush money trial were chosen on Tuesday after being grilled to see if they could be impartial.

It came as lawyers questioned potential jurors about their social media posts, political views and personal lives to decide whether they could sit in fair judgment of the former president.

They are the first of the eventual the jury of 12 people, along with six alternates, who will decide whether to convict Trump of charges accusing him of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal during his 2016 presidential campaign.

Judge juan Merchan told the six they were the first six jurors selected for this trial.

He told them to come back for opening statements on Monday morning.

Former President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom during the second day of his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 16, 2024 in New York City

Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the jury selection of his criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 16, 2024 in this courtroom sketch

Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the jury selection of his criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 16, 2024 in this courtroom sketch

Possible jurors were quizzed for hours about their views on Trump and other issues, and eight were excused after saying they could not be impartial or because they had other commitments.

Several people said they believed they could decide the case fairly, no matter their feelings about Trump or his policies as president.

One told how she was excused because the trial conflicted with work.

Kara McGee admitted she didn't like Trump, but said he still deserved a fair trial.

She said seeing Trump in person had made her realize he was 'just a dude'.

The methodical process, which could take several more days or even weeks, highlights the unprecedented challenge of finding people who can fairly judge the polarizing defendant, who has cast himself as the victim of political persecution as he vies to reclaim the White House.

Stormy Daniels appears at an event, May 23, 2018, in West Hollywood, Calif

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels on April 16, 2018 in New York City

Kara McGee an excused juror, speaks to the media outside Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on April 16, 2024

Kara McGee addresses the media after being excused from jury duty

The trial, which began Monday, puts Trump's legal problems at the center of his closely contested race against President Joe Biden.

It is the first of Trump's four criminal cases to go to trial, and it may be the only one to reach a verdict before voters decide in November whether to elect the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.

Trump looked on in the courtroom as his lawyers challenged one person for a social media post she made after his 2020 election loss.

Trump at one point spoke loudly and gestured while the judge was questioning the would-be juror, causing the judge to admonish the former president.

"I don't know what he was uttering, but it was audible and he was gesturing. And he was speaking in the direction of the juror," Judge Juan Merchan said. "I won't tolerate that. I will not tolerate any jurors being intimidated in this courtroom."

Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits with his attorneys as Judge Juan Merchan oversees the proceedings at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, April 15, 2024 in this courtroom sketch

Judge Juan M. Merchan poses in his chambers in New York, March 14, 2024

Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom with attorney Todd Blanche on the second day of his trial in Manhattan Criminal Court, New York City, New York, U.S. April 16, 2024

Margo Martin, deputy director of communications for former US President Donald Trump

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass took Trump's notoriety head-on, telling would-be jurors that attorneys were not looking for people who had been "living under a rock for the past eight years." They just needed to keep an open mind.

"This case has nothing to do with your personal politics  it's not a referendum on the Trump presidency or a popularity contest or who you're going to vote for in November. We don't care. This case is about whether this man broke the law," he said.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged effort to keep salacious  and, he says, bogus  stories about his sex life from emerging during his 2016 campaign.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits at the defence table during jury selection in his trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 16, 2024 in this courtroom sketch

Before entering the courtroom, Trump stopped briefly to address a TV camera in the hallway, repeating his claim that the judge is biased against him and the case is politically motivated.

"This is a trial that should have never been brought," Trump said. After he went inside, reporters saw him wink at one of the court officers and mouth, "How are you?" while he walked down the aisle. Trump then took his seat at the defense table with his attorneys.

With the trial expected to last for six weeks or more, multiple jury pool members brought up plans they have for Memorial Day and beyond. One parent was excused Monday because of a child's wedding in late June. Another person was dismissed Tuesday because of a trip they have planned.

One man was excused after saying he feared his ability to be impartial could be compromised by "unconscious bias" from growing up in Texas and working in finance with people who "intellectually tend to slant Republican."

Natalie Harp, aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump, is among those attending the trial

"I'm not sure that I can say beyond a reasonable doubt that I can be fair," another potential juror told the judge. "I can try. But I'm not 100% sure I can be fair." She was also dismissed.

One woman who said she disagrees with Trump's policies  and sometimes finds herself frustrated by him  pledged to be fair and impartial, telling defense lawyer Todd Blanche that she would give her "level-headed best" if she were picked for the jury.

"I didn't sleep last night thinking about could I do that," she said.

After another juror said she would be unable to serve impartially, Trump twisted in his chair, looking in the direction of the box. Through the first few minutes of the day, he appeared generally attentive, jotting down notes and raising sheets of paper to his face as jurors rattled off answers to a lengthy questionnaire.

Trump broke into a grin, nodding his head in an exaggerated manner, when another person said he had read two of the former president's books, "The Art of the Deal" and "How to Get Rich." The man, who said some of his wife's family members are lobbyists for the Republican Party, said he didn't think there was anything that would prevent him from looking at the case fairly.

"I feel that no one's above the law," he said.

The charges center on $130,000 in payments that Trump's company made to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen. He paid that sum on Trump's behalf to keep porn actor Stormy Daniels from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has denied the encounter ever happened.

Prosecutors say the payments to Cohen were falsely logged as legal fees. The prosecution has described the money as being part of a scheme to bury damaging stories Trump feared could help his opponent in the 2016 race, particularly as Trump's reputation was suffering at the time from comments he made about women.

Trump has acknowledged reimbursing Cohen for the payment and that it was designed to stop Daniels from going public about the alleged encounter. But Trump has previously said it had nothing to do with the campaign.

More than half of the 96 people in the first panel of potential jurors brought into the courtroom Monday were excused after telling the judge they could not be fair and impartial, and several others were dismissed for other reasons that were not disclosed.
Post Office bosses plotted to raid the pensions of wrongly accused sub-postmasters to make up discrepancies in accounts, it was revealed yesterday.

Minutes from a 2004 board meeting, produced at the public inquiry into the Horizon scandal, reveal ex-chief operating officer David Miller was tasked with targeting 'the pensions of fraudsters' to ensure the company was reimbursed.

Quizzed by inquiry counsel Emma Price, Mr Miller denied being the plot's architect, insisting it was 'proposed by somebody else'.

Mr Miller also denied comparing Fujitsu, the Japanese technology giant behind the flawed Horizon IT system, to a 'man who had just shoved 15 inches of bayonet up my posterior'.

Minutes from a 2004 board meeting, produced at the public inquiry into the Horizon scandal, reveal ex-chief operating officer David Miller (pictured) was tasked with targeting 'the pensions of fraudsters' to ensure the company was reimbursed

He was quoted in a September 2010 PowerPoint presentation which said Post Office executives felt 'shafted' by the Government and Fujitsu, then known as ICL Pathway.

The presentation also said the deal to roll out Horizon had been signed with a 'gun at the head' of the Post Office.

Mr Miller also said he 'regrets' the 'missed opportunity' a former sub-postmistress's case presented to tackle faults in the system.

He admitted that, had he read IT expert Jason Coyne's damning assessment of Horizon and legal counsel's advice regarding Julie Wolstenholme's case in 2002, he would have 'taken action'. Ms Wolstenholme ran a branch in Cleveleys, Lancashire, but was dismissed over alleged shortfalls of 25,000 and pursued in the civil courts. The Post Office later settled the case for around 180,000.

In his witness statement, Mr Miller said he first learned of Mr Coyne's report  which found Horizon 'clearly defective'  in a meeting with Tony Marsh, the Post Office's then-head of security.

He said: 'He told me there was an issue with the expert advice which had led our counsel to say the case was unlikely to succeed.

He was quoted in a September 2010 PowerPoint presentation which said Post Office executives felt 'shafted' by the Government and Fujitsu, then known as ICL Pathway (File Image)

'Knowing what I now know about Horizon and the way it was used to wrongly prosecute and bring civil claims against sub-postmasters, I very much regret not reading the expert's report and counsel's advice. Had I done so, I would have taken action to address the issues raised.'

Asked by Sam Stein KC, who represents sub-postmasters, if he was 'lying through your teeth or a complete incompetent', he said: 'I'm not lying.'

Inquiry chairman Sir Wyn Williams put it to Mr Miller that if 'responsible people' had taken Mr Coyne seriously, it might have prevented much of what followed. 'Is that fair?' he asked. Mr Miller replied: 'I'm afraid that is correct.'

The scandal saw more than 700 sub-postmasters prosecuted because of flaws in the Horizon system which made it appear money was missing.

The inquiry continues.
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The host of ABC's Media Watch, Paul Barry, has issued a stunning apology for falsely suggesting a Sky News presenter 'set reporters on the trail' of Bondi stabbing victim Dr Ashlee Good.

Dr Good was one of the six victims killed by knifeman Joel Cauchi in the bloody rampage at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre on Saturday afternoon.

Her nine-month-old baby Harriet was also stabbed but survived. On Tuesday, the infant's condition was downgraded from critical to serious and she was moved out of the ICU.

On Saturday evening, shortly before Dr Good was identified as the first fatality, Sky News host Laura Jayes revealed during a tearful live cross from outside Westfield that she knew the 38-year-old osteopath personally.

She did not name Dr Good or offer any identifying information, only saying she was an 'incredible athlete' and 'so excited to be a new mother'.

However, Barry falsely suggested her report was the spark that set off a firestorm of media coverage which Dr Good's family would later complain violated their privacy.

A day after Media Watch went to air on Monday, Barry issued a mea culpa on X.

He acknowledged Jayes, 40, was not responsible for subsequent media coverage and had in fact taken care to protect her family's privacy while disclosing her personal connection to the victim.

'Just wanted to say [regarding] last night's [Media Watch] that [Jayes] was very careful to protect her friend Ashlee Good's privacy in that emotional live cross from #BondiWestfield' he said.

'She didn't "kick it off". My mistake. Sorry. PB.'

Dr Ashlee Good, 38, was one of six people killed in the mass stabbing at Bondi Junction

Barry, 72, (left) accused Jayes, 40, (right) of 'setting reporters on the trail' after she revealed she personally knew osteopath Dr Ashlee Good, 38, during an emotional live cross

A day after Media Watch went to air on Monday, Barry issued a mea culpa on X (pictured). He acknowledged Jayes was not responsible for subsequent media coverage and had in fact taken care to protect her family's privacy while disclosing her personal connection to the victim

Barry's apology came after he accused Jayes on Media Watch of 'setting reporters on the trail' after she shared details about the life of Dr Good.

He then excoriated the media for using photos from Dr Good's Instagram account.

Jayes had taken great care in her live cross not to identify the first-time mum, even though she likely knew her name would soon become public knowledge.

'There's one victim I do know about and it's just so cruel...' Jayes said.

'She has a beautiful circle of friends, she was an incredible athlete and she had the world at her feet.

'Her family are on their way rushing here now, so many family and friends wanted to be at the hospital this afternoon, they had to take turns going in and out of the waiting room.

'They both [Dr Good and her child] went into surgery, her husband not knowing if either had survived and now the worst possible news.

'I just can't really get my head around it. It's just so cruel.'

Crucially, Jayes ended by saying she didn't want to 'betray the trust and the privacy of the family right now' and that she 'couldn't imagine' how they were feeling.

After Barry's apology, many viewers praised Jayes for protecting Dr Good's privacy while also struggling with a 'deep personal loss'.

'I thought LJ's interview at the time was very good, also responsible in protecting AG's identity,' one person said.

'As a Sky subscriber, Laura Jayes did a brilliant job for her viewers in the most distressing of conditions on Saturday,' another said.

'I have not seen anyone else do other than praise Laura's reporting and composure under what must have been the most intensely distressing of circumstances.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ABC for comment.

Dr Good was one of six people who were killed after Joel Cauchi, 40, entered the busy shopping centre armed with a 30cm knife on Saturday afternoon.

Five women were killed - Dr Good, Dawn Singleton, Jade Young, Pikria Darchia and Yixuan Cheng - as well as one man, security guard and refugee Faraz Tahir.

Dr Good's nine-month-old baby, who was injured in her pram, was moved from ICU into a ward after undergoing surgery for her injuries.

The mass stabbing marked Sydney's worst massacre in over 20 years with dozens leaving floral tributes outside Westfield Bondi Junction this week.
Mother-of-two and architect was one of six people fatally stabbed

Friend had coffee with Pikria Darchia just hours before she died

A grief-stricken friend of one of the women killed in the Westfield Bondi Junction massacre has revealed how she spent her final hours before her death.

Pikria Darchia, an architect and mother-of-two, was killed by Joel Cauchi, 40, when he entered the shopping centre armed with a 30cm knife on Saturday.

Cauchi, who had schizophrenia and was reportedly sleeping rough before the attack, was shot dead by NSW Inspector Amy Scott.

Darchia, 55, had coffee with friend Nicole Mikhailidi before she was caught up in a stabbing spree that has shocked Australia and the world.

'It's crazy to think we said goodbye, and it was the last time we would ever see her,' Ms Mikhailidi told 7NEWS.

'When I think about what she must have gone through in those moments... that horrific fear and helplessness.

'It makes me sick to the stomach, really.'

Ms Darchia is understood to originally be from Georgia, in Eastern Europe.

Pikria Darchia, an architect and mother-of-two, was killed by Joel Cauchi, 40, when he entered the shopping centre armed with a 30cm knife on Saturday

The 55-year-old had coffee with friend Nicole Mikhailidi before she was caught up in a stabbing spree that has shocked Australia and the world

Tributes continue to flow for those killed at Bondi Junction on Saturday in what marks Sydney's worst massacre in over 20 years.

The nine-month-old baby of victim Ashlee Good is moved from the ICU to a ward after she was injured during Cauchi's spree.

Dr Good died as a result of her injuries at St Vincent's Hospital on Saturday.

Victims pictured L-R top row: Yixuan Cheng, 27, Ashlee Good, 38, and Pikria Darchia, 55. Pictured L-R bottom row: Jade Young, 47, Dawn Singleton, 25, and Faraz Tahir, 30.

Ashlee Good, 38

Dr Ashlee Good, 38, was a trained osteopath and a first-time mother to her baby girl Harriet

Dr Ashlee Good, 38, was a trained osteopath and a first-time mother. She is the daughter of former North Melbourne AFL player and board member Kerry Good.

The dying mother threw her baby girl into the arms of two strangers and begged them to help the little girl.

She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition for emergency surgery.

Police on Monday said the child remained in a serious but stable condition.

Dr Good's family issued a statement on Sunday morning, thanking NSW Police and the team at Sydney Children's Hospital for their support.

'Today we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all round outstanding human and so much more,' it read.

'We appreciate the well-wishes and thoughts of members of the Australian public who have expressed an outpouring of love for Ashlee and our baby girl.

'To the two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not - words cannot express our gratitude.'

Dawn Singleton, 25

Dawn Singleton was the daughter of multi-millionaire advertising guru John Singleton and lawyer Julie Martin. She worked in e-commerce for White Fox Boutique

In a cruel twist of fate, her NSW police officer fiance Ashley Wildey responded to the incident not knowing his childhood sweetheart was a victim (the couple are pictured)

Dawn Singleton was the 25-year-old daughter of multi-millionaire advertising guru John Singleton and lawyer Julie Martin.

Her father, a racing enthusiast, named his prized racehorse filly 'Dawnie Perfect' after his daughter.

Ms Singleton had worked in e-commerce for fashion brand White Fox Boutique and had attended Kambala Church of England Girls' School.

She had only arrived at Westfield Bondi Junction 15 minutes before she was attacked while shopping in Chanel for makeup for her upcoming wedding.

In a cruel twist of fate, her NSW police officer fiance Ashley Wildey responded to the incident not knowing his childhood sweetheart was a victim.

Ms Singleton had put a deposit on her wedding dress a day earlier and had reportedly started sending 'save the dates' to her friends and family.

Her cousin, Jade O'Connor, said Ms Singleton had lit up every room.

'Dawn, I should be writing your wedding speech [but] instead I sit here sobbing coming to terms with how life isn't fair that you are no longer here,' she wrote.

'This year you were meant to get married to the love of your life. I'm so broken and [can't] believe this is reality.'

Jade Young, 47

Jade Young was a 47-year-old Sydney architect and mother-of-two who grew up in Wollongong

Jade Young was a 47-year-old Sydney architect and mother-of-two who grew up in Wollongong on NSW's Illawarra region.

She was a member of Bronte Surf Club in Sydney's eastern suburbs, which cancelled their social drinks on Sunday following the attack.

'This is and will be a difficult time for the community,' the club said on Facebook.

'We are here to support the community, and our heartfelt condolences go out to everyone affected.'

Yixuan Cheng, 27

Yixuan Cheng, 27, was an economics student at the University of Sydney and was named on Monday as the sixth victim of the stabbing spree

Yixuan Cheng, 27, was an economics student at the University of Sydney.

Ms Cheng's parents told Chinese media their daughter was on the phone with her fiance, who is based in China, a few minutes before the tragedy.

She was on the fourth floor of the mall, shopping and sending her boyfriend photos of herself trying on clothes.

After ending the call to his girlfriend, her boyfriend saw the news about the stabbing attack in Sydney.

He immediately called her again, but Ms Cheng didn't answer. He had been planning to marry her after she graduated this year.

Wang Chunsheng, China's acting consul general in Sydney, said he was 'very sorry' to hear about the incident and that the consulate was in contact with her family.

Faraz Tahir, 30

Faraz Tahir was fatally stabbed on his first day as a security guard at Westfield Bondi Junction as he reportedly tried to stop Cauchi mid-rampage

Faraz Tahir was fatally stabbed on his first day as a security guard at Westfield Bondi Junction as he reportedly tried to stop Cauchi mid-rampage.

Mr Tahir arrived in Australia as a refugee after fleeing his home country of Pakistan.

He was a beloved member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia and participated in charity efforts for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth organisation.

'He quickly became an integral part of our community, known for his unwavering dedication and kindness,' the group said in a statement.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Faraz's family and loved ones during this difficult time and with victims and their families affected by this senseless act of violence.'

Scentre Group CEO Elliott Rusanow said: 'We are devastated by Faraz's passing and recognise our team member's bravery and role as a first responder.

'Another member of our security team was injured and remains in hospital.'

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Donald Trump made the most of having to be in New York City for his criminal trial on Tuesday, leaving court in the evening to visit the bodega where a worker stabbed an ex-con to death last year to take a shot at the city's soft-on-crime leaders.

The former president received a hero's welcome in Hamilton Heights, upper Manhattan, where Jose Alba knifed Austin Simon to death in July 2022.

Simon had tried to attack him, climbing over the counter in a violent attempted robbery.

Alba was famously charged by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg but was freed after widespread public outrage. He gave up on New York afterwards, moving to the Dominican Republic. It's unclear if he was invited to the meeting last night.

Trump met with the two current owners and received a hero's welcome. Trump received a raucous welcome as he arrived at the bodega, with the crowd chanting 'four more years' and cheering his name.

As the crowd sung the Star Spangled Banner behind him, Trump added: 'You know what we're going to be doing, right? We're going to be saving America.'

President Donald Trump inside the Sanaa Convenience Store, formerly the Blue Moon Convenience Store, where Jose Alba stabbed a robber to death in 2022. Alba, who left New York for the Dominican Republic afterwards, was not there. Trump met the current owners instead

The former president seen speaking with the bodega's owner Maad Ahmed on Tuesday

Trump visited the site of the July 2022 stabbing death of ex-con Austin Simon, who was killed in self-defense by Jose Alba when he jumped the counter in his store

Trump inside the bodega where Jose Alba stabbed an ex-con in 2022

Alba's case was seized on by Republicans, until charges against him were eventually dropped by District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has become a frequent target of Trump's attacks on the campaign trail over claims he is soft on crime.

At the time, footage clearly showed that Simon had moved behind the counter at the convenience store in Hamilton Heights and pushed the store clerk into a stack of shelves before grabbing him.

It was only then that Alba reached over to a shelf and pulled out a knife to fight back.

Trump used the case in his ongoing campaign to paint his Democrat opponents are soft on crime, weeks after he arrived at slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller's wake in Long Island after he was allegedly killed by a repeat offender.

After having his charges dropped, Alba left New York for the Dominican Republic.

He returned for a House Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last year, but it's unclear if he was invited to yesterday's rendezvous with the former president.

At the bodega, Trump took aim at Bragg as he declared: 'Number one, we have to stop crime.

'We have to let the police do their job, they have to be given back their authority,' he said, adding that his election campaign is 'making a big play for New York.'

Trump, a former New Yorker who now lives in Florida, said he 'loves this city' but it has 'gotten so bad in the last three, four years.'

Former President Donald Trump with the business owners Maad Ahmed, left with his son, and Francisco Marte, right

Donald Trump enters the Sanaa Convenient Store in Hamilton Heights on Tuesday night, squeezing in some campaign photo-ops between his days in court

Trump received a raucous reception as he arrived at the bodega on Tuesday, as a crowd chanted 'four more years' at the former president

'We're going to save America!' Trump told the adoring crowd gathered outside the store

'The African American community are now not getting jobs, the migrants are taking their jobs that are here illegally,' Trump continued. 'Hispanics are not getting jobs.'

'You have massive numbers of terrorists coming into our country, all because of Biden.'

Trump's warm reception in Harlem also saw a crowd of children screaming 'we love Trump!', in footage shared by his 2024 national press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Alba's case triggered widespread debate over self-defense arguments in criminal cases, as footage showed he was attacked by Simon's girlfriend during a vicious spat over a bag of chips, when she tried to pay $3 but her card was declined.

As Alba and Simon fought, the girlfriend who started the row produced a knife from her bag and slashed Alba in the arm.

Other videos obtained by DailyMail.com showed Simon - who was on parole for attacking a police officer when he died - marching behind the bodega counter to confront Alba.

Alba fled to the Dominican Republic after the stabbing last year. He returned to New York last April for a House Senate Judiciary Committee hearing (right) but it's unclear if he was invited to last night's rendezvous

Video footage reveals the bodega worker Jose Alba was trying to avoid confrontation with Austin Simon in the minutes leading up to the July 1 stabbing

'Papa, I don't want a problem, papa,' Alba told him calmly.

The girlfriend was never charged, but Alba was accused of murder in a case that sparked fury across the city.

Alba fled to upstate New York and planned to move back to his home in the Dominican Republic because he feared for his life after he was charged, and quit his job after receiving an outpouring of hate over the stabbing.

Sources told the New York Post that Alba missed the meeting with Trump as he remains in the Dominican Republic. It had previously been reported that he was expected to meet the former president.

Trump made the stop at the bodega at the conclusion of the second day of his criminal trial

The girlfriend was never charged, but Alba (above walking into a police precinct) was accused of murder in a case that sparked fury across the city

Jose Alba shows off the injuries he sustained during the vicious attack in his bodega

Instead, Trump met with the store's owner, Maad Ahmed, 36, who told Trump that his store has been dealing with rampant crime.

In response, Trump said store workers 'should be allowed to have a gun.'

'If you had a gun, youd never get robbed, youd never get robbed, that would be the end of it,' he said.

Ahmed a US citizen who emigrated from Yemen, said he has never previously voted, but would lend his support to Trump in the election because of his law and order stance.

'I have never voted, because Ive been working, but this time I will. We need Donald Trump back in the White House because hes a strong guy,' he said.

'What happened to Jose was very hard for me. Jose was defending himself from the guy who came behind the counter. All for $1 worth of chips.'

On July 19, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office asked a judge to drop the charges Alba after having faced intense backlash, including criticism from the city's mayor.

Alba (arm pictured) shows photographers his injuries alongside friend Francisco Marte

The motion to dismiss stated that prosecutors 'have determined that we cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was not justified in his use of deadly physical force.'

The filing said that 'a homicide case against Alba could not be proven at trial beyond a reasonable doubt' and that the case will not be presented to a grand jury.

Trump's appearance came as Bragg has been a frequent target of his attacks.

Outside the bodega, he also took aim at the criminal trial against him that began on Monday, which he dubbed 'election interference.'

'The whole world is watching this New York legal system,' he said.

'It all comes out of Washington, because they're losing very badly, did you know they're losing very badly? They're losing badly in the polls.

'People don't like the persecution, they don't like what's going on, they don't like these fake prosecutors.'

As a crowd appeared to sing the Star Spangled Banner behind him, Trump added: 'You know what we're going to be doing, right? We're going to be saving America.'
The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic sent a subpoena to Dr. David Morens - Dr. Fauci's former top aide - requesting material from his Gmail

Republicans have escalated their investigation into the origins of COVID-19 by sending a subpoena to a former top aide of Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Last week, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic revealed that Dr. David Morens - Fauci's top aide at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - allegedly used his personal Gmail account to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to skirt federal transparency laws.

At the time, Morens' official government work email would have been subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that could have publicized his day-to-day communications.

The subcommittee's chairman Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, said that Morens used Gmail to 'intentionally [subvert] federal transparency laws to shield discussions related to the origins of COVID-19.'

Now, Wenstrup has sent a subpoena to Morens demanding he turn over documents from his personal email account about COVID-19, coronavirus grant funding and his communications with Fauci and former NIH Director Francis Collins, among other top health officials.

A whistleblower provided evidence to Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, alleging that Dr. David Morens used his personal Gmail account to communicate about the COVID-19 pandemic. Morens' official work email is subject to Freedom of Information Act requests

Morens was a senior advisor to former NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci during the pandemic, and according to his LinkedIn account he still works there in the same capacity

The committee subpeonad documents relating to Morens' communications with former NIH Director Francis Collins (Left) and former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci (Right)

Wenstrup is requesting the material be sent by April 30.

The Ohio Republican previously said a whistleblower provided him the materials indicating Morens' use of his personal email.

Those whistleblower-provided emails show Morens using an '@gmail.com' account to correspond with Dr. Peter Daszak, head of EcoHealth Alliance, a research nonprofit, regarding a government research grant.

In a batch of documents released last week by EcoHealth, Daszak emailed Morens saying 'we'll communicate with you via Gmail from now on,' before later mentioning having '15,000 samples in freezers in Wuhan,' that could help them 'do the full genomes of 700+ [coronaviruses].'

Another email shows Morens appearing to disclose Fauci's attempts to provide 'damage control' for EcoHealth.

'Tony is now fully aware I think and is I am told involved in some sort of damage control,' Morens told Daszak.

Republicans previously revealed that EcoHealth and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, in partnership with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), submitted a proposal to federal officials seeking funding to create a novel coronavirus in 2018.

And Wenstrup has accused EcoHealth of using taxpayer dollars 'to fund dangerous gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.'

'These emails raise serious concerns about federal health officials potentially covering up the pandemics origin,' Wenstrup stated previously.

In the email above, Daszak can be seen telling Morens about 15,000 samples in a Wuhan lab that could help them map the genome for over 700 coronaviruses

The subject line of one of the messages between Morens' personal email and EcoHealth's Daszak includes a reference to a National Institute of Health (NIH) grant proposal that provided $661,980 for a 2019 project titled 'Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence.'

Another subject line from his personal email reads 'COVID-19 update (312): China, SARS-CoV2 origin, animal reservoir, WHO mission,' indicating the two were discussing the origins of the disease.

A third email from Morens had a subject line that referenced 'our suspended R01,' possibly indicating that funding for the bat coronavirus research project was stopped at some point.

However, during his transcribed interview with the Select Subcommittee in January, Morens 'denied deleting any federal COVID-19 origins records,' according to the lawmaker.

Morens also admitted previously to the committee in a closed interview that 'I will delete anything I dont want to see in the New York Times.'

'I always try to communicate over gmail because my NIH email is FOIAd constantly,' Morens told the committee at the time.

Morens' admission that he intentionally hides his communications prompted Wenstrup to send a letter to Boston University Professor Dr. Gerald Keusch, who was mentioned in the emails.

Wenstrup is requesting the production of any documents and communication related to Keusch's correspondence with Dr. Morens, the committee stated.

That includes any emails with 'other individuals and entities with knowledge of and access to COVID-19 origins material.'

'This letter continues our investigation into the potential cover-up of COVID-19 origins information by Americas public health authorities,' Wenstrup writes.

The Republican requested Keusch turn over his communications with a number of federal officials by April 25.

Daszak (Left) and Fauci (Right) likely had knowledge of the Wuhan Institute of Virology's desires to create a novel coronavirus as early as 2018, Republicans allege

EcoHealth, run by Daszak, in partnership with the Wuhan Institute sought federal funding for gain of function research

Earlier this week, Sen. Rand Paul announced that at least 15 government agencies, including NIAID and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), had information regarding the Wuhan Institute of Virology's proposal.

And despite these officials knowing that EcoHealth, the Wuhan Institute and NIAID wanted to create a disease similar COVID-19, they did not reveal to the public the labs intentions.

Further muddying the waters are allegations from Paul that Fauci could have been involved in influencing decisions made surrounding the origins of COVID-19, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still says likely came from bats and not a Chinese lab.

'We also have stories, rumors and innuendo that Fauci was a frequent visitor off the books to the CIA.'

Paul says Fauci's secretive trips are important because 'the CIA officially still says [COVID-19 is] probably from animals.'

Paul pointed to how the CIA disagrees with findings from the Department of Energy and FBI that have said the the pandemic likely originated from a leak at a Wuhan, China, lab.

And that though an initial CIA assessment found the lab leak theory was likely, senior officials in the agency overruled their findings.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., announced his investigation into the origins of COVID-19 has uncovered that at least 15 government agencies were aware of the Wuhan Institute of Virology's effort to create a novel strain of coronavirus

That means, according to Paul, Fauci almost certainly knew about the Chinese labs' desire to create a novel coronavirus, as NIAID was a partner on the proposal.

'So in January and February of 2020, instead of Anthony Fauci piping up and saying 'Oh, wow, they briefed us on this. It looks like they ended up doing what they briefed us on' instead of saying that, he commissioned people to say the opposite,' Paul told DailyMail.com.

'It makes me think there's really something there that they're hiding.'

Dr. Peter Daszak, meanwhile, is set to testify publicly before the House on May 1.

EcoHealth and Dr. Morens did not return a request for comment.
A Massachusetts firefighter with a Grim Reaper tattoo has been accused of fatally stabbing and murdering his girlfriend before attempting to kill himself.

Jason Chapdelaine, 52, of Springfield has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly knifing 48-year-old Eileen Monaghan a total of 40 times. He has pleaded not guilty, and is being held in custody without bail.

The Holyoke Police Department officers found the accused covered in blood and Monaghan lying motionless beneath him after responding to a 911 call made by a security guard.

According to the Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, the woman 'appeared to be suffering from stab wounds and the male was unresponsive due to self-inflicted harm'.

An autopsy report determined that Monaghan's death was a homicide caused by 'sharp instrument wounds and blunt force trauma including some 40 wounds to her head, torso, and arms'.

Jason Chapdelaine, 52, of Springfield has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly murdering Eileen Monaghan ,48, of Chicopee (pictured)

Chapdelaine, who has a Grim Reaper tattoo, was found with a belt tied around his neck and a grab-handle on the driver's side of his Toyota Tacoma by officers

Chapdelaine, who has a Grim Reaper tattoo, was allegedly found with bloodshot eyes and reeked of alcohol at the scene, according to officials.

The arrest report states that officers found Chapdelaine with a belt tied around his neck and a grab-handle on the driver's side of his Toyota Tacoma and determined that the accused had attempted to hang himself.

Police further described Monaghan's condition in the report and said: 'She was covered in an excessive amount of blood and appeared to have a laceration near the right side of her mouth.

'[She had] multiple wounds consistent with injuries inflicted by a sharp-edged instrument.'

Officers provided aid to both at the scene but the mother-of-two succumbed to her injuries.

The report further states that the Chapdelaine had allegedly told the 911 caller: 'I didn't really mean to do it' before deputies arrived the scene.

During questioning, the accused firefighter reportedly said: 'I don't really feel I ... I need to ... I murdered a woman.'

During questioning, the accused firefighter reportedly said: 'I don't really feel I ... I need to ... I murdered a woman'

An autopsy report determined that Monaghan's death was a homicide caused by 'sharp instrument wounds and blunt force trauma including some 40 wounds to her head, torso, and arms'

According to the Hampden County Sheriff's Office, the victim was the daughter of retired HCSO maintenance supervisor Michael Monaghan Sr. and Bridie Monaghan.

Monaghan was an assistant to Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocch and was previously the chief of staff for State Representative Joseph Wagner, the Asst. Majority Leader.

In a Facebook post, the Sheriff Cocchi described Monaghan as a generous person and 'a rose in a world of thorns'.

'This loss is felt deeply by the entire Hampden County Sheriff's Office, Eileen's family, friends, and the community.

'Eileen was not only a loved and valued colleague but also a dedicated and generous person who meant so much to so many, especially her kids.

'Eileen was truly a rose in a world of thorns. As we try to process this tragic loss, please keep the Monaghan family in your thoughts and prayers. To say Eileen was loved and will be missed is an understatement,' the post read.

The accused pleaded not guilty at the Holyoke District Court today and has been held without bail at the Franklin County House of Correction.

Chapdelaine is scheduled to return to court on May 13 and has been placed on unpaid leave.
Democrat progressives are accused of siding with Iran after voting 'no' on measures condemning the 'murderous' regime's attacks on Israel.

Speaker Mike Johnson put 17 new bills on the House floor schedule after Iran launched over 300 drone and missile attacks on Israel over the weekend.

They would require the U.S. to 'fully implement' sanctions on Iran and make sure there aren't any loopholes, restrict Iranian imports and crack down on financial transactions between the U.S. and Iran and sanction Chinese companies that buy oil from Iran.

But a handful of progressives voted against measures that were put on the floor and passed today, including notorious 'Squad' members Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and AOC.

And now they are being criticized for their vote as Congress scrambles to get a foreign aid package over the finish line and provide support for the top U.S. ally.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., told DailyMail.com that the Squad Democrats are embracing Iran's 'murderous regime.'

Iran launched over 300 drone and missile attacks on Israel over the weekend

A handful of progressives voted against the bills, including notorious 'Squad' members Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and AOC

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024

Rashida Tlaib was slammed for voting against imposing harsher penalties on Iran

'It's clear to me, the woke Socialist Squad has fully embraced the murderous regime in #Iran  the world's most nefarious State Sponsor of Terrorism and one of the most cynical Human Right violators,' he said.

Several measures hit the floor and passed today, including a bill by Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Calif., that prevents 'aggression-deterring' sanctions against Iran from expiring in 2026 on a 407-16 vote.

Another bill to ensure humanitarian aid is not used to fund Iran-backed terrorism passed overwhelmingly 408-13.

Bhavini Patel, a more moderate Democrat candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania, slammed her primary opponent Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., for voting against the humanitarian aid bill.

She called it an 'alarming  and telling  vote' by the progressive in a post to X.

Another of the bills declared the phrase 'from the river to the sea,' controversially used by Tlaib, D-Mich., to be anti-Semitic.

GOP Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., slammed votes against this particular bill.

'You can't get more antisemitic than endorsing calls for the total annihilation of Israel,' he said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

'Once again, the Democrat Party has solidified its position as the pro-terrorist party.'

Several of the progressives, including Tlaib, have come under fire for supporting pro-Hamas propaganda and for urging for a total ceasefire in the Gaza-Israel war.

Johnson pushed off plans for 'appliance week,' to make room for the anti-Iran measures.

The House was expected to vote on a series of messaging measures against the Biden administration's regulations on home appliances like gas stoves.

Speaker Mike Johnson has put 17 new bills involving Iran and Israel on the House floor schedule after Iran launched drone attacks on Israel over the weekend

Republicans are planning dozens of votes on measures in support of Israel and condemnation of Iran, led by Ayatollah Khameini, above, after the weekend attacks, but still do not have a path forward on funding for the U.S. ally

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., told DailyMail.com that the Squad Democrats are embracing the 'murderous regime.'

In light of the attacks, Democrats have turned up the heat on Johnson to put the $95 billion, Senate-passed supplemental funding bill with money for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific on the House floor.

But Johnson announced his own $95 billion foreign aid package - including separate votes for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

Conservative hardliners have warned Johnson against attaching any Ukraine funding to an Israel aid bill.

Israel has deemed Iran's 350-missile attack a 'declaration of war,' though it said 99 percent of the missiles were intercepted.

The attack was in response to Israel's drone strike in Syria that killed 12 Iranians, including two top generals.

Meanwhile President Biden is facing mounting pressure to contain the crisis, with defense experts claiming the president has allowed the conflict in Gaza to spread and that the expanding battle lines risk pulling in allies including the US.

Donald Trump last night accused Biden of 'weakness and incompetence' as he railed against his election rival for failing to address the American public following the attack by Tehran, its first-ever direct assault on Israel.

IDF spokesman Peter Lerner on Monday morning confirmed that there would be retaliation from Israel, stating that this could involve 'a strike or no strike.'

He explained that military top brass had submitted 'a wide range of options' and that there are 'a lot of different scenarios' on the table.

Iranian missiles launched into Israel, as seen on Iranian TV

The Israeli government will 'decide on the steps forward' as early as Monday or within the coming days, Lerner told reporters.

Johnson has signaled that he wants to get foreign aid for both Israel and Ukraine across the finish line. But he hasn't said whether that will consist of one vote or multiple.

Appearing with Johnson on Friday, Trump said he was 'taking a look' at Ukraine aid, but favored it in the form of a loan rather than a direct grant.

Johnson and his top brass have discussed using the Lend-Lease Act, which would require Ukraine to give back any military equipment that is not destroyed after a certain time frame, and the REPO Act, which would seize Russian assets that have been frozen across the globe for Ukraine.

An image-grab from a video taken early on April 14, 2024, shows rocket trails in the sky above the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem

But a motion to vacate has loomed over Johnson's head since Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene launched the bid to oust him last month. The Georgia Republican is a staunch opponent to Ukraine aid and has already threatened to try to boot Johnson if he brings it to the floor.

With Republicans' razor-thin majority, Johnson can only afford to lose three Republicans and keep his job.

The Senate-passed bill included both humanitarian and military aid: $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel in its war against Hamas and $4.83 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific.

Johnson suggested he would not be putting the Senate bill on the House floor, adding military-only aid is 'more palatable' to members.

'No American taxpayer should be tasked with propping up the pension system of the nation of Ukraine.'

Any foreign aid bill would likely have to come to the House floor under suspension of the rules, meaning it would need a two-thirds majority vote to pass.

The bill would lose a number of Democrats would oppose further aid to Israel without humanitarian conditions. It would lose a number of Republicans who outright oppose Ukraine aid - potentially jeopardizing its chances of passing.

But Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries insisted the bill would pass even under suspension - he would put up enough Democratic votes.

'I believe that there are a sufficient number of votes to make sure that the national security bill makes it over the legislative finish line,' Jeffries said.
NPR has suspended a whistleblower editor who exposed the network's liberal bias, as its chief grapples with old tweets revealing her hatred of Donald Trump.

Editor Uri Berliner sparked a storm last week as he penned an open essay for The Free Press, where he slammed the outlet for being made up almost entirely of Democrats which he argued 'lost America's trust.'

In response to the 25-year NPR veteran's article, the network suspended him for five days for violating its policy of working for reporting for another outlet without permission, starting Friday.

NPR's chief executive Katherine Maher insisted in a statement that the company remains committed to 'serving all of the American public', however Berliner added in an interview that the emergence of Maher's old tweets undercuts her message.

The tweets in question included a veiled shot at Trump branding him a 'deranged racist sociopath', and sharing her support for President Biden by sharing selfies wearing his campaign hats.

NPR business editor Uri Berliner has been suspended after he sparked a storm last week, penning an open essay slamming the outlet's liberal bias

Berlinger argued in his article that NPR has 'lost America's trust' because it was filled almost entirely by Democrats

Berliner confirmed his suspension as he sat down for a follow-up interview with NPR, and the network said he would be fired if he overstepped again.

But the business editor didn't pull any punches as he spoke of Maher's resurfaced tweets, which he argued make her unable to steer the taxpayer-funded company in a moderate and fair way.

'We're looking for a leader right now who's going to be unifying and bring more people into the tent and have a broader perspective on, sort of, what America is all about,' he said.

'And this seems to be the opposite of that.'

The tweets also included Maher saying: 'I do wish Hillary wouldn't use the language of "boy and girl" - it's erasing language for non-binary people.'

In November 2020, she tweeted: 'Lots of jokes about leaving the US, and I get it. But as someone with cis white mobility privilege, I'm thinking I'm staying and investing in ridding ourselves of this spectre of tyranny.'

Amid the BLM riots, Maher also contended: 'I mean sure, looting is counterproductive. But it's hard to be mad about protests not prioritizing the private property of a system of oppression founded on treating people's ancestors as private property.'

Katherine Maher is pictured on day one of the Web Summit Qatar 2024

I do wish Hillary wouldn't use the language of "boy and girl" - it's erasing language for non-binary people.  Katherine Maher (@krmaher) October 10, 2016

The new CEO of NPR @krmaher is fully infected by the woke mind virus.



Not a single taxpayer dollar should go to pay this activists salary.



NPR needs to be defunded on day one of Trumps presidency in 2025.



 @njhochman pic.twitter.com/6DbAPzWIxp  Paul A. Szypula  (@Bubblebathgirl) April 14, 2024

Before publishing his scathing essay on the state of NPR, Berliner said he tried on numerous occasions to raise his concerns about its liberal tilt.

In particular, he said coverage of issues dominating the last few years had been tainted by NPR's liberal bias, including the Israel-Hamas war, transgenderism and Covid-19.

Berliner added that, in his opinion, other outlets have similar issues, but feels that NPR's public funding and insistence that it is moderate mean it has an obligation to remain impartial.

'I love NPR and feel it's a national trust,' he said. 'We have great journalists here. If they shed their opinions and did the great journalism they're capable of, this would be a much more interesting and fulfilling organization for our listeners.'

In his article for The Free Press, a popular Substack site, Berliner said the rise of 'advocacy' in journalism especially surged at the same time Donald Trump's political career did.

'As in many newsrooms, his election in 2016 was greeted at NPR with a mixture of disbelief, anger, and despair,' he wrote.

Berliner argued that the rise of 'advocacy' in journalism especially surged at the same time Donald Trump's political career did, and claimed his election to the presidency was met inside NPR's newsroom with 'a mixture of disbelief, anger, and despair'

Berliner also uncovered how NPR knowingly kept information from its audience during the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

He says NPR editors were quick to jump on claims that Donald Trump was a Russian asset - but far more reticent to cover their subsequent debunking.

Berliner has since been slapped with what NPR dubbed a 'final warning', suspending him for five days but cautioning him that if he worked for another outlet without permission, he would be out of the job.

He wrote that when he probed the staffers' voting registrations, he shockingly found that not a single Republican was in a leadership position.

'Concerned by the lack of viewpoint diversity, I looked at voter registration for our newsroom,' he wrote.

'In D.C., where NPR is headquartered and many of us live, I found 87 registered Democrats working in editorial positions and zero Republicans. None.'
A foreign criminal has been stuck in Britain for three years even though he wants to be deported, ministers have been told.

The convicted sex offender has even offered to pay for his air fare back to his native Iraq  but the Home Office has failed to put him on a plane.

He claims he cannot leave the country of his own accord because he is on the sex offenders register and needs permission from the authorities.

The farcical case was raised by his local MP in Newport, Labour's Jessica Morden, in the House of Commons on Monday.

She said: 'The man lied about his name and country of origin and is a convicted sex offender who has breached the terms of his licence?

The convicted sex offender has even offered to pay for his air fare back to his native Iraq  but the Home Office (pictured) has failed to put him on a plane

The farcical case was raised by his local MP in Newport, Labour's Jessica Morden (pictured), in the House of Commons on Monday

'The courts want him returned home. He wants to return home and will even pay for his flight, but for some unfathomable reason, the Home Office seems incapable of authorising or allowing that. It has been three years. Why?'

Home Office minister Michael Tomlinson said: 'It is interesting to note that opposition members, including the leader of the Labour Party, have campaigned to ensure they are preventing the deportation of foreign criminals.

'Those on the Government benches are determined to see foreign criminals removed and there was an increase in removals of 74 per cent last year.'

The Daily Mail has been told that the foreign criminal in question arrived in the UK as a child more than a decade ago. He lied about his name, age and nationality and was granted leave to remain.

Home Office minister Michael Tomlinson said: 'It is interesting to note that opposition members, including the leader of the Labour Party, have campaigned to ensure they are preventing the deportation of foreign criminals'

Then five years ago, he was convicted of sex and drug offences, and served with a deportation order while in prison and taken to an Immigration Removal Centre, where he admitted his true identity.

He was issued with a one-way travel document by the Iraqi embassy but was never put on a deportation flight because they were grounded by Covid. He has been released on bail and has told the Home Office he wants to go home before his travel document expires in May this year.

The man, whose name has not been made public, said he needs the police, probation and Home Office to give him permission to leave the country because he is on the sex offenders register.

But sources claimed the account given of the foreign criminal's plight was not correct  and the Government said it was a 'long-standing policy' not to comment.

Latest figures showed that 3,926 foreign national offenders were returned from the UK in 2023.

Rates have increased since the pandemic ended but are still 41 per cent lower than a peak of 6,628 in 2017. And as of September 2022, there were still 11,769 foreign criminals living in the community in the UK while subject to deportation action.

Last year former immigration watchdog chief David Neal  since sacked by ministers for blowing the whistle on glaring border security lapses  said the Home Office performance in removing foreign criminals was 'not efficient'.
A defiant headteacher who has won the right to ban Muslim prayer rituals at her school has told parents 'if you don't like it, don't come to us' amid the threat of further legal action.

Katharine Birbalsingh, who has been called Britain's strictest head, said the landmark ruling was a 'victory for all schools' as she hit out at 'bullying identity politics'.

The Government's former social mobility tsar also declared we need the 'honesty' to call out 'deep-seated progressivist racism' in society.

A pupil at her Michaela Community School in Wembley, north-west London, had claimed a ban on prayer rituals was a breach of her human rights and violated the Equality Act.

But the High Court yesterday ruled the ban was both proportionate and justified and that Miss Birbalsingh should be allowed to enforce the school's secular ethos.

After claiming victory, Miss Birbalsingh said: 'If parents do not like what Michaela is, they do not need to send their children to us.'

In a lengthy statement, she also questioned why the Muslim pupil received '150,000 in legal aid' to fight her case - and fears the family may launch further action.

Katharine Birbalsingh, who has been called Britain's strictest head, said the landmark ruling was a 'victory for all schools' as she hit out at 'bullying identity politics'

Michaela Community School was targeted with death threats and abuse, the court was told

Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch (pictured) said it was 'a victory against activists trying to subvert our public institutions'

How a school's prayer rituals ban led to a High Court challenge A Muslim student at a London school has lost a High Court challenge against its ban on prayer rituals. But how did events unfold? - Autumn term 2022 and start of term 2023 Pupils began talking about the possibility of praying at the school, the student said. - March 17 2023 One of the teachers saw a Year 9 pupil praying in the yard during the lunch break, using their blazer as a prayer mat. Headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh was informed but she did not intervene because this was within the school rules at the time. - March 22 2023 Around 20 Year 9 children prayed in the yard using prayer mats. Ms Birbalsingh said there was a 'high degree of concern and unease' among teachers and pupils as prayer rituals had not been conducted at the school before. A large number of Year 9 girls had co-ordinated with each other to bring in prayer mats without permission, despite this being against the rules. - March 23 2023 A senior teacher told children to put the prayer mats away as they were against school policy, but two students answered back to her. - March 24 2023 There were around 30 pupils praying in the yard, including from years 7 and 11. On the same day, an online petition started, accusing the senior teacher of 'disgusting, Islamophobic behaviour' the previous day, and was signed by at least 4,000 people. Ms Birbalsingh and the teacher were targeted with death threats, abuse and allegations of Islamophobia. - March 25 and 26 2023 An email was sent to the school saying several bombs had been planted in the building. Ms Birbalsingh spoke with the school's senior leadership team, and they agreed to ban prayer rituals. - March 27 2023 Police searched the school for explosives, nothing was found. The ban on prayer rituals was enforced by teachers and two security guards were hired amid threats. - May 23 2023 The school's governing body voted to introduce the ritual prayer policy. - January 16 2024 The student brought a High Court challenge against the school, alleging that the policy was discriminatory and had 'fundamentally changed' how she felt 'about being a Muslim in this country'. - April 16 2024 Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupil's arguments, saying there was 'a rational connection between the aim of promoting the team ethos of the school, inclusivity, social cohesion etc and the prayer ritual policy'. He said: 'The disadvantage to Muslim pupils at the school caused by the prayer ritual policy is in my view outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.' Source: PA Advertisement

She asked: 'Can it be right for a family to receive 150,000 of taxpayer-funded legal aid to bring a case like this?

She claimed the pupil's mother, who helped her daughter bring the case, intended to send another child to the school.

Ms Birbalsingh alleged: 'At the same time, this mum has sent a letter to our lawyers suggesting that she may take us to court yet again over another issue at the school she doesn't like, presumably once again at the taxpayer's expense.'

A representative for the family said the figure included in Ms Birbalsingh's statement was incorrect, with the pupil's capped legal aid costs being lower than that sum. The representative did not comment on the suggestion of further legal action.

Elsewhere in her statement, Ms Birbalsingh said: 'If our families did not like the school, they would not repeatedly choose to send their children to Michaela.

'At the two welcome events that all parents must attend before sending their child to Michaela, I run through everything that makes Michaela different to other schools: constant supervision, family lunch, silent corridors, no prayer room, easy ways to get detention, strict uniform etc.'

She then said if parent's don't like what the school is, they should not send their children there.

Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch said it was 'a victory against activists trying to subvert our public institutions'. She added: 'The Equality Act is a shield, not a sword, and teachers must not be threatened.'

The case, which was brought with taxpayer-funded legal aid, will have wide implications for state schools under pressure from hardline religious groups.

The decision was welcomed by Downing Street, which said 'heads are best placed to take decisions on what takes place in their school including how to accommodate prayer'.

And Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said it would give all heads the confidence to 'make the right decision for their school'.

Miss Birbalsingh became known as the country's strictest head for her uncompromising rules.

She enforces a secular ethos at Michaela, despite 50 per cent of pupils being Muslim, to ensure children can make friends 'across religious divides'. But according to her evidence to the court, a group of pupils started coordinated prayer rituals in the playground in March last year.

Some also 'intimidated' other pupils for refusing to fast during Ramadan, by 'staring' and 'declining to talk to them'.

One girl had been 'intimidated' into wearing a headscarf, and another had dropped out of the school choir after being told it was 'forbidden during Ramadan'.

The pupil bringing the case, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was given a fixed-term exclusion for being 'rude and aggressive' when a teacher told her to put away her prayer mat.

After that incident, a campaign of harassment started from the wider community, according to Miss Birbalsingh.

An online petition accusing the school of Islamophobia garnered 4,000 signatures, and the court heard accompanying comments directed racist abuse at the teacher involved.

A brick was thrown through the window of another teacher's home, and the school had a bomb threat which later turned out to be a hoax.

Determined not to give in to threats, Miss Birbalsingh and the governors then officially prohibited pupils from performing prayer rituals.

The girl, supported by her mother, launched action via law firm Simpson Millar, which argued she should be allowed to pray for around five minutes at lunch, on dates when faith rules required it.

But yesterday, Mr Justice Linden concluded the ban did not interfere with her religious freedom and helped to achieve the 'legitimate' aim of promoting an ethos of inclusivity and social cohesion.

Miss Birbalsingh said in a statement afterwards: 'There is a false narrative that some try to paint about Muslims being an oppressed minority at our school.

'They are, in fact, the largest group. Those who are most at risk are other minorities and Muslim children who are less observant.'

She claimed the girl's mother still intends to send her younger sibling to the school.

The school's headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh has questioned why the Muslim pupil was given '150,000 in legal aid'

Following the decision, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan (pictured) said the ruling 'should give all school leaders confidence in making the right decision for their school while prioritising tolerance and respect between those of different faiths and none'

Despite catering to a deprived area, Michaela is one of the best performing state secondary schools in the country and rated outstanding by Ofsted.

The pupil who lost the case said: 'Even though I lost, I still feel that I did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban. I tried my best and was true to myself and my religion.'

Her mother said: 'Her courage in pursuing this matter fills me with pride and I'm confident she's gained invaluable lessons.'

Secular campaigners said the ruling serves as a reminder that claims of religious freedom 'do not trump all other considerations'.

Stephen Evans, chief executive of the National Secular Society, said: 'Given the disruption experienced by the school, a ruling that the ban on prayer rituals was lawful is welcome.

'It also serves as a useful reminder that claims of religious freedom do not trump all other considerations. If a school wishes to uphold a secular ethos, it should be entitled to do so.

'Schools should be environments where everyone feels welcomed and valued, but that doesn't mean students have untrammelled religious freedom.

'Where the manifestation of religion is deemed divisive or disruptive, a balance must be struck. We're pleased the school's actions have been vindicated.'

Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupil's arguments against the prayer rituals ban at the school

Another organisation said the Government should develop national guidance on religious practices in schools to address building 'resentment' in the system.

Andrew Copson, chief executive of the Humanists UK charity, said: 'In the absence of national guidance on religious practices in schools and of a serious national discussion about existing laws, cases like this will continue to be brought. Schools shouldn't be left alone to deal with this.

'Today's High Court judgment requires serious thinking from the Government about how to protect the child's freedom of religion or belief while also making sure our education system is fair and inclusive to all.

'We believe a first step should be to resolve the wider issue of mandatory collective worship in schools and replace it with an inclusive form of assembly that makes all pupils feel welcomed, while making reasonable accommodations for those who want to privately pray or worship where it doesn't infringe the rights and freedoms of others.

'Without such holistic attention, resentment will continue to build within our school system.'

I'll carry on fighting to defend our way of life. If parents don't like it, their children can go elsewhere, writes Britain's strictest head KATHARINE BIRBALSINGH following landmark court ruling backing a prayer ban at her school

A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves. The court's decision is therefore a victory for all schools.

At Michaela, we embrace small-c conservative values. These enable us to make extraordinary academic progress.

But they also promote a way of living in which gratitude, agency and personal responsibility, refusal of identity-politics victimhood, love of country, hard work, kindness, a duty towards others and self-sacrifice are fundamental to who we are.

Multiculturalism works at Michaela because we have a clear identity, which anyone can sign up to - if they are willing to compromise.

A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves. The court's decision is therefore a victory for all schools.

What are the unique practices at 'Britain's strictest school'? Lunchtime poetry chanting, national anthem singing, restrictions on socialising, silent corridors and constant supervision form part of the 'unique ethos' of a school dubbed Britain's strictest, a judge was told. The high-achieving Michaela Community School in Brent, Morth London, hit the headlines after a Muslim pupil brought a High Court challenge against its allegedly discriminatory ban on prayer rituals. The school defended against the claim, arguing it had the discretion to adopt the stance amid death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site. A ruling was issued today in favour of the school. Details of Michaela's practices and its 'ultra-strict enforcement' of behaviour rules were revealed by lawyers during the hearing of the student's legal challenge. They include: - 'Family lunch', poetry chanting and singing the national anthem At lunchtime, children cannot choose where they sit in the school's halls but are allocated to tables of six depending on their year and form. The first stand behind their chairs and chant poetry from memory and a teacher sets a mandatory topic of conversation for pupils to discuss. The aim is to 'develop the skill of conversing at a meal table'. Children also have set roles, such as collecting food or cleaning tables. Only vegetarian food is served to avoid division on racial or religious lines. Students also have to sing the national anthem twice a week. - The Michaela 'full stop' Pupils must end every interaction with teachers with 'Sir' or 'Miss'. - 'Tracking' in lessons and 'constant supervision' Under the tracking system, pupils 'must pay constant attention' to the teacher during lessons. There is no time in during classes where children may socialise with others. Teachers are specifically placed on corridors, staircases and at the door of the toilet to supervise children during breaks. - Silence in corridors Students move around the school's narrow corridors in single file and in silence and can only acknowledge staff. - The 'Rule of four, no more' Groups of more than four pupils are not allowed, including when in the school yard. The aim is to prevent social exclusion, with the school claiming that 'bullying is virtually unheard of'. Efforts to 'aggressively promote integration' include teachers actively intervening in school yard conversations and games to ensure pupils do not feel left out. - A strict uniform policy There is a mandatory blazer, tie, and navy-blue bag carrying the school's logo. Jewellery and make-up are banned and hairstyles must be 'appropriate'. All of the children have identical transparent plastic cases to carry their things in and a branded water bottle. Certain religious dress is allowed, such as headscarves. Only certain items can be carried by students, with all others banned. Phones seen or heard are confiscated until the end of half term. According to the pupil's lawyers, students are not allowed to wear coats, even in winter when they have to go outside in the cold. Advertisement

Michaela is a school that works miracles in London's inner-city.

But our families choose us not just because of the extraordinary learning and access to social mobility that we provide.

They recognise that our traditional values create an environment that is a joy to be in. Our children are friends with each other across racial and religious divides.

At the two 'Welcome Events' that all parents must attend before sending their child to Michaela, I run through everything that makes Michaela different from other schools: constant supervision, silent corridors, no prayer room, easy ways to get detention, strict uniform etc. If parents do not like it, they do not need to send their children to us.

Ever since the idea of Michaela began in 2011, our detractors have railed against our strict rules and traditional values. Their patronising thinking goes like this: 'Ethnic minority families cannot possibly know what they want for their children. Those choices must be made for them.'

Last year, we watched our Muslim pupils put under pressure by a tiny number of others to fast, to pray, to drop out of the choir, to wear a hijab.

I watched one of my black teachers be racially abused and intimidated, another teacher had her home nearly broken into, and yet another had a brick thrown through her window.

In 2014, 30 per cent of our intake was Muslim. It is now 50 per cent. We are over-subscribed. If our families did not like the school, they would not repeatedly choose to send their children to Michaela.

There is a false narrative that some try to paint about Muslims being an oppressed minority at our school. They are, in fact, the largest group. Those who are most at risk are other minorities and Muslim children who are less observant.

What does it mean to be the headmistress in a school which tries to uphold our shared British values, when different constituencies within our diverse society want sometimes opposing things in the name of their religious commitments?

It means asking everyone to compromise.

We teach Jehovah's Witnesses Macbeth as a GCSE test, even though it has witches in it. We offer Christians revision classes on Sundays.

We tell Hindus our plates will have been touched by eggs.

And we don't have a prayer room for Muslims.

At Michaela, we expect all religions and all races to make the necessary sacrifices to enable our school to thrive. The vast majority do so without complaint.

People of all faiths tell me that Michaela is more Christian, more Catholic, more Islamic, more Jewish or more Hindu than schools they have seen elsewhere. This is because our robust yet respectful secularism is allied to those traditional values that all religions share.

We eat vegetarian food at lunch to enable us to break bread across racial and religious divides.

It is more of a challenge for a multicultural school to succeed. One need only look at the schools that top the 'Progress 8' chart [which measures the progress pupils make between the ages of 11 and 16]: the vast majority are faith schools of one religion.

Secular schools must be allowed the same right that religious schools have: the right to unity, the right to reject division. Everyone is welcome in our community - but it has its own identity which we invite everyone to belong to.

So we sing 'God Save The King' because our country and our flag unite us. If we are saying that being an ethnic minority AND being British are incompatible, then as a nation, we are in deep trouble.

For 25 years I have been in school at 6:45am, working 12 to 15-hour days, always with mainly brown and black kids from the inner city. Our detractors' narrative: that I hate children, that I hate Muslim children, despite more and more Muslim families choosing our school over the years and my own grandmother being Muslim, is clearly nonsensical.

I have chosen to stay with the Michaela project and I continue to fight to defend our way of life. Why? Because I believe in something bigger than myself.
We know from a wealth of experience over the years that the political Left have little respect for freedom of speech.

The depth of their intolerance was starkly laid bare during chilling scenes in Brussels yesterday.

In an outrageous assault on democratic liberties, a socialist mayor in the city ordered the police to shut down the National Conservative conference.

He claimed this was for 'public safety'. But that was a transparently risible excuse.

What the Brussels authorities really objected to was Right-wing politicians and thinkers from across Europe, including Suella Braverman and Nigel Farage, gathering to exchange ideas on immigration, social media and the family.

A socialist mayor ordered the shut down of the National Conservative conference - but what the Brussels authorities really objected to was Right-wing politicians from across Europe, including Nigel Farage, gathering to exchange ideas on immigration, social media and the family

Their views are in no way extremist, but reflect those held by millions of ordinary people.

This is a grotesque irony. Only last year Brussels welcomed with open arms the mayor of Tehran, a man sanctioned by the EU for human rights violations.

This whole shameful fiasco surely proves that Britain was right to vote for Brexit.

Why would we want to be part of a bloc whose liberal elites are so authoritarian and censorious they can't brook dissent?

Classy judgment

The Michaela Community School, in a severely deprived area of north-west London, is a phenomenal success.

Thanks to the policies of Katharine Birbalsingh  'Britain's strictest headteacher'  the secondary achieves better results than many private schools.

By focusing on impeccable behaviour, traditional values and secular cohesion, it has transformed the lives of hundreds of children fortunate enough to attend.

But shamefully, Britain's best performing state school has found itself on trial.

One Muslim pupil objected to its blanket ban on prayer rituals and sued in the High Court, backed by the usual human rights lawyers.

Yesterday, common sense prevailed as High Court judges dismissed a Muslim pupil's objection to Michaela Community School's blanket ban on prayer rituals. Pictured: Headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh

Yesterday, common sense prevailed, as judges dismissed the girl's discrimination claim.

They ruled the ban was justified to uphold discipline and prevent religious and racial division  keys to the school's success.

This is a hugely important victory. Schools should not be forced to change their rules even when threatened by activist mobs.

Social cohesion has trumped the iniquitous 'rights' culture.

But questions remain. Why would a family send their child to an outstanding school, then try to ruin it?

And why was the pupil handed 150,000 of taxpayers' money for what many will consider vexatious legal action?

In the few months they have guaranteed in power, the Tories must ensure no school is again left in this appalling predicament.

The benefit of work

Kickstarting economic growth is one of Rishi Sunak's five promises to the public.

But without bringing some of the record 2.8million on sickness benefits back into the workforce, that goal will be hard to achieve.

If even a fraction found jobs, it would ease labour shortages, cut the long-term incapacity and joblessness bill, and swell tax receipts.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has recognised this with his carrot-and-stick approach to coax the long-term ill into jobs.

But yesterday's numbers suggest he needs to use a little less carrot and a little more stick.

Kickstarting economic growth is one of Rishi Sunak's five promises to the public. But without bringing some of the record 2.8million on sickness benefits back into the workforce, that goal will be hard to achieve (Stock Image)

Home Secretary James Cleverly insists he is determined to deport foreign criminals to keep Britain safe.

Yet his hapless department is refusing to allow a sex offender to return home to Iraq  even though the man has offered to pay his own air fare.

Could anything illustrate more graphically the Home Office's ineptitude? Far from protecting citizens, its stupidity puts them at risk.
The BBC's landmark project to spend an extra 700 million outside London in the coming years has gone ahead 'without clear plan', MPs have said in a new report.

The new report by the influential Public Accounts Committee raises a number of concerns about the broadcaster's implementation of its Across the UK project, which is aimed at making the BBC less London-centric.

In 2021, the corporation announced the plans to cumulatively spend at least extra 700 million outside London between March 2021 and March 2028. The idea was to make the corporation more representative of the whole of the UK.

But the new report has raised concerns the BBC is 'behind schedule in key areas' of the plans. It also pointed to 'unrealistic timelines' for parts of the project and areas where it had 'missed its targets'.

It also accused the BBC of having been 'too confident' of what it can deliver in the future.

The BBC 's landmark project to spend an extra 700 million outside London in the coming years has gone ahead 'without clear plan', MPs have said in a new report. File image shows Broadcasting House

ic. In 2021, the corporation announced the plans to cumulatively spend at least extra 700 million outside London. Pictured: Director-general of the BBC Tim Davie

The chair of the committee, Labour MP, Dame Meg Hillier, raised concerns about the BBC 'cherry-picking' examples of success for the project and 'sweeping bad news stories under the rug' by saying they were not part of the programme.

She added that the committee's report should act as a 'timely reminder' of the importance of 'seeking value for money, rather than just money spent'.

Reacting to the report, one of the key BBC executives in charge of delivering the project said he was 'disappointed by some of the commentary' in the report.

The PAC's report said: 'The BBC's plans for Across the UK are overly focused on the actions it will take, rather than what impact it intends to achieve.

'The BBC considered moving 700 million of expenditure outside London to be a key measure of success of the programme, but the BBC did not give us a coherent explanation of the impact it expects to deliver for licence fee payers from this commitment.'

MPs were concerned that the corporation's confidence that it would deliver the project as 'expected' were 'misplaced' given parts of the plans were behind schedule.

They added that 'in some key areas the has made slow progress or missed its targets'.

The report recommended: 'The BBC should urgently finalise its plans for getting back on track where it is behind on implementation of Across the UK, including transferring audio spend outside London and its plans for apprentices.'

The chair of the committee, Labour MP, Dame Meg Hillier, raised concerns about the BBC 'cherry-picking' examples of success for the project

The PAC also admitted it was concerned about the way the BBC had changed the 'scope' of what was included in the project.

Members of the committee said: 'We are concerned that the BBC is claiming benefits for Across the UK publicly when it is favourable for it to do so for activities that are not part of the programme, compared with dissociating other activities from the programme when they could be seen as a bad news story, such as cuts to local radio.'

The report said BBC moves to evaluate the impact of the project were only due to begin in 2025  'too late for it to change course if needed'. It added the BBC had 'not articulated what success will look like'.

As part of the plans, the corporation has moved programmes to new locations and has increased the amount of 'locally-set' dramas from different parts of the UK.

For example, MasterChef is set to move to Birmingham, while new dramas include Nottinghamshire-based series Sherwood.

As part of the plans, the corporation has moved programmes to new locations. MasterChef is set to move to Birmingham

The report also said MPs were 'concerned' about the cuts to local radio, expressing fears it would 'reduce services for people who are older or less able to access digital online'.

Dame Meg Hillier MP, chair of the committee, said: 'The BBC is seeking to liberate hundreds of millions in spending from the gravitational pull of London, and it is understandable that the simple act of having done so would feel like success.

'But as with every publicly-funded project, it is incumbent on the BBC to track what positive impact its spending is having at the same time.'

She added: 'Parliament and the public must also be fully satisfied that the BBC is not simply cherry-picking examples of success in delivery of Across the UK, while sweeping bad news stories under the rug as not part of the programme, in particular cuts to local radio.

'It must also take care not to over-rely on partnerships with local authorities already dealing with extreme financial pressure.

The BBC has increased the amount of 'locally-set' dramas from different parts of the UK. For example, Nottinghamshire-based series Sherwood

'We wish the BBC fair wind with ATUK, and hope our report comes as a timely reminder of the importance of seeking value for money, rather than just money spent.'

Responding to the report, Thomas Wrathmell, the BBC's Director of Across the UK, said: 'We have a very clear plan on how we will move investment, programming and decision-making across the UK to get closer to audiences, support the country's diverse creative sectors, and develop and nurture new talent. Our pioneering programme is deliberately ambitious and has been fully assessed.

'We are incredibly proud of the progress we've made so far and remain focused on achieving our targets to deliver cultural and economic benefits across the UK.

He added: 'We are disappointed by some of the commentary in the Committee's report and look forward to addressing the issues raised when we provide our written response.

'We will continue to provide ongoing updates to the general public and industry stakeholders through the BBC's Annual Plan and Annual Report.'
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has hit out at Humza Yousaf after the First Minister confirmed trans women will be protected by a new misogyny law.

The Scottish Government had previously came under fire for leaving out the sex characteristic from its controversial hate crime legislation after a review by Baroness Helena Kennedy found that specific misogyny offences needed their own law.

Her report recommended the creation of a separate piece of legislation to tackle 'the spectrum of misogynistic conduct' rather than including it within the hate crime Act.

The Scottish Government claims the law, which it hopes to introduce in 2026, will 'create a new focus on protecting women and girls to address criminal behaviour motivated purely by misogyny'.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling (pictured) has hit out at the First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, after he confirmed that trans women will be protected by a new misogyny law

The Scottish Government had previously came under fire for leaving out the sex characteristic from its controversial hate crime legislation after a review by Baroness Helena Kennedy found that specific misogyny offences needed their own law. Pictured: Humza Yousaf

However, when asked about the legislation yesterday, Mr Yousaf said trans women will be able to report crimes committed using it as well.

Ms Rowling responded by posting on social media: 'Once again, [Mr Yousaf] makes his absolute contempt for women and their rights clear.

'Women were excluded from his nonsensical hate crime law, now he introduces a 'misogyny law' designed to also protect men.'

She also said 'trans-identified men have sent violent threats to women' but claimed they would 'now receive double protection from Yousaf: for his so-called gender identity, and for also being, in the eyes of the Scottish Government, a woman'.

Her criticism comes after she published a list of ten trans women on social media before declaring they were men.

The posts were written to coincide with the introduction of the hate crime law.

Ms Rowling, a prominent gender-identity critic, included prominent trans campaigners in her tweets, referring to them as women.

But she ended the thread by saying: 'April Fools! Only kidding. Obviously, the people mentioned in the above tweets aren't women at all, but men, every last one of them.'

Police Scotland has said it received complaints about her tweets but would not be taking any action as they were not criminal.
Second alleged mushroom related incident to rock the state

A woman is dead and two others are in hospital after allegedly consuming a mushroom drink at a health retreat in the regional town of Clunes, near Ballarat, on the weekend.

The 53-year-old woman, from Ringwood North in Melbourne's east, was attending the Soul Barn alternative health centre.

When the woman became seriously ill, an ambulance was called with reports she was in cardiac arrest and not breathing.

She died shortly after 12am, and two other people at the centre were taken to hospital for observation.

Soul Barn owner Michelle Mullins

Investigators are probing whether a mushroom-based drink was responsible but have not ruled out other potentially toxic substances.

There is no suggestion that the poisoning was intentional.

Soul Barn's Facebook page describes the centre as an 'Alternative & Holistic Health Service'.

It said a skin expert who uses 'wild foraged plants' was scheduled to attend Soul Barn on Saturday.

'(The specialist) weaves ancient skincare rituals and combines them with modern techniques to create nurturing yet active facials,' it was advertised.

'Using infused herbal oils sourced from local farms & wild foraged plants, plus handcrafted skincare from around the world especially chosen for its potency and purity ... This is a facial like non other, one you will never forget!'

On Sunday, a post stated the business would be closed, with people who had booked for its 'sound healing' sessions to be refunded.

Clunes made national news last week on the back of another tragic death.

Clunes has been the location of two tragedies over the past month

Clunes resident Hannah McGuire, 23, was allegedly murdered by her ex-partner Lachlan Young, 21.

Soul Barn owner Michelle Mullins was approached for comment on Tuesday.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Ms Mullins or anyone associated with her business has intentionally poisoned people.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that detectives from its Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit detectives were investigating the death.

'It is believed a woman was at a retreat on Fraser Street when she became ill after ingesting a drink about 12pm,' she said in a statement.

'Investigations remain ongoing and police will prepare a report for the coroner.'

Soul Barn is an 'alternative and holistic health service' business

Soul Barn's creator and founder spoke of her dream business in an Instagram post earlier this year.

'My dream for Soul Barn is for it to be a space where people can connect on many levels. Hosting inspiring workshops & retreats that will link you to your own passions, allow you to explore new skills and encourage you to express yourself authentically. Bringing like minded people together and creating community in the small town of Clunes,' she wrote.

'As many of you will know, Sound Healing is my passion. With over 15 years' experience, I have run retreats, workshops and facilitator trainings both in Australia & internationally with a focus on vibrational healing.

'I love creating layered soundscapes using percussion to replicate nature sounds. Combining Tibetan Bowls with chimes and the drum to create a unique and healing space that allows people to drop into deep meditation.'

Ms Mullins described herself as a 'creative entrepreneur, a change maker with a big vision and a rebellious streak'.

'I love to challenge conventions and am driven to live my soul purpose - and help others to live theirs,' she wrote.

'I care deeply about the success of others, and love helping individuals achieve their goals and dreams. We can't succeed in life and our careers in isolation and competitiveness, it is in the connection, support, nurturing and mentoring that I can connect with my gifts, and help others to connect with their own.'

Erin Patterson has been charged with murder over another alleged mushroom poisoning

Clunes as it appeared in the 1979 film Mad Max

Clunes as it appears today

The death came a year after another high-profile incidence of mushroom poisoning in Victoria.

Erin Patterson from Leongatha in the Gippsland region of eastern Victoria was charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder in November.

She had served the deceased a Beef Wellington dish that contained toxic mushrooms.

The Clunes death comes less than two weeks after authorities warned Victorians that poisonous mushrooms were growing across the state.

An alert issued by the health department on April 5 said these deadly mushrooms included the notorious death cap and another fungi, yellow-staining mushrooms, that are virtually indistinguishable from safe mushrooms.

Acting chief health officer Dr Evelyn Wong warned just one death cap mushroom was enough to kill a grown adult, and said it was impossible to make poisonous mushrooms safe to eat.

Until now, Clunes had been better known as the town used as a backdrop to the Australian classic Mad Max - a landmark sci-fi film depicting ruthless bikies going up against a young Mel Gibson.

Its historic main street has hosted numerous television and movie productions, with its old bank building appearing in Ned Kelly with Heath Ledger.

Police have asked anyone with information on the latest incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Second alleged mushroom related incident to rock the state

A woman has died and two others were rushed to hospital after allegedly consuming a drink with 'foraged' ingredients during an 'alternative health' retreat.

Rachael Dixon, 53, attended the Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre in Clunes, near Ballarat, on Saturday night, with two friends.

Ms Dixon became violently ill after she is believed to have crushed up mushrooms and consumed them in a drink.

An ambulance was called after reports she was in cardiac arrest and not breathing. She died at the scene just after 12am.

Her two friends were also rushed to hospital for observation and released on Tuesday.

Police are expected to investigate if the drink contained 'magic' mushrooms, which contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin, the Herald Sun reported.

The woman who tragically died after allegedly consuming a mushroom drink at a wellness retreat on Saturday night has been identified as 53-year-old mother, Rachael Dixon (pictured)

She was attending an event at Soul Barn, an alternative health centre in Clunes (pictured), which featured 'wild foraged plants'

Ms Dixon's son, Matthew, paid tribute to his mother on social media on Sunday, writing: 'To the most loving, most caring person I've ever known can't thank you enough for everything you ever did for me and all the support you gave me'.

'Words can't begin to describe how much I will miss you, wish I could give you one last hug.'

Detectives with the Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit are investigating the mother's death and are set to interview those at the retreat at the time.

Investigators are also probing whether a mushroom-based drink was responsible but have not ruled out other potentially toxic substances.

There is no suggestion that the poisoning was intentional.

Soul Barn's Facebook page describes the centre as an 'Alternative & Holistic Health Service' and was used to spruik the skincare event.

'(The specialist) weaves ancient skincare rituals and combines them with modern techniques to create nurturing yet active facials,' it was advertised.

'Using infused herbal oils sourced from local farms & wild foraged plants, plus handcrafted skincare from around the world especially chosen for its potency and purity ... This is a facial like non other, one you will never forget!'

A post on Sunday extended the business' 'deepest condolences' while stating a 'sound healing' session that day would be cancelled and those who booked would be refunded.

Ms Dixon's son, Matthew, paid tribute to his mother on social media on Sunday

Police are expected to investigate whether the drink contained 'magic' mushrooms, a hallucinogenic, but aren't ruling out other toxic substances (pictured, Soul Barn)

Ms Dixon (pictured) was remembered as the 'most caring person' by her son, Matthew

Soul Barn remained closed on Tuesday as local business owners and residents said the incident was 'confronting' and 'devastating'.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Soul Barn owner Michelle Mullins for comment.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Ms Mullins or anyone associated with her business has intentionally poisoned people.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that detectives from its Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit detectives were investigating the death.

'It is believed a woman was at a retreat on Fraser Street when she became ill after ingesting a drink about 12pm,' she said in a statement.

'Investigations remain ongoing and police will prepare a report for the coroner.'

The state's Department of Health issued a warning just two weeks prior to Ms Dixon's death that poisonous death cap and yellow-staining mushrooms were growing across Victoria.

The department warned that 'consuming just one (death cap) mushroom can kill an adult'.

While not as deadly, yellow-staining mushrooms appear 'very similar to regular purchased mushrooms' and species safe to eat.

'Anyone who collects and consumes wild mushrooms of unknown species is putting themselves at risk of potential poisoning and serious illness,' the warning reads.

'Cooking, peeling or drying these mushrooms does not remove or inactivate the poison.'

Soul Barn owner Michelle Mullins

Clunes has been the location of two tragedies over the past month

Soul Barn is an 'alternative and holistic health service' business

Ms Mullins spoke of her dream business in an Instagram post earlier this year.

'My dream for Soul Barn is for it to be a space where people can connect on many levels. Hosting inspiring workshops & retreats that will link you to your own passions, allow you to explore new skills and encourage you to express yourself authentically. Bringing like minded people together and creating community in the small town of Clunes,' she wrote.

'As many of you will know, Sound Healing is my passion. With over 15 years' experience, I have run retreats, workshops and facilitator trainings both in Australia & internationally with a focus on vibrational healing.

'I love creating layered soundscapes using percussion to replicate nature sounds. Combining Tibetan Bowls with chimes and the drum to create a unique and healing space that allows people to drop into deep meditation.'

Ms Mullins described herself as a 'creative entrepreneur, a change maker with a big vision and a rebellious streak'.

'I love to challenge conventions and am driven to live my soul purpose - and help others to live theirs,' she wrote.

'I care deeply about the success of others, and love helping individuals achieve their goals and dreams. We can't succeed in life and our careers in isolation and competitiveness, it is in the connection, support, nurturing and mentoring that I can connect with my gifts, and help others to connect with their own.'

Erin Patterson has been charged with murder over another alleged mushroom poisoning

Clunes as it appeared in the 1979 film Mad Max

Clunes as it appears today

The death came a year after another high-profile incidence of mushroom poisoning in Victoria.

Erin Patterson from Leongatha in the Gippsland region of eastern Victoria was charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder in November.

She had served the deceased a Beef Wellington dish that contained toxic mushrooms.

Until now, Clunes had been better known as the town used as a backdrop to the Australian classic Mad Max - a landmark sci-fi film depicting ruthless bikies going up against a young Mel Gibson.

Its historic main street has hosted numerous television and movie productions, with its old bank building appearing in Ned Kelly with Heath Ledger.

Police have asked anyone with information on the latest incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
A devastated young Aussie has revealed she had to move back in with her parents after her landlord hiked up the rent on her one-bedroom Melbourne apartment.

Gemma Upson-McPike, 27, said the owner's decision was almost certainly down to greed and not rising interest rates - because she is '99 per cent sure' they don't have a mortgage on the unit.

Ms Upson-McPike shared her plight in a TikTok video with the caption: 'Rental Crisis Rant'.

She explained her landlord had raised the rent to $450 a week - up from $280 when she moved in three years ago.

Ms Upson-McPike said what 'really grinds her gears' is she is almost certain the landlord does not have a mortgage 'so that can't even be an excuse'.

'I know for a fact she has two investment properties,' Ms Upson-McPike said, adding the landlord had owned her rental since the 1980s.

In a viral video, Melbourne fitness trainer Gemma Upson-McPike complained about having to move back in with her parents following steep rent increases

Poll Should rent increases be banned for homes without mortgages? Yes, it's unfair to tenants if the home is fully paid off No, all landlords have the right to charge market rate Should rent increases be banned for homes without mortgages? Yes, it's unfair to tenants if the home is fully paid off 406 votes

No, all landlords have the right to charge market rate 1002 votes Now share your opinion





She described the apartment as 'small' and 'nothing flash' and said it was located in an 'old building'.

'Sure, I live in a good suburb, I am probably just paying for location,' Ms Upson-McPike said.

'I have to pay to do my laundry, there's cracks in the walls. It's not worth $450 a week; that's like two grand a month.'

Ms Upson-McPike, who lists her occupation as a fitness trainer, said her wage was not 'outstanding'.

'Rent's never been late, my inspections have always been absolutely spotless,' she said.

Ms Upson-McPike said moving back in with her parents was not the 'plan I had for 27-year-old me, but that is just how bad the rental crisis is at the moment'.

'I am so lucky and so grateful that I can move back in with my parents, but not everyone can do that, so what's your alternative?' she asked.

'You are homeless.'

She said home ownership was a vanishing dream for people her age.

'This is why my generation can't get ahead, why we can't buy houses,' she said.

'I have been paying 20 grand a year in rent, but if I went to get a house loan they wouldn't see that as she can pay 20 grand a year.

'I have no savings because of what I have been paying in rent and bills.

Ms Upson-McPike said she would try to save money now she was moving back home, although would have to pay for a much longer commute into Melbourne as her parents live on 'the other side of Geelong'.

'The government needs to get on top of this because the state of the rental market at the moment is absolutely f**ked,' she said.

Many social media users agreed with her sentiment, with some admitting they were in a similar situation.

A number of those commenting on Ms Upson-McPike shared their stories of rental frustration

'I'm 31 I moved back home cause I can't afford my mortgage anymore,' one person said.

'I'm renting it out now. This is the new norm.'

'DW girl, I'm 29 (30 in five months) and I'm living with my mum,' another replied.

'Its awful,' wrote another TikTok user.

'I'm sorry that you're going through this. My 14 year-old son is already worrying about the kind of job he needs to afford the cost of living and that he'll never get to move out. It's sad,' another said.

'I'm 54, renting and still trying to save for a deposit on a house,' another said, proving the issue isn't just one affecting millennials and Gen-Z.

'I've just started working and pay $500 a week for my rental in a rural Queensland town with a drug house around the corner,' another comment read.

However, not everyone was so sympathetic.

'Looks like a pretty new car and coffee in hand,' one person noted.

'Like everything they want it all now and complain. P.S. I'm only 37.'

'Anyone going to mention the nice car and Starbucks coffee' another asked.

Ms Upson-McPike replied that her car was only a 2012 Holden Barina and also clarified her most recent rent jump was from $390 a week to $450.

Some in the comments came out in defence of the landlord.

'Owner would be paying increased council rates, increase body corp rates and increased insurance rates,' one person wrote.

'As a landlord I can tell you the cost of interest, insurance and repairs has gone up dramatically,' another replied.

'So isn't it fair to pass on such increases?'

Others thought Ms Upson-McPike's rent did not sound so excessive considering the likely cost of the apartment would be $750,000.

Some contended her financial understanding needed work.

'Do you think $20,000 a year is going to pay a mortgage?' one said.

One commenter decided to contribute some dry humour.

'The problem, guys, is that you don't save money and only you expend in Netflix, coffee and phones,' the said.

'If you save this money, you could have the house in 1,874 years.'
Push for Aussies to get double annual leave on halved pay

Aussie workers could soon be given the right to double their annual leave at half pay under a new proposal backed by unions and peak business bodies.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has pitched the scheme, which would introduce the right for greater leave flexibility into industry awards.

While the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and Australian Industry Group support the plan in theory, finer details need to be ironed out before being tabled.

A new proposal backed by unions and peak business bodies could let Aussie workers take double the amount of annual leave if they take half pay

The ACCI said employers should also reserve the right to deny an employee's request to double their leave as it could have 'enormous ramifications'.

The Australian Industry Group agreed, adding the new rule should only be granted if agreed upon by both employer and employee.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus said the new rule will 'allow workers to have more flexibility to take longer leave without any penalty to the employer'.

'We would expect this request to be driven by the needs of the worker and given proper consideration by the employer,' Ms McManus told the Australian Financial Review.

'As with all leave it should be properly recorded, and it should be clear to the worker how this would impact any future leave and super contributions.'

Australian Industry Group's chief executive Innes Willox said leave at half pay was a 'modest step in the right direction' but warned employers needed to be taken into account.

'It is essential that it is only able to be used if an individual employer and employee agree to it,' he said.

Mr Willox added that doubled leave could compound employers' struggles to strike a balance between filling out a roster and granting leave.

ACCI's workplace relations director, Jess Tinsley, said the proposal could also put more stress on employers during peak seasons or when they're short staffed.

Business groups are supporting the push for more flexible leave arrangements on the condition that employers reserve the right to deny doubled leave

Ms McManus agreed leave with half pay should be in agreement between employer and employee, but should only be denied under 'reasonable business grounds'.

'Of course, we would say that's fair,' she said, according to Nine. 'But not just because you couldn't be bothered.'

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has already touched on the proposal during an April 3 hearing into the upcoming Modern Awards Review.

FWC deputy president, Bernadette O'Neill, said she 'identified there may be some consensus around ... annual leave to be taken at half pay'.

However, the issue wasn't discussed as it was set back until it can receive its own hearing at a later date.

Stakeholders on the leave with half pay issue and a myriad of others being overseen in the commission's review have until April 26 to file their views.

The FWC will table its final report sometime around June 28.
It is monumental in sweep, mixing formal dignity with vast scale and, even today, unmatchable glamour.

This famous black and white panorama by photographer Bert Hardy captures the young Queen Elizabeth at the Paris opera house, the Palais Garnier, on her first state visit to France in April 1957.

It is an extraordinary occasion. Packed shoulder to shoulder in evening dress, members of the Parisian elite peer down from stone balustrades. The colossal staircase is lined with helmeted Republican Guards, swords aloft. Uniformed trumpeters play.

And there at the heart of the tableau, almost swamped yet picked out in the glare of the candelabras, walks the diminutive star of the show, Elizabeth herself. It is not yet three years since her Coronation.

This remarkable panorama shows Queen Elizabeth II as she ascends the grand staircase at the Palais Garnier on the first evening of her state visit to the French capital in 1957

Yet it is not one shot at all, but at least 15 as this breakdown - based on scalpel marks - shows, with a rough order of the sequence in which the separate shots were taken. Hardy worked systematically across the panorama, horizontally and vertically, lining up the various images with walls, pillars and other easily identifiable fixtures. Until, finally, he was ready for the entrance of the Queen and the presidential entourage

The late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrive at for the gala ballet at the Palais Garnier. Her Majesty wears ivory satin with gold, topaz and flowers of the fields of France

Compelling both in detail and composition, the picture is a triumph of press photography - the more so when you realise theres not one single image on view here, but many.

First published in Picture Post of April 20, the panorama comprises 15 separate shots or more, each trimmed with a scalpel by Hardys colleagues back in London then taped together to create a single whole.

Trickery has a long history when it comes to royal photographs.

Hardy would later describe it as one of the most ambitious montages, or join ups, he had ever produced in a long and acclaimed career and today it features in a new exhibition of his work in a major London gallery.

He wasnt even supposed to be there that night. Writing in his 1985 memoir, My Life, Hardy explains that, although he was officially representing Picture Post - a pioneering photojournalism magazine - access to the opera house had been heavily restricted.

The Queen descends the staircase at the Paris opera after a rapturous reception

Paris Match was very much our competition, and there was a rota system in effect, he recalls. Only two Frenchmen and two of us were allowed to go in; but the French newsmen were above the rules.

They had 20, we would have two, and the French police were making sure thats all we had... The French Press had been cheating like mad, I knew. I decided it was about time the British Press did a bit of cheating.

I had my usual difficulty getting hold of a dinner jacket. The only one I was able to borrow was several sizes too big, but that suited me. I was able to hide my Leica [camera] inside it.

Attaching himself to a group of French dignitaries resplendent in plumed hats, Hardy slipped through the entrance then looked for a good vantage point.

I went up the magnificent staircase and found a little box by the side where the occupants made room for me, thinking I was an official Press man, he continues.

It was a fabulous panorama and I began to realise that the scene was just too large for a standard lens to take in. The only thing to do was make a massive join-up.

The late Queen is escorted by French President Coty at the Palais Garnier. Prince Philip walks just a few steps behind

Before the Queen actually entered, I started taking shots of the vast entrance hall, working slowly from left to right and from top to bottom, and making sure that the edges of each shot coincided as far as possible with some feature like the edge of a balcony or pillar.

In all, I took about 20 separate shots and the last shot of all showed the Queen climbing the stairs.

Once hed dispatched the film to London, Hardy phoned his wife, Sheila, a picture researcher with Picture Post to explain what I had done so she could tell the make-up man how to piece the jigsaw together.

Few readers would have noticed anything amiss at the time, although the scalpel marks around the individual images are more visible on todays computer screens.

One clue is that the guards on the right-hand side of the panorama, figure 7 of our illustration, have their swords lowered rather than raised, suggesting they were captured early in Hardys sequence, before the arrival of the Queen and President Rene Coty.

There is something odd, also, about the sword at figure 1, which appears to have been cut out and pasted on top of its bearer.

Hardy later received a letter of congratulations from the British embassy, remarking that his excellent picture was much better than what Paris Match were able to do with much greater opportunities.

Sometimes described as a monarchy without a crown, France was overjoyed by the four-day visit, which began at Orly Airport on April 8.

The Queen and Prince Philip found a nation not only grateful for Britains support in the war but united in shared anger  and humiliation - at the recent failure of the joint Franco-British Suez expedition.

Huge crowds, some chanting Long live the Queen, jostled outside, hoping to catch a glimpse as Elizabeth, still only 30, arrived at the ballet that first evening. A balcony appearance with President Coty would follow.

The surviving Pathe newsreels shows the French police struggling to hold back near-delirious crowds of well-wishers.

The Associated Press reported that: Thousands shoved and tussled for vantage points, to see Her Majesty. Many scrambled on top of chairs and tables in nearby sidewalk cafes. Scores were nearly trampled.

From start to finish, the host nation was overflowing in its generosity.

There were visits to Versailles, which was still undergoing its long renovation after the war, and to Renault motors where the Queen was given a car - a light blue Dauphin, which had been assembled at Renaults plant in Acton, west London.

The municipality of Paris presented a model railway based on the Metro  too complicated for eight-year-old Prince Charles, said the Queen, but his father would be delighted  and a collection of 12 Parisian dolls for Princess Anne, each one representing a different part of the city.

If their first thrilling night at the Palais Garnier marked one highlight for the visitors, the other was a night-time cruise along the Seine, when they were treated to living tableaux on the banks, music from the eerily white-robed boy choristers of Notre Dame and fireworks.

It is estimated that a million Parisians lined the route.

This, says historian and biographer Hugo Vickers, was a particular moment in post-war history, with France was still reeling from its 1940 capitulation to the Nazis and hugely grateful for Britains support.

The French government and the city of Paris really pulled the stops out for this visit, he says. The rooms where the Queen stayed at the Elysee Palace had been specially decorated for the Queen.

The British ambassador at the time, Sir Gladwyn Jebb, noted that there had been an upsurge of emotion across France thanks to the simplicity, charm and grace of the Queen and the virile and democratic demeanour of Prince Philip.

Sir Gladwyn felt that Serge Lifars ballet, Le Chevalier et la Demoiselle, had been a dismal failure at the Palais Garnier, but that the immense enthusiasm from the audience and the crowd outside had more than made up for it.

Although better known for his working class and industrial scenes, the 1957 state visit was not the first time Hardy had photographed royalty. One of his first commercial successes was a photograph of George V taken during the jubilee celebrations of 1935.

Using a second-hand plate camera hed bought with his salary from working in a photographic developing lab, Hardy took a picture of the King and Queen in an open top carriage, explains Tom Allbeson, a senior lecturer in media history who works Cardiff Universitys Special Collections and Archives, where Hardys papers are stored.

As the royals processed down Blackfriars Road in front of waving crowds, he photographed them in front of the facade of Gaskell & Chambers  a firm that specialised in fitting out pubs and bars - for local colour.

Then, he made 200 postcards of that picture and sold them to friends and family in the neighbourhood.

Hardy took that picture at the end of the street where he grew up, in fact, and close to the blue plaque in memory of him today.

READ MORE: Prince Philip, Profumo and the art work mystery said to link the Duke of Edinburgh to the most notorious sex scandal ever to rock a British government Advertisement

A decade earlier he had photographed the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, with one striking image from above appearing - of course - in Picture Post.

The original was later bought at auction by the Queen herself and today sits in the Royal Photograph Collection at Windsor Castle.

In 2009, the Curator wrote to Sheila, Berts widow, saying:

We were particularly thrilled to acquire the photograph as we have surprisingly few works relating to The Queens wedding. It is a wonderful acquisition.

Today, the Cardiff archive includes a number of Bert Hardys press passes from that remarkable trip to Paris in 1957.

There is, however, nothing that allows him access to the Palais Garnier.

Bert Hardy: Photojournalism in War And Peace is at The Photographers Gallery, London W1F 7LW until Sunday June 2
There will be much to reflect upon for Queen Margrethe of Denmark as she celebrates her 84th birthday today. It has, after all, been quite a year.

The Danish nation is still getting used to the fact that the long-reigning queen is now an ex-monarch, following her shock New Year's Eve announcement that she would step aside.

Her formal abdication  Denmarks first - in favour of her eldest son Fredrik came a little over two weeks later on January 14.

This was by no means the first time that Margrethe, a friend and distant cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, had been at odds with convention.

Given to laughter and straight-talking, not to mention smoking, the queen is also known as a skilled artist and illustrator with a well-established love of colour - and very colourful dressing

Margrethe of Denmark turns 86 today (pictured on her 18th birthday in 1959)

The fairytale wedding day steeped in history

Margrethe met her future husband, French diplomat Henri de Laborde de Monpeza, while studying at the London School of Economics in the early 1960s.

The pair began courting and announced their engagement in 1966.

Their wedding took place at Holmen Church, in Copenhagen, the following summer.

Margrethe was the picture of elegance in an ivory silk gown, designed by Danish couturier Jrgen Bender.

The timeless square-necked design featured a 20-foot train that provided a stunning backdrop for the bride's exquisite veil.

Serving as her 'something borrowed', the Irish lace veil was previously worn by her late grandmother, Princess Margaret of Connaught, for her marriage to Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden at Windsor Castle in 1905.

The veil's intricate lace detailing was beautifully echoed across the front of Margrethe's gown.

Margrethe married French diplomat Henri de Laborde de Monpeza at Holmen Church in Copenhagen in 1967

Margrethe's timeless square-necked gown by Danish couturier Jrgen Bender featured a six-metre train that provided a backdrop for the bride's exquisite veil

The bride showcased another striking accessory with ties to her late grandmother: the Khedive of Egypt Tiara.

This glinting head ornament was given to Margaret by the Khedive as a wedding present in 1905.

It was worn as a bridal diadem by Margrethe's youngest sister, Queen Anne-Marie, in 1964, and later by all of Queen Ingrid's daughters and granddaughters.

Margrethe also wore the Diamond Daisy Brooch, a sizeable jewel set with diamonds, which once belonged to Princess Margaret.

It was loaned by the late Queen Ingrid of Sweden, who received the brooch from her father, King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden, and donned it on her wedding day in 1935.

Margrethe added a pair of diamond and pearl earrings that were a gift from her groom.

She's no wilting wallflower

Queen Margrethe re-vitalised the monarchy - not least with a new era of fashion.

Thanks to her knack for colour and prints, she carried off eccentric looks both during official engagements and at leisure.

The royal's fascination with ornate clothing was ignited during her childhood as she observed her father, King Frederik IX, and his passion for the theatre.

At the age of eight, attending August Bournonville's ballet Napoli with her parents, she was entranced by the set design and costumes.

Renowned for her eccentric fashion choices, the former Queen's wardrobe has always been a talking point (pictured at the wedding of Prince Joachim and Princess Alexandra of Denmark)

The royal's fascination for ornate clothing was ignited during her childhood, as she observed her father, King Frederik IX, and his passion for the theatre (pictured on her 70th birthday in 2010)

Similar to her cousin, Margrethe valued a vibrant colour palette and remained loyal to her nation's design talents (pictured during a gala celebrating her 50th Jubilee of Government in 2022)

Her focus on style over trends also paralleled that of our own Queen Elizabeth II (pictured at Denmark's Change of Throne Ceremony in 2024)

Thanks to her knack for colour and prints, she carried off eccentric looks, both during official engagements and in her leisure time (pictured with her husband in Luzech, France, in 1992)

Margrethe enjoyed shopping expeditions on London's Oxford Street, particularly in the 1970s.

Her focus on style over trends paralleled that of our own Queen Elizabeth II.

Similar to her cousin, Margrethe valued a vibrant colour palette and remained loyal to her nation's design talents.

However, while Elizabeth adhered to a signature silhouette, Margrethe did not possess a specific style formula.

She showcased sleek velvet dresses, silk taffeta gowns, luxurious brocades, patterns and an abundance of furs, embodying her authoritative and adventurous nature.

Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik Of Denmark pictured at the monarch's 40th birthday celebrations in 1980

One of her most iconic ensembles was captured at her 40th birthday celebrations in 1980.

She wore a voluminous khaki silk taffeta dress, designed by Jrgen Bender, and lavish emerald jewellery.

She collaborated with Bender and Erik Mortensen (successor to couturier Pierre Balmain) for a number of years, before establishing a partnership with tailor Birgitte Thaulow, who designed her formalwear.

A coat to remember

Arguably at the peak of her fashion portfolio, Queen Margrethe personally designed a floral mac in 1995.

It was fashioned from a wipeable tablecloth, made from waxy fabric purchased by the roll.

Fashion critics and supporters alike greeted the royal with delight as she stepped out wearing the design at the 2017 Ringsted horse ceremony in Grasten, Denmark.

The brilliantly bright coat served as an emblem of Queen Margrethe's style ethos, which she upheld during her 52 years on the throne.

Arguably at the peak of her fashion portfolio, Queen Margrethe personally designed this mac in 1995 (pictured at the Ringsted horse ceremony in 2017)

The royal is a self-taught costume designer, having contributed to various ballet productions and films.

During the 1980s, she worked on amateur ballet productions in Nstved and occasionally undertook professional projects, such as an adaption of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, The Shepherdess, in 1987.

The Queen oversaw the creation of costumes and set design for a dramatised version of Karen Blixen's Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction, a romantic comedy and period drama.

When the collaboration was announced, Margrethe said in a statement: 'Karen Blixen's stories have always fascinated me, with their aesthetic tales, their imagination and their, to me, image-creating worlds - and I'm very happy to be part of this project.'

Meanwhile, Netflix noted: 'Since 1970, The Queen has been actively engaged in a number of artistic modes of expression: painting, church textiles, watercolours, prints, book illustrations, decoupage works, scenography and embroidery.

'She is an honorary member of the Association of Danish Scenographers for her many years of work as a set designer in Danish film, television and theatre.'

Margrethe was later awarded a Robert Award as Costume Designer of the Year.

Her heartwarming relationship with Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Margrethe shared a close relationship with her third cousin, Queen Elizabeth II.

Their royal lineages can be traced back to Queen Victoria and King Christian IX of Denmark.

Both Margrethe and Elizabeth are great granddaughters of Queen Victoria.

The pair shared such a strong bond that they would begin all correspondence with 'Dear sister and cousin'.

Queen Margrethe and Queen Elizabeth II, who was her third cousin, shared a close relationship (pictured at The Natural History Museum in 2000)

Both Margrethe and Elizabeth great granddaughters of Queen Victoria (pictured during a state visit to the UK in 2000)

Their royal lineages can be traced back to Queen Victoria and King Christian IX of Denmark (pictured: Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip wave from the balcony with Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik of Denmark in Copenhagen in 1979)

In public, Elizabeth and Margrethe addressed each other as 'Your Majesty', but in private, they were known as 'Daisy' and 'Lilibet' (pictured with their husbands at Windsor Castle in 1974)

The pair shared such a strong bond that they would begin all correspondence with 'Dear sister and cousin' (pictured on their way to Royal Ascot in 1980)

In public, Elizabeth and Margrethe addressed each other as 'Your Majesty', but in private, the Danish Queen was affectionately known to her cousin as 'Daisy'.

This nickname originated from Margrethe being named after her British-born grandmother Princess Margaret 'Daisy' of Connaught.

Meanwhile, Margrethe called Queen Elizabeth 'Lilibet'. She once explained:

'That's the way we have known each other always. That is what we call each other when we see and speak to one another. We are definitely affectionate, but I don't want to splash it all over the place!'

A creative calling

In addition to her hands-on approach as Queen, attending government meetings and writing her own speeches, Margrethe demonstrated her creativity as a visual artist.

The royal's artistic talents gained public recognition when she designed the annual Christmas seal in 1970.

Around the same time, she developed a fascination with Tolkien's trilogy, The Lord of The Rings.

Using the pseudonym Ingahild Grathmer, a partial anagram of her name, she unsolicitedly sent a series of sketches to the author.

Margrethe create a series of illustrations for Tolkien's The Lord of The Rings using the pseudonym Ingahild Grathmer

Tolkien was opposed to all forms of illustrations for his work, preferring readers to imagine their own versions of the world that he described.

Nevertheless, he kept the drawings from the unknown artist.

After his death, two of the illustrations were found in his coat pocket, while the remainder were discovered during a review of the estate - some featuring praising notes from the author.

It was later revealed that the artist was Queen Margrethe and, when Gyldendal reissued The Lord of the Rings in 1977, the publishing house included the royal's woodcut-style illustrations.

Characters were depicted without faces, in accordance to Tolkien's preferences.

Although Queen Margrethe lacks formal training in the visual arts, she has produced impressive artwork across a wide range of mediums and styles (pictured at her exhibition Il Sogno di una Regina in Florence in 2006)

She typically works in series, where she explores an idea across multiple versions over several years (pictured admiring her work at the Henri Martin museum in Cahors, southern France, in 2022)

Although Queen Margrethe lacks formal training in the visual arts, she has produced impressive artwork across a wide range of mediums, including watercolour, oil chalk and acrylic paint.

During her travels, Margrethe carries small sketchpads, allowing her to jot down intriguing motifs or new ideas in the moment.

She typically works in series, where she explores an idea across multiple versions over several years.

One of history's most educated female monarchs

Queen Margarethe is among the few sovereigns of her generation who hold multiple university diplomas.

After graduating, she challenged social norms by studying at five European universities between 1960 and 1965.

The royal studied philosophy at Copenhagen University, before enrolling in Cambridge University, where she earned a diploma in prehistoric archaeology.

Queen Margrethe revitalised the monarchy, introducing not only modernity but also a new era of fashion (pictured at the wedding of Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist in Stockholm in 2015)

She is among the few sovereigns of her generation who hold multiple university diplomas (pictured arriving at a Christiansborg Palace reception in 2023)

Considering disciplines to assist in her future role as head of state, Margrethe enrolled in a political science programme, which she carried out in three institutions: Aarhus University in Denmark, La Sorbonne University in Paris, and the London School of Economics.

Margrethe's education seems to have shaped her life and the way she fulfilled her role, all while adhering to the motto 'God's help, the love of The People, Denmark's strength'.
NASA officials have announced that they don't have a plan for bringing Martian rock samples - which could contain signs of life - back to Earth.

The agency's Perseverance Rover has been exploring the surface of the Red Planet for more than three years, collecting rock and soil samples to provide evidence of life.

By all accounts, Perseverance has been successful in its mission of collecting samples  but getting these samples back home is a different story.

A recent report showed that NASA's original plan to return the samples would cost $11 billion. It has now concluded that method would be too expensive and complicated - so it's asking the private sector for help.

NASA's Perseverance Rover landed on Mars in February 2021, and it has been collecting samples since then.

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover captured this mosaic at a location nicknamed 'Skrinkle Haven.' Scientists suspect these bands may have been formed by fast-moving water long ago.

When NASA launched the rover in 2020, it planned to have Perseverance cache the samples for pickup by a Sample Retrieval Lander.

This lander, which had been planned for launch in 2027 or 2028, would carry a rocket that could get the samples off-planet, then orbit Mars until another craft picked it up and brought it home to Earth.

But that plan, approved in 2022, has since hit a major snag: NASA budget cuts.

Now they are soliciting proposals from private companies and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory to come up with cheaper and quicker ways to get the samples back to Earth.

NASA officials said that the most likely way they would achieve their goal was by repurposing 'tried and true' technologies and strategies from previous missions, saving time and money over developing brand new tech.

READ MORE: NASA finds evidence of an ancient lake that may have bred microbial lifeforms 3 billion years ago The Perseverance rover has been exploring the Jezero Crater (pictured) where it identified sediments deposited by water, confirming speculations that the formation was flowing with water three billion years ago Advertisement

Such 'legacy' or 'heritage' technology could be found in other NASA missions that landed on the surface of a distant planet or moon, said NASA's Science Mission Directorate Nicky Fox in a press conference on Monday.

'Anything already available is good to use,' she said.

Using technologies already in NASA's space exploration toolbox would be cheaper, less risky, and quicker than trying to achieve some new technological leap.

The challenge, said Fox, is that NASA has never landed a spacecraft on another planet and then had it take off again.

At the same time, Fox and NASA administrator Bill Nelson evaded questions about why there was no feasible plan in place yet.

Nelson explained that a more acceptable price tag for a Mars sample return mission would be in the $5-7 billion range, and suggested that budget cuts were to blame for NASA balking at the $11 billion price tag.

And indeed, NASA's 2024 and 2025 budgets were dealt a serious blow by the March budget cuts that came as lawmakers sought to avoid a government shutdown.

As a result, Nelson said moving forward with an $11 billion Mars sample return mission would require them to 'cannibalize' the budgets of other NASA missions.

He also said that NASA lost a total of $2.5 billion from its 2024 budget, including $1 billion from its science budget (the part of the budget that deals with research, as opposed to rocketry).

Perseverance has been collecting carefully chosen samples from the surface of Mars. Some of them it carries with it, while others are left in sample tubes like this one for later collection.

This illustration shows a concept for NASA's Mars Sample Return Program. It would involve Perseverance delivering samples to a lander, which would then send them back to Earth on a different craft.

One of Perseverance's big finds came earlier this year, when it explored an area that could offer some of the evidence of life NASA is looking for.

The Perseverance rover has been exploring the Jezero Crater where it identified sediments deposited by water, confirming speculations that the formation was flowing with water three billion years ago.

Perseverance has been collecting samples from the surface of Mars, carefully chosen by scientists on Earth.

Some of these samples are carried along on the rover, while others are left in sample tubes on the Martian surface for later collection.

The long-held concept for the Mars Sample Return mission was that Perseverance would deliver samples to a lander, which would transfer them into a spacecraft that could launch into space and head back to Earth.

Something like this may end up happening, but for now, the specifics of the plan are a big question mark.

Multiple reporters attempted to ask Nelson and Fox why there had not been a feasible plan in place since the beginning of the Perseverance mission, and why heritage tech was not a priority from the outset.

But they either deflected the questions or gave vague answers.

Until now, the plan for returning samples to Earth from Mars had seemed settled.

But it is not.

A key objective for Perseverance's mission on Mars is astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life. NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam).

'I have asked our folks to reach out with a request for information to industry, to [the Jet Propulsion Laboratory] and to all NASA centers, and to report back this fall an alternate plan that will get [the samples] back quicker and cheaper,' Nelson said in Monday's press conference.

The new direction for the Mars Sample Return Program is in response to an independent review conducted in 2023 that showed 'a near zero probability' that NASA could hit the proposed 2028 launch date for the mission.

The report also said there is 'no credible' way to bring the samples home with the available funding.

The review board concluded that it would cost up to $11 billion to get the samples home, and that it wouldn't get done until 2040 at that price.

'The bottom line is that $11 billion is too expensive, and not returning samples until 2040 is unacceptably too long,' Nelson said. 'It's the decade of the 2040s that we're going to be landing astronauts on Mars.'

Nelson claimed that there were people arguing the program should be zeroed out and that the Perseverance samples should be abandoned, but he said it was too important to the US that they be returned.

For now, NASA has $310 million to devote to the mission this year.

NASA opened up the proposals today, which would grant research groups the funds to study sample return strategies.

Proposals are due May 17, and once the grants are awarded, the groups will have 90 days to return their studies to NASA.

Fox and Nelson said there should be a plan by late fall or early winter of this year.

Perseverance will continue collecting samples for now, they said - as long as it stays healthy.
TikTok ordered employees to send US user data to its Beijing-based parent company, according to a new investigation.

These data included spreadsheets full of names, emails, demographic data, and location data, former employees have claimed.

According to the investigation, TikTok concealed this close contact with ByteDance starting in 2022, claiming that it had cut most ties with its parent company.

Though the claims span 2022 to 2023, the revelation comes after Congress passed a bill that forces TikTok to decouple its US presence from ByteDance due to fears that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese Communist Party to surveil Americans and wield political or social influence.

TikTok aggressively refuted the findings of the investigation, calling them 'fabrications' from 'disgruntled former employees.'

TikTok reportedly maintained close ties to parent company ByteDance in China, even after claiming to have cut ties.

In response to questions about what the ex-employees claimed, a TikTok representative directed DailyMail.com to an X thread that strenuously denied the claims raised in the new investigation.

That thread calls the article 'factually inaccurate,' but it does not deny that TikTok sent US user data to ByteDance before 2023.

'The piece deliberately distorts timelines, omits basic facts, and relies on disgruntled former employees as its primary sourcing,' reads the X post in part.

In interviews, 11 employees claimed that TikTok's distance from ByteDance was just for appearances, and that there remained a secret chain of command where US employees continued reporting to Chinese executives.

'I literally worked on a project that gave U.S. data to China,' data scientist Evan Turner told Fortune. 'They were completely complicit in that. There were Americans that were working in upper management that were completely complicit in this.'

Turner reportedly worked as a senior data scientist for TikTok from April to September of 2022.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: More than half of Americans believe TikTok data ends up with the Chinese government Even so, a slim majority of Americans also believe the app shouldn't be banned. Advertisement

Upon his hiring, he reported to a ByteDance executive in Beijing. Soon after, he was reassigned to a US-based executive.

The shift came after TikTok kicked off an initiative to keep US user data in the US.

But Turner claimed he never met with the American boss, and that a human resources employee told him he would continue reporting to the ByteDance exec.

He had short, weekly calls with the Chinese boss, in which he gave updates on his work progress.

During the approximately six months he worked for TikTok, Turner claims his work included sharing swaths of US user data with ByteDance.

Every two weeks, he sent spreadsheets containing data on TikTok users, which the company would use to figure out where people were watching which types of videos, and how the company should spend its promotional resources to get users to watch more videos.

It is not clear whether the Chinese government had access to these data, though any Chinese company by law must provide data to the government if requested.

Interviews with other ex-employees in the US revealed that TikTok's internal messaging system called Lark was monitored by Chinese-based ByteDance employees, including conversations about US user data.

One of these ex-employees sold Lark to outside clients, but described getting the 'runaround' when she tried to find out how secure client data would be if they used the app.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before congress in January of this year, alongside other social media execs, about companies' failures to protect young users.

Joe Biden's campaign joined TikTok less than a year after his administration banned federal employees from downloading the app on government devices, over concerns that the Chinese government could access sensitive data through backdoors

'You could never really get any straight answers that could be solid enough to bring back to your client to basically let them know that this is a trustworthy platform, and that their American data is safe,' said Nnete Matima, a US-based business development employee at TikTok and ByteDance.

She sold Lark to corporate customers during her July 2022 to August 2023 tenure.

'They are not transparent to the point where I had to lose a deal because I couldn't answer basic security questions that people are entitled to,' she reported.

Matima was fired in 2023, reportedly for performance but she believes it was because she raised concerns about data privacy.

Interviews with other ex-employees painted a similar picture: The separation between TikTok and ByteDance was for show, and the two companies shared US user information.

In 2022, TikTok kicked off 'Project Texas' to keep US user data in the US, an effort to fend off regulators. But the data sharing in the investigation reportedly happened after those efforts began.

In the Fortune investigation, cybersecurity experts disagreed on the significance of the data sharing.

Some called it 'very concerning,' saying the private data could expose US users and harm them.

Others say that the large company was likely just slow to fully implement its procedures, and held onto 'stupid and silly and crazy' procedures because of momentum.

Whatever the case, the US TikTok ban has its own momentum.

The US House of Representatives voted in March to force ByteDance to sell its majority stake in TikTok to a US company or face a ban in app stores.

President Biden has expressed his intention to sign this bill into law if it passes the Senate. In the meantime, he is using it for his presidential campaign.

The 'ban' is not actually a ban in the strict sense.

Rather, it is the threat of a ban if TikTok's parent company ByteDance refuses to sell its majority stake to an American company.

Some critics have pointed out that the effort to ban TikTok is as much about actual data concerns and as it is about silencing the voices of people critical of Israel's war on Gaza.

US politicians at the forefront of the proposed ban have confirmed this suspicion in their statements calling for the ban.

'While data security issues are paramount, less often discussed is TikTok's power to radically distort the world picture that America's young people encounter. Israel's unfolding war with Hamas is a crucial test case,' Rep. Josh Hawley said in a letter to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen back in November, when calls for forcing the sale were ramping up again.
Scientists have made a discovery in Sweden that suggests Viking women underwent a cosmetic procedure 1,000 years ago.

A team of German researchers found three elongated skulls that were likely altered in the first year of the women's lives when their skulls were soft and pliable.

It is possible the Vikings elongated their skulls as a sign of status and beauty, the researchers said.

Cranial malformation was common in the Black Sea region and previously has only been identified in the Mesoamerican, Native American and Eurasian cultures, making this the first time it was found in the Viking people.

Researchers found elongated skulls of three Viking women (one skull pictured) that was intentionally modified in the first year of their life

The researchers believe its likely that the practice of cranial modification was meant as a status symbol, showing the success the families had at trading with other regions

'We do not know where these three women grew up and where their heads were deformed,' Matthias Toplak, the co-leader of the expedition told Atlas Obscura.

'Whether their heads were deformed in their early childhood in the region around the Black Sea, for example, and how they came back to Gotland is unclear,' he added.

Researchers believe the female's skulls were likely altered in the first year of their life, when the bones were still soft enough to be changed, by wrapping bandages around the infant's head to elongate the skull.

However, if the Vikings employed more serious techniques like using weights or straps, it could have impacted their cognitive development.

The researchers clarified that they can't determine whether this was the case based on the skulls, but Jesse Goldstein, the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery said the more severe approach could have disastrous consequences.

'If this approach was taken, this may have had negative effects on brain function, especially if this was employed in early infancy,' he told Atlas, but added the caveat: 'It is hard to know for sure.'

Researchers believe it is more likely that artificial cranial deformation (ACD) was used to separate the women from others by showing they had traveled.

'The human body both is and represents a medium of communication,' the researchers wrote in the study, adding: 'It has an ability to produce communication in a functionally complex structured way.'

Although the women could have used ACD as a symbol of beauty, it was far more likely they 'were regarded as evidence of far-reaching trading contacts, and thus as tokens of influence and success in trading,' Toplak told LiveScience.

Researchers also found that the Vikings had filed their teeth,(pictured) and modern experiments revealed the same results could be achieved using a steel file

Researchers at the Viking Museum Haithabu and the University of Munster in Germany used DNA analysis to reveal that the skulls are from the Scandinavian Viking Age in Gotland, an island belonging to Sweden in the Baltic Sea.

Communities in Toulouse, France practiced ACD according to recordings from as recently as the early 20th century by using bands and cloths to intentionally modify children's heads - also called the 'Toulouse deformity' or 'bandeau.'

Locals in Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation, implement ACD to resemble their deity, Ambat, who has an elongated skull and a long nose.

READ MORE: Skull found on Pacific atoll in 1940 is being examined by USF anthropologist for DNA match to missing aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart Bone fragments were first discovered on Nikumaroro Island about three years after Earhart went missing. Advertisement

'We elongate the heads of our children because it is our tradition, and it originates with the basic spiritual beliefs of our people,' the general of South Malakulan said on the Australian Museum website.

'We also see that those with elongated heads are more handsome or beautiful, and such long heads also indicate wisdom,' he added.

Alongside the cranial modifications, the researchers also found the Vikings employed the practice of filing their teeth which could have been used to identify certain merchant groups.

The practice might have also been administered as an initiation right and modern experiments determined that a steel file achieves similar markings as those seen in the Vikings.

Teeth filings and skull modifications have been practiced by groups worldwide including the Mayans in Mexico and the Pracas civilization in what is today Peru, between 750 BC and 100 AD.

Communities in Toulouse, France practiced ACD according to recordings from as recently as the early 20th century by using bands and cloths to intentionally modify children's heads - also called the 'Toulouse deformity' or 'bandeau.'
A proposed design for a new train station in the Chinese city of Nanjing has been ridiculed by internet users for a very unusual reason.

Chinese social media users have pointed out that the new 2.2 billion ($2.7bn) North Nanjing station has a striking resemblance to a sanitary pad.

While its designers insist the four-lobed building is meant to resemble a plum blossom, many netizens point out that plum blossoms famously have five petals.

The topic has generated millions of views on Chinese social media platforms, with many commenters mocking the unfortunate design.

One Weibo user asked: 'Why can we all tell it is a sanitary pad immediately, but the architects can't?'

 Slide me  Chinese social media users have mocked the proposed design for a new train station in Nanjing, comparing the station to a sanitary pad

Chinese social media users have relentlessly mocked the design of a new train station in Nanjing, with one post (pictured) asking whether 'this style designed to prevent side leakage?' (translation via Google)

Nanjing North station is huge investment for the city of 8.5 million and will become the city's biggest station.

Sitting over an area of 14 square miles (37.6 square km), the station will serve an estimated 36.5 million passengers a year.

However, none of that has prevented social media users from relentlessly mocking the design, often comparing it to an 'aunt's towel' or 'aunt's scarf' - a euphemistic term for sanitary pad.

One commenter wrote on Weibo: 'This is a giant sanitary pad.

'It's embarrassing to say it looks like a plum blossom.'

Another commenter joked: 'I think we should take this chance to call for society to pay attention to period shaming.

'This design is ahead of its time.'

The train station is a significant investment for Nanjing, a city of 8.5 million people, costing an estimated 2.2 billion ($2.7bn) to build

Other social media users have made a joking connection between the station's unfortunate design and its intended function.

One commenter joked: 'No matter how large the passenger flow is, it can be fully absorbed and stay dry all day long.'

While another post mockingly asked: 'Is this style designed to prevent side leakage?'

However, some commenters have leapt to the defence of the train station, although not always for the most obvious reasons.

'Why does the sanitary napkin have a bad meaning?' asked one commenter.

'Don't be so whiny. If your mother didn't menstruate, she wouldn't have been able to give birth to you. Support Nanjing North Railway Station.'

This is not the first building in China to cause a stir. Previously the China Central Television Building (pictured) was mocked for resembling a big pair of boxer shorts

According to local news outlet Nanjing Morning News, the design has now been greenlit by the provincial government and China State Railway Group.

Construction is set to begin within the first half of 2024 and the station is expected to receive its first passengers by the start of 2028, according to The Nanjinger.

But, as some pointed out, this is not the first public building in China to cause a stir.

In 2004 the China Central Television headquarters, or CCTV building, was also mocked for its unusual design.

While some hailed it as a great work of architecture, others pointed out that it resembled a pair of black shorts.

For that reason, locals often refer to the building simply as 'big pants' or the 'big boxer shorts'.
READ MORE: How your monthly cycle plays havoc with your skin

The lunar calendar has long been associated with women's menstrual cycles, but a new study has officially revealed the two are intrinsically linked.

Researchers from France and the US analyzed menstrual cycle data from 3,296 European women and 721 North American women, and looked to see if the dates fell on specific lunar cycles.

The team found that women in North America would more often begin their period when there was a full moon and Europeans during a waxing crescent.

Researchers believe the syncing may stem from their new findings that mensuration is governed by a woman's internal clock, which can be impacted by the lunar cycle.

Researchers have found that the moon plays a role in women's menstrual cycles because it controls the body's circadian rhythms which tells the woman's body that it's time for their cycle to begin

The clock controls our bodys daily (or circadian) rhythm in a 24-hour cycle, which is responsible for waking our bodies up in the morning and ensuring they get a good night's rest.

However, it has also been noted that our internal clocks can be impacted by the lunar cycle that can cause people to lose sleep - and a disruption of circadian rhythms is associated with disturbances in menstrual function.

This changes how our internal clock is calibrated, so 'if the cycle lengthens, for any reason, this clock-based process adapts to quickly shorten it,' neuroscientist Claude Gronfier, from The University of Lyon in France, told BBC Science Focus.

The researchers found that when this happens, it creates something called 'phase jumps,' when the biological clock becomes out of sync because of the waxing moon and tries to self-correct by moving forward to the body's next stable state.

A phase jump is also known as 'relative coordination' which occurs in circadian clocks such as the fatigued and out-of-sync feeling you get when you travel across time zones.

Researchers looked at menstrual cycle data from the more than 7,000 women across two continents.

Researchers believe the syncing may stem from the fact that mensuration is governed by a woman's internal clock, which can be impacted by the lunar cycle

In some species, mensuration can occur twice a per lunar cycle when the rides are the strongest, when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned, during the new moon or the full moon.

The team noted that prior research has showed that the menstrual cycles of women with a period of more than 27 days were intermittently synchronized with the lunar cycle.

'Our work confirms and further extends both the oscillatory nature of the menstrual cycle and the possibly of synchronization at different phases in two larger datasets,' the shared in the study.

READ MORE: Gynecologist slams period-syncing 'myth' that women who live together menstruate at same time Gynecologists are on a crusade to bust this myth, pointing out the old wives tale has no solid basis in science and actually diminishes a womans personhood, reducing her to nothing more than her biological imperative to reproduce. Advertisement

They may have developed internal clock with a period close to that of the lunar cycle at the time when they were confronted with the tides.

'Then, during the millions of years of hominid evolution, this rhythm may have been active, possibly associated with the lunar night-light cycle,' the study reads.

'This may have allowed a relative synchronization of the cycles of women living together.'

'There is a lot of work ahead of us, and we hope that our colleagues embark with us on what could be a future area of circadian medicine,' Gronfier told BBC.

'If the existence of an internal clock that controls the menstrual cycle is confirmed in further studies, then the medical treatment of ovulation disorders could use the chronobiological approaches that have proven successful in the treatment of cancer, sleep and circadian disorders, and depression,' the study said.

The perceived link between lunar and menstrual cycles has continued through the ages, dating back to ancient Greek culture where the word 'menstruation' is derived from the Latin and Greek word for moon - mene.

Physicians in ancient Greece believed women were more mentally and spiritually powerful during their menstrual period because it typically occurred during the full moon.

Likewise, in indigenous cultures, the period is known as 'moon time,' where women still rest at home and reflect on their experiences.

'Women have great power during their moons,' Patty Smith of the Leech Lake Band of Minnesota Ojibwe told Rewire News Group in 2019.

'As they bleed, they are sloughing off the accumulated experience and stress of being a woman.

'Some of those experiences are painful or may contain negative energy, so we want to be careful that we don't interrupt that process,' Smith continued.
Experts predict a 50-50 chance machines could take over all our jobs within a century.

But a poll of 16,000 workers has found many employees believe AI could do it already.

Nearly half have admitted the technology can outperform them in 'routine tasks'  while also paying better attention to detail.

The finding comes just weeks after a leading think tank warned AI could take over eight million jobs in the UK if the government doesn't act fast.

The 'jobs apocalypse' is expected to see admin and entry-level roles first  but will increasingly affect those higher paid as it becomes more sophisticated.

A survey of 16,000 workers found nearly half admit the technology can already outperform them in 'routine tasks' - and pays better attention to detail

The Future of Work Report by jobs website Indeed found just one in three respondents were confident AI would have a positive impact on their role.

READ MORE: Even the boss is worried! Hundreds of chief executives fear AI could steal their jobs too Advertisement

The majority however  nine in ten  felt confident they would be able to adapt to the changes over the next five years.

Workers told how much of their day-to-day responsibilities were already ripe for automation  with three in five saying that AI can carry out data analysis better than humans.

Routine tasks (48%) and attention to detail (45%) were other tasks where workers felt AI had the upper hand.

While repetitive jobs are well-suited to AI, workers said they still felt confident they were better in critical thinking, creativity and emotional intelligence.

Experts are split on the effect AI will have on the global job market  but all are in agreement that it will, and already is, having a seismic impact.

The Future of Work Report by jobs website Indeed found just one in three workers are confident AI will improve their job

BT last year unveiled plans to slash tens of thousands of jobs by 2030 - with around 10,000 set to be replaced by technology.

A survey of over 2,700 AI researchers in January meanwhile suggested AI could well be 'better and cheaper' than humans in every profession by 2116.

Whose jobs are most at risk from the AI revolution? AI is set to have a seismic impact on the way we work, with experts predicting it will be 'better and cheaper' than humans in every profession by 2116. While tech giants such as Google and are pitching it as a co-pilot, many fear it will replace us entirely. Goldman Sachs last year predicted up to 300 million worldwide could be lost. It is most likely to affect younger and lower-paid people first, with entry level, administrative, and secretarial jobs most easily automated. Women - who are more likely to be in such roles - are likely to be more heavily impacted, according to a recent report by a leading UK think tank. However, researchers at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggested that it would increasingly affect higher earners as the AI becomes more sophisticated in reasoning and planning. Advertisement

The date forecast is nearly 50 years earlier than the same prediction made the previous year, highlighting how quickly it is improving.

A recent survey of 600 global CEOs found many were hurriedly sending 'novice' staff on AI bootcamps to get them up to speed.

Hundreds admitted they also feared the technology will take over their role one day.

Many said they already secretly use tools such as ChatGPT to help them carry out their daily responsibilities  and passed it off as their own work.

Nick Baxter, chief executive of The IN Group said: 'The reality is that many fast-growing companies are still struggling with the skills gap, a problem which ultimately damages growth and slows innovation.

'If we want to build a truly dynamic digital economy, businesses need access to the latest AI and tech talent, allowing ambitious companies to reach their full potential.'

Tristan Wilkinson, public sector lead at AND Digital said: 'Businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy, yet so many are struggling to keep up with the pace of digital transformation.

'Unlocking sustained economic growth can only be delivered if companies are given the support and specialist skills they need to embrace digital initiatives for the long term.'

Danny Stacy, UK Head of Talent Intelligence at Indeed, said: 'It's natural for workers to feel that AI will change their role, particularly as we're yet to fully realise AI's impact on the workplace.

'But UK employees are confident they can adapt and are generally more optimistic about the effects of technology on their jobs than they are sceptical, showing that they're up for any change that comes their way.'
He said those coming to Argentina should be prepared for the intense night life

A jet-setter has issued a serious warning to any early birds who want to visit Argentina - adding that everything is 'closed' during the day.

Christian Grossi has become an online sensation by documenting his fun-filled life, which sees him traveling the world.

The 23-year-old has been backpacking the world and sharing footage of the stunning locations he visits while lifting the lid on a slew of unknown facts about his favorite places.

Christian recently shared a lesson about Argentina with his more than 1.4 million followers as he explained that it was heaven for night owls, but not the ideal location for those who liked to wake up with the sun.

A jet-setter has issued a serious warning to any early birds who want to visit Argentina - adding that everything is 'closed' during the day

Christian Grossi has become an online sensation by documenting his fun-filled life, which sees him traveling the world

He cautioned social media users about the South American country's schedule in a viral video, which has so far amassed more than 9.8 million views.

'This is going to be my one and only warning on why to not come to Argentina. If you're a morning person, this place will destroy you,' he said at the beginning of the clip.

He then showed the empty streets - adding that 'no one' was out, despite it being 10am on a Tuesday. 'Nothing's open, I don't see people,' he added.

Christian explained that the country emphasized the importance of having a budding night life.

He then described his wild Monday night, which didn't end until 1:30am because dinner didn't begin until 11pm in Argentina.

'Last night I was out to dinner with friends on a Monday until 1:30 in the morning. Why? Because dinner here doesn't start until 11pm,' he said.

'I used to be the biggest morning person in college, I was a personal trainer at the gym. I woke up at 8am and was in bed by midnight max.'

Christian recently shared a lesson about Argentina with his more than 1.4 million followers as he explained that it was heaven for night owls

People on the web flooded the comments section and claimed they had no issue with the night-focused schedule

However, Christian noted that Argentina had changed him and he didn't 'even think' about going to bed until 3am.

'If you embrace it, then the morning will no longer have a significant effect on your life,' he said.

At the end of the clip, he branded Argentina the 'greatest place on the planet.'

People on the web flooded the comments section and claimed they had no issue with the night-focused schedule.

One person said: 'That's not a warning, that's invitation.'

Another user added: 'This is how life should be.'

Someone else wrote: 'Don't threaten me with a good time!'

A fourth comment read: 'This is my dream schedule, I'm just in the wrong country.'
A Scottish family flew to Denmark for 24 hours to go to Legoland after bagging 30 return flights - and say it was cheaper than a day trip to Windsor.

Nicola, 46, and her husband Alan Sutcliffe, 57, from Glasgow took their son Matthew, 8, to Legoland Billund after realising it was cheaper than going to Legoland Windsor.

The family spent around 30 on return flights each - flying from Edinburgh Airport on April 7 before staying the night in a shared room at Legoland for 165.

They spent the next day exploring Legoland and grabbing dinner before flying back the next evening.

Despite splashing out overnight to bag the cheap deal, Nicola and Alan still estimate they saved around 184 - and were so captivated by Danish hospitality they plan to go back.

Alan and Matthew Sutcliffe at Legoland in Denmark, which set them back almost 200 less than its English counterpart in Windsor, Berks.

Matthew Sutcliffe at Legoland in Denmark, pictured stood next to a bright green Lego dragon

Nicola, Alan, and Matthew Sutcliffe at Legoland in Denmark, which is where Lego originates

Nicola, primary school teacher, from Glasgow, Scotland, said: 'We were going to go to Windsor, but we realised the original is in Denmark and it's home of Lego.

Cost of family trip to Legoland in Denmark for two adults and a child Breakdown of Nicola and Aaron's costs of trip to Billund from Edinburgh: Return flights for all of the family - 93 LegoLand and Lego House - 230 Hotel - 165 Total- 488 Rough cost of trip to Windsor from Edinburgh Return trains - 585 Legoland entry - 29 each (online) 68 (on the day) Total - 672 Approximate saving - 184 Advertisement

'It is also where is the original Lego factory is  so a lot of things were ticking boxes for us to go.

'For all three of us it was under 100 [the flights] - we were laughing!'

Nicola had planned to go to Legoland Windsor but were shocked when they realised a return train would cost 195 each.

The family thought it was a no-brainer to go to Denmark instead after bagging cheap return flights.

Nicola said: 'We literally went because of the cheap flights  it had to be a 24-hour trip to get the deal.

'We just brought a small rucksack bag. We didn't need to bring jackets as it wasn't raining. The airport is also five minutes away from Legoland.

'Whereas if we went to Windsor, we would have had to get the train down to London and get different connection trains and buses.

'It was amazing  we got a deal from Super.com - for a private room in the Legoland hotel for 165.

'We had view of the park and got a fabulous breakfast with pastries, pancakes and gorgeous coffee'.

The family landed at 10pm on April 7 and went straight to bed.

The following day they explored Legoland, the Lego house and grabbed a pizza at a local restaurant before getting their flight back at 9.55pm, landing in Edinburgh for 10.30pm.

Matthew Sutcliffe, 8, at Legoland in Denmark - the first of its kind in the world

Here Matthew is pictured with his mother Nicola

The 8-year-old enjoyed his one night getaway at Legoland Billund

Nicola said: 'The hotel was fab  Denmark is amazing, everyone is so friendly and it's not so commercial like in the UK.

'The park is a five minute walk to Lego House. It was incredible, and it has the best Lego structure in the world.

'I just can't imagine how much it would have been if we went to London  it was an amazing 24 hours.

'It was 16-degrees, and the sun was shining so we just brought a few pairs of underwear and water bottles.

'That's the beauty of carrying light  you're not worrying about what you're taking. We are trying to plan to do it again already'.

Using budget airline Ryanair, the Sutcliffe's managed to bag return flights for all of the family for just 93

The Scottish family spent the next day exploring Legoland and grabbing dinner before flying back at 9.55pm

This comes after a savvy Brit bagged a return flight to Romania for just 32 to enjoy a 24 hour spa break - which she claims was 100 cheaper than in the UK.

Rebecca Kellet, 37, and her best friend, Sam Martin, 34, flew from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest, Romania, at 10am on November 19, 2023.

The pair then headed to their hotel - which cost them 40 each - and visited a few bars before their spa visit.

The following day Rebecca and Sam visited the Therme Spa in Bucharest, Romania - which set them back 25.85 each, a pleasant surprise after the pair were fed up with their local spa's price hikes.

In total, for flights, accommodation and the spa, the trip cost the pair only 97.85 each - which they claim is 100 cheaper than their usual spa day in the UK.
The giant Asian centipede is an animal 'best admired from a safe distance'.

So says wildlife expert Coyote Peterson. And he should know, because he allowed one of the highly venomous creatures to bite him in the name of science  and to raise money for rhino charity Save The Horns.

Coyote, the face of renowned wildlife adventure channel Brave Wilderness, knows a thing or two about pain scales, having previously been stung by 500 fire ants, a 'murder wasp' and bullet ants, to name but a few.

Following the bite from the Asian centipede, he concludes that it's one of the most extreme things he's ever done.

Coyote's tormentor is a mysterious and potentially lethal Thai giant cherry centipede, which bites him under the watchful eye of Dr Jordan Wagner - aka YouTube's Doctor ER - during a live-streamed event recorded for posterity and now available to watch on YouTube.

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Coyote Peterson, the face of renowned wildlife adventure channel Brave Wilderness, allowed a Thai giant cherry centipede (above) to bite him

Dr Jordan Wagner - aka YouTube's Doctor ER - keeps an eye on proceedings

Coyote explains in the video that he carries out the experiment to see how his body reacts to the bite using biometric tracking - he's hooked up to a cardiac monitor - to discover if it ranks as his most painful experience to date, to 'show readers what a doctor would do to treat this type of bite', and fourth, to raise awareness and financial support for Save The Horns.

The warm-up act for the bite event is a venomous Peruvian giant white leg centipede, which Coyote 'free handles', letting it crawl around his hand and arm.

He persuades Dr Jordan to let it crawl along his arm, reassuring the medical expert that there's 'only around a one in five or two in four chance of the animal biting him'.

Then the Thai giant cherry centipede is brought out and Dr Jordan explains how centipede venom works.

The warm-up act for the bite event is a venomous Peruvian giant white leg centipede, which crawls along Dr Jordan's arm

He says: 'Centipede venom contains a neurotoxin and a cardio/myotoxin. The neurotoxin interferes with the ion channels leading to your nerves, so you can experience horrible pain, paralysis, numbness that is the neurotoxin working.

'On top of that, you have this cardio myo-type toxin that will increase your heart rate, which could cause cardiac arrhythmias, meaning your heart starts going high beats - abnormal beats coming from the wrong areas of the heart. And that's when we might need to shock somebody out of an abnormal rhythm.'

Coyote says: 'I have been told this bite is going to put me in the most painful situation I have ever been in.

Following the bite from the Asian centipede, Coyote concludes that it's one of the most extreme things he's ever done

'Top three most painful are putting my hand into a box with 200 yellow jacket wasps, the bite from a giant desert centipede, and the gympie-gympie leaf.

'So this may [be] the new top-tier level of pain.'

However, Coyote stresses that centipede venom is 'very unlikely to kill you unless your body has a negative allergic reaction'.

Once Coyote has the centipede under control and held between his fingers, he stretches out a forearm for the bite experience, with Doctor Jordan warning that 'we do not want direct inoculation into your vein'.

Coyote stresses that centipede venom is 'very unlikely to kill you unless your body has a negative allergic reaction'

Once Coyote has the centipede under control and held between his fingers, he stretches out a forearm for the bite experience, with Doctor Jordan warning that 'we do not want direct inoculation into your vein'

He advises Coyote to make sure the centipede bites him above or below the main vein  and points out a 'target spot'.

The centipede bites  and Doctor Jordan says 'breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe'.

'Tell me what you're feeling,' he says.

Coyote replies: 'Searing pain. Oh my gosh. The pain is bad and I'm feeling an incredible numbness in my arm right now. Holy mackerel.

'I'm super lightheaded. My arm is twitching. It's convulsing.'

Doctor Jordan explains what to do if you're ever bitten by a highly venomous creature.

He says: 'You want to clean the wound, get to an area of safety, get to the hospital, and then what I could do as an ER doctor treatment-wise for you, is [I could give you] anti-inflammatories, strong pain medicine, IV fluids, and you'd go on a cardiac monitor [which they have in the studio] to monitor blood pressure, your heart rate.'

Signs of anaphylaxis would be a lump in the throat and a swollen tongue. Doctors would also watch for diarrhoea and vomiting.

Coyote describes the consequence of the centipede bite as 'searing pain'

Coyote reveals that even after Dr Jordan applied an anti-inflammatory shot, he still suffered. He says: 'For nearly 30 hours I battled a state of discomfort'

Dr Jordan explains that if a patient is bitten by a highly venomous creature he would administer anti-inflammatories, strong pain medicine, IV fluids, and they would go on a cardiac monitor

Coyote, at this point, reveals that it's 'definitely getting worse' and Doctor Jordan observes that his pupils are dilated  part of a 'flight or flight response'.

In addition, Coyote's calf muscles begin 'locking up'.

Coyote reveals that even after Dr Jordan applied an anti-inflammatory shot, he still suffered.

He says: 'For nearly 30 hours I battled a state of discomfort that included waves of intense pain, a sleeplessness night, and a renewed sense of respect for the potency of centipede venom.'

For more from Coyote visit www.youtube.com/@BraveWilderness. For more from Doctor ER visit www.youtube.com/@DoctorER, twitter.com/DoctorER and www.instagram.com/doctorer.

To donate to Save The Horns visit www.savethehorns.com.
Amy Dowden has vowed to return to Strictly Come Dancing almost a year after she was diagnosed with grade III breast cancer - the second-highest grade.

The Strictly star, 34, competed as a professional dancer on the BBC reality show from 2017 to 2022.

She danced in the final of the most recent series which was won by Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola.

Amy was diagnosed with cancer just the day after she came home from her honeymoon with Tom Parkes.

She told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday: 'There I was, living my life to the full on Strictly Come Dancing, just married. Cancer doesn't discriminate.'

Amy Dowden, 34, told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday that she will return to Strictly Come Dancing almost a year after she was diagnosed with grade III breast cancer - the second-highest grade

The Strictly star competed as a professional dancer on the BBC reality show from 2017 till 2022 (pictured in 2017)

Amy was diagnosed with cancer just the day after she came home from her honeymoon with Tom Parkes. She said: 'There I was living my life to the full on Strictly Come Dancing, just married. Cancer doesn't discriminate'

Amy also answered the long-awaited question of whether or not she will return to Strictly for the length of its twenty-first series in September.

She shared: 'I'm working really, really hard and getting my body back with rehab and physio. Got a brilliant team, so fingers crossed I'll be back on your screens dancing later this year.'

Amy vowed: 'If Strictly will have me back, I'll be back,' and confirmed: 'The goal and the dream is to be back on the dancefloor, as well. 'Cause I've missed it so, so much.'

On the programme, Amy opened up about life post-cancer and urged people to volunteer for cancer charities.

'I was actually at the oncology unit yesterday having my monthly injection which I'll need for five years. But I'm just so grateful to get another shot at life.'

She added: 'I've got amazing friends and family, the oncology unit, the nurses, the breast nurses, and also the public support has been incredible.

Amy continued: 'Unfortunately, one in two of us in our lifetime is diagnosed with cancer. But, charities like Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Young Lives vs Cancer, Breast Cancer UK. They wouldn't exist if it wasn't for volunteers.

'Volunteers are the backbone, the heartbeat to all these charities. They help fund research, the reason why I'm still alive today.

'Not just those going through it but their families. As a volunteer you get so much pride as well. It helps your mental health, there are so many benefits to it.'

She shared: 'I was actually at the oncology unit yesterday having my monthly injection which I'll need for five years. But I'm just so grateful to get another shot at life'

Amy was on the show to promote The Big Help Out, 'the biggest mass volunteering event in the UK', spearheaded by charities such as Macmillan and Young People vs Cancer

Amy was on the show to promote The Big Help Out, 'the biggest mass volunteering event in the UK', spearheaded by charities such as Macmillan and Young People vs Cancer.

She said: 'Whether you've got a day, an afternoon, an hour: go onto the app or onto the website - TheBigHelpOut.org.uk - it'll show you everything in your local community you can do.

'Whether it's litter-picking, picking up the phone to support somebody, going around with a charity bucket, a walk, I'll be going on the CoppaFeel trek during The Big Help Out weekend which is the 7th to 9th of June.

Amy finished: 'There are so many ways. You'll meet new friends but the help that you'll give and how you will feel afterwards. And I forever will be giving back - that's for sure.'

The star's former Strictly partner JJ Chalmers, whose body was destroyed by a bomb while he served in Afghanistan, spoke up about their relationship.

The former Royal Marine Commando and close friend of Prince Harry was paired with Amy when he appeared on the show in 2020.

As the series took place during Covid, Amy and JJ 'lived in a little bubble' alone for three months and developed a close bond.

Recalling the moment Amy told him about her diagnosis, JJ said: 'I was devastated for her, scared for her, but I also knew that cancer had messed with the wrong person.'

He empathised: 'She obviously had a very, very difficult year, 2023 was awful, battling cancer going through the surgery, getting to the point of almost dancing on Strictly, breaking her foot, it was just awful.

'She has been very public about the physical part of that being hard but the psychological and personal battle that you have and again, I understand this, from losing my profession before, her losing a lot of her identity because she is a dancer to her absolute blood, so not being able to do that was hard for her.'

The star's former Strictly partner JJ Chalmers, whose body was destroyed by a bomb while he served in Afghanistan, has spoken up about their relationship

Moved by his own experience, JJ is now supporting a campaign launched by insurer Zurich tackling how best to get employees back to work after long-term sickness

JJ, an Invictus Games medallist, suffered life-changing injuries while serving in Afghanistan in 2011.

Every part of his body sustained some damage: his legs were torn open, his face crushed, neck broken and he almost lost both arms in the explosion which killed two of his colleagues.

He is now supporting a campaign launched by insurer Zurich looking at long-term sickness and how best to get employees back to work.

JJ wants the Government adopt a military-style never leave anyone behind approach to tackle the problem of long-term sick leave.

This would involve making it mandatory for companies/bosses to provide rehabilitation programmes for their workers.
Anton Danyluk flexed his bulging muscles in front of the Leaning Tower Of Pisa on Instagram on Saturday and addressed his split from Georgia Harrison.

The Love Island: All Stars cast member, 29, finished the reality show in fifth place with his partner Georgia, also 29.

Amid reports that the couple had split, Anton took a trip to Italy with his mother Sherie Ann Danyluk.

Scottish fitness expert Anton larked about in front of the famous monument, examining his muscles at every opportunity.

He attempted the signature tourist pose of appearing to push the tower over, but stood on the wrong side and looked instead like he was desperately trying to stop the building toppling onto him.

Anton Danyluk, 29, flexed his bulging muscles in front of the Leaning Tower Of Pisa on Instagram on Saturday and appeared to address his split from Georgia Harrison, also 29

The Love Island: All Stars cast member finished the reality show in fifth place with his partner Georgia (both pictured in March)

Amid reports that the couple had split, Anton took a trip to Italy with his mother Sherie Ann Danyluk (pictured)

Anton captioned the snaps: 'When things appear to be falling over, step back and see the beauty in it - Excited for my first trip to Italy with @typicallyholidays' followed by Italy's country code.

It comes after Anton seemingly made a dig at Georgia after news of their split came to light on Friday.

According to insiders, distance was a major factor in the breakdown of their relationship.

Following this, Anton shared a cryptic quote on Instagram which read: 'If someone truly loves you distance is not a problem. It's just the power of making love grow each day.'

Georgia resides in Essex, while Anton lives and runs his own business in Scotland.

A source told The Sun the two could not make it work and eventually their romance became 'too much to manage'.

The source said: 'Georgia and Anton have split. They really tried hard to make the relationship work but ultimately the distance proved too much to manage.'

The source added: 'Anton and Georgia are sad they couldn't make things work, but they broke up on good terms and will definitely stay friends.'

MailOnline has contacted Georgia's and Anton's representatives for comment.

Scottish fitness expert Anton larked about in front of the famous monument, examining his muscles at every opportunity

He attempted the signature tourist pose of appearing to push the tower over, but stood on the wrong side and looked instead like he was trying to stop the building toppling onto him

Anton captioned the snaps: 'When things appear to be falling over, step back and see the beauty in it' - seemingly referencing his split from Georgia

It comes after Anton made a dig at Georgia after their split became known on Friday. According to insiders, distance was a major factor in the breakdown of their relationship

The split news comes as no surprise to many fans who have watched in bewilderment as Anton got closer and closer with fellow All Stars alum Hannah Elizabeth.

Anton and his 'wifey' have made several cosy appearances together, including a three-way date with Sherie.

It's a stark contrast from Sherie's relationship with Georgia, whom she readily admitted did her 'nut in'.

Though Georgia and Anton finished in a respectable fifth place during the Love Island All Stars final in February, viewers were left questioning whether they were genuine.

The pair had a number of ups and downs in the South African villa, which caused fans to think Georgia would 'dump him' soon after leaving.

Georgia confidently responded to a negative comment on social media which predicted an early end to the relationship.

The comment read: 'I have milk that has a longer shelf life than this relationship' and Georgia hit back with: 'I heard everlasting milk was back in fashion.'

Unfortunately, this proved to be overambitious.
Rose Byrne looked completely unrecognisable on Monday as she filmed her latest movie Tow.

The Australian actress, 44, transformed into a blonde beauty, swapping her dark locks for a bleached wig on the set of the flick in Cranford, New Jersey.

She had her locks styled in a 50s-style beehive, secured with a pink bandana and flower.

She continued the retro theme in her costume, wearing a worn out black leather jacket, pair of baggy jeans and a jumper.

Rose was spotted filming scenes alongside her co-star Dominic Sessa who donned a pair of grey slacks and a navy sweater for his character.

Rose Byrne looked completely unrecognisable on Monday as she filmed her latest movie Tow

Throughout the day, Rose helped the young breakout star out by going over lines in the script.

Tow is a feature film being created by Stephanie Laing, and is based on the true story of Amanda Ogle (Rose) who 'fought her way out of tow-company hell'.

The Australian actress, 44, transformed into a blonde beauty, swapping her dark locks for a bleached wig on the set of the flick in Cranford, New Jersey

She had her locks styled in a 50s-style beehive, secured with a pink bandana and flower

She continued the retro theme in her costume, wearing a worn out black leather jacket, pair of baggy jeans and a jumper

The Seattle woman was slapped with a towing bill for $21,634 and had to struggle to reclaim her life and the car which held it all together.

Amanda will work on the film as an executive producer, with the clip also starring pop idol Demi Lovato.

The original screen play of the movie was written by Jonathan Keasey, Brant Boivin and Annie Weisman, the latter of whom worked with Rose on her series Physical.

Rose was spotted filming scenes alongside her co-star Dominic Sessa who donned a pair of grey slacks and a navy sweater for his character

The actor appeared very passionate as she delivered her lines

Throughout the day, Rose appeared eager to help the young breakout star as she was spotted helping him tie his shoes

Rose was also seen going over lines with her co-star between takes

Tow is a feature film being created by Stephanie Laing, and is based on the true story of Amanda Ogle (Rose) who 'fought her way out of tow-company hell'

Rose and Stephanie also worked together on the Apple TV+ series Physical which concluded its third and final season last year

Stephanie also worked with Annie and Rose on the Apple TV+ show which came to an end after three seasons last year.

Rose was executive producer on the show, and played the lead role of housewife Sheila Rubin who transformed her life after becoming an aerobics instructor.

'We are so grateful to Apple, Tomorrow Studios, and all our creative collaborators for the chance to bring Sheila to life in all her gritty glory,' Rose told Deadline.

'With this final season, Sheila's three act saga of rebellion, recovery, and redemption comes to the satisfying conclusion that she and her fans so richly deserve.'
Radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands has joined growing calls for security guards to be armed in Australia following two stabbing incidents that have rocked Sydney.

Six people were killed by Queensland man Joel Cauchi, 40, before he was shot dead by a female police officer during a terrifying rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon.

Among the victims was Faraz Tahir, a security guard at the shopping centre, while another guard was injured during the rampage.

Cauchi's estranged family said he had battled mental health issues for decades.

Two days later, a 16-year-old boy was detained after stabbing a bishop and a second clergyman with a knife during a sermon at a church in Sydney.

Radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands has joined growing calls for security guards to be armed in Australia following two stabbing incidents that have rocked Sydney

Sandilands, whose wife Tegan's aunt was stabbed during the Westfield attack, unleashed on the government during a rant on Tuesday's Kyle and Jackie O Show, asking why security guards don't have the necessary weapons to protect civilians.

'I saw the [NSW] premier [Chris Minns] last night on TV saying firearms for security guards are not on the agenda. And I was like, "Well, what has to happen before a security guard can actually secure the place for us?"' Sandilands raged.

'Every shopping centre and every school should have armed security guards, trained specialists, not just some guy getting a little firearms licence. I mean, proper trained.'

Six people were killed by Queensland man Joel Cauchi, 40, before he was shot dead by a female police officer during a terrifying rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday

Two days later, a 16-year-old boy was detained after stabbing a bishop and a second clergyman with a knife during a sermon at a church in Sydney

Most retail security staff in NSW are unarmed, with batons classified as prohibited weapons that require special licensing and training.

'There's people that work at Westfield, for example, women that work in shops that have told their husbands, "I ain't never going back to Westfield. I'm never going back to work again",' Sandilands continued, adding that those retail workers are 'traumatised forever' following Saturday's stabbings.

He went on to express his hardline opinion on how Australia should deal with violent, mentally ill people who pose a threat to society.

'I saw the premier last night on TV saying firearms for security guards are not on the agenda. And I was like: "Well, what has to happen before a security guard can actually secure the place for us?"' Sandilands raged

'Enough of being kind letting the loons run around amongst us. Let's gather them up, let's lock them away, get them the treatment,' he added.

Sandilands' co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson pointed out that it may be too difficult to identify such people, asking: 'How do you know who's who, though?'

'You can tell!' Sandilands exclaimed, adding: 'Look around - half of the people on the train are deranged!'

Faraz Tahir, aged 30, (pictured) tragically lost his life while serving the public as a security guard during the Westfield attack. He was a refugee from Pakistan

Sandilands' opinions have been echoed by fellow veteran broadcaster Ray Hadley, who on Monday demanded on his 2GB Sydney radio show that security guards be armed across the state.

'For years I've been arguing that all security guards in the state in hospitals and shopping centres should be better equipped,' he said.

'Particularly in hospitals, the madness of a weekend, drug-affected people wanting to attack doctors and nurses.'

'And these poor security guards, unarmed, unable to do what they should do - protecting the people that they are there to protect.'

'At the very least, they need capsicum spray and even tasers after being fully trained in their use.

He demanded NSW Premier Chris Minns take urgent action now after the premier announced an independent coronial inquest into the Bondi Junction stabbings.

'I heard Minns say we will wait until the coronial inquiry. Minns, you don't need a brand new inquiry. You need to make sure the security guards can keep people safe in some way,' Hadley told listeners.

'You must act immediately on unarmed security guards in these areas like shopping centres and hospitals. We don't need an inquiry.'

Mass killings are rare in the country of about 27 million people, which has some of the world's toughest gun and knife laws.
Zara McDermott looked typically chic as she supported her boyfriend Sam Thompson and pal Pete Wicks at their live Staying Relevant show on Monday.

The Strictly star, 27, led stars as she stunned posing outside the London Palladium ahead of the star-studded event.

The doting girlfriend opted for a simple but stylish black sleeveless jumpsuit with white details on the sides and a bow belt, while keeping it cosy with trainers.

Zara looked glowing as she flashed a grin for the camera, keeping jewellery at minimum but rocking a pair of gorgeous cherry pendant earrings.

The TV personality led stars, as other famous faces included Katie Piper, who exuded class in a smart baby blue co-ord.

Zara McDermott looked typically chic as she supported her boyfriend Sam Thompson and pal Pete Wicks at their live Staying Relevant show on Monday

The doting girlfriend opted for a simple but stylish black sleeveless jumpsuit with white details on the sides and a bow belt, while keeping it cosy with trainers

The Loose Women panelist, 40, donned a sleeveless vest and wide-leg trousers, finishing off with a pair of mule strappy heels.

Katie grinned from ear to ear as she stopped outside the theatre for a few shots, accessorising with a chic white watch.

Meanwhile Vicky Pattison looked in her highest spirits as she attended alongside her fiance Ercan Ramadan.

The This Morning star, 36, flaunted her toned figure in a short-sleeve denim jumpsuit, while carrying the essentials in a brown camel shoulder bag.

The Geordie Shore alum was in attendance to support her dear pal Pete, 36, as the duo also appeared on a brand new Channel 4 show called The Underdog: Josh Must Win.

British activist Lauren Mahon, 38, opted for a baby pink cardigan and matching flared trousers, while sporting a black crop top underneath - and finishing off with a leather jacket.

Elsewhere, Anna Williamson and Luisa Zissman looked put on a happy display as they both opted for smart ensembles.

TV host Anna, 42, donned a white buttoned maxi dress teamed with a brown belt and black knee boots, while wrapping up in a dove coat.

Katie Piper exuded class in a smart baby blue co-ord

The Loose Women panelist, 40, donned a sleeveless vest and wide-leg trousers

Meanwhile Vicky Pattison looked in her highest spirits as she attended alongside her fiance Ercan Ramadan

The This Morning star, 36, flaunted her toned figure in a short-sleeve denim jumpsuit, while carrying the essentials in a brown camel shoulder bag

The Geordie Shore alum was in attendance to support her dear pal Pete, 36, as the duo also appeared on a brand new Channel 4 show called The Underdog: Josh Must Win

British activist Lauren Mahon, 38, opted for a baby pink cardigan and matching flared trousers, while sporting a black crop top underneath - and finishing off with a leather jacket

Elsewhere, Luisa Zissman and Anna Williamson looked put on a happy display as they both opted for smart ensembles

Entrepreneur and Celebrity Big Brother star Luisa, 36, showcased her toned legs as she donned a grey checked mini skirt and matching blazer

Bestfriend duo Pete and I'm A Celebrity winner Sam, 31, are set to mesmerise London's crowd with a live show of their chart-topping podcast Staying Relevant

Speaking about adding more dates to the tour, Pete told MailOnline in December: 'The reaction weve had to the tour already has been mind blowing. 'Me and Sam have got such big things planned for this, although I need to constantly reign him in on his crazy ideas. We think the fans are going to love what weve got in store though!'

Entrepreneur and Celebrity Big Brother star Luisa, 36, showcased her toned legs as she donned a grey checked mini skirt and matching blazer.

She added glossy tights and a camel coat, while opting for black boots.

Bestfriend duo Pete and I'm A Celebrity winner Sam, 31, are set to mesmerise London's crowd with a live show of their chart-topping podcast Staying Relevant.

It will see hilarious pair touring across Manchester, Cardiff, Newcastle and Glasgow, Birmingham, Dublin, Plymouth.

The duo previously added new dates and cities to their tour, after it sold out within hours.

Tickets - which cost 27.50 plus booking fees - sold out within hours the first time around, a representative for Sam confirmed.

Speaking about adding more dates to the tour, Pete told MailOnline in December: 'The reaction weve had to the tour already has been mind blowing.

'Me and Sam have got such big things planned for this, although I need to constantly reign him in on his crazy ideas. We think the fans are going to love what weve got in store though!'

Sam, who was crowned King Of The Jungle during I'm A Celebrity 2023, added: 'As if I thought this year couldnt get any more crazy, weve only gone and added more tour dates after it sold out in under an hour.

'Two of my all-time favourite things are Pete and the podcast, so the fact we can road trip for even longer makes me so happy. Next well be going global!'

Staying Relevant was launched by Pete and Sam in 2022. It has celebrated over 5 million downloads and has hit (and held) the coveted No.#1 Comedy chart spot on numerous occasions last year.
Aussies have rushed to support the family of murdered mother Ashlee Good after the tragic Westfield Bondi Junction massacre over the weekend.

Osteopath Ms Good, 38, was among five women and one man who were fatally stabbed by knifeman Joel Cauchi at the busy shopping centre in Sydney's east on Saturday afternoon.

Ms Good and her nine-month-old baby daughter Harriet, who was also stabbed, were both rushed to hospital. Ms Good tragically died on Saturday night while her baby is in a serious but stable condition.

Thousands of Australians have now rallied together to raise almost $400,000 to support Ms Good's partner Dan and her baby daughter.

A GoFundMe page was set up by Ms Good's heartbroken loved ones to raise vital funds for baby Harriet, who remains in the CICU at Sydney Children's Hospital.

Kind-hearted Aussies have rushed to support the family of murdered mother Ashlee Good after the tragic Westfield Bondi Junction massacre over the weekend

As of 9am on Tuesday, $381,308 has already been raised on GoFundMe to support Ms Good's partner and baby daughter Harriet, who was also stabbed

As of 9am on Tuesday, $381,308 has already been raised for Ms Good's grieving family, with 250 donations so far been registered in the fundraiser's first 48 hours.

Two anonymous donations of $5,000 each were also listed as the top donations, as heartbroken members of the public shared their support in messages to the family.

One wrote: 'It's an honour to contribute to this beautiful young brave mum. May her family take some solace in the support they are receiving from strangers who have been moved by this senseless act.'

'I have a 16 month old and could never imagine someone so horrific. Sending all positivity towards your family,' another wrote.

'Dan, sending so much love and support to you and your little girl x;' 'Sending you lots of love,' another added.

'Sending love, strength and courage to Dan, Harriet and their family. We hope you have a fast recovery little one,' one more contributor wrote.

Ms Good, 38, was among the five women and one man who were fatally stabbed by knifeman Joel Cauchi at the busy shopping centre on Saturday (pictured: Retail workers from Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger lay flowers at the Bondi Junction memorial site on Monday)

The fundraiser was set up by Isagenix general manager Steve Foxwell, who worked with Ms Good over the years, and has been verified by her close friend and lawyer Rebekah Giles.

A description on the page describes Ms Good as a 'ray of sunshine' and said her grieving loved ones are 'united' in their 'devastation that her bright future was cut short'.

It read: 'This Go Fund Me page has been authorised by the family of Ashlee Good. It has been established to support Ash's little girl, Harriet, who remains in the CICU at Sydney Children's Hospital.

'Our hearts were broken beyond comprehension as we learned of the tragic loss of our beautiful friend, Ash, in the stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon.

'Ash was a ray of sunshine and positivity in every aspect of her life and died a hero saving her little girl from the most unspeakable evil.

Six people were stabbed to death at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday (pictured left-right, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Dawn Singleton, 25, Yixuan Cheng, 27, Ashlee Good, 38 and Faraz Tahir, 30)

'We have been overwhelmed by requests from loved ones and strangers wanting to support Dan and Harriet as they face life without their beloved Ash.

'Being a mother to baby Harriet and partner to Dan was Ash's whole life. Her love and commitment to them was evident to all who knew her.

We are united in our devastation that her bright future was cut short in this way. Her beautiful and warm spirit, drive and energy inspired us all.

'These funds are being collected for the benefit of Dan and Harriet to give them the freedom to go forward into the future without financial burden or worry. We know that no amount of money will ever substitute her presence in their lives and thank you for your generous donations to date.'

Ms Good thrust her injured baby into the arms of two strangers inside the Tommy Hilfiger store on Saturday afternoon, begging them to save her daughter's life. The two brothers used clothing to try and stop the baby's bleeding

Meanwhile Foxwell added: 'It is of course open to anyone who knew and loved Ash and of course, by members of the public who have been touched by her story.

'Isagenix will ensure that these funds are paid in whole to Dan. This page has been verified by Ash's close friend Rebekah Giles, lawyer, who has obtained the authority of the family for us to collect these funds.

'She can be contacted via the website of her law firm, Giles George for verification. We thank you for your patience as we have worked with the family in the past few days.'

Advertising heiress Dawn Singleton, 25, architect Jade Young, 47, artist Pikria Darchia, 55, security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, and student Yixuan Cheng, 27, were among other five shoppers killed in the Westfield Bondi Junction massacre.

Separately, a fundraiser in memory of Mr Tahir has already raised $32,672 while more than $70,000 has been raised for Ms Young's family - as of 9am on Tuesday.

Tommy Hilfiger staff had worked to save the baby and her mother's life by collecting clothes from around the store and helping to compress their wounds (pictured: Staff are seen laying tributes at the shopping centre)

A communal GoFundMe page called Westfield Bondi: How to Help details all of the fundraisers set up for the victims' families as Australians continue to donate in support.

Queensland man Joel Cauchi was shot dead by police officer Amy Scott after he stabbed six people to death and injured several others at Bondi Junction Westfield shortly at about 3.20pm on Saturday.

Ms Good thrust her injured baby into the arms of two strangers inside the Tommy Hilfiger store on Saturday afternoon, selflessly begging them to save her daughter's life, despite being critically wounded herself.

The manager of Calvin Klein told Daily Mail Australia how Tommy Hilfiger staff had worked to save the baby and her mother's life by collecting clothes from around the store and helping to compress their wounds.

Queensland man Joel Cauchi was shot dead by police officer Amy Scott after he stabbed six people to death and injured several others at Bondi Junction Westfield on Saturday (pictured: emergency vehicles on the scene)

Ms Good's family released a statement on Sunday.

They shared their grief and provided an update on baby Harriet, who remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

'Today we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all round outstanding human and so much more,' it read.

'We appreciate the well-wishes and thoughts of members of the Australian public who have expressed an outpouring of love for Ashlee and our baby girl.

'We are so grateful for the expert care and attention of the medical team at Sydney Childrens Hospital.

'We would also like to thank the New South Wales Police for their kindness and diligence in this tragedy and emergency services for getting our baby the care she needed as quickly as possible.

Hundreds of people fled the busy eastern Sydney shopping centre during the terrifying attack, with many shoppers uploading vision of the chaos inside to social media

'To the two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not - words cannot express our gratitude.'

Hundreds of people fled the busy eastern Sydney shopping centre during the terrifying attack, with many shoppers uploading vision of the chaos inside to social media.

Authorities have praised officer Scott who rushed into the dangerous situation and shot Cauchi dead, as well several shoppers who confronted him during the ordeal and temporarily slowed his progress.

A permanent memorial is being considered near the shopping centre, where floral tributes have been left in the days since.
Lego Masters Australia host Hamish Blake introduced an Aussie delicacy to the show's international teams on Monday night, and was left shocked by their reaction.

The popular presenter, 42, revealed he wanted to get the European team - who hail from Germany, France and Denmark - to try an Aussie sausage sizzle, so he prepared one for them on stage as they worked.

'The international teams were not familiar with the concept of a sausage sizzle. That needs to be fixed,' Hamish said.

Blake then drove onto set in a custom-built Lego cart and asked the team to take a short break while he introduced them to the true blue Australian meal.

'We wouldn't be the host nation that we are unless we showed you the correct way to combine sausage and bread, which is a sausage sizzle. Can I interest you in an Australian sausage?' he began.

Lego Masters Australia host Hamish Blake, 42, (pictured) introduced an Aussie delicacy to the international teams on Monday night - and was left shocked by their reaction

'This is as close to a national cuisine we have, a sausage in bread with sauce. Welcome to Australia.'

Although the team initially told Blake they enjoyed the meal, they later confessed they thought it was lacking compared to food from their home country.

'When you see the European hot dog, it's like a lot of stuff going on there  pickles, onions, nice bread. The Aussie hot dog is a little bit sad,' German contestant Felix admitted.

The popular presenter revealed he wanted to get the European team - who hail from Germany , France and Denmark - to try an Aussie sausage sizzle, so he prepared one for them on stage as they worked

Blake is known for having fun with the contestants on the set of the hit Channel Nine show.

On Sunday's episode, Blake invited Nova radio star Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli onto the show to prank the contestants with a hilarious gag.

The host and comedian walked out on stage dressed in a suit after Blake introduced him as a 'very special guest.'

Although the team initially told Blake they enjoyed the meal, they later confessed they thought it was lacking compared to food from their home country. 'When you see the European hot dog, it's like a lot of stuff going on there  pickles, onions, nice bread. The Aussie hot dog is a little bit sad,' German contestant Felix (left) admitted

Hamish joked that Australia's 'prime minister' was on the way out, only for Wippa to emerge.

The international teams were none the wiser.

'I was so surprised that we met the prime minister,' laughed Ida, who is a member of Team Denmark.

Hamish joked the real Prime Minister Anthony Albanese couldn't make an appearance.
Emily Ratajkowski and her 'beautiful baby' Sylvester Apollo Bear coordinated in T-shirts and underwear for a family photo shoot in her West Village apartment alongside her fur-baby Colombo.

The 32-year-old DNA Model held her three-year-old son, whom she described as 'loving, curious, funny, and kind' as well as 'the joy of my life' back on March 8.

Emily - who boasts 41.1M social media followers - added at the time: 'I feel so lucky to call myself Sly's mama. I can't wait to see what comes next.'

Meanwhile, Ratajkowski adopted the four-year-old Husky-German Shepherd mix in 2019, and she affectionately calls the canine companion her 'first born son.'

In the caption, the London-born SoCal native shared lyrics from 13-time Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt's 1971 song Thank You: 'Sittin' here thinking, baby, about you / I'm wonderin' how I ever got through my life without you / Days passed me by and left my life somewhere behind / Games I was trying left me old before my time.

Emily Ratajkowski and her 'beautiful baby' Sylvester Apollo Bear coordinated in T-shirts and underwear for a family photo shoot in her West Village apartment alongside her fur-baby Colombo

'You came into my life almost like you knew / The time was running out / I came running home with you / You taught me how to love you / Thank you baby, for giving me my life / I love you honey, you've given me my life.'

It's been two years since Emily ended her four-year marriage to Sly's father Sebastian Bear-McClard, who has since faced a slew of sexual misconduct and grooming allegations from actresses.

On March 19, Ratajkowski unveiled her two 'divorce rings' created by Alison Lou jewelry designer Alison Chemla by splitting her two-stone Toi et Moi engagement ring.

'The main reason that I'm sharing that I did this because I seen so many comments that associate divorce with failure and with shame. And both personally and politically, I fundamentally disagree with that,' the Kerastase paid partner said in an April 6th TikTok.

'I think historically, the shame around divorce is at least partly what has kept women in unfair, unhappy, and even sometimes abusive marriages. Finding the resources and strength to leave a relationship is often a very brave and remarkable act.

'I'm not trying to make the point that everyone needs to make a divorce ring or turn their wedding dress into a mini dress or whatever symbolic gesture for evolution. But I do think that single moms and women who are starting over for the first time in a terrifying way should find solace in the fact that they're not failures for leaving.'

Emily famously wed the 37-year-old Independent Spirit Award-nominated producer at a New York City courthouse in February 2018 - just two months after she ended her three-year, live-in relationship with music producer Jeff Magid.

Ratajkowski has since enjoyed 'situationships' with French comedian Stephane Bak, Grammy winner Harry Styles, DJ Orazio Rispo, comedian Eric Andre, SNL alum Pete Davidson, artist Jack Greer, and Oscar winner Brad Pitt.

The 32-year-old DNA Model held her three-year-old son, whom she described as 'loving, curious, funny, and kind' as well as 'the joy of my life' back on March 8

Emily - who boasts 41.1M social media followers - added at the time: 'I feel so lucky to call myself Sly's mama. I can't wait to see what comes next'

Meanwhile, Ratajkowski adopted the four-year-old Husky-German Shepherd mix in 2019, and she affectionately calls the canine companion her 'first born son'

In the caption, the London-born SoCal native shared lyrics from 13-time Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt's 1971 song Thank You

It's been two years since Emily ended her four-year marriage to Sly's father Sebastian Bear-McClard (R, pictured in 2022), who has since faced a slew of sexual misconduct and grooming allegations from actresses

On March 19, Ratajkowski unveiled her two 'divorce rings' created by Alison Lou jewelry designer Alison Chemla by splitting her two-stone Toi et Moi engagement ring

Emily later Instastoried a snap of herself on Monday laying out on a sun lounger while wearing a bikini in order to take advantage of New York's uncharacteristically warm 80F-degree spring weather

Ratajkowski will next portray Felix's (Will Sharpe, 2-L pictured December 11) ex-girlfriend Polly in Lena Dunham (2-R) and husband Luis Felber's (L) 10-episode London-set comedy series Too Much for Netflix

The 37-year-old Golden Globe winner (R) famously modeled for the Kerastase paid partner's eight-year-old bikini brand Inamorata back in 2018

The Travis Scott video vixen later Instastoried a snap of herself on Monday laying out on a sun lounger while wearing a bikini in order to take advantage of New York's uncharacteristically warm 80F-degree spring weather.

Emily will next portray Felix's (Will Sharpe) ex-girlfriend Polly in Lena Dunham and husband Luis Felber's 10-episode London-set comedy series Too Much for Netflix.

Richard E. Grant, Stephen Fry, Janicza Bravo, Andrew Rannells, Rhea Perlman, Rita Wilson, and Adele Exarchopoulos will also appear in Too Much.

The 37-year-old Golden Globe winner famously modeled for Emily's eight-year-old bikini brand Inamorata back in 2018.

Ratajkowski first found fame as a topless model in Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams' 2013 music video for Blurred Lines.
Laura Byrne was overcome with emotion on Monday as she discussed the Westfield Bondi Junction massacre.

The 37-year-old broke down on her Life Uncut podcast as she revealed the show's producer Keeshia was friends with Dr Ashlee Good, who died after she was stabbed at the shopping centre over the weekend.

'Producer Keeshia is friends with Ash, the mother who was murdered,' an emotional Laura said.

Keeshia continued: 'I'm sure a lot of you have read about Ashlee Good. We became friends a couple of years ago. One of my closest friends of over two decades is Ash's best friend.'

'Everything that is being reported about her is completely true. She was human sunshine. She was just the most positive, joy-filled, beautiful human being. Her proudest achievement was being a mum.'

Laura Byrne (pictured) was overcome with emotion on Monday as she discussed the Westfield Bondi Junction massacre

Police were called to the shopping precinct at 3.20pm on Saturday as Joel Cauchi, brandishing a large hunting knife, chased after men, women and children.

Footage posted online shows terrified shoppers running outside to escape or taking shelter in shops as a siren blasted through the centre, urging shoppers to evacuate.

Inspector Amy Scott was patrolling nearby and was first on the scene. She entered the shopping centre by herself and bravely ran towards the offender, before shooting Cauchi dead when he lunged towards her with the knife.

Five other people died at the scene, including first-time mother Dr Good, 38, who passed away in hospital on Saturday night after the attack.

Ms Good's nine-month-old daughter was also injured in the attack and is still in hospital after undergoing emergency surgery.

The 37-year-old broke down on her Life Uncut podcast as she revealed the show's producer Keeshia (pictured) was friends with Dr Ashlee Good who died after she was stabbed at the shopping centre

Ashlee Good (pictured), died at St Vincent's hospital on Saturday night after being stabbed in the rampage

Dawn Singleton, 25, the daughter of multimillionaire advertising guru John Singleton, was the second victim to be identified.

Double Bay architect and mother-of-two Jade Young was identified as the third victim of the attack on Sunday, followed by 30-year-old security guard Faraz Tahir and 55-year-old artist and designer Pikria Darchia.

Chinese national Yixuan Cheng was identified as the sixth fatality on Monday morning.

Twelve people were taken to hospital after the attack, with three still in a critical condition, eight stable and one discharged.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns lay flowers at the scene of Saturday's mass stabbing at Bondi Junction

Yixuan Cheng was fatally killed after Joel Cauchi fatally stabbed six people and injured at least 12 more in a violent rampage

Assistant Commissioner Cooke said there were also several other people who were injured in the attack who left Westfield and later presented to medical centres.

Cauchi has since been identified as a Queensland man who moved to Sydney in recent months.

He suffered from schizophrenia and had a transient lifestyle, with police treating the tragedy as a mental-health related incident.

Faraz Tahir, aged 30, tragically lost his life while serving the public as a security guard during this attack. He was a refugee from Pakistan

Dawn Singleton, the 25-year-old daughter of multi-millionaire businessman John Singleton, also lost her life

The shopping centre and surrounding streets remained closed on Monday, while police continue to scour the crime scene for forensic evidence.

Police have launched a critical incident team comprised of homicide detectives and set up Strike Force Mcauley to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The investigation will also be subject to an independent review.

Jade Young (pictured), from Bellevue Hill, died in the attack

Pikria Darchia (pictured), 55, who describes herself as an artist on LinkedIn and is understood to originally hail from Tbilisi in Georgia, was the fifth victim to be identified
Katie Piper cut a chic figure as she posed outside the London Palladium after watching Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks's Staying Relevant show on Monday.

The Loose Women panellist, 40, exuded glamour in a stylish pale blue co-ord as she enjoyed a night out to support the duo's sell-out show.

She flaunted her snatched frame in the sleeveless waistcoat and enhanced her long legs in the high-waisted tailored trousers.

Katie teamed her look with strappy high-heels and upped up the ante with a striking pink eye shadow.

Former Made In Chelsea star Sam and TOWIE icon Pete are currently on their podcast tour.

Katie Piper, 40, cut a chic figure as she posed outside the London Palladium after watching Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks 's Staying Relevant show on Monday

The Loose Women panellist exuded glamour in a stylish pale blue co-ord as she enjoyed a night out to support the duo's sell-out show

Staying Relevant hit the road earlier this month after Sam surprised Pete with a massive tour bus bearing the podcast's avatar logo.

Starting in Newcastle, the two pals will travel across the UK, delighting their fans with their latest titbits and dramas.

After Newcastle, they travelled to Glasgow before the dynamic duo took their top-rated podcast to London.

They are also set to go to Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Plymouth and Dublin.

After their first set of shows sold out in a matter of weeks, the hosts announced more shows spanning over the final weeks of April.

Pete has regularly discussed the stresses and excitement of taking the podcast to the live stage on the show.

He has kept his fans regularly updated with his important meetings, taxing decisions and lengthy business plans - which he documents all by hand in a notebook.

Staying Relevant was launched by Pete and Sam in 2022. It has recently celebrated over 5 million downloads and has hit (and held) the coveted No.#1 Comedy chart spot on numerous occasions.

She flaunted her snatched frame in the sleeveless waistcoat and enhanced her long legs in the high-waisted tailored trousers

Former Made In Chelsea star Sam and TOWIE icon Pete are currently on their podcast tour

Staying Relevant hit the road earlier this month after Sam surprised Pete with a massive tour bus bearing the podcast's avatar logo

The show has also been received well in person as crowds were seen singing along with Sam during the performances.

Ahead of the show, Sam told MailOnline: 'Pete and I have been talking about this for so long, it feels surreal that it's actually happening.

'Who gets to tour the country talking about life with their best mate? We're going to have so much fun.

'Spending every day with Pete on tour is a real bucket list moment. From the jungle and into the tour van!'

Katie's outing comes after she detailed her morning routine on Loose Women leaving her co-stars, Kaye Adams, 61, Coleen Nolan, 59, and Brenda Edwards, 55, in complete shock.

Last week, Katie said she wakes up early as she likes to exercise before work and her daughters Belle, 10, and Penelope, six, who she shares with husband Richard Sutton, don't like lying in.

She explained: 'I get up at 4am and I exercise before I go to work, me and my neighbour go running when we wake up, if you lay in I can't get to sleep the next night.'

Coleen was left shocked, she said: 'At 4am in the dark you go running!'

While most people dread the shrill ring of their morning alarms, Katie revealed last week on Loose Women that the start of the day can't come soon enough

The TV presenter detailed her bizarre morning routine leaving her co-stars Kaye Adams, 61, Coleen Nolan, 59, and Brenda Edwards , 55, in complete shock

She explained: 'I get up at 4am and I exercise before I go to work, me and my neighbour go running when we wake up'

The ITV panel were left in shocked by Katie's morning routine and poked fun at her, Kaye said: 'Well we need to go now it's time or Katie to go to bed. Night night Katie'

Katie continued: 'The latest I could lay in at this present time because my youngest is only six is max 8am because that is the latest she will sleep.

'Usual day if I'm coming into work at Loose Women, we have to be here by 8:30am and the journey for me is an hour and a half.

'So I would meet my friend at 5:45 to go running and then I would shower, change, sort the children's bits out and so on.'

The ITV panel were left in shocked by Katie's morning routine and poked fun that she would need to go to bed now the show was ending.

Kaye said: 'Well we need to go now it's time or Katie to go to bed. Night night Katie.'
Made In Chelsea: Sydney star Bella Cicero looked incredible as she was seen filming on Bondi Beach ahead of the reality TV series' Aussie spin-off show.

The model, 31, who splits her time between Bondi and Queensland, made her TV debut on the five-episode long Sydney special of hit reality series Made In Chelsea.

Along with other Aussie newbies, she rubbed shoulders with the likes of Olivia Bentley and Ruby Adler as the Made In Chelsea cast headed Down Under to set the scene for its upcoming Bondi spin-off show.

Bella has now been spotted filming on Bondi Beach, seemingly confirming she will be returning to the Aussie cast for Made In Bondi, which will see the Made In Chelsea concept get its own Aussie twist.

While shooting scenes, Bella showed off her incredible figure in a white two-piece as she lounged on the rocks.

Made In Chelsea : Sydney star Bella Cicero looked incredible as she was seen filming on Bondi Beach ahead of the reality TV series' Aussie spin-off show

The model, 31, who splits her time between Bondi and Queensland , made her TV debut on the five-episode long Sydney special of hit reality series Made In Chelsea

Bella has now been spotted filming on Bondi Beach, seemingly confirming she will be returning to the Aussie cast for Made In Bondi

She put on a busty display in the simple white bikini top, which she styled with a pair of high-waisted bottoms as she nailed beachwear chic.

Bella let her brunette locks cascade loosely across her shoulders as she strutted her stuff for the cameras while filming scenes on the iconic beachfront.

Though the cast has not been officially announced, it seems the Aussie cast of Made In Chelsea: Sydney will be returning for the Channel Seven spin-off, with viewers set to get an intimate insight into their glitzy lives living by the world famous beach.

Made In Bondi started filming scenes on the iconic beachfront last month, after news of the much-anticipated Made In Chelsea spin-off show was confirmed.

While shooting scenes, Bella showed off her incredible figure in a white two-piece as she lounged on the rocks

She put on a busty display in the simple white bikini top, which she styled with a pair of high-waisted bottoms as she nailed beachwear chic

Bella let her brunette locks cascade loosely across her shoulders as she strutted her stuff for the cameras while filming scenes on the iconic beachfront

She was seen strutting her stuff across the rocks on the famous beach as the camera crews followed her every move

Bella was seen leaning on a mystery male co-star as they looked at a computer together during filming

Bella swept a white shirt over her swimwear as she showed off her sense of style during filming

However, it was recently reported that she show has allegedly already dealt with some on-set issues as some of the cast have failed to show up on time for filming.

An insider told The Daily Telegraph: 'The cast members are taking no notice of what's expected of them and aren't taking the process seriously.

'They will be scheduled to turn up to a shoot and will go MIA.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.

As well as Bella, Sydney locals Mia Loehr, Tayla Cohen, JJ Van Der Vliet and Lachlan Mclean all appeared on the special Made in Chelsea: Sydney edition of the show, and are expected to return for the Bondi spin-off.

Bella accentuated her striking features with a bronzed make-up palette and a touch of blusher

She showed off her tanned figure in her swimwear look as she filmed scenes on the balmy beach

Bella was seen posing up a storm for the cameras on the beach as she put on a stunning display

Though the cast has not been officially announced, it seems the Aussie cast of Made In Chelsea: Sydney will be returning for the Channel Seven spin-off

Made In Bondi started filming scenes on the iconic beachfront last month, after news of the much-anticipated Made In Chelsea spin-off show was confirmed

Made in Bondi will follow the lives and loves of Sydney's party set who call the seaside location home

The five episodes saw the Made In Chelsea cast - including the likes of Olivia Bentley, Hugo Mackenzie-Wood and Sam Prince - jet Down Under to meet the Made In Bondi crew.

They filmed scenes with the Aussie newbies for the special edition of the show, which aired on Hayu in January, ahead of the Bondi spin-off coming to screens.

Made in Bondi will follow the lives and loves of Sydney's party set who call the seaside location home.

Viewers can expect a front-row seat to jaw-dropping parties, breathtaking fashion, sizzling romances, and plenty of drama.

Made In Chelsea stars including Olivia Bentley (pictured) recently jetted to Sydney for a special edition of the show, setting the scene for the Bondi spin-off show

Seven programming executive Angus Ross said of the new show: 'Set against the backdrop of some of Australia's most affluent and beautiful suburbs  and with an amazing cast of Sydney locals.

'Made in Bondi will be an addictive, glamorous and wild ride that will have viewers hooked from the first minute.'

Made In Chelsea, filmed in the affluent London borough, has been running for 26 series and follows a glitzy group of locals as they navigate their love lives and other challenges.

The wildly popular show has propelled a whole host of recognisable faces to huge fame, including the likes of Sam Thompson, Millie Mackintosh, Spencer Matthews, Binky Felstead and Jamie Laing.
Zara McDermott has spoken on the 'frightening' and 'eerie' night she spent with the police on the party island of Ibiza.

The former Love Island star, 27, shadowed Guardia Civil officers at Playa Den Bossa - an area famous for its nightclubs - for upcoming BBC documentary Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island.

As she stepped out amongst 30,000 partygoers, with just four police officers on patrol, Zara said she felt uneasy after learning about the criminal activity which happens in the area.

She and the officers rushed to the scene of a Rolex watch theft, where a man had the item worth thousands stolen.

Zara said, according to the Mirror: 'It was shocking when it happened. We got the call and we were there within a minute on the strip.

Zara McDermott has spoken on the 'frightening' and 'eerie' night she spent with the police on the party island of Ibiza

'I felt so sorry for this guy, he had been on his phone to his wife and a guy had taken the watch. He tried to run after him and fell over. He was quite shaken up.

'Standing on that exact spot where there had been gangs watching people and looking at their jewellery, it felt quite eerie, you never know who else is being targeted or watched.

'It was so eye-opening and having been to the island many times before I certainly now look over my shoulder a bit more.'

Zara said he thieves fly out to Ibiza with their girlfriends and spot people wearing expensive watches and jewellery.

She said many of them come from Italy, describing them as 'the Neapolitan Mafia', who check themselves into five-star hotels for two months while they carry out their crimes.

Once they get hold of the items, they put them on their girlfriend's wrist and send them abroad as quickly as possible.

The speed at which they are able to leave the island makes it difficult for the police to track them down.

Zara said the criminals can make an 'instant hit' of anything between 40,000 and 100,000 per item.

The former Love Island star, 27, shadowed Guardia Civil officers at Playa Den Bossa - an area famous for its nightclubs - for upcoming BBC documentary Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island (pictured at the series launch earlier this month)

She said she was also shown footage of someone who had their watch stolen while they were sitting in a car a petrol station.

Two men snatched the timepiece worth early 430,000 before speeding off on motorbikes.

Police were able to recover the watch in this instance but, with people travelling to the island and flaunting their wealth, Zara described Ibiza as 'a playground for organised crime'.

She said the most expensive item taken from someone was worth more than 850,000.

Firms charge 100,000 to throw a private party at a lavish villa, supplying exquisite food, the finest champagne, DJs and even trapeze artists. Nightclubs charge up to 30,000 for a VIP table.

It is claimed VIP clubbers rub shoulders with higher-ranking members of the crime gangs, who are at the venues to spot potential targets.

As she stepped out amongst 30,000 partygoers, with just four police officers on patrol, Zara said she felt uneasy after learning about the criminal activity which happens in the area

The television personality went on to say the elite are so cautious, they are now hiring private security operatives to keep themselves safe from the thieves who use sophisticated techniques.

Last month, newspaper Diario De Ibiza reported that 35 members of a violent international gang involved in stealing luxury watches in locations including Ibiza had been arrested.

The gang was from Naples in Italy but arrests were made across Europe.

Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island airs on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three from Sunday 21 April.
Jerry Bruckheimer spent his Tuesday hitting the red carpet at the premiere of his new film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

The 80-year-old mega-producer was all smiles as he hit the red carpet with his wife Linda at the premiere, held at AMC Lincoln Square in Manhattan.

The outing comes just weeks after Bruckheimer confirmed the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie will be a reboot.

Bruckheimer stepped out with a dark blue dress shirt with the top button unbuttoned and no tie.

The bearded producer also sported a black suit coat along with matching black pants and shoes to complete his look.

Jerry Bruckheimer spent his Tuesday hitting the red carpet at the premiere of his new film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

He also posed with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare stars Cary Elwes, Henry Zaga, Babs Olusanmokun, Eiza Gonzalez Rivera, Henry Golding, Hero Feinnes Tiffin and Henry Cavill.

The film is based on the 2014 Damien Lewis book Churchill's Secret Warriors: The Explosive True Story of the Special Forces Desperadoes of WWII.

The film tells a fictionalized version of the true WWII mission known as Operation Postmaster, which happened in 1942.

The story follows a group of British soldiers who recruit an exclusive team to attack German forces behind enemy lines.

The film also stars Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Rory Kinnear, Til Schweiger, Victor Oshin and Alessandro Babalola.

Guy Ritchie directs The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare from an adapted script he co-wrote with Arash Amel, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson.

Bruckheimer produces the film alongside Chad Oman and John Friedberg, with the film hitting theaters April 19.

The producer - who has 110 film and television credits to his name - also recently opened up about the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean reboot to ComicBook.com.

He also posed with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare stars Cary Elwes, Henry Zaga, Babs Olusanmokun, Eiza Gonzalez Rivera, Henry Golding, Hero Feinnes Tiffin and Henry Cavill

The producer - who has 110 film and television credits to his name - also recently opened up about the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean reboot to ComicBook.com

'But we're gonna reboot Pirates, so that is easier to put together because you don't have to wait for certain actors,' he said.

And although Margot Robbie was previously attached to a female-led reboot, she told Vanity Fair in 2022 that Disney wasn't moving forward with the project.

'We had an idea and we were developing it for a while, ages ago, to have more of a female-lednot totally female-led, but just a different kind of storywhich we thought would've been really cool, but I guess they dont want to do it,' said Robbie.

After the sixth installment changed creative hands multiple times since 2017's Dead Men Tell No Tales, writer Craig Mazin told the Los Angeles Times last August that he and co-writer Ted Elliot sold Disney their pitch for the upcoming movie.

'We pitched it and thought there's no way they're buying it, it's too weird,' said Mazin. 'And they did! And then he wrote a fantastic script and the strike happened and everyone's waiting around.'
The Project host Sarah Harris introduced a guest whose alleged rapist was acquitted of sexual assault as a 'rape survivor', just hours after Network Ten was slammed over Lisa Wilkinson's infamous Logies speech.

The guest was victims' advocate Saxon Mullins and her accused attacker, Luke Lazarus, was found not guilty seven years ago of having had sexual intercourse with her without consent.

Bruce Lehrmann's trial for raping Brittany Higgins was delayed for three months when Wilkinson praised the then-alleged victim's courage at the Logies before he had faced a jury.

His trial trial was ultimately aborted due to juror misconduct but Federal Court judge Michael Lee found on Monday afternoon Lehrmann had raped Ms Higgins.

Justice Lee also condemned Ten for 'grossly improper' conduct in relation to Wilkinson's Logies grandstanding, which he said she should have known was 'fraught with danger'.

He said Ten's senior litigation counsel Tasha Smithies should have been aware of potential legal issues when giving Wilkinson advice about the speech.

The Project led its episode on Monday evening with news of the Federal Court defamation judgement in which Justice Lee found against Lehrmann.

While Justice Lee ruled in favour of Ten, he was critical of Wilkinson's February 2021 interview with Ms Higgins on The Project, finding the program had failed to properly investigate inconsistencies in her version of events.

He criticised The Project for failing to question the motives of Ms Higgins's fiance David Sharaz for encouraging Ms Higgins to come forward, and for not doing enough to contact Lehrmann.

Lehrmann had claimed he was defamed by Ten and Wilkinson when Ms Higgins said in The Project interview she was raped in Parliament House in March 2019.

Ms Higgins did not name Lehrmann - who had not yet been charged with rape - but he said he could be identified by what was said.

The Project host Sarah Harris introduced a guest whose alleged attacker was acquitted of sexual assault as a 'rape survivor', just hours after Network Ten was slammed over Lisa Wilkinson's infamous Logies speech

On Monday night, The Project panel spoke to lawyer Justin Quill, who acted for Ten, and said the network had secured a 'big win'.

Host Sarah Harris then introduced Saxon Mullins from Rape and Sexual Assault Research and Advocacy (RASARA) to discuss Justice Lee's decision.

'Saxon Mullins is a rape survivor, and victims' advocate,' Harris said, without any explanation that Ms Mullins' accused rapist had been acquitted.

'It must have been particularly triggering for you - you had to go through that justice system after an assault - what was that like?' Harris said.

Ms Mullins was 18 when she accused 21-year-old Luke Lazarus, son of multimillionaire hotelier Andrew Lazarus, of raping her in an alley behind his father's Soho night club at Kings Cross in May 2013.

Mr Lazarus was found guilty 2015 of raping Ms Mullins and spent 11 months in jail but was granted a retrial and acquitted in 2017 by a NSW District Court judge sitting without a jury.

Sarah Harris described victims' advocate Saxon Mullins as a 'rape survivor' (above). Ms Mullins's accused rapist, Luke Lazarus, was cleared seven years ago of having had sexual intercourse with her without consent.

Judge Robyn Tupman found while Ms Saxon did not consent to anal intercourse, there was no evidence to find Lazarus knew she was not consenting, or was reckless.

'I have come to the determination that the Crown has not established that there were no reasonable grounds for believing the complainant was not consenting,' she said.

Ms Mullins remained anonymous throughout the legal process but allowed herself to be identified in a Four Corners episode titled I Am That Girl which aired in May, 2018.

Nine days after Ms Higgins told her story, Mr Lazarus rang 2GB's Ben Fordham to defend himself.

In that interview Mr Lazarus said he believed Ms Mullins had 'wanted to be there' when he had anal sex with the virgin, four minutes after meeting her.

There had never been any dispute that Mr Lazarus had sex with Ms Mullins; the only issue was whether or not she gave consent.

Ms Mullins, whose biography on the RASARA website refers to 'her 2013 sexual assault', said she asked Mr Lazarus to stop. He said she didn't.

Saxon Mullins was 18 when she accused Luke Lazarus, son of Soho night club owner Andrew Lazarus, of raping her in an alley behind the Kings Cross venue in May 2013. Mr Lazarus is pictured outside court in 2017

'It's been found [that] my belief she was consenting was a reasonable one,' Mr Lazarus told Fordham.

'I think this whole night's regrettable. At the end of the day I've been found innocent. [Accused persons acquitted of crimes are not 'found innocent'].

Network Ten did not respond to a request for comment. Daily Mail Australia attempted to contact Mr Lazarus at this workplace.

Ms Mullins appeared alongside Ms Higgins and Wilkinson at the March 4 Justice rally outside Parliament House in March 2021.

Wilkinson delivered her Logies speech in June 2022 when she accepted a statuette for Most Outstanding News Coverage or Public Affairs for the Higgins interview.

'Brittany Higgins was a political problem,' Wilkinson had said. 'And governments tend to like political problems to go away. But Brittany never did.

'And the truth is, this honour belongs to Brittany. It belongs to a 26-year-old woman's unwavering courage.

Mr Lazarus was found guilty 2015 of raping Ms Mullins and spent 11 months in prison but was granted a retrial and acquitted in 2017 by a NSW District Court judge sitting without a jury. Mr Lazarus and Ms Mullins are pictured in CCTV footage

'Thank you for helping to change the national conversation. And on behalf of all of the generations of women to come, thank you, Brittany, for never giving up.'

That speech came eight days before Lehrmann's rape trial in the ACT Supreme Court was set to commence.

Chief Justice Lucy McCallum delayed the hearing because what Wilkinson had said 'completely obliterated' the distinction between an allegation and a finding of guilt.

Justice Lee found Ten's conduct was 'grossly improper and unjustifiable' in encouraging Wilkinson to make the comments she did.

'[Wilkinson] only came to give the speech as a result of being badly let down by those to whom she turned for advice and counsel,' he said.

Justice Michael Lee also said as an experienced journalist Wilkinson should have known what she said at the Logies about Brittany Higgins was 'fraught with danger'. Wilkinson is pictured with her barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC

'I regret to say that the continuing lack of insight by Ms Smithies as to the inappropriateness of her conduct related to the speech reflects, in my view, a lack of proper appreciation of her professional obligations as a solicitor,' he said.

Justice Lee also said Wilkinson should have known as an experienced journalist what she said at the Logies was 'fraught with danger'.

Wilkinson had given the speech because she had become 'inextricably intertwined with Ms Higgins' and not because of pressure from Ten, he said.

Ms Mullins campaigned for changes to NSW rape legislation which resulted in laws requiring a person to do or say something to their partner to show they consent to sex.

She was the recipient of the Australian Human Rights Commission's 2018 Young Persons' Human Rights Medal.
Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac has received a star on Sydney's answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb has honoured a number of its celebrity visitors over the years by placing a star on the ground near the iconic monument.

Sam, who has climbed the bridge 15 times, received his own star on Monday and documented the incredible occasion in a segment on Sunrise.

In a video, Sam is seen holding his hands over his face in delight as two workers unveiled his star.

'This is like my version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame,' the weatherman gushed, crouching down to autograph the sticker.

Sam's star is surrounded by a host of other celebrities who have climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, including Hamish Blake, Village People, Courtney Act and Hollywood legend Matt Damon.

Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac scored star of fame at Sydney Harbour Bridge on Monday after climbing the monument for the 15th time

The news comes after Sam announced that he is expecting his second child with his fiancee Rebecca James.

Sam took to Instagram to confirm the jovial news with an adorable family photograph in February.

In the precious snap, he held up their ultrasound scan while stylist Rebecca, 35, showed off her blossoming baby bump as she lifted up her vest top.

'This is like my version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame,' the weatherman gushed, crouching down to autograph the sticker

The overjoyed couple were also joined by their daughter Margot, 16 months, who sweetly grinned as she put her hand on her mother's stomach.

He also announced the little one's due date as he confirmed their second child, whose gender they haven't yet revealed, is expected in August.

Their exciting news came just weeks after the couple confirmed that they were engaged in December.

At the time, Sam had shared the good news to Instagram alongside a photo of Rebecca flashing her diamond engagement ring.

Sam's star is surrounded by a host of other celebrities who have climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, including Hamish Blake , Village People, Courtney Act and Hollywood legend Matt Damon

Giving an insight into the proposal, the presenter wrote in the caption: 'Ladies and gentlemen, my fiance! She said yes.

'My secret 2023 New Year's resolution was to propose to my darling Rebecca sometime this year. So I guess this is what you'd call a buzzer beater.'

Announcing the joyous news at the time, Sam wrote: 'This is a love I never even knew existed. I'm overwhelmed and still processing it all right now. My girls. Wow.'

Sam recently announced that he is expecting his second child with his fiancee Rebecca James (right)
Australian women are swooning over a French hero who picked up a bollard and bravely faced off against the Westfield Bondi Junction knifeman on Saturday afternoon.

Damien Guerot was going to the gym with fellow Frenchman Silas Despreaux when they stumbled across the scene of carnage.

Mr Guerot picked up a retractable barrier and confronted killer Joel Cauchi, 40, as he advanced menacingly up an escalator.

Aussie woman are now roundly praising Mr Guerot, who has earned the nickname 'Bollard Man', for his heroic act.

'Nice to see one of the men had some guts,' one said while another added: 'Finally some REAL MEN.'

Australian women have praised French tradie Damien Guerot who picked up a bollard and faced the Westfield Bondi knifeman on Saturday afternoon

'Thank you sooo much beautiful man,' a third commented.

'Such an amazing man to risk his own life to try and save many more, which I believe he did because we just don't know how many more would have been hurt or killed if he'd freely gotten up that escalator to continue his rampage!' one wrote.

'Such a brave man risking his life by trying to stop him,' another agreed.

It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to grant him Australian citizenship after his heroic act.

Mr Guerot's visa expires in a month, and a petition was launched to grant him Australian citizenship after his heroic acts amid the Bondi Junction stabbing.

Mr Albanese was asked about Mr Guerot's visa on Tuesday morning.

Guerot picked up a retractable barrier and confronted killer Joel Cauchi, 40, as he advanced menacingly up an escalator

'I say this to Damien Guerot, who is dealing with his visa applications, that you are welcome here. You are welcome to stay for as long as you like.

'This is someone who we would welcome becoming an Australian citizen, although that would of course be a loss for France.

'We thank him for his extraordinary bravery. It says a lot about the nature of humanity.

'At a time when we are facing difficult issues that someone who is not a citizen of this country stood bravely at the top of those escalators and stopped this perpetrator from getting onto another floor and potentially inflicting further carnage on citizens.

Aussie woman are now praising Mr Guerot, who has earned the nickname 'Bollard Man', for his 'heroic' act on social media

'I think that on Saturday we saw some of the best of human character at the same time as we saw such devastating tragedy and I thank Damien for his extraordinary efforts.

Cauchi seemingly targeted women in the attack but authorities are yet to pinpoint a motive for the nation's worst massacre in recent years.

He was shot dead after killing Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Yixuan Cheng, 27 and 30-year-old Faraz Tahir, while Ashlee Good, 38, later died in hospital.

A baby girl critically injured in the carnage is showing signs of recovery.

Seven people, including the child, remained in hospital on Monday night.
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Danica McKellar showed off her ageless appearance while attending the star-studded Unsung Hero premiere at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday.

The actress, 49, thrilled in an off-shoulder black and white gown and looked like she hadn't aged a day since starring on her hit show The Wonder Years, which ran from 1988 to 1993.

Her flawless visage was accentuated with a hint of makeup, and she added height to her look with black peep-toe heels.

The star's raven tresses were parted in the middle and cascaded down in loose curls down her shoulder. She sparkled up her look with dangling silver earrings.

McKellar  who put her bikini body on display in sizzling snaps last year  played Gwendolyn 'Winnie' Cooper, the main love interest of Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage) on The Wonder Years.

Danica McKellar, 49, showed off her ageless appearance while attending the star-studded Unsung Hero premiere at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday

The actress thrilled in an off-shoulder black and white gown and looked like she hadn't aged a day since starring on her hit show The Wonder Years, which ran from 1988 to 1993

McKellar played Gwendolyn 'Winnie' Cooper, the main love interest of Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage) on The Wonder Years; seen with Savage in a throwback promotional photo

Candace Cameron Bure, 48, who stars in the film as Kay Albright, looked ethereal in a white dress with a lace trim. She completed her outfit with pointed-toe white heels.

Jen Lilley, 39, looked vibrant in an off-shoulder metallic gown with a frilly trim.

The blonde beauty added height to her look with a pair of black heels.

Kathie Lee Gifford, 70, donned a slouchy grey blouse and pants for the occasion.

She accessorized with a Gucci purse and matching Gucci open-toe heels.

Lady A's Hillary Scott, 38, had all eyes on her in a lively yellow gown with a green and pink floral print.

The dress featured a pleated bottom, and she completed her outfit with open-toe green and white platform heels.

Actress Rachel Hendrix, 38, donned a baby blue wrap around silk mini dress, paired with dark heels.

Candace Cameron Bure, 48, who stars in the film as Kay Albright, looked ethereal in a white dress with a lace trim. She completed her outfit with pointed-toe white heels

Jen Lilley, 39, looked vibrant in an off-shoulder metallic gown with a frilly trim

Kathie Lee Gifford, 70, donned a slouchy grey blouse and pants for the occasion

She accessorized with a Gucci purse and matching Gucci open-toe heels

Lady A's Hillary Scott, 38, had all eyes on her in a lively yellow gown with a green and pink floral print. Actress Rachel Hendrix, 38, donned a baby blue wrap around silk mini dress, paired with dark heels

American pastor and televangelist Joel Osteen, 61, was joined by his wife Victoria Osteen, 63. He looked sharp in a navy suit white she wowed in an off-shoulder black dress

Moriah Smallbone, 31, and husband Joel Smallbone, 39, made a stylish duo as they posed for the shutterbugs. Moriah looked angelic in a plunging floor-length white gown, while Joel rocked a grey velvet suit

Unsung Hero is a drama film based on a true story. It follows the Smallbone family, focusing on David Smallbone (played by Joel) and his wife Helen (played by Daisy Betts) as they relocate their seven kids from Australia to America

American pastor and televangelist Joel Osteen, 61, was joined by his wife Victoria Osteen, 63. He looked sharp in a navy suit white she wowed in an off-shoulder black dress.

Moriah Smallbone, 31, and husband Joel Smallbone, 39, made a stylish duo as they posed for the shutterbugs. Moriah looked angelic in a plunging floor-length white gown, while Joel rocked a grey velvet suit.

Unsung Hero is a drama film based on a true story. It follows the Smallbone family, focusing on David Smallbone (played by Joel) and his wife Helen (played by Daisy Betts).

Following the collapse of their successful music company in Australia, they take their seven kids and move to America to start a new life.

The movie showcases Helen's faith as she helps the family navigate through a number of struggles.

The film is set to premiere in theaters on April 26.
Miranda Kerr has revealed the one worry she had ahead of welcoming her fourth child.

The supermodel, 40, gave birth to her fourth son Pierre in February and has now given an insight into her first six weeks since welcoming the little one.

The Australian supermodel, 40, also shares sons Hart, five, and Myles, four, with her husband Evan Spiegel, while she also has a son Flynn, 12, with her ex-husband Orlando Bloom.

Speaking about her and Evan's new arrival, Miranda admitted she was worried about how her three young sons would react to another new baby in the family.

However, she gushed over her 'angel' Pierre and admitted that her three sons are all just as 'obsessed' with the little one as she is.

Miranda Kerr has revealed the one worry she had ahead of welcoming her fourth child, admitting she was concerned how her other three sons would react to a new baby

'He's such an angel, I'm so obsessed, our whole family is obsessed,' she told KIIS FM's Kyle & Jackie O show on Tuesday.

'His brothers - I was worried because, you know, a new little ones coming into this world and they just adore him.

'He is just so sweet and the connection that, you know, they all have with him is just adorable.'

Miranda also discussed being a mother to four sons and admitted she is unlikely to have any more children, saying her family feels 'complete'.

She told how she would never completely rule out having another child because her husband Evan has always wanted a daughter, but shared her joy over her family.

The supermodel (pictured while pregnant), 40, gave birth to her fourth son Pierre in February and has given an insight into her first six weeks since welcoming the little one

In February, Miranda took to social media to announce that she had welcomed a son Pierre with her Snapchat CEO husband Evan with a sweet post of her baby blanket

'I know that Evan has always wanted a girl, so I would never say never, but at the same time, we are super happy with our four boys like me, especially to the family,' she said.

'It just, it honestly to me feels like our family is complete.'

In February, Miranda took to social media to announce that she had welcomed a son Pierre with her Snapchat CEO husband Evan.

The Kora Organics founder gave birth to their third son together on February 18 and gushed over their new arrival in a sweet post.

'We are overjoyed by the arrival of our little ray of sunshine, Pierre Kerr Spiegel,' she shared in a statement posted to Snapchat.

Miranda and Snapchat CEO Evan first started dating back in 2015 before tying the knot two years later in May 2017 in an intimate backyard ceremony. They have three sons together

'We couldnt be more excited to welcome our fourth son into our family. Feeling so very blessed.'

Alongside the heartwarming announcement, Miranda shared a sweet image of a blue blanket embroidered with her newborn son's name, as well as an adorable pair of yellow knit baby booties and a bouquet of flowers.

Miranda and Evan's choice of name for their newborn son may be a touching tribute to the model's beloved grandfather, Peter, who passed away in February 2021 after a battle with cancer.

Miranda and Evan first started dating back in 2015 before tying the knot two years later in May 2017 in an intimate backyard ceremony.
Kourtney Kardashian Barker broke her silence on the death of her Aunt Karen Houghton on Monday - nearly a month after her passing at age 65.

The 45-year-old reality star - who rarely posts about extended family members - Instastoried a toddler-aged snap of herself circa 1980 resting in the arms of 'Auntie Karen' along with heart and angel wing emojis.

The part-time nurse - who suffered from Type 2 diabetes and bipolar disorder - died on March 18 in San Marcos, CA from 'cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac arrhythmia,' according to TMZ.

It was the same day Kourtney attended the Target launch of the sugar-filled vitamin and botanical supplement company, Lemme, she co-founded in 2022 with publicist Simon Huck.

On March 21, Kardashian's younger sister Kim shared a couple more snaps of them spending quality time with Karen as children and teenagers.

Kourtney Kardashian Barker broke her silence on the death of her Aunt Karen Houghton on Monday - nearly a month after her passing at age 65 (pictured in the nineties)

The 45-year-old reality star - who rarely posts about extended family members - Instastoried a toddler-aged snap of herself circa 1980 resting in the arms of 'Auntie Karen' along with heart and angel wing emojis

The 43-year-old SKIMS co-founder captioned her Instagram tribute slideshow to Houghton: 'I love you so much Auntie Karen.'

The former PSA stewardess - who's the younger sister of their momager Kris Jenner - called The Kardashians producer-star 'beautiful Kourtney' in a Facebook post from 2015.

Speaking of which, the 68-year-old matriarch called Karen 'beautiful inside and out' and 'the sweetest, kindest, most sensitive, vulnerable, and so so fun.'

'She holds such a huge part of my heart and I cherish every single memory we have together,' Kris wrote in her Instagram tribute on March 19.

'Karen's passing is a reminder that life is so short and precious and tomorrow is never promised. We must tell those we cherish how much we love them. I love you my beautiful sister.'

Jenner - who hadn't been pictured with Houghton since Christmas 2019 - wrote that her 'heart aches' for her mother MJ and niece Natalie Zettel, whom Karen welcomed in 1997 during her marriage to ex-husband Mark Zettel.

And while Houghton had been known to call the wealthy grandmother-of-14 'a nutcase' who should've bought their ailing mother 'a condo in La Jolla' - she underwent a five-hour face lift in 2016 in order to look more like her.

Kardashian and her famous family will next executive produce and star in the 10-episode fifth season of The Kardashians, which premieres May 23 on Hulu.

The part-time nurse - who suffered from Type 2 diabetes and bipolar disorder - died on March 18 in San Marcos, CA from 'cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac arrhythmia' (pictured February 1)

It was the same day Kourtney attended the Target launch of the sugar-filled vitamin and botanical supplement company, Lemme, she co-founded in 2022 with publicist Simon Huck

On March 21, Kardashian's younger sister Kim shared a couple more snaps of them spending quality time with Karen as children and teenagers

The 43-year-old SKIMS co-founder captioned her Instagram tribute slideshow to Houghton: 'I love you so much Auntie Karen'

The former PSA stewardess - who's the younger sister of their momager Kris Jenner (L, pictured in the seventies) - called The Kardashians producer-star 'beautiful Kourtney' in a Facebook post from 2015

Speaking of which, the 68-year-old matriarch called Karen 'beautiful inside and out' and 'the sweetest, kindest, most sensitive, vulnerable, and so so fun'

Kris wrote in her Instagram tribute on March 19: 'She holds such a huge part of my heart and I cherish every single memory we have together. Karen's passing is a reminder that life is so short and precious and tomorrow is never promised. We must tell those we cherish how much we love them. I love you my beautiful sister'

Jenner - who hadn't been pictured with Houghton since Christmas 2019 - wrote that her 'heart aches' for her mother MJ (M, pictured May 14) and niece Natalie Zettel (L), whom Karen welcomed in 1997 during her marriage to ex-husband Mark Zettel

And while Houghton had been known to call the wealthy grandmother-of-14 'a nutcase' who should've bought their ailing mother 'a condo in La Jolla' - she underwent a five-hour face lift in 2016 in order to look more like her

Kardashian and her famous family will next executive produce and star in the 10-episode fifth season of The Kardashians, which premieres May 23 on Hulu

As for the half-Armenian beauty's neighbor-turned-husband Travis Barker (M, pictured March 20), he doesn't resume Blink-182's 91-date 2023-2024 World Tour until August 23

On February 19, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians spin-off won reality show of the year at the People's Choice Awards after winning the best docu-reality series trophy at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards.

The half-Armenian beauty was technically the first member of her family to star in a reality show - The Simple Life-inspired eight-episode series Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive, which aired in 2005 on E!

As for Kourtney's neighbor-turned-husband Travis Barker, he doesn't resume Blink-182's 91-date 2023-2024 World Tour until August 23 with a concert at the Little John's Farm in Reading, England.

It should give Kardashian and the 48-year-old drummer an opportunity to bond with their five-month-old son Rocky Thirteen Barker, who's already spent a lot of time on private planes.

The married couple of 22 months - collectively known as 'Kravis' - are also parents of three older children each with their exes Scott Disick and Shanna Moakler.
As I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! races to toward its grand finale tipsters have shared their top picks on who will walk away as the winner.

According to Sportsbet odds, former Big Brother star Skye Wheatley will be crowned 'Queen of the Jungle'.

The 30-year-old former Big Brother star and social influencer is the clear favourite to win, with odds at just $1.91.

Meanwhile, Callum Hole, 24, could possibly become 'King of the Jungle'.

The personal trainer, who has emerged as a fan favourite this season, has odds of just $2.25 to win $100,000 for his favourite charity.

Former Big Brother star Skye Wheatley (R) and Love Island star Callum Hole (middle) are clear favourites to win I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

Former MasterChef star Khanh Ong is the next best bet to win the crown, with his odds sitting at $4.00.

Meanwhile, Brittany Hockley, 36, is a long shot with punters.

The radio host and podcaster's odds are a hefty $10.00 to win.

Former MasterChef star Khanh Ong is the next best bet to win the crown , with his odds sitting at $4.00

The rest of the cast all appear to be unpopular with punters, with odds on Ellie Cole sitting at $13.00, while a bet on Tristan McManus to come out on top at $15.00.

Stephen K Amos is the poorest bet at present, with the British comedian sitting at odds of $17.00 to win.

It comes after Frankie Muniz has revealed life-changing plans after his dramatic exit from I'm A Celebrity over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Brittany Hockley, 36, is a long shot with punters. The radio host and podcaster's odds are a hefty $10.00 to win

As he left the jungle-based reality show, the Malcolm in the Middle star, 38, announced he's considering moving to Australia permanently.

Speaking to news.com.au on Tuesday, Muniz said: 'I was already looking at real estate last night.'

'I was just checking it out. But I have more friends now that live in Sydney than in the States,' admitted the former child star, who currently lives in Arizona.

The winner will walk out of the jungle with $100,000 prize for their favourite charity

Frankie Muniz left his campmates shocked and tearful as he became the first celebrity to voluntarily leave I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia.

The Agent Cody Banks star departed the South African jungle in emotional scenes on Sunday night's episode, after admitting he felt guilt over his relationship with wife Paige Price and their three-year-old son, Mauz Mosley.

'My current situation with my wife and son is I'm guilty of not noticing what they do for me,' he told his campmates during the episode.

It comes after Frankie Muniz has revealed life-changing plans following his dramatic exit from I'm A Celebrity over the weekend.

'Hearing my wife say that my son is sad that I dont play trucks with him, I realise I've been home so many days, and when I'm home I'm not present. And I'm so ready to be present.'

The former child star, who is reportedly worth $40million finished his tearful speech with the show's tagline: 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here.'

His fellow celebrities including Brittany Hockley and Skye Wheatley were left stunned by the exit.

Both wept as the American actor embraced them before leaving for good.
Farmer Wants A Wife hunks Dustin Manwaring and Bert Harris have revealed the most challenging aspect of filming the popular Channel Seven reality series.

Dustin, 26, and Bert, 30, said it was difficult to keep all five of their potential matches happy as they eliminate them one-by-one to find the perfect partner.

'You try to keep everybody happy, you don't want anybody missing out. But people are going to as things are happening with someone but not the other,' Dustin told Yahoo!

'It is stressful, it was like, "Who do I talk to and who do I not?" It was awkward.'

Bert added that forming a genuine connection with one woman became difficult because he didn't want to offend his other matches by seeming disinterested in them.

Farmer Wants A Wife hunks Dustin Manwaring (pictured) and Bert Harris have revealed the most challenging aspect of filming the popular Channel Seven reality series

'You're trying to remember all the girls' names and then the other farmers. It's a lot going on, and then you're trying not to hurt anybody's feelings,' he said.

'When you are spending time in the house together, if it's just something like sitting next to each other on a couch, it's like, "Are we sitting too close?"

'You know, someone walks past and you catch eyes, and it might've just been something innocent, like you giving comfort over something and you're like, "Oh no, what have I done?". That creates drama.'

Farmers Dustin and Bert (pictured) said it was difficult to keep all five of their potential matches happy as they eliminate them one-by-one to find the perfect partner

Meanwhile, both men have both kept tight-lipped about which lucky lady they eventually ended up with.

The five farmers on this year's season of FWAW are given the challenging task of forming a relationship with just one woman out of five matches each.

'You're trying to remember all the girls' names and then the other farmers. It's a lot going on, and then you're trying not to hurt anybody's feelings,' Bert said

This ensures lots of drama, as unsuccessful dates are frequently eliminated from the show.

During Sunday's premiere, Samantha Armytage, introduced viewers to Farmers Tom, Bert, Joe, Dustin and Dean, who are all looking for love.
Patti Newton has documented the emotional moment she posed alongside a wax figure of her late husband Bert Newton, two years after his death.

The 79-year-old stopped by Madame Tussauds in Sydney with two of her grandchildren on Tuesday and shared a video of them posing with Bert's eerily lifelike figure.

'To see my darling Bert at Madame Tussauds Sydney was overwhelming and very emotional for us all,' she began her caption.

'He looked wonderful and we loved seeing him. Xx'.

Patti's fans were thrilled by the heartwarming display, with one commenting: 'This is the best !!! What a tribute to an amazing talented man'.

Patti Newton, 79, (left) posed alongside a wax figure of her late husband Bert Newton in an Instagram photo Tuesday as she visited Madam Tussauds in Sydney, two years after his death

'How awesome for you and your family Patti,' another wrote, as someone added: 'Wonderful! I can only imagine how overwhelmed you would be!'

It comes after the veteran thespian revealed the heartwarming memento she always takes on stage to remember her late husband, to whom she was married for 46 years before his death in 2021.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in January, Patti said she always wears a diamond-encrusted necklace in honour of her beloved husband.

'To see my darling Bert at Madame Tussauds Sydney was overwhelming and very emotional for us all. He looked wonderful and we loved seeing him,' she wrote in the caption. (Patti and Bert pictured in 2019)

'It's a bit of a secret, but [it says] Bert, and he travels everywhere with me,' she said, as she flashed the statement piece tucked into the collar of her dress.

'I love it. I feel as though he's with me. I have quite a few things that I have on me that belonged to Bert.

'He'll always be part of me,' she added.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in January, Patti said she always wears a diamond-encrusted necklace in honour of her beloved husband

Bert passed away in October 2021.

He had been receiving palliative care at a clinic in Melbourne at the time of his death.

Bert was hospitalised in March that year and underwent surgery on his leg in May after his toe became infected before Christmas.

Bert passed away in October 2021. He had been receiving palliative care at a clinic in Melbourne at the time of his death. (The couple are pictured in 1992)

The infection was 'linked to his diabetes' and was threatening his life, with doctors telling him the surgery was a 'life or death decision'.

Doctors told Bert that if he kept the leg then he would have just 'months to live' rather than years if he chose to amputate.

He is survived by children Matt and Lauren, and grandchildren Sam, Eva, Lola, Monty, Perla and Alby.
It's been more than six years since Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan broke up, and the former couple is about to begin a trial to determine the finances in their divorce.

Tatum, 43, and Dewan, 43, who are parents to daughter Everly, 10, are in a legal battle, with the prime focus being the distribution of money Tatum earns via the Magic Mike movie franchise, Dailymail.com was first to report April 12 after reviewing legal docs.

Tatum and Dewan had put one another's names on a 'preliminary witness list' for the trial, according to the court docs.

The main topics to be addressed will be how the former couple's property holdings are divided; claims of reimbursement; support amounts; a fiduciary duty breach; and legal fees, People reported, citing legal docs.

A rep for Dewan told the outlet that The Rookie actress 'wants to reach a final determination and close this chapter on her life as soon as possible.'

It's been more than six years since Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, both 43, broke up, and the couple is about to begin a trial to determine the finances in their divorce

Dewan 'is just looking for a fair resolution of community assets of the marriage under California State Law' after five years of working toward a settlement and attending multiple meetings on the topic, the rep said.

An insider close to Tatum said that Dewan's 'actions and claims continuously contradict themselves,' which is the reason that the court proceedings have 'dragged on' for years.

'She says she wants a fair settlement but is ignoring all post-separation work Channing and his partners have done to enhance Magic Mike,' the Tatum insider told the outlet. 'She keeps stalling negotiations, but says she wants to resolve this.'

The Tatum source said the Cullman, Alabama-born actor 'just wants to move on' in his life and encourages Dewan 'to move on with her new life as well,' in an effort to reach a swift settlement at this point.

A separate source told the outlet that the Hartford, Connecticut-born actress has 'clearly moved on' in her life and would 'like for all the doors to close and for her divorce to be finalized.'

The source added, 'She's not dragging this on because she wants to or because she's greedy.'

Since their split, both have found new romances - Tatum is engaged to actress Zoe Kravitz, 35, while Dewan has been engaged to actor Steve Kazee, 48, since 2020.

Dewan and Kazee are parents to son Callum, four, and announced in January they were expecting their second child.

The Cullman, Alabama-born actor 'just wants to move on' in his life in an effort to reach a swift settlement at this point. Pictured March 9 in LA

Dewan 'wants to reach a final determination and close this chapter on her life as soon as possible,' an insider close to the actress said

Dewan has been engaged to actor Steve Kazee, 48, since 2020. They are parents to son Callum, four, and announced in January they were expecting their second child

Dewan is aiming to having her finances with Tatum 'settled before she gets married again,' the source close to Dewan said.

The outlet noted that Tatum declines 'to accept an equal division of the Magic Mike intellectual property' based off the timeline of the split.

Dewan told the court that the film, its two sequels and other related projects had been 'developed and co-financed by Channing during [the] marriage with community effort and marital funds.'

Tatum 'collected 100 percent of the profits' from his Magic Mike endeavors following their 2018 split, Dewan's legal team said, adding that he didn't keep her informed about his business dealings involving the brand.

Tatum's legal team said that the actor 'has expended extensive efforts since separation towards the enhancement of the Magic Mike intellectual property and related entities, which [Tatum] contends give rise to his separate property interest therein.'

The Lost City actor has 'exhausted all efforts in an attempt to settle this matter without litigation,' his lawyers told the court.

Tatum and Dewan initially met working on the 2006 movie Step Up and got engaged in 2008, exchanging vows July 11, 2009 in Malibu, California.

Tatum and Dewan said in a joint statement on April 2, 2018 that they were breaking up, saying, 'We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together.

Tatum is engaged to actress Zoe Kravitz, 35. They were pictured last month in Hollywood, California

Tatum and Dewan were pictured at the debut of the show Magic Mike Live Las Vegas at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on April 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada

'Absolutely nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now.

The former pair said there were 'no secrets nor salacious events at the root' of their decision to part ways, as they just realized it was 'time to take some space and help each other live the most joyous, fulfilled lives as possible.'

They wrapped up in saying, 'We are still a family and will always be loving, dedicated parents to Everly.'
Riley Keough looked stunning as she lead the stars at the premiere of Under the Bridge in Los Angeles on Monday.

The 34-year-old actress put on a daring display in a sheer, black gown with just a tiny satin bralette and matching cheeky bottoms to the upcoming Hulu miniseries.

She donned black sandal heels with ankle straps to go with the flowing organza dress featuring Victorian-style sleeves and an A-line tea skirt.

She left her chocolate brown tresses down in soft and subtle waves and opted for a light makeup look featuring rosy pink blush and a mauve pink lip.

On the red carpet, the Daisy Jones & the Six star also posed for snaps with her co-star Lily Gladstone  with whom was seen alongside in the chilling trailer released late last month for the new true crime drama limited series.

Riley Keough, 34, looked stunning as she lead the stars at the premiere of Under the Bridge in Los Angeles on Monday

The actress put on a daring display in a sheer, black gown with just a tiny satin bralette and matching cheeky bottoms to the upcoming Hulu miniseries. She donned black sandal heels with ankle straps to go with the flowing organza dress featuring Victorian-style sleeves and an A-line tea skirt

Gladstone, 37, looked striking in a floor-length, silk jacket with puffy shoulders and a colorful, geometric pattern.

Underneath her incredible outerwear, the Killers of the Flower Moon star donned a chic, all-black ensemble featuring a classic button-down, figure-hugging trousers and pumps.

The Killers of the Flower Moon star also posed for a photo facing away to display the unique design of her statement piece.

At one point, she was also seen using her billowing outerwear to cover Keough as the granddaughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley seemingly adjusted her outfit.

The leading ladies were also seen posing for a sweep snap as they posed cheek-to-cheek and wrapped their arms around each other.

On the red carpet, their co-stars were also seen posing together. Isabella Gaspersz, 15, who is known professionally as Izzy G., was pretty in pink as she modeled a checkered tweed blazer with a matching miniskirt and pumps.

For her red carpet look, Sabrina Gennarino, 46, slipped into a tight-fitting, black gown with a skinny, sequined belt to highlight her hourglass figure.

The Sopranos star accessorized with a gunmetal cuff bracelet and a bold red lip to top it all off.

On the red carpet, the Daisy Jones & the Six star also posed for snaps with her co-star Lily Gladstone  with whom was seen alongside in the chilling trailer released late last month for the new true crime drama limited series

Gladstone, 37, looked striking in a floor-length, silk jacket with puffy shoulders and a colorful, geometric pattern. Underneath her incredible outerwear, she donned a chic, all-black ensemble featuring a classic button-down, figure-hugging trousers and pumps

The Killers of the Flower Moon star also posed for a photo facing away to display the unique design of her statement piece

At one point, she was also seen using her billowing outerwear to cover Keough as the granddaughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley seemingly adjusted her outfit

The leading ladies were also seen posing for a sweep snap as they posed cheek-to-cheek and wrapped their arms around each other

Izzy G. also posed for a snap alongside co-stars Chloe Guidry and Vritika Gupta, 14, on the red carpet

For the special occasion, Gupta wore a stunning, textured white gown with a strapless, sweetheart neckline and a voluminous skirt.

The rising star accessorized with dainty diamond jewelry and carried a cream clutch with intricate gold beading to complement her look.

Guidry put on a sultry display in a plunging, figure-hugging dress with matching pumps and styled her blonde tresses into a chic updo.

The Park actress opted out of any accessories besides a dazzling diamond bracelet for understated glamour.

Aiyana Goodfellow, who also stars in Under the Bridge, looked effortlessly stylish in a plunging, tight-fitting black midi dress with white, chunky platform sneakers.

The multidisciplinary artist accessorized with dainty earrings and a gold braided chain necklace.

Leading stars Keough and Gladstone later joined the rest of the cast for a group photo on the red carpet. From left to right, Ezra Faroque Khan stood beside Gupta, Goodfellow, Keough, Gladstone, Guidry, Izzy G. and Javon Walton.

On the red carpet, their co-stars were also seen posing together. Isabella Gaspersz, 15, who is known professionally as Izzy G., was pretty in pink as she modeled a checkered tweed blazer with a matching miniskirt and pumps. For her red carpet look, Sabrina Gennarino, 46, slipped into a tight-fitting, black gown with a skinny, sequined belt to highlight her hourglass figure

Izzy G. also posed for a snap alongside co-stars Chloe Guidry and Vritika Gupta, 14, on the red carpet

For the special occasion, Gupta wore a stunning, textured white gown with a strapless, sweetheart neckline and a voluminous skirt. Guidry put on a sultry display in a plunging, figure-hugging dress with matching pumps and styled her blonde tresses into a chic updo

Aiyana Goodfellow, who also stars in Under the Bridge, looked effortlessly stylish in a plunging, tight-fitting black midi dress with white, chunky platform sneakers. The multidisciplinary artist accessorized with dainty earrings and a gold braided chain necklace

Catherine Hardwicke, 68, put on a bold, colorful display in a bright purple blazer teamed with the matching trousers.

The filmmaker, who directed Under the Bridge and is best known for her work on Twilight, wore a patterned turtleneck with sunset colors and peacock feather images with her fun look.

She completed her look with gray platform shoes, a variety of resin rings and a Frida Kahlo necklace.

Naomi Grossman, 49, was also seen at the premiere in an eye-catching look with a colorful, striped maxi skirt as the focal point of her look.

The American Horror Story actress teamed the garb with a fitted, black turtleneck, crimson red hoop earrings and a metallic gold handbag.

Jai Rodriguez, 44, looked dashing in a powder pink blazer and matching dress pants on the red carpet.

Leading stars Keough and Gladstone later joined the rest of the cast for a group photo on the red carpet. From left to right, Ezra Faroque Khan stood beside Gupta, Goodfellow, Keough, Gladstone, Guidry, Izzy G. and Javon Walton

Catherine Hardwicke, 68, put on a bold, colorful display in a bright purple blazer teamed with the matching trousers. The filmmaker, who directed Under the Bridge and is best known for her work on Twilight, wore a patterned turtleneck with sunset colors and peacock feather images with her fun look

The actor also donned a classic button-down with a white pocket square.

The Queer Eye star sported chestnut brown, leather oxford shoes and a matching belt to complete his premiere look.

The upcoming miniseries, which is based on the same-name novel by the late novelist Rebecca Godfrey, follows the story of a grim true crime story based in Saanich, British Columbia, Canada in 1997.

The limited drama series' star-studded cast also includes Javon Walton, Ezra Faroque Khan, Archie Panjabi, Naika Toussaint, Matt Craven, Anoop Desai, Michael Buie and Dhirendra.

In the miniseries, Keough portrays the author, who is intrigued by the disappearance and gruesome death of 14-year-old Reena Virk (Gupta) and sets out to investigate  later revealing startling truths about the unlikely killer.

Inspired by the real-life events which occurred on November 14, 1997, she delves deep into the world of seven teenage girls and one boy accused of bullying, brutalizing and murdering Reena Virk.

Jai Rodriguez, 44, looked dashing in a powder pink blazer and matching dress pants on the red carpet. The actor also donned a classic button-down with a white pocket square. The Queer Eye star sported chestnut brown, leather oxford shoes and a matching belt to complete his premiere look

Naomi Grossman, 49, was also seen at the premiere in an eye-catching look with a colorful, striped maxi skirt as the focal point of her look. The American Horror Story actress teamed the garb with a fitted, black turtleneck, crimson red hoop earrings and a metallic gold handbag

Gladstone stars as Cam Bentland, who is one of the only women of color on the police force in Victoria, British Columbia and is used to disguising herself as 'one of the boys.'

She has a strong faith in the justice system despite witnessing firsthand how it does not serve people like herself, and over the course of the series, she is forced to question the status quo in her line of work as well as confront her own repression around her queer sexuality and identity.

In the biopic, Gupta portrays the young teenager, who goes out to join her friends at a party and never returns home.

The first episode of Under the Bridge will premiere on Hulu later on April 17.
The nepo baby discourse has reached fever point in recent years, with many turning on stars who have used their parent's name to get ahead in their own careers.

So it's somewhat refreshing to see this isn't the case for Jude Crook - the 21-year-old son of BAFTA-winning The Office and Pirates Of The Caribbean star Mackenzie Crook.

Many were shocked this week when Jude - named after the Thomas Hardy novel - made his red carpet debut at the UK premiere of Johnny Depp's Jeanne Du Barry, towering over his 5ft 9inch father.

Like his dad, Jude doesn't court the limelight, yet has been quietly working away behind the scenes on a career in the movie industry.

So dedicated is he to the cause that he - along with three friends and fellow London Film Academy graduates - launched production company Jacco Macacco Films in 2022 and has been creating and starring in small indie projects.

Jude Crook - the 21-year-old son of BAFTA-winning star Mackenzie Crook - has quietly launched a filmmaking career without hanging on his father's career coattails

Many were shocked this week when Jude made his red carpet debut at the UK premiere of Johnny Depp 's Jeanne Du Barry, towering over his 5ft 9inch father

Like his dad, Jude doesn't court the limelight, yet has been quietly working away behind the scenes (pictured with sister Scout and mum Lindsay in 2005)

More impressing, is that all this has been done away from the spotlight.

Jude's Instagram is private and has just 163 followers, while he has given no interviews mentioning his famous name.

While he's determined not to get ahead by hanging on his father's coattails, it's hardly surprising that Jude has pursued a career in acting, given his upbringing.

At just three weeks old he was flown out to St Vincent, where his father was filming Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl alongside the likes of Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley.

His childhood was spent toddling around movie sets as he and mother Lindsay Cook - Mackenzie's wife since 2001 - jetted to the Caribbean while the franchise was filming.

He learnt about the movie magic of prosthetics and special effects from a young age, with Mackenzie noting at the time: 'He knows everyone and he understands exactly what we are doing.

'He's watched the movies - he's only four, but he doesn't get freaked out by it at all because he's had lunch with all the pirates and the cannibals.'

Jude also quickly formed a bond with the film's lead Johnny Depp, with Mackenzie recalling: 'Jude was a toddler and he was on set with me. Then he just wanders off and knocks on Johnny Depp's trailer door.

'After 15 minutes I go off to find him and there he is sitting with Johnny watching TV. It was a lovely moment, but not surprising at all. Johnny is a really cool, relaxed sort of guy.

'What was funny was that Jude wasn't starstruck at all because for him he was off to see Captain Jack Sparrow not Johnny Depp.

'He had a stunt double who looked just like him and my son was just as happy being with either.'

At just three weeks old Jude was flown out to St Vincent, where his father was filming Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl alongside the likes of Johnny Depp

Jude's childhood was spent toddling around movie sets and meeting A-Listers (Mackenzie pictured with Johnny, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom)

Despite growing up around Hollywood A-listers and enjoying lavish trips to the Caribbean, Jude had a down to earth upbringing and spend his childhood outside exploring along with younger sister Scout - named after To Kill A Mockingbird.

A keen conservationist, Mackenzie owns an an eight-acre wood in Essex, full of hornbeam, oak and sweet chestnut, where Jude would spend weekends with him.

Mackenzie previously explained: 'The woodland is a retreat, to instill in my kids a love for the countryside.

'My son suddenly got into the idea of managing it, so we've started going regularly to do a bit of coppicing.'

The Detectorist star also passed on his 'niche and detailed' passions to Jude, who wanted tools to build things on his birthday rather than money and modern gadgets.

At age nine Jude landed his first movie by accident, a voice role in the 2012 BAFTA-nominated stop motion film, I Am Tom Moody.

Mackenzie had been cast in the short film, which told the story of a musician battling his inner child, when writer Ainslie Henderson suggested Jude work alongside him.

Ainslie confessed: 'When I went to record it with him [Mackenzie], I knew I still didn't have anyone to be the son and I kind of sheepishly suggested, because I felt bad asking Jude to do it, and I didn't know if he could do it, as I hadn't seen Jude in a few years.'

Thankfully, Jude had inherited his father's talents.

A keen conservationist, Mackenzie owns an an eight-acre wood in Essex, full of hornbeam, oak and sweet chestnut, where Jude would spend weekends with him (pictured 2004)

At age nine Jude landed his first movie by accident, a voice role in the 2012 BAFTA-nominated stop motion film, I Am Tom Moody alongside his father

Ainslie continued: 'We just decided to do it. Jude absolutely amazed me so natural. Innocent but intense.

'The voice recording bit was done in Mackenzie's spare room, because I didn't want to take Jude to a recording studio as I thought that make him uncomfortable.

'We just did it in the room in his house, and we made this little recording booth out of mattresses and duvets, like a den and we crawled inside with this one microphone and the two of them crowded around it and whispered into it.

'They recorded maybe three times, and each take was just lovely.'

Jude stumbling into the industry follows a vein similar to his father.

Mackenzie has confessed he had no desire to pursue a career in acting until the age of 15 when he was handed a flyer for a youth theatre and decided to check it out on a whim.

He previously said of the incident: 'That moment was defining  I went along and met friends I still have today. The seeds of my career were planted at that moment.'

Jude also clearly caught the acting bug with his voice work experience, yet put his head down and finished his school work before going on to study at London Film Academy, regarded as one of the best filmmaking schools in UK.

It was there he befriended Oscar Hewitt, Gus Herbert-Muller and Sara Beshiri - with the group going on to found Jacco Macacco Films in 2022.

The following year they released A Van Called Muriel, an independent film about four aspiring musicians on a chaotic road trip to their first-ever gig, with Jude co-writing and starring in the film.

In 2022 Jude's production company released A Van Called Muriel, an independent film about four aspiring musicians on a chaotic road trip to their first-ever gig, with Jude co-writing and starring in the film

Despite promoting the film on social media and in local interviews, Mackenzie's name or Jude's link to the star was not mentioned in order to garner press.

A second project is already in the pipeline, short comedy heist, Saving Penelope about friends on the hunt for a stolen Tamagotchi.

Jude does not feature in front of the camera for this project but is the sole writer and composer.

Mackenzie also has work in post-production as he has just finished filming for fantasy series The Wayfinders.

With a gap in his busy working schedule it remains to be seen if he will ever lend his star power to one of Jude's projects, and indeed, if his son would want him to.


Josie Gibson was seen holding hands with fellow TV star Stephen Mulhern outside the BBC studios in London in the latest speculation-fuelling moment regarding the This Morning presenter's love life.

The pair had been filming Saturday Night Takeaway with Ant and Dec before the brief show of affection.

Asked about their relationship, Josie told MailOnline: 'I'm in love with Stephen Mulhern. There you go. But story of my life, I don't think he loves me.'

So, who has Josie dated and is she single now?

Read more about Josie Gibson's romantic history below.

Josie Gibson was spotted holding hands with fellow TV star Stephen Mulhern at the weekend and she admitted to MailOnline 'I'm in love with Stephen'

Josie's first romance in the public eye came with her Big Brother co-star John James Parton (pictured in 2011) immediately after the show ended in 2010

But the pair broke up after a little under a year and John went on to star in Love Island Australia in 2018

John James Parton

Josie's career in the public eye was launched by a popular stint in the Big Brother house in 2010 which saw her win series 11 of the show, at the age of 25.

A big part of her journey on the then-Channel 4 show was hitting it off with housemate John James Parton.

The pair dated for just shy of a year after their release from the Big Brother house.

When they went their separate ways, Josie told the Daily Star: 'We spent every minute of the day with each other in the Big Brother house and moved in straight away after leaving the show.

'We didn't want to be apart. But the honeymoon period was over. We argued all the time. John wanted me to stop weeing with the toilet door open and I wanted him to stop moaning and to see things from my point of view.'

John went on to star in Love Island Australia in 2018, with Josie telling Daily Mail Australia: 'He doesn't want a girlfriend, he's just fame hungry. He's the most manipulative and calculated person I've ever met.

'I thought we were in love but all he would ever talk about were the magazine deals and photoshoots.'

Ex-fiance Luke Sanwo

Josie got engaged to plumber Luke Sanwo (pictured in 2014) but they broke up in 2015 having never got married

Shortly after splitting from John, Josie was in a new relationship with plumber Luke Sanwo, who she met at the SW4 music festival on London's Clapham Common.

In 2012, after just six months, Luke popped the question and the pair got engaged.

After a tumultuous few years involving a number of temporary break-ups, they finally decided to go their separate ways in April 2015.

Josie told new! Magazine at the time: 'Me and Luke have had a chat and we're going to take a break from our relationship.

'The passion is slowly drifting and now it's virtually non-existent. I feel like it's the right thing to do at the moment.'

In 2023, Luke recalled a heated spat just before the split where he claims Josie wielded a machete the pair used to cut meat at barbecues.

However, he told The Sun: 'I was shocked and amazed but I didn't feel in danger. I know she didn't intend me any harm.'

Ex-boyfriend Terry

She had her son, Reggie (pictured), with ex-boyfriend Terry - a property developer who she split from in 2019

Two years after the split from Luke, Josie got into a relationship with a property developer and family friend called Terry.

The couple had actually known each other for two decades before they got together and went on to welcome a son, Reggie, in September 2018.

But five months after Reggie was born, the pair split up.

In a previous interview with new! Magazine, Josie revealed that Terry had kicked her out on New Year's Eve in 2018 after an argument.

'He's got OCD and just after Christmas, he went mad about too many of my shoes being in the hallway,' she explained.

'So I kicked off and said, "Well, we'll go then!" And he went, "Alright", and bagged up our stuff. So Reggie and me headed to a hotel.'

However, the pair moved back in together at the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to co-parent during lockdown.

When restrictions were lifted, they went their separate ways once again.

Is Josie Gibson single?

Josie sparked rumours of a fresh romance in August 2023, with cameraman Sam Morter (seen with Josie) touted as her new flame, but Josie shut these down

While Josie shut down rumours of romance with Dancing On Ice host Stephen, she did hint at a new flame in August 2023.

On Shopping With Keith Lemon she revealed 'there is someone in my life at the moment but it's early stages', but has been tight-lipped on their identity.

Rumours circulated that the mystery man was cameraman Sam Morter, who has appeared with the TV star a number of times on her social media, but these murmurs were swiftly put to bed.

More speculation came in November when Josie shared a cosy snap with hairdresser Maurice Flynn, with the caption: 'One of the best meals I've ever had in my entire existence. If you ever get the chance @lavolondon in Marylebone London is the one.

'The company was delicious too!! What an amazing evening.. I felt like I was in heaven! @mauriceflynn @lavolondon Thank you.'

However, by the end of that year, in an episode of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! she revealed that she was single again.

'I've got to find a boyfriend after this,' Josie said in the Bush Telegraph as she spoke of her embarrassment at breaking wind in front of her campmates.
Fitness guru Tammy Hembrow has long denied rumours she underwent a Brazilian butt lift to achieve her famously toned derriere.

And the mother-of-three, 29, showed off her infamous backside as she stepped out in a pair of extremely tight leggings on Wednesday afternoon.

The mother-of-three ensured that all eyes were on her as she was pictured checking out her own book at a Gold Coast book store.

Hembrow's outfit was effortlessly chic, with tight leggings emphasising her famous posterior that has become almost as well-known as her brand.

Complementing her look was a cropped maroon Saski sweatshirt, a nod to her own athleisure line, which cut a striking contrast against her grey leggings.

Fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow turned heads as she stepped out in a pair of extremely tight leggings on Wednesday afternoon

The mother-of-three ensured that all eyes were on her as she was pictured checking out her own book at a Gold Coast book store

She completed the look with practical white sneakers, perfect for a woman on the go.

In a moment of endearing self-promotion, Hembrow was caught perusing her new book, Show up.

With her hair swept back in a relaxed 'do, she appeared every bit the epitome of a self-made success story.

Hembrow's outfit was effortlessly chic, wearing leggings hugged her figure like a second skin, emphasising her famous posterior that has become almost as well-known as her brand

In a moment of endearing self-promotion, Hembrow was caught perusing her new book, Show up

Last Monday, eagle-eyed fans noticed Tammy and Matt were no longer following each other on Instagram.

However, the pair quickly refollowed each other shortly after the surprise move.

Complementing her look was a cropped maroon Saski sweatshirt, a nod to her own athleisure line, which cut a striking contrast against her grey leggings

She completed the look with practical white sneakers, perfect for a woman on the go

They also enjoyed a getaway to Byron Bay together last week.

The chatter started after fans speculated why Matt had dropped off from Tammy's feed.

One anonymous fan sent a message to Instagram account Aussie Influencers Opinions questioning his absence, writing: 'Am I crazy or has Matt dropped off Tammy's socials for ages now?'

In response, the account theorised they are still involved and spending time together, but are not tagging each other and have decided to 'drop off' each other's socials.

'Both are spending time with each other but not being as obvious about it in posts and not tagging each other,' the page speculated.

It follows weeks of rumours there was trouble in paradise with Love Island star Matt, with many pointing out they have not featured in each other's posts for some time
An Australian comedian has banned anyone over the age of 85 from attending his stand-up shows after he was relentlessly heckled during a gig.

Blake Pavey, who is popular on TikTok, shared a video to the social media platform this week showing him being attacked repeatedly by an older man in the audience at a recent show.

The unhappy audience member quipped 'I wish you had some talent' and 'say something funny mate.'

Things only deteriorated further when the comedian shot back, 'How does the oldest c**t in here have the lowest IQ' adding, 'That s**t is so f***ing rude man.'

'I'm still waiting to laugh!' the gent called out as he finally exited from the venue, flipping the bird on his way out.

An Australian comedian has banned anyone over the age of 85 from attending his stand-up shows after he was relentlessly heckled during a gig. Blake Pavey (pictured), who is popular on TikTok, shared a video to the social media platform this week

Pavey responded with, 'An American being an entitled c**t. What a shocker. Sorry I'm trying to listen but we have a dementia patient in the room'.

'I wish you were funny mate!' the elderly man said with Pavey quickly responding 'I wish you weren't a c**t but we can't all have what we want.'

After sharing video of the unfortunate situation to TikTok, Pavey decided he was now going to issue an age limit at his gigs.

'Since this encounter I've set an age cap of 85 at my shows!' he explained in his TikTok caption.

'I'm still waiting to laugh!' the gent called out as he finally exited from the venue, flipping the bird on his way out

Pavey had lots of support in his TikTok comments with one person writing: 'I will never understand why people think it's a good idea to pick a verbal fight with people who are professionally funny and witty.'

Another said, 'Okay but he handled that so well I'm genuinely impressed' while one more wrote, 'Ate him up and left no crumbs well done.'

'God as an American I am SO sorry. Omfg you did handle that beautifully!' one more person wrote.
Coronation Street has shared new spoilers that confirm Toyah Battersby's tragic storyline, involving a stillbirth, will continue next week.

The cobbled street writers have penned a grim plot which saw Georgia Taylor's character have a secret baby after being raped in 2001.

Corrie will detail how the poor baby was stillborn and buried in The Red Rec after the traumatic sex attack by Phil Simmonds - played by Jack Deam.

After decades of keeping her secret quiet, Toyah confessed her tragedy to Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) after his son Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) lost Roy and Evelyn Plummer's dog, Freddie.

She joined the search party and headed to the park, where she encountered two sleuths digging up a rose bed.

Coronation Street has shared new spoilers that confirm Toyah Battersby's tragic storyline, involving a stillbirth, will continue next week

The cobbled street writers have penned a grim plot which saw Georgia Taylor's character have a secret baby after being raped in 2001

The diggers told Toyah they saw the dog digging in the same spot and believed it could be where missing Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) was buried.

Toyah lost her temper and became hysterical over the lack of respect before later revealing her traumatic experience and the name of her rapist to Nick after he witnessed the altercation.

The police were later called and Bobby Crawford (Jack Caroll) heard rumours that they found a body.

But the latest storyline has faced backlash, with one of the show's former stars branding it 'repulsive'.

Former soap star Vicky Entwistle, who played her mother Janice Battersby in the Noughties, blasted the show's producers and writers for meddling with the old plot.

Blasting the producers for meddling with the 20-year storyline, she took to X, formerly known as Twitter.

Reaching out to Bruce Jones, who played her ex-husband Les, she wrote: 'We tried to make our moments as real as they could possibly be, didn't we? I guess we failed.

'Who knew digging up dead babies would become the highlight of ITV's teatime slot.'

Corrie will detail how the poor baby was stillborn and buried in The Red Rec after the traumatic sex attack by Phil Simmonds - played by Jack Deam

After decades of keeping her buried secret quiet, Toyah confessed her tragedy to Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) after his son Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) lost Roy and Evelyn Plummer's dog, Freddie

And fans agreed with the actress, and they called the new tale 'repulsive', 'disgusting' and 'traumatic'.

One wrote: ' Such a ridiculous and unnecessary storyline ...'

'I really question who the writers of the show are nowadays! Doesn't sound like they lived a day on a working class street in Manc. They want it to be a crime drama or doctor's waiting room pamphlet self help guide with too many eps & not lettin people act but regurgitate lines!'

'This storyline is the worst I've ever heard. The writing team must think we're all stupid changing history like this. Corrie is in such a mess. Nobody at ITV will accept this unfortunately. Its so sad to see my favourite soap falling apart like this.'

'What is stupid about this as well. Is that Toyah went through ivf with Peter and when she was told she couldn't have children she didn't mention anything about it. It's stupid that they suddenly create these storylines when it happened not that long ago in the classic Corrie'

'Not liking this story - especially as those of us old enough remember that there was no way Toyah could be pregnant. Gruesome. Sad what's happening to Corrie , especially seeing the old reruns reminding you of how great it was. xx'

They have also begged the show's new boss, Kate Brooks, to re-think the decision.

But the nerving storyline has not sat right with the show's former stars, including Vicky Entwistle, who played her mum Janice Battersby in the Noughties

Blasting the producers for meddling with the 20-year storyline, she took to X, formerly known as Twitter

And fans agreed with thee actress and they called the new tale 'repulsive', 'disgusting' and 'traumatic'

An insider told The Sun: 'This is an incredibly dark and ambitious storyline, and some long-time fans may decide to pick apart the holes.

'The brutal attack and the aftermath all played out on screen, so for it to now transpire that she became pregnant from the rape and suffered a stillbirth has raised quite a few eyebrows,'

Kate was appointed the new producer for Coronation Street after leaving Emmerdale in a surprise shake-up.

The TV veteran - who first served as story producer on the cobbles back in 2012 - is leaving Emmerdale after eight years to take over from Iain MacLeod after he was promoted to executive producer for continuing drama.

In a statement, she said: 'I've had a wonderful time working on Emmerdale and I feel immensely proud to be part of a team that has achieved such great success over the past eight years.

'I've absolutely loved my time on the show, and I've had the privilege of working with such a hugely talented and hard-working bunch of people, who also happen to be the loveliest, too.'

Kate added that she has gained more than she 'ever could have imagined' both professionally and personally from her time on the Yorkshire Dales-based show, but she's delighted to make the jump to Weatherfield next month.

It comes after Kate Brooks was appointed the new producer for Coronation Street after leaving Emmerdale in a surprise shake-up on Thursday

She said: 'Corrie has lit up my living room since I was a kid, so to be asked to produce a show I've revered for such a long time is the ultimate pinch me moment.

'I've adored the show from across the Pennines and have consistently been in awe of the talent on display, both on and off the screen.

'It truly is a special show and I endeavour to take great care to ensure that it continues to thrive as we head into the next chapter.

'Coronation Street has, and always will be, part of my DNA, and I can't wait to get stuck in.'

Meanwhile, Iain hailed Kate as a 'fantastic storyteller', and he's looking forward to seeing what she does at the helm.

He commented: 'I know under her guidance the show will be ambitious, exciting and full of heart and humour.

'She is ''Corrie'' to the core and such a good fit for the show. I am genuinely excited to see what the next chapter holds and can't wait to work with her again.'

During her time on Emmerdale, Kate produced a range of storylines alongside fellow producer Laura Shaw, including serial killer Meena Jutla and Mandy Dingle's 2019 return after 17 years away, along with Marlon's stroke, and Faith's breast cancer storyline in 2022.

She also married Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick in 2019, and they have two children together.

Earlier this month MailOnline revealed that Corrie bosses were struggling with the 'headache' of finding Iain's replacement.

It was revealed that a number of television executives turned down the prestigious job - leaving the network with a 'huge headache.'

ITV's top drama boss and former editor of The Archers Huw Kennair-Jones was drafted in to sort the problem out and he has approached a number of top television executives working at the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky in a bid to lure them across.

But so far, he has failed to entice anyone to manage the show, which is set in the fictional town of Weatherfield, after Iain McLeod left the position of Coronation Street's boss for a bigger role at the broadcaster after six years last week.

As a stop gap, MacLeod's wife and deputy on Corrie, Verity MacLeod, is filling in until they find someone to take the job.

Staff at ITV say that this is putting off potential candidates because they don't want to be working in between the married couple, something that is now referred to internally as the 'MacLeod sandwich.'

One insider told MailOnline: 'ITV have had conversations with a number of television executives who are currently working on other serial dramas or have in the past been at the helm of big shows.

'But no one wants to do it. One of the things putting people off is the fact that you'd be answering to Iain while having his wife as your deputy.

'It's a ''MacLeod sandwich'' that no one wants to be in the middle of and it's now become even more of a headache for ITV.'

The TV veteran is leaving Emmerdale after eight years to take over from Iain MacLeod after he was promoted to executive producer for continuing drama

During her time on Emmerdale, Kate produced a range of storylines alongside fellow producer Laura Shaw, including Marlon Dingle's stroke in 2022

In recent years, Corrie, which still stars William Roache as Ken Barlow, and has come under fire for abandoning its loyal audience, its obsession with younger characters and a number of 'unbelievable' plot lines.

Show insiders say that there have been a number of conversations amongst the top bosses at ITV that Corrie series producer Iain MacLeod had been in the job too long after joining the show back in 2018 because it is a role that has always changed hands every two to three years.

One said: 'Corrie has always been a job for two to three years. It needs that change every few years to bring in new ideas, while staying loyal to its DNA and keeping the viewers happy.

'It's one of the biggest and most prestigious jobs in television. There had been some noise for a while with talk of the 'Corrie problem' so by creating this new role ITV across both soaps it saw it as the answer to both Corrie as well as Jane Hudson's departure at Emmerdale.'

Corrie's most-watched episode - with 26.65 million viewers - is still Christmas Day 1987, when Hilda Ogden left Weatherfield for the last time until she reprised the role for a few specials.

But this Wednesday's show was watched by just 3.2 million and last year it missed out on the top 10 most watched TV programmes of Christmas Day with just 2.6 million tuning in - down eight million from a decade before.

Earlier this year, actress Maureen Lipman, 77, who has played Evelyn Plummer since 2018, urged the soap to scrap gritty storylines and go back to basics.

She said: 'We've come to a point in Corrie now where people are getting murdered in knicker factories. We're having domestic abuse. Anything that ticks the box of social problems in the 21st century is going to be in your local soap.'

Speaking on the Beyond The Title podcast, she continued: 'Whereas back then you had the freedom to put Martha [Longhurst], Minnie [Caldwell] and Ena [Sharples] in the snug and have a conversation about Ben-Hur.

'It's never been political but I always like it when the women sit down and go, ''Ooh, Donald Trump, ain't his hair shocking.'

She added: 'All those wonderful expressions that your parents come out with, like my mother saying, 'Ooh, doesn't a black skirt cover a multitude of sins.' People talk like that, and we recognise it as true.'
The second series of Blue Lights has received glowing reviews from critics, with many lauding the 'beautifully tense' police drama after its 'first-rate' opening episode.

The BBC series returned to screens on Monday night after its debut run became a sleeper hit, and has already been renewed for series three and four.

Critics have praised the new series for 'skipping effortlessly from comedy to breakneck drama' offering teases of the series' main plots without overwhelming viewers with exposition.

The first episode, branded a 'blistering comeback' by The Guardian, picks up a year after the death of PC Gerry Cliff, who was shot while on duty, with the team faced with a drug-fuelled crime wave that leads them into a loyalist estate.

It received a slew of positive reviews, with The Guardian's Jack Seale writing: 'Blue Lights comes at this recipe for bracingly pessimistic drama from a particular angle, sitting itself as it does in modern Northern Ireland.

The second series of Blue Lights has received glowing reviews from critics, with many lauding the 'beautifully tense' police drama after its 'first-rate' opening episode

'We are post-Troubles, which is to say that the schisms and resentments that caused the Troubles are still there, being carefully  or perhaps not so carefully  managed to prevent embers again becoming flames.'

However, the review does note that the hard-hitting show is tinged with a recurring trope regularly seen in 'emergency service soaps,' the workplace romance, with the introduction of Constable Annie Conlon's love interest Shane Bradley.

Writing in The Times, Carol Midgley wrote: 'We also see the force being stretched to breaking point: fewer coppers on the ground, also having to double up as mental-health experts.

'The story is still warming up at this stage, but this is dense, rich soil and these are the perfect writers to till it.'

In a glowing five-star review, Benji Wilson wrote in The Telegraph: 'It doesnt take long for series two to catch light, and once it does it is irresistible.'

Referring to the introduction of new estate kingpin Lee Thompson, he added: 'New boss Thompson turns out to have some noble  if twisted  motives, creating a form of moral chaos to go with the actual chaos all around him.

'It all goes to foment an environment in which anything could, and does, happen, but crucially, one that skips effortlessly from comedy to breakneck drama, profundity to arguments about cake.'

Awarding the opener four stars, The Daily Mail's Christopher Stevens wrote: 'Cops eat doughnuts. Coppers eat cake. That's the distinction between US and UK police  same ethos, different recipes, that's all.

Critics have praised the new series for 'skipping effortlessly from comedy to breakneck drama' offering teases of the series' main plots without overwhelming viewers with exposition

'On the streets of Belfast, as the crime drama Blue Lights returned, PCs Stevie and Grace (Martin McCann and Sian Brooke) were bonding over a bake during a quiet moment on patrol.

'If Blue Lights runs for long enough, eventually the BBC will be able to publish a recipe book as a spin-off.

'While the era of the Troubles is over, there's a brooding sense that sectarian pressures are still bubbling below the surface.

'A similar hangover from past events makes some scenes in Blue Lights difficult to follow...

'Don't fret too much about the plot, and just enjoy the cake. As Clint Eastwood nearly said in the crime classic Dirty Harry, 'Go ahead  bake my day.'

The Financial Times' Dan Einav said that the opening episodes of Blue Lights' second series met 'high expectations.'

He added: 'Series creators Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson take time to contextualise their fiction within the very real tragedies of Belfasts past and present. But Blue Lights is neither insistently political nor wearingly downbeat.

'Following Tommy, Annie and Grace on their professional and personal journeys, the show carefully balances uneasy tension and exhilarating action with moments of camaraderie and post-adrenaline reflection.'

On a more constructive note, The Independent's Nick Hilton praised the 'first-rate' second series, but noted that in a landscape packed with police drama it remains 'preoccupied with regurgitating pre-existing tropes.'

He added: 'As generic fare goes, Blue Lights is of the highest order. The acting and writing is first rate, and Brooke, particularly, is a terrific leading lady.

'If the show lacks the narrative thrust to attract new viewers, it will undoubtedly satisfy those who were already invested in Grace, Annie, and Tommys progression through the ranks of the constabulary.

'But in a genre begging for fresh ideas, you have to try a little harder to stand out.'

Belfast Live's Sophie McLaughlin also reassured fans fearing that this new run could be hit by the dreaded 'second album syndrome.'

She added: 'Nothing feels slow about episode one. We know our characters, we can sense where the main drama is going to unfold from and the tone is set so we can get straight into the nitty gritty.

'The first episode perfectly dips our toes into a number of subplots which are sure to be key to the drama of the series without overwhelming us with information.

iNews' Rachael Sigee said: 'Blue Lights does the traditional stuff exceptionally well: laying seemingly innocuous breadcrumbs with satisfying payoffs and building nerve-shredding tension multiple times an episode.

'When the violence inevitably comes, it is bone-crunching and brutal. But it is the character work that sets this apart.

'No-one reads as a caricature and everyone has the potential to surprise: there is redemption for (almost all) those you thought were beyond it and disappointment in those you thought were above it.'

The first episode picks up a year after the death of PC Gerry Cliff, who was shot while on duty, with the team faced with a drug-fuelled crime wave that leads them into a loyalist estate

Writing in Digital Spy, Rebecca Cook said: 'When we do start to jivy along, Blue Lights is back to the careful balancing act of office gallows humour, the legacy of sectarian violence and punishing police work  as well as the newer component this season of the rampant drugs trade.

'The glut of police procedurals on TV is such that we can't even begin to name them all here, for fear of the word count becoming unmanageable.

'But this one is worth your time, as long as you can stick out what are occasionally unbearable moments of suspense.'

Written by the team behind Novichok drama The Salisbury Poisonings, Blue Lights stars Sherlock actress Sian Brooke as Grace, a single mum and ex-social worker who's decided to switch careers in mid-life to become a probationary cop.

After becoming a sleeper hit last year, fans were eagerly awaiting series two and it seems it did not disappoint, being hailed as 'one of the best police programmes to be produced in a while'.

Taking to social media, viewers praised the second season as 'even better than the first' and admitted they couldn't 'resist a binge watch of the whole series'.

Speaking about the show's return, co-creator and writer Declan Lawn voiced his gratitude and insisted he would never take it for granted.

He told BBC News: 'There's a sense that you feel when you come back for a second season that there's something that people have liked, or even loved. It's always up to the audiences, you can never take anything for granted.'

The new series follows the 'relentless, grinding daily pressure' for the police working in Northern Ireland.

Declan explained: 'There's something about it being here with the particular pressures and dangers they face that make people across the water [in the UK] intrigued by it.'

Series two begins with a time jump from the last series, which saw the tragic death of fan-favourite, PC Gerry Cliff.

Explaining their reasoning for the time jump, fellow co-creater and writer Adam Patterson said: 'The whole creative team made a conscious decision to move the story a year on.

'Part of the reason for that is that if we had picked it up right away then every story would have been consumed by Gerry and we needed the actors to go on different journeys.

'In a lot of ways he still lives on in many of our characters but by moving the story on a year it allows us to look at different parts of the police and parts of the city.'

Blue Lights series two continues on Monday at 9pm on BBC One. The full series is available to watch on iPlayer.
Made In Chelsea returned to screens on Monday night for its 27th series - bringing all the usual drama from the lives of London's elite social circle.

And it seems one of the show's main couples Maeva D'Ascanio and James Taylor's marriage could already be on the rocks - after they got married just four months ago.

Dramatic scenes saw the pair engage in a series of fiery rows as James, 28, suggested they see a sex therapist due to lack of action in the bedroom.

Maeva became irate at the suggestion - saying she couldn't prioritise sex as she is too tired from raising their son Beau, 18 months.

A teaser for the rest of the series at the start of the episode also showed them in a therapy session as Maeva cried and said: 'I'm worried for our future if it's starting like this!'

Maeva D'Ascanio broke down and admitted she's 'worried for her future' with her husband James Taylor as Made In Chelsea returned to screens on Monday night

Dramatic scenes saw the pair engage in a series of fiery rows as James, 28, suggested they see a sex therapist due to lack of action in the bedroom (seen on their wedding day)

Having dinner with Ruby Adler and Tristan Phipps elsewhere in the new episode Maeve told them: 'We are happy to be married to each other but after the wedding you go back to your life and it's the same thing.

'He said to me the other day 'you haven't touched me in a month!'.

James then added: 'I get batted off!', as Maeva screams back: 'I'm tired! I'm dead! I'm f**king dead! I'm not thinking about your desires and your emotions.'

James then said: 'So you're saying sleep equals sex. If I get you more sleep then I'll get some more sex.'

Maeva then laughed and quipped: 'Otherwise marriage is going well!'

In another conversation as they went on a date night Maeva admitted that she wants to feel 'sexy again' in their relationship as she suggested they get a nanny to help out with Beau.

Later in the episode as they attended Lauren Sintes' birthday party she found out that James had said to some of his pals that he wanted to go to see a sex therapist.

Enraged, she then confronted him, saying: 'Sam Prince has said that you wanted to see a sex therapist. Please don't talk about this to everyone here.

A teaser for the rest of the series at the start of the episode also showed them in a therapy session as Maeva cried and said: 'I'm worried for our future if it's starting like this!'

Maeva said of their lack of sex life: 'I'm tired! I'm dead! I'm f**king dead! I'm not thinking about your desires and your emotions'

Later in the episode as they attended Lauren Sintes' birthday party she found out that James had said to some of his pals that he wanted to go to see a sex therapist - leaving her fuming

Maeve became irate at the sex therapy suggestion from James - saying she couldn't prioritise sex as she is too tired from raising their son Beau, 18 months

'I'm not gonna lie to you James when people ask me how is married life, I say 'it's s**t', that's the truth.'

James then shouts back: 'It's not s**t you're just tired. It makes me feel embarrassed that you're saying that to people.'

She then retorted: 'You put the blame on me. I don't want to go to a sex therapist. You really need to stop being like this. It's so irritating. Just because you don't have enough sex in your life you have to act up.'

James then joked back: 'We've got this for 50 years!'

She then shouted back: 'You don't need to, you now divorce, have you heard about it? We are ending this conversation, I am not going to a sex therapist. It's embarrassing. All I want to do is sleep a little bit.'

The couple had their second ceremony at Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire in December 2023, after officially marrying at Chelsea Registry Office last November.

Revealing their big day to Hello! Magazine, the couple gushed that it was 'perfect' as they opened up on the lavish details of their Christmas nuptials which were filmed for their E4 show.

Maeva looked incredible in a Liz Martinez dress from P.S. Bridal Rental and Jimmy Choo shoes.

The floor-length silk and lace gown featured hand-embroidered florals with the bride explaining how 'it was a little bit see-through, but also traditional, so I managed to get everything in one dress.'

The couple welcomed 76 guests to their Georgian venue which was decorated with five stunning Christmas trees, candles, white roses and fairy lights.

The guest of honour was the couple's son, who was carried down the aisle by his dad to the Elton John classic Your Song.

Maeva then had the Sheena Easton's song For Your Eyes Only played as she made her entrance on a balcony above the ceremony space.

James told Hello! of the moment he first saw his bride: 'All the times we'd had together, all the memories, flashed before my eyes and I thought: 'That's my woman and she will be forever.''

'Everything was perfect, more than perfect,' Maeva added.

Among the guests there to help them celebrate were their Made in Chelsea co-stars Ruby Adler, Reza Amiri-Garroussi, Hugo MacKenzie-Wood, Joel Mignott, Robbie Mullet, Tristan Phipps, Digby Edgley and Sam Prince.

They looked every inch the happy couple as they officially tied the knot at Chelsea Registry Office in November.

Maeva looked elegant in a silk white wedding dress which she wore with a fur coat and platform heels. James looked dapper in a blue blazer.

A source told MailOnline at the time that the newlyweds were 'alone and got into a car' after leaving the secret ceremony.

Maeva and James have been together for four years and welcomed a baby boy named Beau Christian Taylor in 2022.

The couple got engaged last April while visiting the Trevi Fountain in Rome and previously said they are looking forward to a festive wedding.

James proposed with a 2.5-carat pear-shaped diamond engagement ring which he designed and had already asked Maeva's father for permission to marry her in 2022.

The couple had their second ceremony at Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire in December 2023, after officially marrying at Chelsea Registry Office last November

Maeva and James have been together for four years and welcomed a baby boy named Beau Christian Taylor in 2022 (seen getting engaged)

He said: 'It feels like I have everything I have ever wanted - it's that secure feeling that this is my woman, forever.'

His-wife-to-be said: 'I feel protected - being engaged to the man of my dreams is amazing. It's a different love, it's stronger, it's deeper. I feel safe.'

James previously revealed that they had secured the wedding venue and confirmed they would be staying in the UK, despite Maeve being born in France.

He said: 'We went to view a place in England. It'll be an English winter wedding, with friends, family and people from the show.'
Rufus Sewell has teased a secret about the naked bathroom scene in Netflix film Scoop which shows his character Prince Andrew's 'bottom'.

The actor, 56, portrayed the Duke of York, 64, in the series which gave a behind-the-scenes account of his famous 2019 car crash Newsnight interview.

And while Rufus underwent a total image transformation to become the prince, he contradicted earlier reports that a bottom was shipped in.

Rufus caused confusion when he told Radio Times: 'It's not that I'm ashamed of my own. I get it out whenever I get the chance  but this bum was specially shipped in.'

But sharing a post from IndieWire which stated he did not actually use a prosethetic, he wrote on Instagram Stories on Tuesday: 'That doesn't mean it was mine', suggesting another actor was 'shipped in' to be a body double.

Rufus Sewell, 56, took to Instagram Stories on Tuesday, where he teased a secret about that bottom scene in which he plays a nude Prince Andrew for Netflix's new dramatisation, Scoop

The actor portrayed the Duke of York, 64, in the series which gave a behind-the-scenes account of his 2019 car crash Newsnight interview (pictured in the series)

Rufus clarified that while he previously said the bottom was 'shipped in', he did not use a prosthetic and implied that a body double was drafted in

Rufus said of the bottom: 'It's not that I'm ashamed of my own. I get it out whenever I get the chance  but this bum was specially shipped in' (pictured in the series)

Rufus underwent a lengthy process to be transformed into the disgraced prince and said he needed to perfect the 'Windsor clenched jaw' for Andrew's voice.

He told Radio Times: 'Andrew actually has this blokey quality. If you listen to him, as opposed to King Charles, he has a lad's lad quality.

'He's Randy Andy who chats up the working girls when he visits the factory.'

Rufus previously described the result of his transformation as 'the perfect blend between myself and him,' in an interview with This Morning earlier this month.

Rufus said: 'At one point there were eyelids on me and I look so much like him it was uncanny but then I couldn't move my eyes properly and when you watch the interview so much of it is in the eyes.'

The full trailer for Netflix drama Scoop was unveiled earlier this year and teased the notorious interview between Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis.

Rufus in character as a naked Prince Andrew in the much talked about new film

In the clip Rufus was seen embodying the shamed Duke as he met with the BBC journalist, played by Gillian Anderson.

Yet a standout moment in the trailer came from Billie Piper, who portrayed Sam McAlister, the Newsnight producer who secured the 2019 interview.

Attempting to woo the prince into speaking with the BBC about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Sam probes: 'With respect, you know how people see you.'

As the late queen's third child looks on blankly, he muses: 'Spell it out', prompting Sam to blurt out 'Randy Andy'

After an excruciatingly awkward silence, the prince smirks: 'With respect?'

The trailer begins with Sam announcing: 'An hour of television can change everything', before cutting to a montage of Emily presenting the news and the headlines about Prince Andrew's friendship with Epstein.

With the BBC under pressure to secure an interview with the royal, Sam is seen working her charm on Prince Andrew's private secretary Amanda Thirsk, played by Keeley Hawes.

Rufus has not yet confirmed the details on how the bath scene was shot

Rufus underwent a lengthy process to be transformed into the disgraced prince and said he needed to perfect the 'Windsor clenched jaw' for Andrew's voice

While Amanda warns there is a 'red line' when it comes to securing the interview, the scene cuts to Emily huddled in the back of a car on her way to meet the royal as she quips: 'I've never been smuggled into a palace before.'

The BBC team then have their first meeting with the prince, and that awkward exchange between Sam and 'randy Andy' before she piles on the pressure by reasoning: 'You can't stay silent.'

Pressure is then on for Sam and Emily to ensure everything goes to plan, with Esme Wren, the editor of Newsnight (played by Romola Garai) warning: 'Make no mistake, if we don't get the tone right, the story won't be him. It'll be us.'

It then cuts to Emily sitting down with the prince in a set up she dubs 'like a Western' while the royal walks away admitting: 'I thought that all went very well.'

The trailer ends with the world's media latching onto the car crash interview and the prince visibly under pressure as the news cycle spirals out of his control.

The full trailer for Netflix drama Scoop was unveiled earlier this year and teased the notorious interview between Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis (Billie Piper pictured as Sam McAlister)

The trailer ends with the world's media latching onto the car crash interview and the prince visibly under pressure as the news cycle spirals out of his control

Based on the book Scoops, by Sam McAlister, the film captures the tension behind booking the royal for the interview, as well as the tension among the cast during the interview.

In the notorious interview, Emily discussed Virginia Giuffre's claims that she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 under the orders of Epstein.

The prince strongly denied the claims throughout the interview.

The discussion, in which Andrew made a series of claims - including insisting he couldn't have been with Virginia at the time of the alleged encounter because he was dining at a Pizza Express in Woking and that a medical condition left him unable to sweat - has since gained notoriety and is widely acknowledged to have embarrassed the royals.

The interview was described as a 'car crash' and on November 20, 2019, a statement from Buckingham Palace said Prince Andrew was suspended from public duties 'for the foreseeable future'.

In May 2020, it was announced that the prince was permanently stepping down from his public roles.

In January 2022, Virginia was given the go-ahead to sue Andrew for unspecified damages in a New York civil court.

Despite vowing to fight the claims and repeatedly protesting his innocence, the prince agreed to pay a huge sum to settle the case before it ever reached a jury. interview, then the film.

Netflilx describes the production as portraying: 'The inside track of the women that broke through the Buckingham Palace establishment to secure the scoop of the decade that led to the catastrophic fall from grace of The Queen's 'Favourite son'.

'From navigating Palace vetoes, to breaking through to Prince Andrew's inner circle, the high stakes negotiations and intensity of rehearsal - to the jaw dropping interview itself.

'SCOOP is the insider account of the inner workings of the Palace and the BBC, twin bastions of the British Establishment, spotlighting the journalists whose tenacity and guts broke through the highest of ceilings - and into the inner sanctum and calculations of a man with everything to lose.'

Rufus (left) as The Duke Of York

Gillian Anderson (left) stars as Emily Maitlis

Billie Piper (left) plays the producer Sam McAlister

Keeley Hawes (left) stars as Prince Andrew's former personal secretary Amanda Thirsk

What the dramatisation does not show, however, is the alleged tension between TV star Emily and producer Sam.

Sam was said to earn around a tenth of Emily's 325,000 annual salary and while Emily would get taxis for work journeys, Sam forked out for buses from the BBC's central London HQ to Buckingham Palace for meetings with Prince Andrew's former private secretary.

The disparity is perhaps all the more galling for single mum Sam after Emily gave an in-depth interview to Radio Times in 2020 explaining how the story came about - not once mentioning McAlister.

In the piece - headlined 'How we did it, Newsnight's Emily Maitlis and Esme Wren on the Prince Andrew interview that shocked the world', Wren, now editor of Channel 4 News, said: 'We delivered a quite exceptional piece of journalism.

One former colleague said: 'While those who work behind the scenes don't always get credit, for Emily to go out there and not mention Sam in such a high-profile interview seems pretty unfair and wrong.

'Emily was on a significant salary and then you had Sam grafting behind the scenes on about 30,000 a year. Without Sam there would have been no Prince Andrew interview. It's as simple as that.'

As for how she felt overlooked, a source said: 'Sam tried to laugh at it. It seemed deeply baffling that two women would not mention another, far more junior woman in an interview where they were talking about how the interview came about.'

But friends of Sam say the omission was a factor in her decision to leave the BBC in 2021 to go freelance and become a champion of behind-the-scenes production staff.

Emily, 53, has always refused to comment on the rift.

Now Emily is making her own show based on the interview, A Very Royal Scandal, currently in production for Netflix rival Amazon Prime.

With money no object for either streaming giant, they have been battling it out for the ultimate Hollywood cast for their adaptations.

Scoop boasts an A-list roster - according to friends McAlister is 'over the moon' to have secured the The Crown's Anderson  while A Very Royal Scandal has Hollywood's Michael Sheen as the Prince.

He recently said he doesn't want his portrayal to be 'hatchet job': 'Inevitably you want to bring humanity to the character.'

Based on the book Scoops, by Sam McAlister, the film captures the tension behind booking the royal for the interview (left: Rufus and Gillian, right: Emily and Prince Andrew)

Golden Globe winner Ruth Wilson will take the role of Maitlis and The Thick Of It's Joanna Scanlan will play Thirsk in A Very Royal Scandal.

As for the scripts, Scoop boasts British playwright and screenwriter Peter Moffat with Philip Martin, who worked on seven episodes of The Crown in 2017, directing.

Emily has arguably gone one better for her three-part series, signing Bafta-nominated director Julian Jarrold, who headed up The Crown and worked on Sky Atlantic's drama This England.

Netflix's Scoop was released on the streaming platform on April, 5.
Julie Bishop has shared a powerful message for women after the Westfield Bondi massacre.

Attending a Witchery event raising funds for ovarian cancer, the former politician posed alongside other guests including Pip Edwards in a post to Instagram Stories.

Pip had written a moving caption onto the photo, which Julie then reposted to her own socials.

It began, 'In light of the devastating events within our community this week its important to acknowledge women have a right to safe passage, good health and love.

'Today we band together as women to reinforce the rights of women. Women's health is paramount.

Julie Bishop has shared a powerful message for women after the Westfield Bondi massacre. Pip Edwards had written a moving caption onto the photo, which Julie then reposted to her own socials. Pictured

'The #whiteshirtcampaign ensures that - there is ongoing awareness and the raising of funds that go toward the depth and breadth of research around ovarian cancer conducted by the @ocrf in conjunction with @witcheryfashion.

'I am proud to be an ambassador for such important cause to impact change with my, dear friend and wing woman Julie Bishop'.

It comes after reports police believe killer Joel Cauchi was 'targeting women' when he fatally stabbed six people in a horror rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction, the NSW Police Commissioner said.

Cauchi, 40, murdered five women and one man after he entered the shopping centre wielding a 30cm knife on Saturday at about 3.20pm.

It began, 'In light of the devastating events within our community this week its important to acknowledge women have a right to safe passage, good health and love. Today we band together as women to reinforce the rights of women. Women's health is paramount'

Attending a Witchery event raising funds for ovarian cancer, the former politician posed alongside other guests including Pip Edwards in a post to Instagram Stories

The six people killed in Saturday's rampage have been identified as mother Ashlee Good, 38, advertising heiress Dawn Singleton, 25, architect Jade Young, 47, artist Pikria Darchia, 55, and security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, and Chinese student Yixuan Cheng, 27.

A police source told the Daily Telegraph that investigators believe Cauchi was 'definitely targeting women'.

Cauchi was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager and his parents said he had gone off his medication, which had triggered his psychosis.
Alice Evans has hit out at people who have been messing with her Wikipedia page, slamming them as 'obsessed'.

The actress, 55, took to her Instagram on Monday to inform her followers that trolls have edited her page to read: 'Alice Evans is a British-American former actress.'

The mother-of-two has appeared in films like 102 Dalmatians and The Christmas Card, as well as shows like Lost and The Vampire Diaries, with her last acting appearance in The Originals in 2015.

However, Alice slammed the 'crazies' editing her bio, insisting it was up to her to decide when she was no longer an actress.

Sharing a screenshot of her Wikipedia page, she wrote: 'Monday morning. Start of a fresh new week. Busy people juggling love life work and kids got a head start and have already spent their precious down time to mess with my Wikipedia page!'

Alice Evans has hit out at people who have been messing with her Wikipedia page, slamming them as 'obsessed'

The actress, 55, took to her Instagram on Monday to inform her followers that trolls have edited her page to read: 'Alice Evans is a British-American former actress'

The mother-of-two has appeared in films like 102 Dalmatians (pictured with Ioan Gruffudd) and The Christmas Card, as well as shows like Lost and The Vampire Diaries, with her last acting appearance in The Originals in 2015

'No prizes for guessing which smart go-getting group of people are behind this (former actress? Oh stop! You guys are going to break me!) but instead, let me know what acts of kindness, for loved ones, strangers or even yourself, you intend to engage in this week. Big or small!'

'If you dont have one planned, think of one. Even sending a nice email or message to a friend can brighten someones day. Our time on this earth is precious and limited. Lets use it wisely.'

Alice continued by opening about her youngest daughter, Elsie, 10, and explaining she was going to treat her to some new books.

She penned: 'Ill go first. Small, but hopefully impactful: My youngest has her heart set on the Girls Guide To Murder box set for a few weeks now.

'Shes going to get it this week in a surprise package addressed to her. Which I will ask her to go down to the door and pick up for me and watch her face.

'She has a little trouble with reading until recently but has suddenly taken off and is racing through everything I give her. My heart is there for it! '

She concluded: 'Tell me anything. Even if its just hello. And if youre down, DM me. My second endeavor is to reply to them all.'

In the comments, her followers came to Alice's defense and also went to her Wikipedia to change her bio back.

However, Alice slammed the 'crazies' editing her bio, insisting it was up to her to decide when she was no longer an actress

Sharing a screenshot of her Wikipedia page, she wrote: 'Busy people juggling love life work and kids got a head start and have already spent their precious down time to mess with my Wikipedia page!'

Alice continued by opening about her youngest daughter, Elsie, 10, and explaining she was going to treat her to some new books (pictured with her daughters)

One fan commented: '"Former actress"...ha! So that means that anyone who isn't currently working on a film is a "former actor"? That's just stupid! An actor is always an actor. Just because I'm not currently working on a frock doesn't mean I'm a "former seamstress." Ignorant a-*oles.'

Alice replied: 'Well said! it would be different if I had announced a retirement! I'm fine with 'unemployed' which is out of my control but 'former' is clearly and squarely up to me!'

Another follower asked: 'Can we change it back?' causing Alice to reply: 'I used to have somebody that did - but it's hard to out-cray the crazies when they're so obsessed.

'However I appreciate what anybody can do. I was also born in New Jersey and proud of it!'

Her latest post comes after her love rival Bianca Wallace, launched an extraordinary attack on Alice earlier this month, accusing her of 'stalking, harassing and abusing' her and fiance Ioan Gruffudd.

Following their acrimonious split in March 2021, Ioan and Alice have been locked in a very public legal battle, resulting in slanging matches that threatened to overshadow their respective careers.

Bianca, 31, broke her silence on the saga, claiming that she has been inundated with messages from followers who claim to have been sent abusive messages from Alice, 55, and revealing she feels it's her duty to 'shine a light on bullies and abuse.'

She also repeated Ioan's claims that Alice had set up fake social media accounts with the purpose of harrassing them after a restraining order banned her from mentioning him on social media.

In the comments, her followers came to Alice's defense and also went to her Wikipedia to change her bio back

Alice wrote: 'It would be different if I had announced a retirement! I'm fine with 'unemployed' which is out of my control but 'former' is clearly and squarely up to me!'

In a series of Instagram posts, the Australian actress went on to share 4512 pages worth of social media posts in which Alice had mentioned her or Ioan, 50, as well as links to court documents detailing the three-year restraining order he took out against her as a result of the relentless posts.

She began by sharing: 'I want to say thank you so much for the love and support I have received. I believe the time has come to shine a light on bullies and abuse because they only hold power when hidden in the darkness.

'Bullies and people who harass others want us to believe that we are alone, but we are not. Bullying thrives in the darkness. It makes people afraid to do anything lest it get worse.

'I'm encouraging everyone to keep sharing your experiences. Continue reporting to the authorities. Always reach out for support.

'Although some of what I have mentioned happened over the last few years, I want to be very clear - The harassment and abuse has not ceased. It has continued unabated and is being directed far more broadly than just us.'

Bianca went on to claim that Alice had breached a three-year restraining order put out against her in August 2022.

She continued: 'On 13 November 2023 at 10:56am LA time, I received an email from the detective informing that the current investigations did find this persons phone number linked to at least one of the fake accounts being used to stalk, harass, and post defamatory claims.

'I want to stress that people who do this need to be held accountable for their actions, and as I have mentioned, I won't allow anyone to bully or abuse me ever again.

Her latest post comes after her love rival Bianca Wallace, launched an extraordinary attack on Alice earlier this month , accusing her of 'stalking, harassing and abusing' her and fiance Ioan Gruffudd (pictured together in 2022)

Following their acrimonious split in March 2021, Ioan and Alice have been locked in a very public legal battle, resulting in slanging matches that threatened to overshadow their respective careers (Alice and Ioan pictured in 2018)

Bianca, 31, broke her silence on the saga, claiming that she has been inundated with messages from followers who claim to have been sent abusive messages from Alice, 55, and revealing she feels it's her duty to 'shine a light on bullies and abuse'

'If you so wish to view the supporting evidence mentioned in my previous post, most of it, minus what is currently ongoing, is already publicly available.

'I found the following links containing the information on Google and there is a lot more publicly available information.'

Bianca went on to share the links to Ioan's court filings for the Domestic Violence Restraining Order as well as the actor's filings for joint custody with Evans of their daughters Ella, 14, and Elsie, 10.

In a final blow, Bianca shared a link comprised of 4512 pages worth of social media posts in which Evans had mentioned her or Gruffudd.

She ended her series of posts by writing 'Keep being the light.'

Ioan previously claimed in court filings that he believed Alice had breached the order that prevented her from mentioning him on social media for three years.

He said in the papers filed last year: 'There have been a number of anonymous social media accounts set up on Twitter naming Bianca and myself 'child abusers,' and making incredibly slanderous and defamatory claims.

'Alice has slipped up a number of times on these accounts, making clear the 'anonymous' accounts are her accounts.'

Bianca also accused Alice of confronting not just herself and Ioan but other unnamed people for 'decades'

Ioan previously claimed in court filings that he believed Alice had breached the order that prevented her from mentioning him on social media for three years

He added: 'Alice has made thousands of false, threatening and harassing posts about me on social media, and she has made false and harassing statements about me to the media.'

Bianca also accused Alice of confronting not just herself and Ioan but other unnamed people for 'decades.'

She shared: 'This has completely thrown me. What Ian's ex has done to so, so many of you over 20 years is some of the darkest s**t we have seen and finding out that what's happening to us isn't new and has been happening for decades, has been confronting, but also strangely reassuring.

'Thank you so much for sharing your personal stories and experiences of abuse with this same person. We are completely heartbroken to learn what has been going on for so long.

'We knew what was happening to us was bad, but hearing so many of your own stories has made this so much worse.

'Because of the level that this has gone to and the sheer volume of information we have received, I am going to get advice on how to go about this and to ensure that everyone who has been victim to this person feels safe and protected for having come forward.

'If anyone receives anything, including threats and intimidation from this person, the family and supporters, give me everything. I am going to ensure everyone is safe from further harassment, threats and abuse.

'Since working on healing 10 years of DV, abuse, spine surgery, diagnosis', police relocations, public abuse campaign - If I have not already made this clear - I will never be abused or bullied again. The dark is coming into the light now.'

She claimed she was targeted by trolls shortly after confirming her relationship with Ioan, who was still the midst of his acrimonious divorce from Alice when the couple went public in 2021

Bianca and Ioan confirmed their engagement in January with the actress revealing her sparkling diamond ring

She claimed she was targeted by trolls shortly after confirming her relationship with Ioan, who was still the midst of his acrimonious divorce from Alice when the couple went public in 2021.

Bianca wrote: 'Reading the abuse that hundreds (if not thousands!) of you have faced over the past 20 years by the same person who is abusing us has been genuinely confronting and disturbing.

'We can clearly see from you all by your comments and messages that what has happened to us and our families is not new, and definitely not caused by a break up. It is very clear now that this has been happening for decades.'

'We are truly devastated to learn how many of you have suffered over the past 20 years at this person's hands...

'After what I received from everyone yesterday, I need a few days to go through it all and come to terms with what we have now learnt is so much bigger than we realised - your children, careers and lives have also been attacked for so long and for that, it is important that this level of abuse & bullying is revealed.

'In the meantime, I am here for anyone who experiences further abuse because you have told the truth.'

Bianca previously revealed how online trolls sent vile messages in which they hoped her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) would eventually kill her after she made her first appearance with Ioan.

MS is a condition in which the immune system attacks the body and causes nerve damage to the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms can be mild in some, and in others more extreme causing severe disability.

Bianca previously revealed how online trolls sent vile messages in which they hoped her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) would eventually kill her after she made her first appearance with Ioan (pictured in 2019)

In December, The Daily Mail reported that Alice is in dire financial straits and has told friends that she cannot pay her rent or afford food, and is even contemplating taking a job with coffee chain Starbucks

In December, The Daily Mail reported that Alice is in dire financial straits and has told friends that she cannot pay her rent or afford food, and is even contemplating taking a job with coffee chain Starbucks.

She has told friends that the money which she got from the sale of the marital home, believed to amount to $100,000 is all gone, much of it on lawyers, and she is now in a financial crisis.

A friend said: 'Alice has been extremely upset and says that she can't afford to make rent when it is due later this month  at least not if they want to eat - and has just hit a financial rock bottom. She says she has nothing  not even medical insurance.'

They continued: 'She's been told that she should get a job but has not found any acting work and in any case she needs to look after their children who are school age.

'This week she has been discussing trying for a job in Starbucks but she thinks they might not want her as she is probably too old for them at 55. Also her agent doesn't want her to do it in case it looks bad.

'She is feeling desperate and is out of ideas about how she can get along. She has been crying herself to sleep.'
Sienna Miller enjoyed the surf during her recent holiday in Costa Rica, looking incredible in a skimpy bikini.

The actress, 42, has been holidaying in Central America with her boyfriend Oli Green, 27, three months after welcoming their first child together.

Sienna, who is also mother to her daughter Marlowe, 10, stripped down to a tiny black bikini for her surf session.

With her blonde locks swept back off her face, the beauty flashed a big smile as she rode a wave on her boogir board.

The star looked in great spirits during the action-packed beach day as she enjoyed some child-free time with her friends.

Sienna Miller enjoyed the surf during her recent holiday in Costa Rica, looking incredible in a skimpy bikini

The actress, 42, has been holidaying in Central America with her boyfriend Oli Green, 27, three months after welcoming their first child together

It was announced in January that Sienna and Oli had welcomed a baby girl - whose name is not known - almost two years after they were first romantically linked.

Sienna's pregnancy was revealed during a beach holiday in August where she stepped out sporting a bump.

Weeks before the birth Sienna covered Vogue as she spoke for the first time about her pregnancy and revealed she was having a girl.

In incredible photos taken to accompany the interview she displayed her bare bump alongside both Marlowe and boyfriend Oli.

Sienna spoke candidly about her pregnancy and how it had been 'unplanned', but admitted she feels 'more psychologically prepared' than with her first born.

During the rare interview, Sienna said that Marlowe has been angling for a sibling for some time. Sienna shares Marlowe with her ex-boyfriend Tom Sturridge.

Sienna also said she'd been fighting her own prejudices about being an older mother and has to learn to stop making a joke out of it.

She told the publication: 'I'd love to get to a point where I didn't feel the need to make a joke of my being older and having a baby, to show I'm in on the joke.'

Sienna, who is also mother to her daughter Marlowe, 10, stripped down to a tiny black bikini for her surf session

The star looked in great spirits during the action-packed beach day as she enjoyed some child-free time with her friends

It was announced in January that Sienna and Oli had welcomed a baby girl - whose name is not known - almost two years after they were first romantically linked

And in a video she filmed with Vogue, Sienna revealed that the pregnancy was an unplanned one.

She revealed: 'I was very fortunate. I wasn't necessarily trying to get pregnant. This happened as a total surprise and biologically was something I was able to do.'

Sienna went on to further address the stigma around pregnancy as an older woman as she has fought her own prejudices around the subject.

Sienna's pregnancy was revealed during a beach holiday in August where she stepped out sporting a bump

Weeks before the birth Sienna covered Vogue as she spoke for the first time about her pregnancy and revealed she was having a girl

Sienna spoke candidly about her pregnancy and how it had been 'unplanned', but admitted she feels 'more psychologically prepared' than with her first born

During the rare interview, Sienna said that Marlowe has been angling for a sibling for some time. Sienna shares Marlowe with her ex-boyfriend Tom Sturridge

She added: 'I think people are comfortable with a way of living that has existed for many years, which is very misogynistic and patriarchal.

'Like me being the older woman in a partnership with a younger person or being pregnant over 40 and that that's irresponsible and poor child and it's such double standards.'

On what is different this time around, she said: 'I have expectations where I had none before. I feel much more psychologically prepared than I was with Marlowe.

Sienna also said she'd been fighting her own prejudices about being an older mother and has to learn to stop making a joke out of it

She told the publication: 'I'd love to get to a point where I didn't feel the need to make a joke of my being older and having a baby, to show I'm in on the joke'

On what is different this time around, she said: 'I have expectations where I had none before. I feel much more psychologically prepared than I was with Marloww'

The actress previously admitted to freezing her eggs after turning 40 because she feared the prospect of having no more children

She told ELLE: 'Biology is incredibly cruel on women in that decade  that's the headline, or it certainly was for me

'Then I got to 40 and I froze some eggs. Having been really focused on the need to have another baby, I'm just like, if it happens, it happens'

'It was quite a shock, the reality. I hadn't given it the thought, I guess you can't prepare for it. In my mind I imagine it's going to be the loveliest, but I think I've forgotten.'

The actress previously admitted to freezing her eggs after turning 40 because she feared the prospect of having no more children.

She told ELLE: 'Biology is incredibly cruel on women in that decade  that's the headline, or it certainly was for me.

'Then I got to 40 and I froze some eggs. Having been really focused on the need to have another baby, I'm just like, if it happens, it happens. That kind of existential threat has dissipated.'
Former Married At First Sight groom Matt Ridley has officially taken the plunge, announcing his engagement to school teacher girlfriend, Dominique Nielsen.

The 41-year-old reality TV personality, who gained popularity on Channel Nine's hit dating show, has moved on from his televised search for love to a real-life fairy tale.

Ridley's romantic proposal took place at Noosa Beach, Queensland, on March 23, marking a new chapter in his life post-MAFS.

Matt popped the question with a 14K rose and white gold diamond engagement ring courtesy of Simon Curwood Jewellers.

'Since the show, life has been pretty damn amazing,' Ridley shared with Daily Mail Australia.

Former Married At First Sight groom, Matt Ridley, has officially taken the plunge, announcing his engagement to school teacher girlfriend, Dominique Nielsen

The 41-year-old reality TV personality, who gained popularity on Channel Nine's hit dating show, has moved on from his televised search for love to a real-life fairy tale

He added, 'I have enjoyed and embraced the public's affection towards me, hosting events, sharing my life to fans on Instagram, and ultimately, finding the love of my life in Dominique!'

The couple's love story began in September 2022 after they matched on a dating app and enjoyed a first date at Southbank in Brisbane.

'We shared our first kiss on our first date and we both didn't want that first night to end,' Ridley recalled.

Ridley's romantic proposal took place at Noosa Beach, Queensland, on March 23, marking a new chapter in his life post-MAFS

Matt popped the question with a 14K rose and white gold diamond engagement ring courtesy of Simon Curwood Jewellers

Their whirlwind romance quickly escalated, with Ridley meeting Nielsen's mother by the third date and her friends shortly after.

'It was full on really early, but we loved it that way,' he affirmed.

The engagement isn't just a union of two hearts but also a family coming together.

'Since the show, life has been pretty damn amazing,' Ridley shared with Daily Mail Australia

Ridley expressed his affection for Nielsen's 10-year-old son from a previous marriage, Heath, who has been eager to see them wed.

'I relish and love this stepdad role that I have with Heath,' Ridley stated, embracing the family he's joining.

Ridley and Nielsen have openly discussed their future, hoping to try for a baby naturally, considering their previous experiences with IVF and discussions about fostering or adopting.

He added, 'I have enjoyed and embraced the public's affection towards me, hosting events, sharing my life to fans on Instagram, and ultimately, finding the love of my life in Dominique!'

The couple's love story began in September 2022 after they matched on a dating app and enjoyed a first date at Southbank in Brisbane

Ridley enthused, 'There is a lot of love in our house and it sounds right to share that with a sibling for Heath.'

As they plan their life together, which includes travel and potentially expanding their family, Ridley reflected on his time on MAFS.

He was matched with Kate Laidlaw on the show, a pairing that did not end in love but certainly won him the affection of the audience.

Ridley believes the Australian public and international viewers appreciated his kindness and efforts during the show.

Looking forward, Ridley is excited to make it official with Nielsen, concluding, 'We are incredibly happy together. And it's time I put a gorgeous ring on Dominique and marry her.'

He was matched with Kate Laidlaw on the show, a pairing that did not end in love but certainly won him the affection of the audience
Miriam Margolyes never minces her words.

And the Harry Potter star, 82, left a Byron Bay influencer stunned when she questioned his line of work during an ABC special on Tuesday night.

Appearing on TV series Impossibly Australian, the British actress came face-to-face with Jade Kevin Foster, a young man who earns a living on social media.

'Do you like my outfit?' he asked, and she instantly replied, 'Not much!'

She instantly questioned what he does for a living, asking, 'What the f**k is that?' when he gave his job title as an 'influencer'.

Miriam Margolyes never minces her words. And she left a Byron Bay influencer stunned when she questioned his line of work during an ABC special on Tuesday night. Pictured

'How can you influence people? What with? With this get up?' she added cheekily, referring to The Byron Baes star's ensemble.

'This is very Byron fashion as well' he said, before explaining that he had 1.4 million followers and made money online.

'Well, I love money, but, um, I don't want it to be all there is' Miriam said.

However after a little back-and-forth the star came to see the value in what the young man did for others.

'For me, I just think it originated from when I was younger, I was bullied at school' Jade said.

'Because you were gay? God, they're s**t!' Miriam said.

Appearing on TV series Impossibly Australian, the British actress came face-to-face with Jade Kevin Foster (pictured), a young man who earns a living on social media. 'Do you like my outfit?' he asked, and she instantly replied, 'Not much!'

'I will try to learn because I'm old and closed. You know, I've kind of made my mind up about things and I mustn't do that. I've got to be still open and aware' she added.

Margolyes recently left an Australian talk show host speechless today after pointedly asking him 'what are you by the way?' as the pair discussed the war between Israel and Palestine.

Waleed Aly, host of Australian Channel 10's current affairs show The Project, found himself momentarily at a loss for words when the British-Australian actress derailed a discussion on Gaza with the out-of-the-blue question.

Margolyes, who is Jewish, emphatically called for an immediate ceasefire - a statement that appeared to resonate with the studio audience.

The Project host Waleed Aly found himself momentarily at a loss for words during thanks to a brazen line of questioning from Miriam

'Ceasefire now,' she demanded. 'Whether you're black or white, it doesn't matter.'

She then turned to Aly and asked bluntly: 'What are you by the way? You're sort of brown!'

Aly appeared visibly taken aback, but moments later lowered his head and chuckled.

'This is a really interesting question actually,' he replied. 'I've thought about this a lot. I'm not joking about that I'm Egyptian.'

'Oh really,' replied Margolyes, prompting laughter from the audience.

'I like the Egyptian people. I'm on the side of the Palestinians,' she said.
Channel Nine's Andy Lee has found some very disgusting refuse inside his $8.5million mansion.

The comedian has commenced work on a planned $5million renovation of the derelict Melbourne mansion he bought in 2021.

And inside the attic, he came across giant piles of bird droppings, sharing the discovery on Instagram.

'Checked whether there were any hidden treasures in the ceiling today' he wrote alongside an image of himself up a ladder.

'If you consider pigeon poo treasure, there was heaps of treasure!! HEAPS!!' Andy added, showing his fans the dung piles.

Channel Nine's Andy Lee has found some very disgusting refuse inside his $8.5million mansion. Pictured

Located in Hawthorn, the once grand home was left wasting for a decade before Andy, 42, and his long term sweetheart Rebecca Harding, 31, snapped it up for a whopping $8.5million.

And to celebrate their elaborate plans for the 150-year-old property, Andy and Rebecca threw a Christmas party for their neighbours last week.

The Hundred host told the Herald Sun on Saturday that he decided to start work on the mansion next year after part of the remaining roof fell in.

Andy explained the reasons why the couple decided to host a Christmas in the mansion which sits a prime location overlooking the Yarra River.

And inside the attic, he came across giant piles of bird droppings, sharing the discovery on Instagram

'Checked whether there were any hidden treasures in the ceiling today' he wrote alongside an image of himself up a ladder

Andy, 42, and his long term sweetheart Rebecca Harding, 31, snapped it up for a whopping $8.5million

'We said ''you have stared at this place for 30 years in this (rundown) state, so if you have never been in, come and see it. It will be your last chance to see it in this state before the possums, rats and pigeons get evicted'' he said.

'I am worried they (the possums, rats and pigeons) might have squatters rights since they have been there so long'.

He added that he waned the guests that currently the house has no running water, electricity or a toilet.

Pictures loaded to Andy's social media show that the enormous two-storey property is in an advanced state of disrepair.

Located in Hawthorn, the once grand home was left wasting for a decade

To celebrate their elaborate plans for the 146-year-old property, Andy and Rebecca threw a Christmas party for their neighbours last week (pictured)

Andy and Rebecca won council approval for their development application back in June

The damage includes decay from leaks, wrecked ceilings, cracked plaster and crumbling walls.

It comes after Andy and Rebecca won council approval for their development application back in June.

Plans for the site include adding a second building which will be connected by a tunnel to the original Italianate mansion, which was built around 1876.

Other highlights planned for the 1950square metre holding include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a 'mega bedroom'.

In a statement to the Herald Sun, Boroondara Council confirmed it had issued a notice of decision to grant a planning permit for the Yarra Grove address.
Alabama Barker shared racy bikini-clad snaps weeks after clapping back at online trolls speculating she has done 'a lot of' plastic surgery.

The 18-year-old daughter of Travis Barker took to Instagram on Sunday to share a risque gallery of snaps with her 2million followers.

She donned a tiny string black bikini top with a brown worn down leather long-sleeved top and mini skirt combination.

The matching set featured plenty of strings holding it together and had graphic prints on it including stars and a heart with mother over it much like the classic tattoo art.

Alabama accessorized with a silver necklace, bracelets, and several matching rings.

Alabama Barker shared racy bikini-clad snaps weeks after clapping back at online trolls speculating she has done 'a lot of' plastic surgery

Her signature platinum blonde locks were worn down as she sported bold make-up and accentuated her pronounced pucker with pink lip with heavy liner.

She was not alone for the photoshoot as she cuddled up with influencer pal Fallon Twombley.

Alabama captioned the gallery: 'You Belong To Me.'

This comes as back in February the nepo baby responded to an Instagram user's comment and insisted she has not undergone any cosmetic procedures.

She said she is 'natural' besides in only one part of her face and body  her lips.

Her father Travis Barker and his wife Kourtney Kardashian are among the more than 240,000 people who liked her post, which she shared on Thursday, February 15.

Alongside a sparkle emoji, the aspiring rapper  who recently went to get tattooed with her drummer dad  had written in her caption: 'Does she know you call?'

Underneath her post, one Instagram user made a bold assumption and commented: 'This child has done a lot of cosmetic surgery at a very young age'.

The 18-year-old daughter of Travis Barker took to Instagram on Sunday to share a risque gallery of snaps with her 2million followers

She donned a tiny string black bikini top with a brown worn down leather long-sleeved top and mini skirt combination

She was not alone for the photoshoot as she cuddled up with influencer pal Fallon Twombley

The online troll also seemingly gave the young star a backhanded compliment.

'I hope she doesn't overdo it,' they wrote. 'She looks good now!'

Many of Barker's fans came to her defense in the comments, but she also left her own comment as she shut down the plastic surgery speculation.

'I really appreciate the love,' she began.

The media personality then insisted she has not had any 'I'm natural, besides my lips,' she wrote before asking people to 'accept the fact I'm naturally beautiful'.

Back in October 2023, Barker first admitted to lip filler and shared a candid photo of herself in her doctor's office.

According to E! News, she tagged her nurse practitioner, who explained Barker gets 'very natural' lip filler.

In her recent photos, Barker wore a colorful, knit swimsuit coverup over a tiny string bikini.

This comes as back in February the nepo baby responded to an Instagram user's comment and insisted she has not undergone any cosmetic procedures

The 18-year-old daughter of Travis Barker responded to an Instagram user's comment and insisted she has not undergone any cosmetic procedures. She said she is 'natural' besides in only one part of her face and body  her lips

The media personality then insisted she has not had any 'I'm natural, besides my lips,' she wrote before asking people to 'accept the fact I'm naturally beautiful'

As part of her post, she was seen showing off her bikini body and lounging on a yacht

She appeared to be joined by her best friend Jodie Woods as seen in one photo of her resting her head on the internet personality's body

In another photo, she wore the top as a skirt as she showcased her figure while standing outside.

She wore dark, sultry makeup and also sported dazzling diamond jewelry.

In another photo from her post, she was seen lounging on a yacht.

She was joined by her best friend as she shared a photo of her resting her head on Jodie Woods.
Victoria Beckham is preparing to celebrate her 50th birthday, sharing an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, the eve of the milestone.

Posting a photo of herself in a bra and suit from her fashion line, Victoria shared a lengthy message, thanking her husband David and her four 'beautiful' children for their 'unconditional love and support' as she reflected on her life.

The Spice Girl declared: 'As I get ready to step into 50 (in heels, of course!), I feel so incredibly blessed to have reached this milestone.'

She went onto gush about her career highlights, saying she was 'blessed, but also accomplished and deeply content.'

'Not just of where I am as a woman, but of how far my fashion and beauty brands have come.'

Victoria Beckham is preparing to celebrate her 50th birthday, sharing an emotional Instagram post on the eve of the milestone

'My ambition was always to empower women and make them feel like the best version of themselves. To me, that meant trusting my instinct and never compromising on my creative vision.'

She added that she was proud of her career trajectory, from pop star to fashion designer, writing: 'I believe that you can be many things. A pop star, a mother, a wife, a designer'

'My passion has always been to dream big, then dream even bigger! Believe in yourself first  everyone else will follow. And if youre really lucky, youll find someone who believes in you even more than you do.'

Thanking David, the star gushed that she was 'forever grateful for your unconditional love and support, and for our beautiful children.'

'@BrooklynPeltzBeckham, @RomeoBeckham, @CruzBeckham you complete me. Im so proud, so in awe of the kind, hard-working, talented individuals you are all becoming.'

Ending her post with a promise that she will continue to strive for for more, Victoria declared: 'So, heres to doing more of what I love with the people I love. Im so thankful for my family, my friends, and my incredible team! This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and Im only just getting started.'

'Mummy and daddy, I love you. Kisses Victoria xx'

Victoria has previously insisted she is fine with growing older and wants to 'look good for her age'.

Victoria shared a lengthy message, thanking her husband David and her 'beautiful' children for their 'unconditional love and support' as she reflected on her life

The Spice Girl declared: 'As I get ready to step into 50 (in heels, of course!), I feel so incredibly blessed to have reached this milestone'

She went onto gush about her career highlights, saying that she was proud of her career trajectory: 'I believe that you can be many things. A pop star, a mother, a wife, a designer'

Adding a gushing message for her children, Victoria said: 'you complete me. Im so proud, so in awe of the kind, hard-working, talented individuals you are all becoming'

In a 2019 interview the mum of four said: 'I'm fine with growing older. I'm not trying to look any younger at all. I just wanna look good for my age.

'I wanna look like the best version of myself. I wanna look after what I have. I don't really want to change anything. And I'm okay with that. I like how getting older feels.

'I'm okay with how it looks, because it is what it is. Everybody is going to get older. [But] I don't love how it [getting older] sounds.'

And she is just as content in her career, with her fashion line registering a profit last year after a series of financial shortfalls, some 15-years after launching her own fashion label.

The star also has her own beauty line, while she is set to make her debut into the high street fashion market with her collection with Mango.

Her trademark slip dresses, knitwear and tailoring have been reacreated at a more purse-friendly price point, compared to the 90 she charges for a t-shirt from her eponymous label, which was launched in 2008. The collection will launch on April 23.
Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor are set to make their Broadway debuts in one of Shakespeare's most enduring tragedies.

The 22-year-old West Side Story actress and the 20-year-old Heartstopper star will be teaming up to star in the title roles of Romeo + Juliet, a new adaptation of the immortal play from director Sam Gold, it was announced on Tuesday.

Connor and Zegler sparked speculation that they would be starring in the production when they posted the respective letters R and J on their Instagram pages, leading fans to assume they would lead a production of Romeo And Juliet, which was confirmed with the announcement.

In addition to marking the Broadway debuts of Zegler and Connor, the new production will also be the Broadway debut of musician and producer Jack Antonoff, 40  best known for being one of Taylor Swift's go-to producers  as the production will feature new music from him.

'With the presidential election coming up in November, I felt like making a show this fall that celebrates youth and hope, and unleashes the anger young people feel about the world they are inheriting,' director Sam Gold said in a statement.

Rachel Zegler, 22, and Kit Connor, 20, will make their Broadway debuts in the title roles of Romeo + Juliet, a new adaptation of the immortal play from director Sam Gold, it was announced on Tuesday

Jack Antonoff, 40, the leader of Bleachers and one of Taylor Swift's go-to producers, will also make his Broadway debut by providing new music for the production; seen March 19 in London

The show's official synopsis indicates that it will take an edgier approach to Romeo And Juliet than more traditional productions.

'The youth are f***ed. Left to their own devices in their parents world of violent ends, an impulsive pair of star-crossed lovers hurtle towards their inescapable fate,' it reads. 'The intoxicating high of passion quickly descends into a brutal chaos that can only end one way.'

Gold is taking on Shakespeare's play, which was first published in 1597, after most recently helming an acclaimed production of Ibsen's An Enemy Of The People in an adaptation from Tony Awardnominee Amy Herzog.

The play has received particularly strong reviews for its cast, which is led by Succession's Jeremy Strong and The Sopranos and The White Lotus star Michael Imperioli.

Zegler hinted at the announcement on Monday night when she interrupted her Dior fashion show posts with an image of her with her face partially cropped as she flashed a peace sign.

'OK that's all. See you tomorrow (which could mean nothing),' she joked in the text.

After the announcement, she added on X (formerly Twitter): 'never beating the broadway debut allegations.'

Sonya Tayeh is also attached to the production to lead movement.

Connor and Zegler sparked speculation that they would be starring in the production when they posted the respective letters R and J on their Instagram pages, leading fans to assume they would lead a production of Romeo And Juliet, which was confirmed with the announcement on Tuesday

Zegler hinted at the announcement on Monday with an image of her with her flashing a peace sign. 'OK that's all. See you tomorrow (which could mean nothing),' she joked in the text

Connor, a London native, posted the letter R (for Romeo) on Monday evening, while Zegler, who hails from New Jersey, posted the letter J (for Juliet), with interlocking halves of an addition sign on their posts.

Both tagged the posts from Verona, the location of the story, and added emoji captions of a heart and dagger, which led fans to speculate that they were working on the Shakespeare classic.

One fan, referencing Zegler's previous Golden Globe-winning performance as Maria in the 2021 Steven Spielberg film West Side Story, wrote, 'Rachel playing Juliet and Maria is so ridiculously iconic.'

That musical, which was conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Arthur Laurents, adapted Romeo And Juliet for 1950s-era New York City.

MTV's account said on Zegler's page, 'WHATS HAPPENING RACHEL,' while saying on Connor's page, 'OK NOW IM REALLY LOSING IT;' said one fan, 'Kit Conner and Rachel Zegler as Romeo and Juliet are u actually serious omg.'

Said another fan: 'OMG!! Is she doing Romeo &Juliet on Broadway or a movie? Whatever this turns out to be i'm so ready for it!'

One user said on Connor's page of the set-up: 'It must be an R for Romeo and half of a plus sign I bet the female lead will be uploading the other half of the plus sign and the letter J.'

Another headline-making version of Romeo & Juliet is slated to play on Londons West End at the Duke of Yorks Theatre starring Marvel actor Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers in the title roles.

Zegler in recent years has been seen in motion pictures including 2023's The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes, in which she played Lucy Gray Baird; 2023's Shazam! Fury Of The Gods as Anthea; and this year's throwback comedy Y2K as Laura.

Fans took to Zegler's page with reactions to the post

A number of fans posted to Connor's page in response to his posting Monday

Zegler in recent years has been seen in motion pictures including The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes; pictured at a NYC screening of the film November 15, 2023

Connor's career has been on the surge in recent years, as he plays the role of Nick Nelson on the Netflix romantic drama Heartstopper, opposite Joe Locke

She has a number of high-profile projects on the horizon, as she's slated to play Snow White in a 2025 live-action adaptation of Snow White, costarring Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen.

Connor's career has been on the surge in recent years, as he plays the role of Nick Nelson on the Netflix romantic drama Heartstopper, opposite Joe Locke.

Connor has also been seen in films such as 2019's Rocketman and the 2018 Spielberg film Ready Player One.

He is slated to provide his vocal talents to the forthcoming DreamWorks Animation film The Wild Robot, costarring Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal and Stephanie Hsu.
Sam Faiers revealed on Monday that her youngest son Edward, 23 months had given her a corneal abrasion after accidentally poking her in the eye.

And now the television personality and businesswoman, 33, has taken to her Instagram story on Monday evening to give her 2.5 million followers an eye update.

Sharing a selfie to her Instagram story on Tuesday, Sam shielded her eyes with a sleep mask and explained to her fans how she was coping.

She captioned the update: 'Eye update! Guys thank you soo much for your messages. I can't believe how many of you have experienced this too.

'I thought am I being over the top? But it's been so painful all day. Finally getting into bed and hoping when I wake up it's eased off. I got drops, and I sprayed colloidal silver on them and rubbed some castor oil on too'.

Sam Faiers revealed on Monday that her youngest son Edward, 23 months had given her a corneal abrasion after accidentally poking her in the eye.

And now the television personality and businesswoman, 33, has taken to her Instagram story on Monday evening to give her 2.5 million followers an eye update.

The update comes after Sam shared a selfie to her Instagram Story on Monday describing the accidental poking as she donned a pair of oversized sunglasses.

She captioned the update: 'New pain unlocked and never experienced before. Edward poked me in the eye this morning

'This sounds dramatic but I've never had this kind of pain before from an eye poke. It's a corneal abrasion. So painful... like burns. Any tips? Sunglasses help slightly.'

Sam shares Paul, seven, Rosie, five, and her youngest child Edward, 23-months, with her partner Paul Knightley.

Corneal abrasions are small scratches on the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye.

They are generally a result of injury to the surface of the eye.

Common causes include a fingernail scratching the eye, walking into something, and getting grit in the eye, particularly if the eye is then rubbed.

It comes following the news that Sam's skincare brand has raked in a staggering 13.2 million since it launched just three years ago.

The update comes after Sam shared a selfie to her Instagram Story on Monday describing the accidental poking as she donned a pair of oversized sunglasses.

She captioned the update: 'New pain unlocked and never experienced before. Edward poked me in the eye this morning'.

The reality star shot to fame as an original cast member on ITV's The Only Way Is Essex in 2010, which she starred in until 2014 when she quit to appear in her own series, The Mummy Diaries, which ran until 2021.

Since bowing out of the TV limelight, Sam has turned her fame into fortune by starting up multiple businesses and her brand Revive Collagen has certainly proved a hit by achieving a whopping 13.2 million turnover in just three years.

The star's beauty company specialises in award-winning ready-to-drink collagen and has been endorsed by celebrities such as Oti Mabuse, Paloma Faith and Amanda Holden, who is an ambassador for the brand.

A source exclusively told MailOnline: 'Sam is one savvy businesswoman. She risked it all by starting the business, especially during the uncertain times of the lockdown.'

They added: 'She took no external investment and built the business from the ground up with her business partner.

'With the business being profitable from day one and set to launch across the US next month, she firmly has her eyes set on becoming the global market leader in ingestible collagen.

'Whilst she's had a couple of business failures along the way, she's definitely struck gold with Revive Collagen.'

Revive Collagen now claims to sell one box every 90 seconds and is stocked in over 2,000 stores across the UK, including high-profile retail locations like Harrods, Boots, and Holland & Barrett and is also stocked at Saks Fifth Avenue in the US.
Vicky Pattison has shared an update on her airport fiasco after being banned from flying due to a damaged passport - revealing she'll have a new one within the week.

The TV and radio personality, 36, spoke about the ordeal on her Heart Radio show on Tuesday evening, as she returned for the first time since her supposed holiday.

Vicky was turned away from her easyJet flight to Italy on Sunday due to her dog chewing and slightly damaging her passport.

The former Geordie Shore star was due to fly out and visit her wedding venue as well as meet the wedding planner and taste test their menu.

However, Vicky and her fiance Ercan Ramadan went sent home after easyJet staff told the reality star that her passport broke company policy.

Vicky Pattison has shared an update on her airport fiasco after being banned from flying due to a damaged passport - revealing she'll have a new one within the week

The TV and radio personality, 36, spoke about the ordeal on her Heart Radio show on Tuesday evening, as she returned for the first time since her supposed holiday

The TV personality posted a snap of the top of her passport which had been chewed by her pet pooch, while branding easyJet a 'destroyer of dreams'

Vicky's dog Milo was the culprit behind the damaged passport

On Tuesday, she told how she had spent the day at the passport office to apply for a new document so that she wouldn't miss her hen do later this month.

During the show, Vicky told listeners: 'Everyone I'm sure by now knows, I tried to go to Italy at the weekend to see my wedding venue and try the menu. We were really excited, we got to the airport really early Sunday morning and we got turned away.

'The airline, who will remain nameless because I think I've caused enough grief, said [my passport] was too damaged for their company policy. I have been travelling with it all year but company policy is company policy.

'I took it on the chin and walked away, and did a couple of stories saying I was really disappointed. I'd wasted money on the flight and my wedding planner and florist were already out there, I was feeling disappointed and tired.

'I then just got on with my life and went home to my dogs, tried to look on the bright side. And then the press just went mental, like nobody had ever been turned away from a flight because of a passport rip before. It was reported that I'm like banned from easyJet, they made it sound like I'm on some sort of list.

Adam questioned: 'You didn't have a blazing row at the gate...

'No I just walked off! I was like are you, can I take my chances? We're not gonna risk it. Then I went home to my dogs! You'd like I was some sort of criminal...'

Adam said: 'I'm sorry you didn't get to go to Italy. But the story has a happy ending as you've spent all day in the passport office...

Vicky was turned away from her easyJet flight to Italy on Sunday due to her dog chewing and slightly damaging her passport

Vicky revealed: 'Yeah I went straight there, I am going to Dubai and I've got my hen this month, I'm taking no chances. I think this is the universes way of telling me to sort out my passport. So I was proactive, and I did it. And the good news is my new one will be here in a week.'

On Monday, easyJet issued a statement about the incident.

A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We are sorry for Ms Pattisons experience and the inconvenience caused. At easyJet, we work closely with the authorities and comply with their guidance to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and staff.

'As such, we cannot allow any passenger to travel on their planned flight with documentation damaged to such a degree that its authenticity is brought into question'.

Vicky took to Instagram to rage about airline following them turning her away from a flight on Sunday

They added: 'It is the passengers responsibility to have suitable documentation for travel.'

Vicky had taken to her social media earlier in the day to say she was on her way home to 'cry' after the ordeal.

Raging, she wrote: 'Thought we were off to see our wedding venue today, we were so excited..

'I rushed back from Newcastle, packed at midnight last night and jumped into bed and got 3 hours sleep... But I didn't mind because we were going for our menu tasting @ercan_ram.

'Only to have the @easyiet staff turn me away.. I've been travelling with my passport all year and no one's said anything, but it's definitely well travelled to be fair Company policy is company policy and I get it, I'm just beyond gutted you know??

'My wedding planner, her assistant, my florist, everyone are all heading out... ... X And I'm just heading home... to have a really good cry I think.

'All the wasted money, how hard it was for me to get the time off, how excited we were, how I've wasted everyone's time.. I'm just really sad I think.'

Sharing a photo of her passport, she added: 'This is what was wrong with my passport for everyone asking, in fairness, I don't know if that is really bad or not, I've just not had anyone ever tell me it was before.. cheeky little milo butt.

A spokesperson for easyJet told MailOnline: 'We are sorry for Ms Pattisons experience and the inconvenience caused. At easyJet, we work closely with the authorities and comply with their guidance to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and staff (pictured with fiance Ercan)

'Think rather than waste my glam, I'm going to take some new passport pictures, then cry...'

Vicky concluded her string of posts with a screenshot from an online form which asked how her passport had been damaged.

Writing in the answer box, 'My dog chewed the side abit,' she added in her caption to fans, '@easyjet you destroyer of dreams you.'

A spokesperson for EasyJet said: 'We are sorry for Ms Pattisons experience and the inconvenience caused. At easyJet, we work closely with the authorities and comply with their guidance to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and staff.

'As such, we cannot allow any passenger to travel on their planned flight with documentation damaged to such a degree that its authenticity is brought into question.

'It is the passengers responsibility to have suitable documentation for travel.'
Lauren Simon's daughter Gigi is reportedly in talks with Love Island bosses to appear on the upcoming summer series.

The Celebrity Big Brother star, 52, is making way for her teenage daughter, 19, to steal the spotlight in reality TV.

Lauren, who is famed for starring on The Real Housewives Of Cheshire, might be watching her mini-me on screen in a matter of months.

According to The Sun, Gigi, who is a social media influencer, is lined-up for the ITV dating show.

A source told the publication: 'Its early stages and shes just in talks but Gigi is really keen to sign up.

Lauren Simon's, 52, daughter Gigi, 19, is reportedly in talks with Love Island bosses to appear on the upcoming summer series

The Celebrity Big Brother star is making way for her teenage daughter to steal the spotlight in reality TV

'Shes obviously got ITV connections through her mum but if she does get on the show, it wont be because of that.'

MailOnline have contacted Lauren's representatives for a comment, while ITV declined to comment.

Lauren shares daughters Gigi and Kika with her ex husband Paul Simon.

The mother-of-two recently shared a hilarious video with her new boyfriend as they enjoyed a romantic dinner date last month.

The TV personality enjoyed her first night out at Cibo, an Italian restaurant in Cheshire, with her hunky partner, Gigi and her mother, after she was evicted from the CBB house.

She appeared in high spirits as she showcased her new man to her 254,000 Instagram followers while they and Gigi danced along to Murder On The Dancefloor.

Wearing similar outfits, Lauren wore a white silky blouse and matching blazer while her new man stepped out in a crisp white shirt.

The pair both wore casual light blue jeans while the TV personality adding a few inches to her height with a pair of glitzy silver mules.

Lauren, who is famed for starring on The Real Housewives Of Cheshire, might be watching her mini-me on screen in a matter of months

According to The Sun, Gigi, who is a social media influencer, is lined-up for the ITV dating show

A source told the publication: 'Its early stages and shes just in talks but Gigi is really keen to sign up. Shes obviously got ITV connections through her mum but if she does get on the show, it wont be because of that'

Gigi, also wearing a similar outfit to her mother, wore a figure-hugging white vest with a pair of over-sized blue jeans,

Opting for a much more casual look, the brunette beauty wore a pair of black trainers and Calvin Klein underwear, showcased on full display.

Sharing their adorable dancing routine, complete with a set of spoons to hand, Lauren captioned the post: 'YOU BETTER NOT KILL THE SPOON!'
She was one of the top beauties of the 1980s and 1990s alongside Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford, and now she has made a rare appearance at the Dior show.

This icon was spotted at the pre-fall fashion show at the Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York on Monday in the sea of A list stars.

Dayle Haddon looked chic in a black suit with her hair short as she added ruby red lipstick as she joined Charlize Theron and Naomi Watts at the event.

The 75-year-old Canadian was a top Vogue cover girl in the 1970s and 1980s who walked the runway for Gucci and eventually posed nude for Playboy.

She the parlayed that modeling fame into movies like Cyborg with Jean-Claude Van Damme and a party in Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway.

And this brunette bombshell also romanced Tarzan actor Christopher Lambert, now 67.

Her daughter Ryan was married to Christian Slater and now Marc Blucas.

Former 1980s model Dayle Haddon looked chic in a black suit with her hair short as she added ruby red lipstick at the Dior show in New York on Monday

The former Miss Montreal was often on the cover of Vogue magazine

She went sexy in a gray dress for the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine in 1977. The photographer was Francesco Scavullo

Haddon for designer Donna Karan during her fall 1994 runway show

Dayle was born and raised in Toronto, Canada where she took dancing classes

At age 18 she became Miss Montreal.

Next she was off to New York City to model.

She moved to Hollywood in her early twenties to start her movie career.

She quickly landed a role in a Disney movie The World's Greatest Athlete (1973).

Wanting to shake up her good girl image, she posed nude for Playboy in the mid 1970s which opened doors for her in movies.

She was then in the films Paperback Hero, The Cousin, The Cheaters, Sex With A Smile, Spermula, Madame Claude, and The Last Romantic Lover.

In 1979 she costarred with stud of the day Nick Nolte in the big hit North Dallas Forty.

In the 1980s she appeared in Bedroom Eyes, The Hitchhiker, Desert Chase, Cyborg and Silence Like Glass.

Then in the 1990s she appeared in Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway.

Her last film was Allen's Celebrity with Theron and Leonardo DiCaprio in 1998.

Dayle Haddon in The Cousin (1974)

This lusty Italian film also starred Massimo Ranieri and Christian De Sica

She was in a bathtub for her movie The Last Romantic (1978)

In 1979 she costarred with stud of the day Nick Nolte in the big hit North Dallas Forty

Haddon was also in the Jean-Claude Van Damme movie Cyborg (1989)

Here the curly haired looker was seen in Cyborg

Dayle's husband Glenn Souham died suddenly in 1986, leaving her with little money and a daughter to raise alone.

She rented out her house while living in a small maid's room off a friend's kitchen.

Dayle landed a small advertising agency through a friend of a friend but needed a better income.

She went back to modeling to become an over 30 star.

Clairol selected her as a spokesperson then she was the face of a new anti-aging line for Estee Lauder.

Next L'Oreal worked with her.

She now has her own company, Dayle Haddon Concepts Inc, and travels the world as a spokesperson for L'Oreal.

The star often poses on Instagram with her pals Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington.

Her daughter Ryan Haddon is an American journalist, news presenter, and television producer.

She was wed to Christian Slater and is now married to Marc Blucas who costarred with Tom Cruise in Knight And Day and Katie Holmes in First Daughter.

Dayle is also a UNICEF Ambassador.

The beauty with French actor Christophe Lambert in 1984 in Paris
Emily Ratajkowski sparked romance rumors with film executive Noah Sacco as the pair enjoyed a cozy dinner date in NYC on Monday.

The supermodel, 32, who was seen kissing actor Stephane Bak in October, looked smitten with Sacco, 37, who is the head of film at production company, A24.

Ratajkowski showed off her trim frame in a sheer red top worn over a black crop-top, paired with a leopard print skirt and sneakers.

She wore her brunette locks sleek and straight as she and Sacco headed to the Commerce Inn in the West Village.

The star was seen sipping on a glass of wine before a chivalrous Sacco gave her his jacket on the walk home.

Emily Ratajkowski sparked romance rumors with film executive Noah Sacco as the pair enjoyed a cozy dinner date in NYC on Monday

The supermodel, 32, who was seen kissing actor Stephane Bak in October, looked smitten with Sacco, 37, who is the head of film at production company, A24

The pair bade farewell with a kiss on the cheek after their fun night together.

Sacco started at A24 as a production and acquisitions executive not long after the company was founded in April 2012.

A24 is responsible for numerous critically acclaimed films including multiple Oscar winner, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Moonlight and Midsommar.

Ratajkowski has had a brief career in film, with her movie appearances including 2014's Gone Girl with Ben Affleck and 2018's Welcome Home with Aaron Paul.

Following her break-up with ex-husband Sebastian Bear McClard, Emily has enjoyed a string of high profile dates with stars including Harry Styles and Eric Andre.

She was also believed to have been dating Kim Kardashian's ex-boyfriend Pete Davidson back in November 2022.

A source told Us Weekly at the time that the actress and Saturday Night Live comedian were 'in the very early stages' of dating and really liked each other.

Emily was pictured with Eric on several dates before he confirmed their romance with a very racy snap on her Instagram page.

Ratajkowski showed off her trim frame in a sheer red top worn over a black crop-top, paired with a leopard print skirt and sneakers

The star was seen sipping on a glass of wine before a chivalrous Sacco gave her his jacket on the walk home

The pair looked deep in conversation during the night

She wore her brunette locks sleek and straight as she and Sacco headed to the Commerce Inn in the West Village

Sacco appeared to touch the star's hair during their dinner date

The pair looked happy in each other's company during the date

Emily sipped on a glass of wine as she chatted over dinner

The star looked in her element as she chatted with Sacco at dinner

However it was reported soon after that the duo had gone their separate ways and she was soon linked to Harry.

Speaking on her podcast, Emily admitted that she had been dating someone she 'liked' for several weeks before they were spotted locking lips in Japan.

The romance didn't last and Harry is now in a relationship with Taylor Russell while Emily was briefly linked to DJ Orazio Rispo.

Most recently, Emily enjoyed a passionate PDA session with actor and comedian Stephane Bak as the pair stepped out together in Paris.

The pair looked to have had a good night as they bade farewell

The star smiled as she headed off into the night

Sacco smiled affectionately at Emily as they said their goodnights

Following her break-up with Sebastian, Emily has enjoyed a string of high profile dates with stars including Harry Styles and Eric Andre (pictured)

Emily was pictured with Eric on several dates before he confirmed their romance with a very racy snap on her Instagram page

Back in March she was seen passionately kissing Harry Styles on the streets of Tokyo

According to insiders at the time, the kiss was 'nothing serious' and Emily is simply 'having a good time' with a 'normal dude' following her divorce.

Emily and Sebastain split amid accusations that he was a 'serial cheater'.

A source told Page Six at the time claimed he is a 'serial cheater', adding: 'Yeah, he cheated. He's a serial cheater. It's gross. He's a dog.'
Idris Elba looked incredibly dapper as he attended the world premiere of his new Paramount+ series Knuckles at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, London on Tuesday.

The actor, 51, looked stylish as he opted for a baggy beige shirt which he wore half-unbuttoned with some smart brown trousers.

The Luther star beamed in snaps as he was joined by two of the most important women in his life: his wife Sabrina and his mum Eve.

Idris accessorised his look with a stylish Rolex, as he made sure to get the 9,800 watch visible in snaps.

Sabrina looked sensational as she showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a bright deep orange figure-hugging midi dress.

Idris Elba made a rare red carpet appearance with his mother Eve at the Knuckles world premiere at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, London on Tuesday

The actor looked stylish as he opted for a baggy beige shirt which he wore half-unbuttoned with some smart brown trousers as he posed alongside wife Sabrina

Sabrina looked stunning in a fitted red dress as she supported her husband at the event

The model, 34, flashed plenty of side boob in the halterneck ensemble, which she paired with some simple white heels, while scooping her brunette locks up in a high ponytail.

Meanwhile Idris' mum Eve, who has previously joined Idris at his premieres, looked proud as could be as she posed beside her son.

Matching the star's beige tones, she opted for a beige jumper and floaty trousers, which she accessorised with a leopard print scarf, black handbag and black shoes.

Elsewhere Joe Swash also attended the premiere as he was joined by his son Rex, four, and another friend.

The TV personality, 42, kept it casual in an all black ensemble which he paired with a grey tweed flat cap.

Enjoying a father and son evening, Joe shares Rex with his wife Stacey Solomon, as well as the pair's two daughters Rose, two, and 14-month-old Belle.

Knuckles is the first live-action television series to be based on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.

While Idris leads the series as Knuckles himself, after voicing the character for the first time in the second Sonic The Hedgehog film, Adam Pally plays Wade Whipple.

Idris made sure to flash is Rolex watch in snaps as he held up the chunky accessory

Sabrina looked sensational as she showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a bright deep orange figure-hugging midi dress

Idris leads the series as Knuckles himself, after voicing the character for the first time in the second Sonic The Hedgehog film

His Rolex is estimated to be worth 9,800

Joe Swash also attended the premiere as he was joined by his son Rex, four, and another friend

The TV personality, 42, kept it casual in an all black ensemble which he paired with a grey tweed flat cap

Cast members Idris Elba, Adam Pally, Rory McCann and Kid Cudi (L-R) were pictured with Knuckles

American rapper Kid Cudi looked very smart as he opted for a open grey shirt and black trousers which he paired with a long black coat

The whole team looked incredibly smart for the premiere (Jeff Fowler, Idris Elba, Toby Ascher, John Whittington, Samantha Waite and Tommy Gormley L-R)

Rory McCann opted for a grey blazer coat and white shirt

The Knuckles series will reportedly take place between the events of the second film and the upcoming third entry in the series, which is set to hit cinemas on December 20, 2024

The whole cast looked in great spirits (Kid Cudi, Jeff Fowler, Adam Pally, Idris Elba, Toby Ascher, John Whittington, Samantha Waite, Tommy Gormley and Rory McCann L-R)

The series was created by John Whittington and Toby Ascher (middle) and directed by Jeff Fowler

The Knuckles series will reportedly take place between the events of the second film and the upcoming third entry in the series, which is set to hit cinemas on December 20, 2024.

The series will follow Knuckles as he 'agrees to train [Pally's character] Wade as his protege and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior,' according to the logline.

Also joining the cast are Scott Mescudi (better known as the rapper Kid Cudi) and Julian Barratt of The Mighty Boosh fame.

Kid Cudi looked very smart as he opted for a open grey shirt and black trousers which he paired with a long black coat.
Sofia Boutella showed off her toned midriff in a cropped black satin blazer and low-rise trouser for a London screening of Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver.

The Algerian actress and dancer, 42, looked chic as she arrived for the UK Special Screening at The Curzon Mayfair in London.

Sofia stars in Rebel Moon as Kora, a former soldier of the galactic empire's military, the Imperium. In Part Two, she leads a band of warriors to protect a group of farmers on an isolated moon as they battle against the oppressive empire's Motherworld and its Imperium soldiers.

For the screening, Sofia stunned in the smart black two-piece, which included a pair of wide-leg trousers.

Her bobbed dark tresses were styled in loose waves and she opted for a striking cat-eye make-up look with a natural pink lip.

Sofia Boutella showed off her toned midriff in a cropped black satin blazer and low-rise trouser for a London screening of Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver at The Curzon Mayfair in London on Tuesday

The Algerian actress and dancer, 42, looked chic as she arrived for the UK Special Screening

Sofia also sported matching yellow gold 886 by The Royal Mint jewellery for the screening, consisting of a chain necklace, rings and hoop earrings.

Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver will begin streaming on Netflix on April 19, while the soundtrack album was released earlier this month.

Joining Sofia on the red carpet in London was the film's director Zack Snyder, who the actress was seen peering over his shoulder during a photocall.

For the New York City premiere on April 4, Sofia was covered up in an intriguing long-sleeve black velvet top with a frilly collar that was cropped to showcase her tummy.

The dancer-turned-actress contrasted the top with a dark miniskirt wrapped in a layer of shimmering semi-sheer fabric that gave it a puffed-up appearance.

Her toned legs culminated in a set of pointy-toed black pumps, which complemented her raven hair, which she wore tied back with casual bangs in the front.

The Star Trek actress skipped the accessories and thin set of silver hoop earrings.

Joining Sofia on the red carpet was her costar Michiel Huisman, who plays her love interest Gunnar.

He had on a casual black windbreaker over a slim black shirt, and he dressed up a bit with lustrous tan trousers and black loafers.

Sofia stars in Rebel Moon as Kora, a former soldier of the galactic empire's military, the Imperium

Joining Sofia on the red carpet in London was the film's director Zack Snyder, who the actress was seen peering over his shoulder during a photocall

For the screening, Sofia stunned in the smart black two-piece, which included a pair of wide-leg trousers

In Part Two of Rebel Moon, she leads a band of warriors to protect a group of farmers on an isolated moon as they battle against the oppressive empire's Motherworld and its Imperium soldiers

Sofia, Staz Nair, Ed Skrein and Stuart Martin attend the 'Rebel Moon a' Part Two: The Scargiver' UK Special Screening

Djimon Hounsou, who plays a former Imperium general who takes up arms alongside Sofia's character, looked debonaire in a well-tailored brown double-breasted suit with a luxurious white turtleneck sweater.

E. Duffy, the non-binary actor who plays Millius, wore an intriguing gray ribbed romper with plaid-patterned legs.

They added some height with a set of tall black heels.

They were joined by costar Staz Nair, who wore a stylish burgundy suit with multiple pockets and a pale red collar-free tuxedo shirt.

Her bobbed dark tresses were styled in loose waves and she opted for a striking cat-eye make-up look with a natural pink lip

Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver will begin streaming on Netflix on April 19

The soundtrack album was released earlier this month

He completed the look with a chic set of reptile-print shoes.

Rounding out the red carpet guests were actors Ed Skrein in a grey suit, Fra Fee in a thick grey jacket and cropped pants, Ray Fisher in a burnt orange jacket with a black hat and Stuart Martin in all black.

Zack Snyder, who directed and co-wrote the space opera, looked casual cool in a slim denim jacket with relaxed grey trousers and brown leather shoes.
Michael Palin In Nigeria (Ch5)

Rating:

Who would win a fight between a crocodile and a Python? Michael Palin wasn't sticking around to find out, at a festival in Nigeria.

Standing in a colourful crowd watching men running knives over their bare skin in an ecstatic frenzy, the Monty Python veteran turned to see a young chap with a croc slung over one shoulder.

The reptile's mouth was tied shut. 'It's taped up, it's not going to bite me,' Michael shouted over the din. Then the man undid the knot. 'Oh, it is going to bite me...'

In fact, the animal was let loose in the square, where it charged around pursuing the festival-goers.

Clearly, the West African magic that prevents knife blades from drawing blood was not proof against crocodile teeth.

Who would win a fight between a crocodile and a Python? Michael Palin (pictured) wasn't sticking around to find out at a festival in Nigeria

This attraction to the bizarre and lurid has always been what sets aside a Palin travelogue from the usual escapades of a comedian abroad.

He has always been drawn to the surreal, and Michael Palin In Nigeria is no different.

On an empty beach in Lagos, he perused a placard proclaiming the local bylaws: no fighting, no stealing and no weapons... nothing odd about that.

A speed limit was imposed on horses of 10km an hour, or about 6mph. Drones were discouraged, as was the smoking of Indian hemp. And there was strictly 'no homosexualism (gay or lesbianism)'.

'I mean,' he marvelled with a mischievous grin, 'how can you enjoy yourself here?' Perhaps that's why the place was deserted.

It must be the only spot in Lagos that isn't heaving with people. Already Africa's biggest city, it is predicted to be the most densely populated in the world by 2099, with a projected 88 million inhabitants.

Currently there are more than 16 million, 60 per cent of them aged 25 or under  and 70 per cent of them living in slums.

Sir Michael toured one of the illegal settlements, a floating suburb called Makoko, where most residents have no electricity.

His guide was the son of a local chieftain with two wives and 34 other children.

He was surrounded by throngs of people jostling, pointing and yelling, 'Oyinbo!' (which means, 'White man!'  or, literally translated, 'Peeled skin!').

Michael Palin pictured in Nigeria for his Channel 5 show - Michael Palin In Nigeria

The Palin charm is legendary but even his patience was starting to fray... and that was before he flew to the war-torn north of the country.

'Lagos is not for the fainthearted,' he declared. 'It's like having 3,000 volts put through you. The people are very welcoming, but you can tell that things aren't working perhaps as well as they should.'

This is prime Palin understatement. What he meant was, 'Good God! It's sheer chaos.'

He did meet the daughter of Nigerian superstar Fela Kuti, who is still revered almost as a god nearly 30 years after his death from AIDS in 1997.

Michael admired a video of Fela on stage in his prime, dancing half-naked. 'In the 1970s,' he sighed, 'I only took my shirt off for medical examinations.'
Kate Garraway last night accused a London council of making 'unsettling' demands of her late husband Derek Draper.

Political lobbyist Derek died aged 56 in January, weeks after suffering a heart attack before Christmas following his courageous battle with Covid-19.

Now three months on from her husband's death, Kate claims that Haringey Council, in north London, is still sending Derek 'demanding' letters which she said he 'obviously can't respond to'.

The grieving Good Morning Britain host fumed at the council and begged for help after claiming she had spent 'ten days' trying to speak to an official.

The 56-year-old wrote on X/Twitter: '@haringeycouncil -please help - have been trying for ten days sold [sic] to speak to someone about my husband passing away - following unsettling post making demands which obviously he cant respond to.

'I just cannot get through. Again today nearly 50 mins wait.'

Kate Garraway last night accused a London council of making 'unsettling' demands of her late husband Derek Draper. The pair are pictured smiling at each other during filming for Derek's Story which documented the final year of his life

Kate claims that Haringey Council (pictured), in north London, is still sending Derek letters which she said he 'obviously can't respond to'

Political lobbyist Derek Draper (pictured) died in January aged 56 following a long battle with Covid-19

Good Morning Britain host Kate, 56, took to social media on Tuesday to express her frustration with Haringey Council and beg for their help

After finally managing to get through to someone, she claims she was put 'straight back to the beginning'. She said she was then put on hold for another 20 minutes before the call cut off at 5pm.

Visibly irate at the lack of response, she added: 'Is there a bereavement service or SOMETHING!!!!'

Kate did not clarify what the post was in relation to or what 'demands' were being made.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Kate, and Haringey Council for comment.

Derek was among the first in the UK to fall seriously ill with Covid-19 and was admitted to an intensive care unit as the country entered lockdown in March 2020.

He was one of the country's longest-suffering Covid patients after being in hospital but never fully recovered after the virus left long-lasting damage to his organs and meant he needed round-the-clock care. He suffered a heart attack before Christmas and died on January 3.

Broadcaster Kate has spoken candidly about losing her husband and has also opened up about her perilous financial state.

In the ITV documentary Derek's Story - which was filmed while he was still alive - she says his care was costing 16,000 a month.

In an emotional admission of the couple's dire finances, she said: 'Derek's care costs more than my salary from ITV and that is before you pay for a mortgage, before you pay any household bills, before you pay for anything for the kids, so we are at a crunch point.

Kate could have to pay a staggering fee of up to 800,000 for all the care used for her late husband Derek Draper

Broadcaster Kate has spoken candidly about losing her husband and has also opened up about her perilous financial state

Derek's final moments were shown in the documentary, that also captured him talking on camera about his battle for the first time

'I am in debt. I can't earn enough money to cover my debt because I am managing Derek's care and I can't even use the money I do have to support Derek's recovery because it's going on the basics all the time.

Kate - who owes between 500,000 to 800,000 - told The Times last month: 'Derek's needs were clearly so great, yet he didnt warrant funded care  so you think, If he isnt getting it, then who is?

'To be fair to them, no ones contacted me since hes passed away to ask for that. They may well still do, but they havent as yet.

'The bigger picture of the further appeals I havent addressed yet, because Im still in survival mode. Its supposed to be a system thats meant to catch you if you fall. But actually, it feels like its trying to catch you out.'

Derek's final moments were shown in the documentary, that also captured him talking on camera about his battle for the first time.

He really 'wanted to have his say' despite his illness leaving him with very limited speech, according to The Sun.

The touching ITV documentary captured emotional moments alongside his children and his beloved wife Kate as he bravely fought the disease after four years.

A poignant moment from the documentary's trailer, showed the former political adviser lying in bed as he wrote down in his notepad.

During a heart-wrenching moment from the clip, Derek said: 'My name's Derek Draper, I want you to hear my story.'

The GMB host sat on his bed as she asked: 'You've written Covid changed everything. Do you mean for you?,' as Derek replied: 'Yes.'

A source told the publication: 'Derek really wanted to make this documentary and have his say. It was incredibly brave of him to let cameras into his home.'

Speaking with co-host Ed Balls on Good Morning Britain, Kate admitted she 'can't quite believe' that Derek isn't with her to 'watch his story'.

'It's been pretty emotional actually. Makes you want to jump in the screen and give him a hug.'
Wednesday has added some star power as Steve Buscemi has been cast in season 2 of the Netflix series.

The 66-year-old actor will be joining forces with lead actress Jenna Ortega - who was recently seen in the Beetlejuice 2 trailer - for the highly-anticipated second season according to a Tuesday report from Variety.

Details about his character have not been revealed but the publication claims that he will play the new principal of Nevermore Academy.

Not much us known about the return of the Jenna Ortega Netflix series other than 21-year-old star Jenna will be back in her titular role of the Addams Family daughter in her teenage years.

Buscemi is an accomplished actor of both the big and small screen as he was the lead in critically-acclaimed HBO series Boardwalk Empire from 2010 to 2014.

Wednesday as added some star power as Steve Buscemi has been cast in season 2 of the Netflix series

The 66-year-old actor will be joining forces with lead actress Jenna Ortega - who was recently seen in the Beetlejuice 2 trailer - for the highly-anticipated second season according to a Tuesday report from Variety

He also has starred in major films including 1992's Reservoir Dogs, 1996's Fargo, 1997's Con Air, 1998's The Big Lebowski, and 2010's Grown Ups.

Back in January 2023 it was announced that Wednesday had been renewed for a second season.

The spin-off about the Addams Family focuses on the gothic teenager Wednesday as she moves into boarding school Nevermore Academy.

In an interview with Tudum.com at the time, Creators/Showrunners/Executive Producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar said: 'It's been incredible to create a show that has connected with people across the world.

'Thrilled to continue Wednesday's tortuous journey into season two.

'We can't wait to dive head first into another season and explore the kooky spooky world of Nevermore. Just need to make sure Wednesday hasn't emptied the pool first.'

Upon its debut week streaming in November 2022, the show racked up a record-making 341.2million viewing hours, beating Stranger Things, according to Netflix.

On December 13, 2022 the Tim Burton-helmed show crossed the 1B hours viewed mark.

Details about his character have not been revealed but the publication claims that he will play the new principal of Nevermore Academy; he is seen with Karen Ho in New York in February

Buscemi is an accomplished actor of both the big and small screen as he was the lead in critically-acclaimed HBO series Boardwalk Empire from 2010 to 2014

He also has starred in major films including 1992's Reservoir Dogs (pictured), 1996's Fargo, 1997's Con Air, 1998's The Big Lebowski, and 2010's Grown Ups

Back in January 2023 it was announced that Wednesday had been renewed for a second season

The spin-off about the Addams Family focuses on the gothic teenager Wednesday as she moves into boarding school Nevermore Academy

It's also the no.1 show in 83 countries - tying with Stranger Things.

Netflix said in a tweet at the time: 'Wednesday now holds the record for most hours viewed in a week for an English-language series on Netflix, with 341.2 MILLION HOURS!'

'The series  starring Jenna Ortega from EPs Tim Burton, Al Gough & Miles Millar  is #1 in 83 countries, tying the record set by Stranger Things 4.'

It landed on Netflix in November and propelled straight to the top of the most watched list, beating the likes of The Crown, 1899 and Dead to Me.

The spooky drama sees Catherine Zeta-Jones playing the unique Morticia, and her husband Gomez played by Luis Guzman, along with Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen) and Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez).

Christina Ricci, who starred as Wednesday in The Addams Family (1991) and Addams Family Values (1993) also plays a cameo in the Netflix show as teacher Miss Thornhill
Ella Rae Wise risked an awkward run-in with Amber Turner as they filmed new TOWIE scenes at Lokkum Bar & Grill in Woodford, Essex on Tuesday.

Ella, 23, who is currently dating Amber's ex-boyfriend Dan Edgar, 33, stunned in a plunging pink lace co-ord as she posed up a storm outside the eatery.

Amber, 30, looked incredibly stylish in a beige mini dress and chic white blazer, teamed with knee-high heeled boots.

She showcased her toned bronzed legs as she stepped out for dinner, after recently coming back from Dubai and Bali.

The blonde lookalikes nearly bumped into one another whilst they filmed upcoming footage for the series.

Ella Rae Wise, 23, (pictured) risked an awkward run-in with Amber Turner, 30, as they filmed new TOWIE scenes at Lokkum Bar & Grill in Woodford, Essex on Tuesday

Ella (left), who is currently dating Amber's ex-boyfriend Dan Edgar, 32, stunned in a plunging pink lace co-ord as she posed up a storm outside the eatery

Amber's close pal and fellow TOWIE co-star Elma Pazar also joined the duo to film scenes.

The former Love Island star, stunned in a khaki denim dress and cream strappy high-heels.

Amber and Dan had an on-off relationship from 2017 and are currently broiled in a bitter custody row over their shared pet dog.

As the reality show returns for a brand new series in Bali the former couple, who parted ways last May after six tumultuous years, have faced toe-curling run-ins.

Despite Ella confessing she had been 'snogging' Dan 'the entire time' they were in Bali, Amber had managed to keep her cool, until Sunday's episode.

Amber has now admitted Dan and their pet, Oliver, were her family as she cried on the shoulders of her friends Elma and Chloe Meadows.

'The fact that they are together, I think because I knew it was gonna happen - that part doesn't shock me,' she explained.

Elma responded: 'You've handled the whole thing really, really well - too well almost.'

Amber showcased her toned bronzed legs as she stepped out for dinner, after recently coming back from Dubai and Bali

The blonde lookalikes nearly bumped into one another whilst they filmed upcoming footage for the series

Ella sparked a relationship with Amber's ex Dan on the recent series of TOWIE in Bali

Amber's close pal and fellow TOWIE co-star Elma Pazar also joined the duo to film scenes

The former Love Island star, stunned in a khaki denim dress and cream strappy high-heels

The duo held hands as they stepped out together

'That's why it makes me emotional, you've handled it so well that I feel like I'm taking on your emotions!' Chloe said.

Amber went on to explain how Dan and their dog Oliver was 'her family' before breaking down at the thought of loosing them.

'I'm already crying and I don't even know why,' she explained.

Previous episodes saw Amber tell Dan to 'feel free' to crack on with her 'if that makes him happy' during an argument about their 'shared' pet pooch, Oliver.

Within days of landing at the Balinese resort, fans saw a whirlwind of drama as Dan and Ella ignited an unexpected romance, catching everyone off guard.

Dan and Ella grew close while filming for the thirty-third series, but are not thought to be serious.

Amber reportedly split from a new partner after being left heart-broken by the romance between Dan and Ella, who is a decade his junior.

A source told The Sun: 'Amber had been seeing a guy who was based out in Dubai in recent months, but she recently called it a day with him.

Amber and Dan had an on-off relationship from 2017 and are currently broiled in a bitter custody row over their shared pet dog

Dan and Ella grew close while filming for the thirty-third series, but are not thought to be serious

'She realised it was a rebound after her break-up with Dan, and she didn't see a future in the new relationship, so she quietly ended things before she went to Bali to film TOWIE.'

The insider also claimed Amber was hoping to rekindle things with Dan while they are filming the new series of TOWIE abroad but his growing romance with Ella has got in the way.

The source added: 'Amber had a breakdown on camera about it and sobbed to her co-stars, which will all play out on the new series of TOWIE.'

The insider told how Amber wasn't expecting to see Dan move on with another cast member and she found it difficult to watch and now feels 'heartbroken'.
He's one of the busiest actors in television.

But Tom Hollander once had a different plan to reach success, considering letting himself go to become a 'fat actor' so he would always get work.

Speaking to Ruthie's Table podcast, with River Cafe owner Ruth Rogers, the White Lotus star said: 'I did sometimes think, I'll get to a certain age and then I'll give up trying to not be fat and then I'll just become a fat actor because fat actors, they never stop working.'

He also admitted that he has a 'little bit of a compulsion to overeat,' adding that he gains weight in between jobs and then loses it before taking on a new role.

'There's always room for a fat actor - Orson Welles or the dear Richard Griffiths, you think they're loved,' said Mr Hollander, who is 5'5'.

Tom Hollander admits that he once considered letting himself go to become a 'fat actor' so he would always get work

Hollander, pictured in Feud: Capote Vs The Swans, also revealed he weight to a clinic in Austria recently to help him lose weight

Mr Hollander, 56, has also won roles in The Night Manager, Pirates of the Caribbean and most recently in a West End theatre show, Patriots.

But today, just months after he became a father for the first time with his girlfriend Fran Hickman, he says he wants to live for as long as he can.

Mr Hollander, who named his son Kit, revealed that he went to a clinic in Austria to lose weight recently.

He added: 'I'm always trying to discipline myself but I do have a tendency to, I love eating, and I also eat my feelings which people do and if you do it too much it's not good for you so I do other things.

'If you do it too much, it's not good for you so I try to do other things with my feelings.

'To be at war with food, which you can be, is not good and I do have a sense of that because being an actor where you become inevitably obsessed with your appearance.

'It has a tendency to make you think "I mustn't eat, I mustn't eat, I mustn't eat, so I'm beautiful, beautiful, beautiful".

'It's never really made any difference.

Mr Hollander, 56, has also won roles in The Night Manager, Pirates of the Caribbean and most recently in a West End theatre show, Patriots

'But I can't do that, I don't want to do that, because I now need to live as long as I can.'

The Mail revealed that Mr Hollander and Ms Hickman, 43, were expecting their first child last summer.
Vanderpump Rules star Tom Schwartz famously has a phobia of commitment and now he finally may be ready to take his next romantic step two years after his divorce from ex-wife and castmate Katie Maloney.

The 41-year-old reality star was joined by 23-year-old college grad Sophia Skoro on The Viall Files podcast just a month after they sparked romance rumors on a date night at Madonna's concert.

Host and former Bachelor Nick Viall welcomed Sophia to the show as he asked her if they were official.

They said that they were 'almost' there as Sophia explained: 'I just want to be in the most perfect place. I like to be very, at ease.'

Tom admitted that he doesn't want to 'put pressure' on the recent college grad who is nearly two decades his junior as he added: 'We enjoy our time together.'

Vanderpump Rules star Tom Schwartz famously has a phobia of commitment and now he finally may be ready to take his next romantic step two years after his divorce from ex-wife and castmate Katie Maloney

The 41-year-old reality star was joined by 23-year-old college grad Sophia Skoro on The Viall Files podcast just a month after they sparked romance rumors on a date night at Madonna's concert

Though they are not officially a couple the two definitely have some kind of commitment to one another as Sophia was asked if they have dropped the L-word to which Sophia responded that they 'definitely love each other.'

It has been well-documented on Vanderpump Rules that the Schwartz & Sandy's owner suffered from gamophobia as he had trouble popping the question to now ex Katie and even cheated on her multiple times in the process including with their fellow castmate Scheana Shay which was only recently revealed on the Bravo series.

Tom revealed how he and Sophia met as he explained: 'We actually met on a whim at TomTom. Its funny, ironically, around that moment, I made a pledge, not only to myself, but to the universe, that I will not hang out or date.

'Im just going to be single and work for the next two years.  Then I bumped into her.'

It was Sophia who made the first move as she told the reality star that he was 'hot' at their first meeting as they exchanged numbers at the time but did not talk for a while.

'She overlooks all my baggage,' Tom explained. '[She is] One of the coolest human beings on planet earth, the baddest b***h alive.'

He couldn't stop gushing about the young Los Angeleno as he praised her 'unconventional sense of humor' and praised her success while saying she is 'sharp as hell.'

As Tom has been roasted on the internet over their age difference, he doesn't seem too bothered by it as he said: 'Honestly, if I was a lecherous old man trolling bars, seeking out young women, I think I would feel gross, but we just bumped into each other. We hit it off.'

Host and former Bachelor Nick Viall welcomed Sophia to the show as he asked her if they were official

They said that they were 'almost' there as Sophia explained: 'I just want to be in the most perfect place. I like to be very, at ease'

Tom admitted that he doesn't want to 'put pressure' on the recent college grad who is nearly two decades his junior as he added: 'We enjoy our time together'

Though they are not officially a couple the two definitely have some kind of commitment to one another as Sophia was asked if they have dropped the L-word to which Sophia responded that they 'definitely love each other'

Tom revealed how he and Sophia met as he explained: 'We actually met on a whim at TomTom. Its funny, ironically, around that moment, I made a pledge, not only to myself, but to the universe, that I will not hang out or date. Im just going to be single and work for the next two years.  Then I bumped into her.'

As Tom has been roasted on the internet over their age difference, he doesn't seem too bothered by it as he said: 'Honestly, if I was a lecherous old man trolling bars, seeking out young women, I think I would feel gross, but we just bumped into each other. We hit it off'

Tom has played coy about his love life until this point as he and Sophia enjoyed a trip to Las Vegas, NV last month.

The flame-haired vintage designer curator graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022, is just 23 - almost half the age of 41-year-old Vanderpump Rules star.

Last month, Sophia shared an Instagram slideshow and a video of their adventures attending Madonna's Celebration Tour at the T-Mobile Arena either last Friday or last Saturday.

In the TikTok post, Skoro and Schwartz lip synched along to skinnylegend's cover of Justin Timberlake's 2006 hit SexyBack before dancing together.

The Oregon native - who's employed as an associate media planner for the Publicis Groupe's Agency Zenith - shared a snap of her playing cards-themed vintage purse resting on a roulette table.

Sophia - who tagged Tom in a car snap of her lap - rocked a 'Material Girl' crucifix top from LA's Voulez Vous Vintage with black leather pants for the concert.

'Tom what are you doing here?' TikTok user @carlyhague asked in the comments.

TikTok user @brittany commented: 'Tom you have done enough in Vegas sir.'

'Tom had the millennial pause, but I'll excuse it this time,' TikTok user @kris wrote.

Tom has played coy about his love life until this point as he and Sophia enjoyed a trip to Las Vegas , NV last month

The flame-haired vintage designer curator (L) graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022, is just 23 - almost half the age of 41-year-old Vanderpump Rules star (R)

TikTok user @mry commented: 'Blink twice if you need help.'

The Schwartz & Sandy's Lounge co-owner previously appeared in Skoro's TikTok video from February 7 in which they brave a rainy LA night together.

The self-described 'nepo-baby' - whose father 'Carpet Carl' Skoro owns Marion's Carpet & Flooring Warehouses - moved to the overpopulated California city in 2022.

Tom previously hinted he was 'hanging out' with someone special while appearing on the February 20th episode of Watch What Happens Live, saying: 'I think she would prefer that I didn't say.'

On Monday, Sophia shared an Instagram slideshow and a video of their adventures attending Madonna's Celebration Tour at the T-Mobile Arena either last Friday or last Saturday

In the TikTok post, Skoro and Schwartz lip synched along to skinnylegend's cover of Justin Timberlake's 2006 hit SexyBack before dancing together

The Oregon native - who's employed as an associate media planner for the Publicis Groupe's Agency Zenith - shared a snap of her playing cards-themed vintage purse resting on a roulette table

Sophia - who tagged Tom in a car snap of her lap - rocked a 'Material Girl' crucifix top from LA's Voulez Vous Vintage with black leather pants for the concert

TikTok users ominously commented on her post: 'Tom what are you doing here?'

The Schwartz & Sandy's Lounge co-owner previously appeared in Skoro's TikTok video from February 7 in which they brave a rainy LA night together

The self-described 'nepo-baby' - whose father 'Carpet Carl' Skoro (pictured January 29) owns Marion's Carpet & Flooring Warehouses - moved to the overpopulated California city in 2022

Tom previously hinted he was 'hanging out' with someone special while appearing on the February 20th episode of Watch What Happens Live, saying: 'I think she would prefer that I didn't say'

Sophia marks Schwartz's first love interest since his 'whirlwind romance' with hairstylist Jo Wenberg (L)

The Minnesota-born, Florida-raised Bravo-lebrity told host Andy Cohen: 'Okay maybe mixed signals there a little bit. We had a lightning in a bottle situation for a while there'

Tom continued: 'I don't know if it was sustainable given my mental state of being. I don't know if I was equipped to be in a conventional relationship. I should have been committed. I should have been committed'

Schwartz also kissed his former Vanderpump Rules co-star Rachel Leviss (L) at Scheana Shay and Brock Davies' August 2022 wedding which she later called 'definitely staged and definitely produced' for the Emmy-nominated reality show

The Tom Tom Restaurant & Bar junior partner hasn't had a real girlfriend since finalizing his divorce from Vanderpump Rules co-star Katie Maloney (L, pictured in 2016) in October 2022 after five years of marriage and 12 years together

Catch more of Tom in the 11th season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spin-off, which airs Tuesdays on Bravo

Sophia marks Schwartz's first love interest since his 'whirlwind romance' with hairstylist Jo Wenberg.

'Okay maybe mixed signals there a little bit. We had a lightning in a bottle situation for a while there,' the Minnesota-born, Florida-raised Bravo-lebrity told host Andy Cohen.

'I don't know if it was sustainable given my mental state of being. I don't know if I was equipped to be in a conventional relationship. I should have been committed. I should have been committed. I was in a very weird place like I have never experienced in my entire life. I'll shut up now.'

Tom also kissed his former Vanderpump Rules co-star Rachel Leviss at Scheana Shay and Brock Davies' August 2022 wedding which she later called 'definitely staged and definitely produced' for the Emmy-nominated reality show.

Schwartz hasn't had a real girlfriend since finalizing his divorce from Vanderpump Rules co-star Katie Maloney in October 2022 after five years of marriage and 12 years together.

Catch more of the Tom Tom Restaurant & Bar junior partner in the 11th season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spin-off, which airs Tuesdays on Bravo.
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Emma Roberts opened up about making her $3.6 million Los Angeles home, previously owned by Minnie Driver, feel like a sanctuary from the world during a house tour with Architectural Digest of her stunning property.

While reflecting on moving into her new space following her split from ex Garrett Hedlund after nearly three years together in early 2022, the American Horror Story star, 33, revealed she wanted to create a place that really felt like it was her own.

'What I love about this house is it speaks for itself, it's like a grown up dollhouse. It's very storybook. And when we were moving in, it was just me and my son,' she told the publication.

She continued: 'I want this to be our house that is just our style, and filled with our memories and our love.'

Emma Roberts opened up about making her Los Angeles home feel like a sanctuary from the world while giving Architectural Digest a tour of her stunning property

While reflecting on moving into her new space following her split from ex Garrett Hedlund after nearly three years together in early 2022, the American Horror Story star, 33, revealed she wanted to create a place that really felt like it was her own

'What I love about this house is it speaks for itself, it's like a grown up dollhouse. It's very storybook. And when we were moving in, it was just me and my son,' she told the publication

Unlike her childhood, which the mother-of-one said included several different moves, the New York native said it was important to her to put down roots for her little boy, Rhodes, who she welcomed in December 2020.

'I think I lived in 10 houses by the time I was 15  so for me now, having a son, I wanted a place that felt really ours.' she told AD. 'I have a picture of the day we moved in. I'm holding him and it was the most sunny California day, and we were in front of the blue door of our new house. I just remember feeling like we are exactly where we need to be.'

Roberts worked with designers, Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward, to make her whimsical dream home a reality, complete with a 'doll wall' located near her office.

The Wild Child actress excitedly showed off her beloved collectibles from her childhood as well as dolls and items obtained as an adult, including a drunk cowgirl Barbie, Blythe dolls and 'Leggy Jill' doll.

'I'm madly obsessed with them, in love with them,' Roberts said as she began to pull a few off her shelves.

The performer went on to admit that when she was younger and people would ask if she was ever afraid the dolls would come to life, she joked that she hopes they come wake her up 'every night.'

'It would be so thrilling,' she mused.

During the interview as she showed off her library, she laughed as she picked up the novel, Norwood, by Charles Portis.

She continued: 'I want this to be our house that is just our style, and filled with our memories and our love'

Unlike her childhood, which the mother-of-one said included several different moves, the New York native said it was important to her to put down roots for her little boy, Rhodes, who she welcomed in December 2020

'I think I lived in 10 houses by the time I was 15  so for me now, having a son, I wanted a place that felt really ours.' she told AD. 'I have a picture of the day we moved in I just remember feeling like we are exactly where we need to be'

Roberts worked with designers, Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward, to make her whimsical dream home a reality, complete with a 'doll wall' located near her office

'This is a book I actually gave as a gift to my ex, but then we broke up,' she confessed, without saying which ex. 'I saw how much it was worth and I kept it.'

Similar books from Etsy of the book, considered a 'rare find' and 'vintage from the 1960s,' are going for around $4,500.

Over the years, the Belletrist founder has been romantically linked to Evan Peters, Christopher Hines, Hayden Christensen, Chord Overstreet, Alex Pettyfer, Ryan Sheckler and various other stars.

While speaking about her style Roberts declared that she believes that 'there can never be enough stripes or fringe or tassels in a house.'

The Wild Child actress excitedly showed off her beloved collectibles from her childhood as well as dolls and items obtained as an adult, including a drunk cowgirl Barbie, Blythe dolls and 'Leggy Jill' doll

'I'm madly obsessed with them, in love with them,' Roberts said as she began to pull a few off her shelves

The performer went on to admit that when she was younger and people would ask if she was ever afraid the dolls would come to life, she joked that she hopes they come wake her up 'every night'

During the interview as she showed off her library, she laughed as she picked up the novel, Norwood, by Charles Portis, before revealing it was gift to an ex-boyfriend that she took back after their breakup

'This is a book I actually gave as a gift to my ex, but then we broke up,' she confessed, without saying which ex. 'I saw how much it was worth and I kept it'

'I know people would disagree, but I love it,' she said.

As she gave a tour of her home, she showed off her expansive mug collection, her little 'Joni Mitchell shrine' and wallpaper of flying ducks above her son's forest-themed room.

'I remember as a kid, whatever's on your wall and your ceiling is seared into your brain for the rest of your life,' Roberts noted. 'So I wanted to make it extra cozy and fun, but not too overwhelming.'

Overall, her vision for Rhodes was for his room to 'feel like a little enchanted forest' because he 'loves nature and animals.'

Another surprising piece in the former Nickelodeon star's home was her 'time-out chair.'

While speaking about her style Roberts declared that she believes that 'there can never be enough stripes or fringe or tassels in a house'

Roberts showed off her gorgeous bathroom, complete with pomegranate-colored tiles and her dream vanity

While in her backyard, she gave fans a look at her pool, and said her son loves walking around the walks

'This to me felt like fun in a safe way,' she said

As she gave a tour of her home, she showed off her expansive mug collection, her little 'Joni Mitchell shrine' and wallpaper of flying ducks above her son's forest-themed room

Roberts, who has pieces from Urban Outfitters, Restoration Hardware and vintage shops, said her designers reminded her when it comes to design it's all about 'high-low'

The actress purchased the 2,730 square-foot property in 2022 for $3.6 million

'It had to come with me to my houses,' she revealed. 'And now, my son sits in it and loves it. And so, it just makes me kind of laugh to myself when I think about it.'

Roberts, who has pieces from Urban Outfitters, Restoration Hardware and vintage shops, said her designers reminded her when it comes to design it's all about 'high-low.'

The actress purchased the 2,730 square-foot property in 2022 for $3.6 million.

The actress rose to fame as a child star on Nickelodeon's sitcom Unfabulous between 2004 to 2007, before taking roles on in films like Aquamarine (2006), Nancy Drew (2007), Wild Child (2008), Hotel for Dogs (2009) and Valentine's Day (2010), We're the Millers (2013), Holidate (2020) and more.

She has since appeared in multiple seasons of American Horror Story (2013-present) as well as Scream Queens (20152016).
Christine Quinn accused her estranged husband Christian Richard of child abuse, in court docs filed Monday.

The Selling Sunset alum, 35, is requesting the court grant her full custody of the couple's two-year-old son, Christian Richard Dumontet, Page Six reported Tuesday.

Quinn, according to the outlet, said in court documents that Richard 'perpetrated acts of domestic violence and child abuse' against her and their son.

The tech entrepreneur, 45, filed for divorce earlier this month, citing 'irreconcilable differences' after he was arrested for domestic violence in their marital home March 19.

Dailymail.com has reached out to Richard's attorney for comment on the story.

Selling Sunset alum Christine Quinn, 35, is accusing her estranged husband Christian Richard, 45, of child abuse in court docs filed Monday. Pictured in LA last October

The tech entrepreneur filed for divorce earlier this month, citing 'irreconcilable differences' after he was arrested for domestic violence March 19. Pictured in LA in March of 2023

Quinn in her filing Monday explained the circumstances behind her contacting police last month, as she accused Richard of throwing a bag with a glass bottle at her that struck their son.

'I reported these acts of abuse to law enforcement,' she said, 'because they were true and because I feared for our safety.'

Police told Page Six that in the incident, 'The suspect threw a bag containing a glass bottle at the victim, missed the victim but hit the victim's child, causing injury.'

The toddler was treated for injuries at a nearby hospital, a separate source told Page Six.

Quinn said she hopes to take their son to her home state of Texas if she is granted full legal and physical custody, the outlet reported, citing court docs, and that Richard be 'restricted from any visits with' their son.

Quinn told the court that last week, Richard had been attempting to manipulate and mislead her and her attorneys in claiming falsely that his mother, Nancy Dumontet, had suffered a heart attack.

Quinn told the court that Nancy Dumontet 'did not suffer a heart attack' and Richard had tried 'to exploit a family member's false medical condition ... to manipulate me, my attorneys, and even his own attorneys.'

Quinn said in legal docs, 'I am extremely concerned that Christian will go to any lengths necessary, including great emotional manipulation, as a means to monitor my activity while the restraining order is in effect.'

The former couple was pictured at the Fashion Trust US Awards at Goya Studios on March 21, 2023 in LA

The tech entrepreneur is citing 'irreconcilable differences' in his filing against the Selling Sunset alum, 35, after he was arrested for domestic violence in their marital home last month

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, he is asking for sole legal and physical custody of their two-year-old son Christian with only visitation rights for Quinn; seen in December 2021 in LA

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ April 5, Richard is asking for sole legal and physical custody of their two-year-old son Christian, with only visitation rights for Quinn.

He also asked the court to terminate the reality TV personality's ability to seek spousal support and is not requesting alimony from her. There did not appear to be any explicit mention of a prenup in his filing.

According to the paperwork, Richard requests the court to help them divide their assets and property; and also asked for any of his earnings he has made since their separation be listed as solely his own. For the date of separation, he reported that it was 'to be determined.'

The now-estranged couple have been married since 2019 and share one son.

Richard was arrested March 19 for assault with a deadly weapon when he allegedly threw a bottle of glass recyclables at Quinn but hit their two-year-old son.

He has since disputed this version of events and called them 'lies' as he maintained that he threw a trash bag containing paper towels and soiled rags at the wall.

The former couple  who tied the knot in 2019  have also filed dueling temporary restraining orders, with Quinn's being granted against him.

A hearing slated for Wednesday will determine if the temporary restraining order is turned into a permanent one. Quinn told the court Richard has changed security codes on the home, which has left her and their 'two-year-old son out of our house in violation of both orders.'

The now-estranged couple have been married for almost five years and share one son

The former couple was pictured in LA in March of 2022

Quinn obtained a temporary protective order after the first arrest, but Richard still appeared at their marital home the following night and was arrested again, according to an LAPD spokesperson.

It has also been reported that cops had been called 18 times to her home in the past five years, according to US Weekly.

Richard is no longer allowed at the former couple's marital home and is banned from threatening, stalking and/or assaulting her.

In court documents, she made explosive accusations against him when filing for the temporary restraining order.

She claimed the couple were experiencing money woes that caused their relationship to crumble.

She alleged that during one outburst the day before his arrest, her husband had urinated on the floor and threw dog feces at her.

She also maintained that Richard flung metal, decorative objects at her during that same altercation.

When that alleged incident occurred, Quinn decided to bring her relationship with Richard to an end, according to the court documents.

The former couple  who tied the knot in 2019  have also filed dueling temporary restraining orders with hers being granted against him earlier this week

The two met shortly after Quinn wrapped filming for the first season of Selling Sunset, which debuted in March 2019; seen in February 2021

She was purportedly packing her belongings the next morning when another confrontation with Richard occurred  the one that prompted his first arrest.

The latest legal development comes on the heels of claims that the estranged couple's marital problems have been going on for month.

An insider close to the pair revealed Quinn 'felt unsafe for a while' and claimed he had even gone as far to fake a suicide attempt to 'test her love.'

'Christine has felt controlled by Christian their whole relationship,' a source told Us Weekly in late March.

The two met shortly after Quinn wrapped filming for the first season of Selling Sunset, which debuted in March 2019. She departed from the Netflix reality TV series at the start of 2022.
Doing so can lead not only to acne, but also, in rare cases, nasty infections

Many women go more than a month in between cleaning their brushes

From clogged pores, to pink eye to staph infections - the risks of letting your makeup brushes sit in their own filth for too long are numerous, experts have warned.

This is because the fluffy hairs create the perfect environment for bacteria to breed in; warm and full of oil.

But how long is too long?

Now, a top dermatologist revealed the answer to DailyMail.com - and it's a surprisingly short amount of time.

You should be washing your makeup brushes at least once a week, according to Dr Shari Lipner, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine.

'When people use these brushes, they tend to accumulate a lot of dirt and oil. And this is the perfect place for bacteria to breed,' Dr Lipner said.

'More dirt, bacteria and products on the skin can lead to more breakouts.'

Dr Lipner said she and her fellow providers have seen people in their office that struggle with this.

'We have seen patients who report that they don't clean their makeup brushes, and we do observe that their acne gets much worse.'

Dr Lipner's advice is roughly in line with that of the American Academy of Dermatology, which advises between seven to ten days.

However, most Americans who use makeup are falling short of this target.

According to a 2015 poll by skincare firm Anisa International - the most recent data available - 39 percent of women wait more than a month before cleaning their makeup brushes.

People online say similar things.

Dr Sonali Nanda, a dermatology resident at Oklahoma University, admitted in a TikTok in April of 2023 that though she knows the ADA guidelines, she's gone a whole year before without washing her brushes.

'I mean, I know it's really disgusting, they were literally caked with makeup,' she said before showing her protocol for giving the brushes a scrub.

'Honestly, sometimes I don't wash them for 6 months [emoji]. I'm lazy LOL,' Reddit user Jasderp commented in a thread discussing how often users washed their brushes.

When you don't wash your brushes, bacteria can build up in them, experts say. This bacteria can cause you to develop acne

There's a lot of product build up that happens on makeup brushes, and it's just 'nasty', Charlotte North Carolina makeup artist Caitlyn Michelle said in a January TikTok.

This 'nasty' build up is a common cause of acne and rashes, according to the AAD.

Though it's rare, it's also possible for you to get a serious infection from the bacteria, Dr Debbie Palmer, a dermatologist at the Dermatology Associates of New York, told Good Housekeeping. This includes harmful bugs like staphylococcus, streptococcus and e coli.

These germs can cause pink eye and bacterial skin infections - like staph infections. When your get a staph infection in the skin, it creates red bumps on the skin that fill with pus, and may eventually turn into deep wounds, according to the Mayo Clinic.

'Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also burrow deep into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs,' Mayo Clinic doctors wrote.

In 2016, an Australian model named Anthea Page was nearly blinded when she got a staph infection from a makeup brush she borrowed from a friend.

Model Anthea Page said she contracted a staph infection from borrowing someone's makeup brush

You don't have to spend money on products like these to get your brushes clean, Dr Lipner said

So when you've psyched yourself up enough to tackle cleaning your brushes, how do you do it?

According to Dr Lipner the best way to do that is to rinse the tips of your brushes first with lukewarm water.

Then, you should fill a bowl of water with a tablespoon of gentle shampoo or cleanser, and swirl the brush around, taking care to avoid the metal part, where the glue keeps the brush together.

After, rinse the brush under the sink to get off excess soap and product and lay it flat to dry on a clean towel.

You don't need to invest in a bunch of new tools and products, like the silicon brush mats advertised on TikTok, to get your brushes clean, Dr Lipner said.

'I don't think this is something that needs to be expensive or complicated,' it's something that can be done with items you already have in your home, she said.

Since washing your brushes should be a part of your weekly routine, it's best to keep it simple, she said.
An onslaught of lawsuits alleged it enabled them to drive up prices artificially

The software offers guidance to landlords on how much to charge tenants

A Texan software company is alleged to have been at the center of a 'rental cartel' that enabled landlords across the US to artificially drive up prices.

Software sold by RealPage is used by many of the largest property management firms in the US and suggests prices landlords should charge based on availability and demand in their area.

But plaintiffs in several states have brought lawsuits against the firm, claiming landlords share private and commercially sensitive data with the platform which is then weaponized against renters to keep costs as high as possible.

In some markets, the majority of property managers in an area are said to use the software for pricing guidance and instruction.

Now legal pressures are mounting against RealPage which is run by Dana Jones, a University of Michigan graduate who labels herself a 'growth minded CEO' on LinkedIn.

RealPage is facing mounting legal pressure over its 'AI Revenue Management' tool which uses data to calculate how much. Pictured: RealPage CEO Dana Jones

Software sold by RealPage is used by many of the largest property management firms in the US and suggests prices landlords should charge based on availability and demand in their area

The mother-of-two took the top position in 2021, succeeding billionaire founder Steve Winn, who sold the company that year for $10.2 billion to private equity firm Thoma Bravo.

Since then, state and district attorneys have brought civil action against RealPage and the Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into its software and customers.

RealPage, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Richardson, analyzes data supplied by landlords on apartment pricing and leasing to recommend rental unit prices in a specific area.

It can instruct them when they should raise rent and by how much. It can also estimate the optimum prices for new properties entering the rental market.

RealPage founder and long-time CEO Steve Winn sold the company in 2021 for $10.2 billion

The Biden administration in recent years has sought to target price gouging in various pockets of the US economy - bringing antitrust suits against big firms like Google and Amazon.

Some of its investigations have also targeted markets like concert tickets through LiveNation and payment processors with an investigation into Visa.

On its website, RealPage notes that 'AI Revenue Management delivers data-driven AI machine learning insights for balancing supply and demand at your property and provides recommendations that optimize performance.'

In a twist of fate, plaintiffs have cited in court documents RealPage's own marketing materials to make the case that it has been used to drive up prices.

On its website, the firm notes that its pricing methodology allows landlords to 'outpace the market in good times and bad.'

Kris Mayes, Arizona's attorney general, suggested in a complaint that '"outpace" is code for charging higher prices than what would be charged in a market untainted by collusion.'

'This is price fixing, and it is illegal,' read the complaint.

RealPage also boasts that the use of its tools can yield returns that 'exceed the market by 2 percent to 5 percent.'

It is not the first a company has wound up in controversy for the use of algorithmic, or dynamic, pricing, which typically uses data to gain an edge on the consumer and maximize profit margins.

Last month, Wendy's was thrust into the limelight after its executives announced plans to roll out dynamic pricing which would change the cost of food items based on demand.

RealPage is headquartered in Richardson, Texas, and was founded in 1998

RealPage's pricing software is used by property managers for guidance as to how much they should charge tenants. It can instruct them when they should raise rent and by how much

Last month, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein announced the state was launching its own probe into the software.

'Housing is already too expensive for so many North Carolinians,' he said.

'Companies cannot collude to illegally raise rents on tenants. My investigation into RealPage will shed light on whether this company's operations violate the law and raise rental costs for residents,' he added.

In response to the lawsuits, the tech firm has denied any wrongdoing, claiming instead that the use of revenue management tools and software is well-established in various industries, by airlines, hotels and car rental companies.

The company first came under significant scrutiny in 2022 after ProPublica published a series of stories about the tech firm's use of a 'mysterious algorithm to help landlords push the highest possible rents on tenants.'

It found that the use of RealPage's pricing software was far-reaching in some markets.

In one downtown Seattle ZIP code, 70 percent of more than 9,000 apartments were controlled by 10 property managers, each of which used RealPage's software in at least some of its buildings.

And in the Senate, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon introduced the Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act in January.

'Setting prices with an algorithm is no different from doing it over cigars and whiskey in a private club,' Wyden said at the time.

'Although it's my view that these cartels are already violating existing antitrust laws, I want the law to be painfully clear that algorithmic price fixing of rents is a crime.'
The BJP Government has put Neighbourhood First Policy on backburner, leaving it underperforming amid rising anti-India sentiments in the region

BJP government has made foreign policy a key election issue: Prime Minister Modi has stated, Neighbour first and Act East second. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is campaigning how G20 has enhanced Indias image and influence as a global player. Quest for High Table has shifted focus from Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP) . S Jaishankar explained that politics can go up and down in neighbourhood but people generally have good feelings for India. That is certainly not the ground reality today when in almost every country , anti-India feeling is prevalent. NFP which was formally launched in 2008, has not performed optimally due to internal and external factors. Act East appended later has also failed to take off . Followed several add-ons: sab ka saath sab ka vikas; SAGAR; Vishva Mitra; First Security Responder and so on.

Former Minister Jaswant Singh in his book Defending India, has noted that India is strategically confined by Macmahon Line, Durand Line, LAC and LoC. Still it was once the regional hegemon having promulgated the Indira Doctrine and employed military force in national interest. Indias geography and asymmetry with neighbours are both asset and liability. Congenital problems with Pakistan and later China have made it the least connected South Asian region. NFP was designed to shape the neighbourhood, especially the periphery, extending the neighbourhood to Mauritius and Iran in the West and Myanmar in the East. Curating friendly regimes, winning the goodwill of people through economic linkages and connectivity, creating strategic assets, minimising liabilities and most of all, being sensitive to genuine concerns of neighbours were some objectives of NFP. Rubbing neighbours the wrong way was not, nor meshing domestic politics with diplomacy. That an aspirational India would create glitches for NFP was not envisioned. China, gate- crashed after hiding its strength and biding its time arriving with deep pockets, BRI, MSR and Wolf Warrior diplomacy .

With ups and downs in politics regional rivalries were in full flow. Nepalese scholars were first to note change. The founding father, King Prithvi Narayan Shah had observed that Nepal is a yam between two boulders: China and India. They corrected that gospel to three boulders, adding US. Till late last year, Maldives followed India First policy, the only country to publicly proclaim the choice.

That has changed to India Out with President Muizzu demanding the 88 Indian soldiers leave before elections next month. He even hinted that Delhi tried bullying Male. Its strategic geography is pivotal in the Indian Ocean. Maldives is for now China First but India could have been more gentle with its smallest neighbour. Raking up the Kachhatheevu issue that the government admitted it was settled in 2015, was a self goal but both Modi and Jaishankar wished to politically embarrass the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and INC. Instead it has infuriated Sri Lankan media and ordinary Lankans, especially fisherfolk among the lakhs of Sri Lankan and Indian Tamils.

US Assistance Secretary of State for South Asia and Central Asia, Donald Lu has called Sri Lankans economic recovery a comeback story with concessional loans from India and USAID. That story will suffer a setback lead to revival of anti-India sentiment and further tilt towards China to whom Lanka owes USD 10 bn. In Bangladesh BNP has started an India Out campaign. China is heavily invested in projects including constructing a submarine port near Coxs Bazar adequate for 8 to 10 submarines. Bhutan was within a whisker of a land swap with China by the previous government. Otherwise Doklam could have been lost to the Chinese which would have endangered Siliguri Corridor, the India-Bhutan-China trijunction dispute. The new Lotay Tshering government might delay the Doklam swap.

In Myanmar, the military is rapidly losing ground in the civil war with Ethnic Armed Organisations and NUG. It has lost border control with China, Bangladesh, India and Thailand to EAOs. Most critical for India is Sittwe Port vital for the multi-modal Kaladan project and also the trilateral highway to Thailand. Reuters reported that junta troops nearby have fled and an attack on Sittwe is imminent. But Sohel Kazan, executive director, Bharat Freight, said last week that Sittwe will be safe following a deal between junta and Rakhine state government. If true, that is good news.

Kaladan project was contracted in 2008 and is nowhere near completion dislocating Indias two signature Act East projects.. Delhi has to rethink its relations with the junta. Most if not all regional countries want SAARC to be revived, But Indias iron clad policy of not dealing with Pakistan till terrorism from its soil stops has been aggravated by removal of Article 370. Trade potential according to World Bank between Pakistan and India is between USD 15 and 20 bn. Indias NFP has not worked because its global ambitions have diluted its zeal for the neighbourhood. Further, it has been unable to compete with China despite geography being on its side. Under NFP and Act East, India has concentrated mainly in the maritime domain resulting in neglect of inland connectivity.

The Government brags about North East shining (Manipur is a shame) but little progress is seen over connectivity of BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan India Nepal) or South East Asia. The Bangladesh China India Myanmar (BCIM) is also dead. Indias focus on neighbourhood has wavered , failing to secure the periphery. Some diplomats have advocated India setting red lines? Winning over neighbours is now a huge challenge.

(The writer, a retired Major General, was Commander, IPKF South, Sri Lanka and a founder member of the Defence Planning Staff, currently the Integrated Defence Staff. Views are personal)
The assault, though primarily symbolic in nature, highlights the mounting tensions in the region. However, the US endeavours to uphold a balance of power

At a time when people in several countries in South Asia and East Asia were celebrating the traditional new year, Iran, the second-largest country in West Asia, launched a series of missile attacks targeting its arch-enemy Israel. Jordan and Saudi Arabia supported Israel and intercepted most of the missiles fired by Iran. The attack appears to be symbolic, aimed at boosting the morale of organisations such as Hamas in Palestine, Yemens Houthis, pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon, all of which have declared war against Israel in West Asia, as well as countries like Lebanon and Syria, rather than engaging in an official war against Israel. This attack serves as a morale booster. Shortly after the attack, Hamas rejected the Cairo agreement, a result of discussions between top intelligence agencies, the CIA and Mossad, together with other stakeholders mediated by Egypt, concerning Israeli hostages.

However, many encouraged Israel to respond quickly. However, United States President Biden stated that he would not yield if attacks were made against Iran. It is seen as a matter of prior agreement by both parties rather than a threat. The truth is, that the US administration cannot afford to assist Israel in another war at this point. At a time when the countrys reputation has been tarnished at the international level and when Bidens political power is extremely weak if the United States makes such an unwise decision, it will have to face unprecedented consequences shortly, similar to how the United States has caused irreversible damage to world peace and order.

Elon Musks recent statement that the possibility of the United States becoming the victim of a September 11-style surprise attack is very high seems to hold deep truth. The consequences of these conflicts may not only affect Washington or New York but also American military bases around the world. The likelihood of an attack similar to the one on Pearl Harbor is high. The United States cannot always continue to create military conflicts in other countries for its war trade and keep its superpower status as it desires. The superpower, as history has proven, will inevitably crumble at any given point. Compared to its lifespan, the United States is a relatively young superpower in the grand scheme of civilisation, considering the collapse of great empires.

Throughout history, mighty empires have risen and fallen, leaving lasting legacies. The Roman Empire, spanning from 27 BC to AD 476, peaked in the 2nd century AD, but internal strife, economic instability and external invasions, such as by the Visigoths and Vandals, led to its fragmentation. The Ottoman Empire, dominant in the 16th and 17th centuries across the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa and Western Asia, declined due to internal conflicts and challenges from European powers like Russia and Austria. The Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, stretched from Eastern Europe to the Pacific Ocean, but internal divisions and the death of key leaders led to its fragmentation by the late 14th century. Lastly, the British Empire, spanning from the 16th to the 20th century, faced economic strain and nationalist movements, ultimately dissolving due to internal weakness and external pressures. These collapses, driven by political, military and socioeconomic factors, reshaped the world, underscoring the transient nature of power and the enduring impact of history on modern geopolitics and civilisation.

However, the deep state of the United States has certainly studied and comprehended global history better than many other countries. That is why the basic strategy of the United States has been to create new wars while talking about peace and turn those wars into long-term tragedies to keep uncertainties. This strategy can weaken its rivals and maintain its power continuously. These issues become clear when many conflicts are understood in their political and economic context. The ideology that Israel has continuously pursued against Iran in national and international forums is not a single opinion or rivalry of Israel, but it is a long-term propagation through carefully selected facts and objectives together with the United States. On one hand, the West fuels wars against hostile countries. On the other, it manufactures internal crises in those nations by imposing international sanctions. This remains a persistent behaviour of the West.

The thing that should not be forgotten here is that the attack by Iran was a retaliation. It is a response to the Israeli provocation on the Iranian consulate in Syria, a gross violation of the Vienna Convention, which claimed the lives of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Irans calculation, as some analysts pointed out, was that if it did not respond, Israel would seek to push back and degrade the axis of resistance across the region. However, it is unreasonable to think that Israel miscalculated its attack on the Iranian diplomatic site in Syria as Israel continues to keep deep intelligence penetration of IRGC and Hezbollah networks in Syria, making those networks highly vulnerable to Israeli attacks. Iran must uphold its reputation among its allies and address internal political crises effectively. Therefore, prioritising attacks conducted through proxies is advisable, while occasional skirmishes from both sides should be acknowledged.

Moreover, it is very important to consider the governments domestic policies and openly mention Irans inherent weaknesses amid escalating tensions among some politicians and officials in Iran. They highlighted the many crises facing the Iranian government and warned against engaging in direct conflict with Israel without first addressing these pressing issues, which they argued would only worsen the situation. They emphasised the importance of prudent governance and effective crisis management and the need to mitigate ongoing crises to prevent system collapse.

Economic challenges and psychological instability in society are urgent issues that need to be addressed as they are now breeding grounds for enemy penetrations. They advocated the adoption of conciliatory policies to reduce tensions and promote harmony and empathy in Iranian society. The regimes repressive domestic policies, particularly regarding the mandatory hijab enforcement campaign, have fuelled widespread discontent and delegitimised the government. Recent anti-Israel actions, like seizing a cargo ship, have caused Irans markets to react negatively. The national currencys value has hit a record low. President Ibrahim Raisi faces criticism and calls for a cabinet reshuffle to address economic hardships affecting many Iranians.

Over the years, Israel has demonstrated its capability in targeting Iranian nuclear scientists and infrastructure. Notably, the Stuxnet cyber-attack, jointly orchestrated by the United States and Israel, delivered a significant blow to Irans nuclear ambitions. This proves that national interests are never compromised for domestic political issues, except for former President Trump. Stuxnet marked a pivotal moment, ushering in the era of cyberwarfare, where lines of code wielded the power to reshape geopolitical landscapes. Its impact reverberated globally, highlighting the evolving nature of warfare and the formidable role of technology in modern conflicts. In this situation, Iran cannot continue to be silent. It must prove its power numerically. Therefore, the recent attack was more a reputational-preservation move than a declaration of war.

(The writer is a Sri Lankan Journalist. Views are personal)
From leading environmental crusades to confronting social injustices head-on, they embody the spirit of the region, epitomising resilience and fortitude

Women in Uttarakhand are renowned for their extraordinary resilience and hard work, characteristics deeply rooted in their Himalayan heritage. Despite grappling with the challenges of life in this rugged terrain, Uttarakhands women have consistently been at the forefront of social and environmental movements, epitomized by figures like Gaura Devi of the Chipko movement and Tinchari Mai (Deepa Nautiyal), who spearheaded the Anti-Liquor movement. These women have fearlessly confronted injustice, embodying the spirit of Uttarakhand. This article seeks to underscore the political engagement of women in Uttarakhand, shedding light on their role in bolstering democracy.

The political participation of women in Uttarakhand can be delineated into two primary spheres: first, women assuming leadership positions within the political domain and second, women exercising their electoral rights as voters.

Since the inception of the state, the representation of women in the legislative assembly has seen a significant albeit gradual rise. From four women members in the first assembly, the number has increased by 50% in the 2022 elections, marking a commendable stride. However, despite this progress, women remain a minority in the assembly, constituting a mere fraction of the total members. Presently, the legislative assembly boasts eight women members, including three Dalit women, the highest number in Uttarakhands history. Notably, Smt. Ritu Khanduri serves as the speaker, while Smt. Rekha Arya is the lone female minister in the cabinet. Despite these advancements, the disparity in political representation persists, underscoring the challenges women face in accessing political power.

While womens representation in the parliamentary arena remains scant, with only two female MPs out of eight, the discrepancy between the female population (49%) and their political representation is stark. Despite their active participation in grassroots movements, womens presence in formal politics remains disproportionately low.

Women in Uttarakhand constitute the backbone of the rural economy, grappling with issues like migration, environmental degradation and inadequate healthcare services. However, societal norms and economic constraints often deter their political involvement. Moreover, political parties reluctance to field female candidates exacerbates this disparity. For instance, in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress has not nominated any female candidates, while the BJP has nominated only one, Mrs. Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah.

Nevertheless, women voters in Uttarakhand have emerged as a formidable force, outnumbering men in recent elections. Their increasing political awareness, fueled by issues directly affecting their lives, coupled with higher literacy rates and government initiatives like reservation quotas, has galvanized their participation. Policies such as 30% horizontal reservation in government jobs and 50% reservation in Panchayats have bolstered womens political agency, enabling them to assume leadership roles at the grassroots level.

In the run-up to the 2024 Parliamentary elections, both major parties are vying for womens support, employing diverse strategies. Congress has pledged financial assistance and job reservations for women, emphasizing womens security and justice. Conversely, the BJP highlights its implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as a milestone for womens rights, coupled with grassroots mobilization efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis appeal among women voters, attributed to his grassroots connect and initiatives like the Women Reservation Bill, further consolidates BJPs electoral prospects. The Modi factor has resonated with Uttarakhands women, contributing to BJPs continued dominance since 2017.

To bolster womens empowerment, the state government has allocated a substantial gender budget for 2024-25, earmarked for bridging gender disparities and promoting equality. Additionally, measures like deploying women employees to oversee polling booths and facilitating pregnant womens access to voting booths underscore the commitment to inclusive governance.

In conclusion, Dr Ambedkars assertion that a communitys progress is contingent upon womens advancement holds for Uttarakhand. While women have historically been instrumental in social movements, their underrepresentation in formal politics remains a pressing concern. Addressing these challenges is imperative for ensuring womens political representation and expediting the states development. As Uttarakhand gears up for the upcoming Chunav Kauthig, with women comprising 48.1 per cent of the electorate, their increased participation promises to be a harbinger of democracys triumph in the state.

(The writer is a research scholar; views are personal)
When there are mafias specialized in smuggling of gold and narcotics, sand, sex, private schools and colleges, liquor, hospital and land can literature lag behind? The literary award mafias in Kerala have their tentacles over the selection committees that decide the winners of the State-controlled Kerala Sahitya Akademy and Ezhuthachan Award Committee (the highest award in Malayalam) .

Literary lovers were perplexed when this years Vilasini Award was conferred on P K Pokker, a self-styled postmodernist writer who is a hardcore CPI(M) activist. Though he has authored more than a dozen books on literary criticism ,nobody in the field of criticism has bothered to touch these books with the barge of a pole. To put it briefly, all his works belong to the genre known as trash, C K Anandan Pillai, chief editor, Sahitya Vimarsam, told The Pioneer.

Pokker was awarded the Vilasini Prize by the Kerala Sahitya Akademy in violation of all guidelines specified for this prestigious honor. The award was instituted by Vilasini (the pen name of one of the all time greats of Malayalam literature, M K Menon) with the intention of honoring authors who undertake comprehensive study on novels published in Malayalam. Menon is the author of many classic novels including The Inheritors, the longest novel ever written in India.

When he came to know that there were no writers specializing in studies of novels in Malayalam, Menon, a journalist-turned-novelist set apart a corpus fund and instituted an award to encourage those who take up serious studies in Malayalam novels. He had set three conditions while instituting the award. The honor should be named after O Chandu Menon, Malayalam languages first ever novelist and his name should not find mention anywhere in this connection. Menon also put a stringent condition that collection of articles should not be considered for this award. This was to encourage serious study on a particular novel which would elevate the status of such novels to global standards. What the Sahitya Akadeny Award jury has done is to throw the guidelines into trash bin and select a fourth grade book full of grammatical mistakes and literary aberrations, wrote noted critic A B Raghunathan Nair in a research paper published in Sahitya Vimarsam.

Nair has pointed out hundreds of such mistakes in Pokkers book Blue Light of Creativity, a collection of essays on the literary works of Vaikkom Muhammed Basheer. There are so many factual as well as grammatical errors in Pokkers work. The basic requirement to be considered for the prize is that it should be a comprehensive study on the novel.

What Pokker has done is to write some articles and got it published as a collection, writes Nair.
Amid allegations by Opposition parties that the Government is misusing probe agencies to target its leaders, the Election Commission on Tuesday shared a data saying around 200 complaints have been filed by various political parties and candidates across States.

The Congress is the top in the list of filing complaints to the EC, followed by the BJP for violation of Model Code of Conduct. According to the EC, the BJP has filed 51 complaints, of them, action has been taken in 38 cases while the Congress filed 59 and action taken on 51 cases.

Several political parties from the INDIA Bloc had approached the poll panel seeking its intervention in the alleged misuse of probe agencies by the Government to target their leaders over graft.

Following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise scam, the Opposition parties had mounted renewed attack on the Government for its alleged bid to silence their leaders ahead of parliamentary elections.

According to the EC, suo motu removal of officers holding dual charges as Principal Secretaries to Chief Ministers in six States namely Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, as they were holding charge of Home/ General Administration department also. This was to distance election related senior officers with control over, DMs/DEOs/ROs and SPs, from Chief Ministers offices.

Data showed the other political parties have filed 90 complaints, out of which action has been taken in 80. Notably, a total of 2,68,080 complaints have been filed on c vigil, the commissions portal on violations for citizens.

Of these, action has been taken in 2,67,762 cases and 92 per cent were resolved in less than 100 minutes. Several political parties from the INDIA Bloc had approached the poll panel, accusing the Government of using probe agencies to target their leaders.

Sharing details of action taken by the poll body, the Commission said suo motu removal of DGP West Bengal as he was barred from election duty in previous elections also.

Suo motu transfer of non-cadre officers who were posted at leadership positions as District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP) in four States namely Gujarat, Punjab, Odisha and West Bengal.

Suo motu transfer of officers in Punjab, Haryana and Assam because of their kinship or familial association with the elected political representatives, it said.

The EC said on complaint from the Congress and the AAP, directive to MeitY to stop transmission of Government of Indias Viksit Bharat Message on WhatsApp post announcement of elections.

On complaint from DMK, FIR was registered against a BJP Minister Shobha Karandlaje for her unverified allegations on Rameshwar Blast Cafe, it said

The EC said it has taken action on a complaint from the Congress and issued directions to the Cabinet Secretary for compliance of its instructions on removing defacement from Government/public premises including hoardings, photos, and messages from DMRC trains and petrol pump, highways, etc.

It further stated that directions were issued to Central Board of Direct Taxes for verification of any mismatch in assets declaration by Union Minister Chandrasekharan in his affidavit.

During the one-month period, 16 delegations from 7 political parties met the commission to lodge their complaints on alleged violations of Model code and related matters. Many delegations met in the States at the level of Chief Electoral Officer.

It also stated that on the complaint of TMC, notice was issued to BJP leader Dilip Ghosh for objectionable and disrespectful remarks towards Mamata Banerjee. Similarly on the complaint of BJP, notice was issued to Supriya Srinate for objectionable remarks towards BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut and Hema Malini respectively. An FIR was lodged against remarks made by Anitha R Radhakrishnan, DMK leader towards Narendra Modi.

The poll body asserted that while it remains committed to protecting level playing field and campaign entitlement of parties and candidates, it has not found it correct to take any step that could overlap or overrun the legal judicial process.

In a statement, the poll body said it was guided by constitutional wisdom when presented with live situations involving political persons which have been under active consideration and orders of the courts based on criminal investigations.

The guidelines plugging gap in law has been issued, on a complaint from AAP against anonymous advertisements in hoardings cum billboards in Delhi Municipal Commission area without giving names of publisher. Giving wider amplitude to the meaning of pamphlet and poster in the existing law by including hoardings, guidelines have been issued to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs mandating the clear identification of printer and publisher on printed election-related material including hoardings, ensuring accountability and transparency in campaign communications, it said.
In an unexpected turn during the Uttar Pradesh (UP) election season, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) workers are witnessing heightened demand, not for their traditional manual labour, but as foot soldiers for political campaigns.

This trend has ignited a discourse on the exploitation of these workers for political purposes, not by a particular party but by parties of all hues.

Typically earning around `250 per day for their labour, MGNREGA workers are now being tempted into election rallies and canvassing with promises of `300 wages, supplemented with three meals a day and even evening liquor.

The surge in pay, coupled with additional perks, has resulted in a scarcity of MGNREGA workers willing to partake in their usual tasks, such as pond digging or rural development work, across various regions of UP.

Raja Bhaiya, head of the Vidya Dham Samiti NGO in Banda, UP, noted that in the Bundelkhand region, these workers are engaged in election campaigns for as low as `200-250 per day.

They are attracted by the promise of three meals a day and evening liquor. And this is sufficient incentive for them to work at lower rates, he told The Pioneer, adding these workers are doubling up as political karyakarta.

Sukhai Ram, a MGNREGA job card holder, was assigned to work on a pond and culvert construction project in Gram Sabha Karonda, Barabanki, but has declined, citing the allure of higher wages and shaam ki diwai, referring to alcohol.

The Department of Rural Development in Lucknow has received complaints from several districts regarding the disruption of MGNREGA work due to elections. Labour shortages are common during elections. Diversion is inevitable, and the Government has limited control over it, a senior official informed.

These workers are tasked with carrying election materials, waving flags at rallies, and participating in roadshows.

The exploitation of MGNREGA workers for political ends has drawn condemnation from various quarters, raising concerns about the moral implications of such practices.

Political analyst Dr Rajesh Sharma remarked, The exploitation of MGNREGA workers for election purposes raises serious ethical questions. These vulnerable workers are being lured with temporary benefits to serve political interests, undermining the essence of the employment guarantee scheme.

This issue has reignited debates about the efficacy of MGNREGA in combating rural unemployment and poverty, with some arguing that the schemes objectives are being compromised for short-term political gains.

The ramifications of this trend are evident on the ground, as rural development projects suffer from labour shortages, impacting the pace and quality of work in various UP regions.

In response to criticism, political parties have defended their actions, citing the need for manpower during election campaigns and asserting that they are providing job opportunities to MGNREGA workers.

With soaring temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, people prefer staying indoors. We require foot soldiers and have recruited some from villages, stated Rupesh Kumar, a BJP leader, although he claimed ignorance about whether these recruits are MGNREGA workers.

However, civil society organisations and activists have called for enhanced oversight and accountability to prevent the exploitation of MGNREGA workers and uphold the integrity of the employment guarantee scheme.

As the election season progresses, the debate surrounding the utilisation of MGNREGA workers for election campaigns is expected to persist, underscoring the intricate dynamics between politics, labour, and rural welfare schemes in India.
Bengal witnessed a virtual duel between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee even as the former accused the Bengal Government of stopping Ram Navami celebrations and honouring those who throw stones at Ram Navami processions while the latter asked the people, particularly the minorities not to walk into the trap of the BJP which is trying to trigger communal riots in Bengal.

The Prime Minister, who was addressing election rallies at Balurghat and Raiganj in North Bengal, alleged how the Bengal administration has been doing everything to spike the Ram Navami celebrations.

Tomorrow the entire nation goes to celebrate the Ram Navami  but here the Trinamool Congress has always tried to stop it from taking place in Bengal ... they tried many conspiracies. And we were forced to get permission from the High Court and tomorrow, with devotion and faith, we will celebrate Ram Navami, the Prime Minister said.

It has always been that the TMC stops such religious programmes and promotes and honours those people who throw stones at these processions, he said.

However, the Chief Minister hit back from a rally at Moinaguri in Jalpaiguri district asking people to remain alert against the evil designs of the BJP to trigger riots in the name of festivals.

In a statement that most Opposition parties, including the BJP read as a bid to act the messiah of the Muslims before elections, Mamata said, Bengal is for every religion but here are some people who are trying to play communal politics by triggering riots I ask the people, particularly my minority brothers and sisters to keep your cool and do not walk into the trap laid by them  some people are spreading fake videos  some may raise slogans  but if you hear such slogans keep your cool and pray to Allah so that things pass off without fuss  because Ram Navami is a festival of mutual respect and honour.

The BJP sends NIA in Bengal to disturb and victimise the innocent people, she said.

Earlier the High Court had allowed Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Anjani Putra Sena to take out processions, but under certain conditions, the maximum participants should not be more than 200 and that there would be no play of arms or DJs.

Tuesdays development came against the backdrop of weeks long riots at Howrah, Serampore and Dalkhola in the days following Ram Navami.

The Modi-Mamata spar came at a time when in a major development the Jadavpur University authorities on Tuesday allowed the celebrations of Ram Navami at the campus even as sources said if Saraswati Puja can be organised why Ram Navami cannot be celebrated here. This is the first time that such celebrations would be allowed inside the campus.

Elsewhere in North Bengal the Chief Minister warned the people against the Citizenship Amendment Act, comparing it with the head of a big fish which has a tail in the National Register of Citizens. If it is a big fish then the CAA is the head and NRC is the tail and the Uniform Civil Code is its torso, Mamata said accusing the BJP government of playing dirty politics of polarisation.

Attacking the Centre for defaming Bengal with allegations of corruption, she demanded a white paper to be released on the issue.

Mamatas statement came hours after bystanders cried Chor! chor (thief! thief) at her cavalcade.

She said, They were calling me thief  had it not been election times I would have pulled out their tongues who call me thief. The BJP had sent 300 Central teams to enquire into alleged MNREGA and other frauds but failed to find any, she said.
Many students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University here on Tuesday participated in a strike to protest against the administration's neglect of their demands, including "inaction" over a sexual harassment complaint.

Classes in various departments, including Social Sciences, Physical Science, School of International Students and School of Language, Arts and Aesthetics, and Computer Sciences, were stalled amid the strike.

The protest call was given by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), which has demanded an expeditious investigation into a sexual harassment incident and action against those accused.

On March 31, a woman JNU student filed a complaint with the administration against four individuals, including two former students of the university, for allegedly passing sexually derogatory comments at her while she was taking a walk at the JNU Ring Road in the early hours of the day.

The union has also asked the administration to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of the victim against alleged attempts at intimidation.

"The JNUSU will observe a complete university strike on April 16 if JNU VC fails to address pressing concerns of students by April 15," it had said on Saturday.

The students union has also released a charter of demands, including reinstatement of the now-scrapped Gender Sensitization Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) and inclusion of JNUSU in all committee meetings taking decisions related to students, among others.
Amidst the rift between AAP-led Delhi Government and the Raj Niwas, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday implicated the Kejriwal Government over the water woes in the national Capital that has also led to killing of consumers and hostilities between neighbours and colonies. In an open letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who is in jail and a direct communication in present circumstances is not possible, the Lieutenant Governor said there has been no effort whatsoever during the last 10 years for plugging the leaks but the Delhi government seem to be spending thousands of crores in pumping water into a leaking bucket.

Saxena said more than two crore (over 80 percent) people are deprived of drinking water supply in varying degrees, especially in unauthorized colonies, slum clusters and to a lesser extent, even in organized developed colonies and seemingly, 10 years of inaction have resulted in thousands of crores of tax-payers money going down the drain.

Atishi hit back at Saxena over the open letter, holding him responsible for the stoppage of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) works. The Delhi water minister had a few days ago written to the L-G, asking him to suspend the CEO of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) after a woman was killed following a quarrel with her neighbour over fetching water from a common tap in the Farsh Bazar area of northeast Delhi.

In the note, Atishi urged Saxena to "institute an independent enquiry into the acts of omission and commission of the chief secretary, as well as officers of the finance department, urban development department and DJB".

"I was deeply distressed at the insensitive communication from the Minister for Water... Atishi on Sunday. While I was yet to receive the letter, it characteristically found its way on various social and mainstream media platforms, the moment it was signed. She has chosen to use the unfortunate death of a woman in East Delhi for narrow and partisan political goals," he charged. "Her note indeed is a prima facie admission of guilt, inaction and inefficiency over the past almost 10 years," he said in the letter.

 In the last nine years , Rs. 28,400 Cr. has been spent as Capital Expenditure by the Delhi Jal Board which is also indulged in a scam involving AAP leaders. The accumulated loan and interest liability of DJB stands at a staggering Rs 73,000 crores. Preparation of the annual statement of accounts is a statutory obligation under section 70 of the Delhi Jal Board Act 1998. Non preparation of balance sheets and avoiding CAG audit appears to be part of a design to escape public accountability, read the letter.

The Lieutenant Governor further said that the rich in the city staying in affluent colonies have round the clock water supply, as high as 500 litre per person per day- which translates to nearly 35 buckets of water per person per day.  On the other extreme are poor people in slums and unauthorized colonies, barely receiving a trickle. Many of these settlements receive water supply for barely half an hour a day. In some cases, water is supplied on alternate days. Water availability is less than 50 litre per person per day in poor colonies, even as, you and your Ministers kept making false assurances of giving 24x7 water supply. In effect, while you promised free water to poor, they ended up getting no water.

He said it would be educative to know that in Singapore, unaccounted for water* is just 5 percent, compared to Delhis 58 percent. Even other Indian cities fare much better- Chennai (35 percent), Mumbai (27 percent), Pune (35 percent). By contrast, Delhi has seen an inexcusable decline from 45 to 58 percent. It simply points to the fact that there has been no effort whatsoever during the last ten years for plugging the leaks and we seem to be spending thousands of crores in pumping water into a leaking bucket.

The LG said the deplorable quality of water supply reaching peoples home has major health consequences. After spending thousands of crores from the public exchequer, the water in residential areas is contaminated with sewage.

In many instances, people, mostly poor, who are unaware of the bad water quality, end up falling sick. The extent of water borne disease- diarrhea, dysentery and cholera adds up to huge out of pocket expenses for the poor. Last year, there were 34,979 cases of acute diarrheal disease, which was a 23 percent increase over the previous year. There were 23.423 cases of typhoid, which was a 52 percent increase in a single year. Hepatitis A cases shot up bv 89 percent. Poor water quality impacts people living on the margins of society most adversely. This reflects the priority that government accords to the poorest of the poor.

Your Ministers are perpetually busy addressing Media, spinning falsehoods. Daily multiple press conferences, making wild allegations and filing court cases against all and sundry seem to be the primary job of your Ministers at the cost of governance. They barely find time to attend public grievances and official work. Had even a fraction of their time been used for productive activity, the situation w,ould not have been so grim.

This is not an isolated instance, where a Minister has publicly berated senior officers, without a proper authentication of facts. On the smallest provocation, they decide to seek the suspension of officers who have put in more than three decades of service.. This appears to be a deliberate attempt to w'eave a one-sided public narrative with an aim to mask their own failures, read the letter.
A 44-year-old man allegedly shot dead an assistant sub-inspector and then killed himself on Tuesday in the Nand Nagri area of northeast Delhi, police said.

According to police, they received a PCR call around 11.40 am reporting multiple bullet rounds being fired at the Meet Nagar Flyover that killed ASI Dinesh Sharma and injured another person.

ASI Sharma was posted in the Special Branch of the Delhi Police and was travelling on his motorcycle when the incident occurred. Another victim, Amit Kumar (30) was also travelling on his scooter when he was shot by the accused, Mukesh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said.

Mukesh was a resident of Nand Nagri area of northeast Delhi, police said. According to an eye-witness, Mukesh first shot dead Sharma and then shot Kumar who was injured on his leg. He then boarded an auto-rickshaw and asked him to take him away from the spot.

"However, the driver refused and the accused fired at him, but he escaped unhurt. When the crowd started gathering on the spot, he shot himself dead," the eye-witness said.

"We have recovered a 7.65 mm pistol on the rear seat of the auto. Multiple live rounds and empty shells were also found at three different locations on the flyover," he said.

The bodies were sent for post-mortem and the injured was rushed to a hospital where he is undergoing treatment and is in a critical condition, police said.

"We have registered a case of murder, attempt to murder and Arms Act against the accused at Jyoti Nagar police station and started further investigation into the matter," the DCP said.
Three men were arrested for allegedly extorting money and jewellery from the wife of a naval officer by posing as seers and threatening her with a dummy snake in Delhi's RK Puram area, police said on Tuesday.

The accused were identified as Debu Nath (20), Vinod Kamat (45), and Rajender Sharma (50), police said. On April 5, the accused, posing as seers, extorted money and jewellery from the wife of a Naval officer near African Avenue Road, Deputy Commissioner of Police (southwest) Rohit Meena said.

The accused first asked her to put money in a metal pot for blessings, the DCP said.

"As the complainant did this, the accused threatened her with a snake for life and took away her gold cum platinum ring which she was wearing. Following a complaint, an FIR was registered and further investigation was taken up," the DCP said. The police studied the modus operandi of the accused and traced them, he said.

"The team checked more than 100 CCTV cameras on entry and exit routes. After continuous checking of CCTV cameras, the team obtained the registration number of the auto-rickshaw, which was found registered in the name of Sunita Devi. On questioning, she said that she had given it to one of the accused Kamat on a rental basis," he said.

During the investigation, the police found that Nath and his associates would cheat people by showing dummy snakes in public places, he said.

During interrogation, Kamat told the police that a few days ago, the accused met him and hired his auto rickshaw permanently for Rs 800 from 8 am to 2 pm. He used to pick them up from Shakurpur Basti in West Delhi and drop them at different locations where they committed the crimes, Meena said.

"He also used to help them to escape from place of occurrence. The team later arrested Debu Nath, who told police that he had sold the ring to the jeweller shop of Rajender and recovered a platinum ring," Meena said, adding that further investigation is underway. Staff Reporter n New Delhi

Three men were arrested for allegedly extorting money and jewellery from the wife of a naval officer by posing as seers and threatening her with a dummy snake in Delhi's RK Puram area, police said on Tuesday.

The accused were identified as Debu Nath (20), Vinod Kamat (45), and Rajender Sharma (50), police said. On April 5, the accused, posing as seers, extorted money and jewellery from the wife of a Naval officer near African Avenue Road, Deputy Commissioner of Police (southwest) Rohit Meena said.

The accused first asked her to put money in a metal pot for blessings, the DCP said.

"As the complainant did this, the accused threatened her with a snake for life and took away her gold cum platinum ring which she was wearing. Following a complaint, an FIR was registered and further investigation was taken up," the DCP said. The police studied the modus operandi of the accused and traced them, he said.

"The team checked more than 100 CCTV cameras on entry and exit routes. After continuous checking of CCTV cameras, the team obtained the registration number of the auto-rickshaw, which was found registered in the name of Sunita Devi. On questioning, she said that she had given it to one of the accused Kamat on a rental basis," he said.

During the investigation, the police found that Nath and his associates would cheat people by showing dummy snakes in public places, he said.

During interrogation, Kamat told the police that a few days ago, the accused met him and hired his auto rickshaw permanently for Rs 800 from 8 am to 2 pm. He used to pick them up from Shakurpur Basti in West Delhi and drop them at different locations where they committed the crimes, Meena said.

"He also used to help them to escape from place of occurrence. The team later arrested Debu Nath, who told police that he had sold the ring to the jeweller shop of Rajender and recovered a platinum ring," Meena said, adding that further investigation is underway.
A court in Mumbai on Tuesday remanded two persons arrested in connection with the firing outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence to police custody till April 25.

The duo - Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) - both residents of Bihar, were on the run after the firing incident outside Khan's house in Bandra area here on Sunday morning.

They were apprehended late Monday night from Mata No Madh village in Gujarat's Kutch district, police said.

The two persons were brought to Mumbai and produced before a magistrate court on Tuesday.

The crime branch sought 14-day custody of the two men on the ground that their custodial interrogation was required to ascertain conspiracy details and to identify the mastermind behind the firing incident.

The court granted the police custody of the two accused for nine days (till April 25).

A police official said the two accused had carried out a recce around the actor's house in Bandra area here thrice before the firing incident.

At around 5 am on Sunday, two motorcycle-borne persons had opened fire outside 58-year-old Khan's house at the Galaxy Apartment in Bandra area of Mumbai and fled the spot.
TOKYO, Apr 16 (News On Japan) - Following a record year of bear attacks on humans, the Ministry of the Environment has added bears to the list of "Designated Management Wildlife," which qualifies for national support in capturing these animals.

According to the Ministry, last fiscal year saw 219 people, including six fatalities, fall victim to bear attacks across Japanmarking the worst year since records began in 2006.

In response to this crisis, the Ministry announced today that bears would be added to the list of "Designated Management Wildlife" in regions excluding Shikoku, where there is a risk of extinction.

Previously, sika deer and wild boars were designated under this category, with the national government providing financial support to local governments for capture and research costs.

Environment Minister Ito expressed a commitment to finalize the specifics of the grants to local governments in time for autumn, when bear incidents tend to increase.

Source: TBS
Despite developing many different types of drones with stolen plans from Western countries and Western acquired templates sold by China, as well as exuding some form of technological progress, Iran is still a paper tiger, and could be shut down as a functioning country within a week.

The Shiite Islamic dictatorship is close to developing atomic armaments, thanks to the apathy and laziness of the Biden administration. Their laziness, and sloppy affairs were witnessed only too well during the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal which resulted in hundreds of billions worth of US hardware, explosives, weapons being left to the Taliban and other terrorist factions. The Biden administration has appeased the Iranian regime and emboldened them to do as they please without consequence, as well as continue to enrich their uranium program.

The Biden administration renewed a sanctions waiver on March 13 that grants Iran access to $10 billion in previously escrowed funds. The waiver, which allows the Islamic Republic to use electricity revenue from Iraq for budget support and debt repayment.

Of course, appeasement of the Iranian regime started with the Obama administration and is now continuing on with the disastrous Biden regime. Irans hostilities substantially increased after the foolish Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2013 by the irresponsibly negligent Obama administration, and they were given $150 billion, not to mention $1.8 billion in cash. Iran then went on a terror spree, funded by the money from Obamas insane deal, and created hell in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Iraq. Under Trump, none of this nonsense was allowed to occur, but Trump must be discounted at all times because he is a pariah in the eyes of the controlling socialist factions in America and the Western World.

Wishing upon apocalypse

Khameini and many of the Iranian hierarchy have apocalyptic beliefs rooted in Shiite Islamic scripture. The Hidden  or Twelfth  Imam plays a dominant role in one specific form of Shiite Islamic theology, called Twelverism, which happens to be the primary belief system of Irans leadership. There is a messianic belief that at the end of days, the Hidden Imam will appear in the midst of a violent apocalyptic scenario played out on a battleground stained with infidels blood. In other words, the Iranian Mullahs welcome their own destruction, as long as they take others with them (specifically Israel).

Coordinated mass strikes

Essentially, disabling Irans ability to function can be achieved in a number of steps. First, all communications, utilities, power, water, and transport centres should be destroyed beyond immediate repair. All military sites should be liquidated, including underground facilities utilising bunker buster bombs. All uranium enrichment and nuclear sites should be destroyed. All airports, runways, and shipping ports should be destroyed. All oil refinery and processing plants should be completely destroyed. All governmental, religious facilities should be destroyed, along with all media facilities.

If there are attempts to block the Straits of Hormuz, the Iranian naval vessels should be eliminated, as all other Iranian military movement that is attempted within or without the country. Iranian proxies in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria should be destroyed with extreme prejudice so they are no longer a threat to anyone.

Coordinated missile strikes would be conducted on a 24-hour basis until the mission is complete.

Unfortunately, this is the only way to deal with an entity that has vowed to completely wipe an entire nation and its people from the earth.

It is hoped that after the mission is complete, the people of Iran will embrace their freedom from the fascist religious extremist Mullahs, but ultimately that is up to them. If they repeat their allegiance to the insane regime of Mullahs, then they will be taken back once again with other strikes until they eventually realise the futility of their ways.
Next Saturday, the Family First NI award ceremony will take place at the Titanic Museum in Belfast to honour teachers, principals and support staff from schools throughout the North.

A total of 22 schools and professionals from County Derry primary schools have been nominated including nine schools, five principals, four teachers, and four support staff.

The teachers, schools, principals and support staff finalists were nominated in various categories by parents and members of the community.

The County Derry Post spoke to two of the finalists ahead of the awards ceremony.

St Marys Gortnaghey Primary School

Mrs Ciara Walsh, from Feeny, has been teaching at St Mary's Gortnaghey Primary School for nine years and this year she has been nominated for the Teacher of the Year award.

She first started as a volunteer in the school nine years ago and is now teaching P1 and P2 while she is also acting principal most of the year.

When she heard about her nomination she said she was very pleased.

I am nominated for Teacher of the Year and we just found out that the school is also nominated for Primary School of the Year, said Mrs Walsh.

Mrs Walsh admits she didn't always want to be a teacher.

After living on the Isle of Man, Liverpool and studying Hospitality Management at Ulster University, she became a hotel manager.

I came to teaching late, said Mrs Walsh. I first wanted to be a hotel manager. I moved to the Isle of Man, then I went back to the University and I moved to Liverpool.

Whenever my daughter was born, my work-life balance did not work, the hotel side of it did not suit a young child.

I then went back and retrained as a teaching assistant, said Mrs Walsh.

She then started a one-year PGCE in Liverpool.

When moving back to Northern Ireland, she first worked as a volunteer in St Marys Gortnaghey Primary School before 'getting the full-time job, then getting the permanent job and now acting principal', she said.

There is often a misconception of the work-life balance of teachers. Indeed the school day does not stop at three in the afternoon as they need to plan lessons and get activities together before the next morning.

I read something before, like a quote, that said its the only job in the world that you need to plan what you are going to do before you actually go to your work, said Mrs Walsh.

You have to plan, you have to plan to do your work and then you have to plan what you are going to do and then you have to plan what you are going to do next.

To be honest I was one of these people before I started teaching that thought you are finished at three and then you have the holidays.

Then you understand, even my husband realises that I probably do more hours than he does. I definitely do, she laughed.

St Mary's Gortnaghey Primary School is a small school with 77 pupils and four teachers.

Its a great atmosphere but you still have all the roles and the jobs to do at a large school with less staff. We are a wonderful wee school.

Our staff are absolutely amazing and I couldnt do the job I do without the support of everybody in the school and also my husband Christy and daughter Saoirse.

Magherafelt Primary School

Ian Somerville, Principal of Magherafelt Primary School, has been nominated for the Principal of the Year award.

Teaching for 19 years, he comes from a family of teachers and has been principal for about four years.

I wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a young child, my father and my dad were both teachers. My grandparents on my dad's side were both teachers as well. So to a large extent that was all we really knew as a family. And consequently, both my sister and myself are both teachers.

Its a family business really, laughed the Principal.

It's a wonderful job and I can't imagine ever doing anything else. I absolutely love my job.

I got the privilege to work with a very keen, enthusiastic team, they are exceptional. They do deserve some praise and accolades.

But it can be a challenging job. There's no doubt about it.

In the school, five staff members in total have been nominated, including two teachers, two support staff, the school and the principal.

Magherafelt Primary School has a total of 245 pupils with 11 teaching staff and 20 support staff.

To nominate staff or a school, people needed to leave a comment about the person or institution they chose online.

Then these comments were given to the respective schools.

We're just very humbled by the whole thing because it's all through the nominations of our parents.

That's the second year that we've been nominated for a few awards and were just blown away by the support of our community, said Principal Sommerville.

He explained that the comments left about the staff and school have been really useful in understanding the positives of their work.

Honestly, they are very emotional. You don't realise the impact that you have as a teacher and as a school. You read all these lovely comments about things that you didn't realise or notice. I think all of the nominees in school are just blown away by the comments.

It's a real morale boost, because quite often, just with the nature of the job, you hear the difficult things, you hear the things that haven't gone exactly the plan or the problems, you don't always hear the good things or about the things that have made a difference.

Principal Sommerville wants to say thank you to everybody who took the time to write comments about the staff and school as they made a genuine difference to the morale of staff.

Principal Sommerville shared some comments that were written from their parents about about Magherafelt Primary School:

This is such a well-run family friendly school. We have 2 children here and the love school every day. It has a great Christian ethos which encouraged the children to treat others with respect and to strive to do their best. The facilities are great too.

A genuinely caring school that caters for the needs of every pupil who attends, provides excellent opportunities and fantastic communication with parents and carers and spends time and energy seeking opportunities to allow all pupils to fulfil their potential. A thoroughly deserving school!

Magherafelt Primary School should win as it really is the best primary school there is. It is not just a school but it is like a great big family, where everyone looks out and cares for one another. Nothing is ever too much trouble or any bother. It has a brilliant atmosphere where everyone is made to feel very welcomed and valued. They go above and beyond for their staff, pupils and parents. Having had three children go through the school I would have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending it to others. My experiences with the school has always been greatly positive. They deserve this for all their great work and dedication to each and every single pupil that comes through the school.
PICTURED ABOVE: Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, pictured with a delegation from Goodenough College, London, held in the Mayor's Parlour. Seated on her left is Alan McCormack (Dean, Goodenough College) and on right Catherine McGuinness CBE (Chair of the policy & resources committee, City of London Corporation). Standing on the right is Adam Goodall, Investment Project Officer, DCSDC. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, welcomed a delegation of PhD students from a special London College community to the Guildhall on Friday for a special reception.

Its the first time that students from Goodenough College have visited the city as part of a wider cultural enrichment programme. Goodenough College is an educational charity providing award winning postgraduate student accommodation in the heart of Londons university district.

The College aims to provide a supportive community for over 700 international postgraduate and their families from over 80 different nations. It benefits students through a programme of intellectual, cultural and social activities that gives students access to an international network and nurtures a global outlook.

12 students arrived in the city as part of a trip aimed promoting their understanding of N. Ireland, and in particular Derry, including its history and culture. While they are here the group are staying at St Columbs Park House and visiting a number of local sites.

Welcoming the group to the City, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, said: I am always delighted to welcome young people to Derry and to share some of our wonderful heritage and culture. We have a strong connection with the City of London in terms of promoting skills and education, and this was another opportunity to discuss our shared interests and the many benefits of living, learning and working here.

The students really enjoyed their visit to the Guildhall, where they had the chance to ask questions about local politics, peace-building and how Derry has been positively transformed over the years.

"They were also impressed to learn more about the citys development as a leading hub for research and innovation excellence particularly in the areas of AI, data, health, and industry 4.0 technologies.

Travelling with the students are the Dean of the Goodenough College, Alan McCormack originally from N. Ireland, who is also chaplain to the Lord Mayor City of London and Catherine McGuinness (fellow of Goodenough College and former Policy Chair, City of London) and her husband.
An environmental group is seeking an 'urgent meeting' with Economy Minister, Conor Murphy regarding 'industrial scale' wind farms proposed for County Derry.

Catriona McReynolds, a member of the Save Benbradagh committee, hand-delivered a letter of objection to Infrastructure Minister John ODowd, at an event in Glor Dhun Geimhin last week, marking the official opening of the Dungiven bypass.

While welcoming the 'long-awaited' bypass, which it said would 'contribute to the regeneration of the area', the Save Benbradagh letter, signed by its chairperson Shauna McGroarty, said: There is a development that will have a detrimental impact in the area, that will be irreversible in terms of the environment, health and well-being, heritage, social and economic development and tourism.

Industrial scale wind farms have been progressed for two key local attractions within our community, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) namely, Benbradagh Mountain and Banagher Dam Nature Reserve.

The sheer scale of the wind turbines proposed for an AONB defies belief and demonstrates both the careless and negligent mismanagement and overreliance on onshore wind farms that is being exploited by wind companies for huge commercial gain.

Due to the collapse of the NI Assembly, our community has been denied political representation and engagement in relation to these proposed developments that have been progressed in the political vacuum.

We are extremely concerned about the manner by which these developments have been progressed - particularly the obvious unsuitability of these locations, the lack of consultation with the community and the lack of political representation and engagement.

Save Benbradagh stressed it was critical the Executive was made aware of these issues.

It added: There is serious opposition to these developments in our community and there appears to be a geographical imbalance in respect of the siting of wind farms in the North that we would like to raise with you directly.

Developments such as those proposed for our area would never be considered in any other AONBs such as the Mourne Mountains or Spelga Dam. Indeed in parts of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales ensure their AONBs are protected from wind development and there is an insistence that the onshore wind industry finds more suitable locations, while adopting a more diverse approach to the renewable transition.

Both wind farms will be sited on carbon and water storing peat bog and grassland, thousands of tonnes of concrete will be poured into these hills above our community risking pollution to water sources, rivers and wildlife.

The North has one of the most depleted areas of biodiversity and natural heritage in the world and the focus on onshore wind energy to meet targets by the Executive has become irresponsible and unsustainable, said the environmental group, which described Benbradagh Mountain as 'the crown over Dungiven town'.

Save Benbradagh said the mountain was 'a stunning natural tourist attraction - the backdrop to many key cultural and sporting sites including Dungiven Castle'.

Benbradagh is a significant heritage site that is now home to Gaelcholaiste Dhoire, said Save Benbradagh.

The culture, folklore and heritage is inextricably connected to Benbradagh - indeed the original name of the mountain is recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters, Binn Fhada Ri Cianachta (The long peak of the King of Ciannacht).

It is a focal point for all sections of the community, attracting walkers, families, and tourists and is recognised nationally as being a top spot for paragliding. It is home to wildlife including threatened species of birds.

Similarly, Banagher Dam is an important tourist location, a peaceful escape for local families and visiting tourists, walkers and cyclists as well as having one of the oldest ancient sessile Oaklands in Ireland.

Our greatest asset is the outstanding natural beauty of the area in which we live and it must be preserved for the benefit of our community and for generations to come. We look forward to hearing from you in respect of an urgent meeting with a delegation from our community.
A County Derry beautician, who opened her new salon just four months ago, has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Charmaine Humphries was recently nominated for the best new beauty salon in the UK Hair and Beauty Awards.

Charmaine, who has been working in the industry for more than a year, was delighted when her Claudy salon 'Blissful Beauty by Charmaine' was nominated for the top award.

The UK Hair and Beauty Awards celebrates the outstanding talents and exceptional contributions of hairdressers, stylists, beauticians, and salons across the UK.

Originally from the Waterside area of Derry, former community care worker Charmaine had to give up her job five years ago after moving to Dungiven to become a full time kinship carer for her two nephews.

She admits she always had a desire to go into the beauty industry however she never felt confident enough to take the leap.

It was only after her husband Andrew encouraged her to stop putting her dreams on hold that Charmaine made the move into the beauty industry.

I always wanted to work in the beauty industry, I've went on about it for years and Id never have taken the leap if it wasnt for my husband Andrew, hes been amazing and he kept telling me to stop putting it off and just jump headfirst at it, but I kept putting it off until one day I said enough is enough. I looked up training courses and I have never looked back, said the 35 year-old.

Charmaine initially began working from home but as demand for her services grew, she knew she needed to open her own salon.

I started off at home doing lash extensions and waxing, then over time I added more and more services to where working at home wasnt working and I needed more space, she said.

Just four months ago, Charmaine opened her own salon 'Blissful Beauty by Charmaine', based within Fiona's Hair Salon in Claudy.

I cant believe the support I've received since opening even though I'm only in Claudy a short time, Im so thankful that Fiona gave me the opportunity to open up there and Im so forever grateful to all my clients.

Speaking about the award nomination and the upcoming VIP red carpet event to be held in Birmingham on June 1, Charmaine said she is so grateful that her hard work is being recognised.

I was ecstatic (when I found out about the nomination) as its proven to me that the hard work and long hours are paying off and being noticed, she said.

I cant wait to go and to get all glammed up as its a red carpet event. Myself and my hubby are attending. If I won Id be over the moon as it would be great achievement in my first year, to even make the top 50 would be amazing.

Charmaine currently offers a wide range of beauty services including makeup, spray tanning, waxing, brows, brow laminations, lash lifts and derma-planing facials.

She has also just started offering gel polish and biab nails.

Charmaine also has ambitions to launch her own brand of products in the future and hopes to eventually expand to a bigger salon.

For now though, she is delighted to be able to provide a service to all of her loyal clients.

My favourite thing is flexibility to work my own hours around my customers and to provide a tailored service with my standards and not an employers. I love that I can take my time and get a good chat with my clients and have a laugh too, she said.

I love making people feel good, I want people who come to my salon to know its a safe space, judgement free zone. Working in the beauty industry is all about making people feel and look good, Whether it's giving my client a new look to boost their confidence, making them feel pampered, or offering advice on how they can bring out the best look in themselves, it's extremely rewarding. I just love my job.
Two Stormont ministers have pledged to work together in progressing a baby loss certificate scheme in Northern Ireland.

Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald said she would be liaising with Health Minister Robin Swann over the certificates for parents who have lost a baby during pregnancy before 24 weeks.

Under current legislation, the death of a baby is only officially recognised if it occurs after the 24th week of pregnancy.

The UK Government launched a baby loss certificate scheme earlier this year designed to recognise the grief of parents who lose a baby early in a pregnancy has been launched.

The voluntary scheme offers those who experience a loss pre-24 weeks gestation a certificate to formally recognise the devastating impact.

The Stormont Assembly discussed a private members motion on the issue on Monday evening.

Ms Archibald said: I want to pay tribute to those women and parents, who have gone through the heartache of losing a baby during pregnancy, for shining a light on this issue and for sharing their own stories publicly to encourage change.

Officials in the General Registration Office, within my department, will be working with working with colleagues in the Department of Health to consider how a baby loss certificate scheme could be implemented here.

While a certificate will not reverse or undo the pain which such a loss inflicts on women and families, the introduction of a voluntary certificate scheme may in some way help parents to process their loss.

I am committed to working together with the Health Minister to take this scheme forward.

Mr Swann said Losing a baby is an immensely painful experience for any family to have to endure.

I am also acutely aware that losing a baby in the early stages of pregnancy without the opportunity to officially document the loss can further compound the grief for some parents.

Parents and families who very sadly find themselves in this position can be assured that my department is continuing to engage with counterparts in the Department of Health and Social Care in England on this important matter.

The scheme has just recently been introduced there so we are still in the early stages of this process but we are committed to finding a viable solution that will work for Northern Ireland.

I am grateful to have the Finance Ministers backing and my officials will work with the Department of Finance on the next steps.
The Stormont justice and finance ministers have been urged to act after the police service announced plans to close enquiry offices at 11 stations.

The move, that will see four police stations in Belfast affected, as well as stations across the region, has been blamed on financial and resource pressures.

The stations affected are Lisburn Road, Strand Town, Tennent Street and Woodbourne in Belfast, as well as Bangor, Banbridge, Magherafelt, Dungannon, Lisnaskea, Waterside and Newtownabbey.

The inquiry office closures were likely to take place within three months, and were said to be designed to make a significant financial saving as well as maximise the availability of officers for critical service provision within communities.

Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said the decision was taken following an extensive review, which included analysis of the volume and type of demand in enquiry offices.

This review concluded that against the backdrop of wider resource challenges, the current service is neither sustainable nor effective, he said.

Independent North Down MLA Alex Easton and UUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliott raised concerns about the plan during a sitting of the Assembly on Tuesday.

Mr Easton urged Justice Minister Naomi Long to contact Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald, and raise the issue with the Executive.

He said North Down was impacted by the closure of Donaghadee police station in 2012 and the previous closure of the enquiry office at Holywood police station.

Mr Easton described a deeply worrying situation and said he believed closing the enquiry offices would be a disaster for policing right across Northern Ireland.

All of this is happening to save 400,000. In the scheme of things, 400,000 isnt a huge amount of money to keep all these enquiry offices open so I would implore the Justice Minister to contact the Finance Minister and to raise this issue at the Northern Ireland Executive, because I believe this would be a disaster for policing right across Northern Ireland, he told MLAs.

Mr Elliott told MLAs the move was a huge blow of confidence in policing.

He said it left only one enquiry office across the entire of Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

He described the station in Dungannon as extremely busy, while the Lisnaskea station serves a huge rural area around that south and east Fermanagh area.

Its going to be a considerable distance for those people to travel from Roslea and the edges of Newtownbutler and Derrylin to go to Enniskillen enquiry office which is obviously not open all the time either, he said.

I think its a huge blow to public confidence in policing.
April 15, 2024 -- CMC Microsystems, Canadas leading hardware technology facilitator and accelerator, and AIoT Canada, the Canadian technology cluster dedicated to AI + IoT, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance Canadas AI, IoT, and semiconductor advanced technology ecosystem. The MoU was signed during AIoT Canadas Spring Summit in Ottawa, in the presence of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and researchers, from across Canadas AI (artificial intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), and semiconductor ecosystems. Participating in a fireside chat at the Spring Summit, and on-hand for the signing was The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

Under the agreement, the organizations will support each others complementary programs to accelerate growth for startups and emerging firms working in AI, IoT, and semiconductor technologies. They will also work together to organize workshops and training events to prepare the workforce of tomorrow. CMC and AIoT Canada have the experience in delivering training on advanced technology platforms and the industry connections to offer microcredentials and other industrial competency certificates, for example on AI and IoT technology development and maintenance.

The AIoT Canada team is excited to join forces with CMC, said Eric Janosz, Cofounder & President of AIoT Canada CMC has a proven track record in advanced technology development and manufacturing in Canada, and companies in our network will benefit by having more prototyping and test opportunities to improve product development and accelerating their time-to-market.

For Gordon Harling, President and CEO of CMC AIoT Canada is connecting the worlds of artificial intelligence and IoT devices  sensors, processing ability, and other technologies that connect and exchange data seamlessly to optimize performance. CMC is looking forward to partnering with AIoT Canada and helping companies to accelerate their progress.

Under the agreement, firms working with AIoT Canada will be encouraged to access CMCs Virtual Incubator Environment (VIE) is a suite of tools, technologies, and services for startups. Startups can access design and simulation tools, technical support from CMC experts, and access to state-of-the-art fabrication in microelectronics, silicon photonics, and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) at accessible rates. VIE is a huge benefit for our members said Mr. Janosz The tools and services offered through VIE would normally be out of reach for startups we work with and will be extremely valuable to develop and accelerate their innovations.

AIoT Canada will also be supporting FABrIC, a proposal presented to the Government of Canada by CMC for a five-year, $200M plus project to secure Canadas future in semiconductors. Both leaders emphasized that FABrIC will boost the entire Canadian semiconductor and advanced technology ecosystem. Canada is recognized around the world as a leader in some of the most innovative and advanced semiconductor technologies such as and internet-connected devices  specialized advanced technologies with exponential growth opportunities and high value-add said Harling and Janosz.

About AIoT Canada:

The Cluster (or Industrial Cluster) AIoT Canada is a non-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the growth, competitiveness and influence of its members, locally and internationally. Through the consolidation of numerous complementary expertise, AIoT Canada increases the capacity of each of its members and enables them to develop competitive and consistent solutions in all areas of AIoT application. Focused primarily on projects that span the entire value chain, AIoT Canada also provides global thinking such as data security, eco-consistency, or the development of regional AIoT platforms to repatriate control, security and governance of critical data of our companies.

About CMC Microsystems:

CMC Microsystems is a not-for-profit organization accelerating research and innovation in advanced technologies. Founded in 1984, CMC lowers barriers to technology adoption by creating and sharing platform technologies including access to state-of-the-art design, manufacturing, and testing capabilities. CMC enables research, development, and the training of highly qualified personnel (HQP), benefitting a network of over 10,000 academic participants and 1,000 companies developing innovations in advanced technologies. The key values of CMC are: benefits to Canada, a role as an honest broker, and research excellence.






Just like most of our home appliances, refrigerators are also getting smarter. Keeping up with the trends, manufacturers are now adding AI or Artificial Intelligence to refrigerators which enables them to adjust their cooling according to consumers specific needs. AI smarts coupled with features like internet connectivity, touchscreen displays, and voice control, enable a more convenient user experience.

What additional features do I get with AI Refrigerators?

AI refrigerators feature digital inverter compressors, allowing them to adjust their cooling capacity in a more customised manner. Rather than simply switching to a predetermined cooling mode, these refrigerators analyse factors such as temperature, humidity levels, and frequency of door openings to adjust cooling accordingly.

Smart AI fridges offer several exciting advantages. They enable users to remotely monitor food items, recommend recipes based on refrigerator content, and push alerts about food freshness. Having said that, we are still in the nascent stages of AI integration and we expect a lot more innovative AI features to come to refrigerators in the time to come.

Best AI Refrigerators to Buy in India

We have listed popular AI refrigerators from different brands in India. You can also buy their different capacity variants based on your specific needs.

LG 380L Wi-Fi Double Door AI Refrigerator

LG AI refrigerators with Wi-Fi connectivity and Smart Inverter compressors offer several interesting features. This double-door LG AI ThinQ Refrigerator has a Smart Learner feature which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze consumer usage patterns over the last 3 weeks and optimize cooling accordingly to maintain the freshness of fruits and vegetables. Some premium LG AI ThinQ refrigerators with InstaView features can also recommend recipes based on refrigerator contents.

This AI refrigerator can be controlled remotely using the LG ThinQ App. Users can convert the freezer section into a fridge from anywhere, monitor the refrigerators temperature, and receive notifications about the door being left open or the need for maintenance. Smart Diagnosis technology is also included for faster and easier troubleshooting and maintenance by letting the fridge communicate directly with the LG customer support centre. This double-door AI refrigerator also comes with a Hygiene Fresh+ air filter, which reduces bacteria by up to 99.99%

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Samsung 465 L Door AI Enabled Smart Refrigerator

The primary AI feature in this double-door refrigerator is SmartThings AI Energy Mode, which will monitor user behaviour and cooling temperature to optimize energy consumption accordingly. You can preset electricity usage targets, and the app will recommend switching to energy-saving mode if you exceed the set target. Wi-Fi connectivity and compatibility with the SmartThings app allow for some smart features. You can use the app to monitor and adjust the refrigerators temperature remotely or activate Rapid Cooling mode. The app can also notify users with alerts if the door is left open. Additionally, there is an option to troubleshoot problems with the refrigerator.

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IFB Eco-cool series double-door refrigerator

IFB Eco-cool series door frost-free refrigerators are equipped with Smart Sense powered by AI which uses sensors to monitor the temperature and humidity levels inside the fridge and also tracks how often the fridge is opened. It then uses this data to adjust the cooling to maintain suitable conditions for food storage. The refrigerator supports 7-in-1 convertible modes thus giving you more freedom to customize cooling in the freezer section. IFB further adds a big crisper compartment and a bin to fit XL-size bottles. The refrigerator supports stabilizer-free operation and can auto-connect to home inverters.

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Panasonic 260L Double Door Econavi AI Refrigerator

Panasonics ECONAVI AI Technology utilizes seven intelligent eco sensors to monitor refrigerator usage. In tandem with the 6-stage intelligent inverter compressor, it enhances cooling performance while claiming up to 10% additional energy savings. The refrigerator boasts a spacious 30L Jumbo Fresh Storage for fruits and vegetables and AG Clean Technology to eliminate bacteria and mold, ensuring the freshness of stored contents. Its Surround Cooling system evenly distributes cool air, preserving food quality, while the humidity control feature maintains optimal conditions. The refrigerator also features durable tempered glass shelves to withstand heavy loads and a double-twist ice tray for easy ice dispensing.

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Whirlpool 308L IntelliFresh Double Door Refrigerator

Whirlpool Intellifresh technology is powered by an AI microprocessor paired with 3 Intelli sensors to monitor temperature and humidity levels and a safety seal. This double-door AI fridge adjusts cooling based on internal load and operates steadily in voltage fluctuations ranging from 160V to 260V without an external stabiliser. The refrigerator offers spacious interiors, smart inverter compressors, and premium design. Whirlpool also claims 40% faster bottle cooling. The touch UI enables easy temperature control with a single touch. The freezer stands out with a coldest setting of -24C and a convenient ice twister and collector. A cooling pad in the freezer retains cooling for up to 17 hours during power cuts. Whirlpools Zeolite Technology in the Freshonizer absorbs excess ethylene, preserving the freshness of fruits and vegetables. There is also the Microblock Technology that claims to prevent 99.9% of bacterial growth.

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HIGHLIGHTS YouTube has tightened its grip on third-party ad-blocking apps. Viewers who are using the third-party apps can experience buffering issues or see an error when trying to watch a video. YouTube's terms dont allow third-party apps to turn off ads because that prevents the creator from being rewarded for viewership.

YouTube, the beloved Google-owned platform for millions of video enthusiasts, is making waves in its battle against ad-blocking. In a recent move, the platform has tightened its grip on third-party ad-blocking apps.

Lets delve into the details of YouTubes latest enforcement measures and what it means for users.

Also read: YouTube is blocking ad blockers globally to promote Premium subscription: Check details

Were strengthening our enforcement on third-party apps that violate YouTubes Terms of Service, specifically ad-blocking apps, the company announced.

Also read: YouTube creators now have to label AI-generated realistic content: Heres why

Viewers who are using the third-party apps can experience buffering issues or see the error The following content is not available on this app when trying to watch a video.

The company emphasised that its terms dont allow third-party apps to turn off ads because that prevents the creator from being rewarded for viewership, and Ads on YouTube help support creators.

YouTube stated that they also recognise the preference for a completely ad-free experience, which is why the company provides YouTube Premium as an option.

Furthermore, the company clarified that third-party apps are only permitted to utilise its API if they adhere to its API Services Terms of Service. If any app is found to violate the terms, the company will take necessary actions to safeguard its platform, creators, and viewers.

For those who are unaware, Google-owned YouTube disabled videos for users who were using ad blockers last year in June. However, at that time, it was described as a small global experiment. Then, after a few months, the company expanded its efforts to crack down on ad blockers globally.

Recently, YouTube announced a new feature that allows creators to share exclusive Shorts with their paying subscribers. The new feature is called Members-only Shorts which YouTube describes as an easy way for creators to provide regular, lightweight content to their members.
Huawei set to challenge top spot in Chinese PC market with AI PCs, followed by foldable notebooks

Huawei has launched a new notebook, emphasizing that it's an ultra-lightweight AI PC.

Supply chain sources pointed out that Huawei is coming on strong, having already surpassed Dell to become the third-largest PC brand in China in 2023 with plans to double its shipments in 2024. Its system assemblers, including Quanta, BYD, and Huaqin, are expected to benefit simultaneously.

On April 11, Huawei held the "Harmony Ecological Spring Communication Conference," where it unveiled 5 new model revisions of its Luxeed S7 EV and introduced a new AI notebook: the MateBook X Pro. It features an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and weighs only 980 grams, making it the lightest AI notebook on the market.

Industry rumors suggest that Huawei not only aims to venture into AI PCs but also plans to launch foldable notebooks, with mass production expected in the second half of 2024. Trial production is currently ongoing within the supply chain.

Huawei is already the world's second-largest foldable smartphone brand and is closing in on the market leader, Samsung Electronics. According to supply chain sources, Huawei wants more than smartphones and EVs; it is aggressively expanding into the notebook market. With the shipment volume it's calling for, Huawei will surpass HP and become the second-largest brand in the Chinese PC market in 2024.

According to statistics from Canalys, China's PC shipments in 2023 reached 41.2 million units, a 17% year-on-year decrease. Among the top 5 brands, only Huawei saw growth with a shipment volume of 3.986 million units, an 11% year-on-year increase, placing it third in the market.

Other competing brands all experienced declines, with incumbent market leader Lenovo shipping 15.536 million units (a 19% year-on-year decrease), followed by HP at 4.3 million units (a 2% year-on-year decrease). ASUS ranked fourth with 2.863 million units (a 24% year-on-year decrease), and Dell shipped 3.148 million units, a staggering 44% year-on-year decrease.

It is reported that Huawei's PC shipments are expected to double in 2024. If the estimated shipment is around 5 million units, it represents a growth rate of 25%, allowing it to overtake HP and challenge Lenovo. For a PC industry that has experienced sluggish shipments these days, this is a very ambitious shipment target.

Industry sources pointed out that the Chinese government's introduction of three new procurement standards for notebooks, desktops, and all-in-one PCs at the end of 2023 provides a significant boost to Huawei, as it's widely seen as the domestic brand.

While on the surface, these new procurement standards don't contain any wording that excludes foreign brands, those who understand the Chinese market have noted that this is laying out a list of requirements to follow for all levels of government agencies, while also declaring to US brands that they won't have a chance when it comes to government procurement.

Even Lenovo is viewed as an international brand under these standards. Huawei, as the domestic brand, will not only receive a certain level of support from private consumers, but it is also the most appropriate brand choice for companies that want to deal with government agencies in China.

Amid ongoing tensions between China and the US, Huawei's market share in the Chinese PC market is expected to continue rising. As the US presidential election approaches, the intensification of US-China relations may further drive Huawei's sales, giving it a better growth opportunity over other brands in 2024.
Apple teams up with Shutterstock in multi-million dollar AI data deal

Tech giant Apple is set to collaborate with stock image company Shutterstock in a deal estimated to be worth between US$25 million to US$50 million.

Shutterstock's Chief Financial Officer, Jarrod Yahes, has previously revealed that the signing amounts with various tech companies are of that range. This follows the rumored attempts as reported by Reuters from tech giants such as Apple to license the treasure trove of visual data that is Photobucket's 13 billion photos and videos to train its proprietary AI.

The partnership aims to acquire images and videos for training AI models. Analysts suggest that Apple's entry into the AI data training arena will intensify competition for acquiring diverse content.

The unquenchable thirst for more data

According to VentureBeat, sources reveal that Apple, Meta, Google, and Amazon have all partnered with Shutterstock to access vast libraries of images, videos, and music files.

Established in 2003, Shutterstock has emerged as a premier global hub for top-notch stock images, videos, and music files. Their website proudly boasts ownership of over 300 million images, with a staggering 200,000 more added daily by a dedicated community of over 1 million contributors.

With its expansive collection and user-friendly interface, Shutterstock has solidified its status as the ultimate destination for creative professionals, businesses, and individuals in need of visual content for diverse projects and purposes. Meanwhile, Photobucket, another player born in 2003, once reigned as the leading image-hosting site worldwide, as reported by Reuters.

At its zenith in the early 2000s, Photobucket boasted 70 million users and commanded nearly half of the U.S. online photo market. However, its user base has dwindled to a mere 2 million active users since then.

The growing demand for AI training data has spurred a thriving market, with AI data companies such as Defined.ai witnessing increasing willingness from content providers to pay for images and videos. The typical rates range from US$1 to US$2 per image, US$2 to US$4 per short video, and US$100 to US$300 per long video.

With AI advancements in recent years, the competition for data acquisition has become fiercer. Tech giants such as OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Microsoft have been utilizing large amounts of online data to train their AI models without acquiring approval or compensating content creators, including copyrighted news, books, and social media posts.

Regulation or not?

Some advocate for establishing licensing systems where AI companies compensate content owners to gain the right to use training data. The National Association of Broadcasters, News Media Alliance, and Conde Nast executives have expressed support for mandatory licensing.

However, OpenAI and some experts argue that universal licensing of all training data is impractical and that mandatory licensing could concentrate power in large tech companies and burden AI startups.

The collaboration between Apple and Shutterstock underscores the critical role of data in developing cutting-edge AI systems. As companies such as Apple, Google, and Meta race to build the most advanced AI models, access to extensive and diverse datasets has become a crucial dividing line.

By licensing millions of images from sites such as Shutterstock and Photobucket, Apple aims to broaden the scope of its AI capabilities, spanning from computer vision and image generation to virtual assistants and augmented reality (AR).

Moreover, the willingness of tech giants to pay millions for AI training data highlights the significant economic potential of this technology. Companies such as Apple are heavily investing in AI development to secure a prominent position in this thriving market.

According to Business Research Insights, the rapidly growing AI data market is valued at around US$25 billion and is projected to grow to approximately US$30 billion over the next decade. This underscores the high stakes for tech giants vying for AI dominance, while the long-term impact on user privacy and data rights remains to be seen.
Computex 2024 to showcase leading GenAI hardware providers

The upcoming Computex is expected to prominently feature GenAI.

Taiwan's Ministry of Finance recently released preliminary statistics for March 2024's customs import and export trade, highlighting the market dominance of AI servers, with Taiwanese manufacturers securing 90% of the global market share. According to data from the Foreign Trade Association, the number of exhibitors has exceeded 1,500.

The United States has imposed high tariffs on servers and network communication products manufactured in China. Such measures have led to a mass Sino-exodus of server and network communication factories, with server manufacturers choosing to return to Taiwan.

Network communication factories, on the other hand, are expanding into Taiwan and Southeast Asia. The emergence of ChatGPT has stimulated demand for GPUs and AI servers, coinciding with Taiwan's peak performance, leading to an influx of orders. Taiwan's customs also notably feel the heat of this thriving trend.

The latest statistics show that Taiwan's export value of information and communication products and audiovisual products has grown by over 70% to both China and Europe, 1.4-fold to the United States, 14 times to Southeast Asia, and 40% to Japan.

The Foreign Trade Association pointed out that Arm CEO Rene Haas will attend the COMPUTEX exhibition in Taipei and deliver a speech on "Accelerating AI Innovation from Cloud to Edge." It aims to address how AI can unleash unprecedented capabilities for human society and how AI operates at global computing touchpoints from the cloud to the edge.

The Taipei Computer Association stated that Computex 2024, themed "Connecting AI, Co-Creating the Future," will feature up to 4,500 booths. Computex 2024 will showcase a wide array of solutions for GenAI computing, including AI servers, AI PCs, and Edge AI devices.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang previously remarked that GenAI is the defining technology of this era, and the company's proposed Blackwell architecture is the GPU engine driving the new industrial revolution. The AI chips of the Blackwell architecture primarily include B100, B200, and GB200, with the GB200 chip being four times faster in AI training speed and 30 times stronger in inference capability than the previous generation H100 chip while consuming 25 times less energy.

IDC forecasts that global enterprise investment in Generative AI across all aspects will reach US$143 billion by 2027, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 73.3% from 2023 to 2027, 13 times the CAGR of global IT spending during the same period.
Intel urges collaboration between partners from Taiwan and India

At the Taiwan and India Ecosystem Partners Connection event held on April 12, Grace Wang, vice president and general manager at Intel Taiwan, encouraged Intel's partners in Taiwan and India to deepen their relationships.

Wang stated that Taiwan's ecosystem plays a significant role in global data centers, cloud infrastructure, and servers. An increasing number of companies are accelerating global expansion to enhance international competitiveness and build more resilient supply chains.

Wang added that Intel had long collaborated with Taiwan to create dialogue platforms, assisting Taiwanese partners in expanding overseas business opportunities and identifying potential cooperation opportunities based on Intel solutions. Partners closely collaborate on technology and product R&D, jointly exploring global opportunities. She said that through this event, it's great to see Taiwanese and Indian industry players engaging in dialogue, sharing experiences, and working together to promote innovation goals.

Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav, Director General of the India Taipei Association, and Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of the India Cellular and Electronics Association, were among the notable attendees of the event. Taiwan-based electronics manufacturers were present, with representatives from Acer, AIC, Ingrasys, Advantech, Asus, ASRock, Compaq, Getac, Gigabyte, Inventec, Quanta, and Pegatron. On the other hand, India-based OEMs and ODMs, including Dixon, Kaynes, Optiemus, Sahasra, Sheeltron, and VVDN, also actively participated.

Intel hosted the Intel Solutions Day in Vietnam in 2023, inviting many Taiwan-based ecosystem partners to participate. Intel regards the Southeast Asian market as an important part of its global supply chain and will continue to actively promote semiconductor packaging and testing businesses, as well as improve the technological supply chain to create a favorable investment and market environment.

According to the United Nations, India became the world's most populous country in April 2023. The massive demographic dividend has prompted the Indian government to aim for a US$300 billion output in the electronics manufacturing industry by fiscal 2026 (April 2025 to March 2026). In recent years, the Indian government has further promoted the Make in India policy, encouraging global investment in the Indian market through various incentive programs.
Topco Group Chairman nominated as Taiwan's new Minister of Economic Affairs

Taiwan's Executive Yuan announced the list of new cabinet members on April 16, and J. W. Kuo, chairman of semiconductor material firm Topco Group, is nominated as the new Minister of Economic Affairs.

Mr. Kuo is well-connected in the political and business sectors. He is also actively involved in the academic and public association fields.

In addition to his expertise in semiconductors, he has been doing business in environmental engineering, sports, and food retailing. Industry insiders believe his rich experience in cross-disciplinary industries will help strengthen Taiwanese industries' position in the international supply chain.

As geopolitics and talent shortages have intensified, Kuo has shared his ideas about Taiwan's regional development and talent challenges. In terms of regional development, Kuo coined the phrase "Taiwan's territorial extension" as the main axis to give his views on the overseas expansion of the industry.

Concerning TSMC's recent move to establish a plant in Germany, Kuo said that he has been following in the footsteps of his customers and is considering setting up a European base to expand market opportunities in Europe actively. It is worth noting that he is not looking at Germany, but rather the neighboring country, the Czech Republic, hoping to utilize the capacity to establish a semiconductor supply chain in the Czech Republic to serve European customers nearby.

In terms of the Southeast Asian market, Kuo pointed out in a previous interview with DIGITIMES in 2022 that supply chain integration can help the overall development of suppliers, and the government can play the role of seeking "territorial extension."

He cited Singapore as an example and pointed out that Singapore went to Suzhou, China, to build a science and technology park, which is the "extension of Singapore's territory."

Kuo argued against people who insist that TSMC should stay in Taiwan. He said R&D should remain in Taiwan but set up smart manufacturing hubs overseas to maintain Taiwan's competitiveness in the semiconductor industry.

Kuo also mentioned that the key to corporate competition is talent. In recent years, many industries in Taiwan have suffered a talent shortage, and he believes that cultivating talent is the key to corporate development. His group has been recruiting talent from different cultural backgrounds and at the same time encouraging employees to pursue further education.

Kuo advocates attracting international talents to Taiwan to enhance its global competitiveness. He observed that the government is too slow in issuing residence permits to foreigners in the job market and stressed that the world's best and brightest should be able to come to Taiwan for employment. However, Kuo also said that the current "political considerations" may be an obstacle at this stage.
Taiwan Generative AI Applications Hackathon kicks off - contestants to use cloud computing and latest Claude 3 LLM to develop generative AI applications

The Taiwan Generative AI Applications Hackathon is kicking off. The contest aims to showcase Generative AI application examples based on cloud computing and the latest Claude 3 large language model (LLM), developed here in Taiwan, to the world.

DIGITIMES will hold the "AI Wave: Taiwan Generative AI Applications Hackathon" on May 18-19, 2024. Taiwan has the most extensive tech supply chain know-how in the world, large amounts of consumer data thanks to a high Internet penetration rate, and frequent cyberattacks, all of which together form a perfect setting for developers and innovators looking to create applications. This is what drives DIGITIMES to organize the hackathon with support from the National Development Council. Contestants will use Amazon Web Services' (AWS) Generative AI services, LLMs including the latest Anthropic Claude 3, launched in March 2024, and a code-free application builder AWS PartyRock.

The competition will be divided into a hackathon division and an idea exchange division. The hackathon division will comprise six well-known global corporations from different sectors including Advantech, Gogoro, HITACHI, JUMBO TECHNOLOGY, Trend Micro, and Wowprime. Competitors in the idea exchange division will work on problems assigned by the Kaohsiung City Government and FinTechSpace. Teams of two to five members can register for the AI Wave: Taiwan Generative AI Applications Hackathon online now until April 20, 2024, to win awards totaling NT$300,000. Both students and non-students are welcome. Visit the official website for more information.

Stepping up their collaborative efforts, DIGITIMES and AWS will hold a series of activities, including Generative AI Workshops and an AWS Cloud Practitioner Bootcamp, to boost the participants' cloud and AI skills before the contest. Moreover, there will also be recruitment tables at the event and one-on-one guidance sessions with industry experts and instructors to help the participating teams build Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) skills and other techniques.

DIGITIMES commented "As a Taiwan-based tech media platform with a global influence, we are well aware that Taiwan has a wealth of tech supply chain data that is not found anywhere else in the world and that the global tech sector treasures. Taiwan is also among the countries with a high mobile phone penetration and social media usage, giving rise to abundant and diverse consumer data. Taiwan also has large amounts of cybersecurity data as it often falls victim to cyberattacks. These set up a good foundation for Taiwan's developers and students to bring to reality unique applications that solve problems facing the world today as Generative AI impacts every industry. We hope that our collaborations with AWS and the other global corporations in holding the hackathon will foster more Taiwanese AI talents that transcend national borders and language barriers and together create a Generative AI future."

AWS remarked, "Through our talent development initiatives such as AWS Educate, AWS Academy, Cloud Innovation School, and AWS Training Partner programs tailored for various stages, AWS has trained over 100,000 cloud professionals in Taiwan. In the realm of Generative AI, we launched the 'AI Ready' program in 2023, aimed at providing free AI training and education resources to 2 million individuals globally by 2025. This program encompasses eight complementary courses designed to equip learners with AI and Generative AI skills. Additionally, we have partnered with the online learning platform Udacity to offer scholarships to students, while collaborating with Code.org to educate students about Generative AI. We are thrilled to extend a series of hands-on workshops exclusively for developers and students in Taiwan, complementing our existing initiatives. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the remarkable innovations that contestants will unveil during the event. Our ultimate objective is to nurture Taiwan's capabilities in fostering unicorn companies that garner global recognition and admiration."

Liao Tai-Hsiang, Director-General of the Economic Development Bureau, Kaohsiung City Government noted that he expects to see the participants use the much-raved-about Generative AI to enable unlimited city development possibilities together with the Kaohsiung City Government. It is also hoped that the collaborations with DIGITIMES, AWS, and other corporate partners will cultivate cloud AI talents that will form a strong support for Kaohsiung's smart technology industry. Not only has Kaohsiung set a dual industry transformation policy  digital transformation and net-zero emission, but it is also working with the central government to drive the Startup Terrace Kaohsiung. The project has successfully brought 175 companies to Kaohsiung from home and abroad, creating more than 5,000 jobs and generating investments close to NT$23 billion and production value totaling NT$53.8 billion.

Registrations for AI Wave: Taiwan Generative AI Applications Hackathon are accepted now until April 20, 2024. Click here for more information on the contest.

Taiwan Generative AI Applications Hackathon kicks off. Contestants will use cloud computing and the latest Claude 3 LLM to develop generative AI applications. (DIGITIMES)
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Simon Harris has been accused of breaking promises and sitting on his hands as his record as health minister was analysed during his first Leaders Questions as Taoiseach.

Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald was the first opposition leader to question Mr Harris in the Dail on Tuesday, as she told him that children are waiting in unimaginable suffering for scoliosis treatment.

As health minister in 2017, Mr Harris set a target that no child would be waiting longer than four months for scoliosis surgery.

However, Ms McDonald said that promise had been broken again and again.

She added: You failed to build the capacity needed here and in 2019 you ended the scheme through which children could travel abroad to have their operations faster.

She said that the consequences of long wait times are devastating, resulting in the need for more complex procedures or situations where children become inoperable.

She added: Why are they inoperable? Because they waited and they waited and they waited.

Mr Harris opened a large folder and frowned as he nodded while the Sinn Fein leader spoke.

Ms McDonald went on to say there were 4,000 children awaiting their first consultation and 270 children on the surgery waiting list.

She said 78 children have waited far longer than four months.

She said she met with parents of children with spina bifida and scoliosis on Monday night who feel completely betrayed.

She added: They asked me to relay their words to you directly.

They said: I want to tell Simon Harris the Government has actively consistently and comprehensively failed our children. Tell them that we as parents did all the right things, everything we could do and yet our children are subjected to serious and ongoing harm.

Mr Harris said it was an extraordinarily important, stressful and worrying issue for many families.

He said it was correct that he had placed a focus on the issue while he was health minister, and that the four-month plan was put forward to him at the time as clinical advice from senior management at the HSE.

The Taoiseach said: What I definitely know is by placing that focus on scoliosis, we saw a very, very, very significant reduction in the number of children waiting over four months.

He added: Progress was made in a short period of time in very significantly reducing the number of children waiting over four months. It was real, it was felt, weekly reports were produced.

However he said waiting times for all procedures worsened due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Harris said current health minister Stephen Donnelly had put a real focus on the issue, appointed a new clinical lead and seen a significant increase in procedures.

He said he would also engage with Mr Donnelly on Ms McDonalds suggestion to fund an independent second opinion for their children.

However, Mr Harris also accused the Sinn Fein leader of being a little dismissive of progress in the area, adding: 120 procedures this year, thats not rhetoric.

He added: Its real solid action that were taking to address an extraordinarily difficult thing  you can shake your head as you wish but thats what it is.

Mr Harris also asked Ms McDonald how she would square the circle of Sinn Fein allocating half a billion euro less to health in its alternative budget.

Later in the Dail session, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns accused the Government of engaging in political pass the parcel over reforming abortion services.

Ms Cairns said Irish law still forces some women abroad because Irish doctors were often unable to say complex foetal abnormalities would lead to death within 21 days of birth as required, or they interpret the legislation conservatively because of the threat of criminal sanction.

It comes after an RTE topic on the subject and after an expert review into the matter by senior barrister Marie OShea last year.

Ms OShea called on Government to prioritise ongoing issues with the legislation, saying vulnerable women who continue to be forced abroad for terminations are being treated like criminals.

As part of her report, she recommended the removal of a mandatory three-day waiting period between a womans initial medical consultation and her being given access to abortion treatment or medication.

On Tuesday, Ms Carins called on the Taoiseach to remove the mandatory three-day waiting period, to provide clarity on the provision of abortion in the case fatal foetal abnormalities and to end the criminalisation of healthcare workers.

Mr Harris said these were issues that the Government has not yet considered, but added that Mr Donnelly would engage with the Cabinet Committee on Health shortly.

However, he also said that the draft legislation that was published in advance of the referendum, which included clauses such as the three-day wait, has to count for something.

Ms Cairns said it was extremely worrying that the expert report had not been fully considered after being provided to the Government one year ago.

On the draft legislation, she added: I dont know if youre suggesting that you think the majority of people who voted for repeal wanted to continue to force women who needed terminations for medical reasons to travel abroad?

Because I have to say that I think the very brave women who spoke out about needed a termination for medical reasons during the repeal referendum won more hearts and minds and yes votes than your heads of bill.

Mr Harris said he was very conscious those women played a larger role than himself in the campaign.

People-Before-Profit TD Brid Smith said Mr Harris made his political name as health minister during the referendum campaign to repeal an amendment restricting access to abortion in Ireland.

However, she said the Government is now sitting on its hands when it came to further reform.

She said: During the debate on abortion legislation, you repeatedly said how important it was that the legislation be kept under review.

She added: And yet here six years after appeal, and well over a year since Mario OSheas report, were still waiting for the Government to stop sitting on its hands.

Mr Harris said that many of the recommendations in the operational space had already been enacted but several areas which would require legislation have yet to be considered by the Oireachtas.
TikTok removes 80 million accounts of under-age users every year, an Oireachtas committee has been told.

The revelation came during a Childrens Committee hearing on child protection in the context of artificial intelligence.

Representatives from Meta, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) were told by Irish parliamentarians that social media is a cesspit and their companies were not doing enough to protect children.

One of the issues discussed at committee was age verification of users on apps to protect children.

Metas head of public policy in Ireland, Dualta O Broin, suggested a solution to concerns over age verification could be done at App Store level, taking the burden off individual apps  particularly newer companies that see rapid rises in users.

That would be a step forward, he said. It would be a resolution of the age verification question. We would still have huge responsibilities to ensure that all of these users are then placed into an age-appropriate experience.

He said other solutions included the process being done by telecommunications companies or by device.

The social media giant, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, said it dismantled 27 abusive networks and banned almost half a million accounts for child safety violations between 2020 and 2022.

Fine Gael senator Mary Seery Kearney raised concern about social media platforms deliberate manipulation of users and resultant behaviour modification.

She said the companies at the committee had a business model based on the capture of attention, adding that smartphones should be banned for young people.

Ms Seery Kearney said she wanted to see more time limits on app use, adding: Social media needs to come with a mental health warning.

TikToks public policy lead for child safety, Chloe Setter, said she totally appreciates the senators concerns, but added there is no agreement among experts on what amount of time is considered good.

She said TikTok had take-a-break reminders, usage limits and push alert cut-offs associated with age.

Metas director of safety policy, David Miles, told the politicians their concerns were justified and the company was working with safety experts.

He said the industry had seen a dramatic rise in the youth demographic and that things need to change.

Echoing recent comments from Tanaiste Micheal Martin, Fianna Fail TD Jennifer Murnane OConnor said the impact of social media on children is the new public health crisis of our time.

She said there would soon be funding for schools to support the banning of smartphones during class time.

Susan Moss, head of public policy at TikTok, replied: I agree with you. Schools are a place for education. Theyre not a place for smartphones and the internet.

More generally, she said TikTok would invest two billion euro in trust and safety in 2024.

The committee was told that more than two million people in Ireland use the platform every month.

Ms Moss said said TikTok meticulously monitors for child sexual abuse material.

She said all content on the platform undergoes some form of moderation, including by automated systems, to detect harmful material.

Ms Setter: To give you a sense of the effort were putting in, we remove on average 20 million suspected under-age accounts every quarter globally.

The platform is designed for people aged 13 and over.

Fianna Fail senator Erin McGreehan told the companies: Social media is a cesspit and X is the worst.

Her party colleague, senator Malcolm Byrne, said it was a serious problem that the social media company had more than halved the number of human moderators it employs under the ownership of Elon Musk, down from 5,500.

He said young people told him the content on X was far more gratuitous, far more violent, and far more sexual than other platforms.

He added: You see far more trolls and bots and misinformation and disinformation on your platform and your AI model is not picking it up.

And not picking it up for the wider population, not picking it up for children and teenagers, is really dangerous.

Claire Dile, Xs director for government affairs in Europe, said the company could make more effort to detect and remove harmful content as quickly as possible.

She said the company had launched a new moderation centre and had begun to rehire moderators as part of a variety of enforcement actions, including AI processes.

She also said fighting child sexual exploitation material, including AI-generated images, is the companys number one priority.
Three Louth monuments are set to receive 120,454 through the 2024 Community Monuments Fund to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future.

The three Louth projects that will receive funding are:

Bellew's Castle - 72,954

Cappocksgate in Ardee - 17,500

Drogheda Town Walls - 30,000

The funding is part of 7.4 million which will be awarded nationally to 140 projects around the country

First established in 2020, the Community Monuments Fund (CMF) aims to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historic sites.

Funding is available to allow conservation works to be carried out on monuments that are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support.

The aim is to encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation and also to build their resilience to help them withstand the effects of climate change.

The CMF supports essential repairs and capital works for the conservation of archaeological monuments and also the development of Conservation Management Plans to identify measures that may be needed to conserve monuments. Grants are also available to enhance public access infrastructure and interpretation at archaeological monuments.

Speaking today, Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said:

Since its inception in 2020, this fund has become a lifeline for the protection of Irelands irreplaceable archaeological heritage by revitalising hundreds of historic monuments in cities, towns, villages and rural communities across all 31 Local Authorities.

Through this, it is enabling valuable investment in the wider heritage sector, creating thousands of hours of employment for specialist craftspeople and traditional skills practitioners, as well as supporting the achievement of national commitments under Heritage Ireland 2030 and the Climate Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage.

Cathaoirleach of the Ardee Municipal, Cllr Dolores Minogue, welcomed the announcement of a 17,500 grant awarded to Cappocksgate through the Community Monuments Fund.

She said that these funds are highly valued, and she eagerly anticipates the improvement works that will enhance the preservation of this historic town wall.

Recognising its significance as a pivotal part of the town's history, she emphasised that its restoration will serve as a tangible reminder of Ardee's rich heritage.
Carlingford Heritage Trust and Rostrevor Folk Club at Crawfords have announced the first cross-border collaboration to promote top class Irish and folk music on the island of Ireland.

The initiative consists of six concerts in both May and August, with artists performing in Carlingford and Rostrevor on successive nights. Zoe Conway and John Mc Intyre have presented a popular Spring and Summer series at Carlingford Heritage Centre for some years, introducing and playing with the cream of Irish Music.

Across the lough, Rostrevor Folk Club, with Colum Sands as its guiding light, has been presenting top folk and Irish music artists for over seven years. It is hoped that the collaboration will promote world class live music across around Carlingford Lough, building connections as it grows.

The programme will see guest artists of the calibre of Liam O Maonlai, Donal OConnor and Muireann Nic Amhloibh, Tim Edey, Alfi, Bill Whelan, Cathy Jordan and Barry Kerr feature.

Co-Artistic director of the series, Zoe Conway said:

"Our spring and summer concerts are always special events, but this new connection across the lough between North and South feels like a truly special collaboration. I find these two villages of Rostrevor and Carlingford have that magical quality situated between mountain, forest and sea, that writers, musicians and artists have been inspired by for generations, so this new relationship is a great artistic pairing too!"

John Mc Intyre said: We look forward to welcoming some of the finest musicians in Ireland to two very fine music rooms on the shores of Carlingford Lough.

We are honoured that this year's programme includes local musicians Fiachra Meek and Donal O'Connor, both originally from the Cooley Peninsula. It is wonderful to have a platform to invite established musicians connected to the area home to play."

Colum Sands said: People have found ways to carry their songs over land and water for as long they have watched the turning of the tide. I have always loved observing how those songs, with their stories and tunes, have found their own quiet ways of carrying people on great journeys too!"

The launch of A lough of songs puts a fresh and welcome breeze in the sails of that timeless voyage with a wonderful series of concerts across the Lough from Carlingford to Rostrevor and back.
The Sisters of St. Louis have been honoured with a Civic Award by the Municipal District of Dundalk in recognition of their significant contribution over the last 75 years to the town and people of Dundalk.

A Civic Reception was hosted by Louth County Council in County Hall yesterday (Monday), attended by Sisters from the order and members of the St. Louis Secondary School community, elected representatives of Dundalk Municipal District, officials from Louth County Council, and members of the local community.

The Sisters of St. Louis are a religious community which were founded in post-revolutionary France in 1842 in Juilly outside Paris. They arrived in Ireland in 1859, when three sisters came to Monaghan from the French Motherhouse near Paris.

In 1949, at the invitation of Cardinal DAlton, they set up a convent in Dundalk where they secured a site beside the historic 15th century Castletown Castle also known as Bellews Castle. The whole site is known as Dun Lughaidh.

Four St. Louis sisters, Sr. Jeanne DArc, Sr. Hildegard, Sr. Dympna and Sr. Therese opened a secondary school on the site named St Louis Dundalk on 4th September 1950, which was originally opened with 16 pupils.

It quickly expanded in numbers, after the main school building was built and opened in September 1953. Over recent decades it has grown to become one of the largest schools in Dundalk.

The Civic Award presented by Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr. Sean Kelly, recognised "the opportunities afforded by the education given by the Sisters to the children of Dundalk and surrounding areas can never be underestimated, and their memory will remain foremost in the living history of the county."

The award also noted the donation in October 2023, by the Sisters of St. Louis, of a piece of land on the Bellewstown Road, Dundalk "for future development as a public amenity, leaving a lasting legacy for the community they served so well."

Speaking at the event, Cllr. Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District reflected on the arrival the St. Louis Sisters have had on Dundalk, and the community in Fatima, where they have been based for 75 years.

He highlighted the lasting impact of the education provided at Dun Lughaidh as, The cornerstone of a promising future for so many young women, which transformed the lives of local families.

I am proud to present this award to the Sisters of St. Louis, on behalf of the members of the Municipal District of Dundalk, in recognition of their immense contribution.

Joan Martin, Chief Executive of Louth County Council paid tribute to the Sisters of St. Louis for championing the education of generations of girls and young women across Dundalk and beyond.

It is very fitting that the Sisters of St. Louis are being recognised with this Civic Award by the Municipal District of Dundalk as they leave the town with an incredible legacy.

The award was accepted, on behalf of the Sisters of St. Louis by Sr. Uainin Clarke.

Musical interludes were provided by students from Dun Lughaidh, and the ceremony was brought to a close by Piper, Niall Clarke, a firefighter with Louth County Fire and Rescue who performed Amhran na bhFiann.
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently welcomed students from Castleblayney College to participate in a special workshop with composer Michael Gallen.

As part of an ongoing IRC-funded research project led by researchers at DkIT exploring the potential to develop a science theatre project, students from Castleblayney College attended a workshop with Monaghan-born opera composer Michael Gallen in the Iontas Theatre in April.

Dr Bridget Kelly and Dr Daithi Kearney, science and music academics from DkIT were awarded Irish Research Council (IRC) New Foundations Funding to develop a Science Opera project with community groups and Iontas Arts Centre in Castleblayney.

As part of the project, they invited Michael, who has established himself as a composer with an international reputation, to discuss his creative process and facilitate a workshop.

Michael mostly experienced Irish traditional and folk music as a child but, having performed in popular music bands, he later pursued studies in composition and multidisciplinary performance creation in Paris.

He is most comfortable meandering at the borders of different musical forms and his outputs includes symphonies and film scores.

For this workshop, he screened recorded excerpts from his opera Elsewhere and discussed his approach to creating the characters and how this is reflected in his musical composition.
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The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) this May, is hosting the 30th Alzheimers Tea Day across Ireland, and The Alzheimers Day Centres in Drogheda and Dundalk will join the celebrations with Tea Day events in both centres on Saturday 11 May.

The Birches Day Centre in Dundalk and Treagh Lodge Day Centre in Drogheda will join the celebrations with a Tea Day event on Saturday 11 May from 11am to 2pm.

The 30th anniversary is a significant milestone as statistics show that at least 30 people in Ireland are diagnosed with dementia, every single day.

Alzheimers Tea Day brings communities together across Ireland to support The ASI's vital work, providing much-needed resources and services for the 64,000 individuals living with dementia and their families nationwide. With the number of people diagnosed with dementia expected to double in the next 25 years, the need for support has never been greater.

Over the 30 years, Tea Day has raised 10 million to help support people living with dementia across Ireland, along with their families and carers. Register on www.teaday.ie to receive your free organiser's toolkit, packed with everything you need to host a successful Tea Day event.

Funds raised through Alzheimer's Tea Day support critical services like the Alzheimer's National Helpline, Daycare programs, home care, family carer training, social clubs, and Alzheimer's cafes. The ASI says that each person's contribution can truly make a difference in the lives of those affected by dementia.

Speaking ahead of the 30th anniversary of Alzheimers Tea Day, Mairead Dillon, Head of Fundraising for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, commented, Whether you host an event, attend one, or simply donate, every action brings us closer to a future where no one faces dementia alone. Together, let's raise a cup of kindness and make the 30th anniversary of Alzheimer's Tea Day the most successful yet.

Join the conversation online using #TeaDay2024 and #TeaDay30 to share your stories and show your support. For more information or to register as an organiser, please visit www.teaday.ie.
Bad water pressure, unaffordable housing and flooded farmland were among the issues raised by Louth Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu in Leinster House last week, during a wide-ranging speech that highlighted some of the problems facing Dundalk and north Louth.

The Dundalk deputy was speaking during a debate about the Future Ireland Fund and he took aim at the affordable housing scheme in Louth, which saw five of the ten houses that were up for grabs put back on the private market.

Deputy O Murchu said: "Even though extra time was allowed, only five of the 26 applicants qualified for the scheme. Louth County Council stated that the criteria in the Government's scheme were the issue. This needs to be looked at. In Dundalk and County Louth in general, a price of 305,000 is not affordable for a lot of people."

Uisce Eireann also came under fire from the Sinn Fein TD. He said: "Like many others, I believe we need to look at Uisce Eireann and developments. We have been dealing with brown water for a considerable period. It is caused by manganese. Uisce Eireann has promised a pilot scheme which will, I hope, find a solution. I have been asking for updates on that.

"I would like an update for the people in the Bay Estate, who are my neighbours, and in all of the estates off Tom Bellew Avenue where there is an issue with water pressure. We were told these homes do not have the correct valve that can determine demand fluctuations.

"At times, the water pressure drops below 1.5 bar, sometimes to 1.1 bar. That impacts people in terms of shower use and people are spending a huge amount of money. I have been told this will be completed by quarter 2, which could mean the end of June, but I need to follow up. I have submitted requests."

There had been a Drainage Area Plan mooted by Uisce Eireann, but detail is scant, he said, and there are wider questions about infrastructural deficits and the ability to deal with wastewater and flooding.

Deputy O Murchu also asked about the possibility of providing a funding scheme for farmers in north Louth who experienced damage due to flooding. He said: "I know Teagasc has been out and has carried out surveys on farms. If it is possible for the Minister for Agriculture to go slightly off topic to give some information on that, Councillor Antoin Watters and I would be delighted. I could go on."

Speaking afterwards, Deputy O Murchu said he had spoken to Minister Charlie McConalogue who told him that his team would look at the Teagasc report and would respond to it in a "timely" way.
Louth Fine Gael TD, Fergus ODowd, has confirmed that a total of 21 primary schools are now approved for the hot school meal programme in County Louth.

ODowd said Whilst the list in County Louth is promising I would strongly encourage any remaining primary schools who have not yet joined the scheme to express an interest in the Hot School Meals Programme at the earliest opportunity.

This is a wonderful programme which has been spearheaded by my colleague the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, and I know this programme is already making an impact on the ground since it was launched as a pilot five years ago.

Over 316,000 children can now receive a nutritious, hot meal during their school day as a result of this positive government decision which is contributing to the wellbeing of children across Ireland."

ODowd added: In June 2020, there were 30 schools receiving hot meals. Todays announcement means that from today there are over 2,000 primary schools able to benefit from hot school meals. Every school that submitted an expression of interest has been brought into the scheme.

The Minister is now opening a new round of expressions of interest to allow for the opportunity of hot school meals from September and I hope remaining schools will get their submission in as early as possible.

Minister Heather Humphreys stated:

My ambition is that every primary school child in the country will be receiving a hot meal in 2025. This is well ahead of our original target to make hot school meals universal in primary schools by 2030.

List of school under the Hot School Meals Programme in County Louth as of the April:

Aston Village Educate Together National School 20294I

Ballapousta Ns 01554B

Bellurgan N S 16249E

Dromin N S 06576N

Dromiskin Mixed N S 16760M

Faughart Community National School 18391R

Knockbridge Mixed N S 15101N

Le Cheile Educate Together Ns 20146Q

S N Aonghusa 19740V

S N Bhride 17965M

S N Columcille 01434O

S N Mhuire Na Trocaire 18099V

S N Muire 18101F

S N Naomh Fhionain 17952D

S N Naomh Peadar 11072M

S N Talamh Na Manach 18312S

Scoil Bhride 18382Q

Scoil Naomh Fainche 14578N

St Olivers Ns 02322I

St. Francis National School 20259G

Walshestown N S 03787L
Social media users have reacted to the 'shocking' difference of price between a rural Irish pub and one in Temple Bar.

One X (formerly Twitter) user posted pictures of receipts from his visit to a pub in the small village of Lecarrow, Co Roscommon and that of a trip to world-famous Temple Bar, Dublin.

10 drinks and three bottles of wine set the pub-goer back 65.30 in Lecarrow, which is situated between Athlone and Roscommon town.

In comparison, three pints of Guinness, three glasses of wine, and seven other drinks came to a total of 130.70 in The Temple Bar pub - double the price, compared to that of Coffeys Pub in Leacarrow!

People reacted by saying: "That place is a rip-off", "Absoultely off the charts!" and simply, "Jayzus".

While some people flocked to the comments to share their shock of the price difference, others noted that it was hardly a fair comparison. "I always think Temple Bar is not a fair comparison to the bog, its exorbitant in Dublin already. An average pub should be used," one wrote.

Another chimed in, saying: "In fairness, every major city in the world is like that! Comparing tourist central with rural Ireland non starter".
TWO Cork TDs have clashed over last weeks announcement of funding for 51 new cost-rental homes in Cork North Central, with one welcoming the development and the other saying the Governments delivery rate was nothing to celebrate.

The development was announced last week by Housing Minister Darragh OBrien, as part of a funding approval to deliver 547 new cost rental homes to five local authorities.

The 51 houses in Cork are in Newton Heights, Lotamore, funded by the Department of Housing for 8.6m, to be delivered in June 2025.

The homes will be let at rents starting at 1,206, which is 33% below open market. Under the cost rental scheme, rents are set at a minimum of 25% below comparable market rates for the area, with some developments achieving discounted rates of up to 50%. Cost rental homes are aimed at people on middle incomes who are constrained by rents in the private rental market, but who do not meet the income criteria for social housing support.

To qualify for cost rental housing, an applicants net household income must be below 66,000 per annum in Dublin and 59,000 for everywhere else. Padraig OSullivan, Fianna Fail TD for Cork North Central, said he welcomed the announcement, noting that the new homes would offer tenants the stability of 30-year leases.

This offers a reassurance to people that they will have a roof over their heads, he said.

Defending the Governments Housing For All programme, Mr OSullivan said it was working, but it had come out of a period of financial uncertainty and would take some time to compensate for that.

Housing For All is providing, for the first time, social-housing output that Ive never seen before as a public representative, and the cost rental scheme has taken a bit longer to get up and running, but it is now up and running, we see several such developments across the county and city, a lot of them completed, and a number more to come, he said.

The way to get out of the housing emergency is to offer people different models of housing, social, affordable, cost rental, tenant-in-situ for others with the local authority, or a home loan for others. However, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, slammed the Government for its delivery rate of cost rental homes.

The Housing Alliance have confirmed to me that there are only 27 cost rental homes in the pipeline to be delivered in Cork City this year. The minister has provided additional funding for just 51 homes in the city. These wont be delivered this year, he said.

For many people who are over the threshold for social housing, but cannot afford to buy, cost rental homes are their only chance at affordable, secure accommodation.

To put this into context, more than 900 applications were received for 32 cost-rental homes in 2022. Since then, rents and house prices have risen while we have seen very few cost rental homes delivered. The 51 homes will still not be sufficient.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said Uisce Eireann needs to get the ongoing problem of discoloured water in Cork city sorted.

Mr Martins remarks came after a Ballyvolane resident posted footage on social media on Sunday of brownish-orange water pouring from his tap, tagging in the Tanaiste.

John O Riordains post read: I was showering my kids in this filth.

Mr Martin, who was speaking to reporters at Collins Barracks, where he had performed the official opening of a multimillion-euro accommodation block, told The Echo he had seen the footage.

The Tanaiste described the quality of the water in the video as not satisfactory at all.

Discoloured water has been an issue across the city since Uisce Eireann, then called Irish Water, opened its new water treatment facility on the Lee Road in July 2022.

Complaints

The company received 1,484 complaints of discoloured water on both the north and south sides in 2022, while it received 1,628 such complaints in 2023.

Normally, it said, it would receive approximately 750 such complaints per annum.

Mr Martin said Uisce Eireann needs to give homes and businesses in Cork city a clear timeline as to when the ongoing problem of discoloured water will be sorted.

I have engaged with Uisce Eireann on this and I think there is a significant issue here that has to be dealt with, he said.

The Tanaiste was reacting to footage of discoloured water posted online by Ballyvolane resident John O Riordain.

A lot of investment has gone into Irish Water and a lot of investment is ongoing in terms of improving infrastructure and the quality of that water is not satisfactory at all, said Mr Martin.

Irish Water need to get this sorted and at least give people a timeline and a sense that this will be sorted.

Fear

Mr O Riordain told The Echo the issue with discoloured water in his home began in July 2022, at the same time the new Lee Road water treatment plant came online.

My fear as a parent is that even when the water looks clear, I still dont know whats in it, and that really worries me, he said.

A spokesperson for Uisce Eireann said it acknowledged that water services in the city were not meeting standards that impacted customers expect. It has established a taskforce dedicated to improving water quality, which is implementing a plan that includes increased sampling, targeted flushing programmes, and watermains replacement.

The company said it provided high-quality, clean, safe drinking water to more than 125,000 people in Cork city every day. Based on 2023 reports to our call centre, it is estimated that discolouration affects just over 1% of customers.

It said it advised people not to drink discoloured water. In the event of discolouration, running the tap for several minutes  we recommend up to 20 minutes  will usually restore water to a clear colour. The water is safe to drink once running clear.
ALMOST 20,000 people have been waiting over a year for a procedure at a Cork hospital, according to monthly figures published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).

In total, 86,626 people were on waiting lists across five Cork hospitals, with 77,992 awaiting outpatient procedures and 8,634 awaiting inpatient procedures up to the end of March. Out of these, 8,634 had been waiting for between 12-18 months, while 11,314 had been waiting for more than 18 months, meaning 19,948 people had been waiting over a year to be seen.

Cork University Hospital (CUH) had the highest number of people on outpatient waiting lists at 36,815, followed by South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH) at 27,813.

Outpatient

Some 6,086 people were awaiting outpatient procedures at the Mercy, 4,020 at Mallow Hospital, 2,236 at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), and 1,022 in Bantry Hospital.

South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH) had the highest number on inpatient waiting lists, at 4,863, followed by CUH, at 1,687, the Mercy, at 918, CUMH, at 670, Mallow, at 338, and Bantry, at 158.

Some 10,269 of those waiting for Cork hospital procedures were children, with 6,092 waiting for an inpatient or outpatient procedure in CUH and 3,272 in SIVUH.

The figures show a monthly increase of 1,882, with 84,744 people on waiting lists in Cork hospitals at the end of February.

Nationally, there were 671,843 people on waiting lists: 585,030 on outpatient lists and 86,813 on inpatient lists, with figures for Cork hospitals making up 12.9% of the total Irish figure.

Nationally, 119,254 patients were waiting more than a year, 16.7% of whom were in Cork.

There were 1,893 people awaiting a GI endoscopy in Cork, and 23,903 nationally, with 24 waiting over a year in Cork and 480 in total. Since March 2023, the total waiting list has decreased by 1.4%, a HSE spokesperson said, but the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) said that reductions fall short of the Governments Waiting List Action Plan for 2024.

Increased

The IHCA said the three main waiting lists have increased by 24,300 in the first three months of 2024, compared with an expected, pro-rata target reduction of 9,800 people by the end of March, a shortfall of 34,000.

The action plan for 2024 set a target to reduce waiting lists by 6% by the end of December, compared with the start of the year, a considerable reduction from similar action plans in 2022 and 2023, which set ambitious targets of 18% and 10%, but only cut waiting lists by 4% and 3%, respectively.

The spokesperson said: The modest decrease last year was only achieved by removing people from the waiting lists without any treatment through an NTPF validation programme. It saw more than 10,700 people taken off waiting lists in Cork.

Stephen McMahon, co-founder of the Irish Patients Association, told The Echo: From a patient advocates perspective, the lengthy waiting times at Cork hospitals are more than just numbers: They represent a significant risk to patient safety and well-being.

The fact that nearly 20,000 individuals have been waiting for over a year for procedures is alarming: Long waiting periods can lead to deterioration in patients conditions, potentially resulting in preventable complications, Mr McMahon said.

Patient safety must be at the forefront of healthcare delivery. It is essential to ensure that those waiting  especially the 10,269 children  receive timely care to prevent any adverse outcomes.

Changes

Systemic changes to cut wait times could include better resource allocation, streamlined referral systems, and more staff.

Cork GP and Fianna Fail councillor for Cork City North West, John Sheehan, told The Echo that population increase and higher life expectancy are contributors to the additional demand for services and longer waiting lists. People are living longer, which is fantastic, but as people age, they require more procedures.

This is a trend that is set to rise significantly over the next few years, he said, explaining that we will have an even bigger cohort of older patients, so we need to put in place structures for this, because the issues are only going to continue.

Dr Sheehan said: We can see in South Infirmary, in particular, due to this winters bed-shortage crisis, many procedures were put on hold, as they took overflow from CUH, which was the right thing to do, to help with trauma but it fed into the wait times.

It can be very hard for people, particularly if youre in pain, looking for a new hip or knee, theres always worry and anxiety, so its something that the HSE need to work at and look at alternative pathways for.

Dr Sheehan said he was hopeful that the proposed elective hospital in Cork, which will provide day case, GI endoscopy, minor operations, outpatient treatment and outpatient diagnostics services, would significantly reduce these waiting lists.
THERE were no HAP properties available to rent in Cork city centre, and just one in Cork city suburbs last month, according to a new report by the Simon Community.

The March 2024 Locked Out of the Market report found 1,180 properties available to rent at any price within the 16 areas over the three dates surveyed.

This represents a 3% increase from the 1,149 properties available in the December 2023 report, yet eight of the 16 study areas saw a reduction in the number of available rental properties.

This includes Cork city centre where there were 27 properties, a reduction of 13, and Cork city suburbs, where there were 31 properties available to rent, a reduction of one property.

The report found just three properties were available within standard HAP limits, and total of 35 properties available within discretionary HAP limits nationally, but these were predominantly found in Dublin, with 84% located there.

Just three study areas outside the Dublin region had properties available to rent within HAP limits, including Cork city suburbs which had one property within discretionary limits, Dundalk which had three, and Kildare with two.

Ten of the 16 study areas had no HAP properties at the standard or discretionary rate available to rent in any of the four household categories studied, including Cork City centre.

Sinn Fein TD for Cork North-Central Thomas Gould told The Echo: The report by Cork Simon is extremely concerning.

This lays bare the devastating reality for the hundreds of families and individuals in emergency accommodation in Cork city and county. There is nowhere for them to go.

Many families are forced to pay top-ups on their HAP  this is often completely beyond their means but they are left with no choice.

Saying that the Government must work urgently to increase housing supply, he added: The Housing Alliance have confirmed to me that only 27 cost rental homes are in the pipeline for Cork city in 2024.

Cost rental represents a real opportunity for those who cannot access private rental to enter secure and affordable accommodation.
A CORK man, who suffered a stroke in 2022, has described how he waited for longer than six weeks after leaving the hospital without any referrals or therapy.

In May of 2022, 53-year-old Arthur Little from Ballydehob was woken by his wife Lydia and daughter Roisin, who had realised he was having a stroke.

I wasnt aware I was having a stroke, I remember trying to move out of the bed and I just couldnt, he said.

Mr Little said that luckily his wife and daughter recognised the F.A.S.T. signs: facial drooping and left side weakness and called an ambulance immediately.

After being discharged from the hospital, Mr Little waited over six weeks without any referrals or therapy.

However, once a call was made to the Irish Heart Foundation, he said the charity played out of their skin to make up for lost time.

For me, the services have been critical in reducing a strong sense of isolation experienced following my bilateral stroke...The therapy, support and training given by the Irish Heart Foundation has been instrumental in me returning to work on a part-time basis, he said.

Mr Little shared his story as the charity commenced a drive to bolster State funding for services for heart and stroke patients.

People are being urged to lobby their TDs and senators to sign a pledge at https://irishheart.ie/advocacy/ to ensure 1.2m in annual funding is made available to the service.

One in three of all stroke patients returning home are being referred in to our services, whilst we are also supporting thousands of heart patients, said Director of Advocacy and Patient Support at the IHF, Chris Macey.

These people cannot simply return to the lives they led before and desperately need the unique pathway of support services that the Irish Heart Foundation provides.
A CORK man, who was invited to meet US President Joe Biden at the White House, says he used the visit as an opportunity to tell him of the impact that his advocacy has had on him.

Jamie Googan, from Clonakilty, lives with a stutter and is co-founder of Stuttering Awareness Mental Wellbeing Ireland and a board member of The World Stuttering Network.

Mr Googan established SAMWI during 2020 in the hopes of improving the quality of life of those who are living with a stutter.

He was invited to meet with the US President during a special visit last month and said he used the opportunity to thank him for the hope and inspiration that he provides so many young people with.

I finally got to tell him a little of the impact that his advocacy has had on me, he said.

See https://www.stutteringawarenessmentalwellbeing.ie.
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Frank O'Flynn and the Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie OSullivan have led tributes to councillor Gerard Murphy following his death.

Mr Murphy was one of the longest-serving public representatives in Cork County Council and a lifelong community activist, most notably in his hometown of Newmarket.

A proud member of Fine Gael, Mr Murphy was first elected to Council in 1992, serving as Cathaoirleach of Cork County Council from 1995 to 1996.

In a statement, Mr O'Flynn and Ms O'Sullivan said that Mr Murphy had brought a wealth of experience, and knowledge, particularly in the area of planning and development, and commitment to his role as a representative.

Elected to Dail Eireann from 2002-2007, where he served as vice-chairman of the Justice and Equality Committee, Cllr Murphy returned to local politics representing Kanturk Mallow Municipal District and the Southern Regional Assembly.

Mr O'Flynn and Ms O'Sullivan noted that Cllr Murphy was a founder member of the IRD Duhallow and supported the establishment of Culturlann Newmarket, transforming the former Church into a heritage and cultural centre, and was instrumental in the development, through the securing of grant funding, of the popular walking amenity Island Wood in Newmarket.

"Housing projects, too numerous to mention, had been a key focus for Cllr Murphy, together with supporting various community and sporting groups in the Kanturk and Newmarket electoral areas such as the Newmarket community playground," they added.

"Cllr Murphy will be deeply missed by the elected members of Kanturk Mallow Municipal District and Cork County Council, the executive and staff of Cork County Council as well as all those who had the pleasure of collaborating with him. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Gerard who will be forever remembered."

Speaking to The Echo, Mr OFlynn, said a huge void would be left in Newmarket and in the council chamber following the death of the Fine Gael veteran.

Im very saddened to hear about the passing of Councillor Gerard Murphy, a colleague whom Id consider a great friend, said the County Mayor.

Echoing the sentiment of many of his colleagues, Mr OFlynn said that the Fine Gael councillor had been very helpful since "the very first day I entered the chamber in 1999".

Current Fine Gael TD in Cork North West, Michael Creed, paid tribute to his former late colleague whom he described as a "consummate political tactician".

He was driven by the pursuit of progress for his constituents, both at a personal and a community level, said Mr Creed. He leaves a legacy of achievement that is widely recognised.

As well as our close political affiliation, Gerard was a personal friend over many years. I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to his wife Marian and their family.

The late Mr Murphy was 73.

Funeral arrangements for the late Mr Murphy will be announced later but the County Mayor said today that the Council would hold a meeting to honour their departed colleague in Newmarket on the day of the Requiem Mass.

His Fianna Fail colleague on Cork County Council and Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District Council, Pat Hayes, said that he regarded Mr Murphy as a friend and colleague and recalled that Mr Murphy and his own late father, Joe Hayes, had been great friends as they had both been post-masters.

It is a great shock to hear of the passing of Councillor Gerard Murphy  he was a great friend and colleague to work with, said Mr Hayes.

From the very day, I was elected to Cork County Council, he came and congratulated me, we had a great connection before that because of his friendship with my father.

Mr Murphy is survived by his wife Marian and two children, Donncha and Trish, as well as two grandchildren, Ethan and Maya.

He is also survived by three brothers, Ted, Martin and Joe, and two sisters, Jane, and Sister Margaret, a nun based in the US, who had returned to Cork on Monday to talk with her brother.
The two men accused of murdering a 29-year-old Carrigaline man who was allegedly punched and kicked on the ground near his home at Christmas 2022 told investigating gardai that the deceased was out in the middle of the road waving a bottle of wine and refusing to get out of the way of their car.

Memos of interviews were put into evidence before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford and the jury of six women and six men at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

21-year-old Ricardo Hoey of 7 Ardcarrig, Carrigaline, County Cork, and 19-year-old Jordan Deasy of 41 Ravensdale, Herons Wood, both deny the single charge against them, namely that on December 28 2022 at Glenwood estate, Carrigaline, County Cork, they did murder 29-year-old Matt ONeill, contrary to common law.

Detective Garda Ian Breen gave evidence on Tuesday (April 16) of memos of garda interviews with Jordan Deasy who was arrested at a flat in Crosshaven on New Years Eve, 2022. Jordan Deasy said he was a passenger. Mr Hoey was driving his car.

Me and Ricardo were driving in Glenwood. He (the late Matt ONeill) was standing in front of the car. He would not get out of the way of the car. He wouldnt move. We were telling him to move. He was waving his bottle.

Ricardo was beeping him first. He was swinging a bottle around by the windscreen.

Ricardo pushed him. I hit him. He fell to the floor. Ricardo kicked him. I hit him when he was on the floor again. We got back in the car. I realised I dropped my phone. I went back and got my phone.

Memos of interview with Ricardo Hoey were put in evidence earlier where he stated that he pushed the deceased once and kicked him once when he was on the ground.

Mr Deasy was asked about Mr ONeill falling and whether he hit his head and he replied, It could have been on his head, I am not sure.

He said of the deceased, He was waving the bottle at us. I thought he was going to hit us with it I just want to say to Matt (who was in a coma in hospital at the time of interview) I did not mean for it to end up that way.

Det. Garda Breen said Jordan Deasy cried shortly after that and asked, Can I talk to my mam? I did not mean to put the feen in a coma He was walking towards me with the bottle. I hit him before he hit me.

Mr Deasy was asked about the kick Ricardo gave the deceased to the head and the detective suggested to him, It must have been massive. He replied, It wasnt massive but it wasnt soft either, it seemed hard.

Asked if Mr ONeill was breathing when he (Mr Deasy) went back to pick up his phone he replied, I think so. He wasnt awake.

The trial continues.
High Court reporters

A soldier has failed to get another appeal over his conviction for what was described as a "punishment beating" he helped inflict on a fellow recruit due to his poor performance during training.

Private Philip McCarthy, of the 12th Infantry Battalion, had pleaded not guilty at a court-martial to 12 charges relating to an incident in an accommodation block at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, on July 18th, 2021, in which he assaulted Private Jack Canty.

He was convicted, sentenced to seven days' detention and discharged from the Defence Forces.

He appealed and the Court of Appeal upheld the court-martial decision and confirmed his conviction.

He asked the Supreme Court for a further appeal, but this was refused.

A three-judge Supreme Court panel comprising Ms Justice Marie Baker (since retired), Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe and Mr Justice Maurice Collins, found the intended appeal did not raise any point of law of general public importance as claimed by McCarthy.

The court-martial heard Pte Canty was called into his room by another recruit who shared the room with him.

When Pte Canty entered, that recruit had left and McCarthy was there, along with at least two other recruits.

Pte Canty alleged McCarthy prevented him from leaving his room and had kicked, punched and strangled him, put him in a headlock, and threw him to the floor in what the prosecution subsequently characterised as a punishment beating.

McCarthy admitted to having entered Pte Cantys room to speak to him about his performance in training, but he insisted that there had been no violence.

A military judge, in convicting him, said he believed the evidence of Pte Canty and the prosecution witnesses and he rejected as not credible the suggestion that Pte Canty had concocted an entirely false narrative of the incident.

The military judge found him not guilty of a number of charges against him, including assault causing harm, but convicted him of false imprisonment and of assault involving a headlock.

He was subsequently discharged but lodged an appeal claiming the military judge failed to apply the correct standard of proof, the reasons given for his conviction, alleged reliance on narrative and hearsay evidence, and that there were alleged errors in relation to the disclosure of medical evidence.

The Court of Appeal (CoA) did not find the military judge's conclusions on the facts surprising, adding that it was almost inconceivable that any other conclusion would have been reached. The CoA also rejected his other grounds of appeal.

The Supreme Court panel, in refusing a further appeal, said it was not satisfied that any issue concerning the standard of review by the CoA properly arose.

The CoA also clearly considered that the military judge sufficiently explained his findings here, the panel said.

It was clear from the CoA judgment that it carefully reviewed the transcripts of the hearing and the ruling of the military judge, considered whether the conclusions reached were ones which no reasonable military judge could have come to and concluded very clearly that they were not, it said.

It was not in the interests of justice to permit a further appeal, the Supreme Court panel added.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

In one of the most detailed surveys ever undertaken, hundreds of animal species  from birds to primates to web-footed wildcats  have been discovered in a Cambodian mangrove forest.

Team leader Stefanie Rog  a conservation biologist and senior program manager with Fauna & Flora International, which funded the study  recorded an astounding variety of species at the Peam Krasop sanctuary and adjacent Koh Kapid Ramsar wildlife reserve in Cambodia. Some of the animals they encountered included the critically endangered Sunda pangolin; endangered long-tailed macaques, large-spotted civet and hairy-nosed otters; the vulnerable fishing cat; and 74 fish species, a press release from Fauna & Flora said.

We found 700 different species in these mangrove forests but we suspect we have not even scratched the surface, Rog said, as The Guardian reported. If we could look at the area in even greater depth we would find 10 times more, I am sure.

The Peam Krasop mangrove forest. FFI R5 / Steph Baker / Fauna & Flora

Mangrove forests are found in tropical and subtropical coastal areas. They are specially adapted to flourish in both salt and brackish water, but 40 percent of them have been decimated in the past few decades due to land use changes such as agriculture and development.

Mangroves provide a variety of ecosystem services, such as acting as fish nurseries and reducing the impact of storm surges and the resulting damage to coastlines.

We found young barracudas, snappers and groupers in the waters here, Rog said, as reported by The Guardian. They are clearly important breeding places for fish and provide local communities with food as well as providing stock for commercial fisheries.

The survey was led by Fishing Cat Ecological Enterprise and Fauna & Flora, along with the Royal University of Agricultures faculty of fisheries and aquaculture and the Ministry of Environment.

The survey team conducted their field research during the dry and wet seasons of 2023. They set 57 camera traps across the protected area over 4,000 trap nights, the report said.

The experts also carried out targeted surveys that focused on reptiles, bats, amphibians, juvenile fish, invertebrates and plants.

[T]hese results evidence an important array of wildlife in need of protection, the report said. Overall, priority should be given to maintaining forest condition and cover within the sanctuary, since the loss of older, larger trees (which typically provide more cavities, hollows and crevices) particularly threatens foliage-roosting species, whereas fragmentation of mature forest stands erodes the connectivity between suitable habitat. Cleared areas of mixed mangrove that have been abandoned should be left to regenerate naturally, as these areas are connected to natural seedling recruitment. Protection and patrolling activities should be conducted regularly in order to make sure that no further disturbance to these areas takes place.

The rare fishing cat has webbed toes, which the large feline uses to swim through waters surrounding the mangroves, from which they hunt for fish and rats.

A fishing cat in the Peam Krasop wildlife sanctuary. Fauna & Flora / FCEE

Its very rare to see a fishing cat and we have only found out that they are in the forest from the photographs taken by our camera traps, Rog said, as The Guardian reported. Mangroves are places of roots and mud and they are difficult for humans to get into, which is why they provide precious sanctuaries for these vulnerable animals.

The survey found 150 bird species, 15 of which are on the International Union for Conservation of Natures Red List as near-threatened or endangered.

A mangrove forest relies on all the interconnected relationships between species and if you start taking away some of those species, then slowly you will lose the functioning of the forest, Rog said, as reported by The Guardian. [Mangrove forests] are so much more than just an ecosystem that provides a carbon-saving service or coastal protection. They are actually beautiful in their own right. For me, there is no better feeling than to be in this unique, mythical forest, knowing there is still so much more to explore  that there is another world waiting for further discovery.

The researchers said calling attention to some of the incredible diversity of species who live in this watery wonderland can help support conservation and future investigation of a uniquely rich ecosystem.

The results provided in this report, while an incomplete picture of the areas biodiversity, highlight the conservation value of the Peam Krasop/Koh Kapik mangrove forests, and can serve to underpin stronger management of the area, as well as inform initiatives such as eco-tourism and further research, the report said.
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products .

Now that Mint has been shut down, here are the best 6 budgeting apps to help you spend and save wisely in 2024.

As a former Mint user, I had to find a new budgeting app not too long ago. Intuit, parent company of Mint, shut down the service in March 2024, and prompted users to transition to its other financial app, Credit Karma. However, after testing Credit Karma myself, I found it to be a poor Mint replacement  that meant I needed to branch out and look elsewhere for a trusted app to track all of my financial accounts, monitor my credit score, follow a monthly spending plan and set goals like building a rainy-day fund and paying down my mortgage faster. I tried out Mint's top competitors in the hopes that I'd be able to find a new budgeting app that could handle all of my financial needs. Hopefully my journey can help you find the best budgeting app for you and your money as well.

How we tested

Before I dove in and started testing out budgeting apps, I had to do some research. To find a list of apps to try out, I consulted trusty ol Google (and even trustier Reddit); read reviews of popular apps on the App Store; and also asked friends and colleagues what budget tracking apps they might be using for money management. Some of the apps I found were free and these, of course, show loads of ads (excuse me, offers) to stay in business. But most of the available apps require paid subscriptions, with prices typically topping out around $100 a year, or $15 a month. (Spoiler: My top pick is cheaper than that.)

All of the services I chose to test needed to do several things: import all of your account data into one place; offer budgeting tools; and track your spending, net worth and credit score. Except where noted, all of these apps are available for iOS, Android and on the web.

Once I had my shortlist of six apps, I got to work setting them up. For the sake of thoroughly testing these apps, I made a point of adding every account to every budgeting app, no matter how small or immaterial the balance. What ensued was a veritable Groundhog Day of two-factor authentication. Just hours of entering passwords and one-time passcodes, for the same banks half a dozen times over. Hopefully, you only have to do this once.

Best budgeting apps of 2024

Quicken The best budgeting app overall Quicken Simplifi No pun intended, but what I like about Quicken Simplifi is its simplicity. Whereas other budgeting apps try to distinguish themselves with dark themes and customizable emoji, Simplifi has a clean user interface, with a landing page that you just keep scrolling through to get a detailed overview of all your stats. These include your top-line balances; net worth; recent spending; upcoming recurring payments; a snapshot of your spending plan; top spending categories; achievements; and any watchlists youve set up. You can also set up savings goals elsewhere in the app. I also appreciate how it offers neat, almost playful visualizations without ever looking cluttered. I felt at home in the mobile and web dashboards after a day or so, which is faster than I adapted to some competing services (Im looking at you, YNAB and Monarch). Getting set up with Simplifi was mostly painless. I was particularly impressed at how easily it connected to Fidelity; not all budget trackers do, for whatever reason. This is also one of the only services I tested that gives you the option of inviting a spouse or financial advisor to co-manage your account. One thing I would add to my initial assessment of the app, having used it for a few months now: I wish Simplifi offered Zillow integration for easily tracking your home value (or at least a rough estimate of it). Various competitors including Monarch Money and Copilot Money work with Zillow, so clearly there's a Zillow API available for use. As it stands, Simplifi users must add real estate manually like any other asset. In practice, Simplifi miscategorized some of my expenses, but nothing out of the ordinary compared to any of these budget trackers. As youre reviewing transactions, you can also mark if youre expecting a refund, which is a unique feature among the services I tested. Simplifi also estimated my regular income better than some other apps I tested. Most of all, I appreciated the option of being able to categorize some, but not all, purchases from a merchant as recurring. For instance, I can add my two Amazon subscribe-and-saves as recurring payments, without having to create a broad-strokes rule for every Amazon purchase. The budgeting feature is also self-explanatory. Just check that your regular income is accurate and be sure to set up recurring payments, making note of which are bills and which are subscriptions. This is important because Simplifi shows you your total take-home income as well as an income after bills figure. That number includes, well, bills but not discretionary subscriptions. From there, you can add spending targets by category in the planned spending bucket. Planned spending can also include one-time expenditures, not just monthly budgets. When you create a budget, Simplifi will suggest a number based on a six-month average. Not dealbreakers, but two things to keep in mind as you get started: Simplifi is notable in that you cant set up an account through Apple or Google. There is also no option for a free trial, though Quicken promises a 30-day money back guarantee. Pros Easy-to-use app with a gentle learning curve

Does a good job detecting recurring income and bills

Less expensive than the competition

Lets you share app access with a spouse or financial advisor

Handy refund tracker Cons No free trial

You can't create an account using your Apple or Google ID

No Zillow integration $48 a year at Quicken

Monarch Money Runner up - best budgeting app overall Monarch Money Monarch Money grew on me. My first impression of the budgeting app, which was founded by a former Mint product manager, was that it's more difficult to use than others on this list, including Simplifi, NerdWallet and Copilot. And it is. Editing expense categories, adding recurring transactions and creating rules, for example, is a little more complicated than it needs to be, especially in the mobile app. (My advice: Use the web app for fine-tuning details.) Monarch also didnt get my income right; I had to edit it. Once youre set up, though, Monarch offers an impressive level of granularity. In the budgets section, you can see a bona fide balance sheet showing budgets and actuals for each category. You'll also find a forecast, for the year or by month. And recurring expenses can be set not just by merchant, but other parameters as well. For instance, while most Amazon purchases might be marked as shopping, those for the amounts of $54.18 or $34.18 are definitely baby supplies, and can be automatically marked as such each time, not to mention programmed as recurring payments. Weirdly, though, theres no way to mark certain recurring payments as bills, specifically. Not long after I first published this story in December 2023, Monarch introduced a detailed reporting section where you can create on-demand graphs based on things like accounts, categories and tags. That feature is available just on the web version of the app for now. As part of this same update, Monarch added support for an aggregator that makes it possible to automatically update the value of your car. This, combined with the existing Zillow integration for tracking your home value, makes it easy to quickly add a non-liquid asset like a vehicle or real estate, and have it show up in your net worth graph. The mobile app is mostly self-explanatory. The main dashboard shows your net worth; your four most recent transactions; a month-over-month spending comparison; income month-to-date; upcoming bills; an investments snapshot; a list of any goals youve set; and, finally, a link to your month-in-review. That month-in-review is more detailed than most, delving into cash flow; top income and expense categories; cash flow trends; changes to your net worth, assets and liabilities; plus asset and liability breakdowns. In February 2024, Monarch expanded on the net worth graph, so that if you click on the Accounts tab you can see how your net worth changed over different periods of time, including one month, three months, six months, a year or all time. On the main screen, youll also find tabs for accounts, transactions, cash flow, budget and recurring. Like many of the other apps featured here, Monarch can auto-detect recurring expenses and income, even if it gets the category wrong. (They all do to an extent.) Expense categories are marked by emoji, which you can customize if youre so inclined. Monarch Money uses a combination of networks to connect with banks, including Plaid, MX and Finicity, a competing network owned by Mastercard. (I have a quick explainer on Plaid, the industry standard in this space, toward the end of this guide.) As part of an update in late December, Monarch has also made it easier to connect through those other two networks, if for some reason Plaid fails. Similar to NerdWallet, I found myself completing two-factor authentication every time I wanted to get past the Plaid screen to add another account. Notably, Monarch is the only other app I tested that allows you to grant access to someone else in your family  likely a spouse or financial advisor. Additionally, Monarch just added the ability to track Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Savings accounts, thanks to new functionality brought with the iOS 17.4 update. It's not the only one either; currently, Copilot and YNAB have also added similar functionality that will be available to anyone with the latest versions of their respective apps on a device running iOS 17.4. Instead of manually uploading statements, the new functionality allows apps like Monarch's to automatically pull in transactions and balance history. That should make it easier to account for spending on Apple cards and accounts throughout the month. Monarch also recently launched investment transactions in beta. It also says bill tracking and an overhauled goals system are coming soon. Monarch hasn't provided a timeline for that last one, except to say that the improved goals feature is coming in early 2024. Pros Lots of detail and opportunities for customization

Helpful goals feature

You can grant account access to other people

Chrome extension for importing from Mint

Month-in-review recap is more thorough than most

Car value syncing

Zillow integration Cons Steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers

The mobile app feels restricted and less intuitive than the web version

Doesnt seem to distinguish between bills and other recurring expenses

Some bugginess on mobile around creating rules for expense categories $50 a year at Monarch Money

NerdWallet The best free budgeting app NerdWallet You may know NerdWallet as a site that offers a mix of personal finance news, explainers and guides. I see it often when I google a financial term I dont know and sure enough, its one of the sites Im most likely to click on. As it happens, NerdWallet also has the distinction of offering one of the only free budgeting apps I tested. In fact, there is no paid version; nothing is locked behind a paywall. The main catch: There are ads everywhere. Even with the inescapable credit card offers, NerdWallet has a clean, easy-to-understand user interface, which includes both a web and a mobile app. The key metrics that it highlights most prominently are your cash flow, net worth and credit score. I particularly enjoyed the weekly insights, which delve into things like where you spent the most money or how much you paid in fees  and how that compares to the previous month. Because this is NerdWallet, an encyclopedia of financial info, you get some particularly specific category options when setting up your accounts (think: a Roth or non-Roth IRA). As a budgeting app, NerdWallet is more than serviceable, if a bit basic. Like other apps I tested, you can set up recurring bills. Importantly, it follows the popular 50/30/20 budgeting rule, which has you putting 50% of your budget toward things you need, 30% toward things you want, and the remaining 20% into savings or debt repayments. If this works for you, great  just know that you cant customize your budget to the same degree as some competing apps. You cant currently create custom spending categories, though a note inside the dashboard section of the app says youll be able to customize them in the future. You also cant move items from the wants column to needs or vice versa but In the future, you'll be able to move specific transactions to actively manage what falls into each group. A NerdWallet spokesperson declined to provide an ETA, though. Lastly, its worth noting that NerdWallet had one of the most onerous setup processes of any app I tested. I dont think this is a dealbreaker, as youll only have to do it once and, hopefully, you arent setting up six or seven apps in tandem as I was. What made NerdWallets onboarding especially tedious is that every time I wanted to add an account, I had to go through a two-factor authentication process to even get past the Plaid splash screen, and thats not including the 2FA I had set up at each of my banks. This is a security policy on NerdWallets end, not Plaids, a Plaid spokesperson says. Precisely because NerdWallet is one of the only budget trackers to offer credit score monitoring, it also needs more of your personal info during setup, including your birthday, address, phone number and the last four digits of your social security number. Its the same with Credit Karma, which also does credit score monitoring. Related to the setup process, I found that NerdWallet was less adept than other apps at automatically detecting my regular income. In my case, it counted a large one-time wire transfer as income, at which point my only other option was to enter my income manually (which is slightly annoying because I would have needed my pay stub handy to double-check my take-home pay). Pros Free

Easy to use

Helpful weekly insights

NerdWallet has a deep well of helpful financial explainers and guides

One of the few options that offers credit score monitoring Cons Ads everywhere

No customization for spending categories

Less adept at detecting regular income

One of the more tedious setup processes Free at NerdWallet

Copilot Money The best up-and-comer Copilot Money Copilot Money might be the best-looking budgeting app I tested. It also has the distinction of being exclusive to iOS and Macs  at least for now. Andres Ugarte, the companys CEO, has publicly promised that Android and web apps are coming in 2024 (more likely the second half of the year, Ugarte tells me). But until it follows through, I cant recommend Copilot for most people with so many good competitors out there. There are other features that Copilot is missing, which Ill get into. But it is promising, and one to keep an eye on. Its just a fast, efficient, well designed app, and Android users will be in for a treat when theyll finally be able to download it. It makes good use of colors, emoji and graphs to help you understand at a glance how youre doing on everything from your budgets to your investment performance to your credit card debt over time. In particular, Copilot does a better job than almost any other app of visualizing your recurring monthly expenses. Behind those punchy colors and cutesy emoji, though, is some sophisticated performance. Copilots AI-powered Intelligence gets smarter as you go at categorizing your expenses. (You can also add your own categories, complete with your choice of emoji.) Its not perfect. Copilot miscategorized some purchases (they all do), but it makes it easier to edit than most. On top of that, the internal search feature is very fast; it starts whittling down results in your transaction history as soon as you begin typing. Copilot is also unique in offering Amazon and Venmo integrations, allowing you to see transaction details. With Amazon, this requires just signing into your Amazon account via an in-app browser. For Venmo, you have to set up fwd@copilot.money as a forwarding address and then create a filter, wherein emails from venmo@venmo.com are automatically forwarded to fwd@copilot.money. Like Monarch Money, you can also add any property you own and track its value through Zillow, which is integrated with the app. While the app is heavily automated, I still appreciate that Copilot marks new transactions for review. Its a good way to both weed out fraudulent charges, and also be somewhat intentional about your spending habits. Like Monarch Money, Copilot updated its app to make it easier to connect to banks through networks other than Plaid. As part of the same update, Copilot said it has improved its connections to both American Express and Fidelity which, again, can be a bugbear for some budget tracking apps. In an even more recent update, Copilot added a Mint import option, which other budgeting apps have begun to offer as well. Because the app is relatively new (it launched in early 2020), the company is still catching up to the competition on some table-stakes features. Ugarte told me that his team is almost done building out a detailed cash flow section, which could launch before the end of 2023, but more likely in early 2024. On its website, Copilot also promises a raft of AI-powered features that build on its current Intelligence platform, the one that powers its smart expense categorization. These include smart financial goals, natural language search, a chat interface, forecasting and benchmarking. That benchmarking, Ugarte tells me, is meant to give people a sense of how theyre doing compared to other Copilot users, on both spending and investment performance. Most of these features should arrive in the new year. Copilot does a couple interesting things for new customers that distinguish it from the competition. Theres a demo mode that feels like a game simulator; no need to add your own accounts. The company is also offering two free months with RIPMINT  a more generous introductory offer than most. When it finally does come time to pony up, the $7.92 monthly plan is cheaper than some competing apps, although the $95-a-year-option is in the same ballpark. Pros Slick UI

Standalone Mac app

Lower monthly price than some competing apps

Does a good job visualizing recurring expenses

Optional Amazon, Venmo and Zillow integration

To review section is handy Cons No web or Android app yet

Miscategorized more expenses than our top pick

Lots of otherwise common features are still in development Two months free at Copilot Money

YNAB Honorable mention YNAB YNAB is, by its own admission, different from anything youve tried before. The app, whose name is short for You Need a Budget, promotes a so-called zero-based budgeting system, which forces you to assign a purpose for every dollar you earn. A frequently used analogy is to put each dollar in an envelope; you can always move money from one envelope to another in a pinch. These envelopes can include rent and utilities, along with unforeseen expenses like holiday gifts and the inevitable car repair. The idea is that if you budget a certain amount for the unknowns each month, they wont feel like theyre sneaking up on you. Importantly, YNAB is only concerned with the money you have in your accounts now. The app does not ask you to provide your take-home income or set up recurring income payments (although there is a way to do this). The money you will make later in the month through your salaried job is not relevant, because YNAB does not engage in forecasting. The app is harder to learn than any other here, and it requires more ongoing effort from the user. And YNAB knows that. Inside both the mobile and web apps are links to videos and other tutorials. Although I never quite got comfortable with the user interface, I did come to appreciate YNABs insistence on intentionality. Forcing users to draft a new budget each month and to review each transaction is not necessarily a bad thing. As YNAB says on its website, Sure, youve got pie charts showing that you spent an obscene amount of money in restaurants  but youve still spent an obscene amount of money in restaurants. I can see this approach being useful for people who dont tend to have a lot of cash in reserve at a given time, or who have spending habits they want to correct (to riff off of YNABs own example, ordering Seamless four times a week). My colleague Valentina Palladino, knowing I was working on this guide, penned a respectful rebuttal, explaining why shes been using YNAB for years. Perhaps, like her, you have major savings goals you want to achieve, whether its paying for a wedding or buying a house. I suggest you give her column a read. For me, though, YNABs approach feels like overkill. Pros Particularly strong emphasis on budgeting

Unique zero-dollar approach to financial planning that some people swear by Cons Steep learning curve

Harder to use certain features on the mobile app than on the web $99 a year or $14.99 a month at YNAB

PocketGuard Honorable mention PocketGuard PocketGuard is one of the only reputable free budget trackers I found in my research. Just know its far more restricted at the free tier than NerdWallet. In my testing, I was prompted to pay after I attempted to link more than two bank accounts. So much for free, unless you keep things simple with one cash account and one credit card. When it comes time to upgrade to PocketGuard Plus, you have three options: pay $7.99 a month, $34.99 a year or $79.99 for a one-time lifetime license. That lifetime option is actually one of the few unique selling points for me: Im sure some people will appreciate paying once and never having to, uh, budget for it again. From the main screen, youll see tabs for accounts, insights, transactions and the Plan, which is where you see recurring payments stacked on top of what looks like a budget. The main overview screen shows you your net worth, total assets and debts; net income and total spending for the month; upcoming bills; a handy reminder of when your next paycheck lands; any debt payoff plan you have; and any goals. Like some other apps, including Quicken Simplifi, PocketGuard promotes an after bills approach, where you enter all of your recurring bills, and then PocketGuard shows you whats left, and thats what youre supposed to be budgeting: your disposable income. Obviously, other apps have a different philosophy: take into account all of your post-tax income and use it to pay the bills, purchase things you want and maybe even save a little. But in PocketGuard, its the in your pocket number thats most prominent. To PocketGuards credit, it does a good job visualizing which bills are upcoming and which ones youve already paid. PocketGuard has also publicly committed to adding some popular features in early 2024. These include rollover budgeting in January 2024, categorization rules in February and shared household access in March. Although PocketGuards UI is easy enough to understand, it lacks polish. The accounts tab is a little busy, and doesnt show totals for categories like cash or investments. Seemingly small details like weirdly phrased or punctuated copy occasionally make the app feel janky. More than once, it prompted me to update the app when no updates were available. The web version, meanwhile, feels like the mobile app blown up to a larger format and doesnt take advantage of the extra screen real estate. Of note, although PocketGuard does work with Plaid, its primary bank-connecting platform is actually Finicity. Setting up my accounts through Finicity was mostly a straightforward process. I did encounter one hiccup: Finicity would not connect to my SoFi account. I was able to do it through Plaid, but PocketGuard doesnt make it easy to access Plaid in the app. The only way, as far as I can tell, is to knowingly search for the name of a bank that isnt available through Finicity, at which point you get the option to try Plaid instead. Like I said: the experience can be janky. Pros One of the only budget trackers with a free plan

You can avoid an ongoing subscription fee by opting for a one-time lifetime license

Less expensive than most competitors

Helpful upcoming bills view in the app Cons The free version is so restricted that the free label feels misleading; the user experience feels less polished than some competing apps

The web app doesnt take advantage of the larger screen space on desktop $7.99 a month or $34.99 a year at PocketGuard

FAQs

What is Plaid and how does it work?

Each of the apps I tested uses the same underlying network, called Plaid, to pull in financial data, so its worth explaining what it is and how it works. Plaid was founded as a fintech startup in 2013 and is today the industry standard in connecting banks with third-party apps. Plaid works with over 12,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada and Europe. Additionally, more than 8,000 third-party apps and services rely on Plaid, the company claims.

To be clear, you dont need a dedicated Plaid app to use it; the technology is baked into a wide array of apps, including all of the budgeting apps listed in this guide. Once you find the add an account option in whichever one youre using, youll see a menu of commonly used banks. Theres also a search field you can use to look yours up directly. Once you find yours, youll be prompted to enter your login credentials. If you have two-factor authentication set up, youll need to enter a one-time passcode as well.

As the middleman, Plaid is a passthrough for information that may include your account balances, transaction history, account type and routing or account number. Plaid uses encryption, and says it has a policy of not selling or renting customer data to other companies. However, I would not be doing my job if I didnt note that in 2022 Plaid was forced to pay $58 million to consumers in a class action suit for collecting more financial data than was needed. As part of the settlement, Plaid was compelled to change some of its business practices.

In a statement provided to Engadget, a Plaid spokesperson said the company continues to deny the allegations underpinning the lawsuit and that the crux of the non-financial terms in the settlement are focused on us accelerating workstreams already underway related to giving people more transparency into Plaids role in connecting their accounts, and ensuring that our workstreams around data minimization remain on track.

Why did Mint shut down?

When parent company Intuit announced in December 2023 that it would shut down Mint, it did not provide a reason why it made the decision to do so. It did say that Mint's millions of users would be funneled over to its other finance app, Credit Karma. "Credit Karma is thrilled to invite all Minters to continue their financial journey on Credit Karma, where they will have access to Credit Karmas suite of features, products, tools and services, including some of Mints most popular features," Mint wrote on its product blog. In our testing, we found that Credit Karma isn't an exact replacement for Mint  so if you're still looking for a Mint alternative, you have some decent options.

What about Rocket Money?

Rocket Money is another free financial app that tracks spending and supports things like balance alerts and account linking. If you pay for the premium tier, the service can also help you cancel unwanted subscriptions. We did not test it for this guide, but we'll consider it in future updates.
Motorola has announced the Edge 50 series, a trio of new smartphones that you can opt to buy with a body made out either a pearl polymer finish or with a wood back cover. The Edge 50 Ultra, 50 Pro and 50 Fusion boast the usual features you'd expect from an Android phone, with a garnish of the usual AI showiness.

Take the Edge 50 Ultra, which has a 4500mAh battery with 125W TurboPower charging  allegedly providing enough power for the day in just four minutes. The phone also has the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. The device also supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Head Tracking.

Then there's Style Sync, which allows users to "extend their personal style to their device by capturing and uploading a picture of the pattern of their outfit to generate multiple unique images." Basically, it creates wallpapers that match your outfit patterns and color palettes. This tool appears alongside another new feature in which users can describe a picture through a text prompt to get generated images displayed.

Camera-wise, Motorola claims the Edge 50 Ultra has its most impressive system ever. Many of its features use AI, including adaptive stabilization, auto focus tracking and action shot. There's also the photo enhancement engine, which uses AI to apply shooting modes and finetune pictures for the highest-quality results. Outside of AI-powered tools, users will also have access to long exposure.

According to Motorola, the Edge 50 family are the first smartphones ever to use a Pantone Validated camera. Motorola created it and the display with the help of Pantone's color scientists to meet the latter's "evaluation and grading criteria by authentically simulating the full range" of Pantone Colors and Pantone SkinTone as both appear in the real world. Plus, the Edge 50 Ultra has a 6.67" Super HD pOLED display with 13 percent better resolution than its predecessor.

Motorola is also releasing its new Moto Buds+ with Sound by Bose. They offer active noise cancellation, EQ tuning and compatibility with Dolby Head Tracking. While we don't have an exact date yet for when the Edge 50 family will come to North America, the Moto Buds+ are available in Forest Grey starting today for $130.
Samsung reportedly shipped 60.1 million smartphone units worldwide in Q1, representing 20.8 percent of the global market share  and first place. Meanwhile, Apple shipped 50.1 million units for 17.3 percent of the market share. Both companies, however, saw a decrease from Q1 2023. Apple saw an almost 10 percent drop, while Samsungs hit was less than one percent.

Apple nudged Samsung out briefly in 2023, but its back to business as usual. The IDCs takeaway is that the world of smartphones is strengthening (what does that mean?), with a boost to higher-priced phonestrue for both Samsung and Apple.

Xiaomi rounded out the top five brands with 40.8 million units, Transsion with 28.5 million units and OPPO with 25.2 million units shipped. Never heard of Transsion? Its a global smartphone powerhouse based in China, responsible for phone brands including Tecno, Itel and Infinix.

 Mat Smith

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Sonic 3 gets another actor.

Sega

Keanu Reeves will play the broody, tortured Shadow the Hedgehog. The antihero, both an arch-rival and an ally to Sonic, will be created by Jim Carreys Dr. Robotnik after the events of Sonic 2. Whoa.

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The social media app goes offline April 29.

Meta is shutting down Threads in Turkey on April 29 after an interim injunction from the Turkish Competition Authority (TCA) against automatic data sharing with Instagram. The TCA ruled that linking Threads and Instagram without user opt-in will lead to irreparable harm and that Meta abused its dominant position in the industry with the practice. This isnt the first regulatory battle between Meta and Turkey. Back in 2022, the country fined Meta $18.6 million for sharing data across its apps.

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Dismantling an HDD in as little as eight seconds.

Garner Products DiskMantler uses a mix of shock, harmonics and vibration to shake apart a hard drive. The process loosens screws and other fasteners to free up parts like circuit boards, drive assemblies, actuators and rare-earth magnets. The process reportedly takes between eight and 90 seconds for most hard drives and around two minutes for welded helium drives. Only a fifth or so of the planets e-waste is recycled at the moment, so anything that can improve that share would be welcome.

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In a recent TikTok that's reached 170k views in just 10 hours, Ella Gorgla is resting in her hotel room when EMS, the New York City Police Department, and a social worker break through the door to transport her to Bellevue Hospital, known for its psychiatric services.

"I am NOT going to Bellevue!" Gorgla contests. "How is this acceptable in America?" She asks, "Look at this!"

"I graduated from Columbia, I just got into Princeton...and you're telling me I have to go to Bellevue?"

"Look at this evil that exists," Gorgla said, panning the camera over to someone she suggests may have reported her.

This comes years after Gorgla blew the whistle in her workplace at Estee Lauder, citing the mistreatment of Black female employees at the company. Since blowing the whistle back in 2020, Gorgla is adamant that she is being targeted, attacked, and ultimately feels her safety has been at risk up until today.

RELATED: More Than 100 Deaths Linked To 'Miracle' Hollywood Drug Ozempic

According to an open-letter testimony created by Gorgla, called "The Ugly Side of Beauty," she alleges 22 Black women at Estee Lauder Companies (ELC) gathered in 2018 to share their grievances in the workplace in a letter written by the advocacy group, '25 Black Women in Beauty.'

Their reported grievances included failure to promote, discrimination, payment inequalities, racial animus, and unchecked microaggressions, claiming that as an Executive Director at MAC Cosmetics, she dealt with each of these instances.

Although the letter they've organized to present wasn't handed to the company, she alleges that change did happen  including Black women suddenly being promoted and new workshops on cultural insensitivity, and suspects the letter may have been leaked. Per her story, things had gotten better for everyone but her.

RELATED: Wendy Williams' Unsealed Lawsuit Against A&E Cites 'Exploitation' And Inability To Consent

Between September 2018 and 2020, Gorgla alleges that she was terrorized in the workplace, trash repeatedly showed up on her back patio, pictures mysteriously taken of her in restaurants and on an airplane, and felt she was being surveilled in her hometown of Toledo, Ohio.

On two separate occasions, she says her house had been broken into. She alleges the NYPD refused to take a police report and her landlord refused to hand over the property's security footage. In a TikTok video, Gorgla is seen reporting to staff a strange smell in her room  which they had no answer or solution for.

In September 2020, she was in the comfort of her home when the orange juice from her refrigerator made her feel dizzy, bringing her pulse up to 155, fearing she may go into cardiac arrest.

After seeking medical attention, she was allegedly denied a police report... again. The results from Mount Sinai Hospital were inconclusive, omitting her drug results, per her claims.

Ella Gorgla writes in the letter that the DA has since taken her case, however, still wonders almost daily, "How did I get here?"

ENSTARZ has reached out to Estee Lauder Cosmetics for comment.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Prince Harry is being accused of using "fake profiles" online and trying to help "bring down" the British monarchy.

The unfounded claims came from former GB News host Dan Wootton and royal biographer Angela Levin.

During a chat on Wootton's online show "Outspoken," the two royal experts and journalists discussed how allies of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, called the "Sussex squad," allegedly launched an online trolling and disinformation campaign against the British royal family. Enstarz could not independently verify the claims.

Wootton claimed that his investigation showed the so-called Sussex squad is allegedly "the biggest purveyors of disinformation" and "the biggest spreaders of trolling of the internet age."

Levin slammed Prince Harry and Markle as "hypocrites" for not condemning or distancing themselves from the Sussex squad despite filing several lawsuits against media organizations and repeatedly speaking out against online misinformation, negativity, and hate speech.

According to Wootton, Prince Harry may be "obsessed" with trying to take down the royal family.

"He's obsessed, and it's an unhealthy obsession, and he's on the internet himself. He hides behind fake profiles himself. So the whole thing is very, very ironic," the former TV personality alleged of Prince Harry.

"He wants to help bring down the British royal family and the Commonwealth. That's an extraordinary situation for someone who is fifth in line to the throne, for someone whose father is King, [and] whose brother is the next king," he added.

Asked what she believes Prince Harry's alleged goal was, Levin -- who once followed the Duke of Sussex on his royal engagements for a year to write "Harry: A Biography of a Prince" -- suggested that he thinks Markle "is the one who should take over" and become queen.

The royal commentator said she believes Prince Harry himself has no desire to be king but would support Markle as an "aide" and help her modernize the monarchy.

Prince Harry and Markle's relationship with the royal family has been strained since they stepped back from royal duties and moved to California in 2020.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have since spoken out about their time with the royal family and what ultimately caused them to leave in their interview with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix docuseries, and Prince Harry's memoir "Spare," among other projects.

In "The Me You Can't See," the docuseries he co-created with Winfrey, Prince Harry alleged that "the Firm" -- a term used for the monarchy -- and the media tried to "smear" Markle before their 2021 sit-down with the TV legend aired.

In early March 2021, Buckingham Palace announced that it launched an investigation after The Times of London reported that a former royal aide had accused Markle of bullying during her time as a working royal -- an allegation that she vehemently denied.

After a year, the palace announced that the results of the investigation would be kept private.

But earlier this year, Prince Harry hinted that he's open to reconciling with his family after flying to London to see his father King Charles III following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis.

"I love my family. And the fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see [my father] and spend any time with him, I'm grateful for that," Prince Harry told "Good Morning America" in February.

The duke added that he believes health crises can have a "reunifying effect" and bring families "together."

Prince Harry is set to return to the U.K. next month to attend a special service marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, Page Six reported.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold suggested to Sky News Australia that the visit could see Prince Harry and Prince William reconnecting, with King Charles possibly playing "peacemaker" for his sons.
Malia Obama took a break from work and enjoyed her downtime with a pal last week.

The former first daughter was spotted hiking with one of her friends in the Hollywood Hills on April 12, per Just Jared. She flaunted her toned abs for the afternoon outing by wearing a black sports bra that showed off her mid-section, and she paired it with matching black leggings. She also wore a lime green cardigan, black sunglasses and a pair of hiking boots by 1017 ALYX 9SM, a luxury streetwear brand.

Malia, 25, is into hiking. In March 2022, she was photographed enjoying the trail with her sister, Sasha, 22. In the snaps obtained by the Daily Mail, Barack and Michelle Obama's daughters both rocked sporty attires for the outing.

Sasha opted for a black T-shirt, which she tied up into a crop top to show off her belly button piercing, and a pair of black workout shorts. Malia, for her part, wore a black Nike sports bra and matching leggings. They both completed their get-up with a pair of black sneakers. In another shot, both were photographed holding a HydroFlask water bottle, probably to hydrate under the heat of the sun while hiking.

Malia was only 10 and Sasha, 7, when the Obamas moved to the White House. According to Obama, in a previous interview with ABC News, his daughters weren't comfortable with the Secret Service when they became teenagers.

"They complained about Secret Service as they became teenagers," the former president explained. "But as you might imagine, if you're a teenager having a couple of people with microphones and guns always following you around, that could grate on them. But they've handled it with grace, and I give Michelle most of the credit for how well they've done."





Malia and Sasha were 18 and 15, respectively, when they left the White House. According to Michelle, the duo celebrated their last night at the White House with pizza and had a slumber party with some friends.

"They had a sleepover, because, of course, on Inauguration Day, because my girls are so normal, they're like, 'Well, eight girls are gonna be sleeping here because it's our last time, and we want pizza, and we want nuggets.' And it's like, really?" Michelle said, per Today.

The former first lady admitted that leaving the house where they resided for eight years was emotional. She added that Sasha and Malia left the "back door in tears" as they bid goodbye to the people they lived with for nearly a decade.




Johnny Depp has his eyes set on a historic castle in Montalto Dora, Italy, according to a report.

The 60-year-old actor has been living and making movies in Europe following his major legal victory in the 2022 defamation trial with his ex-wife, Amber Heard. He is busy directing "Modi," a biopic about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. While helming the film, he toured the hills of Mount Crovero in Turin, per Corriere delle Sera.

Sources told The Post that actor Riccardo Scamarcio, who stars in "Modi," was a frequent visitor of the property. He reportedly took Depp with him, and the latter got interested in buying it.





The 22,000-square-foot property is currently for sale after a lengthy restoration. It has medieval and gothic influences, with 11 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, a paved courtyard and a 15th-century chapel. Additionally, there's a small castle and farmhouse on the land, per Il Messaggero.

However, Renzo Galletto, the mayor of Montalto Dora, was reportedly not sure if Depp would be perfect for the property. According to him, the residence is under the protection of Italian Cultural Heritage, and there are a lot of rules before the property is handed over to the new owner.

"A celebrity buying a historic monument like the Montalto Dora castle would bring a lot of attention to the area, but we're not sure if it would be the right' economic synergy' for the community," he explained to The Post.

"The castle is a Site of Community Interest, which means it comes with certain rules which have to be followed. Building [anything new inside or out] would require a lot of approvals and permissions."





According to the mayor, he has not met the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor in person. He added that Depp would not be immediately discounted should he make an offer for the castle.

"The property is private and we [the town] will be absolutely neutral in any real estate sale," Galleto continued. "But we will be very strict when it comes to the urban planning rules, we will do everything we can to protect the castle."

An unnamed insider close to Depp said he would "of course" respect the rules and regulations should he buy the property.

The outlet noted that the "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" actor already owned a castle, of sorts, in West Hollywood. The property was reportedly a replica of a Bavarian castle and looked like a horror movie set with turrets, towers and battlements. The actor-musician reportedly purchased it for $2.3 million in 1995.

Since winning the case, Depp has been living in an 850-acre estate in Somerset, England, which he bought in 2014. In an interview with Somerset Life magazine in March 2023, he explained why he purchased the properties he owns today.

"I just love places with character," he said. "I have various houses in various places, and they all mean something special. I don't have them just to say I own them, I have them for use and because they are a bit special."

He also gave fans a glimpse of his life in Britain. According to Depp, he "can go into shops without being surrounded by people wanting selfies."

"British people are cool and will greet you as if you are a neighbor -- without going over the top," he said. "I like going to places, seeing things and meeting people -- but I'm not the great extrovert that people think."

"In truth, I'm quite a shy person. That's one of the great things about Britain, and especially Somerset. I can just be me -- and that's nice."




In January, Katt Williams dropped a bombshell that Steve Harvey allegedly betrayed his fellow 'King of Comedy' friend, Bernie Mac, during an interview on Club Shay Shay.

According to Williams, 52, Harvey purportedly attempted to undermine Bernie Mac's role in "Ocean's Eleven," a pivotal moment in the late comedian's career.

Now, Ed Lover is seemingly confirming Williams' allegations about the 'Family Feud' host.

Lover, born James Roberts, appeared on The Culture Club. During the interview, published on April 9, the deejay and actor described what his late friend had reportedly told him.

"All I can say is what Bernie told me," Ed Lover said. "He was upset with Steve because he said Steve tried to get him taken off the 'Ocean's Eleven' movie and tried to vie for his part after he already got hired."

He continued: "Bernie never lied to me. That's all I'm gonna say. He was my friend. I loved B Mac, bro."

Bernie Mac and Ed Lover both starred in the comedy thriller 'Who's The Man' (1993). During the interview, Lover went on to describe how the Chicago native "never changed" even after the fame.

"After the 'Kings of Comedy,' Bernie never changed. Bernie didn't let Hollywood or success or anything go to his head, he was always the Mac man," Ed Lover, 61, said. "Bernie, he's an original man. A lot of cats scared to go after him on the stage."

Bernie Mac starred in 'The Original Kings of Comedy' (2000), alongside Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley and Cedric the Entertainer. He went on to star in his own television series, 'The Bernie Mac Show,' for five seasons. 'The Bernie Mac Show' won a Peabody Award in 2001, a Primetime Emmy Award, three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series, and was honored by the Television Critics Association.

After being admitted in the ICU for three weeks in July 2008, the "Mr. 3000" actor went into cardiac arrest and subsequently died on August 9, 2008. He was 50.

Chicago's then-mayor, Rahm Emanuel, proclaimed November 14 as "Bernie Mac Day."
SALEM, Ohio  Highly pathogenic avian influenza has now been detected in dairy cows in eight states, prompting some states to restrict cattle movements.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed on April 9 that dairy herds in North Carolina and South Dakota tested positive for HPAI, or bird flu.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced on April 12 three more HPAI cases were detected in dairy herds in three additional counties  Ionia, Isabella and Ottawa. The first detection in Michigan was in Montcalm County on March 29.

In all, 28 dairy herds have tested positive for HPAI: 11 herds in Texas, six in New Mexico, three in Kansas, four in Michigan, and one each in Ohio, Idaho, North Carolina and South Dakota.

South Dakota and North Carolina officials did not say if the affected herds had received cows from an earlier-affected state. The first herds affected by the outbreak in Texas and Kansas, announced by the USDA on March 25, are believed to have picked it up from wild birds, which carry the disease without showing symptoms.

The positive herd in Ohio and the first positive herd in Michigan tested positive for HPAI after receiving cows from affected herds in Texas that were not yet showing symptoms. Its not clear how the more recent positive herds in Michigan contracted the virus.

Restrictions

The USDA has not yet issued federal quarantine orders, but strongly recommends producers minimize the movement of cattle and test cattle for influenza before making necessary movements.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and 15 other states have placed various restrictions on cattle imports.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture issued a quarantine order on April 6 for interstate and international cattle movements. Dairy cattle coming into Pennsylvania from a state where HPAI-positive cattle were found must be tested for Influenza A five days before movement.

West Virginia requires a certificate of veterinary inspection for dairy cattle coming from a state with a confirmed HPAI detection in dairy cattle in the past 30 days.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has not issued any movement restrictions or testing requirements related to the HPAI outbreak in cattle.

Impact

HPAI isnt fatal in dairy cows like it is with domesticated poultry. More than 85 million birds in the U.S. have died from the disease or been culled to stop the spread since the current outbreak began in February 2022.

Most infected cows recover with supportive care, although they may be dried off. The symptoms of HPAI in dairy cows are a sudden drop in milk production, producing a thick, colostrum-like milk, decreased appetite, fever and unusual stools.

Its still not clear how the virus, now deemed bovine influenza A by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, is transmitted in cows. The primary mode of transmission appears to be from wild birds as they migrate. But there is also evidence to suggest the virus is being transmitted from cow to cow. Infected cattle shed the most virus in milk, but it can also be detected in the respiratory tract.

There is no safety risk to the commercial milk supply as pasteurization inactivates the virus and sick cows are milked separately, as part of standard practice and in line with federal regulations.

The Food and Drug Administration warned producers not to manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk cheese products made with milk from cows showing symptoms of illness. The FDAs longstanding position is that unpasteurized, raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms that can pose serious health risks to consumer

Producers are urged to practice good biosecurity and update plans. The National Milk Producers Federation released HPAI-specific biosecurity recommendations that can be found here.

Additionally, dairy producers who notice unusual clinical symptoms in their animals should contact their herd veterinarians.

The Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence is hosting weekly conference calls on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. to share regular updates on this evolving situation. The next call will be held on April 17 at 1 p.m. Click here to register or learn more about the call.

Related content:

Biosecurity kits available for Pennsylvania dairy farmers

Ohio dairy herd tests positive for HPAI

Dairy cows in Michigan diagnosed with bird flu

Bird flu detected in dairy cows in Texas, Kansas
Scottish farmers hoping to upgrade slurry storage or build irrigation lagoons to meet new requirements are being urged to apply for a fund closing in a few days time.

The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) funding round opened in February for farmers wanting to erect or upgrade their slurry storage.

The fund includes support for irrigation lagoons, a new measure that the industry had been calling for given recent water shortages in some areas.

Scottish government said the funding for slurry storage and irrigation lagoons consists of 4m worth available.

It indicated that this would be the final year that support for slurry storage will be available.

For this year, the deadline closes on 19 April for applications.

Under new rules, farms where slurry from cattle is produced are required to have 22 weeks slurry storage capacity by 1 January 2026.

Slurry stores constructed before September 1991 have until 2026 to comply with the new storage requirements, but those constructed after this date must comply by 2024.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has committed to working with those farmers who have less than 22 weeks storage after 1 January 2026 with the aim of reaching compliance as quickly as possible.

Around 60 Scottish farms applied for slurry storage funding in the 2023 AECS round, largely due to the short application window, but the expectation is that many more will apply in 2024.

Since early December 2023, NFU Scotland has been encouraging those likely to be applying to the current round of funding for slurry storage to undertake planning ahead of the schemes opening.

The union's director of policy, Jonnie Hall said that on supporting slurry storage, this was a step in the right direction.

"There is an increased payment rate of up to 20 per cubic metre (up to 2,000 cubic metres). Previous recipients can apply although first time applicants will be prioritised.

To improve industry resilience in light of recent significant water shortages in some areas, having irrigation lagoons included for the first time shows that Scottish government has listened to us and accepted the proposals we submitted."

He added that for those looking to either erect a slurry store or construct an irrigation lagoon, the application window closure on 19 April remained very tight.

"We recognise that this is set to ensure works can be completed and claims made within the constraints of a financial (scheme) year," Mr Hall said.

It's not ideal, but we urge members to use what's on offer - not least as the clock is ticking on the four-year phase in of the new slurry storage regulations.
Brandon Lee's sister Shannon Lee is calling for live guns to be banned from film sets.

Brandon Lee was killed by a prop gun on the set of his movie 'The Crow'

Shannon's actor brother - whose dad was late movie legend Bruce Lee - was just 28 when he was shot and killed by a prop gun while he was making 1994 movie 'The Crow' and she is adamant there needs to be a crackdown on movie set weapons following the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while making 'Rust' in 2021.

She told the Guardian newspaper: "The circumstances are very similar. It really just makes you go, why is making a movie more important than a persons life?"

Shannon added of a potential ban on live weapons on film sets: "I think that is not unreasonable. But if youre not going to do that, then I think you have to put laws and better safety measures in place than what exists currently."

Brandon's shooting was ruled an accident due to negligence and no charges were ever brought over the incident. His mother Linda later filed a lawsuit against the filmmakers and it was settled for an undisclosed amount.

The death of Hutchins on the set of unreleased Western 'Rust' led to criminal charges being filed against the movie's armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Actor Alec Baldwin - who was holding the gun when it went off - has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and will stand trial in July.

After the tragedy, Shannon put out a statement via her brother's Twitter account sending her condolences to Hutchins' family.

The message read: "Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to [director] Joel Souza [who was injured] and all involved in the incident on 'Rust'. No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period."
Victoria Beckham is "only just getting started" as she prepares to celebrate her 50th birthday.

Victoria Beckham is set to turn 50

The signer-turned-designer will celebrate her landmark birthday on Wednesday (17.04.24), and Victoria has taken to social media to reflect on the milestone.

Victoria - who shot to stardom in the 90s as part of the Spice Girls - wrote on Instagram: "As I get ready to step into 50 (in heels, of course!), I feel so incredibly blessed to have reached this milestone. Blessed, but also accomplished and deeply content. Not just of where I am as a woman, but of how far my fashion and beauty brands have come. My ambition was always to empower women and make them feel like the best version of themselves. To me, that meant trusting my instinct and never compromising on my creative vision."

Victoria feels proud that she's managed to balance her career with her responsibilities as a mother.

The designer - who has Brooklyn, 25, Romeo, 21, Cruz, 19, and Harper, 12, with David Beckham - has also thanked her family for their support.

She wrote on the photo-sharing platform: "I believe that you can be many things. A pop star, a mother, a wife, a designer My passion has always been to dream big, then dream even bigger! Believe in yourself first - everyone else will follow. And if youre really lucky, youll find someone who believes in you even more than you do. @DavidBeckham, Im forever grateful for your unconditional love and support, and for our beautiful children. @BrooklynPeltzBeckham, @RomeoBeckham, @CruzBeckham, #HarperSeven, you complete me. Im so proud, so in awe of the kind, hard-working, talented individuals you are all becoming.

"So, heres to doing more of what I love with the people I love. Im so thankful for my family, my friends, and my incredible team! This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and Im only just getting started.

"Mummy and daddy, I love you.

"Kisses Victoria xx (sic)"
Prince Harry could reportedly face a bill of more than 1 million over his security funding court fight.

Prince Harry could reportedly face a bill of more than 1 million over his security funding court fight

The Duke of Sussex, 39, has been fighting the 2020 decision to downgrade his taxpayer funded, round-the-clock protection when he quit senior royal duties with his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, 42, to move to America.

But it emerged on Monday (15.04.24) the dad-of-two  who has children Archie, four, and two-year-old Lilibet with Meghan  he had lost his initial bid to appeal against the move.

He is still able to ask the Court of Appeal directly for the green light to challenge Sir Peter's decision  but has been told to pay the majority of the UK Home Offices legal costs of defending his challenge over the decision to change the level of his security when he visits the UK.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that by October 2023, the governments legal costs to defend itself against Harry in the case had reached the 400,000-plus mark.

By that point, the case had already cost the government legal department 265,437 and counsel 137,864.

The Daily Star has reported it means Harry now faces having to pay back the taxpayer at least 500,000 after losing his challenge.

It said his own legal costs are likely to be similar, if not more, than that sum, meaning he could end up with a bill of more than 1 million so far in his court fight.

Harry launched legal action against the Home Office over the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.

Ravecs decision came as a result of a change in his status after he stopped being a full-time working member of the royal family, a judge was told.

In a judgment in February, retired High Court justice Sir Peter Lane rejected Harrys case and concluded Ravecs approach was not irrational or procedurally unfair.

Following the ruling, a spokesperson for the duke said he was going to challenge the judgment, adding the bloke hopes he will obtain justice from the Court of Appeal.

Harry argued he was singled out and treated less favourably than others by Ravec.

He has previously asked to fund his own Metropolitan Police armed bodyguards but officials refused.

Harry has also said he was unable to return to the UK with his family as it was too dangerous after his security was downgraded.

He is allowed protection when he stays at royal residences or attends official events run by the Royal Family, but has to fund his security if visiting Britain for other reasons.
Following a sizeable contraction in January, the euro area saw a seasonally adjusted industrial production increase of 0.8 per cent in February, while the European Union (EU) experienced a 0.7 per cent rise, according to the latest data by Eurostat, the statistical office of EU.

Despite the month-on-month recovery, when comparing year-on-year data, both the euro area and EU experienced significant drops in industrial production, down by 6.4 per cent and 5.4 per cent, respectively.

Breaking down the February figures, the euro area saw a 0.5 per cent increase in the production of intermediate goods and a 1.4 per cent rise in durable consumer goods. However, energy production dipped by 3 per cent, and non-durable consumer goods production fell by 0.9 per cent. The EU trends were similar, with intermediate goods production up by 0.9 per cent and durable consumer goods up by 1.7 per cent, but energy saw a 3.3 per cent decline, and non-durable consumer goods decreased by 0.5 per cent, as per Eurostat.

In February, industrial production grew in the euro area, rising by 0.8 per cent MoM. EU's industrial production rose by 0.7 per cent MoM. Yet, year-on-year figures showed a decline of 6.4 per cent in the euro area and 5.4 per cent in the EU. Energy production fell, while durable goods increased. Ireland, Hungary, and Slovenia saw the largest monthly gains.

Ireland led the charge with the highest monthly increase at 3.8 per cent, closely followed by Hungary at 3.5 per cent, and Slovenia at 3.3 per cent. On the other end of the spectrum, Croatia, Lithuania, and Belgium faced the steepest declines, with drops of 4.6 per cent, 3 per cent, and 2.7 per cent respectively.

The annual comparison paints a less rosy picture, with all main industrial groupings in the euro area and EU showing decreases. The euro area's production of intermediate goods, energy, durable consumer goods, and non-durable consumer goods fell by 2.7 per cent, 3.6 per cent, 4.3 per cent, and 6.1 per cent respectively. Similarly, the EU suffered declines in these categories.

The most significant annual reductions were seen in Ireland, which plummeted by 36 per cent, Belgium at 12.7 per cent, and Bulgaria at 8.4 per cent. However, it wasn't all negative, as Spain, Slovenia, and Denmark each posted increases of 3.5 per cent, 2.8 per cent, and 2.7 per cent, respectively.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)
Mumbai police have recently arrested two shooters from Gujarat who are reportedly related to the gun-fire incident at Salman Khan's Bandra home, Galaxy Apartments. The two accused were arrested from Bhuj city in Gujarat. However, according to the police, the two hail from Bihar.

The Unit 9 of the crime branch led by inspector Daya Nayak arrested Vikas alias Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal. They reportedly carried out the gun firing on orders of the jailed gangster, Lawrence Bishnoi. The shooters allegedly threw their pistols in a river in Surat.

Police have also said that the shooter shot at Khan's balcony without the intention to harm him. They reportedly wanted to send across a warning.
Veteran Kannada actor, producer, and director Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath passed away recently due to cardiac arrest. He was 81 years old and passed away in Bengaluru.Superstar Rajnikanth took to social media to mourn the death of his friend, calling it painful and offering condolences to his family. He wrote, The demise of my long-time dear friend Dwarakesh is very painful to me...starting his career as a comedian, he raised himself up to being a big producer and director...fond memories come to my mind...my heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones.Many people came forward to offer their condolences, including Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. Dwarakish was born in Hunsur in Mysuru district. He is known for his comedy roles. In a span of 60 years, he had acted in about 100 films and produced and directed around 50 films, which include Mayor Muthanna, Manku Timma, Maduve Madu, Tamashi Nodu, Kalla-Kulla, Pedda Gedda, among others.He was also associated with Dr. Vishnuvardhan, with whom he collaborated on over 40 films, including Kittu Puttu (1977), Singaporenalli Raja Kulla (1978), Guru Shishyaru (1981), Prachanda Kulla.Together, they were known as the Kalla-Kulla of the industry.
Salman Khan will reportedly continue with his professional endeavours after the gun-firing incident at his Bandra home, Galaxy Apartments. A leading media publication has reported that the actor is focused on going back to work and does not want to give undue attention to the incident. He has also asked his colleagues and friends to not worry about him or visit him in numbers as it is getting inconvenient for other people in his society.

In a telephonic interview with another leading news publication, Khan's father Salim Khan also noted that they are not worried about the perpetrators. However, Arbaaz Khan shared an official statement on behalf of the Khan family. "At this time, the family is helping and cooperating with the police in the investigation of this untoward incident," he added.

Salman Khan will be seen next in Tiger 3, opposite Katrina Kaif and Emraan Hashmi. He has also announced his collaboration with Sajid Nadiadwala for Sikandar which is slated to be released on Eid 2025.
PUNE, India, April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report titled "Nebulizer Market by Type (Jet Nebulizer, Mesh Nebulizer, Ultrasonic Nebulizer), Distribution Channel (Offline, Online), Application, End-user - Global Forecast 2024-2030" is now available on 360iResearch.com's offering, presents an analysis indicating that the market projected to grow from a size of $2.51 billion in 2023 to reach $3.97 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.77% over the forecast period.

" The Global Rise in Respiratory Diseases Drivers Increased Utilization of Nebulizers for Enhanced Patient Care "

Nebulizers play a crucial role by converting liquid medications into fine mists and facilitating direct inhalation into the lungs, as this is a vital instrument in managing respiratory ailments such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and other lung conditions. This medication delivery method ensures efficient absorption and aids in rapid symptom relief for individuals requiring pulmonary treatment. The prevalence of respiratory disorders, attributed to factors such as pollution and smoking, emphasizes the growing demand for nebulizers. However, using nebulizers is challenging, notably the risk of infections, which remains a significant concern in healthcare environments. Ongoing research and development promise innovations that render nebulizers quicker, more reliable, and safer. Advances in technology are also making these devices increasingly portable and user-friendly, thus broadening their application beyond clinical settings into homecare, a trend further supported by the rising healthcare investments and awareness across various regions, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. Each of these regions showcases a distinct need and adoption pattern for nebulizers, driven by factors such as healthcare infrastructure, prevalence of respiratory diseases, and economic conditions, highlighting both the critical importance and potential growth of the nebulizer market globally.

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" The Global Push for Enhanced Public Awareness and Nebulizer Adoption "

Worldwide efforts are intensifying to curb the spread and impact of respiratory diseases through comprehensive awareness programs and educational campaigns. Organizations such as the Lung Foundation Australia, the British Lung Foundation, and the American Lung Association are at the forefront of broadening knowledge about respiratory symptoms and conditions. This heightened awareness is shifting patient preferences toward advanced medical interventions such as nebulizers, known for their simplicity and efficacy in managing respiratory ailments. Such governmental and non-profit-led initiatives enrich public knowledge about respiratory health and ensure the increased availability of life-improving treatments such as nebulizers, especially in most needy regions. Through these concerted efforts, a significant stride toward universal respiratory health comprehension is witnessed, embracing nebulizers as a vital tool in the ongoing fight against respiratory diseases.

" The Superiority of Mesh Nebulizers in Efficient and Quiet Medication Delivery "

Jet nebulizers have traditionally been the cornerstone for administering aerosol medication, particularly in clinical environments. These devices leverage compressed air to transform liquid medicine into an inhalable mist. Regardless of their broad medication compatibility and versatility, jet nebulizers are often criticized for their size and noise levels. The mesh nebulizer is at the forefront of nebulization technology, an innovative device distinguished by its ability to produce a mist through a vibrating mesh. This process ensures an optimal medication aerosol for easy inhalation, marking a significant leap in drug delivery efficiency. Mere nebulizers are compact and operate silently, offering unparalleled convenience and portability for users, especially those requiring mobility. While they present a higher initial cost and necessitate meticulous maintenance to avoid mesh blockage, their benefits, including battery-powered operation for on-the-go use, highlight a transformative approach to achieving effective respiratory treatment. Ultrasonic nebulizers, which utilize high-frequency vibrations to generate mist while fast and silent, are not universally compatible with all medication types due to potential compound degradation. This comparison highlights mesh nebulizers' critical role in enhancing patient experience through technological innovation, balancing efficiency, convenience, and quiet operation in respiratory therapy.

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" Omron Corporation at the Forefront of Nebulizer Market with a Strong 13.95% Market Share "

The key players in the Nebulizer Market include Koninklijke Philips N.V., Medline Industries, LP., Omron Corporation, Invacare Corporation, Medtronic PLC, and others. These prominent players focus on strategies such as expansions, acquisitions, joint ventures, and developing new products to strengthen their market positions.

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We proudly unveil ThinkMi, a cutting-edge AI product designed to transform how businesses interact with the Nebulizer Market. ThinkMi stands out as your premier market intelligence partner, delivering unparalleled insights with the power of artificial intelligence. Whether deciphering market trends or offering actionable intelligence, ThinkMi is engineered to provide precise, relevant answers to your most critical business questions. This revolutionary tool is more than just an information source; it's a strategic asset that empowers your decision-making with up-to-the-minute data, ensuring you stay ahead in the fiercely competitive Nebulizer Market. Embrace the future of market analysis with ThinkMi, where informed decisions lead to remarkable growth.

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" Dive into the Nebulizer Market Landscape: Explore 183 Pages of Insights, 374 Tables, and 24 Figures "

Preface Research Methodology Executive Summary Market Overview Market Insights Nebulizer Market, by Type Nebulizer Market, by Distribution Channel Nebulizer Market, by Application Nebulizer Market, by End-user Americas Nebulizer Market Asia-Pacific Nebulizer Market Europe, Middle East & Africa Nebulizer Market Competitive Landscape Competitive Portfolio

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Related Reports:

Inhalers & Nebulizers Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030 Large Volume Nebulizer Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030 Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030

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Kunstliche Intelligenz hat spatestens nach dem Raketenstart von Chat GPT das Leben aller verandert. Doch der Superzyklus steht nach Meinungen von Experten erst am Anfang. Wahrend Aktien wie Nvidia von der ersten Aufwartsentwicklung stark profitieren konnten, versprechen aussichtsreiche Player aus der

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 15, 2024) - LevelJump Healthcare Corp. (TSXV: JUMP) ("LevelJump" or the "Company") announces today that it anticipates the filing of its annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and related officer certifications for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (collectively, the "Annual Filings") will be delayed beyond the required filing deadline under Parts 4 and 5 of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations and pursuant to National Instrument 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuer's Annual and Interim Filings, being April 29, 2024 (the "Filing Deadline").

In light of a recent change in the Company's auditor to Kreston GTA LLP (see the Company's Notice of Change of Auditors filed on SEDAR+ dated March 19, 2024) and an exceptionally large amount of audit work related to the Company's Alberta acquisitions during the 4th quarter (see the Company's news release dated October 11, 2023), the Company has determined that it will not be able to complete the audit and file the Annual Filings by the Filing Deadline. The Company intends to work closely with its auditor and expects to file the Annual Filings as soon as possible, and in any event no later than June 28, 2024.

The Company is providing this default announcement in accordance with National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). The Company has made an application to the Ontario Securities Commission, as principal regulator of the Company, for a management cease trade order ("MCTO") under NP 12-203 in respect of the anticipated default regarding the Annual Filings. The granting of the MCTO is at the discretion of the Ontario Securities Commission. The issuance of the MCTO generally will not affect the ability of persons who have not been directors, officers or insiders of the Company to trade in their securities. In the event that the MCTO is granted, it will be in effect until the default is remedied.

The Company intends to follow the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines set out in NP 12-203, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports in the form of news releases, for as long as the Company remains in default. The Company confirms as of the date of this news release that there is no insolvency proceeding against it and there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

About LevelJump Healthcare

LevelJump Healthcare Corp., (TSXV: JUMP) provides telehealth solutions to client hospitals and imaging centers through its Teleradiology division, as well as in person radiology services through its Diagnostic Centres. JUMP focuses primarily on critical care for urgent and emergency patients, establishing integral relationships in the communities we serve.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

LEVELJUMP HEALTHCARE CORP.

Mitchell Geisler

Chief Executive Officer

Caitlin-Robyn Densmore

Business Development Manager

Caitlin.Densmore@leveljumphealthcare.com

(437) 214-1568

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company's business plans and the outlook of the Company's industry. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release and the Company assumes no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances other than as required by applicable securities laws. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of the Company, Canadian Teleradiology Services, Inc., their securities, or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable).

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The securities being offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205640

SOURCE: LevelJump Healthcare Corp.
Infosys Cobalt accelerates the customer's transition to the new environment, enabling them to deliver exceptional customer service

SYDNEY, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, announced the successful completion of the technology landscape separation program of the Australian express logistics business, Team Global Express.

Infosys leveraged the established blueprints and tools from Infosys Cobalt to build on its strategic collaboration with Team Global Express and drive hybrid cloud-powered innovation. The team set up a greenfield technology environment and migrated Global Express' applications and services to a world-leading sustainable and energy-efficient data centre and public cloud.

More than 300 applications were migrated to the new environment with zero business impact to its 4,000 plus users including applications and network integration of over 100 sites. The technology separation was completed on time without any operational impact for either of the organisations.

The program also involved modernising the overall technology landscape by embedding a cloud-first approach into its core business strategy to reduce the technical debt inherited from the parent organisation. As part of the migration, 70% of its applications were moved to the cloud, to gain from the technical benefits provided by the public cloud and create a secure and agile foundation for future digital transformation. The exercise helped reduce the overall risk by uplifting the base infrastructure and the security posture. It significantly improved the employee experience by reducing disruptions and improving operational productivity.

As the lead systems integrator, Infosys managed the program end-to-end, enabling Team Global Express' transport and logistics business to deliver exceptional customer service. Infosys' solution is a 'Separate First and Transform Later' strategy to align on-time separation without any impact ensuring operational stabilisation (operational journey transition from build to operate).

Infosys, with Team Global Express, won the 2024 ISG Paragon Award ANZ in gold category for this successful transformation program.

Danny Gravell, CIO of Team Global Express, said, "Our partnership with Infosys enabled us to successfully set up an independent technology capability and transform our foundation technology platforms. We value Infosys' thought leadership, collaborative approach, and experience in implementing infrastructure and cloud transformation programs as a true strategic partner. By using the ready-to-use templates from Infosys Cobalt, we could complete the transformation at speed with maximum efficiency. This program has enabled us to work towards providing the best possible experience for our customers."

Karmesh Vaswani, Executive Vice President & Global Head of Consumer, Retail & Logistics, Infosys, said, "The separation program for Team Global Express presented a unique opportunity to achieve significant value. This complex program challenged us to not only accomplish the separation on-time and without business disruption, but also seamlessly establish a modern, secure and scalable digital foundation to accelerate their future growth. Leveraging our proven Infosys Cobalt cloud ecosystem and through a collaborative partnership with Team Global Express, we successfully navigated the complexities of this program, achieving an outcome that ranks among our most impactful engagements in the Australia and New Zealand region."

About Team Global Express

Team Global Express is a logistics solutions company backed by Allegro Funds, Australia's most awarded transformation and turnaround private equity firm. With the most significant multimodal network in the country, Team Global Express operates aircraft, trucks, ships and rail across Australia and New Zealand, with flexible transport options and new product solutions to help our customers grow their business.

With a strong commitment to sustainability, Team Global Express is leading the way to become the most sustainable logistics operator and transform the sector, which includes conducting the largest trial of electric trucks in Australia.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, our ability to attract and retain personnel, our transition to hybrid work model, economic uncertainties, technological innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

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KAISERAUGST, Switzerland and MAASTRICHT, Netherlands, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- dsm-firmenich today announces that it has repurchased 500,000 ordinary shares in the period from April 8, 2024 up to and including April 12, 2024 at an average price of 103.29. This is in accordance with the on-market share repurchase program announced on April 8, 2024, covering commitments under the Group's share-based compensation plans. This repurchase concludes the program to repurchase 500,000 shares for a total consideration of 51.6 million.

For more detailed information see 'Daily transaction details On-Market Share Repurchase Program announced April 8, 2024'.

As announced on April 8, 2024, the on-market share repurchase program is followed by a repurchase of 1,000,000 shares by means of an equity forward transaction. The forward transaction is expected to be entered into in April 2024, and dsm-firmenich expects to take delivery of the shares in 2025.

For more information, please contact:

dsm-firmenich investor relations enquiries:

Email: investors@dsm-firmenich.com

dsm-firmenich media enquiries:

Email: media@dsm-firmenich.com

About dsm-firmenich

As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world's growing population to thrive. With our comprehensive range of solutions, with natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities, we work to create what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet. dsm-firmenich is a Swiss-Dutch company, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than 12 billion. With a diverse, worldwide team of nearly 30,000 employees, we bring progress to life every day, everywhere, for billions of people. www.dsm-firmenich.com

Disclaimer

This press release does not constitute or form part of, an offer or any solicitation of an offer for securities in any jurisdiction.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to dsm-firmenich's future. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of dsm-firmenich and information currently available to the company. dsm-firmenich cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. dsm-firmenich has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of this press release prevails over other language versions.

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Former French President Francois Hollande Will Be Joined By the C-suites From Europe's Leading Banks, Financial Institutions, Regulators and Tech Companies

Money20/20, the world's leading fintech show and the place where money does business, unveils its agenda for its upcoming Europe show in Amsterdam, 4-6 June. 350+ speakers are expected to take the stage in Amsterdam this year including C-suite executives from global banks such as Deutsche Bank and ING; fintech players such as Adyen and Revolut, senior representatives from the European Central Bank and the European Commission, and blockchain solution providers such as Ripple. The show promises an amalgamation of expertise, from the Wirecard whistleblower Pav Gill to tech evangelist Prince Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau of the Netherlands.

Under the theme of 'Human X Machine', Money20/20 Europe 2024 will explore the dynamic relationship between humans and intelligent machines, focusing on how the partnership between artificial and human intelligence will forge a new era in finance. In line with this, Money20/20 Europe also welcomes the CEOs of AI firms including Mistral AI, Datasnipper and Deeploy, alongside executives from the world of cryptocurrency including Kraken and Fireblocks. Nvidia and AWS are back again co-hosting a summit with Money20/20 deep diving into AI.

Scarlett Sieber, Money20/20's Chief Strategy Growth Officer, emphasised the significance of this year's theme, saying, "I'm delighted to welcome such esteemed powerhouses in the world of finance to what promises to be our biggest and most impactful show in Europe yet. As I will discuss with Former French President Francois Hollande in our fireside chat, Human X Machine encapsulates the essence of our rapidly evolving financial landscape and underscores the critical intersection of human ingenuity and artificial intelligence in shaping our financial future. The power of the Money20/20 platform is that the collective ecosystem of money at the most senior level comes together to have active discussions on the most important topics, breaking news, and work together to pave the way for a more resilient and inclusive financial ecosystem."

Pav Gill, the Wirecard whistleblower, and one of Money20/20 Europe's keynote speakers said, "Speaking at Money20/20 Europe is more than an opportunity; it's a reflection of a journey that took me from the heart of the Wirecard scandal to the helm of Confide. Unveiling one of finance's largest deceptions wasn't just about exposing truths; it was about sparking change. At Confide, we're building the future of business integrity, using technology to ensure that the lessons learned from Wirecard and the many other scandals pave the way for a more accountable and transparent industry. I look forward to sharing this mission and inspiring action towards a culture where ethics and technology intersect to create safer business environments for all."

Sessions at Money20/20 Europe will revolve around five key topic areas within the show's Human X Machine theme. They are as follows:

A Customer Universe of One: Finance is becoming a Universe of One; A place where hyper-personalisation occurs at a microscopic level across every touchpoint.

Finance is becoming a Universe of One; A place where hyper-personalisation occurs at a microscopic level across every touchpoint. The Age of Atomic Finance: The Universe of One is made possible by monumental technological advancements, from artificial intelligence and cryptography to quantum computing. These leaps in technology have delivered atomic-level precision, unlocking the potential for a Universe of One.

The Universe of One is made possible by monumental technological advancements, from artificial intelligence and cryptography to quantum computing. These leaps in technology have delivered atomic-level precision, unlocking the potential for a Universe of One. Meet the Architects: From the leaders of trailblazing startups to changemakers in agile incumbents, we'll showcase the architects of the new dawn; the visionaries who create new landscapes for our financial futures.

From the leaders of trailblazing startups to changemakers in agile incumbents, we'll showcase the architects of the new dawn; the visionaries who create new landscapes for our financial futures. Signal Vs Noise : The pace of financial innovation continues accelerating, fueled by emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and Web3. Yet visionary breakthroughs live alongside hype-driven tangents. We need voices committed to elevating discourse and realising technology's potential through innovation geared towards progress.

: The pace of financial innovation continues accelerating, fueled by emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and Web3. Yet visionary breakthroughs live alongside hype-driven tangents. We need voices committed to elevating discourse and realising technology's potential through innovation geared towards progress. The Business of Money: Hear from founders, key decision makers, consultants, investors, and disruptors. We'll delve into the actions that led to success, and just as crucially we'll carry out an audit on the activities that produced undesirable outcomes.

The Money20/20 Europe agenda can be found here, while the lineup of confirmed speakers can be found here.

Media who would like to attend Money20/20 Europe can register for a complimentary press pass here.

About Money20/20

Launched by industry insiders in 2012, Money20/20 has rapidly become the heartbeat of the global fintech ecosystem. Over the last decade, the most innovative, fast-moving ideas and companies have driven their growth on our platform. Mastercard, Airwallex, J.P. Morgan, SHIELD, GCash, Stripe, Google, Marqeta, VISA, Adyen, Checkout.com and more make transformational deals and raise their global profile with us. Money20/20 attracts leaders from the world's greatest VC firms, banks, regulators and media platforms: convening to cut industry-shaping deals, build world-changing partnerships and unlock future-defining opportunities in Bangkok (23-25 April 2024), Amsterdam (4-6 June 2024) and Las Vegas (27-30 October 2024). Money20/20 also recently launched Twentyfold, a Digital Intelligence product containing the deepest and widest repository of fintech startup data in the world. Money20/20 is where the world's fintech leaders convene to grow their businesses. Money20/20 is part of Ascential plc. Follow Money20/20 on X and LinkedIn for show developments and updates. We're Where Money Does Business.

Follow Money20/20 on Twitter for show developments and updates.

You can also find us on LinkedIn at Money20/20.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416620432/en/

Contacts:

press@money2020.com
E3 LITHIUM LTD. (TSXV: ETL) (FSE: OW3) (OTCQX: EEMMF), "E3 Lithium" or the "Company," a leader in Canadian lithium, is pleased to share its upcoming travel and conference schedule. The Company looks forward to attending and/or presenting at the following conferences in April.

Team Canada Trade Mission (TCTM) to South Korea

Dates : April 21-25, 2024

: April 21-25, 2024 Location : Seoul, South Korea

: Seoul, South Korea Details: E3 Lithium will take part in the Team Canada Trade Mission (TCTM) to South Korea led by the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development. This four-day event will provide E3 Lithium the opportunity to expand its international relationships and highlight Canada's secure and reliable critical minerals sector.

Fastmarkets Asian Battery Raw Materials Conference 2024

Dates : April 22-23, 2024

: April 22-23, 2024 Location : Seoul, South Korea

: Seoul, South Korea Details: E3 Lithium's President and CEO, Chris Doornbos, will take part in the panel discussion Subsidies, tariffs, and trade regulations: Future policy landscapeHe will engage with industry leaders on the future of Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy, as well as the Critical Raw Materials Act and battery passports, discussing how these impact trade flow from Asia to Europe, both upstream and downstream, on April 23 from 9:20 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. local time.

Hannover Messe 2024

Dates : April 22-26, 2024

: April 22-26, 2024 Location : Hannover, Germany

: Hannover, Germany Details: E3 Lithium is participating in the world's leading industrial trade fair, Hannover Messe 2024. This event will provide the Company an opportunity to engage with global experts on the latest technologies and developments within the sustainable solutions industry. Interested parties are invited to visit the E3 Lithium team Monday through Friday at booth B05 located in the Canadian Pavilion.

Maxim Group's International Mining Processing Conference

Dates: April 23, 2024

April 23, 2024 Location: Virtual

Virtual Details: E3 Lithium's CFO, Raymond Chow, will take part in a panel discussion about the demand outlook for materials, including lithium, and E3 Lithium's opportunity and 3 p.m. ET. Throughout the day, Tate Sullivan, Senior Research Analyst at Maxim Group, will host a series of virtual conversations with mining and processing companies, spanning the gamut of the global mining sector covering gold to rare earth mining from Ecuador to Australia.

2024 Energy Transition Metals Summit

Dates : April 29-30, 2024

: April 29-30, 2024 Location : Washington, DC

: Washington, DC Details: The Energy Transition Metals Summit brings together producers of copper, uranium, lithium, cobalt and critical metals use for the Global Energy Transition.In addition to delivering a presentation, investors will have the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with members of the Company's team to learn more about how E3 Lithium is progressing towards commercialization.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chris Doornbos, President CEO

E3 Lithium Ltd.

About E3 Lithium

E3 Lithium is a development company with a total of 16.0 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) Measured and Indicated and 0.9 million tonnes LCE Inferred mineral resources1 in Alberta. As outlined in E3's Preliminary Economic Assessment, the Clearwater Lithium Project has an NPV8% of USD 1.1 Billion with a 32% IRR pre-tax and USD 820 Million with a 27% IRR after-tax1. E3 Lithium's goal is to produce high purity, battery grade lithium products to power the growing electrical revolution. With a significant lithium resource and innovative technology solutions, E3 Lithium has the potential to deliver lithium to market from one of the best jurisdictions in the world.

1: The Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Clearwater Lithium Project NI 43-101 technical report is amended Sept 17, 2021. Gordon MacMillan, P.Geol, QP, Fluid Domains Inc. and Grahame Binks, MAusIMM, QP (Metallurgy), formerly of Sedgman Canada Limited (Report Date: June 15, 2018, Effective Date: June 4, 2018 Amended Date: September 17, 2021). The mineral resource NI 43-101 Technical Report for the North Rocky Property, effective October 27, 2017, identified 0.9Mt LCE (inferred). The mineral resource NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Bashaw District Project, effective March 21, 2023, identified 16.0Mt LCE (measured indicated). All reports are available on the E3 Lithium's website (e3lithium.ca/technical-reports) and SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the effectiveness and feasibility of emerging lithium extraction technologies which have not yet been tested or proven on a commercial scale or on the Company's brine, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416684990/en/

Contacts:

E3 Lithium Investor and Media Relations

Robin Boschman

Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

investor@e3lithium.ca

587-324-2775
DUBAI, UAE, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tasjeel.ae announces the launch of its groundbreaking AI-powered domain search, a revolutionary tool designed to simplify and streamline the domain registration process for businesses looking to register .ae domains.

In collaboration with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), Tasjeel.ae leverages AI technology to offer a unique solution for finding and securing domain names. The AI-powered tool is set to transform the way businesses discover and register their online identities.

Key features of Tasjeel.ae's AI-Powered Domain Search include:

Description-Based Domain Results: This tool enables users to input a description of their business, the AI-powered domain search tools then rapidly sift through vast databases of available .ae domain names, saving time and effort.

Solution for Brand Naming Challenges: Facing difficulties in finding a unique brand name or discovering that your brand name is already taken on other domain extensions? Tasjeel.ae's AI-powered domain search is the solution to your naming woes.

Direct .ae Version Registration: This feature is especially useful for instances when .com domain names are already taken. With Tasjeel.ae's solution, users can secure the available .ae versions of their brand names directly, establishing a unique online presence."

Wahid Abdulaziz, CEO of Tasjeel.ae, commented on the launch, stating, "We are delighted to introduce this innovative AI-powered domain search, which is a testament to our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions for our clients. With the support of TDRA, we are confident that this tool will redefine the domain registration experience, offering convenience and efficiency".

Abdul Rahman Al Marzouqi, Director, Policies and Programs Department, TDRA, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "Collaborating with Tasjeel.ae on this project aligns with our mission to employ advanced technologies, particularly generative artificial intelligence, to enhance customers' experiences. This partnership enables us to provide customers with quick and easy access to customized and accurate information." Tasjeel.ae invites businesses and individuals to explore the future of domain registration with its AI-powered solution, positioning them for success in the digital landscape. The tool is available via www.tasjeel.ae/ai-domain-search

For media queries, please contact on:

pr@tasjeel.ae.

About Tasjeel.ae

Established in 2009, Tasjeel.ae stands at the forefront as a premier provider of domain registration and digital services. Our mission revolves around delivering innovative solutions tailored for both businesses and individuals striving for a robust online presence. We prioritize user-friendly experiences and leverage cutting-edge technology to ensure a seamless journey in securing your online identity. As the largest privately owned .ae domain registrar in the industry, Tasjeel.ae is committed to delivering unparalleled customer satisfaction, making your experience smooth and hassle-free.

About TDRA:

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) undertakes the task of supervising the telecommunications and digital government sectors in the UAE in accordance with the Telecommunications Law issued by Federal law by Decree No. (3) of 2003 and its amendments, and in accordance with Decree No. 23 issued on September 27, 2020, amending some provisions of Federal Law by Decree No. (3) of 2003 regarding the regulation of the telecommunication sector, and adding the "digital government" to the functions and name of the authority.

TDRA's regulatory role is to ensure the provision of distinguished telecommunications services, develop the telecommunications sector, ensure the interests of the parties, apply the relevant policy and regulatory frameworks, develop human resources, and encourage research and development, to ensure the UAE's leading regional and global position in the telecommunications sector.

In the field of enabling digital transformation, TDRA is responsible for supervising the federal digital government under Law No. 3 of 2011. Since then, TDRA has become responsible for digital transformation at the national level through two strategic goals: enhancing the smart lifestyle, and Leadership in smart technological infrastructure in the UAE.

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LONDON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The total investable wealth currently held on the African continent amounts to USD 2.5 trillion and its millionaire population is set to rise by 65% over the next ten years, according to the 2024 Africa Wealth Report, published by international wealth advisory firm Henley & Partners.

Now in its 9th edition, the annual report reveals there are currently 135,200 HNWIs with investable wealth of USD 1 million or more living in Africa, along with 342 centi-millionaires and 21 dollar billionaires. Africa's "Big 5" wealth markets - South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco - together account for 56% of the continent's millionaires and over 90% of its billionaires.

But, as Dominic Volek, Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners points out, currency depreciation and underperforming stock markets have chipped away at Africa's wealth compared to global benchmarks: "The South African Rand fell 43% against the US dollar from 2013-2023, and even though the JSE All Share Index rose in local currency terms, it was down 5% in USD terms. Currencies in most other African countries also performed poorly over the past decade, with dramatic depreciations of over 75% recorded in Nigeria, Egypt, Angola and Zambia."

Head of Research at New World Wealth Andrew Amoils adds that African nations are also losing large numbers of HNWIs to migration which is eroding the continent's wealth: "Approximately 18,700 high-net-worth individuals have left Africa over the past decade. There are currently 54 African born billionaires in the world, including one of the world's richest, Elon Musk, but only 21 of them still live on the continent."

Africa's Wealthiest Countries and Cities

Despite a tough past decade, South Africa is still home to over twice as many HNWIs as any other African country, with 37,400 millionaires, 102 centi-millionaires, and 5 billionaires, followed by Egypt with 15,600 millionaires, 52 centi-millionaires, and 7 billionaires. Nigeria sits in 3rd place with 8,200 HNWIs, followed by Kenya (7,200 millionaires), Morocco (6,800), Mauritius (5,100), Algeria (2,800), Ghana (2,700), Ethiopia (2,700) and Namibia (2,300) all making it into the Top 10 wealthiest countries in Africa.

Over the next decade (to 2033), the likes of Mauritius, Namibia, Morocco, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are all expected to experience 80%+ millionaire growth. Mauritius is projected to enjoy a remarkable 95% growth rate, positioning it as one of the world's fastest-growing wealth markets.

At the city level, Johannesburg holds its place as the wealthiest in Africa, with 12,300 millionaires, 25 centi-millionaires, and 2 billionaires. Cape Town follows closely with 7,400 millionaires, 28 centi-millionaires, and 1 billionaire. Cairo (7,200 millionaires), Nairobi (4,400), and Lagos (4,200) also stand out as key African urban wealth hubs.

Cape Town, the Whale Coast, Kigali, Windhoek, Swakopmund, Nairobi, Tangier and Marrakech are all expected to enjoy 85%+ millionaire growth over the next ten years. Cape Town also leads the way when it comes to luxury real estate at USD 5,600 per m2, with Grand Baie in Mauritius close behind at USD 5,000 per m2. South Africa has five contenders in the Top 10 Most Expensive African Cities and Morocco has three.

Africa's lack of economic mobility

Commenting in report, Prof. Mehari Maru, from the Migration Policy Centre at the European University Institute, says African visa applicants face far more severe restrictions compared to other regions: "Africa tops the list of rejections with 30% or one in three of all processed applications being turned down, even though it has the lowest number of visa applications per capita. The rejection rates for Schengen visas are ten times higher than for US-Americans. Despite justifications based on security or economic concerns, the European visa system clearly demonstrates apparent bias against African applicants."

Chidinma Okebalama, Senior Consultant at Henley & Partners Nigeria, says: "Your passport serves as a determinant of financial freedom, impacting individuals' abilities to explore international business ventures, network efficiently, or engage in multinational trade opportunities. Consequently, African entrepreneurs and investors are often left out of lucrative global markets, impeding their potential for economic growth and financial prosperity."

Read the Full Press Release.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Africa is at the forefront of digital transformation, and the region's banking industry is a hotspot for innovative solutions to existing problems. Veefin, a global leader in Digital Lending & Supply Chain Finance, has partnered with Computech Limited, a major systems integrator in East Africa, to provide digital lending and supply chain financing solutions for financial institutions in the country.

This partnership with Computech Limited will allow Veefin to provide its revolutionary, compact, and accessible solutions to prominent financial institutions in Africa. In addition, the company intends to streamline and automate supply chain finance for financial institutions in the East African regions.

Raja Debnath, Managing Director of Veefin Solutions, said, "We are delighted to partner with Computech Limited systems and incorporate their local knowledge and bespoke digital transformation strategy to expand the reach of our unique supply chain finance solutions in East Africa. This partnership is expected to benefit BFSIs in Africa, providing them with a firsthand experience of our solution that they may have previously missed out on."

With a vision to make cutting-edge technology available to lenders of all sizes, Veefin has broken traditional entry barriers to adopting technology in the BFSI space. Veefin is reimagining Supply Chain Finance and Digital Lending through innovative, agile, and scalable technology.

Mr. Santhosh Kumar Kandayath, Chief Executive Officer - System Integration, Regional Business & Transformation Leader of Computech Limited, said, "Combining our expertise in digital transformation with Veefin's Global-First & one-of-a-kind digital SCF solution is a step forward in our objective of providing financial institutions with holistic technological solutions. The partnership will facilitate the adoption of a scalable technology solution for lending by Financial Institutions across East Africa, thus enabling them to extend their reach within the MSME segment. "

In addition to Veefin's innovative solutions, Computech's extensive regional presence and 30 years of experience have helped businesses, especially in the BFSI segment, overcome traditional barriers to technology adoption.

About Veefin Solutions Limited:

Veefin Solutions Limited is a global leader in Digital Supply Chain Finance. Listed on BSE SME, it builds white-labelled Supply Chain Finance and Lending solutions including end-to-end Lending Stack, Smart Credit Decisioning, Business Intelligence, Analytics and Omni-channel Onboarding for Banks, Financial Institutions, Fintechs, B2B marketplaces, and Corporates.

For more details visit Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/veefin-partners-with-computech-limited-to-digitally-transform-bfsi-industry-through-supply-chain-finance--digital-lending-in-africa-302116339.html
Commerzbank AG (London Branch) - Pre-Stabilisation Notice - Deutsche Bahn Finance EUR500mil 10yr

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 16

Pre-Stabilisation Notice

April 16, 2024

Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

Deutsche Bahn Finance GmbH, Berlin

EUR 500mil Fixed Rate Notes due 24 April 2034

Launched pursuant to the Issuer's Debt Issuance Programme.

Commerzbank AG (contact: Ian Turner; telephone: +44-207-7475-1817) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014).

The security to be stabilised: Issuer: Deutsche Bahn Finance GmbH, Berlin Guarantor (if any): Deutsche Bahn AG, Berlin Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 500mil Description: EUR 500mil Fixed Rate Notes due 24 April 2034 Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: DIP, denoms 1k/1k, listing Luxembourg Stock Exchange Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator: Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank AG BNP Paribas SA Morgan Stanley Europe SE NatWest Markets N.V. Stabilisation period expected to start on: April 16, 2024 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Managers may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Euro MTF Luxembourg

In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.

This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

END
The partnership brings BLUbeem by Brink's, a Brink's digital retail solution, to retail and hospitality SMBs across the U.S.

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Netevia a leading fintech company known for its innovative banking services, has announced a strategic partnership with BLUbeem by Brink's, a product brand of The Brinks Company, a leading provider of cash and valuables management, digital retail solutions, and ATM Managed Services. BLUbeem by Brink's offers a comprehensive digitized cash management solution through relationships with industry payment providers. The collaboration between Netevia and BLUbeem by Brink's will allow Netevia's ISO network to deliver the BLUbeem by Brink's digital retail solution to small and medium-sized merchants. It is set to significantly enhance Netevia's offerings, particularly addressing its current cash management limitations for retail and hospitality businesses.

Addressing Cash Management Challenges with BLUbeem by Brink's

As a fintech, Netevia's Banking Services have excelled in digital transactions but faced limitations in handling cash deposits. The partnership fills this gap as BLUbeem by Brink's offers a hardware, software, and services solution designed to simplify end-to- end cash processes and offer merchants a streamlined approach to cash management.

BLUbeem by Brink's allows merchants to:

Save time, money, and effort by eliminating unnecessary trips to the bank to make cash deposits.

Secure cash in-store by registering and dropping it into an in-store smart safe.

Gain accelerated access to working capital from cash with next-business-day credit for cash payments.

Reduce the risk of internal and external theft by digitizing the cash handling process.

Gain visibility into cash activity across the business.

Target Market: Retail and Hospitality Industries

The partnership strategically targets the retail and hospitality industries, where both cash and digital transactions are integral to:

Delivering a seamless financial management experience, balancing digital and cash transaction handling.

Effectively managing all forms of payment transactions, thereby optimizing their operational efficiency and customer service.

"Our strategic partnership with Netevia creates an opportunity for Brink's to provide BLUbeem by Brink's unique digital cash management solution to previously underserved markets," said Laurent Borne, Executive VP and Chief Experience Officer at Brink's. "The partnership will accelerate Brink's digital retail solution presence in SMBs in the growing retail and hospitality verticals. We value this relationship, which allows Brink's to offer a simplified yet enhanced cash management process to a greater number of merchants."

Netevia's Commitment to Comprehensive Financial Solutions

Netevia is committed to expanding its capabilities to serve the business community better. By partnering with BLUbeem by Brink's, Netevia is enhancing its service offerings to include efficient cash handling, a critical component for many businesses, especially in retail and hospitality.

"Netevia's partnership with BLUbeem by Brink's signifies a transformative step in enhancing financial services for businesses," said Vlad Sadovskiy, Netevia CEO. Combining our banking services with BLUbeem by Brink's cash management excellence, we're set to revolutionize retail and hospitality financial experiences, driving growth and efficiency."

For more information on this partnership and the services offered through the collaboration, visit Netevia.com . For more information on BLUbeem by Brink's and its cash management solution, visit blubeempayments.com.

About The Brink's Company

The Brink's Company (NYSE:BCO), a leading global provider of cash and valuables management, digital retail solutions, and ATM managed services. Our customers include financial institutions, retailers, government agencies, mints, jewelers and other commercial operations. Our network of operations in 52 countries serves customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, please visit our website at www.brinks.com or call 804-289-9709.

About Netevia

Netevia has established itself as a key player in the fintech sector, offering innovative solutions to manage funds and transactions. This partnership with BLUbeem by Brink's continues Netevia's mission to provide comprehensive, efficient, and accessible financial services to businesses of all sizes.

Media Contact

Organization: Netevia

Contact Person: Benoit Boisset

Website: https://netevia.com

Email: press@netevia.com

City: North Miami Beach

State: Florida

Country: United States

SOURCE: Netevia

View the original press release on accesswire.com
- Further evidence of Asian firms to 'nearshoring' production sites to Europe -

Regulatory News:

CTP, Europe's largest listed developer, owner, and manager of industrial and logistics properties by gross lettable area (GLA), has signed a deal with Quanta Computer Inc. (Quanta; TWSE: 2382.TW), a leading Taiwanese company that manufactures computers and electronic hardware, for a high-tech pioneering 22,500 sqm production facility at CTPark Julich in the Brainergy Park Julich in northwest Germany. Quanta is further expanding its global footprint in producing state-of-the-art technology products for clients in Europe.

The deal is further evidence of the 'nearshoring' trend that is seeing a growing demand from Asian companies looking to expand their production space in Europe driven by a changing geopolitical environment and post pandemic supply chain disruptions. Organisations are increasingly seeking to build resilient and ESG-compliant supply chains by nearshoring their production capabilities closer to their end customer base. In light of this, CTP opened its first Asian office in August 2023 to be closer to and serve its clients in the region increasingly moving their production space to Europe. The focus is on understanding their needs to build on CTP's capability as a full service property partner delivering high tech space for semiconductor, electronics and IT businesses.

Established in 1988, Quanta is a Fortune Global 500 company and reached a revenue of approximately $35 billion in FY 2023. The new facility at CTPark Julich will be on a 15-year lease and is set to display cutting edge technology with an automated production line and use of robotics. CTP will invest 45 million to develop the project delivering an array of special requirements for Quanta at the build-to-suit facility, including a product testing lab and bespoke airlocked spaces. Construction is set to begin onsite in July and complete in the second half of 2025. CTPark Julich is located close to the German borders with Belgium and the Netherlands and is within easy motorway reach of major European cities Frankfurt, Brussels and Amsterdam.

The rocketing nearshoring trend in Europe led to demand for factory space in the region to rise by a staggering 29% in 2022 compared to 2021, mainly driven by a rush for space from manufacturers with CEE countries particularly benefitting. Nearshoring is also being supported with EU policy including The European Chips Act that encourages their production in the EU to enhance the resilience of local supply chains and support employment opportunities. The Act is expected to channel 43bn of public and private investment into the manufacturing of chips in Europe.

Jaromir Cernik, Business Development Director for CTP Asia, said: "Since opening our Asian office we have seen an ever-greater number of enquiries from both new and our long-term Asian clients looking to base more of their operations closer to European markets as the rise in nearshoring gathers pace. We have immediate access to a significant landbank across Europe, which as an owner-developer means we can create space tailored to the needs of clients like Quanta Computer and manage it for them for the long term. With a multitude of clients from high-tech sectors we have developed an unrivalled level of expertise in delivering space that can meet the extremely specialist requirements of modern technology focused companies."

Timo Hielscher, Managing Director M&A at CTP Germany, said: "In Germany we continue to see an enormous appetite from technology focused Asian companies moving here to de-risk their supply chains and to take advantage of the talent pool in the country. This is a key reason why we are continuing to invest in Germany, with one example of this being the new business park we are building in Mulheim that will provide an ecosystem of over 160,000 sqm of R&D, laboratory, co-working and industrial and logistics spaces for companies in high-growth sectors."

Recent examples of Asian firms nearshoring to Europe include Jiangsu Xinquan Automotive Trim, a Chinese manufacturer of automotive parts. Global Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer TSMC is also developing its first plant in Europe, located in Dresden in Germany. Representing an investment of around 10bn, the plant is expected to open in 2027. In late 2023, Chinese company Topband Smart Europe signed for 11,000 sqm of production space at CTPark Timisoara In Romania. The major firm that manufactures controllers for power tools, home appliances and BMS is locating an important new production facility at the Park to better meet customer needs in Europe and across global markets. While Chinese automotive component company KSHG Auto Harness recently leased 13,000 sqm at CTPark Deva II also in Romania to create new production space, building on the 8,000 sqm it already occupied at the CTPark.

Asian clients make up 10% of CTP's portfolio of industrial and logistics space. They also include NIO, the Chinese electric car company that needed space to house its first European power swap station manufacturing facility and had precise requirements in terms of a Central Eastern Europe location close to a local skilled workforce and supplier base, which CTP could deliver at CTPark Budapest West in Hungary.

ABOUT CTP

CTP is Europe's largest listed owner, developer, and manager of logistics and industrial real estate by gross lettable area, owning 11.8 million sqm of GLA across 10 countries as at 31 December 2023. CTP certifies all new buildings to BREEAM Very good or better and earned a negligible-risk ESG rating by Sustainalytics, underlining its commitment to being a sustainable business. For more information, visit CTP's corporate website: www.ctp.eu

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416776154/en/

Contacts:

CONTACT DETAILS FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Patryk Statkiewicz, Group Head of Marketing PR

Mobile: +31 6 29 59 61 19

Email: patryk.statkiewicz@ctp.eu

SEC Newgate

Sara Champness/James Carnegie

Mobile: +44 (0)7962 387 949

Email: CTP@SECNewgate.co.uk

CONTACT DETAILS FOR ANALYST AND INVESTOR ENQUIRIES:

Maarten Otte, Head of Investor Relations

Mobile: +420 730 197 500

Email: maarten.otte@ctp.eu
LONDON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Almost half (42%) of the British public believes a lack of Information Technology (IT) and tech education throughout primary and secondary school has been a barrier to a potential career in tech, new research from BAE Systems' Digital Intelligence business has revealed.

The study, Driving Digital Diversity, surveyed more than 2,000 people across the UK working inside and outside of tech and cyber security to explore the perceived barriers that may be putting people off from a career in the field. Those surveyed were from a range of age, gender, neurodiverse, socioeconomic and ethnic groups.

The report highlighted five key areas which respondents believe are putting students off pursuing jobs in the sector:

Assuming they need a tech or IT orientated degree (49%)

A lack of tech or IT education at primary and secondary school (42%)

Tech not being highlighted as an attractive or exciting career path at school (41%)

The financial cost of pursuing a tech or IT education (29%)

A lack of understanding about the opportunities available (29%)

Theresa Palmer, Global Head of DE&I at BAE Systems' Digital Intelligence business, said:

"It's clear that respondents' formative years play a pivotal role in shaping their ideas about tech careers. There's a misconception that an IT orientated degree is necessary to enter the industry, despite many tech roles not requiring a degree level qualification.

"This begins at school, where more action needs to be taken to promote careers in the field as attractive options that are open to everybody. The industry itself has a big part to play here, through better showcasing alternative routes into tech and placing a greater focus on transferrable skillsets and people skills in job applications."

According to the research, a stronger emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) could go some way to encouraging more people into tech careers and help to plug the current industry skills gap, which is estimated to cost the digital economy 63bn annually.

Three-quarters (73%) of respondents said the IT industry could do more to encourage job applicants from different backgrounds - rising to 83% of respondents who work in tech and 90% of cyber security professionals polled.

Palmer added:

"Businesses with a diverse and inclusive workforce perform better and in turn generate different ideas, approaches and skill sets. The benefits are manifold, ranging from improving morale, boosting problem solving abilities, filling skills gaps and improving financial results. Addressing the lack of significant change in DE&I is therefore a matter of urgency and should be approached like any other business issue.

"Only through working closely with the broader tech ecosystem, including government, the education sector and specialist social enterprises, such as InnovateHer, can we truly address perceived barriers.

"Collaboration is essential to developing more effective curricula, driving place-based initiatives and offering a greater breadth of opportunities to people at an early age."

BAE Systems has regularly partnered with InnovateHer, a North West based social enterprise company, which aims to encourage more girls and non-binary students aged 13-16 to consider careers in STEM.

Chelsea Slater, CEO and Co-Founder of InnovateHer, said:

"By addressing the gaps in tech education at school level, we are empowering young people to break stereotypes and envision a future in the sector.

"Through our programmes in partnership with businesses such as BAE Systems, we pave the way for a more inclusive tech landscape. Together, we're ensuring that more young people feel encouraged and equipped to embark on a fulfilling career journey in tech."

To learn more, download the report today here.

About BAE Systems Digital Intelligence

Digital Intelligence is part of BAE Systems and employs over 4,800 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We provide cyber, intelligence and security expertise to help protect nations, businesses and citizens. Our services, solutions and products span customers in law enforcement, national security, central government and government enterprises, critical national infrastructure, telecommunications, military and space.

Find out more here: baesystems.com/digital

Methodology Statement:

An online survey was conducted by Walr among 2053 UK respondents. Within this sample, quotas were applied to target 501 technology professionals, plus 520 specialists in cyber security. An additional sample of 1032 general consumers were targeted to compare their perceptions and experiences relating to the technology field. Respondents with a diverse range of characteristics were recruited for the research. They included people of varied age ranges, socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnic groups, genders, and from neurodivergent communities.

The research fieldwork took place between 11 December 2023 - 2 January 2024.

Issued by:

BAE Systems plc

www.baesystems.com

@BAESystemsplc

Ref: 054/2024

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The sustainability data management platform, designed exclusively for hotels and travel, will introduce a digitized ESRS framework and double materiality feature to facilitate, simplify, and streamline legislative compliance, reducing time and costs.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BeCause, the Danish start-up transforming how the global hospitality, travel, and tourism industries manage their sustainability data, is gearing up to offer a new digital tool that helps global hotel chains meet their reporting and compliance obligations under the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Starting in the second half of 2024, hotels utilizing BeCause's enterprise solution will gain access to a digitized version of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), the first-ever mandatory and standardized sustainability framework for companies in Europe. With this solution, hotels can efficiently collect and create audit-ready reports on their sustainability data.

Current BeCause users will also be able to apply any existing data collected previously through the BeCause platform and automatically map it to ESRS. Similarly, any data collected for ESRS can then be reused for other purposes such as voluntary eco-certifications, eliminating costly, time-intensive, and redundant processes and multiple input of the same data, allowing hotels to re-direct their resources elsewhere.

"Instead of starting from scratch, hotels will be able to leverage the sustainability data they already have at hand and upcycle it to the ESRS framework for CSRD compliance purposes. This ability to reuse data is a hallmark of BeCause for a reason - not only does it significantly reduce workload and conserve resources, but it encourages transparency and eliminates double-accounting errors," explains BeCause co-founder and CEO Frederik Steensgaard. "By adding the ESRS framework to our platform, we are helping hotels minimize the risk of non-compliance penalties as well as reputational damage," he adds.

Simplifying Double Materiality for Hotels

Following the release of the ESRS framework on its platform, BeCause will also launch a new feature to help hotels address the complex issue of double materiality. This issue asks organizations to report on climate's direct and indirect effects on their business and how their activities affect the environment. The feature will consist of a digitized framework based on the guidelines released by the European Corporate Reporting Lab (EFRAG), enabling hotels to efficiently determine the material matters and information to be reported on.

With 1,100 data points under ESRS, creating this kind of list would typically require large hotels to work with an outside consultant, a process that would usually take months and require costly upfront investment. Once BeCause implements double materiality into its platform - the only one of its kind built exclusively for the hotel and tourism industries - hotels can easily see which of the data points are pertinent to their business and independently determine the material information on sustainability impacts, risks, and opportunities in just a few days.

Modernizing Sustainability Data Management

The BeCause platform is a modern approach to managing hotel sustainability. Instead of manually collecting and transmitting data about a property's environmental impact, BeCause is a centralized hub through which all information seamlessly flows. For instance, hotels seeking GreenKey certification can upload all their data into BeCause and overlay that data against the certification's framework already in the platform.

Any updates to that framework are made automatically so hotels can be instantly alerted when their status is threatened due to missing data.

Travel booking websites like Booking.com also use the BeCause platform to ascertain which sustainable certificates a hotel has earned and automatically sync those with their database, enabling them to present up-to-date information to the consumer - an increasingly important factor in travelers' purchasing decisions. According to the online travel agency's 2023 Sustainable Travel Report, 76% of travelers want to travel more sustainably in the near future, while 43% say they would be willing to pay extra for travel options with a sustainable certification, representing a potentially lucrative source of room revenue for hotels that can meet these expectations.

"With hotels now obligated to report on their sustainability, there is a clear opportunity for them to also capitalize on the consumer demand for more sustainable accommodations by using BeCause to manage their sustainability data holistically," Steensgaard says. "Once on the platform, the data can be used, analyzed, and distributed in many ways. This not only gives hospitality leaders the ability to pursue more climate-friendly projects but also get more value for their efforts. That's a journey we're proud to be part of."

To experience the future of sustainability data management, visit BeCause at booth F during the International Hotel Technology Forum (IHTF) in Barcelona from April 16-18, 2024. Frederik Rubens Steensgaard will also discuss technology's role in fostering ESG responsibility during the "Fostering ESG Responsibility Across the Hotel Ecosystem" panel on April 18th at 1:25 PM.

For more information about BeCause and the digitized ESRS framework or to speak with CEO and Co-founder Frederik Steensgaard, please contact Vanessa Horwell at vhorwell@thinkinkpr.com .

About BeCause

BeCause is an enterprise software company that streamlines the flow of sustainability data and creates synergies between different stakeholders in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, empowering them to make decisions that result in positive, responsible change for people, the planet, and their profits. BeCause works with over 25,000 hotels, including brands like Radisson, certification entities like GreenKey, industry partners like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the SHA, and marketplaces like Booking.com. For more information, visit because.eco .

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/because-expands-its-solution-enabling-hotels-with-european-operations-to-easily-meet-their-csrd-reporting-obligations-302117290.html
DUBAI, UAE, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bizrahmed, a leading cosmetic center in Dubai, is delighted to announce the joining of internationally acclaimed British plastic surgeon, Mr. Norman Waterhouse. This strategic collaboration is set to be significant, as it boots the range of cosmetic and reconstructive services available in the region.

Mr. Norman Waterhouse has been featured in the prestigious Tatler Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide 2021, and this is a testament to his expertise in the field. Recognised for his remarkable work in plastic surgery, this inclusion puts Mr. Waterhouse amongst the top cosmetic surgeons globally.

Mr. Waterhouse comes to Bizrahmed with over 30 years of work experience in plastic surgery, specialising in areas such as facelift, neck lift, body lift, liposuction and other body aesthetic surgeries. He has a special technique learnt in Brazil, which is the net suturing that eliminates the need to wear post-operative garments during day time and quickens recovery.

Dr Bashar Bizrah, Founder of Bizrahmed, shares: "We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Norman Waterhouse to our Bizrahmed family. He brings a wealth of experience and innovation that will undoubtedly benefit our patients and elevate our standards."

Mr. Waterhouse's past roles include being the President of both the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). These high-profile positions prove how well-respected he is in the field of plastic surgery. Moreover, his approach to patient care echoes Bizrahmed's philosophy: use innovative techniques coupled with a compassionate approach to deliver great results that look natural.

Bizrahmed is a globally renowned cosmetic centre in Dubai. They specialise in providing top hair transplants, facial body contouring and rhinoplasty in Dubai. The clinic is named after Dr Bashar Bizrah, one of the most experienced rhinoplasty and otolaryngology consultants in Britain and the Middle East. Furthermore, Bizrahmed has the finest surgeons on board, enhancing looks and treating thousands of patients.

Media contact:

Lubna Bizrah

+971800249724

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/renowned-british-plastic-surgeon-mr-norman-waterhouse-joining-bizrahmed-dubai-302117786.html
Kupfer wird oft als das Gold der Energiewende bezeichnet, weil es aufgrund seiner hervorragenden elektrischen Leitfahigkeit eine zentrale Rolle in vielen Technologien spielt, die fur nachhaltige Energiesysteme entscheidend sind. Experten gehen aufgrund der Angebotsknappheit von einem Superzyklus aus.

Korrektur als Einstiegschance

Nach Hochststanden im Mai korrigierte das rote Metall stark. Die Abwartsspirale verstarkte sich in den vergangenen Tagen aufgrund schwacher Konjunkturdaten aus den USA und China. Langfristig konnte sich die aktuell laufende Korrektur als exzellente Einstiegsmoglichkeit herausstellen.

3 Kupferaktien mit hohem Potential

Im neuen, kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir drei aussichtsreiche Unternehmen vor, die bei einem weiteren Anstieg uberproportional profitieren konnten.

Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report!
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - Genesis AI Corp. (CSE: AIG) (OTCQB: AIGFF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the release of TrueForest, a Carbon offset analysis portal, a tool that allows the user to navigate the complex calculations involved in building a forest carbon offset project.

The carbon offset market is expected to hit $2,850 billion by 2030 (Carbon Offset Market to Hit $2,850.62 Billion, at a CAGR 31.7% by 2030, Says Coherent Market Insights (yahoo.com)). Genesis is aiming to provide simple, high quality Ai automation to a normally expensive and opaque process for companies looking to obtain carbon credits.

The forest carbon tool offers unique value to a project developer or landowner who is wanting to propose a carbon offset project without spending a lot of money, and quickly decide if the project economics work. There are 40+ complex formulas in order to derive a carbon offset, a process that TrueForest Carbon has now automated as an easy-to-use web-based application, with project data stored securely on the cloud. An innovative Project Boundary 2-dimensional graphical map assists with navigation and autofill of project details. The first version is aimed at the compliance carbon market in British Columbia, under the provincial Forest Carbon Offset Protocol, Version 2.

TrueForest is the forest Ai branch of Genesis, releasing products such as wildfire prevention and analysis, commercial forest intelligence and carbon offsets.

CEO Devinder Randhawa says, "We looked at where the pain was in the carbon offset market and decided our first tool would be aimed at supporting indigenous communities in BC who are wanting to understand carbon projects on their land. The cost can be a limiting factor and that's what this tool is aimed at solving."

Project Director Brent Tolmie says, "Our initial targets are indigenous communities across BC that have expressed interest in developing their own carbon projects and require a simplified and efficient tool to assess viability of projects quickly. We are proactively reaching out to these groups to demo our product and help them on the path to navigating the complex world of carbon offsets."

About Genesis AI Corp.

Genesis AI Corp. is pursuing opportunities in the precision geospatial, forestry analytics, and carbon sector through Ai. Woodlands.ai is a generative Ai natural resources model in development, building digital twins of real-world forests.

Digital forests can be manipulated and studied in computer generated worlds, with the influence of deep machine learning, neural networks, and artificial intelligence. Digital forest technology has many applications including carbon offsetting, forest and land management and wildfire protection.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Dev Randhawa"

Dev Randhawa, CEO

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations:

Phone: 1-250-868-6553

info@genesisaicorp.com

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation including statements regarding the Private placement and the proposed Debt Settlement and the issuance of Common Shares which are based upon Genesis' current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs, and views of future events. Forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expect", "likely", "may", "will", "should", "intend", "anticipate", "potential", "proposed", "estimate" and other similar words, including negative and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "would" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking information includes estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, targets, guidance, or other statements that are not statements of fact. The forward-looking statements are expectations only and are subject to known and unknown, risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results of the Company or industry results to differ materially from future results, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, Genesis does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Genesis to predict all such factors.

When considering these forward-looking statements, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements as set out in the materials we file with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca including our Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended June 30, 2022. These risk factors and other factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information.

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205568

SOURCE: Genesis AI Corp.
For Medical and Trade media only

The two companies have entered into a collaboration agreement to continue the development work of incorporating an environmentally friendly propellant into the formulation of flutiform (fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumarate) used in a pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI).

(fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumarate) used in a pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI). The aim is to achieve a near-zero-emissions product with a significantly lower impact on global warming, which aligns with European Union regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases. 1

Steps have already been taken to reduce the level of propellant; thus, the product currently has a reduced carbon footprint compared to when it was originally launched.2

Mundipharma and Vectura will now progress development of the reformulation of flutiform (fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumarate) following long-term collaboration, planning and lab-scale development work. The reformulation will ultimately ensure a comparable effective product for patients and further reduce its impact on the environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416962162/en/

The productis an established pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) for the treatment of asthma, where the use of a combination product is appropriate, and has been available on the market for more than a decade.3

It currently uses the approved apaflurane hydrofluoroalkane 227 (HFA-227), a type of fluorinated greenhouse gas, as its propellant.3 European Union regulation on these types of gases aims to reduce their use, and therefore their emissions, by two-thirds by 2030.1

Work is already under way to source an alternative to the HFA-227 gas used in fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumarate pMDI. This new collaboration will revitalise the efforts to identify and switch to a more environmentally friendly propellant. If successful, this will result in a significantly lower impact on global warming and alignment with European Union regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases.1

With more than 262 million people living with asthma globally, the reformulation of some asthma treatments to reduce carbon emissions could have a significant impact on the global carbon footprint.4,5

"We are dedicated to positively influencing the life of asthma patients across the globe. This is the first step in our long-term plan to develop a near-zero-emissions asthma inhaler. We are determined to achieve this before the European Union ban of HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) gases comes into effect, and our collaboration with Vectura demonstrates this, as well as our aim to an overall commitment to sustainable healthcare innovation," said Yuri Martina, Chief Development and Medical Officer at Mundipharma.

"At Vectura, our priority is to ensure that patients prescribed fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumaratepMDI can continue to have access to this treatment. Using Vectura's expertise and extensive track record in the development of inhaled prescription medicines and devices, we believe the collaboration with Mundipharma will enable us to meet our environmental responsibilities and enable patients to use fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumaratepMDI in the years to come," said Geraldine Venthoye, Chief Scientific Officer, Vectura.

: FLUTIFORM is a registered trademark of Jagotec AG used under licence by Mundipharma.

References

Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases and repealing Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 Text with EEA relevance. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2014.150.01.0195.01.ENG (last accessed March 2024) flutiform pMDI emissions manufacturing data, Q4 2022 Q4 2023. Data on file. flutiform Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Last updated 13 April 2022. https://www.emcpi.com/pi/26954. (last accessed April 2024). Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2020;396(10258):1204-22 NHS England, World Asthma Day: tackling climate change and improving respiratory care. Available at https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/world-asthma-day-tackling-climate-change-and-improving-respiratory-care/ (last accessed March 2024)

*ENDS*

Job code: SciA-FLU-2400001| Date of preparation: April 2024

Notes to Editors

About flutiform (fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumarate)

flutiform is an inhaler (a pressurised metered-dose inhalation, suspension) which contains two active ingredients, fluticasone propionate and formoterol fumarate dihydrate.3 This fixed-dose combination of fluticasone propionate and formoterol fumarate (flutiform is indicated in the regular treatment of asthma where the use of a combination product (an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting 2 agonist) is appropriate for the management of asthma symptoms.3

About Mundipharma:

Mundipharma is a global healthcare company with a presence across Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

Mundipharma is dedicated to bringing innovative treatments to patients in the areas of respiratory, pain management, infectious disease as well as other severe and debilitating disease areas. Our guiding principles, centred around Integrity and Patient-Centricity, are at the heart of everything we do. For more information visit www.mundipharma.com.

About Vectura:

Vectura is a specialist inhalation contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides inhaled drug development solutions to help customers bring their medicines to patients. With 25 years' experience, it provides a combination of formulation science, device technology, and inhaled development expertise. Vectura is a member of the Vectura Fertin Pharma group of companies. For more information visit www.vectura.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416962162/en/

Contacts:

Liana Del Medico

Global VP Communications Corporate Affairs, Mundipharma

E: media.relations@mundipharma.com

Lesley Ferguson White

Chief Communications Officer, Vectura Fertin Pharma

E: lesley.ferguson-white@vecturafertinpharma.com

Gurjit Chahal

Senior Director, Public Relations, Makara Health, a Precision Value Health Company

M: +44 (0) 7917 796 836

E: gurjit.chahal@precisionvh.com
BANGALORE, India, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sasken Technologies Limited, a leading provider of product development and digital transformation services, and JOYNEXT, a respected Tier1 player in the automotive industry, announced a strategic partnership to collaborate on the development and launch of cutting-edge platforms for both in-vehicle systems (navigation, digital cockpit and 5G telematics) and off-vehicle cloud and digital services leveraging emerging technologies for the automotive industry.

Sasken and JOYNEXT will leverage their complementary expertise, global presence, and strong ecosystems to deliver innovative and integrated solutions to the automotive industry. This collaboration will enable faster time to market with the best IPs and provide unparalleled support throughout the product development process. By combining JOYNEXT's proven advanced automotive solutions with Sasken's innovative automotive hardware and software capabilities, including chip-to-cloud cognitive engineering, connected car solutions, optimised edge computing solutions, computer vision, generative AI, and cybersecurity, the partnership aims to address the complex needs of the automotive market while delivering enhanced customer experiences.

"We are excited to collaborate with JOYNEXT, as their automotive industry expertise aligns perfectly with Sasken's ambition to maintain a leadership position in the global automotive market," said Mr. Abhijit Kabra, CEO, Sasken Technologies. "By leveraging our respective strengths, we can provide unique value to our customers and accelerate technological advancements in the automotive industry."

The partnership began with a multi-year collaboration focused on automotive software maintenance for navigation and ASPICE compliance. It also includes the definition and implementation of enhancements for new products to keep pace with evolving Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) architectures. Sasken will drive the initiative to address EV challenges such as range anxiety, compatibility with navigation ecosystem players, increasing driver confidence by incorporating real-time data on charging points, driving terrains and integration with ADAS systems. Proprietary algorithms will optimise battery range for safer, more efficient journeys.

"We at JOYNEXT are excited to join forces with Sasken," said Stavros Mitrakis, CEO of JOYNEXT. "By leveraging Sasken's strong hardware and software capabilities and our extensive automotive domain knowledge, we will be able to develop solutions that not only address today's challenges, but also anticipate the needs of the future. We are confident that this partnership will enhance our product offering and enable us to deliver more innovative, safer, and more enjoyable driving experiences to our customers."

The aim of the partnership between Sasken and JOYNEXT is not only to push the boundaries of product innovation, but also to ensure that products reach the market more efficiently, equipped with the latest technology and tailored to meet the ever-changing demands of consumers.

About Sasken:

Sasken is a specialist in Product Engineering and Digital Transformation providing concept-to-market, chip-to-cognition engineering R&D and Digital Transformation services to global leaders in Automotive, Semiconductor, Transportation, Industrials, Consumer Electronics, Enterprise Devices, SatCom and Telecom industries. For over 30 years and with multiple patents, Sasken has transformed the businesses of 100+ Fortune 500 companies, powering more than a billion devices through its services and IP. For more information, visit www.sasken.com

JOYNEXT - WE CONNECT FUTURE

JOYNEXT is a leading AutoTech company, the Automotive Connectivity Business Unit of Joyson Electronics. Headquarters in China, JOYNEXT marks our global presence in Germany, Poland, France, US, Japan, etc. We develop technologies for intelligent connected vehicles and provide a highly personalized mobility experience that is empathic, safe, and adaptable. Our 1,500+ employees work at 7 R&D centers, 3 global manufacturing locations, and 4 customer canters around the world.

For more than two decades, JOYNEXT has been working as the development partner and system supplier of renowned car manufacturers and established long-term partnerships with various well-known OEMs. Our intelligent cockpit and smart connectivity products are equipped in millions of vehicles worldwide, complemented by our capabilities in developing autonomous driving technologies and software products, which lay a solid foundation for the cockpit and driving fusion facing the era of Central Computing Units.

Balancing innovation with sustainability, we are committed to contributing to industry transformation together with our eco-partners, such as Microsoft, HUAWEI, Qualcomm, Horizon Robotics, Black Sesame, Elektrobit, and QNX to deliver a smarter driving experience for end users. www.JOYNEXT.com

Media Contact:

Rekha Sahay Ghosh

Head of Marketing & Communications

E: pr@sasken.com

T: +91 080 6694 3009

Sasken Technologies Limited

139/25, Ring Road, Domlur, Bengaluru 560071, India

T: +91 80 6694 3000, E: info@sasken.com

CIN: L72100KA1989PLC014226 | www.sasken.com

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Deployment uses RtBrick routing software on open hardware to deliver both business and residential services

WOBCOM, the leading regional Internet Service Provider in Wolfsburg, Germany, is partnering with RtBrick to deliver Layer-3 broadband and Layer-2 Ethernet services to its customers across a disaggregated network edge, using open switches from UfiSpace. Traditionally provided within closed monolithic routing systems, network disaggregation decouples hardware and software to deliver a more flexible, scalable, and lower-cost network.

"Network disaggregation offers us the opportunity to innovate by independently selecting the best software for our use-case along with the open hardware we choose to run it on," said Jan Marienfeldt, Teamlead Network and Infrastructure at WOBCOM. "Using RtBrick's routing software gives us greater flexibility and allows us to deliver high throughput to both our business and residential customers for less cost

WOBCOM are delivering Ethernet business services at up to 100Gbps and residential IP services with symmetrical 1Gbps throughput from their new disaggregated edge.

"WOBCOM has shown how operators of all sizes can take advantage of disaggregated architectures today," said Hannes Gredler, CTO and Founder at RtBrick. "They have demonstrated their ability to deploy and operate an open cloud-native network architecture that supports multiple services, building one of the most advanced network edge architectures in Europe."

WOBCOM has deployed RtBrick's software on UfiSpace S9510-28DC switches around the city, which can each deliver 800Gbps of throughput and support thousands of subscribers, to distribute its BNG functions close to the network edge. The disaggregated solution was integrated by WDZ GmbH, a sister company to WOBCOM, that plans to offer its integration expertise to other ISPs in Europe.

To learn more about RtBrick's pioneering approach to disaggregated routing, visit rtbrick.com.

Note*: The information was submitted for publication at 10:00 GMT on 16 April, 2024

About RtBrick

RtBrick Inc. has pioneered carrier routing software that runs on off-the-shelf hardware. It has applied the same approach to networks that the huge 'cloud-natives' have used to build and operate their web-scale IT services. RtBrick is a privately held company, incorporated in the USA, with staff located in Europe and India.

About WOBCOM

WOBCOM GmbH is a German ISP, providing internet and telephony services for residential and business customers in Wolfsburg, as well as IP-Transit services. It also operates a data center in Wolfsburg.

About WDZ

WDZ GmbH provides integration and consulting services for carriers and ISPs, helping them build automated networks.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416520429/en/

Contacts:

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry on behalf of RtBrick Inc.

rtbrick@rlyl.com

Corporate Communications Stadtwerke Wolfsburg AG (WOBCOM)

presse@stadtwerke-wob.de
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Joe the Juice ("the Company"), an urban juice bar and coffee concept selling freshly prepared juices, shakes, sandwiches, and coffee using natural and organic ingredients, today announced that Jeffrey Lawrence, a seasoned foodservice, consumer retail, franchising, and technology industry executive, has joined the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Lawrence's appointment will support Joe the Juice as it further accelerates its growth and expansion in international markets.

Mr. Lawrence brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in building and franchising digitally enabled foodservice and consumer brands. He previously served in global senior leadership roles at Domino's Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), including as Executive Vice President and CFO. Over his two-decade tenure at Domino's, Mr. Lawrence helped spearhead the international development and growth of the brand, including key roles in the company's 2004 IPO, digital transformation initiatives, and partnerships with major U.S. and international franchisees. Following his time at Domino's, Mr. Lawrence served as CFO of FIGS, Inc. (NYSE: FIGS), a direct-to-consumer apparel brand, where he helped to lead the company's 2021 IPO, and then as CFO at ShiftKey, a technology-enabled platform that connects licensed professionals with healthcare facilities. He currently serves as an independent board member at both Shake Shack (NYSE: SHAK) and Xponential Fitness (NYSE: XPOF).

Thomas Nrxe, Chief Executive Officer of Joe the Juice, said, "I am delighted to welcome Jeff to the Joe the Juice Board. He brings deep experience in developing global consumer brands, with a decades-long track record of driving growth and value creation. We look forward to leveraging Jeff's insights as we accelerate Joe the Juice's expansion, with a strategic focus on building our digital momentum, augmenting our omni-channel experience, and driving store rollouts and franchising initiatives in key international markets."

Jeffrey Lawrence commented, "I have long admired Joe the Juice for its brand resonance. The food and beverage market continues to rapidly evolve as consumers demand convenient and healthy choices prepared with intention. Joe the Juice meets this market opportunity, as evidenced by its strong performance to date and ambitious plans to introduce its offering to more customers. I look forward to supporting the Company in this exciting phase of growth."

Joe the Juice currently operates more than 360 locations across 18 countries spanning the UK and Europe, U.S., Middle East, and Asia. Capitalizing on strong customer demand, the Company's enhanced digital distribution channels, which currently account for 30% of sales, as well as its strong franchising partnerships have enabled it to rapidly expand its regional presence in key markets. In November 2023, Joe the Juice announced a majority investment from General Atlantic, a leading global growth investor, further deepening its partnership with the firm following its initial strategic minority growth investment in 2016.

Mr. Lawrence received a BBA from Wayne State University and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He is a Certified Public Accountant (registered status) in the state of Michigan.

About Joe the Juice

Joe the Juice is an urban juice bar and coffee concept operating in more than 360 locations across 18 countries. Founded in 2002, the company sells freshly prepared juices, shakes, sandwiches, and coffee using natural and organic ingredients sourced from growers directly. Joe the Juice's differentiated concept creates a modern, urban, and hip ambiance for on-the-go customers focused on a healthy lifestyle. For more on our authentic and unique brand: www.joejuice.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416770880/en/

Contacts:

Media

Joe the Juice

Kasper Garnell

garnell@joejuice.com

+45 2019 5904
CHICAGO, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market by Product Type (Biodegradable, Non-Biodegradable/ Bio-Based), End-Use Industry (Packaging, Consumer Goods, Textiles, Agriculture & Horticulture, AnT, Coatings & Adhesives), & Region- Global Forecast to 2029", was USD 15.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 45.2 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 24.2%, between 2024 and 2029.

Bioplastics are synthetic materials sourced from renewable origins like corn, potatoes, rice, soy, sugarcane, wheat, and vegetable oil, whereas biopolymers are polymers found naturally. Bioplastics can either degrade naturally or not. They are primarily classified into biodegradable and non-biodegradable categories and are used across a wide range of industries including packaging, consumer goods, automotive and transportation, agriculture and horticulture, medical, and various other sectors.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market"

261 - Tables

54 - Figures

318 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=88795240

PBAT is estimated to be the second largest market in the global bioplastics & biopolymers market, by product type, during the forecast period, by Value.

PBAT (Polybutylene adipate terephthalate) is a biodegradable polyester widely used in the production of bioplastics and biopolymers. It offers excellent biodegradability in various environments, including industrial composting facilities and natural soil conditions. PBAT is commonly used as a component in blends with other biodegradable polymers to improve mechanical properties and enhance the overall performance of bioplastic materials. Its versatility, along with its ability to break down into environmentally friendly byproducts, makes PBAT a valuable ingredient in the development of sustainable packaging, agricultural films, disposable utensils, and other biodegradable products. As the demand for eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics grows, PBAT continues to play a crucial role in advancing the bioplastics and biopolymers industry.

Sugarcane/Sugar beet to be the largest market in the global bioplastics & biopolymers market during 2024 to 2029, by value.

Sugarcane and sugar beet serve as vital sources of raw materials for bioplastics and biopolymers, offering abundant stores of fermentable sugars essential for producing eco-friendly plastics like polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Their widespread cultivation globally provides a sustainable and renewable feedstock for biopolymer manufacturing, without competing with food crops for agricultural land. Additionally, their growth contributes to carbon sequestration, enhancing the environmental profile of bioplastics derived from these sources by mitigating carbon emissions. Leveraging sugarcane and sugar beet underscores the shift towards sustainable practices in the plastics industry, promoting environmental stewardship and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

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Consumer goods is estimated to be the second-largest end-use industry, in 2024.

Consumer goods encompasses a wide range of products including packaging, disposable cutlery, bottles, bags, and various other items used in everyday life. The demand for sustainable packaging solutions is particularly high in the consumer goods industry due to increasing environmental awareness among consumers and regulatory pressures to reduce plastic waste. Bioplastics offer a promising alternative as they are derived from renewable resources and can be biodegradable, thereby addressing concerns related to traditional plastics. As a result, many companies in the consumer goods sector are incorporating bioplastics into their product packaging and manufacturing processes to reduce their environmental footprint and meet the evolving preferences of eco-conscious consumers.

Europe accounted for third largest region, by value, during the forecast period.

The bioplastics and biopolymers market in Europe is experiencing growth and innovation. With increasing awareness of environmental issues and sustainable practices, there's a notable emphasis on the adoption of bioplastics derived from renewable sources. European countries are investing in research and development to expand the application of bioplastics across various industries including packaging, consumer goods, automotive, agriculture, and more. Additionally, stringent regulations and initiatives promoting the use of eco-friendly materials are driving the demand for bioplastics and biopolymers in the region. The key companies producing biodegradable plastics in Europe include BASF (Germany), TotalEnergies Corbion PLA (Netherlands), Biome Bioplastics (UK), and Bio-On (Italy).

NatureWorks LLC (US), Braskem (Brazil), BASF SE (Germany), TotalEnergies Corbion (Netherlands), Novamont S.P.A (Italy), Biome Bioplastics Limited (UK), Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation (Japan), Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co. (Germany), Plantic Technologies Limited (Australia), and Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan) are the key players in the bioplastics & biopolymers market.

Browse Adjacent Market: Green Bio Chemicals Market Research Reports & Consulting

Biodegradable Plastics Market - Global Forecast to 2028

Sustainable Plastic Packaging Market - Global Forecast to 2025

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MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

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Invesco Select Trust Plc - Results of Adjourned Class Meetings

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 16

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND AND THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN THE CONTRAVENTION OF ANY REGISTRATION OR OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENT OF SUCH JURISDICTION

16 April 2024

Invesco Select Trust plc

Results of Adjourned Class Meetings

The Board of Invesco Select Trust plc (the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the Adjourned Class Meetings of the UK Equity and Managed Liquidity share classes held today.

As announced at 7.00 a.m. on 28 March 2024, the UK Equity and Managed Liquidity Class Meetings did not meet their quorum requirements and, as such, these meetings were adjourned. For the adjourned Class Meetings the quorum was one member attending in person or by proxy (holding any number of shares).

All Resolutions at the Adjourned Class Meetings of the UK Equity and Managed Liquidity share classes were passed and the results are shown below.

The Company will now proceed with the Tender Offers and the reclassification of the non-Global Share Classes and will make further announcements in due course.

UK Equity Class Meeting:

Special resolution: Votes For (including votes at the discretion of

the Chairman) % Votes Against % Votes Withheld 1. 9,901,271 99.3 68,051 0.7 32,194

Managed Liquidity Class Meeting:

Special resolution: Votes For (including votes at the discretion of

the Chairman) % Votes Against % Votes Withheld 1. 104,795 80.0 26,270 20.0 2,796

The voting rights for the above Class Meetings were one vote per share.

The Company expects to make further announcements in due course.

Defined terms used in this announcement have the meanings given in the circular published by the Company on 15 February 2024, unless the context otherwise requires.

Enquiries:
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - Minera Alamos Inc. (TSXV: MAI) (the "Company" or "Minera Alamos") is pleased to report that further to its Santana operations update (see news release dated February 22, 2024) the Company's contractor mobilized at the Santana mine site at the beginning of April with mining activity at the Nicho Main zone to commence shortly. This followed the conclusion of discussions regarding the additional equipment and personnel required as operations begin to ramp up again at the mine.

The focus of contractor activities since the beginning of the month has been equipment maintenance and the preparation of additional haulage roads to maximize operational flexibility for the current mine plans. While the re-start of mining activities has been aided by the pre-stripping of the new deposit area in the past year, new operations will have a staggered start as access to multiple working areas increases and as the new pit opens up over time. The Company is also implementing new sampling procedures and controls in order to optimize conditions for the Nicho Main zone which exhibits somewhat different mineralogy than that at the Nicho Norte starter pit. This will include optimizations to blasting patterns to maximize fragmentation and gold recoveries, as well as crushing and in-pit sampling and sorting to ensure the best economic outcome. In addition, the Company is testing a new dust suppressant system to improve the overall air quality in active work areas while minimizing water consumption.

Overall, mining plans at the Nicho Main zone are aided by reduced hauling distances to the Santana leach pad compared to the Nicho Norte pit, and it is expected that this will allow for increases in both mining and stacking activities as the second quarter of 2024 progresses, the initial benefits of the which will be felt in Q3 and then continue throughout the next year (for more details please see the February 22nd news release).

Cautionary Statement

The Company made its production decision at the Santana gold mine without having completed a feasibility study demonstrating economic and technical viability. As such, there may be increased uncertainty of achieving planned production levels, estimated recovery of gold, the costs associated with such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure.

Mr. Darren Koningen, P. Eng., Minera Alamos' CEO, is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this press release under National Instrument 43-101.

For Further Information Please Contact:

Minera Alamos Inc.

Doug Ramshaw, President

Tel: 604-600-4423

Email: dramshaw@mineraalamos.com

Victoria Vargas de Szarzynski, VP Investor Relations

Tel: 289-242-3599

Email: vvargas@mineraalamos.com

Website: www.mineraalamos.com

About Minera Alamos Inc.

Minera Alamos is a gold production and development Company undergoing the operational start-up of its first gold mine that produced its first gold in October 2021. The Company has a portfolio of high-quality Mexican assets, including the 100%-owned Santana open-pit, heap-leach mine in Sonora that is currently going through its operational ramp up. The 100%-owned Cerro de Oro oxide gold project in northern Zacatecas has considerable past drilling and metallurgical work completed and the proposed mining project is currently being guided through the permitting process by the Company's permitting consultants. The La Fortuna open pit gold project in Durango (100%-owned) has a positive, robust preliminary economic assessment (PEA) completed, and the main Federal permits are in place. Minera Alamos is built around its operating team that together brought three open pit heap leach gold mines into successful production in Mexico over the last 13 years.

The Company's strategy is to develop very low capex assets while expanding the projects' resources and continuing to pursue complementary strategic acquisitions.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking information and Minera Alamos cautions readers that forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations of Minera Alamos included in this news release. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements", which often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". These statements are based on information currently available to Minera Alamos and Minera Alamos provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements include timing, cost estimates and statements with respect to Minera Alamos' future plans, objectives and goals with respect to the Cerro de Oro gold mine including the receipt of permits and construction timeline, and the satisfaction by the Company of the closing conditions to draw the Remaining Amount. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions that, by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, the economics of processing methods, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Minera Alamos' mineral properties, the ability to complete a preliminary economic assessment which supports the technical and economic viability of mineral production could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons. Minera Alamos' financial condition and prospects could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to finance and/or complete an updated resource and reserve estimate and a preliminary economic assessment which supports the technical and economic viability of mineral production; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Minera Alamos' activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Minera Alamos' forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Minera Alamos' forward-looking statements. Minera Alamos does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by Minera Alamos or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Company does not have a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability for the Santana project, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205626

SOURCE: Minera Alamos Inc.
Gen II Finalizes Acquisition, Expanding Its Private Capital Servicing Capabilities in Key European Jurisdictions. Assets Under Administration Now More Than $1 Trillion

NEW YORK and ST. HELIER, Jersey, April 16, 2024("Gen II"), a leading independent private capital fund administrator, today announced the successful close of the acquisition of Crestbridge, a preeminent European provider of private capital fund administration services.



The acquisition of Crestbridge expands Gen II's presence in Luxembourg and adds jurisdictional reach in the UK, Jersey, Ireland, and other international markets, significantly broadening Gen II's global service reach and product capabilities. The acquisition increases Gen II's assets under administration to more than $1 trillion and creates a roster of more than 1,700 professionals, representing one of the industry's largest and most experienced fund administration teams. Dean Hodcroft, former CEO of Crestbridge, will lead Gen II's European operations.

Founded in 1998, Crestbridge provides a broad range of outsourced administration, accounting, corporate governance, depositary, management company, and compliance services to many of the world's leading fund sponsors. The firm has specialized private markets expertise, including private equity, real estate, private credit, and infrastructure, as well as a highly regarded corporate services offering.

With this announcement, Crestbridge becomes a fully integrated part of Gen II's leadership and service capabilities, ensuring that Gen II and Crestbridge clients have immediate access to a growing range of high quality, high touch, multinational services and capabilities.

"The integration of the Crestbridge team and capabilities into Gen II marks a major milestone in achieving our goal to be the leading global private capital fund administrator," said Steven Millner, CEO of Gen II. "Blending Crestbridge's private equity and real estate fund administration businesses with our service offerings provides our clients with many more options to support their success and growth."

"We look forward to continuing to invest in and expand our substantial European client footprint and bring clients a growing range of expert services" said Dean Hodcroft, Gen II's Head of Europe. "We look forward to empowering our unified teams to support international private fund managers through all stages of their fund lifecycles."

About Gen II

Gen II is a leading global fund administration provider focused entirely on serving private capital asset managers and investors. Since its inception in 2009, the company has become one of the largest independent global private capital fund administrators, with more than $1 trillion of private fund capital under administration. Gen II offers private fund sponsors a best-in-class combination of people, process, and technology, enabling GPs to manage their operational infrastructure, financial reporting, and investor communications most effectively. For more information, please visit gen2fund.com .

Media Contacts:

For Gen II:

Sarah Rutledge

Highwire Public Relations

sarahr@highwirepr.com
Marc Holme joins as new CTO from Collins Aerospace

Electric flight pioneer is on course for further growth and series of test flights in later this year

Evolito Limited, the pioneer of world-leading axial-flux electric motors, power electronics, and battery solutions for aerospace applications, announces the appointment of Marc Holme as CTO, as it prepares for future growth.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416821458/en/

Marc Holme, CTO, Evolito (Photo: Business Wire)

Marc Holme joins as CTO to lead the technology development and the future roadmap of the axial-flux e-motor and propulsion product family. He has a 24-year tenure in aviation, most recently at Collins Aerospace where he was Senior Director of Engineering. Holme's deep technical background has seen him lead multiple aircraft system electrification programs from Airbus A380 to Boeing 787, and many technology acquisition programs.

Commenting on his appointment, Marc Holme, CTO, Evolito said:

"I'm excited to join Evolito to continue the progression towards more sustainable aviation through electrification. The advanced electric motor technology that originated for the automotive market is being adapted and improved by Evolito to enable aerospace applications where weight, efficiency and safety are critical. Combined with its leading motor control electronics and battery technologies, Evolito is well positioned to reach scalable and sustainable electric aviation."

The new C-suite hire follows a phenomenal year for the company, having received Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority for electric propulsion system products in December 2023. Evolito is already working with a number of OEM partners, developing motors and propulsion systems for a variety of eVTOL, Urban Air Mobility and fixed-wing applications, and expects a series of customer test flights later this year.

Dr. Chris Harris, Evolito CEO and co-founder said:

"The whole company is delighted to welcome Marc to the growing Evolito family. I'm extremely proud of what we have created here at Evolito, and our success is a reflection of our hugely talented and dedicated team, driven by a common passion for sustainable mobility. The electrification of flight is one of the most exciting market opportunities of our time, and Evolito's innovative new technology and ability to scale means we are well positioned to meet this fast-emerging demand."

Founded in July 2021, Evolito has grown its experienced team from 15 to over 200. It was recently awarded 2nd place in four award categories in the 2023 Best Companies100 Best Place To Work. In July 2022, Evolito acquired and later integrated Electroflight batteries into the business to offer complete propulsion solutions that are fully optimised for future aircraft applications. Amongst other partners, it works with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions who provide motor and inverters for its hydrogen aircraft demonstrator the Fresson project.

EDITOR'S NOTES

Evolito

http://www.evolito.aero

Evolito is making all-electric flight a reality by offering world-leading electric axial flux motors, motor control units and battery systems for the aerospace market. Evolito's electric propulsion systems offer the highest power, torque, and energy densities in class and are inherently more robust than alternative technologies mission critical in eVTOL, Urban Air Mobility and fixed-wing applications. The privately-held company is based in Oxford. Evolito's investors include B-Flexion and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE).

Marc Holme, CTO, Evolito boasts 24 years of experience in aviation and a further 5 in automotive. Prior to joining Evolito, Holme was Senior Director Engineering at Collins Aerospace. He has also worked for UTC Aerospace Systems and Goodrich. Holme has a masters in power electronics and drives from The University of Birmingham.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416821458/en/

Contacts:

Cat Lenheim, ThoughtLDR

+44 7511117587

Cat@thoughtldr.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Last month, Entergy leaders and mentors gathered at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to engage with students of the Entergy Scholars Program. This event was part of Entergy's longstanding partnership with the university, which began in 2018 with our $2 million contribution to help foster student success.

The Entergy Scholars Program is designed to equip students with practical career skills essential for early employment opportunities. This intensive six-week pathway targets college sophomores, juniors, and seniors majoring in engineering, providing them with the necessary tools to pursue internships or full-time positions upon completion.

During the event, the student scholars and their mentors discussed professional development, and university officials shared the benefits of the partnership. Our mentors play a pivotal role in the program's success by offering more than just industry insights. They provide guidance on career development, goal setting, problem-solving, decision-making, idea articulation through role-playing, and recommendations for professional networking resources.

During the event, Rosalyn Howard, Entergy's program manager, was recognized for developing and implementing the Entergy Scholars Program and having a vision for increasing career readiness. Howard's vision for the program centered on enhancing students' career readiness skills and fostering connections between leaders and students to support the workforce in local communities.

"When I was developing the Entergy Scholars Program, my ultimate goal was to create a program to enhance career readiness skills for future talent who could potentially support the workforce in the communities we serve. I envisioned leaders mentoring students to provide valuable insights and offering professional advice from their own experiences," said Howard. "It's also an opportunity to connect students with alumni for support. We want students who are focused, inspired and equipped to enter the workforce."

Betina Brandon, Entergy's director of workforce development and talent pipelines, was honored with the Southern University Hall of Fame Award for her impactful engagement, outstanding dedication and unwavering support for the College of Sciences and Engineering.

The 2024 cohort of Entergy Scholars Program mentors include:

Taiwan Brown, vice president, diversity and workforce strategies

David DuBey, vice president, HR business partners

Amber Lopez, senior manager, HR business partners

Sandra Miller, vice president, external affairs

Letitia Stewart, director, compensation

Drew Thompson, manager, distribution reliability

Chan Tucker, director, project engineering

Jason Willis, vice president, power plant operations

These distinguished leaders are committed to guiding and empowering the next generation of talent in the industry.

Learn more about our ongoing commitment to creating opportunities through education and workforce development in our communities.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Entergy Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporation

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Entergy Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
XEROF, a Swiss cryptoasset fintech, announced the launch of its web3 services platform. Its new offerings, including third-party payments and investment solutions, are designed to reduce the frictions between digital and fiat currencies for web3 and crypto-native companies, in particular those who struggle to access fiat banking services.

Web3 businesses must adjust to constantly changing market conditions in their treasuries of digital and fiat currencies. XEROF's new payment service processes fiat or cryptocurrency payments for clients and sends them to any global third party, typically on the same day. This eliminates the need for web3 companies to maintain fiat bank accounts, which are often challenging to establish and maintain.

Many startups face liquidity challenges when receiving funding in cryptocurrency since day-to-day operations often require fiat payments, and it's getting harder to find bank providers accepting cryptoassets. XEROF provides the necessary liquidity and helps onboard investors in their chosen currency.

"The web3 industry is still in its early stages of development and growth. To ensure its maturation, there is a need for solution providers who can support web3 companies in their day-to-day operations," said Marc Taverner, CEO and co-founder of XEROF. "This often involves building solutions that are not flashy and 'exciting,' but are reliable and foolproof. XEROF's on/off-ramp offerings help bridge the gap between the traditional financing world and the new web3 one. At XEROF, we firmly believe that the merging of these two worlds is crucial for the future development of the entire sector."

Following strong results in 2022 and 2023, XEROF announced more offerings targeted at web3 companies to seamlessly operate between web2 and web3 financial markets.

XEROF was recently recognised as a finalist in the Paris Blockchain Week Awards in the Best Regulatory Innovation category. Learn more here.

About XEROF

XEROF is a leading Swiss fintech specialising in cryptoassets. With extensive liquidity in fiat and digital currencies, we process seamless cross-border and cross-currency payments and exchanges for enterprises worldwide. Our mission is to reduce the friction faced by crypto-native companies and other organisations by bringing efficiency to their financial operations. Founded in 2020, XEROF is regulated as a Virtual Asset Service provider, supervised by the Financial Services Standards Association (VQF). In partnership with Swiss private banks and tier-1 partners, we offer financial services in compliance with Switzerland's AML/CFT regulations. To learn more, visit xerof.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240415458868/en/

Contacts:

press@xerof.com
Cardiawave SA, a French Medtech company that has developed an innovative Non-Invasive Ultrasound Therapy (NIUT) device for the treatment of severe symptomatic calcific aortic stenosis, is delighted to announce the appointment of Olivier Pierron as its new Chief Executive Officer. With more than 25 years of experience in cardiovascular therapies and a passion for innovation, Olivier Pierron brings to Cardiawave invaluable expertise in the development and international commercialization of new medical technologies at a crucial time in the company's growth, following the announcement of positive clinical trial results.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416024431/en/

Olivier Pierron, CEO Cardiawave (Photo: Cardiawave)

Before joining Cardiawave, Olivier Pierron held executive roles at some well-known companies in the sector, showing his capabilities as a manager and innovator in organizations at various stages of maturity. His international experience, combined with his involvement in development, acquisition and IPO transactions, makes him a sound strategic choice to lead Cardiawave towards new horizons.

Olivier Pierron, Cardiawave's new CEO, said: "The approach developed by Cardiawave is unique and complements the existing range of cardiology treatments. Being entirely non-invasive, it expands the treatment options of patients suffering from severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. I am very honored to be joining this visionary team and to be working with them to bring this disruptive solution to market, in order to treat the largest number of people as quickly as possible. Cardiawave's technology represents a major step forward, one that is acknowledged by the international medical community, and our clinical results are very promising. I am determined to make this innovation a success in our various markets."

As CEO, Olivier Pierron will take on several exciting challenges such as deploying Valvosoft Cardiawave's innovative non-invasive ultrasound therapy for the treatment of severe symptomatic calcific aortic stenosis in the European market, starting clinical trials in the United States under premarket approval, strengthening strategic partnerships to bolster Cardiawave's international footprint, and leading its Series B funding in order to accelerate its development. Cardiawave has recently reached some key milestones, such as filing its CE Mark application and completing the enrollment of 60 patients in its Valvosoft Pivotal Study, taking the total number of severe symptomatic calcific aortic stenosis patients being treated to 100, across 12 research centers in four European countries. The six-month results of FIH studies have been published in prestigious scientific journal The Lancet, strengthening Cardiawave's position as a leading innovator in the field of cardiology. Cardiawave is one of the companies supported by the French Tech Health 20 program, has been a member of La French Care healthcare industry association since 2023, and has been a member of the MEDICEN technology cluster, Medtech In France and France Biotech since 2024.

About CARDIAWAVE www.cardiawave.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416024431/en/

Contacts:

Cardiawave

Olivier Pierron Directeur General

cw-ceo@cardiawave.com

+33 (0)6 43 95 04 00

Press

Stephanie Lentini

slentini@gmail.com

+33 (0)7 62 62 51 21
The SaaS company NOQX was founded in May 2023 by Sophie Hedestad, Robert Zetterqvist, and Matilda Lundsten. In a short time, NOQX has become one of the leading SaaS companies in goal management and OKRs, with a clear focus on making goal management enjoyable and successful for employees.

STOCKHOLM, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, NOQX announces that they have successfully secured their first round of funding from an impressive group of investors. Of note is Phillip Chambers, founder Peakon, which sold to Workday for $700 million USD in 2021. Chambers comments: "I connected with the founding team at an early stage and had the opportunity to review their product prototype. It was immediately apparent to me that they were addressing a pressing issue that business leaders have long struggled with: effective communication of goals, tracking progress, fostering alignment, all while maintaining an enjoyable work environment. NOQX's robust vision assures me that they are prepared to emerge as a frontrunner among SaaS companies in their field on a global scale."

U.S.-based Giles Whiting, is a long-time SaaS operator and software investor currently serving as the President at parcelLab and an advisor at Verdane. Previously he served as the COO at Forsta (sold to Press Ganey, 2022), led the Operating Group at SoftBank, and was the General Manager of Medalia (IPO, 2019). Whiting comments: "Clarity and focus are two of the toughest on-going challenges for fast moving companies - and without both of these you're not likely to get much accomplished. NOQX equips companies and managers with tools to simplify, increase focus, and keep individuals and teams aligned! It's a recipe for execution!"

Additionally, Maria Hedengren and Niklas de Besche are investing. Hedengren has a solid background in the tech industry and has previously been the CFO of iZettle and the CEO of Readly. Currently, she is a Venture Partner at Eight Roads, a global venture capital fund managing assets of $11 billion USD, among other roles. Maria says: "As an operational leader for many years, I always placed great emphasis on goal management as a tool to increase the organization's ability to execute strategy and overarching goals, providing direction and feedback to teams and employees. It's difficult to establish consistent workflows and accountability that are simple and inspiring enough to become a self-playing piano; that's often where goal management fails. NOQX has the potential to solve this incredibly important puzzle piece, and I believe NOQX is the solution that many business leaders are seeking."

Niklas de Besche, former CEO of Meltwater and co-founder of the venture studio Mother, is also an investor and adds: "I seek founders with strong business skills, who can build a strong culture and gather the best team to achieve the company's goals. Sophie and I have worked together for many years, and she definitely meets all those categories!"

Among the investors is also Aref Abedi, CEO of the SaaS company Jobylon, with operations across Europe: "For me, it was an easy decision to invest in NOQX; you not only need a great platform but also a strong commercial engine, and I know that the team at NOQX has that."

In addition to the new investors, NOQX's cap table includes Louise Markgren. Louise is the General Counsel at the growth rocket Mentimeter and shares NOQX's vision of changing the way companies work with goal management.

The team behind NOQX has long felt frustrated with the lack of effective goal management in companies. With this conviction, they are driving NOQX's mission to provide employees worldwide with clarity about their goals. With the recently obtained funding, they look forward to continuing to improve and develop their platform to sell it internationally. The company's long-term goal has always been to establish itself as a global SaaS company with a focus on North America.

"We are winning new customers every week, and we're onto something big! I'm proud of the product we've built, and now we're ready to roll it out internationally," concludes Sophie Hedestad, CEO of NOQX.

About NOQX

NOQX is a SaaS company offering a platform for Objectives and Key Results (OKR) with a focus on making goal management engaging for employees. With NOQX, companies can communicate, track, and create alignment around goals while unleashing action within organizations.

Contact:

Sophie Hedestad

sophie.hedestad@noqx.io

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/noqx/r/noqx-secures-major-investors,c3962209

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/noqx-secures-major-investors-302118023.html
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / ARway.ai ("ARway" or the "Company") (CSE:ARWY)(OTCQB:ARWYF)(FSE:E65) is an AI powered Augmented Reality Experience platform with a disruptive no-code, no beacon spatial computing solution enabled by visual marker tracking with centimeter precision is pleased to announce that George Mason University is signed up for the ARway platform and will be deploying ten spatial maps across the university campus. The rollout is part of a 2024 project aimed at enhancing the campus navigation and campus experience for students. GMU has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 27,014 and the campus size is 817 acres . ARway.ai is seeing demand from across the globe for University Campus deployments, and is currently deployed in the Middle East at the Suleyman Demirel University in Turkey, In the EU at the Institut fur Innovations- und Informationsmanagement (iFii), University of Applied Sciences Brandenburg. ARway has also signed multiple new subscriptions with prestigious universities around the globe including Bicol University in Indonesia, DHA Suffa University in Pakistan, University of Alberta in Canada, University College Cork in the UK and German University of Technology in Oman.

The deployment of ARway is scheduled to begin in early summer, allowing the university to test the platform's capabilities extensively before a potential full campus rollout in 2025. 2024 plans include expanding the augmented reality tour to enable students to search for and navigate to various offices and buildings. This will significantly enhance the accessibility of campus resources and improve the overall student experience. The university has already submitted several conference proposals to present findings on this new technology and has dedicated time this summer to further research and development.

ARway.ai is committed to supporting George Mason University in its mission to leverage cutting-edge technology to create inclusive educational environments. This partnership represents a significant step forward in using augmented reality to transform educational spaces into more interactive and supportive ecosystems for all students. The ARway platform will be integrated into George Mason University's ongoing efforts to foster engagement, self-efficacy, and a sense of belonging among students - critical components for college success. Preliminary beta testing of ARway's interactive capabilities has shown promising results in enhancing student interaction and campus navigation.

The university is very excited to experiment with some of the interactivity that ARway provides. Based on their initial beta testing, they believe ARway will be very powerful in engaging and promoting self-efficacy and sense of belonging which are both essential to the long term success of the college experience.

Watch a demo video of ARway's technology at a university campus - click here

Recent News

ARway.ai The Spatial Computing Platform Shows 200% Developer Growth, Signs Multiple New Deals for its Augmented Reality Navigation Platform in Middle East & Spain

ARway.ai Introducing AR Navigation with Generative AI ChatGPT 4D Avatars in New Partner Deal with AVR Labs in UAE

ARway.ai Announces Successful Deployment of AR Wayfinding and Smart Campus Activation With Deutsche Telekom AG & The Prestigious Institut fur Innovations- und Informationsmanagement (iFii), University of Applied Sciences Brandenburg

Sign up for Investor News - HERE



To learn more about ARway, please follow on Social Media: Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and visit our website: www.arway.ai

About ARway.ai

ARway.ai (CSE: ARWY) (OTCQB: ARWYF) (FSE: E65) is a spatial computing platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) providing an array of augmented reality (AR) experiences for indoor spaces. ARway's breakthrough no-code no-beacon IPN allows for the easy creation of navigation, tours, information sharing, notifications, advertising and gamification. ARway works seamlessly as a cross platform solution on iOS/ Android. ARway's technology is optimized for both mobile devices and AR glasses: Apple's Vision Pro, Magic Leap and Microsoft's HoloLens. ARway has unlimited use cases for augmenting physical spaces, making it a valuable tool for creators, brands and companies in various industries. The complete ARway platform includes: the Web Creator Studio, the ARwayKit Software Development Kit (SDK) and a mobile app for iOs and Android.

Nextech 3D.ai

On October 26, 2022, ARway.ai. was spun-out from its parent Company, Nextech3D.ai (OTCQX: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: 1SS). Nextech retained a control ownership in ARway.ai. with 13 million shares, or a 50% stake. Nextech3D.ai is a Generative AI powered 3D modeling Company and leading provider of augmented reality ("AR") experience technologies and 3D model services. Nextech's AI-powered 3D modeling platform, "ARitize3D" has contracts with; AMZN, KSS, CB2, Genuine Parts & many others. To learn more about Nextech3D.ai, visit www.nextechar.com

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact

Julia Viola

investor.relations@arway.ai

ARway.ai

Evan Gappelberg

CEO and Director

866-ARITIZE (274-8493)

Forward-looking Statements

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. ARway.ai will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: ARway Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - Silver Dollar Resources Inc. (CSE: SLV) (OTCQX: SLVDF) (FSE: 4YW) ("Silver Dollar" or the "Company") is pleased to report surface sample assay results from its 100%-owned Nora property (the "Property") in the state of Durango, Mexico.

Photo 1: Candy Vein Sample R-053. Photo 2: Candy Vein Sample RM-1009.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7232/205593_a7a82b966455daae_001full.jpg

As previously reported (See news release of March 12, 2024), fieldwork began in February as an initial step in the Company's re-evaluation of the Property. The focus of the work has been geological mapping and sampling of priority anomalies (Figure 1). A total of 89 rock chip and channel samples and 33 soil samples have been collected to date, including 41 samples from the primary Candy vein target.

Figure 1: Nora property plan view with surface sample locations.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7232/205593_a7a82b966455daae_002full.jpg

Analytical results for all samples have been received and highlights include:

Twenty-one samples grading over (>) 100 grams per tonne (g/t) silver (Ag), ten samples >200 g/t Ag, four samples >500 g/t Ag and two samples >1,000 g/t or one kilogram per tonne Ag.

Sample R-053 (Photo 1) returned 29.61 g/t gold (Au) over 0.35 metres (m), confirming the presence of high-grade gold in the Candy vein structure.

Samples RM-1009 (Photo 2) returned 2,215 g/t Ag over 0.8 m and RM-1013 returned 1,212 g/t Ag over 1 m, confirming the presence of high-grade silver in the Candy vein structure.

Five samples returned grades >1% copper (Cu) with two >3% Cu.

Elevated levels of zinc (7 samples >1% Zn) and lead (20 samples >1% Pb) are also encouraging as they seem to be the best pathfinders for geochemistry.

Refer to the table below for additional highlights of the sample results. Note that grams per tonne is equivalent to parts per million (ppm), and 10,000 ppm is equivalent to one percent (1%).

Sample

# Rock

Type Thickness

m Au

ppm Ag

ppm Cu

ppm Pb

ppm Zn

ppm AgEQ ppm R-053 Vein 0.35 29.61 103 31,040 86,820 5,850 3,240 RM-1009 Rhyolite 0.8 2.26 2,215 33,420 18,340 28,120 3,045 RM-1013 Vein 1 2.05 1,212 17,710 42,390 13,540 1,841 R-071 Rhyolite 0.5 3.80 924 11,980 75,610 4,540 1,703 R-066 Vein 0.63 3.98 972 11,300 35,040 7,390 1,611 R-038 Rhyolitic Tuff Selective 3.52 218 7,560 53,260 6,830 839 R-063 Vein 0.9 2.25 323 2,590 28,710 22,010 752 R-065 Rhyolite 0.5 2.50 487 547 7,000 539 723 R-074 Vein 0.6 2.54 79 2,530 76,490 539 615 R-005 BX 0.5 0.01 225 197 56,660 7,190 482 R-057 Vein 0.1 4.76 35 766 4,320 545 443 RM-1001 Rhyolite 0.5 0.82 203 778 27,160 4,030 403 R-007 Dump Selective 0.01 234 155 37,520 4,420 403 RM-1010 Vein 0.3 1.76 154 1,570 12,570 2,250 375 R-060 Rhyolite 0.9 1.17 137 1,310 15,010 2,070 316 RM-1005 Rhyolite 0.8 1.38 34 7,570 12,390 4,510 315 R-059 Vein 1.5 0.16 99 3,450 21,250 15,160 312 R-068 Rhyolite 0.5 0.26 146 719 10,520 9,760 263 RM-1008 Vein 1.7 0.24 165 883 2,900 10,570 256 RM-1011 Vein 0.3 1.60 76 954 5,930 2,880 253 R-061 Vein 0.3 1.28 103 699 6,530 1,550 246 R-064 Rhyolite 0.5 0.12 102 544 11,260 16,080 238 R-069 Vein 0.7 0.12 101 1,050 10,620 12,520 225 RM-1000 Rhyolite 1 0.18 55 4,100 20,230 4,030 222 R-054 Vein 0.3 1.01 49 2,190 6,690 1,030 189 R-070 Rhyolite 0.5 0.07 113 347 5,010 9,440 187 R-067 Rhyolite 0.5 0.23 130 1,060 3,440 1,220 181 R-056 Rhyolite 0.6 0.15 88 1,480 13,820 1,370 180 R-019 Rhyolite 1 0.01 100 118 7,830 8,720 174

Note:

The sample results and photographs above are selective by nature and may not be representative of the true grade or style of mineralization across the Property.

The AgEq results disclosed herein assume US$1,750 gold and US$22 silver per/oz, and US$4.30 copper, US$1.25 lead, and US$1.50 zinc per/lb, and 100% metallurgical recovery.

"We are very encouraged by the initial results from our re-evaluation of the Nora Project," said Michael Romanik, president of Silver Dollar. "Follow-up geological mapping is underway and will include a detailed examination of the Candy Vein outcrops and known faults in the surrounding area to gain a better understanding of structural controls and define potential drill targets."

Procedure, quality assurance/quality control and data verification:

All rock samples were collected, described, photographed, and bagged on-site. The samples were delivered by Silver Dollar staff to ActLabs in Zacatecas, Mexico for analysis. ActLabs is ISO 9001:2015 certified. Soil samples were screened to -80 mesh at the lab, prior to analysis. Gold is analyzed by a 30g Fire Assay with AA (atomic absorption spectroscopy) finish, then gravimetric finish if greater than 10ppm Gold. Silver and 34 other elements were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission spectroscopy) finish. Silver, lead, zinc, and copper over limits were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES (Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy) finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance and quality control protocol.

About the Nora Property:

Silver Dollar acquired a 100% interest in the Nora Ag-Au property (the "Property") from Canasil Resources, subject to a 2% net smelter returns royalty (See news release of February 8, 2024).

Located in the Eastern Sierra Madre sub-province in the transition to the high plateau of Mexico, the Property lies centrally within the "Silver Trend" that runs from the northwest to the southeast through Durango State (Figure 2). Significant deposits in the region include Endeavour Silver's Guanacevi mine and Fresnillo's San Julian mine on-trend to the northwest, with Endeavour Silver's Pitarrilla project approximately 50 kilometres (km) to the east. Pitarrilla is one of the largest undeveloped silver deposits in the world and was discovered by Perry Durning and Frank (Bud) Hillemeyer, Silver Dollar's technical advisors.

The Property is located approximately 200 km north-northwest of the city of Durango (See location map), with excellent year-round access via Federal highway, paved road, and local dirt roads. Local infrastructure is available in the towns of Tepehuanes and Santa Maria del Oro and the city of Santiago Papasquiaro, all within 50km of the Property.

Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., an independent Qualified Person (QP) as defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company. The QP and the Company have not completed sufficient work to verify the information on the Nora property, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighbouring companies, and government geological work.

About Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

Silver Dollar is a mineral exploration company that is fully funded to execute its near-term exploration plans having closed its last financing with lead orders from billionaire mining investor Eric Sprott and NYSE-listed First Majestic Silver. The Company's primary projects lie within Mexico's prolific Durango-Zacatecas silver-gold belt and include the flagship La Joya property and the Nora property. Management has an aggressive growth strategy and is actively reviewing potential acquisitions with a focus on drill-ready projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions.

For additional information, you can download our latest presentation by clicking here and follow us on X by clicking here.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "Michael Romanik"

Michael Romanik,

President, CEO & Director

Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

Direct line: (204) 724-0613

Email: mike@silverdollarresources.com

179 - 2945 Jacklin Road, Suite 416

Victoria, BC, V9B 6J9

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205593

SOURCE: Silver Dollar Resources Inc.
Internationally-Recognized Industry Standard Positions Brazil as a Global Nanotech Leader And Supplier of Graphene-Enhanced Products

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Gerdau Graphene, the nanotechnology company pioneering advanced graphene-enhanced materials for industrial applications, announced that Brazil has adopted an internationally-recognized industry standard for graphene. The Brazilian standard, published by Brazil's National Standards Forum (ABNT), is identical to an existing international graphene standard that was developed in collaboration with more than 30 countries, including Brazil, under ISO/TC 229 - Nanotechnologies. The standard aims to characterize the different products that make up the class of materials named graphene, thus contributing to the development of new technologies.



Gerdau Graphene ISO/TC 229 - Nanotechnologies working groups

Gerdau Graphene hosted an international consortium of nanotechnology researchers and industry leaders from April 8-12, 2024, in Sao Paulo, Brazil

In addition, Gerdau Graphene hosted an international consortium of nanotechnology researchers and industry leaders from April 8-12, 2024, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The ISO/TC 229 - Nanotechnologies working groups covered topics related to terminology and nomenclature; measurement and characterization; health, safety, and environmental aspects of nanotechnologies; material specifications; products and applications; and more.

"The global graphene market continues to grow thanks to increasing demand and technological advancement, however the absence of norms and standards have hindered its widespread commercialization," said Valdirene Sullas Teixeira Peressinotto, Executive Director and Innovation at Gerdau Graphene and member of the Special Nanotechnology Study Commission (ABNT/CEE-089), which collaborated with ABNT to publish the standard. "Industry and academia, in partnership with ABNT, have strived to standardize the entire chain of this material to support the development of new products. Publishing this standard enables accurate categorization and commercial deployment and will greatly accelerate graphene's adoption and use across industry."

ABNT/CEE-089 has published eight standards to date and has another ten projects in development; four are part of ABNT NBR ISO 80004 (3, 5, 6, and 8) and two parts dealing with Nanotechnology vocabulary (1 and 13) have already been published.

For ABNT's president Mario William Esper, the new standard will help stimulate the dissemination of graphene knowledge and applications: "This is a ground-breaking initiative to promote the scientific advancement and strengthening of this revolutionary material, which can generate so much wealth and foreign exchange trading for Brazil."

Graphene, a carbon nanomaterial widely studied for its remarkable physical properties including high mechanical strength, lightness, malleability, and high thermal and electrical conductivity, has attracted industry attention due to its ability to enhance the material properties of common products like paint, cement and concrete, packaging, plastics, lubricants, and more. Graphene is also a key part of the green energy transition, since it has shown promise in next-generation battery technologies. Brazil is currently the world's third largest supplier of graphite, the main raw material for graphene, according to data from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovations. The estimate is that the graphene market will be worth more than $6 billion in five years.

About Gerdau Graphene

Gerdau Graphene is a nanotech company focused on the production, development, and commercialization of graphene-enhanced products including polymers, paints and coatings, rubber, and more. Launched in 2021 by Gerdau, the largest producer of long steel in the Americas, through its Gerdau Next program, Gerdau Graphene enables businesses to harness the revolutionary properties of graphene to deliver industry-leading products. To learn more, please visit gerdaugraphene.com.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gerdau-graphene

Facebook: facebook.com/gerdaugraphenebr

About ABNT

ABNT is the only National Standardization Forum, recognized by Brazilian society since it was created on September 28, 1940, and confirmed by the Federal Government through various legal instruments. It is responsible for elaborating Brazilian Standards (NBR) for the most diverse sectors. ABNT participates in regional standardization in the Mercosur Standardization Association (AMN) and in the Pan-American Technical Standards Commission (Copant) and in international standardization through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Since 1950, it has also worked in certification, serving large and small companies, both domestic and foreign. It currently runs over 400 certification programs aimed at products, systems, and greenhouse gas verification, among others. The ABNT Conformity Seal is recognized by society as assurance of acquiring compliant products and services, meeting the strictest quality criteria. ABNT Certification has a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, conducting audits in more than 30 countries. Find additional information at https://www.abnt.org.br.

Contact Information:

Aaron Endre

Endre Communications for Gerdau Graphene

gerdau@endrecommunications.com

SOURCE: Gerdau Graphene

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Proprietary Aptegra platform reduces five assays to one

Results in 66% faster testing time and significantly lower cost for clients compared to traditional methods

Only platform that meets all regulatory requirements to establish CHO genetic stability with a single test

MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, launched the first all-in-one, validated genetic stability assay of its kind. The Aptegra CHO genetic stability assay leverages whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics to significantly accelerate biosafety testing for clients and therefore, their move into commercial production.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416584698/en/

A scientist preparing samples in the next-generation sequencing laboratory at MilliporeSigma's Rockville, Maryland, USA site. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Driving innovation in biosafety testing is essential to bringing new therapies to patients faster," said Benjamin Hein, Head of Life Science Services, Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "CHO genetic stability testing has remained relatively unchanged for many years. The Aptegra platform transforms biosafety testing with a digital solution using next-generation sequencing."

Currently, FDA guidance requires biotech companies to use multiple assays to address genetic stability requirements. This traditional package of assays is costly, time-consuming, and often results in data that need additional interpretation and support. The Aptegra platform addresses these pain points by replacing five different assays and four different technologies with one assay utilizing the next-generation sequencing technology platform. This approach reduces testing time by 66 percent and reduces costs by 43 percent compared to traditional methods. The platform meets all regulatory requirements for genetic stability assurance, including copy number assessment.

The company has made significant investments over the last five years to expand its biosafety testing capabilities for clients across the globe. Its global biosafety testing network includes sites in Shanghai, China; Singapore; Stirling and Glasgow, UK; and Rockville, MD, USA.

The Aptegra digital platform adds to a transformative portfolio of digital technologies developed by MilliporeSigma. In December, it launched AIDDISON, an AI-powered platform that integrates generative design with predictive synthesis planning, allowing rapid identification of promising candidates and reducing risk of late-stage failures. Additionally, the company offers a first of its kind Bio4C Software Suite, which combines data analytics and visualization, automation, and control software for GMP manufacturing.

About the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 28,000 employees and more than 55 total manufacturing and testing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics.

Around 63,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices the company is everywhere. In 2023, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of 21 billion in 65 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com

Follow MilliporeSigma on Twitter @MilliporeSigma, on Facebook @MilliporeSigma and on LinkedIn

All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416584698/en/

Contacts:

Rachel Bloom Baglin

rachel.bloom-baglin@milliporesigma.com

Phone: 978-436-1725
Tesla Model 3 Retrofitted with DMD and EESM Available for Test Drives

Tula Technology, Inc., a leader in propulsion efficiency, will put its Dynamic Motor Drive (DMD) technology into action at the 45th International Vienna Motor Symposium on April 24-26 in Vienna, Austria. Tula has retrofitted a Tesla Model 3 with an externally excited synchronous motor (EESM) running DMD software, and this innovative strategy will be demonstrated at the conference.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416986692/en/

Tula has retrofitted a Tesla Model 3 with an externally excited synchronous motor (EESM) running Dynamic Motor Drive software. This innovative technology will be demonstrated at the 45th International Vienna Motor Symposium on April 24-26 in Vienna, Austria.(Photo: Business Wire)

Tula developed DMD to improve electric drive efficiency with a software-only solution. With an optimized pulsing strategy, DMD reduces energy consumption while having no perceptible impact on vehicle noise and vibration. Depending upon application, DMD with EESM can reduce energy consumption by up to 3%. This efficiency improvement can be directly translated into reduced battery size and cost, or alternatively, increased range.

Putting DMD to the test in a Tesla Model 3

Improved efficiency coupled with imperceptible operation is not only possible, Tula has now proven the feasibility of DMD in two vehicles with fundamentally different electric propulsion systems. In its latest effort, Tula retrofitted the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) in a Tesla Model 3 with a wound rotor to create an EESM. Tula then incorporated its proprietary DMD control logic to reduce energy consumption and improve overall system efficiency.

In 2022, Tula's initial DMD application utilized a Chevrolet Bolt with an unmodified PMSM drive unit. Testing showed that DMD meaningfully improved the Bolt's energy consumption while maintaining drive quality, demonstrating the value of DMD in PMSM applications.

DMD's role in tomorrow's powertrain

Improving the efficiency and lowering the cost of electric vehicle powertrains is one of the most critical challenges facing the automotive world today. Further, when developing powertrains for the future, manufacturers will increasingly seek to reduce their dependence on problematic rare earth elements. The combination of EESM and DMD supports that goal while being highly competitive in terms of both efficiency and cost. Although many motors will still be PMSM, Tula's DMD technology also provides a high-value efficiency gain there. Overall, DMD is a scalable, adaptable, cost competitive and sustainable solution that makes electrified propulsion systems more efficient, accelerating the transition to an electrified future.

Members of Tula's DMD development team will present a paper on their DMD findings at the Vienna Motor Symposium.

About Tula Technology, Inc.

Silicon Valley-based Tula Technology provides innovative award-winning software controls to optimize propulsion efficiency and emissions across the mobility spectrum, including electric, hybrid, gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuel vehicles. Tula's culture of innovation has resulted in breakthrough technologies and a robust global patent portfolio of more than 400 patents issued and pending. Tula Technology is a privately held company backed by Sequoia Capital, Sigma Partners, Khosla Ventures, GM Ventures, BorgWarner and Franklin Templeton. More information is available at www.tulatech.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416986692/en/

Contacts:

Media: Financial Profiles

Tricia Ross

tross@finprofiles.com

310-622-8226

Investors: Financial Profiles

Julie Kegley

jkegley@finprofiles.com

310-622-8246
Organizations Can Consolidate Data Silos in the Cloud and Leverage Microsoft AI Assistants with the Nasuni File Data Platform

BOSTON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nasuni, a leading hybrid cloud storage solution, today released new guides to help customers accelerate integrating Microsoft's cutting-edge Copilot AI for use with their Nasuni managed data repositories and operational workflows.

Microsoft Copilot is a powerful artificial intelligence assistant integrated across Microsoft's application portfolio that can understand natural language, analyze data, and provide intelligent responses. Nasuni is educating customers to enable them to create customized Copilot experiences that use a customer's unstructured data set to unlock further business insights and revenue streams.

Charles Douglass, IT Director at McKim and Creed said, "Nasuni educated us about how we could create custom AI Copilots using our Nasuni data. We have now created an initial Copilot and look forward to continuing to understand how we can refine it to provide natural language interaction to the documents within our business."

"While Microsoft Copilot is an incredible general-purpose AI assistant, its true enterprise value is realized when it is infused with an organization's domain-specific data," said Jim Liddle, Chief Innovation Officer of Nasuni. "File data is typically locked up in siloed environments, making AI impossible. With Nasuni, customers can consolidate their data in the cloud and then leverage AI. We created our own Copilot chatbot that leverages our Nasuni data, called 'Ask Nasuni', that is deployed within the Microsoft Teams environment for our employees to interact with. It only makes sense that our customers would want to do something similar to leverage their own corporate information."

The Nasuni File Data Platform enables companies to consolidate data silos spread across multiple locations to a central cloud. Then, with Nasuni's guidance, customers can:

Use Copilot AI with Nasuni managed unstructured data sets.

Build a custom Copilot by teaching it to use Nasuni data for key workflows such as sales and/or support chatbots.

Increase employee productivity by leveraging 'locked-in' institutional knowledge.

Deploy secure, private Copilot instances tailored to a company's needs.

Marco Accardo, Director of Information Technology at RWDI, said: "Using Copilot AI for institutional knowledge is something that we are working towards in RWDI. Nasuni has been helping us as we explore this use case and look to leverage the knowledge within our Nasuni managed data."

For more information on how enterprises can leverage Nasuni and Microsoft Copilot AI, click here. You can also register for an upcoming webinar on 4/23 with Melody Yin, Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, to discover how AI works within Microsoft's ecosystem, the basics of Copilot Studio, boosting productivity with external datasets like Nasuni, and more.

About Nasuni

Nasuni is a leading hybrid cloud storage solution that powers business growth with effortless scalability, built-in security, and fast edge performance using a unique cloud-native architecture. The Nasuni File Data Platform delivers operational excellence by consolidating NAS and backup, eliminating data silos, and making management easy and flexible without changes to apps or workflows. Its built-in security offers proactive defense and rapid recovery, lowering organizations' risk from the detrimental effects of ransomware attacks and other disasters. Synchronized access to file data everywhere ensures user productivity by supporting remote and hybrid work. By leveraging object storage, data is consolidated and optimized for content intelligence tools and AI workflows.

Organizations worldwide rely on Nasuni, including leaders in manufacturing, construction, energy, consumer goods, and public sectors. Nasuni's corporate headquarters are located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA and the company delivers services to over 70 countries. For more information, visit www.nasuni.com.

Media Contacts

US: Jessica Luhrman

Waters Agency

Phone: (210) 273 0914

Email: nasunipr@watersagency.com

UK/Europe: Maria Loupa

Waters Agency

Phone: +44 (0)7591 004 738

Email: nasunipr@watersagency.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1841258/Nasuni_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nasuni-empowers-customers-to-unlock-critical-data-insights-with-microsoft-copilot-ai-302113108.html
XYZ Reality, the leading engineering grade augmented reality (AR) platform for data center and mission critical construction, is proud to announce the appointment of data center industry veterans Christian Belady and Brian Mattson as Strategic Advisors. With their extensive experience and innovative vision, they will help guide XYZ Reality in enhancing its data center construction solution and product roadmap.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416398782/en/

Christian Belady (Photo: Business Wire)

Christian Belady, recognized as one of the "5 People who changed the data center" industry, brings a wealth of expertise in managing data center and infrastructure development at a global scale. Formerly Vice President and Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft, Belady developed one of the largest data center footprints in the world. Notably, during his tenure at Hewlett Packard, he was the innovator behind the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) metric. His expertise will prove invaluable to XYZ Reality's mission of building it right first time, offering crucial support in product development and sharing invaluable insights and expertise garnered from years of experience in the data center industry.

"I am thrilled to join XYZ Reality as a Strategic Advisor," said Christian Belady. "At a time when speed to market is paramount, the company's approach and cutting-edge technology to transforming data center construction and delivery is impressive, and I am eager to contribute to its success with our combined experience and knowledge."

Brian Mattson brings over 40 years of experience leading large-scale global engineering and construction programs in the semiconductor and data center industries. Prior to joining XYZ Reality, Mattson served in leadership roles at Google, NTT Global Data Centers Americas, and Microsoft. His leadership at Google and Microsoft in global construction and infrastructure supply chain will contribute significantly to XYZ Reality's growth.

"We are delighted to welcome Christian Belady and Brian Mattson to XYZ Reality as Strategic Advisors," said David Mitchell, Founder CEO of XYZ Reality. "Their passion, expertise and innovative track record are crucial as we transform the data center industry with our Platform. This collaboration will further enhance our real-time project controls, enabling a proactive approach to construction. Their insights in the mission critical space will streamline processes and boost efficiency as we pioneer proactive solutions in this field."

Notes to Editor

XYZ Reality is a leading developer of construction technology solutions that give owners and contractors an accurate and objective way to manage and deliver projects. Combining its Engineering Grade AR technology and comprehensive Project Controls solution, XYZ gives construction teams the ability to accurately build from holograms of 3D models, and proactively manage their projects with objective real-time insights. This is a revolutionary move away from a reliance on 2D drawings and subjective, out of date data, towards a future where accuracy means each project is built right, first time. The largest developers have implemented XYZ on projects totaling over $10 billion. XYZ is headquartered in London, England with offices around the globe. For more information, visit www.xyzreality.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416398782/en/

Contacts:

Steph Broadfield

XYZ Reality

press@xyzreality.com
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Perk Labs Inc. (CSE:PERK)(OTCPINK:PKLBF)(FKT:PKLB) ("Perk" or the "Company"), the owner of Getit Technologies Inc. ("Getit") announced that the Carleton University ?Students'?? ?Association ("CUSA") is pleased with Getit's mobile platform, and has requested that Getit begin the rollout of their full native app.

Carleton is an Ottawa university with more than 30,000 students, and 2,400 staff and faculty members. Getit currently facilitates delivery, pickup, and order to table for some of CUSA's food outlets through a custom branded web-app. Getit also processes all of CUSA's ticketing and registration for their games and events. Getit's native app will unify these payment options, making them accessible from a single user-friendly platform.

The rollout of the full native app is underway, and it is on track to be released in May. The app will soon include Getit's upcoming feature, loyalty points, which rewards customers for repeated purchases by granting them discounts as well as free items. This feature is fully configurable, and CUSA will be able to determine how loyalty points are granted, and create custom reward schemes and point redemption options. Getit's loyalty points can quickly and seamlessly be added to future native apps, and this feature will be made available for all Getit Custom clients. In addition, the full native app will allow CUSA to process more payment types, including donations.

"We're thrilled with the quality of food & beverage ordering from Getit's web app" said Carley Parsons,? CUSA Director of Communications & Strategy?. "With Getit's system, we're seeing increased sales and tipping, improved operational efficiency, and we're getting very positive feedback from students. We're looking forward to utilizing loyalty points to further drive sales growth, and to increase student engagement with CUSA services."

Getit clients who commission a native app should expect to see increased revenues, as the app's presence on the phone serves as a reminder of food & beverage ordering availability. The app also allows for much greater reach to customers, both through notifications for special promotions, and linking customers to their purchases for improved data analysis and targeted offerings.

"CUSA has served as an excellent case study for the effectiveness of Getit's technology in a campus environment" said Ben Lacroix, Chief Development Officer of Getit Technologies. "We're looking forward to working with the CUSA team to launch the native app that not only facilitates revenue growth, but also promotes CUSA's other services to students."

About Perk Labs Inc.

Perk Labs Inc., (CSE:PERK)(OTCPINK:PKLBF)(FKT:PKLB), the owner of Getit Technologies Inc. and Perk Hero Software Inc. ("Perk Labs"), provides innovative mobile ordering and payment systems, allowing customers the ability to scan a QR code or NFC sticker to order and pay for their purchases directly from their phone. Perk Labs specializes in providing a single unified payment interface for complex purchase environments - environments that have multiple retailers processing an array of different transactions, including food and beverage purchases, merchandise sales, ticketing, registrations, donations, parking fees, and service payments. Perk Labs provides a custom-branded solution that is ideal for multi-transaction brands such as stadiums and arenas, university and college campuses, conference centers, hotels and resorts, festivals and events, and professional service companies.

For more information, contact:

Ryan Hardy, CEO

(833) 338-0299

investors@getittechnologies.io

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "may", "believe", "thinks", "expect", "exploring", "expand", "could", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "pursue", "potentially", "projected", "should", "will" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. These forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to, among other things, the discussion of the Company's business strategies and its expectations concerning future operations, and expectations of future revenues for the Company. Although the Company considers these forward-looking statements to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking information, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur.

SOURCE: Perk Labs Inc. ?

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Jupiter, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - Healing Realty Trust ("HRT" or the "Company"), formerly known as Healing Commercial Real Estate Inc., a data-driven, self-managed real estate investment company with a portfolio centered on purchasing healthcare-related real estate assets dedicated to serving the mental, behavioral, and physical health sectors, as well as in the advancement of innovative and emerging psychedelic therapies, announced the appointment of three Advisory Board members to provide strategic guidance and oversight as the Company ushers in its next phase of growth. Advisory Board members include Darin Gardner, E. Matthew "Whiz" Buckley, and Vitaly "Vic" Pirotsky.

"We are honored to welcome an Advisory Board with invaluable wisdom across strategic sectors aligned with our mission," said Joe Caltabiano, CEO of HRT. "Darin, Vic and Whiz bring decades of experience in areas such as pharmaceuticals, behavioral and mental health, government, psychedelics, veterans affairs, fundraising, and more. Alongside our executive and board members, this collective effort is well-positioned to revolutionize the conventional real estate investment space and address the lack of clinical infrastructure to support the administration of critical healthcare services and novel treatments."

Advisory Board Members

Darin Gardner

Darin Gardner brings over 20 years of experience in pharmaceuticals, infectious disease preparedness, appropriations, and funding-related issues, having navigated Capitol Hill and various federal agencies as a staffer and a pharmaceutical industry lobbyist. He currently runs Government Affairs for the Psychedelic Medicine Coalition. Mr. Gardner's extensive career includes working for Senator Tim Hutchinson and Congresswoman Kay Granger, where he focused on healthcare, taxation, labor, education, and appropriations. At Roche and Genentech, he managed issues related to antiviral medications, immunosuppressive drug coverage, and pharmaceutical matters. His leadership in federal lobbying and his contributions to various company-specific and industry-wide issues have garnered recognition and respect within the field.

E. Matthew Buckley

A former decorated Navy fighter pilot, E. Matthew "Whiz" Buckley is the CEO of Top Gun Options (TGO) and Strike Fighter Financial in Boca Raton, FL. He is also the Chairman of No Fallen Heroes Foundation, helping to heal veterans, first responders, and their families with alternative therapies such as psychedelic-assisted therapy. Prior to TGO, Mr. Buckley was founder and CEO of the Options News Network, a financial media company headquartered in the Chicago Board of Trade, and Director of Leadership with a military-themed consulting company where he served as an executive consultant to Fortune 500 companies. His expertise spans strategic planning and execution, raising capital, mergers and acquisitions, managing profitability, public speaking, relationship building, charitable fundraising, leadership development, and team building.

From 1991-2006, Mr. Buckley was a highly decorated Naval Aviator with the U.S. Navy serving at multiple duty stations worldwide. He was an F/A-18 Hornet Instructor and Adversary Pilot with combat experience, flew 44 combat sorties over Iraq, and was awarded two Strike/Flight Air Medals. He graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).

Vitaly Pirotsky

Vitaly Pirotsky holds significant expertise in the Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, and Life Sciences industries, having spent over 20 years bringing several life-saving blockbuster drugs to the market. His impact is seen throughout his career history as a Global Asset Lead/Program and Portfolio Manager at Pfizer, Alnylam, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, part of the Moonshot on Cancer initiative under the Obama/Biden administration. Mr. Pirotsky is an active angel investor and advisor to several early-stage biotechnology companies and venture funds, with a focus on the social and economic impact of behavioral and mental health.



About Healing Realty Trust

Healing Realty Trust (HRT), formerly known as Healing Commercial Real Estate Inc., is a data-driven, self-managed real estate investment company specializing in the ownership of income-generating properties primarily linked to the healthcare industry.

Media Contact

MATTIO Communications

healingrt@mattio.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205646

SOURCE: Healing Realty Trust
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - Benjamin Hill Mining Corp. (CSE: BNN) (OTCQB: BNNHF) (FSE: 5YZ0) ("BNN" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its previous news releases posted on January 31, 2024 and April 9, 2024, it has entered into a formal agreement with Aion Mining Corp. ("Aion") whereby the Company will acquire a further interest in Aion to bring the Company's total interest to 40%.

Pursuant to the formal agreement, the Company will acquire common shares of Aion in order to bring the total ownership of the Company to 40% of the post-issuance common shares of Aion, calculated on a fully-diluted basis. In consideration, the Company will provide Aion with the previously announced aggregate amount of $1,875,000:

$1,000,000 in cash on closing (previously $500,000); and

1,508,621 common shares (previously 2,370,690) of the Company at a deemed price of $0.58 per share, subject to CSE policies.

CEO Cole McClay states: "Furthering the Company's interest in Aion Mining Corp is a great step forward developing the La Estrella coal project. With this investment, the project will secure its underground exploration initiatives to better understand the known coal seam occurrences which remain open along strike in both directions and to depth."

The Company was also granted a right of first refusal for two-years, allowing it to purchase common shares in Aion to offset any further issuances by Aion of securities, to allow the Company the opportunity to maintain its 40% interest.

Aion is a non-arm's length party to the Company by reason of sharing a common director, Cole McClay. The terms of the formal agreement were reviewed and approved by a committee of the Company's independent directors.

Benjamin Hill has engaged independent auditors WDM Chartered Professional Accountants to perform an audit of Aion Mining Corp. in preparation for subsequent Business Acquisition Report requirements.

About Benjamin Hill Mining Corp.

Benjamin Hill Mining Corp. is a Canadian-listed junior exploration company focused on exploring and advancing the Alotta project, a prospective porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum project located 50 km south-east of the Casino porphyry deposit in the unglaciated portion of the Dawson Range porphyry/epithermal belt in the Yukon Territory of Canada.

In addition, the Company now holds a 40% interest in Aion Mining Corp., a company that is developing the fully permitted La Estrella coal project in Santander, Colombia. The project contains eight known seams of metallurgical and thermal coal.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Cole McClay", CEO Benjamin Hill Mining Corp.

info@benjaminhillmining.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information concerning the Company's intentions with respect to the development of its mineral properties. Forward-looking information is based on the views, opinions, intentions and estimates of management at the date the information is made, and is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking information (including the actions of other parties who have agreed to do certain things and the approval of certain regulatory bodies). Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws, or to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Company, its financial or operating results or its securities. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205651

SOURCE: Benjamin Hill Mining Corp.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Duke Energy's Indigenous employee resource group is called Forever Indigenous Resource Support Team (FIRST) and is open to all employees at Duke Energy. Wow! I have learned so much from our FIRST members over this past year.

We support the communities we serve by sponsoring events like the 2023 AISES Region 7 Conference in Lumberton and the Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration.

Duke Energy Corporation is also one of the sponsors of the inaugural American Indian Leadership Development Program at Campbell University.

Thank you Al Bryant, Peter Donlon and team for the postive impact you are having on North and South Carolina through such an impressive leadership program.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Duke Energy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Duke Energy

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - iMining Technologies Inc. (TSXV: IMIN.H) ("iMining"), a leading entity in Canada's dynamic technology sector, proudly announces the appointment of Bahubali Shete to the Advisory Board of its artificial intelligence subsidiary, AiMining Technologies. Shete, widely acclaimed for his visionary contributions in AI, LLMs, IOT and Generative AI, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to AiMining Technologies, where he will assume a pivotal role in refining the company's commercialization strategy.

Shete's professional trajectory is characterized by an unwavering commitment to innovation and business expansion, underscored by his profound grasp of emerging technologies. As the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of TinyChef, a pioneering startup reshaping the culinary industry, Shete has been instrumental in translating conceptual ideas into scalable, revenue-generating products. His significant achievements encompass guiding TinyChef's growth trajectory through strategic technological implementations, earning recognition as an IoT Thought Leader and Voice Influencer, establishing strategic partnerships with industry giants such as Amazon Alexa, and securing a coveted position in Google for Startups' esteemed Voice AI accelerator program.

Bahubali Shete's prior experience includes founding an IoT venture in 2013, focused on IoT platform development, which was later acquired by Home Monitoring Solutions of Motorola's brand licensee Hubble Connected Limited. Notable achievements from this venture include pioneering BLE-based key tag technology, spearheading India's first hardware crowdfunding campaign backed by Apple's Cofounder Steve Wozniak and growing the team from 3 engineers to 60 before acquisition.

With expertise spanning IoT, embedded hardware, AI stack development, backend technologies, and software project management, Shete brings a proven track record of building and leading cross-functional teams to drive technical innovation. His academic credentials include a bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Karnataka University in India.

Reflecting on his appointment, Bahubali Shete articulated his vision for AiMining Technologies, expressing enthusiasm to leverage his expertise in advancing AI solutions and fostering responsible AI development. He added, "I am thrilled to join AiMining Technologies and contribute to the advancement of AI solutions. I aim to leverage my expertise to drive innovation and foster responsible AI development. I am also looking forward to joining AiMining to develop AI for good."

Khurram Shroff, CEO of iMining Technologies, echoed confidence in Shete's appointment, highlighting his invaluable experience and expertise in AI as a significant asset to the Scientific Research Board. Shroff stated, "Bahubali Shete's wealth of experience and expertise in AI will be invaluable to our Scientific Research Board. We look forward to his strategic insights propelling AiMining Technologies to new heights of innovation."

Bahubali Shete's addition underscores AiMining Technologies' dedication to excellence and leadership in the AI sector. His profound understanding of emerging technologies is anticipated to play a pivotal role in advancing the company's mission of spearheading responsible AI development.

About iMining Technologies Inc.

iMining Technologies Inc. is a publicly listed technology company that acquires, builds, and manages future technology companies in Canada. The Company's industry-specific technology businesses provide specialized and innovative solutions in future technologies and serve private sector markets. iMining Technologies Inc. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

About AiMining Technologies Inc.

AiMining Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of iMining Technologies and recognized as a Nvidia Inception Partner, as well as being chosen for the Microsoft start-up Founders Hub, stands as a pioneering force in Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancement. With a specialized applied research lab fostering collaboration with prestigious institutions and a commercialization program tailored for market interaction, AiMining seamlessly integrates into iMining's technology repertoire. Our dedication lies in propelling responsible AI development to new heights.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "Khurram Shroff"

Khurram Shroff, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, please contact:

iMining Corporate Offices:

Saleem Moosa, CFO and Director

Email: investor@imining.com

Telephone: 1-604-602-4935 Toll-Free: 1-866-602-4935

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205633

SOURCE: iMining Technologies Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - Big Ridge Gold Corp. (TSXV: BRAU) ("Big Ridge" or "Company") is pleased to highlight milestones achieved and work completed in 2023 at the Hope Brook Gold Project during the 2023 field season.

2023 Highlights:

Global Mineral Resource Estimate:

1.2 Million Ounces grading 2.32 g/t Au in Indicated and 231,000 Ounces grading 3.24 g/t Au in Inferred categories.

Open Pit Mineral Resource Estimate: 1.0 Million Ounces grading 2.14 g/t Au in Indicated category

43% Increase in total Indicated Ounces and 110% Increase in total Inferred Ounces compared to the April 2021 Mineral Resource Estimate

Gold Island Acquisition:

Added options on three high quality gold exploration assets from Gold Island in the Baie Verte area of Newfoundland that offer potential for further new discoveries.

Acquired approximately CAD$3.8 million in working capital (primarily cash).

Added several supportive, long-term shareholders to its shareholder base.

Strengthened the Company's Board of Directors and exploration teams with the appointments of Paul Pint and Paul Robinson, PhD., PGeo, respectively.

Hope Exploration Program:

Completed 39 line-km of MAG and 29 line-km of IP geophysics at Hope Brook, Woodman's Droke and Old Man's Pond.

Evaluated epithermal targets southwest of Hope Brook and at Woodman's Droke and Old Man's Pond.

Collected over 500 samples including 102 channel samples on the Hope Brook property.

Followed up on soil and Drone Magnetometer surveys MAG at the Baie Verta properties.

Michael Bandrowski, President & CEO of the Company, commented: "Despite challenging market conditions the Company completed a productive exploration program at the Hope Brook Gold Project, Hampden and Burton properties near Baie Verte Newfoundland. Results from a modest $2 million exploration program are being finalized and will be released in the coming weeks."

Qualified Person

William McGuinty, P. Geo., Vice President Exploration for Big Ridge, a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

About Hope Brook

The Hope Brook Gold Project is an advanced stage, high-grade gold project that produced 752,162 ounces of gold from 1987 - 1997. Initial production consisted of an open pit before moving to underground mining. Hope Brook operated using both heap leach (1987 -1990) and conventional cyanidation milling methods (1989-1997) with a later inclusion of flotation concentration to recover copper (1991). Government records indicate that gold recoveries from milling ranged between a low of 78.8% in 1987 and a high of 85.9% in 1989. Government and company annual reports indicate that gold recoveries ranged between a low of 82.1% in 1994 and a high of 89.83% in 1996 following a change of ownership. Copper flotation produced a concentrate at approximately 22% Cu and 34.3 g/t Au for shipment in 1992.

Hope Brook hosts an Indicated gold resource totalling 16,190,000 tonnes grading 2.32 grams per tonne gold for 1.2 million ounces and Inferred resources totalling 2,215,000 tonnes grading 3.25 grams per tonne gold for 231,000 ounces based on a 0.4 and 2.0 gram per tonne cut-off grades for open pit and underground resources respectively using a long-term gold price of US$1,750.

The Hope Brook gold deposit is a high-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit hosted in the Proterozoic aged Whittle Hill Sandstone and is intruded by a Late Proterozoic quartz-feldspar porphyry sill-dike complex of the Roti Intrusive Suite. The deposit is located adjacent to and within an extensive advanced argillic alteration envelope which includes pyrophyllite, kaolinite, andalusite, and alunite. The principal gold mineralization occurs in a buff-colored massive, vuggy silicic alteration with an associated, less developed grey silicic alteration with pyrite, chalcopyrite and lesser bornite accessory minerals. Gold mineralization is also found with pyrite in units of advanced argillic alteration adjacent to or near silicic alteration horizons. The altered and mineralized zone is cut by mafic dykes whose contacts are often mineralized. All of the altered and mineralized sequences and the intruded dykes have been folded.

Hope Brook is located 85 kilometers east of Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. The project has well maintained infrastructure on site, including an operational 28-person camp, an 1,100-meter airstrip, ice-free docking facility and importantly, connection to the provincial electrical power grid via an on-site substation.

About Big Ridge Gold Corp.

Big Ridge Gold Corp. is an exploration and development company managed by a disciplined and experienced team of officers and directors. The Company is committed to the development of advanced stage mining projects using industry best practices combined with strong social license from our local communities. Big Ridge owns a 100% interest in the highly prospective Oxford Gold Project located in Manitoba and the Destiny Gold Project in Quebec. Big Ridge is the operator of the Hope Brook Gold Project located in Newfoundland and Labrador. The company currently owns 51% of the Hope Brook Gold Project and has an option to earn up to 80% by June 2026.

Acknowledgement

Big Ridge acknowledges and appreciates the Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of Natural Resources' financial support of the Company's 2023 exploration programs through the Junior Exploration Assistance (JEA) Program.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Mike Bandrowski,

President & CEO

For Further Information Contact:

Mike Bandrowski,

President & CEO

BIG RIDGE GOLD CORP.

18 King Street East, Suite 1400

Toronto, ON, M5C 1C4

Tel: 416-540-5480

Email: Mike@bigridgegold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events, including the closing of the Offering. All forward-looking statements are based on Big Ridge's and its employees' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Big Ridge, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Big Ridge does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205627

SOURCE: Big Ridge Gold Corp.
The "Norway Data Center Market Investment Analysis Growth Opportunities 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Norway Data Center Market was valued at USD 1.04 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach USD 1.87 billion by 2029, showcasing a CAGR of 10.27%.

The Norway data center market is experiencing robust growth driven by key factors. Government initiatives, tax incentives, and a supportive regulatory framework, including the "Norwegian Data Centres Sustainable, Digital Power Centres" strategy, contribute to a favorable business environment.

The government is considering regulating data centers under electronic communication rules to ensure digital security and protect national interests. It promotes using Norway's renewable energy advantage for sustainable growth in the industry. Norwegian industrial parks, including Mo Industrial Park, Mongstad, and Heroya Industrial Park, are pivotal in fostering innovation and promoting the circular economy as focal points for new-age technologies and sustainable initiatives.

The key clients in the Norwegian data center landscape include cloud service providers and enterprises focusing on High-Performance Computing (HPC) applications.

Norway's emphasis on utilizing waste heat for efficiency and environmental responsibility aligns with global trends in sustainability, attracting environmentally conscious investors and businesses. As of early 2023, Norway had 5.4 million internet users and 4.62 million active social media users. This robust digital adoption contributes to increased data traffic, further fueling the country's data center market growth.

KEY REPORT FEATURES

Market size in terms of investment, area, power capacity, and Norway's colocation market revenue is available.

An assessment of the data center investment in Norway by colocation and enterprise operators.

Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country.

A detailed study of the existing Norway data center market landscape, an in-depth market analysis, and insightful predictions about data center market size during the forecast period.

Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in Norway Facilities Covered (Existing): 31 Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 12 Coverage: 12+ Locations Existing vs. Upcoming (Area) Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Data Center Colocation Market in Norway

Market Revenue Forecast (2023-2029)

Retail Wholesale Colocation Pricing

The Norway data center market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast.

A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry.

Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry.

A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the industry.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Networks

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Huawei Technologies

Hitachi Vantara

IBM

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

NetApp

NetNordic

Oracle

Pure Storage

Super Micro Computer

Data Center Construction Contractors Sub-Contractors

Coromatic

COWI

CTS Nordics

Designer Group

KeySource

Olaris AS

Red Engineering

YIT

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Alfa Laval

Austin Hughes

Carrier

Caterpillar

Comsys

Cummins

DEIF

Eaton

Flakt Group

HITEC Power Protection

Kohler SDMO

Legrand

Perkins Engines

Piller Power Systems

Rittal

Rolls Royce

Schneider Electric

Socomec

STULZ

Trane

Vertiv

Data Center Investors

Bulk Infrastructure

Green Mountain

Green Edge Compute

Lefdal Mine Datacenter

Orange Business Services

STACK Infrastructure

STORESPEED

AQ Compute

EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS

Existing Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity) Oslo Other Cities

List of Upcoming Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity)

This report analyses the Norway data center market share. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What is the growth rate of the Norway data center market?

How much is the Norway data center market investment expected to grow?

How many data centers have been identified in Norway?

Who are the key investors in the Norway data center market?

What are the driving factors for the Norway data center market?

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 111 Forecast Period 2023 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $1.04 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $1.87 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.2% Regions Covered Norway

Key Topics Covered:

1. Existing Upcoming Third-Party Data Centers in Norway

1.1. Historical Market Scenario

1.2. 30+ Unique Data Center Properties

1.3. Data Center IT Load Capacity

1.4. Data Center White Floor Area

1.5. Existing vs. Upcoming Data Center Capacity by Cities

1.6. Cities Covered

1.6.1. Oslo

1.6.2. Other Cities

1.7. List of Upcoming Data Center Projects

2. Investment Opportunities in Norway

2.1. Microeconomic and Macroeconomic Factors for Norway

2.2. Investment Opportunities in Norway

2.3. Investment by Area

2.4. Investment by Power Capacity

3. Data Center Colocation Market in Norway

3.1. Data Center Demand Across Industries in Norway

3.2. Colocation Services Market in Norway

3.3. Retail vs Wholesale Data Center Colocation

3.4. Colocation Pricing (Quarter Rack, Half Rack, Full Rack) ADD-Ons

4. Market Dynamics

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Trends

4.3. Market Restraints

5. Market Segmentation

5.1. IT Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

5.2. Electrical Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

5.3. Mechanical Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

5.4. Break-Up of Construction Cost

5.5. General Construction Services: Market Size Forecast

6. Tier Standard Investment

6.1. Tier I II

6.2. Tier III

6.3. Tier IV

7. Key Market Participants

7.1. IT Infrastructure Providers

7.2. Construction Contractors

7.3. Support Infrastructure Providers

7.4. Data Center Investors

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8cz5lw

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416882864/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

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Summary: SmartGreenInvest is at the forefront of sustainable finance, driving the shift towards a net-zero carbon economy with its strong focus on ESG principles and responsible investment practices.

London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - SmartGreenInvest, an organization recognized for its forward-thinking approach to sustainable investment and environmental stewardship, aims to accelerate the transition to a net-zero carbon economy by establishing a model for responsible investment practices worldwide.

Image Credits: SmartGreenInvest

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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SmartGreenInvest's core objective is to advocate for sustainable practices and spearhead environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. SmartGreenInvest distinguishes itself from traditional investment paradigms through its strategic focus on reducing carbon footprints, empowering communities, and advocating for environmental protection. The initiative establishes a new standard for corporate accountability by incorporating ESG principles into its comprehensive strategy. Its objective is to achieve a future in which sustainability is an inherent aspect of business operations.

SmartGreenInvest believes that genuine sustainability requires continuous innovation and a firm dedication to achieving high standards. The program aims to make sure that its services are amongst the best by investing in cutting-edge tech, developing talent, and encouraging a growth mindset. By means of innovative approaches or cooperative undertakings, SmartGreenInvest maintains an unshakable commitment to enabling organizations and individuals to recognize sustainability as an essential component of advancement.

Although the path to achieving a net-zero carbon economy is laden with obstacles, SmartGreenInvest is already charting a more environmentally sustainable course. The initiative is leading a paradigm shift toward a more resilient and equitable global community by advocating for systemic reform and promoting sustainable practices at every level. SmartGreenInvest is progressively shaping the course of sustainability through its strategic investments, advocacy efforts, and educational initiatives.

SmartGreenInvest's actions and decisions are guided by its profound values, which are inextricably linked to its ethos. The initiative is resolute in its pursuit to nurture a global environment conducive to the prosperity of all entities, starting with the promotion of animal welfare and adherence to democratic principles and equality. SmartGreenInvest endeavors to cultivate an all-encompassing and enduring society for future generations by confronting issues of poverty, societal inequalities, and gender discrepancies.

Simply put, SmartGreenInvest represents a shift towards a more promising and sustainable future, surpassing the limitations of traditional finance. SmartGreenInvest is well-positioned to spearhead the transition to a net-zero carbon economy, motivating others to participate in the shared mission of creating a greener and more sustainable world. The company's strong focus on ESG principles and its drive for innovation and excellence are key factors in its leadership role.

To learn more, please visit - https://www.smartgreeninvest.store/pricing or https://smartgreeninvest.org/

About SmartGreenInvest

SmartGreenInvest is at the forefront of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, where it integrates sustainable practices into its operations and spearheads the transition to a net-zero carbon economy. Upholding the highest levels of governance and ethics, promoting sustainability, empowering communities, and protecting the environment are their top priorities. Through the application of modern technology and creative resources, they are able to foster professional development and provide services that are second to none.

Media Contact

Company: SmartGreenInvest

Person: Evangelos PAPADOPOULOS

Email: evangelos@smartgreeninvest.com

Website: https://www.smartgreeninvest.store/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203831

SOURCE: SmartGreenInvest LTD
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - good natured Products Inc. (TSXV: GDNP) (OTCQB: GDNPF) (the "Company" or "good natured"), a North American leader in plant-based products, is thrilled to announce advancements in the realm of bio-based plastic extrusion, specifically for value-added material properties and services that are critically important in the electronics, automotive and pharmaceutical sectors.





Good Natured supplies FDA compliant bio-based rigid extruded sheet for sensitive medical and electronics packaging.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The Company's specialty coating and blending capabilities, honed through 20+ years of experience formulating and extruded bioplastic materials, positions it uniquely to set new benchmarks for advanced, high value product options in its Industrial business group.

Customizable Solutions for Electronics

In the electronics industry, the prevention of electrostatic discharge is crucial. good natured now offers the ability for enhanced electrostatic discharge ("ESD") on bio-based rigid extruded sheet. The Company offers one of the highest ranges of ESD protection in the industry with surface resistivity of 107 to 10 ohm per square for the containment, transport and long-term storage of microchips, printed circuit boards and other ESD-sensitive components.

Using extruded sheets with enhanced ESD ensures the protection of sensitive electronic components from static electricity, which can cause significant damage and data loss. This high value performance not only enhances the reliability of electronic products but also extends their lifespan, offering a competitive technological edge in the market beyond the sustainability benefits of the bio-based rigid rollstock itself.

Innovative Applications in Pharmaceuticals

For the pharmaceutical sector, extruded sheets play a vital role in creating secure and sterile packaging. ESD protection is instrumental in preventing static buildup, ensuring that pharmaceutical products are not compromised during manufacturing and packaging processes.

good natured can supply certified bio-based rigid extruded sheet that complies with FDA standards for the packaging of sensitive medical components such as catheters and syringes and is compatible with form, fill, and seal processes, aligning with stringent industry regulations.

Advanced Extrusion Techniques and Renewable Materials

The Company's state-of-the-art extrusion processes cater to a broad range of bio-based materials and bio-recycled blends, reflecting the Company's commitment to reducing environmental impact by sourcing and commercializing the latest viable bio-based options on the market that also remove chemicals of concern such as BPAs, PFAS and phthalates.

With highly customizable capabilities, good natured is adaptable to a variety of specialized requirements across industries and equipment. Whether it's creating precise widths and thicknesses or incorporating specialized coatings, the Company's commitment to customization and service is designed to make it as easy as possible for businesses to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and non-renewable resources.

The integration of post-consumer recycled plastics into good natured Bio-PET material blends underscores the Company's dedication to the principles of a circular economy and the latest in certain regulatory requirements seeking to promote curbside recyclability and a minimum percentage of post-consumer recycled content.

A Focus on Local Manufacturing

With dedicated extrusion facilities in North America, the Company prioritizes US and Canada manufacturing, both to increase local job opportunities and to manage carbon footprints related to overseas shipping. This strategic approach enhances the ability for rapid turnaround times, order flexibility, and helps to minimize transportation emissions, aligning with core values to be purposeful to maximize positive environmental and social impact.

"As we all move toward a more robust bioeconomy, good natured remains committed to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. Our ongoing investments in technology and partnerships reflect our dedication to playing a leadership role in the development and manufacturing of renewable, recyclable and/or certified compostable packaging throughout the full value chain," said Paul Antoniadis, CEO of good natured.

To explore more about good natured bio-based rollstock products and services, please visit: goodnaturedproducts.com/pages/bioplastic-roll-stock-extruded-sheets.

About good natured Products Inc.

good natured is passionately pursuing its goal of becoming North America's leading earth-friendly product company by offering the broadest assortment of plant-based products made from rapidly renewable resources instead of fossil fuels. The Company is focused on making it easy and affordable for business owners and consumers to shift away from petroleum to better everyday products that use more renewable materials, less fossil fuel, and no chemicals of concern.

good natured offers over 400 products and services through wholesale, direct to business, and retail channels. From plant-based home organization products to certified compostable food containers, bio-based industrial supplies and medical packaging, the Company is focused on making plant-based products more readily accessible to people as a means to create meaningful environmental and social impact.

For more information: goodnaturedproducts.com

On behalf of the Company:

Paul Antoniadis - Executive Chair & CEO

Contact: 1-604-566-8466

Investor Contact:

Spencer Churchill

Investor Relations

1-877-286-0617 ext. 113

invest@goodnaturedproducts.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibilities for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205597

SOURCE: good natured Products Inc.
Complete Commerce will leverage TNS' Accept, Connect and Orchestrate portfolios to offer full-stack payment and network capability

Transaction Network Services (TNS), a global leader in payments infrastructure and managed connectivity services, has launched Complete Commerce a full-stack, modern and secure payment and network capability.

In a rapidly changing payments landscape, from evolving consumer behavior to regulatory demands and technology modernization, enterprises are pressured to deal with these ongoing complexities while delivering a user-friendly, reliable, and secure customer experience to meet the needs of the modern consumer. Complete Commerce helps solve this payment complexity by leveraging a single supplier relationship and reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) across the enterprise's technology environment.

"By offering a PCI DSS certified, fully managed service for payments and network connectivity, Complete Commerce enables enterprises to accept virtually any type of payment method, online or in-person with TNS' range of terminals unattended, at the pump or in-store," said John Tait, Global Managing Director of TNS Payments Market. "In addition, our secure connectivity product suite enables enterprises to connect payment devices, retail sites and cloud environments to TNS' carrier agnostic, global, private network."

TNS' extensive network intersects with acquirers, processors, loyalty, and alternative payment providers across the globe to facilitate mission critical payment message transmission. The TNS cloud native payment orchestration stack with rich functionality allows payments to be processed real time to multiple end points across the globe.

Complete Commerce is also supported by the latest security standards across payments and network connectivity including PCI DSS certification, PCI P2PE validation, and PCI PTS v6.x devices.

The solution leverages TNS' Accept, Connect and Orchestrate payment portfolios, TNS' global footprint, and decades of payment industry expertise to deliver a unique, single partner enterprise capability for running mission critical payments infrastructure.

"The combination of TNS' portfolios allows us to provide enterprises with unique insights through TNS' portals, monitoring and measuring transactions across the full enterprise commerce ecosystem," added Tait. "This will help enterprises reduce technical complexities, while modernizing and future proofing their payment and network connectivity strategies. With Complete Commerce we can help solve these pain points by bundling a range of omni-channel and connectivity services together and providing a single partner with a unified view of business operations."

Previously, large enterprises would need to deploy a combination of solutions with siloed partners and fragmented payments technologies for in-person, online and connectivity solutions.

TNS is a global leader in providing payment terminals, security, and payment orchestration services but a transaction cannot be processed without connectivity. What makes TNS unique and reliable is that it does not use a third party for connectivity but instead transmits transactions via a secure core network designed and built by TNS for the payments industry. TNS enables around 35 billion payment transactions around the world each year for the largest acquirers and financial institutions. Its solutions are scalable, agnostic, and actively monitored 24x7x365 from four global Network Operations Centers in the US, UK, Australia, and Malaysia.

For more information on TNS, visit tnsi.com/solutions/payments/complete-commerce/.

About TNS:

TNS is a world-renowned provider of Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solutions to the payments, communications, and financial markets. Established more than 30 years ago, its extensive portfolio of innovative, value-added services now supports thousands of organizations across more than 60 countries to interact efficiently, conduct mission critical processes securely and adopt new technologies flexibly. TNS' Payments Markets business enables trusted connected commerce through its IaaS solutions that include payment device enablement, global connectivity, and merchant processing solutions. TNS' solutions enable its partners to simplify, secure and manage the most complex aspects of the payment ecosystem and gain strategic advantage from the moment they engage with consumers.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416928519/en/

Contacts:

TNS

Clare Cockroft/Bronte Saulle

703-814-8065

pr@tnsi.com
Omega Pacific Resources Inc. (CSE:OMGA) ("Omega" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has appointed Rob L'Heureux (M.Sc., P.Geol.), to its Board of Directors.

Mr. L'Heureux has built a track record of excellence in successful exploration and development spanning over 20 years including global exploration experience and project management with budgets up to $50 Million annually. His global experience ranges from the Canadian Arctic to Australia. More recently, Rob has focused on British Columbia-based projects, overseeing large exploration campaigns at the Lawyers Gold-Silver Project, a 3.5 million ounce resource located in the Toodoggone Region which is in close proximity to Omega's Williams Property. Mr. L'Heureux obtained a B.Sc Geology from the University of Alberta (1997) and M.Sc. Economic Geology from the University of Western Ontario (2003).

Rob is also a member of the Metals Group, a team of professionals who stand for technical excellence, painstaking project selection and uncompromising corporate governance, with a proven ability to capitalize on investment opportunities and deliver shareholder returns.

Omega's CEO and Director Jason Leikam states, "we are thrilled to announce Rob has formally joined the Omega team, allowing us to add a key technical director with deep knowledge and experience exploring and developing in BC's Toodoggone region. Having Rob and his colleagues at the Metals Group overseeing our drill program gives our project a huge boost, and provides confidence to our shareholders that we have placed capable and proven operators at the helm of our drills. The Metals Group have built a stellar track record of technical excellence, and Omega is focused on continuing that legacy with the upcoming exploration campaign at Williams".

Mr. L'Heureux will plan, coordinate and oversee the Company's 4,000 m maiden drill campaign this summer at the Williams Property.

Additionally, Braydon Hobbs has resigned as a director of the Company effective immediately. The Company would like to thank Mr. Hobbs for his services and guidance and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.

About Omega Pacific

Omega Pacific is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of mineral projects containing base and precious metals. The Company recently acquired an option to earn a 100% interest in the Williams Property, located in the Toodoggone region of the Golden Horseshoe. The Golden Horseshoe is a prolific and proven area of British Columbia known to host many gold, copper and silver deposits. The Company also holds an option on the Lekcin Property, located 120 km east of Vancouver, BC.

For more information, please contact:

Omega Pacific Resources Inc.

Jason Leikam, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Tel: +1 (778) 650 4255

Email: jason@omegapacific.ca

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information under the provisions of Canadian securities laws including statements about the Company's plans. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of beliefs, assumptions, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change, except as required by law.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Omega Pacific Resources Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Premier Dentist Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Dr. Richard Eidelson, DDS, MAGD, a nationally recognized leader in cosmetic dentistry, is thrilled to announce the opening of his second dental practice, Premier Dentist Philadelphia, located in the iconic Medical Arts Building in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia. The new office, designed with cutting-edge technology and modern aesthetics, stands ready to welcome patients seeking transformative smile rehabilitations.





Experience Matters - Dr. Richard Eidelson

Experience Matters - Philadelphia Dentist Dr. Richard Eidelson





With an illustrious career marked by a commitment to excellence in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Eidelson has been a pivotal figure in advancing dental aesthetics in Philadelphia and across the United States. His expertise in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care is evident in the wide array of services he offers, with a particular focus on porcelain veneers, dental implants, and comprehensive smile makeover techniques. Dr. Eidelson's dedication to his craft has earned him numerous accolades and a reputation as one of the top cosmetic dentists in the nation.

The decision to expand his practice into the Medical Arts Building reflects Dr. Eidelson's ongoing commitment to making top-tier cosmetic dentistry accessible to more patients. "Our new location is not just about expansion; it's about bringing the art and science of smile makeovers to the heart of Philadelphia. We've equipped our new office with the latest in dental technology to ensure that our patients receive the best care possible," said Dr. Eidelson.

Dr. Eidelson holds a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction that less than six percent of dentists achieve, underscoring his exceptional skills and dedication to continuing education. His extensive list of credentials, combined with a passion for creating beautiful, healthy smiles, positions Premier Dentist Philadelphia as a premier destination for anyone looking to enhance their dental health and aesthetics.

The newly renovated office in the Medical Arts Building is now open and accepting new patients. With a focus on comfort, efficiency, and the highest standards of care, Dr. Eidelson and his team are ready to transform smiles and lives with their comprehensive range of cosmetic dental services.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://www.dentistphiladelphia.com/ or call (215) 557-6668.

About Dr. Richard Eidelson

Dr. Richard Eidelson is a highly esteemed cosmetic dentist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With a career dedicated to advancing cosmetic dentistry through innovative techniques and patient-centered care, Dr. Eidelson has established himself as a leader in the field. His commitment to excellence and education has earned him numerous awards and a place among the top dentists in the United States. At Premier Dentist Philadelphia, Dr. Eidelson and his team offer a full spectrum of cosmetic dental services from porcelain veneers and dental implants to complete smile makeovers, all designed to help patients achieve the beautiful, healthy smiles they deserve.

Voted: Best / Most Affordable Dentist by Philadelphia Weekly

Contact Information:

Premier Dentist Philadelphia

1601 Walnut St. #1114

Philadelphia, PA 19102

(215) 557-6668

https://www.dentistphiladelphia.com/

Contact Information

Cody Prentice

Marketing Manager

cody@elevatedds.com

(888) 300-8994

SOURCE: Premier Dentist Philadelphia

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Structural Consultant Dr. David Coller On-site

ST. JOHN'S, NL / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV:SIC)(OTCQB:SICNF) ("Sokoman" or the "Company") is pleased to report that structural consultant Dr. David Coller is on-site at the Moosehead gold property to update the structural model and to help plan for deeper drilling later this year. The Phase 6 program is winding down for spring breakup with assay results for 12 holes remaining outstanding and expected in two to three weeks. Drilling will resume once all assays have been received, compiled, and included in Dr. Coller's updated structural model.

Timothy Froude, P. Geo., President and CEO states; "We are very pleased to have Dr. Coller back and look forward to receiving his recommendations for continued drilling at Moosehead. Dr. Coller has been involved with the project since our first year and has been instrumental in guiding us to several significant high-grade discoveries. Currently, Dr. Coller and Sokoman's geological team are evaluating drill sections from the recently discovered 552 Zone to characterize the mineralization, to determine the significance of the zone and what it means for future exploration. We are also happy to have Dr. Hamish Sandeman of the Geological Survey of Newfoundland with us, to update us on the government's advanced research (with the Geological Survey of Canada) aimed at understanding the genesis of gold mineralization in Central Newfoundland and, potentially, helping to locate new gold zones. Dr. Sandeman has worked in the central Newfoundland region for many years and is considered one of the province's top geoscientists especially with regards to gold mineral deposits in Newfoundland."

Recent drill results at the 552 Zone include MH-23-574 - 2.10 m of 5.00 g/t Au, and MH-24-580 - 2.05 m of 8.31 g/t Au incl. 0.50 m of 27.79 g/t Au. Both holes had multiple specks of visible gold, a characteristic of all the high-grade zones on the property. The 552 drilling has defined a two- to five-metre-wide zone of vuggy (epizonal) quartz veining/quartz breccia, in variably sheared, to undeformed, sedimentary units located approximately 400 m to the east of the Eastern Trend mineralization in the central portion of the property. The 552 Zone has been drilled over a 150 m strike length and to 125 m vertical depth and remains open along strike and to depth.

Sokoman is completing drilling at both the 552 Zone and several short holes (30 m - 50 m depth) up dip of the Footwall Splay Zone, which has been identified as a possible bulk sample target area.

QP

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Froude, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of Sokoman Minerals Corp.

Analytical Techniques / QA/QC

Samples, including duplicates, blanks, and standards, are submitted to Eastern Analytical Ltd. in Springdale, Newfoundland for gold analysis. All core samples submitted for assay are saw cut by Sokoman personnel with one-half submitted for assay and one-half retained for reference. Samples are delivered in sealed bags directly to the lab by Sokoman personnel. Eastern Analytical Ltd. is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples with visible gold are submitted for total pulp metallics with a gravimetric finish. All other samples are analyzed by standard fire assay methods. Total pulp metallic analysis includes: the entire sample being crushed to -10 mesh; and then pulverized to 95% -150 mesh. The total sample is weighed and screened to 150 mesh; the +150-mesh fraction is fire-assayed for Au, and a 30 g subsample of the -150-mesh fraction is fire-assayed for Au; with a calculated weighted average of total Au in the sample reported as well. One blank and one industry-approved standard for every twenty samples submitted is included in the sample stream. Random duplicates of selected samples are analyzed in addition to the in-house standard and duplicate policies of Eastern Analytical Ltd. All reported assays are uncut.

About Sokoman Minerals Corp.

Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company with projects in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company's primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects; the 100%-owned flagship, advanced-stage Moosehead, Crippleback Lake, and the district-scale Fleur de Lys project near Baie Verte in northwestern Newfoundland, that is targeting Dalradian-type orogenic gold mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland. The Company entered into a strategic alliance with Benton Resources Inc. through three, large-scale, joint-venture properties including Grey River, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland. Sokoman is one of the largest landholders in Newfoundland, in Canada's newest and rapidly emerging gold districts.

In October 2023, Sokoman and Benton completed an agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc., a major developer of lithium projects and processing plants in the USA, and exactly the right partner to have to advance the lithium project. The agreement provides for Piedmont to earn up to 62.5% of the Killick Lithium Project (formerly Golden Hope project) by funding up to $12 million in exploration expenses and issuing $10 million common shares in three stages. The Killick Lithium Project has been transferred to Killick Lithium Inc. (Killick), a 100%-owned subsidiary of Vinland Lithium Inc. (Vinland). Newly created Vinland has received $2 million in financing from Piedmont for a 19.9% interest, with the balance of ownership between Sokoman and Benton. Sokoman and Benton will continue to operate the exploration efforts at Killick through the earn-in stages. Sokoman and Benton will retain a royalty of 2% NSR on future production. Piedmont will have exclusive marketing rights for the promotion and sale of any lithium products produced from the project on a life-of-mine basis, and the right of first refusal on 100% offtake rights to the lithium concentrates.

Projects optioned with optionee fully vested:

East Alder Project optioned to Canterra Minerals Inc (SIC retains 850,000 shares of CTM plus 1% NSR)

Startrek Project optioned to Thunder Gold (SIC retains 1,750,000 shares of TGOL plus 1% NSR)

The Company would like to thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the financial support of the Moosehead and Fleur de Lys Projects through the Junior Exploration Assistance Program over the past few years.

For more information, please contact:

Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President & CEO

T: 709-765-1726

E: tim@sokomanmineralscorp.com

Cathy Hume, VP Corporate Development, Director

T: 416-868-1079 x 251

E: cathy@chfir.com

Website: www.sokomanmineralscorp.com

Twitter: @SokomanMinerals

Facebook: @SokomanMinerals

LinkedIn: @SokomanMineralsCorp

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of the Corporation should be considered highly speculative. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward- looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Sokoman Minerals Corp. will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Sokoman Minerals Corp.

SOURCE: Sokoman Minerals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
With Cohesity's DataProtect and Data Cloud Solutions, Data Managed by the French Red Cross is Encrypted, Stored, and Protected; Backup Operations Have a 100% Success Rate and the System is Autonomous 95% of the Time

Cohesity, a leader in AI-powered data security and management, has been supporting the French Red Cross (Croix-Rouge francaise) in migrating, backing up, and protecting its data for almost two years, resulting in increased performance for the entire system and applications, respective backup windows, and better workload management for the IT team.

In 2019, under the guidance of Yves Couturier, head of information system production, and with the help of Cohesity, the French Red Cross undertook a process of modernizing its systems and storage to improve its data management. With more than 66,000 volunteers and 16,000 employees performing 30 different jobs dedicated to helping people, the organization manages more than 120 TB of data, including the personal data of beneficiaries (shared medical records, home care data, nursing services, and meal delivery), as well as its operational management data (emergency doctors and ambulance drivers), and administrative data (payroll, ERP, and business intelligence) of the various services it operates.

For Yves Couturier, "We had two imperatives regarding the management of data backup: that it be as flexible, automated, and reliable as possible, and that costs be predictable in the context of increasing data volumes. Cohesity offered the only modern solution that could meet both of these imperatives."

Today, Cohesity's DataProtect and Data Cloud solutions make it possible to encrypt, store, and protect all flows and all data transmitted from the various applications used by healthcare staff, administrators, and emergency doctors. The backup operation, which protects the entire stack, from the bare metal server to files to applications, has a 100% success rate and the system is 95% self-sufficient.

Operating in a cloud environment and on-premise, Olivier Geremy, head of security architecture strategy (SAS) at the French Red Cross, said, "Our long-term goal is to manage our operations as much as possible in the cloud, and the flexibility of the architecture and the security of Cohesity data management solutions allow us to project ourselves all the more confidently as this collaboration continues."

With drastically reduced backup times, the team can focus on other projects with added value, at the service of its various audiences such as state, departmental, and European partners, private investors, and all the individuals to whom the French Red Cross assists on a daily or occasional basis.

"Organizations face significant challenges in managing and securing their data assets in the cloud and on-premises, with ransomware and data theft being their top concern," said Olivier Savornin, group vice president EMEA, Cohesity. "We are proud to be able to help protect the French Red Cross' data and systems through our AI-driven data management and security platform."

The details of this collaboration between Cohesity and the French Red Cross are available here: https://www.cohesity.com/customers/the-french-red-cross/

About Cohesity

Cohesity is a leader in AI-powered data security and management. Aided by an extensive ecosystem of partners, Cohesity makes it easier to secure, protect, manage, and get value from data across the data center, edge, and cloud. Cohesity helps organizations defend against cybersecurity threats with comprehensive data security and management capabilities, including immutable backup snapshots, AI-based threat detection, monitoring for malicious behavior, and rapid recovery at scale. Cohesity solutions can be delivered as a service, self-managed, or provided by a Cohesity-powered partner. Cohesity is headquartered in San Jose, CA, and is trusted by the world's largest enterprises, including 44 of the Fortune 100.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416196900/en/

Contacts:

Press contact

AxiCom: cohesity.france@axicom.com
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax, and advisory firm, today announced that Michael Plowgian, a leading voice in international tax policy, has rejoined the firm as a principal in Washington National Tax. He will also serve as the International Tax Policy Lead for the Americas and on the Global Policy Leadership Team.

Plowgian returns to KPMG after serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Tax Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and as the top U.S. negotiator to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on its two-pillar tax reform plan.

"Michael's first-hand experience negotiating at the OECD will be invaluable to our multinational clients grappling with its implementation," said Rema Serafi (@remaserafi), Vice Chair - Tax, KPMG LLP. "His deep technical knowledge, client-centric approach, and public service background will significantly enhance our ability to guide companies through this seismic shift in global tax rules."

At the OECD, Plowgian played a central role in advancing the two-pillar plan, which includes reallocating taxing rights for the largest multinationals and instituting a global minimum tax. In particular, he led the U.S. negotiations on developing guidance to implement critical elements of the global anti-base erosion rules under Pillar Two - guidance which continues to evolve even as countries enact legislation to adopt the rules.

"The new international tax landscape is extraordinarily complex, with far-reaching impacts on companies' tax positions, compliance, operations and more," said Danielle Rolfes, partner in charge - Washington National Tax, KPMG LLP. "Michael's return comes at an ideal time as our clients urgently need to assess their readiness and strategically plan for the ripple effects."

While the U.S. has not yet adopted the OECD deal, U.S. multinationals will need to comply with the 15% global minimum tax in countries implementing Pillar Two, as of January 1, 2024. Proactive analysis and planning will be important to adapt to these changes.

Plowgian holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, an M.A. in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University, and a B.A. from Denison University.

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP is the U.S. firm of the KPMG global organization of independent professional services firms providing audit, tax and advisory services. The KPMG global organization operates in 143 countries and territories and has more than 273,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.

KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to community service, inclusion and diversity and eradicating childhood illiteracy. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us.

Media Contact

Erica Lee

ericalee3@kpmg.com

646-920-2959

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205643

SOURCE: KPMG LLP
Featuring Christie McCarthy's lead vocals, this release sets the stage for the upcoming single and a summer of exciting new music

LAS VEGAS, April 16, 2024) releases Calm in Your Eyesahead of the single, featuring Christie McCarthy's striking lead vocals. This release follows closely on the heels of their recent international hit, 'Insane Desire', which soared in popularity, most notably across Europe, particularly in Germany, Norway, Austria, and Spain.





Christie, traditionally OLAL's backing vocalist, shines in the spotlight as both a songwriter and lead vocalist in this groundbreaking release. The remix, a collaborative masterpiece with electronic music virtuoso Bleep Bloop, marks a daring yet rewarding step for the band.





"Witnessing Bleep Bloop's electrifying performances inspired us to collaborate. We knew his unique sound would take 'Calm in Your Eyes' to new heights. The chemistry was palpable, and the result is nothing short of magical," says Skunk, OLAL's sound designer and keyboardist.

OLAL decided to premiere the remix in advance of the single as a nod to Bleep Bloop's influence on the track. The official music video for 'Calm in Your Eyes - Bleep Bloop Remix' is available on YouTube, providing a visual treat that complements the track's vibrant energy. Fans can also enjoy the remix on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services.





Stay tuned for the single version of 'Calm in Your Eyes' set to be released shortly, along with a slew of other exciting tracks this summer. OLAL is committed to pushing the boundaries of their music and continuing to surprise and delight their fans.

About OLAL

Of Love and Lust) is an electronic band spanning four countries. The group includes Rush, the enigmatic lead vocalist based in Berlin, Germany; Kuzman, its dynamic soundscape designer from Skopje, Macedonia; Gareth Jones, the legendary producer and sound engineer residing in London, England; Christie, known for her ethereal vocals, based in Santa Cruz, California; Alex Baum, the innovative drummer and keyboardist from Asheville, North Carolina; and Skunk, the creative force on keyboards and sound design, located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together, they craft music that combines emotional depth with eclectic soundscapes, resonating with audiences worldwide.

About Bleep Bloop

Bleep Bloop, known for his genre-defying glitch bass, has made a name for himself with some of the most memorable live performances in the EDM scene.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ccfa80bf-4573-4fc6-baeb-0aa49475a821

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6edf3ae5-a12e-45a8-b816-698b46c7a5af

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c44fb13b-10bb-4fb0-b75f-d2b851c4dc1b
Egon Cholakian, an esteemed intelligence teaching expert who served in the White House during Reagan's administration and currently specializes in national security, has unveiled results of a 30-year long investigation which uncovered a danger to America and the entire democratic world.

WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Dr. Cholakian, through a meticulously researched three-hour video, published on his international platform Earth Save Science Collaborative, invites everyone who cares about the future of America and democracy to engage in dialogue and open investigation.

30-Year Investigation Discloses Fresh Threat to Democracy: Insights from Intelligence Expert

30-Year Investigation Discloses Fresh Threat to Democracy: Insights from Intelligence Expert

Essential Investigation Results Unveiled:

Origins of Global Disbalance

Dr. Cholakian delves into the heart of global turmoil, questioning who has benefited from the world's conflicts over the past three decades. Notably, he sheds light on the strategy of how such conflicts are being organized by hidden anti-democratic forces.

As Cholakian aptly puts it, "If we see, hear, or read information that contains models of dissatisfaction, denial, hatred, or disappointment with our country and its people, we must not allow these messages to pass through our critical thinking, and we must consciously stop them Here, everyone must take responsibility for themselves and for America as a whole."

Disinformation campaigns uncovered

In a thought-provoking analysis, Egon Cholakian presents compelling case studies that reveal the tactics employed by disinformation campaigns. These orchestrated efforts aim to sway public opinion, fostering disillusionment with democratic systems.

Exposing Case Study

ALLATRA, a global volunteer movement addressing climate change, becomes a notable case study. Its participants have faced unfair anti-democratic measures against them. Dr. Cholakian explains how such defamatory campaigns inflict significant harm on the very foundation of democracy. He emphasizes that when journalists engage in these campaigns, they unwittingly contribute to a perilous path and democracy's demise.

Egon Cholakian's video is a must-watch for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the current geopolitical landscape, willing to develop their own critical thinking and protect our future. It is a guide to keep our nation safe in this perilous historical moment of time.

For more information, please visit www.EgonReport.org or contact Marina Ovtsynova at info@esscglobal.com.

About Dr. A. Egon Cholakian

National Security Expert, Federal Lobbyist - U.S. Congress and White House. Registered Foreign Agent, U.S. Department of Justice - National Security Division. Member, International Association of Intelligence Educators, United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation and Founding Member, OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) Foundation. Worked with: 4 U.S. Presidents, 3 U.S. National Security Advisors, 1 Central Intelligence Agency Director

Egon Cholakian's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-egon-cholakian-11256b4

Contact Information

Marina Ovtsynova

Public Relations

info@esscglobal.com

Related Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2GVN5Hj16Y

SOURCE: Earth Save Science Collaborative

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - VID Media is pleased to announce that it will host an Investor Town Hall Forum for Sendero Resources (TSXV: SEND) on April 17, 2024 at 11:00 am ET/8:00 am PT.

Join us as we host Sendero's Executive Chairman, Michael Wood, for an in-depth conversation on the exceptional mineral potential of Argentina's Vicuna district and discuss Sendero's newest results and future catalysts.

The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session where participants will be able to ask any questions they may have of management.

Register here to participate: https://bit.ly/sendero-thf.

About Sendero Resources Corp. The Company is focused on copper-gold exploration at its 100% owned Penas Negras Project in the Vicuna Belt in Argentina. The Penas Negras Project has similar geological characteristics to other deposits in the Vicuna Belt and a cluster of porphyry and epithermal targets have been identified on the project. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Barton SAS, is the holder of ten granted mining concessions covering 120 km2 in the province of La Rioja, Argentina. The company also has an option agreement to earn 80% interest on eight granted mining concessions covering 91.7 km2 adjacent to the East of the Penas Negras Project. The Company has an experienced management and exploration team who will use their expertise and operational knowledge to advance the multiple targets across the project

For further information on the Company please visit https://senderoresources.com/.

VID Media Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of IR.INC, creates meaningful opportunities for investors to have authentic discussions with company executives from a cross section of industries. Information on VID Media and other products may be found here: https://www.vidconferences.com/.THE Mining Investment Event of the North - Canada's Only Tier I Global Mining Investment Conference, held annually in Quebec City, Canada is invitation only and hosts over 100 global mining companies. Information on THE Event may be found here: https://www.themininginvestmentevent.com/.

Joanne Jobin

Principal & Founder

IR.INC & VID Media Incorporated

jjobin@irinc.ca

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn |YouTube

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205662

SOURCE: VID Media
This ground-breaking innovation uncovers profound, previously hidden organizational insights on skills, performance, culture, DE&I, and more through a Generative AI interface

Workhuman, the company revolutionizing the way employees celebrate, connect with and appreciate each other in the workplace, has unveiled the latest innovation in its platform the addition of a generative artificial intelligence (AI) assistant to its cultural [workforce] intelligence tool, Workhuman iQ. For HR and business leaders who struggle to access organizational insights, often buried in static, incomplete, and cumbersome data analytics systems, Workhuman iQ will offer an intuitive generative AI interface that surfaces dynamic and actionable answers and insights powered by an organization's rich, authentic, and unique Social Recognition program data, and Workhuman's 25 years of culture and recognition research.

Workhuman iQ is the only solution in the industry that provides a comprehensive view of an organization's people dynamics, performance and skills, state of cultural health, and where and how work is getting done. Workhuman's new AI Assistant within Workhuman iQ leverages the world's first recognition-specific language model, built by Workhuman, and uses data from a customer's own recognition program to provide real-time insight that can inform decisive actions to maximize people and business results. This innovation allows people managers and business leaders to quickly and easily get accurate and interactive answers to many types of employee, team, department, and organization-level questions, such as, "who within the organization is demonstrating our company values" or "what is the current skills profile of my team?" or "what impact is employee recognition having on top-talent or overall retention in my department" or "who are the best internal candidates for this role?" The AI Assistant provides highly accurate responses putting answers at the fingertips of those who need them most, without the need for even more technology or even more data analytics expertise.

Transforming the way companies monitor and enhance their culture, Workhuman iQ leverages proprietary algorithms and AI to analyze data within the Workhuman platform, offering leaders and managers clear insights into the state of their culture and talent. Acting as a virtual consultant and a single source of truth, AI Assistant and Workhuman iQ go beyond reporting, uncovering previously hidden workplace insights and providing unparalleled insights into people dynamics, performance, skills, and more, empowering leaders to make informed and strategic decisions. The manual and labor-intensive process of generating actionable insights is replaced with real-time, on-demand trends, patterns, and precise answers to people and organizational questions.

"AI is changing the way work gets done, and with the introduction of generative AI tools within programs that generate significant data, it opens the door for people without analytics backgrounds to easily access information it would have otherwise taken them days or weeks to uncover," said Kevin Heinzelman, Workhuman Head of Product Management. "Workhuman iQ analyzes an organization's unique recognition data and surfaces personalized, recommended actions based on identified patterns to help managers make informed decisions and foster an encouraging environment further driving optimal team engagement, retention, and performance. Our solution equips managers with the information they need to better support their team and induces them to take a more proactive role in shaping culture, and our AI assistant takes those analytics capabilities to the next level."

The new AI assistant comes on the heels of additional innovations in the Workhuman Platform, Admin Hub and Automated Welcome Awards, which significantly improve and empower the Social Recognition Program Manager experience.

Workhuman iQ empowers HR leaders and people managers to measure recognition programs, track culture and engagement, measure skills and performance, and actively know how to improve every day. To learn more, please visit: www.workhuman.com/capabilities/workhuman-iq.

About Workhuman

Workhuman is helping companies meet today's biggest human capital challenges including unprecedented turnover, employee engagement, hybrid work environments, and DEI through the Workhuman Cloud, a secure SaaS platform that provides the industry's best-in-class Social Recognition solution. As the leading global provider of technology solutions, analytics, expertise, and services helping organizations of all sizes build and foster workplace cultures powered by employee recognition and crowdsourced feedback, Workhuman is revolutionizing the way employees celebrate, connect with, and appreciate each other in the workplace. Combined with unmatched data through iQ, we empower HR and business leaders with proactive insight to understand issues as they develop and tools to help them make the right decisions to align business objectives and culture to deliver immediate impact. And, with world-class award redemption from our proprietary global e-commerce network, Workhuman is committed to building more connected human-centered workplaces that recognize the value and potential of each and every employee.??

For more than 20 years, Workhuman has been pioneering the human workplace by disrupting legacy and obsolete HR approaches to improve the employee experience at work, with solutions that engage with approx. seven million customer employees in 30+ languages, in 180 countries, generating 100 million instances of human connection. With dual headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and Framingham, Massachusetts, Workhuman deploys solutions and services at scale and is committed to helping companies improve returns on their most important investment- their people. For more information, please visit www.workhuman.com?

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416521899/en/

Contacts:

Jenna.west@workhuman.com
IIBA now supports future business analysis professionals worldwide with student membership, providing essential resources to kickstart a career in business analysis. By joining, students gain access to valuable resources and connections, bolstering their employability and earning potential

TORONTO, April 16, 2024(IIBA) continues to advance the business analysis profession by introducing a new membership option for full-time university or college students. Whether you're considering a career in business analysis, pursuing a related field of study, or simply exploring the world of analysis, your path starts with IIBA.



In an era defined by rapid digitalization, evolving work structures, and a growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion, the demand for skilled business professionals is only increasing. As business evolves, so do career opportunities for aspiring business analysis professionals. With support from IIBA's new student membership option, future practitioners can explore a myriad of roles within organizations. Here's a sample of the diverse range of business analysis roles in today's workplace:





"Our student membership offers early access to the profession for tomorrow's business analysis professionals. By providing students with key resources, networking opportunities, and career development tools, we're shaping the future of business," says Jared Gorai, Director, Chapters & Member Engagement at IIBA.

With IIBA's support, student members gain access to essential resources and global connections, empowering them to build a future-proof career. These resources include:

Premium Resource Access: Gain unlimited access to IIBA's extensive library, including industry-specific publications and research materials. Discover the continuously updated body of knowledge in IIBA's KnowledgeHub, powered by AI.





Gain unlimited access to IIBA's extensive library, including industry-specific publications and research materials. Discover the continuously updated body of knowledge in IIBA's KnowledgeHub, powered by AI. Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals, experts, and peers through conferences, seminars, and workshops. Join a supportive community to forge mentorship relationships, explore internships, and uncover job opportunities.





Connect with professionals, experts, and peers through conferences, seminars, and workshops. Join a supportive community to forge mentorship relationships, explore internships, and uncover job opportunities. Career Development: Access the Career Center, which provides a comprehensive suite of job search tools, career planning resources, and professional development frameworks.





Access the Career Center, which provides a comprehensive suite of job search tools, career planning resources, and professional development frameworks. Professional Recognition: Receive a prestigious digital badge showcasing your commitment to excellence and helping you stand out in the job market. Explore volunteer opportunities and earn awards for your contributions.





Receive a prestigious digital badge showcasing your commitment to excellence and helping you stand out in the job market. Explore volunteer opportunities and earn awards for your contributions. Advocacy and Representation: Collaborate with your local IIBA chapter to contribute to advocacy activities shaping the future of business analysis.





Collaborate with your local IIBA chapter to contribute to advocacy activities shaping the future of business analysis. Enhanced Certification Journey: Get the comprehensive support you need while pursuing valuable IIBA certifications, such as the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) and beyond.





Every student deserves a chance to explore their potential. IIBA's new student membership offers a pathway to exciting opportunities and rewarding careers. Employers value IIBA credentials, giving you an edge in a competitive job market.

With 30,000 members and 120 chapters worldwide, IIBA leads the global business analysis community, setting professional standards and driving better enterprise outcomes. Become part of a community that believes in your potential and unlock the power of analysis everywhere.

Explore IIBA student membershipto learn more about this exciting career path and sign up for our upcoming webinar, Career Pathways in Business Analysis: Information Session for College and University Students.

About IIBA

For over 20 years, the International Institute of Business Analysis.

Media Contact

Robert McClements, Communications and Media Relations Specialist at IIBA

robert.mcclements@iiba.org

1-289-312-6723

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f25d132e-9f53-4ce3-8d15-b13c555b1fcb
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - Conquest Resources Limited (TSXV: CQR) ("Conquest" or the "Company") has entered into a Royalty Purchase and Sale Agreement with VDI Resources LLC (VDI), a subsidiary of VerAI Discoveries Inc. (VerAI), an artificial intelligence (AI) powered mineral discovery generator, pursuant to which the Company agrees to grant to VDI a 1.5% net smelter return royalty on certain target areas with recommended drilling locations generated by VerAI utilizing its proprietary AI technology. The Company agrees to grant VDI an additional 1.5% NSR in return for funding a drill program for testing of the targets identified by VerAI on the Belfast TeckMag Project, a 350 sq. km. land package located northeast of Sudbury, Ontario.

Tom Obradovich, CEO of Conquest stated, "It has been a unique experience working with the VerAI team to integrate their AI technology as another layer of targeting, which enhances our ability to potentially discover subsurface mineral deposits at the Belfast TeckMag Project. This area of Canada is one of the most cost-effective exploration regions and mineral-endowed belts in the world."

Belfast TeckMag Project MIAC Investigation

Over the past several years, Conquest has completed airborne electromagnetic and magnetic geophysical surveys, Mobile MT surveys, ground gravity surveys and regional drill programs. Recent examination of drill core by Dr. JF Montreuil, in particular diamond drill hole BC21-05, has indicated that mineralization and alteration facies are related to hydrothermal systems capable of forming IOCG and affiliated deposits. These systems are referred to as Metasomatic Iron and Alkali-Calcic systems or MIAC. The identified alteration types are similar to the Cloncurry region of Australia which hosts the Earnest Henry Mine in addition to other notable deposits. An exploration program beginning with prospecting and geological mapping of the areas of interest identified by VerAI and compiled with previous data will be conducted this spring under the direction of Joerg Kleinboeck, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration for Conquest. A program of diamond drilling is intended to commence later this year on VerAI targets as well as additional targets established by previous programs.

Yair Frastai, CEO of VerAI, expressed his confidence in the partnership, stating, "It's a privilege to work with Conquest, a well-experienced explorer in the region. Our team is committed to maximizing the chance of discovery by using our AI technology to provide Conquest with higher-probability drilling locations, calibrated from the ongoing drilling inputs."

ABOUT VERAI DISCOVERIES, INC.

VerAI Discoveries ("VerAI") is an AI-powered mineral discovery generator focused on uncovering essential critical minerals for the green energy transition and a sustainable future. Their mission involves working with mining partners to target new mineral discoveries in covered areas in mature mining jurisdictions that remain largely unexplored. By deploying their novel proprietary AI/ML Discovery Platform, VerAI significantly increases the probability of discovering economic mineral deposits of different commodities and in various geological jurisdictions, shortens targeting time, and reduces exploration costs. For more information, visit https://ver-ai.com/.

ABOUT CONQUEST

Conquest Resources Limited, incorporated in 1945, is a mineral exploration company that is exploring for base metals and gold on mineral properties in Ontario.

Conquest holds a 100% interest in the Belfast-TeckMag Project, located in the Temagami Mining Camp at Emerald Lake, Ontario, which is believed to have exceptional exploration upside for magmatic sulphide deposits (Cu-Ni-PGE), VMS, IOCG, Iron formation hosted Au and Paleo-placer Au. The Belfast-TeckMag Project is the Company's flagship property, evolved from the Golden Rose Project, which was initially acquired in December 2017, and significantly augmented through the acquisition of Canadian Continental Exploration Corp. ("CCEC") in 2020 and subsequent additional claim staking and purchases in its adjacent Belfast Copper Project and TeckMag Property.

Conquest now controls over 300 square kilometers of underexplored territory in the Temagami Mining Camp, including the past producing Golden Rose Mine at Emerald Lake.

Conquest also holds a 100% interest in the Alexander Gold Property located immediately east of the Red Lake and Campbell mines in the heart of the Red Lake Gold Camp along the important "Mine Trend" regional structure. Conquest's property is almost entirely surrounded by Evolution Mining landholdings.

In addition, the Company holds interests in the Smith Lake Gold Property, Lake Nipigon Basin Property, and the Marr Lake Property.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

general@conquestresources.com

www.ConquestResources.com

Tom Obradovich

President & Chief Executive

416-985-7140

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205667

SOURCE: Conquest Resources Limited


EQS-Media / 16.04.2024 / 16:27 CET/CEST



United Terra Enterprises PLC Provides Operational Update

United Terra Enterprises PLC proposed work plan for Visoka approved by regulatory body (AKBN) and state-run Albpetrol.

Ruggell, Liechtenstein, April 16, 2024 - United Terra Enterprises PLC (together with Eurybia AG and its wholly owned Albanian subsidiary the "Group") is pleased to announce that Albania's National Agency of Natural Resources ("AKBN") and state-run Albpetrol have approved the Work Plan and Budget for 2024 ("WPB") proposed for the development of the Group's operations at the Visoka oilfield in Albania. The main focus of the WPB is production optimization of selected wells through the installation of downhole and surface equipment and chemical stimulation to enhance productivity. Equipment for the commencement of the WPB has been ordered and received at the Group's facilities in Albania and the initial wells are being prepared for the necessary upgrades.

Present at the Advisory Committee meeting were representatives from the Group, Albpetrol, AKBN and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy. During the meeting, the Group presented an overview of its operational activities for the WPB.

Peter Krempin, CEO, commented: "The approval of our WPB for 2024 is an important step in moving the Group forward. We expect the steps to be taken during 2024 to provide the foundation for future production growth. We would like to thank AKBN, Albpetrol and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy for their continued cooperation in advancing the project."

If you would like additional information, contact the Company either via email info@unitedterra.enterprises or by telephone at +423 236 40 10.

About United Terra Enterprises PLC

United Terra Enterprises is an international energy company engaged in the upstream oil and gas sector and the energy transition to renewable energy. The company is focused on establishing a responsible balance between conventional energy sources and the protection of the environment.

https://unitedterra.enterprises

16.04.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


BANGALORE, India, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Solar PV Mounting Market is Segmented by Type (Fixed Mounting Systems, Tracking Mounting Systems), by Application (Residential roof, Industrial and Commercial Roof, Ground power station).

The Global Solar PV Mounting Systems Market was valued at USD 13070 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 28610 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

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Major Factors Driving the Growth of Solar PV Mounting Systems Market

The expanding global use of solar energy, spurred by government incentives, falling solar technology costs, and rising environmental sustainability consciousness, is the main factor driving the growth of the solar PV mounting systems market.

Further factors driving the market expansion include advancements in mounting system technology, the growth of utility-scale solar projects, increased investment in solar infrastructure, supportive government regulations, and growing energy consumption. When taken as a whole, these elements foster the growth of solar PV installations and increase the need for dependable and effective mounting systems.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF SOLAR PV MOUNTING SYSTEMS MARKET

The cost of generating solar energy has significantly decreased as a result of developments in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The economic viability of solar PV systems has increased due to decreased module costs, enhanced production techniques, and economies of scale. For a number of reasons, fixed mounting methods are recommended in ground-mounted power plants. First off, because they require fewer components and less maintenance than tracking systems, they are easier and more affordable to install. Furthermore, permanent mounting solutions are highly stable and reliable, which makes them appropriate for a variety of environmental settings and geographic regions. Moreover, their fixed orientation maximizes the total efficiency of the solar power plant by guaranteeing steady energy output throughout the day, especially in areas with plenty of sunshine.

In an effort to address climate change and lessen reliance on fossil fuels, governments over the world are setting ambitious objectives for renewable energy. The installation of solar energy infrastructure is made easier by solar PV mounting solutions. Investments in solar PV projects are being driven by feed-in tariffs, renewable portfolio standards, and incentive programs. The market for solar PV mounting systems has grown as a consequence of the increased need for dependable and effective mounting solutions.

Businesses and consumers are actively looking for greener and more sustainable energy options as they become more aware of their impact on the environment. A sustainable and ecologically benign energy source, solar power supports several stakeholders' sustainability objectives. The usage of solar PV systems has increased due to the increased awareness of environmental problems, which has also increased demand for dependable mounting solutions to support these installations. One major factor propelling the market for solar PV mounting systems is the expansion of utility-scale solar projects, especially in areas with plenty of sunshine and benevolent laws. Large arrays of solar panels must be supported by sturdy mounting methods that can survive challenging climatic conditions in utility-scale installations.

Increases in population, industry, and urbanization are causing the world's energy consumption to rise. Simultaneously, updating power systems to incorporate renewable energy sources and enhance energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important. When combined with cutting-edge mounting options, solar PV systems provide distributed and decentralized energy generating capabilities, strengthening the resilience and stability of the grid. The increasing emphasis on solar power integration by utilities and grid operators is anticipated to drive up demand for sturdy mounting methods.

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SOLAR PV MOUNTING SYSTEMS MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

The Middle East, North Africa, and portions of Asia-Pacific are examples of places with plentiful sunshine that are seeing an increase in the use of large-scale solar PV systems, especially in utility-scale projects. Favorable government initiatives that promote market expansion, including feed-in tariffs and renewable energy objectives, frequently help these areas. Furthermore, the market for solar PV mounting systems is expanding quickly in growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China and India, as a result of government attempts to lower carbon emissions and solve energy security issues.

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Key Companies:

NEXTracker

Arctech Solar Holding

Array Technologies

Jiangsu Guoqiang Zinc-plating Industrial

Xiamen Bymea New Energy

Soltec

PV Hardware

GameChange Solar

Ideematec

JiangSu Zhenjiang NewEnergy Equipment

Tianjin Renhui New Energy Technology

Solar Steel

STI Norland

ArcelorMittal (Exosun)

Maibeite (Xiamen) New Energy

Clenergy Technology

Schletter

Versolsolar Hangzhou

Trina Solar

ATEC Architecture

Gibraltar Industries

FTC Solar

K2 Systems

Jiangsu Akcome Science and Technology

Guangdong Baowei New Energy

Convert Italia

Suzhou Kingsun Solar Technology

Suzhou Jsolar Incorporated

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- Solar Mounting Bracket Market

- Fixed Tilt Solar PV Market

- The solar power meters market size was valued at USD 1,575,513.20 thousand in 2020, and is estimated to reach USD 3,998,869.00 thousand by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.8% from 2021 to 2030.

- Rooftop PV System Market

- Solar Photovoltaic Equipment Market

- Solar Photovoltaic Frame market is projected to reach USD 6483.6 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 3985.2 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 7.2% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- The global solar energy market size was valued at USD 52.5 Billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 223.3 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 20.5% from 2019 to 2026.

- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels Market revenue was USD 41820 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 74520 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period (2023-2029).

- Grid-connected PV System Market

- PV Data Collector Market

- PV Power Station Market

- Distributed Solar PV Energy Generation market is projected to reach USD 130100 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 53800 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 13.8% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Photovoltaic Fixed Support System Market

- The global solar cell market size was valued at USD 84.91 Billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach USD 367.23 Billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 15.8% from 2022 to 2031.

- The solar cables market was valued at USD 0.9 Billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach USD 2.9 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.4% from 2023 to 2032.

- Adjustable Solar Panel Tilt Mount Bracket Market

- Solar Cells and Modules Market was estimated to be worth USD 37080 Million in 2023 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 69150 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- Solar Lease Service Market

- Solar Panel Mounting System Market

- Solar PV Tracker Market

- Tracking Photovoltaic Mounting System market was valued at USD 1266 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 2025.5 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- Outdoor Solar Furniture market is projected to reach USD 1047.2 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 483 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 11.5% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Solar Racking Systems Install Services market is projected to reach USD 1071.9 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 604 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 8.5% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Fixed Tilt Solar PV Market

- Flat Roof Bracket For Solar PV Market

- Solar PV Ground Mounting Equipments market was valued at USD 8357 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 18080 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 12.3% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- PV Racking and Mounting Equipment Market

- Solar PV Installation Market

- Dual Axis PV Bracket Tracking System Market

- Aluminum Alloy Photovoltaic Structural Parts market is projected to reach USD 936.8 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 743.1 Million in 2022, with the CAGR of 3.5% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - Rome Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RMR) (FSE: 33R) ("Rome" or the "Target") announces that it has entered into an amendment agreement ("Amendment Agreement") dated 15th April 2024 with Pathfinder Minerals Plc ("Pathfinder"), which amends the heads of terms ("Heads of Terms") with Pathfinder previously announced on November 29, 2023. The Heads of Terms provides for the potential acquisition of the issued and outstanding securities of Rome by Pathfinder, a UK company quoted on AIM, which would constitute a reverse takeover of Rome by Pathfinder under the AIM Rules for Companies and a reorganization under Part 8 of Policy 5.3 of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Amendment Agreement revises the consideration payable by Pathfinder to Rome shareholders.

The consideration previously payable to the Rome Shareholders, as announced by Rome on November 29, 2023, totalled 15,940,891 (Purchase Price) or CAD$27,418,332 using a 1.72 GBP-CAD foreign exchange rate to be settled by the issue of 3,188,178,220 new ordinary shares of 0.001 each (based on an implied share price of 0.5p) in the capital of Pathfinder ("Consideration Shares"), which would constitute in aggregate 68.98% of the enlarged share capital of Pathfinder.

The Amendment Agreement states that the purchase price payable to Rome shareholders shall now be 11,757,897 or C$20,223,583 using a 1.72 GBP-CAD foreign exchange rate. Pathfinder will now settle the Purchase Price through the issuance of 2,351,579,421 Consideration Shares, which will still constitute in aggregate 68.98% of the enlarged share capital of Pathfinder. Pursuant to the Amendment Agreement, for every Rome share held Rome shareholders will receive 19.54 Consideration Shares.

In addition, the previously announced Long Stop Date of 15 April 2024 has been extended to 21 June 2024.

About Rome Resources

Rome Resources Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that has entered into two option agreements and a binding term sheet where it has acquired 51% indirect interests in two contiguous properties situated in the Walikale District of the North Kivu Province in eastern DRC, which are collectively referred to as the "Bisie North Tin Project". Rome has completed an initial phase of drilling on the project where it is responsible to fund exploration up to the completion of a definitive feasibility study.

Contacts

Investors / Shareholders

Mark Gasson

President, CEO & Director

P: (604) 687-6140

Media

E: info@romeresources.com





Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although Rome Resources Ltd believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, Rome Resources Ltd disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205669

SOURCE: Rome Resources Ltd.
YANTAI, China, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 15, the launching ceremony of the celebration on the 30th Anniversary of Yantai (China) - Gunsan (South Korea) Partnership and the inauguration ceremony of the Yantai-Gunsan Sister City Media Alliance Center were held in Gunsan, South Korea. Lyu Bo, member of Standing Committee of Yantai Municipal Party Committee and Director of the Publicity Department of CPC Yantai Municipal Committee and ???, Vice Mayor of Qunshan have attended the event and delivered speeches. More than 80 representatives from the media, enterprises, travel agencies and friendly personage from all walks of life in the two cities gathered in Gunsan GSCO to promote friendship and common development, facilitate friendly cooperation between the two cities to produce more fruitful results, and build a model of Sister City between China and South Korea.

Yantai, which is known as the "wonderland of the world", teamed up this time to pay a visit to Gunsan in order to further deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation between international sister cities. Lyu Bo said that Gunsan was the first city of South Korea establishing friendly partnership with Yantai, and it is also one of the sister cities with which Yantai has the closest exchanges. This year coincides with the 30th anniversary of Yantai - Gunsan Partnership. The two cities will further promote exchanges and cooperation in many fields such as economy, trade, culture, art, and education by holding a series of colorful celebrations.

The nameplate of the Yantai-Gunsan Sister City Media Alliance Center was also unveiled at the event. ??? said that the establishment of the Yantai-Gunsan Sister City Media Alliance Center will create an official communication channel for dialogue and exchanges as well as pragmatic cooperation between journalists in the two cities, become an important link for promoting exchanges and cooperation of the sister cities, help to consolidate the substantive cooperation system, and is of great significance for further deepening exchanges between Yantai and Gunsan in respects of economy, trade and culture.

As a core member of the Yantai-Gunsan Sister City Media Alliance Center, Wang Jingbo, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Shandong Radio & TV Weekly, Chairman of Sdchina News, and Mun Jeonggon, Chief of Jeonbuk Ilbo in Gunsan have unveiled the nameplate of the Yantai-Gunsan Sister City Media Alliance Center and delivered speeches. Tian Dazhong, chairman of Yantai Cultural Tourism Development Group, has made a promotion on Yantai cultural tourism. He stated that taking the celebration on the 30th anniversary of the Anniversary of Yantai - Gunsan Partnership as a new starting point, two cities will jointly promote more and closer exchanges between the two cities at the cultural and tourism level.

The Chinese and South Korean media also held a thematic sharing on "the unique role and new opportunities of the media in international city partnership". Yantai will rely on the Yantai-Gunsan Sister City Media Alliance Center to organize a series of celebration and publicity activities, invite representatives from media, business and travel agencies from Gunsan, South Korea to Yantai, and host a Yantai-Gunsan Strategic Dialogue Conference on Comprehensive Deepening of Cooperation, the China - South Korea (Yantai-Gunsan) Exhibition of Fine Arts and Calligraphy Work, the China - South Korea (Yantai-Gunsan) Youth Friendly Match, a field survey activity among friendly foreigners from sister cities on the theme of "Superb Yantai" and an Online Exchange and Sharing Meeting of Yantai-Gunsan International Sister Cities, forming a regular communication mechanism online and offline throughout the year.

Contact: Zhao Xiangyang

Tel.: 0086535-6789710

E-mail: yt6789710@yt.shandong.cn

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6.6 Million Tonnes Indicated Grading 2,513 ppm TREO

46.2 Million Tonnes Inferred Grading 2,888 ppm TREO

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE: API) (OTCQX: APAAF) (FSE: A0I0) (MUN: A0I0) (BER: A0I0) (the "Company" or "Appia") announced today that an independent technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") has been filed for the PCH ionic adsorption clay (IAC) project (the "PCH Project") located in the State of Goias, Brazil. The report entitled 'Technical Report on the Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for The PCH Project, State of Goias, Brazil' dated April 15th, 2024 with an effective date of February 1, 2024 (the "PCH MRE Report"). The PCH MRE Report was co-authored by Yann Camus, P.Eng., Marc-Antoine Laporte, P.Geo., M.Sc., and Sarah Dean, P.Geo., of SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS"), all of whom are independent qualified persons under NI 43-101. The PCH MRE Report is available for review on SEDARplus (www.sedarplus.com) and the Company's website www.appiareu.com.

There are no material differences in the PCH MRE Report from those results disclosed in the Company's press release issued March 1, 2024. (Click Here).

Stephen Burega, President, commented, "The PCH MRE Report has outlined both exceptional grade and volume across both Target IV and Buriti zones which cover a total area of approximately 480 hectares. Within Target IV Appia has identified a high-grade zone with an inferred resource totalling 13.5 Mt at an average grade of 7307 parts per million (PPM) TREO."

He continued, "The data generated from the first 300 drill holes at PCH has provided our team with a strong geological signature to track and confirm additional high-grade mineralization at newly identified ionic adsorption clay targets across the remaining tenements which encompass a very large area of over +40,000 hectares. The phase II auger drilling program is currently well underway, and we look forward to reporting on results as data becomes available."

The Mineral Resource Statement prepared by SGS for the PCH Project is detail below.





Table 1: PCH Mineral Resource Estimate.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/205668_table1appia.jpg

The MRE has an effective date of the 1st of February 2024. The Qualified Person for the MRE is Mr. Yann Camus, P.Eng., an employee of SGS. The MRE provided in this table were estimated using current Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves have not demonstrated economic viability. Additional drilling will be required to convert Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resources to Measured Mineral Resources. There is no certainty that any part of a Mineral Resource will ever be converted into Reserves. All analyses used for the MRE were performed by SGS GEOSOL by ICM40B: Multi Acid Digestion / ICP OES - ICP MS and by IMS95R: Lithium Metaborate Fusion / ICP-MS. MRE are stated at a cut-off total NSR value of 10 US$/t. The full price list and recovery used to estimate the NSR is in Table 2. The estimated basket price of TREO is US$26.98. GEOVIA's WhittleTM software was used to provide an optimized pit envelope to demonstrate reasonable prospection for economic extraction. Preliminary pit optimization parameters included overall pit slope of 30 degrees, in-pit mining costs of $2.10, processing and G/A costs of $9/t, and overall mining loss and dilution of 5%. Full details of the preliminary pit-optimization parameters can be found in Table 2. The basket price and oxides price list in Table 2 are based on forward-looking pricing. These future prices are predicted based on market trends, economic forecasts, and other relevant factors. The actual prices may vary depending on changes in these factors. Figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and numbers may not add due to rounding. Resources are presented undiluted and in situ, constrained within a 3D model, and are considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. Bulk density values were determined based on physical test work and assumed porosities for each type of material. Total Rare Earth Oxides: TREO = Y2O3 + Eu2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb2O3 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 + La2O3 + Ce2O3 + Pr2O3 + Nd2O3 + Sm2O3. Magnetic Rare Earth Oxides: MREO = Sm2O3 + Tb4O7 + Dy2O3 + Pr6O11 + Nd2O3. Heavy Rare Earth Oxides: HREO = Sm2O3 + Eu2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb4O7 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3. The MRE may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.

Phase II Auger Drilling Across the PCH Project

The Company also wishes to announce the expansion of its auger drilling exploration program aimed at the identification of new Ionic Adsorption Clay (IAC) targets on the remaining claims to the east and north of Target IV and Buriti Zones, on its 40,963.18 ha. PCH project within the Goias State of Brazil. The geological environment of the remaining tenements is equivalent to the one characterized on Target IV, and it will be tested during the Phase II auger drilling program.

The selection of the new target zones to be tested was based on three primary factors including:

A similar geological formation which the Company has identified as the Ipora Granite; Similar weathering profile development with well-developed transition zone between Pedolith and Saprolites where the Ionic Adsorption Clays occur; and Positive showing of the related gammaspectometric geophysical response.





Map 1 - Location map of Appia's PCH Project area including a total of 22 claims across 40,963.18 ha.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/205668_d237214d34ab3888_002full.jpg

Qualified Person

The technical content in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Don Hains, P.Geo, Consulting Geologist, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

The MRE has been prepared by Yann Camus, P.Eng., of SGS Canada Inc ("SGS") from Blainville, Quebec and is a Qualified Person (QP) as defined under NI 43-101. He is responsible for the MRE and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information related to the MRE contained in this news release.

About Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (Appia)

Appia is a publicly traded Canadian company in the rare earth element and uranium sectors. The Company is currently focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on the Alces Lake property, as well as exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its Otherside, Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 94,982.39 hectares (234,706.59 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 13,008 hectares (32,143 acres), with rare earth elements and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in the Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario. Lastly, the Company holds the right to acquire up to a 70% interest in the PCH Project (See June 9th, 2023 Press Release - Click HERE) which is 40,963.18 ha. in size and located within the Goias State of Brazil. (See January 11th, 2024 Press Release - Click HERE).

Appia has 136.3 million common shares outstanding, 144.5 million shares fully diluted.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information, visit www.appiareu.com.

As part of our ongoing effort to keep investors, interested parties and stakeholders updated, we have several communication portals. If you have any questions online (X, Facebook, LinkedIn) please feel free to send direct messages.

To book a one-on-one 30-minute Zoom video call, please click here.

Contact:

Tom Drivas, CEO and Director

(c) (416) 876-3957

(e) tdrivas@appiareu.com

Stephen Burega, President

(c) (647) 515-3734

(e) sburega@appiareu.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205668

SOURCE: Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp.
Operation ICESTORM to head North from UK in early June on former Scottish Fishery Protection Vessel toward high seas confrontation with last fin whaling company in Europe

MEDIA

ALBERT DOCK, HULL, England, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Captain Paul Watson Foundation is launching Operation Ice Storm from Albert Dock in Yorkshire to directly oppose Iceland's last whaling company, Hvalur hf. Paul Watson, a co-founder of Greenpeace and founder of Sea Shepherd, has a history of intervening in Icelandic whaling operations - In 1986, members of his group successfully reduced the whaling fleet of Hvalur hf by half.

"The time is up for the world's most notorious hunter of whales, Kristjan Loftsson," stated Captain Paul Watson, who will lead this summer's anti-whaling campaign on his flagship the John Paul DeJoria, a 72-meter former Scottish Fisheries Protection Vessel.

Kristjan Loftsson operates Hvalur hf at a loss. The whaler's business empire includes large shareholdings in banks and IT companies and the magnate uses his wealth to hunt up to 209 fin whales each season. Fin whales are protected under international conservation law and listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Despite widespread opposition from the Icelandic public (a recent poll suggests over 51% of Icelanders oppose whaling) and Iceland's Fisheries Minister temporarily revoking Hvalur hf's whaling license last summer, Iceland's whaling boss continues to leverage his political influence in pursuit of resuming whaling operations. Loftsson plans to deploy two ships, armed with explosive harpoons - Hvalur 8 and Hvalur 9 - in June.

"Our volunteer crew members are making necessary preparations to depart UK in June. From our standpoint, Loftsson is planning to hunt whales this summer and we will be ready," stated Captain Locky MacLean, who sailed the John Paul DeJoria to the coast of Iceland last summer to intercept Hvalur's vessels when the licenses were suspended.

In 2023, the US-based Captain Paul Watson Foundation and its UK arm, CPWF UK, worked in conjunction on land and at sea on "Operation Paiakan" during which a temporary pause on whaling permits was issued by Iceland's Fisheries Minister, Svandis Svavarsdottir, as the John Paul DeJoria lay-to off the West coast of Iceland, ready for a confrontation to stop Hvalur hf's vessels from hunting fin whales. This summer, CPWF's flagship will set sail in mid-June from Hull, UK to block Loftsson's harpoon ships if permits are issued.

CPWF UK's Rob Read, who has been running a ground operation in Iceland each summer for several years, and documenting the whale processing factory in Hvalfjorur since 2018, states "Whaling is the calculated, intentional, cruel killing of one of the planet's most intelligent marine mammals, whales are a key species proven to be critical not only to saving the oceans but ultimately all life on Earth."

Last May, Iceland's Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) alleged Hvalur hf was in violation of Iceland's animal welfare laws. They cited instances of multiple fin whales failing to die instantaneously during the hunt, and a median time-to-death of 11.5 minutes. Iceland, alongside Japan and Norway, persists as one of the final nations to engage in commercial whaling, defying the global moratorium imposed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986.

MEDIA

ABOUT CAPTAIN PAUL WATSON FOUNDATION: The Captain Paul Foundation, founded in 2022 by esteemed environmental and conservation activist Paul Watson, co-founder of Greenpeace and founder of Sea Shepherd, alongside tech entrepreneur Omar Todd, is a US-based non-profit dedicated to marine conservation. Committed to halting habitat destruction and wildlife slaughter in the world's oceans, the foundation aims to safeguard marine ecosystems and species and uses innovative direct-action tactics to expose and confront illegal activities at sea. Visit www.paulwatsonfoundation.org for more information.

ABOUT OPERATION ICE STORM: Operation Ice Storm has a singular focus: to save the lives of endangered fin whales from Iceland's last whaling company Hvalur hf. Despite the global ban on commercial whaling mandated by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986, Iceland persists in granting permits for this activity. This joint campaign, launched by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation and its UK branch, will employ aggressive non-violent tactics and direct intervention to enforce international conservation laws.

For interviews and media inquiries, please contact Mia Music at press@paulwatsonfoundation.org or Paul Watson at captain@paulwatson.com.

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EQS-Media / 16.04.2024 / 17:43 CET/CEST



Marley Spoon Group SE ("Marley Spoon" or the "Company"), a leading global subscription-based meal kit provider for home cooking, will release its quarterly results for the period ending 31 March 2024 as well as audited full year 2023 results and the Non-Financial Report 2023 on Tuesday, 30 April 2024.

Investors are invited to join a conference call on Tuesday, 30 April 2024, at 10.00 am (CET) hosted by Marley Spoon Founder & CEO, Fabian Siegel, and CFO, Jennifer Bernstein, who will provide an update on the Company's performance.

To pre-register for the call, please follow this link:

https://montegaconnect.de/event/hbt89hn3b80ewh55ihex591aiibmccps

About Marley Spoon Group SE



Marley Spoon Group SE is a global direct-to-consumer (DTC) meal solution company. Our Vision is to "Build a better every day, just for you, just right". We started Marley Spoon in 2014 to help our customers cook for their families and deal with their busy lives. We also felt there should be a more sustainable way to cook at home, reducing food waste that traditional supermarket supply chains generate. Marley Spoon currently operates various brands in three regions: Australia, the United States, and Europe (Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands). Our meal-kit brands, Marley Spoon, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon, and Dinnerly, bring pre-portioned fresh ingredients with tasty and simple recipes and other eating solutions reliably to our customers every week. Our customers just decide what to eat, and when to eat, and leave behind the hassle of grocery shopping. Chefgood and bistroMD are our direct-to-consumer ready-to-heat (RTH) services that offer premium-priced, high-quality, healthy, and nutritious RTH meals and eating solutions for our wellness and health-focused customers.

16.04.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


SAN FRANCISCO, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Atomicwork , the leading provider of AI-powered IT service management for modern enterprises, has announced the launch of its new digital workplace experience solution in collaboration with Cohere, the leading enterprise AI platform, to help businesses accelerate their workspace productivity and IT support automation.

Atom AI, Atomicwork's digital assistant, delivers intelligent and contextual solutions to employee support questions to enhance workplace support experience and boost IT teams' productivity. The solution eliminates the need for end users to switch between different business applications to find information, and enables them to get instant help on modern collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack, fostering efficient and proactive support.

Key highlights of the launch include:

Advanced AI Automation: Built-in Atom AI skills that autonomously solve end to end IT support issues by understanding end users' work context, delivering true self-service for employees while accelerating efficiency for IT teams. Enhanced Employee Productivity: Advanced enterprise knowledge and search capabilities across a host of business applications and internal knowledge bases, delivered in the flow of an employee's work, to help them find the right information quickly, boosting employee productivity and experience. Seamless Enterprise IT Integration: Embedded iPaas in the Atomicwork platform enabling IT teams to seamlessly integrate business applications and internal services to deliver modern enterprise service management use cases while reducing IT integration complexity.

Atomicwork's launch of the digital workspace experience solution is powered by Cohere, and their most advanced and scalable large language model, Command R+. Purpose-built for real-world enterprise use cases, Command R+ along with Cohere's Rerank model, enables Atomicwork to deliver Atom AI with high accuracy and performance.

Commenting on the launch of a digital workplace experience solution and the collaboration with Cohere, Vijay Rayapati, Atomicwork's CEO, stated, "We want to empower IT leaders to transform their digital experience journey with our new solution. This strategic collaboration of Atomicwork with Cohere enables us to deliver advanced and secure enterprise AI capabilities for our clients to streamline business workflow automations."

"We're excited Atomicwork is using Cohere's industry-leading Command R model family to power their new digital workplace experience solution. Atomicwork's software has the potential to significantly boost productivity for enterprise IT teams. We look forward to seeing the real-world benefits leaders like Atomicwork develop with our technology to help transform the global IT sector with AI," said Abhishek Sinha, VP of Product at Cohere.

"Cohere's new Command-R+ model delivers state-of-the-art accuracy, while offering a remarkable 50% reduction in latency when compared to more expensive models. This powerful combination of performance and efficiency empowers our AI-first approach to unlock new possibilities and provide exceptional experiences for our customers," said Kiran Darisi, CTO, Atomicwork.

About Atomicwork

Atomicwork is a digital workplace experience platform that aims to deliver modern service management to enterprises. The platform empowers businesses to deliver fast and scalable internal support for their employees and end users, thereby enhancing employee experience with enterprise efficiency. Seamlessly integrating with existing enterprise applications and internal IT systems, Atomicwork connects employees, internal processes, and business systems, enhancing efficiency in workplace support, service, and operations.

About Cohere

Cohere is the leading AI platform for enterprise. Its world-class AI is uniquely suited to the needs of business, unlocking unprecedented ease-of-use, accessibility, and data privacy. Cohere's platform is cloud-agnostic, accessible through API as a managed service, and can be deployed on virtual private cloud (VPC) or even on-site to meet companies where their data is, offering the highest levels of flexibility and control. Founded by Google Brain alumni and a co-author of the seminal Transformer research paper, Cohere is on a mission to transform enterprises and their products with AI that unlocks a more intuitive way to generate, search, and summarize information than ever before.

Press contact

Sairam Krishnan

press@atomicwork.com

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Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 16

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

16 April 2024

REDDE NORTHGATE PLC

("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 16 April 2024 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 75,000 Weighted average purchase price paid : 371.65333 pence per share Highest purchase price paid : 372.5 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid : 370 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 20,606,862 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 225,484,561 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions (as at 16 April 2024)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 25,000 25,000 25,000 372.46 372.50 370.00 14:27:26 14:30:16 15:10:40 00069594393TRLO0 00069594548TRLO0 00069596902TRLO0 LSE LSE LSE

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden.

Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals.

Further information please visit the Company's website:
New York, US (PANA) - With the promise of a better world in mind, the UN Youth Office has launched an new advocacy campaign  World Leaders: It's Time to Let #YouthLead"  calling for greater youth representation in decision-making roles in both the public and private sector, civil society, academia, and the UN
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 16

For immediate release

16 April 2024

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announce that it has today purchased 127,942 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 811.95 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 23 January 2024.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 39,535,992; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 185,455,311.

The figure of 185,455,311 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
HAYDEN, ID / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Timberline Resources Corporation (OTCQB:TLRS)(TSX-V:TBR) ("Timberline" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") with McEwen Mining Inc. ("McEwen"). McEwen has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company not already owned by McEwen (each, a "Timberline Share") by way of a merger between Timberline and a subsidiary of McEwen (the "Transaction").

Under the Merger Agreement, Timberline shareholders will receive 0.01 of a share of McEwen's common stock (each, a "McEwen Share") for each Timberline Share held (the "Exchange Ratio"), representing a value of US$0.102 per Timberline Share, based on the 20-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of McEwen Shares on the NYSE on April 15th, 2024. This represents a 132% premium to the 20-day volume-weighted average price of Timberline Shares on the OTCQB. McEwen currently owns 6,250,000 Timberline Shares representing approximately 3.3% of Timberline's common shares outstanding and 6,250,000 warrants. The Exchange Ratio represents an undiluted equity transaction value (on a 100% basis) of approximately US$19.4 million.

Patrick Highsmith, Timberline's President and CEO, commented, "The merger with McEwen Mining, at an attractive premium to Timberline's current trading price, provides our shareholders with continued exposure to Timberline's assets as part of a more diverse growth-oriented platform. The combination should also unlock synergies between the Gold Bar mine and our Eureka project."

Benefits to Timberline Shareholders

Premium of 162% based on the last closing price and 132% based on the 20-day VWAP

Ownership in an Americas-focused gold-silver-copper producer, with 3 operating mines forecast to produce 130,000 to 145,000 gold-equivalent ounces in 2024 on an attributable basis, run by seasoned mining professional Robert McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen McEwen also owns 47.7% of McEwen Copper, which owns a 100% interest in the PEA stage Los Azules project, the world's 8th largest undeveloped copper project, located in San Juan, Argentina

Participation in the potential accelerated development of the Eureka project by consolidation with McEwen's operating Gold Bar mine located in Eureka County, central Nevada

Increased trading liquidity and exposure to institutional investors through McEwen's NYSE and TSX listings

Eliminates the need for continued dilutive financings to fund Timberline's exploration and corporate expenses

Transaction Summary

The proposed transaction will be completed by the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of McEwen with and into Timberline, with Timberline surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of McEwen. The transaction will require the approval of a majority of the Timberline common shares outstanding and entitled to vote at a special meeting of Timberline shareholders. It is also subject to other customary closing conditions. The directors and officers of Timberline, together with two significant shareholders of Timberline, representing approximately 40% of the common shares outstanding have entered into a voting and support agreement pursuant to which they have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the Transaction. It is anticipated that the transaction will close in the third quarter of 2024.

Timberline's Board of Directors has determined that the proposed transaction is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders, having taken into account advice from its financial advisor, and has unanimously approved the execution of the Merger Agreement. Timberline's Board of Directors recommends that its shareholders vote in favor of the Transaction. Cormark Securities Inc. has provided an opinion to Timberline's Board of Directors that the consideration to be received from McEwen in connection with the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Timberline shareholders.

Timberline Bridge Facility

Concurrent with the execution of the Merger Agreement, McEwen and Timberline have entered into an interim financing arrangement whereby McEwen has agreed to loan Timberline up to approximately US$500,000 to fund working capital and corporate costs of Timberline through the anticipated closing of the proposed transaction.

Advisors and Counsel

Cormark Securities Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Timberline, and Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP is acting as Timberline's legal advisor.

About McEwen Mining

McEwen Mining is a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, Mexico and Argentina. In addition, it owns approximately 47.7% of McEwen Copper which owns the large, advanced stage Los Azules copper project in Argentina. The Company's goal is to improve the productivity and life of its assets with the objective of increasing its share price and providing a yield. Rob McEwen, Executive Chairman and Chief Owner, has a personal investment in the group of US$220 million and takes an annual salary of US$1.

About Timberline Resources

Timberline Resources Corporation is a Nevada based exploration company with its flagship gold-silver property in the Eureka District. The Eureka property includes the historical Lookout Mountain and Windfall mines in a total property position of approximately 27 square miles (70 square kilometers).

Near the northern end of the Battle Mountain - Eureka Trend, the Company also jointly holds the Paiute Project with Nevada Gold Mines. Timberline also controls the Seven Troughs Project in northern Nevada, which is one of the state's highest-grade former gold producers.

In total, Timberline controls over 43 square miles (111 square kilometers) of mineral rights in Nevada. Detailed maps and technical materials for the Company's projects may be viewed at http://timberlineresources.co/.

Timberline is listed on the OTCQB where it trades under the symbol "TLRS" and on the TSX Venture Exchange where it trades under the symbol "TBR".

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Patrick Highsmith"

President and CEO

Tel: 208-664-4859

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In connection with the potential transaction, McEwen expects to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC containing a preliminary prospectus of McEwen that also constitutes a preliminary proxy statement of Timberline Resources. After the registration statement is declared effective, Timberline will mail a definitive proxy statement/prospectus to stockholders of Timberline. This communication is not a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus or registration statement or for any other document that McEwen or Timberline may file with the SEC and send to Timberline's stockholders in connection with the potential transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF MCEWEN AND TIMBERLINE ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by McEwen or Timberline through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by McEwen will be available free of charge on McEwen's website at https://www.mcewenmining.com/investor-relations/reports-and-filings/default.aspx and copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Timberline will be available free of charge on Timberline's website at https://timberlineresources.co/edgar-filings/.

McEwen and Timberline and certain of their respective directors, certain of their respective executive officers and other members of management and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the potential transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of McEwen is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on March 15, 2024, and its proxy statement for its 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on May 1, 2023. Information about the directors and executive officers of Timberline is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on January 17, 2024. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the potential transaction will be included in the registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements regarding the potential transaction between McEwen Mining Inc. ("McEwen") and Timberline Resources Corporation ("Timberline"), including any statements regarding the expected timetable for completing the potential transaction, the ability to complete the potential transaction, the expected benefits of the potential transaction and projected synergies, projected future opportunities, and any other statements regarding McEwen's and Timberline's future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, or future events or performance. Words or phrases such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "targets," "advances," "commits," "drives," "aims," "forecasts," "projects," "believes," "approaches," "seeks," "schedules," "estimates," "positions," "pursues," "progress," "may," "can," "could," "should," "will," "budgets," "outlook," "trends," "guidance," "focus," "on track," "goals," "objectives," "strategies," "opportunities," "poised," "potential," "ambitions," "aspires" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations of McEwen's and Timberline's management and therefore involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in the statements. Key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements include the ability to obtain the requisite Timberline stockholder approval; uncertainties as to the timing to consummate the potential transaction; the risk that a condition to closing the potential transaction may not be satisfied; the risk that regulatory approvals are not obtained or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated by the parties; the effects of disruption to McEwen's or Timberline's respective businesses; transaction costs; McEwen's ability to achieve the benefits and projected synergies from the proposed transaction; McEwen's ability to promptly, efficiently and effectively integrate acquired operations into its own operations; unknown liabilities; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; and the effects of industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions outside of McEwen's or Timberline's control. Additional risks that may affect McEwen's results of operations and financial position appear in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of McEwen's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Additional risks that may affect Timberline's results of operations and financial position appear in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of Timberline's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023, and in subsequent filings with the SEC. Other unpredictable or factors not discussed in this news release could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements. Neither McEwen nor Timberline assumes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

SOURCE: Timberline Resources Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The "Spain Data Center Market Investment Analysis Growth Opportunities 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Spain's Data Center Market was valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach USD 2.85 billion by 2029, showcasing a CAGR of 6.99%.

Artificial Intelligence enhances the Spanish industry by making swift decisions, operating 26/7, and automating tasks. This has led to increased data generation and increased demands for data centers. The growing demand and the emergence of large-scale operations are anticipated to significantly increase colocation capacity in Spain within the next five years.

Companies establishing cloud regions in Spain are expected to boost the demand for data centers, driven by the need for localized, efficient data processing and storage solutions, thereby enhancing Spain's digital infrastructure. Madrid, alongside the FLAP markets (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, and Paris), competes well regarding installed power. The growth in Madrid's capacity aligns with or exceeds the growth rates observed in these significant European data center markets.

The increasing demand and the emergence of large-scale operations are projected to rapidly expand colocation capacity over the next five years in Spain. The competitive scenario in the Spain data center industry has attracted global operators looking to leverage the lucrative opportunities presented by the region's growth potential.

Microsoft is enhancing its presence in Spain through a new project, a data center campus in Aragon. This expansion will strengthen Microsoft's capability to provide European businesses and organizations with intelligent cloud services, including Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365.

REPORT FEATURES

Market size is available in the investment area, power capacity, and Spain colocation market revenue.

An assessment of the data center investment in Spain by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators.

Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country.

A detailed study of the existing Spain data center market landscape, an in-depth market analysis, and insightful predictions about market size during the forecast period.

Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in Spain

Data Center Colocation Market in Spain

The Spain data center market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast.

A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry.

Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry.

A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the industry.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Some key colocation investors in the Spain data center market 2023 are Nabiax, Form8tion, DATA4, Equinix, Iron Mountain, Merlin Properties, NTT Global Data Centers, CyrusOne, and others.

In November 2023, AWS achieved sustainable data center cooling in 20 facilities by utilizing treated sewage, a part of their water administration program since 2020. This initiative in Spain aligns with environmental goals.

Equinix is building a new data center in Barcelona to boost the city's role as a vital hub connecting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This move enhances digital connectivity.

IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Networks

ATOS

Broadcom

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

IBM

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

Data Center Construction Contractors Sub-Contractors

ACS Group

AEON Engineering

Arup

ARSMAGNA

CapIngelec

Ramboll

Ferrovial

IDOM

ISG

Hill International

Mercury

PQC

Quark

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Caterpillar

Cummins

Delta Electronics

Eaton

GESAB

Legrand

Piller Power Systems

Rittal

Rolls-Royce

Schneider Electric

STULZ

Vertiv

Data Center Investors

Aire Networks

DATA4

Digital Realty

Edgeconnex

Equinix

NTT Global Data Centers

Nabiax

New Entrants

AQ Compute

CyrusOne

Merlin Properties

Microsoft

Iron Mountain

Form8tion Data Centers (Thor Equities)

EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS

Existing Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity)

Madrid

Other Cities

List of Upcoming Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity)

Madrid

Other Cities

REPORT COVERAGE

This report analyses the market share of Spain's data center. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

How big is the Spain data center market?

What is the growth rate of the Spain data center market?

How much MW of power capacity will be added across Spain from 2024 to 2029?

What factors are driving the Spain data center market?

Which cities are included in the Spain data center market report?

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 117 Forecast Period 2023 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $1.9 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $2.85 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.9% Regions Covered Spain

Key Topics Covered:

1. Existing Upcoming Third-Party Data Centers in Spain

1.1. Historical Market Scenario

1.2. 50+ Unique Data Center Properties

1.3. Data Center IT Load Capacity

1.4. Data Center White Floor Area

1.5. Existing vs. Upcoming Data Center Capacity by Locations

1.6. Locations Covered

1.7. List of Upcoming Data Center Facilities

2. Investment Opportunities in Spain

2.1. Microeconomic and Macroeconomic Factors of Spain Market

2.2. Investment Opportunities in Spain

2.3. Investment by Area

2.4. Investment by Power Capacity

3. Data Center Colocation Market in Spain

3.1. Colocation Services Market in Spain

3.2. Retail vs Wholesale Data Center Colocation

3.3. Colocation Pricing (Quarter Rack, Half Rack, Full Rack) ADD-Ons

4. Market Dynamics

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Trends

4.3. Market Restraints

5. Market Segmentation

5.1. IT Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

5.2. Electrical Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

5.3. Mechanical Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

5.4. General Construction Services: Market Size Forecast

6. Tier Standard Investment

6.1. Tier I II

6.2. Tier III

6.3. Tier IV

7. Geography

7.1. Madrid

7.2. Other Cities

8. Key Market Participants

8.1. IT Infrastructure Providers

8.2. Construction Contractors

8.3. Support Infrastructure Providers

8.4. Data Center Investors

8.5. New Entrants

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vs5epk

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416613299/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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New York, NY, April 16, 2024, the first to fuse voice tones with language in a generative AI platform for corporate communications, today unveiled Titanium. Built for the discerning needs of investor relations and financial communications professionals, Titanium offers unparalleled AI security, marking a leap forward in securely navigating pre- and post-earnings calls with advanced AI insights.

Titanium is designed to bridge the critical value gaps in financial narratives, enabling users to craft and refine their investor stories with precision. Its unique capabilities ensure that professionals are equipped with the best-in-class linguistic and tonal AI tools, transforming earnings call preparation and analysis into a more strategic and insightful process, saving time on reviews, providing real-time feedback, and securing sensitive information.

"At Markets EQ, we recognize the dual imperative of security and intelligence in financial communications. Titanium addresses this by safeguarding sensitive pre-call data and providing post-call competitive intelligence, ensuring that IR professionals have an unparalleled edge," says Sean Austin, CEO of Markets EQ.

Key features of Titanium include:

Enhanced AI Security: Ensuring the safe upload of draft scripts and management presentations for in-depth pre-call analysis

Ensuring the safe upload of draft scripts and management presentations for in-depth pre-call analysis Comprehensive Market Coverage : Analyzing the North American public equities for holistic insights

: Analyzing the North American public equities for holistic insights Advanced Voice and Language Analytics: Offering deep dives into earnings calls and financial disclosures to identify value gaps, flag contradictory statements, and assess communication clarity, stress, and more, helping users to fine-tune their investor stories pre- and post-earnings calls

Offering deep dives into earnings calls and financial disclosures to identify value gaps, flag contradictory statements, and assess communication clarity, stress, and more, helping users to fine-tune their investor stories pre- and post-earnings calls Real-Time Feedback: Enabling users to refine their messages on the fly by asking AI for immediate takeaways

Titanium transforms exhaustive earnings call analysis, from identifying potential "red-flag moments" to providing actionable suggestions for narrative improvement. It's a tool that not only saves countless hours but also significantly elevates the quality of corporate communication.

Titanium is a subscription-based enhancement for Markets EQ users. To subscribe, visit marketseq.aiand sign up for the Special Access feature.





About Markets EQ

Markets EQ is the only GenAI solution providing competitive tonal analysis, previously unavailable awareness, and understanding to investor relations, finance, and communications professionals. According to The Harris Poll, there is a $1.2 trillion annual loss among U.S. businesses due to poor communication, or approximately $12,506 per employee every year. Markets EQ makes sure you don't fall deep into this statistic. Through cutting-edge AI, we provide you with the tools to perform at your best. Learn more at www.marketseq.ai/welcome.
Session Will Describe How Private Cellular Networks Improve Efficiencies and Financial Performance

AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / GXC (www.gxc.io), a leading provider of private cellular network solutions, announced that Allen Proithis, the company's chief executive officer, will be a featured speaker at the 2024 AICPA & CIMA CFO Conference. His session, "5G, AI & ESP: Finding the ROI in New Technologies," will provide insights and suggested strategies to CFOs who are navigating the ever-evolving landscape of technology investments. The conference is scheduled for April 24-26, 2024, at The Charleston Place in Charleston, South Carolina. The session will take place at 1:35 p.m. on April 24.

During his presentation, Proithis will highlight the suitability of private cellular networks for industrial, manufacturing, agricultural, mining, and other sectors that are looking to improve efficiency through automation and AI-based applications. The discussion will focus on enhanced connectivity capabilities to support next-generation services, improved resiliency, and security features, as well as the potential to lower operating costs, increase productivity, and maximize a return on technology investments. The session will utilize real-world examples to illustrate key concepts and demonstrate the value of these solutions.

"I am delighted to speak before the CFO community and describe in very straightforward business terms how technologies like private cellular networks can make a tangible impact on the bottom line," said Proithis. "As businesses continue to evaluate new technologies and determine their value, it is essential to help C-level executives understand the practical realities of deploying these solutions."

GXC is a recognized leader in the development of private cellular networks for enterprise applications. The company's patented solutions enable businesses to expand coverage, improve resiliency and security, and lower network operating costs. The company's Onyx platform utilizes proprietary interference cancellation technology that enables access to devices provided in available spectrums.

To learn more about GXC and its groundbreaking 5G cellular mesh architecture for enterprises, please visit www.gxc.io.

About GXC

Founded in 2016, GXC is an Austin, Texas-based company that provides groundbreaking private cellular network solutions for enterprises. Through its turnkey proprietary platform, GXC Onyx, the company delivers comprehensive connectivity both indoors and out, enabling highly secure, resilient, and scalable coverage that supports critical business operations in manufacturing, logistics, transportation, agriculture, and other commercial venues. GXC is the only provider to offer private cellular mesh technology, building this capability based on years of advanced research. The company partners with leading technology providers and systems integrators to ensure that each system is professionally deployed and meets the expectations of sophisticated enterprises.

Follow us on LinkedIn and X and contact us here for inquiries.

GXC Contact:

PR Contact

Cristina Betanzo

Head of Marketing, GXC

Cristina.betanzo@gxc.io

Glenn Goldberg

Parallel Communications Group

516-705-6116

??: @Parallel_PR

ggoldberg@parallelpr.com

SOURCE: GXC

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - Hillcrest Energy Technologies (CSE: HEAT) (OTCQB: HLRTF) (FSE: 7HI) ("Hillcrest" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases dated January 31, 2024 and February 9, 2024, the Company has closed the second tranche of its non-brokered private placement in the amount of 3,582,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.25 per Unit for gross proceeds of $895,500 (the "Second Tranche"). The total placement size, cumulative of all tranches, is anticipated to be a maximum of 8,000,000 Units for maximum gross proceeds of $2,000,000 (the "Private Placement"). The Company intends to close the third tranche of the Private Placement in the near future.

Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.30 per Common Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. However, the Warrants will be subject to an accelerated expiry upon 30 business days' notice from the Company in the event the Common Shares trade for ten (10) consecutive trading days any time after four (4) months from the date of issuance at a volume-weighted average price of at least $0.50 on the Canadian Securities Exchange.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement, including the Second Tranche, for technology and product development, commercialization, and general working capital. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a four month and one day hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The subscribers in the Private Placement included a director and officer of the Company (the "Insider") who subscribed for an aggregate of 600,000 Units. The issuance of Units to the Insider constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemption from valuation requirement and minority approval pursuant to subsection 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, for the insider participation in the Private Placement, as the Units do not represent more than 25% of the Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

The securities of the Company referred to in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws. Accordingly, the securities of the Company may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Hillcrest Energy Technologies

Hillcrest Energy Technologies is a clean technology company developing high value, high performance power conversion technologies and digital control systems for next-generation powertrains and grid-connected renewable energy systems. From concept to commercialization, Hillcrest is investing in the development of energy solutions that will power a more sustainable and electrified future. Hillcrest is publicly traded on the CSE under the symbol "HEAT," on the OTCQB Venture Market as "HLRTF" and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as "7HI." For more information, please visit: https://hillcrestenergy.tech/.

Contact Information

Don Currie

Chief Executive Officer and Director

dcurrie@hillcrestenergy.tech

O: +1-604-609-0006

Toll-free: 1-855-609-0006

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

Some of the statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "intends," "is expected," "potential," "suggests" or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "should," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this news release includes the completion of a third Tranche of the Private Placement and the use of proceeds from the Private Placement. This forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this news release. The forward-looking information reflects the current expectations and assumptions of management and is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. No assurance can be given that these assumptions will prove correct. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company's public filings under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205745

SOURCE: Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd.
It is with great pleasure that we announce the approval by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) of the medication Orladeyo (berotralstat) for the prevention of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in adult and pediatric patients aged 12 and older in Brazil.

Hereditary angioedema is a genetic disorder that causes recurrent episodes of sudden and painful swelling of the skin, mucous membranes and submucosal tissues. Until recently, treatment options for HAE were limited, leaving patients facing compromised quality of life and the constant risk of severe attacks.

"The approval of Orladeyo by ANVISA is excellent news for the hereditary angioedema patient community in Brazil," comments Dr. Valnei Canutti, Chief Scientific Officer at Pint Pharma. "This innovative ORAL therapy represents a breakthrough for those living with this rare condition, offering an effective and convenient long-term prophylaxis option, preventing hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks."

According to David Munoz, CEO of Pint Pharma, "in addition to providing direct benefits to patients, the availability of Orladeyo in Brazil highlights our continued commitment to advancing research and innovation in the field of rare disease healthcare."

"The approval of Orladeyo is a great achievement for patients and a proof of the successful collaboration between the medical community, regulators, and pharmaceutical companies in Brazil to enhance the treatment options," expressed Fernanda Bertasi, General Manager of Pint Pharma in Brazil.

About Orladeyo

ORLADEYO (berotralstat) is the first and only oral therapy specifically designed to prevent hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in adult and pediatric patients aged 12 and older. One ORLADEYO capsule per day prevents HAE attacks by reducing plasma kallikrein activity. ORLADEYO is a product of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its registration, commercialization and distribution are exclusively handled by Pint Pharma in Latin America.

About Pint Pharma

Pint Pharma, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring or licensing and commercializing pharmaceutical products for Latin America. We are a community-centered company and pride ourselves on providing exceptional industry expertise and know-how from the Latin American pharmaceutical industry, striving to deliver the best treatment and service to the population through strategic alliances with our global business partners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416090634/en/

Contacts:

Jorge Camacho

Chief of Strategy and Portfolio Strategy

email: Jorge.camacho@pint-pharma.com

Valnei Canutti

Chief Scientific Officer

email: valnei.canutti@pint-pharma.com
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - A high-level delegation from the Libyan government of national unity has discussed with the management of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) ways of facilitating the return of foreign investors to Libya
SOSV, a Princeton, NJ-based multi-stage deep tech venture investor, announced the close of SOSV V fund, at $306M.

Limited partners included corporates, sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, and private family offices around the world.

Read more on VCWire.tech, our new website dedicated to the tech venture capital industry.

FinSMEs

16/04/2024
After increasing by 1.0 percent on the quarter and 5.2 percent on the year in the preceding three months, the GDP is predicted to grow by 0.8 percent on the quarter and 4.8 percent on the year read more

On Tuesday, China is expected to disclose a number of data that would highlight the countrys economic activities. The Q1 GDP estimates are available together with the March figures for retail sales, industrial output, fixed asset investment, unemployment, and housing prices.

After increasing by 1.0 percent on the quarter and 5.2 percent on the year in the preceding three months, the GDP is predicted to grow by 0.8 percent on the quarter and 4.8 percent on the year. It is predicted that the unemployment rate would decrease from 5.3 percent in February to 5.2 percent. Following a 1.4 percent decline one month ago, house prices are now down 1.2 percent year over year.

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Retail sales are predicted to increase by 5.1 percent annually, down from 5.5 percent a month earlier, while industrial production is predicted to increase by 5.4 percent year over year, down from 7.0 percent in February. From 4.2 percent in the previous month, fixed asset investments are now higher by 4.3 percent year over year.

Indonesia is set to disclose its March trade balance, export, and import data. With a 9.45% annual decline in exports and a 15.84 percent annual increase in imports, there was a $0.87 billion trade surplus in February.

Lastly, Thailands market will reopen on Wednesday after remaining closed for the Songkran Festival.
Aamir Khan is currently busy with Sitaare Zameen Par, which is set to hit the screens in the Christmas weekend read more

Bollywood actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan has become the latest victim of deepfake video as he has featured in one of the fake political ads, which has surfaced on the internet concerning an upcoming election and a certain political party.

Aamir Khans team issued an official statement regarding the fake video, that read, We want to clarify that Mr. Aamir Khan has never endorsed any political party throughout his 35-year career. He has dedicated his efforts to raising public awareness through Election Commission public awareness campaigns for many past elections. We are alarmed by the recent viral video alleging that Aamir Khan is promoting a particular political party. He would like to clarify that this is a fake video and totally untrue. He has reported the matter to various authorities related to this issue, including filing an FIR with the Cyber Crime Cell of the Mumbai Police.

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Mr. Khan would like to urge all Indians to come out and vote and be an active part of our electoral process."

On the professional front, Aamir Khan is currently busy with Sitaare Zameen Par. Sharing an update about it after the screening of Laapataa Ladies, the actor told media, I started shooting for my next film last week. We are trying to release it on Christmas this year. Lets hope it comes by Christmas.

In one of the interviews, he opened up about the film and said, I have started shooting for my new film, Sitaare Zameen Par from February 1. It is the next level of Taare Zameen Par, it is like part 2. It is not the same story and the characters are also not the same.

He added, The theme is the same but the difference is, unlike Taare Zameen Par, which left you with tears, Sitaare Zameen Par will leave in laughter. Prasanna is directing it and it is an entertaining film. We are looking at the same topic but with a different perspective.
Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (23), the two suspects in the Salman Khan firing case, have been arrested by Mumbai Police from Bhuj in Gujarat where they had escaped after the incident.

Lakhmi Gautam, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) said, We have arrested two accused Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal from Bhuj district in Gujarat. Primarily, they have done recce of the house thrice. He added, They are being brought to the city where they will be produced before the court. We will be interrogating the accused to find out who gave them the contract for the firing.

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Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the attack hours later, saying, Salman Khan, do not take us lightly. This is the first and last warning. After this, the firing will happen at your home.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray asked why culprits are being caught from Gujarat only.

Why all such people are being caught from Gujarat only? The traitors (rebel Sena MLAs) also fled to Gujarat. The drug consignment is also coming to Gujarat. Now these people fired [the gun] here and went to Gujarat. So why all such people are going to Gujarat only? I am not blaming the people of Gujarat. But people of Gujarat should realise that this way, the states name is being defamed, he said in a press conference.

While briefing the media over the incident, on Sunday, CM Eknath Shinde said, This is an unfortunate incident. Police are investigating it. The accused will be caught, and stringent action will be taken against them. Those who take the law into their own hands wont be spared.
Australia is shocked after two stabbing incidents occurred in Sydney in just three days. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested for injuring a bishop and a priest with a knife at a church in the city on Monday. This comes after the mall attack last weekend that left six dead and several others injured read more

A police forensic officer works at a crime scene at the Christ the Good Shepherd church in suburban Wakely in western Sydney, Australia, 16 April 2024. AP

Australia is reeling from two stabbing incidents in three days. After the mall attack in Sydney on Saturday (13 April) afternoon, a 16-year-old boy wounded a bishop and a priest with a knife during a church service on Monday (15 April) evening in the city.

The Australian police said on Tuesday (16 April) that the knife attack at an Assyrian church was a terrorist act that had a religious motive.

The latest attack comes just a couple of days after a mass stabbing in a busy shopping mall in Sydney. It is rare for Australia to witness such violence.

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Lets take a closer look.

Australia church attack

A 16-year-old was arrested for allegedly attacking Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and a priest at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Sydneys suburb of Wakeley during a sermon on Monday.

As per BBC, a live stream of the sermon showed a person in black clothes approaching the altar. He was then seen attacking the bishop with a weapon not known immediately. The priest Isaac Royel was also injured during the attack.

Several parishioners quickly tried to intervene while screams reverberated in the church, reported CNN.

Two men, aged 53 and 39, also suffered cuts. They were treated by paramedics and taken to the hospital.

The injured people suffered non-life threatening injuries and are being treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, police said in a statement, as per BBC.

Police stand outside the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church after a knife attack that took place during a service the night before, in Wakely in Sydney, Australia, 16 April 2024.

The suspect, arrested by the New South Wales police, received treatment for wounds to his hand, reported BBC. As per an Australian Broadcasting Corporation report, the boy was convicted in January for several offences, including possession of a switch blade knife and stalking. However, he was released by a Sydney court on a good behaviour bond.

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The 53-year-old Iraq-born bishop who was injured in the attack is a controversial and popular figure, whose sermons have garnered millions of views on social media. The church said in a statement on Tuesday that his condition was improving, AP reported.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told media on Tuesday that it was a premeditated attack. Well allege theres a degree of premeditation on the basis that this person has travelled to that location, which is not near his residential address, he has travelled with a knife and subsequently the bishop and the priest have been stabbed, she said, as per AP.

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We will allege [the suspect] attended that church armed with a knife and stabbed the bishop and priest  We believe there are elements that are satisfied in terms of religious motivated extremism, Webb was quoted as saying by CNN.

Reacting to the attack, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said there is no place for violence in our community. Theres no place for violent extremism.

The stabbing incident triggered an angry crowd of the bishops followers to assemble outside the church, leading to a clash with the police.

People converged on that area and began to turn on police. People used what was available to them in the area, including bricks, concrete, palings, to assault police and throw missiles at police, and police equipment, and police vehicles, the NSW Police Commissioner said, as per CNN.

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At least two officers were hospitalised and vehicles were damaged in the riots, AFP reported.

Sydney mall attack

On Saturday, six people were killed and 12 others injured, including a nine-month-old baby, in a stabbing attack at a shopping mall in Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney.

According to the NSW police commissioner, four women and a man were killed at the shopping mall, while another female victim died at the hospital during treatment.

Australian police identified the attacker as 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, saying he may have targeted women, reported CNN.

A view of a police car outside Westfield Bondi Junction as the mall remains under lockdown following Saturdays stabbings in Sydney, Australia, 14 April 2024. Reuters

The suspect was shot dead at the scene by a lone senior police officer.

Australian PM Albanese called the mass stabbing a horrific act of violence indiscriminately targeted at the innocent people going about an ordinary Saturday, doing their shopping.

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This was Australias worst act of mass violence since 2017.

Is violence common in Australia?

Australia has witnessed mass killings before. However, mass stabbings and shootings are uncommon in the country, partly due to strict gun laws, reported New York Times (NYT).

According to a 2017 study, Australia reported 14 mass shootings between 1964 and 2014.

In June 2019, at least four people were killed and one injured by a gunman in the main business district of Darwin, northern Australia.

A driver drove his car into a busy shopping street in Melbourne in 2017, killing six people and wounding over 20 others.

In December 2014, a gunman held 18 people captive in a cafe in Sydney. The police stormed the building 17 hours later. The clash with the police ended with the death of two hostages and the gunman.

A nurse set fire to a nursing home in Quakers Hill in 2011, leading to the death of 14 people.

Australias worst mass shooting took place in April 1996. Dubbed the Port Arthur massacre, 35 people were shot dead in the Tasmanian tourist town. Weeks after the attack, the Australian government brought strict gun laws, putting a complete ban on semi-automatic rifles and shotguns.

As per The Conversation piece, due to tight gun laws, knives have become prevalent as weapons in the country.

The national homicide report from the Australian Institute of Criminology found that in 2020-21 knives and other sharp objects were used in 38 per cent of murders, followed by firearms (11 per cent) and hands and feet  nine per cent.

Australia has taken steps to curb knife attacks. Last year, Queensland introduced new laws to reduce the number of young people carrying knives, The Conversation article noted.

In New South Wales, the penalty has been doubled for carrying knives in public.

With inputs from agencies
Day 1 of Donald Trumps hush money trial is completed. This is a historic moment in US history as he becomes the first president, past or present, to face a criminal trial. But what happened on the first day? Here are the big moments read more

Former President Donald Trump with his attorney Todd Blanche, speaks to reporters outside of the courtroom following the first day of jury selection for his trial at the Manhattan criminal court in New York. AP

Donald Trump, the countrys former US president and the Republican Partys presumptive nominee, entered the record books on Monday, as he became the first former US commander-in-chief to stand trial on criminal charges.

The trial in the hush money payments case is expected to be a six-week-long process and is the first of the four criminal trials that Trump faces. Notably, this one comes in the midst of his 2024 bid for the American presidency.

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Prior to the proceedings beginning, where he faces 34 felony counts and up to four years of prison time, the former US president called the trial an assault on America.

As Day 1 of the The People of the State of New York vs Donald J Trump in which he faces charges of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels at the height of the 2016 presidential election wraps up, here are the key moments.

Trumps theatrics and a catnap

On his arrival at the Manhattan court, Donald Trump wasted no time to use the trial for his campaign. Dressed in his signature blue suit, red tie and US flag lapel pin, he set the tone of the proceedings by stating to the media and the hordes of people that the trial is an assault on America and political persecution.

Standing outside court, he took aim at Biden, saying: Its a country thats failing, its a country thats run by an incompetent man and is very much involved in this case. This is really an attack on a political opponent. That is all it is, so Im very honoured to be here.

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He further accused the judge and prosecutors leading the case, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, of being partisan. Its a scam. Its a political witch hunt. It continues, and it continues forever. And were not going to be given a fair trial, he told reporters at the end of the day.

Former President Donald Trump walks out of the courtroom following the first day of jury selection for his trial at the Manhattan criminal court in New York in the hush money trial case. AP

He even complained to the media post Day 1 that the judge, Justice Juan M Merchan, was not allowing him to seen his son, Barron, graduate when he asked for a recess in the trial on 17 May for the same.

Besides slamming the trial, the biggest moment on Day 1 came when Trump appeared to doze off in court. This led to Sleepy Don trending on social media  a play on one of Trumps many nicknames for President Joe Biden.

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The New York Times Maggie Haberman reported, Trump appears to be sleeping. His head keeps dropping down, and his mouth goes slack. Later speaking to CNN, she said: He appeared to be asleep. And routinely his head would fall down He didnt pay attention to a note his lawyer Todd Blanche passed him.

And if you think one persons account isnt trustworthy, other journalists pointed out the same. Susanne Craig, an investigative reporter for the Times, added that Trump seemed alert during the morning but that everything changed around noon.

He looked like he was nodding off, she said. At one point, a pretty true tell that he was falling asleep, his head nodded down. He sort of jolted back up at one point.

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Jury selection is going to take time

The Trump trial began with the selection of the jury and if Day 1 is any indication then its going to take a long time. More than half of the first batch of 96 prospective jurors were promptly dismissed after they said  by a show of hands  they didnt think they could be impartial when it came to judging Trump. Not a single juror was selected on Monday and the selection process will continue on Tuesday.

Former US president Donald Trump smiles to the jury pool as he is introduced to them, at the beginning of his trial before Justice Juan Merchan over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City. Reuters

The remaining people who thought they could be fair will now face dozens of written questions and inquiries to ascertain if they are suitable. This process of bringing in hundreds of people to eventually get a panel of 12 plus alternates could last a while.

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Judge wont recuse him and tells Trump to behave

Justice Juan M Merchan, who has a reputation of being no-nonsense, is overseeing Trumps hush money trial. And on Day 1 of the trial, he set the tone by making it clear that the former US president would be treated like any other defendant in his courtroom.

Good morning Mr Trump, Merchan said after taking the bench, declining to refer to him as President Trump, as is common with former presidents. He also gave Trump a standard warning that if he disrupted court or didnt appear for trial, he could be punished and possibly sent to jail.

Moreover, he refused to recuse himself from the case. Trumps legal team had argued Merchans role is improper because his daughter heads a marketing agency that works for Democratic candidates. However, Merchan rejected Trumps plea arguing that his impartiality couldnt be reasonably questioned because Trumps case doesnt involve his daughters business. Notably, the judge had rejected a similar request in August.

A protestor demonstrates against Donald Trump amidst Trump supporters outside Manhattan criminal court, in New York on the first day of the hush money trial. AP

Access Hollywood tape wont be played

On Day 1 of the trial, some important decisions were also made that would potentially steer the case one way or another.

On Monday, Justice Merchan sided with Trumps legal team, ruling that the infamous Access Hollywood tape wouldnt be played in court, saying it was prejudicial. However, the judge did rule that Trumps exact words could be entered into the record.

For the unaware, the video in question dates back to 2005 video during which Trump brags about grabbing women by their genitalia and making crude, derogatory remarks about grabbing women.

Prosecutors wanted to play the tape as an alleged admission of sexual assault. But Merchan ruled that he would only allow prosecutors to describe what Trump said.

Moreover, Merchan denied prosecutors request to show E Jean Carrolls deposition from her defamation case against Trump because it would be building in a trial into a trial.

The trial will continue today and it will be interesting to see how Trump behaves in court and how the proceedings continue. One thing is certain, it will continue to capture the minds of people and headlines in the country.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who switched Solomons allegiances from Taiwan to Beijing, is seeking an unprecedented second term in office. His tenure has sparked concerns that China may establish a naval foothold in the South Pacific read more

Current Prime Minister Sogavare, switched allegiances from Taiwan to Beijing and has ignited fears of China gaining a naval foothold in the South Pacific. AP

The Solomon Islands, which consists of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Melanesia, part of Oceania, northeast of Australia, are preparing for what is being described as the most important elections in the country, on 17 April.

Geopolitics plays a large role in these elections, with both Beijing and Washington vying for influence. The poll results are significant for both global powers, as they are expected to have an impact on the balance of power in the South Pacific.

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Current Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who switched the Solomons allegiance from Taiwan to Beijing, is seeking an unprecedented second term in office. His tenure has sparked concerns that China may establish a naval foothold in the South Pacific.

Even if Sogavare fails to secure re-election, observers suspect that China will back more than one pro-Beijing candidate in an effort to consolidate its growing influence in this strategically located nation.

There are also fears the electoral process could again ignite violence in the nation riven with inter-island and ethnic tensions, a perceived lack of sharing of resources, widespread poverty and high youth unemployment.

Heres how elections in Solomon Islands could impact Chinas influence in the South Pacific.

How the country holds its elections?

Voters from among 700,000 people spread over the more than 900 islands that comprise the Solomon Islands will elect 50 lawmakers from 334 candidates. Only 21 candidates are women and none of them is currently in office.

The only two women in the current parliament wont contest the election.

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The 50 newly elected lawmakers then decide which of them will become prime minister. No political party ever wins the 26-seat majority needed to form a government in a system derived from the former British colonial masters Westminster system.

The eve of the election is known as Devils Night when candidates and their campaign teams are notorious for resorting to underhand means to skew results in their favour such as by buying votes. That can take the form of paying voters transport costs to get home to electoral districts where theyre registered to vote, offers of cash for the promise of a vote or paying influential local leaders to voice support.

Voters board Fair Glory ferry in Honiara, Solomon Islands, heading to Malaita Island to vote in a national election. AP

Ballots are supposed to be cast in secret but there is apparently enough doubt about the integrity of the system to sustain the practice of vote buying and discourage voters from reneging on their promises to vote for the candidates who paid them.

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After the election, lawmakers form camps around hotels in the capital Honiara where horse trading takes place to persuade a majority to back various candidates for prime minister. Ministerial posts are offered as inducements. Foreign business figures from the mining, logging, retail and tourism industries also take part in negotiations, fuelling concerns lawmakers might put personal gain ahead of constituents interests.

Sogavare was sworn in three weeks after the 2019 election date.

What we know about Sogavare, the incumbent prime minister?

Sogavare has been made prime minister four times and hopes to become the first prime minister to gain a second consecutive term in the Solomons 12th parliament since independence in 1978.

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The 69-year-old karate blackbelt has been variously described as intelligent, self-serving, a nationalist and mercurial.

The former bureaucrat first came to power in 2000 when he replaced Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufaalu who had been kidnapped by a rebel militia and resigned from office in exchange for his freedom. Sogavare remained in power for 17 months before he was replaced in the 2001 election.

Riots following the 2006 election, which were fuelled by allegations of Chinese interference and resentment against Chinese business people, led to Prime Minister Snyder Rinis resignation after a week in office and Sogavares second 18-month stint as government leader.

Sogavares third stint started at the 2014 election but he was ousted by lawmakers three years later with a no-confidence vote.

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Why the 2024 elections are significant?

Sogavares rule since the 2019 election has been his longest stretch in power and his five-year administration has been transformative.

Locals react as they participate in a candidates parade in the capital Honiara, Solomon Islands. The country in which China has gained most influence in the South Pacific, Solomon Islands, goes to the polls on Wednesday in an election that could shape the regions future. AP

He swung the Solomons from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019, five months after taking power and shocked the United States and its allies by signing a security pact with Beijing in 2022.

While the agreed upon document has not been made public, a leaked draft would involve China in maintaining civic order through the deployment of armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces.

Sogavare delayed the election, which was due last year, through an act of parliament because he argued the country couldnt afford to hold the poll and host the regional Pacific Games in the same year

His critics called he called the move a power grab.

Sogavare accused Australia of an assault on our parliamentary democracy for offering to carry the cost of the election so that it could go ahead as scheduled in 2023.

He may also have China to thank for his continued leadership, with Australian Broadcasting Corp reporting that China provided more than $3 million (Rs 25.04 crore) to bribe lawmakers to support Sogavare against a no-confidence motion in parliament in 2021. Sogavares government denied the report.

Sogavares latest term has also been marred by COVID-19 and rioting that led to the return of Australian peacekeepers in 2001.

Sogavares election sparked riots in Honiara in early 2019 over legal questions hanging over his eligibility to become prime minister. More severe riots resulted in arson and looting in Honiara in November 2021 after his leadership survived the no-confidence motion.

In later 2021, Sogavare invited Australian police to help restore order under a 2017 bilateral security treaty that provides a legal basis for the deployment of Australia police, troops and associated civilians in the event of a major security challenge.

With inputs from AP
The Supreme Court will hear a plea by an NGO regarding the cross-verification of electronic voting machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs). British author Salman Rushdie will also release his memoir, Knife in which he recounts his 2022 attack. Heres what else to expect read more

An electoral officer demonstrates the functioning of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) during a training programme for polling officials, ahead of Lok Sabha elections, in Sonitpur. File image/PTI

Will Israel respond to Irans attack? As the question gathers pace, theres also other news brewing across the world as well as in India.

Some important cases such as the plea for cross verification of EVMs with VVPATs will be heard in the Supreme Court. Also, Patanjalis misleading advertisements case will continue to be heard in the apex court.

Apart from that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally in Bihars Gaya for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Congress Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will hold a roadshow in Tripura.

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Heres what else to expect from the day.

SC to hear plea for cross-verification of EVMs with VVPAT

The Supreme Court will hear today (16 April), a plea seeking cross-verification by the voters of votes cast by them as counted as recorded in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO Association of Democratic Reforms had earlier pleaded that the matter should be heard urgently in view of upcoming elections. The NGO had sought direction from the Election Commission and the Centre to ensure the voters are able to verify through VVPATs that their vote has been counted as recorded.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls will begin on 19 April.

SC to continue hearing in Patanjalis misleading ads case

The Supreme Court will continue its hearing in the Patanjali Ayurved misleading advertisements case against yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna.

On 9 April, yoga guru Ramdev and managing director of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd Acharya Balkrishna had tendered unconditional and unqualified apology before the Supreme Court over advertisements issued by the firm making tall claims about the medicinal efficacy of its products.

However, the apex court refused to accept it, stating that the duo was taking the contempt of court proceedings lightly.

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Apology is on paper. Their back is against the wall. We decline to accept this; we consider it a deliberate violation of undertaking. Be ready for something next to rejection of affidavit, said Justice Kohli.

JNU students union calls for strike

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) has called for a strike today, alleging that the universitys authorities denied a meeting with its members regarding issues concerning students, including inaction over a sexual harassment complaint.

The students union has called for an expeditious investigation into a sexual harassment incident and action against those accused. The union has also demanded steps to ensure the safety of the victim against alleged attempts at intimidation.

On 31 March, a female JNU student filed a complaint with the administration against four individuals, including two former students of the university, for allegedly passing sexually derogatory comments at her while she was taking a walk at the JNU Ring Road in the early hours of the day.

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The students union claimed that it was excluded from the administration meetings on matters concerning students and decisions were taken without its representation. The JNUSU will observe a complete university strike on 16 April if JNU VC fails to address pressing concerns of students by 15 April, the student body said in a statement.

PM Modi to address rally in Bihars Gaya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Bihars Gaya today and address a rally at Gandhi Maidan. This comes ahead of four Lok Sabha constituencies in the state  Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada and Jamui  going to the polls in the first phase on 19 April.

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PM Modi will campaign for Jitan Ram Manjhi, the NDAs Lok Sabha candidate from Gaya.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will visit Agartala city and address a campaign rally in support of the INDIA alliance candidates from the East and West Tripura Lok Sabha seats. File image/PTI

Priyanka Gandhi to hold roadshow in Tripura

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will visit Agartala city in Tripura today and address a campaign rally in support of the INDIA alliance candidates from the East and West Tripura Lok Sabha seats.

Gandhis visit has been scheduled a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Tripura to address a public gathering at the Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala in support of the BJP candidates.

Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former minister Sudip Roy Barman said, On April 16, Priyanka Gandhi will arrive at the MBB Airport at 2.15 pm and join a road show from the airport till Durga Chowmuhani in the city, covering several locations like old Raj Bhawan, North Gate of the Palace Compound, Haradhan Sangha, Colonel Chowmuhani, Bidurkarta Chowmuhani, South Gate of the Palace Compound, Maharani Tulsibati School and Kaman Chowmuhani. She is likely to address a gathering near Surjya Chowmuhani.

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Dimple Yadav to file nomination in Mainpuri

Samajwadi Party leaders and workers will reach Mainpuri for a mega show today when the partys candidate Dimple Yadav files her nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections.

While Akhilesh will accompany Dimple, other members of the Yadav family are also expected to attend the event.

Mainpuri is one of the 10 Lok Sabha seats going to polls in the third phase, including Sambhal, Hathras, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Firozabad, Etah, Badaun, Aonla and Bareilly. Dimple is pitted against BJPs Jaiveer Singh who is the minister for tourism and culture in the Yogi Adityanath government.

British author Salman Rushdies memoir will hit the stands today. The book recalls Rushdies attack in 2022, which left him blind in one eye. File image/AP

Salman Rushdies memoir to be released today

Reputed author Salman Rushdies memoir about the knife attack he faced in 2022 will hit the stands today. In Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, Rushdie recalls in unforgettable details the traumatic events of 12 August, 2022 at the Chautauqua Institution when he was attacked by a man wearing a black mask, wielding a knife. The attack left Rushdie blind in the right eye. The 76-year-old has recalled in the book the attacks aftermath, his journey toward physical recovery and healing.

The author, Rushdie, has said that the 256-page book was a necessary book for me to write: a way to take charge of what happened, and to answer violence with art.
The Japanese were scrambling to find an alternative for the raw material to produce their currency notes. The solution to all their problems lay 5,000 km to their west  in Nepal read more

A worker holds samples of new Japanese yen banknotes at a factory of the National Printing Bureau producing Bank of Japan notes. The new notes are scheduled to be introduced in 2024 in the Japanese capital. File photo/Reuters

Nepal is one of the poorest countries in Asia. Did you know it is an unexpected contributor to the continents economic powerhouse, Japan?

Nestled in the Himalayas, Nepals humble yet resilient farmers supply crucial raw materials to print Japans iconic yen currency. But how did that come about? The notes are printed on special paper, mitsumata, which can no longer be sourced in Japan. The plant that produces this paper has its origins in the Himalayas.

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Today, among Nepals diverse cash crops, one stands out for its unique journey from the Himalayan hills to the printing presses of Japan: the bark of Edgeworthia gardneri, colloquially known as argeli. Initially utilised for fencing and firewood, it gained international attention for its suitability in producing banknotes, passports, and stationery.

Japans quest for mitsumata alternative

Japans traditional paper material for banknotes, mitsumata, is scarce in the country. The paper is made with woody pulp from plants of the Thymelaeaceae family, which grow at a high altitude with moderate sunshine and good terrain, according to a report in The New York Times (NYT). However, rural depopulation and climate change forced farmers to abandon this labour-intensive work.

Faced with dwindling resources, Kanpou, Japans leading paper company, which produces paper for the government, sought alternatives. It turned to Nepal knowing that mitsumata had its origins in the Himalayas.

After years, the company discovered argeli, a relative of the mitsumata. The shrub was growing in abundance in the wild in Nepal, the report says.

The discovery of argeli in Nepal presented an innovative solution, harnessing the robustness of this Himalayan plant to meet Japans exacting standards for currency production, reports NYT.

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But that was not it. The farmers in Nepal needed to learn the Japanese way. After the 2015 earthquake left the Himalayan nation devastated, Japan sent specialists to Kathmandu. With meticulous training, Nepali farmers have honed their expertise, ensuring the quality and consistency of argeli bark for export.

It changed their lives forever.

Empowering Nepali farmers

The commercial cultivation of argeli in Nepali districts such as Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, and Ilam marks a transformative shift in the livelihoods of local farmers.

NYT documents Pasang Sherpas journey from struggling with crop losses to becoming a significant contributor to Nepals economy, exemplifying the profound impact of argeli cultivation. I hadnt thought these raw materials would be exported to Japan and I would make money from it, he is quoted as saying by the publication.

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This year, Sherpa has hired 60 locals to help him process the harvest and he is hoping to make big bucks: 8 million Nepali rupees, approximately Rs 50 lakh.

However, he is not alone in reaping the benefits. The influx of revenue from argeli exports has revitalised Nepali communities, particularly those in hilly and Himalayan regions. The once-marginal practice of cultivating the evergreen shrub has evolved into a thriving industry, offering sustainable livelihoods and economic stability to farmers.

As Nepals primary export to Japan, argeli bark has become synonymous with prosperity and resilience in the face of adversity.

A Nepalese legacy

Amid its economic significance, argeli cultivation preserves Nepals rich cultural heritage and promotes environmental conservation. Rooted in centuries-old traditions of handmade paper production, it honours Nepals legacy while embracing modern innovation.

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According to The Nepal Times, the cultivation of this Himalayan shrub contributes to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience, enhancing the ecological balance in the region.

Despite its success, argeli cultivation faces challenges, including the reliance on manual labour and the need for mechanisation. However, initiatives by organisations like the Nepal Handmade Paper Association aim to address these challenges through training and technological innovation.

With a focus on sustainability and scalability, Nepal is poised to further elevate its position as a global supplier of high-quality raw materials.

As Nepal looks to the future, argeli bark symbolises the countrys potential for economic growth and global relevance.

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With the increasing demand for Nepali paper abroad and a burgeoning export market to Japan, Nepals argeli industry holds promise for expansion and diversification. By nurturing local expertise and embracing technological advancements, the country can continue to thrive as a key player in the global economy.

The partnership between Nepali farmers and Japanese paper experts underscores the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing global challenges.

Japan to issue new bank notes from July

Starting July 3, 2024, Japan will introduce a new series of banknotes, marking the first redesign in two decades. The upcoming release will feature notable changes to the designs and portraits displayed on various denominations.

Banknotes of three denominations 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 1,000 yen will be issued on July 3, 2024. The new banknotes are the culmination of anti-counterfeit technologies cultivated for over 150 years, said the Bank of Japan in a statement.

The banknotes will be redesigned and issued on July 3, 2024 | Bank of Japan

The 10,000 bill, Japans highest denomination, will now showcase the portrait of entrepreneur Shibusawa Eiichi, often hailed as the father of capitalism in Japan. Shibusawa was instrumental in establishing numerous private companies, marking a significant departure from the previous depiction of thinker and educator Fukuzawa Yukichi, who adorned the bill since 1984.

Similarly, the 5,000 bill will undergo a transformation, with Tsuda Umeko, a trailblazer in womens education, replacing author Higuchi Ichiyo. Meanwhile, the 1,000 bill will feature bacteriologist Kitasato Shibasaburo instead of medical researcher Noguchi Hideyo.

In addition to the portrait changes, the reverse side of the banknotes will feature new imagery. The 10,000 note will depict the iconic Tokyo Station building, while the 5,000 note will showcase wisteria flowers. The 1,000 bill will display Katsushika Hokusais renowned artwork, The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

To enhance security features, the new banknotes will incorporate cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting measures. Notably, they will include the worlds first three-dimensional holograms, allowing the portraits to appear to rotate when viewed from different angles. Furthermore, tactile marks will be included to aid the visually impaired in identifying the denominations.

Upon issuance, the new banknotes will be readily available from financial institutions and ATMs. Its important to note that the currently circulating banknotes will remain legal tender alongside the new series.

With inputs from agencies
Breast cancer is now the worlds most common carcinogenic disease. As per a new report in The Lancet, the ailment is likely to cause a million deaths a year by 2040, a 50 per cent rise from 2020 read more

Around 7.8 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in five years till the end of 2020 and about 685,000 women died from the disease the same year. Image used for representational purpose/Pixabay

A recent report has sounded the alarm on the escalating threat of breast cancer, with projections painting a grim future of rising cases and fatalities.

Despite significant advancements in research, treatment, and survival rates, deaths due to breast cancer are projected to reach one million annually by 2024, with low- and middle-income countries disproportionately affected.

Heres what we know.

Rise in diagnoses and deaths

The past five years leading up to 2020 saw approximately 7.8 million women worldwide receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, reports a new Lancet report.

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Shockingly, 2.3 million new cases were identified globally in 2020 alone, with an estimated 685,000 women succumbing to the disease in that same year.

By 2040, global breast cancer diagnoses are expected to exceed three million annually, marking a significant surge. Even more alarming is the projected increase in deaths, set to rise over 50 per cent from 685,000 in 2020 to a staggering one million in 2040.

A call for action in low and middle-income countries

The burden of this disease will disproportionately impact low and middle-income countries.

While genetic mutations are a well-known risk factor for breast cancer, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasises the multifaceted nature of its causes. Age, gender, family history, reproductive factors, hormone therapy, obesity, alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyles all play roles in the onset of this disease.

The Lancet report pointed to glaring inequities and suffering from symptoms, despair and financial burden due to breast cancer, which are often hidden and inadequately addressed. Pixabay

Laying out recommendations for tackling these challenges in breast cancer, the commission suggested better communication between patients and health professionals as a crucial intervention that could improve quality of life, body image, and adherence to therapy, and positively impact survival.

The primary issue is late diagnosis and a poor prognosis in women, as Dr Minish Jain, a senior medical oncologist (not affiliated with The Lancet Commission), told Indian Express.

A simple clinical breast exam and awareness may help, she added.

According to Dr Sanjoy Chatterjee, we must be prepared to deal with future prevalence.

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Which means we need a solid database and find areas to drive research so that there is an uplift in the quality of life of a breast cancer patient, Dr Chatterjee told Indian Express.

The crucial role of communication

The commission report recommends training paramedics and community members to achieve this goal.

Womens fundamental human rights have historically been accorded lesser respect than mens in all settings, with implications for patient agency and autonomy, said Reshma Jagsi, Emory University School of Medicine, US.

Every healthcare professional should receive some form of communication skills training. Improving the quality of communication between patients and health professionals, though seemingly simple, could have profound positive impacts that extend far beyond the specific setting of breast cancer management, Jagsi said.

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Patients should be encouraged to exercise their voices, choosing their level of involvement in care decisions, she added.

The Lancet report pointed to glaring inequities and suffering from symptoms, despair and financial burden due to breast cancer, which are often hidden and inadequately addressed.

With inputs form PTI
The lack of impact on the ground has led many to describe Saturdays attack by Iran on Israel as a tactical failure. But the first direct assault on Israel by Iran may well turn out to be a strategic success. The timing of the strike is crucial, orchestrated to expose divisions both within Israel and between Israel and the US read more

As midnight approached on 13 April, over 300 weapons were launched from Iran towards Israel. This included 185 drones, 110 ballistic missiles, and 36 cruise missiles. The vast majority were shot down by Israels Iron Dome air defence system with help from the UK, the US and neighbouring Jordan.

The lack of impact on the ground has led many to describe the attack as a tactical failure.

But the first direct assault on Israel by Iran may well turn out to be a strategic success. The timing of the strike is crucial, orchestrated to expose divisions both within Israel and between Israel and the US.

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Increased pressure on Netanyahu

Over the Easter weekend, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in several Israeli cities to protest against the government. They called for the removal of the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, primarily over the lack of progress being made in securing the release of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.

The protesters see Netanyahu as an obstacle to a deal that sees the hostages released. He has consistently refused to negotiate with Hamas, saying that total victory over Hamas, not negotiations, is what will win the hostages release. The mother of one of those taken captive has described Netanyahus handling of the hostage situation as incomprehensible and criminal."

The problem is that Netanyahu is trying to maintain a fragile coalition that represents fractured views across Israeli politics. Regardless of whether a deal could potentially be reached, hardline elements of the coalition have been pushing for a full-scale assault on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza to remove Hamas battalions.

Netanyahu has publicly stated that there is no way to do this without a ground incursion. The Israeli government has also issued a number of public statements and ultimatums that it will launch an assault on Rafah if the hostages are not released and that it is necessary to achieve the stated objective of victory over Hamas.

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So far, Israel has refrained from attacking the city. But the Iranian attack is likely to add further pressure to Netanyahus government for the lack of resolution to the hostage situation, and the refusal to enter Rafah and finish Hamas.

How Israel chooses to engage with the remnants of Hamas and achieves the release of the hostages has the potential to further sour its relationship with the US, which has become strained over the past month.

US-Israel relations under strain

Domestic pressures aside, the US has exerted its influence on Israel over the potential humanitarian implications of a full-scale assault on Rafah. Despite recent statements from President Joe Biden that American support for Israel is ironclad," there is evidence of division.

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The clearest signal is Washingtons decision to abstain from voting on UN Security Council Resolution 2728, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. This is despite previously vetoing resolutions that called for a ceasefire in February and December, as well as a resolution on 18 October calling for a humanitarian pause.

In fact, the US has vetoed resolutions critical of Israel more than any other council member. Since 1945, the US has vetoed a total of 89 Security Council resolutions, and 45 have been to support Israel.

Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations, Robert Wood, addresses the United Nations Security Council chamber during an emergency meeting at United Nations headquarters, Sunday. AP

The rationale for not vetoing 2728 relates to concerns regarding the potential Rafah offensive. It signals to Israel that the ironclad guarantee of the US is not a blank cheque. Rather, Israeli actions have to be in accordance with what the US deems to be acceptable.

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How Israel chooses to respond to the Iranian drone attack, therefore, has the potential to generate further friction in its relationship with the US. Biden has urged Israel to exercise restraint in its response and has made clear that the US would not participate in a retaliatory strike on Iran  a position that has since been reinforced by the UK.

Israel has shown restraint when faced with aggression before. During the 199091 Persian Gulf War, the then-president of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, targeted Israeli cities with missiles. It was an attempt to force an Israeli response and fracture the US-Arab Alliance that was seeking to expel the invading Iraqi army from Kuwait.

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The US applied immense pressure on Israel to not retaliate and provided Israel with Patriot tactical air defence systems  the US Armys primary air and missile defence system. But will Israel be amenable to such pressure being applied today?

Fresh deterrence

Allowing the Iranian strike to go unpunished is unlikely to be beneficial to Israels own deterrence posture. Netanyahu has to balance the direct response to Iran with his response to the continuing conflict in Gaza. Theres a danger of spiralling escalation with Iran that reaches a point where it can no longer be contained.

Israels allies have a fine line to tread between ensuring their goals of averting a humanitarian catastrophe in Rafah and weakening an ally to the extent it is unable to function effectively and exercise control of its sovereignty.

Only time will tell if Iran has pulled off a strategic success. But what is clear is that the attack has created a headache for the Netanyahu coalition.

Gavin E.L. Hall, Teaching Fellow, Political Science and International Security, University of Strathclyde

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Iran launched a large and unprecedented attack on Israel on Saturday. The strike has stoked fears of an escalating conflict in the West Asia region. Analysts believe that Tehran miscalculated its actions. Not only has it ended the Jewish nations isolation from Western countries over the Gaza war but has also strengthened Benjamin Netanyahus position on the war read more

A person holds a placard as people gather for a rally in solidarity with Israel, after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, in front of the Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin, Germany. Reuters

On Saturday (13 April), the skies over Israel lit up as over 300 drones and missiles were fired by Iran as a retaliation to the Jewish nations airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Syrias Damascus. The attack, a first from Iranian soil, drew widespread condemnation and heightened fears of a wider conflict that if uncontained will have serious and destabilising ripple effects across the region.

Most dubbed Tehrans strikes a failure; of the 300 projectiles fired, 99 per cent were intercepted by Israels multi-tiered aerial defence system and its allies  the United States, the United Kingdom, France  and even Jordan. Those which passed through caused little to no damage, with only one girl being injured by the shrapnel.

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However, while discussions continue if Tehrans attack was a hit or miss, one thing most pundits agree on is that the strikes have had unintended benefits for Israel: it has distracted people from the Gaza war, and, more importantly, revived international support for the Jewish nation.

We take a closer look.

Tehran strikes Israel

On Saturday night, Iran did the unthinkable. It launched a barrage of drones and missiles towards Israel in an attack they dubbed as Operation Honest Promise. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that the attack was a retaliation for an airstrike by Israel earlier this month that killed a top general in Damascus.

Shortly after the attack, Irans chief of the general staff, General Mohammad Bagheri hailed the attack and said that it had accomplished its objective. However, it is still unclear as to what the objective was. We see this operation as a result, and in our opinion, as over and there is no intention to continue it, and if the Zionist regime takes action against us, either on our soil or in the centres belonging to us in Syria, or another country does, our next operation will be bigger.

Bagheri further insisted the only targets had been military and Iran had been acting in self-defence.

A day after the attack too, Tehran maintained that the attack was a victory. Top Iranian lawmaker, Mojtaba Zonnouri, was quoted as saying that the IRGCs punitive operation was a victory and was a cause of pride for the people as it humiliated the Israeli regime.

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Iranians celebrate on a street, after the IRGC attack on Israel, in Tehran, Iran. Reuters

An embarrassing failure

But Israel, the US and other geopolitical pundits have deemed Irans attack as an embarrassing failure.

Ive seen reporting that the Iranians meant to fail, that this spectacular and embarrassing failure was all by design, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told a briefing on Monday. Ive also seen Iran say that they provided early warning to help Israel prepare its defences and limit any potential damage. All of this is categorically false, he added.

Former US defence secretary and ex-CIA director Leon Panetta told CNN: Irans attack was unprecedented. But its also a historic failure. The reality is that 99 per cent of those weapons failed. And Israel came out the winner.

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This view was also echoed by Richard Haass, one of Americas leading foreign policy strategists. Speaking to The Politico, he said that Tehran had miscalculated and will come to regret its decision to shift from its long-time strategy of using proxy forces in places like Syria and Iraq into launching a direct attack on civilian areas in Israel.

The Iranians have lost control of the narrative, Haass added.

Read all our explainers on the Israel-Iran tensions

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A revival for Israel

While most experts deemed the attack to be a dud, they noted that it indirectly served Israel, leaving the Benjamin Netanyahu-led country in a stronger position.

How so? For starters, Tehrans attack has helped Israel repair its fractured relationship with Washington and other Western nations. Prior to the strike, the US had been ramping up pressure on the Jewish nation to improve access for aid workers and let more aid into Gaza, particularly after the killing of seven people working for the food agency World Central Kitchen in March.

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However, Irans attack led US and other allies to set aside its differences and rally around Israel. In fact, the US played a big role in fending off the drones and missiles from Iran on Saturday. And following Irans attack, in a phone call with Netanyahu, US president Joe Biden reaffirmed Americas ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.

A man walks past a mural depicting the US president Joe Biden as a superhero defending Israel on a street in Tel Aviv, Israel. AP

Britain also reiterated its full support for Israel as it stressed that it was prepared to intervene using Royal Air Force aircraft positioned in the region. These UK jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required, a Defence Ministry statement said.

Even France, which has said it would file a ceasefire proposal to the United Nations Security Council, was actively involved in this play. We are working closely with the US, UK and France who acted tonight. This partnership has always been close, but tonight it manifested itself in an unusual way, an Israeli military spokesperson said.

As Richard Haass told Politico: I like to quote Napoleons dictum: When your enemies are making a big mistake, dont interrupt them. Iran interrupted its enemy at a time when Israel was increasingly isolated and on the defensive, both internationally and in its relationship with the US.

Moreover, the Tehran strike distracts from the Gaza war and the aid efforts over there, as per some analysts. Bashir Alyan, a 52-year-old former employee of the Palestinian Authority, told The Guardian that he could already see the sudden shift in diplomatic focus.

The international pressures that were being exerted on Israel to bring in more aid and to stop the aggression against Gaza are now a thing of the past, he told the British daily.

Tania Hary, the executive director of Gisha, an Israeli NGO set up to protect the freedom of movement of Palestinians, particularly those in Gaza, added, With all eyes on the dangerous escalation between Israel and Iran, were concerned that Gaza will be abandoned.

Tehrans attack is a godsend for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, say analysts. File image/Reuters

A boost for Netanyahu

Tehrans attack is also a godsend for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This is because he can use it to his political advantage, as he pursues his war in Gaza.

Netanyahu, who has been struggling with a dipping popularity in his country, can use the attack to secure international military support. It also allows him to double down on his war against Iran-backed Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and then possibly switch to Lebanons Hezbollah, another Iranian Shiite proxy.

Yaakov Amidror, a former national security adviser to Netanyahu, said that Iran had invariably helped Netanyahu. Bibis been given two good options. He can either go for the head of the octopus, which is Tehran, arguing we have the legitimacy to do so now. Or he can say to the Americans: We understand that you dont want us to escalate with Iran and we are ready to compromise, but what we want in return is that America will give Israel all the help needed to destroy the military capability of Hamas in Gaza, including in Rafah, Amidror told Politico.

All in all, it seems that Tehran miscalculated the repercussions of its attack on Israel. But its now a wait-and-watch game to see how and if Israel responds. While the US and others have urged restraint, it is up to Netanyahu to decide if he wants war or peace.

With inputs from agencies
While Israel was successful in intercepting the drones and missiles from Iran, it is said to have got help from Arab nations, who have been critical of the war in Gaza. Jordan shot down Iranian projectiles while Saudi Arabia and UAE reportedly passed on intelligence about Tehrans plan. Heres why thats surprising read more

Tensions continue to simmer in West Asia, three days after Iran launched an aerial assault on Israel on Saturday night. But the Jewish nation says 99 per cent of the blitz  hundreds of drones and missiles  were intercepted. This would not have been possible without the help of Israels Western allies and West Asian counterparts. It is the latter that has caught the world by surprise.

The Arab nations, which have been critical of Israels war in Gaza, stepped in to assist in repelling the attack. From Jordan, which is home to Palestinians, to Saudi Arabia, they all played their part. We explain why this is significant.

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How Arab states came to Israels rescue

One of the most notable aspects of the retaliation was the involvement of Jordan. It intercepted Iranian drones that violated its territory. But that is not all. An Israeli air force officer said that Jordan also allowed Israeli fighter jets into its airspace to shoot down missiles and drones launched by Iran, NBC News reports. Jordanian and Israeli fighters were coordinated by the US military, in what is thought to be the first time Israel and Jordan fought side by side, the report claims.

Residents in Amman, Jordans capital, indicated heavy aerial activity, with images of downed drone remnants circulating on social media.

Israeli Iron Dome air defence system launches to intercept missiles fired from Iran, in central Israel on April 14, 2024 | Source: AP

Jordan, in its official statement, said it stopped the Iranian drones in an act of self-defence and not to help Israel. The response by King Abdullah II is seen as a balancing act by the country. Jordan has supported Palestinians and it wants to avoid getting caught in the crossfire in Israels war against Hamas, an ally of Iran.

The country has not remarked on allowing Israel to use its airspace.

Also Read: Iran vs Israel: Which country has the better, bigger military?

Jordan was not alone. Help came from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the two countries passed on intelligence about Irans plans, providing vital information that was key to thwarting the massive assault. The full role played by Saudi Arabia and other key Arab governments is being kept quiet, reported WSJ.

Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, might have played an indirect role as well, since they host Western air defence systems, surveillance and refuelling aircraft that would have been vital for the effort, noted British publication The Economist.

Why the role of Arab states is significant

The participation of Arab states, including Jordan, in assisting Israel garnered attention, with some commentators highlighting the potential for cooperation between Arabs and Israelis in the region.

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Irans attacks also rallied new international support behind Israel, including from key Arab states critical of the Gaza offensive that nonetheless supported the Israeli military response to the drone attacks, Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said.

Jordans involvement in aiding Israel comes amid its criticism of Israels military campaign in Gaza. However, Jordan shares a border with Israel and plays a crucial role in maintaining stability in the region.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia, while critical of Israels conduct in Gaza, has been navigating its own interests, international alliances, and realpolitik. The Saudis were poised to normalise relations with Israel before recent events, but plans were put on hold following Israels military campaign in Gaza.

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Displaced Palestinians trying to walk back from central Gaza Strip to northern Gaza Strip on April 14, 2024 | Source: AP

The conflict between Iran and Gulf Arab states is rooted in religious-sectarian divisions, with Sunni-majority Gulf states facing off against Shiite-led Iran. This divide has led to a proxy war scenario, with various groups in the region receiving support from either Iran or the Gulf states.

Notably, Iran supports Shiite Muslim organisations, while certain Gulf states support Sunni groups.

Countries in central West Asia, such as Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, with diverse populations comprising Shiite and Sunni Muslims, alongside other religious and ethnic groups, find themselves embroiled in a struggle for influence between Iran and the Gulf states.

Iran extends its influence through support for various Shiite Muslim groups, known as its proxies, providing financial, military, logistical, and ideological backing. These include Yemens Houthi rebels, Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces, and Lebanons Hezbollah.

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Hamas, though predominantly Sunni, also receives support from Iran, distinguishing itself within this framework.

Also Read: Did Jordans Princess Salma shoot down Iranian jets headed for Israel?

Recent reports indicate that these aligned groups launched rockets from Yemen, Syria, and Iraq towards Israel, as part of Irans offensive.

The US military in Iraq reportedly intercepted some of these rockets, while theres uncertainty regarding Saudi interception efforts from Yemen, although such actions have occurred in the past.

For regional players, particularly Saudi Arabia and Jordanwho have reportedly intercepted Iranian dronesthe argument will be that they are rightfully safeguarding their sovereign airspace, Masoud Mostajabi, deputy director of the Middle East Programs at the US-based Atlantic Council, argued in an analysis published in The Atlantic Council.

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However, if tonights [Saturdays] attacks escalate into a wider Israel-Iran conflict, regional actors perceived as defenders of Israel may find themselves targeted and dragged into the regional conflagration [] Given the incentives at play, its likely that regional leaders will be motivated to act between both parties to bring this confrontation to a close, he added.

Israeli soldiers stand next to personnel carriers (APC) near the Israeli-Gaza border, in southern Israel on April 15, 2024 | Source: AP

The recent escalation underscores the complex dynamics at play in West Asia, with regional actors seeking to safeguard their interests amid rising tensions.

The escalation of hostilities between Iran and Israel, followed by the involvement of Arab allies in assisting Israel, highlights the dynamic geopolitical landscape of West Asia. While the immediate threat may have been thwarted, the underlying tensions persist, posing challenges for regional stability.
The list of CEOs with the highest salaries is dominated by the IT industry. Thanks mostly to a one-time stock incentive, Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar Singisetti made $22.56 million (about Rs 186 crore) in remuneration last year, making him the highest-paid Indian executive in the IT sector. Heres a look at other highest-paid CEOs in the sector read more

An Indian CEO's average remuneration was Rs 13.8 crore, 40 per cent more than it was before COVID-19. Reuters

The list of CEOs with the highest salaries this year is still dominated by the IT industry.

This is true even though the sector has faced headwinds during the last two years.

Thanks mostly to a one-time stock incentive, Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar Singisetti made $22.56 million (about Rs 186 crore) in remuneration last year, making him the highest-paid Indian executive in the IT sector, according to Mint.

For the uninitiated, an Indian CEOs average remuneration was Rs 13.8 crore, 40 per cent more than it was before COVID-19.

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More than half of this compensation is based on both short- and long-term incentives, according to the Deloitte India Executive Performance and Rewards Survey 2024.

Lets take a closer look.

Also read: Many CEOs fear their companies wont survive 10 years as AI grows, finds global survey

Who are the highest-paid CEOs in the IT industry?

According to Mint, which cited a business filing dated 12 April, Cognizants 52-year-old leader, Ravi Kumar Singisetti, received shares valued at $20.25 million (about Rs 169.1 crore) last year. His pay is 556 times greater than the median income of Cognizant workers.

In the Indian IT services sector, Singisetti has the highest CEO compensation in terms of revenue. His salary makes up 0.11 per cent of Cognizants $19.35 billion in revenue from the previous year.

Thierry Delaporte, the former CEO of Wipro Ltd., was paid $10.1 million (Rs 83 crore), or 0.089 per cent of the $11.16 billion in revenue generated by the company. His pay was 916 times higher than the median amount paid to Wipro workers.

According to the report, C Vijayakumars guaranteed compensation of $10.65 million (Rs 88 crore) is equivalent to 0.085 percent of HCL Technologies Ltds $12.58 billion in revenue.

Accenture Plc paid CEO Julie Sweet $31.55 million in compensation, or 0.049 per cent of the $64.1 billion in revenue generated by the business. Sweet received pay from Accenture 633 times.

Salil Parekh, the managing director and CEO of Infosys, is paid $6.8 million (about Rs 56.4 crore), or 0.037 per cent of the companys $18.1 billion in revenue. Parekh of Infosys was paid 627 times the median salary, as per Mint report.

Before K Krithivasan took over as CEO in June of last year, Tata Consultancy Services paid out $3.5 million (Rs 29.16 crore) to its outgoing CEO Rajesh Gopinathan. This amount represents 0.012 per cent of the companys $27.9 billion in revenue.

The salary of Vijayakumar and Rajesh Gopinathan was 253 times and 427 times higher than the median compensation at HCL Technologies and TCS, respectively.

Also read: Singapores DBS bank cuts CEOs pay by $3 million. Why this is significant

With inputs from agencies
Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), the two accused who opened fire outside Salman Khans residence in Mumbai, were nabbed from Gujarats Bhuj and were flown down to Mumbai. Both of them hail from Bihars Champaran district. Heres all we know about them read more

The two motorcycle-borne shooters had opened fire outside Galaxy Apartments, Khans residence in Bandra, in the early hours of Sunday. ANI

The arrested shooters in the Salman Khan residence firing case will be presented before a Mumbai court on Tuesday morning.

Identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), the two accused were nabbed from Gujarats Bhuj by a Mumbai crime branch team and were flown down to Mumbai, according to PTI.

The two motorcycle-borne shooters had opened fire outside Galaxy Apartments, Khans residence in Bandra, in the early hours of Sunday. As per Indian Express, one of the bullets landed on the balcony of the actors residence.

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Meanwhile, Anmol Bishnoi has claimed responsibility for the act in a purported Facebook post. He issued a warning to the actor, referring to the firing incident as a trailer.

Heres all we know about them.

Who is Vicky Gupta?

Vicky alias Kalu was first arrested in 2020 in a motorcycle theft case and sent to Delhis Tihar jail, as per The Times of India.

Kalu, who hails from Bihars Champaran, is associated with Lawrence Bishnoi gang, as per the Indian Express.

He is a shooter of notorious gangster Rohit Godara, who is suspected of involvement in the last month murder of Sachin, a bookie based in Gurugram. Gupta is believed to have carried out the crime along with two accomplices, as per TOI.

Godara, a close aide of Lawrence Bishnoi, his younger brother Anmol, and Goldy Brar, handles all the gangs operations from the UK.

During his time in Tihar jail, Gupta came across a few individuals connected to Godaras gang, after which he decided to become a member of their criminal group.

Last year, the Bawana police station had filed three additional cases against Gupta, including charges of robbery, snatching, and arms possession, the newspaper said.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: The two accused, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal arrested in connection with the firing incident outside the residence of actor Salman Khan on April 14th, brought to Mumbai airport. pic.twitter.com/irc7JCSk2h  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

Who is Sagar Pal?

Sagar Shrijogendra Pal, 21, hails from Masihi in West Champaran district of Bihar, according to India Today.

He was hired, along with Gupta, by the Bishnoi gang to open fire at Khans house.

While Pal did the firing, Gupta was in touch with the gang members, as per The Hindu.

Pal and Gupta abandoned their motorcycle near Mount Mary church and travelled by train from Santacruz to Mira Road, as per Deccan Chronicle.

From there, they proceeded to Surat and ultimately to Bhuj, where they were apprehended.

With inputs from agencies
Top Chinese influencer Thurman Maoyibei posted a viral story of a boy and his missing books. However, it turned out to be fake. Now Chinese authorities have taken action and taken down all her social media accounts, which had a combined following of 30 million read more

What does it take to be an influencer in China? You certainly cannot tell big little lies. Take the case of Thurman Maoyibei. Her accounts on Chinese TikTok Douyin, Weibo and BiliBili disappeared over the weekend. Wonder why.

The Chinese authorities took action against the prominent social media influencer and shut down her accounts. The move follows the dissemination of a viral story involving fabricated content, sparking widespread attention and subsequent investigation.

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Thurman Maoyibei has a combined following of 30 million across the various Chinese platforms. While that is her social media persona, her surname is Xu, according to police in the southern city of Hangzhou.

The fabricated story

The fabricated story involved Xu claiming to have received two empty homework books from a Paris coffee shop during her Lunar New Year holiday, purportedly belonging to a Grade 1 student named Qin Lang. She vowed that she would return to China and return the books.

The narrative, which quickly gained traction, led to a nationwide search for the boy named Qin Lang. What followed was a flurry of hashtags  Grade 1 Class 8 Qin Lang, Primary school kid lost homework in Paris  and significant online engagement on platforms like Douyin and Weibo.

Initially, the story seemed plausible, capturing the attention of millions. However, doubts surfaced as media outlets and online users questioned the authenticity of the claims.

Despite efforts to verify the details, discrepancies emerged, leading to suspicions of a fabricated account. These suspicions were further fueled when it was discovered that efforts to locate the supposed student, Qin Lang, proved fruitless, with schools denying his existence.

Investigation and revelations

Following public outcry and mounting scepticism, Hangzhou police investigated Thurman Maoyibeis viral video. The subsequent findings revealed that Xu and her colleague, surnamed Xue, had orchestrated the fabrication.

It was uncovered that the influencers purchased the homework books themselves, contriving the narrative for online engagement.

Chinas public security ministry classified this incident as a typical example of its broader campaign against online falsehoods.

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Amid a backdrop of heightened scrutiny, authorities have intensified efforts to combat misinformation, irrespective of political or non-political nature. The crackdown has resulted in numerous arrests and administrative penalties, underscoring the governments commitment to maintaining digital integrity.

Since December, more than 1,500 people have been arrested in connection to online rumours and more than 10,700 people have been handed administrative punishment, the ministry says, according to the BBC.

Thurman Maoyibeis apologises

In response to the investigations findings, Xu issued a public apology, acknowledging her role in spreading misinformation and expressing remorse for polluting the internet.

She attributed her actions to a lapse in judgment and emphasised the importance of social responsibility in content creation. Additionally, she urged fellow influencers to learn from her mistakes and uphold ethical standards in their online endeavors.

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I should clearly know my social responsibilities and should not create some content just to grab attention, Xu said. I call on my colleagues to learn from my lesson and never fabricate or spread false content. Lets work together to maintain a clean and healthy online environment.

Mixed reactions from the public

While some welcomed the closure of Thurman Maoyibeis accounts as a necessary measure, others questioned the severity of the punishment, viewing the incident as a harmless joke rather than deliberate malice.

She should have put her heart into creating content for such an influential account, a top Weibo comment read.

It was not right to fabricate the story, but isnt this too much. If every account follows this standard we will see many accounts shut down, another comment with more than 6,000 likes noted.
Essential commodities falling under the prohibited/restricted category will now be exported to the Maldives only through four designated customs stations read more

Amid escalating tensions with Male, India has decided to restrict exports to Maldives, with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) imposing port restrictions for the shipment of essential commodities to the island nation during the fiscal year 2024-25.

As per the notification, issued under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, specific conditions are incorporated for exporting essential commodities under the prohibited/restricted category to the Maldives.

From which Indian ports essential commodities to Maldives be exported?

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Essential commodities falling under the prohibited/restricted category will now be exported to the Maldives only through four designated customs stations.

1 - Mundra Sea Port, Gujarat

2 - Tuticorin Sea Port, Tamil Nadu

3 - Nhava Sheva Sea Port (JNPT), Maharashtra

4 - ICD Tughlakabad, New Delhi

The move is said to be a part of the bilateral agreement between the Government of India and the Mohamed Muizzu-led Maldives government.

The move comes within days after India, on April 5, lifted restrictions on the export of a specified quantity of nine products including potatoes, onions, eggs, rice, wheat flour and sugar to Maldives for the current fiscal.

India and the Maldives signed a trade agreement in 1981 which enabled for export of essential commodities. This agreement continues to guide the trade relations between the two countries.

However, the ties between India and the Maldives have hit rock bottom following a social media dispute that led to an uproar among Indian tourists, who began boycotting the island nation as a travel destination and instead chose Lakshadweep. Since then, both sides have been making attempts to mend their diplomatic ties.

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The relationships between the two countries were also affected after Muizzu took over as the Maldives President and in January this year, requested India to withdraw military troops stationed in his country. He had also set May 10 as the deadline for the complete withdrawal of the troops.

The agreement between Maldives and India was aimed at replacing the Indian military personnel stationed in Maldives  to oversee the operations of the military aircraft  with trained civilians, also from India. But, Muizzu later declared that no Indian military personnel, including those in civilian attire, would be permitted in his country after May 10.

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With inputs from agencies
Two days ago, BJP released its Sankalp Patra. This is the first time, some partys Sankalp Patra is being called a guarantee card For the next five years, Modis guarantee card has been updated, said PM Modi read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Modis guarantee card has been updated for the next five years and its for the first time that some partys Sankalp Patra (BJP manifesto) is being called a guarantee card.

#WATCH | Gaya, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Two days ago, BJP released its 'Sankalp Patra'. This is the first time, some party's 'Sankalp Patra' is being called a 'guarantee card'..." pic.twitter.com/ifHzOqVN2h  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

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Addressing a rally in Bihars Gaya on Tuesday, PM Modi said, Two days ago, BJP released its Sankalp Patra. This is the first time, some partys Sankalp Patra is being called a guarantee card

#WATCH | Gaya, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "For the next five years, Modi's 'guarantee card' has been updated. Three crore houses will be made for the poor, the poor will get free ration for the next five years, those above 70 years of age will receive free pic.twitter.com/iZ77bBWN39  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

For the next five years, Modis guarantee card has been updated. Three crore houses will be made for the poor, the poor will get free ration for the next five years, those above 70 years of age will receive free treatment upto Rs 5 lakh, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi will be continued. All these are Modis guarantees, added the Prime Minister.

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Attacking the INDI alliance, he said that the bloc neither has any vision nor does it have the trust of the people.

#WATCH | Gaya, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "'Ghamandia Gathbandhan' has no vision or trust. When they go on asking for votes, then do so on the work done by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Entire Bihar knows why they try and take credit for the work done by Nitish ji and the pic.twitter.com/WzZ3n3HMSz  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

Ghamandia Gathbandhan has no vision or trust. When they go on asking for votes, they do so on the work done by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Entire Bihar knows why they try and take credit for the work done by Nitish ji and the central government, said PM Modi.

He said that the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), which is part of the INDI bloc, ruled Bihar for years and only gave two things to the state - jungle raj and bhrashtachar.

#WATCH | Gaya, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "RJD has ruled Bihar for several years but they don't have the guts to discuss the work done by their government. RJD is the biggest face of jungle raj in Bihar...RJD has given only two things to Bihar - jungle raj aur pic.twitter.com/pR47LqyWLL  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

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RJD has ruled Bihar for several years but they dont have the guts to discuss the work done by their government. RJD is the biggest face of jungle raj in BiharRJD has given only two things to Bihar - jungle raj aur bhrashtachar, added the Prime Minister.

Attacking the Congress, he said that the framers of the Constitution dreamt of a prosperous India but the grand old party that ruled for decades lost the opportunity to take it on the path of progress.

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Our Constitution is pure. The framers of the Constitution dreamt of a prosperous India. However, the Congress party that ruled for decades in the country lost the opportunity, said PM Modi, emphasising that their sevak - Modi has pulled 25 crore poor out of poverty.

With inputs from agencies
Hearing the pleas filed by three petitioners seeking cross-verification of votes on EVMs with VVPAT slip, the Supreme Court said machine normally, without any wrong human intervention, will work properly, will give accurate results read more

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, heard pleas filed by three petitioners seeking cross-verification of votes on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slip in elections.

After hearing the matter for more than two hours, the apex court bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta posted the matter on April 18 (Thursday) for further hearing, just a day ahead of the first of seven phase Lok Sabha polls 2024.

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Appearing for the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), advocate Prashant Bhushan told the top court that either the polling process should return to ballot paper or all VVPAT slips should be counted and tallied with the voters shown by EVMs.

Can go back to paper ballots

We can go back to paper ballots. Another option is to give VVPAT slip to the voters in hand. Otherwise the slips falls into the machine and the slip can be then given to the voter and it can be put into the ballot box. Then the VVPAT design was changed. It had to be a transparent glass but it was changed to dark opaque mirror glass where it is only visible when the light is on for 7 seconds, Advocate Bhushan said.

The bench told Advocate Bhushan that it considered the matter in 2019 and had ordered to increase the count of VVPATs from one to five EVMs per assembly segment in a assembly constituency.

Responding to the Court, Bhushan said the order was in view of the paucity of the time ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and that the issue was still open for adjudication.

Advocate Bhushan went on say that EVMs and VVPATs have programmable chips and malicious programs can be inserted to them. We arent saying they (EVMs) are manipulated or have been. We are saying they can be manipulated as both EVM and VVPAT, he added.

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Bhushan further said European countries like Germany are still using ballot papers. To this, the Court said they have a population of only about 5-6 crores, whereas in India there are avout 98 crore eligible voters.

He further said that counting of all VVPAT slips wont take that much amount of time if it is done in parallel instead of sequentially.

My home state West Bengal has more population than Germany. We need to repose some trust and faith on somebody. Do not try to bring down the system like this, Justice Datta said.

Votes on EVM should be tallied with VVPAT slips

Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde, who was appearing for another petitioner, said the votes on EVM should be tallied with VVPAT slips.

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The bench, however, questioned the practicality of this suggestions.

ECI says 12 days will be taken to count all the VVPAT Slips, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan said.

Bhushan said currently VVPAT slips are tallied only with respect to 5 EVMs in an assembly segment which was too less.

They are only counting 5 VVPAT machines per assembly when there are 200 such machines this is 5 percent only and there can be no justification in this. The seven second light can also lead to manipulation. The voter should be allowed to take the VVPAT slip to put it into the ballot box, Bhushan said.

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During the hearing, Sankaranarayanan highlighted a BloombergQuint report as per which there were discrepancies between EVMs and VVPAT slips in 373 constituencies.

What we are saying that the paper slip falls from the box and we collect that paper slip.. and we see what we have voted for. From the 2019 elections, the BloombergQuint analysed the data on the ECs website to go state-wise and this data was pulled from the website later and there were discrepancies in 373 constituencies, Sankaranarayanan said.

Human intervention can cause problems: SC

Normally, human intervention is going to create problems, Justice Khanna said, addressing the petitioners.

Then questions regarding human weaknesses, including bias, will arise. Machine normally, without any wrong human intervention, will work properly, will give accurate results. Yes, problem arises when there is human intervention to make manipulations or unauthorised changes. That premise, if you want to argue on that, do, Justice Khanna said.

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He later said: When you do hand counting, there will be different numbers counting.

The bench also raised doubts about the feasibility of the physical counting of votes given the large population of India.

After hearing the petitioners, the bench posed questions to Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, for the Election Commission of India (ECI), to ascertain the measures taken to ensure the security of the EVMs.

An officer from the ECI was also present in the Court to explain the security features of the machines.

The bench was told that the machines are sealed in the presence of the representatives of the candidates and that they are kept in a tamper-proof condition.

The Court also asked the ECI about the punishment for tampering with EVMs.

With inputs from agencies
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated all those who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2023 read more

Aditya Srivastava secured the top position in the Union Public Service Commissions (UPSC) announcement of the results for the Civil Services Exam 2023 on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Animesh Pradhan and Donuru Ananya Reddy earned the second and third places, respectively.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated all those who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2023.

He also added that their hard work, perseverance and dedication has paid off, marking the start of a promising career in public service and that their efforts will shape the future of India.

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I congratulate all those who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2023. Their hard work, perseverance and dedication has paid off, marking the start of a promising career in public service. Their efforts will shape the future of our nation in the times to  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 16, 2024

According to the UPSC, 1,016 applicants passed the test in total and were advised to apply for various central government jobs.

The UPSC selects officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), among other services, through the three phases of the Civil Services Exam: preliminary, main, and interview.

UPSC Civil Services Exam 2023 Final Results: List of toppers

Rank 1  Aditya Srivastava

Rank 2  Animesh Pradhan

Rank 3  Donuru Ananya Reddy

Rank 4  P K Sidharth Ramkumar

Rank 5  Ruhani

Rank 6  Srishti Dabas

Rank 7  Anmol Rathore

Rank 8  Ashish Kumar

Rank 9  Nausheen

Rank 10  Aishwaryam Prajapati
As one of the fastest growing tourism destinations, Ladakh has witnessed rapid economic progress. This has resulted in the rise of local businesses that cater to tourists, and the key impact has been in the real estate read more

Monitoring pollution levels, levying taxes on usage of local resources alongside the need for a transparent and productive discussion on the pressing ecology-related issues of Ladakh ought to be seen from a judicious standpoint. Image: PTI

In 1948, when raiders from the newly formed state of Pakistan decided to attack Kashmir, the focus of the government in Delhi was to save the valley. However, Pakistans sights were also set on Ladakh, believing that capturing the thinly held and vast Himalayan plateau could leave India vulnerable to Pakistans occupation of territory close to the Indian heartland.

It is pertinent to mention that the complete focus on Kashmir at that time could have inadvertently led to a possible loss of Ladakh  the outcome of which may not have been interpreted in its exact terrifying context. The loss of Ladakh was more real than Kashmir. It was the courage of a few good men that saved Ladakh. Among the few good men was Sonam Norbu, a Britain trained local Ladakhi engineer who was brought in from overseas to build a makeshift airstrip in an inhospitable terrain in Leh so that Indian troops could arrive. Ladakh would have been severed from India if the helipad wasnt made in time, or the thirty odd Indian army troops and the band of locals (led by a 17 year old volunteer) together hadnt protected the region.

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Seventy Years Later Another Disaster Stares

Seventy years later, as several other issues occupy our attention, the issue of consistent ecological damage in Ladakh and its fallouts escape our strategic consciousness. Sonam Wangchuks recent fast holds significance in that regard. In Leh, the airport came before the road, says Ambassador P Stobdan, a prominent strategic affairs expert. That airport, built in 1948 has turned into Lehs gateway to tourism. In recent years, given its direct connectivity of flights from major destinations, Leh has turned into a must-see for Indians aspiring to travel to the Himalayas and trek on snow-laden roads a couple of flying-hours away from home. In 1974, 527 tourists visited Leh. Fifty years later, it has become much easier to travel. Visitors have increased to close to half million.

As one of the fastest growing tourism destinations, Ladakh has witnessed rapid economic progress. This has resulted in the rise of local businesses that cater to tourists, and the key impact has been in the real estate. When I visited Leh last year, I noticed that the outer perimeter of the capital seems to increase with each visit. There is much construction across the land  many of them being small hotels. From around 20 hotels throughout Ladakh in the 1980s, there are over 700 now, with most of them in Leh. Almost 75% of people in Leh and the surrounding areas now run either a hotel or a guest house from their property, says Chewang Norphel, a Ladakh local  in an environmental magazine, The Third Pole. Norphel invented the technique of creating artificial glaciers in the region.

Unchecked tourism has also resulted in excess garbage, noise and air pollution that could create a mess in the future. A proliferation of tourists and hotels has meant more consumption of water. According to the Ladakh Ecological Development Group (Ledeg), an average Ladakhi consumes 21 litres of water per day, while a tourist needs almost three times as that. At an high altitude of over 10,000 feet altitude, Ladakh lies in the rain shadow region of the Himalayas where less rains, mainly in the form of snow, sustains the region. But the increase in footfall and consumption has led to higher water demand from tourists in hotels. Hotels have had to dig borewells to extract groundwater, which destroys the fragile water table.

For instance, Leh, the capital, town used to get its water supply from glaciers. But over the years, the hotels have been forced to dig for water, draining the already reduced water table. It has been reported in the media that water shortage is forcing locals to leave their generational homes and give up their agrarian-based economy.

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Lessons from Lakshadweep

There is a possible lesson from another region  that is far away but bears comparable ecological vulnerabilities alongside pressing tourism traffic. Lakshadweep is an archipelago of thirty six islands off Indias southwestern coast on the Arabian Sea. Lakshadweep is surrounded by rare coral reefs, marine biodiversity and a scenic beauty that could have been swamped by unchecked tourism. To protect its ecology, there is a policy of restrictions for tourists in place.

Lakshadweep is also protected because of the strategic importance of the islands that serve as a vital cog of Indias control of the oceans and sea lanes of communication that enable the continuation of trade movements on sea without disruption. The islands are also a strategic base for the Indian navy and its maritime drills in the Arabian Sea.

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Lessons to Protect Ecology

Countries have introduced high tourism taxes to ensure tourists pick up the tab for the maintenance of tourist hotspots. Recently, Scotland introduced taxes, thus adding to the list of countries taxing tourists.

Countries such as Bhutan, Japan, France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and others already have such taxes in place. Bali is a recent destination that has introduced tourist taxes this year (2024) from February onwards, with an aim of reducing traffic congestion and waste management pains.

Hawaii is a strategic location for the United States alongside being a tourist destination. Recently, Hawaii introduced a climate impact fee on tourists to protect the local sentiments and environment. I believe this is not too much to ask of visitors to our islands. Hawaiis natural resources, our beaches, forests, and waterfalls, are an essential part of our culture and our way of life, said its Governor Josh Green during his 2024 State of the State address.

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Ecology as a Need and Necessity

The Indian Himalayan Region has about half million tourists each year, putting strain on limited resources, impacting waste management, water resources and biodiversity. The importance of controlling tourist footfall has been reiterated in a five-set report of the NITI Aayog emphasising the need for sustainable development in the region.

On the strategic front, the Himalayas form a perimeter fence for India, covering about 500,000 kilometres across ten states in an arc that stretches from the west to the east of the countrys borders. Kashmir and Ladakh to the north and the northeastern states can be vulnerable to Chinese interference.

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Sunil Raman, a former BBC journalist wrote a few years ago about Chinas ploy of invisible incursion where ideas, language and culture are used as weapons to gain a foothold in Indias vulnerable areas. In that context, he points out to an expanding spiritual influence of Tibetan Buddhism from China over the Ladakhi version. He wrote about the threat of a possible takeover of Buddhist institutions by Chinese Tibetans aside from sectarian tensions among Buddhist sects.

Both Pakistan earlier and now China have had an ambitious eye on Ladakh  but have been warded off militarily several times. Ignoring ecological imbalances and resulting local difficulties could provide an opening for hostile neighbours. Monitoring pollution levels, levying taxes on usage of local resources alongside the need for a transparent and productive discussion on the pressing ecology-related issues of Ladakh ought to be seen from a judicious standpoint, given that the anxieties and tribulations of locals cannot be left unattended and exposed in an area of vital strategic importance.

The writer is the author of Watershed 1967: Indias Forgotten Victory over China and Camouflaged: Forgotten Stories From Battlefields. His fortnightly column for FirstPost  Beyond The Lines  covers military history, strategic issues, international affairs and policy-business challenges. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Tweets @iProbal
India doesnt seek to be a bridge to the West but within half a generation  18 years or less  be the balancing pivot in a new G3 world order read more

Thaw or tactics, Indias strategic priority is to move the slide rule on foreign policy from the US side towards the centre, still distant from the Chinese side but making sure neither superpower takes India for granted

Troops from Chinas People Liberation Army (PLA) occupied Indian territory along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) exactly four years ago. Much has changed in the India-China dynamic since then.

India has drawn closer to the United States as a strategic partner. At the same time, New Delhi has not hesitated to call Washington out over contentious remarks made about Indias democracy and media freedom.

In these four years, India has successfully weathered the Covid-19 pandemic and trade disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine and Gaza wars. Its economy remains the worlds fastest growing among major powers.

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China meanwhile has had four difficult years since it launched its assault on the LAC in April 2020. It expected a quick victory. Instead the PLA suffered greater casualties, according to independent intelligence analysts.

Chinas economy has slowed to an annual growth rate of below five per cent. Global financial institutions expect Chinas long-term annual growth trajectory to fall to three per cent.

In Pakistan, Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) suffered a blow last month following a terrorist attack that killed five Chinese engineers, including a woman, working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Three hydroelectric projects in Pakistan have been suspended by Beijing. Several Chinese engineers and workers have left Pakistan following the terror attack.

The United States has meanwhile launched a tech war on China, banning the sale of advanced semiconductor chips to Beijing, setting Chinas artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure back by at least five years.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas visit to Washington last week signalled a hardening of positions against China by the US-led West in the Indo-Pacific at a time when China is embroiled in maritime clashes with the Philippines and other maritime states.

The rhetoric from China against India has noticeably quietened. Prime Minister Narendra Modis comments on China in an interview last week with the US weekly magazine Newsweek are significant:

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Stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important for not just our two countries but the entire region and world. I hope and believe that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement and at the diplomatic and military levels, we will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquillity in our borders.

The comments drew an immediate response from Beijing. Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: China noted PM Modis remarks. Sound and stable China-India relationsare conductive to peace and development in the region and beyond.

The mouthpiece of the Chinese government, China Daily, was even more forthcoming: Modis latest remarks could be interpreted as a gesture of goodwill, as the two sides try to find a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement to their border disputes at an early date and turn the final page on them.

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The Chinese foreign ministry then issued a more detailed statement: We hope India will work with China, approach bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, keep building trust and engage in dialogue and cooperation and seek to handle differences appropriately to put the relationship on a sound and stable track.

Thaw or testing the waters?

As over 1,00,000 Indian and PLA soldiers continue to face each other across the LAC, China has realised that India is not the pushover it expected when it made its cross-border ingress in April 2020.

But has China re-thought its long-term relationship with India or is the current thaw a tactic to buy time till Beijing gets its economy back in shape and sorts out geopolitical tensions with the littoral states in the South China Sea?

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India has strategic reasons for softening its own stance against China. While the eyeball-to-eyeball standoff across the LAC and Chinas act of renaming areas in Arunachal Pradesh are provocations, the Indian government is looking at the long term.

Washington-Beijing-New Delhi will form the triad of global power after the 2030s. At a growth rate of eight per cent a year, Indias GDP will double every nine years and quadruple in 18 years.

Indian GDP is estimated at just under $4 trillion in 2023-24. At the cusp of 2040, Indias economy will therefore be $16 trillion  around the same as Chinas GDP today.

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In the meantime, Chinas GDP, hobbled by a debt-ridden real estate sector that accounts for 30 per cent of its economy and an ageing workforce, will likely grow at three per cent a year.

By 2042, that will take Chinas current $18 trillion GDP, at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of three per cent over 18 years, to $28 trillion.

The gap between the Chinese and Indian economies ($28 trillion-$16 trillion) will have narrowed to approximately the current gap between the US and Chinese economies.

Chanceries in Washington, Beijing and New Delhi are fully aware of these empirical estimates and their geopolitical implications.

What are those implications?

From G2 to G3

The first implication is that we are moving from a bipolar global world order with two superpowers, the US and China, to a future tripolar world order with India supplying the smaller but pivotal third angle in this developing triangle.

This will be contested by the two incumbent superpowers. China, despite its recent dulcet remarks of cooperation, still regards India as an interloper. America, annoyed with Indias show of geopolitical independence as a leader of the Global South, shows its displeasure periodically through ventriloquists in the State Department and the Pentagon.

India too is no longer reluctant, as in the past, to call out Chinas aggression in the South China Sea. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during a recent meeting with Enrique Manalo, the Philippines secretary of foreign affairs, said: India firmly supports the Philippines upholding its national sovereignty.

Thaw or tactics, Indias strategic priority is to move the slide rule on foreign policy from the US side towards the centre, still distant from the Chinese side but making sure neither superpower takes India for granted.

All of this is not lost on Washington. It deploys the Wests embedded media to remind India of its place in the global hierarchy.

The Economist can be relied on to swiftly do Washingtons bidding. In a recent forked tongue editorial that marks much of its journalism, The Economist wrote: Some of Indias power is unquantifiable. As a flawed democracy with an ultra-pragmatic foreign policy (it has forged closer bonds with America at the same time as refusing to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine) it is closer to the median world view among the G77 than is China.

Indias pitch to lead is also substantively different. Because it worries more about a China-led Asia than an American-led world, it is inherently more pragmatic about its approach to reforming international rules. It wants to be a bridge to the West, not a battering ram.

The Economist is wrong. India doesnt seek to be a bridge to the West but within half a generation  18 years or less  be the balancing pivot in a new G3 world order.

The writer is an editor, author and publisher. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
This integration of the defence advisors into Indias robust Africa policy will prove to be more meaningful since acquisitions in African countries are quite political and require strong lobbying at high levels with added incentives of economic cooperation read more

India has taken its Indo-Pacific policy through Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) to clearly include the coasts of southern and eastern Africa within its ambit. Image: REUTERS/Alet Pretorius/Pool

The welcome announcement that the location of defence advisors (DA) in Indian embassies abroad has been reconsidered, leading to reassignments, is a sign that India is taking its strategic vision seriously. Of particular importance is the attention paid to Africa.

Since 2018, after PM Modi made his Africa is our priority policy speech at the Ugandan Parliament, India has proceeded to establish 18 new embassies in Africa. Most of these have already opened.

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Besides, India has taken its Indo-Pacific policy through Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) to clearly include the coasts of southern and eastern Africa within its ambit. Add to this the meetings of defence ministers of African countries and countries of the Indian Ocean region held over the last few years, and you see a pattern of trying to intensify the strategic engagement with Africa, particularly with countries in eastern and southern Africa, which impinge on the Indian Ocean.

Under the latest reassignments, new positions of defence advisors are likely in Ethiopia, Djibouti, Tanzania, Mozambique, and the Ivory Coast. They will augment the existing four defence advisors in Africa: Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria. What do these signify? The creation of a new position in Addis Ababa, which is also the headquarters of the African Union, means that India, with a long-standing military engagement with Ethiopia, will now also have a possible engagement at the strategic level with the African Union Commission.

This was missing over the years when India intensified its engagement with the AU Commission. India had established a military academy in Harar in 1958 and had a military training team in Ethiopia from 2009 to 2014.

Given Ethiopias new energetic role in the region, this is a good move. The new Indian Mission in Djibouti, strategically located at the confluence of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, will also get a new defence advisor.

This will augment the strength of the small mission. Earlier, the defence adviser in Egypt covered both Ethiopia and Djibouti, but now there would be three in this important region alone. Djibouti is the nodal point from which piracy in the region is often viewed. It has military bases in France, the US, Japan, and China and is the headquarters of the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTHOA). Though India has not been directly associated with the CJTHOA, perhaps that would now be reconsidered.

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India already has a defence wing in the mission in the High Commission in Kenya, which was originally in Tanzania, where India had established a defence training college. Now, given the interest that Tanzania has evinced in closer defence engagement with India and the joint statement on maritime security introduced during the visit of the Tanzanian president to India last year, it is a good time to have our defence wing reintroduced in Dar es Salaam.

Tanzanian interest in purchasing Indian military hardware at appropriate prices is clear and needs to be pursued. This could also be an objective with Ethiopia, whose military machine is in need of revitalisation and resupply.

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The defence advisor in Kenya continues to be accredited to the Seychelles, while with Mauritius, there has been an Indian deployment for a long time, perhaps obviating the need for a separate defence advisor. Further down the coastline, the introduction of a new defence wing at the High Commission in Mozambique is indeed welcome.

Mozambique has one of the best-growing strategic partnerships with India, sharing a common vision of SAGAR, having substantial Indian investments in gas and coal, and training teams from India. India has already supplied military equipment to Mozambique, and the chances of turning this into an export destination of higher order are bright.

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With these four new defence wings in missions from Ethiopia to Mozambique, the entire region from Egypt to South Africa is now well covered, indicating that the Indian Ocean, both directly as part of SAGAR and as part of Indias Indo-Pacific policy, will be diligently served for strategic heft over the next few years.

The fifth new addition in Africa is in Ivory Coast, which will augment the lone position in Abuja, Nigeria. Ivory Coast is one of the stable countries undergoing reconstruction and could also be a good market for Indian export capabilities. With these deployments, the only places left out are Uganda, where India has a military mission, Rwanda, and Madagascar and Comoro, countries in the Indian Ocean region.

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While we welcome these deployments for strategic reasons, there is also a need for better coordination in the roles of the DAs. For many years, the position of the Indian defence wings in African countries suffered from a lack of concurrent accreditation with countries covered by the Embassy in which they were located.

There was also a lack of coverage of countries where Indian contingents under the UN peacekeeping operations were deployed, and there was a lack of coverage of the standby brigades of regional communities. These could now be covered from Djibouti, which hosts the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD); Tanzania, which hosts the East African Community (EAC); Abuja, where Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is located; and Botswana, where Southern African Development Community (SADC) is located.

It is important that Indian defence wings in nearby missions are given the responsibilities to deal with countries where the local ambassador is accredited, where Indian peacekeeping missions are deployed, and where the standby brigades of regional communities have their headquarters.

It is evident that enhancing defence exports is a major task given to defence missions, particularly in Africa. It is quite possible that the role of each of these missions would be judged on their ability to obtain access for Indian defence exports to the countries.

While welcoming this exercise, it is necessary to have a dynamic approach and allow the DAs greater flexibility to work on countries neighbouring their own, in line with the accreditation of the resident missions, or where local ambassadors believe that opportunities can be tapped.

Like an ambassador, a defence adviser also requires the concurrence of the host country, and it is important to give each defence attache a proper representation to cover not only the defence part but also the strategic aspects of Indias overall Africa policy.

This integration of the DAs into Indias robust Africa policy will prove to be more meaningful since defence acquisitions in African countries are quite political and require strong lobbying at high levels with added incentives of economic cooperation.

The writer is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and the African Union. He tweets @AmbGurjitSingh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing was the first time that a Chinese leader has met a former president of Taiwan on Chinese soil read more

Visitors stand near an image of Chinese President Xi Jinping shaking hands with former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou, at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, China, November 11, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Chinas President Xi Jinping met with Taiwans visiting former President Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing on April 10, 2024. This is their second meeting after they met in Singapore in November 2015, when Ma was the President of Taiwan.

Wang Huning (the top-most politburo standing committee member in charge of the Taiwan issue), Cai Qi, and other senior officials attended the meeting.

From April 1 to 11, Ma was leading 20 young people from the Taiwan region to the Chinese mainland for talks. The meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing was the first time that a Chinese leader has met a former president of Taiwan on Chinese soil. Ma is considered more friendly to China than the current Taiwanese president, Tsai Ing-wen.

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This meeting is seen as an effort by China to influence Taiwans politics. Ma visited Fujian, Xian, and other places. Last year, Ma visited China just before Taiwan went for presidential elections in January of this year but did not meet Xi.

Ma was Taiwans president from 2008 to 2016. In May 2008, Ma declared no unification, no independence, and no use of force and subsequently broadened economic ties and signed accords on direct postal, shipping, and air links. In 2010, chairman of Beijings Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Chen Yunlin visited Taiwan, making him the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit Taiwan. Chen addressed Taiwans president as Mr Ma.

Ma also opened Taiwan for group tours from China. Initially capped at 300 visitors a day, the numbers quickly soared to 1.6 million mainlanders in 2011 (the total by 2011 was 7 million). This tourism led to $3 billion in Taiwans economy, an amount equal to 0.72 per cent of the islands gross domestic product. Ma proposed in June 2010 an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with Chinaa sort of free trade area proposal. Ma also expressed his opinion about joining the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), although China had not viewed this with enthusiasm. ECFA led to massive opposition in Taiwan, mainly led by the youth, who spearheaded the Sun Flower Movement by occupying the Premier and other offices in Taipei. Their main accusation was that the ECFA is detrimental to Taiwans economy and that no oversight committee has been proposed for evaluating the ECFA.

In September 2010, Ma cobbled up confidence-building measures (CBMs) in the military field with China. In October 2011, Ma proposed a peace agreement with China through a referendum process.

All of these pro-China measures by Ma endeared him to the Chinese leadership, even though they backfired with the Taiwanese citizens.

While not addressing the current Chinese intimidating military exercises near Taiwan, Xi stated in his meeting with Mas entourage that external interference cannot hold back the historical trend of national reunification."

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Further, Xi said: All Chinese on both sides of the Strait should firmly oppose any separatist moves of secessionists on the island and interference by external forces, firmly safeguard the common home of the Chinese nation, and work together to pursue a bright future for peaceful reunification. The future of the Chinese nation should be firmly held in the hands of the Chinese people.

Xi stressed in his speech that unification with Taiwan is part of the rejuvenation project. The speech is aimed at countering the United States, Japan, and other countries support for Taiwan as well as criticising the independent forces within Taiwan.

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The current ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is seen as moving towards independence, even though in the DPPs two terms from 2000 to 2008 and 2016 until now, it has desisted declaring itself independent.

The DPP also rejected the 1992 consensus between Kuomintang (KMT), of which Ma was the Chairman, and Chinas Communist Party (CCP). According to this, Taiwan and China belong to one China. China has said acceptance of the consensus is a precondition for resuming public dialogue with Taiwan. This is not acceptable to the current ruling DPP in Taiwan.

The DPP says that while the KMT lost its war to the CCP in 1949, it fled to Taiwan and practiced authoritarian leadership until 1986. A decade later, the first elections in Taiwan threw an altogether different generation that stresses Taiwan identity. Indeed, according to a National Chengchi University Election Study Center survey conducted in 2023, only 1.2 per cent of Taiwanese support unification with China.

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A Pew Research Centre poll released earlier this year found that 67 per cent identify as primarily Taiwanese, while 28 per cent consider themselves primarily Taiwanese and Chinese, and only 3 per cent consider themselves primarily Chinese.

Identity in Taiwan is tied to politics. Those who consider themselves primarily Taiwanese are most likely to align themselves with the ruling DPP. Ma is thus trying to enhance the segment that supports the unification process.

The visit of Ma at this juncture is interesting. First, Lai Ching-te, the current Vice President and President-elect in January this year, will be taking the oath of office in May, and hence the timing of Mas visit to China is interesting. Lais party, the DPP, has lost the majority in the Legislative Yuan by a thin margin, and Mas KMT party could stall crucial legislation in the future.

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Second, Japans Prime Minister Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos are in the United States meeting President Biden. They possibly discussed Chinas invasion scenarios of Taiwan, and possibly both will coordinate the security situation in the Taiwan Straits.

By meeting Ma at this juncture, Xi is also conveying a message of influencing cross-Strait dynamics. It is also interesting that the second Ma-Xi meeting comes on the 45th anniversary of the signing of the US Taiwan Relations Act into law, requiring Washington to take steps to help the island defend itself, including through arms sales, despite Beijings vocal opposition.

Third, an official KMT delegation is due to visit China in June, even though specific dates are not notified. This suggests that the KMT itself is in a huddle, given the Taiwanese predicament on the unification issue.

Fourth, Xi addressing select Taiwanese youth is also intended to carry the CCP propaganda into Taiwan and build a pro-China constituency, even though Ma returned home without any assurances from Xi that intimidating military exercises would be discontinued.

The author is Professor in Chinese Studies at JNU. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The Biden administration has been investing heavily in semiconductor manufacturers, and incentivising them to expand their operations beyond Taiwan and Asia. Like the rest of the world, the US has come to realise that the need to reduce their dependence on China and Taiwan read more

President Biden, in a bid to bolster the domestic semicon chip production in the US, has revealed that his administration has allocated up to $6.4 billion in grants to Samsung. The South Korean tech giant is set to use these funds to expand its chip production facilities in Texas, specifically near Austin.

The Biden administration has been investing heavily in semiconductor manufacturers, and incentivising them to expand their operations beyond Taiwan and Asia. The Biden administration, like most countries, has come to realise that they need to reduce their nations reliance on chip imports from China and Taiwan.

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Furthermore, the latest round of investments serves as a cornerstone of the Biden administrations efforts to leave a lasting impact on the US economy.

Texas as a semicon hub

According to the announcement made by the White House, this preliminary agreement with the Commerce Department is projected to get Samsung to invest over $40 billion in its chip operations in the US.

Furthermore, this will go a long way to solidify central Texass position as a cutting-edge semiconductor hub, while generating a minimum of 21,500 new jobs. Moreover, the investment will leverage another $40 million in Bidens CHIPS Act funding to train and develop the local workforce.

These initiatives are also aimed at fortifying the US domestic chip production to mitigate disruptions in the global supply chain, particularly in light of Taiwans crucial role. The horrors of chip shortages during the pandemic are still fresh in the minds of businesses and people across the world.

The US is also seeking to ensure a steady supply of chips in the face of potential threats, namely Chinas incursion on the island of Taiwan. Even natural disasters like earthquakes are a major factor.

New chip foundry and expansion in the US

Samsung plays a vital role in the global semiconductor scene and is the second largest chipmaker, only behind TSMC.

The agreement will ensure that Samsung expands its existing site in Austin and also establish a new chip manufacturing hub in Taylor, a town close to Austin, Texas.

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The Commerce Department envisions transforming Samsungs presence in Texas into a comprehensive ecosystem for the development and production of cutting-edge chips in the United States.

This includes the construction of two new leading-edge logic fabs, an R&D fab, and an advanced packaging facility in Taylor, along with expansions to the existing Austin facility.

Asher Price, Axios Austin correspondent, notes that with the announcement regarding Taylor, the economic prosperity associated with Austins semiconductor industry is poised to extend into smaller Texas communities.

Democrats and Republicans unite

Remarkably, this investment in chip manufacturing has bipartisan support from both the Democrats and Republicans. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, has found common ground with the Biden administration on this issue.

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This initiative follows Bidens recent announcement of $20 billion in funding for Intel to expand semiconductor production across several states. Additionally, the CHIPS and Science Act, one of the most crucial legislations that Biden has signed, is providing up to $6.6 billion for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company or TSMC to enhance and expand their manufacturing capabilities in Phoenix, Arizona.

(With inputs from agencies)
Starlink is one step closer to start its operations in India. Just days ahead of Elon Musks visit to India, the Department of Telecommunications, headed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has apparently given a soft approval to Starlinks license and is expediting the process for its clearance read more

Elon Musk will be meeting PM Modi during his 48-hour visit to India later this month. Image Credit: File

Elon Musks ambitious Starlink satellite communication project in India has a major development as it gets one step closer to a potential launch in India. Starlink has been given tentative approval by the Department of Telecommunications, headed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The approval comes, after nearly three and a half years of evaluation, as per a report by The Times of India. The report also suggests that although the approval is still under consideration with the minister, the DoT is trying to expedite all clearance processes, and plans on finishing the process before Elon Musks scheduled 2-day visit to India.

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During his visit, Musk will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, possibly around Indias Tesla and Starlinks operations in India.

The process for Starlinks approval now awaits a final review by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and for clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs as they are considering certain security issues that may come up because of Starlink, according to sources cited in the report.

So far the commercial aspects of Starlinks proposed operations in India have been scrutinised thoroughly. These include avenues like foreign investment, financial standing etc. So far, the report says, authorities have found that Starlinks proposal meets all regulations and compliances that are set forth with the with official guidelines.

Certain technical requirements have also been evaluated to see if they are in line with licensing conditions, with Starlink submitting ownership declarations.

Despite its benefits, Starlinks massive deployment of satellites has raised concerns about its impact on the night sky, astronomical observations, and wildlife behaviour. There are also issues around data security and controlling connectivity.

As for security, the Government of India is seeking assurances from Starlink that data transmitted over Indian airspace and waters will only terminate at local gateways and that satellite data beams will not be redirected to foreign destinations. Starlink has reportedly provided assurances to address these concerns.

Once approved by Minister Vaishnaw, Starlink will get a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services license, which is required for offering any satellite communication service in India.

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Other companies like OneWeb backed by Bharti Airtels Sunil Mittal and Jio in partnership with Luxembourg-based SES have already obtained GMPCS licenses. However, spectrum allocation and pricing details are yet to be declared as finalisation by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India TRAI is still awaited.

For those unaware Starlink is a division of SpaceX, which provides high-speed internet access globally using a constellation of thousands of satellites in low-earth orbit. This service is particularly beneficial in rural and remote areas where broadband internet or fibre-based internet isnt available.

Customers need a kit containing a Starlink dish, a WiFi router and a power supply, some cables, and a base to access Starlink. The self-orienting dish connects quickly with a clear view of the sky, and the service can be managed via the Starlink app.

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Starlink currently offers services in several countries, including the United States, Europe, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, South America, Asia, Africa, and a few others.
Users are reporting some issues with Tesla Cybertrucks accelerator. Several users claim that a metal part of the pedal gets loose and gets stuck in such a way that it causes accidental acceleration. Some have claimed that they have already had accidents because of the Cybertruck read more

Like some of its previous cars, Tesla is having issues with suprise accelarations with the Cybertruck too. Image Credit: Reuters

Ever since its launch, Teslas Cybertruck has been making headlines for all sorts of reasons. Despite its polarising design, and divisive performance, the EV has drawn an ardent fanbase. Now though, it seems the Cybertruch has encountered another setback as numerous waiting customers reported over the weekend that their scheduled deliveries had been cancelled due to an unexpected delay regarding the preparation of your vehicle."

While Tesla has not officially announced any ceasing of sales or any recall, the reason behind the suspended deliveries remains undisclosed. However, speculation arises that the electric pickup truck might be facing issues with its accelerator.

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We have just been informed of an unexpected delay regarding the preparation of your vehicle. We need to cancel your delivery appointment on Sunday and we will reach out again when were able to get you back on the schedule, Tesla wrote to some clients. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to hosting your Cybertruck delivery soon!

Tesla has faced accusations in the past of having unintended acceleration problems in their EVs. In 2017, the company was embroiled in a class-action lawsuit stemming from alleged instances of Tesla Models S and X having such issues..

However, in 2023, a safety researcher in Minnesota published a white paper proposing a potential mechanism wherein a voltage spike in Teslas inverter could lead to unintended acceleration.

Furthermore, leaked Tesla documents to the German publication Handelsblatt that same year included over 2,400 customer complaints regarding sudden unintended brake problems, prompting NHTSA to initiate an investigation.

Recent incidents involving the Cybertruck seem to support suspicions of acceleration-related issues. A TikTok video posted by a Cybertruck owner showcased the accelerator pedals metal cover allegedly becoming partially loose and jammed beneath the dashboard. Another owner claimed to have crashed into a light pole due to unintended acceleration.

Adding credibility to these claims, Whole Mars Blog, a social media account closely associated with Tesla, stated that Tesla has stopped all Cybertruck deliveries for 7 days due to an issue with the accelerator pedal.
Elon Musks Tesla layoffs is very similar to the lay offs that befell Twitter when he took over. It has ben chaotic, with several top performers laid off. Among the people who are leaving, is Drew Baglino, alleged Musks 2IC in managing Tesla read more

Elon Musk led Tesla recently announced mass layoffs at Tesla, in which it laid off 10 per cent or about 14,000 people. Image Credit: Reuters

It seems that just like with Twitter (Now X, as Musk would have people refer to it) the layoffs announced by Teslas management was nothing short of chaotic.

The recent layoffs at Tesla in which about 10 per cent or 14,000 employees were terminated, was haphazard to say the least. Several managers and team leads at the EV company have spoken to news outlets, claiming that some departments have seen their headcounts go down by as much as 20 per cent.

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Whats more worrisome is that the people laid off from Tesla included high performers.

The layoffs, according to Musk and Teslas senior management, are primarily due to the companys poor financial performance.

Despite delivering a record 1.81 million vehicles in 2023, Teslas margins suffered due to repeated price cuts aimed at boosting sales and outdoing competitors.

This announcement comes just a week before Tesla is set to report its first-quarter earnings, amidst narrowing proof fit margins which is the result of a long and drawn-out EV pricing war.

The layoffs were aimed at reducing costs and increasing productivity in preparation for the companys next phase of growth, according to an email that Musk sent to the staff at Tesla.

Sources speaking anonymously to TechCrunch revealed that many of the laid-off employees were high performers and were hired for critical projects that were once deemed critical for the EV giant. However, because those projects were taking too long and were too complicated, they were pushed down the priority list.

Other critical departments across the company experienced layoffs beyond the initially outlined 10 per cent. In certain cases about 20 per cent of people from the team were laid-off

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Additionally, two high-profile executives, Drew Baglino and Rohan Patel, have also departed from Tesla.

Baglino, Teslas Senior Vice President of Powertrain and Energy, has been working with the EV maker for 18 years, which is almost all its life. While speaking to a few news outlets, Baglino expressed confidence in his leadership team and the companys energy businesses. Patel, Vice President of Public Policy and Business Development, attributed his departure to big overall changes at Tesla while speaking to certain media outlets.

During his tenure, Baglino was in charge of two of Teslas most critical areas. Baglino oversaw engineering for the companys powertrain and battery. He was also one of the more responsive executives on X.

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Baglinos departure is particularly shocking even for Musk loyalists. For long, Baglino was considered Musks right-hand man, his 2IC at Tesla. Musk was grooming Baglino to run Tesla after he would step down.

The shakeup is in line with Musks renewed focus on developing fully self-driving cars, or robotaxis.

It was rumoured recently that Tesla has scrapped its plans for a lower-cost EV and will be using the underlying platform for a rumoured robotaxi, which it will unveil on August 8 of this year.

Baglinos exit follows the departure of Teslas previous CFO, Zachary Kirkhorn, and aligns with Musks expressed desire to focus more fully on Tesla and help the company become a leader in AI and robotics.

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(With inputs from agencies)
At least four people sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including the attacker. Although authorities have not disclosed the religion of the alleged attacker, investigations suggest religious extremism as the motive read more

An attacker approaches Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a church service at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, Sydney, Australia April 15, 2024 in this still image from social media livestream video. Reuters

Australian police have classified Mondays stabbing at a Sydney church as a religiously motivated terrorist act.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested after attacking a bishop, a priest, and churchgoers during mass at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church.

At least four people sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including the attacker. The incident, captured on a church livestream, sparked unrest in the Wakeley suburb.

Although authorities have not disclosed the religion of the alleged attacker, investigations suggest religious extremism as the motive.

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Graphic videos of the attack circulated on social media, inciting hundreds to clash violently with police outside the church where the attacker was receiving medical attention. Two officers were injured, and ten police cars were destroyed in the confrontation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened an emergency meeting, condemning the attack and urging against further violence.

Speaking on Tuesday, New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb revealed that the bishop and priest were undergoing surgery and described their survival as fortunate. The alleged attacker, known to police but not on any terror watch list, acted alone and targeted the livestreamed service to instill fear.

The incident follows a separate stabbing at a Sydney shopping center, fueling community anxiety. State premier Chris Minns appealed for calm and warned against retaliatory violence.

A strike force has been mobilized to apprehend those involved in the riot, as community leaders deplore the violence and support law enforcement efforts.

The Wakeley neighborhood, home to Sydneys Assyrian Christian community, has been shaken by the attack. Bishop Emmanuel, a prominent figure in the community, has faced controversy, including suspension from the Assyrian Church and opposition to COVID-19 restrictions.
In televised remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that he had given the go-ahead for disaster supplies to be provided by authorities. The rains, he claimed, will boost Pakistans water reservoirs read more

People wade through a flooded bridge on a stream, which is overflowing following heavy rains, on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan. AP

At least 49 people have died in Pakistan in the last three days due to lightning and torrential rainfall, officials announced on Monday. The southwest of the nation has declared a state of emergency.

When lightning hit farmers harvesting wheat, some people died. Numerous homes in the northwest and eastern Punjab province collapsed as a result of rain.

According to Arfan Kathia, a representative for the provincial disaster management department, Punjab has had 21 fatalities this week, with more rain predicted. Twenty-one individuals lost their lives in the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, according to Khursheed Anwar, a spokesperson for the disaster management administration.

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In addition, seven persons were killed by rain in the southwestern region of Baluchistan and the capital, Islamabad. The capital of Baluchistan, Quetta, and the northwest city of Peshawar both had flooded streets.

In televised remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that he had given the go-ahead for disaster supplies to be provided by authorities. The rains, he claimed, will boost Pakistans water reservoirs.

An environmental specialist from Pakistan named Rafay Alam stated that such significant rainfall in April is unprecedented.

Two years ago, Pakistan witnessed a heat wave in March and April and now we are witnessing rains and it is all of because of climate change, which had caused heavy flooding in 2022, he said.

In 2022, downpours swelled rivers and at one point inundated one-third of Pakistan, killing 1,739 people. The floods also caused $30 billion in damage.

Meanwhile, heavy flooding from seasonal rains in Afghanistan killed 33 people and injured 27 others in three days, according to Abdullah Janan Saiq, the Talibans spokesman for the State Ministry for Natural Disaster Management.

More than 600 houses were damaged or destroyed while around 200 livestock died. The flooding also damaged large areas of agricultural land and more than 85 kilometers (53 miles) of roads, he said.

He said authorities in Afghanistan had provided aid to nearly 23,000 families, and that flash floods were reported in 20 of the countrys 34 provinces.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River in the early morning of March 26, killing six men who were working on the span at the time, after the massive container ship lost power and crashed into a support pylon. read more

View of the Dali cargo vessel which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, US. Source: Reuters / File

Days after the ship crashed into a Baltimore bridge in March, the FBI launched a criminal investigation into the collapse of the bridge. The local officials also confirmed on Monday the recovery of a fourth body from the incident.

An FBI spokesperson confirmed that the agents boarded the cargo ship Dali to carry out court-authorised law enforcement activity related to the incident. No further details were provided, and the spokesperson said that there would be no additional comments from the bureau.

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According to a report by the Washington Post, the investigation into the collapse will include scrutiny of whether the Dalis crew was aware of any significant issues with the vessels systems before leaving port.

Investigators have retrieved the ships black box recorder, which contains crucial data such as position, speed, radar information, and bridge audio and radio communications, as well as alarms.

The Key Bridge Unified Command announced the recovery of a fourth victims body on Monday. Divers identified a suspected missing construction vehicle, within which they found the body. At the request of the family, details about the victims identity were not disclosed.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River in the early morning of March 26, killing six men who were working on the span at the time, after the massive container ship lost power and crashed into a support pylon. The bodies of two victims are still missing.

The city of Baltimore said on Monday it hired two law firms - DiCello Levitt and Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky Trial Lawyers - as it considered litigation against the owner, charterer and operator of the ship.

The registered owner of the Singapore-flagged ship is Grace Ocean Pte Ltd. Synergy Marine Group managed the ship and Maersk chartered the vessel.

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The head of the US National Transportation Safety Board separately told Congress last week that its investigators had interviewed key cargo ship personnel as part of its probe.

Work to clear the wreckage and restore traffic through the Baltimore ports shipping channel continues.

Replacing the bridge will likely take years, but authorities have opened two temporary channels to allow some shallow-draft vessels to move around the stricken container vessel. The US Army Corps of Engineers said two weeks ago that it expected to open a new channel to the Port of Baltimore by the end of April.

When the crash occurred, the Dali was leaving Baltimore en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a crew of 21, plus two pilots on board to guide it out of the port.

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The same ship was involved in an incident in the port of Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016, when it hit a quay as it tried to exit a North Sea container terminal.

An inspection in June 2023 carried out in San Antonio, Chile, found the vessel had propulsion and auxiliary machinery deficiencies, according to data on the public Equasis website, which provides information on ships.

According to Singapores Maritime and Port Authority, the vessel passed foreign-port inspections last June and September.

With inputs from agencies.
The upcoming hearing, titled Examining Boeings Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts, follows increased scrutiny of Boeing following a January 5 incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight on a 737 MAX read more

Boeing came out with a robust defense of its safety protocols Monday, highlighting its confidence in the safety and durability of the 787 and 777 aircraft models.

The company presented detailed testing procedures during a media briefing, countering whistleblower allegations of safety issues affecting around 1,400 Boeing planes.

In preparation for Wednesdays Senate hearing, where Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour is set to testify, the aviation giant aims to address mounting concerns over its safety culture. Salehpours recent public statements have raised significant questions about Boeings safety practices, alleging deficiencies and retaliation for speaking out.

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The upcoming hearing, titled Examining Boeings Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts, follows increased scrutiny of Boeing following a January 5 incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight on a 737 MAX.

Salehpours allegations, including concerns about gaps between parts in the 787 Dreamliner, have intensified calls for regulatory action to ensure aviation safety standards are upheld.

Steve Chisholm, chief engineer for Boeing Mechanical and Structural Engineering, told reporters gathered at a Charleston, South Carolina factory and on a webcast, that there was zero fatigue found in testing.

We were not surprised by the lack of fatigue findings, said Chisholm, who noted that the composite materials behind the 787 were picked because they do not fatigue or corrode like traditional metals.

Testing regime

Described by his attorneys as a veteran quality engineer at Boeing, Salehpour slammed Boeing for a series of shortcuts that have allowed potentially defective parts and installations in 787 fleets, according to the FAA complaint.

To compensate for gaps between parts beyond the .005 inch standard set by Boeing, Salehpour said Boeing has employed force during assembly of 165 times the recommended level of 10 pounds.

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After Salehpours complaint last week, Boeing released a lengthy rebuttal insisting it is fully confident in the aircraft and noting that regulators with the FAA signed off on Boeings processes when the company addressed the gap issue in 2022.

Company engineers pointed to testing for plane fatigue undertaken between 2010 and 2015 involving 165,000 cycles, or simulations of 165,000 flights.

In this process, a 787 was placed in a test rig and subjected to pressurization meant for a time period more than three times as long as the aircrafts expected 787 lifespan of 44,000 cycles.

Company employees raised concerns about gaps and other aspects of the 787 in the 2020-2022 time period.

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With 787 deliveries suspended during large stretches of this span, the company removed thousands of fasteners on some 120 planes in inventory and conducted rework on eight planes, company officials said.

While Boeing maintains that around 99 percent of the gaps conform to the .005 inch standard, a small percentage exceeds it.

However, testing has shown no sign of fatigue, said Chisholm, who also described the elevated force during manufacturing as a non-issue.

Were talking about 150 pounds on structure thats meant to carry many thousands of pounds of load. This is not a large load, Chisholm said. Its acceptable.

With inputs from AFP
Chinas Wang Yi and Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held a phone call where they discussed Israels April 1 consular attack in Syrias Damascus read more

In a phone call with Chinas Wang Yi, Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that Tehran is willing to exercise restraint in Israel and has no plan to escalate the situation following its first-ever direct assault against Tel Aviv over the weekend.

Late on Saturday, Iran launched a barrage of drone attacks against Israel, keeping its pledge to retaliate after Israeli strikes killed Iranian top generals in Syria.

According to a readout by Chinas foreign ministry, Amir-Abdollahian said, The current situation in the region is very sensitive, and the Iranian side is willing to exercise restraint and has no intention of further escalating the situation.

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The Islamic Republic of Iran advocates an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supports Chinas positive efforts to promote a ceasefire, restore peace in the region and strengthen cooperation among regional countries, he added.

China is one of Irans strongest allies, its largest trade partner, and a top buyer of its sanctioned oil.

In fact, the US has repeatedly urged China to use its influence over Tehran to try and manage the situation in West Asia, which is already volatile due to the Israel-Hamas war.

Iran has right to self-defence

The two discussed Israels April 1 consular attack in Syrias Damascus, justifying that Irans direct aerial offensive against Israel was a counter to Tel Avivs attack.

Amir-Abdollahian told Wang that the United Nations Security Council did not make a necessary response to this attack and that Iran has the right to self-defence in response to the violation of its sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Yi, backing Irans stance, said that China strongly condemns and firmly opposes the attack, describing the incident as a serious violation of international law.

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China appreciates Irans stress on not targeting regional and neighbouring countries as well as its reiteration on continuously pursuing a good-neighbourly and friendly policy, Xinhua quoted Wang as saying.

It is believed that Iran can handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil while safeguarding its own sovereignty and dignity, it added.

Spillover effect

Talking about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, Wang said that the current situation in West Asia is a spillover effect of the escalating situation in Gaza.

China is willing to maintain communication with the Iranian side and jointly push for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue, Wang said.

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Wang also held talks with his Saudi counterpart on Monday, the news agency said.

The two foreign ministers agreed to work together to avoid further escalation in the Middle East, it said.

With inputs from agencies
Trump, the presumed Republican presidential nominee, must appear in court every day for the duration of the trial, which is anticipated to take at least six weeks. This will significantly affect his daily routine and his capacity to campaign in critical states read more

Former President Donald Trump began his day as a criminal defendant, lashing out at the court and prosecutors, portraying himself as a victim, and aggressively posting on social media.

In other words, a familiar routine.

But inside the courtroom, which was closed to television cameras, Trump was a different manreserved and subdued, in sharp contrast to his aggressive attitude to other legal issues.

The contrast highlighted the seriousness of his position. Trump is now the first former president to stand trial on criminal charges, and if he loses, he might become the first major American presidential contender in history to run as a convicted felon.

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Regarding the case, Trump is charged with fabricating company documents to conceal purported payments of hush money to a porn star to prevent her from coming out with accusations of an affair during his 2016 campaign.

Trump, the presumed Republican presidential nominee, must appear in court every day for the duration of the trial, which is anticipated to take at least six weeks. This will significantly affect his daily routine and his capacity to campaign in critical states.

Instead, Trump took his campaign to the courts, where he made remarks both before and after the days events. In doing so, he once more characterised his opponents actions as purely political attempts to obstruct his campaign.

This is political persecution, he steamed after arriving with a phalanx of lawyers and several senior aides, but without his wife or other family members. This is an assault on our country, he went on.

Trump is already well practiced in the art of campaigning from the courtroom. In addition to appearances related to his four criminal trials, Trump this year voluntarily attended most days of his civil fraud trial as well as a defamation case brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, who had accused Trump of rape.

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Those two trials did not end well for Trump: The former president was found liable in both cases, and now owes over half a billion dollars, including interest.

During those hearings, Trump was often admonished by the judges, who instructed him to be quiet or answer questions more succinctly. At one point, the judge in the Carroll suit threatened to kick Trump out of the courtroom for speaking loudly. Another day he stormed out. Trump also openly sparred with the judge in his civil fraud case, including from the witness stand.

Such behavior would not be tolerated in a criminal courtroom and Judge Juan Merchan made clear Trump could be sent to jail and prosecuted separately if he were to engage in such disruptive behavior.

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On Monday, Trump did not.

At times, he was seen whispering and passing notes with Todd Blanche, his lead attorney. But during other stretches, Trump slouched forward, casting his gaze toward the ceiling, or leaned back in his chair with his arms folded and his eyes closed.

Every movement was memorialized by a small pool of reporters inside. As he entered the courtroom, Trump paused for a split second and licked his lips before walking up the courtrooms center aisle. When he was introduced as the defendant, Trump turned and gave prospective jurors a little tight-lipped smirk. Later, when he exited the courtroom for a break, Trump glared at a New York Times reporter who earlier had reported Trump had fallen asleep in his chair.

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While his body language was carefully parsed, he was seen more than heard.

During the first day of his trial, Trump said just five words on the record  Yes once, and Yes, sir twice  as he was read his so-called Parker warnings informing him that his right to be present at the trial could be revoked if he acted out and that he could be sent to jail for disruptive behavior.

It remains unclear how long Trumps restraint will last as the trial drags on.

The sterile, fluorescent-lit courtroom is a world away from the gilded Mar-a-Lago club where he has taken up residency in his post-presidential life. There he is surrounded by doting staff and ardent supporters who deliver standing ovations every night as he enters the dining room.

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In the courtroom, Trump was introduced to jurors not as president  as his aides still call him  but Mr. Donald J. Trump  and faced restraints, including the prospect that he might not be granted permission to attend his youngest sons high school graduation.

The judge has not ruled on the matter, but did bar Trump from traveling to Washington next Thursday, when the Supreme Court will take up his argument that, as a former president, he is immune from prosecution.

We think that it is important for the court to remind Mr. Trump that he is a criminal defendant and that he is under the courts supervision, one prosecutor, Christopher Conroy, said.

With Trump stuck in New York for the foreseeable future, aides have been planning rallies and other political events on weekends and on Wednesdays, when court is not supposed to be in session. Merchan said Monday that Wednesdays could be added if he trial falls behind schedule.

Aides are also considering possible events around New York after court ends for the day. Trump has often talked about wanting to campaign in his home state, even though New York remains overwhelmingly Democratic.

He is also expected continue to speak from the courthouse and hold press conferences to spin each days proceedings, as he has in his other trials.

While Trump has complained about being taken off the campaign trail, he has been keeping a relatively light schedule of public events since he locked up the GOP nomination last month, with most of his rallies scheduled on weekends anyway. Instead, he has been focused on fundraising as he tries to close the gap with his Democratic rival, President Joe Biden.

He is also expected to rely more heavily on surrogates. On Monday, allies including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds  all potential vice presidential or cabinet picks  fanned out across cable networks to blast the case.

Trumps indictments proved beneficial during the primaries, helping him rake in tens of millions of dollars from angry supporters and denying his GOP rivals the media spotlight as they were trying to gain traction.

Its unclear, however, how a criminal trial and possible conviction resonate with the broader general election audience, which includes more moderate and independent voters that could decide the race.

Nearly half of registered voters, 46%, said in a recent NYT/Siena College poll that Trump should be found guilty in the New York trial. And about 6 in 10 said the charges were very or somewhat serious.

The details of the case are salacious  involving a porn star, tabloids and hush money payments. But the case is widely see as posing less of a legal risk to Trump than his other cases, which accuse him of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election and of charges under the Espionage Act over his hoarding of classified documents that could lead to serious jail time.

But the hush money case could be the only one that makes it to trial before Novembers vote.

Bidens campaign, meanwhile, ignored Mondays proceedings as his aides seek to avoid the appearance of judicial interference.

Campaign officials said Monday that they will instead focus on continuing to present a political split-screen between the two men, with the president focused on governing and Trump focused on himself.

That contrast was especially striking this weekend, as Iran launched an attack against Israel and Biden worked to prevent a wider Middle East escalation, speaking by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jordans King Abdullah II.

Hell spend the week campaigning in battleground Pennsylvania, with events planned in Scranton, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, as Trump remains in court.
Islamabad is modernising its nuclear arsenal and improving the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear C2 (command and control). In October, Pakistan successfully tested its Ababeel medium-range ballistic missile, US intelligence official Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse told a Congressional hearing on China read more

Despite economic turmoil, Pakistan persisted in its nuclear modernisation endeavours last year, driven by its contentious relationship with India, top US intelligence official Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse on Monday told a Congressional hearing on China.

Kruse informed lawmakers that Pakistan continued seeking international support, including from the UN Security Council, to address its dispute with India over Kashmir.

Additionally, he noted that Islamabad and New Delhi maintained an uneasy ceasefire along the Line of Control since February 2021. Despite these challenges, Pakistans nuclear modernisation efforts endured, alongside an increase in terrorist violence against Pakistani security forces and civilians, said Kruse.

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Cash-strapped Pakistan is banking on close allies like China and Saudi Arabia for loans to tide over its economic woes. Moreover, Pakistans finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is now in Washington to discuss a new loan package with the International Monetary Fund.

Kruse told top American lawmakers that Pakistans contentious relationship with India continues to drive its defence policy.

However, cross-border violence between the countries has decreased since their February 2021 recommitment to a ceasefire, he said.

Islamabad is modernising its nuclear arsenal and improving the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear C2 (command and control). In October, Pakistan successfully tested its Ababeel medium-range ballistic missile, he added.

In 2023, militants killed approximately 400 security forces, a nine-year high, and Pakistani security forces have conducted almost daily counterterrorism operations during the past year.

Islamabad and New Delhi have a long history of strained relations, primarily due to the Kashmir issue as well as the cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

In 2019, Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic ties with New Delhi after the Indian government abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the State into two Union Territories.

India has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment that is free of terror and hostility for such an engagement.

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New Delhi has also asserted that the constitutional measures taken by the Indian government to ensure socio-economic development and good governance in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are matters internal to India.

Pakistans nuke journey

Pakistan embarked on its nuclear journey in the 1950s, initially framing it as an energy initiative. This move was significantly influenced by the United States Atoms for Peace initiative, which aimed to disseminate nuclear technology worldwide.

In response, the Pakistani government established the Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in 1956 to spearhead this endeavor. The first tangible support came in 1962 when the United States provided Pakistan with its inaugural reactorthe five-megawatt Pakistan Atomic Research Reactor (PARR-1).

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Under the leadership of PAEC chairman Ishrat Usmani, significant efforts were directed towards nurturing the countrys scientific talent. Usmanis establishment of the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Technology (PINSTECH) in 1965 marked a pivotal moment, accompanied by the dispatch of numerous Pakistani students overseas for advanced training.

Despite Pakistans assertions that its nuclear pursuits were solely for peaceful purposes, there were indications suggesting otherwise within its leadership.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Pakistan is reported to have 170 nuclear warheads as of January 2023.

With inputs from agencies
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday, expressed his gratitude to Guerot and praised him for his extraordinary bravery. The prime minister has even offered to resolve Damien Guerots visa issues after learning that it is set to expire in July read more

Damien Guerot, the French man dubbed as a hero, has been offered Australian citizenship for confronting the knife-yielding man in the Sydney mall attack incident.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday, expressed his gratitude to Guerot and praised him for his extraordinary bravery. The prime minister has even offered to resolve Guerots visa issues after learning that it is set to expire in July.

On Saturday, the Sydney mall attacker, Joel Cauchi went on a stabbing rampage, killing six people, before he was shot down by the police.

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How did Guerot confront the attacker?

CCTV footage from the fatal incident shows Guerot holding a shopping centre bollard to prevent Cauchi from progressing on his tracks.

Attaque au couteau de Sidney: un Francais installe en Australie, Silas Despreaux, travaillant dans la construction, est lhomme qui sest oppose au meurtrier dans un escalator en brandissant une borne de securite !

https://t.co/E2w97P0ofE  FrancoisLabrouillere (@flabrouillere) April 14, 2024

He then chased the attacker with an NSW police official, holding a chair for defence, following which Cauchi was shot down.

Stay as long as you like

Hailing the French mans heroism, Albanese said, I say this to Damien Guerot  who is dealing with his visa applications  that you are welcome here, you are welcome to stay for as long as you like.

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Bravo PM!!  

Damien Guerot, Francuski drzavljanin koji se navodno suocava sa problemom vize za Australiju, stao je ispred ubice Bondi Junction Joela Cauchija sa stubom koji je zgrabio ispred prodavnice, sprecavajuci ga da se popne na drugi nivo trznog centra, nakon sto pic.twitter.com/N7Uptn9iBI  The Martian (@SeeOutThere) April 16, 2024

This is someone who we would welcome becoming an Australian citizen, although that would of course be a loss for France. It says a lot about the nature of humanity at a time when we are facing difficult issues, that someone who is not a citizen of this country stood bravely at the top of those escalators and stopped this perpetrator from getting on to another floor and potentially inflicting further carnage on citizens, the prime minister added.

Stabbing case probe on

Australians have been shocked by the Saturday attack that took place in a busy shopping mall in the citys eastern suburbs.

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Five women and one Pakistani security guard were killed during the rampage, which has not been blamed on terrorism.

Police are investigating whether Cauchi, who had a history of mental illness, targeted women specifically.

With inputs from agencies
Irans unprecedented missile and drone assault on Israel is unlikely to trigger significant sanctions on Irans oil exports from the Biden administration as fears of spikes in oil prices and angering top buyer China are holding back swift action, according to a report, citing analysts read more

Irans unprecedented missile and drone assault on Israel is unlikely to trigger significant sanctions on Irans oil exports from the Biden administration as fears of spikes in oil prices and angering top buyer China are holding back swift action, according to a Reuters report, citing analysts.

Following Tehrans recent strike, which was in retaliation for Israels suspected attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier in April, House Republican leaders criticised President Joe Biden for what they see as a lack of enforcement of current measures and announced plans to introduce a set of bills this week aimed at intensifying sanctions on Iran.

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According to the report, Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, told Fox News that the administration had made it easier for Iran to sell its oil, generating revenues that were being used to go fund terrorist activity.

The administration faces a complex challenge due to political pressure to penalise Iran: how to discourage future attacks without exacerbating regional tensions, spiking oil prices, or alienating China, Irans largest oil buyer.

Washington has emphasised its commitment to preventing the Gaza conflict between Hamas and Israel from escalating into a broader regional war, with a key focus on keeping Iran from becoming involved.

Many regional analysts doubt that Biden will take significant steps to tighten enforcement of existing US sanctions to cut off Irans crude oil exports, which are crucial to its economy.

Even if these bills pass, its hard to see the Biden administration going into overdrive, to try to spring into action or enforce existing sanctions or new ones to try to cut or curb (Iranian oil exports) in any meaningful way, Reuters quoted Scott Modell, a former CIA officer, now CEO of Rapidan Energy Group, as saying.

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Enforcing sanctions

Former President Donald Trump reinstated U.S. sanctions on Irans oil in 2018 after pulling out of an international deal on Tehrans nuclear program. The Biden administration has sought to crack down on evasion of those measures with sanctions against companies in China, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere.

Despite those efforts, Rapidan estimates Irans oil exports have hit 1.6 million to 1.8 million barrels a day, excluding condensates, a very light oil. That is close to the 2 million barrels a day Iran exported before sanctions, said Modell.

The possible effect on gasoline prices is one reason Biden, a Democrat, may not move strongly to curb Irans oil exports.

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Kimberly Donovan, a sanctions and anti-money laundering expert at the Atlantic Council, said that oil-related sanctions have not been strictly enforced in the past couple of years.

I would not expect the administration to tighten enforcement in response to Irans missile and drone attacks against Israel over the weekend, mainly for concerns (that) could lead to increases in oil prices, she said.

The price of oil and ultimately the prices of gas at the pump become critical during an election year.

A State Department spokesman said the Biden administration had not lifted any sanctions on Iran and continued to increase pressure on the Islamic Republic.

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Our extensive and overlapping sanctions on Iran remain in place, and we continue to enforce them, said the spokesman.

The China factor

Vigorously enforcing sanctions could potentially unsettle the delicate balance in the US-China relationship, a rapport that officials from both nations have diligently worked to mend after a turbulent period triggered by the US interception of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon within its territory last year.

The vast majority of Iranian oil reaching China is disguised as originating from Malaysia or other nations in the Middle East, transported via a clandestine network of aging tankers known as the dark fleet, which habitually deactivate their transponders while loading at Iranian ports to evade detection.

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According to estimates by tanker tracking specialist Vortexa Analytics, China procured an unprecedented 55.6 million metric tons or 1.11 million barrels of Iranian crude per day last year. This constituted approximately 90% of Irans crude oil exports and 10% of Chinas total oil imports, reported Reuters.

Some analysts propose that Washington may consider measures to curtail Irans oil exports, partly as a preemptive measure to mitigate potential Israeli responses to Iranian actions, which could further escalate tensions, it added.

However, they anticipate that any such measures would likely stop short of drastic actions like imposing sanctions on a major Chinese financial institution. Instead, they suggest the focus might be on targeting specific Chinese or other entities involved in facilitating this trade.

If you really want to go after Irans oil exports yes, you would have to take meaningful action against China, Reuters quoted one source familiar with the issue as saying.

Are you really going to go after the big banks? Are you going to do something that the administration has not done and even the Trump administration did not do? he added.

Jon Alterman, a Middle East analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said there were limits to what Washington can do to impose sanctions and that evaders are adept at finding loopholes.

Id expect to see a gesture in the direction of (imposing) economic consequences on Iran, but I dont expect the White House  or any future White House  to be able to completely turn off the spigot of Iranian oil, Alterman told Reuters.

With inputs from agencies
Amid global challenges such as the Iran-Israel conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, Ackermann highlighted Indias rising prominence, noting the countrys democratic values showcased in the upcoming elections read more

Germanys Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, expressed admiration for Indias upcoming elections, stating that regardless of the outcome, Indias presence on the international stage is set to expand.

Speaking at an event hosted by a leading private university, Ackermann highlighted Indias significance in global affairs, citing its recent Presidency of the G20 as a precursor to its growing influence.

Amid global challenges such as the Iran-Israel conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, Ackermann highlighted Indias rising prominence, noting the countrys democratic values showcased in the upcoming elections.

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He described the elections as a festival of democracy and underscored Germanys admiration for Indias democratic process. Regardless of the election results, Ackermann predicted that Indias role in global affairs would continue to strengthen.

As India prepares for the worlds largest democratic exercise, Ackermanns remarks reflect Germanys keen interest in Indias political landscape and its evolving role on the international stage.

The G20 Presidency gave us a little taste of that. India claims a seat at the big table, and we, Germans and Europeans, think rightfully so. Whether its the UNSC or elsewhere, India is, and has to become more visible and recognised, he added.

Indias yearlong presidency of the influential bloc had begun on December 1, 2022, leading up to the G20 Summit last September where the New Delhi Declaration was announced.

The New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit held on September 9-10 brought the deliberations under our G20 Presidency to a successful culmination. With G20 including all P5 countries, and accounting for 85 per cent of global GDP, 75 per cent of world trade and two-thirds of world population, it was the highest profile international gathering in the history of independent India, reads a synopsis on G20 Indian Presidency website.

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The theme  One Earth, One Family, One Future, drawing upon its age-old belief of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam  was endorsed by all. With over 200 meetings in 60 Indian cities in all our 28 states and 8 UTs, across 40 different mechanisms including Sherpa and Finance Track Working Groups, as well as Engagement Groups, the

size, scale and scope of Indias G20 Presidency was unprecedented, it says.

The German ambassador said it is a role India deserves, like no other country.

But it is a role, one should not forget that comes with high hopes also. More than ever, India will be assessed by many. Not only the countries of the so-called Global South, but its international appearance and policies will be vetted, Ackermann said.

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And now many governments are reaching out to India, including the German government, as we expect India to play a bigger role in international politics, he said.

But, you should not forget, it is a difficult undertaking, the job is not easy, and hopes and expectations are different. Lets say Russian expectations from India are different from US expectations of India. How will India manage to find its way in this new sort of role, the envoy said.

The event was hosted by the OP Jindal Global University and the envoy delivered his address on India-Europe Partnership in a Multipolar World.

It is in Indias interests to develop a strong and solid partnership with Europe, including with Germany. I think, we are very much on the way Both India and Europe have a profound interest to maintain the international rules-based order, he said.

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With inputs from PTI
Hamas has proposed to initially release roughly 20 hostages who fall under the categories of women and men over 50, as opposed to the proposal crafted by Qatari, Egyptian and American mediators, which would have seen 40 hostages freed, according to a report, citing an Israeli official read more

Hamas has rejected every single clause of the latest hostage deal proposal and is now only willing to initially release roughly 20 hostages as against 40, according to a report, citing a senior Israeli official.

According to The Times of Israel report, Hamas has proposed to initially release roughly 20 hostages who fall under the categories of women and men over 50, as opposed to the proposal crafted by Qatari, Egyptian and American mediators, which would have seen 40 hostages freed.

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It is also demanding that Israel agree to a six-week truce before releasing those 20 or so hostages, added the report.

The Hamas has demanded that the release of Israeli hostages in the first stage of the deal be conditioned on negotiators providing guarantees that in the second stage Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire, a complete IDF withdrawal from Gaza and the unrestricted return of Palestinians to the northern part of the enclave, the three demands that have been non-starters for Jerusalem, Times of Israel reported.

Hamas has also dramatically increased the number of Palestinian security prisoners it is demanding for every hostage it releases as well as the number of murder convicts it wants freed.

Sinwar doesnt want a deal. He doesnt care if Gazans continue to suffer, even after extraordinary Israeli flexibility regarding all the parameters of the American proposal," Times of Israel quoted the Israeli official as saying.

Israel has declared its commitment to eliminating Hamas from Gaza and ending the terror groups 17-year reign following the devastating October 7 attack. This assault resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 253 hostages during an incursion into southern Israel.

According to Gazas Hamas-controlled health ministry, around 33,000 individuals have lost their lives in the Palestinian enclave since the wars onset. However, the ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Israel claims to have eliminated approximately 13,000 Hamas members in Gaza during the conflict, along with roughly 1,000 individuals killed in Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre perpetrated by the terror group.

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Israel wants to secure the return of hostages seized by Hamas in its 7 October attack that triggered the war, but says it will not stop fighting until Hamas is destroyed as a military force. It also says it still plans to carry out an assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million civilians have taken refuge.

With inputs from agencies
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While the new exam tested students knowledge about Chinas security and development, the previous liberal studies exam required students to express personal opinions or consider multiple perspectives read more

China has scrapped a liberal studies exam in Hong Kong and replaced it with a citizen and social development exam. Source: Reuters

More than 45,000 students in Hong Kong have appeared for the citizen and social development exam for the first time. The exam replaces a liberal studies exam that had been there for a decade that was scrapped by pro-Beijing lawmakers.

While the new exam tested students knowledge about Chinas security and development, the previous liberal studies exam required students to express personal opinions or consider multiple perspectives.

The liberal studies exam intended to enhance social awareness and critical thinking skills but was disliked by the pro-Beijing section of the Hong Kongs polity that blamed it for escalating violence among the youth during 2019 anti-government protests, according to South China Morning Post.

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Since speeding the clampdown on political freedoms and free speech in Hong Kong in 2020 when it passed a national security law, Beijing has been working towards bringing the former British colony more in line with the mainland China. It has modified school curricula with the intention of inculcating patriotism towards Beijing, focussing on national security, and peddling Beijings version of history.

New exam vastly different from previous exam

Teachers have said that the new citizen and social development exam is vastly different from the previous liberal studies exam.

Liu Tin-yan, a former tutor for the liberal studies exam, was quoted as saying by SCMP that it was no longer about making judgments about something, but about utilising knowledge. She added that the liberal studies test contained comparative questions with clear stances that required detailed explanations, but such questions were not in new paper.

In the citizen and social development exam, students were asked to explain the importance of education in enhancing Chinas comprehensive national power and how national security education activities strengthened understanding of the country, as per the report.

The report further said that the exam also asked how mainland China study tours cultivated a sense of national identity. There were also multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that covered National Anthem Ordinance and Basic Law and Hong Kongs mini-constitution.

The reference material for the exam included media reports about the 20th National Congress, education ministry data, and a Chinese government white paper, as per the report.

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The report further said that while the secondary diploma exam had a seven-tier grading system, this new exam had only two grades of attained or not attained.

Educators also said that while the previous liberal studies paper also had a global orientation, the new paper is China-centric.

Li Chun-kit, a student from HKTA Tang Hin Memorial Secondary School, was quoted as saying that the new exam did not include critical thinking and placed less emphasis on comparing negative aspects of a particular issue.

China tightening grip on Hong Kong via education

For years now, China has using education as a medium of expanding its grip on Hong Kong.

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In 2012, tens of thousands of people protested when Beijing pressured Hong Kongs authorities to scrap its curriculum in favour of one developed by the Communist Party of China (CPC), according to NPR. While the protests made Beijing hit the brakes at the time, it returned in 2017 to change how history was being taught in Hong Kongs schools.

The new curriculum introduced in 2018 did not have a separate section on Hong Kongs past, the 1967 pro-Communist riots of Hong Kong, or the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989 in which estimates say hundreds to thousands of protesters were killed by Chinese troops.

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In 2021, China brought national security curriculum to Hong Kong, according to Financial Times.

As per the curriculum, teachers have to warn students as young as six against subversion and to throw out library books considered dangerous to the Chinese state, said the report.

Under the curriculum, the teachers are expected to ensure students acquire a correct and objective understanding of principles in line with Beijings tough national security law, said the report.

Even subjects like biology or geography had to be taught such that the teaching inculcated patriotism towards Beijing. For example, the education bureau suggested that biology students should study how Chinese authorities protected the country during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the report.
Its uncertain if the House will ultimately adopt a package that closely resembles the Senate version or something far different, which may make the laborious, months-long process of persuading Congress to authorise military money for Ukraine more difficult read more

In an effort to bridge the partisan gaps in the House over foreign policy, House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a complex plan on Monday that would divide the assistance package into separate votes for Israel, Taiwan, and the Ukraine.

The Republican speakers decision to advance on the foreign aid package, the first major step on the measure after more than two months of delay, was possibly historic in light of the radical resistance from conservatives who were adamantly opposed to helping Ukraine. However, Johnson left the door open for the proposal to differ dramatically from the $95 billion relief package that the Senate approved in February by planning to have four separate votes on different sections of it.

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Its uncertain if the House will ultimately adopt a package that closely resembles the Senate version or something far different, which may make the laborious, months-long process of persuading Congress to authorise military money for Ukraine more difficult.

We will let the House work its will, Johnson said to the press.

However, as the House has found it difficult to take action, tensions have intensified globally. The head of Israels military declared on Monday that his nation will retaliate for Irans missile attack over the weekend. Additionally, due to Russian forces being able to begin a new attack due to the warmer weather, Ukraines military chief issued a warning over the weekend stating that the battlefield situation in the countrys east has significantly worsened in recent days.

There are precipitating events around the globe that were all watching very carefully and we know the world is watching us to see how we react, Johnson said.

President Joe Biden, hosting Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the White House, called on the House to take up the Senate funding package immediately. They have to do it now, he said.

Johnson and Biden spoke Monday, according to a person familiar with the call and granted anonymity to discuss it.

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Democrats in the House could be open to helping Johnson pass the aid in parts, and may even be agreeable to some of the additional measures being discussed by Republicans, such as providing some of the Ukraine economic assistance as loans.

But Johnson would lose the Democratic support he needs if he strays too far into Republican-only priorities. Any overhaul to the package also risks setbacks in the Senate, where a bulk of Republicans oppose the aid for Ukraine and Democrats have become increasingly alarmed at Israels campaign in Gaza.

As House members returned to the Capitol Monday evening, Johnson huddled with fellow GOP lawmakers to lay out his strategy to gain House approval for the funding package. He said he would push to get the package to the House floor under a single debate rule that allows for separate votes on aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other foreign policy proposals.

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Johnson said those proposals would structure some of the funding for Kyiv as loans, allow the U.S. to seize frozen Russian central bank assets and place other sanctions on Iran.

The GOP meeting was filled with lawmakers at odds in their approach to the conflict with Russia: Republican defense hawks, including the top lawmakers on national security committees, are pitted against populist conservatives who are fiercely opposed to continued support for Kyivs fight.

As often happens, the meeting turned into a free-for-all of ideas as Republicans tried to put their own stamp on the package but rarely found any unity. Yet Johnsons plan won over significant Republican support, said Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., as he left the meeting.

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I dont like it, he said. But Im clearly in the minority.

Still, Johnsons support for Ukraine aid could further incite the populist conservatives who are already angry at his direction as speaker.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is already threatening to oust him as speaker. As she entered the closed-door Republican meeting on Monday, she said her message to the speaker was simple: Dont fund Ukraine.

But Greene did not indicate whether she would move for a quick vote on her motion to remove the speaker if the Ukraine aid is approved.

Im thinking it over, she said.

Another unknown was how Donald Trump, the Republican presidential frontrunner who has railed against overseas aid, would respond to the proposal. Johnson met with Trump on Friday at his club in Florida.

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I dont spend my time worrying about motions to vacate, Johnson said Monday. Were having to govern here, and were going to do our job.

Democrats had pressured Johnson to simply take up the Senate-passed bill that would provide a total of $95 billion for the U.S. allies, as well as humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza and Ukraine.

The House must rush to Israels aid as quickly as humanly possible, and the only way to do that is passing the Senates supplemental ASAP, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries pledged in a letter to lawmakers to do everything in our legislative power to confront aggression around the globe, and he cast the situation as similar to the lead-up to World War II.

The gravely serious events of this past weekend in the Middle East and Eastern Europe underscore the need for Congress to act immediately, Jeffries said. We must take up the bipartisan and comprehensive national security bill passed by the Senate forthwith.

Democrats have also circulated a last-ditch option, known as a discharge petition, that could force a floor vote on the aid without the speakers approval. The petition has gained 195 lawmakers signatures, leaving it about a dozen votes shy of the majority it would need.

Across the Capitol, Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, worried that structuring the funding for Kyiv as loans would leave Ukraine in the dust.

But Republican supporters of the Senates Ukraine package appeared encouraged by Johnsons plan, even though they hadnt yet seen the details.

South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds said the House proposal could significantly delay the aid because it is four different measures that would have to be sent back to the Senate, and its unclear whether the Senate could combine them into one. Still, he said, Its OK because we can still respond to it.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday afternoon urged the House to take up the Senate bill.

He said in a floor speech, We cannot hope to deter conflict without demonstrating resolve and investing seriously in American strength.
The Israeli military remains ready to counter any threat from Iran and its proxies as we continue our mission to defend the state of Israel, IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said read more

The IDF has warned Iran of consequences of its missile and drone attack on Israel over the weekend and said the Israeli military will choose its response accordingly.

In a video statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said his country has no choice but to respond to Irans attack on Saturday.

The statement by Halevi came even when the United Nations has been urging Israel to show restraint in its response to Irans attack and European and the US officials boosted their calls for Tel Aviv to avoid a tit-for-tat escalation that could lead to a wider war.

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Is Israeli considering response attack on Iran?

In a video message, recorded during his visit to the Nevatim air base in southern Israel which was targeted on the night of April 13, Halevi said: Iran will face the consequences for its actions. We will choose our response accordingly. The IDF remains ready to counter any threat from Iran and its proxies as we continue our mission to defend the state of Israel.

IDF at highest level of readiness

Irans attack has created new opportunities for cooperation in the Middle East. We are closely assessing the situation. We remain at our highest level of readiness, Halevi said.

Halevi also said Irans attack on Israel had created new opportunities for cooperation in West Asia.

Over the weekend, Iran launched a large scale attack on Israel. Over 350 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and rockets were fired from Iranian soil as well as Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon towards the state of Israel. Across the skies of the Middle East, a coalition was activated to counter this attack, marking the start of the IDFs operation: Iron Shield, he said.

The Israel Defense Forces, together with the United States Central Command, the British and the French armed forces and other partners, operated together in real-time in the air, on the ground and at sea, Halevi further said.

Watch IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi thank  @CENTCOM , Armed forces,  Armed Forces and other partners for their participation in Operation Iron Shield and address the Iranian attack: pic.twitter.com/YIlAQBXdjY  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 15, 2024

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Defence systems were activated, the threats were intercepted, and Irans attack on Israel failed. Operation Iron Shield proved the strength of our iron clad cooperation. I want to thank all our international partners who stood up to Irans aggression, the IDF chief said.

UN, world leaders call for de-escalation

Halevis statement came moments after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the region couldnt afford another war and it was time to defuse and de-escalate.

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We have a shared responsibility to de-escalate tensions and work for peace, Guterres said while opening the emergency session of the Security Council on Sunday.

The White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Sunday said US President Joe Biden does not want an escalation in the regional conflict or a wider war with Iran and is working on the diplomatic side of this personally."

The president has been very clear. We dont seek a war with Iran. We are not looking for escalation here. We will continue to help Israel defend itself, Kirby said.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the UK does not support a retaliatory strike by Israel.

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French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris will try to convince Israel that we must not respond by escalating.

With inputs from agencies
Iran launched almost 300 drones and missiles at Israel overnight on Saturday and Sunday in response for an air assault on a consulate facility in Damascus that killed seven Revolutionary Guards members, two of whom were generals read more

The chief of the UNs atomic watchdog said on Monday that Iran has temporarily halted its nuclear facilities due to security considerations following its major missile and drone strike on Israel over the weekend.

Rafael Grossi, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was asked by reporters during a UN Security Council meeting if he was worried that Israel may attack an Iranian nuclear plant in retribution for the attack.

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We are always concerned about this possibility. What I can tell you is that our inspectors in Iran were informed by the Iranian government that yesterday (Sunday), all the nuclear facilities that we are inspecting every day would remain closed on security considerations, he said.

The facilities were to reopen on Monday, Grossi said, but inspectors would not return until the following day.

I decided to not let the inspectors return until we see that the situation is completely calm, he added, while calling for extreme restraint.

Iran launched almost 300 drones and missiles at Israel overnight on Saturday and Sunday in response for an air assault on a consulate facility in Damascus that killed seven Revolutionary Guards members, two of whom were generals.

Israel and its allies shot down the great bulk of the weaponry, and the strike did relatively minimal damage, but predictions of an Israeli retaliation have fueled fears of a full-fledged regional conflict.

Israel has already undertaken military operations against regional nuclear installations.

Despite resistance from Washington, it destroyed Saddam Husseins Iraqi nuclear plant at Osirak in 1981. In 2018, it admits to launching a top-secret air strike on a Syrian reactor 11 years ago.

Israel is also accused by Tehran of having assassinated two Iranian nuclear physicists in 2010, and of having kidnapped another the previous year.

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Also in 2010, a sophisticated cyberattack using the Stuxnet virus, attributed by Tehran to Israel and the United States, led to a series of breakdowns in Iranian centrifuges used for uranium enrichment.

Israel accuses Iran of wanting to acquire an atomic bomb, something Tehran denies.
Iran launched more than 600 projectiles at Israel on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday in a first attack ever on Israeli soil read more

Iran has threatened Israel that any response to its weekend's attack will be 'painfully' punished. Source: Reuters

Iran has said that even the slightest of retaliation from Israel for the Iranian barrage over the weekend will be met with a painful response.

For the first time, Iran on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday mounted an attack on Israeli soil. It launched more than 600 projectiles not just from Iranian soil but also from Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon where it sponsors a host of armed groups that share its opposition to Israel.

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While Israel has vowed to respond to the unprecedented Iranian attack, no offensive has yet taken place amid the international communitys call for Israel to exercise restraint.

We firmly declare that the slightest action against Irans interests will definitely be met with a severe, extensive and painful response, said Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday, as per AFP.

On Saturday night, Iran launched around 170 drones, over 120 ballistic missiles, and 350 rockets at Israel, according to CNN. The Israeli military said that it intercepted around 99% of these projectiles. The Israeli military was joined by the United States, United Kingdom, France, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan in the multinational defensive operation against the Iranian barrage dubbed Operation Iron Shield.

For days prior to the Iranian attack, the United States and Israel had publicised their assessment that the assault was imminent. In the run-up to the attack, Iran had repeatedly vowed to punish Israel for the killing of a top general in an airstrike on its diplomatic mission in Syrian capital Damascus on April 1.

In his statement, Raisi said that the Iranian attack was a defensive operation and it targeted the Israeli military bases involved in the targeting of the countrys mission in Syria. While Iran blamed Israel for the strike, Israel did not acknowledge it.

Since the Iranian attack, the Middle East has been on the brink as there are fears that an Israeli retaliation could plunge the region into an escalatory spiral that may lead to a wider regional war. The region is already reeling from the war in Gaza thats now in its seventh month.

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Prior to Irans attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had declared that an attack on Israel will be met with a response on the attackers soil. Following Irans attack, however, the international community has urged Israel to show restraint. US President Joe Biden, who has provided ironclad support to Israel so far against Iranian aggression reportedly told Netanyahu that while the US will help with Israels defence against Iranian assaults, it will not be part of an Israeli retaliation on Iran.

Following the Iranian attack, Israel Defense Force (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said it will be will be met with a response.

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We are looking ahead, we are considering our steps, and this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response, said Halevi, according to The Times of Israel.
On the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, Iran mounted an unprecedented aerial attack on Israel which included around 170 drones, 120 ballistic missiles, and 350 rockets read more

Israel has reportedly decided how to respond to Iran's attack but not when to respond. Source: IDF on X (formerly Twitter)

Israel has decided how to respond to Irans attack, but it is expected to be limited in scope so that it does not trigger a full-blown war between the two countries, according to reports.

On the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, Iran mounted an unprecedented aerial attack on Israel which included more than 600 projectiles. Israel was joined by the United States, United Kingdom, France, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan in a multinational defensive operation to foil the Iranian barrage.

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Following the Iranian attack, while calls for a retaliation have been made within Israel, including from within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus ruling coalition, the international community has urged Israel to exercise restraint. While US President Joe Biden has assured Israel of ironclad support against Irans threats, he has also reportedly told Netanyahu that the US will not join an Israeli attack on Iran.

Israel has decided on how to respond, but not on timing: Report

The Jerusalem Post cited multiple sources to report that Israel has finalised the response to Irans attack but not the timing.

The report said that the very fact that the decision to strike has been arrived at shows the severity and determination of Israels leadership to strike back.

At the same time, the report said all the indications so far are that Israel still seeks to tamp down the attack to avoid spiraling into a regional war.

Listing the options on the table, the report said that there were three options: the biggest retaliation in the form of attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, the middle-path approach of striking specific Iranian military facilities involved in the Iranian attack, and the much more limited option of eliminating specific Iranian officials abroad along with a big cyber-attack.

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Prior to the Iranian attack, Netanyahu had said that an attack on Israel would be met by a strike on the attackers soil. Following the attack, Israel Defense Force (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said that the Iranian barrage will be met with a response.

We are looking ahead, we are considering our steps, and this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response, said Halevi.

While Iran and Israel have been locked in a shadow war for several years, the Saturday nights attack was the first time that Iran had attacked Israel directly. Days before the attack, the United States and Israel had publicised their assessment that the Iranian attack was imminent. Iran had repeatedly vowed to punish Israel for the killing of a top Iranian general in an airstrike on the countrys diplomatic mission in Syrias capital Damascus on April 1.

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US believes Israel will not attack Iranian soil: Report

In a separate report, NBC News said that the US believes that Israeli response will be limited and will most likely involve strikes against Iranian forces and proxies outside of Iran.

Across the Middle East, Iran has a network of proxies comprising Gaza-based Hamas, Lebanon-based Hezbollah, Yemen-based Houthis, and a bunch of militia groups in Iraq and Syria. In its attack over the weekend, missiles, drones, and rockets were launched not just from Iran, but also from Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, according to Israeli authorities.

The NBC report said that the US assessment is based conversations between US and Israeli officials that took place before the Iranian attack. The four officials that the report cited said that they had not been briefed on the latest Israeli plans after the attack.

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The report said that, as per the conversations between the US and Israeli officials, the Israeli response was expected to be dependent on the nature of damage done by the Iranian attack. Since the Iranian barrage did not result in any death as 99% of projectiles were intercepted, Israel is expected to respond with less aggressive options like strikes outside Iran on weapon shipment or storage facilities in Syria.
Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas War, Lebanon-based Hezbollah has clashed with Israel on a nearly-daily basis read more

An Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to a statement from the military.

The Israeli assassination of the commander of Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based and Iran-sponsored armed group opposed to Israel, comes as tensions in the Middle East are running high after Irans aerial attack on Israel over the weekend.

The Israeli military said an airstrike killed Ismail Yusef Baz, a coastal commander in southern Lebanon, in the Ain Baal area. The Jerusalem Post noted that Baz is equivalent in rank to an Israeli brigade commander.

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The report further that Bazs roles within Hezbollah included managing both rocket and anti-tank missile attacks from the coastal region into Israel and that he also masterminded various terror operations against Israel.

In a separate statement, Hezbollah announced that Baz had been killed, but it did not mention his rank or role. A source close to Hezbollah separately told AFP he was the field commander in charge of the Naqura region was killed in an Israeli strike.

Hezbollah further said it launched Katyusha rockets on a base in northern Israels Beit Hillel in response to the Israeli enemys attacks on Lebanese villages, the latest of which was in Ain Baal, according to the AFP report.

Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas War on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah has clashed with Israel on a nearly-daily basis. The two sides have had border skirmishes and have exchanged fire. Israel has killed a number of Hezbollah commander in cross-border strikes.

Earlier on Tuesday, Hezbollah claimed it attacked Beit Hillel using explosive drones. The Israeli local authorities said the attack injured three people. The Israeli military said two armed drones entered from Lebanon and exploded in the area.

On Monday, Hezbollah attacked Israeli troops with explosive devices and injured four soldiers who had crossed over into Lebanese territory.

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During Irans attack on Israel over the weekend, projectiles were also launched from Lebanon in addition to those launched form Iranian soil. Additionally, Iran also launched attacks from Iraq and Syria. The CNN reported that the Iranian attack comprised around 170 drones, more than 120 ballistic missiles, and 350 rockets. The Israeli military said that 99% of projectiles were intercepted in the multinational defensive operation in which Israel was joined by the United States, United Kingdom, France, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
Katz highlighted the urgency of taking action now, stating that it is imperative to contain and weaken Iran before it becomes too powerful. He called for immediate measures to halt Irans activities read more

Israels Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, has reached out to 32 countries worldwide, urging them to impose sanctions on Irans missile program and designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

This comes in response to Irans recent attack on Israel over the weekend.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Katz asserted his leadership in initiating a political campaign against Iran. He highlighted the necessity of sanctioning Irans missile program and labeling the IRGC as a terrorist group to curb Irans influence and aggression.

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Alongside the military response to the firing of the missiles and the UAVs, I am leading a diplomatic offensive against Iran.



This morning I sent letters to 32

countries and spoke with dozens of foreign ministers and leading figures around the world calling for sanctions to be    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) April 16, 2024

Katz highlighted the urgency of taking action now, stating that it is imperative to contain and weaken Iran before it becomes too powerful. He called for immediate measures to halt Irans activities, highlighting the importance of global cooperation in addressing the threat posed by Iran.
Iran fired around 300 drones, missiles, and ballistic missiles at Israel between late Saturday and early Sunday, but the attacks only slightly damaged any targets, including a military base in the southern part of the nation read more

Iran fired around 300 drones, missiles, and ballistic missiles at Israel between late Saturday and early Sunday, but the attacks only slightly damaged any targets, including a military base in the southern part of the nation Image Courtesy AFP

Israels army declared on Tuesday that Iran will not escape scot-free following the Islamic republics unprecedented barrage of missiles and drone strikes on Israel over the weekend.

Iran will not get (off) scot-free with this aggression, military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters at Julis military base while displaying the remains of an intercepted missile.

We will not allow this aggression in the region, Hagari said, speaking in English.

He said that, even as the world was talking about the nuclear threat from Iran, the Islamic republic was building a conventional threat, meaning to create a ring of fire across Israel.

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Iran fired around 300 drones, missiles, and ballistic missiles at Israel between late Saturday and early Sunday, but the attacks only slightly damaged any targets, including a military base in the southern part of the nation.

(With agency inputs)
Iran attacked Israel with hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. According to the Israeli military, 99% of the drones and missiles were intercepted by Israels own aeroplanes and air defences, working in tandem with a coalition of allies lead by the United States read more

Israels military chief declared on Monday that his nation will retaliate for Irans strike over the weekend, but he did not specify when or how. This came as international leaders advised against reprisal in an effort to prevent a Middle East conflict spiral.

The Iranian attack on Saturday was a reaction to an alleged Israeli strike that killed two Iranian generals two weeks prior on an Iranian consulate building in Damascus, the capital of Syria. Despite decades of animosity stemming from the nations 1979 Islamic Revolution, it was the first time Iran has launched a direct military attack on Israel.

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Iran attacked Israel with hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. According to the Israeli military, 99% of the drones and missiles were intercepted by Israels own aeroplanes and air defences, working in tandem with a coalition of allies lead by the United States.

Although Israel is thinking about its next course of action, Israeli military leader Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi stated on Monday that the Iranian strike will be met with a response.

Halevi did not elaborate. According to Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the army, Israel would react at the time that we choose.

The two officers were speaking at the southern Israeli air base of Nevatim, which Hagari said had only little damage from the Iranian strike.

To plan a potential reaction, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been conferring with senior officials. For a second straight day, the government made no announcements on any decisions.

In a conversation with US House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Netanyahu said that Israel will do whatever is required to defend itself, the prime ministers office announced.

While Israeli leaders have hinted at retaliation, the government is under heavy international pressure not to further escalate the conflict  especially after the Iranian strike caused such little damage.

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The US has urged Israel to show restraint as it seeks to build a broad diplomatic response.

While Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said any response is up to Israel to decide, he added: We dont want to see escalation, but we obviously will take necessary measures to protect our forces in the region.

Pressed at a briefing about whether such a response would jeopardize stability in the region, Ryder said the US will stay in close consultation with our Israeli partners, as we have done throughout the weekend. Again, we dont seek wider regional conflict.

The US also has been working in recent years to strengthen ties between Israel and moderate Arab states in an alliance to counter Iran.

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Much of that cooperation has been under the umbrella of the US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East. Centcom works closely with militaries across the region, including Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries.

The US, Britain and Jordan  a key American ally in the region  have all said their air forces helped intercept the Iranian missiles and drones. Halevi said France and other partners were involved, and he noted that Irans attack has created new opportunities for cooperation in the Middle East.

The Iranian weapons also flew through Saudi skies, according to a map released by the Israeli military. Israel says most of the interceptions took place outside of Israeli airspace, indicating at least tacit cooperation with the Saudis.

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A unilateral Israeli strike could strain these behind-the-scenes contacts, particularly with countries like Saudi Arabia that do not have official diplomatic relations with Israel. It also could risk opening a new front with Iran at a time when Israel is bogged down in a six-month war inside Gaza against Hamas militants.

Israel and Iran have been on a collision course throughout the Gaza war. The war erupted after Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two militant groups backed by Iran, carried out a devastating cross-border attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others.

Israels offensive in Gaza has killed over 33,700 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and caused widespread devastation.

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Throughout the war, Israel has traded fire across its northern border with Lebanons Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group, while Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Yemen have also attacked Israel. The friction has kept up fears of a potentially destructive all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, or a broader direct confrontation between Israel and Iran.

World leaders pressed Israel not to strike Iran.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said all sides must show restraint to avoid a rising spiral of violence in the Middle East. French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris will try to convince Israel that we must not respond by escalating.

In Washington, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby declined to say Monday whether the US had been or expects to be briefed on any Israeli response plans. We will let the Israelis speak to that, he said.

We are not involved in their decision-making process about a potential response, Kirby said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US doesnt seek escalation but said it would continue to support Israels security. He pledged to step up the diplomatic efforts against Iran.

Strength and wisdom need to be different sides of the same coin, he said.
Left-wing classicist Luciano Canfora, 81, made the comments during a school debate in Bari, southern Italy, in April 2022  six months before the Brothers of Italy leader took office following a historic election win read more

After Meloni successfully sued writer Roberto Saviano last year for criticizing her attitude on migrants in December 2020, an Italian court fined Saviano 1,000 euros with a suspension Image Courtesy Reuters

An Italian court gave the green light Tuesday to a fresh defamation case brought by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, this time against a historian who called the far-right leader a neo-Nazi at heart.

Left-wing classicist Luciano Canfora, 81, made the comments during a school debate in Bari, southern Italy, in April 2022  six months before the Brothers of Italy leader took office following a historic election win.

The trial is set to open on October 7.

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After Meloni successfully sued writer Roberto Saviano last year for criticizing her attitude on migrants in December 2020, an Italian court fined Saviano 1,000 euros with a suspension.

In addition, she filed a lawsuit against Placebos vocalist, a British rock band, for calling her racist and fascist in July 2023 at a concert in Italy.

A video of Canfora speaking had been shared on Facebook by Meloni, who also released a statement denouncing his unacceptable words and claiming that they amounted to vulgar propaganda to young students.

Speaking to AFP ahead of Tuesdays hearing in a tribunal in Bari, Canfora  a former professor in Greek and Latin philology at the University of Bari who is well-known in Italy  was unrepentant.

When you say neo-Nazi, you dont think of someone who is perpetrating crimes, or murders, you think of someone who still has some ideas, some mental attitudes that hark back to the past, Canfora said.

He noted that in her 2021 autobiography I am Giorgia, Meloni wrote about having taken up the baton of Italys post-war far-right leaders, including Giorgio Almirante.

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Almirante was one of the founders of the now-defunct Italian Social Movement (MSI), a party formed by supporters of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini after World War II.

He was also an official of the Italian Social Republic (RSI), a wartime Nazi-controlled puppet state.

Melonis Brothers of Italy is a political descendant of the MSI, although she told parliament when she took office that she had never felt sympathy or closeness to undemocratic regimes including Fascism.

Canfora has been supported by many Italian and foreign intellectuals in fighting his case, with French left-wing newspaper Liberation organising a petition to support him.

(With agency inputs)
Biden will be enjoying the split screen as he tours Americas industrial heartland while his Republican opponent, real estate tycoon, is kept off the campaign trail, unintentionally creating history by becoming the first former president to face a criminal trial read more

Joe Biden has declined to address Trump's legal problems, shaking his head in response when asked if he was paying attention to the trial on Monday at the White House Image Courtesy Reuters

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden will make a striking contrast with Donald Trump by traveling to Scranton, Pennsylvania, the place of his birth.

The 81-year-old has long relied on his blue-collar persona as Scranton Joe to appeal to middle-class and working-class voters, but this weeks rally in a crucial battleground state for the November election will be even more significant.

Biden will be enjoying the split screen as he tours Americas industrial heartland while his Republican opponent, real estate tycoon, is kept off the campaign trail, unintentionally creating history by becoming the first former president to face a criminal trial.

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Joe Biden has declined to address Trumps legal problems, shaking his head in response when asked if he was paying attention to the trial on Monday at the White House. However, the trips tone will likely speak for itself.

In an effort to appeal to those who are struggling with the expense of living, Biden frequently remembers his childhood in the former coal-mining boomtown where he was born in 1942, citing hardscrabble circumstances.

However, he will also be speaking this time about the necessity for billionaires to pay higher taxes.

The address will drive home a simple question: Do you think the tax code should work for rich people or for the middle class? Bidens campaign said in a statement.

The president has made it clear what he thinks the answer is, and so has Donald Trump.

Biden himself released his tax returns on Monday  dubbed Tax Day in the United States, the deadline for most Americans to file their tax returns  and drew a contrast with Trump who broke presidential precedent by refusing to do so while in office.

In Scranton, news of Bidens homecoming had not yet done the rounds though.

One of the first sights off the interstate from New York  along the President Joe Biden expressway named after Scrantons most famous son  is a huge trailer truck with a sign for Trump.

Its towns like Scranton that Biden will need if he is going to hold Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state that he took from Trump in 2020.

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I just prefer Biden, said Debra Hodges, 66, who does volunteer work and moved to the town from New York City about 20 years ago.

His age is not a problem for me. I mean, were all gonna get older.

Bidens age is one of the key concerns for voters in opinion polls, despite the fact that hes only four years older than Trump.

Recent polls have had Biden drawing largely level with Trump in spite of low personal approval ratings, though he has been shown lagging in swing states.

Hodges said she wasnt planning to attend Bidens rally on Tuesday.

Ill probably do some groundwork, some volunteer work for him, she said. Get young people to register to vote.

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She mentioned a series of key issues for voters such as herself including abortion, which Democrats regard as a vote-winner as they bash Trump for bragging about his role in denying the procedure to millions of women.

But Joshua Davis, 33, who makes items like keyrings and pendants using recycled plastic, and like Biden was born in Scranton, was not impressed by Trump or Biden.

Hes not alone  polls show a majority of voters are unenthused by the choice between the two candidates.

Theyre both puppets, he said. So whoever we elect is just the corporate interest.

(With agency inputs)
Ukrainian forces are running low on ammunition as military aid remains held up in the US Congress and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Russia may launch a major offensive in late spring or summer. read more

Responding to French President Emmanuel Macrons call for an international truce during the Paris Olympics, the Kremlin expressed concerns, saying that Ukraine may take the opportunity to regroup and rearm itself.

Macron had proposed the concept of putting an end to hostilities as part of the Olympic truce tradition to put it into effect from July 26 to August 11.

The Russian military and President Vladimir Putin have noted that Ukraine often uses these kinds of opportunities to improve its military capabilities, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

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Hoever, Peskov did not offer any particular instances of this kind of behaviour. There has been continuous fighting in Ukraine since the conflicts start on February 24, 2022, without a declared ceasefire.

Peskov did not go as far as ruling out an Olympic truce, but said no one had yet made any official steps in that regard. The front lines in Ukraine have not shifted dramatically since late 2022, but Russia has regained the initiative since capturing the town of Avdiivka in February.

Ukrainian forces are running low on ammunition as military aid remains held up in the US Congress and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Russia may launch a major offensive in late spring or summer.

In his interview with French media, Macron said France would do everything to bring about a truce in the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, and that he would engage Chinese President Xi Jinping on the issue.

It is an opportunity on which I will try to involve many of our partners. The Chinese president is coming to Paris in a few weeks, I will ask him to help me, he said. Peskov, in reply to a separate question about China, said Beijings position on the Ukraine conflict was very balanced and constructive.

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China, which has not condemned Moscows invasion and has substantially boosted trade with Russia since the start of the war, put forward a peace initiative last year consisting of a set of general principles that did not include specifics on how to bring the conflict to an end.

With inputs from Reuters.
The US ambassador to the United Nations urged Russia and China on Tuesday to reverse course and stop rewarding North Koreas bad behaviour and shielding it from sanctions-evading activities over its weapons programs. read more

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks to reporters at the U.S. Army base Camp Bonifas in Paju near the truce village of Panmunjom, South Korea April 16, 2024.- Reuters

The United States will work with South Korea, Japan and other allies at the Security Council to look at some creative ways, some out-of-the-box thinking to continue monitoring sanctions enforcement and other work carried out by North Korea, said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations.

The US ambassador also urged Russia and China on Tuesday to reverse course and stop rewarding North Koreas bad behaviour and shielding it from sanctions-evading activities over its weapons programs.

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The statement came during a visit to the Demilitarized Zone, a heavily fortified border between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war. Later in Seoul, she met with a group of young North Korean defectors, lauding their escape to the South as courageous, inspiring.

One of my priorities is to raise the profile of human rights violations in the DPRK, to raise the profile and amplify your voices as escapees, she told them, referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

Her trip to South Korea came after Russia rejected the annual renewal of the multinational panel of experts that has over the past 15 years monitored the implementation of U.N. sanctions aimed at curbing North Koreas nuclear and missile programs.

Moscows veto and Chinas abstention only empowers North Koreas efforts to sidestep international sanctions and shields it from accountability, Thomas-Greenfield said.

Hiding the truth does not change it. Rewarding bad behaviour only encourages it, she told reporters. We urge Russia and China to reverse course and once again to urge Pyongyang to choose diplomacy and come to the negotiating table to commit to constructive dialogue.

Thomas-Greenfield arrived on Sunday and met President Yoon Suk Yeol and Seouls foreign and defence ministers on Monday to discuss ways to deter North Koreas weapons programs and promote human rights in the reclusive state.

She will also travel to Japan, where she is expected to meet family members of Japanese citizens who were abducted in the early 2000s by North Korea, and visit Nagasaki, which was hit by a U.S. nuclear bomb in 1945, until Saturday.

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With inputs from Reuters.
Japan maintained in this years Diplomatic Bluebook that South Korea is continuing its illegal occupation of Dokdo and that the area is historically and legally Japanese territory read more

In protest of a claim in Japans annual diplomatic policy Bluebook about a group of islands between the two nations at the heart of a protracted territorial dispute, South Koreas foreign ministry called a Japanese envoy on Tuesday, according to Yonhap news.

The deputy head of mission of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Taisuke Mibae, was summoned by the South Korean foreign ministry to voice his disapproval of the article.

Prior to this, South Koreas foreign ministry declared that it strongly protests Japans assertion in the Diplomatic Bluebook, stating that the Dokdo islands have historically and geographically been part of its sovereign territory.

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The assertion, which is vehemently denied by South Korea, which has long had effective authority over Dokdo through the ongoing stationing of security forces there, was included in the 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook that Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa submitted to the Cabinet.

Japan maintained in this years report that South Korea is continuing its illegal occupation of Dokdo and that the area is historically and legally Japanese territory.

The government strongly protests against the Japanese governments repeated unfair territorial claims over Dokdo, which is clearly our own territory historically, geographically and under international law, as announced in its Diplomatic Bluebook released on April 16, and urges (Japan) to withdraw it immediately, foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a commentary.

According to Lim, South Koreas sovereignty over the isletswhich are part of Koreas intrinsic territoryis unaffected in the slightest by Japans claims.

Although relations between the two nations have lately improved, the neighbours disagree about who is sovereign over the islands that sit roughly halfway between them, Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea.
The 53-year-old bishop, who has a popular youth following on TikTok and was awarded by YouTube in 2023 for hitting 100,000 subscribers, has been a target for criticism, hate and online trolling. read more

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel who was stabbed during a church service live-streamed from Sydney on Monday, is known for his charismatic presence on social media platforms with a global following.

At least four people were wounded in the attack, including Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel of the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church, when a man lunged at him with a knife during a service live-streamed on Monday. It was the second major stabbing attack in just three days in Australias most populous city after six people were killed and 12 injured in a knife attack at a beachside mall in the Bondi area on Saturday.

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The large-crossed, bearded preacher has drawn praise and criticism for his controversial sermons. He is dressed in dark robes. Emmanuels teachings have provoked discussion and controversy, ranging from biblical teachings to divisive opinions on issues like Islam, COVID-19 vaccines, homosexuality and the US President Joe Bidens election.

The bishop has experienced blowback and online harassment despite his popularity, especially among young people on platforms like TikTok where he has a sizable following and was recognised by YouTube in 2023. He was stabbed along with other people on Monday night by a male teenager.

Footage posted online showed the attacker criticising Emmanuels comments about Islam while pinned to the ground by the congregation. Police said on Tuesday it was a terrorist attack motivated by suspected religious extremism.

In some sermons posted online and shared widely, Emmanuel questions parts of Islamic theology, although in others he stresses his love for the Muslim community and how he regularly prays for them. In a recent post he expressed support for Palestinians in Gaza.

Hes not saying your religion is rubbish, hes just proving them wrong and very well articulated to the point where it gets under their skin  the only way you can bring him down is through physical violence, said Manuka, 20, a local resident who follows Emmanuel on TikTok.

In other sermons Emmanuel took aim at the secular world, casting doubt on Bidens election, attacking his support for gay rights and urging Trump to stay true to God and resist the influence of Freemasons.

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Emmanuels popularity peaked during the COVID pandemic because his sermons were online, according to Mary Anoya, 17, whose family attends his church. She, like the other students at her high school, prefer to watch his sermons on TikTok.

I think everyone follows him on TikTok, said Anoya on Tuesday outside the church.

Ever since he started to become famous his words just got twisted. I grew up knowing who he was, I know what type of person he is and its all just taken out of context.

Residents who spoke with Reuters said the violent outrage that followed the attack on Emmanuel, which saw an angry crowd throw rocks and bricks at police, reflected fears about religious persecution by many in the community which is popular with Christians from Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Lebanon, some of whom fled their homeland because of their faith.

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Weve been persecuted for generations, said Chris, who asked for his last name not to be used for fear of retribution.

Enough is enough, a priest cant be touched. Im not speaking about retaliation but the Australian government must play a role so no persecution is tolerated.

With inputs from Reuters.
Rather than criminalising tobacco use, the goal of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is to keep minors born after 2009 from ever being able to purchase the drug lawfully read more

Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks proposal to outlaw the sale of cigarettes to anybody younger than 15 will be put to a vote by British legislators on Tuesday.

Despite being anticipated to be accepted, Sunaks proposal to enforce some of the toughest anti-smoking laws in the world has infuriated certain members of his ruling Conservative Party, notably former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, who believe that the government shouldnt meddle in peoples personal lives.

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On the measure, lawmakers will have a free vote, which means they are not required to cast votes based on party affiliation. This year, the new coalition government in New Zealand repealed a similar law before it was put into effect.

A significant Conservative uprising would be a further setback for Sunak, who has previously been under fire inside his party over everything from defence strategy to climate change.

One of Sunaks main initiatives before to an election later this year, which polls indicate the opposition Labour Party would win, is the law.

Rather than criminalising tobacco use, the goal of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is to keep minors born after 2009 from ever being able to purchase the drug lawfully.

Sunak has said it will tackle the single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability and death.

There is strong support for the move from medical and healthcare experts and charities, who say smoking causes 80,000 deaths every year plus many more smoking-related illnesses.

But Conservative lawmaker Simon Clarke told BBC radio that a ban could be counterproductive.

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I think, it actually risks making smoking cooler. It certainly risks creating a black market and it also risks creating a unmanageable challenge for the authorities, he said.

Despite such criticism, the legislation is widely expected to pass, with Labour suggesting it will support the measure. If it is approved on Tuesday, the bill will progress to the next stage in parliament.
The UK government will penalise people who are found to create such images without consent. Perpetrators will be facing a criminal record against their names and will be slapped with unlimited fines read more

Creating sexually explicit deepfake images in the UK can land a person in jail as the countrys Justice Ministry is mulling a new law that will make such activities a criminal offence.

Britain is one of the worlds worst-affected countries when it comes to morphed images of its citizens, with over 4,000 celebrities falling victim to deepfake pornography.

What will the legislation be like?

In what seems to be a major crackdown on deepfake menace, the UK government will penalise people who are found to create such images without consent. Perpetrators will be facing a criminal record against their names and will be slapped with unlimited fines.

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People could also be imprisoned if the deepfake images created by them are spread widely.

The new law will also be applied to anyone who makes sexually explicit images even if they have no intent to share it but to humiliate or distress their victims.

Additionally, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) could charge one person twice for creating deepfake images and then sharing them, which will effectively increase their sentences.

Making deepfake is immoral, often misogynistic

Laura Farris, the minister for victims and safeguarding, says that the new legislation will put a check on the production of such images as the creation of sexually explicit pictures is unacceptable irrespective of whether the image is shared.

It is another example of ways in which certain people seek to degrade and dehumanise others  especially women. And it has the capacity to cause catastrophic consequences if the material is shared more widely. This government will not tolerate it," she said.

The minister added, This new offence sends a crystal clear message that making this material is immoral, often misogynistic, and a crime.

EU proposes law to criminalise deepfake pornography

Earlier this year, the European Union proposed a new law to criminalise the sharing of sexually explicit images created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to prevent the rise of sexual exploitation of women online.

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The latest disgusting way of humiliating women is by sharing intimate images generated by AI in a couple of minutes by anybody. Such pictures can do huge harm, not only to pop stars but to every woman who would have to prove at work or at home that it was a deep fake, European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova had told Politico.
Zaporizhzhia, the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been under Russian occupation since soon after their invasion began in February 2022. In response to the ongoing shelling strikes, it has been closed since that year. Since April 7, the facility has been subjected to a number of drone strikes, which are the first direct attacks since November 2022 read more

A view of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant from the bank of Kakhovka Reservoir near the town of Nikopol in Ukraine. Reuters

The chief of the UN nuclear watchdog organisation issued a warning on Monday, stating that the recent attacks on the Ukrainian nuclear power facility Zaporizhzhia had put it in danger of experiencing an accident.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that while Russia and Ukraine have been accusing one other of being behind the attacks for the last week, it is currently impossible to identify the perpetrator.

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Zaporizhzhia, the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been under Russian occupation since soon after their invasion began in February 2022.

In response to the ongoing shelling strikes, it has been closed since that year.

Since April 7, the facility has been subjected to a number of drone strikes, which are the first direct attacks since November 2022.

These reckless attacks must cease immediately, Grossi told a meeting of the UN Security Council.

Though, fortunately, they have not led to a radiological incident this time, they significantly increase the risk at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where nuclear safety is already compromised, said Grossi, whose agency has staff deployed at the facility.

He said the attack sets a very dangerous precedent because the reactor confinement structure was hit.

Asked later by reporters about the perpetrators of the attacks, Grossi said it is simply impossible to ascertain.

The attacks have been carried out with drones, a device which has a diverse trajectory. It hovers, it circles.

And drones can be obtained almost anywhere, said Grossi.

He earlier said that two years of war are weighing heavily on nuclear safety at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where every one of the IAEAs seven pillars of nuclear safety and security have been compromised.

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We cannot sit by and watch as the final weight tips the finely balanced scale, he warned.

We are getting dangerously close to a nuclear accident. We must not allow complacency to let a role of the dice decide what happens tomorrow, he said.

The risk of a major accident is real even though the reactors are turned off, he said.
The flight that landed in Birmingham was originally supposed to land in Belfast in Northern Ireland, according to a report read more

Operations were suspended at Birmingham airport following a security incident on a plane. Source: Reuters

The Birmingham airport in the United Kingdom temporarily suspended operations on Tuesday over a security incident on a plane.

The plane landed at the airport and all the passengers eventually disembarked, according to a statement from the airport.

The BBC News reported that the flight that landed in Birmingham was originally supposed to land in Belfast in Northern Ireland.

The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew have disembarked. All customers due to travel should make their way to the airport and check in as normal, said the Birmingham Airport in a statement.

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The BBC further reported that the airport had an emergency call from a plane and a passenger on another plane at the airport described the situation as very serious.

Following the incident, several flights at the Birmingham airport were delayed by more than two hours, according to reports.

In a separate report, Sky News reported that the footage from the scene showed multiple emergency vehicles on the runway as the plane landed. The report said that the plane appeared to belong to Irelands Aer Lingus airlines.

It is not yet clear what situation developed on the plane that forced it to land and led to the suspension of operations at the airport.
To prevent disease outbreaks and respond to outbreaks that do take place, the United States will work with partner countries to develop better testing, surveillance, communication, and immunisation mechanisms read more

The United States will work with 50 countries to prevent pandemics like Covid-19 in the future and develop better response mechanisms, according to a new partnership announced by the Joe Biden administration.

To prevent disease outbreaks and respond to outbreaks that do take place, the US will work with partner countries to develop better testing, surveillance, communication, and immunisation mechanisms, said a senior Biden administration official.

The official told Associated Press that work has already started in Congo under the partnership. In Congo, the US is helping the country with managing the outbreak of Mpox virus, previously known as Monkeypox, including with vaccinations.

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While the official did not share a list of countries part of the programme, the report said that the Biden administration is looking forward to getting 100 countries onboard the programme by the end of the year. The White House is also expected to release a website with the names of participant countries.

To implement the scheme, the US will rely on government agencies like the Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), according to the report.

The latest 50-member programme is the third of its kind that the US will be floating. For a decade, the US has been running Partnership for International Vaccine Initiatives (PIVI), which supports the development of sustainable flu and Covid-19 vaccination programs in low- and middle-income countries. Under the programme, more than 5.1 million doses of flu vaccines have been provided to 21 countries along with technical assistance, according to the US government. The programme looks forward to expanding its operations to 30 countries by 2030.

The US is also part of the Quad vaccine initiative along with fellow group members India, Japan, and Australia. Under this initiative, the group has provided hundreds of thousands of Covid-19 vaccine doses to countries like Thailand and Cambodia in the Indo-Pacific region.

The US initiatives are, however, still not as broad as Indias Vaccine Maitri initiative under which Covid-19 vaccines and medical assistance were provided to 94 countries and two UN initiatives, according to official figures. India provided more than 230 million Covid-19 vaccine doses under the initiative. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, India produced around 60% of the worlds vaccine doses and made-in-India vaccines accounted for 60-80% of doses procured by the UN for its programmes, according to reports.
Austin held separate calls on Monday with Bahrains crown prince and prime minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa as well as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah. In those calls, he condemned Irans attacks and said Washington did not seek an escalation of the conflict, according to the Pentagon read more

In phone conversations with his counterparts in the Middle East and Europe on Monday, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasised regional stability as a means of preventing war from spreading while also voicing US support for Israel in the wake of Iranian assaults, according to the Pentagon.

Following what seemed to be an Israeli hit on the compound housing its embassy in Syria, Iran sent hundreds of drones and missiles into retaliation on Saturday. Before they entered Israeli land, the majority of the drones and missiles were shot down.

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According to the Pentagon, Washington did not desire a confrontation with Tehran and that Iran had not notified the US in advance of its strike on Israel.

As Israel deliberated how to respond to Irans onslaught, it was under pressure from friends to exercise moderation and prevent a regional confrontation from getting worse. Israels military chief of staff said the country would respond to the Iranian attack.

Austin held separate calls on Monday with Bahrains crown prince and prime minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa as well as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah. In those calls, he condemned Irans attacks and said Washington did not seek an escalation of the conflict, according to the Pentagon.

Austin told his counterparts that while the United States does not seek escalation, we will continue to defend Israel and US personnel, the Pentagon said. In the call with Gallant, according to the Pentagon, he expressed support for Israels defense and reaffirmed the strategic goal of regional stability.

Whether or not Israel decides to retaliate against Iran is something for Israel to decide, a Pentagon spokesperson told reporters earlier on Monday.

The Israel-Iran tensions have heightened concerns that violence rooted in the Gaza war is spreading further in the region. Since the start of the war in Gaza on Oct. 7, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.
Regarding the July 28 presidential elections, the US has expressed worry about the electoral process in Venezuela and what it perceives as Maduros inability to fulfil his key campaign pledges read more

Three days before the temporary licence was set to expire, on Monday, a State Department spokesperson stated that the US would not renew it unless President Nicolas Maduro made good on his promises to hold free and fair elections this year. The licence had significantly eased sanctions on Venezuelas oil and gas industry.

Regarding the July 28 presidential elections, the US has expressed worry about the electoral process in Venezuela and what it perceives as Maduros inability to fulfil his key campaign pledges.

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Absent progress by Maduro and his representatives in terms of implementing the road maps provisions, the United States will not renew the license when it expires on April 18, 2024, the spokesperson said.

The Biden administration is not optimistic that Maduro would yield enough by Thursdays deadline to appease the US. Last Tuesday, US and Venezuelan officials met in secret in Mexico; but, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions, they did not make any headway in resolving their disagreements.

The US responded to an electoral agreement made in Barbados between Maduros administration and the opposition by lifting some of the sanctions in October. The deal gave the opposition the freedom to select its own nominee for president.

If the present licence is not renewed, there is still a chance that the US will grant a new, more restrictive licence in its stead.

Venezuelas oil exports in March rose to their highest level since early 2020 as customers rushed to complete purchases ahead of the predicted expiration of the US license, Reuters reported this month.

Venezuelas state-run oil firm, PDVSA, has said it is prepared for any scenario, including the return of full oil sanctions.

President Joe Bidens aides are still discussing a range of options ahead of the expiration on Thursday of the US license that has allowed Venezuela to freely sell its crude, according to people familiar with the matter.

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The Biden administration is determined to punish Maduros government in some way and is deliberating on how far to go in withdrawing sanctions relief, though it is expected to stop short of a full return to the Trump-era maximum pressure policy.

Possible steps under serious consideration would be to allow Venezuela to continue selling its crude on world markets but to reimpose a ban on use of US dollars in such transactions, requiring Venezuela to switch to other currencies and expand barter arrangements and swaps, according to people briefed on the discussions.

That option could expand the Venezuelan banking sectors role in oil sales if transactions in domestic currency are the only ones authorized.

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We are going ahead with a license or without a license, we arent a gringo colony, Maduro said on his weekly television program on Monday evening, adding that lawmaker and government negotiator Jorge Rodriguez had attended a video call about the decision.

A bipartisan group of US senators urged Biden last week to consider individual sanctions for those directly responsible for repressive actions. Successive US administrations have already sanctioned scores of Venezuelan officials.

US officials are not planning to roll back the authorization given to Chevron (CVX.N), opens new tab in 2022 to sell oil in the US from its Venezuela joint ventures, which renews automatically each month. Authorizations to European oil companies to take Venezuelan oil also are expected to remain, the sources said.

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Chevron did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Weighing on current US deliberations are concerns about whether reimposing sanctions on Venezuelas energy sector could spur higher global oil prices and increase the number of Venezuelan migrants heading for the US-Mexico border as Biden campaigns for reelection in November.

The US Treasury Department separately on Monday extended through Aug. 13 a license that protects Venezuela-owned refiner Citgo Petroleum from creditors.

Venezuelas opposition is conducting internal negotiations about how to run a candidate in the July 28 election and who that candidate could be.

Maria Corina Machado, who resoundingly won the opposition primaries last October, cannot run because she is barred from holding public office, a decision she says is unfair. Machado named Corina Yoris as her successor, but the 80-year-old academic was also unable to register her candidacy.

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Two opposition candidates were able to register, and possible substitutes can be named until April 20.
Israels military chief said on Monday his country would respond to Irans weekend missile and drone attack amid calls for restraint by allies anxious to avoid an escalation of conflict in the Middle East read more

Israels war cabinet is all set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the response to Irans weekend missile and drone attack amid calls for restraint by allies anxious to avoid an escalation of conflict in West Asia.

It will be the third time that the decision-making cabinet convenes since Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones against Israel on Saturday night. An Israeli official said no time was set for a meeting.

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Israels military chief said on Monday his country would respond to Irans weekend missile and drone attack amid calls for restraint by allies anxious to avoid an escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

Israels military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said the country would respond, but provided no details. This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response, he said at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, which sustained some damage in Saturday nights attack.

Irans attack - launched in retaliation for a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus on April 1 - has increased fears of open warfare between Israel and Iran and heightened concerns that violence rooted in the Gaza war is spreading further in the region.

Wary of the dangers, US President Joe Biden told Israeli PM Netanyahu the United States will not take part in any Israeli counter-offensive against Iran, officials said on Sunday.

Since the start of the war in Gaza, on October 7, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq. Israel said four of its soldiers were wounded hundreds of metres inside Lebanese territory overnight.

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It appeared to be the first such known incident since the Gaza war erupted, although there have been months of exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanons armed group Hezbollah.

Were on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it, Josep Borrell, the European Unions foreign affairs chief, told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron made similar appeals. Washington and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have also issued calls for restraint.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined on Monday to say during a briefing whether Biden urged Netanyahu in talks on Saturday night to exercise restraint in responding to the attack.

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We dont want to see a war with Iran. We dont want to see a regional conflict, said Kirby, adding that it was up to Israel to decide whether and how theyll respond.

Countries including France, Belgium and Germany summoned the Iranian ambassadors. The French foreign ministry said France was working with its partners to de-escalate the situation.

Russia has refrained from criticising its ally Iran in public over the strikes but expressed concern about the risk of escalation on Monday and also called for restraint.

Further escalation is in no ones interests, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Iran mounted its attack after the April 1 killing in Damascus of seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers, including two senior commanders. Israel neither confirmed nor denied carrying out the attack.

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Irans retaliatory attack, involving more than 300 missiles and drones, caused modest damage in Israel and wounded a 7-year-old girl. Most were shot down by Israels Iron Dome defence system and with help from the US, Britain, France and Jordan.

In Gaza itself, where more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive according to Gaza health ministry figures, Irans action has drawn applause.

Israel began its campaign against Hamas after the terror group attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages by Israeli tallies.

G7 mulls sanctions

In Washington, Biden reiterated US commitment to Israels security ahead of a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

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Sudani, speaking alongside Biden, said their views may be divergent about what is happening in the region but they wanted to stop the conflict from expanding.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies were working on a package of coordinated measures against Iran.

I spoke to my fellow G7 leaders, we are united in our condemnation of this attack, Sunak said in parliament.

Italy, which holds the rotating presidency of the G7, said it was open to new sanctions against individuals engaged against Israel.

In an interview with Reuters, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said new sanctions would need the backing of all the G7. He suggested any new measures would be focused on individuals rather than whole nations.

If we need to have more sanctions for people clearly engaged against Israel, supporting for example terrorism, supporting Hamas, it is possible to do it, Tajani said.

Irans attack has caused travel disruption, with at least a dozen airlines cancelling or rerouting flights, and Europes aviation regulator reaffirming advice to airlines to use caution in Israeli and Iranian airspace.

Iraqi Airways announced a resumption of flights between Iraq and Iran on Tuesday.

Israel remained on high alert, but authorities lifted some emergency measures that had included a ban on some school activities and caps on large gatherings.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Tehran had informed the United States that the attack on Israel would be limited and for self-defence, and that regional neighbours had been informed of the planned strikes 72 hours in advance.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on Monday, however, that no pre-arranged agreement was made with any country prior to the weekend attack.

Kirby said that Iran did not warn the United States in advance of the attacks timeframe or targets, calling reports that Tehran had done so categorically false.

With inputs from Reuters.
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Demonstrators protesting the war in Gaza lock arms as California Highway Patrol officers reopen lanes to southbound traffic on Interstate 880 in Oakland on Monday. The action was part of a day of disruption around the country. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Gov. Gavin Newsom said that demonstrators who blocked the Golden Gate Bridge and a major Bay Area highway to oppose U.S. support for Israel need to face consequences for their actions, after bringing regional traffic to a standstill for hours on Monday.

His remarks came as district attorneys in San Francisco and Alameda County weigh charging decisions for dozens of participants, many of whom used a sleeping dragon tactic to chain themselves across roadways, making it difficult for police to remove them.

Related: Google workers arrested for Gaza protest at Sunnyvale HQ

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At this point, it is unclear whether the 38 people arrested on Monday will be prosecuted. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said she has sent the 26 cases in her county back to the California Highway Patrol for further investigation.

I respect freedom of speech, the right to protest, Newsom said Tuesday during an appearance in the Bay Area, where he was meeting with Norwegian leaders about climate change.

I certainly respect the cause around the cease-fire, he told reporters. But I think theres a better way of expressing it than denying people the ability to get to work, someone in an emergency that cant get to their destination.

He argued that people need to be held to account for their actions.

The governor said he had received calls from Bay Area residents caught in traffic during the protest as they drove children to school, rushed to medical appointments or frantically tried to get to work on time.

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In addition to the arrests, law enforcement towed four cars during the protests, which were part of a coordinated nationwide day of disruption.

Jenkins said her office intends to prosecute those responsible for the Golden Gate Bridge blockade but that she is waiting for investigators to collect more evidence, including videos of the protest posted to social media by participants and bystanders. The delay meant that 26 suspected protesters would be released from San Francisco County Jail, where they were being held as of Tuesday.

We have to wait for this investigation to be completed before we can make the necessary charging decisions, Jenkins said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. We have to be able to attribute specific conduct to specific individuals.

The protesters were booked Monday on misdemeanor charges that included unlawful assembly, illegally stopping on a bridge and false imprisonment, as well as conspiracy to commit those crimes, a felony, the CHP said in a statement.

The arrests come one month after 78 pro-Palestinian protesters were ordered to pay restitution and participate in community service to avoid going to trial for blocking the Bay Bridge in November.

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Twenty-six people were arrested for halting traffic Monday on the Golden Gate Bridge, where protesters chained themselves to parked cars to block vehicles from traveling across the famous span and held a banner that read: Stop the world for Gaza. Those arrests were referred to Jenkins office.

Twelve people were arrested in the protests that shut down Interstate 880 in Oakland in both directions Monday, the CHP said. Traffic on the highway came to a halt for several hours as officers removed people who had formed a human chain attached to concrete-filled barrels, a tactic known among law enforcement as the sleeping dragon.

Those arrests were referred to Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Prices office.

Officers used jackhammers and heavy-duty saws to remove the carriage bolts and PVC pipe used in the tactic Monday, the CHP said.

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Jon Jacobo resigned from his leadership position at TODCO Group, a San Francisco-based affordable-housing nonprofit, after three women accused him of sexual assault or domestic violence. Constanza Hevia H./Special to the Chronicle 2020 Sasha Perigio seen near her home in San Francisco in August 2021, described the night she said she was sexually assaulted by rising political star Jon Jacobo. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle 2021

Three years after a tenants rights activist alleged that city commissioner and affordable housing official Jon Jacobo had raped her, three additional women have come forward to accuse the once-rising San Francisco political star of sexual assault or domestic violence, according to a report published Tuesday in the San Francisco Standard.

Hours after the report was published, Jacobo resigned from his leadership position at TODCO Group, a San Francisco-based affordable housing nonprofit.

After initial allegations were made against Jon, we conducted an internal review of his work with our organization and we found no issues. We were not aware of the issues raised today, TODCO CEO Anna Yee told the Chronicle in an emailed statement. When it comes to these allegations the reality is a social justice nonprofit like ours is not qualified to investigate potentially criminal acts and that responsibility rests with law enforcement.

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The three women, who spoke to the Standard on the condition of anonymity, described a series of disturbing and often violent incidents involving Jacobo between the years 2015 and 2019. Many of the incidents were reported to police, according to the Standard, but Jacobo has yet to face any related criminal charges.

Jacobo, who was once seen as a political darling of the citys progressive circles and is active with Latino and Mission-area community associations, did not respond to the fresh allegations in the Standard story, and could not be reached by the Chronicle. He has said his encounter in 2021 with Sasha Perigo, an affordable housing advocate, was consensual.

Jacobo resigned from his position on the citys Building Inspection Commission shortly after Perigos post, and announced that he would be taking a leave of absence from work. But he continued working at TODCO under the leadership of John Elberling, the nonprofits president, who had said he wanted Jacobo, who had served as the organizations director of community development, to take over the organizations finances when he retires. Elberling did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.

One of the women quoted in the story said she was repeatedly physically and emotionally abused by Jacobo during their more than three-year relationship together, alleging that he would choke her, point knives and guns at her, and threaten to kill her and her family members.

In an incident involving a different woman, Jacobo allegedly was found half-naked in a bed with a woman who was unconscious and topless. The womans friend, who discovered the two after they had disappeared from the friends living room, told the Standard that she threw Jacobo out. The woman said she couldnt remember how she got into the bedroom or how her top came off.

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A third woman said that in the summer of 2016, Jacobo had been staying on her couch to sleep off a night of drinking when he sneaked into her bed in the middle of the night. The woman said she woke up to him naked beside her, and he left only after the woman repeatedly rebuffed his sexual attempts.

In March 2022, a woman filed a personal injury lawsuit against Jacobo in San Mateo County Superior Court. The lawsuit, which appears to align with the story of the woman in a long-term relationship with Jacobo in the Standard story, alleged a pattern of egregious physical and emotional abuse by Jacobo.

The woman said Jacobos physical abuse began in December 2015, roughly two months into their relationship. Over the next three-plus years, she said, he repeatedly choked her until she couldnt breathe, trapped her in the home they shared and claimed he had gang connections that he could hire to kill her and her family. He also allegedly destroyed many of her possessions, including family heirlooms, a dresser and two nightstands.

She also said that Jacobo had hacked into her phone and email accounts, using software hed learned about from his days in the private security industry. Public records show Jacobo was a licensed security guard in 2007-17, although a judge put his license on probation for three years after police caught him with a switchblade in his car when he was 18.

However, the case stalled when the judge denied the womans petition to sue under a Jane Doe moniker, which she said was necessary to prevent further harm, including psychological damage and loss of income.

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San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe, whose office would prosecute local criminal cases brought against him there, said they have not leveled any charges or received any police reports against Jacobo.

According to the Standard, all three women filed reports with the San Francisco Police Department. But one said police never responded to her phone calls, and the other two said theyd felt discouraged during interactions with officers. And people close to the women said police had not contacted them about the allegations.

In her social media post, Perigo said she didnt intend to pursue criminal charges for personal reasons.

But I do feel comforted knowing that there is evidence on file, she wrote.

In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said the department is working diligently on these open investigations.

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We take sexual assault cases very seriously and we work closely with our victims, the statement said. We urge anyone who is a victim of sexual assault to come forward and report your case to the SFPD.

Evan Sernoffsky, SFPD spokesperson, declined to discuss specifics about the womens allegations or police handling of their cases but said SFPD is working diligently on them.

Jeff Cretan, a spokesperson for Mayor London Breed, said the city wants to ensure that victims of sexual violence feel safe coming forward to police.

This is very serious, and it needs to be taken seriously, and we do take it seriously, he said.

Reached for comment, Jane Kim, a progressive leader in the city who brought Jacobo to a fundraising gala shortly after Perigos 2021 allegations, directed reporters back to the statement shed made back then, which reads, in part: It was a mistake for Jon to attend the Rose Pak Community Fund Dinner and I take ownership of his attendance.

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Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price will face a recall vote. The Registrar of Voters certified more than 74,000 signatures, enough to trigger the recall. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle 2023

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is set to face a recall election, the Registrar of Voters announced Monday.

Critics of Price who organized a campaign to remove her from office collected 74,757 valid signatures, the Registrar of Voters said in a statement. The campaign needed at least 73,195 valid signatures to trigger a recall election.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors will consider the results at a meeting April 30, the registrars office said. The recall campaign called on supervisors to schedule a special election within 125 days as outlined in state law.

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Price, a former civil rights attorney, won her seat with 53% of the vote in 2022 after she promised to reduce mass incarceration, lighten sentences for defendants under age 25 and hold police accountable for misconduct. When she took office, she drew opposition from prosecutors and community members who view her policies as too lenient. In July, less than seven months into her term, her critics formed a recall committee.

Today marks a historic moment for our community, said Brenda Grisham, an organizer with Save Alameda for Everyone, one of two groups behind the recall effort. The resounding support for this recall petition sends a clear message that the people of Alameda County demand accountability and ethical leadership from their elected officials.

Another organizer, Carl Chan, added: We are confident that this grassroots movement will pave the way for positive change and a brighter future for all residents and businesses in Alameda County.

Price could not be reached for comment.

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Her supporters say crime is a complicated issue that is influenced by many factors, some of them outside of the control of a district attorney. They also criticize the recall campaigns as an effort largely funded by a hedge fund partner and stakeholders in the real estate industry.

The recall campaigns, with more than $2 million raised for their efforts, hired the same consultant who worked on the 2022 campaign that led to the successful recall of former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin.

Organizers of the Price recall effort submitted 123,374 signatures a day before their deadline in March. The Registrar of Voters said an initial random sampling count was insufficient to determine whether the campaign collected enough valid signatures, so the office opted to count signatures by hand.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
Demonstrators protesting the ongoing war in Gaza blocked southbound traffic on Interstate 880 in Oakland on Monday. Protesters used a tactic called the sleeping dragon to make it harder to remove them from the demonstration site. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Protesters utilizing a tactic intended to make it more difficult to remove them during a coordinated demonstration intended to draw attention to the ongoing war in Gaza. California Highway Patrol

Protesters demanding an end to Israels war in Gaza brought Bay Area traffic to a halt for hours Monday morning, using a human-chain tactic thats become increasingly popular in the past 10 years.

Law enforcement has a name for it: the sleeping dragon. The term typically applies to instances of people locking their arms to carriage bolts inside PVC pipe, making it difficult for police to extricate them.

Two groups of demonstrators linked arms this way on key regional highways Monday, creating a dramatic tableau and bringing maximum disruption to the morning commute. The first group blocked northbound Interstate 880 near the Embarcadero exit in Oakland, where seven people chained themselves to six concrete barrels at 6 a.m.

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The second group shut down southbound lanes of the Golden Gate Bridge by locking themselves to parked cars, CHP said.

Organizers of these actions said in public statements that they had obstructed the highways in conjunction with other economic blockades around the world on Monday to support Palestine.

I-880 serves as the regions primary corridor for commercial freight, seeing millions of dollars in goods moved as it connects the Port of Oakland, the Oakland Airport, and the West Oakland rail yards, the statement read.

Officials from the California Highway Patrol said that officers had to contend with protesters attached to 55-gallon drums of concrete with heavy-duty chains  a formidable setup that required an intricate, multi-agency response, according to a statement the agency posted on social media Monday afternoon.

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The agency said that officers from Highway Patrol had to coordinate with Alameda County sheriffs deputies, and Golden Gate Bridge patrol as well as police officers from Oakland and San Francisco, all working to disassemble the contraptions, arrest people and reopen lanes for commuters.

It takes a lot of training and a lot of specialized skills to carefully cut these devices apart, said Robert Leverone, a retired Massachusetts State Police lieutenant who now runs Crowd Operations Dynamix, a consulting business that trains law enforcement in crowd control.

Generally, officers try at first to engage protesters in dialogue and persuade them to unlatch their arms voluntarily. If such de-escalation techniques dont work, police start making arrests and whipping out power tools. Video that the Highway Patrol posted Monday on social media, depicting the arrest and dispersal of demonstrators on I-880, shows how tense these encounters can be.

In the footage, a demonstrators fist pokes through a broken tube affixed to a barrel, its base covered with cement shards. Using a pair of bolt cutters, an officers snips a strip of rebar that runs through the tube, then pries away the demonstrators fingers after he refuses to obey commands. The man, whose face is obscured by a mask, grunts and shouts exclamations of pain as police remove the rebar, freeing his arm so they can place him in handcuffs.

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This is unlawful and will not be tolerated, spokespeople for the Highway Patrol wrote in a post. Arrests were made and the CHP is recommending charges.

During his career, Leverone saw many variations on the dragon, including some with pipes attached to 5-gallon buckets of concrete, and others with pipes wrapped in heavy-duty cardboard tubes that are filled with concrete. Some of the more sophisticated versions require demolition tools to break through concrete and angle grinders to cut through pipe. The process can send sparks flying and leave tons of debris, Leverone said.

He cited one case from 2021, in which climate activists encased metal sleeping dragons in concrete and welded them to a boat trailer. They parked the boat in front of former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Bakers house.

These makeshift devices have existed for at least 20 years, Leverone said, recalling that he first heard about them at a training by the Federal Emergency Management Agency ahead of the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston.

In the Bay Area, people have used PVC pipe and locking devices in direct actions for at least a decade, notably on Black Friday in 2014, when a group of Black Lives Matter demonstrators chained themselves to a BART train at West Oakland Station, shutting down service for nearly two hours.

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Since then, protesters have formed human chains at the Oakland Federal Building, on the Golden Gate Fields racetrack, on busy streets in the Financial District and inside the Oakland City Council chambers  where opponents of a housing development entered a meeting in 2015 with tubes concealed in yoga mats.
A 22-year-old Anambra-bound male passenger, one Francis Obinna Okoye, has been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command over alleged possession of firearmThe police said that the suspect was discovered to have been in unlawful possession of the firearm upon a stop-and-search of the vehicle carrying Okoye and others to Anambra State along Lagos-Benin expressway by Ovia River.

According to the press statement issued by the state police image-maker, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, the suspect upon interrogation confessed one Emma whose surname was not given as the person who gave him the gun .

Quote

On 07/04/2024 at about 0230hrs the operatives of the command monitoring unit while on stop and search duty along Lagos-Benin expressway by Ovia river axis intercepted a commercial bus loaded with passengers from Lagos state heading to Anambra state, conduct search on the bus and on the passengers.



During the search, the following items concealed in a small bag were recovered from Francis Obinna Okoye, age 22 years old of No 26 Jatto Street, Okolo, Lagos State.



The suspect made a statement and confessed one Emma whose surname is unknown gave him the gun to threaten his uncle Mr. Paul Okoye, who was alleged to have killed his father with charms.



On Monday 08/04/2024, the operatives took the suspect to Lagos State to arrest Mr. Paul Okoye, and when the operatives got to Lagos State, they found out that the suspect lied to them. The suspect will soon be processed to court,

the police informed.
Containers of Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau, the Vietnamese hemorrhoid ointment linked to the fatal lead poisoning of a Northern California woman. California Department of Public Health

A woman in Northern California died due to severe lead poisoning after using a hemorrhoid cream she purchased on Facebook, prompting a health alert from state officials.

The California Department of Public Health issued an advisory about the Vietnamese ointment, Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau (Castor Oil Hemorrhoid Extract), noting tests revealed that the product contained a highly dangerous amount of lead, at 4% (39,000 parts per million). According to the Environmental Protection Agency, any exposure to lead could be harmful, but concentrations 1/100th as strong are considered hazardous.

The potentially toxic cream is identifiable by its small, circular container with a green label.

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California health officials issued notices in both English and Vietnamese, stating that the woman had purchased the product in March from an online vendor in Vietnam. It was then shipped to her by a relative.

Authorities are currently uncertain if the product is being sold in California. However, they strongly advise residents to avoid using it. Those who already have the cream at home are urged to stop using it immediately, place it in a sealed container and call 510-620-3620 or email toxoutbreak@cdph.ca.gov.

The notice further advised, Because other household members could have come into contact with the ointment, all household members should have their blood lead tested. Children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning.

According to officials from Calaveras County Public Health, who issued a separate warning, Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau is primarily marketed on Vietnamese Facebook groups as a miracle cure for hemorrhoids. Users are encouraged to spread it inside their rectum.

Lead exposure can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, anemia, weakness, fatigue and severe neurological problems, including seizures, according to the CDPH. However, signs of exposure may not always be immediately apparent.

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While there is no antidote for lead poisoning, individuals who have been seriously exposed may be treated with medications like succimer. This medication chelates the heavy metal from the body, allowing it to be expelled via urine.
The Associated Press

A row of different AR-15 style rifles are displayed for sale at the Firing-Line indoor range and gun shop in Aurora in this 2012 file photo. A new law will provide Colorado Bureau of Investigation nearly $1.5 million to better pursue illegal gun sales and purchases
Thursday Night

Partly cloudy during the evening. A few showers developing later during the night. Low 52F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Join Chronicle real estate reporter Laura Waxmann and experts to hear about the past, present and future of San Franciscos retail heart. Provided by SF Chronicle

Though it encompasses just a single square block, Union Square has loomed large in San Francisco. Today, its in flux.

Over the past few years, the luxury retail destination and its surrounding blocks have lost a number of notable tenants, but none as big as Macys flagship San Francisco store, which announced its pending departure earlier this year.

So, what will become of Macys 400,000-square-foot home? What does it say about the pitfalls  and potential  of this iconic corner of the city? And what do current retail trends have to do with all of this?

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Join Chronicle real estate reporter Laura Waxmann for Chronicle Live at Mannys at 6 p.m. April 18, as she hosts a conversation about the past, present and, most importantly, future of Union Square.

Shell be joined by real estate agent and power broker Kazuko Morgan, who has worked in Union Square for two decades; developer Chris Foley, who has spent 30 years focused on real estate and owns the Market inside the X (formerly Twitter) headquarters; and Anne Taupier, director of development for the citys Office of Economic & Workforce Development.

Among the topics theyll discuss: Whats happening today in Union Square? Why are the businesses that have distinguished it leaving? How are shopping hubs faring in other major cities? And could this moment be an opportunity to reimagine Union Square altogether?

Join us for a fascinating discussion about one of San Franciscos most iconic destinations.

Tickets are on sale now. Purchase: HERE



WHEN

Thursday, April 18, 2023

Event start time: 6:00 p.m.

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WHERE

Mannys

3092 16th St., San Francisco

PRICE:

$15



To stay up to date on future Chronicle events, click here.



Youll hear from:



Laura Waxmann covers the business community with a focus on commercial real estate, development, retail and the future of San Francisco's downtown. Prior to joining The Chronicle in 2023, she reported on San Francisco's changing real estate and economic landscape in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic for the San Francisco Business Times. Waxmann was born and raised in Frankfurt, Germany, but has called San Francisco home since 2007. She's reported on a variety of topics including housing, homelessness, education and local politics for the San Francisco Examiner, Mission Local and El Tecolote.



Kazuko Morgans career in real estate spans more than two decades and has involved over $6 billion in transactions. She specializes in urban luxury and speciality retail building sales and leasing, with a majority of her projects focused in Union Square. She serves as an executive vice chairman for Cushman & Wakefield.



Chris Foley has spent the last 30 years focused on real estate primarily in San Francisco. He started Polaris Pacific with partners and left that company 8 years ago to focus on real estate development. His specialty is large, complicated projects where his job is around land acquisition and pre-development work. He also likes complicated rehabilitation projects like Saint Josephs Art Society Project in San Francisco. He spends a significant amount of time working with nonprofits for them to own real estate to promote racial and social equity. In the past 12 months, he has helped United Playaz acquire and renovate a new facility for re-entry program and early reading program for kids and West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center, where he is also on the board of directors, acquire a home after being in leased premises for over 50 years. He also helped Mission Neighborhood Center start construction on property for 93 children in an early childhood education program.

Anne Taupier is the director of joint development for San Franciscos Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

Tickets are on sale now. Purchase: HERE
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Prison for Torture and Illegally Exporting Weapons Parts and Related Services to Iraq

Monday, April 15, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

A Pennsylvania man was sentenced today to 70 years in prison for torturing an Estonian citizen in 2015 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and for the illegal export of weapons parts and related services.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ross Roggio, 55, of Stroudsburg, arranged for Kurdish soldiers to abduct and detain the victim at a Kurdish military compound, where Roggio suffocated the victim with a belt, threatened to cut off one of his fingers, and directed Kurdish soldiers to repeatedly beat, choke, tase, and otherwise physically and mentally abuse the victim over a 39-day period. The victim was an employee at a weapons factory that Roggio was developing in the Kurdistan region of Iraq that was intended to manufacture automatic rifles and pistols.

"Ross Roggio had his victim abducted and detained at a Kurdish military compound in Iraq, where Roggio and others physically and mentally tortured the victim over the course of 39 days," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "During that time, Roggio suffocated the victim and directed others to beat, choke, and tase him. Roggio's victim worked at a weapons factory in Iraq, where Roggio illegally sent weapons parts and illegally provided services, in violation of export controls laws. Today's sentenceafollowing the second-ever conviction under the federal torture statuteashows that, no matter where such deplorable acts occur, the United States is committed to holding the perpetrators accountable."

"The sentence imposed by the court demonstrates the seriousness of Ross Roggio's crimes and brings some measure of justice for his torture victim," said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. "Violence against the dignity and human rights of any victim cannot be tolerated and our office will continue to prioritize and pursue those who would do so in violation of federal law. Ross Roggio was also convicted of United States export laws related to illegally producing firearms in Kurdistan, Iraq. Though more technical in nature, these laws are no less important and are designed to take into account human rights considerations on a larger scale, to limit access to our most sensitive technologies and weapons, and to promote regional stability. I commend all the prosecutors and law enforcement agents who worked tirelessly to bring justice in this matter."

In connection with the weapons factory project, Roggio exported firearms parts and tools without the required approvals by the U.S. government. He also illegally trained foreign persons in the operation, assembly, and manufacturing of the M4 automatic rifle.

"Torture is among the grievous crimes the FBI investigates and this is the second time we have been able to bring justice under the federal torture statute," said Executive Assistant Director Timothy Langan of the FBI's Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. "Our investigation into Roggio's abominable crimes and today's sentencing would not be possible without the sheer courage of the victim to tell his story. The FBI and our international partners stand with victims by standing up to human rights violations wherever they occur."

"Today's sentence highlights our commitment to stopping those who commit human rights abuses and threaten the security of the U.S. and partner nations," said Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). "Thanks to our close interagency and international cooperation, Roggio has been brought to justice."

"Export evasion is often not a standalone crime," said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). "Here, the same defendant who was illegally exporting weapons parts to his Iraqi weapons factory was also brutally torturing one of his employees there."

A federal jury convicted Roggio in May 2023 of 33 counts of torture, conspiracy to commit torture, conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, exporting weapons parts and services to Iraq without the approval of the U.S. Department of State, exporting weapons tools to Iraq without the approval of the U.S. Department of Commerce, smuggling goods, wire fraud, and money laundering.

Roggio was the second defendant to be convicted of torture since the federal torture statute went into effect in 1994.

The FBI and HSI investigated the torture and were joined in the investigation of the arms export violations by BIS' Office of Export Enforcement.

Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse of the Criminal Division's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley for the Middle District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case.

The Estonian Internal Security Service, Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, and Pennsylvania State Police also provided valuable assistance.

Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or complete the FBI online tip form or the ICE online tip form.

Topic: Export Control

Components: Criminal Division

Criminal - Human Rights and Special Prosecution Section

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

Press Release Number: 24-449

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April 15, 2024

Contracts

Contracts For April 15, 2024

ARMY

General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $296,861,979 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for M10 Booker system technical support. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 14, 2029. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W912CH-24-D-0001).

Marrero, Couvillon & Associates LLC,* Baton Rouge, Louisiana (W911S7-24-D-0008); Bales Construction Co. Inc., Waynesville,* Missouri (W911S7-24-D-0007); Reese Equipment Co. LLC, Dixon,* Missouri (W911S7-24-D-0006); Olgoonik Specialty Contractors LLC,* Saint Robert, Missouri (W911S7-24-D-0005); and SDJV,* Seymour, Missouri (W911S7-24-D-0004), will compete for each order of the $42,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for sustainment, reutilization and modernization construction projects. Bids were solicited via the internet with 10 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 14, 2029. Army Field Directorate Office, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, is the contracting activity.

Veolia Technical Solutions LLC, Boston, Massachusetts, was awarded a $29,625,435 firm-fixed-price contract for hazardous waste disposal services. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 14, 2029. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W56ZTN-24-D-0007).

GaN Corp., Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $12,796,045 modification (P00022) to contract W31P4Q-21-F-B005 for technical services support for Program Executive Office Aviation. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 14, 2026. Fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $12,796,045 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

NAVY

AeroVironment Inc., Simi Valley, California (M67854-24-D-1027); Anduril Federal, Washington, D.C. (M67854-24-D-1026); and Teledyne FLIR Detection Inc., Stillwater, Oklahoma (M67854-24-D-1028), were each awarded a hybrid, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the production, delivery, test, and maintenance support of the Organic Precision Fires - Light system, up to a combined value of $249,000,000. AeroVironment Inc. was awarded $8,931,148; Anduril Federal Inc. was awarded $6,458,187; and Teledyne FLIR Detection Inc. was awarded $12,084,866. Work will be performed in Simi Valley, California (86%); and Corinne, Utah (16%), for M67854-24-D-1026; Washington, D.C. (10%); Costa Mesa, California (40%); Santa Ana, California (10%); and Mountain View, California (40%), for(M67854-24-D-1027; Stillwater, Oklahoma for (M67854-24-D-1028). The work is expected to be completed by April 2026. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $27,474,201 will be obligated on the first delivery orders immediately following contract awards. The requirement was competitively procured through full and open competition and solicited through the System for Award Management website, with eight offers received in response to solicitation number M67854-23-R-1037. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 9, 2024)

W. G. Yates and Sons Construction Co., Philadelphia, Mississippi, is awarded a $103,305,221 firm-fixed-price construction contract for a facility project located at Corpus Christi Army Depot, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, construction of a new powertrain engines assembly facility to house rotary wing component rebuild activities. The contract also contains two unexercised options, which, if exercised, would increase the cumulative contract value to $148,368,658. Work will be performed in Nueces County, Texas, and is expected to be completed by October 2026. Fiscal 2024 military construction (Army) funds in the amount of $103,305,221 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the sam.gov website, with one offer received. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-24-C-0024).

Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Owego, New York, is awarded a $46,037,391 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001924F2604) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001923G0002). This order provides non-recurring engineering for the development, integration, testing, and deployment of the MH-60 aircraft product line system configuration 26 fleet release for all MH-60 air platform variants, to include baseline management integrated management planning, integrated development environment support, support equipment baseline management, software architect, core lab support, problem trouble report legacy support, engineering tools support and development aircraft support for the Navy, Australia, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Norway, and Greece. Work will be performed in Owego, New York, and is expected to be completed by September 2026. Fiscal 2024 research, test and development (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,023,001; and Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $35,014,390, will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Eagle Systems Inc.,*, California, Maryland, is awarded a $19,500,905 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for research and development support for digital integrated electronic warfare simulations. The contract does not include options and has a cumulative value of $19,500,905. A $2,664,209 cost-plus-fixed-fee task order was issued concurrently. This task order includes options and has a cumulative value of $5,390,960. Work for the initial task order will be performed at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Washington, D.C. and is expected to be completed by April 2025. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $150,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with one offer received via Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov. The NRL, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N0017324D2005, N0017324F2014).

DCS Corp., Alexandria, Virginia, is awarded an $9,688,777 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the research, development, and application-oriented activities in the generation, propagation, detection, and use of radiation in the wavelength region between near-ultraviolet and far-infrared wavelengths to meet naval visible, electro-optic/infrared (VIS/EO/IR) advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems and technology challenges. This contract includes options, which if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $49,751,099. Work will be performed at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed by April 2025. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,521,102 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with one offer received via Contract Opportunities on SAM.GOV. The NRL, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N0017324C2008).

DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded an $8,199,902 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-only modification to a previously awarded contract (N0002422C5235) for Ship Self Defense System Technical Insertion 2016 hardware production and engineering services. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by April 2025. Fiscal 2024 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $808,108 (100%) will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a $58,273,692 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for strategic planning, business analysis, and program management. Work will be performed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 15, 2029. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with one offer received against a Fair Opportunity Proposal Request. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation appropriations; fiscal 2023 Air Force procurement appropriations; fiscal 2024 Air Force procurement appropriations; and fiscal 2024 Defense Procurement Act Title III appropriations in the amount of $3,223,836 are being obligated at the time of award . This is a multi-year contract with one base year, four option years, and an option to extend services up to six months. Funds. The contracting activity is Air Force Research Laboratory, Enterprise Acquisition Branch, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (FA2396-24-F-B089).

The University of Dayton Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio, has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract task order modification (P00007) of $35,000,000 to previously awarded contract FA8651-20-D-0003. This modification will explore the phenomenology of energetic materials and quantify the factors, which could affect a material's sensitivity to shock, electrostatic discharge, friction, aging, temperature, mechanical loading and other environmental or operational factors. This modification will increase the total contract value to $60,000,000. Work will be performed at Dayton, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by April 7, 2025. This contract will be funded by research, development, test and evaluation funds and no funds are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, has been awarded an $11,007,700 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research and development, to include advanced compact pulsed-power, pulse-forming networks, pulse-forming lines, linear transformer drivers, hybrid pulsed-power topologies, nonlinear transmission lines, solid-state switches, gas switches, capacitors, transformers, insulating dielectrics, varactors, resistors, magnetic and dielectric conducting and structural materials. Research will include design, development, engineering, fabrication, assembly, analysis, and testing of pulsed and prime power topologies and components. Location of performance is primarily at the contractors' facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with additional performance at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition and is expected to complete by April 2028. This contract will be funded by fiscal 2024 research development test and evaluation funds, and $609,232 will be obligated at the time of award. The contracting activity is Air Force Research Laboratory/RDKP at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico (FA9451-24-C-X011).

Lead Builders Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, has been awarded a firm-fixed-price contract totaling $8,869,543. This contract will provide setup and installation of utilities for a test measurement facility at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Work will be performed at Edwards AFB, California, and is expected to be complete July 25, 2025. The contract is funded by fiscal 2024 operations and maintenance funds and $8,869,543 is being obligated at the time of award. The contracting activity is Edwards Air Force Base, California (FA9301-24-F-0068).

Serco Inc., Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded an option modification of $8,850,096 (P00025) to previously awarded, firm-fixed-price contract FA2517-20-C-0003. This modification will provide operations and maintenance support for the ground-based, electro-optical deep space surveillance system. Work will be performed at various continental U.S. and outside of the continental U.S. locations. Pending all future option periods are exercised, work is expected to be complete by Oct. 31, 2027. This option modification is funded with fiscal 2024 operations and maintenance funds. This option modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $39,829,661. The contracting activity is the Space Force, Space Operations Command, Space Acquisition, and Integration Office, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY

ATP Gov LLC, Elk Grove Village, Illinois; Ecotech Imaging, San Diego, California; JTF Gov, Springfield, Virginia; New Tech Solutions Inc., Fremont, California, have been awarded a maximum $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for providing interactive flat panels, smart TVs, and peripherals for use in classroom spaces, meetings spaces, and other collaborative areas in schools and offices located inside and outside of the continental U.S, to include shipping and installation. These are five-year contracts with no option periods. Ordering period is from April 15, 2024, through 14 April 2029. Location will be determined by the individual delivery orders. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2024 through 2029, operation and maintenance funds. The contracting activity is Department of Defense Education Activity, Alexandria, Virginia.

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

Aerojet Rocketdyne, Coleman Aerospace Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc., Orlando, Florida, is being awarded a $33,415,038 modification P00209 to a previously awarded contract (HQ1047-14-C-0001) to address Lot 3 Hardware Obsolescence. The value of this contract is increased from $1,520,510,911 to $1,553,925,949. Under this modification, the contractor will update hardware obsolescence on contract line item number 0095 in accordance with the performance work statement. The work will be performed in Orlando and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The performance period is from April 15, 2024, through December 2029. Fiscal 2024-2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,500,000 are being obligated on this award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

*Small Business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3741857/

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Germany Federal Foreign Office

14.04.2024 - Press release

On 14 April, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock issued the following statement on the situation in the Middle East:

The Iranian regime has knowingly drawn the entire Middle East to the brink of an abyss. Last night, it fired more than 300 missiles, drones and cruise missiles at Israel.

We condemn Iran's direct attack on Israel's territory in the strongest terms. Israel has Germany's full solidarity. I have just clearly reiterated this to my counterpart.

The regime in Iran had announced its intention to exact revenge for an airstrike in Damascus. Last night, Tehran almost plunged an entire region into chaos. Thanks to Israel's effective air defence system and strong partners, the attack, apart from a few shells, was averted.

The worldwide condemnation and the crucial support of the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries in the region clearly show two things: Iran is alone with its aggressive conduct and its intention to destabilise an entire region. And Israel's capacities have shown that it is strong. Israel can protect itself.

We call upon Iran to refrain from further attacks, including those via proxies. A regional conflagration would have incalculable consequences. None of the millions of men, women and children in Israel, Iran and the whole region who were too frightened to sleep last night want the situation to escalate.

I appeal to all stakeholders in the region to act level-headedly. The spiral of escalation must be broken. We need to work together to bring about an end to the violence.

I just chaired the meeting of the Federal Government's crisis unit. We are observing the situation in the region very precisely and remain in close consultation with our various partners.

We are, of course, also discussing the question of what consequences could follow as a result of the Iranian attack.

With regard to our own citizens, I want to emphasise that in view of the tense situation in the region, I appeal to all Germans to take our travel warnings for this region very seriously. Thank you very much.
USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) departs for sixth patrol

US Navy

14 April 2024

From USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) Public Affairs

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt departed Naval Station Rota, Spain to begin her sixth Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) patrol, April 11.

The ship and her crew will begin this patrol by crossing the Strait of Gibraltar and operating in the Mediterranean Sea, in support of U.S. Sixth Fleet tasking.

"Roosevelt's crew is excited to get underway and get back to sea where we belong," said Cmdr. Jeffrey Chewning, Commanding Officer of Roosevelt. "We look forward to executing the mission we've been given over the next several months."

Roosevelt completed her fifth FDNF-E patrol in November 2023. The fifth patrol took the ship and her crew throughout the Mediterranean Sea and across the Sixth Fleet area of operations. While in the Med, Roosevelt integrated with the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, supporting security and stability in the region.

While on patrol in the Baltic in the summer of 2023, Roosevelt participated in NATO's enhanced vigilance activity (eVA) Neptune Strike 23-2 and operated with NATO Allied Maritime Command's Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG-1), demonstrating increased interoperability with NATO allies and partners.

Roosevelt was also the first American warship to conduct a Naval Surface Fire Support live fire exercise off the coast of Latvia.

Roosevelt is one of four U.S. Navy destroyers based in Rota, Spain, and assigned to Commander, Task Force 65 in support of NATO's Integrated Air Missile Defense architecture. These FDNF-E ships have the flexibility to operate throughout the waters of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating their mastery of the maritime domain.

For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.



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Hamas rejects Gaza truce proposal, Israel says

By VOA News April 14, 2024

Hamas has rejected the latest Gaza truce proposal, according to a statement by the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, released by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office Sunday.

Rejection of the proposal "proves that [Hamas Gaza chief Yahya] Sinwar does not want a humanitarian deal and the return of the hostages, is continuing to exploit the tension with Iran, and is striving to unite the sectors and achieve a general escalation in the region," the statement said.

Israel, it said, will continue to pursue its Gaza war objectives "with full force" and will "leave no stone unturned to return the 133 hostages from Gaza forthwith."

Hamas had said Saturday it had submitted its response to Egyptian and Qatari mediators on a proposed truce with Israel in the Gaza Strip, insisting on a "permanent cease-fire."

Truce talks started April 7 in Cairo but have so far brought no breakthrough on a plan presented by U.S., Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

In a statement, the U.S. terror-designated group reaffirmed its demands for a mediated truce, including "a permanent cease-fire, the withdrawal of the occupation army from the entire Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to their areas and places of residence, intensification of the entry of relief and aid, and the start of reconstruction."

Hamas said it was also ready "to conclude a serious and real prisoner exchange deal between the two parties."

Netanyahu has opposed a permanent cease-fire and has vowed to send ground troops into Rafah, ignoring an international outcry against it, including from the United States.

Netanyahu's office said Saturday "the only obstacle to obtaining the release of the abductees is Hamas and not any factor on the Israeli side."

Hamas is believed to be holding roughly 100 hostages, as well as the remains of about 30 people who either died in captivity or were killed in the October 7, terror attack which triggered the war.

West Bank

An Israeli teen who disappeared Friday has been found dead in the occupied West Bank where Israeli authorities said he was killed in a "terrorist attack."

"The heinous murder of the boy ... is a serious crime," Netanyahu said in a statement.

The body of the 14-year-old boy was spotted by a drone. He was found near the Malachei Shalom outpost near the city of Ramallah where he had originally disappeared while herding sheep.

According to Israeli media, the teen was last seen leaving the settler outpost early Friday to tend to the livestock nearby.

The sheep returned to the outpost hours later without him, reports said.

So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the teen's killing.

Binyamin Achimair's disappearance sparked a wide search and intensified violence by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages.

Dozens of Israeli settlers set fire Saturday to 12 homes and several cars in a village near Achimair's murder site. The Palestinian Health Ministry said three people from the village were injured, one critically. Border police fired tear gas at villagers who gathered, trying to disperse them.

Violence erupted Friday afternoon when Jewish settlers who were part of the original manhunt raided the village of Al-Mughayyir, around 500 meters west of Malachei Shalom, according to an AFP reporter.

During the manhunt Friday, the settlers fired shots and torched numerous homes and cars in the village, while residents responded by throwing stones, according to AFP reporters who were there.

Mayor Amin Abu Alyah said "settlers raided the town with the excuse of searching for the missing Israeli boy," adding that "the army arrived to back them up."

Arafat Abu Alia, a resident of Al-Mughayyir, said the Israeli army told residents to gather on the outskirts of their village.

"More than 10 houses and 50 vehicles were burnt," he told AFP.

At least one person was killed and 25 wounded, the Palestinian health ministry said Friday.

Tensions have been high across the Israeli-occupied territory since the beginning of the war more than six months ago when the Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting about 240 hostages.

Israel then launched an offensive against Hamas in Gaza, killing more than 33,000 people, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

In the West Bank, more than 460 Palestinians have been killed mostly in skirmishes caused by army raids and vigilante Israeli settlers.

Expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank have turned the area into a powder keg. Israeli outposts are not authorized there, and the international community overwhelmingly considers them illegal. However, consecutive Israeli governments have allowed sprawling Israeli settlement construction in east Jerusalem and the West, which Palestinians stake as their future state.

Over 700,000 Israelis now live in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem. The West Bank alone is home to around 490,000 Israeli settlers. The territories were seized by Israel in 1967.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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President Radev: Modernisation of the Armed Forces Requires Not only Acquisition of Equipment, but also Development of Infrastructure

President of the Republic of Bulgaria

15 April 2024

The President and Commander-in-Chief Rumen Radev discussed the development of modern defence capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces in the context of the challenges facing the changed global security environment at a meeting with NATO Assistant Secretary General Angus Lapsley, who is visiting Bulgaria.

Among the topics of the talks were also the increase of military mobility within the Alliance, the promotion of joint defence research and development and the investment of member states in defence. The process of modernisation of the Armed Forces involves not only the acquisition of modern equipment, but also the improvement and development of critical infrastructure, including through the implementation of projects to increase connectivity between member states, President Radev said at the meeting.

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Canada provides funding for Sudan and neighbouring countries at international conference in Paris to address humanitarian crisis

Global Affairs Canada

News release

April 15, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan has reached the one-year mark with no end in sight, resulting in a grave breach of international peace and security and gross and systematic violations of human rights.

The scale of violence and human suffering is devastating. Millions continue to face acute shortages of food, water, electricity and access to medical care. There are widespread reports of sexual and gender-based violence, especially against women and girls in Darfur. We remain deeply concerned of these reports, and of reports of ethnic cleansing by the RSF in Darfur.

Today, the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada is introducing new sanctions measures under the Special Economic Measures Act in response to this ongoing conflict. Canada is imposing sanctions on six individuals and entities for directly or indirectly undermining peace, security and stability in Sudan. Those sanctioned are associated with the SAF or RSF, the main parties to the ongoing conflict.

The list of sanctioned individuals includes:

Abdelrahim Hamdan DAGALO (also known as Abdel Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, Abdelrahim Dagalo, Abdul Rahim Dagalo, Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo Mousa) Ali KARTI (also known as Ali Ahmed Karti) Al Junaid Multi Activities Co. Ltd. (also known as AJMAC Multi Activities Company Ltd., AlGunade, AlJunaid, Algunade, Al Gunade and Al-Juneid) GSK Advance Company Ltd. (also known as GSK Advance, GSK Advance Co. Ltd., GSK for Advanced Business Co. Ltd) Defence Industries System (also known as Military Industry Corporation, Defense Industries Corporation and Defense Industry System) Zadna International Company for Investment Ltd. (also known as Zadna Company and Zadna International Investments)

These measures are consistent with similar actions taken by international partners, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Today's sanctions also build on Canada's current sanctions related to Sudan, imposed under the United Nations Act.

Canada and its partners continue to work to ensure that those responsible for human rights violations are held to account. This includes Canada's support for the UN Human Rights Council's fact-finding mission established in October 2023 to investigate alleged human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in Sudan. Canada also welcomed the announcement in July 2023 that the International Criminal Court is investigating alleged violations of the Rome Statute arising from the current conflict as part of its pre-existing mandate in Darfur.

Canada remains firmly committed to the principles of human rights and to international humanitarian law. Canada is working closely with the international community and regional partners to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict. We will continue to stand firmly in solidarity with the people of Sudan and we are committed to supporting a return to a peaceful and civilian-led transition to democracy.

Quotes

"The reports of serious human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law, being committed in the ongoing conflict in Sudan are deeply concerning. Today's measures are consistent with Canadian principles and values. Canada condemns the reprehensible violence that is prolonging the crisis in Sudan and calls on all parties to immediately cease hostilities, allow the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid and engage meaningfully in mediation efforts." - Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

In 2023, Canada allocated over $170 million in humanitarian assistance funding to United Nations, Red Cross and other NGO partners in Sudan and in neighbouring countries impacted by the conflict: the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

In the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year, Canada's bilateral development assistance in Sudan totalled approximately $49.43 million in funding and was delivered through multilateral organizations active in Sudan and through Canadian civil society partners working with local NGOs.

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Canada provides funding for Sudan and neighbouring countries at international conference in Paris to address humanitarian crisis

Global Affairs Canada

News release

April 15, 2024 - Paris, France - Global Affairs Canada

Canada is deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan, which was exacerbated by the outbreak of conflict in April 2023 and has displaced more than 6.5 million people within the country and has forced another 1.8 million to flee to neighbouring countries.

While at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its Neighbours in Paris, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced on behalf of Canada, $132.2million in international assistance funding. This includes $100.7million in humanitarian assistance funding and $31.5 million in development assistance funding, to address urgent needs in Sudan and impacted neighbouring countries: the Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

This announcement builds on the Minister's recent engagements with the Sudanese community in Toronto, during which he highlighted Canada's ongoing commitment to the humanitarian crisis.

Canada's humanitarian assistance funding will be delivered through experienced humanitarian partners in Sudan and its neighbouring countries. It will help provide emergency health services, food and nutrition assistance, protection services including for gender-based violence survivors, and other life-saving assistance, such as shelter, water and sanitation services, to crisis-affected people.

The development assistance funding announced today complements the international assistance funding and supports critical programming in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and education in emergencies.

Canada has called on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, which includes the obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.

Quotes

"Canada remains steadfast in our support of the Sudanese people and in neighbouring countries supporting them. With the funding announced today, Canada's partners will be able to provide life-saving assistance to people in Sudan and its neighbouring countries, as well as critical education and sexual and reproductive health and rights services to women and girls. Canada continues to call for an end to the violence in the region and for safe and unrestricted humanitarian access to be allowed throughout Sudan." - Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development

Quick facts

In 2023, Canada allocated over $170 million in humanitarian assistance funding to United Nations, Red Cross and other NGO partners in Sudan and in neighbouring countries impacted by the conflict.

In the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year, Canada's bilateral development assistance in Sudan totalled approximately $49.43 million in funding and was delivered through multilateral organizations active in Sudan and through Canadian civil society partners working with local NGOs.

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Humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa: Switzerland increases aid for people in Sudan

Swiss Government

Bern, 15.04.2024 -- At the international donors' conference on 15 April 2024 in Paris, Switzerland pledged CHF 19 million to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Sudan. As a result of the ongoing hostilities over the past year, the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. To date, 8.6 million people have been displaced, and the country is on the brink of a devastating famine. From the beginning of the crisis, Switzerland has been actively engaged at multiple levels to help end the conflict and improve the situation on the ground.

On 15 April 2024, exactly one year after the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, an international donor conference was held in Paris. Under the leadership of France, Germany and the EU, the aim was to mobilise urgently needed support to finance humanitarian aid for the affected people in Sudan and its neighbouring countries. At the conference, Switzerland pledged CHF 19 million for 2024 to support the people suffering from the consequences of the conflict. At the same time, the approximately 60 participating states called on the conflicting parties to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout the country. "Today, this region needs our solidarity more than ever," said Ambassador Nicolas Randin, SDC assistant director general and head of the Sub-Saharan Africa Division, who represented Switzerland in Paris.

The fierce conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces militias has led to a severe deterioration in the security situation and humanitarian conditions for the people of Sudan. More than 8.6 million people have been displaced so far, including 4 million children. Two million people have fled to neighbouring countries, especially to Chad, South Sudan and Egypt. According to UN figures, of the 49 million people living in Sudan in 2024, 25 million will need humanitarian aid, and almost 18 million people are already suffering from acute hunger.

Switzerland is also working at the multilateral level to promote peace, ensure the protection of the civilian population, improve the humanitarian situation and find a political solution to the conflict in Sudan. As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Switzerland supported a resolution on 7 March 2024 calling for an immediate end to hostilities and respect for international humanitarian law. Switzerland is also present on the ground, providing its good offices. Through its peace diplomacy instruments and its special envoy for the Horn of Africa, Switzerland is working in particular to create opportunities for inclusive dialogue aimed at finding a political solution to the conflict.

Although Sudan's neighbouring countries themselves face major humanitarian challenges, they are taking in a large number of refugees. In light of this situation, the SDC increased its humanitarian aid for Sudan and the neighbouring countries last year. The SDC's support package for the Sudan crisis includes financial contributions and the deployment of specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) to multilateral partner organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), which are active in Sudan and its neighbouring countries. This is in addition to contributions to the World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In total, Switzerland has made CHF 83 million available for humanitarian aid since the beginning of the war, of which around one third has been allocated to Sudan and two thirds on its neighbouring countries.

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On Friday, Google announced it was testing removing links to California news websites from some peoples search results. The search giant said it was preparing in case the Legislature passed a bill requiring it to pay media companies a fee for linking to their content. Jeff Chiu/Associated Press 2019

Last Friday, Google issued an ultimatum, announcing that it was taking steps to block news stories in California in response to a bill from state Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland. The California Journalism Preservation Act would require tech giants to pay journalists, like me, for profiting from our labor. Googles move followed a similar threat by Meta last year over the bill.

Big Techs threats to ban journalism from its platforms in California are just the beginning. Tomorrows artificial intelligence-powered internet is poised to finish off local journalism as we know it  unless lawmakers act.

For much of the past two decades, Google and news publishers have operated on an implicit bargain; outlets like the Chronicle or the Los Angeles Times, where I was a longtime reporter, would allow Google to crawl and feature my stories on its services. In exchange, Google would send these publishers a river of users via hyperlinks.

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The understanding was that users who no longer subscribe to print newspapers would look at digital ads on news websites or buy digital subscriptions. In return, those users would presumably continue using Google (itself a profitable seller of digital advertising) as their preferred portal to find high-quality information from a variety of sources.

That arrangement has become increasingly unfair for newsrooms  and the California communities that count on them.

You dont need an MBA to figure out that commandeering endless free labor from journalists and other content creators has been the deal of the century for Google. The internet giant has cornered 90% of all search engine traffic, collecting $48 billion in digital advertising revenue last quarter alone.

Wicks bill would require Google, under threat of arbitration, to return a share of these revenues earned from journalism back to news publishers, which would be required to reinvest 70% of those funds into journalism jobs. Australia and Canada have passed similar laws.

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Absent these changes  and more ambitious ideas like them  the economics supporting local journalism in California will continue to collapse. The Los Angeles Times newsroom has roughly 40% fewer journalists than in 2019. Many of the savviest digital newsroom innovators I know have lost or left their journalism jobs.

Wicks bill has only become more urgent as Google experiments with generative AI, which also scrapes news sites but this time without any pretense that journalists might benefit. Some Google search responses already compile an AI-generated blurb that summarizes news stories.

Jim Albrecht, senior director of news ecosystem products at Google from 2017 to 2023, recently wrote in the Washington Post that AI-powered chatbots, not human-written articles like the one youre reading right now, are the future of news.

Publishers will have to think less about those articles and more about conversations with users, Albrecht wrote. The users will interact less and less with the actual articles and instead talk about the articles with what the tech industry used to call intelligent agents. 

Anybody hoping to shore up Googles still-significant referral traffic to publishers  or anyone whos propagandizing that the idea of paying journalists is tantamount to a link tax (the government never touches Googles money)  is fighting yesterdays war. The old internet where users actively hunt for information and prowl from site to site is dying.

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Following hyperlinks in search of accurate information is annoying, inefficient and increasingly filled with scammy clutter. On the fenced-in internet of tomorrow, AI-powered portals controlled by a small handful of powerful international companies will treat us like stationary consumers who passively expect knowledge and content to come to us, not the other way around.

Think of the uncanny algorithms of TikToks For You Page, OpenAIs general purpose GPT chat interfaces or Elon Musks (not exactly successful but persistent) quest to transform the once hyperlink-friendly Twitter into X, an everything app where users can do payments, messages, video, calling, whatever youd like.

The dream of the open internet is fading and being replaced by a surveillance-driven dystopia powered by free and low-paid labor. The California Journalism Preservation Act is just the first of many bills that will be necessary to point out that this content-creation arrangement is unsustainable for workers  and also everyone else.

With each day that passes, data-devouring AI models like the kind Google is developing, which are prone to inaccurate hallucinations, are at greater risk of ingesting and plagiarizing their own low-quality vomit for want of enough original knowledge to consume. Its in the long-term interest of artificial intelligence developers to help foot the bill for original, human-produced local journalism because AI models will need more material thats grounded in the real world  to borrow an AI term for verification.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

As a journalist, Im largely indifferent to how the public consumes my reporting. Throughout American history, we have always adapted to changes in the medium; maybe youd like to get news alerts and investigative reports from me via text message? Journalists will go wherever you want us to be.

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April 15, 2024

Release

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call with Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke on the phone today with Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to discuss the unprecedented attacks launched from Iranian territory and by Iran's proxies in the region into Israel. The Secretary emphasized that while the United States does not seek escalation, we will continue to defend Israel and U.S. personnel. The Secretary underscored the United States' commitment to the strong bilateral defense partnership with Bahrain and regional integration efforts.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3742091/

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April 15, 2024

Release

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah today to discuss the unprecedented attacks launched from Iranian territory and by Iran's proxies in the region into Israel, and U.S. and coalition efforts to defend Israel. The Secretary emphasized that while the United States does not seek escalation, we will continue to defend Israel and U.S. personnel. The Secretary underscored the United States' commitment to the strong bilateral defense partnership with Qatar as both sides work with regional partners to deescalate tensions in the region.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3741956/

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April 15, 2024

Release

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call with Kuwaiti Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, His Excellency Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Sabah

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Kuwaiti Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, His Excellency Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Sabah today to discuss the unprecedented attacks launched from Iranian territory and by Iran's proxies in the region into Israel, and U.S. and coalition efforts to defend Israel. The Secretary emphasized that while the United States does not seek escalation, we will continue to defend Israel and U.S. personnel. The Secretary reaffirmed the strong bilateral defense partnership between the United States and Kuwait.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3741308/

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April 15, 2024

Transcript

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds a Press Briefing

MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: All right, good afternoon, everyone. Thanks for your flexibility today. A little bit later.

Just a few things and then we'll get right to your questions.

First of all, as you saw over the weekend, at the direction of the president and in support of Israel's defense, U.S. forces in the Middle East intercepted dozens of missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles after Iran and its proxies launched more than 300 air threats on the evening of April 13 and the morning of April 14 from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, in route to Israel, to include over 110 medium-range ballistic missiles, over 30 land attack cruise missiles and over 150 UAVs.

U.S. Central Command highlighted in their press release that CENTCOM forces supported by the U.S. Navy destroyers, USS Arleigh Burke and USS Carney, currently assigned to the European Command AOR, successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack UAVs and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen.

This included a ballistic missile on its launcher vehicle and seven UAVs destroyed on the ground in Iranian-backed Houthi controlled areas of Yemen prior to their launch.

Secretary Austin is grateful for the professionalism and skill of the brave U.S. troops who took part in the defense of Israel and who continue to stand guard to prevent further conflict or escalation.

Throughout the weekend and into today, Secretary Austin has held multiple calls with international partners and allies, as well as with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of the Staff, Senior DOD leaders and the CENTCOM and EUCOM commanders to actively monitor the situation and reinforce U.S. and international resolve in the face of Iranian aggression.

Secretary Austin has also been in frequent contact with his Israeli counterpart, Minister Gallant, speaking to him three times over the weekend. During their most recent call yesterday, the two leaders reviewed the successful combined operation by the United States, Israel and their partners to defend Israel from these unprecedented attacks by Iran and its proxies. And emphasized that, while the United States does not seek escalation, we will continue to take all necessary action to defend Israel and U.S. personnel.

Shifting gears, Secretary Austin welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani to the Pentagon today to discuss the strategic nature of the U.S. Iraqi bilateral defense relationship and Iraq's role as a leader in ensuring regional security.

Upon conclusion of the meeting, which is occurring as we speak, we'll issue a full readout.

Finally, of note, Secretary Austin also spoke today with his counterparts from Germany, Kuwait and Qatar. Readouts from these calls will be published later today on Defense.gov.

With that, be glad to take your questions. We'll go first to Associated Press, who I believe is on the phone, Lita Baldor.

Q: Thanks, Pat. I was wondering if you were able, at this point, to provide any more details on the U.S. response? Including, do you have the number of U.S. aircraft involved, tankers and things like that? Anymore granularity on U.S. response?

And I know it's early, but is there sort of an estimated cost of the U.S. response?

And then I have one just on the meeting with Iraq today. Did the secretary discuss the ongoing issue of the U.S. reducing its troop presence in Iraq? And does what just happened in Israel and the fact that some U.S. forces in Iraq were involved in the response, does that  was that discussed as far as the need to maintain any U.S. forces in Iraq?

GEN. RYDER: Yes, thanks, Lita. Taking your last question first. As mentioned, the meeting is ongoing right now. So, of course, we'll have a readout of that meeting. You know, as you know, there is ongoing discussion through the higher military commission as it relates to the U.S. support for Iraq, as it relates to the international coalition to defeat ISIS and what that relationship  what that longer term bilateral relationship will look like. So, certainly not going to get ahead of that process. But we'll have much more to readout following today's meeting.

As it relates to U.S. forces and the response over the weekend, you know, as you know, as a matter of operational security, we're not going to be able to go into the specifics in terms of the numbers of fighters involved at this time, other than to say, again, U.S. fighters were involved in the response and participated in taking down, as I highlighted, over 80 UAVs that were one-way attack UAVs that were enroute to Israel.

Thank you, Jennifer.

Q: General Ryder, were you given a heads-up about the scope and scale of this attack?

GEN. RYDER: So, I think what you're asking was did Iran give us a heads up? No, they did not.

Q: But were you given a heads up through allies?

GEN. RYDER: We were not given specifics by Iran. And to my knowledge, any specifics in terms of exact times, dates. You know, we obviously have a robust intelligence network that provides indications and warning. But to answer your specific question, no, Iran did not tell us when and where they were going to attack.

Q: And just in terms of  is the U.S. concerned that U.S. forces in the region would be jeopardy if Israel retaliates for Saturday night? And is that why the U.S. is not participating in a potential retaliation?

GEN. RYDER: Well look, I don't want to get into hypotheticals at this point, whether or not Israel responds to Iran's attack, of course, is something for Israel to discuss and to decide.

As Secretary Austin has said, both publicly and privately, we don't want to see escalation, but we, obviously, will take necessary measures to protect our forces in the region. And as was demonstrated over the weekend, we'll take necessary measures to defend Israel. Thank you. Reuters?

Q: I think officials have said last week that additional asset  U.S. asset, military assets have been sent to the region. Are those assets still in place or have they been moved out now?

GEN. RYDER: As of right now, those assets are still in place.

Q: And you talked previously about Iran not seeking conflict with the United States. Is that still accurate? Do you today believe that Iran is not seeking conflict with the United States or Israel?

GEN. RYDER: Are you asking me if Iran is speaking? I'm not going to speak for Iran. I mean, certainly from the United States, we do not seek conflict with Iran.

Q: Conflict before, so today. Is that statement still accurate?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah. Again, I'm not going to speak for Iran. Thanks. Will?

Q: Two questions on the Middle East. Has Israel informed the Pentagon if it plans to respond to the Iranian attack? And what is  does DOD have any message on a potential response in terms of  to Israel? And second, given the number of drones and missiles that were shot down, is the Pentagon concerned about stocks of either U.S. or Israeli air defense munitions in the region?

GEN. RYDER: Yup. Thanks, Will. So on your first question, you know, again, I'm not going to speak for Israel or any potential response. Again, that's a decision for them to make. As we demonstrated this weekend, we remain focused on the defense of Israel and on the protection of U.S. forces that are in the region. And we've been clear from the very beginning that we don't want to see a wider regional war. And we continue to work hard in consulting with our partners and our allies throughout the region to ensure that there is not a larger regional war.

And then on your other question, again, I'm not going to get into the specifics in terms of U.S. and partner readiness levels. Again, as we demonstrate this weekend, we have the capability and the capacity to defend Israel and to defend our forces in the region. Fadi?

Q: Thank you, General. I have two questions. How critical was U.S. support to defend Israel against this response by Iran?

GEN. RYDER: Well, I think as our actions demonstrated, the U.S. support for the defense of Israel is robust. And it also demonstrates the longstanding security cooperation  relationship that the United States has, not only with Israel but with countries throughout the region when it comes to addressing regional threats. And those kinds of things don't happen overnight that those kinds of relationships and the ability to work together, to interoperate together, all played out and saved many lives.

Q: And second question, this is not hypothetical. The Chief of the General Staff of Israel, General Halevi, made it clear today that Israel will respond. The Secretary made it clear, the U.S. is not seeking escalation. The President made that clear as well. When Israel responds, do you think this will be counterproductive to your efforts for de-escalation? And will the U.S. support an Israeli response?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Fadi. We take slight exception with your question because to my knowledge right now, there has been no Israeli response, so that is a hypothetical. So again, you know, we're going to continue to stay in close consultation with our Israeli partners as we have done throughout the weekend. Again, we don't seek a wider regional conflict. And I'll just leave it there. Lara?

Q: So, Saturday night was biggest aerial attack of this magnitude. We've seen quite some time. It's the first big test of this collective integrated air and missile defense system that we seem  that we've been work - that DoD has been working on with its allies in the region. Can you talk about any lessons that were  we learned from this attack about Iran's capabilities, about our own capabilities? And were there any surprises?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah. Thanks, Lara. Now, to your point, we will learn a lot from this. And we have learned a lot from this. As I'm sure you can appreciate, I'm not going to be in a position to do an after action report from the podium today other than to say, it's pretty telling that Iran launched over 300 air threats, as I highlighted. And 99 percent of those were knocked down. So it is demonstrative of that close coordination and synchronization between the United States and coalition partners when it comes to addressing air defense threats in the region.

So again, we'll obviously continue to look at this and study this. Importantly, we'll continue to work closely with Israel when it comes to the defense of Israel and threats from countries like Iran going forward. But I'm sure we'll have much more to learn. Yes, sir?

Q: Yes, is the Pentagon talking to other state in the region, like the Saudi, Qatar, and the Jordan in case Israel will go for retaliation, and that we need military support from those countries, including the U.S.? Are the U.S. ready to use force?

GEN. RYDER: Well, yeah, again, as I mentioned, you know, our focus right now remains on the defense of Israel and on the protection of U.S. forces. If you take a step back and you look at U.S. force presence in the region writ large, we have been focused for a very long time on regional security and stability. And that  that's not going to change. When it comes to discussions that we have with our partners in the region, you know, of course, those are opportunities again to reassure U.S. commitment towards working towards regional security and stability, and our appreciation for the ongoing open communication and the ability to consult with leaders throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.

Q: Will you use force in cases where Israel will need military support?

GEN. RYDER: Again, you know, I'm not going to get into hypotheticals. What you saw happen over the weekend was an incredible and extraordinary response by the U.S., and Israel, and coalition partners when it came to defending Israel. And I think we've been pretty clear that we don't want to see escalation into a wider regional war. And I'll just leave it there. Janne?

Q: Thank you, General. Russia and North Korea, Russia said that it would increase the deployment of strategic assets around the Korean peninsula to keep the U.S. in check and increase military cooperation with North Korea. What is the U.S. position on that?

GEN. RYDER: Well, you know, look, we've been working closely for a very long time with our ROK, and Japanese allies, and other allies and partners throughout the region when it comes to addressing issues like security, stability, prosperity, and to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. And so that will continue to be our focus.

Q: North Korea also, they're considering participating in the China-Russia's military exercises soon. How [concerned are you] about this?

GEN. RYDER: Again, I'm not going to speak for North Korea today. Let me go back over here.

Q: Thanks, Pat. There have been reports that are saying that half of the ballistic missiles that were fired by Iran either failed to launch or hit short of the targets. Can you confirm that? And then to follow up on that, did some of them land in allied territories like Jordan and Iraq?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah. Thanks, Carla. I don't have Any information to provide on that from the podium. I'm certainly not going to get into intelligence from the podium. I would say, in terms of failures, I would just point to the fact that, again, over 300 air threats launched to targets in Israel, 99 percent of which were taken down.

Q: Follow up on addresses question if I may. So is there going to be a deployment of additional forces into the region? Does the U.S. Feel that they have the appropriate forced posture in the Middle East right now?

GEN. RYDER: I don't have anything to read out or announce today in terms of forced posture. Of course, you know, as a matter of course, we're constantly looking at U.S. forces around the world and where we need capabilities and assets. But don't have anything to announce today. Joseph?

Q: Thanks. Can you talk about who from the Middle East helped in these operations, these counter Iranian operations over the weekend? And then can you talk about  did you guys provide  did the U.S. provide any assurances that if they were to take part in these, then the U.S. would, you know, help defend any potential responses from Iran? Because we saw Iran did threaten some of these countries that reportedly took part.

GEN. RYDER: Yeah. Thanks, Joseph. I appreciate the question. As you know, we're going to allow any partners to speak for themselves, so I don't want to speak for them when it comes to any participation. I'll just leave it there.

Q: Sorry, just to push you on that. I mean, you guys have said the French and the British help in these. So you can't talk about any other country that help?

GEN. RYDER: I think the French and the British have publicly acknowledged their participation. But again, I'd refer you to them to talk about their specific operations. Let me go back here and then, yes, ma'am.

Q: Thanks, General. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Kuleba seems to suggest that if Ukraine received seven more Patriot batteries, they might be willing to stop attacking Russian oil refineries, which has been criticized by U.S. officials. Is that something that's being into the  taken into consideration by DOD and the administration, or is it subject of discussions with allies?

GEN. RYDER: You know, I don't have anything to announce as it relates specifically to Ukrainian aid other than two things. One, we need Congress to pass the Supplemental. And two, we're going to continue to consult closely with Ukraine and our allies and partners when it comes to their most immediate needs to defend themselves from Russian aggression. Yes, sir?

Q: Thank you, General. The Iraqi Prime Minister is here at the Pentagon today. Can you tell us what they discussed about the President's U.S. troops in Iraq? And how important to you are relations between the Iraqi army and the Peshmerga forces as well? And I have a following question.

GEN. RYDER: Sure. As mentioned earlier, the meeting is ongoing right now, so we'll have a readout following that meeting which we'll provide some additional insight into the discussions. As it relates to our views on the value of Iraqi security forces to the U.S. Iraqi relationship, I mean, we've been working very closely together for many years now. And we value Iraq as a partner. And we greatly appreciate the work and support that we've done with the Iraqi security forces to include Peshmerga forces. Luis? Oh, sorry.

Q: As you said, General, missiles from Iraq were fired at Israel. Can you tell us from where in Iraq and which group was responsible?

GEN. RYDER: I can't. I don't have any information to provide in terms of point of origin, other than one of those missiles was a ballistic missile that was taken down in the vicinity of Erbil that was enroute toward Israel. And then that's all the information I have to provide. Luis?

Q: Sir, yesterday, the White House put out that President Biden had made a congratulatory call to two Air Force units. Were those two units involved in the shoot down of these drones that you talked about earlier?

GEN. RYDER: Yes.

Q: Can you  were those units forward deployed in response where it have  I mean, this part of the movement of assets that we were heard about last week, then possibility of an intervening, retaliatory attack?

GEN. RYDER: We had deployed some additional fighter units into the region. But I'd have to refer to CENTCOM, whether or not those units were already in the AOR, whether they were additional units that had been deployed in support of bolstering our efforts there. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Q: Thank you, sir. As far as these wars are concerned, finances are affected of the millions of people around the globe. And now many, many finance ministers are in town for the World Bank and IMF meetings. My question is that as far as this war is concerned, are we heading to a bigger war and maybe involving many other nations? And also where do the UN, United Nations, and the NATO stands as far as these conflicts are concerned?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah. For NATO and the UN, as I'm sure you can appreciate, I'd refer you to them. I'm not going to speak for them. And look, from a U.S. Department of Defense standpoint, one of the things we come to work every day, working hard to do is to prevent broader regional or global conflict as evidenced by our efforts in the Middle East region. And we're going to continue to stay very focused on that. Let me go to the phone here. Chris Gordon?

Q: Thanks, Pat. Was the location of the U.S. aircraft, and I'm not asking you to say where the aircraft were, coordinated with allies? And I'm not asking you to name which allies in terms of where to operate to be best prepared to defend against this attack? And roughly, how long did this engagement go on with U.S. assets defending Israel?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah. Thanks, Chris. You know, in terms of the duration, I think, you know, as you probably saw most real time and social media, it  you know, we were looking over probably several hours here that this occurred, as I mentioned to my topper, you know, the evening of 13 April into the morning of 14 April. As it relates to the positioning of U.S. forces in the region, as you highlighted in your question, I'm not going to go into the specifics in terms of where those forces are based. But just as a matter, of course, not only in central command, but in any command, one of the things that we're constantly looking at is forced posture, forced presence to be able to address the most likely threats to be able to be prepared to respond to a range of contingencies. And this was no different in this case.

And so obviously, a lot of planning and coordination that goes into  ensuring that we're ready to respond. And I think the results speak for themselves as what you saw this weekend. Jennifer?

Q: A senior defense official had said that 50 percent of Iran's missiles failed en route. Was there sabotage involved in that or are they just very bad missiles?

GEN. RYDER: Again, I've seen those reports. I don't have anything to provide from the podium. You know, again, other than the fact that I think it's notable that 99 percent of the aerial threats that Iran launched toward Israel were taken down. Carla?

Q: I have a China-Russia question, if I may. The AP is reporting that about 90 percent of Russia's microelectronics are coming from China last year, which Russia has used to make missiles and tanks, etcetera, used in the war against Ukraine. Can you confirm that? What more can you tell us on that?

GEN. RYDER: I can. You know, as you've probably seen, we have indications that the PRC is supporting Russia's war effort by helping to ramp up its defense production with significant quantities of machine tools, microelectronics, optics, UAV, cruise missile technology, which Russia is using to make propellants for weapons. And so this support is actively enabling Russia's war in Ukraine and poses a significant threat to security  international security, so I'll just leave it there.

Q: And that 90 percent number, 90 percent of their microelectronics, can you confirm that as well?

GEN. RYDER: I cannot. I don't have that.

Q: Will this be raised by Secretary Austin and his call tomorrow?

GEN. RYDER: I don't have anything to announce at this point or read out. Any other questions? Let me take one more from Fadi?

Q: Yeah. I mean, I asked you a question and you said, I mean, Admiral Hagari said this today from an Israeli air base that there will be a response. General Halevi said that very clearly. So your response to my question, was that because you haven't been notified?

GEN. RYDER: No, I apologize. But what you said was, if they respond, will the U.S. do something? They've said that they intend to respond. But to my knowledge, there has been no response. So I'm not going to talk about a hypothetical about what they may or may not do if something has not been done.

Q: OK. And that  so if you acknowledge that they said that, you think these statements contribute to what this administration is trying to do in terms of the escalation in the Middle East?

GEN. RYDER: Again, you know, we are in regular contact with our Israeli partners to include over the weekend, as you saw U.S. and Israeli forces bat down this unprecedented Iranian strike. Certainly, when it comes to any type of Israeli response, and again, I'm not going to speak for the Israelis, that is a decision for them to make in terms of what they do, if they do it, and how they do it. But again, from a U.S. standpoint, you know, we continue to make very clear that we don't seek a wider regional war and we'll continue to work towards that result. Let me  yes, sir.

Q: Thank you. Ukraine is saying they're running low on air defense interceptors. What is your current assessment? How long will it take until they run out? And what will be the impact when they run out?

GEN. RYDER: Well, you know, certainly, you heard General Cavoli's testimony recently talking about the situation in Ukraine, so I'd point you to those remarks. Look, it's a dire situation right now in Ukraine. You've got Russian forces that are making some gains on the front line. And it's absolutely essential that we get Ukraine what they need to include air defense capabilities so that they can check Russian aggression, defend their territory, and ultimately, take back their sovereign territory. So we're going to continue to work very hard towards that end.

But the most important thing that could happen right now is that Congress pass the Supplemental so that we can ensure Ukraine gets the volume and level of support that they need to sustain that fight.

Q: Are we talking weeks or months until the air defense interceptors run out?

GEN. RYDER: Look, I'm not going to get into the specific timeline other than it's just urgent that we get them that capability. Mike ?

Q: Yeah, can you confirm these reports that Secretary Austin specifically asked his Israeli counterpart to give them a heads up in the event Israel does decide to launch an attack against Iran?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah. As I highlighted in the top of my remarks, Secretary Austin did have the opportunity to discuss the successful combined operation by the U.S., Israel, and our coalition partners to defend Israel from these unprecedented attacks by Iran and its proxies. You know, when it comes to the operations themselves, he praised the extraordinary defensive measures and strong cooperation that was undertaken to defeat these threats.

But beyond that, Mike, I'm going to have to refer you to my readouts. Thank you. Tony?

Q: Speaking of strong cooperation, can you talk a little bit about what impact the Juniper Oak exercise last year that you actually announced from the podium, the largest ever U.S.-Israeli exercise, and air defense, and command and control. What impact did that have a year later in terms of the operation over the weekend?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so a couple things, Tony. So, you know, I alluded earlier to the importance of understanding how our ongoing efforts over many years to strengthen interoperability and coordination  you see the fruition of that over the weekend.

But to your point, Juniper Oak can  and for those that aren't tracking, it's a combined joint all-domain exercise that really works to improve our ability to work with Israel on land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace  and so it was notable that the exercise series included U.S. and Israeli command and control and air interdiction, both of which were critical on defending Israel Saturday night.

And just again, as a reminder, this exercise took place in January of 2023, it included 6,400 personnel, 1,100 IDF personnel, 100 U.S. aircraft, six ships, live fire exercise, 180,000 pounds of live munitions, just to give you a sense of the scale. And it's this kind of strategic cooperation and combined training that allows us to do what we did together on Saturday night. Joseph?

Q: Can you talk about the  the drones, at least the ones that the U.S. took down, if they were armed or if they had any type of munition attached to them?

GEN. RYDER: My understanding is these were one-way attack drones. So, you know, explosive drones.

Q: Second, does the  does the  does DOD assess that Iran has more sophisticated weapons that it could deploy in the event of any other attack on Israel or a similar attack?

GEN. RYDER: I'm  you know, Iran has demonstrated the capability to launch significant threats, in terms of their UAVs, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, but I'm not going to be able to go into further details.

Let me go to Heather, USNI.

Q: Hi, thank you so much. To go back to the attack on Saturday night, a senior military official said the aircraft came from land and sea. I just wanted to see if you could confirm the sea aspect of that?

GEN. RYDER: That is correct. You know, there were both land-based and sea-based aircraft  U.S. aircraft involved. And, last question.

Q: There were some words that the State Department, not officials, about a potential coordination of the U.S. in case of retaliation towards Iran from Israel. So my question is are the U.S. again ready to coordinate, as they did on Saturday, support to the Israeli in case they need?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so again, you know, kind of just taking a step back here. And just as a matter, of course, the U.S., to include the Department of Defense, we maintain a very robust set of relationships throughout the region and throughout the world.

And we're going to continue to stay in close consultation with our allies and partners when it comes to threats in the Middle East region and beyond, to, again, focus on regional security and stability. You've seen that play out over the weekend, and that will continue to be the case going forward.

Thanks very much, everybody. Appreciate it.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3742072/

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April 15, 2024

By David Vergun, DOD News

Austin Notes Success of Territorial Defeat of ISIS in Iraq

This year marks 10 years of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today while hosting a meeting and an enhanced honor cordon, to welcome Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to the Pentagon.

"In 2019, thanks to the courage and sacrifices of the Iraqi security forces and our partners in Operation Inherent Resolve, together, we achieved the territorial defeat of Daesh. But Daesh remains a threat to your citizens and to ours," Austin said, referring to another name for ISIS.

The U.S. agrees on the need to transition to an enduring bilateral security relationship between the United States and Iraq, he said.

As a part of this transition, an agreement was reached at the inaugural U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Corporation Dialogue in Washington last August to launch the higher military commission, he said.

In that commission, military leaders are conducting joint assessments of key factors to help inform discussions on the upcoming transition, the secretary said.

"These are deep and respectful discussions between partners, which reflect the deep U.S. commitment to regional stability and Iraqi sovereignty. And they show how the U.S.-Iraq relationship is evolving," Austin said.

Austin noted that on Saturday, Iraq's minister of defense signed a letter of request for the pricing and availability of counter-unmanned aerial systems from the United States. "That reflects many months of work, and the signing came at an extremely important moment."

The Iraqi prime minister said this meeting shows the resolve of the Iraqi government to promote its relations with the United States.

"The Iraqi people really appreciate the efforts of the international community to support them to fight ISIS and militarism on its territory," he said.

Earlier today, President Joe Biden met with al-Sudani in the White House. Biden told the prime minister: "The partnership between Iraq and the United States is critical. We've seen over the last decade as our troops have served side by side to help defeat ISIS, and we've seen this in our Strategic Framework Agreement as well."

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EU Military Committee: General Brieger visits Hungary

European External Action Service (EEAS)

15.04.2024

Budapest, Hungary

Strategic Communications

On 11 and 12 April, the Chairman of the EU Military Committee, General Brieger visited Budapest, Hungary.

The focus of the visit was on reinforcing EU defence cooperation under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), against the backdrop of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and security developments in the Red Sea. The meetings showcased Hungary's substantial role and contributions to the EU's security and defence initiatives, particularly through its active participation in EU CSDP Missions and Operations.

The discussions with the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter SZIJJARTO, and Minister of Defence, Kristof SZALAY-BOBROVNICZKY touched on Hungary's upcoming EU presidency program, promising a focused approach on enhancing the EU's defence capabilities, as well as the implementation of the EU's Strategic Compass, an ambitious plan of action for strengthening the EU's security and defence policy by 2030.

One of the spearhead initiatives, the development of the EU Rapid Deployable Capacity (EU RDC), promises to significantly boost the EU's crisis response capabilities. Hungarian interlocutors underlined the importance of advancing EU crisis management tools, enhancing EU capability development through initiatives like the "Brave Warrior" LIVEX exercise in 2024, and fostering a competitive European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB).

These discussions highlighted a comprehensive strategy to bolster the EU's security and defence policy. This visit not only facilitated a deeper understanding of Hungary's defence and security perspectives but also reinforced the necessity of a shared defence culture among EU member states and institutions.

The visit was hosted by General Gabor BORONDI, Hungarian Chief of Defence.

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Haiti: Statement by the Spokesperson on the establishment of a Transitional Presidential Council

European External Action Service (EEAS)

15.04.2024

EEAS Press Team

Following the publication of the official decree setting out the procedure for the establishment of a Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) in Haiti, it is now crucial that the TPC is formally appointed without further delay by the outgoing government of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. This will also allow the appointment of a new Prime Minister by the TPC.

The country urgently needs a Haitian-led solution to end the current political vacuum, and to address the long-running political, security and humanitarian crisis. We call on all Haitian political forces to cooperate earnestly towards this objective.

The appointment of the TPC is also needed to open the way for the deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission, as mandated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699, to strengthen the efforts of the Haitian National Police in its fight against the gangs, restore the rule of law and the basic security conditions in the country, and ultimately pave the way for the holding of free and fair elections.

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Speech by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at the Paris Sudan conference

Germany Federal Foreign Office

15.04.2024 - Speech

The Mygoma orphanage in Khartoum used to be a home. A shelter for 300 toddlers, school boys, school girls, who were growing up there because they had lost their parents. Exactly one year ago, on April 15th, this orphanage became a trap. The house was caught in the crossfire of the warring parties. The shelling outside became the background noise in the children's dormitory. And food didn't go through to them any longer.

For 1 day, 20 days, 25, 50 days. After 50 days and nights of fighting around them, UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross finally managed to evacuate the children and their caregivers to Wad Madani, some 200 kilometres away, in Al Jazeera state. To the children of the Mygoma orphanage, it was a glimpse of hope. Finally, they seemed to be safe. But not for long. Earlier this year, these small boys and girls had to flee again. Because the war had also come to Wad Madani.

What we are witnessing in Sudan is the worst child displacement crisis in the world. More than 8 million children, men and women are fleeing from the violence. Aid workers are under constant attack. We hear harrowing reports of targeted sexual and gender-based violence, used as a weapon by the warring parties. From Darfur, the UN is reporting ethnic atrocities reminiscent of the horrors of the early 2000s.

This is a man-made disaster. This is the world's worst child displacement crisis, unfolding before our eyes. Yet, in many of our countries, as the war enters its second year, it is practically absent from our daily news.

I got a tiny glimpse of what this war means to the people on the ground when I visited Gorom in South Sudan earlier this year. I talked to women who had found shelter in a refugee camp. They had walked hundreds of kilometres, carrying their children on their backs, witnessing their daughters being raped on the way.

One woman in Gorom told me something that has haunted me ever since. She said with all the other crises going on in the world, "sometimes I fear that the world has forgotten about us. About us women."

As we meet here today, our message needs to be loud and clear: We see your suffering. We know we have a responsibility. And we are not forgetting you. Because every life counts equally, whether in Ukraine, in Gaza or in Sudan.

More than half the Sudanese population needs humanitarian assistance to survive. But of the 2.7 billion U.S. dollar that will be needed to cover the population's humanitarian needs, only 6% have been made available so far. This is why, as the French foreign minister has said, today's conference needs to mark a step-change in the support. Because every life counts equally.

The international community has to provide more for the people of Sudan, for the children of Sudan. Today I'm glad to announce that Germany will provide 244 million Euro in bilateral humanitarian assistance for Sudan and the neighbouring countries this year, on top of our EU support. Our support enables the essential work of organizations like UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which evacuated the children of Mygoma orphanage. Or of the UNHCR, which provides shelter to the women I met in South Sudan.

I compliment the countries of the region for their solidarity, for providing safe havens to those fleeing the fighting. Our bilateral development cooperation is designed to support you.

Today, we urge everyone here to join us in living up to our collective responsibility.

And we call on the two belligerents, Burhan and Hemedti, to stop the violence, to grant unhindered humanitarian access. Now. civilians and humanitarian operations must be protected under all circumstances. We call on them to stop using sexual violence as a strategic weapon of war. It is a tragic irony that the fighting generals seem to find a tiny common ground only in one thing: that they are both fighting a war against the brave Sudanese women.

In a country where in 2019, a women-led civilian movement toppled a brutal military regime, this is, of course, no coincidence.

While we push to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, we are not letting up in our work for a permanent political solution to the conflict. We all know there is no shortage of mediation initiatives to end this war. But the point is to link them up and settle them on a format that will bring the warring parties together.

And this is why we met this morning, and we are very thankful for the efforts of the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for an inclusive consultative forum. As Germany, we have made it clear that we are ready to apply further sanctions to increase the pressure on the war parties. In 2019, Sudanese civil society showed the world that they deserve freedom and democracy. Those who now fan the flames of violence in Sudan must ask themselves whether they really want to risk Sudan disintegrating instead.

To pave the way out of the suffering of today, Sudanese civilian actors, some of whom are meeting here today in Paris, need a seat at the table. Because their voice, their actions, are the hope of Sudan.

We all need to live up to our collective responsibility.

So that the children of the Mygoma orphanage can feel safe again.

So that the women of Gorom can return to their homes.

So that the men, women and children of Sudan can build a peaceful world together.

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Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Joint statement on one year of war in Sudan

Government of Norway

Speech/statement | Date: 15/04/2024

By Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim

Statement from the Minister of International Development, Anne Beathe Tvinnereim and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide.

April 15 marks one year since the outbreak of war in Sudan - an unimaginable tragedy for the Sudanese people. The very existence of the Sudanese state is in danger; the social fabric is crumbling. It will take years to recover, and maybe generations to heal.

We are appalled by the extreme human suffering. Thousands of civilians have been killed and maimed. More than one fifth of Sudan's population is forcibly displaced - making it the world's largest displacement crisis. We urge the warring parties to stop the fighting immediately and agree to a sustained ceasefire.

An increasing number of people are dying from hunger, malnutrition, and related diseases. 18 million people are facing acute food insecurity and 5 million of these are on the brink of famine. Urgent and significant measures are required by both parties to mitigate the increasing risk of famine and suffering. The parties must adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law, protect civilians, ensure full and unhindered humanitarian access, and fully respect international human rights law. Special attention needs to be given to the vulnerable and historically marginalized areas such as Darfur, the Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan (Nuba Mountains).

Recent reporting from the UN reveals that both parties to the conflict have allegedly committed gross violations and abuses of international human rights law, as well as serious violations of international humanitarian law, some of which may amount to war crimes. We are shocked by the reports on widespread conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and deeply concerned for especially women and children. Norway condemns all violations and abuses in the strongest possible terms and encourage all parties to cooperate with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan. Those responsible must be held accountable. Victims deserve justice.

There is no military solution to this conflict. The only way to achieve a sustainable peace is through a representative and inclusive Sudanese process built on democratic principles. A civilian government must lead the country through a new transition period to elections. The region and the international community must support a political process in a coordinated effort, with meaningful and real participation of women and youth. Not only are the fates of the Sudanese people at stake, but the war is also a danger to regional and international peace and security.

Although the situation in Sudan can be described as a living nightmare, there are signs of hope. We are immensely impressed with the efforts made by Sudanese civil society and grassroot organisations mitigating the effects of the war. One example is the emergency response rooms and youth networks providing humanitarian services in their neighborhoods when international organisations are hindered. We salute their bravery. The young people of Sudan have not given up. They demonstrate that change is possible. They represent the future.

Norway has been a long-standing friend to the Sudanese people. We share the basic aspirations for freedom, peace and justice, as it was expressed in the 2018-2019 Revolution, and we will reject the return of authoritarian rule. Our commitment is long-term. We believe a new and better Sudan can emerge from the horror of the current situation.



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A view inside the Ward 93 methadone clinic at San Francisco General Hospital on May 31, 2018. A California bill would expand the types of clinics that can dispense methadone. Peter Prato/Special to The Chronicle

In the face of rising fentanyl overdose deaths, San Francisco officials are pushing to change state law to expand the types of clinics that can dispense methadone and make it easier for patients to get take-home doses of the drug.

Assembly Member Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, called the measure his most important bill of the year.

Dr. Christy Soran, a deputy medical director at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, said she sees the legislation as a key tactic to address fentanyl overdoses in the city. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the government made methadone easier to access via telehealth appointments and take-home doses, it became clear methadone regulations could be loosened safely to make it easier for people to access the drug, she said.

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Methadone activates the same receptors in the brain that fentanyl and other opioids do but at a lower intensity. It can help a patient reduce their dependence on dangerous street drugs and is a leading treatment for opioid addiction. It is still possible to overdose on methadone, however, and it is highly regulated.

Haney says Californias regulations make methadone too difficult to access. Often, people must travel miles to reach their nearest clinic, where they wait in line every day to get the medication. Drug dealers often congregate around methadone clinics to tempt vulnerable patients with street drugs as an easier way to relieve their withdrawal symptoms. Haney pointed to one clinic near City Hall where he said theres effectively a gantlet of drug dealers who congregate in the blocks surrounding the building.

It is the worst possible design for getting people off of fentanyl and into treatment, Haney told the Chronicle. Weve made it incredibly difficult to access a medication that is proven in getting people off of fentanyl and heroin.

Methadone is the most highly regulated drug in the United States, and California has some of the countrys most onerous regulations, said Dr. Leslie Suen, an addiction medicine doctor at UCSF.

The federal government recently loosened its own methadone rules, including permanently adopting a pandemic rule that made take-home doses of methadone available to more people and letting patients to continue methadone treatment via telehealth appointments. The Haney bill is intended to align Californias law with the new federal guidelines so patients in the Golden State can take advantage of the new rules.

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California Opioid Maintenance Providers, a group that represents methadone clinics, has raised concerns about the legislation and is pushing for changes that would narrow it. Among the issues its raising is the possibility that the legislation could open the door to doctor shopping, in which people seek out doctors who will improperly prescribe the medication.

San Francisco is sponsoring the bill, which also has support from Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, various clinics and treatment advocacy organizations, the California Society of Addiction Medicine and the California State Board of Pharmacy.

The bill, SB2115, cleared its first hurdle on Tuesday, when lawmakers on the Assembly Business and Professions Committee voted to advance the measure. It must clear several more committees, pass out of both houses of the Legislature and earn a signature from Gov. Gavin Newsom to become law.

Last month, 61 people in San Francisco alone died of drug overdoses, according to the Chronicles overdose tracker. Of those, 45 involved fentanyl.

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ICRC President: "The obstacles that block humanitarian access must be immediately overcome"

ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

Speech given by Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, at the Humanitarian Conference on Sudan and neighboring countries, in Paris.

News release 15 April 2024 Sudan South Sudan Egypt Eritrea Ethiopia Central African Republic Libya Chad

(Check against delivery)

Excellencies, ministers, colleagues,

A year ago, fighting broke out.

Despite the belligerents' commitment in the Jeddah Declaration to protect civilians, horrifying accounts of unbridled violence continue today.

In Sudan and neighboring countries, millions of children, women and men struggle to access food, water and healthcare.

Beyond words of commitment, they need immediate action.

Today, I have three urgent calls.





First, comply with the rules, principles and spirit of international humanitarian law.

International humanitarian law provides a clear framework to protect civilian lives and infrastructure and to reduce people's suffering.

The principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution must govern every military decision in the conduct of hostilities.

Securing a military advantage cannot be pursued regardless of the human cost.

We are determined to pursue our confidential dialogue with all sides and enhance their compliance with international humanitarian law.





Second, protect and fund neutral, independent and impartial humanitarian action. The obstacles that block humanitarian access must be immediately overcome.





The ICRC, together with 4,000 Sudanese Red Crescent Society volunteers, have delivered vital equipment to preserve essential water, livelihood and health services benefiting over 2 million people. We facilitated over 66,000 phone calls between separated family members.

However, humanitarian action is increasingly politicized. Humanitarian personnel are risking their lives.

All sides must facilitate the safe, rapid, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian personnel and goods, into and within Sudan, through all available routes.

States must also address the critical funding gap and sustain their political attention.





Third, support and lean on the ICRC's neutral intermediary role.

Amidst hostilities, the ICRC can negotiate access and implement crucial humanitarian steps to build trust between all sides and to alleviate suffering.

The ICRC evacuated 300 children and 72 caretakers from an orphanage and facilitated the release of 565 detainees, including 91 minors.

When so many lives are at risk, we are impatient to do more:

To visit detainees and ensure they are adequately protected.

To expand the provision of our surgical and medical services.

To facilitate the humanitarian aspects of any political agreement.

In Jeddah, belligerents agreed that respect for international humanitarian law is the way out of this downward spiral of misery.

Millions of people are anxious to see it implemented.

Thank you.

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Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, April 15, 2024

IDF Press Release

April 15, 2024

15.04.24

IDF

Good evening,

I arrived this evening at the Nevatim Airbase along with the Chief of the General Staff. We met with the Commanding Officer of the base, the air crews, the squadrons, and the technical staff. They all participated in Operation 'Iron Shield'. The base is fully operational and continues to deploy aircraft for operational missions. The Chief of the General Staff expressed his great appreciation for the professional and precise operation of the pilots, which thwarted the Iranian attack. This attack was on its way to Israel and was almost thwarted without crossing into our territory.

The operational activity at Nevatim Airbase continues around the clock. Additionally, we saw the damage here at the base from the Iranian attack. There was only minor damage to the infrastructure, with a total of four hits. One hit near the runway, two hits in open areas, and one more hit near a building, causing minor damage; it was a building under construction. All this damage will be repaired in the coming days. This base is operating around the clock, it functioned during Operation 'Iron Shield' and today as well, from this base, aircraft took off to protect the skies of the State of Israel.

The IDF, with all its units, continues to be prepared and ready in defense of the country.

We are conducting a situational assessment and monitoring developments.

In the north, during operational activity near the border from the Lebanese side, at night, our defensive activities on the border fence resulted in four IDF soldiers being wounded due to an explosion, the source of which we are still investigating.

Immediately after the explosion, a rapid evacuation of the soldiers began with air and ground support. One of the soldiers was severely injured and was evacuated with the others to receive hospital treatment. I wish from here a quick and full recovery to the soldiers.

Overnight, Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck a number of Hezbollah targets in various areas in southern Lebanon.

In Gaza, IDF soldiers continue to operate in the center of the Strip. So far, during the operation in the area, we have killed dozens of terrorists and damaged infrastructure.

Last night, around midnight, we decided, following an operational situational assessment, to lift the restrictions on the home front. It's important for me to clarifyour foremost consideration is the security of the civilians. I know that the consequences on the economy, on children, on the home, and on work, are very significant. We lift restrictions as soon as we can, and yesterday, due to the security situation, we could only do so close to midnight. If we had been able to lift them earlier, we would have, and if necessaryto reinstate guidelineswe will do so. The Home Front Command is making tremendous efforts to coordinate optimally with local authorities to ease conditions where possible.

We are in a war on multiple fronts. The threats vary in their intensity and frequency, and accordingly, so do the guidelines. The guidelines may also change in the coming days. We will continue to update you on any changes immediately.

Also this evening, here at Nevatim, we don't forget the 133 hostages still held in Gaza under harsh conditions. Even here at the base, the only thing on the pilots' and the technical teams' minds as they take to the air is how to bring the hostages home as quickly as possible. We will continue to do everything we can to bring them back home.



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Hezbollah launches missile attacks on 4 Zionist military bases

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 15, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanese Hezbollah fighters has targeted the "Al-Radar" base and three other military bases of the occupying regime, as well as the north of the occupied Palestinian territories.

According to IRNA, in an operation, Hezbollah fighters fired four rockets at the Zionist radar base in the occupied territories of Sheba'a.

According to Al-Manar TV, Hezbollah released on Monday night a video showing one of its operations targeting the Zionist regime's spying equipment at the military radar center in the occupied Shebaa Farms.

The resistance fighters also targeted the gathering place of the occupying forces around the Hanita base with rockets and artillery fire, which was accurately hit by the resistance fighters' attack.

In another operation, Lebanon's Hezbollah targeted the Raisat Alam military base in the occupied heights of Kafr Shuba with a missile attack.

The Islamic resistance of Lebanon also attacked the base of the Zionist military known as Yeftah.

2050**4399

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Gaza talks to resume soon: US administration official

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Mon / 15 April 2024 / 13:34

Captives exchange discussions between Israel and the Palestinian resistance, Hamas are set to begin as soon as this week, despite a small delay caused by Iran's retaliatory strike, a senior US administration official said on Sunday.

Tehran -ISNA- The US official told reporters that the US looks forward to "picking that back up as early as this week."

"Obviously, the situation delayed that a little bit, but we look forward to picking that back up as early as this coming week," he stated.

White House spokesperson John Kirby revealed that the United States does not want to see more escalations in the Middle East, following the events of Iran's retaliatory operation against Israel on Sunday.

"We're not looking for a wider war with Iran," he told NBC's Meet the Press.

The White House official also added that the US was "staying vigilant" to Iranian threats against US soldiers, saying "We made it very clear to all parties, including Iran, what we would do ... and also how seriously we would take any potential threats to our personnel."

This comes after the IRGC warned the US government that supporting or taking part in harming Iran's interests would result in a decisive and regrettable response by the Iranian Armed Forces.

The IRGC launched a massive operation late Saturday, targeting the occupation entity with dozens of missiles and drones in response to the attack on Iran's consulate in Damascus last week, which resulted in the martyrdom of seven senior IRGC advisors, including Brigadier General martyr Mohammad Reza Zahedi, the leader of the IRGC's Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon.

End Item

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Landsbergis meets with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands: "Europe's future is decided in Ukraine today"

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2024.04.15

On April 15, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis, met with the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hanke Bruins Slot. The Foreign Ministers discussed defence and security, the strengthening of NATO's eastern flank, support for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, topical issues of the EU, and bilateral relations.

"We discussed the situation in the Middle East, condemning Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel. Further escalation and its spread in the Middle East would have very disastrous consequences for the region and also for Ukraine, which has fought against Russia's aggression. However, it is evident that Iran, like Russia, feels encouraged by Western hesitation. We must immediately step up sanctions against Iran for its efforts to destabilise the region. Furthermore, we must increase support for Ukraine in the light of Russia's aggression," Landsbergis said.

During the meeting, Landsbergis thanked his Dutch counterpart for the significant contribution to the security of NATO's eastern flank.

"We work closely together on defence. The Netherlands was one of the first countries to participate in the air policing mission in Lithuania in 2005. The country is also starting to implement a rotational air defence model this year. The Baltic region is the Alliance's front line of defence. Therefore, special attention must be paid to it, and Dutch troops in Lithuania contribute significantly to this," Landsbergis said.

According to the Foreign Ministers, Europe's future is decided in Ukraine today, and what it will be like depends heavily on our timely support.

"Ammunition, air defence, long-range artillery, droneswe support all means and initiatives to help Ukraine acquire the necessary weapons as soon as possible. At the same time, we must substantially increase the production scale of our defence industry," Lithuania's Foreign Minister said.

Landsbergis noted that in helping Ukraine, we needed to maintain and further increase pressure on Russia. The 14th sanctions package is under preparation, in which we emphasise the importance of introducing sectoral sanctions, including a ban on imports of liquefied gas from Russia and a refusal to cooperate with the Russian nuclear industry. It is crucial that EU countries work together and consistently to prevent the circumvention of sanctions.

At the meeting, Landsbergis stressed that EU accession talks with Ukraine should start as early as June this year, and we must take another step in bringing Ukraine closer to NATO at the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., in July.

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Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on April 8-15, 2024

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2024-04-15

International cooperation

On April 8-15 the NATO Air Policing Mission fighter aircraft were scrambled twice to intercept aircraft of the Russian Federation violating flight rules in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.

On April 8 fighter jets of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Detachment were scrambled to intercept one IL-20 flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad in accordance with a pre-filed flight plan, with its onboard transponder switched off, maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On April 10 NATO fighter aircraft intercepted one IL-18 and one IL-76 flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad. The IL-18 had no pre-filed flight plan, its onboard transponder was switched on, the crew maintained radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. The IL-76 had no pre-filed flight plan, its onboard transponder was switched on, the crew kept radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.



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Statement on Tensions in the Middle East Region

Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs

MANILA 15 April 2024 -- The Philippines expresses its serious concern over the increasing tensions between Israel and Iran.

We urge all parties to refrain from escalating the situation and to work towards a peaceful resolution of their conflict.

The Philippines has long advocated for all states to adhere to the principles of international law and to the peaceful settlement of disputes. END



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Iran criticizes UK's 'astonishing' support for Israeli crimes in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 5:36 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has criticized Britain's extensive support for Israel even as the regime continues to kill innocent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

"What good is it for the British government to provide this amount of irresponsible support [to Israel]?" Amir-Abdollahian asked British Foreign Secretary David Cameron during a phone conversation on Monday.

It is strange that Britain is concerned about Iran's response to Israel's brutal attack on the Islamic Republic's diplomatic premises in Damascus, but shows no concern about the thousands of tons of bombs dropped on Palestinian homes by the Tel Aviv regime over the past six months.

He emphasized that Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel, dubbed Operation True Promise, were carried out in line with the principle of legitimate self-defense as stipulated in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran does not welcome the escalation of tension in the region but if the Israeli regime is after adventurism, our next response will be immediate, stronger and more extensive," the top Iranian diplomat emphasized.

Amir-Abdollahian said the operation against Israel aimed to punish the regime for its deadly attacks against the consular section of Iran's embassy in Damascus on April 1, which killed Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, his deputy, General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, and five of their accompanying officers.

In response, on Saturday night, the IRGC targeted the Israeli-occupied territories with a barrage of drones and missiles. The retaliatory strikes inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied territories.

The extent of the damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied territories is yet to be specified.

However, informed sources told Press TV that all the hypersonic missiles used in Iran's punitive strikes against Israel hit their targets after evading the regime's air defense systems.

The British foreign minister, for his part, expressed concern over the escalation of tensions in the region after Iran's retaliatory response to Israel.

Cameron said Iran's military operation against Israel was very worrying and will heighten tension in the region.

However, he added, Britain will at the same time ask Israel not to take any action in response because it will deteriorate the situation.

Israel's war crimes, genocide, hybrid war in Gaza root causes of crisis in region

In a phone call with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian said Israel's war crimes, genocide and hybrid war in the Gaza Strip are the root causes of crisis in the region.

He once again reiterated that Iran has never sought to escalate tensions in the region but the Israeli regime had apparently misinterpreted Tehran's restraint.

The Austrian foreign minister, for his part, said the continuation of conflicts would harm all the countries in the region.

Schallenberg emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and added that more diplomatic consultations and talks are necessary to solve the crisis in the Strip.

Austria, along with the European Union, has condemned Israel's attacks on Iran's diplomatic facilities in Damascus, he noted.

Israel's genocidal war on Gaza began on October 7 in the aftermath of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas's Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. It has so far killed at least 33,797 people, mostly children and women, and wounded 76,465 others with thousands more presumed dead under the rubble.

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April 14: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 2:12 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 33,800 Palestinians so far, including more than 16,000 children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Sunday, April 14, are as follows:

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on April 14:

(Gaza Strip and West Bank)

Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles stationed on the battlefront north of Nusseirat with a barrage of heavy mortar shells.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces north of the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, using machine guns, resulting in multiple casualties.

Targeted the settlement of "Beit Hefer" from different ends with appropriate weapons.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on April 14:

(Gaza Strip)

Bombed the command and control headquarters of the Israeli military in the Sheikh Ali Abu Madyan area in the vicinity of Palestine University, north of Nusseirat, with a barrage of heavy-caliber mortar shells.

Al-Asifah Forces' operations on April 14:

(West Bank)

Targeted Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint near the village of Sinjil, north of the occupied city of Ramallah, resulting in an injury to an Israeli border guard.

Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on April 14:

(Gaza Strip)

Targeted Israeli kibbutz "Kfar Azza" in southern occupied territories with a barrage of short-range rockets

Hezbollah's operations on April 14:

(Hezbollah)

At around 00:35 local time, the air and missile defense headquarters in the Keila barracks in Syria's Golan were targeted with dozens of Katyusha rockets.

At around 04:30 local time, Nafeh, Werden, and Kila military sites in Syria's Golan were targeted with dozens of Katyusha rockets.

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El-Fasher clashes raise concerns of expanding conflict in Sudan's Darfur

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 10:21 AM

Fierce clashes have erupted in and around Darfur's El-Fasher which had been relatively calm since the war erupted in Sudan last year between the army and a rival paramilitary force, raising fears of a further expansion of the conflict.

"Clashes have taken hold of the countryside west of the city," AFP quoted a local human rights defender as saying on Sunday.

"Airstrikes have pounded (the area) and everyone is terrified," she told the agency by phone, on condition of anonymity.

The local resistance committee, one of many pro-democracy groups organizing aid across the country, said on Saturday a militia allied with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had set ablaze six villages west of El-Fasher.

According to another activist committee, at least 10 civilians were killed in the attacks.

The RSF has been fighting the army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, for control of the North African country since April 15 last year in a war that has killed thousands of people and displaced eight million amid warnings of famine.

Amid the violence in the countryside, residents in North Darfur have reported an influx of displaced people moving towards the city. But local activist Adam, who asked to be identified only by his first name, told AFP "we could hear the sound of clashes" in the city itself on Saturday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "deeply concerned" by reports indicating "an attack on El-Fasher may be imminent", his spokesperson said on Saturday.

In a statement, he said "such an attack would be devastating for civilians in the city," which has functioned as "a humanitarian hub for the UN that ensures lifesaving assistance" across Darfur.

North Darfur's El-Fasher is the last state capital not under RSF control in the vast Darfur region.

The recent clashes shattered a fragile truce deal that was brokered by local armed groups in El-Fasher last year.

Unrest has soared there since the two most powerful armed groups, led by Darfur governor Mini Minawi and Sudan's finance minister Gibril Ibrahim, vowed to fight alongside the army.

In a statement on Thursday, they said the RSF, led by Burhan's former deputy Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, had "taken advantage of the forces' position of neutrality and defense".

"There can no longer be neutrality," they declared, vowing to "fight along with our allies, the patriots and the armed forces against the RSF militias and their hired helpers."

Both warring sides in Sudan have been accused of war crimes, including targeting civilians, indiscriminate shelling of residential areas and torture.

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Regarding protesters on bridges and highways, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) called for those impacted to take matters into your own hands to remove mobs blocking traffic in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Nathan Howard/TNS On Monday, pedestrians and bicyclists stood outside the pedestrian gate on the south side of the Golden Gate Bridge while it was closed due to protests. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

WASHINGTON  A U.S. senator made calls for everyday citizens to respond to protests like the ones that blocked Bay Area bridge traffic on Monday with physical violence.

Demonstrators blocked both the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge in the Bay Area on Monday, as well as major roads and bridges in Chicago, Seattle and New York. Some used a human-chain tactic called the sleeping dragon, in which people lock their arms to carriage bolts inside PVC pipe, making it difficult for police to extricate them.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called for people to take matters into your own hands to remove mobs blocking traffic in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday. Cotton previously called for violence against protesters in 2020, writing in a New York Times op-ed that the federal government should send in the troops against those protesting after the killing of George Floyd. Turmoil over Cottons argument eventually led the Times opinion editor to resign.

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Cottons latest comments take his argument even further by encouraging civilians to commit violence.

You have to get to these criminals early, Cotton told Fox News. If something like this happened in Arkansas on a bridge there, lets just say I think there would be a lot of very wet criminals that had been tossed overboard  not by law enforcement, but by the people whose road theyre blocking.

I would encourage most people anywhere that get stuck behind criminals like this  who are trying to block traffic  to take matters into their own hands, he said.

Some protesters stopped southbound traffic for hours on the Golden Gate Bridge by locking themselves to parked cars, and others used the sleeping dragon on the northbound Interstate 880 near the Embarcadero exit in Oakland. A total of 38 protesters were arrested Monday in the Bay Area actions, according to the California Highway Patrol.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, whose office will share responsibility for prosecuting the cases of people arrested during the protests with the Alameda County district attorney, denounced Cottons remarks at a press conference Tuesday.

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We do not want to have a system of vigilante justice. We dont want to have anyone get hurt, not a demonstrator, nor someone who has been trapped, Jenkins said. And we dont want to put people in a position where they feel that is their only recourse. As law enforcement, we dont want to be derelict in our duties in a way that puts people in that position.

One Republican state lawmaker introduced a bill in February to double the fines facing protesters who block highway traffic, but it hasnt seen much action since.

Assembly Member Kate Sanchez, R-Rancho Santa Margarita (Orange County), introduced the legislation after protesters briefly stopped traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge in January.

In response to Mondays protests, Sanchez wrote on X, These protestors arent just blocking traffic, theyre endangering the public and should be charged as such.

Demonstrators also blocked traffic on the Bay Bridge for hours during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November and shut down the Port of Oakland in January.

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Marcos says Duterte struck 'secret' deal with Beijing on South China Sea

The Philippine president says the insistence of the Chinese government convinces him his predecessor made an agreement.

By Camille Elemia for BenarNews 2024.04.15 -- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday he was convinced that his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, had entered into a questionable "secret agreement" with Beijing on the South China Sea, while maintaining there was no record of its existence.

Duterte's former spokesman, Harry Roque, has said that the previous Philippine administration struck a deal with China to keep the "status quo" in the disputed waterway. It allegedly included a pledge by Manila not to repair the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era ship that was run aground to serve as the Philippines' military outpost at Second Thomas Shoal.

"I think by now you can see that in fact there was a secret agreement and what verifies that and what at least convinces me was the insistence of the Chinese government," Marcos said in a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on Monday.

"I don't think Beijing will make it up out of nowhere when there is no such thing. I think in my mind, that is sufficient to prove to me that there was such an agreement."

Last week, Marcos said he had seen no documentation or record of the so-called gentlemen's agreement, adding he was "horrified" by the possibility that Philippines' sovereignty might have been compromised.

"Why is there not one single document that contains that agreement?" he said on Monday. "Why, when we took the transition period between the previous administration and this administration, did no one mention a secret agreement?"

In an interview on the sidelines of a historic trilateral summit with U.S. and Japanese leaders last week, Marcos told reporters that officials must be held accountable for the agreements they make.

"You have any agreement with another sovereign state should really be known by the people so that way you're accountable. If it's a bad decision, you're accountable," he said in Washington, according to transcripts released by the president's office.

Marcos said he had reached out to different Duterte administration officials to seek clarification on the issue, but had received conflicting answers.

Duterte last week criticized Marcos for taking a pro-America stance, calling his successor a "cry baby" after the latter had questioned his alleged deal with Beijing.

Days before Marcos appeared for the first time as president in front of members of FOCAP, former President Duterte denied that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had ever made such a verbal agreement on the contested waterway.

Duterte said no one - not even the Philippine President - "can concede anything of our territories" to a foreign power.

"Let me be very clear on this: We have not conceded anything to China. There might have been [an] exchange of control over the China Sea to those who are really territorial in nature, not involving the encroachment of China in our exclusive economic zone. That's different," he said in an interview with SMNI, a broadcast network owned by a friend.

Duterte said he remembered speaking with Xi, and that they had agreed to maintain the status quo over the disputed sea to avoid an escalation of tensions.

"That's what I remember. If it were a gentleman's agreement, it would always have been an agreement to keep the peace in the South China Sea," Duterte told SMNI and reporters in his hometown of Davao.

Marcos' latest criticism of the ex-president highlights a growing feud between the country's top two political families, which allied in the last election. Duterte's daughter, Sara, is the vice-president under Marcos.

Marcos told journalists on Monday that his relationship with Sara was "complicated."

No additional bases for US

Meanwhile, Marcos said that the Philippines would not grant the U.S. military access to any more bases in the Southeast Asian archipelago, despite heightened tensions in the region.

In 2023, Marcos granted the U.S. access to an additional five bases, many of which are located near Taiwan and the South China Sea, bringing the total number available for American forces to nine.

"The Philippines has no plans to open or to establish more EDCA bases," Marcos said, referring to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement signed between Washington and Manila in 2014 allowing the rotation.

Asked if he was concerned about a possible change of leadership in the White House after this year's U.S. election, Marcos said changes in foreign policy were "inevitable" but he believed Manila's agreements with Washington to be on "good ground."

"If [Joe] Biden is reelected, we have a fairly solid ground to base on our position because we have already spoken. But I believe what we have agreed with the U.S. is beyond all that. They almost rise to duty agreements," Marcos said.

Aside from the U.S., Marcos is stepping up ties with Japan, which is also a maritime nation facing similar challenges with China in the East China Sea.

Marcos said Manila and Tokyo would soon sign the Reciprocal Access Agreement, which would grant rotational access to both country's military forces for training and joint exercises.

"It's just a question of getting the language down and defining precisely how it's going to work, the logistical system and how it's going to work," he said.

Marcos said it would be different from the Visiting Forces Agreement with the U.S., but did not disclose further details.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Vietnam mulls own territorial line in Tonkin Gulf

The move follows Beijing's announcement of a new baseline in waters shared with Vietnam.

By RFA Staff 2024.04.15 -- Hanoi authorities are considering a baseline marking Vietnam's territory in the Gulf of Tonkin, Radio Free Asia has learned.

In March, Beijing announced a new baseline demarcating China's territorial sea - deemed by experts as "excessive" - in the northern part of the gulf. Chinese officials said the baseline was made "in accordance" with domestic and international laws.

Two Vietnamese government sources familiar with the matter told RFA that "relevant offices" in Hanoi are working on a new baseline for the Gulf of Tonkin, called Vinh Bac Bo in Vietnamese. They did not provide further details.

Before China's announcement on March 1, 2024, neither country registered any baselines - used to measure the extent of the territorial sea and other maritime zones - in the gulf called Beibu in Chinese.

However, Hanoi and Beijing in 2000 signed a Delimitation Agreement to demarcate their shares of the gulf from the mainland of Vietnam and China in the North to the mouth of the gulf in the South.

China's newly announced baseline is not thought to immediately affect Vietnam's sovereignty in already clearly delineated waters but Hanoi is "definitely concerned by China's unilateral action," said Carlyle Thayer, emeritus professor at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

"It could result in Chinese pressure to amend the 2000 Delimitation Agreement on Tonkin to expand China's maritime zone," the security expert said.

Vietnam's reaction

Vietnamese foreign ministry on March 14 released a statement calling on Beijing to "respect and abide by the agreement on the delimitation of the territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves of the two countries in the Gulf of Tonkin signed in 2000, as well as the 1982 UNCLOS (U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea)."

Beijing responded saying it was China's "legitimate and lawful right" to determine the territorial sea baseline in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Experts say the new Chinese baseline on average encroaches 20 to 30 nautical miles (37 to 55.5 kilometers) upon international waters. It seriously impedes freedom of navigation through the Qiongzhou Strait, also known as the Hainan Strait.

"While the actual maritime delimitation line between the two countries is unchanged by this unilateral action, China's new declared baselines bump out its internal waters well beyond what UNCLOS permits and do not bode well for future negotiations," said Isaac Kardon, senior fellow at the Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Vietnam and China are negotiating a new agreement on fishery cooperation in the Gulf of Tonkin after the previous one expired in 2019 and "China's redesignation of the adjacent maritime areas will certainly complicate such an effort," according to Kardon.

Vietnamese legal experts have called on Hanoi to define maritime zones for easier management of resources including fisheries.

"I am confident that the Vietnamese government will announce a new baseline for the Gulf of Tonkin and they will do it soon," said Hoang Viet, a maritime legal analyst.

The United States which promotes freedom of navigation across the world has yet to say anything about the Chinese baseline.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Srebrenica To Rename Its Streets...Without Any Mention Of The Genocide

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service April 15, 2024

SARAJEVO -- Ethnic Serb members of the municipal council in Srebrenica have voted to rename many of the city's streets to commemorate Serb war victims while ignoring the 1995 massacre of 8,000 Bosniak men and boys.

Despite international appeals to rethink the plan and a boycott by Bosniak members of the council, the proposal to rename 25 streets in Srebrenica and the neighboring village of Skelani was approved on April 15 in a move that critics have said is a further attempt to wipe the historical record of Europe's worst atrocity since World War II.

Under the plan, a square and a part of a street has been renamed "Republika Srpska," after Bosnia-Herzegovina's ethnic Serb entity. Another street will be named after a controversial World War I Serb commander.

The July 1995 massacre, which was carried out by Bosnian Serb forces, has been ruled an act of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). So far, more than 50 individuals have been sentenced to some 700 years in prison for their roles in the Srebrenica genocide.

Radovan Karadzic, the first president (1992-1995) of Republika Srpska, one of the two entities that make up Bosnia, was sentenced to life in prison by the ICTY for the Srebrenica genocide and crimes against humanity. Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serbs' military commander, was also sentenced to life by the same court for the part he played in the genocide.

The controversial proposal was approved despite appeals by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which instead called for an "inclusive and transparent solution" for street names in the city.

Last month, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomed the Streets for Peace Project, an initiative by young people in the city to rename the streets using neutral, inclusive names such as Street of the Future, Street of Tolerance, and Children of Srebrenica.

The move also comes as the UN General Assembly is scheduled on April 17 to debate a draft UN resolution that declares July 11 "The International Day of Reflection and Remembrance of the 1995 Srebrenica Genocide" ahead of an expected vote on May 2.

Partially modelled on a similar resolution for the Rwandan genocide, where up to 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed, the document is being developed by a group of countries including Rwanda, Germany, France, and the United States.

The resolution has been opposed by Milorad Dodik, the Russia-friendly leader of Republika Srpska, who threatened that, if it was adopted, "Republika Srpska will withdraw from the decision-making process in Bosnia."

Dodik, who has been sanctioned by the United States and the United Kingdom over his efforts to undermine the Dayton peace accords that ended the Balkan country's war in 1995, has reiterated his denial of the Srebrenica genocide.

Under the new plan, Srebrenica City Park will be renamed the Park of Major Kosta Todorovic after a World War I Chetnik commander.

Chetniks were originally Serbian paramilitary groups fighting against the Ottoman Empire during the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913 and World War I.

During World War II, Chetnik forces committed war crimes in Bosnia, including mass killings and forced expulsions. Their leader, Draza Mihailovic, was sentenced to death by Yugoslav authorities in 1946, but Serbian authorities rehabilitated him 70 years later, in 2015.

Some Serb military and paramilitary formations called themselves Chetniks during the wars in Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo in the 1990s.

Also as a result of the April 15 decision, a part of Marshal Tito Street was renamed Republika Srpska Street.

Josip Broz Tito was the leader of the partisan movement and the president of communist Yugoslavia from World War II until his death in 1980. His name adorned hundreds of streets and squares in the former Yugoslavia.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bsnia-srebrenica- streets-renamed-genocide/32906304.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Wider Europe Briefing: Kosovo Could Finally Get In The Council Of Europe

By Rikard Jozwiak April 15, 2024

Brief #1: Is Pristina On The Cusp Of Council Of Europe Membership?

What You Need To Know: Kosovo is taking one step closer to joining the Council of Europe, a body promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in its member states. On April 16, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will consider and vote on a report recommending the country's membership.

If a two-thirds majority of the assembly's delegates from 46 member countries vote in favor, that could set the stage for a final decision at a meeting of Council of Europe foreign ministers on May 16.

Membership in the council, which has been a goal for Pristina ever since its declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008, would mean, among other things, that Kosovars could have their cases tried at the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Not to mention that Kosovo would join the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), allowing it to take part in the much-celebrated, much-derided annual Eurovision Song Contest.

Belgrade has never recognized Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence and has worked actively to prevent the country from joining any international organizations.

Deep Background: It is likely that the two-thirds majority will be reached. A report on the issue was approved on March 27 by PACE's Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, which stated that "Kosovo's aspirations to join the Council of Europe should be met with a positive response." The plenary tends to follow committee decisions.

Currently, 12 out of the 46 Council of Europe member states do not consider Kosovo to be an independent state -- just short of a blocking minority. That includes Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina; the five nonrecognizers in the EU, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain; as well as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Moldova. Ukraine also doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence, largely because of the fear that Russia would use this as a pretext to push for wider international recognition of the Ukrainian territories it currently occupies.

Country representatives might not, however, vote according to their capitals' stated political views on Kosovo. For example, the Ukrainian representatives will have "a free vote," and it could be that other countries will follow suit.

PACE deputies from Hungary's ruling Fidesz party are likely to vote against the motion, despite Hungary's recognition of Kosovo's statehood, a reflection of Budapest's growing ties with Serbia. There will also probably be quite a few representatives opting to abstain, which would play well in Pristina's favor. It is significant that the author of the report, Dora Bakoyannis, is a former Greek foreign minister and sister of the current Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. It is not inconceivable that, despite Athens' formal stance of nonrecognition, the Greek delegation will back Pristina's membership.

Drilling Down

There are a number of reasons why there is a reasonable chance of Kosovo getting in now. Firstly, Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe shortly after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. With Moscow out, Serbia has lost one of its biggest allies in the fight. Then there is the fact that Kosovo has already successfully joined some Council of Europe-related bodies, such as the Venice Commission, an advisory board, and the Council of Europe Development Bank.

Linked to that, the dialogue aimed at normalizing relations between Belgrade and Pristina, which is facilitated by the European Union, has been taking place since 2011 with varying degrees of diplomatic engagement. This dialogue is at an all-time low right now after a number of incidents in the last year, including Pristina's decision to enforce the use of Kosovar car license plates, local elections without the participation of ethnic Serbs, and the Belgrade-linked attack at the Banjska monastery that resulted in the death of a Kosovar police officer.

Before all that took place, there appeared to be a major breakthrough, with both Serbia and Kosovo verbally consenting to the Ohrid Agreement, which aims to normalize diplomatic relations between the two. One of the key points of that agreement is that "Serbia will not object to Kosovo's membership in any international organization." There are two other important provisions: that Kosovo will "commit to ensure an appropriate level of self-management for the ethnic Serbian community in Kosovo" and will "ensure the security of the properties of the Serbian Orthodox Church within its borders."

There are, however, two caveats related to Ohrid. Firstly, it wasn't actually signed by either party, even though Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti did express his willingness to do so. So, its legality is questionable at best. Secondly, and more importantly, there is no agreed sequence on what the first next step should be.

Essentially, Kosovo has jumped first. This happened in March when its government decided to hand over ownership of 24 hectares of land to the Serbian Orthodox Church monastery in Decani, western Kosovo. Kosovo's constitutional court had ruled in favor of the monastery being given the land in 2016, but successive Kosovo governments refused to heed the court's ruling. It was this U-turn that prompted Bakoyannis to recommend Council of Europe membership.

There are other issues that Kosovo needs to address: the establishment of an association of Serbian-majority municipalities; and the issue of land expropriation in those municipalities. According to Bakoyannis's report, both of these issues should be a "postaccession commitment" for Pristina. The question is if the wider international community agrees.

While the PACE vote next week is advisory and not binding, the real politicking will start in the run-up to the foreign ministers' meeting next month. As in the parliamentary assembly, a decision can be taken by a two-thirds majority, but that would be unprecedented. So far, ministers have always reached consensus on accepting new members.

Serbia has already hinted that it will do its utmost to prevent Kosovo's membership, and, ultimately, Belgrade could win that fight. One scenario could be that no final decision is taken at all in May. The so-called Quint, consisting of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States, wants to see a proper draft law presented by Kosovo on the association of Serbian-majority municipalities before the countries can agree on the item even being on the agenda at the ministerial meeting.

Those five countries see this as the last chance to pressure Kurti to agree on this contentious issue. With EU membership still only a pipe dream, Council of Europe membership is the last Western carrot on offer for Pristina. But even Council of Europe membership could be a step too far for Kosovo -- and not only for political reasons.

While the establishment of the municipalities' association was agreed by Belgrade and Pristina back in 2013, Kosovo's Constitutional Court has questioned its legality. The judicial decision pertains to the scope of authority and ethnic structure within the organization, with indications that employment may be exclusively reserved for ethnic Serbs -- a practice Kosovo's court deems to be in violation of the constitution.

So, while Kosovo might get boosted by a vote in the parliamentary assembly this week, a final decision by the 46 foreign ministers could be postponed by at least a year, if not more. Unless, that is, there is more progress in the weeks to come.

Brief #2: Are EU Sanctions On Russia Falling Apart?

What You Need To Know: It is fair to say that the European Union's sanctions regime against Russia has had a bit of a wobble in recent weeks, particularly with regard to the list of entities and people that the bloc has imposed asset freezes and visa bans on since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

As the European Union considers expanding the sanctions list, which currently includes 2,177 individuals and entities, three people were removed from the list in March during its routine biannual review, which requires the unanimous agreement of all 27 EU member states.

While that is a relatively small number, the delisted individuals were notable -- Arkady Volozh, the co-founder of the Russian Internet giant Yandex; businessman Sergei Mndoiants; and Jozef Hambalek, a Slovak national and head of the Russian nationalist Night Wolves motorcycle club in Europe.

Hambalek was the first EU national to be blacklisted in 2022. (Some of the other blacklisted individuals had EU passports in addition to their Russian citizenship.) When the entire list is up for renewal again in September, it's likely that more names will be removed, largely due to three recent rulings in the EU's Luxembourg-based General Court, a constituent part of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Deep Background: On March 20, the General Court ruled that Nikita Mazepin, a former Formula One driver and son of the Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, should be removed from the list. The EU has maintained that Mazepin senior is a member of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle and has supported actions undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Last fall, an EU court backed Brussels' reasoning on this in a landmark verdict.

When it comes to Mazepin junior, however, the General Court noted that the EU had failed to prove any link between father and son -- beyond the obvious family ties, that is -- and had insufficient evidence to apply restrictive measures on him.

And then, on April 10, the Luxembourg court delivered another legal blow for Brussels when it ruled that Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman, both major shareholders in one of Russia's biggest financial institutions, Alfa Bank, should also be delisted.

The judges noted that there may very well be "a degree of proximity" between Aven and Fridman on one side and Putin or his entourage on the other, but that the EU had failed to demonstrate that the pair either supported actions and policies undermining Ukraine's independence or provided material or financial support to destabilize the country.

Drilling Down

It's important to remember that Mazepin junior, Aven, and Fridman do still remain under EU sanctions. How come? First of all, the EU can appeal the verdict within a period of two months and 10 days. Second, Brussels is also using something of a legal quirk in the sanctions regime to keep them blacklisted.

The EU has argued that the three men's judgments only cover the period from their initial listings in February 2022 to March 2023. Since then, the EU has renewed the sanctions list, with the three men's names included, both in September 2023 and, most recently, last month. According to EU officials, these renewals are more than just a technicality; in fact, they produce new lists every six months as some names are added and some are removed.

In this way, the EU is forcing the still-sanctioned individuals to file a new case at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to challenge the most recent sanctions update. Legal proceedings are time-consuming, and when the time for renewal comes around every March and September, the wheels of justice are still turning, enabling the EU to stay ahead.

This was how the EU managed to keep former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on a sanctions list until 2022, even though he won his first case in an EU court back in 2019 and then, over the next two years, won another two legal battles.

The extra time that Brussels is buying itself could allow it to present additional evidence for the court to consider. This is what happened to Violetta Prigozhina, the mother of the now-deceased Russian oligarch and mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. In March 2023, she became the first person challenging the EU's Russia sanctions to win at the ECJ. But according to sources familiar with the file who don't have the authority to speak on the record, the EU then managed to present additional details. Prigozhina has remained sanctioned ever since.

To date, 115 cases have been filed at the EU court requesting the delisting of people or companies. Many are filed by rich, sanctioned Russian businessmen who are able to spend vast sums on European lawyers to fight their cases. So far, the EU has won 33 cases and only lost eight -- a pretty decent scorecard for Brussels. The recent trio of losses could set a precedent, though, and mean more legal blows for the EU in the months ahead.

Ultimately, it remains a political decision whether those three Russians and others remain listed come September. For pretty much every renewal so far, Hungary has attempted to leverage its veto by asking for some names to be dropped. Previously, the EU managed to secure another six-month rollover by offering to remove people that the EU's own legal service marked as "weak" due to insufficient evidence.

For example, last fall, two lesser-known Russian businessmen, Aleksandr Shulgin and Farkhad Akhmedov, were removed from the list. But considering that Budapest had previously asked for Aven, Fridman, and Mazepin junior to be removed, they are likely to make a similar request soon enough, especially since they are now backed by the EU's own court on the matter.

Looking Ahead

EU leaders are gathering in Brussels for another summit on April 17-18. The meeting will mainly focus on economic issues and relations with Turkey, but attendees will also talk about Ukraine and how the EU can boost its defense industry in order to send more arms to Kyiv.

A few days before the EU leaders meet, on April 16-17, the National Conservatism Conference (often referred to as "NatCon") will take place in the EU capital. The annual event, bringing together right-wing politicians and think tankers, will be headlined by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the pro-Brexit British politician Nigel Farage. Expect a lot of Brussels-bashing and talk of how Euroskeptic parties must win the upcoming European Parliament elections.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-briefing-jozwiak-kosovo- council-europe-russia-sanctions-ukraine/32905823.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Reckless Houthi actions continue to undermine efforts to bring peace to the Yemeni people: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

15 April 2024

Thank you, President, and let me start by thanking Special Envoy Grundberg and Director Wosornu for your briefings. And I am also grateful to Ms. Shaki for highlighting the connections between climate, peace and security in Yemen as well as the stark humanitarian situation. As you've said, and we've heard, Yemen faces stark environmental challenges on top of the ongoing conflict and addressing these issues now, and as part of any discussions for peace, will be critical to Yemen's future sustainability.

We also share Director Wosornu's, and Ms. Shaki's, concerns about the humanitarian situation in Yemen, and in particular, the access constraints preventing women aid workers from delivering vital assistance. We reiterate our call for all parties to facilitate unhindered access for humanitarian workers and welcome OCHA's proposals for adapted measures, as Ms Wosornu has just outlined.

The UK has provided over $1.2 billion since the crisis started. We gave $110 million in humanitarian funding last year and we expect to increase our contribution this year.

We also continue to support fully the ongoing efforts, of the Special Envoy, to progress a roadmap towards UN-led Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue. As we've said before, an inclusive political settlement is the only way to bring sustainable peace and long-term stability to Yemen and address the worsening humanitarian crisis.

President, we unequivocally condemn the Iranian strikes against Israel over the weekend, which have done nothing to advance prospects for peace in Gaza. The UK has long been clear about Iran's unacceptable role in destabilising the region, including their role in supporting the Houthis in Yemen. We understand the Houthis contributed to this latest attack. Their reckless actions continue to risk seriously undermining efforts to bring peace to the Yemeni people.

The Houthis continue to risk further escalation with their ongoing attacks against shipping in the Red Sea. This Council has been clear in its adoption of UNSCR 2722 on 10 January that we condemn Houthi attacks. They threaten innocent lives, endanger aid delivery to Yemen and the region.

We also reaffirm our condemnation of the attack on a home in Rada last month by the Houthis. This attack led to a tragic loss of life and injury and we express our deepest condolences to the families of those killed and injured.

Furthermore, the decision to issue counterfeit currency in Yemen threatens to destabilise the banking sector and deepen division in the country's already fragile economy.

Finally, President, we call on the Houthis to prioritise the interests of the Yemeni people, to engage with UN efforts to resolve economic fragmentation and to cease provocations in order to preserve space for an intra-Yemeni peace process. In short, we call on the Houthis to stop attacks and return to the peace talks.

Thank you, President.

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Statement by the High Commissioner on Sudan, Paris

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

15 April 2024

The war in Sudan has caused one of the largest humanitarian and displacement crises in the world. Yet, it remains tragically invisible.

Therefore,

M le Ministre,

Madam Minister,

Commissioner,

Thank you for convening this meeting.

One year ago, war broke out, devastating lives and infrastructure. Nearly nine million people have been uprooted by violence, by the utter disrespect for international humanitarian law, by the devastating pursuit of a military solution by the parties.

From where I stand, the UNHCR perspective, let me assure you of one thing  if there is no ceasefire; if there are no serious attempts at peace by the parties and their supporters; no significant funding for the response; no improvement on safe humanitarian access including across borders and frontlines, no matter how persistent and courageous the work of humanitarian agencies will continue to be, the huge number of those in need of aid will increase, and those displaced inside Sudan will be tomorrow's refugees.

They will join the almost two million people who have fled, and continue to flee, to neighbouring nations. These countries have opened their borders, but they are struggling with numbers, logistics, security threats, poor host communities; and at the same time have to face their own challenges; and they do so almost alone, with little international help.

The generosity of Sudan's neighbours must not be taken for granted. But international commitments, we have heard it many times, are falling short.

Please do not say that there are competing priorities. We know that. But it must not be an excuse.

This neglect, by the way, is short-sighted. It compounds the suffering of people already affected by the disregard of the parties for their own citizens - traumatized by bombs, rape, hunger and lack of services. And while funding will not stop all from moving onward  only peace will  it will certainly help. In the past year we have seen a 500 per cent increase in the number of Sudanese arriving in Europe. And this may be just the start.

Permit me to conclude with one personal remark.

Sudan is where I started my UN career 36 years ago. I lived there as a young man, amidst ordinary people, learning to appreciate their decency, hospitality and moderation.

This war is breaking also the very urban middle class that has held Sudan together for decades in spite of political turmoil and bad governance. I have experienced it very vividly during my visit in February.

Let me echo what Shaheen said very eloquently earlier: If this middle class and civil society are destroyed and displaced, what will be left of the country? Who will rebuild it?

Peace has to prevail before it is too late. Some of you have influence on one or the other party: use it not to protract the war, but to end it. Please, all of you, do everything in your power to make that happen.

Thank you.

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UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban remarks at the International Conference for Sudan and the Neighbouring Countries

UNICEF

As delivered

15 April 2024

PARIS, 15 April 2024 - "Excellencies,14 million Sudanese children in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

"4.6 million children displaced by conflict with 1.1 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, the largest child displacement crisis globally.

"Almost 4 million children suffering from acute malnutrition, with 730,000 facing life-threatening severe acute malnutrition.

"Nearly 19 million children out of school.

"A fivefold increase in grave violations of child rights with killing, maiming, child recruitment and sexual assault against children.

"We are losing a generation of Sudanese children.

"Tragically, nearly half of these children reside in hard-to-reach areas, where ongoing violence and delays or denial in approval restrict access. Bureaucratic hurdles and telecommunication disruptions further impede the humanitarian response.

"Sudan's social systems are teetering on the brink of collapse. Critical frontline workers have gone months without pay and vital infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, continues to be targeted.

"Despite these challenges, UNICEF has tirelessly worked with partners to provide critical humanitarian aid and build resilience for over 6 million children and families since the conflict began. I extend my gratitude to all of you for your support.

"These efforts need to continue unhindered.

"We urge all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize the protection of children's rights and immediately cease all grave violations. A ceasefire in Sudan is urgent, with steps toward lasting peace being paramount. In the interim, localized ceasefire initiatives and temporary pauses in the conflict must be pursued to facilitate humanitarian access, infrastructure repairs, and vaccination campaigns.

"Access must be provided by the parties to the conflict including cross-line and cross-border from Chad and South Sudan without restrictions or conditions.

"And bureaucratic impediments and restrictions on telecommunications need to be lifted.

"More resources are urgently needed to avert famine and prevent a collapse of essential systems in Sudan. UNICEF alone requires US$240 million in the next six months. And in neighboring Chad which has welcomed almost a million Sudanese refugees, UNICEF requires $47 million with only US$5.3 million on hand.

"Let us reaffirm our commitment to the children of Sudan and spare no effort in alleviating their suffering. Thank you."

#####

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Yemen's plight echoes broader Middle East crisis, says UN Envoy

15 April 2024 - As tensions worsen across the Middle East region, Yemen's plight has become increasingly intertwined with wider geopolitical dynamics, the UN Special Envoy for the country said on Monday.

Hans Grundberg underscored the urgent need for de-escalation, warning of the perilous consequences of overlooking Yemen's fragile stability amidst the broader regional crisis.

"We cannot risk Yemen's chance for peace, becoming collateral damage," he told ambassadors at the UN Security Council.

"If we leave Yemen's political process in the waiting room and continue down this path of escalation, the consequences could be catastrophic, not only for Yemen, but also for the wider region," he warned.

Worsening situation

Mr. Grundberg warned of the threat of further escalation as fighting continues in Gaza.

"The recent developments involving Iran and Israel underscore the urgency of this matter," he said, stressing the region must, "with the support of the international community, seek avenues for coexistence based on incremental trust-building, mutual security, and a departure from the zero-sum mentality of achieving victory at the expense of others."

At the same time, the situation within Yemen remains volatile with the Houthi rebels - also known as the Ansar Allah movement - continued targeting of commercial and military vessels, and the United States and the United Kingdom carrying out attacks in Hudaydah, Hajjaj, Sana'a and Ta'iz governorates.

Missed opportunities

Mr. Grundberg also lamented the missed opportunities for reconciliation that historically accompanied the holy month of Ramadan.

While past years had seen the parties agree to ceasefires and release detainees, this year witnessed a stark departure from such hopeful gestures, with detainees remaining in custody and further civilian casualties, including women and children.

"Instead of narrowing differences and building confidence, I am troubled by the apparent growing divergence between the parties," he said, noting their unilateral actions that risk further bifurcating the economic system.

Humanitarian crisis

Against the backdrop of protracted political and security crisis, the humanitarian situation across Yemen remains dire with the reemergence of cholera and escalating levels of severe malnutrition.

Also briefing the Security Council, Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), highlighted that the most vulnerable Yemenis, including women, girls, displaced persons and marginalized groups, continue to depend on humanitarian aid for survival.

Furthermore, as the lean season approaches, hunger and nutrition insecurity is expected to worsen, placing millions at risk. While community-led initiatives provide temporary relief, sustained support is essential to stave off the looming crisis, Ms. Wosornu said.

However, the relief efforts are hampered by a concerning deficit in funding for the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan.

Despite efforts to streamline operations and reduce financial demands, the plan remains only 10 per cent funded as the year progresses, she added, calling for urgent action to bridge the funding gap and ensure that lifesaving assistance reaches those most in need.

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Gaza: rights experts condemn AI role in destruction by Israeli military

15 April 2024 - As UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday reiterated his appeal for "maximum restraint" in the Middle East following Iran's drone and missile attack on Israel, independent human rights experts said that the alleged use of artificial intelligence on targets in Gaza by the Israeli military had taken an "unprecedented toll" on civilians, housing and services.

"Six months into the current military offensive, more housing and civilian infrastructure has now been destroyed in Gaza as a percentage, compared to any conflict in memory," said the experts, who included Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967.

In a statement, the experts estimated that 60 to 70 per cent of all homes in Gaza, and up to 84 per cent of homes in northern Gaza, had been either fully destroyed or partly damaged.

Gaza 'beachfront' properties

Such "systematic and widespread destruction" is a crime against humanity, insisted the experts - who are not UN staff and receive no salary for their work - before pointing to "numerous war crimes and acts of genocide", alleged by Ms. Albanese in her report to the Human Rights Council.

"With Israeli public officials joining calls for Palestinians to leave Gaza, to 'take back Gaza' to build settlements again, and ostensible enthusiasm expressed by prominent former US government officials for 'Gaza beachfront' properties, there is little doubt that Israel's intent goes far beyond the purposes of military defeat of Hamas", the experts maintained.

Damage to the Strip is estimated at $18.5 billion - 97 per cent of the total economy of Gaza and West Bank. More than 70 per cent of this estimate is to replace housing, while another 19 per cent is the cost of civilian infrastructure, including water and sanitation, power and roads.

"Homes are gone, and with that, the memories, hopes and aspirations of Palestinians and their ability to realise other rights, including their rights to land, food, water, sanitation, health, security and privacy (especially of women and girls), education, development, a healthy environment and self-determination," said the rights experts.

Return to the north

Inside Gaza at the weekend, thousands of people reportedly tried to head back to their homes in the north of the enclave.

Images from Gaza showed people of all ages thronging along the coastal road to the north, the majority on foot, others on donkey carts.

According to news reports, Israeli tanks blocked the road, forcing Palestinians to turn around.

Other reports indicated that Israeli bombardment continued on Monday across the enclave, with Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza also hit, leaving five dead and dozens wounded.

Latest data from Gaza's health authorities indicate that more than 33,200 people have been killed in the enclave since 7 October, the majority women and children. The Hamas-led attacks in Israel claimed more than 1,250 lives with over 250 taken hostage.

Bakery lifeline

In a related development, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Sunday that it had helped restart bread production Gaza City, after providing fuel and repairs to a bakery's bread-making machines.

Before constant Israeli bombardment began in response to Hamas-led terror attacks on 7 October in Israel, the Gaza Strip had around 140 industrial bakeries.

In a tweet on X, WFP said that it had delivered fuel to one bakery that had been closed for months, contributing to the desperate humanitarian situation in the north of the enclave, where Gazans have been "largely cut off" from aid.

"WFP will continue to provide wheat four and other resources so that bread can be available - but this quantity will only last four days," the UN agency said, in a renewed appeal for "safe, sustained and scaled-up access to prevent famine".

Rafah uncertainty

And amid continuing uncertainty about whether Israeli forces might attack Rafah, UN refugee agency (UNHCR) chief Filippo Grandi warned against creating a new displacement crisis from the enclave's southern-most city into neighbouring Egypt.

"Another refugee crisis from Gaza into Egypt - I can assure you having been the head of UNRWA myself - I speak from knowledge - would make the resolution of that Palestinian refugee question and as a consequence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict impossible," Mr. Grandi said, referring to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

"So we must fervently do everything for this not to happen. And this is why we have constantly said the priority is to have access inside Gaza, because that is the only way that we can prevent this from happening."

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Sudan catastrophe must not be allowed to continue: UN rights chief Turk

15 April 2024 - A full year of conflict in Sudan has already caused immense suffering and death but the situation could easily worsen with the news that the warring parties are arming civilians, UN rights chief Volker Turk said on Monday.

A year to the day since heavy fighting erupted between Sudan's rival militaries, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned of a further escalation, including an imminent attack on El-Fasher in North Darfur.

"The Sudanese people have been subjected to untold suffering during the conflict which has been marked by indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas, ethnically-motivated attacks, and a high incidence of conflict-related sexual violence. The recruitment and use of children by parties to the conflict are also deeply concerning," said Mr. Turk.

And as an international donor conference for the Sudan emergency began in Paris on Monday, the UN rights chief underscored the potential for further bloodshed, as three armed groups announced that they were joining the Sudanese Armed Forces in their fight against the Rapid Support Forces and "arming civilians".

UN chief's appeal

In a video message to the conference, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that "we cannot let this nightmare slide from view", given the sheer scale of the suffering.

"I appeal to the generosity of donors to step up their contributions" and support for the life-saving humanitarian work being done, with woeful shortfalls in current contributions.

The Humanitarian Response Plan of $2.7 billion is only around six per cent funded.

"We urge effective and coordinated international mediation efforts to stop the fighting", he said.

Since fighting erupted on 15 April 2023, more than eight million people have been displaced, including at least two million to neighbouring countries.

Acute hunger danger

"Nearly 18 million people face acute food insecurity, 14 million of them children, and over 70 per cent of hospitals are no longer functional amid a rise in infectious diseases - this catastrophic situation must not be allowed to continue," said High Commissioner Turk.

Echoing those concerns, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said that some 8.9 million children are suffering from acute food insecurity; this includes 4.9 million at emergency levels.

"Almost four million children under five are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year", including 730,000 from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition, UNICEF said in a statement on Sunday.

"Almost half of the children suffering from severe acute malnutrition are in areas that are hard to access" and where there is ongoing fighting, noted UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Ted Chaiban.

"This is all avoidable, and we can save lives if all parties to the conflict allow us to access communities in need and to fulfil our humanitarian mandate - without politicizing aid."

Civilian rule targeted

Top UN rights official Turk also expressed deep concern that arrest warrants had been issued against former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok and others on apparently unsubstantiated charges.

"The Sudanese authorities must immediately revoke the arrest warrants... and prioritize confidence-building measures towards a ceasefire as a first step, followed by a comprehensive resolution of the conflict and the restoration of a civilian government," Mr. Turk insisted.

UN humanitarians meanwhile have reiterated that chronic hunger and malnutrition continue to make children "much more vulnerable to disease and death".

Conflict has also disrupted vaccination coverage in Sudan and safe access to drinking water, UNICEF explained, meaning that ongoing disease outbreaks such as cholera, measles, malaria and dengue now threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of children.

"Spikes in mortality, especially among internally displaced children, are a forewarning of a possible huge loss of life, as the country enters the annual lean season," the UN agency said, as it underlined the need for predictable and sustained international aid access.

"Basic systems and social services in Sudan are on the brink of collapse, with frontline workers not being paid for a year, vital supplies depleted, and infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, still under attack."

Schools shuttered

And in a warning that the whole country could be engulfed in fighting that has left half of Sudan's population in need of humanitarian relief, the global fund for education in emergencies, Education Cannot Wait, underscored that four of the eight million people uprooted by the violence are children.

The conflict "continues to take innocent lives, with over 14,000 children, women and men reportedly killed already," said Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait.

Ms. Sherif echoed deep concerns that Sudan now has one of the worst education crises in the world, with more than 90 per cent of the country's 19 million school-age children unable to access formal education.

"Most schools are shuttered or are struggling to re-open across the country, leaving nearly 19 million school-aged children at risk of losing out on their education," she said.

To date, the global fund has provided nearly $40 million to support education for victims of the crisis in Sudan and beyond, in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

"Without urgent international action, this catastrophe could engulf the entire country and have even more devastating impacts on neighbouring countries, as refugees flee across borders into neighbouring States," Ms. Sherif said.

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Prosecutors are seeking non-jail sentences for two S.F. developers who pleaded guilty to bribing city officials. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Two wealthy developers who pleaded guilty to bribing city building employees hope to avoid jail time when they are sentenced Friday.

Developers Siavash Tahbazof and his nephew, Bahman Ghassemzadeh, cited extensive, early cooperation with prosecutors, with one defendant agreeing to wear a wire.

Prosecutors agree, and are seeking sentences of six months home confinement for Tahbazof and probation for Ghassemzadeh, both of whom pleaded guilty to charges of honest services wire fraud.

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Tahbazofs story should be the embodiment of the American dream, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ward wrote in the governments sentencing memo. Tahbazof fled Iran during the Iranian Revolution and ultimately settled in the Bay Area, married and raised two children.

The developer started a company, Sia Consulting Inc., built a thriving business and accrued a small fortune. Construction could be a complicated and time-consuming process, but Tahbazof found a shortcut, prosecutors wrote. He turned to bribery.

Tahbazof pleaded guilty to plying Rudy Pada, a San Francisco Department of Building Inspection plan checker, with drinks, meals and cash, in exchange for plan approvals starting in 2003. He continued paying Pada off until Padas retirement in 2017  and he and Ghassemzadeh also paid bribes to Cyril Yu, another plan checker who resigned in March 2021. Both Pada and Yu pleaded guilty to fraud charges. Tahbazof also admitted to giving interest-free loans to Pada and former DBI senior inspector Bernie Curran, who pleaded guilty to his own charges last year and was sentenced to a year in federal prison.

Attorneys for Tahbazof and Ghassemzadeh argued that their clients should avoid time behind bars. Tahbazofs attorneys extolled his work ethic and efforts to help his relatives move from Iran to the U.S., and said his bribery scheme occurred as he was transitioning from small-scale renovations to larger residential projects, including a 16-unit project in the Mission.

Defense attorneys argued that Tahbazofs bribes hastened inspections  but that his buildings were safe, and that the builder had every motivation to make sure his buildings were safe since he owned and managed most of the properties that he built. They also argued that Tahbazof has built hundreds of housing units in San Francisco, contributed to charities and helped countless friends and family members in need.

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Tahbazofs wife and other relatives wrote on his behalf, as did former U.S. Rep. John Burton, who recalled Tahbazofs construction of a 116-unit project on Alemany Boulevard, which included 58 units of below-market rent  a voluntary act that he said was unprecedented in the history of San Francisco.

Ghassemzadehs attorneys and supporters stressed his deep family ties, his remorse and his cooperation with authorities.

In a letter written before sentencing, Ghassemzadeh wrote that he thoroughly regretted his actions.

I wish I could go back and undo my offense and tell myself its not worth it, he wrote.

Prosecutors have sought stiff sentences against other defendants swept up in their anti-corruption probe, which broke into public view in 2020 with the arrest of Mohammed Nuru, former head of Public Works; Harlan Kelly, formerly the head of the citys Public Utilities Commission; and structural engineer Rodrigo Santos. Nuru got seven years, Kelly received four, and Santos was hit with 30 months behind bars.

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Prosecutors took a different view with Tahbazof and his co-conspirators. While jail time would normally be warranted, Ward said, he said a noncustodial sentence of six months home confinement, three years probation and a $50,000 fine reflected Tahbazofs acceptance of responsibility, admission of wrongdoing and extensive cooperation with prosecutors.

Prosecutors are seeking three years probation for Ghassemzadeh along with a $25,000 fine. They are also seeking probation for Reza Khoshnevisan, Tahbazofs business partner and brother-in-law. All three men approached the government and offered to cooperate before FBI agents had learned of their misconduct, prosecutors wrote.
World News in Brief: 'Reckless attacks' on Ukraine nuclear plant must cease, Chibok abductions 10 years on, action against plant pests

15 April 2024 - A recent spate of "reckless attacks" on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine must end immediately, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told the UN Security Council on Monday.

Rafael Grossi told ambassadors that the first direct attacks since the Russian invasion began. earlier this month, on what is Europe's largest nuclear facility, constituted a "step change increase in risk to nuclear safety and security".

Although the damage from drone strikes on the Russian-occupied power plant's Unit 6 reactor building was superficial, it sets "a very dangerous precedent of the successful targeting of the reactor containment", said the IAEA Director-General.

'Dangerously close' to disaster

"We are getting dangerously close to a nuclear accident", he added, and must "do everything in our power today" to minimize risk.

He assured ambassadors that IAEA staff are "continuously present" at the ZNPP and all other nuclear plants across Ukraine.

On Saturday, the so-called "cold shutdown" of all six reactors at the plant was carried out for the first time since late 2022, a move which had long been recommended by the atomic watchdog. The move builds in an extra level of safety were cooling systems to fail.

In the past 10 days there has been a drone strike on the oxygen and nitrogen production facility, two attacks on the training centre and a drone shot down above the turbine hall of Unit 6.

Both sides have blamed the other for targeting the plant.

"Let me put it plainly. Two years of war are weighing heavily on nuclear safety" at the plant, he said, and the IAEA's work remains essential there.

"Despite huge challenges, the IAEA has kept open the indispensable lines of communication and will continue doing so. The support of your nations and of the Council as a whole is a necessity", he said.

Step up child protection efforts UNICEF urges Nigeria, on 10th anniversary of Chibok abductions

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday called on Nigeria to intensify child protection efforts, 10 years on from the mass Chibok abductions in the country's northeast.

Some 90 of the girls continue to be held captive, and just last month, another abduction of schoolchildren took place in Kaduna state.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Mundate, said the "kidnapping of the Chibok girls was a wake-up call to the severe risks our children face in their pursuit of education." With even more recent abductions, she said there is an obvious need for amplified safeguarding of our children's futures.

On Monday, UNICEF released the 'Minimum Standards for Safe Schools (MSSS) Monitoring Report,' which revealed that only 37 per cent of schools across 10 Nigerian states have early warning systems that can assist in identifying attacks.

This means much remains to be done to ensure Nigerian children can learn in a safe school environment.

Still an 'unattainable dream' for many

"Given these alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis. Education is a fundamental right and a crucial pathway out of poverty. Yet, for too many Nigerian children, it remains an unattainable dream," Ms. Mundane said.

UNICEF's analysis examined six areas of concern across Nigerian states relating to school safety - a strong school system, violence against children, natural hazards, conflict, everyday hazards, and safe school infrastructure - and found that only a few had managed to boost standards.

UNICEF Nigeria is urging governments, partners, and international communities to help secure the right to education in a safe environment for all children.

Thus far, the agency has provided school grants, safety kits, training, and awareness raising to boost the implementation of school safety standards.

UNICEF says this 'sombre anniversary' of the Chibok abduction should prompt change so that together, "we can restore trust between educational institutions and the communities they serve, ensuring schools are sanctuaries for learning and growth," said Ms. Munduate.

Grower experts mull action to tackle spike in plant pests

A key UN taskforce that tackles plant pests and diseases gathered on Monday to brainstorm new measures to limit "irreversible" damage to the global food supply, as rising global temperatures threaten "unchecked" destruction of crops.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) panel's work has been complicated by changing weather patterns and warmer growing conditions globally that have changed the geographic distribution and intensity of plant bugs and blight.

Early detection key

Early detection, rapid response and coordinated control efforts worldwide are indispensable, said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu.

The work of the FAO Commission on Phytosanitary Measures includes efforts to eradicate the banana fungus TR4; it has spiked because of climate change and caused yield losses affecting more than 400 million farmers.

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Statement by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, to mark one year of conflict

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

(Paris, 15 April 2024): Today marks one year since brutal fighting erupted in Sudan. Over the last year, Sudan has become one of the world's worst humanitarian tragedies in recent memory and one of the largest internal displacement crises globally. Famine now looms.

Half of Sudan's population - 25 million people - need humanitarian assistance; 8.6 million people are displaced inside and outside Sudan, including 4 million children; and over 14,000 women, men, and children have reportedly been killed. Nearly 5 million people are one step away from famine and 18 million people are facing acute food insecurity - 10 million more people than the same time last year.

Yet, these numbers do not adequately capture the scope of the devastation caused by the war. The longer the fighting continues, the worse the tragedy gets. As we mark one year of the devastating conflict, I reiterate the unwavering commitment of the humanitarian community to assist all people affected by the crisis. The continuing violence is out of hand. The suffering of millions of people in Sudan needs to end once and for all.

I welcome ongoing efforts towards a ceasefire, but I reiterate that all parties must abide by the agreements they made in Jeddah and commit to long-lasting peace. In particular, I ask the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to protect civilians and allow unfettered humanitarian access so that people in desperate need can receive the lifesaving assistance that they require.

Despite an extremely difficult and dangerous operating environment, United Nations agencies and their partners have reached more than 8 million people with lifesaving assistance over the last year. In 2024, humanitarian partners have appealed for US$4.1 billion through the 2024 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and the 2024 Sudan Refuge Response Plan to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan and neighbouring countries that have been kind enough to host large populations of Sudanese refugees. So far, only 6 per cent of the funding required for the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan has been received.

I urge the international community not to forget the people of Sudan whose lives have been ripped apart by the war. Additional resources are urgently required to support a humanitarian response that has been significantly underfunded since the start of the current conflict. This includes resources for the Sudan Famine Prevention Plan 2024 which was published on 12 April.

15 April 2024

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Secretary-General's remarks at press encounter on Sudan

United Nations Secretary-General

15 April 2024

Over the last 48 hours, much of the world has been focused on the crisis that was generated in the Middle East.

As concerning as those developments are, other dramatic life-and-death emergencies are being pushed into the shadows.

The world is forgetting about the people of Sudan.

Today marks a heartbreaking milestone  one year since the start of fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

This is more than a conflict between two warring parties.

It is a war being waged on the Sudanese people.

It is a war on the many thousands of civilians who have been killed, and tens of thousands maimed for life.

It is a war on the 18 million people facing acute hunger, and the communities now staring down the terrifying threat of famine in the months ahead.

It is a war on villages, homes, hospitals, schools and vital systems that have been reduced to rubble in conflict hotspots.

And it is a war on human rights and international humanitarian law.

Indiscriminate attacks that are killing, injuring and terrorizing civilians could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Aid convoys have been targeted. Humanitarian personnel and warehouses have been attacked.

Women and girls are subject to rampant sexual violence.

Meanwhile, the impact of the conflict is spilling across borders.

Over 8 million people have fled their homes in search of safety  1.8 million to neighbouring countries.

One year on - some 25 million people  half of Sudan's population - need lifesaving assistance.

The latest reports of escalating hostilities in El Fasher - the capital of North Darfur -- are a fresh cause for deep alarm.

Over the weekend, RSF-affiliated militias attacked and burnt villages west of the city - leading to widespread new displacement and fears of a takeover of El Fasher's [only water source nearby.]

Fighting continued today on the outskirts of El Fasher.

Counter attacks have led to more deaths and injuries.

Let me be clear: Any attack on El Fasher would be devastating for civilians and could lead to full-blown intercommunal conflict across Darfur.

It would also upend aid operations in an area already on the brink of famine, since El Fasher has always been a critical UN humanitarian hub.

All parties must facilitate the safe, rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian personnel and supplies through all available routes into El Fasher.

This includes the timely approval of convoys and avoiding any measures that could delay or otherwise obstruct humanitarian movements.

We must do all we can to ensure maximum humanitarian assistance in Darfur and elsewhere.

Today, the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its Neighbors was hosted by the governments of France, Germany and the European Union.

The Sudanese people desperately need the support and generosity of the global community to help them through this nightmare.

The $2.7 billion Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan was only 6 per cent funded before the conference.

And the $1.4 billion Regional Refugee Response Plan for the Sudan Crisis - only 7 per cent.

At the same time, as reflected in their commitments made in Jeddah, all parties must ensure full humanitarian access - across borders and battle lines - so vital aid can get to where it's needed most.

They must heed the UN Security Council's call to ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and to protect civilians.

But the Sudanese people need more than humanitarian support.

They need an end to the bloodshed.

They need peace.

The only path out of this horror is a political solution.

At this critical moment, in addition to global support for aid, we need a concerted global push for a ceasefire in Sudan followed by a comprehensive peace process.

My Personal Envoy, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, is working tirelessly with scaled-up mediation efforts.

This includes meeting with the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, as well as leaders across the Horn of Africa and the Gulf Region.

And it includes efforts with the African Union; IGAD -- the Intergovernmental Authority on Development; the League of Arab States and key member states.

Coordinated international efforts will be essential to amplify joint action.

This push for peace also means continuing our work on Sudan's democratic transition - by supporting and empowering civilians  including women's rights groups, young people and others.

This must be an inclusive process that reflects all voices.

The future of Sudan requires the contributions, participation and vision of all Sudanese.

I will not relent in my calls for all parties to silence the guns, and meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a peaceful and secure future.

Thank you.

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VCNO Interview with Fed Gov Today at Sea Air Space 2024

US Navy - Press Briefing

15 April 2024

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby discusses his role supporting America's Warfighting Navy with Fed Gov Today reporter Francis Rose at Sea Air Space, National Harbor, Maryland, April 8, 2024



Francis Rose: Thank you very much for joining me, admiral. It's great to have you here...talked to CNO at WEST and the conversation there revolved around America's Warfighting Navy and her vision for that. What is your role and responsibilities in executing on that vision as kind of the COO of the Navy?

Adm. Jim Kilby: I think it's a great question, Francis. I view it as I'm the execution arm. And in that, it means how do I work with the different stakeholders across the board to make sure we're getting the results she desires? So, that could be our nuclear shipyard maintenance system, is that aligned to produce what it needs to produce? If not, why? What are we doing about it? It's Navy recruiting, are we hitting our numbers? If not, why? Let's be thoughtful about that and look at the data, hold ourselves accountable and and try to get after it. So, I think that is probably a really good analogy.

Francis Rose: We talked a little bit before we turn the cameras on about your desire to make the Navy a better learning organization. In what way and how will that manifest itself to the Sailor on the frontlines and Marine on the front?

Adm. Jim Kilby: We've had some spectacular non-learning events and I'll highlight one for you. For example, one is the fire on the USS Miami where we lost that submarine, it was a fire in a shipyard and as a result, we struck that submarine from the record.

And similarly, most recently, we've had the same event happened on USS Bonhomme Richard...different causal factors with the same result. And in between we wrote a pretty in-depth instruction called the 8010. To try to prevent that from happening, which it didn't.

So why did that occur? Did we write the instruction in a manner that is easily digestible by the various organizations that have to execute it and are we holding ourselves accountable to the types of behavior and check and balance you need to not put yourself in that position where we lose the ship? So, we cannot afford to do that. And I want to reverse that for the CNO and make us a better learning organization. So, we're not in a position to try to reline on if that makes sense.

Francis Rose: Yes. How do you individually and how do you as a Navy, reorganize, reorient, restrategize, or whatever is necessary to get to that point and how will you know when you're there and just building momentum?

Adm. Jim Kilby: I hope we never say we're there. I hope we say we're closer there and then where needed to be. A lot of times in these events we found clouded command and control. Like there's multiple people that are involved but nobody singly responsible.

We don't always do a good job of understanding what the standard of performance is, and what our actual performance is against that standard. And then once you know those things, you can plot a course to correct and get better.

So, there's an accountability and a day-to-day functionality of how we do our jobs and I think we can do better. And this structure we're implementing through a process called Performing to Plan is aimed to do that.

Francis Rose: One of the theaters of operation where you have an opportunity to learn a lot is in the Red Sea right now. What are you taking away from that and how are you analyzing what Sailors are doing there to apply to concepts of readiness, concepts of training, hardware performance, all those kinds of things?

Adm. Jim Kilby: Thank for that question, Francis. First of all, the Ike Strike Group is doing great. That means the airwing and the ships, we're talking about the destroyers a lot but there's fighters in F-18s that are knocking cruise missiles down and UAVs down as well as ships.

I think the aviation community has done a better job at data reconstruction than in the past and they do that through a process called PBED, that's Plan Brief Execute Debrief, and we haven't always been as responsive in the surface side.

In this specific effort, we've really shortened the ability in that short amount of time it takes to take a data reduction from the Aegis combat system, get it off the ship, analyze it, and return that for consumption from the crew and multiple crews. So, did the Aegis system performance design, yes or no? If it didn't, do we need to fix something in the Aegis system? A...B...did the operators perform as they should have against the tactics, techniques and procedures we had in place? And if they didn't, let's correct that and then teach that and if all that works, we need to have an adjustment for the system. But if you wait weeks, people forget what they did and they kind of get foggy on it. So, it's just time is of the essence.

And we've really cracked that code and working with industry, the Navy and our warfighting development centers to do that. And I think that's a key to learning as well.

Francis Rose: You mentioned data a couple of times in this conversation. You spoke about it here. I've seen you speak about it before. What's your sense of how the Navy is doing at becoming a data driven organization?

Adm. Jim Kilby: I think we're doing better. I think we've got a ways to go. I mean, so we have to be thoughtful about what the data source is. The term of art I think it's an authoritative data source so you can trust that. But once you have that data, are we being thoughtful about how we use that data? At what currency do we need to look at it? And I want people to ask, Francis, if I say are we winning today? And that can happen on the factory floor...it can happen in the combat system of the ship. I want them to be able to understand and say yes. And so that's using data and holding ourselves to a standard to achieve an outcome that I don't think we've always been disciplined about.

Francis Rose: What improves that in your view, what is the enterprise view of the Navy and improving that and what do you and your capacity as the VCNO? What can you do to drive that? Do you think?

Adm. Jim Kilby: One view is my using daily visual management of data to help my decision making and typically when we get in this conversation, we think more is better and more is not better. Because if I'm looking at 50 things, I probably can't make sense of it.

But if you look at some of our top performing companies out there, they've got a handful of metrics that they measure against day in and day out, 365 days a year, and that becomes their ability to guide whether they're on track or off track. So, choosing those metrics, exposing our workforce to those metrics, and then holding ourselves accountable to those metrics I think is what I'm talking about.

Francis Rose: Okay, so when you frame it in that way, then I'm going to take you back to America's Warfighting Navy because then you have three metrics right there, how the Navy is doing and warfighting readiness for warfighting, warfighters and foundation. Am I on the right track?

Adm. Jim Kilby: Yes, you are. And it applies to all of them. There's overlap between those three pillars. I think in the warfighting capability, are my systems doing what they think they should do? In the warfighter capability...the two metrics might be - am I retaining and am I recruiting at the level I need to have a healthy organization?

Those are some metrics that are used by successful organizations. And then from the foundation - is the foundation doing what it needs to do to produce those two first categories? So, the foundation is an element that supports both events.

Francis Rose: When you come to a show like this, there's a lot of terrific displays here a lot to see. How do you how do you decide what you're going to take back to the Pentagon and think about do something with and how do you communicate with industry when you're here beyond say, the things that you and your colleagues have said on stage? "We need your help...we rely on the partnerships"...all true.

What, what's deeper than that in your view and in the way that you connect with industry?

Adm. Jim Kilby

Well, I don't know that I come, I may come with a game plan. I may say I want to go see this person or that person or this company or that company. But in general, I want to be open to the experience because everyone I've found in general wants to do a good job and believes they have a product worthwhile to the Navy. So, I'm trying to be open to that experience here. And then if I commit to closing a loop, I'm going to close that loop. So, when I asked for your card, I'm going to close and connect to people in an email or ask them for a meeting.

We're trying to understand that space better. It's not a commitment to do it. It is a commitment to understand and therefore you've engendered an environment that's healthy.

Francis Rose: Admiral, it's great to have you on the show. Thanks for your time.

Adm. Jim Kilby: Thank you, Francis.

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Philippines says it will not grant US access to more bases

By VOA News April 15, 2024

The Philippines says it has no plans to give the United States more access to military bases in the Southeast Asian country, putting a cap on the current total number of nine sites.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told foreign correspondents in Manila Monday that the country's decision last year to increase the number of sites agreed upon under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA was a response to aggressive actions by China in the South China Sea.

China has accused the Philippines of triggering confrontations by encroaching into what China asserts as its territorial waters. The deepening dispute between China and the Philippines has created issues for the Philippines' exploration of oil and gas in the region, despite an agreement between the two nations to restart discussions on joint exploration.

However, China had previously asserted that the Philippines was "stoking the fire" by allowing the U.S. access to more bases close to potential flashpoints.

"These are reactions to what has happened in the South China Sea, to the aggressive actions that we have had to deal with," Marcos said.

Three of the four more recent sites to which the U.S. military was given access face north toward Taiwan and one is near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, a frequent site of maritime tensions. Beijing argues that the locations give the U.S. a staging advantage in event of a conflict.

In a first-of-its-kind three-way summit last week, U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and asked Congress for a further $128 million for infrastructure projects at the current base sites. Biden also reiterated his "ironclad" commitment to defend Pacific allies.

Some information for this report was provided by the Associated Press and Reuters.

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Humanitarian aid increasing in Gaza, but US wants it sustained

By VOA News April 15, 2024

Humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip has increased substantially in the last few days, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday, but the United States needs to see that aid sustained, he added.

"The aid has increased and quite dramatically in just the last few days," Kirby said in an interview with MSNBC. "That's important, but it has to be sustained."

About 100 trucks have entered the enclave in the last 24 hours alone, Kirby added, bringing the total to 2,000 aid deliveries by truck since the conflict began.

For the first time in six months, a bakery in Gaza City has started operating with aid from the World Food Program, which provided desperately needed food parcels and wheat flour to a part of the enclave where a U.N.-backed report has warned of imminent famine.

Clutching a bag of freshly baked loaves, Gaza-resident Abdelrahman al-Jadba said he felt a sense of relief that he'd be able to feed his children, describing how he had been forced to give them bread made from flour mixed with sand.

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden threatened to leverage the U.S. support to Israel in its war against Hamas on the increase of humanitarian aid in Gaza and Israel's concrete steps to protect aid workers and civilians there.

In a separate interview on CNBC, Kirby echoed Biden's stance saying, "our policy with respect to Gaza will change if we don't see significant changes over time."

The move was prompted by an Israeli attack that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers.

Aid agencies have complained that Israel is not ensuring enough access for food, medicine and other needed humanitarian supplies into the devastated Palestinian enclave, where civilians face famine and widespread disease and are nearly all homeless.

Ground offensive

The Israeli military expressed its determination to free remaining hostages held by the U.S. designated terror group Hamas and signaled it could send troops to Rafah, a far-southern city where the majority of Gaza's 2.4 million people have taken refuge.

"Hamas is still holding our hostages in Gaza," military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said of the roughly 130 people, including 34 presumed dead, who Israel says remain in the hands of Palestinian militants since the October 7 attack, resulting in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.

"We also have hostages in Rafah, and we will do everything we can to bring them back home," the military spokesman told a briefing.

The Israeli army said it was calling up "two reserve brigades for operational activities," about a week after withdrawing most ground troops from Gaza.

The Hamas government media office said Israeli aircraft and tanks launched "dozens" of strikes overnight on central Gaza, reporting several casualties.

Witnesses told AFP that strikes hit the Nuseirat refugee camp, while more clashes were reported in other areas of central and northern Gaza.

Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 33,000 people in the last six months, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

The toll in Gaza includes at least 68 deaths over the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, adding that 76,465 people have been wounded in Gaza since the start of the war.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Macron says donors pledge $2.1 billion in aid for Sudan

By VOA News April 15, 2024

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that world donors have pledged $2.1 billion to help relieve the humanitarian crisis in war-ravaged Sudan.

Macron spoke in Paris at the end of an international conference designed to drum up financial support for a severely underfunded aid effort.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the world not to forget about the people of Sudan, as he called for an end to the fighting on the one-year anniversary of the African nation's civil war.

"It is a war on the many thousands of civilians who have been killed, and tens of thousands maimed for life," he told reporters at the U.N. in New York. "It is a war on the 18 million people facing acute hunger, and the communities now staring down the terrifying threat of famine in the months ahead."

"This is a man-made disaster," said Annalena Baerbock, Germany's foreign minister. "This is the world's worst child displacement crisis, unfolding before our eyes. Yet, in many of our countries, as the war enters its second year, it is practically absent from our daily news."

Fighting erupted in the capital, Khartoum, a year ago between rival generals who lead the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the RSF. Hostilities quickly spread across the country. The United Nations says more than 8 million people have fled their homes in search of safety - 1.8 million of them to neighboring countries.

The U.N. says the conflict has killed more than 14,000 people, injured 33,000 others and left half the population - around 25 million people - in need of humanitarian assistance.

Guterres raised the alarm on escalating hostilities in North Darfur on the outskirts of its capital, El Fasher. He said RSF-affiliated militias attacked and burned villages in the past few days west of the city, causing further displacement and endangering the city's only water source.

"Let me be clear: Any attack on El Fasher would be devastating for civilians and could lead to full-blown intercommunal conflict across Darfur," the U.N. chief warned.

He said it would also disrupt aid operations, as El Fasher is a humanitarian hub.

The U.N. chief put little hope in mediation to bring a swift conclusion to the war.

"The two parties have made a bet and the bet is to win militarily," he said. "And for that, mediation is irrelevant."

Donors gather in Paris

Guterres spoke as top diplomats and international aid groups met in Paris seeking to raise money for the humanitarian effort. Both the $2.7 billion U.N. humanitarian response plan for Sudan and the $1.4 billion regional refugee response plan are underfunded at 6% and 7% respectively.

France, Germany and the European Commission hosted the conference.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said the organizers want to move the conflict to the top of the international agenda and mobilize humanitarian funding.

Initial pledges at the conference Monday include $244 million from Germany and more than $377 million from the European Union.

In a statement issued ahead of the conference, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power said the U.S. will pledge "$100 million in emergency food assistance, nutrition support, and other life-saving aid." This brings

total U.S. humanitarian aid to more than $1 billion since the conflict began.

In addition to the humanitarian pledging conference, there were discussions planned on how to move toward a political resolution of the conflict.

In a communique from the conference, ministers and representatives of international and regional organizations reaffirmed their "unwavering commitment" to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict and urged the warring parties to "immediately cease hostilities." They also called on them to allow unrestricted humanitarian access to people in need.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. VOA's U.N. correspondent, Margaret Besheer, contributed to this report.

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Readout of President Biden's Meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic

April 15, 2024

President Biden welcomed Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala to the White House today. President Biden congratulated the Czech Republic, a stalwart Ally, on celebrating 25 years in NATO and on the recent passage of legislation requiring it to spend at least 2 percent of its GDP on defense. The leaders reaffirmed their iron-clad commitment to the NATO Alliance, which makes us all safer. President Biden also welcomed the Czech decision earlier this year to purchase 24 U.S. F-35s, a $4.5 billion deal that contributes to U.S. jobs, bolsters the Czech Republic's defense modernization, and deepens the U.S.-Czech defense relationship.

The leaders underscored their unwavering support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia's brutal invasion. They also coordinated on challenges in the Middle East. The two condemned the blatant and unprecedented attacks against Israel by Iran and its proxies. They also discussed Israel's right to self-defense against the threats it faces in accordance with international law and efforts to expand humanitarian aid to Gaza. The leaders also spoke about the U.S.-Czech energy security relationship, deepening strategic ties, and shared democratic values. President Biden and Prime Minister Fiala also announced their countries' intent to sign a memorandum of understanding on countering foreign information manipulation that will help defend democratic institutions from foreign disinformation.

###

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Operation Iron Swords - Day 192 - 15 April 2024

At any point, Hamas could have ended this burgeoning tragedy to

surrender and release every hostage.

Hamas instigated and owns this humanitarian catastrophe.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)

War Termination

The Prime Minister's Office announced yesterday (Sunday) on behalf of the Mossad, that Hamas responded negatively to the outline of the deal for the release of the abductees that was put forward by the mediators. This evening we published the conditions passed by Hamas, and they are light years away from the proposal that was submitted and in which there was significant Israeli flexibility. The most fundamental change is in the number of abductees they are willing to release - 20 instead of the 40 they were talking about.

In addition, Hamas demands the release of heavy terrorists, more terrorists with blood on their hands and a change in the ratio between kidnapped and terrorists who will be released (more prisoners for each kidnapped or abductee who will be released). More on Hamas' terms: full withdrawal of IDF forces already in the first phase, the humanitarian one, and in that phase also international guarantees. In fact, the principle of a phased deal is completely rejected there. The return of all residents of the northern Gaza Strip to their homes and full freedom of movement for Gazans in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas presented mediators on Sunday with a proposal for a permanent ceasefire and total withdrawal of the Israeli army (IDF) from Gaza, Haaretz reported on Monday According to the report, the proposal presented by the terrorist organization Hamas would be implemented in three stages, each lasting six weeks, during which hostages would only be released on the second and third stages.

As such, no hostages would be returned during the first six weeks of such an agreement, though hostilities would need to be halted from day one. During the first phase, Hamas demanded the IDF halt its fighting, withdraw from all urban centers in the Gaza Strip and Palestinians would be allowed to return unhindered to the north. After this initial 42-day period, Israel would be required to complete the withdrawal of all IDF troops from Gaza in a second phase. The reports did not specify whether full withdrawal would be required at the beginning or during this phase. Hamas would then reportedly agree to begin releasing elderly and sick hostages, as well as civilian women and female soldiers, but at a high price.

Hamas demanded that Israel release 30 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for each civilian hostage in the second phase of the agreement, and for each abducted female soldier another 50 prisoners would be released, including 30 serving life sentences. In the third and final stage of the deal, a rehabilitation process for war-torn Gaza would begin and all abducted soldiers and men of fighting age would be released by Hamas, along with the bodies of those killed in captivity or on October 7.

"Hamas is making this 'phantom' proposal to save face. They know it will not be accepted, but they are trying to appease the frustration and anger of the mediators who have done so much. It is ridiculous even to consider it, Raphael Jerusalmy, a former IDF intelligence officer, told i24NEWS.

Operational Update

According to CNN, two Israeli sources divulged that the Israeli plan to invade Rafah has been postponed while the occupation evaluates how to respond to Iran's retaliatory strikes. Israel was planning to launch its invasion this week before Iran responded to its aggression on its consulate in Damascus which claimed the lives of seven members of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), including two generals, in the consular section. The strike occurred amidst escalating regional tensions in light of the Israeli occupation's war on the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli war cabinet remained conflicted regarding an attack against Iran, following the latter's retaliatory operation that targeted Israeli locations in occupied territories on Saturday night. Although Israel was allegedly ready for an immediate counterattack, US President Joe Biden urged the occupation to halt any operation. Israeli Channel 12 reported that although Iran did not incur much damage throughout its attack, the war cabinet has been divided, with some Israeli ministers calling for an immediate attack against Iran, while others would rather wait, prepare, and then attack. However, as international pressure mounts over Israel to not escalate the situation further, the meeting was left on an undecided note.

This new era grants the Palestinian Resistance a larger margin of operation and limits if not ends "Israel's" renowned "Campaign Between Wars" which was started in 2013 to "address Iran's growing threat" following the start of the war on Syria. This means that Israeli deterrence has fallen even deeper than it has on October 7 with Hamas and on October 8 with Hezbollah and later in the face of Yemen and others. To better understand the depth of that, one must look at Iran's unprecedented retaliation against "Israel" following an attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. The retaliation, in fact, underscored the strategic maneuvering at play within the Axis of Resistance.

It stressed that beyond its primary objective of Palestinian liberation, this coalition seeks to dismantle the enduring legacies of colonialism and imperialism, epitomized by pivotal agreements like the Balfour Declaration, which allowed for the establishment of the Israeli occupation as a barrier "state" on occupied Palestinian soil with the aim of expansion and the Sykes-Picot Accords which partitioned the region into multi-purpose entities that serve colonialism.

Amidst escalating tensions and deepening geopolitical fault lines, it is impossible to understand unfolding events without delving into the complex and multifaceted dynamics of the existential war taking place at the heart of the Arab world; the war of the unmaking of the Sykes-Picot Accords. In a more simplified way, one can explain the broader situation by saying that the Axis is determined to give the US and "Israel" a run for their money in the region. The Resistance movements in the region, backed by Iran and Syria, have one big mission: free Palestine and take down those pesky imperialist structures that have been causing trouble in the Arab and Islamic worlds.

The Resistance continues to stand strong. It continues to conduct ambushes unimaginable by the Israeli occupation forces claiming their lives a dozen at a time. As the leaders of the Palestinian Resistance have reportedly underscored, be it al-Qassam Brigades or al-Quds Brigades or others, Iran and the Axis of Resistance, especially Syria and Hezbollah, have played a key role in strengthening and transferring expertise to the Strip. Much like in the Strip, the Axis of Resistance has no intention of allowing the West Bank and its Resistance to be wiped out and has a few tricks up its sleeve to turn the table on "Israel" and the West's head.

In this context, it must be remembered that the struggle to liberate Palestine extends beyond the entity of Palestine as drawn by the Sykes-Picot Accords but involves the re-emergence of the historic Arab world with Palestine as the compass that has the ability to achieve that through the demise of the barrier state otherwise known as "Israel". In such situations, events unfold relatively quickly; however, there is no benefit in rushing liberation. Rather it is required to mature slowly in the sense that it becomes inevitable.

The words of the commander of the Home Front Command, Major General Rafi Milo: "We are in a long and multi-arena war. Throughout the war we fight and make situational assessments with the goals of the war and the security of the residents of the State of Israel in front of our eyes. On Saturday night we faced an attack from Iran and its terrorist affiliates. The IDF, led by the Air Force, the Intelligence Division and the rest of the army, dealt with the threats in an optimal way, all to protect the State of Israel, throughout the war and also in the last incident.

"The Home Front Command works optimally with the heads of the authorities, the local and regional councils, all to enable a safe and enabling war routine. Yesterday, during the evening and night hours, we assessed the situation regarding the restrictions. It wasn't until midnight that the understanding and decision to lift the restrictions took shape out of a desire to facilitate the easing of the defense policy while maintaining security.

"The opening of the economy and the return of the parents to work, we decided at midnight to remove the restrictions on education and gatherings. I am aware of the difficulty of the heads of the regional and local councils to organize during the night hours, therefore the return was gradual.

"We are in a long war and there can be changes in the coming days in light of the situation assessment. In conclusion, it is important for me to point out your exemplary strictness, the residents of the State of Israel continue to listen and act in accordance with the directives of the Home Front Command, they save lives."

During the night, fighter jets of the Air Force successfully intercepted an unmanned aircraft that made its way to Israeli territory from the east. The vessel was under surveillance by IDF forces, did not pose a threat and no alerts were activated in accordance with policy. There were no casualties and no damage was caused.

At the end of the situation assessment, it was decided that starting today (Monday) at 00:00, a change will be made in the defense policy of the Home Front Command. As part of the changes, it was decided to resume educational activities all over the country. Educational activities will be allowed in the conflict line and Gaza perimeter guidance areas subject to restrictions. Also, the restriction on gatherings in areas that are under green policy has been lifted.

Operational Update - Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to postpone a planned operation in Gazas southernmost city of Rafah, Israels national broadcaster Kan 11 reported on Sunday evening. However, Netanyahu's Likud party later released a statement calling the report about the prime minister deciding to delay the Rafah operation as fake news.

The battle team of the Nahal Brigade, Brigade 401 and other units under the command of Division 162 continue the raid aimed at eliminating terrorists and destroying terrorist infrastructure in the center of the Gaza Strip. As part of the operation, the Nahal Brigade's combat team eliminated terrorists precisely, closed circles together with the brigade's fire complex, destroyed several buildings of the terrorist organizations Hamas and GAP and located terrorist infrastructures, weapons, equipment and rocket launchers. In one of the operations, Nahal patrol fighters identified a terrorist in a suspicious structure, and within minutes eliminated him with a precision missile.

At the same time, the Nahal Brigade's combat team continued to fight in the Netzer Corridor, an axis that separates the north and south of the Gaza Strip, and from there conducts targeted raids on terrorists and terrorist targets. In the last day, the forces eliminated 15 terrorists in the sector.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant held a discussion on the issue of preparations to carry out the civil operations necessary for the army forces ground incursion into the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli Defense Minister orders the evacuation of the residents of the city of RafahHebrew media: Netanyahu decided to postpone the military operation in Rafah

The Ministry of Defense said, In a discussion attended by the Director General of the Ministry, Major General Eyal Zamir, and the Coordinator of Government Activities, Major General Ghassan Alyan, the Minister of Defense stressed that, in accordance with the Cabinets decision, a series of measures must be prepared before ground operations begin. The statement added that Minister Gallant stressed "the need to focus on evacuating civilians from Rafah and expanding ways to bring food and medical equipment into the Gaza Strip."

It is worth noting that two Israeli sources told CNN on Monday that Israel was about to take its first steps towards launching a ground attack on Rafah this week, but postponed those plans while it was considering a response to the recent Iranian attack. The two sources, who were not named, indicated that the Israeli Air Force intended to drop leaflets on some areas in the city on Monday, and one of the Israeli officials confirmed that Israel is still determined to launch the ground attack on Rafah, but the timing of carrying out the civilian evacuations is not yet clear. And launched the planned attack.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to postpone the military operation in Rafah. Netanyahu confirmed earlier that the international pressure exerted on Israel will not prevent him from carrying out a military operation in Rafah .

Operational Update - Judea-Samaria

A report was received about a Palestinian suspect who attacked a Jewish shepherd in the Gitti area of the Bekaa and Emekim division. A violent confrontation developed there between Palestinians and Israeli citizens. IDF forces jumped to the spot and acted to diffuse the conflict. During the incident, two Palestinians were killed, preliminary investigation shows that it was not by IDF forces. The IDF and the Israel Police are investigating the incident.

Israeli occupation influencers-turned-government officials like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have spearheaded efforts to arm all settlers, going beyond the usual military program enforced upon Israeli settlers. The arming, which came under the guise of "fighting terrorism", aims to revive historic terrorist Zionist organizations such as the Haganah, which conducted the initial Nakba in 1948, killing hundreds and thousands of Palestinians on purely racist grounds to occupy their homes and lands. Israel's ethnic cleansing policies, which intensified notably after the events of Seif al-Quds in 2021 and further escalated following October 7, have emboldened settlers to perpetrate the same crimes of genocide as the Israeli occupation Forces are conducting the Gaza Strip [Over 33,000 martyrs] and the same crimes as the Haganah did in 1948.

Two Palestinian youths died this evening, Monday, as a result of their wounds shot by Israeli settlers in Khirbet al-Tawil, east of the town of Aqraba, south of Nablus. The mayor of Aqraba, Salah Bani Jaber, said that citizens Abdul Rahman Maher Bani Fadl (30 years old) and Muhammad Ibrahim Bani Jamaa (21 years old) were killed by settlers bullets during the attack on Khirbet Al-Tawil. A number of settlers, protected by Israeli army forces, had attacked the citizens earlier this evening while they were on their land in Khirbet al-Tawil and fired live bullets at them, wounding two citizens with bullets whose deaths were later announced, and three others with bruises and fractures as a result of the assault on them. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces prevented ambulances from reaching the injured, left them on the ground bleeding until they died, and detained their bodies.

In recent months, the West Bank has witnessed a disturbing trend: a surge in attacks by settlers targeting Palestinian individuals and villages. While this pattern of aggression is not novel within the context of "Israel's" policy of ethnic cleansing, its intensified manifestation, often concealed under the pretext of incidents such as the disappearance of a settler near Ramallah, underscores the volatile aftermath of Operation al-Aqsa Flood.

Amidst this backdrop, the launch of Operation al-Aqsa Flood emerges as a watershed moment that reaffirms the cause of Palestine as a central Arab and Islamic one, especially amid the existing critical juncture on the global scale. Though carried out by the al-Qassam Brigades, this operation is like a sprout from the deep roots of the ongoing battle for Palestine's freedom, led by what has become known as the Axis of Resistance.

Spanning from the Mashreq to the Maghreb (Orient to the Occident), across the breadth of the Arab and Islamic worlds, the events unfolding in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and throughout occupied Palestine have ignited a widespread response. These developments have set off a chain reaction, leading to escalations not only within the West Bank but also beyond, fueled by "Israel's" "campaigns between wars." This campaign precipitated Iran's remarkable retaliation following an Israeli assault on its consulate in Damascus. Understanding these unfolding events requires contextualizing them within the broader geopolitical landscape, where regional power dynamics intersect with longstanding conflicts and resistance movements.

The Israeli proverb put forward by settlers : "If I don't steal it, someone else is gonna steal it." The killing of Palestinians and the destruction of their homes by settlers, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, is fueling anger among the Palestinian people. This anger is exacerbated by the Israeli occupation government's continuous announcement of new land seizures, extending over dozens of dunums in the West Bank, and even in al-Quds' Sheikh Jarrah. Coupled with widespread detention campaigns, assassinations, military raids, and other oppressive practices, this situation is pushing people toward embracing armed Resistance as the only means to achieve a free Palestine and live with dignity.

It is also important to note that in the West Bank, the Resistance has already begun establishing liberated zones, particularly across the triangle of hell: Jenin, Nablus, and Tulkarm. However, recent settler attacks have targeted areas in the Ramallah and Nablus governorates, farther from the refugee camps where the Resistance has garnered strong popular support and found a conducive environment to thrive. This escalation may ignite a widespread intifada across the West Bank, to expand the operation that was launched on October 7, bringing the war to the heart of occupied Palestine. This is especially likely given that the settler attacks are being conducted under the supervision of the IOF who have besieged multiple cities. These aggressions remain ongoing today, 4 days on, without stopping except when the Iranian missiles shook "Israel". The consequences of such an intifada, given its existential nature, may also provoke unrest across the East Bank of the Jordan River, where approximately 80% of the population is Palestinian.

Operational Update - Lebanon

Approximately 62,000 residents of the north are still officially evacuated, in addition to approximately 30,000 residents who evacuated voluntarily, according to the assessment of the heads of authorities. According to a survey conducted at the Tel Hai Academic College's Knowledge Center

40% of the evacuees are considering not returning home.

38% of those who vacated independently are considering not returning.

10% of the rest of the residents of the north who were not evacuated are considering not continuing to live in the area.

39% of employed evacuees and 73% of the self-employed reported a worse economic situation since October.

27% of the self-employed who were evacuated are considering moving their business activities from the north on a regular basis.

Fighter jets attacked a military building in the Miss Al Jabal area where terrorists of the Hezbollah terrorist organization were staying, alongside another military building of the organization in the Tir Harfa area in southern Lebanon. The IDF force carried out artillery fire to remove a threat in the Sheba area.

Fighter jets attacked Hezbollah military buildings in the areas of Markaba and Majdal Joun in southern Lebanon. Earlier today, the IDF carried out artillery fire to remove a threat in the Jebel Balt and Al Hamra areas. Following the alerts that were activated in the Hanita area, about five missiles were identified that crossed Lebanese territory and landed in open areas, there were no casualties. The IDF forces attacked the source of the fire.

Fighter jets recently attacked military buildings of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the areas of Merkaba and Majdal Joun in southern Lebanon. Earlier today, the IDF carried out artillery fire to remove a threat in the Jebel Balt and Al Hamra areas. Following the alerts that were activated in the Hanita area, about five launches were identified that crossed Lebanese territory and fell in open areas, there were no casualties. IDF forces attacked the source of the shooting.

Tomorrow (Tuesday), starting in the morning until noon, a military exercise will take place in the Central and Upper Galilee. During the exercise, a lively movement of aircraft, vehicles and many security forces will be felt in the area. The exercise was planned in advance as part of the IDF's annual training program for 2024, and as part of the IDF's preparedness for the various threats in all sectors.

During the night, warplanes attacked Hezbollah targets, including a launch site, terrorist infrastructures and military buildings in the areas of Tzadikin, Al Matmura, Lavona and Aita al-Sha'ab in southern Lebanon. In addition, IDF forces attacked to remove a threat in the areas of Eyta al-Sha'ab and Bona in southern Lebanon. During an operational activity in the border area in the north of the country tonight, an IDF soldier was seriously injured, two IDF soldiers were moderately injured and another soldier was slightly injured by an explosion of unknown origin. The incident is being investigated. The fighters were evacuated to receive medical treatment at a hospital, their families were informed.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah - announced that it would continue targeting the Zionist enemys soldiers and military sites, in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and in support of their resistance. In its latest operations, the Lebanese Resistance announced in a statement that it had targeted the radar site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with missile weapons... confirming that it was a direct hit. The Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon also targeted the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in the occupied Lebanese hills of Kafr Shuba, with weapons. They hit him directly.

They targeted a deployment of enemy soldiers in the Hanita embass with rocket weapons and artillery shells, confirming that they had directly targeted him. Likewise, the Islamic Resistance Mujahideen targeted a gathering of enemy soldiers in the vicinity of the Mitat barracks, killing and wounding its members. In a specific operation, the Resistance Mujahideen detonated a number of explosive devices in a force from the Zionist Golani Brigade, when it crossed the Lebanese border. And entering the Tel Ismail area adjacent to the border with occupied Palestine.

The resistance confirmed, in its statement, that it detonated the explosive devices when the Zionist force arrived at the site where they were planted, which led to its members being killed and wounded. The Islamic Resistance indicated that this operation came after careful monitoring and monitoring of the movements of the Zionist enemy forces in the region.

In turn, the Zionist enemy media spoke about the operation, saying: Hezbollah, in an exceptional manner, claimed responsibility for the incident of placing the explosive devices, in which Golani soldiers were injured. According to the Zionist newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, four Zionist soldiers were injured in the operation, while they were conducting a foot patrol near the fence, at a distance ranging between tens and hundreds of meters, inside Lebanese territory.

Operational Update - Syria / Iraq

Operational Update - Yemen

Maps

All maps are lies. Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it is essential, wrote cartographer Mark Monmoneir in his book How to Lie with Maps. He showed that condensing complex, three-dimensional spaces onto a two-dimensional sheet of paper [in old days] is bound to be reductive. But it is impossible to comprehend the war in Gaza without reference to maps, otherwise the entire conflict is reduced to an endless series of meaningless acts of random violence and the suffering of civilians. The first characteristic of guerrilla warfare is the loss of a front line. Evidently, different mappers have different ideas of how to depict the war in Gaza, notably those that seek to depict Israeli progress in the ground campaign. Part of the problem is latency. The news that forms the basis of the maps takes time to filter out to mappers, and the cartographers take time in crafting their maps, and it takes time to curate them. These processes are uneven among mappers, so their maps may differ in detail. Probably there is some ideological bias, or at least thematic apperception, which is understandable in wartime. It may come as no surprise that al-Jazeera maps depict rather less Israeli territorial progress than other sources. Finally, there remains the epistemological question of just exactly what are the colored in areas depicting. Naively, this might be understood as areas of Israeli control, that are no longer contested by the HAMAS. Or possibly these are areas of Israeli presence, in many of which the possibility of an RPG-wielding HAMAS militant popping out of a tunnel unexpectedly remains a live possibility. With the "zero-range" combat characterized by small unit tactics on both sides, maps may be prey to a fallacy of misplaced concreteness.

Bystanders

Axis of Resistance

Allied for Democracy

Israeli Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Galant, after the police began preparations to dismantle a settlement outpost in the West Bank. Ben Gvir considered that " Gallant's decision to evacuate and destroy the buildings on the Gal Yosef farm where 14-year-old Benjamin Asheimer was killed, even during the week of mourning, represents terrible dullness, moral confusion, security foolishness, and a violation of the dignity of the dead," he said. He added: Instead of establishing and approving more farms and expanding settlement , we surrender to the enemy, considering that the time has come for the Prime Minister to consider replacing Minister Gallant.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said that Benjamin Netanyahu's government had eliminated "Israeli deterrence" in the wake of the unprecedented Iranian response to Tel Aviv's aggression against the Iranian consulate in Damascus recently, while former Prime Minister Ehud Barak called for holding elections as soon as possible so that During the war on Gaza.

Lapid stated in statements to reporters before a meeting of his There is a Future party bloc that this government, and this prime minister, have become an existential threat to Israel. He continued, saying, "We have destroyed the Israeli deterrence. Our enemies look at this government, smell its weakness, and raise their heads." Lapid also criticized Netanyahu's government as being responsible for the escalation of settler terrorist attacks, and said, "If we do not get rid of this government, it will bring destruction upon us."

The Israeli opposition leader wrote in a post on the X platform that Jewish terrorist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has become out of control. Israeli media reports said that Netanyahu postponed a security briefing on tensions with Iran, which opposition leaders had called for on Monday due to his crowded agenda.

On the other hand, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak called for early elections to be held as soon as possible, even during the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip for more than 6 months. In a statement to Israeli Army Radio today, Barak renewed his accusations that Netanyahu is moving to serve his own political interests. Barak said that Netanyahu refuses to take the right steps and join hands with US President Joe Biden for personal considerations related to political survival.

He continued, "The return of the kidnapped (Israeli prisoners) should be the government's first priority currently, and the negotiating team should be empowered to reach the best possible agreement." Barak also warned that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Israeli Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir want to set the entire Middle East on fire.

The Israeli opposition accuses Netanyahu of working to prolong the aggression in the hope of retaining his position. It also accuses him of failing to achieve the declared goals of the aggression, especially eliminating the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and recovering Israeli prisoners from Gaza.

Fawaz Girgis, professor of international relations at the London Institute of Economics, said that US President Joe Biden is unconsciously dragging Washington into another disastrous war in the Middle East. The American television channel NBC News quoted Girgis as saying: Biden has failed to achieve his comprehensive goal, which is to prevent the conflict in the Gaza Strip from spreading to neighboring countries. He added: "The Biden administration's strategy has failed shamefully. Biden is unconsciously dragging the United States into another disastrous war in the Middle East." Gerges pointed out that Biden has no influence on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus decisions regarding the Gaza Strip or Iran.

Operation Iron Swords - By the Numbers

1,900,000 IDPs in Gaza

76,465 Gazans injured, 28% adult male

70,000 tons of explosives dropped on Gaza

70,000 housing units completely destroyed

70,000 Israeli IDPs from Lebanon border

45,000 bombs dropped in Gaza

43,000 Gazans killed, including buried under rubble

33,000 Gaza targets attacked

33,797 Gazans martyred

20,528 Palestinians in Israeli prisons [Haaretz, 20 Mar 2024]

15,140 Israelis injured [i24 TV]

15,000 rockets launched from Gaza

14,520 Gazan children martyred

13,000 HAMAS combatants killed [N12]

13,000 HAMAS combatants killed [IDF]

11,000 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank in 2023

10,000 Gazans missing under the rubble

9,920 Gazan women martyred

9,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons

9,000 IDF needing psychological assistance

8,365 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank since Oct.7th

6,800 IDF officers and soldiers injured [Channel 12]

6,000 HAMAS combatants killed [HAMAS]

5,500 IDF wounded [reports]

4,750 West Bank Palestinians wounded

4,700 sites targetted in Lebanon

3,484 administrative detainees

3,700 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria

3,188 IDF wounded [IDF]

2,100 Gazan women are missing

1,609 terrorists killed on the first day

1,600 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria affiliated with Hamas

1,160 Israelis killed on the first day

604 Israeli officers and soldiers killed since the start of the war

456 West Bank Palestinians martyred

363 people [including fighters] killed in Lebanon

260 Israeli officers and soldiers killed in Gaza

240 Hezbollah fighters killed in Lebanon

126 people recovered, including 91 Israelis, 11 bodies, and 24 foreign workers

116 living hostages in Palestinian custody

70 civilians killed in Lebanon

29 IDF deaths were caused by "friendly fire"

15 Israelis killed in the West Bank and Israel

Not every number is reported every day, so sudden jumps generally reflect reporting artifacts rather than actual upticks. Many of these numbers fluctate, up and down, with no apparent explanation. This list records the highest number reliably reported for each matter, under the theory that reality with catch up with reports, as is relentlessly the case.

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Canadian-Led CTF 150 Seize Nearly 2,000kg of Narcotics in Two Interdictions in a Single Day

US Navy

14 April 2024

From Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs

The Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 carried out two drug interdictions at sea in a single day as part of Focused Operation Crimson Barracuda in the Arabian Sea, April 10. The two interdictions resulted in the seizure of a combined total of nearly 2,000 kg of drugs.

The Royal Navy's HMS Lancaster, a Duke-class Type 23 frigate, seized over 800 kg of hashish, 390 kg of methamphetamines and 110 kg of heroine from a stateless dhow in the Arabian Sea. This was the crew's first day of deployment after completing a crew swap a few weeks before.

"I am exceptionally proud of the entire team in Lancaster executing this interdiction on the first day of our deployment," said Royal Navy Cmdr. Chris Sharp, HMS Lancaster's commanding officer. "Complex interdictions in such a challenging environment require true teamwork across the entire ship's company. This success is shared with our partners in CTF 150 who provided essential support to the operation."

Then, using Canadian space-based intelligence, the Sentinel-class fast-response cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC 1147) seized 257 kg of methamphetamines, 92 kg of heroine, 17 kg of amphetamines, 296 kg of hashish, and 15 kg of marijuana from another dhow in the Arabian Sea. After weighing and documenting the hauls, the crew disposed of the narcotics.

Clarence Sutphin Jr is forward deployed to Bahrain as part of a contingent of U.S. Coast Guard ships under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships alongside U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East.

"These two interdictions have made a significant dent in criminal and terrorist organizations' ability to use drugs to fund their activities," said Royal Canadian Navy Capt. Colin Matthews, Commander Combined Task Force 150. "The collaboration of our assets and personnel allowed us to become a precise and highly effective team that not only undermined the efforts of these organizations, but also nearly 2,000 kg of drugs from hitting the streets."

Crimson Barracuda counters terrorist and criminal organizations' use of the high seas to smuggle narcotics, weapons, and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world's largest international naval partnership. CTF 150's mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

Combined Maritime Forces is a 42-nation naval partnership upholding the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world's most important shipping lanes.

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San Francisco deputies sent Sheriff Paul Miyamoto a letter in November warning that low staffing levels in city jails were creating dangerous conditions. Deputies were allegedly attacked over the weekend, prompting a jail lockdown. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Five months before San Francisco jails were forced into lockdown this weekend after a rash of alleged attacks on staff by incarcerated people, nearly 100 deputies attempted to warn Sheriff Paul Miyamoto of increasingly dangerous conditions caused by what they described as critical levels of staffing shortages.

Deputies at County Jail No. 3 were mentally and physically exhausted, said the Nov. 29 letter to Miyamoto, which was signed by 92 deputies. Jail officials, they continued, have created an unsafe environment, one in which fights, drug use, assaults on staff and blatant disregard for rules and deputies orders have increased.

On Tuesday in Jail No. 3, two people barricaded themselves in a cell with handmade weapons, Miyamoto told reporters at the Hall of Justice, where staff from the sheriffs office had displayed two large photos of deputy injuries. One showed a lump on the back of a deputys head, apparently from falling on the floor after an incarcerated person repeatedly attacked him, Miyamoto said.

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The other photo showed the arm of a deputy that was bitten so hard it went through two layers of clothing and punctured through his skin, Miyamoto said. In that instance, the alleged attacker was fully restrained  in maximum protective restraint gear  but still managed to bite the deputy, according to the sheriff.

As a result of Tuesdays incident, sheriffs officials delayed their plans to reopen Jail No. 3 until later this week, though County Jail No. 2 is slated to reopen Wednesday.

Numerous deputies in San Francisco jails have sustained injuries over the past week, including bone fractures, dislocated shoulders and bloody eye sockets, Miyamoto said. His office is investigating underlying causes of the recent uptick of assaults, which the sheriff attributes  at least in part  to overcrowding in the jails.

Currently, there are 1,182 people housed in county jails, 44 of whom are in County Jail No. 1, the intake facility. On paper, 494 deputies are assigned to work in the jails, but in reality, the facilities have a staff of 364, Miyamoto said.

About a hundred more people could be housed at the jails annex, and if necessary, officials will open up additional dorms, the sheriff pledged.

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Working as a deputy in San Francisco jails is a very dangerous job, he said. And those who remain in custody here in San Francisco are mostly serious violent offenders who are charged with serious, violent crimes.

Ken Lomba, president of the San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs Association, said Monday that jail officials have improved some of the policies described in the letter last fall. But he said little has been done to address the agencys underlying deputy shortage, a long-standing issue that Lomba said was to blame for the recent attacks. The need to fill the vacancies has become increasingly urgent amid a rise in jail populations, he said.

Were at that breaking point where the inmates see the vulnerabilities, said Lomba, who on Saturday called for the deployment of the National Guard to San Franciscos jails. We need staffing now.

Lomba said there were four attacks on deputies on Friday alone, three of which occurred at County Jail No. 3 in San Bruno. The fourth was at County Jail No. 2 in downtown San Francisco.

Tara Moriarty, a spokesperson for the sheriffs office, declined to respond to the unions specific claims on Monday. Officials over the weekend acknowledged staffing shortages but said the request for assistance from the National Guard was premature.

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Miyamoto rejected the idea Tuesday, saying, unequivocally, that we dont have a need for anyone else to come in.

The custody division of the sheriffs office, which oversees the citys jails, has for years been short dozens of deputies, Lomba said. Meanwhile, jail populations have swelled from about 800 people in custody during the pandemic to more than 1,100 in recent months. Populations fell sharply beginning in mid-2020 due to both falling crime rates and jail release efforts to stave off a COVID-19 outbreak at the jails.

Officials of the union that represents sheriffs deputies said there were 170 reported fights among people held in county jails in 2022, rising to about 240 last year. In that same time, they said, attacks on deputies jumped from 120 to 220.

Officials with the San Francisco Public Defenders Office, which represents most of the people charged with crimes in the city, said none of their in-custody clients had been charged with new offenses as of Monday afternoon.

Sheriffs officials initially announced the lockdown of its two jails in a Saturday statement, citing a series of incidents in which seven deputies and other jail employees were injured over the last two weeks. They did not describe any incidents in detail, but said some of the injuries were serious.

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We are actively investigating these incidents to ascertain their root causes and any potential correlation, the statement said. It is imperative that we identify and address the factors contributing to these assaults to prevent future occurrences.

The lockdowns were still in place as of Monday, meaning visits, programs and services were on hold.

The sheriffs offices custody division is short 114 deputies, Lomba said. The shortage is part of a yearslong trend that extends throughout the Bay Area and much of the U.S. as law enforcement departments have struggled to attract recruits.

The increase in jail populations comes as police continue sweeping crackdowns on the citys drug markets, burglary rings and other criminal groups.
Meeting of India-France Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism

India - Ministry of External Affairs

April 15, 2024

aThe 16th Meeting of India-France Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism was held in New Delhi on 15 April 2024. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (CT), Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India, Mr. K.D. Dewal, and the French delegation, by H.E. Ambassador Olivier Caron, Special Envoy for Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime.

2.a Both sides exchanged views on the terrorist threats in their respective regions, including State-sponsored, cross-border terrorism in South Asia, Africa and the Middle East, besides terror activities in the Af-Pak region.

3.a The two sides assessed counter terrorism challenges, including the use of new and emerging technologies by terrorists, misuse of internet for terrorist purposes, radicalisation and terror financing. Anti-India separatist activities, and countering terror financing, organised crime and narco-terror network also featured in the discussions. The Indian side presented its viewpoints on NMFT and FATF, which led to an exchange of respective positions by the two sides.

4.a Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation through exchange of information, capacity building, training programmes & exercises, and cooperation at the multilateral fora, such as the UN, FATF and NMFT.

5. aThe two sides agreed to hold the 17th Meeting of JWG on CT in France on a mutually-convenient date.

New Delhi

April 15, 2024

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Pro-Russian hacking group paralyzes website of North Korea's airline

The 'Server Killers' said it targeted Air Koryo's website last week 'just for fun' and to test the carrier's 'mediocre' security.

By Han Dukin for RFA Korean 2024.04.15 -- A pro-Russian hacking group said it attacked and paralyzed the website of North Korea's state-owned Air Koryo and later posted a mocking message on the Telegram messaging app about the airline's inadequate cybersecurity standards.

The "Server Killers" targeted the flag carrier's website on April 9 using a denial-of-service attack, or DDoS. They then posted a screenshot of Air Koryo's website that showed the standard "HTTP Error 500" message that users see when a website isn't accessible.

The group also posted a message that said "North Korea, where is security," along with a smiling face emoticon on Telegram.

Check-Host.net - an online tool for checking the availability of websites, servers, hosts and IP addresses - showed that Air Koryo's website couldn't be accessed for a period of time on April 9. The website was accessible on Monday.

In a response to a message sent on Telegram privately by Radio Free Asia, the "Server Killers" account said that North Korean websites tend to have mediocre security.

The reason for hacking the Air Koryo website was "for technical reasons, not political or social purposes," a messenger who asked for anonymity said.

"Server Killers" doesn't understand why North Korea won't "pay much attention to security" on its government sites, the messenger said.

'We attacked it just for fun'

The group has posted on its Telegram channel photos and screenshots from what they claim are dozens of successful hacking attacks on government agencies and private companies in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.

The messenger confirmed to RFA that the group used a DDoS attack on the Air Koryo website. Such an attack paralyzes a server, service or network by providing excessive internet access to a target.

The airline's website not only didn't have a DDoS attack prevention function, but also didn't have a "SSL certificate," which enables an encrypted connection, the messenger said.

"We attacked it just for fun and to test how resistant the site is to a DDoS attack," the messenger said. "We attacked the site for only 300 seconds, and the site was offline for more than eight hours.

"We noticed the site was very old and written in PHP programming language. Not only that, but many sites in North Korea were like that," the messenger said, adding that "this will be the first and last attack targeting North Korea."

Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Matt Reed.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Canadian-Led CTF 150 Conducts Third Drug Interdiction in a Week

US Navy

15 April 2024

From Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs

The Royal Navy's HMS Lancaster (F229), operating in support of the Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, carried out its second successful drug seizure in as many days, seizing 2,000 kg of hashish from a dhow in the Arabian Sea, April 11.

Lancaster, a Duke-class Type 23 frigate, seized the illicit drugs as part of Focused Operation Crimson Barracuda in an effort to counter illegal drug smuggling, who's profits often goes to funding terrorist activity. In the two days they have participated in Crimson Barracuda, the crew has interdicted a total of 3,300 kg of illicit narcotics.

On April 10, Lancaster seized 800 kg of hashish, 390 kg of methamphetamines and 110 kg of heroin from another dhow in the Arabian Sea.

"For the second day in a row, CTF 150 and the crew of HMS Lancaster prevented harmful and illicit drugs from reaching their final destination," said Royal Canadian Navy Capt. Colin Matthews, Commander, Combined Task Force 150. "Once again, we have prevented criminal and terrorist organizations from profiting off the sale of these drugs to fund their activities. I am incredibly proud of this team for all that they have accomplished in such a short window."

Crimson Barracuda counters terrorist and criminal organizations' use of the high seas to smuggle narcotics, weapons, and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world's largest international naval partnership. CTF 150's mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

Combined Maritime Forces is a 42-nation naval partnership upholding the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world's most important shipping lanes.

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Defence investment creates 50 new jobs for South Australia

The Hon Pat Conroy MP

Minister for Defence Industry

Minister for International Development and the Pacific

15 April 2024

Dozens of local jobs will be created in South Australia through a new contract to upgrade the Royal Australian Air Force's fleet of P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

The Albanese Government has signed a $139.5 million contract with Boeing Defence Australia to upgrade the Poseidon's software, systems and sensors at RAAF Base Edinburgh, supporting 50 new highly skilled defence industry jobs.

The Poseidon P-8A aircraft is Australia's maritime patrol aircraft and this critical work will enhance the aircraft's anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

These upgrades will also ensure continued interoperability with Australia's allies and partners.

Boeing Defence Australia will recruit and train apprentices and supply chain trainees to provide P-8A Poseidon support, providing upskilling and pathways for Australians to gain long-term employment in a critical industry.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

"This announcement creates 50 new jobs and builds on the existing 283-strong workforce currently employed by Boeing Defence Australia at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

"Investing in this critical upgrade to our P-8A Poseidon fleet will create new opportunities for apprentices to learn valuable skills and forge a career that offers long-term and well-paid employment, while also ensuring our Defence Force is equipped with the capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe."

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Minister Joly announces sanctions in response to ongoing human rights violations in Belarus

Global Affairs Canada

2024-04-15

News release

April 15, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable MAlanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing sanctions on 21 individuals under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations. These sanctions are in response to the ongoing human rights violations in Belarus since the fraudulent presidential election of 2020.

The sanctions are announced on the margins of the visit to Ottawa of exiled Belarusian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. They are imposed in response to systematic abuses committed by the Lukashenko regime and subsequent prosecutions of Belarusians protesting the results of Belarus's 2020 presidential election, which the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe described as "not transparent, free or fair".

The sanctions announced today target current and former senior government officials-including members of the security forces, public prosecutors, members of the judiciary system and administrators of penal and "education" colonies- who have been involved in suppressing the right of Belarusians to protest peacefully. These individuals have been involved or complicit in arbitrary arrests and detentions, brutality, intimidation and excessive use of force against Belarusians who protested the fraudulent elections, as well as their ill treatment once they were falsely tried, sentenced and imprisoned. The European Union has already imposed sanctions on these individuals.

Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to the rights of Belarusians and will continue to work with its international partners to put an end to human rights violations and state-sponsored violence against protesters, activists and journalists in Belarus.

Quotes

"We will never tolerate a blatant disregard of democratic rights. Today, we're sending a clear message to Belarus: Canada will continue to support Belarusians in their fight to enforce their right for a democratic future. We will continue to put pressure on the Lukashenko regime and to support human rights defenders and political prisoners." - MAlanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

To date, Canada has announced 14 rounds of sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations, involving a total of 211 individuals and 71 entities. The sanctions have been implemented in close coordination with Canada's allies and partners.

Canada has announced over $3 million to support civil society organizations working to advance democracy in Belarus, with a focus on women and independent media.

The announcement of these measures coincides with the publication of Belarus-related actions by the United States and demonstrates the shared commitment of Canada and the United States to respond to the malfeasance of the Lukashenko regime.

Since 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 2,900 individuals and entities in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova who are complicit in the violation of Ukraine's and Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as gross and systematic human rights violations.

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Treasury Targets Belarusian Sanctions Evasion Networks and Cogs in Russia's War Machine

U.S. Department of the Treasury

April 15, 2024

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating 12 entities and 10 individuals pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14038. This action builds on U.S. sanctions imposed in response to Belarus's fraudulent August 2020 election, as well as President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's (Lukashenka) support for Russia's illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today's action sustains U.S. financial pressure on the Lukashenka regime for its continuing support for Russia's war against Ukraine and the financial benefit it derives from this activity.

The individuals and entities OFAC is targeting today include six revenue-generating state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and one entity and five individuals involved in facilitating transactions for a U.S.-designated major Belarusian defense sector enterprise. OFAC is additionally targeting five entities and five individuals involved in a global arms network doing business with a U.S.-designated Belarusian defense firm.

"The authoritarian Lukashenka regime continues to rely on revenue from its SOEs to fund its violent suppression of its citizens and to circumvent U.S. sanctions," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E. Nelson. "We will continue to leverage our broad suite of tools to target Belarus's extensive illicit facilitation networks and hold the regime accountable for its complicity in, and profiteering from, Russia's unjust war in Ukraine."

Included in today's designations is a coordinated action with the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Concurrent with today's actions by Treasury, the Department of Justice charged two principals of the now-designated Iraq-based arms company Black Shield Company for General Trading LLC, the now-designated Mohamad Deiry and Samer Rayya, with conspiring to unlawfully export weapons and ammunition from the United States to Sudan. The case was unsealed today in the Southern District of Florida. Deiry and Rayya remain at large and wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Today's designations also coincide with a separate sanctions action against Belarus by the Government of Canada. This coordination is demonstrative of the sustained commitment amongst partners to amplify the Lukashenka regime's continued anti-democratic governance in Belarus.

REVENUE GENERATING STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES

OJSC Stankogomel (Stankogomel) is a machine tool building SOE based in Gomel, Belarus that regularly collaborates across various Belarusian and Russian industries. In 2023, Stankogomel signed contracts with U.S.-designated Russian defense firms Kalashnikov Concern and Almaz-Antey to provide material support to their operations.

OFAC is designating Stankogomel pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being owned or controlled by the Government of Belarus (GoB).

OJSC AGAT-Control Systems-Managing Company of Geoinformation Control Systems Holding (AGAT) is an SOE that sells control systems for the Belarusian Armed Forces, industrial computers, navigation, and video surveillance systems. It is one of the largest enterprises of State Authority for Military Industry of the Republic of Belarus (SAMI)adesignated by OFAC on February 24, 2022, pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being a political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the GoBaand had an operating revenue of $40 million in 2022. AGAT is licensed to conduct foreign trade activities in relation to special goods, holding patents in Belarus, the Russian Federation, and the Eurasian Patent Organization. AGAT is listed on the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security's Entity List and was designated by Canada for a grave breach of international peace and security.

OFAC is designating AGAT pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being owned or controlled by the GoB.

AGAT is the management company for four additional entities located in Belarus that OFAC is also designating: JSC NIIEVM, JSC Communication Equipment, JSC AGAT-System, and LLC InnoTech Solutions.

JSC NIIEVM is a developer and producer of dual-use computer equipment and specializes in the modernization and repair of weapons systems and military and special equipment. In cooperation with SAMI and partner enterprises in Russia, JSC NIIEVM is involved in air defense radio-technical facilities, air defense missile systems, mobile systems of electromagnetic warfare, reconnaissance control, and radio jamming systems.

is a developer and producer of dual-use computer equipment and specializes in the modernization and repair of weapons systems and military and special equipment. In cooperation with SAMI and partner enterprises in Russia, JSC NIIEVM is involved in air defense radio-technical facilities, air defense missile systems, mobile systems of electromagnetic warfare, reconnaissance control, and radio jamming systems. JSC Communication Equipment specializes in the production of modern radio communication and telecommunication equipment, including products for uniformed services, and HF and VHF transceivers for civil and military use.

specializes in the production of modern radio communication and telecommunication equipment, including products for uniformed services, and HF and VHF transceivers for civil and military use. JSC AGAT-System is a leading organization for creation and development of means of special radio and wired communication in the Belarusian market. JSC AGAT-System is listed on the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security's Entity List and was designated by Canada for a grave breach of international peace and security.

is a leading organization for creation and development of means of special radio and wired communication in the Belarusian market. JSC AGAT-System is listed on the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security's Entity List and was designated by Canada for a grave breach of international peace and security. LLC InnoTech Solutions is a software development company with a special permit from the GoB for technical and/or cryptographic information protection and design, creation, and audit of information security systems of critical informatization objects. LLC InnoTech Solutions' operating revenue was $6.51 million in 2022.

OFAC is designating JSC NIIEVM, JSC Communication Equipment, JSC AGAT-System, and LLC InnoTech Solutions pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, AGAT, a person whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038. OFAC previously designated AGAT subsidiary AGAT Electromechanical Plant OJSC on December 2, 2021, pursuant to E.O. 14308 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the GoB.

PELENG FACILITATION NETWORK

U.S.-designated Belarusian SOE Peleng JSC (Peleng) is a leading design enterprise in the Belarusian optoelectronic industry and is one of Russia's most important industrial suppliers in Belarus. OFAC designated Peleng on December 2, 2021, pursuant to E.O. 14038 for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the economy of Belarus and for operating or having operated in the security sector of the economy of Belarus. Peleng is the exclusive supplier of fire-control systems for major lines of Russian tanks and is a developer of sights with thermal imagers. Peleng produces sights for BTR-82A military vehicles and supplies airfield automated meteorological systems and, in partnership with U.S.- designated Russian defense entity Joint Stock Company All-Russian Research Institute Signal (Signal), will be engaged in the production of a complex for artillery units. On June 28, 2022, the Department of State designated Signal pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy.

Shenzhen 5G High-Tech Innovation Co., Limited (Shenzhen 5G) is a People's Republic of China (PRC)-based entity that serves as an intermediary for Peleng. Shenzhen 5G and Peleng operate under a framework agreement that authorizes Shenzhen 5G to engage with Chinese manufacturing entities on Peleng's behalf. Peleng tasks Shenzen 5G with soliciting proposals for the specifications and quantities of various components, which are ultimately sourced to Peleng. Shenzhen 5G oversees the relationship with the manufacturer and coordinates the final delivery of goods to Peleng.

OFAC is designating Shenzhen 5G pursuant to E.O. 14038 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Peleng, a person whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

Oleg Yurchik (Yurchik) is a Belarusian national and the General Director of Shenzhen 5G. OFAC is designating Yurchik pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Shenzhen 5G, an entity whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

Aliaksandra Aksianchuk (Aksianchuk) is a Belarusian national and the Production Director of Shenzhen 5G. OFAC is designating Aksianchuk pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Shenzhen 5G, an entity whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

Dmitry Braim (Braim) is a Belarusian national and the Deputy Director General for Production of Peleng. OFAC is designating Braim pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Peleng, an entity whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

Siarhai Charheika (Charheika) is a Belarusian national and the Head of the Planning and Dispatch Department of Peleng. OFAC is designating Charheika pursuant to E.O. 14038 for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Peleng, a person whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

Dzmitry Mikhaltsou (Mikhaltsou) is a Belarusian national and the Technical Director of U.S.-designated JSC Minsk Mechanical Plant Named After S.I. Vavilov Management Company of BelOMO Holding (BelOMO). Mikhaltsou signed an agreement with Yurchik of Shenzhen 5G for casting molds and press molds. On December 5, 2023, OFAC designated BelOMO pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the GoB, and for operating in the defense and related materiel sector of the Belarus economy. OFAC is designating Mikhaltsou pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of BelOMO, an entity whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

BELARUS-SUPPLIED GRAY ARMS NETWORK

Since at least 2015, Black Shield Company for General Trading LLC (Black Shield), an ostensibly Iraq-based arms company led by Lebanon-based Samer Rayya (Rayya) and Syrian Mohamad Majd Deiry (Deiry), has acquired and sold arms used in conflicts around the world, including from key Belarusian defense company Kidma Tech OJSC, an entity designated by OFAC on December 2, 2021. Rayya and Black Shield have a long history with Kidma Tech OJSC, from procuring vehicles to be shipped to the Middle East, to discussions on setting up companies in third countries to facilitate arms deals. In addition, Rayya and Deiry, through Black Shield, have brokered weapons deals and offered air transport services in the Middle East and Africa for individuals, nonstate actors, and government customers, including from Russian arms companies. Black Shield and Deiry maintained relationships with individuals allegedly linked to the Syrian government and engaged in business activity on behalf of the Iranian regime.

The Black Shield network specializes in buying and selling weapons and materiel, ranging from ammunition, small arms, specialized sniper equipment and silencers, to armored vehicles, tanks, military helicopters, artillery, surface to air missiles and anti-tank missiles. This also includes specialized military technology like night vision equipment. The network uses intermediary and front companies such as Centuronic Ltd (Centuronic) and S. Group Airlines Ltd, both located in Cyprus, and Rayya DaniAYmanlik Hizmetleri Limited Azirketi (Rayya Danismanlik), located in Turkiye, to conduct their business. Tatyana Protopovich (Protopovich) is a director of Centuronic Ltd, and as CEO of Rayya Danismanlik, Nora Yagmur (Yagmur) has participated in attempts to procure arms. Additionally, Alhaitham Al Ali (Alhaitham) is a Slovak citizen and arms dealer who has acted as a middleman for Black Shield in its arms deals with a European armaments firm. Alhaitham specifically worked to assist Black Shield broker an arms deal between the European firm and an African country, coordinating a contract for millions of rounds of ammunition, tens of thousands of rifles and pistols, rocket propelled grenades, and indirect fire systems. Phoenix Lines S.R.O. is a Slovakia-based company fully owned by Alhaitham.

OFAC is designating Black Shield pursuant to E.O. 14038 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Kidma Tech OJSC, a person whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

OFAC is designating Rayya and Deiry pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being or having been leaders, officials, senior executive officers, or members of the board of directors of Black Shield, an entity whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

OFAC is designating Alhaitham pursuant to E.O. 14038 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Black Shield, a person whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

OFAC is designating Phoenix Lines S.R.O. pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Alhaitham, a person whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

OFAC is designating Centuronic, S. Group Airlines Ltd, and Rayya Danismanlik pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Rayya, a person whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

OFAC is designating Protopovich pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Centuronic, an entity whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

OFAC is designating Yagmur pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Rayya Danismanlik, an entity whose property and interests are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14038.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's FAQ 897.

Click here for more information on the individuals and entities sanctioned today.

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Hong Kong's prosperity 'can't be talked down by a few articles or some noises,' senior Chinese official says

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 15, 2024 03:58 PM

Hong Kong has bid farewell to its turbulent recent past and completely ended the history of being unguarded in safeguarding national security. With the protection of national security laws, it is the best time for Hong Kong to fully focus on the economy and seek development, a senior Chinese official on Hong Kong affairs said on Monday.

On the occasion of 2024 National Security Education Day in Hong Kong, Xia Baolong, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, made an address via video to a ceremony on Monday, remarking that the unanimous passage of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance by the Hong Kong Legislative Council on March 23 is a milestone event that has a profound influence on Hong Kong's transition from governance to prosperity and long-term stability.

It demonstrates a new atmosphere of efficient government operation, Xia said, noting that building a better Hong Kong and promoting its prosperity to thrive, so that local residents can lead better lives, has become the greatest consensus and expectation.

After the completion of the legislation of Article 23, 25 key enterprises have established operations in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong has successively hosted major financial and cultural events. It is believed that investors have cast their votes of confidence in Hong Kong with real investments, reflecting that Hong Kong remains the best place in the world for business environments, Xia said.

It is considered the best place to conduct business, make money, and achieve dreams, adding that "dark clouds cannot obscure the sunlight in the universe," the senior Chinese official noted.

Hong Kong's prosperity "cannot be talked down by a few articles, or some noises," and Hong Kong's development cannot be obstructed by small obstacles, Xia said. "Let those who cannot bear to see Hong Kong succeed lament, for Hong Kong's tomorrow is destined to be brilliant."

Hong Kong's internationalization, rule of law, and marketization will not be weakened but will shine even more brightly, Xia continued.

It is also believed that Hong Kong's role as an important bridge and window connecting the Chinese mainland and the world will become more prominent, he said. "Whenever Hong Kong is in need, the motherland will respond... support from the motherland will only be strengthened, not weakened," the senior official said, emphasizing that the central government fully supports Hong Kong's transition from governance to prosperity, with "more measures to support and benefit Hong Kong to follow."

"Security is a prerequisite for development. Without national security, there can be no stable environment, nor sustainable development," Hong Kong's Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee said at the ceremony on Monday.

Hong Kong endured the painful days of the "black-clad violence" in 2019, and with foreign forces still covetously watching, vigilance must be heightened. We must recognize the methods and characteristics of actions that undermine national security, which are sudden, long lasting, and covert, Lee said.

Hostile forces will continue to attack Hong Kong for political gain, just like a virus that will not disappear simply because Hong Kong has been vaccinated. Hong Kong cannot "forget the pain once the wound heals" and must take preventive measures, the CE said.

Lee emphasized that it's necessary to heighten vigilance and recognize the characteristics of activities that endanger national security.

The first is their suddenness, Lee said, citing the recent unexpected terrorist attack at a Moscow concert hall as an example. The second is their long lasting feature as hostile forces will not suddenly disappear, and threats will wait for opportunities to attack, similar to how viruses behave, he said.

And the third is their covert nature as he pointed out that foreign intelligence personnel or agents may hide within various industries, and might even assume the identities of ordinary civilians, marry, have children, and only years later carry out terrorist activities such as bombings, Lee noted.

While Hong Kong has completed its historical mission by enacting the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Lee urged that relevant work to continue being strengthened.

For instance, the Security Bureau and the Department of Justice will clarify and help the community understand the content concerning the provisions of Article 23, and there will be an active review and strengthening of internal systems, especially enhancing training to ensure that government officials understand the requirements of the ordinance, Lee said.

In terms of law enforcement, there will be strict adherence to the law to ensure law enforcement officers understand the basis of their authority and its proper use, additionally, national security education, patriotism education, and Chinese cultural education will be integrated and promoted simultaneously, he said.

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HK celebrates first National Security Education Day after legislation of Article 23

Global Times

Chinese senior official names city best place for business as prosperity ensured

By Xu Keyue and Chen Qingqing Published: Apr 15, 2024 10:27 PM

China's Central government official Xia Baolong kicked off a high-profile opening ceremony of an event in Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) marking the 10th anniversary of a holistic approach to national security on Monday when the city celebrated the first National Security Education Day after legislation of Article 23.

Xia, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, highlighted Hong Kong as the best destination in the world for business, making money and realizing dreams with the national security guarantee firmly in place.

Xia made the remarks via video link, according to the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR.

Xia stated that the unanimous passage of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance by the Hong Kong Legislative Council on March 23 is a milestone event that has a profound influence on Hong Kong's transition from governance to prosperity and long-term stability.

After the completion of the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, it is believed that investors have cast their votes of confidence in Hong Kong with real investments. This shows that Hong Kong remains the best place in the world in terms of business environment, Xia said.

While stressing that "one country, two systems" is Hong Kong's greatest strength, the Chinese senior official said that Hong Kong's role as an important bridge and window connecting the mainland and the world will become more prominent, emphasizing that the central government fully supports Hong Kong's transition from governance to prosperity, with "more measures to support and benefit Hong Kong to follow."

Hong Kong's prosperity "cannot be talked down by a few articles, noises or jeers," and Hong Kong's development cannot be obstructed by mere obstacles, Xia said.

HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee also addressed the ceremony, asking the city to be vigilant of acts and activities endangering national security.

Hostile forces will continue to attack Hong Kong for political gain, just like a virus that will not disappear simply because Hong Kong has been vaccinated. Hong Kong cannot "forget the pain once the wound heals" and must take preventive measures, Lee said.

Calling the legislation of Article 23 "an efficient vaccine" to safeguard national security, Lee urged that work that lies ahead be improved including better clarifying and interpretating the provision concerning the legislation, strengthening intelligence collection and analysis capabilities to guard against espionage and infiltration and sabotage by foreign forces, and promoting national security education, patriotism education, and Chinese cultural education.

Separately, several attendees of the ceremony reached by the Global Times on Monday expressed their confidence toward the future prosperity of Hong Kong.

Willy Fu, a law professor who is also director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Monday that the holistic approach to national security is of great significance steering the "patriots governing Hong Kong" in the right direction, and opening a new chapter in the practice of "one country, two systems" and the development of Hong Kong.

Willy Fu noted that as long as the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" is firmly implemented and the path of democratic development in line with the reality of Hong Kong is steadily followed, it will certainly provide solid political support for the governance and prosperity of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong lawmaker Elizabeth Quat Pui-fan, who also attended the ceremony, believes that after the completion of Article 23 legislation, Hong Kong should focus on striving to improve the economy, seeking development and protecting people's livelihood. It should also refute those who smear Hong Kong with the fact that Hong Kong continues to be brilliant.

Elizabeth Quat added that with the ever-changing international situation and hostile forces eyeing us, the risk of jeopardizing national security still exists. She urged the city to stay alert to any uneasy factors and risks, to ensure that riots like those in 2019 are not repeated and to provide a solid guarantee for prosperity.

Louis Chen, a member of the Election Committee and general secretary of the Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation, told the Global Times that "as a personal experience of Hong Kong's transformation from chaos to governance and from governance to prosperity, I feel that the security conditions in Hong Kong today have not come easily, and I will be better able to contribute to Hong Kong's development in my own field in the future."

Also, on occasion of celebrating the National Security Education Day on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing that under the guidance of the holistic approach to national security, China's sovereignty, security and development interests have been comprehensively safeguarded, and the overall social situation has maintained long-term stability. China has become one of the most secure and safest countries in the world.

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Chinese FM expresses solemn position regarding US' actions to advance 'Indo-Pacific Strategy' targeting China, urging the US to stop bloc confrontation

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 15, 2024 11:56 PM

The Chinese Foreign Ministry blasted the US' recent actions to advance the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" targeting China, as well as the country's wrongful statements and actions in China's surrounding areas, especially its attempts to form a small clique with Japan and the Philippines and disrupt the situation in the South China Sea. China again urged the US not to engage in bloc confrontation or disrupt peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on Monday met US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, and Sarah Beran, White House National Security Council's senior director for China affairs, in Beijing. Yang Tao, director-general of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, held talks with the US diplomats, according to a report from CGTN.

In accordance with the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries during their previous meeting in San Francisco and their recent phone call, both sides engaged in candid, in-depth, and constructive communication on promoting dialogue and cooperation in various fields between China and the US, as well as on properly managing differences.

The two sides exchanged views on international and regional hotspot issues such as the Middle East, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and unanimously agreed to continue implementing the San Francisco vision, maintaining exchanges at all levels, and further stabilizing China-US relations.

During the meeting, the Chinese side expressed its solemn position regarding the US' recent actions to advance the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" targeting China, and US' wrongful statements and activities in China's surrounding areas, especially its attempts to form a small clique with Japan and the Philippines, and disrupt the situation in the South China Sea. China urged the US not to engage in bloc confrontation or disrupt peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

China also clarified its stance on the Taiwan question, as well as issues including economic, trade, technology, and cultural exchanges. China urged the US to stop interfering in China's internal affairs and obstructing China's development, halt unjustified sanctions against Chinese companies, and cease suppression of China's economic, trade, and technological sectors.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on April 15, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

2024-04-15 22:28

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon will pay an official visit to China from April 16 to 21.

CCTV: Today is the ninth National Security Education Day of China. I noted that this year's theme is "the 10th anniversary of a holistic approach to national security: guiding the way with innovative thinking." Can you share with us how a holistic approach to national security is implemented in diplomatic work and how it contributes to global security?a

Lin Jian: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the holistic approach to national security put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping. This approach is rooted in socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era and epitomizes the experience and collective wisdom of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people formed in their endeavor in the course of over a century to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. Under its guidance, our work on national security has made historic achievements. The nation's sovereignty, security and development interests are upheld in an all-round way. We have maintained long-term social stability. China is one of the safest countries in the world.

As we speak, changes of the world, of our times, and of historical significance are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered into a new period of instability and transformation. A holistic approach to national security underlines coordinated effort to protect both China's security and the common security of the world, advocates the common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable global security vision, and calls for the building of a community with a shared future that enjoys universal security. In our external work, we have effectively upheld China's sovereignty, security and development interests with a firm will and an indomitable fighting spirit, actively promoted bilateral and multilateral security exchanges and cooperation, and improved the global security governance system. To address the prevalent turbulence and instability in today's world, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative, which advocates a new path to security that chooses dialogue, partnership and win-win over confrontation, alliance and zero-sum game, providing China's solution to the global security predicament. At the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs at the end of last year, it was pointed out that building a community with a shared future for mankind is the noble goal pursued by China in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for the new era; The strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative; On this basis, we seek to usher in a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our world.

Looking ahead, we in the diplomatic service will continue to follow the requirements of a holistic approach to national security, contribute to global common security while safeguarding China's own security, advance the Global Security Initiative with solid efforts, promote common responses to various kinds of security risks and challenges, and jointly build a beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace and universal security.

China-Arab TV: If Israel continues to attack Iran and the war escalates, does China worry it might get involved?

Lin Jian: China calls on relevant parties to stay calm and exercise restraint to prevent further escalation.

Shenzhen TV: April 13 marked one year of the international passenger service of the China-Laos Railway. On that day, another pair of passenger trains were added to run between Xishuangbanna of China and Luang Prabang of Laos. People can now take a round trip between the two places within just a day. Many Chinese and foreign tourists are drawn to the destinations along the route to get a unique travel experience. Today happens to be the last day of the Water Splashing Festival, which is being celebrated by Dai people and other ethnic groups in Yunnan. At the same time, countries such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar are celebrating their traditional new year festivals. The China-Laos Railway has once again become a top trending search. What's your comment?

Lin Jian: The China-Laos Railway is a pioneering project implemented by China and the Indo-China Peninsula country to conduct high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and improve connectivity. Since its launch more than two years ago, the railway has witnessed a jump in passenger and cargo volume, eased travel for tourists and added strong impetus to the high-quality economic growth of China and Laos. It has become an important bond between countries in the region. The international passenger service that you mentioned connects Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Luang Prabang, Vientiane and other famous cities, making it more convenient for tourists to visit cultural sites and natural scenic spots along the route. Over the past year, the international passenger service trains ran 734 times, transported 700,000 tourists and attracted tourists from 87 countries and regions who took over 180,000 cross-border trips. After consultation, China and Laos agreed that on April 13, one more pair of trains for passengers would be added to run between Xishuangbanna and Luang Prabang from Friday to Monday. The train schedule will be adjusted when necessary in light of the passenger flow. This is evidence that the China-Laos Railway is a boost to the local tourism industry and consumer spending, and has enhanced people-to-people and cultural exchanges and trade between China and Laos. The railway is truly shared by all and benefits all.

China and Laos are both socialist countries and neighbors that are connected by mountains and rivers. We are a community of shared future with strategic significance. The China-Laos Railway is a witness to the two countries' mutual success and future they share. It has also brought China, Laos, and neighboring ASEAN countries historic opportunities for opening up and substantial development progress. We hope that through the continued success of the China-Laos Railway, it will bring acceleration to regional prosperity and bring people of different countries closer for shared progress.

AFP: An opposition politician of Solomon Islands Daniel Suidani today told AFP ahead of the elections this week that China's growing hold over the country is "alarming." What is your response? How does the Foreign Ministry view the elections in Solomon Islands this week and the current China-Solomon Islands relations?

Lin Jian: China upholds the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, and supports the people of Solomon Islands in choosing a development path that suits their national conditions.

During his meeting with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley Simina a few days ago, President Xi Jinping noted that when countries develop relations with Pacific Island countries, it is essential to let Pacific Island countries make their own decisions, put development first, and stay open and inclusive. This is also China's position and policy for developing relations with Solomon Islands.

Global Times: It's reported the Mexican government announced on April 6 that Mexico will break diplomatic ties with Ecuador at once after the Ecuadorian side raided its embassy in Quito to arrest former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who had been seeking political asylum there, and flagrantly violated international law and Mexico's sovereignty. Mexico initiated proceedings in the International Court of Justice on April 11 accusing Ecuador's forcible entry into the Mexican embassy as a violation of international law and asking Ecuador to take state responsibility. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: We have noted the development. Mexico and Ecuador are both members of the family of Latin America and the Caribbean countries. We hope that relevant countries will follow the principle of mutual respect and properly settle differences within the framework of the international law and the basic norms of international relations.

China News Service: I'd like to follow up on your announcement that Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon will pay an official visit to China. She will be accompanied by a business delegation. Can you share the arrangement of the visit?

Lin Jian: China-Slovenia relations are growing with a sound momentum. The two countries have carried out high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, jointly supported deeper and more substantive cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, and achieved fruitful outcomes in high-level exchanges, trade and investment, scientific and technological innovation, cultural and people-to-people exchange and coordination on multilateral affairs. During Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon's visit, the two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations, cooperation in various areas, coordination on multilateral affairs, and international and regional issues of mutual interest. This is the second visit to China by a national leader of Slovenia in five years. We believe that the visit will further consolidate political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation in various areas and galvanize joint effort to promote world peace and development. We also welcome Slovenia's business delegation who will accompany the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. The business delegation's visit speaks to the high expectation of entrepreneurs from Slovenia and Europe for high-level mutually beneficial cooperation. The business delegation will also visit Shanghai and Shenzhen. I believe they will feel China's economic dynamism and growth momentum and see China's firm commitment to opening up. China stands ready to work with Slovenia and take the visit as an opportunity to step up dialogue and communication, have closer exchanges at all levels and in all areas, and promote the sound and steady growth of China-Slovenia and China-EU relations.

AFP: Australian Prime Minister said today that a shopping center attack last weekend killed six people, including a Chinese woman who studied in Sydney. What's your comment?

Lin Jian: On April 13, a knife attack at a shopping center in Sydney, Australia resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.a

In the wake of the attack, the Foreign Ministry directed the Chinese embassy and consulate in Australia to immediately activate the consular emergency response mechanism and verify whether Chinese nationals are among the victims. We have been informed by Australia that one Chinese national was killed and one injured. The Chinese embassy and consulate have asked Australia to make every effort to treat the injured. They are ready to help the victims' families travel to Australia and attend to relevant matters, and will keep a close eye on the progress of the investigation.

Beijing Daily: China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and the 360 Digital Security Group jointly published a report titled "Volt Typhoon: A Conspiratorial Swindling Campaign Targets with US Congress and Taxpayers Conducted by US Intelligence Community" on April 15. The US has been accusing the Chinese government of supporting Volt Typhoon's cyberattacks. What's China's comment on the report?

Lin Jian: I noted the report you mentioned. According to the report, "Volt Typhoon" is actually a ransomware cybercriminal group who calls itself the "Dark Power" and is not sponsored by any state or region. There are signs that in order to receive more congressional budgets and government contracts, the US intelligence community and cybersecurity companies have been secretly collaborating to piece together false evidence and spread disinformation about so-called Chinese government's support for cyberattacks against the US.

It's no secret that the US is the world's largest source of cyberattacks and the biggest threat to cybersecurity. Some in the US have been using origin-tracing of cyberattacks as a tool to hit and frame China, claiming the US to be the victim while it's the other way round, and politicizing cybersecurity issues. What they have done seriously harms China's lawful rights and interests. China urges the US to immediately stop its cyberattacks against China and stop smearing China.

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Supervisor Hillary Ronen is calling for a hearing on the handling of sexual harassment and assault cases by the San Francisco Police Department and District Attorneys Office amid new allegations against a former top leader of a powerful housing nonprofit. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

A top San Francisco official is calling for a hearing on the handling of sexual harassment and assault cases by law enforcement amid new allegations against a former top leader of a powerful housing nonprofit.

Jon Jacobo was a rising star in progressive politics involved in many community organizations when he faced a firestorm in 2021 after a tenants rights activist, Sasha Perigo, accused him of sexually assaulting her months earlier in his apartment.

Now, three additional women have come forward to accuse Jacobo of sexual assault or domestic violence, according to a report published Tuesday in the San Francisco Standard. Jacobo was director of community development for the housing nonprofit TODCO until he resigned Tuesday.



Jacobo was also a member of the Mission District nonprofit Calle 24 board of directors. Calle 24 Executive Director Susana Rojas told the Chronicle the board accepted his resignation at an emergency meeting Tuesday.

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The three women, who spoke to the Standard on the condition of anonymity, alleged a series of abusive incidents involving Jacobo between 2015 and 2019. The three women filed police reports against him after Perigo came forward, according to the Standard.

Jon Jacobo was a rising star in progressive politics involved in many community organizations when he faced a firestorm in 2021 after a tenants rights activist, Sasha Perigo, accused him of sexually assaulting her months earlier in his apartment. Constanza Hevia H./Special to the Chronicle 2020

The Standard questioned whether the police thoroughly investigated the accusations and whether theyve made the cases a high priority. Evan Sernoffsky, a police spokesperson, declined to discuss specifics about the womens allegations or police handling of their cases but said the department is working diligently on them. The district attorneys office confirmed Jacobo has not been charged related to these allegations.

Jacobo, who did not respond to requests for comment from the Standard, could not be reached by the Chronicle.

But Anna Yee, CEO of TODCO, said in a statement Tuesday that Jacobo has resigned from TODCO as of today. After initial allegations were made against Jon, we conducted an internal review of his work with our organization and we found no issues. We were not aware of the issues raised today. We must listen and hear the voices of women when they speak out and we must remember everyone deserves due process.

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Jacobo, who resigned from the citys building commission after Perigos accusation, denied the allegations at the time, saying on social media that the encounter was consensual. Despite the allegations, within months community leaders were welcoming Jacobo back.



Perigo said at the time she was not going to press charges because she did not trust the police.

In light of the new allegations, Supervisor Hillary Ronen told the Chronicle she is calling the hearing to learn how the police department investigates sexual assault and harassment allegations, as well as how it engages with survivors. Ronen represents the Mission District, where Jacobo has been involved in multiple community and nonprofit groups. He was widely expected to run for her seat before Perigo came forward.

San Francisco police did not provide reporters with a specific comment on the hearing. In a statement posted on X, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said the department is working diligently on these open investigations.

We take sexual assault cases very seriously and we work closely with our victims, the statement said. We urge anyone who is a victim of sexual assault to come forward and report your case to the SFPD.

Ronen said she wants to learn about how the Office of Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention, or SHARP, operates, including how many complaints are made to the office annually and how many get resolved. She also wants to learn what follow-up the department does with victims of sexual assault and harassment.

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Officials from the district attorneys office, the Human Rights Commission and SHARP have all been asked to participate in the hearing.

Ronen held an explosive hearing on sexual harassment and assault in 2018 when a dozen women and advocates described how key city agencies had allegedly been mishandling rape cases, leaving survivors feeling mistreated by those who were supposed to help. The hearing led to the creation of SHARP, but Ronen told the Chronicle on Tuesday she has been disappointed by how little work has come out of the office. She said she wants to hear whether SHARP has made it easier for survivors of assault and harassment to come forward with allegations and press charges when necessary.



This office was supposed to help, Ronen said in an interview. But we have seen little to no success. (It) has never become what I hoped it could be.

SHARP Director KellyLou Densmore said in a statement there are challenges related to the work the group does.



We continue to work to identify ways to improve our collaboration with city colleagues. Our mission is for the system to be of benefit and support to survivors and not cause harm, she said, adding shes looking forward to learning how we can do better to support those who the system has failed.

The first accusation against Jacobo exploded into public view in August 2021, after Perigo accused him of raping her in April of that year. The two had been friends, and intimate once, but in her post, Perigo said she had ended any sexual relationship with him months before.

Perigo described Jacobo groping her and kissing her that night and raped her the next morning. Perigo said she told Jacobo no dozens of times during both encounters, and tried to push him off her and block his advances, but that he repeatedly ignored her pleas and persisted.

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She described the encounter in a Google Doc titled A Prominent San Francisco Politico Raped Me. He Cant Have Any More Victims, in which she shared additional details about the assault, contemporaneous messages she sent Jacobo confronting him about the incident and discharge paperwork from a hospital after a sexual assault exam and a letter from the SFPDs Special Victims Unit.

In the wake of Perigos accusations, Jacobo took a leave of absence from TODCO, but within months, Jacobo was attending community and political events, including a Rose Pak Community Fund event alongside former Supervisor Jane Kim.

Kim later apologized for inviting Jacobo to the event. Reached for comment Tuesday, she directed reporters back to the statement she made back then, which reads in part: It was a mistake for Jon to attend the Rose Pak Community Fund Dinner and I take ownership of his attendance.

One woman in Tuesdays Standard story said she was physically and emotionally abused by Jacobo during their more than three-year relationship, alleging that he would choke her and threaten to kill her and her family members. That experience appears to align with that of a woman who filed a personal injury lawsuit against Jacobo in San Mateo County Superior Court in 2022 alleging a pattern of egregious physical and emotional abuse.

In an incident involving a different woman, Jacobo allegedly was found half-naked in a bed with the woman who was unconscious and topless, and the woman said she couldnt remember how she got into the bedroom, according to the Standards reporting. A third woman said that Jacobo had been staying on her couch when he sneaked into her bed naked and left only after the woman repeatedly rejected his sexual advances.

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With a tear rolling down her cheek, a visibly despondent Supervisor Catherine Stefani said she was appalled by the new allegations against Jacobo and was reminded of the pushback she received in 2018 during the last board hearing on sexual violence.

Thinking about what women have to endure in our city, in what we think is a progressive city, it just honestly makes me sick, Stefani said. The onslaught and attacks on women in this country are just out of control. And if you dont think so, wake up.

Stefani agreed with Ronen that six years after SHARP was created, we failed.

We tried to do something and we have not been successful, she said.
Hong Kong loses 10,000 civil servants amid political crackdown

Government talent programs have yet to bear fruit, as brain drain from once-prestigious jobs persists.

By Alice Yam for RFA Cantonese 2024.04.15 -- Hong Kong's civil service has hemorrhaged more than 10,000 employees in recent years, in the wake of a city-wide crackdown on public dissent that has forced them to censor what they say on social media and take an oath of loyalty to Beijing.

More than 10,000 civil servants resigned in the year 2022-2023, according to figures from the city's Civil Service Bureau, compared with just over 8,500 people in the year 2018-2019, from jobs that were once known for being generously rewarded in terms of pay, additional benefits and long-term stability.

The news of the brain drain emerged as several government departments marked "National Security Education Day" with lavish flag-raising ceremonies complete with goose-stepping uniformed officers and a marching band.

The figures emerge amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent under two national security laws that ban public criticism of the government, as well as official insistence on political loyalty to the ruling Chinese Communist Party for anyone in public office in the wake of the 2019 pro-democracy movement, which many civil servants supported.

For Hong Kong's 48,000 civil servants, that means not just swearing loyalty to the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, but also refraining from public criticism of the government, even on social media.

In 2021, the government terminated the contracts of 129 civil servants who refused to sign a written oath of allegiance. Some used the form to complain that the requirement infringed their right to free speech.

In December 2023, a whistleblower accused the government of trying to "brainwash" civil servants with a secret training video based on Beijing's claim that the 2019 protests were an attempt by foreign countries to undermine the Hong Kong government.

Nearly 1,000 of those who resigned were under 30, while nearly 3,000 had less than 10 years of service, according to figures provided in a written reply from the Civil Service Bureau to the Legislative Council on April 11.

However, the reply didn't mention emigration as a key factor behind the high vacancy rates.

Difficulty recruiting

The government also alluded to difficulties in recruiting staff in an April 9 press release saying it wouldn't proceed with its review of civil service pay and conditions, "in view of the severe and unprecedented turbulence in the current labor market."

"The effect of the talent and labor-trawling measures introduced by the government in recent years on restoring the stability of the labor market is yet to be observed," the statement said, alluding to a slew of measures aimed at attracting regional talent to Hong Kong in recent years.

"I really wanted to leave Hong Kong and emigrate," a former Hong Kong civil servant who gave only the surname Chan for fear of reprisals told RFA Cantonese. "Kids need a free environment in which to develop."

Chan, who has now moved to live overseas, said many of her colleagues have also resigned in the wake of the crackdown on the 2019 protest movement, citing a "deteriorating social environment."

She said Hong Kong's civil service was once considered a stable career for life.

"Usually turnover shouldn't be very high [for civil service positions]," Chan said. "A lot of people I knew actually had good jobs, but they all chose to leave."

"Most of them left regardless of whether they had kids or not," she said. "Most of those who quit were emigrating, and gave no explanation -- it wasn't simply a matter of getting a new job."

Police hit hard

Vacancy rates are running at around 19% in the city's police force, which has struggled to boost its numbers despite a huge injection of funding in the wake of a much-criticized crackdown on the 2019 protest movement.

Meanwhile, some 24% of vacancies at government broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong, which was placed under direct editorial supervision by a government committee in February 2021, remain unfilled.

International press advocacy groups have criticized the authorities for eviscerating press freedom in the city, sparking an exodus of journalists.

Another issue is that younger Hong Kongers, many of whom spearheaded recent waves of pro-democracy movements and who have wound up in large numbers in prisons and the court system, are highly unlikely to want to work for the government in the current political climate, where they are accused of being "rioters," or the tools of "hostile foreign forces" seeking to destabilize the city.

"They can't recruit people, because very few young people are choosing to join the government," Leung Chau-ting, who chairs the Federation of Civil Service Union, which he helped found in 1984, told RFA Cantonese.

"There's a huge shortage of experienced middle managers, and a lot of non-government employers are headhunting talent from government departments," Leung said.

National Security Education Day also brought a warning from Xia Baolong, the ruling Chinese Communist Party official in charge of the city, that "hostile foreign forces" would continue to attack, and likening the democracy movement to a "virus."

"Even with the protection of the national security laws, activities that endanger national security will continue to attack us like viruses, so we can't just let our wounds heal and forget about the pain," Xia said in a video address for the event.

Meanwhile, Beijing's envoy to Hong Kong, Zheng Yanxiong, blamed former British colonial governor Chris Patten for "laying political landmines in Hong Kong" with his electoral reforms widening the voting franchise ahead of the handover.

China reversed Patten's changes soon after the 1997 handover, and has since further rewritten the electoral rules to allow only staunch supporters of Beijing to stand in "elections" to the legislature and for district council seats.

Incumbent Chief Executive John Lee took office in 2022 after winning an "election" in which he was the only candidate.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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German chancellor promotes fair competition, warns against overproduction during China visit

By VOA News April 15, 2024

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is calling for fair competition in trade with China while urging the European Union to not adopt protectionist policies against Beijing. The bloc has been considering tariffs amid concerns about Chinese goods being dumped on European markets and overproduction.

Scholz is in China on a three-day visit. He is expected to meet with President Xi Jinping Tuesday in Beijing before ending his trip, which is his second to China since taking office in 2021.

According to the Reuters news agency, Beijing is expected to urge Berlin to not support EU measures to stem the influx of Chinese-made vehicles and wind and solar equipment into Europe.

Referencing what he views as unfounded fears when Japanese and South Korean cars first entered the German market, Scholz said, "At some point there will also be Chinese cars in Germany and Europe. The only thing that must always be clear is that competition must be fair," Scholz told students at Tongji University in Shanghai.

He also said, "In other words, that there is no dumping ... there is no overproduction [and] ... copyrights are not infringed."

China has been Germany's largest trade partner for eight consecutive years as of 2023.

In December, EU leaders urged China to fix its trade imbalance with Europe. In 2022, the EU recorded a $426 billion trade deficit with China, more than any year before. The EU has also urged China to press Russia to end its war in neighboring Ukraine.

Scholz is expected to question Beijing's close economic ties with Moscow more than two years into Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Xi has long denied he is partial to the Kremlin.

Berlin has also been concerned about the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Without calling China out directly, Scholz said that borders "must not be moved by force" and that, "We should not be afraid of our neighbors."

China considers self-governing Taiwan a wayward province and has not ruled out the use of force to unify it with the mainland.

Scholz's arrival in China on Sunday was overshadowed by an Iranian attack on Israel. Nearly all of more than 300 missiles and drones launched by Iran and its proxies were intercepted by Israel and its allies.

The attack has fueled fears of a wider regional conflict. Scholz has joined other Western leaders in warning Iran not to strike again and urged Israel against retaliating.

Some information in this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press.

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Report: Chinese authorities impose collective punishments on families of detained dissidents

By William Yang April 15, 2024

A U.S.-based human rights organization says Chinese authorities have been "collectively punishing" families of human rights defenders in recent years, warning that the persecution appears to be part of a "state policy."

In a new report, Chinese Human Rights Defenders said authorities have held the children of detained human rights defenders in custody and put them in psychiatric hospitals or orphanages, forced school-age children to drop out of school, imposed exit bans on children of human rights defenders and imprisoned some family members of rights activists.

The collective punishment carried out against families of Chinese human rights defenders "is completely illegal and violates all sorts of international human rights laws and conventions," Renee Xia, director of Chinese Human Rights Defenders, said during an online press briefing on April 11.

"The most heartbreaking part is [how the Chinese authorities are] inflicting so much pain on the children of human rights defenders and the experience of watching their parents being mistreated growing up leaves long-term psychological trauma on them," she added.

VOA has reached out to China's foreign ministry for comment but has yet to receive a response. During a Universal Periodic Review held by the U.N. Human Rights Council in January, China's top diplomat in Geneva said Beijing is dedicated to "safeguarding the rights of specific groups" and "children's development."

Forced to drop out of school

As part of the collective punishments against families of human rights activists, some have experienced repeated forced evictions while schools are repeatedly turning away their children due to pressure from local authorities.

Wang Quanzhang is a prominent human rights lawyer who was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison on charges of subversion during the "709 crackdown" in 2015. Wang has been evicted by landlords or hotels more than a dozen times since last April. He described the forced evictions as part of Chinese authorities' retaliation against him and his family.

The 2015 crackdown is known in China as the 709 crackdown because it began on July 9, 2015. On that date, authorities began targeting independent legal advocates and arrested hundreds of lawyers.

"The authorities think our community has been trying to humiliate them, so they want to use all the means at their disposal to punish human rights lawyers," Wang told VOA in a phone call.

Apart from the forced evictions, Wang said his 11-year-old son has been turned away by schools several times over the last year. "Since we were forced to move to new places so frequently over the last year, it's been difficult for my son to remain at the same school for long enough," he said, adding that some schools would turn away his son due to pressure from authorities.

Wang tried to send his son abroad last year, hoping to protect him from the harassment.

"When we tried to leave China last October, the customs officers stopped my son and the daughter of another human rights lawyer and said they weren't allowed to leave the country since they could be a threat to national security," he said.

Since then, Wang and his family have moved to the southern province of Guangzhou and tried to admit his son to a private academy recommended by his friends.

"After just a week, close to 20 people suddenly showed up at the academy to conduct 'inspection' and following their repeated harassment, the academy was forced to move to a more discreet location," Wang said.

Since it's not clear when his son may return to school, Wang is signing him up for some online classes to make sure he is still learning something. "The authorities know my son is my biggest weakness so they try to make it difficult for him to go to school, hoping it could stop me from criticizing them," he told VOA.

In addition to Wang's son, the children of other detained human rights activists have also experienced persecution from Chinese authorities. According to the CHRD report, the 11-year-old son of detained Chinese activist He Fangmei has been put into a foster home since her detention in February 2021 and her two daughters, ages four and one month old at the time, were left at a psychiatric hospital despite repeated pleas from relatives.

Meanwhile, Yu Zhenyang, the 19-year-old son of detained human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan, was briefly detained and tried to commit suicide twice since last November.

Family of rights defenders detained

Apart from targeting children as part of their collective punishments against Chinese activists, CHRD said Chinese authorities have detained or imposed tight control on family members of imprisoned activists.

Wang Li, the wife of imprisoned Chinese artist Wang Zang, was sentenced to two-and-half years in prison in December 2022 after she demanded that authorities release her husband.

In addition to that, VOA previously reported that several family members of detained Chinese activist Peng Lifa, who famously draped protest banners on a bridge in Beijing calling Chinese leader Xi Jinping a "national traitor," have been put under strict surveillance.

In its report, the group demands that China "immediately cease all harassment and extralegal detention of the family members of human rights defenders." CHRD has also called on the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Volker TArk, to issue robust statements on rights violations committed by the government and provide regular updates on the progress of dialogue with officials.

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Chinese localities urged to ensure timely completion, delivery of real estate projects

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 16, 2024 12:36 AM

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng emphasized the importance of timely completion and delivery of real estate projects to buyers to protect their legitimate rights and interests during his property sector inspection tour in Zhengzhou, Central China's Henan Province from Saturday to Sunday, a signal that the country aims to facilitate the stable and sound development of the real estate market.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stressed that the delivery of good-quality homes on time will help stabilize expectations and promote the steady and healthy development of the real estate market.

He also highlighted the need to accelerate the implementation of the financing coordination mechanism, and urged efforts to actively support the needs of compliant real estate projects listed in the "white list," and ensure loans for those that are eligible for credit.

He said that great changes have taken place in the supply and demand relationship in China's real estate market, stressing the needs to speed up nurturing a new model for the sector's development, particularly the construction of affordable housing, the renewal of urban villages, and the development of dual-use public infrastructure.

"Requirements such as 'on-time delivery,' 'safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of homebuyers,' and 'stabilizing expectations' underscore the importance of protection of the rights and interests of homebuyers," Yan Yuejin, director of Shanghai E-House Real Estate Research Institute, told the Global Times.

In the first two months of 2024, real estate development investment decreased by 9 percent year-on-year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed. From January to February, the sales area of newly built commercial residential buildings decreased by 20.5 percent year-on-year, and sales revenue decreased by 29.3 percent.

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Former North Korean Official Indicted on Sanctions Evasion, Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, and Money Laundering Charges

Monday, April 15, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

An indictment was unsealed today charging a former North Korean official serving in Thailand, Myong Ho Ri, with conspiracy to violate U.S. economic sanctions bank fraud, and international money laundering.

According to the indictment, Ri arranged for shipments of goods to North Korea using U.S. dollar wire transfers without receiving a license from the U.S. Treasury Department. Ri is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and 18 counts of international money laundering relating to a scheme to smuggle goods into North Korea from Thailand via Dalian, China.

"As alleged, this defendant deliberately circumvented U.S. sanctions by using front companies to deceive American banks as he smuggled goods into North Korea," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The Justice Department will be relentless in pursuing those who violate sanctions and advance North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs."

"This defendant allegedly skirted the sanctions put in place by the U.S. government in order to protect our national security," said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. "He is also alleged to have thwarted U.S. banking laws, so that he could conduct business for North Korea, a foreign government that is determined to unlawfully expand its nuclear program. Working with our partners, we will make every effort to bring to justice the people who put this country at risk, no matter where in the world they operate."

On March 15, 2016, the President issued Executive Order 13,722 to address the Government of North Korea's continuing pursuit of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. That and subsequent regulations prohibit the export of financial services from the United States or by any U.S. person to North Korea, including the processing of U.S. dollar wires for transactions conducted overseas.

According to the indictment, beginning around February 2015, Ri used his position as Third Economic and Commercial Secretary in the Embassy of North Korea in Thailand to negotiate contracts on behalf of a North Korean company to ship goods into North Korea from Thailand, utilizing multiple front companies and co-conspirators in Thailand and Malaysia. Ri and his co-conspirators deliberately concealed the intended destination of the goods from banking institutions located in the United States and directed shipments through Dalian, China in order to obscure the true nature of their business. As a result, U.S. financial institutions unknowingly processed multiple U.S. dollar transactions for the benefit of North Korea.

The Department of Homeland Security Investigation's Washington D.C. Field Office is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Tortorice and Maeghan Mikorski for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Stephen Marzen and Tracy Varghese of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance was provided by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Grady.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Topics: Financial Fraud

Countering Nation-State Threats

National Security

Components:National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - District of Columbia

Press Release Number: 24-452

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April 15, 2024

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III conducted a call with his German counterpart, Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius, to discuss continuing support for Ukraine amid Russia's brutal invasion.

During the call, Secretary Austin thanked Minister Pistorius for Germany's tremendous support to Ukraine, both in terms of security assistance and leadership within the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

The Secretary emphasized that Germany's efforts demonstrate its pivotal role - not only in supporting Ukraine, but also in safeguarding democracy against authoritarian encroachment.

The United States and Germany will continue to work together alongside international partners to ensure strong support for Ukraine.

The two also discussed Iranian attacks on Israel over the weekend, noting Germany's and the United States' steadfast commitment to Israel. They agreed that continued transatlantic collaboration is necessary to ensure regional security going forward.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3742117/

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INDIAN ARMY CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR INDIA- UZBEKISTAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE DUSTLIK

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 15 APR 2024 3:44PM by PIB Delhi

The Indian Army contingent departed today for the 5th edition of India- Uzbekistan joint military Exercise DUSTLIK. The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 15th to 28th April 2024 at Termez, the Republic of Uzbekistan. Exercise DUSTLIK is a yearly event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan. Last edition was conducted at Pithoragarh (India) in February 2023.

The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 60 personnel is being represented by 45 personnel from the Indian Army, majorly from a Battalion of the JAT Regiment, and 15 personnel from the Indian Air Force. The Uzbekistan contingent comprising approximately 100 personnel, from Uzbekistan Army and Air Force, will be represented by personnel from Southern Operational Command, part of South-West Military District.

Aim of Exercise DUSTLIK is to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in mountainous as well as semi urban terrain. It would focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills.

Tactical drills to be practiced during the exercise will include creation of a Joint Command Post, establishing an Intelligence & Surveillance Centre, securing of landing site, Small Team Insertion & Extraction, Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills and Demolition of illegal structures.

The complexity of this edition of Exercise DUSTLIK has been enhanced with conduct of multi domain operations as the contingent comprises of personnel from combat support arms and services besides Infantry. Two Women Officers also form part of the IA contingent, including one from the Regiment of Artillery and the second from the Army Medical Corps.

Exercise 'DUSTLIK' will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting joint operations. The Exercise will facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both the countries. This will also enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

______________________

SC



(Release ID: 2017945)

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

14 April 2024 18:38

690-14-04-2024

On April 14, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the initiative of the Iranian side.

The main topic of discussion centred around the situation in the Middle East. The Iranian Foreign Minister informed his Russian counterpart about the actions taken by Tehran in response to the Israeli airstrike on the consular section of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus on April 1, which resulted in the death of Iranian officials.

As noted, any further escalation of the situation in the region and any new dangerous provocative actions could lead to an escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Preventing such scenarios and eliminating their root causes should be a primary concern for the UN Security Council.

The ministers reaffirmed their support for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, underscoring the urgency of resolving pressing humanitarian problems, and expressed their commitment to establishing lasting conditions for direct negotiations in accordance with the UN resolutions on a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

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Amirabdollahian says Iran has never been seeking regional escalation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 15, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Noting that Iran has never been seeking to escalate tensions in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that the Zionist regime has seemingly misinterpreted Iran's restraint.

The foreign minister made the remarks in a phone conversation on Monday with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg.

He described Iran's Saturday night strikes on Zionist targets as the country's legitimate right to self-defense.

The Austrian foreign minister, for his part, said that more regional conflicts will be detrimental to everyone, underlining the need for diplomatic efforts to put an end to the crisis in Gaza Strip.

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Army chief vows 'stormy' response to any aggression against Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 15, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Army Chief Commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi has warned that Iran is prepared to deliver a "stormy and united" response to any form of aggression against the nation.

In a statement to mark the National Army Day on Monday, Mousavi emphasized the formidable defensive and deterrence power of Iran's Armed Forces.

The message came two days after the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched a volley of missiles and drones towards the Israeli occupied territories in retaliation for a deadly attack on Iran's diplomatic premises in Syria early this month.

The unprecedented airstrike, dubbed Operation True Promise, sent the Israeli officials into a frenzied debate on whether and how to respond.

General Mousavi said Iran's operation against the Israeli regime demonstrated only a fraction of the resolve and capability of the Iranian Armed Forces.

The operation was "a decisive response to the blatant aggression" by the Zionist enemy and brought joy to the oppressed nations, especially the resilient people of Palestine and Gaza, the commander said.

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San Francisco library workers, union members and supporters hold a rally on April 9 outside the San Francisco Main Library calling for increased security at every branch. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle

San Francisco has reached tentative labor contracts with several of its largest unions, reducing the chances of a widespread public-sector strike as the city tries to close a huge budget deficit during a mayoral election year.

Full details of the agreements were not immediately available, but SEIU Local 1021, San Franciscos largest public-sector union, said its contract would establish a $25 per hour minimum wage for city workers, among other provisions. The lowest hourly pay rate for SEIU members is currently $20.25, according to the union. SEIU and another union, IFPTE Local 21, said they secured 13% wage increases spread over three years.

Django Rampley, center, holds a sign from the back of a vintage San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798 engine as unions gather for a rally outside City Hall to kick off contract negotiations with the city on Jan. 17. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Its too soon to tell how much the deal will cost the city or exactly how it will impact the upcoming budget negotiations, though officials said theyve factored the labor talks into their financial projections. Mayor London Breed previously ordered her departments to plan for 10% spending cuts in the coming fiscal year.

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The city is still negotiating with some unions, including those representing nurses and transit operators. But the tentative agreements with SEIU and some other unions cover more than 20,000 of San Franciscos 36,600 employees, according to Breeds office. Union members still need to ratify the contracts, and they must also be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

San Francisco unions have been threatening to strike this year as they push for raises and better working conditions. City workers havent gone on strike in decades, but provisions in the City Charter that forbade them from doing so were recently gutted by a state employment board.

While the city appealed that ruling, the possibility of a strike created a political headache for Breed, who is trying to close a projected $789.3 million two-year deficit just months before she hopes to defeat several challengers to win another term.

Mayor Breed has been clear that a key component of San Franciscos ability to deliver high quality and necessary services to the public involves investing in our workforce, Breed spokesman Jeff Cretan said in an email Monday.

Cretan said city officials are working closely with the unions that dont have agreements yet, hoping to promptly bring discussions to amicable resolution. He said the tentative contracts already agreed to will help ensure the stability and continuity of city services throughout their three-year terms. He also noted that the contract negotiations were included as part of the citys budget planning process and promised that Breed will deliver a balanced budget to supervisors this summer.

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Kristin Hardy, San Francisco regional vice president for SEIU 1021, said in a statement that the $25 minimum wage her union secured in the deal would immediately help bring over 1,000 of the Citys lowest-paid employees out of poverty. Hardy said the union also secured new protections against contracting out in this agreement that we believe can start to disrupt this disturbing pattern of throwing taxpayer dollars to outside companies with little to no oversight.

We believe the agreement will help us protect and improve the public services S.F. needs as it rebuilds post-pandemic, Hardy said in her statement.

IFPTE Local 21, which represents various technical and professional workers, said its tentative contract includes the formation of a joint labor-and-management committee that will oversee a new process for disputing city contracts, including by appointing a fact finder who will make recommendations to the Civil Service Commission.



Kim Thompson, Local 21s San Francisco vice president, said the agreement is intended to push the city to spend less on outside contracts and more on its own workers.



Theyre the public servants. They have the institutional knowledge, Thompson said. We feel that putting the work back there as much as is appropriate and possible will achieve the best quality city services.



Despite the contract wins, Hardy said SEIUs work isnt finished yet, noting that the nurses and transit workers who dont have tentative agreements with the city yet face huge challenges around staffing and contracting out, among other issues.

We hope to reach agreements with the City for them, too, but all options up to and including a strike are still on the table until we do, Hardy said.

Rudy Gonzalez, secretary-treasurer for the San Francisco Building & Construction Trades Council, said his members also dont have a deal with the city yet, nor do plumbers, engineers and electricians  and a strike remains possible for them, too.

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We arent playing some game for fun, Gonzalez said in a text message. We are fighting for the city we love. Lets hope it comes together.

Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, whos running for mayor against Breed, said he thought cooler heads prevailed as leaders of the major unions and the mayors office negotiated.

The leadership and the rank and file of San Franciscos largest employee organizations care about the citys financial position and are realistic about it, and I think that we dug as deep into our pockets as we reasonably could, Peskin said. Its still gonna be a tough budget season, but I think we will make it work.
Iran's attack against Zionist regime warning not to cross red lines: Amirabdollahian

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 15, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a phone call with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock has termed the purpose of the Islamic Republic of Iran in conducting the attack against Israel as a warning to the Israeli regime to understand the consequences of crossing Iran's red lines.

During a telephone conversation with Baerbock on Monday, Amirabdollahian described the powerful operation carried out by the Iranian armed forces against the Israeli regime on Saturday night as a "precise" and "least" attack on military centers, noting that the operation was a retaliation for the Israeli attack on Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria.

While condemning Germany's support for the Zionist regime, the top Iranian diplomat warned that "if the Israeli regime wants to continue its adventurous moves, the retaliatory action will be swift and large-scale."

Amirabdollahian reiterated that the purpose of the Islamic Republic of Iran in conducting the attack was to warn the Israeli regime to understand the outcomes of crossing Iran's red lines.

He hoped that instead of condemning Iran's legitimate actions, Germany would focus on stopping the war in Gaza and establishing peace and stability from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.

For her part, Baerbock emphasized the importance of conducting as many talks as possible in the current dangerous time, highlighting the recent developments that have led to an increase in severe turbulence in the region and it shows that tensions are escalating. Therefore, she believes that joint efforts should be focused on preventing the escalation of tension.

She added, "We are trying every day to end this war and to lay the ground for achieving lasting peace."

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Tel Aviv knows Tehran's next retaliation will be more 'decisive': Iran UN envoy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 15, 2024

London, IRNA -- The ambassador and permanent representative of the Islamic Republic to the United Nations (UN) has announced that Iran's second retaliation against Israeli attack will be "most decisive."

Amir-Saeid Iravani made the remarks in an interview published by British TV network Sky News on Monday.

Commenting on a claim made by a Zionist network about a decision of the regime's war cabinet on a "significant response" to Iran, Iravani said "... that is a threat... not an action."

On April 13, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced firing dozens of drones and missiles toward the positions of the Zionist regime in the occupied Palestinians territories. The firing took place in response to the Israeli attack against Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, a few days ago.

"This action was in the exercise of Iran's inherent right to self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and in response to the Israeli recurring military aggressions, particularly its armed attack on 1st April 2024 against Iranian diplomatic premises, in the defiance of Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the United Nations," according to Iravani's letter sent to the UN chief on Saturday.

Also, Iran's Permanent Mission to the UN, on its X late on Sunday, said the Israeli regime needed to be punished to restore order.

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Iran reaffirms commitment to int'l law, opposition to regional tensions

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 15, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Republic does not seek tensions in the region and is committed to international law and regulations, says Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani.

Kanaani made the comments on Monday during his weekly press briefing in Tehran two days after Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched hundreds of missiles and drones against the Israeli regime's targets late in retaliation for the regime's unprovoked deadly offensive on the Iranian consulate in Syria two weeks earlier.

The Iranian operation was necessary and proportionate and hit the Israeli regime's military targets, the spokesman said, adding that the Islamic Republic had issued the necessary warnings prior to the operation and acted powerfully after the diplomatic ultimatum came to an end.

"Iran does not seek tensions in the region, is committed to international law and regulations, and will always act to punish any aggressor in order to create deterrence," he said.

The spokesman argued that the attack was based on Iran's inherent right to legitimate defense enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter in the wake of inaction by the UN Security Council and the irresponsible behavior of the US and some European countries to create deterrence against the Zionist regime.

US greenlighted Israel's aggression: Kanaani

On messages recently exchanged between Tehran and Washington, Kanaani said that those messages were over the Israeli regime's offensive on the Iranian diplomatic mission.

"We believe that the Israeli regime did not dare attack the Iranian consulate if it did not have the US green light. Therefore, the US is responsible", Kanaani argued, adding that Washington also tried to prevent Iran's legitimate response to the Israeli regime's attack after the Islamic Republic notified international parties of its decision.

He also noted that the US should have either specified its responsibility or taken a deterrent act against the Zionist regime.

'US must act logically, responsibly'

Kanaani said that other parties such as the United States and some European countries are expected to respond to Iran's measures logically and responsibly and that they should appreciate Iran's efforts to preserve regional stability and security instead of using illogical words and positions.

The most rational job that those governments can do is to stand alongside states that play a constructive role in creating peace and security in the region, he maintained.

The spokesman also urged European countries to appreciate Iran's patience and self-restraint over the past months and stop standing alongside the aggressive Zionist regime.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Kanaani said that the UN Human Rights Council approved two resolutions concerning the Zionist regime, with one prohibiting arms exports to the regime and the other calling for a ceasefire, adding that Iran supports both resolutions.

On the prohibition of arms exports to the Zionist regime, Iran sees the UN Human Rights Council's act as a positive step and yet another international recognition of the terrorist nature of the regime, he added.

Kanaani blasts UK stance on Iran's operation

Kanaani also rebuked the UK's stance on Iran's operation, saying it is a pity that the British government, while indifferent to the Zionist regime's blatant crimes and its provocative and threatening actions, considers Iran's legitimate action in self-defense unacceptable.

Those who claim to be concerned about peace, stability, and security in the region have been indifferent to the seven months of Zionist regime's aggression in the Palestinian territories, he noted.

The senior Iranian diplomat maintained that as long as the rights of the Palestinian people are not fulfilled and the occupation is not ended and the criminals are not prosecuted, talking about stability in the region is a "bitter joke".

Iran committed to freedom of navigation: Kanaani

On the IRGC's seizure of an Israeli ship, Kanaani said the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been committed to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz based on international law and regulations and has always acted within this framework.

"Based on the information I have, the seized ship belongs to the Zionist regime," he said.

The ship was seized for violating international shipping regulations and failing to respond appropriately to Iranian authorities, he said, adding that the authorities will provide more details as necessary.

"If there had been a responsible and committed action by the international community, including the UNSC, against the atrocities of the Zionist regime over the past years, especially the last six months, we would certainly not have witnessed such an action to target the Iranian consulate," he stated.

He added that the Islamic Republic, as it is its inherent right, conducted a punitive act against the Zionist regime due to the inaction of the UNSC.

'Iran, Jordan enjoy friendly ties'

Also in his presser, the spokesman explained that Jordan summoned the Iranian ambassador in reaction to Iranian media reports on the Arab country's assistance to the Israeli regime in intercepting Iranian projectiles targetting the occupied territories.

Jordan is among countries that have been affected for years by the Zionist regime's criminal acts, Kanaani said, adding that it is appropriate that countries, including regional, Islamic and Arabic nations, voice support for Iran's legitimate act to punish the aggressor.

The Iranian diplomat said that his country has friendly ties with Jordan, and Iranian and Jordanian ministers have had discussions over the past months on how to stop the Israeli regime's genocide and crimes in Gaza.

Commenting on the latest developments concerning Tehran-Baku relations, Kanaani said good measures have been taken to restart the diplomatic activities of Azerbaijan in Iran, adding that good talks have also been held at the level of the two sides' presidents.

There is a common consensus that other areas of cooperation, including economic growth, political and diplomatic cooperation, between the two countries need to be boosted, the official noted.

'US not helpful for regional security'

Asked about a visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani to the United States and the importance of the withdrawal of US-led forces from Iraq and the region, Kanaani said that the records of the past decades showed the US military presence has not been a source of security anywhere in the region.

Washington's behavior, he went on, has not been helpful for regional security nor has it been in line with the interests of the region.

The Iraqi people, government, and parliament have also expressed their desires and viewpoints over the past months and called for a timetable for the pullout of US military forces, he noted.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman added that Iran respects the wishes of the Iraqi people and the government, and believes that the presence of US forces does not contribute to security in the region.

On Oman's role in the process of negotiations to lift anti-Iran sanctions, Kanaani said the Arab country has played a positive role and the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq has also put forward a proposal to this goal and pursues positive efforts within this framework.

He went on to say that obviously, one of the agendas for discussions between Iran and Oman is the issue of the negotiations to lift sanctions.

Kanaani: Iran expects IAEA chief to act professionally

Elsewhere in his presser, Kanaani said that Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has given many interviews recently, lamenting the fact that political agendas are more important for the IAEA than technical issues when it comes to Iran's nuclear program.

Such behavior would not help him or the agency, he asserted, adding that Iran expects Grossi to act responsibly and professionally in the framework of his inherent duties.

He also said that some Western governments' actions on Iran's nuclear deal and their intention to sanction Iran were irresponsible.

Imposing sanctions against Iran will not be constructive and will not help advance bilateral relations, he stated.

Commenting on the holding of the Iran Expo, Kanaani said that the sixth exhibition of Iran's export capabilities will be held in Tehran in late April this year.

The event aims to boost the prosperity of foreign trade, he added.

The exhibition is considered a comprehensive trade event on the largest scale and the most complete variety, he underlined.

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Iran tells Russia it will react decisively to any Israeli provocation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 15, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that Iran's limited operation was aimed at deterring, punishing, and warning the Zionist regime, and if this regime makes another move against Iran, it will face a very strong response.

Speaking in a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov late on Sunday, Amirabdollahian elaborated on the objectives of Iran's military action on specific targets in the occupied territories of Palestine.

Hailing Russia's position regarding Iran's legitimate action, he also highlighted Russia's role in ending the Zionist regime's crimes in the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the continuation of the aggression against Palestine, and preventing the escalation of tension in the region.

Meanwhile, Lavrov deplored some countries' opposition in condemning the Zionist regime's attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus in the previous meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

We did not doubt that Iran would respond to the Israeli regime's attacks aaand believe that Iran's action was based on a responsible and restrained response, he added.

Expressing hope for the de-escalation of tensions in the region, he noted that Russia will strongly defend and support Iran's action based on legitimate defense at the UN Security Council meeting.

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'Iran has legitimate right to self-defense against Israeli regime'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 15, 2024

New York, IRNA -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani has defended his country military actions against the Zionist regime, saying the operation was completely in line with the Islamic Republic's inherent right to self-defense.

Addressing, the UN Security Council's emergency meeting held at the request of the Israeli regime, Iravani said Iran's response was necessary and appropriate based on Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and international law.

Iran's operation targeted military targets precisely in order to avoid harming civilians.

In his speech, the Iranian envoy appreciated the Security Council members who condemned the Israeli regime's attacks on Iran's diplomatic facilities in Syria and recognized Iran's inherent right to respond to such terrible attacks.

The full text of the speech of Iran's envoy to the United Nations at the meeting dubbed "The situation in the Middle East" on April 26 is as follows:

Madam President,

As we informed in our letter last night, in response to the Israeli regime's recurring military aggressions, particularly its armed attacks on 1st April 2024 against Iranian diplomatic premises, in defiance of Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the United Nations, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out a series of military strikes on Israeli military objectives with dozens of missiles and drones.

Iran's operation was entirely in the exercise of Iran's inherent right to self-defense. This concluded action was necessary and proportionate. It was precise and only targeted military objectives, and carried out carefully to minimize the potential for escalation and prevent civilian harm.

Madam President,

We thank those members of the Council who condemned the Israeli armed attacks against our diplomatic premises in Syria. Regrettably, in this Chamber, certain members of the Council, including the US, the UK, and France have chosen once again to turn a blind eye to reality and overlook the root causes contributing to the current situation.

In hypocritical behavior, these three countries falsely blamed and accused Iran without considering their own failures to uphold their international commitments to peace and security in the region.

They made unsuccessful attempts to use lies, manipulate the narrative, spread disinformation, and engage in a destructive blame game. All the while, they deliberately disregarded Iran's inherent right to respond to the violation of a fundamental principle of international law: the inviolability of diplomatic representatives and premises. Moreover, they ignored the underlying root causes of the current situation in the region.

Madam President,

For over six months now, these countries, especially the United States have shielded Israel from any responsibility for the Gaza massacre.

While they have denied Iran's inherent right to self-defense against the Israeli armed attacks on our diplomatic premises, at the same time, they shamefully justified the Israeli massacre and genocide against the defenseless Palestinian people under the pretext of self-defense.

They made a cynical attempt to justify and cover up the atrocities of the Israeli regime against the people of Palestine by arbitrary and misleading interpretations of self-defense.

Madam President,

Following the Israeli regime's cowardly terrorist and armed attack against our diplomatic premises in Damascus the Syrian Arab Republic, on the first of April, we notified the UN Security Council and Secretary-General of such international wrongful acts as well as of Iran's inherent right under international law to respond to such terrorist armed attacks (A/78/838-S/2024/281).

Also, in a phone conversation with the UN Secretary-General on 2nd April, Iran's Foreign Minister discussed the situation and called for taking appropriate action and strong condemnation from the international community for this horrific crime.

We called upon the Security Council to strongly denounce this unjustified criminal and terrorist act, taking decisive and appropriate measures to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly and prevent the recurrence of such horrible crimes against the diplomatic premises of any member state.

Regrettably, the Security Council has failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security. Russia proposed a press statement to denounce this atrocious act, which was backed by China, Algeria, and many members, but was blocked by the US, UK, and France. Faced with such circumstances, the Islamic Republic of Iran had no choice but to exercise its inherent right to self-defense under international law.

Madam President,

The root causes of the current situation are clear to all. From the start of the Israeli war against Palestinian people in Gaza, more than 34 thousand civilians, two-thirds of them children and women have been killed.

All civilian infrastructures have been targeted and destroyed by Israel; even humanitarian workers have not been immune from the military attacks of this rough regime. The absence of accountability and the Council's inaction face with the Israeli genocide and war crimes against the Palestinian people has only emboldened this regime to continue its violations unchecked.

The US and its allies have blocked the Security Council for over six months, protecting Israel from accountability for the Gaza massacre. They not only avoid condemning Israel for these atrocities but also actively try to cover up them.

Their sole priority is supporting and defending Israel, regardless of the consequences and at all costs. Despite international pressure and UNSC resolutions calling for a ceasefire, Israel has defied these resolutions. Rather, its focus remains on committing more atrocious crimes, showing no regard for international legal obligations.

Madam President,

This lawless regime has committed many atrocious crimes against our people. This regime blatantly and openly admitted its responsibility for the terrorist and destructive operations committed against Iranian officials, scientists, and civilians, and sabotage against our peaceful nuclear infrastructure in recent years.

This Israeli regime even made explicit threats to use nuclear weapons against a sovereign member state of the United Nations. This terrorist regime is responsible for all criminal and terrorist acts committed against Iran and must bear the consequences.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has warned time and again about the repercussions of malicious activities of the regime on regional and international peace and security.

Iran has exercised maximum restraint. Now, it is time for the occupying regime to bear full responsibility for its consequences. This regime cannot evade accountability.

Madam President,

Israel's ongoing destabilized and irresponsible actions and atrocities against the nations in the region are a real threat to regional and international peace and security.

The Israeli Prime Minister's policy seeks to expand and escalate the conflict in the region to stay in power. The members of the Security Council must not allow such an august body, the Security Council to be held hostage to the ambitions of such a belligerent regime.

It is time for the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility and address the real threat to international peace and security. The Security Council must promptly fulfill its duty under Chapter 7 of the Charter in response to Israel's reckless defiance.

It must take urgent and punitive measures to compel this regime to stop its genocide and massacre against the people of Gaza and uphold its obligations especially fully implement the UNSC resolutions and legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice.

Madam President,

The main and longstanding threat to the peace and security of our region is well-known to all, and attempts to conceal it through disinformation, smear campaigns, or baseless accusations against others are pointless and unfounded.

Iran is never seeking to contribute to the spillover of the conflict in the region nor does it to escalate or spread the tension to the entire region. Contrary to unfounded claims, Iran has no proxy in the region. No individual, group, or country acts at Iran's behest.

The US and Israeli regime attempted to label the resistant groups in the region as proxies or terrorists. Their sinister aim is only to justify and legalize their malicious and destabilized activities in the region.

The resistant groups are not proxies or terrorists. They are legitimate and are only fighting against the occupation and aggressions of Israel in Gaza and occupied Palestine territories and of the US in the region.

International law recognized such legitimate rights against any occupation and aggression. Instead, the U.S. and the UK are fully responsible for all its decades-long aggressions and other crimes and unlawful measures in our region.

Furthermore, they are responsible for all crimes of the Israeli regime, as it cannot commit any of such savage crimes in Gaza without the consent, order, and all-out political, financial, and military support of, and collaboration with, the United States and the UK.

We also reject the unfounded allegations made by the Israeli regime at this meeting. Therefore, such false and unfounded claims do not merit a response.

Madam President, and Excellencies,

As a responsible Member of the United Nations, the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, reaffirms once more its commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security.

The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its consistent position that it does not seek escalation or war in the region.

While warning about any further military provocations by the Israeli regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its unwavering determination to defend its people, national security and interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity against any threat or acts of aggression and to respond to any such threat or aggression vigorously and in accordance with international law.

The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise this right when required.

Madam President,

Iran has no intention of engaging in conflict with the US in the region.

We demonstrated our commitment to peace by exercising our restraint about involving the US Army in intercepting Iranian drones and missiles bound for military targets in the occupied Palestinian territories. This underscores our dedication to de-escalating tensions and avoiding the expansion of conflict.

However, if the US initiates military operations against Iran, its citizens, or its security and interests, Iran will use its inherent right to respond proportionately.

I thank you, Madam President.

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Iranian, Syrian FMs discuss regional developments

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 15, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign ministers of Iran and Syria have held a phone conversation, discussing bilateral ties and the latest developments in the region following Iran's attack on the Zionist regime in response to its strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier in April.

During the phone talk held on Sunday, Iran's Top Diplomat Hossein Amirabdollahian briefed his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad on Tehran's diplomatic efforts to legally pursue the Israeli regime attack as well as the UN Security Council's inaction to condemn the regime due to opposition by the US, France and the UK.

Amirabdollahian also elaborated on the Iranian attack against Israel's military targets, which he said was carried out based on the Islamic Republic's right to legitimate defense.

He stressed that Iran is fully ready to defend its territorial integrity and interests.

The Syrian FM once again condemned the April 1 Israeli attack on the Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus, and emphasized Iran's legitimate right to respond to the evil act of the Zionist regime within the framework of international law.

Also during their phone call, Amirabdollahian and Mekdad discussed the Gaza war, reiterating calls for an immediate halt to the Israeli regime's crimes against Palestinians in the besieged territory. They also stressed the need for sending humanitarian aid to Gaza and lifting the blockade of the territory.

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Russia slams UNSC for ignoring attack on Iranian consulate

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Mon / 15 April 2024 / 13:34

During an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Sunday, Russia's Permanent Representative, Vassily Nebenzia, condemned the Council's inaction regarding the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria, while also calling for an end to bloodshed in the Middle East.

Tehran -ISNA- "It is regrettable that, unlike today's meeting, you did not propose to bring it to brief the Council on the 2nd of April," he remarked, highlighting that Russia convened an emergency briefing to address the Israeli strike on the consular premises in Damascus.

Nebenzia criticized "Israel" for its non-compliance with the UN Security Council resolutions, labeling it as "an evident disrespect shown to the Council, to all of you seated here as members, and a complete disregard for the decisions made by the Security Council."

"This high-level confrontation and bloodshed must be stopped We think it's urgent for the entire international community to undertake all the efforts necessary to de-escalate the situation," Nebenzia said.

This comes after the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told the Israeli Ambassador to Russia Simon Halperin on Sunday that 'Israel' never condemned Ukrainian strikes against Russian territories.

Her statement came in response to Halperin's statement to Sputnik earlier that the Israeli entity was expecting Russia to condemn Iran's retaliatory attack on "Israel".

"Simona, please remind me, when did Israel condemn at least one of the Kiev regime's attacks on the Russian regions? You do not remember? Neither do I. On the contrary, I remember regular statements by Israeli officials supporting the actions of [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky," Zakharova said on Telegram.

End Item

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Any Israeli response will be met with a harsher, stronger one: Raisi

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Mon / 15 April 2024 / 13:33

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi emphasized that through Operation Truthful Promise, the Iranian armed forces taught the Zionist enemy a lesson, stressing that a new reckless response from the enemy would be met with a harsher and stronger response.

Tehran -ISNA- In a statement, Raisi said the operation comes in defense of Iran's sovereignty and national interests as punishment for Iran's enemies, and to strengthen national security.

He highlighted that this punishment fulfills Sayyed Ali Khamenei's truthful promise.

Raisi said that this defensive measure taken by Iran falls under its legitimate right of self-defense and in response to Israeli attacks on its interests, especially the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

He added that these operations carry a message of strength and power for the Islamic nations alongside another message of fear and humiliation for the "enemies of humanity," describing this measure as "smart and deliberate," as the Iranian drones and missiles targeted Israeli military bases which destabilize regional security and stability.

Raisi highlighted that over the past six months, and mainly in the last 10 days, Iran has used all regional and international means to warn the international community of the dangers of the ineffectiveness of the UN Security Council, which is under the influence of the US and the supporters of Israel, over the occupation's repeated Israeli violations.

The Iranian President also said that his country considers "peace and stability" in the region essential for Iranian national security, stressing that Iran would not hesitate in making any effort to restore peace and stability to the region.

End Item



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Iran to respond to any fresh Israeli mistake 'within seconds': Deputy FM

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 10:12 PM

Iran's deputy foreign minister has warned that the Islamic Republic would respond to any fresh Israeli "mistake" against the country "within seconds."

Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, made the remarks in a televised interview on Monday.

"In case of repetition of another mistake, they should expect a harsher, faster, and more immediate response," he said.

"This time, the Zionists should know this that they will not have a 12-day-long timespace," the official noted, adding, "The response that they are going to receive [this time around] cannot be measured by [such time standards as] days or hours, but [will come in a matter of] seconds."

On April 1, the Israeli regime committed a terrorist attack against Iran's diplomatic premises in the Syrian capital Damascus.

The Israeli attack resulted in the martyrdom of Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), his deputy, General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, and five of their accompanying officers.

In retaliation, the IRGC targeted the occupied territories late on Saturday with a barrage of drones and missiles. The retaliatory strikes, dubbed Operation True Promise, has inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the Palestinian occupied territories.

"If there is any [measure of] rationality within the Zionist regime, they [will know this that they] must not repeat their strategic mistake with another mistake," Bagheri said.

The Zionists, the official stated, should know that if their mistake concerning the Iranian consulate warrants such a crushing retaliation, then their likely malign intentions against the Iranian soil would "principally entail a much more vehement response."

Amid speculation about the potential Israeli attack, senior Iranian political and military leaders, including President Ebrahim Raeisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, have warned of a stronger and more severe response.

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Iran: White House warned about consequences of repeated Israeli adventurism

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 8:30 PM

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Iran has warned the United States about potential consequences of repeated Israeli military adventurism against the Islamic Republic.

The top diplomat made the remarks in a Monday phone call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

"We have clearly warned the White House that, in case of [fresh] adventurism by the Zionist regime in repeating terrorist aggression against Iran's interests and security, Tehran's subsequent response and action would be decisive, immediate, and extensive," Amir-Abdollahian said.

On April 1, the Israeli regime committed a terrorist attack against Iran's diplomatic premises in the Syrian capital Damascus.

The Israeli attack resulted in the martyrdom of Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), his deputy, General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, and five of their accompanying officers.

Retaliating against the attack, the IRGC targeted the occupied territories late on Saturday with a barrage of drones and missiles. The retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation True Promise, has inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied territories.

Following the reprisal, Iran both relayed the message that it viewed the matter as "concluded," and also warned the US, the Israeli regime's biggest ally, against trying to involve itself in the conflict.

For his part, the Chinese official said Beijing vehemently condemned the attack on the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, considering it to be in violation of international rules and principles.

Wang noted how his country had likewise supported the Islamic Republic's just demands at the United Nations Security Council, despite double-standard practices on the part of the US and its Western allies, which saw them refusing to condemn the Israeli atrocity.

He said he had notified his American counterpart, Antony Blinken, about the Iranian party's principled position concerning the recent developments.

"China and the Islamic Republic are strategic partners," Wang added, saying, "Beijing always attaches great importance to Iran's positions and standpoint."

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The Filipino Community Development Corp., in collaboration with more than a dozen other Tenderloin and South of Market nonprofit organizations, plans to open a community center and shelter at 418-422 Turk St. in San Francisco Maggie Angst

A proposal to transform three vacant storefronts in the Tenderloin into a community center and shelter serving homeless people has prompted calls for a ban on retail conversions in the struggling neighborhood.

The Filipino Community Development Corp., in collaboration with more than a dozen other Tenderloin and South of Market nonprofit organizations, plans to open a community center and shelter at 418-422 Turk St. The groups will need to get city approval to change the use of the building before moving forward.

The proposed center would offer daytime services such as showers, laundry, case management and career training for up to 60 people a day and a nighttime shelter with 20 beds.

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Our goal is for people to come to our programs and get them into permanent housing, said Lorenzo Listana, founding director of the Filipino Community Development Corp. We want to prepare them to do their laundry and take care of their hygiene and rooms, so that they dont get evicted and become homeless again.

Plans for the propertys conversion, which were submitted to the city earlier this month, are aggravating long-standing frustrations among Tenderloin residents and business owners who say city officials treat the neighborhood as a containment zone for homelessness and open-air drug dealing.

A group of Tenderloin residents and businesses filed a federal lawsuit last month accusing San Francisco of failing to adequately address brazen drug dealing and use in the Tenderloin and ensure the sidewalks and public spaces are clean, safe and accessible.

Tenderloin business owners earlier this year organized in opposition to a new drop-in health and resource center planned for the middle of the Little Saigon commercial strip at 645 Larkin St. The San Francisco Community Health Clinic, which owns the space, has since placed plans for the drop-in center on indefinite pause and are instead using the space for administrative and staff offices.

Less than two weeks after announcing plans for a sober living facility on the edge of Chinatown, Mayor London Breed in February scrapped the plan following strong opposition from nearby merchants and advocates.

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Randy Shaw, director of San Franciscos Tenderloin Housing Clinic, said that preserving ground-floor retail space is critical to the neighborhoods revitalization.

Wed never think about doing this on Clement Street in the Richmond or 24th Street in Noe Valley, he said. We need a zoning change to ban retail conversions so this isnt even in the realm of possibility.

Kathy Looper, executive director of Reality House West, which owns the Cadillac Hotel, said she would also support such a policy.

We need retail space to serve our community, Looper said. We need retail space to bring money into our community. We need retail space to help keep other retail stores alive.

David Elliott Lewis, on the other hand, couldnt imagine a better use for the dormant storefronts. The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing offices are down the block and an outpatient addiction treatment facility is across the street.

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This is not a thriving retail corridor, said Lewis, co-chair of the resident advocacy group Tenderloin Peoples Congress. Any use of the space is better than no use, and this is a very positive use.

Listana had been working with other nonprofit leaders for nearly five years on this project, which they refer to as an urban rest and sleep center. Its modeled after similar sites in Seattle and Jacksonville, which give unhoused people access to free showers, laundry and a safe place to relax and socialize. In San Francisco, anyone in the community would be welcome to use the services, whether or not theyre housed.

This is an innovative solution that we think will succeed, Listana said. The problem is in the Tenderloin. We should solve it where it is.

As part of a community benefits agreement, Build Inc., the developer of 469 Stevenson St., has committed to covering the centers rent for at least three years. The owner of the property, affordable housing developer Frederick O. Lewis III, agreed to pay for the buildings renovations, according to Listana.

San Francisco originally set aside $350,000 for operating costs in the 2023-24 budget, but that funding was stripped during Breeds midyear budget cuts.

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Iran's anti-Israel operation redefined regional balance of power: FM

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 4:10 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says drone and missile attacks carried out by the Iranian Armed Forces last week against the Israeli regime "redefined the balance of power in the West Asia region."

In a letter addressed to senior commanders of the Iranian Armed Forces on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian said that Operation True Promise, which was carried out by Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in coordination with the Iranian Army and Chief of Staff, was a show of deterrence from the Iranian Armed Forces.

"The victorious True Promise Operation created more capacities for the Iranian diplomatic apparatus in the field of regional and international relations while it boosted the sense of patriotism and national pride among the entire people of the Islamic Iran," he said in the message.

IRGC's Aerospace Force launched more than 300 drones and missiles on targets in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories in the early hours of Sunday.

The attack was meant to punish the Israeli regime for an airstrike carried out in early April on the Iranian consulate in Syria which killed senior IRGC commanders.

Amir-Abdollahian said the IRGC operation was in compliance with international law and regulations and was in line with Iran's right to legitimate defense.

He said the complicated military operation was also a response to "evil measures" of the Israeli regime in the region, adding that it would accelerate the collapse of the fake system run by the Zionists.

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Israel will receive 'reciprocal, extensive' response if continues adventurism: Iran foreign minister

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 2:47 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Israel will receive an immediate and extensive response if it continues its adventurous acts against the Islamic Republic.

In a phone conversation with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran seeks to give a warning to Israel about the repercussions of crossing the red lines.

Pointing to Iran's retaliatory strikes against the occupied territories, he added that Tehran has carried out a "minimum and precise" operation against the regime's military sites from which the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus was attacked.

The top Iranian diplomat criticized Germany for its pro-Israel stance and expressed hope that instead of condemning Iran's legitimate self-defense move, Berlin would focus on ways to help end the ongoing war in Gaza and establish endurable peace and security in the are spanning the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.

The Israeli airstrikes on Iran's embassy compound in Damascus killed two generals of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, as well as five of their accompanying officers.

In response, on Saturday night, the IRGC targeted the Israeli-occupied territories with a barrage of drones and missiles. The series of retaliatory strikes, dubbed Operation True Promise, inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied territories.

The extent of the damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied territories is yet to be specified.

However, informed sources told Press TV that all the hypersonic missiles used in Iran's punitive strikes against Israel hit their targets after evading the regime's air defense systems.

Following the reprisal, Iran warned Israel against taking any retaliatory actions and also urged the US to try not to involve itself in the conflict and signaled that it viewed the matter as "concluded."

The German foreign minister, for her part, said Tehran and Berlin should hold more consultations on various issues and added that joint efforts must be focused on preventing further escalation of tensions.

Baerbock added that Germany is making efforts to put an end to Israel's war in Gaza and pave the way for achieving sustainable peace.

Israel's genocidal war on Gaza began on October 7 in the aftermath of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas's Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. It has so far killed at least 33,797 people, mostly children and women, and wounded 76,465 others with thousands more presumed dead under the rubble.

Iran expected UNSC to condemn Israel's attack in Syria: Amir-Abdollahian

In a phone call with Slovenia's Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran expected the United Nations Security Council to denounce Israel's missile attacks on Iran's diplomatic sites in Damascus.

However, he added, the United States and two European countries prevented the approval of at least a statement in condemnation of Israel's blatant act of aggression.

Therefore, Iran carried out a planned operation within the framework of its legitimate right of self-defense, he emphasized.

The Slovenian foreign minister said Iran has always made efforts to prevent the escalation of tensions in the region.

Fajon added that her country would continue attempts to help establish sustainable peace in Gaza and send humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged Strip.

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Iran will exact 'devastating, unified' revenge on enemy for any act of aggression: Army chief

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 11:18 AM

The Iranian Army Chief Commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi says the country will not hesitate to give a "stormy and unified" response to any act of aggression against it.

In a Monday message marking the National Army Day, Mousavi said great defensive measures of the country's Army and Armed Forces have resulted in strong deterrent power.

Iran has conveyed its message of power to the world in a way that the world has realized that the Iranian Armed Forces will give a "stormy and unified" response to any aggression against the country's national interests, borders and security, he asserted.

The top commander noted that Iran's firm response to an act of aggression by the usurping Israeli enemy against its diplomatic premises in the Syrian capital of Damascus brought joy to oppressed nations, especially the resilient people of Palestine and Gaza.

Mousavi emphasized that the retaliatory strikes, dubbed Operation True Promise, revealed only a part of the capacity and strong will of the Iranian Armed Forces and were carried out in cooperation among the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Division, the Army, and the Defense Ministry.

He said the Army has played a key role in strengthening the country's defense power, independence and lasting security by implementing various measures.

It has constructed strategic drone and underground tactical bases and made hundreds of modern defense achievements in the land, air, sea and space sectors in addition to advancing in the fields of science and technology, he explained.

Now the enemies lack the courage to carry out any act of aggression against the Islamic establishment and the noble Iranian nation, the top commander said.

He added that Iran has staged several joint military drills to enhance national security and dignity.

The Israeli airstrikes on Iran's embassy compound in Damascus killed two generals of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, as well as five of their accompanying officers.

In response, on Saturday night, the IRGC targeted the Israeli-occupied territories with a barrage of drones and missiles. The extent of the damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied territories is yet to be specified.

Following the reprisal, Iran warned Israel against taking any retaliatory actions and also urged the US to try not to involve itself in the conflict and signaled that it viewed the matter as "concluded."

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'Ten times stronger': Iran warns Israel of much harsher response if evil actions continue

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 7:39 AM

Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has warned of a "much harsher response" against any further action by Israel in the aftermath of the Islamic Republic's retaliatory operation into the occupied territories.

In a statement on Sunday, the SNSC said that Iran carried out the retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation True Promise, because Israel "crossed Iran's red lines" by attacking its diplomatic premises in the Syrian capital Damascus on April 1.

It said the operation was in accordance with Article 2 of the UN Charter which urges all UN members to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

"Should the Israeli regime plan to continue its wicked actions against Iran, by any means or methods or at any levels, it will get a response ten times harsher," it warned.

The SNSC also said that by carrying out Operation True Promise, Iran exercised its inherent right of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

"The operation was the least punitive action necessary to safeguard Iran's national interest and security," the statement said.

"Iranian missiles and drones targeted Israeli military and air bases, and we refrained from attacking their civic infrastructure and for now the operation has been completed, and we do not intend to continue," it concluded.

The Israeli air strike on Iran's embassy compound in Damascus killed two generals of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, as well as five of their accompanying officers.

In response, on Saturday night, the IRGC targeted the Israeli-occupied territories with a barrage of drones and missiles. The extent of the damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied territories is yet to be specified.

Following the reprisal, Iran warned Israel against taking any retaliatory actions and also urged the US to try not to involve itself in the conflict and signaled that it viewed the matter as "concluded."

"If the Zionist regime or its supporters demonstrate reckless behavior, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response," Iran's President Ebrahim Raeisi said in a statement on Sunday.

A similar warning was issued by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri, who said that a "much larger" response awaits Israel "if it retaliates against Iran."

Baqeri also warned the US that any backing of Israeli retaliation would result in its bases being targeted by Iran.

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami also warned on Sunday that Tehran would retaliate against any Israeli attacks on its interests, officials or citizens.

"From now on, whenever Israel attacks Iranian interests, assets, figures, citizens at any point, we will attack from Iran," he said.

Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations also said in a statement on Sunday that Tehran's response to Israeli aggression was a "legitimate defense" in accordance with the UN charter, warning the US to "stay away" from the matter.

"The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran's response will be considerably more severe," said the statement.

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Israel 'main source of insecurity' in West Asia: Iran's foreign minister

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 7:05 AM

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has denounced Israel as the root cause of insecurity gripping West Asia.

"The main source of insecurity is the occupying Zionist regime," Amir-Abdollahian said during a Sunday telephone conversation with Qatrai Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The top Iranian diplomat also briefed his Qatari counterpart on recent developments in the region and the Islamic Republic's legitimate act of self-defense that involved a major attack on the occupied territories.

Overnight on Saturday and early Sunday morning, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at targets in the occupied lands.

The large-scale operation came less than two weeks after Israeli warplanes bombed the consular annex of Iran's embassy in the Syrian capital, killing seven members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) who were on an advisory mission to the Arab country.

Sheikh Mohammed underlined the need for security in West Asia, saying the actions of the Israeli regime have caused regional instability.

The two sides also discussed the developments in the Gaza Strip and called for an end to Israeli war crimes and the humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the West Bank.

Israel waged a bloody war on the besieged Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

So far, Israel has killed at least 33,729 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 76,371 others.

'Iran's retaliatory strike based on Article 51 of UN Charter'

Additionally on Sunday, the Iranian foreign minister had a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry.

Amir-Abdollahian emphasized Tehran's principled position against the war in the region, saying, "Everyone should work to stop the genocide and war crimes in Gaza."

He further expounded Iran's views about its retaliatory operation against Israel based on Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Shoukry, for his part, expressed concerns about growing tensions in the region as the Israeli regime continues its war on Gaza and kills Palestinian people.

Egypt, he added, will keep up its active efforts to stop the Gaza war.

In another telephone conversation, Amir-Abdollahian talked with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

The Iranian foreign ministry elaborated on Iran's diplomatic actions over the past two weeks regarding Israel's acts of aggression and the UN Security Council's inaction in this regard.

Iran's retaliatory operation against Israel was conducted within the framework of legitimate defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, he asserted.

Prince Faisal, for his part, expressed gratitude for the explanations provided by Amirabdollahian and underscored the imperative need for regional stability and security, as well as enhanced bilateral cooperation.

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IAEA chief: Inspectors briefly halted work in Iran amid regional tensions

By Margaret Besheer April 15, 2024

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Monday that his teams briefly halted inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities this week amid regional tensions between Israel and Iran.

"What I can tell you is that our inspectors in Iran were informed by the Iranian government yesterday that all the nuclear facilities that we are inspecting every day would remain closed on security considerations," Rafael Mariano Grossi told reporters at the United Nations in New York.

He said the facilities were to reopen Monday for inspections, but he decided to wait an extra day a planning to resume work on Tuesday a to be sure the situation is "completely calm" before sending his teams back.

"This has not had an impact on our inspection activity, but we always call for extreme restraint," he added.

Iran launched an attack Sunday toward Israel with over 300 drones and ballistic and cruise missiles. The massive strike caused only modest damage in Israel and no deaths. Tehran said it was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy in Syria earlier this month that killed seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers, including two senior commanders.

With Israel considering whether to launch a counterattack, and its concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions widely known, some analysts have questioned whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might target nuclear-related sites in Iran.

On Sunday, Israel's U.N. envoy told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Iran's strike that Tehran would soon have nuclear weapons capabilities.

"Iran's breakout time to produce an arsenal of nuclear weapons is now weeks a mere weeks," Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan said.

Grossi told reporters that while Iran has a stockpile of enriched uranium at "very, very high levels," that does not automatically mean they have a nuclear weapon.

"As far as the agency is concerned, we don't have any information or indication that there is a nuclear weapons program in Iran," Grossi said. "At the same time, while we say this, which we need to say, we are telling our Iranian counterparts that this important accumulation of nuclear material, at levels that are very, very close a technically identical almost to weapons grade level a of course is not irrelevant and raises questions in the international community."

In its quarterly report in February, the IAEA said based on information provided by Iran, it had an estimated total enriched uranium stockpile of 5,525.5 kilograms (about 12,182 pounds), an increase of 1,038.7 kilograms (2,289 pounds) since the previous quarterly report in November 2023. Of that, an estimated 121.5 kilograms (267.8 pounds) of uranium is enriched up to 60% purity, which is one step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for purely peaceful civilian purposes.

Grossi said outstanding questions are why it is so important that the Iranian government fully cooperate with the IAEA.

Iran has barred several experienced inspectors from monitoring its nuclear program. It has also unilaterally stopped implementing the Joint Statement agreed with the IAEA in March 2023, and there are outstanding safeguards issues under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement that need to be resolved for the IAEA to provide assurances that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful.

Grossi said he hopes to visit Tehran soon to put the situation back on track.

Some information in this report was provided by The Associated Press.

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April 15, 2024

Transcript

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to the Pentagon

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Mr. Prime Minister, thanks for being here. It's great to be able to host you at the Pentagon. It's important that we're meeting today. The United States has demonstrated once again in recent days that we are deeply committed to the security of your region and that we stand by our partners.

Mr. Prime Minister, I am very grateful for our continued partnership with Iraq, which has only strengthened under your leadership. While this weekend's events are at the top of everyone's mind, I also want to spend some time today on our bilateral relationship.

I am mindful that this year marks 10 years of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh. I'm proud to have been a part of that fight, and in 2019, thanks to the courage and sacrifices of the Iraqi Security Forces and our partners in Operation Inherent Resolve, together we achieved the territorial defeat of Daesh, but Daesh remains a threat to your citizens and to ours. And we remain committed to supporting Iraq's work to protect its people and to ensure the lasting defeat of Daesh.

In the face of tension and conflict across the region, our partnership remains more important than ever and so does security and stability in Iraq. Mr. Prime Minister, we also agree on the need to transition to an enduring bilateral security relationship between the United States and Iraq.

As a part of this transition, we agreed that the inaugural U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue in Washington last August to launch the Higher Military Commission. In that commission, our military leaders are conducting joint assessments of key factors to help inform our discussions on the upcoming transition.

Now, these are deep and respectful discussions between partners, which reflect the deep U.S. commitment to regional stability and Iraqi sovereignty, and they show how the U.S.-Iraq relationship is evolving.

Our bilateral defense relationship is broad, Mr. Prime Minister, and it spans a wide range of activities, including on security cooperation. On Saturday, your Minister of Defense signed a letter of request for the pricing and availability of counter-UAS systems from the United States, and that reflects many months of work. And the signing came at an extremely important moment.

Mr. Prime Minister, I'm eager to discuss ways for us to continue to build upon our strategic partnership under the Strategic Framework Agreement. So thanks again for being here, and I look forward to a great discussion.

PRIME MINISTER MOHAMMED SHIA AL-SUDANI (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Thank you, Your Excellency. I'd like to express my happiness to visit the Pentagon and to make this meeting in one of the oldest maybe military institutions in the world.

And this meeting shows a keenness of the Iraqi government to promote the relations between the United States and Iraq. And as you mentioned, now it's 10 years since the establishment of our national coalition against ISIS.

The Iraqi people really appreciate the efforts of the international community to support and to really fight ISIS and all terrorism on its territory. Iraqi people really gave lots of victims (inaudible). And we highly appreciate the efforts of the international coalition also, even countries outside this coalition, to help us and support us to really defeat this terrorism.

And of course, that our security forces are very ready and efficient to really keep the stability and security of Iraq. That's why we started with the spirit of partnership the dialogue at the HMC, to evaluate the military situation and the operations against Daesh and all the other logistics, and also the efficiency and the capabilities of the Security Forces, in order to reach some suggestions about having a timetable for the withdrawal of the coalition.

At the same time, we are working together within the Security Committee of the combined security (inaudible). This committee will hold its second meeting in the next July of this year to set the right basis for the bilateral security cooperation, according to the texts of the Iraqi Constitution and the Strategic Framework Agreement.

We are interested to get the experience also to arm our forces with the (inaudible). That's why we started to ask for the UAS systems and also the helicopters. Today, the representative from the Ministry of Defense will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to get this helicopter.

Of course, everyone is keen to keep this security partnership, especially under such circumstances that's going on in the region. We are together in keeping the stability and security in the region and to prevent any escalation that would result in the instability of a very critical and sensitive region of the world.

We appreciate all the efforts exerted at the Pentagon with our partners at the Security Forces, and we are confident that this partnership will continue between those two countries.

Thank you.

SEC. AUSTIN: Thanks, everybody.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3742111/

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April 15, 2024

Release

Joint Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani

Today at the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani during his first visit to Washington, D.C. as Prime Minister. The Secretary and the Prime Minister affirmed the two nations' commitment to an enduring U.S.-Iraq bilateral defense relationship and to a strong Iraq, capable of self-defense in support of a more stable and peaceful region. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq and the Secretary of Defense discussed ongoing U.S.-Iraqi security cooperation, joint efforts to address persistent security threats to the United States and Iraq, and the future of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS mission in Iraq.

The visit occurred one week after the Principals Meeting on April 8 of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission (HMC), a professional military-to-military dialogue between Iraqi and U.S. military leaders and professionals to determine how and when to end the international coalition and how the D-ISIS Coalition will evolve based on the level of threat from ISIS, the Iraqi Security Forces' (ISF) capabilities, and other operational and environmental factors.

Secretary Austin thanked Prime Minister Sudani for Iraq's role in supporting operations by the Global Coalition to ensure ISIS can never reconstitute in Iraq and Syria. The Secretary paid tribute to the immense sacrifices of the Iraqi people and security forces in the fight to liberate millions from ISIS's genocidal and barbaric rule.

ISIS threatens international security, and Iraq, as a well-positioned and equipped partner, represents a linchpin in the campaign to defeat ISIS by hosting Coalition forces. The Secretary also noted Iraq's leadership in repatriating more than 4,100 Iraqi nationals from displacement camps and detention facilities in northeastern Syria last year. Prime Minister Sudani affirmed the importance of accelerating such repatriations of Iraqi nationals and facilitating their safe reintegration or, if needed, to hold them accountable for crimes they may have committed through appropriate judicial processes.

Addressing the strategic nature of the U.S.-Iraq bilateral defense relationship and Iraq's role as leader in ensuring regional security, the Secretary and Prime Minister discussed efforts to modernize the ISF, including Kurdish Peshmerga forces, and build their capabilities. Iraq's partnership with the United States features Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and a broad range of train and equip activities supporting the security forces funded with the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund (CTEF). DoD also implements Foreign Military Financing (FMF)-funded defense articles and services and International Military Education and Training (IMET)-professional military education courses on behalf of the Department of State.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq and the Secretary of Defense hailed the signing of a joint work protocol recognizing the intended FMS purchase by Iraq worth nearly $550M using the new Credit Assured Payment Schedule (CAPS) flexible payment mechanism. Iraq will be the first nation to use the CAPS financing opportunity, for which terms of sale allow Iraq to make payments towards the FMS case over time rather than all up front a a sign of the strength of our partnership now and into the future. The Secretary and Prime Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts between the Department of Defense and Ministry of Defense to secure key sites across Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, from aerial threats.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq and the Secretary of Defense look forward to Iraq and the United States convening strategic discussions on the future of the U.S.-Iraq security relationship a pursuant to the 2008 U.S.-Iraqi Strategic Framework Agreement a at the second Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue later this year. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to an orderly transition to enduring bilateral security partnerships between Iraq and the United States and other countries of the Coalition in accordance with the Iraqi constitution and the strategic framework agreement.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3742052/

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Iraq - C-172 and AC/RC-208 Aircraft Contractor Logistics Support

Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov

Transmittal No: 24-04

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Iraq of C-172 and AC/RC-208 Aircraft Contractor Logistics Support and Training and related equipment for an estimated cost of $140 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Iraq has requested to buy Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) and training in support of its C-172 and AC/RC-208 aircraft fleet. Included is advising, technical, and proficiency training for Iraqi maintainers and aircrews; CLS; spare and repair parts, components, accessories, and repair and return support; minor modifications and upgrades; subscription services; overhaul and depot level maintenance and maintenance support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $140 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner.

The proposed sale will improve Iraq's capability to meet current and future threats by helping to sustain its C-172 and AC/RC-208 aircraft and contribute to Iraq's self-sufficiency in maintaining its fleet. Iraq will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Northrop Grumman Corporation, located in Falls Church, VA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Iraq.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

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Joint Statement on the U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

April 15, 2024

The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq.

Begin text:

The delegation of the Republic of Iraq, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning Mohammed Tamim, and the delegation of the United States Government, led by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, co-chaired a meeting of the Higher Coordinating Committee today, April 15, in accordance with the 2008 U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral partnership and Iraq's critical role in regional security and prosperity. The delegations expressed the desire to expand the depth and breadth of the relationship between our two countries, including in the areas of energy independence, financial reform, services for the Iraqi people, strengthening democracy and the rule of law, and enhancing educational and cultural relations. Representatives from Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government also participated.

The U.S. and Iraqi delegations shared the view that Iraq has the potential to harness immense natural gas resources, invest in new energy infrastructure and renewables, and achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2030. The United States commended Iraq for its progress on gas capture and work on commercializing associated gases. Significant gas potential in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) is a key component of Iraq's energy security, as is increased private sector investment. To allow Iraq to benefit from the U.S. private sector's leading technology and expertise, the United States and Iraq announced the signing of new memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to capture and process flared gas and turn it into usable electricity for the Iraqi people. Also, the two sides stressed the importance of resuming oil exports via the Iraq-Turkiye Pipeline (ITP).

The United States commended Iraq for its considerable work on increasing regional connectivity, particularly in energy interconnections with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. After years of work to build its interconnection with Jordan, Iraq is receiving 40 megawatts of electricity for the Iraqi people; future phases would increase capacity to 900 megawatts. Iraq affirmed that enhanced ties based on shared mutual interests with neighbors are essential to domestic prosperity. Iraq and the United States discussed Iraq's interest in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, including emerging nuclear technologies.

The two sides discussed the significant progress Iraq has made in modernizing its financial and banking sector, which has expanded correspondent relationships with banks in the United States and Europe. Iraq and the United States committed to ongoing collaborative financial reform efforts that will allow Iraq to encourage foreign investment and continue expanding international banking relationships. These reforms will fight corruption and prevent illicit use of Iraq's financial sector, allowing local banks to serve as engines of inclusive economic growth. The two sides resolved to strengthen cooperation through an enhanced engagement plan between the U.S. Treasury and key Government of Iraq stakeholders. Iraq and the United States also noted the importance of improving Iraq's investment climate and combatting corruption, key pillars of Prime Minister Sudani's reform efforts. To bolster the development of private business in Iraq, the United States International Development Finance Corporation will provide a $50 million loan facilitated by USAID to the National Bank of Iraq to expand its lending to micro, small, and medium enterprises, with a focus on previously unbanked and women-led businesses.

Iraq renewed its commitment to its ongoing efforts on accession to the World Trade Organization and protecting intellectual property rights. The United States also committed to support a series of International Visitor Leadership Program projects for Iraqis to develop expertise in these areas. Both parties recognized the importance of strategic and infrastructural projects in Iraq that will support regional integration and boost international trade.

The United States expressed concern about the impacts of climate change being felt by the Iraqi people and pledged continued support to resolve Iraq's water crisis and improve public health. The United States commended the Supreme Water Committee's work to improve management of Iraq's water resources. Both countries intend to work closely together as Iraq addresses climate change and water scarcity and ends gas flaring to reduce methane emissions. The United States applauded Iraq's pending release of its National Action Plan and encouraged Iraq to prepare a more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement ahead of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference. USAID committed to working with Iraq at the local government level to improve water and waste management services. The United States also committed to an International Visitor Leadership Program and an Ambassador's Water Expert Program to share technical expertise on water management and other needs.

The Iraqi delegation also expressed interest in cooperating with American companies to exchange expertise in health insurance programs, hospital management, and cancer research.

The Government of the United States welcomed the Government of Iraq's commitment to respecting freedom of expression in accordance with Iraqi law as guaranteed by Iraq's constitution. The two delegations discussed how the United States could best support the Iraqi government to advance justice for survivors and victims of the 2014 genocide committed by ISIS in accordance with the rule of law. The two sides also discussed the importance of the stability of Sinjar. The United States reaffirmed its continued intention to support Iraq in advancing its Trafficking in Persons strategy. The United States applauded recent positive developments in support of minority communities. The two sides also took note of the impressive progress Iraq has made in repatriating more than 8,000 of its citizens from al-Hol displaced persons camp in northeastern Syria. The United States thanked Iraq for its commitment to accelerate the pace of repatriations.

In the higher education and cultural discussion, the two governments discussed U.S. support for the Prime Minister's reinvigorated scholarship program intended to bolster the number of Iraqi students studying overseas. The Government of Iraq intends to send 3,000 students to study in the United States out of 5,000 it plans to send to study abroad. The two nations also welcomed initiatives to expand English language instruction and student advising for Iraqi students interested in, or bound for, study in the United States. The two delegations also reviewed progress on their mutual efforts to preserve Iraq's rich cultural heritage and religious diversity and reaffirmed their intent to continue facilitating the return of Iraqi cultural property to its rightful place in Iraq. Accordingly, during the HCC, the Department of State facilitated the transfer of one ancient Sumerian artifact repatriated to Iraq by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and committed to future repatriations of Iraqi artifacts.

The two countries affirmed the strides Iraq has made in bolstering its security, stability, and sovereignty and noted their mutual determination to deepen the strong ties between their two peoples. The United States welcomed the opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen its partnership with Iraq.

End text.

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Weather models predict Tuesdays high temperatures will range from the lower 60s at the coast, upper 60s near the bay shoreline and mid- to upper 70s inland. Baron/Lynx

Stubborn clouds were slow to clear out of the Bay Area on Monday, but California will be firmly in the grasp of a high-pressure system Tuesday, which should result in a sunnier, warmer day.

Clear skies are expected to prevail by midmorning throughout the Bay Area, allowing temperatures to jump 5 to 7 degrees under the strong mid-April sun. Highs are forecast to be near 60 at the immediate coast and the mid- to upper 60s a few miles from the beach in San Francisco. Wine Country, the South Bay and inland East Bay valleys are expected to reach the mid- to upper 70s, slightly above normal for mid-April.

Fog tracker: San Francisco and Bay Area weather and visibility map

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Coastal fog often takes several days to redevelop in the spring, so San Francisco may be safe from extended fog for another day. However, early season fog patterns are fickle, so beachgoers may want to bring a hoodie and windbreaker.

Temperatures will continue to climb Wednesday, reaching the mid-60s at the coast and upper 70s to near 80 inland. A gradual cool-down is possible through Friday, but temperatures should remain near to slightly above normal for the foreseeable future.

Tuesday breakdown

San Francisco: Patchy fog is possible in the morning, but skies should clear faster than Monday, resulting in a warmer day. Highs will range from the lower 60s at Ocean Beach to the mid-60s in the Marina, lower Haight and the Embarcadero to the upper 60s in the Mission District. Lows will be around 50 under partly cloudy skies.

North Bay: A partly cloudy morning should become mostly sunny by afternoon. The warming trend will continue, with highs climbing 5 degrees or more, to the lower 70s in Mill Valley and San Rafael and the mid-70s in Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Napa, Fairfield and Vacaville. Lows will be in the mid- to upper 40s.

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East Bay: Partial morning cloud cover should clear fairly quickly, especially compared to Mondays stubborn clouds. Highs will jump 5 to 7 degrees under sunny afternoon skies, to the upper 60s to near 70 in Oakland, Berkeley and Hayward to the mid-70s in Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Livermore and Fremont.

Pacific Coast and Peninsula: A mix of clouds, fog and sun is expected in the morning along the Peninsula, but it should be a gorgeous afternoon with mainly clear skies. In Daly City, Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, highs will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Farther inland, San Mateo and Redwood City should reach the lower to mid-70s. Lows will be in the upper 40s with a chance that patchy fog and clouds redevelop.

South Bay and Santa Cruz: Areas of fog are possible around the Santa Clara Valley in the morning, but it shouldnt last long. Blue sky will emerge by midmorning and continue through the afternoon. Highs will be in the mid- to upper 70s in San Jose, Cupertino, Milpitas, Morgan Hill and Boulder Creek. The coast will provide natural air conditioning, keeping Santa Cruz in the upper 60s. Lows around the South Bay and Santa Cruz County will be around 50.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Tamim Co-chair a U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee Meeting

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Tamim

Harry S. Truman Building

Washington, D.C.

April 15, 2024

MODERATOR: Hi. Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the 8th U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee session. It's my honor to introduce Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Well, good morning, everyone, and so good to see you all here today. Before getting to the HCC, let me just comment briefly on the events of the last few days. Over the weekend, as you know, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel. This was an attack unprecedented in its scope and in its scale - in its scope because it represented the first direct attack by Iran on Israel; and in its scale because, as I said, there were more than 300 munitions fired, including ballistic missiles as well as land attack cruise missiles and drones. Thanks to Israeli air defenses as well as support from other countries, including U.S. military assets, virtually all of the incoming projectiles were destroyed and shot down.

As President Biden underscored to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the U.S. is committed - committed to Israel's defense. And I think what this weekend demonstrated is that Israel did not have to and does not have to defend itself alone when it is the victim of an aggression, the victim of an attack. In the 36 hours since, we have been coordinating a diplomatic response to seek to prevent escalation. Strength and wisdom need to be the same sides - the - different sides of the same coin. I've been in close communication with counterparts in the region, and we will continue to do so in the hours and days ahead. We don't seek escalation, but we'll continue to support the defense of Israel and to protect our personnel in the region.

Now, for today, let me say how pleased we are to welcome our Iraqi colleagues here to Washington, and I'm particularly glad to have the deputy prime minister here with us this morning to kick off what is the second U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordination Committee with the Sudani government. We just had an excellent meeting with Prime Minister Sudani. I'm grateful to him for receiving us this morning, and of course we look forward to meeting shortly between the prime minister and the President. But I think everything we're seeing today highlights the importance, the value we attach to the relationship between the United States and Iraq - a partnership that's genuinely 360 degrees in everything that it covers in bringing us together. The prime minister's visit to Houston and to Detroit is another indication of the breadth and depth of the relationship, not only between our countries but also between our people.

Through the HCC and the meetings today, we are working to strengthen and expand that 360-degree partnership. We're focusing on a half a dozen issues, including energy security, democracy, the rule of law, climate, and water. The American private sector remains very interested in engaging and investing, in lending its expertise to Iraq, especially when it comes to energy. Through these efforts, we look forward to helping advance the prime minister's affirmative agenda and seeing Iraq succeed. So this HCC carries forward the vision of a long-term relationship of cooperation and friendship that was laid out in the 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement. Our mission today, our goal today, is to make concrete progress on that vision, to continue to transform it into reality, and a reality that benefits people in Iraq, benefits people in the United States, benefits people in the region.

And with that, it's a great pleasure to welcome Minister Tamim and to have you here today. Mr. Minister.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TAMIM: (Via interpreter) In the name of God, the most merciful, the most gracious, ladies and gentleman, peace be upon you, all of you. Your Excellency, Secretary Tony Blinken, the Secretary of the United States Department of States, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my gratitude and thanks for the warm reception. And I hope today will achieve results that will be in the interest of both nations. Excellency Blinken, the higher coordinated committing - committee that is - ensuing meetings and these - on the side sessions that will contribute in transforming our relationship, strategic relationship, to a different phase that will activate the Strategic Framework Agreement, that will align with the services government led by our Prime Minister Sudani, where we are intending to reform financial and political policies, and to go towards to energy independence, conduct partnerships with the regional countries and the world.

Your Excellency, Secretary, the Middle East today is living exceptional circumstances that has repercussions on our nations, and we hope escalations and tensions in the area will end. The Government of Iraq is warning about escalation and the area to be dragged into a wider war that will threaten international security and safety. And therefore, we call on all parties for self-restraint and to respect the rules of diplomatic works and also international laws. And we seek that these sessions, it will be the beginning of putting the foundations to work effectively through this higher committee so that we'll - we'll continue our ongoing bilateral relations and meetings. And we're going to focus on energy, investment, education, climate change, health, transportation, and water, and also to strengthen democracy and human rights protections.

And this is the new launching of a new phase to implement the articles of the Strategic Framework Agreement. The Government of Iraq is working to - for the prosperity of the Iraqi people, at the same time to pay the debts of the Iraqi nation, and especially when it comes to the different phases of the energy sector and use new technologies and modernization of our energy sector to reduce also pollution. The Iraqi Government is widening its partnership and conducting agreements so that we'll be able to, for example, use technologies to capture flaring gas, to create and achieve independence in energy, and also to invest in other sources of energy, including renewables and solar energy.

The Iraqi Government is - also seek - government seeking to diversify its economy through activating the domestic industry and the governmental enterprises to adopt a profitable model to make the Iraqi economy open to the international markets by inviting tourism, agriculture, and also creating industrial hubs and zones that will really push Iraq to a prosperous economical horizons, with a partnership with United States and the European Union and other friendly countries to incentivize our economy and to adopt a new economy that is dependent on free market and investing in major industrial projects.

To conclude, all I can say is to reaffirm our recognition and appreciation for the joint and mutual efforts to take our relationship to a different phase and a different page of partnership between the two friendly nations. Thank you, Secretary Blinken and everyone here present. Thank you and peace be upon you all.

MODERATOR: And thank you, Mr. Secretary and Mr. Minister, for your remarks. If I could please ask the delegations to stay seated while they depart and invite our press colleagues also to depart the room. Thank you to our press colleagues.

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Iraqis fear Israeli retaliation after Iran attack

By Heather Murdock, Halan Akoiy April 15, 2024

Iraq, perhaps unsurprisingly, is a hotbed of gallows humor.

But the tired old joke: "Iran and the West will keep fighting here until every Iraqi is dead," is no funnier now than it was years ago.

Hundreds of missiles and drones soared over the Middle East this weekend from Iran to Israel, turning the region's "shadow war" into a direct conflict. And while further escalation is not imminent, people inside Iraq say they have long been in the line of fire, and if the conflict continues like this, it will likely rain violence down on them.

"Many people feel insecure, not safe and that there is a danger to their lives," said Mazin Mohammed, a father of two and a public relations officer for a women's rights organization in Baghdad. "Especially that Iraq is considered as one of Iran's wings."

Iraq is one of the world's few Shiite Muslim majority countries, and home to several powerful Iran-backed Shiite militias. But it is also politically, religiously, and ethnically divided, with about 45% of the country being non-Shiite.

Many Iraqi leaders and some entire regions hold strong alliances with the West, particularly with the United States, which operates multiple large military bases in the country.

Iraq's competing alliances, coupled with decades of war, insecurity and deep poverty, leave its residents especially vulnerable if Israel and Iran continue to fight a either directly or via proxies within its own borders.

Literally in the line of fire between Iran and Israel, Iraq saw parts of missiles fall on its terrain over the weekend.

"I don't think that the war will be only inside Israel or Iran," said Mohammed.

Iranian fears

In Irbil, the capital of Iraq's northern Kurdistan region, Ebrahim, 29, is an Iranian English teacher who hasn't lived in his country for 10 years. Yet still, he prefers not to share his surname for fear of retaliation from the Iranian government.

Ibrahim grew up attending anti-Western rallies and hearing calls for the destruction of Israel. But he believes that for many Iranians, the idea is now dated, despite widespread sympathy for civilians in Gaza.

"The people of Iran, they don't feel that this is their war," he said by phone on Sunday evening. "And if they want to think about the outcomes and the ramifications or the consequences, then people are going to be hurt."

Regardless of popular opinion, however, the war has escalated and may continue to do so, added Sanam Vakil, Middle East and North Africa program director at Chatham House, in a statement on Sunday.

"Iran has tried to reinstate deterrence, showcased its defense capabilities," he said. "But it's uncertain if it can avoid an Israeli counterattack on Iran directly."

But fears of escalation may be overblown, as it's hard to see who would be served by a larger conflict, according to Ebrahim. Iran has suffered a decade of economic turmoil that plunged millions into poverty as the price of basic goods, like food, has soared.

The Iranian government has also grown increasingly unpopular in recent years, according to analysts, and further conflict would risk a deeper economic crisis, and perhaps a tightening of the sanctions that continue to cripple Iranian attempts at economic recovery.

"I don't think that the Islamic Republic is at any point of being able to wage this war," said Ebrhahim. "Or afford it."

Eclectic interests

Far from the urban chaos of Baghdad or the manicured streets of Irbil, in the breezy Kurdistan hills near the Iranian border, some Iranian-Kurdish dissidents see a potential advantage to the conflict.

Jina, 32, fled her country in 2022 after sustaining gunshot wounds in protests over the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish-Iranian woman. Her death set off a nationwide opposition movement in Iran, calling for women's rights and other freedoms.

Nationwide crackdowns eventually crushed the protests, but recent lackluster national elections indicate the crackdown did little to quell discontent. According to Jina, any international actions, including attacks, that weaken the Iranian government are a potential boon for human rights and freedoms.

"Iran is not even taking care of its own people, while launching missiles against Israel or other countries," said Jina, who also doesn't want to use her full name for fear of retaliation. "Iran uses this creation of problems to shift the focus off their own bad behaviors."

But like families in Iraq, Jina also fears that civilians will ultimately be the victims of the war.

"I called my family and asked them to stay inside and not to leave home," she said. "I asked my sister-in-law not to let her kids go to school."

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Joint Statement from the Leaders of the United States and the Republic of Iraq

April 15, 2024

Today, the President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden Jr., welcomed the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Mohammed Shia'a Al-Sudani, to the White House. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the enduring strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States and discussed their visions for comprehensive bilateral cooperation under the 2008 U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement. The President and Prime Minister agreed on the importance of working together to advance regional stability and reinforce and respect Iraqi sovereignty, stability, and security.

President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani affirmed that a diversified and growing Iraqi economy, integrated with the region and the global economic system, is the foundation for lasting stability in the region and prosperity for the Iraqi people. The two leaders exchanged views on how political, economic, and security cooperation between the United States and Iraq could advance shared goals, including the development of a strong and stable Iraqi nation that promotes peace and progress throughout the broader Middle East.

Energy and Environment

President Biden applauded Iraq's progress towards energy self-sufficiency, and the two leaders discussed Prime Minister Sudani's interest in future opportunities for cooperation to ensure Iraq becomes self-sufficient by 2030, with help from U.S. companies. President Biden affirmed continued U.S. support for Iraq's efforts to modernize its energy sector, reduce methane emissions, improve public health, more reliably provide electricity for the Iraqi people, and complete the electrical grid connections with neighboring countries, including the ongoing efforts to connect Iraq's grid with Jordan and GCC countries. The two leaders discussed future plans to develop Iraq's resources in a manner that ensures all Iraqis benefit from their country's natural wealth, consistent with Iraq's constitution.

Prime Minister Sudani and President Biden affirmed the importance of ensuring Iraqi oil can reach international markets and expressed their desire to reopen the Iraq-Turkiye Pipeline.

Regional Integration and Political Cooperation

President Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for Iraq in strengthening relations with the international community and states of the region to ensure security, stability, and enhanced prosperity for its peoples. President Biden pledged continued U.S. support for greater economic integration of Iraq with the Middle East region.

President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani discussed their shared view that the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) is integral to Iraq's overall prosperity and stability. In that vein, the President commended the Prime Minister's and Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) efforts to reach durable agreements that resolve longstanding challenges, including the recent arrangement to pay two months of KRG civil servant salaries, and encouraged continued progress. The President also affirmed U.S. support for strengthening democracy in Iraq, including free, fair, and transparent regional elections in the IKR.

Economy and Finance

President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani discussed Iraq's progressive efforts to reform the financial and banking sector to connect Iraq to the international economy and increase trade while shielding the Iraqi people from the harmful impacts of corruption and money-laundering. Through 2023 and 2024, banks in Iraq have expanded their correspondent relationships with international financial institutions to enable trade financing, with the majority of trade finance now occurring through these channels. The two leaders affirmed the importance of these and other measures to improve the investment climate in Iraq to attract foreign capital and promote economic growth. The United States and Iraq commit to strengthen their cooperation to achieve greater transparency and collaboration against money-laundering, financing terrorism, fraud, corruption, and sanctionable activity that could undermine the integrity of both countries' financial systems. The two sides also committed to support the Central Bank of Iraq to fully wind down the wire auction mechanism by the end of 2024 and transition to direct correspondent relationships between Iraqi and international banks, a transformation that will connect Iraqi people and businesses with the international economy.

The Lasting Defeat of ISIS

President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani discussed their commitment to a stable and secure Iraq. They agreed that Iraq's security forces must be able to ensure that ISIS can never again reconstitute inside Iraq to threaten the Iraqi people, the region, or the international community, including the United States. President Biden reiterated his belief that a strong Iraq, capable of self-defense, is critical to regional stability and committed to bolstering the capabilities of security forces across all of Iraq to secure the country's territory and people.

Nearly ten years after establishing the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, the two leaders discussed the Coalition's successes in both Iraq and Syria, where all Iraqi security forces including in Kurdistan were critical to the territorial defeat of ISIS. Both leaders paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Iraqi, United States, and other friendly countries' military personnel serving side-by-side as partners during the historic campaign against ISIS, as well as the civilians killed by ISIS, including the massacres at Camp Speicher, Mount Sinjar, and Hit. Prime Minister Sudani emphasized the national effort that was required to defeat ISIS and discussed his affirmative agenda to continue rebuilding Iraq and restore its position as an engine of stability and growth for the broader Middle East. President Biden noted that the enduring defeat of ISIS would help ensure Iraq's, the region's, and the world's security in the future, as well as its ability to fulfill the Iraqi people's aspirations to develop economically, attract foreign investment, and provide regional leadership.

Enduring Bilateral Security Cooperation

President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani also discussed the natural evolution of the global D-ISIS Coalition in light of the significant progress that has been made in ten years. The two leaders expressed their commitment to the ongoing Higher Military Commission (HMC) process and its results, and the three working groups that will assess: the continued threat from ISIS, operational and environmental requirements, and bolstering Iraq's security force capabilities. The two leaders affirmed they would review these factors to determine when and how the mission of the Global Coalition in Iraq would end, and transition in an orderly manner to enduring bilateral security partnerships, in accordance with Iraq's Constitution and the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement.

The leaders further affirmed their intent to convene later this year the U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue (JSCD) for talks on the future of the bilateral security partnership.

Strategic and Enduring Partnership

President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani renewed their commitment to bilateral partnership for the benefit of their two nations and decided to expand cooperation in all areas discussed in the Higher Coordinating Committee (HCC) meetings co-chaired by the U.S. Secretary of State and Iraqi Minister of Planning. The two leaders affirmed their intent to continue their consultations on a shared vision for comprehensive, productive partnership to advance common goals.

###

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Biden meets Iraqi PM amid escalating Mideast tensions

By Anita Powell April 16, 2024

As U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Iraq's prime minister Monday, all eyes were on Iran, which over the weekend made a historic first strike on Israel.

That attack has inflamed concerns of a wider regional war a a situation that effectively eclipsed the leaders' already-planned Oval Office meeting, where they wanted to discuss their mutual fight against Islamic State, economic issues and Iraq's progress toward energy independence and modernization.

"The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the enduring strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States, and discussed their visions for comprehensive bilateral cooperation under the 2008 U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement," the two leaders said in a joint statement after Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with Biden.

Meanwhile, White House officials disputed reports that Iran delivered a clear warning before the strike. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby called such reports "nonsense."

"Can you imagine a world in which Iran would pick up the phone and say, 'Hey, we're about to try to schwack Israel with 300 cruise missiles and drones. We just wanted to let you know it's coming. And oh, by the way, here's what we're going to hit.'"

"I'm sorry," he said. "It just didn't happen."

He stressed that Israel's response is "an Israeli decision to make," and "we're going to leave it squarely with them."

Even though the United States is describing Iran's aerial assault as a failure, Iraq's leader acknowledged that the conflict between Israel and Hamas is of major concern in the region.

"We are actually very eager about stopping this war, which claimed the lives of thousands of civilians, women and children," Sudani said, sitting beside Biden in the Oval Office. "And we encourage all the efforts about stopping the expansion of the area of conflict."

The two nations have a delicate relationship after decades of U.S. military involvement in Iraq. U.S. anti-aircraft assets in northern Iraq were used to shoot down some of the Iranian missiles.

Biden said Iraq a a longtime adversary of Iran a has a role to play in maintaining peace.

"Simply put, our partnership is pivotal for our nations, for the Middle East, and I believe, for the world," he said.

Earlier Monday, Sudani's deputy met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, where both men hailed the regional cooperation that thwarted the attack and urged de-escalation.

"I think what this weekend demonstrated is that Israel did not have to and does not have to defend itself alone when it is the victim of an aggression, the victim of an attack," Blinken said.

"In the 36 hours since, we have been coordinating a diplomatic response to seek to prevent escalation."

"We call on all parties for self-restraint and respect the rules and also international norms that we set," said Muhammad Ali Tamim, Iraq's deputy prime minister.

The two leaders announced a raft of bilateral measures Monday, but none directly referenced Iran.

"The President and Prime Minister agreed on the importance of working together to advance regional stability and reinforce and respect Iraqi sovereignty, stability, and security," their joint statement said.

The other agreements centered on the priorities the Biden administration outlined in March ahead of the visit: energy independence, regional security and the "lasting defeat of ISIS."

But analysts say Baghdad should seize every diplomatic opportunity to seek peace.

"Iraq needs to make its preference for reduced escalation clear," Daniel Byman, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told VOA on Zoom. "And that's both talking to the Iranians, but also talking to other Arab states and talking to the United States, that this is negative from Iraq's point of view, and that it wants all the powers to take responsible action to try to reduce escalation."

As Israel mulls its response, regional actors are not sitting still. On Monday, Iraq's president met with King Abdullah II of Jordan. According to Jordan's royal court, they spoke about the dangers of this conflict escalating further.

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Secretary Blinken's Call with UK Foreign Secretary Cameron and German Foreign Minister Baerbock

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

April 14, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock regarding yesterday's blatant and unprecedented attack by Iran and its proxies on Israel. They agreed on the importance of condemning these attacks in the strongest possible terms and preventing further escalation in the region. The Secretary reaffirmed America's unequivocal ironclad commitment to the security of Israel, highlighting that we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people.

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Secretary-General Urges Exercising Restraint, Stepping Back 'from the Brink', in Remarks to Security Council Session Concerning Iran's Attack on Israel

Press Release

Secretary-General / Statements and Messages

SG/SM/22188

14 April 2024

Following are UN Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres' remarks to the Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, in New York today:

The Middle East is on the brink.

The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict.

Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate. Now is the time for maximum restraint.

This emergency session has been convened upon an urgent request by the Permanent Representative of Israel, who noted in his letter dated 13 April to the President of the Security Council, that Iran had launched a and I quote a "a direct attack from within its territory of more than 200 UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles], cruise missiles and ballistic missiles towards Israel in clear violation of the UN Charter and international law".

Yesterday, the Permanent Representative of Iran also addressed a letter to the President of the Security Council, stating that a and I quote a "in the late hours of 13 April 2024, the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out a series of military strikes on Israeli military objectives."

He stated that the action was taken a and I quote a "in the exercise of Iran's inherent right to self-defence as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and in response to the Israeli recurring military aggressions, particularly its armed attack on 1 April 2024 against Iranian diplomatic premises".

According to the latest reports, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles from its territory towards Israel, with most intercepted.

Several missiles reportedly struck within Israeli territory, one of which damaged an Israeli military facility in the south of the country. And overall, a few civilians were injured.

When the nature of the attack became clear, I stated the following last night and I quote:

"I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran this evening. And I call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities."

I remind all Member States that the Charter of the United Nations prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

Furthermore, the principle of inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel must be respected in all cases in accordance with international law, as I stated when condemning the 1 April attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

It's time to step back from the brink.

It is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.

Civilians are already bearing the brunt and paying the highest price.

And we have a shared responsibility to actively engage all parties concerned to prevent further escalation.

As the Friendly Relations Declaration of 1970 states, acts of reprisal involving the use of force are barred under international law.

We have a shared responsibility to secure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.

We have a shared responsibility to stop violence in the occupied West Bank, de-escalate the situation along the Blue Line, and re-establish safe navigation in the Red Sea.

We have a shared responsibility to work for peace. Regional a and indeed global a peace and security are being undermined by the hour. Neither the region nor the world can afford more war.



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Warning Middle East at Risk of Full-Scale Conflict, Secretary-General Urges All Parties to 'Step Back from the Brink', in Emergency Security Council Session

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9602nd Meeting (PM)

SC/15660

14 April 2024

A day after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles from its territory towards Israel - most intercepted - the people of the Middle East are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict, the UN chief told the Security Council today during an emergency meeting, as delegates urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint.

"Regional - and indeed global - peace and security are being undermined by the hour. Neither the region nor the world can afford more war," said AntAnio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, stressing: "Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate."

He said the emergency session was held upon an urgent request by Israel following what it described in a letter as a direct attack launched by Iran of over 200 unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles towards Israel in clear violation of the United Nations Charter and international law. In a separate letter, Iran stated that it had carried out a series of military strikes on Israeli military objectives in the exercise of Iran's inherent right to self-defence as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter, and in response to the Israeli recurring military aggressions, particularly its armed attack on 1 April 2024 against Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus.

The Secretary-General said that according to the latest reports several missiles reportedly struck within Israeli territory. One damaged an Israeli military facility in the south of the country. Overall, a few civilians were injured.

He strongly condemned the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by Iran, noting that the UN Charter prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. Moreover, in relation to the 1 April attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, he underscored that the principle of inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel must be respected in all cases, in accordance with international law.

"It's time to step back from the brink," he asserted, citing the vital need to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East and that acts of reprisal involving the use of force are barred under international law.

He stressed the shared responsibility to actively engage all parties concerned to prevent further escalation, secure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, the cessation of hostilities in the occupied West Bank, de-escalation of the situation along the Blue Line, and re-establishment of safe navigation in the Red Sea. "We have a shared responsibility to work for peace," he said.

When the floor opened for discussion, numerous delegates - among them, the representatives of the Republic of Korea, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Ecuador, Japan, Switzerland and Malta - warned against accelerating the spiral of violence in the region, calling on all parties to exercise utmost restraint.

Condemning both Israel's attack against the Iranian consulate and Tehran's retaliatory strikes on Israel, Slovenia's delegate underscored that the sequence of these events threatens to escalate into a broader conflict of "unpredictable scope". Echoing that sentiment, Guyana's delegate said that "violence begets violence" and urged the parties to choose the path of peace and dialogue.

The representative of the United States condemned in the strongest terms the "unprecedented" attack on Israel by Iran and its militant proxies, whose intent was "to cause significant damage and death". Iran's reckless actions pose a threat to populations in Israel and other UN Member States in the region, including Jordan and Iraq. The Council must not let Iran's actions go unanswered, he asserted, adding that for far too long, Iran has flagrantly violated its international legal obligations by arming Hezbollah; arming, facilitating, and enabling Houthi attacks; and transferring drones to the Russian Federation. Additionally, Iran was complicit in the 7 October attack on Israel as it has provided significant funding and training for the military wing of Hamas and, therefore, contributed to the current crisis in Gaza.

He highlighted the collective responsibility to ensure Iran's compliance with Council resolutions. "In the coming days, and in consultation with other Member States, the United States will explore additional measures to hold Iran accountable here at the United Nations," he pledged, expressing support for Israel's right to self-defence. "If Iran or its proxies take actions against the United States or further action against Israel, Iran will be held responsible," he asserted, noting that Washington, D.C., is not seeking escalation and its actions have been "purely defensive in nature".

Also condemning the unprecedented attack launched by Iran against Israel, the speaker for France said Tehran "crossed a new threshold in its destabilizing action, risking a military escalation". She welcomed that Israel was able to successfully repel the attack, therefore "avoiding the worse and sparing many civilians". France is fully mobilized to find a settlement to the crisis, she said, adding: "We must leave no stone unturned in avoiding a new war in the Middle East."

Her counterpart from the United Kingdom unequivocally condemned Iran's attack against Israel, which "risked thousands of civilian casualties". The scale and nature of its "heinous assault" - the first direct attack from Tehran on Israeli soil - poses grave risks to the security and stability of citizens across the Middle East. Highlighting Iran's role in destabilizing the region, she said that it also bears responsibility for the actions of the groups it has long supported militarily, financially and politically. "Through this attack, Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in the region," she said, stressing that her country will continue to stand up for Israel's security, and that of all its regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq. Commending London's allies for deterring the Iranian threat, she urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Russian Federation observed that while the Secretary-General instantly and publicly reacted and condemned Iran's actions, he did not propose to brief the Council on 2 April when an emergency meeting was called on the Israeli strikes against the consular premises in Damascus. He called on the UN Chief to be more active vis-A -vis "no less turbulent topics" in the Middle East, including Israel's regular attacks against Syria and Lebanon. Moscow proposed a draft press statement to denounce this atrocious act; however, Western countries - Washington, D.C, London and Paris - declined to confirm that the basic principles of international law on the inviolability of diplomatic and consular facilities apply equally to all States.

Rejecting such hypocrisy and double standards, he stressed that the night of the 14 April "did not happen in a vacuum" - instead, the steps undertaken by Iran became a reaction to the Council's "disgraceful inaction" regarding the egregious attack by Israel against Damascus. Now, the spiral of bloodshed and confrontations must be stopped; otherwise, the region could be drawn into a vicious cycle of mutual attacks and violence. In this regard, he noted the signal sent by Tehran that "they do not seek a further military escalation against Israel" and called on the latter to follow suit and reject the practice of provocations and the use of force in the Middle East.

China's delegate described the 1 April attack on Iran's diplomatic premises in Syria as a grave violation of international law and a breach of the sovereignty of both countries. He noted Iran's statement that its military action was in response to Israel's aggression against its diplomatic premises and "the matter can be deemed concluded". The ongoing situation - the latest spillover of the Gaza conflict - serves as another reminder that the Palestinian question remains central to the Middle East issue. "If the flames of the Gaza conflict are allowed to continue raging, then the adverse spillover is set to spread further, making the region even more unstable," he cautioned, stressing that countries in the Middle East cannot afford a larger conflict or war.

The representative of Israel said that Iran's attack was launched from its soil as well as from Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq. He said that his country has repeatedly called on the Council to take concrete action against Tehran, warning that "its hegemonic ambitions of global domination must be stopped before it drives the world to the point of no return - [...] a world war". Last night, the world witnessed unprecedented escalation, serving as the most evident proof of what happens when warnings are not heeded. The direct Iranian attack against Israel - the first of its kind - is just "the most recent chapter in a blood-soaked saga". In this sense, Iran's regime - "seeking death and destruction" - is no different than the Third Reich. Tehran's strategy has been crystal clear - arm, fund and train foreign terror proxies worldwide to carry out its murderous scheme of domination. Yet, he pointed out that the world has been "deafeningly silent" for years.

But today, publicly attacking Israel from its sovereign territory, the mask of its deniability has been removed, he continued. "As Iran's mask has fallen, the world's complacency must also fall," he said, adding that Tehran and its proxies must be shown that the world will no longer stand idle. "Can you imagine if the attack was carried under the Iranian nuclear umbrella?" he asked, warning that Tehran is on the verge of becoming a nuclear power. Against this backdrop, he urged the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action's signatories to initiate the snapback mechanism today and impose all possible sanctions on Iran "before it's too late". Hamas - with Iranian funding, weaponry and training - carried out the most brutal massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Noting that 99 per cent of Iran's UAVs and missiles were intercepted by Israel and its allies, he declared: "We will defend our future".

Iran's delegate countered that his country's operation was entirely in the exercise of its inherent right to self-defence. "This concluded action was necessary and proportionate," he said, adding that it was carried out carefully to only target military objectives, minimize the potential for escalation and prevent civilian harm. He expressed regret that the United States, the United Kingdom and France have chosen to turn a blind eye to the Israeli armed attacks against its diplomatic premises in Syria. Moreover, for over six months now, these countries have shielded Israel from any responsibility for the Gaza massacre. "While they have denied Iran's inherent right to self-defence against the Israeli armed attacks on our diplomatic premises, at the same time, they shamefully justified the Israeli massacre and genocide against the defenseless Palestinian people under the pretext of self-defence," he observed.

Following Israel's terrorist attack against Tehran's diplomatic premises in Damascus, the Council has failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security, he said. While determined to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any threat or acts of aggression, he stressed that Tehran "does not seek escalation or war in the region". Also, it has no intention of engaging in conflict with the United States in the region. However, he emphasized that if Washington, D.C., initiates military operations against Iran, his country will use its inherent right to respond proportionately.

Syria's delegate said that yesterday, the region witnessed "an inevitable outcome of Israel's repeated aggression and grave violations of international law" on his country's territory. Washington, D.C,'s blind and unlimited support has led Israel to believe that it is above international law. Syria has repeatedly warned about the dangers of "the explosion that the Israeli occupation authorities are trying to spark to cover up for their military failure in Gaza and to find justifications for their genocide against the Palestinian people". Against this backdrop, he underscored the need to impose an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression on Gaza and countries in the region.

He called for an end to Washington, D.C.,' illegitimate military presence on Syria's territory, "the systemic looting of its national wealth and the sponsoring of terrorist organizations and separatist militias". He also demanded the full and unconditional lifting of unilateral coercive measures - a form of "economic terrorism". The United States, the United Kingdom and France attacked Syria collectively and individually, based on a distorted interpretation of Article 51 of the UN Charter. Meanwhile, Iran's response - an urgent necessity imposed by Israel's persistent crimes - amounts to "a sound and practical exercise of the legitimate right of self-defence," he said.





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Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East

United Nations Secretary-General

14 April 2024

Madam President,

Excellencies,

The Middle East is on the brink.

The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict.

Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate.

Now is the time for maximum restraint.

This emergency session has been convened upon an urgent request by the Permanent Representative of Israel, who noted in his letter dated 13 April to the President of the Security Council, that Iran had launched - and I quote -- "a direct attack from within its territory of more than 200 UAVs, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles towards Israel in clear violation of the UN Charter and international law." [unquote]

Yesterday, the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran also addressed a letter to the President of the Security Council, stating that - and I quote -- "in the late hours of 13 April 2024, the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out a series of military strikes on Israeli military objectives." [unquote]

He stated that the action was taken - and I quote -- "in the exercise of Iran's inherent right to self-defence as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and in response to the Israeli recurring military aggressions, particularly its armed attack on 1 April 2024 against Iranian diplomatic premises" - unquote.

According to the latest reports, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles from its territory toward Israel, with most intercepted.

Several missiles reportedly struck within Israeli territory, one of which damaged an Israeli military facility in the south of the country.

And overall, a few civilians were injured.

Madam President,

When the nature of the attack became clear, I stated the following last night and I quote:

"I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran this evening.

And I call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities." [unquote]

I remind all Member States that the Charter of the United Nations prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.

Furthermore, the principle of inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel must be respected in all cases in accordance with international law, as I stated when condemning the 1 April attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Madam President,

It's time to step back from the brink.

It is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.

Civilians are already bearing the brunt and paying the highest price.

And we have a shared responsibility to actively engage all parties concerned to prevent further escalation.

As the Friendly Relations Declaration of 1970 states, acts of reprisal involving the use of force are barred under international law.

We have a shared responsibility to secure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.

We have a shared responsibility to stop violence in the occupied West Bank, de-escalate the situation along the Blue Line, and re-establish safe navigation in the Red Sea.

We have a shared responsibility to work for peace.

Regional - and indeed global -- peace and security are being undermined by the hour.

Neither the region nor the world can afford more war.

Thank you.

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Israel's response may trigger dangerous cycle of retaliatory strikes with Iran

Global Times

US, Israel divergencies grow as Middle East conflicts drag on: experts

By GT staff reporters Published: Apr 15, 2024 08:13 PM

The eyes of the world are fixed on Israel as it contemplates its response to Iran's retaliatory attacks following Israel's bombing of the Iranian embassy buildings. Chinese experts warn that Israel's response could trigger a dangerous cycle of retaliatory strikes between the two countries, destabilizing the Gulf region and worsening the overall security situation in the Middle East. However, a full-scale war between Israel and Iran is not imminent, they predicted.

The current conflict between Iran and Israel has also exposed growing divergencies between Israel and the US, said Chinese experts. Israel's self-willed behavior has clearly disrupted the Biden administration's international and Middle East strategies, as well as the domestic arrangements for the presidential election, and their disagreement will widen as conflicts in the Middle East drag on.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday warned members not to further escalate tensions with reprisals against Iran.

"The Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate," Guterres told a meeting of the UN Security Council, held after Iran launched military strike against Israeli territory.

Dai Bing, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Permanent Mission to the UN, called on relevant parties at the meeting to exercise maximum calm and restraint. "If the flames of the Gaza conflict are allowed to continue raging, then the adverse spillover is set to spread still further, making the region even more unstable," said Dai.

"We have also noted that Iran stated that its military action was in response to Israel's aggression against its diplomatic premises and the matter can be deemed concluded," Dai said.

Zhai Jun, special envoy of the Chinese government on Middle East issues, met with Ambassador of Israel to China Irit Ben-Abba Vitale on Monday.

Zhai said China believes that the shedding of blood in the conflict does not serve the interests of any party. All relevant parties should maintain maximum calm and restraint.

The immediate priority is to achieve an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, ensure humanitarian assistance, release all detained individuals as soon as possible, and achieve a political solution to the Palestinian issue based on the "two-state solution," allowing Israel and Palestine to peacefully coexist, said Zhai.

When asked whether China is worried about being dragged into the escalating conflict if Israel continues to strike Iran, Lin Jian, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during a Monday briefing that China calls on all parties to remain calm and exercise restraint in order to avoid further escalation of tensions.

Iran reportedly launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night, after Teheran vowed earlier to retaliate for an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate on April 1 that killed seven Revolutionary Guards officers including two senior commanders, Reuters reported.

Israel's five-person war cabinet failed to reach a decision after over three hours of deliberations on Sunday afternoon as to how the country would respond to Iran's retaliatory attack, according to The Times of Israel.

However, the Israeli media reported that an Israeli official said "there will be a response," while the NBC network quoted an official source in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office as saying that while a decision has yet to be made, "the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] will need to present options" and that "it is clear that Israel will respond."

Iran's attack can be seen as the first time when Israel has been hit by such long-range attacks since its founding, which has strongly stimulated Israel. Therefore, when Israel says it will respond, it is not just talk, Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Monday. Liu said he believes that even if the two countries won't go so far as to all-front war, it is difficult to avoid this cycle of retaliatory strikes between the two.

Liu fears the direct conflicts between Iran and Israel may expand to the Persian Gulf region. Given Iran's status as a regional power with significant size and influence, an escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict will impact the previously relatively stable situation in the Gulf region and seriously deteriorate the overall security environment in the Middle East.

Iran on Saturday seized a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow stretch of water through which most Gulf energy exports pass, and has threatened to close shipping lanes there entirely.

However, Liu said that the possibility of a full-scale war breaking out between the two sides or triggering another Middle East war is still relatively low. However, the dilemma of US Middle East policy will indeed be further exacerbated by the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, said Liu.

Growing divergencies

Leaders of the G7 countries condemned Iran's attack on Israel and said on Sunday they would try to prevent an "uncontrollable regional escalation" in the Middle East.

The G7 leaders, who spoke for just under an hour on a video conference, called for Iran to exercise restraint. They said, "in this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, and we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives," the Reuters reported.

US President Joe Biden has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the US will not take part in a counter-offensive against Iran if Israel decides to retaliate.

The reactions from both the US and Iran indicate that Israel has failed to escalate tensions between the US and Iran in order to tie Washington tight to the Middle East, Zhu Weilie, director of the Middle Eastern Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Monday.

Zhu said although the US will not change its alliance with Israel or its support for Israel, Israel's current "stubbornness" has clearly disrupted the Biden administration's international and Middle East strategies, as well as the US domestic arrangements for the presidential election. Currently, the US and Israel will not only trade barbs over response to Iran, their divergences will also grow on how to deal with Palestine-Israel crisis, said Zhu.

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EU Statement on the Iranian drone and missile attacks against Israel

Government Offices of Sweden

15 April 2024

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU.

The EU condemns in the strongest terms the Iranian drone and missile attacks against Israel. This is an unprecedented escalation and a threat to regional security.

The EU reiterates its commitment to the security of Israel. In this highly tense regional situation, further escalation can be no one's interest. We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint.

The EU remains fully committed to contribute to de-escalation and the security of the region and is in close contact with all sides to this end.

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David Julian walks in the rain at Lands End in San Francisco during a rainy February weekend. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

San Francisco has been giving Seattle a run for its money on the precipitation front. Since Jan. 1, nearly 18 inches of rain has accumulated in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Seattle sits at just 13 inches.

This year is unusual. San Francisco has been rainier than Seattle in just 16 of the past 50 years through mid-April. In a normal year, San Francisco trails Seattle by about 2.5 inches of precipitation on April 14.

Live storm map: See where rain is hitting California and Bay Area

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Annually, Seattle averages 16.5 inches more rainfall than San Francisco and may still surpass San Francisco this year.

While 2024s rainfall may seem topsy-turvy, it fits expectations with El Nino, a global climate pattern that has its biggest influence on West Coast storms from January through April.

Typically, an El Nino will result in drier conditions in the Pacific Northwest and wetter (conditions) in California, said meteorologist Chad Hecht of UC San Diegos Scripps Institution of Oceanography  especially in the southern half of the state.

Mayor London Breed covers her head as she speaks in the rain at a news conference at the 154th birthday of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on April 4. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

During El Nino, the jet stream, a ribbon of fast-moving air high in the atmosphere, tends to be stronger than normal in the subtropics, guiding storms south toward Central and Southern California.

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With that extended and more amplified southern jet stream track, the frequency of storm systems impacting our area does appear to go up, said Lamont Bain, science and operations officer with the National Weather Service Bay Area.

Due in part to the jet streams strength, Los Angeles has been even wetter than Seattle or San Francisco so far this year, recording 18.8 inches of rain through mid-April, nearly double its normal amount. Four inches of that came in a single February day when an atmospheric river-fueled storm resulted in historic rainfall in parts of Southern California.

This winter brought a steady stream of weaker storms to the Bay Area  a dramatic change from the start of 2023, when San Francisco rainfall through mid-April was more than 9 inches ahead of Seattles. This was despite an ongoing La Nina in early 2023, which typically has the opposite effect of El Nino, resulting in drier conditions in Central and Southern California. The large storms that hit the Bay Area last year were fueled by atmospheric rivers, which dont necessarily align with El Nino or La Nina behavior.

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El Nino is not the perfect predictor, Hecht said.

Since 2000, San Francisco has started the year wetter than Seattle just nine times, about once every three years.

The chart below shows how the cities compare over the past two and a half decades.

Dry weather is likely throughout California for the next week to 10 days, marking a pause to the rainy weekend pattern that plagued the state for much of winter and early spring. There is a slight chance for rain in the Bay Area later this month, but Bain says any precipitation will be relatively light.

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Keep in mind, during this time of year our (Bay Area) average precipitation amounts are essentially nil, Bain said. Even a few hundredths of an inch of rain is above normal.
'Two Israeli air bases struck by Iranian missiles'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 15, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- At least nine Iranian missiles, which Israeli air defense failed to intercept, struck two of the regime's air bases and caused damage, a senior American official told ABC News.

Five ballistic missiles hit the Nevatim Air Base, damaging a C-130 transport aircraft, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity with the New York-based ABC News on Sunday.

The official also said that four more ballistic missiles hit the Negev Air Base, but added that there were no reports of "significant" damage.

Late on Saturday, Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at the Israeli regime's targets in response to its strike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital on April 1. The strike prompted Iran to promise retaliation.

Iran's top security body, the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said that the armed forces targeted Israeli air, intelligence and military bases, refraining from attacking economic and infrastructure facilities.

Groups of Iranian people as well as resistance movements in the region hailed the Iranian armed forces for fulfilling its promise and their successful operation which the SNSC said was the least required measure to punish the regime for its aggression against the Iranian diplomatic mission.

Iran says its military action was conducted based on legitimate defense enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. The country has also warned the Israeli regime against further escalation, saying it will respond more decisively.

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UNSC discusses Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israeli targets

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 15, 2024

New York, IRNA -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has held an emergency session on Sunday local time at the request of the Zoinist regime after Iran's retaliatory attacks against the regime in the occupied territories.

According to IRNA's reporter, the emergency meeting was held under theme "Middle East Situation" to review Iran's punitive action against the Israeli regime and ended without issuing any statement or resolution.

Following are the extracts from speeches delivered by representatives of several counties, including Security Council members.

UN chief: World can't afford another war

In an opening speech, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that "neither the world nor the Middle East "can afford more war" and surely civilians will have to pay for yet another conflict as "violence begets violence."

While calling for "maximum restraint", the UN chief reiterated his condemnation of the Israeli attack on the premise of the Iranian embassy in Damascus.

"The Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate," he warned.

Russia slams hypocrisy, double standards

Russia's ambassador and representative to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, lashed out at the United States, Britain and France for refusing to abide by principles of international law, namely on the immunity of diplomatic facilities.

We had warned at the previous Security Council meeting that Israel's action should be condemned explicitly, but it was ignored and the US, Britain and France refused to accept a draft statement, Nebenzia said

Now the same countries are condemning Iran, and this shows "their hypocrisy," he clarified saying that "the result is now clear for everyone."You know very well that an attack on a diplomatic center is an act of belligerence under international law, and if a Western mission was attacked, you would immediately react with revenge."

China: Iran's action reciprocal

The deputy representative of China at the United Nations condemned the Israeli regime's attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria and said the deadly airstrike in violation of the UN charter prompted Iran to take retaliatory move.

By launching such an attack on April 1, he added, Tel Aviv violated the sovereignty of both Syria and Iran.

We are deeply concerned about Iran's action, but Tehran has emphasized that this was a retaliatory action and has ended now, this Chinese diplomat said.

Algeria: Israeli attack arbitrary

Algeria's deputy representative at the UN Security Council meeting on Sunday night blamed the Israeli regime for causing the situation to reach to this level, saying Iran's response was against Israeli attack on consulate in Damascus.

We warn against the dual policy (of America) and the policies should be the same for all countries, Ammar bin Jame said, adding that it is not possible to deal calmly if a country's territory is attacked first and then behave differently when aggressor is being responded.

We are at a crossroad, either we comply with international laws or we have face chaos, he added.

Syria: Iran's response legitimate

Syria's representative at the United Nations on Sunday night held the occupying Zionist regime and the US government responsible for regional escalation.

What Iran did yesterday was the correct exercise of its rights, it was in self-defense, Qusay Al-Dahhak said while referring to Israel's deadly strike on Iran's embassy in Damascus.

He added that the current events are the natural result of repeated aggressive actions and clear violations of international law and the United Nations Charter by the Israeli occupying regime in Syria and other countries, with the backing of the United States.

West justifies behavior of Zionist regime

Despite widespread criticisms at the Security Council meeting, the American, British and French representatives condemned Iran's unprecedented attack against the Israeli targets in a clear display of double standards since the trio failed to issue a condemnation against Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy.

Robert Wood, US ambassador and deputy representative to the United Nations said the world body is obliged not to leave Iran's actions unanswered.

The United States will consider further measures to hold Iran accountable as the attack was against international peace, he said in disregard to the UN charter and the Vienna convention on diplomatic immunity.

The deputy representative of France aligned with the United States and condemned the unprecedented attack by Iran, saying "we and our partners in the region want to maintain the security of Israel".

Barbara Woodward, British ambassador and representative to the United Nations, also claimed that Iran has a destabilizing role in the region and the attack on Israel was to create chaos in the region.

She called it unprovoked attack against the Zionist regime, forgetting the deadly Israeli attack that happened on Iranian diplomatic mission just this month.

Several other countries, including South Korea and Japan that have American or West-dictated foreign policy also sided with the Zionist regime by condemning Iran's retaliatory strikes.

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PM Netanyahu Speaks with US House of Representatives Majority Leader Steve Scalise

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

15.04.2024

US House of Representatives Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), this evening, called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed support for any decision that Israel makes in light of the Iranian attack.

Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked Majority Leader Scalise for his warm support, and made it clear that Israel would do everything necessary to defend itself.

Majority Leader Scalise informed the Prime Minister of his initiative to advance in Congress, in the coming days, a series of measures against Iran and for Israel; Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked him.

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China calls for restraint after Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:15, April 15, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Sunday called for calm and restraint after Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel over the latter's deadly assault on the Iranian consulate in Syria.

"China calls on relevant parties to exercise maximum calm and restraint and resolve their differences and disputes in accordance with the purposes of the UN Charter and international law to prevent further escalation," said Dai Bing, the charge d'affaires of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

On April 1, Iran's diplomatic premises in Syria were attacked by airstrikes, resulting in the deaths of several Iranian personnel and severe damage to the premises. This is a grave violation of the UN Charter and international law and a breach of the sovereignty of both Syria and Iran. The attack is of an extremely vicious nature, he noted.

China expressed deep concern over Saturday's escalation. It has also noted that Iran stated that its military action was in response to Israel's aggression against its diplomatic premises and the matter can be deemed concluded, said Dai.

The ongoing situation is the latest spillover of the Gaza conflict. It serves as another reminder that the Palestinian question remains central to the Middle East issue and bears on the peace, stability and long-term security in the region, he said.

If the flames of the Gaza conflict are allowed to continue raging, the adverse spillover is set to spread still further, making the region even more unstable. Countries and peoples in the Middle East do not want to see, nor can they afford a larger conflict or war. Therefore, the priority is implementing Security Council Resolution 2728 and securing an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, he said.

The ultimate solution is to implement the two-state solution and put an end to the vicious circle of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. China calls on the international community, especially countries with influence, to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability of the region, he said.

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Biden says to oppose any Israeli counterattack against Iran -- media

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:19, April 15, 2024

WASHINGTON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a call on Saturday that the United States will oppose any Israeli counterattack against Iran, U.S. news portal Axios reported, citing a senior White House official.

"You got a win. Take the win," Biden told Netanyahu, thanking Israel, the United States, and other countries for their joint efforts, which failed Iran's attacks, according to the official.

The official was quoted as saying that when Biden told Netanyahu that the United States would not participate in any offensive operations against Iran and would not support such operations, Netanyahu said he understood.

Also on Saturday night, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke for the second time with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, during which the Pentagon chief reiterated Washington's "ironclad" support for Israel's defense, Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder said in a statement.

Austin told Gallant that the United States would ask Israel to notify Washington ahead of any response against Iran, reported Axios, citing a senior Israeli official.

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Biden reiterates "ironclad" support for Israel after Iran's attack

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:47, April 15, 2024

WASHINGTON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated Saturday his nation's "ironclad" support for Israel, shortly after a meeting with his national security team to discuss the Iranian attack on Israel.

"I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran's attacks against Israel," Biden said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"Our commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad," the president added.

A picture that Biden posted along with the text showed that participants of the meeting inside the White House Situation Room included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown, Director of Central Intelligence Agency William Burns, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, among others.

Earlier, U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement that Iran "has begun an airborne attack on Israel," adding that Biden was being "regularly updated on the situation."

Meanwhile, CNN, citing a U.S. defense official, reported that "U.S. forces in the region continue to shoot down Iranian-launched drones targeting Israel."

"Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect U.S. forces operating in the region," the official was quoted as saying.

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Israel lifts all precautionary restrictions after Iranian attack: army

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:11, April 15, 2024

JERUSALEM, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said early Monday that all restrictions it put in place shortly before Iran's overnight attack on Saturday have been lifted.

The restrictions, including a ban on all educational activities and large outdoor gatherings, came into effect on Saturday night as part of Israel's defensive efforts ahead of Iran's missile and drone attack.

They were originally supposed to expire on Monday night.

However, the IDF Home Front Command decided to lift them as of midnight between Sunday and Monday "following a situation assessment," the IDF said in a statement.

"As part of the changes, it was decided to restore educational activities across Israel," the statement read, adding that "the restriction on gatherings is also removed."

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EU, G7 leaders urge preventing escalation in Mideast

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:05, April 15, 2024

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Sunday that Iran, at this moment, no longer sought to continue its retaliatory military operation against Israel.

BRUSSELS/ROME, April 14 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) and Group of Seven (G7) leaders on Sunday called for preventing a further escalation of the situation in the Middle East following Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel.

"Everything must be done to prevent further regional escalation. More bloodshed must be avoided. We will continue to follow the situation closely with our partners," said European Council President Charles Michel on social media.

"All actors must now refrain from further escalation and work to restore stability in the region," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on social media.

While calling on "all parties to exercise utmost restraint," Josep Borrell, EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said on social media that "this is an unprecedented escalation."

Borrell said that he has called an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers on April 16 "to contribute to de-escalation and security of the region."

After gathering in a virtual meeting on Sunday, the G7 leaders called for de-escalation and restraint on all parties.

In a joint statement, the G7 leaders emphasized "the need to avoid further escalation, calling on the parties to refrain from actions aimed at exacerbating tension in the region."

"To this end, the G7 called for an end to the crisis in Gaza through a cessation of hostilities and for the release of (Israeli) hostages by Hamas. The G7 leaders also pledged to continue providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population," said the statement.

The G7 comprises Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and Japan, plus the top representatives of the European Union.

Iran and allied armed groups launched coordinated drone and missile strikes on Israel late Saturday night.

Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations has said the country's military action against Israel was based on Article 51 of the UN Charter regarding the legitimate right to self-defense and in response to the deadly Israeli attack against the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Sunday that Iran, at this moment, no longer sought to continue its retaliatory military operation against Israel.

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Iran launches coordinated retaliatory strikes on Israel, heightening fears of broader regional war

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:17, April 15, 2024

JERUSALEM/TEHRAN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran and allied armed groups launched coordinated drone and missile strikes on Israel late Saturday night in retaliation for a deadly assault on the Iranian consulate in Syria about two weeks ago. The escalation has further heightened fears of a wider regional war as a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip remains elusive.

Hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran triggered sirens in Jerusalem, the Negev Desert, the Dead Sea in the south, the Golan Heights in the north, and the West Bank. Massive explosions were heard in Jerusalem and other parts of Israel as Iranian drones and missiles were intercepted, according to Xinhua correspondents in Jerusalem and local witnesses.

During a press briefing, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel intercepted the majority of the missiles and drones launched towards its territory.

As Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel, Hezbollah in Lebanon fired rockets at Israeli barracks in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, and the Houthis in Yemen launched drones toward Israeli targets.

Israel's Maged David Adom rescue service said in a statement that a 10-year-old boy was seriously injured in a Beduin village in the Negev. A projectile or parts of a projectile fell near Umm Al Fahm, an Arab city in northern Israel, causing no injuries.

After Iran's attack, U.S. President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a call on Saturday night that the United States will oppose any Israeli counterattack against Iran, U.S. news portal Axios reported, citing a senior White House official.

Biden also said that he would convene leaders of the Group of Seven countries on Sunday to coordinate a "united diplomatic response" to the attack.

ESCALATING IRAN-ISRAEL TENSION

Israel has been on high alert over the past few days following Iranian threats to retaliate for an airstrike on the Iranian consular building in Damascus, capital of Syria, on April 1, which killed seven Iranians, including two military commanders. Iran blames the attack on Israel.

Ahead of the anticipated Iranian attack, Israeli authorities took precautionary measures by closing schools, advising citizens to stay near shelters, and activating air defenses to counter potential threats.

Following Iran's attack on Saturday, Netanyahu convened the war cabinet at military headquarters in Tel Aviv, his office confirmed.

Israel is planning to launch a "significant response" to the Iranian aerial attack, the nation's state-owned Kan TV news reported early Sunday, citing an anonymous senior Israeli official.

"The fact that Iran fires for the first time from its territory at Israel requires a significant response. It will come soon," the official said.

In response to the drone and missile attacks by Iran, the United States has pledged unwavering support for Israel.

Calling it a conflict between Iran and Israel, Iran's mission to the United Nations warned the United States to stay away. Iran also warned of a "firm response" to any country that opens its airspace or territory for Israeli attacks.

"PANDORA'S BOX"

The latest flare-up has intensified concerns of a wider war in a region already embroiled in the six-month-old Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Since the outbreak of the conflict in October last year, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and resistance groups in Iraq have launched attacks on targets associated with Israel.

As Iran launches direct attacks on Israel, analysts worry that the security landscape in the Middle East could be on the precipice of further deterioration.

The latest development is transforming "the years-long 'shadow war' between Israel and Iran into an open and all-out regional conflict," according to a report by the International Crisis Group, a global think tank based in Belgium.

Before this round of strikes began, both Iran and Israel had prepared for an escalation.

Earlier this month, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi held an online meeting with Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, vowing to intensify attacks against Israel.

Iran's strike against Israel "could be it, but it could be that this is a prelude to a bigger attack," said Alex Rossi, an analyst from Sky News, stressing that the attack could "set off a chain of events" leading to a wider conflict.

Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, said that given Israel's anticipated forceful retaliation, such a move "has a high potential to trigger a full-scale, region-wide war."

Apart from Israel's retaliatory strikes, another factor that could precipitate a worsening trend is the intervention of the United States.

Washington has promised Israel "ironclad" support, and already rushed U.S. warships into position to protect Israel.

On Friday, U.S. Central Command Commander Michael Erik Kurilla attended a situational assessment meeting with commanders of the IDF in Tel Aviv.

"Washington is unlikely to sit idly by," analyzed the International Crisis Group, noting that Iran's attack "could quickly spark a wider confrontation involving each side's respective allies."

"We are at the beginning of a unique and unprecedented event whose results are difficult to see," Danny Citrinowicz, a fellow at the Israel Institute for National Security Studies, said on social media platform X.

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Following Iran's retaliatory strikes, opposition leader blames Netanyahu, calls him 'existential threat to Israel'

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 6:25 PM

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has vehemently rebuked Benjamin Netanyahu over his far-right administration's failure to confront Iran's retaliatory strikes on the occupied territories.

Lapid said in a post on his X social media account on Monday that the Israeli prime minister's cabinet was to blame for a "total loss of Israeli deterrence" against Iran's unprecedented attack in the late hours of Saturday.

The opposition leader also said that Netanyahu's cabinet has "destroyed" the Israeli deterrence, adding, "This prime minister has become an existential threat to Israel."

In a separate statement on X, Lapid called on Israeli ministers to "stop talking and threatening Iran in the media."

In an attack, dubbed Operation True Promise, Iran launched late on Saturday hundreds of drones and missiles at the Israeli-occupied territories in response to the regime's aggression on the Iranian diplomatic facilities in the Syrian capital of Damascus on April 1.

The Israeli airstrikes on Iran's embassy compound in Damascus killed two generals of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, as well as five of their accompanying officers.

In response, the IRGC targeted on April 13 the Israeli-occupied territories with a barrage of drones and missiles. The extent of the damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied territories is yet to be specified.

Following the reprisal, Iran warned Israel against taking any retaliatory actions and also urged the US to try not to involve itself in the conflict and signaled that it viewed the matter as "concluded."

"If the Zionist regime or its supporters demonstrate reckless behavior, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response," Iran's President Ebrahim Raeisi said in a statement on Sunday.

A similar warning was issued by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri, who said that a "much larger" response awaits Israel "if it retaliates against Iran."

Baqeri also warned the US that any backing of Israeli retaliation would result in its bases being targeted by Iran.

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami also warned that Tehran would retaliate against any Israeli attacks on its interests, officials or citizens.

"From now on, whenever Israel attacks Iranian interests, assets, figures, citizens at any point, we will attack from Iran," he said.

Meanwhile, Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations also said in a statement on Sunday that Tehran's response to Israeli aggression was a "legitimate defense" in accordance with the UN charter, warning the US to "stay away" from the matter.

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US House under pressure to urgently act on 'war-time' aid for Israel

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 3:40 PM

US House Speaker Mike Johnson has come under immense pressure to secure "war-time aids" to Israel, in the wake of Iran's weekend retaliatory attacks against the occupied territories.

On Sunday, US President Joe Biden convened a call with Johnson and congressional leaders to address the "urgent need" for the House to approve a Republican-led support package, which has already passed the Senate and would provide $14.1 billion in aid to Israel.

"On the call, the president discussed the urgent need for the House of Representatives to pass the national security supplemental as soon as possible," the White House said in a statement.

Following the phone conversation, Johnson told Fox News that he aims to advance a bill for wartime aid to Israel this week.

"The House Republicans and the Republican Party understand the necessity of standing with Israel."

The House speaker, who has over recent months refused to take up the Senate bill, said Sunday, "We're going to try again this week, and the details of that package are being put together right now."

"We're looking at the options on all these supplemental issues."

Johnson is already under pressure from his fellow Republicans, who are divided in their support for a military aid package for Ukraine.

After the phone conversation with Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also said the "best" way to help Israel was to "pass the supplemental this week."

"I've called on Speaker Johnson to do that," he told reporters Sunday.

"There was a consensus on the phone among all the leaders that we had to help Israel and help Ukraine, and now hopefully we can work that out and get this done next week."

Johnson, however, did not clarify whether he will also act on Ukraine.

Even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has vowed to continue supporting Ukraine, pushed for "the national security supplemental that ...will provide critical resources to Israel and our own military forces in the region."

"The Commander-in-Chief and the Congress must discharge our fundamental duties without delay. The consequences of failure are clear, devastating, and avoidable," said McConnell.

Citing multiple Democrats familiar with the discussions, the Washington Post reported Sunday that Democratic leadership aims to get at least 200 to sign on since some in the far-left faction will not back the legislation in opposition to funding Israel.

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Iran's retaliatory attack against Israel 'necessary, appropriate': FM spokesman

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 April 2024 10:34 AM

Iran's retaliatory operation against Israel was a "necessary and proportionate" action taken in defense of the country's national security, says Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani.

Kan'ani made the remarks during a press briefing on Monday, a day after Iranian Armed Forces launched hundreds of missiles and drones at the occupied territories in retaliation for the Israeli regime's April 1 terrorist strike on the Islamic Republic's consulate in Syria.

"Iran's action was necessary and proportionate and targeted military sites. Iran acted to defend its national security and interests given the lack of action by the UN Security Council and ensuing irresponsible behavior of the US, Britain and France," he said.

Kan'ani also stressed that the Islamic Republic does not seek an escalation of regional tensions, adding, however, that the country will act "more strongly" within the framework of the UN Charter to deter and punish an aggressor who crosses its red lines.

Overnight on Saturday and early Sunday morning, more than 300 Iranian drones and missiles rained down on targets in the Israeli-occupied lands.

The large-scale operation came less than two weeks after Israeli warplanes bombed the consular annex of Iran's embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus, killing seven members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) who were on an advisory mission to the Arab country.

Also in his remarks, the top diplomat said that Iran, as "a power that creates security", exercised its inherent right to defend itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

"Iran and its diplomatic apparatus and Armed Forces acted professionally... and delivered a legitimate response to the [Israeli] regime's act of aggression. Iran acted logically and responsibly," he added.

"We had issued necessary warnings before taking action ..., acted powerfully and will continue to do so."

Legitimate attack

Commenting on the Western countries' condemnation of the retaliatory operation, Kan'ani said that they should take into account that the attack was legitimate and "appreciate Iran's restraint concerning regional security and peace in recent months."

"Instead of making accusations against Iran, they (the Western states) should ask themselves what they have done in the course of seven months of an open genocide and why they have not fulfilled their legal and moral responsibility towards Palestine," he noted.

Israel waged a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

So far, Israel has killed at least 33,797 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 76,465 others.

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'On The Brink': Leaders Call For Restraint As World Awaits Israeli Response To Iran Attack

By RFE/RL April 15, 2024

Leading diplomats and politicians across the globe, fearing another major escalation of fighting in the Middle East, urged restraint as the world waited for Israel's response after it endured an unprecedented air attack by Iran over the weekend.

Tehran fired more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel late on April 13, almost all of which were shot down by Israeli defense systems, along with intercepts by forces from the United States, France, Britain, and Jordan.

Only a few missiles reached Israeli territory, causing modest damage to an air base and critically wounding a 7-year-old girl.

Israel and Iran have been bitter enemies for decades, but this was the first direct attack by one on the other's soil instead of through proxy forces or by targeting each other's assets operating in third countries.

The Israeli war cabinet was set to meet on April 15, with some hard-liners within the right-wing government said to be advocating a harsh response, while others were pushing for a more moderate decision.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised victory, while an influential member of the war cabinet said the country will retaliate in the "fashion and time" of its choosing.

"We're on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it," European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who said he spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian late on April 14, told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

"We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear."

Added British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in an interview on April 15 with the BBC: "I think they're perfectly justified to think they should respond because they have been attacked, but we are urging them as friends to think with head as well as heart, to be smart as well as tough."

Iran, which said it was responding to a suspected Israeli air strike on the Iranian Embassy compound in Damascus early last month that killed two brigadier generals, called on Western nations to "appreciate" the restraint it showed since the embassy attack and warned it will act more "resolutely" if "Israel crosses red lines."

The United States reiterated its "ironclad commitment" to the security of Israel but reportedly told the Jewish state it will not take part in any retaliatory action.

Speaking late on April 14 at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for "maximum restraint" amid fears that Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel could turn into a larger regional war.

"The Middle East is on the brink.... Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate," Guterres said.

After the meeting ended without any resolution, U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood said "there has to be a Security Council response to what happened."

The Iranian launch came amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West over the continuing war in the Gaza Strip and a deadly air strike on April 1 believed to have been carried out by Israel on the Iranian Consulate in Syria.

U.S. officials said Washington had been indirect contact with Iran through Swiss intermediaries before and after the attack, without providing details, but Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani cautioned on April 15 that no pre-arranged deal was made with any country regarding how Tehran would approach its military response to Israel.

Israel's retaliatory war in Gaza was sparked by a raid on Israeli territory carried out by Hamas, which rules Gaza and is designated as a terrorist group by the United States and European Union, on October 7. The raid left 1,200 people dead and hundreds of people were taken hostage.

The ensuing Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip aimed at destroying Hamas has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian territory's Hamas-run Health Ministry.

Since the war in Gaza began, Tehran has openly supported militant groups and proxies targeting Israel that are part of Iran's "axis of resistance" against Israel and the West, leading to concerns of a broader Middle East conflict involving archenemies Iran and Israel.

While Russia, seen as close to Tehran, has stopped short of publicly criticizing Iran for the attack on Israel, the Kremlin on April 15 said "further escalation is in no one's interests" and called for finding a solution through "political and diplomatic methods."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, AP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-israel-united-nations- fears-regional-war/32905664.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Former U.S. National-Security Adviser Says Strong Israeli Response To Iran Attack Would Be Justified

By Current Time April 15, 2024

PRAGUE -- Former U.S. national-security adviser John Bolton says Israel is entitled to retaliate against Iran for its weekend attack, including destroying its nuclear weapons program, and stands by his comment that President Joe Biden is "an embarrassment" for urging Israel not to respond.

In an interview with RFE/RL, Bolton said if Iran targeted the United States using hundreds of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones as it did on April 13 against Israel, Washington would retaliate at a minimum by destroying the bases and facilities from which the attacks were launched.

"I am firmly of the belief that if the U.S. faced that kind of attack, there's no doubt [what] we would do. Why should we deny the Israelis the right to...react the same way we would?"

Bolton spoke with RFE/RL from Washington as Israel weighs its response to Iran's attack, which Iran said was in response to a suspected Israeli air strike on the Iranian Embassy compound in Damascus, Syria, last month that killed two brigadier generals.

Almost all of the missiles and drones were shot down by Israeli defense systems or intercepted by forces from the United States, France, Britain, and Jordan.

Biden has said he wants to prevent the conflict in the Middle East from spreading and urged caution, telling Israel to "think carefully and strategically" before launching a response against Iran that could trigger a wider war.

But Bolton, known as a proponent of American hard power, said that because Israel can't be sure that the next ballistic missiles launched from Iran won't contain nuclear warheads, it is in Israel's long-term interests to consider responding by destroying Iran's nuclear weapons program. And if Israel decided to do so, the United States should support the move, he said.

The April 13 attack has raised fears of another major escalation of fighting in the Middle East, and the risks are high because "we're in uncharted territory," said Michael Horowitz, head of intelligence at the Bahrain-based Le Beck International consultancy.

A full-scale war is the nightmare scenario that could be triggered by an Israeli attack on nuclear sites in Iran, Horowitz said in an interview with RFE/RL on April 15.

"If we reach this point, we may see weeks of Israeli strikes in Iran, the full-scale engagement of Hizballah in an attack against Israel, an Israeli ground incursion in Lebanon, and Iranian attempts to close the Persian Gulf," Horowitz said.

The region is now "closer to such a scenario than we were before," and even if there is no specific trigger, a cycle of tit-for-tat attacks between Iran and Israel "could get us there if outside parties don't act as they did so far to de-escalate tensions."

Bolton wrote the book Surrender Is Not An Option: Defending America At The United Nations after serving as U.S. ambassador to the UN from August 2005 until December 2006. As undersecretary of state for arms control and international security from 2001-2005, he advocated tough measures against the nuclear weapons programs of both Iran and North Korea.

In his interview with RFE/RL, Bolton said Israel is already engaged in a war in the Gaza Strip against Hamas, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and EU, and has been attacked by Hizballah militants from the north.

In addition, he noted that Huthi rebels in Yemen backed by Iran have targeted international shipping in the Red Sea and there have been attacks by Iran-aligned militant groups in Iraq and Syria.

Bolton accused the Biden administration of refusing to look at the conflict in the Middle East in a strategic sense. He also said that all the terrorist groups operating in the region are armed, equipped, trained, and financed by Iran, thus as strong response is justified.

"Iran is the puppet master here. That's the wider war we're already in," he told RFE/RL. "This is not separate battles between Israel and Hamas and Gaza, or the Huthis trying to close the Red Sea in the Suez Canal to international commercial traffic. This is all controlled by Iran," he added.

He defended his criticism of Biden as "an embarrassment," saying the wider war that the U.S. administration and other say they fear already began on October 7, the day that Hamas militants attacked Israeli towns, taking around 250 hostages and killing more than 1,100 people. More than 100 hostage are still in captivity.

Bolton, who spent 17 months as an adviser to former President Donald Trump, said he could not predict what Israel's response will be nor the outcome of an Israeli war cabinet meeting on April 15, but said Prime Minister Netanyahu knows the Iran nuclear threat "better than anyone else in Israel or, frankly, in the United States."

If forced to predict, he said, he would say the response would be "lower level" and would come within a few days.

Bolton, Trump's third national-security adviser, was asked for his resignation in September 2019 after months of division over the direction of foreign and national security policy.

Bolton wrote a book the following year about his time serving in the White House. The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir angered Trump for portraying him as ignorant of basic geopolitical facts. The White House tried to stop the book's release, but a judge denied its request. Trump reacted to the publication by calling Bolton "incompetent" and "a boring fool."

With reporting by Kian Sharifi

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-bolton-israel-iran-response- attack/32906526.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Gallant Told Austin Israel 'Has No Choice' But to Strike Against Iran - Reports

Sputnik News

20240415

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke over the weekend with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and informed him that Israel has no choice but to attack Iran in response to the latter's retaliatory drone and missile strike on Saturday night, Axios reported on Monday, citing a US official and a source in the know.

Gallant told Austin that Israel will not allow the Iranian attack to take place without a response, adding that the Netanyahu government also will not accept Iranian retaliatory attacks every time it strikes targets in Syria, the report said.

On Saturday night, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The attack came in response to Israel's airstrike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital in early April. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel had intercepted 99% of the aerial targets fired by Iran, including all drones.

Israeli media reported that US President Joe Biden forced Israel to postpone its retaliatory strike immediately after Iran's attack on Saturday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said earlier in the day that Israel will face an immediate and a larger-scale response if it decides to continue escalating tensions with Iran.

A Sputnik

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Netanyahu Asks IDF to List Target Options in Iran to 'Send Message' - Reports

Sputnik News

20240415

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to list a possible targets in Iran to send a "message" to Tehran without causing casualties, The Washington Post reported on Monday.

The potential options include a cyberattack or a strike on a facility in Tehran, an official told The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity.

According to the newspaper, Israel wants to respond in a way that does not anger its allies or undermine opportunities of building an alliance against Iran.

On Saturday night, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory, the IDF said. The attack came in response to Israel's airstrike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital in early April. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel had intercepted 99% of the aerial targets fired by Iran, including all drones.

A Sputnik

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At Least 9 Iranian Missiles Hit 2 Targeted Israeli Airbases - Reports

Sputnik News

20240415

MOSCOW, (Sputnik) - At least nine Iranian missiles have hit two of Israel's airbases during the recent attack, damaging infrastructure, ABC News reported on Sunday, citing an unnamed senior US official.

Five ballistic missiles struck Israel's Nevatim airbase, damaging a C-130 military transport aircraft, a runway and storage facilities, while four more missiles hit an Israeli airbase in the Negev desert but without any significant damage reported.

On Saturday night, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The attack came in response to Israel's airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1.

Iranian state media reported that Iran had fired at least seven hypersonic missiles at Israel, with none of them intercepted. Meanwhile, CNN reported, citing US officials, that the US military had intercepted more than 79 drones and at least three hyperosnic missiles during Iran's attack. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel had intercepted 99% of the aerial targets fired by Iran, including all drones.

A Sputnik

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The UK condemns unequivocally Iran's reckless attack against Israel: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council briefing on Iran's attack against Israel, 14 April 2024.

15 April 2024

The United Kingdom condemns unequivocally Iran's reckless attack against Israel, which risked thousands of civilian casualties.

The scale and nature of Iran's heinous assault - the first direct attack from Iran on Israeli soil - poses grave risks to the security and stability of citizens across the Middle East.

The United Kingdom has long been clear that Iran plays an unacceptable role in destabilising the region, and that it also bears responsibility for the actions of the groups it has supported militarily, financially, and politically over many years. Through this attack, Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in the region.

As we have demonstrated, the United Kingdom will continue to stand up for Israel's security, and that of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq. We welcome the actions of our allies to deter the Iranian threat.

No one wants to see further bloodshed. The United Kingdom is also continuing to work urgently alongside the international community to stabilise the situation and prevent further escalation. It is vital that all parties exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any action that may heighten tensions further in the region.

We also call on Iran to release the MSC Aries and its crew unconditionally and without delay.

Iran's actions do nothing to advance the prospects for peace in Israel and Gaza. As set out in Security Council resolution 2728, the United Kingdom remains resolved to work with international partners to secure an immediate pause in the fighting in Gaza to get aid in and hostages out, leading to a sustainable ceasefire without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life.

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PM statement to the House of Commons on Iran's attack on Israel: 15 April 2024

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a statement to the House of Commons on Iran's attack on Israel.

15 April 2024

Mr Speaker, before I start, I would like to express my deepest sympathy, and I am sure that of the whole House, on the death of your father. He was a true giant of not just this House, but the other place, too.

I also want to express my solidarity with our Australian friends after the horrific and senseless attacks in Sydney in recent days. Our thoughts are with all those affected.

On Saturday evening, Iran sought to plunge the middle east into a new crisis. It launched a barrage of missiles and attack drones over Iraq and Jordan, and towards Israel. The scale of the attack, and the fact that it was targeted directly at Israel, are without precedent. It was a reckless and dangerous escalation. If it had succeeded, the fallout for regional security and the toll on Israeli citizens would have been catastrophic, but it did not succeed.

In support of Israel's own defensive action, the United Kingdom joined a US-led international effort, along with France and partners in the region, that intercepted almost all of the missiles, saving lives in Israel and its neighbours. We sent additional RAF Typhoons to the region as part of our existing operations against Daesh in Iraq and Syria, and I can confirm that our forces destroyed a number of Iranian drones. We also provided important intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support for our partners. Our pilots put themselves in harm's way to protect the innocent and preserve peace and stability. I spoke to the RAF earlier today; they are the best of the best, and I know that the whole House will join me in expressing our gratitude.

With this attack, Iran has once again shown its true colours. It is intent on sowing chaos in its own backyardaon further destabilising the middle east. Our aim is to support stability and security because that is right for the region, and because although the middle east is thousands of miles away, it has a direct effect on our security and prosperity at home, so we are working urgently with our allies to de-escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed. We want to see calmer heads prevail, and we are directing all our diplomatic efforts to that end.

Yesterday I spoke to my fellow G7 leaders. We are united in our condemnation of this attack. We discussed further potential diplomatic measures, which we will be working together to co-ordinate in the coming days. I will also shortly speak to Prime Minister Netanyahu to express our solidarity with Israel in the face of this attack, and to discuss how we can prevent further escalation. All sides must show restraint.

Our actions reflect our wider strategy in the middle east, which I have set out in the House previously. I believe there are three vital steps to put the region on to a better path. First, we must uphold regional security against hostile actors, including in the Red sea, and we must ensure Israel's security. That is non-negotiable and a fundamental condition for peace in the region. In the face of the threats that we saw this weekend, Israel has our full support.

Secondly, we must invest more deeply in the two-state solution. That is what we have been doing over the past six months, including working closely with the Palestinian Authority, so that when the time comes, they can provide more effective governance for Gaza and the west bank. It is significant that other regional partners actually helped to prevent a much worse attack over the weekend. It reminds us how important the attempts to normalise relations between Israel and its neighbours really are, and they hold out precious hope for the region.

Thirdly, the conflict in Gaza must end. Hamas, who are backed by Iran, started this war. They wanted not just to kill and murder, but to destabilise the whole region. This weekend, they rejected the latest hostage deal, which offered a road to a ceasefire. It is Israel's right, and indeed its duty, to defeat the threat from Hamas terrorists and defend its security. I want to be clear: nothing that has happened over the past 48 hours affects our position on Gaza. The appalling toll on civilians continues to growathe hunger, the desperation and the loss of life on an awful scale. The whole country wants to see an end to the bloodshed, and to see more humanitarian support going in. The recent increase in aid flows is positive, but it is still not enough. We need to see new crossings open for longer to get in vital supplies.

I want to take this opportunity, Mr Speaker, to pay tribute to the three British aid workers who were killed in Gaza: John Chapman, James Kirby and James Henderson. They were heroes. The children of Gaza whom they were risking their lives to feed need a humanitarian pause immediately, leading to a long-term sustainable ceasefire. That is the fastest way to get hostages out and aid in, and to stop the fighting. Israelis and Palestinians alike deserve to live in peace, dignity and security, and so do people across the entire region.

In conclusion, Saturday's attack was the act not of a people, but of a despotic regime, and it is emblematic of the dangers that we face today. The links between such regimes are growing. Tel Aviv was not the only target of Iranian drones on Saturday; Putin was also launching them at Kyiv and Kharkiv. And who was the sole voice speaking up for Iran yesterday, seeking to justify its actions? Russia.

The threats to stability are growing, not just in the middle east but everywhere, and we are meeting those threats, time after time, with British forces at the forefront. It is why our pilots were in action this weekend. It is why they have been policing the skies above Iraq and Syria for a decade. It is why our sailors are defending freedom of navigation in the Red sea against the reckless attacks of the Iran-backed Houthi militia. It is why our soldiers are on the ground in Kosovo, Estonia, Poland and elsewhere, and it is why we have led the way in backing Ukraine, and we will continue to back it for as long as it takes. When adversaries such as Russia or Iran threaten peace and prosperity, we will always stand in their way, ready to defend our values and our interests, shoulder to shoulder with our friends and our allies. I commend this statement to the House.

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Israel determined to retaliate after Iran's aerial barrage

By Jeff Seldin April 15, 2024

Israel appears determined to exact a measure of revenge against Iran, just days after the Iranian military and some of its allies across the Middle East launched an unprecedented aerial assault on the Jewish state.

Seemingly ignoring pleas by world leaders, Israeli military officials said Monday that Tehran must pay a price for Saturday's barrage of more than 350 missiles and drones, many launched from Iranian soil.

The Iranian attack "will be met with a response," said Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi.

"Iran will face the consequences for its actions," he said, speaking from Nevatim air base in southern Israel.

Israeli military officials did not elaborate on what that response could look like, though Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said it would come "at the time that we choose."

The tough Israeli rhetoric comes even as the country's most ardent backer, the United States, has urged Israel to show restraint, arguing the failure of Iran's drone and missile barrage to inflict much damage was itself a massive victory.

"It's pretty telling that Iran launched over 300 air threats ... and 99% of those were knocked down," said Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder.

The White House on Monday was even more strident.

"Israel today is in a far stronger strategic position than it was only a few days ago," White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters, noting the range of countries that came to Israel's aid.

Britain, France, Jordan and Saudi Arabia joined with the U.S. and Israel to shoot down the Iranian missiles and drones.

"Iran's vaunted missile program, something it has used to threaten Israel and the region, proved to be far less effective," Kirby said. "Israel's defenses, on the other hand, proved even better than many had long assumed."

Senior U.S. officials have said the Iranian attack on Israel, the first ever launched from Iranian soil, involved more than 110 ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles and more than 150 one-way, explosive aerial drones.

They said Iranian proxy forces in Iraq, Syria and Yemen also took part in the attack.

Iran, which described the Saturday assault as a success, described it as a response to a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Syria on April 1 that killed seven officers from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two senior commanders.

Some officials from Turkey, Jordan and Iraq said Sunday that Iran shared warnings of the attack ahead of time to avoid mass casualties and to prevent hostilities from escalating further.

But Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson rejected such claims during a news conference in Tehran on Monday, saying, "There was no pre-arranged deal between us and any other side."

U.S. officials also disputed reports that the attack by Tehran was meant to be symbolic.

"I've seen reporting that the Iranians meant to fail, that this spectacular and embarrassing failure was all by design," said Kirby, calling such claims, "categorically false."

"Given the scale of this attack, Iran's intent was clearly to cause significant destruction and casualties," Kirby said. "The aim was to get as many of them [missiles and drones] through Israel's defenses as possible."

Despite Iran's intent, U.S. President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the United States will not participate in any Israeli counteroffensive against Iran.

But various U.S. officials on Monday said Washington's support for Israel in the face of Iranian aggression remained "ironclad," and that U.S. military assets placed in the region to fend off the Iranian barrage remained in place should Tehran try again.

Still, concerns persist that the Iranian attack and a potential Israeli response could spark a wider, regional conflict.

"We call on all parties for self-restraint," said Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Tamim during a visit to the U.S. State Department in Washington on Monday.

"We hope escalations and tensions in the area will end," Tamim said, adding Iraq does not want to see the region "dragged into a wider war that will threaten international security and safety."

European officials, likewise, urged caution.

"We're on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it," Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign policy chief, told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. "We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear."

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that his government would do all it could to avoid an escalation of the situation between Israel and Iran.

Speaking to French media BFM-TV and RMC, Macron also urged Israel to pursue isolation of Iran rather than escalation.

The White House later Monday confirmed those efforts were already underway, with members of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, or G7, already working on a new round of sanctions targeting industries that support Iran's missile programs.

The G7 consists of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.

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China engages with Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia on Iran-Israel tensions

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 16, 2024 09:55 AM

Following Iran's retaliatory attacks against Israel for bombing Iranian embassy buildings, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi initiated intensive communications with regional parties to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, calling to avoid the situation from further escalating.

Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held phone talks on Monday at the latter's request.

Amir-Abdollahian briefed Wang on Iran's position on the attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria, stating that the UN Security Council (UNSC) had not responded appropriately, and Iran had the right to defend its sovereignty.

The Iranian minister mentioned that the regional situation is very sensitive, and Iran intends to remain restrained and does not wish to escalate the situation further. Iran advocates for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supports China's efforts to promote a ceasefire, restore regional peace, and strengthen cooperation among regional countries. Iran is eager to work with China to further develop Iran-China cooperation, Amir-Abdollahian said.

Wang expressed China's strong condemnation and firm opposition to the attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria, stating that such an incident is a serious violation of international law and unacceptable.

China noted that Iran's response was limited and constituted an exercise of self-defense. China appreciates Iran's emphasis on not targeting regional countries or neighboring states and its continued policy of good neighborliness and friendship. China trusts that Iran will manage the situation well, maintaining its sovereignty and dignity while avoiding further instability, Wang said.

The current situation is a spillover effect of the escalation in Gaza, the Chinese foreign minister said. The immediate priority is to implement UNSC Resolution 2728 to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, protect civilians, and prevent further humanitarian disasters.

China is willing to keep in communication with Iran and jointly work toward a comprehensive, just, and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue. As comprehensive strategic partners, China is ready to steadily advance practical cooperation in various fields with Iran and foster greater development in China-Iran relations, Wang said.

On the same day, Wang also talked with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the regional situation in the Middle East.

China firmly opposes the attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria, a serious violation of international law, and noted Iran's assertion that its retaliation did not target any neighboring countries and that it wished to continue its policy of good neighborliness and friendship, Wang told Faisal.

The current situation faces a choice between deterioration and normalization. China appreciates Saudi Arabia's emphasis on resolving issues through diplomatic means and is willing to work together with Saudi Arabia to prevent further escalation of confrontation, Wang said.

Wang also pointed out that the urgent priority is to strictly implement UNSC Resolution 2728, to immediately achieve an unconditional and lasting ceasefire, to protect civilians effectively, and to ensure humanitarian aid.

The failure of the Palestinian people to achieve their legitimate national rights has been the longest-standing injustice of our time, the root of the Israel-Palestine issue, and the core of the Middle East problem. The direction for solving this issue is to quickly implement the "two-state solution," establish an independent Palestinian state, restore the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, and achieve peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine, Wang said.

On April 8, the UNSC president referred the Palestinian Authority's application for full membership to the committee on new members. The council is expected to decide at an April 18 ministerial meeting on the Middle East, according to Reuters.

Faisal expressed that Saudi Arabia and China have highly consistent positions on the current Middle Eastern situation. Both countries advocate resolving differences through dialogue and are committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.

Also on Monday, the Chinese government's special envoy Zhai Jun on the Middle East issue met with IsraeliaAmbassador to China Irit Ben-Abba Vitaleaat the latter's request.

China is deeply concerned about the current escalation of regional tensions, and conflicts and bloodshed serve the interests of no one.aAll partiesaconcernedashould exercise maximum calm and restraint, Zhai said.

The Chinese diplomat emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ensuring humanitarian aid, the release of all detained personnel, and a political settlement of the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution to ensure peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine.

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Blinken seemingly urges restraint from Israel in first public remarks after Iran attack

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:03, April 16, 2024

WASHINGTON, April 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a veiled message Monday to Israel, urging the country to act with restraint in a potential response to the attack launched by Iran over the weekend.

In his first public remarks following the attack, Blinken said before a meeting with an Iraqi delegation at the State Department that in the 36 hours since the attack, the United States has been "coordinating a diplomatic response to prevent escalation" in the region.

"Strength and wisdom need to be different sides of the same coin," Blinken said in what seemed to be an implicit call for Israel to exercise restraint in its response.

Standing alongside Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Tamim -- who would co-chair a U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee meeting with Blinken afterwards -- the secretary said he has been in "close communication" with his counterparts in the region "and will continue to do so in the hours and days ahead."

At the time Blinken spoke, Israel's war cabinet was wrapping up a meeting on the response to Iran's attack, according to a CNN report citing an Israeli official.

The Joe Biden administration has been trying to prevent an overreaction by Israel that would lead to a catastrophic regional war. In a Saturday night call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Biden reportedly warned him against any offensive operations against Iran, saying that Washington would neither take part in nor lend support to such actions.

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Junta shelling, airstrikes kill 25 Rohingyas in Myanmar's Rakhine state

Fighting between the Arakan Army and the Arakan Resistance Solidarity Army has caused 3,000 to flee.

By RFA Burmese 2024.04.15 -- At least 25 ethnic Rohingya civilians were killed and thousands forced to flee their homes amid junta airstrikes and heavy artillery over the weekend in western Myanmar's Rakhine state, according to residents.

Fighting between the ethnic Rakhine Arakan Army, or AA, and the Arakan Resistance Solidarity Army, or ARSA, of junta-supported Rohingya fighters began April 12 in Rakhine's Buthidaung township, residents told RFA Burmese on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

The ARSA is an insurgent group that has claimed to support the Muslim Rohingya cause against Myanmar's military and ethnic Buddhist Rakhines - the main minority group in Rakhine state. The military has reportedly provided training to the ARSA in recent weeks and enlisted it to help repel the ethnic Rakhine army, which now controls eight of 16 townships in the state.

The 25 Rohingya civilians killed were among nearly 3,000 who fled from Buthidaung's U Hla Hpay, Ywet Nyo Taung and Kun Taing villages after the clashes began.

A Rohingya resident of Buthidaung said that ARSA units based in the three villages had been coordinating with junta troops to fight back against the advancing AA, which ended a ceasefire agreement with the military regime in November and has driven the military out of most of the northern part of the state.

"Two members of the AA were injured, while six ARSA troops were reportedly killed," said the resident. "The military carried out an artillery attack on a boat of fleeing Rohingya, killing 25 as the vessel sank."

There have been a number of reports that the military is reaching out to the ARSA, whose raids on border posts and police stations in 2017 were the casus belli for a military ethnic cleansing campaign that drove 1 million Rohingya into Bangladesh, and kept many others in concentration camps.

Since being driven into Bangladesh, ARSA's primary activities have been to secure control over the refugee camps and eliminate rivals within the Rohingya community. They had not participated in the conflict involving the military, which seized power in Myanmar in a February 2021 coup.

The ARSA has been designated as a terrorist group by Myanmar and Malaysia.

RFA was not immediately able to confirm the number of victims, whose identities remained unknown amid ongoing clashes and severed communications lines in Buthidaung on Monday.

'Attacked while fleeing'

But a Rohingya resident of nearby Maungdaw township told RFA that Rohingya civilians "were attacked [by the military] while they were fleeing" the fighting.

"It is difficult to get and verify news due to communication problems," he added.

Another resident of Buthidaung confirmed that the military carried out airstrikes in the area.

"A jet fighter dropped two bombs on U Hla Hpay village yesterday [Sunday], where fighting occurred between the AA and the ARSA," the resident said. "There has been little time to enter the villages [to get personal belongings]. The military bombarded the area for about two-and-a-half hours."

Attempts by RFA to contact junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun and Khaing Thu Kha, the AA's information officer, went unanswered Monday.

However, the junta reported Sunday that religious buildings, houses and shops in U Hla Hpay and Ywet Nyo Taung villages were destroyed by Arakan Army heavy weapon attacks and gunfire on April 12.

The AA's Khaing Thu Kha also said in a message posted to his Telegram social network channel that Rohingya armed groups and the military carried out coordinated attacks on the AA in Buthidaung.

About 2,000 Rohingya residents of Buthidaung took to the streets on Sunday accusing the AA of unprovoked raids and killings in Rohingya villages.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Water festival attacks kill 3 during Myanmar coup leader's holiday

Missiles aimed at two military universities injured eight more after exploding in residential areas, residents said.

By RFA Burmese 2024.04.15 -- Missile attacks on two universities in a holiday town in Myanmar killed three and injured eight, residents told Radio Free Asia on Monday.

During coup leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing's Thingyan - or water festival - visit to Mandalay division's Pyin Oo Lwin city on Sunday, an unknown group fired more than 15 missiles at two military universities. The blasts, which hit the Defense Services Academy and Defense Services Technology Academy, also damaged a department of a nearby hospital and Aung Myay Zaya monastery.

The missiles injured five civilians when they landed on Pyin Oo Lwin Hospital's orthopedics department, said one Pyin Oo Lwin resident, declining to be named for security reasons.

"The two monks who died were people who wore robes during the Thingyan period. They died when the explosion happened near them," he said, describing civilians who temporarily become monks to observe Myanmar's new year water festival. "The last man who died on the spot was in Ward No. 8. Another three people were injured in this neighborhood alone."

Following the attack, tourists who came for the holiday and some permanent residents fled the city, he added.

From 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday evening, about 40 shots and explosions could be heard, said one Pyin Oo Lwin resident who was near the site of the attack.

"After the sound of the missiles, Defense Services Academy and Defense Services Technology Academy troops cut the power. The military and social aid vehicles were busy," he said, declining to be named for fear of reprisals. "I knew they fell in the area of the Defense Services Academy."

Staff at Pyin Oo Lwin Hospital are preparing to move patients to Mandalay Hospital, while junta soldiers are conducting security checks around the city, residents said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks yet, but residents told RFA that they were likely carried out from a hill behind the university campuses.

The junta has not issued any statements about the attacks. RFA called Mandalay division's junta spokesperson Thein Htay for more information on the attacks, but he did not respond.

Residents told RFA they believe the attack was carried out because of Min Aung Hlaing's visit. On Sunday, a bomb exploded near a pavilion in Mandalay city, injuring 12 people.

Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question regarding Switzerland losing its neutral status

14 April 2024 10:19

687-14-04-2024

Question: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that "We aren't counting on Switzerland's services. Thanks to its neutral status, Switzerland has traditionally been a venue for peace conferences and talks to reach compromises and agreements. But it has lost this status."

In this connection, does Russia intend to transfer the International Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in the South Caucasus to another country? Which countries could host discussions on the South Caucasus?

Maria Zakharova: We have repeatedly pointed out to the Swiss side that its irresponsible commitment to the collective West's openly unfriendly policy towards Russia, including the fact that it has joined all the "packages" of EU sanctions against Russia (there are 13 of them to date), as well as its total solidarity with the Kiev regime, are at variance with its much vaunted "neutrality." We warned Bern over a year ago that the continuation of this destructive policy could lead to Russia losing its confidence in the Confederation as a good-faith intermediary in international affairs. Regrettably, the Swiss authorities have failed to heed our concerns. Moreover, in recent months, they have actively promoted certain destructive initiatives, such as their own proposal to host an "international conference" on Ukraine, an idea that is completely detached from reality, as well as their efforts to develop a legal framework for a mechanism that would allow for the confiscation of Russia's state assets deposited in their country.

Given these circumstances, Russia has been forced to put into practice its intention to transfer the International Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in the South Caucasus to a country whose authorities would refrain from any actions that could damage the interests of any participating party in this negotiation format. There are several nations which are rightfully aspiring to assume this role, with some of them already agreeing to host the regular meetings of the Discussions.

I don't want to speculate on the outcome of ongoing consultations with our foreign partners regarding this issue. The only thing worth noting is that Russia intends to continue its efforts to achieve consensus on transferring the talks from Geneva with active support from our Abkhazian and South Ossetian allies, who fully share Moscow's perspective on this matter.

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'The Best' For Putin: How The Kremlin Stands To Gain From Iran's Attack On Israel

By Steve Gutterman April 15, 2024

After several hours of silence following Iran's unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel, Russia issued its first formal reaction: The Foreign Ministry voiced what it said was Moscow's "extreme concern" over "the latest dangerous escalation in the region."

There may be some truth to that statement, as analysts say that a full-scale war in the Middle East would not be in the interests of President Vladimir Putin's government. For now, though, it seems more likely that the Kremlin is enthusiastic about a development that could play into Putin's hands in several way, most of them directly connected to Russia's war on Ukraine.

"The Middle East entering uncharted territory (short of full-blown war) is the best that can happen to Putin now," Hanna Notte, a senior associate with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Here's why.

For one thing, it draws attention away from the war in Ukraine at a crucial time when Kyiv is facing major challenges on the front line, which could get worse in the coming weeks and months, and Russia is pounding the country's energy infrastructure with renewed intensity and bombarding cities including Kharkiv and Odesa.

The outbreak in October of Israel's war against Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union, had already complicated global perceptions of the war in Ukraine and confounded Western efforts to support its defense against the Russian invasion. The new flare-up in the Middle East -- the first time Iran has openly and directly attacked arch-enemy Israel, or vice versa -- may exacerbate that problem for Kyiv.

'A Chance To Challenge'

For the Kremlin, the potential benefits to be reaped from Iran's attack on Israel are both broad and quite specific. In over two years since he launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he has increasingly portrayed the war there as part of a wider confrontation in which, he asserts, Russia is defending itself and the rest of the world from the West and, in particular, the United States.

Against that zero-sum backdrop, Iran's attack on Israel may play into the Kremlin's propaganda, handing Russia new material it can use to press its public narratives about the war in Ukraine and its showdown with the West.

"There is a certain perception among the axis states -- Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China -- that the West has weakened. And [that] American attitudes and policies can no longer guarantee the security of its allies," Ihor Semyvolos, director of the Center for Middle East Studies in Kyiv, told Current Time, the Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA.

As a result, the Iranian attack provides Russia and like-minded states with "a chance to challenge this unipolar world that Putin, [Chinese President] Xi Jinping, and [Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah] Ali Khamenei have talked a lot about," he said.

Instability in the Middle East "diverts Western attention and resources away from Ukraine and NATO's Eastern flank, it generates insecurity among U.S. regional allies, and it further fuels a broader, global perception that the West cannot pacify the region, thus amplifying perceptions of the Gaza war," Notte told RFE/RL in a written exchange on April 15.

"In sum, such instability fuels a global perception that the war in Ukraine is another war among many, one problem amid a proliferation of problems -- a perception which the Kremlin can only value," she said.

In practice, the array of problems and the attack itself could dilute the case for aid to Ukraine, undermining arguments by champions of such support that the fate of the West and the world hangs in the balance.

Clouds In Congress?

Specifically, the Iranian attack on Israel further clouds the future of long-delayed U.S. aid for Ukraine -- and for Kyiv, it seems the timing could hardly be worse.

Nearly six months after U.S. President Joe Biden first proposed a package including more than $60 billion in mostly military aid for Ukraine as well as aid for Israel and other purposes, the current speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson, had indicated at the end of March that he would seek to secure support for Ukraine in the coming days or weeks.

However, it was unclear exactly what he would propose, how much it would differ from a bill that was passed with bipartisan support in the Senate in February, and whether the effort to renew U.S. supplies of desperately needed weapons to Ukraine could overcome opposition from staunch opponents of aid for Kyiv in his own party.

Now it may be even less clear: Hours after Iran's overnight attack on Israel on April 14, Johnson said he would try to get legislation on aid for Israel passed this week -- but seemed careful to avoid specifying whether his proposal would include aid for Ukraine. So, while Johnson has indicated he supports aid to Ukraine, and while a bill on aiding Israel alone might fail, the Iranian attack could result in further delays in Congress.

There's also a chance that it could speed up adoption of aid to Ukraine, but only if support for Kyiv is included and the legislation is adopted quickly.

Seeking Disbalance

Regardless of the outcome of wrangling over aid in the United States, Putin may see the Iranian attack on Israel as a chance to increase Moscow's influence in the Middle East, where rebuilding the clout that dried up drastically after the Soviet collapse seems to have been deeply important to Putin since he came to power a quarter century ago.

Russia's war on Ukraine has tightened its ties with Iran, which has supported the onslaught by providing attack drones and the technology to produce them, but Putin has for years been courting regional foes of Iran, including Israel and Persian Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, as part of his efforts to increase Moscow's sway in the Middle East and bite into U.S. clout.

The Kremlin may hope that despite the way its sharper turn toward Tehran and its response to the Israel-Hamas war have harmed its relations with Israel, Moscow's multitentacled Middle East ties could give it a substantial regional role to play in the coming months or years.

"Since Russia is an increasingly close partner to Iran, the Kremlin might...calculate that with Iran stepping up the escalation ladder, Russia's own value to [and] leverage over the Gulf states will increase -- since the Gulf states might look to Moscow (and Beijing) as the only players with some leverage in Tehran, and hence as interlocutors who could help rein in the Iranians," Notte told RFE/RL.

It's a classic approach for Putin's Russia: help create problems, to one degree or another, and then offer help to resolve them -- in a way that benefits the Kremlin. As they have amid the Hamas attack on Israel and the resulting war in Gaza, however, analysts of Russia and the region say that Moscow does not want an all-out war between Israel and Iran.

"That scenario would bring significant risks for Russia," Notte said. It would complicate Russia's military presence in Syria, and a heavy hit to Iran could sap some of Moscow's strength against Ukraine.

Furthermore, "a full-blown war would almost certainly end Russia's balancing act in the region (however tenuous it has become already). It would force Russia to choose sides."

While Moscow has come ever closer to Iran and its proxies since it launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she said, "it doesn't want to go 'all in' with Iran, for sure."

Current Time contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-iran-israel- benefit-ukraine-war-putin/32906139.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Nearly 125,000 Evacuated Due To Floods In Kazakhstan, Russia

By Current Time and RFE/RL's Kazakh Service April 15, 2024

Almost 125,000 people have been evacuated from areas hit by massive floods in parts of Russia and Kazakhstan where water levels continue to rise in several regions.

Following massive snowfalls in winter, unusually warm weather triggered the sudden melting of snow that in turn lead to the rapid swelling of rivers such at the Ural and the Tobol, in what specialists say may be the effect of global climate change.

In northern Kazakhstan, where more than 111,000 people have been evacuated from flood-threatened areas since the start of this month, some 4,500 people were evacuated on April 14 alone from Petropavl, a city of some 20,000 people, near the Ishim River.

The village of Bolshaya Malyshka, some 30 kilometers north of Petropavl, was also hit hard, with rescuers evacuating almost 900 residents early on April 15, according to the Emergency Situations Ministry of Kazakhstan.

A resident of the village of Podgora, near Petropavl, told RFE/RL that he had "never seen such a flood before." Residents were concerned by the lack of drinking water, despite reassurance by Mayor Serik Mukhamediev that the water "should come soon."

In neighboring southern Russia, nearly 13,000 people have been evacuated from areas threatened by flooding in Russia's southern region of Kurgan as water levels continued to rise, with the Tobol River near the capital city of Kurgan reaching 6.73 meters, the regional government reported early on April 15.

A state of emergency was declared on April 8 in Kurgan, a city of some 300,000. The ministry said that 62 settlements with some 19,000 people across the region are at risk of flooding.

Water continued to rise in the region's Ketovsky district, it said. The Emergency Situations Ministry reported that in the Kurgan region, 880 residential buildings had already been flooded.

The first to be affected by the massive floods was the city of Orsk, followed by Orenburg, both on the Ural, and now floods have reached the Kemerovo and Tomsk regions in western Siberia.

In the Kemerovo region, the Mrassu River overflowed its banks.

Residents of villages told Current Time that their household belongings and animals had been washed away and nobody has come to their aid, despite the ministry reporting that the flood situation in the region is under control.

In the Tomsk region, 143 houses and 93 household plots were flooded, said the regional head Vyacheslav Chernous.

A total of 84 people, including eight children, were evacuated, Chernous said on Telegram.

The water level in the Tom River near the center of Tomsk city reached 7.64 m -- 14 centimeters above dangerous levels.

The water level in the Ob River in the Tomsk region also exceeded dangerous levels, and authorities in the Tyumen region are thinking about ordering a mandatory evacuation.

In the Ivolginsky district of Buryatia, 11 houses were flooded, said Governor Alexey Tsydenov. Authorities evacuated 22 people, including six children, from the flooded area.

Tsydenov said the flood was caused by an ice blockage on the Selenga River.

"Today, according to the plan, the blockage will be blown up by sappers from the Eastern Military District and the Emergency Situations Ministry," Tsydenov wrote.

The authorities will allocate money for rent for three months to residents of the Orenburg region affected by floods, the press service of the regional government reported on April 15, saying in a statement that the allocation would include "10,000 rubles ($107) for a citizen living alone and 20,000 rubles for a family of two or more people."

Those who live in an apartment on the second floor of an apartment building or higher will be provided with payment for only one month, while citizens who live outside the emergency zone will not receive any compensation, the statement said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-floods-kurgan- evacuations/32905629.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Joint bilateral exercise of Russian and Tajikistan armed forces starts in Tajikistan

15.04.2024

The opening ceremony of the exercise took place at the Kharb-Maydon mountain-desert training ground in Khatlon region of Tajikistan. The joint bilateral exercise takes place from April 15 to April 18, 2024.

The event traditionally began with the general formation of military personnel. The national anthems of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan were performed by military bands, and the national flags of the two countries were solemnly raised. The participants of the exercise marched in a single formation on the parade ground of the field camp.

During the exercise, the military contingents of the two countries are practicing the organisation of the use of armed forces to destroy terrorist gangs, training units to perform tasks in mountainous terrain, as well as managing units during the cover of the state border and the destruction of illegal armed formations that have broken through.

The Russian military contingent is based on units of the 201st Russian military base of the Central Military District: mountain, motorised rifle, tank, artillery, reconnaissance units, as well as crews of Mi-24 attack helicopters and Mi-8MTV5-1 transport and combat helicopters. In addition, specialists from the NBC protection, unmanned aerial vehicles, and mobile electronic warfare groups will be involved in the exercise.

Press Service of the Southern Military District

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11 Chinese aircraft cross Taiwan Strait median line or extension: Ministry

ROC Central News Agency

04/15/2024 01:42 PM

Taipei, April 15 (CNA) A total of 11 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or its extension in the 24-hour period starting at 6 a.m. Sunday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said Monday.

Of those aircraft, eight crossed the median line, while three crossed the extension and entered Taiwan's southwestern air defense identification zone (ADIZ). Both groups consisted of an unspecified number of fighter jets and drones, flight paths and information released by the ministry indicated.

Some of the aircraft flew as close as 41 nautical miles (75.93 kilometers) from the northern city of Keelung, the information showed.

An ADIZ is a self-declared area in which a country claims the right to identify, locate and control approaching foreign aircraft but is not part of its territorial airspace as defined by international law.

In total, 18 PLA aircraft were detected in Taiwan's ADIZ during the same period, while six PLA Navy vessels were also found to be operating in waters around the country, the defense ministry said.

The ministry said it deployed combat air patrol aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile defense systems in response.

The ministry canceled its practice of identifying the types of PLA aircraft detected in Taiwan's ADIZ on Jan. 16.

Considering the changing security situation and threats, identifying the types of PLA aircraft could play into the hands of China, which could exploit this information to wage cognitive warfare against the Taiwanese public, military spokesman Major General Sun Li-fang (ac) said at the time.

(By Sean Lin)

Enditem/kb

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Apr. 15, 2024

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/04/15

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Dateis

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Sunday to Monday, Apr. 14-15

2.PLA activitiesis

18 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 11 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.

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UK Defence Minister affirms support to Black Sea security

The UK's commitment to European security was reaffirmed by Defence Minister Minto on a visit to Bulgaria today (15 April).

15 April 2024

Defence Minister Minto represented the UK at the Black Sea Security Conference in Bulgaria.

Minto affirmed the UK's unwavering support to Ukraine and European security.

Conference discussed cooperation in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and aggression in the Black Sea.

Attending the Black Sea Security Conference in Sofia alongside allies and partners, Minto represented the UK - a leading partner for Ukraine and other Black Sea states.

The conference was convened to promote cooperation and military capacity building in the face of Russia's continued threat to stability in the Black Sea region. The conference aims to enhance the collaboration between the Black Sea states and partners in response to Putin's aggression and illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The UK's leadership of the Maritime Capability Coalition, announced by UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps in December 2023, was discussed during the conference as a means to grow Ukraine's maritime capability now and in the long term.

Defence Minister, The Earl of Minto said:

One of many things that the UK and Bulgaria have in common is our steadfast support to Ukraine in the face of Putin's barbaric invasion. The UK and our allies and partners will continue to work together to give Ukraine what they need to defeat Russia and restore peace and security to the Black Sea region.

The UK's commitment to modernise Ukraine's Navy is demonstrated by the transfer of two former Royal Navy vessels to Ukraine, which arrived in Portsmouth last week.

In addition to maritime support, the Minister also set out the extensive package of military aid that the UK has provided to Ukraine to date, including A7 billion of funding, training of over 60,000 Ukrainian recruits, and donation of thousands of pieces of equipment to date.

The need to continue to back Ukraine to ensure they defeat Putin to restore peace and security in Europe was highlighted during the conference, which was attended by Ukrainian representatives.

While standing with Ukraine, the UK continues to support regional security, deploying Typhoons to Romania at the start of the month to conduct NATO Air Policing patrols, keeping the skies in the Black Sea region safe. Separately, thousands of UK Armed Forces are deploying on NATO Exercise Steadfast Defender across Europe this year.

While in Sofia, the Minister met Bulgarian Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, to discuss shared security challenges and defence priorities. The Minister also met Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister, Tochytskyi Mykola.

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UK Defence Minister speech at Black Sea Security Conference 2024

Defence Minister, The Earl of Minto, addressed the Black Sea Security Conference in Bulgaria.

15 April 2024

It would be remiss of me not to recognise the truly remarkable and significant effort and support Bulgaria has provided as a nation to the defence of Ukraine.

Through the export of lethal aid and arms to our allies in Kyiv, to diversifying your own energy supply away from Russia and expelling dozens of their agents masquerading as diplomats, Bulgaria has proven resolve and commitment to doing whatever is required.

Bulgaria has also played a critical role in Black Sea security. For example, I wish to highlight and commend the recent deal between Bulgaria, Turkey and Romania to clear sea mines, which will make shipping safer and increasing vital Ukrainian exports.

On behalf of the UK Government, I put on record our appreciation.

Ukraine has destroyed or put out of action 9 major vessels: a significant proportion of the Black Sea Fleet. Russian warships are unable to navigate freely for the first time since 1783, and grain exports returning towards pre-invasion levels, the successes of Ukraine in this arena are nothing short of exemplary.

That being said, we must guard against complacency.

And that starts with reminding the European and international community that the security of the Black Sea is not solely a Ukrainian concern.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, Putin's barbaric invasion has pushed up global food prices by a third; frankly, a staggering statistic, and one with further ramifications in terms of global security and stability besides.

As many of you will know, the UK is proud to have provided extensive lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine, not least drones and precision Storm Shadow missiles to sink and scatter Russian warships.

But some of you may not be aware that we are also working closely with neighbouring Romania to establish the Maritime Regional Training Hub.

And, in particular, the UK is also working alongside Norway as co-founders and co-chairs of the Maritime Capability Coalition which is delivering long-term training, equipment and infrastructure support.

This Capability Coalition will ensure that Ukraine can establish and maintain its sovereignty in the naval domain, be that through traditional defence of its maritime zones, search and rescue operations along its own coastline, or in protecting its own exports by sea.

It also enables allies, through this Coalition and others, to get fully behind Ukraine's military strategy and their Force Development Plan.

And it will help ensure our collective support is targeted where it is required most urgently.

The Coalition will also, in time, help Ukraine build a credible maritime force, that is interoperable with its allies, and a complement to NATO.

Together, we lay the foundations for a bright and secure post-war future.

By building on this support - and we must all continue to build - we can help Ukraine realise its goal to be a 'net-exporter' of Black Sea Security, which will strengthen us all.

Thank you.

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Norway and Ukraine agree on security assurances

Government of Norway

Press release | Date: 15/04/2024

Norway and Ukraine have concluded negotiations on a bilateral agreement on security assurances. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced the conclusion of the negotiations after his meeting with President Zelensky in Kyiv today.

'Norway will be providing long-term military, political, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine. The security agreement reaffirms Norway's close security policy cooperation with Ukraine. The agreement demonstrates our clear political commitment to continue to stand by Ukraine, as we have done since Russia's brutal, full-scale attack over two years ago,' said Mr Eide.

Ukraine has signed similar security agreements with a number of NATO allies. These are bilateral agreements initiated by the G7 countries in connection with the NATO Summit in Vilnius in the summer of 2023.

The agreements are intended to support Ukraine's efforts towards becoming a country committed to the common values of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, with a with a firm foundation in the Euro-Atlantic security community. Ukraine needs support to be able to defend itself against Russian aggression and to deter Russian aggression in the future.

Norway's agreement with Ukraine builds on existing support for Ukraine on its path towards integration in the Euro-Atlantic community.

'This agreement provides concrete assurance to Ukraine that it can count on Norway's support over time,' said the Foreign Minister.

The security agreement will be signed by Prime Minister StAre and President Zelensky the next time they meet and will be made public following that meeting.

Norway provides significant support to Ukraine. In the winter of 2023, the Storting (Norwegian parliament) unanimously agreed to establish the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, which will provide NOK 75 billion in military, and civilian aid to Ukraine over a period of five years. Last year, Norway provided NOK 19.9 billion in assistance to Ukraine, of which NOK 11 billion went to military aid.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide visits Ukraine

Government of Norway

Press release | Date: 15/04/2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide is currently in Ukraine where he met with Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba and visited a power plant. Norway is now mobilising support to provide electrical materials and equipment to Ukraine's power sector.

The Trypilska power plant was destroyed by Russian bombs last Thursday. The power plant was rebuilt using Norwegian funding last year.

'We will help to rebuild the power plant again, if necessary. Norway will continue its support to Ukraine for many years to come,' said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide on his visit to another power plant outside the capital today.

Norway is providing substantial financial support to rebuild damaged energy infrastructure and is working with European partners to coordinate thousands of donations of all sizes to the energy sector, including from individual Norwegian businesses.

'Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are without electricity and water after Russia's recent attacks on civilian infrastructure in several of the country's largest cities. These installations are repeatedly targeted by Russia. It is expensive to rebuild these installations, but it is essential to do so, particularly near the front line,' said Mr Eide.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has been a strategy to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure. According to reports, almost 50 % of the country's energy infrastructure has been completely or partially destroyed, with damage estimated at USD 12 billion. This was a key topic of discussion during today's meeting between Mr Eide and Mr Kuleba.

Assistance to help safeguard Ukraine's energy supply is a priority area in Norway's support to Ukraine. In 2023, USD 1.9 billion of the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine was spent on energy-related projects.

Together with Denmark and Poland, Norway is co-chairing Working Group 4 under the Ukrainian Peace Formula, proposed by President Zelensky, as part of the effort to coordinate energy-related support to Ukraine.

Norway's support to Ukraine is based on Ukraine's needs as these needs evolve. As early as March 2022, Ukraine sent the first requests for equipment needed to restore damaged infrastructure.

Together with 35 other countries, Norway donates supplies through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). The scheme supplements the humanitarian aid being provided and serves primarily as a channel for in-kind assistance requested by the Ukrainian authorities. Norway has donated more than 5 000 tonnes of supplies, with high priority given to the energy and power sector.

'As long as the war continues, we will give priority to this type of material assistance and activities to repair damaged energy infrastructure. I am pleased that Norwegian companies are contributing widely to this cooperative effort,' said Foreign Minister Eide.

REN, a non-profit organisation owned by Norwegian utility companies, and the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB) are working together with the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate donations of materials that can be used to restore the power supply in Ukraine. Norwegian companies are providing electrical materials and power equipment on an almost weekly basis.

In recent weeks, Russian attacks have escalated significantly. Norway is therefore increasing its assistance and will be providing additional electrical materials and power equipment as requested by the Ukrainian authorities.

'Since Russia's full-scale invasion, 52 different donors have donated materials for more than NOK 30 million to Ukraine. This includes more than 2 100 tonnes of equipment donated to the Ukrainian energy sector.

The equipment Norway has donated so far will be used for emergency needs as well as for reconstruction. Donations include a wide variety of generators, from very large generators that can supply a large hospital, to small, portable generators. Other donated equipment includes transformer stations, cables, circuit breakers, fuses, insulators and transformers. Specialised vehicles are required to repair power lines, and donations have also included trucks and vehicles with cranes and safety equipment.

'On behalf of the Government, I would like to thank all the Norwegian companies that have already contributed, or are considering contributing, to this important effort. Donations from Norwegian companies are making a difference. Repair and early reconstruction of critical infrastructure is crucial to enabling Ukraine to withstand Russian aggression and bolstering the Ukrainian people's will to resist,' said Foreign Minister Eide.

The equipment being provided will be very useful in the future when the reconstruction of Ukraine can begin in earnest. Much of the donated equipment is used equipment that is scheduled for replacement. The used equipment still has good reuse value and is therefore a good supplement to new equipment, which has long delivery times.

As of 10 April 2024, Norway ranks 6th in terms of the number of transformers delivered to Ukraine and 4th in terms of generator performance provided.

'We hope that donations will continue to increase. It is very important that the donated equipment is in good working condition and can be used quickly,' said Mr Eide.

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Ukraine Will Become NATO Member, Predicts Former NATO Deputy Secretary-General

By Vazha Tavberidze April 15, 2024

Rose Gottemoeller is a former U.S. diplomat who served as deputy secretary-general of NATO from October 2016 to October 2019. Before that, Gottemoeller served nearly five years as the undersecretary for arms control and international security at the U.S. State Department. During that time, Gottemoeller, a specialist in Russian defense and nuclear issues, was the chief U.S. negotiator of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia.

In an interview with RFE/RL's Georgian Service, Gottemoeller said NATO is in a "remarkably good place" as it gets set to mark the 75th anniversary of its founding. NATO has met the challenge posed by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she said, delivering weapons and other defensive supplies to Kyiv. She also said that, as a "net security provider," Ukraine will ultimately be admitted to the alliance.

RFE/RL: What situation does NATO find itself in on its 75th birthday?

Rose Gottemoeller: I would say that NATO is in a remarkably good place on its 75th anniversary because of the great cohesion inside the alliance. This cohesion has resulted from [Russian President] Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It has meant not only that the allies have been pulling together to provide assistance to Ukraine, but they have also been building up their own defenses in a remarkable way. And two new allies, important allies, Finland and Sweden have been added. So, I would say that the alliance is at a remarkable place on its 75th birthday with some important accomplishments under its belt. Of course, it has to remain strong and coherent. It has to stay the course [with] its assistance to Ukraine. And that's where the questions are emerging now

RFE/RL: When I talk to people about it, there are basically two camps. One thinks that NATO is facing its toughest challenge since the Cold War ended and another thinks that Russia's war in Ukraine has revitalized NATO. I don't know whether the two are mutually exclusive. What's your take on that?

Gottemoeller: Well, it's no question that there is a huge challenge out there with Russia invading a European country. And that is why NATO was created, to ensure that the defense [of Europe] remained strong in the context of the Cold War and the Iron Curtain down across Europe, with the U.S.S.R. posing those kinds of threats after World War II.

So, it's a great shame that the threats remain the same to European countries from the east. And so NATO has to continue to strengthen its defense and deterrence, helping Ukraine, a country that is a partner of NATO, but not actually a member state. So, it is an extraordinarily difficult moment for the alliance. I don't want to sugarcoat that, but at the same time, my view is that the alliance is responding with strength and coherence to this challenge.

RFE/RL: I want to ask you about the upcoming Washington summit [in July]. What can Ukraine expect from it? And what would be your personal take on Ukraine's NATO membership bid?

Gottemoeller: My take on NATO membership for Ukraine is that Ukraine has been a candidate since the Bucharest summit in 2008. And, of course, that's a long time ago now, and many things have happened since then. But that fact remains on the table and has not changed at all. The question is what can happen now as Ukraine is fighting for its life against the Russian aggression that began in February 2014 and then was renewed in the second invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Many NATO members believe that Ukraine should not be entering into NATO while it is fighting this war. So that is one point of view. From my perspective, Ukraine has proven itself to be a net security provider, in that its armed forces are performing extremely well. They have shown their capability to fight and to sustain their own defense. And so that is an important aspect for NATO that a country is a net security provider. So, I do feel that Ukraine will become a member of NATO. The question is exactly when that will happen. And that will be a question for the July summit of NATO in Washington, D.C.

RFE/RL: I would like to hear your counterargument to the skeptics who think it's unwise to offer Ukraine a path toward NATO membership. And one of them would be a person who many perceive to be one of the most influential people on the planet: [tech billionaire] Elon Musk. What would you say to him?

Gottemoeller: Well, he's certainly influential. I'm not sure he exactly counts as a major strategic thinker, but he's certainly influential. I do think that it's very important to bear in mind that decisions at NATO are taken by consensus. So, if the views around the table...are not [in] consensus on this matter, then it won't happen.

But I will say that there are opportunities to move Ukraine toward NATO membership. And we have an example in the fact that the European Union is beginning accession talks with Ukraine. That's a long process, accession to the European Union.

And so I think there are a number of phases in the process...on Ukraine's path to accession to NATO. And so what exactly the [NATO] allies will be willing to agree in July to convey that Ukraine is on the path to accession, that's up for grabs, and I cannot predict where they'll come out on that. But I do think there will be an effort to convey that message and it will be a priority topic for the July summit.

RFE/RL: You have had to deal with Russia and the Soviet Union at various levels throughout your career. If you were to impart any advice to the West as it tries to contain Russia, what would [that be]

Gottemoeller: Well, first of all, I don't recognize the Russia that I see today and particularly the policies, the points of view that are emanating from the Kremlin leadership. The notion that NATO is an aggressive alliance ready to pounce on Russia and dismember it to me is entirely foreign to the way that the alliance is structured as a deterrence and defense institution....

So, that makes it really difficult for me to offer up advice in the context of the current thinking in Moscow. But I will say that over many, many years, I have found my Russian counterparts to be extraordinary diplomats, extraordinarily experienced in terms of ensuring that their interests were served at the negotiating table.

I, for one, hope we can get back to a point where we are trying to develop mutual interests at the negotiating table, particularly in terms of constraining and limiting nuclear weapons, because these are an existential threat not only to Russia and the United States but to humankind as a whole.

So, there are some areas that I continue to hope we can work on with Moscow, but, as I said, it's difficult to recognize the Russia that I see today.

RFE/RL: What do you think it will take to get back to that phase, when common sense prevails in Moscow?

Gottemoeller: I think all we can do is to continue to message our willingness to resume nuclear talks, for example, without preconditions. I've been somewhat heartened in recent days to see that there are some hints coming out of Moscow that strategic security talks might be possible, focusing on space matters. OK, that's a good start. And so we will see how that is developed. I'm, of course, not an official anymore. I'm looking far away from California at what is happening between Moscow and Washington, but I hope there are some new opportunities in the strategic security realm.

RFE/RL: Over the years, when you look at the many talks with the Soviet Union and then the Russian Federation, just how much trust can one have in the Russian leadership, when it says it's ready to talk about things and ready to come to some arrangements in any areas, including nuclear?

Gottemoeller: Well, I always say follow the implementation, follow the results. If we are getting results in implementing our agreements with Russia, then I think that we can say we are accomplishing something. It's important to remember [that] if you can't trust your counterparts, if you can't trust the other guy at the negotiating table, you trust the process. So, if the process is producing results, then you can continue to go with it. But you have to be cautious at every moment and bear in mind that lack of trust in the individuals could lead to essentially the process not performing. And that's when you pull the plug on it.

RFE/RL: There are fears that the United States might stand aside when it comes to confrontation with Russia. And if indeed the United States stands aside, or even if the presidential election takes American attention off Ukraine completely, do you think Europe will be able to carry the day and keep Ukraine in the fight?

Gottemoeller: Well, that's a series of complex questions. I will say, obviously, there is a strain of isolationism, historical isolationism that is coming to the fore again in this election campaign.

There's some interesting survey information from the World Affairs Council of Chicago saying that historically about 30 percent of Americans throughout the contemporary period have been isolationist. Seventy percent remain keen to engage in the world and to see American leadership in the world. And that is the same today. Those numbers haven't changed. But they have certainly been having more attention in the media lately. So, I urge listeners to consider this fact that historically 30 percent of Americans want to be home and be minding our own business. But that is not the way most Americans think.

As far as what NATO should do about it, I've been very glad to see that NATO is stepping forward and taking some independent steps to try to recompense for the lack of U.S. assistance to Ukraine at the moment. (Editor's Note: Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in security assistance. The U.S. Senate has approved a bill that would allocate some $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine, but the House of Representatives has yet to schedule a vote on the bill.)

For example, the president of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, stepped forward and said that 800,000 rounds of ammunition in the proper caliber had been found. And now he and others across the alliance are working to raise the money to purchase that ammunition to provide Ukraine. So, they are taking the initiative in Europe, and I think, as I see it from the foreign ministerial meeting this week, they will continue to take the initiative in Europe no matter what happens in the United States.

RFE/RL: And what about if that trend continues, if the [isolationist] 30 percent that you spoke about keeps being as vocal as they are, keeps having leverage to stop the other 70 percent from getting more involved? The second part of the question is what Europe will do? Will they be able to carry the day, do you think? Is it enough to keep Ukraine in the fight?

Gottemoeller: Well, my point is that the majority in the United States continues to support U.S. leadership in the world. Seventy percent of the American public supports U.S. leadership in the world.

There is a very vocal minority now speaking out about isolationism. But as far as the U.S. public is concerned, the United States of America should continue to be leading in NATO and working, by the way, with our allies in Asia as well. And not folding our tents and going home.... I think that that is the most important point.

But, in the meantime...[the Europeans] are showing every sign that they will take more initiative. And, by the way, I think that should be welcome to everyone, not only to [presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee Donald] Trump...but also to [President Joe] Biden as he moves forward with his candidacy, seeing the Europeans put more resources in and be ready to take initiative and supporting Ukraine. That's to everybody's benefit.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-nato- member-gottemoeller-interview-tavberidze-russia/32906194.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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4 Civilians Killed As Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pleads For Patriot Systems

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 15, 2024

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on April 15 again called for Kyiv's Western allies to "urgently" deliver desperately needed additional air-defense systems, weapons, and ammunition as Russian artillery and missiles continued to wreak havoc among civilians and destroy critical infrastructure.

Four people were killed in Siversk in the eastern region of Donetsk, the head of the region's administration, Vadym Filashkin, said on April 14.

"Four men aged between 36 and 86 died as a result of the shelling," Filashkin said. "The Russians are trying to kill as many of our people as possible, and the only way to protect themselves is to evacuate to safer regions of Ukraine."

Kuleba, in a video address to the Second Black Sea Security Conference jointly co-hosted by Ukraine and Bulgaria in Sofia, said Ukraine's air defense was critical for the protection of its neighbors as well and urged faster moves to supply its forces with defensive systems such as the U.S.-made Patriot.

"Ukrainian air defense is now protecting not only Ukrainian skies from Russian air terror, it also shields neighboring Moldova, Romania, and Poland from the immediate threat of missiles and drones entering their airspace," Kuleba said.

"We urgently require additional Patriot and other modern air-defense systems, weapons, and ammunition," Kuleba said. "I take this opportunity to once again urge all our partners to take extraordinary and bold steps."

On April 14, Kuleba told Ukrainian television that negotiations were under way for the delivery of more Patriots, but voiced disappointment that the process was too slow.

"With all my due respect and gratitude to the United States of America, do you believe that the U.S. Army does not have one spare Patriot battery that it can transfer to Ukraine?" he said.

Meanwhile, on April 15, traffic was halted on the bridge that links Moscow-occupied Crimea with Russia, as the Russia-appointed chief of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, announced an air-raid alert in the city.

Social media reports said explosions caused by the work of Russian air-defense systems could be heard in the area, but the information could not be independently verified.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kuleba-patriot- systems-russia-war-strikes/32905933.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant 'Getting Dangerously Close' To Accident, IAEA Chief Warns

By RFE/RL April 15, 2024

Recent drone attacks on the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine have raised the risk of a nuclear accident to a new level, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency warned on April 15, calling on the UN Security Council to do everything in its power to minimize the risk.

"We are getting dangerously close to a nuclear accident. We must not allow complacency to let a roll of the dice decide what happens tomorrow," Rafael Grossi, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the council.

The plant has come under a series of drone attacks since April 7 for which Ukraine and Russia have blamed each other. A team of international specialists at the plant confirmed that attacks on April 7 took place and said one of the attacks hit the containment dome of the Unit 6 reactor building.

Damage to the structure was superficial, but the attack "sets a very dangerous precedent of the successful targeting of the reactor containment," Grossi said.

The other two attacks on April 7 were in close proximity to the main reactor buildings and resulted in at least one casualty, Grossi said.

In addition, experts at the site have been informed by the plant's operators of a drone strike against the site's oxygen and nitrogen production facility, two attacks on a training center located just outside the site's perimeter, and reports of a drone shot down above the turbine hall of Unit 6, he said without specifying when those attacks occurred.

The attacks have not led to a radiological incident, but "they significantly increase the risk at Zaporizhzhya [nuclear power plant], where nuclear safety is already compromised," Grossi said, according to a transcript of his comments posted at the IAEA's website.

"These reckless attacks must cease immediately," Grossi said.

The power plant has been occupied by Russian forces since shortly after their invasion started in February 2022, and the IAEA has deployed technicians at the facility. It has been shut down but still requires electricity to power its safety and cooling systems.

The plant is currently relying on just two lines of external power, and in the past year there have been at least four occasions when the plant has had only one line of external power supply, Grossi said.

Grossi is also concerned about an increase in isolated drone incursions in the vicinity of the facility and in the nearby town of Enerhodar and other areas of nuclear safety degradation.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nuclear-power-plant- zaporizhzhya-ukraine-grossi-accident/32906550.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

15.04.2024

Last night, the Russian Armed Forces have foiled another attempt by the Kiev regime to launch a terrorist attack using a fixed-wing UAV against the facilities in the Russian Federation.

One Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down by alerted air defence systems over Krasnodar province.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Russian Troops Take Aim at French Mercenaries in Slavyansk

Sputnik News

20240415

Fighters operating underground and based in Slavyansk, a city in the Donetsk People's Republic, have revealed a number of Russia's tactical victories in the region. The clandestine group has disclosed information on Russian airstrikes against Ukrainian energy facilities, military equipment, and enemy troops in the vicinity.

The Russian Armed Forces have hit the deployment point of French mercenaries in Ukraine-controlled Slavyansk, Sergei Lebedev, the coordinator of the Nikolayev underground, told RIA Novosti, citing his colleagues.

"According to reports from our fellow soldiers, the strike hit an 'outpost' harboring Ukrainian gunners and, most likely, French [nationals] who brought the CAESAR self-propelled howitzers to help the supporters of WW2-era Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera," he pointed out.

On Monday, Vladimir Rogov, Chairman of the "We Are Together With Russia" movement, announced that Ukraine's military had received a new shipment of French CAESAR howitzers for the purpose of shelling the Zaporozhye region.

Lebedev later clarified that the Russian strike targeted Ukrainian troops stationed at a children's music school. Several French mercs were wounded, and were likely transported to Pavlograd by ambulance.

In mid-January, Russian troops destroyed a temporary deployment area for foreign mercenaries in Kharkov, most of whom were French. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), Russian troops managed to eliminate more than 60 fighters.

Despite enormous evidence indicating that French 'guns for hire' are indeed fighting in Ukraine, the French Foreign Ministry has tried to deny it, blasting the reports of dozens of French citizens killed in Kharkov as "a gross manipulation by the Russians."

A Sputnik

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READOUT: Under Secretary for International Affairs Jay Shambaugh Meets with Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko of Ukraine

U.S. Department of the Treasury

April 15, 2024

WASHINGTON -- On Monday, Under Secretary for International Affairs Jay Shambaugh met with Ukraine's Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko on the margins of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings. Under Secretary Shambaugh emphasized the United States's commitment to support Ukraine in its fight to preserve its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He provided the Minister an update on the Administration's push for Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to provide vital military assistance, as well as direct budget support for Ukraine conditioned on continued progress by Ukraine on its reform agenda. The Under Secretary commended Ukraine's performance under its IMF program, including the recently approved third review. The Under Secretary also discussed ways to unlock the value of immobilized Russian sovereign assets to support Ukraine's continued resistance and long-term reconstruction.

###

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by Michael Hudson





Traditional societies usually had restrictions to prevent self-support land from being alienated outside of the family or clan. By holding that the essence of private property is its ability to be sold or forfeited irreversibly, Roman law removed the archaic checks to foreclosure that prevented property from being concentrated in the hands of the few. This Roman concept of property is essentially creditor-oriented, and quickly became predatory.





Rome, Italy, [ Photo: Federico Di Dio photography/ Unsplash]





Roman land tenure was based increasingly on the appropriation of conquered territory, which was declared public land, the ager publicus populi. The normal practice was to settle war veterans on it, but the wealthiest and most aggressive families grabbed such land for themselves in violation of early law.





Patricians Versus the Poor





The die was cast in 486 BC. After Rome defeated the neighboring Hernici, a Latin tribe, and took two-thirds of their land, the consul Spurius Cassius proposed Romes first agrarian law. It called for giving half the conquered territory back to the Latins and half to needy Romans, who were also to receive public land that patricians had occupied. But the patricians accused Cassius of building up a power dangerous to liberty by seeking popular support and endangering the security of their land appropriation. After his annual term was over he was charged with treason and killed. His house was burned to the ground to eradicate memory of his land proposal.





The fight over whether patricians or the needy poor would be the main recipients of public land dragged on for twelve years. In 474 the commoners tribune, Gnaeus Genucius, sought to bring the previous years consuls to trial for delaying the redistribution proposed by Cassius. He was blocked by that years two consuls, Lucius Furius and Gaius Manlius, who said that decrees of the Senate were not permanent law, but measures designed to meet temporary needs and having validity for one year only. The Senate could renege on any decree that had been passed.





A century later, in 384, M. Manlius Capitolinus, a former consul (in 392) was murdered for defending debtors by trying to use tribute from the Gauls and to sell public land to redeem their debts, and for accusing senators of embezzlement and urging them to use their takings to redeem debtors. It took a generation of turmoil and poverty for Rome to resolve matters. In 367 the Licinio-Sextian law limited personal landholdings to 500 iugera (125 hectares, under half a square mile). Indebted landholders were permitted to deduct interest payments from the principal and pay off the balance over three years instead of all at once.





Latifundia





Most wealth throughout history has been obtained from the public domain, and that is how Romes latifundia were created. The most fateful early land grab occurred after Carthage was defeated in 204 BC. Two years earlier, when Romes life and death struggle with Hannibal had depleted its treasury, the Senate had asked families to voluntarily contribute their jewelry or other precious belongings to help the war effort. Their gold and silver was melted down in the temple of Juno Moneta to strike the coins used to hire mercenaries.





Upon the return to peace the aristocrats depicted these contributions as having been loans, and convinced the Senate to pay their claims in three installments. The first was paid in 204, and a second in 202. As the third and final installment was coming due in 200, the former contributors pointed out that Rome needed to keep its money to continue fighting abroad but had much public land available. In lieu of cash payment they asked the Senate to offer them land within fifty miles of Rome, and to tax it at only a nominal rate. A precedent for such privatization had been set in 205 when Rome sold valuable land in the Campania to provide Scipio with money to invade Africa.





The recipients were promised that when the people should become able to pay, if anyone chose to have his money rather than the land, he might restore the land to the state. Nobody did, of course. The private creditors accepted the terms with joy; and that land was called Trientabulum because it was given in lieu of the third part of their money.





Most of the Central Italian lowlands ended up as latifundia cultivated by slaves captured in the wars against Carthage and Macedonia and imported en masse after 198. This turned the region into predominantly a country of underpopulated slave-plantations as formerly free peoples were driven off the land into overpopulated industrial towns. In 194 and again in 177 the Senate organized a program of colonization that sent about 100,000 peasants, women and children from central Italy to more than twenty colonies, mainly in the far south and north of Italy.





The Gracchi and the Land Commission





In 133, Tiberius Gracchus advocated distributing ager publicus to the poor, pointing out that this would increase the number of property holders liable to serve in the army. He was killed by angry senators who wanted the public land for themselves. Nonetheless, a land commission was established in Italy in 128, and apparently succeeded in distributing land to several thousand citizens in a few colonies, but not any land taken from Romes own wealthy elite. The commission was abolished around 119 after Tiberiuss brother Gaius Gracchus was killed.





Civil War and Landless Soldiers





Appian describes the ensuing century of civil war as being fought over the land and debt crisis:





For the rich, getting possession of the greater part of the undistributed lands, and being emboldened by the lapse of time to believe that they would never be dispossessed, absorbing any adjacent strips and their poor neighbors allotments, partly by purchase under persuasion and partly by force, came to cultivate vast tracts instead of single estates, using slaves as laborers and herdsmen, lest free laborers should be drawn from agriculture into the army. At the same time the ownership of slaves brought them great gain from the multitude of their progeny, who increased because they were exempt from military service. Thus certain powerful men became extremely rich and the race of slaves multiplied throughout the country, while the Italian people dwindled in number and strength, being oppressed by penury, taxes and military service.





Dispossession of free labor from the land transformed the character of Romes army. Starting with Marius, landless soldiers became soldati, living on their pay and seeking the highest booty, loyal to the generals in charge of paying them. Command of an army brought economic and political power. When Sulla brought his troops back to Italy from Asia Minor in 82 and proclaimed himself Dictator, he tore down the walls of towns that had opposed him, and kept them in check by resettling 23 legions (some 80,000 to 100,000 men) in colonies on land confiscated from local populations in Italy.





Sulla drew up proscription lists of enemies who could be killed with impunity, with their estates seized as booty. Their names were publicly posted throughout Italy in June 81, headed by the consuls for the years 83 and 82, and about 1,600 equites (wealthy publican investors). Thousands of names followed. Anyone on these lists could be killed at will, with the executioner receiving a portion of the dead mans estate. The remainder was sold at public auctions, the proceeds being used to rebuild the depleted treasury. Most land was sold cheaply, giving opportunists a motive to kill not only those named by Sulla, but also their personal enemies, to acquire their estates. A major buyer of confiscated real estate was Crassus, who became one of the richest Romans through Sullas proscriptions.





By giving his war veterans homesteads and funds from the proscriptions, Sulla won their support as a virtual army in reserve, along with their backing for his new oligarchic constitution. But they were not farmers, and ran into debt, in danger of losing their land. For his more aristocratic supporters, Sulla distributed the estates of his opponents from the Italian upper classes, especially in Campania, Etruria and Umbria.





Caesar likewise promised to settle his army on land of their own. They followed him to Rome and enabled him to become Dictator in 49. After he was killed in 44, Brutus and Cassius vied with Octavian (later Augustus), each promising their armies land and booty. As Appian summarized: The chiefs depended on the soldiers for the continuance of their government, while, for the possession of what they had received, the soldiers depend on the permanence of the government of those who had given it. Believing that they could not keep a firm hold unless the givers had a strong government, they fought for them, from necessity, with good-will. After defeating the armies of Brutus, Cassius and Mark Antony, Octavian gave his indigent soldiers land, the cities, the money, and the houses, and as the object of denunciation on the part of the despoiled, and as one who bore this contumely for the armys sake.





Empire of Debt





The concentration of land ownership intensified under the Empire. By the time Christianity became the Roman state religion, North Africa had become the main source of Roman wealth, based on the massive landholdings of the emperor and of the nobility of Rome. Its overseers kept the regions inhabitants underdeveloped by Roman standards. Their villages were denied any form of corporate existence and were frequently named after the estates on which the villagers worked, held to the land by various forms of bonded labor.





A Christian from Gaul named Salvian described the poverty and insecurity confronting most of the population ca. 440:





Faced by the weight of taxes, poor farmers found that they did not have the means to emigrate to the barbarians. Instead, they did what little they could do: they handed themselves over to the rich as clients in return for protection. The rich took over title to their lands under the pretext of saving the farmers from the land tax. The patron registered the farmers land on the tax rolls under his (the patrons) own name. Within a few years, the poor farmers found themselves without land, although they were still hounded for personal taxes. Such patronage by the great, so Salvian claimed, turned free men into slaves as surely as the magic of Circe had turned humans into pigs.





The Church as a Corporate Power





Church estates became islands in this sea of poverty. As deathbed confessions and donations of property to the Church became increasingly popular among wealthy Christians, the Church came to accept existing creditor and debtor relationships, land ownership, hereditary wealth and the political status quo. What mattered to the Church was how the ruling elites used their wealth; how they obtained it was not important as long as it was destined for the Church, whose priests were the paradigmatic poor deserving of aid and charity.





The Church sought to absorb local oligarchies into its leadership, along with their wealth. Testamentary disposition undercut local fiscal balance. Land given to the Church was tax-exempt, obliging communities to raise taxes on their secular property in order to maintain their flow of public revenue. (Many heirs found themselves disinherited by such bequests, leading to a flourishing legal practice of contesting deathbed wills.) The Church became the major corporate body, a sector alongside the state. Its critique of personal wealth focused on personal egotism and self-indulgence, nothing like the socialist idea of public ownership of land, monopolies, and banking. In fact, the Crusades led the Church to sponsor Christendoms major secular bankers to finance its wars against the Holy Roman Emperors, Moslems, and Byzantine Sicily.





This article was produced by Human Bridges.





Michael Hudson is President of The Institute for the Study of Long-Term Economic Trends (ISLET), a Wall Street Financial Analyst, Distinguished Research Professor of Economics at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He is the author of Super-Imperialism: The Economic Strategy of American Empire (Editions 1968, 2003, 2021), and forgive them their debts (2018), J is for Junk Economics (2017), Killing the Host (2015), The Bubble and Beyond (2012), Trade, Development and Foreign Debt
Andriy Yermak Discussed Ukraine's Defense Needs with Lockheed Martin Delegation

President of Ukraine

15 April 2024 - 20:49

The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with a delegation of the American defense company Lockheed Martin headed by its Vice President Raymond Piselli.

Andriy Yermak thanked the representatives of one of the world's leading defense companies for supporting Ukraine at this crucial moment for its independence.

The Head of the Office of the President spoke about the consequences of the recent Russian shelling of Ukraine's critical infrastructure, in particular, the severe situation in Kharkiv and the region. That is why our country is in dire need of bolstering its air defense.

"Despite all this, the city of Kharkiv lives on, people hold on, even in such harsh conditions," he said.

Andriy Yermak underscored Ukraine's hope that the U.S. House of Representatives will pass an important decision on the support package as soon as possible. He emphasized that the Ukrainian people continue to fight the Russian invaders defending their freedom and values shared by the entire democratic world.

Particular attention was paid to the future operation of F-16 fighter jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin and all the necessary preparatory steps.

The Head of the President's Office noted that one of the priorities for our country today is also to increase its own defense production. And in this process, Ukraine counts on cooperation with American companies.

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"Shaheds" in the Skies Above Ukraine Sound Identical to Those Over the Middle East - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

15 April 2024 - 20:41

Dear Ukrainians!

A few summaries of the day.

I held a meeting of the Staff. Two key topics now are the frontline and the energy sector.

Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi delivered a report on the areas where the situation is the most severe.

Special attention was paid to the battles for Chasiv Yar, the battles in the Pokrovsk and Kupyansk directions.

I am grateful to every soldier and commander, to all our units who are defending our positions and doing everything to stabilize the situation.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Umerov reported on the implementation of contracts for the supply of shells and drones, as well as electronic warfare.

Today, the Staff had a separate and detailed discussion about the use of electronic warfare and the protection of critical infrastructure. This applies, in particular, to the energy sector - what is protected and what was, unfortunately, not sufficiently protected. Appropriate conclusions will be drawn.

We analyzed the necessary actions to restore generation and key power facilities.

There was also a report on the state of protection of critical infrastructure in the areas near the frontline and in the border area.

There were two important intelligence reports - by Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Ivashchenko and Chief of the Defence Intelligence Budanov - on Russian actions in the spring and summer. On what we must be prepared for - in all formats of possible hostile actions. Obviously, the madness in the Kremlin is still rampant, and the occupier will try to intensify assault and offensive actions. We will retaliate.

Today I also held meetings on our work with partners in the coming weeks. As before, the top priority will be air defense and weapons for our warriors on the frontline. Also, the consolidation of partners and the unity of the world will remain a priority.

The entire world witnessed allied action in the skies above Israel and neighboring countries. It demonstrated how truly effective unity in defending against terror can be when it is based on sufficient political will. Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Jordan acted together and with maximum efficiency.

Together, they prevented terror from prevailing. And they are working together, and in coordination with others, to prevent further escalation.

Israel is not a NATO member, so no action, such as triggering Article 5, was required.

And no one was dragged into the war. They simply contributed to the protection of human life.

"Shaheds" in the skies above Ukraine sound identical to those over the Middle East. The impact of ballistic missiles, if they are not intercepted, is the same everywhere.

European skies could have received the same level of protection long ago if Ukraine had received similar full support from its partners in intercepting drones and missiles.

Terror must be defeated completely and everywhere, not more in some places and less in others.

I thank everyone in the world, every leader and state, who truly assists us with air defense and missiles necessary to protect our skies, as well as training our pilots on F-16s. All of this already works and will continue to work to save lives. However, we can now see how unity can work truly a hundred percent, and how almost a hundred percent of "Shaheds" and missiles can be intercepted. We will discuss it with our partners.

One more thing. Today the Norwegian Foreign Minister is on a visit to Ukraine. I had a meeting with him. I expressed gratitude for the truly significant and principled support for Ukraine. Our teams have finalized negotiations with Norway on a bilateral security agreement, and we are preparing to sign it with the Norwegian leader. We are also working on expanding defense cooperation, in particular to bolster our air defense. We also appreciate that Norway provides Ukraine with long-term financial support - all forms of resilience are important in times of war.

I am grateful to everyone in the world who stands with Ukraine! I am grateful to everyone who has the determination to truly defeat terror!

I thank everyone in Ukraine who fights and works for our victory.

Glory to Ukraine!

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The President of Ukraine Met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway

President of Ukraine

15 April 2024 - 20:09

Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, who is on a visit to Ukraine.

The Head of State informed him of the current security situation in the country, particularly the intensification of massive missile attacks on critical infrastructure by the aggressor state of Russia. The President thanked Norway for its significant contribution to the defense capabilities of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

The interlocutors noted the successful finalization of bilateral negotiations on the conclusion of an agreement on security commitments. They agreed that the leaders of the two states would sign this strategic document at the earliest opportunity.

The parties also discussed the situation in the field of air and missile defense of Ukraine and exchanged views on possible ways to expand Norway's assistance in this area.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Norwegian side for the significant military and humanitarian assistance in the amount of approximately $7.1 billion being provided as part of the multi-year Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine for 2023-2027.

"We count on the support of the Norwegian government and Storting in passing a decision on a significant expansion of assistance to Ukraine within this program," the President noted.

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Prospect of Nuclear Accident 'Dangerously Close' at Zaporizhzhia Power Plant in Ukraine, International Atomic Energy Agency Chief Warns Security Council

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9604th Meeting (PM)

SC/15662

15 April 2024

The Security Council met this afternoon at the request of Slovenia and the United States - the co-penholders on political issues in Ukraine - to discuss the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Enerhodar. The briefing is the Council's seventh meeting on the issue of nuclear safety and security in Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022.

(Note: Due to the financial liquidity crisis affecting the United Nations and the resulting time constraints, the full press release will be published at a later date.)

THREATS TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

Briefing

RAFAEL MARIANO GROSSI, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), recalled that it has been more than two years since the war began a "the first ever to be fought amid the facilities of a major nuclear power programme". IAEA staff are continuously present to monitor the situation at all five of Ukraine's nuclear power plants a including at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which remains under Russian Federation operational control. At this point, he recalled the five principles he established in the Council chamber on 30 May 2023 to prevent a nuclear accident and maintain the integrity of the Zaporizhzhia plant. These are: there should be no attack of any kind from or against the plant; the plant should not be used as storage for heavy weapons or military personnel; off-site power to the plant should not be put at risk; all structures, systems and components essential to the plant's safe operation should be protected from attack or sabotage; and no action should be taken that undermines these principles.

He pointed out, however, that a despite clear support from Council members and Ukraine a the first of these principles has been violated repeatedly in what marks a "step-change increase in risk" to nuclear safety and security at the plant. On 7 April, the International Support and Assistance Mission to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant confirmed the first attacks since November 2022 to directly target the plant. "These reckless attacks must cease immediately," he underscored, noting that a while they have not led to a radiological incident this time a they significantly increase the risk at the plant, where nuclear safety is already compromised. Also pointing out that the plant is currently relying on just two lines of external power, he spotlighted at least four occasions over the past year when the plant has had only one line of external power.

"Let me put it plainly a two years of war are weighing heavily on nuclear safety at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant," he stressed. Every one of the IAEA's seven pillars of nuclear safety and security have been compromised, he observed, urging: "We cannot sit by and watch as the final weight tips the finely balanced scale." Even though the plant's six reactors are now in cold shutdown, the potential danger of a major nuclear accident remains. For its part, the IAEA will continue to closely follow the plant's operational status and provide technically viable alternatives. "Our work at this facility remains essential," he underscored, adding that this has been recognized by all parties, regardless of their side in this conflict. However, to be effective, IAEA teams need timely access to assess the plant's condition and evaluate the cumulative impact of 26 months of war on nuclear safety. "We are getting dangerously close to a nuclear accident," he stressed, urging the Council to support the IAEA's principles, pillars and role.

...

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Zelenskyy calls for same defense from allies as for Israel

By VOA News April 15, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Western allies Monday to display the same "unity" toward Ukraine as they did toward Israel when they thwarted an Iranian aerial assault against the Israeli skies over this past weekend.

"By defending Israel, the free world has demonstrated that such unity is not only possible, but also 100% effective," he said.

In a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy thanked allies who had come to Ukraine's aid for more air defenses but said "the intensity of Russian attacks requires greater unity," as they showed in the defense of Israel.

"The same is possible in defending Ukraine, which, like Israel, is not a NATO member, from terror," he continued. He called for "political will" from Ukraine's allies, as Ukraine is growing short of ammunition and desperate for more air defenses to repel Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy issued his latest call for allies' help, saying Russia is inflicting "significant damage" every day.

In a news conference earlier Monday, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also addressed the readiness of Western allies to defend Israel and called for more support for Ukraine "as soon as possible."

"We see that when allies act as one in a very coordinated way, not a single missile falls on the targets, reaches targets in Israel," Kuleba said alongside his Norwegian counterpart, who is visiting Kyiv.

Israel's military said it intercepted 99% of the aerial threats with the help of the United States and other allies, and that the overnight attack caused only minor damage.

"Everything we are asking from partners, even if you cannot act the way you act in Israel, give us what we need, and we will do the rest of the job," Kuleba added.

Speaking via video to the Second Black Sea Security Conference in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, Kuleba said increasing Ukraine's air defense will also strengthen regional and global stability, as it in turn protects the security of Ukraine's neighbors and the entire Black Sea region from Russian aerial terror.

"Today, there's no other language Moscow understands better than the language of force. This is what they respect, anything else is seen as a weakness," the Ukrainian foreign minister said.

Kuleba also said the Black Sea must become "the sea of NATO, of peace and stability," calling on the alliance to implement "a comprehensive and ambitious Black Sea strategy aimed at reducing Russia's malign influence."

In the same conference, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke via video and underscored the importance of investing in the Black Sea region's security to ensure peace and freedom across Europe.

US aid bill

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to decide this week on how to handle President Joe Biden's $95 billion aid package, which includes $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel. The bill also includes the Indo-Pacific and addresses aid for the U.S. southern border with Mexico. The package was passed by the Senate but stalled in the House.

The aid initiative has gained new urgency after Iran's weekend missile and drone attack on Israel, despite fierce opposition in the deeply divided Congress.

Many conservative Republican lawmakers, especially those closely allied with former President Donald Trump, fiercely oppose sending billions more dollars to Ukraine. Trump has been skeptical of assisting Kyiv in its fight against Moscow. Johnson could be ousted as speaker if he allows the Ukraine aid to move ahead.

On the ground

Ukraine's air defense shortages and the Kharkiv region's proximity to the Russian border is leaving the area especially vulnerable to strikes on energy infrastructure, which have caused large-scale power cuts.

Russian forces killed two people and injured four more after striking an education facility in the Kharkiv region on Monday, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on the Telegram messaging app.

Syniehubov added that the four wounded people were hospitalized with blast injuries and shrapnel wounds.

With the weather getting warmer, Russia has intensified its strikes in the eastern front with the Kharkiv region bearing the brunt of the attacks.

Ukrainian officials reported deadly Russian shelling in the eastern region of Donetsk, while Russia said it thwarted a Ukrainian drone attack in an area near the Black Sea.

Vadym Filashkin, regional governor of Donetsk, said on Telegram that Russian shelling killed four people in the town of Siversk.

Russia has repeatedly hit the area since invading Ukraine in early 2022.

Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses destroyed a Ukrainian drone over the Krasnodar area, which is located near Crimea.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.

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UN nuclear chief says accident is 'dangerously close' at Zaporizhzhia

By Margaret Besheer April 15, 2024

The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency warned Monday that the danger of a major nuclear accident at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains "very real."

"We are getting dangerously close to a nuclear accident," Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the U.N. Security Council.

The nuclear plant, Europe's largest, came under several attacks in the early part of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russian forces have occupied the facility since March 2022. The IAEA worked out an agreement to station one of its teams there to monitor the facility and any damage to its systems.

Grossi said that over the past 10 days, the plant has sustained several direct attacks a the first since November 2022. He did not say who carried them out.

In one direct hit, the containment dome of a reactor building was struck. Grossi said the damage to the structure was not significant, but the attack set a dangerous precedent.

Two other attacks were near the main reactor buildings and resulted in at least one casualty.

"These reckless attacks must cease immediately," Grossi said.

He warned that two years of war are weighing heavily on nuclear safety at the plant.

"We cannot sit by and watch as the final weight tips the finely balanced scale," he said.

Russia and Ukraine each blame the other for the strikes.

"Ukraine's shelling of ZNPP cannot be justifiable on any grounds, including military goals," Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said, referring to the plant by its initialism.

He claimed that Russia has never stationed heavy weaponry at the plant nor attacked from its territory.

Grossi confirmed to reporters that "there is no heavy weaponry there" but added that "the vicinity is something else."

Ukraine's ambassador said the recent attacks were "a well-planned false flag operation" by Russia.

"The only way out of the current, very precarious situation is complete demilitarization and deoccupation of the ZNPP and adjacent territories," Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said.

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Bronx, NY, April 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jesse Minc Personal Injury Law, a construction accident law firm founded by attorney Jesse Minc, is urging immediate action to be taken for the soaring numbers of NYC construction worker deaths. Due to the release of the recent 2024 Deadly Skyline Report released by the NYCOSH, which highlights the understaffed conditions at the NYC Department of Buildings amid these rising deaths, Mr. Minc is fighting for the rights of construction workers.

According to the report, which features data from 2022, twenty-four construction workers died in New York City that year, a 20% increase from 2021. Statewide, 50 construction workers lost their lives. The report also highlights that non-union job sites posed the most dangerous conditions for these workers with 90% of worker deaths among those who were non-union workers.

The alarming statistics indicated in the report also revealed that OSHA fines for these fatalities decreased. The likely cause of this dramatic decrease is that OSHA inspections are still below pre-pandemic numbers. Mr. Minc has noted that this is due to a lack of enforcement of valid laws. As a Bronx construction accident lawyer, he is pushing for immediate change that will satisfy these enforcement requirements.

Unfortunately, the incentive to complete jobs quickly is stronger than the incentive to complete them safely. The maxim in the construction industry that fast work is dangerous work is proven true time and again, Mr. Minc stated.



Its a problem caused by many factors, including general contractors who push for quick completion to avoid losing profitability, rising labor costs, scarcity of labor, and increased budgetary pressures. The labor shortage also means that contractors often use unskilled labor through undocumented immigrants who have little to no training to fill voids and cut costs in one action. The result of these actions means poorer safety conditions for all construction workers.

Mr. Minc added, The laws that are in place now are adequate. New York State provides the most comprehensive set of legal rights to injured workers in the nation, and enforcement is key, along with keeping safety standards in place.

Violations of New Yorks labor laws are already creating more legal claims. Construction workers should know what to do to protect themselves, though many are unaware of the protections provided to them under the law. Mr. Minc is urging construction workers to seek legal counsel in the event of a construction accident, citing the need to consult an attorney who has familiarity with the specific rules. Construction accidents should be reported promptly, as should any fraudulent or embellished claims to protect workers rights.

Attorney Jesse Mincs construction accident law office is located at 220 East 161 Street, Bronx NY 10451. He can be reached at (718) 354-8000 and provides complimentary consultations to injured construction workers and their families.

About Jesse Minc

Jesse Minc is an advocate for injured construction workers in the Bronx, New York City, and throughout New York State. He represents victims in an array of personal injury cases and is backed by esteemed accolades that include a listing as one of Americas Top 100 Personal Injury Lawyers and being voted by other attorneys to achieve the distinction of Super Lawyer for each year since 2016.

info@personalinjurylawyersbronx.com

Media Contact:



Company Name: Jesse Minc Personal Injury Law

Contact Person: Jesse Minc

Phone: (718) 354-8000

Address: 220 East 161 Street

City: Bronx

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Country: United States

Website: https://www.personalinjurylawyersbronx.com/construction-accidents/


WASHINGTON, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, EBC Financial Group (EBC) announced a new partnership with United to Beat Malaria (Beat Malaria), a campaign of the United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation), aimed at protecting those most vulnerable from malaria  a mosquito-borne disease that claims over 600,000 lives every year.



This partnership provides support for the United to Beat Malaria campaign, which works to improve access to malaria prevention and essential health services in support of the UN Foundations goal of achieving a healthier and more equitable world. The UN Foundation brings together ideas, people, and resources to drive global progress and tackle humanitys greatest challenges. The UN Foundation initiatives have collectively protected tens of millions of children from disease, formed partnerships to provide help and hope to refugees, and mobilised communities to take action towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

EBC is honoured to partner with the United to Beat Malaria campaign, joining forces to impactfully end malaria. This partnership reflects EBCs dedication to corporate social responsibility and support to underprivileged children. EBC recognises the profound impact of malaria on the health and well-being of poverty-stricken regions, and the subsequent economic repercussions, particularly in exacerbating the disparity between developed and underprivileged regions. Malaria disproportionately impacts young children: over 75% of all malaria deaths are children under 5. A child dies nearly every minute from this preventable and treatable disease.



Being invited to United to Beat Malarias 2024 Leadership Summit and witnessing the advocacy in action was not only a tremendous privilege but also an enlightening experience for me, said David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd, the British entity of EBC. Seeing firsthand the impact that EBC Group can have by actively engaging with organisations like United to Beat Malaria reaffirms our commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve."

Our partnership with EBC Group is built on a shared commitment to protect the worlds most vulnerable children and families from this deadly yet preventable disease, said Margaret McDonnell, Beat Malarias Executive Director. EBCs support will enable our campaign to reach at-risk communities and deliver life-saving interventions in malaria endemic countries as to save and improve lives.

Today, malaria is a disease of poverty and health inequity. Its transmitted to people through the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes, which carry the life-threatening disease caused by the blood parasite Plasmodium. The tools to prevent, diagnose, and treat malaria are highly cost-effective; but millions around the world lack access to these life-saving interventions. Half the worlds population remains at-risk of malaria, with over 240 million cases annually. Malaria is most prevalent in Africa, which carries 94% of all cases globally, and disproportionately impacts young children, pregnant women, displaced populations, and remote communities with limited access to healthcare.

The world has already made remarkable progress against this ancient disease, cutting the malaria mortality rate by approximately half. With continued funding, partnership, and political will, we can be the generation that ends malaria for good.

In addition to financial support, EBC also seeks to educate its employees about malaria and encourage them to get involved. Last month, Samuel Hertz, APAC Director of Operations at EBC Financial Group, alongside David Barrett, joined over 100 malaria advocates, experts, and leaders at United to Beat Malarias annual Leadership Summit in Washington DC. The 3-day event was a platform for learning, networking, and advocating for global leadership, emphasising the collective action needed to tackle this critical public health challenge. Also, EBC employees will participate in the upcoming Move Against Malaria 5K (April 25-May 5), a remote 5K run held worldwide to raise funds and awareness for malaria.

Samuel Hertz stated, We, as a company, are committed to aiding children worldwide, recognising malaria as one of the most significant threats to their lives. At the summit, we gained insight into the progress made toward eradicating malaria globally. However, this endeavour requires extensive support from diverse partners, which is why we are thrilled to join this coalition. Although the journey ahead may be challenging and prolonged, we understand that meaningful change takes time and effort. As a global company, EBC acknowledges its responsibility to contribute to a better world.

Looking ahead, EBC plans to forge deeper collaborations with UN-related charitable organisations and global partners to bolster health systems worldwide. Through these efforts and its commitment to corporate social responsibility, EBC aims to raise awareness about health disparities and promote inclusivity on a global scale.

For more information, visit ebc.com and beatmalaria.org.

About EBC Financial Group

Founded in the esteemed financial district of London, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renowned for its comprehensive suite of services that includes financial brokerage, asset management, and comprehensive investment solutions. With offices strategically located in prominent financial centres, such as London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, the Cayman Islands, Bangkok, Limassol, and more, EBC caters to a diverse clientele of retail, professional, and institutional investors worldwide.

Recognised by multiple awards, EBC prides itself on adhering to the highest levels of ethical standards and international regulation. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd is regulated by Australia's Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA).

At the core of EBC Group are seasoned professionals with over 30 years of profound experience in major financial institutions, having adeptly navigated through significant economic cycles from the Plaza Accord to the 2015 Swiss franc crisis. EBC champions a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor engagement is treated with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

https://www.ebc.com/

About UN Foundations United to Beat Malaria

The UN Foundation is an independent charitable organization created to work closely with the United Nations to address humanitys greatest challenges, build initiatives across sectors to solve problems at scale, and drive global progress. Learn more at www.unfoundation.org.

The UN Foundations United to Beat Malaria campaign brings together key and diverse partners and supporters to take urgent action to end malaria and create a healthier, more equitable world. Since 2006, United to Beat Malaria has worked to equip and mobilize citizens across the U.S. and around the world to raise awareness, funds and voices. The campaign works with partners in endemic countries to channel life-saving resources to protect the most marginalized and vulnerable populations. By championing increased leadership, political will and resources from the U.S. and beyond, as well as more holistic, innovative tools and strategies, we can be the generation that ends malaria once and for all. Learn more at www.beatmalaria.org.

Media Contact:

Douglas Chew

douglas.chew@ebc.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4954a4a7-5362-451d-88da-ef3cc1ab5b04

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5741193-fffb-4147-a9d6-51403f5f9e93

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https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da6c1305-3c63-41d5-9d51-e90ba5383017
Siauliu Bankas AB, company code 112025254, address of the head office Tilzes str. 149, Siauliai, Lithuania.



Siauliu bankas AB has received the notification of manager on transactions in securities issued by the bank (see attachment).

Director of Securities Operations Department Jolanta Dobiliauskiene is authorized by the Issuer to provide additional information and is available on tel.: +370 41 595669.

Attachment
Dublin, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Machine Learning Chip Global Market Report 2024" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The machine learning chip market size has grown from $8 billion in 2023 to $11.6 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the increase in data volume, expansion of cloud computing, growth of consumer applications, diversification of chip types, and government initiatives.

The machine learning chip market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years, reaching $53.17 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46.33%. The projected growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing demand for real-time analytics, the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), the growth of edge AI, a heightened focus on security, and the increasing adoption of AI and ML in various industries for analytics purposes. Major trends expected during this period include advancements in AI and ML algorithms, the development of advanced robotics, integration with neuromorphic computing, advancements in material science for AI applications, and progress in quantum computing for enhanced computational capabilities.





The increasing number of cyberattacks is expected to drive the growth of the machine-learning chip market in the future. Cyberattacks involve the deliberate exploitation of computer systems, networks, or technology-dependent enterprises to cause damage, disruption, or gain unauthorized access. Machine learning chips enable the use of machine learning algorithms to continuously analyze data, detect patterns, and make accurate predictions to mitigate potential cyber threats. For example, in 2022, SlashNext Inc., a US-based cybersecurity company, reported a 61% increase in phishing attacks compared to 2021, totaling 255 million detected incidents. Therefore, the growing threat of cyberattacks is fueling the expansion of the machine-learning chip market.



Major companies in the machine learning chip market are concentrating on developing new products, particularly system-on-chip (SoC) solutions, to enhance their profitability. SoC in machine learning chips refers to an integrated circuit that combines hardware components such as processors and memory with specialized software for machine learning tasks on a single chip. For example, in January 2022, Silicon Laboratories Inc., a US-based semiconductor manufacturing company, launched two SoCs and a software toolkit tailored for edge AI and machine learning. These chips feature AI accelerators, wireless connectivity, low power consumption, and support for Matter and Zigbee protocols, along with ample flash capacity. The toolkit assists developers in creating AI algorithms using these SoCs and Simplicity Studio.



The primary types of machine learning chips include graphics processing units (GPU), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), central processing units (CPU), and others. GPUs are specialized circuits for rapid memory manipulation to accelerate image processing. Various technologies such as system-on-chip (SoC), system-in-package, and multi-chip module are used in these chips, catering to industries such as banking, financial services, insurance (BFSI), information technology and telecom, media and advertising, retail, healthcare, automotive, and others.



The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

Report Scope

Markets Covered:

By Chip Type: Graphics Processing Unit(GPU); Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA); Central Processing Unit(CPU); Other Chip Types.

By Technology: System-On-Chip (SoC); System-In-Package; Multi-Chip Module; Other Technologies

By Industry Vertical: Banking, Financial Services, And Insurance (BFSI); Information Technology And Telecom; Media and Advertising; Retail; Healthcare; Automotive; Other Industry Verticals.

Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain



Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa



Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.



Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita.



Data Segmentation: Country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.



Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 175 Forecast Period 2024 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $11.6 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $53.17 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 46.3% Regions Covered Global



Companies Profiled:

Amazon

Apple

Alphabet

Samsung Group

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.

Intel Corporation

IBM Corporation

Qualcomm Inc.

Micron Technology Inc.

Nvidia Corporation

Advanced Micro Devices

NXP Semiconductors

Renesas Electronics

Microchip Technology

Cadence Design Systems Inc.

Silicon Laboratories Inc.

Edgecore Networks Corporation

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation

Cerebras Systems Inc.

Cambricon Technologies Corporation

SiFive Inc.

GreenWaves Technologies

Graphcore Limited

Innovium Inc.

Syntiant Corp

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4ah3r3

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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FREMONT, Calif., April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The LoRa Alliance, the global association of companies backing the open LoRaWAN standard for the internet of things (IoT) low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs), today launched its formal roadmap, which highlights LoRaWANs evolution from building and interconnecting networks through its focus on making the technology faster and easier to deploy, work that has successfully made LoRaWAN the leading LPWAN with the most deployments supporting IoTs active scaling across numerous end markets. The roadmap also showcases the planned development of the LoRaWAN open standard for IoT communications.

LoRaWAN is a purpose-built networking technology to support massive IoT, said Donna Moore, CEO and chairwoman of the LoRa Alliance. The members of the LoRa Alliance have been diligent in their work to lay the foundation strategically evolving LoRaWAN to achieve the significant scaling that is taking place in IoT. Not only is our technology best of breed and proven across multiple multimillion-sensor deployments, but it is also backed by the largest ecosystem with the greatest number and diversity of certified devices. Further, it offers the widest variety of deployment options across terrestrial networks and satellite NTNs, including hybrid networking approaches. As such, it is the only LPWAN that can address the requirements of any organization looking to deploy large-scale, low-power IoT solutions today.

The roadmap outlines the planned enhancements of several critical features already incorporated in the LoRaWAN standard:

Expanding Addressable Markets

Enhances connectivity for NTN LoRaWAN through, for example, further optimization of the long rangefrequency hopping spread spectrum (LR-FHSS), which enables LoRaWAN to far surpass the projected network-capacity requirements of massive IoT.

Make relay enhancements that increase LoRaWAN signals reach in noisy or physically challenging environments to allow sensors to be deployed anywhere.

Add fast and low-power network discovery, which offers new deployment options where coverage is not permanent, like mobile gateways, allowing walk-by or drive-by applications and adding significant value for key markets like utilities, where LoRaWAN dominates in terms of deployment volumes.



Hyperscalability

Simplify deployments with easier device profile management and device migration.

Carry GS1-compliant identifiers, such as RFIDs, barcodes, electronic product codes (EPC) over LoRaWAN, to enable devices connected via LoRaWAN to be used for product/asset identification.

Facilitate LoRaWAN end-device onboarding by LoRaWAN networks with automated device profile downloads, which automatically request the device profiles from online repositories using a standard API, building on prior work of LoRa Alliance QR code.



Core Network Management

Strengthen device interoperability by standardizing the application server and gateway interfaces.



Certification

Drive customer confidence through the addition of firmware updates over the air and relay to LoRaWAN certification testing, allowing end-device manufacturers to validate the performance of these features.

Give end users confidence in cross-vendor device interoperability by adding advanced interoperability testing into the LoRaWAN certification test suite. This testing will validate that devices from different manufacturers can effectively exchange and make use of each others information.

Physical/Link Layer Development

Introduce crypto-agility to LoRaWAN, so the variety of current and future crypto-suites can be used as add-ons with the LoRaWAN Link Layer without having to evolve the latter.



As IoT moves from millions to billions of connections, as is forecast in the next few years, network scalability is a key consideration that is addressed in the current standard and slated for future enhancements. Smart metering is one key market where LoRaWAN has established a market-leading position with the current specification delivering abundant network capacity to address market requirements. Recognizing the growth in IoT connections that will be enabled by satellite and other NTNs, the Alliance developed LR-FHSS for massive, global LoRaWAN connectivity. As part of its planned roadmap, the LoRa Alliance will continue to enhance and expand the standard based on market needs and new use cases.

One example that illustrates LoRaWANs existing high-capacity capability is the ZENNER network, with nearly 7.5 million sensors running on more than 100,000 gateways in 15 countries to support energy providers, the housing industry, cities and municipalities, municipal utilities and industrial operations. As this example shows, the LoRaWAN standard easily addresses todays IoT capacity requirements.

ZENNER has moved this proven technology to its larger-scale deployments with water, gas and electric municipalities. In the United States, ZENNER has already installed systems in seven communities this year alone. LoRaWAN technology makes an open standard system easy to install and at a lower cost for our customers. In addition, utilities can offer a mass number of other services to their customer base due to this open standard, which will enrich their customers as well as themselves. ZENNER is currently testing LoRaWAN satellite communication and how that fits into our IoT direction. To date it has shown great promise and at a reasonable cost for our customers. We are seeing an immense amount of interest in LoRaWAN that will feed the growth of our company on a global basis. The LoRa Alliance is the organization that has laid out the plan that got us here and has structured plans that take us into the future. ZENNER is a proud sponsor of the Alliance and values its other members. As a company we cannot ask for a better organization to help us in developing our IoT strategy.  Rich Sanders, president, ZENNER USA, and treasurer, LoRa Alliance Board of Directors

From its inception, the technical and performance advantages of LoRaWAN have been embraced by customers needing a comprehensive solution for deploying and managing large-scale sensor-based applications. The ongoing innovation represented in the development roadmap presented by the LoRa Alliance today continues to firmly establish the technology as a standout choice for a growing number of use cases, including those requiring enhanced or expanded connectivity delivered by relays, mobile gateways and non-terrestrial networks. For Netmore and our global customers, these advantages translate to leadership positions in service optimization, cost savings, regulatory compliance and resource conservation. This is most evident in the utility and energy sectors, where metering and infrastructure monitoring solutions are rapidly scaling, network deployment times and costs are being reduced, and compliance and ROI are being achieved fasterall while contributing positively to the planet. Netmore is a strong supporter of the LoRa Alliance and the LoRaWAN ecosystem. With LoRaWAN, Netmore is not just leading, were defining the market. And with our unwavering focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship, were not just a network operator, but a proud catalyst for a greener, more sustainable world.  Ove Anebygd, CEO, Netmore Group AB, and LoRa Alliance Board Member

It is tremendously validating to look at the future of the LoRaWAN standard and know that we are building from an exceptionally broad and solid foundation, continued Moore. Time after time, our members share their real-world deployments that are successfully using LoRaWAN at scale to improve the well-being of people and the planet while running profitable enterprises. This truly exemplifies the strength, breadth and depth of the LoRaWAN standard today and the unlimited potential of LoRaWAN as we continue to evolve and enhance its features.

About LoRaWAN Live Munich

On June 19 & 20, the LoRa Alliance will return to Germany for LoRaWAN Live in Munich. The program is ideal for anyone interested in or working with LoRaWAN. As the official LoRaWAN event of the year, LoRaWAN Live offers a unique opportunity to share insights, experiences and visions with a vibrant and engaged ecosystem from multiple industries across the globe. The event will feature an agenda filled with technical sessions, a products and solutions marketplace, mainstage keynotes and VIP speakers, live demonstrations focusing on various use cases and markets, and plenty of opportunities for networking and business meetings.

Learn more and register here.

Editors and analysts interested in attending LoRaWAN Live Munich can contact the Alliance at lora-alliance@kiterocket.com to make arrangements.

About LoRa Alliance

The LoRa Alliance is an open, nonprofit association that has become one of the largest and fastest-growing alliances in the technology sector since its inception in 2015. Its members closely collaborate and share expertise to develop and promote the LoRaWAN standard, which is the de facto global standard for secure, carrier-grade IoT LPWAN connectivity. LoRaWAN has the technical flexibility to address a broad range of IoT applications, both fixed and mobile, and a robust LoRaWAN Certification program to guarantee that devices perform as specified. The LoRaWAN standard has been deployed by more than 170 major mobile network operators globally, with connectivity available worldwide. More information: lora-alliance.org

LoRa Alliance, LoRaWAN and LoRaWAN CertifiedCM are licensed marks.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kiterocket

Stephanie Quinn, LoRa Alliance PR, +1 480 316 8370, squinn@kiterocket.com

An infographic accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90ddf45a-8f5e-4ecb-b3c9-e004f8440056
Senior executives from Ford, Volvo, McLaren, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kia, Lotus, Polaris, Mercury Marine, Canoo and more will participate in panel discussions moderated by influential journalists

Leading brands will hold press conferences including product reveals, Q&A sessions with executives and hands-on experiences with new products

Industry Day attendees will have access to Electrify Expo prior to the general public, including exhibitor displays and demo experiences



LONG BEACH, Calif., April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Electrify Expo , North Americas largest electric vehicle (EV) festival, is back for its annual Industry Day in Long Beach, Calif. on Friday, May 31, 2024. This years Industry Day is bigger and better than ever, gathering thought leaders from top brands to engage in thought-provoking conversations moderated by influential journalists. As the biggest gathering of electrification and mobility brands and professionals, Electrify Expo Industry Day is a must-attend event for journalists, analysts and industry professionals.

The EV industry is at a real turning point, with misinformation around adoption numbers, an election year influencing media headlines, there has never been a more important time to gather the industry and talk about the most important issues, said BJ Birtwell, CEO and founder of Electrify Expo. At this years Industry Day, were cutting through the noise and opening the door to lively discussions and healthy debates around the opportunities and challenges facing electrification. Once the programming concludes in the morning, were getting people outside and giving them what Electrify Expo is known for - hands-on experiences. After the booth tours and press conferences with leading brands making announcements and product reveals, the ride and drives and demo courses will open and Industry Day attendees will have early access to the festival grounds.

The Industry Day Long Beach 2024 schedule is as follows, with more surprises and speakers expected to be added shortly.

For the most up to date speakers and schedule, along with tickets for Electrify Expo Industry Day, visit https://www.electrifyexpo.com/industry-day . For group sales, contact tickets@electrifyexpo.com .

Media interested in attending may request credentials by emailing ee@skyya.com .

About Electrify Expo

Electrify Expo is North America's largest outdoor electric vehicle (EV) festival showcasing the latest technology and products in electrification including startup and legacy EVs, electric motorcycles, bikes, scooters, skateboards, boats, surfboards and more. The festival addresses one of the most challenging barriers to mass adoption of electric vehicles - first hand experience with the product - with meaningful demonstrations and test rides. Top brands from around the world exhibit and attend Electrify Expos events to meet consumers at all stages on their path to electrification. 2024 events will take place in Long Beach and San Francisco, Calif., Phoenix, Denver, New York, Seattle, Orlando, and Austin, Texas. To stay up to date on the latest news and announcements from Electrify Expo, visit www.electrifyexpo.com and follow on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram .

Media Contact

Skyya PR

ee@skyya.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/75327dc9-9e57-492b-8171-6a110b293f5d
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTC PINK: BLOZF) (Frankfurt: 8CT) (the Company or Cannabix) developer of marijuana and alcohol breath testing devices reports that it has shipped its Industrial Series Contactless Alcohol Breathalyzers (CAB devices) for certification testing and is rebranding the CAB name under the new Breath Logix product series. The Breath Logix product series is part of the Companys portfolio of marijuana and alcohol screening devices.



The Breath Logix Industrial Series-Alcohol breath detection device is an autonomous wall mounted unit that is ruggedized and designed for the workplace (Figure 1). A breath sample can be delivered either by straw (Figure 2) or in contactless mode. These devices have been delivered to globally recognized certification laboratory, CE cert GmbH in Germany, for independent alcohol standards testing which is a step required before sales of the device can begin. The regulatory process for certification of alcohol breath detection devices is well established, and will aid in an analogous process for the Companys marijuana (delta-9 THC) breathalyzer products.

Figure 1. Breath Logix Industrial Series Alcohol Testing System

Figure 2. Breath Logix Industrial Series in use with straw. Contactless breath test mode also available.

Breath Logix Industrial Series Features

The Breath Logix Industrial Series is a weather resistant device with a host of requested features including patent pending pre-calibrated cartridge technology (See Figure 3) which will allow site safety administrators to easily maintain their devices, and eliminate the need for costly calibration equipment and time-consuming site visits from technicians for maintenance. This device can be used for pre-access alcohol testing, random testing, start-of-shift testing, pre-employment testing, return-to-work testing and post-incident testing. The device is currently being piloted as a solution for the 24/7 sobriety program which exists in several states.

The Breath Logix Alcohol device automatically checks the sobriety of a user and can take a picture to confirm and record identity while a breath sample is being delivered. Upon detection of positive breath alcohol result, the device will deliver a precise Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level on the screen, and send a real-time alert via text message, e-mail and to a dedicated web portal. Furthermore, the system logs user BAC for incident reporting and historical investigations. The Breath Logix helps organizations save money by deploying an autonomous alcohol screening device which eliminates the need for dedicated alcohol screening administrators using conventional handheld devices.





Figure 3. Breath Logix pre-calibrated alcohol sensor cartridge technology

About Cannabix Technologies Inc.

Cannabix Technologies Inc. is a developer of marijuana and alcohol breathalyzer technologies for law enforcement, workplaces and laboratories. Cannabix is developing delta-9 THC and alcohol screening devices. Delta-9 THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes impairment. Breath testing for delta-9 THC would allow employers and law enforcement to identify recent marijuana use. Cannabix is the developer of Breath Logix Series of autonomous breath alcohol detection devices for employers and a range of other settings.

We seek Safe Harbor.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Rav Mlait

CEO

Cannabix Technologies Inc.

For further information, contact the Company at info@cannabixtechnologies.com

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company, such as final development of a commercial or prototype product(s), successful trial or pilot of company technologies, no assurance that commercial sales of any kind actually materialize; no assurance the Company will have sufficient funds to complete product development. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Companys plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information, including: (i) adverse market conditions; (ii) risks regarding protection of proprietary technology; (iii) the ability of the Company to complete financings; (iv) the ability of the Company to develop and market its future product; and (v) risks regarding government regulation, managing and maintaining growth, the effect of adverse publicity, litigation, competition and other factors which may be identified from time to time in the Company's public announcements and filings. There is no assurance that its development of breathalyzer technology will provide any benefit to the Company, and no assurance that any proposed new products will be built, will be successful in beta testing or clinical trials. The is no assurance that the Company will enter into any partnerships to advance any of its corporate initiatives or technologies. There is no assurance that any patent pending or provisional patents technologies licensed by the Company or owned by the Company will receive patent status by regulatory authorities. The Company is not currently selling commercial breathalyzers. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d84d790c-52dc-498f-ab97-5897b36823aa

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c7a2a16-62dd-44cc-a961-6ca411ec8fab

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UA Canadas continued partnership with Skills/Competences Canada highlights the importance of unions in the skilled trade and technology industries

OTTAWA, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skills/Competences Canada (SCC), a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in the skilled trades and technologies to youth and their communities in Canada, is proud to announce that the United Association (UA Canada), an international Pipe Trades union whose members are the leading professionals in the piping industry, will continue their support as Presenting Sponsor of the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) 2024, in Quebec City. UA Canadas generous support will allow SCC to create career opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies for Canadian students and youth through this important event.



UA Canada proudly supports the future of skilled trades in Canada. We are proud to continue as a Presenting Sponsor of the Skills Canada National Competition 2024, in Quebec City. Our members, local unions and Canadian office staff are excited to continue our participation this year in key roles such as technical chairs, judges, apprentice competitors, Try-A-Trade and Technology activity hosts, speakers, and exhibitors. We would like to give a special thank you to UA Local 144 who is our hosting Local, whose professionals will be featured at our booth. By participating in this event, we can connect with the next generation of skilled tradesworkers. We look forward to connecting with students, competitors, educators, industry organizations, and government at this event said Mike Gordon, Director of Canadian Training, UA Canada.



At the Centre de foires dExpoCite, on May 30 and 31, 2024, labour groups, industry partners, government officials, educators, and youth will gather in Quebec City where over 500 students and apprentices will compete in more than 40 skilled trade and technology Skill Areas. SCC is pleased to work with UA Canada for this years upcoming Skills Canada National Competition. UA Canada will be hosting Try-A-Trade and Technology activities that will introduce students and visitors to the piping industry. Visitors can look forward to trying piping skills such as soldering, and hone their technique on the virtual welder.



SCC is pleased to extend our partnership with such an influential union organization for this year's upcoming Skills Canada National Competition. Together, we will show aspiring Sprinkler Fitters, metal workers, Welders, Plumbers, Steamfitter/Pipefitters and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technicians the rewarding careers that are available to them. said Shaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer, Skills/Competences Canada.



According to a report published by CAF in 2021, over the next five years, it is expected that nearly 311,300 apprentices will register in a Red Seal trade in Canada.

About UA Canada

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada  commonly known as UA  is a union organization whose members are engaged in the fabrication, installation maintenance and servicing of piping systems across North America. Founded in 1889, UA continues to be one of the most respected and influential building trades unions in North America. Its 375,000 highly skilled members belong to over 300 individual local unions. In Canada, the United Association serves 61,000 members, including over 12,000 apprentices, through 36 local union offices and training centres across the country. UA Canada represents ten major trade classifications including: Steamfitter-Pipefitter, Sprinkler Fitter, Plumber, Metal Trades Workers, Instrumentation Technicians, Welders, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics, Gas Technicians, Oil Head Technicians, and specialty certified workers in all areas of the piping industry. Visit UACanada.ca to learn more; you can also connect with us on Facebook.



About Skills/Competences Canada

Skills/Competences Canada (SCC) was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization with Member Organizations in each of the provinces/territories that work with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trade and technology careers among Canadian youth. Its unique position among private and public-sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canadas future skilled labour needs while helping young people discover rewarding careers. SCC offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trade and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trade awareness programs. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills/Competences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills. Follow Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Michele Rogerson, micheler@skillscanada.com, T. 613-266-4771.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b4cb9be4-6130-4a5e-a7f5-c4b8802c9545
Edinburg, TX, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will travel to South Texas on Saturday to receive a tour of Driscoll Childrens Hospital Rio Grande Valley.

Were excited to show the lieutenant governor the Rio Grande Valleys first designated childrens hospital, a state-of-the-art facility that will transform healthcare in the Valley for generations to come, said Matt Wolthoff, president of Driscoll Children's Hospital Rio Grande Valley.

Driscoll has invested more than $100 million to create the brand-new, eight-story hospital in Edinburg.

Driscoll Childrens Hospital Rio Grande Valley will open May 1 with more than 600 employees and 119 pediatric beds. The nonprofit hospital will offer emergency care and pediatric specialty services to children and adolescents the day it opens. It will generate $124.7 million per year in economic growth to Texas.

Media are invited to tour the new hospital with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and hear from Driscoll leadership about the opening in two weeks.

WHEN: Saturday, April 20

9:45 a.m.  11 a.m.

WHERE: 2820 W. Michelangelo Dr.

Edinburg, TX 78539

###

About Driscoll: Driscoll is the premier healthcare provider for kids in South Texas. We are a nonprofit healthcare system that has served communities in the Lone Star State since 1953. Today, Driscoll is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare system in the region, offering care at Driscoll Childrens Hospital in Corpus Christi and at specialty centers and clinics across South Texas. Soon, well open Driscoll Children's Hospital Rio Grande Valley, the first freestanding designated childrens hospital in the region. Our non-profit community-based health plan, Driscoll Health Plan, offers Texas families access to local physicians and other life-saving benefits.
PHILADELPHIA, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NBME, a leading medical assessment company, has recently appointed Christopher Feddock, MD, to Vice President of Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) in its Growth and Innovation division.

With a rich background in medical education, including admissions and curriculum development, Feddock brings a wealth of experience to the role. He will lead NBMEs collaborative efforts to advance competency-based assessmentan educational approach that focuses on evaluating whether medical students have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to perform clinical tasks effectively. This approach helps to ensure that future health care professionals are well-prepared to provide high-quality care to a diverse patient population.

Over the past several years, Chris has played a critical leadership role within the unit on several projects, Pamela Treves, NBME Senior Vice President of Growth and Innovation, said. His knowledge of NBME and physician perspective allow the Growth and Innovation division to continue the momentum of the innovation work underway.

Before joining NBME, Feddock held several positions at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine such as senior associate dean for medical student education, associate dean for curriculum, associate dean for internal medicine and internal medicine-pediatrics residency program director. Having taught clinical skills and worked through a wide range of positions in medical education, Feddock understands the environment and what tools are necessary to assess clinical skills effectively.

Ive had the good fortune of having multiple roles within medical education, Feddock said. I hope to bring the experience from those roles into this new position to make certain that were developing assessments and new products that not only meet the needs of the medical education community but also the patient community.

Feddock joined NBME in 2020 as the Executive Director of the Clinical Skills Evaluation Collaboration department where he was instrumental in responding to the challenges posed by the pandemic. He worked extensively with NBME during his tenure at the University of Kentucky, contributing to the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) program by writing questions for Steps 1, 2 and 3 as well as serving on the Management Committee and the International Foundations of Medicine (IFOM) Committee.

The opportunity to advance learner clinical skills on a national level drove me to join NBME, Feddock said. Our work to enhance clinical skill acquisition can support trainees in developing the skills necessary to provide patient care of the highest quality.

In his new position, Feddock would like to utilize his insights about medical education, supporting undergraduate and graduate medical education programs as they move towards a competency-based curriculum. He believes the ever-evolving work of the CBA department will play a crucial role in bringing in assessment expertise to help address the needs of medical schools and provide them with the tools necessary to give effective feedback and support their learners growth.

The CBA team recognizes that physicians serve diverse patient populations, many of whom are not getting their needs met for a variety of different reasons. As I look at NBME and consider our role, we can help create a system that better prepares physicians to meet those needs, Feddock said.

Feddock received a bachelors degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, a Master of Science from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University. Feddock is licensed to practice medicine in Kentucky and is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Board of Pediatrics.

About NBME

NBME offers a versatile selection of high-quality assessments and educational services for students, professionals, educators and institutions dedicated to the evolving needs of medical education and health care. To serve these communities, NBME collaborates with a comprehensive array of professionals, including test developers, academic researchers, scoring experts, physicians, medical educators, state medical board members and public representatives.

Together with the Federation of State Medical Boards, NBME develops and manages the United States Medical Licensing Examination. In addition, NBME is committed to meeting the needs of educators and learners globally with assessment products and expert services such as Subject Examinations, Customized Assessment Services, Self-Assessments, International Foundations of Medicine and Item-Writing Workshops.

NBME also provides medical education funding and mentorship through the Latin America Grants Program, Stemmler Fund and Strategic Educators Enhancement Fund, which serve to advance assessment at educators and health professionals own institutions. Learn more about NBME at NBME.org.

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TORONTO, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Released today, a new report Illegal, Unlawful and Unethical: Case Studies of Patients Charged for Medical Care in Ontarios Private Clinics , featured evidence from more than a hundred patients about user fees being charged in Ontarios private clinics. The Health Coalition held press conferences to release the report with patients who have been charged hundreds or even thousands of dollars for access to care in for-profit clinics. Most of the patients are seniors on fixed incomes who were charged up to $8,000 or more for eye surgeries and tests, reported the Health Coalition. The fees impose significant financial strain, forcing one patient to go back to work at the age of 71 to pay the bill, and others to fall into debt, use up all their savings, borrow money or go without other needs.



The Coalition noted that when Premier Doug Ford announced his governments plan to privatize surgeries and diagnostics, he made a headline-grabbing promise that Ontarians would never have to pay with their credit card, only their OHIP card . His government also promised strong guardrails to protect patients from extra-billing and user fees. Those promises are belied by the reality of patient being charged user fees in private clinics, said Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra, who noted that not only were the guardrails performative, not real, the government actually widened the door to the privatization of vital health services with less checks and balances, and expanded user fees.

In response to patient complaints, the Coalition conducted a province-wide survey from February 5 to March 8. Of 231 patients surveyed, 120 patients were unlawfully charged by private clinics. In addition to the surveys, the Coalition obtained receipts and evidence to pull together eighteen more in-depth case studies to illustrate what is happening to patients.

The most common fees were related to eye surgeries in for-profit clinics. Patients reported that they were faced with charges ranging from $50 - $8,000 when they went in for cataract surgeries, as follows:

Patients were told they had to pay for medically needed surgeries that are, in fact, covered by OHIP.

Patients were told that if they didnt pay, they would face extreme wait times (most often two years ranging up to five years). In the report, the Coalition showed the actual wait times on the public website for wait times in every public hospital in Ontario. The highest priority patients are both seen by a specialist and receive their surgery within an average of three months. Even the lowest priority patients go from first referral to specialist to completion of surgery within seven months.

Patients were denied vital information about the effectiveness of OHIP-covered eye surgery to compel the patients to pay. OHIP provides for everything a patient actually needs related to all medically necessary eye surgeries. No patient needs to pay in order to get effective, quality care.

For-profit clinics charged patients for extra eye measurements, tests and special lenses, telling patients that these unnecessary add-ons were necessary, safer or better than OHIP-covered services for cataract surgery.

Patients reported that the private clinics co-mingled unnecessary services with necessary services in order to charge fees. Those patients were charged for these unnecessary services without discussion or were denied access to surgery if they did not pay out-of-pocket for add-ons.

In addition to cataract surgeries, patients reported being charged appointment, membership and administrative fees for primary care, as well as user fees for diagnostics and physician-ordered lab tests.

The Ford government is expanding privatization in the very for-profit clinics that are breaking our medicare protection laws, charging patients outrageous prices and manipulating them into paying for a burgeoning array of medically unnecessary things, warned Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition.

The Health Coalition has monitored the situation for decades. This widescale extra-billing and charging user fees to patients never happened before the for-profit clinics began to take over our public hospitals surgeries, and, in our experience, it has never been worse than it is now, she reported. Ontarians need to raise their voices in no uncertain terms and force the Ford government to stop privatizing the ownership and control of our public hospitals services.

Patient quotes:

Kate Armstrong, a small business owner in Toronto, was told by a surgeon in a private clinic that she would face an impossibly long wait and that the public hospital could not provide the upgraded lens, and thus was convinced to pay for extra tests and eye surgery at a private clinic: I feel that the close to $8,000 I am out of pocket shouldve been covered by OHIP. At no time ever was I told that any of this was covered under OHIP. This was not a cosmetic procedure. This was a necessity. I could not function without it.

Shalom Schachter in Toronto reports his experience at a for-profit clinic where he was recommended extra eye measurement tests and lenses. He ultimately paid $350 for the use of the diagnostic assessment machine, $190 for the lens for one eye and $575 for the lens for the other eye: I wanted to make an informed decision so I asked for documentation from the clinic supporting their claim that their private equipment would provide a better outcome. I was promised the information would come later that day by email. However, the only information forwarded was the same schedule of extra fees that I was given in their office. I wrote back asking for actual "scientific" explanations and received a response that they were not going to respond substantively to my inquiries and that if I was unsatisfied, I could find another ophthalmologist.

Maureen Monro in London reports that she was told she would have to wait two years unless she paid thousands of dollars for cataract surgery: I was informed the cost to receive the surgery would be almost $7,000. Being as I live alone, I did not want to lose my quality of life. Therefore, I paid the $7,000. Being a senior on a fixed income, I am still trying to catch up with bills from this surgery.

Mike Sutas wife was charged $3,000 for cataract surgery: The optometrist told her there was a two-year wait to get the surgery. However, he said that if she wanted to get done right away it would cost $3,000. She did not want to have headaches for the next two years, so she took her total life savings of $3,000 and said she was going to pay for it. When the optometrist called back, the appointment was made with the same surgeon that did the first operation in the hospital 4 years earlier and he now had a for-profit eye surgery clinic. My wife got the surgery done at the for-profit clinic and it cost $3,000 more than when it was done at the hospital. We have one question: who is supposed to protect us from such scams?
Washington, D.C., April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the New Civil Liberties Alliance launched a Complaint against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) challenging the agencys unconstitutional Consolidated Audit Trail. The CAT is the largest government-mandated mass collection of personal financial data in American history. Without any statutory authority, SEC is forcing brokers, exchanges, clearing agencies and alternative trading systems to capture and send detailed information on every investors trades in U.S. markets to a centralized database, which SEC and private regulators can access forever. NCLA is asking the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas to stop this unlawful, unprecedented seizure and mass surveillance scheme in its tracks.

Like thousands of other Americans, NCLA clients Erik Davidson, John Restivo and the National Center for Public Policy Research expected the government to respect their constitutional rights. Running roughshod over that sacred trust, SEC has seized their data in violation of Article I of the Constitution, the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth Amendment, and the First Amendments freedom of association and expression. SECs ultra vires action also violates the Administrative Procedure Act. NCLA is pleased to have the assistance of the Cherry Johnson Siegmund James PLLC firm in filing this lawsuit.

The CAT database would reportedly be the largest securities database ever created, and the most massive government database of any kind outside the National Security Agency (NSA), putting every Americans financial data and security at grave and needless risk from cybersecurity breaches. Amassing all such data in a single government database exponentially increases the likelihood and scope of a dire security breach imperiling the financial security of all Americans.

Congress never authorized SEC to set up such a data collection and surveillance system. By doing so anyway, SEC seizes legislative power, clearly violating Article I of the Constitution, which vests Congress with all lawmaking authority. SEC funds its CAT scheme by unilaterally taking billions of dollars from self-regulatory organizations like the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and other self-regulatory organizations (SROs). This self-appropriation of billions of dollars constitutes taxation without representation and brazenly ignores the Constitution and statutes that reserve tax and appropriations powers to Congress alone. Agencies have no power to fund new programs by raising billions from self-regulatory organizations under their regulatory thumb.

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has called the CAT system a dangerous dog, pointing out that Americans would never tolerate government organizations partnered with private firms to collect complete information on everything they buy or give government a direct feed of movements from their cars GPS systems. Yet the CAT proposes to do just that by commandeering SROs and thereby forcing all investors to turn over to the government the far more valuableand vulnerableset of information about their investments and retirement savings.

NCLA released the following statements:

SECs CAT has no precedent in history. By seizing all financial data from all Americans who trade in the American exchanges, SEC arrogates surveillance powers and appropriates billions of dollars without a shred of Congressional authorityall while putting Americans savings and investments at grave and perpetual risk. The Founders provided rock-solid protections in our Constitution to prevent just these autocratic and dangerous actions. This CAT must be ripped out, root and branch.

 Peggy Little, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA

To create the Consolidated Audit Trail, the SEC has mowed down venerable constitutional safeguards that shield citizens private information from the government. This new database tracks investments made by more than 100 million private citizens who have done nothing wrongcitizens who want to invest to buy a house, pay for their childrens education, or save for retirement. Its no surprise that Congress never authorized any of this. In this lawsuit, we ask the Court to put a stop to it.

 Andrew Morris, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA

The CAT is just the latest example of an agency run amok, claiming power to do something that Congress never bestowed. The Major Questions Doctrine was tailor-made to take down unauthorized agency actions like this.

 Mark Chenoweth, President, NCLA

For more information visit the case page here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.

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HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Java Blend employees terminated by Java Blend earlier this year will be holding a public press conference and rally outside their flagship North St cafe on Sunday April 28.



WHAT : Press Conference and Rally to launch Java Blend boycott campaign

WHEN : Sunday April 28, 2024 @ 1 pm

WHERE : Java Blend Cafe at 6027 North St., Halifax

At the rally, terminated workers with several community leaders are expected to announce a boycott of all Java Blend businesses and their products until a signed collective-agreement is reached.

To avoid a boycott, SEIU Local 2 says Java Blend needs to drop its frivolous objections, come to the bargaining table, and reach a fair agreement.

BACKGROUND

Nine Java Blend employees, including the four leaders of a union drive, were illegally terminated on January 23 according to an Unfair Labour Practice complaint filed by the Service Employees International Union. The employers conduct has all the hallmarks of an orchestrated campaign of retaliation aimed at crushing workers rights, according to the complaint.

For more information please visit www.seiulocal2.ca/java-blend-illegally-terminated-union-supporters-according-to-legal-complaint/

SEIU Local 2 represents 20,000 workers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. We are proud members of the largest, fastest growing and most dynamic union in North America.

Media Contact

Tina Oh | 902-955-9966

toh@seiulocal2.ca
Belleville, Illinois, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The number of Americans with Parkinsons disease (PD) continues to increase, highlighting the importance of financial supports for individuals during Parkinsons Awareness Month in April, according to Allsup, a leading provider of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) representation, return to work and veterans disability appeals services. This month-long observance shines a spotlight on the challenges faced by nearly 1 million people in the U.S., a number expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030, according to the Parkinsons Foundation. PD is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimers disease. According to the World Health Organization, PD is a progressive disorder that affects over 10 million people worldwide characterized by movement issues, tremors, stiffness and related symptoms that lead to disability and care needs.

Individuals can experience onset of Parkinsons disease in their 40s and 50s, which means its important to understand their financial options, including applying for Social Security disability benefits if they must stop working, said T.J. Geist, Principal Advocate at Allsup. Young onset is defined as individuals who receive a PD diagnosis before age 50. The annual economic impact of Parkinsons disease on patients, families, and the U.S. government is reported to be $51.9 billion, according to research from The Michael J. Fox Foundation. This highlights the substantial financial burden of the disease on both individuals and the wider economy.

For those living with Parkinsons disease, Allsup provides support by navigating the SSDI application process, aiming to ensure individuals receive the benefits and assistance they rightfully need, as timely as possible. SSDI benefits are a key support for individuals navigating the path to medical stability, Geist said. Through its exclusive Disability Financial Solutions , Allsup offers specialized assistance to its customers, including patients with Parkinsons disease, underscoring the critical role of financial resources in their treatment journey.

Innovations in PD research offer new paths for understanding and treatment. Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that the protein alpha-synuclein plays a significant role in the progression of PD, opening potential avenues for slowing or halting the diseases advancement. Furthermore, The Michael J. Fox Foundations development of a spinal fluid test that accurately detects Parkinsons before symptom onset marks a significant leap forward in early intervention and personalized medicine. This test, which examines spinal fluid for Parkinson's pathology with over 90% accuracy, is a major step forward in understanding and treating Parkinson's more effectively, promising to revolutionize both research and patient care.

These insights are crucial in shaping both medical treatment and financial strategies for individuals with Parkinsons disease. Medical diagnosis and treatment is important because of the medical documentation that is required for SSDI benefits approval, Geist explained. Our Allsup professionals and claimants have seen incredible advances in medical treatment over the years, and these trends are important for individuals who are facing important decisions about their healthcare, choices about continuing to work, and planning for their financial futures.

The unveiling of groundbreaking studies heralds new avenues for understanding the disease and innovative treatments, spearheading a hopeful era in Parkinsons care. Additionally, the importance of a supportive network cannot be overstated; for those diagnosed under 50 years of age, organizations like the Young Onset Parkinsons Network (YOPN ) play a crucial role in connecting individuals with young onset Parkinsons disease (YOPD) to resources, community and support, emphasizing the collective journey towards managing and combating the disease.

For more information about applying for SSDI benefits, filing your appeal if you were denied, or to see if you are eligible, visit FileSSDI.Allsup.com or call 1-800-678-3276. Be sure to ask about our Disability Financial Solutions for SSDI customers. Allsup helps more claimants get approved at the applicant level than any other representative nationwide.

ABOUT YOPN

Young Onset Parkinsons Network is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) educational and charitable organization for those diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinsons Disease (YOPD) as well as the individuals related to and/or caring for those with the disease. The organization seeks to increase awareness of YOPD by providing information, resources, and services to help members strengthen their mind and body within a supportive community. Through its network, YOPN members have the holistic support needed not only to manage, but to thrive with this unexpected, early diagnosis. To learn more, visit www.yopnetwork.org.

ABOUT ALLSUP

Allsup and its subsidiaries provide nationwide Social Security disability, veterans disability appeal, disability financial solutions, return to work, and healthcare benefits services for individuals, their employers and insurance carriers. Allsup professionals deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. Founded in 1984, the company is based in Belleville, Illinois, near St. Louis. Learn more at Allsup.com and @Allsup or download a free PDF of Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance: Getting It Right The First Time.

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NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Sealed Air Corporation (Sealed Air or the Company) (NYSE: SEE). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether Sealed Air and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On April 3, 2024, Bleecker Street Research (Bleecker) presented the Company as a short idea at the Sohn Investment Conference in New York City stating, in part, that Sealed Air (SEE) is a disaster in motion: its entire business is facing extinction as customers move away from the thin-film plastics the company makes. Sealed Airs e-Commerce business has collapsed as Amazon has moved away from the single-use plastics, formerly ever present in its packaging.

On this news, Sharecares stock price fell $1.99 per share, or 5.56%, to close at $33.79 per share on April 3, 2024.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com .

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:
Cleveland, Ohio, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Compass Self Storage, a member of the Amsdell family of companies, proudly announces the opening of their brand new, state-of-the-art wine storage cellar, now available at their location at 50 Fredrick Small Road. Compass is also partnering with the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce to hold a grand opening ribbon cutting event on Thursday, April 18 at 11 am. All are welcome to visit and tour the beautifully constructed wine storage area and enjoy food and drink.

The high-end wine cellar was designed and built for wine enthusiasts and collectors, with specific humidity levels and a specialty room conditioning system that is supported by a back up generator. There are a variety of wine storage vault sizes, and all include free, electronic keyless entry access. The wine cellar has custom cabinets designed for maximum capacity, with separate and secure access for each customer. Compass also offers wine racks to help maximize the storage space.

This Compass Self Storage location in Jupiter, Florida has been the recipient of the prestigious Facility of the Year award, presented by the Mini Storage Messenger (now called Modern Storage Media) which honors the best-in-class storage centers in various categories each year. This location also offers drive up units, indoor climate controlled units, keyless entry smart locks and a variety of unit sizes.

We are thrilled to expand our offering at our Jupiter storage center, stated Todd Amsdell, President and CEO. We believe offering this convenient, secure and climate controlled wine cellar storage option will fill a need for area residential and business customers, he said.

Compass Self Storage offers a full line of moving and packing supplies, as well as moving service options. Compass Self Storage strives to make the storage experience streamlined and stress free by employing knowledgeable team members who help guide the customer through the entire process. Compass Self Storage has over 100 locations nationwide.

The above-mentioned development was completed by separate affiliates of Amsdell Group, LLC and Compass Self Storage, LLC. The Amsdell family of companies (Amsdell Companies) is headquartered in Cleveland, OH. Amsdell draws its roots from the family owned construction company founded in 1928 and has since been active in several billions of dollars worth of real estate ventures with a primary focus on self storage. As industry pioneers, Amsdell has owned and operated over 500 storage centers under various trade names in over 27 states. With over 85 years of doing business, the Amsdell team has extensive experience in property acquisition, construction and property management. Please visit www.amsdellcompanies.com and www.compassselfstorage.com for more information.

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RAPID CITY, S.D., April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) will hold its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. MDT at 7001 Mount Rushmore Road, Rapid City, South Dakota. Attendees have the option to attend the meeting in person or they can listen to the meeting by dialing in via telephone.



Shareholders will be able to access audio of the meeting by dialing 605-782-9484 and entering the passcode 604 530 619#. The presentation for the meeting will be available on the Black Hills Corp. website at www.blackhillscorp.com under Investor Relations in the Events and Presentations section prior to the meeting.

Black Hills Corporation

Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.34 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.

Investor Relations

Jerome E. Nichols

605-721-1171

jerome.nichols@blackhillscorp.com

24-Hour Media Relations Line

888-242-3969
OTTAWA, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While Canadas unions welcome tax fairness measures, investments in housing and the new National School Food Program, Budget 2024 lacks the ambition needed to deliver results for working people. Workers are being squeezed by a cost-of-living crisis and bolder investments are required to provide relief and counteract out-of-control corporate greed.

"We appreciate moves to increase taxes on the wealthiest Canadians and profitable corporations, and investments in housing and school meals will help families in need. However, the sky-high price of groceries and essentials continue to stretch household budgets, and much more ambitious action is needed to make life affordable," said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. Amidst rising unemployment, the government's failure to fix our broken Employment Insurance system, its inability to respond to health workers low pay and overwork, inaction to invest in a full universal pharmacare system, and the lack of support for migrant workers are disappointing.

The School Food Program will feed 400,000 more students every year, including many from racialized, Indigenous, and low-income families. Budget 2024 also reflects progress made through the federal government's agreement with Canadas New Democrats, including investments in housing affordability.

However, more action is necessary to tackle the housing crisis. The government must get back to building public housing, address the financialization of housing, and take action to make renting more affordable.

We are concerned by plans to incentivize pension investments that could lead to privatization. Every worker deserves financial security in retirement; the government must strengthen public pensions and do more to ensure every worker has access to a decent workplace pension  pensions should not be used to expand privatization.

Furthermore, the proposed cuts to public sector jobs are alarming. Canadas unions will fight to ensure these cuts do not impact workers or the services that Canadians rely on. Public spending must prioritize the workers and families who drive our economy, emphasized Bruske. That means investing in public services and investing in people.

Investments in the Canada Disability Benefit are a good first step; however much greater levels of support are required to support people with disabilities across Canada.

While we welcome funding for childcare spaces and plans for a sectoral table on the care economy, the lack of investment to address the health crisis is concerning. Bruske added, Decades of cuts, the health workforce crisis, and creeping privatization mean our care systemand the workers holding it togetherare stretched to the limits. We need investments to ensure our loved ones can access the care they need.

Budget 2024 provided improvements to our tax system by increasing the capital gains tax, but greater ambition is needed on tax fairness to not leave revenue on the table, said Bruske. With figures like Pierre Poilievre siding with bosses and promoting false solutions, it's crucial for the government to step up. We need bolder action to tackle corporate greed and fund support for struggling families.

To arrange an interview, please contact:

CLC Media Relations

media@clcctc.ca

613-526-7426




REDMOND, Wash., April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pattern Computer, Inc. (Pattern or the Company) today announced that Mark R. Anderson, Chairman and CEO, will be presenting at the LSX World Congress which will take place in London, UK on April 29-30, 2024, at the Business Design Center. Pattern will be announcing new drug patent filings and test results addressing the worlds top five cancers, and exciting new test results for its real-time screening device, ProSpectral.



LSX World Congress is the leading partnering, strategy, and investment event in Europe, with a strong focus on one-to-one partnering. The event brings together the CEOs and senior decision makers from the worlds most innovative biopharma, medtech and healthtech companies with investors, senior BD&L teams, R&D leaders, and industry KOLs. Together, they share best practices, and forge partnerships and investments  all geared to putting capital and ideas to work to help create the worlds future medicines and improve patient outcomes.

For additional information on Pattern or to meet with the Company during the conference, please contact Patterns Executive Vice President of Special Projects, Denyse Hudson, at denyse@patterncomputer.com.

Pattern is a pioneer in finding novel patterns in complex data that cannot be discovered using other techniques or tools, commented Mr. Anderson. The speed of AI innovation is accelerating and is rapidly emerging as a strategic imperative. Pattern is optimally positioned to leverage the expertise of our Pattern Discovery Engine (PDE) into the next worlds of trustworthy, transparent computing. Since its founding, Pattern has been on a strategic path with a roadmap largely focused on building our PDE and using it to generate high-value assets, which we are now at an inflection point to commercialize. These assets include and are not limited to: combination cancer drug discoveries and diagnostic advances against the worlds top five cancers, in which we are looking to partner with firms to bring these drugs into clinical trials; the Pattern Discovery Engine; ProSpectral, a game-changing medical diagnostic tool and research instrument; and TrueXAI. Mr. Anderson concluded, These products have already led to major new pattern discoveries in the most competitive and important fields of endeavor. With continued innovation and collaboration, we can create a better future for everyone.

About Pattern

Pattern Computer, Inc. uses its Pattern Discovery Engine to solve the most important and intractable problems in business and medicine. These proprietary mathematical techniques in advanced AI can find complex patterns in very-high-order data that have eluded detection by much larger systems. As the Company applies its computational platform to the challenging fields of drug discovery and diagnostics, it is also making major Pattern Discoveries for partners in other sectors, including extended biotech, materials science, aerospace manufacturing quality control, veterinary medicine, air traffic operations, and energy services. See www.patterncomputer.com.

CONTACT: Laura Guerrant-Oiye (808) 960-2642  laura@patterncomputer.com

The foregoing contains statements about Pattern Computers future that are not statements of historical fact. These statements are forward looking statements for purposes of applicable securities laws and are based on current information and/or managements good faith belief as to future events. The words believe, expect, anticipate, project, should, could, will, and similar expressions signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risk and uncertainties, which change over time, and actual performance could differ materially from that anticipated by any forward-looking statements. Pattern Computer undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Copyright  2024 Pattern Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved. Pattern Computer, Inc., Pattern Discovery Engine, PatternBio, TrueXAI, and ProSpectral are trademarks of Pattern Computer Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.
CALGARY, April 16, 2024 - TVI Pacific Inc. (TSXV: TVI) (OTC Pink: TVIPF) ("TVI" or "the Company") announces that pursuant to the terms and conditions of unsecured interest-bearing promissory notes (the "Notes") issued by TVI, Prime Resources Holdings, Inc. (the "Lender") has advanced loans in the principal amounts of $171,732.00 and $71,196.00, respectively, for aggregate proceeds of $242,928.00 to fund certain accrued expenses of the Company (collectively, the "Loans"). Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, outstanding indebtedness under the Notes accrue interest at prime plus 2.0% per annum and, subject to certain acceleration events, mature in October 2025.

The Lender is a "related party" of the Company, and entering into the Notes and matters relating thereto are considered to be "related party transactions" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") requiring the Company, in the absence of exemptions, to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval, of the related party transactions.

Pursuant to Sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(f) of MI 61-101, the Company relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder requirements, respectively, as, in addition to no securities of the Company being listed or quoted on certain specified exchanges, the Loans are non-convertible loans obtained on reasonable commercial terms that are not less advantageous to the Company than if the Loans were obtained from a person dealing at arm's length and not repayable, directly or indirectly, in equity or voting securities of the Company or a subsidiary.

The Loans were approved by the independent directors of the Company (the "Independent Directors"), being all directors other than Messrs. Clifford James, Manual Paolo Villar, and Michael Regino. To the knowledge of the Company, there is no material information concerning the Company or its securities that has not been generally disclosed. No special committee of the Independent Directors was established in connection with the Loans as all of the Independent Directors were engaged in respect of the Loans and no materially contrary view or abstention was expressed or made by any director of the Company in relation thereto.

Neither the Company nor any director or senior officer of the Company has knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, of any prior valuation in respect of the Company that relates to the subject matter of or is otherwise relevant to the Loans, which has been made in the 24 months prior to the date of this News Release. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closings of the Loans as the details of the Loans were not finalized until immediately prior to their respective issuance and the Company wished to close the transactions as soon as practicable for sound business reasons.

About TVI Pacific Inc.

TVI Pacific Inc. is a Canadian resource company focused on mining projects in the Philippines, one of the most prolifically mineralized countries in the world. TVI maintains a strong presence in the Philippines through its 30.66% equity interest in TVIRD, a Philippines corporation. Through TVIRD, TVI has ownership in TVIRD's 100%-owned Balabag gold/silver mine, a currently producing mine, and is focused on ramping-up to commercial production at TVIRD's recently restarted 100%-owned Siana gold mine. TVIRD also has in its portfolio of projects its 100%-owned Mapawa project (gold), a 60% indirect interest in the Mabilo project (a copper-gold-iron skarn deposit that offers potential for multi-metal products, namely copper, gold and silver, with by-products magnetite and pyrite), and a 60% interest in Agata Mining Ventures Inc. (nickel/iron DSO mine).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information set out in this News Release constitutes forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "scheduled", "to be", "will be" and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this News Release are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company and, in certain cases, information supplied by third parties as at the effective date of such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions and that information received from third parties is reliable, it can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct.

Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties (known and unknown) that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, such things as changes in general economic conditions in the Philippines and elsewhere; litigation, legislative, environmental, and other judicial, regulatory, political, and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive Board, shareholder, or regulatory approvals; those additional risks set out in TVI's public documents filed on SEDAR+; and other matters discussed in News Release. Forward-looking statements in this News Release include, but are not limited to, TVI's use of proceeds from the Notes.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance upon the forward-looking statements contained in this News Release and such forward-looking statements should not be interpreted or regarded as guarantees of future outcomes.

Various risks to which the Company is exposed in the conduct of its business (including mining activities) are described in detail in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed on SEDAR+ on May 15, 2023, and is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws in force in Canada. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this News Release.

SOURCE TVI Pacific Inc.
Vancouver, April 16, 2024 - 79 Resources Ltd. - (CSE:SNR) - (" 79 Resources " or the "Corporation" or the "Issuer") reports that it intends to seek capital by way of a non-brokered financing described herein.

Common Share Unit Financing

The Corporation intends to conduct a non-brokered common share unit financing (the "Financing") consisting of up to 2,000,000 common share units (the "Units") to be issued at a price of $0.05 per Unit.

Each Unit shall consist of one common share of the Corporation (a "Unit Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") that entitles the holder of a Warrant, upon further payment to the Corporation, to acquire one additional common share of the Corporation (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.05 per Warrant Share on any date prior to the date which is 60 months following the closing date of the Financing, or tranche thereunder.

79 Resources plans to use the proceeds of the Financing for working capital purposes.

Additional Important Information

To the extent there is a successful closing of the Financing or tranche thereof, 79 Resources may pay a 6% cash finder's fee on certain subscriptions under the Financing, which excludes cash finder's fees on subscriptions by Insiders (as that term is defined by securities laws) who may in turn participate for greater than 25% of the Financing.

If completed, either in part or in whole, the Financing will be subject to all applicable regulatory approvals and customary four-month hold periods on securities issued thereunder (as pursuant to applicable securities laws of Canada).

The Corporation requires working capital to remain a going-concern (see also "Risks and Uncertainties" sections of the Corporation's financial reports available on SEDAR+)

Without limitation, in the absence of securing both immediate as well as future capital of material amount, the Corporation, by reference to its current early-stage, non-revenue producing state, anticipates that it may not be able to remain a going-concern and/or to be able to sustain or rationalize a public listing (see also "Risks and Uncertainties" sections of the Corporation's financial reports available on SEDAR+).

The Corporation cautions that there is no assurance that it will be able to source funds and/or complete the Financing, in part or in whole.

About 79 Resources Ltd.

79 Resources is a Vancouver-based junior mining exploration company. Traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol SNR, the Corporation seeks to acquire, explore and develop mineral exploration projects. 79 Resources currently holds the Five Point Copper-Gold Project in British Columbia and the North Preston Uranium Project in Saskatchewan. For additional information, please visit www.79resources.com.

The Corporation is subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those risks and uncertainties set out in public filings made by the Issuer, such public filings and other important disclosures available through SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Corporation's Disclosure Hall on the CSE (https://thecse.com/listings/79-resources-ltd/#disclosure).

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Ryan Kalt

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Email: info@79resources.com

Tel: 604.687.2038

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words "anticipate," "expect," "suggest," "plan," "believe," "intend,", "intention" "estimate," "target," "project," "should," "could," "would," "may," "will," "forecast" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the number of Units issued, if any, under the Financing and the closing, if any, of the Financing, as well as the Corporation's ability to sustain itself as a going-concern and/or a publicly listed entity. Actual results may differ materially from those currently expected or forecast in such statements.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.


Porsche waiting for Vettel's comeback decision

Sebastian Vettel has left Porsche waiting for his decision about returning to premier motor racing.

Sebastian Vettel, Brazilian GP 2022

 Aston Martin Racing

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, with a cockpit still to fill for 2025, recently admitted the retired quadruple world champion is currently flirting with a comeback.

However, Red Bull ruled out a reunion with the 36-year-old German, while the major German newspaper Bild claims Wolff does not regard Vettel as a real contender to replace Lewis Hamilton next year.

Sebastian Vettel has expressed his interest in a Formula 1 comeback, writes Oliver Reuter in the Kolner Express newspaper, "but nobody wants him.

Despite free cockpits next season, the German cannot find a place.

However, there does seem to be a place for Vettel in the Porsche family, with the winner of 53-grands prix recently testing a Le Mans-ready Porsche hypercar.

But motorsport-total.com reports that Vettel is yet to get back to the German carmaker about his next move.

We have read in the media that he is in talks with several people, but we only know that he has not yet decided what he will do, said Urs Kuratle, director of Porsche factory racing.

We also do not know if he will appear with us again - or where or when. We will know in the coming weeks, he added.

Porsche recently delayed a planned announcement about the full driver lineup for Porsche's third hypercar entry at the fabled 24 hour race for 2024.

We always look at what is best for the team, said Kuratle. We have many good drivers.

(GMM)
Vergne hails Verstappen's Formula E backing

Former F1 driver Jean-Eric Vergne has hailed Max Verstappen's attitude towards the all-electric and often-derided motor racing series Formula E.

Max Verstappen, Japanese GP 2024

 Red Bull

Once positioning itself as a future competitor to Formula 1, Formula E is today filled with top carmakers but still criticised by many for lacking speed.

It's not a category I would like to drive in myself in the future, triple world champion Verstappen said.

He also slammed the recent city track in Tokyo, joking that the designer must have been drunk for designing a layout that included a proper jump .

"But I think from the driving and the racing, I always enjoy it because the talent in the series is very high and that makes it more exciting to watch.

A couple of my friends are driving in there as well, so I always keep an eye on it.

Indeed, as well as Vergne, there are several ex-F1 drivers on the Formula E grid, including series leader Pascal Wehrlein, Stoffel Vandoorne, and recent Alpha Tauri refugee, Nyck de Vries.

Speaking with Italy's Automoto, 33-year-old former Toro Rosso driver Vergne hailed Verstappen's knowledge about Formula E.

Some other drivers don't know what they are talking about, said the 33-year-old Frenchman. "Some just talk nonsense about Formula E.

"Verstappen watches all the races where possible and is friends with many of the Formula E drivers, so it's nice to get this comment from him.

Because of all the races he watches, and I know he watches everything, and all the races he does on the simulator, I think he understands quite well what we do with the cars, Vergne added.

I don't know if we are the most technical, but it is certainly true that I have more homework to do in Formula E than in the WEC or F1.

(GMM)
HMD Global is still releasing Nokia-branded phones, but the company is also working towards using its own brand for future devices. One such device will be the HMD Pulse, which can be seen in speculative renders by @OnLeaks.

The Pulse will allegedly have a 6.56 IPS LCD with HD+ resolution and slender bezels. Based on a previous leak, it will be powered by the Unisoc T606 chipset with 4/8GB of RAM and will run Android 14.



HMD Pulse in Blue (speculative renders)

This new leak reveals that the phone will have a 13MP camera on its back (with trendy AI features) and a 5,000mAh battery inside. This should be part of a trio with HMD Pulse+ and Pulse Pro also in the works.



HMD Pulse in Black (speculative renders)

Anyway, the HMD Pulse will be available in Blue, Black and Pink as can be seen in the renders. The design is close to previous Nokia-branded entries, look at the Nokia C32, for example.



HMD Pulse in Pink (speculative renders)

We may have to wait until July to see the Pulse series, though current expectations are for the new model to launch in India soon. There should be another trio coming too, the HMD Legend, Legend+ and Legend Pro. The HMD device roadmap suggests that both series are coming in July, alongside a Barbie-branded phone.

Source
These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales.
The Guam Waterworks Authority wants to gradually bump up employee pay, at a total cost of about $8.85 million annually, to compete with other employers that are luring away GWA staff.

Pay increases will be spread out over the next five years, if the Consolidated Commission on Utilities gives the approval.

Those increased staffing costs are factored into the significant water rate hikes GWA is seeking over the next five years.

Acting GWA General Manager Chris Budasi on Tuesday told members of the CCU that the pay bump is an urgent need for the utility.

CCU Commissioner Simon Sanchez spoke in favor of the plans.

If you dont have the expertise to run a good water and wastewater system, then you end up paying for that later, he said.

Qualified talent costs money, though he noted the need for that talent had to be balanced against the cost to ratepayers.

Commissioner Francis Santos asked GWA management to calculate the percentage increase to total personnel costs.

Referring to recent pay bumps for GovGuam, Santos said the benchmark has already been set.

Everybody thinks theyre gonna get a 22% raise, he said, but GWAs raises were based on market data.

A recent study found GWA employees are paid at the 5th market percentile, meaning they earn less than 95% of people who do the same work nationally, Budasi said.

GWA wants to bring pay up so that workers will land around the 50th market percentile, making more than about half the country, by fiscal 2029.

163 employees left

Budasi said GWA froze hiring for almost a year and a half back in March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop-off in tourism and, consequently, revenue for the waterworks authority.

Employee turnover has been increasing since then, Budasi said, and getting staffing numbers back up since then has been difficult in the tight job market.

GWAs employee turnover ratio went from 1.89% in fiscal 2020 to a projected 18.9% this fiscal year, data shared Tuesday shows.

Since fiscal 2021, 163 employees have separated from the waterworks authority for various reasons.

As of Tuesday, GWA had about 355 employees, Budasi said.

It is mainly due to the economic growth and the expansion of the military presence here. And the employees are being offered jobs and its primarily from the federal government and its contractors, he told the CCU.

Since fiscal 2021, a little over a quarter of the employees that left GWA went on to work for the federal government or a federal contractor, GWA data shows.

Cost of living has also escalated on Guam, between the pandemic and the buildup, and more and more skilled employees are going to the U.S. mainland for higher pay and lower cost of living, according to Budasi.

Relocation off-island accounted for almost 10% of staff losses at GWA since fiscal 2021.

Other major causes for staff departure are:

Retirement, 17%

Adverse action, 14.1%

Job in the government of Guam, 15.3%

High turnover has negative impacts on GWAs operations, according to Budasi. Besides the loss of institutional knowledge, new hires require extensive training before they actually become productive and are no longer considered a safety risk.

GWA also has to pay more money for overtime when people quit, he said.

Costs to ratepayers

If approved, the first leg of the series of pay increases will start in July, according to Budasi, and pay will be adjusted up until fiscal 2029, if funds are available.

Getting employees up to the 25th market percentile will cost GWA $1.85 million, and bringing them up further to the 35th market percentile will cost another $4.4 million.

The rest of the expense will be incurred bringing employees up to the 50th market percentile, bringing total additional costs for GWA to $8.85 million.

The utility wants to bring the staff level from the current 355 employees up to 410 by 2029, Budasi added.

Increases are factored into the pending five-year financial plan GWA wants, which will be funding $900 million worth of water and wastewater system upgrades.

CCU Chairman Joey Duenas asked that GWA more regularly reach out to students in high school and college. Recruitment could also be expanded to Saipan, he noted.

Were going to need these workers, the utilities are in need (of) these workers. I think we all need to get together and say this is a good job, Duenas said.

Budasi responded that GWA is working with Guam Community College to reestablish an apprenticeship program. The utility is also working with the University of Guam to get more engineers, human resources, and information technology workers.




Haiti - NOTICE : The Embassy of Brazil partially resumes its services





The Brazil Visa Application Reception Center (CAVB) operated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Haiti informs the general public that the Brazil Embassy has partially resumed its services.



The Brazil Visa Application Center (CAVB) operated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Haiti informs the general public that the Brazilian Embassy has partially resumed its services in order to respond to emergencies that Brazilian nationals could meet in Haiti and handle certain cases.



However, there are no new visa files being processed at this time. As a result, the CAVB will not facilitate the submission of new files.



We will continue to assist remotely by telephone and analyze requests for family reunification.



Telephones : 2817 0320 / 3163 6075 / 3170 9307 / 4910 1117 and 3668 8490

Website : https://haiti.iom.int/bvac

Email : iomhaitivrf@iom.int

BVAC address : Rue E. Pierre, 11 (United States Embassy area). Tabarre 27, Port-au-Prince - Haiti



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Pirates : A boat carrying 1,500 bags of rice hijacked





Saturday April 13 in the evening, heavily armed individuals committed an act of piracy at sea, by hijacking near Arcahaie the ship Jevi Vle which was heading towards the island of La Gonave towards the old flour mill with on board 1,500 bags of rice



These pirates also kidnapped the 6 crew members. The information was confirmed by the authorities of the Maritime and Navigation Service of Haiti (SEMANAH)



This act of piracy at sea is the 2nd after that of April 4 when the cargo ship Magalie carrying a cargo of 60,000 bags of rice was attacked, vandalized and partially looted (10,000 bags stolen) before the ship was recaptured. 2 days later by special units of the PNH after several hours of intense fighting https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42065-haiti-flash-after-intense-fighting-the-pnh-regains-control-of-the-pirated-ship-magalie-video.html



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Agriculture : Start of construction of a 5 km irrigation canal in Malfety





Launch of construction work on an irrigation canal in Malfety (2nd communal section of Bayaha, Fort-Liberte) intended for the irrigation of 7,000 hectares of agricultural land.



This important agricultural infrastructure of approximately 5 km long, 1.5 m wide and 90 cm deep will run from Garate to the south of Malfety to Grande Saline to the north of the area concerned, should be completed within a year



Claude Louis, one of the engineers of this project, specified that the infrastructures already put in place under the presidency of Jovenel Moise for the construction of the Marion hydroelectric dam, including the reservoir of 10 million m3 of water with the capacity of Irrigating 10,000 hectares will greatly facilitate the realization of this project https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33620-haiti-politic-official-inauguration-of-the-marion-dam.html



Concerning the financing of this work, which has the support of regional agricultural organizations, as well as the Departmental Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture among others, the members of the committee in charge of the project encourage the solidarity of Haitians living abroad as well as residents of different regions of the country. Members of the diaspora have already responded to this appeal by donating 1,000 bags of cement and two tons of iron which will allow the work to begin.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33620-haiti-politic-official-inauguration-of-the-marion-dam.html



TB/ HaitiLibre


















Itll have an impact, in one form or another, in the future, he commented at a news conference organised after an extraordinary meeting of the president and the ministerial committee on foreign and security policy on Monday.

PRESIDENT Alexander Stubb on Monday estimated that Irans attack on Israel last weekend will have an impact on arms trade between Finland and Israel.

Israel in November signed an agreement to deliver an air defence system called Davids Sling to Finland.

The extraordinary meeting was called to discuss the drone and missile strike launched against Israel by Iran on Saturday, 13 April. Stubb said Finland was tipped off about the strike in advance, describing the sharing of such intelligence as common practice between allies.

Allies have a tendency to issue warnings about different situations, he stated.

Israel is presently debating how to respond to the attack. Although efforts to de-escalate the situation have been launched by regional stakeholders, China, the EU and the US, Stubb estimated that the situation poses a genuine risk of escalation. People in Finland, he added, have no need to worry.

We in Finland have no need to worry. We Finns will do our utmost to make sure that conflicts like this in other parts of the world are resolved, the president said.

Iran fired hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel on Sunday, opening a new dangerous chapter in decades-long enmity between the two countries. Most of the drones and missiles were successfully intercepted by Israel, some with the help of allies such as the US. Iran carried out the strike in retaliation of an Israeli air strike on the compound of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, on 1 April.

Finland has condemned the retaliatory strike strongly and emphasised the critical importance of de-escalation amid the tensions in the Middle East, according to a statement from the President of the Republic.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
This spring , Open House Helsinki invites the public once again to explore some of the citys most intriguing architectural sites that are typically closed to the general public. Due to the event's growing popularity, this years edition, running from May 16 to May 19, will feature extended durations and increased participant numbers for its tours, with themes focusing on reuse and urban planning.

Open House Helsinki provides a unique opportunity for city dwellers to engage with expertly designed spaces while discussing the intricacies of these sites with architects and specialists. Among the highlights for this year's tours are visits to the 2023 Finlandia Prize for Architecture winner, Daycare Martta Wendelini, noted for its innovative use of wood, and the recently renovated Helsinki-Vantaa Airport which underwent a decade-long development program. Additional significant tour sites include the largest church building in Helsinki, Lauttasaari Church, designed by Marja and Keijo Petaja, and the newly reopened Cultural House.

This year, free guided tours will also include the popular DTM nightclub at the Meatpacking District, among many other fascinating destinations. Registration for the public tours opens on April 23 at noon, with tours accommodating between twenty to fifty people each. Previous years have seen these tours booked out rapidly.

We have particularly focused on increasing the number of participants and tour availability this year, due to the high demand. The event is also extended by one day to include Thursday programming. I recommend acting quickly if you are interested in the tours, says producer Aapo Markkula from Openhouse ry, the organizing body.

The event continues last year's theme of reuse and expands it to include a focus on urban planning. Special guided walking tours will provide insights into the urban development of areas like Kruunuvuorenranta and Katajanokka, highlighting how different historical layers complement each other in urban settings.

Additionally, the Weekly Talks panel discussion will delve into the future of Helsinkis core areas, discussing the identity, appeal, and development of the city center. This event, in collaboration with Helsinki Design Weekly (Luovi Productions), will take place on May 18 at the Allas Sea Pool meeting space.

New this year, Open House Helsinki partners with Architecture and Design Days, offering theme tours in Vuosaari that preview topics from the upcoming ArkMuoto 2024 event.

For a detailed schedule and registration for the public tours, visitors can check the events website. This annual event not only opens doors to hidden architectural gems but also fosters a broader appreciation and dialogue about urban space and design in Helsinki.

HT
The maternity package, an established Finnish tradition, is available to all expectant mothers and can be chosen either as a physical box of goods or as a tax-free cash benefit of 170 euros.

About two-thirds of eligible recipients opt for the physical package, particularly favored by first-time mothers. Parents with older children or those who have previously received items from friends or family tend to choose the cash option, according to Veera Petaja, a planner at Kela.

Each year, the contents of the maternity package are carefully tested and selected through competitive bidding, ensuring they meet Finlands high standards for safety and practicality. Its crucial that all products are safe and durable. Zippers must not scratch the baby, and long threads that could potentially wrap around a babys fingers or toes are avoided. All seams and snaps are tested for durability, says Johanna Aholainen, a legal advisor at Kela.

The 2024 package features an assortment of clothes that can be passed down to other families as the baby grows, along with items designed to facilitate bonding and interaction between parent and child, including a book aimed at enhancing parental engagement.

This years package also introduces Satumetsa (Fairy Forest), a whimsical illustration theme designed by illustrator and graphic designer Heli Hypponen, which depicts various animal families living in their natural Finnish forest environments. The artwork was chosen through a public voting process and aims to bring joy and warmth to Finnish families. I am delighted to see my designs in this years maternity package. Inspired by diverse animal families in Finnish nature across different seasons, I hope the illustrations bring joy to every family, Hypponen remarks.

Kelas maternity package is not only a national treasure but also an example of Finlands commitment to supporting families through practical and thoughtful assistance from the very beginning of a childs life. The packages contents, regularly updated to reflect feedback and new safety standards, offer a blend of practicality and Finnish cultural heritage. The Satumetsa illustration will continue to grace the boxes in the coming year, adding a touch of Finnish nature to the lives of new parents.

HT
In a significant partnership, the John Nurminen Foundation, dedicated to the preservation of the Baltic Sea and its heritage for future generations, has been chosen as the charity partner for The Tall Ships Races Helsinki event.

The Tall Ships Races , an annual prestigious sailing event featuring large traditional sailing vessels, will anchor in Helsinki from July 4 to July 7, 2024. The event is expected to draw around 500,000 visitors and will take place on the Baltic Sea, with the city preparing to offer a stunning display of maritime heritage and community engagement.

This collaboration aims to raise awareness about the state of the Baltic Sea and promote its protection through fundraising opportunities for visitors and participating businesses.

"The Baltic Sea suffers from eutrophication, which is evident to us who travel its waters by the summer algal blooms. Through donations, our foundation can continue to reduce eutrophication and prevent biodiversity loss. It is wonderful that young people will act as messengers for the well-being of the Baltic Sea and the importance of the sea at the Tall Ships Races," stated Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt, CEO of the John Nurminen Foundation.

To foster youth education and international cooperation, Helsinki will sponsor one hundred young individuals to participate in the races. These young sailors will join the first two legs of the race, from Klaipeda to Helsinki and from Helsinki to Tallinn, regardless of their nationality, cultural background, religion, or social status.

"We are committed to acting responsibly, and our cooperation with the John Nurminen Foundation is one way we communicate about the condition of the Baltic Sea and its conservation. We also aim to influence the youth sailors and the crews of the vessels to understand the importance of protecting the Baltic Sea," said Marianne Saukkonen, the project manager of the event.

In July, over 50 spectacular tall ships with their crews will arrive in Helsinki, docking at South Harbor, Katajanokka, Canal Quay, North Quay, and the Market Square areas. The event promises a rich program that includes live music, speeches, and activities tailored for families with children, ensuring that The Tall Ships Races in Helsinki will be an enriching cultural and educational festival for all attendees.

HT
Energy healers and reiki experts often use crystals as part of their spiritual practices. These varied stones are believed to possess metaphysical properties and have long been used to attract positivity and dispel negative energy. In this article, we'll take a look at ten powerful stones for good luck according to experts: Ten powerful crystals to attract good luck and fortune

Green Jade

Green Jade is a coveted crystal to attract good luck and fortune. Associated with the heart chakra, this earthly stone has long been used, especially in ancient Chinese culture. As it symbolises a balance in feng shui, it is widely used in crystal healing.

Citrine

This vibrant yellow crystal symbolises happiness, success, and abundance. It instils a sense of fulfilment and boosts confidence. Citrine is often known as the Merchant's Stone due to its ability to attract fortune in trade and business.

Clear Quartz

Clear Quartz is a powerful stone which is famously dubbed as the Master Healer. It is used for various purposes, including energy healing, positive affirmations, visualization, and manifestation.

Carnelian

Since ancient Roman times, Carnelian is believed to provide courage, motivation, and vitality. Crystal experts hold this striking red stone in high regard due to its protective nature and grounding abilities.

Malachite

Recognised by its deep green hues with eccentric patterns, Malachite is often called the Stone of Transformation. Associated with the heart chakra, this crystal effectively dispels negativity and attracts luck.

Bloodstone

Bloodstone is famously used for protection against evil spirits and to manifest fortune. It brings clarity, increases awareness, and connects the wearer to their higher level of consciousness.

Lapis Lazuli

As a stone of spiritual growth and enlightenment, Lapis Lazuli's magical properties have been regarded since the ancient Egyptian era. Associated with the third eye and throat chakras, it attracts success and opens gateways to numerous opportunities.

Green Aventurine

Green Aventurine is widely known as the Stone of Opportunites. It attracts success, fortune, and good luck. It acts as a potent safeguard against career pitfalls. This vibrant stone symbolises positive change and renewal.

Pyrite

Often known as the Fool's Gold, Pyrite is a popular crystal for attracting wealth. This powerful stone symbolises abundance and allows you to manifest your dreams and aspirations.

Labradorite

This ethereal crystal acts as a protective barrier that shields you from negative forces, helping you to maintain a positive aura around you. It enhances willpower and gives the courage to take on the most difficult tasks. Its metaphysical properties make it the perfect tool for manifestation.
India 16th April 2024: Parul University, distinguished for its excellence in higher education, proudly introduces its esteemed M.Tech program, meticulously crafted by the renowned Faculty of Engineering. This program is intended to build future-ready engineers, equipping students not only with specialist knowledge but also the interpersonal skills required in today's ever-evolving professional landscape, making them industry-ready.

In the words of Dr. Devanshu Patel, President, Parul University, Our mission is to inspire excellence, empower minds, and cultivate innovation. We take pride in our alumni shaping industries globally, reflecting our commitment to fostering a future where knowledge, leadership, and impact redefine boundaries and propel society forward with unparalleled success.



Industry-Aligned M.Tech Specializations

Recognizing the importance of specialization in engineering, Parul University offers ten focused tracks aligned with industry demands. These specialized M.Tech programs encompass a variety of disciplines, including Construction Project Management, Information Technology, Internal Combustion & Automobiles, Power Systems, Production Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and CAD/CAM. Each program is meticulously designed to equip students with the specific skills and expertise required in today's dynamic professional environment.

These specializations are a direct response to the industrys call for professionals equipped with targeted knowledge and skills capable of steering the future of engineering towards sustainable and impactful solutions.

A Springboard for Aspiring Engineers

The universitys strategic collaboration with industry giants and its robust placement records stand as a testament to its dedication to student success. Parul University boasts an impressive placement record with over 24,000 students placed and over 2,200 recruiters, including leading names such as SiFive, ORAD, ZS, Code Nation, Growel, Asian Paints, Elmex, Infosys, Amazon, TCS, and Alembic. This serves as a gateway to prestigious job opportunities in the global market. The remarkable packages, with the highest going up to 30 LPA and an average of 8 LPA, reflect the quality and industry-readiness of Parul University's graduates.



The university's robust industry collaborations ensure that the curriculum remains relevant and aligned with the ever-evolving needs of the corporate world. This symbiotic relationship between academia and industry equips students with the skills and knowledge sought after by top employers.



State-of-the-Art Infrastructure

The Faculty of Engineering at Parul University is not just about advanced curricula but also about providing an environment that nurtures learning and innovation. With over 300 state-of-the-art engineering laboratories and workshops equipped with the latest technology, the university ensures that students can access the tools they need to translate their theoretical knowledge into practical, real-world applications.

Parul University invites ambitious engineers to be a part of this transformative journey. With a dedication to excellence, specialised programs tailored to industry needs, and a track record of successful placements, the university offers more than just an educationit offers a pathway to make a significant impact in the world of engineering and technology.



To get more information, please visit: https://paruluniversity.ac.in/

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India 15th April 2024 - Sri Balaji University, Pune (SBUP), a leading name in higher education, brings forward an MBA program designed to merge the fields of engineering and business management. The program, which is aimed at graduates with backgrounds in engineering and science, combines technical expertise with business acumen to produce skilled leaders capable of navigating today's complex business environment.

"With the ever-evolving business landscape, there's a mounting demand for professionals who not only excel in engineering principles but also possess strong business insights," said Dr. Biju Pillai, Sr. Director IT & Admissions Dean Faculty of Commerce and Management, Sri Balaji University, Pune. "Our MBA program aims to prepare students for leadership roles by enhancing their understanding of business operations and strategies.

Curriculum Synergy: Technical and Business Domains

The MBA curriculum at SBUP is a carefully structured program combining advanced engineering topics with fundamental business strategies. By focusing equally on specialized and broad-based business knowledge, the program prepares graduates to confront and solve multifaceted business dilemmas. The areas of concentration in this program include:

Technology Management

Data Science & Business Analytics

Digital Marketing & Business Analytics

Product Management & Business Analytics

Telecom & Business Analytics

Further, the curriculum leverages the analytical and problem-solving skills inherent in science and engineering graduates to create leaders who will be strategic contributors to the business world.

Industry Aligned Education

Engagement with real-world scenarios is pivotal. SBUP's industry-aligned education has translated into impressive outcomes, with alumni reaching a 100% placement rate and top salary packages averaging around INR 21.58 LPA.

Holistic Development and Career Advancement

The institution emphasizes the comprehensive development of its students, fostering soft skills critical for adapting to the ever-changing business landscape. SBUP ensures that graduates are not only skilled in technical and business disciplines but are also versatile and capable of leadership in various managerial roles.

This pioneering MBA program is a significant stride towards enabling science and engineering graduates to become the future-ready business leaders the industry demands. SBUP invites all aspiring students to embark on this journey to transcend boundaries and redefine the interface between technical and managerial domains.

Sri Balaji University, Pune, continues to surge beyond traditional boundaries, empowering students to unlock their potential by offering an education that harmonizes technical engineering acumen with the intricate demands of the modern business landscape.

To get more information, please visit: https://www.sbup.edu.in/

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Ajay and Vijay are two aspirants beginning their journey towards success in the UPSC Prelims Examination. Their dedication is evident as they invest significant hours in studying, revising, and staying updated with current affairs. However, in the end, their outcomes diverge, with Ajay successfully qualifying for the prelims exam while Vijay falls short.

The crucial difference lies in their approach to revision & practice. Ajay recognized the transformative power of revision with integration of mock tests in his study schedule.Whereas, plagued by the vice of procrastination, Vijay often postponed taking mock tests and prioritizing mechanical revision over rigorous practice, leading to a gap in his preparation.

This dichotomy highlights a vital lesson for all the aspirants preparing for the Civil Services Prelims Exam i.e the significance of actively engaging with mock tests during revision. We all embody aspects of both Ajay and Vijay in our UPSC preparation journey, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and strategic approach to succeed in this exam.

Strategies for Success: Bridging the Gap with Mock Tests

Consistent Practice

Consistency is key in UPSC preparation. As evident from Ajays success, regular practice through mock tests is essential in maintaining momentum, honing exam skills, and reinforcing knowledge across diverse exam topics.

Strategic Analysis

As exemplified by Vijay's gaps in his preparation, aspirants must actively engage in detailed analysis of mock test performances. Understanding areas of weakness and devising targeted improvement plans based on feedback are crucial for gradual progress in Civil Services Preliminary Exam preparation.

Time Management Refinement

Efficient time management is a non-negotiable skill for success in the UPSC Prelims Examination. By simulating exam conditions, aspirants can practice effective time allocation and optimize question-solving techniques and strategies.

Confidence Building

Confidence is the cornerstone of a successful exam attempt. Regular exposure to mock tests not only enhances knowledge but also instills a sense of self-belief and mental preparedness to face the exam with resilience. Confidence fills the void between preparation and failure.

The Road Ahead: Recommendations for Aspiring Civil Servants

Create a Structured Study Plan

It's important to strike a balance in preparation between General Studies and Current Affairs. Also, aspirants must develop a comprehensive study schedule that includes dedicated time for mock tests. Prioritize regular practice sessions to fortify grasp on diverse subjects and stay aligned with exam objectives.

Seek Mentorship

Seek guidance and feedback from experienced mentors to enhance your mock test performances. Their insights can provide valuable perspectives and tailored strategies for improvement not only in upcoming mock tests but also in the UPSC Prelims exam.

Embrace a Growth Mindset

Stay resilient in the face of setbacks and view challenges as opportunities for growth. Cultivate a growth mindset that fosters continuous learning, adaptability, and a positive outlook towards overcoming obstacles.

Realistic Simulation

To bridge the gap effectively, aspirants must strive to replicate real exam conditions during mock tests. This includes adhering to time limits, ignoring exam-time distractions, and maintaining a disciplined approach throughout the test.

Abhyaas Prelims 2024: Navigating the Path to Success

Abhyaas Prelims 2024, All India Prelims Mock Test Series is an indispensable opportunity for aspirants to assess prelims preparation and enhance their readiness for the final UPSC Prelims exam. The nationwide initiative is designed to simulate the UPSC Prelims-like environment covering the entire syllabus with GS and CSAT tests being conducted on the same date.

Abhyaas Prelims is held across 100+ cities in the country in the offline mode. The schedule of the tests i.e. 21st April, 12th May, and 26th May provides aspirants with sufficient time to assess, improve and master their preparation with following advantages.

All India Ranking: Offers a comparative analysis with peers nationwide, providing a realistic gauge of where aspirants stand in the larger competitive landscape.

Offers a comparative analysis with peers nationwide, providing a realistic gauge of where aspirants stand in the larger competitive landscape. Performance Analysis: Delivers both macro and micro insights, including difficulty level and questions nature wise, enabling a granular review of test-taking skills and knowledge application.

Delivers both macro and micro insights, including difficulty level and questions nature wise, enabling a granular review of test-taking skills and knowledge application. Live Test Discussion : Facilitates an interactive discussion post-test, allowing for immediate clarification of doubts and strategies for improvement.

: Facilitates an interactive discussion post-test, allowing for immediate clarification of doubts and strategies for improvement. Personalized Mentoring Support: Provides guidance and constructive feedback, focusing on individual strengths and weaknesses which enhances problem-solving skills, and thereby boosts confidence.

Therefore, as aspiring civil servants, it's crucial to create a structured study plan that includes regular mock tests, seek mentorship for personalized guidance, and embrace a growth mindset to overcome the last moment challenges. Abhyaas Prelims 2024 offers a comprehensive platform to assess, improve, and master your preparation, providing invaluable insights and support to navigate the path to success in the UPSC Prelims Examination.

Just as Ajay's strategic approach led to success while Vijay's lack of proper & timely practice resulted in setback, your dedication, and proactive engagement with mock tests will determine your readiness for the final exam. Embrace the opportunities presented by Abhyaas Prelims 2024 to refine your skills, enhance your confidence, and excel in your pursuit of becoming a civil servant.

Visit us at:

www.visionias.in/abhyaas

Or Call us at: 8468022022, 9019066066

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Castor wheels simplify moving heavy equipment in commercial and industrial applications by increasing mobility. All castor and wheel manufacturers worldwide continue to innovate their technologies and production materials to meet the growing demand for superior quality castor wheels globally.

But only the top manufacturers and exporters in the Indian castor market offer premium quality castor wheels with long lifespans for your unique requirements. Now the question is, which are the top 5 castor and wheel suppliers for industrial and commercial applications in India? Let us discuss this in the article below!

Muvall Castors & Wheels

The first company on our list is Muvall, led by Abhishek Jain, a leading castor wheel manufacturer and exporter from India, that uses the latest technology to engineer exceptional quality industrial wheels and castors.

Their obsession with engineering, quality control, and diversification processes leads them to have the best-integrated wheels & castors worldwide. With a wide range of wheel materials and research, Muvall has successfully made an enviable worldwide reputation for providing top-notch product quality and reliability. From automobiles and pallet truck rollers to warehouses, the company offers mobility to diverse industries and that too in various applications.

Muvall is a trusted partner that is not just known for its manufacturing plants but also for prompt deliveries, innovative solutions, and unmatched professionalism. The company makes peoples lives better and promotes genuine communication by providing exceptional mobility solutions and an unwavering commitment to ethical principles. Since Muvall prioritizes its customers in every decision, the company strives for excellence and continuously improves its products to win customer trust.

All the products in their facility are manufactured under strict quality control and supervision. That is why all their world-class products have a longer life and require minimal to no maintenance or replacement. This extensive industry knowledge and consistent product quality allow them to transform challenging tasks into user-friendly mobile jobs.

Muvall has manufactured and delivered millions of industrial castors and wheels in India for numerous applications and continues to offer noise-free castors that roll smoothly, turn effortlessly, and are easy to maintain.

Website: https://www.muvallcastors.com/

Head Office: #45, Gubbanna Industrial, Estate, VI Block, Rajajinagar, Bangalore- 560 010

Contact Number: + 91 9110667504

Email: sales@muvall.in

RKI Castors

Another best castors & trolley wheels manufacturer and exporter on our list is RKI castors. With three decades of experience, the company specializes in offering the largest range of castors ranging from 50 mm to 300 mm diameter and load carrying capacity from 50 Kgs to 10000 kgs.

Besides being a heavy duty castor wheel manufacturer and exporter in India, RKI Castors also offers a large range of Pressed Steel Castors and Stainless Steel Castors of grades 202 & 304. The company has a manufacturing facility in Gurgaon spread over 1000 sq ft and is well equipped with latest machinery, experienced engineers and qualified technicians.

In addition to their standard products, RKI Castors also offer customized solutions based on specific applications while ensuring all products are of top-notch quality and are cost-efficient. From material handling and heavy engineering industries to automobile and aviation sectors, RKI castor wheels are used by industries in many applications as they are made of high-quality PU, Nylon, Cast Iron, Rubber and other materials.

Website: https://www.rkicastors.in/

Head Office: Plot No 12-14-15, Gali No- 09, Kadipur Industrial Area, Pataudi Road, Gurgaon- 122001-(HR)-India

Contact Number: + 91 9891562007

Email: goldenudyog@gmail.com

Vijay Castor Wheel

Since 2005, Vijay Private Limited has been one of the best companies that manufactures and supplies castor wheels, trolley wheels, fiber trolley wheels and industrial castor wheels. The companys objective of manufacturing quality wheels in the industry has helped them gain demand from all over India.

Vijay Trolley & Castor Wheel keeps proximity and flexibility as their top priority to ensure smooth partnerships and cooperation with all their customers. The castors and wheels the company manufactures have long functional life and are abrasion-resistant. Furthermore, Vijay Castors mission is to promote the timely delivery of quality castor wheels at competitive prices while using new technology to ensure consistent customer service.

That is why the company always focuses on research and development to ensure they utilize safe and environment-friendly operations and improve the overall efficiency and performance of their products.

Website: https://vijaycastorwheel.com/

Head Office: Atika Dhebar Road (South), Nr. Kanta Gas Godown, Dhareshwar Estate, Rajkot- 360002 (Gujarat) India

Contact Number: + 91 97253 66689

Email: sales@vijaycastorwheel.com

Elesa Ganter

Elesa+Ganter is a worldwide sales joint venture that offers a wide range of standard machine elements for the mechanical industry. The company's highly reliable line of castors and wheels offer the best functionality and unique designs. This quality sets Elesa+Ganter apart from other top castor and wheel manufacturers and exporters in India.

The combination of manufacturing and materials of different components results in a wide range of versatile castors and wheels with specific characteristics that cater to all needs. Some castors of the Elesa+Ganter series include polyurethane wheels, technopolymer wheels, Duroplast wheels and rubber wheels.

These wheels are combined with fixed or turning plate brackets, with or without brakes. Overall, the two established mother companies (Elesa and Ganter) combine their technological background and decades of experience in designing and manufacturing the widest product range of technical solutions to a worldwide distribution network.

Website: https://www.elesa-ganter.in/en/ind

Head Office: A-54, Sector-83, 201305 (UP) Noida

Contact Number: + 91 120 4726666

Email: info@elesa-ganter.in

Muvtons

Founded in 1977 by Mr. Bhagwan Singh, Muvtons Castors is a mobility solution provider that has garnered immense loyalty and respect from customers around the globe. The company was established with a clear vision- to go beyond the ordinary and revolutionize the realm of wheels and castors.

Ever since its establishment, Muvtons has never stopped pursuing excellence in quality, manufacturing and performance. The company is still committed to its vision even today when it has grown to become an industry leader in castors and wheels.

Their diverse and robust product line of solutions with load bearing capacity from 100 kg to 50 tons caters to various needs. The best thing is that all Muvton products are engineered with the finest quality materials to ensure optimal performance.

Website: https://muvtons.in/

Head Office: C-40, Phase-II, G.B. Nagar, Noida-201305, Uttar Pradesh, (INDIA)

Contact Number: + 91 9810023617

Email: sales@muvtons.com

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, it would not be wrong to say that the castor wheel industry in India has demonstrated remarkable innovation. As a result, it has positioned itself as a major player in the global market, and the future of castor wheel manufacturing in India is undoubtedly promising. Companies like Muvall exemplify the best of what Indias castor and wheels industry has to offer.

Known for its reliable and high-quality products, Muvall is ready to meet the diverse needs of its customers with its wide range of castors and wheels. Whether the sector is healthcare, manufacturing or retail, Muvalls expertise and consistent quality ensure you receive the best customer service. So contact Muvall today to know how they can help you find the ideal castor wheel solutions for your specific needs!

List Curated by TIS India.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
Elon Musk is planning to charge new X (formerly Twitter) users a small fee to use the social media platform, a move that he believes could solve the bot problem. In reply to an X account that posted about changes on the microblogging website, Elon Musk said charging a small fee to new accounts was the only way to stop the onslaught of bots. Elon Musk arrives at the Tenth Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California.(AFP)

Current AI (and troll farms) can pass are you a bot with ease, he said, referring to tools like CAPTCHA. In a reply to another user, he added that new accounts would be able to post after three months of creation without paying a fee.

Elon Musk wrote, Unfortunately, a small fee for new user write access is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.

This is only for new users. They will be able to do write actions for free after 3 months, he added.

What changes now on X?

The change in policy was flagged by an automated account that tracks changes to Xs website. As per the account, the company experimented with charging a $1 annual subscription fee for users in the Philippines and New Zealand.

What will be new X users charged for?

The Not-a-Bot terms and conditions page was included in the changes as per which new accounts must pay a small annual fee before being able to post, like, bookmark or reply to other tweets.

What will remain free for new users on X?

New accounts will be able to follow other accounts and browse the platform for free.

How can this change help Elon Musk's company?

The new fee could help X at a time when the company continues to lose value. The social media giant shed at least 71% of its value since Elon Musk acquired it, Fidelity noted after dozens of advertisers pulled their spending from X last November. The company lost $1.5 billion in ad revenue in 2023, it was reported.
An affluent Jain couple from Gujarat- Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife- donated nearly 200 crore and adopted monkhood. The couple from Himmatnagar donated their entire wealth during a ceremony in February, committing to a life of renunciation at an event later this month. Their 9-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son adopted monkhood in 2022 which inspired the couple who owned a construction business to "renounce their material attachments and join the ascetic path". Gujarat businessman Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife are seen. (X/@T_Investor_)

The couple will sever all family ties and won't be allowed to keep any 'materialistic objects' as they take the monkhood pledge on April 22. As per Jain tradition, they will be allowed only two white garments, a bowl for alms and a "rajoharan"- a white broom to brush insects away from an area before they sit.

The couple, along with 35 others, took out a procession of four kilometres where they donated all their possessions. Videos of the procession showed the couple on a chariot donating their belongings including mobile phones and air conditioners.

Watch the video from the ceremony here:

In 2023, a multi-millionaire diamond merchant and his wife in Gujarat made a similar move after their 12-year-old son adopted monkhood.

In 2017, a couple from Madhya Pradesh- Sumit Rathore and his wife Anamika- donated 100 crore and left their three-year-old daughter with her grandparents to become monks.
Meta Platforms Inc. said it will shut down its Threads platform in Turkey in two weeks to comply with an order from local authorities concerned about data sharing. A Meta logo is seen. Threads will be unavailable from April 29. Meta described it as a temporary suspension.(Reuters)

The Turkish Competition Authority said last month that cross-platform data sharing between Threads and Instagram could violate Turkeys laws and cause irreparable damage.

Meta said it disagreed and would appeal. There is no impact to Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp or any other Meta services in Turkey, or Threads in other countries, it said.

Threads will be unavailable from April 29. Meta described it as a temporary suspension.

In March, Turkish authorities separately fined Meta 4.8 million liras ($148,000) daily until the company confirmed compliance measures. Those fines would apply from mid-December.

Metas abused its position by merging data from Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, and this hampers competitors, the competition authoritys board said.

Meta has faced problems with Threads in the European Union as well. Europeans have been given the option of signing up without linking their Instagram account. The Instagram link was a key point of contention in the EU, where new rules on digital platforms prevent major tech companies from sharing data across different services.
Mutual funds have been growing steadily over the years and as more and more retail investors jump on this bandwagon, things are set to improve further. However, considering the safety, risk and other factors, mutual funds have to reveal data across a number of parameters including valuation, liquidity, portfolio turnover and more. This applies to mid-cap and small-cap equity schemes and the date for that is the middle of the month - 15th. Notably, overall, there have been no alarming situations revealed in the latest results. Overall, there have been no alarming situations revealed in the latest mutual fund stress test results.(Image credit: Pexels)

In the 2nd batch of this stress test, some improvements were seen in the overall liquidity positions of small-cap funds. According to a MoneyControl report, it would take an average of 13.74 days as of March end to liquidate half of their schemes vis a vis 14.03 days in the previous month.

While this is the overall situation, on the basis of individual schemes, there is a big change in some.

Tata MF Small Cap Fund, which has a corpus of around 6,300 crore, the going was tough as its numbers indicated in the first-ever stress-test results. MoneyControl said, it would take 18 days for the scheme to sell 25 percent and 35 days to sell 50 percent of its portfolio.

In general, a scheme of this size was reported to take under 1/3rd of the time to liquidate half of the portfolio.

However, the latest data shows a massive positive change in this small cap indicating it would now take 29 days to liquidate 50 percent of its portfolio and 15 days to liquidate 25 percent.

Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund reported an improvement too. It said it would reach the 50 percent liquidation period for half its portfolio in 8 days from the earlier 14. At the same time, 25 percent liquidation mark would happen within 4 days now against the earlier 7.

MoneyControl quoted Nirav Karkera, Head of Research at Fisdom as saying, In the small-cap category, we haven't seen significant downward changes. Even the largest funds by AUM have only experienced a slight increase of two days to liquidate 50 percent and 25 percent of the portfolio.

Even more than that Karkera indicated that improved liquidity days were seen in seven small-cap funds for their 50 percent portfolios and out of those as many as 4 are in the top 10 AMCs.

Among the large-cap funds' results last time around, SBI MF took the longest to liquidate 50 percent of its SBI Small Cap Fund portfolio. Now, from 60 days it has improved to 58 days as inidicated by the latest numbers. The sale of 25 percent of its portfolio, it would take 29 days against the previous 30.

While this was an improvement, Nippon India Small Cap Fund and HDFC Small Cap Fund indicated they would now need 2 extra days to liquidate half of the portfolio. Previously, for Nippon India Small Cap Fund, it took 27 days. And for HDFC Small Cap Fund it took 44 days. Things have changed as per the latest results

HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund, the biggest in the segment, would take 24 days against 23 days earlier to liquidate 50 percent of the portfolio.

On the other hand, Kotak Emerging Equity Fund would take 30 days against the previous 34 and Axis Midcap Fund would take 10 days against the previous 12.
Sensex crash today: The Indian stock market extended losses for the third straight session today (April 16) as Nifty 50 index opened lower at 22,125 level and touched an intraday low of 22,103 mark, losing almost 650 points in three days. BSE Sensex opened lower at 72,892 and went on to touch an intraday low of 72,814 mark, losing around 2,184 points in three sessions. Bank Nifty today opened at the 47,436 level and went on to touch today's low of 47,316 as well. Sensex Crash today: People look at a screen displaying the Sensex results on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai.(Reuters)

How much have stock markets lost in three sessions?

In the last three sessions, Nifty 50 index crashed nearly 650 points, BSE Sensex lost around 2,200 points and Bank Nifty index fell 2,700 points. Meanwhile, small-cap index is up nearly one percent and mid-cap index is up around 0.40 percent.

Iran-Israel conflict reason for Sensex crash?

Escalating tension in the Middle East due to the Israel-Iran conflict is one of the reasons for the stock market fall as the situation has resulted in geopolitical uncertainty in the region.

How are global markets doing?

Broad selling was seen across global bourses as the US stock market ended lower on Friday and on Monday, Asian markets like Nikkei, Hang Seng, Kospi traded under significant pressure.

Could this be a crude oil price effect?

Yes, crude oil prices have surged to the six-month high in domestic and international markets rising almost 6 per cent in March 2024 and 3 per cent in April till now.
Tesla's senior vice president Drew Baglino resigned from the company in the midst of the carmakers largest-ever round of job cuts. Slowing electric-vehicle demand forced the company to reduce its global headcount by more than 10% resulting in as much as 20% job cuts in some divisions. Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk gets in a Tesla car as he leaves a hotel in Beijing, China.(Reuters)

Who is Drew Baglino and why has he resigned?

Drew Baglino has been one of just four named executive officers at Tesla. He was leading engineering and technology development for the company's batteries, motors and energy products, Bloomberg reported. With an experience of 18 years, Drew Baglino has even co-hosted earnings calls and shared the stage with Elon Musk at multiple events, including Teslas investor day last year.

Elon Musks biographer, Walter Isaacson, described Drew Baglino as a personable engineer and recounted a tense first meeting the executive had with the CEO.

I never want to be in another meeting with Elon, Walter Isaacson quoted Drew Baglino saying to Tesla co-founder J.B. Straubel.

Have more top executives resigned from Tesla?

Rohan Patel, Tesla's vice president of public policy and business development has also resigned, he said on social media. In August last year, Zachary Kirkhorn stepped down as CFO after 13 years with Tesla.

Why are job cuts happening at Tesla?

Elon Musk announced decision to cut headcount by potentially more than 14,000 people globally. In an email to staff, citing duplication of roles and the need to reduce costs, he said, As we prepare the company for our next phase of growth, it is extremely important to look at every aspect of the company for cost reductions and increasing productivity. There is nothing I hate more, but it must be done.

Over the years, we have grown rapidly with multiple factories scaling around the globe. With this rapid growth there has been duplication of roles and job functions in certain areas," he added.
Tesla's global job cuts include reducing staff in the U.S. and China, the automakers' two biggest markets, across sales, tech, and engineering, five sources briefed on the matter said. Tesla layoffs: Elon Musk attends the Breakthrough Prize awards in Los Angeles, California, US.(Reuters)

CEO Elon Musk on Monday told staff in an internal memo seen by Reuters that the company is laying off more than 10% of its global workforce, as it grapples with falling sales and an intensifying price war for electric vehicles.

Several U.S.-based service centres saw heavy layoffs effective immediately, primarily of sales staff and technicians, one source said. Another location laid off all front-of-house staff, the source said.

A Tesla programme manager in California posted a spreadsheet on LinkedIn of over 140 staff, mostly engineers, who had been laid off and were seeking new jobs.

Two sources said members of Tesla's China sales team were being notified they were being made redundant, with one saying more than 10% were losing their jobs.

A third source said that in Shanghai, where Tesla's largest plant is located, the company will only lay off a small proportion of staff, amounting to "several dozen" people.

Tesla's U.S. headquarters and its China unit did not immediately respond to requests for comment. All the sources declined to be named as they were not permitted to speak to media.

The Shanghai and Beijing local governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Tesla Germany refuted reports in German media that 3,000 of the carmaker's roughly 12,000 staff had been fired, and said it was evaluating how to implement Musk's orders at the plant.

"We will pursue the measure for Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg against the background of all labour law and co-determination requirements, bringing in the works council," Tesla Germany said on Tuesday in an e-mailed statement to Reuters, adding no workers had been notified yet.

German union IG Metall on Monday said that Tesla had not informed or consulted the works council, as is customary in Germany, prior to emailing all staff.

While German labour law has strict rules on firing staff, around 1,000 workers at the plant are on temporary contracts, according to a source with knowledge of the matter, leaving them more vulnerable to dismissal.

Tesla faces increasing competition in China in a fierce price war with rivals led by BYD, slowing sales in the United States, as well high investment costs in new models and artificial intelligence.

Global vehicle deliveries in the first quarter fell for the first time in nearly four years, as price cuts failed to stir demand.
The BJP believes in winning hearts which will ultimately lead to the lotus, the BJPs poll symbol, blooming across the Kashmir Valley, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday, rejecting the rival parties charge that the saffron party was interested in the land of Kashmir than the welfare of its people. Union home minister Amit Shah addressing a BJP rally ahead of Lok Sabha elections in Jammu, on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Reaching out to youngsters of Kashmir, Shah said: I want to clear the misgivings being created among Kashmiri youths that the BJP wants to take the land of Kashmir by force. The BJP is not among those who occupy land by force but believes in winning the hearts of people.

He was addressing an election rally in Jammu in support of BJP candidate Jugal Kishore, who is seeking re-election for his third term from the parliamentary constituency.

Shah said the BJP is in no hurry as it knows that the lotus will bloom on its own in the Valley with the love of people.

Union home minister Amit Shah flanked by J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina and party candidate Jugal Kishore Sharma at the rally in Jammu on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Takes on NC, PDP, Congress

He slammed the Congress, the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party for being responsible for fake encounters and incidents of firing on youngsters in the Valley. But the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, restored peace and ensured development after the abrogation of Article 370 by putting an end to terrorism, stone-pelting and Pakistan-sponsored strikes, he said.

Shah appealed to the people of Kashmir not to vote for the three dynastic parties because they watch the interests of their own flesh and blood and not the public. Farooq Sahib, Mehbooba ji and Sonia Gandhi they work for their sons and daughters, not for the people. These parties did not allow democracy to grow in Jammu and Kashmir... on the pretext of security, our Kashmiri youths were exploited. I want to ask (National Conference president) Farooq Abdullah and the PDP under whose rule did most of the fake encounters take place? Who fired on the children of Kashmir, handed over guns to them? These three parties are responsible. Modiji restored peace in Jammu and Kashmir and paved the way for the regions development. J&K had slipped into backwardness due to terrorism and agitations for 70 years. Modiji facilitated the end of terrorism, stone-pelting, and separatism.

The BJP has not fielded any candidate from Anantnag-Rajouri, Srinagar and Baramulla Lok Sabha constituencies and has focused its campaign on Udhampur and Jammu Lok Sabha constituencies that would go to polls on April 19 and April 26, respectively.

Reminds Mehbooba Tricolour immortal

Earlier, the NC and PDP used to eat away the entire budget but our LG ensured proper utilisation of every penny. We wiped out corruption, ended terrorism, ensured transparency in jobs and those found involved in terrorism were sacked. Now, none can raise slogans of Pakistan and only patriotic slogans are heard in J&K. All this has happened because of PM Modi, he said.

Shah described the revocation of Article 370 as a path-breaking moment in the history of J&K that ended discrimination with marginalised communities and women.

Mehbooba (Mufti) ji had said none would be left to give shoulder to the Tricolour if Article 370 was removed. Mehbooba ji, me and you would go away (leave this world) but the Tricolour is immortal. It will stay forever. Article 370 has gone away, while the Tricolour is fluttering with pride none have the guts to touch it, he said.

In this context, he also took on Farooq Abdullah. Farooq Sahib used to say said that even if Modi ji becomes PM for 10 times, he cant abrogate Article 370. Farooq Sahib, leave aside 10 timesin the second tenure of PM Modi, Article 370 is done and dusted with, he said.

Shah said that post abrogation of Article 370, women had got rights to parental property and SCs, STs and OBCs got reservation.

Assures of assembly poll before September 30

Shah also recalled how the NC and the PDP did not declare a public holiday on the birth anniversary of the last Dogra king, Maharaja Hari Singh.

These two parties insulted Dogras and Dogri by not granting a public holiday on Maharaja Hari Singhs birth anniversary. They never honoured him. It was the BJP that announced a public holiday. While former PM AB Vajpayee ji included Dogri language in the 8th schedule, Modi ji made it one of the official languages of J&K, he said.

He said that the long-awaited assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir shall be held as per the Supreme Court directions and none should harbour any doubts.

In December last year, a constitution bench of the Supreme Court had ordered the Election Commission to conduct elections to the Jammu and Kashmir assembly before September 30 this year.
As the city heads into peak summers, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has started acting against those wasting water. On Monday, challans of 5,512 each were issued to 17 city residents found wasting water. As the city heads into peak summers, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has started acting against those wasting water. On Monday, challans of  5,512 each were issued to 17 city residents found wasting water. (HT File)

Notices were also issued to 57 people after inspection teams found overflowing overhead/underground tanks or leaking pipes.

The city experiences acute water shortage and groundwater depletion in summer months. To tackle this, the MC has prohibited washing vehicles and courtyards, watering lawns through morning supply, using booster pumps on the main water supply line among other non-essential purposes between 5.30 am and 9 am, from April 15 to June 30. Besides, residents will also face the music if leakage is found in tanks, coolers etc.

This time, the MC has hiked the fine by 5%, taking it up to 5,512 from 5,250 last year.

In cases where leakage is found in overhead/underground tanks or pipes residents will be served a 48-hour notice to rectify the issue. If they fail to do so, they will have to pay a fine of 5,512. In case the fine is not paid, it will be added to their water bill.
We have established that ancient Egyptians were black people, Kushites living in Africa.

The black Pharaohs of the 25th Dynasty Egypt were in power, including King Piye only 727 years before Christ (727 BC). Subsequently black kings of the dynasty, including Shabaka, Shebitku, Taharqa and Tanutamun, ruled Egypt until the birth of Christ. Originally, Mizraim (Egypt) is the birthplace of civilization. When Christ was born, we saw him freely living and studying in Egypt until he was 12 years old (Matthew 2:1323). It is almost inconceivable that all the stories of the Bible are set in Africa and Middle East, but we are to believe that all biblical characters were Caucasian with blue eyes and blond hair. Great efforts were made to hide African civilisation, to the extent of cutting the nose of the sphinx of Giza to hide its black features.

It would have been difficult for Joseph, the son of Jacob, to become a Prime Minister in Egypt if he did not look like ancient black Egyptians. The people of this part of Africa did not have issues with skin colour but tribes and nations. The people of the time intermarried very easily because they all were different shades of black. Joseph married a black Egyptian, the mother of his two sons, Manasseh, and Ephraim who would become two of the future Jewish tribes. Moses, who lived even earlier, approximately 1260 BC, was adopted by an ancient Egyptian pharaohs daughter and brought into the palace. He grew up playing with the rest of the royal family kids in the palace just like all of them. How was it possible to blend in so well if Moses was Caucasian because the ancient Egyptians were black? Moses married an Ethiopian wife.

Numbers 12: 1 tells the story of Miriam and Aaron slandering Moses for marrying a Cushite wife. Suddenly God is angry, and Miriam becomes leprous, white as snow. With black Africans, leprous (like in vitiligo) skin develops lighter whiter patches (white as snow). In Caucasian people, leprous develops reddish patches not white. The point is that the descendants of Sham and Ham were all black shades of skin and they lived together and intermarried freely. The issue was not skin colour but tribe and nations. Moses was mistaken for an Egyptian on one occasion in Exodus 2: 17, which confirms that he was black. Today it is difficult to believe that Egypt was once totally black. As the center of education and commerce, all roads led to Egypt Africans returning to their home countries and foreigners stayed and soon outnumbered the Africans.

King David was black

King Davids mother was a Canaanite (black) Rahab, and his grandmother was Ruth, a Moabite who was also a black Canaanite. 1 Samuel 16: 12 states that Jesse sent for young David, who was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said: This is the one; anoint him. In some Bible versions, it says he was Ruddy, meaning dark red like the African brown-red soil but defiantly not a Caucasian.

King Solomon was also black

As the story goes, Solomon was the son of Bathsheba the Canaanite (black woman). Bathsheba means daughter of Sheba. Genesis 10: 7-12 states that the sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah were Sheba (father to Bathsheba) and Dedan. In the Song of Solomon 5: 11, King Solomon is described as follows: His head is like the finest gold; his locks are bushy and black as a raven.

New Testament

One of the most famous disciples of Jesus was Apostle Paul and he was well-educated. He could think, write and articulate himself in Koine Greek. Paul went to Jerusalem, where he gained formal instruction, under the instruction of Gamaliel, and became a Pharisee. He wrote most of the books of the New Testament. In Acts 21: 38 KJV, a Roman soldier says: Art, not thou that Egyptian, mistaking him for an Egyptian because he was a dark-skinned Hebrew and, therefore, likely Nubian/Ethiopian. Paul describes his own life in Philippians 3: 56 and says he is of the tribe of Benjamin. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews. However, when you see Apostle Paul in pictures today, he is clearly a Caucasian.

The recent revelation by Russian President Vladimir Putin of the black-faced religious icon has sparked a serious debate. Was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ a black man too, as he is depicted in Russian pictures? Read (Rev 1: 14-15) Brass feet, and (Daniel 10: 5-6 bronze feet and arms). Why is the black race so hated everywhere in the world, yet we are not a threat to any race; possibly the poorest race on the richest continent?. There is discrimination against black people on every continent. Surprisingly John 15: 18-25 NIV Jesus Christ says; If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.

Jesus was originally Yeshua

Yeshuas (Yahushua) original Hebrew name was changed by the Greeks to Iesous. Romans used the Latin name Iesvs. The English would later change it to Jesus. The Greeks, who translated the original Bible to Greek from Hebrew, simply did not want to use a barbaric Hebrew name as they called it. There is much unfounded yet traditional speculation as to why the name Jesus has persisted for so long in the Christian domain when in reality no Hebrews in first-century Galilee would have been able to direct you to anyone who went by the name that is spelled or pronounced J-e-s-u-s. Secondly, the biblical Israelite tribes did not ever name their children Greek, English, or Roman names. If God named his son Yahushua, why did men take it upon themselves to change it to Jesus Christ? And why would we call him other than what God named him, through Gabriel? Who are we really praying to? Acts 4: 12 says: And there is no salvation in any other man, for there is no other name under heaven given to the children of men by which it is necessary to receive life. Comment septembereswatini@gmail.com
City Beautiful is set to see a triangular contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has also thrown its hat in the ring. This would be the first time that the SAD will be fielding its candidate from the city for the Lok Sabha. Until now, SAD had been backing candidates of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with whom it has been in alliance since 1996. (HT File)

Until now, it had been backing candidates of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with whom it has been in alliance since 1996.

The SAD candidate will be up against BJPs former Chandigarh president Sanjay Tandon and Congress Manish Tewari, who is currently the Anandpur Sahib MP.

As per sources, SADs Chandigarh unit president and two-time MC councillor Hardeep Singh, former mayor Harjinder Kaur, and partys organisation secretary and spokesperson Harjeet Bhullar are the contenders for the ticket. Bhullar, who was previously with the BJP, had joined SAD ahead of the 2022 Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections.

Hardeep Singh said the ticket announcement will be made in the next few days. We are fully prepared to contest the elections. In 2021, when we contested the municipal corporation (MC) elections independently, the Bharatiya Janata Party could win only 12 seats in the 35-member House, said Hardeep Singh.

The SAD and BJP had parted ways in 2021 following differences over the now-scrapped three farm laws.

In the MC elections held in December 2021, the Congress had garnered 29.79% of the total votes, BJP had a vote share of 29.30%, AAP 27.08% while SAD managed 2.78%. Out of the 35 seats, AAP had won 14, Congress 8, BJP 12 and SAD had one seat.

The SAD had contested in 15 wards and garnered around 10,000 votes.

Last month, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal had formed an 11-member election committee to decide its candidate. Former state president of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Ajit Singh, has been appointed the chairman of the committee.

SAD in-charge of Chandigarh, Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema, said, We are set to contest from Chandigarh for the first time. Our unit in Chandigarh is already preparing for it.
Internal rumblings within the Congress were out in the open as its Chandigarh candidate Manish Tewari met party workers on Monday, even as four-time MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, who was eyeing the ticket, skipped the event. Congress candidate Manish Tewari with party leaders and workers at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in Sector 35, Chandigarh, on Monday. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Not just this, 60-odd party leaders and workers, including Chandigarh Mahila Congress president Deipa Dubey, resigned from their posts over an Instagram post liked by the partys city unit chief HS Lucky.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh Youth Akali Dal president, Vinayak Bangia resigned from the party in support of Bansal and later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the evening.

Congress city unit vice-president Hafiz Anwar Ul Haq also resigned from his post citing Luckys functioning.

On Sunday, the local unit secretary Nitin Rai Chauhan had also resigned from his post in support of Pawan Bansal. Most of the resignations are being dubbed as those from Bansals supporters.

The Congress had announced Anandpur Sahib MP Manish Tewaris candidature from Chandigarh on Saturday, overlooking former union minister, Pawan Kumar Bansal, who had even started his campaign in the city for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

This was Tewaris first meeting with party workers

after the Congress party named him as the Chandigarh nominee for the upcoming Parliamentary elections. The voting in Chandigarh will be held on June 1.

Could not attend event as I was busy, but am always with Cong:Bansal

Talking to HT, Bansal said that he could not attend the first meeting of Tewari with the party workers as he was preoccupied.

When asked whether he was invited for the meeting, Bansal replied that there were many missed calls from party dignitaries which he saw only later in the day.

My full support and wishes are with the Congress, always, he said. Lucky, on the other hand, said they had invited Bansal for the meeting but are not aware of the reason for his absence. We invited Bansal ji for the meeting today, but dont know why he did not come, he said.

Mahila Congress chief resigns, spearheads protests at Sector 15

Meanwhile, speaking about the resignations, Dubey said these have been triggered by an Instagram post, mocking Bansal, that Lucky had liked. The post read: Pawan Bansal ke sath ho gaya khel, Manish Tewari Chandigarh se ummeedwar, Congress party ne ghoshit kiya naam. Congratulations, Congress party zindabad HS Lucky, Manoj Lubana bhai zindabad (Pawan Bansal tricked, Manish Tewari announced as Congress candidate from Chandigarh. Congratulations, long live the Congress, long live HS Lucky, Manoj Lubana.

It was accompanied by a picture of Tewari, Lucky and the partys youth wing president Lubana. Dubey, along with her supporters, also held a protest against Lucky in Sector 15.

Dubey, who resigned from her post along with 61 others, said they have submitted their resignation to National Congress President Malikarjun Kharge.

Lucky is an arrogant man and has made the Congress office a den of property dealers. We have resigned from our posts until Lucky submits his resignation as party chief. We do not have anything against Manish Tewari but we will not tolerate any insult to Bansal ji, she said.

I dont handle my Instagram account, says Lucky

Lucky said that the party is united and that one or two elements are trying to sabotage the partys reputation ahead of elections. There is no disruption. I do not even know of any such post. I dont even handle my Instagram account, he said.

Rose petal shower, garlands: Tewari receives warm welcome

Tewari reached Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in Sector 35 around noon and was given a grand welcome, with a large number of party workers jostling amongst each other to present him with bouquets and garlands amid a shower of rose petals. Interestingly, no leader from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the alliance partner of Congress, was present at the event.

AAP, however, clarified that they would meet Tewari separately on Tuesday and that Mondays event was an internal Congress party event.

In his address to workers, HS Lucky responded to Tewari being labelled as an outsider by BJP and stated that the fact is that their (saffron party) candidate, Sanjay Tandon, is an outsider.

Sanjay Tandon was born in Amritsar and came to the city much later. He hasnt even fought any election. Hence, Tandon is the outsider, not Tewari ji, said Lucky.

Tewari, in his address in Punjabi, said he brings with himself a wealth of experience and knowledge of being an MP both from Ludhiana and Anandpur Sahib and will fight tooth and nail for the development of the city. He stated that it is a battle to form the national government and to save the democracy.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet two of his ministers in Tihar jail every week and monitor the progress of work under various departments, officials of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said on Monday as they outlined a detailed plan to run the state administration from prison, even as a local court extended the CMs judicial custody till April 23. AAP volunteers campaigning at the Laxmi Nagar Metro station on Monday. (Raj K Raj/HT photo)

Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal's judicial custody extended till April 23

Addressing a press conference two hours after Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann met Kejriwal in jail, AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak said the chief minister will give ministers guidelines and directions during the biweekly meetings.

All the technical aspects will be looked into. We will look into all the legal processes and procedures. The meeting will be held every week and proper review of the departments will be done, said Pathak.

Meanwhile, Tihar Jail officials confirmed that Kejriwal added Delhi ministers Atishi, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj to the list of 10 visitors who are allowed to meet him twice a week in prison.

Asked if the Delhi government will seek the courts permission to convert the jail into a temporary office to facilitate the CMs proposed meetings, Pathak said, We will do whatever is legally feasible.

To be sure, the review of a government department involves meeting with ministers as well as several officers, including the head of the department.

Also Read | Delhi excise policy: No relief for Arvind Kejriwal, Supreme Court issues notice to ED

The AAP has, since Kejriwals arrest on March 21, maintained that the partys national convener will remain Delhis chief minister and carry out his official functions from prison.

Delhi is in uncharted waters given that it is unprecedented for a chief minister to run the government from prison. Three pleas have been filed in the Delhi high court seeking Kejriwals removal as chief minister, and while the court has rejected all three petitions, saying that it could not act in the matter, it stressed that it was up to the President and Delhis lieutenant governor to act if they deemed fit. Everything cannot be done by the court... The LG and the President of India have to consider it, the bench had said during one of the hearings.

Mann and Pathak on Monday met Kejriwal for 33 minutes through a mulakat jangla (meeting window) in jail 2 of the Tihar prison complex.

Also Read | Treated like terrorists: Bhagwant Mann after meeting Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar jail

Pathak said Kejriwal asked him to convey to all the MLAs to go from door to door in their areas and meet the public to address their concerns.

The MLAs should try and solve issues that the people are facing. He said that the MLAs will have to cover for his absence by working twice as hard, he said.

Delhi has six cabinet ministers, including Kejriwal, though he does not hold a portfolio. The partys social welfare minister Raaj Kumar Anand resigned from the party on April 10, though the party is still to officially accept his resignation yet.

Former Lok Sabha secretary general PDT Achary said, The meetings inside the jail can be held with the permission of the court or the permission of the jail officials. Existing laws do not bar a chief minister from functioning from jail, but the process is riddled with functional challenges. The review meeting usually involves several officers besides the ministers. Such meetings can be held only after the permission of the competent authority.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said Pathaks claims are misleading. The government has come to a standstill, he said.

Earlier on Monday, special judge Kaveri Baweja extended Kejriwals custody by eight days after he was produced before the court through video-conferencing on the expiry of custody granted earlier.

The ED sought extension of Kejriwals custody by 14 days, arguing that the investigation was at a crucial stage. The judge, however, allowed an extension till April 23, noting that the judicial custody of some co-accused people in the case, including BRS leader K Kavitha, ends on the same date.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi is collaborating with the Aga Khan Trust to restore of the Town Hall building at Chandni Chowk even as the civic body has roped in the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) to develop a municipal museum and conserve rare documents and artefacts, officials said on Tuesday.

The Delhi Town Hall building in Chandni Chowk. (HT Archive)
The Gurugram police on Saturday arrested five people in Sector 39 for allegedly trafficking kidneys for three illegal transplants that were performed in Jaipur last month, police officers said on Sunday. According to the police, the suspects are Bangladeshi nationals who came to India for a kidney transplant. (Representational image)

According to the police, the suspects are Bangladeshi nationals who came to India for a kidney transplant. They were identified as kidney recipients Kobir MD Ahasanul, 31, Nurul Islam, 56, and Mahmud Syed Akb, 25, and donors Shamim Mehndi Hasan, 34, and Hossain MD Azad, 30, said investigators. Another suspect who donated a kidney fled to Bangladesh a few days before the other suspects were arrested, said officers. Arjun Dev, station house officer of the Sadar police station, said that the donors were paid 2 lakh each for the kidney transplant.

Through a social media advertisement last year, they got in touch with a man named Mohammed Murtaza Ansari, originally from Jharkhand, who offered to arrange kidney transplants, said police officers. Ansaris gang members used to charge 10 lakh to arrange a kidney after the reports matched and doctors confirmed that a transplant could take place. Post-transplant, the gang used to make the recipient and the donor stay in a guest house in Gurugram. The arrested suspects were staying in the guest house in Gurugram after undergoing kidney transplant surgeries, said SHO Dev.

Dev said that Ansari had managed to pass off the donors as close relatives of the organ recipients, after making their fake profiles and ID cards. Ansari is still at large, said investigators. The total number of illegal kidney transplants in which Ansari is involved is yet to be determined, but the number could run in the hundreds, said investigators.

On April 4, the police conducted a raid at a guest house in Sector 39 and arrested a Bangladeshi national who had undergone a kidney removal procedure at a hospital in Jaipur under suspicious financial arrangements, said investigators.

The suspects were sent to 14 days of judicial custody after being produced before a court on Saturday.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday fielded Abhijit Das (Bobby) against Trinamool Congress national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee from Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. BJP leader Abhijit Das (Bobby). (Photo from X)

All eyes are on this constituency as Banerjee, who happens to be the nephew of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, is once again contesting from this constituency. The TMC leader entered the Lok Sabha in 2014 and is a two time-MP from the seat, while the CPI(M) candidate came second, and Das came third.

Das, 54, popularly known as Bobby, contested from Diamond Harbour in 2009 as well on a BJP ticket.

The 2014 election affidavit of Das mentioned that he was a social activist and legal advisor. BJP sources said Das is known for his organisational prowess and has a strong hold in the partys unions in the district.

Even though the BJP released the names of 41 candidates in West Bengal, it took time to decide on the name from Diamond Harbour. The party announced its first list on March 2.

Earlier Indian Secular Front (ISF) MLA Nawshad Siddique had also said that he may contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Diamond Harbour constituency.
A cluster of 10 gram panchayats in Pilibhit districts Puranpur tehsil with a population of 70,000 Bangladeshi Hindus is abuzz with activities these days. Villagers at a cyber cafe in Ramnagara village in Pilibhit district to submit applications meant for uploading on the citizenship portal. (HT Photo)

Keen to shed the Bangladeshi tag and become Indian nationals, many members of the community can be seen filling up application forms, collecting photocopies of documents and assembling at cyber cafes in village markets to collect details about the Indian Citizenship portal launched after the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on March 13.

These 10 gram panchayats  Kundannagar, Bidhipur, Najaulia Natka, Gabia, Maharajpur, Nagoria Lalpur, Ramnagra, Sela and Dhuria  are all located near the Sharda Sagar dam in Pilibhit which goes to polls in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election on April 19.

Almost a mini-Bengal, a small market has come up in the middle of the village dotted with cyber cafes, provision stores, medicine stores, eating joints serving Bengali dishes and various shops to serve the demand of the local people.

The locals cause found poll-time resonance when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a public meeting in Pilibhit on April 9, said the people who fled due to atrocities in foreign countries, are Hindus and Sikhs, they are our own people and should be given citizenship even as he attacked the Congress and Samajwadi Party for opposing CAA due to their appeasement policies.

The families staying in Pilibhit, who have come from other countries will benefit from CAA, the prime minister said.

Less than a week later, Dipankar Mistri, 24, resident of Ramnagara village in Puranpur tehsil of Pilibhit district, was seen scanning the applications submitted by villagers for uploading on the Indian Citizenship portal.

A Class 12 passout, Mistri set up a makeshift cyber cafe near Sharda Sagar Dam that touches the border of Uttarakhand and Nepal.

I have been uploading the applications of villagers on the portal. I know the eligibility norms and documents that are required to apply for Indian citizenship. A majority of the villagers applications have been uploaded. Initially, there were some hiccups due to the extra documents sought by MHA, but the matter has been sorted out. We are eagerly waiting for Indian citizenship to get rid of the Bangladeshi tag, he said.

Mentioning his roots, he said, My grandfather migrated from Bangladesh, then known as East Pakistan, during the 1971 Indo- Pak war to seek refuge in India. We were allotted land near the Sharda river in Pilibhit. My father started agriculture on the land. I was born in Ramnagara village. Though we have been living in the area for three generations, the local administration treats us as outsiders. We have to run from pillar to post to get the benefit of government schemes. The Indian governments announcement about granting us citizenship has come as a ray of hope. We will be treated on par with Indian citizens and India will be our homeland.

A majority of the settlers have Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards and ration cards and their children are enrolled in local schools.

We have all the documents provided by the government to the citizens, yet our fate hangs in the balance. Once we are registered as genuine citizens, we will live comfortably without harassment by the local police, said Vishnu Mandal, a villager.

Harshit Mahto, 78, who came from Faridpur district in Bangladesh, said, We have been staying in Pilibhit for three decades. My children were born and grew up in Ramnagara village, but our grievances are not disposed of by officers of Puranpur tehsil, under which the village is located. For jobs abroad, we require passport, but our application was rejected during police verification.

Suval Das, 80, came to the village from West Bengal but is treated as a Bangladeshi by the local administration. His son Sameer Das runs a sweet shop in the market.

Our name has been deleted from the voters list, Das said and added, I have submitted documents to officers, but the names of my family members have not been registered in the electoral roll. Our children are denied government jobs.

Suchitra Das, 55, who migrated from Jessore district in Bangladesh, said, The documents submitted for registration are required to be attested by local resident. A Sikh farmer Manjit Singh had attested my documents and is the witness in my case. I deposited 200 at the cyber cafe for uploading the documents on the portal whereas the government has fixed a charge of 55 per form.

The CAA amends the Citizenship Act of 1955 to pave the way for providing Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis who migrated from neighbouring Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014.

Under the 2019 amendment of the Act, migrants who entered India till December 31, 2014, and had suffered religious persecution or fear or religious persecution in their country of their origin would be made eligible for accelerated citizenship.

As the polling day drew near, majority of the Bengali community members welcomed the Prime Ministers assurance regarding citizenship and expressed support for the BJP in the Lok Sabha election.

Dr Mukund Biswas, who runs a medical centre, said his forefathers migrated from Khulna in Bangladesh to Ram Nagara in Pilibhit district.

In 1989, we were relocated near Sharda Sagar Dam after our village was eroded due to a change in the river course. We are settled on irrigation department land and are not permitted to construct pucca houses. A majority of the migrants are forced to live in hutments for several decades, he said.

A Pilibhit district administration officer said the administration had conducted a survey in 2019 in the 10 gram panchayats, in which Bengali speaking people, are settled to collect details of those who migrated from Bangladesh.

After the Lok Sabha election, the district administration team will visit villages to collect the details of people who have applied on the citizenship portal, he said.

Sunil Gangwar, a BJP district unit leader said, there are 6.5% Bengali voters in Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency.

The BJP government is committed to their welfare and the community will support the party candidate in the Lok Sabha election, he said.
MUMBAI: The investigation into the firing at Salman Khans residence has revealed that the shooters had rented a room in Panvel for a month to recce the actors farm house as well as his Bandra home where they ultimately fired the shots. The two shooters (left and centre) were last spotted in Mira Road

A crime branch officer said they bought a second-hand bike from a Panvel resident for 20,000 through a person in Panvel, who was not the original owner. As the bike was still registered in the name of the first owner, the crime branch traced the original owner and the broker who helped the shooters rent a home and questioned them on Monday.

According to a crime branch officer, after firing five or six rounds at Khans residence, the shooters fled on the two-wheeler and abandoned the bike at Mount Mary Road. From there, they took an auto to Bandra station and boarded a local train and got down at Santacruz. They exited the station in Santacruz East and walked towards Kalina. Their movement thereafter has not been caught on CCTV but crime branch officers suspect that the accused could have gone to the airport to take a flight. However, CCTV footage from the airport and passenger data did not give any clue about the shooters, the officer added. Later, a police team found their last location in Mira Road, but again there was no trace of the two in surveillance cameras.

Hours after the shooting on Sunday, incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnois brother Anmol Bishnoi claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media post, saying, Salman Khan, do not take us lightly. This is the first and last warning. After this, the firing will happen at your home. Police have seized the bike used by the assailants and are probing the role of all suspects including Bishnoi and the likely motive behind the shooting.

The police have found that the social media post of gangster Lawrence Bishnois brother, Anmol Bishnoi, was posted from an IP (Internet Protocol) address based in Portugal. The police, however, feel that could be misleading as in most of such cases virtual private networks are used to create fake IP addresses for posting messages on social media.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, two leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, will be in Ghaziabad on Wednesday to support Congresss Ghaziabad candidate Dolly Sharma and also meet media persons there. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.(File)

The office bearers of Congress and SP said the impact of the two leaders coming together will be felt in seats across Uttar Pradesh, especially in western Uttar Pradesh, and party workers will coordinate in a better manner at the ground level.

The INDIA bloc has fielded Dolly Sharma of the Congress as its candidate from Ghaziabad parliamentary constituency while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded sitting MLA Atul Garg as its candidate.

In all, 14 candidates are contesting from the parliamentary seat, including Nandkishor Pundhir from the Bahujan Samaj Party.

Read Here: Rahul Gandhi's main course rebuttal at PM Modi's appetizer remarks

The two leaders coming together will have a major impact these elections across Uttar Pradesh and especially in 13 seats of western UP. These include Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Baghpat, and Meerut, among others. Rahul ji during his Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra has raised issues concerning youth, women, farmers, and the common man. As a result, we are also getting support from jats, Dalits and other sections in our campaign, said Vinit Tyagi, district president, Congress.

The two leaders will hold a joint press conference in Sahibabad, which is the assembly segment with the highest number of voters at 1,053,661, as per the electoral rolls finalised on April 4.

Overall, the Ghaziabad parliamentary constituency has 2,941,624 voters this time as compared to 2,726,132 voters during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections,

Our party leader Akhilesh Yadav has done much for Ghaziabad. He was instrumental in getting the Metro, Hindon elevated road, city forest and many other projects. The workers of SP and Congress are now working together to put up a tough fight these elections. The two leaders coming together will strengthen INDIA bloc fight and ensure that BJPs claims of a resounding win in UP gets dented, said Faisal Hussain, district president, SP.

Read Here: Congress-SP alliance yet to launch joint campaign as election nears

In 2004, Congress candidate won the Lok Sabha seat while in 2009, 2014 and 2019, the BJP secured a win in Ghaziabad.

The BJP office bearers said the two leaders coming together will not have any impact on the polls.

The INDIA bloc has lost its sheen and there is no impact that we foresee if Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav come together. They had come together for the assembly elections in UP in 2017 and could not win. The Congress is almost finished in UP while the SP is also headed for the same fate. Our candidates with our ally, the Rashtriya Lok Dal, will win all seats in western UP, said Ajay Sharma, Lok Sabha convener of BJP (Ghaziabad).

Sharma said chief minister Yogi Adityanath will hold a rally in Pilkhuwa on April 18 while film star Kangana Ranaut is expected to hold a roadshow in Ghaziabad on April 22 .

Political experts said Rahul and Akhilesh coming together will positively impact INDIA blocs campaign.

Leaving aside prevailing situations, both Rahul and Akhilesh have the capacity to pull voters. Rahul during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra has highlighted various issues of the common man. Likewise, Akhilesh also has an image of taking development ahead in UP. So, both need to come together to remind voters about their work and agenda, said KK Sharma, associate professor (history) from CCS University, Meerut.
At least 29 Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Bastars Kanker district on Tuesday, said a senior official of the Chhattisgarh Police. Three security personnel have sustained injuries in the gunfight and their condition is out of danger, the official added. The injured jawans are being airlifted to higher center for better treatment. Seven AK-47 rifles and three Light Machine Guns (LMG) have also been recovered from the spot. Seven AK-47 rifles and three Light Machine Guns (LMG) have been recovered from the encounter spot. (Representative Image)

Police said the gunfight took place in a forest near Binagunda village under Chhotebethiya police station when a joint team of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on an anti-Naxal operation.

The BSF in its statement said, While the operation was still under progress, the BSF team came under fire from CPI Maoist cadres, and BSF troops effectively retaliated against them. During the encounter, one BSF personnel sustained bullet injury on his leg and is out of danger after being evacuated.

We have two inputs for the gathering of senior cadres of North Bastar Division of CPI (Maoist). The operation was launched in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday by BSF and DRG. A team of joint force of 185 personnel reached Kalpar jungles at around 1.30pm on Tuesday when Maoists started firing in which BSF sub-inspector Ramesh Chandra sustained injuries. The BSF retaliated with fierce firing which was a game changer and most of Maoists were killed in that firing, said a senior official of BSF.

The officer further said state police immediately sent reinforcement to the spot.

The Maoists were cordoned off from direction which reduced their chances to flee into the jungles. The west side was cordoned off by forces which were sent for reinforcement and on the north there was nullah. Because of the thoughtful reinforcement Maoists faced maximum loss with minimum injuries of security forces, said the official.

Kanker Lok Sabha constituency will vote in the second phase of elections on April 26.

With the latest encounter, 68 Maoists have been killed so far since December 2023 in separate encounters with security forces in Bastar region, comprising seven districts including Kanker , according to police. The government records say that 17 civilians and 6 security personnel have been killed since January 2024.

It is worth mentioning that in 2023, a total of 70 Maoist-Police encounters took place in which a total of 22 Maoists were killed and 394 were arrested as per government records. Forty-two civilians were killed during the same period.

This encounter shows that the security forces are aggressive on the operational level and doing well. In the last seven years we have established several security camps in forward areas of Maoists which are giving operational success. Now the forces have to move less for operations which is also a game changer, said DM Awasthi, former director general of police (DGP), Chhattisgarh.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has congratulated the security forces for the success and claimed that Bastar will be Maoist-free within a few years.

The BJP government is working as per the promise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who promised to make Chhattisgarh naxal-free within a few years. This is a great success of security forces fighting against the Maoists, said Ajay Chandrakar, chief spokesperson of the BJP.

Congress chief spokesperson Shushil Anand Shukla said, Indeed, it is a huge success for security forces. The Congress party will support every move of the BJP government which will eradicate Maoism from the state.
MBABANE  A seven-month pregnant wife has been arrested for stabbing her husband and further burning his passport, because he was allegedly cheating on her.

*Sindi admitted having stabbed her husband and further assaulting him with the handle of the knife, after committing the offence. Appearing before Mbabane Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi, she was also charged for contravening Section 77 as read with Section 86 (1) of the Sexual Offence and Domestic Violence Act of 2018, *Sindi pleaded guilty to the charge.

She told the court that she committed the offence out of anger, after she discovered that her husband had been to South Africa with his girlfriend. She stated that what angered her the most was that her husband introduced his girlfriend to his relatives.

I was angry to learn that my husband introduced his girlfriend to his relatives, which I have never seen. He did this at the time when I have been asking him to introduce me to his relatives. I felt so undermined to learn that he introduced his girlfriend and left me and his children behind, she said. Sindi was sentenced to two years imprisonment, with an option to pay a fine of E5 000 in the first count. She was also sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of E2 000 in the second count. However, the sentence was wholly suspended for a period of three years on condition she was not convicted of a similar offence during the period of suspension.

*Not real names
Chhattisgarh police on Tuesday announced a reward of 5 lakh in cash and jobs in the force to people who will provide information on Naxals in Kabirdham district. Security forces during an anti-Naxal operation. (HT File Photo)

The police have distributed pamphlets in Naxal affected villages, titled soochna do, inaam pao (give information, receive rewards). They expect to reach all residents of the 16 villages that are identified as most affected.

Anyone who aids the arrest of Maoists or provides inputs leading to their killing in encounters will be given a cash reward of 5 lakh and a job in the police force. Cash rewards will also be given to persons who help in the surrender of Maoists, the pamphlets stated.

Kabirdham Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishekh Pallava said posters of the offer have been displayed in the villages over the last two days.

This amount is in addition to the bounty declared by the state or central governments on any Naxals, the SP said, adding that the informers will also be recruited in the district police as constables without any test but concerned person will have to fulfil the educational and physical standards.

According to the police, Naxals have been trying to set up a new base in the tri-junction forest of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (MMC- zone), comprising parts of Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), Gondia (Maharashtra), Rajnandgaon, Mungeli and Kabirdham districts (Chhattisgarh) from 2017-18.

In the last five years, three Naxals were killed in encounters with the police, and six have surrendered in Kabirdham. There are around 41 villages in Kabirdham on the interstate border, where the movement of Maoists has been reported in the last two years. Of these, 16 were identified as most affected.

So far, we have sent messages to 35,000 mobile phone numbers in these villages, and 1 lakh mobile phone users will be covered over the next one week, the SP added.

Naxal-affected villages in the district were largely inhabited by the Baiga tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG). Efforts will be made to ensure that benefits of the central governments JANMAN schemes for tribals reach these areas, he added.
Police Commissioner, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma, briefed policemen before they were sent on election duty to different districts of Western Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday. Police Commissioner, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma, addressing policemen before they leave on poll duty, in Prayagraj, on Tuesday (HT Photo)

While briefing the personnel, Sharma urged them to perform their duties with honesty and sincerity for the peaceful conduct of Lok Sabha polls, to be held in seven phases.

The policemen will follow the guidelines of the Election Commission of India and will maintain high standards of discipline while delivering their duties and travelling. After their duty in the first phase of polls, they will leave for the next poll duty in another district and will inform about their arrival to the official concerned. They will remain in the district till the polls and will also maintain peace and law and order.

No official or policemen will be absent or will return to the district of their original posting. All policemen will be responsible for the safety of their weapons and ammunition, the police commissioner said.

Personnel going for poll duties were issued a first aid kit, ORS packet, mosquito repellent, lunch packet and water bottles.

All officials and police staff were instructed to contact their party in-charge if they face any problems while travelling. They will inform DCP headquarters, nodal officer or election cell in-charge if the problem is not sorted out.

Senior police officials including ADCP, crime, Satish Chandra, were present during the briefing.
A 38-year-old constable attached to Dehu Road Police Station died in a hit-and-run incident on the Pune-Mumbai highway late Monday night, said authorities. According to the police, Narute with helmet was on motorcycle when an unidentified driver of the four-wheeler vehicle applied brakes before hitting rear-end of the two-wheeler. (HT PHOTO)

The deceased, identified as Sachin Narute, was on duty when the accident took place near Torana Hotel at around 10:30 pm.

According to the police, Narute with helmet was on motorcycle when an unidentified driver of the four-wheeler vehicle applied brakes before hitting rear-end of the two-wheeler. The motorist fled the spot after the accident. Locals rushed Narute to a nearby police station and doctors declared him brought dead when they took him to a hospital.

Mahendra Kadam, senior inspector, Ravet Police Station, said, Narute was on his way to issue official summons when he met with the accident. Narute is survived by his wife and two daughters. A case has been registered against the driver of the unidentified vehicle.
Two motorcycle-borne assailants wearing helmets allegedly attempted to open fire at businessman Dheeraj Dineshchandra Argade (38), a resident of Kohinoor Estate, Wakdewadi at around 3.30 pm on Tuesday. Police said they are investigating the matter and are checking for possible CCTV footage. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

According to the police, Argade had stepped down from his office and was getting into his car when the assailants approached him and attempted to fire two rounds at him.

However, twice they failed to fire after which they fled towards Shivajinagar Gaothan area, police said. After the incident, Argade lodged a complaint with Khadki police station. Police said they are investigating the matter and are checking for possible CCTV footage.
UPSC CSE Final Results 2023: Aditya Srivastava has bagged Rank 1, followed by Animesh Pradhan in Rank 2.

UPSC Result 2023 Live: Union Public Service Commission has declared UPSC Civil Services Final result 2024 on April 16, 2024. Aditya Srivastava has topped the UPSC CSE 2023 examination. The results of the UPSC Civil Services examination can be checked by all candidates who appeared on the official website of UPSC at upsc.gov.in and also on upsconline.nic.in. ...Read More

Direct link to check UPSC Result 2023

This year a total of 1016 candidates have been recommended for appointment to Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service and Central Services, Group A and Group B. The candidature of 355 recommended candidates has been kept provisional.

Aditya Srivastava has secured Rank 1, followed by Animesh Pradhan in Rank 2, Donuru Ananya Reddy has secured Rank 3, P K Sidharth Ramkumar in the fourth spot, Ruhani is in Rank 5. Check UPSC CSE Result 2023 latest updates

UPSC Civil Service prelims examination 2023 was conducted on May 28, 2023. The UPSC mains examination was conducted on September 15, 16, 17, 23, and 24, 2023. The interviews for the personality test were conducted in January-April 2024. Follow the blog for latest updates on results, direct link, toppers and other details.
Hyderabad, Civil services examination 2023 third ranker Donuru Ananya Reddy, who hails from the backward Mahabubnagar district of Telangana, on Tuesday said she would like to take the administration closer to people. Would take administration closer to people: UPSC CSE 3rd rank holder Ananya Reddy

Reddy said she feels "extremely grateful" and happy on securing the third position in the prestigious test, results of which were announced on Tuesday by the Union Public Service Commission .

Disagreeing with the view that the civil services examination is a hard one to crack, she said it is, however, a challenging exam and it is important to have a strategy for the preparation.

Reddy said she used to study for 6-8 hours a day for the exams but increased the study hours to 12-14 a day when the tests were round the corner.

"Most important is to have a strategy. If we have a strategy of breaking down the syllabus into parts and completing it in a timeframe, it becomes easy," she told PTI videos.

"The only plan I have is to take the administration closer to people and work in a people-centric manner," she said.

On tips for civil services aspirants, Reddy said every exam takers should prepare their plan as per their strengths and weaknesses, without blindly following others.

"Also, don't ever give up. This examination is full of challenges, mentally or otherwise also. So, keep your calm and don't give up," she said.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy congratulated the civil services exam rankers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Revanth Reddy is delighted that more than 50 candidates from the two states got selected for the civil services, an official release said.

The chief minister, who also hails from Mahabubnagar district, commended Ananya Reddy for securing the third rank in the civil services exam.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Aditya Srivastava, 26, of Lucknow, who topped the UPSC 2023 examination is fond of reading about dinosaurs. He said that somehow, he was drawn towards reading about this extinct animal and was always fascinated about it throughout his growing years. Lucknow boy Aditya Srivastava tops civil services 2023 examination. (Handout)

It was my third attempt. I could not clear the UPSC prelims on my first attempt as I was not ready. In my second attempt, I was ranked 236th last year and got selected for IPS. Currently, I am undergoing training at National Police Academy in Hyderabad, said an elated Aditya, while talking over phone.

I was surprised to see the result and it took some time to sink in. Rank 1 was definitely not there in my mind. I was only praying to make it to Indian Administrative Services. Glad that I have topped the exam. There was a little celebration at the hostel in Hyderabad. I am looking forward to come to Lucknow on April 22, he said

When asked to give advice to those preparing for the exam, he said, One must try to strike a balance between smart work and hard work. Writing practice is a must.

His father, Ajay Kumar Srivastava, who works in the CAG office, said, Aditya called us over phone from Hyderabad to share the news. We were all very confident that he would do well in UPSC this year. But we never expected him to top the UPSC. This is like icing on the cake. Its a proud moment for the family.

A graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Aditya pursued Dual Degree BTech/MTech Program after which he took a job with a private company in Bengaluru at 40 lakh package per annum. After having worked for a year and a half, he made up his mind to appear in civil services, said his proud father.

However, in his first attempt, he prepared for the UPSC while working in Bengaluru, and could not clear the prelims. Later, Aditya decided to quit his lucrative job and seriously prepared for UPSC 2022. He cracked the exam and was selected for the Indian Police Service.

He always wanted to become an IAS officer. Aditya took a call to appear in the UPSC 2023 exam. He told us that he is writing UPSC 2023 for the last time. We are proud that his dream has come true. Both my wife and I supported him taking the tough call of quitting the job, said his father.

Aditya went to school at City Montessori School, Aliganj branch and passed Class 12 in 2014. It was in that year he cracked JEE and got enrolled in IIT Kanpur.

Jyoti Kashyap, proud principal of the school, said it is heartening that a past pupil of the school has topped the civil services exam which is considered to be the toughest exam in the country.

Also Read: UPSC CSE 2023 Results: 22-year-old Telangana girl Donuru Ananya Reddy clinches AIR 3 in first attempt
On April 16, Netflix released the official trailer of the upcoming anime series T.P Bon. Based on Fujiko F Fujio's manga Time Patrol Bon, this Japanese show's animation style is reminiscent of the mangaka's other widely familiar work that eventually rose to the ranks with its well-received anime adaptation, Doraemon. TP Bon premieres on Netflix on May 2. Season 2 will follow in July.(Netflix)

T.P Bon Season 1 is slated to hit Netflix worldwide on May 2, 2024, with its second season dropping on July 17.

Netflix's newest venture marks a sweet return to Fujio's creation with another anime adaptation rolling out for the first time in 30 years. T.P Bon's trailer focuses on yet another ordinary junior high student, like Doraemon's deuteragonist Nobita. Bon Namihira has always been average at everything and is quite satisfied with his track record, regardless of what one may say otherwise. But that's until a whirlwind of change turns his life on its head forever.

Watch the T.P Bon Trailer

Also read | Detective Conan anime film opens to record-breaking Japan box office debut; Haikyuu final movie climbs all-time chart

Directed by Masahiro Ando (Hanasaku Iroha, Sword of the Stranger), the Netflix original shoots Namihira into the pages of history, quite literally, when he intervenes in a Time Patrol case. Leaping through time, he embarks on an unprecedented adventure that could easily take an emotionally overwhelming turn at any second.

Walking through World War II, the Bronze Age and other such historical eras with Ream Stream and Buyoyon of Time Patrol, his new mission in life is to save lives around the globe. But there's a catch, as is always in any time travel story: they can't risk changing the course of history. What will Bon do when his internal emotional conflict collides with these life-changing tracks?

The sci-fi adventure is backed by the Japanese animation studio BONES and has boarded Michiru Oshima (The Tatami Galaxy, Little Witch Academia) for music composition.

Also read | That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime S3 premiere, My Hero Academia Memories top April week 1 anime TV rankings

The voice cast for T.P Bon
Aamir Khan and his ex-wife and fellow filmmaker Kiran Rao are celebrating the success of their latest film, Laapataa Ladies. The two got together, along with the star cast, and posed for a selfie. (Also Read: Aamir Khan files FIR against fake video, says he's never endorsed any political party' in his entire career) Kiran Rao shared a selfie with her Laapataa Ladies team

Kiran shares selfie

On Monday, Kiran Rao took to her Instagram Stories and shared a selfie with her Laapataa Gang. This includes her ex-husband and co-producer Aamir Khan, Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, and Ravi Kishan. All of them smiled for the camera while posing together. Kiran called it the Laapataa Gang Reunion.

Interestingly, Aamir also auditioned for the role of the quirky cop eventually played by Ravi. On not going ahead with Aamir, despite him nailing the audition, Kiran told Hindustan Times in an exclusive interview, Even though he found the right notes for this character and everything else, there's a stardom that's very hard to escape. The character he's playing is quite grey, so the idea was that we didn't want you to know this character is going to end up doing. Keeping the unpredictability and the surprise of Manohar's character would've been much harder had it been Aamir.

About Laapataa Ladies

Set in a fictitious state called Nirmal Pradesh, Laapataa Ladies is a story of two brides Phool and Pushpa, who accidentally get swapped on a train. One is taken away home by the groom, while the other is left stranded at a railway station.

The film is based on an award-winning story by Biplab Goswami. Sneha Desai has penned the screenplay and dialogues with Divyanidhi Sharma credited for additional dialogues.

It is produced by Kiran Rao's Kindling Films, Aamir Khan and Jyoti Deshpande's Jio Studios.

Aamir will be seen as an actor in Sitaare Zameen Par, slated to release in cinemas this Christmas. Ravi Kishan was also seen in the Netflix India courtroom comedy Mamla Legal Hai around the same time as Laapataa Ladies. The show has now been renewed for a second season.

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Get ready for some super-babies! Man of Steel star Henry Cavill is expecting his first baby with girlfriend Natalie Viscuso. He considered the same on the red carpet of an event he attended on Monday night. (Also read: Rooney Mara debuts baby bump at Berlin Film Festival, expecting second child with Joaquin Phoenix) British actor Henry Cavill and Natalie Viscuso pose on the red carpet upon arrival to attend the world premiere of the film Argylle.(AFP)

Congratulations, dad-to-be!

The Justice League star spoke to Access Hollywood at the New York City premiere of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and shared the happy news. "I'm very excited about it. Natalie and I are both very excited about it. I'm sure you'll see much more of that, he told a mediaperson when asked about becoming a dad.

Henry and Natalie have been dating for more than two years. They recently attended the London premiere of the actor's movie Argylle. They went Instagram official in April 2021 when they shared a photo of themselves playing chess together to their profiles. "This is me looking quietly confident shortly before my beautiful and brilliant love Natalie, destroys me at chess," Cavill wrote in a caption. In her post, Natalie wrote, "Teaching my dear Henry how to play some chess...or...maybe he let me win?"

What's next for Henry Cavill?

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is directed by Guy Ritchie. The movie is a fictional retelling of Operation Postmaster, a 1941-42 raid on German and Italian ships off the coast of West Africa, carried out by a commando unit formed by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the Special Operations Executive, a group of military officials including author Ian Fleming.

Based on a novel by Damien Lewis and declassified files from the British War Department, the film sees Major Gus March-Phillipps, played by Henry Cavill, leading his team of misfits to fight the Nazis with what are deemed "ungentlemanly" war tactics.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is out in cinemas globally from April 19.
MANZINI  For over an hour, Farmers Bank resembled a scene from a movie, as armed security guards in their riot gear stood outside its entrance.

The incident unfolded yesterday at the Manzini offices of the bank, where it was gathered that the guards were accompanying attorneys who were there to serve some of the employees with suspension letters. According to sources, the drama started at around 2pm when the security guards came to the establishments offices at Corner Mhlakuvane and Tenbergen Street in Manzini.

Suspension

It was gathered that the security guards came after a deputy sheriff had served about seven employees of the bank with suspension letters. The sources claimed that there had been challenges between some of the banks shareholders and the personnel; however, the allegations could not be confirmed by the time this article was compiled. The sources claimed that the armed security guards arrived with one of the shareholders and entered the offices. However, it was claimed that after some time, they exited the premises and took position near the entrance. When this publications reporters arrived at the scene, the guards were near the entrance. They spent about an hour at the scene, which drew the attention of passers-by. This was because the about five security guards, who were clad in a black uniform and burgundy berets and belts, were armed with various gun models. They were also wearing bulletproof vests and gloves.

Their riot gear was similar to what has become synonymous with State security personnel, following the 2021 political unrest in the country. Some spectators were curious to establish what was happening as they had assumptions that there could have been an armed robbery at the scene. It is worth noting that after almost half an hour at the scene, some police officers were seen and they engaged with some of the people who were with the security guards, before leaving later on.

Guards

When reached for comment, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Farmers Bank, Siphiwo Dlamini, said they were not aware as he found the guards when he arrived at the office. Leading to their presence, he said nothing had been communicated to the management of the bank. He said they engaged the directors of the security firm and sought to establish their purpose, which resulted on them reaching a compromise. Dlamini said on the issue of suspensions, they were not legimate according to the bank and as such, they were null void. He said the bank reported to the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) and there are laws and regulations which guide everything to do with the banks existence. The person who goes around calling himself a shareholder or owner of the bank was removed and stopped from presenting himself as such by the Board of directors, therefore, cannot bind the bank in any way, Dlamini said. He said they were not aware of the position of the individual who was projecting himself as a shareholder and they had already reported it to local enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, confirmed that police officers attended to the scene. She said they had been requested to be present as the security officers and a legal practitioner were to serve some employees with certain communication. Mnguni said their role was to ensure peace and security and nothing beyond that. It is worth noting that on March 24, 2024, the Times SUNDAY reported that an on-site inspection report expected to be compiled by the CBE would determine the fate of the Farmers Bank. The commencing of operations of the Farmers Bank has, for more than three years, been delayed, as it has been argued that this was due to that it had still not yet complied with certain procedures, as per the provisions of the Financial Institutions Act, 2005.

Licensed

Recently, Members of Parliament (MPs) sought answers from the Ministry of Finance on the status of the bank and what was currently being done. In a response provided by the Ministry of Finance, the Farmers Bank remains a licensed bank under the aforementioned Act. According to the ministry, the CBE last reviewed the Farmers Banks licence in September 2023, for one year. The ministry said the bank is, however, considered a bank in organisation since it had not commenced operations or opened doors to the public. Also mentioned was that the CBE met the Farmers Bank monthly to discuss progress and that it recently conducted an on-site inspection as part of the requirements before commencing operations.
Randeep Hooda may be basking in the success of his directorial debut Swatantra Veer Savarkar now, but he still has a gripe with how his 2020 Hollywood film, Extraction, was received in India. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, the actor said while received tremendous praise internationally, no one in India talked about his Extraction performance. (Also Read  Randeep Hooda on losing 32 kg for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar: I absolutely could have died) Randeep Hooda starred with Chris Hemsworth in Extraction.

What Randeep said

Nothing happened in India. No one even talked about it in India, except a few media persons. That role turned out to be great. I got a lot of appreciation internationally. Everyone asked, Who is this actor? They also saw a lot of my past films, said Randeep. He added that he consciously chose to play the action part because conventionally, Indians are associated more with non-violence, and not action.

"I wanted to play a disruptor in Extraction since I had the choice. If you go out of the country and look at India from their perspective  and we have to thank Gandhiji for it  that we aren't considered physically strong. We're given the roles of taxi drivers, 7-Eleven clerks, doctors, technicians. So when I was given the opportunity to have a brawl with Thor (Chris Hemsworth's role in Marvel Cinematic Universe), then I consciously took it up, added Randeep.

Randeep in Extraction

Randeep played Saju, an associate of Mahajan (Pankaj Tripathi), who's taked to get back his son Ovi from the tough protagonist Tyler Rake (Chris). He engages in a fist fight with Tyler on the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Hindustan Times review of Extraction described Randeep as excellent and his character as fascinating, Samurai-like. Hes a tree of a man, but also enigmatic and cool, with a moral code hidden underneath the combat gear, it stated. Extraction was directed by Sam Hargrave and produced by Russo Brothers.

Randeep also mentioned in the interview that he's planning to direct an action flick next.

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Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has been sentenced to 18 months in prison over the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer announced the sentencing on Monday after a jury found the 27-year-old guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The late cinematographer was shot and killed on the set when Alec Baldwin fired a gun which was accidentally loaded with a live bullet on October 21, 2021. Gutierrez-Reed was responsible for handling the firearms at the time of film production. TOPSHOT - Hannah Gutierrez-Reed (L), the former armorer at the movie Rust, attends her sentencing hearing at the First Judicial District Courthouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico, April 15, 2024. The armorer who loaded the gun that killed a cinematographer on the set of the Alec Baldwin movie "Rust" was convicted March 6, 2024 of involuntary manslaughter. A jury in New Mexico took just over two hours to find Hannah Gutierrez guilty over the death of Halyna Hutchins in October 2021 during filming of the budget Western. (Photo by Eddie Moore / Journal / POOL / AFP)(AFP)

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed sentenced to maximum time for involuntary manslaughter

Gutierrez-Reed was handed down the maximum time of 18 months behind bars for involuntary manslaughter. Before giving her ruling, Sommer said, For all the fanfare and pundits and finger-pointing that has been going on for over two years, we were able to seat a jury of her peers who confirmed that they could listen to the evidence received in court and determine the facts and apply the law, adding, They found Ms. Gutierrez guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

The judge also called her out for taking her offence lightly as she told someone during the jailhouse calls that this is messing up her modelling career. As the Rust armourer sobbed after her sentencing, Sommer continued, I find that what you did constitutes a serious, violent offense. It was committed in a physically violent manner. A fatal gunshot done with your recklessness in the face of knowledge that your acts were reasonably likely to result in serious harm, per Fox News.

The jury decision was reached following a two-week trial where jurors heard details from weapons experts, crew members, and detectives. You were the armorer, the one that's to be between a safe weapon and a weapon that could kill someone. You alone turned a safe weapon into a lethal weapon. But for you, Mrs. Hutchins would be alive, a husband would have his partner and a little boy would have his mother. Please take her, Sommer added.
Attorneys for rap star Travis Scott argued in court Monday that he should be dismissed from hundreds of lawsuits filed over the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival, saying he was not responsible for safety planning and watching for possible dangers at the Houston event. (Also Read  10 dead in 2021 Astroworld festival: Why Drake's name was dismissed, but Apple Inc's and Travis Scott's wasn't) Travis Scott's attorneys say he wasn't responsible for safety at 2021 Astroworld concert(AFP)

But attorneys for relatives of one of the 10 people killed during a massive crowd surge at the festival said Scott ignored safety concerns and threatened to release online the personal information of anyone who would cancel the event over safety concerns.

Stephen Brody, an attorney for Scott, said the rap star remains devastated and heartbroken by the tragic events of November 5, 2021, when authorities and festival organisers tried to shut down the show and stop the surge.

The families of the 10 people who died, as well as hundreds who were injured, sued Scott and Live Nation  the festivals promoter  as well as dozens of other individuals and entities.

During a court hearing before state District Judge Kristen Hawkins, Brody argued that Scott and his touring and production company, XX Global, should be dismissed from the case. They said his duties and responsibilities related to the festival were outlined as performing, marketing, curating talent for the event, providing for his own personal security and approving all creative matters involving the festival. And thats it, Brody said.

During the concert, Scott, whose real name is Jacques Bermon Webster II, did stop his performance four times to check on issues he saw in the crowd, including some people who appeared to be in distress, according to Brody.

Did he have show pause authority? Hawkins asked Brody. He could stop performing and wait to see if an issue of concern had been resolved, Brody said.

But Brody added the festivals organisers as well as Houston police also had the ability to turn on the lights or cut off the sound if they thought something was wrong.

Noah Wexler, an attorney for the family of Madison Dubiski, 23, said Scotts contract defined him as a co-promoter of the festival with Live Nation and as a promoter, he was responsible for the events safety under Texas rules.

Wexler alleged that Scott in a May 5, 2021 tweet, that was sent after tickets for Astroworld had sold out, instigated his fans to on the day of the show break into the festival grounds, writing, we still sneaking the wild ones in.

Wexler said this created dangerous conditions for a festival that was massively oversold and was part of a conscious disregard for safety.

Wexler alleged that Scott and his manager, David Stromberg, created dangerous safety conditions by insisting that Scott be the only musical act to use the main stage on the festivals first day, a situation that could create crowd flow problems. Scott and Stromberg were also accused of threatening to dox any festival organisers who would cancel the show over safety concerns.

In a deposition, Stromberg said his doxxing comments were a joke made in poor taste.

Brody said safety concerns raised over Scott being the only person to use the main stage were fixed.

Wexler also accused Scott and his team backstage of ignoring orders from festival organisers to stop the concert at 10 p.m.

In a deposition, Scott said he was never told as he was onstage that there were people in the crowd who were dead and he needed to stop the show at 10 p.m.

Scott said he was told to end the show after hip-hop guest artist Drake performed. The concert didnt end until 10:12 p.m.

Its one of the worst days for not just me but for a lot of people, families, the city. It was just  it was just a bad day overall, Scott said in a deposition in September.

Attorneys for other individuals and companies tied to the festival also asked Hawkins on Monday to be dismissed from the case. Hawkins was expected to issue a ruling on Scott's motion and the others at a later date.

Last week, Hawkins dismissed lawsuits against Drake and several other individuals and companies involved in the show.

After an investigation by Houston police, no charges were filed against Scott and a grand jury declined to indict him and five other people on any criminal counts related to the deadly concert.

Those killed, who ranged in age from 9 to 27, died from compression asphyxia, which an expert likened to being crushed by a car.

The lawsuit filed by Dubiskis family is set to be the first one to go to trial on May 6.

Some of the lawsuits filed by the families of the dead and the hundreds who were injured have been settled, including those filed by the families of four of the dead.
OnlyFans sensation Bonnie Blue is making headlines once again, this time for her wild sexual escapades during spring break. Bonnie Blue's wild spring break encounters with 120 students raise eyebrows(Instagram/bonnie_blue_xo)

Who is Bonnie Blue?

The 24-year-old British native, now residing in Australia, caused a stir after admitting to engaging in sexual encounters with over 120 college students in just three weeks.

Venturing to Mexico to collaborate with students, Bonnie disclosed that her exploits actually bagged her approximately $250,000 in only those 21 days.

ALSO READ| Kai Cenat threatens to sue OnlyFans model who leaked his private photos and messages

Reflecting on her experiences, the OnlyFans icon remarked, The college [students] enjoyed spring break, but I gave them one to remember.

Many spring breakers actually called it a bonding experience. They enjoyed every second of it, as did I!

Bonnie sees her sexual escapades as a helping hand towards those students, who just want to get laid during Spring break.(Instagram/bonnie_blue_xo)

She said her Spring escapade was an incredible success for both herself and the college dwellers, many of whom purportedly viewed the experience as a bonding opportunity.

Despite receiving backlash for her approach, particularly following a similar stunt during Schoolies Week Down Under, Bonnie remains steadfast in her belief that her actions are mutually beneficial.

Many students on vacation will expect to get laid, Bonnie defended

We will never create content without organising proper consent first. In other words, the guys who expressed interest needed to prove legal evidence they are over 18 years old and were made aware that the content is for our OnlyFans accounts, she asserted.

Many students on vacation will expect to get laid on spring break. I think having women (us) in the mix who are up for it and dont need any convincing is positive for the women on vacation who dont want to be pestered by young men; they just want to be left alone to chill with their friends, she went on explaining.

ALSO READ| Real Housewives of New York City star Leah McSweeney gets candid about OnlyFans

Bonnie defended her actions saying, While the benefit for the young men themselves is that they are guaranteed to have positive and enjoyable experiences with us because we know what we are doing and how to please a guy!

Earlier, the British native revealed plans to replicate her exploits during freshers' week in the UK, joined by fellow OnlyFans star Leilani May.

Leilani was there in Mexico with her.

Acknowledging past criticisms, Bonnie and Leilani issued a statement: We are excited to have been able to draw attention to making realistic and relatable content with real people. We're looking forward to continuing this style of adult content and taking it to spring break, US & freshers week, UK.
Dipika Kakar has been caught in pregnancy rumours time and again. The actor has always maintained silence about the constant speculations around having a baby with husband-actor Shoaib Ibrahim, and its not different this time. After welcoming their first child in June last year, the couple often sparks excitement among fans about a possible pregnancy. Dipika Kakar with Shoaib Ibrahim

Recently, she was spotted by the paparazzi holding her first baby Ruhaan in her arms. In the video, she was seen wearing a loose white suit. Moreover, the actor was even covering her stomach with the dupatta which many users termed as her baby bump, which gave fuel to the rumours.

However, contrary to reports, we have learnt from multiple sources that Kakar is not pregnant, after all. She is not expecting her second baby. There are no such plans. She has just gained weight after Ruhaans birth and will soon start focusing on getting back on track, says the source, adding, Jaise hi kisi video ya photo mein angle iss tareeke ka hota hai, ek second mein pregnancy rumours aane lag jaate hain. The same happened with many actresses lately.

In fact, the actor is actually not very happy about the social media speculations. She is quite angry and not at all in the zone to talk about it. Dipika doesnt even want to address or clarify the rumours and just let it be. She wants to maintain privacy and not talk about it at all, says the insider.
Littering is a big problem in our country. Even though we have come a long way in spreading awareness about protecting the environment, many out there are still least bothered. So when a celebrity sets an example for their fans by picking up trash, on impulse and not for publicity, they deserve to be appreciated. Recently Bollywoods Baadshah Shah Rukh Khan won the internet when he displayed one such humble action. But hes not the only one. Heres a list of celebs who deserve a special mention for keeping their country clean. (Also Read  4 Shah Rukh Khan moments from KKR vs RR match you can't miss: From meeting Jhulan Goswami to vibing on Badshah O Badshah) Celebrities working towards a cleaner India

Shah Rukh Khan

Superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh was in Kolkata this week for his teams match. After the match ended and before he left the venue with Suhana Khan, AbRam Khan and Ananya Panday, the actor went around picking up discarded flags from the stands. This video has gone viral on social media with many fans praising him

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The man who initiated the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan deserves the most special spot on this list. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only raised awareness, encouraging the people of our country to work towards a cleaner India, but also picked up the broom himself to set an example on multiple occasions. He showed us what truly caring for the country looks like

Prime Minister Narendra Modi plogging at a beach in Mamallapuram

Ranveer Singh

Last year a video of Ranveer Singh went viral from the inauguration party of a salon. Before entering the venue, he stopped and bent down to pick up trash from the ground while the paparazzi clicked pictures. Some trolled him calling this a publicity stunt. But a majority of fans lauded the actor for cleaning up litter dropped by someone else. A few even credited his wife Deepika Padukones compulsion to keep things clean and organised for Ranveers behaviour

Rashmika Mandanna

Celebrities are often in the news for their airport looks. But Pushpa 2 star Rashmika Mandanna won hearts when she stopped to pick up a paper napkin from the floor before walking to her car from the airport after her flight. She was showered with praise by several fans

Rashmika Mandanna picking trash at the airport

Shaheer Sheikh

Back in 2021, Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi actor Shaheer Sheikh shared a video of himself picking litter from the Pangong Lake in Ladakh. He inspired many fans to be the change with this clip, which soon went viral on social media. In the comment section below, some lauded the TV stars simplicity while others thanked him for caring about nature

We hope these beloved stars picking up trash will inspire you to strive for a cleaner India.
Twenty-nine Maoists were killed in a fierce encounter with joint forces of the state police and the Border Security Force (BSF) in Chhattisgarhs Kanker district, officials said on Tuesday, in what is the most significant single-incident blow to the rebels in eight years, and the biggest ever in the state. Security personnel during an encounter with Maoists in Kanker district on April 16.(PTI)

Three security personnel were also injured in the exchange of fire, with at least one jawan suffering bullet injuries. They have all been declared out of immediate danger and airlifted to Raipur for further medical treatment, the officials added.There was also speculation that senior Maoist leader Shankar Rao was among those killed.

The encounter comes days before the Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-hit constituencies in south Chhattisgarh go to the polls in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, with Bastar voting on April 19, and Kanker set to cast its ballot in the second phase on April 26.

Read Here: Chhattisgarh Police announce 5 lakh reward for intel on Naxals

With dense forests that present operational challenges, low road connectivity that makes accessing remote areas and gathering intelligence cumbersome, and heavily armed insurgents who use guerrilla tactics to attack and evade, LWE has been a four-decade-long security challenge in Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and western Maharashtra.

It is rare, given these challenges, for such a high casualty figure for the Maoists in a single operation, and experts said this signifies a critical strengthening in the security apparatus in affected states, and a consequent weakening of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

There are several aspects that need to coexist for such a high figure of casualties. It means that the intelligence was absolutely exact, the forces had the capacity to move quickly, and all strategies were in place, a senior police officer familiar with the region said, asking not to be named.

Also Read | India will be completely Naxal-free: Amit Shah after 29 Naxals killed in Chhattisgarh

He added that over the past eight years, there have only been two encounters that are comparable  in 2016 when 31 Maoists were killed on the Andhra-Odisha border in Malkangiri, and in November 2021, when 27 Maoists were killed in Gadchiroli.

The encounter also underlines a clear uptick in the aggression from security forces in Chhattisgarh in 2024, with 79 Maoists killed in the year already, much higher than the 22 killed in all of 2023. With the latest incident, 55 Maoists have been killed since February 25 alone  13 were killed in an encounter in Bijapur district on April in another big incident that highlighted the ground gained by security forces.

Senior Chhattisgarh police officials said that the gunbattle that lasted over four hours took place between armed Maoists and a joint team of the Chhattisgarh Polices District Reserve Guard and BSF on Tuesday afternoon. Personnel of central paramilitary forces are stationed in each of Bastars seven districts  while the Central Reserve Police Force operates in Bastar, Dantewada, Sukma and Bijapur districts, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police is stationed in Kondagaon and Narayanpur, and BSF operates in Kanker.

A police statement issued by the office of the P Sunder Raj, inspector general of police (Bastar), said that a joint search team of the Kanker DRF and BSF were launched for a search operation in the Chottebetiya police station limits. The area is close to the Maharashtra border, and is in the vicinity of Abhujhmaad  4,000 square kilometres of forest that is yet unmapped by the government, and considered the last bastion of the Maoists, where their most senior cadre hold up.

Police officers said that firing broke out at around 1.30pm near the Binagunda-Koragutta jungles, and lasted intermittently till around 5pm. After the encounter, the area was searched and 29 Maoist bodies along with a huge cache of AK-47 rifles, INSAS/SLR/Carbine/.303 rifles and huge quantities of arms and ammunitions were recovered from the spot, the Chhattisgarh Police said in a statement. It added that the bodies havent been identified thus far, and that process will begin once all the personnel have safely reached their camps.

In a separate statement, BSF said that the operation was launched on specific intelligence. While the operation was still under progress, the BSF team came under fire from CPI Maoist cadres, and BSF troops effectively retaliated against them, the central agencys statement said.

One senior BSF official said that, on Monday, they received two separate bits of human intelligence on the gathering of senior cadre of the North Bastar division of the CPI(Maoist) in the area, and teams left for the location late on Monday night. A team of 185 personnel reached the jungles at around 1.30pm, the officer added.

A separate officer aware of the developments in the encounter said that the team initially found little sign of the rebels. The signs suggested that the Maoists were there earlier, but had moved. We followed a trail which led us to them in a slightly elevated spot in the jungle. Our officials cordoned off the area and when the rebels realised that they were surrounded, they opened fire on our team at around 1.30pm. The initial firing between forces and Naxals lasted for almost an hour. And then there was a lull, the officer said.

The gunfight happened within a small stretch of around 300sq m in the jungle, the officer added.

Between 1.30pm and 4.30pm, there were at least three separate rounds of exchange of fire between the two sides that lasted between 40 minutes to an hour. The number of Maoists could have been around 40-50. One of our boys said he counted around 20 Naxals firing towards him. Another said he counted 35. One of the jawans said he saw some young girls carrying arms fleeing into the jungle towards the end of the encounter. We are waiting for them to return and will be stitching the sequence of events, the official said adding that the rebels appeared to be well trained.

BSF sub-inspector Ramesh Chandra sustained injuries in the initial firing. He was hit by sniper bullet when he accidentally exposed his leg from behind the tree which he was taking cover. The rebels were trained and engaged the forces in heavy fire for hours, the second officer said.

The team replied with full force, and most of the Maoists were killed in this first wave, the officer added, asking not to be named.

Read Here: Three more Maoists killed by security forces in Chhattisgarh

Once the encounter started, the state police sent reinforcements from the Pakhanajur police station, 30km away, effectively forming a cordon in the direction the Maoists wanted to use to escape, a police officer aware of the operation said. The west side was cordoned off this way, and to the north is a stream which is difficult to navigate. They got boxed in, and the Maoists therefore faced significant losses, the officer added.

A home ministry official, who asked not to be named, said, At least five inputs were shared with the forces about the gathering of these Maoists. Of these five inputs, at least two had the correct location of the camps where active operations were underway. It seemed this was a permanent camp of the Naxals.

Security experts said that the encounter was further evidence of both increased aggressiveness, and an uptick in operational efficiency. In the last seven years we have established several security camps in forward areas of Maoists which are giving us operational benefits. The troops have to move less to reach their targets, giving Maoists little time to navigate their way out, catching them unawares. This is a game-changer, said DM Awasthi, former Chhattisgarh director general of police.

Another senior intelligence officer who has spent over a decade in the area said that there were clear signs that Maoist heft was dissipating. The successful encounters are extremely telling, because it means you have not only operational and strategic advantages, but that human intelligence is getting better and more precise. Even more significantly, the Maoists have not responded in force despite one setback after another shows an element of dissipation. Most big Maoist attacks in the past, Bhejji and Burkapal in 2017 for instance where over 30 police personnel were killed, took place in March or April when they run their TCOC (Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign). But they have been either unwilling or unable to respond, the officer said.

Union home minister Amit Shah congratulated security forces for the encounter. I congratulate all the security personnel who made this operation successful with their bravery and wish for the speedy recovery of the brave policemen who have been injured, Shah wrote on X, adding that the offensive policy of the government and the efforts of security forces have confined Naxalism to a small area today.

Naxalism is the biggest enemy of development, peace and bright future of youth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, we are determined to free the country from the menace of Naxalism... Soon Chhattisgarh and the entire country will be completely Naxal-free, he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) congratulated the security forces on the encounter, and said that this concerted effort would mean Bastar would be Maoist-free within a few years. We are working according to the promises made by Prime Minister Modi who has said that Chhattisgarh will be Maoist free in a few years. This is a great success for our forces, said Ajay Chandrakar, former minister and chief spokesperson of the state BJP.

The Congress also backed the security forces, and said that the encounter was a significant success.

We will support any move by the administration to eradicate Maoism, Sushil Anand Shukla, chief spokesperson for the Congress in Chhattisgarh. One Congress leader, who did not want to be named, however, expressed concern at the encounters taking place so close to the elections. These encounters may affect the voting percentage in Kanker and Bastar. There could be some fear to come out a vote, because on the one hand, Maoists have called for a boycott, and on the other, these encounters will bring an element of danger. This could affect Congresss chances because the BJPs voter base in the urban district headquarters will be unaffected, and likely enthused by these successes, this leader said.
Six people, including two children, were killed as a boat carrying students to school on Tuesday morning capsized on the Jhelum in Srinagar, even as authorities set off on frantic efforts to locate three missing people in the rivers cold and choppy waters. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team conduct rescue operation after boat capsized in the Jhelum river, in Srinagar, on Tuesday. (Waseem Andrabi /Hindustan Times)

The Jammu & Kashmir capital has been battered by heavy spells of rain since Saturday, swelling the Jhelums waters far beyond normal levels and leaving boats in disarray, though authorities had not issued any alerts or warnings.

The Union territorys administration identified the dead as Firdousa Fayaz (45), her seven-year-old twins Tahir Fayaz and Mudasir Fayaz, Raziya, who goes by a single name (18), Shabir Ahmad Bhat (34) as well as the boatman, Gulzar Ahmad Dar (40).

Six people were rescued, said officials, but added that teams were looking for three missing people  Farhan Waseem Parray (7), Showkat Ahmad Sheikh (40) and his son Haziq Showkat (9)  deep into Tuesday evening. Parrays mother was among those rescued.

All the children on board study in the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Sonwar across the river.

The boat overturned around 8am as the wooden boat, roughly 15-feet long and seven-feet wide, headed east from Gandabal towards Batwara, with 15 passengers on board, said Srinagar deputy commissioner Bilal Bhat.

Survivors pointed out that the two banks were just 500m apart, but that they were forced to make the treacherous trip across in rickety boats because the nearest bridge is 2km away. They also added that a footbridge, adjacent to the accident spot, has been under construction for eight years.

The small vessel had no motor and its crew propelled it between the riverbanks by pulling a rope fixed at both ends.

Eyewitnesses said the Jhelums violent currents snapped the rope, pushed the boat into an iron pillar erected in the waters for the bridge, breaking it in two instantly.

Read Here | Kashmir: Two schoolboys among six people dead in Srinagar boat capsize

Over 70mm of rain has pummelled Kashmir Valley since Saturday, pushing the rivers level to 15 feet, close to the warning level of 18 feet. Officials said the rivers level is usually far lower than it was on Tuesday morning, throwing boaters off guard.

Fifteen people were in the boat when it capsized. Six people were rescued and six bodies were retrieved till afternoon. A search is on for three missing people, Bhat said.

Local residents jumped in to save the passengers, said officials, and were soon joined by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police teams.

Srinagar senior superintendent of police Ashish Mishra said the rivers sharp currents were impeding rescue efforts.

The water is turbid and there are under- and over-currents, so there are difficulties in finding the missing people, Mishra said. We have trained personnel to perform such rescue operations and are hopeful of concluding this rescue soon, he added.

The tragedy ripped families apart and left people desperate for answers and accountability.

Parrays mother was inconsolable.

The boat was carrying less than the usual number of people today. I was holding his hand. But when it hit the pillar, I lost him. It happened so fast, I didnt understand what happened, she said.

I had called Firdousa in the morning saying the water is high, but she said that we have seen higher waters.

Senior political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir expressed their condolences.

Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha said: The administration is providing all possible help to the bereaved families and medical facilities to those injured. Marcos teams have also been alerted. I am constantly monitoring the situation.

Deeply concerned by reports of a boat capsizing on the Jhelum near Srinagar, said National Conference leader Omar Abdullah.

Shocked to hear about the tragic accident in Batwara where a boat capsized. Reports coming in of children dead. My deepest condolences to their families. I urge the administration to extend all help possible, said Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned yoga guru and entrepreneur Ramdev and Patanjalis managing director Balkrishna on disobeying court orders that forbade Patanjali Ayurved from running misleading advertisements on health cures and sternly warned them against undermining other medical practices. The court pointed out that the two were not so naive that they had simply made a mistake, after they offered to issue a public apology to avoid a contempt charge. Yoga guru and brand ambassador Patanjali Ayurved Baba Ramdev speaks to the media as he leaves from the Supreme Court after attending an hearing relating to alleged misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurved, in New Delhi on Tuesday (ANI)

While the top court gave Ramdev and Balkrishna a week to take suitable steps to redeem themselves and demonstrate their remorse, it directly interacted with the two, telling them their plea of innocence or inadvertence cannot be accepted right away after they chose to flout court orders despite previous judicial warnings.

The court, however, told them that it was still to make up its mind on whether to accept their apology or not.

Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah asked pointed questions as Ramdev and Balkrishna appeared in person to answer charges of contempt of court, stemming from a series of advertisements that claimed Patanjali products could cure various diseases -- a clear violation of the top courts earlier directives and an undertaking given by Patanjali in this regard.

Patanjali advertisements case: Ramdev, Balkrishna apologise, slammed by Supreme Court | 5 quotes

As soon as the proceedings commenced, senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, representing the leaders of the Patanjali Ayurved empire, offered to issue a public apology but the bench called upon the two for an interaction.

It began by asking Ramdev why he and Patanjali would run down any other form of medicine in a country that has a rich and diverse medical heritage, dating back thousands of years, with the practice of multiple systems of medicine that have developed and evolved over centuries. The court interacted with Ramdev and Balkrishna in Hindi.

Why would you say any other system is not good? it asked Ramdev, who started by expressing his unqualified and unconditional apology for his conduct that riled the court.

Ramdev said that he has never sought to denigrate any other form of medicine, including modern medicine -- it is often referred to as allopathy in India -- and that a press conference, which was conducted in November last year, a day after Patanjali rendered its assurance to the court against issuing any misleading advertisement of contentious statements, aimed at bringing clinical evidence and real-life testimonies to the notice of the people.

Read Here | Dont denigrate other medical systems, SC to Ramdev, says he is not ignorant

Whatever you do, it has to be within the four corners of the law... You cannot denigrate or shoot down other systems to promote your system. We wont allow that. You are before us because you have apparently committed contempt...There are incurable diseases, and no advertisements are allowed in respect of them. Law is equal for everyone. And if you think your system has a cure, prove it before the government panel first, the bench told him.

The courtroom was packed as Ramdev, clad in his traditional saffron attire, and Balkrishna, listened carefully, occasionally nodding in acknowledgment. The proceedings were marked by a grave tone as the judges underscored the seriousness of the contempt charges and the responsibility that Ramdev and Balkrishna bear towards public health.

This country and its people have hopes from you. You should not have done all this... You cannot degrade allopathy. Dont denigrate any other system, it said.

Cutting a sorry figure, Ramdev replied that he accepts his mistake and undertakes to remain mindful in future. The court is right. I will be extremely careful in future so that there is no defiance of a court order, or my position becomes delicate because of my mistakes. It happened because of our zealousness to tell the world about our discoveries and research. But we should have been more careful, he added.

Balakrishna supported this stance, highlighting their respect for the courts concerns and their commitment to more responsible advertising in the future.

Analysis: Legally Speaking | The suits against Patanjali prove that strict action alone protects public health

The court told them that it was still to make up its mind on whether to accept their apology or not. At times, it does not appear that the apology is from the heart when you try to justify what you did. There has been a violation of not one but three court orders. Today, we are not saying we condone you. We are still deciding whether to accept your apology. You cannot be considered as ignorant as you could defy three court orders, the bench told them.

Turning to Rohatgi, the bench said that Ramdev and Balkrishna were free to take measures that they deem appropriate for redeeming themselves, adding the court would take up the matter against on April 27.

Personality does not matter...You are part of the system. You and I understand but there are some people who dont. Institutions matter, personalities dont. The majesty of the institution and the Constitution are supreme...that is above us and that is important, it told Rohatgi, who assured the bench that he would advise the two as an officer of the court.

In a series of hearings on the Indian Medical Associations petition complaining against Ramdevs contentious comments about modern medicine and allegedly misleading advertisements about Patanjali products, the Supreme Court expressed grave concern and emphasised the need for responsible discourse, especially during a pandemic like Covid-19.

The court admonished Patanjali for spreading misinformation that could undermine public trust in the health care system and had recorded an undertaking by the company in November 2023 that it would stop running any misleading advertisements and issuing disparaging statements against modern or any other form of medicine.

Read Here: Patanjali sent notices, but not under key 1954 law

However, the medical association came back to the bench with a video clip of a press conference held by Ramdev and Patanjali advertisements in national media merely a day after their undertaking in the court on November 21. Additionally, the association produced a series of advertisements branding Patanjali products as cure for several ailments, including hypertension and diabetes.

Irked by the contravention of its order and its own assurance, the court by its subsequent orders of February 27, March 19, April 2 and April 10 called Ramdev and Balkrishna in person, asking them to show cause why they should not be punished for contempt of court. They have since filed a pair of apology affidavits each, but the court has not found them satisfactory and bonafide.

On April 10, the bench lambasted Ramdev and Balkrishna, refusing to accept their unconditional apology for issuing misleading advertisements and saying the judges did not want to be so generous after the duo were caught on the wrong foot with their back to the wall. On the day, it also came down heavily on the Uttarakhand government, saying the authorities kept their eyes shut by not cracking down on the company for violating advertising rules by making false claims about curing diseases such as diabetes and asthma.

The court also reproached the Uttarakhand officials for acting in cahoots and failing to register cases against Patanjali for issuing advertisements promising cure for lifestyle and other specified ailments prohibited under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectional Advertisements) Act 1954, Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Rules 1955, and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945.
Electoral bonds were a way to curb the use of black money in elections and usher in transparency but the Opposition spread lies about it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, as he laid out his vision for a developed India, hailed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for celebrating diversity, and expressed confidence of a victory in Lok Sabha elections beginning this week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during an interview with Asian News International (ANI).

In an interview to news agency ANI, Modi also underlined his commitment to the poor and middle-class taxpayers, dismissed allegations that federal agencies were working at the governments behest, and stressed on his administrations commitment to simultaneous national and state elections.

How can our elections be free from this black money? How can there be transparency? I had an honest and pure thought. We were looking for a way. We found a small way, Modi said, referring to the political funding scheme that was scrapped by the Supreme Court last month.

In decision-making, we learn and improve But today we have completely pushed the country towards black money. And that is why I said everyone will regret it. When they think honestly, everyone will regret it, he said.

If there were no electoral bonds, then how are you getting a trail of money? Which company gave it? How did they give it? Where did they give it? Now, it could be a matter of good or badIn decision-making, we learn and improve. It is possible to improve in this too.

In the 78-minute televised interview, Modi also spoke about his vision for a developed India, young people, and especially taxpayers, highlighting that the number of people filing income-tax returns had doubled in the last decade. Why is this happening? It is because of trust, that the money the person is giving is being used in the right place. For the sake of development, not for theft and looting, he said.

He thanked taxpayers and said they should be respected. Because whatever dreams I have to fulfil, the money that the taxpayer gives me, is going to be from that. And I believe that for the progress of the country, the number of taxpayers should increase and the burden of the taxpayers should be reduced.

Modi said his governments fight against corruption will continue, junking Opposition allegations that action by investigative agencies was spoiling the level-playing field needed before elections. None of the laws in this have been made by my government. Whether its ED, CBI or the Election Commission. On top of that, we have improved the Election Commission, he said, referring to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 that was cleared by Parliament last year.

According to the new law, the selection process consists of two committees  a three-member search committee led by the law minister and comprising two government secretaries; and a three-member selection committee headed by the PM and consisting of a Union minister recommended by the PM and the leader of Opposition. Two election commissioners were selected using this process last month. Critics say the new law is a departure from a judgment of the Supreme Court in March last year, which directed for inclusion of the Chief Justice of India in the selection panel until Parliament came up with a new law. Challenges to the act are pending before the top court.

If the Election Commission is formed today, then the Opposition is also in it. Earlier, the Prime Minister used to sign a file and form the Election Commission. And those who were close to their families, such people became election commissioners, Modi said.

He said the Opposition was making excuses by levelling allegations against agencies. There is fear of sin. What fear does an honest person have? They had put my home minister in jail when I was CM, Modi said, pointing out that 97% of the cases before the Enforcement Directorate involved non-political people.

ED is doing its job well by seizing cash. They have captured people and cash as well and I am convinced that the corruption has destroyed the country. We should fight against corruption with our full strength. And this is my personal conviction.

Modis comments came in the middle of an election season where Opposition politicians have trained their guns at the BJP over the incarceration of prominent leaders such as Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren over corruption charges. The Opposition alleges that investigative agencies are acting at the behest of the government to create an unequal playing field for the general elections that begin on April 19.

Modi said he was working on his vision for 2047, which marks the centenary of Indias Independence, for the past two years with suggestions of more than 1.5 million people on how they wanted to see India in the coming 25 years, and inputs from universities and non-governmental organisations.

When I say that I have big plans, no one must be scared. I dont take decisions to scare or run-over anyone, I take decisions for the wholesome development of the nation. For the development of the people, the aspirations of our youth. I dont want to delay those things, he said.

The PM said the vision 2047 will be sent to the states as soon as the polls are over, followed by a meeting of the chief ministers and Niti Aayog to finalise the document. I dont want to lose even a minute. Now you must remember, in 2019, very few people pay attention. At that time too, I gave 100 days work and went to the election field. And when I came back, Article 370, I did it in 100 days. With repealing of Triple Talaq, I made my sisters free. I did it in the first 100 days.

Modi underlined his guarantees and contrasted it with the Opposition. We should remember that we have a tradition of Pran Jaye par Vacchan na Jaye I believe that politicians should take ownership. They should take responsibility. What I am saying is my responsibility. And I have given the guarantee from that, he said, referring to the abrogation of Article 370 and the repealing of instant triple talaq as examples.

He accused the Opposition of having a problem with Indias diversity. They want to put the country in a singular structureWe worship diversity, we celebrate diversityRegional aspirations should be given the most attention. This is the philosophy of my party. If you reject the regional aspirations, you cant make the dream of a developed India come true.

Modi accused the Opposition of trying to politicise the opening of the Ram Temple due to vote bank politics and said it was a matter of faith for him.

He spoke at length about foreign policy, focusing on the rescue of Indians from conflict regions. We brought about 5,000 people from Yemen. It was the same in Ukraine. I have a similar relationship with Russia. I have been very friendly with both the presidents. I can publicly say to President Putin that this is not the time for war. I can also say publicly to Ukraine that we should follow the path of dialogue.And this is because, I have credibility. And when I said that so many people from India our youths are trapped. And I need your help. And what can I do for you? Then I said, I have arranged so much. You help me so much. They helped.

Modi highlighted his governments efforts to bring in investment, giving the example of Tesla. We want people to invest in capital. We want the youth of our country to get employment, he said. You can see the example of Google, Samsung who came here. Apple came here in a very large way. In Vadodara, work started for the manufacturing of aircraft. For the semiconductors, a very good statement of a leader of Taiwan has also come. That means we are in every field. We want people to transfer technology.

He also referred to Elon Musks upcoming trip to India. Basically, he [Musk] is a supporter of India. And I just met him. Its not like that. I went to see his factory in 2015. He was out somewhere and returned especially after cancelling all his work. He showed me everything in his factory. And I understood his vision from him. I went there just now and met him again. And now he is about to come to India. See, in India, in the last 10 years, there is investment from across the world, in every region, Modi said.

He also reiterated his governments commitment to simultaneous polls, an idea already backed by a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

In terms of one nation, one election, many people have come on board in the country. All parties. Many people have given their suggestions to the committee. Positive suggestions have come and very innovative suggestions have come. And the country will benefit a lot if we are able to implement this report.

The Congress hit back at Modi, criticising him for taking credit for the disclosure of the donors in the electoral bonds scheme. PM introduced anonymity to electoral financing, presided over large-scale corruption, and attempted to cover it up through SBI. Only the Supreme Courts strong intervention forced SBI to reveal who donated how much to which political party, said senior leader Jairam Ramesh on X.
Bahrains Labour Fund (Tamkeen), in partnership with Bahrain Polytechnic, has announced the launch of the second phase of its Cloud Innovation Centre (CIC) programme.

The initiative aims to enhance the cloud computing skills of Bahraini talent and bolster the kingdoms innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. The second phase builds on the success of the first, and was designed to support its promising graduates by providing them with a platform to develop and accelerate their concepts in the market.

Based on the first phase outputs, the second phase supports participants in establishing startups, expanding the scope of their businesses, and enhancing their competitiveness in local, regional, and international markets. The programme aims to expand the use of cloud computing technologies, facilitate the delivery of services, generate innovative solutions to a range of challenges, and encourage qualified Bahraini professionals to embark on entrepreneurial journeys.

Growth of ICT

Moreover, it contributes to the growth of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, a key contributor to the national economy, which accounted for 6.8% of the kingdom's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022 and serves as a primary driver for its digital transformation.

This collaboration with Bahrain Polytechnic is aimed at developing the cloud computing skills of Bahraini professionals and helping to transform their innovative concepts into successful businesses, said Tamkeen Executive Director of Programme Development and Partnerships Ali Hassan.

The partnership also aligns with the objectives of the kingdom's digital government strategy, aiming to enhance the private sectors role as a key driver of national economic growth and promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

Additionally, it supports the professional development of Bahraini talent by equipping them with new and emerging digital skills, ultimately making Bahraini citizens the preferred choice in the local and international job markets.

Innovative models

In addition to CIC at Bahrain Polytechnic, Tamkeen also provides support to a similar programme at the University of Bahrain. Since their inception, these Cloud Innovation Centres have together supported 106 students, encouraging them to innovate solutions through intensive hands-on training facilitated by experts from Amazon Web Services (AWS). This has resulted in 34 innovative models, which have been proposed as solutions to challenges faced by the public sector.

We are committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders in innovation and establishing a new standard for supporting startups and fostering their growth, added Bahrain Polytechnic Dean of Applied Research and Enterprise Dr Philippe Pringuet.

Cloud computing technologies will see widespread adoption across sectors, which is why it is critical that we provide the necessary training to develop the skills of Bahraini professionals in this field.

The initiative complements a series of other partnerships recently launched by Tamkeen, including training support for Bahraini talent in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in collaboration with AWS and the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF).

Ties with KPMG

Additionally, Tamkeen's collaboration with KPMG supports the employment and training of Bahrainis at the company's Low Code Centre of Excellence, as part of efforts to enhance the capabilities of local talent and provide them with training opportunities to address skill gaps in the market.

This programme aligns with Tamkeen's 2024 strategic priorities focused on economic impact and the private sector under three pillars; increasing economic participation through creating employment opportunities for new entrants, expanding career development opportunities available to the Bahraini workforce, and further developing the private sector by supporting enterprises and boosting productivity and the adoption of technology.--TradeArabia News Service
Ahmedabad: Union Minister Parshottam Rupala, whose remarks on Kshatriyas sparked widespread protests by the Rajput community in Gujarat, filed his nomination papers as the BJP candidate for the Rajkot parliamentary constituency on Tuesday. Union Minister Parshottam Rupala. (Photo credit/X)

Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, BJPs Rajya Sabha member Kesridevsinh Jhala, and Gujarat cabinet minister Bhanuben Babariya accompanied Rupala as he submitted his nomination papers.

Rupala held a roadshow near Race Course Ground in Rajkot following which he addressed a gathering, appealing for support. I want to make an appeal to the Kshatriya community. Your support is also crucial in the interest of the nation. I request you to show a big heart and support BJP, Rupala said.

Speaking at a small gathering in Rajkot on March 22, Rupala, a member of the Patidar community, made remarks that were perceived by members of the Rajput community as derogatory. Rupala suggested that former maharajas succumbed to oppression from foreign rulers, including the British, and even went as far as to suggest that they married their daughters with the rulers.

Also Read: Rajput groups threaten to intensify agitation against Rupalas candidature

As a result, members of the Rajput community have called on the BJP to withdraw Rupalas candidature and launched protests in the state.

Rupalas two apologies have not been able to sway the Kshatriya community or the descendants of former ruling families. Their demand for his removal as the party candidate, however, has been rejected by the BJP.

PT Jadeja, international president of the Akhil Gujarat Rajput Yuva Sangh, said if Rupala does not withdraw his nomination by April 19, the Rajput community will initiate the second phase of their agitation.

In a show of strength, the Rajputs on April 14 held a gathering at Ratanpar near Rajkot, expressing their opposition to Rupalas candidature and threatening to escalate their agitation and confront the BJP; in fact, the community has threatened to intensify their protest across all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat and extend it to other regions of the country as well.

Also Read: How Rupalas remarks triggered caste-based challenges for BJP in Gujarat

Karansinh Chavda, chairman of Rajput Sankalan Samiti which is co-ordinated the April 22 event said that their demand for removal of Rupalas candidature was non-negotiable.

The BJP this time gave the ticket to Rupala instead of two-time MP Mohan Kundariya. The Congress has given the ticket to former MLA Paresh Dhanani for this Patidar-dominated seat, considered a stronghold of the BJP since late 1980s.

Key Rajput leaders held a meeting with Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel, the states home minister Harsh Sanghavi and Gujarat BJP president C R Paatil at the CMs residence in Gandhinagar on Monday night.

A BJP party official said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch his campaign for Gujarat after April 22, the last date for withdrawal of candidature. The party leaders are hopeful that an amicable solution to the issue will be found out before then. Gujarat BJP chief Patil told media persons on Monday that talks were on with the Rajput community leaders and a solution is likely to be worked out soon.

The elections for all the 26 Lok Sabha seats of Gujarat will be held on May 7.
The Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has written to the poll body seeking registration of a case against JMM leader Nazrul Islam over his purported remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP also urged the Election Commission to ban Nazrul Islam from Jharkhand during the poll period. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting in support of Janata Dal (United) (JD-U) candidates Santosh Kushwaha and Dulal Chandra Goswami for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, in Purnia on Tuesday.(ANI)

Referring to a viral video of Nazrul's purported remarks, the BJP alleged that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader threatened to bury Prime Minister Modi 400 feet underground.

A conspiracy to assassinate the Prime Minister is being hatched in Sahebganj by JMM Central Committee member Nazrul Islam, the BJP claimed.

Nazrul Islam said in a meeting that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will not be given 400 seats but will be buried 400 feet underground, it added.

The party alleged that the JMM leader not only violated the poll code but also committed a crime under sections 295A, 153A and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.

And the people present there also clapped and supported the threat given by Nazrul Islam. Due to this, all the people present there have also committed a crime under Section 120B of IPC, it said.

Islam denied the charge claiming he had spoken about ousting PM Modi from power.

I refute the statement. 'Bury 400 feet below' remark is being attributed to me. The statement is being distorted by people. I had said '400 sey pehle gaanth baandh denge'. I had spoken about ousting him from power. I apologise if someone's sentiment has been hurt, he said.

Read: Some people shouted chor sloganswould've pulled out their tongue': Mamata Banerjee at Bengal rally

Jharkhand will vote for its 14 Lok Sabha seats in four phases, starting May 13. In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured 11 seats, while the AJSU Party, Congress, and JMM won one seat each in the state.

The BJP has already announced candidates for 13 seats and left Giridih for the AJSU Party.
The current system of polling through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) cannot be pulled down without there being any substantial issue of propriety in the process, the Supreme Court observed on Tuesday, advocating caution against the perils of reverting to the traditional ballot box system. The Supreme Court said that voting in India is a humongous task that may not even be possible for several European countries. (HT photo)

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta cited the sheer size of Indias population and the vast number of voters as key factors, as it heard a clutch of petitions demanding 100% cross-verification of votes cast on EVMs with Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), just days before the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. At present, the VVPAT-EVM verification is limited to five in each assembly segment of a constituency.

Alternatively, the petitions argued in favour of going back to the ballot box system, contending that several European countries, including Germany, went back to the traditional system of casting votes.

But the bench sounded a word of caution.

Whats the population of Germany? And how many people vote in India? There are almost 98 crore voters in India and around 60% vote. At least that many people vote...So, you are saying 60 crore VVPAT should be tallied, it told advocates Prashant Bhushan, and senior counsel Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Anand Grover and Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared for the bunch of petitioners.

Read Here | 'We have not forgotten': What Supreme Court said on 'paper ballot' option while hearing EVM-VVPAT case

The court added that voting in India is a humongous task that may not even be possible for several European countries. My home state, West Bengal, has more population than the country (Germany) Mr Bhushan mentioned. We will have to repose trust and confidence in some institution. Of course, they have to be accountable. But dont try to bring down a system like this, justice Datta added.

Setting down the next hearing of the case on Thursday (April 18), the bench further remarked that the statistics shown by the petitioners show no discrepancies or irregularities in 99.9% of cases.

As we said, when there are no human interventions, there are mostly no problems. Machines are manipulated by humans...Theres bound to be some instances of mismatch because of human errors, added the court, asking ECI to be ready with statistics and pertinent information on the functioning of EVMs and VVPATs on the next date.

The bench opined that human intervention leads to problems with the fairness of the process. Then questions regarding human weaknesses, including biases, will crop up. Machines without human intervention will give you correct results. It will be accurate, it observed.

Addressing the lawyers contention regarding reverting to the ballot box system, justice Khanna said: Fortunately, we are not in the 60s when we have all seen what used to happen with ballot papers. I havent forgotten what the situation at the time was...We have all seen the problems in the past. And we are not only talking about booth capturing. There are other problems too.

Read Here: Supreme Court seeks ECI, Centre's response on plea to count all VVPAT slips

It also found no favour with a private survey cited by Bhushan to argue that majority of voters do not trust EVMs. So, you want us to go by a private survey to believe that majority of countrymen do not trust EVMs? Let us not reduce it to such a level...This type of argument wont be acceptable, it said.

The petitions, which have stirred significant public and political interest, argue for a more robust mechanism to ensure the accuracy of electronic voting through the VVPAT system. This system provides a paper slip confirmation, viewed by the voter through a transparent window, which then goes into a sealed cover, available for verification in case of disputes.

Currently, the verification process involves checking VVPAT slips from five randomly selected EVMs in each assembly constituency or segment. However, the petitions, filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and activist Arun Kumar Agarwal, sought a more comprehensive approach. Agarwal advocated for the counting of all VVPAT slips to ensure transparency, while the ADRs petition focussd on enabling voters to confirm that their votes are counted as they were cast.

The petitions further challenged the August 2023 ECI guidelines, which only allow for sequential verification of VVPAT slips and purportedly cause an excessive delay in the counting of all VVPAT slips, besides permitting voters to physically deposit their VVPAT slip in a ballot box and by making the machines glass transparent.

Bhushan, arguing for ADR, pointed out that although he does not make a claim that EVMs were tampered with in the previous elections, he is seeking to persuade the bench that since EVMs were prone to be hacked, an additional layer of protection was warranted to maintain the purity of the election process.

Read Here | 'How many petitions shall we entertain?': Supreme Court dismisses pleas related to EVMs

Supporting him, Sankaranarayanan, who represented Agarwal, laid emphasis on furthering the voters right to know to buttress the confidence of the voters in the vote cast by them. The right to information in this case is not sought to be exercised in reference to a candidate but in reference to the person who cast his vote. Its about satisfaction of the vote cast. Confidence of the voters is at the heart of these petitions, he said.

Senior counsel Maninder Singh appeared for ECI while additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati represented the central government, opposing these petitions. Both pointed out that the issue was dealt with by the Supreme Court in the past as well and there were no new grounds in the fresh petitions to entertain them.

The bench said it would continue hearing the case on Thursday.

The integration of VVPAT with EVMs gained legal prominence following a petition by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy after the 2009 general elections. Swamy advocated for a paper trail to augment the reliability of electronic voting, arguing that it would ensure that each vote cast on an EVM is accurately recorded. Although initially dismissed by the Delhi high court, the plea found favour in the Supreme Court, which, in its landmark 2013 judgment, declared the VVPAT system an indispensable requirement for free and fair elections.

The Supreme Courts assertion stemmed from a fundamental view of voting not only as a right but as a profound act of expression within a democratic framework. It underscored that the confidence of voters in the EVM system could only be achieved by introducing a transparent method that allows voters to verify that their votes were cast as intended.

Following this, ECI was directed to implement VVPAT systems across electoral processes to complement EVMs. This system enables the generation of a paper slip for each vote cast, which is displayed to the voter behind a transparent window for seven seconds before being securely stored. This mechanism allows for a physical audit trail of votes cast electronically, serving as a safeguard against potential discrepancies in the electronic tally.

Initially, ECI conducted a mandatory verification of VVPAT paper slips for one randomly selected polling station per assembly segment in a constituency. In April 2019, the top court ordered that the number of EVMs subjected to VVPAT verification be increased from one EVM per assembly segment to five EVMs. The direction came following a petition filed jointly by 21 Opposition parties, seeking a review of at least 50% of VVPAT slips with the EVMs to ensure the integrity of the elections. The parties went back to the Supreme Court in May 2019 asking for counting of at least 25% per cent EVM paper trail machines instead of only five in every assembly segment but the court turned down their plea.
A 35-year-old man was killed after a car, being driven at a high speed rammed into his two-wheeler and travelled for 18 kilometre with his body on the cars roof in Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday night, police said. HT Image

The incident took place at Y Kothpalli village of Atmakur block on Kalyanadurgam-Anantapur National Highway (NH-544D) at around 10.30 pm, they said. The deceased was identified as Jinne Yerriswamy, a tractor mechanic and a resident of Kuderu blocks Cholasamundram village.

Atmakur sub-inspector of police Muneer Ahmed said Yerriswamy was returning from his village on his scooty, when a car coming from Bengaluru rammed into it at a high speed.

The impact of the collision was so intense that the body of Yerriswamy flung in the air and fell on the top of the car. The driver of the car apparently panicked and drove away from the spot hurriedly, thinking the collision would go unnoticed. In the process, he did not realise that the body of the accident victim was lying on the roof of his vehicle, the SI said.

After the car travelled for about 18 km and reached Hanimireddy palle village of Beluguppa block, some passers-by noticed the profusely bleeding body of Yerriswamy hanging from the roof of the car.

They immediately stopped the car and questioned the driver. Only then did he realise that he was travelling with a dead body on his car roof. He immediately left the car and fled the spot, Ahmed said.

A search has been launched for the absconding driver based on the details obtained from the vehicle, the officer said. The car belongs to Bengaluru, but the driver is yet to be identified. The locals said the driver appeared to be in an inebriated condition. We have booked a case of death due to negligence and are investigating, the SI said.

The body of the victim was shifted to Atmakur government hospital and after a post-mortem examination, it was handed over to his relatives on Monday afternoon, Ahmed added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated his attack against the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham-Congress combine various fronts including corruption, dynastic politics and ceding of the Katchatheevu island. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu on Monday. (ANI)

This was the PMs eighth and last visit to Tamil Nadu this election season.

Speaking in Tirunelveli Lok Sabha constituency on the transfer of the island in 1974 to Sri Lanka, Modi said, Congress and DMK gave away Katchatheevu island. For four decades, the people of Tamil Nadu and India were kept in the dark about the reality of the secession of the island. Our fishermen are still paying for the deeds of the two political parties, he added.

The PM once again reached out to the voter base of the AIADMK by invoking the legacies of party founder MG Ramachandran (MGR) and his successor J Jayalalithaa. This is despite the AIADMK cutting off ties with the BJP last September. We advocate for honest governance in Tamil Nadu, Modi said. We want to fulfil the dreams of leaders like MGR. Whereas, DMK uses every chance to insult MGR. They also insulted Jayalalithaa ji in the Parliament.

Modi accused the ideology of the DMK and Congress, who are key constituents of the INDIA bloc, of being against Tamil culture. Be it Sengol or Jalikattu, DMK and Congress have protested every initiative that highlights Tamil culture, Modi said. BJP has become the first choice of people who love the Tamil language and culture. In our manifesto, we have guaranteed to globalise the Tamil language. We will bring Tamil heritage sites to the global tourist maps. BJP has resolved to build Thiruvalluvar cultural centres across the world. BJP released its manifesto on Sunday. Your enthusiasm for the BJP is making DMK and INDI Alliance lose sleep. Tamil Nadu is saying, Phir ek baar, Modi Sarkar (Modi government, once again).

Modi listed development work done by the NDA regime for Tamil Nadu in the last decade such as providing Vande Bharat and promising that soon bullet trains will also run in the south. The vision of Viksit Tamil Nadu for a Viksit Bharat has become BJPs resolution, Modi said. He was confident that Tamil Nadu would give the BJP a good mandate when the state goes to polls during the first phase on April 19. This is my last programme in Tamil Nadu for this election. Based on the places I have visited here, I can say that Tamil Nadu is going to create history.

There was no immediate response from DMK or Congress on PMs remarks.
The Congress on Tuesday sharply criticised India's ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra, over his remarks criticising the previous Indian governments and praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA dispensation in a rejoinder to The Irish Times editorial on the upcoming Indian general elections. Indian Ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra(X/ @AkhileshIFS)

Read here: Congress fires 4 questions at Ghulam Nabi Azad for 'want BJP to win' claim

Responding to a post by the Embassy of India, Dublin, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that for Mishra to attack the opposition as a mere party apparatchik (someone who works for a government or a political party and always obeys orders) was not expected by a high-rank official.

Defending the Government of India is one thing and is to be expected. But to attack Opposition parties openly in this manner like a party apparatchik is not expected from an Ambassador even if he be a political appointment. This is unprofessional and disgraceful behaviour on his part-but is par for the Modi course I guess, he said in a post on X.

Ramesh further sought Mishra's removal, claiming that his behaviour breached the service rules.

I stand corrected. This Ambassador is actually a career diplomat which makes his comments even more shameful, disgraceful and completely unacceptable. He has actually breached service rules and should be sacked right away, he added.

The Congress leader's remarks came hours after the Indian envoy remarked in his "rejoinder" to an editorial published in The Irish Times over what the embassy said was a "highly biased and prejudiced editorial, casting aspersion on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian democracy, law enforcement institutions & 'Hindu-majority' people of India".

In the rejoinder, Mishra said, "Further to 'The Irish Times' view on the Indian election: Modi tightens his grip" (April 11th), Indian prime minister Narendra Modi enjoys unprecedented popularity and profile not only in India but globally because of his impeccable personal character and integrity and thought-leadership on innovative, inclusive governance and sustainable development."

"The fight against the deeply entrenched ecosystem of corruption (created by the 55-year-old rule, including the first 30 years, by a single dynastic party in India) is a major factor behind Modi's ever-growing popularity," he said.

The editorial titled, 'Modi tightens his grip' on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, dated April 11 in The Irish Times, criticised PM Modi for widespread crackdown on free speech and opposition parties. Indias democratic credentials have been severely tarnished, the article, citing Arvind Kejriwals arrest and the freezing of Congress bank accounts, read.

Read here: Extortion scheme, biggest scam: Oppn slams PM Modi's electoral bonds defence

The newspaper further said that PM Modis embrace of Hindu nationalism has stoked anti-Muslim sentiments.

An intolerant Hindu-first majoritarianism is the order of the day, sustained by a BJP populist welfarism that has a strong appeal among the countrys poor, the newspaper read.
Delhi lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday shot an explosive open letter to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, flagging water scarcity in poor settlements of the national capital, which according to him have exacerbated over the last decade.



The L-G hit out at Delhi's water resources minister Atishi, accusing her of using the killing of a woman in East Delhi's Shahdara, for narrow and partisan political goals.' In his open letter, the L-G said,"Having underlined the inadequate supply of water as the cause behind the incident, Atishi has ironically indicted her own government of more than 09 years. Her note indeed is a prima facie admission of guilt, inaction and inefficiency over the past almost 10 years."



The lieutenant governor slammed Atishi for attacking the chief secretary, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) chief executive officer, officers of finance and urban development department.



ALSO READ: Atishi writes to Delhi chief secretary, asks for water supply plan



It has almost now become habitual on part of your ministers to blame officers for their own failures, be it in the field of health, hospitals, sanitation, education or water supply, the L-G wrote.



I wish she had demonstrated maturity and restraint, which is expected of a person occupying high office, he added.



The Delhi L-G cited the economic survey tabled by Atishi, which stated that over the last 10 yerars, the water treatment capacity grew marginally from 906 MGD to 946 MGD, barely 4.4 percent increase.



During the same period, the population of the city has grown significantly by 15 percent. The overall shortfall in water supply amounts to about 290 MGD. Of the total water being supplied, 120 MGD comes from ground water extraction, which is also a gross exaggeration, he added.



I am sure that you are aware that of the sixteen Ranney wells, five are non-functional. Similarly a large number of tubewells are also dysfunctional, the

L-G added.

Delhi lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena with chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.(ANI file)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday interrogated yoga guru and entrepreneur Ramdev and Patanjalis managing director Acharya Balkrishna for disobeying court orders that forbade Patanjali Ayurved from running misleading advertisements on health cures and sternly warned them against undermining other medical practices, even as the two offered to issue public apology to wriggle out of the contempt charge. The Supreme Court of India. (ANI file photo.)

While the top court gave Ramdev and Balkrishna a week to take suitable steps to redeem themselves and demonstrate their remorse, it directly interacted with the two, telling them their plea of innocence or inadvertence cannot be accepted right away after they chose to flout court orders despite previous judicial warnings.

Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah asked pointed questions as Ramdev and Balkrishna appeared in person to answer charges of contempt of court, stemming from a series of advertisements that claimed Patanjali products could cure various diseases -- a clear violation of the top courts earlier directives and an undertaking given by Patanjali in this regard.

Also Read: Patanjali sent notices, but not under key 1954 law

As soon as the proceedings commenced, senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, representing the leaders of the Patanjali Ayurved empire, offered to issue a public apology but the bench called upon the two for an interaction.

It began by asking Ramdev why he and Patanjali would run down any other form of medicine in a country that has a rich and diverse medical heritage, dating back thousands of years, with the practice of multiple systems of medicine that have developed and evolved over centuries. The court interacted with Ramdev and Balkrishna in Hindi.

Why would you say any other system is not good? it asked Ramdev, who started by expressing his unqualified and unconditional apology for his conduct that riled the court.

Ramdev said that he has never sought to denigrate any other form of medicine, including allopathy, and that a press conference, which was conducted in November last year - a day after Patanjali rendered its assurance to the court against issuing any misleading advertisement of contentious statements, aimed at bringing clinical evidence and real-life testimonies to the notice of the people.

Whatever you do, it has to be within the four corners of the law... You cannot denigrate or shoot down other systems to promote your system. We wont allow that. You are before us because you have apparently committed contempt...There are incurable diseases, and no advertisements are allowed in respect of them. Law is equal for everyone. And if you think your system has a cure, prove it before the government panel first, the bench told him.

The courtroom was packed as Ramdev, clad in his traditional saffron attire, and Balkrishna, listened carefully, occasionally nodding in acknowledgment. The proceedings were marked by a grave tone as the judges underscored the seriousness of the contempt charges and the responsibility that Ramdev and Balkrishna bear towards public health.

This country and its people have hopes from you. You should not have done all this... You cannot degrade allopathy. Dont denigrate any other system, it said.

Ramdev replied that he accepts his mistake and undertakes to remain mindful in future. The court is right. I will be extremely careful in future so that there is no defiance of a court order, or my position becomes delicate because of my mistakes. It happened because of our zealousness to tell the world about our discoveries and research. But we should have been more careful, he added.

Balakrishna supported this stance, highlighting their respect for the courts concerns and their commitment to more responsible advertising in the future.

The court, however, told them that it was still to make up its mind on whether to accept their apology or not.

At times, it does not appear that the apology is from the heart when you try to justify what you did. There has been a violation of not one but three court orders. Today, we are not saying we condone you. We are still deciding whether to accept your apology. You cannot be considered as ignorant as you could defy three court orders, the bench told them.

Turning to Rohatgi, the bench said that Ramdev and Balkrishna were free to take measures that they deem appropriate to redeem themselves, adding the court would take up the matter against on April 27.

Personality does not matter...You are part of the system. You and I understand but there are some people who dont. Institutions matter, personalities dont. The majesty of the institution and the Constitution are supreme...that is above us and that is important, it told Rohatgi, who assured the bench that he would advise the two as an officer of the court.

In a series of hearings on the Indian Medical Associations petition complaining against Ramdevs contentious comments about modern medicine, also popularly known as allopathy in India, and allegedly misleading advertisements about Patanjali products, the Supreme Court expressed grave concern and emphasised the need for responsible discourse, especially during a pandemic like Covid-19.

Also Read: Apology not accepted: SC raps Patanjali, Uttarakhand govt over misleading ads

The court admonished Patanjali for spreading misinformation that could undermine public trust in the health care system and had recorded an undertaking by the company in November 2023 that it would stop running any misleading advertisements and issuing disparaging statements against modern or any other form of medicine.

However, the medical association came back to the bench with a video clip of a press conference held by Ramdev and Patanjali advertisements in national media merely a day after their undertaking in the court on November 21. Additionally, the association produced a series of advertisements branding Patanjali products as cure for several ailments, including hypertension and diabetes.

Irked by the contravention of its order and its own assurance, the court by its subsequent orders of February 27, March 19, April 2 and April 10 called Ramdev and Balkrishna in person, asking them to show cause why they should not be punished for contempt of court. They have since filed a pair of apology affidavits each, but the court has not found them satisfactory and bonafide.

On Apri 10, the bench lambasted Ramdev and Balkrishna, refusing to accept their unconditional apology for issuing misleading advertisements and saying the judges did not want to be so generous after the duo were caught on the wrong foot with their back to the wall. On the day, it also came down heavily on the Uttarakhand government, saying the authorities kept their eyes shut by not cracking down on the company for violating advertising rules by making false claims about curing diseases such as diabetes and asthma.

The court on April 10 reproached the Uttarakhand officials for acting in cahoots and failing to register cases against Patanjali for issuing advertisements promising cure for lifestyle and other specified ailments prohibited under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectional Advertisements) Act 1954, Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Rules 1955, and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945. It directed the state licensing officers and district ayurvedic officers posted in the state since 2018 (since when complaints against Patanjali are pending) to explain their inaction within two weeks.
There is a concerted effort by foreign entities to fund Indian NGOs and trusts aiming to obstruct public projects and undermine Indias economic interests, the central government told the Supreme Court on Monday. The Centres affidavit was filed on Monday within hours of Mehta raising preliminary objections to entertaining Environics Trusts petition by the top court (ANI)

Defending its action to open tax reassessment proceedings against non-profit Environics Trust, the Centre underscored concerns about the misuse of foreign funds by certain NGOs, including the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) and Oxfam India, to stall essential public projects critical for national development.

In an affidavit filed before the court, the income-tax department, represented through solicitor general Tushar Mehta, stated that while the tax reassessment proceedings were initiated based on specific facts related to the Environics Trust, broader concerns about foreign funding influencing Indian NGOs and trusts were pertinent.

The Centre pointed out that Environics Trust, along with several other organisations like CPR, Oxfam India, Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE) and Care India Solution for Sustainable Development (CISSD) exhibited close relations and interlinked key personnel.

A concerted effort by foreign entities in funding Indian NGOs/Trusts in order to stall the public projects and affect the economic interests of India has come to light...in the case of Environics Trust, survey action was carried out along with some other trusts like CPR, Oxfam India, LIFE and CISSD. It is seen that these organisations are having close relations with each other and their main persons are interlinked. These NGOs are directly or indirectly involved in agitation or litigation beyond their objects, stated the affidavit.

All these NGOs are funded by foreign entities for the activities that cannot be said to be genuine or in line with the objects of these institutions, the Centre held. The Environist Trust is engaged in research of environmental issues and human behaviour.

A number of non-profits had their Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licences revoked as a result of the central governments increased crackdown on NGOs and their foreign funding in the past few years. While the Centre defends the crackdown in the face of mounting concerns about certain NGOs misusing foreign funding and to protect national security and sovereignty, a number of non-profits have voiced their opposition to the removal of funding that they require to support their work in areas such as the environment, health, education and gender.

The Centres affidavit was filed on Monday within hours of Mehta raising preliminary objections to entertaining Environics Trusts petition by the top court.

Earlier in the day, a bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta took up the trusts petition against a March 2023 order by the revenue department seeking to impose a tax liability on 2.23 crore that the NGO had received in 2016-17 because the objectives of the trust were purportedly not followed. By its judgment in November 2023, the Delhi high court rejected the NGOs challenge and pulled it up for suppressing material facts regarding its registration cancellation in September 2023.

When the matter was taken up on Monday, senior counsel S Muralidhar appeared for the NGO. Mehta, however, urged the bench to dismiss the petition at the threshold, pointing out that not only the NGO was guilty of concealing pertinent facts from a constitutional court, but it was also involved in activities detrimental to public projects and national growth.

I am objecting to their holier than thou approach. They conceal facts. They have not disclosed that their licence stands cancelled. Their FCRA license has also been revoked. But they have chosen to conceal it, contended Mehta, adding he has an affidavit ready to show the NGOs conduct.

Responding, Muralidhar said the revenue department was trying to prejudice the case of the NGO, which should get the first opportunity to present its case as a petitioner.

The court agreed to hear the matter in detail later, asking Mehta to bring the departments affidavit on record. The bench further clarified that tax reassessment proceedings may continue but final orders shall not be passed without the leave of this court. It directed the NGO to cooperate in the reassessment proceedings.

According to the affidavit, the Environics Trust received funding from foreign entities such as Both Ends, Greenpeace and PYWP, which influenced its activities against public projects in India and abroad. The Centre accused the trust of arranging paid protestors to oppose these projects, leading to disruptions. Additionally, it highlighted that more than 90% of the trusts income came from foreign donations, indicating a systematic effort by foreign entities to stall development projects in India.

Moreover, the affidavit referred to alleged instances where the Environics Trust funded protests against development projects in Odisha, misusing foreign contributions intended for relief efforts. It also cited evidence of the trusts involvement in protests against multinational corporations and coal projects, contrary to its objectives.

The Centre emphasised that the tax reassessment proceedings were based on tangible material collected during a survey conducted by the income-tax department, which revealed activities inconsistent with the trusts stated objectives. It argued that the jurisdictional requirements for reopening tax assessments under the Income Tax Act were met and the proceedings were not subject to judicial review based on the sufficiency or correctness of reasons.
Joginder Shah, the father of Sagar Pal, who was arrested for allegedly opening fire outside the residence of actor Salman Khan, on Tuesday said he was shocked to know about his son's involvement in the incident. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde meets Bollywood actor Salman Khan and his father Salim Khan days after two men opened fire outside the latter's residence at Bandra, in Mumbai on Tuesday. (ANI )

Mumbai Police have arrested Sagar Pal (21) and Vicky Gupta (24), both residents of Mahsi village in Bihar's West Champaran district, from Gujarat's Kutch a day after they opened fire outside Khan's Bandra residence on Sunday.

"I was really shocked to learn about his involvement through social media... We don't know how it happened. He was never involved in any crime earlier.

"He was a simple person... he was working in Jalandhar (Punjab), I don't know how he reached Mumbai," Shah, a daily wager, told reporters.

ALSO READ| Eknath Shinde meets Salman Khan days after firing outside actor's residence, assures stringent action

According to Mumbai Police, Pal and Gupta were on the run after firing five rounds outside Khan's residence. They were picked up from a village in Kutch district of Gujarat on Monday night.

West Champaran Superintendent of Police D Amarkesh said no member of the accused's family has been arrested.
Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo has been appointed a United Nations Tourism Ambassador during the first UN Sustainability week in New York.

The accolade recognises his achievements as a global visionary in the hospitality industry and internationally acknowledged visionary in tourism development over a career spanning more than 50 years, said a statement.

He was presented with the award by the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili during a day dedicated to debating and discussing future global tourism strategies and the vital role sustainability will play in that future.

In his newly appointed role, Inzerillo joins an elite group of nearly 50 UN tourism ambassadors from the arts, business, gastronomy, and sport including Georgio Armani; Lionel Messi and Placido Domingo

Pololikashvili, said: The UNWTO is enormously proud to welcome Jerry Inzerillo as our newest Tourism Ambassador. In this new role he will help to amplify the UNWTOs key messages of the ability of tourism to drive change and achieve sustainable growth. In his leadership role at Diriyah he is also playing a transformative role in opening the worlds fastest growing and diverse tourism destination of Saudi Arabia to global audiences.

The honour reflects the life-long commitment he has made to the use of innovative design and development strategies that support local communities and create new and undiscovered tourism destinations. Born in New York, Inzerillos remarkable journey has led him to work with esteemed organisations such as Forbes Travel Guide, IMG Artists and Kerzner International where he established the Atlantis Resorts and One & Only brands. In 2021 he was awarded one of tourism and hospitalitys most prestigious accolades when he was named Corporate Hotelier of the World by Hotels Magazine. More recently, President Joe Biden awarded Jerry the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

Diriyah, The City of Earth is located on the outskirts of Saudi Arabias capital city, Riyadh, and at its core is the Unesco World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, the historic capital of the First Saudi State.

Spearheaded by Inzerillo, the developments strategies uphold the highest international sustainability, preservation, and conservation standards, supporting mobility, health, and well-being of the local community. The development is inspired by traditional Najdi architecture enabling sustainable infrastructure, the planting of 6.5 million indigenous trees, shrubs and plants and utilizing carbon-negative building materials throughout the Diriyah project, receiving the LEED platinum-level certification for Cities and Communities by the United States Green Building Council for the first phase of its masterplan, a first of its kind certification in the Middle East.

Inzerillo said: It is an enormous honour for me personally, and by extension for the Diriyah Company, to have been granted the status of becoming a United Nations Tourism Ambassador.

In the area of tourism, we have the privilege to work in one of the worlds fastest growing sectors that employs 320 million people today and will add a further 100 million within the next decade. But with that privilege comes enormous responsibility to ensure that our developments are innovative, actionable and have real and enduring impact.

A key part of our master planning strategy is that our commitment to sustainable practices must also extend beyond the day-to-day operations of Diriyah Company. We need to commit as a company  and as a global tourism sector  to the education of our people, the communities we work in and the millions who travel to experience the wonder of new destinations in ensuring a better understanding, knowledge and action in sustainability and contemporary tourism practices, he said.

Speaking to delegates in New York, he explained that sustainable tourism and proactive policymaking must become a driver of change for the industry and become a catalyst for a vibrant and growing sector in Saudi Arabia and around the world. In addition to receiving the tourism ambassador accolade, Inzerillo also participated in a 1-1 discussion about the future of tourism and joined a vibrant debate on sustainable tourism practices with other global industry leaders. - TradeArabia News Service
In the first affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court by the coalition government in Bihar, comprising the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, the state said it supported the caste survey conducted last year, emphasising that it complied with constitutional mandates to achieve social equality. The issue of conducting a national caste census has emerged as a crucial campaign issue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections (HT)

Also Read | Bihar caste census survey: 112 EBC castes under reserved category. See full list

The caste survey was carried out under the constitutional mandates and aimed to achieve equality enshrined under the Constitution. The state had declared its aim and object for the survey and has now taken steps to achieve the same on the basis of facts appearing in the survey report, Bihar said in its affidavit filed a day before the court is slated to hear the legal challenge to the survey.

The issue of conducting a national caste census has emerged as a crucial campaign issue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, and the Bihar governments latest affidavit, despite political realignments, signalled a continuation of the idea that initially gained momentum during chief minister Nitish Kumars alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

At the time, both parties had supported the survey, viewing it as a means to address social disparities and ensure equitable development. However, following the dissolution of the JD(U)-RJD coalition and Kumars subsequent alliance with the BJP, the new governments stand on the survey and implementation of consequent measures appeared uncertain. To be sure, the state unit of the BJP had also supported the survey at the time.

Also Read | Greater population, greater right: Rahul Gandhi hails Bihar's caste census

On January 28, Kumar took oath as Bihar CM for a record ninth time, returning to the NDA just 18 months after he left it, in his fifth switch in political loyalties since 2015.

The caste survey in Bihar defined political battle lines around caste ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar. The survey was ordered by the Bihar government when it was run by the JD(U)-RJD coalition. While several leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin, supported a nationwide caste census, Prime Minister Narendra Modi , at a poll rally in Madhya Pradesh on October 2, said the Congress was playing with the emotions of the poor and had divided the country on caste lines. He later said that only four castes were important to him -- farmers, women, youth and poor.

Speaking at an election rally in Madhya Pradesh last week, BJP chief JP Nadda said his party was not against a caste census, but claimed that the Congress wanted to carry out the exercise to divide society.

In its affidavit on Monday, Bihar gave an overview of the steps taken in pursuance of the findings of the survey report, including quota benefits, housing scheme, employment generation support, small entrepreneur scheme and educational support.

The copy of the report on data released under the caste-based survey has already been sent to all the departments of the state government for framing plans and making schemes for the welfare of the people of the state, it said. Different departments are working to provide the required welfare benefits to the people of Bihar.

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta will on Tuesday take up a bunch of petitions challenging the August 1, 2023, judgment of the Patna high court that allowed the state government to carry out the caste survey. The high court judgment called the states action perfectly valid, initiated with due competence, with the legitimate aim of providing development with justice. The survey passed the test of proportionality, and thus, was not in breach of the rights of privacy of the individual, it had said.

The high court further held that the word census falls under Entry 69 of List I of the Constitution, which is solely within prerogative of the Centre, but this does not prohibit any state government from collecting data for implementing welfare schemes and carrying out affirmative action. The state had relied on the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, to justify its survey, although the June 6 notification made no mention of it.

Challenging this judgment, the petitioners before the top court, which included NGOs Youth for Equality and Ek Soch Ek Prayas, attacked the survey being violative of the right to privacy as personal details about religion, caste and income were collected by the state in the absence of any mechanism to protect the data. The petitions contended the Bihar government lacked the power to carry out the survey and that it impinged on the right to privacy.

Bihars caste survey results, made public on October 2 last year, showed that EBCs (extreme backward classes) , which comprise 112 castes, constituted 36.01% of the states population, and backward classes ( 30 communities), made up another 27.12%. Together, the umbrella group consisting of backward castes and EBCs was 63.13%, confirming estimates by exercises such as the National Family Health Surveys. Scheduled castes accounted for 19.65% and scheduled tribes, 1.68%.

The data was then cited to raise the quota for Scheduled Castes (SC) from 16% to 20%, scheduled tribes (STs) from 1% to 2%, extremely backward castes (EBCs) from 18% to 25% and other backward classes (OBCs) from 15% to 18%, elevating the total quantum of caste-based reservations to 65%.
With just three days left for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19, the INDIA alliances campaign has finally taken a concrete shape. The parties have come out with their manifestos and joint campaigns  crucial to send across the message of the alliance to the voters  are also frequent. Rahul Gandhi (right) with Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin in Coimbatore. (AFP Photo)

After his public rally with Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on April 12, Congress leader and the partys most popular face  Rahul Gandhi  is set to have a joint programme with former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in Ghaziabad. The faces of two parties coming together is part of the key strategies of the INDIA bloc in UP, especially in the face of a three-corner battle against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

The INDIA group might also explain its stand on common issues even as the parties are unlikely to draft a joint common minimum programme. The joint document is set to focus on issues of common interest such as employment, price rise, saving the constitutional bodies, etc. Two leaders pointed out that a common pledge was initially planned in the groups second meeting in Bengaluru and third meeting in Mumbai.

Opposition slams PM Modi, electoral bond

The opposition on Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his everyone will regret remark on the electoral bonds issue.

Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of orchestrating the scheme. The important thing in electoral bond is names and dates. If you see the names and dates, you will know when they (donors) gave the electoral bonds, right after what contract was given to them or CBI inquiry was withdrawn against them, the Wayanad MP was quoted by ANI as saying.

While Gandhi accused Prime Minister Modi of orchestrating this purported extortion scheme, Delhi minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai called electoral bonds perhaps the biggest scam ever. Rai pointed fingers at PM Modis administration, alleging that funds were received from dubious sources, including companies running losses, through electoral bonds.

AAPs governance plans

For the Aam Admi Party, the most successful political start-up in the recent years, managing election campaign as well as running the Delhi government are key tasks. Its best campaigner, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is in judicial custody. In this situation, Kejriwal will meet two of his ministers in Tihar jail every week and monitor the progress of work under various departments, AAP officials said on Monday as they outlined a detailed plan to run the state administration from prison despite a local court extending the CMs judicial custody till April 23.

Addressing a press conference two hours after Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann met Kejriwal in jail, AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak said Kejriwal will give ministers guidelines and directions during the bi-weekly meetings.

All the technical aspects will be looked into. We will look into all the legal processes and procedures. The meeting will be held every week and proper review of the departments will be done, Pathak said.

Meanwhile, Tihar jail officials confirmed that Kejriwal added Delhi ministers Atishi, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj to the list of 10 visitors who are allowed to meet him twice a week in prison.

Mayawati revives West UP statehood demand

BSP chief Mayawati revived the issue of making western Uttar Pradesh a separate state in her election rally in Muzaffarnagar on Sunday, and said that her party will take concrete steps in that direction if voted to power to serve at the Centre.

While opposition parties described it an election gimmick for stitching Muslim-Jat and Dalit votes together in this Lok Sabha election, this isnt an off-the-cuff promise by the former UP chief minister, the first Dalit woman to lead the state.

The movement of Harit Pradesh got diluted after the demise of Ajit Singh, RLD leader Dr Mairajuddin Ahmed said.

Why is Kanhaiya Kumar a candidate from Delhi and not from Bihar?

The Congress party has fielded Kanhaiya Kumar as its candidate from North East Delhi after it failed to secure a berth for him in Begusarai from INDIA ally Rashtriya Janata Dal.

HTs Patna bureau chief Vijay Swaroop gives an insight into why Kumar is a candidate from Delhi this time, after losing the 2019 election from Begusarai.

Contrary to expectations, and barely five years after making his electoral debut from Bihars Begusarai Lok Sabha seat  referred to as the Leningrad of Bihar for being a traditional Communist stronghold  Kanahiya Kumar, who contested the previous general elections as a CPI candidate, has shifted to the North East Delhi seat as a Congress candidate.

Abdullah challenges Azad for a straight fight

National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah challenged Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls against him instead of hiding behind a camera and making statements targeting his party.

Abdullah, a former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, is contesting the election from north Kashmirs Baramulla parliamentary constituency. He is currently on a four-day tour of the Chenab valley region to garner support for INDIA bloc candidate Choudhary Lal Singh.

Azad, also a former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, was named as the DPAP candidate from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat. However, he said hes not sure about his candidature as he was not consulted by the party before the announcement.
In a major capability boost for the Air Force's fighter fleet, India is planning to carry out the first test of the 120-130 km strike range Astra Mark 2 air-to-air missile in next few months. In a major capability boost for the Air Force's fighter fleet, India is planning to carry out the first test of the 120-130 km strike range Astra Mark 2 air-to-air missile in next few months.(File photo)

The Astra Mark-1 air-to-air missile with strike range of around 90-100 kms is already in the Indian Air Force and is already integrated with the LCA Tejas and the Su-30 MKI fighter jets.

The work on developing the 120-130 km strike range Astra Mark-2 air-to-air missile is going on and we are looking to carry out the first test firing in the next few months, defence officials told ANI.

The Astra Mark 2 would give the Indian Air Force an edge over the adversaries in air-to-air combat and can also be offered as an export product to friendly foreign countries operating the Russian origin Sukhoi, they said.

ALSO READ| IAF's Super Hercules executes night airlift from Leh, ensures soldier's critical surgery

The Defence Research and Development Organisation has been working towards developing the Astra Mark-1 and Astra Mark 2, along with a longer version, the Astra Mark-3, which would give it a capability similar to the Meteor missiles that have come to India along with the Rafael fighter jets.

The Pakistanis may have long-range Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles but there is no clarity about the claims made by them about its capabilities.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has already signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for supplying Astra Mark-1 beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Navy.
Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday congratulated the security forces after 29 Naxals were gunned down in Chhattisgarh's Kanker. Union home minister Amit Shah said the Modi government is determined to free the country from Naxal menace,(PTI file)

"Today, a large number of Naxalites have been killed in the operation of security forces in Chhattisgarh. I congratulate all the security personnel who made this operation successful with their bravery and wish for the speedy recovery of the brave policemen who have been injured," the minister wrote on 'X' in Hindi.

Shah said that Naxalism has been confined to a small area due to the offensive policy of the government and the efforts of security forces. He said that soon Chhattisgarh and entire India will be completely Naxal-free.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, we are determined to free the country from the scourge of Naxalism," Shah said.

The gunbattle between the Naxals and security forces took place in a forest near Binagunda village under Chhotebethiya police station area of Kanker. A joint team of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on an anti-Naxal operation.



While the operation was still under progress, the BSF team came under fire from CPI Maoist cadres, and BSF troops effectively retaliated against them. During the encounter, one BSF personnel sustained bullet injury on his leg and is out of danger after being evacuated, the BSF said in a statement after the encounter.

Till now, 68 Naxals have been killed since December 2023 in seperate encounters with security forces in Bastar region, comprising seven districts including Kanker.

Voting in the Naxalite-hit Bastar Lok Sabha seat will take place on April 19 in the first phase, while the Kanker constituency, part of the Bastar region, will vote in the second round of general elections on April 26. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.
Apr 16, 2024 9:10 PM IST

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that opposition leaders read the 'fatiha' for dead criminals but don't condole the death of Hindus.

"They glorify mafias and criminals and go to their homes and read the fatiha," Adityanath said, referring to prayers offered by Muslims for the dead. "But if an innocent Hindu becomes a victim of an accident, not a single word of condolence comes out of their mouth," he said.
On Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its Sankalp Patra, or manifesto titled Modi Ki Guarantee. The manifesto covers 10 groups and 14 sectors with a focus on the empowerment of four groups whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi has referred to as four castes or Gyan, an acronym for the gareeb (poor), yuva (youth), annadaata (farmers) and nari (women). It promises to expand the scope and reach of the existing policies for economic and social empowerment of these groups. The Congress has pledged to reserve 50% of central government jobs for women from 2025. (HT PHOTO/File)

The Congresss manifesto released on April 5 is focussed on justice or NYAY. It refers to 25 guarantees covering the youth, women, farmers, workers, and social justice. The Congress has pledged job creation, a Right to Apprenticeship, and 1 lakh annually to all poor households.

The Congress has also tried to reach out to caste groups that voted for it before the implementation of the Mandal Commissions recommendations for reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the 1990s. It has promised a nationwide Socio-Economic and Caste Census to enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions. The Congress has guaranteed a constitutional amendment to raise the 50% cap on reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs.

The poor

The BJPs manifesto has promised free ration under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana to 800 million people, which has been extended by five years, a price stabilisation fund for vegetables and pulses, and self-reliance in the production of pulses, edible oils, and vegetables for ensuring food safety. It pledged to continue free health care of up to 5 lakh to the poor families under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The BJP has said it will expand the scope of PM Awas Yojana and build an additional 30 million houses for the poor, take drinking water supply to every home, and reduce electricity bills by providing free solar power under PM Surya Ghar Yojana

The Congress has promised to increase the wages under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to 400 daily. It said MGNREGS funds and workers may also be deployed to build public assets such as classrooms, libraries, and primary health centres. The Congress has also promised to launch an urban employment guarantee scheme for the urban poor for the reconstruction and renewal of urban infrastructure. It has guaranteed a national minimum wage of 400 daily. The Congress has promised to amend the GST law in favour of the universally accepted principle it shall be a single, moderate rate (with exceptions) that will not burden the poor.

Women

The BJP has promised to increase the number of Lakhpati Didis, a self-help group (SHG) initiative for rural women to help increase their earnings. The scheme offers avenues for women to earn at least a lakh a year. The BJP has set a target of increasing Lakhpati Didis from 10 million to 30 million. The BJP has pledged the empowerment of women SHGs with the skills and tools in key service sectors such as IT, healthcare, education, retail, and tourism to increase their income. The party has promised to integrate SHGs with ongoing initiatives such as One District One Product to enhance better market access for their products. The BJP has promised to facilitate more women participation in the workforce through the development of hostels, creches, and more public toilets. It has pledged to expand health services focused on the prevention and reduction of breast and cervical cancer.

The Congresss manifesto has promised a Mahalakshmi scheme for 1 lakh annually to every poor family as an unconditional cash transfer. The poor will be identified among the families at the bottom of the income pyramid. The Congress has pledged to reserve 50% of central government jobs for women from 2025. It has promised to ensure more women are appointed as judges, secretaries to government, high-ranking police officers, law officers, and directors on the boards of listed companies. The Congress has pledged to double the working women hostels and build at least one Savitribai Phule Hostel in each district.

Youth

The BJP has promised to address frequent paper leaks and enact legislation to prevent them. It has pledged to expand the start-up ecosystem to promote entrepreneurship among youngsters and encourage start-ups in government procurement. The BJP said the focus will be on employment generation through infrastructure development and expanding the tourism sector.

The Congress has promised a Right to Apprenticeship Act to provide a one-year apprenticeship with a private or a public sector company to every diploma holder or college graduate below 25. Apprentices will get 1 lakh a year. The party has said the apprenticeship will impart skills, enhance employability, and provide full-time job opportunities for millions of youth. It has promised to fill nearly three million vacancies in sanctioned posts in the central government. Vacancies in the panchayats and municipal bodies shall be filled according to a timetable agreed with state governments, the party pledged.

Farmers

The BJP manifesto promises to continue 6,000 annually to farmers under PM Kisan Nidhi and to strengthen the crop insurance scheme, and timely review of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops. It pledged to aid the production of nutritious vegetables, set up news clusters for the production of essentials such as onions and tomatoes, more storage facilities, and focus on natural farming and crop diversification. The BJP has promised to promote Shree Anna (millets) for food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.

The Congress has promised a legal guarantee to the MSP annually as per the Swaminathan Commissions recommendation. It has pledged to make the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices a statutory body and a Permanent Commission on Agricultural Finance to report periodically on the extent of agricultural credit and the need for loan forbearance.

Senior Citizens

The BJP has promised the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat scheme to cover senior citizens above 70. It has pledged to facilitate knowledge sharing by senior citizens through a National Senior Citizens portal and access to social security benefits and other services at the doorsteps.

The Congress has promised a 1,000 monthly contribution of the central government to pensions for senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities under the National Social Assistance Programme as well as easy access to legal services for senior citizens. It has also assured a review of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act to remove the deficiencies.

Infrastructure

The BJP has promised four bullet trains covering all regions of the country besides expanding the railway network to increase capacity for passenger and cargo transport. It has pledged to redevelop railway stations, add Vande Bharat sleeper trains, expand the Metro network, improve rural roads, and decongest cities apart from expanding airways, motorways, railways, and highways.

The Congresss manifesto underlines the need to attract private capital to create public assets and infrastructure. It said the BJP government has inverted this model and was using public money to create assets that eventually find their way into private hands. The Congress has promised to stop this loot of public money and to modernise the outdated railway infrastructure. In doing so, it has pledged to ensure that trains and stations serve the needs of the common people and commuters.

Governance

The BJP has promised to continue its fight against corruption, implement the Uniform Civil Code, and formulate a national litigation policy to expedite the resolution of matters in courts. It said the partys vision for good governance is to further simplify the processes, procedures, rules, and regulations in a way that government can be taken out of the everyday lives of normal citizens.

The Congress has promised to remove the climate of fear and amend laws to tackle hate speeches, hate crimes, and communal conflicts. The gravest danger is that India may no longer be a truly free and democratic republic. Democracy in India has been hollowed out and we are rapidly sliding to become a one-party and one-person dictatorship. The Congress manifesto assured that the police, investigation, and intelligence agencies will function strictly in accordance with law. They will be brought under the oversight of Parliament or the state legislatures, as the case may be.

Internal Security

The BJP has promised a zero-tolerance towards terrorism, infrastructure development on the borders, boosting cybersecurity measures, eliminating Left Wing Extremism , and strengthening paramilitary forces with state-of-the-art equipment and trained personnel. It has pledged to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and to set up a National Forensics Mission.

The Congress has promised to work with state governments to build, train, and equip the police forces to maintain law and order and to punish offenders without fear or favour. The party has pledged to pursue the unfinished agenda of setting up a National Intelligence Grid and National Counter-Terrorism Centre.

Foreign policy

The BJP has promised to strengthen Indias position as the leading voice of the Global South, push for permanent membership at the UN Security Council, continue efforts to build consensus against global terrorism and crack down on terror funding. It said the party will continue to focus on the Neighbourhood First policy, expand Indias diplomatic network, and involve Non-Resident Indians in the countrys growth and prosperity.

The Congress has promised to uphold continuity in foreign policy with an approach shaped by the freedom movement and developed through the wisdom of visionary leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru. It has pledged to work to repair Indias international image that has been damaged by the present governments intolerance of dissent and suppression of human rights.
KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a stinging attack on the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led government of indulging in corruption, shielding goons and infiltrators but opposing the Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) and Ram Navami processions in the state. Balurghat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with BJP candidate Sukanta Majumdar during a public meeting ahead of Lok Sabha elections in Balurghat on April 16 (PTI)

In a way, the TMC has given West Bengal on lease to infiltrators and goons. Thats why the state government protects the infiltrators and opposes CAA which offers to give legal citizenship. You shouldnt believe in the rumours they spread, PM Modi said at a rally in South Dinajpur district, part of the Balurghat Lok Sabha seat where sitting MP and state BJP president Sukanta Banerjee is the candidate.

PM Modi also criticised the TMC for opposing Ram Navami celebrations in the state, and termed Calcutta high courts ruling that allowed a Vishwa Hindu Parishad procession in Howrah as a victory of truth.

Tomorrow the entire country is going to celebrate Ram Navami This is the first Ram Navami after Lord Ram has been enthroned at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. I know that the TMC, like always, tried every bit and did all kinds of conspiracies to stall Ram Navami celebrations in the state. But truth triumphs. The court has given permission. Tomorrow processions will be held with full faith and devotion, he added.

The high court on Monday granted permission to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to hold a procession on Ram Navami in Howrah city but imposed stringent restrictions to ensure that there was no provocation for violence. Justice Jay Sengupta stipulated that no provocative slogans are to be chanted, the procession will be held with a maximum of 200 participants and the procession must proceed without stopping at any point. During the court hearing, the Bengal government highlighted unrest during last years procession to explain its decision.

Mamata Banerjee hit back, saying PM Modi who accuses her TMC of corruption should look in the mirror first. The PM says TMC is a corrupt party. He should look in the mirror first. His party is filled with dacoits, she said addressing a rally in Mainaguri in support of TMCs Jalpaiguri candidate Nirmal Chandra Ray who is up against BJP MP Jayanta Roy and Congress-backed CPI(M) nominee Debraj Barman, according to PTI.

BJP had sent 300 central teams to Bengal to investigate the allegations of corruption but they didnt find anything. Now, PM Modi needs to answer the people of Bengal, what happened to the MGNREGA funds? Poor people worked under the scheme but were not paid, she said, demanding a white paper on the investigations,

Banerjee said BJPs leaders were ignorant about Bengalis, their culture, religious rituals and food habits, because of which they criticised eating fish.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] government in Kerala for the alleged corruption in the states cooperative banks and the ties between the two parties at the national level despite rivalry in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with BJP candidates V. Muraleedharan, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and K. Surendran during a public meeting ahead of Lok Sabha elections at Kattakkada in Thiruvananthapuram district on Monday. (PTI)

In a push to the Bhaatiya Janata Partys (BJPs) campaign in Kerala, which will go to polls in a single phase on April 26, the PM addressed public meetings in Kunnamkulam in Alathur constituency and Kattakkada in Attingal constituency on Monday.

Addressing an election rally in Kunnamkulam, Modi, without naming Gandhi directly, said, A senior leader of Congress, who found it difficult to save his respect in his family seat in Uttar Pradesh, has made a backdoor in Kerala. To win the election here, the Congres has joined hands with the political wing of an organisation which has been banned in the country for anti-national activities. But have you ever heard these Congress leaders speak about the scams in cooperative banks and how the money was looted? The Yuvaraj of Congress (referring to Rahul Gandhi) will ask for votes from the people of Kerala, but will never speak for your rights and the issues you face.

The PM was referring to the Kerala unit of SDPI, political wing of the banned Islamist outfit PFI, which had extended its support to the Congress-led UDF in Kerala in the coming Lok Sabha polls on April 1. However, on April 4, the UDF leadership rejected the support of SDPI.

Cautioning the people about the pact between the Left and the Congress as part of the national INDIA bloc despite the contest between the two parties in Kerala, the PM said that their single target was him and the BJP.

The Congress leaders in Kerala may call Left leaders terrorist, but in Delhi, they have made a political pact and they eat from the same plate. In neighbouring Tamil Nadu, both parties are fighting elections together. The leaders of Left who used to make dynastic accusations against Congress, they are now taking tips from the same party on the benefits of dynastic politics. They have formed an INDIA bloc because they know that Modi is putting a stop to their loot. Be it Left or Congress, their target is Modi. I want to assure you that every vote of the people of Kerala will be used to solve the problems of the poor, the PM said.

In his address, the PM also raised the allegations of fraud and money laundering at the CPM-controlled Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank, which are currently being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and promised to return the looted money back to the people who invested in the bank.

In Kerala, the money of the common people is being openly looted. They (LDF) are bringing new models of corruption. The scam at the Karuvannur cooperative bank is an example of the loot of Left parties which has left everyone frustrated. The bank has been looted by CPM leaders and left high and dry, he said.

The chief minister here who belongs to CPM is repeatedly lying that the victims of the bank scam will get their money back. He also lied that the accused will be punished. It was Modi who got this case investigated, he said.

The PM further assailed the character of Left governments, claiming that there is nothing left in those states where they governed and nothing right has been done under their rule.

They left Bengal in a bad shape. They brought misgovernance in Tripura and they are doing the same in Kerala too, he alleged.

In Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram district, the PM was flanked by Union Ministers V Muraleedharan and Rajeev Chandrasekhar who have been nominated as BJP candidates in Attingal and Thiruvananthapuram respectively. Both seats are witnessing triangular contests with the BJP having 24% and 31% vote-shares respectively in 2019.

At the public meeting in Attingal, the PM reiterated the BJPs guarantees listed in the partys manifesto for the upcoming polls.

The BJPs sankalp patra means Modis guarantee. It is that India will be worlds third largest economy in the next five years. India will be a centre of world-class infrastructure and achieve great things in the space sector like Gaganyaan mission. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi will continue to be given to farmers. There will be 3 crore new homes for poor people. Those above 70 will get free treatment and 10 crore women will get self-help group training in sectors like tourism, retail, IT and health. There is an expansive roadmap for people of all sectors of Kerala in BJPs development vision, Modi said.

The PM said that railway infrastructure in the country will get a big boost through the three versions of the Vande Bharat trains - sleeper, chair car and metro.

There is work going on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train corridor. While the train will start running soon in that route, more bullet trains would be introduced in north, east and south too. In the third term of the NDA, survey work will soon start on expanding the bullet train network, he said.
The priority of the next government at the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be to restore peace in strife-torn Manipur through discussions and without dividing the state, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Monday. Union home minister Amit Shah speaks at a public rally ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in Manipurs Imphal on Monday. (PTI)

Also Read: PM Modi says marked improvement in situation in violence-hit Manipur

Addressing an election meeting in Imphal to drum up support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, Basanta Kumar Singh, Shah said the upcoming polls is between forces trying to break Manipur and those keeping it united.

I want to tell people residing in the (Imphal) valley and hills of Manipur that in the coming days Narendra Modis priority is to bring peace to the state by talking to all sides and keeping the state united, Shah said during his second visit to Manipur since the ethnic clashes broke out on May 3 last year.

Manipur has been roiled by ethnic clashes between the Meiteis, who are dominant in Imphal Valley, and Kukis, who are in majority in some hill districts, since May last year. The violence has claimed 221 lives and displaced around 50,000.

Also Read: AFSPA extended for another 6 months in Manipur

The violence has led to divisions on the ground, with both sides setting up barricades at borders between districts and not allowing people from the other community to enter. Since the start of the violence, Kuki MLAs, including seven from the ruling BJP, have demanded creation of a separate administration in areas dominated by them.

Hours before Shah landed in the state capital, security was heightened across Imphal, with police and paramilitary forces taking over the streets and snipers deployed on buildings near the rally venue at Hapta Kangjeibung public ground. It was necessitated as just two days ago (on April 13), two men were killed and their bodied mutilated in a gunfight at a village, around 32 km from Imphal.

There was no development in Manipur during the past Congress rule. In the past six years, the BJP-led government in the state tried to change that, but one incident of ethnic clashes happened. I want to assure all that in the coming days, we will talk to all sides and establish peace without compromising on the states integrity, Shah said. This is the resolve of the Narendra Modi government.

Also Read | Manipur car blast: NIA files charge sheet against 2, including main conspirator

Shah accused the previous Congress governments at the Centre and state of ignoring Manipur.

This election is not between BJP and Congress, but between those who want to divide Manipur and those who want to keep the state united, he said. The Congress speaks of division wherever it goes. It was responsible for the country getting divided (into India and Pakistan).

Even now it speaks of dividing it into north and south India. They formed an agenda in Manipur of dividing the state. I want to reiterate that no one has the guts to divide Manipur and we wont let it happen, Shah added.

Shah also spoke on the Centres decision announced in February to seal the India-Myanmar border and scrap the free movement regime that allows people living along the border on either side to travel up to 16 km in the other country without a visa, and stay up to two weeks.

Theres a conspiracy to change demography of a small state like Manipur through infiltration of illegal immigrants (from Myanmar). The government under Narendra Modi has decided to seal the borders with Myanmar to secure Manipur. We have started work on sealing the boundary. FMR was misused for smuggling narcotics. We decided to abolish it, he said.

Efforts by Modi were responsible for peace in the northeast, a region troubled by insurgency since Independence, Shah said. More than 10 peace deals have been signed with terror outfits of the region in the past few years, which has resulted in over 9,000 cadre of these groups giving up arms, he added.

The Congress never respected Manipur. There were thousands of road blockades during their rule, three years of strife and hundreds of people killed in fake encounters when Okram Ibobi Singh was chief minister, Shah said.

Shah reminded how around 750 people were killed during the ethnic conflict between Nagas and Kukis in Manipur in 1992, nearly 100 killed in clashes between Meiteis and Pangals in 1993 and around 350 killed in conflict between Kukis and Paites in 1997.

Shah reminded that it was the BJP-led Centre that decided to implement inner line permit regime in Manipur to keep tab on entry of outsiders to the state. The minister stated that during its 10-year rule from 2004 to 2014, the Congress-led government at the Centre provided 39,000 crore for Manipurs development. In contrast, since 2014, the BJP-led Union government has given 1,20,000 crore to the state.

Shah listed development projects undertaken in the state including construction of highways, rail tracks, air connectivity and hospitals. He promised that in the next five years, everyone in Manipur will have houses with electricity, toilet and cooking gas connection, and each person will get 5 lakh as health insurance.

Polling for the Inner Manipur seat, which includes districts such as Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal, will be held on April 19, along with some parts of the Outer Manipur constituency. The remaining parts of the Outer Manipur seat, a tribal-reserved constituency, will go to polls on April 26.

All political parties in the northeastern state have been holding campaigns without large gatherings, display of flags or use of loudspeakers. Meetings are being held behind closed doors and in the houses of village heads.

An advisory was issued by Arambai Tenggol (radical Meitei group involved in violence) to keep campaigning low key and avoid use of flags. All parties are following it. The AT said this was necessary to respect the sentiments of the many who suffered in the ethnic clashes, a woman BJP executive member said, requesting anonymity. In recent weeks, today is the first time, we saw so many party flags or such a big gathering in the city.

Reacting to the ministers speech, Manipur Congress working president K Devbrata said Shahs claims over the introduction of ILP and border fencing in state are baseless and fabricated. ILP hasnt been implemented effectively and the work on border fencing along Indo-Myanmar border was taken up in 2012-13 (Congress regime). Shah lied that it was done by the BJP government at Centre.

Claiming that all issues during Congress regimes ended with solutions, he maintained that the same was not the case with the BJP. During his visit to Manipur in June last year, Shah had promised to return with a solution within 10 days to address the ongoing crisis, but that didnt happen, the Congress leader said.

(With inputs from Sobhapati Samom)
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who worked "like a son and a brother for the country and the people of Delhi", sent out a message from Tihar hail. My name is Arvind Kejriwal and I am not a terrorist, Sanjay Singh said at a press conference. AAP leader Sanjay Singh speaks during a protest against the arrest of party leader and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi. (PTI file)

"The three-time elected CM of Delhi is made to meet Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann through a glass. It is clear from this that the prime minister has a feeling of hatred against Arvind Kejriwal...," claimed the AAP MP.

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested several people, including Arvind Kejriwal, in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. Arvind Kejriwal is currently lodged in Tihar jail under judicial custody.

On Monday, a Delhi court extended the judicial custody of Arvind Kejriwal till April 23. Earlier, the AAP national convenor approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi high court judgment that dismissed his plea against arrest by the ED and his subsequent remand in the excise policy case.

At the press conference, Sanjay Singh also alleged that efforts are being made 24 hours to demoralise Arvind Kejriwal. This is Arvind Kejriwal, he is made of a different clay... The more you try to break him, the stronger he will come back...Yesterday, CM Bhagwant Mann became emotional during the meeting. This is an emotional matter for all of us but it is a matter of shame for BJP and PM Modi, the AAP MP alleged.

On Monday, Bhagwant Mann met Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar jail and alleged he was being treated like a terrorist, even as the AAP said its government in Delhi would start functioning from jail under a proper format with the chief minister planning to meet two ministers from next week.

Bhagwant Mann, who was accompanied by Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, said they met Arvind Kejriwal for half-an-hour but they were separated by a glass wall and had to interact over a phone call. Bhagwant Mann said Arvind Kejriwal asked him to campaign for OpposINDIA bloc candidates in different parts of the country.

"Yesterday, PM Modi gave a detailed interview. But the most shocking thing in the interview is that the Prime Minister is openly defending the biggest scam since independence...The Supreme Court called electoral bonds unconstitutional and illegal. He also insulted the Supreme Court, he should apologize to the Supreme Court and the people of the country...," Sanjay Singh added.
Hamas rejects all clauses of Gaza ceasefire agreement

Gaza, Apr 16 (UNI) Palestinian movement Hamas has rejected all clauses of the latest hostage deal proposal, increasing the number of Palestinian prisoners who have to be released by Israel as part of the agreement, The Times of Israel newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing a senior Israeli official.



In addition, Hamas is ready to release only about 20 hostageswomen and men over 50as part of the first stage of the agreement, the report said. The movement also demands that Israel agree to a six-week ceasefire before Hamas releases these hostages, the newspaper reported.
NEW DELHI: Squadron Leader DS Majithia, the Indian Air Forces oldest retired fighter pilot, passed away at Rudrapur in Uttarakhand on Tuesday. Sq Ldr DS Majithias (retd) tenure as the flight commander of the legendary No. 4 Squadron, The Fighting Oorials, from 1942 to 1943 at Burma remains etched in the annals of history (X/@IAF_MCC)

He was 103.

Born in Shimla on July 27, 1920, Majithias passion for aviation led him to join the air force volunteer reserve in 1940 during the tumultuous years of World War II. His exceptional talent was evident early on, earning him the prestigious best pilot trophy during his training at the Initial Training School in Walton, Lahore, Indian Air Force officials said.

Sqn Ldr Dalip Singh Majithia (retd) retired in Aug 1947 and was the oldest IAF fighter (X/IAF_MCC)

Majithia flew a variety of aircraft, including the Gypsy Moth, Wapiti, Hart, Audax, and Atlanta.

Affectionately known as Maji, Majithias tenure as the flight commander of the legendary No. 4 Squadron, The Fighting Oorials, from 1942 to 1943 at Burma remains etched in the annals of history, the officials said. Under his guidance, the squadron became synonymous with bravery and camaraderie, earning accolades and admiration from all quarters, said one of the officials.

With over 1100 flying hours, including missions in aircraft like Hurricanes and Spitfires, Majithias contribution to the IAF was immense, said another official.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 15, pulled up Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd managing director Acharya Balkrishna while granting one-week time to issue a public apology in the misleading advertisements case, stating it was not letting them off the hook now. Both Ramdev and Balkrishna were present during the hearing and personally tendered an unqualified apology to the Supreme Court. Yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd managing director Acharya Balkrishna appear before the Supreme Court in the misleading advertisement case filed against the company in New Delhi. (ANI)

A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah took note of their apologies, but told Balkrishna, You are doing good work but you can't degrade allopathy.

Co-founder of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd Ramdev tendered unconditional apology for the mistakes, adding that What we did at the time was not correct. We will be conscious about it in the future.

It was hearing the contempt case against Patanjali Ayurved, Ramdev and Balkrishna in connection with the misleading advertisements of their products.

A plea was filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against an alleged smear campaign carried out by Patanjali and its founders against the Covid-19 vaccination drive and modern medicine.

While recording an undertaking by Patanjali and its representatives that they propose to voluntarily take some steps to redeem themselves and show their good intentions, the Supreme Court bench adjourned the matter till April 23.

Patanjali misleading advertisements case: What SC said

"This is irresponsible behaviour. The previous history of yours is damaging. We will think over it, whether to accept your apology or not," Justice Kohli said. We are not saying we will forgive you. We cannot be blind to your earlier history; we will think about your apology. You are not so innocent that you were completely unaware of what was going on in court. At this moment, we are not saying they are off the hook, the bench said. Justice Kohli said they cannot claim a cure for specific diseases in its advertisements and it is illegal to advertise medicines as specific cures for diseases. Advertising medicines for the treatment of specific diseases is not permitted. Neither a doctor, not a pharmacy can do that. It is irresponsible to do that, the bench told Ramdev. Justice Amanullah said every citizen is bound by the law and they cannot degrade allopathy while promoting its products. Your apology is not coming from your heart, Justice Amanullah said.

(With inputs from ANI)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted a week to Yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd MD Balkrishna Acharya to take steps to redeem themselves of the alleged contempt after their lawyers offered to issue a public apology for misleading advertisements case. Yoga guru and entrepreneur Ramdev appears before the Supreme Court for the hearing in the misleading advertisement case filed against the Patanjali Ayurveda in New Delhi. (ANI)

The court has adjourned the matter next for April 23.

I am willing to give a public apology, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ramdev and Balkrishna, told a bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, news agency PTI reported.

The Supreme Court court asked Ramdev and Balkrishna, both of whom were present in the court, to come forward for an interaction with the bench.

"They should feel they have a connect with the court," the bench said.

The hearing in the matter is underway and the bench is currently interacting with Ramdev.

Ramdev and Balkrishna have tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology before the apex court over advertisements issued by the firm making tall claims about the medicinal efficacy of its products.

In two separate affidavits filed in the court, Ramdev and Balkrishna have tendered an unqualified apology for the "breach of the statement" recorded in the November 21 last year order of the apex court.

In the November 21, 2023 order, the top court had noted that counsel representing Patanjali Ayurved had assured it that "henceforth there shall not be any violation of any law(s), especially relating to advertising or branding of products manufactured and marketed by it and, further, that no casual statements claiming medicinal efficacy or against any system of medicine will be released to the media in any form".

The top court had said Patanjali Ayurved Ltd is "bound down to such assurance".

The non-observance of the specific assurance and the subsequent media statements irked the apex court, which later issued a notice to them to explain why contempt proceedings be not initiated against them.

(With inputs from PTI)
Initiatives such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and announcement of the opening of Thiruvalluvar centres across the country are seen as an attempt to help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to expand its footprint in the southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets his supporters during a public meeting in Palakkad, Kerala on Monday. (BJP Photo)

On Sunday, while releasing the partys election manifesto, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the governments intent to open centres to promote Tamil globally. He referred to Tamil as the oldest language and our pride. As the party chases the target of winning over 400 out of the 543 Lok Sabha seats as part of the NDA alliance, the BJP is making concerted efforts to increase its vote share in the five southern states and translate them into seats.

The PM who has extensively toured the region, addressed rallies and public functions, told ANI in an interview that the partys legwork in the five states is not a recent phenomenon driven by electoral compulsions.

I would say that five generations of our party, from the Jana Sangh, have been working there. So, continuous work has been going on, he said.

While the BJP has been in power in Karnataka, electoral success has eluded it in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

There has been a perception that the BJP has not been able to emerge as an alternative to the regional satraps. But the PM attributed the growth of the regional parties to the failure of Congress to address issues and expressed confidence that the BJP would be the preferred option in the upcoming polls.

When people were disappointed with the Congress, they went towards regional parties. Now, people are disappointed with these parties as well. In this atmosphere of disappointment, they saw the model of the BJP government in Delhi. They saw the model of the BJP government in other states in India. The Tamils who live across the country went to their homes and said, this is happening in the state where we live. So, people naturally started to compare that these people are doing good work, he said.

He also attacked the DMK in Tamil Nadu for perpetrating a north-south divide, and said an impression had been created that the BJP is a predominantly a North Indian entity. Initiatives such as the Tamil Kashi Sangamam, he said, helped people shed these biases.

This caused a change of thought. And because of that, a lot of anger has arisen against the DMK. That anger is diverting towards the BJP in a positive way, he said.

Assuring peace in Manipur

The BJP, which has been facing criticism from its political opponents for not being able to restore normalcy in the northeastern state, is hoping that months of violence in the region will not affect its electoral fortunes. On Monday, Union home minister Amit Shah was in the state to address a rally where he asserted that the priority of the next government at the Centre under PM Modi would be to restore peace.

Shah said the Lok Sabha election is a contest between forces trying to break Manipur and those keeping it united.

The opposition has trained its guns on the Prime Minister for not visiting the state, but Shah blamed the Congress for failing to meet the aspirations of the people when it was in power.

Ethnic clashes between the Meiteis, who are dominant in the Imphal Valley, and the Kukis, who are in majority in some hill districts, since May last year has kept the state on the boil.

There was no development in Manipur during the Congress rule in the past. In the last six years, the BJP-led government in the state tried to change that, but one incident of ethnic clashes took place. I want to assure all that in the coming days, we will talk to all sides and establish peace without compromising on the states integrity, Shah said.
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, alleging that Modi is an instrument of 5-6 big rich businessmen of India. FILE PHOTO: Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader of India's main opposition Congress party, gestures as he addresses the media during the party's manifesto release event ahead of the general election, in New Delhi, India, April 5, 2024. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo(REUTERS)

Gandhi also criticised the electoral bond system, calling it a way to pressure people. He said that powerful government agencies like the CBI, ED, and Income Tax Department are used to intimidate businessmen.

In an election campaign in Kerala's Kozhikode, Rahul Gandhi said: There are some people in every small town or village who extort money on the streets by threatening physical harm. In Malayalam you call this extortion 'kolla adikkal' (loot), but Modi calls it electoral bonds. What a common thief is doing on the streets, the PM is doing at an international level.

ALSO READ- 'India didn't get freedom to be colonised by RSS ideology': Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad

Gandhi accused the BJP-led central government of employing "sophisticated" methods to intimidate specific businessmen. "At the electoral bond level, the threats are much more sophisticated. The ED, CBI and Income Tax people will come, they will interrogate and at the end of it, they will say why don't you give this (their business) to Adani," the sitting Congress MP from Wayanad LS constituency alleged.

ALSO READ- PM Modi counters Opposition's BJP to change constitution charge

He claimed that this is how Adani acquired the Mumbai airport from its previous owner. Gandhi further alleged that in other cases, similar coercive tactics resulted in businessmen giving funds to the BJP through electoral bonds. In his interview, he was trying to defend the biggest corruption scandal on the planet -- the electoral bond scheme through which the BJP got thousands of crores of rupees by extorting India's businessmen, the Wayanad MP said during his address to party supporters and the large crowd gathered for his roadshow in Kodiyathur, Kozhikode district.

PM Modi, in an interview with ANI, defended the accusations against electoral bonds.

ALSO READ- PM Modi accuses Opposition of spreading lies on electoral bonds scheme: 'Everyone will regret it

He said that out of the 3,000 companies contributing through the electoral bond scheme, 26 underwent scrutiny by investigative agencies like the ED. He added that 16 of these companies purchased bonds during ongoing investigations. "Among these 16 companies, 37 per cent of the funds went to the BJP, while 63 per cent went to opposition parties," he clarified.
Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to hold a Lok Sabha election rally in West Bengal's Raiganj on Tuesday, April 16, will become the first sitting Prime Minister to do so. Modi's rally comes more than a week after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee held a roadshow in Raiganj. During her campaign, Mamata Banerjee walked along a three-km-long stretch in the constituency, meeting and greeting people on the way. Prime Minister Narendra Modi(BJP)

Raiganj Lok Sabha seat: BJP vs TMC

The Raiganj Lok Sabha constituency, situated within the North Dinajpur district of West Bengal, will witness a tough battle between the BJP and TMC in the upcoming general election. The Mamata Banerjee-led party has pitted Krishna Kalyani as its candidate against BJP's Kartick Paul from the Raiganj seat.

The Raiganj constituency is a general seat.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, BJP's Debasree Chaudhuri won the Raiganj seat with a margin of 60,574 votes and defeated TMC's Agarwal Kanaialal. In 2014, Md. Salim from CPIM won the seat, defeating Congress candidate Deepa Dasmunsi by a margin of 1,634 votes.

PM Modi's schedule today

Apart from Raiganj, PM Modi will also hold a rally in Bengal's Balurghat district. Prior to this, the PM is campaigning in Bihar where he is holding rallies in Gaya and Purnea.

Addressing in rally in Gaya, PM Modi hit out at RJD saying the party ruled Bihar for several years but they don't have the guts to discuss the work done by their government. RJD is the biggest face of jungle raj in Bihar...RJD has given only two things to Bihar - jungle raj aur bhrashtachar, he said.

The PM also spoke about Modi's guarantee card for the upcoming election.

Three crore houses will be made for the poor, the poor will get free ration for the next five years, those above 70 years of age will receive free treatment upto 5 lakhs, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi will be continued. All these are Modi's guarantees, he said.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami on Wednesday, Ram Lalla will don yellow-coloured clothes and will be offered 56 (chhappan) bhog, Acharya Satyendra Das, chief priest of Ram Janmabhoomi temple, said on Tuesday. The idol of Lord Ram being decorated at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on the eve of Ram Navami festival, in Ayodhya on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)

In the wake of Ram Navami, which will be celebrated for the first time in the newly built Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, the temple will remain open for 19 hours, starting from Mangala Aarti at 3.30 am on Wednesday till 11 pm, and curtains of the temple will be drawn for five minutes each during the four bhog offerings.

Read here: Ayodhya admn gears up for Ram Navmi rush

"This is being celebrated with grandeur because Lord Ram is now in his new abode...The temple has been decorated...Rituals are open and will begin at 3 am tonight...Ram Lalla will wear yellow clothes. He will be offered 56 Bhog. Three types of Panjiri will also be offered. Panchamrit will be offered too...The darshan will continue from 3 am..." news agency ANI quoted Acharya Das as saying.

Temple trust issues advisory:

Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust earlier issued an advisory in view of the expected huge turnout of devotees in the grand temple. The trust has cancelled all the special pass bookings for VIP darshan and aarti from April 16 to April 18 and all the devotees would be required to follow the same path entering the temple for darshan.

Read here: Ram temple in Ayodhya to open for 19 hours on Ram Navami

The temple trust also appealed to the distinguished guests to visit Ayodhya only after April 19 for a hassle-free arrangement. To avoid inconvenience and wastage of time during darshan, devotees are advised not to bring their mobile phones and other valuable items, it added.

Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati will live telecast Ram Navami celebrations at Ram Mandir on Doordarshan. The celebration of Shri Ram Janmotsav will be broadcasted on about a hundred large LED screens throughout Ayodhya city. There will also be live broadcasts on the Trusts social media accounts.

The trust also requested the people to avoid unnecessary rush to Ayodhya on Ram Navami.

Surya Tilak to light up Ram Lalla forehead:

A unique scientific system has been devised in the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple to adorn Ram Lalla with a Surya Tilak on every Ram Navmi, starting this year. On every Ram Navami, an intricate network of lenses and mirrors would be arranged within the temple premises, which would direct a ray of sunlight onto Ram Lalla's forehead, creating the revered Surya Tilak as a symbol of reverence and celebration.

The Surya Tilak project endeavours to illuminate the forehead of Lord Ram Lalla's idol with natural sunlight precisely at 12 pm on every Ram Navmi.

Read here: Security tightened in Ayodhya ahead of Ram Navmi, first after pran pratishtha at Ram temple

The Uttar Pradesh government has also tightened security in and around Ayodhya as lakhs of devotees are expected to flock to the city for Ram Navami celebrations, the first since the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in January.
While constitutional courts have used articles 32 and 226 (both relating to power of courts to enforce fundamental rights) to render transformative justice, there was need to introspect as questions can be raised on priorities of courts when a petition by a business house is entertained at the cost of a poor prisoner seeking premature release, two judges of the Supreme Court said on Monday. In the last 75 years, articles 32 and 226 have been used by the Supreme Court and high courts for achieving transformative justice, said justice BR Gavai (ANI)

Speaking at a lecture series organised in memory of BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, justices BR Gavai and AS Oka spoke on the topic Article 32: History and the Future and said the Constitution should be used as a weapon achieve social and economic justice and fulfil the dream of our founding fathers.

In the last 75 years, articles 32 and 226 have been used by the Supreme Court and high courts for achieving transformative justice, said justice Gavai, who hails from the scheduled caste community and is in line to be become the chief justice of India in May next year. He listed out a string of cases decided by the courts under article 32 to expand the fundamental rights of citizens in the Constitution to include right to education, right to food, potable water, clean environment, and dignity of life.

He emphasised the importance of judicial remedies, described by Ambedkar as the soul of the Constitution and said, The credit of origin of Article 32 goes to BR Ambedkar...The journey of Article 32 has been in furtherance of the dream of our Constitution makers to use Constitution as a weapon to achieve social and economic justice and to end inequalities in the society.

Justice Oka addressed the issue of article 32 from a practical perspective. On completing 75 years of independence, we must have a debate on enforcement of fundamental rights by courts, he said. This is the time to introspect... Under Article 32, if we start giving priority to cases of business houses, questions will be raised.

Without citing any specific case or instance, he said, If there is a powerful businessman, he will be backed by powerful lawyers to argue how a case under article 32 is made out. This consumes a lot of time of the courts. When this happens, look at the plight of other litigants, including prisoners denied premature release. They must wait in the long queue for justice. Can we actually devote time meant for entertaining genuine article 32 petitions by entertaining petitions by businessmen.

A concept note shared with him by organisers Society for Constitution and Social Democracy and the Leaflet news portal raised this issue on whether any circumstances are spelt out for entertaining petitions under article 32, how the jurisdiction under article 32 differs from article 226 and what explains selective hearing of some cases under this provision by the top court.

We are not living in an ideal world. The pendency of cases in Supreme Court is about 80,000. It is not merely a constitutional court but an appellate court. 25% of cases listed on a Monday or Friday are appeals against refusal to grant bail. In our legal system, there are victims where a small man is fighting for years for getting a small piece of land. These are some facts that force us to send people to high courts, justice Oka said. We must fix priorities faced with such mounting arrears.

He did not support the idea of having a uniform approach by all judges in exercising powers under article 32 and said any attempt to limit this power was also not advisable. If there is a uniform approach, will such approach not compromise on judicial discretion? It is because of different opinions (that) we are able to develop our constitutional law, he opined.

Parliament can bring a law conferring article 32 jurisdiction on high courts if it feels the Supreme Court is overburdened. This solution is provided under clause 3 of article 32 itself, said Justice Oka, who came to the apex court from the Bombay high court. If we lay down any guidelines, we will be curtailing our own jurisdiction. It is a highly debatable area and needs to be debated by scholars, jurists, members of the bar and human rights activists.

The event was attended by Supreme Court judges KV Viswanathan, Ujjal Bhuyan and PB Varale, along with Delhi high court judges and former Supreme court judges.
Businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, has hinted at his entry into active politics by contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, at Banke Bihari Temple, in Vrindavan(PTI)

He said that the people of Amethi, once considered the bastion of Congress until 2019, want him to represent them, though the final decision would be taken by the senior leadership.

Vadra said that if the party considers him, he won't hesitate as the people have always strengthened him while working for them.

"As far as my role in active politics is concerned, people have always strengthened me when I have worked for them...The country wants me to be in active politics. If the Congress party feels that I can bring a change, I will come into active politics. It is not necessary that I will contest from Amethi, I can also contest from Moradabad and Haryana " news agency ANI quoted Vadra as saying.

Vadra slammed the BJP, accusing the ruling party of using him as a political tool and a soft target for being related to the Gandhi family.

"...I have stayed away from politics, but different political parties wanted to pull me into politics and used tactics to trouble me. I have always been treated as a political tool and a soft target for being connected to the Gandhi family...People have felt that I should give them an answer not as a businessman but as an MP inside the Parliament...You will see whenever elections approach, my name is being used," he said.

Accusing the BJP of being a party doing "politics of discrimination", Vadra said calling the Congress anti-Sanatan is the BJP's own way of publicity. His entire family is secular and away from discrimination, he said.

"It is my thinking that we should remain secular and stay away from the politics of religion. PM Modi should take up people's issues and think about how we can move towards progress. My family is secular and it always thinks about a secular country," Vadra added.

Assuring the victory of the INDIA bloc, he said that the alliance is going to win with a huge margin and a secular government would be formed in the country.

"The new alliance that has been formed will be kept strong. Because our thinking is to strengthen the country. In the coming time, we will form a secular government in the country. Will keep the country secular," he said.

The Congress is yet to announce its candidates from Amethi and Raebareli. Rahul Gandhi lost the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to union minister Smriti Irani in Amethi, and the BJP leader is seeking re-election from this consistency.

Elections 2024

The elections for the 543 parliamentary constituencies will be held in seven phases, starting on April 19 and culminating on June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. The phase 1 polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, third phase on May 7, fourth phase on May 13, 5th phase on May 20, 6th phase on May 25 and the last and the 7th phase on June 1. Karnataka will vote in two phases on April 26 and May 7.

(With inputs from agencies)
Salman Khan House Firing Case: A court in Mumbai on Tuesday remanded two persons arrested in connection with the firing outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence to police custody till April 25. One of the accused who opened fire outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence being produced at Esplanade court in Mumbai on Tuesday. (PTI)

Joint police commissioner of the Mumbai Police Crime Branch Lakhmi Gautam, at a press conference, said a total of five rounds were fired by the accused. Later on in the day, Anmol Bishnoi, gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, also wrote on Facebook regarding this incident. We have arrested two accused Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal from Bhuj district in Gujarat. Primarily, they have done 'recce' of the house thrice.

The duo - Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) - both residents of Bihar, were on the run after the firing incident outside Salman Khan's house in Bandra area here on Sunday morning. They were apprehended late Monday night from Mata No Madh village in Gujarat's Kutch district, police said.

The two persons were brought to Mumbai and produced before a magistrate court on Tuesday.

The crime branch sought 14-day custody of the two men on the ground that their custodial interrogation was required to ascertain conspiracy details and to identify the mastermind behind the firing incident.

The court granted the police custody of the two accused for nine days (till April 25).

Around 5 am on Sunday, the two on a motorcycle had opened fire outside 58-year-old Salman Khan's residence at the Galaxy Apartments in Bandra area of Mumbai and fled the spot.

The police officer told HT that Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta were traced using CCTV cameras and other technology. The actor and his parents were asleep at the time of the firing and nobody was injured in the incident.

Anmol Bishnoi claimed responsibility for the attack hours later, saying, Salman Khan, do not take us lightly. This is the first and last warning. After this, the firing will happen at your home.

Police have seized the motorbike the assailants used and were probing the motive behind the shooting.

Salman Khan house firing case: What investigation found

The investigation into the firing at Salman Khans residence has revealed that the shooters had rented a room in Panvel for a month to recce the actors farm house as well as his Bandra home.

A crime branch officer said they bought a second-hand bike from a Panvel resident for  20,000 through a person in Panvel, who was not the original owner.

20,000 through a person in Panvel, who was not the original owner. As the bike was still registered in the name of the first owner, the crime branch traced the original owner and the broker who helped the shooters rent a home and questioned them on Monday.

After firing five or six rounds at Salman Khans residence, the shooters fled on the two-wheeler and abandoned the bike at Mount Mary Road.

From there, they took an auto to Bandra station and boarded a local train and got down at Santacruz.

They exited the station in Santacruz East and walked towards Kalina. Their movement thereafter has not been caught on CCTV cameras but crime branch officers suspect that the accused could have gone to the airport to take a flight.

Later, a police team found their last location in Mira Road, but again there was no trace of the two in surveillance cameras.

(With inputs from Manish K Pathak in Mumbai)
German chancellor witnesses China's development changes

Xinhua) 08:09, April 16, 2024

Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz takes part in a dialogue with students at Tongji University's Jiading Campus in east China's Shanghai, April 15, 2024. Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and his delegation arrived in Shanghai from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Monday morning. On Monday, Scholz took part in a dialogue with students at Tongji University's Jiading Campus and visited German company Covestro's Asia-Pacific Innovation Center. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

SHANGHAI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz said that he saw China's recent development changes and Germany-China cooperation are of vital importance to the world's future, on Monday during his third visit to Shanghai Municipality.

During his short stay in Shanghai, Scholz spoke with students at Tongji University, visited German-funded enterprise Covestro's Asia-Pacific innovation center, and took a walk along the Bund. His previous visits to Shanghai took place in 2011 and 2015.

At Tongji University's Jiading Campus, Scholz held a dialogue with nearly 160 students, covering such topics as Germany-China youth exchanges, sustainable development, smart cities and artificial intelligence. He said he appreciated the university's achievements in international talent training and sci-tech innovation, noting that the institution serves as a bridge for Germany-China cooperation in the field of higher education.

He said that the global population could exceed 10 billion in the next 30 years, and countries around the world need to make greater efforts to face the many associated challenges. He noted that Germany-China cooperation is not only relevant to the two countries -- it is related to the future of the world. He added that Germany and China need to expand cooperation in fields such as climate change, renewable energy development, trade and investment, and the research and development of innovative technology.

This June, the Berliner Philharmoniker will visit Shanghai. Scholz learned that all the over 6,000 tickets for the German orchestra's four concerts had been sold out in five minutes, when being released a week before his visit. He said this reflects the new changes in China's consumer market, and German companies should take these changes into consideration and pay attention to them.

Scholz arrived in Chongqing Municipality on Sunday to kick off his three-day official visit to China. He left Shanghai for Beijing on Monday evening.

Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz visits German company Covestro's Asia-Pacific Innovation Center in east China's Shanghai, April 15, 2024. Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and his delegation arrived in Shanghai from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Monday morning. On Monday, Scholz took part in a dialogue with students at Tongji University's Jiading Campus and visited German company Covestro's Asia-Pacific Innovation Center. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Paula Span in The New York Times:

Determining whether someone has Alzheimers disease usually requires an extended diagnostic process. A doctor takes a patients medical history, discusses symptoms, administers verbal and visual cognitive tests. The patient may undergo a PET scan, an M.R.I. or a spinal tap  tests that detect the presence of two proteins in the brain, amyloid plaques and tau tangles, both associated with Alzheimers. All of that could change dramatically if new criteria proposed by an Alzheimers Association working group are widely adopted. Its final recommendations, expected later this year, will accelerate a shift that is already underway: from defining the disease by symptoms and behavior to defining it purely biologically  with biomarkers, substances in the body that indicate disease.

The draft guidelines, Revised Criteria for Diagnosis and Staging of Alzheimers Disease, call for a simpler approach. That could mean a blood test to indicate the presence of amyloid. Such tests are already available in some clinics and doctors offices. Someone who has biomarker evidence of amyloid in the brain has the disease, whether theyre symptomatic or not, said Dr. Clifford R. Jack Jr., the chair of the working group and an Alzheimers researcher at the Mayo Clinic. The pathology exists for years before symptom onset, he added. Thats the science. Its irrefutable.

More here.
The Supreme Court on Monday allowed women officers alleging discrimination in promotion to challenge the policy introduced last month by the Indian Army for promotion to the rank of brigadier and closed proceedings in a pending application seeking gender-neutral standards to be adopted by the selection board in considering their case for promotion vis-a-vis their male counterparts. Attorney general R Venkataramani appearing for the Centre along with senior advocate R Balasubramanian appearing for the army shared a copy of the new policy and said future promotions by SB-2 will be governed by this policy (ANI)

Now that there is a policy in place, the challenge to it must be heard in an appropriate proceeding, a bench headed by chief justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said. It was due to the courts prodding that the army introduced a policy on March 29 titled Future Career Progression Policy for Women Officers empaneled for promotion as brigadier by selection board - 2 (SB-2).

Disposing the application filed by nearly 30 women colonels, the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said, If the petitioners are aggrieved by the policy dated March 29, they will have to take remedies as per law. We are not entering into merits absent any procedure as per law. The application is disposed.

Attorney general R Venkataramani appearing for the Centre along with senior advocate R Balasubramanian appearing for the army shared a copy of the new policy and said future promotions by SB-2 will be governed by this policy. Large number of relaxations have been granted to the women officers and large number of them have been promoted, Venkataramani said. You cannot keep asking for relaxations.

He further stated that so far, the army only had a policy of November 2021 governing promotions from lieutenant colonel to colonel (SB-3). In December, the court gave time till March 31 for the army to come out with a policy governing SB-2.

The women officers, who have benefitted from the two Supreme Court rulings in the past in the Babita Puniya case (2020) and Nitisha case (2021), have come a long way through fighting for their due rights in the army, which has faced criticism from the top court for its patriarchal mindset.

Senior advocate Archana Pathak Dave, appearing for the women officers, told the court that the new policy suffered from the same flaws as seen in the Nitisha judgment. Explaining the objections to the March 29 policy, a response affidavit prepared by the officers said the policy required them to undergo a mandatory higher course for two years. These courses, according to them, were usually taken in the 6th or 12th year of service and most of the officers have undergone almost 19 years of service.

Dave told the court that the officers will prefer to file a writ petition challenging the policy. Colonel Sarika Pendalwar, assisting Venkataramani in the matter, submitted to the bench that out of the armys total strength of about 49,000 officers, 150 colonel vacancies have been provided to women officers out of the total of 5,995 posts. The affidavit of the women officers claimed the policy left no scope for their future career progression from brigadier to major general, thus making the policy regressive in its approach.

The army had argued in the past that an officer must meet the essential eligibility criteria of minimum two confidential reports (CR) in colonel select rank as any deviation from this fundamental eligibility criteria will amount to compromising with the operational requirement of the army. Further, for promotion to brigadier, an officer must have operational command of a unit or battalion for 18 to 24 months.

Venkataramani had told the court that while the problem raised by the women officers pertained to the pre-2005 batch, making an exception for the present set of petitioners could have long-term repercussions.
PANAJI: Goa Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao on Tuesday asked people to avoid travelling to Vailankanni, a prominent Catholic pilgrimage site in Tamil Nadu, on May 6 since it would mean missing out on the moral obligation of casting ones vote. The Goa Archbishop, looked up to by Catholics who make up 25% of the state population, is known to articulate his views on the social and political issues (File Photo)

It is known that there is a regular train from Goa to Vailankanni every Monday, leaving Margao Station at 9.35 a.m. I earnestly appeal to our Catholics to refrain from taking that train journey on Monday, 6th May 2024, and, instead, to book their trip for any other Monday, Ferrao, who is among the six Indian Cardinals of the Catholic Church, said in his message.

In case a booking has already been made, it is certainly worth losing some money by way of cancellation charges for the sake of the greater good and the sacred duty of exercising ones franchise on Election Day and thus being positively responsible towards the greater good of the nation, he said in a circular.

The Cardinals message comes against the backdrop of several people expressing concern on social media that many Catholics may end up missing out on the opportunity to vote due to the election schedule.

Goa, which elects two Lok Sabha members, is scheduled to vote on May 7.

Train No. 17315 Velankanni Express, a once-a-week train that runs between Vasco da Gama and Velankanni in Tamil Nadu, leaves at 9am on Monday and arrives at Velankanni a little past noon on Tuesday.

In his circular, the Cardinal referred to the papal encyclical calling for civic participation and urged people to vote for those with secular credentials

The growth of a nation is dependent on its citizens active participation and responsible behaviour. The Churchs obligation to participate in nation-building and in shaping the moral character of the society is a requirement of our faith; it is an all-important part of the mission we have received from Jesus Christ. It is in this spirit that all eligible Catholic voters need to exercise their franchise on the 7th of May, 2024, casting their vote for persons with secular credentials, who are truly committed to work for the good of all the people and to uphold the values enshrined in our Constitution, he added.

The Goa Archbishop, looked up to by Catholics who make up 25% of the state population, is known to articulate his views on the social and political issues. We must strive to know our Constitution better and work harder to protect it... Today, our Constitution is in danger. It is a reason why most of the people live in insecurity, the Archbishop said back in 2018.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday claimed that people shouted 'chor chor' pointing towards her car. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee (PTI)

Addressing an election rally in Jalpaiguri on Tuesday, the West Bengal CM threatened that she would've pulled out the tongue of such people if Lok Sabha elections were not due to be held.

"Some people were shouting 'chor chor', (pointing towards) my car. I would have pulled out their tongue if elections were not there. However, I didn't say anything because of the elections," said Mamata Banerjee as quoted by news agency PTI.

While addressing an election rally in Mainaguri in support of TMC's Jalpaiguri candidate Nirmal Chandra Ray, Banerjee asserted that she wouldn't allow NRC in Bengal.

The Trinamool Congress chief labelled the BJP an "anti-Bengali party", and claimed that it was "planning to drive out" tribals, Dalits and OBCs in the "garb of NRC," reported news agency PTI.

Banerjee slammed INDIA bloc allies Congress and the CPI(M) and said, "Only the TMC is fighting the BJP in Bengal, while the other two parties are working with it. We are with the INDIA bloc at the national level, but in Bengal, TMC must win to save the country."

ALSO READ| Not just another election: Mamata Banerjee attacks BJP in north Bengal rallies

TMC allowed Rohingyas to change Bengals demography': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held two election rallies in Balurghat and Raiganj in West Bengal on Tuesday. The prime minister accused the TMC of allowing Rohingyas to change Bengal's demography.

Those who suffered from partition and were against partition, they (TMC) don't want to give them citizenship. TMC is against CAA, they keep spreading false rumours about it. TMC has given permission to Bangladeshis, Rohingyas to change demography and disturb law and order in Bengal. They are under TMC's protection. To boost their votebank, TMC is playing with the future of West Bengal, Modi said at a rally in Raiganj.
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file within a fortnight its progress report in the case pertaining to the August 2023 incident of a teacher at a private school in Muzaffarnagar goading her students to slap their seven-year-old Muslim classmate. The petition pointed out the lackadaisical probe by the UP police, which initially sought to prosecute the teacher, Tripta Tyagi, for minor offence of causing hurt under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (ANI)

A bench of justices AS Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan posted the matter for hearing on April 26. In the meantime, the additional advocate general, UP shall take instructions on steps taken to prosecute the offender, the bench ordered.

The court was hearing a petition filed by social activist Tushar Gandhi, who approached the top court in September last year after a video of the incident went viral. The petition, filed through advocate Shadan Farasat, pointed out the lackadaisical probe by the UP police, which initially sought to prosecute the teacher, Tripta Tyagi, for minor offence of causing hurt under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

In November, the apex court had commissioned a report by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and ensured the counselling of the victim boy and his classmates.

The court on Monday expressed satisfaction with the compliance shown by the state in providing counselling to the affected students and the victim.

After the victims father informed that since February this year, the allowance of 200 per month had stopped and the tuition fees for the new academic session was not paid by the state, following which he was being harassed by the school where the child was enroled after the incident, the bench agreed to take up the matter on the next date.

In January, the court had asked the state to ensure the amount payable to the victims father is released.

Due to the courts intervention, stringent provisions under the Juvenile Justice Act and IPC were lodged against the teacher, Tripta Tyagi, who had allegedly referred to the boys faith and talked pejoratively about Mohammedan children as she asked other students to slap him hard.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals wife, Sunita Kejriwal, was expected to be included on the list of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)s star campaigners due to be released on Tuesday, people aware of the matter said. She was likely to campaign for AAP Lok Sabha candidates in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state of Gujarat. Sunita Kejriwal at a rally in New Delhi in March. (HT PHOTO)

Sunita Kejriwal has held meetings with leaders of AAP, the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), and issued video messages on behalf of Arvind Kejriwal since his arrest in connection with the excise policy case on March 21. She read out the messages from the chief ministers residence using the same background with the portraits of Indian national heroes and the national flag.

In the 2020 assembly election, Sunita Kejriwal carried out a door-to-door campaign for Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi assembly constituency, where the chief minister was seeking a third term.

With Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain also behind bars, AAP has been facing a crisis of leaders who can campaign for the party in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. AAP is contesting four seats in Delhi, 13 in Punjab, one in Haryana, two each in Gujarat, and Assam.

The AAP has maintained that the Enforcement Directorates probe in the excise case was part of a political conspiracy to crush the party. It has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to destabilise and topple the AAP government.
In the recently released Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) manifesto, one of the promises made by the party seeking a third term in power at the Centre was to establish Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centres globally to showcase Bharats rich culture and offer training in yoga, ayurveda, Bharatiya languages, classical music etc.

The promise, made under the heading, Elevating Bharat as a global soft power stated that these centres will help promote the countrys rich democratic traditions going back millennia as the Mother of Democracy.

A little over three months ago, Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi was criticised by the states ruling party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for posting an image of the revered philosopher-poet Thiruvalluvar wearing saffron-coloured garments. In his post on the social media platform, X, RN Ravi referred to Thiruvalluvar as the brightest saint of the Bharatiya Sanatan tradition.

The defence of Sanatan Dharma has come up repeatedly in the BJPs elections campaign in Tamil Nadu, pitching the DMK as a party that is born out hatred for Sanatan Dharma, as Modi recently said in an interview with news agency, ANI; the DMK and its alliance partners in INDIA bloc refute the imputation that the party is anti-Hindu.

Who is Thiruvalluvar, and why does the Narendra Modi government want to create cultural centres using his name?

The renowned cultural figure, affectionately called Valluvar by Tamils worldwide is believed to have lived no later than the 5th century B.C  though not everyone agrees.

What is universally acknowledged though is that his work, Thirukkural, comprising 1,330 philosophical couplets, is one of the most revered and renowned pieces of Tamil literature. Similar to the traditional North Indian Hindu households that adore the Bhagavad Gita or the Ramayana, the Thirukkural continues to be an indispensable component of each Tamil household.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is from Tamil Nadu, incorporated a quote from Valluvar in her annual budget speeches, Pini Inmai Selvam Vilaivu Inbam Emam Ani Enba  this phrase can be roughly translated as possessing the five jewels, health, wealth, good crops, happiness, safety, and security, is essential for a nation to prosper.

Thiruvalluvar Day is observed annually in Tamil Nadu on January 16 as a tribute to the sage poet's literary prowess and coincides with the state's agricultural festival, Pongal.

The worlds oldest Tamil language is our pride. BJP will undertake every effort to enhance the global reputation of the Tamil language, Modi said while releasing the manifesto earlier this week.

While the saffron party is certainly not the first political party to praise the language or one of its most famous classical poets, it has recognised that partaking of the poets legacy is crucial to establishing a strong political foothold in the state. The poet  whose 133-ft tall statue adorns the southernmost tip of the country, just off the shore at Kanniyakumari  is also crucial to their effort to challenge the ruling partys Dravidian politics.

When the Governor posted the image of a saffron-clad poet with ash smeared across his upper arm and temples and prayer beads encircling his neck, chief minister M. K. Stalin, published images of the poet in white garments.

Both images are recent imaginations  no documented image of the poet-saint exists.

A political battle

Kanimozhi, an acclaimed Tamil writer and DMK Rajya Sabha member (and sister of the CM) said religious symbols and images have no place in the legacy of Thiruvalluvar, whose words inspired social reformation movements that advocated for tolerance, coexistence, and inclusiveness.

No one can impose Hindutva, Sanatan symbols, or any other religious symbol upon Thiruvalluvar and his epic work. There is nothing in Thirukkural that endorses a specific religion, she said.

Thirukkural transcends the limited boundaries of organised religions and honours humanity in its entirety, said Kanimozhi, quoting a stand often taken by other experts of ancient Tamil literature.

The Dravidian movements, propounded in the state by the DMK and the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), have derived ideological and cultural inspiration from the saint-poet.

With Thiruvalluvars inclusion in the 2024 BJP manifesto, it is clear that the party is intent on deriving ideological validation from the saint-poet, recasting him as Hindu.

Since the Sangh Parivar convened its national council in March 2017 near Coimbatore, it has endeavoured to incorporate Tamil saints and icons into its political literature.

The original Thiruvalluvar had vibhuti and all Hindu symbols. Dravida Kazhagam and its political incarnation, DMK, altered the saints appearance for their political gain, said K Annamalai, state president of the BJP.

The saints life and verses propound the Sanatana Dharma, he said.

His political opponents have the opposite view.

In the past, Narendra Modi has advised young people to read Thirukural for its profound insights into morality and ethics in various spheres of life. During the 1950s and 1960s, our leaders, C N Annadurai and M Karunanidhi, began the original movement popularising the Thirukkural among ordinary people. Tamil Nadu continues to give government jobs to individuals who can learn every couplet of Thirukkural, Ganapathy Rajkumar, DMK candidate in Coimbatore, said.

Tamils are instructed to memorise his couplets verbatim and to incorporate his principles into their daily lives. Thiruvalluvar is frequently referenced in the context of the rich philosophical traditions of ancient India, with an emphasis on morality and ethics, even beyond Tamil Nadu, S Venkitesan, Tamil writer and CPI(M) MP from Madurai, who is running for a second term, said.

What we know of the poet, saint, and the work

According to Edward Jewitt Robinson, a Protestant missionary who wrote Tamil Wisdom: Traditions Concerning Hindu Sages and Selections from their Writings in 1873, and also authored an early translation of the Thirukkural, Thiruvalluvar was Pariah (outcast), while his mother was of lower caste status. His father was possibly of a higher caste. In the book, the author writes, The wife of a high-ranking Veilalan (who engages in business) discovered him in a grove at Mayilapur near Madras. Although she initially carried the infant to her home, she ultimately entrusted him to the care of a Pariah family.

Thirukkural, made up of three volumes, explores virtue, wealth and affection. The work refrains from advocating for the principles of any specific religion or deity.

Furthermore, there is no evidence of what religion Valluvar followed  in fact, some scholars say that he was likely a Jain. Other academicians claim Valluvar was non-theistic or religious adherent. Some others find Buddhist philosophy in his works.

According to scholar A.K. Perumal, no religious hue can be ascribed to the Thirukkural. Christian scholar M. Deivanayagam's attempt to propose that Thiruvalluvar drew inspiration from the teachings of St. Thomas was largely disregarded, even though the late M. Karunanidhi, a DMK icon and Stalins father, authored the foreword to this book.

O. K. Santhosh, a faculty member at the University of Madras, said that Thirukkural and Thiruvalluvar have withstood the appropriation endeavours of numerous religious factions, ideologues, and didactic literature throughout the years and will similarly withstand the current challenge.

S Swaminathan, a retired IIT professor who specialises in ancient Tamil history said that the only conclusion that can be drawn is that Thirukkural lacks any parallel in ancient Indian history or literature.

The alleged depiction of Thiruvalluvar in white garments was a more recent fabrication. There was no depiction or figure of Thiruvalluvar. It has been debated for centuries whether the ancient poet who authored Thirukkural was a single individual or a composite of several. Like Jesus, we created the figure of Thiruvalluvar several hundred years after his death, he said.
New Delhi: At least two Air India planes flew through Iran-controlled airspace barely a few hours preceding that countrys massive aerial attack on Israel, potentially putting the lives of several passengers and crew at risk. Air India flights 116 and 131 flew from New York to Mumbai and from Mumbai to London, respectively, on April 13 and April 14 above the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. (Picture for representational purpose only/REUTERS)

Air India flights 116 and 131 flew from New York to Mumbai and from Mumbai to London, respectively, on April 13 and April 14 above the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman when the shadow of a conflict between Iran and Israel loomed large, showed data by Flightradar24, a website that tracks flights.

Iran attacked Israel over the weekend, firing at least 300 drones and missiles. Irans military assault was expected for days after tensions between the two countries ratcheted up on April 1, when fighter jets struck a building that is part of the Iranian Embassy at Damascus in Syria.

Also Read | Iran attacks Israel: Nuclear watchdog IAEA 'worried' as Army chief vows response'

The Air India planes, a Boeing 777-232 and Boeing 777ER, can accommodate roughly 280 and 330 passengers.

What Air India said

A spokesman for Air India said the airline accords top priority to the safety of its passengers, crew and aircraft. Our flight operations plan, regardless of airspace, is risk-assessed and we do not make any compromise with safety issues, he said.

In the two instances that HT.com cited, the spokesman said the airline categorically denied any compromise on safety. From 13th April 2024, even while the Iranian airspace was available to civilian air traffic without any restrictions or NOTAM and airlines continued operating in that airspace, Air India was closely monitoring the developing the situation in the Middle East in close consultation with various safety organisations and regulatory bodies. As part of our risk assessment some of our west-bound flights were planned on an alternative route along the safe corridor which was also used by other airlines.

A NOTAM, or notice to airmen, is an alert issued by an aviation authority to pilots about potential hazards along a route or on ground.

To be sure, Air India was not the only airline that passed the Iranian airspace. Airliners such as Malaysia Airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airways flew over Iran airspace on April 13.

Also Read | Middle east tensions trigger anxiety among Iranian students in Pune

Several global airlines began rerouting or cancelling flights on the night between Saturday and Sunday, and on Monday (April 15).

Air India itself rerouted a few flights on April 13 as a precautionary measure. Its 149 and 121 flights from Kochi to the London Gatwick airport and Delhi to Frankfurt took the longer route via Afghanistan.

It is unclear why Air India decided these flights posed a hazard and not the ones that flew through Irans airspace.

History full of planes downed in warzones

The history of aviation is replete with instances of civilian aircraft brought down in and near warzones.

As recently as January 2020, a Ukrainian plane, a Boeing 737-800, was blown to pieces in Iran, killing at least 176 people. On July 17, 2014, 298 people were killed when a Malaysia Airlines plane flying to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam was shot down over eastern Ukraine.

Airlines typically fly at altitudes of 35,000 feet deemed safe by aviation authorities, even if the flights are routed over troubled hotspots. But turbulence or a freak incident such as engine failure can cause planes to fly at a lower altitude. The Malaysian Airlines flight was operating at an altitude of 33,000 feet when disaster struck.

Airlines typically take the safety of passengers seriously. Shining examples are the flight disruptions caused during winters due to fog.
The Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested two accused for allegedly firing outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence in Bandra West on April 14. The two suspected shooters were caught in Gujarat's Bhuj late on Monday night Two shooters arrested for firing outside Salman Khan's residence (HT photo)

Officials in the Mumbai Police said the two accused were caught in Gujarat's Bhuj late on Monday night, news agency ANI reported. "Both the accused, who fled Mumbai after the firing, have been arrested from Gujarat's Bhuj," the officials said.

Read more: Suspect in Salman Khan case is a gangster with roots in Gurugram

The police said the two arrested individuals will be brought to Mumbai for further investigation. The two accused have been identified as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, said the Mumbai police.

The firing outside Salman Khan's apartment occurred on Sunday at 5am, when two unidentified men opened fire outside Bandra's Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides. The two men fled the scene on a motorcycle, covering their faces under helmets.

The Mumbai Crime Branch described the incident as a meticulously planned attack, with the CCTV camera footage showing one of the suspects firing towards the residence of Salman Khan.

They discharged a total of four rounds during the incident, leaving behind a live cartridge at the scene. Earlier, the Mumbai Crime Branch had summoned two individuals for questioning in connection with the recent firing incident.

The incident prompted swift action by the Mumbai Police, with ten teams of the crime branch deployed outside Galaxy Apartments.

Following the incident, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde spoke to Salman Khan over the phone regarding the incident. CM Shinde also discussed with the Mumbai Police Commissioner and suggested increasing the actor's security.

Hours after the incident took place, gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol Bishnoi claimed responsibility for the firing through a social media post, warning the actor that this was just the trailer. One of the accused in the case was suspected to be from Gurugram, with connections to gangster Rohit Godara.

Rohit Godara is a gangster based in the United States, accused of murdering Gurugram-based businessman Sachin Munjal, who was gunned down in March this year.

Since November 2022, Salman Khan's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus due to threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. Khan has also been authorized to carry a personal firearm and has acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection.

(With inputs from ANI)
US National Security Adviser (NSA) Jake Sullivan has called off a planned visit to India this week because of spiralling tensions between Iran and Israel, the second time he has put off a trip to New Delhi this year. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan. (AP Photo)

Sullivan was expected to be in New Delhi for a meeting with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on April 18 to review the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity. The visit was earlier planned for February and was called off at that time because of Sullivans pressing commitments.

Tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv hit a fresh high after Iran launched scores of drones and missiles at Israel on April 13 in retaliation to an Israeli air strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria on April 1 that killed seven people, including a senior general of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Due to ongoing events in the Middle East, NSA Sullivan has postponed his trip to India this week, a US embassy spokesperson said.

Sullivan looks forward to holding the iCET annual review meeting at the next earliest possible date and remains personally committed to advancing our deeply consequential and multi-faceted partnership with India, the spokesperson said.

Similarly, [US President Joe Biden] looks forward to the next meeting of the Quad leaders and continue our efforts with India to deliver results for the American and Indian people, as well as our partners, in support of our shared vision for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, the spokesperson said.

India had invited Biden to be the chief guest at the annual Republic Day celebrations on January 26 and there were plans to hold a Quad Leaders Summit the following day. With Biden unable to take up the invitation, the Quad Summit is not expected to be held before November, the people said.

Sullivans visit had not been formally announced by both countries and he was expected to be accompanied by US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, the number two diplomat in the state department.

In February, Sullivan was expected to attend the Raisina Dialogue, Indias premier geopolitical event, and co-chair a meeting with Doval to review the work done by the iCET. That time too, Sullivan had his hands full with the Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

The iCET, launched in January 2023, is engaged in groundbreaking work in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, telecommunications and joint development of military hardware such as jet engines and armoured vehicles  all with an eye on the overall challenge posed by China in the Indo-Pacific Region.

While a smaller review meeting was co-chaired by deputy NSA Vikram Misri and US principal deputy NSA Jon Finer last December, the planned meeting between Doval and Sullivan was expected to carry out stock-taking and give guidance for the various programmes under iCET.

Both sides were keen to hold the iCET review meeting before India entered its general election cycle. With the Biden administration also beginning to focus on the US presidential election later this year, the window for holding the iCET review meeting will be dramatically narrowed.
Dismissing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apparent rebuttal of the opposition's charge that the BJP wanted to scrap the Constitution, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday questioned the lack of action against BJP leaders for their controversial statements on the issue. Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav addresses a public meeting ahead of Lok Sabha Polls.(ANI)

We know that Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar's Constitution is the most sacred book of the country. And to destroy that sacred book, all the BJP candidates are openly saying that the constitution will be ended when Modi ji gets a massive majority, Tejashwi Yadav alleged.

"Why is PM Modi not speaking on this? Why is he not taking action?" the RJD leader said.

Read: RJD biggest face of jungle raj in Bihar: PM Modi addresses Lok Sabha election rally in Gaya

The opposition has been targeting the prime minister over the statements by some BJP leaders who claimed the Constitution will be changed if we get two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi asserted that he felt "indebted to Baba Saheb Ambedkar's Constitution" which enabled him to rise from humble origins.

Read: Stop false propaganda on Constitution, says PM Modi after Lalus eye remark

Speaking at a public rally in Bihar, Modi spoke extensively of the high esteem in which he held the Constitution, mentioning his government's measures like "celebrating Samvidhan Diwas, from schools to the Supreme Court and Parliament".

"People ask me why do I care so much for the poor, the Dalits. I do so because I have risen from among them. I therefore, feel, indebted to the social class. I also feel indebted towards the Constitution framed by Babasaheb Ambedkar which helped me reach where I am," he said.

"Our opponents are those who had held the Constitution hostage and tried to tamper with it during the Emergency. Those who want power to remain confined within the hands of a family always treat the Constitution as an eyesore. A reason why they have even begun to threaten that they will not accept outcomes of polls held under the provisions of the Constitution. We must remain united to foil their attempts," said the prime minister.
Gideon Lewis-Kraus at The New Yorker:

While one segment of Silicon Valley lamented the perpetual absence of flying cars, another, it turns out, was quietly building themor, at least, something flying-car adjacent. Just three months after the Founders Fund manifesto appeared, a Canadian inventor named Marcus Leng invited his neighbors and a couple of friends to his rural property, north of Lake Ontario. Leng was in his early fifties, with a bowl cut of coarse graying hair. He instructed his guests to park their (conventional) cars in a row and cower behind them. He strapped on a helmet and boarded a device that hed built in his basement. It had a narrow single-seat chassis and two fixed wings, one in front and one in back, each with four small propellers. It was at once sleek and ungainly, as if a baby orca had been hitched to two snowplows. Observers described it, for lack of a better comparison, as looking like a U.F.O. Leng called it the BlackFly.

Leng, who had been flying since he was a teen-ager, had long dreamed of the perfect aircraftsomething that didnt require a pilots license, and could take off or land anywhere. Hed paid close attention to past designs but suspected that their propulsion systems were too heavy, too complex, and too unresponsive.

more here.
When it comes to a good night's sleep, the right mattress can make all the difference. In this article, we'll take a detailed look at the best single bed mattresses available in the market. We've curated a list of top-rated mattresses from leading brands to help you make an informed decision. Whether you're looking for comfort, support, or value for money, our list has something for everyone. Top 7 single bed mattresses(Pixabay)

So, check out our list of top 7 single bed mattresses that guarantees you a sound and comfortable sleep.

The Wakefit Dual Comfort Mattress is designed to provide a comfortable and restful sleep experience. With its dual comfort feature, this mattress offers firm support on one side and soft support on the other. It is made with high-quality foam and comes with a 10-year warranty for peace of mind.

Specifications of Wakefit Dual Comfort Mattress

Available sizes: Single, Double, Queen, King

Single, Double, Queen, King Material: High-density foam

High-density foam Thickness : 5 inches

: 5 inches Warranty: 10 years

10 years Certifications: CertiPUR-US certified

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Dual comfort feature for personalized support May be too firm for some users High-density foam for durability 10-year warranty for peace of mind

2. Doctor Dreams Nilkamal Mattress

The Doctor Dreams Nilkamal Mattress is a budget-friendly option that offers good support and comfort. It is made with high-quality foam and features a quilted cover for added softness. This mattress is lightweight and easy to move around, making it a great choice for single beds.

Specifications of Doctor Dreams Nilkamal Mattress

Available sizes : Single, Double, Queen, King

: Single, Double, Queen, King Material: High-quality foam

High-quality foam Thickness: 4 inches

4 inches Cover : Quilted fabric

: Quilted fabric Warranty: 1 year

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Budget-friendly option with good support Limited warranty period Quilted cover for added softness Lightweight and easy to move

3. Deevine Craft Box Rectangle Pillow

The Deevine Craft Box Rectangle Pillow is a versatile option that can be used as a mattress topper or as a standalone pillow. It is made with high-quality cotton and features a unique box rectangle design for added comfort. This pillow is lightweight and easy to clean, making it a convenient choice for single beds.

Specifications of Deevine Craft Box Rectangle Pillow

Material : High-quality cotton

: High-quality cotton Size : Single bed

: Single bed Design : Box rectangle

: Box rectangle Versatile : Can be used as a mattress topper or standalone pillow

: Can be used as a mattress topper or standalone pillow Easy to clean and maintain

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Versatile design for multiple uses May not provide enough support as a standalone mattress High-quality cotton for comfort Lightweight and easy to clean

Also read: Best king size mattresses for a good night's sleep : Top 10 picks of the best options

4. JY Cotton Multicolored Mattress

The JY Cotton Multicolored Mattress is a vibrant and comfortable option for single beds. It is made with high-quality cotton and features a multicolored buffalo check design for a stylish look. This mattress is reversible, allowing you to change the look and feel of your bed with ease.

Specifications of JY Cotton Multicoloured Mattress

Material : High-quality cotton

: High-quality cotton Size: Single bed

Single bed Design : Multicoloured buffalo check

: Multicoloured buffalo check Reversible for versatile use

Easy to maintain and clean

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Vibrant and stylish design May not provide enough support for long-term use High-quality cotton for comfort Reversible for versatile use

5. ATOOTFUSION Mattress

The ATOOTFUSION Mattress is a foldable and reversible option for single beds. It features a checkered design and is made with high-quality foam for comfort and support. This mattress is easy to store and transport, making it a great choice for small spaces.

Specifications of ATOOTFUSION Mattress

Material : High-quality foam

: High-quality foam Size : Single bed

: Single bed Design: Reversible check pattern

Reversible check pattern Foldable for easy storage and transport

Durable and long-lasting

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Foldable and reversible for convenience May be too thin for some users High-quality foam for comfort and support Easy to store and transport

6. Wakewell Cotton Foldable Mattress

The Wakewell Cotton Foldable Mattress is a versatile and comfortable option for single beds. It is made with high-quality cotton and features a multicolored design for a stylish look. This mattress is foldable, making it easy to store and transport as needed.

Specifications of Wakewell Cotton Foldable Mattress

Material: High-quality cotton

High-quality cotton Size : Single bed

: Single bed Design : Multicolored

: Multicolored Foldable for easy storage and transport

Soft and comfortable

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Versatile and comfortable design May be too soft for some users High-quality cotton for comfort Foldable for easy storage and transport

Also read: Best latex mattresses in India 2024: Top 10 mattress reviews & buying guide

7. Sleepwell Mattress Quilted Impressions

The Sleepwell Mattress Quilted Impressions is a premium option for single beds. It features a quilted design and is made with high-quality foam for superior comfort and support. This mattress comes with a 5-year warranty, making it a reliable choice for long-term use.

Specifications of Sleepwell Mattress Quilted Impressions

Material : High-quality foam

: High-quality foam Size: Single bed

Single bed Design : Quilted

: Quilted Thickness : 5 inches

: 5 inches Warranty: 5 years

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Premium design for superior comfort May be too expensive for some users High-quality foam for support 5-year warranty for peace of mind

Top three features of single bed mattress:

Product Name Comfort Support Wakefit Dual Comfort Mattress Firm and soft support High-density foam Doctor Dreams Nilkamal Mattress Good support High-quality foam Deevine Craft Box Rectangle Pillow Versatile High-quality cotton JY Cotton Multicolored Mattress Vibrant and stylish High-quality cotton ATOOTFUSION Mattress Foldable and reversible High-quality foam Wakewell Cotton Foldable Mattress Versatile and comfortable High-quality cotton Sleepwell Mattress Quilted Impressions Premium design High-quality foam

Best value for money single bed mattresses:

The Doctor Dreams Nilkamal Mattress stands out as the best value for money option. It offers good support and comfort at an affordable price, making it a great choice for budget-conscious buyers.

Best overall single bed mattresses:

The Wakefit Dual Comfort Mattress is our top pick for the best overall product. With its dual comfort feature, high-quality foam, and 10-year warranty, it offers the perfect combination of support, comfort, and durability.

How to find the best single bed mattress:

When choosing the perfect single bed mattress, consider your specific needs and preferences. Look for features such as comfort, support, and durability. Take into account the pros and cons of each product to make an informed decision that best suits your requirements.

FAQs on Best single bed mattress What is the price range for single bed mattresses? The price range for single bed mattresses varies depending on the brand, material, and features. You can find options ranging from budget-friendly to premium choices.

What are the key features to look for in a single bed mattress? Key features to consider include comfort, support, material quality, thickness, and warranty. These factors play a crucial role in determining the overall performance and longevity of the mattress.

How do I choose the right single bed mattress for my needs? To choose the right single bed mattress, assess your sleeping preferences, such as firmness level, sleeping position, and any specific health conditions. Consider factors like budget and space constraints as well.

What are the most popular single bed mattress brands in the market? Some of the most popular single bed mattress brands in the market include Wakefit, Doctor Dreams, Nilkamal, Deevine Craft, JY Cotton, ATOOTFUSION, Wakewell, and Sleepwell.

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Discovering the perfect spring mattress in India can transform your sleep experience, especially if you're a hot sleeper or share your bed with a partner. While spring mattresses have their advantages, it's essential to choose one with high-quality materials and a suitable firmness level based on your individual needs and preferences for a comfortable and supportive sleep experience. Best spring mattresses to ensure you enjoy comfort and back support while you sleep.

Our guide highlights the top 10 budget-friendly options that address specific needs. Whether you want improved airflow and cooling comfort or effective motion isolation to reduce disturbances, these mattresses are crafted to enhance your sleep experience without a hefty price tag.

Each choice offers a balance of cost and quality, providing excellent value. Explore our curated list to find the perfect spring mattress that matches your comfort, support, and durability needs. Enjoy better sleep and wake up feeling refreshed with one of these top picks designed for both hot sleepers and couples who need undisturbed rest.

The Riserox Mattress is a top-rated spring mattress that offers excellent support and comfort. With a breathable design and a 10-year warranty, this mattress is a great choice for anyone looking for a durable and long-lasting option.

Specifications of Riserox Mattress

Breathable design

10-year warranty

Available in multiple sizes

High-density foam

Pocket spring technology

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Breathable design May be too firm for some users Long warranty period

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers praise the mattress for its quality, comfort, and fit, noting its softness, smooth texture, and excellent back support. Many find it a great value.

Why choose this product?

You should buy this spring mattress because it offers individually wrapped pocket springs for targeted support, minimal motion transfer, and enhanced breathability for a cooler sleep experience.

The Wakefit Elevate Mattress is a 10-inch spring mattress that provides superior comfort and support. With a unique elevation feature and a 5-year warranty, this mattress is a great option for anyone looking for a luxurious and comfortable sleep experience.

Specifications of Wakefit Elevate Mattress

10-inch thickness

5-year warranty

Elevate feature

High-density foam

Breathable fabric

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Elevate feature Slightly expensive Comfortable and supportive

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate the mattress for its quality, value, and bounce, noting it's worth the price with just the right firmness and bounce, along with its attractive appearance and comfort.

Why choose this product?

You should buy this Wakefit spring mattress because it offers a medium plush feel with memory foam and pocketed coils for optimal comfort, motion isolation, and breathability.

The Eurotop Bonnell Mattress from International is a high-quality spring mattress that offers excellent support and durability. With an Eurotop design and Bonnell spring technology, this mattress provides a comfortable and restful sleep experience.

Specifications of Eurotop Bonnell Mattress

Eurotop design

Bonnell spring technology

Available in multiple sizes

High-density foam

Breathable fabric

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Durable construction May be too firm for some users Comfortable Eurotop design

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate the mattress for its value, size, quality, and pain relief benefits. They note its perfect fit, excellent back support, soft cover material, and relaxing feel, making it a worthwhile purchase.

Why choose this product?

You should buy the Amore Medico 8 Inch Eurotop Bonnell Spring & HR Foam Single Size Mattress because it offers firm support with convoluted HR foam for pressure relief, ensuring a comfortable and sound sleep.

Also read: Best mattress brands in India: Trust these top 7 picks for a good night and comfortable sleep

Another excellent offering from International, this Eurotop Bonnell Mattress is a great choice for anyone in need of a supportive and durable spring mattress. With a high-density foam and breathable fabric, this mattress ensures a comfortable and restful sleep.

Specifications of International Eurotop Bonnell Mattress

Eurotop design

Bonnell spring technology

Available in multiple sizes

High-density foam

Breathable fabric

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Durable construction May be too firm for some users Comfortable Eurotop design

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate the mattress for its value, size, quality, and pain relief. They mention a perfect fit, excellent back support, soft cover material, relaxation, and overall value.

Why choose this product?

You should buy this spring mattress because it is designed to gently support your spine and relieve pressure points. It ensures a restful and comfortable sleep experience.

The Comforto Pocket Spring Mattress is a luxurious and comfortable spring mattress that offers excellent support and pressure relief. With pocket spring technology and memory foam, this mattress provides a restful and rejuvenating sleep experience.

Specifications of Comforto Pocket Spring Mattress

Pocket spring technology

Memory foam

Available in multiple sizes

Breathable fabric

Pressure-relieving design

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Pressure-relieving design Slightly expensive Luxurious and comfortable May be too soft for some users

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate the mattress for its spring support, value, size, and quality. They find the combination of memory foam and springs amazing.

Why choose this product?

You should buy the Comforto Hybrid Mattress because it offers a combination of pocketed coils and orthopaedic memory foam, providing medium firm comfort with excellent pressure relief and minimal motion transfer.

The Centuary Sleepables Mattress is a layered spring mattress that offers excellent support and comfort. With a unique layered design and high-density foam, this mattress provides a comfortable and restful sleep experience.

Specifications of Centuary Sleepables Mattress

Layered design

High-density foam

Available in multiple sizes

Breathable fabric

Supportive and comfortable

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Layered design for maximum support May be too firm for some users High-density foam for durability

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate the mattress for its bounce, quality, and value. They note its exceptional spring, soft comfort, and effective pain relief benefits.

Why choose this product?

You should consider buying the Centuary Mattresses because it offers medium-firm comfort with a multi-layered construction that includes pocket springs and PU foam.

7. Sleep Company SmartGRID Luxe Hybrid Mattress

The Sleep Company SmartGRID Luxe Hybrid Mattress is a premium spring mattress that offers the perfect balance of support and comfort. With SmartGRID technology and a luxurious hybrid design, this mattress ensures a restful and rejuvenating sleep experience.

Specifications of Sleep Company SmartGRID Luxe Hybrid Mattress

SmartGRID technology

Hybrid design

Breathable fabric

Pressure-relieving design

Luxurious and comfortable

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid SmartGRID technology for superior support Slightly expensive Luxurious hybrid design May be too soft for some users

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers praise the mattress for its comfort, quality, and bounce, finding it comfortable, relaxing, and suitable for all sleeping styles. However, some note its weight as a drawback.

Why choose this product?

Buy this spring mattress because it adapts intelligently to your body shape with over 2500 air channels for excellent airflow, promoting deeper and more restful sleep.

Also read: Best foldable mattresses: Top 10 picks for ultimate comfort and convenience

The AMORE Ortho Plus Orthopedic Mattress is a top-rated spring mattress that offers excellent back support and pressure relief. With orthopedic features and a supportive design, this mattress provides a comfortable and restful sleep experience.

Specifications of AMORE Ortho Plus Orthopedic Mattress

Orthopedic features

High-density foam

Breathable fabric

Pressure-relieving design

Supportive and comfortable

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Orthopedic features for back support May be too firm for some users Pressure-relieving design

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate the mattress for its durability, quality, value, and back pain relief.

Why choose this product?

You should buy the Amore Ortho Pocket Spring Mattress because it offers medium-soft comfort with high GSM knitted fabric for breathability and hypoallergenic benefits.

The Springtek Ortho Bonnel Mattress is a high-quality spring mattress that offers excellent support and durability. With orthopedic features and a breathable design, this mattress ensures a comfortable and restful sleep experience.

Specifications of Springtek Ortho Bonnel Mattress

Orthopaedic features

Bonnell spring technology

High-density foam

Breathable fabric

Pressure-relieving design

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Orthopedic features for back support May be too firm for some users Durable construction

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers mention the Bonnel springs ensure a comfortable sleep and good value for money, along with effective back pain relief.

Why choose this product?

You should buy the Springtek Dreamer Bonnel Spring Mattress because it provides firm comfort and exceptional support with heavy-gauge tempered steel Bonnel Springs.

Also read: Best single bed mattress: Top 10 breathable, hypoallergenic and comfortable options for better rest

The Reactive Orthopaedic Mattress is a top-rated spring mattress that offers excellent back support and pressure relief. With orthopaedic features and a supportive design, this mattress ensures a comfortable and restful sleep experience.

Specifications of Reactive Orthopaedic Mattress

Orthopaedic features

High-density foam

Breathable fabric

Pressure-relieving design

Supportive and comfortable

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Orthopedic features for back support May be too firm for some users Pressure-relieving design

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate the mattress for its value, appearance, pain relief, quality, and comfort. They mention it offers great cushioning and value for money, feeling like a 5-star hotel experience.

Why choose this product?

You should buy the LOOM & NEEDLES Pocket Spring Mattress because it offers a unique dual comfort feature with varying firmness levels on each side, allowing for a personalized sleep experience.

Who should consider buying a spring mattress?

Is a spring mattress good for you? Spring mattresses are suitable for various types of sleepers and situations. Find out if its good for you:

Those needing support: If you require firm support or suffer from back pain, a spring mattress can provide the necessary support for your spine.

Hot sleepers: Traditional spring mattresses often allow for better airflow than foam mattresses, making them cooler and more comfortable for people who tend to sleep hot.

Budget-conscious buyers: Spring mattresses are generally more affordable than memory foam or latex mattresses, making them a good option for those on a budget.

Couples: Spring mattresses typically have good motion isolation, which reduces the disturbance from your partner's movements during sleep.

People who prefer bounce: Spring mattresses are known for their responsive feel and bounce, which can be preferred by those who like a more traditional mattress feel.

Guest rooms: Due to their affordability and versatility, spring mattresses are commonly used in guest rooms or as a secondary bed.

Children and teenagers: Younger individuals who are still growing may benefit from the support and durability of a spring mattress.

What is the difference between a Bonnel spring mattress and a pocket spring mattress?

Bonnell spring mattresses feature hourglass-shaped coils interconnected throughout the mattress, offering a traditional bounce and firmer support. In contrast, pocket spring mattresses have coils individually wrapped in fabric pockets, allowing them to move independently. This design enhances motion isolation, making pocket spring mattresses ideal for reducing disturbance from partner movements during sleep. They also offer targeted support as each coil adjusts individually to body contours. While Bonnell springs are more economical and provide a resilient feel, pocket springs cater to those seeking better contouring, support, and reduced motion transfer, often making them preferred for shared beds or sensitive sleepers.

Also read: Best mattresses for side sleepers: Top 10 picks for better blood circulation and reduced discomfort

What is the lifespan of spring mattresses?

Spring mattresses generally have a lifespan ranging from 5 to 10 years. Factors influencing longevity include mattress quality, frequency of use, maintenance practices like rotating, and the type of springs used. Higher-quality materials and construction tend to extend durability, while regular care can help maintain support and comfort over time.

Best value for money spring mattress

The Wakefit Elevate Mattress is our top pick for the best value for money. With its unique elevation feature and a 5-year warranty, this mattress offers excellent comfort and support at an affordable price point.

Best overall spring mattress

The Riserox Mattress is our top choice for the best overall product. Crafted with precision and engineered for excellence, each Riserox mattress is designed to provide the perfect balance of support and plushness, ensuring a rejuvenating sleep experience night after night.

Factors to consider while buying a spring mattress

When buying a spring mattress, here are several key factors to consider:

Coil type and count: The type of coils (like Bonnell, pocketed, or continuous) affects comfort and support. Higher coil counts generally indicate better support.

Firmness: Choose a firmness level (soft, medium, firm) that suits your sleeping preferences and provides adequate support for your body type.

Materials: Look for quality materials in both the padding and the cover. High-density foam or latex layers can enhance comfort and durability.

Motion isolation: If you share the bed, consider mattresses with good motion isolation to minimize disturbance from your partner's movements.

Durability: Check the mattress warranty and reviews to gauge how long it's expected to last without losing support or developing sagging.

Temperature regulation: Some mattresses are designed with cooling materials or airflow features to prevent overheating during sleep.

Allergies: If you have allergies, consider hypoallergenic materials and antimicrobial treatments to reduce allergen buildup.

Edge support: Strong edge support can prevent sagging and make it easier to get in and out of bed.

Trial period and return policy: Many brands offer trial periods to test the mattress at home. Understand the return policy in case it doesn't suit your needs.

Price: Set a budget and compare mattresses within that range. Remember, higher price doesn't always mean better quality.

Best spring mattress top features comparison:

Best spring mattresses Breathable Design 10-Year Warranty High-Density Foam Memory Foam Orthopaedic Features Riserox Mattress Yes Yes Yes No No Wakefit Elevate Mattress Yes Yes Yes No No Eurotop Bonnell Mattress Yes No Yes No No International Eurotop Bonnell Mattress Yes No Yes No No Comforto Pocket Spring Mattress Yes No No Yes No Centuary Sleepables Mattress No No Yes No No Sleep Company SmartGRID Luxe Hybrid Mattress Yes No No No No AMORE Ortho Plus Orthopedic Mattress Yes No Yes No Yes Springtek Ortho Bonnel Mattress Yes No Yes No Yes Reactive Orthopedic Mattress Yes No Yes No Yes

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Best mattress buying guide: Pick the right mattress for sleeping in just 8 steps

Best mattresses for a good nights sleep: Top 9 picks for ultimate comfort and restful nights

Best Natural latex mattresses: Top 7 picks for a comfortable and healthy sleep

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FAQs on Best spring mattress What are the key features to look for in a spring mattress? When choosing a spring mattress, it's important to look for features such as breathable design, high-density foam, and pressure-relieving technology to ensure a comfortable and restful sleep experience.

Which spring mattress is the most affordable? The Wakefit Elevate Mattress is our top pick for the best value for money, offering excellent comfort and support at an affordable price point.

Do spring mattresses come with a warranty? Yes, most spring mattresses come with a warranty ranging from 5 to 10 years, ensuring long-lasting durability and peace of mind for the user.

What is the best spring mattress for back support? The AMORE Ortho Plus Orthopedic Mattress is our top choice for the best back support, thanks to its orthopedic features and pressure-relieving design.

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
There is growing concern within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that its Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) is not keeping pace with the times. It means the questions about the centrality of ASEAN, which AOIP was meant to buttress, would have to be discussed afresh. There is awareness among ASEAN countries that the declining trust among countries and increasing geopolitical rivalries in the Indo-Pacific require AOIP to be developed into a more effective mechanism. This should be able to transform competition into cooperation and deficits of trust into mutual confidence, keeping in view the values and ambitions of ASEAN.

An AOIP Vision group of individuals from all ASEAN countries and its dialogue partners recently met in Bali and recognised that efforts to mainstream the AOIP have been slow so far. A cleavage between its strategic goals and the reality of its implementation requires ASEAN to build a more strategic approach to implement the goals of AOIP. ASEAN enunciated the AOIP in June 2019, led by Indonesia. However, since it is an ASEAN outlook, it is bound by the ASEAN consensus-based system to move forward. This is where ASEAN seems to be struggling whereas events in the Indo-Pacific have been precipitating rapidly.

The reality is that China and ASEAN are nowhere near concluding the code of conduct, which has been pending for more than two decades. Chinas aggressive intent in the South China Sea has not abated; the impacted countries are reacting differently. Indonesia, under its chairmanship in 2023, held an ASEAN maritime exercise but not in the South China Sea. Vietnam, despite having major disputes with China, has a growing economic partnership with Beijing. While Malaysia and Brunei, the two other impacted countries, are rather quiet, the Philippines, under the new government of Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr, is closely aligned with the US and Japan to defend their interests from Chinese intrusions. So, it is not as if every ASEAN country is still taking its strategic goals on a common outlook.

Many of the ASEAN partners want the body to engage with them so that the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific remain free from Chinas hegemonic control.

The conference brought clarity to a few issues. AOIP restated traditional ASEAN goals, keeping in view the developments in the Indo-Pacific. It is the role of ASEAN partners that has changed. ASEAN sees all partners as having legitimate interests in the area. Its own ability to influence the achievement of those interests remains subdued. The discussions at the conference showed there are many more miles to be covered if AOIP is to become effective.

ASEAN recognises that the Indo-Pacific is not an ASEAN construct. ASEAN always used the term, Asia-Pacific. However, ASEAN was an early adherent to the Indo-Pacific, even though the Chinese were critical of the term. Further, ASEAN seeks inclusive partnerships using AOIP with all its dialogue partners. AOIP has become part of ASEAN lore in which it engages with its dialogue partners and has agreements with most of them. ASEAN believes that AOIP has facilitated willing partners from the region, which could help it succeed. It believes that though only four areas are mentioned in AOIP, there is a confluence of interest in these, and therefore, implementation should be easier.

How is ASEAN going to develop this further? Indonesia, under its chairmanship in 2023, held the first ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF). President Joko Widodo succeeded in getting eight other ASEAN leaders (Myanmar was not invited) to participate in the launch of AIPF, but it was largely an Indonesian effort. Now that Laos is the chairman, followed by Malaysia in 2025, it is unclear whether AIPF, which is seen as an implementing instrument of AOIP, would actually be carried by the subsequent chairs. A suggestion was that Indonesia should be encouraged, with the help of its partners, to continue AIPF and host it annually either in association with the chair or if facing reluctance, to do so by itself. Several partners may be ready to work on this with Indonesia.

Indias Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) was seen as relevant. Now India and ASEAN have an AOIP-IPOI joint statement; Singapore and Indonesia have already agreed to collaborate with pillars of the IPOI while the Philippines and Vietnam are considering it. India is not nudging ASEAN to rush towards IPOI, but engaging them individually. This is perhaps the way for other partners, particularly Japan, Australia and India  to coordinate on how to deal with particular ASEAN countries on aspects of the AOIP pillars.

Gurjit Singh is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN, and the African Union. The views expressed are personal
A six-year-old girl, who recently rated Etihad Airways a mere 1/10 because of reasons best known only to a child, was treated by the airline on her subsequent flight and the experience made her so happy that she now fondly calls it "Chocolate Airlines", her father said. Mark Ross-Smith lauded Etihad Airways for the sweet gesture towards his six-year-old daughter. (X/@drdoot)

Mark Ross-Smith, CEO of a Singapore-based company, had recently shared details about his young daughter's experience with flying Etihad's business class and why she gave a poor rating to what could have been one of the most luxurious forms of air travel in the world.

The man let his daughter answer the feedback form and said that it was a bloodbath.

Among the several reasons she cited for her sub-par flying experience, she said she did not get chocolate on the flight and that her school friends were not on it.

The young traveller was also disappointed that children were not given the hot towel service on-board and that children in the business class and economy class got identical packets of souvenirs.

When the family was flying with Etihad once again, the airline made up for it and remedied the situation by making sure the girl and her sibling got chocolates everywhere.

"From airport check-in to the lounge, boarding, inflight, and even post-flight, I'm not sure that my kids have seen so much chocolate in their lives," Ross-Smith wrote on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a photo of a Etihad staff member offering a gift-wrapped box of chocolates.

"According to my 6-year-old, Etihad is now 'Chocolate Airlines'... Etihad - aka Chocolate Airlines - listened to the feedback from one of their youngest flyers," he said.

Take a look at Mark Ross-Smith's post and photo on X:

In his earlier post on X, Ross-Smith had explained that the crew of Emirates, the other UAE-based aviation giant, had impressed his daughter by giving her chocolates on a previous flight.

Lauding Etihad, he said on Monday, "Chocolate Airlines successfully wow'd the heck out of my little chocolate connoisseur. The magical chocolate journey, something I wish every child flying Etihad could experience - is permanently imprinted into her memory."

"The airline successfully introduced the magic of flying to one more future frequent flyer. Well done Etihad."

This gesture not only delighted the young passenger but also left a lasting impression on the whole family, as the father expressed gratitude for the experience. He stressed on the importance of early travel experiences in shaping future flyers' perceptions and praised Etihad for introducing the magic of flying to one more future frequent flyer.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday declared the results for the Civil Services Exam 2023, with Aditya Srivastava securing the top rank. Animesh Pradhan and Donuru Ananya Reddy secured the second and third ranks respectively, it said. Aditya Srivastava tops civil services 2023 examination. (Handout)

Here are 8 points on Aditya Srivastava:

1. Aditya Srivastava hails from Lucknow and completed his schooling at CMS Lucknow Aliganj branch. He also topped his class when he was in 12th standard and obtained 95%.

2. He received his Electrical Engineering B Tech from IIT Kanpur.

3. He is an IPS who topped UPSC 2023 exams, and is currently training at Hyderabad Police Academy.

4. Srivastava qualified for the UPSC 2023 exam with Electrical Engineering as his optional subject. (Also Read: UPSC Result 2023 Live: Civil Services final results out, Aditya Srivastava from IIT Kanpur tops exam)

5. Srivastava has also worked at Goldman Sachs in Bengaluru for 15 months and earned 2.5 lakhs a month. At the company, he was working in AI.

6. He left the job because he wanted to work on the grassroot level to uplift the system.

7. Srivastava in an interview mentioned that he always wanted to remain in India and work in India, and he also wanted to take care of his ageing parents.

8. Along with his significant achievements, the topper also likes to study about dinosaurs.

After the results were declared, many people took to various social media platforms to congratulate Srivastava for his milestone achievement.

Here's how X users reacted:

Aditya Srivastava achieved the top spot in the 202223 UPSC CSE final examinations, achieving an All India Rank 1 in the country's most prestigious exam. The second place secured by Animesh Pradhan, who was followed by Donuru Ananya Reddy in the third place.

This year, a total of 1016 names have been recommended for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, and Central Services Group A and Group B.

The UPSC Civil Service Preliminary Examinations 2023 was conducted on May 28, and the UPSC Mains examination was conducted on September 15, 16, 17, 23, and 24, 2023. The final interview round was from January 2 to April 9, 2024.

How to check UPSC CSE 2023 Final results?

Visit the official website of upsc.gov.in. Then, click on the link that says Civil Service Examinations 2023 Final Results under the Whats New section. A PDF will show up on your screen with the names of the candidates who cleared the exam. Download the PDF and keep a printout for future reference.
A police officer in Australia is being hailed as brave and a hero after she took down an attacker who fatally stabbed six people at a mall in Sydney. As per reports, the cop, Inspector Amy Scott, confronted the attacker, identified as 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, alone and shot him to death. She has now opened up about the incident. Sydney stabbings: The image shows Inspector Amy Scott, who fatally shot a man who stabbed and killed multiple people at a shopping centre. (AP)

DailyMail shared a video explaining what the cop shared about this incident. Police Inspector Amy Scott has opened up on the moment she confronted 40-year-old knifeman Joel Cauchi. Scott gunned down Cauchi, bringing an end to his rampage that killed six innocent people at Bondi Junction Westfield's shopping centre on Saturday afternoon, the outlet added.

According to DailyMail, Scott said she is not a hero. She also claimed she was just doing her job and was content with her actions.

Take a look at the share here:

Since being shared nine hours ago, the video has accumulated more than 84,000 views. The share has further collected close to 1,100 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the share.

What did Instagram users say about this video?

Truly a hero, wrote an Instagram user.

I think the man that stood on the escalator with a weapon to stop the killer is also very brave and deserves recognition too, added another, referencing a man who tried stopping the attacker.

A few reacted to the video using folded hands or thumbs-up emoticons.

Anthony Cooke, assistant commissioner of New South Wales Police, told the BBC. Very clearly a range of reports were made on the incident, police attended promptly - a single unit officer, inspector of police, was nearby, attended, and went into the centre directed by a range of people. She confronted the offender who had moved, by this stage, to level five. As she continued to walk quickly behind to catch up with him he turned to face her, raised a knife, she discharged a firearm and that person is now deceased."

As per the outlet, the Cauchi family also released a statement saying that they have no issues with the cop who killed the attacker. She was only doing her job to protect others, and we hope she is coping alright, they added.
A writer and financial expert, Andrew Lokenauth, took to Threads to share his experience of giving interviews. In his share, he talked about the importance of asking questions to the interviewers. He also claimed that this habit of asking questions after his interviews helped him get into companies like JP Morgan and CITI. A writer listed eight post-interview questions in a share and claimed they helped him get hired at JP Morgan and CITI. (Unsplash/vantaymedia)

Every job interview ends with Q&A. But most people never ask questions at the end of job interviews. Here are ten questions I used to get hired at JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Citi, Andrew Lokenauth wrote. In the thread, however, he listed eight questions that helped him land jobs in these prestigious companies.

Is there anything else I can elaborate on to ensure Im the top choice? he wrote as the first question. The second question he suggested is, What doubts do you have about my qualifications for this role? In his share, he encouraged potential candidates to ask about the job role, skills and experiences of ideal candidate, internal promotion, career advancement, and must-have soft skills. The writer also explained the reason behind asking each question.

Take a look at the post:

Since being shared, the post has accumulated more than 4,200 likes. The share has further prompted people to post varied comments.

How did people react to this interview-related post?

I wouldnt ask question 2 because you are actively asking them to find negatives about you that they may or may not have thought about. The others are fine, argued a Threads user.

I had a recent interview where I was the last one out of 15 people, and they only asked me 3 or 4 questions. I said 'nope', I made sure to ask questions because I did not waste 3 hours waiting and to be called last for nothing. I ended up getting the job after that, shared another.

As a former big law and current Wall Street lawyer, I co-sign these follow-up questions! added a third.

During interviews I have always asked questions. Number one and two are my favourites. I will definitely use them in the future. Thank you for sharing, wrote a fourth.

While a few reacted to the post using emojis, some pointed out that though the writer mentioned ten points in the first post, the thread only listed eight questions.
France on Tuesday said it had recalled for consultations the French ambassador to Azerbaijan, accusing Baku of taking actions that have damaged the bilateral relationship. French President Emmanuel Macron (Reuters)

President Emmanuel Macron received ambassador Anne Boillon in Paris to discuss the issue, the foreign ministry said in a statement, accusing Azerbaijan of continuing "in recent months unilateral actions damaging to the relationship between our two countries".

Relations between Azerbaijan and France -- a traditional ally of Armenia and host itself to a significant Armenian diaspora community -- have long been plagued by tensions focused on the Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Seized by Armenian separatists in a war as the USSR fell, Azerbaijani forces regained control of much of the region in a 2020 conflict and then the remaining part in the lightning September 2023 offensive.

Macron and other French officials have long voiced concern Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will not stop there and has designs on Armenian territory.

In his meeting with Boillon, the French president said he "regretted Azerbaijan's actions and expressed a wish for clarification by the Azerbaijani side of its intentions", the foreign ministry said.

There have been attempts to move forward talks on normalising relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia but these so far have made little progress.

"France reiterates its support for the normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, while respecting international law and the territorial integrity of the two countries," the ministry said.

As relations with Moscow fray, Armenia is also increasingly relying on defence cooperation with France.

In February, Armenia agreed a deal for the purchase of precision rifles from French arms manufacturer PGM, though its price tag was not disclosed.

In October 2023, France announced the sale of defence equipment -- three radar systems and night vision goggles -- to Armenia, provoking anger from Azerbaijan.
Following her disclosure about receiving cancer treatment, Kate Middleton has recently chosen to keep a low profile. Prince William- Kate Middleton: Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, depart following the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain.(Reuters)

This choice is widely accepted because treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy are often deeply personal matters involving physical effects that one may prefer not to share with the public.

And while this has silenced much of the rampant speculation about her whereabouts, there is still an obvious concern on the part of the public for any news on how she is doing.

Between all these, certain suggestions have come up concerning Prince Williams condition that perhaps the Duchesss health situation may be more serious than thought before.

ALSO READ| Prince William set to resume royal duties for first time since Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis

The common practice dictates that either the Monarch or their delegate represents them in the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM).

Since 1973, Queen Elizabeth II maintained this arrangement until 2011, when she started delegating this role to King Charles III and then Prince of Wales due to her failing health.

Slated for October 24, 2024, this years CHOGM will be in Samoa, thus creating a problem for King Charles III. He is currently being treated for cancer, and doctors have advised him not to travel much.

Prince William is not leaving Kate's side

Now, it's obvious that Prince William would be the one to step in; however, Express UK noted that Attending the CHOGM is not something William can take on at this time due to Kates health, and although Anne and other working royals are doing a great job stepping in to plug the gaps at home, they are not viewed as high level enough to represent the sovereign as leader of the Commonwealth.

The Duke of Cornwall will apparently be there with his wife during her treatment.

ALSO READ| Cancer survivor reveals Kate Middleton's message to him about his illness: She cared

On its face, this statement may seem innocuous but it actually implies that Prince William expects the duchess illness will continue through another six months. The severity of her condition has not been fully disclosed but the duration of treatment suggests a long road ahead with possible postponement of official duties until around 2025.

Difficulty continues with respect to both CHOGM and King Charles III

The report also stated, King Charles's presence at both the Commonwealth meeting and in Australia is viewed as instrumental in preserving Commonwealth unity, and added, Despite medical advice recommending against travelling long distances, particularly due to the time difference which can add to exhaustion, the King remains resolute in his decision to undertake the trip.
This handout picture released by the Israeli Army shows the head of the military, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi (C), attending a situational assessment with members of the General Staff Forum at the Kirya military base, which houses the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv

Israel-Iran News Highlight: Welcome to our live coverage of the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, which threaten to plunge the region into a deeper crisis. The situation worsened between the two regional foes after Iran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel on Saturday. Following the attack, Israel has vowed to respond to Iran at the right time. ...Read More

Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while speaking to U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, also asserted that Israel would do whatever is required to defend itself.

While the Israeli leaders have vowed retaliation, the government is under heavy international pressure to not escalate the conflict further. Several countries including India, and the UK, have urged Israel to show restraint. While the US leaders have also said that they do not seek any escalation, they have also asserted that the country would continue to support Israel's security. US secretary of state Antony Blinken on Monday pledged to step up the diplomatic efforts against Iran.

Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi said he was concerned about Israel possibly targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. He added that they will resume the inspections of Iranian facilities on Tuesday - two days after Iran closed it over security considerations.
Israel has reportedly planned to hit Iran clearly and forcefully after being attacked with missiles and drones on Saturday, April 13. Israel is also preparing its warplanes to launch the strike, as per a report. Israel has planned to hit Iran clearly and forcefully, is preparing warplanes to launch a strike: report (AP Photo/Tomer Neuberg, File)(AP)

The decision was made after two war cabinet meetings where leaders of Israel planned on how to respond to Saturday's attack. The report was carried by Israels Channel 12 news. Although no timeline has been provided, the report said that Israels air force  including US-made F-16, F-15 and F-35 fighter jets  has been gearing up to launch a counter-strike.

What does the report say?

The report added that the attack will be meant as a message that Israel will not allow an attack of that magnitude against it to pass without a reaction. Israeli leaders, however, do not hope that the counter-attack will spark a bigger war.

Meanwhile, US president Joe Biden and allies have told Israel that it must exercise restraint. He has also told Israels Benjamin Netanyahu that the US will not back a counter-attack.

On Monday, April 15, Israels military chief Lt. Gen Herzi Halevi said that Irans actions will be met with a response. However, he did not specify the timing.

Israel previously issued a warning and said that the conflict with Iran is not over yet. The nation has even vowed to exact a price after 330 drones and missiles were filed by Tehran overnight. We will build a regional coalition against the threat of Iran, and we will exact a price from it in the way and at the time that suits us, Israel minister Benny Gantz said, according to The Independent.

Iran, on the other hand, has threatened to launch a deadlier attack on Israel if it retaliates. Tehran has also warned the US against backing a counteroffensive, and has threatened that it would target US garrisons in Syria, Jordan and Iraq.
2024 Iran-Israel Conflict Updates: Israel Defense Forces chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi on Monday evening warned that Irans missile and drone attack on the country on Saturday night that caused slight damage to an airbase will be met with a response". The Israels military chief's statement comes even as Israelis awaited word on how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would respond to Iran's first-ever direct attack on their country, amid international pressure for restraint to avoid escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Israeli Army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi (L) attends a situational assessment with members of the General Staff Forum at the Kirya military base, which houses the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv. (AFP)

Army's spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israel will respond at the time that we choose". Both men spoke at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel, which Hagari said suffered only light damage in the Iranian attack.

Iran's attack on Saturday came in retaliation to a suspected Israeli strike two weeks earlier on an Iranian consular building in the Syrian capital of Damascus that killed two Iranian generals. Iran's attack marked the first time the country has launched a direct military assault on Israel despite decades of enmity dating back to the countrys 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at Israel in the attack. The Israeli military, however, claimed 99 per cent of the drones and missiles were intercepted, by Israel's own air defences and warplanes and in coordination with a US-led coalition of partners.

2024 Iran-Israel conflict: Latest updates

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevisaid Israel is considering its next steps but that the Iranian strike will be met with a response.

Iran wanted to harm the strategic capabilities of the State of Israel  that is something that had not happened before. We were prepared for the Iron Shield operation  preparation that brought Iran to also encounter aerial superiority, Herzi Halevi said.

We are looking ahead, we are considering our steps, and this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response, he said.

Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, on Monday summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh a response to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack, a government source said. But for a second straight day, the government made no announcements on any decisions.

The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said he was concerned about Israel possibly targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, but that International Atomic Energy Agency inspections of Iranian facilities will resume on Tuesday. Iran closed its nuclear facilities on Sunday over security considerations, IAEA director feneral Rafael Grossi said. While they reopened on Monday, he kept IAEA inspectors away until we see that the situation is completely calm.

In a conversation with US House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Netanyahu said Israel will do whatever is required to defend itself", the prime minister's office announced.

But the Benjamin Netanyahu government is under heavy international pressure not to further escalate the conflict. The US has urged Israel to show restraint as it seeks to build a broad diplomatic response.

US President Joe Biden told Benjamin Netanyahu at the weekend that America will not participate in an Israeli counter-strike.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British foreign secretary David Cameron made similar appeals. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also have called for restraint.

The US, Britain and Jordan  a key American ally in the region  have all said their air forces helped intercept the Iranian missiles and drones.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Group of Seven or G7 were working on a package of coordinated measures against Iran.

Since the Gaza war began in October, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq. Israel said four of its soldiers were wounded hundreds of meters inside Lebanese territory overnight.

(With inputs from agencies)
WASHINGTON: Last week, foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra visited Washington. True to his generally reticent style, Kwatra didnt engage with the media, didnt post on X (it was through the social media handles of his American interlocutors that observers got a glimpse of his engagements), and the Embassy of India issued a brief press release at the very end of his visit that said little. Indian foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra with Richard R Verma, the US state department deputy secretary handling the India account and a former ambassador to India (X/DepSecStateMR)

But it would be a mistake to interpret this generally low-key public messaging as a reflection of the substance itself. Conversations with people familiar with the visit indicate that Kwatras quiet foray was an important, timely, and successful intervention. It helped both India and the US share their assessments of the current moment in global politics and developments in the Indo-Pacific, with both noting the convergences in their views. They exchanged notes on how each side could help the other in meeting their foremost security challenges. And they reviewed their bilateral ties across domains even as both countries are in the midst of intense domestic political calendars.

Five features of the visit stand out.

The first is the timing itself. There has been some caustic back and forth between the two governments, with the US partly frowning on internal political developments in India and India effectively telling the US to mind its own business  it gets over-interpreted by sceptics looking for red flags in the ties, but this script has gone on now for long enough that there is both a performative and perfunctory nature to it with little impact.

There has been misinformed commentary in the Indian press, both about the nature of US-China engagements with fears of a reset between the two diminishing Indias options  DC-Beijing dialogue has indeed increased, but there is no G2 happening and the engagement is tactical and both sides know it is tactical.

The fact that a few high-level visits to India got rescheduled this year (including Jake Sullivans expected trip this week) has also fueled speculation about the state of ties  even though it isnt surprising that US national security managers are over-stretched given the situation in West Asia and, in any case, there has been an unceasing flow between leaders and officials for much of the past year.

As Richard R Verma, the state department deputy secretary handling the India account and a former ambassador to India told HT in a February interview, there would be a lot of noise this year, but for those who cared about the relationship, the key task was maintaining the pace of progress; 2024 was the year of consolidation, focus and results. To separate the noise from the substance, and signal to the rest of the system on both sides that ties were indeed in this phase of consolidation, high-level engagement was essential and Kwatras visit filled a gap.

Two, the nature of meetings that the Indian foreign secretary had in Washington reflected the importance India continues to have in American strategy as well as the recognition in the US system that Kwatra had PM Narendra Modis confidence. Kwatra met the principal deputy national security advisor, Jon Finer, who has a wide global role but is also closely monitoring the Indo-Pacific from his perch in the White House. Kwatra met both state department deputy secretaries  Verma, who also happens to be the highest-ranking Indian-American in Americas diplomatic arm ever, and Kurt Campbell, who has already brought energy and dynamism to the departments Indo-Pacific focus after playing a pioneering role in crafting the Presidents Indo-Pacific strategy from White House. Kwatra also met the deputy secretary of defense, Kathleen Hicks, a top official who filled in for secretary of defense Lloyd Austin when he was unwell; the deputy secretary of energy David Turk; and deputy secretary of commerce Don Graves.

The five interlocutors represent some of the key focus areas of Indias engagement with the US; global security, strategic technologies, global geopolitics, defence, commerce and supply chains, investments, climate and renewables, among others. The conversations were marked by a high degree of warmth, sense of trust and a willingness to drill down the macro to the micro and specifics of deepening collaboration in each domain.

Three, the visit reaffirmed that India and the US have the comfort level, depth of understanding and maturity to talk to each other about every single critical global issue. China and the shared assessments of Beijings actions and behaviour in the wider Indo-Pacific came up during the discussions. The US was also hosting Japans PM Fumio Kishida last week and elevating the US-Japan-Philippines ties to a trilateral leaders summit and US officials briefed Indian officials about it; they also gave a sense of Americas recent engagements with China, what this engagement represented and what it did not.

The two sides discussed Quad and the meetings meant to be held this year. They spoke about deepening India-US cooperation in other countries of the Indo-Pacific. And they exchanged views on the situation in Indias neighbourhood, including developments in Nepal and Maldives where Beijing has been politically active. The US and India also discussed the dynamics in Bangladesh and Myanmar and succeeded in gaining a better appreciation of each others viewpoints, especially in the case of Bangladesh where US statements indicate that Washington DC is more reconciled to the political realities of the day now.

Four, the US and India got an opportunity to review the situation in West Asia, especially in the run-up to Irans strikes against Israel. American officials offered a sense of what they expected and the fragile situation between the two countries and the role everyone could play in de-escalating the situation. While US is deeply invested on one side of the divide, and India has its own equities, history, relationships and position in the region, it is striking that American aims in the region at a broad level are aligned with what India wishes to see  the reduction of tensions between Tel Aviv and Tehran, prevention of a wider regional war, Israeli restraint in Gaza and a ceasefire, Iran stepping back from its aggression through its proxies, the weakening of Hamas, and an eventual Palestinian state and an empowered Palestinian Authority as a way to sustainable peace. The problem here is not American intent as much as the American ability to meet these aims.

And finally, the two sides got an opportunity to review the developments in the bilateral domain, from the initiative on critical and emerging technologies (iCET) and defence projects in the pipeline (GE as well as the Predator drones) to climate and collaboration in specific energy projects to more concrete steps on supply chain diversification. Both sides can clearly see that their convergences far outweigh any divergences and that there is enough in the joint statement agreed upon by their respective leaders last year during Modis visit to the US to keep the momentum of the ties going.

At the system-to-system level, the Indians and Americans remain broadly in sync, the partnership is robust, the convergences in a wide range of global theatres are only growing, key individual actors in decision-making positions get along, and there is an Arjuna-like laser focus on what both sides know is the fundamental strategic challenge of the times. Kwatras visit confirmed that Delhi-DC dynamic is just fine. Dont get distracted by the noise.
More potential jurors were dismissed Tuesday from Donald Trumps hush money case as lawyers worked for a second day to find a panel of New Yorkers to decide whether the Republican will become the first former president convicted of a crime. Former US President Donald Trump (AFP)

Possible jurors were quizzed for hours about their views on Trump and other issues, and eight people were excused after saying they could not be impartial or because they had other commitments. Several people said they believed they could decide the case fairly, no matter their feelings about Trump or his policies as president.

No jurors had been chosen by midday Tuesday, and dozens more people could still be questioned.

The methodical process  which could take several more days or even weeks  highlights the unprecedented challenge of finding people who can fairly judge the polarizing defendant, who has cast himself as the victim of political persecution as he vies to reclaim the White House.

The trial, which began Monday, puts Trump's legal problems at the center of the closely contested race against President Joe Biden. It also presents a major test for the criminal justice system because the allegations are being viewed through a partisan lens, and Trumps attacks on prosecutors and the judge threaten to undermine the publics faith in the courts.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass took Trump's notoriety head on, telling would-be jurors that attorneys were not looking for people who had been living under a rock for the past eight years. They just needed to keep an open mind.

This case has nothing to do with your personal politics  its not a referendum on the Trump presidency or a popularity contest or who youre going to vote for in November. We dont care. This case is about whether this man broke the law," he said.

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Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged effort to keep salacious  and, he says, bogus  stories about his sex life from emerging during his 2016 campaign.

Its the first of Trumps four criminal cases to go to trial, and it may be the only one to reach a verdict before voters decide in November whether to elect the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.

Before entering the courtroom, Trump stopped briefly to address a TV camera in the hallway, repeating his claim that the judge is biased against him and the case is politically motivated.

This is a trial that should have never been brought," Trump said. After he went inside, reporters saw him wink at one of the court officers and mouth, How are you? while he walked down the aisle. Trump then took his seat at the defense table with his attorneys.

With the trial expected to last for six weeks or more, multiple jury pool members brought up plans they have for Memorial Day and beyond. One parent was excused Monday because of a childs wedding in late June. Another person was dismissed Tuesday because of a trip they have planned.

One man was excused after saying he feared his ability to be impartial could be compromised by unconscious bias from growing up in Texas and working in finance with people who intellectually tend to slant Republican.

Im not sure that I can say beyond a reasonable doubt that I can be fair," another potential juror told the judge. I can try. But Im not 100% sure I can be fair. She was also dismissed.

One woman who said she disagrees with Trumps policies  and sometimes finds herself frustrated by him  pledged to be fair and impartial, telling defense lawyer Todd Blanche that she would give her level-headed best if she were picked for the jury.

I didnt sleep last night thinking about could I do that, she said.

After another juror said she would be unable to serve impartially, Trump twisted in his chair, looking in the direction of the box. Through the first few minutes of the day, he appeared generally attentive, jotting down notes and raising sheets of paper to his face as jurors rattled off answers to a lengthy questionnaire.

Trump broke into a grin, nodding his head in an exaggerated manner, when another person said he had read two of the former president's books, The Art of the Deal and How to Get Rich." The man, who said some of his wife's family members are lobbyists for the Republican Party, said he didn't think there was anything that would prevent him from looking at the case fairly.

I feel that no ones above the law," he said.

The charges center on $130,000 in payments that Trumps company made to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen. He paid that sum on Trumps behalf to keep porn actor Stormy Daniels from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has denied the encounter ever happened.

Prosecutors say the payments to Cohen were falsely logged as legal fees. Prosecutors have described the money as being part of a scheme to bury damaging stories Trump feared could help his opponent in the 2016 race, particularly as Trumps reputation was suffering at the time from comments he made about women.

Trump has acknowledged reimbursing Cohen for the payment and that it was designed to stop Daniels from going public about the alleged encounter. But Trump has previously said it had nothing to do with the campaign.

More than half of the 96 people in the first panel of potential jurors brought into the courtroom Monday were excused after telling the judge they could not be fair and impartial, and several others were dismissed for other reasons that were not disclosed.

In court papers filed Tuesday, prosecutors urged the judge to fine Trump $3,000 over social media posts they say violated a gag order limiting what he can say publicly about witnesses. In the posts, Trump called Cohen and Daniels two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly!

Prosecutors wrote that the judge should admonish Trump to comply with the gag order and warn him that further violations could be punished not only with additional fines but also jail time.

If convicted of falsifying business records, Trump faces up to four years in prison, though theres no guarantee he will get time behind bars.

Trumps cases involving allegations of election interference and hoarding classified documents could lead to lengthy prison sentences, but those cases are tied up with appeals or other issues that make it increasingly unlikely they will be decided before the election.

And if Trump wins in November, he could presumably order a new attorney general to dismiss his federal cases.
ISLAMABAD  Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday called for an immediate cease-fire and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza. HT Image

Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on a visit to Islamabad, said that international efforts toward a cease-fire between Israel and the militant group Hamas have been "wholly insufficient.

We are now actively discussing the potential for famine in Gaza, and it means people are starving to death because humanitarian assistance is not getting to them," he said. This is an unacceptable situation."

Without directly mentioning an Iranian attack on Israel over the weekend, he said we are already in an unstable region, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is already inflaming the region. We do not need more conflict in our region, we do not need more confrontation in our region, so it is our position that the de-escalation must be everybodys priority."

Tensions in the region have ramped up since the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, when Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two militant groups backed by Iran, carried out a devastating cross-border attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. Israel responded with an offensive in Gaza that has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,800 people, according to local health officials.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described the killings in Gaza as genocide and said that the world's conscious must wake up and there should be an immediate and unconditional cease-fire with aid flowing into the territory.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier met with Prince Faisal and called for closer cooperation with Saudi Arabia to help his cash-strapped nation with investment, a government statement said.

Sharif last week met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia, one of Pakistans closest allies and a leading supplier of oil to Islamabad. According to Pakistani officials, Prince Mohammed had assured Pakistan that Saudi Arabia would invest $5 billion in Pakistan.

In July, Saudi Arabia deposited $2 billion into Pakistans central bank to boost its foreign exchange reserves.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday urged all sides in the Middle East to refrain from action that would trigger a new confrontation which he warned would be fraught with catastrophic consequences for the region, the Kremlin said. Russian President Vladimir Putin(AP)

Putin, who has forged much closer ties with the Islamic Republic since sending troops into Ukraine in 2022, spoke to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi by phone about what the Kremlin called "retaliatory measures taken by Iran."

Iran launched drones and missiles at Israel late on Saturday in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate on April 1 that killed seven officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two senior commanders.

Putin, in his first publicly aired comments on Iran's attack, said that the root cause of the current instability in the Middle East was the unresolved conflict between Palestinians and Israel.

"Vladimir Putin expressed hope that all sides would show reasonable restraint and prevent a new round of confrontation fraught with catastrophic consequences for the entire region," the Kremlin said.

"Ebrahim Raisi noted that Iran's actions were forced and limited in nature," the Kremlin said. "At the same time, he stressed Tehran's disinterest in further escalation of tensions."

Russia, which has forged close ties both with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Arab leaders such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has repeatedly scolded the West for ignoring the need for an independent Palestinian state within 1967 borders.

"Both sides stated that the root cause of the current events in the Middle East is the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict," the Kremlin said of the call with Raisi.

"In this regard, the principled approaches of Russia and Iran in favour of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, easing the difficult humanitarian situation, and creating conditions for a political and diplomatic settlement of the crisis were confirmed."

Putin, who in 2022 visited Khamenei, congratulated Raisi and all Muslims on the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Top U.S. generals say the growing partnerships between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea pose one of the most dangerous challenges to the United States in the past four decades.

Iran has provided Russia with a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and drones that Moscow has used in Ukraine.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned whether federal prosecutors went too far in bringing obstruction charges against hundreds of participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. But it wasnt clear how the justices would rule in a case that also could affect the prosecution of former President Donald Trump, who faces the same charge for his efforts to overturn his election loss in 2020. Former President Donald Trump returns to the courtroom. (Reuters)

The justices heard arguments over the charge of obstruction of an official proceeding in the case of Joseph Fischer, a former Pennsylvania police officer who has been indicted for his role in disrupting Congress certification of Joe Bidens 2020 presidential election victory over Trump. Fischer is one of 330 people facing that charge, which stems from a law passed in the aftermath of the Enron financial scandal more than two decades ago to deal with the destruction of documents.

Trump is facing two charges in a separate case brought by special counsel Jack Smith in Washington that could be knocked out with a favorable ruling from the nations highest court. Next week, the justices will hear arguments over whether the former president and presumptive nominee for the 2024 Republican nomination has absolute immunity from prosecution in that case, a proposition that has so far been rejected by two lower courts.

Smith has argued separately in the immunity case that the obstruction charges against Trump are valid no matter how the court decides Fischer's case. The first former U.S. president under indictment, Trump is on trial on hush money charges in New York and also has been charged with election interference in Georgia and with mishandling classified documents in Florida.

It was not clear after more than 90 minutes of arguments precisely where the court would land in Fischer's case. Conservative justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch appeared most likely to side with Fischer, while liberal Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor seemed more favorable to the Justice Departments position.

Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson, a former federal public defender, expressed interest in more of a middle-ground outcome that might make it harder, but not impossible, for prosecutors to use the obstruction charge.

Some of the conservative justices said the law was so broad that it could be used against even peaceful protests and also questioned why the Justice Department has not brought charges under the provision in other violent protests.

There have been many violent protests that have interfered with proceedings, Justice Clarence Thomas said. He was back on the bench Tuesday after an unexplained one-day absence.

Gorsuch appeared to be drawing on actual events when he asked Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar whether people could be charged with obstructing an official proceeding if they rose in protest inside the courtroom, heckled the president at the State of the Union or pulled a fire alarm in the Capitol complex to delay a vote in Congress.

Alito, suggesting the government's reading of the law is too broad, asked whether the charge could be applied to people who disrupted the day's court session by shouting Keep the January 6 insurrectionists in jail or Free the January 6 patriots."

He hastened to add, What happened on Jan. 6 was very, very serious and I'm not equating this with that.

The high court case focuses on whether the anti-obstruction provision of a law that was enacted in 2002 in response to the financial scandal that brought down Enron Corp. can be used against Jan. 6 defendants.

Lawyers for Fischer, the former North Cornwall Township police officer, argue that the provision was meant to close a loophole in criminal law and discourage the destruction of records in response to an investigation. Until the Capitol riot, lawyer Jeffrey Green told the court on Fischer's behalf, the provision had never been used to prosecute anything other than evidence tampering.

Fischer was not part of the mob that forced lawmakers to flee the House and Senate chambers, Green wrote in court papers, noting that he entered the Capitol after Congress had recessed. The weight of the crowd pushed Fischer into a line of police inside, Green wrote.

But Prelogar, the administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, said the other side is reading the law too narrowly, arguing it serves as a classic catchall designed to deal with the obstruction of an official proceeding. She said Fischer's actions before, during and after Jan. 6 demonstrated that he intended to keep Congress from doing its job of certifying the election results.

He had said in advance of Jan. 6 that he was prepared to storm the Capitol, prepared to use violence, he wanted to intimidate Congress, Prelogar said. "He said they cant vote if they cant breathe. And then he went to the Capitol on Jan. 6 with that intent in mind and took action, including assaulting a law enforcement officer.

The obstruction charge is among the most widely used felony charges brought in the massive federal prosecution following the violent insurrection. It carries a maximum prison term of 20 years, but Prelogar said the average term imposed so far is about two years.

Roughly 170 Jan. 6 defendants have been convicted of obstructing or conspiring to obstruct the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress, including the leaders of two far-right extremist groups, the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. A number of defendants have had their sentencings delayed until after the justices rule on the matter.

Some rioters have even won early release from prison while the appeal is pending over concerns that they might end up serving longer than they should have if the Supreme Court rules against the Justice Department. They include Kevin Seefried, a Delaware man who threatened a Black police officer with a pole attached to a Confederate battle flag as he stormed the Capitol. Seefried was sentenced last year to three years behind bars, but a judge recently ordered that he be released one year into his prison term while awaiting the Supreme Courts ruling.

Most lower court judges who have weighed in have allowed the charge to stand. Among them, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, a Trump appointee, wrote that statutes often reach beyond the principal evil that animated them.

But U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, another Trump appointee, dismissed the charge against Fischer and two other defendants, writing that prosecutors went too far. A divided panel of the federal appeals court in Washington reinstated the charge before the Supreme Court agreed to take up the case.

More than 1,350 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Approximately 1,000 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury or judge after a trial.

A decision is expected by late June.
Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar called for immediate action by law enforcement agencies against the rising number of attacks against Hindu Temples in the United States while interacting with members of the Hindu community on Monday. Indian American US Congressman Shri Thanedar (AP)(AP)

Talking about the fear among the Hindu community, the Congressman said "local law enforcement hasn't taken enough action" to investigate the recent attacks.

This comes shortly after Shri Thanedar introduced a resolution against Hinduphobia in the House of Representatives, condemning anti-Hindu bigotry, hate, and intolerance against the community. The resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

"We've seen a lot of attacks happening on Hindu temples across the United States and we've seen a lot more in more recent times. And it's time for us to seek support. There's a fear. Many Hindu communities are under fear. And what we've seen is that local law enforcement hasn't taken enough action. We have not seen any suspects, any arrests, or any resolution to these issues," he said while citing it as a reason for introducing the resolution in US Congress.

Congressman Thanedar further said, That (attack incident) has created a lot of fear among the Indian American community, among the Hindu community, and a lot of misinformation has been spread. And so the purpose of this resolution is to bring that to the attention of Congress and to the Biden administration.

Another Indian-American, Vijay Sadhawal, expressed his concern regarding the bias of American media towards the Hindu community residing in the US, saying that the resolution is just a starting point in raising a voice for the American Hindus.

"We have enough Hindu Americans in the country that can actually be a steering rod, so to speak, for protecting our minority rights in this country. And yet we see that the instruments of democracy, like the media, civil society, and NGOs, seem to be biased against the Hindu population of the United States," he said.

He also drew parallels to the attacks on Kashmiri Pandits after the 1990s and said that he "sees a tremendous similarity that serves the institutions."

(With inputs from ANI)
Astronomers have discovered a massive black hole named BH3, formed from the collapse of an exploding star, located only 2,000 light years away from Earth in the Aquila constellation. The Milky Way's Galactic Centre and Jupiter (brightest spot at centre top) are seen from the countryside near the small town in Florida.(AFP)

BH3 is the largest stellar black hole found in the Milky Way, with a mass 33 times that of the Sun, making it the second nearest black hole discovered.

The discovery of BH3 was made through the observation of a companion star orbiting the black hole. The star exhibited a distinct wobble attributed to the powerful gravitational pull of the black hole.

Data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission and observations from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope confirmed BH3's mass and the orbit of the companion star.

Dr. Pasquale Panuzzo, an astronomer from the Observatoire de Paris and member of the Gaia collaboration, expressed astonishment at the find, remarking, Its a complete surprise... the most massive stellar origin black hole in our galaxy and the second nearest discovered so far.

The mass of BH3 is comparable to black holes detected through gravitational waves in distant galaxies, establishing a link between stellar black holes in the Milky Way and previous gravitational wave discoveries.

Dr. Panuzzo emphasised this linkage, saying, We have only seen black holes of this mass with gravitational waves in faraway galaxies.

This makes the link between the stellar black holes we see in our galaxy and those gravitational wave discoveries.

Despite their vast mass and gravitational impact, stellar black holes can be challenging to detect, as many do not have companion stars orbiting around them.

However, BH3s companion star yielded valuable insights, indicating that it remained uncontaminated by material from the stellar explosion that birthed the black hole. Suggesting that BH3 formed long before capturing its companion, adding to the intrigue surrounding its origins.

The significance of BH3's discovery prompted researchers to speed up the release of details, enabling astronomers worldwide to start with their research as soon as possible.

Dr. Panuzzo noted, As soon as this comes out, people will rush to observe it...That will tell us about the wind that comes from stars like the one orbiting the black hole, and also about the physics of the black hole and how matter falls into it.
The barest third of US adults go so far as to say that he, former US President Donald Trump, committed an illegal act in the hush-money case, which is even less than half nowadays who agree that he, from the list of the four crimes pending against him, committed an illegal act. Donald Trump returned to the courtroom Tuesday as a judge works to find a panel of jurors who will decide whether the former president is guilty of criminal charges alleging he falsified business records to cover up a sex scandal during the 2016 campaign. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)(AP)

Suspicion persists over the fairness of the lawyer's approach to Trump, and such men at the judges and courtside. Sceptics can even be noticed in the cases that involve Trump.

Nonetheless, should Trump be convicted of falsifying business documents to conceal hush money payments, half of Americans would deem him unfit for the presidency, highlighting the weight of the legal proceedings.

Trump's scheme had been to make prosecutions as the main strategy of his campaign, where he claimed that political adversaries politically orchestrated the prosecutions involving the Biden administration and the wider Democratic establishment.

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Its very obvious political persecution. Im no fan of Trump in any way, shape or form. Didnt vote for him, never will. But its obviously all political, Christopher Ruff, a political independent and museum curator from Sanford, North Carolina, resonates same ideology.

Partisan lines sharply divide perceptions of Trumps culpability

A scant number of Republicans, less than 10%, believe the former President acted illegally in the hush money case. But, 40% of Republicans view his actions as unethical but not unlawful, and around 30% echo the sentiments of Louie Tsonos, a sales representative from Carleton, Michigan, who asserts, Hes done nothing wrong. Because Trump has a lot of money and fame, they want to destroy his reputation. Or at least they are trying to.

Democrats and independents are more inclined to attribute illegal conduct to Trump, with 60% of Democrats and 30% of independents holding this belief.

Whether Trump hearing the prospect of a verdict helps or hinders his suitability as a president overall depends on who you talk to. It is a different story for Democrats; 80% of them would not consider him qualified, while 60% of Republicans would view him as fit for the office, and independents, the most important group in swing states, are quite divided; 30% of them are undecided, 22% would count him as fit for the job and 50% would not.

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Jennifer Solich, a retired nuclear engineer from York, Pennsylvania, encapsulates a common Republican viewpoint: I dont think any of that stuff has any relevance to his ability to lead this country. There may be some unethical aspects to it. I just think its more trivial than what were facing as a nation.
After weeks of legal maneuvering and cryptic court filings, the details of former US President Donald Trump's deal with Knight Specialty Insurance Company have finally come to light. Former President Donald Trump attends jury selection at Manhattan criminal court in New York, on Monday, April 15, 2024, for his trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, . (Jeenah Moon/Pool Photo via AP)(AP)

The former President was compelled to relinquish control of his Charles Schwab investment bank account, valued at over $175 million, in order to prevent the New York Attorney General from seizing his properties following a ruling of bank fraud.

The $175 million bond is collateralized by $175,304,075.95 in cash held in a Charles Schwab account pledged to KSIC, and KSIC has the right to exercise control over that account, stated a joint memorandum by the company and Trump's legal team.

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Don Jr., Trump's eldest known son, represented the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust in consenting to the deal last month, granting Knight a security interest over the brokerage account.

Knight now holds a first priority lien and security interest over the funds in the account, mandating that the Trump trust maintain a minimum of $175 million in cash or cash equivalents at all times.

The Schwab account in question differs from another used by Trump as collateral for a $92 million bond in a separate legal matter.

Court filing questions bond's ability to justify the surety

Challenges from the New York attorney general's office prompted these filings, questioning Knight's ability to justify the bond's surety. Knight defended its financial stability, lamenting itself as a well-capitalized insurer despite not being licensed to issue surety bonds in New York.

Knight Specialty Insurance Company is not a New York domestic insurer, and New York surplus lines insurance laws do not regulate the solvency of non-New York excess lines insurers, Amit Shah, Knight's president, quoted to CBS News.

Questions arose regarding New York regulations limiting a company's exposure to a single borrower, with Knight admitting it exceeded the state's limit. However, Shah asserted Knight's substantial equity and access to assets through a reinsurance agreement with its parent company.

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The $175 million bond temporarily halts a $464 million civil fraud judgment against Trump and co-defendants, pending appeal. Knight, owned by billionaire Don Hankey, faced scrutiny for its owner's previous legal entanglements, including a settlement over illegal repossessions.

Despite Hankey's support for Trump's 2016 campaign, he emphasized the bond as a business matter: This is what we do at Knight Insurance, and were happy to do this for anyone who needs a bond, he told the Associated Press.

A hearing on the bond's validity is scheduled for April 22.
The Senate received articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday. US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies at a Fiscal Year 2025 budget hearing at Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on April 16, 2024. (Photo by Julia Nikhinson / AFP)(AFP)

House impeachment managers, appointed by Republican leadership, ceremoniously delivered the two articles through the Capitol, accompanied by the House clerk and sergeant-at-arms.

Calls for full-scale trail mount

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green read the charges: The evidence is clearSecretary Mayorkas should be tried by the Senate for high crimes and misdemeanors. Specifically, the House found that he willfully and systemically refused to comply with the laws passed by Congress, and breached the public trust.

These are serious charges that I urge my colleagues in the Senate to treat with the gravity and deliberation they deserve, he went on.

The Senate has a responsibility to conduct a full trial, hear the evidence, and render a verdict.

A former secretary of war, William Belknap, was the other Cabinet secretary in the history of the US to face impeachment proceedings in 1876. Among those, only the Homeland Security Secretary would stand after.

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Majority Leader Chuck Schumer confirmed that the trial proceedings would commence on Wednesday at 1:00 pm. We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible, he stated.

The United States House Republicans began the impeachment process against Mayorkas, implicating his mythical breach of the border laws, with the surge of migrant arrivals at the USA  Mexico border.

Despite the challenges, the vote was a success and approved with a 3-0 vote from Republicans; Democrats voted no.

But will there be a full-scale trial?

Charges against Mayorkas include willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and breach of public trust, which he denied as baseless.

The impeachment managers in the house, including Representative Michael McCaul, who is also a Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, underscored the seriousness of the charges and requested for an all-inclusive Senate trial.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stated, It would be beneath the Senate's dignity to shrug off our clear responsibility and fail to give the charges we'll hear today the thorough consideration they deserve, and added, I'll strenuously oppose the effort to table the articles of impeachment and avoid looking at the Biden administration border crisis squarely in the face.

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Senate can dismiss the trial, but will they do it?

Despite calls for a full-scale trial, the likelihood remains slim, with the precise course of the impeachment proceedings yet to be determined.

The Senate has the option to dismiss the trial outright or refer it to a committee for further review.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mayorkas appeared before Capitol Hill lawmakers and responded, The dedicated public servants of DHS deserve full support, and the American people deserve the results a fully resourced DHS can deliver.
President Joe Biden was spotted with a crib sheet with scripted comments to the press during an Oval Office sitdown with the prime minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani, on Monday, April 15. Biden referred to the script to make his first public statement since Irans attack on Israel. The script included an all-caps stage direction on when he would need to pause in his comments so an interpreter could translate. Joe Biden was spotted using a cheat sheet with scripted comments during a meeting with Iraqi PM Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via REUTERS)(via REUTERS)

Biden was seen looking down at the script several times while sitting beside Al-Sudani. Iraqs prime minister, however, did not seem to depend on any kind of note cards, according to New York Post.

Meanwhile, Biden on Saturday, April 13, also extended US support to Israel during a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It has been reported that Biden has urged Netanyahu to temper responses to Irans attack, as he believes the conflict may escalate quickly.

The United States is committed to Israels security. We are committed to a cease-fire [between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip] that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading beyond what it already has, Biden said during his remarks on Monday.

History of using note cards

This is not the first time Biden was seen leaning on a note card. He was spotted using a card in April 2023, which seemed to include a question from a reporter before Biden asked the journalist to ask him questions. He is also believed to have used note cards for private fundraisers.

Meanwhile, the foreign minister of Iran recently claimed that the nation had informed the US before the attack was launched on Israel. Early Sunday in a message to the White House we announced that our operation would be limited and minimalistic and aimed at legitimate defense and punishing the Israeli regime, Hoeein Amirabdollahian said, according to The Mirror.

In our response, we defined no response against civilian targets. Our armed forces targeted no economic or populated areas," he said. He added that the goal of the attack was to punish Israel.
Katie Couric, senior American journalist and a show presenter, is facing huge backlash after suggesting that the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement is fueled by "anti-intellectualism." FILE - Supporters of Donald Trump participate in a rally in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. The Supreme Court is hearing arguments Tuesday, April 16, 2024(AP)

She made these remarks on Bill Maher's "Club Random" podcast while discussing Donald Trump and the origins of MAGA from his 2016 campaign.

The socio economic disparities are a lot and class resentment is a lot and anti-intellectualism and elitism is what is driving many of these anti-establishment [people]  which are Trump voters  so, I think that is a huge problem that we have to address, Couric explained to Maher, referring to the MAGA movement that got its name from the ex-presidents campaign slogan.

Katie Couric comments on MAGA attract backlash

Couric told Maher that socio-economic disparities, class resentment, and anti-intellectualism drive many Trump supporters. She expressed concern about these issues within the anti-establishment sentiment of the MAGA movement.

What are critics saying about Katie Couric's comments

Online critics quickly responded to Couric's comments, labeling her as "out of touch."

Imagine being a snob like @katiecouric whom thinks shes an intelligent journalist, but fails to understand that she is stereotyping over 85 million individuals with varying degrees of education, skills, & mindsets, claimed an X User.

Another user commented, Nothing upsets the mainstream media more than reminding them that Trump is more popular with the people than the mainstream media. The media would attack Trump's approval ratings when they were never as low as the media's approval ratings.

Some accused her of projecting her own feelings onto Trump supporters, while others criticized her for being dismissive of a group of people she doesn't understand.

However, Maher took a different stance, defending Trump voters and suggesting that media commentators should make more effort to understand them. He highlighted concerns from Trump supporters about education and gender issues being taught to their children, which they perceive as a reason to vote for Trump.

As the presumptive GOP nominee for president, Trump is gearing up for a potential rematch with Democratic partys presumptive nominee, Joe Biden, in the 2020 election.
A shocking video shows anti-Israel activists in Chicago hailing Irans attack on Israel and chanting hands off Iran. They were also heard shouting death to Israel and death to America in Farsi. Anti-Israel activists in Chicago chaned death to Israel and 'death to America (@TheFP/X)

The video was recorded on Saturday, April 13, after Hatem Abudayyeh, head of the US Palestinian Community Network, told about 300 left-wing protesters that Iran had attacked Israel with drones and missiles, according to The Free Press. They believe that they will be in Palestinian  I dont call it Israeli  airspace between 2 and 4 a.m., which means about two to four hours from now, said Abudayyeh. His group is funded by WESPAC, which is a Westchester County-based nonprofit.

The activists had crowded the Teamsters Union headquarters to plan how to disrupt the Democratic National Convention this August. After Abudayyehs comments, they began to boo. They even shouted shame.

Abudayyeh went on to say that it is incumbent that Americans stop the United States from expanding this war and hitting Iran. Weve got to be the strong, powerful anti-war movement that we are, he said, and then exited the stage.

After his statement, the crowd started chanting hands off Iran! the Free Press reported.

Earlier the same day, activists in a break out session for the Anti-War Committee Chicago participated in chants including Death to Israel and Death to America in Farsi.

Israel warns Iran

Meanwhile, Israel has issued a warning, saying that the conflict with Iran is not over yet. The nation even vowed to exact a price after the attack. Overnight, Tehran fired 330 drones and missiles. The Israeli military said that more than 99 per cent of the drones and missiles had been intercepted with help from the US, UK and France.

We will build a regional coalition against the threat of Iran, and we will exact a price from it in the way and at the time that suits us, Israel minister Benny Gantz said, according to The Independent, even as Tehran said the matter can be considered concluded.
A viral video has revealed the moment a protestor set an American flag on fire outside Brooklyn Borough Hall. X user katie smith shared the video, captioning it, A protester sets an American flag on fire outside Brooklyn Borough Hall as protesters rally on the steps. Pro-Palestinian protester burns American flag in NYC, some chant death to America (@probablyreadit/X)

One protester held a sign reading "Free Palestine OR ELSE." Others were seen waiving the Hezbollah Flag and chanting death to America.

Protesters wreak havoc in the US

Hundreds of anti-Israeli protesters also flocked to Lower Manhattan on Monday, April 15. They wreaked havoc on the Brooklyn Bridge, with traffic coming to a halt on its Manhattan-bound side. Police, wearing riot gear, were seen trying to bring the situation under control.

This is the latest protest in the Big Apple since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. A bunch of people already got over, a protester on the bridge told New York Post. They started arresting people here.

Only one arrest has been officially reported as of now. However, about two dozen other people were seen being placed in handcuffs at the scene of the protest. When marchers saw cops coming in, many of them fled.

Smoke was spotted outside One Police Plaza at around 7:30 pm on Monday. Several protesters had lit flares and were chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.

The NYPD said that cops initially responded to a planned protest on Wall Street around 2:15 pm. It had been arranged by a group named Within Our Lifetime. However, marchers soon began moving towards the bridge.

Some protestors even blocked a road to arrivals and departures at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. As many as four vehicles were also seen blocking the road. Some of the passengers got out of their cars and walked past the protest with their luggage so as not to miss their flights.
WASHINGTON  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with China's national defense minister Tuesday morning, in the latest in a series of U.S. steps to improve communications with the Chinese military and reduce unsafe and aggressive incidents in the Indo-Pacific. HT Image

It was the first time Austin has talked to Adm. Dong Jun and the first time he has spoken at length with any Chinese counterpart since November 2022. The call comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to China this month for talks.

Washington and Beijing have been working to expand communications and ease escalating tensions. Military-to-military contact stalled in August 2022, when Beijing suspended all such communication after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

The thaw in relations between the two world powers got a kick-start last November when President Joe Biden and Chinas President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. About a month later, Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with his Chinese counterpart in a video call  in the first senior military-to-military contact since the Pelosi visit.

Austin's call with Dong has been widely anticipated, but the admiral was only appointed to the defense job in December. Previous defense minister Wei Fenghe turned down a Pentagon request to speak with Austin last year after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon that had floated across the country. Austin had previously met with Wei in 2022 on the sidelines of a defense conference in Cambodia.

Defense officials are concerned about unsafe and unprofessional incidents involving the U.S. and Chinese militaries in the Pacific.

Pelosi's visit sparked a surge in military maneuvers by China. Beijing dispatched warships and aircraft across the median line in the Taiwan Strait, claiming the de facto boundary did not exist, fired missiles over Taiwan itself, and challenged established norms by firing missiles into Japans exclusive economic zone.

During the following two years, U.S. military officials repeatedly objected to a range of unsafe intercepts by Chinese aircraft in the Pacific and other dangerous incidents. Some of those confrontations have ebbed a bit, but the U.S. has been concerned about aggressive behavior by Chinese vessels against Philippine ships in the South China Sea.

A senior defense official told reporters that Austin's call on Tuesday gives the U.S. the opportunity to prevent ongoing competition with China from veering into conflict. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide a preview of the call, said the U.S. hasn't seen any unsafe or unprofessional intercepts of American aircraft since last November, but China's coercive behavior toward Philippines' ships risks escalation.

U.S. and Chinese defense officials met earlier this month in Hawaii to discuss aggressive ship and aircraft incidents between the two militaries in the Pacific region. The two-day China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meeting included about 18 military and civilian personnel from each side and it was the first time since 2019 that it was held in person. There was a virtual meeting in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The US Supreme Court is going to hold hearings on Tuesday of this week in the case Fischer v. United States, which not only pits the incumbent but goes ahead to create a trial that puts in the cross-hairs over 300 individuals linked to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The U.S. Supreme Court building is seen in Washington, U.S.,REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File Photo(REUTERS)

One of the main problems is whether an individual can be charged with a felony obstruction that is used to fight financial crimes by the law enforced, the defendants will get a punishment up to 20 years.

In response to the Enron accounting scandal, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act criminalizes the destruction of evidence, and anyone who otherwise obstructs, influences or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so.

ALSO READ| US economy to outpace G7 peers with double GDP growth rate this year, claims IMF

Participant at the Stop the Steal rally, Joseph Fischer, who was said to have been part of the Capitol rioting when the US Congress was certifying the 2020 elections' results, had to face prosecution for alleged involvement. He was among the rioters who broke into the Senate chamber.

Potential implications for Trump?

Justice DOJ claims that Fischer's act of breaking was unlawful and discouraging for the certification process of Congress, hence, obstruction of such an official proceeding.

Although the former President is not directly connected to the case, he faces a similar charge under scrutiny by Fischer.

The DOJ has managed to obtain dozens of convictions and guilty pleas from about 150 people who participated in the events of January 6th.

Fischer challenges the government's interpretation of the law as overly expansive and unprecedented. He argues that the obstruction of an official proceeding clause should be limited to the financial and evidentiary crimes the law was initially designed to address.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump gets a big thumbs up from Americans, only 1 in 3 think...

A Trump-appointed district judge of the lower court initially ruled Fischer had prevailed, and the felony counts against him and some other accused rioters were dismissed. But, a divided three-judge bench revoked the decision in a 2-1 majority to uphold the charges.

Of the 15 federal judges overseeing cases involving Capitol rioters charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, 14 have permitted the DOJ to utilize the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Supreme Court hearing could impact prosecutions of Jan. 6 Capitol rioters

A ruling in favour of Fischer by the Supreme Court could cast doubt on numerous January 6 prosecutions, potentially resulting in overturned convictions or reduced sentences.

But the former choice may completely collapse special prosecutor Jack Smith's prosecution of Trump for attempted bribery. The two counts of four officially charged in the federal complaint against the former president include conspiracy to impede (obstruct) and actual obstruction of an official proceeding covered by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

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In the upcoming case set for this month, the high court will also look at whether Trump can claim immunity for his alleged wrongdoing with election interference.

A ruling in both cases is anticipated by the end of June.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned whether federal prosecutors went too far in bringing obstruction charges against hundreds of participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Former President Donald Trump faces the same charge for his efforts to overturn his election loss in 2020. WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 16: Supporters of January 6 defendants including Micki Witthoeft, the mother of Ashli Babbitt, who was killed on January 6, 2021, sing "God Boss the USA" outside of the Supreme Court on April 16, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in Fischer v. U.S., a case about whether the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit erred in applying a specific part of U.S. criminal code when charging January 6 defendants. Kent Nishimura/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Kent Nishimura / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

The justices heard arguments over the charge of obstruction of an official proceeding in the case of Joseph Fischer, a former Pennsylvania police officer who has been indicted for his role in disrupting Congress certification of Joe Bidens 2020 presidential election victory over Trump. Fischer is one of 330 people facing that charge, which stems from a law passed in the aftermath of the Enron financial scandal more than two decades ago.

It was not clear after more than 90 minutes of arguments precisely where the court would land, although conservative justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch appeared most likely to side with Fischer, while liberal Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor seemed more favorable to the Justice Department's position.

The former president and presumptive nominee for the 2024 Republican nomination is facing two charges in a separate case brought by special counsel Jack Smith in Washington that could be knocked out with a favorable ruling from the nations highest court. Next week, the justices will hear arguments over whether Trump has absolute immunity from prosecution in that case, a proposition that has so far been rejected by two lower courts.

Smith has argued separately in the immunity case that the obstruction charges against Trump are valid no matter how the court decides Fischer's case. The first former U.S. president under indictment, Trump is on trial on hush money charges in New York and also has been charged with election interference in Georgia and with mishandling classified documents in Florida.

On Tuesday, some of the conservative justices said the law was so broad that it could be used against even peaceful protests and also questioned why the Justice Department has not brought charges under the provision in other violent protests.

Gorsuch appeared to be drawing on actual events when he asked Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar whether people could be charged with obstructing an official proceeding if they rose in protest inside the courtroom, heckled the president at the State of the Union or pulled a fire alarm in the Capitol complex to delay a vote in Congress.

Alito, suggesting the government's reading of the law is too broad, asked whether the charge could be applied to people who disrupted the day's court session by shouting Keep the January 6 insurrectionists in jail or Free the January 6 patriots."

He hastened to add, What happened on Jan. 6 was very, very serious and I'm not equating this with that.

The high court case focuses on whether the anti-obstruction provision of a law that was enacted in 2002 in response to the financial scandal that brought down Enron Corp. can be used against Jan. 6 defendants.

Lawyers for Fischer, the former North Cornwall Township police officer, argue that the provision was meant to close a loophole in criminal law and discourage the destruction of records in response to an investigation. Until the Capitol riot, lawyer Jeffrey Green told the court on Fischer's behalf, the provision had never been used to prosecute anything other than evidence tampering.

But Prelogar, the administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, said the other side is reading the law too narrowly, arguing it serves as a classic catchall designed to deal with the obstruction of an official proceeding. She said Fischer joined a violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol to prevent the peaceful transition of power.

The obstruction charge is among the most widely used felony charges brought in the massive federal prosecution following the violent insurrection. It carries a maximum prison term of 20 years, but Prelogar said the average term imposed so far is about two years.

Roughly 170 Jan. 6 defendants have been convicted of obstructing or conspiring to obstruct the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress, including the leaders of two far-right extremist groups, the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. A number of defendants have had their sentencings delayed until after the justices rule on the matter.

Some rioters have even won early release from prison while the appeal is pending over concerns that they might end up serving longer than they should have if the Supreme Court rules against the Justice Department. They include Kevin Seefried, a Delaware man who threatened a Black police officer with a pole attached to a Confederate battle flag as he stormed the Capitol. Seefried was sentenced last year to three years behind bars, but a judge recently ordered that he be released one year into his prison term while awaiting the Supreme Courts ruling.

Most lower court judges who have weighed in have allowed the charge to stand. Among them, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, a Trump appointee, wrote that statutes often reach beyond the principal evil that animated them.

But U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, another Trump appointee, dismissed the charge against Fischer and two other defendants, writing that prosecutors went too far. A divided panel of the federal appeals court in Washington reinstated the charge before the Supreme Court agreed to take up the case.

While its not important to the Supreme Court case, the two sides present starkly differing accounts of Fischers actions on Jan. 6. Fischer's lawyers say he was not part of the mob that forced lawmakers to flee the House and Senate chambers, noting that he entered the Capitol after Congress had recessed. The weight of the crowd pushed Fischer into a line of police inside, they said in a court filing.

Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia are among 23 Republican members of Congress who say the administration's use of the obstruction charge presents an intolerable risk of politicized prosecutions. Only a clear rebuke from this Court will stop the madness.

The Justice Department says Fischer can be heard on a video yelling Charge! before he pushed through a crowd and crashed into the police line. Prosecutors also cite text messages Fischer sent before Jan. 6 saying things might turn violent and social media posts after the riot in which he wrote, we pushed police back about 25 feet.

More than 1,350 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Approximately 1,000 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury or judge after a trial.
Israel is vowing to retaliate against Iran for its weekend drone and missile attack, the first strike on the Jewish state from Iranian soil and which brought into the open a years-long shadow war. As the US and Europe urge restraint, Israel is weighing its choices. HT Image

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the country will respond, but hasnt given any details about how or when. His government says a failure to act would signal weakness and encourage further attacks by its arch-enemy.

Here are some options:

A strike on Irans nuclear facilities

This would be among the riskiest and most aggressive of the choices, and could force Iran to lash out at Israel again, potentially triggering a regional war the US, Europe and Arab states are so keen to avoid.

Israel, which bombed an Iraqi reactor in 1981 and a Syrian atomic site in 2007, has long considered Irans nuclear program a threat to its existence. Most of Tehrans nuclear facilities  which Iran says are for peaceful purposes but Israel says are for building bombs  are hidden deep underground, making them hard to reach. In the view of many strategists, Israel would require US help.

Mark Dubowitz, head of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a US research group with a hawkish view on Iran, disagrees and says Israel can do it alone. Theyve been striking targets inside Iran for years, he said.

Another target could be Irans Bonab Atomic Research Center, the closest site to Israel and 500 kilometers south of Azerbaijan, an Israeli ally. While its one of Irans less important nuclear facilities, hitting it would send a strong signal about Israels military capabilities.

Strikes or cyberattacks on military infrastructure in Iran

Israel could target Iranian military facilities or other important infrastructure within the Islamic Republic, either via a direct strike or a cyberattack. That would send a message of deterrence by hitting Iranian soil while minimizing casualties, according to Sima Shine, who formerly headed the Mossad intelligence agencys research division.

Israel has for years been blamed for cyberattacks on both civilian and military sites in Iran  as well as assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists and other intelligence operations  but has never claimed responsibility.

Any missile or drone strike on Iranian soil, no matter the target, would be major for Israel. But it wouldnt necessarily be the first attack in Iran by Israel. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israeli forces destroyed a drone base in Iran in 2022 under his orders.

Hitting Iranian proxies in the Middle East

Israel could also choose to strike some of Irans proxy militias such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or the Houthis in Yemen. There are also groups in Iraq and Syria. These are funded by Tehran and target Israel on its behalf.

Israel has exchanged daily fire with Hezbollah since the war against Hamas began in Gaza in October. And its fended off missiles and drones from the Houthis, who have also attacked Israeli-linked ships around the Red Sea. Still, the fighting has been kept below the threshold of all-out war.

In addition, Iran has its own military personnel embedded with those groups, many of them belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Israel could choose to target them specifically, as Iran said it did on April 1 when two IRGC generals were killed by a strike on Tehrans embassy compound in Damascus. Iran said its attack on Israel over the weekend was a legitimate response to that incident.

Focus on Gaza

Some urge Israel to focus on its six-month-old war in Gaza and destroying Hamas, including in the city of Rafah where the Israeli government says around 8,000 of the groups fighters are lodged.

Defeating Hamas, which receives training and funding from Iran, would mark a victory for Israel against Iran, said Yossi Kuperwasser, a former research head of military intelligence. This entire war, from day one, is a war against Iran, he said. We have to finish the job in Gaza in order to cause much damage to the Iranian axis.

With assistance from Nick Wadhams and Jonathan Tirone.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Nikki Haley has been appointed as the Walter P. Stern Chairperson at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C. Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks as she announces she is suspending her campaign, in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S., March 6, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo(REUTERS)

Nikki is a proven, effective leader on both foreign and domestic policy. In an era of worldwide political upheaval, she has remained a steadfast defender of freedom and an effective advocate for American security and prosperity. We are honored to have her join the Hudson team, John P. Walters, President and CEO of Hudson Institute praised Haley.

Haley also took over the post after withdrawing her name from the Republican primary race after a very bad defeat at the hands of ex-president Donald Trump during Super Tuesday.

But while the moderate brand of campaign strategy may not have propelled her to the White House, the former presidential hopeful made inroads into various sections of the electorate.

ALSO READ| US Supreme Court eagle-eyeing into Jan 6 Capitol riot cases. What does it mean for Donald Trump?

During her term as US ambassador to the United Nations (2017-2018) under the Trump administration, Haley raised her made-for-Hollywood political persona in the forthright support of strong US-Israel relations and the US withdrawal from the Paris accord on climate.

Haley takes a new job as thinktank

The Hudson Institute, as the think tank, has a reputation as a place where famous Americans dwell, with the former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao joining the Hudson Institutes family in 2021.

The Indian-American politician has been appointed as the new Walter P. Stern chair during a time when the institute is mourning the death of its late former hardbody, who died in 2022.

As the last straw of the Trump administration, the former UN Ambassador comes after William Barr, the ex-Attorney General, in 2020, and the two-time Secretary of State Pompeo and Chao, in 2021.

ALSO READ| US economy to outpace G7 peers with double GDP growth rate this year, claims IMF

In Hudson's statement: When our policymakers fail to call out our enemies or acknowledge the importance of our alliances, the world is less safe. That is why Hudsons work is so critical. They believe the American people should have the facts and policymakers should have the solutions to support a secure, free, and prosperous future. I look forward to partnering with them to defend the principles that make America the greatest country in the world, Haley shared.

The specifics of Haleys compensation and work location have not been disclosed.

It is fitting that Nikki has taken on this title. She is a courageous and insightful policymaker and these qualities are vital in making Hudson the powerhouse policy organization it is today, Sarah May Stern, the chairperson of the board of trustees stated.
Iran's unprecedented missile and drone strike on Israel is unlikely to prompt dramatic sanctions action on Iran's oil exports from the Biden administration due to worries about boosting oil prices and angering top buyer, China, said analysts. US President Joe Biden during a meeting with Petr Fiala, Czech Republic's prime minister, not pictured, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, April 15, 2024 (Bloomberg)

Shortly after Tehran launched its weekend attack - retaliation for Israel's suspected April 1 strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus - House Republican leaders accused President Joe Biden of failing to enforce existing measures and said they would take up this week a series of bills to sharpen sanctions on Iran.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Representative Steve Scalise the No. 2 House Republican, said the administration had made it easier for Iran to sell its oil, generating revenues that were being used to "go fund terrorist activity."

The political pressure to punish Iran creates a thorny problem for the administration: how to deter such attacks in future without escalating regional tensions, raising oil prices or antagonizing China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil.

Washington has said for months that among its primary goals is to keep the Gaza conflict between Palestinian group Hamas and Israel from metastasizing in to a wider regional war, with a key aim of keeping Tehran on the sidelines.

Several regional analysts said they doubted Biden would take significant action to ramp up enforcement of existing U.S. sanctions to choke off Iran's crude exports, the lifeblood of its economy.

"Even if these bills pass, it's hard to see the Biden administration going into overdrive, to try to spring into action or enforce existing sanctions or new ones to try to cut or curb (Iranian oil exports) in any meaningful way," said Scott Modell, a former CIA officer, now CEO of Rapidan Energy Group.

ENFORCING SANCTIONS

Former President Donald Trump reinstated U.S. sanctions on Iran's oil in 2018 after pulling out of an international deal on Tehran's nuclear program. The Biden administration has sought to crack down on evasion of those measures with sanctions against companies in China, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere.

Despite those efforts, Rapidan estimates Iran's oil exports have hit 1.6 million to 1.8 million barrels a day, excluding condensates, a very light oil. That is close to the 2 million barrels a day Iran exported before sanctions, said Modell.

The possible effect on gasoline prices is one reason Biden, a Democrat, may not move strongly to curb Iran's oil exports.

Kimberly Donovan, a sanctions and anti-money laundering expert at the Atlantic Council, said that oil-related sanctions have not been strictly enforced in the past couple of years.

"I would not expect the administration to tighten enforcement in response to Iran's missile and drone attacks against Israel over the weekend, mainly for concerns (that) could lead to increases in oil prices," she said.

"The price of oil and ultimately the prices of gas at the pump become critical during an election year."

A State Department spokesman said the Biden administration had not lifted any sanctions on Iran and continued to increase pressure on the Islamic Republic.

"Our extensive and overlapping sanctions on Iran remain in place, and we continue to enforce them," said the spokesman.

THE CHINA FACTOR

Aggressively enforcing sanctions could also destabilize the U.S.-China relationship, which Chinese and U.S. officials have tried to repair following a rocky period after the U.S. last year downed a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that crossed U.S. territory.

Almost all Iranian oil entering China is branded as originating from Malaysia or other Middle Eastern countries and is carried by a "dark fleet" of older tankers that typically switch off their transponders when loading at Iranian ports to avoid detection.

Tanker tracking specialist Vortexa Analytics estimated China acquired a record 55.6 million metric tons or 1.11 million barrels of Iranian crude a day last year. That amounted to roughly 90% of Iran's crude oil exports and 10% of China's oil imports.

Several analysts suggested Washington might take some action to cut Iran's oil exports in part to temper any Israeli reaction to the Iranian strikes, which could escalate the conflict.

But they said this would fall short of dramatic action such as sanctioning a major Chinese financial institution and instead could involve targeting Chinese or other entities engaged in such trade.

"If you really want to go after Iran's oil exports yes, you would have to take meaningful action against China," said one source familiar with the issue.

"Are you really going to go after the big banks? Are you going to do something that the administration has not done and even the Trump administration did not do?" he added.

Jon Alterman, a Middle East analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said there were limits to what Washington can do to impose sanctions and that evaders are adept at finding loopholes.

"I'd expect to see a gesture in the direction of (imposing) economic consequences on Iran, but I don't expect the White House  or any future White House  to be able to completely turn off the spigot of Iranian oil," he said.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered the closure of his countrys embassy and consulates in Ecuador on Tuesday in solidarity with Mexico in its protest over a raid by Ecuadorian authorities on the Mexican embassy in Quito. The Venezuelan flag flies over the building where the Venezuelan embassy is located in Quito, Ecuador. (AP)

Venezuela also fully supports Mexico's request to have the United Nations suspend Ecuador from the world body, Maduro said during a virtual meeting of the leaders of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa ordered authorities to raid the Mexican diplomatic outpost April 5 to arrest the country's former Vice President Jorge Glas, a convicted criminal and fugitive who was holed up at the embassy since December. Mexico granted him asylum hours before the raid.

The extraordinarily unusual use of force drew immediate condemnation from governments around the world, because diplomatic premises are considered foreign soil and inviolable under the Vienna treaties.

Noboa has said he authorized the raid to protect national security." He argued that Glas was wanted for his criminal convictions for corruption and not political reasons, and accused Mexico of violating the Vienna treaties by granting asylum to someone convicted of very serious crimes.

Mexico immediately expressed its outrage over the raid, severed diplomatic relations with Ecuador and recalled its diplomatic mission.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Tuesday before the meeting of the regional body that Mexico wants Ecuadors temporary expulsion from the United Nations until it apologizes and admits that it violated Mexicos sovereignty in the embassy raid.

It was a very serious affair, Lopez Obrador said.

Mexico had hoped to use the CELAC meeting to rally a unified front to advance its case both at the U.N. and before the International Court of Justice.

Maduro said he has ordered all diplomatic personnel back to Venezuela until international law is expressly restored in Ecuador.

Venezuela fully supports Mexicos proposal to expel Ecuador from the United Nations organization until it apologizes to the international community and restores the situation to its original legal status, Maduro said.

Maduro said that Glas, who is now being held at a maximum-security prison in the port city of Guayaquil, must be returned to the Mexican embassy and have his political asylum recognized.

Noboa drew additional criticism Tuesday for not appearing at the virtual gathering of regional leaders. He posted an Instagram video promoting improvements to law enforcement infrastructure and another one announcing an emergency declaration covering the country's electricity sector amid hours-long power outages in Quito.

He should have shown up and assumed responsibility for himself in front of Ecuador, in front of Latin America, in front of the Caribbean, in front of the world and he has not shown his face," Maduro said. "I can say from Venezuela that he has gone into hiding and the people of Ecuador should know it.

Mexicos embassy in Quito appeared already closed Tuesday afternoon. Mexicos Foreign Affairs Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Venezuelas announcement.

Under Maduros 11-year presidency, more than 7.7 million Venezuelans have left their home country, and most have settled elsewhere in Latin America and in the Caribbean. Ecuador has the sixth largest concentration of Venezuelan migrants.

Ecuadorian officials and nongovernmental organizations that assist migrants estimate that 475,000 Venezuelans live in Ecuador. Of those more than 231,000 live permanently and legally there, according to Ecuadors 2023 census.
Editors note (January 22nd 2024): This article was updated after Ron DeSantis withdrew his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)(AP)

REAGAN WAS SMILING, wrote Norman Mailer in 1968 as he watched a future American president lose. The result of the first round of the Republican National Convention was in, and Richard Nixon had beaten his challengers, including Ronald Reagan, to secure his partys nomination. Perhaps, Mailer speculated, Reagan was remembering Barry Goldwaters renunciation of the nomination in 1960, and the profitable results which had ensued. In 1960 Goldwater had received riotous applause; in 1964 he got the nomination.

The selection process works differently todayprimary elections, rather than opaque rounds of voting at conventions, determine the winner. On January 15th Donald Trump trounced his nearest rivals in the Iowa caucuses, winning the support of more than half of caucus-goers. Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley trailed him on 21% and 19% respectively. On January 21st Mr DeSantis announced that he would drop out of the race. The popular governor proved to be an unnatural national campaigner, and his pitch (Trump without the chaos) did not persuade voters who still liked the original. That leaves Ms Haley, a former governor of South Carolina (and ambassador to the UN during Mr Trumps first term) as his only rival for the Republican nomination. She is likely to lose, but history suggests that todays losers have a good chance of becoming tomorrows winners.

Most Americans struggle to name their congressman, or even their senators. A presidential run gives candidates unparalleled national exposure, which can pay off in four or eight years. John McCain lost the Republican nomination to George W. Bush in 2000, then beat Mitt Romney in 2008. Mr Romney secured the spot four years later. Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden lost to Barack Obama in 2008: Mrs Clinton got the nod in 2016. Mr Biden did in 2020, on his third try. In November 2023 Mr DeSantis took part in a bizarre debate against Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, one of the leading candidates to represent the Democrats in 2028.

Some long shots may run with the intention of settling for second prize: the vice-presidential slot. In 2004 John Kerry picked John Edwards, the runner-up; Reagan similarly tapped George H.W. Bush in 1980. And losers who find their way onto a ticket may eventually clinch the top job. Mr Biden himself benefited from his two terms as Mr Obamas vice-president. The elder Bush succeeded Reagan as president. Lyndon Johnson stepped up from the vice-presidency after John Kennedy was killed in office. But Mr Trump, who seems to nurse grudges, might be less inclined to run alongside a competitor. He insisted on January 10th that he already knows whom he will choose, regardless of primary results.

A runner-up may also hope to benefit from less probable scenarios. The 77-year-old Mr Trump might take ill; the Supreme Court could boot him off the ballot. Ms Haley is gaining support among moderate Republicans, independents, and even Democrats who worry that Mr Biden will lose to Mr Trump. No Labels, a centrist group, may be preparing to launch a presidential challenge. Some observers think she could become the groups candidate. Whatever her plan, a strong showing on January 23rd in New Hampshire (where non-Republicans can vote in the primary) would help.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
A former aide of Meghan Markle has confirmed that she was interviewed in Buckingham Palaces investigation into bullying accusations levelled against the Duchess. Samantha Cohen was one of 10 royal staffers to be interviewed. Years back, complaints were made that Meghan had created a toxic and hostile work environment. Meghan Markle's ex-aide breaks silence on bullying accusations against Duchess (REUTERS/Marco Bello)(REUTERS)

Meghan allegedly forced two PAs out of Kensington Palace in 2018. The internal email was later leaked to UK broadcast The Times, but Meghan has denied the allegations.

Cohen, an Australian, has now spoken with the Herald Sun. She was asked about the bullying allegations.

"I was only supposed to stay for six months but stayed for 18we couldn't find a replacement for me and when we did we took them on tour to Africa with Harry and Meghan to show them the ropes but they left (quit) as well while in Africa, Cohen said.

Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, toured Southern Africa in September and October 2019. That November, they left Britain to go to Canada.

Jason Knauf, who was the communications secretary of Kensington Palace at the time, sent an email to Simon Case, Prince William's private secretary, in 2018. He noted that Meghan failed to treat her staff well.

"I am very concerned that the duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year. The treatment of X [name removed] was totally unacceptable, Knauf told Case.

"The Duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights," Knauf added. "She is bullying Y [name removed] and seeking to undermine her confidence. We have had report after report from people who have witnessed unacceptable behavior towards Y [name removed]."

Who is Samantha Cohen?

Cohen joined the royal household team as an assistant communications secretary to Queen Elizabeth back in 2001. She later became her assistant private secretary. In 2018, she became private secretary to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. She left the palace office the next year.

The bullying allegations were first made public in a story in The Sunday Times when Cohen left Kensington Palace. "Meghan loses second close aide, Samantha Cohen, as rumours swirl of 'Duchess Difficult, the headline read. A source said at the time that Cohen's replacement would need "reserves of energy and patience to help her define her future role."
Elon Musk is looking into introducing a nominal fee charged on new users of X (formerly Twitter) in order to put in their posts or microblogs. Elon Musk attends the Breakthrough Prize awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY(REUTERS)

He addressed this way the platform can deal with the bot issue. While responding to a X post about the platform's recent altercation Musk conveyed that the sole solution to combat the onslaught of bots.

The Tesla boss's consideration comes as a direct response to the limitations of existing bot-detection mechanisms, such as CAPTCHA. He pointed out the inadequacy of these tools by stating, Current AI (and troll farms) can pass are you a bot with ease.

The suggested policy incorporates a window, during which freshly registered email addresses can post without sending out any money upon their account creation after three months.

ALSO READ| Tesla layoffs: Global job cuts at Elon Musk company to impact China the most?

A dedicated timeline for the inclusion of a fee feature for new users was not specified, and the type of fee is is still under the curtain.

This isnt the first time X has experimented with user fees

Last year, the platform began charging unverified users in New Zealand and the Philippines an annual fee of $1. While these users could access and read content at no cost, interaction with posts, including actions like posting, liking, and replying, required payment. Musks latest proposal suggests a potential expansion of this fee structure to additional regions.

The move to implement user fees aligns with Xs broader efforts to combat spam. Earlier in the month, the platform launched a large-scale initiative targeting spam accounts, which included notifying users of potential changes in their follower counts. By introducing fees for new accounts, X aims to enhance its capabilities in managing the bot issue more effectively.

Musks battle vs AI bots

X has updated its policy in the last year to authorize data set creation for machine learning through the use of public resources, including posts on social channels, and AI models. Elsewise, xAI, X's AI-company stated at the end of the current month (July 2023) that they were going to use public posts as training data.

ALSO READ| Morning bulletin: Top 10 news headlines on April 16, 2024 to start your day

xAIs recent developments include the introduction of its Grok chatbot to Xs Premium users, who pay a monthly subscription of $8. This feature was previously exclusive to the Premium+ tier, which costs $16 per month.

According to a report by Fortune, X is planning to extend Groks post-composing capabilities to all users, democratizing access to this advanced AI tool.
More than half of the 96 potential jurors were dismissed from the jury pool on the first day of jury selection for Donald Trump's high-profile hush-money case Monday in Manhattan, in the first criminal trial of a former president.

At least 50 jurors were rejected after admitting they would be unable to remain impartial in the trial over allegations Trump, 77, made substantial payments to former porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal in an effort to get them to keep quiet about their alleged affairs prior to the 2016 presidential election.

Nine others were excused by Judge Juan Merchan after claiming they'd be unable to serve for other reasons, according to CNN.

One person was let go because she claimed she had firm beliefs about Trump. Separately, Merchan excused a father so he could attend his daughter's upcoming June nuptials, the outlet reported.

Trump previously pleaded not guilty to 34 felony criminal charges of falsifying business records in connection with the alleged scheme.

Attorneys on both sides will ultimately choose 12 jurors and six alternates.

Potential jurors are vetted through a written questionnaire, followed by an appearance in the jury box, where lawyers are permitted to ask follow-up questions.

Eighteen jurors made it to the jury box Monday, and Merchan questioned nine, before dismissing court for the day.

Jury selection could take up to two weeks, according to ABC News.

Outside the courtroom, Trump complained to reporters, "Now I can't go to my son's graduation. I can't go to the United States Supreme Court. I'm not in Georgia or Florida or North Carolina campaigning like I should be," ABC reported.

"It's a scam, it's a political witch hunt," he continued. "We're not going to be given a fair trial."

Jury selection will resume Tuesday morning.

Trump's trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Western allies to show the same "unity" towards Ukraine as they did toward Israel when they thwarted an Iranian aerial assault against the Israeli skies over this past weekend.

Ukraine has become more frustrated in recent months at Western aid delays, including air defenses it argues are desperately needed to repel deadly Russian attacks.

In a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to allies for their response to Ukraine's call for more air defenses. However, he noted that the power of Russian attacks needs greater unity.

He said that by defending Israel, the free world has demonstrated that such unity is not only possible but also 100% effective.

Zelenskyy, calling for political will from Ukraine's allies, added that the same is possible in defending Ukraine, which, like Israel, is not a NATO member, from terror.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba mentioned Western support for Israel during a press conference earlier. He also asked for more assistance as soon as possible.

Kuleba, alongside his Norwegian counterpart, claimed that when allies act as one in a very coordinated way, not a single missile falls on the targets or reaches targets in Israel.

"Everything we are asking from partners, even if you cannot act the way you act in Israel, give us what we need, and we will do the rest of the job," he continued.

Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel over the weekend, even from its territory, in response to a deadly attack on Iran's consulate in Damascus on April 1.

Israel's military claimed to have intercepted 99 percent of the aircraft threats with assistance from the US and other allies and to have only suffered minor damage from the overnight strike.
The Biden administration announced on Monday (Apr. 15) that it would award Samsung up to $6.4 billion in grants to expand its semiconductor production in central Texas as part of the US Department of Commerce's implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act.

Reuters reported that the funding would support two production facilities in Taylor, Texas - a research center and a packaging facility.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said it would also enable the South Korean firm to expand its Austin chip facility while boosting chip output for the aerospace, defense, and auto industries and bolstering the United States' national security.

"[These investments] will allow the U.S. to once again lead the world, not just in semiconductor design, which is where we do now lead, but also in manufacturing, advanced packaging, and research and development," she added.

On the other hand, Samsung Semiconductor CEO Kye Hyun Kyung stressed that the investment would help them manage the surge in American demand for locally made chips in the industries they support.

"To meet the expected surge in demand from U.S. customers, for future products like AI chips, our fabs will be equipped for cutting-edge process technologies and help bring security to the U.S. semiconductor supply chain," he said in the company's press release.

"Our plan is not just about investing in chips, but this is about investment in our community. We're here to stay. For us to do so, we understand that we must continue to strive for a sustainable future."

Samsung said it expected to begin its production in 2026, with analysts estimating the firm would likely begin its 4-nanometer chip production at its pilot line and eventually expand to 2-nanometer chips.

The CHIPS and Science Act aims to reduce its reliance on imported semiconductors from China and Taiwan, as the US share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity has fallen from 37% in 1990 to 12% in 2020, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

Lawmakers have also warned that US dependence on chips manufactured in Taiwan by the top global chip manufacturer TSMC would be risky due to geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China.

TSMC earlier received a $6.6 billion grant to kickstart its operations in Arizona, while Intel got an $8.5 billion grant despite admitting it had a $7 billion operating loss in its chip manufacturing unit.

"By investing in leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing, we are helping secure this vulnerable supply chain, boosting our national security and global competitiveness, and creating new jobs for Texans," Rep. John Cornyn (R-TX) said.

Senior administration officials say Samsung is expected to invest roughly $45 billion in building and expanding its Texas facilities by the end of the decade.
Hotel heiress and Hollywood socialite Paris Hilton joined California state lawmakers on Monday to push for legislation aimed at cracking down on the industry that cares for troubled teens by requiring more transparency from youth treatment facilities.

Sen. Shannon Grove, a Republican from the Central Valley, drafted Senate Bill 1043 to bring attention to short-term residential therapy programs, which are designed to house and care for young people who have experienced abuse, neglect, or other forms of trauma.



Hilton, 43, has testified against the "troubled teen industry" in Congress and has openly disclosed her background in it. She described the emotional and physical abuse she endured at a Utah boarding school when she was 17 in a recent Netflix documentary titled "Hell Camp."

"As a survivor of the 'Troubled Teen Industry,' I am proud to partner with Senator Shannon Grove - a champion for children in California - on the Accountability in Children's Treatment Act to bring much-needed transparency to California youth facilities," Hilton said in a statement.

Hilton, whose company called 11:11 Media is sponsoring the bill, referred to the bill as "a game changer" that will hold children's residential treatment facilities accountable and bring attention to child maltreatment.

For many years, California used comparable out-of-state facilities as a landing for individuals considered "troubled children." However, following reports of staff abuse and assault, the state discontinued this practice in 2021 and began using short-term in-state facilities in its place.

Grove said she was troubled to learn that the Department of Social Services would not release information regarding the treatment of young residents in short-term residential centers after viewing a documentary about the out-of-state facilities. Grove then looked into how California currently handles its vulnerable youth.

Furthermore, Grove argues that short-term facilities should be more open, even though in-state programs offer a higher level of care than the previous out-of-state options.
The 89.1 FM radio frequency in Metro Manila has transitioned from the hip-hop and R&B genre to religious programming after Wave 89.1, the Philippine capital's longest-running dedicated hip-hop and R&B terrestrial radio station, signed off for the final time on Monday night (Apr. 15) after almost five decades in the format.

Local media reported that the frequency has since shifted to test broadcasts of the local station of Adventist World Radio (AWR), the terrestrial and shortwave radio service of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, with a launch set for Apr. 24.

WHAT A WILD RIDE IT HAS BEEN, MANILA.



Radio station Wave 89.1 bids adieu to their faithful listeners, announcing their final broadcast on Monday, April 15  ending their 49 years on air.



"We want to thank everyone for all the love and support over the years, their statement pic.twitter.com/BakO2IMKOb  Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 16, 2024

"The end is here," according to Wave 89.1's social media announcement. "We want to thank everyone for all the love and support over the years. What a wild ride it has been, Manila."

DWAVWave's callsignbegan broadcasting in the mid-1970s as an easy-listening station owned by the government broadcaster IBC. However, in the 1980s, the station became known for playing hip-hop, R&B, rap, and urban music.

Esquire Philippines first reported on the news, saying that the station underwent another overhaul when it fell into the hands of the Vera family's media corporation, Tiger 22, which also included several English-language radio stations in Metro Manila.

The state of Filipino FM radio has since changed.

In 2010, Manila's legendary rock station NU107 signed off for the last time and eventually became the easy-listening station Wish 107.5.

In the mid-2010s, the Manny Pangilinan-owned Associated Broadcasting Company formatted the 92.3 frequency as its news and talk station as a departure to broadcasting news and information in the AM frequency, as well as becoming the main competitor of Bombo Radyo's Star FM Manila station on 102.7.

At the same time, GMA's 97.1 station transitioned from Campus Radio to a more popularly-oriented music and talk format.

Since the Duterte administration, government broadcaster PBS formatted their 87.5 and 104.3 frequencies as pop and retro stations, respectively.

In 2020, ABS-CBN's FM radio station 101.9 was shut down alongside its news-oriented AM station and channels 2 and 23 TV stations after the National Telecommunication Commission issued a cease and desist order. In June 2023, the network somehow revived its AM station in a similar format.

In 2021, 103.5 K-Lite - another Tiger 22 station - announced it was parting ways with its staff and DJs.

Most recently, in June 2023, Q Radio on 105.1 signed off and was replaced by Brigada News FM, making it the third dedicated news and talk station in Metro Manila.

On its website, AWR 89.1 described itself as "a Christian radio station that aims to inspire, uplift, and educate listeners through its diverse range of content."

"We recognize the importance of holistic well-being, including physical, mental, and spiritual health," it added. "The station features programs on healthy living, nutrition, fitness, mental health, and other topics related to overall wellness."

The Philippines is a Catholic-majority nation, while Seventh-Day Adventism came to the archipelago during its American period.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in China for a three-day visit, which began on Sunday (Apr. 14). The final day is scheduled for his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

According to German public broadcaster DW, Scholz was accompanied by top executives from Germany to seek to strike a balance in relations with China, as German firms have been pressing for what they characterize as fairer access to the Chinese market despite European worries about Chinese goods flooding the European market.

Xi told Scholz that China's bilateral ties with Germany would steadily develop provided that both nations respect one another's differences and seek "common ground."

"We must view and develop bilateral relations in an all-round way from a long-term and strategic perspective," the Chinese leader said. "As long as both sides adhere to mutual respect, seek common ground while reserving differences, communicate and learn from each other, and achieve win-win co-operation, relations between the two countries will continue to develop steadily."

Meanwhile, Scholz said on Tuesday (Apr. 16) that he would discuss peace in Ukraine with Xi despite its European and Western allies having sought to isolate Russia since it launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He also warned that the war in Ukraine would risk damaging the "entire international order," including the possibility of nuclear escalation.

Despite remaining outwardly neutral, Beijing has remained the Kremlin's most important ally, DW reported.

On the other hand, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called Scholz out, stressing the "importance of human rights in the Sino-German relationship."

"Chancellor Scholz should not play second fiddle to Germany's narrow business interests, but should lead by setting the Sino-German relationship on a rights-respecting footing," HRW Germany director Wenzel Michalski said in a statement. "Promoting human rights is good both for the Chinese people and for Germany's long-term interests."

The statement was made in relation to China's alleged human rights violations against the Uyghurs of Xinjiang.
Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange Building was engulfed in flames on Tuesday.

The inferno happened inside the historic building in the center of the Danish capital, CNN reported.

Copenhagen police told people to avoid the area.

The building dates back to 1625 and is located near Christiansborg Palace, where the offices of the Danish monarchy, the Danish Parliament, and the Danish Supreme Court were located, the BBC reported.

A police spokesperson said that the people inside the building were evacuated when the fire started and that no injuries have been reported.

The spokesperson added that military personnel were also at the scene to assist in firefighting efforts.

Other media outlets reported that the spire of the building collapsed in the duration of the fire.

"This is our Notre-Dame," local craftsman Henrik Grage told Danish TV, comparing it to the tragic fire that gutted the French cathedral of Paris in 2019.

While the Danish Stock Exchange no longer used the building - which the locals call "Boersen" - the Danish Chamber of Commerce uses it as its headquarters, DW reported.
An Indiana 5-year-old's mother, her boyfriend and grandmother are under arrest in connection her "horrific" death.

The case started unfolding last Tuesday when Indianapolis police responded to a report of an unresponsive child in a home.

The officers found Kinsleigh Welty in a closet and officers say she appeared to be malnourished.

Wayne Township Emergency Medical Services arrived and transported Kinsleigh to Riley Hospital for Children where she died.

Child Abuse detectives responded to the hospital and the home. The Indiana Department of Child Services took custody of other children inside the home.

Kinsleigh's mother, 29-year-old Toni McClure, was arrested on Wednesday for Murder and Child Neglect Resulting in Death. McClure's boyfriend, 27-year-old Ryan Smith, was also arrested for Child Neglect Resulting in Death.

Child Abuse detectives also arrested the grandmother, 53-year-old Tammy Halsey, on Friday for suspected child neglect in connection with the death.

The Marion County Coroner's Office is assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death.

"My heart breaks knowing what Kinsleigh went through in her short life and how she left this world," said Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Chris Bailey.

"The circumstances of Kinsleigh's death are horrific and beyond comprehension. No human being, let alone a child should be treated like she was. These alleged suspects, if convicted, should never step foot outside of a prison."

"I pray Kinsleigh has found internal peace and for her siblings who will need a lot of love and care in the coming days, months, and years, he went on to say.

Kinsleigh's great aunt Carrie Hogan say she had concerns about Kinsleigh due to her mother's past.

"She was murdered by a monster who was her so called mother Toni McClure and her boyfriend," Hogan wrote in a GoFundMe to raise money for Kinsleigh's funeral.
Two Kansas mothers who went missing two weeks ago were killed over a custody dispute involving members of a small anti-government group who called themselves "God's Misfits," Oklahoma authorities allege, revealing details around a sinsiter plan to kill the two women.

Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, had arranged with the grandmother of Butler's two children to meet at a highway intersection and pick up the 6- and 8-year-old on March 30. The children were supposed to attend a birthday party.

Their abandoned vehicle was found a few miles from the meet-up spot.

Police arrested 54-year-old Tifany Adams, who was the children's grandmother, and three others who call themselves "God's Misfits," according to their arrest affidavits.

Adams, 43-year-old Tad Bert Cullum, 50-year-old Cole Earl Twombly and 44-year-old Cora Twombly are charged with felony first-degree murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder charges.

Butler was in a long-running custody battle with Adams. Her son, the father of Butler's two children, was in a rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma City, the Associated Press reported.

Butler was allowed supervised visits with the children each Saturday.

Kelley, the wife of a pastor, was Butler's court-authorized choice to supervise visitations.

Adams told investigators she had left the children in the care of another couple on the morning of March 30. That couple was also reportedly part of God's Misfits, her arrest affidavit said. Authorities say the children are now safe.

A teenage witness told authorities that Cora Twombly said that she and her husband Cole Twombly blocked the road to stop Butler and Kelley and divert them to where Adams, her boyfriend Cullum and another person were waiting for them.

The teen reportedly asked why Kelley had to die and was told that "she wasn't innocent either" because she supported Butler," court papers said.

State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Hunter McKee called it an "absolutely brutal crime."

Tifany Machel Adams | PCA by Matt Blac inc.
Deliberations on whether courts should release writings by the Covenant School shooter are expected to begin in a Nashville court on Tuesday - with the opinions of the victims' families diverging sharply from those of public officials.

The so-called manifesto - which is actually a collection of journals, a memoir and a suicide note - has become subject to wide spread conspiracy theories since the Covenent School shooting unfolded, a little over a year ago.

The shooter, Aiden Hale, shot and killed three adults and three elementary school children at his former elementary school on March 27, 2023. Hale, 28, was subsequently killed by two Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Officers.

Following the shooting, Nashville law enforcement discussed Hale's writings - which they initially described as a manifesto - but did not release the documents to the public. The writings became subject to intense scrutiny because of Hale's identity as a transgender man. Some theorists believe that Hale chose to target his religious alma mater as a hate crime against Christians.

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, the National Police Association and conservative media figures have called for making the documents publicly accessible. Many of the victims' family members, however, are opposed to releasing the writings.

"I do not believe there was any motivation other than a desire for death, and there is nothing that could ever make the horrible act of killing children make sense," Erin Kinney, the mother of one of the victims, wrote in a court filing.

"The public release of these writings will not prevent the next attack. There is nothing in the journals to satisfy the yearning, overactive minds of the conspiracy theorists."

The victims' families were also able to gain ownership over Hale's writing and are threatening to take legal action against anyone who releases them, regardless of the court's decision, WKRN reported.

Some mass shooting experts have argued that releasing the documents, thereby giving Hale more notoriety, could influence other shooters.

"I don't think a manifesto in isolation is likely to inspire an attack if you can't see who that person is and start to identify with them," criminologist Adam Lankford told the Associated Press in 2023. "But if you're already obsessed with that individual, then, you know, that obsession can extend to obsessing about that person's words."
Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's quest to oust Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has gained a key ally - with Kentucky congressman Tom Massie reportedly agreeing cosponsor her motion to vacate in a closed door meeting.

Greene's bid to unseat Johnson has been considered a longshot by many pundits, but Massie's position on the Subcommittee on Rules and the Organization of the House could stregthen the Georgia congresswoman's efforts. Massie's decision to consponsor was repeatedly met by boos from other Republicans in the room, while members gave Johnson a round of applause.

"It's a clusterf--k," one representative told Axios.

"We are screwed," another member of Congress said.

Greene's furor at Johnson increased in March, when Johnson worked with Democrats to push through a budget in the House, where Republicans hold a razor-thin majority. The congresswoman has suggested that she might escalate her fight with the Speaker if Johnson uses similar procedural moves to send aid to Ukraine.

"Let me tell you, when he forces that vote, again, under suspension with no amendments, and funds Ukraine and people find out how angry their constituents are about it, that's going to move the needle even more," Greene told CNN earlier this month.

"I'm not saying I have a red line or a trigger, and I'm not saying I don't have a red line or trigger. And I think that's just where I'm at right now. But I'm going to tell you right now: Funding Ukraine is probably one of the most egregious things that he can do."

Notably, former President Donald Trump has appeared with Johnson on the campaign trail, with campaign insiders saying the Republican nominee is frustrated with Greene's efforts.

"It's fair to say we don't think she's being constructive," a second source told Politico. "The internal fighting is not appreciated by [Trump]."
A former school teacher in South Carolina is facing charges for allegedly offering both drugs and alcohol to a teenage student in full view of her younger children, who then turned her in, authorites said.

Najla S. Clayton, 36, was charged with two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to the City of Columbia Police Department. She was released from the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on a $10,000 bond.

According to police, the incident allegedly occurred during winter break between Dec. 22, 2023 and Jan. 7, 2024, while Clayton was employed at Clear Dot Charter School as a math teacher.

Clayton allegedly provided marijuana and tobacco to her 16-year-old male student, who was at her home, while in the presence of her two children, ages 6 and 11. She also allegedly allowed her 11-year-old daughter to "smoke a tobacco product" and offered her marijuana, according to police.

Clayton's children described the incidents to a relative who then notified police.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services assisted CPD in its investigation.

Clayton is no longer employed by the school, though its unclear when or how she left the job.

--with reporting by TMX
Alabama's capital is facing a surge in murders, after a man was found fatally shot behind a church in Birmingham-- marking the city's sixth homicide in a week, according to a report Tuesday.

The unidentified victim apparently took off running after being struck by a hail of bullets about a block away, then collapsed behind the Tabernacle Baptist Church near Legion Field Stadium, al.com said, citing a police spokesperson.

Authorities were reportedly alerted to the incident when a ShotSpotter device registered 13 rounds fired in the area. No arrests have been made, according to al.com.

The killing was the Alabama capital's sixth since April 9, when UPS driver Anthony Lamar Love, 44, was shot during a targeted attack as he walked to his car in a company parking lot after finishing work.

The string of slayings also includes Thursday's fatal kidnapping of Nakita Chantryce Davidson, a 40-year-old mother of four.

Her body was found the following day, stuffed in the truck of her SUV after it was abandoned in a wooded area in southwestern Birmingham.

Ex-boyfriend Cedric Dewayne Robertson, 37, is charged with capital murder for allegedly shooting Davidson and abducting her from the scene of a two-vehicle collision near the entrance to the city's Elmwood Cemetery.

The spate of deadly violence pushed the number of killings in Birmingham this year to 41, although four were deemed to have been justified.

In December, the MoneyGeek website reported that the individualized "societal cost" of violent crime in Birmingham was the nation's highest, at $11,392 per resident.

MoneyGeek said its findings were based on 2022 crime statistics compiled by the FBI and a 2010 study, "The Cost of Crime to Society: New Crime-Specific Estimates for Policy and Program Evaluation," posted online by the National Library of Medicine.
Malcolm LaVergne, the executor of OJ Simpson's estate, is back-tracking on his previous comments regarding a $33.5 million judgment awarded to the families of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman by a jury in a wrongful death lawsuit.

The attorney previously told The Las Vegas Review-Journal that his hope was "that the Goldmans get zero, nothing" and that he would "do everything in my capacity as the executor or personal representative to try and ensure that they get nothing," according to ESPN.

However, LaVergne is reportedly now singing a different tune.

"I can tell you in advance, Fred Goldman's [Ron Goldman's father] claim will be accepted. And his claim will be handled in accordance with Nevada law," LaVergne told The Hollywood Reporter.

LaVergne, who had represented Simpson since 2009, argued his comments to the Review-Journal were not directed toward Fred Goldman but rather to the attorneys representing him.

"Within an hour of knowing that O.J. died, he started talking s---. My advocate instinct was, 'Oh, you're gonna keep s---ting on him even after he's dead?'" he told the publication.

"'Fine, you know? You get nothing.' And so, those were my remarks then. But I backtracked, and they were pretty harsh remarks. And now I'm going in the other direction."

Goldman insists that the issue was never about the money and was only about holding Simpson accountable.

Simpson died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer without having paid his share of the civil judgment awarded to the families in 1997.

His assets are set to go through the probate process, which will determine whether the Goldman and Brown families are due a piece of whatever Simpson left behind.

In a statement released Thursday, Goldman said that with Simpson's death, "the hope for true accountability has ended."

LaVerge says he intends to be "hypertransparent" with the families and "show my homework" to them as he tries to organize the estate.
A legal battle which concerns the freedom to practice religion reached a definitive end Tuesday.

A London-based Muslim girl and her mother lost a court fight Tuesday against the girl's strict school ban on prayer on campus.

A High Court judge said the female student knew she would be subject to religious restrictions prior to enrollment and accepted these terms.

The high-performing secular school in Wembley enforces a strict set of rules and discipline on its diverse body of students, half of whom are Muslim.

The lawsuit stemmed from a rule implemented last year by the Michaela Community School after several students began praying in the schoolyard that ultimately led to a bomb threat on campus.

A Black teacher allegedly confronted the students and was later accused of "disgusting, Islamophobic behavior" and reportedly experienced racist abuse in an online petition.

Mother and daughter initiated the suit against the school for "the kind of discrimination that makes religious minorities feel alienated from society."

The girl said she wanted to pray during her lunch break to meet fall and winter requirements for performing one of Islam's five daily prayer rituals, according to The Associated Press.

The school justifies the ban on the student's religious rights due to its rules and the inability to accommodate other students who wanted to pray.

They also highlighted that the student had the right to transfer to another school that would allow prayer.

Justice Thomas Linden wrote in an 83-page ruling,

"She knew that the school was secular, and her own evidence is that her mother wished for her to go there because it was known to be strict."

Furthermore, "long before the prayer ritual policy was introduced, she and her friends believed that prayer was not permitted at school, and she therefore made up for missed prayers when she got home."

Headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh expressed that the ruling was a victory for all schools.

"A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves," Birbalsingh said.

"Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change their approach simply because they have decided they don't like something at the school," she concluded.
The grieving parents of a Las Vegas woman shot to death by her ex-father-in-law during a tumultuous custody battle accused the presiding judge of ignoring the danger signs allegedly exhibited by her former husband.

Ashley Prince, 30, died alongside her new husband, Dennis Prince, 57, a prominent attorney, at a Las Vegas law office Apr. 8. The couple were fatally shot by attorney Joseph Houston II, who was representing his son, Dylan Houston, Ashley's ex-husband, during a deposition for a custody case involving their children, according to authorities.

The elder Houston shot Ashley and Dennis several times before turning the gun on himself, said police. Dylan was not present.

"Unfortunately, all of our fears became a reality," Julie Page, Ashley Prince's mother, told reporters during a press conference Monday, according to KLAS-TV. "For the past two years, we have felt helpless and devastated as we witnessed Ashley endure verbal and mental abuse and threats at the hands of her former husband, Dylan Houston."

Ashley's parents accused Dylan of verbally attacking Ashley via text message  sometimes 70 times per day.

He allegedly texted Ashley threats, such as, "I don't want to see you unless you're in a casket," "I will chisel you down to a weaker and worthless sack of bones," and "I'll crush you in ways you don't even comprehend," according to her father, Paul Page.

The Pages said Clark County District Court Judge Bill Henderson, who presided over Dylan and Ashley's case, failed to protect their daughter, who feared for her safety.

A spokesperson for the court declined the outlet's request for comment.

"Do you have any private security you recommend?" Ashley texted her private investigator, Hal De Becker, prior to last Monday's deposition, the outlet reported. "Dylan has a ton of guns in that house."

After learning Dylan wouldn't be present at the hearing, she canceled security.

Ashley leaves behind three children, including an infant, she recently welcomed with Dennis. Dennis was a father of four.

Following Monday's press conference, the Houstons issued a statement:

"We cannot begin to imagine the devastating sense of loss felt by the Page and Prince families. We understand their shock and anger. We, too, are shocked. None of us ever could conceive of our loving father doing something so egregiously out of character. Our hope is that through the darkness, despair and grief, we can focus on the needs of the children. That focus extends to refraining from rebuttals and public accusations. Dylan is a dedicated father and is singularly committed to the welfare of his children. We are hopeful that Dylan and his children will be together soon and we all can begin to heal."
The woman accused of helping her husband sell human body parts from the Harvard morgue online has pleaded guilty to some of the charges against her.

Denise Lodge changed her plea on the count of aiding and abetting interstate transport of stolen goods, which reportedly included "heads, brains, skin, bones," according to an indictment reviewed by People.

The other charges she faced were dropped in exchange for the plea, WBZ-TV reported.

Lodge's attorney says she pleaded guilty due to health concerns.

"She is very ill and wanted to put this chapter of life behind her and not have the stress of ongoing legal proceedings," Hope Lefeber told People.

Lodge's husband, Cedric Lodge, is the former manager of the morgue at Harvard Medical School. He's also accused of stealing remains and selling them online.

Federal prosecutors allege that a nationwide network of individuals bought and sold human remains stolen from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary.

They claim that from 2018 through 2022, Cedric Lodge stole organs and other parts of cadavers donated for medical research and education before their scheduled cremations.

Lodge at times transported stolen remains from Boston to his residence in Goffstown, New Hampshire, where he and Denise Lodge, allegedly sold the remains.

Another man who admitted to buying human remains has already pleaded guilty.

"Some crimes defy understanding," said United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam. "The theft and trafficking of human remains strikes at the very essence of what makes us human. It is particularly egregious that so many of the victims here volunteered to allow their remains to be used to educate medical professionals and advance the interests of science and healing. For them and their families to be taken advantage of in the name of profit is appalling."


Missouri lawmakers appear poised to approve a major tax break for the $3 billion-plus expansion of a factory that makes parts for America's nuclear weapons arsenal, a factory that has also recently faced oppositon from residents and protesters.

The state House of Representatives signaled support for the plan in a voice vote last week, the Kansas City Star reported Monday.

A similar bill got the green light from a state Senate committee last month, the Star said.

The measures would provide a sales tax exemption for the purchase of materials to add about 2.5 million square feet of office and manufacturing space to the National Nuclear Security Administration's plant in south Kansas City.

The factory is run by Honeywell International Inc., which the Defense News website ranks as the nation's 23rd largest military contractor.

It's unclear how much revenue would be lost by granting the tax break but nonpartisan House staffers have estimated the fiscal impact "could be significant," according to the Star.

The House bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Chris Brown, said during last week's floor debate that the sales tax exemption would be the same as what the federal goverment would automatically get if it were to handle construction.

Brown also called it a "a small ask if you look at the long-term economic impact."

Democratic Rep. Michael Burton, who represents the St. Louis area, called the proposal "corporate welfare."

"Why, as opposed to having sales tax exemptions for regular Missouri folks when it comes to their groceries, do we not do that?" he asked.

A local developer is set to start work on the project later this year, with construction slated to continue into the "early 2030s,' an agency spokesperson told the Star.

The factory's workforce has grown from 2,400 when it opened in 2014 to 7,000 now and the expansion would allow for an "additional volume of work," according to the National Nuclear Security Administration, an arm of the Energy Department.

About 50 people protested near the plant's entrance on Monday, with at least 10 arrested on trespassing charges, according to the Star.

One demonstrator, local activist Ann Suellentrop, told the Star she opposed the building of more nuclear bombs.

"We're going the wrong way. We're manufacturing our doom," said Suellentrop, a retired pediatric nurse who sits on the board of Physicians for Social Responsibility.

Charles Carney, a member of the Catholic Worker movement, also called making nuclear weapons a "moral outrage."
A top NATO commander is issuing a dire warning about Russia's newly developed ability to disrupt the international community's global communications systems, according to a report.



Europe and North America are at risk of "undersea hybrid warfare" with Russia amid the nation's development of the capability to sever cables responsible for maintaining online communications, Vice Admiral Didier Maleterre of the Security Alliance's Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) said to the Daily Mail.

"More than 90 percent of the Internet is under the sea. All our links between the US, Canada, and Europe are transmitting under the sea, so there are a lot of vulnerabilities, " Maleterre said, adding that, "Russians have developed a lot of hybrid warfare under the sea to disrupt the European economy, through cables, internet cables, pipelines... That's a very important concern because it's a security issue for nearly 1 billion NATO-nation civilians."

The Vice Admiral's blunt forewarning comes on the heels of a British think tank, Policy Exchange, publishing a report urging government ministers to develop a strategy for "seabed warfare."

In a foreword to the report, Air Chief Lord Peach wrote that Moscow has already begun probing the Atlantic undersea infrastructure as the weak underbelly of our national security.

A global network of undersea fiberoptic cables connecting across the ocean floor is responsible for carrying roughly 97 percent of international communications.

According to the Policy Exchange report, '99 percent of the UK's digital communications with the outside world depend on this cable network.'

Should these cables be damaged or disabled, everything from agriculture and healthcare to military logistics and financial transactions would crash, effectively pushing the country into an unprecedented depression.

A similar incident occurred in October last year, when a gas pipeline and several telecom cables connecting Estonia with Finland under the Baltic Sea were damaged by an anchor.

Investigators have yet to determine which ship was responsible for the damage, but they revealed a Russian-flagged ship and a Chinese-owned vessel were in 'close proximity' to the site of the incident.

Many of these networks were developed by private tech companies but not designed for protection against military threats.

"They didn't know that such hybrid warfare would develop so rapidly," Maleterre said.

"And it's very difficult to have permanent surveillance of every cable; it's not possible," he added.

The concern over the security of undersea cables has been around for decades and was brought to the public's attention amid the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September 2022.

Some US and European officials implied Moscow had blown up its own pipelines, an inference deemed 'idiotic' by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Rather, Putin has blamed the U.S., U.K., and Ukraine, while the White House rejected a blog post by American investigative journalist Seymour Hersch claiming Washington was behind explosions as "utterly false and complete fiction."

Investigators have yet to determine which party or parties were behind the attack on Nord Stream.

However, fears intensified last year when NATO's intelligence chief, David Cattler, stated Russia was likely mapping Western cable networks.

"There are heightened concerns that Russia may target undersea cables and other critical infrastructure in an effort to disrupt Western life and gain leverage against those nations that are providing security to Ukraine," Cattler told reporters in May 2023.
The Muslim valedictorian of the University of Southern California says that her college has "abandoned" her, after the administration canceled her commencement speech, citing "risks relating to security" after she publicly criticized Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

"I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred," valedictorian Asna Tabassum said in a statement released by the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), "I am surprised that my own university-my home for four years-has abandoned me."

USC Provost Andrew Guzman told Tabassum that could not give the traditional address due to "unprecedented" vitriol, but added that the decision was "not a judgment" on her character, accomplishments and ambitions.

Tabassum was selected from among more than 200 soon-to-be-graduates whose GPAs were greater than 3.8. She majored in biomedical engineering and earned an interdisciplinary minor in resistance to genocide.

The daughter of South Asian immigrants, she volunteers for a nonprofit that provides medical care to homeless people and co-founded an organization that distributes medical supplies around the world, the New York Times reported.

Among those who criticized Tabassum, are members of the USC student group Trojans for Israel. The group alleged, in an Instagram post, that Tabassum "propagates antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric" citing a link on her social media page that leads to a website describing Zionism as a "racist settler-colonial ideology."

Tabassum alleges that after USC announced her selection as valedictorian she was subjected "to a campaign of racist hatred" due to her "uncompromising belief in human rights for all."

USC reportedly told Tabassum that due to the level of threats surrounding her speech, the university was unable to ensure security during commencement.

"While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety," the University said in an official statement. "The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period."

CAIR called on the university to reverse what it described as a "cowardly decision" to bar Tabassum from speaking at commencement.

"The university can, should and must ensure a safe environment for graduation rather than taking the unprecedented step of canceling a valedictorian's speech," the organization said in a statement.

"The dishonest and defamatory attacks on Asna are nothing more than thinly-veiled manifestations of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism, which have been weaponized against college students across the country who speak up for human rights - and for Palestinian humanity."
Nearly four years after a Buffalo, New York, boy vanished during a grocery run, authorities said they recovered his remains in the attic of a random home.

Jaylen Griffin, 12, was last seen leaving his house in August 2020. He planned to go to a grocery store, but never made it back home, police said, according to WGRZ-TV.

On Friday, a maintenance worker servicing a home in a Buffalo neighborhood five miles away from where Jaylen disappeared called police to report the discovery of a dead body, police said.

Using dental records, the Erie County Medical Examiner identified the deceased as Jaylen.

Authorities did not disclose how long his body had been in the attic of the "occupied structure."

"I do want to extend my sincerest sympathies to the family of Jaylen," Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia told reporters during a press conference Monday, according to the station. "This department has conducted extensive searches and I want Jaylen's family to know that we are working diligently to bring the next closure for the family."

Jaylen's father said he was unaware his son's remains were found.

"They say they found the body Friday, why wasn't I notified?" Brian Griffin wondered, according to WIVB-TV. At the same time, he admitted, "now that I have confirmation, I do feel a lot better."

No arrests have been made. A cause of death remains under investigation.
Tragedy hit Pennsylvania Tuesday as an armed assailant committed a horrifically violent act on a toddler in front of his parents after already missing a court date.

Takeira Hester, 28, from Brooklyn, NY, allegedly stabbed a 1-year-old in Philadelphia after skipping court for a separate case in New York City.

On April 13, Hester allegedly walked up to the 1-year-old boy sitting in a stroller alongside his twin and slashed the helpless toddler in front of both parents on South 18th Street.

"We had two parents walking a stroller down the street with two twins," Philadelphia Police Capt. Frank Banford told reporters.

"It looked like this female just rushed up to them and nothing was said-completely random. [She] tried to stab both children but got one child...in each arm," he added.

The father of the twins ran after Hester, who managed to get away; however, she left her bag behind, which ultimately helped authorities track her down.

Hester used a "long knife" in both attacks and was apprehended shortly after the attack on North 63rd Street, according to the New York Post.

Her random acts of violence began in Philadelphia earlier that morning, at approximately 8:30 a.m., when she stabbed a 24-year-old woman in the chest and hand in the City Center neighborhood.

The 24-year-old woman and 1-year-old child were hospitalized in stable condition.

Out on bail, she had missed a hearing two days prior for another assault case before making her way to Philadelphia.

She stands accused of stabbing a 31-year-old bystander who tried to stop a fight between her and another woman on a train in lower Manhattan in 2022.

Hester pulled out a knife and stabbed the man in the back of the neck, right wrist, and shoulder.

She immediately fled the station but was later identified at Bellevue Hospital, where she was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and first-degree attempted assault charges.

Hester is also facing charges for aggravated assault, weapon possession, simple assault, and reckless endangerment.
Red Carnation Hotels, the family-owned hotel collection,proudly announces the opening of its latest masterpiece and first property in Scotland, 100 Princes Street. Heralding the start of a new era at its storied Edinburgh address, this boutique hotel is poised to become a beloved destination providing an exclusive, intimate and authentic Scottish experience. Inspired by the adventures of the Scottish explorers who frequented the building as the former headquarters of the Royal Overseas League, 100 Princes Street is an exquisitely curated property that promises a journey into Scotland's rich cultural, historic and nautical legacy. The hotel's enviable location, a stone's throw from Scotland's National Gallery and directly facing Edinburgh Castle, positions it as a unique vantage point for both discerning travellers and culture-seekers.

Evocative of a chic private members' club and a celebration of all things Scottish, 100 Princes Street is led by distinguished Resident Manager Laura Jamieson. It features 30 beautifully appointed ensuite rooms and suites; 'The Wallace', a plush dining room, bar and lounge offering hearty, local fare and an expertly selected list of craft cocktails; and 'Ghillie's Pantry', an elegant private dining room offering over one hundred whiskies and custom tasting menus. A collection of distinctive Scottish experiences, created exclusively for guests of the property, further enhance the "anything, anytime" ethos, for which Red Carnation is renowned.

AUTHENTIC DESIGN: WHERE EVERY DETAIL TELLS A STORY

The soul of 100 Princes Street is captured through its inspired design and meticulous attention to detail, a collaboration from the acclaimed team behind Botswana's Xigera Safari Lodge and Ireland's iconic Ashford Castle, with the superb vision of Toni Tollman at the forefront. Whilst the Tollman family has focused on protecting the architectural heritage of the building and lovingly restoring its original features, a wealth of twenty-first century luxuries have been added for its discerning guests, delivering every creature comfort.

Upon entering the hotel, guests are immediately invited on an artistic voyage, marked by a hand-selected array of artworks including bespoke pieces by the notable decorative arts specialists, Croxford and Saunders.

Among these, a breathtaking, hand-painted mural stands out, celebrating the daring spirit and ingenuity of Scottish explorers. This artistic marvel stretches the length of the majestic five-story staircase and tells the story of the journeys of Scottish botanists, whose discoveries and contributions to the world of plants, trees, and flowers are depicted throughout, with each vignette representing a different location.

The style of the mural harkens back to the late Victorian to late Edwardian periods, reminiscent of vintage posters and postcards, giving the mural the feel of a historic book illustration from that era. Set against the backdrop of high-gloss hand-carved woodwork, the masterpiece culminates at the top of the staircase with an impressive glass and bronze chandelier shaped like an adventurer's hot air balloon.

In the rooms, skilled local artisans were commissioned to create custom-made furnishings, fabrics and artworks that are totally unique to the hotel, including five tartans by revered Scottish designer Araminta Campbell. Handpicked antiques and nautical design elements have been cleverly woven throughout the property and come together to narrate the building's illustrious history.

A PRIVATE RESIDENTS' CLUB WITH UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS

100 Princes Street exudes the feeling of a private residents' club, with its 30 rooms and suites each individually designed with exceptional attention to detail, and each a testament to the hotel's rich heritage and its connections to historical figures. The two exceptional signature suites, named The Archibald and The Isobel after renowned Scottish explorers Archibald Menzies and Isobel Wylie Hutchison, offer guests breathtaking views of Edinburgh Castle, making them the city's most coveted accommodations.

AN EXPLORATION OF SCOTLAND'S FINEST PRODUCE

Looking directly at Edinburgh Castle and helmed by the hotel's talented South African chef, Willhelm Maree, the gastronomic heart of 100 Princes Street is undoubtedly The Wallace. A plush dining room, bar, lounge and tasting room, where guests feast on delicious, hearty fare, prepared using the best and most freshly available local produce. Hotel guests are invited to indulge in rare Scottish whisky tastings, refined afternoon teas and a menu that pays tribute to the richness of Scotland's local produce.

Adjoining The Wallace, Ghillie's Pantry is an elegant private dining room, seating up to 12 guests, where discerning gourmands can enjoy custom tasting menus. Intimate and stylish, the walls of the room are lined with more than one hundred whiskies, including many rare bottles such as the Laphroaig 20-Year-Old Director's Special, and The Glenlivet 25 Years Single Malt. Ghillie's Pantry is crowned by a stunning astrological ceiling mural by Croxford and Saunders.

A DISTINCTIVE COLLECTION OF BESPOKE SCOTTISH EXPERIENCES

Exclusively for its guests, 100 Princes Street presents a collection of experiences designed to showcase the beauty of Edinburgh and the idyllic Scottish countryside. These tailored adventures range from creating a personalised Scottish gin to serene fishing excursions on the River Tweed, ensuring an unforgettable stay for every refined traveller.

Hotel website
Boca Raton, Florida  Cendyn, a global integrated hotel technology and services company, has announced the integration of its popular Digital Marketing Platform (DMP) with Google Search Ads.

The integration enables hoteliers to streamline their advertising efforts, accessing Google Ads full range of functionality  including keyword research, optimization, geo-targeting, audience segmentation, and tracking  alongside consolidated campaign results and data analysis in Cendyn DMPs Report Center, encouraging strategic adjustments based on real-time performance.

Hotel marketers are also able to leverage Google Performance Max for travel goals (PMTG) directly from Cendyns DMP, serving targeted advertisements across all Googles advertising products such as YouTube, Gmail, Search, Maps, Hotel Ads and more  reaching more travelers across different stages of their purchase journey.

Centralization is key to efficiency, and the integration of Google Search Ads into the Cendyn DMP exemplifies our commitment to providing a unified advertising management tool for hoteliers, helping them work smarter, not harder. Michael Bennett, President and CMO of Cendyn

Paid search is crucial in increasing brand visibility, driving qualified website traffic, and generating direct bookings. Whether a hotels core advertising objective is brand protection against competitors or OTAs, or to acquire customers through a more generic campaign focused on facilities, services, or location, hoteliers can improve direct bookings and reduce OTA commissions by including paid search as part of their commercial strategy.

Said Bennett: A data-driven approach is vital for hoteliers proactively managing their advertising and wanting to increase their return on ad spend (ROAS). Our research suggests hotels can boost direct bookings by up to 30% with an all-in-one digital ad management solution. The unification of Google Search Ads into Cendyn DMP boosts efficiency, and empowers hoteliers to elevate their visibility and revenue through simplified and strategic advertising decisions.

Cendyn DMP integrates with over 150 market-leading engines, CRS, and bespoke technologies. With the new Google Search Ads integration, Cendyn reaffirms its commitment to providing innovative solutions which facilitate a hotels success in todays dynamic digital marketing landscape.

About Cendyn

Cendyn is a global hospitality cloud-based technology company that enables hotels to drive revenue, maximize profitability, and create deeper connections with guests through its integrated solutions. Serving hoteliers for nearly 30 years, Cendyn drives commercial success for hotels through its Find, Book, Grow promise: find the right guests; drive them to book direct, and grow loyalty and revenue across the spectrum of digital guest interactions.

Cendyn has over 32,000 customers worldwide in more than 150 countries. The company supports its growing customer base from locations across the globe, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangkok, and India. To find out more, visit cendyn.com.

Nicki Graham

VP, Marketing

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On-the-Go and In-the-Know: Why Mobile Procure-to-Pay is the Key to Gaining a Competitive Advantage in Hospitality

Effective procurement departments have a significant positive impact on hotel performance. To endure persistent industry challenges - such as price volatility, tight profit margins, evolving guest preferences, and labour shortages - hoteliers must fine-tune their procurement operations to ensure greater efficiency, agility, and cost savings.

According to 2022 Amazon Business research, efficiency and cost reduction are the top two areas for improvement in procurement departments, while over half of the surveyed businesses plan to invest in automating manual procurement functions by 2027.

For many hotels, procurement advancements are being made possible through the use of e-procurement: Web-based solutions that facilitate end-to-end purchasing activities. Now that over half of workers globally use smartphones for business-related tasks, P2P software (also known as e-procurement) with mobile support offers even greater flexibility for hotels aiming to transform their processes digitally.

What is mobile P2P and how can it give your hotel a competitive advantage?

Mobile e-procurement describes the use of mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, to streamline and automate procurement cycles. P2P software consolidates procurement processes in a single view, from browsing product catalogues to submitting purchase requests and managing invoices. Most solutions also offer some degree of automation, allowing personnel to focus on more complex tasks. With mobile support, your team can access this functionality from anywhere.

Mobile e-procurement often incorporates features such as barcode scanning, allowing users to quickly capture product information and automatically populate purchase orders. Other features may include electronic signatures for purchase approvals and push notifications for order updates. Solutions designed for hotels may have hospitality-specific features - for example, recipe-based ordering systems that make ingredient and allergen information easier to find.

Benefits of mobile P2P for hoteliers

The effects of COVID-19 on hotel labour shortages are still felt by many, and most likely will be for years to come. According to Deloitte, nearly two out of three hotels believe that it will take until 2030 for staff volumes to return to 2019 levels. Manual processes compound this issue, causing longer procurement cycles and a less productive workforce.

E-procurement software helps eliminate manual workflows by automating routine tasks, such as purchase approvals. Mobile support further improves this efficiency by allowing hotel staff to review purchasing information and complete procurement activities from stock rooms, kitchens, or anywhere that desktops are otherwise inconvenient to access. This can save your hotels procurement team time and resources, leading to cost savings.

Whats more, mobile solutions can help hotels attract and retain procurement professionals in the long term. Over two-thirds of IT leaders agree that failing to adapt to younger workforces technology expectations will increase churn. Forward-thinking hoteliers must invest in mobile e-procurement solutions that appeal to mobile-savvy digital natives. Since these applications are designed to support smaller screens and use more intuitive actions  like voice commands, swiping, and scrolling rather than clicking - they also tend to be user-friendly and promote more optimised and efficient workflows.

E-procurement software improves visibility into your hotels hotel purchasing activities. Solutions can provide a variety of real-time data, including:

Order statuses

Spending metrics

Inventory levels

Bottlenecks

This information is crucial for making smarter, data-driven procurement decisions. However, stakeholders may not always be near their computers to closely monitor this information throughout the day. Even if they are, their attention may be constantly diverted to other tasks.

Mobile e-procurement makes it easier for employees to access crucial data anytime, anywhere. Mobile applications can alert users when time-sensitive decisions may be required - like when an important product is running low on inventory. Mobile support also gives procurement teams convenient access to high-level insights, such as spending patterns, supplier performance, and operational efficiency.

With access to real-time data, mobile procure-to-pay allows your hotel to make smarter, more timely decisions when they matter most. This can have significant financial benefits. For example, imagine that one of your hotels main draws is its restaurant. A mobile e-procurement solution can send notifications in real-time when theres a delay in receiving key ingredients from suppliers. Stakeholders can then quickly identify alternatives and request purchase orders on the go. This provides consistency for guests  who may be expecting the availability of certain menu items  which promotes loyalty and generates revenue.

Your hotel most likely relies on an extensive network of suppliers to maintain smooth operations and deliver reliable, quality services to guests. Hotels that have experienced supply chain setbacks, either due to the pandemic or other market uncertainties, are now recognising the benefits of supplier relationship management to stay resilient.

Supplier relationship management is a business initiative that fosters mutually beneficial partnerships with key suppliers. Its used by three out of four supply chain professionals to reduce risk, lower costs, and improve customer service. Investing in your supplier relationships can also lead to collaborations that allow you to create unique, best-fit products and services to attract customers and differentiate your hotel.

Communication is at the core of any supplier relationship strategy. Checking in regularly with your suppliers is key to nurturing stronger relationships and realising these benefits. Enter mobile e-procurement. This technology makes real-time supplier communications possible, whether you are negotiating contracts, collaborating on new product development, or trying to resolve a material shortage. To this end, mobile e-procurement can help you avoid miscommunications that would otherwise slow down the procurement cycle. Its also invaluable in the face of supply chain disruptions, making it easier to create workarounds collaboratively.

Transform your hotel operations with mobile P2P

Consumers and organisations are in a period of rapid digital transformation, turning to cloud-based services and mobile apps for greater convenience and efficiency. To remain competitive, hotels must adapt to this environment and integrate mobile-friendly solutions across the business  including procurement.

E-procurement software helps hotels make smarter, data-backed purchasing decisions, all while alleviating procurement teams from outdated and time-consuming practices. To optimise these benefits, make sure that your e-procurement solution is supported on mobile devices. This will not only make procurement tasks and communications faster and easier for active hotel staff but also ensure that your hotel is ready for the tech-savvy workforce of the future.

If youre in the market for a procurement platform, consider mobile e-procurement built with hotel requirements in mind. FutureLog offers a procurement solution specifically for hospitality professionals, providing a native mobile app that gives users real-time access to supplier information, contract details, and purchasing analytics wherever the day takes them.

Visit futurelog.com to learn more about how mobile e-procurement can take your hotels purchasing team to the next level.

About the Author:

Johannes Vocke is the Chief Financial Officer at FutureLog, the leading global cloud-based procure-to-pay platform for the hospitality and gastronomy industries. Prior to joining FutureLog, Johannes spent over a decade at prestigious Big 4 firms spanning Germany, the U.S.A. and Switzerland, working primarily on professional audit services and honing his skills in finance. With an M.Sc. in Accounting and Taxation from Mannheim, Germany's #1 Business School, and a B.Sc. in Economics and Law from the University of Munster, Johannes is responsible for leading all strategic financial initiatives across the organisation and is driven by his passion for innovation, analytics, and process optimisation. In his free time, he enjoys travelling, exploring the great outdoors (sometimes on foot, sometimes on his motorbike!), and is an avid festival-goer. Connect with Johannes on LinkedIn.

About FutureLog

FutureLog provides a fully integrated, cloud-based procure-to-pay platform for the hospitality industry. We facilitate an end-to-end procurement process from purchasing, through inventory management and up to invoice processing; all available in one platform to save you time and money. The FutureLog procure-to-pay platform is the foundation for seamless connectivity between Hotel Operations, Corporate Centres and Suppliers.

Suzanne Ward

Vice President Digital Marketing and Communication

+41 41 759 1861

FutureLog


Puneet Chhatwal, MD&CEO, IHCL, with Chander Manghani, Master Resorts and Spa Private Limited

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), Indias largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a Taj-branded resort in Pushkar, Rajasthan.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, Having pioneered tourism in the state, IHCL is committed to Rajasthan for over five decades. The debut in Pushkar marks the opening of a new circuit while leveraging our presence in the region. We are delighted to partner with Master Resorts and Spa Private Limited.

The 110-key resort is situated just minutes away from the sacred Pushkar Lake and the Brahma Temple. Its offerings include an all-day diner, a specialty restaurant and a chic lounge. Guests can indulge in recreational pursuits at the swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym, and rejuvenating spa facilities. Boasting over 7,500 square feet of opulent ballroom space complemented by flexible meeting areas, the resort stands as an ideal venue for both corporate conferences and social gatherings.

Mr. Chander Manghani, Director, Master Resorts and Spa Private Limited said, We are delighted to collaborate with IHCL, Indias leading hospitality company, to introduce the iconic Taj brand to Pushkar. The resort is poised to deliver a world-class hospitality experience to the guests visiting Pushkar.

Situated along the serene banks of Pushkar Lake, Pushkar is renowned for its rich spiritual heritage and revered pilgrimage sites. It's internationally acclaimed for hosting the annual Pushkar camel fair, a vibrant event that draws tourists from across the globe.

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 28 hotels across Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta and Ginger brands in Rajasthan including 8 under development.
Rendering of the Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra Sunshine Coast

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) announced the signing of the second Holiday Inn & Suites in Australasia, partnering for the first time with Felix Capital to open Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra Sunshine Coast in early 2028.

Overlooking the pristine beaches and picturesque coastal town of Caloundra, this new hotel will form part of a mixed-use development in the heart of the Sunshine Coast.

The 160-room hotel will include 33 suites and feature all the Holiday Inn brand hallmarks including an open lobby, all-day dining restaurant and lobby cafe, meeting spaces, a well-equipped fitness centre, outdoor pool and Kids Club. In addition, guests will enjoy magnificent views of Caloundra while enjoying lunch, dinner and drinks at the hotels signature rooftop restaurant and sky bar.

With over 70 years of history, Holiday Inn is one of the most loved and recognised hotel brands in the world and has deep roots in family and business travel, stemming from the vision of its founder, Kemmons Wilson, to provide a quality, consistent and authentic travel experience for all.

Marking IHGs continued growth within the Premium & Essentials segment, the hotel will be the first Holiday Inn & Suites in regional Queensland and will showcase the elevated freshness of the Holiday Inn brand. With a brilliant location on Bulcock Street, Caloundra, the popular leisure and family-friendly destination is 90-minutes drive from Brisbane, and just 35-minutes from Maroochydore Airport. Plus, a light rail with connectivity from Brisbane Airport was recently announced by Queensland State Government, to be completed in advance of the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane.

Cameron Burke, Director of Development, Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts said: Were delighted to be bringing our Holiday Inn & Suites brand to the Sunshine Coast and thrilled to be partnering with Felix Capital on this exciting hotel in Caloundra. As part of the worlds largest hotel brand family, Holiday Inns inimitable hallmarks strongly align to the approachability and leisure-orientated nature of the Sunshine Coast market.

Balancing a desired location and outstanding aspect, with convenient accessibility to a myriad of diverse recreational activities, we expect Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra Sunshine Coast to be a popular destination for leisure and business travellers alike, particularly with families.

Michael Maroun, CEO and Founder, Felix Capital said: Sunshine Coast boasts an abundance of opportunity for the community, and we are proud to be making our mark in Caloundra. Our vision aligns with the Holiday Inn brand as we bring to market the areas first international hotel, offering an accommodation, dining, leisure and business precinct that is modern, affordable and convenient.

Felix Capital is pleased to have partnered with IHG to see this revolutionary project come to life while creating hundreds of new jobs and showing Queensland, Australia and the world the beauty of the Sunshine Coast. We believe this is going to be the crown jewel of the region.

Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra, Sunshine Coast is the latest signing in IHG Hotels & Resorts Essentials portfolio and will be IHGs 10th hotel in Queensland. The new signing strengthens Holiday Inns growth momentum in the region with eight Holiday Inn family-branded hotels opened in the last two years across Australasia, and three now in the pipeline.
Tips for Managing Spring Allergies

It's happeningdelicate snowdrops nodding in the breeze, maple buckets being hung (and re-hung), and the first pussy willows bursting forth from their winter cocoons.

For most people, these earliest signs of spring are welcome reminders that longer, warmer days are ahead. But, for the 81 million American adults and children with seasonal allergies, those same seasonal heralds are more of a red flag than a thing of beauty.

And, thanks to the particularly mild winter experienced in New England, the season of sneezing may be upon us a bit earlier than usual.

While there is no cure for seasonal allergies, you can take steps NOW to reduce your body's reaction to pollen and allergens before they intensify. Most allergy medicationsincluding nasal steroid sprays and antihistaminesare more effective if they are in your system before you are exposed to any triggers. Taking your medication 1-2 weeks before allergy season begins is ideal.

To keep your symptoms at bay, take your medications consistently once grasses, trees, and flowers begin to produce pollen grains, which travel by air into your nose, eyes, mouth, and lungs. Other steps you can take to minimize your reaction include:

Plan your outdoor activities to avoid high pollen counts that occur during midday or afternoons.

Track pollen counts and forecasts and plan accordingly. Visit pollen.aaaai.org or Weather.com for local pollen reports.

Wear a pollen mask or dust mask when pollen counts are high or during outdoor activities such as mowing the lawn.

Keep home and car windows closed during pollen season.

Use central air conditioning or air cleaners with HEPA filtration to capture any pollen that may enter your home through doors, windows, on your clothes, and on pets.

Wear sunglasses and cover your hair when outside.

Rinse eyes with cool water or saline eyedrops to remove clinging pollen after coming indoors. For severe itching, use allergy eyedrops.

Change and wash your clothes as soon as you come in from outside to avoid tracking pollen in your home. If counts are high, you may want to shower as soon as you come in, too. At the very least, shower daily before bed to keep pollen off your sheets and bedding.

Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer or inside, not on an outdoor line.

Common Spring Allergy Symptoms

Sneezing

Itchy, inflamed eyes

Runny or stuffy nose

Headaches

Fatigue

Sore throat

Congestion

Coughing
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Johnny Depp has revealed that he tried to talk the director of his latest film Jeanne Du Barry out of casting him as King Louis XV.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star, 60, returned to the red carpet in London on Monday (15 April) night for the British premiere of his first feature film since the conclusion of his high-profile defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.

In the new historical drama, Depp stars opposite French actress Maiwenn, who plays Jeanne, a working-class woman who uses her intelligence and allure to climb the social hierarchy, eventually landing on the radar of Frances King Louis XV.

The project, which was also co-written and directed by Maiwenn, is Depps first major onscreen appearance since the defamation case.

It received a seven-minute standing ovation when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023.

Speaking on stage at the premiere in London, Depp, who was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, told the audience he was surprised when he was approached for the role.

open image in gallery Maiwenn and Johnny Depp at the British premiere of Jeanne du Barry ( Neil P. Mockford/Getty Images )

Instantly what happens in your brain is that you go back to eastern Kentucky... you realise that you come from the ombelico nombril, the belly button of nowhere and youre playing the king of France, said Depp according to Deadline.

It made no sense to me, I tried to talk her out of it. She wasnt hearing it, and she had great courage to take me into her cast.

In 2022 Depp successfully sued his former partner Heard over a 2018 article she wrote for The Washington Post about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, which his lawyers said falsely accused him of being an abuser.

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It followed a ruling by the High Court in London in 2020 that The Suns characterisation of Depp as a wife beater was substantially true.

On Monday night the Oscar-nominated actor reunited with British director Terry Gilliam, 83, who directed Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, which starred Depp as author Hunter S Thompsons alter-ego Raoul Duke.

In clips shared on social media, Depp jokingly presents Gilliam to the photographers and videographers gathered around as director Tim Burton, whom Depp has worked with on films including 1990s Edward Scissorhands and 2007s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street.

Gilliam, who is known for being a part of the original Monty Python crew, also directed Depp in his 2009 film The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus.

Additional reporting by agencies
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JK Rowlings popular childrens book The Christmas Pig is reportedly getting a film adaptation, despite the authors continued controversial comments about the trans community.

The project is currently in early development and has yet to be attached to a production company, Variety reports.

Rowlings representative declined The Independents request for comment.

Rowlings production company Bronte Film and TV, which saw a 74 per cent drop in profit last year, already produces the BBC/HBO series Cormoran Strike, an adaptation of her detective series of the same name.

Published in 2011, The Christmas Pig follows a young boy named Jack, who embarks on a magical journey to save his lost toy pig, Dur Pig. Along the way, he and Dur Pigs replacement, Christmas Pig, meet a host of characters, including Santa Claus.

The news comes a week after Rowling, 58, who has a history of making anti-transgender remarks, criticised Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watsons rebuttal of her views in 2020.

Following the release of a landmark review into gender treatment in the UK, Rowling took aim at Radcliffe and Watson, telling them to save their apologies to her for traumatised detransitioners.

open image in gallery JK Rowling and the cover of her childrens book The Christmas Pig ( Getty Images )

The row reignited when one X/Twitter commenter, whose account name included the phrase FarRightHooligan, wrote to Rowling: Just waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them.

Rowling, who denies shes transphobic, responded: Not safe, Im afraid. Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding womens hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces.

Addressing Rowlings views in a recent podcast interview, sitcom star Dawn French called the British author a good person who had made her mistakes. French also issued a plea to young people in support of the idea of robust debate that might change your mind, calling it the best thing in the world.

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Last April, it was announced that Warner Bros would be moving forward with a decade-long TV adaptation of Rowlings best-selling Harry Potter book series. The show, which Rowling is executive producing, is said to be eyeing a 2026 premiere date.

Maxs commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and Im looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series, she said in an earlier statement.
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Taylor Swift has officially landed in the UK, and will continue the concluding leg of her globe-trotting Eras Tour with a one-off show in Cardiff before she reaches London, for the first three nights at Wembley Stadium.

Over the past year, the 34-year-old pop star has been performing her career-spanning shows at stadiums around the world, including North America, Tokyo, Melbourne, Sydney and Singapore.

She kicked things off with three nights at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, followed by a further three dates at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool. You can read The Independents review here.

UK-based fans (and those travelling to see Swift from overseas) will next get to see her live on 18 June at Principality Stadium in Cardiff before she plays the first three nights at Wembley Stadium on 21, 22 and 23 June.

Swift is booked to perform a staggering eight shows in total at Wembley, returning for the final five nights of her UK and Europe tour between 15 and 20 August.

In between those, she will have also played in Dublin, Ireland, in Amsterdam, Zurich, Milan, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg and Munich in Germany, Warsaw in Poland, and Vienna, Austria.

Ticketmaster recently announced a major update for fans with tickets to see Swift this summer.

open image in gallery Taylor Swift performs during her Eras tour ( Getty/TAS Rights Management )

See the full remaining UK and Ireland 2024 dates below:

Tue 18 June  Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Fri 21 June  Wembley Stadium, London

Sat 22 June  Wembley Stadium, London

Sun 23 June  Wembley Stadium, London

Fri 28 June  Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Sat 29 June  Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Sun 30 June  Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Thu 15 August  Wembley Stadium, London

Fri 16 August  Wembley Stadium, London

Sat 17 August  Wembley Stadium, London

Mon 19 August  Wembley Stadium, London

Tue 20 August  Wembley Stadium, London

All UK and Ireland dates will be supported by US rock band Paramore.

In a five-star review of the very first show of Swifts Eras tour, critic Kelsey Barnes wrote how the US star guided fans through more than a decades worth of her best work.

Her Eras Tour was designed as a journey through that staggering back catalogue of 10 albums, from her earlier country twang on her self-titled debut to the shift to synth-pop on 1989, then to the subdued folk and alt-rock of Folklore and Evermore, she wrote.

Throughout the opening night of the tour, it frequently feels as though the audience is being caught up with Swifts past, present and future. In the 44-song setlist that spans three hours and 15 minutes, she shows why the era concept is so integral to who she is. Each chapter marks a specific shift in her artistry.

open image in gallery Swift performs The Man during her Eras tour ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Tortured Poets Department, released on 19 April, is the pop titans 11th studio album. It appears to have been inspired, in part, by the five stages of grief. Ahead of the release, Swift shared five new playlists that arrange her songs into those stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

These songs represent making room for more good in your life, she says in a brief audio message that accompanied the final playlist, acceptance. Making that choice. Because a lot of time when we lose things, we gain things too.
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Dawn French has issued a plea to young people after being left frustrated by a conversation about JK Rowling.

The sitcom star, best known for French and Saunders and for playing Geraldine in The Vicar of Dibley, said on a new podcast that she was recently belittled for questioning why one of the Harry Potter authors comments about the trans community was considered unacceptable.

The comedy stars discussion of the subject arrives days after Rowling said Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson can save their apologies for speaking out against her.

French, who knows Jo a bit and appeared in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), told Fearne Cottons Happy Place podcast that Rowling has paid a huge price for sharing her views, but said that a podcast host recently chided her when she asked to be informed why people were so outraged with one of the writers many controversial remarks.

According to French, the unnamed presenter told her: You need to catch up  people cant be constantly teaching you how to be because this is not OK, and you need to catch up.

However, this irked the actor, who argued: Its very powerful to say [I dont know], especially when you dont know. Thats better than pretending you do know. Its certainly better than forming an opinion about something you dont know.

Addressing younger people with whom she might have similar conversations in the future, French continued: And Im just saying, please, especially you younger folk, please inform me and explain this to me so that I can understand it and not make this mistake again. But dont tell me to catch up.

French said that Rowling was a good person who had made her mistakes, and supported the idea of robust debate that might change your mind, calling it the best thing in the world.

But she added that this would be impossible if what weve got to do is hunker back into our positions, defend them by spitting and being furious and then blaming and cancelling.

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Decrying the idea of cancel culture, French said: I genuinely think were being forced into corners where I can smell my own cowardice.

open image in gallery Dawn French said JK Rowling is a good person who has made mistakes ( Getty Images )

I dont like that  Ive never been cowardly, I hope, but Im starting to be that because Im being circumspect about what I will support or not in case it causes trouble.

She said that, as women especially, the last thing we should do is shut up.

Rowling, who first faced a backlash from several key cast members when she shared controversial remarks about the trans community in 2020, has seen her relationship with stars deteriorate amid increasingly toxic debate.
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Taiwanese rescuers have discovered a resilient feline survivor amidst the rubble of a destroyed building, 12 days after a deadly earthquake struck the island.

A Calico cat named Hua Hua, who lived on the eighth floor, got trapped in the wreckage of the Uranus Building in Hualien which tilted precariously during the earthquake on 3 April.

Rescuers were trying to demolish the building but the work was paused to look for the missing cat.

During a live demolition broadcast on Monday evening, viewers spotted Hua Hua amid the rubble. However, capturing the cat proved challenging amidst the chaotic aftermath of the earthquake.

Ultimately, the cat was spotted by the police at Huagang Street in the evening. However, unable to catch it, the owner was called and it was his familiar voice that drew the cat out of hiding.

The owner called out: Hua Hua come home!

The distressed feline obediently entered a trap cage and was taken to a veterinarian for tests.

open image in gallery Photo of Hua Hua being treated by a veterinarian. The cat suffered minor scratches and is slightly dehydrated ( Facebook/LittleCatFlying )

The clinic posted pictures of Hua Hua on the doctors table, with its head covered in a protective cone as health officials examined her condition after 12 days of being trapped under the rubble.

The clinic said the cat is doing fine, apart from being slightly dehydrated. The animal had minor scrapes, but no life-threatening injuries.

Rescuers have been searching for several missing pets in the aftermath of the damage, including four other cats.

open image in gallery A building is seen partially collapsed, two days after a powerful earthquake struck the city, in Hualien City, eastern Taiwan ( AP )

Before the Calico cat, two cats were rescued from the rubble. One named Orange was found on 9 April after it was pinned behind burglar bars, while a second orange cat, whose owner died trying to save it, was rescued on 13 April, according to Taiwan News.

One more cat, Oui Ni, who lived on the fifth floor, is still missing. The black and white cat briefly appeared in the live broadcast but then disappeared, according to the outlet.

The owner has urged residents to keep an eye out for the cat, describing its timid nature in an online post and concerns it may be hiding in dark corners.

The earthquake was the biggest for Taiwan in 25 years. At least nine people were killed and more than 900 were injured.
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Narendra Modis crackdown on civil liberties in India is gnawing away at one of the countrys last independent institutions  the Election Commission.

Once regarded as an aggressively fair umpire of Indias maddeningly complex and multitudinous elections, the agency is now seen by critics as favouring Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The regression has come about because of policy and personnel changes that Modis government has affected over the years.

In a belated bid to ringfence the commissions independence, the Supreme Court, ruling on a public interest petition in March last year, modified the process by which its three commissioners are appointed, including the chief.

Traditionally, they were appointed by Indias president on the prime ministers recommendation. The court established a selection panel comprising the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, and the chief justice of India.

It was a temporary measure until parliament legislated a permanent solution. Parliament did follow up and enacted a law in December 2023.

Participants walk down a road during the Vote-A-Thon, an awareness campaign organised by the Karnatakas Chief Electoral Office to encourage 100 per cent voting turnout for the upcoming 2024 general elections, in Bengaluru on 17 March 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

But the new law only served to undermine the commission further. It swapped out the chief justice for a central minister nominated by the prime minister, effectively giving Modis government a free hand to make appointments.

Earlier when people were appointed, there was a semblance of independence. But this government started appointing people who clearly were aligned or beholden to them, professor Jagdeep S Chhokar, a founding member of the electoral watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms, tells The Independent.

The new selection committee met last month and appointed retired bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as election commissioners, to complete the quorum with chief commissioner Rajiv Kumar, who has been in the job since 2022.

Their appointment was promptly challenged, but the Supreme Court declined to intervene. It also refused to stay the 2023 law under which the new selection panel was formed.

Two days later, on 16 March, the election commission announced the national elections, where Modi is seeking to win a rare third term. The elections will be conducted over seven phases starting from 19 April to 1 June, and the votes will be counted on 4 June.

Modis critics have alleged that Kumar and Sandhu are both aligned with the ruling BJP and will favour it in the impending elections.

According to Frontline magazine, they have both championed the BJP governments policies and initiatives.

Supporters of Narendra Modis BJP wearing masks of his face at an election rally in Meerut on Sunday ( REUTERS )

Kumar was instrumental in the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir after it was stripped of its residual autonomy within the Indian union and bifurcated by the Modi government in 2019, a move widely seen as driven by the BJPs Hindu nationalist ideology. Sandhu was handpicked for Lokpal, a statutory body supposed to serve as a corruption watchdog.

In this context, Chhokar emphasises the need for election commissioners to be answerable to the constitution alone, without any interference from the ruling party.

All elections are a mechanism through which democracy is operationalised. Free and fair election is an absolute necessity for democracy to exist. And for elections to be fair, those responsible for conducting elections should be free of any possible interference or influence by the government of the day, he says.

Giving the ruling party a free hand to choose commissioners threatened free and fair elections, he added.

An artist dressed in a traditional attire performs in front of an election sign board during the Vote-A-Thon, an awareness campaign organized by the Karnatakas Chief Electoral Office to encourage 100 percent voting turnout for the upcoming 2024 general elections, in Bengaluru on 17 March 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

If the prime minister or a senior minister were accused of violating the model code of conduct, the Election Commission would need to officially declare it a violation, he explains.

That would not happen if the commission was stacked in favour of the ruling party.

The example of Ashok Lavasa is instructive.

Lavasa, an election commissioner poised to become the chief commissioner by April 2021, suddenly resigned in August 2020. He had held Modi to be in violation of the model code of conduct during the 2019 general elections, but was outvoted by the other two commissioners.

Lavasa asked for recording dissent notes on the commissions rulings on election violations, but was outvoted again.

Shortly after his resignation, his mobile number appeared on a leaked list of potential targets for Pegasus spyware and his family was targeted by investigative agencies.

The Economic Times reported in 2019 that the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) initiated action against the Lavasa family members on alleged income tax evasions. IT notices were issued to Lavasas wife and son.

All consequences of his dissent, political observers allege.

Opposition lawmakers have also spoken out against the new law for appointing election commissioners when it was introduced in parliament.

Asaduddin Owaisi of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen reiterated that the law would bring into question the impartiality of the commission.

If voters start feeling that it is not an impartial and non-partisan body, the legitimacy of our democracy comes into question, he said, adding that the legislation was being enacted to create an election commission which will work in the shadow of the prime minister, Shri Modi.

The proposed law also drew criticism from outside the political establishment.

In constitutional democracies, election watchdogs belong to a set of bodies known as fourth branch institutions, comprising bodies such as election commissions, information commissions, and so on. Their primary task is to effectively oversee and implement the infrastructure that is needed to make civil rights effective, legal expert Gautam Bhatia writes in Hindustan Times. In order to achieve this goal, these fourth branch institutions must be effectively independent of the executive, as one of their roles is to check executive overreach.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who sat on the panel as the leader of opposition, disagreed with the choice of the new commissioners and submitted a dissent note. He said he hadnt received detailed information on the candidates or a preliminary shortlist before the meeting in March.

I gave a dissent note because I was given 212 names at midnight, but at the meeting, I only saw six names, Chowdhury later told reporters. How could I have knowledge about these people?

It is understood that the government can choose who it wants, but there was no adherence to any procedure even in that.

Modi, in an interview with news agency ANI, claims his government improved the Election Commission, accusing rival Congress of appointing people close to the party as election commissioners.

Earlier, the prime minister used to sign a file and form the Election Commission. And those who were close to their families became election commissioners. We have made improvements in the Election Commission. Today, if the Election Commission is formed, then the opposition is also in it, he says.

India slipped to the 53rd position in the 2020 Democracy Indexs global ranking, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). It said the democratic backsliding by authorities and crackdowns on civil liberties has led to a further decline in the countrys ranking.
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A boat carrying a group of children going to school capsized on Monday in a river in the Indian side of Kashmir, leaving at least four people dead and many missing.

The boat was carrying at least 23 people, mostly children who were heading to their school, over the Jhelum river in the regions main city, Srinagar.

Around 15 people, several children among them, are missing after the accident, a local official told the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Reports later said the number missing people stood at 19.

Rescuers were searching for survivors with at least 3 people still remaining missing on Tuesday, authorities said.

The water levels of the Jhelum river have been high in recent days due to incessant rainfall. The boat was being guided by a rope through its path across the river, however, fast-flowing water led to the rope being snapped, capsizing the vessel.

Our rescue teams are there. We are ascertaining details of the incident, Srinagar district magistrate Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat told AFP.

open image in gallery People mourn at the funeral of their relatives who died after a boat overturned in the Jhelum river ( AFP via Getty Images )

Photos and videos on social media show dozens of locals gathered near the site of the accident helping with rescue efforts. A crowd of hundreds of people gathered to carry the coffins of children.

Eyewitness Firdous Ahmed Lone said he heard people crying for help and he rushed to save them.I pulled out four of them from the river, but they were already dead, Mr Lone told The Associated Press.

open image in gallery People gather along the bank of the Jhelum river as National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel (L) conduct a rescue and search operation after a boat ferrying people capsized in Srinagar ( AFP via Getty Images )

Boating accidents are common in the regions treacherous waters where many commuters opt for the water route to avoid road traffic.

However, vessels are often overcrowded and have inadequate safety equipment. Boating accidents are also common in India.

Last year, 22 people drowned when a double-decker boat carrying more than 30 passengers capsized near a beach in Kerala state in southern India.

In May 2018, 30 people died when their boat capsized on the swollen Godavari River in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

In Indias eastern state of Odisha, at least five people were killed and around 38 injured after a bus carrying around 50 passengers skidded off a flyover on the National Highway 16 near the Jajpur district.

Four men and a woman have died in the accident. The driver lost control of the vehicle. The injured were taken to the Cuttack SCB Medical College, the Hindustan Times quoted Tapan Kumar Naik, inspector in-charge of Dharamshala police station, as saying.

Additional reporting by agencies.
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Alexa PenaVega from the Spy Kids franchise and Carlos PenaVega from Big Time Rush have announced that their daughter was stillborn.

The couple took to Instagram on Monday 15 April to release a joint statement. There are never the right words to say when it comes to loss, the statement began.

After a beautiful and peaceful delivery our daughter Indy was born at rest. It has been a painful journey. But in the pain we have found peace.

This little girl has already changed our lives in so many ways, they continued. She was absolutely beautiful. And looked just like daddy. Dark hair and all. Grief has come to us in waves. Moments of feeling absolutely gutted... then moments of feeling blessed by just getting a moment with her.

We cant understand why things like this happen and we may never get those answers. Indy Rex PenaVega, you completely changed our world. You moved us to a new place. You gave us the community we have been longing for. We love you cant wait to see how many other lives you change.

Prior to the announcement Alexa had posted a pregnancy vlog from the hospital to her Instagram page on 18 March, saying she had been there for five days after she started bleeding.

My history with this pregnancy has not been easy, she said at the time, adding that at one point, she thought her water had broken and that she couldnt get the baby to move, despite her usually being active. The baby eventually started moving on the way to the hospital, she said.

It looks like Ive had basically a separation of my placenta from my uterus, not completely, a partial, she said. Luckily, its come to a place where it can be maintained.

Carlos and Alexa had first announced their fourth pregnancy back in November 2023.

The two of them got married in 2014 and share their three children: sons Ocean, six, and Kingston, four, as well as daughter Rio, two.

Former co-stars of the couple and other celebrities took to the comments section to wish them well moving forward with the sad news.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family, a comment from the Big Time Rush account read. We love you and youre in our hearts always. Rest in peace, sweet angel.

Daniella Monet, a former Nickelodeon actor, also commented. So so sorry Alexa and Carlos, cant begin to imagine what this loss feels like, she wrote. You are held, loved, and protected and you know that. Praying your pain away.

Derek Hough left a comment as well, writing: Your words breathe beauty and strength in a time of grief and loss. I am so sorry for your loss. May your hearts be filled with comfort.
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Cara Delevingne has appeared to fix a spelling mistake in one of her tattoos.

The model and actor, 31, arrived at the Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday (14 April), wearing a strappy, backless gown, which revealed her newly updated tattoo on her arm.

Last year, fans noticed a spelling mistake when Delevingne debuted her ink. The error concerned the Italian word dormiveglia, which is the state of being half-asleep or semi-conscious.

In photos shared by her tattoo artist Matteo Nangeroni, dormiveglia had been written on her arm in a handwriting font, with a definition underneath: the place that stretches between sleeping and walking.

On social media, fans were quick to point out that walking should have been waking.

It now appears that Delevingne has corrected that typo, by adding a thicker line to an existing tattoo above, which has been extended to cover up the mistake in the word walking.

open image in gallery Delevingnes tattoo before and after the correction ( Instagram via @matteonangeroni / Getty Images )

When Delevingne debuted the original tattoo last year, artist Nangeroni defended the design, writing on Instagram: Why walking instead of waking? Maybe because everyone has her/his own vision.

You have so much hate to spread, just relax and enjoy life, Nangeroni wrote.

At the time, the actor was forced to respond to commenters who criticised her for posing topless in the photo uploaded to Instagram by Nangeroni.

She replied to the comments herself, writing: Just to be clear to everyone! I chose to take my bra off, the picture didnt look good with my bra on.

I am a perfectionist especially when it comes to photography and I was trying to help make something beautiful. Everyone calm down please. Thank you x.

open image in gallery Delevingne appears to have added a thicker line to an existing tattoo above to cover up the typo in walking ( Getty Images )

Delevingne attended the Olivier Awards on Sunday as she continues to star as Sally Bowles in the West End revival of Cabaret.

After being cast in the role, the actor spoke about the prejudice she faces as a celebrity performer. Even if I did the best I possibly could, and even if that was really good, people are still going to be like, She doesnt deserve to be here, she told ES Magazine.

You know, I auditioned like anyone else [so] its just annoying, but I have to tune that out.

The British star rose to fame in the 2010s through her modelling career and became known for her unmistakable, signature eyebrows, as she became the face of Burberry, Jimmy Choo and Topshop.

She then moved into an acting career and starred in films such as Suicide Squad and Paper Towns, as well as the comedy-mystery series Only Murders in the Building.
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Amused internet sleuths have mocked Elon Musk for his recent red-carpet behaviour at the 10th annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony.

On Saturday 13 April, Hollywoods elite joined tech industry executives and business moguls to honour achievements in science as well as the notable work led by field experts. Hosted by James Corden, the star-studded affair featured live performances by Adam Levine with David Foster and Charlie Puth.

Kim Kardashian, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Chastain, Alicia Keys, Robert Downey Jr, DaVine Joy Randolph, Glen Close, Olivia Wilde, and of course, Elon Musk were in attendance, gracing the red carpet before heading into the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

While its no surprise the CEO of Tesla stepped out for the gala, viewers were taken aback by the tech tycoons Sim like presence, reminiscent of the popular video game.

A TikTok user used footage from the red carpet to show how Musk, 52, toggled between personalities in the span of a few minutes.

My Sims when Im picking out their personality traits, the caption read.

At first, Musk seems to emulate an evil Sims persona. Hes seen throwing his arms up, making a faux enraged expression. Then, his demeanor changes and Musk is nonchalant, casually smiling at the cameras.

In the TikTokers opinion, Musks next two poses were reminiscent of a snob and goofball in the video game. The founder of SpaceX switches between holding up a fake trophy to exaggerating his laughter.

The online discourse consisted of over 7,000 commenters agreeing that these expressions seemed like the Sims traits he would have.

Im losing my mind, this is so funny, one TikTok user wrote, while another: Why is this so accurate?

A third added: He does it so cartoonishly its hard to imagine thats not what hes going for.

Why is he emoting? one confused individual asked.

However, others spoke out in support of Musk, with one person pointing out: Hes kind of real because how do you pose for pictures on this occasion.

Another fan argued that celebrities usually put on facade for big events. They said: Everyones making fun of him but this is exactly what it feels like when youre masking.

Speaking to reporters on the red carpet, Musk weighed in on the 2024 US Presidential Election. When asked who he thinks will win the White House this year, he chuckled.

Who do you think will win the White House in 2032? Which type of AI will win? Transformers or the future? Musk replied.
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Watch as Rishi Sunaks controversial Rwanda asylum bill returned to House of Lords on Tuesday (16 April) after MPs rejected a series of amendments.

The parliamentary ping-pong over the Governments Rwanda scheme continued as peers once again debated legislation declaring the east African nation safe for refugees.

The Government successfully overturned six House of Lords amendments on Monday as MPs voted to return the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill to its original form two years after the UK first announced its deal with Rwanda.

The legislation seeks to compel judges to regard Rwanda as safe in a bid to clear the way to send asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats on a one-way flight to the country.

The Bill returned to the House of Lords, where the unelected chamber again pressed demands for revisions to the bill despite MPs overturning previous changes.

The Lords insisted on an amendment to restore the jurisdiction of domestic courts in relation to the safety of Rwanda and enable them to intervene.

The legislation will only receive royal assent and become law once both Houses have agreed on its final wording in a process known as parliamentary ping-pong.

Among the amendments overturned by MPs on Monday were proposals to ensure the Bill has due regard for domestic and international law and that Rwanda is only regarded as safe for as long as the provisions of the UKs treaty with that country are in place.
 Close Moment Constance Marten arrested by police

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The judge is summing up the evidence as the trial of aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon over the death of their baby enters its final stages.

The couple is accused of gross negligence manslaughter of the newborn, whom they took off-grid to stop her from being taken into care like their four other children.

The Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft KC, began summing up the evidence to the jury at the Old Bailey on Thursday. Evidence recapped so far includes eyewitness Ken Hudson, who stopped to help the couple when their car caught fire on the M61 near Bolton on 5 January.

Mr Hudson previously told the court he fears baby Victoria would still be alive if he had stayed at the roadside with the parents until police arrived. But the pair fled with baby Victoria after he pulled away, leaving their burning car at the roadside along with most of their possessions.

Police later found 2000 in cash, Martens passport, 34 burner phones and a placenta wrapped in a towel in the burnt-out vehicle.

Marten, 36, and Gordon, 49, both deny the charges of gross negligence manslaughter of Victoria between 4 January and 27 February last year. They also deny charges of perverting the course of justice by concealing the body, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty, and allowing the death of a child.

The trial continues.
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The boss of one of the UKs top high-street banks has called on online giants such as Facebook to pull their weight in combatting Britains growing fraud epidemic.

Robin Bulloch, the CEO of TSB, said social media companies are a growing starting point for fraud as they allow criminals free access to vast numbers of potential victims.

Bank fraud costs Britons more than 1bn a year, according to industry statistics. TSB led the charge five years ago in agreeing to compensate victims of fraud when people had lost money through no fault of their own.

TSB says it is deeply concerned by the high levels of fraud from tech companies and Meta-owned social media sites such as Facebook ( AFP via Getty Images )

The majority of fraud starts online, specifically on social media, and it is high time that tech firms step up to protect people using their sites, wrote Mr Bulloch in an op-ed for The Independent, in which he pushed for tech companies to contribute to the reimbursement of people who are defrauded on their platforms.

Casting fresh light on how criminals are attempting to snare new victims, figures released by TSB show that fraud on social media platforms accounted for 61 per cent of all cases in which their customers had accidentally sent scammers money in the first three months of this year.

Four in five of these cases involved purchase fraud, where criminals falsely list discounted items for sale that never arrive once paid for, according to the bank.

Notably, 71 per cent of these cases stemmed from Facebook, TSB said, warning that it was deeply concerned by the high levels of fraud from tech companies and Meta-owned social media sites.

Robin Bulloch, CEO of TSB, said the bank hopes soon to see details of the impact of the commitments made by Meta and other tech companies in tackling fraud ( Bloomberg via Getty )

In one instance, a woman was scammed out of 4,000 by someone posing as a stonemason while she was searching for a suitable headstone after the death of her son.

In another, a woman transferred funds to a bank account after what she thought was an urgent request from her daughter.

As the first bank to start reimbursing customers who fell victim to fraud before the practice became mandatory across the industry, TSB said it had been seeking to highlight a lack of sufficient protections and controls on social media platforms.

Mr Bulloch wrote: In October, I met with the European head of Meta, which operates Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, and shared evidence of where our customers are the victims of fraudsters on their platforms.

We shared individual case studies, highlighting both the economic and emotional impact of what fraud can mean to innocent consumers tricked by criminals.

It was a good discussion, but I was struck by how these fast-growing young industries have much less regulatory scrutiny and seem far more removed from their customers than I see in retail banking. And the recent focus on fake news and conspiracy theories has raised even more questions about how the tech sector is governed.

TSB was the first bank to start reimbursing customers who fell victim to fraud before the practice became mandatory across the industry ( PA )

TSBs data echoes the findings of industry body UK Finance, which reported recently that 77 per cent of all authorised push-payment (APP) fraud among its members in the first half of 2023 had originated online  through fake websites, social media, and other digital platforms. Push-payment fraud is where a victim is tricked into actively sending money to a fraudsters bank account.

This type of fraud cost victims 239.3m in the first half of last year. Banks and card operators reported a record 116,324 cases of APP fraud over that period.

In one recent instance, Monzo was ordered to refund more than 23,000 in May 2023 to a customer who became snared in a cryptocurrency scam after coming across an advert on Facebook.

The victim had been looking to slow down and work less as he had a difficult manual job which was taking a physical toll on his body, when he spotted an advertisement that appeared to offer the services of an expert in helping people to trade in cryptocurrency, according to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

After completing a contact form, the scammer posed as an account manager who persuaded the victim to transfer funds to them, ostensibly for the purpose of investment. But after transferring a total of more than 34,000 in the space of four months, the victim found himself unable to access his supposed profits or get his money back.

One woman said she had been tricked last September into sending 100 supposedly for courier fees when selling a sofa, while others recounted paying for items as diverse as Xbox consoles and pushchairs that ultimately never arrived.

In his op-ed, Mr Bulloch said TSB hopes soon to see details of the impact of the commitments made by Meta and other tech companies in the voluntary Online Fraud Charter, which was announced by the home secretary last November.

But he warned that, in order to make a meaningful difference, this should set out how the social media platforms will strengthen customer protection from fraud, incentivised by how they will contribute to any financial loss by customers targeted on their platforms.

He added: Whichever industry we belong to, whatever size of business we run and however long it has been around, business leaders must strive to be both innovative and responsible to tackle common threats and, in doing so, truly demonstrate that they are on the side of their customers.

A Meta spokesperson said: With tens of millions of people using our apps daily in the UK, we recognise our important role in tackling the industry-wide issue of fraud.

We are continually investing in protections against fraud on our platforms, and work closely with law enforcement and regulators to tackle this issue. We encourage our community to be vigilant and report scams immediately so we can take action swiftly.
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A suspect linked to the murder of a young Thai woman stabbed to death in a 4m property near Hyde Park is believed to have fled abroad.

Kamonnan Thiamphanit, who was known to friends in the UK as Angela, was found dead at the Airbnb property she was renting in Bayswater in central London last week.

Her friends had contacted the police after becoming concerned for her welfare, while neighbours had reported hearing screaming from the address, just a stones throw away from Marble Arch.

The 27-year-old, who had dual Chinese-Hong Kong and Thai nationality, had been working in the city in property management.

Her killer is believed to have fled abroad ( William Warnes/PA Wire )

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, the senior investigating officer in Ms Thiamphanits murder investigation, told an inquest opening that police believe her attacker was known to her.

DCI Foxwell told Westminster Coroners Court: Angela, which is what she was known as whilst in the UK, had been renting out 6 Stanhope Place as an Airbnb property.

We believe that the person who attacked her was known to her.

At some point on April 6 she was attacked, which caused her death. We have a named individual we are looking for at this moment.

However, asked by senior coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox whether anyone was to be imminently charged with Ms Thiamphanits murder, DCI Foxwell revealed that the suspect had since fled the country.

I think it unlikely anyone will be imminently charged. We are requesting with the CPS whether we have sufficient evidence to extradite someone from outside the UK, so I think it unlikely.

Neighbours reported hearing high-pitched screaming coming from the address ( William Warnes/PA Wire )

Prof Wilcox granted permission for Ms Thiamphanits body to be released to her family.

She added that Ms Thiamphanit - whose identity was confirmed via police fingerprint screening - had died as a result of multiple sharp force injuries.

Investigators launched a murder investigation after Ms Thiamphanit was found dead last week at Grade II-listed 6 Stanhope Place.

Former prime minister Tony Blair owns a property in nearby Connaught Square as well as TV presenter Claudia Winkleman - though its believed Mr Blair no longer lives on the square.

Multiple neighbours living nearby said theyd heard several high-pitched screams on Sunday night, when calls concerning Ms Thiamphanits welfare were made by her friends at both 7.05pm and 9.4pm.

The Met Police has referred itself to the police watchdog, as it was more than 13 hours later that officers visited the house at 8.30am on Monday.
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A nursery deputy manager caused the death of a baby girl who she placed face down, tightly swaddled and strapped to a bean bag for more than an hour and a half, a court has heard.

Kate Roughley, 37, is accused of the manslaughter by ill-treatment of nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan, who she found unresponsive and blue on the afternoon of 9 May 2022 at the Tiny Toes Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport.

Staff and then paramedics attempted to revive Genevieve, known to her family as Gigi, but her condition was irreversible and she was pronounced dead later that day in hospital.

Opening the case on Tuesday at Manchester Crown Court, prosecutor Peter Wright KC told jurors that strapping a child to a bean bag on their front was an obvious recipe for disaster and led to the death of the youngster from a combination of asphyxia and pathophysiological stress.

He said the reason for Genevieves decline was not fully realised at the time but the picture became much clearer when CCTV within the baby room was later viewed.

The defendant, a qualified nursery nurse and early years practitioner with 17 years of experience, was the duty baby room leader and in charge of sleep arrangements on 9 May.

She has denied manslaughter and is currently on trial at Manchester Crown Court ( PA )

Mr Wright said: Genevieve had been put down to sleep in the baby room that afternoon by Kate Roughley. Doing so had involved her swaddling Genevieve so tightly that the child was effectively unable to move.

The child had then been placed not on her back but on her front and thus in reality, and for all purposes, face down.

The risk to a baby as young as Genevieve in wrapping them tightly in this way and not putting them down on their back was, we say, obvious. All the more we say when you discover that she had not placed Genevieve onto a cot or a sleeping mat but onto a bean bag.

As if that wasnt bad enough, we say, Genevieve was also strapped front down onto the bag by means of a harness. The obvious effect of such a method of restraint in such a position was, we say, bound to restrict even further the ability of Genevieve to move or breathe freely.

Finally, a blanket was placed over her that covered her practically from head to foot. The inevitable consequence of this would make any observations of her even less easy to undertake and the risk to a child suffering from overheating ever more likely.

The prosecutor said Genevieve was left virtually immobilised and face down from 1.35pm to 3.12pm.

He went on: Throughout the time of one hour and 37 minutes during which Genevieve had been left unable to move other than minimally, her cries and distress  sometimes accompanied by efforts to move or reposition herself  were simply ignored.

Any level of interest in her wellbeing was during this period, we say, sporadic and, at best, fleeting.

The prosecutor said Roughleys primary concern was her own convenience rather than the needs of Genevieve, the daughter of Katie Wheeler and her partner John Meehan.

CCTV footage timed at 1.44pm, the court heard, showed the defendant checking adjacent cots before she headed for a toilet break and told a colleague: Just ignore anyone if they start.

Five minutes later Genevieve was moving her head side-to-side and raising her legs, the court heard.

Genevieve continued to move and cry in the minutes that followed as the defendant placed her right hand towards the childs head but none of this apparent distress appears to have caused Kate Roughley to respond, said the prosecutor.

Between 2.10pm and 2.12pm crying and coughing can be heard for several seconds as Roughley walked over to Genevieve and pulled up the outer blanket covering the childs head, jurors were told.

The crying and struggling continued until 2.24pm when Genevieves final leg movements can be seen as the defendant was in the kitchen area, said Mr Wright.

The prosecutor said: Approximately 10 minutes later at about 2.35pm and then at 2.41pm Kate Roughley checked other children in the room, but not Genevieve. She remained on the beanbag seemingly unchecked and motionless.

The sad reality is that by this time she had, in all probability, succumbed to the stresses placed on her body and its ability freely to breathe, and had asphyxiated.

Mr Wright said CCTV from the baby room on 5 and 6 May revealed that for some inexplicable reason Kate Roughley appeared to have taken against Genevieve.

Mr Wright said: The lack of affection we say is not merely visible but palpable.

Matters did not improve on 6 May, said the prosecutor, as the defendant can be heard telling Genevieve to stop your whinging and later referred to the youngster as stress head.

Later when faced with a crying Genevieve in a highchair, Roughley is heard to say Genevieve go home, the court heard, and then added: Do you have to be so loud and so constant? Change the record.

The defendants displeasure continued further in the afternoon when she said: Genevieve go home. Please, Im even asking nicely. You are driving me bananas.

Mr Wright said: We say what this behaviour demonstrated  was an unhealthy and troubling indisposition on her part towards Genevieve that was a precursor to what was to take place on 9 May.

Her hostility to Genevieve was, we say, as illogical as it was disturbing.

In a brief summary of the defence case, Sarah Elliott KC told jurors: Genevieves death was a terrible and unavoidable accident and not caused by any acts of Kate Roughley that were unlawful.

You will hear that she was devastated by the events of that day and left heartbroken by what happened.

Roughley had worked at the nursery from the age of 18 when she first visited on work experience as part of a college course, said the barrister.

Ms Elliott said: Apart from her college training, everything she learned about looking after young children and babies she learned from those people who worked there and ran the nursery.

In those 17 years Kate Roughley had never been in trouble. There were no complaints about her work, in fact quite the opposite.

Her case is that on that terrible day she did nothing different to any other day. She looked after the babies in her care as she did every day of her working week.

She will say that her care of Genevieve was no different to any other child.

She managed looking after a large number of children, often single-handedly, as she often did in a practical, no-nonsense and caring way.

Roughley, of Heaton Norris, Stockport, denies manslaughter and an alternative count of child cruelty.

The trial, estimated to last four weeks, continues on Thursday.
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Young people are increasingly turning to charities and food banks for urgent help for the first time, new data has shown.

The number of charities seeing 18-25 year olds asking for food support has doubled in the last year as the cost of living crisis bites. One charity supporting young people aged 14 to 25 in Hull, The Warren, said they had seen a substantial increase in the number of people needing emergency food.

In 2022/23, 16 per cent of charities surveyed said that people using their service for the first time were young people aged 18-25. This jumped to 31 per cent in 2023/4.

Over half of the charities and community groups  52 per cent  also reported increased demand during key holiday periods, with afterschool and breakfast clubs in high demand. Food waste charity FareShare who carried out the research said there had been a big increase in care leavers needing emergency food provisions.

The number of charities receiving requests for food support for the first time from young people in care and care leavers was 159 in 2023, compared to 50 the previous year, the organisation said.

The charity surveyed more than 7000 charities across the UK and received around 1400 responses. As many as 292 charities reported young people accessing food support for the first time in the past year.

The number of charities seeing 18-25 year olds asking for food support has doubled in the last year as the cost of living crisis bites ( PA )

Caroline Gill, food and nutrition lead at The Warren, said: Many young people in Hull live in supported accommodation and are trapped in a poverty cycle, resulting in more requests for food that requires little or no cooking - due to fuel poverty. She said that the charity are rarely have anything left on the days when they give out food parcels.

It is also not just those on benefits or the unemployed who are needing food. Over half of all visitors who are first-time users of charity services  some 54 per cent  are in part time or full-time employment.

George Wright, CEO of FareShare said that young people should be looking ahead to a brighter future, not worrying about what they have to eat.

He added: The government also have a key role to play. The UK lags behind Europe and the US in redistribution of surplus food, where tax and legislative regimes are much more favourable. By levelling the playing field, we can make the UK a leader in tackling food waste.

Helen Barnard, director of policy at the Trussell Trust, said that the food banks that they helped run are a sticking plaster. She added: There is a generation growing up believing that a food bank in every community is normal, but it shouldnt be this way.

Paul Carberry, chief executive at Action for Children, said: No young person in the UK should be worried about where their next meal is coming from.

These figures are all the more alarming for those in or leaving the care system who often have fewer resources, smaller support networks, and no safety net. As children, many will have experienced trauma, upheaval and instability. They shouldnt be relying on handouts just to get by as young adults.

Clare Bracey, from children in care charity Become, said: We know from the young people we work with how much they struggle financially when theyre made to leave care at 18, sometimes younger, without a safety net to fall back on.

In an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, shopping for food is often last on the list for young people trying to pay their rent and manage bills to prevent losing their home, because theyve no one to turn to if that happens.

Food waste charity FareShare delivers surplus food to 8,500 local charities across the UK.
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A headteacher famous for her strict discipline has hailed a landmark High Court ruling which backed the schools right to ban prayer rituals in the playground.

Katharine Birbalsingh, head of Michaela Community School in Brent, north London, said the outcome was a victory for all schools after a judge rejected a Muslims pupil claim that the policy interfered with her rights to religious freedom.

The pupil, who cannot be named, had claimed that the policy is discriminatory and uniquely affects her faith due to its ritualised nature.

But in an 83-page written ruling on Tuesday after a two-day hearing in January, Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupils arguments and backed the school, which had argued its policy was justified after it faced death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site.

Ms Birbalsingh, a former government social mobility tsar who co-founded the non-faith secondary state school with former home secretary Suella Braverman, said: A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves. The courts decision is therefore a victory for all schools.

Katharine Birbalsingh is sometimes dubbed the strictest teacher in the UK ( Riverdog Productions )

Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they have decided they dont like something at the school, she added. You can read her statement in full here.

The case will be seen as upholding the right of non-religious schools to make their own decision about whether to set aside time and space for pupils to pray.

Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, said the ruling in the case, which was estimated to cost the taxpayer at least 500,000, should give all school leaders confidence in making the right decision for their school.

Secular campaigners, meanwhile, said the ruling serves as a reminder that claims of religious freedom do not trump all other considerations.

The head also suggested that the childs mother had helped write the statements, even though the woman allegedly intends to send her second child to Michaela as well.

The Michaela Community School in north London ( Getty Images )

The judge is clear that the childs statements were not written by her alone, said Ms Birbalsingh. Indeed this mum intends to send her second child to Michaela, starting in September. At the same time, this mum has sent a letter to our lawyers suggesting that she may take us to court yet again over another issue at the school she doesnt like, presumably once again at the taxpayers expense.

The pupil who brought the legal challenge said in a statement provided by law firm Simpson Millar: I am obviously very disappointed that the judge did not agree with me, she said. As is set out in the judgement, I do not agree that it would be too hard for the school to accommodate pupils who wished to pray in the lunch break.

Even though I lost, I still feel that I did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban. I tried my best and was true to myself and my religion.

The pupils mother said she was profoundly dismayed by the cases outcome, claiming that the case was rooted in the understanding that prayer isnt just a desirable act for us, its an essential element that shapes our lives as Muslims.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman said she was delighted by the judgment ( AFP via Getty Images )

In our faith, prayer holds undeniable importance, guiding us through each challenge with strength and faith, she said.

In another statement, headteacher Ms Birbalsingh claimed that Muslim pupils last year had been put under pressure to pray, to drop out of the choir, to wear a hijab while teachers faced abuse and intimidation. She said there had been a false narrative peddled that Muslims were the oppressed minority at the school.

In 2014, 30 per cent of our intake was Muslim. It is now 50 per cent. We are oversubscribed. If our families did not like the school, they would not repeatedly choose to send their children to Michaela, she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The pupil argued that the policy  which forbids her from praying for around five minutes at lunch time, on dates when faith rules required it, but not during lessons  was the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society.

The pupils lawyers previously said the prayer ban unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom, adding that it made her feel like somebody saying they dont feel like I properly belong here. The court was told the pupil, referred to only as TTT, is making only a modest request to be allowed to pray at lunchtime.

The student also challenged allegedly unfair decisions to temporarily suspend her from school.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan described Michaela as an oustanding school ( PA )

Mr Justice Linden, who heard the case at the High Court in London in January, said there was a a rational connection between the aim of promoting the team ethos of the school, inclusivity, social cohesion etc and the prayer ritual policy.

He said: The disadvantage to Muslim pupils at the school caused by the prayer ritual policy is in my view outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.

He also upheld the student's challenge to a decision to temporarily exclude her from the school.

Ms Braverman said: Michaela has always been a school which prioritises high achievement. And I know how hard Katharine [Birbalsingh] has worked to make it a success right from the early days when I was involved in helping to set up the school as chairman of governors.

This is a victory for the children and their parents who want them to live happy and fulfilled lives.

Dan Rosenberg, a lawyer at Simpson Millar, which represented the pupil, said the judge had noted the case raised issues of genuine public interest in circumstances where the schools approach has come into conflict with the religious perspective of an important section of society.

If a school wishes to uphold a secular ethos, it should be entitled to do so, said Stephen Evans, chief executive of the National Secular Society. Schools should be environments where everyone feels welcomed and valued, but that doesnt mean students have untrammelled religious freedom.

Where the manifestation of religion is deemed divisive or disruptive, a balance must be struck. Were pleased the schools actions have been vindicated.

The schools lawyers had claimed that the governors and headteacher at the school of some 700 pupils, about half of whom are Muslim, had a margin of latitude, discretion or judgement over its policies.

The court was told that Ms Birbalsingh first introduced the policy in March last year, with it being backed by the governing body in May  allegedly on the basis of misinformation and errors.

In March 2023, up to 30 students began praying in the schools yard, using blazers to kneel on.

Lawyers for the school said students seen praying outside contributed to a concerted campaign on social media over the schools approach to religion.
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Anthony Williams, a former army veteran and victim of the Windrush scandal, has died months after quitting the UK for a fresh start in Jamaica.

Mr Williams, 60, passed away from liver cancer in hospital, although those closest to him didnt know he was unwell, according to his friends.

Born in Jamaica, Mr Williams moved to the UK in 1971, aged 7, and settled in Birmingham. However, in 2013, after serving for over a decade in the British army, he was wrongly stripped of his rights as a British citizen and plunged into destitution by the UK government.

Barred from NHS access because of the home offices hostile environment policy, Mr Williams was forced to use pliers to pull out his own teeth after developing a gum infection.

Loved ones of Mr Williams, a founding member of the Windrush Lives campaign group, have launched a Gofundme campaign to raise money for his funeral and associated costs including administrative and legal matters.

Anthony gave selflessly. He pushed past the trauma of his experience and told his story to help force change for others, including giving detailed evidence to members of Parliament, the fundraising page reads.

That in part led to the home affairs select committees recommendation that the Windrush compensation scheme be removed from the home office and made independent. He gave myriad interviews to raise awareness of the Home Offices failings and supported others in his position with a level of engagement and compassion that would have been beaten out of most who suffered as he had.

His life mattered. Help us honour his legacy and give him the send-off he deserves.

Mr Williams, a former fitness instructor, is survived by his nephew, Gavin, who is preparing to fly out to Jamaica to organise his funeral.

Senior Metropolitan Police officer Bas Javid, brother of former home secretary Sajid Javid, has been appointed director-general of Immigration Enforcement at the Home Office (Yui Mok/PA) ( PA Archive )

Speaking to The Independent, campaigner Patrick Vernon, who knew Mr Williams, reflected on his life.

This is really sad news. Anthony was angry about how he was treated by the home office especially because he had served in the armed forces and thought he would be treated with respect and dignity when he left. But instead, he got caught up in the scandal, he said.

So, it wasnt surprising when he decided to relocate to Jamaica to enjoy the rest of his life.

I personally dont think Anthony got the right amount of compensation, like other Windrush survivors who havent received the money they fully deserve. Thats why we have to campaign for the compensation scheme to be completely revamped and removed from the home office, as well.

We need to do this in his name, and other than the people's names who have died over the last several years.

At least 53 people who were affected by the Windrush scandal have died, according to official data, and anecdotal accounts suggest that a number of these deaths were linked to high blood pressure illnesses and cancer.

Mr Vernon is now calling for an independent inquiry to examine all the deaths connected with the Windrush scandal.

Anthonys death is another signifier of the devastating hostile environment policy, Mr Vernon added.

Obviously his death was linked to cancer - but I believe that the hostile environment policy has reduced life expectancy and increased morbidity for those caught up in the scandal.

Its a public health issue now and I think an independent investigation will demonstrate the relationship between the policy and the people who have died prematurely.

Britain Windrush Day

Mr Williams accepted a payout from the governments Windrush Compensation Scheme (WCS) for victims of the scandal in 2021 after a three-year battle, beset with delays and an appeal.

By the time that resolution came, the damage was done - scarred by years of futile struggle against the establishment, he moved back to Jamaica. He had last lived there at the age of 7; at 58, he was hopeful of a fresh start, Ramya Jaidev, founding member of Windrush Lives, said.

The WCS has repeatedly been branded a failure as campaigners urged ministers to overhaul the payout process five years after it was launched.

Critics of the beleaguered scheme have called for the Home Office to be stripped of responsibility for determining and handling payments to victims and said it should be turned over to an independent body instead.

This follows repeated warnings from campaigners that the government is waiting for Windrush scandal victims to die before paying compensation.

Age UK also said long waits for people applying to the compensation scheme are unacceptable, especially given that for many of the older applicants, time is not on their side.

The government was approached for comment.
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Labour has referred Sadiq Khans Conservative rival in the London mayoral race to the Crown Prosecution Service in a row over an election leaflet.

The party has asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate whether a Susan Hall campaign leaflet claiming Sadiq Khan was planning to introduce road charging in London was properly labelled as political advertising.

Mr Khan has repeatedly ruled out introducing such a system.

Karen Buck MP, chair of Mr Khans campaign, said: Were now seeing tactics being used by the Tories which rival even those used in their disgraced 2016 mayoral campaign.

The Tories are scaremongering people who are already worried about their bills thanks to the catastrophic cost-of-living crisis they created. These tactics are legally questionable and certainly mark another low in this desperate Tory campaign characterised by dirty tactics and lies.

Sadiq has ruled out ever bringing in pay per mile as long as hes mayor  no ifs, no buts.

Alongside a picture on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Ms Hall said: Stop Sadiq Khans pay-per-mile plans. Vote for change.

In a separate post Ms Hall said: Hes (Mr Khan) spent 150m on tech for pay-per-mile already.

Mr Khan has in the past considered, and spoken favourably about, a pay-per-mile system which would replace other charges, such as the Ultra-low Emission Zone (Ulez).

However, he has since abandoned that position and ruled out introducing such a system while he is Mayor of London. Meanwhile, Transport for London (TfL) has said that no such scheme is on the table or being developed.

As of January 2024, approximately 3m had been spent on elements of the Future RUC (road user charging) project and it is now closed, TfL added.

The row came after Mr Khan pledged to wipe out rough sleeping in the capital by 2030 if he is re-elected as London mayor.

In a speech on Monday, the Labour incumbent will promise to end once and for all the indignity, fear and isolation felt by those enduring a life on the street.

The number of people recorded sleeping rough in London has hit a record high, data shows, with homeless charities branding the statistics a disaster.
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For a prime minister in office for just 49 days, Liz Trusss new book is jam-packed with jaw-dropping tales from her time in Downing Street.

The ex-Tory leader, who took over from Boris Johnson in the summer of 2022, has offered a look behind the scenes in her memoir Ten Years to Save the West.

From thinking why me, why now? after learning the Queen had died to suggesting Boris Johnsons dog left fleas in No10, The Independent looks at the key revelations from the bombshell book.

She thought why me, why now? after Queens death

Ms Truss has revealed that she thought why me, why now? when she learnt that the Queen had died  just two days after she had been sworn in as prime minister.

Liz Truss thought why me, why now? after learning the Queen had died ( Getty )

The ex-PM said she went into a state of shock when told of the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

The memoir, serialised in the Daily Mail, details how the machine kicked into action when word reached No10 that the Queen would not be able to join via video link, as had been planned, for the formal swearing in of new ministers.

My black mourning dress was fetched from my house in Greenwich, south London, Ms Truss wrote. Frantic phone calls took place with Buckingham Palace. I started to think about what on earth I was going to say if the unthinkable happened.

On Thursday, we received the solemn news that the Queen had died peacefully at Balmoral. To be told this on only my second full day as Prime Minister felt utterly unreal. In a state of shock, I found myself thinking, Why me, why now?

The Queen told her: Pace yourself... And she didnt listen

Ms Truss also revealed the late Queen told her to pace yourself during their first and final meeting as prime minister.

Of her historic meeting at Balmoral in Scotland, which occurred just two days before the monarchs death, Truss says she and the 96-year-old the Queen spent around 20 minutes discussing politics.

She was completely attuned to everything that was happening, as well as being typically sharp and witty, she wrote.

Towards the end of our discussion, she warned me that being prime minister is incredibly aging. She also gave me two words of advice: Pace yourself. Maybe I should have listened.

The last words the Queen said to her: I'll see you again next week

Ms Truss has revealed the last words the late Queen said to her.

At the end of their Balmoral meeting, the Queen is said to have told the former PM: I'll see you again next week. But she passed away two days later, and did not see Ms Truss again.

Ms Trusss husband predicted premiership would all end in tears

The former PMs book details how her husband predicted her premiership would all end in tears.

She detailed the moment she learnt that her predecessor, Boris Johnson, was forced to resign.

Ms Truss was in Bali at the time as foreign secretary and said: As I walked along the beach in Indonesia I started crying.

Liz Truss said her husband thought her premiership would all end in tears ( Getty Images )

Even Hugh [her husband], who predicted it would all end in tears, accepted that this was the moment I was expected to run and that if I didnt, people would say I had bottled it, Truss wrote.

She tried to cancel Cop26 climate conference

Liz Truss has admitted she tried to scrap the Cop26 climate conference, hosted in Glasgow in 2021.

The former PM was chief secretary to the Treasury at the time and, in her memoir, says she strongly questioned whether the jamboree should be a priority for the government - pointing to the 200m+ price tag.

Ms Trusss predecessor and then boss Boris Johnson said Cop26 was a summit that proved the doubters wrong, hailing it as a success that drew 120 heads of state to Britain and saw the world unite in calling time on coal.

Ms Truss wrote in her book that she was in a minority of one in questioning the conference, which she described as environmental virtue signalling.

She added that, after trying to ditch Cop26, then environment secretary Michael Gove described her as the Grinch who wants to stop Christmas.

Accuses Joe Biden of utter hypocrisy and ignorance

Ms Truss took aim at her US counterpart, claiming Joe Bidens criticism of her tax-cutting mini budget was utter hypocrisy and ignorance.

The ex-PM lashed out at Mr Biden for joining a pile-on against her plans.

She had wanted to scrap the 45p rate of income tax for top earners, and Mr Biden said he disagreed with the policy.

This was utter hypocrisy and ignorance, Ms Truss wrote. She added: The top rate of income tax in the U.S. was 37 per cent and only charged to people earning the equivalent of 483,094 and above. By contrast, the top rate in the UK was 45 per cent and paid by those on more than 150,000.

Downing Street was infested with fleas

Ms Truss suggested Boris Johnsons dog Dilyn left fleas in No 10 in extraordinary extracts from her new book.

She claims to have spent several of her six weeks as prime minister itching because Downing Street was infested with the pests.

Mr Johnson and dog Dilyn, who Liz Truss suggested left fleas in Downing Street ( Getty Images )

The place was infested with fleas, she wrote. Some claimed that this was down to Boris and Carries dog Dilyn, but there was no conclusive evidence. In any case, the entire place had to be sprayed with flea killer. I spent several weeks itching.

And in a sign of the brevity of her term, Ms Truss says she ordered furniture for Downing Street but was forced to resign before it arrived.

Press conference after mini-budget was like officiating at my own funeral

Ms Truss said a press conference in the dying days of her administration felt like officiating at my own funeral.

She described her chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng rejecting calls to stay in the UK while markets were going into meltdown, instead heading off to an IMF conference in Wasington, DC.

After sacking Mr Kwarteng, she described facing the media frenzy alone at a press conference to reverse the corporation tax cut and explain how his replacement Jeremy Hunt would restore confidence in markets.

It was a pretty ghastly experience, which felt a lot like officiating at my own funeral, she wrote.

She wanted to sack the governor of the Bank of England

Ms Truss has also revealed she wanted to sack the governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, during her time as PM.

And her disastrous economic policy  which led to her being ousted from office  could have been even more extreme because she wanted to appoint new senior leaders in the UKs central bank.

She admitted the move would have amounted to a declaration of war on the economic establishment.

In the end, she decided to try to work constructively with the governor of the bank.

Liz Truss was too busy to back Brexit

Liz Truss has said she was too busy to back Brexit during the 2016 referendum campaign.

The ex-PM, who campaigned for Remain in the run-up to the Brexit vote, said she may have backed Vote Leave if she had time for more existential thinking.

Ms Truss said wanting to leave the EU was considered quite a far out, fringe position.

But she added: Had I spend more of my time thinking about it during those years, I might have come to share that view but I had been busy as a minister, knee-deep in floods and other distractions.

She also said she was reluctant to back the Leave campaign because she did not think it could win and out of loyalty to David Cameron and George Osborne who had put me where I was.

She bemoans having to sort out her own hair and makeup

In one extract from the book, Ms Truss complained about having to sort out her own hair and makeup despite being prime minister.

She said: Despite now being one of the most photographed people in the country, I had to organise my own hair and makeup appointments.

And she describes feeling like a prisoner in No 10, even struggling to get medicine for a cough.

On one occasion when I had a cough, my diary secretary had to go out in the middle of the night to buy me some medicine. This clearly wasnt her job, but there was no one else to ask, Ms Truss wrote.

Ms Truss mixed up Emmanuel Macron and Joe Bidens partners

The former PM said she mixed up US first lady Jill Biden and Emmanuel Macrons wife, Brigitte.

Writing about an event at the Ukrainian Institute of America, Ms Truss said: Across the room I saw a blonde lady I recognised. I called out Hi, Dr Biden! to the woman I believed was the US First Lady.

As she got closer, I realised it wasnt her at all, but French President Macrons wife, Brigitte. I hope she didnt hear.

Liz Truss called for National Insurance to be scrapped - in 1997

Liz Truss has revealed that she called for National Insurance (NI) to be scrapped in 1997, a pledge which Rishi Sunak has adopted in recent weeks.

As senior Labour figures including Wes Streeting warn that a vote for Rishi Sunak is a vote for Ms Truss, the ex-PMs book reveal that she called to abolish the tax at Tory conference in front of Margaret Thatcher 27 years ago.

It was a fake tax, claiming to be an insurance against unemployment and sickness. In fact, it was just another way of fleecing the British public, she said.

Mr Sunak said last month it is his long term ambition to scrap the levy, describing it as a form of double taxation.

Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth said Mr Sunak was drawing from the Liz Truss playbook and risked making the same mistakes as the ex-PM, who sent mortgage rates soaring.

Partygate investigator Sue Gray gave Liz Truss a hug

Sue Gray hugged Liz Truss after the ex-PM was demoted from justice secretary to chief Treasury secretary by Theresa May, the memoir reveals.

Ms Truss has described being taken by Ms May into the Margaret Thatcher study and told that she was being demoted to the more junior post outside the cabinet.

The then deputy cabinet secretary Ms Gray was on hand for consolation, however.

Ms Truss wrote: Before I left Downing Street, I had to see the Cabinet Office official responsible for the mechanics of ministerial appointments, Sue Gray.

To my surprise, she took it upon herself to commiserate with me by giving me a hug, before telling me that as a result of my demotion, my salary was being cut.

I didnt welcome her unsolicited embrace  I am not a hugger  but given how delicate I was feeling, she got off lightly.

Ms Gray went on to author the daming Partygate report into Boris Johnsons No10 during lockdown and now works as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmers chief of staff.
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Former prime minister Liz Truss has endorsed Donald Trump to win this years US presidential election.

Ms Truss, Britains shortest-serving prime minister, said the world was safer under Trumps presidency as she criticised incumbent Joe Biden.

The former PM, who was in office for 49 days, suggested it has to be Trump following the US presidential election due to take place in November.

I dont think (President Joe) Biden has been particularly supportive to the United Kingdom. I think hes often on the side of the EU. And I certainly think I would like to see a new president in the White House, she told LBC.

Read the latest updates on Trusss new book here

Ms Truss claimed the former presidents economic policies were actually very effective, adding: He cut regulation, he cut taxes, he liberated the US energy supply. And this is why the US has had significantly higher economic growth than Britain.. In foreign affairs, he was more effective at preventing aggressive regimes expanding and I think wed be in a different position if he got re-elected in 2020.

She doubled-down on these comments, telling the BBC: I do agree that under Donald Trump when he was president of the United States, the world was safer.

I want to work with fellow conservatives to take on what I believe is a real threat of Western society and civilization being undermined by left-wing extreme ideas.

However, Ms Truss added she doesnt agree with absolutely everything he's ever said.

Liz Truss speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February ( Getty Images )

Her comments come as the first of Mr Trump's four criminal trials began in New York.

The failed PM also said she would support Nigel Farage "becoming an MP" if he were to re-join the Conservative party.

Ms Truss was speaking to mark the launch of her new book, Ten Years to Save the West, which was released on Tuesday.

In her memoir, she defended her approach to the disastrous mini-budget which sent the pound into a nose dive and sparked a crash in the markets.

She claimed the pro-Remain Treasury, Bank of England and Office for Budget Responsibility were barriers to our plans.

Ms Truss has previously been criticised for her claims stating she had seen it for herself first-hand as unnamed figures and bodies sabotaged my efforts in Britain to cut taxes, reduce the size of government and restore democratic accountability.

She has struggled to explain what she means by the deep state.

The former PM recently spoke at a pro-Trump conference in the US, delivering an apocalyptic warning that the West is doomed unless right-wing politicians like her are put in power to save it.

The failed PM is now striving to place herself at the forefront of a new brand of right-wing politics, recently launching her so-called Popular Conservatism movement.

The Popular Conservatism group claims it is not a direct challenge to Mr Sunaks leadership, but it wants to pile pressure on the prime minister to cut taxes, adopt hardline policies on immigration and leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
A Muslim student has lost a High Court challenge against her schools ban on prayer rituals. Michaela Community School in Brent was taken to court by the girl over the policy, which she argued interfered with her right to practise her religion and amounted to discrimination against Muslims.

The non-faith state secondary school argued that its team ethos means that the interests of the school community take precedence over the needs of the individual. According to Katharine Birbalsingh, the headteacher, it also involves aggressively promoting integration between pupils from different faiths, cultures and ethnic backgrounds while they are at school, as well as minimising the social distinctions between them.

The school has 700 pupils from a diverse range of backgrounds, about half of whom are Muslim. The pupil who brought the case against the school has her anonymity protected because she is under 18.

What did the court decide?

Mr Justice Linden found that the schools policy of preventing pupils from praying in the playground during their lunch break did not amount to interference with the pupils right to freedom to manifest her religious beliefs, which is protected under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

He said, in his 80-page judgment: The claimant at the very least impliedly accepted, when she enrolled at the school, that she would be subject to restrictions on her ability to manifest her religion.

The school argued, and the judge accepted, that the pupil chose a secular school which she knew to have a strict behavioural regime and she is free to transfer to a school which would permit her to pray if she wishes to do so.

The judge also found against the pupil in her second claim, that the schools policy amounted to indirect discrimination against Muslims. He concluded: The disadvantage to Muslim pupils at the school caused by the [policy] is in my view outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.

Does this mean Britain is now like France?

France has always maintained a strict separation between religion and the state, which means that state schools are not allowed to promote any form of religious observance. Since 2004, religious signs and symbols have been banned in schools, including headscarves, kippahs and crosses.

However, this is very different from the UK, where a significant number of schools have a longstanding religious affiliation, especially with the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church.

The British legal tradition has always been an inconsistent patchwork, with some Church schools  and, more recently, Islamic schools  allowed to select a proportion of their pupils on religious grounds. According to the Fair Admissions Campaign, which wants all schools to be open to all children regardless of religion, about one-fifth of British secondary schools are religiously selective.

Many more schools have a religious character, usually meaning that they hold some form of Christian assembly or merely have a history of religious foundation.

Michaela, however, is explicitly non-religious, and this court ruling has confirmed that it is entitled to defend that stance  essentially on the pragmatic grounds that if pupils or their parents do not like it, they can go elsewhere.

Perhaps what is most striking about this case is that the pupil, who is taking her GCSEs at the school, intends to remain at the school despite losing the case  and her mother plans to send another child there, too.
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There are just hours left to register to vote in the upcoming local, mayoral and police commissioner elections taking place on 2 May.

Potential voters who have not yet registered, or are not sure if they are eligible, have until 11.59pm on Tuesday night to submit their application.

This can be done online on the governments register to vote website.

Nearly 2,700 council seats in England are up for grabs across 107 local authorities, while 37 police and crime commissioners in England and Wales will also be chosen.

Polls are also taking place to elect some of the most high-profile mayors in the country, including in London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.

Around 44 million people are estimated to be eligible to vote in the elections on 2 May, but as many as seven million people are either incorrectly registered or missing from the register entirely, according to the Electoral Commission, which oversees all elections in the UK.

All voters in England and Wales will be able to cast a ballot in at least one election on May 2 ( PA Archive )

Some 43,037 applications were made on Monday, the highest for a single day so far this year and some way above the previous peak of 31,496 on 2 April.

An average of 26,968 applications to vote were made per day in the week to 15 April, up from 25,552 the previous week and 20,220 a fortnight ago.

Craig Westwood, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, said: Today is the last day to register to vote ahead of the elections on 2 May.

Only people who are registered can have their say on issues important to their local area, so dont delay.

Registering to vote is quick and easy  all you need is your name, date of birth, address, and National Insurance number.

Those previously on the register who have recently moved home or whose details have changed will need to register to vote again.

All voters intending to cast a ballot in the elections on 2 May will not only need to be registered but also show a form of photo identification at the polling station.

Not all types of photo ID will be accepted, but a passport, driving licence or blue badge are valid.

Anyone without the correct identification will need to apply for a voter authority certificate by 5pm on 24 April, which can be done online here.

Photo ID rules were brought in as part of the Elections Act 2022, with the government saying they were necessary to combat the risk of in-person voter fraud. The requirements were first enforced at last years local elections in England.

A report by the Electoral Commission suggested at least around 14,000 people  0.25 per cent of voters  did not vote in those elections after being unable to show an accepted form of photo ID at their polling station.

Some 33,677 applications for a voter authority certificate (VAC) have been made so far this year, government figures show.

The average number of VAC applications per day stood at 859 in the week to 15 April, down slightly from 865 the previous week, but up sharply from 507 a fortnight earlier.

Just 8 per cent of VAC applications in the most recent week came from people under 25, while 3 per cent came from those aged 75 and over.

Applications from 55 to 64-year-olds accounted for 29 per cent of the total, followed by 45 to 54-year-olds (22 per cent), 35 to 44-year-olds (17 per cent), 25 to 34-year-olds (12 per cent) and 65 to 74-year-olds (9 per cent).
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Rishi Sunaks plans to stop young people from ever smoking risk making smoking cooler, a Tory MP has warned.

If passed, the tobacco and vapes bill would prevent anyone who turns 15 this year, or younger, from ever being able to legally buy tobacco products in England. It will be debated in parliament for the first time on Tuesday.

But Conservative MP Simon Clarke said he is both sceptical and downright opposed to the plans, claiming they could help create a black market.

He said: There are good ways to tackle a problem like this and then there are bad ways, and I think that an outright ban risks being counterproductive.

I think it actually risks making smoking cooler, it certainly risks creating a black market, and it also risks creating a unmanageable challenge for the authorities.

Sir Simon said education and the tax system should be used as tools to deter people from smoking.

Sir Simon has previously called for Mr Sunak to go before the election (Danny Lawson/PA) ( PA Archive )

Asked about opinion polls which show that two-thirds of people in Britain back a phased smoking ban  a figure which extends to 70 per cent among those who voted Conservative in 2019, Sir Simon said: There are some things, of course, which are not necessarily philosophically or practically right which would command support in the opinion polls.

I think probably if you were to do an opinion poll on bringing back hanging youd find that there was a significant proportion of people who backed it, that wouldnt necessarily mean it was the right thing to do.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson also described the plans last week as nuts.

Smoking kills about 80,000 people a year and costs the NHS and the economy an estimated 17 billion annually.

A new study says England could save billions if everyone quit smoking (File photo, posed by model/PA) ( PA Wire )

It came as Englands chief medical officer Chris Whitty blasted the tobacco industry as being the one gainer from the death and disease induced by their products.

Writing in the Guardian, he said: Their talking points, usually introduced by paid lobbyists, need to be addressed head on. They try to link their products to choice despite the fact their sales are based on addiction (taking choice away).

They always claim illegal cigarette sales will go up with new control measures, despite the evidence that they actually go down (due to reduced demand).

The PM also pledged to crack down on the sale of disposable vapes to children, saying more must be done to restrict their availability to under-18s.

If you are legally an adult, its ageist if you are denied the same rights as adults who may be only a year or two older than you are, said pro-smoking pressure group Forests director, Simon Clark. He referred to a poll that suggested 64% of the public think if you can join the army you should be able to buy cigarettes.

But victims and safeguarding minister Laura Farris admitted she started smoking aged just 12 calling it the biggest regret of her life.

Laura Farris said it took her years and years to quit ( PA )

She told LBC: Smoking is still responsible for one in four of all deaths. It is the number one preventable cause of death in this country. And it costs the NHS 17 billion pounds a year I started smoking when I was 12

I had a friend with an older sibling. And it just, you know, and it took me years and years and years to quit. Its one of my biggest regrets.. Im not particularly interested in arguments about freedom on this one.

Currently, you must be 18 or older to buy and use a vape in the UK. There are no nationwide legal restrictions or laws enforced on vaping in public areas at present, and the use of them indoors is generally permitted unless an establishment has specifically imposed a ban.

The reforms involve steadily increasing the legal smoking age, making it illegal for the next generation to ever buy cigarettes.

Although exact plans are unclear, it is expected that the UK would also ban the sale of cigarettes and tobacco to anyone born after a certain date, raising the legal age for smoking every year. If the UK implemented the rules by 2027, anyone aged 14 and under now will never be able to buy a cigarette.

Mr Sunak told the Conservative Party conference last year that the ban would not take away the right to smoke from current smokers and that a parliament vote on the measure would be a matter of conscience with no party whip implemented.
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Rishi Sunak has urged his cabinet to think of future generations and back his flagship smoking ban as he seeks to avoid humiliation at the hands of his own party.

No 10 said the prime minister believes that building a better future for our children involves tackling the habit, which costs 80,000 lives a year.

But he is braced for more than 50 Tory MPs to defy his call and vote against the plans, which would prevent those under the age of 15 ever buying cigarettes.

The business secretary Kemi Badenoch, the environment secretary Steve Barclay and the Scotland secretary Alister Jack could also abstain when MPs vote on the plans later, according to reports.

Among the high-profile opponents are former prime minister Liz Truss, who has vowed to vote against the Bill, arguing in favour of freedom of choice.

Last week another former prime minister, Boris Johnson, described the plan as nuts.

Ms Truss denounced her successors plan as a virtue-signalling piece of legislation about protecting adults from themselves in the future.

She denounced the plan as emblematic of a technocratic establishment that wants to limit freedom And she warned Tory MPs against backing the ban, saying there were enough finger-wagging, nannying control freaks on the opposition benches and that Conservatives should stand by our principles and our ideals.

She also told MPs she feared the health police would push on other issues if a ban was introduced. People are concerned about this, she told the House of Commons. They want to be able to make their own decisions about what they eat, what they drink and how they enjoy themselves.

Former health secretary Lord Clarke also warned the move risked being difficult to enforce.

You will get to a stage where if you are 42 years of age, you will be able to buy them but someone aged 41 will not be allowed to, he told The Telegraph. Does that mean you will have to produce your birth certificate? It may prove very difficult to enforce. Future generations will have to see whether it works or not.

MPs will have a free vote on the ban, announced by the prime minister with great fanfare at last years Conservative party conference.

The government has decided not to whip the vote, saying it is a matter of conscience.

It is expected to pass as it has been backed by Labour.

MPs are to vote on the proposed smokig ban ( PA )

Asked whether the PM would urge cabinet ministers to support the policy, his spokesman said: He would urge everyone considering the Bill tonight to obviously vote with their conscience, but to consider that the Bill is seeking to ensure that future generations are smoke free.

He also said the PMs message was"If we want to build a better future for our children, we need to tackle the single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability and death, which is smoking.... Obviously, as the PM has said previously, we respect that people's attitudes to smoking are a matter of conscience. That's why the votes on this policy will be free votes."

The chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty said cigarettes were a product "designed to take your choice away" through addiction.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "This is a really serious health problem. And the reason this is doubly problematic is that the majority, the great majority, of smokers wish they had never started, but they become addicted at an early age and then they're trapped and their choice has been taken away by that addiction.

"This is one of the reasons why the argument that 'if you're pro-choice, you're in favour of cigarettes' is so surprising, because this is a product which is designed to take your choice away from you.

A Home Office minister who took up smoking at 12 also said she would back the plan, saying she has never met a single smoker whos glad they did it.

Laura Farris said the smoking bill  which would prevent those under the age of 15 from ever buying cigarettes  was a very, very sensible policy, adding that her own personal smoking habit was one of my biggest regrets and that it took me years and years and years to quit.

Conservative MP and arch-Sunak critic Sir Simon Clarke said that Mr Sunaks plans to stop young people from ever smoking risk making smoking cooler and creating a black market.

Doctors and health charities have urged MPs to vote in favour of the proposals. Professor Steve Turner, president of the Royal College for Paediatrics and Child Health, said the Bill would without a doubt  save lives, while Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: Decisive action is needed to end this ongoing public health tragedy.
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Rishi Sunak will give Rwanda 50m as soon as his flagship deportation bill becomes law, the Home Office has admitted.

With the bill expected to gain royal assent this week, the UK will send Kigali the latest payment of cash despite no migrants having been sent to the east African nation.

The policy is designed to let the government deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda, by deeming the country safe in British law, with the government expecting initial flights to take off in the coming months.

But just a handful of migrants are expected to be sent to Rwanda before the general election, expected this autumn.

Appearing before the House of Commons public accounts committee, Home Office permanent secretary Matthew Rycroft said Britain would hand Rwanda the 50m sum as soon as we have royal assent.

Rishi Sunaks flagship Rwanda scheme will head back to the Lords on Tuesday (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire )

On Monday night MPs voted to overturn amendments made by the Lords to the Rwanda bill, which is at the heart of Mr Sunaks promise to stop the boats crossing the channel.

The amendments overturned included an attempt by peers to ensure the Bill has "due regard" for domestic and international law and that Rwanda is only regarded as safe for as long as the provisions of the UKs treaty with that country are in place.

Other amendments stripped from the bill included a bid to stop Afghan heroes who supported British troops from being deported to Rwanda.

The Independent has documented a number of cases of asylum seekers who supported the UK armed forces efforts in Afghanistan and who have since been threatened with removal to Rwanda after arriving in the UK via small boat.

Sunday was the busiest day of the year for Channel crossings as more than 500 migrants arrived in the UK.

The latest crossings took the provisional total for the year so far to 6,265 - 28 per cent higher than this time last year (4,899) and 7 per cent higher than the 5,828 recorded at this point in 2022.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover (PA) ( PA Wire )

The governments spending watchdog the National Audit Office (NAO) has warned the Rwanda plan will cost taxpayers more than 500m if just 300 migrants are sent to the east African nation.

It would represent a total of 1.92m per person sent to Rwanda and account for just 1 per cent of the UKs asylum seekers.

Mr Rycroft also confirmed to MPs that the government has drawn up a list of possible countries for schemes similar to the Rwanda plan, but only a tiny number were suitable.

A lot have been assessed, and a tiny number that are into the next stage of work, he said.

On Monday night, shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said the Rwanda scheme is "doomed to fail".

He said: "The boats have kept coming, the backlog has kept growing, and the people smugglers are still laughing all the way to the bank. Two years of headline-chasing gimmicks, two years of pursuing a policy that is fundamentally unworkable, unaffordable and unlawful. Two years of flogging this dead horse.

"I am an inveterate optimist, so I truly believe that one day the benches opposite will come to understand that hard graft and common sense are always more effective than the sugar rush of a tabloid front page."

Immigration minister Michael Tomlinson said Britain has a moral duty to stop the boats.

He added: We must bring an end to the dangerous, unnecessary, and illegal methods that are being deployed.

We must protect our borders and, most importantly, save lives at sea. Our partnership with Rwanda is a key part of our strategy.

The message is absolutely clear: if a person comes to the United Kingdom illegally, they will not be able to stay. They will be detained and swiftly returned to their home country or to a safe third countryRwanda.
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Ray Goforth had rarely seen one of Boeings experienced flight simulator instructors lose their cool.

It was around 2013, and the American aerospace giant was preparing to close down the simulator facility at its historic home near Seattle and move those machines more than 2,700 miles across the country to Miami. That meant laying off the small crew of veteran instructors  who, it just so happened, had recently joined the labor union SPEEA.

But one instructor, named Willy, was worried about more than his job. He knew that Boeings own engineers would frequently drive over from their offices nearby to test out the quirks of aircraft they were building. Without such easy access, what future problems might be missed?

"These pilots are super calm under pressure," recalls SPEEAs executive director Ray Goforth, who sat in on the negotiations, in an interview with The Independent.

"But [Willy] lost his temper, which was very surprising, and he yelled at them: I dont know how, I dont know why, but the decisions youre making are going to end with a smoking hole in the ground."

That conversation came back to Goforths mind in 2019, when Boeing was forced to suspend production of its 737 Max airliner after two crashes in which flawed manoeuvring software overrode pilots input and ploughed their planes into the Earth, killing a total of 348 people.

"Willy was right," Goforth remembers thinking. "When you start throwing that experience away, you dont know what youre breaking."

open image in gallery A bouquet of flowers is left at the site of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max crash ( Getty Images )

Today Boeing is mired in the deepest crisis in its history after a string of serious safety failures that have horrified passengers, grounded numerous planes, and cost tens of billions of dollars.

Once considered the jewel of American manufacturing prowess, the company is under close scrutiny by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and has been forced to eject several executives, including its CEO Dave Calhoun.

In January, an Alaska Airlines flight narrowly avoided disaster when a door plug  that is, a metal panel that replaces an optional exit door  suddenly blew out at 16,000 feet. Though no one was killed, a preliminary investigation found that the door plug appeared to be missing four key bolts.

And on Wednesday, the US Senate will hear testimony from a trio of experts who recently audited Boeings safety culture, as well as a whistleblower who claims that it punished him for reporting his concerns.

To be clear, Boeings simulator layoffs didnt cause those fatal 737 Max crashes. Yet critics say that decision was symptomatic of a corporate culture that has badly degraded the quality of Boeings aircraft through a 20-year regime of cost-cutting and cover-ups.

The cult of shareholder value

The story of Boeings long decline begins with an idea: that the purpose of a corporation is to maximize "shareholder value".

Today this idea is orthodoxy throughout the business world. But in 1970, when the neoclassical economist Milton Friedman declared that increasing profits was a companys "one and only social responsibility", it was considered radical.

The idea gained traction, and by the late Nineties, Americas boardrooms were dominated by the cult of shareholder value. Buccaneering executives such as longtime General Electric chief Jack Welch  known as "Neutron Jack" for his habit of firing the worst ten per cent of his managers every year  were lionized for their relentless focus on delivering dividends to investors (though Welch has since disputed that "shareholder value" was ever his main goal).

"The way a well-run company works is that people and technologies come first; customers are made happy by that; and that ultimately shows up in the share price," says Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace consultant who has been sounding alarms about Boeings corporate strategy for many years. "But the way GE was run [under Welch] was: No, no, you dont need any of that. Its just about the share price."

That, according to multiple journalists who have covered Boeings history in depth, is what the company began to embrace after its 1997 merger with a struggling rival aerospace company called McDonnell Douglas.

Driven by the deregulation of the US airline market under presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, which had eroded their formerly cosy position, Boeings executives were keen to absorb the cost-cutting culture of their longtime rival.

And so it was the smaller firm that ended up dominating its buyer, with McDonnell Douglas executives put in charge of the new merged company. "The joke at Boeing was: McDonnell Douglas used Boeings money to buy Boeing," says Aboulafia.

For Stan Sorscher, a veteran Boeing engineer and later labor union SPEEA staffer who dealt often with company managers and employees, the difference was palpable. For decades Boeing had been led by engineers like him, who respected expertise and were focused on quality above all else.

After the merger, he tells The Independent, executives increasingly disregarded the engineers perspectives, demanding that they work backwards from ill-informed corporate mandates delivered from on high by professional managers with little aviation experience.

open image in gallery A handout picture showing the Alaska Airlines Boeing investigation after a door plug blew out at 16,000ft ( NTSB/AFP via Getty Images )

Aboulafia reserves particular scorn for Jim McNerney, Boeings CEO between 2005 and 2015, who reportedly saw technical experience as overrated and frequently troublesome. Under him and his successors, Aboulafia contends that Boeing became "a one-size fits all corporate culture focused on cutting costs and nothing else", so indifferent to quality that it "made McDonnell Douglas seem like Apple."

Meanwhile, Boeing diverted vast sums of cash away from its core business and towards investors. It drastically increased the dividends it paid out for each share, while spending billions of dollars per year on buying back its own stock in order to prop up the price.

According to an analysis by Marie Christine Duggan, an economics professor at Keene College in New Hampshire, the proportion of Boeings free cash flow spent on dividends and buybacks rose from around 23 per cent in 1990 to 66 per cent by 2017. Meanwhile, the proportion spent on new machines and equipment plummeted.

In short, Duggan tells The Independent, Boeings real product had become its share price.

To both Duggan and Aboulafia, this was an audacious piece of corporate siphoning  and not one that could be sustained. If these massive payouts were only made possible by slashing investment in new airplanes, how long would it be until the money ran out?

Indeed, when McNerney stepped down in 2015, Aboulafia warned that Boeing would one day pay a "high price" for his short-termist leadership.

"Ultimately the competitiveness of a jetliner producer depends upon its suppliers and its workforce. Theres nothing else, when you think about it," says Aboulafia now.

"So if you treat both like disposable commodities  if you regard them as something to be broken, [and] squeezed for costs no matter the consequences  then theres going to be trouble down the road."

Outsourcing and alleged union-busting

The first major test of this new management approach was the 787 Dreamliner.

After announcing the aircraft in 2003, Boeings leaders gave engineers a stark challenge: build it for less than 40 per cent of what the Boeing 777 had cost more than a decade beforehand.

To accomplish this, McNerney and his predecessor Harry Stonecipher decided to outsource many of the Dreamliners individual components to other companies, relinquishing some control over design and production in the hope of externalizing the costs of developing and building new aircraft.

That approach might work well for other industries, whose products are less complex and tend to kill fewer people when they fail. For Boeing, it resulted in a plane delivered three years behind schedule and a reported $9bn over-budget, which had to be grounded less than two years after its 2011 debut due to a series of electrical fires caused by malfunctioning batteries.

"It was, I think, without question the worst airplane program in the history of the industry," says Sorscher, who had spent years trying to persuade bosses and financial analysts that Boeings new regime wouldnt work.

To his surprise, however, Boeings bosses were not deterred by these failures. Instead, they doubled down.

In 2011, for example, after Boeings suppliers started enjoying better profit margins than Boeing itself, McNerney demanded that they cut their prices by as much as 15 per cent  an initiative innocuously titled Partnering for Success ("Orwell would have a field day with this s**t," Aboulafia says). Those who refused would be put on a "no-fly list" and barred from further business with Boeing.

The company broke with nearly a century of tradition and said it would assemble its new 787 Dreamliner at a new, non-unionized factory in South Carolina. US labor officials sued the company, alleging that the move was an act of retaliation for past strikes  only to withdraw that accusation in 2011 as part of a settlement.

It was, says Ray Goforth, as if a "poison" was spreading through the company. Experienced test pilots were laid off and replaced by less experienced contractors. Its technical support center, which provides live help to airlines experiencing trouble with Boeing craft, was gutted and re-established in Los Angeles. Even the "field service representatives" embedded at major airports were outsourced, Goforth claims.

Soon, safety problems began to pile up.

In 2014, an Al Jazeera reporter with a hidden camera recorded Dreamliner workers claiming that some of their colleagues were clocking in high on "coke and painkillers and weed". Asked if they would fly on the planes they were building, 10 out of 15 workers said no.

open image in gallery Former Boeing CEO David Calhoun is mobbed by reporters after speaking at the US Senate ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

In 2019, a New York Times investigation found evidence that tools and other random debris  such as loose bolts, metal shavings, pieces of packaging, and even a ladder  were "routinely" left inside of planes, and sometimes inside the engines.

John Barnett, a veteran Boeing quality manager at the Charleston plant, would later testify he had found more than 400 inadequate parts missing from their designated cage, suggesting they had actually been installed into planes illegally and without documentation.

Throughout 2019, 2020, and 2021, the company was repeatedly forced to delay Dreamliner deliveries and spend billions on extra inspections and fixes due to newly-discovered flaws. One airline, Qatar Airways, even refused to accept any Dreamliners not built in Washington state.

Similar problems allegedly plagued the 737 Max program.

Ed Pierson, a former senior manager at Boeing, would later testify to the US House of Representatives that 737 Max workers were overworked and exhausted by excessive overtime, and that he had warned Boeing this could cause safety problems  to no avail.

When Pierson asked his superior to temporarily shut down the plant to address his concerns, the superior allegedly responded: "We cant do that. I cant do that."

Similar issues have since surfaced at Spirit, where the Alaska Airlines plane with the malfunctioning door plug was originally built.

"We have planes all over the world that have issues that nobody has found because of the pressure Spirit has put on employees to get the job done so fast," a local union leader told The Wall Street Journal.

All of this, Goforth argues, also drove away experienced employees and robbed the company of expertise, degrading its ability to notice problems before they became crises.

Shooting the messenger

Some time in the late noughties or early 2010s, Stan Sorscher was attempting to persuade a Boeing executive that the Dreamliner program had serious problems. Managers, Sorscher warned the executive, were not aware of how bad things had become because their employees felt afraid to raise concerns. One worker had voiced doubts about the capabilities of a supplier, only to be rebuffed by their boss.

Immediately the executives assistant jumped up and said: "Whats the name of that supervisor?"

It was, Sorscher alleges, a vivid example of one of Boeings biggest problems: a tendency to "shoot the messenger".

"They could never anticipate anything, and they were always caught flat-footed by some terrible problem that many people in the workplace knew would happen but nobody would say anything about it," Sorscher says. "And that happened over and over and over and over and over again."

In Washington state, most workers were unionized and therefore protected from direct retaliation. Even so, Goforth claims that they often came under "tremendous pressure" not to escalate issues to upper management.

"The phrase thats used with Boeing culture is Thats a career-limiting decision. People understand that if they push too hard on something, theyll find themselves maybe on the layoff list next time theres an economic downturn," he says.

"Boeing has an ethics line, which I never discourage people from using because I dont want someone to turn around and sue the union. But most people who have tried reporting through ethics have had an extremely negative experience, and they never do it again."

In Charleston and elsewhere, the punishments for speaking up were allegedly far harsher. Multiple workers told The New York Times that they were punished for reporting problems, while another told Al Jazeera that he was targeted for insisting on proper documentation.

John Barnett  a 30-year Boeing employee known to friends as Swampy due to his Louisiana roots  was allegedly reprimanded for "using email to express process violations", and said in his whistleblower complaint that he had been repeatedly harassed, humiliated, and demoted for raising concerns (which Boeing denied).

Barnett was found dead inside his truck in a hotel parking lot from a gunshot wound to the head on March 9. He had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against Boeing in the days before his death. Coroners ruled the death a suicide and Boeing said it was saddened to hear of his passing. But Barnetts family told CBS News that they hold Boeing partially responsible for his death, stating that the pressure he was put under after making his whistleblower complaint led to a pronounced decline in his mental state.

An FAA audit would later find dozens of issues in the Max production process.

open image in gallery A worker walks past a Boeing 737-MAX under construction ( REUTERS )

Last week, another whistleblower named Sam Salehpour alleged that Boeing had taken "shortcuts" to speed up its production of Dreamliners and Boeing 777s, leading to potential structural flaws. He too said the company had punished him for saying this internally, excluding him from meetings and moving him into a new division.

Boeing declined to comment on that specific claim, saying only that "retaliation is strictly prohibited" at the company. It denied Salehpours claims about plane production, calling them "inaccurate" and saying it was confident in both models.

To Sorscher and Goforth, it seemed that all the old mechanisms that were meant to catch errors were being disassembled piece by piece. The old Boeing culture regarded every little step of the process as a potential weak link; the new one seemed to regard them as potential redundancies to be streamlined.

"Everyone who works at Boeing puts their own families on these airplanes," says Goforth. "I genuinely believe that nobody at the company said This might kill people, but were going to do it. Its a thousand little decisions  Do we really need to do it this way? Maybe we can shorten this?  that accumulate into danger."

Investigations ultimately traced the two 737 Max crashes to a complex cocktail of questionable decisions, made in pursuit of Boeings bottom line. Executives had been unexpectedly bounced into committing to the Max as they scrambled to retain a major customer, resulting in an unwieldy design with a danger of stalling during certain standard test manoeuvres.

A system called MCAS was meant to compensate for this by automatically pushing the nose downward if it sensed a stall. But a series of unanticipated problems during testing led designers to progressively boost the systems power while making it more vulnerable to accidental activation.

And, because Boeing had already promised airlines that the Max would require no extra training compared to the 737, it didnt tell pilots that MCAS even existed  while allegedly rejecting safety features that could have stopped it from malfunctioning.

Hence, the pilots on board Lion Air Flight 610 had no idea what was happening when a broken sensor caused MCAS to activate 26 times in a row. The pilots on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 had read a Boeing bulletin revealing the systems existence, but had no practical experience trying to countermand it when it sent them into a dive.

We are all complicit

None of this happened in a vacuum. For years, following orders from the Republican-controlled Congress of 2003, the FAA allowed Boeing and other companies to "self-certify" their aircraft.

This was necessary, one former official said, because the agency did not have enough inspectors to actually scrutinize them in detail anyway.

Indeed, the FAA signed off on Boeings training guidelines for the 737 Max, which did not mention MCAS. It allowed Boeing to handle most of the testing to certify the Max, and allegedly never properly reviewed Boeings safety documents.

Meanwhile, many senior politicians supported Boeing in its strategy. Nikki Haley, then the governor of South Carolina, publicly opposed unionization efforts among Boeing workers in her state and was later appointed to its board of directors.

Lindsey Graham, the long-serving South Carolina senator, sharply criticised the Obama administrations lawsuit over the North Charleston plant.

For Marie Duggan, the roots of the problem extend even further. The fact that Boeing was incentivized to shower shareholders with benefits while squeezing quality was no accident, she says; that is just how we have allowed financial markets to work.

She cites in particular the legalization of stock buybacks in 1982 under Ronald Reagan, which she believes should be reversed. The problem, though, is that doing this now could cause millions of peoples pensions to drop in value.

"In the USA we are all complicit in wanting the stock market to go up," she says. "And that is particularly true because the social security system does not provide an adequate income to live on for retirement."

She also floats the idea that the US federal government could take a share of ownership in Boeing, just as the European aviation giant Airbus is partly owned by the governments of France, Germany, and Spain.

The Max crashes, and the Alaska Airlines door plug blowout, have pushed the FAA to crack down. Mandatory groundings and inspections of Boeing models have steadily increased, and in February the agency gave Boeing 90 days to come up with a new quality control plan or have its production capped at "unsustainable" levels.

Ironically, however, it may be Boeings customers who have made the biggest difference. "Airline leaders have been frustrated to say the least, and in many respects aghast, at what is going on," John Strickland, a UK-based aviation industry consultant who visited Boeings production line in 2019, tells The Independent.

He cites figures such as Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates, who said in February that Boeing was in the "last chance saloon", and Michael OLeary, boss of the Irish budget airline Ryanair, who demanded in 2022 that Boeing "get their s**t together".

open image in gallery An exterior shot of the Boeing company headquarters in Arlington ( Getty Images )

Indeed, Aboulafia credits pressure from airlines with forcing Boeings chief executive David Calhoun to announce his departure at the end of this year.

"If Boeing is saved, itll be saved by a revolt of the market," he says. "You look at what has forced this management change  was it investors seeking returns? Bizarrely, it wasnt. Was it the Pentagon and the US government? Hell no. Ultimately it was the customers saying Yeah, no, enough."

The problem is that airlines cannot simply switch away if Boeing fails to deliver. Its only real competitor is Airbus, whose order book is full for years to come, and the incredibly long timescale of plane manufacturing and ordering means any such change wouldnt happen for up to a decade.

In the meantime, full FAA certification of Boeings latest plane  a new version of the 777X  is at least two years late, while hundreds of 737 Maxes churned out during the 2019 groundings are still sitting in a Washington airfield, waiting to be fixed.

In response to questions from The Independent, a spokesperson for Boeing said it had embarked on a comprehensive program of inspections and safety improvements, including stopping its 737 assembly plant for a day to hold an all-hands safety meeting. In 2019 it set up a confidential reporting channel for employees called Speak Up.

The spokesperson declined to make any Boeing executives available for interview, but pointed to a speech last month by chief financial officer Brian West, who said: "For years, we prioritized the movement of the airplane through the factory over getting it done right, and thats got to change."

Ray Goforth is skeptical: "Ive seen nothing that convinces me the leadership of the company has learned a single lesson. Theyre saying lots of nice words now, but I havent seen anything of substance."

He alleges that, among other things, Boeing is resisting the union SPEEAs demands for a new safety reporting process.

A Boeing spokesperson declined to give details about its position in those negotiations, saying only that the company has offered SPEEA "the same agreement" that it signed with another union.

"We believe it will make a difference in ensuring product safety," the spokesperson said. "This tri-party agreement is modelled after the longstanding and proven Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) which is used in the airlines and elsewhere in Boeing."

Ultimately, Strickland argues, it is Boeings own workers that the company needs to convince, just as much as their customers and passengers.

"Ive been on the factory floor, and seen all the signs they have up about quality and pride in production," he says. "But you could understand if some of the workforce are thinking: Why should we believe it?"

A Boeing spokesperson said: Since January 5th, weve been working to ensure that our employees understand that speaking up about concerns, errors, mistakes and changes that could affect the safety of our products is the single best action that every employee at Boeing can take to improve safety and quality. We are also taking action to ensure our managers understand their role in creating Positive Safety Culture and making sure their employees feel safe to report issues and trust that leaders are listening and taking action. Were also making changes that will simplify and streamline the Speak Up process to ensure it is efficient and thorough in identifying and addressing potential product safety issues.
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Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr and his wife have been charged with physically and emotionally abusing their teenage daughter, weeks after denying accusations.

Mr Small, 50, and his wife, LaQuetta Small, 47, were charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said on Monday.

Mr Small, a Democrat, has also been charged with third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree aggravated assault and disorderly persons simple assault.

His wife, superintendent of Atlantic City Public Schools, has been charged with disorderly persons simple assault.

The Smalls allegedly physically and emotionally abused their 16-year-old daughter on multiple occasions between December 2023 and January 2024, according to prosecutors.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr has been charged with physically and emotionally abusing his daughter alongside his wife LaQuetta Small ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The couple were charged two weeks after they denied the accusations at a 1 April press conference, accompanied by their daughter.

At the press conference in the New Jersey resort town, Mayor Small said that he had nothing to hide. He also denied that his wife had struck their daughter while his son filmed the assault, as well as what he said was an egregious rumour that he had beaten his daughter while she was pregnant.

My daughter has never been pregnant, he said at the press conference.

The prosecutors office previously searched Mr Smalls home and seized some electronic devices. On the same day, the principal of Atlantic City high school, who ran the mayors re-election campaign, was charged with failing to report an allegation of child abuse to a state child welfare agency. It is unclear whether the student who reported the abuse was the couples daughter.

On Monday, the prosecutors office outlined several incidents in which the Smalls allegedly abused their daughter.

In one incident, Mr Small struck his daughter several times in the head with a broom, causing her to lose consciousness, according to investigators.

LaQuetta Small, superintendent of Atlantic City public schools, was charged with emotionally and physically abusing her daughter alongside her husband ( Atlantic City Public Schools )

Prosecutors also said that the mayor got into an argument with his daughter and threatened to hurt her by grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground, and smacking the weave out of her head.

Ms Small allegedly punched her daughter multiple times in the chest, leaving bruising. In another incident, she dragged her daughter by her hair and struck her with a belt on the shoulders, leaving marks, investigators said. She also allegedly punched her daughter in the mouth during an argument.

The Independent has contacted the mayors office for comment.

Mr Smalls lawyer, Ed Jacobs, did not comment on the abuse charges but told NBC10: The charges filed by the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office today make no claims of public corruption or misconduct in office or any failure by Mayor Small, to properly discharge his responsibilities as the mayor of Atlantic City.

On the contrary, they focus only on personal, private family matters.
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Jesse Vang, the man who was caring for 3-year-old Elijah Vue before the boy disappeared in February, has pleaded not guilty to charges connected to his disappearance.

Mr Vang, 39, entered the not-guilty plea to a charge of chronic child neglect as party to the crime on Tuesday. Prosecutors have said that Mr Vang is in a relationship with Katrina Baur, Elijah's mother, who allegedly sent her son to stay with him for "disciplinary reasons" and to teach him how to "be a man".

Mr Vang has been accused of forcing Elijah to stand in place for hours at a time and for making him to take cold showers, despite only being 3 years old.

The boy was last seen at around 8am on 20 February on the 3900 block of Michicot Road in Two Rivers, a town on the shore of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, where Mr Vang lives.

Two Rivers Police Department said they received a missing persons call at 10.59am that day from an adult caregiver, who later turned out to be Mr Vang.

Ms Baur, 31, reportedly told police that she had sent her son to Mr Vang so he could teach the boy how to be a man.

Elijah Vue, 3, was last seen in Two Rivers Wisconsin on 20 February 2024 ( Two Rivers Police Department )

On 20 March, messages between Mr Vang and Ms Baur in the days leading up to Elijahs disappearance were detailed in court filings.

I told you to trust me Im a make sure he hates me and being here, Mr Vang told Ms Baur on 18 February.

She responded that she doesn't "want [Elijah] to *hate* YOU. Just fear you.

Mr Vang was arrested a few hours after Elijah was reported missing. He was charged with child neglect and has a criminal history that includes child abuse. He was held on a $20,000 bond.

During his interviews with investigators, Mr Vang gave police a view into the world Elijah inhabited before his disappearance.

Mr Vangs home had only one toy in it, which Elijah was only given around Christmastime. He was not allowed to play with the toy at the time he disappeared, as he was staying with Mr Vang as a punishment, investigators learned.

Investigators were also told by Mr Vang that the boy was forced to take a cold shower after he relieved himself in his diaper.

Jesse Vang, left, and Katrina Baur, right, have been charged with child neglect in connection to the disappearance of Ms Baurs 3-year-old son, Elijah Vue ( Manitowoc County Sheriffs Office )

The day after Elijah disappeared, Ms Baur was arrested and charged with child neglect as party to the crime. Prosecutors said she changed her story twice while she was speaking to investigators, which resulted in her facing an additional two charges of obstruction.

She pleaded not guilty to her charges in late March.

Ms Baur was held on a $15,000 bond, which she filed to have removed by the judge. That request was denied on 7 March after her own mother told the court that she should not be allowed to walk free.

I dont feel its worth the risk to lower her bond, especially as [Elijah] has not been found and many questions remain unanswered, the mothers statement, read in court by District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre, said.
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Four members of a group, calling itself Gods Misfits are sitting in jail in Oklahoma, accused of kidnapping and murdering two friends, according to court filings.

Tifany Machel Adams, 54; Tad Bert Cullum, 43; Cole Earl Twombly, 50; and Cora Twombly, 44 have been charged with murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder, in relation to the disappearance of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39 last month.

The two women were heading to pick up Ms Butlers two children from their grandmother, Ms Adams, when they disappeared. Their car was found abandoned at a rural crossroads near a trail of blood, broken hammer, a pistol magazine and one womans glasses. Two bodies were discovered this weekend, which are believed to be the two women.

Authorities have alleged that the four suspects kidnapped and killed the two women, confirming on 16 April that two bodies found on 14 April were those of the two victims.

Who are the members of Gods Misfits?

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has named the four suspects as members of Gods Misfits, according to court documents seen by The Independent. The group was described as anti-government and religious.

Tifany Machel Adams, 54

Tifany Machel Adams is one of four arrested over Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelleys disappearance ( Texas County Sheriffs Department )

Ms Adams is the paternal grandmother to missing Veronia Butlers children. Her son Wrangler Rickman, 26, is currently in a rehabilitation centre, according to court documents.

She was allegedly involved in an ongoing custody battle over the two children, aged six and eight.

On Tuesday it was reported that Ms Adams was elected chair of her local Republican Party in Cimarron County, which borders Texas County.

State Sen. Nathan Dahm, who is the chairman of the Oklahoma GOP, told KOCO 5 that he was aware of her involvement.

This is a tragic situation, with innocent children being at the centre of this still-developing situation, he told the outlet. While we at the Oklahoma Republican Party have no personal relationship or knowledge of the individuals who have been accused in this senseless crime, we have been made aware that Ms Adams was previously elected by a handful of people to the role of Chair in her county.

We ask everyone to join us in praying for the family and most especially the children devastated by this horrible tragedy.

Mr Dahm has not yet responded to a request for further comment from The Independent.

Tad Bert Cullum, 43

Tad Bert Cullum, 43, is one of four suspects arrested over the alleged kidnapping and murder on Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley ( AP )

The boyfriend of Ms Adams, has lived in and around Texas and Cimarron Counties in Oklahoma for most of his life, according to public records.

Cole Earl Twombly, 50

Cole Earl Twombly celebrated his birthday just days before his arrest ( AP )

Mr Twombly appears to have moved from Colorado to Oklahoma around 2005, according to public records. He and Cora Twombly have been married since June 2015.

He posted on Facebook the day before his arrest, thanking friends for their birthday wishes.

Got to dance in the front yard with the lovely and gracious Cora Twombly, have cake, and share the evening with our new daughter in love! he said.

Cora Twombly, 44

Cora Twombly, 44, allegedly told her daughter all about their involvement in the two womens disappearance ( AP )

Ms Twombly was previously known as Cora White. Her 16-year-old daughter, known in court documents as CW, lives with her and spoke to investigators on 3 April about the group that her parents are allegedly part of.

CW advised that she was told by Cora that Adams, Cullum, Cora, Cole... were involved in the deaths of Butler and Kelley, court documents read.

The court documents also mention three other possible members of Gods Misfits. They are not suspects in the case.

Paul Grice

Barrett Cook

Lacy Cook.

The Independent has determined that Lacey Cook and her husband Barrett Cook live in Keyes, Oklahoma, the same town as Ms Adams and Mr Cullum.

Mr and Ms Twombly live around 40 miles away, in Texhoma, Oklahoma, public records revealed.

It is unclear if Gods Misfits have other members.

What do they believe?

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) said that Ms Twomblys daughter, known as CW in court records, described the group as an anti-government group that has a religious affiliation.

Investigators found that Gods Misfits held regular, weekly meetings at both the Twomblys and Cooks homes.

The day before Ms Butler and Ms Kelley disappeared, CW claimed her parents said they were going on a mission the following day.

Have the suspects appeared in court?

The group appeared for their arraignment hearings on 17 April at the Texas County Courthouse.

All four arrived separately in orange jumpsuits, handcuffs and what appeared to be bullet-proof vests.

Emotions reportedly ran high, with some relatives of the victims being held back from trying to get to the suspects.

They were denied bond and will appear in court again in May.

Does Gods Misfits have members outside Oklahoma?

Social media searches have revealed no online presence of the Oklahoma-based Gods Misfits group.

There is another group called Gods Misfits on Facebook but they sought to distance themselves from the Oklahoma murder case this week, and said they had nothing to do with it.

Someway, people think they are part of us. Nothing could be more wrong, the groups owner, who goes by Squirrel, posted on Facebook. Gods misfits is about spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, not about hate and murder.

In a later video, posted later on Tuesday, Squirrel responded to messages he had received about the murder case and said that he started up his religious groups website in 2015.

He called news of another Gods Misfits group whacked-out and said that people had messaged him, calling his group a cult.

I aint got nothing to do with all of that, he said. I am about scripture and about spreading the love of Jesus. I am not an anti-government murderer.

The God Misfits Facebook group did not respond to The Independents request for information at the time of publication.
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John Wayne Bobbitt, who became a fixation of tabloids in the early 1990s after his wife chopped off part of his penis, has lost all 10 of his toes.

The 57-year-old, who now lives in Sarasota, Florida, believes that drinking unsafe water while stationed at an infamous contaminated Marine Corps base in North Carolina contributed to the long-term issues that eventually caused him to have his toes amputated.

Mr Bobbitt is better-known for a different scandal though.

In 1993, his then-wife Lorena Bobbitt attacked him in his sleep, cut off part of his penis, and threw it out the window of a car, though it was alter re-attached.

Ms Bobbitt was later found not guilty in a high-profile trial. Her attorneys argued she was driven temporarily insane by physical and sexual abuse from Mr Bobbitt. He was acquitted on charges of marital sexual assault in a related trial.

After the trial and the couples 1995 divorce, Mr Bobbitt returned to work as a construction worker.

In 2013, he stepped on a nail at a construction site, leading to a series of infections and eventually a case of toxic peripheral polyneuropathy that caused him to lose all 10 of his toes. He now walks using prosthetics.

In an interview with The Sun, Mr Bobbitt said he believed his time drinking contaminated water while station at the Marine Corps base Camp Lejuene in the 1980s contributed to his later health issues and to his behaviour while married to Lorena Bobbitt.

"I wasnt behaving the way I should have," he said.

"Maybe I would have made better decisions if my cognitive functioning wasnt distorted by the chemicals."

For three decades starting in the 1950s, Camp Lejuenes water supply was contaminated.

A recent CDC study found that those stationed at the base between 1975 and 1985 had at least a 20 per cent higher risk of cancers than those stationed elsewhere, including elevated risk for some types of leukemia and lymphoma and cancers of the lung, breast, throat, esophagus and thyroid.

In August of 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022, which included a provision allowing those exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune to file new claims.

The deadline to file claims about the base under the new law is 10 August this year.
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Authorities in Baltimore say they have recovered the body of another missing person at the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Six construction workers who fell into the icy waters near the port of Baltimore during the incident were presumed dead. The bodies of three men were previously recovered.

On Monday, the Baltimore Unified Command announced that another body had been recovered from the site on Sunday 14 April.

Authorities said that at the request of the family, the victims name would not be released. The body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and was positively identified on Monday, a statement said.

Unified Command salvage teams located what they believed to be one of the missing construction vehicles and promptly notified the Maryland Department of State Police, the statement read.

The Maryland State Police, the FBI, and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police responded and located a deceased victim trapped inside the vehicle.

Six construction workers that fell into the icy waters near to the port of Baltimore during the incident in March were presumed dead ( AP )

Investigators from the Maryland State Police, along with an FBI Victim Specialist and linguist, the Baltimore County Mobile Crisis Team, and the Governors Office of Immigrant Affairs met with and notified family members on Monday.

"As we mourn the lives lost and continue the recovery operation, we recognize each missing individual is someones beloved friend or family member," said Colonel Roland L Butler, Jr, Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police.

"Along with all of our allied law enforcement partners, we pledge to exhaust the physical and technical aspects of their training while deploying every available resource possible."

The men were lost when the Dali cargo ship crashed into the bridge in the early hours of 26 March, causing the 1.6-mile structure to collapse.

Elsewhere on Monday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened a criminal investigation into the Dali, with agents in Baltimore boarding the container ship to conduct court-authorised law enforcement activity.
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Donald Trumps lawyer Alina Habba has rebranded herself as a legal adviser to the former president as he goes on criminal trial for the first time in his hush money case.

Mr Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the so-called hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence over an alleged affair ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

The former president has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has repeatedly denied the affair.

While Ms Habba is not representing Mr Trump in the hush money case, she was on his legal team for the E Jean Carroll civil case.

Mr Trump lost that case and was forced to pay Ms Carroll a massive sum in damages.

But, on the first day of his historic criminal trial in New York, Ms Habba announced that she is serving as his legal adviser and will now be speaking on his behalf since he is subject to a gag order.

Speaking on The Benny Show on 15 April, Ms Habba said: I plan, for the next six weeks, to truly just be spitting the truth and giving people facts they may not be hearing while hes in court.

Ms Habba suggested she isnt representing him because she isnt a criminal attorney, but the great news is, then I can do this and let everybody know whats actually happening.

The attorney slammed the hush money trial  which entered its second day of jury selection on Tuesday  calling it the ultimate sham of a case and claiming it was brought out of desperation.

Ms Habba also claimed that, after years of investigating the case and not bringing any charges, when Mr Trump decided to run for office again... somehow an indictment came running on down.

Her comments parrot what Mr Trumps legal team have argued to the judge  that this case violates the statute of limitations. That motion has already been denied.

Donald Trump, with lawyers Christopher Kise and Alina Habba, attends the closing argument of his civil fraud trial ( AP )

Ms Habba also argued that Judge Juan Merchan should recuse himself because of allegations that he was not impartial towards Mr Trump, before making the comparison that, while she would love to bring a trial against New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, that doesnt mean that I should.

Ms Habba then brought up her concerns with the trial happening in Mr Trumps home state of New York.

Im concerned, I really am. I know what New York juries are really likeWere in a blue state, they did that on purpose, she said. Thats why were in Georgia, thats why were in Washington [DC].

In reality, these trials are occurring in these states because thats where these alleged crimes took place.

Mr Trump and his legal team have argued that he cant get a fair trial in Manhattan due to the political demographic.

Ms Habba added: Ive lost faith in our judicial system.

To date, she has not been particularly successful when it comes to handling Mr Trumps legal cases.

Mr Trump was found liable for sexual assault and defamation of E Jean Carroll in a civil case in New York where he was represented by Ms Habba. He was ordered to pay Ms Carroll $83m in damages.

In a separate case launched against Hillary Clinton and 30 other defendants, a judge imposed nearly $1m in sanctions against Mr Trump and Ms Habba in what the judge called a frivoulous lawsuit.
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Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas did not attend oral arguments on Monday morning, with no explanation for his absence.

Chief Justice John Roberts announced Justice Thomas was not on the bench today meaning he would not attend the oral arguments for the two cases being heard at the court. But Justice Roberts assured that Justice Thomas would still participate fully in the cases via briefs and transcripts.

Justice Thomas, 75, did not virtually attend the arguments either  justices will occasionally do this when they are ill.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases, one having to do with the Fourth Amendment and another related to a federal anti-bribery law.

Typically, when justices are unable to attend oral arguments the court will explain why. When Justice Thomas was admitted to the hospital for an infection in 2022, the court provided updates on his health.

In 2021, the court disclosed Justice Brett Kavanaugh could not attend Justice Amy Coney Barretts investiture because he tested positive for Covid-19. When the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent a surgical procedure in 2020, the court press office released a statement informing the public of it.

The Supreme Courts Public Information Office did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment.

Associate US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas poses for the official photo at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC on October 7, 2022 ( AFP via Getty Images )

There is no law or policy requiring the Supreme Court or justices to disclose health issues, personal matters or injuries related to absences.

However, the court, and justices, have come under scrutiny in recent years for failing to be transparent with the public. Much of the backlash arose from justices not disclosing financial or personal ties to cases or lawyers arguing cases at the court.

Justice Thomas found himself at the centre of the criticism after ProPublica revealed his close friendship with Republican megadonor Harlan Crow. Justice Thomas enjoyed luxurious vacations with Mr Crow but did not make note of them on his yearly financial disclosure report.

In response to the backlash, the Supreme Court issued a nonbinding code of ethics for justices.

Justice Thomas is currently the oldest and longest-serving judge on the Supreme Court. He was appointed by George H W Bush in 1991.
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Donald Trumps campaign has furiously denied that the former president fell asleep in court during the first day of his historic criminal trial in New York, blasting the claims as 100% fake news.

According to court reporters present in the courtroom on Monday, Mr Trump appeared at times to be struggling to keep his eyes open, with some going so far as to claim that he had actually fallen asleep. The observation quickly prompted an onslaught of nicknames and jokes on social media.

But in a statement shared with The Independent following the conclusion of proceedings, the campaign said: This is 100% Fake News coming from journalists who werent even in the court room.

Jury selection got underway on Monday in Mr Trumps trial, and he faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a bid to cover up hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. He allegedly paid Ms Daniels $130,000 in exchange for her silence over a 2006 affair, though he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

It is the first-ever criminal trial of a sitting or former president.

The alleged incident on Monday had spawned a new nickname for the 77-year-old former president online: Sleepy Don ( Angela Weiss - Pool/Getty Images )

Despite the Trump campaigns vehement denial that he had fallen asleep, the reports of his brief nap were pounced upon by social media users and spawned a new nickname for the 77-year-old online: Sleepy Don.

The denial did not stop President Joe Biden and his own campaign from capitalising on the ridicule, given Mr Trumps penchant for referring to his political rival as Sleepy Joe on the campaign trail.

The presidents team retweeted a video of New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman telling CNN about seeing Mr Trump allegedly dozing off during jury selection. His head would fall down. He didnt pay attention to a note his lawyer passed him. His jaw kept falling on his chest and his mouth kept going slack, the team wrote.

The Biden-Harris campaign also posted a meme making fun of Mr Trumps fiery late-night Truth Social posts as he is allegedly snoozing on this historic day, though Mr Biden did not post about the incident from his main account.

Elsewhere, other X users delighted in the rumours, with Mother Jones DC bureau chief David Corn writing:My theory: Trumps legal team sedated him.

Looks, hes old. The judge is keeping Sleepy Don from his nap time, MeidasTouch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski posted.

The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump Super PAC, wrote that Mr Trump had worn himself out with his post-trial Truth Social rants.

#SleepyDon was up late rage-posting on Truth Social, the account posted.

The former presidents apparent courtroom nap eventually began trending on X, with users flocking to the hashtag #DonSnorleone, a reference to the mafia kingpin Don Corleone from the Godfather series. Others chose another pun for Mr Trump: The Nodfather.

Others made jokes about Trump ally Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, with one person tweeting: Where is the My Pillow guy when you need him?

Jury selection will continue on Tuesday morning.
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You can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep, but what about the people who come out to protest at their criminal trial?

Had Donald Trump glanced out of a window on his way to the Manhattan Supreme Court for the opening day of his historic trial, he would have seen that his supporters had dwindled since his arraignment a little over a year ago.

Back then, there was palpable shock and outrage among the gathered protesters that a former president could be arrested and charged with a crime. Although that was no great mass either, that day in March last year seemed to attract not just hardcore followers, but a smattering of relatively middle-of-the-road folks concerned about the implications of such an event.

Today, however, the crowd had thinned to a handful of true believers and true characters  those who dont leave their house without a giant flag, a bullhorn, and an offensive T-shirt they made themselves.

Its not only that the crowds are getting smaller, its that they are getting significantly weirder.

Supporters and protesters rally outside Trump's criminal trial

Of the people willing to step up to a microphone outside the courthouse and defend Mr Trump for allegedly paying off a porn star to hide his alleged affair from prospective voters, two offered something of a wild defence: that they opposed the charges because they too had paid for sex on more than one occasion, and assumed most men had done the same.

It didnt matter to them that Mr Trump is not being accused of paying for sex, but rather accused of having embarked on several extra-marital affairs and falsifying business records over payments made to hide those affairs from the voting public in 2016.

A protester holds a banner against Donald Trump outside the courthouse ( Reuters )

A man holds a protest sign outside of court as former president Donald Trumps trial begins ( Natalie Chinn/The Independent )

One of the supporters offered, unprompted, that he had spent a lot of time in the east Asia in the pursuit of such earthly pleasures.

What do you think I do in Thailand, just sit in a chair? he asked, incredulously. Thats what we do as men, you know?

It wasnt just men who were inexplicably linking Mr Trumps trial to prostitution, either.

It was hard to move outside the court without bumping into people proudly declaring they had stormed the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, and at least one person baselessly blamed child-trafficking Democrats for a politically motivated prosecution  a pet theory of the QAnon movement.

Another supporter, who identified himself as Gary from Staten Island, delivered an animated and updated interpretation of Dwight D Eisenhowers speech on the military-industrial complex to a confused reporter from German television news, expertly connecting the dots between the war in Ukraine, the British establishment and Stormy Daniels.

Former US president Donald Trump appears at a court hearing in New York ( Reuters )

Trump rallies, and his protests, have never been a cross-section of America, but these court spectacles have become a media event, rather than a participation sport. They are attended by people who crave a camera in their faces and know this is the one place it can be assured  even if it is just German television.

For a man who views his crowds as a sign of his strength, the former president might have been worried by his showing today.

No senior Republican politicians turned up to show their support. Laura Loomer, a far-right and anti-Muslim agitator was perhaps the most famous face to show up outside. (Last year, Marjorie Taylor Greene and the as-of-then unindicted George Santos came out in person to defend Mr Trump).

Mr Trump had warned of death and destruction if he was ever charged for the alleged payment to Ms Daniels, which he is accused of handling with campaign funds and falsifying the records to cover his tracks. As his trial begins, however, the case mustered barely a whimper.

Trump at the first day of his trial at Manhattan Criminal Court ( AFP/Getty )

Interest had dwindled on the other side of the Manhattan park, too, where a year ago dozens of anti-Trump protesters gathered to cheer his arrest. Only a handful came this time. Joel Anderson, a cop from Washington state, held a sign that read Trumps lies got cops killed.

Its disheartening and sad for me as a police officer to know Im the outlier whos standing up and saying, were police officers, were supposed to have people like this held accountable, he said.

To make excuses for him just because hes their preferred candidate, its not what being a police officer is about.

Granted, this is New York, a liberal city that holds no love for Mr Trump. And there could be an element of trial fatigue, with Mr Trump currently involved in several criminal proceedings  most of them related to his efforts to steal or overturn the 2020 election. And not everyone can take every Monday off to shout at the judicial system.

But this is also an election year  a close election year  and such elections are won by the ability of candidates to grab voters in the middle. Its unclear how sex tourists and Capitol rioters becoming the unofficial face of Donald Trumps legal defence will help him win those votes.
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People are really vicious, and no place are they more vicious than in their relationships with the opposite sex, Donald Trump wrote in his 1997 book Trump: The Art of the Comeback.

Based on his own personal, professional and private life, the former president may never have said a truer word.

A brief glance at the history of Donald Trump reveals a sometimes tricky (to put it mildly) relationship with women.

He has been married three times  with his current wife Melania rarely seen with him even as he ramps up his latest presidential campaign for this years election.

He has been outed for having multiple alleged affairs  one, notably, with adult film star Stormy Daniels (real name Stephanie Clifford).

He has bragged about being able to grab em by the p****  a phrase he later brushed off as locker room talk.

And, most seriously, he has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, including one case where he was found liable by a jury of sexually assaulting former Elle columnist E Jean Carroll.

So it is perhaps unsurprising and fitting that, as he is now the first current or former US president to go on criminal trial, his relationship with women is central to the case.

E. Jean Carroll recalls facing Trump in court: He was nothing

Mr Trumps first criminal trial, which began on Monday 15 April, sees him charged with 34 counts of falsifying business documents in a scheme to silence women he had alleged affairs with and hide his alleged reputation as a disloyal husband from voters ahead of the 2016 election.

And this trial is just the beginning.

At the heart of many of the former presidents civil and criminal cases, and potentially holding the power to bring Trump down, are women.

Stormy Daniels and the hush money case

Adult film star Stormy Daniels is at the centre of the hush money case, her and the $130,000 (105,000) payment she received in exchange for her signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to stop her from speaking out about her alleged affair with Mr Trump in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election.

At the time of the alleged affair in 2006, Mr Trump was just one year into his marriage to his third and current wife Melania.

The alleged affair did come out, however, in 2018  after he had entered the White House.

Daniels has been subject to relentless abuse from Trumps avid supporters ( Screenshot / TalkTV )

Since then, Mr Trump has fallen into a pattern of denial, though he has changed his tune about the affair and the associated payments over time.

In 2018, the White House denied the affair took place at all, then months later confirmed that an NDA did indeed exist between Ms Daniels and Mr Trumps then-lawyer Michael Cohen. By January 2023, Mr Trump was taking a somewhat different approach on his social media platform Truth Social: With respect to the Stormy nonsense, it is VERY OLD & happened a long time ago, long past the very publicly known & accepted deadline of the Statute of Limitations.

While his comments have varied about the circumstances, one thing has been consistent: his penchant for vitriolic name-calling and derogatory attacks directed towards Ms Daniels.

Mr Trump has repeatedly branded Ms Daniels horseface on social media. He also allegedly told aides that she wasnt his type, The Washington Post reported in 2018.

The disparaging rhetoric has spread among the Republican candidates base. In her new 2024 documentary Stormy, Ms Daniels says his supporters have joined in calling her other misogynistic names, like liar, s*** and gold digger.

After Mr Trump was hit with criminal charges, the remarks turned from derogatory to violent, she says. Some of the most jarring threats included Im going to come to your house and slit your throat and Your daughter should be euthanised.

Looking back, Ms Daniels says in the film that in 2016 she was f***ing terrified and so was actually very relieved at the prospect of keeping the affair quiet. She also felt safer in the fact that there would be a paper trail and money trail linking me to Donald Trump so that he could not have me killed.

In 2018, Ms Daniels brought a defamation lawsuit against Mr Trump, but it was dismissed by a judge who ruled that she must actually pay for Mr Trumps legal fees.

Ahead of the trial over the hush money payments, Mr Trump tried to block Ms Daniels from giving testimony in the case. The judge rejected his efforts and Ms Daniels has revealed her intentions to share her story on the witness stand.

In a subsequent court filing, Mr Trumps attorneys revealed they tried to serve Ms Daniels with a subpoena to testify in the case back in March  but that she refused to take it. The process server had approached Ms Daniels as she arrived at the 3 Dollar Bill nightclub in Brooklyn on the night of the screening of her new documentary Stormy, the filing states. She allegedly walked past the server and failed to take the papers, leaving him to leave them at her feet.

Though Ms Daniels has described her sexual encounter with Mr Trump as consensual, Ms Daniels claims in Stormy that she didnt want to go through with it.

To this day, I blame myself and I have not forgiven myself because I didnt shut his a** down in that moment, so maybe make him pause before he tried it with someone else, she said. The hardest part about all of this is I feel like I am partially responsible for every woman that could have come after me.

Ms Daniels isnt the first or the last woman to come forward with claims of unwanted sexual advances from the former president  some more serious than others.

Daniels testifies about the encounter in Trumps hotel penthouse, showing how she found Trump in his bedroom lying on his bed ( AP )

Finally, her time on the stand arrived. On May 7, Ms Daniels testified in Mr Trumps hush-money trial in Manhattan, revealing intricate details about her now-infamous encounter with Mr Trump.

She told the court that she met the former president in July 2006 while he was playing in a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe.

Mr Trump invited Ms Daniels to dinner  which never actually happened, she testified. Instead, the then-27-year-old adult film star said she went to meet 60-year-old Mr Trump at his penthouse suite.

She testified that she arrived at his hotel room to be greeted by Mr Trump in Hugh Hefner-like silk pajamas. They spoke for around two hours, she said, during which time she recalled that she swatted him right on the butt with a rolled-up magazine and he told her that she reminded him of his daughter.

At one point, she left the bathroom to find Mr Trump in his boxers and T-shirt on the bed. Following, the sexual encounter, she said she felt ashamed.

Jurors also heard about the $130,000 payment paid to her by Michael Cohen for her silence  the payment now at the heart of Mr Trumps criminal case.

Under cross-examination, a defense attorney asked Ms Daniels whether she hated Mr Trump. She said yes.

When asked if she wants him to go to jail, she carefully replied: I want him to be held accountable If hes found guilty, absolutely.

That Access Hollywood tape

In 2005, a year before their alleged affair and the same year he married Melania, Mr Trump was caught bragging about how he fondles women without their consent in the now infamous Access Hollywood tape.

The notorious conversation occurred as Mr Trump and Billy Bush, then-host of Access Hollywood, were about to meet actor Arianne Zucker.

Its unclear who he was talking about, but Mr Trump admitted: I did try and f*** her. She was married.

He then added: Then all of a sudden I see her, shes now got the big, phony t**s and everything. Shes totally changed her look.

Then, after spotting Ms Zucker, Mr Trump said: I better use some Tic Tacs just in case I start kissing her. You know Im automatically attracted to beautiful  I just start kissing them. Its like a magnet. Just kiss. I dont even wait.

And when youre a star they let you do it. You can do anything, he continued. Grab em by the p****. You can do anything.

The infamous tape of Donald Trumps misogynistic rant is from a 2004 episode of Access Hollywood ( (Access  YouTube) )

When the clip resurfaced in 2016 just ahead of the presidential election, the Republican nominee dismissed his comments as simply locker room banter and a private conversation.

One month later, he was elected president of the United States.

Beyond the former presidents boastful comments caught on tape, the book All the Presidents Women: Donald Trump and the Making of a Predator also documented 26 alleged incidents of unwanted sexual contact with Mr Trump over the years.

Among the names on this long list was former Elle columnist E Jean Carroll.

Sexual abuse of E Jean Carroll

In June 2019, E Jean Carroll wrote an article accusing the former president of raping her in the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan in the 1990s.

Mr Trump instantly denied the allegations, fuming that she was totally lying. His denial also turned to one of his familiar insults for women, saying that Ms Carroll is not my type.

Ms Carroll sued him for defamation in November of that year. In November 2022, she sued him again.

Mr Trump repeatedly claimed he had never met her and therefore never sexually assaulted her. A photo revealed the former to be false and a jury also determined the latter to be false.

E Jean Carroll won her case against the former president ( AP )

In May 2023, the former president was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation and was ordered to pay Ms Carroll more than $83m in damages. He continues to fight the allegations and has since posted bond to appeal the verdicts.

Every time the former president posted online about Ms Carroll or her allegations, she said she faced a wave of slime. And he has continued to brand Ms Carroll a liar even after she successfully sued him for defamation.

I just posted a $91m bond on a fake story. Totally made up story, Mr Trump said this March. Based on false accusations made about me by a woman that I knew nothing about, didnt know, never heard of it. I know nothing about her.

The attacks didnt stop at Ms Carroll either  they also extended to her lawyer Roberta Kaplan.

In February, Ms Kaplan said that Mr Trump used a well-known coded expression to call her a c*** during a deposition. She said she wasnt familiar with the phrase.

Had I known, I for sure would have gotten angry, Ms Kaplan said. I looked like I was being above it all, which I wasnt. I just did not know.

Fani Willis and Letitia James: The women hitting him with the law

Beyond the women who personally encountered Mr Trump, the former president also has a penchant for attacking the women who  through their roles as some of the top prosecutors in the country  have sought to pursue him with the long arm of the law.

Fani Willis, the Fulton County District Attorney who is pursuing a sprawling Rico case against the former president and more than a dozen of his allies, has repeatedly been the subject of disparaging names and hate-filled Truth Social rants.

Fani Willis has accused Trump and his team of playing the race card due to the scrutiny shes received ( Alyssa Pointer/Pool Photo via AP )

Mr Trump has also repeatedly claimed the Black woman is racist  while throwing what appears to be racist claims her way.

Theres a young racist in Atlanta ... They say she was after a certain gang and she ended up having an affair with the head of the gang or a gang member, Mr Trump said during a speech in New Hampshire in August, referring to Nathan Wade, her former romantic partner and the former prosecutor on the case.

Mr Trump and his co-defendants have even tried to get her removed from the case altogether.

After a long drawn-out series of hearings on the matter, Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee decided Ms Willis and her office could stay on the case, as long as Mr Wade resigned. So he did.

Mr Trump and his co-defendants have since appealed Judge McAfees ruling.

For Ms Willis, the attacks levelled against her have a double edge. In an address at a church service on Martin Luther King holiday weekend, Ms Willis said Mr Trump and his legal team were playing the race card because both Ms Willis and Mr Wade are Black  pointing out that the other private attorneys hired by her office, who are white, have not faced similar scrutiny.

In response, Mr Trumps team accused Ms Willis of injecting racial animus to divert and distract from the alleged misconduct.

Trump has called Letitia James a nutjob ( AP )

Mr Trump has levelled similar attacks at New York Attorney General Letitia James, the Black female prosecutor who brought a colossal civil fraud case against Mr Trump.

The former president has called her racist, a raging maniac and leftist nutjob. He has also referred to her as Peekaboo, prompting some to in turn call Mr Trump racist, since the term rhymes with the j-word, an old-fashioned slur for African-Americans.

But can these women take down Trump?

Its a pattern of allegations by women, followed by personal, aggressive attacks by Mr Trump in return.

But what happens after that? Can these women really take down Trump?

The verdict in the E Jean Carroll trial was damning: a jury found that a man who once was the president of the United States was a sexual abuser.

But it did not take place in criminal court.

At the end of the day, all Mr Trump faced in that case was a fine.

Being held liable for sexual abuse and defamation does not preclude him from running for president. And, based on the ease with which he trounced his Republican rivals in the partys primaries, it has done little if anything to hamper support from his base.

The court of public opinion has spoken: he was named the 2024 presumptive Republican nominee.

While Ms Carrolls lawsuit victory may have been the tipping point in the longstanding case of women vs Donald Trump, it showed that one ruling is not enough to topple him.

Despite his legal issues, Trump still won the GOP presidential candidacy easily ( EPA )

The jury is still out on whether all of these cases  and the women involved in them  together can do just that.

In Letitia James civil fraud trial against Mr Trump, after much anticipation, he  his two adult sons and several of his businesses  were found liable for fraud and now face a whopping $464m fine in the case. Still, Mr Trump somehow managed to skirt paying that mammoth sum with an appeals court significantly reducing the amount he owed to $175m and giving him a 10-day extension to pay the bond.

Now, all eyes turn to Stormy Daniels and Mr Trumps first criminal trial.

Ms Daniels may finally have the chance to tell her story in a courtroom without the noise of Mr Trumps vitriolic rhetoric.

And if convicted, Mr Trump could be sent to prison for his alleged crimes  something no presidential pardon could save him from.

That said, there are no laws barring Mr Trump from running for or serving as president from behind bars.

So, while these women are trying to take on Trump, the impact of his treatment of and reputation with women might truly play out on election day.
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At the beginning of April, Joe Bidens campaign manager made a bold proclamation: the state of Florida was winnable for the president in 2024.

Julie Chavez Rodriguezs claim raised eyebrows for a few reasons: for one, the former president and Bidens opponent, Donald Trump, is now a permanent resident of the Sunshine State. Then theres the voter deficit  between 2020 and 2022, the number of voters registered as Democrats in Florida dropped by 331,810. Over that same period, the number of Republican voter registrations in the state increased slightly. Currently, Republicans hold an advantage among active registered voters to the tune of 892,034 registrations.

The resulting electoral drubbings were predictable. After the state chose Trump over Hillary Clinton by just over 100,000 votes in 2016, voters backed him by a margin of more than 300,000 four years later. The same trend bolstered Ron DeSantis, the states governor who had squeaked into office in 2018 by just over 30,000 votes: he won re-election in 2022 by a staggering margin of 1.5 million.

To put it simply: Democrats in the state of Florida, over the past four years, have dug their way into an incredible hole  and they havent found their way out.

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, won re-election by 20 points in 2022 after a narrow victory four years prior ( AP )

Enter 2024. The political landscape has shifted once again. Trump now faces 88 felony charges. DeSantis has slinked back to the state after an embarrassing rout in the presidential primary. And Floridas Democratic Party finds itself under the new leadership of Nikki Fried, who has launched a Take Back Florida campaign  a bold effort to reverse Floridas unmistakably reddening politics and keep it within the realm of battleground swing states.

Formerly the states commissioner of agriculture, 46-year-old Fried became chair of the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) in 2023. A year prior, she had run unsuccessfully against Charlie Crist, a former governor, in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. Crist went on to be smoked by DeSantis that November, losing by 20 percentage points.

The task in front of the new chair is immense. The state remains a laboratory for Trumpian conservative policy, as DeSantis pursues an agenda against longstanding corporate neighbours like Disney and welcomes new restrictions on liberal content in school libraries that advocates have described derisively as book bans. For years, the state has also been a destination for conservative-leaning retirees, a steady stream of new GOP voters.

Under Frieds leadership, the FDP is not giving up quietly. Just last year, Democrats were able to win an upset in the Jacksonville mayoral race, flipping a Republican seat. But they have a long, long way to go.

There are signs, though, of clear opportunities for Democrats to take the fight to their political rivals. The most obvious example is the states two abortion bans  one currently in place, which bans the practice at 15 weeks, and another six-week ban, which is set to take effect soon. The states Supreme Court handed both sides a victory this month when it ruled that both the states abortion bans could remain in place, while simultaneously allowing a ballot measure aimed at rolling them back to go ahead. If activists have their way, voters will see reproductive freedom directly on the ballot this year.

The political strength of the issue is obvious. A rejection of Glenn Youngkins proposed 15-week ban in Virginia was credited with Democrats sweeping legislative elections in the state last year. And last week, Donald Trump signalled a clear retreat on the topic when he backed away from proposals for a national abortion ban and indicated that a near-total ban in Arizona had gone too far . Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake, running for Arizonas open seat, joined him in doing so  even despite her past endorsement of the law.

Kari Lake, GOP US Senate candidate in Arizona, with her supporters after speaking during a rally she hosted at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport on 12 June 2023 ( Getty Images )

In states across the country, similar ballot measures have ended in victories for the left. The question is now: Can the rest of Frieds party capitalize off of this? Does it really make Florida winnable for Biden?

Fried sure seems to think so. This is a new day for Florida Democrats, she tells The Independent. We feel that we are in the right position.

They wont get a chance at knocking off the governor this year, but congressional seats are up for grabs  as is the US Senate seat held by Rick Scott, who is running for a second term. Scott, having failed to oust Mitch McConnell as leader of the Senate Republican Party, is facing a much closer race than his allies would like to see. A loss in Florida would effectively evaporate the GOPs chances of taking the Senate this fall. And Democrats argue that Biden needs a stronger Democratic majority in the upper chamber, should their party have any chance of passing legislation  including a codification of abortion rights  into law.

Senator Rick Scott, a Republican, is up for re-election in 2024. Democrats see his seat as a possible opportunity to expand their Senate majority ( AP )

Fried is bullish about both her state partys chances and the support she is seeing from officials at the DNC. The Biden campaign is staffing up across the state, having announced a leadership team for the state at the end of March. The campaigns state director met with Fried last week to lay out issues, including reproductive rights, that will be central to the partys plank in the state for 2024. To quote the chair, Sunshine State Democrats will be focused this year on the three As: affordability, accountability and abortion.

At the same time, Fried is realistic about what in many cases seem to be the partys self-inflicted wounds.

I have been very upfront and honest about this conversation, she says. The Democratic Party has not done its job in the last two decades, has not done the voter registration that has been necessary over the last few cycles, has not gone to every part of our state, [and] only concentrated on blue counties and not the rest of the demographics of our state. And when I came in as chair, I said: That is over. We are going back to the basics.

That means campaigning in every single county, and making sure Democrats arent retreating from rural areas as the party has in countless other states.

It also means, this year, sharing the personal horror stories associated with bans on abortion rights and the curtailing of reproductive freedoms. The Biden campaign has made it clear that it will seek to tell deeply personal anecdotes that display the realities of conservative abortion bans and the real medical consequences some women are facing because of those policies.

A broadside was launched to that effect earlier this week with the release of a campaign ad by the Biden team highlighting the experience of a woman in Texas who suffered a devastating infection  which endangered her fertility  because doctors could not provide her with abortion care.

Expect a lot more of these stories as we get closer to November. With the six-week ban set to take effect in Florida, many women will be barred from seeking reproductive care before they even know they are pregnant.

Yesterday he bragged about overturning Roe v Wade, Bidens Florida director Jasmine Burney-Clark told reporters on a press call last Tuesday. He is proudly the person responsible for ending Roe, and ripping away health care for women across the country. Women across this state are living a nightmare and hes celebrating.

These are going to be difficult and painful stories, state Representative Anna Eskamani added during the same call. Democrats, she said, will educate the public on what it means when you ban abortion at six weeks; what [it means] when you have a 24-hour mandatory delay.

According to Fried, the road ahead is simple, though not necessarily easy. Democrats, she says, need to make their presence known in every corner of the state and hold Republicans to account for the flood of conservative legislation and policies that have swallowed the state.

To win the fight on reproductive rights specifically, Fried said Democrats need to not just point to how unpopular abortion bans are among the populace during the election cycle  they need to link those bans directly to the Republicans who supported them. A unified Democratic message, she says, needs to make sure that we are making that very distinct link.

Republicans are projecting confidence, at least in public. Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican congressman and ally of Mr Trumps, spoke to The Independent on Wednesday and argued both that America would become more opposed to abortion over time, and that his political rivals were mounting a single-issue campaign in his state. Ms Fried rejected both of those assertions on Thursday.

She went on to predict that her party would be able to win back sizable gains in 2024 with a unified message about Republican policies and the record of the incumbent president. That could be tough: Mr Biden remains underwater in Florida, with a recent Emerson College poll putting him 15 points behind his 2020 rival. His approval rating is in the 30s, while as many as six in ten voters disapprove of his job performance.

There are signs of hope, however: another March poll shows the incumbent only narrowly trailing Mr Trump among independents in the state. And of course, Mr Biden continues to lead his opponent on the financial front, something made all the more relevant by the burden presented by the ex-presidents legal battles.

All eyes are back on Florida, Ms Fried said on Thursday. We think that because of all of the moments that were in at this time  were going to be able to not only be competitive but to be able to flip a lot more seats in a lot more areas than people would have expected.

Florida continues to present a steep uphill battle for Mr Biden. But its quite possible that Democrats could find reasons to celebrate down-ballot even if Mr Biden cant beat out Donald Trump at the top of the ticket. The backlash against Republicans over abortion may just be the impetus for such a resurgence.

The question for the chair and other Democrats in Florida then becomes whether they can effectively make the case for a full rejection of the Trump-DeSantis school of conservatism, and begin a real reversal of the losses their party has endured over the past six years. A key part of that will be fighting the GOPs growing advantage among hispanic voters in the state, who now favor Mr Trump to Mr Biden by single digits.

According to Ms Fried, the partys real advantage this year comes down to message discipline.

We are united on our message, which Democrats historically are bad at. We are united on our message, said Ms Fried. Were going across the state making sure that theres not a single area that youre not going to feel the presence of the Democratic Party and our candidates.

She added to The Independent: You know, Im a football nerd. [If youre going] into the fourth quarter, you know that if your team is down and you cant change the trajectory of the fourth quarter, the momentum stays in the other direction. But if youre able to bring that energy, and the excitement, and the renewed hope and faith, miracles happen.
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The House of Representatives passed a series of Iran-related bills on Monday evening with wide bipartisan support, a response to the attack on Saturday evening by Iranian forces against targets in Israel.

Among the legislation passed on Monday were bills aimed at expanding sanctions over Chinese firms that do business with Irans petroleum sector and provisions to direct US representatives at the IMF to oppose financial assistance to Iran. Another bill directed the president to submit reports to Congress on Iranian holdings and assets in the United States financial system.

The bills were passed under suspension of the rules with just a handful of lawmakers in opposition. It was an expected outcome, as none of the legislation dealt with issues seen as controversial or requiring greater politicking  such as military aid to Israel, or the USs interaction with agencies delivering aid in Gaza. It also followed a major Iranian strike over the weekend against Israeli targets that was largely countered by Israeli and US air defences.

Mondays spate of legislation was largely a continuation of the status quo in Washington  support for ramping up nonmilitary pressure against Irans government, while the Biden administration and the presidents allies in the Democratic Party push publicly against calls from conservatives for a direct military strike against Iranian facilities and/or capabilities. The White House repeated several times over the weekend that the US is not seeking military conflict with Iran; President Biden himself reportedly urged Israels Benjamin Netanyahu against retaliatory action in a phone call. More importantly, on that same call, the president is reported to have told Mr Netanyahu that the US would not support such a military action.

Conservatives continue to insist that the USs refusal to use military force against Iran serves as an effective non-deterrent, and have called for the president to take more drastic action.

Meanwhile, Mondays vote in the House precedes the chamber taking further action in the week ahead. The House is expected to introduce more legislation targeting Iran over the coming days, including a resolution set to be unveiled at a bipartisan presser on Tuesday regarding Irans support of militia groups and proxy battles across the Middle East.

The House has yet to take up supplemental funding legislation for Israel and Ukraine passed by the Senate in February. Instead, Speaker Mike Johnson told Republicans at their conference meeting on Monday that he would split the legislation into multiple parts, allowing both the portions dealing with Israel and Ukraines militaries to stand alone.

Mr Johnsons course puts him back in conflict with the Senate, where the GOP minority has urged him to bring the supplemental to the floor without changes. The increasingly desperate situation faced by Ukraines military has been laid at the speakers feet as he battles conservatives in his own party who are seeking a chance to kill that part of the legislation.
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US national security adviser Jake Sullivan has postponed his India visit for a second time this year due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

The senior official was scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval this week on the progress of the implementation of the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).

His initial visit to New Delhi was scheduled for February following a meeting with Mr Doval last year. However, the February visit was pushed to April and now remains postponed indefinitely.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East escalated last weekend after Iran launched a missile attack on Israel in retaliation against an Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus on 1 April.

While the attack caused no deaths and little damage, it has increased concerns of a wider conflict in the region rooted in Israel's six-month-long war in Gaza.

US president Joe Biden told Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that America, which helped Israel blunt the Iranian attack, would not participate in an Israeli counter-strike.

Since then, American officials, including US defence secretary Lloyd Austin, have reached out to their counterparts in the Middle East, urging for stability in the region.

David Cameron says Iran suffered 'double defeat' in failed attack

"Due to ongoing events in the Middle East, NSA Sullivan has postponed his trip to India this week," a US embassy spokesperson told PTI news agency.

"NSA Sullivan looks forward to holding the iCET annual review at the next earliest possible date and remains personally committed to advancing our deeply consequential and multifaceted partnership with India," he said, adding that Mr Biden looks forward to the next meeting of Quad leaders.

India was supposed to host the Quad leaders' summit this January, which could not take place due to Mr Bidens inability to travel.

Meanwhile, Mr Netanyahu on Monday summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh a response to Iran's attack as his military chief vowed a response.

Military chief of staff Herzi Halevi said "this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response" but gave no details.

Iranian deputy foreign minister Ali Bagheri Kani told state TV on Monday night that Tehran's response to any Israeli retaliation would come in "a matter of seconds, as Iran will not wait for another 12 days to respond".

US treasury secretary Janet Yellen is reportedly preparing fresh sanctions on Iran.

"Treasury will not hesitate to work with our allies to use our sanctions authority to continue disrupting the Iranian regime's malign and destabilizing activity," Ms Yellen is prepared to say Tuesday, Axios reported.

"The attack by Iran and its proxies underscores the importance of treasury's work to use our economic tools to counter Iran's malign activity," she will further say.
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Jimmy Kimmel has turned one of Donald Trumps most frequent attacks on Joe Biden against him after the former president appeared to fall asleep during the first day of his historic criminal trial in New York.

According to court reporters present in the courtroom on Monday for the first day of Mr Trumps hush money trial, the former president appeared at times to be struggling to keep his eyes open during proceedings, with some going so far as to claim that he had actually fallen asleep.

Mr Trumps campaign has furiously denied that he fell asleep, blasting the claims as 100% fake news, but the reports of his brief nap were pounced upon by social media users who spawned a new nickname for the 77-year-old online: Sleepy Don.

On his late-night show, Kimmel pointed out the irony of Mr Trump falling asleep during his court appearance when he has repeatedly slammed president Biden as Sleepy Joe for his various gaffes.

If Biden is Sleepy Joe, I guess that makes you Doze-O the Clown, Mr Kimmel said.

Imagine if Joe Biden fell asleep in the court on the first day of his trial, he added. Trump would be calling him Comatose Joe, Fox News would be talking about this until Christmas, but not old Donny Nappleseed.

However, Mr Kimmel did spot an upside.

Its nice to see even Donald Trump is exhausted by Donald Trump, he said.

Mr Trump became the first US president in history to go on trial on Monday as jury selection got underway.

He is facing 34 felony counts for allegedly falsifying business records in a bid to cover up hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. He allegedly paid Ms Daniels $130,000 in exchange for her silence over a 2006 affair.

The former president is also involved in two other criminal cases accusing him of conspiring to overturn the result of the 2020 election and another case related to retaining classified documents. Trump denies all the charges against him.
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The White House has rejected calls from House Republicans for President Joe Biden to testify in their flailing impeachment inquiry.

Special counsel to the president Richard Sauber wrote in a letter on Monday to House Intelligence Committee chair James Comer that last months invitation to the president to testify was a partisan charade.

House Republicans have been unsuccessfully looking for incriminating evidence that Mr Biden used his position to enrich his family and aid their foreign business dealings, including unsubstantiated allegations of bribery.

Your Committees purported impeachment inquiry has succeeded only in turning up abundant evidence that, in fact, the President has done nothing wrong, Mr Sauber wrote.

Your insistence on peddling these false and unsupported allegations despite ample evidence to the contrary makes one thing about your investigation abundantly clear: The facts do not matter to you, he added.

Mr Sauber is leaving the White House next month, possibly revealing that House Republicans efforts to impeach Mr Biden are coming to an end.

Mr Sauber joined the White House in 2022 to lead its response to congressional probes as Democrats were preparing to possibly lose their majorities in Congress in the then-upcoming midterms. In the end, they narrowly lost the House and managed to hold on to the Senate.

Mr Comer had asked Mr Biden to explain, under oath, what role he may have played in his familys businesses.

The chair has argued that the Bidens used their family name to do business, with the committee trying to connect a few phone calls or dinner meetings between Mr Biden and his son Hunter alongside his business partners when Mr Biden was vice-president or out of office.

After interviewing dozens of witnesses, such as Hunter Biden and the presidents brother, James Biden, the committee has been unable to provide any evidence linking the president to his family businesses or to show that he benefitted from their dealings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Jon Stewart ripped into Donald Trump on the first day of the former presidents unprecedented criminal trial in New York  after Trump appeared to start to fall asleep in the courtroom.

Trump was in court for jury selection for the first-ever criminal trial of a sitting or former president. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records in an alleged attempt to hide hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump denies the charges.

Despite the days proceedings, reporters noticed that Mr Trump appeared to doze off, sparking a slew of online jokes at the former presidents expense, such as naming him Sleepy Don.

Stewart had a theory that after so many courtroom appearances, he may have just gotten bored of all the proceedings.

Imagine committing so many crimes, you get bored at your own trial, Stewart said on The Daily Show.

Stewart claimed Mr Trump was doing the honk shoo while sitting in court on Monday ( The Daily Show )

Stewart referenced a clip of journalist Maggie Haberman of The New York Times, telling CNNs Jake Tapper how Mr Trump appeared to be asleep and repeatedly his head would fall down. Ms Haberman also described what she saw as Mr Trump appearing to nod off a few times.

His mouth going slack and his head drooping onto his chest, she added.

Stewart joked: Hey Jake, what part of head down, eyes closed, drool coming out of his mouth do you not... get over here? Hes snoring. Stewart also imitated the snoring sounds made by cartoon characters.

Theres a piece of paper going up and down and up and down in his mouth, Stewart further teased. Hes asleep.

Mr Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records for allegedly covering up hush money payments ( EPA )

Mr Trumps campaign has furiously slammed the reports that the 77-year-old presidential candidate appeared to struggle to keep his eyes open, telling The Independent in a statement that This is 100% Fake News coming from journalists who werent even in the courtroom.

One moment that Mr Trump was wide awake for, however, was when he staged an impromptu press conference outside the courtroom to lambast the trial and air his resentment for what he described as him being the subject of political persecution.

This is an assault on America. Nothing like this has ever happened before. There has never been anything like it, Trump told reporters outside the Manhattan Criminal Court.

Mr Trump addressed reporters outside of the courtroom telling them that this was an assault on America ( EPA )

This is political persecution, this a persecution like never before. Nobody has ever seen anything like it, and again it is a case that should have never been brought. Its an assault on America, and thats why Im very proud to be here, Trump said.

Well, its true, Stewart reacted. Trump is always very proud to be part of any assault on America.

Look... its not persecution. The guys not Nelson Mandela or Jesus, Stewart added, before clips followed, including the time on Truth Social when he shared articles that compared him to Jesus Christ.

The Independent has contacted a spokesperson for Mr Trump for comment.
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Republicans sent their articles of impeachment for Joe Bidens director of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, to the Senate on Tuesday, an end to a series of delays and political games as well as the beginning of the end for the impeachment itself.

Members of the House including Marjorie Taylor Greene who were selected as impeachment managers for the DHS chiefs upcoming Senate trial assembled in a small procession and delivered the articles to the Senate.

The impeachment effort will not result in a conviction in the Senate; Democrats have rejected the effort as a political stunt and noted that Republicans did not lay out specific high crimes of which Mr Mayorkas is supposedly guilty  the standard for impeachment.

Instead, the impeachment effort hinges on two articles: one accusing Mr Mayoraks of wilfully disregarding the law by supposedly not enforcing US immigration law, and a second accusing him of abusing the public trust. The impeachment crusade failed to pick up a single Democratic vote in the House; it is expected to do even worse in the Senate, where some Republicans may end up voting against it.

Mr Mayorkas would only be removed from office with the vote of two-thirds of the Senate. Democrats currently control the chamber by a slim margin.

The DHS chiefs impeachment is thought by some Democrats to be a smokescreen to cover up the GOPs failure to unify around an impeachment of President Joe Biden. That effort is now wholly stalled, with Republicans showing no signs of picking up enough votes for articles of impeachment to pass the House of Representatives and the president this week declining to testify to the committee handling the matter.

Republicans continue to insist that what theyve uncovered proves the existence of links between the president and his sons overseas business efforts, but as of yet the GOP has yet to produce a single document or witness to directly corroborate that claim. Several witnesses called by the committee have directly refuted it.

Border security remains a top issue in Washington even if the impeachment of Mr Mayorkas is doomed to fail in the Senate. Reports have indicated that the president and some of his allies in Congress are warming to the idea of executive action to address illegal crossings at the border, which numbered more than 130,000 in March.

In the Senate, a bipartisan working group produced a framework for legislation to address border security that would have given Mr Biden authority to temporarily freeze the US asylum program, but the deal fell apart after House Republicans (led by calls from Donald Trump) declared it dead on arrival in the House.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson is refusing to heed calls for his resignation from far-right extremist members after he agreed to allow the House to consider legislation to authorise further military aid to Ukraine along with defence assistance for Israel and Taiwan.

I am not concerned about this, I am going to do my job, and I think thats what the American people expect of us, declared the speaker at a press conference on Tuesday.

The Louisiana Republican was urged to step down by Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie during a meeting of the House GOP Conference on Tuesday after Mr Johnson said he was putting forth legislation to fund Israeli and Ukrainian defence needs over the objection of members such as Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene, who weeks ago filed a motion to remove him as Speaker after he allowed the House to vote on funding the federal government for the rest of the current fiscal year.

Mr Massie, a MIT-educated engineer who routinely opposes all government spending bills, said he would co-sponsor Ms Greenes measure, which would declare Mr Johnsons office vacant. It is the same procedural tactic a group of Republicans used last year to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy after he allowed a vote to keep the government funded.

I asked him to resign. The motion is going to get called and then hes going to lose more votes than Kevin McCarthy, he told reporters at a gaggle following the GOP conference meeting on Tuesday.

Thomas Massie has joined Marjorie Taylor Greenes effort to unseat the Speaker ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

But at a press conference minutes later, the Speaker dismissed Mr Massies demand outright.

It is, in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our jobs, he said.

By noon, a number of Democrats had already indicated to various news outlets that they would not vote in unison in favour of a motion to vacate the speakership, as the party had done last fall in the case of Kevin McCarthy. That move, led by the so-called Gaetz Eight group of Republican rebels, threw the House into chaos and inaction for weeks.

One of those Democrats was Brad Sherman, no. 2 Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He told The Independent in an interview that his party would likely rally in defence of the embattled speaker were he to make good on his promise to bring up the full supplemental funding package passed by the Senate in February, and did so in a way that poison pill amendments did not tank the legislation.

Speaking about the supplemental funding package, he said on Tuesday: We've got to pass it, and it's got to include the humanitarian aid. I think if [Speaker Johnson] does that, and then there's a motion to vacate the speakership because he did the right thing, even if he did it in four separate notebooks on unlimited colored papers, the Democrats will not allow it to pass."
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President Joe Bidens re-election campaign appears to be capitalising on his 2024 rival Donald Trumps new nickname  Sleepy Don  after the former president allegedly was spotted falling asleep in the criminal courtroom.

Mr Trump gained the nickname Sleepy Don after it was reported that the former president appeared to be nodding off as jury selection was underway in the so-called hush money trial  the first-ever criminal trial against a sitting or former US president.

The Biden team seemed to welcome this new nickname with open arms after the Republican ex-president repeatedly branded the president as Sleepy Joe on the campaign trail.

The presidents team retweeted a video of New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman telling CNN about seeing Mr Trump allegedly dozing off during jury selection.

His head would fall down. He didnt pay attention to a note his lawyer passed him. His jaw kept falling on his chest and his mouth kept going slack, the team wrote.

The Biden-Harris campaign also posted a meme making fun of Mr Trumps fiery late-night Truth Social posts as he is allegedly snoozing on this historic day.

Despite the amusing retweets, Mr Biden himself has remained quiet on the fact that his GOP competitor is in criminal court.

CNN reported that Mr Biden allegedly shook his head after he was asked whether he watched any of Mr Trumps criminal trial.

Similarly, the White House Press Secretary declined to comment on the historical nature of the hush money trial.

The Trump campaign later vehemently denied rumours of the former presidents brief courtroom nap, saying in a statement: This is 100% Fake News coming from journalists who werent even in the court room.

However, despite the denial Mr Trumps new label took off on X, trending alongside hilarious tweets. Some of these posts asked about where Trump ally Mike Lindell, better known as My Pillow Guy, was during Trumps alleged nap.

Mr Trump has been accused of 34 counts of falsifying business records after allegedly paying porn star Stormy Daniels a whopping $130,000 in exchange for her silence over a 2006 affair. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Jury selection will continue on Tuesday morning.
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Joseph Fischer, a former police officer from Pennsylvania, allegedly entered the US Capitol building on January 6, 2021, yelling Charge!, and rushing the police line.

Fischer, like thousands of other rioters that day, attended the Stop the Steal rally in support of former president Donald Trump who had spread false claims of election fraud.

Fischer was arrested and charged with several crimes for his actions on January 6. He is among 330 rioters, along with Mr Trump, charged with obstructing an official proceeding.

But Fischer disputes that charge, claiming it is being unfairly used to prosecute him. The white-collar law was enacted 20 years ago in the wake of the Enron financial scandal.

His case, at the hands of the Supreme Court, could call into question the sentencings and convictions against hundreds of rioters and potentially undermine the two federal charges against Mr Trump.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in Fischer v United States on Tuesday. A decision is expected sometime in or before June.

Four minutes inside the Capitol building

Fischer claims that he and a companion went to the Stop the Steal rally and left once it was finished. However, they ultimately made the decision to turn around and join the mob breaching the Capitol building.

Fischer went to the Capitol and pushed his way through the crowd, entering the building at 3.25pm. At that point, he claims, Congress had already recessed after their certification vote. The Trump supporter also claimed that he became caught up in a crowd for four minutes, and was knocked over. He alleged he was polite to police officers, and in return was pepper-sprayed.

But the government tells a different story.

Prosecutors say in the days leading up to January 6, Fischer texted his boss insinuating that there could be violence on that day, he could be arrested and his chief might need to post his bond.

He texted another person: Cant vote if they cant breathe... lol an apparent reference to the lawmakers in the Capitol.

A noose is seen on makeshift gallows as supporters of President Donald Trump gather on the west side of the US Capitol in Washington DC on January 6, 2021 ( AFP via Getty Images )

On January 6, the government says Fischer took a cell phone video of himself running through the crowd and yelling, Charge! before rushing into the building at 3.25pm.

Once inside, Fischer ran toward the police line and knocked over an officer. He was then pepper-sprayed and forcibly removed from the building four minutes later.

Fischer posted the video on Facebook.

More than a month after the attack on the Capitol, Fischer was arrested by federal law enforcement officials. During his arrest, Fischer said that he had no regrets and shouted profanities at the arresting agents.

He was charged with seven counts associated with his actions including obstructing, influencing or impeding any official proceeding.

An Enron scandal-era law turned Capitol rioter charge

The US code that investigators invoked is related to witness, victim or informant tampering, It is a provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to protect investors and hold corporations accountable. It was passed after the 2001 collapse of the Enron corporation, one of the largest financial fraud cases in US history.

The statute contains two parts. The first prohibits corruptly tampering with evidence that could be used in an official proceeding. The second prohibits a person from otherwise obstructing, influencing or impeding on an official proceeding.

Much of Fischers argument hinges on the word otherwise. He claims that he cannot be charged with violating the second part without violating the first part, too. He argues that the first part is specific to tampering with records and documents, and doesnt apply in his case.

Pro-Trump supporters storm the US Capitol following a rally with President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC ( Getty )

But the government disagrees, saying that Fischers intent in obstructing Congress certification of the election results satisfies the statute.

The majority of other federal judges overseeing cases of January 6 defendants have broadly interpreted the law so it applies.

Only two federal judges have sided with Fischers argument  Judge Carl Nichol, who heard Fischers case in a lower court, and Judge Gregory Katsas on the DC appeals court. Both judges were appointed by Mr Trump.

Republican lawmakers, who filed a brief in support of Fischer, said the governments interpretation of the law is so broadly interpreted it becomes an extraordinarily serious weapon for selective prosecution against disfavored political conduct.

How it impacts Trump

Though Mr Trump is not directly involved in this Supreme Court court case a ruling could potentially impact the federal prosecutor Jack Smiths federal election interference case against the former president.

Mr Trump is also charged under the same provision by federal prosecutors and has raised a similar defence to Fischer.

Donald Trump at the "Stop The Steal" rally on 6 January, 2021 ( (Getty Images) )

But the former presidents lawyers have claimed in their immunity appeal  arguing Mr Trump is immune from criminal prosecution in the federal election interference case because his conduct was done under his responsibility as president  that the statute is stretched beyond its natural meaning to cover Mr Trump.

However, Mr Smith has argued that Mr Trumps alleged attempt to install fake electorates during the 2020 election violates the first part of the statute. So whether or not the Supreme Court sides with Fischer, may not matter.
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Jury selection in Donald Trumps criminal trial has only been going on for one day but already the former president is telling supporters falsehoods about the judges rulings.

On Monday afternoon, Mr Trump seethed on Truth Social that Judge Juan Merchan had prohibited him from attending his youngest son, Barron Trumps, high school graduation in May because he must attend his criminal trial that day.

Before jury selection got under way, Mr Trumps lawyer, Todd Blanche, asked Judge Juan Merchan if the court could adjourn on 17 May so that he could attend it.

Judge Merchan said he would not rule at this time on the matter but noted that if the trial was running behind schedule he would not be able to accommodate his request.

In New York, criminal defendants must attend trial unless they apply for a waiver, which Mr Trump has not done.

Despite no firm ruling on the matter, Mr Trump instantly claimed that the judge was stopping him from attending his sons graduation.

Who will explain for me, to my wonderful son, Barron, who is a GREAT Student at a fantastic School, that his Dad will likely not be allowed to attend his Graduation Ceremony, something that we have been talking about for years, because a seriously Conflicted and Corrupt New York State Judge wants me in Criminal Court on a bogus Biden Case which, according to virtually all Legal Scholars and Pundits, has no merit, and should NEVER have been brought, Mr Trump wrote.

Mr Trump purported that the judge made an unfair ruling preventing him from attending his sons graduation ( Truth Social )

The former presidents allies, including his other son, Donald Trump Jr, also made similar false remarks.

Donald Trump Jr reposted a video compilation made by right-wing online personality Jack Posobiec calling Judge Merchans non-existent decision pure evil.

Judge Merchan is truly heartless in not letting a father attend his sons graduation, Eric Trump also chimed in.

Senate candidate Kari Lake called the judge corrupt, heartless and cruel, while Utah senator Mike Lee wrote that it was deliberately cruel.

Despite the right-wing outrage, Judge Merchan has not made a firm decision on the matter as to whether or not to allow Mr Trump to miss a day of his criminal trial.

The only decision the judge has made is that the former president cannot miss the trial to attend the Supreme Courts oral arguments for his immunity appeal. Judge Merchan warned the former president that if he misses a day of his trial without permission he could be jailed.

Mr Trump, who successfully delayed the New York criminal trial by 30 days, has often used rulings in cases and trials to gain sympathy from his supporters  frequently in the form of monetary donations.

Former US president Donald Trump attends a hearing in New York City on a criminal case linked to a hush money payment ( REUTERS )

Based upon online reports, Mr Trump attended the high school graduation of his daughter, Ivanka Trump, the high school graduation of his son, Eric Trump, and the high school graduation of his daughter, Tiffany Trump. However, it is unclear of Mr Trump attended the high school graduation of his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.
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When he entered a Manhattan courthouse for the first day of his first criminal trial, Donald Trumps Truth Social account fired off more than a dozen posts slamming the case and attacking the witnesses expected to testify against him.

He staged an impromptu press conference in the hallway outside the doors of the courtroom, turning to a group of cameras to blast the proceedings as an assault on America. When he left for the day, he called it a political witch hunt.

Inside, beforeThe People of New York v Donald J Trump got under way, he sat by himself for a moment, clasped his fingers together, and stared at the empty bench before him. He would later slouch down in the red chair at the defence table beside his attorneys, with the shoulders of his navy suit jacket bunched around him as he appeared to doze off.

Even as the judge was reading instructions to the group of men and women who could decide whether hes running for office as a convicted felon, Mr Trump appeared to nod off, prompting a wave of Sleepy Don and Don Snorleone memes on social media.

Moments later, more than half of those prospective jurors were excused from the case after telling the judge that they could not deliver a fair and impartial verdict against the former president.

Mr Trump is facing 34 felony charges of falsifying business records in connection to an alleged hush money scheme to bury compromising stories of his alleged affairs. Prosecutors have argued that the case is one involving an election interference plot to deceive voters in the weeks before the 2016 presidential election.

His then-attorney Michael Cohen paid adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about an alleged affair, according to prosecutors. Mr Trump then allegedly reimbursed his fixer in a series of payments fraudulently listed as legal expenses.

The case from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg predates the charges against him in a pair of criminal cases targeting his attempts to reverse his loss in 2020, but prosecutors tie the hush money scheme to a years-long MO to dupe voters in an election year, in a case thats likely the only one of his four criminal cases to head to trial before the next election this November.

Trump bemoans missing son Barron's graduation due to trial as he leave Manhattan courthouse

Mr Trump has repeatedly tried and failed to stop the trial from happening at all, losing several 11th-hour arguments to delay or dismiss the charges against him last week.

On Monday, as he was forced to sit in court as a criminal defendant on the first day of his trial, he was staring down the prospect of up to four years in state prison, if convicted.

While this may be his first criminal trial, Mr Trumps appearance inside New York County Supreme Court was not unlike his behaviour at his other court hearings within the last year. He often crosses his arms and scrunches his shoulders, whispers to attorneys, or stares at nothing in particular, even in the face of jail time and thousands of dollars in fines for his ongoing violations of gag orders against him.

Unlike his two civil trials, criminal defendant Mr Trump  the presumptive Republican nominee for president  will have to show up to this one, nearly every day, for the next two months.

His only word in court, when asked a series of questions by New York Justice Juan Merchan whether he understands that he could be tossed out for bad behaviour, was a simple yes.

Before the judge adjourned for the day, Mr Trumps legal team asked if he could slip out of the trial next week so he can attend a US Supreme Court hearing on his claim of presidential immunity to evade charges in his federal election interference case.

Hes required to be here, the judge said. Hes not required to be at the Supreme Court. I will see him here next week.

Moments later, a fundraising campaign email falsely claimed he stormed out of the courthouse. Mr Trump was, instead, standing with his attorneys before trudging down the hall.

No jurors selected yet

After a first batch of jurors were sworn into a 15th floor courtroom, roughly 50 out of 100 were sent almost immediately back out. None believed they could remain fair and impartial in one of the biggest criminal cases in American history.

Those who remained in the courtroom were pulled out at random into a jury box. Under the trial rules, the names and identities of the prospective jurors are protected, and a gag order blocks parties from attacking them, along with witnesses and other parties in the case.

Court sketch shows former president Donald Trump sitting with his attorneys in Manhattan criminal court on 15 April 2024 ( via REUTERS )

Eleven people  each reading from a list of 42 questions  were surveyed. None have yet been formally selected to serve.

They included a midtown-based creative director, two attorneys, marketing professionals, an outdoorsy Irishman who lives in Harlem, and an oncology nurse.

A bookseller who works with a paediatric cancer organisation answered yes to a question about whether jurors have any feelings or opinions about how Mr Trump is being treated in this case.

Nobody is above the law, he replied, whether its a former president, a sitting president, or a janitor.

Another prospective juror who lives in Harlem was excused after answering yes to the following question: Do you have any strong opinions or firmly held beliefs about former President Donald Trump, or the fact that he is a current candidate for president that would interfere with your ability to be a fair and impartial juror?

For his part, Mr Trump was following along, reading from the questionnaire as each juror went through the survey. He held up the paper close to his face, tilting his head back to read it.

Access Hollywood tape comes into play

Earlier this year, the judge ruled that the now-infamous 2005 Access Hollywood tape would not be played to jurors. But, on Monday, he clarified that prosecutors will be able to bring out what was said on the tape during trial in the form of a transcript.

An email thread about the comments on the tape demonstrates and bolsters the Peoples claim that this was a  critical event, and there was a response within the campaign, he added.

Donald Trump blames his political enemies and slams the criminal case as he holds an impromptu press conference outside court ( AP )

Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass had argued that excluding the actual words used and hearing what that tape was about and why it had such a dramatic impact on the campaign is misleading to jurors.

He read part of the transcript of Mr Trumps comments on the tape to the court.

Im automatically attracted to beautiful  I just start kissing them. Its like a magnet. Just kiss. I dont even wait, Mr Trump said.

And when youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the p****. You can do anything.

Catch and kill scheme

The judge also allowed evidence that prosecutors argue will paint a fuller picture of the so-called catch and kill scheme used to buy up damaging stories about Mr Trump to protect his 2016 presidential campaign.

David Pecker  whose American Media Inc publishes the notorious American supermarket tabloid National Enquirer  would serve as the eyes and the ears of the campaign and gather information that would be harmful to the Trump candidacy and report to Michael Cohen  to prevent that information from ever seeing the light of day, according to Mr Steinglass.

That agreement also included a plan to publish positive stories about Trump and negative stories of his opponents.

Prosecutors want to admit, among other stories, National Enquirer headlines that were timed perfectly to achieve maximum effect, including one about Mr Trumps former Republican rival Marco Rubio that accused him of abusing drugs, according to Mr Steinglass.

All three components of the Trump Tower agreement were made with boosting Trumps candidacy and put their thumbs on the scale, Mr Steinglass said.

Mr Trumps lead attorney Todd Blanche pushed back, arguing that it happens in candidacies all over this country.

A man holds a protest sign outside of court as former president Donald Trumps trial begins ( Natalie Chinn / The The Independent )

This has nothing to do with the charged conduct  It becomes a side show, he said.

Judge Merchan sided with prosecutors, saying that the state had established that there was this understanding  I want to stay away from the word conspiracy that wasnt charged in this case  in furtherance of this goal at the heart of the case.

Understanding that is necessary to complete the narrative of what took place, he added.

Karen McDougal allegations

Prosecutors also wanted to introduce additional evidence involving Mr Trumps alleged affair with former Playboy model Karen McDougal, and to underscore to jurors that Melania Trump was pregnant at the time of her husbands alleged infidelity.

Judge Merchan ruled that prosecutors can discuss the allegations of the affair but instructed them to leave out mention of the former First Lady.

Mr Steinglass said prosecutors have no intent to elicit salacious details of the affair  unless the defendant opens the door, but the fact she was pregnant lends credence to the idea that the release of the story would be damaging to Mr Trumps campaign, and reveals the lengthy they would go to suppress it, he said.

The only value would be to embarrass President Trump, Mr Blanche said in response.

The risk of unfair prejudice is through the roof, he added. It has nothing to do with the trial. Hes not charged with this conduct.

The interjection of Ms McDougals story into this trial creates a side trial we cant do anything about, he said. Its literally just salacious without value.

Gag order violations

Mr Trumps Truth Social rants were also brought up inside the courtroom on Monday.

Manhattan prosecutors asked Judge Merchan to fine the former president $1,000 each for a series of social media posts that they argued violated a trial gag order which banned Mr Trump from publicly attacking witnesses in the case.

Prosecutors requested that the judge impose at least $3,000 in fines, order Mr Trump to remove the posts from his Truth Social, and issue a warning to him that any further violations could result in jail time.

Supporters and protesters rally outside Trump's criminal trial

Mr Trumps defence attorney Todd Blanche called the posts limited responses to a barrage of attacks.

Its not as if President Trump is going out and targeting individuals. Hes responding to salacious, repeated, vehement attacks, he said.

Judge Merchan will hear arguments on the charge on 23 April.

Earlier on Monday, prosecutors warned that Mr Trump was using his platform to influence the work of the grand jury.

The trial jury should be able to consider his very public statements seen as attempts to intimidate witnesses to stay quiet, Mr Steinglass added. This effort continues to this very day.

His ongoing comments about trial witnesses are a blatant violation of the court order about extrajudicial statements, the gag order in the case, according to Mr Steinglass.

The posts have incurred the wrath of the former presidents supporters, he said.
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Donald Trumps historic hush money trial is now underway, with jury selection the first task.

The former president is now expected to be in court four days a week for the next six to eight weeks.

He is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a bid to cover up hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. He allegedly paid Ms Daniels $130,000 in exchange for her silence over a 2006 affair. Trump denies the affair and all the charges against him.

Here are the takeaways of day one of The People v Donald Trump:

Trump fell asleep during proceedings

At several points during proceedings, Mr Trump appeared to dose off, according to court reporters who were present at the trial on Monday.

Trump appears to be sleeping. His head keeps dropping down and his mouth goes slack, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman reported.

The observation quickly inspired a new nickname for the 77-year-old former president: Sleepy Don which spread across social media.

Looks, hes old. The judge is keeping Sleepy Don from his nap time, Meidas Touch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski posted.

Trumps campaign has furiously denied that he fell asleep, blasting the claims as 100% fake news.

Trump accused of violating gag order

Trump did little talking inside the courtroom on Monday, but prosecutors accused him of violating a gag order imposed on him in March to prevent him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors.

On Monday, he was accused of violating that gag order, with prosecutor Chris Conroy asking Judge Juan Merchan to hold Mr Trump in contempt and impose a $3,000 fine on him for attacking two potential trial witnesses  Stormy Daniels, the adult film star at the centre of the criminal case, and his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen  after the former president posted about the pair on his Truth Social app.

Former US President Donald J. Trump at the Manhattan criminal court in New York ( EPA )

We think that it is important for the court to remind Mr Trump that he is a criminal defendant, Mr Conroy said. And like all criminal defendants hes subject to court supervision.

One of Trumps posts on Truth Social called eventual trial witness Michael Cohen his SleazeBag former attorney, and in another he re-posted Stormy Daniels letter from 2018 denying an affair with Trump, which she has since rescinded.

The matter was scheduled for arguments at a 23 April hearing.

Mr Trump was previously fined twice for violating a gag order imposed by New York Judge Arthur Engoron in his civil fraud trial.

More than half of jurors dismissed

More than half of the 96 people summoned as prospective jurors for the case were dismissed on Monday because they said they did not think they could be fair and impartial.

During jury selection, prospective jurors will be asked 42 questions, including if they have ever attended a rally or campaign event for Mr Trump, volunteered for his campaign or been a part of any anti-Trump efforts.

The process saw more than half of the prospective jurors dismissed, with one woman answering yes to question 34: Do you have any strong opinions or firmly held beliefs about former President Donald Trump, or the fact that he is a current candidate for president that would interfere with your ability to be a fair and impartial juror?

Judge Merchan stopped her questioning and asked whether the lawyers had any objection to dismissing her. After a brief sidebar she was thanked for her service and dismissed.

I just couldnt do it, the juror was heard saying in the hallway outside the courtroom.

Legal experts have predicted that jury selection could take weeks after Trump attorney Todd Blanche requested more time to question potential jurors on Monday.

Judge will not recuse himself despite Trumps efforts to delay the trial

Mr Trump made another attempt to delay proceedings on Monday, arguing that Judge Merchan should recuse himself from the trial over alleged conflicts of interest and indications of bias that meant he could not be fair.

He had previously claimed that the judge should be removed from the case because his daughter works as a consultant for the Democrats.

Donald Trump in a historic court appearance for his hush money trial ( Angela Weiss - Pool/Getty Images )

Judge Merchan addressed the two complaints at the start of the hearing on Monday, reiterating that he would not recuse himself.

He argued the defense teams request was based on a series of hints, innuendo and unsupported speculation.

Access Hollywood tape cant be played, but actress can testify

Judge Merchan made several key rulings on Monday.

In perhaps one of the most significant moments, the judge sided with prosecutors, allowing Karen McDougal, an actress and model who alleged she also had an affair with Trump, to testify. Trump denies the allegation.

The defense also scored a key win on Monday when Judge Merchan ruled that the infamous Access Hollywood tape cant be played in court, saying it was prejudicial.

Prosecutors will also not be allowed to bring up other sexual assault allegations against Mr Trump that surfaced after the Access Hollywood tape was made public in October 2016.

They are very prejudicial, and at this point, given what we know today, it was just a rumor, Judge Merchan said.
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Seven Manhattan residents  including an Irish waiter, an oncology nurse and a man who finds Donald Trump fascinating  have now been selected to serve on a jury that could deliver the first criminal trial verdict against the former president.

Sitting with his attorneys in a criminal courtroom on Tuesday, Mr Trump craned his neck to get a good look at the group during the second day of jury selection in his landmark hush money case.

About 100 people were called into the jury pool on Monday. Roughly half of them were dismissed outright, stating that they could not be fair and impartial. A randomly selected group of potential jurors were asked to read through a 42-question survey before prosecutors and attorneys for the former president asked them questions individually.

By Tuesday afternoon, seven jurors had been sworn in to the trial  including the foreperson who will likely read out the former presidents verdict to the court, if one is reached.

With the process now fully in swing, New York Justice Juan Merchan suggested that a full panel could be selected by Monday, with opening arguments to follow in the first ever criminal trial of a current or former US president.

Throughout jury selection, the former president leaned back in his chair and read along with the survey questions on a piece of paper pulled close to his face. At other points, he leaned forward and stared at the jury box, or hunched all the way forward and hovered his face inches from the desk in front of him. He also closed his eyes.

During questioning, one juror said he finds the former president fascinating.

He walks into a room and he sets people off. I find that really interesting, he said. Certainly he makes things interesting.

Mr Trump flashed a smile. An overflow courtoom full of reporters couldnt help but laugh.

His lead attorney Todd Blanche stood for a moment and then responded: Um, all right. Thank you.

A courtroom sketch depicts Donald Trump sitting next to his attorney Todd Blanche while watching Manhattan prosecutor Joshua Steinglass inside a criminal courtoom on 16 April. ( REUTERS )

At another point in the days proceedings, Mr Trump was scolded by the judge after he was heard audibly commenting about a juror and gesticulating towards her.

Mr Trumps attorneys had asked to speak with one potential juror who appeared to post a video on social media showing New Yorkers celebrating  a video the former presidents legal team said appeared to be anti-Trump.

When she left the room, an incensed Judge Merchan lambasted the former president for his apparent indimidation.

I wont tolerate it. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom, the judge said. I want to make that crystal clear.

Mr Trump is facing 34 felony charges of falsifying business records in connection to an alleged hush money scheme to bury compromising stories of his alleged affair with an adult film star. Prosecutors have argued that the case is one involving an election interference plot to deceive voters in the weeks before the 2016 presidential election.

Defence attorneys and prosecutors with the Manhattan District Attorneys office got their first chance on Tuesday to strike potential members of the jury on Tuesday, whittling down a pool of 500 prospective jurors to the 18 Americans  12 members and their alternates  who could be the first to ever find a former president guilty of a crime.

Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass asked jurors whether they can put aside what they might already know about the former president, stick to the facts, and determine whether Mr Trump falsified business records to cover up an agreement to unlawfully influence the 2016 election.

Mr Trumps attorney told jurors that the former president deserves a fair shake.

Its easy to read something off a sheet of paper and say, Yes Im going to be fair and impartial, Mr Blanche said. What I want to do is test that a little bit.

Mr Blanche asked for jurors opinions of Mr Trump before they walked into the courthouse, stressing that he wouldnt be offended by whatever they said.

The former president has tried, and failed, to move the case out of Manhattan, baselessly arguing that a jury pool would be unfairly biased against him, and that he instead should be tried in the Republican-leaning borough of Staten Island, which he won in 2016 and 2020.

Instead, juror after juror questioned in the court affirmed that they could remain fair and impartial, weigh the facts of the case, and put whatever political or personal feelings about Mr Trump aside.

I didnt even know I was walking into this, one prospective juror replied. Im here for my civic duty. Im here just to listen to the facts and not let anything persuade me either way.

Donald Trump appears in criminal court in New York City on 16 April for the second day of jury selection in his hush money case ( AP )

Another potential juror  who one day earlier declared that nobody is above the law, whether its a former president, a sitting president, or a janitor  said that his opinion of Mr Trump has no bearing.

What I think about President Trump outside of this room has nothing to do with whats going on inside this room and would not, in my mind, he said.

Mr Blanche tried to press him to answer.

My view doesnt matter. If we were sitting in a bar, I would tell you. But in this room, what I feel about President Trump is not important, he added. Ill say Im a Democrat. There you go.  I walk in here, and hes a defendant, thats all he is.

Another juror said he may disagree with Mr Trumps policies as president and as the presumptive Republican nominee, but feelings are not facts.

Im very grateful to be an American, and that happened the first year he was president, he said.

Whatever came of tweets or whatever I read on the news, somebody is behind that, filtering it in a way. Im very skeptical, another juror replied.

I dont think Im going to have a problem separating that and starting out at zero. I dont know how to convince you of that. I understand your dilemma, I truly do. The district attorney wants the same thing. I will do my level-headed best if Im sitting here.

Asked by Mr Blanche whether jurors can separate this criminal trial from the other three criminal cases against Mr Trump, the prospective jurors chosen for the panel agreed that they could.

Theyre about different things in different courts, one juror said. This is a case we have to take on its own merits here. To me it feels really simple to do, to compartmentalize.

As Mr Trumps attorneys sought to strike several potential jurors from the case, Judge Merchan criticised Mr Blanche for the problematic open-ended question about jurors opinions of his client.

But during a second round with another batch of potential jurors, Mr Blanche once again asked them how they feel about the former president.

One juror called it a loaded question.

There are things I agree with, there are things done well during his presidency, he said. I wouldnt classify it as favorable or unfavorable.

Another juror, a law enforcement veteran, sighed heavily when he was brought to the jury box.

Hoo boy, he said. Going back to Central Park, I knew some of the kids ... But I also understood you have a right to purchase an article and put it there.

He appared to reference the five teenagers who were wrongfully convicted of raping a woman in Central Park in 1989. Mr Trump, then a burgeoning real estate mogul, took out full-page ads in four major daily newspapers calling for the death penalty.

The juror, however, agreed to judge the case fairly.

Mans life is on the line, the country is on the line, this is serious, he said.
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Nearly one-third of American adults said they believe Donald Trump acted illegally in the hush money case, as jury selection in the first criminal trial of a sitting or former president is underway, according to a new poll.

Mr Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to so-called hush money payments given to adult film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence over an alleged affair. She said the affair occurred in 2006, just one year after Mr Trump married Melania.

He has pleaded not guilty and has repeatedly denied that the affair ever happened.

On top of this, if a jury found Mr Trump guilty in the hush money case, 50 per cent of Americans would not consider him fit for office, the AP-NORC poll showed.

A separate poll has found that most voters think Mr Trump committed serious federal crimes.

As many as 53 per cent of survey respondents said in the New York Times/Siena College poll that Mr Trump has committed serious crimes while 39 per cent said he has not and nine per cent said they were unsure or declined to give an answer.

Ninety per cent of Democrats said Mr Trump has committed serious crimes, while 17 per cent of Republicans said the same. Forty-nine per cent of independents agreed with the statement.

In the poll, Mr Biden is closing in on Mr Trump, who has been ahead of the president in recent surveys.

The poll was conducted between 7 and 11 April, and Mr Trump is now just a single percentage point ahead  46 to 45 per cent, with eight per cent saying theyre unsure or declining to answer the question.

Jury selection is now underway for the second day of the criminal case in New York City. No jurors were selected after the first day of the trial.

In the AP-NORC poll, only 31 per cent say they are very confident that the former president has been treated fairly by New York prosecutors. Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed that the hush money case has been politically motivated.

He bookended his court appearance on the first day of the criminal trial by spewing this rhetoric. When he arrived on Monday, he described the hush money trial as an assault on America and when he left, he called the case a political witch hunt.

This one-third statistic comes in stark contrast to the nearly half of US adults who believe he did something illegal in the three other criminal trials that the former president is facing, the poll revealed.

These three trials include the Georgia election interference case, the classified documents case, and his alleged effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

In these cases, if Mr Trump were convicted, more than half of American adults think he would be unfit for office, the poll said.

Like the hush money trial, only 31 per cent said they were very confident that he was treated fairly in the Georgia and federal cases.

In the Georgia case, Mr Trumps lawyers have worked to try to remove Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis from the case, alleging she engaged in misconduct by hiring Nathan Wade, her once-romantic partner, as a prosecutor on the case. After weeks of hearings over the matter, a judge ruled that Ms Willis could remain on the case, so long as Mr Wade was removed.

Mr Trump has also lodged attacks against Jack Smith, the special prosecutor handling the federal cases against the former president. He has called Mr Smith deranged while branding the federal cases that Mr Smith is leading as a coordinated hoax and prosecutorial misconduct.

The latest poll numbers seem to showcase how Mr Trumps public statements have impacted public sentiment about the many cases against the former president.
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This week was Donald Trumps second week on criminal trial  the first of courtroom testimony  and it was certainly eventful.

Jurors heard from the prosecutions first witnesses in the case including lengthy testimony from tabloid mogul David Pecker, who outlined the catch and kill scheme at the heart of the hush money case.

The former president faced calls for $10,000 fines over gag order violations over his continued attacks on witnesses.

And Americans heard Mr Trump both fume about the landmark trial and use it as a campaign platform on Truth Social and in the courthouse corridors.

Mr Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election, in order to stop her coming forward with allegations of a 2006 affair.

Here are the key takeaways from the week:

Day one

Prosecutors lay out criminal conspiracy and cover-up

During opening statements on Monday, prosecutors were direct in laying out the heart of the case, with Manhattan Assistant District Attorney

Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo speaks during a hearing ( REUTERS )

telling jurors it was about a criminal conspiracy and a cover-up.

The defendant Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election. Then he covered up that criminal conspiracy by lying in his business records, over and over and over again, Mr Colangelo continued.

The prosecutor then laid out the catch-and-kill scheme, arranged between Mr Trumps former attorney Michael Cohen and Mr Pecker to block negative press about Mr Trump.

Mr Colangelo told the jury that while no politician wants bad press, evidence will show this was a planned, coordinated, long-running conspiracy. It was election fraud. Pure and simple, he said.

Defence tries to humanise Trump

In the defences opening statement, lead attorney Todd Blanche tried to humanise Mr Trump  while still vowing to refer to him as President Trump.

This is a title he has earned, Mr Blanche said.

But hes not just the former president, the defence attorney continued. Hes not just Donald Trump that youve seen on TV or read about or seen photos of. Hes also a man, hes a husband, hes a father. And just like me, said Mr Blanche.

Trump arrives at Manhattan criminal court and delivers remarks to the media ( AP )

President Trump is innocent. President Trump did not commit any crimes. The Manhattan District Attorneys office should have never brought this case.

Mr Blanche also tried to discredit the prosecutions star witness in the case, Michael Cohen, stressing his 2018 guilty plea for lying to Congress and that he had been found liable for perjury in the past.

On top of this, Mr Blanche argued that Cohen is obsessed with Mr Trump.

Cohens financial livelihood depends on President Trumps destruction, according to Mr Blanche. He cannot be trusted.

Day two

Potential gag order violations

Judge Juan Merchan held an hour-long hearing around potential gag order violations.

Prosecutors accused Mr Trump of violating the gag order, which bars him from making public statements about potential witnesses, court staff and the families of the judge and DA, on at least 10 different occasions.

Defence attorney Todd Blanche meanwhile argued that Mr Trumps posts were responding to political attacks. However, he failed to provide any example of what Mr Trump was responding to, leading to a scolding from the judge.

You presented nothing, a frustrated Judge Merchan said. Youre losing all credibility, Ill tell you that right now.

The judge also warned Mr Trump directly against intimidating jurors in his courtroom.

The judge has yet to make a ruling on the alleged gag order breaches. Prosecutors suggested imposing a $10,000 fine against Mr Trump and ordering him to remove the offending posts, noting they have not yet asked for jail time.

The threat of penalty hasnt deterred Mr Trump from continuing to rant about the case on Truth Social and to reporters as he enters and exits the courtroom.

A behind-the-scenes look at tabloid journalism

In his testimony, Mr Pecker provided a peek behind the curtain on what was happening at some of his tabloids.

Mr Pecker described a mutually beneficial scheme to keep the National Enquirer jam-packed with stories boosting Mr Trumps 2016 election odds while ensuring negative stories never saw the light of day.

As part of the arrangement, Mr Pecker would notify Cohen of any unflattering stories about the candidate  particularly those involving women. Since Mr Trump was well-known as the most eligible bachelor, dating the most beautiful women, and it was clear based on my past experiences that when someone is running for office like this, it is very common for these women to call up a magazine like the National Enquirer to try and sell their stories, the former publisher testified.

Writing positive stories about Mr Trump and negative stories about his opponents would help him and it would help me, Mr Pecker explained  as it would help him sell his tabloids.

Jurors were shown a number of positive National Enquirer headlines and covers about Mr Trump, like DONALD TRUMP: HEALTHIEST INDIVIDUAL EVER ELECTED! They were also shown negative ones about his 2016 GOP primary opponents, like DONALD TRUMP BLASTS TED CRUZS DAD FOR PHOTO WITH JFK ASSASSIN.

Pecker is questioned by prosecutor Joshua Steinglass ( REUTERS )

Doormans story about a love child

Jurors heard how the scheme was first put into practice after a former Trump World Tower doorman, Dino Sajudin, claimed that the then-2016 candidate had a love child with a maid working at Trump Tower.

Mr Pecker testified that Dylan Howard, then editor-in-chief of the National Enquirer, told him that Dino was in the market for selling a story and so he called Cohen to tell him. Cohen told Mr Pecker it was absolutely not true but that he would look into it, he testified.

I asked Dylan to negotiate a price, negotiate a number, to buy the story and take it off the market, he said.

Mr Pecker told the court they agreed upon $30,000 for the story and Cohen told him that the boss was very pleased, referring to Mr Trump.

I thought it was very important that Dino wouldnt be shopping the story to other media outlets, he told the court.

However, he then revealed his more selfish motivation for the transaction  if he could have verified the story, he would have published it. It would probably be the biggest sale of the National Enquirer since the death of Elvis Presley, Mr Pecker said.

Day three

How Playboy model affair story unfolded

During the third day of testimony, Mr Pecker shed light on how he came across former Playboy model Karen McDougals story  that she had a 10-month affair with Mr Trump in 2006, one year after he had married Melania.

Mr Howard had interviewed Ms McDougal, learning of the alleged affair and how Mr Trump apparently called her a 12 out of 10, Mr Pecker told the court.

Although Mr Howard warned there was no corroborating evidence, Mr Pecker said he believed the story to be true. He testified that he initially offered the former model $10,000 to buy the story but she turned it down.

Mr Howard later told Mr Pecker that ABC was interested in buying Ms McDougals story, but that I knew from my experience that ABC doesnt buy stories.

Mr Howard had concluded that Ms McDougal didnt want the story to be published. She said she didnt want to be the next Monica Lewinsky, Mr Pecker added.

The boss will take care of it

During testimony about buying the rights to these stories, Mr Pecker told the court about his interactions with Mr Trump on the matters  directly linking the criminal defendant to the arrangements.

Cohen had given Mr Pecker the green light to pay the former Playboy model $150,000 for the rights to her story, Mr Pecker told the court.

Dont worry about it. Im your friend. The boss will take care of it, Mr Pecker recalled Cohen telling him, inferring that the boss meant Mr Trump.

Mr Pecker recalled another occasion after he had won the 2016 election, when Mr Trump asked him: Hows our girl? referring to Ms McDougal. Mr Trump also thanked him for handling the McDougal story and the doorman situation, he told the court.

He said the stories would be very embarrassing  to him, his family and the campaign, Mr Pecker testified.

Mr Trump even invited the former tabloid boss to a thank you dinner at the White House to show his gratitude for killing damaging stories, Mr Pecker testified  testimony that shone a light on how the former president used his position in the White House to manage blowback from the scheme.

An unhappy-looking Trump appears in criminal court ( EPA )

Trump was very upset when McDougal affair story leaked

Despite the substantial efforts to block other outlets from getting access to Ms McDougals story, it did eventually become public  and, according to Mr Pecker, this made Mr Trump very upset.

The Wall Street Journal published an article just days before Election Day in 2016, unleashing the blockbuster story.

Mr Pecker recalled Mr Trump phoning him, very upset, saying, How could this happen? I thought you had this under control.

Mr Pecker testified that AMIs deal with Ms McDougal was for the lifetime rights to her story. Mr Pecker recalled then telling Cohen that the deal was off after his conversations with counsel about the transaction. He was very, very angry, very upset, screaming basically at me, Mr Pecker said. He recalled Cohen saying: The boss will be very angry with you.

To this day, the publisher has never been reimbursed, Mr Pecker said on the stand.

Celebrities dragged into the case

During the former AMI chiefs testimony, several celebrities and high-profile figures were dragged into the case, including Rahm Emanuel, Mark Wahlberg and Tiger Woods.

But one person in particular set the stage for Mr Peckers wariness to conceal politically-linked stories: The Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr Pecker said he had struck up an arrangement with the actor to conceal compromising stories about him when he was campaigning to become governor of California  long before the publishers dealings with Mr Trump.

Mr Pecker recalled Schwarzenegger saying: I plan on running for governor and I would like you to not publish any negative stories about me now and in the future, and Ill continue being the editor of Muscle & Fitness and Flex and be a spokesperson. Mr Pecker said he agreed to the arrangement.

When the actor announced his gubernatorial bid, a number of women called up the National Enquirer with stories to sell on different relationships, or contacts, or sexual harassment that they felt that Arnold Schwarzenegger did, the former publisher testified. Mr Pecker outlined the agreement: I would call him and advise [Schwarzenegger] of other stories that were out there and I wouldbuy them for a period of time.

This experience made me sensitive about buying any stories in the future. Thats how I became sensitive about this topic, Mr Pecker told the court.

None of the celebrities are accused of any wrongdoing in the case.

First mention of Stormy Daniels

Stormy Daniels name cropped up in Mr Peckers testimony for the first time on Thursday when he told the court that Cohen had come to him asking for his help to get Mr Trump to pay him his bonus.

I understood he was complaining that he had not been repaid, Mr Pecker said.

Michael Cohen had paid Stormy Daniels out of his own funds, which is the first time that I had heard of that. I wasnt involved in that transaction, the former publisher testified.

Stormy Daniels, speaks outside US Federal Court with her lawyer Michael Avenatti in 2018 ( AFP via Getty Images )

So Mr Pecker approached Mr Trump, telling him: Michael Cohen is very concerned about this bonus this year and I want you to know hes very loyal, hes been working very hard from my perspective, I believe hed throw himself in front of a bus for you.

The former publisher recalled Mr Trump saying: I dont know what youre talking about. Michael Cohen has multiple apartments in my buildings.  He owns 15 taxi medallions.

Mr Pecker testified Mr Trump then added: Dont worry about it. Ill take care of it.

Day four

Two sides spar over whether Trump deserves title of president

Early in the day on Friday, the two sides briefly sparred over whether or not Mr Trump deserves to go by the title of president during his trial.

The moment came about as Mr Trumps defence attorney Emil Bove repeatedly referred to the defendant as President Trump when speaking about events prior to him taking office.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass tried to object saying: He wasnt president in June 2016.

In opening statements on Monday, defence attorney Todd Blanche had told the jury that his legal team planned on referring to their client as President Trump because its a title he has earned.

Trump attorneys try to poke holes in Peckers testimony

During cross-examination, Mr Bove tried to cast doubt on the former tabloid bosss lengthy testimony about the catch and kill scheme.

But despite multiple attempts to impeach Mr Peckers credibility, the former publisher repeatedly affirmed his under-oath descriptions of his meetings with Mr Trump.

At one point on Friday, Mr Bove tried to get Mr Pecker to admit that he either lied on the witness stand or to federal law enforcement about Mr Trump thanking him for his help burying stories of Mr Trumps alleged affairs.

Pecker being questioned on the stand ( AP )

Was that a mistake? Mr Bove asked. Do you believe Trump said that to you as we sit here right now?

Mr Bove then handed Mr Pecker a report from his interview with federal prosecutors and the FBI in 2018, alleging that Mr Peckers prior testimony contradicted his earlier interview.

This is the FBIs interview, is that correct? These are the FBI notes? The FBI notes, some of these here, are wrong. I know what I testified to yesterday, Mr Pecker said.

I know what the truth is, he added. I cant state why its written this way.

Pecker doubles down that McDougal payment was made to help Trumps election odds

Mr Pecker previously called his relationship with Mr Trump mutually beneficial  using his tabloid empire to identify negative stories about the then-2016 candidate in an effort to boost Mr Trumps election chances.

However, the former AMI chief testified on Friday that one aspect of the agreement did not benefit him at all: the Karen McDougal story. That story was killed and the payment made with the sole purpose of helping Mr Trumps election odds, he testified,

Mr Pecker repeatedly testified that stories about Mr Trump were big sellers for the National Enquirer. Burying Ms McDougals story was against his own business interest, prosecutors sought to point out.

Karen McDougal speaking to CNN about Donald Trump ( CNN )

Had you published a story about a Playboy model having a yearlong sexual affair while he was married  Would that have sold magazines? Mr Joshua Steinglass asked. That would be like, National Enquirer gold.

Mr Pecker agreed.

At the time you entered into that agreement, you had zero intention of publishing that story, Mr Steinglass said. You killed the story because it helped candidate Donald Trump.

Yes, Mr Pecker said.

Stormy Daniels Trump Tower visit - and Apprentice plans - revealed

Two new witnesses briefly took the stand on Friday.

The first was Rhona Graff, Mr Trumps former personal assistant at the Trump Organization, who testified that she has a vague recollection of seeing Stormy Daniels at Trump Tower before his 2016 presidential campaign.

She assumed that Ms Daniels may have been at the office to discuss a role with The Celebrity Apprentice, Mr Trumps former hit reality TV competition series on NBC, she said.

The network severed ties with Mr Trump in 2015 after his presidential campaign launch and his derogatory comments about immigrants.

Ms Graff recalled that Mr Trump believed Ms Daniels would be a good contestant on the show.

I cant remember a specific incident when I heard it. It was part of the office chatter, she said.

Third witness takes the stand

Gary Farro, a banker assigned to Cohen at First Republic Bank, testified that Cohen urgently asked for his help setting up an LLC shell company while negotiating a hush money payment to Ms Daniels in 2016.

That account, Essential Consultants LLC, was used to wire Ms Daniels the $130,000 payment at the heart of the presidents criminal case.

Mr Farro will resume his testimony on Tuesday.

Elsewhere in Trumpworld

Beyond the courtroom, there was a lot of other happenings in Trumpworld this week.

Civil fraud bond deal

On Monday, lawyers for Mr Trump and New York Attorney General Letitia Jamess office reached a deal around the payment of his $175m bond in his civil fraud case, so long as the collateral remains in cash.

The AGs office had previously expressed concerns about the underwriter Knight Specialty Insurance Company.

E Jean Carroll

On Thursday, a federal court upheld the verdict in former Elle columnist E Jean Carrolls $83m defamation case against Mr Trump  rejecting his request for a new trial.

In May 2023, Mr Trump was found liable for sexually abusing Ms Carroll, and earlier this year, a jury determined that Mr Trump had defamed Ms Carroll, awarding her $65m in punitive damages and $18m in compensatory damages.

Supreme Court immunity case

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Thursday in the landmark case involving the former presidents claims of presidential immunity from prosecution.

During oral arguments, the justices appeared poised to allow some, but not absolute, immunity. The case stems from special counsel Jack Smiths federal indictment against Mr Trump, accusing him of engaging in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and stay in the White House.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that plans push on with votes on fresh aid for Israel and Ukraine  after months of delays around sending billions of dollars worth of military aid to Kyiv.

Days after Iran launched a missile and drone attack on Israel, Mr Johnson announced he would try and advance the aid package amid the immense political pressure he has been receiving over how to handle foreign aid, including Republicans who threatened to oust him if he moves forward with gresh funding to help Ukraine defend itself from Russias invasion.

A Senate-approved package $95 billion (76bn)  which includes aid to Ukraine, Israel and involves a number of other foreign policy priorities  has been sitting for weeks, while Ukraine has faced ammunition shortages and intense Russian attacks.

"There are precipitating events around the globe that were all watching very carefully and we know that the world is watching us to see how we react," Mr Johnson said on Monday.

After meeting with other Republican lawmakers on Monday, Mr Johnson said he would prepare a legislative package that mirrors the $95 billion bill, but divided into three separate sections.

Lawmakers will vote separately on a bill to send funds to Israel, another to allocate money for Ukraine and a third voting on aid for Taiwan and other allies.

Mr Johnson added on X that within his plan, he seeks to pass additional measures to counter our adversaries and strengthen our national security.

The initial Senate-passed bill, which received wide bipartisan support, includes roughly $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel.

Democrats have repeatedly called on the speaker to put this package on the floor, but Mr Johnsons plan now seeks to divide up the separate issues.

Every member ultimately will be able to vote their own conscience on all of these matters and everybody have the opportunity to weigh in, Mr Johnson said after the Republican briefing on Monday, according to The Washington Post, who added that the earliest the House could consider the bills is Friday.

I think the final product will be something that everybody can take confidence in because they got to vote their district.

Mr Johnson also has expressed his support for legislation that would require some of the Ukraine funding to be paid back.

GOP Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has threatened to oust Mr Johnson from his speakership, was quick to criticise the plans as she emerged from Mondays briefing.

This is such a scam, and people are done with it, she said, later posting on X on Tuesday that she will be not be voting for the rule on Mr Johnsons plan.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson told CNN that he remains unconcerned about the threats to oust him if he moves forward with Ukraine aid, saying, I dont spend my time worrying about motions to vacate. Were having to govern here, and were going to do our job.

The speaker has also left open the possibility that the bills could be repackaged together, similar to the Senate bill, but this would not fare well with some conservatives.

Arizona Rep Andy Biggs wrote on X that he would not support merging the bills, saying that Israel funding should not be held hostage by Ukraine funding. The American people deserve to know where their senators stand on each funding component.

Other lawmakers have supported Mr Johnsons plans, including Oklahoma Rep Kevin Hern, the chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, which includes the majority of House Republicans, who told reporters that he thinks the speaker is doing the right thing.
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Stabbings in Sydney that wounded a bishop and a priest during a church service was a terrorist attack motivated by suspected religious extremism, police in Australia said.

At least two task forces have been established to look into the incident after a 16-year-old male attacker lunged at Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at the Christ Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley. Three others, including a priest, were wounded during the service as horrified worshippers watched online and in person.

While one task force will look into the background of the attacker, the other will work to identify those in the rioting mob that attacked a number of police officers and paramedics responding to the scene, reported News.com.au.

This comes as New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb said the suspects comments pointed to a religious motive for the attack.

"We believe there are elements that are satisfied in terms of religious motivated extremism," she told a press conference.

"After consideration of all the material, I declared that it was a terrorist incident.

"Well allege theres a degree of premeditation on the basis that this person has travelled to that location, which is not near his residential address, he has travelled with a knife and subsequently the bishop and the priest have been stabbed," Ms Webb said, adding that the teenager was known to the police but was not on a terror watch list.

"Theyre lucky to be alive," she said, referring to the church clerics.

The incident at the western Sydney suburb of Wakeley triggered clashes outside the church between police and an angry crowd of the bishops followers who demanded the attacker be handed over to them, as they hurled bricks and bottles.

A member of NSW Forensic police is seen at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley on 16 April 2024 in Sydney, Australia ( Getty Images )

As a result, the police were forced to hold him at the church for his own safety as the crowd of worshippers gathered outside. The teen suspect and two police officers were hospitalised, said acting assistant police commissioner Andrew Holland.

He commended the congregation for subduing the teen before calling police. He also said the teen suffered "severe" injuries to his hand.

More than 100 police reinforcements arrived before the teen was taken from the church in the hours-long incident. Several police vehicles were damaged, Mr Holland said.

"A number of houses have been damaged. Theyve broken into a number of houses to gain weapons to throw at the police. Theyve thrown weapons and items at the church itself. There were obviously people who wanted to get access to the young person who caused the injuries to the clergy people," he said.

Condemning the violent attack on the police, Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw called the response un-Australian.

Its a disgraceful act from [members of] the community who attacked police at the scene, Mr Kershaw said.

Ms Webb also warned those involved in rioting to expect a knock at the door. We will find you and we will prosecute you, she said.

Meanwhile, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO), the nations main domestic spy agency, and Australian Federal Police had joined the state police in a counter-terrorism task force to investigate who else was potentially involved.

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said the investigation had yet to uncover any associated threats. "It does appear to be religiously motivated, but we continue our lines of investigation," Mr Burgess said.

"Our job is to look at individuals connected with the attacker to assure ourselves that there is no one else in the community with similar intent. At this stage, we have no indications of that," Mr Burgess added.

NSW Forensic Police are seen at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley on16 April 2024 in Sydney, Australia ( Getty Images )

On ASIOs advice, the risk of a terrorist attack in Australia is rated at "possible". That is the second lowest level after "not expected" on the five-tier National Terrorism Threat Advisory System.

Meanwhile, prime minister Anthony Albanese urged restraint, saying "there is no place for violence in our community. Theres no place for violent extremism".

Christ the Good Shepherd Church also issued a statement denouncing retaliation as it called the attack an isolated incident and said it was awaiting the police findings into the motive of the attacker.

New South Wales state premier Chris Minns urged the community to remain calm and stick together as he discouraged people from taking the law into their hands

"You will be met by the full force of the law if theres any attempt for tit-for-tat violence in Sydney over the coming days, he said.

State officials have also reached out to local leaders in the outreach program as the attack comes days after a lone assailant stabbed six people to death in a Sydney shopping mall, injuring more than a dozen.

"Given that there have been incidents in Sydney the last few days with knives involved, obviously theres concerns," he said. "Weve asked for everyone to think rationally at this stage. We spoke to community leaders and members of the community to speak to their local people, to try and keep people calm."

Additional reporting by agencies
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Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese praised the Frenchman who confronted Bondi Junction attacker Joel Cauchi for his extraordinary bravery and said he could stay in the country for as long as he wanted.

Damien Guerot, a French construction worker, has been dubbed by some as the "Bollard Man" after CCTV footage showed him confronting Cauchi with a bollard on an escalator during the deadly stabbing attack in Westfield Bondi Junction.

Six people were killed in the attack and 12 injured before Cauchi was shot dead by a police officer.

Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra: I say this to Damien Guerot  who is dealing with his visa applications  that you are welcome here, you are welcome to stay for as long as you like.

This is someone who we would welcome becoming an Australian citizen, although that would of course be a loss for France.

Mr Guerots lawyer, Belinda Robinson, said he would be granted permanent residency and was only waiting for official documentation, which was expected to come through soon, according to ABC news.

The video of Mr Guerots bravery has gone viral with many pushing to secure a permanent residency for him after reports emerged that his visa will expire in a month.

Ms Robinson had started an online petition calling for Mr Guerot to be granted Australian citizenship, according to ABC. (He) committed an act of true heroism by selfless putting his own life in the firing line of danger without a second thought by taking on a mass murderer, she said.

People pay their respects at the scene of the 13 April stabbing rampage at Bondi Junction in Sydney ( EPA )

Mr Albanese said: It says a lot about the nature of humanity at a time when we are facing difficult issues, that someone who is not a citizen of this country stood bravely at the top of those escalators and stopped this perpetrator from getting on to another floor and potentially inflicting further carnage on citizens.

I think that on Saturday we saw some of the best of human character at the same time as we saw such devastating tragedy. And I thank Damien for his extraordinary efforts.

As Australia was still mourning Saturdays attack the nation was rocked by another stabbing just three days later on Monday. Four people were wounded in the attack at a western Sydney church, which the police said was an act of terror.

Mr Albanese said there was no place in Australia for violent extremism.

"Were a peace-loving nation. This is a time to unite, not divide, as a community, and as a country," he said during a media conference.

Following Saturdays attack, Mr Guerot said he, along with his friend Silas Despreaux, jumped into action without thinking of the consequences.

"We just saw him coming ... we were thinking, We need to try to stop him," Mr Guerot said in an interview with Australian TV network Channel Seven on Sunday.

As Mr Guerot brandished a plastic pole to attack Cauchi, he turned back and fled down the escalator. But the Frenchman did not stop and went after him with a chair.

"We tried to maybe throw the bollard to him but we couldnt [get him]," Mr Guerot said.

A police officer was also behind Cauchi by then. Cauchi launched at the inspector Amy Scott to attack her with a knife and she shot him dead.

Police have said that they are continuing to investigate the motives of Mr Cauchi, aged 40, but have noted that he had mental health issues.
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A baby girl injured in a stabbing attack at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre has been moved out of the intensive care.

The nine-month-old child was in a serious but stable condition, a health official said. Her mother, Ashlee Good, was among the six people killed in the carnage on Saturday.

Meanwhile, police in Sydney declared the attack on a bishop at a church as an act of terrorism, as authorities call for calm in the wake of disturbance following the incident.

At least four people were injured in the attack, including Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, during a service at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley in the west of the city.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested during the event, which triggered a riot outside the church. Two officers were injured with one suffering a broken jaw after he was hit with a brick and fence palings. Ten police cars were destroyed.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese urged the public not to take the law into their own hands. It is not acceptable to impede police and injure police doing their duty or to damage police vehicles in a way that we saw last night, he added.
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A spire on one of Copenhagens oldest buildings collapsed in flames in what Denmark has described as its Notre Dame moment.

The roof of the 17th-century stock exchange, or Boersen, which was once the countrys financial centre, was engulfed in flames before collapsing on Tuesday.

The building, which is situated next to the Christiansborg Palace where the parliament sits, is a popular tourist attraction with its distinctive spire, in the shape of the tails of four dragons entwined together, reaching a height of 56 metres.

Danish ministers compared the incident to the 2019 blaze that consumed the Parisian cathedral.

Flames wrap around the dragon spire ( EPA )

Huge billows of smoke rose over downtown Copenhagen and people were seen rushing inside the building to save paintings. Danish media reported that an annexe of the parliament was being evacuated.

Fire hits historical stock exchange building in Copenhagen ( EPA )

Police and firefighters were at work outside the building, which was encased in scaffolding. Ambulances were at the scene but there were no reports of casualties.

On Tuesday, the Danish fire service said it had saved one half of the building from fire but there was a risk the damaged side could collapse.

A spokesperson told The Independent: The other half has burnt out. The outer shell still remains and right now we are still putting out fires in small pockets.

There is a risk it could collapse. The plan is to stabilise the outer shell and walls using 40 shipping containers. We will start doing this tonight and over the next few days.

Danish culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said it was touching to see how passers-by helped emergency services to save art treasures and iconic images from the burning building.

A painting is salvaged from the flames of the Boersen stock exchange building in Copenhagen during Tuesdays fire ( Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima )

A video showed the flaming spire breaking in half as it tumbled down, sending a large part crashing to the ground next to a fire truck.

Firefighters exit the burning innards of the building ( Getty )

The Danish Chamber of Commerce has its headquarters in the building, which was built in the early 1600s. The chambers head, Brian Mikkelsen, was among those helping to carry paintings out of the building.

Everybody is crying at the Danish Chamber of Commerce right now. Its their workplace, but also their history, Mikkelsen told reporters, shaking his head in disbelief.

The Danish Chamber of Commerce has its headquarters in the building ( EPA )

Its our cultural heritage that Im looking at. Its 400 years that have shaped Danish cultural history and the society we live in today.

As sirens wailed, thick grey smoke rose above the city. Around 90 conscripts from the Royal Life Guards, an army unit, were helping cordon off and secure valuables, the military said.

The building was originally built to accommodate stalls where goods such as tea and spices were traded.

It was imagined that a lot of gold would be generated for Denmark and thats why they put dragons above it because they are known to guard gold, said the senior researcher at the National Museum of Denmark, Ulla Kjaer.

Fire at the old stock exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen ( Reuters )

The spire also had three crowns at the top, symbolising the great kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, she added.

This spire is absolutely iconic and there is no other like it in the world, Kjaer said.

Flames and smoke rise from the old stock exchange in Copenhagen ( EPA )

An important part of our architectural heritage was and still is in flames, King Frederik wrote in a post on Instagram.

For generations, the characteristic dragon spire has helped to characterise Copenhagen as the city of towers.

The 17th-century building before the fire ( AP )

Defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen wrote on X/Twitter: Horrible pictures from the Bourse. So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us ... Our own Notre-Dame moment.

The cause of the fire first reported at 7.30am was not immediately known.

The extinguishing work is very difficult, said firefighters spokesperson Jakob Vedsted Andersen, adding that there are parts of the building that the firefighters cannot enter because it is too dangerous.
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Police in Brussels have stormed a right-wing conference attended by Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman after orders for the event to be shut down.

Local authorities ordered the controversial National Conservatism (NatCon) Conference to be closed to guarantee public safety.

Ms Braverman, the former home secretary, and Mr Farage, the former Ukip leader, were among the political names advertised to speak at the event on Tuesday alongside right-wing Hungarian autocrat Viktor Orban.

Officers arrived after the event began at Claridges, a venue in central Brussels, to tell organisers it would be shut down. According to a report on social media, police arrived while Mr Farage was addressing the event, giving attendees 15 minutes to leave the venue. However, officers did not appear to force the event to shut down and speeches continued.

Police have now said they will not let anyone else into the venue and people can leave and not re-enter.

The conference has already had to move location twice after mayors within the Brussels region refused the meetings chosen venues.

Police officers at the venue after the National Conservatism Conference was ordered to be shut down ( Getty )

Emir Kir, mayor of the area where the conference was held, said: I issued an order from the mayor to ban the National Conservatism Conference event to guarantee public safety.

In Etterbeek, Brussels City and Saint-Josse, the far right is not welcome.

Conference organisers said they were launching a legal challenge to Mr Kirs order, adding: There is no public disturbance and no grounds to shut down a gathering of politicians, intellectuals, journalists, students, civic leaders, and concerned citizens.

Officers secure the area outside the venue ( Reuters )

The police entered the venue on our invitation, saw the proceedings and the press corps, and quickly withdrew. Is it possible they witnessed how peaceful the event is?

In a video on social media, Mr Farage said the Brussels authorities were behaving like the old Soviet Union.

Suella Braverman railed against the ECHR in her speech, before the police arrived ( Reuters )

He said: At the meeting, over the next two days, youve got the prime minister of Hungary, youve got a bishop, youve got members of the European royal families coming, well-known international businessmen and women, politicians, leaders of parties that will win European elections in countries this year in June.

And yet, because they are questioning ever-closer union, because they are questioning globalism, they are literally being shut down.

Farage entering the venue before it was shut down ( Reuters )

During her keynote speech at the conference, Ms Braverman said the UK lacks the political will to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The former home secretary attacked the ECHR as incompatible with parliamentary democracy and the court charged with enforcing it as profoundly undemocratic and politicised.

The Conservative MP, a long-time opponent of the ECHR, said the UK could leave the convention at the stroke of a pen with the prime minister sending a letter giving six months notice to the Council of Europe.

Nigel Farage blasts Brussels before police shut down the conference

The conference is hosted by the Edmund Burke Foundation think tank, which declares its aim to be strengthening the principles of national conservatism in Western countries.

Ms Braverman and Mr Orban were unveiled as the events keynote speakers last month.

Mr Orban is widely seen as Russian president Vladimir Putins closest ally in the European Union and has been accused of launching a crackdown on gay rights and press freedom.

The conference is also due to hear from Conservative MP Miriam Cates later on Tuesday, before hosting a speech by Mr Orban on Wednesday.

The Liberal Democrats criticised Ms Braverman over her plans to share a platform with a far-right authoritarian.

Far-right Flemish separatist party Vlaams Belang member Filip Dewinter stands behind police officers at the entrance ( Reuters )

Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said at the time of the announcement: No politician should be sharing the stage with an ally of Vladimir Putin as he carries out his barbaric invasion of Ukraine.

She added that it was staggering that a former home secretary would think that this is the right thing to do.

From cries of a conspiratorial deep state to sharing a platform with a far-right authoritarian, the Conservative Party has gone completely off the rails, she added.

The doors to the event were closed, with people unable to enter or re-enter ( Shutterstock )

Mr Sunak had faced pressure to block Ms Bravermans attendance at the conference, with shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth urging the prime minister to stop the former home secretary giving oxygen to these divisive and dangerous individuals.
 Close UK has fasttracked the production of laser energy and radio waves weaponry

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German chancellor Olaf Scholz said he urged Chinese president Xi Jinping to press Russia to end its war in Ukraine.

Mr Scholz told Mr Xi in a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday that Chinas word carries weight in Russia.

I have therefore asked president Xi to influence Russia so that Putin finally calls off his senseless campaign, withdraw his troops and ends this terrible war, he wrote on social media platform X.

Earlier, a Russian source said Moscow was ready to redeploy Wagner troops working in Africa to bolster its offensive in Ukraine.

The source claimed Russian authorities are preparing to redeploy unspecified detachments of the Africa Corps from Africa to Belgorod, Ukraine, according to US think tank Institute for the Study of War.
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Israel is facing a major dilemma over whether to retaliate against Irans unprecedented drone and missile attack, a top former Israeli diplomat has said.

Alon Pinkas, chief advisor to two Israeli prime ministers, said an Israeli response could risk a wider escalation of the war but ignoring the assault could allow Iran to attack with impunity.

Describing Tehrans onslaught overnight on Saturday as a potential game-changer due to directly targeting Israel, he said it was crucial for Tel Aviv to consider carefully its next move.

Writing in The Independent, the leading Israeli commentator said: An Israeli retaliatory strike, commensurate with the scale of the Iranian attack would not merely represent a tit-for-tat reaction but may potentially constitute escalation with far reaching consequences and regional implications.

Israeli Iron Dome air defence system launches to intercept missiles fired from Iran, in central Israel on Sunday ( AP )

His intervention comes after the IDF said the barrage would be met with a response following US president Joe Bidens warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would not support any Israeli counterattack.

Mr Pinkas, who served as chief of staff to Israels foreign ministry between 1999 and 2000, said: An Israeli retaliation could almost inevitably lead to a broad escalation and a region-wide conflict.

This may affect oil prices, commercial maritime routs from China to Europe, US and NATO policy on Ukraine - given Irans close ties and mutual-support with Russia.

Yet failure to respond would set in place a new paradigm, that Iran can attack Israel with impunity. With lessons learnt, the next round may not be as innocuous as this one turned out to be.

On Saturday, Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel in response to an Israeli strike on Tehrans embassy in Damascus, Syria.

Israel claimed more than 99 per cent of the 300 drones and missiles were intercepted during the attack - with the help of Britain, the US, and Jordan.

A battery of Israel's Iron Dome defense missile system, deployed to intercept rockets flying over Israeli airspace ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press All rights reserved )

Mr Pinkas also claimed Netanyahu wanted to broaden the war in Gaza into an Israeli-Iranian confrontation that could drag the US in.

He added: Netanyahu wants to broaden the Gaza war into an Israeli-Iranian confrontation that conceivably would drag the US in. That is why the issue of whether or not to retaliate has become an equally American matter.

On April 1, Israeli warplanes bombed Irans embassy in Syria in a strike that Tehran said killed seven of its military advisers, including three senior commanders.

Irans ambassador to Syria said the strike hit a consular building in the embassy compound and that his residence was on the top two floors.

Israel has long targeted Irans military installations in Syria and those of its proxies, but Aprils attack was the first time Israel hit the vast embassy compound.

Mr Pinkas served as chief of staff to both foreign minister Shlomo Ben Ami in 2000 and foreign minister David Levy from 1999 to 2000.

He was also the foreign policy advisor to Ehud Barak in 1996 to 1999, when Barak was Chairman of the Labor party and the Opposition.
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The UN has called for the preservation of evidence of mass graves in the Gaza Strip after 390 bodies were found at two different burial sites outside the Nasser and al-Shifa hospitals.

The Israeli army said any suggestion of its responsibility was baseless and unfounded and the graves were dug by Gazans a few months ago.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said its important that all forensic evidence be well preserved.

Earlier, the US demanded answers from Israel after mass graves were found outside two hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, at least five people have been killed following Israeli strikes in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, Palestinian hospital officials have said.

More than half of the territorys population of 2.3 million have sought refuge in Rafah, where Israel has conducted near-daily raids as it prepares for an offensive in the city.

In central Gaza, four people were killed in Israeli tank shelling.
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Astronomers have found the most massive stellar black hole known in our own galaxy.

The object is relatively close by, at least in black hole terms, sitting just 2,000 light years away.

It is the largest black hole of its kind  a black hole formed from an exploding star  known to be in our Milky Way, and the second most massive in our galaxy. The current record is held by Sagittarius A*, which sits at the Milky Ways centre but could not have been formed by a star and is linked to the birth of the galaxy itself.

Scientists say that the newly discovered object is a unicorn  and could be just the first of a host of black holes waiting to be found in our Milky Way.

The European Space Agencys Gaia mission, involving UCL researchers, found the black hole, known as Gaia-BH3, which is 33 times the mass of our Sun.

Gaia-BH3 was not seen directly but inferred from the movements of what appeared to be a lone star now understood to be its companion.

The discovery of the bright star nearby suggests many more black holes could be found in the next set of data to be released from the Milky Way-mapping Gaia space telescope.

The next set is not scheduled to be released before the end of 2025, researchers said.

Pasquale Panuzzo of CNRS, Observatoire de Paris, in France, who is the lead author of this finding, said: Its a real unicorn.

This is the kind of discovery you make once in your research life.

So far, black holes this big have only ever been detected in distant galaxies, by the LIGOVirgoKAGRA collaboration thanks to observations of gravitational waves.

The average mass of known black holes of stellar origin in our galaxy is around 10 times the mass of our Sun.

Until now, the weight record was held by a black hole in an X-ray binary in the Cygnus constellation, which has a mass estimated to be about 20 times that of the Sun.

Dr George Seabroke, Mullard Space Science Laboratory at UCL, a member of Gaias black hole task force, the team that made the discovery, said: Finding Gaia BH3 is like the moment in the film The Matrix where Neo starts to see the matrix.

In our case, the matrix is our galaxys population of dormant, stellar, black holes, which were hidden from us before Gaia detected them.

Gaia BH3 is an important clue to this population because it is the most massive, stellar, black hole found in our galaxy.

Gaias next data release is expected to contain many more, which should help us to see more of the matrix and to understand how dormant, stellar, black holes form.

There are currently some 50 confirmed or suspected black holes in our galaxy, but theory predicts there is a hidden population of thousands or millions, due to the number of stars that have likely already died over the galaxys lifetime.

Gaia-BH3s companion star, a sub-giant star, is 15 times brighter than the Sun and five times its radius, but slightly cooler and lighter.

Its orbit, in the opposite direction from most stars of the galaxy, indicates it is part of a cluster of stars thought to have merged with the Milky Way about eight billion years ago.

At the widest point of its orbit, the star is as far away from Gaia-BH3 as Neptune is from the Sun. At its closest, it is about the distance of Jupiter from the Sun.

The research, which used data from the European Southern Observatorys Very Large Telescope (ESOs VLT) and other ground-based observatories, will be published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Additional reporting by agencies
If youre planning a memorable trip Down Under, dont skip Australias Sunshine State. Aside from ancient tropical rainforest, the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and rugged outback landscapes, the state is also chock full of heart-pumping activities for those who crave a little adventure. Heres our ultimate guide to activities in Queensland for those who want to leave no stone unturned while keeping the adrenaline flowing.

Hot Air Balloon GC

There can be no more dramatic way to see the beauty of the Gold Coast than from dawn baloon ride ( Tourism and Events Queensland )

A scenic hot air balloon ride over the Gold Coast is one of the best ways to see a breathtaking birds eye view of the regions diverse landscape from above. Wake up early and watch the sun come up as you float through the clouds and soak up the 360-degree panoramic views from 2,000ft, snapping photos of the sprawling coastline, iconic skyscrapers, and golden beaches below. Your journey can begin from a variety of different launching points, from which youll soar high above vineyards, spot stingrays gliding around in the shallow waters or follow meandering waterways through the Gold Coast hinterland. You can even round off your morning experience with breakfast post-flight.

OReillys Rainforest Retreat

Nature lovers are in their element in Queensland, but places like OReillys Rainforest Retreat make it that bit more special. Located in the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, just a 90-minute drive from the Gold Coast, the retreat offers a place to stay among breathtaking nature and native wildlife. Enjoy tree-top canopy walks on suspension bridges installed high up throughout the rainforest, or head on a glow-worm tour, where a four-wheel-drive bus will take you to a secluded gully lit up by the bioluminescent glow of these abundant little beetles. Theres also a flowing creek that makes for the perfect picnic spot and naturalist-guided walks where you might catch sight of wallabies, pademelons (small, wallaby-like hopping marsupials) and platypus. For those who are all about wining and dining, the retreat has its own vineyard with wine-tasting sessions and three restaurants with epic landscape views.

Visit the ancient Daintree Rainforest

Cool off in the crystal waters of Mossman Gorge after a tour of the Daintree Rainforest ( Tourism and Events Queensland )

The Daintree Rainforest is a magnificent, ancient ecosystem and one of the oldest rainforests in the world, estimated to be around 135 million years old. Its a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site thanks to its incredible ecological significance and biodiversity, and home to all kinds of unique flora and fauna. Want to catch a glimpse of the large flightless Cassowary bird? This is one of the few places in the world where it can be found in its natural habitat. Deep between the forest, youll also find Mossman Gorge, renowned for its crystal-clear water and ancient rocks, perfect for cooling off after taking a tour to learn about the Aboriginal Kuku people who have called the region home for centuries.

Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett

For those who prefer something a little more adrenaline-fuelled, Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett is the place to be, and its only a 20-minute drive from Cairns City. Plunge through the rainforest on a bungee jump or see if you can handle the Minjin Jungle Swing, the worlds fastest jungle swing, which will catapult you a speedy 120 kmph through the trees. If youd rather keep two feet sort of firmly on the ground, the Edge Lookout boasts epic views of Cairns and the surrounding mountains; its Cairnss highest viewing platform.

Dreamworld

Enjoy heart-racing roller coasters and wildlife exeriences at Dreamworld ( Tourism and Events Queensland )

It may be chock full of nature, but the Gold Coast is also where youll find the best theme parks in Australia, including Dreamworld. Its the ultimate Aussie playground, with slides, rides and wildlife all in one place. Make your way around the heart-racing roller coasters, including Steel Taipan, Australias only triple launch coaster hurling you up to 105 kmph and around 1.2km of twists and turns. The park is also a wildlife conservation park, so if roller coasters arent really your thing, you can meet all kinds of native Australian wildlife, and tigers on their famous Tiger Island.

Noosa Everglades

Noosa is a chic seaside town bordered by lush rainforest, drop-dead gorgeous beaches and glistening lakes. Its a great place to spend a few days beach-hopping, swimming at secluded beaches and hiking through Noosa National Park. Its also where youll find the Noosa Everglades, one of only two Everglade systems in the world, and one of the best ways to experience it is by taking a canoe tour. Coast through the mirror-clear calm waters surrounded by purple waterlilies and flitting blue dragonflies. Sometimes, its hard to tell where the water starts and ends, leading to its nickname: the River of Mirrors.
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EasyJet is halting all flights to and from Israel for the next six months following recent escalation of conflicts in the Middle East.

The British carrier will not be flying to Tel Aviv until at least late October. It only restarted flights on 25 March, following a pause after the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas.

It operates regular flights from London Luton, as well as Amsterdam, Berlin, Basel, Geneva and Milan.

As a result of the continued evolving situation in Israel, easyJet has now taken the decision to suspend its flights to Tel Aviv for the remainder of the summer season until 27 October.

Customers booked to fly on this route up to this date are being offered options including a full refund.

Airspace over Iran and the neighbouring Middle East on Sunday morning ( Flightradar24.com/handout via Reuters )

The Independent has contacted other major airlines flying from the UK for details on their plans.

Easyjets decision follows Virgin Atlantic, who in February said they had taken the difficult decision to extend their pause on flights to and from Tel Aviv until 4 September, citing the ongoing situation in Israel.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said today: Our flight routings are subject to continual security assessment and operate in line with UK, US and local regulations. The safety and security of our customers and people is paramount and always will be.

British Airways resumed flights to Tel Avivs Ben Gurion airport at the beginning on April. A spokesman for BA said it is monitoring the situation but flights are operating as usual.

A spokesperson for Wizz Air told The Independent that following the ongoing escalation in the region it cancelled services on Saturday and Monday but resumed flying today (16 April), warning that passengers may see some changes to the schedule.

The airline is closely monitoring the situation with the relevant authorities and keeping its passengers informed of all schedule changes. All passengers affected by the schedule changes will be contacted via email/SMS and provided with rebooking or refund options. Passengers who have booked through a third party should contact their booking provider. The safety and security for our passengers, crew, and aircraft remains our number one priority. We hope that normality comes back to the region soon.

Ahead of Irans attack on Israel, most countries in the region closed their airspace to passenger aircraft, leading to many diversions and planes returning to their starting points.

Virgin Atlantics Saturday evening flight from Heathrow to Mumbai flew to central Turkey before turning around and heading for Istanbul to refuel before continuing to India by a much more northerly route than normal.
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Flights in and out of Dubai are being affected by adverse weather conditions around the UAE, leading to delays, diversions and cancellations across 16 April and 17 April.

Thunder, lightning, hail and heavy rainfall have hit Dubai, with schools and government entities instructed to work from home. Citizens have been urged to stay inside where possible and only leave their homes in cases of extreme necessity.

The website for Dubai Aiport  one of the worlds busiest airports, which welcomed over 86 million passengers in 2023  is currently showing that there are at least 20 cancelled flights on 16 April, with dozens more delayed. Affected destinations included cities around India and Pakistan, as well as Saudi Arabia and Manchester.

In addition to Dubai, the surrounding emirates of Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain were all put on alert. Adverse weather hit locations including Abu Dhabi on Monday 15 April. There were additional reports of flooded highways, while in neighbouring Oman, 18 people have been killed due to heavy rains in recent days.

Photos showed a deluge of rainwater on roads around Dubai, with cars struggling to drive through flood highways.

open image in gallery Cars drive through a flooded street ( REUTERS )

Airlines including Emirates are urging passengers to arrive at the airport up to four hours before their scheduled flight time, while a tweet from Dubais Road and Transport Authority read: If youre travelling from #DXB today, be sure to allow extra time to get to the airport and use the Dubai Metro, where possible. The metro operating hours have now been extended till 3AM tonight.

Passengers on flights scheduled to leave Dubai are advised to use the flydubai website to track their flight status.

A spokesperson for Dubai Airport told The Independent: Dubai Airports can confirm that operations continue to be significantly disrupted at Dubai International (DXB) due to heavy rain and flooding on Tuesday, 16 April. Due to the intense storm, operations were temporarily suspended for 25 minutes this afternoon, but have since recommenced, and are now in recovery mode.

A total of 21 outbound and 24 inbound flights have been cancelled since 00:02hrs LT this morning, and 3 flights were diverted to other neighbouring airports.

We urge guests to check directly with their airline to obtain the latest information on the status of their flight, allow significant extra travel time to the airport, and use Dubai Metro for smoother transit, which has extended operating hours until 03:00 hrs LT tonight.

Advice from the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority includes recommending preventive measures for heavy rain and hailstorms to minimise impacts on properties and parking vehicles in distant, safe and elevated locations.
With easy access to endless rainforests, beautiful beaches and postcard-worthy islands right off the coast from south to north, the opportunity to explore Australian nature in its purest form has never been easier than it is in Queensland. Heres where to go and what to do if youre seeking an unforgettable trip to Australia, jam-packed with breathtaking beaches and island getaways.

Lady Elliot Island

Lady Elliot Island is famous for its incredibly diverse marine life and vibrant coral reefs ( Tourism and Events Queensland )

At the southernmost tip of the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island is a must-visit for anyone who loves spending time by the ocean and witnessing marine wildlife. This idyllic island was formed six million years ago from a coral reef growing out of the water, meaning the beach is made almost entirely of coral. Its mostly famous for its huge populations of giant majestic manta rays and marine life, including multi-coloured parrotfish, reef sharks, green and loggerhead turtles and gliding eagle stingrays. Theres also an incredibly diverse population of seabirds and migratory species, from wedge-tailed shearwaters to striking red-tailed tropicbirds. Lady Elliot Island also serves as a model for sustainable tourism, operating on renewable energy and actively participating in projects aimed at preserving and regenerating coral reefs.

North Stradbroke Island

For laid-back island life, North Stradbroke Island is your calling. With easy access from Brisbane, you can combine seeing all the city sights with a slice of beachside bliss. Its the second-largest sand island in the world and is characterised by incredible landscapes of sandy beaches, freshwater lakes, mottled dunes and thick bushland. Get stuck into all kinds of outdoor activities like swimming, surfing, bushwalking and whale watching at Point Lookout during the migration season. Here you can also don your hiking boots and head along the North Gorge Walk, keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins, turtles and other marine life frolicking in the neighbouring sea. The island has countless pristine beaches, including Cylinder Beach, Frenchmans Beach, and Main Beach, where you can enjoy swimming, surfing and soaking up the sun.

Moreton Island

Explore the Tangalooma Shipwrecks on a kayak tour ( Tourism and Events Queensland )

Moreton Island is another adventurers haven just over an hour from buzzy Brisbane. You could easily spend an entire week knee-deep in activities here and still have heaps left to do. The islands crystal clear freshwater Blue Lagoon is a popular spot for swimming and chilling, bordered by craggy dunes and dense greenery. Theres also the Tangalooma Desert, a dream to explore by 4x4; hop on an organised tour or rent your own four-wheeler. Make sure you take along your camera, the area is defined by striking multicoloured dunes, further enhanced by shadows and light that dance on the hilly sandbanks throughout the day.

Kgari (Fraser Island)

If theres one thing Queensland isnt short of, its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, of which the region boasts five, including Kgari, formerly Fraser Island. Its the worlds largest sand island and one of its most remarkable, consisting of 122km of unique landscapes scattered with tropical rainforest springing out of sand, iridescent freshwater lakes, jacuzzi-like Champagne Pools, shipwrecks and countless ocean lookout points. Many people explore the island by 4x4, traversing shifting dunes and between lush forests, spotting dingoes and swamp wallabies along the way. If you have time, spend a night camping out under the stars; the night sky here is phenomenal, and you can even catch a glimpse of the Milky Way, constellations and meteor showers away from the urban glow.

Hamilton Island

A snorkelling reef tour around Hamilton Island will open your eyes to beautiful multicoloured reefs and brightly coloured fish ( Tourism and Events Queensland )

Hamilton Island, or Hamo as the locals often call it, is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and world-renowned Whitehaven Beach. This tropical paradise is one of the largest of the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays, famous for its white sandy beaches and multicoloured coral reefs, best explored by boat or seaplane. Explore some of the Great Barrier Reef on a snorkelling or diving tour, getting up close to green sea turtles, Nemo-like clownfish and bobbing sea cucumbers. If you prefer something a little more leisurely, there are loads of island bush walks that take you to hidden coves, secret beaches and scenic lookouts. Pack a picnic to enjoy enroute at any of the islands picturesque picnic spots.

Green Island

Queensland is the gift that keeps on giving, and less than an hour from Cairns, youll find Green Island, a magnificent 6,000-year-old coral cay situated amongst the Great Barrier Reef. Its a unique place to stay, covered in a carpet of tropical rainforest filled with native flora and fauna and surrounded by perfect white sand beaches. Spend a day here or stay a few nights at the resort for the ultimate luxurious getaway. Make sure you save plenty of time to snorkel or scuba dive here, the waters are teeming with all kinds of marine life and magnificent, brightly coloured coral. For a more laid-back activity, cruise around the coastline by canoe and take in all the incredible views from the water, or follow one of the many nature trails the island has to offer.
A Labour peer was scolded in the House of Lords after she shouted at a health minister during a debate on Monday, 15 April.

Baroness Shami Chakrabarti shouted Why did we block the Trips waiver?" twice after health minister Lord Markham said he was proud of the UKs record on distributing the Covid vaccine globally.

The former shadow attorney general was reprimanded by Lords leader Lord Nicholas True, who told her: The noble lady knows better than to shout at another member when other members before her are also trying to get in to ask a question.
Israels armed forces chief has said Israel will respond to Irans missile attack as he thanked Britain for its support.

IDF chief Herzi Halevi said the country will respond accordingly as he praised the support from the US, Britain, France and other partners for their participation in what Israel has labelled Operation Iron Shield.

Israel claims more than 99 per cent of 300 drones and missiles were intercepted during the attack in the early hours of Sunday (14 April).

Mr Halevi said: Operation Iron Shield proved the strength of our iron clad cooperation .

I want to thank all of our international partners who stood up to Irans aggression.
Israel might not be so lucky if Iran launches another missile attack, a defence anayst has said.

Mike Clarke, professor of defence studies, believes the Israelis were lucky after up to 50 per cent of Irans missiles did not launch properly during the attack in the early hours of Sunday (14 April).

Professor Clarke said allies including Britain, the US and France, were also a huge help in intercepting missiles during the attack.

He said: The external world is saying to Israel you were lucky and you had our help. Dont spoil it by being so aggressive.

You might not be so lucky next time.
This is the moment a man smears faeces across the entrance of a takeaway in Canterbury.

CCTV footage from Caribbean eatery Saint Smokeys BBQ House, captured a man spreading the mes across the business in the early hours of 10 April.

The takeaway owners shared footage of the crime on their Facebook page with the caption: Does anyone know who this disgusting man is? Last night he smeared poo all over our takeaway entrance door and deliberately into our lock.

A Kent Police spokesman confirmed officers had arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of criminal damage to a business in St Georges Place in Canterbury. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries .
An opposition MP punched a colleague in Georgias parliament on Monday, 15 April, during a parliamentary debate about a controversial bill.

Scuffled erupted inside during the discussion of a law calling for media and non-commercial organisations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20 per cent of their budget from abroad.

Mamuka Mdinaradze, head of the Georgian Dream Party fraction, was punched in the face by MP Alexander Elisashvili, accusing his colleague of being pro-Russian.

Fights also broke out during discussions of the law last year.
This is the moment Nigel Farage finds out police are waiting to shut down NatCon Conference while live on stage in Brussels on Tuesday (16 April).

Police arrived at the scene while the honorary president of Reform UK was on stage addressing the event, giving attendees just 15 minutes to leave.

Mr Farage can be seen going over to the side of the stage, where a man tells him the police are coming.

He then returns to the centre of the stage and says: Weve got some roving mics, I understand the police are very keen to close this down, so if they are going to close it down, they can close it down with me on stage.
Nigel Farage has accused Brussels of cancel culture after police in the city moved to shut down the National Conservatism Conference.

The former Ukip leader - who served as an MEP for 21 years - was due to give a keynote speech at the gathering on Tuesday 16 April.

According to a report on social media, police arrived while Mr Farage was addressing the event, giving attendees 15 minutes to leave the venue.

In a post on X before his speech, Mr Farage said that it comes as no surprise that Brussels have done their best to stop the conference from taking place.

Cancel culture, alive and well, he added.

Police Bruxelles Nord provided the following statement to The Independent: Yesterday, the Mayor of Saint-Josse took a decision to prohibit the NatCon conference.

For operational reasons, in order to execute this order, our police department prohibited access to the conference yesterday from 1 pm. The Council of State suspended the Mayors decree yesterday evening.

Access to the conference has therefore been restored and it is taking place normally. Our mission is to maintain public order and the security of certain people present on site.
Watch as a Home Office minister repeatedly dodges questions on whether the government has an airline ready to take asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Laura Farris appeared on Sky News on Tuesday 16 April to discuss Rishi Sunaks flagship deportation bill, which is currently bouncing between the House of Commons and the House of Lords in parliament.

The prime minister has repeatedly said flights to Kigali will take off by spring, but has refused to name a specific date.

Reports have also suggested that Rwandas state-owned airline turned down a government proposal to transport asylum seekers because it wanted to avoid being associated with the controversial scheme.

Ms Farris repeatedly sidestepped Kay Burleys question about whether an airline has been secured as she spoke on Tuesday.
David Cameron made an eloquent case for Israel to show restraint as it considers how to respond to Saturdays drone and missile attack by Iran. In a round of broadcast interviews, the foreign secretary urged Israel to be smart as well as tough by refraining from escalating this dangerous conflict, and to think with head as well as heart.

Lord Cameron described the state of play as a double defeat for Tehran: the attack was repelled, and the rest of the world could see what a malign influence Iran is in the region. He echoed Joe Biden in appealing to Israel to take the win.

Even his critics acknowledge that Lord Cameron is a good communicator. The former prime minister can encapsulate in a few words an argument it would take other politicians three sentences to spell out. At Westminster, there is predictable gossip that Lord Cameron is upstaging Rishi Sunak, who looks a lot less comfortable when giving his almost-daily pooled TV interview as the long campaign for the general election continues.

Lord Cameron is certainly setting the bar high for whoever succeeds him as foreign secretary  as things stand, that is likely to be David Lammy, his Labour shadow.

Lord Cameron is aiding, not undermining, the prime minister. Having an experienced pair of hands at the Foreign Office when the world is so unstable is good for the UK, and allows Mr Sunak to focus mainly on the domestic agenda and the election. Unlike two other members of the former PMs club, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, Lord Cameron has no intention of trying to get his old job back.

In the Commons today, Mr Sunak also made a powerful case for all sides to show restraint  even if, when he spoke eight hours later, he repeated Mr Camerons words. It is welcome that the prime ministers three-point plan for the Middle East included not only ensuring Israels security but investing more deeply in a two-state solution and bringing the conflict in Gaza to an end.

The UK government has a coherent explanation for the role RAF jets played in helping to ensure that Irans attack did not succeed. If its missiles and drones had caused a huge number of casualties, then Israels retaliation might already have put the two countries on the slippery slope to all-out war. It is undoubtedly in the British national interest to assist in preventing a regional conflagration.

The RAFs involvement does not mean that the UK would join Israel in any retaliation it undertook against Iran  and it is right that it should not. But Mr Sunak should be clearer about how the UK might engage in the Middle East. There is a strong argument for parliament to approve any intervention  if necessary, retrospectively.

There is also a case, as the Labour opposition argues, for further sanctions against Iran, and for the UK to proscribe Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group. Mr Sunak suggested that the UK will act in concert with its G7 partners on these matters.

The worrying turn of events at the weekend has unfortunately switched the spotlight away from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Tensions between Israel and its traditional allies, such as the US and the UK, over Benjamin Netanyahus indefensible tactics in Gaza have been overtaken by the urgent need to defend Israel from a more threatening enemy than Hamas.

Yet Gaza must not be forgotten. It might look odd  for now, at least  to talk about banning arms sales to Israel when the country has just come under an unprecedented attack. Yet recent events do not absolve Israels allies from holding it to account for the tragedy still unfolding in Gaza. The UK government should publish the legal advice on which its decision to continue arms exports to Israel was based.

However articulate and persuasive the calls for restraint by London and Washington, Mr Netanyahu is under intense pressure, from far-right members of the coalition that maintains his unsteady grip on power, to retaliate with a show of immense force.

At the very least, the Israeli prime minister owes it to those who rallied to Israels defence at the weekend to weigh their arguments carefully. If he acts on their advice, he will maintain the international coalition he has reassembled. If he uses his head as well as his heart, he will take the win.
BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Over the past decade, guided by a holistic approach to national security, China has navigated drastic changes in the international landscape and kept itself well-positioned in the pursuit of development and security. The country's national security has been comprehensively reinforced and the Peaceful China Initiative has been pushed to a higher level, providing a solid guarantee for the endeavor to build China into a strong country and realize the great cause of national rejuvenation. GUIDE TO ACTION "We must resolutely pursue a holistic approach to national security and promote national security in all areas and stages of the work of the Party and the country, so as to ensure national security and social stability," read the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The holistic approach to national security was put forward by the Party leadership in 2014, factoring in not only new characteristics and new landscape in the national security situation but also past experience of China's national security front. Through the holistic approach, both the scope and reach of national security have been enlarged unprecedentedly, covering various areas including politics, military, homeland security, economy, finance, culture, society, sci-tech and cyberspace. Upholding the Party's absolute leadership over national security work is vital to safeguarding national security and social stability. In alignment with the new tasks and trends in the national security front, the National Security Commission under the CPC Central Committee was established for the first time, marking the establishment of a centralized, high-performing, and authoritative leadership system over national security. Pursuing a holistic approach to national security has also been incorporated into the CPC constitution. In the area of cyber security, China has promoted the reform of the global internet governance system and advanced the building of a community of shared future in cyberspace. China has included biosecurity into the national security system, formulated a systematic plan on risk control and management system and comprehensively improved its governance capacity in this regard. Acting on the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, China has endeavored to make the global security governance system fairer and more equitable. DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY China is also keeping itself well-positioned in the pursuit of development and security. Over the past decade, China has enacted or revised a series of laws to safeguard national security, including those covering the country's national security, food security, countering foreign sanctions, counter-espionage, anti-terrorism, cyber security, biosecurity, data security, as well as the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The ever-improving national security legal system with Chinese characteristics has provided the most fundamental, stable and reliable guarantee to modernize the system and capacity for national security governance. Also, national security has been promoted in all areas and stages to ensure high-quality development, especially in some key areas such as energy and resource security and economic security. Solid efforts have been done to ensure stable performance in employment, finance, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment and market expectation. SECURITY AMONG THE PEOPLE China observed its first National Security Education Day on April 15, 2016. The day is aimed to raise relevant awareness among the public. From school campuses, enterprises to urban and rural communities, the social basis for national security has been consolidated, and the whole Party and society have been mobilized to jointly safeguard national security, forming a strong synergy. Security campaigns such as actions to crack down on illegal content online, illegal trade of personal information, privacy infringement and telecom fraud, as well as efforts to ensure overall social stability, have also benefited everyone, bringing a greater sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security to the people. By implementing the holistic approach to national security, Chinese people are more engaged to see that the great ship of socialism with Chinese characteristics cuts through the waves, and sails steadily into the future.
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Devastating events unfolded this weekend as 40-year-old Joel Cauchi raged through Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney on a Saturday afternoon, stabbing 18 people. So far, the majority of victims, both dead and in critical conditions in hospital, have been women and girls.

I watched the footage in disbelief, the background horribly familiar. I was in Bondi Junction myself, a few months back, while on a book tour with my wife.

But what came next was also uncomfortably familiar: police saying it was obvious Cauchi was targeting and attacking women.

New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb went as far as to say the videos speak for themselves. Its obvious to me and its obvious to detectives that it seems to be an area of interest that the offender had focused on women and avoided the men, she said. It has been reported that five of the deceased are women and the majority of victims in hospital are also women.

Yet Anthony Cooke, the NSW police assistant commissioner, maintained: There is still, to this point no information we have received, no evidence we have recovered, no intelligence that we have gathered that would suggest that this was driven by any particular motivation, ideology or otherwise.

And so, the conversation must be had: what is the ideology that drives a man to brandish a long knife, run into a mall and murder as many women as he can? And why does nobody dare mention the M word? No, not murder  but misogyny.

Australian prime minister lays flowers outside scene of Sydney stabbings

We see incidents like this, time and time again  incel murderer Elliot Rodger springs to mind  but we continually fail to acknowledge misogyny as an ideology.

But why? Who do we keep denying that hatred of women is both a crime and a deep-rooted mindset, flaunted by shameless misogynists like Andrew Tate? Just look at the comments from the Sydney attackers father, Andrew Cauchi, who told reporters on Monday he was devastated by the news of the attack and revealed he has previously confiscated knives from his son: He wanted a girlfriend and he has no social skills and he was frustrated out of his brain, he told The Australian newspaper.

Here we can clearly see an incel mindset, but a refusal to name it for what it is.

Yet other ideologies are readily attributed when crimes of murder and rape are committed. Academic research since the Nineties has argued that ideology plays a crucial role in target selection in events like these.

People are all too comfortable labelling neo-nazi ideologies, right- or left-wing ideologies, Islamist ideologies, trans ideologies, terror ideologies and racist ideologies  but not hatred of women.

Indeed, we have seen this play out on social media in the past 48 hours thanks to commentators Julia Hartley-Brewer and Rachel Riley, who both publicly  and wrongly  posted that Cauchi was clearly motivated by Islamist ideologies.

Hartley-Brewer stated that Cauchi was an Islamist terrorist with absolutely no evidence, before later apologising; and Riley is facing calls on social media for her to be sacked by Channel 4 after falsely suggesting the fatal incident was linked to a rise in support for Palestine.

For six months now, people have been out on our streets proudly calling for the Intifada Revolution, she tweeted. If you want to know what Globalised Intifada looks like, see the Sydney Mall. The Countdown star later said she was sorry if her post was misunderstood.

Sometimes, homophobic and transphobic hate crimes are rightly called out for what they are  as in the tragic case of the murder of teenager Brianna Ghey. But why not misogynistic ones, too? Where is the horror, the outrage, the condemnation, when women are killed simply for being women?

Misogyny, after all, is the oldest prejudice in the world. Long before we had white supremacy, classism, transphobia and homophobia, women and girls were positioned and treated as inferior. They were the original oppressed class.

Even Aristotle (who lived circa 384322BC) wrote: Women are defective, deformed versions of men  a quote that historians and philosophers have long ignored while continuing to laud the Ancient Greek scholar as one of the greatest philosophers of all time.

This positioning of women and girls as inferior, stupid, insane or hysterical sex objects has been woven into the very fabric of our global society. Theyre so mundane, so routine, that we just dont see the horror in it.

After all, when a woman or girl is killed by someone in her own family every 11 minutes across the world on average, it hardly marks itself out as special or a zealous belief, does it?

Even when Nottingham Police became the first police force to acknowledge misogyny as a form of hate crime, nothing really came of it. Most police forces I teach dont see the massive rates of domestic violence or sexual violence as related to misogyny. When I show them the connection, they seem shocked. Frankly, they are fighting a crime they dont even understand.

Boris Johnson, when he was prime minister, ruled out the possibility of making misogyny a hate crime  and used the excuse that it would overload the justice system and make the fight against rape and domestic violence harder.

And yet, the signs of this ideology are all around us. We have an uprising of incel culture online, members of the elite  from politicians to movie stars  abusing women and girls, misogynistic influencers like Tate charged with rape and trafficking women, street crimes like cat-calling and cyber-flashing, a backlash and hatred of the #MeToo movement, even as women continue to report increasing instances in a wide range of professions (including, most recently, the NHS) and the murders of women like Sarah Everard, Zara Aleena and Sabina Nessa.

In this country alone, at least 350 women have been killed by men  the equivalent of one woman dying every three days  since serving police officer Wayne Couzens killed Sarah Everard on 3 March 2021.

We also see a continued rise in sexual and domestic violence rates: knife crime against women has doubled in the past five years and domestic abuse and sexual violence against transgender and non-binary people has surged by 18 per cent. Nearly one in four rape victims are girls under the age of 16. And still, nearly 70 per cent of rape victims drop out of investigations in England and Wales.

It fascinates me that when a man deliberately and exclusively murders or rapes women and girls, the discussion of misogyny as the prime motivator is muted.

Why is violence against women and girls (VAWG) so commonly attributed to mental illness, as in Cauchis case? If youre going to keep claiming that mental illness causes men to go on killing sprees, you are going to need to explain why millions of people also diagnosed with the exact same mental illnesses never hurt a fly  and why there is not a single mental illness in the DSM/ICD disease and illness classifications listed as increasing the risk of committing mass murder.

And perhaps you could also explain why women diagnosed with these same mental illnesses dont seem to go on shooting and stabbing sprees?

Im a psychologist  and I can tell you that many murderers make active choices, with capacity. They go and act out those choices because they can, because they want to, because they will get something out of it and because they enjoy it. It is rarely random, unpredictable, unrelated and unpreventable.

Yet rather than us addressing the wider systemic and social hatred of women and girls in a misogynistic world, we point to something internal and individual  psychiatric conditions. We claim they must have been schizophrenic, bipolar or sociopathic. We invoke social problems: they had a hard childhood, were depressed, had no social skills, they were lonely. We say they just wanted girlfriends, as if to feel sorry for them.

Rather than turn men into monsters with unsolveable conditions  or excuse them by blaming women for not giving them love and sex  we need to name the problem to be able to solve it.

The real monster here isnt mental illness: its misogyny.

This article was written before news emerged of the stabbings at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Sydney on Monday
Billionaire Oleg Deripaska is a major shareholder in Rusal, the owner of Aughinish Alumina

Aughinish Alumina employs around 450 people at its plant on the Shannon estuary

The Russian firm that owns the huge Aughinish Alumina plant in Limerick said on Monday that new sanctions on Russian metals introduced by the United States and Britain will have no impact on its ability to supply aluminium to world markets.

Washington and London on Friday prohibited metal-trading exchanges from accepting new aluminium, copper and nickel produced by Russia and barred the import of the metals into the United States and Britain.

The London Metal Exchange (LME) on Saturday banned from its system Russian metal produced on or after April 13 to comply with new sanctions.

The Kremlin on Monday said it considered the sanctions illegal and a double-edged sword that would hurt the interests of those imposing them.

The action is aimed at disrupting Russian export revenue in response to what Moscow calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine. Russia is a major producer of aluminium, copper and nickel.

Russian aluminium giant Rusal, which owns the Aughinish Alumina metal smelting site in Limerick said the sanctions will not affect its trade.

"The announced actions have no impact on Rusal's ability to supply since Rusal's global logistic delivery solutions, access to banking system, overall production and quality systems are not affected," said Rusal, the world's largest aluminium producer outside China with a global share of 5.5pc.

"The US determination does not impose any new prohibitions or requirements relating to the processing, clearing or sending of payments by any intermediary banks."

Rusal and Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest palladium producer and a major producer of high-grade nickel, have not been directly targeted with Western sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine.

The share of available aluminium stocks of Russian origin in warehouses approved by the LME stood at 91pc in March, while the proportion of copper stocks was at 62pc. Russian nickel in LME warehouses amounted to 36pc of the total.

Aluminium and nickel futures rallied to multi-month highs during early trading on Monday, though both contracts pared gains subsequently. Russia's commodity exporters have sharply expanded supplies to markets like China and India as Western countries have imposed sanctions which

President Vladimir Putin says amount to a declaration of economic war by the West.

Goldman Sachs said it did not expect an immediate supply shock.

"From a fundamental perspective, it is important to recognise that these exchange focused rule adjustments will not generate a necessary supply-demand shock," Goldman Sachs analysts said in a note.

Russian producers can continue to sell metal to other non-U.S. or UK markets, Goldman Sachs said, but uncertainty remains as to whether other key ex-China markets and consumers will also continue to consume the same volumes of Russian metal.

Rusal said the LME actions appeared to be strictly related to the exchange and derivatives. The company said it would still be able to provide hedging services to customers and remained committed to market-based pricing.

Nornickel has not yet commented on the sanctions.

Rusal shares were 1.7pc lower in Moscow in early trading on Monday. Promsvyazbank analysts said the market was likely still making sense of the sanctions and their impact.

"Although both Nornickel and Rusal sell most of their metals under bilateral contracts, their shipments are likely to decrease and, probably, a new discount to exchange prices will emerge," Promsvyazbank analysts said. (Reuters)
The High Court has made an order formally winding up a company set up to acquire and develop a Co Wicklow property into a care facility and nursing home.

On Monday Mr Justice Brian Cregan confirmed the appointment of insolvency practitioner Declan De Lacy of Dublin-registered Clonmannon House Retirement Village Limited, which acquired Clonmannon House and surrounding lands in Ashford, Co Wicklow.

Mr DeLacy had been appointed on a provisional basis by the court late last week, after it held the firm to be insolvent and unable to pay its debts as they fall due.

There was no opposition from either the company nor any other party to the application to confirm Mr De Lacy's appointment.

The order was sought by Beijing-based Ms Yi Yuan who claims to have put 1m, by way of a loan, into the firm under the government's Immigrant Investor Programme.

That programme, scrapped last year, allowed those who invested at least 1m in Ireland to obtain visas to reside here.

Arthur Cunningham BL, instructed by Peter Boyle and Co Solicitors, for the liquidator said that while his client has only been in situ, on a provisional basis, since last Thursday he had taken some steps in regards to the company.

Counsel said Mr De Lacy had been in contact with the firm's sole director Ms Candance La Fleur, who has agreed to cooperate with the liquidator.

Counsel said that the liquidation was complex, and added that there is an agreement in place that the company would complete the purchase of Clonmannon House by the end of the month.

Counsel said some 1.9m has been paid to buy the asset, with a sum of over 100,000 due to the vendor.

However, counsel said while the company did not appear to have the funds to complete the purchase, plans to put financing in place that would enable the sale to go ahead are underway.

Counsel also said Mr De Lacy is looking into certain tax issues, including stamp duty that may arise in relation to the purchase of the property.

In reply to the judge, counsel accepted the company has claimed that it hopes to sell on the property for a sum of approximately 4m.

Mr Justice Cregan said he was satisfied to confirm Mr De Lacy's appointment as liquidator and directed that Ms La Fleur provide a statement of affairs.

The matter will return before the court later this month.

Represented by Sally O'Neill BL, instructed by solicitor Aisling Murphy of O'Shea Barry Solicitors, the petitioner sought the liquidator's appointment following the firm's failure to repay her some 1.17m which became due and owing last August.

Ms O'Neill said her client had become concerned after another investor launched legal proceedings, alleging that the company had not repaid that investor a sum of 1.3m.

Counsel said that Ms La Fleur had sworn an affidavit in those proceedings which contained matters that Ms Yuan says are not true.

There were also concerns about the company's compliance with Irish company law, the court heard.

The proceedings were brought last January when Ms Li Sun, represented by Sean O'Sullivan BL instructed by Rafferty Jameson Solicitors, secured a temporary freezing order restraining the company from disbursing, dissipating, or in any way disposing of any monies received by it in relation to any sale or disposal of the defendant's assets or shares.

The Clontarf-based Ms Sun, who invested in the company in 2019 sought the order over concerns about her investment and fears that she will not get the 1.3m she says she is entitled to from the company.

All claims of wrongdoing in those proceedings have been denied by the company.

That action returns before the court later this month.
The High Court has formally wound up Ireland's only vinyl records manufacturer with the loss of over 20 jobs.

On Monday Mr Justice Brian Cregan made orders winding up and appointing Ken Fennell and Eamonn Richardson, of Interpath Advisory, as joint liquidators of Pressing Matters Ltd, trading as Dublin Vinyl.

The court heard that the company, which petitioned the court for the winding up orders, is unable to pay its debts as they fall due and has liabilities over assets of 1.3m.

Last month, when the liquidators were appointed on a provisional basis, the court heard that it was hoped their appointment might allow the firm to complete outstanding orders worth 500,000.

On Monday, Sam Collins BL for the liquidators told the court his clients had deemed that it was not feasible to carry out that work.

All of the firm's employees have been made redundant, counsel added.

Counsel added that his clients have received four separate offers for the company's assets, which they are currently considering.

Previously, the court heard that the company had 22 full-time employees and four full-time contractor workers.

It was founded in 2016 and had contracts for major record companies and artists, including Taylor Swift.

Represented by Peter Shanley BL, the firm sustained significant losses in 2022 and 2023, due to factors including the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit, the war in Ukraine, the loss of a major contract, and the failure of record pressing machines it had ordered to arrive on time.

The Dublin 4-registered company said an orderly winding up was in the best interests of all parties including its creditors.

The company had looked at alternatives, including examinership, but was of the opinion that the best option was to liquidate the company.

Counsel said the company, which has rented units in Dublin, had come under pressure from its creditors, including its energy supplier, which had threatened to cut off its electricity over unpaid bills.
In recent years, the company, which was founded in 2010, has also moved into the US market. Photo: PA

GridBeyond has secured 52.25m in a Series C funding round as it continues its international expansion.

Dublin-headquartered GridBeyond is an energy distribution services firm. It works with companies to design a path to net-zero emissions by optimising energy usage.

It also owns and manages solar farms, batteries and other clean energy assets.

The funding round was led by Klima, the energy transition firm ran by financial services firm Alantra. New investors included Energy Impact Partners, ABB, Constellation and Yokogawa Electric Corporation.

The business plans to use the new funding to expand its operations in existing markets, including a planned expansion of its US business.

Its to grow that business in the UK and Ireland, chief executive Michael Phelan said, pointing to an example of the firms current contracts with data centres.

[We are] linking them with wind farms and solar farms in Ireland, doing the same in the UK and other places and helping them on the path to zero carbon, he said. Were growing that business at the moment.

In recent years, the company, which was founded in 2010, has also moved into the US market. GridBeyond employs around 30 people there and is active in a number of states.

The business also has operations in Australia and Japan.

GridBeyond has established itself as a VPP [virtual power plant] leader across different countries, enabling stakeholders throughout the value chain to optimise energy, added Bastien Gambini, managing director of investor Klima.

The company also plans to use the new funding to further develop its technology. GridBeyond has an artificial intelligence platform which looks to offer deeper insights on upcoming weather conditions.

Its technology also focuses on optimising an organisations energy usage through different sources, including storage, use of renewables and local utilities.

Demand is increasing, Mr Phelan said. The knowledge of needing to go on a path to net-zero carbon, to commit to customers, to shareholders, to employees that the company is doing that, has only increased.

The company reported that annual revenue has risen by an average of 70pc each year for the past three years. It is forecasting similar growth for this year.

Mr Phelan added that the cost of some of the assets involved in going net zero are simultaneously decreasing as interest from organisations increases.

The cost of batteries, in particular, is probably even half again this year, which would drive EV [electric vehicles] and battery storage, he said.

The company also completed its first acquisition last year, purchasing an American software firm. New York-listed Veritone forecasts wind and solar output, the load  or demand for electricity on the grid on a given day  and the price of all the various energy sources.

Mr Phelan says the business would be open to further deals in the future.

We will look if we can find something thats complementary to us in a market we are interested in or that we want to enter fairly quickly, he said.
EU takes 45pc of total exports, US takes 27pc, while Britain takes 8pc

The EU is by far Ireland's biggest trading partner. Photo: Getty

Goods exports from Ireland fell in February, according to new data from the Central Statistics Office.

Unadjusted goods exports dropped by 700m compared to the same month last year. When seasonally adjusted, exports were also down by 500m in February, compared to Januarys figures, the report revealed.

Exports of medical and pharmaceutical products increased in February 2024 when compared to the same month a year earlier.

Pharma exports grew by 15pc to 6.5bn compared to a year earlier and represented 40pc of the total across the month.

This was down from almost 9bn in January, when the industry represented 48pc of all Irish exports.

Irelands seasonally adjusted trade surplus was 7.1bn for the month

Organic chemicals exports plummeted by 38pc year-on-year, the CSO found. Exports in this industry stood at around 2.3bn in February.

While the headline figure may look alarming, with the decrease in value of exports of 500m relative to January 2024, when the fall in the value of pharmaceuticals is stripped out, it points to quite a strong export performance by the Irish economy, said Carol Lynch, a partner in the customs and international trade department at consultants BDO.

Interestingly, the value of exports for the first two months of 2024 was 8pc higher relative to the same period in 2023, she added.

Exports to Britain stood at 1.2bn for the month, around 8pc of the total recorded in February. This was down 5pc from February 2023.

Chemicals held the largest share of exports to the market, followed by food and live animals.

This decline is unsurprising as these figures incorporate the first month of newly introduced UK customs controls on all goods imported into Great Britain from Ireland, Grant Thornton tax director Janette Maxwell said.

This points to the enhanced difficulties experienced by Irish traders when selling goods into Great Britain, where the Irish trader is commercially responsible for clearing the goods in Great Britain, she added.

Exports to the European Union stood at 7.2bn in February and this accounted for 45pc of total goods exports, according to the CSO. Around 2bn went to the Netherlands, while a further 1.7bn went to Germany.

Goods ready for shipment. Photo: Getty

The newly published data from the Central Statistics Office also showed that exports to the United States were around 4.2bn, up by just 1pc from February 2023.

The value of goods imports were also down in February.

This measure plummeted by 1.1bn year-on-year to 10bn.

The largest reduction in imports in February were seen in some types of transport equipment, including aircraft, as well as organic chemicals and fuel.

Imports from Britain also dropped 34pc from the corresponding period last year.

Although the decline is not as sharp as the January figures, the sustained decline is likely attributable to the fact that Irish traders are sourcing goods from other EU markets, Ms Maxwell said.

Irelands seasonally adjusted trade surplus was 7.1bn for the month, down 14pc from January.
Darragh OBrien says home building is up 72pc in the first two months of 2024

Housing Minister Darragh OBrien is to ask the Cabinet next Tuesday to extend a waiver on development levies that is due to expire later this month.

The waiver, along with a refund scheme for Uisce Eireann water connection charges, is being credited with a surge in house building in the first quarter of this year.

Builders do not have to pay local authority development charges for any residential projects started between April 25, 2023 and April 24, 2024.

The Government says the combined waiver and refund shaves an average of 12.500 off the cost of building a new home.

In a speech to the Irish Home Builders Association housebuilding summit yesterday, Mr OBrien said: Everyone here can see the impact the waiver on development levies and the water-connection charge rebate is having.

The effect of the extension is likely to be a slowdown in house commencements

"Very soon I will be asking Cabinet to continue this waiver until the end of the year.

If a measure works and boosts delivery, we should stand by it. A 71pc increase in home starts is a sure sign its working.

Mr OBrien said that building began on over 7,000 new homes in the first two months of 2024.

This is a record high for the first two months of the year  up 72pc compared to January and February of last year.

It is understood that the minister has already got agreement in principle from the Cabinets housing sub-committee for the extension.

It met and discussed the issue on Monday. Once some details are worked out, Mr OBrien will bring the proposal to next weeks full cabinet meeting.

He said the home-buying supports  Help to Buy and First Home  are shooting out the lights in terms of helping buyers.

I aim to expand and extend them by another five years to give the sector certainty and aspiring homebuyers hope, he said. This ladder of opportunity will open up homes for a new generation and needs to be kept in place.

It is not clear why Mr OBrien is choosing the end of 2024 as a new deadline for the waiver, rather than extending it by a calendar year, by which time the general election would have been held.

The effect of the extension is likely to be a slowdown in house commencements over the next few months, as builders no longer work to beat the April 24 deadline.

Meanwhile, a leading property economist has argued that local authority levies and the buyer support schemes should both be scrapped permanently, as they only cancel each other out.

John McCartney, chief economist with BNP Paribas Real Estate, told the Irish Independent this week that the levy and water connection charges for new homes are a drag on supply, but subsidies for buyers only drive up demand without increasing supply.
A loophole in the legislation underpinning the planned auto-enrolment pension scheme could see large numbers of workers losing out, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said.

The union body has welcomed the beginning of the Dail debate on the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill, due to begin today, and is calling on politicians to get the bill done.

But it said that the bill needs to be amended to avoid employers escaping having to make contributions to the pension funds of some workers for a number of years.

At the moment, employers are legally required to provide their employees with access to a personal retirement savings account (PRSA) if they do not provide an occupational pension scheme.

But the employer does not have to make a contribution on behalf of the staff member to a PRSA.

Around one in 20 employees with a pension has a PRSA only.

Irish Congress of Trades Union (Ictu) general secretary Owen Reidy said that the provisions of the auto-enrolment bill will mean these workers with a PRSA will not be automatically enrolled or guaranteed a minimum employer contribution to their retirement savings for at least seven years after auto-enrolment comes into operation.

This is because the bill sets out a seven-year period before minimum employer contribution rates will be applied to all personal pensions and occupational pensions.

The way the bill is framed will mean people with a PRSA will have no employer contributions for seven years, while those enrolled into the auto-enrolment scheme will benefit from seven years of employer contributions.

Mr Reidy said: We strongly call for the seven-year deadline provided for in the bill for setting minimum contribution rates into existing pension schemes to be shortened.

It will be a bitter pill to swallow for workers who find themselves with a lower or, in cases of personal pensions, no employer contribution because they had proactively taken steps to save for their retirement prior to auto-enrolment.

He said an amendment to this part of the bill is needed.

Plans to introduce auto-enrolment have been discussed for more than a decade and a half. The deadline for its introduction has been constantly moved, with the start of next year the latest date.

However, there are doubts that it will begin then as it will be near a general election. Businesses have been complaining about a raft of recent changes that have meant it is more costly to employ people.

Last month Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys got cabinet approval for draft legislation on the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill.

It will apply to almost 800,000 workers between the age of 23 and 60 who are employed but not enrolled in an occupational pension scheme, and drawdown will be aligned with the state pension.

The scheme is being targeted to allow those with no work pension to begin saving for their pension earlier and to ensure that people are not left on just the state pension when they retire.

The scheme will see employees contribute into the pension pot, with their contributions matched by their employer, as well as a top-up from the State.
A temporary waiver credited with rise in housing starts is due to expire next week, adding around 12,500 in costs

Local authority levies on new homes and water connection bills for new builds should be scrapped permanently, one of the countrys leading property economists has said.

A temporary waiver on the levies, which add around 12,500 to the cost of an average new home, is due to expire on April 24 after being credited with significantly boosting construction activity in recent months.

BNP Paribas Real Estate chief economist John McCartney said levies are a drag on new supply.

The levies should be scrapped altogether, it is bad economics. The loss to the Government could be funded by scrapping Help-to-Buy he said.

While levies increase costs, subsidies for buyers drive up demand without increasing supply, he added.

The latest BNP Paribas Real Estates purchasing managers index (PMI) shows momentum in the construction sector improving. The PMI is a monthly tracker of activity that shows growth as a reading above 50 and contraction as a reading under that.

In March, the index posted 51.6, from 47.4 in February.

The March expansion was broadly based but powered in particular by residential construction, where a surge in commencements has led to a pick-up in early-stage home-building activity.

Mr McCartney does not think housing delivery will reach the Governments target for 2024, but the early-stage work this year on houses and apartments will increase output next year.

The rise in work on residential projects was the first in a year and a half and most pronounced since May 2022.

Commercial activity also rose solidly, ending a four-month sequence of decline, the PMI shows.

Strong construction sector employment data within the overall results suggests builders are finding the workers needed for projects, even with relatively muted wage growth.

That is despite widespread concerns that skills and labour shortages could threaten efforts to increase housing output. The ESRI has estimated that around 90,000 extra construction workers are needed per year to meet Irelands targets.

The BNP Paribas PMI data for recent months suggests workers are being found ahead of activity levels increasing. The rate of construction sector job creation in March was at a 13-month high.

Meanwhile, local authority levies due to kick back in later this month should go, Mr McCartney argues.

Last April, the Department of Housing announced a one-year waiver on levies payable to local councils for new residential developments, and launched a refund scheme for Uisce Eireann water connection charges.

This means builders do not have to pay local authority development contributions for any residential projects started between April 25 last year and April 24 this year. The projects must be completed by December 31, 2025, in order to qualify. Central government has picked up the tab for local authorities lost income.

The incentive appears to have worked to stimulate activity on sites, although in at least some cases that is likely to include instances where timing of schemes that were in train anyway was pulled forward to qualify for the tax break.

Goodbody estimates there has been a surge of activity this year, with commencements increasing by 67pc year on year, including a 107pc increase in apartment construction.
The season two opener of the Belfast-set BBC show was genuinely unnerving, but most of the time the series makes for ordinary viewing

Loyalist pub owner (Seamus OHaras Lee Thompson) and his worrisome sister (Seana Kerslakes Mags) who are about to create a whole new world of problems. Photo: Christopher Barr/BBC/Two Cities Television

What is the big fuss over Blue Lights (BBC One, Mondays)? Filmed and set in Belfast, with a solid cast and a steady set-up, Declan Lawn and Adam Pattersons competent police procedural was one of the surprise television hits of 2023.

A major ratings winner for the Beeb, the series picked up glowing reviews, numerous award nominations and  heres the clincher  a green light for not one, not two, but three further seasons. That sort of carry-on is almost entirely unheard of.

The money managers are confident about this one, and confidence is something that oozes from Blue Lights.

You can hear it in the dialogue, you can see it in the performances, the set-pieces, those gripping, tension-fuelled moments when it looks like Constable Grace Ellis (Sian Brooke) and her team might not make it home for dinner.

Blue Lights, then, is undeniably watchable, sometimes thrilling. Most of the time, however, its just, um, well, how should I put this? Ordinary? Yes, ordinary covers it.

Predictable, too  and frustratingly slow in parts. You wonder what, exactly, separates it from other primetime cop shows, or how it managed to trick its audience into thinking its something that its not. Is it because Blue Lights is swearier, and considerably more violent? Maybe.

Season two picks up a year after the first one ended. The McIntyre crime empire is no more, and Constable Gerard Cliff (the great Richard Dormer) is no longer with us.

Poor Gerry was killed off in the first season, which is a shame because Dormers character was perhaps the best thing about this show.

The newcomers, meanwhile, are no longer newcomers. Probation season is well and truly over, but the training never stops, and when we check back in with Grace and her fellow PSNI officers, they are in the middle of a terrifying public order exercise, after which a mouthy superior warns them that if they dont start using their heads, theyll never survive the real thing.

The message is loud and clear: there is a storm coming.

Loyalist pub owner (Seamus OHaras Lee Thompson) and his worrisome sister (Seana Kerslakes Mags) who are about to create a whole new world of problems. Photo: Christopher Barr/BBC/Two Cities Television

Crime rates are at an all-time high in the city, and though the McIntyres are out of the picture, it looks like someone else has taken their place and turned up the volume.

All signs point towards a group of notorious Loyalist gangsters  and Sergeant Helen McNally (Joanne Crawford) and her team are struggling to keep the streets clean. Soon, the folks above her have no choice but to intervene. Enter Detective Sergeant Murray Canning (Desmond Eastwood) who brings in a new Constable (Frank Blakes Shane Bradley) to assist.

Blue Lights Series 2 - Trailer

Canning also takes Tommy (Nathan Braniff) under his wing, but for what purpose? Well find out soon enough.

Meanwhile, Constable Stephen Neil (Martin McCann) is beginning to slip up. We know how he feels about Grace, and she knows it too, and their professional partnership remains intact, but for how long?

Meanwhile, Constable Stephen Neil (Martin McCann) is beginning to slip up. We know how he feels about Grace, and she knows it too, and their professional partnership remains intact, but for how long?

Stevie has started to let his feelings get in the way of the job  and Grace finally confronts him about it.

Elsewhere, Lawn and Pattersons story occasionally takes the wrong turn. See, for instance, a routine domestic call that Constable Bradley solves with a charming smile and a complimentary pack of cigarettes for the unfortunate troublemaker.

For a series that often strives for authenticity, its a bogus move.

See, also, a romantic sub plot for Tommy who, after being told by Constable Annie Conlon (Katherine Devlin) that he needs a ride, decides to ask out an old work mate.

The Jen story, too, feels like something from another show, and Hannah McCleans character is now working as a solicitor while secretly investigating an historical bombing in her spare time.

Im a lot more interested in the introduction of a Loyalist pub owner (Seamus OHaras Lee Thompson) and his worrisome sister (Seana Kerslakes Mags) who are about to create a whole new world of problems for Grace and Co.

Just like last time, its all building towards something big  something explosive, even. And, just like last time, Blue Lights remembers the importance of a nail-biting set-piece.

The pharmacy hold-up sequence in Mondays season opener was genuinely unnerving, and McCann and Brooke continue to work well together.

How long will they get away with the Grace-and-Stevie personal predicament subplot? Dunno. Will we still be talking about Blue Lights a year from now? Thats the plan, apparently.

But lets not go about pretending its the best thing on the box. Its perfectly fine.

Blue Lights continues Monday nights at 9pm on BBC One
One of the ways we can support even more farmers to make the switch to organic is for the State to become a purchaser of organic food

A minimum of 10pc of food bought in by public sector bodies will need be certified organic, according to the Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan that the government has approved.

Minister Pippa Hackett, who worked on the policy initiative, said: From now, 10pc by value of food sought by public sector bodies under new contract arrangements is to be certified organic.

We want to support a diverse organic sector, so I felt it particularly important for the strategy to provide that the 10 pc number should be hit across individual food categories, rather than the entire target being met through supplies of only one or two food categories.

The strategy  which helps public bodies seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact  also outlines that the level of seasonal products included in public sector food procurement should be a key criterion.

We have a target under the Climate Action Plan that 10pc of agricultural land in Ireland will be farmed organically by 2030, said Minister Hackett.

One of the ways we can support even more farmers to make the switch to organic is for the State to become a purchaser of organic food.

Public procurement has worked really well in other EU Member States as a policy lever to grow the organic sector.

I look forward to seeing the results of this policy change, alongside Bord Bias organics promotional campaigns and increased presence at international organic trade events.

The Minister pointed out that Ireland has seen a three-fold increase in the number of organic farmers in organically farmed land since 2020.

She added: The future is bright for Irish organic farming. There will be times of the year that we can provide organic food in much greater supply, and those periods might well see much more than 10pc organic food being used.

Equally, there will of course be months when supply may be a bit lower. I am really looking forward to seeing our State agencies contribute to the objective by offering nutritious, organic food, produced in a way that delivers for farmers and for our environment.
Landowners along the route of the proposed Adare bypass and railway route to Foynes in Limerick have alleged large scale destruction is making the operation of their holdings impossible.

They are accusing Limerick City and County Council of breaching the IFA-TII Code of Practice Agreement on offer of compensation and failing to address issues of destruction on their lands.

Simon White, one of the 108 farmers served with CPOs, has called on the IFA to take immediate action to see that the provisions on the agreement, signed between IFA and TII in 2023, are complied with and the farmers compensated for damage to their holdings.

We have the situation where the machines have come through and destroyed the land.

Theyve taken away the fences and they havent refenced [the land] and we are now facing a situation where we cant put our cattle out because God only knows where they are going to end up and they dont seem to give a damn, he said.

I have a culvert, a bridge, an underpass on my land. They dug up the bridge and I cant get to my land and even if I could, the fences on the land are gone and nobody is talking to us about the problems that we are having to cope with.

He claimed that several farmers along the route have the same issues, which are not being addressed and our farms are being destroyed, and some are running the risk of losing a portion of their direct payments (SFP) as a result of the damage.

He pointed out those served with CPOs had until last October to lodge a claim for compensation with the County Council, who were obliged under the agreement to make an offer within two months, and six months later, no one has received an offer.

We are getting all sorts of promises on what is going to happen, but then it doesnt happen and we are left with the problems to handle and it is not good enough, he said.

They made a promise (to IFA) that they would send out a copy of the Code of Practice to the affected farmers and they have not done it.

I havent had a single representative come to talk to me and they are coming in and destroying our farms. It is a horrendous situation. Every day, there is a new issue.

He claimed a large area of trees has been cut down on his farm without any agreement on what they were taking or what compensation would be paid.

If the drivers of the big machines they have working there did not get their wages, the machines would stop, but we are at the end of the line and nobody gives a damn, he said.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 16th April 2024

Sean Lavery, Limerick County IFA Chairman, confirmed it had received calls from farmers on a number of issues and had passed them on to the County Council.

"We met the County Council at the end of February/early March and received an assurance that the requested documentation [copy of the signed IFA-TII Agreement] would be sent to the farmers.

Two weeks ago, they told us that a draft had been prepared and had to be approved and I would expect that it should be completed.

It is also our intention to hold three meetings with farmers on the ground and get photographs and details of the issues and we are going to proceed with that, he said.

He accepted that the situation which has arisen is not satisfactory and the farmer issues must be addressed.

Limerick City and County Council was contacted for a response, but no reply regarding the issues raised was received.
Limerick mayoral candidate John Moran: Some people might think farmers are rich but I know the opposite is the case

Former Department of Finance heavy hitter speaks about growing up on a farm and his French-inspired take on how to support the farm sector

John Moran, formerly the top civil servant in the Department of Finance, is bidding to become the first elected mayor of Limerick

Hannah Quinn-Mulligan Tue 16 Apr 2024 at 03:30

Growing up in Birmingham, John Morans farming career started at the age of four when his father returned home to Co Limerick to buy some land.
Preparing and following up for on-site checks required between half a day and one day of work for 63pc of farmers checked. Photo: Stock Image/Getty

Over one-third of EU farmers are spending more than six days every year on administrative tasks linked to applications for CAP aid, according to a new EU survey.

A further 24pc of EU farmers are spending five to six days on CAP paperwork, while the number is one to four working days for 38pc of farmers.

The European Commission last week presented the preliminary results of its simplification survey, which received 27,000 replies across the bloc.

The survey was part of the actions taken by the Commission to respond to farmers concerns over red tape and it was directed specifically at farmers to identify the administrative burden and complexity stemming from CAP rules, as well as other rules for food and agriculture.

A very large share of farmers applying for CAP support (78pc) also use some type of outside help to prepare and submit their CAP aid application.

Meanwhile, some 44pc of EU farmers stated having to report the same piece of information several times, highlighting finance and land use information as the most common in terms of repetition.

Regarding on-site checks in the last three years, 36pc of farms covered in the survey were visited once, while 16pc of farms received at least three visits.

These visits may also include inspections not related to the CAP. Preparing and following up on these on-site checks required between half a day and one day of work for 63pc of farmers checked.

ICMSA President Denis Drennan said endless and pointless form-filling had become a huge source of frustration for farmers and the EUs attempt to simplify procedures has actually made things more convoluted and time-consuming.

This is perhaps the single most frustrating aspect of farmer interaction with the EU  they know more about us than ever and yet go on demanding more detail and form-filling than ever, he said.

Every action or access demands another round of form-filling and these are becoming so convoluted and complex that advisers have to be employed.

So any benefit is offset by the expense involved in that and then its all for what?

Despite all the information that they have about us, they seem no closer to understanding the problems and, if anything, the more information we give them, the less responsive and realistic are their policies.

The EU hopes the survey and the subsequent analysis will identify areas where improvements could be made to reduce administrative work for farmers.

In March, the EU, in the wake of widespread farmer protests, announced a number of simplification changes to the CAP, including a significant reduction in administrative checks on small farmers under 20ha.

It will also simplify the methodology for certain checks, aiming to reduce the number of on-farm visits by national administrations by up to 50pc.
I drove off - I was drunk. I am guilty  Trial hears of texts sent by accused after crash which killed Claudine Keanes uncle

Ukrainian, Bohdan Bezverkhyi (33), sent texts to people after the crash saying he had left the scene and had been drinking, court hears

Paudie Palmer

Ralph Riegel Tue 16 Apr 2024 at 20:45







A man who denies dangerous driving causing the death of Gaelic games commentator Paudie Palmer sent text messages to a number of people after the fatal collision saying that he had left the accident scene and that he had been drinking.
Off-duty garda grabbed keys to getaway car during petrol station robbery, court hears as knife wielding raider jailed

Anthony Gaffney (54) pleaded guilty to the 2016 robbery when he was first charged, but then failed to turn up for his sentence hearing and has been living under the radar for the last eight years, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard

Stock image

Isabel Hayes Tue 16 Apr 2024 at 17:10







A knife-wielding robber foiled by an off-duty garda who managed to grab the keys to the getaway car during a petrol station robbery eight years ago has been jailed for 18 months.
Grandfather of crime Pale Miley Connors home finally up for sale

Four other properties are to go up for auction

Miley Connors ran a prolific burglary gang. He died in 2016

Eamon Dillon Tue 16 Apr 2024 at 12:10

Eight years after his death, burglary gang boss Pale Miley Connors old house is part of a million-euro auction of properties seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).
Eir insists staff instruction to hide complaints details from customers taken out of context

Eir has claimed that a controversial instruction to staff to hide complaints details from customers was taken out of context after the telecoms firm was criticised by a district court.

A judge described as disgraceful how Eir threatened staff with disciplinary action if they handled customer complaints according to Irish law.

Under no circumstances are the complaints number or complaints webpage address to be provided to any customer, Eirs training manual for customer service agents said. Any agent found to be doing this will be subject to a disciplinary under call avoidance.

However, Eir says the instruction was taken out of context.

The training guidance emerged in a case taken by the telecoms regulator, ComReg, against Eir for not correctly dealing with customer complaints.

Eir pleaded guilty to 12 counts of not complying with legal requirements relating to its complaints-handling processes. The firm admitted it failed to correctly deal with the customer complaints as charged, and has paid a 7,500 fine,

The Big Tech Show: Eir complaints staff told under no circumstances to provide customers with complaints number

However, it says the paragraph relating to staff instructions around customer complaint telephone numbers and websites was taken out of context.

It added that this was part of training material for new customer service agents, requiring agents to transfer a call rather than asking a customer to call a second time.

The transfer of a call to the complaints team, rather than giving the Eir complaints phone number and asking them to make a call themselves, is a better experience for the customer, the telecoms firm said in a statement.

It furthermore described ComRegs characterisation of the training material as incorrect, regrettable and deeply concerning.

It also rejected arguments accusing [Eir] of instructing our customer care team to not comply with regulatory obligations.

Eir added that the claims by ComReg, based on documents they interpreted incorrectly, could have been easily clarified had they engaged with us directly in advance of the court hearing.

ComReg said the company had made deliberate decisions not to handle complaints in an acceptable manner.

The watchdog added that customer care staff at Irelands biggest telecoms firm were warned not to give out the right customer complaint numbers or website address unless callers used specific trigger words.

These meant, the regulator said, that calls would only be transferred to the proper complaint line if the customer used terms such as code of practice, or mentioned ComReg.

Not using the trigger words typically meant they were promised callbacks from a team leader or supervisor, which never happened in several instances.

The issue is set to be raised at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, according to vice chairperson of the committee, Fianna Fail Senator Gerry Horkan.

The instruction has been criticised as bizarre by another member of the Dail committee, Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell.

The court heard that in one of the cases, after four attempts, a customer got the correct number when ComReg assisted, and he could proceed with his complaint.

The district court also heard that a mother who was unable to make 999 calls when her daughter needed urgent medical attention was wrongly told there was nothing wrong with her service. Her father also ended up in hospital after a missed delivery of his breathing machine.

I cannot understand how a company that takes as much money from customers as Eir could act in this way, said Mr Craughwell, commenting on the case.

ComReg said it did engage with Eir in advance of the court hearing and that it furnished the firm with the controversial paragraph during its investigation.

This manual was provided to ComReg by Eir in the course of a formal investigation into Eirs complaints-handling processes and procedures, the watchdog said in a statement last night.

It formed part of the book of disclosure in the prosecution.

ComReg also added that Eir did not raise objection to the facts underlying any of the 10 cases before the court and that it was convicted in each of the 10 cases before the court.

Eir said that it will not be appealing against the district court judgement.

Figures from ComReg show that Eir has dramatically reduced the number of complaints made against it to the regulator. However, it remains one of the most complained-about companies according to other guides.

Earlier this year, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) reported that Eir was the most complained-about firm in the country in 2023, followed by Ryanair, Currys and Vodafone.

The company has invested around 1bn in upgrading its networks and customer service systems over the last five years, according to CEO Oliver Loomes.

Historically, Eir did not always get it right, Mr Loomes told RTEs The Business radio show last Saturday.

But were very aware of that and were learning from it and were improving.
An extra 33 Irish peacekeepers will be sent to Lebanon amid intensifying tensions in the region, under plans from Tanaiste Micheal Martin.

There are around 350 peacekeepers at Camp Shamrock in the south of the country as part of the Unifil mission, Cabinet will be told today.

The additional peacekeepers will travel out to Lebanon in July and the current battalion is due to finish up next month.

The Unifil mission is Irelands largest overseas deployment, as part of a joint Irish and Polish battalion, including peacekeepers from Hungary and Malta.

The extra soldiers will work to increase security of the Irish battalion and will provide force protection duties, as well as increased convoy security.

The move comes as the situation in the Middle East remains fragile after Irans missile and drone attack on Israel over the weekend.

Meanwhile, migrants will be housed at the Citywest Hotel until at least May next year as the Government is expected to formally sign off on an extension on the lease.

Around 81,000 Ukrainians and 8,000 asylum-seekers have been accommodated at Citywest since 2022.

Currently, around 560 international protection applicants and 1,600 Ukrainians are still accommodated there.

The proposal to extend the lease until next year will be brought to the Cabinet by Equality Minister Roderic OGorman.

It comes after Taoiseach Simon Harris criticised those behind an alleged arson attack on a building that was earmarked for asylum-seeker accommodation in Co Wicklow.

The fire, at Trudder House in Newtownmountkennedy, broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning.

There have been more than 20 fires at properties associated, sometimes incorrectly, with accommodating asylum-seekers last year and this year.

Mr Harris said the State is responding to a humanitarian crisis and described arson attacks on buildings during a housing crisis as extraordinarily unhelpful.

Separately, survivors of institutional abuse will be entitled to an enhanced medical card under proposals from Education Minister Norma Foley which will be signed off by senior ministers.

Survivors of Magdalene laundries and mother and baby homes already receive similar such medical cards.

Ms Foley will now put in a special package of supports for survivors of institutions also.

Survivors living abroad will be able to avail of a payment of 3,000 in lieu of the enhanced medical card to support their health needs.

Under the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill, grants will be provided to survivors to help them in taking part in further or higher education.

The Indo Daily: Middle East on the brink of all-out war as Iran launches unprecedented attack on Israel

The payments will be additional to any Student Universal Support Ireland (Susi) grants that survivors may be entitled to and the scheme will also ensure that survivors are not required to pay the student contribution charge.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will tell his cabinet colleagues that there has been an increase of a third in critical care capacity during the lifetime of the Government.

A progress report brought to the Cabinet will show that there are 330 ICU beds in operation across the country, an extra 72 additional beds over the 2020 baseline of 258 beds. An extra 106 beds are to be rolled out across a number of hospitals, with five being the priority: Beaumont, St Jamess, the Mater, St Vincents and Cork University Hospital.

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke will also tell the Cabinet that the referendum to join the Unified Patent Court, due to be held on June 7, is now being delayed.
Fossil fuel lobbyists spending $4bn a year to undermine climate justice movement, Mary Robinson warns

Asked if she had any advice for new Taoiseach Simon Harris, the former President joked that it was a dangerous question but added that Ireland generally had good climate policies, but it was not implementing them fast enough

Former President Mary Robinson delivers the keynote speech to the DCU Centre for Climate and Society annual conference, held at the Helix exhibition centre at Dublin City University. Photo: PA

Ellen Coyne Tue 16 Apr 2024 at 12:25







The world needs a new light the window to counter the multi-billion fossil fuel lobby that is undermining the climate justice movement, Mary Robinson has said.
High hotel room rates in Dublin are headline-grabbing  but costs are largely in line with international competitors, a new report into potential price gouging has found.

It found that surge pricing  which happens when prices are adjusted to reflect market conditions such as supply, demand and competition  usually makes headlines for room rates booked at short notice for a major event or at times of exceptionally high demand.

The report, commissioned by Failte Ireland and undertaken by Crowe, used examples of headlines citing hiking room prices ahead of Taylor Swifts Dublin concerts this summer and during the Six Nations earlier this year.

While the pricing of the last remaining rooms can be headline-grabbing, the vast majority of rooms sold for any given night are contracted well in advance and priced at rates well below those of the last available room, said the report.

High demand for hotel rooms during large events or concerts are a symptom of supply struggling to meet demand and, in an era of dynamic pricing, high-demand nights putting strong upward pressure on room rates.

It said Dublin is not atypical from other major cities when available stock cannot facilitate the extra demand that comes with large events.

The report pushed back against the introduction of price controls because it could have unintended consequences such as distorting the market, reducing room supply and disincentivising investment. Ireland was previously ranked the most expensive country in the EU for consumer services such as taxi fares, hairdressing and hotels and ranked second-most expensive for consumer goods such as food, beverages and clothing.

The report also found that the tourism industry in Ireland was considered high cost but competitive before the pandemic, with a well-recognised shortage of tourist accommodation in Dublin.

There was an anticipated national shortfall of 11,500 hotel rooms over the next decade, while Dublin would need more than 4,000 to meet expected demand.

Hosting displaced Ukrainians and others seeking international protection was taking tourist accommodation stock out of the market that would otherwise be available for use by tourists and was also affecting availability, the report found.

In Dublin, 10pc of all Failte Ireland-registered stock  or 6,800 beds  is under government contract, while a further 9,100 beds are under contract in unregistered establishments.

Failte Ireland estimates that 2,500 properties to let on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com may be suitable for long-term rental after the short-term tourist letting bill is enacted.

It is likely these 2,500 units may leave the tourism sector and will no longer be available for use by tourists, it said.

Barriers to growing supply included construction costs, funding, risk aversion, planning and hotel regulations, the report found.
Vacancies for professionals have plummeted by 30pc but a major employment boost is predicted as the state buoys up the jobs market.

A big recruitment companys new hiring monitor says there has been a cautious start to 2024 in the professional jobs market.

There was a significant 14pc fall in job openings as hiring was hesitant in the first three months of the year.

The report also reveals that employers are pushing for staff to work more days onsite, according to the Morgan McKinley Ireland Quarterly Employment Monitor.

Referring to the decline in job openings, the report says the contraction reflects broader economic uncertainties and a shift in employment expectations at the beginning of the year.

There was a fall of over 2pc in professional jobseekers in the early months of the year since the end of last year. The year on year drop in their numbers was dramatic  at over 31pc.

The report points to a more conservative approach by professional jobseekers to changing jobs without secured offers.

But there are positive developments buoying the jobs market and new positions are predicted due to IDA investment in financial services, life sciences, manufacturing and technology.

Salaries have remained stable but skills shortages are leading to pay hikes for surveyors, tax professionals, pension specialists, and cybersecurity experts.

The report says a notable trend across all industries is the increasing requirement for onsite work.

It says this is especially impacting technology professionals who were used to more flexible arrangements before the pandemic.

Additionally, the ongoing accommodation crisis in Ireland continues to hinder the hiring and integration of overseas talent, further complicating the employment landscape, it says.

Trayc Keevans, global FDI director at Morgan McKinley Ireland, said the technology sector has seen a significant uptick in demand for permanent jobs due to the initiation of long-term digital transformation projects, mainly in Dublin.

This demand is anticipated to extend to contract positions as initial project phases conclude, she said.

However, she said the market for daily contractors has fluctuated, initially decreasing due to cost-cutting measures but showing signs of recovery as the first quarter of the year ended.

The financial services sector in Ireland is hiring steadily, with a rise in roles like regulatory compliance analysts and data governance managers due to new regulations, she said.

She said new regulations, like the auto-enrolment pension scheme that is due to start in January 2025, are reshaping skill requirements.

In Dublin, the demand for accounting and finance professionals remains strong, particularly for tax managers and newly qualified accountants from Big 4 firms, she said.

However, regional markets have seen a slight decline in hiring, partly due to professionals choosing to stay in their current roles, attracted by better salaries and career prospects in practice settings.

She said overall recruitment remains challenging due to ongoing talent shortages, which is further exacerbated by qualified accountants migrating to countries like Australia. This has intensified the scarcity of talent in this sector.
Since early 2020, a HPV test of smears, followed by cytology, can detect 90pc of women at risk of cervical cancer. Stock image

Leading cancer specialists have delivered a stark warning saying they cannot provide optimal care or outcomes to their patients due to underfunding.

They have outlined their concerns in a strongly-worded letter to Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.

They said that "as cancer doctors and researchers, we are writing to highlight the impact that lack of investment in the National Cancer Strategy is having on people with cancer in Ireland.

"The strategy, which you (Mr Harris) published as Minister for Health in 2017, has the potential to significantly improve Irelands cancer outcomes through investment in cancer prevention, detection, treatment and survivorship supports."

However, they warn that it has only received proper funding in two of the seven Budgets. Screening has not been expanded as planned and target waiting times for cancer tests are not being met.

"Cancer surgeries are frequently delayed due to shortages in staffing, beds and theatre space.

"Investment in infrastructure has been lacking, despite increasing infection control issues and rising cancer incidence. Radiotherapy services are operating significantly below capacity. We are falling far short of the already modest target of 6pc of cancer patients participating in clinical trials. Ireland is also one of the slowest countries in Western Europe to make new medicines available to public patients. "

The doctors and researchers said staff do everything they can to minimise the impact of these deficits on patients.

However, it is simply not possible to provide optimal care or patient outcomes in these conditions. Ireland had the third highest cancer mortality in western Europe.

"Given the impact of Covid-19 on Irelands cancer services and the Governments failure to provide any new recurrent development funding for the strategy in 2023 or 2024, we have no reason to believe the situation has improved. Rather, given the pressure our services are currently under, Irelands cancer outcomes are at risk of going backwards.

People with cancer in Ireland deserve the best possible chance of surviving the disease and enjoying a good quality of life afterwards. This will only be achieved through properly resourced cancer services, with protected pathways that are not disrupted by other pressures on the health service.

"We urge you to reverse the decision to provide no new recurrent funding to the national cancer control programme and to commit to sufficient ringfenced multiannual funding to enable full delivery of the strategy.

Signatures to the letter include Prof Donal Brennan of the Mater hospital, Dr Sinead Brennan, St Luke's hospital, Dr Paula Calvert, Waterford, Prof Ruth Clifford, Limerick, Prof Michael Kerin Galway and Prof Seamus O Reilly, Cork.

The doctors are supported by the Irish Cancer Society chief executive Averil Power who said it must serve as a wake up call.

Last week Mr Donnelly defended cancer funding saying there has never been as much investment as there has been in cancer services as in the last number of years allowing for the expansion of services and more staff.

He said advocates and doctors are absolutely right  to call for more. This year the focus is on productivity, he said.
TANAISTE Micheal Martin warned that Constitutional change would be required to allow for an expanded Cabinet with increased stand-alone ministries if Ireland is to respond to rapidly changing global challenges.

Mr Martin - speaking in Cork at the opening of a new 4m Defence Forces accommodation block at Collins Barracks - acknowledged that certain Government departments are effectively overloaded by having too many and too varied responsibilities.

His comments came as he responded to criticisms that, despite the dramatic deterioration in Europe's security situation given the Ukrainian and Gaza conflicts, Ireland does not have a dedicated, stand-alone Defence Minister.

The Tanaiste currently combines the roles of Foreign Affairs Minister and Defence Minister.

He stressed that what was important was that the strategic defence portfolio be held by a senior Cabinet minister - but acknowledged that some ministerial portfolios were large, varied and potentially unwieldly.

"I think what is critical is that it is a senior minister (who is) responsible for defence at the Cabinet table, as we have had over the last four years - that is critical," he said.

"There is a challenge overall in terms of Government formation which is actually Constitutional in the sense of the number of senior ministers you can have."

Whereas Ireland once had a dedicated, stand-alone defence minister, the role is now combined with other ministerial responsibility.

Mr Martin said that the modern world had imposed varying challenges on Government - and limitations on the number of senior ministers had forced varying responsibilities to be bolted onto other ministerial duties.

"I can think of two departments at the moment that I would argue are overloaded - and that is not foreign affairs and defence.

"It is areas like communications, climate - it is a huge department....(and) transport. And then you have tourism, culture, arts etc.

"It is not for now but if one was forming a new Government, thinking ahead in the country, I think we need (change).

"Because there are new areas emerging. You take the whole energy space, and so on. And there is an argument for additionality, in terms of the number of Cabinet posts but that is not something that can be done anytime soon.

"That is a Constitutional matter so that is how challenging it is (with change requiring a new referendum). What do you fancy of its chances? But anyway, we need to do more serious analysis of it. But I do actually. That is my personal view. I think there is a challenge coming down to tracks (about overloaded ministries).

"Does (Catherine Martins department) get divided into two departments? Does transport, energy and communications? That is a huge department. Now there is a synergy in it in terms of climate agenda but nonetheless the burdens are enormous.

"But I do think there is a synergy in foreign affairs and defence as well, given the challenges that you've mentioned, which actually works quite well at times.

"As a senior minister involved, I find that in terms of the crossover of issues, so when we talked about the Middle East there, there is both a defence dimension to it and there is a foreign affairs dimension to it. So actually there is a synergy there. And I think we can get things done.

"I think one of the criticisms in the last decade or so was that just having a Minister of State and not having a senior minister responsible for defence, that's something that people were very critical of. We have changed that and that means now that at the Cabinet table, there is somebody advocating for defence."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday her pick for the EU's new business envoy had decided not to take up the post, after critics linked the appointment to cronyism.
Emergency services attended the scene after a bus carrying students to school left a road and landed turned on its side in a ditch in Co Limerick this morning.

The frightening incident occurred on the R513 near Caherconlish at around 8am, although no injuries have been reported.

Emergency services, including gardai, firefighters, and ambulance personnel, were deployed to the scene.

It is understood the private bus was carrying students to school at the time and was being followed by a number of teachers in cars.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 16th April 2024

Footage circulating on social media shows the bus lying on its side, after the vehicle appeared to have veered into a ditch.

Its believed a group of sixth-year secondary school students helped calm younger children on the bus and assisted them to safety via an emergency door.

The road is currently closed with garda traffic diversions in place.
Disturbing content promoting self-harm, depression, and suicidal thoughts has been recommended to users that TikTok believed to be 13 years old, RTE's Prime Time investigation reveals.

In response to growing concerns about the impact of TikTok content on the mental health of young teenagers, Prime Time undertook an experiment in which it created three new TikTok accounts set to an age of 13 years while using separate SIM cards for each user.

The investigation observed the behaviour of TikTok's algorithm and its recommendations without actively engaging with content or searching for specific topics.

It reveals that within 20 minutes, accounts were being shown videos directly referencing self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

However, after an hour of scrolling, TikTok's algorithm was showing a stream of videos almost exclusively related to depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.

In response to the investigation, TikTok stated its commitment to addressing mental health issues and providing support for users in distress.

TikTok was given the usernames of all three accounts and could see all the videos shown to the accounts. It was also supplied in ten screenshots of example videos, of which seven have been since removed by the platform.

However, a TikTok spokesperson said: "RTE's test in no way accurately represents the behaviour or experiences of real teens who use our app..."

"Out of hundreds of videos that would've been seen during RTE's testing, we reviewed ten that were sent to us and made changes so that seven can no longer be viewed by teenagers," the social media giant said.

It comes as representatives from TikTok appear before an Oireachtas Children's Committee.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said in his Ard Fheis speech over the weekend that social media platforms must get children off their apps.

Meanwhile, the European Commission recently launched an investigation into TikTok's practices, focusing on the platform's alleged failure to adequately protect children.

As TikTok's EU headquarters are located in Dublin, Coimisiun na Mean (the Media Commission) holds responsibility for regulating the platform's operations within the EU.

Johnny Ryan, senior fellow at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, said: Our regulator, Coimisiun na Mean, has the power in law to tell TikTok or any other company in this same category, stop your algorithm that is hurting our kids, that is causing self-loathing, self-hate, suicide in our children. Switch that off. And it has the power to do that.

Dr Patricia Byrne on RTE's Prime Time

Dr Patricia Byrne, the chair of the Faculty of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry in the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, added the increase in rates of self-harm in young teenagers is a "really worrying sign".

What we know is that every year the age group that has the highest rate of self-harm is those aged 15 to 19 years but of huge concern is, over recent years, the age group with the most rapid increase in rates in self-harm is those aged 10 to 14 years," she said.

The findings will be revealed on Prime Time on Tuesday evening at 9:35pm on RTE One and RTE Player
Scale of the assault makes clear to Benjamin Netanyahu that his country is reliant on US and other Western support

A police officer inspects the remains of a rocket booster that, according to Israeli authorities critically injured a 7-year-old girl, after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel. Photo: Christophe van der Perre/Reuters

Irans direct attack on Israel late on Saturday night is a high-stakes gamble of the worst possible kind.

The assault itself was well telegraphed in advance and  despite the large numbers of projectiles involved  was self-contained. This was not, it would seem, a nation hurling itself into all-out war just yet.

If Tehran had really wanted to inflict massive damage on its arch enemy, there would have been no warning and Hezbollah, its proxy and ace card in the region, would have been ordered to launch a simultaneous blitzkrieg of its own from Lebanon.

The terrorist group, which makes Hamas look like a minnow, is thought to have more than 100,000 missiles pointed at Israel, a good proportion of which are precision guided.

So it may well be that Iran is sending a message: that it has had enough and will no longer allow esteemed members of its Revolutionary Guard to be assassinated without direct reprisal.

The scale of the assault  involving over 300 drones and missiles  also makes clear to Israel that it is reliant on US and other Western support for protection.

Its Iron Dome air defence system is good but is still more than capable of being overwhelmed, it seems.

Irans attack also throws down the gauntlet to the West: should it risk all-out war in the region or might it be better trying to rein in Israel?

Iran is also signalling to its own people that it is not impotent in the face of Israeli aggression.

This is important for a regime that is struggling to maintain legitimacy at home in the face of a severe economic downturn and mounting civil unrest.

The mullahs will hope the drone swarm is just enough to demonstrate vigour without prompting a horrendous counter-attack on Iran itself.

But preventing an escalation and all-out war is not going to be easy.

Iran said yesterday that the attack was a legitimate act of self-defence under the UN charter and the matter can be deemed concluded. Israel, on the other hand, characterised the Iranian action as a major escalation and was reported to have informed the US and other counties in the Middle East that it will have to respond.

There seems little doubt the West will try to prevent a counter-attack but Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not a man who is easily constrained.

Just like Irans leaders, his position at home is precarious and if he fails to react he could be pushed out by the religious fanatics on which his coalition government depends.

The Americans certainly sound like they will push hard to stop the conflict escalating.

Almost as soon as Israels skies fell silent yesterday morning, US president Joe Biden indicated that he would be seeking a diplomatic solution.

He said he would co-ordinate a united diplomatic response to Irans brazen attack, while warning Iran that America remains vigilant to all threats in the region.

The message was quickly echoed by Britain, with prime minister Rishi Sunak said to be intent on de-escalating the crisis.

All of our efforts at the moment are on de-escalating this. We do not want a miscalculation or an escalation in events because we know that that will take its toll, said Victoria Atkins, the health secretary, when asked for the UK governments position.

The same message was propagated by nations as diverse as Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, France and the United Arab Emirates.

Russia, which has close ties to Iran, urged restraint and expressed extreme concern over another dangerous escalation in the region.

China added: The conflict must end now. China calls on the international community, especially countries with influence, to play a constructive role for the peace and stability of the region.

These are not just words. Diplomats the world over can see the risk. If a full-scale war breaks out between Israel and Iran, it will almost certainly drag large parts of the rest of the world in, with devastating consequences.

But can Mr Netanyahu and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) be restrained?

Already the Iranian military is goading them, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claiming that its strikes were even more successful than anticipated.

He also claimed that the attack was deliberately constrained, matching the scale of aggression exhibited by the Zionist regime.

Israel too is posturing.

A senior Israeli intelligence source said the Iranian operation was a significant setback to Tehran which had hoped to show its might in the wake of Israels airstrike on Irans consulate compound in Damascus earlier this month.

They hadnt predicted the coalition working against them, British, French, US, Jordanians intercepting the missiles, so its something incredible when you think about the status of Israel just a week ago, the source said.

Its a major strategic blow to the Iranians and a setback for the Iranian axis. I dont think theyll resume it as it was such a disastrous attack and a major failure.

If there is hope, it resides in the fact that a very significant number of the projectiles fired by Iran on Saturday were brought down by Western military assets and not the IDF.

This should, say experts, give Mr Biden and other western leaders real clout over Israel.

There will be a price tag, the Israeli intelligence source said. From now on the Americans will dictate everything in this region to us and, personally, I am afraid that the American administration is going to cease the war.

Many will hope that he is right, albeit with very different sentiments about the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Following recent publicity about the challenges facing parents, providers and staff in the early-years and school-age care sector, it is worth noting that today more than 330,000 children around Ireland will attend one of 4,483 centres, also known as settings, pre-schools, creches or after-schools.

Many children will also be looked after in the homes of an estimated 13,000 childminders. Some of them will be babies, the bulk will be pre-schoolers whose families avail of the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme, which is free to parents.
Its time to recruit sports stars, names from television  and dont forget elsewhere in showbiz. Yes, were talking about those European elections and once more it is parachute time.

On June 7  thats only seven weeks from this Friday  Irish people will be asked to vote in their 10th direct election to the European Parliament. These contests have always been very different from the Dail and council elections  in fact they are nearer in scale, and sometimes in zany tones, to the presidential votes we get every seven years.
Disaster was narrowly averted last weekend in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Iran. Israel, aided by the United States and other allies, successfully repelled a massive Iranian drone and missile strike. But the reprieve might be short-lived.

The latest round of hostilities began on October 7, when Hamas, a terrorist organisation funded and armed by Iran, launched a barbaric attack on Israel, which responded by first bombing and then invading the Gaza Strip. Six months later, Israeli forces continue to battle Hamas in Gaza, with Palestinian civilians suffering devastating damage as Hamas hides among them.
Susannah George: Iran crosses red lines with attack on Israel to create a new equation in Middle East conflict

Attack signifies shift in Iran's strategy and aims to change balance of power in the region

Iranian demonstrators react after the attack on Israel, during an anti-Israeli gathering in front of the British Embassy in Tehran, Iran. Photo: PA

Susannah George Washington Post Tue 16 Apr 2024 at 03:30

With its first-ever direct military attack on Israel, Iran crossed old red lines and created a precedent in its decades-long shadow war with the Jewish state. Iran decided to create a new equation, the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard, Major General Hossein Salami, said in an interview with state-run television. From now on, if Israel attacks Iranian interests, figures and citizens anywhere, we will retaliate from Iran.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken, who has made clear Washington does not seek any escalation in hostilities with Iran, but that it would continue to defend Israel. Photo: Getty

Tel Aviv is anxious to send a message to Tehran in response to Irans aerial assault. That was how Israels defence spokesman put it.

Sadly, that message is likely to be delivered in the form of a missile rather than a missive, affirming once again what a bloody and blunt instrument war is.

This message was in response to the one sent on Saturday night by the Iranians, which was in reply to the one sent to the Iranian consulate in Damascus at the beginning of the month.

If retaliation is all both sides have to offer, then the world must brace itself for more mass deaths, a probable recession, and a global fuel crisis, as energy prices go through the roof.

We must hope world peace is far too precious to be left at the mercy of the warmongers on either side, or a cabal of gung-ho generals.

Such instincts were summed up by the United States Army general, George S Patton, who said: There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time.

But retaliation as a means  of restitution is utterly self-defeating.

It fans further flames of resentment. Inflicting suffering as a way of gaining satisfaction is equally destructive as it can only further fuel conflict.

The surest way to guarantee that Middle East violence spreads to multiple fronts is to allow the hawks have their way.

Solutions have to be found by non-violent non-military means. The US, China, Russia and Europe are all appealing for a de-escalation of the crisis.

Tel Aviv must listen to Washington. The US will not support a violent response.

Impressive though Israels Iron Dome defences are, were it not for US and Jordanian assistance, Irans irresponsible and reckless assaults would have led to considerable loss of life.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has made it clear that Washington does not seek any escalation in hostilities with Iran, but that it would continue to defend Israel.

But either side would pay a heavy price were it to plunge the region into a wider war that would greatly threaten international security and safety.

Iran and Israel have been targeting each others interests across the Middle East for years.

Until now, Tehran was content with bankrolling and arming: Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

This direct attack marks a crossing of the Rubicon.

While there is time, it is vital to recognise that opening up another realm of limitless suffering can not be the answer.

The loss of innocent life in Gaza must serve as an indelible crimson deterrent as to what out-of-control militarism can unleash in this cauldron.
How were Eir complaints staff instructed to treat a complaint? Why are Eir saying this instruction is being used out of context? And how does this effect Eir customers?

Telecoms company Eir was fined 7,500 in court this week after pleading guilty to 12 counts of breaching regulations governing how complaints should be handled by providers.

However, it says the paragraph relating to staff instructions around customer complaint telephone numbers and websites was taken out of context.

It added that this was part of training material for new customer service agents, requiring agents to transfer a call rather than asking a customer to call a second time.

On The Big Tech Show this week, Adrian is joined by producer JJ Clarke to discuss the issue.

In an investigation conducted by Telecoms regulator ComReg showed that an Eir training manual directed staff not to process complaints unless customers used certain "trigger words.

The ComReg inquiry revealed that the manual stated that complaints should only be furthered if customers used certain trigger words or phrases including terms such as code of practice, or mentioning ComReg.

The Big Tech Show: Eir complaints staff told under no circumstances to provide customers with complaints number

You can listen to the full episode on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts.
Labour Party councillor Eoghan Kenny has expressed concerns that the Mallow Relief Road is in danger of falling off the Irish Governments radar.

It was announced in February that the N72/N73 Mallow Relief Road had been allocated 300,000 by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) after they published the 2024 grant allocations for national roads, active travel and greenways.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=&amp;amp;amp;quot;This is Cork Newsletter&amp;amp;amp;quot; src=&amp;amp;amp;quot;https://www.independent.ie/editorial/newsletters/images/cork.png&amp;amp;amp;quot;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details

The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan recently confirmed in the Dail that the allocation of 300,000 for the Mallow Relief Road will enable the project to progress through the planning and design stages.

Cllr Kenny who is a native of Mallow however has expressed his fears over the possibility of the Mallow Relief Road progressing to the planning stage by the end of this year following the recent publication of the Roads and Transportation report by the Director of Services, Roads and Transportation Niall Healy at a full council meeting.

Mr Healy told the councillors that Cork County Council have engaged with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) since the announcement of the 300,000 funding seeking an increase in funding.

Mr Healy revealed that no funding is in the pipeline and he added that he wasnt confident of securing the extra funding, which would be in the region of 700,000, to progress the relief road to planning stage.

Cllr Kenny said the Mallow Relief Road is in significant danger of falling off the governments radar. This Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Green government are failing the people of Mallow and the surrounding towns and villages. The Mallow Relief Road is in severe danger of falling off this governments radar. The fact that Cork County Council are not confident of securing or sourcing extra funding, means the relief road is going to be delayed by another year.

We have a traffic congestion crisis on our main street and this has not been addressed since this council term started in June 2019. We need the extra funding and we need it now. I will work along with my colleague Deputy Sean Sherlock to secure the funding needed to bring the relief road to planning by the end of this year, he added.

Cllr Kenny has also written a letter to both the Tanaiste Micheal Martin and the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan requesting more funding be allocated towards the relief road.

In the letter Cllr Kenny pleaded with the Tanaiste and Minister Ryan to liaise with TII and Department of Transport officials. The paltry 300,000 that was given is nowhere near what we need to be in progressing the relief road significantly. The figure requested by Cork County Council was 1.2 million. The anger towards this piece meal approach is very significant. I am respectfully asking you to engage with Department of Transport officials and TII to source the extra funding this year. I urge you to address this funding immediately.

Mallow Relief Road is needed as soon as possible, Cllr Kenny said. We have a severe traffic congestion crisis. It is harmful to the economic development of Mallow town, our town amenities and the overall development of our main street.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 16th April 2024
A deputation of county councillors and local authority officials will meet with the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan on Wednesday, April 24 to discuss the current levels of funding for roads in Cork County.

Over the course of recent years numerous councillors have expressed their disappointment over the annual funding allocated to Cork County for road resurfacing and maintenance works.

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A letter from members of Cork County Council seeking an increase in funding for roads in Cork County was sent to the three Cork ministers and the Department of Transport in early March.

Niall Healy Director of Services, Roads and Transportation with Cork County Council also provided more clarity on the funding Cork County receives: Cork County Council has the largest road network of any local authority in Ireland, comprising 12,200km and receives one of the lowest allocations per km for regional and local road maintenance. In 2024, Cork County Council has been allocated 70.2m in regional and local roads funding, a slight reduction on the 2023 allocation of 71.3m.

In 2024, Cork County Council has been allocated 61.82m in national roads funding, a reduction of 26% on the 2023 allocation of 83.6m. It is clear that the current baseline quality of regional and local roads across the county falls far short of the standard that is demanded by residents, businesses and visitors alike, he added.

The deputation to Dublin will be headed by the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn who said he is looking forward to meeting with Minister Ryan. The meeting is on next Wednesday, April 24 at 2pm in his office. It is seven years since we got a meeting with the minister. I am delighted as mayor to have secured a meeting with the Minister for Transport in relation to all roads in Cork County, he said.

Mayor OFlynn said he and his colleagues will be pushing hard to secure more funding for the roads throughout the county. There is a deputation going and as mayor I am delighted to be leading that on behalf of Cork County and all different committees. Especially for ourselves we will be pushing for North Cork. I will be pushing these items in relation to funding being made available like the Northern Relief Road and other roads.

Fianna Fail councillor Bernard Moynihan wished the deputation well in their quest to secure more funding for roads in the county. We are delighted that you have secured that meeting. It is important to reiterate that we have a super team of people in Cork County Council. If we get the money, we will spend the money and spend it well.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 16th April 2024
A letter on behalf of Cork County Council will be sent to the Minister for Housing Darragh OBrien requesting that the process for securing grant aid for the upgrading and relocation of household septic tanks would be made more accessible.

The motion was brought forward at Mondays Northern Committee meeting by the current Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn who called on Minister OBrien to make the process more user friendly for owners of septic tanks that currently do not meet the present standard.

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Cllr OFlynn welcomed the increase in the grant allocation at the start of this year, but said it is too restrictive. We all welcomed the new grant for septic tanks which was increased to 12,000. You only qualify for this grant if your tank is not performing to EU regulations and it had to be inspected by an authority like Cork County Council. I am informed that 136 tanks were checked out last year. The grant is too restrictive. It is no good having a scheme unless it works. We need to change the scheme to ensure it is accessible, he said.

People want to upgrade their facilities but they just dont have the finances, said Cllr OFlynn. We all know the importance of having septic tanks working properly. A lot of people cant afford to upgrade their present tanks and they are very worried about the environment. I propose that we write to Minister OBrien who was good enough to bring in the grant, but he better bring in a grant that works.

There is no point having a system in place unless people can access it. I am calling on the minister to bring in a planned programme to look after the owners of these septic tanks and run it under the auspices of Cork County Council, he added.

Fianna Fail councillor Bernard Moynihan said he completely supported the motion. It is a farce. Arranging something for 12,000 which nobody can draw down. It is worthless.

Fianna Fail councillor Ian Doyle who seconded the motion agreed that the current grant is too restrictive. We welcome the 12,000 grant, but it is restrictive. There are many 60s and 70s bungalows and houses that were built with septic tanks not working at the moment. The average cost of replacing and bringing an upgrade is approximately 12,000. Most people dont have it or most people wont look at repairing their faulty tank. We need the grant to be opened up to the general public.

Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy agreed that Minister OBrien needs to look at the criteria again. The minister needs to look at this again. The guidance and criteria is not working. Everyone should be able to access the grant. People want to make their facilities better, but the cost of doing it themselves is really hurting them.

His party colleague Cllr Kay Dawson said: It is a no-brainer to write to the minister and ask him to open the grant out. There are rivers near every septic tank throughout the country and we need to protect them all.

Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre OBrien emphasised that the pressure must be kept on Minister OBrien.

Louis Duffy, Director of Service with Cork County Council said he supported the members wish to write to Minister OBrien. We would welcome any increase in the grants availability that would improve the water quality in Cork. The standards for septic tanks have been in place since 1975. Anything built properly in accordance with standards since should still be operable. I would support any letter that the members wish to send.
The rugby player joins the charity as it celebrates its 25th anniversary this year

Munster's Alex Kendellen will serve as an ambassador for The Hope Foundation.

It has been announced that Munster rugby player Alex Kendellen will serve as an ambassador for Cork-based charity The Hope Foundation (HOPE), which is dedicated to supporting poverty stricken children and communities in Kolkata, India.

The flanker joins HOPE as it celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and the charity said that he will bring a wealth of enthusiasm and commitment to his new role, given his passion for social impact and dedication to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children.

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Alex, who is currently studying a BSc in Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship in the Department of Food Business and Development headed up by HOPE board member Dr Mary OShaughnessy, said he was excited to take on his new role.

"I'm delighted to be a part of The Hope Foundation and look forward to supporting HOPEs efforts in improving the lives of street-connected and slum-dwelling communities in Kolkata, India, the Munster player said.

HOPE said that as Alex is a former Munster and Ireland U20 captain, he is no stranger to dedication and hard work, which is a quality that aligns closely with its values of resilience and compassion.

The charity said his involvement will it help raise awareness and support for its programmes, which provide vital services such as healthcare, education, and vocational training to vulnerable populations through the 58 projects it runs in Kolkata, including 10 Residential Childcare Centres, 5 creches and a hospital.

Maureen Forrest, founding president of HOPE, said that the organisation is delighted to welcome Alex on board as a new ambassador.

"His enthusiasm and dedication will help further our mission and positively impact our efforts in Kolkata, India," the founding president said.
The family-run station ceased trading on Sunday after many years in business

The recently closed Anglands Service Station in Dromagh was a hugely popular meeting point and will be genuinely missed according to a Kantruk-Mallow councillor.

Fianna Fail councillor Bernard Moynihan told The Corkman that he was a regular caller to Anglands since he was a child and that the closing of the service station now means that there is no station located on the N72 between Rathmore and Ballymaquirk.

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The councillor said the station, which closed its doors at 6pm on Sunday after many years in business, was very important to people in the locality and surrounding areas.

Anglands was a huge meeting point for people, a huge amount of people used that shop, Cllr Moynihan said.

Ill genuinely miss it a lot. I called in there a lot and Ill miss the craic and the banter and the fun, he said.

Everyone knew everybody, everybody looked out for everybody. You got your coffee, your baguettes, your papers. It was a very friendly place. Just decent country people.

The owners of the small family-run business, Susan and Denis Angland, announced in a Facebook post last week that the station would close.

As some of you may have already heard, we have come to a crossroads & have made the very difficult decision to cease trading on Sunday April 14th at 6pm, the stations owners said.

We would like to thank all our customers & friends for their loyal custom over the many, many years of Anglands being in existence & we wish you all the very best.

The announcement was met by expressions of sadness from social media users, and many commenters on the post wished the stations owners the best for the future.

All great things must come to an end. There was always a friendly welcoming smile behind the counter in Anglands. The end of an era. Very best wishes for the future Susan and Denis. Thanks for everything, one commenter said.

Im going to miss that service with a smile and great chat. Best service station in Ireland run by the best people. I have enjoyed using this service station for the past 25 years when I first came to the area. We will miss you Susan and Denis, stated another commenter.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 16th April 2024
Mary Walsh, saying her farewell as Sean calls it a day after 45 years and one month at the big house! Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE

It was with some delight that Muckross House head guide and resident Sean Looney heard on the radio five years ago that public-sector workers could continue in their jobs until they were 70. He went from preparing for retirement to jumping back on for another five years. He worked, literally, right up to his 70th birthday, which fell on Friday last, April 12.

That day brought the curtain down on a career stretching back to March 1979, when he originally worked under the Houses trustees. The time since has seen the trustees partner with the Office of Public Works (OPW), he spent time working on both the tourism and educational aspects of the house, and he even became a resident caretaker in 1988. The one constant? The joy of meeting people and working with countless great colleagues.

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I went full-time with the guide service in 1987 and became head guide some time after that, Sean told The Kerryman. Among the highlights were the visit of the Queen of Sweden in 1989, and the more recent visit of [the UKs] Prince Charles, now King Charles.

But when the ordinary person enjoys their day in Muckross, thats even more important. The variety and huge number of people Ive worked with and met, including students and seasonal workers, its difficult to put a number on it, but its lots and lots.

His retirement party on Friday brought National Park and trustee staff together, and the day included a group photo on the grounds of Muckross and tea, coffee, or a glass of wine at a reception in the Great Hall.

Sean is now ready and looking forward to retirement even if he has no specific plan as of yet.

He does, however, hope to get to some Kerry games, travel a little, and indulge his interest in history with some research over the winter.
Mary Shanahan, Betty Hoare, Cathal Walsh of Kerry Hospice, and poet Noel King at the launch of the 'Futures from the Past' at St Brendans College on Friday. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin.

Launching 'Futures from The Past: A County Kerry Anthology' is from left: Hugh Rudden Deputy Principal St Brendans College, Josephine Sheehan, Betty Hoare, Mary Denise Lyons, Noel King, Fr Dan ORiordan, Jeremiah Flynn, Mary Shanahan. (Second row from left) Silea, Danny Troth, Alla Stetsnao, Gavin Cronin, Georgina Foley, Ryan McGurl, Colum OMahony, Jessica Hamilton, Nazrii Klnyshynn, Brian ODaly, Margaret Hamilton, Cathal Walsh of Kerry Hospice, Noreen Breen. (Back from left) Mark Moriarty, Jonah Casey, Andrew Shewahan, Liam McCarthy, Conor OSullivan, Ross Barry, Micheal McElligott, Davo Lucic and Yaroslad Stetsenq at St Brendans College, Killarney on Friday. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin.

The creativity and passion for learning that one associates with St Brendans College in Killarney was in evidence this week as the school launched its book entitled 'Futures from the Past: A Kerry Anthology 2024.

The book is a collaboration between the school's Writer in Residence, students, and a group of active retired writers in Tralee, both guided by Tralee poet Noel King.

Launching 'Futures from The Past: A County Kerry Anthology' is from left: Hugh Rudden Deputy Principal St Brendans College, Josephine Sheehan, Betty Hoare, Mary Denise Lyons, Noel King, Fr Dan ORiordan, Jeremiah Flynn, Mary Shanahan. (Second row from left) Silea, Danny Troth, Alla Stetsnao, Gavin Cronin, Georgina Foley, Ryan McGurl, Colum OMahony, Jessica Hamilton, Nazrii Klnyshynn, Brian ODaly, Margaret Hamilton, Cathal Walsh of Kerry Hospice, Noreen Breen. (Back from left) Mark Moriarty, Jonah Casey, Andrew Shewahan, Liam McCarthy, Conor OSullivan, Ross Barry, Micheal McElligott, Davo Lucic and Yaroslad Stetsenq at St Brendans College, Killarney on Friday. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin.

Students were encouraged to explore their imaginations and interpretations of the past while simultaneously looking to the future. The students consisted of those enrolled in Poetry Irelands Writers-In-Schools Programme, and adult learners from Kerry Education & Training Boards Community Education Creative Writing group.

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The sales of the publication will go towards supporting the great work being done by Kerry Hospice as it continues to assist people in the their battle with cancer.

Thanks to the support of Poetry Ireland and the Arts Office of Kerry County Council, the book, which was launched last Friday at St Brendans College, now stands as an important example of creativity and a social dividend in harmony.

The publication is a huge source of pride for St Brendans College and is currently available for sale from St Brendan's College, priced at 9.
County Sligo childcare provider signals closure of pre-school over increased pressures on sector

Coolaney early year service owner says sector is being undervalued by the Government

Aolish Gormley with twins Amber and Emily and their little brother Ashley at the pre-school in Coolaney.

Sligo Champion Tue 16 Apr 2024 at 16:43

One of the Early Year Childcare services in County Sligo has decided to close its doors, announcing the decision in an open letter to Minister for Children, Roderic OGorman.
This week, the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has announced that over 7.4 million will be awarded to 140 projects around the country including 5 projects in county Wexford which are set to receive 286,081.

The projects awarded funding this year include: St Nicholas Church Clonmines (120,000), Ballycogley Castle (100,000), Ballingly Church (29,427), Ladys Island Castle (18,758) and Killag Church (17,897).

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All of this funding is through the 2024 Community Monuments Fund, first established in 2020 The Community Monuments Fund aims to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historical sites. Funding is available to allow conservation works to be carried out on monuments that are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support.

Speaking this week, Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said: Im delighted that 140 projects across the country will be supported under this years 7.4m Community Monuments Fund. Since its inception in 2020, this fund has become a lifeline for the protection of Irelands irreplaceable archaeological heritage by revitalising hundreds of historic monuments in cities, towns, villages and rural communities across all 31 Local Authorities.

"Through this, it is enabling valuable investment in the wider heritage sector, creating thousands of hours of employment for specialist craftspeople and traditional skills practitioners, as well as supporting the achievement of national commitments under Heritage Ireland 2030 and the Climate Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage. Id like to congratulate the successful applicants and wish them the very best of luck in with their projects this year, said Minister Noonan.
A Carlow man is due before the courts after causing massive damage to two cars in a car park in Wexford town centre in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The man, aged in his late 20s, is understood to have used a beer keg to smash up two cars in the car park to the rear of Franks Place on Wexford quay.

Both cars had several windows smashed and the bonnet of one was badly dented with the beer keg.

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Gardai were quick to the scene of the incident and when the alleged culprit was pointed out to them, he proceeded to flee on foot. A small chase ensued before the man was stopped by gardai and brought to Wexford Garda Station for questioning.

"He made certain admissions in custody, a garda source said. He suggested that the owner of one of the cars involved had done him a bad turn.

The Carlow man was charged with criminal damage and released on station bail to appear before Wexford District Court.
The Co Wexford farming community is at breaking point with many of those involved in the industry at their lowest ebb in decades. This is the stark message delivered by Rosslare councillor and farmer Frank Staples who says the unending rain and wet weather is having a catastrophic impact on all those in the sector.

I am very concerned about our farming community at the moment, we have no corn, vegetables or potatoes sown, said the Fine Gael councillor.

We also have a huge problem with animal fodder which is fast running out, if the rain persists for another two weeks it will be catastrophic for the farming community. This is going to have a huge knock on effect for next year.

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With the rain impacting every facet of the industry, Councillor Staples is concerned that many will opt to leave farming in the coming months and that those who stay will face even greater pressures as they struggle to survive.

Farmers are at breaking point as their income will be non existent, I would be very concerned about their mental health. I have never seen farmers so down and feeling so helpless, as I write this its raining and there seems to be no end to it. This is the second wettest year since records began over 80 years ago.
Fridays concert begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are for sale at Johnstown Castle (Tel (053) 918 4671).

Jazz will be in the air at Johnstown Castle on Friday evening, April 19, with one of the countrys most exciting jazz quartets, led by vocalist Stella Bass.

Stella has performed at leading venues and festivals across Ireland, the UK, Germany, France, Australia and more. She headlined the Cork Jazz Festival in 2017 and has sold-out Dublins National Concert Hall on several occasions.

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For this Jazz at Johnstown concert she will be supported by Johnny Taylor on piano, Barry Donohoe on double bass and Dominic Mullan on drums.

Outside her solo project, Stella has recorded with the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra and presented her own music show on Dublin City FM for over three years. She comes to Wexford following recent sold out shows in Dublin (The Sugar Club) and in Belfast.

Stella studied music from a young age, starting piano accordion lessons at five, followed later by singing and piano, both through the Royal Irish Academy of Music. A degree in Computer Science from University College Dublin followed, and in 2017 she completed a Masters Degree in Music in Dublins Conservatory of Music.

She used the unexpected downtime of the pandemic to build on her undergrad IT skills to study Music Production with Berklee College, Boston and Music Composition and Arranging with Studio Orchestrations, Belfast, which has led her into arranging and producing sync music for TV, film and gaming.

She has already had several pieces of her original music signed exclusively to Warner Chappell Music in the USA.

Sultry Latin grooves, delicate ballads and vivacious swing numbers ornamented by playful arrangements and lyrical improvisations are also to the fore on Stellas new best-selling CD, Look for the Silver Lining.

Fridays concert begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are for sale at Johnstown Castle (Tel (053) 918 4671).
Firefighters tackle a blaze at the Homesavers store in Arklow

Arklow fire crews extinguished a significant fire at the rear of the Homesavers store in Arklow in the early hours of Tuesday morning, after a four-hour battle to put out the blaze.

The Arklow Fire Service and local gardai responded to reports of the fire at approximately 9 p.m. on Monday, closing the Dublin Road to motorists as fire crews fought the fire, which had sparked in a shed to the rear of the store.

The fire was extinguished by 1.30 a.m., with An Garda Siochana confirming that there were no injuries and that damage to the main building was averted, barring minor smoke damage. The fire is not being treated as malicious in nature.

Wicklow fire crews attending a fire at Homesavers in Arklow on Monday night. Photo: Michael Kelly

Gardai and the Arklow Fire Service responded to a fire in a shed at the Homesavers store in Arklow at approximately 9 p.m. on Monday, a Garda spokesperson said.

The fire was extinguished by 1.30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, after which the Dublin Road was re-opened.

There was no damage to the main building except for some minor smoke damage.

Wicklow fire crews attending a fire at Homesavers in Arklow on Monday night. Photo: Michael Kelly

There was nothing of a suspicious nature about the fire from a criminal perspective, with a Fire Officer attending and inspecting the scene.

Reacting to the fire, Councillor Peir Leonard praised the rapid response of local emergency services, saying: I thank the Fire Services and gardai for their quick response, and Im glad nobody was hurt.

Its a scary reminder of how quickly a fire can destroy something.
With the launch of the Bray Celtic Camino Mouteira on Bray Seafront, last September, to mark the start of the Bray Camino Coastal route to St Jamess Church, in Dublin, Jonathon Pierce and his mother, Marion, took the plunge and walked the 30.2km in November. But the journey for mother and son was only beginning.

The installation of the Bray Celtic Camino Mouteira (waymarker), which is the first Camino Mouteira in Ireland, was a joint project between Bray Tourism, Bray Municipal District and the Ireland Camino Society.

The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage has become one of the most popular walking and spiritual journeys in Europe. Although pilgrims originally made the long walk to Santiago de Compostela to see the legendary remains of the Apostle Saint James, today people walk the Camino for all sorts of reasons.

The Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St James, is an ancient pilgrimage trail originating in medieval times. Made up of a vast network of roads and paths, pilgrims travel these to arrive at the cathedral in the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela of Galicia in the northwest of Spain.

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While many roads lead to Santiago de Compostela, some are less than the 100km minimum required for recognition of having completed the Camino and getting a certificate. So an official trail of at least 25km needs to completed in your country of origin beforehand.

The Bray section, the Celtic Camino, provides walkers with a means to honour that rule then connect with the Camino at one of its many sections in Spain, France or even Portugal.

Having successfully tackled the Celtic leg  no mean feat in November  Jonathan and Marion are setting out to continue the trail on the mainland on the Portuguese border on Wednesday April 17, aiming to finish in Santiago on Tuesday, April 23. This means another 117.56km, completing a total pilgrimage together of 147.76km.

Rather than making it a traditional religious pilgrimage, Jonathan said they are undertaking the trek together for a charitable pilgrimage, aiming to raise at least 2,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis charity, MS Society of Ireland.

Its something thats very close to my heart anyway, Jonathan explained, because a number of years ago, I was given a potential diagnosis of MS. I was given a subsequent all-clear, but at the time, I was facing a pretty bleak future.

So whilst Im clear of that, not many other people had that luxury, and obviously go through hell with it, because theres no cure for it. Its a debilitating neurological condition affecting the central nervous system. MS Ireland is vastly underfunded, so all donations are vital to help them, he said.

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological disease amongst young people in Ireland, with over 9,000 people living with MS. For people living with MS there is still no known cure, but MS Ireland has already made a positive impact on their lives by providing practical support through services like physiotherapy classes, one-to-one community support and respite care. Knowing he he would have relied on the support of the MS Society of Ireland, he has been an advocate for them ever since. Before having even set foot in Portugal, Jonathan and Marion have raised just over 1,100, but hope to raise a lot more before they return.

These funds are vital to help with the care and support and respite for people and their families affected by it, and it is a terrible affliction, he explained. There are four different types of MS. Some are worse than others. But still, whatever kind of mark MS leaves on a life, its significant. So because of the fact that I was given that potential diagnosis, its something thats very close to my heart.

Jonathan (51) said his mum (77) has done the Camino three times before.

Shes some woman and shes 78 this year, he said. Shes an avid walker, as am I. It was always on my bucket list. I said to my mum, Oh, you know, the Celtic Camino is a Dublin stage starting in Bray. We should do that.

While shes very fit, she is saying I dont have many Caminos left in me. So [she asked] would you like to do the Camino with me as maybe my last Camino? And I said, absolutely. But I said, if were going to do it, lets do it for charity. The first charity that came to mind was MS Society of Ireland.

The pair also partnered with MS Society of Ireland and raised 515 on the Bray to Dublin route. And between April 23 and April 17, they plan to walk 20 kilometres a day.

Its always been a dream of mine to do it, but its even more so that Im doing it with my mum, and even more so on top of that, that were doing it on behalf of MS Society of Ireland. So its all come together. The stars have aligned, if you will, for this.

Jonathon, who lives in Kilcoole, and for whom walking daily is his exercise of choice, said because of his mums age, they have hired help to take the luggage between stations, mostly pensions or economy hotels.

Were not doing the pilgrimage route where you carry everything on your back and you go and try and find a place to stay. We paid, independently, a company to do the bookings. They booked the hotels and do the transfer of luggage between each hotel.

I say hotel, theyre like one or two-star hotels. Theyre guest houses and pensions. Its not a luxury holiday, he said.

In his last update, on Monday, Jonathan and Marion wrote: Were through the airport and on the plane, waiting to push off, up up and away  Spain and Portugal (and adventure!) awaits! Thanks again for all the donations and support  it all means a lot to us and to the MS Society of Ireland, and to those in Ireland with MS.

You can follow their adventures and donate to their cause on: multiplesclerosisofireland.enthuse.com/pf/jonathan-pierce
Weapons armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after loading a gun for US actor Alec Baldwin, which fired and killed a cinematographer on the set of western film Rust.
Father of Sydney shopping centre attacker said he too would have shot his son

Police have said they believe Cauchi was targeting women specifically

Family say woman killed protecting baby in Sydney attack was a beautiful human

Andrea Hamblin Telegraph.co.uk Tue 16 Apr 2024 at 03:30







The father of the Sydney shopping centre attacker said he too would have shot his son if he was the lone police officer who had to confront the knifeman.
Israeli military vows response to Iran attack as calls for restraint mount

Top Israeli general says Israel to respond to Iran attackBiden reiterates Washington's commitment to Israel's defenceUS says no advanced attack warning received from Iran

"it's time to step back from the brink", says UN security general

James Mackenzie Tue 16 Apr 2024 at 03:30







Israelis awaited word on how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would respond to Iran's first-ever direct attack as international pressure for restraint grew amid fears of an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
Middle East

LATEST | Two UN peacekeepers wounded in another Israeli strike on Lebanon base, as plans in place for troops to pull out if threat increases
Donald Trumps trial judge rules that jury can hear evidence of his alleged affair with a Playboy model

Former president claims persecution as first of four US prosecutions starts in New York

Nadine Seiler protests outside the courthouse in New York on the day of Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial in New York City. Photo: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Erik Larson and Patricia Hurtado Tue 16 Apr 2024 at 03:30







Donald Trumps first criminal trial started in Manhattan yesterday morning with the judge ruling that jurors will be allowed to hear evidence about the former presidents alleged extra-marital affair with a former Playboy model.
India-Mauritius DTAA Amendment Closes Tax Avoidance Loophole

India and Mauritius have signed the protocol amending their Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), which now incorporates the Principal Purpose Test (PPT). This provision serves as a criterion to determine the eligibility of foreign investors to avail benefits under the India-Mauritius DTAA.

The two countries signed the agreement in New Delhi, on March 7; however, it was publicly announced only on April 11, 2024. One of the highlights of this agreement is the inclusion of PPT, which will ensure that the tax avoidance benefit is only granted for transactions with a bona fide purpose. The move can be viewed as an attempt by the country to keep tabs on any treaty abuse or treaty-shopping treatment.

This would also mean that the foreign portfolio investments (FPI) will have to show that they are in conformity with all applicable laws, which include keeping a physical presence, hiring local employees, designating local directors, and carrying out all of their business in Mauritius.

The Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, or BEPS Action 6, addresses treaty shopping through treaty provisions whose adoption forms part of a minimum standard that members of the BEPS Inclusive Framework have agreed to implement. It also includes specific rules and recommendations to address other forms of treaty abuse. Action 6 identifies tax policy considerations that jurisdictions should address before deciding to enter into a tax agreement. In September 2015, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the final report on Action 6. On March 20, 2024, the latest peer review report was released assessing jurisdictions efforts to prevent tax treaty shopping and other forms of treaty abuse under Action 6 of the OECD/G20 BEPS Project.

Reserving DTAA benefits

The preamble of the India-Mauritius DTAA defines the goals of tax treaties to extend beyond the abolition of double taxation and include preventing double non-taxation or reduced taxation, as well as preventing people from third countries from improperly using the treaty.

India-Mauritius DTAA, Chapter 5, Article 27A of the agreement specifies:

LIMITATION OF BENEFITS (LOB)

A resident of a Contracting State shall not be entitled to the benefits of Article 13(3B) of this Convention if its affairs were arranged with the primary purpose to take advantage of the benefits in Article 13(3B) of this Convention. A shell/conduit company that claims it is a resident of a Contracting State shall not be entitled to the benefits of Article 13(3B) of this Convention. A shell/conduit company is any legal entity falling within the definition of resident with negligible or nil business operations or with no real and continuous business activities carried out in that Contracting State. A resident of a Contracting State is deemed to be a shell/conduit company if its expenditure on operations in that Contracting State is less than Mauritian rupees 1,500,000 (US$31,950) or Indian rupees 2,700,000 (US$32,292) in the respective Contracting State as the case may be, in the immediately preceding period of 12 months from the date the gains arise. A resident of a Contracting State is deemed not to be a shell/conduit company if:

(a) it is listed on a recognized stock exchange of the Contracting State; or

(b) its expenditure on operations in that Contracting State is equal to or more than Mauritian rupees 1,500,000 (US$31,950) or Indian rupees 2,700,000 (US$32,292) in the respective Contracting State as the case may be, in the immediately preceding period of 12 months from the date the gains arise.

Explanation: The cases of legal entities not having bona fide business activities shall be covered by Article 27A(1) of the Convention.

PPT clause to counter tax avoidance loophole

Indias Income Tax Department is awaiting ratification of the clarification issued on the India-Mauritius DTAA protocol from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). The need for clarification comes from concerns over the increased scrutiny by tax authorities on investments made via Mauritius. Specifically, concerns have been raised about the investments that were made prior to the enactment of the protocol under Section 90 of the Indian Income-tax Act, 1961.

The PPT is a part of Article 7 (Prevention of Treaty Abuse) of the Multilateral Instrument (MLI). Once both contracting jurisdictionsthe nations that make up the double tax treatyhave ratified the MLI, the PPT amends the double tax treaty. As of January 17, 2024, there are 102 signatories to the MLI. This could have a major effect on a company groups ability to manage and lower cross-border taxes, such as withholding tax, by relying on double tax treaties. Without requiring bilateral talks between nations, the MLI is anticipated to have an impact on the interpretation of over 1600 tax treaties that are used.

Mauritius was one of the top choices as an investment destination for decades, since the country offered non-taxable capital gains. However, the tax agreement was revised in 2016, and India was able to tax capital gains on share transactions that went through Mauritius, starting on April 1, 2017. Prior to this, investments were grandfathered in.

In India, tax experts believe that the concerned authorities will probably look beyond the tax residence certificate (TRC) that Mauritius authorities provide and shall have the authority to refuse parties access to the benefits of the India-Mauritius treaty on an individual basis.

Article 27B: Understanding entitlement to claim benefits

As per the previous India-Mauritius treaty, the tax on gains from the alienation of shares that occur between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2019, cannot be greater than 50 percent of the tax rates that apply to such gains in the state where the firm whose shares are being alienated is headquartered.

Since capital gains were not taxed in Mauritius, several businesses were established there to take advantage of the tax provisions under the DTAA. The 2017 DTAA amendments, however, altered the situation by giving India the authority to tax capital gains from the sale of shares made in its territory by a company that is registered in Mauritius.

The DTAA between the two nations was renegotiated to contain a Limitation of Benefits, or LOB clause, which specifies that the benefit will not apply to citizens of the contracting state if its affairs are principally established for taking advantage of the benefit of this treaty, in order to combat misappropriation of this benefit. The benefits are only granted to legitimate Mauritius citizens, discouraging the establishment of shell or conduit firms for the purpose of tax evasion.

The recently added Article 27B Entitlement to Benefits protocol in the India-Mauritius DTAA can deny a benefit if an entity has entered into an arrangement or transaction without a bona fide purpose. The clause says that the DTAA benefit can be given if an entity enters into a transaction or arrangement in line with the original object and purpose of the convention, which is to further investment.

Mauritius aligns with OECD proposal on BEPS

On February 23, the Mauritius government decided to amend its DTAA with India to better align with the OECD proposal on BEPS. Mauritius signed the Multilateral Convention to implement the Tax Treaty Related Measures to prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting MLI on July 5, 2017. However, the MLI only applies to tax treaties that are Covered Tax Agreements (CTA).

Conclusion

The India-Mauritius DTAA first came into effect on April 1, 1983, and was later modified by a protocol signed on May 10, 2016. The modified agreement added a clause on the LOB as well as significantly improved source country taxation rights in addition to provisions pertaining to the Exchange of Information (EOI) and Assistance in Collection of Taxes.

The provision of taxation rights to the source country with regard to capital gains on the sale of shares acquired on or after April 1, 2017, was one of the major amendments. Investments made before April 1, 2017, however, were grandfathered, meaning that only the resident country had the exclusive right to tax gains on the alienation of shares.

With the latest DTAA amendment in place, entities with their headquarters in Mauritius will now need to comply with the Principal Purpose Test mandate, which means they will need to provide evidence that the Mauritian corporation is a fully operational, staffed business and not just a shell company.

(US$ 1= INR 83.60)
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

New Delhi: India's merchandise exports plummeted by 3% to $437 billion in the previous fiscal year, despite a fourth-quarter uptick.

Imports also fell by 5.4% to $677 billion, contributing to a reduced trade deficit of $240 billion in FY24, compared to almost $265 billion in the preceding year.

In March, merchandise exports are approximated to have dropped by 0.7% to $41.7 billion, with imports decreasing by nearly 6% to $57.3 billion.

This resulted in a trade deficit of $15.6 billion, marking the lowest since last May, as per the latest data unveiled by the commerce department on Monday.

For the entire fiscal year, a historic high of $776.7 billion in goods and services exports is projected, while combined imports are estimated at around $855 billion.

Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told the media that goods and services exports had surpassed the previous year's level of $776.4 billion despite facing numerous challenges.

He noted that although there was a slight decline in merchandise (goods) exports, it was considerably lower than expected.

Barthwal further stated that they had entered a positive cycle of growth.

There was some positive news for the government due to the improvement of the trade balance with China due to the increase in exports of iron ore and cotton yarn, which elevated the value of shipments, while imports from China to India contracted.

Petroleum products experienced the most significant hit in export performance, dropping by 14% to $84 billion in the last fiscal year, largely attributed to the decrease in global prices.

Conversely, electronics and pharmaceuticals emerged as standout performers.

With the surge in phone exports, electronics goods witnessed a notable increase of 23.6% to surpass $29 billion, while pharmaceutical shipments from the country are estimated to have grown by 9.7% to reach $27.8 billion.

Engineering goods shipments reached $109 billion, marking a modest rise of 2.1%.

On the import side, crude imports saw a significant decrease of 14%, amounting to 179.6 billion.
Photo Courtesy: wikipedia.com | Facebook/Swami Ramdev

New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear a contempt case against Patanjali Ayurved- founded by yoga guru Ramdev and his aide Acharya Balkrishna- over the misleading advertisements by the company, media reports said.

Ramdev and Balkrishna will be in the Supreme Court during the hearing on Tuesday.

This comes almost a week after the top court ripped apart Patanjali and its founders rejecting their "unconditional apology" in connection with the misleading advertisements.

When senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for Patanjali founders, told the court about the mistakes, the Supreme Court came out with a harsh rebuke.

"We are not blinded...We don't want to be generous in this case," the bench said as quoted by India Today.

"The apology is on paper. Their back is against the wall. We decline to accept this, we consider it a deliberate violation of undertaking. Be ready for something next to rejection of the affidavit," the court further said.

The court also lashed out at Patanjali co-founder and yoga guru Ramdev for exempting from court appearances citing travel plans.

The court noted Ramdev initially claimed he did not have the ticket and then filed a backdated ticket in the affidavit.

Calling the action "perjury", the court warned him, "You're taking the process very lightly."
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

New Delhi/IBNS: As Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi is still unsure whether he will return to Amethi for a fight five years after he lost the seat, his brother-in-law Robert Vadra has started a speculation of him taking on Union Minister Smriti Irani from the constituency of Uttar Pradesh.

Robert, the husband of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi, visited the holy city of Vrindavan and prayed to Lord Banke Bihari.

Speaking to reporters, Robert said, "They (people of Amethi) want me to contest, represent them and make development. I will find solutions to their problems.

"No matter whether I am in politics or not, I will continue to keep working hard and a secular government in the country is in my thoughts."

In 2019, then Congress president Rahul Gandhi lost Amethi- which was the Gandhi family bastion- to Union Minister Smriti Irani, who is hailed as a "giant killer".

Rahul was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kerala's Wayanad constituency, the second seat from where he had contested in 2019.

Irani was, however, defeated by Rahul Gandhi in 2014, the year which saw Narendra Modi storming into power.

After praying to God, Robert ate "kachori" and distributed Thakurji's "prasad" to the devotees.

Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 Lok Sabha seats, has been ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 2017.

In the last consecutive general elections, the BJP had swept the polls in Uttar Pradesh, the north Indian state.
Photo Courtesy: PIB

Indian PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the ruling Trinamool Congress Party of West Bengal and said it conspired to stop the Ram Navami celebration in the state.

"The entire nation will celebrate Ram Nabami tomorrow," he said while addressing a poll rally in Balurghat.

"This year Ram Navami, Bengali New Year and Nava Ratri are all special as for the first time these events are being observed after the consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya," he said.

"I know the TMC tried all means and conspired to stop the celebration in the state. However, it is truth which won in the end," he said.

Modi also referred to the Calcutta high court order that granted permission to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to hold a procession on Ram Navami in Howrah city in West Bengal.

Ram Navami celebration has emerged as a new battleground in the state between the BJP and the TMC.

Both parties have accused each other of violence.

India to vote in seven phases

India will vote in seven phases from April 19, to elect a new Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Indian Parliament).

The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

The election assumes significance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government are trying to return to power for the third straight term, a rare incident in Indias political history.

In 2014, Modi led his saffron party to power by beating the Indian National Congress, a political outfit which sat in power for two straight terms under former PM Manmohan Singh.
Representative image of ballot paper voting

New Delhi/IBNS: A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta Tuesday heard petitions seeking cross-verification of the votes cast with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail ( VVPAT ).

This came after advocate Prashant Bhushan had argued saying most European countries, who went for voting with EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), had gone back to the paper ballots system.

In response, Justice Khanna, as quoted by Bar and Bench, said: We are in our 60s. We all know what happened when there were ballot papers, you may have, but we have not forgotten.

During the hearing, Bhushan also cited Germanys example of ballot papers.

To this, Justice Dipankar asked him about Germany's population prompting Bhushan to reply that the European countrys population was around 6 crore, while India has 50-60 crore voters.

My home state West Bengal has more population than Germany. We need to repose some trust and faith in somebody. Do not try to bring down the system like this, Justice Datta was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Justice Khanna noted, 97 crore total number of registered voters. We all know what happened when there were ballot papers.

The matter will again be taken up for hearing on Thursday.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

Amid escalating tension in the Middle East, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has warned that Iran's attack on his country will be 'met with a response'.

He made the remarks while visiting Nevatim Airbase in Israel where four Iranian ballistic missiles hit on Saturday (April 13, 2024).

Iran wanted to harm the strategic capabilities of the State of Israel  that is something that had not happened before. We were prepared for the Iron Shield operation  preparation that brought Iran to also encounter aerial superiority, he was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel.

We are looking ahead, we are considering our steps, and this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response, he added.

Israel's war cabinet meets

Meanwhile, Israel's war cabinet met on Monday (April 15, 2024) and discussed its response to Iran's attack.

However, details of the decision taken in the meeting have not been revealed so far.

Israels former ambassador to the UN Danny Danon has told the BBC that his country does not want to start a full war with Iran but would find the smart way to act in response to the drone and missile attack launched over the weekend.

What happened on Saturday night?

Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel as its proxies and allies also carried out coordinated attacks on Israeli positions, media reports said.

Iran insisted it acted in self-defence after the targeting of its diplomatic mission in Damascus.

How Israel intercepted aerial threats?

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel that Iran launched more than 300 projectiles at Israel, comprising 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles, and that 99 percent of them had been intercepted by air defences.

This is a very significant strategic achievement, he earlier said in a press statement as quoted by the newspaper.

UN chief says Middle East are facing a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict

The people of the Middle East are facing a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict, Antonio Guterres earlier said, urging maximum restraint across a region on the brink hours after Iran launched attack drones and missiles against Israel overnight Saturday.

It is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East...Now is the time for maximum restraint, the UN Secretary-General told delegates at the opening of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Guterres explained that the emergency session was called by Israel following what it described in a letter as a direct attack launched by Iran... of more than 200 UAVs, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles towards Israel in clear violation of international law.

The UN chief added that in a separate letter, Iran stated that it had carried out a series of military strikes on Israeli military objectives in the exercise of Irans inherent right to self-defence as outlined...in the UN Charter, and in response to...its armed attack on 1 April 2024 against Iranian diplomatic premises  in Damascus.
Damien Guerot confronting the attacker. Photo Courtesy: Screengrab from viral video on X

The Australian government has announced it will grant permanent residency to a French national who confronted the Sydney shopping mall attacker with a bollard.

The government, however, will not grant him citizenship because it cannot waive residency requirements.

The clarification comes after the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, offered him the ability to stay in Australia as long as he liked and said he was someone the country would welcome becoming an Australian citizen, reported The Guardian.

Dubbed as 'bollard man', French construction worker Damien Guerot was caught on CCTV camera confronting the attacker in the Sydney shopping mall on an escalator.

The attacker fatally stabbed six people in the shopping mall on Saturday before he was shot dead by a female cop.

Meanwhile, Australian PM Anthony Albanese praised Damien Guerot for his bravery and told reporters: "With regard to the French citizen, the French national, Damien Guerot, who people saw such bravery in on Saturday."

"I say this to Damien Guerot who is dealing with his visa applications, that you are welcome here, you are welcome to stay for as long as you like. This is someone who we would welcome becoming an Australian citizen, although that would of course be a loss for France. We thank him for his extraordinary bravery," the PM said.

The promise of permanent residency was amazing news, Guerot told his lawyer, Belinda Robertson, after being contacted by the department of immigration, reported The Guardian.

It is truly heartwarming for something positive to come out of all the pain and tragedy, Robinson told Guardian Australia.

Who was the Australian shopping mall attacker?

The Australian Police on Sunday (April 14, 2024) identified the Bondi Junction attacker in Australia's Sydney city as Joel Cauchi.

"The man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he could not be revived and died at the scene. He has since been identified as 40-year-old Queensland man, Joel Cauchi," read a statement issued by NSW Polie Force.

Who was his target?

Australian Police have said the man who stabbed to death six people in a shopping mall in Australia's Sydney city may have been targeting women.

Speaking outside his home in Toowoomba, Queensland, Andrew Cauchi told ABC News that he was "not really" coping with the aftermath of his 40-year-old son's actions.

"He was a tormented soul, tormented, and frustrated, and I'm sorry that he's done this to your children and this nation," the father told the news channel.

Cauchi's mother, Michele, told ABC News her son had been under the care of doctors for about 18 years while receiving treatment for mental illness.

Police told The Guardian that Cauchi had mental health problems and that he had moved from Queensland to New South Wales only a month before he took a knife into the crowded Sydney mall on Saturday afternoon and killed six people in an unprovoked stabbing spree.
Photo Courtesy: PPP Official Instagram page

Pakistan's slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's daughter Aseefa Bhutto Zardari on Monday (April 15, 2024) took oath as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA).

Her oath to office was administered by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

The unopposed election of Pakistan Peoples Partys Aseefa Bhutto Zardari from NA-207 of Nawabshah has been challenged in the Sindh High Court (SHC), reported Daily Times.

In the petition in the high court, PTI leader Mustafa Rind claimed his nomination papers were rejected after he was abducted.

He pleaded that the notification of Aseefa Bhuttos uncontested election should be declared as void adding that the by election on vacant seats of the National Assembly will be held on April 21, the newspaper reported.

The Election Commission of Pakistan on March 29 declared that Aseefa Bhutto has returned unopposed as MNA from NA-207 as the remaining three candidates withdrew the nomination papers.

Which seat did Aseefa win?

Aseefa made her way to the National Assembly by winning the Shaheed Benazirabad (Nawabshah) seat.

The seat had fallen vacant after her father Asif Ali Zardari was elected as 14th President of Pakistan.

Who was Benazir Bhutto?

Aseefa's mother Benazir Bhutto was a Pakistani politician and stateswoman who served as the 11th and 13th prime minister of Pakistan from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996.

She chaired or co-chaired the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) from the early 1980s until her assassination in 2007.
Urvasi's Indian family drama J Baby got released in March this year, and it was well-received by the audiences. Now that the Tamil film is streaming on Prime Video with English subtitles, people are curious to find out where the storyline got its inspiration from. The movie's trailer suggests that it is based on real-life occurrences.

Is J Baby Inspired By Real-Life Story?

Poster Of J Baby/X

In a recent interview with The New Indian Express, Suresh Mari discussed how J Baby was inspired by real-life experiences.

He said, " J-Baby is based on my periamma (Aunt)." He further shared that usually, films are made about scientists or leaders, but he chose his aunt because he thinks she is a fascinating person. Although she caused a lot of problems in the area where she used to live, her attempts to do good were always at the root of the trouble.

According to the director, a J-Baby can be found on every street. His aunt had a fascinating occurrence in her life that he thinks people should be aware of.

Mari underlined the significance of the movie, saying, "The audience will understand why we wanted them to watch it with their mothers when they've seen it. J-Baby discusses the worth of a mother, the necessity of maintaining a relationship with her, and the significance of being aware of her feelings. Because this is a tale that every home is experiencing right now, I think viewers will be able to relate to the movie.

All About The Film "J Baby"

Produced by Vistas Media, Neelam Productions, and Neelam Studios, J Baby is directed by director Suresh Mari. A star cast, including Attakathi Dinesh, Lollu Sabha Maaran, and others in important roles, co-stars with Urvasi in the movie.

What Is The Storyline?

Two sons and an elderly mother are the central characters in the story. Her boys set out to locate her when she vanished inexplicably without telling her family.
Salman Khan Gunfire Case: Two suspects have been detained by the Mumbai Crime Branch for reportedly firing on April 14 outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's Bandra home. The two alleged gunmen were arrested late on Monday night in Bhuj, Gujarat.

Two Shooters Arrested For Firing Outside Salman Khan's House

ANI reported Firing outside the residence of actor Salman Khan | Both the accused have been arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch, from Gujarat's Bhuj: Mumbai Crime Branch.



Firing outside the residence of actor Salman Khan | Both the accused have been arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch, from Gujarat's Bhuj: Mumbai Crime Branch  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2024

Arbaaz Khan Issues Statement After Firing Incident

He took to Instagram and wrote, "The recent incident of firing by two unidentified people on a motorcycle at Galaxy apartment, the residence of the Salim Khan family, is very disturbing and unnerving. Our family has been taken aback by this shocking incident. Unfortunately, some people claiming to be close to our family and pretending to be the spokesperson have been making loose statements to the media, saying it is all publicity stunt and the family remains unaffected. This is not true and should not be taken seriously."



"No member of the Salim Khan family has made any statement regarding the incident to the media. At this time, the family is helping and cooperating with the police in the investigation of this untoward incident. We have faith in the Mumbai police and we have been assured they will do everything in their capacity to protect and secure our family. Thank you everyone for your love and support, he added.

Also read: Is Lawrence Bishnoi Responsible For Firing Outside Salman Khan's House? Viral Post Suggests So

All You Need To Know About Firing Outside Salman Khans House

Early on Sunday, two men riding bikes fired four bullets outside Salman Khan's Galaxy Apartments home. After the location, security was increased. Mumbai police said that Salman Khan was at his home when the gunshots were heard. The brother of arrested gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Anmol Bishnoi, took responsibility for the incident on social media a few hours after the incident.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


1. The Family Man Season 3 OTT Release: When And Where To Watch Manoj Bajpayees Thriller Show

Scene From The Family Man/IMDb

The Family Man Season 3 OTT Release: Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K.'s "The Family Man," starring Manoj Bajpayee, is one of the releases thus far that has significantly affected Indian consumers towards OTT series. Following its 2019 Amazon Prime Video premiere, the series quickly became well-known. Season 2's 2021 debut piqued fans' curiosity about Season 3. And now, surprise! The wait is over!

2. Amar Singh Chamkila's Killer Still Alive? Mehsampur Director Says He Crossed Paths With Assassin To Understand Intention

Amar Singh Chamkila's Killer Still Alive? Mehsampur Director Says He Crossed Paths With Assassin To Understand Intention/X

Film director Kabir Singh Chowdhry conducted research for his film "Mehsampur" by meeting with Amar Singh Chamkila's former pals and potential "killer."

In 2018, Kabir's "Mehsampur" was made available. It delves into the life and legacy of the late Punjabi musician Amar Singh Chamkila, as told by those who worked with him.

3. Amar Singh Chamkila Was Not The Only One! Dharmendra's Cousin Was Also Killed In Punjab

Picture Of Dharmendra's Cousin; Veerendra Singh/X

Amar Singh Chamkila's life and the real events leading up to his and his second wife's horrific daylight murder are piqueing the curiosity of Netflix viewers.

By this point, everyone knows the details of Punjabi folk artist Amar Singh Chamkila's death, including how it happened and the hypotheses around its cause. But did you know that a few months following Chamkila's murder, Punjab also saw the death of another well-known celebrity? And what do you know? The well-known person was none other than Dharmendra's cousin and seasoned actor Veerendar Singh.

4. J Baby On OTT: Is The Tamil Film Based On A Real-Life Story?

Poster Of J Baby/X

This year's March saw the premiere of Urvasi's Indian family drama J Baby, which was well welcomed by viewers. Since the Tamil movie is currently available for streaming on Prime Video with English subtitles, many are interested in learning where the plot originated. The teaser for the film implies that it is based on actual events.

Suresh Mari talked about how real-life experiences served as inspiration for J Baby in a recent interview with The New Indian Express.

5. Heeramandi Paychecks: Here's How Much Manisha Koirala & Others Are Getting

Poster Of Heeramandi/Indiatimes

Heeramandi Paychecks: As excitement for the Netflix launch of Heeramandi rises, people are eager to learn about any fresh information pertaining to the cast, their costumes, and other aspects. Here's another behind-the-scenes glimpse into the development of the programme.

The news that Sonakshi Sinha, the lead actress in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's production, is paid 100% more than Manisha Koirala puts her in the surprising position of being the highest-paid cast member of "Diamond Bazaar." Amazing, huh? According to media sources, that is the case. Could you estimate Aditi Rao Hydari's and other people's salaries?

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Rama Navami is a happy time that reminds us to stay faithful and do whats right. Its not just about celebrating Lord Rama's birthday but also the good things he stands for. People fast, pray at home and in temples, read the Ramayana (a story about Rama), and watch plays about Ramas life called Ramlila.

Ram Navami is also the conclusion of the Navaratri fasts. Throughout this period, individuals honour the nine forms of Goddess Durga, seeking blessings for their loved ones. They also conduct Kanya puja, presenting prasad and gifts to girls, and seeking their blessings in return. Here's everything you need to know about Ram Navami, including its date, history, significance, and more.



When is Ram Navami 2024?

The ninth day of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Chaitra, which usually corresponds to March or April in the Gregorian calendar, is when Rama Navami is celebrated. In 2024, the auspicious day of Ram Navami will be observed on Wednesday, April 17.

Ram Navami Puja Timings 2024

Date: April 17, 2024, Wednesday

Madhyahna Muhurat: 11:03 am to 01:38 pm (Length: 02 minutes, 35 seconds)

About Ram Navami

Happy Ram Navami | Photo: Freepik

Ram Navami is one of the most important and major Hindu festivals. It marks the birthday of Lord Shri Ram also known as Maryada Purushottama, who is believed to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is highly respected for his goodness, fairness, and being a perfect person, earning him the title Maryada Purushottam.



Lord Shri Ram was born in the afternoon, so he is worshipped during this time on Ram Navami. People go to temples, pray, do rituals, fast, and chant prayers to seek blessings and wisdom from Lord Ram on this day.

This festival is celebrated widely among Hindus in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, and by some Hindus in North America and Europe.

Ram Navami's Rituals, Traditions and celebration

Devotees gather in homes or religious sites to sing bhajans and kirtans dedicated to Lord Rama.

Many people visit temples to seek blessings during this auspicious day.

In places like Ayodhya, processions feature miniature statues of Rama placed on cradles.

Temples often conduct "Havana," a fire ritual aimed at purifying the mind, body, and soul.

Priests distribute sweets and fruits to devotees as "prasad."

Devotees typically fast throughout the day until midnight, breaking their fast with sweets and fruits.

Ramlila, a theatrical depiction of Lord Rama defeating Ravana, is performed in various parts of the country on open-air stages.

Major celebrations occur in Ayodhya, Bhadrachalam, Rameswaram, and Sitamarhi, with worship of deities such as Sita, Laxman, and Hanuman alongside Lord Rama.

While the nation as a whole is enthralled with Ram Navami, some citieslike Ayodhya, Bhadrachalam, Rameswaram, and Sitamarhibecome focal points of majesty and devotion. These places deck themselves out in splendor, drawing pilgrims from all over to join in the heavenly celebrations.

What is the History of Ram Navami?

The story of Lord Rama is told in Valmiki's Ramayana, a very important book in Hinduism dating back to around the 8th or 7th century B.C. Ayodhya was doing very well when King Dashrath ruled there, but he didn't have any children to carry on his legacy. So, he held a special ceremony called a Yagya. During this ceremony, many wise people and gods prayed to Lord Brahma, asking him to grant Dashrath's wish.

Meanwhile, Ravana, who was the ruler of Lanka, was causing a lot of trouble. He had been given a special power by Lord Brahma, which meant that he couldn't be killed by gods, spirits, or demons, only by humans. Ravana was very strong and had magical weapons and could change his shape, making him very hard to defeat. So, all the gods asked Lord Vishnu to come to earth and defeat Ravana.

After the Yagya ceremony was over, a divine being appeared and gave Dashrath a special drink called 'payasam' to share with his wives Kausalya, Kaikayi, and Sumitra. Kausalya had a son named Rama, Kaikayi had Bharat, and Sumitra had twins named Laxman and Shatrughna.

Legends and Tales Linked with Lord Rama

Lord Rama's life is like a big storybook filled with legends and tales that show his good qualities and his fights against bad things. Here are some of the most famous ones:

The Birth and Early Life

Lord Rama was born to King Dasharatha of Ayodhya and was supposed to become king. But some problems in the palace made him leave for 14 years, showing how he kept doing his duty even when things were hard for him.

Sita's Wedding and Kidnapping

Rama won the chance to marry Sita, a princess known for being beautiful and good, by doing something very difficult. While they were away from home, the bad demon king Ravana took Sita away because he liked her, which started a big battle.

The Trip to Lanka

Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana and the monkey god Hanuman, went on a dangerous journey to Lanka to save Sita. This journey shows how important it is to stay loyal and keep trying even when things are tough.

Hanuman's Loyalty

Hanuman did a very important job. He went into Lanka, met Sita, and then burned down part of the city, showing how devoted and brave he was.

The Fight with Ravana

There was a big war between Rama and Ravana. Rama, with his goodness and skills in shooting arrows, finally won, showing that good things can beat bad things.

The Test with Fire

After saving Sita, Rama, because some people doubted if she was good, asked her to walk through fire to show she was faithful. Sita did it and came out safe, proving she was faithful to Rama.

Coming Back Home and Becoming King

Rama finally came back to Ayodhya, where he became king, making everything right again according to what's good.

Holiday on Ram Navami

Ram Navami is a big and special festival for Hindus. It celebrates the birth of Lord Rama in Ayodhya during Treta Yuga. Millions of devotees around the world celebrate this day, also known as Shri Ram Janmotsav. According to the Drik Panchang, Ram Janmotsav falls on Navami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra.



On Ram Navami, banks in India close for the holiday. But remember, the exact dates can vary by state, set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).



Here's the list of cities where banks will be closed on Ram Navami 2024:



On the occasion of Ram Navami banks will be closed in Ahmedabad, Belapur, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Gangtok, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh & Telangana), Jaipur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Ranchi, Shimla



Although physical bank branches will be closed, online banking services will still be available. So, you can still manage your banking needs without any major interruptions.

Happy Ram Navami 2024 wishes, messages, and quotes to share on WhatsApp

"Wishing you a joyous Ram Navami filled with blessings, peace, and prosperity. May the divine grace of Lord Rama be with you always."

"On this auspicious day of Ram Navami, may Lord Rama shower his divine blessings upon you and your loved ones. Happy Ram Navami!"

"May the divine light of Lord Rama guide you towards righteousness and happiness. Wishing you a blessed Ram Navami!"

"Sending heartfelt wishes on the occasion of Ram Navami. May the divine presence of Lord Rama bring love, harmony, and success into your life."

"As we celebrate the birth of Lord Rama, let us strive to follow his teachings of truth, righteousness, and compassion. Happy Ram Navami!"

"On this holy day of Ram Navami, may your heart be filled with devotion and your home with happiness. Warm wishes to you and your family."

"May the divine blessings of Lord Rama fill your life with peace, prosperity, and success. Wishing you a blessed Ram Navami!"

"As we commemorate the birth of Lord Rama, let us remember his virtues and strive to emulate them in our lives. Happy Ram Navami!"

"May the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami fill your life with joy, peace, and fulfillment. Warm wishes on this divine day."

"On the auspicious day of Ram Navami, may Lord Rama bless you with strength, courage, and wisdom to overcome all obstacles. Happy Ram Navami!"

Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.

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Chaitra Navratri 2024: a nine-day Hindu festival celebrated in the month of Chaitra, holds significant cultural and religious importance.

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Chaitra Navratri 2024: Symbolic significance of Poori, Halwa, and Kale Chane

Among the various rituals and traditions observed during this auspicious period, the consumption of specific foods like Poori (fried bread), Halwa (sweet pudding), and Kale Chane (black chickpeas) on Ashtami and Navami (the eighth and ninth days) carries deep symbolic meaning.

On Ashtami and Navami, devotees worship Goddess Durga in her various forms, seeking her blessings for health, prosperity, and well-being. The tradition of preparing and consuming Poori, Halwa, and Kale Chane during these days is rooted in both mythology and practicality.

Poori, Halwa, and Kale Chane are considered to be highly auspicious foods associated with the worship of Goddess Durga. They are often offered as prasad (divine offering) during Navratri rituals. These dishes are believed to be favored by the goddess and are thus consumed as a way to invoke her blessings and express gratitude for her divine grace.

Also Read: Boost Your Immunity With This Amla And Moringa Drink This Summer Season

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Poori, a deep-fried bread made from wheat flour, represents abundance and prosperity. Its golden color and round shape symbolize the cycle of life and the blessings of fertility and growth. Halwa, a sweet and indulgent pudding made from semolina or flour, is associated with sweetness, joy, and fulfillment. It is believed to satisfy the senses and uplift the spirit, making it a fitting offering to the goddess during Navratri celebrations. Kale Chane, or black chickpeas, are rich in protein and nutrients, symbolizing nourishment, strength, and vitality. They are often cooked with aromatic spices and herbs, imparting a rich and flavorful taste that delights the palate.

Chaitra Navratri 2024: Poori, Halwa, and Kale Chane are eaten due to practicality too

In addition to their symbolic significance, Poori, Halwa, and Kale Chane are also practical choices for consumption during Navratri. These dishes are wholesome, nutritious, and provide energy to sustain devotees through the long hours of fasting and prayers observed during the festival.

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Overall, the tradition of eating Poori, Halwa, and Kale Chane on Ashtami and Navami during Chaitra Navratri serves as a sacred offering to Goddess Durga and a reminder of her divine blessings of abundance, sweetness, and strength. It also reflects the cultural richness and culinary diversity associated with this vibrant festival.

Also Read: Try Beetroot Curd Rice, The Perfect Chill-Out Meal For A Refreshing Summer Afternoon

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Rajkummar Rao's Plastic Surgery: Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao and his wife Patralekhaa were recently seen attending Diljit Dosanjh's concert in Mumbai. Rao sported a casual look with a black T-shirt paired with jeans. But, following the circulation of videos featuring Rao online, some fans started speculating about the possibility of him undergoing cosmetic surgery. One user went as far as sharing a comparison between Rao's picture and an image of Fighter villain Rishabh Sawhney, igniting further debate among fans. However, it's never an easy thing to do. Here's a look at five celebrities who have reportedly undergone cosmetic surgery.



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Celebs who reportedly underwent plastic surgery

1) Janhvi Kapoor

Janhvi Kapoor, the daughter of the late Sridevi and producer Boney Kapoor, has captivated audiences with her exceptional acting abilities. Alongside her talent, she has also garnered admiration for her striking beauty and facial features. However, it is speculated that Kapoor has undergone several cosmetic procedures to enhance her appearance. A comparison of her teenage photographs reveals thinner lips and a rounder nose, whereas her current look showcases fuller lips, a sharper nose, and a defined jawline, suggesting potential enhancements through nose, lip, and jawline surgeries.

Janhvi Kapoor

2) Uorfi Javed

Uorfi Javed, the fashion influencer, recently displayed remarkable candor by openly discussing her decision to undergo cosmetic procedures. In an Instagram Story, she revealed her choice to undergo undereye fillers to address dark circles, shedding light on the reality of cosmetic enhancements in the digital age. "Was so conscious with my undereye dark circles, I always have been. I had them since I was a child. So yea I got undereye fillers and my face looks very... Hoping this will settle. And yeah this is what I look sans make up. I do not wish to be photographed without make up. That's it. That's my wish," she wrote.

3) Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra, a global icon, has left an indelible mark not only in Bollywood but also in Hollywood. Renowned for her exceptional acting prowess, she is equally celebrated for her captivating beauty. In 2017, she was honored with the title of the second 'most beautiful woman in the world'. However, Priyanka, fondly known as PeeCee, has openly acknowledged undergoing plastic surgeries to enhance her appearance. A comparison of her Miss India phase photographs unmistakably reveals the transformations she underwent, particularly in her lips and nose. Despite facing scrutiny and being labeled as "Plastic Chopra" by some, Priyanka has been candid about her cosmetic procedures, asserting her right to personal choice and self-expression.

Also Read: Disrespectful Employee: 6 Ways To Handle A Rude Employee At Work

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4) Shilpa Shetty

Shilpa Shetty, the quintessential diva of the 90s, continues to mesmerize her fans with her timeless beauty and impeccably toned physique. Over the years, she has gracefully aged like a fine wine, earning admiration for her radiant skin and youthful appearance. However, a closer inspection of Shilpa's earlier and recent photographs reveals a noticeable transformation in her looks. For those unfamiliar, Shilpa Shetty has openly discussed undergoing cosmetic procedures, including a nose surgery, to refine her features. Additionally, she opted for skin lightening treatments, resulting in a significant contrast in her complexion over time. In an interview with India Today, Shilpa candidly acknowledged these alterations, attributing them to her desire to establish herself in the competitive film industry.



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5) Anushka Sharma

In 2014, Anushka faced criticism for her unconventional lips, which sparked trolling from various quarters. She later disclosed that she had experimented with a temporary lip-enhancing tool for her role in the film Bombay Velvet. However, following the film's lackluster performance, Anushka herself expressed dissatisfaction with the look, acknowledging its unsuitability and distancing herself from it.

anushka





6) Vaani Kapoor

Vaani Kapoor stands as one of Bollywood's leading actresses, garnering widespread acclaim since her debut in the film "Shuddh Desi Romance." However, observers have noted a significant transformation in her appearance following her initial foray into cinema.

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While Kapoor has not publicly acknowledged undergoing cosmetic procedures, reports suggest that she may have opted for various enhancements, such as lip augmentation, botox injections, and chin augmentation, to refine her aesthetic appeal.

Also Read: Green Delights: 6-Step Guide To Growing Perfect Capsicums At Home

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A Jain couple from Gujarat has reportedly donated their wealth, amounting to around Rs 200 crore to become monks. Businessman Bhavesh Bhai Bhandari and his wife left behind all their wealth during a ceremony in February and will reportedly embrace a life of monkhood this month.

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From luxury to surviving on alms

The couple hails from Himmatnagar, Sabarkantha district of Gujarat is taking up 'diksha' after they led a four-kilometre procession in February during which they donated all their belongings.

VIDEO | Gujarat-based businessman Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife donated their lifetime earnings of over Rs 200 crore to adopt monkhood. The couple led a procession in Sabarkantha, Gujarat, yesterday as they donated all their belongings.



(Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/eWu9IQEZo3  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 16, 2024

This will leave the couple who were previously involved in the construction business with two white garments, a bowl for alms and a "rajoharan", a white broom Jain monks use to brush insects away from an area before they sit.

A business tycoon from Gujarat, Bhavesh Bhai Bhandari and his wife, decided to donate their entire $24 million (200 crore) fortune to embrace a monk's life.



Their 16-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter had already chosen monkhood in 2022, inspiring their parents to do the pic.twitter.com/g5mfGaaWUT  Neetu Khandelwal (@T_Investor_) April 15, 2024

The couple who have left all their material wealth behind will now walk barefoot across India and survive only on alms.

Two children are already monks

Incidentally, the couple is following in the footsteps of their two children, a 16-year-old son and a 19-year-old daughter, who had embraced monkhood in 2022.

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Dimond merchant, wife become monks

This is not the first time wealthy Jain businessmen or their family members have given up unimaginable amounts of wealth and a life of luxury to become monks.

In 2023, a diamond merchant and his wife gave away their wealth and adopted monkhood. Dipesh Shah and his wife Pika Shah were also following in the footsteps of their son Bhavya Shah, to become monks.

Before renouncing their wealth, the Sha couple used to run a successful diamond business with an annual turnover of over Rs 15 crore.

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Incidentally, their daughter had adopted monkhood a decade ago. The couple decided to become monks after their elder son got married.

"When my daughter took diksha, we too wished to follow her path someday. I earned wealth and success, but the search for ultimate peace and happiness never ended," Dipesh Shah had said in 2023.

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The Bombay High Court has held that the right to sleep is a basic human requirement, which cannot be violated. The division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Manjusha Deshpande made the observation in a plea filed by a senior citizen facing a probe in a money laundering case.

The plea was filed by 64-year-old Ram Issrani challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case.

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What is the case

Issrani who was arrested in August 2023 claimed that his arrest was illegal and unwarranted as he had been cooperating with the probe and had appeared before the agency whenever he was issued summons.

In his plea, Issrani stated that on August 7, 2023, he appeared before the agency as per the summons issued, and he was questioned throughout the night and arrested in the case the next day.

Questioned till 3 am

As per the plea, Issrani was questioned till 3 am by ED officials.

The probe agency's counsel, Hiten Venegaonkar, submitted to the court that Issrani had consented to his statement being recorded through the night.

Can't deny right to sleep

"Voluntary or otherwise, we deprecate the manner in which the petitioner's statement was recorded so late in the night, which went on post midnight till 3.30 am," the court said.

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"The 'right to sleep' / 'right to blink' is a basic human requirement, inasmuch as, non-providing of the same, violates a person's human rights," it observed.

Lack of sleep may affect cognitive skills

Lack of sleep affects a person's health and may impair his mental faculties, cognitive skills and so on, it said.

"The said person, so summoned, cannot be deprived of his basic human right i.e. right to sleep, by the agency, beyond a reasonable time. Statements must necessarily be recorded during earthly hours and not in the night when the person's cognitive skills may be impaired," the bench said.

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The court noted that when a person is summoned for questioning, the investigating agency was yet to arrive at a "reason to believe" that the said person is guilty of an offence.

The bench also noted that the petitioner had appeared before the agency to record his statement in the past.

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Tesla Laying Off: In a recent report, Elon Musk-owned world's largest electric vehicle maker, Tesla where over 1.4 lakh people work, has announced significant job cuts impacting its workforce worldwide. Tesla planning to lay off over 10% which would be around 14,000 of its employees across key markets such as the United States and China, affecting various departments including sales, technology, and engineering. Amidst challenges like declining sales and escalating competition, the company has made tough decisions to streamline operations.

In an internal email obtained by electrick.com, CEO Elon Musk highlighted the need for cost reduction and increased productivity to facilitate the next phase of growth for the company. "As we prepare the company for our next phase of growth, it is extremely important to look at every aspect of the company for cost reductions and increasing productivity. As part of this effort, we've done a thorough review of the organisation and made the difficult decision to reduce our headcount by more than 10% globally. There is nothing I hate more, but it must be done," he wrote."

Addressing Workforce Reductions in China

Tesla | Photo: AFP

Among Tesla's global operations, China emerges as a focal point of the recent layoffs. Reports indicate that the company's sales team in China is witnessing significant downsizing, raising questions about the impact on local operations. With China being one of Tesla's crucial markets, any workforce adjustments can potentially influence the company's performance and market presence in the region.



Assessing the Impact on Tesla's Shanghai Plant

Notably, Tesla's largest manufacturing facility is situated in Shanghai, further emphasising the significance of the Chinese market. While the layoffs in Shanghai are described as relatively modest, they still signify a strategic shift in the company's approach. Understanding how Tesla navigates this delicate balance between optimising workforce efficiency and sustaining operational momentum is critical in evaluating its future trajectory in China.

Challenges and Competitions in the Electric Vehicle Sector

Tesla's decision to downsize its workforce comes amidst a backdrop of intensified competition and market challenges. The electric vehicle sector, particularly in China, has witnessed a surge in rivalry, with companies like BYD leading the charge. As Tesla grapples with these competitive pressures, the efficacy of its strategic manoeuvres, including layoffs, becomes a subject of scrutiny.

Navigating Market Dynamics and Investment Priorities

Tesla | Photo: AFP

Furthermore, Tesla's global performance reflects broader trends in the electric vehicle industry, encompassing aspects like market demand, investment strategies, and technological innovation. Balancing the need for cost optimization with continued investment in new models and AI technologies poses a formidable challenge for the company. How Tesla adapts to these evolving market dynamics will shape its future growth trajectory.



ALSO READ: Why These People Will Never Be Rich?

Vice President, Resigns After 18 Years Amid Layoffs



Tesla's senior vice president of powertrain and energy engineering, Drew Baglino, left the electric car company on Monday after 18 years. He shared his decision on X. Baglino started at Tesla in 2006 as an electrical engineer. Another Tesla executive, Rohan Patel, who joined in 2016 and previously advised President Obama, also left.

Recent reports say Tesla is changing its focus under CEO Musk. They're no longer planning a cheaper electric car but are concentrating on making a "robotaxi." This change comes as Chinese companies like BYD offer cheaper electric cars.

Baglino and Patel helped Tesla with batteries, making cars, and growing globally in the electric car market. Baglino thanked his coworkers and said he was proud to help Tesla's goal of sustainable energy. Musk thanked Baglino for his work.

Patel also thanked Tesla for his time there and his previous work in public service. Musk hinted at more changes coming to Tesla in the future on X.

Tesla's recent global job cuts underscore the complexities of operating in a dynamic and competitive industry landscape. As the company recalibrates its workforce and strategic priorities, stakeholders closely monitor its ability to navigate challenges while sustaining growth and innovation. Understanding the implications of these layoffs, particularly in key markets like China, provides valuable insights into Tesla's resilience and adaptability in an ever-changing business environment.

Also Read: Have You Ever Seen India's Zero Rupee Note? Know How It Came To Be

Elon Musk's Visit to India: Unveiling Investment Plans

Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, plans to visit India this month for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting is scheduled to take place in New Delhi during the last week of April. Musk is expected to discuss investment initiatives and the potential establishment of a new factory during this visit.



Investment Plans and Factory Establishment

Sources familiar with the matter suggest that Musk will unveil his investment plans for India during his visit. Earlier reports hinted at Tesla's interest in setting up a manufacturing facility in India, with an estimated investment of around $2 billion. Musk may reveal further details regarding this initiative during his discussions with Indian officials.



Search for Local Investment Partners

In addition to discussing investment plans, Musk is reportedly seeking a local investment partner to facilitate Tesla's operations in India. There are speculations about a potential collaboration between Musk and Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries for the construction of the manufacturing facility in India. This partnership could potentially shape the future of Tesla's presence in the country.



Also Read: Have You Ever Seen India's Zero Rupee Note? Know How It Came To Be

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Age-old foes Greece and Turkey will commence next week key talks on a list of confidence building measures designed to ease tensions between the two NATO allies, officials announced.

The April 22 talks, said officials in Athens,

aimed to foster trust and cooperation between the neighboring nations.

Ambassador Theoharis Lalakos will lead the Greek delegation with Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Burak Akcapar from the Turkish side.The scheduled meeting will mark a continuation of talks previously held in Ankara last November.

In the lead-up to the talks, both countries will participate in reciprocal visits by military officials.

The first exchange will see the Greek Commander of the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, stationed in Kavyli, Evros, visiting the Turkish 54th Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Edirne on April 16-17. Two days later, theTurkish Commander of the 4th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, based in Kesan, will be hosted by the Greek 31st Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Feres.

Officials says the exchanges bear testament to ongoing efforts by Greece and Turkey to navigate their complex relationship through constructive engagement. Still, cautious optimism looms as to whether CBMs to be charted will pave for more peaceful and cooperative relations between the two long-standing adversaries.

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Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, on Monday, posited that the Federal Government needs to have a register of kidnapped, released and missing persons in the country.

Falana disclosed this during a virtual programme to mark the 10th anniversary of the Chibok schoolgirls abduction organised by Women Radio 91.7fm.

Recall that on April 14, Boko Haram terrorists attacked the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno state and abducted about 276 students.

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Speaking on adopting capital punishment for kidnappers as recommended by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Falana said the suggestion is diversionary.

I do not subscribe to any form of capital punishment because it has never addressed the root cause of the problems it is meant to address.

While I think it is a diversionary suggestion, other Nigerians would prefer that we recommend capital punishment for the criminality that leads to corruption.

READ ALSO: Wike: Those With Integrity, Character Are With Us  Fubara Lauds Odili For Declaring Him Rivers Political Leader

Those who are making suggestions that kidnappers be shot at would also not want to extend that to those who loot the treasury, sometimes to the tune of over N100 billion.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria added that there is a need to rekindle the interest of Nigerians in pressurising the government to ensure the release of the remaining schoolgirls who are still in captivity.

A couple of suggestions with revelation have been made, we need to, maybe through the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), have a register of those who are kidnapped, and released and a register of missing persons in our country.

Secondly, the alleged mismanagement of the N1 billion set aside by the government to alleviate the sufferings of the parents as well as the missing students, I think it is important for us to draw the attention of the public to this aspect and that would make Nigerians interested in this matter, he said.
Paul Enenche, senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, spoke out on Monday about the scandal involving a woman who claimed to be a B.SC graduate of law from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

The pastor claimed that when he interfered during Vera Ayims testimony on Sunday, he had no intention of embarrassing her.

On Sunday, Vera appeared on the altar of Dunamis Church to share her testimony of how God made her the only graduate in her family.

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During her testimony, Vera stated that she graduated from NOUN with a BSc in Law.

Pastor Enenche asked what kind of degree she graduated with, and she responded B.Sc in Law.

The preacher was outraged and accused Vera of lying.

The matter sparked a social media frenzy, with Nigerians demanding that Enenche apologise.

In response, Enenche stated that his actions were motivated by his and the churchs dislike of seeming mediocre and deceptive.

Enenche, through his Personal Assistant Sylvester Edoh, confirmed that he has personally contacted Vera.

READ MORE: Junior Pope Not Buried By River Bank  Police Clarify

A statement signed by Edoh reads: A scenario was created on Sunday the 14th April, 2024 at the Glory Dome, the Global Headquarters of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, when Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna came out to testify of how God helped her graduate from the University, thus making her the first person to attain that feat in her family.

These were the immediate triggers for the said scenario:First, listening to the testifiers expressions as it borders on basic spoken English, conveys the impression that the minimum standard expectation of a graduate, especially a graduate of Law was not met. Second, stating that she studied Law for 10 years begged the question of what her degree actually was.

Third, she was unable to state exactly what the correct degree was for Law which is LLB, rather she said it was a BSc in Law which is largely unknown as a Law degree in Nigeria and possibly globally.These prompted the Senior Pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche to stop the testimony immediately as a product of a lie.

However, relief came when it was later confirmed that she actually graduated from a university. It must be pointed out clearly here that embarrassing the testifier publicly with the attendant media frenzy was never intended; whatever happened was under the spur of the moment.

The action of the Senior Pastor was rather based on his and the churchs aversion to seeming mediocrity and any appearance of untruth.

While we remain resolute in our passion for excellence, intolerance of mediocrity and falsehood, we wish to reiterate the fact that no harm or hurt was ever intended by the Senior Pastor against Ms. Anyim Veronica.

The Senior Pastor feels deeply concerned and had already reached out to her. As a Commission, we regret every inconvenience, hurt and embarrassment this unfortunate scenario has caused to Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna.

Enenche promised Vera of his devotion to her physical well-being as well as spiritual development.
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has said that he does not want to be seen as a godfather in the state.

It was gathered that El-Rufai made this clarification during a Capacity-Enhancement Workshop for Senior Government Officials in Borno State on Monday.

He added that he has only made five visits to Kaduna since he left office, nearly a year ago.

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READ MORE: Godfatherism: My comment not an attack on Tinubu but those who hate him capitalised on it  El rufai says

El Rufai said: I dont want to be a godfather and thats why I dont interfere in what is happening in Kaduna, I want him (the governor) to learn and get the job by himself.

What we lack is good leadership, the major aspects of good quality of leadership.

The leader should get good people to get the job done. Only God can do everything by himself, no matter how good you are as a leader, you can be as effective as people around you and thats why the saying that no country get better than the quality of his civil services,
The Israeli army has warned that Iran wont go unpunished following the series of missiles launched over the weekend.

Iran had launched over 300 missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation for an attack on its consulate in Syria, killing some generals on April 1.

Most of the projectiles shot at Israel were, however, intercepted by the Israeli defence system with support from the United States and other countries.

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However, Israels Army spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, on Monday, said Iran will not get (off) scot-free with this aggression.

Hagari spoke while addressing journalists at the Julis military base while displaying the remains of an intercepted missile.

We will not allow this aggression in the region, Hagari said.

According to him, even as the world was talking about the nuclear threat from Iran, the Islamic Republic was building a conventional threat, meaning to create a ring of fire across Israel.

READ ALSO: Retaliatory Attacks On Rogue Israel Concluded, Response To Further Mistakesll Be Severe  Iran

Meanwhile, senior figures in Iran have continued to warn Israel against retaliating to its weekends missiles and drone attacks.

A senior spokesperson for Irans military warned the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany to stop supporting Israel.

Brig Gen Abolfazl Shekarchi, as reported by Islamic Republic News Agency, said there will be an even stronger response from Iran if Israel retaliates to the strikes at the weekend.

We remind the heads of state of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany to stop supporting the declining child-killing terrorist regime of Israel.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has proven that it is not a warmonger and does not seek to spread the war.

The response will be stronger if the regime carries out a more severe aggressive act.

Overnight a senior official told Al Jazeera that Iran had a broad range of options to use against Israel, adding that its bullying and madly taken behavior towards Iran will not work.
The State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kano State chapter, on Monday, announced the suspension of some Party leaders who earlier announced the suspension of Abdullahi Ganduje, the Partys National Chairman.

Recall that today the APC at Ganduje Ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area (LGA) of the State suspended Ganduje over bribery allegations levelled against him by the State Government.

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Reacting, the suspension was thwarted by the Partys leadership at the local government office, and those behind, sacked.

Inusa Suleiman Dawanau, APC Chairman in Dawakin Tofa LGA, told newsmen that those behind Gandujes suspension were caught in anti-party activities with records of their meetings with the ruling party in the State exposed.

READ ALSO: National Chairmanship: North Central Shouldnt Be Shortchanged  PDPs Suswam

The Partys SWC has also sanctioned the Ganduje Ward party leaders for six months and a special investigation panel has been set up to verify several allegations against them.

Abdullahi Abbas, the State APC chairman, said that they, at the state level, have since adopted the decisions of the party at the local government level, and were investigating the alleged anti-party activities of the culprits.

We have evidence of meetings between the state government officials and those that suspended the National Chairman, and SWC has agreed to sanction them for six months and they now stand suspended, Abbas said.

The SWC further declared that the suspension of the National Chairman by the Ganduje Ward party chieftains was invalid and remains null and void.
The Ganduje Ward Executive Committee in the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State has denied suspending Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recall that the Executive Council of Ganduje Ward led by Haruna Gwanjo had earlier announced the suspension of Ganduje during a press briefing in Kano on Monday.

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Gwanjo said that the former governor has to clear his name of corruption allegations regarding his long-standing dollar case.

However, while speaking with newsmen shortly after an emergency meeting of the State Working Committee of the party, Abdullahi Abbas, the State Chairman of the Party accused one Inusa Sulaiman Dawanau, and his cohorts for anti party activities.

Abbas said, We have it on good authority that these group disloyal members have been hobnobbying with ruling NNPP led administration in the state to execute a distablisation act within the party.

We have evidence of meetings between the State Government officials and those that suspended the National Chairman, and state working committee has agreed to sanctioned them for six months and they stand for suspended.

He disclosed that they have since adopted the recommendation, and the decisions of the Local Government Party Leaders to suspend the errant ward officials, while the party at the State level are now investigating the Anti party activities of the culprits.

READ ALSO: Kano APC Sacks Ward Leaders Behind Gandujes Suspension

Meanwhile, a statement signed by all executives of the APC Ganduje ward which was led by its Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, said those behind the purported suspension of Ganduje are not APC members in the ward.

The statement which was also read in a joint press conference on the same day, said: The attention of the Ganduje Ward Executive Committee Members and that of Dawakin Tofa Local Government was drawn to a purported suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, by unfornuately, non-APC members in the Ward.

Those who addressed the press conference were sponsored by the NNPP state government, and from the record of the Party at the Ward, Local Government and State, are not card- carrying members of the APC

The purported suspension was null and void, and would have no any effect on the National Chairman. The Ward and Local Government Executives having identified the persons involved in this unfortunate situation, have already prepared to charge them to court for impersonation and calculated attempt to embarrass and dent the image of the Party and that of the National Chairman.

Koko further called on all Party members to disregard the purported suspension and remain calm.
The coroners inquest into the death of Master Sylvester Oromoni Jnr., a 12-year-old Dowen College pupil in Lekki, Lagos, concluded that he died of natural causes.

The coroner, Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri, concluded in a 255-page decision that lasted more than 7 hours on Monday that the deceaseds death was avoidable but occurred as a result of parental negligence.

Mikhail stated that the deceased endured preventable pain and unnecessary suffering till his death as a result of how his parents handled the situation.

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Recall that Sylvester Oromoni Jr. reportedly died on November 30, 2021, at a private hospital in Warri, Delta, following purported health difficulties at Dowen College in Lagos.

Following his death, the Lagos State Government closed the school and convened a coroners inquest to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. The inquest started in January 2022.

The Oromoni family claimed that the student died of injuries sustained as a result of bullying by five senior students at the college.

The family also stated that the school did not treat him in a hospital.

While delivering the verdict, Magistrate Kadiri stated that the purpose of an inquest is to determine how a deceased person died and the circumstances surrounding his death.

He added that the facts and reports of the two experts who did the late Oromoni Jr.s autopsy indicated that he died of severe septicemia (sepsis) caused by an infection.

I do not believe the version of the family doctor, Henry Aghogho.

He did not provide the required duty of care for the patient whose home care treatment was trivialised.. Despite the early diagnosis, the doctor was found to have abandoned the deceased for more than 32 hours and didnt carry out an X-ray and scan early enough, which would have revealed his deteriorating condition.

Despite the deceaseds condition, he completely neglected the victim. The clinical records show that he did not give quality treatment to the deceased, which also exposed the lies behind his evidence.

Having examined the evidence tendered by all witnesses, I have come to the conclusion that the deceased died of a natural cause.

Despite the alleged accusations of the deceased that he was beaten and bullied, it was not proven because all the accused persons denied it.

All the students involved denied the allegations, while some of them were not in school when the incident occurred, as they claimed to be border students who dont even stay in school during the weekends.

Therefore, the evidence of the sister could not be relied on because it was based on hearsay from the brother.

The Magistrate further held that Oromoni Jr.s death may have been avoided if parental carelessness had not occurred.

The parents didnt take him to any hospital in Lagos, despite the fact that they have a house there.

They took him to Warri in Delta State and were negligent in how they handled the deceased sickness; there was a long period of days whereby the boy could have been treated appropriately.

He went through avoidable excruciating pain and needless suffering until his death. The pupils alleged to have bullied him played no part in the death of the deceased, according to all the evidence before the court.

In fact, Edward and Kenneth should not have been in the path of this whole case because they were not even in school when the incident occurred.

Also, no Dowen staff played any role in the deceaseds death.

READ MORE: Davido Anticipates Working With Rihanna On New Song

However, the Coroner Magistrate cautioned parents not to take their childrens health lightly, and that there should be more coordination between the police and medical teams in such cases.

He also urged for a full psychological evaluation of the five students suspected of bullying the deceased, citing the stress they may be experiencing as a result of the allegations.
Controversial political activist, Reno Omokri, has disclosed the true reason crossdresser Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, was imprisoned.

According to him, Bobrisky was imprisoned because the administration intend to crack down on crossdressing.

On Friday, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced Bobrisky to six months in jail without the option of a fine for naira mutilation.

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In response, Omokri said that the Nigerian government utilised the Naira abuse allegations as a ruse to crack down on the crossdresser.

According to him, the Nigerian government sought to crack down on the countrys popular cross-dressing culture, but was also aware of the fact that any direct move in that regard would earn it the whip of the Western powers.

READ MORE: Davido Anticipates Working With Rihanna On New Song

On his X handle on Monday, he wrote:

What happened with Bobrisky just shows you the savviness of Nigeria compared to other nations and the intellectual response to governing on display by the current administration.

The Nigerian government obviously wanted to clamp down on the trending cross-dressing culture in Nigeria. But the government was also aware of the fact that any direct move in that regard would earn it the whip of the Western powers.

The Tinubu administration was in a dilemma. How to deal with Bobrisky for being a cross-dresser but not to make it about his being a cross-dresser. And this is where you have to respect the subtlety of the Tinubu administration. They found a creative genius way.

Bobrisky violated a law against the abuse of the Naira. That is why a first-time offender committed an offence that even government officials engaged in during Buharis sons wedding, and, despite pleading guilty, was sentenced to six months in prison.

In fact, there is more video evidence of Naira abuse via spraying at the wedding of no less a person than Abdul Aziz Malami, the son of Abubakar Malami, SAN, Nigerias Former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

And the scapegoating of Bobrisky has worked. Since his arrest, have you seen any of his colleagues prancing about?

We used to see them almost daily on blogs and social media. The traditional media, too, could not have enough of them. They got the memo. They have run for cover since the Chairwoman answered to the gender of male in court when asked to state her gender.
Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack appointees in his cabinet who do not deliver on their mandate.

El-Rufai, who spoke in Maiduguri, Borno state capital, on Monday, also urged Tinubu to look into the possibility of adjusting some of his policies that are not yielding expected results.

His words: You appointed a person into a position and he is not working according to the expectation, you should have the humility to tell him that I need a better person, go and do something else.

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READ ALSO: I Dont Want To Be A Godfather  El-Rufai

He also urged Nigerians to pray and assist the administration in its efforts to make things better.

What we must do as citizens is to pray for our leaders for God to guide them to see or do what is right

For God to give them the humility to reverse themselves when necessary and do the right thing; thats how society progresses, he added.
Omoyele Sowore, a human rights advocate, stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other government agencies would be more productive if they focused their efforts on prosecuting politicians who embezzle public funds rather than mocking popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky.

It had earlier been reported that an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) confirmed that the male reproductive organ of Bobrisky currently being held in Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos is complete and intact.

In response, Sowore called the Correctional Services statement about Bobrisky despicable conduct and a waste of time.

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READ MORE: VeryDarkMan Taunts Bobrisky After Prison Officials Confirmed His Male Genitals Still Intact

Taking to his Twitter account, he wrote,

It is a terrible country. @officialEFCC recovered N32billion and another $445,000 between Betty Edu and Umar-Farouq of the Humanitarian ministry.

None of them has been prosecuted by now for these humongous frauds, but @BobriskyIdris has spent 6 months in jail for spraying Naira and now it is correctional facility @correctionsng officials where hes detained entertaining the public daily with the description of his male organ! Despicable, useless, dishonest and disreputable people. #RevolutionNow.
Some gunmen, suspected to be bandits have killed one Musa Ille, the secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

It was gathered that the terrorists shot Musa dead in front of his residence in Tsafe town on Monday evening.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the deceased was a grassroot politician who contributed to the success of the party in the 2023 Election which produced Dauda Lawal as the state governor.

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READ MORE: Many Feared Dead As Rival Bandit Groups Clash In Zamfara

Confirming the horrible development, the PDP Chairman of the local government, Garba Garewa, disclosed the killing of the partys secretary in Tsafe to newsmen on Tuesday.

He said: We are suspecting his killers to be bandits, they entered his house yesterday (Monday) and shot him.

Also, a resident, who confirmed the PDPs chieftain during an interview with Sahara Reporters said: The late Musa Ille was one of our good and God fearing neighbors, he was killed in front of his house.
Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), on Monday, said the Federal Government has successfully rescued more than 1,000 victims of verified mass abductions across the country without succumbing to ransom demands.

Speaking while welcoming 22 rescued students and staff of the Federal University Gusau, Ribadu highlighted the covert operations conducted over the past few months, emphasizing the governments commitment to liberating unlawfully held captives.

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Ribadu stated, We have quietly liberated over a thousand victims, ensuring their privacy and safety without unnecessary publicity.

Rescues have been carried out in various states, including Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Taraba, Adamawa, and others.

Acknowledging the success of these operations, he expressed optimism about the ongoing efforts to address mass abductions, underscoring the governments determination to prevent further incidents.

READ ALSO: Soldier Who Killed Lover Not Repentant Boko Haram Terrorist But Civilian JTF Member  Army Reveals

These efforts have yielded positive results, evident in the recent rescues. Our priority remains the safety and well-being of all citizens, he affirmed.

He further assured that the rescued victims were unharmed, with no reports of molestation among female abductees, signalling a departure from past incidents.

While crediting the collaborative efforts of security forces, armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies for the successful outcomes, he commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his dedicated efforts in tackling insecurity, noting significant progress in curbing terrorist attacks in recent times.

The rescued individuals, comprising female students, male artisans, a private security guard, and a protocol officer, were abducted from the Federal University Gusau during a bandit attack on Sept. 22, 2023, at Sabon Gida in Gusau.
The U.S. Army Chinook helicopter assembly line at Boeing in Ridley Park in 2018. Read more

Workers at Boeing Corp.s Ridley Park helicopter plant put down their tools Monday to join managers and engineers at a ceremony thanking Congress for adding funding in the new federal budget for the CH-47 Chinook helicopters and V-22 Ospreys made at the complex, the Philadelphia areas largest industrial employer.

The new money should end what U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D., Pa.) called multiple rounds of layoffs amid years of uncertainty over the future of U.S. military demand for new or rebuilt Chinooks and Ospreys.

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But first, there will be more layoffs.

These are trying times, said Mike Madigan, shop chair for UAW Local 1069 and a 34-year Boeing veteran.

The union expects the number of workers on the plants assembly lines, currently 930, will go below 800 later this year, Madigan said, before recovering to around 1,100 around the end of 2026 on increased funding to expand the helicopters range and carrying capacity.

The Boeing complex employs around 3,500 people altogether, down from as many as 5,000 in the recent past. Besides the assembly lines, Boeing engineers in Ridley Park work on other products and hope to attract additional work, said Kathleen KJ Jolivette, who heads Boeings helicopter program.

Boeing officials said the Chinook upgrade program is expected to operate this year and next at what the company calls the minimum sustainable rate of around 18 a year. That will increase to around 24 a year by 2027, requiring additional workers, said company and union officials.

Minimum sustainable rate means they want to slow you down, said U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D., N.J.).

The federal budget also contains funding for around five additional Ospreys, the tilt-rotor aircraft that takes off like a helicopter but flies like a plane. Boeing had been preparing for a possible stoppage of the 250-worker line that produces Ospreys at a second building at Ridley Park once earlier orders were complete, according to people who work at the plant.

The new Osprey funding was an unexpected bonus, Scanlon said in an interview outside the plant. She credited U.S. Rep. Kay Granger (R., Texas), chair of the House Appropriations Committee, whose state is home to the Bell helicopter factory that does final assembly work on the Ospreys, for pushing to make more Ospreys.

Osprey is a big-money project. They were smart enough to put parts and pieces in [many] congressional districts, according to retired Brigadier Gen. Don Harvel, author of Rotors in the Sand, a book critical of military investigators blaming pilot error for Osprey crashes.

This takes constant advocacy and work, said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.). If this had stayed on the chopping block, wed lose more than jobs, with contractors in Pennsylvania and elsewhere left to seek other work or lay off staff, which Boeing officials say would make it hard to restart the programs later.

Analysts speculate that Boeing could see a substantial reorganization of its commercial aircraft business after last months announcement that the units chief, Stan Deal, had been ousted following complaints about management of the companys 737 MAX airliner program, and that company CEO Dave Calhoun will leave at years end.

Boeing helicopter managers and their supporters in government said they saw no signs the change will alter the companys military business.

Boeing makes things that last, said Norcross, noting that with recent and planned updates, Chinooks are expected to remain in service into the 2060s. The first Chinooks flew in 1961. They were used extensively in Vietnam and as heavy-lifting helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan, and have been sold also to U.S. allies in Europe and Asia.

Besides by the U.S. Marine Corps, Ospreys are also in use in Japan.
WuXi AppTec is building a 1.7 million-square-foot biotech contract manufacturing plant in Middletown, Del., with $21 million in state aid and tax incentives. At the same time, Congress is proposing to ban cell and gene therapy developers and others that do business with the China-based firm from receiving federal cash. Read more

For more than a decade, Chinese biotech pioneers WuXi AppTec and BGI Group have forged close scientific and financial relationships developed by U.S. drugmakers, research scientists, and start-ups around Philadelphia and across the United States.

Now, Congress is threatening to cut off federal funding to companies that do business with WuXi and BGI, citing links to the Chinese military that some U.S. officials say makes it hard for such companies to keep the data of their U.S. customers private and therefore creates a national-security risk.

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WuXi AppTec is a leader among the contract manufacturers that help take scientists breakthrough medical ideas, once proven, to mass production, driving down costs so more people can use them. BGI bought or contracted with U.S. genomic researchers to collect a giant gene database in China.

Officials at research schools like the University of Pennsylvania and manufacturers like Philadelphia-based Cabaletta Bio are studying whether and how they could replace efficient services built up with Chinese partners since the 2000s.

Congressional action that reduces WuXis manufacturing capacity could adversely impact product trials, production could be delayed or stopped, and it could prove impossible to make replacement products at an affordable price, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing in March from Cabaletta, which has ties to Penn and Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and is developing cell therapies targeting autoimmune diseases.

Noting that a handful of senators and representatives from both parties had urged the Biden administration to add WuXi AppTec and its affiliate WuXi Biologics to the governments lists of Chinese military companies aiding that countrys potential war effort and subject to U.S. sanctions, Cabaletta added that this could materially impact the companys plans. The Biden administration has not acted on the request from members of Congress.

Access to WuXi AppTec production is a very big issue for the biotech community. They are a major commercial [manufacturer] for cell and gene therapies, said Steven Altschuler, a biotech investor who was chief executive of Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia when it began its gene and cell therapy programs in the early 2000s.

Hes worried that other American, Asian, and European biotech companies wont have the immediate capital, labor, and know-how to pick up the slack if Congress goes through with its ban in an industry where novel therapies remain dependent on early federal support.

It could have a real impact on getting cell and gene therapy to patients, he said.

Likewise, Kevin Mahoney, chief executive at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, whose researchers include leaders in gene and cell therapies, said: We need low-cost start-up manufacturing to grow these businesses here.

Whats happening in Congress?

A bill that passed the Senate Homeland Security Committee, 11-1, in March labels WuXi AppTec and its affiliates and BGI (the former Beijing Genomics Institute) and its successors each a risk to the national security of the United States, noting that China-based companies are required to give that countrys military their data and other private information when asked.

The vote followed a report that U.S. intelligence officers in a February briefing had told a group of senators who support the bill that WuXi AppTec had transferred U.S. intellectual property to Beijing without consent, Reuters posted last month, citing unnamed sources.

Area Congress members including Sens. Tom Carper (D., Del.), a member of the Homeland Security committee who voted yes on the bill in committee, and Bob Casey (D., Pa.) say they are reviewing the proposed law before deciding whether to support it in the full Senate.

WuXi AppTec, one of the biggest biotech employers in Philadelphia, says that it complies with U.S. law and that its customers U.S. data are secure.

Safeguarding our customers information is of the utmost importance, spokesperson Fangwei Gu said in a statement. We strongly object to such serious allegations against our company without due process.

Gu added that the company had earned its reputation as a trusted partner and said the company is concerned the bill could damage American leadership in biotech and delay medicine to those in need.

The company reported record sales and profits last year, but shares have lost half their value since January, which analysts blame on fears Congress would discourage repeat business. Shares of WuXi Biologics are down even more since the vote.

The losses could affect the bottom line of millions of American retirement savers. Leading U.S. investment companies including Vanguard Group of Malvern, Fidelity, American Funds, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, State Street, and Radnor-based Putnam Lovells Matthews International Funds, have investments in WuXi AppTec or WuXi Biologics, according to SEC filings.

WuXis connection to the Philadelphia area

At least 15 publicly traded U.S. cell and gene therapy developers, including Philadelphia-based Amicus Therapeutics and Cabaletta Bio, have signed production deals with WuXi AppTec or its affiliate WuXi Biologics since 2018, according to an Inquirer review of Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Thats not including private companies that dont file SEC reports.

WuXi AppTec employs around 900 in four buildings in the former Philadelphia Naval Base business district, developed by the partly city owned Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. WuXi Biologics has a plant at a former GlaxoSmithKline pill factory in Upper Merion Township and another in Cranbury, N.J.

WuXi AppTec is building a factory in Middletown, Del., with help from $21 million in state aid and tax incentives.

Earlier this year, WuXi replaced its top officer in Philadelphia. David Y.H. Chang, a biotech industry veteran of U.S. and Chinese manufacturing operations who became chief executive of the WuXi AppTec Advanced Therapies Unit in 2020, retired home to Taiwan. Chang was replaced by U.S.-born R.J. Fitch, a former Merck manufacturing executive and Philadelphia University graduate who has been with WuXi since 2016.

CHOPs former connection to BGI

In the early 2010s, BGI, which operates Chinas National Gene Bank, had world-leading technology for screening genes, an early step needed for gene therapy, Altschuler said. The field grew rapidly and now has many advanced competitors, he added.

In 2011, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia announced a 10-year deal with BGI, then known as Beijing Genomics Institute, to sequence cells for research projects. That deal was terminated effective May 2018, according to CHOP.

Since that time, we have remained engaged with the Philadelphia field office of the FBI  on various topics, including BGI, and China generally, a CHOP spokesperson said in a statement. FBI officials in Philadelphia and Washington declined to provide information about that engagement.

Altschuler said the reasons for the FBIs contacts to CHOP arent clear. We used their platform, he said. We didnt end up swapping genetic information or anything else besides using BGIs tools to read genes.

According to the draft sanctions bill in the House of Representatives, BGI and successors, including MGI and Complete Genomics, a California manufacturer acquired by BGI in 2013, remain active in U.S. biotech. U.S. companies that did business with them would also be banned from receiving federal funds.

U.S. factories in the works

Besides relying on contract manufacturers, more biotech companies are building their own cell factories. In Philadelphia, that includes San Diego-based Iovance Biotherapeutics, which counts WuXi AppTec as one of its contract manufacturers, and Philadelphia-based Spark Therapeutics, now owned by Swiss drug giant Roche.

That new capacity wont automatically ease pressure on start-ups, however.

We are building for us, with no plan to contract manufacture, said Iovance spokesperson Jen Saunders, of its Navy Yard site, which adjoins WuXi AppTec.

Sparks new building on Chestnut Street near its 30th Street labs is planned for manufacturing only for Spark, and the Roche network, said Spark in a statement.

What will Penn do?

Over the years, Penn has debated emulating the University of Massachusetts and other schools by setting up a regional biotech manufacturing facility, possibly at the Pennovation complex in South Philly. It would be a place commercial companies could use, making it easier to lure and grow more successful biotech companies. The neighboring two-square-mile Bellwether development is also soliciting biotech tenants.

Penn already has at least three small cell and gene therapy production sites used by researchers who are developing costly treatments with sophisticated tools.

But such facilities, owned by the tax-exempt university, cant be readily expanded for commercial use by for-profit companies, Penn officials have noted in internal discussions.

A regional facility run by a nonprofit operator could attract start-ups and reduce production costs, if carefully managed, Penn sources said. But university officials are also wary of an embarrassing failure if a multiyear investment fails to attract users on schedule, and some have argued such risks are best left to the private sector.

Delaware is helping WuXi AppTec build a plant

A consortium of Pennsylvania and Delaware biotech-related groups joined this year to apply for $70 million in federal funds to set up a network of biotech training, development, and manufacturing sites around Philadelphia and western New Castle County.

The University of Delaware and the Delaware-based National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceutical, a group backed by Glaxo, AstraZeneca, and other drugmakers and run by ex-Merck recombinant flu vaccine chief Barry Buckland, would direct the manufacturing effort.

Work began last year on WuXi AppTecs 1.7-million-square foot manufacturing center on more than 100 acres in Middletown, Del., near the Maryland border. A four-story office building flanked by manufacturing sheds is rising in former farm fields. Delaware has committed $21 million in matching construction funds and future road improvement funding.

So far, $3.6 million of that amount has been paid to the company for work completed to date, according to Ashley Dawson, a spokesperson for Gov. John Carney. Regardless of the sanctions attempt by Congress, we will continue to honor the terms of the signed and executed agreement, pending changes in legislation.
City Council President Kenyatta Johnson speaks during a opening event for the Caring People Alliance teen program in South Philadelphia on Jan. 31. Read more

A childhood friend of Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson admitted in court Monday that hed traded on that connection to skirt regulations, defraud taxpayers, and make a killing buying and reselling city-owned properties in rapidly gentrifying Point Breeze.

Felton Hayman, 53, of Wilmington, told a federal judge he enlisted the Council members aid to purchase city land in the neighborhood at cut-rate prices. He then failed to deliver on contingencies in the sales agreements requiring him to build affordable housing on the parcels.

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Instead, he flipped the properties in some cases for as much as 15 times what he originally paid, netting him more than $1 million in profit between 2014 and 2018.

Specifically, Hayman pleaded guilty Monday to three federal counts of wire fraud tied to transactions involving three properties in 2018, on which he made a profit of roughly $143,000. While prosecutors noted earlier transactions involving three other Point Breeze lots on which Hayman sold for more than $1 million than he originally paid, they fell outside the statute of limitations and were not specifically tied to any charges in his indictment.

I pleaded guilty to something I actually done, Hayman told U.S. District Judge Mark A. Kearney during a hearing Monday. He now faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.

Despite the role Johnson  a three-term Democrat from Point Breeze  played in facilitating the sales, prosecutors have made clear since Hayman was indicted last year that they consider the Council member to be a victim of, not an accomplice in, his friends schemes, and they have not accused him of any wrongdoing.

Charging documents repeatedly noted that Hayman failed to disclose to Johnson that he had no intention of following through with his promises to build affordable housing on the land.

But Haymans admissions are not the first time Johnsons land-use decisions have drawn scrutiny for how theyve benefited his friends and political allies.

The Inquirer documented several of those transactions  including some of the land deals involving Hayman  in a 2016 investigation.

 READ MORE: Developers bought low and sold high with the help of Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson

Johnson and his wife, Dawn Chavous, were also indicted but ultimately acquitted in 2022 in an unrelated case on charges alleging, in part, that theyd accepted payoffs from a pair of nonprofit executives looking for the Council members help in holding on to properties theyd bought from the city.

In both that case and Haymans, Johnson relied on a custom known as councilmanic prerogative  the tradition by which members of Council hold final approval over nearly all land-use decisions in their districts  to assist the nonprofit executives and his childhood friend.

Hes defended prerogative power as a practice that helps give residents a voice in neighborhood development through their elected representatives and streamlines the development process. But critics of the tradition, which is not codified in city law, maintain that allowing one legislator unchecked sway over land use makes the system vulnerable to unethical behavior.

 READ MORE: Councilmanic prerogative in Philadelphia: What you need to know

In Haymans case, his long history with Johnson had raised concern even before federal authorities got involved.

Hayman and Johnson grew up together in Point Breeze but ultimately took different paths. Johnson went into politics  first working as an aide to State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, then winning office himself as a state representative before his election to Council in 2011.

Hayman, meanwhile, found himself in prison for 15 years after he pleaded guilty in 1991 to a third-degree murder charge. Police said he, then a gang member, had helped concoct a plan to kill a rival drug dealer. The hit went awry when some of Haymans coconspirators shot and killed the wrong man in a West Oak Lane tavern.

After release from prison, Hayman worked as a driver and legal assistant to a Philadelphia lawyer before going into the construction business.

When, in 2014, Hayman expressed interest in redeveloping three city-owned vacant lots in the now booming neighborhood where he and Johnson were raised, the Council member was willing to help.

Hayman said he intended to build three-story homes for affordable housing on the lots on Ellsworth and Manton Streets. And Johnson letters to the citys Vacant Property Review Committee  one of the bodies that controlled the sale of city-owned lands  endorsing the proposal.

Because of councilmanic prerogative, the committee unanimously approved Haymans purchase allowing him to jump the line of other potential buyers without having to engage in a competitive bidding process that might have brought in more money for the land.

Hayman ultimately paid $70,488 for all three lots later in 2014. But despite his promises, he sold them all within two years for a combined $1.1 million  more than $1 million more than what hed originally paid. No affordable housing was ever built on the properties.

But while prosecutors detailed those transactions in their case against Hayman, they fell outside the five-year statute of limitations on the wire fraud counts with which he was ultimately charged. He pleaded guilty Monday to charges tied to another set of land deals that played out for years after the first.

With those properties  three parcels on South Bucknell and Titan Streets  Hayman was so sure of Johnsons support that he had real estate agents list them before the sales were even finalized.

 READ MORE: Philadelphia Councilman Kenyatta Johnson helped friend make $165,000 flipping city-owned lots

That sale was approved in August 2018 for a total of $101,000. But as early as three months before the titles were officially transferred to him, Hayman was looking to off-load the lots to potential buyers for $150,000 apiece.

He managed to sell two of the properties hed picked up as part of the deal within a matter of weeks for a combined $230,000  more than three times what hed originally paid  for a roughly $142,000 profit.

Johnson did not return requests for comment on Haymans guilty plea Monday, though his attorney, Patrick J. Egan, has previously said the Council members interest, as always, has been for improving the community while attempting to preserve affordable and workforce housing.

Haymans attorney, Robert B. Mozenter, acknowledged his clients crimes but characterized them as a silly mistake.

He made a mistake that a lot of other people do, he said. Sometimes good people do bad things and then theyre redeemed...I advised him to fight the case.

Kearney, the judge, set Haymans sentencing date for Aug. 12

Editors Note: This story has been updated with response from Haymans attorney.
Former IBEW leader John Dougherty arriving at the federal courthouse on Monday for jury selection for his upcoming trial. Read more

For the third time in as many years, John Dougherty strode into the Philadelphia federal courthouse on Market Street on Monday preparing to once again select a jury to determine his fate.

This is old news, the former labor leader quipped to reporters before the selection process began. You should be up with Donald Trump instead of with John Dougherty, he said, referencing another, arguably higher profile, trial unfolding 100 miles away.

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But unlike that novel criminal proceeding in Manhattan where jurors were also being picked on Monday, Doughertys situation came with a bit more precedent.

It was just five months ago that union head sat in the same Philadelphia courthouse to select the jury that eventually convicted him on embezzlement charges. And a year before that, a separate panel was picked there that found Dougherty and former City Councilmember Bobby Henon guilty in a bribery case.

 READ MORE: Former Local 98 leader John Doughertys facing his third felony trial this week. Will this time be different?

With Doughertys sentencing for those earlier convictions looming in May, the jurys conclusion in his latest criminal trial  this one on extortion charges  could potentially result in more prison time for the man once considered a political kingmaker and the most powerful labor leader in the commonwealth.

Dougherty, 63, and his nephew and codefendant Gregory Fiocca, 31, stand accused of extorting a union contractor who they say attempted to dock Fioccas pay after he performed poorly at his job on the construction site of Live! Casino in South Philadelphia in 2020.

Prosecutors say Fiocca, enraged by his cut wages, grabbed his boss by the throat and threw him across a desk, while Dougherty later threatened to block the contractors future efforts to work in Philadelphia unless he paid Fiocca in full.

Both men have denied the charges against them and maintain the government has exaggerated a pay dispute and scuffle over which the Philadelphia police opted not to pursue charges. Dougherty, his attorneys have said, was merely fighting for the wages of his nephew, a member of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the union Dougherty led for nearly 30 years.

Dougherty and Fiocca sat silently at the head of the courtroom throughout much of the day Monday, as their attorneys conferred with prosecutors to whittle down a list of 61 prospective jurors to the panel of 12 that will eventually decide the case.

The six men and six women chosen Monday range from their 20s or 30s to retirement age. Some have ties to law enforcement, government jobs, or unions. All were drawn from the greater Philadelphia region and will sit through the testimony and evidence set to be presented in a Reading courtroom over the next several days.

 READ MORE: As it happened: Jury selected in ex-labor leader John Doughertys 3rd trial; why this trial isnt in Philly

Everyone involved wants 12 good people to sit in the jury box, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl told the group. A case, if it hasnt already, will touch someone you know.

Opening statements are set to begin Wednesday, with the trial expected to conclude within several days.
Samantha Rementer, seen here with her daughters, was killed by Thadius McGrath in June 2022. McGrath was sentenced to life in prison for her death on Tuesday. Read more

Thadius McGrath admitted he killed his girlfriend by beating and strangling her in the Northampton Township apartment they shared. In a phone call to his father from jail, he said he believed he was guilty of first-degree murder.

On Tuesday, Bucks County Court Judge Wallace H. Bateman agreed, finding McGrath guilty of that charge and sentencing him to life in prison in the death of Samantha Rementer.

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McGrath, 37, had told prosecutors he killed Rementer in front of her two daughters in June 2022, and pleaded guilty to the crime. But he and his attorney, Keith Williams, insisted that the killing was not premeditated  a requirement for a first-degree murder conviction  triggering a two-day evidentiary hearing that left the degree of his guilt up to the judge.

Assistant District Attorney Thomas Gannon presented evidence showing the grievous injuries that McGrath inflicted on Rementer as he beat her with a stepladder and floor lamp, then killed her by wrapping the lamp cord tightly around her neck.

As police pulled up to the apartment, summoned by a concerned call from McGraths mother, he shot himself in the head with a 9mm handgun. Rementers then-5-year-old daughter witnessed the fatal beating and McGraths attempted suicide and became a key witness in the case, describing both acts in detail to investigators.

Rementer had met McGrath in 2021, after her husband died from a heart condition, according to her family. McGrath was a friend of her late husbands and had come down from Massachusetts for his funeral.

Afterward, the two grew close, began a romantic relationship and moved in together. McGrath killed her, prosecutors said, at the height of a heated argument, the full cause of which prosecutors say will forever be unclear.
A North Philadelphia man who authorities say shot a friend inside a van they were riding in late Sunday, then left his body near the campus of St. Josephs University, was charged with murder Tuesday after turning himself in to law enforcement officials.

Tyreese Quinerley, 39, surrendered to Lower Merion police and Montgomery County detectives shortly before 2 p.m., a spokesperson for the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office said. Quinerley was charged with first- and third-degree murder and related crimes in the death of Jefferson Shackford.

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Quinerley called police to the scene, on City Avenue near Cardinal Avenue in Lower Merion Township, according to an affidavit of probable cause for his arrest.

He initially told officers he was a bystander, concerned about Shackford, 31, after nearly hitting him with his van as Shackford was lying in the road. Quinerley, who seemed nervous and was sweating as he spoke with the officers, said he called 911 out of concern for Shackford, whom he said he didnt know.

Investigators, however, said they quickly determined that Quinerley was lying.

Medics took Shackford to nearby Lankenau Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead from multiple gunshot wounds, the affidavit said. He was carrying a cellphone, and call logs retrieved from the device led to the unravelling of Quinerleys version of events.

Detectives found that Quinerley and Shackford had called each other multiple times on Saturday, the affidavit said. In the 911 calls Quinerley made, he is overheard referring to Shackford by the nickname Creek, seemingly indicating he knew him.

Quinerleys girlfriend told detectives that Quinerley and Shackford were friends, and grew up in the same neighborhood in North Philadelphia, the affidavit said.

Investigators later interviewed two witnesses who told them they saw a green van matching the description of Quinerleys vehicle driving erratically and weaving through traffic on City Avenue late Sunday. While the van was stopped at a red light, they said, the driver of the van got out and fired a handgun into the van before getting back in and speeding off.

The drivers description, including the clothing he was wearing, matched Quinerley, detectives said.

Surveillance video from the scene showed a van pulling up to the location where Shackfords body was found shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday, according to the affidavit. The driver was seen getting out of the van, walking to its passenger side and pulling out a body.

Quinerley has a long criminal record in Philadelphia, including guilty pleas to aggravated assault and drug charges, court records show. He is not eligible to possess a firearm.
Leveling  the controversial Philadelphia School District practice of shifting teachers to reflect actual enrollment weeks into the school year  is ending with the 2024-25 school year, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has announced.

Watlington made the surprise announcement Tuesday, saying the district would spend $8.8 million from central office cuts and energy savings to fund the discontinuation of leveling in any schools or classrooms after the beginning of the school year.

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A district spokesperson said this move was permanent unless there are significant funding reductions.

Leveling worked this way: If one school has fewer students than projected, it might lose teachers to another school that enrolled more students than expected. For the schools that lost teachers, their students would be merged to form bigger classrooms, while the other schools would be able to divide larger classes into smaller ones with the addition of new teachers. In either case, students would have to start again with new teachers.

The $8.8 million will be used to hire more teachers to staff overenrolled schools.

Most school districts, including some urban districts that had used the practice in the past, do not engage in leveling.

Research shows that the single most important factor in a students academic achievement is having access to an effective, highly qualified, and stable teacher over time. The next factor is effective, stable principals, Watlington said in a statement. We are committed to investing in and protecting our classrooms from budget cuts, to the extent we can.

Long reviled by students, parents, teachers, and politicians, leveling has been used for decades in Philadelphia for financial reasons or because the district could not find enough educators to fully staff classrooms. More than 50 staffers had to move schools in October because some schools were under-enrolled based on district projections, and others had more students than expected show up.

Year after year, those affected by leveling pleaded with district leaders to discontinue it, citing the disruption to students and school communities making students start over with a new teacher. City Council held hearings on leveling over the winter.

The news that leveling was ending drew immediate plaudits.

Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, called it a sound one and a very welcome one.

Over the years, we have worked to mitigate the challenges set forth by the process of leveling, Jordan said in a statement. To know that the district recognizes and appreciates the importance of a stable staff is significant. Every child in every school needs and deserves a highly qualified, certified teacher from the first day of school. It is imperative that we get this right for our young people.

Anndra Wilson, a music teacher at Mayfair Elementary, was particularly thrilled at Watlingtons announcement.

In 2015, Wilson was leveled out of her first district job, at Morton Elementary. I remember the principal telling me, and I started crying because I had no idea what leveling was, said Wilson. Had she known that leveling existed, she wouldnt have left her prior district and chosen to teach in Philadelphia.

She said the end to leveling was a win for students and staff. With no longer having teachers taken from the classrooms in October, the relationships severed due to leveling are no more, Wilson said. This is an important step forward for the SDP to provide consistent relationships in the classroom for students.

Robin Cooper, president of the districts principals union, said that leveling was a counterproductive practice and that she found Watlingtons move very encouraging.

The key positive impact is that other schools will not be losing any teachers to schools with increasing enrollments, with the end result that all schools will remain or become whole, Cooper said.

City Councilperson Katherine Gilmore Richardson, who called for Councils leveling hearings, said in a statement that she was so pleased with the news, emphasizing that studies show that students, especially Black students from low-income backgrounds, benefit from reduced class sizes.

By reallocating approximately $8.8 million, the decision to end the practice of leveling helps to put our young people first, Gilmore Richardson said. I want to thank Dr. Tony Watlington and the leadership at the School District of Philadelphia for their work on this.

Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, parent of children in a district school and a lawyer who argued the landmark education funding case that resulted in Pennsylvanias education funding formula being declared illegal, put it succinctly.

The time has come, Urevick-Ackelsberg said. Thank God.

Leveling isnt OK in adequately funded districts, and it shouldnt be in Philadelphia, either, Urevick-Ackelsberg said.

It was a destructive practice to remove a childs teacher after the first six weeks, all in the pursuit of efficiency because you have to save every dollar, he said. My hope is that this is just one indication of what it can mean when we actually invest in our schools. There is a different path that is possible, where you actually have stable teaching, and you actually have district leadership that can listen and adjust. Its a good day.

In prior years of leveling, district officials had pointed out that in a teaching shortage, when the district already had unfilled positions, avoiding leveling could mean adding more vacancies in the fall. But on Tuesday, the focus was on the victory of ending a much-hated practice.

The Philadelphia school board recently passed the broad outlines of a $4.5 billion 2024-25 school budget, but has not finalized details of individual school budgets. After warning of a possible $400 million deficit, officials said a $100 million increase in city funding and $247 million more from the state held off that spending gap.

But, officials stressed Tuesday, they also tightened their belt internally, reducing the central office budget with no layoffs.
Bar and seating at Mulherin's Pizzeria, 1175 Ludlow St. The open kitchen is at right. Read more

After two years of delays, Mulherins Pizzeria, the East Market sister concept to Fishtowns Wm. Mulherins Sons, has set its opening for April 18.

The restaurant is on the ground floor of The Girard, the mixed-use building that also houses Method Co.s extended-stay concept Roost East Market. It spills out to a 50-seat courtyard off of Ludlow Street, part of a $500 million development that includes the Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant that opened in fall 2018 at 12th and Market Streets. (Unless youve visited that part of Center City recently, you may want to tap 1175 Ludlow St. into your GPS.)

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The menu focuses on the lighter side of Wm. Mulherins, as the atmosphere borrows the originals timeworn look that dazzled crowds when it opened in 2016 at Front and Master Streets in Fishtown. Mulherins later opened a boutique hotel upstairs, and the omakase salon Hiroki behind it.

For the East Market pizzeria, Method Studios, the companys in-house design firm, and Stokes Architecture + Design opted for a comfy look: saddle-leather banquettes, slotted benches, and hand-clipped mosaic tile flooring, as well as a contemporary lighting fixture by Roll & Hill hanging over the bar.

Theres an open kitchen with a wood-fired oven right off the bar. Chef Sean McPaul, a well-traveled Culinary Institute of America grad whose recent stops include Emmy Squared and Rouge, is overseeing the menu.

Among the pizzas are the Spicy Jawn (pepperoni, hot coppa, tomato, sharp provolone, caciocavallo, long hots) and the Sweet Jawn (pomodoro, soppressata, mozzarella di bufala, red pepper, fresh oregano, hot honey). The menu includes salads, crispy stuffed paccheri, pastas such as rigatoni alla carbonara, and mains such as chicken Milanese, hanger steak, and branzino Livornese. Desserts will include house-made soft serves.

The bar will emphasize an Italian wine list.

At least in the early days, Mulherins is not being positioned as a late-night spot, given posted hours of 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

Management has attributed openingdelays to assorted factors, including availability of equipment and permitting. When the project was announced in summer 2021 with an opening set for early 2022, chef Jim Burke was running the Mulherins kitchen in Fishtown.

Burke, who had been diagnosed with lung cancer the summer before, worked on the new location until he had to step down before his death in August 2022.
A former Doylestown Hospital official pleaded guilty Monday in Bucks County Common Pleas Court to embezzling more than $600,000 from a hospital charitable account, the Bucks County District Attorney said.

Norma Galagarza, 68, of Chalfont, worked as director of medical staff at the Bucks County Hospital before retiring in March 2021. One of her tasks was to oversee a charitable account used by the medical staffs executive committee to make community donations or to support employees in need.

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A criminal investigation began in early 2022 when the Doylestown board started receiving insufficient funds notices for an account it didnt know was still open. Investigators discovered that Galagarza had taken control of the account as early as 2007. From 2008 to 2021, she made 896 unauthorized transactions totaling about $604,702.29, which she used for personal expenses, the District Attorneys office said.

Galagarza has since repaid the money, the prosecutors office said.

Doylestown Hospital officials said they were grateful that the money was returned. We look forward to putting these resources to excellent use in honor of the mission and core values of Doylestown Health and its medical staff, Sean Reinhardt, a cardiologist and medical staff president, said in an email.

 READ MORE: Penn Medicine plans to acquire Doylestown Hospital, expanding its reach in Bucks County
Rutgers' School of Nursing will lead efforts to research race disparities in maternal care and expand training programs for nurses, midwives, doulas and other medical professionals. Read more

Rutgers University has been tapped to help lead a new hub for maternal and infant health services and research in Trenton.

The Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center was created to improve access to health care and social services during pregnancy and up to a year after birth. The center is also tasked with leading New Jerseys research into how to address race disparities that leave Black people almost seven times more likely than white people to die of a maternity-related complication.

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The $75 million New Jersey Economic Development Authority initiative is part of First Lady Tammy Murphys Nurture NJ, a strategic plan for addressing race disparities in maternal health care. The development authoritys board last week named Rutgers; Capital Health, a Trenton-area health system; and Trenton Health Team, a community health nonprofit, as anchor tenants to spearhead operations at the newly created innovation center.

 READ MORE: Organ on a chip technology will help Rutgers, UPenn research medication safety during pregnancy

Rutgers School of Nursing will lead research into health disparities and what can be done to make care more equitable. Rutgers will work with other academic institutions to expand training opportunities for midwives, nurses, doulas, lactation professionals, and community health workers.

This effort to expand and diversify the existing perinatal workforce promises to improve care and outcomes for women and pregnant people in New Jersey, said Julie Blumenfeld, the director of Rutgers nurse-midwifery program and a clinical assistant professor in the nursing school who will lead Rutgers efforts at the innovation center.

Other schools Rutgers will work with include Mercer County Community College, Stockton University, The College of New Jersey, and Thomas Edison State University.
U.S. Sen. Bob Menendezs campaign raised less than $1,300 in the first three months of 2024, capping off a precipitous decline in his fundraising and a sharp uptick in his legal spending since his indictment on federal corruption charges last year.

The New Jersey Democrat, who announced last month that he would not seek reelection in New Jerseys June 4 primary but left open the possibility of an independent run, reported that paltry $1,221 fundraising haul in campaign financial filings submitted Monday for contributions received between Jan. 1 through March 31.

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Over the same period, the campaign burned through more than $550,000 from its $6.2 million war chest on legal expenses, including payments to Jones Day, a Washington D.C.-based, white-shoe law firm representing him in legal woes.

A separate legal defense fund, formed specifically to pay Menendezs legal bills, raised nearly $189,000 in the first quarter of 2024 and spent nearly all of it paying the same firm.

Those paltry numbers underscore the financial strain that has beset the three-term senator since federal authorities accused him in September of accepting cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz from three New Jersey businessmen seeking his influence to advance their personal, professional, and political interests.

 READ MORE: From gold bars to a pricey car: All the bribes Sen. Bob Menendez has been accused of accepting over the years

Menendez has denied the accusations and vowed to fight the case at a trial slated to begin May 6 in federal court in Manhattan.

I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election, he said in a video last month in which he announced his decision to bow out of the Democratic primary race.

And while his campaign still boasts a hefty $5.7 million in reserves, his rate of legal spending and lack of fundraising could rapidly deplete that sum and strain his ability to spend should he decide to launch an independent run.

By comparison, U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, the presumptive Democratic nominee and likely front-runner in the general election run for Menendezs seat, reported raising just shy of $7 million in the first quarter of 2024, leaving him with a total of $4.2 million cash on hand.

Recent polling gives Kim a sharp edge in a potential three-way race between him, Menendez and two Republicans seeking their partys nomination  developer Curtis Bashaw and Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner.

A Farleigh Dickinson University poll out Monday showed Menendez drawing between 6 and 7% of the vote  to Kims 45 to 44%, depending on the Republican nominee. Ten to 12% of respondents said they did not yet have enough information to make up their minds.

Despite all of his legal problems, Menendez still has a base, said poll director Dan Cassino. Hes not going to win, but he might be able to make things uncomfortable for the Democrats.

Regardless of what traction Menendez could gain in the race should he run, an independent candidacy would allow him to continue to raise money to cover his mounting legal bills.

Federal Election Commission regulations allow candidates to spend campaign cash on legal expenses that would not have occurred but for the candidates duties as a federal officeholder.

And while campaign contributions are capped at $3,300, those limits are much higher for contributions to his legal defense fund.

The latest reports from Menendezs legal fund, filed Monday, show it was buoyed in the first quarter of 2024 largely by gifts from big-money donors.

One family dominated the list of top contributors. David Barry, co-owner of Ironstate Development and founder and CEO of the real estate platform Urby LLC pitched in a maximum $10,000 donation, as did his wife Kyra, of Applied Development Co.

Jennifer Barry, a homemaker from Short Hills, kicked in the same amount. As did MIB Holdings LLC, a company that shares the same Hoboken address with David and Kyra Barrys firms.

That $40,000 total from Barry family members and affiliated businesses comprised just over one-fifth of the funds total fundraising between January and March of this year and followed another $10,000 a company associated with the family donated in July.

The Barrys also contributed heavily to Menendezs defense during his first trial on federal bribery charges in 2015  a case in which he was accused of using his influence to help a Florida eye doctor in exchange for lavish vacations and campaign donations. The judge presiding over that case ultimately acquitted Menendez of some charges after a hung jury and mistrial, and prosecutors opted not to retry the case.

At the time, Menendezs then-chief of staff Fred Turner called the family  led by Joseph Barry, a retired New Jersey real estate developer who served two years in prison in the 2000s for making illegal kickbacks to a Hudson County executive  longtime friends and supporters of the senator.

Other top donors this reporting cycle include KRE Property Management Company, a company run by Jonathan Kushner, a cousin of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump.

Since last year, the company has donated $20,000 to the fund.

Staff writer Aseem Shukla contributed to this article.
The Philly-based designer behind RCS4 (left) said Lancaster agency and boutique Ellicott & Co. copied one of his most popular designs (right) with their release of a PA hat. The drama spilled over onto Instagram with dozens of local artists weighing in. Now, the Lancaster shop is apologizing  and pulling its version. Read more

A Philly-based designer said a Lancaster agency and boutique copied one of his most popular designs. The drama spilled over onto Instagram with dozens of artists weighing in. Now, the Lancaster shop is apologizing  and pulling its version.

Ray Schwab, the maker behind local lifestyle brand RCS4, is known for his small rotating batches of T-shirts, koozies, patches, and hats with nods to motorcycles, Pennsylvania, and retro flair.

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Around 2017, he launched the first iteration of his Pennsylvania hats  a classic six-panel cap with a large felt P and A stitched on the front. The hats retail for $38 and Schwab rereleases them in different fabrics and colorways.

So when Ellicott & Co.  a boutique out of Lancaster thats owned and run by the brand agency Infantree  launched a similar line of PA hats this year, in similar colors and adorned with a felt PA, Schwab took to Instagram to express his frustrations.

One of the pitfalls of being a small designer is a lack of protection when it comes to original designs. Without a lawyer on call or major cash flow on hand, one of the only opportunities a creator has to make change if they think they have been copied is through social media. And thats exactly what Schwab did.

This is a slimeball move, he wrote on Instagram over the weekend. Ive made and sold the PA felt letter hat since 2017. Schwab also claimed that the Lancaster agency was not only aware of his hats but had previously discussed potentially selling them at Ellicott & Co.  a point the agency later disputed to Schwab and The Inquirer.

Since Schwab went public, a slew of local designers and customers came to Schwabs defense, pointing out that the hats were nearly identical and that copying a fellow small business is highly frowned upon.

Ellicott & Co.s now-removed Instagram post with a photo of its $28 hats was flooded with comments.

Wow! You ripped these off hard, wrote local graphic artist Eric Hinkley. Youre selling @rcs4 stuff? quipped Philly multimedia artist Liv Potter. I thought these were @rcs4 hats. Same colors, same design  weird, wrote illustrator Sean Rynkewicz. Other posts from the brand, unrelated to the hats, have also been bogged down by comments chastising them for stealing art.

Following a request for comment from The Inquirer, leaders at Ellicott & Co. reached out to Schwab to apologize and pulled the hat from its website and social media.

I was away this weekend and came back to quite the list of social media notifications, Ryan Martin, Infantrees account director, said in an email to Schwab shared with The Inquirer. It was never our goal to copy your hat design. As designers ourselves, we understand the frustration when you see something that looks way too close to something you have already created.

In response to Schwabs claims that Ellicott & Co. had previously discussed selling his hats, Martin said they saw that the two brands social accounts had chatted back in 2017. But, Martin said, Schwab was speaking with a previous store manager and that he and his business partner were unaware of any of this communication, and truthfully unaware of your PA hat until this weekend.

Now seeing your design, we recognize how similar it is, he said. We apologize for this situation and will immediately stop selling the hat.

From a legal standpoint, experts say enforcing something like the PA hat design would be tricky. American fashion laws dont comprehensively protect clothing brands from being copied. Copyright laws protect an expression, not a specific design or idea. And Schwab isnt suggesting Ellicott & Co. took his sewing patterns and duplicated the hat. Additionally, Martin said in his email to Schwab that the brand used a publicly available font to make the PA and manufactured the hats locally.

And while this type of incident involving two hyper-local designers is rare, the concept of a big retailer accused of copying a small designers work isnt new. Artists have repeatedly accused Philly-headquartered Urban Outfitters of copying designs without consent or credit. A few years back, Philly brothers Steven and Billy Dufala claimed Adidas ripped off a viral Nike sneaker sculpture they created. More recently, a Philly-based designer who made Beyonce's iconic disco ball hat lamented about drop-shippers selling knockoffs at discounted rates.

 READ MORE: This Philly creator made Beyonce's viral disco hat  then came the knockoffs. Etsys become a hotbed for them.

Ellicott & Co. hasnt responded publicly to the criticisms, nor has the brand posted new content on social media since the backlash began.

Martin declined to comment on how many hats Ellicott & Co. had sold, if any of the profits would be shared with Schwab, and what would happen to the deadstock hats.

Still, Schwab says hes happy to move forward.

I just wanted them to acknowledge what they did and to stop selling them, he said. They did both so I have no issues with them moving forward.

And as far as the hats go, he says a new batch is coming soon.
Pennsylvania saw a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in 2023, amid a nationwide surge of reported antisemitism fueled by the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, according to a new report from the Anti-Defamation League.

The prominent Jewish advocacy group found that attacks on Jewish people went up both nationally and locally last year. Across the nation, ADL tracked 8,873 antisemitic incidents  a 140% increase over the previous year. That figure includes 1,352 pro-Palestinian protests and rallies that the organization dubbed antisemitic, a recent decision in their calculus that has been met with sharp criticism.

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Pennsylvania accounted for 394 incidents, the sixth-highest total, most of them originating between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. That marked a 246% increase over the 114 incidents documented by ADL in the commonwealth in 2022.

Andrew Goretsky, the ADLs regional director, emphasized that  even if you discount the protests  the ADL data represent an irrefutable surge.

Antisemitic incidents, regardless of how you decide to look at it, are significantly on the rise and must be addressed, Goretsky said. There is a lot of anti-Jewish rhetoric that goes on in our state and in our city that isnt challenged in the way that it needs to be.

The nationwide increase in antisemitic incidents coincides with a similarly sharp uptick in Islamophobic attacks since the war began, according to Arab-American and Muslim advocacy groups, including the shooting of a Haverford College student and two other Palestinian American men in Vermont.

The annual report follows an unaudited survey published in January that highlighted the alarming surge in antisemitic incidents during the first several months of Israels military response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. For the first time since it began tracking antisemitism in the 1970s, the ADL expanded its definition of antisemitism to include certain protests that deploy language critical of Israel or such political slogans as from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free  a sentiment that some have used as a rallying cry for the destruction of Israel.

Vetting hundreds of complaints statewide, the annual audit found antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and assaults were also trending upward prior to the Oct. 7 attack, after which Goretsky saw an exponential rise in reports.

Four of the five physical assaults in Pennsylvania last year  up from zero in 2022  occurred before the October attack on Israel.

Goretsky said those cases took place in K-12 school settings. In one instance, a non-Jewish student forcefully shoved a Jewish student into a locker, telling him to move it, Jew. In another case, students forced Jewish classmates to segregate themselves on a school bus, while calling them slurs.

The ADL director said the setting of these assaults raises questions about broader currents of anti-Jewish rhetoric in the United States, which the organization linked to the rise of the alt-right and white supremacist propaganda: How are we talking about rising hate and rising antisemitism in general? What are children hearing from their parents? From society?

Antisemitic vandalism, harassment, and other threats also increased across the board last year.

Pennsylvania logged 303 cases of harassment toward Jewish people or those perceived to be Jewish.

The commonwealth also logged 86 cases of antisemitic vandalism, a third of which included a swastika, up from just 29 in 2022. (As with protests, the ADL broadened its definition of antisemitic vandalism post-Oct. 7 to include certain political slogans.)

Bomb threats spiked from 10 cases in 2022 to 51 last year. The majority of these are hoaxes, but in the end we have to take every one of these seriously, Goretsky said.

The ADL audit did not include documented incidents that have occurred in 2024  including a recent series of threats targeting synagogues and other Jewish institutions.

Last week, leaders at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History said someone sent an anonymous letter threatening the museums CEO and building near Independence Mall. The incident was reported to multiple law enforcement agencies.

And in an unrelated incident, the Philadelphia Police Department confirmed that an anonymous group sent bomb threats to several synagogues and other Jewish institutions throughout the region. Our mission is to leave as many people as possible in a pool of blood, the message said, according to a department official.

Such incidents, Goretsky said, cause significant strife for organizations, often disrupting operations for days on end.

It creates a lot of fear, and its a very significant form of harassment  even if its just a hoax, he said.

Nationwide, the ADL said, 36% of all cases last year referenced Israel or Zionism, the belief that Israel is the nation state of the Jewish people.

Goretsky said the organization included only those with specific rhetoric  such as mentions of Jewish power or Jewish control of the media, as well as certain protest slogans that the organization deemed an existential threat to Israel. The organization reviewed more than 1,800 recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations. About three-quarters of those were included in the final audited report, counting toward the 8,873 incidents.

Pro-Palestinian activists have criticized the ADLs newly updated methodology, arguing that conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism sets a dangerous precedent.

Goretsky said in some cases the distinction was much clearer. In one case, he said, he personally witnessed someone in Center City perform a Nazi salute as a pro-Israel demonstration passed through Center City.

Thats not about supporting Palestinian rights, he said, thats about antisemitism and Jew hatred.

For comparison, Goretsky said that New Jersey clocked 830 antisemitic incidents last year, with 69 in southern New Jersey, including three bomb threats, 20 acts of vandalism, and 44 harassment cases.
A file photo looking north on Broad Street from City Hall. Read more

Philadelphia police this week have launched an enforcement crackdown focused on bad drivers and illegal parkers along North Broad Street from City Hall to the Cheltenham Avenue city border.

Deputy Commissioner Michael Cram, who oversees patrol operations, said crazy driving has been a top complaint during recent community meetings.

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Drivers who fail to abide by traffic signals and signs, who double park, or drive on the wrong side of the street can expect a citation, and not just a warning, Cram said Tuesday.

The crackdown  staffed by officers from other units who will be focused on traffic enforcement  began on Monday and is expected to last 30 days along the roughly eight-mile stretch.

Police will then move to other city hot spots, Cram said.

So far this year, police in Philadelphia have issued around 8,000 traffic citations citywide, Cram said.

The goal of the new crackdown is to make the streets safer for motorists and pedestrians.

Along the North Broad Street corridor, there have been 1,601 crashes, including 52 involving pedestrians, from April 2023 through the end of March, according to the department.

During that time frame, there have been nine traffic-related fatalities, the department said.

Since 2019, there have been 44 fatal crashes on North Broad Street.

These reckless actions have put the safety of our citizens and visitors at risk, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said in a statement. This initiative is designed to address these concerns and create a safer environment for everyone traveling along this busy corridor.

The department said special attention would be paid to no-parking zones and keeping traffic lanes clear to improve overall traffic flow.

When necessary, vehicles will be towed, the department said.

The Broad Street crackdown is the second high-visibility traffic initiative in recent months.

Police have been trying to get a handle on the large groups of ATVs and dirt bikes that flagrantly disregard traffic rules.

So far this year, police have confiscated 113 ATVs and dirt bikes, Cram said.
Philadelphia police log and pick up bullet casings at the crime scene outside of Clara Muhammad Square on Wednesday. Read more

Police on Monday identified the officer who shot an allegedly armed 15-year-old after gunfire erupted at Clara Muhammad Square during an Eid al-Fitr celebration last week in West Philadelphia.

Two groups of young people started shooting at one another around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said. Two people were shot in the cross fire  a 22-year-old man shot in the stomach and a 15-year-old boy in the hand  while the other 15-year-old was shot by Officer Diamond Jaynes.

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Jaynes, 32, was described as a six-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department assigned to the 16th Police District. She has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs and Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations.

The Police Department said Jaynes body worn camera does not depict the officer shooting the teen. The department did not elaborate on whether that meant the camera video did not show the teen getting shot, or if the camera was not turned on or otherwise malfunctioned.

Police said they recovered four spent shell casings from the scene that were consistent with police department ammunition.

About 1,000 people had gathered for the festival at Clara Muhammad Square to dine together and celebrate the end of the Ramadan fast, hosted by the nearby Philadelphia Masjid, when more than 30 shots were fired.

Police last week said the 15-year-old shot by Jaynes was carrying a gun. The teen was shot in the shoulder and leg by the officer. Police on Monday said a black AR-style pistol was recovered by Officer Jaynes near the teen. Jaynes transported him to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was reported in stable condition.

Two of the five firearms recovered from the scene appear to have been so-called ghost guns.

One firearm was described on Monday as a Polymer80 handgun with an extended magazine containing 15 live rounds. The gun, which had no serial numbers, was believed to have been carried by a 16-year-old who was taken into custody.

Last week, the city announced it had settled a lawsuit against Polymer80 Inc., based in Nevada, and a second manufacturer of ghost gun parts. The manufacturers agreed to a permanent ban on selling those parts in Philadelphia and a four-year ban on sales in nearby Pennsylvania counties.

The second gun recovered was described as a privately manufactured handgun with an extended magazine containing 11 rounds. The gun had no serial numbers and was believed to have been carried by another 16-year-old who also was taken into custody.

Five people, including the teen shot by Jaynes, were initially charged with reckless endangerment and firearms violations.

Police were continuing to work on determining which of the alleged assailants wounded the two other shooting victims.
GLOBALink | China-Germany economic cooperation sees steady, far-reaching progress Pub Date:24-04-16 09:56 Source:Xinhua This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership and its bilateral economic cooperation has witnessed steady and far-reaching progress over the past decade. #GLOBALink #China #Germany Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor:

Related News GLOBALink | German companies eye high-qual... Mountain in E China attracts outdoor lover... GLOBALink | Chinese independent watch bran... Chinese organization to boost recycling of...
Taniesha Diaz of Philadelphia holding a phone with a picture of her son Quadir Diaz, who had been missing since March 2024. Read more

The body of Quadir Diaz, 18, who has been missing since March 7 and last seen near the Wissahickon, has been found, his mother said Tuesday.

Its definitely Quadir, Taniesha Diaz told The Inquirer.

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We got Quaddy, she posted on Instagram on Tuesday and thanked everyone who had helped spread the word of her sons disappearance.

 READ MORE: Body pulled from Schuylkill River was that of 21-year-old missing for weeks, father says

Police said they pulled a body out of the Schuylkill along the 5000 block of Ridge Avenue about 7 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities said that there was no visible trauma to the body and that it appeared as though the body had been in the water for a while.

Authorities have not publicly identified the body, but Diazs mother, who said she saw a photo of it, said it was definitely that of her son.

Taniesha Diazs aunt Florence May, who said she raised Quadir Diaz in her Abington home since he was 6 months old, also saw the photo and confirmed that it was her great nephew.

Diaz, Ausar Scott-Thomas, 21, and another friend drove to Northwest Philadelphia on the evening of March 7, but only the third friend returned home, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore.

The disappearance of Diaz and Scott-Thomas became a hyperlocal mystery as their relatives pleaded on social media for help in finding them, and internet sleuths tried to piece together what happened. May said her nieces posts mobilized hundreds of followers to search for answers.

Although she held out hope that he would return safely, part of her knew he was gone, said May. It was a fate that brought closure along with pain, she said.

This is something I wouldnt wish on my worst enemy, May, 64, said Tuesday. A parent is never supposed to bury their kids.

Scott-Thomas body was pulled from the Schuylkill at the end of March. His father, William Thomas, said the discovery tracked with some of what the third friend had described to him.

While driving, the three men were chased by another car, he said, causing them to crash. The third friend told Thomas the group split up after the crash, he said.

Thomas has said he doesnt know how his son fell into the river. His son was a good swimmer, he said, but strong currents may have overtaken him.

Taniesha Diaz said in an earlier interview that she last saw her son March 6 when he and Scott-Thomas, his best friend, left the house to hang out.

She said she grew worried when the third friend returned without her son and Scott-Thomas. After unsuccessfully trying to reach her son she said she asked police for help.

When Scott-Thomas body was found, Taniesha Diaz said, she worried that meant her son might be dead, too.

Hes not going to leave Ausar, and Ausar is not going to leave him, she said at the time. If Ausar jumped in the water, Quadir jumped right with him.
Tom Colicchio says he was stuck on an Amtrak train for five hours after leaving Philly Read more

Celebrity chef Tom Colicchio is 86ing Amtrak on social media after a late-night train delay leaving Philadelphia left the Top Chef judge stranded on the tracks.

@Amtrak 3 hour delay from Philadelphia to NYC It would have been nice to know before we boarded, Colicchio wrote on X, formerly Twitter, shortly before 11:30 p.m. Monday night.

Amtrak responded to the message apologizing for the inconvenience and requesting that the prolific poster  Colicchio has almost 900,000 followers on the platform  reach out once his train arrived at its destination in New York City.

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Colicchio was in town to speak at the inaugural Chef Conference. The New Jersey native has served as a head judge on every season of Top Chef, a competition show where chefs compete against each other in culinary challenges, and is the co-owner of restaurants from Los Angeles to New York.

Colicchios team at Top Chef did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

As late night turned to early morning, Colicchio was still waiting  and posting.

What are your plans to evacuate us from this train. It has been close to 5 hours now. Colicchio wrote at 1:20 a.m.

Almost an hour later: Boarded at 830pm it is now 2am. What are you plans to get us off this train, he continued.

An Amtrak spokesperson said Tuesday that overhead power issues between Philadelphia and New York caused significant delays and led to service adjustments, which continued for a few hours.

According to the Chef Conferences website, the gathering is intended to bring together emerging and established names in hospitality from around the world for meaningful dialogue on the most important topics guiding the future of the restaurant industry and unparalleled dining experiences.

Colicchio joined speakers including Michael Solomonov, the chef behind Zahav, Laser Wolf, and other Philadelphia hotspots, as well as prominent chefs and culinary commentators like Andrew Zimmern, Ashley Christensen, and Colicchios Top Chef co-judge Gail Simmons.

Colicchio and Simmons were spotted together on Instagram at Her Place Supper Club, the much-beloved Center City restaurant from chef Amanda Shulman.

Around the time Colicchio boarded the train bound for New York, Amtrak began alerting customers that they should expect delays.

Amtrak posted on X multiple times shortly before 8:30 p.m. saying that Due to rail congestion resulting from overhead power issues, its Acela and Keystone trains on routes between Philadelphia and New York City would either terminate in New Jersey or be canceled.

By Tuesday, Service has been restored following overhead power issues last night between Philadelphia (PHL) and New York (NYP), Amtrak said on its website. However, some residual delays continue this morning.

The rail services 181, 114, 112, and 131 Northeast regional trains were canceled Tuesday due to those power issues, according to Amtrak.
The Editorial Board recommends former public defender Sean Dougherty in the Democratic primary for the Pennsylvania 172nd House District race. Read more

Northeast Philadelphias 172nd House District is an outlier, in that it is one of the few seats representing Philadelphia in the lower house of the General Assembly thats actually competitive. In fact, before the seat was claimed in 2010 by its current occupant, Democratic State Rep. Kevin Boyle, it was occupied by onetime Republican House Speaker John M. Perzel for 31 years.

However, the energy and enthusiasm that once powered Boyle to an upset win over Perzel has dissipated amid Boyles long-acknowledged struggles with his mental health.

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In 2021, Democratic leaders in Harrisburg removed Boyle from leadership positions and limited his access to the Capitol. Boyle also began making troubling posts on social media, including one lashing out at City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. Later, Boyle was arrested and charged with harassment. At the time, he was contrite, and his lawyers promised he would seek help.

But earlier this year, another episode occurred. In a video circulated on social media, Boyle, who was apparently drunk, was seen arguing with the staff at a Montgomery County bar. Belatedly, House Democratic leadership sought an alternative candidate ahead of the April 23 primary. Boyle started the process for reelection anyway.

Boyles personal challenges transcend politics and should be a priority for him. Indeed, it is probably best for both Boyle and the people of the 172nd District if he receives the treatment he needs as a private citizen. In the meantime, voters should move forward by electing Sean Dougherty.

Like Boyle  whose brother Brendan has spent nearly a decade in Congress representing Pennsylvanias 2nd District  Dougherty is not the only member of his family with deep ties in local politics. Unlike Boyle, however, Doughertys relatives have had a more fraught association with the city and its institutions: Doughertys uncle John, the former labor leader, has been found guilty of misusing his position in two federal felony trials and is back in court this week for a third.

Dougherty has the values Pennsylvania needs at this time.

Doughertys father, Kevin, a state Supreme Court justice, was not indicted, but court records showed he benefited from his brothers misuse of union funds.

Still, it would be wrong to disqualify the younger Dougherty simply because of his family name. Before jumping into this election, Dougherty worked as a public defender; he was also a law clerk for state Supreme Court Justice Daniel D. McCaffery when he served on the state Superior Court.

In an interview with the Editorial Board, Dougherty cited the legacy of public service on his mothers side of the family  not his fathers  as a prime motivation for his campaign: his maternal grandfather, George J. Woods Jr., was a West Point graduate who became an Army colonel and went on to serve as a diplomat in Pakistan in the late 1970s.

Dougherty also has the values Pennsylvania needs at this time. While Republican candidate Aizaz Gill has said that issues like abortion rights are not at stake in this election, the narrow nature of the Houses Democratic majority could make this seat especially crucial in coming years, as key issues are decided.

There are, in fact, several areas where Harrisburg could use Doughertys vote right now. In an interview with this board, Gill called Gov. Josh Shapiros $48 billion budget too ambitious, echoing the sentiments of Republican leaders in the General Assembly. Dougherty, on the other hand, clearly understood that Shapiros proposal wisely invests in the commonwealths future.

It would be nice if Philadelphias Democrats were offered more candidates like Shapiro, or the impressive field for attorney general, rather than a selection of political dynasts and flawed characters who often populate the lower rungs of our primary ballots. Still, given the stakes, the choice is clear. The Inquirer Editorial Board endorses Sean Dougherty.
BRUSSELS  Viewing live video footage of Iranian drones whizzing over Jerusalems hills on Saturday  marked by small, flying spots of light that exploded into flares when they were hit  was like watching the passage from one Mideast era to another.

The shadow war between Jerusalem and Tehran that has gone on for decades burst into full view in front of a global television audience. In response to Israels air strike at an Iranian facility in Damascus, Syria, that killed seven senior Iranian generals  including the top coordinator between Iran and Hezbollah  Iran attacked Israel on its home soil for the very first time.

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Over the past several decades, Iran has used Arab proxy militias in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and Yemen when it wanted to do Israel harm.

True, Israeli air defenses were able to shoot down 99% of the 320 Iranian drones, as well as the cruise and ballistic missiles  with critical help from the United States, Britain, and Jordan, and intelligence input from regional Arab Sunni allies. It was an unprecedented display of military collaboration that defeated an attempt by Tehran to do substantial damage to an Israeli air base.

Yet, with Israel and Iran now confronting each other directly, the whole nature of Mideast warfare has shifted, as Iran pledges a similar attack if Israel hits back at it for this one.

Even as I write from Brussels, where I am attending the German Marshall Funds Brussels Forum, which will focus on the future of Ukraine and NATO, the Israeli war cabinet is debating how to respond. Its choice could expand the Gaza conflict into a regional conflagration  and drag the United States into another Mideast war, which is the last thing the country needs.

President Joe Biden has urged Israel to take the win and not retaliate now, adding that the U.S. wont participate in an Israeli counterstrike. London has said likewise. Iran says it now wants to de-escalate, and media reports claim Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pulled back from immediate retaliation.

I hope those reports are correct. A swift response aimed at targets on Iranian soil would be bad for Israel, and bad for the United States. Here are four reasons why.

It could lead to all-out war

Escalating quickly into tit-for-tat retaliation could lead to an all-out Israel-Iran war without a clear political strategy for an endgame. This is what has happened in Gaza, where Israels military plunged in without any clear thinking from the political leadership about what would happen after the fighting. Nor was there any realistic thinking of who would rebuild or govern Gaza after Israel bombed it to smithereens, or what would be the future for the Palestinians who live there. Down this path lies a likely Israeli reoccupation of Gaza, an endless counterinsurgency, and probably death for the hostages who remain alive.

So as tempting as a wham-bang retaliation against Iran might be, Netanyahus team needs to think through some basic questions. Does Israel think it can topple the Iranian regime? How? This has long been Netanyahus dream, but does he expect the ayatollahs to fold? (If so, that is a dream, not a strategy.) Does Bibi (as Israelis nickname Netanyahu) really think he can drag the U.S. into a regional war?

And if the goal is not to topple the regime, then what? Could Israel withstand a larger drone/missile attack from Tehran, in which Hezbollah  with 100,000 missiles  fully joined, and the Houthis did likewise? Are its air defenses sufficient? Rushing ahead without enough forethought could fulfill Hamas deepest dreams of embroiling Israel in a full-scale, multisided Mideast war for which it isnt prepared.

Israels use of questionable intelligence

Israeli intelligence failed badly in the lead-up to the Gaza war, and badly again in the lead-up to the Iranian attack. Can it be expected to do better in predicting the outcome of an escalation with Iran? Although there were reams of open information about Hamas intentions to attack before Oct. 7, including reports sent repeatedly by Israeli military spotters, Israeli intel leaders ignored them because of preconceived ideas that Hamas didnt want a war.

Similarly, Israel killed the seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard generals at a time of high tensions over Gaza on the assumption that Iran would not strike back directly at Israel because it had not done so in the past. This does not bode well for Israeli understanding of what might occur if they rush toward a direct war with Iran.

U.S. support is not guaranteed

Why should Netanyahu assume the United States would join in such a venture when he regularly stiffed Israels best friend, Biden? And can he wage such a war without U.S. help? The Israeli leader never gave Biden advance notice of the planned assassination of the generals, even though it was likely to explode regional tensions. He refused to listen to wise U.S. warnings about the need for a political strategy for a Gaza endgame, and the need to focus on the hostages (which Netanyahu failed to do for many months).

Moreover, everyone who watches the Mideast knows that Bibi has been trying to drag the U.S. into a war with Iran for years. Indeed, many Israeli critics of Netanyahu fear he might favor expanding the war to divert attention from the Gaza stalemate and his failure to rescue the hostages.

So there is good reason for Biden to insist that the U.S. wont join in a retaliatory attack on Iranian soil. Americans remember too well what happened when George W. Bush plunged into the Iraq quagmire.

Moreover, Bibi shouldnt be so certain that Donald Trump, should he win in 2024, would be eager to sink into another Mideast war.

There are broader strategic issues

Even as Biden has been going to the mat to help an ungrateful Bibi, the United States has more pressing strategic concerns that are being neglected while the White House tries to prevent a regional Mideast war. As Rep. Michael McCaul, the savvy GOP chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on ABCs Face the Nation on Sunday: What happened in Israel last night happens in Ukraine every night.

While U.S. military supplies and air defenses flood Israel (and Speaker Mike Johnson still refuses to call a vote on the Senate supplemental bill that contains military aid for Israel and Ukraine), Russia is decimating Ukrainian cities.

If Israel does decide to carry out a swift  and hopefully limited  strike on Iranian soil, I can only dream it might target Irans drone factories, where those small killers are produced by the thousands for Russia to destroy Ukraine  and now to hit Israel.

At least such a strike would be narrowly focused and do some good for Ukraine as well as for Israel. But who knows where such retaliation would lead?
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley are vying for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania auditor general. The winner of the primary will face Republican incumbent Republican Auditor General Tim DeFoor. Read more

When Pennsylvania holds its primary election on April 23, Democrats and Republicans will select their picks to vie to be the states chief fiscal watchdog.

The auditor general is responsible for conducting reviews of government departments and agencies to ensure that taxpayer money is spent properly and that programs meet their goals.

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Auditor generals can serve up to two four-year terms. The seat, one of the three statewide row offices, is currently held by Timothy DeFoor, a Republican elected in 2020 who is running unopposed in the Republican primary as he seeks a second term.

While in office, DeFoor released a report on Pennsylvania public schools accusing districts of shifting money in their budgets to justify tax increases despite holding millions in reserve funds.

The incumbent will face a challenge in the general election from one of the two Democratic candidates, Philadelphia state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley.

Auditor general can be a launching pad for higher office, with Democratic Sen. Bob Casey ascending from auditor general to the U.S. Senate in the 2006 election.

Heres a closer look at the candidates.

Malcolm Kenyatta

Kenyatta, 33, was one of the youngest members ever elected to the state House when he won his North Philadelphia districts seat in 2018 at the age of 28.

The progressive lawmaker elevated his platform stumping for President Joe Bidens 2020 campaign and commentating for MSNBC. He again broke barriers in 2022 as Pennsylvanias first Black, openly gay candidate for U.S. Senate.

He is running for auditor general this year in addition to campaigning to retain his House seat, and is endorsed by the Pennsylvania Democratic Committee and other prominent members of his party.

Kenyatta told The Inquirer hed bring leadership to the auditors office, backed by his experience overseeing tax policy and economic development on the House Commerce and Finance Committees.

If elected, Kenyatta said, he would create a bureau for labor and worker protections, which would audit how labor laws are enforced and whether unemployment programs are managed effectively.

Kenyatta has criticized DeFoors public school audit, saying some charter schools had far greater fund increases despite receiving less scrutiny. The candidate said he supports the return of School Bureau audits to oversee all types of educational institutions.

So much of what the auditor generals office can do, when you have the right leader, is be proactive and think outside of the box, Kenyatta said.

Mark Pinsley

Pinsley, a Montgomery County native and U.S. Army Reserve veteran, said he wants to audit for impact, citing his tenure as Lehighs controller.

Before Pinsley, 54, won that seat in 2019, he was commissioner for South Whitehall Township, and ran for state Senate in 2018 and 2022.

Pinsley is a self-described entrepreneur who owns the Delaware County-based skin-care business DermaMed Solutions. He has supported progressive causes, such as a proposal that would move Lehigh County funds from Wells Fargo after the bank supported antiabortion groups in 2022.

Pinsley has experience auditing the health-care industry.

His offices allegation that a Lehigh Valley medical provider over-diagnosed Munchausen syndrome by proxy saved the county on foster care and legal costs, Pinsley said. The controller also audited the countys insurance providers prescription drug plan.

We should be hiring somebody who has done the job previously, Pinsley said. This isnt a stepping-stone for the next thing. its in my background and in my blood.

Tim DeFoor

DeFoor, a Harrisburg native and former Dauphin County controller, has a background in auditing.

DeFoor, 62, has more than two decades of experience as an investigator and auditor in state departments, including the Attorney Generals office, where DeFoor investigated Medicaid fraud and illegal prescription drug diversion.

DeFoor ran against Democratic candidate Nina Ahmad in 2020, winning by a 3-point margin and becoming the states first Black row office official.

In office, DeFoor has championed financial literacy programs for K-12 students. In addition to his audit of public schools, DeFoors office has also monitored how volunteer fire groups spend state funds.

Should DeFoor win, he said, he would expand on the work we have done and continue to hold government agencies and other entities, including pharmacy benefit managers, accountable through vigorous oversight, the auditor general said in a statement.

Campaign controversies

A Ring doorbell video leaked in February showed Kenyatta telling a constituent that Pinsley doesnt like Black people. Pinsley denied the claim, and said he expected an apology from Kenyatta.

Kenyatta has not elaborated on why he made the comment, attributing the videos release to dirty political tricks.

When the candidates met face-to-face  virtually  during The Inquirer Editorial Boards endorsement interview this week, Kenyatta said he did not have to apologize for refusing to engage in a tit-for-tat.

This is all a distraction from the central question: How do we win in Pennsylvania, in what is going to be a very challenging year for Democrats in November, Kenyatta said.

Also in February, a Chester County judge alleged that her signature appeared on Pinsleys petition to get on the ballot, despite saying she never signed the document. Two other voters described similar stories.

Pinsleys campaign said an internal investigation found nothing amiss, and no objections have been filed by state elections officials.
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District Attorney Larry Krasner has become a main subject in the race for attorney general. Read more

Much of this years race for Pennsylvania attorney general has focused on one man: Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.

Krasner, a progressive DA who was first elected in 2017, has become a boogeyman to Republicans in Harrisburg, who blame him for Philadelphias high crime rates. His unapologetic demeanor and focus on criminal justice reform have also pushed away some fellow Democrats.

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And candidates from both parties running for attorney general have a lot to say about him.

His name has come up in candidate forums, interviews, and campaign literature in the lead-up to the April 23 primary, as five Democrats and two Republicans seek a spot on the ballot in the November general election.

Although only one candidate  State Rep. Craig Williams (R., Delaware)  has made Krasner a key part of his campaign and stump speech, the Philly DAs name is unavoidable in the statewide race.

The Pennsylvania attorney general is the top law enforcement officer in the state, responsible for offering resources to each of the states 67 district attorneys and completing criminal investigations.

Krasners lone-wolf approach has complicated the relationship between the state AG and Philadelphias top prosecutor.

He has isolated himself from other prosecutors across the state by leaving the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association  and he fought publicly with Gov. Josh Shapiro, a fellow Democrat, during Shapiros tenure as attorney general.

And although Republicans havent held the attorney generals office under Krasners tenure, GOP lawmakers have sought to strip him of power, including by impeaching him and pushing for a law that Shapiro signed last year giving the state AG new powers to appoint a special prosecutor to prosecute crimes on SEPTA.

How Democratic candidates said theyd work with Krasner

All of the Democratic candidates running for attorney general said they would work with Krasner, but they also criticized him. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer has been the harshest critic and said hes been shut out by Krasner when trying to partner with the city and other collar counties to fight crime.

[Krasner] does not see himself as part of law enforcement, Stollsteimer said during a meeting with The Inquirers Editorial Board this month. Its not whether the AG can collaborate with him, its whether he is willing to collaborate with them.

State Rep. Jared Solomon (D., Philadelphia) said hed consider infrequently used legal mechanisms to pull gun violence cases away from Krasner, including a special (and mostly untested) power that allows the attorney general to step in as protector over the state when necessary.

If we could not work together to make our city and state safe, I would need to step in and make sure the residents of our city and state are safe by using every power that I think I could pursue, Solomon told The Inquirers Editorial Board.

A spokesperson for Krasner said the district attorney has worked and will continue to work with the Pennsylvania attorney generals office and pointed to the statewide gun violence task force focused on straw purchases and other gun crimes as an example of that collaboration.

Other Democrats in the race were less critical.

Bucks County Solicitor Joe Khan, who was the runner up to Krasner in the 2017 Democratic primary for Philadelphia district attorney, said you wont find a cross word from me about Krasner, though hed expect to disagree with him at times if elected AG. He noted that former Philly DA Seth Williams and former Attorney General Kathleen Kane frequently fought with each another, and that it didnt accomplish anything for the city.

They couldnt get along, Khan said. Their feud didnt do anything, and they both ended up in jail.

Keir Bradford-Grey, a former chief public defender in Philadelphia, said shes worked on the opposite side of the court from Krasner. She said she believes that Krasner markets himself poorly and has previously criticized him publicly.

Just because you have a progressive part in your title, doesnt mean that youre going to do all things that people need, Bradford-Grey said in an interview with The Inquirers Editorial Board earlier this month. The AG has a role to play with every district attorney in the commonwealth. This is not just Larry, this is every district attorney.

What Republican AG candidates said about Krasner

The two Republican candidates  York County District Attorney Dave Sunday and State Rep. Craig Williams (R., Delaware)  had different visions for how theyd interact with Krasner.

Philadelphia is under siege, and weve got a district attorney there whos not prosecuting crime, Williams said during a debate on ABC27 in March.

Sunday, who was endorsed by the Pennsylvania GOP, has not focused his campaign on Krasner as Williams has. But he said hes understanding of Republicans criticism of him.

I understand completely why the state reps and why all the stakeholders that exist wanted to find a way to remove Larry Krasner, Sunday said in a GOP debate last month. My position is that if hes removed, we dont know who will take his place. And what we need to do is work with the citizens in the city of Philadelphia and do everything we can to make sure that we elect a real prosecutor into that role.

Dustin Slaughter, Krasners spokesperson, called the Republican candidates comments more hot air.

Its very tragic that these candidates are playing politics with the lives of Philadelphians when they could be advocating for tougher, commonsense gun laws that would actually save lives, Slaughter added.

A SEPTA special prosecutor

Several of the Democratic candidates said theyd appoint and use the SEPTA special prosecutor role, even if they did not agree with its creation. Both Republicans said they support the law and would appoint someone to fill the role.

Sunday said hed quickly appoint someone to the special prosecutor position.

Anything that we can do to make Philadelphians safer is something that I will absolutely do on Day One, Sunday said.

Michelle Henry, the current attorney general, has not appointed a prosecutor to fill that position. Krasner, meanwhile, filed a lawsuit seeking to have the law that created the role declared unconstitutional.

Eugene DePasquale, a Democratic candidate from Allegheny County, said hed use the special prosecutor position even though he does not support the law.

I like Larry, I know Larry can be challenging and Im not going to change his personality, DePasquale told The Inquirer Editorial Board. He has won two overwhelming elections as DA, and its my job to work with all DAs across Pennsylvania.
Former President Donald Trump claims he will debate President Joe Biden while delivering remarks at a rally in Schnecksville, Pa. on Saturday. Read more

President Joe Bidens visit to Philadelphia on Thursday will mark his seventh stop in Pennsylvania this year.

The visit is the last in a three day tour of the state Biden began Monday ahead of next weeks primary election. And it comes days after former President Donald Trump spent Saturday in Pennsylvania, holding a fundraiser in Bucks County and a rally in Lehigh County.

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 READ MORE: Trump and Biden are poised for a rematch in Pa. Heres whats changed since 2020.

Pennsylvania, which played a decisive role in the 2020 election, has already become a frequent campaign stop for Biden and Trump in their 2024 rematch.

Both candidates have identified the state as a major battleground again this year. Trump has visited the state twice while Vice President Kamala Harris has made two trips of her own on behalf of Biden.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of State Rep. Kevin Boyle, Philadelphia police said Tuesday, after Boyle allegedly violated a protection from abuse order.

Boyle, 44, a Democrat seeking an eighth term in next weeks primary election, was expected to be charged with violation of a PFA by communication, said Sgt. Eric Gripp, a police department spokesperson. No additional information was available as of early Wednesday morning.

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U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Pa.), Kevin Boyles older brother, attributed the forthcoming arrest to a mental health condition that has been a nightmare for me and our family.

Kevins family, close friends, and several colleagues have done everything possible to get him to enter into treatment, but we have been frustrated by a system that gives little power to the loved ones of an adult with a serious mental health condition, Brendan Boyle said.

Kevin Boyle, who represents part of Northeast Philadelphia, has been open about his struggles with his mental health in recent years. In 2021, he was arrested for harassment and violating a protection from abuse order filed by his then-wife, which was later expunged. His brother said in his statement that he made a full recovery with medical treatment and proper medication. Kevin Boyle said in a 2022 letter to constituents that he was having a psychotic episode at the time of his arrest and that his life was saved after subsequent treatment at a mental health facility.

For the following two years he was completely healthy and exhibited no symptoms whatsoever, Brendan Boyle said of his brother. He was thriving at work, won reelection overwhelmingly, and rose to become the chairman of an important state legislative committee. We genuinely believed his mental health issue was in the past.

But Kevin Boyles symptoms resumed several months ago, his brother said, and in recent weeks his mental health deteriorated even further as he continued to resist treatment.

Its been painful to watch an intelligent, accomplished person with a big heart decline in such a precipitous way, Brendan Boyle added.

Boyle faces a primary challenger in next weeks election

The Boyle brothers made themselves into a political powerhouse over the last decade, in part, by retelling their life story: Their father immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland and worked as a SEPTA janitor and their mother worked as a school crossing guard. They both stepped into politics at a young age, unafraid to go up against the party establishment.

Kevin Boyle is on the ballot again next week  without the support of the Democratic Party. And his family said they are focused on Kevin Boyle receiving the medical treatment he needs to make a full recovery like he previously did.

Our hearts are with Kevin, as well as all families who are suffering because a loved one is afflicted with a mental health illness, Brendan Boyle added.

House Democrats poured $72,000 into the campaign of Boyles challenger, Sean Dougherty, according to campaign finance reports filed last week.

A video circulated of Kevin Boyle having an outburst in February at Gaul & Co. Malt House in Rockledge, a few days before the deadline to file paperwork to appear on the primary ballot. House Democratic leaders said at the time that their colleague was seeking help. Democrats scrambled to recruit Dougherty to run in his place, but Boyle still submitted his petitions and will appear on the ballot. The House Democratic Campaign Committee and top Democratic leaders are supporting Dougherty over Boyle in next weeks primary.

Boyles security access to the state Capitol was revoked after that February incident, and he was stripped of his role as committee chair.

House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery), who is close friends with Boyle, said in an interview last week he wholeheartedly supports Doughertys campaign and that he had concerns for Boyles mental health.

I love Kevin Boyle, and I want him to get the help he needs, Bradford added, tearing up. Theyre not mutually exclusive. It breaks my heart to see him this way. He made similar comments on Tuesday as news broke Tuesday of an arrest warrant out for Kevin Boyles arrest.

In his 2022 letter to constituents, Kevin Boyle described the mental health crisis hed faced a year earlier.

Family and friends could tell that I was starting to act differently, that my mental health was in decline, he wrote. But I couldnt see it myself. I lost touch with reality and suffered from paranoid delusions.

I am very, very lucky, Kevin Boyle added in the letter. I now understand, in a personal way, that a mental health problem can develop in any person.
Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson stands in the chamber in September 2023. She has led the effort to hold OHS accountable for mismanagement of funds. Read more

A half-dozen leaders of the Philadelphia agency tasked with housing the citys homeless each stepped to a microphone in City Councils chambers Monday and vowed they did not steal money from the city.

It was an extraordinary moment prompted by Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson, a Democrat who has for more than a year probed Philadelphias Office of Homeless Services. The office overspent its budget by nearly $15 million and is the subject of at least three separate investigations.

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At the same time, the office is requesting a more than $8 million funding increase for the next fiscal year, which begins in July.

If we continue to allow this office to operate in this way, we are culpable for their dysfunction, Richardson said. Until we see written policies and procedures and a system of oversight that will lead to fundamental change, I do not support their operations or any additional funding.

The one-by-one promises from the agencys interim executive director and other members of the offices leadership team came after they sat for questioning for more than two hours during its annual budget hearing.

The hearing came in the middle of the negotiation process for Parkers first city budget, which must be finalized by the end of June. It marked the most tense encounter between lawmakers and administration officials through what has otherwise been a largely cordial budget season.

 READ MORE: Philly City Council wants more oversight of the Office of Homeless Services amid questions about its finances

David Holloman, the offices interim executive director, explained to Council that the overspending occurred over the course of more than three years because the office expanded its contracts with a network of nonprofits that house and treat the citys homeless population, despite not having enough money in its budget to pay for all the work.

Officials in some cases delayed paying contractors for months until the next city budget was approved and new dollars flowed into the offices coffers. The offices former executive director, Liz Hersh, has said top finance officials were aware of the contracts.

It will not happen again, Holloman said Monday. We were not the final decision maker. I need to make that extremely clear. We dont believe that spending outside of your budget is the correct thing to do.

Still, at least a half-dozen Council members expressed frustration with the budget overruns, and several said they were unsatisfied with the offices plan to ensure it doesnt happen again.

This is astronomical money that could have been spent for permanent housing to house some of these families, at-large Councilmember Jim Harrity said. I am literally upset with whats going on here and the lack of concern, frankly. I dont feel it coming from you guys. I believe that you were completely unprepared for this meeting.

 READ MORE: How Phillys Office of Homeless Services overspent $15 million: Things got away from everybody

At-large Councilmember Isaiah Thomas said the offices fiscal mismanagement has put Council in a very bad position. He said members now must choose between funding a department they believe have misspent taxpayer dollars, or risk reducing the amount of services available to a vulnerable population.

It just sounds like youre freestyling, Thomas said. Its not fair that we have to look at a department thats as important as yours, especially at a time like this, and decide whether or not we have to give you money because were scared how youre going to spend it or not spend it.

Richardson added: This is going to be a very difficult process because were in the middle of our budget process. And theyre in the middle of being investigated.

Council members called for Homeless Services officials to return to testify a second time later in the negotiation process. That hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Inquirer staff writer Aubrey Whelan contributed to this article.
There are several reasons for this growth in demand [in Australia] such as businesses travelling more as face-to face transactions once again become the preferred means of doing business following COVID, and new government contracts being issued as large development projects ramp up around Australia, said Brannigan.
I am thrilled to join the Converge team, he said. This is an exciting opportunity to continue to expand the companys growth and fully realize its potential in the life and annuity reinsurance space. I look forward to getting to work.
Cloud outage is one of the main risks within cyber re/insurance, and the involvement of capital markets is crucial to satisfy capacity needs in the mid- to long-term. This cover is a first step towards getting investors involved, and we envisage growing the cover over time together with our investors, Ludolphs said.
Beckham, who has over 25 years of experience both in the US and internationally, previously served as president of Beat Capital Partners and as CEO and director at DUAL North America. Amwins highlighted his extensive management experience across various national and international managing general agencies, with expertise in program/product development, business development, operations, and capacity management.
Gottheimer (pictured above) predicted that Congress would again lurch through a series of short-term funding bills in the next appropriations process. That likely would mean a limited extension for the NFIP rather than a reauthorization of several years that could also include reforms that the Big I and other insurance trade associations are seeking.
They do try and place pressure on state regulators and the insurers themselves, Rounds said last Thursday at the Big I event. Its almost like a strong-arm game. I believe that the FIO must understand that efforts to push insurers and state regulators into potentially adopting sort of ESG strategies, all in the name of climate-risk mitigation, will have real-world impacts on real people that they sometimes forget about. These impacts will come in the form of higher compliance costs on insurers and higher premiums on Americans.
Maine is suing biochemical giant Monsanto for allegedly knowingly selling products containing harmful chemicals that have contributed to contamination in the state.

The latest lawsuit targeting the company over the manufacture and sale of products with polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, was filed last Thursday in Cumberland County Superior Court. It alleges that Monsanto knew about the danger of PCBs years before they were banned but continued to make and sell products containing them.

We have evidence that Monsanto knew that its PCBs products were causing long-lasting harm and chose to continue to make money off poisoning Maines people and environment, Attorney General Aaron Frey said in a statement Friday. I am taking action to demand that Monsanto pay for the harm it knowingly caused our state.

Monsanto is now owned by Bayer, a pharmaceutical and biotechnology company.

Monsanto said it discontinued production of PCBs five decades ago and never manufactured or disposed of PCBs in Maine. Describing the lawsuit as meritless, the company said in a statement that third-party manufacturers that produced and sold PCB-containing products would be responsible for any contamination their products caused under applicable law.

The company also said it conducted hundreds of studies over the years on the safety of PCBs and provided warnings to its customers based on the state-of-the science at the time.

Vermont was the first state to sue Monsanto last year over PCB contamination of natural resources, followed by dozens of school districts in the state. Bayer agreed to pay $698 million to Oregon to end a lawsuit over PCB pollution in 2022.

PCBs are linked to numerous health concerns and are one of the chemicals responsible for fish consumption advisories in Maine. They were used in building materials and electrical equipment like transformers, capacitors and fluorescent lighting ballasts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned manufacturing and certain uses of them in 1979 over concerns they could cause cancer and other illnesses.

Maine said it will be seeking damages for the costs of cleaning up, monitoring and mitigating 400 miles (644 kilometers) of Maine rivers and streams and 1.8 million ocean acres (728,000 hectares) that are currently identified as impaired by PCBs.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Maine
The pilot of an experimental aircraft fell out of the plane and hit the tail, causing the plane to crash in northeastern Pennsylvania in 2022, killing him and a pilot-rated passenger, according to federal investigators.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the experimental amateur-built Bearhawk Patrol airplane crashed at a farm near Hanover Township in October 2022. The Luzerne County coroners office identified the two victims as Michael Bowen, 59, of Jonestown; and Ronald Snyder 76, of Bernville.

The probable cause of the accident was the pilot unlatching his seatbelt during flight  possibly to examine some rigging he mentioned having a problem with earlier, investigators said in their final report last week. Being unbuckled allowed him to be thrown from the aircraft and hit the tail, sending the plane out of control and beyond the pilot-rated passengers ability to recover.

The pilot was seen buckling his seatbelt and shoulder harness before flight, but both were found intact and unlatched after the crash, suggesting he intentionally unbuckled, investigators found.

The plane was headed from Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport to Lebanon County and was only in the air for a few minutes after climbing to 1,700 feet. Authorities in Luzerne County said the plane went down shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 about 100 feet from where children were on a hayride at Dorians Farm. No one on the ground was injured.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Vessel, a climbable sculpture that drew hordes of tourists to the Hudson Yards megadevelopment on Manhattans west side before a string of suicides forced its closure in 2021, will reopen to the public later this year with added safety measures.

The towering honeycomb-like attraction will feature new steel mesh barriers on several of its twisting stairways and platforms, according to a spokesperson for Related Companies, which owns Hudson Yards. The top level of the 150-foot (46-meter) structure will remain off limits.

The spokesperson did not confirm an exact date for the reopening but said the developer looked forward to welcoming visitors back later this year.

Designed by Thomas Heatherwick and fabricated in Venice, the Vessel opened in 2019 as the centerpiece of the glittering new Hudson Yards neighborhood, quickly becoming one of the citys prime tourist destinations. But after three people took their own lives by jumping off the structure in less than a year, it was closed to the public in early 2021.

The Vessel reopened soon after with new safety features like enhanced security, suicide prevention signs and a ban on hiking up the steps alone  but without the barriers requested by some Manhattan officials and the local community board. Just two months later, it was closed once again, after a 14-year-old visiting the city with his family fatally leapt from the edge.

The structure has remained locked to the public ever since as developers have investigated the feasibility of additional protections, such as netting.

A spokesperson for Related said the new steel mesh would be cut-resistant and able to withstand the outdoor elements without compromising the Vessels form or views.

Jessica Chait, the chair of the Manhattan community board, praised the upgrades but said they should have happened sooner.

While we think it took Related four lives too many to make these physical adjustments, these are the changes we requested, which will allow for prioritizing the safety of everyone who visits the Vessel, she said.

Photo: This March 8, 2019 photo shows the Vessel, a 150-foot-tall structure of climbable interlocking staircases in the Hudson Yards development in New York. The Vessel, a climbable sculpture that drew hordes of tourists to the Hudson Yards mega-development on Manhattans west side before a string of suicides forced its closure in 2021, will reopen to the public later this year with added safety measures. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Training Development
More than two dozen river barges broke loose from their moorings and floated down the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, striking one bridge that had already been preemptively closed and damaging a marina, officials said. The boats eventually were pinned to the riverbank or went over a dam downstream, officials said.

Pittsburgh police, fire and emergency medical services responded around 11:25 p.m. Friday to reports of the barges floating uncontrolled down the river, Pittsburgh Public Safety said in a statement. The area had been hit by flooding after heavy rains Thursday.

The Sewickley Bridge was struck by a barge a few minutes before 2 p.m. Saturday, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said. It was closed in advance of the strike and will remain closed until our crews complete an inspection, spokesperson Steve Cowan said.

Officials in Moon Township, which is connected by the bridge to the community of Sewickley, earlier said the span would be temporarily closed due to unmanned barge passing through.

Eleven of the 26 barges that broke free were quickly contained to one side by another towing vessel just downstream, said Cmdr. Justin Jolley of the Coast Guard marine safety unit in Pittsburgh. Nine others were collected at the Emsworth lock and dam downstream.

Five or six barges went through the dam. Four ended up just downstream at a lock and dam, while another ended up on the bank of the river and was stabilized. Marine safety units were searching for one barge unaccounted for, Jolley said.

Pittsburgh public safety officials reported damage to Peggys Harbor, a marina on the river. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the McKees Rocks Bridge was also closed as a precaution but later reopened following inspection.

Twenty-three of the barges were carrying dry cargo, mostly coal, and at least one was loaded with fertilizer, according to the owner, Jolley said. Three were empty. There were no hazardous materials on any of the vessels, the city said.

The Coast Guard put out a broadcast notice to mariners to inform them about the potential hazard, but high water was preventing traffic on the river, Jolley said.

The barges were owned or operated by Campbell Transportation Co., the citys statement said. Jolley said Coast Guard officials were working with the owner on a salvage plan. Pennsylvania State Police and other agencies were also alerted.

The vulnerability of bridges to strikes from barges and ships came into stark relief last month when a container ship rammed a support of the major Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, collapsing the span and leading to the deaths or presumptive deaths of six road workers.

Photo: A group of barges sit pinned against the Emsworth lock and dam in Pittsburgh, on Saturday, April 13, 2024. More than two dozen river barges broke loose from their moorings and floated down the Ohio River, damaging a marina and striking a bridge. (WTAE via AP)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Ohio
Beat Capital Partners, a London-based venture capital investor that focuses on the insurance industry, announced it is planning to launch a specialty and tech-enabled credit non-payment insurance underwriter.

Called Convergence, the business is expected to underwrite through a Lloyds consortium, led by Beat Syndicate 4242, with Stephen Pike as CEO and founder. Its initial focus will be on Europe and North America.

The date of the launch hasnt yet been announced.

Convergence will step into the market to meet the growing and largely unaddressed need for portfolio solutions among banks and global financial institutions, specifically targeting the insurance of credit risk portfolios, Beat Capital said.

Convergence plans to leverage a combination of technology and data analytics, powered by a proprietary algorithmic modeling platform developed in partnership with University College London (UCL). This platform enables Convergence to swiftly integrate, enhance, and utilize the extensive data provided by financial institutions. Through this innovative and tech-driven platform, it will offer unparalleled efficiency and precision in servicing a broad spectrum of opportunities in economic risk management.

With 20 years of credit experience, Pike previously held the role of global head of credit and political risk (CPR) at Canopius, having joined the CPR team in 2017. Pike went on to evolve the global reinsurers proposition from single situations through the creation of a portfolio credit team.

Prior to that he was co-head of trade finance at ED&F MAN Capital Markets where he established the business global trade finance business. He started his career at Merrill Lynch and went on to be a portfolio analyst at Cyrus Capital, a credit special situations fund.

Pike will be joined by Jeremy Hatchuel, co-founder and partner. He brings 10 years of quantitative expertise at the intersection of the capital markets and insurance, starting his career as an ILS structurer at Aon Securities and later joining the Canopius CPR team to lead its portfolio solutions function. Hatchuel has an Master of Science degree in Cognitive Science and conducted research in computational neuroscience at UCL.

Convergence will be launched to take advantage of the many opportunities available in the CPR market. It is a complex sector and the team has a wealth of experience, Pike said. We will be data driven and have developed a proprietary model with UCL which will provide scalable solutions for our clients. Our purpose-built technology, industry knowledge and understanding of individual clients will give us a market leading position.

About Beat Capital Partners

Beat Capital Partners is a long duration venture capital investor exclusively focused on the insurance industry. Beat provides underwriting teams with equity in their own business, the potential to access to highly rated Lloyds (AA-) and other partner paper, a full-service back office, start-up financing, expedient set up and launch plus partnership with Beats team and proven record of success. Beat operates 11 underwriting franchises that write US$700 million in gross written premiums in diverse lines of business in the UK, Bermuda and the U.S. Beat also helps manage Syndicates 4242 / 1416 in Lloyds and Cadenza Re, a Beat-dedicated reinsurer, in Bermuda.

Source: Beat Capital Partners

Topics New Markets
Shareholders cannot sue companies for fraud if they flout a rule requiring disclosure of trends expected to affect their bottom line unless the omission makes another statement misleading, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday.

The 9-0 ruling authored by liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor handed a victory to Macquarie Infrastructure in a proposed shareholder class action accusing the company of failing to disclose that its revenues were vulnerable to an international phase-out of high-sulfur fuel oil between 2016 and 2018.

The justices reversed a decision by the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to allow the class action brought by Hedge fund Moab Partners to proceed. A federal judge earlier had dismissed the litigation.

Sotomayor wrote that while the anti-fraud provision of a federal law called the Securities Act of 1933 clearly prohibits companies from telling misleading half truths, it does not automatically apply when a company remains silent.

Linda Coberly, an attorney who represents Macquarie, said the ruling provides guidance to companies, litigants, and judges, for our case and beyond.

Attorneys for Moab declined to comment.

U.S. publicly traded companies are required to make various disclosures under federal rules that are enforced by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Moab sued Macquarie in 2018, accusing it of hiding the fact that a subsidiarys revenues relied on demand for storage of a freighter fuel that international regulators sought to eliminate by 2020. Both companies are based in New York.

According to the lawsuit, Macquarie violated an SEC rule requiring companies to disclose known trends and uncertainties likely to significantly affect their financial position.

The Supreme Court decided that a violation of the rule does not by itself amount to a misleading omission under the anti-fraud law, which bars companies from omitting facts in a way that would make a statement misleading.

The court rejected Moabs argument that such a ruling would give companies immunity for violating disclosure laws, saying the SEC can take enforcement action.

Macquarie had argued that the ruling that had let the claim proceed conflicted with another decision blocking a similar lawsuit. Business groups said fear of such lawsuits had led to bloated corporate disclosures.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Will Dunham and Deepa Babington)

Topics Trends New York Fraud Legislation
A former chiropractor was sentenced to 54 years in state prison and ordered to pay more than $23 million in fines for his role in orchestrating a massive workers compensation fraud scheme totaling $150 million.

Peyman Heidary was convicted by a Riverside County jury in January 2024 of 68 counts of insurance fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and other charges.

Between 2009 and 2014, Heidary reportedly controlled several sham law firms and a network of sham health clinics. An investigation over several years by the Riverside County District Attorneys Office and the California Department of Insurance revealed Heidary exaggerated patient injuries and ordered his employees to provide unnecessary treatments, resulting in inflated billings to insurance companies.

Heidary used the law firm to recruit thousands of legitimately injured patients, referring them to his network of clinics to create unnecessary billing.

Although originally charged with $98 million in fraud, evidence presented at trial, including Heidarys testimony, revealed that the actual damage was about $150 million. During the sentencing hearing on April 12, Judge Charles Koosed noted that Heidary possessed deep knowledge of the workers comp system, stating, Heidary took advantage of that knowledge based on greed.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys W. Matthew Murray and Erika Mulhere.

Topics California Workers' Compensation
A new flight training programme will see more than 400 pilots join the Ryanair group over the next four years, the airline has said.

Launching its new Future Flyer Academy pilot training programme with Cork-based, Atlantic Flight Training Academy (Afta) this week, the airline said it will allow aspiring pilots to kickstart their aviation career with a combination of classroom, simulator and practical training, with a defined path to employment once completed.

Founded in 1995 and based in Cork, Afta operates a large fleet of aircraft and simulators, including the Diamond DA 42 aircraft as well as B737 NG and B737 MAX simulators. For several years, the flight school has trained aspiring pilots to complete their Type Rating course and operate Ryanairs Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 aircraft. "Afta will celebrate 30 years in business next March 2025 and has a long-standing relationship with Ryanair," said managing director of the flight school," Mark Casey. "A very large number of our graduates currently fly as First officers, Captains, Training Captains and management pilots within the airline. We look forward to welcoming future Ryanair Captains through our doors in AFTA. Ryanairs Chief Operations Officer, Neal McMahon said, "We are delighted to launch the Future Flyer Academy in partnership with Atlantic Flight Training Academy here in Ireland. "Ryanair new Future Flyer Academy training programme shows our continued commitment to supporting and recruiting pilots for future positions as we take delivery of over 300 Boeing 737 MAX-10 aircraft over the next 10 years."
Brexit goods checks implemented by Britain in January seemed to weigh on the annual level of Irish exports, suggested figures by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Exports to Britain declined to 1.2bn in February, a 5% drop compared to figures recorded in the same period a year earlier.

Janette Maxwell, director in tax at professional services firm Grant Thornton, said the decline was unsurprising following the introduction of Brexit-induced customs controls at the end of January.

Ms Maxwell said the CSO figures highlighted difficulties experienced by Irish traders when selling goods into Britain.

Exports to the British market may be hit further as a Brexit border tax on plant and animal products will be applied from the end of April.

Meanwhile, the value of goods exports from Ireland fell by almost 800m annually, according the CSO figures.

In unadjusted terms, the value of Irish exports fell 5%, or by 777m, to 15.9bn in February compared to the same month a year earlier.

The pharmaceutical sector boosted export figures. Pharma goods exports rose by 15% to 6.5bn annually.

However, this is a fall from almost 9bn in pharma exports reported in January, highlighting the volatility in one of the largest sectors in Ireland which accounts for around half of all exports.

Carol Lynch, Partner in the BDO customs and international trade services department said there is now an opportunity for central banks around the world to reduce interest rates, which would stimulate demand in Irelands main export markets.

However, global geopolitical developments present significant downside risks to projected growth, she said.

The European Central Bank is expected to announce at least two interest rate cuts by the end of the year.
The Kerry Group milk price for March supplies is 41c/litre, up 1c/litre on the previous month.

The March price consists of a base price of 39c/litre and a milk contract payment of 2c/litre on all qualifying milk volumes.

The milk price at EU standard constituents of 3.4% protein and 4.2% butterfat is 44.96c/litre.

Based on Kerrys average milk solids for March, the milk price return inclusive of Vat and bonuses is 44.08c/litre.

A Kerry spokesperson said that milk production in Europe "remains under pressure due to very wet weather".

"This is providing support for dairy markets despite much uncertainty remaining around demand," the spokesperson added.

Lakeland price

Lakeland Dairies has confirmed a base price of 41.9c/litre for March milk in the Republic of Ireland.

The base price has increased by 0.5c/litre and also includes the 0.5c/litre sustainability incentive payment.

A separate 1c/litre input support payment is being paid on top of the base price.

The all-in base price for suppliers is 42.9c/litre for milk supplied in March.

In Northern Ireland, a base price of 34.5p/litre will be paid for milk supplied in March.

The base price has increased by 0.5p/litre and also includes the 0.5p/litre sustainability incentive payment.

A 0.8p/litre input support payment will be paid to all suppliers. The all-in price for suppliers is 35.3p/litre for March.

Feed support

Lakeland is offering support for farmers purchasing feed through Lakeland Dairies Agribusiness.

The 20/tonne and 20/tonne feed rebate in place since November has been increased to 30/tonne and 30/tonne.

A separate 10/tonne and 10/tonne support for straights has been introduced to support farmers in stretching silage stocks.

A Lakeland spokesperson said that difficult weather conditions in Ireland are also having an impact on farmers across Europe.

"As a result, spring milk volumes are tempered thus far albeit it is still early in the spring milk season. This is helping to maintain a delicate balance between supply and demand," the spokesperson said.

"Commodity prices have settled with general stability in the global dairy market, however, there is a continued cautious approach being adopted by buyers at present with no strong surge in demand.

"We fully recognise the pressure the continued inclement weather is having on farmers and their businesses."
Ahead of the European and local elections in June, the Irish Farmers Association has highlighted key farming issues for candidates.

IFA president Francie Gorman has said that it is "time for the political system to stand up" for farming and food production.

"As farmers, we are proud of what we do and how we do it. Farmers are sick of being overregulated and underpaid. Enough is enough, Mr Gorman said.

Launching the manifesto for the European Parliament and local government elections on June 7, the IFA has identified nine key issues.

There are hundreds of issues dealt with in our manifesto across all commodities. However, we have distilled the issues down to nine key messages, Mr Gorman added.

European issues

The EU issues are: CAP; overregulation; retaining the nitrates derogation; and environmental fairness.

The CAP funding must be increased and used to support farmers, food production and food security, the IFA said.

"The global demand for grain, meat and dairy is increasing. If these are not produced in Ireland, they will be produced elsewhere with higher negative environmental impact," the IFA said.

"A separate EU environment fund in addition to the CAP must be created to support environmental action on farms.

"This must include support for farmers with designated land and any actions that may arise if the EU Nature Restoration Law is passed. Future generations will not commit to farming without more certainty on funding streams."

The IFA said that overregulation is "causing frustration and anger amongst farmers".

"It is resulting in significant extra costs at farm level. Potential successors and new entrants are being turned away by the constant escalation in regulations. The EU Parliament must focus on reducing poorly thought-out regulations."

The association stressed that Irish MEPs must be "part of a national effort to retain the current nitrates derogation".

"Ireland has a unique grass-based system and there must be recognition for this from the EU. Over 30 measures have been introduced at farm level since 2020. These must be given time to work.

"Farmers need a period of certainty to justify making ongoing environmental investments on their farms."

Local issues

The key local election issues identified by the IFA are: planning; the Residential Zoned Land Tax; ash dieback on local roads; connectivity; and environmental inspections by local authorities.

When it comes to planning, a "much more efficient process is required", the IFA said.

"Planning objections should not be allowed from outside the local area. Flooding works must be fast-tracked. Development levies are punitive in some counties and should be suspended for rural dwellings and on-farm environmental investments.

"Actively farmed land must be exempt from the Residential Zoned Land Tax. It is penal, unjust, and disproportionate."

The IFA is seeking an urgent roadside ash dieback scheme to safely remove diseased trees.

"It is a costly and dangerous operation. Farmers need support to provide traffic management during felling, and financial support to engage suitably qualified professionals to safely fell the trees," the IFA said.

The association is also seeking more investment in roads, broadband and phone coverage. "We need real investment in these essential services to keep people in rural areas and encourage new people into rural Ireland."

Local authorities intend to carry out over 4,500 environmental inspections on farms by 2025. The IFA said that each local authority "needs to agree a protocol for farm inspections with the IFA".

Regional meetings

The IFA will be holding four regional meetings in April and May to give farmers an opportunity to hear from the candidates running in the European Parliament elections.

The first meeting for Ireland South will be in Cork Marts in Fermoy on Tuesday, April 30, followed by the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris on Thursday, May 2, for the Midlands-North-West constituency.

Gowran Park Racecourse will host a second meeting for Ireland South on Tuesday, May 7, followed by a second meeting for Midlands-North-West in the Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar, on Wednesday, May 8.
Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy tells David Walliams about his grief after losing his father in the first episode of Tubridys new book podcast.

Writer and actor Walliams is the first guest on The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy and in the new episode, which is available from today, Walliams and Tubridy discuss fatherhood, death and some of their favourite reads.

Little Britain and Britains Got Talent star Walliams is a bestselling childrens author, with 40 books published including Gangsta Granny and The Boy in the Dress. He tells Tubridy that being a dad to his 10-year-old son Alfred makes his life brilliant.

He adds that his most honest critics are the children who read his books and jokes that reciting poems to his ex-wife might have been grounds for divorce.

On the topic of grief, Tubridy tells Walliams how strange day-to-day life feels after losing a parent but that dealing with a loss can make you more empathetic as a writer, a broadcaster, and a person.

Im thinking of looking out of the back of the funeral car of my own dad and thinking that very same thing, going Dont you know this great guy is gone? How can you be going in to buy bread? Thats so mundane. Its most unusual, you forget your universe is just that, he says. His father, psychiatrist Pat Tubridy, died in 2013.

The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy

Its like someone flicked the globe and everythings changed and actually your landscape in your daily life is littered with landmines, with emotional tripwires and you suddenly find [youre like] hold it together, hold it together because no one else cares and certainly doesnt understand why youre suddenly having a moment because you saw a packet of Silk Cut Purple because it reminds you of your father.

Its bizarre. But that informs you as a person, a writer, a broadcaster, whatever it might be, people listening in, and should help you with empathy and nourish who you are as a human being.

Last week Tubridy announced the new podcast series, which will see a new guest each week discussing three reads: the book from their childhood, the book that made them cry, and the book that changed their life.

This has been a passion project of mine for a couple of years now but I could never quite find enough time to put it all together," Tubridy says, noting how the "exceptionally difficult time" he went through last summer when he left RTE led to both his current radio job in the UK and to his new podcast.

"It made me reassess and explore new opportunities to realise some dreams I've long held in my heart."

Introductory offer 10 4 / month Plus, a free Irish Examiner tote bag Try now Terms and conditions apply.

Tubridy currently presents the Ryan Tubridy Show on Virgin Radio in London, having left RTE last year following weeks of controversy related to revelations that the organisation had publicly under-reported payments to him, prompting a crisis at the public service broadcaster that put a focus on its governance and financial practices.

He was due to return to the organisation under a deal which would have seen him creating a podcast for RTE among other duties. However, director-general Kevin Bakhurst pulled the arrangement, saying he was particularly disappointed with a statement released by Tubridy in relation to the controversy around his earnings.

In 2022, Tubridy topped the broadcasters top earners list with earnings of 515,000.

The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy, sponsored by Eason, is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major audio platforms and to watch on YouTube.
The Magdalenes and I

It will never and should never be anything less than powerful hearing the women who spent time in Magdalene laundries tell their stories. We hear their voices in this new series by Steven O'Riordan from Millstreet, County Cork. One survivor, Mary Norris, told him: I lost two years of my life from 1950 to 52, I dont know what happened in Ireland, I dont know what happened in the world. I might as well have been dead.

ORiordan has campaigned for Magdalene survivors and made a documentary in 2009, The Forgotten Maggies  this podcast is almost like a making of that film and a behind-the-scenes look at the process.

The opening episode is an interview with ORiordan, who explains why he moved from Cork to London and how he came to hear of the Magdalene laundries national shame: A college friend invited him over one night in 2005 to watch Peter Mullans 2002 drama The Magdalene Sisters. I go whats it about? So he goes, Its about these nuns that beat up these women in homes Just come over, well get a takeaway, get a few drinks, and sure well just watch it. Little did he know that it would mark a changing point in his life. ORiordan has since met and interviewed 165 Magdalene women.

Eight episodes have been released thus far (two every Monday) and theyre short, from seven to 15 minutes. Of course, its not the first podcast series about the laundries. Redacted Lives (2022), a six-part series from The Journal, also sought to tell the story of mother and baby homes. We can never let it be forgotten. https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41011631.html

The Apple and the Tree

Who wouldnt want to be in business with Joanne McNally right now? we asked of the BBC Sounds investigation Who Replaced Avril Lavigne?, led by the My Therapist Ghosted Me co-host. https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41360683.html Maybe we could pose the same question of Vogue Williams, the other half of My Theraprise Ghosted Me, who heads The Apple and the Tree, a 10-part series that seeks to celebrate the universal truths, secrets, joys, and pain between a parent and their child.

It says these are the intimate, revealing conversations wed all like to have  or wish wed had  with our nearest and dearest. Topics discussed across the series include inter-racial adoption and identity; navigating single parenthood and creating safe spaces; embracing LGBTQ+ acceptance within the South Indian community; and abandonment.
The Taoiseach has committed to legislative changes, if they are required, to address General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) issues surrounding the sharing of data on road traffic collisions.

The proposal was one of a number of measures agreed during a meeting between the Taoiseach, Cabinet ministers, and Road Safety Authority (RSA) bosses on Monday aimed at addressing the rising number of fatalities on Irish roads so far this year.

Until 2020, the RSA shared up-to-date data on road traffic collisions with local authorities  and their road engineering teams  via an interactive map system. However, when doubts were raised in the RSA as to whether it could share such data under GDPR, the sharing of the data ended.

The RSA then shared data with the Local Government Management Agency until the latter agency asked the RSA to cease, due to legal advice about its statutory ability to receive such data.

At Mondays meeting, attended by Simon Harris, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, minister of state at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers, RSA chairwoman Liz ODonnell, and RSA CEO Sam Waide, it was agreed that the Department of Transport would engage with the Local Government Management Agency to examine options to resume interim sharing of crash data.

It was also agreed that a proposal from the RSA-led Data Enabler Group would be provided to the Data Protection Commissioner regarding the sharing of such data as soon as possible.

Road safety campaigns

Also at the meeting, the RSA committed to spending an additional 3m in funding for road safety campaigns and education initiatives between this month and the end of the year, and to identify its funding needs for the remainder of 2023.

It was also noted that An Garda Siochana will be asked to make its ongoing enforcement activity plans available.

Earlier on Monday, the Government confirmed that new cameras that automatically fine motorists who break red lights will be introduced later this year.

Ministers and the RSA also pledged to work to resolve technical and legal issues so enforcement cameras can identify mobile-phone use and seatbelt-wearing as offences, to progress a review of the driving test curriculum, and to reduce driving test wait times and NCT wait times.

Ministerial road safety committee

Finally, the Taoiseach confirmed he would chair a meeting of the Governments ministerial road safety committee in the coming weeks to ensure urgent progress on these and other actions in response to the recent deterioration in road safety.

After nearly two decades of positive progress, we have seen recently a sudden  and worrying  increase in road deaths, said the Taoiseach.

The rise in the number of deaths on our roads is unacceptable, and a renewed focus is needed on road safety and driver behaviour.
A group of single-arm amputees have called on the Government to allow them to avail of the same scheme as other amputees.

Five amputees spoke before an Oireachtas committee to ask for a change to be made to the Primary Medical Certificate eligibility criteria which excludes them because they have only lost one arm.

Having had their lives irrevocably changed and being told that they are not considered disabled enough to be eligible for the additional support has made their lives even more difficult, they explained.

"I naively thought that the amputation was going to be the biggest battle that I had to go through but it's not. It's everything that comes after it," Cork woman Jane O'Keeffe told the Irish Examiner.

"I just thought there would be support there. I didn't even think about life after the operation, I just assumed that there would be something there to help us."

To qualify for the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, a person must hold a valid Primary Medical Certificate (PMC).

The PMC is to confirm that the holder is severely and permanently disabled and one of the following criteria must apply:

You are completely or almost completely without the use of both legs.

You are completely without the use of one of your legs and almost completely without the use of the other leg to the extent that you are severely restricted as regards movement in your legs.

You are without both hands or both arms.

You are without one or both legs.

You are completely or almost completely without the use of both hands or arms and completely or almost completely without the use of one leg.

You are a person with restricted growth syndrome (dwarfism) and have serious difficulties with movement of your legs.

If you have only lost one hand or arm, you do not qualify.

Speaking before the committee, Ms O'Keeffe gave the members a challenge.

"Go home tonight, set your alarm for an hour and try to do everything with one hand.

"Try and do everything for an hour that we do all of our lives. Make the dinner, cut that pepper, tie those skinny jeans that button in the middle, tie up your hair, change a nappy.

"Then tell me that we shouldn't be entitled to the Primary Medical Certificate."

Tumour discovery

It was three years ago that the now-38-year-old's life was turned upside down and it began with a sore hand.

After attending a physio and her GP, she was sent for an MRI "to be on the safe side".

"Even I realised when I saw the MRI image that there was something more going on. It turned out there was a 3.9cm tumour in my right hand," she said.

It would turn out that Ms O'Keeffe had a rare tumour  Clear Cell Sarcoma which does not respond to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The day after her daughter's first birthday, she was told she would need to have her right hand amputated four days later.

Among the things Ms O'Keeffe would need to relearn was how to drive which involved changing and adapting her car.

While she was initially told that she would be able to get a PMC, it became apparent that she would not as she had lost one hand  not two.

The cost of buying an automatic and adapting it cost almost 32,000.

Fortunately, Ms O'Keeffe was able to get help from family but she is fighting for those who do not have that option.

"Unfortunately, my cancer has returned and I am now stage four. I do not know what the future holds for me or how long more I will have," she told the committee.

"However, I feel so strongly about the primary medical certificate that I have been willing to give up a day of my life to come up to Dublin to stand with my other single-arm amputees to try and obtain something that should have been given to us initially day one without any argument."

It is frustrating for Ms O'Keeffe and those in the same situation, as if they got the PMC it would only cover a fraction of the costs.

It doesn't cost the government anything, the teacher explains. It's not that they are giving you money, they just won't get the same amount of tax as they would from a person who had not gotten an amputation.

The PMC criteria has not been updated since 1968 and breaches the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

In 2021, the Disabled Drivers Medical Board resigned and a new board has yet to be put in place.

Single-arm amputees have been calling for changes to the PMC for over a decade and are no closer to getting treated equally to other amputees.

Single-arm amputee David Digan. As well as undergoing amputation, Mr Digan has had a nerve transplant and several other surgeries.

David Digan has spoken to councillors, TDs, and ministers over the years but said that nothing that has been promised to him has been done.

He reckons that between himself and his partner, they have sent over 150 emails.

"We are only asking for what should be there legally for us under the UNCRPD," he said.

Almost five years ago, the father-of-one was in an accident which left him in Tullamore Hospital for three months, and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin for another three months.

As well as undergoing the amputation, Mr Digan has had a nerve transplant and a number of other surgeries in Dublin and Vienna, Austria.

He has been unable to work since the accident and said that he is being isolated from his community in Westmeath and his ability to participate in society on an equal basis has been impacted.

Mr Digan's seven-year-old daughter lives in the next town which is 20km away and there is no public transport that can bring him.

He has managed to get an adapted car but as it is a 2007 vehicle he is subject to 710 tax each year.

"I am on disability allowance so this is leaving me to choose between food or tax on my car," he said.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Digan said that he did not leave the Oireachtas committee with much hope.

After hearing from the guests, Senator Erin McGreehan said: "We did not hear many new things today. It is shameful that over and over again we have to continuously repeat ourselves and the witnesses have to repeat themselves constantly."

Mr Digan said that hearing the senator say that left him feeling demoralised.

As well as talking to politicians, he has spoken to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, free legal aid, and Citizen's Advice.

"I've done everything at this point. Where do I turn to now? I don't know."

But Mr Digan will keep fighting because to be able to run his car and not be dependent on others would improve his life so much.

"When you're stuck sitting at home by yourself and you're thinking and overthinking. Just to be able to get out, to get into the car and go to visit a friend or whatever at whatever time, it makes a big difference. Just to escape everything really."
The Government is to recommend that President Michael D Higgins give a posthumous presidential pardon to cousins Sylvester Poff and James Barrett, two men wrongfully convicted of the murder of a Co Kerry landlord following Mr Poffs eviction in 1882.

Both men were arrested and hanged for the murder of landlord Thomas Browne the following January.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has recommended the pardon on foot of a report on the matter by Dr Niamh Howlin.

Its now believed that the conviction in question was unsafe, given key witness testimony by the widow of Mr Browne was changed prior to the two mens trial, while the jury in the trial was understood to have been packed with jurors aligned with the prosecutions case. Evidence has since emerged that the murder, committed in broad daylight, had had nothing to do with Mr Poffs eviction.

A soldier based at The Curragh had declared his own guilt for the murder in the aftermath of the killing, however that claim had never been investigated.

This is a very rare occurrence and a very high bar must be reached for the Government to recommend to the president that he exercise this right, Minister McEntee said.

Having considered the findings in Dr Howlins report, the trial, conviction and execution of Mr Poff and Mr Barrett were unfair by the standards of the time, she said.

RTE funding

Media Minister Catherine Martin.

A decision will not be made on a future funding model for RTE before the local elections in seven weeks, but one is expected before July and the Dails summer recess.

Speaking in the wake of Tuesdays Cabinet meeting, a Government spokesperson confirmed that a decision as to whether RTE is to be directly funded from the Exchequer is not expected to be made before the local and European elections on June 7.

There is no clear date in sight, however, for the delivery of two key Government reports into the governance and culture at the State broadcaster.

Both reports had been due for delivery to Media Minister Catherine Martin by February, but they remain in a fact-checking process, the spokesperson said.

European peace facility

Meanwhile, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has gotten Cabinet approval for the commitment of 128m to the European peace facility.

An additional 5bn was agreed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in March as a top-up for the fund, which is earmarked for the provision of sustainable support to Ukraine in the years to come, with no end to the Russian conflict in sight.

The new funding will bring Irelands total commitment to the facility to roughly 400m by 2027, money which has been ringfenced exclusively for nonlethal military support.
Criminals will only have two years  reduced from the current seven  before an asset seized through the Criminal Assets Bureau can be sold off by the State under a proposed new law.

Criminals can currently continue to enjoy their property for seven years after it has been established that it was the proceeds of crime to allow time to appeal.

But proposed new legislation  the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2024  would change that, reducing that period to two years.

Michael Gubbins, Chief Bureau Officer at the Criminal Assests Bureau. Picture: Moya Nolan

Such changes would be greatly improving the effectiveness of the overall scheme, Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins of the CAB told the Oireachtas Justice Committee on Tuesday evening.

That time reduction, coupled with proposed new restrictions on why a disposal order on CAB-seized property can be opposed  will reduce both duration and cost to the scheme, he said.

CAB seized some 210m between 1996 and 2022.

But Kevin McMeel, Bureau Legal Officer with the CAB, said that the amount seized often represents a small fraction of the cost of that property to the criminal.

While CAB received some 250,000 for a house seized in Crumlin, the criminal had spent some 750,000 on renovations. So the loss to the criminal was some 1m but due to the notoriety attached to the property, the State could never recover the full funds spent on it, he said.

So the value of property to the criminal is often much higher than what is returned to the exchequer, he said.

And criminals have caught onto CAB being there with less drug dealers buying mansions in obvious locations in Ireland  much less than in 1996, 1997 and 1998, Mr McMeel said.

This, he hoped was disrupting criminals" who can no longer live where they want to live but have to move to other countries to avoid the CAB.

Mr McMeel also said that a majority of CAB cases now settle with the authority rather than contesting them through the courts.

Crypto currency and similar technological advances were evolving challenges for the CAB, Mr McMeel noted.

And while the proposed bill did not directly address those issues, the CAB believes the bill will help investigations into all types of proceeds of crime cases, including virtual, he said.

The world has moved on and and its up to use to move with it, he said.

'Pioneering' legislation

Irelands CAB legislation was pioneering when introduced in 1996, following the gangland murder of journalist Veronica Guerin who had been investigating criminals and their wealth.

Because the legislation was so far ahead of other countries, some jurisdictions failed to fully understand it and comply with its orders, the committee heard. But the EU has recently embraced similar legislation confiscating unexplained wealth which should make international cooperation much more effective, Brendan Bruen of the Department of Justice said.

And international co-operation is key to stripping criminals of their assets, the committee heard.

Independent senator Lynn Ruane

Senator Lynn Ruane called for more of the money raised through CAB to be filtered, through the exchequer, directly to the communities most impacted by crime, to break the cycles of poverty, disempowerment and addiction that fuel criminal behaviour.

Det Chief Supt Gubbins said that while criminals still benefit from people trapped in addiction and chaotic lifestyles similarly to how they did in the past, the amount they are willing to publicly share their ill-gotten wealth has increased through social media use. And this can be particularly problematic in communities where people may feel disempowered or trapped by poverty and look up to those with the "car, the watch, the lifestyle due to criminality" and aspire to also get those things. The CAB needs to go into those communities, Det Chief Supt Gubbins said.

And locals "really appreciate it" when the CAB does come in and strip known criminals of their wealth, he said.

Ms Ruane raised concerns about people who live in a seized property but had no involvement in the criminality  like innocent family members then becoming homeless.

Senator Barry Ward asked what would happen in a case where a house had been bought from the local authority but was subsequently seized by the CAB, leaving the criminals parents who lived there homeless.

Mr McMeel said that people living in a property being seized by CAB would be put on notice of it. They may qualify for legal aid and could contest their right to housing.

Senator Michael McDowell raised concerns that the reduction from seven to two years before an asset could be disposed of by the State from the time it was deemed the proceeds of crime could leave vulnerable people - people with a disability or children - without adequate time or protection to assert their rights.

Det Chief Supt Gubbins said that CAB is firmly supportive of the Bill".

One important change would be the introduction of an important bespoke tool for proceeds of crime investigators to freeze transactions (typically financial accounts) to allow the necessary investigations to take place, he said.

Given the increasingly complex, financial and often multijurisdictional nature of proceeds of crime investigations, the Bureau submits that the proposal would be significantly more effective if the proposed maximum duration of such restraint orders is increased from the proposed 28 days to 56 days. This would ensure a more efficient use of the officers and court time, he said.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said that An Garda Siochana is supportive of this piece of legislation, and welcomes the proposal to introduce these amendments.

If adopted, this will compliment An Garda Siochanas efforts to tackle organised and serious crime. It is our view that this Bill will streamline the operation of the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB)."
The Ukrainian motorist who is on trial for the alleged dangerous driving causing the death of GAA broadcaster Paudie Palmer texted a friend that day describing himself as a moron, saying: I am in the wrong 100%, I drove off, I was drunk, there is no excuse for me, I am guilty of it all.

This text written in Russian by the accused man was translated for Judge Jonathan Dunphy and a jury of six women and six men by Russian translator, Liudmila Ladchenko, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, on the fifth day of the trial.

Bohdan Bezverkhyi has pleaded not guilty to the charge of dangerous driving causing Mr Palmers death at Dunkereen Cross, Innishannon, Co Cork, on December 29, 2022.

The translated texts included these texts to various people from the accused mans phone on the day of the incident:

It is not funny to me. I will be jailed. I left the scene of a traffic accident, drunk.

I got into a car accident. Advise me what to do. Advise me how to get out of the situation. I am in the wrong 100 per cent. I drove off, I was wrong, there is no excuse.

I am a moron. I am guilty of it all. Dont know what happened to the people. I am blaming myself for driving off."

(When asked why he did not go to the traffic police after) Because I am not sober... I want to get some sleep and solve this question when sober."

The second car overturned.

Wrecked the car Left the scene of the accident. Was pissed."

Nevertheless, need to surrender to the garbage. I dont see any other way out.

The late Paudie Palmer died on December 29, 2022.

In one exchange with his mother, she advised him to make sure to carry a piece of soap in his pocket when presenting himself to the police.

Prosecution barrister Brendan Kelly said it was the prosecution case that the accused approached the junction and had a stop line and stop sign against him and that a motorist coming on to the junction from this road would have had an unrestricted 150-metre view of traffic on the road coming from the direction of travel of the late Mr Palmer.

Defence senior counsel Seamus Roche said in his closing speech to the jury that the accused man had accepted responsibility for failing to remain at the scene and had pleaded guilty to charges related to that.

However, he said the accused was adamant that he was not going to plead guilty to dangerous driving causing death because he does not feel it was his responsibility.

He rejects the version that he was speeding down the road. There is no evidence of excessive speed. He came to the stop line, he stopped and there is no doubt it is a difficult junction.

You have to look right first, he did that, he then moved forward a bit. He went to look left and all of a sudden the collision was upon him. That is his evidence. I urge you to accept his evidence, Mr Roche said in his closing speech to the jury.

It is anticipated that when Judge Jonathan Dunphy concludes his address to the jury that they will commence their deliberations on April 17.
The husband of a woman whose death in a Cork hospital was ruled by an inquest as a result of medical misadventure said he hoped she died knowing how much he and her children loved her.

Lauren Walsh Crehan, from Labasheeda, Co Clare, died at Cork University Hospital on March 27, 2022  on the evening of Mothers Day  after a routine procedure for endovascular coiling of aneurysms two days earlier.

The 38-year-old had two young children with her husband Alan. Marty was nine while Millie was four at the time of her death.

A verdict of death by misadventure was given at the Cork City Coroner's Court on April 10. The inquest heard the cause of her death was a cerebral infarct complicating coiling of a middle cerebral artery aneurysm complicated by a haemorrhage from a femoral artery puncture site.

Alan had been told by his wife on the morning of March 25 she expected to be through the procedure by 1pm that day and she hoped to be home two days later to mark Mothers Day with her family.

However, her condition deteriorated later that day and he recalled seeing her on the night of the procedure: There were tubes, wires and machines everywhere. She looked completely different. She looked swollen and bloated. I was shocked and confused.

'A few days later Lauren kissed the children and me goodbye and left for her operation in Cork University Hospital. If I had known what I now know, I would never have let go of Lauren.' Filoe picture: Larry Cummins

"Lauren left home on Thursday her bubbly self, and I couldnt believe that it was her lying in the bed.

On Mothers Day, 2022, I was called to Laurens beside, I took her hand and within a very short time she died. I told her I loved her. I told her she was the best wife and the best mother to our children.

I really hope that Lauren heard me and that she died knowing how much the children and I loved her.

A week before Lauren died, we celebrated Martys ninth birthday. We had a party at home. Lauren loved these days, being at home with her two children who she adored.

"A few days later Lauren kissed the children and me goodbye and left for her operation in Cork University Hospital. If I had known what I now know, I would never have let go of Lauren."

He also said a number of weeks after her death, a letter arrived for Lauren with a date for an outpatient review appointment as a follow-up to the procedure.

He said prior to the inquest, he had no answers on how his wife had died following what the family had expected to be a routine procedure.

I couldnt explain what happened to our families or friends but most of all to Marty who was old enough to ask questions. I havent been able to tell Marty what happened to his mother. I didnt have the answers myself.

Laurens brother Adam said in a statement on behalf of him and Laurens father, Peter: Lauren wanted to have the surgery so that she could come home to Alan and her children.

A spokesman for South/Southwest Hospital Group said: Cork University Hospital cannot comment on individual cases when to do so might be breaching the ethical requirement on them to observe a duty of confidentiality. The medical team expressed condolences to the family at the corner's court case.
The man who killed six people and injured countless others at a Bondi shopping centre on Saturday, 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, reportedly had mental health issues, police explained soon after the tragic event, while ruling out terrorism.

Cauchi had reportedly been diagnosed with a mental illness at age 17 years and had received treatment in the public and private sector. But Queensland Police said Cauchis mental health had declined in recent years.

No matter the circumstances, such acts of violence must be condemned. If mental health issues contribute to such acts, they need to be understood and prevented.

However, its important to note the vast majority of people with mental illness do not pose a risk of violence to others.

Tragically, there is still an unacceptable level of stigma and misunderstanding of mental illness, including the mistaken belief that people with mental illness are violent. People may draw conclusions from cases such as the Bondi attack, where people with histories of mental illness engage in violence.

So is there a link between mental illness and violent crime? Heres what the evidence says.

Research from Australia and overseas shows a small percentage of people with serious forms of mental illness may be at increased risk for violence.

Our research in Victoria, for example, shows 10% of people with schizophrenia (a serious form of mental illness where the person can be so unwell as to be out of touch with reality) have perpetrated a violent crime. This compares with about 2.4% of the general population. So, while the people who have schizophrenia were more likely to have a violent offence, the vast majority of them did not.

The findings are mixed regarding a direct relationship between more common mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, and violence.

Although the reasons that anyone  including people with psychiatric illnesses  offends vary, we identify three categories of people with mental illness who engage in violence.

The first is the very small group of people with a serious mental illness, typically schizophrenia, who act violently as a direct result of symptoms of mental illness.

For these people, their illness leads to irrational thinking and beliefs that can increase the likelihood of them behaving violently. A person may develop delusional beliefs they are being targeted or their lives are in danger if they do not act violently against perceived enemies.

For these people, if they did not have the particular symptoms of mental illness, they would not offend.

People in this category may be found not guilty by reason of mental impairment. They are then typically held in secure hospitals or prisons where they are treated and eventually released, when they are no longer found to be a risk to others.

The second category is much larger, and more varied. For this group, people do not offend because of their mental illnesses, per se, but due to the related individual and social issues that may accompany mental illness.

People with some forms of mental illness may be more likely to engage in substance misuse, for example, which may, in turn, contribute to offending.

Many of the negative social factors associated with serious forms of mental illness overlap with the negative social factors that increase the probability of being violent.

People with serious forms of mental illness who have backgrounds characterised by social and family disruption and disadvantage together with abuse, behavioural disturbances, substance use and educational failure and disengagement are significantly more likely to offend than people with mental illnesses who do not have such disturbances in their backgrounds.

Of course, most people with a psychotic illness do not come from such disadvantaged backgrounds.

Research and clinical experience also show factors related to offending within this group are similar to those who do not have mental illness. In addition to substance abuse, this can include violent attitudes, exposure to trauma and violence, association with people who are antisocial, and poor family and professional support.

The final group of people with mental illness who offend do so irrespective of their mental illness. People in this group are typically characterised by early onset antisocial and illegal behaviour.

They differ from other offenders with mental illness by having a pervasive and stable pattern of offending regardless of their mental state. This behaviour almost always precedes the onset of mental illness.

While people with a psychopathic or antisocial personality disorder will be included in this group, not all of the people in the group will have such a personality disorder.

Its not the mental illness per se that causes people to be violent. Rather, its symptoms of the illnesses and related factors.

There is good evidence therefore that providing psychiatric and psychological care can help manage symptoms of mental illness and reduce the likelihood of violence.

Its also important to address the broader factors that are related to offending and violence among people who are mentally ill.

Unfortunately, partly as a result of the pressures on mental health services, staff have few resources to help address the array of factors that can lead to one behaving violently. Continued investment and education are required to boost the services and address the factors that lead to violence among people with mental illness.

While we have made some progress in the recognition that mental illness affects a large percentage of the population, individual acts of violence committed by someone with mental illness must not lead us to jump to conclusions that all people with mental illness are violent.

James Ogloff is a University Distinguished Professor of Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne University of Technology.This article featured on The Conversation, a news analysis and comment website written by academic experts.
Israelis awaited word on how prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu would respond to Iran's first-ever direct attack as international pressure for restraint grew amid fears of an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

Netanyahu on Monday summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh a response to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack, a government source said.

Military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said Israel would respond. He provided no details.

"This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response," he said at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, which sustained some damage in Saturday night's attack.

The prospect of Israeli retaliation has alarmed many Iranians already enduring economic pain and tighter social and political controls since protests in 2022-23.

Iran launched the attack in retaliation for what it says was an April 1 Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus, and signalled that it does not seek further escalation.

While the attack caused no deaths and limited damage, it has increased fears of open warfare between the long-time foes and fuelled concerns that violence rooted in the Gaza war is spreading.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, June 25, 2023.Picture: Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP, File

US president Joe Biden told Netanyahu at the weekend that the United States, which helped Israel blunt the Iranian attack, will not participate in an Israeli counter-strike.

Since the war in Gaza began in October, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq. Israel said four of its soldiers were wounded hundreds of meters inside Lebanese territory overnight.

It appeared to be the first such known incident since the Gaza war erupted, although there have been several exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon's armed group Hezbollah.

"We're on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it," Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign affairs chief, told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. "We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear."

French president Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron made similar appeals. Washington and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also have called for restraint.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined on Monday to say if Biden urged Netanyahu in talks on Saturday night to exercise restraint in responding to Iran.

"We don't want to see a war with Iran. We don't want to see a regional conflict," Kirby told a briefing, adding that it was for Israel to decide "whether and how they'll respond."

Israeli protesters hold placards and block a road during an anti-government demonstration calling for the return of the hostages held in Gaza and against the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his government on March 23, 2024, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Picture: Itai Ron / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP

US defense secretary Lloyd Austin, in calls on Monday with counterparts in the Middle East and Europe, said "while the United States does not seek escalation, we will continue to defend Israel and US personnel," the Pentagon said.

Russia has refrained from publicly criticising its ally Iran but has also urged restraint.

"Further escalation is in no one's interests," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

China said it believed Iran could "handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil" while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a phone call on Monday that China also appreciated Iran's emphasis on not targeting regional and neighbouring countries, according to the official Xinhua news agency on Tuesday.

Iran mounted its attack after the April 1 killing in Damascus of seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers, including two senior commanders. Israel neither confirmed nor denied carrying out the strike.

G7 MULLS IRAN SANCTIONS

An Israeli soldier attaches an Israeli flag on top of an armoured personnel carriers (APC) near Israel's border with Gaza, in southern Israel, Monday, April 15, 2024. Picture: AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg

Iran's retaliatory attack, involving more than 300 missiles and drones, caused modest damage in Israel and wounded a 7-year-old girl. Most were shot down by Israel's Iron Dome defence system and with help from the US, Britain, France and Jordan.

In Gaza itself, where more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive according to Gaza health ministry figures, Iran's action drew applause.

Israel began its campaign against Hamas after the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages by Israeli tallies.

British prime minister Rishi Sunak said the Group of Seven major democracies were working on a package of coordinated measures against Iran.

"I spoke to my fellow G7 leaders, we are united in our condemnation of this attack," Sunak said in parliament.

Italy, which holds the rotating G7 presidency, said it was open to new sanctions and suggested any new measures would target individuals. In an interview with Reuters, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said all G7 members would have to back new sanctions.

Iran's attack has disrupted travel, with at least a dozen airlines cancelling or rerouting flights, and Europe's aviation regulator reaffirming advice that airlines use caution in Israeli and Iranian airspace.
Germanys Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Chinese leader Xi Jinping who hosted him in Beijing on Tuesday that Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine threatens global security.

It was an apparent call for China to apply greater pressure on its neighbour and close strategic partner to resolve the conflict.

Mr Scholz also told Mr Xi at their meeting that the use of nuclear weapons in the two-year-old war should not even be threatened, German media reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned last month that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or independence is threatened, his latest such threat since invading Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, visits German company Covestros Asia-Pacific Innovation Centre in Shanghai (Fang Zhe/Xinhua via AP)

Mr Scholz told Mr Xi that Germanys core interests were impacted by the war against Ukraine, which has threatened to spread into a regional conflict and has disrupted energy and global food supplies and other trade.

Russias actions violate a principle of the United Nations Charter and the principle of the inviolability of national borders, Mr Scholz was quoted as saying by German media.

China has refused to criticise the invasion and has maintained ties with Russia. While China says it is not sending military aid to Moscow, it has provided it with an economic lifeline to help it cope with sanctions from the West.

Beijing has also been urging peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, offering a proposal that says nothing about the settlement of the key territorial disputes between them and which has received a tepid response from the two countries or the international community.

Despite that, China continues to insist that the United Nations Charter should prevail in international affairs and that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations be respected, in apparent contradiction with Russias military agenda.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz learns about a Sino-German co-operative scientific research project on water monitoring in Jiangbeizui, southwest Chinas Chongqing Municipality (Huang Wei/Xinhua via AP)

Chinas official Xinhua News Agency quoted Mr Xi as saying the two leaders discussed Ukraine among other issues.

China encourages and supports all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis, and supports the timely convening of an international peace conference recognised by Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation by all parties, and fair discussion of all peace options, Mr Xi said.

China is willing to maintain co-operation with all relevant parties, including Germany, in this regard, Mr Xi was quoted as saying.

Mr Scholz on Monday called for fair competition in trade relations while warning about dumping and overproduction during a talk to college students in the financial hub of Shanghai, where German companies have major investments.

His visit has underscored trade-related tensions as the European Union and other nations complain that China is competing unfairly through the use of tariffs, intellectual property theft and political interference.

The European Union is mulling tariffs to protect its producers against cheaper Chinese electrical vehicle imports, which some fear will flood the European market.

Mr Scholz began his three-day China trip on Sunday in the industrial hub of Chongqing, where he and his delegation of ministers and business executives visited a partially German-funded company and other sites in the vast city, which is a production base for Chinas auto and other industries.

Mr Scholz was due to meet Premier Li Qiang later Tuesday in Beijing before returning to Berlin in the late evening.

Along with Russia, China is one of five permanent veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council, and a US intelligence report last week found Beijing has increased equipment sales to Moscow to indirectly boost its war effort against Ukraine.

Berlin is also worried about a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a self-ruled island 130 kilometres (80 miles) off Chinas coast that Beijing claims as its own.

Mr Scholz told students in Shanghai that borders must not be moved by force.

We should not be afraid of our neighbours, he said, emphasising the importance of international institutions such as the World Trade Organisation.

Despite the political and trade frictions, China was Germanys top trading partner for the eighth straight year in 2023, with 254.1 billion in goods and services exchanged between the sides, slightly more than what Germany traded with the US but a 15.5% contraction from the year before.

This is Mr Scholzs second trip to China since he became chancellor in late 2021.

It is his first visit since the German government last year presented its China strategy, which met with criticism from Beijing. Premier Li and a delegation of senior officials visited Berlin in June.
More potential jurors have been dismissed from Donald Trumps hush money case as lawyers worked for a second day to find a panel of New Yorkers to decide whether the Republican will become the first former US president convicted of a crime.

The first day of the historic trial in Manhattan ended on Monday with no-one yet chosen to be on the panel of 12 jurors and six alternates.

In short order on Tuesday morning, several others were excused after saying they could not be impartial or because they had other commitments.

Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Curtis Means/DailyMail.com via AP, Pool)

Dozens of potential jurors have yet to be questioned.

It is the first of Trumps four criminal cases to go to trial and may be the only one that could reach a verdict before voters decide in November whether the presumptive Republican presidential nominee should return to the White House.

The trial puts Trumps legal problems at the centre of the closely contested race against President Joe Biden.

Trump paints himself as the victim of a politically motivated justice system working to deprive him of another term.

It also presents a major test for the criminal justice system because the allegations are being viewed through a partisan lens, and Trumps attacks on prosecutors and the judge threaten to undermine the publics faith in the courts.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged effort to keep salacious  and, he says, bogus  stories about his sex life from emerging during his 2016 campaign.

Trump arrived at court just before 9am, giving a quick wave to reporters as he headed inside.

Donald Trump speaks before entering the courtroom at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Mary Altaffer/AP)

Before entering the courtroom, Trump stopped briefly to address a TV camera in the hallway, repeating his claim that the judge is biased against him and the case is politically motivated.

This is a trial that should have never been brought, Trump said.

After he went inside, reporters saw him wink at one of the court officers and mouth How are you? while he walked down the aisle.

Trump then took his seat at the defence table with his lawyers.

One woman in the jury pool was let go after previously notifying the judge during Mondays questioning that she had a trip planned around Memorial Day.

A man was excused after saying he could not be impartial.

Another man, who works at an accounting firm, was dismissed after saying he feared his ability to be impartial could be compromised by unconscious bias from growing up in Texas and working in the finance world with people who intellectually tend to slant Republican.

Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings at Manhattan Criminal Court (Justin Lane/Pool Photo via AP)

After another juror said she would be unable to serve impartially, Trump twisted in his chair, looking in the direction of the box.

Through the first few minutes of the day, he appeared generally attentive, jotting down notes and raising sheets of paper to his face as jurors rattled off answers to a lengthy questionnaire.

Trump broke into a grin, nodding his head in an exaggerated manner, when another person said he had read two of the former presidents books, The Art Of The Deal and How To Get Rich.

The man, who said some of his wifes family members are lobbyists for the Republican Party, said he did not think there was anything that would prevent him from looking at the case fairly.

I feel that no-ones above the law, he said.

The charges centre on 130,000 dollars (104,400) in payments that Trumps company made to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen.

He paid that sum on Trumps behalf to keep adult film actor Stormy Daniels from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier.

Trump has denied the sexual encounter ever happened.

Members of the media gather outside Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

Prosecutors say the payments to Mr Cohen were falsely logged as legal fees.

Prosecutors have described it as part of a scheme to bury damaging stories Trump feared could help his opponent in the 2016 race, particularly as Trumps reputation was suffering at the time from comments he had made about women.

Trump has acknowledged reimbursing Mr Cohen for the payment and that it was designed to stop Ms Daniels from going public about the alleged encounter.

But Trump has previously said it had nothing to do with the campaign.

I was paying a lawyer and marked it down as a legal expense, he said.

Thats exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that? I should be right now in Pennsylvania, in Florida, in many other states  North Carolina, Georgia  campaigning, Trump told reporters on Tuesday.

Jury selection could take several more days  or even weeks  in the heavily Democratic city where Trump grew up and catapulted to celebrity status decades before winning the White House.

Only about a third of the 96 people in the first panel of potential jurors brought into the courtroom on Monday remained after the judge excused some members.

Donald Trump arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

More than half of the group was excused after telling the judge they could not be fair and impartial, and several others were dismissed for other reasons that were not disclosed.

Another group of more than 100 potential jurors sent to the courthouse on Monday has not yet been brought into the courtroom for questioning.

In court papers filed on Tuesday, prosecutors urged the judge to fine Trump 3,000 dollars (2,410) over social media posts they say violated a gag order limiting what he can say publicly about witnesses.

In the posts, Trump called Mr Cohen and Ms Daniels two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly!

Prosecutors wrote that the judge should admonish Trump to comply with the gag order and warn him that further violations could be punished not only with additional fines but also jail time.

If convicted of falsifying business records, Trump faces up to four years in prison, though there is no guarantee he will get time behind bars.

Trumps cases involving allegations of election interference and hoarding classified documents could lead to lengthy prison sentences, but those cases are tied up with appeals or other issues that make it increasingly unlikely they will be decided before the election.

And if Trump wins in November, he could presumably order a new attorney general to dismiss his federal cases.
It is a moment in history  the first US president facing criminal charges in an American courtroom. Yet only a handful of observers are able to see or even hear what is going on.

Instead, most of the US is getting news of former president Donald Trumps hush money trial secondhand. Starting with preliminary motions and jury selection on Monday, reporters in a Manhattan courtroom must convey what is being said to the outside world after the fact.

That is all because New York state law regarding media coverage of court proceedings is one of the most restrictive in the country. Last weeks death of OJ Simpson, whose murder trial beamed live from a California courtroom captivated a nation three decades ago, was a telling reminder of how New York is behind the times  or, at least, a holdout.

 Why wont New York let me see it?

Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Curtis Means/DailyMail.com via AP, Pool)

Regulations limiting media coverage in courtrooms date back nearly a century, when the spectacle of bright flashbulbs and camera operators standing on witness tables during the 1935 trial of the man accused of kidnapping and killing Charles Lindberghs baby son horrified the legal community, according to a 2022 report by the New York-based Fund for Modern Courts.

Rules to enforce decorum spread nationally, amended to account for the invention of television, as defence lawyers worried that video coverage would harm their cases, the report said.

Yet an interest in open government chipped away at these laws and  slowly, carefully  video cameras began to be permitted in courts across the country, often at the discretion of judges presiding in individual cases.

New York allowed them, too, on an experimental basis between 1987 and 1997, but they were shut down. Lobbyists for defence lawyers remain strong in New York and hold particular sway among lawyers in the state assembly, said Victor Kovner, a former New York City corporation counsel who advocates for open courtrooms.

New York and Louisiana are the only states remaining that completely restrict video coverage, the Fund for Modern Courts said.

Donald Trump talks to reporters as he arrives for the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court (Mark Peterson/Pool Photo via AP)

To Mr Kovner and others, that is outrageous.

Were the media capital of the world, we like to think, and the fact that cameras arent permitted in one of our three branches of government is unacceptable, said New York state senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who has sponsored a Bill to try to change that.

Its one of the most consequential trials of our modern age, the senator said. I think the public has a right to see exactly what happens in that courtroom.

On the trials first day, some reporters suggested that it appeared there were times that Trump drifted off to sleep while watching the proceedings. The former presidents campaign disputed that. With no video camera in place and trained on him, there is no way of knowing for sure.

 Wait  I saw a picture of Trump in court at the trials start

In this courtroom sketch, former US president Donald Trump sits beside his lawyer Todd Blanche in Manhattan Criminal Court (Christine Cornell via AP Pool)

That is because the presiding judge, Juan M Merchan, permitted a handful of still photographers to shoot photos of Trump before the days proceedings started. Once court was called into session, courtroom sketch artists  a dying communications form  hold sway.

There is actually some video coverage of the trial, available on monitors in an overflow room adjacent to the main courtroom. It was packed on Monday with reporters, court officers and a few members of the public, including Ron Sinibaldi, a former accountant from Long Island who lined up outside the courthouse before midnight for a seat.

I read presidential biographies, Mr Sinibaldi said. I go to presidential libraries. Im here for the history.

 How can those involved get around the restrictions?

Members of the media gather outside Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

In a hallway outside the courtroom, a limited number of cameras and a small pool of reporters are positioned to capture remarks of anyone involved in the trial who want to address the outside world. That included Trump, even before the proceedings started.

In the absence of live coverage of the trial, how often the former president chooses to take advantage of those cameras and whether news organisations carry his remarks either live, taped or not at all will play a big role in how the case is perceived publicly.

MSNBC carried his remarks live on Monday morning. Theyre trying to grab the narrative regardless of the outcome, CNN reporter Phil Mattingly said of the Trump defence team.

 How are journalists covering the trial handling it?

With some difficulty. CNN stationed a team on the streets of Manhattan outside the courtroom, where a truck festooned with pro-Trump flags frequently drove by, blaring horns and music from loudspeakers. Reporters sometimes struggled to be heard. It is kind of a circus down here, CNNs Kaitlan Collins said.

Commentators and experts, many of them with experience in jury selection, offered opinions from outside the courtroom or from studios. Fox News analyst Jonathan Turley said most cities, at least those outside of New York, will see the case as a weaponisation of criminal justice.

With estimates that jury selection could take two weeks, and no way of showing it, journalists will have a lot of time to fill unless they turn their attention elsewhere.

 Will other Trump cases be televised?

Donald Trump, second from left, arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

Georgia, where Trump faces charges of election meddling, gives judges discretion over whether to allow television cameras. Superior Court of Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee has said he will make all hearings and trials in that case available for broadcast. That has already included hearings on whether Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis would be allowed to argue the case.

Federal courts do not allow cameras in criminal cases. Trump is facing separate federal cases for election interference and mishandling classified documents, although it is not clear when, or if, trials will take place.

The feds offer one glimmer of hope: The US Supreme Court permits audio of oral arguments to be broadcast outside of the courtroom. But there is no indication that this would apply to Trumps case. New Yorks law does not allow audio coverage of his hush money trial.

Proponents of legislation to open up New York courts to electronic media coverage are hoping the attention paid to the Trump case may boost their proposals. The idea is being considered as part of current negotiations over the New York state budget so, theoretically, a new law could even affect the Trump trial if it is passed and goes into effect immediately.

Given New York states history, it is best not to count on it.
A fire has swept through one of Copenhagens oldest buildings, destroying about half of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange and collapsing its famous dragon-tail spire, as passers-by rushed to help emergency services save priceless paintings and other valuables.

The blaze broke out on the buildings roof during renovations, but police said it was too early to pinpoint the cause.

The red brick building, with its green copper roof and distinctive 56-metre (184ft) spire in the shape of four intertwined dragon tails, is a major tourist attraction next to Denmarks parliament, Christiansborg Palace, in the heart of the capital.

Bells tolled and sirens sounded as fire engulfed the spire and sent it crashing on to the building, which was shrouded by scaffolding.

Huge billows of smoke rose over central Copenhagen and could be seen from southern Sweden, which is separated from the Danish capital by a narrow waterway.

A piece of Danish history is on fire, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wrote on Instagram, saying that it hurt to see the loss of such irreplaceable cultural heritage.

Ambulances were at the scene but there were no reports of casualties.

Firefighters, who reportedly pumped water from a nearby canal, sprayed water through the doorway of the Old Stock Exchanges gilded hall that is used for gala dinners, conferences and other events and where many paintings were on display.

Danish culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said it was touching to see how many people lent their hand to save art treasures and iconic images from the burning building.

One man jumped off his bicycle to help soon after the fire broke out, and members of the public helped first responders to carry huge works of art to safety.

Among the pieces that had been on display in the building was a huge painting completed in 1895 by Danish artist PS Kroyer called From Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

Historical paintings are carried out of the burning building as the Stock Exchange burns in Copenhagen (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

No information has been released about which works of art were saved from the blaze, although video footage appeared to show the Kroyer painting being removed.

Brian Mikkelsen, chief of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, which has its headquarters in the Old Stock Exchange and owns the building, was seen with his staff scrolling through a binder of photos of paintings to be saved.

Works were carried to the nearby parliament and national archive building.

Rescuers used crowbars and other tools to remove valuables and save them from the fire, Mr Mikkelsen said.

We have been able to rescue a lot, a visibly moved Mr Mikkelsen told reporters.

It is a national disaster.

Jakob Vedsted Andersen, a Greater Copenhagen Fire Department spokesman, said the fire began on the roof on Tuesday morning and quickly spread, collapsing parts of the roof and destroying about half of the building.

He said no other buildings were at risk but that it could take firefighters 24 hours to secure the scene.

Fire rages from the dragon spire of the Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

Tim Ole Simonsen, another fire department spokesman, said the fire started in the part of the building where work has been going on, but thats all I can say about it.

Rene Hansen, of the coppersmith company that was renovating the roof, told broadcaster TV2 it had 10 people on the roof when the fire alarm went off.

After five minutes, smoke began to rise from the floor to the ceiling, Hansen said.

Tommy Laursen, of the Copenhagen police, said it was too early to say what caused the fire and that officers would be able to enter the building in a few days.

Up to 90 members of an army unit were deployed to cordon off the area and secure valuables, Denmarks armed forces said.

King Frederik wrote on Instagram that an important part of our architectural heritage was being destroyed.

This morning we woke up to a sad sight, he wrote.

The exchange was built in 1615 and is considered a leading example of Dutch Renaissance style in Denmark.

This photo combo shows from top left the progress of the spire collapsing as fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen (Ida Marie Odgaard, Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

The Chamber of Commerce moved into the building after Copenhagens stock exchange left in 1974.

The roof, masonry, sandstone and spire were being renovated, and Mr Mikkelsen said there had been plans for the royal family, government officials and other dignitaries to review the work later this year.

That wont happen now, he said.

The future of the structure was unclear, but Mr Engel-Schmidt wrote on the social platform X that he would do everything he could so that the dragon spire will once again tower over Copenhagen, describing it as a symbol of Denmarks strong history as a trading nation.

The adjacent Christiansborg Palace has burned down several times, and in 1990 a fire broke out in an annex of the Danish parliament, known as Proviantgaarden, but the Old Stock Exchange was unscathed.

Police closed a main road in Copenhagen and warned on X that the public should expect the area to be cordoned off for some time.

Several bus lines were rerouted and Danish media reported huge traffic jams.

Queen Margrethe, who turned 84 on Tuesday, toned down the celebrations because of the fire, broadcaster TV2 said.

Smoke rises from the Stock Exchange in Copenhagen (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

A band with the Royal Life Guard had been scheduled to play for the former monarch outside the Fredensborg Castle, where she is staying for the spring and summer, but that was cancelled.

The fire in Copenhagen was reminiscent of an April 2019 blaze at Notre Dame.

The 800-year-old cathedral in Paris also lost its spire.

Its restoration is slated for completion this year.

In November 1992, soldiers and workers scrambled to save priceless works of art when Windsor Castle in England was consumed in flames.

That fire destroyed the state dining room and other parts of Queen Elizabeth IIs weekend home.
(Photo : Unsplash/ Meric Dagl)

Relativity Space, a company using 3D printing to build its launch vehicles, has secured an $8.7 million contract with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for real-time flaw detection exploration in additive manufacturing.

The Ribbon-Cutting of A New Additive Facility

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 9, 2022, marking the reopening of its renovated Additive Manufacturing Laboratory and installing a new 3D printing system for aerospace-grade materials.

RX, AFRL's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate organized a tour of its Computed Tomography Laboratory to highlight recent infrastructure upgrades and the introduction of a new Computed Tomography machine and suite. These machines are capable of non-destructive testing, allowing for the detection and measurement of internal geometry, defects, manufacturing errors, and failure modes in materials produced by additive manufacturing.

AFRL allocated approximately $6 million in Flex-4 funding to finance the renovations. Flex-4 funds from the Department of Defense facilitate unique capabilities in research labs. Upgrading the two lab spaces and adding new machines will help AFRL cut costs, speed up research, enhance worker safety, boost efficiency, and maintain material integrity.

In the past, replacing aging aerospace parts has been costly and challenging. Still, if material quality can be ensured, additive manufacturing can save time and money by meeting the demand for replacement parts.

Relativity Space's Real-Time Flaw Detection

Real-time flaw detection in 3D printing involves spotting defects as parts are being printed. This is crucial because additive manufacturing builds objects by stacking thin layers of material, increasing the chances of imperfections with each layer.

AFRL's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, provided the two-year research contract, which will take place at Relativity's factory in Long Beach, California, utilizing the company's Stargate 3D printing platform, renowned for its ability to print large-scale metal objects. Adam Hicks, a physicist at AFRL's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, mentioned to SpaceNews that the collaboration with Relativity Space is a response to a congressional demand signal.

READ ALSO: FAA Imposes Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing for Foreign Aircraft-Repair Shop Workers, Affecting 65 Countries

A Legislative Mandate

In the National Defense Authorization Act, Congress directed the Defense Department to examine how additive manufacturing could speed up the production of aerospace components and vehicles. Lawmakers also required the DoD to create a network of domestic suppliers to assess these technologies.

Hicks mentioned that AFRL will collaborate with Relativity on real-time flaw detection in large-format additive manufacturing to investigate different in-situ process monitoring and post-build non-destructive evaluation techniques, as well as advanced robotics, automation, and digital enterprise tools.

Nondestructive evaluation techniques check the quality and integrity of the final product by inspecting the structure of a part without causing damage. Relativity Space will create and validate a real-time flaw detection system to identify, locate, and categorize defects as printing occurs. Data will be consolidated to establish a complete digital thread.

Aerospace's Digital Thread

A digital thread serves as the central nervous system for the entire lifecycle of a platform like an aircraft, spanning from design through disposal. According to aerospace engineering, it is formed by data that connects different stages of the aircraft's existence.

Relativity Space is among the pioneering companies utilizing additive manufacturing in aerospace, which offers benefits such as shorter lead times, greater design flexibility, and lighter parts.

RELATED ARTICLE: Boeing Fatal Crashes Make Headlines, Prompting Broader Investigation into "Inadequate and Confusing" Safety Culture

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/Gab Audiovisuel)

Two Democratic senators from steel-producing states, in a challenging re-election battle, are calling on President Joe Biden to take further action to block Japan's Nippon Steel Corp's proposed acquisition of United States Steel Corp.

US Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio stated they are pressing the White House on national security and trade enforcement issues regarding the acquisition, emphasizing its implications for American workers and jobs on Bloomberg Television.

President Biden's Public Opposition on The Merger

Despite President Biden's public opposition and stance that the company should be US-owned, United States Steel shareholders voted in favor of Nippon Steel's $14.1 billion takeover offer.

READ ALSO: Nippon Steel Under Serious Scrutiny, Declares No Layoffs, Plant Closures Amid $14.9B Acquisition Deal

The Biden administration is subjecting the deal to a national security review, a confidential process usually reserved for transactions involving adversarial nations rather than allies like Japan, which could be contested in court by the Committee on Foreign Investment.

While the US Department of Justice has initiated an expanded antitrust investigation into the takeover, introducing further obstacles to finalizing the deal, the companies are contemplating postponing the anticipated timeline.

In a statement titled "Nippon Steel Shows its True Colors," issued on Wednesday, the Steelworkers argued that if Nippon were to acquire US Steel, it would prioritize the Japanese market over the US market, potentially harming American workers.

Senator Sherrod Brown's Merger Opposition

Brown's Senate race is viewed as one of the most fiercely contested this November, which is crucial to win industrial workers over as his re-election prospects. However, despite the steelworkers union's preference for the Ohio-based Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. mining company to make the acquisition, US Steel went against their request.

Senator Bob Casey's Merger Opposition

Democratic US Senator Bob Casey, facing a competitive re-election in Pennsylvania, where US Steel is headquartered, also champions the cause.

During an interview with Bloomberg Television, Casey expressed his main concern about steelworker jobs, citing significant worries about the deal's threat to these jobs. Casey mentioned that he is contacting the White House to inquire about how the disagreement over the acquisition was addressed in Biden's discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his recent state visit.

News Conference with Kishida

During a joint news conference, Biden reaffirmed his opposition to support the United Steelworkers Union, while Kishida expressed optimism that they would result in favorable outcomes for both sides.

The leaders released a joint statement reaffirming their alliance and introducing new defense, technology, and climate initiatives. Bolstering their relationship is essential to offsetting China's influence in the Asia Pacific region.

Nippon Steel's Future Commitment

Nippon Steel agreed to purchase the US Steel at a considerable premium in December last year, asserting that the deal would enhance the US steel industry's competitiveness.

Donald Trump, the presumed Republican presidential nominee, has stated that if elected, he would attempt to prevent the deal.

RELATED ARTICLE: Biden Backing Up Steelworkers Amid Nippon Steel's Scrutiny, Raises Worries Over Regulatory Bureaucracy

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  American humorist and, oddly, horror author, Ambrose Bierce (d. 1913), produced a serial, staccato newspaper column consisting of humorous and sardonic definitions of words, which he later published as a book, The Devils Dictionary. (He initially had to entitle it The Cynics Wordbook, which doesnt have the same ring, because his pious editors wanted to avoid referring to Mephistopheles.)

Bierce often tweaked the white nationalist Establishment. For instance, consider this entry:

ABORIGINIES, n. Persons of little worth found cumbering the soil of a newly discovered country. They soon cease to cumber; they fertilize.

A more concise summation of the genocidal character of white settler colonialism would be hard to discover.

And I rather like this one, skewering pretensions of impartiality:

ABSURDITY, n. A statement or belief manifestly inconsistent with ones own opinion.

My homage to Bierce at Informed Comment has been The Ghouls Glossary. I did mine as contextual, political satire, and some of the bons mots have faded. But there are a few Id keep for a book. For instance, this one from 2008:

Zionism: The theory that because Nazis hated Jews, the latter would be much better off all gathered together on disputed land in the midst of 300 million Arabs and Iranians.

Or this:

Palestinians: Dispossessed, displaced and stateless persons who are ungrateful for their condition and therefore vaguely dangerous.

Or speaking of the American attempt to pivot away from the Middle East after causing a spot of bother earlier in the century:

Withdrawal: A way to avoid the worst consequences of a moment of pleasurable conquest, which, however, often comes too late to avoid years of support payments.

I bring all this up because the intrepid Jeremy Scahill and Ryan Grim at The Intercept have sprung the style guide of the New York Times for talking about Israel and Palestine. If it werent so serious, it would be hilarious. It is sort of a Devils Dictionary in reverse, which punches down rather than up. It more resembles Bierces forays into horror fiction.

Al Jazeera English Video: Mass grave found in Gaza: Bodies found in grounds of al-Shifa hospital

So I thought Id rearrange their fine column as a supplement to the Ghouls Glossary.

CARNAGE: When Israelis kill Palestinians this word should be avoided since it conveys more emotion than information. May be used when Palestinians kill Israelis. Example: One Israeli said that being high on LSD during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7 prompted a spiritual revelation that helped him escape the carnage at a desert rave. NYT, April 12, 2024. May also be used of peoples not under the Palestine Exception. E.g.: As the war continues with no end in sight, Ukraines youngest are in increasing peril, at risk of being dragged toward the carnage of ground combat as they defend their homeland. NYT, April 11, 2024.

DEADLY VIOLENCE: When Israeli settlers kill innocent Palestinian civilians. E.g.: Deadly violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank has also reached record levels, NYT, Feb. 21, 2024. Contrast to TERRORISM, when Palestinians kill Israeli civilians.

ETHNIC CLEANSING: Large scale removal of a people other than the Palestinians from their homeland. With regard to Palestine (oops, see PALESTINE), it is another historically charged term: If someone is making such an accusation, we should press for specifics or supply proper context. May be used for other peoples not under the Palestine Exception. E.g.: Another Ethnic Cleansing Could Be Underway  and Were Not Paying Attention: Azerbaijan is blockading the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, and people are dying. NYT, Sept. 2, 2023.

FIGHTERS. This term ordinarily refers to those who fight, but cannot be used of Palestinians lest it imply that they are regular soldiers with a state and an army, which they are not and never will be allowed to have. It may be used of non-Palestinian irregulars who are favored by the US government, and who do not fall under the Palestine Exception. E.g. The fighters who have claimed responsibility for a rare assault just over the Ukrainian border in Russias Belgorod region are members of a volunteer unit made up of Russian citizens who have been fighting with Ukraines forces against their own country. NYT, May 25, 2023. Note: Russian renegades who attack Russian targets in Russia from Ukraine are never to be referred to as TERRORISTs, since they are not Palestinian.

GENOCIDE: This is something that is definitely not being committed by Israel in Gaza, though it may be reported that some judges expert in international law make the mystifying charge that Israelis would ever do such a thing. Their charges should be explained away as a form of incomprehensible legal jargon not applicable to the real world. The term may, however, be used of peoples other than the Palestinians, who are not under the Palestine Exception. E.g., re: Rwanda, one of the last fugitives charged in connection with the 1994 genocide. NYT, June 7, 2023.

MASSACRE: When Israelis kill Palestinians this term should be avoided since it conveys more emotion than information. It may, however, be used when Palestinians kill Israelis. . Example: Its a Massacre: Inside an Israeli Village Raided by Palestinian Fighters. NYT Oct. 10, 2023.

PALESTINE: A word not to be used except in very rare cases. No such place has ever existed nor does it now. Do not use in datelines, routine text or headlines, except in very rare cases such as when the United Nations General Assembly elevated Palestine to a nonmember observer state, or references to historic Palestine. That is, other benighted organizations may use the word, but not the NYT in its own voice.

OCCUPIED TERRITORIES: Ordinarily this phrase refers to territories seized in war from another people, which are militarily controlled. However, because of the Palestine Exception, it should not be used of the situation in Palestine (oops, S.V. PALESTINE) When possible, avoid the term and be specific (e.g. Gaza, the West Bank, etc.) as each has a slightly different status. The term may be used of other occupied territories [which of course actually all have the same status under the 1949 Geneva Convention] E.g.  the United States might establish what amounts to a military base in Ukraine or encourage Ukraine to retake the Russian-occupied areas of the Donbass by military force. NYT, Nov. 24, 2021.

REFUGEE CAMPS: A term be avoided in favor of refugee centers. While termed refugee camps, the refugee centers in Gaza are developed and densely populated neighborhoods dating to the 1948 war. Refer to them as neighborhoods, or areas, and if further context is necessary, explain how they have historically been called refugee camps. The term may, however, be used for densely-populated, decades-old places for non-Palestinians such as Afghans, who are not under the Palestine Exception. E.g.: Sarwar selling watches in a camp for Afghan refugees in Karachi. NYT, Nov. 24, 2023.

SLAUGHTER: When Israelis kill Palestinians it should be avoided since it conveys more emotion than information. May be used when Palestinians kill Israelis. Example: Thomas Friedman: Israels response to the Hamas slaughter. NYT, October 29, 2023.

TERRORISM: When Palestinian guerrillas kill Israeli civilians. E.G. It is accurate to use terrorism and terrorist in describing the attacks of Oct. 7, which included the deliberate targeting of civilians in killings and kidnappings. When Israeli settlers kill Palestinians, the term of art is in contrast deadly violence. E.g.: Deadly violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank has also reached record levels, NYT, Feb. 21, 2024.
Committee on Academic Freedom | Middle East Studies Association | 

Minouche Shafik

President, Columbia University

officeofthepresident@columbia.edu

Dennis Mitchell

Provost, Columbia University

dml48@cumc.columbia.edu . . .

Dear President Shafik and colleagues:

We write on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) and its Committee on Academic Freedom to express our alarm at Columbia Universitys harsh and ill-advised response to a student-organized event that took place on 24 March 2024. Your administrations excessive actions manifest a distressing disregard for your students right to free speech and for the principles of academic freedom.

MESA was founded in 1966 to promote scholarship and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa. The preeminent organization in the field, the Association publishes the prestigious International Journal of Middle East Studies and has nearly 2,800 members worldwide. MESA is committed to ensuring academic freedom and freedom of expression, both within the region and in connection with the study of the region in North America and outside of North America.

On 3 April 2024 Columbia University suspended four students and ordered them evicted from university housing within twenty-four hours as a consequence of their alleged involvement in a 24 March 2024 event titled  Resistance 101 . In a statement issued on 5 April 2024 President Shafik justified the suspensions by claiming that the university had twice barred the event from taking place on campus and that it had featured speakers known to support terrorism and promote violence. We note that President Shafiks statement offered no evidence that the event actually featured such speakers, nor did it specify which university policies the students had allegedly violated.

Media reports indicate that the four students ultimately suspended and evicted from campus housing began receiving email messages from the administration on the morning of 2 April 2024 identifying them as an individual involved in organizing, planning, promoting, hosting and/or attending the event in question. The messages demanded that the students contact private investigators working for a firm hired by the university by 5 p.m. that same day to be interviewed in connection with this matter or else face immediate disciplinary action.

It is distressing that Columbia chose to outsource its preliminary investigation of an alleged violation of university policies to a private company whose employees are unlikely to have any experience in dealing with students, may not be knowledgeable about academic standards and may not be adequately respectful of due process or of students right to freedom of expression and to privacy. Requiring your students to subject themselves to such a flawed investigative process constitutes a denial of the rights properly afforded them through commonly accepted disciplinary processes developed and approved by faculty. These include the right to choose an advisor before a disciplinary hearing, the enumeration of the specific charges brought against them, sufficient time to review and respond to charges, and the right to appeal the findings of an investigative and/or disciplinary body. We are aware of reports that other students have been, and continue to be, subjected to this highly irregular investigative and disciplinary process.

Your arbitrary creation of an ad hoc disciplinary procedure in this case thus strikes at the heart of due process. It is all the more distressing that this was done in response to students exercising their right to freedom of speech and assembly in order to express their viewpoints about developments in the Middle East and beyond, thereby not only violating their rights but creating a hostile environment on campus for anyone else contemplating advocacy for a position of which your administration disapproves. Your administrations conduct in this regard comes in the wake of several prior policy changes that have significantly restricted the freedom of speech and assembly, and the academic freedom, of Columbia Universitys students, faculty, and staff.

We have also been informed that several of the students subjected to this investigative and disciplinary process were coerced into surrendering their personal cellphones to employees of this firm, who were also given access to the students university email accounts. This raises serious concerns about potential violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as well as the chilling effect it will have on the use of electronic means of communication to exercise freedom of speech and assembly, whether on campus or outside it. We note too that the suspension and eviction from campus of students without fair and transparent investigative and disciplinary processes, in conformity with commonly accepted standards, not only denies these students the right to reasonable due process but effectively deprives them of both housing and food.

We recognize that Columbias administration is under a great deal of pressure in the run-up to President Shafiks appearance on 17 April 2024 before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. We are concerned that the harsh and arbitrary actions taken against these students may have been intended to demonstrate to the committee that Columbia  presumably in contrast to the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard and MIT, whose presidents testified in December 2023  is cracking down on student activism with regard to Palestinian rights, which Republican members of that committee have opportunistically and tendentiously framed as manifestations of antisemitism and calls for genocide. We echo the sentiments expressed in the 5 April 2024 letter signed by 23 Jewish faculty members at Columbia in which they characterized the real purpose of the hearings as falsely to caricature and demonize universities as supposed hotbeds of woke indoctrination and urged you to resist decades-long bad-faith efforts to undermine universities as sites of learning, critical thinking, and knowledge production.

This countrys institutions of higher education should be places in which all members of the campus community can express their views and seek knowledge freely. In these fraught times university leaders have a heightened responsibility to protect the freedom of speech and academic freedom of all members of the campus community. This is all the more important now, when violence is raging in the Middle East, our own government is so deeply involved in what is happening, and various individuals and organizations with a political agenda are seeking to vilify and silence faculty and students with whom they disagree.

We therefore call on you, as the leadership of Columbia University, to rescind the suspension and eviction from university housing of the four students allegedly involved with the 24 March 2024 event until a fair, open and transparent investigation of this incident can be conducted, in conformity with reasonable disciplinary procedures and the right to due process. We also call on Columbia to refrain from adopting any policy, or taking any measure, which is likely to exert a further chilling effect on teaching, learning and freedom of expression on campus. Finally, we urge Columbia to publicly and forcefully reaffirm its commitment to protecting the free speech rights and academic freedom, as well as the safety and well-being, of all members of the campus community.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Asl U. Bali

MESA President

Professor, Yale Law School

Laurie Brand

Chair, Committee on Academic Freedom

Professor Emerita, University of Southern California
By Javed Ali, University of Michigan | 

For decades, Iran and Israel have been engaged in a shadow war.

Falling short of direct military confrontation, this conflict has been characterized by war through other means  through proxies, cyber attacks, economic sanctions and fiery rhetoric.

Events over the last few weeks in the Middle East have, however, changed the nature of this conflict. First, Israel  it is widely presumed  broke diplomatic norms by bombing an Iranian mission in Syria. The operation, in which 12 individuals were killed  including seven officials from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp Quds Force  ratcheted up the stakes.

It also crossed a new threshold. Never before had that many Quds Force or other Iranian military officials been killed in a single attack by Irans adversaries. Almost immediately, rhetoric from leaders in Tehran indicated Iran would respond swiftly and dramatically.

Then, on April 13, 2024, Iran responded by crossing a line it had, to date, not crossed: launching a direct attack on Israeli soil.

Irans attack against Israel was also qualitatively and quantitatively different than anything Tehran had directly attempted before. Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that it consisted of at least 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 surface-to-surface missiles. The attack was launched from positions in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

In physical terms, the barrage caused little damage. Hagari said that 99% of the projectiles sent by Iran were intercepted by air and missile defenses, and that only one person was injured. For now, it appears that Tehran is content with its own response; the Iranian Mission to the United Nations posted a message on social media following the attack indicating that the operation had concluded.

But as an expert on national security and the Middle East, I believe the Iranian attack was not about inflicting physical damage on Israel. It was more about Iran attempting to restore deterrence with Israel following the Damascus incident and showing strength to its domestic audience. In so doing, Tehrans leaders are also conveying the message that should Israel conduct more aggressive actions against Iranian interests, they are willing to escalate.

Friends, then longtime foes

Iran and Israel have been adversaries virtually since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, when the Shah of Iran fled the country to be replaced by a theocracy. New leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini broke the former regimes ties with Israel and quickly adopted a strident anti-Israel agenda both in words and policy.

In the decades since, Israel and Iran have inflicted harm on the others interests in both the physical and virtual worlds. This has included major terrorist attacks backed by Iran against Israeli interests in Argentina in 1992 and 1994, Tehrans backing of Hezbollahs grinding insurgency against Israel in southern Lebanon, and the major operational support provided to Hamas that in part enabled the attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials have blamed Israel for the killing of senior military officials and scientists related to Irans nuclear program in Iran or elsewhere in the region.

The lack of open acknowledgment by Israel of the killings was to create the illusion of plausible deniability and implant doubt about who was actually responsible.

In recent years, Iran has relied heavily on its axis of resistance  militant groups in Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Gaza that share some of Tehrans goals, notably in regard to countering Israel and weakening U.S. influence in the region. In the monthslong conflict sparked by the Oct. 7 attack, Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq network have repeatedly attacked Israeli and U.S. interests.

A clear message

So what comes next? A lot will depend on how Israel and the U.S. respond.

Officially, U.S. President Joe Biden has stated that in repelling the Iran missiles and drones, Israel had sent a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten [its] security.

But there are reports that Biden has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Israel should take the win and could not rely on the U.S. supporting any offensive operations against Iran.

CBC News Video added by IC: Israel vows retaliation after Iran attack

A number of factors will determine whether Iran and Israel continue to launch more attacks against each other out in the open, or revert to shadow warfare.

These include how each side reads domestic sentiment. Netanyahu is already facing pressure based on his handling of the war in Gaza and previous domestic concerns regarding attempts to influence the Israeli Supreme Court, among other matters.

Likewise, inside Iran, the United Nations reports that two years after major public protests inside the country based on socio-economic conditions, the regime in Iran continues to ruthlessly suppress dissent.

Apart from domestic considerations, both Iran and Israel will also weigh the risks of more open confrontation against their current operational capabilities. Here, it seems clear that neither Iran nor Israel can decisively win a prolonged military campaign against each other.

Israels powerful military certainly has the ability to launch air and missile strikes against Iranian interests in the region, as they have already demonstrated in Syria and Lebanon for many years. And Israel probably could do the same for a short period of time directly into Iran.

But Israel would face major challenges in sustaining a prolonged combined arms campaign in Iran, including the relatively small size of the Israel Defense Forces compared with Irans military, and the physical distance between both countries. Israel has openly conducted military exercises for years that seem more focused on simulating air strikes and perhaps special operations raids against a smaller number of targets inside Iran, like nuclear facilities.

Moreover, launching a new front by directly attacking Iran risks diverting Israeli resources away from more immediate threats in Gaza, the West Bank and its northern border with Lebanon.

Of course, Israel has fought and won wars with its regional adversaries in the past.

But the conflicts Israel fought against its Arab neighbors in 1967 and 1973 took place in a different military age and prior to the development of drone warfare, cyber operations and support to Iranian-backed proxies and partners in Israels immediate neighborhood.

Wary of further escalation

A similar type of campaign against Iran would be unlike anything Israel has faced. Israel would no doubt find it difficult to achieve its objectives without a high-level of support from the United States, and probably Arab countries like Jordan and Egypt. And there is no indication that such backing would be forthcoming.

Iran, too, will be wary of further escalation. Tehran demonstrated on April 13 that it possesses a large  and perhaps growing  inventory of ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles.

However, the accuracy and effectiveness of many of these platforms remains in question  as evidenced by the seeming ease in which most were shot down. The Israeli and U.S. air and missile defense network in the region continues to prove reliable in that regard.

Given the realities and risks, I believe it seems more likely that Iran will seek to revert back to its unconventional warfare strategy of supporting its proxy axis of resistance. Overt attacks, such as the one carried out on April 13, may be reserved for signaling resolve and demonstrating strength to its domestic audience.

The danger is now that war has come out of the shadows, it may be hard to put it back there.

Javed Ali, Associate Professor of Practice of Public Policy, University of Michigan

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE: AG) (TSX: FR) (FSE: FMV) (the "Company" or "First Majestic") announces that total production in the first quarter of 2024 from the Company's three producing mines in Mexico, the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine and the La Encantada Silver Mine, reached 5.2 million silver equivalent ("AgEq") ounces, consisting of 2.0 million silver ounces and 35,936 gold ounces. The Company's financial results for the first quarter of 2024 are scheduled to be released on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Q1 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Record safety performance: In Q1 2024, the consolidated Total Reportable Incident Frequency Rate ("TRIFR") was 0.48 and the Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate ("LTIFR") was 0.08, an improvement of 53% and 79% compared to the prior quarter, respectively. In support of ongoing strong safety performance and culture, the Company's Silver Helmet Award was issued to the La Encantada Silver Mine for exceptional health and safety leadership.

Total Production: The Company produced 5.2 million AgEq ounces consisting of 2.0 million ounces of silver and 35,936 ounces of gold, aligned to its 2024 guidance production plan.

La Encantada: During March, the Company successfully identified and developed a significant new water source and is in the process of increasing water inventory levels and processing rates at the plant. Plant ore throughput rates are expected to return to targeted levels of approximately 3,000 tonnes per day ("tpd") by Q3 2024.

Santa Elena continues strong production: Produced 2.3 million AgEq ounces, on track with the 2024 guidance production plan.

ESG Performance: Received 2023 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment score, which placed First Majestic above the average performance for the Metals & Mining industry.

17 Active Drill Rigs: The Company completed a total of 36,274 metres of drilling across its mines in Mexico during the first quarter, representing an increase of 10% and 15% over Q4 and Q3 2023, respectively. Throughout the quarter, up to seventeen drill rigs were active consisting of eleven rigs at San Dimas, and six rigs at Santa Elena.

"Q1 represented a strong start to 2024 from a safety and production stance, with continued strong production from Santa Elena and an encouraging outlook for La Encantada," said Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO. "I am proud of the safety performance that we are achieving across our operations while delivering on our production plans. Santa Elena continues to exceed our expectations with another quarter of robust production. At La Encantada, our teams have been working diligently on sourcing additional water since June last year, and we are thrilled to have identified a new water source that is expected to put the operation back to budgeted throughput and production rates by Q3."

Production Details Table:

Q1 Q1 Q/Q Q4 Q/Q 2024 2023 Change Consolidated Production Results 2023 Change 588,651 845,868 (30)% Ore processed/tonnes milled 652,731 (10)% 5,162,283 7,627,105 (32)% Total production - Silver equivalent ounces 6,640,550 (22)% 1,975,176 2,543,059 (22)% Silver ounces produced 2,612,416 (24)% 35,936 60,594 (41)% Gold ounces produced 46,585 (23)%

Quarterly Mine-by-Mine Production Table:

Mine Ore

Processed Tonnes

per Day Ag Grade

(g/t) Au Grade

(g/t) Ag

Recovery Au

Recovery Ag Oz Produced Au Oz

Produced AgEq Oz

Produced San Dimas 178,957 1,967 220 2.45 92% 96% 1,163,792 13,543 2,364,875 Santa Elena 224,394 2,466 72 3.16 69% 95% 355,205 21,713 2,280,739 La Encantada 185,298 2,036 123 0.01 62% 90% 456,179 33 459,110 Jerritt Canyon* N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 647 57,559

*Jerritt Canyon was placed on temporary suspension in March 2023, in-circuit recovery efforts performed in Q1 2024 resulted in production of 647 gold ounces.

- Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences.

- The Ag:Au ratio used in the calculation of silver equivalent ounces was 88.7:1

San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine:

San Dimas produced 2,364,875 AgEq ounces during the quarter consisting of 1,163,792 ounces of silver and 13,543 ounces of gold. Silver and gold production decreased by 23% and 27%, respectively, when compared to the prior quarter primarily due to a decrease in ore processed and silver and gold grades. These reductions were caused by the transition into lower grade areas of the Central and Graben blocks. Management anticipates improvement in grades and throughput throughout the year and consistent with the Company's 2024 guidance plan.

The mill processed a total of 178,957 tonnes of ore with average silver and gold grades of 220 g/t and 2.45 g/t, respectively.

Silver and gold recoveries during the quarter averaged 92% and 96%, respectively.

The Central Block and Sinaloa Graben areas contributed approximately 84% and 16%, respectively, of the total production during the quarter.

During the quarter, a total of eleven drill rigs, consisting of two surface rigs and nine underground rigs, completed 26,363 metres of drilling on the property, representing a 6% increase when compared to the prior quarter.

Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine:

Santa Elena produced 2,280,739 AgEq ounces, consisting of 355,205 ounces of silver and 21,713 ounces of gold. Silver and gold production is tracking to the Company's 2024 guidance production plan.

The mill processed a total of 224,394 tonnes of ore, containing average silver and gold head grades of 72 g/t and 3.16 g/t, respectively.

Silver and gold recoveries averaged 69% and 95%, respectively, during the quarter.

During the quarter, six drill rigs, consisting of four surface rigs and two underground rigs, completed 9,911 metres of drilling on the property, representing a 25% increase when compared to the prior quarter.

La Encantada Silver Mine:

Throughout Q1 2024, and as reflected in the Company's 2024 guidance, La Encantada was impacted by limited water supply to the mill, mainly driven by severe drought conditions in 2023 which impacted the existing water wells in the area. Since June 2023, the Company drilled a total of five exploration and production holes in an effort to source additional water. The most recent hole (G11) has identified a significant water resource, and the Company is in the process of increasing water inventory levels and processing rates at the plant. First Majestic anticipates improved ore throughput rates in Q2 and reaching historic levels in Q3.

During the quarter, La Encantada produced 456,179 ounces of silver, representing a 12% decrease compared to the prior quarter primarily due to a decrease in ore processed and silver recovery.

The mill processed a total of 185,298 tonnes of ore with an average silver grade of 123 g/t and silver recovery of 62%, representing a 11% increase and 12% decrease, respectively. Stope production from the new Beca Zone has contributed 26,910 tonnes with average silver grades of 106 g/t.

Q1 2024 EARNINGS AND DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT

The Company is planning to release its first quarter 2024 unaudited financial results and announce details regarding its first quarter dividend payment on May 8, 2024.

Gonzalo Mercado, P.Geo., the Company's Vice President of Exploration and Technical Services and a "Qualified Person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

First Majestic is a publicly traded mining company focused on silver and gold production in Mexico and the United States. The Company presently owns and operates the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine and the La Encantada Silver Mine as well as a portfolio of development and exploration assets, including the Jerritt Canyon Gold project located in northeastern Nevada, U.S.A.

First Majestic is proud to offer a portion of its silver production for sale to the public. Bars, ingots, coins and medallions are available for purchase online at www.firstmint.com, at some of the lowest premiums available.

For further information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com or call our toll free number 1.866.529.2807.

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

"signed"

Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forwardlooking information" and "forwardlooking statements" under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, "forwardlooking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forwardlooking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: increasing water inventory and processing rates; improvement in grades and throughout rates; timing for the release of the Company's Q1 2024 unaudited financial results; timing for the payment of the Company's next quarterly dividend. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, guidance cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon guidance and forwardlooking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable mineral reserves and mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forwardlooking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as and if the property is developed, and in the case of measured and indicated mineral resources or proven and probable mineral reserves, such statements reflect the conclusion based on certain assumptions that the mineral deposit can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forwardlooking statements".

Actual results may vary from forwardlooking statements. Forwardlooking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements, including but not limited to: the duration and effects of the COVID19, and any other pandemics on our operations and workforce, and the effects on global economies and society; general economic conditions including inflation risks; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; availability of sufficient water for operating purposes; actual performance of plant, equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; relations with local communities; changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable legislation or application thereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance coverage as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business  Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent AIF, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and Form 40F available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. Although First Majestic has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forwardlooking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSXV:AHR) (OTCQB:AXREF) is pleased to introduce the new JO porphyry copper-gold (Cu-Au) target, one of several new drill-ready targets discovered and delineated by the Company's 2023 comprehensive exploration surveys across the prospective 722 km2 DUKE district ("DUKE District" or "District") in central British Columbia ("BC"). The success of last year's program is highlighted by the identification of multiple new porphyry Cu-Au centers in the District.

Through 2023 Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), under the DUKE District Mineral Property Earn-in Agreement, funded $10 million in exploration expenditures and will continue its earn in during 2024 with a further $10 million of budgeted expenditures (see Amarc release December 13, 2023). Amarc continues as project operator. A significant portion of this year's investment will be directed towards drilling the DUKE Deposit and multiple drill ready porphyry Cu-Au targets across the District.

Amarc's 2023 District wide field program (see Amarc release November 21, 2023) employed a combination of geochemical, geophysical and geological surveys, and was expressly designed to identify previously unrecognized porphyry Cu-Au deposit targets associated with biotite-feldspar porphyry ("BFPs") intrusive rocks. These BFPs are host to mineralization within the prolific Babine porphyry Cu-Au Region (the "Babine") at the former Bell and Granisle Cu-Au mines that were operated by Noranda Mines, the advanced stage Morrison Cu-Au deposit, and also Amarc's DUKE Deposit, SVEA Cu-Au Deposit Target (see Amarc release January 19, 2024) and the JO Target.

"Our effective surveys across the DUKE District continue to highlight the potential for finding important copper-gold deposits," said Amarc President & CEO Dr. Diane Nicolson. "The discovery of a new mineralized occurrence at the JO Target in a region with half a century of exploration history should not be understated. The strength of coincident Induced Polarization chargeability and magnetic geophysical anomalies and associated copper-gold mineralization hosted by a key BFP intrusion warrants drill testing. A reconnaissance drilling program is in the planning stages and will be undertaken during the 2024 summer field season, following on from drilling at the promising SVEA Cu-Au Deposit Target."

Nicolson further added that the Amarc team, having achieved all objectives of the nine hole winter drilling program at the DUKE Deposit and DUKE Target, has safely demobilized ahead of breakup. As results are received and assessed they will be timely released.

Figure 1: DUKE District - Comprehensive Exploration Surveys Have Delineated Multiple New Porphyry Cu-Au Targets

JO Target Discovery

Prior to Amarc's 2023 District wide exploration programs, no mineral occurrences were identified in the area of the JO Target and this discovery highlights the effectiveness of the survey work. Notably JO is located approximately 6 km to the northwest of Amarc's SVEA Deposit Target and 36 km to the northwest of its DUKE Deposit (Figure 1). JO shares similar attributes with Amarc's DUKE Deposit and SVEA Deposit Target, and also the known Babine Cu-Au deposits, being characterized by:

An association with regional scale faults that exert a common control on the distribution of porphyry Cu-Au in the Babine is likely present.

The distribution of silver in reconnaissance soil samples suggests that the Cu-Au mineralized BFP lies close to a north-northwest striking deformation zone.

An association with a substantial 3 km 2 Induced Polarization ("IP") chargeability anomaly (+15 mV/V) identifying a potential sulphide mineralized system (Figure 2).

Induced Polarization ("IP") chargeability anomaly (+15 mV/V) identifying a potential sulphide mineralized system (Figure 2). Within this IP chargeability anomaly, a strong 1 km oval-shaped lobe of higher chargeability (+20 mV/V) located toward the east hosts a rare occurrence of BFP in the target area, which is covered by extensive glacial till. This occurrence is also located on the eastern flanks of a magnetic high.

This BFP occurrence can be correlated with other BFP-related porphyry Cu-Au deposits in the Babine through its presumed Eocene age, alteration style and association with regional scale structural controls.

The BFP occurrence hosts well developed porphyry-style potassic alteration characterized by both secondary biotite and orthoclase, with disseminated chalcopyrite. The discovery composite rock sample, comprised of five to six chips from a number of mineralized angular boulders on top of an outcrop, returned 0.18% Cu, 0.52 g/t Au, 16.05 g/t Ag and 55 ppm Mo.

A second strong IP chargeability high lobe with similar dimensions and magnetic anomalies is located some 1,500 m to the west of the above. This area also has extensive surficial cover and a bedrock source has not yet been identified.

Due to the extensive glacial cover, LiDAR[1] survey data is currently being used to interpret grid soil geochemical data.

This combination of geological data suggests good potential for additional porphyry Cu-Au mineralization to be identified with drilling through the extensive cover. It is Amarc's intent to drill test this and several other compelling targets during the summer 2024 drill season.

Figure 2: JO Cu-Au Target - An Important Discovery at DUKE

Sixteen prospective deposit target areas were selected for 2023 field assessment based on a comprehensive compilation of government and historical exploration data from over the entire District (see Amarc's DUKE Project 2020 Technical Report, available on the website at https://amarcresources.com/projects/duke-project/technical-report/). Exploration surveys included extensive airborne magnetic geophysical and LiDAR surveys together with ground IP geophysics, soil grid geochemistry and geological mapping surveys (see Amarc release November 21, 2023).

About Amarc Resources

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing its 100%-owned IKE, DUKE and JOY porphyry CuAu Districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of southern, central and northern BC, respectively. Each District represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts are located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail.

Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of $110 million and $90 million, respectively. Together this provides Amarc with potentially up to $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding for these Districts. In addition, Amarc intends to solo drill the higher grade Empress Deposit in the IKE District with funding from a successful 2023 financing. Amarc is the operator of all programs.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery and development success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, IKE, PINE and DUKE. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

Qualified Person as Defined Under National Instrument 43-101

Dr. Paul Johnston, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content in this release.

Quality Control/Quality Assurance Program

Rock samples were sent to ALS Canada Ltd. (ALS), North Vancouver, Canada facility for preparation and analysis where they were dried, crushed to 70% passing -2mm, and a 250 g split pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were analyzed for Au by fire assay fusion of a 30 g sub-sample with an ICP-AES finish and for 60 elements including Cu, Mo, Ag by four-acid digestion of a 0.25 sub-sample followed by an ICP-AES and ICP-MS finish. As part of a comprehensive Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QAQC") program, Amarc control samples were inserted in each analytical batch at the following rates: standards and/or blanks one in 40 regular rock samples or a minimum of one per batch. The control sample results were then checked to ensure proper QAQC.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - American Pacific Mining Corp (CSE: USGD) (OTCQX: USGDF) (FSE: 1QC) ("American Pacific" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the closing of its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") raising gross proceeds of $4,500,000 through the issuance of 22,500,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.20 per Unit.

Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one-half of one transferable Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Share at an exercise price of $0.30 until April 16, 2026.

The Company paid aggregate finder's fees of $191,450 in cash and issued 957,250 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") to Eventus Capital Corp., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Echelon Wealth Partners Inc., and Haywood Securities Inc. The Finder's Warrants are non-transferable, exercisable at $0.30 per Share until the Expiry Date and are subject to the 4 month hold period as required by Canadian securities laws.

The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Private Placement for exploration and development of its Madison Copper-Gold Project in Montana, Palmer VMS Project in Alaska, and other Western US precious and base metals projects, and for general working capital.

"Closing this round of funding puts us in a strong position to advance the high grade copper-gold Madison project and the Palmer VMS asset. We are excited for a very busy field season ahead," states American Pacific CEO, Warwick Smith.

The Private Placement was conducted under (i) the listed issuer financing exemption as per Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions to qualified investors in Canada, and (ii) otherwise in those jurisdictions where the Private Placement can lawfully be made including the United States under applicable private placement exemptions. As a result, the securities issued are not subject to a hold period under the prevailing Canadian securities laws. The securities issued to investors located in the United States are subject to resale restrictions in the United States.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Company filed an Offering Document dated April 2, 2024, as amended and restated on April 3, 2024 and April 10, 2024, which is available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on www.americanpacificmining.com.

Directors of the Company purchased an aggregate of 150,000 Units in the Private Placement for gross proceeds of $30,000. The participation by such insiders in the Private Placement each constitute a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The related party transactions are exempt from minority approval, information circular and formal valuation requirements pursuant to the exemptions contained in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1) of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the gross securities issued under the Private Placement, nor the consideration paid by the insiders, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. "United States" and "U.S. person" are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.

About American Pacific Mining Corp.

American Pacific Mining Corp. is a precious and base metals explorer and developer focused on opportunities in the Western United States. The Company has two flagship assets: the Palmer Project, a Volcanic Massive Sulphide-Sulphate (VMS) project in Alaska, under joint-venture partnership with Dowa Metals & Mining, owner of Japan's largest zinc smelter; and the Madison Project, a past-producing copper-gold project in Montana. For the Madison transaction, American Pacific was selected as a finalist in both 2021 and 2022 for 'Deal of the Year' at the S&P Global Platts Global Metals Awards, an annual program that recognizes exemplary accomplishments in 16 performance categories. Also, in American Pacific's asset portfolio are high-grade, precious metals projects located in key mining districts in Nevada, USA, including the Ziggurat Gold project, partnered with Centerra Gold and the Tuscarora Gold-Silver project. The Company's mission is to grow by drill bit and by acquisition.

On behalf of the American Pacific Mining Corp Board of Directors:

Warwick Smith, CEO & Director

Corporate Office: Suite 910  510 Burrard Street

Vancouver, BC, V6C 3A8 Canada

Investor relations contact:

Kristina Pillon, High Tide Consulting Corp.

604.908.1695 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Media relations contact:

Adam Bello, Primoris Group Inc.

416.489.0092 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Forward-looking Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements related to the anticipated use of proceeds from the Private Placement. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
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VANCOUVER, BC, April 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSXV: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) ("Vizsla Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire two large claims comprising 10,667.0 Ha (the "El Richard  San Enrique claims" or "San Enrique prospect") located south and partially adjacent to the Company's Panuco project (the "Panuco Project" or "Panuco"). The San Enrique prospect is situated along the highly prospective Panuco  San Dimas corridor and is covered 100% with LiDAR and partially covered with high-resolution aero-magnetic and radiometric surveys.

Highlights

Large property package comprised of 10,667 Ha just south of Panuco (almost 50% larger than Panuco ).

(almost 50% larger than ). The area is covered with a LiDAR survey and partially covered (~60%) with high-resolution air magnetic and radiometric surveys.

The prospect contains dome complexes and covers the SE extensions of the NW trending Copala fault and Cordon del Oro - Animas veins.

fault and Cordon del - Animas veins. Preliminary recognizance mapping in the NE has identified favourable andesite lithologies, quartz veining and breccias.

The area has never been systematically mapped and prospected.

Vizsla Silver has agreed to issue to the seller US$650,000 in common shares.

"Vizsla Silver continues to expand its land position in the Sinaloa Silver Belt with the acquisition of the San Enrique prospect," stated Michael Konnert, President, and CEO. "These claims are located southeast along trend from several of our existing mineralised vein corridors, including the high grade Copala structure and they add significant exploration upside potential to Vizsla's growing portfolio of projects. With preliminary geophysics and LiDAR complete, we intend to move forward with regional recognizance-mapping and a stream-sediment geochemical survey to aid in ongoing drill targeting. Although Vizsla Silver remains committed to the near-term development of the advanced-stage Panuco-Copala district, this acquisition combined with the recently announced La Garra acquisition, further positions Vizsla Silver as a globally significant silver explorer-developer, with the potential to build a multi-generational asset base in Mexico."

About the San Enrique prospect

The San Enrique prospect area is adjacent to the southern boundary of the Panuco project. The prospect comprises two titled mining claims covering 10,667.0 Ha (El Richard with 3,688.6 Ha and San Enrique with 6,978.4 Ha) in the emerging silver-gold-rich Panuco  San Dimas corridor with estimated past production plus current resources and reserves of 1.2-Boz Ag and 15-Moz Au (Figure 2).

The LiDAR and mag survey from the San Enrique prospect show strong NW-trending lineaments, indicative of regional faults and fractures. Two of these lineaments are aligned and seem to be the SE extensions of the Copala fault and the Cordon del Oro - Animas vein structures in Panuco (Figure 3). The main lithologies identified to date are predominantly rhyolite domes which produce strong magnetic anomalies in the north, and felsic flows and tuffs (rhyolites and dacites). Recent 40Ar/39Ar age dating on adularia separates from veins in Panuco project indicates that epithermal mineralization post dates felsic volcanism in the area. Additionally, preliminary recognizance mapping in the northeast has revealed the presence of andesite tuffs and flows, quartz veining and breccia structures. The Santa Fe mine is located three kilometres south of San Enrique, is owned and operated by Inca Azteca Gold and is a small scale mine producing high-grade silver and gold from a NW trending epithermal vein. This supports the hypothesis that the NW trending structures within San Enrique have the potential to host additional veins yet to be discovered.

The San Enrique prospect contains several indicators that suggest it is a highly prospective area, namely: location (Panuco  San Dimas corridor), high-grade deposits immediately north (Copala and Panuco), structural controls (southeast extensions of the Copala fault and Cordon - Animas lineament), domes and an operating mine to the south along another NW regional fault (Santa Fe mine, Inca Azteca).

Vizsla Silver is in the process of acquiring a multispectral World View III satellite image covering the whole Panuco and San Enrique claims to speed up the target generation process. Furthermore, the Company intends to conduct regional recognizance-mapping and a stream-sediment geochemical survey at San Enrique in the near future.

Terms of the Acquisition

The Company entered into an asset purchase agreement (the "Acquisition Agreement") dated March 5, 2024, with Inca Azteca Gold S.A.P.I. de C.V. (the "Seller") and the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Minera Canam, S.A. de C.V. ("Minera Canam") pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire, through Minera Canam, all of the Seller's right, title and interest in and to the mineral concessions (the "Acquisition").

Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, the Company has agreed to issue an aggregate of US$650,000 in common shares in the capital of the Company, at the exchange rate and market price applicable on the effective date (collectively, the "Consideration Shares") plus any applicable value added tax to the Seller. The Consideration Shares are subject to a four-month hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws and the Seller has agreed to voluntary resale restrictions, whereby 12.5% of the Consideration Shares will become free trading on the date that is four months and one day from the effective date and an additional 12.5% will become free trading every three months thereafter.

About the Panuco Project

The newly consolidated Panuco silver-gold project is an emerging high-grade discovery located in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, near the city of Mazatlan. The 17,856.5-hectare, past producing district benefits from over 86 kilometres of total vein extent, 35 kilometres of underground mines, roads, power, and permits.

The district contains intermediate to low sulfidation epithermal silver and gold deposits related to siliceous volcanism and crustal extension in the Oligocene and Miocene. Host rocks are mainly continental volcanic rocks correlated to the Tarahumara Formation.

On January 8, 2024, the Company announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Panuco which includes an estimated in-situ indicated mineral resource of 155.8 Moz AgEq and an in-situ inferred resource of 169.6 Moz AgEq.

About Vizsla Silver

Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. To date, Vizsla Silver has completed over 350,000 metres of drilling at Panuco leading to the discovery of several new high-grade veins. For 2024, Vizsla Silver has budgeted +65,000 metres of resource/discovery-based drilling designed to upgrade and expand the mineral resource, as well as test other high priority targets across the district.

Qualified Person

In accordance with NI 43-101, Jesus Velador, Ph.D. MMSA QP., Vice President of Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release.

Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources

The scientific and technical information in this news release was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The terms "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" used herein are in reference to the mining terms defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards (the "CIM Definition Standards"), which definitions have been adopted by NI 43-101. Accordingly, information contained herein providing descriptions of our mineral deposits in accordance with NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by other U.S. companies subject to the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

You are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves. Pursuant to CIM Definition Standards, "inferred mineral resources" are that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Such geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral reserve. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

Canadian standards, including the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101, differ significantly from standards in the SEC Industry Guide 7. Effective February 25, 2019, the SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules under subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SEC Modernization Rules"), with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC Modernization Rules replace the historical property disclosure requirements included in SEC Industry Guide 7. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources". Information regarding mineral resources contained or referenced herein may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies that report according to U.S. standards. While the SEC Modernization Rules are purported to be "substantially similar" to the CIM Definition Standards, readers are cautioned that there are differences between the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Definitions Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that the Company may report as "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules.

Website: www.vizslasilvercorp.ca

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain "ForwardLooking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forwardlooking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forwardlooking statements or information. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: the exploration, development, and production at the Panuco Project and the San Enrique prospect, including the potential acquisition of a multispectral World View III satellite image covering the whole Panuco and San Enrique claims and the conduct of regional recognizance-mapping and a stream-sediment geochemical survey at San Enrique.

Forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla Silver, future growth potential for Vizsla Silver and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla Silver's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.

These statements reflect Vizsla Silver's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Silver has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Silver's management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Silver has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Vizsla Silver does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.
VANCOUVER, BC, April 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Scottie Resources Corp. (TSXV: SCOT) (OTCQB: SCTSF) (FSE:SR8) ("Scottie" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the previously announced financing arrangement with Franco-Nevada Corporation (TSX, NYSE: FNV) ("Franco-Nevada").

Further to the Company's new release dated April 2, 2024, Scottie has completed the sale and grant of a 2.0% gross production royalty (the "Royalty") to Franco-Nevada for C$8,100,000 (the "Royalty Transaction"). The Royalty applies to all minerals produced on Scottie's claims in the Stewart Mining Camp in the Golden Triangle, including those claims which are held under option by Scottie and any claims subsequently acquired by Scottie within a customary area of interest around its existing claims.

Franco-Nevada has also been granted the option to purchase an additional 0.5% gross production royalty upon the decision by Scottie to proceed with construction of a project or acceptance by Scottie of a project study on its properties (the "Additional Royalty"). The purchase price in respect of the Additional Royalty will be determined at the time of exercise based on a net present value calculation at consensus commodity prices. Franco-Nevada has been further granted a right of first refusal to purchase any new royalty, streaming or similar interest in Scottie's properties which is offered to be purchased by a third party. Any such subsequently granted interest, as well as the Additional Royalty, may be subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange once the final terms are determined.

In addition, Scottie has closed a charity flow-through private placement of 5,422,994 flow-through common shares of the Company for additional gross proceeds to Scottie of C$1,491,323.25, with Franco-Nevada as the back-end buyer of common shares of the Company (the "Private Placement", together with the Royalty Transaction, the "Transaction"). Following closing of the Transaction, Scottie has a cash balance of C$12.5 million.

President and CEO, Brad Rourke commented: "We welcome Franco-Nevada as a new stakeholder and shareholder of Scottie and recognize the strong validation that this investment brings to our project and team. This financing package fully funds Scottie to execute a comprehensive 2024 exploration program and we look forward to building on the success of the 2023 program."

Agentis Capital Mining Partners ("Agentis") acted as financial advisor and Dumoulin Black LLP acted as legal counsel to Scottie with regard to the Transaction. Agentis have been paid a cash fee of $625,000 and have been granted 3,000,000 non-transferable common share purchase warrants (the "Advisory Warrants"). Each Advisory Warrant is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.19 for a period of two years from issuance. Franco-Nevada and Agentis are both Arm's Length Parties to the Company (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange).

The Transaction remains subject to final TSX Venture Exchange approval, and the Advisory Warrants and all securities issued in the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period, during which time the securities may not be traded, other than pursuant to prospectus exemptions. The Company intends to use the gross proceeds raised from the Private Placement for exploration and related programs on the Company's Scottie and Blueberry mineral properties.

ABOUT SCOTTIE RESOURCES CORP.

Scottie owns a 100% interest in the Scottie Gold Mine Property which includes the Blueberry Zone and the high-grade, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine. Scottie also owns 100% interest in the Georgia Project which contains the high-grade past-producing Georgia River Mine, as well as the Cambria Project properties and the Sulu property. Altogether Scottie Resources holds more than 60,000 hectares of mineral claims in the Stewart Mining Camp in the Golden Triangle.

The Company's focus is on expanding the known mineralization around the past-producing mines while advancing near mine high-grade gold targets, with the purpose of delivering a potential resource.

All of the Company's properties are located in the area known as the Golden Triangle of British Columbia which is among the world's most prolific mineralized districts.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the Company's plans to complete a comprehensive 2024 exploration program, the use of proceeds from the Private Placement and the receipt of final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange in respect of the Private Placement.

These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the Company not receiving the necessary regulatory approvals in respect of the Private Placement; recent market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; and the risk that the Company will not use the proceeds of the Private Placement or complete its comprehensive 2024 exploration program as anticipated.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will receive the necessary regulatory approvals in respect of the Private Placement.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.
Historic exploration work discovered shallow copper mineralization

Historic shallow drilling included 30m averaging 0.53% Cu and 21 m averaging 0.51% Cu

High priority for follow up exploration during upcoming field season

News Release - Vancouver, British Columbia  TheNewswire - April 16, 2024: GSP Resource Corp. (TSX-V: GSPR / FSE: 0YD) (the Company or GSP) announces that it has entered into an arms length acquisition agreement with Dylan Adam (the Agreement) to acquire a 100% interest in the Mer Claims in the Highland Valley Copper Camp of British Columbia. The two Mer claims are comprised of 185 hectares in the Kamloops Mining Division. The claims are situated approximately 1.5km NW of GSPs Alwin Mine Project and are surrounded by Teck Resources Highland Valley Copper claim group directly west and south of the Highland Valley Copper Mines active operations1 (see Figure 1 below).

Terms of the acquisition for 100% of the Mer claims are a $10,000 cash payment and the issuance of 100,000 commons shares of GSP within 10 days of TSXV Exchange acceptance of the Agreement. The seller of the claims will retain a 1.0% Net Smelter Return (NSR) Royalty with a buyback option for the Company of C$500,000. All GSP common shares issued pursuant to the Agreement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the closing date.

The Mer Claims host a copper exploration target zone located NW of the Companys Alwin Mine High grade copper-silver-gold target zone.

Simon Dyakowski, President & CEO of GSP Resource commented: We are very pleased to enter into this agreement to acquire the only remaining ground within the Highland Valley Copper camp near our flagship Alwin Mine High Grader Copper-Silver-Gold project. The Mer claims are underexplored having seen limited drilling in the 1960s and 1970s discovering shallow copper mineralization. Over the coming weeks, we look forward to integrating the Mer claim group into our Alwin Mine Copper Project 2024 field season exploration plans.

About the Mer Claims

The Mer Claims were the subject of intensive exploration by the Cleveland Ming & Smelting Co. Ltd. between the years 1965 and 1971. During that time exploration within the current Mer and surrounding claims now held by Teck Highland Valley Copper Corporation comprised geochemical and IP/resistivity geophysical surveys, geologic mapping, bulldozer trenching, completion of 16 percussion drill holes totaling 610 metres (m), and a single 150 m diamond drill hole targeting the Mer showing.

Percussion and diamond drilling were reported to define a 70 x 120 metre northeast trending porphyry copper-molybdenum zone characterized by disseminated chalcocite, chalcopyrite, bornite and molybdenite mineralization and associated biotite and sparse potassic alteration.

At the Mer showing, percussion drill holes 1, 3, 15, and 16, forming a 70 x 40 m diamond pattern in plan returned values of 9 m averaging 0.47% copper (Cu); 30 m averaging 0.53% Cu; 15 m averaging 0.50% Cu; and 21 m averaging 0.51% Cu2 respectively, commencing at downhole depths ranging from 6 to 18 m.

A single diamond drill hole was centered on the percussion drill holes and intersected a zone of chalcocite mineralization within biotite and potassic altered granodiorite intrusive rocks averaging 0.29% Cu over 24 m from a downhole depth of 9 m. The zone of mineralization remains open to the north and west.

No significant exploration has been reported within this project since the initial work programs ending in the early 1970s. Given the presence of drill confirmed porphyry copper-molybdenum mineralization, a location 6 kilometers west of the Valley Pit at Teck Resource Limiteds Highland Valley Copper Operations, and its position with the Chataway and Guichon granodiorite phases of the Guichon Batholith the Mer Project is a high priority for follow up exploration.

Figure 1: Mer and Alwin Mine Claims  Highland Valley Copper Camp

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (B.C.), principal and consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, a consultant to the Company and a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Raffle has verified the data disclosed, which includes a review of the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information and opinions contained herein. Mineralization hosted on nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization that may be hosted on the Alwin property.

About GSP Resource Corp.

GSP Resource Corp. is a mineral exploration & development company focused on projects located in Southwestern British Columbia. The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest and title to the Alwin Mine Copper-Gold-Silver Property in the Kamloops Mining Division, as well as an option to acquire 100% interest and title to the Olivine Mountain Property in the Similkameen Mining Division, of which it has granted an option to earn a 60% interest to a third party.

Contact Information:

Simon Dyakowski, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Tel: (604) 619-7469

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forwardlooking information or statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, the closing of the acquisition of the Mer Claims, carrying out future exploration work on the Companys projects, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its projects and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of metals, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Companys views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, and those filed under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather or climate conditions, failure to maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to obtain or maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), decrease in the price of copper, gold, silver and other metals, increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forwardlooking information, except as required by law.

1 Mineralization present within Teck Resources Highland Valley Operations is not necessarily indicative of GSP Resources Corp. properties.

2 All drill holes are assumed to be vertical, and the true width of mineralization it unknown.




VANCOUVER, BC, April 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Aris Mining Corporation (Aris Mining or the Company) (TSX: ARIS) (NYSE-A: ARMN) announces its operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (Q1 2024).

Neil Woodyer, CEO of Aris Mining, commented "In line with our budget, our mines produced 50,768 ounces of gold in Q1. Plant throughput was slightly reduced in Q1 because of planned maintenance at the Segovia processing facility and we achieved averaged processed gold grades of 9.4 g/t, consistent with our Segovia mine plan. Our gold production is scheduled to increase from Q2 to Q4 as the Segovia mine plan progresses to higher-grade zones, and we are on-track to deliver full year 2024 production guidance of 220,000 to 240,000 ounces. In addition, we are pleased with the progress of the expansion projects at the Segovia and Marmato mines. Following completion of the expansions, Aris Mining is targeting 500,000 ounces of production in 2026.

At the Segovia expansion project, which includes increasing processing capacity from 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes per day, geotechnical studies for the plant area have been finalized, engineering and design is well underway, and preparations for the new installations are progressing smoothly. Once complete, Segovia is expected to produce over 300,000 ounces per year.

At the Marmato Lower Mine expansion project, the access road to the new processing facility area is now complete and earthworks in the plant area will commence soon. The contractor for the new portal and decline is fully mobilized and cutting of the portal face has commenced. Once complete, the Marmato Upper and Lower mines are expected to produce 162,000 ounces per year over a 20-year mine life."

Please visit www.aris-mining.com and navigate to the media section featuring our Marmato operation, alternatively, through this LINK. Here, Aris Mining will regularly share media content, including time-lapse videos, to keep investors informed about the construction progress at Marmato.

Q1 2024 Financial Results

Aris Mining will announce its full Q1 2024 financial results after market close on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

About Aris Mining

Aris Mining is a gold producer in the Americas, currently operating two mines with brownfield expansions underway in Colombia. The Segovia Operations and Marmato Upper Mine produced 226,000 ounces of gold in 2023. With ongoing expansion projects, Segovia and Marmato are targeting to produce 500,000 ounces of gold in 2026. Aris Mining also operates the Proyecto Soto Norte joint venture, where environmental licensing is advancing to develop a new underground gold, silver and copper mine. In Guyana, Aris Mining is advancing the Toroparu Project, a gold/copper project. Aris Mining intends to pursue acquisitions and other growth opportunities to unlock value through scale and diversification.

Aris Mining promotes the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining into contract mining partners as this process enables all miners to operate in a legal, safe and responsible manner that protects them and the environment.

Additional information on Aris Mining can be found at www.aris-mining.com, www.sedarplus.ca, and on www.sec.gov.

Technical Disclosure and Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Pamela De Mark, P.Geo, Senior Vice President, Geology and Exploration of Aris Mining, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Unless otherwise indicated, the scientific disclosure and technical information included in this news release are based upon information included in the NI 43-101 compliant technical reports listed below and are available for review on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, on the Company's website at www.aris-mining.com, and in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

"NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Segovia Operations, Antioquia, Colombia " dated December 6, 2023 with an effective date of September 30, 2023 and prepared by Pamela De Mark , P.Geo., Inivaldo Diaz, CP, and Cornelius Lourens , FAusIMM.

" dated with an effective date of and prepared by , P.Geo., Inivaldo Diaz, CP, and , FAusIMM. "Technical Report for the Marmato Gold Mine, Caldas Department, Colombia , Pre-Feasibility Study of the Lower Mine Expansion Project" dated November 23, 2022 with an effective date of June 30, 2022 and prepared by Ben Parsons , MAusIMM (CP), Anton Chan , Peng, Brian Prosser, PE, SME-RM, Joanna Poeck, PE, SME-RM, Eric J. Olin , SME-RM, MAusIMM, Fredy Henriquez , SME-RM, ISRM, David Hoekstra, PE, NCEES, SME-RM, Mark Allan Willow , CEM, SME-RM, Vladimir Ugorets , MMSA, Colleen Crystal, PE, GE, Kevin Gunesch, PE, Tommaso Roberto Raponi , PEng, David Bird , PG and Pamela De Mark , P.Geo.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" or forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements relating to the expected production increase from Q2 to Q4, the Company remaining on-track to deliver full year 2024 production guidance, the Company being in position to produce 500,000 ounces in 2026, the expected production at the Segovia Operations after completion of the expansion project, the Marmato Lower Mine expansion project and the details and timing thereof and the Company's plans and strategies are forward-looking. Generally, the forward-looking information and forward looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "will continue" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The material factors or assumptions used to develop forward looking information or statements are disclosed throughout this news release.

Forward looking information and forward looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Aris Mining to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or forward looking statements, including but not limited to those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Aris Mining's annual information form dated March 6, 2024 which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and in the Company's filings with the SEC at www.sec.gov. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This news release contains information that may constitute future-orientated financial information or financial outlook information (collectively, FOFI) about the Company's prospective financial performance, financial position or cash flows, all of which is subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations and qualifications as set forth above. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise or inaccurate and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on FOFI. The Company's actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, FOFI. The Company has included FOFI in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on the Company's future operations and management's current expectations relating to the Company's future performance. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. FOFI contained herein was made as of the date of this news release. Unless required by applicable laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any FOFI statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, April 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Fokus Mining Corporation, ("Fokus" or the "Company") (TSX: FKM) (OTCQB: FKMCF) (FSE: F7E1) is pleased to announce that it has intersected 10m grading 10.06 g/t Au and 11.45 g/t Au silver on the Moriss showing, located in the western part of the Company's 100%-owned Galloway project.

Highlights:

Fokus intersects 10m grading 10.06 g/t Au including 6m grading 15.91 g/t Au on the Moriss showing.

grading 10.06 g/t Au including grading 15.91 g/t Au on the Moriss showing. Fokus finds significant Au values in the area of the Fayolle showing.

Fokus confirms the gold-bearing extension of the Hurd Zone at depth.

Four of the six holes drilled during the short 1,300-metre winter 2024 drilling program on the Moriss Zone returned significant gold values.

Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Zone GA-23-80 52.5 53.0 0.50 3.50 2.8 Fayolle GA-23-80 121.5 123.0 1.50 1.13 1.8 GA-23-80 145.5 147.0 1.50 1.02 1.5 GA-23-81 43.5 46.5 3.00 1.15 0.6 GA-23-81 85.5 87.0 1.50 1.07 1.7 GA-23-81 124.5 126.0 1.50 1.13 0.3 GA-23-81 233.5 234.0 0.50 1.68 1.3 GA-23-82 279.0 306.0 27.00 0.86 1.0 Hurd including 287.0 291.0 4.00 1.05 1.1 including 295.5 306.0 10.50 1.19 1.0 GA-24-84 256.5 258.0 1.50 2.20 3.7 Moriss GA-24-84 264.0 265.5 1.50 2.03 2.6 GA-24-85 45.7 46.7 1.00 14.26 3.3 GA-24-85 156.0 157.5 1.50 1.45 0.4 GA-24-85 192.9 196.5 3.60 1.24 3.61 GA-24-86 17.8 18.5 0.70 1.27 0.6 GA-24-86 125.0 135.0 10.00 10.06 11.45 including 129.0 135.0 6.00 15.91 8.87 GA-24-86 205.5 207.0 1.50 0.52 4.0 GA-24-87 220.5 222.0 1.50 20.09 7.8

This program follows on from the 1,500m program conducted in late autumn 2023 on the same showing (see PR dated February 7, 2024).

Both programs were largely designed to assess the potential presence of NNW-SSE or N-S trending gold veins intersecting the main Moriss shear zone.

Jean Rainville, the Company's President, and CEO, explains: "While the results are not definitive, our observations suggest that the presence of gold in the main Moriss shear could be linked also to secondary zones intersecting it. Once all data is compiled, we anticipate gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the potential in this area."

Hurd sector

Hole GA-23-82 drilled in the Hurd zone to evaluate its potential extension at depth intersected a 4m zone grading 1.05 g/t Au and a 10.50m zone grading 1.19 g/t Au approximately 200m vertically. These results demonstrate the potential for gold at surface between 0 and 200m depth. Further drilling will be required to better define the potential of this other gold showing, located around 600m east of the GP and RB zones.

Fayolle sector

The Company also tested the Fayolle showing, located approximately 250m north of the Hurd showing. This showing is associated with a high-intensity, large-amplitude magnetic anomaly intersected at its centre by a NW-SE-trending fault. Drill holes GA-23-80 and GA-23-81 intersected several significant gold zones on this showing.

The same magnetic anomaly was intersected by drill hole GA-21-35, located approximately 500m west of GA-23-81, which returned a grade of 1.04 g/t Au over 19.50m.

Jean Rainville commented: "The Hurd and Fayolle sectors at the heart of this syenitic system could extend even further than expected. Numerous gold showings traced on surface or by drilling delineate this immense silicified matrix with numerous magnetic anomalies.

QC/QA

Drill cores were logged and marked for sampling by a professional geologist. All samples were selected by the project geologist. Sample lengths ranged from 0.3 metre to 2.00 metres.

The tag number was marked in indelible ink on the outside of the bag, and the bag was sealed with a plastic tie-wrap. A certified standard reference material was inserted into each batch of 20 samples and a blank was inserted into each batch of 50 samples. For shipping, the samples were placed in individually sealed rice bags with numbered, tamper-evident security labels.

The rice bags were sent to Lab Expert in Rouyn-Noranda, where the samples were ground to 70% of a 2 mm thickness and then split into 250 g sub-samples. These sub-samples were pulverised until 85% of the pulp passed 75m. All assays were conducted a 50 g fire assay fusion (FA) with Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) finish.

Assays exceeding 3g/t Au were verified by re-assaying using FA with a gravimetric finish. Where deemed appropriate by the logging geologist, the sample was analysed using metallic screen assay techniques.

Lab-Expert has reviewed the preparation and assay procedures, as well as the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) protocol and considers them to be generally in line with industry standards.

2024 Proposed Program

The Company is preparing the next steps, including a drilling program to better define the economic gold resource located between 0 and 150m depth in the GP and RB zones. Part of the program will also be used to assess a number of targets to the east of the RB zone. In virtue of the new regulations, the Company will submit its program to the various stakeholders in order to obtain all the permits required to continue its work.

With the recent rise in the price of gold, it has become imperative for the Company to accelerate its work to re-evaluate the resource potential accessible on surface in the GP and RB areas, two zones which are also close to rail and highway infrastructure.

An initial 43-101 resource estimate carried out in 2023 by the firm InnovExplo Inc. indicated a global inferred resource of 1.42M ounces of gold at a grade of 1.07 g/t Au (cut-off of 0.90 g/t Au) at a price of US$1,750 per ounce of gold. The sensitivity analysis presented in the same 43-101 report indicates a quantity of 1.788 million ounces of gold grading 0.97 g/t Au (cut-off of 0.80 g/t Au) at a price of US$1,960 per ounce. Most of the work that should potentially be completed in 2024 will be used to improve the quality of the resource and increase the quantity possible in the extensions. The Company aims, mostly, to define a resource between 0 and 150m vertical.

As the new mining rules may increase the waiting time for permits, the Company will submit a drilling program of around 125 additional holes for a minimum of 10,000 m of potential drilling for 2024-2025.

The objectives of this additional drilling would be to better delineate the mineralisation in order to potentially upgrade existing resources from Inferred to Indicated status, to confirm and possibly extend the open pit shell gold resource estimates for Ni 43-101 (see SRK Consulting 2012 report) and to investigate the under-explored or untested potential of the syenite complex, particularly in areas close to known mineralised zones where drilling is sparse.

Jean Rainville stresses the importance of being prepared for possible delays in the authorization process while evaluating all options. "One of our objectives is to improve the quality of our resources. The Company is considering a diamond drilling program of up to 10,000 metres in the RB and GP zones, which are areas of near-surface gold mineralization and close to infrastructure." He adds: "The proposed program is flexible and may not have to be fully implemented. Evaluation, examination of drilling spacing, and consideration of alternatives are ongoing. We are exploring different options and adjusting our programs as new information arises."

Qualified person

The scientific and technical disclosure for Fokus included in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Gilles Laverdiere, P. Geo. Mr. Laverdiere is a director of the Company and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and a director of the Company.

About Fokus

Fokus Mining Corporation is a mineral resource company actively acquiring and exploring precious metal deposits located in the province of Quebec, Canada. In implementing this major undertaking within the Canadian mining industry, we are determined to unlock the secret of the Galloway gold project.

The 100% Galloway Project covers an area of 2,865.54 hectares and is located just north of the Cadillac-Larder Lake deformation, which extends for more than 100km. Numerous gold deposits are associated with the structure and its subsidiaries. The recent work focused on the western part of the mineral claims has allowed the Company to delineate a NI 43-101 inferred resource of 1.419 million ounces of gold at a price of US$1,750 per ounce. This was published in the March 2023 press release, which includes a sensitivity table showing that at a price of US$1,960 per ounce, the inferred resource increases to 1.788 million ounces of gold.

The current work focuses on a western portion of the mineral claims where several mineral occurrences have been identified. For more information, visit our website: fokusmining.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Related Links

http://fokusmining.com/

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information or statements. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified using words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "will have", "should", and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information due to regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes in the Company's strategic growth plans and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and, accordingly, such forward-looking information should not be relied upon as such. All forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Omega Pacific Resources Inc. (CSE:OMGA) ("Omega" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has appointed Rob L'Heureux (M.Sc., P.Geol.), to its Board of Directors.

Mr. L'Heureux has built a track record of excellence in successful exploration and development spanning over 20 years including global exploration experience and project management with budgets up to $50 Million annually. His global experience ranges from the Canadian Arctic to Australia. More recently, Rob has focused on British Columbia-based projects, overseeing large exploration campaigns at the Lawyers Gold-Silver Project, a 3.5 million ounce resource located in the Toodoggone Region which is in close proximity to Omega's Williams Property. Mr. L'Heureux obtained a B.Sc Geology from the University of Alberta (1997) and M.Sc. Economic Geology from the University of Western Ontario (2003).

Rob is also a member of the Metals Group, a team of professionals who stand for technical excellence, painstaking project selection and uncompromising corporate governance, with a proven ability to capitalize on investment opportunities and deliver shareholder returns.

Omega's CEO and Director Jason Leikam states, "we are thrilled to announce Rob has formally joined the Omega team, allowing us to add a key technical director with deep knowledge and experience exploring and developing in BC's Toodoggone region. Having Rob and his colleagues at the Metals Group overseeing our drill program gives our project a huge boost, and provides confidence to our shareholders that we have placed capable and proven operators at the helm of our drills. The Metals Group have built a stellar track record of technical excellence, and Omega is focused on continuing that legacy with the upcoming exploration campaign at Williams".

Mr. L'Heureux will plan, coordinate and oversee the Company's 4,000 m maiden drill campaign this summer at the Williams Property.

Additionally, Braydon Hobbs has resigned as a director of the Company effective immediately. The Company would like to thank Mr. Hobbs for his services and guidance and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.

About Omega Pacific

Omega Pacific is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of mineral projects containing base and precious metals. The Company recently acquired an option to earn a 100% interest in the Williams Property, located in the Toodoggone region of the Golden Horseshoe. The Golden Horseshoe is a prolific and proven area of British Columbia known to host many gold, copper and silver deposits. The Company also holds an option on the Lekcin Property, located 120 km east of Vancouver, BC.

For more information, please contact:

Omega Pacific Resources Inc.

Jason Leikam, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Tel: +1 (778) 650 4255

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information under the provisions of Canadian securities laws including statements about the Company's plans. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of beliefs, assumptions, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change, except as required by law.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
April 16, 2024  TheNewswire - Vancouver, Canada  Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. (GCC or the Company) (CSE:GCC), (OTC:GCCFF), (WKN:A0RLEP) announced today that it has commenced drilling at its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine Project (QGQ Project) near Hixon, BC, and has recently completed the first diamond drill hole (QGQ24-05) of its 2024 drilling campaign.

The Company is operating two shifts and under optimal conditions, is drilling approximately 100 meters per day.

Drill hole QGQ24-05 was drilled for 321m from the same pad as QGQ23-04 to target the greenstone-phyllite contact to the northwest of QGQ23-04 and possible mineralization on the west side of the contact. Logging and sampling of QGQ24-05 is in progress with over half completed to date. Samples are being shipped to the lab regularly for analysis. The drill is currently re-mobilizing to commence drilling of QGQ24-06.

The balance of logging and sampling of drill hole QGQ23-04 (formerly referred to as QGQ23-01) from the Companys 2023 drill program has been completed. 122 samples were expedited to ALS Geochemistry in North Vancouver, BC for analysis. Results are pending.

Company President and CEO, Mr. J. Frank Callaghan commented We are excited to have launched our 2024 drilling campaign. The Company has a 5-year exploration permit with approval to drill 270 surface diamond drill holes on 54 drill pads. I anticipate this will lead to an exciting time ahead as our exploration and management teams strive to put our third mine into production in British Columbias prolific Cariboo mining region.

Mr. Callaghan commented further, stating The Company acquired the QGQ Project due to its historic production, presence of a greenstone contact and its potential to host similar mineralization to the Bonanza Ledge Mine, which our team originally discovered and put into production at Osisko Developments Cariboo Gold Project. After Golden Cariboos team put the Bonanza Ledge Mine into production and further developed the Cariboo Gold Project, it was acquired by Osisko Royalties for $330 million and is now owned and operated by Osisko Development. We feel that there is a similar opportunity to repeat our achievements at the QGQ Project and fundamentally believe that you make a mine, you dont find one.

About Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd.

Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. is rediscovering the Cariboo Gold Rush by proceeding with high-grade targeted drilling and trenching programs on its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine Project which is almost fully encircled on 3 of 4 sides by Osisko Development (NSE-ODV/TSXV-ODV). Historically, over 101 placer gold creeks on the 90 km trend from the Cariboo Hudson mine north to the Quesnelle Gold Quartz mine have recorded production and successful placer mining continues to this day.

Golden Cariboos Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property is 4 km northeast of, and road accessible from, Hixon in central British Columbia. The property includes the Quesnelle Quartz gold-silver deposit, which was discovered in 1865 in conjunction with placer mining activities. Hixon Creek, which dissects the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property, is a placer creek which has seen small-scale placer production since the mid 1860s.

For further information please contact:

GOLDEN CARIBOO RESOURCES LTD

J. Frank Callaghan

J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO

Tel: 604-682-2928

Neither the CSE Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains statements which constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions and includes information regarding; the expectation that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the expectation that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; the Companys exploration plans with respect to its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property; and the anticipated participation of the insider in the Offering.

Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company will have the resources required to proceed with its exploration plans; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the insider will participate in the Offering, on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management; and that the Company will be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis anticipated.

Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will not receive the necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will not complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the Company will be unable to use the proceeds for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company may not have the resources required to pursue its exploration plans; that the Companys operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; that the insider may not participate in the Offering on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management, or at all; and that the Company may not be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis currently expected. Such forward-looking information represents managements best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this news release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this news release.

The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date they were originally made. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.




Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2024) - Zodiac Gold Inc. (TSXV: ZAU) ("Zodiac Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has successfully renewed its mineral exploration license MEL 9000118 for its Todi project through the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Republic of Liberia. The renewal extends the license until April 2025. MEL 9000118 covers a total area of 418.5 sq km and is located 20km from the capital city of Monrovia. With this renewal, Zodiac Gold is positioned to launch a 10,000-meter drill program to further define its Arthington target and test its other drill ready targets.

Figure 1: Location Map for Todi Project Land Package

Drilling Update

Zodiac Gold's Phase II drill program consisted of 2,092 m of diamond drilling over 10 drill holes, focusing on drilling in the Garangbase, Deep Mine, Ambulai and Red Hill zones of its Todi Project. Zodiac Gold specifically targeted previously untested zones from near surface to deeper mineralized zones (greater than 180m depth). Zodiac Gold has now drill tested a substantial strike length spanning approximately 2,400 meters along the 300-meter wide Arthington shear zone.

The drill holes from the Phase II program were laid out to intersect, map and model the extensions of shear structures, down dip of mineralization observed along the trenches and artisanal mining pits from surface, with the intention of intersecting gold mineralization, a goal which Zodiac Gold has successfully accomplished from the results received to date.

All of the drill cores from Zodiac Gold's Phase II Program have been logged and intervals of core have been sampled. The core was sawed lengthwise, with one half bagged and sent to an independent lab for analyses, and one half retained for further inspection. On February 29, 2024, Zodiac Gold reported positive initial Phase II drill results from holes ADD023, ADD024 and ADD025 highlighting 9.14 m at 4.20 g/t Au and 10.20 m at 1.23 g/t Au, including 2.81 m at 2.95 g/t Au. Subsequently, on April 9, 2024, Zodiac Gold reported a second round of positive Phase II drill results from holes ADD026, ADD027 and ADD028 highlighting 14.67m at 1.33 g/t Au including 3.00 m at 4.38 g/t Au and 11.00 m at 1.28 g/t Au. Assay results for a final tranche of four drillholes (ADD029, ADD030, ADD031, ADD032) are pending.

Figure 2: Todi Project - Arthington Target, Drill Collar Plan View with Significant Gold Intercepts

Management Commentary

David Kol, President & CEO of Zodiac Gold commented, "We are thrilled to announce the successful renewal of our Todi Mineral Exploration license and the completion of our Phase II drill program. The successful renewal of our license underscores the confidence and support of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Republic of Liberia, in our vision and capabilities. With this renewed mandate, we are poised to continue our exploration activities, aiming to further delineate our targets and uncover the full potential of the Todi Project. Our Phase II drill program has yielded promising results, demonstrating the significant mineralization potential of the Arthington target and other zones within the Todi Project. These results validate our geological model by proving out the depth and extension of the Todi Shear Zone while also highlighting the prospectivity of our project area."

About Zodiac Gold

Zodiac Gold, Inc. (TSXV: ZAU) is a West-African gold exploration company focused on its flagship Todi Project situated in Liberia-an underexplored, politically stable, mining-friendly jurisdiction hosting several large-scale gold deposits. Strategically positioned along the fertile Todi Shear Zone, Zodiac Gold is developing a district-scale gold opportunity covering a vast 2,316 km2 land package. The project has undergone de-risking, showcasing proven gold occurrences at both surface and depth, with five drill-ready targets and high-grade gold intercepts.

Qualified Person

Efdal Olcer, Vice President of Exploration at Zodiac Gold, is a member of the Society of Economic Geologists, Geological Society of London, Australian Institute of Geoscientists, the Society of Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, and the Turkish Association of Economics Geologists and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific information provided in this release.

For further information, please visit the Zodiac Gold website at www.zodiac-gold.com or contact:

David Kol

President & CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation.

Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections, and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's planned exploration programs and drill programs and potential significance of results are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital, and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events, or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Vancouver, British Columbia and Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - April 15, 2024) - Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (TSX: PTM) (NYSE American: PLG) ("Platinum Group", "PTM" or the "Company") reports the Company's financial results for the six months ended February 29, 2024, and provides an update and outlook. The Company is focused on advancing the Waterberg Project located on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa (the "Waterberg Project"). The Waterberg Project is planned as a fully mechanised, shallow, decline access palladium, platinum, gold and rhodium ("4E") mine and is projected to be one of the largest and lowest cost underground platinum group metals ("PGM" or "PGMs") mines globally.

The Company's near-term objectives are to advance the Waterberg Project to a development and construction decision including the arrangement of construction financing and concentrate offtake agreements. The Company is also advancing an initiative through Lion Battery Technologies Inc. ("Lion") using platinum and palladium in lithium battery technologies in collaboration with Anglo American Platinum Limited ("Amplats") and Florida International University ("FIU").

For details of the consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended February 19, 2024 (the "Financial Statements") and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the six months ended February 29, 2024 please see the Company's filings on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). Shareholders are encouraged to visit the Company's website at www.platinumgroupmetals.net. Shareholders may receive a hard copy of the complete Financial Statements and MD&A from the Company free of charge upon request.

All amounts herein are reported in United States dollars unless otherwise specified. The Company holds cash in Canadian dollars, United States dollars and South African Rand. Changes in exchange rates may create variances in the cash holdings or results reported.

Recent Events

On April 3, 2024, the directors and shareholders of Waterberg JV Resources (Pty) Ltd. ("Waterberg JV Co.") approved a $1.35 million stage four budget (the "Stage Four Budget") to allow the continuation of work programs underway while the update to the DFS Update (as defined below) is finalized. The Stage Four Budget, covering the period from March 2024 to approximately August 2024, is a subcomponent of a two year, $21.0 million pre-construction work program (the "Work Program") approved for the Waterberg Project by the directors and shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. on October 18, 2022.

On December 20, 2023, the Company announced a Cooperation Agreement (the "Cooperation Agreement") with Ajlan & Bros Mining and Metals Co. ("Ajlan") to study the establishment of a stand-alone PGM smelter ("PGM Smelter") and base metal refinery ("BMR") in Saudi Arabia. Ajlan is a subsidiary of Ajlan & Bros Holdings, one of the largest private sector diversified conglomerates in the Middle East. The Cooperation Agreement encompasses three phases: a global PGM concentrate market study (the "Market Study"), a Definitive Feasibility Study for the construction and operation of the PGM Smelter and BMR in Saudi Arabia (the "Smelter DFS"), and an option to form an incorporated 50:50 joint venture following the completion of the Smelter DFS.

The Market Study will seek to identify potential global sources of PGM concentrate that could augment the processing of the Waterberg Project concentrate in Saudi Arabia and minimize the risk of sourcing concentrate from only one project.

Upon the completion of the Market Study, and assuming a favourable outcome, Ajlan and the Company may together commission the Smelter DFS at an estimated cost for the study of approximately US$4.0 million. The Smelter DFS will assume the export of PGM concentrate from the Waterberg Project in South Africa to a port facility in Saudi Arabia and will encompass options related to infrastructure, location, technical specifications, capital, and operating costs. All expenses related to the Smelter DFS are to be split on a 50:50 basis between Platinum Group and Ajlan, including certain costs already incurred by Platinum Group in previous independent beneficiation studies.

The Company believes Saudi Arabia offers an attractive investment climate that includes highly competitive energy costs, a lower taxation rate, and significant government financing incentives. An initial trade-off study has been completed to determine the viability of exporting PGM concentrate from South Africa to Saudi Arabia. Shipping costs are generally offset by lower energy costs and water costs. The PGM Smelter and BMR would benefit from existing infrastructure. A key requirement would be to secure a long-term permit for the export from South Africa of unrefined precious metals in concentrate.

On December 11, 2023, the directors, and shareholders of Waterberg JV Resources (Pty) Ltd. ("Waterberg JV Co.") unanimously approved a stage three budget of $1.62 million (the "Stage Three Budget") for continued work on the Waterberg Project covering the period from September 2023 to approximately February 2024 In conjunction with its approval, Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. ("Implats") advised that due to its own internal cost savings efforts, it would not be funding its 15% share of the Stage Three Budget. As a result, Implats' interest in Waterberg JV Co. will be diluted to approximately 14.951% during the third fiscal quarter of 2024. Shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. have the right to contribute the cash contribution shortfall of any diluting shareholder, pro rata to the aggregate shareholding of all shareholders who elect to fund such shortfall. Platinum Group alone has elected to fund all Implats funding shortfall for the Stage Three Budget. Implats stated they would consider the funding of subsequent cash calls as future circumstances allowed.

On September 18, 2023, the Company reported the closing of a non-brokered private placement of common shares at a price of $1.18 per common share. An aggregate of 2,118,645 common shares were subscribed for and issued to existing major beneficial shareholder, Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited ("HCI") through its subsidiary Deepkloof Limited, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $2.5 million (the "Private Placement"). Closing of the Private Placement allowed HCI to return to more than a 26% interest in the Company.

On June 21, 2023, the Company reported that Lion Battery Technologies Inc. ("Lion") had engaged the Battery Innovation Center ("BIC") in Newberry, Indiana, to help drive commercialization efforts for its next generation platinum and palladium based battery chemistries. Lion is advancing both proprietary lithium-sulfur and enhanced lithium-ion (NMC) technology using the unique catalytic properties of platinum and palladium. Under a scope of work, BIC is to conduct independent small and large scale trials to validate Lion's proprietary platinum and palladium based electrode composition, slurry, and films in both lithium-sulfur and lithium-ion (NMC811) coin and pouch cells. Collaboration with BIC will also include additional research and development focused on improving performance and scale-up with the goal of creating prototypes for commercialization consideration in 2024. Lion's target is to develop batteries with specific energies that are 20% to 100% higher than current technologies while meeting or exceeding their present cycle lives.

On June 9, 2023, the Company reported that the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security ("JOGMEC") and Hanwa Co. Ltd. ("Hanwa") had established a special purpose company, HJ Platinum Metals Ltd. ("HJM"), to hold and fund their future equity interests in the Waterberg Project. The combined interests of JOGMEC (12.195%) and Hanwa (9.755%) were consolidated into a 21.95% interest for HJM going forward, with JOGMEC to fund 75% of future equity investments into HJM and Hanwa the remaining 25%.

On May 17, 2023, the Company reported that exploration borehole WE153 had intercepted platinum group metals mineralization consistent with both the T Zone and F Zone as found within the mineral resources and reserves of the Waterberg Project. Borehole WE153 was collared on prospecting rights owned by Waterberg JV Co. located adjacent to the north of the Waterberg Project mining right. See the Company's May 31, 2023 MD&A for full details and assay results for borehole WE153.

Results For The Six Months Ended February 29, 2024

During the six months ended February 29, 2024, the Company incurred a net loss of $2.37 million (February 28, 2023 - net loss of $2.81 million). General and administrative expenses during the period were lower at $1.82 million (February 28, 2023 - $2.03 million). Stock based compensation was also lower at $0.59 million (February 28, 2023 - $1.11 million). The foreign exchange gain recognized in the current period was $.03 million (February 28, 2023 - $0.30 million) due primarily to the to the U.S. Dollar increasing in value relative to the Canadian Dollar during the period.

At February 29, 2024, finance income consisting of interest earned in the six month period amounted to $0.25 million (February 28, 2023 - $0.32 million). Basic and diluted loss per share for the year was $0.02, compared to $0.03 for the period ended February 28, 2023.

Accounts receivable at February 29, 2024 totalled $0.11 million (August 31, 2023 - $0.22 million) while accounts payable and other liabilities amounted to $0.40 million (August 31, 2023 - $1.37 million). Accounts receivable was comprised primarily of value added taxes repayable to the Company in South Africa. Accounts payable consisted primarily of payables related to project engineering and maintenance costs on the Waterberg Project.

On July 27, 2022, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and BMO Capital Markets for a new at-the-market equity program (the "2022 ATM") to distribute up to $50.0 million (or the equivalent in Canadian dollars) of common shares of the Company. No Common Shares were sold pursuant to the 2022 ATM prior to August 31, 2022. As of August 31, 2023, the Company had issued 1,089,503 Common Shares, through BMO Capital Markets on the NYSE American pursuant to the 2022 ATM, at an average price of $1.81, for gross proceeds of $1.97 million. Directly attributable expenses and legal fees to maintain the 2022 ATM in good standing, and for commissions on equity sales, totaled $0.45 million during fiscal 2023. No Common Shares have been sold to date in fiscal 2024 pursuant to the 2022 ATM.

Total expenditures on the Waterberg Project, before partner reimbursements, for the six months ended February 29, 2024 were approximately $1.63 million (February 28, 2023 - $2.04 million). At period end, $42.5 million in accumulated net costs were capitalized to the Waterberg Project. Total expenditures on the property since inception to February 29, 2024 are approximately $87.2 million.

For more information on mineral properties, see Note 4 of the Financial Statements.

Outlook

The Company's primary business objective is to advance the Waterberg Project to a development and construction decision. PTM is the operator of the Waterberg Project as directed by a technical committee comprised of representatives from joint venture partners Implats, Mnombo Wethu Consultants Proprietary Limited ("Mnombo"), and HJM. Before project financing and a construction decision can be undertaken, arrangements will be required for project concentrate offtake or processing.

On October 18, 2022, Waterberg JV Co. approved in principle the pre-construction Work Program. The Work Program includes proposed work on project infrastructure including initial road access, water supply, essential site facilities, a first phase accommodation lodge, a site construction power supply from state utility Eskom and advancement of the Waterberg Social & Labour Plan. Work to prepare an update to the 2019 Waterberg Definitive Feasibility Study (the "DFS Update"), including updated mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates, was also approved and is currently in process. The DFS Update is to include a review of cut-off grades, mining methods, infrastructure plans, scheduling, concentrate offtake, dry stack tailings, costing and other potential revisions to the project's financial model. The DFS Update is expected to be completed in mid 2024.

The Company continues to work closely with regional and local communities and their leadership on mine development plans to achieve optimal outcomes and best value to all stakeholders.

Before project financing and a construction decision can be undertaken, arrangements will be required for project concentrate offtake or processing. In addition to seeking reasonable terms for Waterberg concentrate offtake from an existing smelter/refiner in South Africa, the Company must also consider alternatives. As described above, the Company is studying the economic feasibility of constructing a PGM Smelter and BMR to process the Waterberg Project concentrate.

As the world seeks to decarbonize and look for solutions to climate change, the adoption of battery electric vehicles is forecast to reduce the future demand for PGMs used in autocatalysis. The unique properties of PGMs as powerful catalysts are being applied to various technologies as possible solutions for more efficient energy generation and storage, which may create new demand for PGMs. The Company's battery technology initiative through Lion with partner Amplats represents one such new opportunity in the high-profile lithium battery research and innovation field. The investment in Lion creates a potential vertical integration with a broader industrial market development strategy to bring new technologies to market which use palladium and platinum. Research and development efforts by FIU on behalf of Lion continue. Technical results from Lion's research may have application to most lithium-ion battery chemistries and the scope of Lion's research work is being expanded.

Environmental, Social and Governance

Platinum Group recently received its third annual Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") disclosure report from Digbee Ltd. ("Digbee"), a United Kingdom based company that has developed an industry standard ESG disclosure framework for the mining sector providing a right-sized, future looking set of frameworks against which they can credibly disclose, track, compare and improve their ESG performance. For 2023, Platinum Group achieved an overall score of BBB with a range of C to AAA based on the information provided. This score is an improvement from the BB score achieved in 2022. Digbee ESG has been developed in consultation with mining companies, ESG specialists and capital providers and is endorsed by leading financial institutions, producing mining companies and other industry stakeholders. Digbee's reporting framework is aligned with global standards, including the Equator Principles. For more details about the Company's 2023 Digbee ESG Report please refer to the Company's MD&A, AIF and Form 40-F.

Regulatory

As well as the discussions within this news release, the reader is encouraged to also see the Company's disclosure made under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's current AIF and Form 40-F.

Qualified Person

Rob van Egmond, P.Geo., a consultant geologist to the Company and a former employee, is an independent qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Mr. van Egmond has reviewed, validated and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release and has previously visited the Waterberg Project site.

About Platinum Group Metals Ltd. and the Waterberg Project

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is the operator of the Waterberg Project, a bulk underground palladium and platinum deposit located in South Africa. The Waterberg Project was discovered by Platinum Group and is being jointly developed with Implats, Mnombo, JOGMEC and Hanwa.

On behalf of the Board of

Platinum Group Metals Ltd.

Frank R. Hallam

President, CEO and Director

For further information contact:

Kris Begic, VP, Corporate Development

Platinum Group Metals Ltd., Vancouver

Tel: (604) 899-5450 / Toll Free: (866) 899-5450

www.platinumgroupmetals.net

Disclosure

The TSX and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by management.

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "may", "plans", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the success of the Company's objective to advance the Waterberg Project to a development and construction decision, the approval and completion of the various phases of the Work Program, the planned DFS Update, the plan for and development of the Waterberg Project and the potential benefits and results thereof including that it is projected to become one of the largest and lowest cost underground PGM mines globally, financing and mine development of the Waterberg Project, potential commercial alternatives for mine development, obtaining concentrate offtake, the size and cost of the Waterberg Project, the economic feasibility of establishing a new PGM smelter and BMR, the planned Smelter DFS, work with local communities, the development of new battery technologies and the potential benefits of utilizing palladium and platinum therein, the commercialization thereof and Lion's development of next generation battery technology, the success of Lion's and FIU's research and development efforts, the expansion of Lion's research work into additional battery chemistries, the ability of the Company to obtain all required permitting, surface access, and infrastructure servitudes, the effect of battery electric vehicles on the market for PGMs, the use of PGMs in solutions to climate change, and the Company's other future plans and expectations. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the Company's inability to generate sufficient cash flow or raise additional capital, and to comply with the terms of any new indebtedness; additional financing requirements; and any new indebtedness may be secured, which potentially could result in the loss of any assets pledged by the Company; the Company's history of losses and negative cash flow; the Company's properties may not be brought into a state of commercial production; uncertainty of estimated production, development plans and cost estimates for the Waterberg Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs, between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries and between estimated and actual production; fluctuations in the relative values of the U.S. Dollar, the Rand and the Canadian Dollar; volatility in metals prices; the uncertainty of alternative funding sources for Waterberg JV Co.; the Company may become subject to the U.S. Investment Company Act; the failure of the Company or the other shareholders to fund their pro rata share of funding obligations for the Waterberg Project; any disputes or disagreements with the other shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. or Mnombo; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; conflicts of interest; litigation or other administrative proceedings brought against the Company; actual or alleged breaches of governance processes or instances of fraud, bribery or corruption; exploration, development and mining risks and the inherently dangerous nature of the mining industry, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and other risks and uncertainties; property and mineral title risks including defective title to mineral claims or property; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and South Africa; equipment shortages and the ability of the Company to acquire necessary access rights and infrastructure for its mineral properties; environmental regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits, including environmental authorizations and water use licences; extreme competition in the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, permits necessary for current or future operations or failures to comply with the terms of such permits; risks of doing business in South Africa, including but not limited to, labour, economic and political instability and potential changes to and failures to comply with legislation; pandemics and other public health crises; the Company's common shares may be delisted from the NYSE American or the TSX if it cannot maintain compliance with the applicable listing requirements; and other risk factors described in the Company's most recent AIF and Form 40-F annual report, other filings with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov and www.sedarplus.ca, respectively. Proposed changes in the mineral law in South Africa, if implemented as proposed, may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and potential interest in projects. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

The technical and scientific information contained herein has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, which differs from the standards adopted by the SEC. Accordingly, the technical and scientific information contained herein, including any estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies subject to the disclosure requirements of the SEC.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Copper and Gold Corporation (Western or the Company) (TSX: WRN; NYSE American: WRN) announces that it has entered into an agreement with Eight Capital, on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (the Underwriters) under which the Underwriters have agreed to buy from the Company, on a bought deal basis, 13,158,000 common shares of the Company (the Common Shares) at a price of $1.90 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $25,000,200 (the Offering). The Company has granted the Underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 1,973,700 Common Shares, representing 15% of the Offering, to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes, exercisable at any time up to 30 days after the closing of the Offering.

The net proceeds from the sale of the Common Shares are expected to be used to advance permitting and engineering activity at the Companys Casino Project in the Yukon and for general corporate and working capital purposes.

The Offering will be made by way of a short form prospectus (together with any amendments thereto, the Prospectus) filed in all of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and in the United States pursuant to a prospectus filed as part of a registration statement on Form F-10 (together with any amendments thereto, the Registration Statement) under the Canada/U.S. multi-jurisdictional disclosure system. The Prospectus and the Registration Statement are subject to completion and amendment. Such documents contain important information about the Offering. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the Common Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.

The Registration Statement relating to the Common Shares has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. The Common Shares to be sold pursuant to the Offering described in this news release may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective. Before readers invest, they should read the Prospectus in the Registration Statement and other documents the Company has filed with Canadian regulatory authorities and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. The Prospectus is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Registration Statement is available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement may be obtained, for free upon request, from Enoch Lee at 100 Adelaide Street West, Suite 2900, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4H 1S3.

The Offering is expected to close on or about April 30, 2024 and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including that of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American LLC.

ABOUT WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD CORPORATION

Western Copper and Gold Corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canadas premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.

The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino Project using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.

For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com.

On behalf of the board,

Sandeep Singh

Sandeep Singh

Chief Executive Officer

Western Copper and Gold Corporation



This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the use of proceeds from the Offering, the necessary regulatory approvals required for the Offering being received and the expected closing date of the Offering. Statements that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information as that term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 (NI 51-102) of the Canadian Securities Administrators (collectively, forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, potential, possible and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results will, may, could or should occur or be achieved. The material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the assumptions that all regulatory approvals of the Offering will be obtained in a timely manner; all conditions precedent to completion of the Offering will be satisfied in a timely manner; and that market or business conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner.

Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual results, performance or achievements of Western and its subsidiaries may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks involved in fluctuations in gold, copper and other commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties related to raising sufficient capital in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Western's AIF and Form 40-F, and other information released by Western and filed with the applicable regulatory agencies.

Westerns forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and Western does not assume, and expressly disclaims, any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Indiscriminate attacks against civilians in Sudan could constitute "war crimes and crimes against humanity," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday, one year since fighting erupted between rival generals.

"This is more than a conflict between two warring parties. It is a war being waged on the Sudanese people," Guterres told reporters, referring to the tens of thousands of people killed and 18 million facing "acute hunger."

"Indiscriminate attacks that are killing, injuring and terrorizing civilians could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity," he said, condemning the use of sexual violence against women and girls, and attacks on aid convoys.

He also reiterated his concerns about reports of escalating unrest in El-Fasher, in Darfur -- a western region that is home to a quarter of Sudan's 48 million people and the past scene of horrific violence, with reports of mass ethnic-based killings.

El-Fasher, in North Darfur State, is the last state capital not under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are battling Sudan's army. It is also a major regional hub for humanitarian aid.

Fears have mounted that sexual and ethnic-based violence have resumed in Darfur with the outbreak of civil war.

"Over the weekend, RSF-affiliated militias attacked and burnt villages west of the city -- leading to widespread new displacement" and fears that the city's only water source could be overtaken, Guterres said.

"Fighting continued today on the outskirts of El-Fasher," he added.

"Let me be clear: Any attack on El-Fasher would be devastating for civilians and could lead to full-blown intercommunal conflict across Darfur."

He warned that such an attack would also upend aid operations in an area "already on the brink of famine."
Actress Oh Yun Soo is set to reunite with esteemed actor Han Suk Kyu in MBC's highly anticipated new drama, "Such a Close Traitor" (working title).

The confirmation came on April 16, revealing Oh Yun Soo's involvement in the upcoming psychological thriller, "Such a Close Traitor."

A Tale of Intrigue: Unraveling Secrets in "Such a Close Traitor"

"Such a Close Traitor" delves into the intricate world of psychology, portraying the moral quandaries of Jang Tae Soo (played by Han Suk Kyu), Korea's top profiler, as he unravels the truth behind a murder case intertwined with his daughter's secrets.

Oh Yun Soo Joins the Cast Oh Yun Soo will portray Yoon Ji Su, Jang Tae Soo's ex-wife and mother to Jang Ha Bin.

Yoon Ji Su becomes a pivotal character, central to the enigmatic dynamic between father and daughter, further intensifying the mystery woven into the storyline.

Milestones and Reunions: Han Suk Kyu and Oh Yun Soo's Return

This drama holds significant milestones for both Han Suk Kyu and Oh Yun Soo. For Han Suk Kyu, it marks his return to MBC after 29 years, since his appearance in "Hotel" back in 1995

Additionally, it signifies the first on-screen reunion of Han Suk Kyu and Oh Yun Soo in approximately three decades, following their collaboration in the 1993 MBC drama "Son and Daughter

Executive Insight: Anticipation for "Such a Close Traitor"

Executive producer Namgoong Sung Woo, the mastermind behind "Such a Close Traitor," expressed his excitement about the reunion, stating,

"The reunion of two actors with such rich history in MBC dramas is a pivotal aspect that heightens anticipation for 'Such a Close Traitor. We ask viewers to eagerly anticipate and support the stellar performances of these actors, who command attention with their mere presence."

With the anticipation building around the reunion of these two seasoned actors and the intriguing premise of "Such a Close Traitor," audiences are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of this gripping psychological thriller on MBC.

ALSO READ: Han Suk Kyu Confirmed To Lead New Psychological Thriller Drama





KdramaStars owns this.

Written by: Joan Cabigas




Two-term Kelowna city councillor Loyal Wooldridge hopes to be named the NDP's candidate for the new riding of Kelowna Centre in this year's provincial election. He'll return to finish out his municipal term if he doesn't win the riding.




Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - An outspoken Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Member of Parliament has accused Parliament of letting down striking doctors.

In an interview with KTN News on Tuesday, Dagoretti North MP, Beatrice Elachi, said it was unfortunate for the National Assembly to adjourn the call to discuss the ongoing doctors' strike, which entered the 32nd day on Tuesday.

''As a parliament, we have failed, we were to debate it on Thursday.

"It was not about ranting or blaming.

"We wanted to bring up a possible sit down between the president and the doctors, and have a discussion on why they are abandoning the agreement made in 2017,'' Elachi said.

Elachi further called on a refresher session for the duties of MPs as the lawmakers' recent acts have proven to have no knowledge as advisers of the president.

''It is so sad, that people in parliament whenever you are discussing anything, you're discussing the president, which is wrong.

"Parliament is also there to advise the president when they think the president is not doing right, or his vision is not being done by his Cabinet.

"I don't know whether this parliament needs the training to understand that,'' Elachi explained.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - The Central Organisation for Trade Unions (COTU) has suffered a huge blow after President William Rutos government ordered all private security companies to stop contributing to the union effective immediately.

The bad news was delivered by Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA).

In a statement, PSRA CEO Fazul Mahamed noted that all private companies will be required to cease their contributions with the order taking effect immediately.

PSRA explained that Francis Atwoli-led COTU has failed in its mandate of advocating for the rights of the security workers despite their significant membership and contributions.

Regrettably, notwithstanding their significant financial contributions, COTU has not lived up to its mandate and has persistently disregarded, declined, and/or neglected to advocate for their rights, read the statement in part.

Additionally, the Authority faulted COTU for its failure to ensure that the private security workers received a minimum wage as earlier proposed.

According to Fazul, each of the workers is deducted a fee ranging from Ksh150 to Ksh620 depending on their salary range.

The regulatory authority has also stated that they have instituted an investigation into the collection and use of all the finances that have been deducted from the security workers.

PSRA, therefore averred that its preliminary investigations showed that its members had made contributions amounting to billions of shillings to the union.

Moreover, PSRA warned private security firms that any organisation, heading into the future, found culpable of violating this directive risked having their license revoked.

Any private security company that continues to deduct and remit the said fees to the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), SHALL be subjected to a statutory review of its registration and licensing status in accordance with Section 32 of the Act, explained PSRA.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Tuesday, April 16, 2024  Donald Trump has made history by becoming the first former US president to face a criminal trial.

The Republican politician arrived at a Manhattan courthouse Monday, April 15, as his hush money trial got underway.

Trump is accused of falsifying his business records to disguise a hush-money payment made to Stormy Daniels, a former adult film star, shortly before the 2016 election.

The charges from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stem from a $130,000 payment Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, made to the film actress at the end of the 2016 election to keep her from going public with an allegation that she and Trump had had an affair. Trump then repaid Cohen in instalments marked as legal fees in company records.

Mr Trump, 77, faces a maximum of four years in jail if convicted, but could avoid jail time and be fined instead.





The trial began today with jury selection, which could take up to two weeks because of the large pool of prospective jurors.

The proceedings mark the first time a former president has faced a criminal trial.

Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records. He has denied the affair and pleaded not guilty to the charges, which he says are politically motivated.

Last April, he pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment.

Jury selection could take up to two weeks, with the entire trial expected to last between six and eight weeks.





Judge Marchan set a hearing on prosecutors' request to hold Trump in contempt for allegedly violating the judge's limited gag order. The hearing is set for Wednesday, April 24.

The judge gave Trump's attorneys until April 19 to file their written response.


Tuesday, April 16, 2024  The founding member and former bassist of Saxon, one of the UK's most successful heavy metal bands, has been jailed for assaulting a six-year-old girl.

Stephen Dawson, 72, was sentenced to five years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court after he was convicted of four counts of indecent assault of a child under 14.

The rock band, which was formed in Barnsley, South Yorks, sold over 23 million records and its eccentric musicians later inspired the cult mockumentary 'This is Spinal Tap'.

Dawson's former bandmates, including Saxon co-founder and guitarist Graham Oliver, said they were left 'shocked', 'sickened', and 'disgusted' at his actions.

The abuse took place in the 1990s following Dawson's dismissal from the band in 1986, with Oliver saying they hoped the victim had 'closure' following the ordeal.

His statement read: 'To say we are all shocked and disgusted by Dawson's actions is an understatement.

'While these vile offences occurred post-Saxon and pre Son of a Bitch/Oliver Dawson Saxon era, we are all sickened by his predatory behaviour against a small child, and hope this prison sentence gives his victim some closure on her terrible ordeal.'

Dawson founded Saxon with Oliver in 1976 before Peter 'Biff' Byford joined on vocals and Paul Quinn came in on guitar.

And he helped write hits including '747 Strangers in the Night' and 'Freeway Mad' off their 1980 platinum record, 'Wheels of Steel'.

Dawson was also thought to be the inspiration behind the fictional character Derek Smalls, played by Harry Shearer in the film This Is Spinal Tap, released in 1984.

He remained with the group until 1986 when he was reportedly fired due to arguments with his fellow musicians.

Dawson, from Rotherham, was originally found guilty on March 21 before being given his custodial sentence this week.

Following the verdict, Detective Constable Robert Heath, from South Yorkshire Police, said his victim had demonstrated 'extraordinary strength'.

He said: 'Stephen Dawson thought he had got away with committing these horrific crimes against a young, vulnerable victim 30 years ago.

'She has shown extraordinary strength through coming forward and throughout the course of the investigation, resulting in Dawson spending a number of years in prison.

'It is clear that his evil acts have remained with her throughout her life, and I hope this sentence goes some way to allowing her to move on from these traumatic events.

'The result of this case demonstrates just how seriously we take these offences.

'We hope this provides some encouragement that if you have been subjected to any offence, no matter how long ago it happened, to come forward and report it to us.

'We are here to listen, investigate and bring the perpetrators before courts.'




Tuesday, April 16, 2024  Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is not resting easy.

This is after the plot to block him from ascending to the presidency after William Ruto via the UDA party was hatched.

This was revealed by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala, who noted that there was an impending succession battle in the party.

Malala was speaking after reports came out that UDA had three slots for Deputy Party Leader, a position that has been until now solely occupied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In his view, the Secretary-General revealed that it was unfair to expose the Deputy President to a competition of who is second in command.

Many parties break due to succession battles. We need a straight command structure, he explained.

He explained that Gachaguas position should not be elective and should mirror that of President William Ruto who is the Party leader on the virtue of being the partys presidential candidate.

In my view, if we have a party leader who is not voted for as he is the presidential candidate, the same respect should be accorded to Gachagua who was his running mate, Malala explained.

He added that a petition was already being prepared to amend the constitution and make Gachaguas post non-elective.

We want to make it very clear that UDA is a democratic party. Our constitution says we have 3 deputy party leaders but it also gives National Executive Council (NEC) power to amend the constitution, he explained.

Ahead of the National Delegates Conference, we are going to put amendments so we have one Party Leader, one Deputy Party Leader, and other officials

The conversation has surfaced at a time when a section of Mt Kenya leaders have endorsed Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro to succeed President William Ruto.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Tuesday, April 16, 2024  The Jewish state of Israel has decided to hit the Islamic Republic of Iran clearly and forcefully and is already preparing its warplanes to carry out the strike, according to a report on Monday, April 15.

The decision comes after two war cabinet meetings in which leaders of Israel debated how to respond to barrage of 350 suicide drones and missiles

Israels Channel 12 news carried the report which was widely picked up in local media.

The channel said the countrys air force which includes US-made F-16, F-15 and F-35 fighter jets is already gearing up to deliver a retaliatory counter-strike against the Islamic Republic of Iran, though no timeline was provided.

According to the report, the strike will be intended as a message that Israel will not allow an attack of that magnitude against it to pass without a reaction. but Israeli leaders also hope the response will not spark a wider war.

US President Joe Biden and leaders of the UK, France, Italy and Canada have urged Israel to exercise restraint, with Biden reportedly telling Israels Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would not support a counter-attack.

Israels military chief Lt. Gen Herzi Halevi confirmed Monday that Irans actions will be met with a response, but he also declined to elaborate or indicate the timing.

On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned his US counterpart Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that the Jewish home state has no choice but to retaliate against the rogue Islamic Republic after it launched hundreds of missiles and suicide drones into Israeli airspace on Saturday night, according to an Axios correspondent Barak Ravid.

At a White House press briefing Monday afternoon, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called Irans missile attack against Israel a spectacular and embarrassing failure, and said the key US ally is in a far stronger strategic position today than before the attack.

Kirby deferred questions about whether he expected the US to be briefed ahead of an Israeli military response.

That is an Israeli decision to make. Whether and how theyll respond to what Iran did on Saturday were going to leave squarely with them.


Tuesday, April 16, 2024  The Israeli war cabinet has reviewed military plans for a potential response against Iran during a nearly three-hour meeting on Monday.

The war cabinet remains determined to act, but it is not clear at this point if a decision has been made.

There is a sense that Israel must act quickly, the official said.

The war cabinet also reviewed diplomatic options to further isolate Iran, which could be carried out in addition to a military response.

Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones last Saturday in response to a drone strike in Syria that killed 12 Iranians, including two top generals.

Irans attack on Israel was legitimate and responsible, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said Monday. Tehran is not seeking to raise tension but will take proportionate action to defend itself, he said.

Meanwhile, Israel was set to take its first steps toward a ground offensive on the Gaza city of Rafah but delayed the campaign after Irans attack.

United States (US) President Joe Biden addressed Irans attack for the first time publicly on Monday, April 15, saying he remains focused on Israels security, reaching a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, and preventing the conflict from spreading.




Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka came to the defense of embattled Azimio principals who are staring at arrest and prosecution over multimillion corruption cases.

Speaking in Mumias, Kakamega County, Kalonzo defended former governors Mwangi wa Iria (Muranga) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) together with the Office of Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) recommended charges against the Azimio principals.

This comes even as it appears Raila Odinga has abandoned them, ostensibly to focus on his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position.

Kalonzo spoke a day after Mwangi wa Iria was accused of a conflict of interest while awarding a Ksh140 million publicity tender during his time as Murang'a Governor.

We shall stand with our brother Mwangi Wa Iria come rain come sunshine. You cannot weaponize the war against corruption, Kalonzo stated.

The former Vice President remarked that the current administration was using investigative constitutional offices to clamp down on the opposition.

In his view, ODPP and EACC should also investigate government officials if they are serious about dealing with corruption.

The real criminals and corrupt people are known and are out there. Go for them, he remarked.

Kalonzo added that it was bizarre to see Mwangi wa Iria being prosecuted while there were people with criminal cases serving in the current administration.

Further, he lamented that the government was shaming opposition leaders, citing a time when Oparanya was publicly arrested with his wife.

Raila has been conspicuously missing from Azimio pressers which have been calling for agitation against different policies and directives instituted by the government.

Last week, Kalonzo and other Azimio principals convened a presser where they threatened to join doctors in their strike if President William Ruto did not solve the impasse.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - Wiper Democratic Movement party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, has condemned Iran's attack on Israeli territory.

On Saturday, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel.

The Israeli military, however, said 99 percent of the missiles and drones fired by Iran overnight were intercepted without hitting their targets.

In a statement, the former Vice President called on Israel to exercise restraint, saying efforts should be directed at ending the war in Gaza.

"I join the international community in condemning the attack on Israel by Iran at a time when all our energies ought to be directed at ending the war in Gaza," Kalonzo said.

"The coordinated united diplomatic response by the Group of Seven is commendable, as is the assurance by President Joe Biden that the US will not take part in any counter-offensive against Iran."

Kalonzo said that the swift action has prevented a worse catastrophe saying that the UN should take complete charge to defuse and de-escalate the crisis.

"Neither the Middle East nor the world can afford an all-out war at this time.

"The Middle East cannot go to war with itself so soon after Easter and Ramadhan celebrations," he said.

Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel in retaliation for an April 1 deadly strike on its consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus, which killed senior Iranian commanders.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - Siaya Governor James Orengo has suffered a severe blow for insulting a poor woman.

This is after the court ordered him to pay Ksh1 million to the mother of former Kisii governor James Ongwae for hurling insults at her during a political rally organized by Raila Odingas Azimio in Kisii County on February 17, 2023.

Kisii Senior Resident Magistrate Paul Mutui slapped Governor Orengo with a Ksh1 million fine for harm caused by the defamatory statements made to the 97-year-old Grace Moraa Ongwae, whose words were widely published on YouTube and social media.

Mutai has also ordered Orengo to publish and upload a clear public apology of equal prominence to Ongwae's mother with national coverage.

Further, the court has issued a permanent injunction restraining Orengo and his agents or servants from further remaking or causing to be published the defamatory words against Moraa.

While awarding the damages, the magistrate found that Ongwae's mother, through lawyer Peter Wanyama, had proved beyond reasonable doubt the defamation suit against Orengo.

Moraa filed the defamation suit last year, arguing that Governor Orengo had infringed on her right to human dignity when he made offensive, vulgar, crude, false, and derogatory remarks against her on February 17, 2023, which have since painted her in a negative light and exposed her to hatred, ridicule, and mockery from the residents of Kisii County.

During the hearing, the court was informed that Moraa and her husband learned about defamatory remarks while listening to the radio at their village home in Kisii when they heard Orengo utter the defamatory words repeatedly.

Ongwae's father informed the court that if Orengo had a political problem with his son, the best way was to confront him directly, and there was no need to drag his wife Moraa into the matter.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - Renowned lawyer, Miguna Miguna, has turned against President William Ruto over a series of decisions he termed as costly to Kenyans.

In a statement on Tuesday, the lawyer revealed that Ruto's administration was riddled with scandals that made it difficult for him to throw his unequivocal support for them.

Specifically, Miguna highlighted the ongoing doctors strike, the fake fertiliser scandal, the Haiti deployment saga, and the stance on Iran's attack on Israel as problematic areas.

"I voted for President William Ruto and supported his UDA Party against Azimio in the 2022 general and presidential elections," he stated.

"However, on the doctors strike, the fake fertiliser scandal, the Haitian imbroglio, retrogressive support for Israel, the tribal composition of the KK regime, and other scandals, I, General Miguna Miguna unequivocally say no."

He further equated the regime to that of former President Uhuru Kenyatta whom he had fallen out on numerous occasions.

"Democracy, accountability, transparency in public affairs, equity, and constitutionalism are not negotiable," he added.

"Once any regime crosses the RED LINE, patriots and revolutionaries have a duty to PROTECT the public interests."

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Tuesday, April 16, 2024  Georgian politicians began fist-fighting during a parliamentary debate about a controversial bill.

Mamuka Mdinaradze, leading ruler of the Georgian Dream party and a politician who supports the foreign agent bill, was punched by opposition leader Aleko Elisashvili while speaking.

After the first punch was thrown, several other legislators began throwing punches.

Elisashvili was later cheered by citizens outside of the parliament building for his actions.

Speaking to news outside of the building, Elisashvili said: "I got beaten, but if its for Georgia, then so be it. F*** them! We must shove this law up their a**es.

There is no time for politeness, they are dragging us directly into Russia. We are either Georgians or slaves. And we are not slaves.

Five opposition MPs have now been expelled from the Judiciary Committee hearing on the bill after the brawl: Giorgi Vashadze, Paata Manjgaladze, Ana Natsvlishvili, Levan Khabeishvili and Khatia Dekanoidze.

The controversial bill was introduced by the Georgian Dream party, and would require organisations that accept funding from abroad to register as foreign agents or face fines.

But the bill has drawn fierce backlash and caused strain for Georgian citizens who aim to join the EU.

European countries and the EU have opposed the bill  but the country has already deepened their ties with Russia.

After the bill was introduced last year, protestors threw Molotov cocktails, fireworks and stones at police in the capitol city of Tbilisi.

But Givi Mikanadze, a Georgian Dream lawmaker, told national TV last year: Georgian society absolutely deserves to know which organisations are being financed, from which sources.

More than 60 civil society organisations and media outlets have said they will not comply with the bill if it is signed into law.

Protestors outside of the parliament building on Monday, April 15, chanted: No to the Russian law!

Saba Gotua, an architect, told AFP: Georgias society is strong enough not to allow the country to slide into Russian-styled authoritarianism.

But the Georgian Dream party said the bill will combat pseudo-liberal values imposed by foreigners and promote transparency about foreign funding.

Watch the video of the fight below.




Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - Nairobi County Assembly Speaker, Ken Ngondi, has a habit of forcing himself on junior female staff in the county.

According to Cyprian Nyakundi, the rogue speaker forces women to do whatever he wants.

He was filmed forcing himself on a Muslim woman during a staff party.

He wanted to hug her but she was defiant because of her faith.

Reacting to the video, prominent lawyer Ahmednasir said the lady should press charges.

This is physical assault, a gross trespass to the person of the lady. I will be very surprised if criminal charges are not preferred, he said.

Prominent hotelier Mohammed Hersi also called out the Speaker and said that he should be sued.

She should have stood up and told him Dont dare lay your hands on me.

"Trust me even a fool will come back to his senses.

"If I am the husband of this women I will certainly sue him.

"Your position does not give you the powers to violate someone else. Shenzi Sana, he said.

Watch the video and reactions from netizens.

























The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - Government spokesman, Isaac Mwaura, has attacked striking doctors, accusing them of being selfish and thinking their professional is more important than others.

Speaking on Monday, Mwaura said intern doctors should be paid Sh 70,000 like interns from other sectors of the economy.

Doctors are, however, demanding that intern doctors be paid Sh 206,000.

But Mwaura faulted the doctors for exaggerating their profession over others.

He juxtaposed the medics with the Public Service Commission (PSC) interns who he argued are paid KSh 25,000 as a monthly stipend, further noting that a lawyer takes home KSh 15,000 in the course of their pupillage.

"All of the issues that have been addressed we have taken action as government; from where we stand we have fulfilled many of those requirements, but one of the things we cannot back down on is the issue of paying interns KSh 206,000.

It is unsustainable and no profession is more important than the other, he said in a presser.

If you are an intern at the Public Service Commission, you are only paid KSh 25,000.

"Lawyers who also take five to six years to be in class are paid only KSh 15,000 during pupillage," Mwaura said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called on the government to beef up security for Kisii county governor Simba Arati.

In a statement issued by the Orange Democratic Movement, the Raila Odinga-led party said the governor was facing threats on his life from persons believed to be allied to the government who are believed to be plotting his downfall.

"The continued mistreatment and harassment of our National Vice Chairman H. E Simba Arati (Governor of Kisii County) by officers of the National Government and the police has come to our attention. Regrettably, the government is quiet on this whole matter," ODM stated.

The Orange party cited a phone conversation that has gone viral, alleged to be of a senior government official in Kisii plotting to arm-twist Arati.

"The ODM party takes note of the recent telephone conversation of a senior police officer in the DCI that was recorded and has been circulating in the media.

"We demand that Hon. Arati be accorded maximum security as required by law and action taken against the perpetrators of the illegal plans and threats to his life," ODM added.

According to the phone conversation in our possession, the party in the conversation is heard claiming that they have to teach the governor a lesson.

The five-minute audio reveals some plans to tame the governor who has been at loggerheads with the national government.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Tuesday, April 16, 2024  The "Rust" armorer, who last month was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the deadly shooting of Halyna Hutchins, the film's cinematographer, was sentenced in a New Mexico state court today, April 15, to 18 months imprisonment.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who is the daughter of an established Hollywood armorer, received the maximum penalty for her part in the 2021 tragedy where actor Alec Baldwin discharged live rounds from a prop gun on the movie set during a rehearsal.

Several experts have since characterized the accident as a preventable incident.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer handed down the sentence to conclude an emotionally charged hearing Monday, April 15.

"I find what you did constitutes a serious violent offense," Sommer told Gutierrez-Reed.

Although the prosecution pushed for this outcome  the maximum sentence  Gutierrez-Reed and her defense team had asked the judge to consider probation as an alternative.

The defendant, who is now 27, raised that request herself in a statement read in court before the sentence came down.

In the statement, she called Hutchins an inspiration and said she was saddened by the media coverage of her case and the negative light in which it painted her to the public.

"Your honor, when I took on 'Rust,' I was young and naive. But I took my job as seriously as I knew how to," said Gutierrez-Reed.

"I beg you, please, don't give me more time. The jury has found me in part at fault for this horrible tragedy, but that doesn't make me a monster. That makes me human."

The prosecution had cited Gutierrez-Reed's lack of contrition during the trial as one reason to impose the maximum sentence.

But her attorney, Jason Bowles, said in his final remarks at the sentencing that his client had in fact cried, broken down, experienced "mental breakdowns" and "said 'if only' many, many, many times," with that side of her remaining largely unfamiliar to people following the case.

Authorities took Gutierrez-Reed into custody once the verdicts were read. Her defense blamed the film's management for the shooting, arguing that serious safety issues existed on the "Rust" set that were outside of her purview.




Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - President William Ruto has revoked the nomination of Kenyas appointee to the position of the East African Community Secretary General.

In a letter dated April 15, 2024, which was submitted to the EAC Council of Ministers Chairperson Deng Kuol, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community Peninah Malonza communicated that Ruto had revoked the nomination of Caroline Mwende Mueke.

The CS further noted that the President had now nominated Veronica Mueni Nduva to hold the seat.

In accordance with Article 67 (1) of the EAC Treaty; we write to inform you the President of the Republic of Kenya has varied the nomination of Ms Mueke to the position of the EAC Secretary General.

The Republic of Kenya now presents Ms. Veronica Mueni Nduva for appointment to the position of the Secretary General of the East African Community, read the letter in part.

Before her nomination, Veronica Nduva had been serving as the Principal Secretary for Performance & Delivery Management in the Ministry of Public Service.

Interestingly, the CS did not provide any reason for the decision to revoke the appointment of Caroline Mueke, which was submitted to the Community on March 15.

However, the buck lies with the members of the EAC, who will be required to vet and approve the new appointee.

This decision comes after the previous holder for the Secretary-General position, Peter Mathuki, was reassigned as Kenyas Ambassador to Russia.

Mathuki has served in the position since 2021 after being appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Tuesday, April 16, 2024  President William Rutos magic seems to be working pretty well to the disappointment of his critics.

After reducing fuel by a whopping Sh10, Ruto has more good news for Kenyans.

This is after he reduced electricity prices by a big margin.

In a statement, Ruto, through Kenya Power, announced a 13.7% reduction in power prices for domestic customers.

The power utility firm attributed the reduction to the strengthening of the shilling and the fall in the cost of fuel that is used to generate electricity.

"We are happy to note that the reduction has given reprieve to our customers and we are optimistic that the prevailing macro-economic environment and the improved hydrology in the country."

"This enables us to dispatch less thermal power, will sustain the benefit to our customers," said Kenya Power's Managing Director & CEO, Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror.

According to the company, a 37% cumulative reduction in fuel cost charges between March and April 2024 as gazetted by the Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) was one of the largest contributors to the price reduction.

A customer under the Domestic Customer 1 (DC1) tariff band (those consuming less than 30 units per month) using 30 units of electricity will pay Ksh629 in April 2024 compared to Ksh729 for similar units in March 2024 representing a 13.7% reduction.

Kenya Power also provides that a customer under the Domestic Customer 2 (DC2) tariff (averaging 31-100 units per month) who consumes 60 units will pay Ksh1,574 in April 2024 compared to Ksh1,773 in March 2024 representing a 11.2% reduction.

Meanwhile, a customer under the Domestic Customer 3 (DC3) tariff band (averaging more than 100 units per month) who uses 120 units per month will pay Ksh3,728 in April 2024 compared to Ksh4,127 in March, representing a 9.7% reduction.

The company further stated that this was an affirmation of its commitment to ensuring access to affordable electricity.

Moreover, the firm noted that this was key to spurring socio-economic development in the country.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - Striking medics in Eldoret Town were forced to prematurely end their protests on Monday after they were countered by hundreds of youth.

The youth staged a counter-protest at the same venue where the doctors had prepared to organize their match.

Overwhelmed by the huge number of locals blocking the roads, the medics retreated to re-strategize.

Some of the doctors seemed enraged by what they had met and wanted to engage the protesting locals.

They had to be restrained by their leadership.

The angry youth, who are against the strike, threatened to stone the doctors if they did not return to their workstations.

Instead of going back to their workstations, the doctors instead chose to kneel in the middle of the street and start praying for patients.

Despite the confrontation, the doctors maintained they would not resume work until the government honoured the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) signed in 2017.

Police officers were seen on the scene but did not interfere with any of the two concurrent protests.

After the doctors knelt to pray, the youth staging counter-protests refrained from their initial threats of stoning the medics.

Among the demands doctors want fulfilled by the national government include; promotion of qualified doctors as well as placement of medical interns at a Ksh206,000 monthly salary.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Tuesday, April 16, 2024  YouTube star, Logan Paul is expecting a baby with his fiancee, Nina Agdal.

He made the revelation revealed via Instagram on Monday, April 15.

Another Paul coming this Fall , the couple captioned the joint pregnancy reveal.

The model gave a glimpse of her baby bump in the photo as she kissed her partner while Paul, 29, held sonogram shots toward the camera.

Logan who is a professional wrestler, shared the same photos to his Story, writing that his and Agdals next chapter will be very special.

On her own Story, Agdal referred to herself and Paul as mom and dad, and gushed about meeting her little best friend soon.

The pair got engaged in Lake Como, Italy, last year.
Award-winning stand-up comedian Shane Daniel Byrne is bringing his live show to the Watergate in Kilkenny later this month.

Shane is a writer, actor, MC and comedian who sold out his first solo show Shane Daniel Byrne LIVE in Dublins Liberty Hall Theatre. 2022 and 2023 have seen him headlining the biggest big comedy clubs in Dublin as well as special guest spots on national tours for Tony Cantwell and Emma Doran. Hes opened up for Kiri Pritchard-McClean and even got to support one of his comedy heroes David O Doherty.

Shane is no stranger to Kilkenny and was on the stage at major festivals including The Cat Laughs (2019,2021,2022), Vodafone Comedy Festival (2019), Paddy Power Comedy Festival (2022), Body & Soul, Otherside, Electric Picnic and Love Sensation. He has performed across the island of Ireland, the UK and as far away as the Middle East. He also performed as part of the Dublin Fringe, selling out his run in 2019, before being part of FringeLab and helping other artists with their work.

Shane is also well-known for his numerous television appearances. For RTE, he hosted Love Bites in 2022 and Queer History School in 2021. In 2020 he appeared on Reeling In The Fears in a sketch he wrote with Joanne McNally. For Virgin Media, he was a guest on The Six O Clock Show and a contributor on Ireland AM.

As an MC he hosted the Dublin Pride Stage at Mother Pride Block Party, co-hosted the Irish Times Theatre Awards 2022 with actress Eileen Walsh, Lockdown Lols for GCN Magazine and The Pride Takeover on DubX Radio.

The award-winning Shane Daniel Byrne is Irish comedys new wonderkid (in his mid 30s). Hes back in Edinburgh for the first time after winning second place at So you Think Youre Funny 2019.

Shane will perform at the Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny on May 5.
Following a sold out 2023 festival, tickets are now on sale for Marble City Music Festival 2024, which runs May 17-19, and sees an exciting lineup in St Marys Cathedral.

Proud Kilkenny man, world renowned violinist, and artistic director of Marble City Music Festival Patrick Rafter teams up with some of Irelands finest and most exciting musicians for three mesmerising concerts. The festival offers music to suit all tastes, and is the perfect opportunity to engage with classical music in a stunning setting with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

On Friday, May 17 at 8pm Patrick Rafter joins Maldovan Pan Flute player Julian Pusca, Irish harpist Claire ODonnell and pianist Billy OBrien for a magical concert of cinema classics.

The concert will showcase many of the greatest soundtracks and love themes of the C0th century featuring themes from the Lord of the Rings, Out of Africa, the Godfather and many more.

On Saturday, May 18 at 8pm a concert is presented by RTE Lyric FMs Lorcan Murray where Patrick Rafter joins celebrated Irish pianist Michael McHale to perform an incredible programme including the epic Franck Sonata for violin and piano. The concert promises to be an outstanding show of virtuosity and craftsmanship.

On Sunday, May 19 at 3pm, former Celtic Woman soprano, Megan Ruby Walsh performs spellbinding Disney Classics with piano, violin and harp featuring themes from Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, Cinderella and the Prince of Egypt. It promises to be a magical family event for all who witness these incredible musicians performing showstoppers  ideal for the young and the young at heart alike.

Tickets are available from 15 plus booking fees and are on sale now at marblecitymusicfestival.com.

Festival-goers can avail of free car parking at the Cathedral and wheelchair access. Marble City Music Festival is an ideal opportunity to explore the fabulous food, bars, scenery, and culture that Kilkenny city has to offer.

Patrick Rafter is warmly inviting everyone to come along to the festival.

Im so proud to have established a festival where I can perform in my home city in a venue that holds so many beautiful memories for me, he said.

I would love to welcome people to the festival who may have never attended a classical music concert, especially children  music is such a powerful tool for emotional expression and I hope to warmly break down any misconceptions that are held! My deepest thanks go to those who have already supported the Festival in 2023, and I hope you come back for more this May!
Kilkenny County Council says it is taking steps to monitor air quality and tackle air pollution, against a backdrop of Ireland facing a growing concern over harmful pollutants and fine particulate matter arising from burning solid fuels, such as coal, peat and wet wood.

One of the significant contributors to air pollution in Ireland is the burning of solid fuels for heating purposes. Solid fuel combustion releases harmful particles and gases into the atmosphere, leading to elevated levels of pollution. Recognising this issue, the Irish government implemented new solid fuel regulations in 2022 to curb emissions from domestic heating sources.

The new regulations set stricter standards for the types of solid fuels that can be used for heating, aiming to reduce the emission of harmful pollutants and protect public health," says Francis Brophy, Executive Engineer for Air, Noise and Water in Environment, Kilkenny County Council.

"By phasing out the use of high-polluting fuels and promoting cleaner alternatives, the government hopes to make a meaningful impact on air quality and reduce the health risks associated with poor air."

"Kilkenny County Council plays a vital role in implementing and enforcing these regulations, as well as taking additional measures to improve air quality within its jurisdictions. Here in Kilkenny, efforts are being made to monitor air quality levels, identify sources of pollution, and develop action plans to reduce emissions and protect public health.

Mags Whelan, Environmental Awareness Officer in Kilkenny County Council, says air quality is a top priority for her department and they are committed to working towards cleaner air for our communities in Kilkenny and its residents.

"By collaborating with local businesses, educational institutions, and community groups, we aim to raise awareness about air pollution and promote sustainable practices that will benefit both our health and the environment," she saaid.

In addition to regulatory measures, public awareness and community engagement are crucial in addressing air pollution and improving air quality. Individuals can make a difference by choosing cleaner transportation options, reducing energy consumption, and supporting initiatives that promote environmental sustainability.

According to statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the levels of harmful pollutants in the air have been on the rise, posing significant risks to public health and the environment.

Fine particulate matter arising from burning solid fuels, such as coal, peat and wet wood, remains the biggest contributor to poor air quality in Ireland, with 'worrying localised issues' in cities, towns and even villages, according to the 2021 report.

The EPA's latest Air Quality in Ireland report reveals alarming findings, showing that multiple pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5), are exceeding the recommended limits in many urban areas across the country. These pollutants are known to cause a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and even premature death.

Furthermore, the WHO estimates that air pollution is responsible for approximately 1,500 premature deaths in Ireland each year. These figures highlight the urgent need for action to address the root causes of air pollution and improve air quality nationwide.

The EPA and WHO emphasise the importance of collective action in tackling air pollution, as it is a complex issue that requires comprehensive solutions at local, national, and global levels. By raising awareness, advocating for clean air policies, and adopting sustainable practices, it's possible to protect health, preserve the environment, and create a healthier future for generations to come.

If you want to make a complaint about poor air quality in your area, visit Kilkenny County Councils Environment website on www.kilkennycoco.ie/ environment

For more information on air quality initiatives in Kilkenny and across Ireland, please visit the EPA's website at www.epa.ie and the WHO's website at www.who.int.
Prepare to be transported into a world of enchantment and nostalgia as former Late Late Show piano man, Frank McNamara, brings his Disney Classics by Candlelight to St Johns Church of Ireland, Kilkenny.

Disney Classics by Candlelight promises to be a captivating concert experience featuring acclaimed performers from the West End and beyond.

The event is set to take place on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 7pm.

Audiences of all ages are invited to immerse themselves in the timeless charm of classic Disney melodies, beautifully interpreted by an exceptional lineup of artists. Headlining the concert is none other than Brian Gilligan, renowned for his powerful portrayal of Scar in the West End touring production of The Lion King.

Joining him is the captivating Irish Soprano, Naoise Stuart Kelly, whose angelic voice is sure to win hearts.

Frank McNamara will be bringing his magic touch to the piano accompaniment.

The setting for this magical evening is the historic St. Johns Church of Ireland, Kilkenny, providing a serene and intimate ambiance that perfectly complements the enchanting melodies.

As the countless candles flicker softly, attendees will find themselves transported into a world where beloved Disney characters come to life through song.

This is the fourth concert that Frank McNamara will have brought to Kilkenny. He brought his highly popular Chopin by Candlelight, Mozart by Candlelight and Christmas Classics concerts last year and received multiple standing ovations from the capacity audience.

Tickets are available for purchase online at Eventbrite or at the door on the night.

Don't miss this opportunity to relive cherished memories and create new ones in the company of beloved Disney tunes and extraordinary talent.
HAIKOU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- At the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce pavilion, Marco Russo, CEO of Italian jewelry brand Russo Cammei, was immersed in receiving customers and negotiating deals. Hailing from Naples, Italy, Marco represents the fourth generation of a family legacy spanning over a century dedicated to crafting artisanal handmade jewelry. He tries to blend the tradition of cameo artistry with the innovative flair of contemporary designs. This marks Marco's third voyage to the China International Consumer Products Expo in south China's island province of Hainan. Armed with over 300 pieces of jewelry including some new collections first shown to Chinese consumers, Marco is fueled by a grand ambition -- to further penetrate the vast Chinese market. "Hainan expo is growing up year by year, and getting more and more customers," he said. "It means that there is a great opportunity for us." Marco's optimism is buoyed by China's immense consumer base and their penchant for Italian craftsmanship. With an established business partner in Shanghai, he eagerly anticipates fostering deeper collaboration and forging new partnerships. "Hainan could be a very important platform for the future because it will become an important free trade port," he said, noting that the Chinese government attaches great importance to Hainan and he hopes to expand the market in this province. Enrico Peruffo, CEO of the Italian jewelry company Fratelli Bovo, participating in the Hainan expo for the first time, expressed his positive impression of the event. "The organization and the layout are good, and the quality of goods is good," he said, emphasizing its significance as a platform for gathering market feedback and gauging the potential of products. "We have established the Western market like Europe and the United States, and now we are approaching the Chinese market," he said. The adjacent Italian Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), hosted a jewelry exhibition featuring 17 selected Italian brands, drawing considerable attention from visitors. Massimiliano Tremiterra, trade commissioner of ITA office in southern China's Guangzhou City, said the Hainan expo is a gateway for foreign companies to access the Chinese market. "Italian products are very strong in some sectors like fashion, jewelry, and food. Hainan is really a place where all these products are requested, so I think Italian companies can find a very nice opportunity here," he said. The fourth China International Consumer Products Expo, which started Saturday and lasts till April 18, is China's only national-level exhibition featuring consumer products and also the largest consumer expo in the Asia-Pacific region. This year it has the biggest scale ever, attracting a record number of brands with an indoor exhibition area of 128,000 square meters.
U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. first lady Jill Biden greet people as they attend a campaign event at Montgomery County Community College, in Blue Bell, near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden earned $619,976 in 2023, according to their joint tax return released by the White House.
Former President Donald Trump attends the first day of his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments linked to extramarital affairs, at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on April 15.
By Choe Chong-dae

My fascination with Myanmar began during former diplomat Kwon Byong-hyon's tenure as the Korean ambassador to Myanmar from 1987 to 1989. Later, he also served as the Korean ambassador to Australia and China. During his ambassadorships in these three countries, he facilitated numerous exchanges between officials and civilians to promote Korean diplomacy. These initiatives fostered people-to-people connections and contributed significantly to Korea's diplomatic efforts.

It's inspiring to see the deepening diplomatic ties between our nations, exemplified by Korean President Moon Jae-in's state visit to Myanmar in September 2019, graciously extended by its President Win Myint.

The resilient people of Myanmar, guardians of a heritage spanning millennia, endured colonial subjugation in the late 19th century amid the global spread of colonialism. In 1885, Myanmar's sovereignty was eclipsed, prompting a spirited uprising for independence marked by unwavering patriotism. This arduous struggle culminated in the restoration of Myanmar's autonomy in 1948, a testament to the indomitable will of its people.

Myanmar boasts a rich historical legacy with flourishing kingdoms symbolizing magnificence and dignity across millennia. Despite periods of subjugation, the people demonstrated patriotism and unity, taking up arms to reclaim their freedom.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultural heritage and profound spiritual sites. Notably, one of the nation's standout figures is U Thant, distinguished for his tenure as the Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1961 to 1971.

The practice of Buddhism in both Korea and Myanmar reveals significant parallels, emphasizing shared spiritual connections while also highlighting unique interpretations, local variations and cultural influences that distinguish their expressions of this profound faith. These similarities and distinctions contribute to the diverse tapestry of Buddhism as practiced in these two countries.

An intriguing aspect of Myanmar's cultural heritage is Bagan, an extraordinary sacred landscape featuring a remarkable array of Buddhist art and architecture. Bagan is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mandalay region. It serves as a testament to centuries of the Theravada Buddhist tradition of merit-making, known as Kammatic Buddhism, offering profound insights into the Bagan Period from 11th to 13th centuries.

During this era, merit-making became a potent mechanism of political control, with the king assuming the role of the chief donor, extending the civilization's influence through control of river transport.

The intangible aspects of Bagan's cultural heritage are expressed through Buddhist worship, traditional practices and agriculture. The site comprises 3,595 recorded distinctive monuments, including stupas, temples, inscriptions, murals and structures dedicated to Buddhist spiritual practices and rich archaeological resources that offer valuable insights into the region's history and culture.

Myanmar is actively tackling historical tensions, poverty and political complexities as it pursues development. By fostering peace and stability, the nation aims to unleash its economic potential, fostering prosperity for its citizens and the wider region.

The celebration marking the 79th Anniversary of Myanmar Armed Forces Day, hosted by Thant Sin, the Myanmar ambassador to Korea, alongside Brigadier General Wint Thu, defense attache of the Myanmar embassy, recently took place in Seoul. Attendees were particularly impressed by Wint Thu's eloquent congratulatory speech delivered in Korean, which illustrated the strong and amicable ties between Korea and Myanmar.

Highlighted is the profound sense of honor and loyalty exhibited by Myanmar soldiers toward their country, reminiscent of sentiments expressed in William Shakespeare's play, "Richard II": "My honor is my life. Both grow in one. Take honor from me. And my life is done."

This deep-seated psychological attachment underscores their steadfast commitment to defending Myanmar, a dedication that surpasses mere duty and is rooted in a profound sense of identity and purpose.

Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co. and founding director of the Korean-Swedish Association.


ENHYPEN Sunghoon and Jake were spotted together with a Japanese adult hostess, sparking controversy.

Here's the full story.

The two K-pop idols attended the Jewelry brand event for Tiffany&Co., where they stunned viewers with their elegant and cool visuals.

While ENGENEs were delighted to see them interact with other celebrities and fashion personalities, broadening their social circles, both Japanese and Korean fans weren't particularly impressed after seeing Jake and Sunghoon together with an adult entertainer.

Japanese ENGENEs Upset At ENHYPEN Sunghoon, Jake Posing With Hostess

According to the report of Segye Ilbo on the 15th, the girl in the controversial photo of Jake and Sunghoon is an A-list Japanese hostess, who also owns a cabaret club.

Based on the article, the photo was just a commemorative shot taken by the celebs, who were both invited to attend the Jewelry brand.

However, Japanese ENGENEs (ENHYPEN fandom) expressed their discomfort and embarrassment. They criticized the adult hostess who proudly stood shoulder to shoulder with global K-pop stars and questioned the members if they were even aware of who they were taking a photo with.

ALSO READ: ENHYPEN Sunghoon's Security Check Takes a Bizarre Turn  'Is It Normal?'

Although Japanese hostesses and adult actors (AV) are often seen in public because they are invited to attend such events, this is a significant difference from the Koreans.

Even Japanese fans themselves think it's shameful for an adult entertainer to be associated with K-pop idols.

Some of the reported Japanese comments are translated below:

I don't think ENHYPEN knew who she is."

"Even in Japan, being a bar hostess isn't a work that we encourage to people."

"It's questionable that she was even invited to such an event."

"Who uploaded this photo?"

"What is HYBE doing?"

"ENHYPEN should really be aware of who they are meeting."

HYBE Responds to Controversial Photo of ENHYPEN Jake, Sunghoon

When this issue spread in various media and online communities, agency HYBE explained the context of the photo.

"When attending brand events, we respond to requests to take a picture from other attendees other than the relevant person at the venue. Often, there are a lot of cases when the identity of the requester cannot be confirmed in advance."

The agency continued:

"ENHYPEN met Miss A for the first time at the event. She was also a guest from the event who had requested to take a photo at the venue, and we did not know her identity. We would like to clarify that the photo was taken at the request of the attendee during the local event."

READ MORE: ENHYPEN Jake Apologizes For Purchasing Starbucks Here's Why

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
In a poignant moment on the April 15th episode of Channel A's television show "Table for Four,".

K-pop artist DARA bared her soul, delving into the personal struggles that shaped her journey to stardom.

From Korea to the Philippines: The Start of DARA's Journey

DARA revealed that her path to fame began in elementary school when her family relocated to the Philippines. It was there that she kickstarted her career, propelled by her participation in a survival audition show.

Despite her reserved nature offstage, she found her voice and passion under the spotlight, a contrast to her quiet demeanor in everyday life.

READ ALSO: BABYMONSTER Surprised by Charlie Puth's Unexpected Gift -' The Singer-Songwriter We Respect, Gave Us...'

The Weight of Responsibility: Becoming the Family's Breadwinner

With tears welling in her eyes, DARA disclosed the pivotal moment that altered her life trajectory. As the eldest daughter in a family torn apart by divorce during their teenage years, she found herself thrust into the role of provider.

Dara is non-confrontational.



The result of being a breadwinner at a young age that she thought expressing her feelings will just burden others and that she should always be strong for her family, so she tends to bottle it up 



Life is tough, but Dara is stronger. pic.twitter.com/tDYSCWuRde  deechoi (@_you_like_TOP) April 15, 2024

This newfound responsibility necessitated her to balance her burgeoning career with the care and support of her family, a burden she carried with unwavering determination.

NETIZENS COMMENTS

Here's what fans are saying:

The result of being a breadwinner at a young age that she thought expressing her feelings will just burden others and that she should always be strong for her family, so she tends to bottle it up Life is tough, but Dara is stronger. As an older sister myself, I feel you We're both the same..

Thunder's Insight and DARA's Emotional Response

In a touching revelation, DARA's brother, Thunder, shared his retrospective understanding of their shared experiences in the Philippines.

Dara's love to her mother 



Made me cry. pic.twitter.com/V1Oj8zCIzh  deechoi (@_you_like_TOP) April 16, 2024

His acknowledgment of the challenges DARA faced resonated deeply with her, evoking tears as she reflected on the sacrifices made and the resilience displayed during those formative years.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Park Bo-ram's Real Cause of Death: Autopsy Results Reveal No Sign of Foul Play + Funeral Details

Navigating Adversity to Achieve Success

DARA's emotional disclosure on "Table for Four" provides a glimpse into the untold stories behind her glamorous facade.

From navigating the complexities of family dynamics to shouldering the weight of financial responsibility, her journey is one of resilience and perseverance.

Through tears and triumphs, she continues to inspire with her unwavering dedication to both her craft and her loved ones.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: BTS Billboard Controversy Unraveled After One Year - No Checks Finally Explained
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PRNewswire

Shizuoka [Japan], April 16: tesa, an international manufacturer of innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions, and ABB, a technology leader in electrification and automation system integrator, are giving a live demonstration of the tesa ProSeal cartridge-based tape applicator for fully automated hole covering. The event will take place over five days from 15 to 19 April, 2024. tesa and ABB are inviting Japanese and Korean automotive OEMs to ABB's technical center in Shimada City, Japan, to demonstrate the most advanced automation technology for the hole covering tape application process in the automotive industry.

Also Read | Lara Dutta Birthday: Adorable Pics of the Actress With Husband Mahesh Bhupathy That Will Warm Your Hearts.

Innovative ecosystem for maximum efficiency and waste reduction

tesa ProSeal is the unique ecosystem that offers significant improvements in production efficiency and flexibility, while achieving waste reduction in automotive hole covering application. The cartridge is compatible with different materials and/or dimensions of tesa hole cover patches, and the robot automatically switches the cartridge in 10 seconds to apply the appropriate patches, minimizing the complexity of the process and the capital investment in automated equipment. Moreover, tesa collects the used cartridge and replenishes the cartridges with new patches to minimize packaging materials and reduce liner waste. With production innovations like these, tesa supports customer to achieve their sustainability targets as well as reduces operation costs with fully automated processes.

Also Read | Sydney Stabbing: Australian Police Treating Attack at Christ The Good Shepherd Church as Terrorist Act (Watch Videos).

"We are proud to collaborate with ABB to introduce tesa ProSeal, our innovative hole-covering automation technology, to the automotive industry in Asia Pacific," said Andreas Gunnestrand, President & Regional Manager, tesa Asia Pacific. "This partnership highlights our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that not only drive automation, but also contribute to sustainability and waste reduction in the automotive industry."

"This strategic collaboration exemplifies ABB's commitment to pioneering innovative robotics and automation solutions to transform industries and future-proof business," says Takashi Asari, head of ABB's Robotics & Discrete Automation division, Japan. "We are also introducing our new Omnicore robot controller, which has market-leading motion control capabilities and reduces power consumption by up to 20 per cent, making manufacturing more accurate, efficient and sustainable."

tesa has a long-standing partnership with the automotive industry, providing intelligent solutions that contribute to areas such as automation and e-mobility. Its innovative self-adhesive tape solutions and application process technology play a critical role in improving manufacturing processes and product performance for automotive OEMs and their suppliers worldwide. Through continuous innovation and collaboration, tesa remains committed to driving the automotive industry towards a more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced future.

Get more information about tesa ProSeal here.

About tesa: As a multinational company, tesa develops innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions for various industries, commercial customers, and end consumers. There are already more than 7,000 tesa adhesive solutions that help improve the work, products or lives of our customers. Today, the focus is on sustainability and energy-saving processes. tesa invests in the development of environmentally friendly products and solvent-free manufacture processes as well as in the use of renewable energy sources at its locations.

About ABB: ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company's solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on over 140 years of excellence, ABB's more than 105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
ATK

New Delhi [India], April 16: The bustling streets of the capital recently came alive with an air of elegance and empowerment as Dr Palka and Dr Gaurav Grover graciously hosted a captivating soiree at their award winning Japanese restaurant, Guppy. The occasion ? A heartfelt tribute to womanhood, adorned with fashion, sustainability, and a spirit of unity.

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Amidst the chic ambience and tantalizing aromas of gourmet cuisine, guests were treated to an unveiling of a remarkable creation - a Luxe calendar that not only epitomized style but also championed the cause of sustainability. Featuring collaborations with top Fashion Designer - D L Maya, Jewelry from Lasolitaire, HMU by Shirin Singh, Fashion photography by Foto vision and adorned by supermodels like Hida Siddiqui, Megha Sachdeva, Rashi Rao, actress Shivali Rajput and Miss India Tourism Asmita Chakraborty who sashayed in the lovely garments at the Luxurious Venue Shangri-la Eros New Delhi during the shoot, the calendar stood as a testament to the power and grace of women everywhere.

Dr Gaurav Grover, speaking passionately about the project, emphasized its significance in striving for gender equality. "This calendar is dedicated to all the powerful women around me," he remarked, his voice resonating with conviction. "It is our hope that through initiatives like this, the world will come to recognize and embrace the true essence of equality."

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As the evening unfolded, luminaries from various walks of life graced the event with their presence, each adding their unique sparkle to the celebration. Renowned fashion designer Rina Dhaka, television producer Nivedita Basu, actress Aparna Dixit, entrepreneur Archana Agarwal, and classical dancer Padma Shri Shovana Narayan ji were among the esteemed guests apart from more than a dozen Diplomats who lent their support to the cause.

In between sips of fine wine and engaging conversations, attendees found themselves immersed in an atmosphere brimming with camaraderie and solidarity. The resonance of laughter and applause filled the air, mingling harmoniously with the melodies of live music that serenaded the gathering.

Beyond the glamour and festivities, however, lay a deeper message - one that echoed the importance of recognizing and honoring the contributions of women in every sphere of life. From the boardroom to the runway, from the home to the podium, women continue to shape and enrich our world with their resilience, creativity, and unwavering spirit.

As the night drew to a close, hearts were filled with a renewed sense of appreciation and admiration for the women who inspire, empower, and uplift. With the echoes of the evening's celebrations still lingering, one couldn't help but feel optimistic about the future - a future where womanhood is celebrated not just today, but every day, in all its magnificent diversity and splendor.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Two men arrested in connection with firing at Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai had conducted a recce around the actor's house at least three times before executing the plan on April 14, a senior crime branch officer said on Tuesday. The duo Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), originally from Chamaparan in Bihar, were apprehended late Monday night from Mata No Madh village in Gujarat's Kutch district. Salman Khan Firing Incident: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Arrives At Salman Khan's Home Galaxy Apartments in Mumbai (See Pics and Video).

A senior Gujarat Police officer has said that Gupta and Pal were hired by the gang of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to open fire at Khan's house. However, when asked about the role of Lawrence Bishnoi, the Mumbai Police officer said they are verifying. At around 5 am on Sunday, two motorcycle-borne men opened fire outside 58-year-old Khan's house in Bandra. Out of five rounds fired at Galaxy Apartment, where Khan lives, one hit the wall and another hit the gallery of his residence, according to police.

Preliminary probe suggested that Pal, who was riding pillion on the motorcycle, opened fire, while Gupta remained in touch with gang members while riding the bike. "A preliminary probe suggested that both Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta were hired by the gang of Lawrence Bishnoi to open fire at Khan's house," Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kutch West, Mahendra Bagadiya, said earlier in the day.

After they were arrested by the Mumbai Police's crime branch team, the accused duo was flown to the Maharashtra capital by a flight on Tuesday morning, said Lakhmi Gautam, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Mumbai.

"Their medical check-up was conducted and they were produced before a court which remanded them in police custody till April 25," he said.

Considering the seriousness of the crime, section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC was added to the FIR, which was registered on charges of attempt to murder and Arms Act after the probe was transferred to the crime branch from Bandra Police, he said. The crime branch had formed 12 teams to probe the case, he said. Speaking about how the breakthrough was achieved, Lakhmi Gautam said, "With the help of human and technical intelligence, the crime branch team received information that the accused persons were in Gujarat, following which two teams were sent to nab them.

He said there was a possibility that the accused persons were carrying weapons. "As the terrain of Bhuj was unknown to our officials, the Bhuj Superintendent of Police was informed about the accused persons," he said. A team from the Bhuj crime branch joined Mumbai Police officials around 60 km away from Bhuj. "After travelling around 40 kilometres farther, the two accused were nabbed by the team. They were brought to Mumbai this morning," the Joint Commissioner of Police said.

He said the preliminary investigation suggested that the accused persons carried out recce around Khan's house at least three times before the firing. Notably, a Facebook post claiming the responsibility for firing surfaced hours after the incident. The post was allegedly uploaded by Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, according to the police. "Anmol Bishnoi's role is primarily visible in the crime and we are investigating," the officer said.

Prima facie, it was Anmol Bishnoi who posted on a Facebook account, he said. "He used threatening language and he is basically commenting on the (firing) incident; Anmol's role is prima facie visible", Lakhmi Gautam said. The FB account holder is named as a wanted person in the case, he added. Queried on the involvement of other persons in the incident, he said police would investigate all the possible angles. Firing at Salman Khan's Residence: Mumbai Police Crime Branch Nab Two Shooters From Gujarat's Bhuj (Watch Video).

When asked about the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, he said, "Mumbai Police are in touch with all states and investigating agencies where cases are registered against the particular gang". The investigation so far suggested that Gupta was riding the motorcycle at the time of the incident, while Pal, who was riding a pillion, allegedly fired five rounds at the actor's house, a police official said. He said a Mumbai crime branch team travelled to Champaran and questioned family members of Gupta and Pal.
Paris Hilton joined California state lawmakers Monday to push for legislation aimed at cracking down on the industry that cares for troubled teens by requiring more transparency from youth treatment facilities. The bill, supported by the Hilton Hotel heiress and media personality, aims to pry open information on how short-term residential facilities for youth dealing with substance abuse and behavioural issues use disciplinary methods such as restraint or seclusion against minors. It would require such centres to notify parents and the state any time they use restraints or seclusion rooms for minors. It's authored by Republican state Senator Shannon Grove and Democratic state Senators Aisha Wahab and Angelique Ashby. Paris Hilton Opens Up About Surrogacy, Says 'It Was a Difficult Decision to Make'.

On Monday, Hilton testified in a legislative hearing in support of the bill, detailing her harrowing abuse as a teenager at a facility in Utah that she said still haunts her and urging lawmakers to take actions before more children have to suffer similar treatment. Our current system designed to reform, in some horrific instances, does the exact opposite, Hilton told lawmakers Monday. It breaks spirits and instils fear, and it perpetuates a cycle of abuse. But today, we have the power to change that. The California bill passed the committee with bipartisan support on Monday. Under the bill, facilities must report details such as what disciplinary actions were taken, why and who had approved the plan. The state department regulating the facilities also would be required to make public the reports and update the database on the quarterly basis. It would not ban the use of such practices. Hilton has become a prominent advocate for more oversight and regulation of teen treatment centres after publicly sharing the physical and mental abuse she suffered as a teenager. She alleged staff members would beat her, force her to take unknown pills, watch her shower and send her to solitary confinement without clothes as punishment.

Paris Hilton Backs California Bill for Youth Treatment Centers

Paris Hilton supports bill for transparency at youth treatment centers! https://t.co/EGFs0jqZTZ  NOW 1051 (@now1051) April 16, 2024

In 2021, her testimony about her experience at Utah's Provo Canyon School helped pass a bill to impose stricter oversight over youth treatment centres in the state. Hilton has also traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for federal reforms and helped change laws to protect minors in at least eight states. Earlier this month, she spoke in support of boys sent to a private school for troubled teens in Jamaica. Hilton, whose company called 11:11 Media is sponsoring the bill, called the legislation a game changer that would shed light on child abuse at youth residential treatments and hold them accountable.

This would have been so helpful to me and so many others to have known what was happening behind closed doors, Paris said in an interview. Because I was cut off from the outside world, I couldn't tell my family anything, and that's what they do.

Between 2015 and 2020, California sent more than 1,240 children with behavioural problems to out-of-state facilities due to the lack of locked treatment centres for youths, according to Senator Grove's office. As reports about abuse happening at these programs emerged, including an incident where a 16-year-old boy died after being restrained for about 12 minutes at a Michigan facility, California also found significant licensing violations at these facilities and decided to do away with the program in 2020. Legislation passed in 2021 formally banned the use of out-of-state residential centres. Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom also authorized USD 8 million to bring all the minors home by last year. Paris Hilton Gets Called Out by PETA Over Getting a New Puppy From Breeders Instead of Adopting One.

Minors with behavioural issues are now sent to in-state short-term residential centres, which were created in 2017 to replace group homes. However, under current laws, these facilities are not required to share information on how often they use seclusion rooms and restraints and how many times those methods result in serious injuries or deaths. Children at these facilities make up one of the most vulnerable populations, including foster youths who have previously been sexually exploited, Grove said. It's a small but critical step to ensure the increased transparency and accountability for California's children, she said Monday.
Kolhapur, Apr 16 (PTI) Shahu Chhatrapati, scion of the Kolhapur royal family, has said he chose the Congress for his poll debut as he draws inspiration from his great grandfather Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, a hugely revered figure among all segments of society for his bold social reforms.

The 76-year-old, who will take on the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's sitting Kolhapur MP Sanjay Mandlik, in an interview to PTI said though it is his poll debut, he has been in touch with politics for a long time.

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"I have always been on the periphery of it," he said.

Speaking about contesting on the Congress ticket, he said, "It is the oldest political outfit in the country and a pan-India party, associated with the Independence movement."

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"We have to retain democracy in India, which everyone feels is in danger. The Constitution needs to be protected," Shahu Chhatrapati said.

There are "danger bells", as elections to local bodies have not happened for many years, he pointed out.

"What if something goes wrong? We have to protect democracy and the Constitution. It is of paramount importance. Democracy has to be safeguarded and that is the base of everything," he emphasised.

On the significance of the Kolhapur royal family of Maharashtra, he said its members are supposed to be dedicated to the interests of the people and have to work for their welfare.

The septuagenarian, a highly respected figure in the district, said Kolhapur flourished because of his visionary great grandfather Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, who he termed as the centre point of equality.

"My great grandfather was an illustrious social reformer and stood for all-inclusive development. He never encouraged polarisation of people. He worked for socio-economic upliftment and I take inspiration from him," Shahu Chhatrapati said.

The Congress candidate, who is a graduate in History, Economics and English, said he wanted to carry forward his grandfather's legacy of fighting injustice and bringing about public welfare.

Shahu Chhatrapati, who is associated with educational institutions and charitable trusts created by Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj and his late father Shahaji Chhatrapati, said he disagreed with the BJP that the Congress had done nothing for the country's development.

The Congress' contribution for more than six decades after Independence, be it in economic growth, or development of nuclear energy, cannot be negated, he said.

In fact, it is the BJP which has not fulfilled any of its promises, Shahu Chhatrapati claimed.

Asserting there was no pressure on him to not contest, he said he wouldn't be bothered even if there was.

Speaking about his campaign, Shahu Chhatrapati said his family members are spread across the constituency and the role of each of them is defined.

"What is very heartening is that the people of Kolhapur are coming to office and asking how they can contribute to my campaign. I have been addressing meetings and highlighting the Congress' manifesto, which guarantees welfare for all sections of society," he said.

Shahu Chhatrapati refused to comment on sitting MP Mandlik's recent remark that he was not the "real heir" as he was adopted.

"I don't know anything about this," he said brushing aside the topic.

Elections to the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held in five phases from April 19 to May 20.

Polling in Kolhapur parliamentary constituency will take place on May 7.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], April 16 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that had sought quashing of Ministry of Minority Affairs's decision to dissolve the Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF).

The bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna stated that this Court finds no merit in the present petition and is not inclined to interfere in the considered decision taken by the respondents. Accordingly, the present petition is dismissed, along with the pending applications.

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The bench observed that it is seen that the decision to dissolve the MAEF is a well-considered decision, duly taken by the General Body of the MAEF in terms of the authority vested in it by way of the Bye Laws of the MAEF and as per the provisions of the Act, 1860.

This Court is not impressed by the various submissions advanced on behalf of the petitioners with respect to dissolution of MAEF not being in conformity with the Act, 1860 or with regard to transfer of its funds. The decision to dissolve the MAEF has been duly taken by the General Body of the MAEF and this Court finds no impropriety or irregularity in the process adopted by the said General Body in arriving at the said decision, according to the order.

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In any event, this Court, in public interest jurisdiction (unlike civil original jurisdiction) is not supposed to examine and give a finding with respect to each and every procedural or statutory violation.

In public interest jurisdiction, the Court has to look at the "big picture" and ensure that the cause of the minorities, in particular the minority girl students, as canvassed by the Petitioners, is not prejudiced. Consequently, this Court takes notice of the various welfare schemes being carried out by the respondent Ministry to cater to the specific interests of the educational and vocational needs of the minority communities, including girls belonging to the said communities. Therefore, the contention of the petitioners that the schemes of the respondent Ministry do not have objects similar to that of the MAEF, cannot be accepted, the order stated.

Even otherwise, the scope of judicial review of the policy decisions taken by the government is very limited. Once a policy has been formulated by the government and a decision has been taken thereto, it is not for this Court to interfere in the said policy, only on the ground that a better policy could have been evolved.

The plea moved by Professor Syeda Saiyidain Hameda and others through Senior Advocate Anand Grover and Advicate Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi stated that during the pendency of the present petition, the respondent ministry placed on record the minutes of the meeting of the General Body of MAEF held on March 7, wherein a unanimous decision to dissolve the MAEF was taken.

The plea stated that the manner in which the impugned order dated February 7 has been passed, is thoroughly perverse, illegal and guided by malafides. The same is dehors of all the statutory provisions as well as the Memorandum of Association and the Rules and Regulations of the Society. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, April 16: A case has been registered against Anmol Bishnoi in connection with the firing incident outside the house of actor Salman Khan, police said. The police said that Anmol Bishnoi, who is the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, wrote about the firing incident on Facebook and used threatening language.

Earlier in the day, Kachchh police arrested two accused and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Later, Mumbai's Killa Court sent the two arrested accused to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until April 25 in connection with the firing incident outside Salman Khan's Bandra house. The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), belonging to Bihar, were presented before the court after a medical examination. Salman Khan Firing Case: Mumbai Crime Branch Arrests Two Accused From Gujarats Bhuj For Attacking Actors Home In Bandra

Meanwhile, after the arrest of the accused, Kachchh DSP AR Zankant said that during the primary interrogation, it was revealed that the accused were in contact with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's gang. "Mumbai Police was investigating the case of firing outside the residence of actor Salman Khan. Mumbai Police informed the Kuchchh Police that the two accused had reached Kuchchh. Different teams were formed to catch the accused. Both accused were arrested by Kuchchh Police and handed over to Mumbai Police. During primary interrogation, it was found that they were in contact with Lawrence Bishnoi's gang," DSP Zankant said.

Notably, since November 2022, Salman Khan's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus due to threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. Khan has also been authorised to carry a personal firearm and has acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection. Earlier, a press release issued by Bhuj police read, "West Kachchh Police arrested two accused of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang who opened fire outside the residence of actor Salman Khan on April 14. The two accused have been identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), belonging to Bihar. The entire operation was conducted by Bhuj police."

"They have been handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch for further questioning," the press release further read. The firing incident, which occurred on Sunday morning, saw two unidentified men open fire outside Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, and flee from the spot. The incident prompted swift action from law enforcement agencies. According to preliminary investigation, the suspects arrived at the scene on a motorcycle, covering their faces under helmets, indicating a "meticulously planned attack." Firing Outside Salman Khans House: Arbaaz Khan Issues A Statement, Writes Our Family Has Been Taken Aback'

They discharged a total of four rounds during the incident, leaving behind a live cartridge at the scene. Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to Salman Khan over the phone regarding the incident. Shinde also discussed this with the Mumbai Police Commissioner and suggested increasing the actor's security.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 16 (ANI): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticized the Congress on Monday, stating that despite continuous rhetoric about eradicating poverty from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, the party failed to provide effective solutions.

Addressing a public rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, Singh emphasized the lack of concrete plans from the Congress over the years. He also highlighted the BJP's initiatives, including uplifting over 1 crore women to 'Lakhpati Didi' status through Self Help Groups.

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"From 1951, the Congress, from Jawahar Lal Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, had talked about eradication of poverty, but did not present any solution to eradicate it," Singh said, according to a BJP press release.

He said that more than 1 crore women have been made 'Lakhpati Didi' through the help of the Self Help Group and the BJP has promised to make 3 crore women Lakhpati Didi.

Also Read | Delhi: Police Arrests Two Sharpshooters of Naresh Sethi-Ajay Jaildar Gang After Exchange of Fire.

Union Minister and incumbent MP and BJP Lok Sabha Candidate from Kathua Jitendra Singh, BJP General Secretaries Ashok Kaul and DK Manyal, among other leaders, were present in the public rally.

According to the BJP release, Rajnath Singh mentioned that the BJP has worked for the development of Jammu and Kashmir and also took the decision of abrogating Article 370 to integrate Jammu and Kashmir as an inseparable part of India. However, Singh criticized the NC, PDP, and Congress for opposing the article and misleading the public.

Rajnath Singh praised Jitendra Singh, stating that as a minister, he fulfills his responsibilities excellently and effectively presents viewpoints in the Parliament. Singh claimed that instead of relying on previous trends, Jitendra Singh will emerge victorious with the public's blessings and majority votes.

The Union Defence Minister highlighted that it is not just India but the whole world that acknowledges the nation's rapid progress. India's stature has increased internationally.

Earlier, when India spoke on the international stage, its words were not taken seriously enough. But today, when India speaks on the international stage, the whole world listens attentively, he said.

Rajnath Singh noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has progressed economically, jumping from the 11th to the 5th position in terms of its economy's size since 2014.

Recognized economists and esteemed financial firms worldwide also agree that India's rapid advancement will likely lead it to become the world's 3rd largest economy by 2027. India is fortunate to have a strong leadership, he said.

Singh highlighted that there has never been a disparity between the actions and words of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

He also emphasized that if the leaders of the Congress party had fulfilled even partially the promises made to the people after India gained independence, India would have emerged as one of the leading nations in the world 25-30 years ago.

"The Congress party and other political parties also released manifestos and made grand promises to the public, but after coming into power, they did not fulfill their commitments," he said.

Singh emphasised that since the inception of the Jan Sangh, the BJP's manifesto has repeatedly stated that whenever the party comes to power, Article 370 will be abolished in Jammu and Kashmir. And this promise was fulfilled upon the BJP coming to power. BJP has always promised to construct a magnificent mandir for Bhagwan Ram in Ayodhya, the promise was once mocked by the opposition parties that "Mandir Wahi Banayenge, Par Tareekh Nahi Batayenge".

However, on January 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla, fulfilling the commitment.

"The beginning of Ram Rajya has now begun in India, and no one can stop the advent of Ram Rajya now," he said.

Singh explained that Ram Rajya means instilling a sense of duty within people, raising awareness about their responsibilities, and fostering a sense of accountability, not blind obedience.

He emphasized that the BJP doesn't engage in politics solely to form a government but also to build the nation.

"The government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has demonstrated this. The BJP had promised to pass the citizenship law, and it was passed. Despite this, opposition are attempting to spread misinformation that people's citizenship will be revoked," he said.

Singh assured that under no circumstances will any Indian citizen lose their citizenship.

He highlighted the Uniform Civil Code and mentioned that in this year's manifesto, the BJP has clearly stated that within 5 years, the UCC will be implemented in the country.

"For independent India, it had been a significant crisis, there was a disconnect between the actions and words of leaders. As a result, trust in India's politics and its leaders gradually eroded. There was a perception that those who lied were the only ones who became leaders. The Bharatiya Janata Party took on the task of breaking this perception. Indian politics had created a crisis of trust among other political parties, and BJP accepted this challenge as an opportunity," he said.

Defence Minister further emphasized that when discussing triple talaq, opponents often question, "Why do you intervene in the matters of people from other religions? What right do you have?"

However, Rajnath Singh affirmed that the BJP, regardless of a woman's religion, will not tolerate any compromise on her dignity. Whether in government or not, the BJP will never tolerate any infringement on women's respect.

Rajnath Singh highlighted that in Jammu and Kashmir, previously dominated by Congress, National Conference, and PDP, opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 was strong, fearing it would lead to bloodshed in the state. However, post-abrogation, there has been a significant development in Jammu and Kashmir.

He emphasized that the BJP has fulfilled its resolution of 'Jahan Hue Balidan Mukherjee, Wo Kashmir Hamara Hai'.

He also mentioned Rahul Gandhi's recent Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir, including his visit to Gulmarg, made possible only after the abrogation of Article 370.

In the past, when devotees visited the Maa Vaishno Devi Mandir, their buses and luggage were subjected to checks, a practice that was halted by the Central government, allowing devotees to visit the temple freely, he pointed out.

Rajnath Singh highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced numerous beneficial schemes catering to every section of society. "The 'Nal Se Jal' scheme was initiated to address the water scarcity issue in households. Over 4 crore houses have been constructed across the country, and the BJP manifesto promises an additional 4 crore houses in the future. Additionally, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana provides an annual health cover of 5 lakh rupees," he said.

He also assured that after forming the government, within a month, everybody above 70 years regardless of caste or religion, will get a free treatment of Rs 5 Lakh under Ayushman Bharat. During the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi ensured two vaccine doses for every citizen.

"Amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict, numerous Indian students found themselves stranded in Ukraine, leading their parents to appeal to PM Narendra Modi for assistance.

Responding promptly, PM Modi engaged in telephonic conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and USA President Joe Biden.

Consequently, a ceasefire was arranged for 4.5 hours, enabling the safe evacuation of 22,500 students from Ukraine.

Rajnath Singh emphasized that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, according to IMF and other financial institutions, over 25 crore people have been lifted above the poverty line in a relatively short period.

"Previously, India was perceived as a soft state, characterized by its policy of non-aggression and reluctance to engage in conflicts or acquire territory. However, after the incidents at Uri and Pulwama, the world recognized India's valor and determination. It became evident that India would not hesitate to defend itself and respond strongly to any threats or attacks from its adversaries," he said.

He also mentioned that previously, women in Kashmir who married outside the state lost their right to property. However, this was changed, and now women have the right to property even if they marry outside the state. He also appealed to the voters to vote for Dr Jitendra Singh and ensure the BJP government in Centre for the third consecutive time, the release added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gaya, April 16: In a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the "second name" for the opposition party in Bihar was corruption. The Prime Minister, who this morning campaigned for NDA candidate Jitan Ram Manjhi in Gaya, while addressing the public blamed the party founded by Lalu Parsad Yadav for the poor condition of Bihar state.

The RJD, the Prime Minister said, did not have the the guts to discuss the work done by their government. "RJD has ruled Bihar for several years but they don't have the guts to discuss the work done by their government. The biggest face of jungle raj in Bihar is RJD. It is another name for corruption in Bihar. RJD is the biggest culprit for the destruction of Bihar. They have given only two things to the state: the first, jungle raj and the other, corruption," PM Modi said. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Narendra Modi Slams INDIA Bloc in Mettupalayam, Says 'Family Parties Like Congress, DMK's Agenda is To Remain in Power by Lying' (Watch Videos).

"During their reign, kidnapping and ransom became a business in Bihar. Women used to feel unsafe while coming out of their house late at night," he said. Attacking the opposition alliance, the Prime Minister said the "Ghamanidya (arrogance) Ghatbandhan" possessed neither the vision nor confidence and they are accepting votes on the basis of work done by state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"'Ghamandia Gathbandhan' has neither vision nor confidence. Even when these people go to ask for votes, they ask for votes on the basis of Nitish ji's works. The whole of Bihar knows why these people take credit for the works of Nitish Ji and the Central government," PM Modi said. Accusing the leaders of the INDIA bloc of "insulting" Lord Ram by not attending the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya in January this year, the Prime Minister said the former boycotted the ceremony for the appeasement of one particular community.'24 by 7 for 2047': PM Narendra Modi Gives Guarantee Ahead of Lok Sabha Polls, Says 'Har Pal Desh Ke Naam, Har Pal Aap Ke Naam' (Watch Video).

"Tomorrow is the holy festival of Rama Navami. But, the people of the 'Ghamandia Alliance' also have problems with Ram Temple. Those who once questioned the existence of Lord Ram, are today speaking all kinds of objectionable languages at Ram Mandir. To appease one community, these people even boycotted the Prana Pratishtha programme," he said.

Hitting out apparantly at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his "shakti" remark and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin for his remark on Sanatana Dharma, the Prime Minister said, "The prince of Congress openly says that he will destroy the 'shakti' of Hindu religion. Their other companions call our Sanatan Dharma dengue, malaria." Further referring to the BJP's manifesto, which was released on Sunday, PM Modi said that it is the first time a party's manifesto is being called a "guarantee card."

PM Modi Slams RJD in Gaya:

                       https://t.co/ynTHtaGW15  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 16, 2024

"Just two days ago, the BJP released its manifesto. This is the first time that a party's manifesto is being called a guarantee card. For the next five years, Modi's 'guarantee card' has been updated. Three crore houses will be made for the poor, the poor will get free rations for the next five years, those above 70 years of age will receive free treatment up to Rs 5 lakhs; and PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi will be continued. All these are Modi's guarantees," he said.

The BJP released its poll manifesto on Sunday with the tagline "Modi ki Guarantee," with a focus on more development, women's welfare and a roadmap for "Viksit Bharat" (developed India). The manifesto released by the party promised 'One Nation One Election' and "single electoral roll." In its election promise, the party also aims to make the country the third largest economy in the world. The manifesto set the goal of making India a "global manufacturing hub".

Bihar will witness polling for 40 Lok Sabha seats across all seven phases. In Phase 1, voting will be held in four seats. The state will witness polling on 5 seats each from Phase 2 to Phase 5. In Phases 6 and 7, elections will be held for 8 seats each. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA, consisting of the BJP, JDU (Janata Dal-United), and LJP (Lok Janshakti Party), secured victory by winning 39 out of 40 seats.

While, the Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), INC (Indian National Congress), and RLSP (Rashtriya Lok Samta Party), only managed to secure one seat. The BJP won 17 seats with a vote share of 24.1 per cent, while JD (U) secured victory on 16 seats with a vote share of 22.3 per cent. LJP had won 6 seats with a vote share of 8 per cent, while INC had won only one seat with a vote share of 7.9 per cent. Lok Sabha polls in the country are scheduled to take place from April 19 to June 1 to choose the 543 representatives for the 18th Lok Sabha.
Kolhapur, Apr 16 (PTI) Shiv Sena Lok Sabha member from Kolhapur Sanjay Mandlik on Tuesday said the upcoming Lok Sabha poll is a battle between two ideologies and people have decided to repose faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India.

On his rival being Kolhapur royal family scion Shahu Chhatrapati who is making his poll debut on the Congress ticket, Mandlik in an interview to PTI said voters here see who is good for them irrespective of the candidate's stature.

Also Read | Mansoor Ahmad Guddu Set To Be Repatriated: Pakistani National Mohammad Masroor Completes Jail Term in Uttar Pradesh, Set To Be Sent Back After He Receives No-Objection Certificate From the Ministry of External Affairs.

Mandlik, who is seeking a second Lok Sabha term from Kolhapur, also said people have seen in the last two years how Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, has worked for the development of Maharashtra.

He was elected in 2019 on the 'bow and arrow' symbol of the undivided Shiv Sena. After a split in the party, Mandlik switched over to the Shiv Sena led by CM Shinde.

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"This is a battle of two ideologies and vision. People trust the vision of PM Modi to make India a developed nation. In the Congress rule, we were a developing country and progress was slow," Mandlik said.

On his rival being a respected figure from a royal family and great grandson of Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mandlik said Kolhapur has a style of its own.

People here do not see who is contesting, but think about themselves and what is good for them, he claimed.

"The idea of social equality and justice sowed by Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj remains within each and every Kolhapurkar. That is never going to change," he said.

"When I switched to Eknath Shinde's side, I did face opposition from my voters. But in the last two years, they have seen how CM Shinde has worked for development of the state," the parliamentarian said.

He said Shinde has assured funds for cleaning of the polluted Panchganga river here.

Mandlik said the state government has also taken a loan of Rs 3,200 crore from the World Bank for diverting the flood waters to drought hit areas.

Kolhapur suffered floods for the last few years. There was less rain last year, he noted.

Asked about his campaign, Mandlik said, "I filed my nomination yesterday. I have been holding meetings as part of my campaign. Now will go door-to-door."

In 2019, Mandlik defeated Dhananjay Mahadik of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Kolhapur by more than two lakh votes.

In 2014, Mahadik had defeated Mandlik by over a lakh votes.

The constituency, established in 1952, was the Congress stronghold till 1996.

In 1977, the constituency voted for the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) after the Emergency.

Sanjay Mandlik's father Sadashiv Mandlik represented the seat as the NCP candidate from 1999 till 2009. He was elected as an independent in 2009.

In 2009, Sadashiv Mandlik defeated Sambhaji Chhatrapati, Shahu Chhatrapati's son who contested on the NCP ticket.

The Kolhapur Lok Sabha constituency has six assembly segments - Chandgad, Radhanagari, Kagal, Kolhapur South, Karvir and Kolhapur North.

The Congress currently holds Chandgad, Kolhapur South, Karvir and Kolhapur North segments.

Kagal segment is currently with state minister Hasan Mushrif, who has switched over to the NCP led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

The Radhanagari segment is held by Shiv Sena MLA Prakash Abitkar.

Elections to the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held in five phases from April 19 to May 20. Polling in Kolhapur parliamentary constituency will take place on May 7.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chicago, Apr 16 (AP) Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked roadways in Illinois, California, New York and the Pacific Northwest on Monday, temporarily shutting down travel into some of the nation's most heavily used airports, onto the Golden Gate and Brooklyn bridges and on a busy West Coast highway.

In Chicago, protesters linked arms and blocked lanes of Interstate 190 leading into O'Hare International Airport around 7 am in a demonstration they said was part of a global economic blockade to free Palestine, according to Rifqa Falaneh, one of the organizers.

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Traffic in the San Francisco Bay Area was snarled for hours as demonstrators shut down all vehicle, pedestrian and bike traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge and chained themselves to 55-gallon drums filled with cement across Interstate 880 in Oakland. Protesters marching into Brooklyn blocked Manhattan-bound traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge. In Eugene, Oregon, protesters blocked Interstate 5, shutting down traffic on the major highway for about 45 minutes.

O'Hare warned travelers on the social platform X to take alternative forms of transportation with car travel substantially delayed this morning due to protest activity.

Also Read | Delhi: Police Arrests Two Sharpshooters of Naresh Sethi-Ajay Jaildar Gang After Exchange of Fire.

Some travelers stuck in standstill traffic left their cars and walked the final leg to the airport along the freeway, trailing their luggage behind them.

Among them was Madeline Hannan from suburban Chicago. She was headed to O'Hare for a work trip to Florida when her and her husband's car ended up stalled for 20 minutes. She got out and both ran and speed walked more than a mile (1.6 kilometers). She said she made it to the gate on time, but barely.

This was an inconvenience, she said in a telephone interview from Florida. But in the grand scheme of things going on overseas, it's a minor inconvenience.

While individual travelers may have been affected, operations at the airport appeared near normal with delays of under 15 minutes, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

Inbound traffic toward O'Hare resumed around 9 a.m.

Near Seattle, the Washington State Department of Transportation said a demonstration closed the main road to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Social media posts showed people holding a banner and waving Palestinian flags while standing on the highway. State authorities urged people to use light rail instead.

About 20 protesters were arrested at the Golden Gate Bridge demonstration and traffic resumed shortly after noon, according to the California Highway Patrol. The agency said officers were making arrests at two points on the interstate, including one spot where roughly 300 protesters refused orders to disperse,

Attempting to block or shut down a freeway or state highway to protest is unlawful, dangerous, and prevents motorists from safely reaching their destinations, the agency said in a statement.

Oregon State Police said 52 protestors were were arrested for disorderly conduct following the Interstate 5 protest in Eugene, Oregon, about 110 miles (177 kilometers) south of Portland. Six vehicles were towed from the scene.

New York Police made numerous arrests, saying 150 protesters were initially involved in the march around 3:15 p.m., but that number quickly grew. The bridge was fully reopened by 5 p.m.

In Chicago, dozens of protesters were arrested, according to Falaneh. Chicago police said Monday that multiple people were taken into custody after a protest where people obstructed traffic, but they did not have a detailed count.

Protesters say they chose the location, in part, because O'Hare is one of the largest airports. Among other things, they've called for an immediate cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas.

Anti- war protesters have demonstrated in Chicago near daily since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people. Israeli warplanes and ground troops have conducted a scorched-earth campaign on the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli offensive has killed more than 33,700 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, April 16: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal is likely to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party in Gujarat in the Lok Sabha polls, sources said on Tuesday, April 16. The party is likely to announce its list of star campaigners for Gujarat later in the day. "She is likely to campaign for AAP candidates in Gujarat," a party source said.

Chief Minister Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. He is currently in judicial custody in Tihar. Sunita Kejriwal Reads Out Husband Arvind Kejriwals Message From Lock-Up at India Blocs Rally at Ramlila Maidan (Watch Video).

Of the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat, the AAP is fighting two, Bharuch and Bhavnagar, as part of the INDIA bloc, while its ally Congress is contesting the remaining 24 seats. Sunita Kejriwal Releases Another Video Message, Says Arvind Kejriwal on March 28 Will Reveal Where Money From Excise Policy 'Scam' Is.

The AAP has fielded Chaitar Vasava from Bharuch and Umesh Makwana from Bhavnagar. The Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat will be held in a single phase on May 7, and the last date for filing nomination papers is April 19.
Islamabad [Pakistan], April 16 (ANI): Former First Lady of Pakistan, Bushra Bibi, filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday and appealed to the court for a check-up and medical tests from Shaukat Khanum Hospital or any other private hospital of her choice to examine if she was poisoned through contaminated food, Dawn reported.

In her petition, Bushra Bibi said that she is suffering from heartburn, aches in throat and mouth and that she believes that it is the result of eating poisonous meals.

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Further, she stated that she was poisoned and subjected to psychological torture at her Banigala residence, which has been declared a sub-jail, as per Dawn.

Moreover, the petitioner alleged that the government was trying to eliminate her to put pressure on PTI founder Imran Khan. She also alleged that the jail authorities had installed closed-circuit cameras in her bathroom, which was a violation of her privacy, the News International reported.

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According to Dawn , the petitioner said she has not been given ample time to meet her family members and lawyers.

Bushra Bibi has also appealed for her transfer to Adiala Jail, with a petition concerning this matter currently awaiting consideration by the IHC

Further, she urged the authorities to ensure the protection of her fundamental rights.

In the Iddat case, the counsel of complainant Khawar Farid Maneka continued his arguments in support of the conviction and the sentence awarded to former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.

The counsel of Khan, Salman Akram Raja, on the other hand, urged the court to conclude the arguments of the complainant's counsel advocate, Raja Rizwan Abbasi.

Raja accused Abbasi of applying delaying tactics in the case.

During the course of the arguments, Abbasi read out the verdict of the trial court and said the key witnesses in the case were Mufti Saeed, who solemnised the Nikkah; Aun Chaudhry, a witness of the Nikkah ceremony; and Latif, a domestic servant of Khawar Maneka.

He said that Section 496-B (fornication) was added to the charges against Khan and his wife on the complaint of Maneka, but the trial court deleted this offence during framing of the charges.

He argued that he would assist the trial court on Section 496 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and requested that the court adjourn the hearing until May. He said that he would require at least 4 to 5 hours to conclude the arguments.

Raja, on the other hand, pointed out that if the trial continued in late hours, the arguments on the appeal against conviction could continue after the regular court timings. He, however, asked judge Shahrukh Arjumand to adjourn for a single day.

The judge responded that the courts have remained closed for Eid holidays and, therefore, he has a workload for the entire week. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], April 16 (ANI): Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari took her oath as a member of the National Assembly (MNA) on Monday amid disruptions from the opposition, Dawn reported.

The political debutante was elected unopposed as an MNA from NA-207 Shaheed Benazirabad (formerly Nawabshah) on March 29, succeeding her father.

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The seat was vacated by her father, Asif Ali Zardari, after he was elected president.

Accompanied by her brother and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Aseefa arrived at Parliament earlier in the day to assume her new responsibilities.

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She was administered her oath by NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq amid sloganeering by MNAs associated with the PTI, which led to a walkout by treasury lawmakers in protest against the ruckus.

The PTI's protest was regarding the allegation that its candidate for NA 207, Ghulam Mustafa Rind was arrested by the Sakrand police. The party had said that Rind was its representative who was supposed to contest against Aseefa in the by-elections.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari shared images from his official account on X, while congratulating Aseefa Bhutto Zardari on taking the oath as a member of the National Assembly.

"President Asif Ali Zardari congratulating Aseefa Bhutto Zardari on taking the oath as Member of the National Assembly, in Islamabad, "Asif Ali Zardari said on X.

Further National Assembly also shared visuals on X of Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari while taking oath in the parlimentary session.

https://twitter.com/NAofPakistan/status/1779863566956310983

"Aseefa Bhutto Zardari takes oath as newly elected Member of the National Assembly. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq administered the oath," National Assembly of Pakistan said on X.

Meanwhile, the PPP termed the occasion a 'historic moment'

Aseefa's sister, Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, celebrated her sister's ascension saying that the event was a "surreal and proud moment for our family."

PPP Central Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi also called Aseefa's swearing in a "historic moment for Pakistan's parliamentary democracy."

Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon was also among those extending congratulations to the first-time MNA.

Aseefa holds a bachelor's degree in politics and sociology and a master's in global health and development. She initially served as a goodwill ambassador for polio eradication in 2012, which made her face familiar among the masses.

She played a pivotal role in politics in the general elections when she ran an aggressive election campaign for her brother and other party candidates in Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad and Naushahro Feroze districts. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, Apr 16 (AP) The Supreme Court is allowing Idaho to enforce its ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth while lawsuits over the law proceed, reversing lower courts.

The justices' order Monday allows the state to put in a place a 2023 law that subjects physicians to up to 10 years in prison if they provide hormones, puberty blockers or other gender-affirming care to people under age 18. Under the court's order, the two transgender teens who sued to challenge the law still will be able to obtain care.

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The court's three liberal justices would have kept the law on hold. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote that it would have been better to let the case proceed unfettered by our intervention.

Justice Neil Gorsuch of the conservative majority wrote that it is a welcome development that the court is reining in an overly broad lower court order.

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A federal judge in Idaho had blocked the law in its entirety after determining that it was necessary to do so to protect the teens, who are identified under pseudonyms in court papers.

Lawyers for the teens wrote in court papers that the teens' gender dysphoria has been dramatically alleviated as a result of puberty blockers and estrogen therapy.

The American Civil Liberties Union, representing the teens and their families, called the Supreme Court's order an awful result for transgender youth and their families across the state. Today's ruling allows the state to shut down the care that thousands of families rely on while sowing further confusion and disruption.

Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador said in a statement that the law ensures children are not subjected to these life-altering drugs and procedures. Those suffering from gender dysphoria deserve love, support, and medical care rooted in biological reality. Denying the basic truth that boys and girls are biologically different hurts our kids.

Gender-affirming care for youth is supported by every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association.

Medical professionals define gender dysphoria as psychological distress experienced by those whose gender expression does not match their gender identity.

The action comes as the justices also may soon consider whether to take up bans in Kentucky and Tennessee that an appeals court allowed to be enforced in the midst of legal fights.

At least 23 states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, and most of those states face lawsuits. A federal judge struck down Arkansas' ban as unconstitutional. Montana's ban also is temporarily on hold.

The states that have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Taipei [Taiwan], April 16 (ANI): Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) has announced that it has detected 11 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 am on Monday and 6 am on Tuesday, Taiwan News reported.

According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence, of the 11 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, one entered the southwest sector of the nation's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), and one helicopter was detected in the southeast ADIZ.

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In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defence missile systems to monitor the PLA activity, as per Taiwan News.

https://twitter.com/MoNDefense/status/1780041888499978311

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Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence disclosed in an official post on X, stating, "11 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's SW and eastern ADIZ."

On April 15, the Taiwan Ministry released the information that 18 Chinese military aircraft and 6 naval vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am.

11 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwest sector of the nation's air defence identification zone.

So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 136 times and naval vessels 98 times. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of grey zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan.

Grey zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force."

Earlier on April 14, CNA Taiwan reported that Taiwan's military is scheduled to establish a new combatant command in 2026, tasked with defending Taiwan's territorial waters extending 24 nautical miles from the country's shoreline. Quoting a source familiar with the matter CNA reported that the new command, listed under the Naval Command Headquarters, will be headed by a vice admiral and bring together existing fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups, along with the Naval Maritime Surveillance & Reconnaissance Command.

It could be officially launched as early as 2026, but more details are being discussed and no final timetable has been announced. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Nashville, Apr 16 (AP) Tennessee would join the ranks of states where public school employees have to out transgender students to their parents under a bill advancing in the Republican-supermajority Legislature.

GOP House lawmakers gave near-final passage to the bill on Monday, putting Tennessee just a few hurdles away from joining states such as Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana and North Carolina with similar laws. Virginia has such guidance for school boards, as well. The bill goes back for another vote in the Senate, which had already passed a version of it, before it can go to Gov. Bill Lee's desk for his signature.

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The bill's progression comes as Tennessee Republican lawmakers have established the state as one of the most eager to pass policies aimed at the LGBTQ+ community as Republicans pursue legislation nationwide.

During Monday's limited but heated House floor hearing, Democrats took turns alleging that their Republican colleagues were constantly finding new ways to bully LGBTQ+ kids.

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These are the most vulnerable kids in our state who are just trying to make it out of middle school alive, said Democratic Rep. Aftyn Behn. And we are weaponising their identities instead of actually passing bills that help Tennesseans.

Audible gasps could be heard from the public galleries when the bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Mary Littleton, argued that the legislation was needed so parents could know if their student would need therapy.

I feel like the parents, they have the right to know what's happening in the school with their children, Littleton said. And I also think that possibly they could get that child some therapy that could help them solve their problems and make their way through school.

Littleton also confirmed she did not speak to any transgender students before introducing the proposal but said some teachers had told her that they did not want the responsibility of having such information.

According to the legislation that passed Monday, school employees would be required to pass on information about a student to an administrator, who would have to tell the parent. That includes a student asking for action to affirm their gender identity, such as using a different name or pronoun.

However, the bill also would allow parents or the state's attorney general to sue if they felt the school district was not following this new law.

The proposal is just one of several targeting the LGBTQ+ community over the years.

Earlier this year, Tennessee Republicans passed a measure that would allow LGBTQ+ foster children to be placed with families that hold anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs. Gov. Lee signed the bill into law last week. Lawmakers are still considering criminalizing adults who help minors receive gender-affirming care without parental consent.

Meanwhile, Tennessee Republicans have banned gender-affirming care for most minors, attempted to limit events where certain drag performers may appear, and allow, but not require, LGBTQ+ children to be placed with families that hold anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs.

In schools, they already have approved legal protections for teachers who do not use a transgender student's preferred pronoun, restricted transgender athletes, limited transgender students' use of bathrooms aligning with their gender identity and allowed parents to opt students out of classroom conversations about gender and sexuality. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, DC [US], April 16 (ANI): Additional United States military assets that were moved into the Middle East before Iran's attack on Israel will remain in place, CNN reported, citing Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.

"As (Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin) has said, both publicly and privately, we don't want to see escalation, but we obviously will take necessary measures to protect our forces in the region and as was demonstrated over the weekend, we'll take necessary measures to defend Israel," Ryder said.

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Ryder's comments come as Israel debates possible retaliation to Iran's attack.

Earlier, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi vowed answer to the Iranian attack and said that Iran's attack on Israel "will be met with a response."

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"Iran wanted to harm the strategic capabilities of the State of Israel, this is something that did not happen in the past," Halevi said while addressing troops at Nevatim airbase, which was hit in the strike.

"We were prepared in the 'Iron Shield' operation, this preparation brought Iran to also meet air superiority, which you expressed (manifested) very well," he said, CNN reported.

Halevi said that Israel had intelligence of Iran's strike since last Monday, adding that Israel is "very strong and knows how to deal with it on its own."

Meanwhile, amid fears of Israel response, US Secretary of Defence Llyod Austin spoke with the acting Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Sabah and discussed the unprecedented attack by Iran on Israel, adding that US does not seek escalation, an official statement said.

"Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Kuwaiti Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, His Excellency Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Sabah today to discuss the unprecedented attacks launched from Iranian territory and by Iran's proxies in the region into Israel, and U.S. and coalition efforts to defend Israel," Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.

"The Secretary emphasized that while the United States does not seek escalation, we will continue to defend Israel and U.S. personnel. The Secretary reaffirmed the strong bilateral defense partnership between the United States and Kuwait," he added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, April 16: The West Bengal board examination results for Class 10 (Madhyamik) and Class 12 (Ucchyamadhyamik) are expected to be out anytime soon. According to several news reports, the West Bengal Board Result 2024 for Classes 10 and 12 is expected to be announced by mid-May. However, an official announcement regarding the dates of the Class 10 and 12 exam results is awaited.

Last year, the West Bengal Class 10 exam results were announced on May 19, while the Class 12 board examination results were declared on May 24. The West Bengal board exam results will likely be announced similarly this year. Once the West Bengal Class 10 and 12 board exam results are out, students can visit the official website at wbresults.nic.in and wbchse.wb.gov.in to check their scores. UP Board Result 2024 Date: When Will UPMSP Release Class 10, 12 Results at upresults.nic.in? Check Latest Update and How to Check Scorecard.

Steps to Check West Bengal Class 10, 12 Board Exam Results:

Visit the official websites at wbresults.nic.in or wbchse.wb.gov.in.

Click the result link for Class 10 or Class 12 on the homepage.

Enter using your login details and roll number.

Click on submit.

Your West Bengal board exam result will be displayed on the screen.

Check your exam results carefully.

Take a printout for future reference.

This year, the Class 10 matric exams were conducted from February 2 to 12, while the Class 12 board exams were held from February 16 to 29. In 2023, the pass percentage of Class 10 was 86.15 percent, while the Class 12 recorded a pass percentage of 89.25 percent. GSEB Board Exam Result 2024: Gujarat Class 10, 12 Results To Be Announced Soon on gseb.org; Know How To Check.

Besides West Bengal, board exam results of several states including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh among others are expected to be announced soon.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 16, 2024 09:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Ram Navami 2024 Wishes and Images: Lets celebrate the triumph of good with Ram Navami! Every year, Hindus around the world celebrate the joyous festival of Ram Navami, one of Hinduism's most cherished traditions. This year, it falls on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Ram Navami marks the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu and a revered symbol of righteousness, courage, and devotion. It falls on the ninth day (Navami) of the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Chaitra. This auspicious day often coincides with the end of Chaitra Navratri, adding another layer of significance as Lord Rama's birth falls under the blessings of the nine divine forms of Durga. In honour of this auspicious day, spread the spirit of Ram Navami 2024 by sharing wishes, heartfelt greetings, beautiful images, inspiring messages, meaningful quotes, and vibrant wallpapers with your loved ones. Ram Navami 2024: 25 to 30 Lakh People Are Expected To Visit Ayodhya Ram Temple on Rama Navami, Says Teerth Kshetra General Secretary Champat Rai.

Ram Navami Wishes

Ram Navami Wishes (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Ram Navami Greetings

Ram Navami Wishes (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Ram Navami Messages

Ram Navami Wishes (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Ram Navami Wallpapers

Ram Navami Wishes (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Ram Navami Images

Ram Navami Wishes (Photo Credits: File Photo)

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
On 12 April Brazils foreign minister,, hosted his Argentine counterpartin Brasilia, where they affirmed their commitment to align the interests of their ideologically opposed governments.

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Bogota, Colombia's sprawling capital, is grappling with a severe water crisis exacerbated by a prolonged drought linked to the El Nino weather pattern.

Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan recently unveiled stringent measures to curb Bogota water consumption in the city of eight million residents.

Galan declared that households exceeding 22 cubic meters of water per month would face additional charges, AP News reports.

Moreover, fines up to $300 would be imposed on individuals caught wasting water, such as washing cars on the streets.

Notably, city buses, typically washed daily, will now undergo cleaning only once a week, with interior sanitization remaining a daily necessity for public health.

While Bogota typically enjoys abundant water resources owing to its location amid the Andes Mountains, several months of scant rainfall, driven by the El Nino phenomenon, have strained the city's reservoirs.

The Chingaza Reservoir System, Bogota's primary water source, is currently at a mere 15% capacity, a historic low.

Experts warn that without rainfall replenishment, the reservoirs could run dry within two months.

READ NEXT: Colombia Seizes Narco-Submarine with Nearly 1,765 Pounds of Cocaine

Coping with Water Rationing

The onset of Bogota water consumption measures has prompted a mix of concern and humor among Bogota's populace.

Social media platforms are abuzz with memes, reflecting both the gravity of the situation and the resilience of the community, CNN noted.

Residents now face a rotation-based system, with each neighborhood enduring 24-hour water cutoff every ten days.

Approximately 9 million people will be impacted by the Bogota water consumption measures, though provisions have been made to ensure continuous water supply to essential facilities like schools and hospitals.

As reservoirs plummet to historic lows, Bogota, Columbia's authorities stress the urgency of conserving every drop of water.

Mayor Galan emphasizes the need for sustained behavioral changes to secure water access for all residents.

The Chuza and San Rafael reservoirs, vital components of the Chingaza System, are particularly vulnerable, with levels hovering at unprecedented lows.

Addressing Root Causes and Long-Term Solutions

Colombia President Gustavo Petro has pledged substantial reforms to safeguard water resources over the coming decades.

Warning against unchecked urbanization and exploitation of natural aquifers, Petro advocates for sustainable practices in agriculture and construction, according to Firstpost.

The government has also issued natural disaster decrees to address the multifaceted challenges posed by El Nino, including wildfires and water stress.

Bogota's plight is emblematic of broader environmental concerns gripping Latin America. Climate change, coupled with rapid urbanization, places immense strain on water resources across the region.

Similar water crises have beset cities like Mexico City and Montevideo, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated action and adaptive strategies in the face of evolving climatic patterns.

Bogota's implementation of water rationing measures underscores the critical need for proactive responses to environmental challenges.

As the city confronts the realities of a changing climate, concerted efforts to conserve water and foster sustainable practices are imperative to safeguarding the well-being of its residents and ecosystems alike.

READ MORE: Colombia's Mancuso Returns After US Prison for Murders

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Colombia drought: Bogota implements water rationing as reservoirs dwindle - From Al Jazeera English
Elon Musk has been feuding with Brazil over certain X accounts being blocked in the country for spreading misinformation, and he has now admitted defeat and says he will comply with the top Brazilian Electoral Court's ruling.

Lawyers for the X and Tesla CEO sent a letter addressed to Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and it showed Mush backtracking on his vow that he would challenge the decision by Moraes to block several X accounts in Brazil.

Previously, X Brasil stated that the Brazilian Supreme Court cannot force the US-based company to comply. However, Musk's lawyers contradicted this in the letter when they wrote, "As already communicated to the federal police, X Brasil informs that all orders issued by this Supreme Court and the Superior Electoral Court will continue to be fully complied with by X Corp."

Musk, who claims he is a free speech absolutist despite banning X users who criticize him, previously stated he would reverse all restrictions imposed by Moraes because they were unconstitutional, even calling on Moraes to resign, according to Reuters.

On Monday, X admitted that the company received a subpoena from the US House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee. The company was ordered to provide information on orders from the Brazilian Supreme Court regarding content moderation.

This led to Musk and X backtracking and complying with the Brazilian court's order, with X now saying that it has shared confidential court documents and would keep Justice Moraes "posted regarding any updates it might get from X Corp on the matter."

READ MORE: Brazil Supreme Court Denies Jair Bolsonaro's Request To Travel to Israel

Brazil AG Threatened To Regulate Social Media Should X Not Comply

Before the US House Judiciary Committee compelled Musk and X to comply with the order of the top electoral court in Brazil, the South American country's attorney-general, Jorge Messias, stated that "It is urgent to regulate social networks" soon after Musk vowed to not comply with court orders and called on Supreme Court Justice Moraes to "resign or be impeached."

"We cannot live in a society in which billionaires domiciled abroad have control of social networks and put themselves in a position to violate the rule of law, said the Brazilian AG.

X then claimed it "has been forced by court decisions to block certain popular accounts in Brazil."

Why Is Elon Musk Beefing With Brazil Over X?

The spat between Elon Musk and Brazil started after Justice Moraes ordered X to block "certain popular accounts" in Brazil that were spreading false information regarding the 2022 election results. The ruling also threatened X that the company would face daily fines of up to $20,000 if it did not comply, according to The Verge.

This led to Musk lifting all restrictions in X Brasil and advising users to use a VPN just in case the country blocks all access to X, which was the source of disinformation in the country, with many of former President Jair Bolsonaro's supporters claiming eventual winner Lula cheated. Bolsonaro did not have any evidence of these claims, and his supporters used social media to plan a coup that ultimately failed on January 8, 2023.

READ MORE: Trials for Jair Bolsonaro Supporters Begin Over the January 8 Riots

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: ELON MUSK V. BRAZIL? X CEO Declines Censorship Demands - The Hill
With the 2024 presidential election looming, President Joe Biden appears to be gaining ground while former President Donald Trump faces a dip in support, according to recent polling numbers.

Biden's lead over Trump expanded from one point in March to four points in April, signaling a notable change in voter opinion, according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey.

Similarly, the New York Times/Siena College poll indicates a tightening race, with Trump and Biden virtually tied compared to Trump's previous five-point lead.

The decrease in Trump's popularity aligns with his imminent trial in New York, where he confronts 34 felony charges concerning purported "hush money" payments.

The trial marks an unprecedented legal battle for a former US president and could have significant implications for the 2024 election, Newsweek reports.

Trump maintains his innocence, denouncing the case as a politically motivated "witch hunt."

In contrast, President Biden's approval rating has seen a modest uptick, reaching its highest point since November.

A poll conducted by the Financial Times and the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business reveals a four-point increase in Biden's approval rating from March.

Notably, voters' trust in Biden's handling of the economy has also improved, albeit slightly, indicating growing confidence in his leadership.

READ NEXT: New National Poll: Trump Edges Biden by 1%

Assessing the Candidates' Strengths and Weaknesses

Despite recent gains, Joe Biden continues to grapple with lukewarm approval ratings.

Previous polls have shown fluctuating levels of support for the president, with January marking a particularly low point at 33 percent.

While Biden's approval ratings have slightly improved in recent months, he still faces significant challenges in garnering widespread approval.

On the other hand, Donald Trump retains a loyal base of supporters, as evidenced by his consistent performance in polls, The Hill noted.

Despite facing legal challenges and controversies, Trump continues to command significant backing, particularly on issues like the economy and border security.

However, the former president's overall favorability remains polarizing, with a sizable portion of voters expressing reservations about his candidacy.

Evolving Dynamics in the Electoral Landscape

The electoral terrain stays fluid, with swing states exerting a crucial influence on shaping the result of the 2024 election.

Recent surveys indicate a tight race in key battlegrounds like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, with Trump holding narrow leads in some instances, according to KOST 103.5.

Both candidates are vying for support across demographic groups, with Trump making gains among younger voters while Biden maintains an edge among older demographics.

Despite the current polling numbers, the race remains fluid, with a significant portion of voters indicating they could change their minds before the election.

Factors such as economic performance and candidate perceptions may influence voter decisions in the coming months.

As the campaign unfolds, both Biden and Trump will seek to solidify their support bases and sway undecided voters in their favor.

The latest polls paint a dynamic picture of the 2024 presidential race, with Joe Biden gaining momentum and Donald Trump facing challenges in maintaining his support base.

As the election approaches, the outcome remains uncertain, with voter sentiments and external factors likely to shape the result.

READ MORE: Major News Outlets Urge Biden, Trump to Commit to Presidential Debate

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Biden closes the gap with Trump in new Bloomberg poll - From Bloomberg Television
After secret talks in Mexico, the US federal government announced that it will not renew temporary licenses granted to Venezuelan oil companies that are set to expire on Thursday. These licenses were granted as part of the US efforts to ease sanctions against Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro regime after it promised free and fair elections.

However, Maduro has so far not held up his end of the bargain, so the US is bringing back some of the sanctions it previously eased. Maduro has made it difficult for his opponents to run, including not making good on his promise to the Venezuelan opposition that he would allow candidates that were previously banned to run.

This included Maria Corina Machado, who was blocked by the Maduro-aligned Supreme Court from running soon after the agreements were made. Polls suggested that Machado would have beaten Maduro if the election were fair.

The US expressed its concerns to Venezuelan officials during its secret meeting with them in Mexico. According to Reuters, it regards the current situation in Venezuela as "Maduro's failure to meet his main promises for the July 28 presidential elections."

"Absent progress by Maduro and his representatives in terms of implementing the road map's provisions, the United States will not renew the license when it expires on April 18, 2024," said a US State Department spokesperson regarding the sanctions.

The Biden administration stated that there is still a little bit of hope that Maduro will make enough concessions before Thursday's deadline. If Maduro does comply and make some changes, such as making things fair for opposition candidates, the US may ease the sanctions again.

US Reimposing Venezuela Sanctions Could Mean Higher Fuel Prices

As the US may reimpose those sanctions it previously eased on Venezuela, it could mean bad news for global fuel prices, according to NBC News, as the sanctions that will return will be imposed mostly on Venezuelan oil.

READ MORE: Venezuela Elections: Three Times Nicolas Maduro Undermined Democracy During an Election Year

Not only that, but the sanctions' return could greatly impact Venezuela's economy, forcing more and more of the country's poor to flee the country for better pastures. This means that more Venezuelan migrants may soon arrive at the US-Mexico border.

Back in January, the US reimposed some non-energy sanctions against Venezuela over Machado's disqualification being upheld. Since then, Venezuela has only intensified its repression of the opposition, arresting Machado's staffers and forcing her to step down as the opposition coalition's candidate.

Hundreds of Companies Tied to Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro Regime Still Operating in Florida

Meanwhile, even though there is a threat to global fuel prices and a surge in Venezuelans at the border, many are welcoming the sanctions, particularly in Florida, where there is a sizeable population of Venezuelans who are not very fond of Nicolas Maduro.

A Miami Herald Op-Ed pointed out that there are at least 718 companies owned by current or former officials of the Venezuelan dictatorship that are opening in Florida alone, and many of these companies are not facing the sanctions imposed by the US on Venezuela.

Exiled Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who previously challenged Maduro for the presidency, revealed that there are "more than a thousand, probably thousands" of additional companies owned by those linked to the Maduro regime and stated that he supports both economic and personal sanctions against them.

READ NEXT: Venezuela Elections: Maria Corina Machado Names College Professor Corina Yoris as Replacement Presidential Candidate

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: U.S. imposes sanctions on Venezuela after Maduro blocks opposition campaign - NBC News
Erin Ward, a 45-year-old substitute Nebraska teacher at Omaha Public Schools, was arrested after being caught naked with a teenage student in a car, leading to accusations of misconduct.

Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson confirmed her arrest on a charge of first-degree sexual abuse by a school employee.

Sheriff's deputies reacted to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Elkhorn shortly before 3 AM on Saturday.

They found a Nebraska teacher and a teenage boy inside a gray Honda Pilot.

The teenage boy sped away, crashed nearby, then fled the scene naked.

Meanwhile, Ward was discovered in the backseat, dressing herself.

The incident has raised concerns, and Ward faces serious legal consequences, USA Today reports.

Law enforcement is investigating, and Omaha Public Schools is expected to take action to ensure student safety.

READ NEXT: Police Officer Fatally Shoots Nebraska Teen During Welfare Check

Alleged Confession and Charges

Erin Ward, 45, reportedly admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old boy, a student at Burke High School, where she worked.

She faces charges of felony abuse by a school employee.

Ward is accused of betraying her husband, who is a director at the US Department of Defense, by having an affair with the student.

The couple, based in Gretna, has three children together, according to social media posts, Daily Mail noted.

Doug Ward has worked for nearly 20 years with the US Strategic Command, a branch of the Defense Department located at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha.

His LinkedIn profile shows he began his career in 2005 as deputy branch chief and was recently promoted to deputy director of the commander's action group.

He holds degrees from the University of Illinois, Bellevue University, and Harvard Extension School.

Currently, he is pursuing a doctorate in defense and strategic studies at Missouri State University, as indicated on LinkedIn.

Law Enforcement Response

The Strategic Command, based in Omaha, plays a crucial role in safeguarding the nation and its allies by identifying and thwarting potential threats.

Doug received acknowledgment for his achievements and completed a master's program in political science and government at Harvard Extension School in 2021.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, he proudly shared a photo of his virtual graduation, tagging it with #couchcommencement.

Doug and his wife Erin live in Gretna, near Omaha, with their three teenage children, including an adopted daughter in 10th grade.

Their social media highlights their kids' academic successes.

Doug also speaks out against child abuse in the Catholic Church and shares family updates and retweets from Erin's account.

In November, Ward showed her love for Omaha Burke High School with a photo of her school lanyard and keys.

As a Nebraska teacher across the metro, Ward allegedly encountered an individual at Burke High on April 13.

Confessing to sleeping with the teenage boy, according to the New York Post, she was discovered with the student in a vehicle prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

Both individuals incurred minor injuries from the accident and were subsequently admitted to the hospital.

Although the legal age of consent in Nebraska is 16, Ward is confronted with a Class IIA felony charge, which could lead to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is working with Omaha Public Schools on the ongoing investigation.

Following Ward's arrest, Burke High's principal, Darren Rasmussen, reassured the community of the school's dedication to student safety.

He also announced that the individual involved would not be returning and mentioned that counseling support is available for students who require it.

READ MORE: Homeless Man in California Brutally Assaults Two Women, Leaving One in Coma

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Authorities catch Omaha teacher in car with undressed student - From 1011 News
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the Rust armorer involved in the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie, received an 18-month prison sentence in a New Mexico state court.

This decision follows her conviction for involuntary manslaughter stemming from the tragic incident in 2021, CBS News reports.

The Rust shooting occurred during a rehearsal when actor Alec Baldwin discharged live rounds from a prop gun.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer delivered the sentence, concluding a highly emotional hearing.

Gutierrez-Reed, now 27, displayed no visible reaction to the sentence and was escorted from the courtroom following its announcement.

The verdict arrives more than two years after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, aged 42, was fatally shot on October 21, 2021.

Gutierrez-Reed served as the film's armorer, responsible for firearm safety and storage on set. She is the first individual to stand trial and be convicted in connection with the incident.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed repeatedly violated safety protocols, leading to Hutchins' death.

However, her defense contended that she had been unfairly scapegoated for broader safety failures within the production team.

Despite not testifying, Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter on March 6, although she was acquitted of evidence tampering.

READ NEXT: Judge Denies 'Rust' Armorer's New Trial Bid, Orders Continued Prison Term

Sentencing and Legal Proceedings

Prosecutors advocated for the maximum prison sentence, citing Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's failure to acknowledge responsibility for her actions.

Conversely, her defense sought probation, emphasizing her lack of criminal history and positive contributions, CNN noted.

Gutierrez-Reed has been in custody since her conviction, with plans for an appeal underway.

Alec Baldwin, also implicated in the incident, faces an involuntary manslaughter charge and is slated for trial in July.

He maintains his innocence, contending that he did not pull the trigger.

Legal proceedings are ongoing, including motions to dismiss Baldwin's indictment.

Prosecution's Argument and Judge's Ruling

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors highlighted calls made by Gutierrez-Reed from jail, wherein she disparaged the jurors and made unfounded allegations against the judge.

Judge Marlowe Sommer referenced these calls as evidence of a lack of remorse, stating that Gutierrez-Reed's actions turned a safe weapon into a lethal one, leading to Hutchins' death.

Despite Rust armorer Gutierrez-Reed's plea for leniency, citing her youth and dedication to her job, the judge deemed the full sentence necessary, according to the New York Times.

Gutierrez-Reed's defense team plans to appeal her conviction, asserting that she has experienced significant emotional distress and public scrutiny since the incident.

They argue that she was overwhelmed by the demands of the production and unfairly targeted for blame.

Additionally, prosecutors detailed conversations where Gutierrez-Reed minimized safety protocols, further reinforcing their position.

The sentencing of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed marks a significant development in the aftermath of the tragic Rust shooting on the set.

As legal proceedings continue, the case underscores the importance of safety protocols in the film industry and raises questions about accountability and responsibility.

With the trial of Alec Baldwin pending, ongoing scrutiny and debate surrounding the incident remain prevalent.

READ MORE: Wynonna Judd's Daughter Arrested in Alabama on 2 Charges

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WATCH: "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed sentenced to 18 months in prison - From ABC News
Starbucks unveiled its latest line of cool refreshers beverages Tuesday, but this time they come with a hot, spicy twist.

Starbucks released three new Spicy Lemonade Refreshers in tropical flavors, according to a press release from the company.
Two pet cats and a bird died in a Salisbury Township fire that quickly spread through a two-story home, police said.

Township police Cpl. Kevin Kress said crews were dispatched shortly after 11:30 p.m. Monday for the blaze in the 3100 block of Lindberg Avenue. Five residents were able to safely evacuate on their own, he said.

Responders rescued the familys dog, police said. Care was provided on scene before the animal was taken to a veterinarian for further medical observation, Kress said.

It took crews about an hour to get the flames under control, Kress said. Photos show flames and smoke billowing from the roof. Kress told lehighvalleylive.com most of the roof was destroyed in the blaze. Extensive fire, smoke and water damage left the home uninhabitable, he said.

The American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region stepped in to help the displaced family with shelter, Kress said.

Also assisting at the scene were the Emmaus Fire Department, Cetronia Fire Department and multiple other mutual aid departments.

Mondays fire remains under investigation by Salisbury Township fire and police officials.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
A gathering of hundreds of emergency personnel with firetrucks, ambulances and other apparatus later this month at Lehigh Valley International Airport should not be cause for alarm.

The airport outside Allentown is scheduled to host a full-scale disaster exercise 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27, the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority said Tuesday.

The Federal Aviation Administration requires these exercises of an airports emergency plan once every three years.

The airport last hosted one in April 2021. A Live Burn Mobile Simulator in May 2022 was a different type of training exercise.

Lehigh Valley International Airport is hosting a full-scale disaster exercise on Saturday, April 27, 2024, the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority announced Tuesday, April 16. This photo provided by the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority shows one of the airport's prior such exercises.Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com

Some 220 participating personnel from more than 40 different agencies are due to respond to ABE as in a real emergency, including firefighting and rescue equipment, emergency medical services and law enforcement agencies during a simulated emergency scenario involving an aircraft, the airport authority announced. Around 70 volunteer role players with simulated injuries also will be used for training purposes.

The exercise is not open to the public.

The exercise must achieve FAA standards while providing hands-on training necessary for airport personnel and local emergency organizations to practice and prepare for a mutual aid response in the event of a major aircraft disaster at ABE, airport authority Executive Director Thomas R. Stoudt stated in a news release announcing this months drill.

Lehigh Valley International Airport is hosting a full-scale disaster exercise on Saturday, April 27, 2024, the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority announced Tuesday, April 16. This photo provided by the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority shows one of the airport's prior such exercises.Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com

Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, is the fourth-largest commercial airport in Pennsylvania. Allegiant Air, American, Delta and United provide nonstop flights to the following destinations: Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CTL), Chicago (ORD), Denver (Den) Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Melbourne (MLB), Myrtle Beach (MYR), Nashville (BNA), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), Punta Gorda (PGD), Orlando/Sanford (SFB), Orlando (MCO), Sarasota (SRQ), and St. Petersburg/Clearwater (PIE).

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
A Stroudsburg man was sentenced Monday to 70 years in prison for torturing an employee from his weapons parts factory in Iraq, according to a news release.

The employee threatened to blow the whistle on 55-year-old Ross Roggios scheme to make and sell gun parts illegally to the Kurds, according to the news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Its the second-ever conviction under a torture law implemented in 1994, the release says.
Money to help tillage farmers hit by months of bad weather is a first step to help those in Laois hit by months of bad weather, according to Charlie Flanagan TD.

The Laois Offaly Government TD said additional funding for the tillage sector of 100/ha is a much-needed support for tillage farmers through a difficult period.

The Fine Gael TD said that with almost 10,000 farms across Ireland growing crops, the tillage sector is a vital part of Irish agriculture.

I welcome confirmation by Minister McConalogue that additional support will be provided to the tillage sector. In the midst of the current weather challenges on farms, it is clear that tillage farms are amongst the worst impacted as they struggle to complete spring plantings," he said.

The IFA say 250/ha is needed as part of a 67 million rescue and growth package over the next five years. Dep Flanagan said the money is a start.

MORE BELOW X POST.

I think we can safely assume that we won't be getting any barley sown this evening. pic.twitter.com/jkvpCn6Xdk  Ballykilcavan (@Ballykilcavan) April 8, 2024

Fine Gael representatives have been clear that nothing is off the table when it comes to supporting farmers through this period. Confirmation of 100/ha for those who plant crops is a much needed first step but we must continue to engage with the sector on what more can be done," he said.

A statement from Dep Flanagan emphasised that in meetings with tillage farmers in Laois and Offaly significant fears were expressed about confidence in the sector as farmer morale was taking a hammering.

It said that in light of difficult weather conditions last year, additional support was provided by Government to the sector through top-ups to the straw incorporation measure and the protein aid scheme, the continuation of the tillage incentive scheme, and the introduction of emergency funding in the form of a one-off payment and an unharvested crop scheme.

At a minimum this year we need to match the level of funding provided in 2023. That is the very least needed to maintain confidence in the sector, he said.

The number of tillage farmers in Ireland equates to the combined population of Cashel and Mitchelstown. Would the Government stand idly by as the entire economy of two Irish towns is obliterated? We need a Tillage Survival Scheme introduced now. pic.twitter.com/oVXx3On9tZ  Francie Gorman (@gormanifa) April 12, 2024

South Kildare Fine Gael TD Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture Martin Heydon said tillage farms are the starting point for a 1.3bn contribution to the Irish economy every year.

"It is an incredibly sustainable sector as the lowest emitter of greenhouse gases per hectare and one that Irish agriculture could not function without.

It is our ambition to grow the sector, however, we must first stabilise the loss of area before we can look to grow it. In the days ahead, I will be working to ensure any additional supports we introduce are practical and easy for farmers to access. Minister Heydon concluded.

The funding package sought be the IFA is one of a number of measures sought by the organisation to help farmers in different sectors hit by bad weather.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is to start immediately spending an additional three million euros on awareness campaigns in response to an increase in the number of road deaths.

It is one of a series of actions that were agreed by the agency and the Government following an engagement with the Taoiseach and relevant ministers.

They also agreed to cut average waiting times for driving tests down to 10 weeks and NCT appointments to 12 days by mid-year, as per service-level agreements.

Simon Harris also met the Garda Commissioner and expressed concern about resources allocated to road policing.

Working with Government, the RSA committed to working towards resolving technical and legal issues so enforcement cameras can identify mobile phone use and seatbelt wearing as offences.

A Government statement following the meeting said that it was agreed to progress the delivery of 12 camera enforcement sites within the coming months, three of which are average speed cameras.

The RSA is to calculate its financial need for the remainder of 2024 and the Department of Transport is to ensure ongoing funding for the agency, subject to assessment and findings of an independent review.

It will also work with the Data Protection Commission to resolve the suspension of data sharing between the RSA and local authorities.

The Taoiseach confirmed he would chair a meeting of the Governments Ministerial Road Safety Committee in the coming weeks to ensure urgent progress on these and other actions.

He added: After nearly two decades of positive progress, we have seen recently a sudden, and worrying, increase in road deaths.

The rise in the number of deaths on our roads is unacceptable, and a renewed focus is needed on road safety and driver behaviour.

The funds for the RSAs increased road safety campaigns and education initiatives are to come from the organisations own reserves.

Earlier, Mr Harris said he is concerned with the low numbers of gardai in the roads policing unit.

He said Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has committed to increasing the number of gardai in the unit this year after increases in 2023 and 2024 in the number of road fatalities.

The Taoiseach also emphasised the responsibility on each citizen to be safe on Irish roads, and said that you dont need a guard to tell you not to drink and drive.

The Fine Gael leader agreed with his colleagues Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and junior minister Jack Chambers that the Road Safety Authoritys remit needed to be reviewed, but said he had confidence in the state agency.

Were not in a good place at all, to put it mildly, in relation to the trend regarding loss of lives and roads, Mr Harris said on Monday, speaking in Lucan.

We have made a lot of progress as a country and we need to ask ourselves, why is that progress being reversed? I dont think its any one thing by the way, I think its quite a number of things.

But I was really concerned to see over the Easter bank holiday weekend that the gardai detected so many people driving under the influence of drink and driving under the influence of drugs. And I think weve got to get real in relation to our own individual responsibilities in relation to these areas as well.

Mr Harris said one of his first meetings as Taoiseach was with the Garda Commissioner and Justice Minister Helen McEntee last Friday, where the issue of road safety was discussed.

He said that the Garda boss assured him that he was prioritising road safety, and discussed a directive issued to members to allocate 30 minutes of road policing to each shift.

He also said he had been given assurances that numbers allocated to road policing would grow.

Mr Harris said: I am concerned about the level of Garda resource in road traffic policing.

I know the commissioner has to make difficult decisions with the resources available to him.

I want to see those resources increased, so does he, and he expects them to increase over the course of this year.

He added: Weve seen 63 people lose their lives on Irish roads so far this year. Half of them are below the age of 30. And this is an extraordinarily serious issue.

Weve made a lot of progress in recent years as a country but we have seen a lot of that progress now to be reversed.

The trend is concerning and Im conscious when we talk about trends and numbers that doesnt capture the enormity of the loss of life, the empty seat at the kitchen table.

Asked about the increase in road fatalities, Mr Ryan said that we have to turn those figures around.

We had seen incredible progress  we were up to the fourth best in terms of road fatalities, weve dropped down to seven, so we need to get back up again, the Green Party leader said.

He said lowering speeds, increased enforcement including more speed cameras, and redesigning blackspots on Irish roads were needed to address the issue.

Mr Chambers said that the road traffic Bill, which will lower speed limits along some roads, needed to be matched with a serious uplift in enforcement.

Because enforcement levels have collapsed, and you have double-digit reductions in enforcement with the reductions in the numbers in roads policing units, he said.
Portlaoise in Laois is growing rapidly in population, and a big proportion of its residents have come to the county town from another country.

The town nearly doubled in size from 2002 to 2022, growing from 12,100 to 23,500 people.

This is expected to rise by another 20% by 2027, to 26,400 people.

Latest Central Statistics Office figures from 2022 show that 27% of the Portlaoise population, over a quarter, were born outside Ireland.

The town is getting an updated four year development plan, and Laois County Council planners promise to reflect the multicultural flavour in the services they will provide up to 2027.

Portlaoise is becoming an increasingly diverse County. According to Census 2022, non-Irish nationals account for 27% of the population of the town, an increase of 5% from Census 2016.

As well as increasing in size, the population of Portlaoise is becoming more diverse with many new arrivals from Eastern Europe [in particular from Poland and Lithuania], UK, Africa, India and Ukraine. According to Census 2022, 6,575 residents [27%] were born out side of Ireland. This is one of the highest non-national population percentages in the country.

In this regard, service provision and community facilities in these areas should reflect the varying needs of the community.

Portlaoise also has a young population, with 54.3% of the population below 35 years of age,compared to 47.1% elsewhere in the State.

Census 2022 reveals that Portlaoise has a population of 7,088 children aged under 19 years which represents 30% of the overall population of the town.

Portlaoise has a lower proportion of middle-aged and older residents, with just 16.1% of the population aged 55 or older, compared to 24% elsewhere in the State.

The draft Portlaoise Local Area Plan 2024 - 2027 is on public display, with submissions welcomed, until May 17.

Public information days will be held in Laois County Council office on Thursday, April 18, and in Portlaoise Library on April 25.
Pictured Above at Manor Mills Shopping Centre Maynooth at the New Hidden Hearing Clinic Opening; (l to r) Managing Director of Hidden Hearing Ireland - Stephen Leddy, Fergus Farrell  Audiologist at Hidden Hearing, Ger Dowling - Audiologist at Hidden Hearing, & Ciara Daily  Clinic Co-Ordinator at Hidden Hearing, Tony Ward  Former Rugby Legend, Alun Linnane  Regional Manager at Hidden Hearing & Cathaoirleach of Clane & Maynooth Municipal Districts Tim Durkan. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

Hidden Hearing, Ireland's premier provider of hearing healthcare, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its latest clinic in Maynooth located in the Manor Mills Shopping Centre. This expansion represents a significant milestone for Hidden Hearing as they further establish themselves in Ireland by creating new centres of excellence in hearing healthcare, catering to communities throughout the country.



Former rugby legend and Hidden Hearing ambassador, Tony Ward, joined forces with the Cathaoirleach of Clane & Maynooth Municipal Districts, Tim Durkan, in supporting the unveiling of the new Maynooth clinic. Together, they emphasised the critical importance of accessible audiology services in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with hearing impairments.

Commenting on the new local business opening in Maynooth, Tim Durkan said, As Cathaoirleach of Clane & Maynooth Municipal Districts, and someone who values accessible healthcare, I'm delighted to see Hidden Hearing's new clinic opening in our local area. Their dedication to improving the lives of those with hearing impairments is commendable, and this expansion demonstrates their commitment to serving our community. I welcome their investment in our area and support their mission to provide quality healthcare services that benefit us all.

Nestled in the heart of Maynooth, the state-of-the-art Hidden Hearing clinic offers an array of cutting-edge services, including diagnostic audiology, comprehensive free hearing tests using precision audiology ACT measurement, earwax removal and personalised hearing care. Additionally, the clinic introduces the latest innovation in hearing technology, the Oticon Intent AI hearing aid, promising a seamless listening experience, particularly beneficial for adults over 55 navigating noisy

environments.

Around 8% of the Irish population suffer some degree of hearing loss, with men likely to lose their hearing earlier than women. 35% of people aged over 64 have a significant hearing loss and, in the over 75s, 50% will have age-related hearing loss.

Hidden Hearing Managing Director, Stephen Leddy commented, We are always striving for excellence and pushing forward the latest medical advancements when it comes to hearing healthcare. At this newly opened, state-of-the -art hearing care clinic, we are offering specialised and personalised hearing care solutions, because we understand that its not a one- size-fits-all approach. Everyones hearing loss is unique to them which is why we tailor our devices to suit your needs.

To celebrate this occasion, Hidden Hearing is offering FREE Earwax removal for people over the age of 55 throughout the month of April at the new clinic in Manor Mills Shopping Centre in Maynooth and at the clinic located in the Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge. This service is usually valued at  70, so make sure you avail of this limited timed offer.

Managed by esteemed audiologists Fergus Farrell and Ger Dowling, the Maynooth clinic boasts a dedicated team of patient support staff committed to delivering personalised care. With over 35 years of expertise, Hidden Hearing continues its commitment to expanding clinics and refurbishments throughout Ireland, ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care in a patient-centric environment.

Manager of the Manor Mills Shopping Centre, Darren Smyth said, Hidden Hearing is a real asset to Manor Mills Shopping Centre, Maynooth and the surrounding demographic. The large investment into a complete refit of the store is testament to the commitment of Hidden Hearing as a long-term tenant of Manor Mills Shopping Centre. Its a fantastic store with all the latest high-tech equipment. I would like to welcome Hidden Hearing to Manor Mills Shopping Centre and wish them many years for growth and success in the future.

Tony Ward and the Cathaoirleach Tim Durkan highlighted the significance of embracing technological advancements in hearing healthcare at the new clinic opening, emphasising the innovation of the newly launched Oticon Intent. Created using AI, the Oticon Intent is a hearing aid that understands the wearers intentions. The machine learning algorithm learns to recognise and prioritise sounds that are important to the listener, such as known voices, or those continually present, and filters out background noise accordingly. This new device will break down barriers associated with hearing loss, enabling individuals to lead fulfilling lives without compromise.

"As someone who understands firsthand the challenges of hearing loss, I commend Hidden Hearing for their commitment to providing advanced audiology services. Their new clinic in Maynooth is a significant step towards improving the lives of individuals like myself. I'm honoured to support their mission of enhancing access to quality hearing healthcare across Ireland."

Tony Ward



Reflecting Hidden Hearing's commitment to attentive care and expertise, encapsulated by the slogan "We're all ears" - the expansion of services to Maynooth reaffirms the company's dedication to providing specialised expertise in hearing care. With over 3 decades of experience, Hidden Hearing has continuously demonstrated their promise to listening to the needs of their customers by delivering tailored solutions. The new clinic symbolises Hidden Hearing's ongoing pledge to advancing hearing healthcare across Ireland, supported by a team of local experts who truly listen.



For more information about Hidden Hearing and the services offered at the Maynooth clinic, located at Unit 10, Manor Mills Shopping Centre, please visit www.hiddenhearing.ie or contact Maynooth directly on 01 525 8888.







ABOUT HIDDEN HEARING

Irelands longest-established exclusive hearing care specialist, operating over 35 years, Hidden Hearing provides free hearing tests and free sample hearing aids to more than 70,000 people every year, at over 85 local clinics across Ireland, north and south.

Named a Great Place to Work by the global authority on workplace culture, Hidden Hearing also trains staff, in conjunction with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI), to support people with dementia and to offer the best care protocols within a hearing healthcare setting.

The premier provider of professional hearing healthcare in the private sector, Hidden Hearing is part of Demant A/S, a world-leading hearing healthcare group that provides life-changing hearing healthcare and intelligent audio solutions in over 130 countries.

See www.hiddenhearing.ie/
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has made a commitment to deliver 100 per hectare to farmers throughout Ireland, including in Kildare, who plant crops in 2024.

The announcement was made today by Minister Charlie McConalogue, who is aligned with Fianna Fail.

His promise was welcomed by his party colleague, Senator for Kildare South Fiona O'Loughlin.

Commenting on the announcement, Senator O'Loughlin said: "This is a hugely welcome commitment from the Minister that will help tillage farmers across Kildare, particularly through what are continued difficult conditions due to adverse weather, leading tillage farmers to be unsure of what they can plant and what it will yield.

"Fianna Fail in government delivered a 50 per cent increase in funding for CAP (the Common Agricultural Policy) and will continue to prioritise delivering on commitments to farming families."

The Newbridge politician added: "Fianna Fail wants farmers to be confident in what they do, confident in what they can deliver and confident in the future of their industry."

"I will continue to do everything I can to help farm families, especially through this hugely difficult period of unsettled weather that is becoming increasingly common," she concluded.

Minister Charlie McConalogue and Senator Fiona O'Loughlin.
A referendum on joining an EU patent court will not be held in June as planned, the Government has confirmed.

The Unified Patent Court aims to make it easier for businesses and inventors to copyright their ideas and inventions across the EU, meaning they would only need to make one patent application instead of several.

The court opened in June last year and has 17 countries as members.

The Irish Government said in January it had approved the drafting of a Bill that would allow Ireland to take part in the patent court.

On Tuesday, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke confirmed that the Government had on Tuesday morning agreed to defer the date for the referendum.

A second date has not been put forward, and a spokesperson did not confirm whether a referendum would be held on the issue during the lifetime of this Government.

While the Government continues to believe that joining the UPC is essential and that the referendum should be pursued, it is clear to me that more time is needed for public discourse and engagement on the matter to help inform the debate, Mr Burke said.

The June elections will give rise to diverse issues and campaigns involving local and European candidates, which may crowd out a debate on the patent court.

Feedback suggests that many people are unfamiliar with the patent court and there is not a significant level of awareness among the electorate ahead of the proposed referendum.

He said he remained committed to Ireland participating in the UPC and its benefits for the economy.

We need to have a broader discussion around the importance of unitary patents, the jurisdictional matters relating to the court, and the economic benefits that joining the UPC would bring, he added.

However, I believe considered debate around these subjects would be in danger of being lost among the other issues that will dominate the campaigns over the coming seven weeks.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said at the weekend that the Government was running out of time to hold the referendum on the same date as local and European elections, June 7.

The Fianna Fail leader, who directed the campaign for a Yes vote in what he called the Lisbon Two referendum, said referenda should be held separate to elections so there is time to discuss issues.

He denied the suggestion that the Government was afraid to run another plebiscite after a double rejection of two proposals in March.
Two men have been recommended for a posthumous presidential pardon more than 140 years after they were executed after being wrongfully convicted of murder without direct evidence.

Sylvester Poff and James Barrett were convicted of the murder of Thomas Browne in October 1882 and were both executed in January 1883.

However, an expert report said that they should be pardoned given that their convictions were unsafe.

On Tuesday, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she had secured Government approval to recommend the men for the granting of pardons by President Michael D Higgins.

The Department of Justice said a presidential pardon should only be offered in the most deserving of circumstances.

Ms McEntee said: This is a very rare occurrence and a very high bar must be reached for the Government to recommend to the president that he exercise this right.

She added: Both men were wrongfully convicted and suffered the harshest penalty under the law of the time in what can now be attributed to a miscarriage of justice.

There was frequent agitation for land reform in 1880s Ireland  which often included agrarian violence  over landlords, evictions, rent strikes and boycotts.

In May 1882, Lord Frederick Cavendish, the chief secretary, and his under secretary, T.H. Burke were murdered in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

Their murders were the catalyst for a legislative response to growing agrarian unrest.

The Prevention of Crime (Ireland) Act 1882 (1882 Act) was a piece of coercive legislation passed in July 1882 in the aftermath to clamp down on crimes such as treason, murder, arson, attacks on dwelling-houses and crimes of aggravated violence.

Co Kerry, and the area around Castleisland in particular, was experiencing a great deal of unrest and violence during this period.

On October 3 1882, Mr Browne was murdered while working in one of his fields in Dromulton, near Scartaglin in Co Kerry.

Two men in dark coats, seen from behind, shot him several times.

Mr Poff and Mr Barrett, who did not match the descriptions of the assailants, were known to be in the vicinity at the time.

The two men were arrested following a statement by a neighbour that they had seen them enter the field where Mr Browne was shot.

The prosecution case largely rested on the evidence of a neighbour, whose story changed as the case progressed and who could not be regarded as a reliable witness.

The men were tried twice before special juries in Cork for the murder of Mr Browne after the jury in the first trial failed to reach agreement on a verdict.

The two men were ultimately convicted in December 1882 and despite petitions for mercy to the Lord Lieutenant, they were hanged in Tralee Gaol in January 1883.

Dr Niamh Howlin, an expert in 19th century trial law and an Associate Professor in the Sutherland School of Law, UCD, was asked by the Department of Justice to undertake an independent external review of this case.

Dr Howlins examination concluded that a number of factors, including in the investigation and procedures around the trial, led her to form the opinion that the convictions were unsafe.

These factors included a packed jury, deficiencies in evidence including conflicting witness testimony, no motive and that other lines of inquiry appear to have been neglected during the investigation and trial.

In addition, the report found that there was no direct evidence against Mr Poff and Mr Barrett, with the case resting on the circumstantial and contradictory evidence of one witness.
Leitrim artist Kevin Lowery is delighted to announce the opening of a new Gallery and Studio.

A vibrant new addition to Bundorans cultural landscape, the gallery celebrates Kevins lifelong passion for art and his deep connection to the coastal beauty of the Wild Atlantic.

To mark this momentous occasion, Kevin invites guests to a special launch event at the new venue on May 3. The evening promises an immersive experience filled with art, music, camaraderie, and celebration.

Renowned Irish surfer, author, and artist Easkey Britton will be the guest of honour for the evening, adding her unique perspective to the gallerys opening. As a native of Donegal deeply committed to the sea, Easkeys presence reflects the gallerys connection to the sea and coastal themes prevalent in Kevins work, celebrating the beauty and power of the ocean.

Located at Unit 10 Bundoran Retail Park, The Kevin Lowery Gallery and Studio aims to serve as a hub for artistic expression. In addition to showcasing Kevins work, the gallery will feature pieces by local artists who share his love for capturing the essence of coastal life.

Continuing the tradition of open engagement, the artists new studio will again be integrated into the gallery space, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the artists process and a chance to engage directly with him.

Kevin extends his heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported him on this journey. He looks forward to welcoming guests to The Kevin Lowery Gallery and Studio on May 3 at 6.30pm for an unforgettable evening of art and inspiration.
Veteran broadcaster Paul Byrne has launched High Court proceedings over internal disciplinary proceedings brought against him by his employer Virgin Media television.

Mr Byrne, who is the broadcaster's southern correspondent, was suspended from his role following a live report he made on the afternoon of February 9 last concerning the death of a young boy in County Waterford.

He claims that he was suspended after information he gave in the broadcast, which he claims was also carried by other media outlets, turned out not to be accurate.

At the time, he believed the information to be credible.

In the High Court proceedings, he claims his employer informed him that he was being suspended for allegedly breaching the broadcaster's News Guidelines and Production Handbook, because he had failed to speak to his line manager about the matter in advance of the broadcast.

The disciplinary process, he claims, could result in his dismissal for alleged gross misconduct.

He denies any wrongdoing, and claims that the process engaged by his employer is flawed, punitive, disproportionate and should be set aside. Mr Byrne also claims that the process lacks credibility, and is in breach of his contractual rights.

As a result, he is seeking a High Court injunction restraining Virgin Media Ireland Ltd, and Virgin Media Television Limited from continuing the disciplinary process against him.

He also seeks orders requiring the defendants to pay his salary and benefits, lift his suspension, and not appoint anyone to carry out Mr Byrne's duties.

The court heard that in correspondence the defendants reject Mr Byrne's claims against them and about the disciplinary process.

They said that given its role as a public broadcaster it deems the alleged breach as being "serious in nature" and informed him that "steps needed to be taken to avoid a repeat".

Mr Byrne's counsel Eoin Clifford SC told the court that the disciplinary process commenced by the reporter's employer is "irredeemably flawed." and "should be set at naught".

Counsel said that as part of his client's broadcast on February 9 Mr Byrne had stated that one line of inquiry being considered by the gardai as part of the investigation into the child's death was that the boy had allegedly been drowned and placed into a car.

His client had cited the allegation after checking it with at least two credible sources and after two other media outlets had published the same information.

The allegation later turned out not to be true and Mr Byrne was subsequently suspended on full pay from his job.

Mr Clifford said his client is alleged to have broken the employer's guidelines by not discussing the contents of the report with the news producer in advance of the broadcast.

It is Mr Byrne's case that the requirement to speak to the producer in advance is not mandatory and is a guideline, counsel said.

He submitted that Mr Byrne has not broken any mandatory rule nor any contractual provision.

Counsel said that during the investigation stage of the process his client wanted to bring a trade union representative, namely Damien Tiernan of the NUJ, with him to the investigation meeting.

Under the defendants' own grievance and disciplinary procedures counsel said that Mr Byrne is allowed to be represented at such a meeting by a work colleague or a recognised trade union representative, counsel said.

The employer refused to allow Mr Tiernan attend the meeting, because he does not work for the defendants, counsel said.

Mr Byrne attended a meeting with his employer by himself, counsel said, and now contests the accuracy of the minutes of that meeting.

Mr Byrne had been invited to a disciplinary meeting, initially due to be held in Limerick this Wednesday (April 17), counsel said.

However, the defendants had agreed to put that meeting back by another week as a medical report had been supplied stating that Mr Byrne is not fit to attend that meeting.

Counsel said that his client was informed that if he were not present, the meeting will proceed in his absence.

The outcome of the meeting could have very serious consequences for Mr Byrne, Mr Clifford said, adding that an adverse finding against the plaintiff could result in his dismissal from his job.

Counsel said that his client who is "very much in the public eye" is very concerned for his reputation.

He stated that Mr Byrne was initially told he was being suspended on full pay, but that is no longer the case, and after a period of sick leave, he is only on partial pay.

The broadcaster's claim came before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey this Tuesday, who on an ex-parte basis granted Mr Byrne permission to serve short notice of the proceedings on the defendants.

The judge, who acknowledged that he had only heard from one side, suggested that the two parties attempt to work out their differences outside of the court.

The case will return before the court next week.
Whisper Woods of Smithtown Associate Receives Benchmark's Annual Compassionate Caregiver Award





Luis Condezo, CNA Honored for Transforming Lives Through Human Connection at Long Island Senior Assisted Living Community

SMITHTOWN, N.Y., April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Benchmark, the largest senior living provider in New England, today announced that Luis Condezo of Brentwood, N.Y., lead aide at Whisper Woods of Smithtown, a Benchmark assisted living with memory care community, has received the Benchmark 2023 Compassionate Caregiver Award, the company's highest honor.

"The compassion and care our associates exhibit daily is truly inspiring. I couldn't be more proud of this year's winners and all they've accomplished." -Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO, Benchmark Senior Living

At Benchmark's 21st Annual Awards Gala held on March 7, 2024, Condezo was selected out of over 6,700 associates for best fulfilling the company's mission of meeting individuals where they are and connecting them to the people, passions and things that matter most to them. He was recognized by residents and fellow associates for not only providing excellent care, but for going above and beyond to get to know residents and providing the personalized attention they need to feel at home.

"Luis lends tremendous heart and soul to our community," said Desiree Krajnyak-Baker, executive director of Whisper Woods of Smithtown. "His passion for people has transformed the lives of many residents at our community and we feel so fortunate to have him as part of our team."

Each year, Benchmark asks their residents and families to nominate a caregiver to be honored. Over 300 nominations were submitted this year, including from Susan Henderson, whose mother is a resident at Whisper Woods.

"Luis has taken the time to get to know all of us who come to spend time with my mom, and we think of him as extension of our family," said Henderson. "He has been a source of strength and joy. He isn't just staff, he's the heart that makes it feel like home. What a gift. My mom, at 85, is truly living her best life."

Condezo has been a Whisper Woods associate for over three years. Born and raised in Peru, he previously served in the Peruvian Air Force before moving to the United States.

"The compassion and care our associates exhibit daily is truly inspiring," said Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark. "Our annual awards gala is a time when we all can come together to celebrate the good work that the associates at our 65 communities do every day to transform lives through human connection. I couldn't be more proud of this year's winners and all they've accomplished."

Whisper Woods was also the recent recipient of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce's annual Humanitarian of the Year award. Last year, they were the only senior living community in the greater Smithtown area to earn U.S. News & World Report's Best Assisted Living excellence award for their care and experiences, which spans independent assisted living to specialized memory care assisted living.

About Benchmark Senior Living

Benchmark is New England's largest senior living provider with 65 independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care communities and over 6,700 dedicated associates providing compassionate care and outstanding experiences throughout the Northeast. The Waltham, Mass.-based company was founded over 27 years ago by Tom Grape with the purpose of Transforming Lives Through Human Connection. Since then, Benchmark has continued to set the industry standard, having won over 300 hundred local, regional and national awards for its care, programs and as a top workplace. Benchmark has been named one of the Top Places to Work for 16 straight years in The Boston Globe's annual employee-based survey and received repeated recognition in FORTUNE's Best Workplaces for Aging Services list. In 2023, Benchmark communities received 53 U.S. News & World Report Best of Senior Living excellence awards based on resident and family feedback. For more information, visit BenchmarkSeniorLiving.com.

Media Contact

Carol Arnold, Benchmark Senior Living, 1 6035020469, [email protected], http://www.BenchmarkSeniorLiving.com

SOURCE Benchmark Senior Living

15 april 2024 at 16:50

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Historic Gift from Taneja Family Foundation Surpasses $120 Million in Total Contributions Toward Tampa General's Initiative to Transform Health Care Through Innovation and Technology





Tampa General Hospital breaks ground on new Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower, a symbol of innovation and a tribute to the generosity of the Taneja Family Foundation.

TAMPA, Fla., April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH) today celebrated more than $120 million in charitable contributions over a two-year period to advance its vision to transform health care through innovation. The latest gift toward the $120 million milestone came from the Taneja Family Foundation and is the largest in the foundation's history.

As part of the celebration, Tampa General leadership, community leaders and members of the Taneja family broke ground on the Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower, a medical pavilion in the heart of Tampa Bay, where patients will have access to best-in-class providers, the latest research therapies and state-of-the-art technologies. The tower bears the Taneja name in honor of the Taneja Family Foundation's contribution to the TGH Foundation.

"Patients come to Tampa General for world-class care, and the addition of this new tower on our campus, thanks in part to the generosity of the Taneja family, enhances our ability to deliver the highest level of academic-based medicine," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. "The Taneja family shares our vision that through innovation, we can transform health care and improve patient outcomes. The new Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower will be an intersection of academics, research and clinical care that will elevate how we are able to treat patients with complex conditions."

Construction on the Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower is expected to be completed in 2027, which will then serve as home for Tampa General's surgery, neuroscience and transplant service lines. The tower, which consists of a plaza level and 12 floors, will provide 144 patient beds, 32 operating suites and expanded intensive care unit (ICU) capacity. In addition, there will be space for education and training, emergency response and sterile processing, as well as two floors reserved for future growth.

"As Tampa General's academic health system reaches new communities across the state of Florida, the demand for Tampa General's world-class care grows, too," said Drew Graham, chairman of the board of directors of Florida Health Sciences Center, under which Tampa General operates. "The new Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower will help us fill that demand, welcoming patients from near and far for treatments and care for the most complex health conditions. The state-of-the-art pavilion will reflect the world-class care our providers and teams deliver every day."

"The Tanejas have built a successful business rooted in innovation, and their generous contribution is a testament to Tampa General's own commitment to innovation," said Gordon Gillette, chair of the board of trustees at Tampa General Hospital Foundation.

Giving back to the community was instilled in Jugal Taneja, president and treasurer of the Taneja Family Foundation, from a young age. His father emphasized the importance of generosity and encouraged his growing family to pay it forward. When Taneja moved to the United States more than five decades ago, he had little to give others with just $8 in his own pocket and a family back home in India to support.

Over the years, Taneja saved enough to bring his wife Manju to the United States. His career spanned from engineering to banking to venture capital. Through the ups and downs, he found ways to support the communities in which they lived and worked, lending his time and talents to benefit causes that were dear to his family. In 2010, Jugal and Manju Taneja together founded Belcher Pharmaceuticals, a company headquartered in Florida that focuses on innovating the development of complex genetic medications and antibiotics.

Tragedy struck the family in 2015 when Jugal and Manju's son Mandeep was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He passed away in 2018. While Mandeep's life could not be saved, the Tanejas chose to pay it forward and invest their resources in others in need of specialized care.

With their contribution to the TGH Foundation, the Taneja family is seeking to elevate impact, broaden research and provide unrivaled care to patients in need. Tampa General, the No. 4 transplant center in America and one of the nation's leading academic health systems, is a natural partner for the Taneja family.

"We have lived the American Dream, and now we want others to have that same chance at life," said Jugal Taneja on behalf of himself, Manju and the family. "What better way to pay it forward than to give greater access to world-class care for those who need it most?"

Through contributions from the Taneja Family Foundation, Jugal and Manju Taneja are creating a legacy that will have a meaningful impact for generations to come.

The Taneja family has long supported innovative efforts by Tampa General Hospital. In 2020, the family's foundation helped Tampa General and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine establish the Global Emerging Diseases Institute to fight infectious disease like COVID-19 during the pandemic. In 2019, the Taneja Family Foundation contributed to the University of South Florida to strengthen Florida's health care workforce and expand education programs at the College of Pharmacy.

"There are no bounds to the generosity of the Taneja family," said Frann Leppla, vice president and chief philanthropy officer of the TGH Foundation. "By naming the new tower in their honor, we're celebrating their passion for innovation, their impact on our community and the exceptional care we offer at Tampa General. I know the Tanejas will serve as a source of hope and inspiration for many who walk through the future doors of the Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower."

The plans for the Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower were first revealed in December before the Tampa City Council, where they received unanimous support from community leaders. The tower will be a 565,000-square-foot building adjacent to Tampa General's main campus on Davis Islands. This pavilion will be a pillar of the Tampa Medical & Research District, which is anchored by Tampa General and USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. The district boasts a variety of health care organizations from academics and clinical care to research and biotechnology, all of which contribute to Tampa's growing health care ecosystem, making the region a global destination for world-class care.

Public access around the building will be preserved during construction so that residents and visitors can walk the perimeter of the Tampa General campus on the island and enjoy the beauty of the new space.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2023-24 Best Hospitals, with six specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings ? in the top 100 nationally in the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women and top 25 in Florida in the 2023 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit of approximately $240.3 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Center, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact:

Amanda Bevis

(202) 680-9262 cell

[email protected]

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital

15 april 2024 at 21:12

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Court Approves BowFlex Inc. Purchase Agreement by Johnson Health Tech





BowFlex Inc. ("BowFlex" or "the Company") today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey (the "Court") entered an order approving the sale of the Acquired Assets pursuant to the terms of the previously announced Stalking Horse Asset Purchase Agreement ("Purchase Agreement") with Johnson Health Tech Retail, Inc. ("Johnson Health Tech" and such order, the "Sale Order"). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Johnson Health Tech has agreed to acquire substantially all of the Company's assets (the "Acquired Assets") for $37,500,000 in cash, less certain adjustments.

"We are pleased that the Court has approved this transaction with Johnson Health Tech," said Jim Barr, BowFlex Inc. Chief Executive Officer. "Johnson Health Tech is among the world's largest and fastest-growing fitness equipment manufacturers and home to some of the most respected brands in the fitness industry, making them the right organization to lead BowFlex into its next chapter."

The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close on or around April 22, 2024.

Additional information about the asset sale and court-supervised process is available online at https://dm.epiq11.com/Bowflex, or by contacting the Company's Claims Agent, Epiq, at [email protected] or by calling toll-free at (888) 311-7005 or +1 (971) 328-4573 for calls originating outside of the U.S.

Advisors

Sidley Austin LLP and Holland & Hart LLP are serving as legal advisors to BowFlex. FTI Consulting, Inc. and FTI Capital Advisors LLC have been retained as financial advisor and investment banker to BowFlex to manage the sale process.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements (statements which are not historical facts) within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied forward-looking statements relating to the Company's statements regarding the process and potential outcomes of the Company's Chapter 11 Cases, the Company's expectations regarding the Stalking Horse Asset Purchase Agreement, the Bankruptcy Court's approval and entry of the Sales Order, the anticipated closing and closing date of the Asset Sale, and the anticipated proceeds from the Asset Sale. You are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time. Factors that could cause the Company's actual expectations to differ materially from these forward-looking statements also include: risks inherent in the bankruptcy process, including the outcome of the Chapter 11 Cases; the Company's financial projections and cost estimates; the Company's ability to sell any of its assets; and the effect of the Chapter 11 Cases on the Company's business prospects, financial results and business operations. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on its forward-looking statements. Additional assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements are described in detail in our registration statements, reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings are available on our website or at www.sec.gov. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent developments, events, or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

15 april 2024 at 22:35

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After a Six-Year Journey of Resilience and Innovation, Vtrading Joins Forces with a Prominent Swiss Family Office





NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vtrading, an AI-driven quantitative trading service platform, has seen its relentless six-year journey culminate in a watershed moment as it entered the 2024 bull market and was subsequently acquired by a prestigious Swiss family office.

Established in December 2017, Vtrading carved out its niche in the realm of digital assets. It offers users an array of services such as visual graph element systems, back testing systems, embedded systems, asset management systems, and strategy malls. Over the years, Vtrading rolled out a suite of features including intelligent quantitative custody, smart follow-ups, an independent rebate system, bespoke deployments for clients, and KOL opinion subscriptions. With nothing more than API authorization, users can leverage AI for automatic trading. To date, Vtrading boasts over 970,000 registered users.

Navigating Bull and Bear Markets with Conviction

In an interview, Vtrading's CEO, Donglai, reflected on the company's journey. "I take great pride in our unwavering resolve, which saw us weather numerous cycles of bulls and bears. Amid market volatility, we remained committed to offering high-quality services to our users. Leveraging AI and intelligent quantitative trading, we mitigated risks and optimized returns," he said. "This year marks a significant milestone for us, underscored by Vtrading receiving the Fintech Award at the 2024 Winter Davos Forum."

"We've maintained a grounded approach over the years, earning us a solid reputation within the industry. We steer clear of over-promising or hyping up benefits for publicity. The tangible success of our users, demonstrated through data on the Vtrading platform, speaks volumes and surpasses any external figures we could publicize. Our guiding principle has always been user-centricity, using our deep quantitative expertise to serve users effectively. Concurrently, we're expanding our business sectors, delivering top-notch services to professional teams and institutions, and collectively moving towards industry globalization and compliance."

Staying the Course: From Initial Resolve to Blossoming Success

Donglai noted that Vtrading's steadfast efforts have earned industry recognition. At the recent "Web3.0 Security Technology Summit and Web3.0 Annual Awards Ceremony" in Hong Kong, Vtrading clinched the "Best Infrastructure" award. Through its big data and AI technology-based quantitative strategies, Vtrading offers users comprehensive quantitative trading services. It aims to create a proficient, efficient, accessible, and intelligent digital asset quantitative trading platform promoting symbiotic success.

"Our users' consistent profits, coupled with Vtrading's multiple industry accolades and international recognition, inspire us to further enhance our offerings. The acquisition by the Swiss family office was years in the making, stemming from a consensus reached after several months of negotiations and reaffirmed at the Davos Forum. While I am nostalgic about stepping down, I believe this move will give Vtrading a broader stage for growth. I remain committed to aiding Vtrading's development in a consultancy capacity post-acquisition. With robust capital support and an international purview, I am confident that Vtrading will continue to thrive," Donglai concluded. "Never lose sight of your initial ambition, persist in doing what's right, and march on to victory with Vtrading!"

SOURCE Vtrading

16 april 2024 at 01:28

News published onand distributed by:
Sparta Capital Sends Letter to Board of Directors of Wood Group





LONDON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The full text of the letter follows:

Sparta Capital Management Ltd

1 Knightsbridge Green

London SW1X 7QA

John Wood Group PLC

15 Justice Mill Lane

Aberdeen AB11 6EQ

Attn: Roy A Franklin, Chair; the Board of Directors

Cc: Ken Gilmartin, Chief Executive Officer

15 April 2024

Dear Roy,

Thank you for the many opportunities you have given us to continue our discussions.

As you know, we have been a significant investor in Wood Group since early 2022, and like many of your shareholders we are frustrated by the continued underperformance of the shares. We are now one year on from the lapsed bid process with Apollo and 17 months since you announced your strategy refresh. Despite the many operational achievements that you have recorded since then, your shares languish at 130p - 140p, which, with the exception of just one occasion in the last five years, are the all-time lows for the shares.

In the context of this, we believe that the Board must be realistic on how it can best achieve fair value for shareholders; if the UK public markets are unwilling or unable to engage in Wood's story, we believe you should undertake a strategic review and actively seek alternative solutions. We note, for example, the recent successful attempts by corporates to move their primary listing away from markets which they have determined do not recognise the true worth of their businesses. In particular, the US, where Wood's peers Jacobs and KBR trade, and where you have significant operational and executive presence, would seem a logical potential listing venue. Equally, we have been pleased to see a significant up-tick in M&A activity in Q1 2024, and financing markets which appear to be supportive of public to private transactions.

We have spoken to many of your existing investors, and there is widespread agreement that something must be done to address the poor share price performance. As such, we urge you to conduct a strategic review with an open mind as to the best way to achieve fair value for shareholders. If you conclude that shareholder value will be maximised through a sale of the company, we encourage you to engage with any suitable bidders who may emerge during this process.

Operational Achievements

It is clear that you have made considerable progress as a business since the beginning of 2022. The sale of the Built Environment division, completed in September 2022, was transformative and made possible, a comprehensive and long overdue root & branch restructuring of the business. You appointed Ken Gilmartin in June 2022 to lead this process. We believe Ken is a talented executive who has very quickly implemented the right strategy for Wood. At the November 2022 CMD, Ken and the refreshed executive leadership team set out a clear vision and roadmap:

Growth - returning the business to sustainable growth "ahead of" a market estimated to grow at 5% Derisking - moving the business away from risky lumpsum turnkey contracts Profitability - addressing central costs and improving operating margins Operating Cash - generating substantial operating cash Legacy Liabilities - retiring legacy liabilities Free Cash Flow - generating sustainable free cash flow

Against this list of objectives, we note the following very significant successes, with more to follow:

Growth ? in its first full year since the strategy refresh the business grew EBITDA some 11%(*) and has guided to 2024 EBITDA growth towards the upper end of its medium-term target and for 2025 EBITDA growth to exceed its medium-term target of mid to high single digit percentage growth annually(1) Derisking ? lumpsum turnkey contracts now represent only a negligible portion of the total revenue, versus 16% in FY 2021(1) Profitability ? after a year of investment in 2023 with margins flat on 2022 as guided, margins are now expected to expand significantly as the business continues to grow, shifts towards higher margin consulting projects and benefits from cost savings initiatives(1). As a consequence, analysts estimate that EBITDA margins will expand to 7.5% and 8.1% for 2024 and 2025 respectively(2) from 7.2% in 2023 Operating Cash ? over 2023 the company generated a dramatic positive inflection in operating cash, generating $194m of operating cash for the year, versus an outflow of $66m in 2022(1). The company is on course to achieve a further improvements, with operating cashflow set to grow to $355m (2) by 2025 according to consensus estimates Legacy Liabilities ? the company has retired some $145m (3) of legacy obligations in 2023, with the final amount of $70m (4) being retired in H1 of 2024.

In total, some $362m (5) of liabilities faced by the group at the time of the CMD in 2022, equivalent to approximately 1/3rd of the group's current market capitalisation, have been permanently retired Free Cash Flow ? as guided at the time of the CMD, the business is on course to generate material free cash flow in 2025

We note that as an engineering consultant, Wood benefits from the structural growth drivers of carbon emission reductions and energy security. Revenues for 2024 are backstopped by an order book of $6.3bn(1) and an increasing proportion of Wood's revenues are linked to Carbon Emissions ? at the last report date, the percentage of work encompassing "green" initiatives was 22% FY 2023 revenue, up from 20% just one year ago, while the current pipeline is now 43% exposed to sustainable solutions(1).

Relative Valuation & Performance

In spite of these many achievements, Wood's share price has languished, and the company remains the lowliest valued company in the sector. Wood trades at 1/3rd(6) of the multiple of the comparable, higher quality peers like Worley (often cited as your key competitor and the business most like Wood), Jacobs and KBR and a 48%(6) discount to the sector average and with only Tecnicas Reunidas trading cheaper, which given that according to consensus numbers, it is ex-growth with close to half the margins, this is would appear to be a low bar.

Wood's share price has languished since the CMD Wood has delivered the lowest total return of its peers, including its former OFS peers The discount in valuation against Wood's closest peer globally, Worley, remains stubbornly wide Wood remains at an unwarranted discount to its listed peers, including its former OFS peers

UK Mid-cap Curse

We accept and acknowledge that part of this underperformance and lack of shareholder engagement in the equity story is beyond your control. As can clearly be seen in the graphs below, UK mid-caps have chronically underperformed global equities in recent years. The first chart shows that the UK has materially de-rated against world equities, with a forward PE multiple now sitting at just 0.6x that of the MSCI World index, down from parity in 2016. Equally, within the UK, the second chart and recent past in particular (highlighted in red), shows that UK mid-caps have underperformed UK large-caps in the time since Covid, unfortunately coinciding with your strategic re-launch.

Whatever the reasons for this market-wide underperformance, as a transformation story with history of poor execution, you are a "show-me" story and, as such, will feel the full effect of this apparent indifference from public markets. We urge you to be realistic that these dynamics will not shift anytime soon when assessing how best to serve shareholders in the near term.

In Summary

You are delivering operationally, yet your shares trade at the all-time lows. In the context of the Apollo bid process, you described their approaches of 200p to 230p as proposals which "significantly undervalued the repositioned Group's prospects."(1). We don't doubt that, fundamentally, Wood is worth significantly more than where it is currently trading in the public markets and indeed more than those offers. However, if there is no realistic prospect of achieving that value steady state in the public markets, then this is a moot point.

When we look at the behaviour of your core holders at the time of the previous approach, we note that institutional holders sold millions of shares at an average price of 214p(2) ? their actions speaking louder perhaps than any assurances of their belief in the fundamental value they may have offered at the time. This trading pattern suggests that, at the time of the offer, shareholders accepted, out of brutal pragmatism, that realising 200p+ today, was a better course than hoping for a multiple of that price, at some point in the future.

You have given the UK public markets 17 months to recognise the value creation possible in a 36 month turn-around plan. The disconnect between intrinsic value and the value assigned by the market has never been wider. We believe that it is time to recognise that the next chapter of Wood's journey could be best supported by different owners, and we urge you to undertake a strategic review and explore the best way to maximise shareholder value, including a sale of the company.

We have sent this letter to you first, but we have also chosen to make this letter public so that the debate can be open and transparent, and we encourage other shareholders to make their views known to you.

We look forward to continuing our discussions.

Best wishes,

Franck Tuil, CIO

Sparta Capital Management Ltd

About Sparta Capital

Sparta Capital is a multi-strategy investment fund launched in 2021 investing globally in a broad range of public and private securities, across both equity and credit markets. Our investment process relies on intensively researching the fundamentals of our targeted companies and identifying investment opportunities where, for a variety of clearly identifiable reasons, we believe a disconnect exists between the price of the securities in question and their underlying value ? in short, we look for mispriced, catalyst-driven, investment opportunities.

Core to our investment process is the belief that constructive engagement with the companies in which we invest is not only our duty as responsible investors, but a highly effective way to drive value creation for the mutual benefit of shareholders and companies alike. We believe that the evolution of stock market dynamics of the past several years, has created increasingly stark disconnects between share price performance and investment fundamentals and our philosophy is to work with the companies that we invest in to address this.

Media Contacts

Greenbrook

Rob White / Michael Russell

[email protected]

+44 207 952 2000

Sparta Capital Management Limited ("Sparta") is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom (the "FCA"). This presentation is made by Sparta to John Wood group PLC ("Wood") in Sparta's capacity as an investor in Wood and not as part of an advisory or other professional service to Wood or any other person. Sparta is not advising the recipients of this presentation and will not be held responsible for providing them with the regulatory protections under the FCA rules. The presentation is based on information which we consider to be reliable but we make no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to its accuracy, reliability or completeness. Sparta is a Private Limited Company registered in England and Wales, Company No: 11178462. Registered Office: 1 Knightsbridge Green, London SW1X 7QA.

This document is not an offer to, or solicitation of, any potential clients or investors for the provision by Sparta of investment management, advisory or any other comparable or related services. No statement in this overview is or should be construed as investment, legal, or tax advice, nor is any statement an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or other instrument, or an offer to arrange any transaction, or to enter into legal relations.

No representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained herein, and the recipient accepts all risk in relying on this information for any purpose whatsoever. Without prejudice to the foregoing, any views expressed herein are the opinions of Sparta as of the date on which this document has been prepared and are subject to change at any time without notice. Sparta does not undertake to update this information. Any forward-looking statements herein are inherently subject to material business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change.

[1] Source: Company financial reports. (*) Refers to constant FX reported figures.

[2] Source: Sparta-compiled consensus based on Research Analysts who have updated their model post FY 23 results. Based on company defined OCF: Adj. EBITDA ? cash adj. JV elements ? Provisions ? Others ? NWC.

[3] Source: Company CMD presentation: summation of expected exceptional cash outflow FY 23 - 25

[4] Source: Company FY 23 Results Presentation ($120m including $50m simplification programme costs).

[5] Source: Company FY 23, FY 22 and H1 22 Results Presentation: includes $145m settled in FY 23 and $217m settled in H2 22 ($319m - $102m).

[6] Source: Based on Bloomberg EV/EBITDA NTM. Sector includes Jacobs Solutions, KBR, Worley, Fluor Corp, Technip Energies, Maire Tecnimont, Tecnicas Reunidas.

[1] Source: Bloomberg as of 5th April 2024.

2 Source: Bloomberg as of 5th April 2024. Assumes that any dividends are reinvested into the security.

[1] Source: Bloomberg as of 5th April 2024.

[1] Source: Bloomberg as of 5th April 2024.

[1] Source: Company Press Release 22 February 2023.

[2] Source: Based on best efforts compilation of Form 8.3 data, focusing only institutional investors and their shares sold. Daily Bloomberg VWAP used as an approximation of price of shares sold.

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16 april 2024 at 02:00

News published onand distributed by:
Vortex Energy Corp. Sends Core Samples from the Robinsons River Salt Project to the University of Alberta





VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX | OTC: VTECF | FRA: AA3) ("Vortex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has shipped core samples from the initial hole drilled at the Robinsons River Salt Project to the University of Alberta.



The Company's consultant, RESPEC Consulting Inc. ("RESPEC"), has conducted core logging on the cap rock and salt sections obtained from Core Hole 1 (VTX-West-23-1). The cap rock is predominantly anhydrite, intermixed with mudstones, while the salt rock is primarily composed of halite, featuring zones of intermixed mudstones and occasional potash salts such as carnallite and possibly sylvite. RESPEC has selected and shipped samples to the University of Alberta, which will perform various tests to delineate the material properties of the cap rock and salt. The planned tests include thin-section analysis using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) for visual mineral identification, EDS (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) for elemental composition and percentages, and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) for crystalline mineral identification and percentages. Additional tests will assess insoluble mineral percentages, diffusion, and various geomechanical tests to identify the exact minerals present in the core and determine the structural and mechanical properties of the formations.

The Company also announces that it has granted 1,000,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") to certain directors, officers, and consultants of the Company pursuant to the Company's equity incentive plan (the "Plan").

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Piotr Kulkialka, P.Geo, who is acting as a consultant to the Company and is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

For a discussion of the Company's data verification and Quality Control / Quality Assurance processes, please refer to the Company's technical report entitled, "Independent Technical Report On The Robinsons River Salt Property", which is posted to the Company's SEDAR+ profile.

About Vortex Energy Corp.

Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project comprised of a total of 942 claims covering 23,500 hectares located approximately 35 linear kms south of the town of Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador. The Robinson River Salt Project is prospective for both salt and hydrogen salt cavern storage. The company is actively evaluating technologies to efficiently store hydrogen or energy in salt caverns. Vortex Energy Corp. also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Paul Sparkes

Chief Executive Officer, Director

+1 (778) 819-0164

[email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. ?

Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this ?press release.?

16 april 2024 at 08:00

News published onand distributed by:
Dash Solutions Wins Prestigious Sales & Customer Service Award





The 2024 Stevie Awards recognized Dash Solutions as world-class in the Incentive, Rewards, or Recognition Provider of the Year category.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Dash Solutions has been named the bronze winner in the Incentive, Reward, and Recognition Provider of the Year category in the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service? the world's top honor for customer service, contact center, business development and sales professionals.

Winning a distinguished Stevie Award lends credibility to our unique go-to-market strategy offering a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to help businesses drive engagement and streamline payments, all from a single provider.

Winners were revealed at a gala banquet on Friday, April 12, at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Winning a distinguished Stevie Award lends credibility to our unique go-to-market strategy offering a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to help businesses drive engagement and streamline payments, all from a single provider," said Dash Solutions CEO Stephen Faust. "As the leader in rewards enablement, we're well positioned to achieve continued growth by aligning product enhancements with our customer's evolving needs."

The win recognizes Dash Solutions as a top-tier strategic technology provider in the rewards space that helps enterprise clients build loyalty and participant engagement through reliable technology and flexible reward options while maintaining a steadfast commitment to clients.

By increasing self-sufficiency in the rewards market, Dash offers a centralized platform for employee recognition and channel incentives, streamlined workflows for reward delivery, secure and fast payouts, custom card and payment configurations, invoicing and reconciliation, and customer service. Dash's best-in-class software offers refreshing and creative ways to build engagement, loyalty, and morale all within a cohesive experience and sophisticated reward platform for diverse industries such as healthcare, utilities, and manufacturing.

Through its unique bundling of a configurable reward platform and card delivery capabilities, Dash Solutions provides customers with customized, elegant methods to solve their needs and requirements.

"The high scores given the winning nominations in this year's competition are evidence of the high levels of achievement portrayed in them," said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. "We join with the judges and all members of the Stevie Awards community in congratulating and celebrating the winners for their accomplishments."

More than 2,300 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry, in 44 nations and territories, were considered in this year's competition. Finalists were determined by the average scores of more than 200 professionals worldwide, working in seven specialized judging committees.

Details about the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Sales. Nominations for the 2025 competition will open in July.

About Dash Solutions

Dash Solutions is a fintech platform that empowers thousands of customers with digital payment, rewards, and engagement program management tools. Founded and headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., Dash Solutions' versatile technologies and configurable payment solutions help businesses operate more effectively. Discover how we're transforming employee engagement and dealer loyalty at DashSolutions.com.

About The Stevie Awards

The Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, and the new Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com.

Sponsors of the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include Sales Partnerships, Inc., Support Services Group, Inc, and ValueSelling Associates, Inc.

Media Contact

Elizabeth Worrell, Dash Solutions, 1 (205) 871-6144, [email protected], www.dashsolutions.com

SOURCE Dash Solutions

16 april 2024 at 08:30

News published onand distributed by:
Global Mobility Technology Company AVL Recognized as Top Workplace 2024 by USA Today





PLYMOUTH, Mich., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The USA Today network has awarded AVL as a top workplace in the United States. The globally active mobility technology company for development, simulation, and testing in the automotive industry, and in other sectors was recognized for its quality workplace culture.

Each year, the USA Today network, and its research partner, Energage, anonymously surveys employees from companies across the United States about benefits, amenities, salary, and job satisfaction. More than 70 percent of all employees working across AVL's affiliate in North America consistently expressed that the company empowers them to strengthen their technical skills and fosters a creative environment that spurs entrepreneurial thinking.

Additionally, AVL employees would highly recommend AVL as a place to work. AVL operates its North American office in Plymouth, Michigan, and technical centers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Lake Forest, California. AVL helps strengthen the communities it serves by supporting local and national efforts to make STEM education accessible to students of all backgrounds. Throughout the year, AVL team members come together to support organizations including the SAE Foundation, Gleaners Food Bank, Toys for Tots, and Detroit Children's Fund.

Joyce Weishaar, Executive Director of Human Resources at AVL: "AVL is honored to be recognized by the USA Today network and thanks all team members for making this award possible. At AVL, we believe that our greatest asset is the people behind our technologies. Together, we are innovators, researchers, and technical leaders who are helping forge the future of mobility."

About AVL

With more than 12,200 employees, AVL is one of the world's leading mobility technology companies for development, simulation, and testing in the automotive industry and in other sectors such as rail, marine, and energy. Based on extensive in-house research activities, AVL delivers concepts, technology solutions, methodologies, and development tools for a greener, safer, and better world of mobility and beyond.

AVL supports international partners and customers in their sustainable and digital transformation. The focus lies on the areas of electrification, software, AI and automation. In addition, AVL supports companies in energy-intensive sectors on their way to a greener and more efficient energy generation and supply.

Innovation is AVL's passion. Together with an international network of experts at more than 90 locations and 45 Tech and Engineering Centers worldwide, AVL is driving the future of mobility. In 2023, the company generated a turnover of 2.05 billion Euros, of which 10 % are invested in R&D activities (preliminary IFRS key figures for financial year 2023).

For more information: www.avl.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Josh Lupu

[email protected]

T: +1 734 446 4255

SOURCE AVL

16 april 2024 at 09:00

News published onand distributed by:
Omega Pacific Appoints Rob L'Heureux as New Director





Omega Pacific Resources Inc. (CSE:OMGA) ("Omega" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has appointed Rob L'Heureux (M.Sc., P.Geol.), to its Board of Directors.

Mr. L'Heureux has built a track record of excellence in successful exploration and development spanning over 20 years including global exploration experience and project management with budgets up to $50 Million annually. His global experience ranges from the Canadian Arctic to Australia. More recently, Rob has focused on British Columbia-based projects, overseeing large exploration campaigns at the Lawyers Gold-Silver Project, a 3.5 million ounce resource located in the Toodoggone Region which is in close proximity to Omega's Williams Property. Mr. L'Heureux obtained a B.Sc Geology from the University of Alberta (1997) and M.Sc. Economic Geology from the University of Western Ontario (2003).

Rob is also a member of the Metals Group, a team of professionals who stand for technical excellence, painstaking project selection and uncompromising corporate governance, with a proven ability to capitalize on investment opportunities and deliver shareholder returns.

Omega's CEO and Director Jason Leikam states, "we are thrilled to announce Rob has formally joined the Omega team, allowing us to add a key technical director with deep knowledge and experience exploring and developing in BC's Toodoggone region. Having Rob and his colleagues at the Metals Group overseeing our drill program gives our project a huge boost, and provides confidence to our shareholders that we have placed capable and proven operators at the helm of our drills. The Metals Group have built a stellar track record of technical excellence, and Omega is focused on continuing that legacy with the upcoming exploration campaign at Williams".

Mr. L'Heureux will plan, coordinate and oversee the Company's 4,000 m maiden drill campaign this summer at the Williams Property.

Additionally, Braydon Hobbs has resigned as a director of the Company effective immediately. The Company would like to thank Mr. Hobbs for his services and guidance and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.

About Omega Pacific

Omega Pacific is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of mineral projects containing base and precious metals. The Company recently acquired an option to earn a 100% interest in the Williams Property, located in the Toodoggone region of the Golden Horseshoe. The Golden Horseshoe is a prolific and proven area of British Columbia known to host many gold, copper and silver deposits. The Company also holds an option on the Lekcin Property, located 120 km east of Vancouver, BC.

For more information, please contact:

Omega Pacific Resources Inc.

Jason Leikam, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Tel: +1 (778) 650 4255

Email: [email protected]

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information under the provisions of Canadian securities laws including statements about the Company's plans. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of beliefs, assumptions, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change, except as required by law.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Omega Pacific Resources Inc.

16 april 2024 at 09:00

View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by:
Grindr Unveils New Mission to Build Digital Gayborhood at Web Summit Rio; Introduces Roamtm to Expand Connections Ahead of Travel





Today at Web Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND), the premier LGBTQ+ social connector, celebrated its 15th anniversary by announcing a new corporate mission and launching a new core travel feature: Roamtm.

A New, Community-Focused Mission For the Next 15 Years

Grindr's new mission is to be the global Gayborhood in your pocket, and through its success, to make a world where the lives of its users and the global LGBTQ+ community are free, equal, and just.

For decades, the global LGBTQ+ community has physically connected in cities around the world, creating hubs, or Gayborhoods, for local gay, bi, trans, and queer people to freely express themselves, enjoy a sense of safety and intimacy, and foster community through spaces created specifically for them.

However, not everyone has access to a physical Gayborhood.

For years, Grindr users all over the world have made the app into a Gayborhood, engaging with others for recommendations, information, resources, and a sense of connection. With Grindr's new mission statement and planned product expansion, the digital Gayborhood will truly come to life via features designed specifically for this use case.

Roam: The First Step To Building the Global Gayborhood In Your Pocket

The first feature launching as part of the Gayborhood is Roamtm, designed to give users the ability to temporarily place their profile in a new location ahead of a trip, chatting with locals and forming connections before they travel. With Roam, Grindr is unlocking travel functionality and bringing global users one step closer to each other, transcending physical boundaries on the path to the digital Gayborhood.

The feature is currently in testing in several markets and will be launching broadly in Q3. Upon its launch, Grindr users will have the option to select a new location in which to place their profile for up to one hour, enabling them to connect and engage with local users before a trip. In a step beyond Grindr's existing Explore function, which allows users to see other profiles in different geographies, Roam allows users to ?visit' a new geography to explore other profiles and be seen by and chat with local users.

"Grindr is the connective tissue for the gay community around the world, and as we set out to fulfill our new mission, I'm excited to provide digital access to the important relationships, resources, and information that exist in so many physical Gayborhoods," said Grindr CEO George Arison. "With new features like Roam, we look forward to continuing to innovate the Grindr platform in order to meet the diverse needs of our users and drive a lasting impact for people everywhere."

Looking ahead, Grindr will continue building and rolling out new features that bring the digital Gayborhood to its users. From those looking for casual encounters to those seeking longer-term relationships, Grindr's planned product expansion will allow users with a range of interaction goals and intentions to navigate the queer world around them.

For more information on the Gayborhood and Roam, please visit our blog here.

About Grindr Inc.

With more than 13 million monthly active users in virtually every country in the world, Grindr has grown to become a fundamental part of the LGBTQ+ community since its launch in 2009. The company continues to expand its ecosystem to enable gay, bi, trans, and queer people to connect, express themselves, and discover the world around them. Since 2015 Grindr for Equality has advanced health and human rights for millions of Grindr users and the global LGBTQ+ community in partnership with more than 150 LGBTQ+ organizations in every region of the world. Grindr is headquartered in West Hollywood, California, with offices in the Bay Area, Chicago, and New York. The Grindr app is available on the App Store and Google Play.

16 april 2024 at 09:15

News published onand distributed by:
MEDIA ADVISORY: OWN.CANCER campaign ?Delivering Hope' through activation events during OWN.CANCER Week





CALGARY, Alberta, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



WHAT:



As the City of Calgary recognizes April 18-24, 2024 as OWN.CANCER week, the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Alberta Health Services and University of Calgary will be hosting a series of fun activations and initiatives across the city to support OWN.CANCER's fundraising goal of $250 million for the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, set to open in fall 2024.

Media are invited to attend ?Delivering Hope' on April 19, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. at Bay Court in CF Chinook Centre. This activation will feature a room-sized Amazon-like box that community members can interact with to learn more about the Arthur Child. This activation will run until April 21, 2024 at 9 p.m.

Additionally, in honour of OWN.CANCER week, the Reconciliation Bridge and Calgary Tower will be lit up yellow to generate awareness for the campaign. Also, $5 from every ticket purchased through the OWN.CANCER website for the April 18 Calgary Flames home game will support the campaign.

WHEN:

Delivering Hope

Friday, April 19, 2024

12:30-9:00 p.m.

OWN.CANCER will have a life-sized Amazon box focused on ?Delivering Hope' to bring awareness to the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Alberta Cancer Foundation spokespeople can be available upon request



Landmark Light Up

As part of Calgary's OWN.CANCER week, several local landmarks will be lit up yellow in recognition of the OWN.CANCER campaign, including:

Reconciliation Bridge ? Sunday, April 21, 2024

Calgary Tower ? Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Calgary Flames ? April 18 home game

$5 from every ticket purchased here for the Calgary Flames home game will support the OWN.CANCER campaign.

WHERE:

Delivering Hope

Bay Court ? CF Chinook Mall

6455 Macleod Trail, Calgary, AB T2H 0K8

RSVP:

Media are asked to RSVP for the Delivering Hope activation no later than 9 a.m. (MT) on Friday, April 19, 2024. Complimentary photos and videos can also be arranged.

Media Contact & RSVP to:

Rebecca Hurl

Brookline Public Relations, Inc.

[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d55196fd-ea20-4632-9a2c-f12c105eb117

16 april 2024 at 10:00

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Midwest Autism & Therapy Centers Welcomes New Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) to Their Iowa-Based Campuses





Midwest Autism & Therapy Centers is proud to announce the addition of three talented Board Certified Behavior Analysts to their Iowa programs. The team expansion is part of a larger organizational effort to bring new clinicians to Des Moines, enhance Midwest's capacity to deliver high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children on the Spectrum, and to expand access to Autism services through the use of telehealth and hybrid care.

DES MOINES, Iowa, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the US, experts report that Autism affects nearly 1-in-36 children. And the number of diagnoses continues to rise as healthcare providers develop new screening methods and parents become more aware of the early signs of Autism in children. By bringing new Behavior Analysts to Iowa from a national pool of candidates, Midwest is working to meet the increased need for ABA therapy in the Des Moines region.

MEET OUR NEW PRACTITIONERS

Shayna Landsberry, MS, BCBA, LBA (She/Her)

Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)

M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University

B.A. in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno

Shayna Landsberry is a Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst coming to us from Reno, Nevada. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada and went on to complete her graduate education in Applied Behavior Analysis at Capella University. Prior to sitting for her board exams, Shayna worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) with children on the Autism Spectrum. Her areas of expertise include behavior shaping, differential reinforcement, and teaching verbal behavior.

Rowan Langbehn, MS, BCBA, LBA (They/Them)

Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)

M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Simmons College

B.A. in Psychology from the University of Aberdeen

A graduate of Simmons College and the University of Aberdeen, located in Northeast Scotland, Rowan has joined Midwest as a hybrid BCBA working with clients in our West Des Moines office and home-based program. Rowan has a strong background in building programs for school-aged children and supporting high-needs students who are unable to attend traditional schools due to behavior severity or challenges with functional communication.

Shane Olson, MS, BCBA, LBA (He/Him)

Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)

M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology

B.A. in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Trinity Christian College

Shane Olson, a graduate of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and Trinity Christian College, began working in the Autism services field as a school-based paraprofessional at the Scottsdale Children's Institute, in Scottsdale, AZ. Through this experience, he was introduced to the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and went on to earn his board certification in 2017. Shane brings with him a wealth of experience in center-based service delivery as well as home and community-based care.

HOW TO ENROLL YOUR CHILD

Midwest currently has full and half-day openings at our Altoona and Ankeny locations. Our West Des Moines and Waukee offices are working from limited waitlists while we continue to expand our clinical teams. For more information or to get started visit www.midwestautismservices.com/new-client or call our direct intake line at (515) 513-9649. If you are a healthcare provider, case manager or social worker and would like to request services for a client, please visit our referral portal at www.midwestautismservices.com/contact/client-referrals .

About Midwest Autism & Therapy Center

Midwest Autism & Therapy Centers is an early-intervention Autism service provider with locations throughout Iowa and Minnesota. Midwest specializes in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for Autism, functional behavior assessments, social skills development, and school readiness programs for children on the Autism Spectrum. Our Iowa offices offer center-based therapy services for children ages 2-4 and home-based therapy for children ages 5+.

MIDWEST AUTISM & THERAPY CENTERS

Enrollment Line: (515) 513-9649



Iowa Campuses

Altoona | Ankeny | Waukee | West Des Moines

Minnesota Campuses

Woodbury | Edina

[email protected] | midwestautismservices.com

SOURCE Midwest Autism & Therapy Centers

16 april 2024 at 10:00

News published onand distributed by:
SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust to Release 2024 First Quarter Results and Host Conference Call





TORONTO, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust ("SmartCentres") (TSX: SRU.UN) announced today that it will be reporting its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 after the market closes on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.



Management will hold a conference call on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. (ET). Interested parties are invited to access the call at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call by dialing 1-888-596-4144 and then keying in the conference access code 2010586#. A recording of this call will be made available Thursday, May 9, 2024, through to Thursday, May 16, 2024. To access the recording, please call 1-800-770-2030 and enter the conference access code 2010586#.

Recordings of SmartCentres' current and previous conference calls can be found at www.smartcentres.com/investing.

About SmartCentres

SmartCentres is one of Canada's largest fully integrated REITs, with a best-in-class and growing mixed-use portfolio featuring 191 strategically located properties in communities across the country. SmartCentres has approximately $11.9 billion in assets and owns 35.0 million square feet of income producing value-oriented retail and first-class office properties with 98.5% in place and committed occupancy, on 3,500 acres of owned land across Canada.

For more information, visit www.smartcentres.com or please contact:

Mitchell Goldhar Peter Slan Executive Chairman and CEO Chief Financial Officer (905) 326-6400 ext. 7674 (905) 326-6400 ext. 7571 [email protected] [email protected]







16 april 2024 at 10:20

News published onand distributed by:
DIAGNOS to expedite application for Medical Device License to Health Canada and US FDA related to its 4 new analysis modules, and is planning ISO 27001 certification





BROSSARD, Quebec, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diagnos Inc. ("DIAGNOS" or "the Company") (TSX Venture: ADK) (OTCQB: DGNOF), a provider of healthcare services in early detection of certain critical health issues, announces today that it is working on getting new Health Canada and FDA approval on 4 additional AI analysis modules for commercialisation during Q3 2024.



These additions to DIAGNOS' service will provide our customers with a flexible AI-assisted image processing and analysis solution for the detection of a wide range of retinopathies in a general population. Specifically, the new modules aim to assist health care professionals in identifying generally abnormal Optical Coherence Tomography retinal images, and in the grading of Fundus images as it relates to signs of AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration), DR (Diabetic Retinopathy), or HR (Hypertensive retinopathy).

"These soon to be licensed AI-empowered analytic modules have been developed in a manner that meet the current and upcoming guidelines related to AI-powered medical-devices from regulators and legislators around the world. Artificial intelligence has already made its way into our lives and is poised to take a privileged role in patient care, patient management, and in the clinical workflows of multiple medical specialties. There is no limit in application of Artificial Intelligence in medicine, it has immense potential to help and support healthcare professionals in improving clinical outcomes and the overall quality of life of their patients," said Andre Larente, President of DIAGNOS.

These new AI analytic modules will provide DIAGNOS with the opportunity to grow its revenue faster. The modernisation of our Health Canada license was required by both current clients, the Quebec government as well as being a pre-requisite by Essilor Luxottica in order to distribute our services in Canada, as well as for a future US market. DIAGNOS is also working towards its ISO 27001 Cyber Security application, a certification that is requested from our customers and prospects.

About DIAGNOS

DIAGNOS is a publicly traded Canadian corporation dedicated to early detection of critical health problems based on its FLAIRE Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform. FLAIRE allows for quick modifying and developing of applications such as CARA (Computer Assisted Retina Analysis). CARA's image enhancement algorithms provide sharper, clearer and easier-to-analyze retinal images. CARA is a cost-effective tool for real-time screening of large volumes of patients.

Additional information is available at www.diagnos.com and www.sedar.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



This news release contains forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements. DIAGNOS disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

16 april 2024 at 11:10

News published onand distributed by:
Picton Mahoney Asset Management Announces Monthly Distribution for Picton Mahoney Fortified Income Alternative Fund Exchange Traded Fund Units, Picton Mahoney Fortified Special Situations Alternative Fund Exchange Traded Fund Units, Picton Mahoney Fortified Core Bond Fund Exchange Traded Fund Units and Picton Mahoney Fortified Alpha Alternative Fund Exchange Traded Fund Units





TORONTO, April 16, 2024 /CNW/ - (TSX: PFIA) (TSX: PFSS) (TSX: PFCB) (TSX: PFAA) Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the April 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0316 per unit for the ETF units ("ETF Units") of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Income Alternative Fund.

Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the April 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0129 per unit for the ETF Units of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Special Situations Alternative Fund.

Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the April 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0358 per unit for the ETF Units of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Core Bond Fund.

Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the April 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0006 per unit for the ETF Units of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Alpha Alternative Fund.

Unitholders of record of the ETF Units, at the close of business on April 23, 2024, will receive a per-unit cash distribution payable on April 30, 2024.

About Picton Mahoney Asset Management

Picton Mahoney Asset Management specializes in differentiated investment solutions and rules-based volatility management. Picton Mahoney helps its clients fortify their portfolios based on experience honed over the years through different market cycles and investing environments.

Founded in 2004 and 100% employee-owned, Picton Mahoney is a portfolio management boutique entrusted with over $10.1 billion (as at February 29, 2024) in assets under management. Pioneers of Authentic Hedge investment principles and practices in Canada, the firm offers a full suite of investment solutions, including mutual and alternative funds, to institutional and retail investors across the country.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Alternative funds can only be purchased through a registered dealer and are available only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale.

Web site: www.pictonmahoney.com

SOURCE Picton Mahoney Asset Management

16 april 2024 at 14:39

News published onand distributed by:
NASA Leadership to Visit Mexico, Strengthen Cooperation





WASHINGTON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing their significant engagement with key government officials around the world to deepen ties and strengthen space collaboration, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy will visit Mexico City on Monday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 23.

Nelson and Melroy will meet with senior Mexican government officials, including President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Mexican Space Agency (AEM) leaders, to strengthen bilateral cooperation across a broad range of innovation and research areas, such as Earth science and exploration. Together, the two nations are working to achieve mutual goals of addressing climate change.

NASA and AEM also are collaborating on nanosatellite technology demonstrators that will contribute to the future of space exploration. Mexico is a signatory of the Artemis Accords, a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations for the safe, peaceful, and prosperous use of space.

The visit to Mexico coincides with Earth Day on April 22. NASA is engaged in a wide range of activities with Mexican counterparts in Earth science. The administrator and deputy administrator will discuss opportunities for broadening this area of collaboration, including using NASA missions to study air quality and improving water resources management.

Nelson and Melroy also will meet with students in Mexico to discuss science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and their role as members of the Artemis Generation.

For more information about NASA's international partnerships, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/

SOURCE NASA

16 april 2024 at 15:53

News published onand distributed by:
High-quality products with new and unique characteristics showcased at the 4th China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, Hainan province, reflecting China's new trend of consumption upgrading, China Securities Journal reported on Monday.

EHang took its flagship product, the EH216-S passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL aircraft, to this year's CICPE. This product just obtained the world's first three airworthiness certificates from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (type certificate, production certificate, standard airworthiness certificate), said He Tianxing, vice-president of EHang.

The consumers who take Ehang pilotless aircraft in the future do not need to master any driving technology, nor do they need to have any pilot's license. They just need to book an air taxi, press a key to send command and then 'fly freely', he added.

In addition, many other intelligent products showcased at the CICPE 2024, covering areas of smart home, medical health and technology.

Huawei has also showcased a mobile, full-house smart "Home of the Future" in the open air, providing an opportunity to feel the magic and surprise brought by the "Internet of Everything" in the future space in advance.

This year's CICPE attracted a record high of over 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions, with Russia, Mongolia and Malaysia participating in groups for first time.

The current trend of consumption upgrading in China is obvious, said Huang Hanquan, head of the Academy of Macroeconomic Research, which is affiliated to the National Development and Reform Commission.

The record high number of participating countries and regions as well as the exhibiting brands reflect the strong momentum released by the sustained recovery of China's consumer market, and the world's confidence in China's economic development prospects.

Through continuous innovation in the exhibition mode, the expo will gradually enhance its international influence and help build China into a global boutique consumption destination, Huang said.

China's imports of high-quality consumer goods continue to expand, providing a broader market space for global consumer goods enterprises, and more global leading brands and their latest products consider the expo the first and a must choice for exhibition, said Huang.
TEAMSTERS-ENDORSED AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE SAFETY BILLS PASS CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE





Bipartisan Lawmakers Vote to Support AV Legislation Protecting Public Safety, Good Jobs

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Assembly Transportation Committee yesterday passed two Teamsters-supported bills, Assembly Bill 2286 (AB 2286) and Assembly Bill 3061 (AB 3061), that would regulate autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the state. AB 2286 and AB 3061 are part of the CARS legislative package on autonomous vehicles that the Teamsters are advocating for to protect good jobs and public safety, alongside Senate Bill 915, which would require AV companies to secure local approvals prior to starting operations.

"The Teamsters applaud the elected leaders on the Assembly Transportation Committee who supported these bills to protect California's streets and hold autonomous vehicle companies accountable," said Chris Griswold, Teamsters International Vice President At-Large and President of Teamsters Joint Council 42. "From robotaxis to autonomous big rigs, AVs should not be operating on our roads without a human driver behind the wheel. We cannot trust AV companies to be transparent about their internal operations."

AB 2286, formerly Assembly Bill 316, requires a trained human operator behind the wheel of self-driving trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds, which will preserve hundreds of thousands of good-paying trucking jobs and keep California roads safe. AB 316 was first introduced by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-4) in January 2023 and received overwhelming bipartisan support in the legislature, with more than 90 percent of California lawmakers voting in favor of the legislation.

AB 3061, introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-17), would require AV companies to publicly report any vehicle collisions, traffic violations, disengagements, assaults, or harassment involving their vehicles to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The bill is critical to ensuring public transparency and accountability, especially as AV companies fail to publicly report major incidents on California roads. The California DMV has not tracked at-fault data for collisions involving AVs for several years.

As self-driving trucks are deployed to America's highways, robotaxis have been reported to run over pedestrians, block first responders from their jobs, come within seconds of colliding with children, and cause traffic pile-ups. These AV safety incidents have driven widespread safety concerns among the California public. A new report from the American Automobile Association shows that over 91 percent of drivers expressed fear or uncertainty about driving alongside AVs.

"The Teamsters are standing up to Big Tech and AV companies who only care about their profits, not about working people or public safety," said Lindsay Dougherty, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Director of the Teamsters Motion Picture and Theatrical Trade Division. "Californians, and the people we elect to public office, have been sounding the alarm for over a year about the dangers of autonomous trucks and cars. It's past time we get a say on how this unproven technology will impact our lives and our jobs."

SB 915 will receive a hearing in the California Senate Committee on Local Government tomorrow. Following the hearing, the committee members are expected to vote on the bill.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

16 april 2024 at 16:39

News published onand distributed by:
AN BORD Pleanala will adjudicate on plans for a 130-bed nursing home on the edge of Limerick city.

It comes following a series of objections to the proposals for the elder care facility on land off the R526 which links Raheen to Patrickswell.

Loughmore Healthcare 2 is seeking to construct the two-storey structure providing 130 bed spaces across 128 bedrooms with dining rooms, communal areas, a production kitchen and first-floor terrace.

Limerick City and County Council gave the development the go-ahead, but four people have now written to the national planning appeals body asking them to step in.

One objector wrote in their appeal to An Bord Pleanala: A 130-person unit with 128 bedrooms is by any standard a very large unit, with most nursing home operators now declining to build any facilities with accommodation for more than 60 to 70 persons.

To accommodate 130 persons in a nursing home on a restricted site of 1.1 hectares is clearly overdevelopment and needs to be substantially pared back.

They also expressed concerns over the number of car parking spaces associated with the development.

"An entire provision of 32 spaces to include for staff and visitors, with no possibility of overspill onto the main road is a recipe for the creation of severe visitor parking difficulties.

READ MORE: TUS designated Ireland's first ADHD-friendly university

In its own documents presented to Limericks planning section, the developer wrote: The established need associated with the drive for compact growth and making the most efficient use of urban land has driven the development design concept whilst also ensuring a quality living environment.

There were also objections to the project from a number of neighbouring landowners.

A decision is due by July 23, 2024.
TESCO Ireland has secured conditional planning permission to expand its trading area at the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle.

The retailer lodged papers with council planners earlier this year seeking to merge two units of its facility in the shopping centre.

On top of this, Tesco wants to bring a former creche facility, out of use for 15 years, back into regular service for retail.

The proposed developments includes the relocation of the alcohol sales area in the store.

In documents provided to council planners, representatives of Tesco Ireland said the plans are coming forward as part of an upgrade of the British retailers estate across the country.

This is being done to provide an enhanced customer experience and represents a significant investment at Crescent Shopping Centre.

The documents also add that the expansion will provide for a more modernised and efficient convenience store.

Tescos branch in Dooradoyle is the final store in the firms Irish estate yet to be refurbished.

Council planners afforded the project planning permission subject to one condition.

The news comes as the British retailer gears up to open its latest store in Limerick.

READ MORE: Limerick woman raises thousands for charity by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

A new Tesco store is to open at Watch House Cross on the edge of the Moyross estate.

It takes over a unit which was formerly used by rival food retailers Iceland, and Eurospar.

According to the Tesco website, the store will officially open its doors at 8am on Thursday morning next.

It joins Tesco branches in the city at Coonagh Cross, Arthurs Quay in the city centre, Roxboro Shopping Centre, the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle and at Shannon Banks in Clare and Newcastle West.
THERE were no Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) properties available to rent in any household categories om Limerick in March.

The number of houses available to rent for people accessing the scheme stood at 38 nationwide, according to the latest report from the Simon Community.

The groups Locked Out Of The Market report for March shows this was an increase of five properties since December.

The report found 1,180 properties were available to rent at any price within the 16 areas surveyed over the three dates assessed in March.

This is a 76% increase (508 properties) from the 672 properties available in the March 2023 Locked Out report.

In 10 of the 16 areas, there were no HAP properties available to rent through the scheme in any household category within standard or discretionary limits.

These were Athlone, Cork city centre, Galway city suburbs, Galway city centre, Co Leitrim, Limerick city suburbs, Limerick city centre, Sligo town, Portlaoise and Waterford city centre.

As seen in many of the previous market reports, the supply of properties within HAP limits are predominantly in Dublin with 32 (84%) of the 38 HAP properties currently available in the capital.

In Dublin, the discretionary rate allows up to an additional 50% in rent payments above the standard rate set for the area, this extra amount is limited to 35% elsewhere in the country.

Three areas outside of Dublin had properties available within discretionary HAP limits.

These were Cork city suburbs (one property), Dundalk (three properties) and Kildare (two properties).

Sligo had the lowest number of properties available to rent with just two properties available across the three days.

Although the total number of properties available to rent increased since the March Locked Out report, eight of the 16 areas in the study recorded a reduction in the number of properties available to rent.

The areas with the largest increases in the number of available properties were in Kildare, Dublin city south and Dublin city north.

Wayne Stanley, executive director at the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: The latest Locked Out Of The Market report highlights what the broader figures and the experience of Simon frontline workers across the country are telling us.

We need to see more progress on delivery of affordable housing in Ireland.

The recognition of the need for greater ambition on housing by Taoiseach Simon Harris is very welcome but we now need his Government to outline how this new ambition will be delivered.

A critical element of any successful plan, that will help to address homelessness, should include the delivery of at least 15,000 social housing homes for rent each year.

READ MORE: Consider data centres at brownfield sites on Shannon Estuary

In the short term, we need to see HAP rates increased, but this is not a long-term sustainable solution. The answer is more social and affordable housing.

For couples or parents with one child, there were no properties available within standard HAP limits but 15 properties were available within discretionary limits.

According to the report, there were no properties available for a couple or one-parent households with two children through a standard HAP rate.

Some 22 properties were available within discretionary HAP limits, 15 of which overlap with properties available to families with one child.

These were available in Dublin City North, Dublin City South, Dublin City Centre and Dundalk.
EMERGENCY services are at the scene of a school bus collision in County Limerick this Tuesday morning.

The incident happened at approximately 8:30am on the R513 between Caherconlish and Hospital.

It is believed that the bus came off the road and landed on its side in the ditch.

Limerick Live understands that brave sixth-year students came to the aid of younger children and assisted them off the bus via an emergency door.

READ MORE: Gardai investigating assault on man in Limerick

A number of teachers travelling behind the school bus also rushed to the bus and helped students to exit the stricken vehicle as safely as possible.

A number of ambulances are at the scene but no serious injuries have been reported at this time.

The road is currently closed with local diversions in place.
Jimmy Carr has said he was close to death when he was diagnosed with meningitis as a child.

The comedian, 51, said he was treated in hospital in Ireland when he was still a toddler and was told he nearly didnt make it.

Speaking on the podcast Where Theres A Will, Theres A Wake with Kathy Burke, he said: Youve got to be cruel to be kind  I think that is the first thing I ever said that my mother thought was funny.

I had meningitis when I was a child. So my first memory is a lumbar puncture in Limerick in the General (hospital).

I was three, I think, and  I was always told it was very close to death.

Comedian Jimmy Carr was speaking on the podcast Where Theres A Will, Theres A Wake (Ian West/PA)

The doctor sort of went, its going to be very painful. And somehow Id heard the phrase, and I went, youve got to be cruel to be kind, in a little childs voice.

He added: And I kind of appreciated that thing of life, because I was always told, oh, you nearly didnt make it.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, according to the NHS, and is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.

It can be very serious if not treated quickly, causing life-threatening sepsis and permanent damage to the brain or nerves.

Discussing how he would like to die now hes older, he said: I want my kids and the people that love me to (be able to tell a story like), Oh, Jimmy died funny story. He flew to South Africa and he went on one of those great shark cage experiences and he forgoed the cage. He said, no cage for me, thanks. Ill just jump in there with a fish.

And I was ravaged by sharks. That would be a way to go.

He added he has already had a close encounter with a reef shark, saying: I was swimming with a friend in Key West and there were sharks in the water. And one sort of flipped around.

Wed been swimming with these small sharks all day and we slightly misjudged the size of this thing. It was enormous and it flipped around and came at us.

And I remember just thinking of the old joke, I dont have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun you. Just to swim faster than my mate Henry onto the fire coral.

And then we got back on the boat and the guys went, these are just reef sharks. I went, yeah, with the black tip on the fin, and they went oh, mate. Whoa!

But I think (being) torn apart by sharks and wanting it and going Ill do that. Thats a great story for everyone.

Where Theres A Will, Theres A Wake with Kathy Burke is available wherever you get your podcasts.
A PUBLIC information campaign for the voters of Limerick, who have the opportunity to make history in June, has been launched to inform people about the new role of directly elected mayor.

The people of the city and county will have the chance to take part in Irelands first ever vote for a directly elected mayor on June 7.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, launched the advertising campaign which includes local print, media and outdoor as well as digital and social media.

Limerick City and County Council CEO, Dr Pat Daly said that already there is some anticipation and discussion in Limerick about the directly elected mayor but they want to ensure that everyone has enough information regarding the new office of mayor.

As well as working with the department on this advertising campaign, the council will also be facilitating local information events. I am proud that this county will be making history in June and I would encourage everyone to engage with the information provided, said Mr Daly.

The campaign encourages local people to find out more at a dedicated web page: www.Limerick.ie/mayor

READ MORE: BREAKING: JP McManus gifts 30m amenity to Limerick council

Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government, Alan Dillon said in early June, the people of Limerick will make history by being the first voters in Ireland to directly elect a mayor for their city and county.

Having a mayor with executive powers is a big change for local government in Ireland with the mayor being directly accountable to the people of Limerick city and county.

As this is a new type of mayor, we want everyone in Limerick to be aware of what they will be voting for and I would encourage everyone in Limerick to find out more for themselves.

As well as the advertising campaign, we are also arranging for an information booklet to be distributed to homes throughout the city and county. History is being made in Limerick and we want everyone to have the information they need to understand what the new mayoral role will involve, said Mr Dillon.

In 2019, the people of Limerick city and county voted to have a directly elected mayor, who will be in office for a term of five years. Currently, there are 13 candidates vying for the role.




A learner-driver who tested positive for cannabis after he was stopped for speeding in a village close to the borders of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary is facing prosecution for multiple road traffic offences.

Highlighting the incident on social media, gardai say members of the Tipperary Roads Policing Unit were on duty in the Clare East / Tipperary North district recently when they detected a car, in Birdhill, which was being driven at 89km/h in a 50km/h zone.

According to the post, it was subsequently established by gardai that the "young fella" was a learner driver who was unaccompanied (by a qualified driver) when stopped and who did not have 'L plates' displayed on the vehicle he was driving.

The youth, according to gardai, also failed a roadside drug test which confirmed the presence of cannabis in his system.

"That's what we're up against," said a garda spokesperson who confirmed the vehicle in question was seized under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act.

An analysis of samples taken from the driver will determine if he will face a drug-driving charge.
Abbey Tauchen |

The Lincoln University of Missouri RSVP Center and Engage hosted the first Take a Stand Poetry Slam on Tuesday, April 9, at Soldiers' Memorial.

In commemoration of Sexual Violence Awareness Month, the theme "Take a Stand" was carefully selected to underscore the importance of standing up against sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. Poets delved into topics such as gender inequality, harmful gender stereotypes, traditional constructs of masculinity, power and oppression, the survivor experience, hope, healing after trauma, violence in pop culture and the over-sexualization of women.



Prizes were awarded to the following students:

1st- Ari Starks

2nd- Deyana Chism

3rd- Malena Delgadillo

4th- Leslie Wilcox

View more photos here.
The number of users of Baidus Ernie Bot, Chinas most popular ChatGPT-style chatbot, has doubled in recent months to 200 million, according to the company.

Robin Li, chief executive of the Beijing-based internet giant, said at a conference Tuesday that the companys Chinese-language chatbot now has 200 million users and more than 85,000 enterprise clients.

He added that users were querying the chatbot 200 million times every day, according to a transcript of his remarks.

Baidu said in December that its chatbot had 100 million users, and in February said the technology had begun to contribute to Baidus top line.

Ernie Bot, which was launched in March 2023 and released publicly last August, is competing with a host of generative AI models in China, including Alibaba Groups Tongyi Qianwen, Tencents Hunyuan and Alibaba-backed Moonshot AIs Kimi.

Beijing has approved more than 40 generative AI models, including Baidus Ernie Bot, since the release of rules last year requiring models to be vetted by Chinese regulators. No models made by foreign developers have been approved yet.

The Wall Street Journal last month reported that Apple had held preliminary talks with Baidu about using Ernie Bot in its devices in China, citing people familiar with the matter.

Baidu shares closed 2.7% lower at 94.15 Hong Kong dollars (US$12.03) on Tuesday, slightly better than a 3.0% drop in Hong Kongs benchmark tech index.
In the next five years, significant upgrades to the batteries in electric vehicles should finally hit the market. In the works for decades, these changes are likely to mean that by 2030, gas vehicles will cost more than their electric equivalents; some EVs will charge as quickly as filling up at a gas station; and super long-range EVs will make the phrase range anxiety seem quaint.

One reason you might not be aware of these impending technological leaps is that theyve long been overshadowed by flashier efforts at replacing existing lithium-ion battery tech in EVs altogether. Again and again, those promised battery breakthroughs failed to break through, which has left investors holding the bag and consumers disappointed.

Almost all of these coming developments are upgrades to the same tried-and-true lithium batteries that others have promised to disrupt. This gives them a huge advantage: They can be manufactured in existing facilities, and fit into existing supply chains. This matters because previous investments in battery-manufacturing capacity are so enormousmore than $30 billion in 2023 alone, according to BloombergNEFthat they make it that much harder for any technology that cant be manufactured in those facilities to be competitive.

BMWs 2025 battery rollout Its possible to optimize many features in a battery, from how fast it can charge to how many years it can last. One of the most important measures of a batterys performance is how much energy a manufacturer can cram into a given battery cell, which is known as its energy density. Typically, that energy density has gone up a few percentage points a year, and its those slow, cumulative, hard-won gains that have gotten us to where we are today.

Bigger jumps in the energy density of batteries are rare. But BMW recently announced that it will begin selling the first vehicle using the companys new platform for EVs, which it calls Neue Klasse, in 2025. These vehicles will have a new kind of battery which will hold more than 20% more energy than the previous type, and charging speed and range will also improve by up to 30%, says a BMW spokesman.

What makes possible these improvements are a new, cylindrical shape for the battery cells, and tweaks to their chemistry.

New battery chemistries in 2026 Massachusetts-based battery-component manufacturer SES AI is on track to help automakers deliver vehicles with an additional leap in the energy density of their batteries in 2026, says Chief Executive Qichao Hu.

SES AI is already the first company in the world to deliver to an automaker advanced prototypes of batteries with a particular kind of new tech, and is working with GM, Hyundai and Honda. In 2025, SES AI expects to deliver the next iteration of its cells, which are suitable for use in a fleet of prototype vehicles.

If GM decides that the first vehicles to get SES AIs new batteries should be, say, electric Hummers, then the company would help GM build 100 prototype Hummer EVs with the new technology, and they would then be run through a gantlet of tests for nine months to a year, Hu says. If all goes well, by 2026 the batteries should be ready to be put into production.

The key to SES AIs technology is solid lithium metal, which is used in place of the graphite thats in todays lithium-ion batteries.

Battery 101 To understand why that matters, it helps to know a little bit about how todays batteries work. A typical EV battery is like a sandwich made of thin layers. First theres whats known as an anode, made of graphite. Suffusing the whole cell is a liquid electrolytelike Gatorade, but it has lithium salts instead of sodium. Then a thin separatorpicture something like saran wrap. Finally theres a cathode, which is a mix of various metals, typically lithium, nickel, manganese and cobalt.

When a battery is pushing electricity to the motor of a vehicle, lithium ions are moving between the anode and the cathode, through the plastic separator, which has microscopic holes just big enough for lithium ions to move through. Its the physical movement of those lithium ions from one side of the battery sandwich to the other that generates current.

In theory, a lithium metal anode can hold 10 times as many lithium ions as a graphite one. All other things being equal, this means the energy density of a battery using lithium metal in place of graphite could be up to 50% higher.

The result, says Hu, is that automakers could someday offer affordable EVs that have the same range as todays high-end ones. That would mean even entry-level EVs might go 300 miles on a charge. High-end EVs with bigger batteries could, in turn, set new records for range, besting current record-holders which top out at around 500 miles.

Because the lithium metal in SES AIs batteries replaces just one part of the battery cell, it can be incorporated into existing assembly lines. Currently, there are two dominant types of batteries for EVs, one optimized for high-end vehicles, and the other for lower-cost ones such as Teslas Model 3 and the coming tidal wave of affordable Chinese EVs. SES AIs lithium metal technology works in both.

Superfast charging by 2028 SES AI is hardly the only company promising significant upgrades to todays batteries within the next few years. StoreDot, a battery startup based in Israel, is working on new battery tech for making EVs charge so quickly that filling them up could someday be comparable to stopping at a gas station in a conventional vehicle.

StoreDot counts BP, Daimler Truck, Volvo and Vietnamese EV maker VinFast as investors and partners. StoreDot has announced that the first automaker to incorporate its batteries for ultrafast charging will be Geely-owned Polestar.

Like SES AI, StoreDot aims to replace the graphite anode in a typical battery with something different. Instead of lithium metal, StoreDot is using silicon in order to increase both the energy density and the charging speed of a battery.

Adding silicon to batteries is something battery makers have been doing for years, and has been key to some of the incremental gains in capacity that have already happened in the past decade. Whats different about StoreDots tech is that the company is figuring out how to replace the graphite in batteries entirely, with a substance that is up to 40% silicon.

StoreDot has delivered prototype batteries to automakers, and its current techwhich Polestar is testingcan enable a cars battery to add 100 miles of range in just five minutes of charging. By 2028just two years after SES AIs batteries are set to debut in production vehiclesthe companys engineers aim to deliver to automakers a battery that can add 100 miles of range in just 3 minutes, says Chief Executive Doron Myersdorf.

2030 and beyondthe Holy Grail of battery tech? Briefly a darling of the 2020 to 2021-era SPAC boom, publicly traded solid-state battery maker QuantumScape has since had a rough time, in terms of its valuation. But the company is on track to deliver its first batteries suitable for testing in vehicles by sometime next year, says Quantumscapes chief technology officer, Tim Holme. From there, its up to automakers to determine how quickly theyll incorporate these batteries into new vehicles.

BMW is currently working with QuantumScape competitor Solid Power on developing solid-state batteries, but all-solid-state batteries are still several years away from large scale production, says a BMW spokesman.

Solid-state batteries have been called the holy grail of battery tech because, in theory, they should be able to beat existing batteries by every measure that counts, including charge time and energy density. But they come with a number of challenges, including the way they physically expand and contract when they are charged and discharged.

QuantumScape Chief Marketing Officer Asim Hussain says the company has solved this problem, and many others, and that unlike many of its competitors, it regularly releases test data showing the performance and durability of its batteries.

In EVs, no rollout of new battery tech is a sure thing until it has passed automakers extensive internal testing. Even then there can be problems, like when GM had to recall tens of thousands of Chevy Bolts on account of the risk of fires in their battery packs.

This means all of the timetables battery makers have proposed canand doslip. Even so, the next five to 10 years should see a steady drumbeat of new battery technologies that yield performance gains beyond the incremental improvements weve seen over the past couple of decades. Thats likely to have profound implications both for adoption of EVs, and for which EV makers win and lose.
New Delhi: State-run Coal Indias capital expenditure has increased 6.5% in FY24 to 19,840 crore. It is the highest ever capex recorded by Coal India in a year.

"Comparatively, the capex was 18,619 crore in the preceding fiscal year. CIL achieved 120% target satisfaction over the years capex target of 16,500 crore. For the fourth fiscal on sequence, CILs capex breached the budgeted target," a company statement said.

Capex for coal transportation and handling infrastructure in its mining areas was highest at 6,070 crore, which is 30.6% of the years total capital expenditure. The higher capex is in line with the company's plans to have adequate infrastructure to evacuate increased quantities of coal produced in future.

"This includes setting up first mile connectivity projects with coal handling plants and silos; rail sidings, rail lines and roads. South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) and Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) accounted for 65.4% of this head with 2,214 crore and 1,754 crore, respectively," the statement said.

The capex on land acquisition and associated rehabilitation processes during the last fiscal stood at 5,135 crore, posting a jump of 52.5% over 3,367 crore of FY23. CIL requires large tracts of land to enhance its production from opencast mines which account for 96% of the companys total output.

CILs three subsidiaries Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL), SECL and MCL lined up 77.3% of the capex for land acquisition and rehabilitation. CCL led the list with 1,909 crore spent for land acquisition, followed by SECL at 1,159 crore and MCL spending 904 crore.

These three companies are expected to together contribute around 68% to CILs 1 billion tonnes of output goal.

Procurement of heavy earth moving machinery (HEMM) made up the third highest head with 3,078 crore during FY24, achieving the target satisfaction of 156.5%. The target was 1,965 crore. Northern coalfields spent 2,262 crore for procurement of HEMMs.
Elon Musk is likely to announce its carmaker Tesla's entry into Indian markets after the billionaire's meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 22, a MoneyControl report citing a senior government official said on Tuesday.

The official, who spoke to MoneyControl on the condition of anonymity, said the speculated announcement won't be "sit-specific" because for that, Tesla would require a board approval. "It is more of a signaling."

Expect a general announcement that the US-based EV (electric vehicle) maker is coming into India not a site-specific one. To announce a specific site Tesla typically needs board approval, which may happen only later, the official told MoneyControl.

"For now, Musk may welcome the EV policy and say that he looks forward to being in Indian market soon," the official added.

Also read: Elon Musk's Starlink licence application in process, ownership 'declaration' received Earlier this month, Musk confirmed his visit to India and meeting with PM Modi via a post on X, the microblogging website he now owns.

"Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India!" he posted.

Also read: Tesla layoff: Elon Musk-led EV firm's move to cut 10% global workforce to hit US, China markets hard Musk will not address the media during his 48-hour visit to India. However, the official said, a press release and video will likely be released after his interaction with PM Modi.

Musk met PM Modi last year in New York.

Tesla reported lobbied the Centre for months to lower import taxes on electric vehicles (EVs) as it contemplated over setting up a factory here.

In March, Centre announced a revised EV policy slashing import taxes to 15 per cent from 100 per cent on some models if a manufacturer invests at least $500 million and sets up a factory in the country too.

Also read: Elon Musk plans to charge new X users, here's why Meanwhile, the licence application of Musk's satellite venture Starlink is under process, and the government is examining the security aspects, news agency PTI reported citing sources.
The 10% global job cuts announced by Elon Musk's Tesla amid falling sales will reportedly hit the US and China markets the most. The two biggest markets of the EV maker will witness layoffs in sales, tech, and engineering, reported Reuters citing sources.

The job cuts in the company were required to avoid duplication of roles after a period of rapid growth, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in an internal memo to staff on Monday, reported AFP referring to Electrek.

"There is nothing I hate more, but it must be done," Musk said. This will enable us to be lean, innovative and hungry for the next growth phase cycle, AFP quoted Musk as saying.

Impact of Tesla job cuts on US market Most of the layoffs identified by the higher management under the current cycle of job cuts will immediately come into effect in several US-based service centres. Most of these centres witnessed job cuts in sales and tech departments, one source told Reuters. Another US location laid off all front-of-house staff.

In addition to professionals from sales and tech, several engineers have also been asked to put in their papers. Nearly 140 staff, mostly engineers, laid off by the EV maker are hunting for the next job opportunity, according to a spreadsheet shared by a Tesla programme manager in California on LinkedIn.

Tesla job cuts in China According to a Reuters report, several teams functional in China have been notified to implement the layoff order. Tesla's China sales team were notified that they were being made redundant. Another source told Reuters that more than 10 per cent of employees in the team have been removed from their jobs.

Tesla's layoff drive will not impact its Shanghai plant to a large extent as only a small proportion of staff, amounting to "several dozen" people, will be removed, reported Reuters.
(Bloomberg) -- Namibia will invest a big chunk of any revenue it gets from a potentially massive oil discovery into a sovereign wealth fund, and expects to learn if the find is commercially viable later this year.

We understand that the quantities are large but we still have to test the commercial viability of this oil, Finance Minister Ipumbu Shiimi told Bloomberg in an interview Tuesday in Washington. We expect them to reach a final investment decision probably by the end of this year.

An estimated 11 billion barrels of crude oil was found in the water off the southwest African nations shores in 2022 by TotalEnergies SE and Shell Plc.

Some have touted it as potentially the worlds biggest ever deep-water find. If even a fraction of that amount is profitable to exploit, it would quickly swamp the $13 billion Namibian economy.

Shiimi said Shell was probably six months behind Total in terms of completing its feasibility assessment and once a decision to go forward had been taken, it would probably take around five years before the oil started to flow.

Oil could be a game-changer for the sparsely-populated nation of less than 3 million people, where many live in poverty.

We dont want to count the chicks before the eggs are hatched, but if the discovery is substantial it is definitely going to change the revenue base of Namibia, he said.

To ensure the windfall will be available for future generations, Namibia has established a sovereign wealth fund to receive a significant part of the revenue if it materializes.

Sovereign Wealth Fund

Draft legislation is being drawn up to govern how much oil revenue will go into the fund, how much can be withdrawn and how it will be invested, Shiimi said. The plan is to present it to lawmakers by the end of this year.

Because revenue is going to be significant, we have to find a way of collecting this revenue and also deploying this revenue in such a way that its going to be available for a future generation, he said.

Namibias central bank will administer the fund initially but if it gets big enough, it could be set up as a stand-alone entity.

Joining OPEC will be considered if the oil starts to flow but no formal discussions would take place until the commercial viability of the discovery is clear, Shiimi said. Its something were looking at but its something weve not taken a firm decision on.

--With assistance from Paul Burkhardt.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Speaking at an election rally in West Bengal's Balurghat, PM Modi alleged that the TMC had handed over West Bengal on lease to goons and infiltrators.

Lok Sabha elections 2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress on Tuesday, accusing the party of protecting infiltrators while opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Catch all the live action on Elections and get exclusive coverage on Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 with Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.

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Public and private sector banks across India will be closed on Wednesday, April 17, in observance of the Hindu festival of Ram Navami, according to the official bank holiday calendar released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Also Read | Yes Bank Share Price Live blog for 16 Apr 2024

Ram Navami marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, a highly revered Hindu deity. The occasion is celebrated nationwide, though the specific dates may vary by state. This year, banks in several major cities, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Jaipur, will be closed on April 17 for the festival.

Also Read | Axis Bank Share Price Live blog for 16 Apr 2024

Online Banking services to remain available Though the physical bank branches will be shut for the holiday, online banking services will remain available. Customers are unlikely to face significant disruptions to their banking needs during this holiday.

April's Bank Holiday Schedule List The major bank holiday in April 2024 will be Shri Ram Navami on April 17. Banks will be closed in these cities: Ahmedabad, Belapur, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Gangtok, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, Shimla, Mumbai, and Nagpur.

April 20 will be a holiday for Garia Puja in Agartala. The fourth Saturday (April 27) will also be a non-working day for banks nationwide.

Also Read | BHARTI HEXACOM Share Price Live blog for 16 Apr 2024
New Delhi: Sometime in August last year, a Cessna Citation Excel, a midsize business jet, landed in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. The aircraft stayed put for several weeks before it was first used. A politician had hired it from a private jet operator in Delhi to fly him around the stateMadhya Pradesh was due for legislative assembly elections in November. The politician had a tight campaign schedule and didnt want to take a chance with last-minute jet bookings.

Another private operator rented out three more such jets, as political campaigns picked up pace in October.

One evening, early October, the three private jets lined up to depart from Delhi. They were all headed to Bhopal," the operator, who didnt want to be identified, said. The number of aircraft used in any election is an indicator of how fiercely contested the polls are," the operator added.

In December, when the results were announced, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a two-thirds majority in the state.

The demand for business jets during the Madhya Pradesh election last year was just a trailer. Charter negotiations by political parties and politicians in anticipation of the 18th Lok Sabha elections began in December, about four months ahead of the polls. It will be held in seven phases between 19 April and 1 June. The results will be announced on 4 June.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Indian aviations regulatory body, currently does not allow election-related flying using foreign-registered aircraft.

The negotiations started around December and through January and February, most of the bookings were finalized," said a person aware of the discussions. He didnt want to be identified either.

The country has a total of about 130 India-registered aircraft and a similar number of helicopters. Top business jet operators who rent include VSR Ventures, Air Charter Services and Reliance Transport & Travels.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Indian aviations regulatory body, currently does not allow election-related flying using foreign-registered aircraft. The demand is such that most business jets have now been mopped up by political parties. For private companies wanting to rent a jet for their executives to use, it is quite a struggle.

While corporates and individuals can use foreign-registered aircraft to fly within and outside India, the usage has several restrictions, particularly when it involves a military airfield. The charter company needs special permissions, not just for the aircraft but also the flight crew.

A corporate house with presence in Gujarat and Rajasthan attempted to book two Dassault Falcon business jets and three helicopters for a trip it was planning at the end of May to their facilities. The company failed to secure any aircraft, a private operator who didnt want to be identified, said.
NEW DELHI : Pandemic lockdowns and remote work sparked a scramble for smartphones in India, a tide that ebbed as the world returned to normal. After a two-year slump that followed, sales appear to have turned the corner in the March quarter, promising cheer for phone makers in the world's second-largest smartphone market.

Smartphone shipments in the March quarter rose 5% from a year earlier to 32.5-35 million units, data gathered from four industry analysts showed.

Smartphone sales peaked in the March quarter of 2021 with 38 million units, according to data from International Data Corp. (IDC) India. Shipments have fallen since then, dropping 3% year-on-year in Q1 of 2022 and a further 16% in Q1 of 2023.

Were expecting to see smartphone shipments (for the March quarter) to be anywhere between 33 and 35 million, which signals a good, healthy start to the year. This growth is coming despite the fact that average selling prices have not reduced in the past three years," said Upasana Joshi, research manager at IDC India.

A revival is critical for Samsung, Xiaomi and Vivo, which collectively sold devices worth about $38.8 billion in India last year. This figure has remained stagnant since 2021, when it grew nearly 29% to hit $38.4 billion. In 2022, both value and volume of the overall smartphone industry declined.

Industry experts said that while the resilience of the value of the India smartphone market is a good sign, this cannot sustain in the long runthereby making a revival of consumer demand leading to higher shipments critical for the countrys mostpopularbrands.

To be sure, these estimates are based on preliminary market data. Detailed reports from Counterpoint India and IDC India are expected in the next three weeks.

Xiaomi, which led India's smartphone market for five years until the September quarter of 2022, is using the momentum to change its product strategy.

Our Redmi Note 13 series of affordable smartphones generated 2,000 crore in revenue within just one month of launch in this quarter. The nationwide 5G rollout and our premiumization push has stimulated demand," a company spokesperson said. We are also expanding our ecosystem offerings and expect a significant increase in average selling prices through this year."

Samsung, Indias top smartphone brand by market share at the end of 2023, declined to comment.

Although the increase is modest, it comes as good news for phone makers, since device prices have gone up, fetching more sales revenue.

Consumers are likely showing signs of adapting to the new market norms, where buyers are spending around $250 ( 21,000) for a device, as against $150 ( 13,000) from around five-odd years ago," Joshi of IDC India said.

For instance, although shipment volume in Q1 2024 was similar to that of Q1 2020, the average selling price has risen to $255 ( 21,000) from $199 ( 16,000). Consequently, the first quarter of 2024 generated about $8.3 billion in market value, a 28% increase in four years, which analysts consider significant amid weak consumer sentiment.

For perspective, even at the peak of market demand, the first three months of 2021 registered an average selling price of $227 ( 18,500)registering $8.7 billion in market value.

These growth metrics show that the India market has remained resilient despite multiple factors, because of which we expect a 5-6% overall growth in smartphone shipments in the first three months of this year," said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint India.

However, industry veterans called for caution, noting that macroeconomic concerns continue to exert pressure on consumer sentiment. Strategic product launches have been limited, and there has been a noticeable shift towards the refurbished and second-hand smartphone market, facilitated by the rise of organized retailers in this segment.

The overall prevalent macroeconomic conditions mean that the weak consumer sentiments have remained persistent," Pathak added.

Manish Khatri, partner at Mumbai-based retailer Mahesh Telecom, said demand has dropped by around 25% since the peak of 2021.

Theres little happening by way of innovation in the mass market, which is why customers arent interested, and look at the second-hand smartphone market for options. As retailers, we are seeing demand for premium devices, which is why the value of margins that we earn have at least remained consistent even amid a volume drop," he said.

Khatri, however, added that many long-time retailers are now moving to completely different industries, bogged down by lacklustre global indicators of weak electronics sales in at least the near-term. Many have moved to apparel and accessories businesses, while others are also into finance-related ventures today."

An analyst at a third research firm said the elections boost typically seen every five years is missing this time.

Campaigns and road shows did not generate the kind of momentary demand that we have seen in smartphones in previous elections. Until the general elections are over, we dont expect to see any government-driven market demandwe somehow seem to have missed the bus on this," the analyst said on condition of anonymity.

Another analyst from a fourth firm voiced concerns about the sustainability of the current market dynamics, particularly the limits of premium device sales in a value-driven market like India.

Brands are so far keeping happy since the industry value has remained resilient. This cannot be sustained in the near future, since you can sell only so many premium devices in the long runespecially in a value-centric market such as India," the analyst said.

The ASPs will not keep on rising forever, and financing schemes are a temporary way to keep the market ticking," the analyst added. Soon enough, this could be cause for concern, since 5G has not really contributed to users upgrading as yetconsumers cannot see a big difference between general services of 4G and 5G networks."
Shaktikanta Das, the governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has raised concerns over unauthorized forex trading platforms and asked banks to remain alert. What explains this warning? And whats been the experience with regulatory actions so far? Mint explains:

What are forex trading platforms?

These are platforms where foreign exchange transactions can take place. They are used by corporates and traders to hedge their foreign currency risks. These transactions can be on over-the-counter (OTC) spot or derivatives platforms authorized by the RBI. The other avenue is through RBI-authorized exchange traded currency derivate segments like the BSE, NSE and the Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India. The OTC or inter-bank transactions are undertaken over electronic trading platforms (ETP) such as CCILs FX CLEAR or Reuters or Bloomberg platforms. They can also be undertaken through authorized brokers.

What are rules on forex trading in India?

Forex trading in India has to be done through a registered Indian forex broker, on ETPs authorised by the RBI or on recognized stock exchanges. According to the central bank, forex trading in India is permissible only in four currency pairsdollar-rupee, euro-rupee, British pound-rupee and Japanese yen-rupee. These pairs have the Indian rupee (INR) as the base currency. Trading in any other currency pair is illegal and can attract penalties under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Indian citizens are also not allowed to trade foreign currencies overseas, either directly or indirectly.

What about unauthorized forex trading platforms?

In November last year, RBI came out with an alert list of 75 entities, which are not authorized to deal in forex or operate ETP for forex transactions. They include OctaFX, Alpari, AnyFX, Ava Trade, Binomo, Exness, Expert , Option, FBS, FinFxPro, Forex.com, Forex4money, Foxorex, FTMO, FVP Trade, FXPrimus, FXStreet, FXCm, FxNice and HotFores.

Whats the problem with these platforms?

The problem started during the pandemic when many of these platforms started offering a derivative product called contracts for differences (CFD), which is an arrangement made in financial derivatives trading where the difference in the settlement between the open and closing trade prices is cash-settled. RBI said it had noticed misleading ads offering forex trading facilities on over-the-top platforms and gaming apps. These platforms promise high returns, using features similar to casino games.

What has RBI done so far to check this?

In the last two years, RBI has issued several advisories cautioning against unauthorized entities. Now it has come out with an alert list of 75 entities involved in forex transactions on unauthorized platforms. RBI, however, cannot shut them down as they are registered in countries where they are legal. It has been working with banks and the government for stricter measures to ensure banking channels are not misused. The Enforcement Directorate has attached the assets some of these firms like OctaFX.
Russias seaborne crude exports soared to an 11-month high in the second week of April with flows from all major ports near peak levels. Last weeks jump propelled total weekly flows to the highest since May 2023, for a level that has been exceeded only twice since the start of 2022, vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show.

The less volatile four-week average also rose sharply, climbing to the highest since early June. Weekly shipments were well above a target for this month thats part of the OPEC alliances broader effort to curb supplies and support prices. Cargoes from Primorsk, Ust-Luga, Novorossiysk and Kozmino were close to historical highs.

Primorsk on the Baltic handled 10 tankers in three of the past four weeks, possibly reflecting a diversion to exports of crude that would have been processed at refineries hit by Ukrainian drones. The port hasnt handled more than 11 tankers in a week in data back to the start of 2022. Refining rates are languishing near an 11-month low as repairs continue.

The jump in flows, combined with higher Urals crude prices, boosted Moscows oil earnings. The gross value of crude exports rose to $2.15 billion in the seven days to April 14 from $1.82 billion previously. Four-week average income added about $170 million to $1.92 billion a week.

Separately, four-week average shipments to Asia continued to climb, following a similar pattern to that seen at the same time last year. Then, shipments to Asia  predominantly China and India  peaked at 3.6 million barrels a day in the four weeks to May 14, before dropping by about 1 million barrels a day over the following three months.

The backlog of Russias Sokol crude that built up after being turned away by Indian refiners has now almost disappeared. About 9.1 million barrels, half of the total, have been delivered to refineries in China. Another 7 million barrels are finding their way back to India.

Two cargoes have been delivered to Pakistan. That leaves just 1.4 million barrels still to show a destination, with another 700,000 barrels in a tanker thats been anchored off Indias east coast since the start of April. All of the Sokol cargoes loaded since mid-February headed directly to China.

Flows by Destination Russias seaborne crude flows in the week to April 14 surged by 560,000 barrels a day to 3.95 million, reaching the highest since May 2023. The less volatile four-week average also soared, up by about 250,000 barrels a day to 3.66 million, to the highest since June.

Weekly shipments were about 365,000 barrels a day higher than the average seen in May and June, or about 490,000 barrels a day above Russias April target, which is part of the OPEC alliances broader effort to curb supplies and support prices. The four-week average was about 200,000 barrels a day above the target.

Russia said it would cut crude exports during April by 121,000 barrels a day from their average May-June level as part of the wider OPEC initiative, as Moscow shifts more of the burden onto production targets, which are preferred by other members of the group. Seaborne shipments in the first three months of the year exceeded Russias target level by just 16,000 barrels a day.

All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and the Baltics Ust-Luga and are not subject to European Union sanctions or a price cap.

The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export grade. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies.

Asia Observed shipments to Russias Asian customers, including those showing no final destination, rose to 3.34 million barrels a day in the four weeks to April 14, up from 3.09 million in the previous four-week period, to the highest since June 2023.

About 1.36 million barrels a day of crude was loaded onto tankers heading to China. The Asian nations seaborne imports are boosted by about 800,000 barrels a day of crude delivered from Russia by pipeline, either directly, or via Kazakhstan.

Flows on ships signaling destinations in India averaged about 1.53 million barrels a day. Both the Chinese and Indian figures will rise as the discharge ports become clear for vessels that are not currently showing final destinations.

The equivalent of about 365,000 barrels a day was on vessels signaling Port Said or Suez in Egypt. Those voyages typically end at ports in India or China and show up in the chart below as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent.

The Other Unknown volumes, running at about 80,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to April 14, are those on tankers showing no clear destination. Most of those cargoes originate from Russias western ports and go on to transit the Suez Canal, but some could end up in Turkey. Others could be moved from one vessel to another, with most such transfers now taking place in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Greece, or more recently off Sohar in Oman.

Europe and Turkey Russias seaborne crude exports to European countries have ceased.

With flows to Bulgaria halted at the end of last year, Turkey is now the only short-haul market for shipments from Russias western ports.

Exports to Turkey were stable at 323,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to April 14, down from 400,000 barrels a day in the period to March 31.

Vessel-tracking data are cross-checked against port agent reports as well as flows and ship movements reported by other information providers including Kpler and Vortexa Ltd.

Export Value Following the abolition of export duty on Russian crude, we have begun to track the gross value of seaborne crude exports, using Argus Media price data and our own tanker tracking. The gross value of Russias crude exports soared to $2.15 billion in the seven days to April 14 from $1.82 billion in the period to April 7.

Four-week average income was also up, rising by about $170 million to $1.92 billion a week. The four-week average is still below its peak of $2.17 billion a week, reached in the period to June 19, 2022. The highest it reached last year was $2 billion a week in the period to Oct. 22.

During the first four weeks after the Group of Seven nations price cap on Russian crude exports came into effect in early December 2022, the value of seaborne flows fell to a low of $930 million a week, but soon recovered.

The chart above shows a gross value of Russias seaborne oil exports on a weekly and four-week average basis. The value is calculated by multiplying the average weekly crude price from Argus Media Group by the weekly export flow from each port.

For shipments from the Baltic and Arctic ports we use the Urals FOB Primorsk dated, London close, midpoint price. For shipments from the Black Sea we use the Urals Med Aframax FOB Novorossiysk dated, London close, midpoint price. For Pacific shipments we use the ESPO blend FOB Kozmino prompt, Singapore close, midpoint price.

Export duty was abolished at the end of 2023 as part of Russias long-running tax reform plans. A total of 36 tankers loaded 27.6 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to April 14, vessel-tracking data and port agent reports show. That was up by about 3.9 million barrels from the previous week and the highest weekly total since May 2023.
Piccadily Agro Industries, a small-cap player in the sugar industry, has been garnering attention in the stock market due to its noteworthy performance.

Once a penny stock, the stock has given multifold returns to its investors in the last 3 years. The stock has skyrocketed over 3825 percent in this period, from 10.9 in March 2021 to currently trade at 430.25. Meanwhile, it rallied almost 849 percent in the last 1 year, rising from 45.35.

In 2024 year-to-date (YTD), the stock has jumped 56 percent, giving positive returns in 3 of the 4 months so far. The stock has gained over 42 percent in April so far after an over 16 percent decline in March. Meanwhile, it rose a over 21 percent in February and over 8 percent in January 2024.

Read here: Multibagger: This penny stock jumped over 6,000% in 3 years; should you invest? The stock hit its record high of 430.25 in today's deals on April 16, 2024, skyrocketing over 852 percent from its 52-week low of 45.20, hit on May 19, 2023.

Piccadily Agro Industries Limited manufactures and sells sugar, molasses, bagasses, and ethanol in India. The company operates through Sugar and Distillery segments. It also provides liquor under the Malta, Marshal, Whistler, Kamet, Indri Trini, Camikara Rum, Royal Highland, and Golden Wings brand names; carbondioxide gas; extra neutral alcohol; and rectified spirit. The company was incorporated in 1994 and is based in Chandigarh, India.

Read here: Multibagger: This stock has skyrocketed over 29,000% in 3 years Earnings In the December quarter, Piccadily posted a net profit of 45.31 crore, up 558 percent from 6.88 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2022. Its revenue for the quarter ended December 2023 came in at 191 crore, surging over 58 percent versus 120.82 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. EBITDA stands at 460.75 crore in Q3FY24, up 79.46 percent from 256.74 crore in Q3FY23.

Brokerage view ICICI Direct reports that the company has shown robust trailing twelve-month EPS (earnings per share) growth and has been consistently reaching new consecutive highs. Moreover, the stock has exhibited strong momentum, consistently exceeding short-, medium-, and long-term moving averages. These indicators highlight the company's proficiency in generating profits, efficient capital utilisation, and commitment to enhancing shareholder value.

MarketsMOJO, a stock market analysis and recommendation platform, has also issued a 'Buy' recommendation for Piccadily Agro Industries. This endorsement is encouraging for investors, given that the company's stock has been outperforming the sector and has exhibited promising indicators.

Read here: Once a penny stock, Cinerad Communications soared 2051% in just 1 year The impressive growth and optimistic outlook for Piccadily Agro Industries underscore the company's robust fundamentals and effective management. With its consistent performance and promising potential for future expansion, the company emerges as a notable player to monitor within the sugar industry, said the analyst.

About penny stocks Investing in penny stocks can be tempting due to their potential for high returns, but it's essential to understand the significant risks involved. These stocks may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those who are risk-averse. Only individuals comfortable with high-risk investments and willing to allocate a small portion of their portfolio should consider them. Seeking advice from a financial advisor before making any decisions is highly recommended.

Read here: Multibagger: This penny stock surged 1,011% in just one year; should you invest? Penny stocks present several challenges. They often represent small, lesser-known companies with limited analyst coverage and minimal publicly available information. Additionally, the lack of transparency and access to management insights complicates investment decisions.

Furthermore, penny stocks are vulnerable to various risks such as illiquidity, high-impact costs, and difficulties associated with low trading volumes. Without compelling reasons supported by thorough research, investing in penny stocks is generally not advisable for serious, long-term investors seeking stability and growth in their portfolios.
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Banks borrow to finance most of their business. But when those loans can be pulled almost instantly  as was the case with Silicon Valley Banks deposits in March  executives and regulators have few options to stem the panic. A new proposal aims to address that problem by requiring banks to lock in more of their funding for at least one year. Its a worthwhile idea, with an important caveat.

The US already has a similar requirement for the countrys biggest lenders, the so-called globally systemically important banks. Now regulators want to mandate that federally insured lenders with $100 billion or more in assets issue long-term debt to finance a specified minimum percentage of the total. Theyll allow three years to comply, a sensible timeline, and estimate the effect on net interest margin to be between 0.03 to 0.12 percentage points, a manageable cost for most lenders. One result is that if a bank fails and its equity is wiped out, bondholders would absorb additional losses, making it less likely that uninsured depositors would be at risk.

In theory, that would have several benefits. Debtholders would be motivated to monitor banks financial health closely, so a sudden drop in bond prices would signal emerging concerns. Depositors would be less likely to flee in a crunch, providing regulators with crucial time to act. Any failures that did occur would also be less costly. As one example: Authorities were able to unwind Washington Mutual in 2008 at no cost to the FDICs insurance fund because it held sufficient long-term debt to cover its losses.

That said, the proposal has an important weakness. Imposing losses on bondholders, even those who have been warned and compensated for the risk that they might not get all their money back, can create added stress on markets. After authorities in Switzerland wrote down the value of some of Credit Suisse Group Inc.s debt in March, the price of similar securities at other institutions immediately fell. Likewise, just days after Washington Mutuals successful resolution, regulators had to invoke emergency measures to protect debtholders at (similarly teetering) Wachovia Corp. because they feared that imposing any losses would create unmanageable risks to the broader system.So while a new long-term debt mandate would make the system safer, it shouldnt induce complacency. Regulators should know by now that equity capital is the only type of funding that can reliably absorb losses  and they should require more of it. Otherwise, when the next crisis comes, they may face the same set of unfortunate choices.

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The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has signed a record number of deals with businesses in FY24 seeking to avoid audit of their cross-border transactions that meet certain conditions.

The deals, called advance pricing agreements (APAs) help to avoid rigorous tax audits if certain minimum profits are declared by the companies. APAs help to avoid litigation as they give certainty to the authorities that these transactions are done at prices which are industry standards and are not meant to artificially shift profits across borders.

CBDT said in a statement on Tuesday it has entered into a record 125 APAs in FY24 with Indian taxpayers. This includes 86 unilateral deals with businesses and 39 others which also involve tax authorities in other countries, called bilateral APAs.

When tax authorities in two countries where the business has operations come together to sign such deals, it gives extra protection to businesses from any double taxation.

This marks the highest ever signings of such deals in any financial year since the launch of the APA programme in 2012. It also shows 31% increase from the 95 deals signed in FY23. With this, the total number of APAs since inception of the APA programme has gone up to 641, comprising 506 unilateral ones and 135 bilateral ones.

FY24 also witnessed the maximum number of bilateral deals in any financial year till date. These were signed as a result of entering into mutual agreements with Indias treaty partners such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Singapore, the UK and the US, the tax authority said.

Cross-border transactions of multinational companies have in the past seen a large number of disputes with tax authorities questioning the value of such transactions or transfer price where they deviate from industry standards.

The scheme seeks to provide certainty to taxpayers in transfer pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and determining the arms length price of the transactions in advance for five future years.

Taxpayers also have the option to make the terms of such deal applicable for four preceding years and as a result, secure tax certainty for transactions done in nine years, CBDT said.

The APA programme has contributed significantly to the governments mission of promoting ease of doing business, especially for multinational enterprises which have a large number of cross-border transactions within their group entities, CBDT said.
First cottage cheese got a glow-up. Then canned fish and olive oil developed a new look. Now inglorious produce is getting its turn in the stylists chair.

A wave of branded fruits and vegetables are landing on e-commerce sites and in grocery stores across the country, using snazzy fonts and bright colors that promote their provenance and sustainable credentials. This isnt designer" produce with designer price tags, like Omakase Berries. Its the everyday apple, now with a Pepsi-style marketing strategy.

Outside some enduring brands such as Dole, Chiquita and Driscolls, plus a newer player in Avocados From Mexico, most basic produce has usually competed on price and quality but little else.

More farmers and produce companies are now moving to a business model theyve seen work in other product categories: differentiate even the plainest products with fun packaging and an interesting back story, gain customers loyalty and sell more units at higher margins. Branding the previously unbranded helps companies use marketing tools that had been unavailable.

Without a brand we werent able to be in shopper marketing, we werent eligible for press, we had no partnerships," said Tenley Fitzgerald, the vice president of marketing of Yes! Apples, the marketing arm of grower agency New York Apple Sales.

The 105-year-old New York Apple Sales introduced Yes! Apples to retailers around four years ago in a bid to lift sales at retail. Fitzgerald, a marketer who previously worked for direct-to-consumer food brands Blue Apron and Fresh Direct, had posed the idea of a consumer brand to bosses after a contract stint with the organization.

I was a social media freelancerinitially resharing recipes and information about [New York] apples, but there was nothing to tie the posts to regarding a consumer-facing brand," Fitzgerald said. She went on to package its apples in paper totes, glossy red boxes and plastic bags splashed with its looping cursive logo, and created a website that lets consumers buy from the brand directly. E-commerce sales in the six months ended February 2024 were more than double those in the same period the year prior, she said, declining to share dollar figures.

A new climate

A number of factors have changed the status quo in produce farming in recent years, investors and industry experts say.

Consumers started paying more attention to the role of produce in their health, and some even want to understand the way in which their produce is grown. More shoppers bought produce online, where they cant examine the products in person, making brand names a more useful signal of consistency.

They also showed a growing tendency to shell out for cool food brands that say something about their lifestyles and tastes, even during a time of food price sensitivity.

It also isnt only about produce itself: Some new kitchen designs feature cupboards without doors, said Andrea Hernandez, the founder of food and beverage insights firm Snaxshot. Cabinet doors dont allow for people to see that you have a $45 olive oil bottle and a $15 hot sauce," Hernandez said.

Private-equity and venture-capital firms have meanwhile entered the produce business, eager to get a slice of the last opportunities to invest in food brands from the bottom up, and willing to connect farmers with the designers and marketers that make brands pop in grocery stores. Nearly $30 billion was invested in agrifood tech startups in 2022, up from $3.1 billion in 2012, according to VC firm AgFunder.

Patient farmers, patient investors

Some new farming brands have struggled. Brooklyn-based Smallhold, a mushroom brand sold in Whole Foods and named one of Fast Companys most innovative companies of 2023, in February filed for bankruptcy. It cited a downturn in venture-capital fundraising and flat sales in the fresh mushroom category over the past year. The companys co-founder and CEO, Andrew Carter, resigned around the same time.

New York Apple Sales, meanwhile, hasnt seen any overwhelming lift" in physical stores since the introduction of the Yes! Apples brand, due to a variety of factors including a rise in private-label packaging, Fitzgerald said. The marketing organization is looking for more online retail partners, Fitzgerald said, since thats an area where we can make a bigger impact in the category due to consistent product placement and branding across online retailers."

Branded produce more broadly is developing relatively slowly, companies and investors said, as growers strive to deliver uniform products and absorb unaccustomed new costs for marketing and packaging. The cadence is uneasy for some investors used to working with technology founders of the move fast and break things" ethos.

As investors we have to recognize this is not, and cant be, an explosive category, but that doesnt mean its not a huge opportunity," said Elly Truesdell, the co-founder and managing partner of venture-capital firm New Fare, which invests in food and beverage businesses.

One of New Fares first investments was in Ark Foods, a produce company that in 2013 began selling shishito peppers and has expanded into mini heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, honeynut squash and precut and mixed salad bags, all packaged and branded with the Ark Foods logo.

Noah Robbins, the companys CEO and founder, made his first splash in the industry by getting his peppers into restaurants via suppliers and asking chefs to print the brands name on menus.

I used all of the menus as a data point when we went to retailers and we said, Look, consumers want new experiences with vegetables, and this is our brand," said Robbins, a mustachioed second-generation farmer who studied fine art in college and often appears as the face of what he calls a modern-day farming company. Ark Foods has raised over $4 million in venture capital and is profitable, he said.

Weve always tried to do our own thing and grow responsibly," Robbins said. We havent gone out there and tried to raise a gazillion dollars."

Your crops here

Produce marketing requires more flexibility than selling packaged goods, said Michael Perdigao, president of advertising and corporate communications for the Wonderful Company, the privately held business behind Pom Wonderful pomegranates and pomegranate juice, Wonderful Halos mandarin oranges and Wonderful Pistachios. The company first established the Pom Wonderful brand in 2002, making it a relative elder of everyday produce branding.

We dont know from year to year how big the crop is going to be," Perdigao said. We may have committed to a media buy or bought in the upfront market or something, and then dont need it."

The Wonderful Company often shifts marketing budgets from one brand to another to reflect fluctuations in supply, Perdigao added.

Convincing retailers to sell produce differently can also be a challenge, Yes! Apples Fitzgerald said.

Some retailers maintain a clean store" policy prohibiting brands signs and other types of advertising, which makes it tricky to shout about a new name in the produce section, Fitzgerald said. The saving grace in those circumstances has been the rise in packaged producebags of items once sold individually, providing new real estate for brand names and the stories behind them.

Without that packaging," Fitzgerald said, all I have is a half-inch [price look-up code] sticker."

Write to Katie Deighton at katie.deighton@wsj.com
Weather Update Today: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a heatwave alert in four states over the next few days while some of the states in the Himalayan region will most likely witness a wet spell in the coming days. Check the full weather forecast with Mint.

As per the press bulletin, A Western Disturbance as a trough in middle tropospheric westerlies roughly along Long. 62E to the north of Lat. 28N. A cyclonic circulation lies over Northwest Uttar Pradesh and another over West Rajasthan in lower tropospheric levels. Moreover, another western disturbance may affect northwest India from April 18.

Also read: Weather update: IMD predicts snowfall, rain in THESE states today. Check full list here Under the influence of prevailing weather conditions, IMD predicted that Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand may witness light to moderate rainfall or snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds from April 18 to 21.

Snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir As per recent update, the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing fresh snowfall.

Moving towards the Gangetic belt, the weather department forecasted isolated to scattered rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds for Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan from April 18 to 20.

Moreover, hailstorm activity is likely over Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir on April 18 and over Uttarakhand on April 18 and 19. Heavy rainfall will grace the state of Jammu and Kashmir on April 19.

Also read: Heatwave alert in Mumbai: IMD issues warning for Maharashtra capital, Raigad and Thane for two days Heatwave conditions will prevail over Odisha and West Bengal until April 19; over Andhra Pradesh until April 18 and over Telangana from April 17 to 18 and over Goa today, as per IMD notification.

The weather department predicted hot and humid weather conditions for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala until April 18; and for West Bengal, Odisha, Goa, Gujarat, and Karnataka on April 16.

IMD issued heat wave warning for Andhra Pradesh as well which is likely to prevail until April 18.

The Met department noted that Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Lakshadweep might witness light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning from April 18 to 21. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall will grace Kerala on April 18 and 19.
India has introduced port limitations on the export of prohibited or restricted essential commodities recently permitted for shipment to Maldives, according to a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

The export of essential commodities to the island nation will now be allowed only through four customs stations: Mundra Sea Port, Tuticorin Sea Port, Nhava Sheva Sea Port, and ICD Tughlakabad, as specified by the DGFT notification.

Background: Unique Bilateral Mechanism On April 5, amidst the India-Maldives diplomatic tensions, India granted permission for the export of specific quantities of essential commodities for 2024-25 under a unique bilateral mechanism, at the request of the Maldives government.

Approved quantities under this bilateral agreement are the highest since its inception in 1981 when India and Maldives signed a trade agreement allowing for the export of essential commodities.

Increased Quotas & Items on the List - River sand and stone aggregates, crucial for the Maldives' construction industry, saw a 25 percent increase in quota to 10,00,000 metric tonnes.

- Quotas for eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour, and dal (pulses) have been raised by 5 percent.

- Also, despite a global ban on the export of rice, sugar, and onions from India last year, the country has continued to export these items to the Maldives.

A statement by the Indian High Commission in Maldives reiterated a strong commitment to supporting human-centric development in the Maldives, as part of India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

Strained India-Maldives Ties Relations between India and the Maldives have faced strain since President Mohamed Muizzu assumed office, with criticisms of New Delhi during and after the presidential polls.

On April 13, Muizzu said that Indian military personnel based on the second platform has left the Maldives, but there was no confirmation on this from the Indian side.

The president also confirmed that the final batch of Indian military personnel will be leaving the Maldives on the agreed date, by May 10.

The first batch of 25 Indian troops had reportedly left the island nation earlier around March 13.

Earlier in April, Muizzu had highlighted the presence of Indian troops on three platforms in Maldives. Maldives' PSM News quoted him as saying that the withdrawal of foreign troops from Maldives is being "pursued in accordance with diplomatic norms and principles".
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Indian leaders seem confident they can ride out the diplomatic furor after their government was accused of complicity in the assassination of a Sikh activist in Canada. Perhaps theyre right. But they should consider the potential costs of that decision nonetheless.

On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canadian investigators were pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, outside a temple in British Columbia last June. Trudeau said he had raised the issue directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called on India to cooperate in the investigation, emphasizing that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty. Canada also expelled a senior diplomat, said to be Indias top intelligence official in the country.

The Indian foreign ministry has rejected the charges as absurd and motivated. It repeated calls for Canada to crack down on figures such as Nijjar, whom India had designated a terrorist bent on promoting the so-called Khalistan movement, which during the 1980s and early 1990s violently sought to carve out an independent Sikh state in Indias Punjab region. Several other Sikh activists have died overseas under suspicious circumstances in recent months.

Led by the US, Western nations have been courting India as a bulwark against China. No doubt Indian leaders are betting those countries, which continue to work closely with Saudi Arabia despite the gruesome murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, are unlikely to do more than express concern over Trudeaus claims.

The question is whether thats the kind of relationship India should want with the West. Democratic backsliding under Modis Bharatiya Janata Party, and a tolerance for autocrats such as Russias Vladimir Putin, have fueled doubts in the US and Europe about how reliable a partner India will ever be. Even so, theres a difference between being seen as a prickly ally and an untrustworthy power, willing to trample on the values of ones supposed friends.

Western support for Indias rise has been driven at least as much by the perception that the two sides share those values, as well as interests. If, as with Saudi Arabia, the relationship were to become largely transactional, India would likely lose the most.

With a per capita GDP less than one-fifth of Chinas, the country still desperately needs Western technology and investment to upgrade its economy and bolster its military. Its hopes of luring more Western manufacturing  already threatened by poor business conditions  may be further impeded if geopolitical frictions increase. Long-term investors might pause at the possibility the country could one day run afoul of Western sanctions. The Pentagon will be more reluctant to share sophisticated weaponry and intelligence. The potential for defense co-production agreements will be further constrained.

These dont seem like risks worth running to reinforce the Modi governments nationalist credentials, which are hardly in doubt. India should instead pledge to cooperate transparently in the Canadian investigation. Its complaints about Canadas alleged tolerance for violent Sikh separatists should be handled diplomatically and in accordance with Canadian laws. For its part, Canada should aim to conclude the probe and present any evidence it has swiftly, rather than leaving a cloud hanging over Indias global reputation.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden should make clear to Modi that the relationship between their nations cant help but suffer if India simply stonewalls the USs neighbor and ally. The West should certainly treat India as a friend, but only if it acts like one.

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The Delhi Police informed the Patiala House Court that they've obtained all required sanctions under UAPA and CrPC for prosecuting the accused in the NewsClick Case. Special Public Prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh submitted three sanction orders, included in a supplementary chargesheet under UAPA.

The court, led by Additional Sessions Judge Dr. Hardeep Kaur, deferred the matter to April 30, 2024, to review the chargesheet for cognizance. Filed by the Special Cell of Delhi Police, the chargesheet spans nearly 8,000 pages with annexures. This update marks a significant step forward in the legal proceedings against those implicated in the case.

The chargesheet has been filed by Special Cell of Delhi Police recently in Patiala House Court and contained nearly 8,000 pages with annexures.

Special Public Prosecutors Advocate Akhand Pratap Singh and Suraj Rathi apprised the court that the chargesheet named Prabir Purkayastha and PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd as an accused.

According to Delhi Police, a chargesheet has been filed against Newsportal Newsclick and its founder, Prabir Purkayastha, in a case registered under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, following allegations that News Portal received huge money for pro-China propaganda.

In the matter, Newsclick HR Head Amit Chakraborty has been turned approver in the case.

Prabir Purkayastha, founder and editor-in-chief of NewsClick, along with the head of its human resources department, Amit Chakravarty, were arrested in the case on October 3, 2023. Both were arrested under stringent provisions of the UAPA under sections 13, 16, 17, 18, and 22 of the UAPA, along with IPC sections 153A and 120B.

The Delhi Police FIR stated that foreign funds in crores have been infused illegally in India by Indian and foreign entities inimical to India in pursuance of a conspiracy to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, to cause disaffection against India and to threaten the unity, integrity, and security of India.

The Delhi Police's Special Cell, in its FIR against news web portal NewsClick's founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha, stated that People's Dispatch Portal, owned and maintained by M/S PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd., has been used for intentionally peddling false narratives through paid news in lieu of crores of Rupees of illegally routed foreign funds as part of conspiracy.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday met Bollywood superstar Salman Khan at his Bandra residence in Mumbai and assured him of strict action in the firing incident outside the actor's house on Sunday.

The Mumbai Police has also been instructed to heighten the security cover for Khan and his family members, Eknath Shinde said after meeting the actor.

I met Salman Khan and assured him the government is with him. I also directed the police team to take immediate action on this and in that path two of the accused have been arrested... This is Maharashtra, no gang is left here... We will uproot all the gangs and goons...Here hooliganism will not be allowed to continue, the Maharashtra CM told reporters.

The accused arrested are being interrogated... Strict actions will be taken. I have also directed the Police Commissioner to provide security for Salman Khan and his family. We must take care of our people. I don't want to comment on what happened in the past government, but we will uproot all the gangs and goons who will try to harm any person of the state, he added.

Soon after the attack, CM Shinde spoke to Salman Khan over the phone and provided him with additional security cover.

On Sunday, two motorcycle-borne persons had opened fire outside Salman Khan's house in Mumbai's Bandra and fled the spot. They were apprehended late Monday night from Mata No Madh village in Gujarat's Kutch district.
The Mumbai Crime Branch has apprehended two suspects linked to the shooting outside actor Salman Khan's residence in Bandra West, as per an ANI report. They have been identified as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, it added.

Confirming the arrests, Mumbai Police said that the two accused were caught late on Monday night (April 15) in Bhuj, Gujarat.

Both the accused, who fled Mumbai after the firing, have been arrested from Gujarat's Bhuj. They will be brought to Mumbai for further investigation, officials said.

Prior Developments Earlier, the Mumbai Crime Branch had summoned two persons for questioning regarding the shooting.

In response to the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde conversed with Salman Khan, discussing security measures. Additionally, Shinde conferred with the Mumbai Police Commissioner, recommending enhanced security for the actor.

Since November 2022, Salman Khan's security has been escalated to Y-Plus status due to threats from individuals such as Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. Khan has also been permitted to carry a personal firearm and has acquired an armoured vehicle for heightened protection.

The Shooting Incident The shooting, which transpired early Sunday morning (April 14), involved two unidentified assailants firing shots outside Galaxy Apartments, Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai's Bandra West suburb, before fleeing the scene.

Law enforcement agencies acted swiftly following the incident.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the assailants arrived on a motorcycle, concealing their identities under helmets, indicating a premeditated assault.

They discharged four rounds during the incident, leaving a live cartridge behind at the scene.
The Securities and Exchange Commission is deploying a massive government databasethe Consolidated Audit Trail, or CATthat monitors in real time the identity, transactions and investment portfolio of everyone who invests in the stock market. As SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce describes it, by allowing the commission to watch investors every move in real time," CAT will make it easier to investigate insider trading or market manipulation.

But as a lawsuit being filed Tuesday in Texas federal court makes clear, CAT crosses a constitutional red line. Accepting this sweeping surveillance would eviscerate fundamental privacy protections. That a few bad apples might engage in misconduct doesnt justify mass surveillance of everyones private affairs.

The SEC conceived of CAT during the Obama administration. Now, without congressional authorization and under the radar of most Americans, the commission is trying to impose it by executive fiat. CAT will reportedly be the single largest government database targeting the private activities of American citizens.

The SEC can deal with potential market manipulation by focusing on the transactions of large institutional firms without sweeping up data on millions of small retail investors. Nevertheless, the agency is requiring every broker to feed into CAT in real time every securities transaction along with every investors personal information, including name, address and birth year. With a keystroke, more than 3,000 government employees and contractors from the SEC and more than 20 other regulatory bodies will be able to see the personal investment activities of tens of millions of Americans. This invites abusive investigatory fishing expeditions, targeting of individuals, and intrusive data mining. Concentrating this sensitive data in a single repository guarantees it inevitably will be hacked, stolen, or misused by bad actors, including hostile nations, cybercriminals and faithless government employees.

The Constitution prohibits mass surveillance of private activities based merely on the possibility that someone might commit a crime. The Fourth Amendment requires that before the government can access a persons home, papers or personal effects, it must get a warrant showing probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the information will yield evidence of that crime. Even when the government seeks information about a citizen from banks, phone companies and others with whom he has done business, the government isnt free to vacuum this up carte blanche. It must normally show that it is investigating specific suspected wrongdoing and that the information sought is potentially relevant to that particular inquiry.

The Supreme Court has held that even access to some third-party information may require a warrant. In Carpenter v. U.S. (2018), the government obtained several months of cell-tower data from a suspects phone provider. The Supreme Court held that even though these were third-party records, a warrant was required because the data provided an exhaustive chronicle" of the suspects whereabouts over a 127-day period.

The CAT program clearly violates these limits by collecting private information on tens of millions of investors without any connection to suspected wrongdoing, either by the investor or anyone else. By requiring that this information be continuously fed into the governments database, it gives the government a truly exhaustive chronicle" of all investors activitiesnot only their past activities, but their every move in real time.

There are more-targeted ways for the SEC to get what it needs. The SEC acknowledges that when a suspected violation occurs, it has the abilitywithout CATto gather the relevant evidence by issuing blue sheets," which require broker-dealers to provide information on the transactions and investors in a particular case. As one SEC commissioner observed, the SECs enforcement program already performs very well without CAT" and has sufficient tools to get the information it needs to pursue credible leads about market misconduct and to do so quickly."

The crux of the SECs argument is that it could investigate things more easily if it werent limited to gathering investor information on a case-by-case basis after suspected wrongdoing took place. It could more quickly initiate investigations, and more promptly take appropriate enforcement action" if it had immediate access to the entire universe of private investor information in real time.

But the whole point of the Fourth Amendment is to make the government less efficient by making it jump through hoops when it seeks to delve into private affairs. For an agency to argue that it should be able to avoid these hoops to make investigations easier is to assert that it should be exempt from the Fourth Amendment.

If our society accepts the SECs rationale for CAT, there is no reason to confine the government to databases on investment activities. Digital records on a range of personal activity can help crack criminal cases. Phone companies have data from our smartphones, automakers have data from our cars, and so forth. Why not maximize the efficiency of all law enforcement by pumping this information into government databases, so investigators have it in real time?

CATs sweep is unprecedented and would take us far down the road toward an Orwellian surveillance state. As the Supreme Court has reminded us, privacy comes at a cost." The cost is that law enforcement must sometimes be a little less efficient than it would be if Americans had no privacy. If there are shortcomings, improvements can be achieved by incremental fixes rather than by bulldozing Americans liberties.

Mr. Barr is a distinguished fellow at the Hudson Institute and author of the memoir One Damn Thing After Another." He served as U.S. attorney general, 1991-93 and 2019-20.
UAE Weather: Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ordered work-from-home for all employees today, April 16, NDTV reported.

The decision that all Ajman government employees will work remotely on April 16 comes amid adverse weather changes in the region, it added.

This ruling applies to workers in all government offices in Ajman, except for those with duties that must be done in person as decided by the competent authority in each department, it said.

Police say "ready" for adverse weather The Abu Dhabi Police said they stand "fully prepared" to tackle the anticipated challenging weather conditions in the emirate, as per an ANI report. Weather fluctuations are expected in the UAE till April 17.

Abu Dhabi police said they will collaborate closely with all relevant authorities to ensure public safety.

In a statement issued today, Abu Dhabi Police General Command said that all key entities such as the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority (ADCDA), Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Al Ain Municipality, Al Dhafra Municipality, and Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), have affirmed their commitment to safeguarding the community and preserving lives and property.

The Abu Dhabi Police General Command also confirmed the activation of emergency plans and the deployment of support patrols. They have also implemented various precautionary measures, including bolstering manpower in operations rooms.

Both the Abu Dhabi Police Command and Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority have urged the public to take necessary precautions and stay updated with information from the National Center of Meteorology and other official sources.

Furthermore, they stress the importance of safe driving practices, including avoiding distractions, adhering to speed limits (especially during the implementation of speed reduction systems on roads), maintaining safe distances between vehicles, avoiding sudden braking, and reducing speed when turning to prevent skidding.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy and energy sector companies have also heightened their emergency readiness and instructed swift response from maintenance teams to address all reports concerning power outages due to weather fluctuations.
(Bloomberg) -- UnitedHealth Group Inc. shares jumped after the company beat Wall Streets profit expectations and affirmed its outlook for the year, despite the costs associated with a cyberattack on one of its subsidiaries that has roiled the health-care industry.

Adjusted earnings of $6.91 a share exceeded analysts average estimate of $6.59 a share, the health-care giant said in a statement Tuesday. UnitedHealth affirmed its outlook for adjusted net earnings of $27.50 to $28.00 a share in 2024. Revenue of $99.8 billion also topped analyst estimates.

The companys shares rose 6.2% at 9:44 a.m. in New York, the most intraday since July. Rival health insurers Humana Inc. and CVS Health Corp.s stocks gained too, as investors read UnitedHealths comments on medical costs as a good sign for the sector. UnitedHealths shares had dropped 15% so far this year through Monday, compared to a 6% rise in the S&P 500.

Analysts had cautioned previously that the results could be unpredictable in the wake of the February cyberattack thats impeded the flow of data and payments across the health-care industry. The incident left investors wondering whether insurers would have a clear view of their medical expenses at a time when care costs appear to be rising.

Yet UnitedHealth said medical expenses were as expected, a relief to investors. While the cyberattack reduced earnings by $872 million in the quarter, more than two-thirds of that was excluded from adjusted results.

A favorable tax rate also boosted earnings. Jefferies analyst David Windley said the tax benefit added 46 cents a share to the companys earnings, calling it a sizable benefit.

Despite the stock surge, some warned the results should be taken with caution. The disruption from the hack clouds an already murky utilization backdrop and it will take until next quarters results to get a clean view of underlying medical costs, RBC Capital Markets Ben Hendrix wrote in a note.

UnitedHealth also repurchased more than $3 billion of its own shares during the first quarter, the largest value on record, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Hack Fallout

The cyberattack on the companys Change Healthcare unit knocked out crucial networks for payments and data used by entities across the health-care system, hindering the ability of patients to get prescriptions and medical offices to get paid. The repair is still underway, and UnitedHealth says it has sent $6 billion in advanced payments and loans to providers affected.

Earlier: Health Hack Will Burden US With Hundreds of Millions in Costs

UnitedHealth continues to make significant progress in restoring the affected Change Healthcare services while providing financial support to impacted health care providers, the company said in the statement.

UnitedHealth also excluded the impact of a previously disclosed $7 billion charge on the sale of its Brazil unit.

The company said the cyberattack would have a small effect on its adjusted profit. While it will reduce earnings by $1.15 to $1.35 a share in 2024, much of the costs of directly responding to the incident will be excluded from its adjusted results. In the first quarter, the adjusted results included just a 25 cent per share disruption from the hack, according to the statement.

A closely watched gauge of medical expenses was higher than analysts were looking for in the first quarter, as the companys response to the hack drove up costs. UnitedHealth reported a medical-loss ratio  a key measure of medical expenses as a proportion of premiums  of 84.3% in the first quarter, worse than the 83.9% average analyst estimate.

The metric was 40 basis points higher due to accommodations to support care providers, according to the statement. The company said it waived some restrictions on care while systems to process requests for treatment approvals were down because of the hack.

The patterns of people getting medical care in the quarter were as expected, the company said. Wall Street analysts had been concerned about the risk of rising care expenses after they came in higher than anticipated at the end of 2023.

(Updates with share moves, additional analyst comment starting in second paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- The US government has submitted assurances that would pave the way for Wikileaks founder Julian Assanges extradition while it considers a possible plea deal.

US officials are considering a request from the Australian government to strike a deal with Assange under which he would enter a felony guilty plea, according to a person familiar with the matter. The deliberations come just as the US government submitted assurances demanded by a London court that would end all Assanges appeal routes.

Such a deal might then allow Assange to return directly to Australia, said the person, who asked to not be identified discussing a sensitive matter. President Joe Biden told reporters last week that the government was considering a request by the Australian government to drop the case and allow him to go back to his home country of Australia.

Two London judges ruled in March that Assange couldnt proceed with an extradition appeal if the US offered up satisfactory assurances over his First Amendment rights, given he is an Australian national. The US government submitted assurances, according to a statement from his wife Stella on Tuesday. There will now be a hearing on May 20 to further test those promises.

The Biden Administration must drop this dangerous prosecution before it is too late, Stella Assange said.

The 52-year-old has been in prison or in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012, as he fought attempts to send him to face criminal charges first in Sweden and then in the US. The Swedish case against him was dropped, but the US government in 2019 charged him under spying laws for his role in releasing hundreds of thousands of pages of classified documents via WikiLeaks, with the help of US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.

The Department of Justice declined to comment.

Read More: Why Julian Assange Extradition Fight Has Lasted Years: QuickTake

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Officials at the University of Southern California say their decision to cancel a planned commencement speech by the Class of 2024 valedictorian was motivated by concerns over safety and not because of complaints that the students pro-Palestinian social media posts were antisemitic.

On Monday, university provost Andrew T. Guzman wrote tradition must give way to safety in an email to the campus community announcing the cancellation of the valedictorians address.

To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech, he wrote. There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement. The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.

The valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, who had been selected by Guzman from more than 100 applicants, accused university officials of caving to fear and rewarding hatred by canceling her speech at the May 10 commencement ceremony in Los Angeles.

I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the University is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice, Tabassum wrote in a statement posted on the website of the Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own university  my home for four years  has abandoned me.

Tabassum wrote that she had been the subject of a campaign of racist hatred after pro-Israel groups publicized several of her social media posts that they deemed antisemitic and cited the link in her Instagram describing Zionism as a racist settler-colonial ideology.

The decision is the latest example of the tension on US campuses in a wave of protests and counter-protests over the Israel-Hamas war that have tested the limits of free speech. Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania both saw their presidents resign in the wake of controversial congressional hearings over antisemitism on campus. At UC Berkeley, law school Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and his wife ejected a protesting student from a dinner party at their home.

Read more: Berkeley Professor Rattled by Antisemitism, Protest at His Home

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
After suspending flight operations in several parts of the Middle East owing to Iran's air attack on Israel, many airlines are preparing to begin flight services in the region.

Iran attack Israel LIVE updates International airline Etihad Airways cancelled services to Israel's capital Tel Aviv and Jordan's capital Amman on Sunday. However, the airline was planning to operate scheduled passenger and cargo services between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, and Amman and Beirut soon.

Iran-Israel conflict: Airlines that have resumed operations -Emirates Airlines resumed scheduled operations to and from Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq from Sunday afternoon, a spokesperson said.

-Qatar Airways also resumed services to Amman, Beirut and Baghdad, it said in a post on X on Sunday.

-Germany's Lufthansa resumed regular flights to and from Tel Aviv, Erbil and Amman on Tuesday. Flights to Beirut and Tehran will remain suspended until at least Thursday.

-Wizz Air resumed flights to and from Tel Aviv, Amman and Aqaba from Tuesday, with minor changes to the schedule.

-Etihad Airways cancelled services to Tel Aviv and Amman on Sunday. However, the airline was planning to operate scheduled passenger and cargo services between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, Amman and Beirut soon.

Cancelled flights since October 7 -Delta Air Lines cancelled flights between Tel Aviv and New York until June 7.

-Cathay Pacific cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until October 24.

-Virgin Atlantic paused flights to and from Tel Aviv until September 4.

-Finnair cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until October 29.

-Portugal's TAP suspended Tel Aviv flights without providing a timeframe.

-Cyprus Airways suspended Larnaca-Tel Aviv route until further notice.

-Bulgaria Air cancelled all Tel Aviv flights without giving a timeframe.

Cancelled or rerouted flights -Britain's EasyJet said on Tuesday that it had suspended flights to Israel until Oct. 27.

-KLM cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including Thursday, according to its website.

-Finnair suspended operations in Iranian airspace until further notice. A spokesperson said the Finnish carrier would reroute flights from Doha over Egypt, resulting in delays of a "few minutes".

-A SAS spokesperson said flights between Copenhagen and Bangkok fly partially over the region, and one flight had to reroute on the night between Saturday and Sunday.

-IAG-owned Iberia Express said on X social media that it would cancel flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday and Monday.

-United Airlines cancelled Sunday's planned flight from Newark to Tel Aviv, it said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

-Air Canada warned of long delays and cancellations on its Israel flights and cancelled flights to Tel Aviv on Monday and Tuesday.

-Australia's Qantas Airways said on Saturday it had temporarily rerouted flights between Perth and London.

-China Southern Airlines cancelled Sunday's flight to Iran, and Hainan Airlines said it was monitoring the situation and evaluating whether an upcoming flight to Israel can fly normally, Chinese business outlet Yicai reported.

Air India's Israel flights remain suspended -Air India cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until April 20. The airline used to have five weekly flights to the Israeli city, according to flight tracking platform Flightradar 24.

-IndiGo rerouted daily flights to Istanbul from Delhi and Mumbai, according to Flightradar 24. The Indian carrier, however, did not issue a formal statement on the change. Both flights, which earlier flew over Iran, now fly through Central Asia, according to Flightradar 24.
Israel will respond to Iran's weekend attack, said Israeli military chief on Monday. More than 300 drones along with ballistic and cruise missiles were launched by Iran on Israel in response to a previous Israeli strike on an Iranian consular building in the Syrian capital of Damascus that killed two Iranian generals.

Here are top 10 updates on Israel-Iran conflict,

1) China believed that Iran could handle the situation well and spare the further turmoil while safeguarding its sovereignty, Chinese Foreign Minister ang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during a telephonic conversation. The remarks came in reference to an attack on Syria embassy and its retaliatory strike on Israel.

2) Wang also appreciated Iran's emphasis on not targeting regional and neighbouring countries, while noting that Iran had described its actions as limited and carried out in self-defense.

3) Israel is considering its next steps but that the Iranian strike will be met with a response. Israel will respond at the time that we choose, said Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.

4) We dont want to see escalation, but we obviously will take necessary measures to protect our forces in the region," said Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary.

5) "As (Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin) has said, both publicly and privately, we don't want to see escalation, but we obviously will take necessary measures to protect our forces in the region and as was demonstrated over the weekend, we'll take necessary measures to defend Israel," Ryder said.

Also Read | Live updates on Israel-Iran conflict

6) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also discussed the situation with US House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, saying Israel will do whatever is required to defend itself".

7) Tensions between Israel and Iran have been simmering since the Israel-Gaza conflict started after Hamas October 7 attacks. Israels offensive in Gaza has killed over 33,700 Palestinians, according to local health officials.

8) The United States, Britain, and Jordan have said their air forces helped intercept the Iranian missiles and drones.

9) All sides must show restraint to avoid a rising spiral of violence in the Middle East, said UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris will try to convince Israel that we must not respond by escalating.

10) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. doesn't seek escalation but said it would continue to support Israel's security. He pledged to step up the diplomatic efforts against Iran.
British-American author Salman Rushdie has released his much-awaited memoir "Knife" today, recounting the harrowing experience of being stabbed at a public event in 2022 and how he overcame the near-fatal ordeal.

Originally from India and now a naturalized American residing in New York, Rushdie gained global attention as a champion of free speech following death threats spurred by his controversial 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses.".

After years of threats, the author faced a knife-wielding attacker during an arts gathering in New York in 2022, resulting in severe injuries, including blindness in one eye.

Despite the brevity of Knife, it stands as a significant addition to Rushdie's body of work, renowned for its expansiveness and vibrancy, AP reported. It offers readers a poignant account of his journey from the brink of death to a renewed sense of purpose and connection with the world, AFP said.

Here are the top 10 things to know about Salman Rushdie's memoir Knife: - Salman Rushdie unveiled his latest work 'Knife' on April 16, marking his first book since the harrowing incident in 2022 that resulted in his hospitalisation and partial blindness.

- In the opening lines of "Knife," Rushdie vividly recounts the August 12, 2022 attack in upstate New York, where he was assaulted with a knife shortly after beginning a discussion on writer safety at the Chautauqua Amphitheatre.

- The memoir, spanning just over 200 pages, provides insights into Rushdie's thoughts and reflections following the attack, offering a glimpse into his experiences and emotions during that traumatic period.

- This memoir is Rushdie's first since "Joseph Anton," published in 2012, which recounted his experiences living under the threat of a fatwa issued in response to his novel "The Satanic Verses."

- Rushdie's life, as depicted in 'Knife', extends beyond the incident, encompassing his relationships, including his marriage to poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths, whom he met in 2017.

- The memoir also touches upon the illness of Rushdie's close friend and fellow author, Martin Amis, who passed away in May 2023, following a battle with cancer.

- Referring to his assailant as 'The A', Rushdie explores his feelings towards the attacker and contemplates a hypothetical dialogue with him.

- Despite the trauma depicted in 'Knife', Rushdie's narrative also highlights moments of healing and resilience, depicting his return to public life and the outpouring of support he received from around the world, including from notable figures like United States President Joe Biden.

- Rushdie recounted a premonitory dream of being stabbed before the attack, which he initially dismissed, highlighting the irony of the situation as he had planned to use the payment from the event for home repairs. Despite the intended discussion on protecting threatened writers, Rushdie found himself in an unsafe environment, reflecting on the irony in his book.

- The aftermath of the attack haunted Rushdie with nightmares, as documented in his memoir.

Excerpts from Rushdie's book reveal his reflections on the attack, questioning his response and expressing a sense of inevitability rather than fear.

This cover image released by Random House shows 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder' by Salman Rushdie.

Some Quotes from the Book At a quarter to eleven on August 12, 2022, on a sunny Friday morning in upstate New York, I was attacked and almost killed by a young man with a knife just after I came out on stage at the amphitheatre in Chautauqua to talk about the importance of keeping writers safe from harm."

As Rushdie observes in Knife, subtitled Meditations After an Attempted Murder, he had sometimes pictured his public assassin turning up. But the timing of the 2022 attack seemed not just startling, but anachronistic, the rising of a murderous ghost from the past, returning to settle a score Rushdie thought long resolved. He refers to August 11, 2022, as his last innocent evening.

I wasn't dead, Rushdie wrote. I was in surgery.

Rushdie's charged assailant is Hadi Matar, but the author refers to him as The A., short for The Ass (or Asinine man). I'm not looking for an apology. I do wonder how he feels, now that he has had time to think things over," Rushdie writes.

The nearness of death, Rushdie writes, can make you feel a great loneliness. Words from others make you feel that you're not alone, that maybe you haven't lived and worked in vain. About Salman Rushdie Sir Ahmed Salman Rushdie, born on June 19, 1947, in Mumbai, India, is an acclaimed Indian-born writer known for his allegorical novels that delve into historical and philosophical themes through surreal characters, brooding humour, and an effusive and melodramatic prose style. However, his exploration of sensitive religious and political subjects has made him a controversial figure.

Raised in England, Rushdie gained literary acclaim with "Midnight's Children" but faced immense controversy with "The Satanic Verses," leading to a life of hiding and police protection. Emerging from seclusion in the late 1990s, Rushdie became a prominent figure in global social circles, even venturing into film and television.

Married five times and with two children, Rushdie released his novel "Victory City" in 2023.
(Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Court voiced concern about a criminal charge levied against hundreds of Jan. 6 Capitol riot defendants, as the justices weighed a case that could affect the election-interference prosecution of former President Donald Trump.

Hearing arguments Tuesday on an appeal by Jan. 6 defendant Joseph Fischer, the justices took their most direct look yet at the deadly events that occurred across the street from their courthouse after the 2020 election.

At issue is a 2002 law that grew out of the Enron Corp. collapse and authorizes up to a 20-year sentence for people who obstruct an official proceeding. Some justices indicated they read the law as focusing on evidence destruction, worrying aloud that the Justice Departments broader interpretation could have sweeping consequences.

Would a sit-in that disrupts a trial or access to a federal courthouse qualify? Justice Neil Gorsuch asked. Would a heckler in todays audience qualify, or at the State of the Union address? Would pulling a fire alarm before a vote qualify for 20 years in federal prison?

A ruling for Fischer could give Trump new grounds to seek dismissal of two of the four counts in the federal prosecution against him for trying to overturn his 2020 election loss. The high court next week will consider Trumps claim that he is immune from prosecution altogether in the Washington case, one of four sets of criminal charges he is battling as he heads toward a November rematch with President Joe Biden.

Beyond Trump, the Fischer case could have a major impact on the prosecution of people who stormed the Capitol while Congress was meeting to certify Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election. Prosecutors have invoked the law in more than 350 Capitol riot cases, with 120 defendants so far being convicted and sentenced under the provision, according to a summary released this month.

Enron Law

The law applies to a person who corruptly alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object with the intent to undermine an official proceeding. A second prong  the one being invoked against Fischer and other Jan. 6 defendants  applies to anyone who otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding.

Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the Biden administrations top Supreme Court lawyer, told the justices that the statutory language clearly applies to people who stormed the Capitol as Congress was meeting.

Many crimes occurred that day, but in plain English the fundamental wrong committed by many of the rioters, including petitioner, was a deliberate attempt to stop the joint session of Congress from certifying the results of the election, she said.

But she drew pushback even from liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who said Congress enacted the law in the real-world context of Enron and the document destruction that was part of that scandal.

There was nothing as far as I can tell in the enactment history as it was recorded that suggests that Congress was thinking about obstruction more generally, Jackson said. They had this particular problem and it was destruction of information that could have otherwise been used in an official proceeding.

Possible Compromise

Jackson joined Justice Amy Coney Barrett in hinting at a possible middle ground that would allow charges against Jan. 6 defendants whose actions could be connected to the electoral certificates that Congress was scheduled to count that day.

Barrett asked Fischers lawyer, Jeffrey Green, whether his client could be prosecuted for trying to obstruct the arrival of the certificates.

Green responded that attempting to stop a vote count or something like that is a very different act than actually changing a document or altering a document or creating a fake new document.

Greens argument suggested that, even if Fischer wins his case, Trump could remain vulnerable under the law. The Trump indictment accuses the former president of trying to use fraudulent electoral certificates to stay in power, and Special Counsel Jack Smith says the charges will be valid no matter how the Supreme Court rules in the Fischer case.

Another liberal, Justice Elena Kagan, said Tuesday that Congress was focused on more than documents. It was a provision that was meant to function as a backstop.

Congress had all these statutes all over the place, Kagan added. What Enron convinced them of was that there were gaps in the statutes and they tried to fill the gaps.

Before the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, Fischer allegedly sent text messages advocating violence, including one that said If Trump dont get in we better get to war. He is accused of assaulting at least one police officer during the riot.

Fischer says he arrived at the Capitol grounds after Congress had recessed and wasnt part of the mob that forced the certification to stop.

The case is Fischer v. United States, 23-5572.

--With assistance from Sabrina Willmer.

(Updates with comments from lawyers and justices starting in eighth paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
The UAE braces for a second wave of unsettled weather, featuring heavy rain, thunder, lightning, and possible hail on Tuesday. The National Centre of Meteorology issued a bulletin after the initial bout of unstable conditions persisted from Monday evening to Tuesday noon, urging residents to stay informed and cautious.

The second wave that starts that starts today would also witness an increase in convective cloud coverage, leading to varying intensities of rainfall, a Khaleej Times report stated.

The NCM in its weather bulletin said, Another wave begins from the Western areas and includes scattered areas of the country, where the amounts of convective clouds increase, associated with rainfall of different intensities, accompanied by lightning and thunder, and a probability of hail over some areas.

NCEMA in its notification on Monday advised residents to leave the safety of their homes only in cases of extreme necessity. It has also urged people to park vehicles in distant, safe, and elevated locations away from areas prone to flooding.

Schools transitioned online and government staff to telework due to impending severe weather. The forecast warns of intensified conditions with lightning, thunder, and hailstones damaging vehicles. Some roads are impassable due to flooding, causing vehicle breakdowns. Some residents have also reported electricity outages.

This is the second stay-home advisory issued by the authorities in two months. In March, residents were told to stay indoors as unstable weather prompted the closure of roads to valleys and mountains.
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden publicly released their 2023 tax return on Monday, carrying on a tradition of transparency temporarily interrupted under predecessor Donald Trump.

The annual, unwritten custom is designed to build trust in the White House. Other politicians as well as candidates often also take part.

The Bidens earned $619,976 in 2023, most of which was derived from the president's $400,000 salary and Jill Biden's $85,985 compensation for her teaching job at a college in nearby Virginia.

That number was up from the $579,514 the couple earned in 2022 and $610,702 in 2021.

The Bidens' transparency comes after Trump opted not to follow the bipartisan tradition.

Billionaire businessman Trump refused both as a candidate and once in office to allow the public to see his tax return, a document detailing all sources and amounts of income, among other financial records.

When several years of his returns were finally made public after a legal battle waged by Democrats in Congress, it emerged there were years when Trump was paying almost no income tax, due to business losses.

He has continued to keep his tax returns private as he wages his 2024 campaign to return to the White House.

The Bidens reported paying $146,629 in federal taxes, for an effective rate of 23.7 percent.

Joe Biden also reported paying $30,908 in Delaware income taxes, while Jill Biden paid $3,549 in Virginia income taxes.

"President Biden believes that all occupants of the Oval Office should be open and honest with the American people, and that the longstanding tradition of annually releasing presidential tax returns should continue unbroken," the White House said in a statement.

It said this year marked the 26th year of Biden sharing his tax returns publicly.

The Bidens also reported $20,477 in charitable donations.

Vice President Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff also released their tax returns, showing $450,299 in income and $23,026 in charitable donations.
A massive fire engulfed Copenhagen's 17th-century former stock exchange on Tuesday, destroying its iconic spire amid ongoing renovations. The 180-foot spire vanished in flames, witnessed by horrified onlookers.

The images recalled the disaster at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, almost five years ago to the day it was gutted by a fire.

Local resident, 45-year-old Elisabeth Moltke, told AFP while watching the blaze, This is our Notre-Dame! This is a national treasure.

"A lot of old Danish paintings, originals are in there. I've been in there several times and it's a magnificent building so it makes me feel very emotional."

At approximately 7:30 am local time (0530 GMT), a fire broke out under the copper roof of a red-brick building, prompting over a hundred firefighters to respond. The spire collapsed, emitting flames and thick smoke. The building, currently hosting the Danish Chamber of Commerce, was surrounded by fire trucks.

"It's a copper roof, and it's simply impossible to get under that roof, so the fire has plenty of time to build intensity," Jakob Vedsted Andersen, director of emergency services, told news agency Ritzau, adding that the fire had spread down into the building.

Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, "Terrifying images from Borsen this morning. 400 years of Danish cultural heritage going up in flames"

"I'm lost for words... It's a 400-year-old building that has survived all the other fires that burned Copenhagen down to the ground," said Carsten Lundberg, an employee at the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

"It's a dreadful loss," Lundberg told AFP adding that what was inside were "things that you cannot put a price on... Priceless paintings, statues..."

The building lies just a stone's throw from the country's Parliament and seat of government Christiansborg.

The Borsen building, commissioned by King Christian IV and built between 1619 and 1640, is one of Copenhagen's oldest and best known landmarks. Housing a vast art collection, it was being renovated to celebrate its 400th anniversary.
(Bloomberg) -- US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the US will strengthen its sanctions on Iran within days after the nations recent attack on Israel.

I fully expect that we will take additional sanctions action against Iran in the coming days, Yellen said at a press conference in Washington Tuesday. She also said that all options to disrupt Irans terrorist financing will be on the table, and that the US wouldnt hesitate to work with allies to continue disrupting the Iranian regimes malign and destabilizing activity.

Her comments come as finance ministers and central bank governors from across the world gather in Washington for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings. Geopolitical developments are set to once again dominate the discussions, with conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East continuing to pose a threat to the global economy.

From this weekends attack to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Irans actions threaten the regions stability and could cause economic spillovers, Yellen said.

Over the weekend, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missile against Israel in retaliation for a deadly strike against Irans consulate in Syria on April 1 that Tehran has blamed on Israel.

European Union officials are also contemplating fresh sanctions on Iran over the attack.

Over the course of the next few days the US will be looking to build a coalition with other countries to go after Irans military industrial complex, a senior Treasury official said.

Group of Seven finance ministers are holding a meeting on Wednesday and the US also plans to engage with allies on actions they can take together to go after supply chains that allow Iran access to component parts that are key to building the kind of weapons used in the recent attack against Israel, the official told reporters.

The US is going to have conversations with all major suppliers around the world, including China, in order to constrain Irans ability to get access to the goods used to build weapons and destabilize the region, the official added.

Ukraine Aid

Western allies are expected to discuss the situation in Ukraine this week and seek to rally fresh financing against a backdrop of deepening concerns over the possible collapse of Ukrainian defenses.

Finance ministers from the G-7 are expected to discuss ways to tap the value of more than $280 billion of Russian central bank assets that have been immobilized as a way to raise much-needed funds for Ukraine.

The US had been pushing to confiscate the assets, or at least find ways to raise funds based on their expected future profits, but some G-7 peers including Germany and France remain cautious over such moves.

(Updates with comments from Treasury official from seventh paragraph)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
The ancient art of magic might seem a strange way to understand human behaviour, but two neuroscientists Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez discerned that master magicians had discovered the secrets of neuroscience and human behaviour much like master painters had developed techniques to get a three-dimensional effect while painting on two-dimension surfaces centuries before modern technology. Here is a quick example to show how neural pathways can be highjacked to influence behaviour.

Think of any number from 2-10 and multiply it by 9. Now add the two digits and subtract 5. You should be left with a completely random single digit number. Next find the corresponding letter of the alphabet for that numberif the number is 1, then the letter is A; if its 2, the letter is B; if it is 3, then C; and so on. Now think of a country that starts with your letter. Next, think of an animal whose name starts with the second letter of the countrys name and picture its colour. This is much more fun when I do it in a large group, where almost everyone would end up with a grey elephant in Denmark. (For those who cant read further until you know how this works: Any number from 2 to 10 multiplied by 9 will result in two digits that add up to 9. Subtracting 5 leaves 4, which lands most of us in Denmark).

This trick, popularly called Elephants in Denmark, demonstrates how an entire group of diverse people can follow herd behaviour while believing that they have made unique and independent decisions. Ironically, this is also the behaviour of many organizations where status quoists follow herd mentality but are convinced that their decisions or behaviour is distinctive.

There will always be a few who deviate from the herd, perhaps going wrong in their calculations or choosing an eagle or eel instead of an elephant and getting a different result. These are deliberate or accidental iconoclasts who by virtue of their previous experiences (or lack of it), or by deviating from the norm, discover approaches that are different from the herds. These are the genuine pathfinders who question organizational assumptions. But such outliers are usually bludgeoned into submission under the euphemism of organizational alignment. Thats why entrepreneurs feel stifled and depart with their valuable ideas and passion, or worse, stay back in a disengaged state while the organization languishes in dull conformity. How then can leaders create an environment where alternative thinking is encouraged?

As George Bernard Shaw observed, The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man." The key job of strategic leaders is to find such unreasonable persons who are simply not satisfied with the status quo, empower their audacity and support them, especially when they face pushback, which they most certainly will if their ideas are truly futuristic.

Some of our larger companies try to do this with frameworks like incubators and idea generation campaigns, but while their intent may be noble, the implementation is usually suboptimal. Results are often measured in terms of businesses incubated or number of ideas generated. That misses the whole point. If the measurement is focused on success, then by definition outliers will be ousted because all radical ideas will fail a few times before succeeding. Even highly admired companies such as Apple, Google, etc, have had a string of high-profile failures like Lisa, Newton, Pippin and Apple Maps in the case of the former and Google Glass, Wave, Buzz, Google Plus, etc, in the latters. However, the key differentiator of these world-leading conglomerates is that they genuinely encourage alternative thinking using three strategies.

The first is establishing a structured outlier recognition programme that seeks to identify, empower and reward such individuals and create the initial set of change agents. Next is to create a culture of experimentation where success is measured by what was learnt, rather than whether the experiment was successful. This requires creating frameworks like hackathons, innovation labs and brainstorming off-sites, and investing in people, ideas and projects that are different from the norm. The third step is to make the rubber meet the road by implementing an outcome-oriented mindset. This involves transitioning from measuring outputs to evaluating outcomes in assessing the success of outlier-driven initiatives. This shift entails looking at the big picture aligned to the organizations future objectives and emphasizing the impact of outlier ideas on those ambitions. Metrics like speed of trust, business velocity and strategic capacity building are benchmarks to gauge the effectiveness of such projects. Furthermore, teams are constantly encouraged to set audacious goals and given a free hand to deliver on them.

In a world that glorifies well-aligned, consensus-driven conformists, the use of alternative thinking doesnt just offer a competitive advantage, it is an existential need. Unless organizations realize this, they will keep placing grey elephants in Denmark while believing they are unique in their thinking.
VILNIUS, LithuaniaA week after Russias leading opposition figure Alexei Navalny died in an Arctic prison colony in February, his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, met with his grieving aides to ask: What next?

It was a pressing question not just for an organization that, despite Navalnys star power, had struggled to dent President Vladimir Putins regime, but for the Russian opposition as a whole.

Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and Putins brutal crackdown on dissent in its wake have scattered the political opposition to the winds, with disparate factions setting up in Western capitals.

Former energy tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky helps coordinate an antiwar committee from his London base. In the U.S., ex-world chess champion Garry Kasparov chairs organizations promoting democracy in Russia. From Tel Aviv, YouTube influencer Maxim Katz broadcasts political messaging into Russia.

But such efforts have failed to reach many average Russians or mobilize protests in a country where everyday expressions of dissent are now criminalized. Moreover, many of the opposition groups are riven by infighting over how best to weaken Putin.

Some are now placing their hopes in Navalnaya, who promised to continue Navalnys crusade and help lead his Anti-Corruption Foundation, or FBK, which relocated to Lithuania after Russia outlawed it as extremist" three years ago. They are calling on the opposition groups to unite behind her and others in a formal council.

Wed be much stronger with a real opposition coalition," said Katz, a former Russian politician with two million subscribers on YouTube, which isnt blocked in Russia, unlike major Western social-media platforms. We should sit behind a common table and work out a coordinated strategy."

Throughout history, exiled opposition forces have banded together to elicit support from friendly governments and organize resistance movements against the authoritarian regime or occupying force controlling their country. During World War II, Polands London-based government-in-exile backed an armed uprising in Nazi-occupied Warsaw.

More recently, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenkos alleged rigging of a presidential election in 2020 prompted supporters of his main rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, to proclaim her as the victor and back her campaign to rally support against Lukashenko from exile in Lithuania.

Since Navalnayas visit to FBK in the days after her husbands death, and her announcement that she would take over his legacy, she has retreated from the spotlight and given no interviews about her plans. Kira Yarmysh, her spokeswoman, says FBKs future plans, and Navalnayas role, are still being worked out.

FBK accuses the Kremlin of ordering Navalnys killing, something the Russian government denies. Navalny aide Leonid Volkov is still recovering from an attack by an unidentified assailant in Vilnius last month, which sent a chill through the community of Russian exiles there.

Occupying two floors of an office complex on a cobbled pedestrian street in Vilniuss picturesque old town, FBKs full-time staff of 70 Russian speakers produces slick video investigations highlighting corruption in Russia and daily news shows focused on politics that are recorded in several video studios on the premises.

The corridors are lined with mementos from videos in which Navalny played a starring role. The office spaces are named after rooms listed on a floor plan FBK published in 2021 as part of an investigation revealing a vast Black Sea palace that Navalny said belonged to Putin. There is an interactive screen ranking the popularity of employees X accounts, and the rate of retweets each gets on a given day.

A core team has worked at the organization for more than a decade since Navalny founded it in 2011. Weve sat in jail together, weve suffered police beatings together," said Ruslan Shaveddinov, FBKs 27-year-old head of video. Now each of us feels a duty to continue Navalnys legacy."

FBK doesnt reveal its main sources of funding, but says various nonprofits and private donors help. The videos they publish spur Russians to send them donations, usually in the form of cryptocurrency, according to the group. FBK Director Ivan Zhdanov says the groups YouTube channels reach a monthly audience of up to 17 million people inside Russia.

Previous efforts to unite the Russian opposition have been short-lived. An opposition coordination council" formed after a wave of antigovernment protests in Moscow in 2012 gave way to bickering among its 45 members. It disbanded after a year. In 2018, Navalny rallied some opposition factions when he ran for president, but he was ultimately barred from the ballot.

For exiled activists, staying relevant inside Russia is an uphill struggle. Yulia Galyamina, one of the few opposition politicians who remains in Russia despite being barred from contesting elections after being branded a foreign agent" by the state, says much of the opposition abroad no longer understands what ordinary Russians think and feel. Its very hard to maintain a connection with the realities of life here," she said.

Russian television, which is under state control, regularly seizes on evidence of opposition infighting to discredit its activists, many of whom are former lawmakers and government ministers. Volkov stepped down from his position on FBKs board and apologized publicly last year after evidence emerged that he had lobbied the European Union to lift sanctions on prominent Russian businessman Mikhail Fridman.

Fridman won a legal challenge of the EU sanctions on Wednesday, but he remains under sanctions for now and the EU can appeal the decision.

Most opposition figures do agree on a twofold strategy. First, to gradually sow discontent inside Russia and maintain the support of the 10% to 20% of Russians they estimate to be disillusioned with the Russian president. Second, to seize on any unrest inside Russia and turn it into a street movement or rally around whichever protest leader comes to the fore.

Im ready to back the devil if he helps destabilize this regime," said Khodorkovsky, who spent 10 years in a Russian prison after launching an opposition movement in 2003. Theres no good people in the Putin regimeif you want to bank on a split in the elites, you need to back one group of bad guys against another."

YouTube channels run by Khodorkovsky and other exiled activists broadcast a narrative at odds with the Kremlin line to tens of millions of subscribers each day. Vladimir Milov, a former deputy energy minister and Navalny ally living in Vilnius, said such channels were the most effective way to break through Moscows information monopoly and undermine Putins support at home.

Ten years ago, we had lots of political parties but we didnt have access to an audience," he said. Now, the reach of opposition broadcasting is far greater than that of Western radio stations during the Cold War."

Navalnys philosophy was to constantly devise new ways of pressuring Putin. He stayed involved in FBKs work until his death, using letters from prison to suggest an idea for a smartphone app that FBK launched ahead of Russias presidential election last month to advise its supporters how to vote in ways most likely to undermine Putin.

In a rare show of unity, the exiled political leaders called on their compatriots to visit polling stations at a prearranged time in a silent show of dissent. Putin still went on to claim 88% of the vote against several handpicked candidates, winning a new six-year term that could make him Russias longest-standing leader since Stalin.

But Zhdanov, FBKs director, said the turnout of like-minded Russians allowed Putins opponents to see they are not alone, and gave the opposition a chance to remind its supporters inside Russia that it hasnt forgotten them.

These may be all drops in the ocean, but they add up," said Zhdanov. Were fighting the fiercest dictatorship of our age, and to expect well suddenly fix things is naive."

Write to Matthew Luxmoore at matthew.luxmoore@wsj.com
TEL AVIVIsraels military has long followed a clear policy: When enemies hit us, we strike back so hard they wont do it again. That deterrence is no longer working.

Iran, after launching a massive missile-and-drone attack on Israel over the weekend, is threatening to strike again if Israel retaliates. Lebanese militia Hezbollah fires at Israeli forces almost every day despite frequent poundings by Israel. And Hamas continues to launch rockets at Israel even after being bludgeoned following its Oct. 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials.

With no side willing to compromise for fear of showing weakness and all players seeking greater deterrence, the risk of stumbling into a regional war increases.

If they continue to exchange blows, its a slippery slope to a real escalation," said Ofer Fridman, a former Israeli officer and scholar of war studies at Kings College London.

Deterrencethe principle that any attack will be met by a far more punishing responseis the foundation of defense for most countries. It has been one of three pillars of Israels strategic culture for decades, Fridman said.

If deterrence fails, then Israel relies on early warning of any attack. If both fail, then Israel seeks to rapidly inflict a crushing, even humiliating defeat on the battlefield so that deterrence is restored and the adversary doesnt dare strike at Israel againat least for many years.

Before Irans attack, Israel threatened a major retaliation if Tehran struck. After Iran launched drones but before its more dangerous ballistic missiles took off, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement, Whoever harms us, we will harm them."

Iran is now using similar terms about potential Israeli retaliation. The smallest action against Irans interests will definitely be met with a severe, extensive and painful response against all its perpetrators," said Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Irans drone-and-missile attack on Israel departed from a yearslong regional military strategy, in which it built up a network of proxy militia groups that have allowed it to strike militarily stronger adversaries, particularly the U.S. and Israel, while minimizing the risk of attacks on Iranian soil.

We have decided to create a new equation," said the head of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, on Sunday, adding that any strike on Irans interests in the region would be met with direct attacks from Iran.

The attack has now raised the risk of an Israeli response and further cycles of violence between the two countries, military analysts said.

Irans moves are very calculated and choreographed. But at the same time, theyre not risk-free," said Hamdi Malik, an associate fellow with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and an expert on Irans militia network. Iran is willing to take some calculated risk."

Israels deterrence failure became painfully clear on Oct. 7, when it was stunned by an invasion of thousands of militants from Gaza.

Until that morning, the prevailing assessment across Israels security and political echelons was that Hamas wasnt interested in battling with Israel. Netanyahu and security chiefs said Hamas had taken a forceful blow in a 2021 fight and was deterred.

Israel, confident it had defanged Hamas, switched to a policy in which it slowly increased work permits for Gazans. Israel hoped its economic leverage would deter Hamas from further conflict. What Netanyahu and his advisers failed to appreciate was that economics didnt sway Hamas.

The basic problem here is we face ideological players," said Michael Milshtein, a former Israeli intelligence officer for Palestinian affairs.

Hamas is different from Israels other enemies, he said, because conventional deterrence doesnt work with the movement. It is too committed to its goal of defeating Israel, has nurtured a culture of sacrifice for the cause, and has no real space for internal dissent, he added.

Its a zero-sum game," Milshtein said, meaning that either Hamas is fully defeated or will remain a threat. When you confront such players, you can temporarily buy a calm situation or a more-quiet period, but at the end of the day they have ideological goals and you have no way to escape."

Fridman said Israel needed to pivot from the idea that it can perpetually deter its enemies.

Since the establishment of Israel, its been moving from one conflict to another, assuming if we beat them hard enough they will stop attacking us," Fridman said. It doesnt work. We need to find a political solution."

Washington is now advocating a change in Israels approach, which could slow escalation. The Biden administration is effectively telling Israel to be satisfied with the security offered by early warning of Irans attack, bolstered by cooperation with the U.S., European allies and some Arab countries, and not retaliate.

In Israel, however, there is a strong desire to restore deterrence, not just rely on sharp eyes and a big shield. Iran crossed a red line," said Danny Danon, a senior lawmaker from Netanyahus Likud party. I think now the dilemma is how to respond in a way that will not escalate the situation."

Jared Malsin and Marcus Walker contributed to this article.

Write to Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com
Volunteers of AAP Student Wing Chatr-Yuva Sangharsh Samiti on Tuesday staged a protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's by Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy case.

The students held a torch march in the national capital today, which the Aam Aadmi Party termed as the torch of struggle, and the answer to the tyranny of a dictator.

Kejriwal was arrest on March 21 in connection with the Delhi excise policy money laundering case. His arrest has stirred political waves. Currently in judicial custody at Tihar jail, Kejriwal was named as AAP's star campaigner for Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat.

Also read: AAP names jailed leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia as star campaigners for Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat In a post on X (formerly Twitter), AAP posted in Hindi: This is the torch of struggle. This is the answer to the tyranny of a dictator. CYSS-led Delhi students hold a torch march against the arrest of their Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal"

"The students of Delhi are standing with Arvind Kejriwal, who has raised the flag of education revolution in the world, it further read.

AAP's students wing in Telangana has also joined the nationwide students protests against arrest of Kejriwal at Arts College, Osmania University, Hyderabad along with student bodies associated with parties of the INDIA alliance.

Also read: Delhi LG hits out at Arvind Kejriwal on water scarcity issue: .thousands of crores into a leaking bucket Earlier today, the Delhi chief minister sent a message for the people of the country from Tihar jail saying "My name is Arvind Kejriwal and I am not a terrorist".

Arvind Kejriwal's assertion borrows from the 2010 Shahrukh Khan-starrer 'My Name is Khan' in which the actor famously says "My Name is Khan and I am not a terrorist" in a scene of the movie.

Addressing a press conference, AAP leader Sanjay Singh claimed the BJP was trying to demoralise and break Kejriwal out of "malice and vendetta" but he will emerge stronger.

Also read: 'My name is Arvind Kejriwal and I am not': Jailed Delhi CM shares message He also alleged that a "notorious criminal" lodged in Tihar jail was allowed to meet his lawyer and wife in the barrack, while Kejriwal had to meet Punjab Chief Minster Bhagwant Mann across a glass screen.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is in Tihar jail, will meet two ministers each week and review the progress of the work in their departments, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said.

Arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, Kejriwal is currently in judicial custody. Party's Rajya Sabha member Sandeep Pathak and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann met Kejriwal in Tihar jail on April 15.

Pathak, who is the party's National General Secretary (Organization), shared the chief minister's plan of action for reviewing the functioning of various departments in the coming days.

"From next week, the chief minister will call two ministers to jail every week and there he will review the work of their departments and give them guidelines and directions," Pathak said.

Tihar officials confirmed the Delhi chief minister added ministers Atishi, Kailash Gahlot, and Saurabh Bharadwaj to the list of visitors allowed to meet him twice a week.

The AAP National General Secretary (Organization) said Kejriwal asked him to convey to the party MLAs to go door to door in their areas and meet people to understand their concerns.

"The MLAs should try and solve any issue that the people are facing. Kejriwal said the MLAs will have to cover up his absence by working twice as hard as before, he said.

On April 15, Kejriwal did not get any interim relief from the Supreme Court which sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate by April 24 on his plea challenging his arrest in a money-laundering case stemming from the alleged excise policy scam.

In another court hearing, Delhi's Rouse Avenue court on Monday extended Arvind Kejriwal's judicial custody until April 23 in the money-laundering case stemming from the alleged excise policy scam.
DUBAISaudi Arabia and other oil-rich Persian Gulf states have tried to avoid taking a position on Americas geopolitical rivalries in recent years, staying neutral in the Ukraine war and building ties with China. With Israel and Iran in open conflict, they might be forced to choose a side.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates struggled to stay on the sidelines when it became clear last week that Iran would attack Israel in retaliation for a strike in Syria that killed senior Iranian military officers.

The Saudis and Emiratis shared intelligence that contributed to an overwhelmingly successful defensive response to a sprawling Iranian air attack, said Arab officials. However, they stopped short of giving Washington everything it wanted, denying the U.S. and Israel use of their airspace to intercept missiles and drones, the officials said.

The confrontation showed both countries how difficult it is going to be to keep striking a careful balance between their chief Middle East rival, Iran; their most important security partner, the U.S.; and Israel, a powerful military that the Saudis and Emiratis have grown closer to in recent years but that they both criticize harshly over its conduct in its war in Gaza.

If the Israel-Iran conflict escalates and draws in the U.S., the Gulf Arab states would likely have a stark choice: allow American forces to launch attacks from bases in their countries and risk Iranian retaliation, or try to appease Iran and stay on the sidelines as they have largely done since the Oct. 7 attacks plunged the Middle East into turmoil.

Since Saturdays attack, the U.A.E. has called for restraint and the need to achieve stability through diplomatic channels. The region should avoid conflict at all costs, as it cannot sustain additional tensions and confrontations," a U.A.E. official said.

Adding to the complexity for Saudi Arabia is its push to strike a broad deal that would recognize Israel in exchange for firm security commitments from the U.S. and help with its nuclear program. The deals momentum was stopped with the Gaza war, but the Saudis have indicated they still want better U.S. defense guarantees, which they feel Washington has abandoned in the past decade.

Absent a U.S. commitment to their security, they would do their utmost to limit their cooperation and hide it from Iran," said Bilal Saab, a former Pentagon official who worked on security cooperation in the Middle East and is now a fellow at the London-based Chatham House think tank.

The Saudis and the Emiratis earlier this year declined to participate publicly in a U.S.-led maritime coalition to confront attacks on Red Sea shipping by Yemens Houthi rebels, who threatened to strike participating countries. Along with Kuwait, they have also restricted the Pentagon from launching airstrikes against the Houthis from bases in their territory, say U.S. defense and Arab officials.

Gulf countries are wary of being seen by their populations as supporting Israel and the U.S. following more than six months of war in Gaza, where nearly 34,000 Palestinians have been killed.

But if the U.S. gets more deeply involved in the coming weeks in a direct confrontation with Iran, Arab governments are likely to find their room to maneuver shrinking, say Arab officials.

If Iran escalates directly against American assetsthen it is a moment of reckoning," said Gregory Gause, a Middle East expert at Texas A&M Universitys Bush School of Government and Public Service. Because then Washington says, If you want a partnership, you have to help us when were the target in the same way that you expect us to help you when youre the target."

So far, Iran has said it doesnt intend to target the U.S., and Washington says it wont participate in an Israeli reprisal.

Gause said that the Gulf states have traditionally fluctuated between fearing they would become collateral damage when Washington was aggressive with Iran, and fearing they would be abandoned when the U.S. became more conciliatory toward Tehran.

This is just baked in the cake," he said. Its not something that you can solve."

In recent years, Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. have pursued detente with Iran following a period of severed ties.

A China-brokered deal a year ago re-established Saudi-Iranian relations, and since the start of the conflict, the kingdom has been attempting to deter Iran and its proxies from turning the Gaza war into a wider conflict by offering cooperation and investments in the Iranian economy.

Following the strike this month on Irans embassy in Damascus that triggered Saturdays Iranian response, Gulf states were worried that Iran might strike Israeli embassies in the region and that the U.S. might not muster a strong response, Saudi officials said.

Iranian officials briefed counterparts from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries ahead of Saturdays large-scale strikes on Israel on the outlines and timing of their plan so that those countries could safeguard airspace, the Saudi officials said. The information was passed along to the U.S., giving Washington and Israel crucial warning and demonstrating for Saudi officials that Riyadhs warming to Tehran was paying off.

Saudi and Emirati officials have also met in recent weeks with officials from Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in an effort to de-escalate its conflict with Israel, according to Arab and Hezbollah officials.

A senior Saudi official said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman doesnt want the war to distract from his ambitious plans to transform the kingdoms economy.

This war and the current escalation puts his plans at greater risk," the official said. MBS knows the Gulf countries would be the first impacted if war is expanded."

The response to Saturdays attack, which Israel fended off with cooperation from the U.S., European and Arab militaries, demonstrated the potential value of a partnership with Washington.

This reinforces that when youre aligned with the United States, you can protect your sovereignty in cooperation with both the United States and your neighbors," said Jon Alterman, a Mideast expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.

But after failing for years to secure more formal security pacts with the U.S. following Iranian-linked attacks that they felt the U.S. didnt adequately respond to, Gulf states are now hesitant to put themselves in Irans crosshairs for the sake of the U.S.

Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, an Emirati political scientist, expects the U.A.E. to maintain relations with Iran and Israel despite what it considers destabilizing actions by both countries.

The most wise course at the moment is to stay away from it all, keep focusing on its own national interest, its own security and try to stay out of it," he said. We dont want to get entangled in this one way or another. Thats priority No. 1 in the U.A.E. and for the rest of the Arab Gulf states."

Bernard Hudson, a veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency and the agencys former counterterrorism chief, said that after a monthslong stalemate between Washington and Yemens Houthis, Saturdays attack demonstrated that Iran is nearing security parity with the U.S. in the Middle East and a U.S. response risks failing to substantively diminish Irans military capacity.

This isnt going to be lost on the U.S.s regional allies who increasingly are going to have to make their own security arrangements as the U.S. protective umbrella continues to leak," he said.

Write to Summer Said at summer.said@wsj.com and Stephen Kalin at stephen.kalin@wsj.com
WASHINGTONPresident Bidens announcement last week that his administration would seek to forgive billions of dollars worth of federal student loans was cheered by progressives, the latest in a string of actions he has taken to shore up support from the leftannoying the center in the process.

That has some Democrats worrying he is making a big mistake. Despite much recent hand-wringing about the unpopular presidents need to shore up his base with liberal appeals, polls show Bidens principal weakness isnt with the left but with the middle of the electorate. The president, some centrists argue, isnt doing enough to appeal to the moderate and independent voters that tend to decide elections.

The voters that elected Biden in the first place are the center-left voters that liked his centrist policies, not the Bernie Sanders-Elizabeth Warren slice of the electorate," said Lauren Harper Pope, who co-founded a group called WelcomePAC that urges Democrats to make pragmatic, big-tent appeals. Yet the administration seems to have a fear of talking about things people actually care about if it might offend a small group of ideological activists."

In a recent Wall Street Journal poll that found Biden narrowly trailing former President Donald Trump in the top battleground states, the two candidates drew roughly equal shares of their respective parties when polled head-to-head: Biden won 88% of Democrats, while Trump won 90% of Republicans. With independent voters, Trump led by six points, 36% to 30%. Similarly, a new New York Times/Siena national poll shows a tight race overallTrump 46%, Biden 45%with Trump leading among independent voters by 5 points.

The Democratic strategy group Blueprint found in a recent national poll that 52% of voters are concerned that Biden is too liberal, including 61% of independents. Blueprint also analyzed a spate of recent polling to determine which 2020 Biden voters have switched to say they will vote for Trump this year. Among that group, 53% call themselves moderates and 33% identify as conservative; just 14% consider themselves liberals.

It is a misconception, Pope says, that left-wing appeals are the key to mobilizing the young and minority voters that have cooled on Biden. In fact, Black, Hispanic and Asian-American voters tend to be more moderate than other Democrats. The Blueprint analysis found that 38% of voters who have switched to Trump since 2020 are age 18-34, while just 13% are 65 or older.

What moderates want to hear

The Biden campaign disputed this analysis, pointing to his continuing disagreements with the left and noting that he wins moderate voters in many polls. (Self-described moderates are a disproportionately Democratic group.) President Biden has assembled a broad, diverse coalition because he has reached across the aisle to deliver historic legislation on infrastructure, drug pricing, manufacturing and gun reform," campaign spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said in a statement. Donald Trump, on the other hand, has severely alienated moderates with extreme positions like endorsing abortion bans and lying about election results, so much so that tens of thousands of registered Republicans continue to vote for Nikki Haley in critical battlegrounds, weeks after she dropped out."

Indeed, Trumps extreme rhetoric ought to provide Biden an opening to seize the center. The Biden campaign issued a statement welcoming Haleys voters after she dropped out and has aired a 30-second digital ad aimed at them, while Trump has done no such outreach and continues to show weakness among key demographics such as suburbanites and women. Yet some centrists worry that Biden has failed to voice the sort of popular, mainstream positions that would attract these voters on top-of-mind issues such as energy, immigration, the economy and public safety.

Blueprints chief pollster, Evan Roth Smith, said many of Bidens policies poll well in isolation, yet he gets low marks from voters for how he is handling those same issues, likely because of the way the White House and its allies tend to talk about them. The thing voters want is basically what the president is actually doing," he said. But when you ask what they think is going on, they dont see the White House for what its actually doing."

One case in point is energy policy. Under Biden, American energy production has reached historic highsa popular accomplishment that voters overwhelmingly support. But you would never know it from listening to him. The achievement went unmentioned in the presidents recent State of the Union address and his recent campaign speeches, where he has preferred to talk about climate investments and environmental justice." Perhaps as a result, most Americans disapprove of his handling of energy, and many blame him for high gas prices.

The presidents failure to tout this aspect of his record has frustrated moderate allies. Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) recently wrote a Washington Post op-ed sarcastically congratulating" Biden for his energy record and urging him to tout it more vigorously. This is the all-of-the-above strategy in action, showing results. But it seems some of the presidents radical advisers in the White House are so worried about angering climate activists that they refuse to speak up about these accomplishments," Manchin wrote.

A muddled border message

Immigration is another issue where Biden has taken tougher stances than voters give him credit forand shied away from rhetoric that might win over moderates. The administration helped negotiate the bipartisan Senate deal to bolster border security that failed to pass earlier this year. The deal was a political winner: A February Wall Street Journal poll found that 59% of voters supported it, including roughly equal shares of Democrats and Republicans.

Yet in the absence of congressional action, many voters would like to see the president take matters into his own hands rather than simply blaming Republicans for the deals failure. The Journal poll found more voters agreed with the idea that President Biden reversed Trumps executive orders on the border which opened our borders, and he failed to use the power he has had all along to seal the border and clamp down on illegal immigration" than the idea that Republicans were to blame for killing the border deal.

In the wake of the deals failure, the White House has considered using executive action to address the issue. Such an announcement during the State of the Union would have been popular, Blueprints polling found. But Biden hasnt yet moved forward with any orders, as he faces both progressive pushback and concerns from lawyers that he would be blocked in court.

In the State of the Union, Biden ad-libbed a condemnation of the illegal" who is accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley; the next day, he expressed regret for using what some liberals consider a dehumanizing term. His campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, recently told the Washington Post that Biden was not advocating for shutting down the border."

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D., N.Y.), who won a hotly contested special election in February that largely revolved around the border issue, said his approach was proof that Democrats have to forcefully address issues where voters perceive them as weak. My strategy has always been to try to address the concerns people have," he said. People said, Thats not a Democratic issue. It is an American issue, and ignoring it is not going to work. I am encouraging my colleagues to keep on banging this drum."

Biden, Suozzi said, needs to remind voters of his moderate positions and bipartisan accomplishments. Everybody always says youve got to get the base out, but what weve lost track of is the fact that so many people are more moderate that are voting for Democrats," he said. A lot of what the president has done is to the middle," such as legislation on semiconductors, infrastructure and veterans, and his 2020 campaign was to the middle. He is genuinely a more middle of the road person. He just needs to manifest that more now."

Some strategists on the left disagree with the idea that Biden should tack to the center. It is a really damaging and verifiably false assumption that the way that you get folks that are conflicted is essentially running as a Republican lite," said Anat Shenker-Osorio, a communications consultant and senior adviser to the Research Collaborative, a progressive strategy consortium. The choice between turning out the base and persuading the center is a false one, she argued, because energized base voters are the best messengers for campaigns looking to build a broad coalition.

The voters currently toggling" between the candidates, Shenker-Osorio said, are largely young and disenchanted. Were Biden to take more conservative positions, it would only muddy the waters with these voters, who are already struggling to comprehend the elections stakes. Republicans are either an existential threat to all that we value, or they have some good ideas and were going to try to work with them," she said. If you try to say both of those things, one of those things is transparently BS."

The risks of turning against Israel

The Israel-Gaza war is another area where some worry Biden will end up paying too much heed to the progressive side, even as Irans drone and missile strikes against Israel over the weekend heightened the political uncertainty surrounding the conflict. The U.S. and its allies helped fend off the attacks, and Biden has said repeatedly that his support for Israels security is ironclad. But Biden has also been criticized by Republicans for urging Israel to be restrained in its response.

As casualties in Gaza have burgeoned, he and other Democrats have steadily increased their criticism of Israels conduct of the war and of Benjamin Netanyahus government. The president has had to scale back rallies and public appearances due to the ubiquity of anti-Israel protesters, who call him Genocide Joe" and smear red paint on the White House gates. Bidens campaign has repeatedly sent emissaries to placate inflamed Arab-American voters, and some left-wing members of Congress held up Stop Sending Bombs" signs during the State of the Union. Progressives have called for conditions on U.S. aid and suspension of arms sales to the Jewish state, steps Biden has so far refused to take.

There is no question that American public opinion has trended steadily negative toward Israel and its conduct in the brutal conflict. Yet there is little evidence Bidens support for Israel has eroded his electoral prospects. A well-funded, high-profile campaign to get Democratic voters to mark uncommitted" on their primary ballots in Michigans February primary netted just 13% of the vote, barely more than the 11% who voted uncommitted" when President Obama was up for re-election in 2012. The 104,000 voters who picked that option was smaller than the 154,000-vote margin by which Biden won the state in 2020.

In the February WSJ national poll, 60% of voters disapproved of Bidens handling of the Gaza conflict, an 8-point increase from December. Other polls have found voters trust Trump more than Biden to handle the conflict. Trump hasnt laid out a clear plan for how he would approach the issue, publicly urging Israel to get the war over with or risk damaging its international standing. His administration was known for strongly favoring Israel and disregarding Palestinian prerogatives.

Mark Mellman, a Democratic pollster and president of Democratic Majority for Israel, said Bidens poor marks on the issue arent a result of widespread opposition to his support for the Jewish state. People assume that being upset about the conflict means being upset about supporting Israel, but thats not true," he said. Biden should keep in mind, Mellman said, that most Americans still support Israel overall. When you create distance, there is a risk on the other sidea risk of losing the pro-Israel community, which is significantly larger than the anti-Israel group."

Many center-left operatives point out that the number of voters casting protest votes against Biden has been significantly smaller than the number coming out to make a statement against Trump, including tens of thousands who have voted for Haley in primaries even after she dropped out of the race.

It is those voters that Biden most needs to reach to turn around his electoral prospectspragmatic suburban moderates skeptical of far-left policies. The swing voters I represent are resilient people, but they want to see that the government is going to make their hard times less hard," said Rep. Susie Lee, a Democrat who represents a swing district in Nevada and a leader of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. Biden has demonstrated better than any president in my lifetime that he can work with both sides and actually get tough things done. The challenge is to make people understand that."

Write to Molly Ball at molly.ball@wsj.com
A ram she owned had become very ill-tempered and was picking on his castrated fieldmate. Was there anything the other shepherdesses could suggest to calm him?

The replies came back within minutes: Lynx Africa.

Lynx is the U.K. name for the popular deodorant sold in the U.S. as Axe, a product that for decades has been marketed as a way for young men to become instantly irresistible to lasses.

In recent years, some shepherdesses have discovered the deodorant has an auxiliary benefit: When used among their flocks, it masks the hormones that get the boys butting heads.

Theres no argy-bargy, no rowing," Bryce says of the deodorants effects.

Since getting clued in, Bryce has regularly used a few long sprays of Lynx on Cash and Casper, two testosterone-addled 4-year-old rams she keeps some 100 miles northeast of London. The pair have lived together since they were five months old but are prone to fight following any period of separation.

They puff themselves up and square up to each other and make this grunting noise," explains Bryce, 55 years old, who often favors unwieldy Wellington boots paired with purple nail polish and sparkly eye shadow. Its like when you see drunk men put their fists up and say, Ill fight you. "

The deodorant isnt just for the fellas.

Caitlin Jenkins, a 31-year-old shepherdess in nearby Suffolk, has used Lynx to successfully convince ewes to mother orphaned lambs. Ewes identify their offspring by scent and spraying them both confuses the ewe into believing a lamb is her own, says Jenkins.

I always go for Lynx Africa because it has a very distinctive strong smell," she says. The ones that dont smell as strong have less chance of working."

Axe was first launched by Unilever in France in 1983 after the company saw a gap in the market for a strong deodorant that smelled like cologne. The brand was sold as Lynx in markets where the Axe trademark was already taken, including the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Twelve years later, Unilever launched Lynx Africa (and Axe Africa), a scent it marketed as deep and sensual with a fresh top note set on a warm oriental base." Unilever says Lynx Africa is the top-selling male fragrance in the U.K.

For years the brands ads drew complaints for being degrading to women. One early 2000s ad showed a teenage boy putting his feet against the nose of a girl in a library, who responded by enthusiastically licking them.

In the animal kingdom, the horn turtle seduces the female by drumming his long toenails across her snout," said the voice-over. Thank goodness humans have the Lynx effect."

Over the past few years Unilever has tried to reinvent Axe to be a more inclusive brand with more sophisticated fragrances and less gauche advertising. Its recent ads for Lynx Africa features a talking goata play on the acronym GOAT, for Greatest of All Timewhose curving horns, coincidentally, make it resemble a ram.

Unilever, which declined to comment, has said that Axe isnt tested on animals.

The shepherdesses say theyre careful to avoid the animals eyes while spraying them.

As a child, Bryce enjoyed milking her neighbors goats. After retiring as a police officer 18 years ago following a back injury, she decided in a mad moment" to keep some sheep. She now owns what she calls a hobby flock" of about 30 sheep.

Being a police officer is quite a high-adrenaline job. No day was the same and I think that describes sheep really wellyou never know what theyre going to get up to," she says as a bleating long-legged lamb skips past and then leaps into the air for no apparent reason. I adore my sheep, but theyre the naughtiest things Ive ever owned."

Bryce says Lynx is especially helpful after Caspera horned llanwern Cross Ryelandand Casha woolly white Jacobhave been out mating with ewes. When the rams come back from tupping, they stink," Bryce says. They need a powerful smell."

On a rainy spring morning, Cash and Casper chomp on a breakfast mix of barley, molasses and rapeseed in adjoining pens as a peacock and peahenchristened Charles and Camillaflap about on a nearby roof. Cash finishes first and occasionally charges at the barrier separating him from Casper, running his mouth along the metal and butting it with his nose. Those are all displays of dominance," says Bryce.

Half a world away in Gisborne, New Zealand, 43-year-old sheep and beef farmer Toby Williams is also a Lynx userbut only for himself, not his 60 rams.

He has used Unilevers Brut, Procter & Gambles Old Spice and Johnson & Johnson baby powder to convince ewes to mother orphaned lambs. They all work the same," he says. The point is youre providing a scent that confuses the animal."

The fifth-generation farmer is skeptical that the Lynx Africa technique works, given how prone to fighting rams are, but agrees the principle is sound. Animals can see each other, but smell is what lets them know its one of their friends," he says. Its triggering rams to say, This is my mate. I dont need to fight him."

Bryce says without Lynx, Casper and Cash get full of themselves" and start to bicker," so she likes to keep a couple of cans on hand.

Im not the only nutter, lots of ladies have it in their tool kit," she says. Its quite a well-known thing among the ladiesthe shepherdessesthat Lynx works."
Tezos, an energy-efficient blockchain, returns to Art Basel at Art Basel Hong Kong 2022 as a leading choice for upcoming and prominent contemporary artists in the world of NFT art

Titled NFTs + The Ever-Evolving World of Art, the exhibition will be displayed at Art Basel Hong Kong from May 27 to 29 2022, and will showcase the next frontier in digital contemporary art, with a spotlight on generative art

The interactive exhibition space will feature a showcase designed in collaboration with leading generative art platform FXhash, allowing visitors to receive a unique generative artwork NFT from participating artists in a first-of-its kind interactive NFT gallery experience

Hong Kong Arts Festival 2014, Photo credit to Art Basel: Encounters GuWenda_May 15th 2014

Under Creative Common

#NFT #artbasel #tezos #NFTArt #TheEverEvolvingWorldOfArt #HongKong #cryptocurrency #KukaiApp

Non-fungible tokens (NFT) and generative art will be making waves at this years Art Basel Hong Kong in an exhibition built on Tezos (www.tezos.com), an energy-efficient public blockchain. Running from May 27 to 29, NFTs + The Ever-Evolving World of Art marks the very first Tezos exhibition at Art Basel Hong Kong and will showcase the works of over 20 contemporary generative digital artists from around the world, each distinguished by their own unique styles and disciplines, effectively showcasing the diversity, strength, and potential of NFTs as an art medium.

With a dedicated 250m2 exhibition space located at Hall 1A of Hong Kongs Convention & Exhibition Centre, NFTs + The Ever-Evolving World of Art will see numerous projected works by leading generative and NFT artists hailing from the region across Brunei, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea. The exhibition will also see global representation, with artists from both North America and Europe, specifically from Bulgaria, Canada, France, Poland, Serbia, Switzerland, and the United States.

Participating artists include renowned Filipino painter and interdisciplinary artist Bjorn Calleja, whose works reflect the interplay between the micro- and macrocosms of humans within and against their environments; award-winning Singaporean artist Yeo Shih Yun who fuses traditional Chinese ink painting with contemporary new mediums; Chinas Song Ting who created the very first NFT artwork to be auctioned on China Guardian, one of the worlds largest auction houses; as well as Franco-Canadian artist Nicolas Sassoon whose work, characterized by pixelated forms and figures, has been exhibited at renowned institutions such as the Whitney Museum of American Art (US), Victoria & Albert Museum (UK), and Centre Pompidou (FR).

The space will also include the renowned work of artists from around the globe:

Nicolas Sassoon (France) Qingnan Tan (Random Combo) (China), Chaeseok (CS) Lim (South Korea), Lionel Radisson (makio135) (France), Yazid Azahari (Brunei), Munira Hamzah (Mumu the stan) (Malaysia), Iskra Velitchkova (Bulgaria), Michael Zancan (France), Sarah Ridgley (United States), Aleksandra Jovanic (Serbia), Park Se Jin (08AM) (South Korea), Fan Yi Wen (Reva) (China), Matt DesLauriers (Canada), and Wieslaw Borkowski (baiwei) (Poland).

The overall exhibit incorporates a first-of-its-kind interactive installation created in collaboration with FXhash, a leading generative art NFT marketplace on Tezos. Visitors to the space will be able to interact with the installation and live-mint a 1/1 generative artwork NFT from one of the participating artist series, which will be simultaneously displayed in the installation and also sent to the visitors own NFT wallet as a gift. Designed as a generative living experience, the installation will update itself in real-time as artworks are created and gifted, replenishing the art on the wall with new renditions, also each unique 1/1 NFTs created by world-renowned artists. Participating in this interactive generative art installation will be Yazid Azahari, Sarah Ridgley, Marcelo Soria-Rodriguez, Ryan Bell, Jinyao Lin, Aluan Wang, Max Oshima (Lunarean), and Aleksandra Jovanic. Generative artworks are seen as a collaborative effort between human and machine, where an artist creates an algorithm that is capable of producing pieces independentlyonce triggered by some input from the user, unique artwork is generated based on the algorithmic vision of the artist.

The interactive installation is expected to generate and gift between 5,000-8,000 editions of the works of the participating generative artists. To interact, visitors will scan a QR code in this exhibition space which will trigger the live-minting of a new artwork, which will then be projected in the exhibition. This will all take place in real-time, giving audiences a first-hand opportunity to engage and collaboratively generate their own one-of-a-kind artwork. These works will be minted as NFTs on the Tezos blockchain and will be accessible via Tezos browser-based Kukai (https://kukai.app/) wallet. Users will automatically be issued a wallet at the point of minting, created via direct authorization login to ones social media account of choice.

Singaporean visual artist, Yeo Shih Yun

Photo credit: Artwork Archive

Commenting on the upcoming exhibition, Singaporean visual artist Yeo Shih Yun said: Throughout the course of the history of the art world, definitions as to what constitutes art have evolved over time. To see NFTs making their way to yet another edition of Art Basel points to the growing legitimacy of the medium as artists and collectors around the world recognize its value beyond crypto circles and social media. For artists such as myself, NFTs have provided a valuable platform to further my craft while enabling me to connect with a community of millions of creators whove all rallied around this technology and its ability to empower creatives across the globe.

Yeo Shih Yun is a renowned Singaporean contemporary artist whose works reinterpret the traditional craft of Chinese ink painting with new media and performance art. To date, her works have received both local and international acclaim, including a commission by the Singapore Art Museum in 2011  the countrys first fully dedicated contemporary visual arts museum. Shih Yuns painting, Conversations with Trees was one of the finalists nominated for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize and was awarded the Sovereign Asian Art Prize Peoples Choice Award in 2012, before the painting was finally auctioned by Christies Asia. In 1999 and 2007, Shih Yun also won the UOB Painting of the Year Competition (Distinction in Abstract category).

Looking at art in its totality, the most substantial increase in sales amongst the different regions was attributed to Asia, with an aggregate rise of 31%. The biggest contributors to this uptick include countries such as Hong Kong SAR, Singapore and Japan. While US buyers still accounted for the biggest portion of sales made in 2021, Asian collectors made up one third of all bids by value worldwide and almost half (46%) of the bid-on or bought lots over $5 million. This trend is mirrored in the NFTs space. Today, the continent is home to four out of five of the most NFT-curious countries in the world, with Central and Southeast Asia accounting for 35 percent of the US$22 billion global NFT industry. With such excitement concentrated in the continent, the exhibition looks to celebrate the staggering rise of NFT art and the potential that it stands to bring to the traditional art world. In particular, the exhibition also seeks to spotlight generative art, a category of art that is squarely at the intersection of art and technology.

Commenting on the exhibition, Katherine Ng, Head of Marketing and Operations at TZ APAC, said: As the leading contemporary art fair in the world, its exciting to once again see the art community able to gather and celebrate the spirit of innovation in todays art scene. To have the opportunity to showcase some of the worlds leading digital art talent is at the heart of what the Tezos ecosystem is celebrated for. NFTs have given these creators an unprecedented opportunity to reach new audiences, hone their craft, and make a name for themselves in an online forum, effectively rewriting the rulebook when it comes to the accessibility of the art world.

In addition to the live-minting interactive showcase, the Tezos experience space will also feature a Genius Bar-style set-up, enabling artists, gallerists, and curators to learn more about NFTs directly from the Tezos ecosystem teams.

In line with this years theme of NFTs + the Ever-Evolving World of Art, were excited to showcase especially innovative works that point to NFTs and their limitlessness as a medium, empowering artists as it redefines the scope and scale of todays art world in the digital age. Its time that we recognize this new generation of digital talent in a traditional forum as the worlds of modern art, technology, and the creator economy continue to converge, continued Katherine.

With its energy-efficient design and low transaction fees, the Tezos ecosystem has cultivated a strong foundation of NFT artists, collectors, and builders from around the world, including cutting-edge brands looking to further their footprint in Web3. These include Formula 1 racing teams Red Bull Honda Racing and McLaren Racing, banking behemoth Societe Generale, gaming giant Ubisoft, American fashion brand GAP, and many more.

Art Basel Hong Kong 2022 will feature 130 local and international exhibitors. For those unable to attend the event in person, galleries will also be presenting their work online as part of Art Basel Live: Hong Kong, in dedicated Online Viewing Rooms. NFTs and the Ever-Evolving World of Art will be on view on an invite-only basis from May 24 to 30, 2022, with access to the general public from May 27 to 29, 2022 at Hong Kongs Convention & Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. For more information, please visit: https://artbasel.com/hong-kong/at-the-show

Singaporean visual artist Yeo Shih Yun and TZ APAC Head of Marketing and Operations Katherine Ng are both available for interviews

About Tezos

Tezos is smart money, redefining what it means to hold and exchange value in a digitally connected world. A self-upgradable and energy-efficient Proof of Stake blockchain with a proven track record, Tezos seamlessly adopts tomorrows innovations without network disruptions today. For more information, please visit www.tezos.com.

About TZ APAC

TZ APAC Pte. Ltd. (TZ APAC) is the leading Asia-based blockchain adoption entity supporting the Tezos ecosystem. It designs value-added blockchain transformation strategies for enterprises and creators with a bottom-up approach, working closely with blockchain experts and other stakeholders in the Tezos ecosystem. TZ APAC is supported by the Tezos Foundation and is headquartered in Singapore. For more information, please visit www.tzapac.com.

About FXhash

FXhash is an open platform where artists can publish Generative Tokens which are stored on the Tezos blockchain. Generative Tokens are programs designed to produce random outputs. Once a Generative Token is enabled (when the artist decides it), anyone with a Tezos wallet can mint their own unique iteration of the Generative Token. Each iteration produces a unique piece that is stored as an NFT on the Tezos blockchain. The NFTs are FA2 compliant, which means that they can be exchanged like any other NFT everywhere in the Tezos ecosystem. For more information, please visit: www.fxhash.xyz.

About Art Basel

Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the worlds premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, and Hong Kong. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basels engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms and a number of new initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report, Intersections: The Art Basel Podcast, and the BMW Art Journey. Art Basels Global Media Partner is The Financial Times. For further information, please visit www.artbasel.com.

SOURCE TZ APAC
#stocks #bullish #retail #cryptos #blockchain #metals #economy #politics #memes #money

$SPY $QQQ $RUT $DIA $VXX $USO $GLD $DXY $USD $BTCUSD $ETHUSD $GBITSUSD

Consumer Discretionary outperformed on the day, as Christmas holiday shopping has spiked Paul Ebeling

DJIA -211.17 to 35931.05, NAS Comp-52.28 to 15921.58, S&P 500-12.23 to 4688.67

Wednesday, the S&P 500 declined 0.3%, the NAS Comp (-0.3%) and DJIA (-0.6%), while the Russell 2000 (-1.2%) underperformed.

Decliners outpaced advancers by a 2:1 margin at the NYSE and NAS, and 7 of the 11 S&P 500 sectors closed in the Red. The energy (-1.7%), financials (-1.1%), materials (-0.6%), and industrials (-0.6%) sectors underperformed.

S&P 500 +24.8% YTD

NAS Comp +23.5% YTD

Russell 2000 +20.4% YTD

DJIA +17.4% YTD

Memes

Camber Energy Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:CEI) stock Topped Wednesdays advancing meme stocks, as a company that has licensed its technology to Camber has defended itself against a short seller report calling the license nearly worthless.

Shares of Camber Energy traded up about 30%, at $1.44 in a 52-wk range of $0.33 to 4.85. The trading volume came in at 271-M/shares.

Cryptos

Cryptocurrencies can be relied upon to do 1 thing, polarize investors. The crypto Bull market is far from over.

With bitcoin (BTCUSD) and Ethereum (ETHUSD) hovering near all-time highs, we are Bullish that the Top cryptocurrencies, and the crypto space as a whole, will continue its rapid growth and ascension for the remainder of the yr. And according to Blockchain.com founder Peter Smith, Y 2022 will see more competition emerge in the industry.

Its very hard to have lost money in crypto over the last year, Mr. Smith said. Some people have managed to do it, but its quite hard. And so were going to get into a harder, more competitive environment, I think, over the next year. And thats actually going to be net good for the market because its going to start separating the good from the bad.

And GBITSUSD is a good example, having opened in Q-1 of Y 2021 at $00,50/each and are now trading at $446.939.

The market will gravitate towards crypto platforms that are seeing the highest growth from a usage perspective rather than solely from an investment standpoint. This dynamic will distinguish the momentum machines from crypto platforms with real technical value.

Key Commodities

WTI Crude Oil futures settled lower by 3.1%, or $2.46, to $78.31/bbl.

Gold futures settled $16.10 higher (+0.9%) at $1,870.20/oz, as lower dollar and treasury yields provided a boost.

The US Dollar Index is down about -0.1% to $95.81.

The Economy

October housing starts declined 0.7% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.52-M units (consensus 1.59-M) from a downwardly revised 1.53-M (from 1.55-M) in September.

Building permits brought a positive surprise, rising 4.0% to 1.65-M (consensus 1.64) from a downwardly revised 1.586-M in September. The Key takeaway from the report is that there was strength in permits, a leading indicator for single units and multi-family units in all regions. Single-unit permits were up 2.7% month-over-month, led by gains in all regions except the West (-0.4%).

The weekly MBA Mortgage Applications Index decreased 2.8% following a 5.5% increase in the prior week.

Looking Ahead: Investors will receive weekly Initial and Continuing Claims, the Philadelphia Fed Index for November, and the Conference Boards Leading Economic Index for October Thursday.

Politics

Mr. Biden asked the FTC to further examine what is happening with oil and gas markets, and the EIA reported an unexpected draw in weekly crude inventories.

Have a prosperous day, Keep the Faith!
Early 2023 will see to a new movement for Google, as they strike a deal with Coinbase. Google and Coinbase will partner in a payments process for Googles Cloud Services. Only certain Cryptocurrencies will be accepted to make these Cloud Service payments.

Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, mentioned that they want to build Web3 more efficiently. In hopes to be faster and more user friendly. The team of the Google Cloud is proud Coinbase has chosen Google Cloud as its strategic cloud partner and is ready to serve the thriving global Web3 customer and partner ecosystem.

We are excited Google Cloud has selected Coinbase to help bring Web3 to a new set of users and provide powerful solutions to developers. Coinbase has over 100 million verified users and 14,500 institutional clients. Not to mention, Coinbase has spent more than a decade building industry-leading products on top of blockchain technology.  said Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong.

The payments of crypto will only be available to:

Companies that are working in the Web3 space with a limited number of cryptocurrencies.



10 Assets Supported:

Bitcoin, Ethereum, USD Coin, Tether USD, ApeCoin, Bitcoin Cash, DAI, Dogecoin, Litecoin and Shiba Inu.

Over time, the amount of Cryptocurrencies available will expand.

Under this new partnership, Coinbase exchange will now be able to use Googles fiber-optic network. This will better strengthen their global reach. Googles Bigquery crypto public datasets will be powered by Coinbase Cloud Nodes. Done all across leading blockchains, accessible to Web3 developers.
#crypto #metaverse #web3 #Paris #France

Metaverse Summit has announced its official event dates for its 2022 Paris edition as of July 16-17, 2022. Metaverse Summit is an international convention that celebrates the metaverses technology and creativity. Metaverse Summit brings together leading metaverse entrepreneurs, builders, investors and experts to discuss and collaborate on the open metaverses future.

Metaverse Summit provides a venue for cooperation between companies and organizations to foster the development of an open, interoperable and inclusive metaverse, and accelerate their development and deployment through innovative and creative startups and projects.

More than 200 Key industry leaders are confirmed to speak at the Metaverse Summit conference including Sebastian Borget, co-founder of The Sandbox, Liko Subakti, CEO of Project Seed, Sandy Carter, SVP of Unstoppable Domains, Kevin Oranje, CEO of Interverse, Diego Di Tommaso, COO of Over the Reality, Jonathan Brun, CEO of Lighthouse, Rudy Lee of Zepeto and many more.

Yingzi Yuan, the founder of Metaverse Summit, said, The metaverse has gained tremendous traction during the past years and is expected to see continuous growth in the upcoming years and beyond. We are here to facilitate the growth of different stakeholders in the industry to help brands, startups and corporates find their place and strategy regarding [the] metaverse.

With its Y 2022 edition, Metaverse Summit will announce a community-driven DAO, which is a decentralized autonomous organization that aims to replace traditional corporate gatekeepers and their captive ecosystems by enabling the community of like-minded individuals to directly participate in the upside from their own efforts.

The Metaverse Summit DAO aims to accelerate the growth and adoption of the Open Metaverse Framework, a public utility that all creators and entrepreneurs can use and upon which anyone can build and most importantly derive value.

The Metaverse Summit will help individuals and businesses define their positioning and strategy in the future of technology by bridging the gap between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0. Early adoption is essential to creating an equitable Web 3.0 and ensuring women are leading the way.

Supported by French President Emmanuel Macron and centered around womens representation in Web 3.0, Metaverse Summit 2022 aims to promote diversity through the inclusivity of women in the technology and innovation sector.

French President Emmanuel Macron added,

Web 3.0 is at the same time a need and a potential.

He affirmed that cultural institutions in France should develop an NFT policy and support Web 3.0 innovation. He also mentioned that the metaverse and Web 3.0 could be helpful in the promotion of cultural and creative content.

Through the inclusion of women and underrepresented groups who are often relegated to secondary in the technology field, Metaverse Summit is opening the doors of diversity in the Web 3.0 industry. To encourage more females to share, learn and build, Metaverse Summit is collaborating with H.E.R. DAO and Unstoppable Women of Web 3.0.

About Metaverse Summit

Metaverse Summit gathers entrepreneurs, builders, investors and experts to explore and build the future of metaverse together. This year, Metaverse Summit is set to host the 1st female-founded Web 3.0 conference to explore and build metaverses future together. The two-day event on July 16th-17th, 2022, in Paris will be a unique moment for the international community to meet in person, discover new collaborations and develop projects.

Metaverse Summit

Have a prosperous weekend, Keep the Faith!
Actions speak louder than words, and Kyler Frawley is letting his lawn care in the community do the talking.

The fourth grader from Camelot Elementary School, in Lewiston, is on his 32nd lawn into the 50 Yard Challenge. The challenge is for boys and girls ages 8-17 to mow lawns for free for the elderly and disabled, single parents, veterans and anyone in need in the community.

Its all part of the national nonprofit Raising Men and Women Lawn Care Service, which provides opportunities for kids to give back to the community through lawn care. There is no time limit, but once kids finish, they receive a visit from the organizations founder, Rodney Smith Jr., and are given a new lawn mower, weed eater and blower.

Kyler started mowing the lawn at his own home in Lewiston and enjoyed it. Then he asked his neighbors if they wanted their lawns mowed.

Kyler began the challenge when his parents, Jason and Kelle Frawley, saw a Facebook post about Raising Men and Women. Kyler got signed up and began mowing lawns for the organization in the fall. In November, he was the Mower of the Month out of 5,000 kids around the country.

Its all about giving back to the community for those in need, Jason Frawley said.

Jason provides the transport and the equipment as well as assisting with the edging, but Kyler does all the work. Jason bought an electric mower for him to use because its lighter and easier for the 9-year-old to handle than a heavier gas-powered mower. Hes also been teaching Kyler about the cost of operating a business. When Kyler isnt mowing lawns for the 50 Yard Challenge hes mowing them as a part of his lawn care business. He even has his own business cards.

Kyler likes to see before-and-after photos of the yards he mows.

It looks satisfying, Kyler said.

In the fall and winter, when mowing lawns isnt on the to-do list, he picks up leaves and shovels snow, which is also included in the 50 Yard Challenge. One house really was a challenge. Jason Frawley said they picked up 32 bags of leaves.

That was an all-day job, he said.

The 50 Yard Challenge isnt the only way Kyler has given back. He and his family also nominated Kylee Wicks, his fourth grade teacher at Camelot Elementary, for Mowing for a Cause, another organization associated with Smith.

Smith travels to every state as people nominate causes for him to highlight on his social media account. Throughout the tour, Smith brings his lawn mower decorated with ribbons of different colors that support various causes, and at the end of the tour the mower is auctioned off. The proceeds then go to the charities that have been shared on social media such as Facebook, Instagram and X.

Kyler said Smith was going to all 50 states and he visited the Wicks family this past weekend when he stopped in Idaho. Kylee and her husband, Kyle, have a son, Krew, who has osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as OI.

OI is also known as brittle bones disease, which means Krew has fragile bones that have caused countless fractures, Wicks said. I havent even kept track.

Krew has also had several surgeries and recently had rods put in his legs to help stabilize his bones, which should help him grow. Wicks said its a rare condition, one she hadnt heard of until she and Kyle received the diagnosis.

That rarity caused the family to make connections with others with OI all over the county. Those other families have given the Wicks family medical advice and tips on how to talk with doctors, most of whom are unfamiliar with the disorder.

Most people just havent heard of it, Kylee Wicks said.

Wicks appreciated Smith sharing their sons disease with all his followers to spread awareness to a larger audience.
A 28-year-old Lewiston man was charged with two felony counts of having sexually exploitative material of a child.

An investigator with the Moscow Police Department received a cyber tip Nov. 3 from a cloud-based storage company used by Verizon about two files that appeared to be child pornography. Both are videos containing sexually explicit content of children ages 12-16, 10-14 and 14-18 engaging in sexual acts and having exposed genitals. The investigator found the number and name associated with the account, later identified as Isaac Plummer, after receiving a subpoena for the account from the Idaho Attorney Generals Office, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The investigator received an arrest warrant for Plummer, who is homeless, and his phone and vehicle. Plummer has a DUI case in Nez Perce County and was served with the warrant at the Nez Perce County Courthouse on Feb. 5 by Lewiston police. A forensic examination on Plummers phone and information from the phone allegedly match the information from the child pornography videos, according to the affidavit.
Washington has created a new apple variety  again. And its creators want you to name it.

WA 64 is a cross between a Honeycrisp and a Cripps Pink, also known as a Pink Lady. Its small to medium in size, pink and yellow, and has exceptional eating characteristics, according to Washington State Universitys College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences.

Although the new fruit wont be available in grocery stores until 2029, the university recently launched a contest to come up with a catchy name.

Feeling creative? You can enter online by May 5.

The winner will get a gift box that includes the new apples, a charcuterie board with the contest-winning name engraved, a can of Cougar Gold Cheese, WSU spice rubs, and a university-themed coffee cup and water bottle.

Name suggestions with some connection to the university or the state of Washington will be given preference, and researchers want something memorable and punchy, according to Jeremy Tamsen, director of innovation and commercialization at the college.

You must be at least 18 years old to enter, and no profanity, existing trademarks, references to illegal substances or mash-ups of the varietys parents names will fly.

Heres some background on the fruit to get the juices flowing.
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All future filings, along with the retrial for Justin Whaley, will all be done through the appellate court system as one case.
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A man who sexually abused his teenage daughter over a period of two years has been jailed for two and half years.

The 77-year-old man was convicted by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury following a trial last February. He had pleaded not (NOT) guilty to eight counts of indecent assault against a female on unknown dates between 1985 and 1987 at a location in Leinster.

The defendant has no previous convictions and cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim.

Passing sentence this Tuesday, Judge Sarah Berkeley set a headline sentence of five years, taking into account the circumstances of the offending and the moral culpability of the accused.

She noted from a victim impact statement before the court that the woman found the trial harrowing but she seems to have got some closure. She said the woman had indicated that she has returned to education and wished her the best.

Judge Berkeley said the man committed vile acts of abuse on a young woman describing it as a heinous crime, particularly considering that the victim was his daughter. She said he will be sentenced now but his daughter will live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of her life.

She said in imposing sentence she was taking into account the fact that he is undoubtedly in very poor health and that he had supported his family growing up. She accepted evidence that due to significant cardiac difficulties he is experiencing, he will need both care and medication in prison before she imposed a two and half year jail term.

At an earlier hearing, a local detective told Lisa Dempsey, BL, prosecuting, that the injured party in the case made a statement to gardai in December 2020. She disclosed that she had been abused as a teenager by her father.

The court heard that the injured party was overpowered and digitally penetrated both vaginally and anally by the defendant while he masturbated. As the injured party got older, the defendant would also touch her breasts.

The garda described one particular incident when the man pulled the young girl from the shower and abused her.

The court heard that the injured party grew up afraid, and to date, she still suffers from panic attacks and depression. During the trial, the injured party gave evidence that she had buried the abuse.

A victim impact statement was handed into the court but not read aloud.

The defendant attended a voluntary interview and denied all the allegations that had been made against him. He said that he had never put a hand on her and that the injured party needed serious help.

The detective agreed with Mark Lynam, SC, defending, that his client suffers from heart failure, has no previous convictions, and has worked all his life.

Mr Lynam said his client does not accept the verdict of the jury.

Counsel handed medical reports and a letter from the defendants GP to the court, which outlined his clients medical conditions and medications.

He said these are very serious offences but asked the court to consider suspending a portion of the prison sentence that she was to impose.
ICSA president Sean McNamara has said Minister McConalogue must act immediately to support farmers who are suffering enormously  both mentally and financially  due to the persistent bad weather.



Farmers across the country are facing immense challenges as a result of the severe wet weather conditions, with both their mental and financial well-being at stake. The Minister needs to listen to farmers, and he needs to offer support now, he said.

For low-income beef, sheep, suckler, and tillage farmers in particular, it is hard to keep everything ticking over at the best of times, but at the moment, it is next to impossible. Fodder reserves are depleting at an alarming rate, and the financial strain is mounting. Farmers have shown great resilience up to this point, but that resilience is waning.



Mr McNamara said the situation is made even worse by the refusal of the Department of Agriculture to offer farmers financial support thus far. Farmers feel abandoned at the moment. The prolonged winter and financial strain have pushed many farmers to their breaking point. There are a lot of stressed farmers out there, and many are feeling a sense of hopelessness.

Mr. McNamara said he is urging the Minister to use tomorrow's (Tuesday, April 9) convening of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) to finally address the issue of financial support for farmers. At the last sitting of the NFFSC, Department of Agriculture officials stated that there is no funding available to assist farmers. They simply cannot come with that same message tomorrow. Farmers need help, and they need it now.



As well as urgent financial aid for the purchase of meal and transportation of fodder, Mr. McNamara also called on the Minister to expedite the release of all outstanding farm scheme payments. At the very least, the Minister needs to ensure that any outstanding payments to farmers are expedited. Any monies owed to farmers must be paid without any more excuses.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: April 16 2024

Danny St. Louis and Samantha Wimmer Allegedly Sold Victims for Sex.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Danny St. Louis, 43, of Bay Shore, and Samantha Wimmer, 37, of Central Islip, were indicted for sex trafficking and other related charges, for the alleged commercial sexual exploitation of two female victims. St. Louis is also indicted for allegedly raping a 13-year-old child numerous times.

Sex trafficking a human being is heinous and intolerable, and these are serious allegations that we look forward to proving in court, said District Attorney Tierney. I am committed to ensuring that our vulnerable populations are protected from predators who seek to violate and exploit women and children, by whatever lawful means available.

According to the investigation, in early 2023, St. Louis allegedly met a 13-year-old child through a mutual acquaintance and provided her with cocaine. St. Louis allegedly began to communicate with the child regularly and then began to sexually abuse her. During that time, St. Louis allegedly introduced the child to crack cocaine, causing her to become addicted to the drug. The abuse continued until October 2023, after the victim had run away from a residential drug treatment facility and was found by police on October 8, 2023, in a hotel room with St. Louis. Wimmer was allegedly staying in a separate room in the same hotel.

From this incident, St. Louis was arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor, and Unlawful Dealing with a Child, a Class A misdemeanor. St. Louis was arraigned on those charges and released from jail without bail because both charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail. While that case was pending, law enforcement continued to investigate the full extent of the abuse that the 13-year-old victim had allegedly suffered.

Between March 2023 and March 2024, St. Louis allegedly advertised and sold women for sex several times to various buyers, using heroin and crack cocaine as a method of maintaining control over at least one of the victims. Wimmer allegedly assisted St. Louis in photographing and advertising the victim they controlled with drugs. Additionally, St. Louis allegedly took that victims identification and phone to prevent her from leaving or refusing to engage in sex for his own profit.

On March 3, 2024, St. Louis allegedly arranged to have a 20-year-old woman meet him at the hotel room that he and Wimmer were staying in. St. Louis then allegedly provided that woman with crack cocaine, and then would not let the victim leave the hotel room for two days, prompting her family to file a missing person report with authorities. At one point, St. Louis allegedly accused the victim of stealing crack cocaine from him and forced her to undress, shower, and then have sex with him as punishment. Wimmer allegedly filmed that rape, and she and St. Louis discussed a plan to use the video as an advertisement to sell the victim to sex buyers. On March 5, 2024, the victim had an opportunity to get away from St. Louis and Wimmer and fled the hotel to call her family. The victims family then notified the police, who went and recovered the victim.

On March 14, 2024, both defendants were arrested after Wimmer allegedly agreed to provide a buyer with sex and drugs in exchange for money.

St. Louis was indicted on the following charges:

One count of Rape in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;

One count of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;

Two counts of Sex Trafficking, Class B felonies;

Two counts of Attempted Sex Trafficking, Class C felonies;

One count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, a Class C felony;

One count of Strangulation, a Class D violent felony;

Ten counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies;

Three counts of Rape in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies;

One count of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, a Class D felony;

One count of Rape in the Third Degree, a Class E felony;

One count of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a Class E felony;

One count of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, a Class E felony;

One count of Unlawfully Dealing with a Child, a Class A misdemeanor;

One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor; and

One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Wimmer was indicted on the following charges:

One count of Sex Trafficking, a Class B felony;

Two counts of Attempted Sex Trafficking, Class C felonies;

One count of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and

One count of Prostitution, a Class A misdemeanor.

On April 11, 2024, St. Louis and Wimmer were arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei.

Justice Mazzei ordered St. Louis held without bail during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on May 6, 2024, and is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

Justice Mazzei ordered Wimmer held on $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, or $5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. She is due back in court on May 9, 2024, and is being represented by Peter Mayer, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Dana Castaldo and Zachary Kelly of the Human Trafficking, Elder Abuse, Anti-Bias Team (HEAT) Unit, and the investigation was conducted by members of the Suffolk County Police Departments Human Trafficking Investigations Unit, the First, Third, and Sixth Squads of the Suffolk County Police Department, as well as Detective Investigators from the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: April 15 2024

Yunus Irwan shot and seriously wounded the clerk at Da Smoke Spot during an attempted robbery in March 2022.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that an Elmhurst man was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for the shooting of a retail clerk at an Oceanside smoke shop during an attempted robbery in March 2022.

Yunus Irwan, 21, pleaded guilty on March 4, 2024, to Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (a B violent felony). The defendant was sentenced today before Judge Tammy Robbins to 12 years in prison and five years post release supervision. NCDA recommended a sentence of 17 years in prison.

During a botched robbery attempt, this defendant pulled a gun and fired point-blank into a store clerks chest, nearly killing him, said DA Donnelly. The employee was hospitalized for several weeks and underwent multiple surgeries, removing a piece of his lung which continues to impact his ability to breathe. I thank the detectives of the 4th Precinct Squad for their dogged investigative work that led to this defendants arrest, and my prosecutors for securing todays prison sentence.

DA Donnelly said, according to the charges, on March 6, 2022, at approximately 3:19 p.m., the defendant entered Da Smoke Spot at 230 Merrick Road in Oceanside intending to rob the store.

The defendant approached the store clerk and engaged him in conversation.

The clerk then walked toward the back of the store and the defendant followed him, pulling out a semi-automatic firearm. When the clerk turned around, the defendant shot him multiple times.

The victim was shot in the chest and hand and suffered extensive physical injuries, including damage to his lung that required a piece of his lung to be removed and permanent mobility loss in his left hand. He was hospitalized for approximately three weeks recovering from the shooting and requires ongoing medical treatment for his injuries.

While fleeing the store after the shooting, the defendant touched a glass display case leaving behind a fingerprint which later helped to identify him as the shooter.

A co-defendant, Jennifer Crespin-Gomes, 22, of Astoria, Queens, previously pleaded guilty to Assault in the First Degree on December 12, 2022, and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Irwan was arrested by Detectives of the Nassau County Police Departments 4th Precinct Squad on April 10, 2023.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: April 16 2024

Dominick Pursino, a 22 year old Hofstra University student from Hempstead, has been selected as the winner of an all-expense paid trip to the invasion beach this June.

Following a regional wide challenge for college and high school students to submit an essay regarding the lasting legacy of D-Day some 80 years after the historic World War II invasion by Allied forces, Dominick Pursino, a 22 year old Hofstra University student from Hempstead, has been selected as the winner of an all-expense paid trip to the invasion beach this June. His visit will be coordinated by the internationally respected Beaches of Normandy Tours.

The founder and president of the Museum of American Armor, Lawrence Kadish, was the underwriter of the challenge in the belief that many of todays generation are not aware of the legacy of D-Day that continues to touch their lives.

Mr. Kadish noted, A survey by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) found that a quarter of Americans didnt know that D-Day occurred during World War II and less than half knew that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was president during that time. With such basic historic facts unknown to many college students, there is little surprise that few appreciate how our geo-political world is defined by the courage, valor, and sacrifice of Americans who answered the call of freedom over seventy-five years ago.

In considering the undisguised joy of those under Nazi rule being liberated by the Allies following D-Day, Pursino wrote, When I was a boy, my grandmother would tell me hundreds of stories about her childhood, living in the small Italian seaside town of Giovinazzo. Out of all the stories she would tell, the one that stuck out to me the most was the story about the Nazi occupation in her hometown. The loud, menacing and synchronous marching of German troops in formation were heard from miles away instilling fear into my grandmother's daily life and the rest of the people in the town. There was a constant state of terror in whatever street, alleyway or town the Nazis stepped foot in. In these occupied nations like my grandmothers town the people suffered. Genocide, persecution, forced labor, and severe punishments were given out to the people who spoke out against their occupation.

I will always remember when an American D-day veteran hosted an assembly when I was in middle school. He referred to the Omaha Beach where he landed as a vast killing field with death flying down like raindrops during a thunderstorm. I could never fathom the murderous atmosphere that these soldiers endured when storming the beaches, hopping off the boats to their likely death, Pursino reflected in his essay.

Armor Museum Senior Trustee Michael D. Sapraicone, stated, Dominics essay reflected his unique understanding of the valor and courage of those who engaged in historys largest amphibious assault and how their sacrifice liberated an enslaved continent. We continue to be in the debt of those who came ashore and those who dropped behind enemy lines in what history has called The longest day.

The Hofstra student is a senior intent on pursuing a Masters Degree with hopes of becoming a history teacher with a discipline in special education.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff speaking to Israeli Air Force personnel at the Nevatim base. (IDF)

Israel Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi went to Israels sprawling Nevatim air base in the Negev to visit the pilots and air crews that played a key role in defending Israel when Iran attacked it with 350 drones and missiles. It is now believed that around 120 of these were ballistic missiles, 170 were drones, and 30 were cruise missiles. US Central Command said it intercepted 80 of the drones, and US naval ships downed six ballistic missiles.

The Israeli air force intercepted numerous drones and worked in cooperation with other countries and militaries in the region. This was an unprecedented level of cooperation made possible by the IDF conducting joint training with the US, UK, France and other countries over the last several years. The Israel Defense Forces  together with the United States Central Command; the British Armed Forces; the French Armed Forces, and other partners  operated together in real-time  in the air, on the ground and at sea, Halevi said. Israel has a name for its operation responding to the Iranian attack: Iron Shield.

The IDF believes that Irans attack has created new opportunities for cooperation in the Middle East, Halevi noted. He also said Israel is now assessing the situation and is at a high-state of readiness for what may come next. We will choose our response accordingly. Israel must now decide if it wants to respond to the Iranian attack and if so, how it will respond. The Iranian attack unfolded from multiple directions, including from the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, and Hezbollah also attacked Israel on April 13 and April 14. This means that Israel continues to face the multi-front war that Iran has sought to put in place over the last year. Iran has operationalized its proxies and allies in the region in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. The attack on April 13-14 was another watershed moment in this conflict, because it illustrates the force that Iran could mobilize in terms of missiles and drones and showcased the air defenses that Israel and other countries could bring together at the right place and time.

At the same time as Israel is considering a response to Irans attack, the Israel Defense Minister convened discussions regarding a possible operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Minister Gallant discussed a series of measures to be taken in preparation for operations in Rafah, with an emphasis on the evacuation of civilians and the expansion of activities related to the delivery of food and medical equipment to Gaza, Gallants office said on April 15. His office also noted that the Director General of the Ministry of Defense and Head of COGAT were at the meeting. COGAT is the IDFs branch that has been dealing with the humanitarian aid issue in Gaza and coordinating with various organizations that provide aid. Gallant has made it clear that Israel is focused on stabilizing the aid situation and bringing more aid to northern Gaza, an apparent prelude to being able to move displaced people out of Rafah.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
LIVONIA, MICH.  Four broadcast and cinema arts alumni and a music alumnus will premiere their film, Lady Parts, at the prestigious Florida Film Festival in Orlando. Being selected for inclusion in the Festival's "Narrative Features" competition is a high honor. The 10-day celebration of filmmakers and their art features a diverse array of events, including an Oscar accredited American Independent Film Competition.

The talented broadcast and cinema arts alumni include Nancy Boyd ('18), director; Meghan Griesbeck ('18), producer; Davis Clenney ('18), colorist; Brett Wheat ('11), production assistant; and music major Jacob Eliett ('17), production sound mixer.

According to the Festival's website, Lady Parts follows the story of Paige, portrayed with hilariously deadpan charm by Valentina Tammaro, as she navigates the challenges of pursuing her dream career in Los Angeles. However, her plans are abruptly halted when she is forced to move back in with her parents and undergo a vulvar vestibulectomy to alleviate years of vaginal pain. The film shows Paige's excruciating yet humorous journey to recovery in which the wellbeing of her lady parts becomes a family affair as her supportive and overenthusiastic parents learn to advocate for women's health.

Based on the true story of writer/ executive producer Bonnie Gross, Lady Parts offers a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud funny, and brutally honest portrayal of an experience that many women face but often find difficult to discuss. Director Nancy Boyd skillfully brings Gross's story to life, drawing from her own personal experiences and the challenges women encounter in accessing treatment.

"I had the incredible opportunity to direct a feature film for my capstone class at Madonna University," said Nancy Boyd, director. "It gave me a huge leg up when it came to my experience directing. The short films I made helped me hone my voice and understand the craft, but directing a feature film is a beast that you can only really prepare for by doing it. I'm eternally grateful that I had the opportunity at Madonna University, with a soft place to land when I made mistakes."

BCA Program Director Suzanne Boyd said this about the film and Madonna alumni, "A testament to the talent and dedication of Madonna University alumni, Lady Parts reflects their commitment to storytelling and the craft of filmmaking. Their success at the Florida Film Festival marks a significant milestone in their careers and underscores the program's ongoing legacy of nurturing creative talent."

Hosted by the historic Enzian Theater, the Florida Film Festival has been recognized as "one of the top 50 festivals" by indieWIRE and as one of the top 10 festivals in the world by festival expert Chris Gore. Nestled among prestigious events like Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, Berlin, and SXSW, the Festival continues to uphold its reputation for excellence in showcasing the finest works of American independent and foreign cinema.

The world premiere of Lady Parts took place at the Enzian Theater, Sunday, April 14, at 5:00 pm., and will run again Wednesday, April 17, at 7:00 pm at the Regal Theater in Orlando. More information about Lady Parts can be found on the Florida Film Festival's website.
LIVONIA, MICH.  Madonna University's Social Work program continues its commitment to social justice by providing students with opportunities to engage in advocacy efforts.

On March 21st, the program hosted "Ink for Advocacy," an event that allowed students to write letters directly to policymakers, register to vote with the League of Women Voters, and learn more about expanding voting rights in Michigan. This initiative demonstrates the program's dedication to empowering students to participate in the democratic process and advocate for social change.

Social work students Meg Halstead (MSW) and Sara Pitchford (BSW) recently joined the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Michigan chapter for Capitol Action Day in Lansing. They met with the legislative aide for State Representative Carrie Rheingan to advocate for the Social Work Licensure Modernization Act and legislation promoting a more robust mental healthcare system.

The "Ink for Advocacy" event and student participation in Capitol Action Day offered a glimpse into the important conversations happening and both the state and national levels regarding voter rights and mental health care access, and students were able to actively contribute to these discussions through their participation.
Motorola is rolling out three new smartphones where the home screen, texts, settings and everything else can read in Te Reo.

Although Maori keyboards are available on other smartphones, their new Moto G collection is the first smart device range where the whole interface is in the language. It's not the default, but users can make Te Reo the phone's main language if they wish.

Motorola's head of operations and execution Rachael Gauci said there's a growing demand for such a feature and it's an important step in making digital technology more suitable for all.

"With enthusiasm and uptake in the Maori language continuing to grow in New Zealand, we want to offer people more choices for their language preferences, in turn providing a greater level of familiarity and control with their device," she said.

"Through this initiative, Motorola is working to inspire more action towards the revitalisation of indigenous languages and close the gap in digitally inclusive technology."

The three phones in the range are also a lot less expensive than more popular smart devices. The Moto G34 5G is $319, the Moto G24 is $239 and the Moto G04 is $199.

Motorola's head of Greater Asia Pacific Kurt Bonucci reckons they've still managed to pack in high-demand features, despite the lower price point.

"Our mission is to create innovative, accessible technology that helps people to connect with intent," he said.

"We take huge pride in listening to what consumers are looking for in their next smartphone and don't think key features or design need to be compromised when seeking affordability."

Around this time last year, Lenovo announced the launch of their te reo Maori keyboard for PCs. The keyboard featured keys for macrons or tohuto, [the small lines placed above certain vowels in te reo Maori]. In Te Reo, macrons are essential indicators that aid in interpreting the pronunciation and significance of a word.

The new Moto G range is available now if it sounds good to you.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
The fourth man wanted in connection with a shooting that left three teenagers injured, including one in critical condition, surrendered to police, the Worcester Police Department announced.

Joshua Pittman, turned himself in on Tuesday morning, according to a short statement from police. He was charged with armed assault with intent to murder, unlawful possession of a machine gun, unlawful possession of a large capacity firearm, unlawful possession of a large capacity magazine, unlawful possession of a firearm, and additional charges, police said on X, formerly Twitter. Prior to his arrest, police warned people that Pittman was armed and dangerous.

Police already arrested three men in connection with the shooting  Levon Atupem, 23, Carter Webster, 18, and Jordany Alejo, 19. Atupem and Webster were arraigned in Worcester District Court on Thursday, where they pleaded not guilty. Alejo was arraigned earlier in the week and also entered a plea of not guilty.

The charges against all four men stem from the April 7 shooting in front of 9 Clarkson St., according to a statement of facts filed in court. One teenager was shot in the neck while the other two teens were both shot in the leg.

Worcester police were notified about gunshots in the area of Clarkson Street at around 9:11 p.m. police said in a statement released on Monday. Officers approached a 17-year-old boy and two 18-year-old women, all with gunshot wounds, and administered medical aid before the three individuals were taken to the hospital. The teenager shot in the neck remains in critical condition, court documents read.

Surveillance video showed a white 2017 Infiniti Q50 dropping off the two shooting suspects on Coral Street, which intersects with Clarkson Street. The driver, later identified as Alejo, turned off the cars lights and parked the car diagonally to make a quick getaway after the shooting, according to court documents. Webster was in the front passenger seat, prosecutors said Thursday.

The suspects then fired a firearm and an automatic firearm down Clarkson Street and hit the three teenagers, with .45 shell casings recovered at the intersection of Coral and Clarkson streets, according to court documents.

Atupem was involved in the discussion to locate victims, drive suspects before the shooting and drove off in his Acura after the shooting, a witness told police. While on a FaceTime call with an unidentified person, Atupem mimicked gunfire with his mouth, according to the statement of facts.

Worcester police, working with the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, searched for Webster on Wednesday, April 10, before they found him walking to a car on Grafton Street, police said in a statement. Police quickly converged on him after he entered the car, and Webster is then accused of exiting the car and trying to run away from police before being arrested.

Webster struggled with officers as he was being arrested, and police later discovered he had a gun in his waistband, according to the statement.

Webster was previously convicted of charges in 2023 and therefore cannot obtain a License to Carry in Massachusetts, MassLive reported.

Alejos mother confirmed to police that her son was the driver, according to court documents. After he was arrested and read his Miranda rights, he admitted in an audio/video-recorded interview that he was the driver, was part of the shooting and took the other two suspects to a Worcester location far away from the scene, to assist them in getting away.
This story was updated on April 17 at 12:30 p.m. to clarify the primary care situation at Mass General Brigham.

More than 1,000 small, independent primary care providers in the state will be eligible for more reimbursement from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the Boston-headquartered health plan announced recently.

Plans to distribute up to $20 million in new funding could result in increases as much as 30% for qualifying providers, meaning Blue Cross Blue Shield will pay them more for the health care services provided to covered members.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants working at primary care practices will also be eligible for the reimbursement increases, which the health insurance plan says wont affect members cost of care.

We need to support our primary care clinicians now more than ever before, Sarah Iselin, president and CEO of Blue Cross, said in a statement.

The funding boosts come amid a primary care plight in the Bay State. Last year, the percentage of Massachusetts patients who reported being able to see their doctor when needed fell to a record low .

In November, Mass General Brigham, the states largest hospital system, announced that capacity for new primary care patients was limited at select practices on its main Boston campuses of Brigham and Womens and Massachusetts General Hospital.

While the system had primary care availability at its community hospitals, suburban community physician practices, and affiliated practices throughout the region, Mass General Brigham said it was working urgently to increase and expedite access to primary care at our hospitals in Boston by hiring more providers and staff, offering primary care appointments to new patients as they become available, and through innovative solutions like virtual urgent care.

At the time, Dr. Barbara Spivak, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, said the dearth of primary care physicians in the state was no longer a looming threat, but rather a major public health crisis.

Decreased access to and relationships with a primary care physician will lead to poorer outcomes for patients, especially those from historically underserved populations and those with chronic illnesses and disabilities, Spivak said. Loss of primary care options will compound existing challenges with overcrowded emergency departments and, ultimately, increase the cost of delivering health care.

MassHealth, the states Medicaid program, also has plans to increase investment in primary care practices, to the tune of $115 million, that participate in its Primary Care Sub-Capitation Program for accountable care organizations.
Franklin Laras  a suspect in a fatal shooting that happened inside a Lawrence nightclub in December  has been added to Massachusetts State Polices Most Wanted List.

Laras, 27, is wanted for murder in the Dec. 24, 2023 killing of 29-year-old Edward Javier-Perez at the Energy Lounge. Laras has ties to Springfield and Palmer, and police nationwide have authorization to extradite him, state police said in a press release Tuesday.

Evidence suggests that shortly after entering the club on Christmas Eve, Lara got into a fight with Javier-Perez, state police said. During the fight, Laras is believed to have shot Javier-Perez at close range.

Laras soon fled the scene, and investigators never recovered a gun, state police said. Lawrence police responded to the shooting around 12:20 a.m. and found Javier-Perez with a gunshot wound, authorities said previously. He was declared dead shortly after at a hospital.

Laras is 5-foot-7, approximately 200 pounds and has brown hair and eyes, according to state police. He is heavily tattooed, and has a tattoo of the number 495 on his left shoulder and one of the number 1838 on his chest just below his neck.

Franklin Laras is actively attempting to evade capture and should be considered armed and dangerous, state police wrote in the release. Anyone who sees or has information about Laras is urged not to approach, but rather, to call Massachusetts State Police.

Last month, the U.S. Marshals Service began offering a $5,000 reward for information about Laras whereabouts. He has prior convictions for violence and drugs, state police said.

Anyone with information about Laras whereabouts is asked to call Massachusetts State Police at 1-800-527-8873.
Sutton police launched an investigation after Sutton High School was the target of a bomb threat Monday morning, the department said in a statement posted to Facebook.

The police department was alerted to a bomb threat directed at the Worcester County school just before 5 a.m. Monday morning. The threat was made via email and was only one sentence long, the department said.

Officers immediately put a plan in motion to investigate the threat, and spoke to the superintendent before school began. The department conducted a search of both Sutton High School and Sutton Middle School, and did not find anything out of the ordinary, according to the statement.
A senior Healey administration official on Tuesday issued a broad warning on hasty legislative solutions to address the role of private equity in health care, as Massachusetts officials and hospital leaders continue to brace for potentially major care disruptions amid Steward Health Cares financial challenges.

Massachusetts Health & Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh did not invoke any specific proposal when asked about the role of state or federal legislation to respond to the Steward crisis, following recent Beacon Hill hearings focused on the negative impact of private equity on patient care and possible strategies to boost regulatory oversight of health care transactions.

I think that the health care system in our country is really, really complicated, and I worry about broad brushstrokes that say, private equity bad, not-for-profit good, Walsh told reporters following an event at Brigham and Womens Hospital.

I think we have seen an extreme set of circumstances, the choices that Steward made as a health system to capitalize their system -- it just didnt work, Walsh continued. And so what we need to do when we get patients, and staff, and people, and regions through this is sort of step back. I think legislation in haste, you kind of repent in leisure. So I think theres a lot to consider. Weve learned a lot from these hearings; Ive learned a lot from these hearings.

Steward, which operates eight hospitals in Massachusetts and has a hefty backlog in unpaid rent, was owned by a private equity firm for about a decade.

Last week, Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues, D-1st Bristol/Plymouth, said he wants to take for-profit, equity-based companies out of the health care system. Gov. Maura Healey has called on Steward to exit the states health care market.

The Healey administration on Thursday will start holding private meetings with local health care leaders to help navigate uncertainty around patient care as the Steward crisis unfolds.

I think theres something very reassuring of our preparation, said Walsh, who added the planning will focus on patients and staff. Remember, lots of staff are working in hospitals that they know are financially troubled. We want to support them on that journey.

Walsh did not say whether officials have heightened concerns about certain hospitals or regions.

Were committed to making sure that each region has health care that it needs, and thats what part of this preparation is about, she said. Brockton (Neighborhood) Health Center got very busy when Brockton Hospital had its fire. We want to make sure that we can anticipate and prevent those kinds of challenges going forward.
The Bay States cash-strapped emergency shelter system could run out of money within a matter of days or weeks, a top lawmaker has warned, lending more urgency to closed-door talks aimed at finding a solution.

Were hearing sometime mid- to end of April, but there are other flexible funds that they can use, Senate Ways & Means Committee Chairperson Michael Rodrigues, D-1st Bristol/Plymouth, said late last week of the information that had been shared with him by the Healey administration, State House News Service reported.

In an appearance on WCVB-TVs On the Record program on Sunday, state House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, offered a slightly more open-ended answer that did not downplay the severity of the nearly $2 billion problem the state now faces.

We were told sometime in the spring [the funding] was going to run out, Mariano told hosts Ed Harding and Sharman Sacchetti.

Senior House and Senate negotiators are now trying to work out their differences on a supplemental funding bill that would impose  with some tweaks  a nine-month limit on shelter stays.

Costs for the states emergency shelter system, which houses both permanent Massachusetts residents and an ever-growing number of migrants, are expected to soar past $900 million a year over the next two years, MassLive previously reported.

Last week, the House introduced a $57.9 billion budget proposal for the new fiscal year that starts July 1 that would set aside $500 million for emergency shelters.

That amount includes $175 million from a state savings account. The Senate has proposed making the full $860 million in the account available for shelter spending, according to State House News Service.

Speaking to WCVB-TV on Sunday, Mariano, like Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, laid full blame for the states current predicament on lawmakers in Washington D.C., who have not been able to reach any accord on fixes to the nations immigration laws.

Its an election year, we dont know whos going to win, Mariano told the station. We dont know how theyre going to deal with this problem. The problem isnt our creation. The problem was created in Washington. They have to fix it.

Democrats who control the Legislature and the executive branch, however, have resisted making wholesale changes or repealing the states Right to Shelter Law, which obligates the commonwealth to provide services to most people who seek them.

I dont know whats going to happen next year, if we get a bill, its going to be close to [$1 billion], Mariano said. A lot is going to depend on what controls we can make work for this program.

Last fall, Healeys office imposed a 7,500-family cap on the system. But it was obligated to open overflow sites as the system quickly filled beyond that self-imposed capacity.

As of Monday afternoon, there were 7,499 families in the shelter system, with 18 families enrolled in the last 24 hours, state data showed.
AMHERST  The last six months have been fraught with rising antisemitism and Islamophobia in the U.S.

One organization, Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, is working to bridge the gap between American Jewish and Muslim communities, specifically among their women, through open dialogues.
Neurology patients in Mayo are said to be suffering due to the absence of outpatient neurology services at Mayo University Hospital.

According to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), Mayo neurology patients are having to travel over 150km roundtrip to see their neurologists, leading to poorer outcomes for patients.

NAI launched a new campaign, seeking commitments from elected representatives and the HSE to provide outpatient consultant neurology services at Mayo University Hospital.

The campaign is calling on elected representatives to provide outpatient consultant neurology services in Bantry, Letterkenny, Mayo, Portlaoise, and Wexford to reduce the journeys required for those living with neurological conditions.

Patient representative, Louise Power, from Ballina, who is living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), said living with a condition like MS means everything has to be planned.

Ms Power explained that MS and its symptoms are the unknown, but appointments are something [she] can plan for.

Ballina woman Louise Power, patient representative who is living with MS

If I have an appointment in University Hospital Galway, I need to consider childcare for the day, I need to plan meals for myself and my family and if Im going to be too tired in the days after, Ill need to plan for those days too. When youre living with a neurological condition, you always need to plan ahead.

Ive been living with MS since 2015 and since then, for every appointment in University Hospital Galway, Ive had to travel at least two hours to get to my appointment and also factor in another half an hour to find parking. Thats not even mentioning traffic. The fatigue from travelling, treatment and the appointment can knock you for days after.

Ms Power said this goes for all neurological conditions, not just MS, and explained that many of those with neurological conditions are unable to drive so would use a taxi or public transport to get to appointments, adding another financial burden to an already stressful situation.

I am also living with other autoimmune conditions, not just my MS, meaning I attend other appointments in University Hospital Galway. If I was able to attend a neurological clinic closer to home in Mayo University Hospital, which is only 35 minutes from my home, this would reduce the impact the journey has on my overall wellbeing. The decisions our Government makes will have lifelong implications for people living with neurological conditions, thats why we need them to act now, added Ms Power.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, NAI Executive Director, Magdalen Rogers, said access to a consultant neurologist should not depend on where you live.

Ms Rogers explained that patients are regularly travelling between 60-112km to see their neurologist which causes poorer outcomes from delays in diagnosis, to living with debilitating symptoms.

She said: Providing consultant neurology outpatient services in Mayo University Hospital and regional hospitals across Ireland will not only have a positive impact on a patients overall health, but it reduces unnecessary admissions, reduces length of stay and unnecessary tests.

Early access to diagnosis and treatment means that we can prevent disability, reduce complications and provide better quality of life for those living with neurological conditions, she added.

As set out in Slaintecare reform, patients have the right to access services closer to their homes, and Ms Rogers said elected representatives have a responsibility to see this promise through.

We are calling on elected representatives in Mayo and the HSE to commit to delivering these services for the over 860,000 people living with neurological conditions across Ireland, she concluded.

Visit the Patients Deserve Better website for more information about the campaign.
More than 80 percent of people in Ireland are worried about Climate Change, that is according to The Climate Change in the Irish Mind Project.

With climate changee is an extremely topical subject in recent times, Brid Conroy, Chair of the Mayo Greens, said it is time to get a Green elected into the council.

Keeping the status quo, may seem like the easiest option but we all need to change so that our kids and grandkids will benefit.

We need the council to be pushing forward with innovation and transformation yet we see that in the case of the Pathfinder Project in transport innovation, Mayo failed to even put in any exemplar, she said.

The Mayo Greens have two candidates running for council in the up-coming local elections, Peter Nolan for the Westport Local Electoral Area, and Micheal O Conaill for the Belmullet Local Electoral Area.

Both candidates are committed to ensuring climate change is mainstreamed into decisions at a local level and to ensure that all the funding which is available for climate change initiatives from the central government is applied for and used to best effect in the county.

Mayo has had the second highest sign up for the Organic Farming Scheme and the Acres Scheme has been oversubscribed.

Westport Local Electoral Area candidate, Peter Nolan, is part of the Organic Farming Scheme in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) between Westport and Louisburgh, having returned to live here with his wife Grace Jeffers, whose family hails from Westport.

Mr Nolan is committed to working with the urban and rural areas of the Louisburgh and Westport Electoral Area to prioritise climate change funding for biodiversity, native forestry, organic farming and on the improvement of water and air quality.

Furthermore, Nolan is committed to ensuring the county plays its part in Irelands fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan.

Micheal O Conaill, candidate for the Belmullet Electoral Area, is determined to bring a green perspective to decisions made at local level.

Raised on a small farm in Erris, in his twenties O Conaill became managing director of an insurance brokerage in Dublin. He later moved back to Mayo and owned and managed The Boxty Factory in Belmullet, however, most people will know him from the local filling station.

Mr O Conaill is acutely aware of the constant and pressing need for rural regeneration. It is an on-going need and challenge in the Belmullet Electoral Area.

With a proven track record in innovation and in getting things done, he is particularly committed to working on increased incentives for small farmers in disadvantaged areas who are food producers.

Additionally, home energy is a passion for Mr O Conaill and he commits to working on ways to bring increased investment in retrofitting homes to more homes in the area, making it accessible and doable.
Local MEP for Midlands-North West Maria Walsh toured South Mayo this past weekend for a day of meeting local businesses and constituents.

The sitting MEP is running for re-election in the European elections on June 7.

Familiar territory for the Shrule native, the canvassing kicked off in Claremorris where she was joined by local Councillor, Tom Connolly, to speak with business owners and locals doing their Saturday morning shopping.

Next on the agenda was a visit to Ballinrobe along with Councillor Michael Burke, where the pair visited shops and restaurants, including the popular McHughs cafe.

MEP Walsh and Minister Dillon at the launch of Corrib Mask Search and Rescues new lifeboats

The afternoon included a visit to Cong, where Ms Walsh met with tourists enjoying the area, before attending the launch of Corrib Mask Search and Rescues new lifeboats.

The event on the shore of Lough Corrib was well attended, with newly appointed Minister Alan Dillon in attendance.

Following a drive to Ballyhaunis, the former Rose of Tralee met with sitting Councillor John Cribbin, Local Election Candidate Alma Gallagher, and local Fine Gael members.

MEP Walsh with local community members in McHugh's Cafe, Ballinrobe

After meeting with members of the Knock Indian Malayali Association, who were celebrating Easter in the local community hall, the group visited businesses including Philips Butchers, Eddie Murphys menswear, and Curleys pharmacy.

The feedback received on the day was that business is doing well in the town, with some raising the issues around planning delays for the community.

The final stop of the day was Nevin's Newfield Inn for the launch of Pat Chambers local election campaign. The event saw Mr Chambers friends and family out in force to support his bid for Mayo County Council.
The National Museum of Ireland  Country Life at Turlough Park, Castlebar, has launched a new social story and sensory map to mark World Autism Month this April.

The resources are aimed at creating a more inclusive and engaging visitor experience, in partnership with Castlebar Autism Friendly Town and Count Me In, Western Care Association.

The Museum piloted the sensory map during Mayo Social Inclusion Awareness Week 2024, where they invited the public to submit feedback.

The sensory map and social story were then finalised and are now available to download from their website and in hardcopy format from Museum Reception.

The aim of the resources is to assist autistic people and neurodiverse audiences to prepare for and enjoy their visit.

The social story is a short guide about what is involved in a Museum visit, providing information and imagery to assist people to navigate the site.

The sensory map indicates sensory highlights in the exhibition galleries and includes sound, light and touch.

Bernadette Frain, Manager of Count Me In, Western Care Association, worked closely with the Museum in developing the new tools.

Speaking at the official launch of the resource, she said: We in Count Me In and Castlebar Autism Friendly Town (CAFT) were delighted to work with the National Museum of Ireland to develop this sensory map and social story.

It is great to see visitor experiences such as the Museum working in partnership with local groups and organisations to create a more inclusive community and make Castlebar a more autism friendly town, she continued.

Robin Wynne, self-advocate and student at Castlebar College of Further Education, also provided generous input and guidance in developing the social story and sensory map.

This is a really positive initiative, and I was happy to be invited to collaborate. Hopefully, these resources help more people in planning their visit and contribute towards the goals of Castlebar Autism Friendly Town to create more autism friendly spaces, said Mr Wynne.

Rosa Meehan, curator and advocate for autism awareness in the National Museum of Ireland, said they are so grateful for the time given by Robin, Count Me In and the wider Castlebar Autism Friendly Town network in assisting the development of the resources.

We hope they will make the Museum a more welcoming and inclusive experience. This was a pilot initiative at the National Museum of Ireland  Country Life site here in Co. Mayo, and it will form a good basis for the Museums ambitious plans to develop further resources, spaces, initiatives and public programming focussed on inclusiveness across all of our public sites, she concluded.

The new resources are available from Museum Reception or to download on the museums website, or alternatively, visitors can have a copy sent by post in advance of their visit by telephoning Museum reception.
European election candidate, Senator Lisa Chambers, has issued a resounding call to action to Taoiseach Simon Harris, following an open letter from cancer clinicians.

Senator Chambers issued the call in response to a letter from Ireland's leading cancer clinicians, warning of the critical state of cancer care in the country.

The clinicians' letter painted a concerning picture of the healthcare system, with understaffing and lack of funding leading to delayed surgeries, and potentially stagnating or worsening cancer survival rates.

Speaking with Professor Michael Kerin, Professor of Surgery and Director of the Cancer programme for the west and northwest, Senator Chambers discussed the implications of the letter and the vital need for improvements at University Hospital Galway (UHG).

With UHG in the process of seeking accreditation by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI), Ms Chambers underscores the importance of the peer review visit set for May, a step towards achieving the high standards required by the OECI. Beaumont and Trinity St James Hospitals are already accredited to this organisation.

"The west of Ireland cannot remain in the shadows of healthcare disparity. It is unacceptable that survival rates in our region lag behind, and the plea from our nation's cancer clinicians only emphasises the urgency of enhancing our cancer care infrastructure," Chambers stated.

Senator Chambers, alongside other colleagues working with Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, ensured the inclusion of the new Regional Cancer Centre for the west in the National Development Plan.

The initiative is accompanied by a robust implementation program aimed at addressing regional imbalances and improving health outcomes.

At present, at University Hospital Galway, cancer care is competing with emergency medicine, making the Regional Cancer Centre a crucial development.

The Fianna Fail candidate said: "It's high time for dedicated, ring-fenced funding to not only support but elevate the National Cancer Control Programme,

"Our goal is to ensure that the new Regional Cancer Centre provides swift access to care, fostering an environment for medical professionals to deliver their best, and for patients to receive the treatment they deserve."

Moreover, Senator Chambers is adamant that Ireland must actively participate in EU-wide strategies for cancer treatment, citing the potential for research and innovation projects to improve outcomes across the European Union.

"This is a pivotal moment for our healthcare system. The clinicians' letter is not just a warning, but a call to steadfast action. We need to secure access to cutting-edge medicine, and ensure that our cancer centres, especially those in the west, are adequately staffed to face this challenge head-on," Chambers concluded.
A Northwestern Computer Science team won first place in the fuzzing tool competition at the 17th International Workshop on Search-Based and Fuzz Testing (SBFT 2024), held April 14 - 20 and co-located with the International Conference on Software Engineering in Lisbon, Portugal.

Fuzz testing, or fuzzing, is an automated testing technique used to detect coding errors and security vulnerabilities in software, operating systems, or networks by supplying a large volume of invalid or random data inputs and monitoring for system crashes, failures, or memory leaks.

The Northwestern Engineering team included computer science PhD students Wenxuan Shi and Jiahao Yu and associate professor of computer science Xinyu Xing, with collaborators Hongwei Li (Purdue University) and Wenbo Guo (University of California, Santa Barbara).

Their tool  called BandFuzz  is an AI-powered collaborative fuzzing tool designed to uncover software vulnerabilities. Leveraging a reinforcement learning algorithm, BandFuzz boosts the efficiency of fuzzing practices and outperforms widely utilized industry tools.

Unlike traditional fuzzing strategies that are static or based on human experience, Shi explained, BandFuzz employs AI to dynamically select the most effective fuzzing strategy based on its real-time performance. This AI-driven approach enables more intelligent decision-making during the fuzzing process, resulting in quicker coverage expansion and enhanced bug detection capabilities.

BandFuzz marks a new direction away from traditional fuzzing research, offering tangible evidence that AI can facilitate automatic bug hunting and fixing, Xing said. This advancement is not only a leap forward for security research but is also of paramount importance to the general public, as it promises to fortify digital security in an increasingly interconnected world.

Through comprehensive experimentation, the BandFuzz team demonstrated that depending solely on AI is inadequate for tackling complex security challenges.

The integration of AI with traditional system security analysis tools  such as fuzzing, static analysis, and automatic bug patching  has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness, Shi said. BandFuzz serves as a prime example of how AI can significantly enhance automated decision-making processes and supplant human-written, rule-based heuristic functions in a wide array of traditional security analysis methods.

Competitors at the SBFT 2024 competition were evaluated using FuzzBench, Googles open source platform for testing and comparing fuzzers in an authentic environment.

Our success at the competition is a beacon for AI-assisted cybersecurity, showcasing a pioneering approach to software analysis, Yu said.

Xing and Yan Chen, professor of computer science at the McCormick School of Engineering, will continue advancing AI integration into existing security solutions through participation in the AI Cyber Challenge's Small Business Track Competition.

As part of the AI Cyber Challenge, Team 42-b3yond-6ug, Net Shield LLC was among the seven companies awarded $1 million by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop AI-enabled cyber reasoning systems that automatically find and fix software vulnerabilities at scale. Xing and Chen will collaborate with researchers from Johns Hopkins University, the University of Colorado, the University of New Hampshire, the University of Utah, and the University of Waterloo.
by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, April 16, 2024

Robert MacNeil, who died last week at age 93, may have been the last of his generation of broadcast journalists who set standards for quality and reliability that one could argue have largely disappeared.

MacNeil was best known as the co-anchor, with Jim Lehrer, of PBSs flagship newscast, now known as PBS NewsHour, from 1975 to 1995.

In MacNeils 20-year association with the newscast, it was titled The Robert MacNeil Report, The MacNeil/Lehrer Report and The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour.

After MacNeil left in 1995, Lehrer anchored the show solo until 2011.

In an era before 24-hour, all-news, all-blathering cable news, and instant news of 280 characters or less on social media, the MacNeil/Lehrer newscasts stood at the pinnacle of TV news for their ethics, accuracy and credibility.

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And thats saying a lot, because those traits could be applied to most -- if not all -- of broadcast news in the era when ABC, CBS, NBC and in its first decades, CNN, were among the most respected news sources in all of journalism.

MacNeils career went so far back that he was one of the TV journalists in Dallas (working then for NBC) when President Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963.

He may have been the last one of the correspondents in Dallas that day who was still alive at the time of his death.

In addition to the way social media has impacted the reporting -- or more to the point, the spread of news -- these days, perhaps the biggest difference between news in the MacNeil era and today is the way news is weaponized in support of social causes and divergent political points of view.

People often decry the partisan conquest of newsrooms today. A story in last Saturdays Wall Street Journal gave details of various rebellions at The New York Times when some partisan staffers apparently objected to the way the paper was covering social issues they were passionate about.

According to the story, the rebellions and outcries did silence some voices on the staff and even led to some of them departing from the paper.

This is certainly a change in newsroom culture. I always accepted the idea that newsrooms are not democracies.

Basically, you did what you were told. Perhaps thats not the case anymore.

But underlying the whole partisan way of doing things today is the one characteristic over all others that appears to be missing today -- and that is skepticism.

This was once a very conspicuous character trait of the top journalists. Skepticism of everything and everyone -- particularly what the powerful were telling you -- was seen as the best way to see ones way to the truth.

Whether or not Robert MacNeil possessed the trait of skepticism is something I do not know. I never met the man.

But he and the rest of the news stars of his era had this difficult-to-define aura of rising above -- or standing to the side of -- the news they were reporting.

They stood in the thick of battles and assassinations, but cast themselves as observers, not participants.

All of this is a long way of saying good-bye to Robert MacNeil and the era of news he represented.
General Motors will move its global headquarters building in downtown Detroit from the Renaissance Center on the riverfront to a new building about a mile away in 2025.

The automaker will works with billionaire Dan Gilbert's real estate firm to redevelop the Renaissance Center. Gilbert, the chairman of mortgage lender Rocket Companies Inc., also owns Bedrock, which is the developer of GMs new home, the site of the J.L. Hudsons Building on Woodward Avenue, which was demolished in 1998.

The new 1.5 million-square-foot development topped out last week at just over 681 feet, making it the second-tallest building in Detroit, behind the central tower of the Renaissance Center, according to theDetroit Free Press.

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GM CEO Mary Barra alongside Gilbert made the announcement at an afternoon news conference at the under-construction former J.L. Hudsons department store site, which is set to open this year.

The automaker will lease the top two floors of the 685.4-foot-tall tower for 15 years, according toThe Detroit News.

The partnership represents a new era for Michigan's tallest skyscraper amid raised questions over its future in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted workplace models and sent many to do their jobs remotely, per The Detroit News. Earlier this year, southeast Michigan and parts of central Michigan were ranked as the metropolitan area with the nations highest office vacancy rate at 25%.

The automaker has been based at the Renaissance Center since 1996.

The Hudsons site consists of two side-by-side buildings: a 12-story office block with 400,000 square feet of office space, and a 49-story skyscraper that will house retail, food, residential, hotel and event space. The 1.5 million-square-foot project broke ground in December 2017 and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

By committing to Detroit, GM will continue to be the only major automaker still based in the city, per Bloomberg. The carmaker has about 5,000 employees downtown and thousands more in its Tech Center about 12 miles north of its current headquarters. GM has one plant in the city, its Factory Zero electric vehicle facility.

Ford Motor Co., which is headquartered in nearby Dearborn, is in the process of rehabilitating Michigan Central Station in downtown Detroit  the citys historic but dilapidated former rail station  to be a large hub for tech workers and software engineers, per CNBC.

Stellantis, formerly Chrysler, is in another Detroit suburb and also has discussed selling its Auburn Hills headquarters in a leaseback agreement where it would remain in the Pentastar-topped tower and technical center off Interstate 75 as a tenant, per The Detroit News.
by Barbara Lippert , Columnist, April 15, 2024

I was drawn to Scoop, a new movie on Netflix, for two reasons: The first, because I love Gillian Anderson, who plays BBC interviewer Emily Maitlis as imperiously as she played Margaret Thatcher on "The Crown."

Secondly, it offers the backstory to that excruciating 2019 BBC "Newsnight" interview with Prince Andrew, when he mentioned that his only mistake was in being too loyal a friend to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Nine years before, the Queens purported favorite son had been photographed by a paparazzo taking a walk in New York Citys Central Park with the demented financier who had already served time in jail for having sex with an underage girl. At the time, Andrew stayed with Epstein in his East Side mansion for five days.

In Britain, the notorious photo appeared under the headline Prince Andy and the Paedo.

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The Scoop story is told from the point of view of the scrappy BBC junior producer, Sam McAlister, (played by Billie Piper) who ultimately nabbed the interview and went on to write a book about it. The film is adapted from her book.

Shes shown as a scrunchy-haired, thigh-high-boot-wearing Not Our Class, Darling underdog at the starchy network, which was undergoing major staff cuts and attempts to be more relevant at the time.

As such, the focus is on McCalister, the hero who gets far more screen time than the pants-suited anchor who pulled off that interview with such cool mastery.

That was disappointing, but apparently the anchor Emily Maitlis has her own movie about the interview coming out this spring.

I didnt realize that it was an all-female group at the BBC who pulled off the interview. In the film Maitlis character discloses that she pursued it for Monica Lewinsky. Maitlis felt she had let Lewinsky, and all women, down by not asking Bill Clinton about his actions when she got a chance to interview him.

And the interview was in important breakthrough for the 18-year-old Virginia Giuffre, who sued Andrew for sexual assault after testifying that shed been trafficked to the prince numerous times. He ended up giving her a settlement.

Theres little glory for journalism in such a tawdry story, but it was an important win for the young women. Overall the film is a sort of B-version of The Crown. (Same director.)

As Scoop shows, it started with Andrews cringey launch of Pitch@Palace,a platform to help young entrepreneurs get matched with funders. He saw himself as the British answer to Donald Trumps Apprentice and thought his jokes about Mummy were charming.

The junior producer had connected with Andrews private secretary, Amanda Thirsk, over covering that story, which an institution as heady as the BBC wouldnt consider touching. But it proved to be her personal in.

Then the emergency of the Epstein suicide happened, and McAlister persuaded this loyal Palace insider that talking to the BBC could put an end to all of the humiliating coverage. An hour of TV can change anything, she said. Its magic.

The movie presents a good, behind-the-scenes look at a deluded Buckingham PR system. Last month it was hard to believe that they could create so much needless tension and disturbance for an already suffering Princess Catherine by releasing that faked family photo, with its slightly withered limbs around the edges. The royal air seems to still be full of that same arrogance and duplicity.

Scoop shows that the Palace PR people operated under a similar bubble of arrogance that allowed that baffling disconnect in judgment five years ago.

After the interview, The Duke of York was apparently rather pleased with himself. He nailed it, he thought, and he was in such a generous mood that he gave a tour of the Palace to the crew.

He didnt realize it was his personal Waterloo until it aired that night.

When confronted with victim Giuffres testimony that they had danced at a club and he had sweated through his shirt, the prince responded That cant be true because I dont sweat, adding some preposterous explanation involving PTSD from time served in the Falklands. When asked why he would stay at Epsteins house once he had become a felon, he responded, It was a convenient place to stay.

The best post-interview description came from Charlie Proctor, editor in chief of Royal Central. He assessed the interview as "a plane crashing into an oil tanker, causing a tsunami, triggering a nuclear explosion.

In brilliant, face-altering makeup, Rufus Sewell plays Andrew, and at times the princely resemblance is uncanny. Sewell exudes Andrew's amazing attitude of irritation about why theres such a fuss being made about this Epstein issue.

In the end, of course, Queen Elizabeth stripped Andrew of his military titles and patronages.

But watching Scoop, it became clear that the story isn't only about some mortifying interview with a disgracefully out-of-touch prince.

Rather, and correctly, its about the elite preying on the weak, which has become even more relevant in 2024.

I look forward to Maitlis version.
by Ray Schultz , April 15, 2024

Ad management firm Mediavine has formed a strategic partnership with Sertify to certify diverse publishers in Mediavines Uplift marketplace.

The goal is to ensure a greater allocation of media funds towards more publishers who have been historically underrepresented," says Dennis Tze, co-founder of Sertify.

Uplift connects publishers with advertisers who want to spend on diversely-owned websites, including those claiming female, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, veteran and disability ownership.

Mediavine helps diverse publishers prove identity and ownership and further increase their programmatic connection to advertisers. It claims that 11,000 publishers self-identify as diverse-owned businesses through Uplift.

Certification can be a timely and expensive endeavor for publishers and Mediavine is excited to partner with Sertify to offer this solution to our diverse-owned content creators," comments Amanda Martin, SVP, monetization & business strategy at Mediavine.
by Ray Schultz , April 16, 2024

The Teamsters local that serves truck drivers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has agreed to return to work after an 18-month strike and to dissolve.

The labor dispute settlement agreement was unanimously approved by the 23 striking members of Teamster Local 211/205 last week, the Post-Gazette reports.

But four other unions at the paper, including the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, have not settled. That union represents reporters, photographers and other newsroom employees, the Post-Gazette continues.

The Post-Gazette and Teamsters Local Union 211/205 have amicably settled their strike, which began October 6, 2022, the Post-Gazette says in a statement. The parties ended the strike by executing a Labor Dispute Settlement Agreement.

The newspaper continues, The Labor Dispute Settlement Agreement resolves, to the satisfaction of the Local Union and the Post-Gazette, substantially all strike-related issues and health care, including any outstanding National Labor Relations Board actions.

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The four participating unions went on strike to protest the companys health insurance offer, the Post-Gazette story continues.

It was not clear at deadline why the Teamsters local also agreed to dissolve.

It could be that the Post-Gazette made a satisfactory offer. But fear of job loss could also figure into it  numerous other newspapers throughout the country are reducing print and delivering papers via the post office.

In any event, Tracey DeAngelo, Post-Gazette president and general manager, said the Teamsters local showed professionalism and diligent efforts in working to end its strike against the Post-Gazette, according to the Post-Gazette.
by Ray Schultz , April 16, 2024

The News/Media Alliance is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Googles decision to block news access in Google Search for some people in California.

Google announced last week that it has started blocking links to news sites for some California users in response to the California Journalism Protection Act (CJPA), a state bill that would require media giants to pay publishers for linking to their content.

The Alliance has asked the DOJ and FTC to probe whether Google has violated several laws, including the Lanham Act, the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The letter to the agencies says, in part, Importantly, Google released no further details on how many Californians will be affected, how the Californians who will be denied news access were chosen, what publications will be affected, how long the compelled news blackouts will persist, and whether access will be blocked entirely or just to content Google particularly disfavors.

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The letter continues, Because of these unknowns, there are many ways Googles unilateral decision to turn off access to news websites for Californians could violate [various] laws.

A Google spokesperson responds, These baseless claims deflect the real issues with CJPA  this bill is unworkable and will hurt small, local publishers to benefit large, out-of-state hedge funds. We have proposed reasonable alternatives to CJPA that would increase our support for the California news ecosystem and support Californians' access to news. Weve long said CJPA isnt the right approach, and weve taken a responsible and transparent step to prepare for its possible implementation.

Danielle Coffey, president & CEO of the News/Media Alliance, argues that the removal of news in California proves that Google has too much power.

No one company should be permitted to control information so singularly that it can make decisions to the detriment of society, as Google has done in California, Coffee says.

The Alliance is calling the government agencies to take action to address the various ways this activity could violate existing antitrust and other relevant laws, Coffey adds.

Jaffer Zaidi, VP, global news partnerships for Google, described the news cutoffs: To prepare for possible CJPA implications, we are beginning a short-term test for a small percentage of California users. The testing process involves removing links to California news websites, potentially covered by CJPA, to measure the impact of the legislation on our product experience.

However, in a related development, Axios reports that dozens of newspapers owned by Alden Global Capital ran editorials during the weekend, calling Google's threat "a bully tactic."

This story was updated.
  Trusted Source

The Cardiovascular Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital



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Physical activity cuts cardiovascular risk by 23%, doubling its effectiveness for those with depression. #hearthealth #exercisebenefits #medindia

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The Cardiovascular Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital - (https://cvrc.massgeneral.org/)

Recent research suggests that engaging in physical activity decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease by diminishing stress-related signaling in the brain ().The study, led by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found that individuals with stress-related conditions like depression derived significant cardiovascular advantages from being physically active.To investigate the reasons behind the psychological and cardiovascular benefits of physical activity, Dr. Ahmed Tawakol, a cardiologist and researcher at the Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, along with his colleagues, examined the medical records and data from 50,359 individuals in the Mass General Brigham Biobank who had filled out a physical activity questionnaire.A subset of 774 participants also underwent brain imaging tests and measurements of stress-related brain activity.Over a median follow-up of 10 years, 12.9% of participants developed cardiovascular disease . Participants who met physical activity recommendations had a 23% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared with those not meeting these recommendations.Individuals with higher levels of physical activity also tended to have lower stress-related brain activity. Notably, reductions in stress-associated brain activity were driven by gains in function in the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain involved in executive function (i.e., decision making, impulse control) and is known to restrain stress centers of the brain. Analyses accounted for other lifestyle variables and risk factors for coronary disease.Moreover, reductions in stress -related brain signaling partially accounted for physical activitys cardiovascular benefit.As an extension of this finding, the researchers found in a cohort of 50,359 participants that the cardiovascular benefit of exercise was substantially greater among participants who would be expected to have higher stress-related brain activity, such as those with pre-existing depression.Physical activity was roughly twice as effective in lowering cardiovascular disease risk among those with depression. Effects on the brains stress-related activity may explain this novel observation, says Tawakol, who is the senior author of the study.Prospective studies are needed to identify potential mediators and to prove causality. In the meantime, clinicians could convey to patients that physical activity may have important brain effects, which may impart greater cardiovascular benefits among individuals with stress-related syndromes such as depression.Source-Medindia
Excellencies, dear Secretary, John Kerry, ladies and gentlemen,



It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 9th Our Ocean Conference, an ocean of potential, here in Athens.



First and foremost, I would like to warmly thank you all, heads of state and governments, ministers, high-level participants, national delegations from all over the world, representatives from international organisations, academia, civil society, private sector, and key stakeholders for participating in this event, and for being strongly engaged in this great cause that is the protection of the ocean.



In Greek mythology, Oceanus, , son of Uranus and Gaea, was a Titan, sometimes identified as the begetter of the gods or as the begetter of all things. Since Antiquity, my country has nurtured an essential connection of vital significance with the ocean.



With an extended coastline of more than 20,000 kilometers and countless islands and islets, Greece has developed a profound connection with the sea and is, therefore firmly committed to protecting the maritime environment.



At the same time, we also saw the potential. Today, the Greek-owned fleet represents over 17% of the world fleet, ranking it first, representing almost one-sixth of the world's tonnage. The Greek economy's receipts from maritime transport in the last five years accounted for over 42% of all receipts from services and 21% of total exports of goods and services.



However, corresponding environmental data are not optimistic. The average global sea level has risen 9.7 centimeters over the past 30 years, with a rate of rise accelerating in recent years. Overfishing has increased from 10% of all fishery stocks in 1974 to 35.4% in 2019. In fact, our region, the wider Mediterranean region, has the second lowest rate of sustainable fishing worldwide.



However, what's good with statistics is that they are perfectly clear. Our ocean is not only an ocean of potential, but actually an element of survival for us all. Currently, global electricity demand is 23,000 terawatt hours. Offshore wind technical potential is 36,000 terawatt-hours per year for installations in water less than 60 meters deep and within 60 kilometers from shore.



Moving further from shore and into deeper waters, floating turbines could unlock enough potential to meet the worlds total electricity demand 11 times over in 2040.



The ocean can save us, but we have to save the ocean first.



Ladies and gentlemen, it has been 10 years since the first Our Ocean conference was organised following John Kerry's initiative.



Today, by hosting the 9th Our Ocean conference, Greece undertakes the commitment to further foster this idea that inspired the international community and created a new result-oriented model of action for the protection of the oceans.



Aiming to host a successful and inclusive conference this year, we have made a sincere effort to bring together the highest possible number of states, facilitating the participation of small island developing states, as well as a wide range of stakeholders in ocean protection and management.



We have also involved in this process the voice of the youth who can provide fresh perspectives and innovative ideas and drive meaningful progress towards ocean sustainability. Because after all, the preservation of the ocean is a matter of intergenerational sustainability.



At the same time, we have worked towards raising awareness and promoting the key messages of our Ocean Conference to the highest possible level, preserving its urgency in the global environmental agenda. Through collaboration and concerted global action, we do hope and wish this effort will bring forth fruitful results for the protection and conservation of the oceans and the seas, as well as the sustainable use of marine resources.



There is a pressing need for concrete steps in all relevant major issues such as climate change, marine protected areas, sustainable fishing, sustainable blue economy, maritime security, and maritime pollution.



Greece, in its effort to enrich the conference agenda, decided to put emphasis on four cross-cutting themes as horizontal elements across the six areas of action of the conference, namely sustainable tourism in coastal areas and islands, green shipping, reduction of marine plastic and microplastic, and green transition in the Mediterranean.



Ladies and gentlemen, by hosting this conference, Greece aspires to reaffirm its commitment to the transition towards a blue economy and to underscore the advantages of a new balance between economic growth, social cohesion, and sustainability. Our goal is to stimulate tangible action and to announce commitments, both regionally and globally, on all major issues concerning the ocean and the seas.



Ladies and gentlemen, immediate and forceful actions are needed, and we must work together to find sustainable solutions.



After all, oceans and seas connect us all. We owe it to the future generation. We must not forget we are not the owners, but merely the caretakers of the Earth.



From Sao Tome and Principe to Palau and from Madagascar to Canada, the green heart of the world is beating today and tomorrow here in Athens.



Let's all commit to a better future for the next generations.



Thank you.
The Army's consideration of cuts to two of its premier education benefits is the result of at least one of those program's runaway success and ballooning cost, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told lawmakers Wednesday.

Wormuth described the Army Credentialing Assistance Program as having "catastrophic success" due to its popularity when asked by Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, whose district includes the Fort Cavazos area, on whether cuts to key benefits could impact recruiting and retention.

But cutting education benefits, a key recruiting and retention tool for the military, could be an enormous hurdle for the service and a nightmare when it comes to optics, particularly in an election year.

Read Next: Marines in Uniform Were Photographed at Mar-a-Lago Event. Service Says It Was for a Veterans Charity.

"The military is having serious problems with recruiting. So, you're going to cut the benefits for those you want to recruit? It doesn't make any sense," Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., said on CNN Thursday.

"There will be very strong pushback, I am certain," Garamendi, a key Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, added.

The service is reviewing both the Army Credentialing Assistance Program, or CA, and the Tuition Assistance Program.

Army CA was introduced forcewide in 2020. The program gives soldiers $4,000 per year for civilian credentials, qualifications that are critical in certain fields and sometimes expire. On top of being a pseudo military-training tool, it's also intended for troops to set themselves up for civilian qualifications before they transition out of the service.

"We have not made any decisions about the Credentialing Assistance Program or Tuition Assistance Program," Wormuth told lawmakers Wednesday when asked about Military.com's reporting on the potential cuts.

Officials with direct knowledge of the situation explained to Military.com that part of the problem is a lack of regulation on how the benefit is used. Unlike the GI Bill, there are no significant rules over where the benefit could be used. However, there is no clear evidence of fraud or misuse, as has been the case with the GI Bill.

"The challenge we have is, we really, frankly, didn't put any guardrails around the program to help us scope it," Wormuth explained during testimony.

Military.com initially reported on the proposed cuts April 1.

Service planners are mulling limiting how often soldiers can use Army CA. Right now, it can be used in perpetuity.

The service is considering reducing Army CA to $1,000 per year, and $4,000 over the course of a career, sources familiar with the matter told Military.com. Most credentialing, such as in the cybersecurity field, coding and project management, cost much more. It is also weighing whether a qualification should be relevant to the soldier's job, which could severely limit opportunities in certain fields such as combat arms.

About 64,500 soldiers have used Army CA since it was introduced four years ago. But its popularity has skyrocketed, costing the service $8 million in 2022 and rising to $60.2 million last year.

It's unclear what specific changes the Army is mulling for tuition assistance, which is used by about 101,000 beneficiaries each year, averaging about $218 million in annual costs.

The plans do not affect the GI Bill, which is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. That benefit, which is designed for traditional college semesters, is difficult to use while on active duty.

"The military is the single largest educational system in the United States," Garamendi said. "Everybody that is in the military has the opportunity to learn a trade, not to just shoot a gun."

Related: Army's Premier Education Benefits May Be on Chopping Block, with Tuition Assistance Cuts Being Considered, Too
Top Navy and Army officials faced tough questions Tuesday from lawmakers on what steps they are taking to prevent child abuse at military day-care centers after Military.com revealed serious gaps in policy and oversight related to cases of abuse in three states.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, during testimony before a House committee, suggested working with the office of Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, to look at the regulation and look at some ways that we can strengthen it and make sure that we're notifying parents if something happens with their child.

Meanwhile, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, responding to questions from Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., during a hearing in the Senate said that he was quite familiar with the details of an abuse case reported by Military.com at a child-care center on Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California. He assured the senator that the Navy had already investigated and addressed issues revealed by the case, as well as another instance of abuse at a military day care in Hawaii.

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Military.com revealed last week that when incidents of abuse occur at child-care centers, the military service branches have policies in place that, broadly, prioritize protecting themselves instead of having incidents investigated, all while offering minimal safeguards to guarantee accountability. Parents also said that they were kept in the dark while officials formulated public relations responses.

Internal documents even showed that base commanders and military police units often don't know who is responsible for reporting and investigating allegations of abuse, which, in turn, means cases grind to a crawl or quickly get closed with little resolution.

What little accountability occurs seems to often happen out of view of parents and the public.

Del Toro, speaking of the abuse case at China Lake, boasted to Congress that the director of that child-care center was actually fired  there were actually seven other employees that were fired.

Military.com inquired about the directors status after first reporting the story of abuse there in 2022, and a base official confirmed that the director retired a month before the child abuse was discovered.

The Navy didnt tell parents or the public about any of the firings at the time or the fact that, according to internal emails reviewed by Military.com, at least two employees were facing criminal child-abuse allegations.

The trouble at the small naval air weapons station in California seems to have begun when officials discovered that China Lakes closed-circuit video recordings weren't being monitored. Once the new interim head for the center was installed in October 2022, she "observed conditions and actions by staff that were 'concerning,'" internal emails show.

The base commander directed a three-day closure of the center for a "safety stand-down," as well as staff training, and he ordered a full review of the footage they had -- 30 days worth.

It wouldn't be until early in November 2022 -- when staff were finally able to review all of the video -- that officials realized the footage captured 132 unique policy violations that included at least 15 examples of "rough handling of children" that, according to an internal email was defined as "pulling, pushing, grabbing of children.

Three workers would go on to be identified as having violated the Navys touch policy, but the parent of one of the victims told Military.com that Navy leaders ultimately decided no rules were broken. The Navy, including the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, has not said whether any employee at China Lake faced criminal charges.

Still, Del Toro assured Murray that the sea service actually learned those lessons and weve applied all those lessons throughout all  child development centers from two years ago and that, despite the numerous policy violations that they were aware of, training was conducted and applied across all CDCs in the Navy and Marine Corps today.

Military.com asked Del Toros office for more details about his remarks and what lessons or measures he was referring to, but was told that there was nothing additional to add beyond his testimony.

Ahead of publishing its initial report, Military.com also asked Navy officials whether they felt that their current policies are sufficient to protect children from abuse or if Navy leaders were happy with the level of accountability and transparency that occurred at China Lake and the Ford Island Child Development Center near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

At Pearl Harbor, Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kates daughter, Isabella, was abused over three days time at the Ford Island daycare in 2022. CCTV footage showed that the 15-month-old girl was pinched, smothered, thrown up against a wall and handled so roughly at the hands of two workers that a pediatrician felt that she even suffered a concussion, in addition to the other injuries.

At the time, Navy officials didnt point to any specific lessons or changes to training that was being conducted since the abuse at China Lake and Pearl Harbor became public.

Instead, officials noted that incidents of abuse are exceptionally rare and that the service is always reviewing and enhancing our policies and practices to meet and exceed the high standards expected by our military families.

Meanwhile, Wormuth struggled to explain why the Armys new policy aimed at curbing instances of problematic sexual behavior between children was considered controlled unclassified information, or CUI.

As Military.com reported, a child at a day care serving the Army War College in Pennsylvania had injuries consistent with sexual contact, and officials believe they were caused by another child. But service officials, and the day care, did not properly document the incident and delayed telling the parents for days.

The Army doesn't have any clear public policy on documenting or reporting such incidents, whereas civilian day cares are often required by state law to do so.

It was unclear why the Army had categorized its policy in a way that kept it from the public. But Wormuth, during the hearing, told Tokuda that CUI, I think, stands for basically  unclassified information.

While accurate, military officials readily employ CUI as a way to protect documents from being made public, and Military.com was told by Army officials that they were unsuccessful in declassifying the policy in time for publication.

I'm confident we can find a way to make sure that our regulations and policies are available for parents and we can be transparent with them, Wormuth told lawmakers.

Related: Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight
Troops at Colorado Space Force Base Will Have to Bring Their Own To-Go Boxes for Dining Hall

While the initiative is aimed at reducing waste on base, the spokesperson added that they hope it will give troops on base...
A former Marine was sentenced to nine years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to firebombing a California Planned Parenthood clinic in 2022 while he was on active duty -- an act authorities called domestic terrorism.

Chance Brannon, 24, an ex-corporal stationed at Camp Pendleton at the time of the firebombing, also plotted to attack an Orange County power grid, a LGBTQ+ pride night celebration at Dodger Stadium and the invasion of Jewish homes in Los Angeles, according to the Department of Justice.

Brannon pleaded guilty in November to several charges: conspiracy; malicious destruction of property by fire and explosives; possession of an unregistered destructive device; and destruction of a reproductive health services facility.

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Several law enforcement entities were involved in the investigation, including the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS.

"This case represents the successful interagency coordination between Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Costa Mesa first responders, and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force," the assistant special agent in charge, Michael Payne of the NCIS Marine West Field Office, said. "Such acts of terror in an attempt to [prevent] access to reproductive health services is intolerable."

In the early morning of March 13, 2022, Brannon and his co-defendant, Tibet Ergul of Irvine, California, threw a Molotov cocktail at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Orange County, California. Planned Parenthood is a reproductive care organization that provides health services, including pregnancy testing and abortions.

After the firebombing, Brannon texted another co-defendant, Xavier Batten of Florida, saying that the attack "was f*cking good." After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Brannon and Ergul planned on attacking another clinic, but decided not to after seeing law enforcement in the area. Batten began speaking with the FBI in September 2022, which Brannon scolded him for.

"Although he did not attack a second clinic, neither Mr. Brannon's desire to address his political grievances through violence nor his animosity towards women subsided," court records filed Monday said.

Batten and Ergul pleaded guilty earlier this year to criminal charges and are scheduled for sentencing on May 15 and May 30, respectively.

Brannon took to the internet to express desires to harm women, according to court records. A month before his arrest, he told a friend in the military that he "seriously considered raping a woman" one day, because the "bitch gave [him] lip in the parking lot and [he] had a flash of just pushing her over and raping her," according to court records.

Brannon and Ergul hoped to start a race war by attacking a power grid in California, according to court records. They stored plans on a thumb drive shaped like a military dog tag with the Marine motto "Semper Fidelis" on it. The thumb drive contained plans and a gear list for targeting the Southern California Edison substation as well as recordings of the 2019 Christchurch Mosque shooting when a white supremacist killed 51 people in New Zealand, injuring dozens of others.

When he was arrested in 2022, Brannon was in possession of an M70 rifle with the term "Total N*gger Death" written in Cyrillic on it. He also had two illegal silencers, an unmarked short-barrel rifle with no serial number, and a handgun that contained unserialized components. He discussed "cleans[ing]" the U.S. of certain ethnic groups and told fellow Marines that "all Jews deserve to die," according to authorities.

"Brannon's deep-rooted hatred and extremist views inspired him to target individuals or groups who did not conform to his neo-Nazi worldview and, in one case, led him to carry out a violent attack which could have killed innocent people," Acting Assistant Director in Charge Mehtab Syed of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office said in a press release Monday.

Brannon and Ergul discussed and researched attacking an LGBTQ+ pride event at Dodger Stadium and "rob[bing] Jews" through "home invasions in the Hollywood hills," according to court records.

Military.com attempted to contact Brannon's listed attorney, but did not immediately hear back by publication.

Editors note: This story was corrected to accurately reflect services provided by Planned Parenthood.

Related: Former Marine Pleads Guilty to Firebombing Planned Parenthood While on Active Duty
WASHINGTON  House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing toward action this week on aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, unveiling an elaborate plan Monday to break the package into separate votes to squeeze through the House's political divides on foreign policy.

Facing an outright rebellion from conservatives fiercely opposed to aiding Ukraine, the Republican speaker's move on the foreign aid package was a potentially watershed moment, the first significant action on the bill after more than two months of delay. But Johnson's intention to hold four separate votes on parts of the package also left it open to being significantly altered from the $95 billion aid package the Senate passed in February.

Its unclear if the House could end up with a package that is similar to the Senates bill or something significantly different, which could complicate the months-long, painstaking effort to get Congress to approve military funding for Ukraine.

We will let the House work its will, Johnson told reporters.

But as the House has struggled to act, conflicts around the world have escalated. Israels military chief said Monday that his country will respond to Irans weekend missile strike. And Ukraines military head warned over the weekend that the battlefield situation in the countrys east has significantly worsened in recent days, as warming weather has allowed Russian forces to launch a fresh offensive.

There are precipitating events around the globe that were all watching very carefully and we know the world is watching us to see how we react, Johnson said.

President Joe Biden, hosting Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the White House, called on the House to take up the Senate funding package immediately. They have to do it now, he said.

Johnson and Biden spoke Monday, according to a person familiar with the call and granted anonymity to discuss it.

Democrats in the House could be open to helping Johnson pass the aid in parts, and may even be agreeable to some of the additional measures being discussed by Republicans, such as providing some of the Ukraine economic assistance as loans.

But Johnson would lose the Democratic support he needs if he strays too far into Republican-only priorities. Any overhaul to the package also risks setbacks in the Senate, where a bulk of Republicans oppose the aid for Ukraine and Democrats have become increasingly alarmed at Israel's campaign in Gaza.

As House members returned to the Capitol Monday evening, Johnson huddled with fellow GOP lawmakers to lay out his strategy to gain House approval for the funding package. He said he would push to get the package to the House floor under a single debate rule that allows for separate votes on aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other foreign policy proposals.

Johnson said those proposals would structure some of the funding for Kyiv as loans, allow the U.S. to seize frozen Russian central bank assets and place other sanctions on Iran.

The GOP meeting was filled with lawmakers at odds in their approach to the conflict with Russia: Republican defense hawks, including the top lawmakers on national security committees, are pitted against populist conservatives who are fiercely opposed to continued support for Kyivs fight.

As often happens, the meeting turned into a free-for-all of ideas as Republicans tried to put their own stamp on the package but rarely found any unity. Yet Johnsons plan won over significant Republican support, said Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., as he left the meeting.

I dont like it, he said. But Im clearly in the minority.

Still, Johnson's support for Ukraine aid could further incite the populist conservatives who are already angry at his direction as speaker.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is already threatening to oust him as speaker. As she entered the closed-door Republican meeting on Monday, she said her message to the speaker was simple: Dont fund Ukraine.

But Greene did not indicate whether she would move for a quick vote on her motion to remove the speaker if the Ukraine aid is approved.

I'm thinking it over, she said.

Another unknown was how Donald Trump, the Republican presidential frontrunner who has railed against overseas aid, would respond to the proposal. Johnson met with Trump on Friday at his club in Florida.

I dont spend my time worrying about motions to vacate, Johnson said Monday. Were having to govern here, and were going to do our job.

Democrats had pressured Johnson to simply take up the Senate-passed bill that would provide a total of $95 billion for the U.S. allies, as well as humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza and Ukraine.

The House must rush to Israel's aid as quickly as humanly possible, and the only way to do that is passing the Senate's supplemental ASAP," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries pledged in a letter to lawmakers to do everything in our legislative power to confront aggression" around the globe, and he cast the situation as similar to the lead-up to World War II.

The gravely serious events of this past weekend in the Middle East and Eastern Europe underscore the need for Congress to act immediately, Jeffries said. We must take up the bipartisan and comprehensive national security bill passed by the Senate forthwith.

Democrats have also circulated a last-ditch option, known as a discharge petition, that could force a floor vote on the aid without the speaker's approval. The petition has gained 195 lawmakers' signatures, leaving it about a dozen votes shy of the majority it would need.

But Republican supporters of the Senates Ukraine package appeared encouraged by Johnsons plan, even though they hadnt yet seen the details.

South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds said the House proposal could significantly delay the aid because it is four different measures that would have to be sent back to the Senate, and its unclear whether the Senate could combine them into one. Still, he said, Its OK because we can still respond to it.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday afternoon urged the House to take up the Senate bill.

He said in a floor speech, We cannot hope to deter conflict without demonstrating resolve and investing seriously in American strength.

___

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking, Farnoush Amiri and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed.
Daniel Butterfield could not read or write music, but he knew what he liked. A brigadier general in the Union Army who would go on to receive the Medal of Honor in 1892 for gallantry during the Civil War, Butterfield was not particularly enamored with the bugle call that signaled lights out to U.S. troops at the end of the day.

One day in July 1862, Butterfield summoned his brigade's bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton, and suggested he play a series of notes that were less formal than the official call of "Extinguish Lights." Norton followed Butterfield's instructions, and after a few tweaks, what resulted was the U.S. military's most popular bugle call of them all: Taps.

"There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call," Norton would later recall in an undated article called "The Origin of 'Taps'". "Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air."

The easily recognizable 24 notes of taps have become so ingrained into military life that every U.S. service member, veteran, their families and even the public at large have become intimately familiar with them. While originally intended to encourage service members to go to sleep -- it is sounded at 9 p.m. on U.S. bases -- it is also now synonymous with military funerals and wreath-laying ceremonies.

It is the only bugle call in Americas armed forces with multiple purposes, according to former Taps for Veterans President Jari Villanueva.

"I strive to play that call as perfectly as I can," Villanueva, who estimated he has played taps thousands of times since he first sounded it as a Boy Scout in the late 1960s, said in a phone interview with Military.com. "It really means a lot to me that when the family hears that call, they know that the government -- the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, whatever -- is paying the last respects to that veteran for his service."

'Taps' historian Jari Villanueva performs the solo piece in 'Taps Eternal Father' with the Maryland Defense Force Band at the Taps 150th Anniversary Ceremony, May 19, 2012, in Arlington National Cemetery on Fort Myer, Va. (Sgt. Justin Wagoner/U.S. Army photo)

Butterfield was working for a company co-founded by his father -- a little enterprise called American Express -- when he joined the 12th New York Militia; he was serving as a colonel when the Civil War began. In September 1861, he was promoted to brigadier general, and after his unit was transferred to the Army of the Potomac, Butterfield and his men found themselves at the Battle of Gaines' Mill, Virginia, on June 27, 1862.

Part of the Peninsula Campaign -- the Union's bid to capture the Confederate capital, Richmond -- Butterfield was injured at Gaines Mill while commanding the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Army Corps. Despite the pain, Butterfield would "[seize] the colors of the [Union Army's] 83d Pennsylvania Volunteers at a critical moment and, under a galling fire of the enemy, [encourage] the depleted ranks to renewed exertion," according to his Medal of Honor citation.

The next month, Butterfield and his men camped near the James River in Virginia. While recuperating from his injuries, Butterfield worked on a solution to his "Extinguish Lights" dilemma.

Butterfield lacked any type of musical background, but he was a little bit of an aficionado of bugle calls, according to Villanueva; he also was well-versed in Army procedure, as he wrote a manual, "Camp and Outpost Duty for Infantry: 1862," to chronicle a soldier's daily duties.

Taps was not an original composition but rather something inspired by Butterfield's time in the New York Militia, when he learned about "Tattoo," a bugle call signaling the final roll call of the day, Villanueva said.

Union Army Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield, who is credited with revising the bugle call that we know as 'taps,' earned the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Gaines' Mill, Virginia, during the Civil War in 1862. (Wikimedia Commons)

Assisted by Norton, Butterfield reworked the last portion of "Tattoo" into taps, according to Villanueva.

"When the soldiers first heard it played, it was a much slower call, and it was like a melancholy type of song to them, a way of putting them to sleep," Villanueva said.

Other Union brigades heard Norton's playing of taps and requested permission to play it; the call also spread across battle lines, with some Confederates using it, too. The Army officially recognized taps in 1874, almost a decade after the Civil War ended, and although Butterfield's revision was first played at a military funeral during the Peninsula Campaign, it did not become mandatory at military services until 1891.

The central role that Butterfield played in taps was largely unknown until the late 19th century, only coming to light after a magazine article in 1898, The Trumpet in Camp and Battle by music historian and critic Gustav Kobbe, purposely omitted the bugle call because it was unsure of its origin. That piece prompted Norton to write in and explain how Butterfields taps came to be, and the bugler encouraged the publication to contact his former commander.

The call of taps did not seem to be as smooth, melodious and musical as it should be, and I called in someone who could write music and practiced a change in the call of taps until I had it suit my ear, and then, as Norton writes, got it to my taste without being able to write music or knowing the technical name of any note, but, simply by ear, arranged it as Norton describes, Butterfield replied.

An Army bugler plays taps during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, Nov. 11, 2014. (Photo by Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

Butterfield, who resigned from the Army with the rank of major general in 1870, was buried at West Point in 1901 at the age of 69 despite never attending the U.S. Military Academy. And yes, taps, which has no official lyrics, was sounded at his funeral. More than a century later, Congress recognized taps as the "National Song of Military Remembrance" through the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act.

"Of all the military bugle calls, there is none that is so easily recognized or more apt to evoke emotion," Villanueva said.

More than 1,000 U.S. military veterans die daily, according to Taps for Veterans. To request a bugler, go to tapsforveterans.org; while the nonprofit does not charge for its services, some buglers may request a fee.

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The Angels are dealing with a bit of a scare involving offseason signee Robert Stephenson. The righty reliever departed Saturdays Triple-A rehab outing after facing one hitter (whom he walked). While details are still sparse, the team told reporters this afternoon that hes headed for further testing after experiencing soreness in his throwing elbow (X link via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com).

Stephenson has spent the entire season on the injured list, but the elbow issue seems to be new. His original IL placement came as a result of some shoulder discomfort that arose during Spring Training. The abbreviated rehab appearance was his first official game action as a member of the Los Angeles organization.

The Halos signed Stephenson to a three-year, $33MM pact that represented their biggest investment of the winter. While they more or less overhauled the entire bullpen, Stephenson was the only player to whom they made a multi-year commitment. They envisioned him stepping in as a high-end setup arm in front of Carlos Estevez, but his Angels tenure has gotten off to a rocky start. Stephenson was arguably the best reliever in MLB for the final few months of the 2023 season. After being traded from the Pirates to the Rays in early June, he threw 38 1/3 innings of 2.35 ERA ball with a massive 42.9% strikeout rate.

Its far too soon to know whether hes in danger of missing significant time. If there is a long-term elbow issue, however, it could have an impact on Stephensons contract status. His three-year deal includes a provision that the Halos would receive a $2.5MM club option for the 2027 campaign if he suffers an elbow ligament injury that knocks him out of action for 130+ days.
As MLBs regular season continues, here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye out for today:

1. Yelich to the injured list?

Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich has enjoyed his best start to a season since 2018-19, hitting .333/.422/.744 with five home runs in just 46 plate appearances. Unfortunately, lower back soreness has limited Yelich to just 11 games so far and could cause him to miss even more time.

As relayed by Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, manager Pat Murphy told reporters yesterday that while Yelichs soreness hasnt improved in recent days, the club feels its best to wait until the last minute before making the decision to place him on the shelf. Murphy went on to indicate that decision would come today. Should Yelich require a trip to the 10-day IL, the Brewers figure to turn to a Triple-A depth option such as Vinny Capra or Owen Miller to fill out the clubs positional mix while mostly relying on Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Joey Wiemer, and Blake Perkins in the outfield.

2. Blue Jays bullpen getting healthy:

Its been an uneven start for the Blue Jays, with the clubs 9-8 record putting them in a three-way tie at the bottom of the AL East. A patchwork bullpen that has posted a 5.00 ERA so far in the 2024 campaign has been an Achilles heel. Fortunately for fans in Toronto, it appears plenty of help is on the way. Keegan Matheson of MLB.com suggests that both closer Jordan Romano and setup man Erik Swanson could be activated from the injured list today.

Over the past four seasons, Romano has pitched to a 2.29 ERA and 3.13 FIP while racking up 97 saves in 199 appearances. Meanwhile, Swanson enjoyed a strong inaugural season in Toronto after coming over in the Teoscar Hernandez trade last year. He posted a 2.97 ERA and 3.51 FIP in 66 2/3 innings of work. The high-leverage duos return should take pressure off Chad Green and Yimi Garcia and deepen the group overall. Toronto will need to make a pair of active roster moves to accommodate the return of Romano and Swanson ahead of this evenings game against the Yankees, which begins at 7:07pm local time.

3. MLBTR Chat today:

The 2024 season is now in full swing, and some clubs have gotten off to surprisingly strong starts while a handful of others have unexpectedly struggled to open the year. If you have questions regarding your favorite clubs start to the campaign, or perhaps questions about the summer trade deadline or 2024-25 offseason, MLBTRs Steve Adams will host a live chat with readers today at 11am CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after it is completed.
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI -- A Clinton Township woman pleaded no contest Monday to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of her 5-year-old son last year. Derricka Fleming, 25, faces up to 15 years in prison and will be sentenced on June 12 as part of her plea.

Fleming is accused of leaving her son in her apartment on the night of Jan. 22, 2023 after putting him to bed. In the early morning the next day, the boy left the apartment and was eventually found in a nearby park before being transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Detroit News reports the Macomb County Prosecutors Office says the boy froze to death.

Todays no contest plea brings some measure of closure, but it can never fill the void left by the loss of a precious life. Our hearts ache for the innocent child whose potential was tragically cut short, said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido in a statement.
MONROE COUNTY, MI -- A sixth person has been convicted in the murder of 23-year-old Kayla Sedoskey of Monroe, according to the Michigan State Police.

On Monday, 33-year-old Kaylyn Ramsey, of Wakeman, Ohio pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree homicide in connection with Sedoskeys 2023 death. Ramsey was schedule to stand trial in the matter starting next month, but entered her plea in 38th Circuit Court instead.

Ramseys plea comes after five other people charged in the case have already entered pleas of their own or have been convicted in trial. Last month, Steven Bails, was convicted by a jury on charges of first-degree homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide.

Earlier this month, 21-year-old Brin Smith pleaded no contest to second-degree homicide, and prior to that, two other suspects, Narena Bails and Sierra Bemis also pleaded no contest to second-degree homicide. Alexander Feko has pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and three counts of accessory to homicide after the fact.

The convictions come after a year-long investigation into Sedoskeys death. Her body was discovered in the abandoned Boysville Facility in Frenchtown Township on March 2, 2023. Police say Sedoskey was the former girlfriend of Steven Bails who along with the other suspects planned to kill Sedoskey over disagreements they had.

As part of the plan, the group decided to have Smith show interest in dating Sedoskey by catfishing her on Facebook. Sedoskey eventually agreed to a date with Smith, who after picking her up on Feb. 15, 2023, drove her to the abandoned facility. Police say Steven Bails, Ramsey and Bemis were waiting at the facility when Smith and Sedoskey arrived.

Once inside the building, police say Sedoskey was shot three times with a suspected .22 caliber handgun. While those suspects were at the facility, Narena Bails was allegedly at home listening to a police scanner in order to alert the group if police had been dispatched to the scene.

The next day, according to police, Steven Bails, Bemis, Ramsey and Smith all returned to the scene to move Sedoskeys body and cover with fragrances in hopes of covering the smell of decay. Police say Feko disposed of the handgun used in the shooting in the days following as well.

Bemis, Smith and Ramsey were all arrested and charged in the case in early April 2023, while Feko was arrested in May 2023. Steven and Narena Bails fled to North Carolina after Sedoskeys body was found, but they were later arrested in April 2023 after a standoff with U.S. Marshals.

As part of her plea, Ramsey faces a minimum of 40 years in prison. Ramsey and Smith are expected to be sentenced on May 30, while the other four suspects will be sentenced on May 23.

Anyone with further information regarding Sedoskeys death is asked to contact Michigan State Police D/Sgt Michael Peterson at 734-242-3500.
DEXTER, MI -- Superintendent Chris Timmis time with Dexter Community Schools has moved the district forward in several important ways, officials said in his recent evaluation.

Dexter School Board members gave Timmis a rating of effective in their annual evaluation of his performance, according to board documents. Timmis received a score of 89 out of 100 in his evaluation, which was completed in February and approved by the board in March.

The board is pleased with the work that Superintendent Timmis has put in to achieve the goals set in 2019 and look forward to the progress toward the new goals the board will set this year, school board officials wrote in the evaluation summary. The board would especially like to point out that Dexter Community Schools has a four-year graduation rate of 99% which is the highest graduation rate of any school district in Washtenaw County and is one of the highest in the state.

Related: Check out graduation, dropout rates for Ann Arbor-area school districts

Due to changes in Michigan legislature, the state aims to eliminate highly effective as a rating by July 2024, with effective the highest possible rating moving forward. Timmis score is in the higher range of the effective status, said Board President Mara Greatorex.

The evaluation is based on a tool from the Michigan Association of School Boards, and measures superintendents against several factors and goals, including governance and board relations, community relations, staff relations, business and finance, instructional leadership, student growth and progress toward districtwide goals, officials said. Student growth in particular is given higher weighted significance - accounting for 40% of the final score, Greatorex said.

Timmis was evaluated on his adherence to the rigorous districtwide goals set in 2019, Greatorex said, adding that the districts growth model included the goal of 90% of all students meeting their growth targets for test scores - a target the district fell slightly short of at the time of evaluation.

(Timmis) got high marks on everything - the only thing that really brought him down to an 89 (percent) was student growth, Greatorex said. All districts are still rebuilding from our COVID loss, so we didnt necessarily meet that 90%, so we just felt we couldnt give him the highest mark on this.

Timmis also played a part in significantly improving student success rates, with graduation rates for the district rising from 85% to 99% in the past decade - a growth Greatorex called phenomenal.

Board members credited Timmis for his strong leadership skills and work in building lasting relationships with the associations representing teachers, support staff and bus drivers. Communication with the greater community was an area the board earmarked for improvement.

I think were lucky - weve done a lot of communication with our community, but theres always more ways to get the word out, Greatorex said. We miss people, and thats because communication now is ever-evolving. It used to be you could send out fliers in kids backpacks, and thats just no longer sufficient.

Timmis has served as Dexters superintendent since August 2013. He received a five-year extension to his contract in June 2021, which currently goes through June 30, 2026. Timmis base salary as of 2024 is $184,606.

If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
FLINT, MI  The suspect in the death of an elderly woman who was bludgeoned to death with a hammer at her Davison Township apartment in July 2022 could remain at a state facility to receive further treatment toward becoming competent.

Marc Todd, a 54-year-old man charged with open murder and domestic violence in the July 27, 2022, death of his mother, 73-year-old DeEtta Todd, will be held at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Saline for continued treatment pending an order from probate court, records show.

Todd, who was scheduled for a review hearing Tuesday, April 16, before Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Mark W. Latchana but did not appear, had been ordered to the southeast Michigan facility since December 2023, when he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

However, due to clerical errors, he was not transferred to the facility until February.

When a criminal defendant is found not guilty by reason of insanity, they are then sent to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry and held for not longer than 60 days. During that span, staff evaluate the person and determine what treatment is necessary.

One of the key points of evaluation is whether the person is a danger to themselves or others. If staff feel the patient is not a danger, they can be released.

If the professionals believe the person still poses a danger, they can be petitioned at the probate court-level through civil proceedings and potentially be held indefinitely in a mental health institute.

A review hearing is scheduled for April 25.

Prosecutors allege the defendant killed his mother with a hammer.

According to prior witness testimony, the victim was discovered by her granddaughter after having not heard from her.

The woman opened the victims door and found DeEtta Todds body partially wrapped up in a rug.

A large amount of blood was found in the victims apartment, as was the hammer authorities believe was used in the slaying.

Shed been struck 18 times in the head, according to the autopsy report.
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance requested $9.2 million to help attract a business to its proposed mega site in Mundy Township.

The Michigan Strategic Fund Board (MSF) approved the request on Tuesday, April 16 to the Advanced Manufacturing District of Genesee County.
FLINT, MI  One person is in critical condition at an area hospital while another person is in stable condition after a shooting outside the Flint Mass Transportation Authority terminal in downtown Flint Tuesday morning.

Two men began arguing in another city before arriving to the MTA bus terminal and shooting at each other, police confirmed to MLive on April 16.

One of the alleged shooters was struck by gunfire and critically wounded, police said. He was not identified but was described as a man in his 30s. The other alleged gunman fled the scene before police arrived.

A woman was grazed by a bullet during the shootout and was receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at an area hospital, police said.

Police were still searching for the other alleged gunman as of 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Police were reviewing surveillance video from the MTA and other businesses.

The bus terminal was closed to the public shortly after the incident and has yet to be reopened.

Bus service was transferred to the former Flint Central High School campus on Crapo Street.

The stretch of downtown near MTA has had at least three shootings in the past three years.

A shooting inside the MTA bus terminal in June 2023 left a store employee dead. The suspect was arrested after fleeing the area on foot.

In December 2021, an argument that began on an MTA bus spilled over outside the terminal, leading to a shooting that left two women dead. Three people were arrested in connection with that event.

The shooting that claimed the life of 23-year-old Jamil Kaine last year took place at a store inside the bus terminal. Kaine was working at the store when the shooting occurred.

A Flint police officer assigned to the MTA location heard the shooting and chased after Robinson, who fled west from the facility.

Robinson was taken into custody about two blocks from the shooting scene. A gun, which police believe was the same one used in the shooting, was seized.

Robinson remains in custody while undergoing a competency evaluation.

The Kaine homicide occurred nearly two years after the MTA was again the scene of a deadly shooting  this time one that claimed two lives.

Tyanika Griffin, 24, and Terrencia Benjamin, 23, both of Flint, died when the vehicle they were crashed into the University of Michigan-Flint parking garage while the driver drove erratically, trying to evade gunfire that began when they were parked outside the MTA bus terminal.

Flint police responded just before 3:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 2021, to a report of multiple shots fired at the intersection of East 2nd and Harrison streets near downtown Flint.

Further investigation revealed a vehicle with four occupants had been shot multiple times, police said at the time.

The victims vehicle fled the scene and crashed a short while later in the 300 block of Harrison Street.

That shootout stemmed from an argument that took place on the MTA bus, according to court testimony.

Neither the city spokesperson nor MTA General Manager Ed Benning responded to messages seeking comment for this story.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A Grand Rapids state representative has denied wrongdoing after being investigated for what she called an accounting error that threatened her having to pay back a $5,000 COVID relief business grant.

That investigation by Kent Countys attorneys, and later an outside law firm, into state Rep. Kristian Grant, D-Grand Rapids, determined that Grant didnt have to pay back the money after she resolved a discrepancy on her grant application by revising her 2019 taxes three years later.
GRASS LAKE, MI  The former Grass Lake Community Schools teacher accused of sending inappropriate sexual images to students has been arraigned.

Aaron Christopher Ames was arraigned before Jackson County District Judge Daniel Goostrey Tuesday, April 16, on felony charges alleging he was sharing inappropriate sexual images with students at Grass Lake High School.
Update: Thomas Knickerbocker, a 43-year-old Battle Creek man, was linked in the shooting and faces charges of open murder, assault with intent to murder, and weapons charges, court records show.

BATTLE CREEK, MI -- A man was killed and a woman was injured in a shooting early this morning inside a home, according to police.
LANSING, MI  Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield is facing 13 felony charges for financial crimes after Attorney General Dana Nessel said Chatfield and his associates used hundreds of thousands of dollars he fundraised for extravagant personal purchases.

Our investigation has uncovered evidence that Lee Chatfield used various different schemes to embezzle, steal and convert both private and public monies to fund a lavish lifestyle that a state salary could not possibly afford, Nessel said during a press conference Tuesday.

It included a $32,000 Bahamian vacation, luxury purchases, a family trip to Universal Studios in Florida, groceries and paying off a $132,000 credit card balance.

Chatfield, who served as leader of Michigans state house in 2019 and 2020, raised more than $5 million while in office both through disclosed campaign accounts and through a nonprofit dark money organization called Peninsula Fund.

The announcement came after a years-long investigation into Chatfields activities before and after he served as speaker for two years from 2019 through 2020.

The 13 charges he is facing include conducting a criminal enterprise and embezzlement, and all are felonies which could result in decades in prison if convicted.

Chatfields lawyer, attorney Mary Chartier, told MLive her client will fight the charges.

It took almost two and a half years for the Attorney Generals Office to come up with charges against Mr. Chatfield regarding supposed financial offenses, Chartier told MLive. We are prepared to fight them each and every step of the way.

Chatfields wife, Stephanie Chatfield, also faces felony charges for participating in the scheme.

The evidence shows that Stephanie Chatfield made payments to Lee Chatfields personal credit cards directly from Peninsula Fund accounts, Nessel said.

Anne and Rob Minard, his former political director and chief of staff, respective, are currently facing more than a dozen charges including embezzlement for allegedly taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from the same accounts.

More: Former top Michigan legislative staffers arraigned on embezzlement charges

The inquiry into Chatfield first began a year after he left office due to term limits in 2021. His sister-in-law reported to Lansing police in January 2022 that he had sexually assaulted her repeatedly over more than a decade. Chatfield characterized their relationship as an affair and denied the allegations.

Nessel said Tuesday the sexual assault investigation was being closed without charges because we cannot reach the appropriate proofs required as it relates to the allegations of sexual assault. Still, Nessel commended her for stepping forward.

Were it not for her you likely wouldnt be here today, Nessel said, indicating it was those allegations that opened the door for state investigators to examine Chatfields alleged financial crimes.

Thats because Michigans disclosure laws allow politicians to have nonprofit accounts that can accept unlimited amounts of money from any source without disclosing their donors. Nessel excoriated Michigan disclosure laws for enabling Chatfields activity.

The Michigan Campaign Finance Act is effectively toothless, useless, and utterly worthless as a deterrent to these crimes, she said. Its actions governing political funds and donor disclosure couldnt be more futile if they were literally drafted by crooks for the very purpose of violating them.

Checks from Chatfields four leadership political action committees, Nessel said, were given to Chatfields friends and family used to reimburse bar and retail expenses on Chatfields various trips.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson spoke to reporters after the press conference to call for the passage of the BRITE Act, proposed legislation which would provide some degree of increased disclosure around nonprofit accounts in Michigan.

More: Michigan lawmakers to propose revealing politicians dark money accounts

That the egregious, and blatant embezzlement of taxpayer dollars and nonprofit funds for personal enrichment were able to go undetected for so long underscores a failure of our current laws to prohibit corruption in state government, Benson said. This culture of corruption must end. Our citizens deserve better than this.
The Detroit Red Wings honored James Reimer in a pregame ceremony Monday for playing his 500th game on Saturday.

Reimers 501st appearance, tonight in Montreal, will be the Red Wings most important game in eight years.
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Swati Das is an independent journalist covering Tamil Nadu politics, and is based in Chennai.
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'Nagpur mera hai ...': Nitin Gadkari says will win Lok Sabha polls by 5 lakh votes
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Ayushmann Khurrana visits the new parliament building, praises its architectural structure
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Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde visit Salman Khan at his residence, two days after the gunshot firing
Punjabi actress Delbar Arya is in awe of Diljit Dosanjh's acting in 'Chamkila', says "as if Chamkila's soul has really taken shape in Diljit'
'Shah Rukh Khan sent a car of bodyguards at night to our hotel to protect us', says SRK's Jawan co-actor Priyamani
1/5 Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde met actor Salman Khan at his residence at Bandra's Galaxy apartments in Mumbai to reassure him after a shooting incident outside his house. (Image: Eknath Shindes office via ANI on X)

2/5

Eknath Shinde assured the superstar and his father veteran writer Salim Khan of tight security and vigil and said that the police will take stringent action in the firing case. (Image: Eknath Shindes office via ANI on X)

3/5 Police has arrested the two accused in the case. The have been identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21). (Image: @Salmanki_Duniya/X)

4/5 On Sunday at around 5 am, the accused allegedly opened fire outside Salman Khans house in Bandra. (Image: screengrab from video tweeted by ANI on X)
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Salman Khan firing case update: Mumbai crime branch officers arrive in the city with the two arrested shooters
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Salman Khan firing case update: Mumbai police tells court, the accused opened fire outside actors house in a bid to kill him
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Salman Khan firing case update: The two suspects sent to custody till April 25
Nivedita is a Delhi-based journalist who writes on health, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment. Views expressed are personal.
Manish M. Suvarna is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He writes on the Indian money markets, RBI, Banks and NBFCs. He tweets at @manishsuvarna15. Contact: Manish.Suvarna@nw18.com
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EC bans Congress leader Randeep Surjewala from campaigning for 48 hours over remarks against Hema Malini
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Santosh Nair is Executive Editor, Special Projects, Moneycontrol. He has been writing on the financial markets for over two decades, having previously worked with Business Standard, myiris.com, Crisil Market Wire and The Economic Times. He is also the author of the popular book on Indian markets, Bulls, Bears and Other Beasts.
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Max Healthcare Institute to invest Rs 5,000 crore on doubling bed capacity in 4-5 years
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By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Patient readers, matters occurent prevented me from delivering the encyclopedic post on The People of The State of New York -against- Donald J. Trump, Defendant, that I had researched for, though I suppose Ill get another bite at the Big Rotten Apple soon enough. Monday was the first day of Trumps trial in Manhattan, which began amongst small crowds. The session was devoted to jury selection, although none were actually selected (more than half of the 96 jurors called Monday said they couldnt be fair and impartial when it comes to the former president). For me, the most dramatic event was Trump falling asleep, albeit briefly, which could actually be strategically brilliant: Trump should talk to voters  and do his all-important A/B testing!  via Zoom at night, and then sleep in court during the day! He could bring a pillow from that pillow guy. That would also keep him out of trouble! (Also, Trump said Judge Merchan denied his request to attend his sons graduation, when what Merchan actually did was postpone a decision. Judge Merchan also said Trump would have to be in court next week, meaning he wont be present when the Supreme Court hears arguments about his claims to Presidential immunity.)

So this post will of necessity be short and simple: I will examine at the odd structure of Braggs case. Theres a lot more to be said, but that is all I have time for today. Oh, and my routine caveat: IANAL. I hope any real lawyers will step in and correct any errors, expand on this analysis, share their experience, strength, and hope.. Oh. Sorry. Wrong meeting.

First, the structure. From the Manhattan District Attorneys press release, District Attorney Bragg Announces 34-Count Felony Indictment of Former President Donald J. Trump:

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. today announced the indictment of DONALD J. TRUMP, 76, for falsifying New York business records in order to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election. During the election, TRUMP and others employed a catch and kill scheme to identify, purchase, and bury negative information about him and boost his electoral prospects. TRUMP then went to great lengths to hide this conduct, causing dozens of false entries in business records to conceal criminal activity, including attempts to violate state and federal election laws.

The difficulty that Braggs press release glosses over is that the catch and kill scheme is not illegal. Falsifying business records is illegal, but its a misdemeanor except when committed in furtherance of another crime, when it becomes a felony (or, in this case, 34 felonies; Bragg pumped up the numbers, just as Smith did with his sekrit documents). So what is this other crime? Amazingly, Bragg does not say.[1] IANAL, but to my simple mind, odd is a fair word for this approach.

Braggs filing, says the Press Release, comprises two documents: The Indictment, and the Statement of Facts.

The 34 counts of the Indictment all look alike. Here is the 34th:

As you can see, the count is a felony (First Degree) under Penal Law 175.10. Again, what makes it a felony? That the false entry was made with the intent to commit another crime. But that crime is mentioned nowhere in the Indictment.

Now lets turn to the Statement of Facts. First, let me quote footnote 1 (of 1):

So we have an Indictment whose degree (first/felony or second/misdemeanor) depends on unspecified other crimes, and we have a Statement of Facts that doesnt contain all the facts relevant to the charges in the Indictment. Wouldnt it have been simpler for Bragg to hand the court a ream of blank paper and say Well fill this in as we go along? Again, IANAL, but I think odd is a fair word.

The rest of the Statement of Facts is a laudably painstaking account of document flow within the Trump organization, and as a former documents maven I cannot forbear from quoting:

The checks and stubs bearing the false statements were stapled to the invoices also bearing false statements. The Defendant signed each of the checks personally and had them sent back to the Trump Organization in New York County. There, the checks, the stubs, and the invoices were scanned and maintained in the Trump Organizations data system before the checks themselves were detached and mailed to Lawyer A for payment.

Sterling stuff, but the key aspect of the Statement of Facts occurs in the first two paragraphs (though oft-repeated):

Criminal conduct that breaks what law? Unstated in the Statement of Facts, and uncharged in the Indictment. The same is true for unlawful scheme, violated election laws, and mischaracterized for tax purposes. How are these facts as opposed to assertions or unsupported claims? Trump must either have been convicted of these crimes already, or be charged with them now. If the former, the case should be cited. If the latter, the charge should appear in the Indictment. Neither is true. Isnt that odd?

Naturally, the Trump Defense team asked District Attorney Bragg about all this, in particular the other crime:

Here in relevant part is Braggs response, which I have helpfully annotated:

[1] Will Franz Kafka please pick up the white courtesy phone?

[2] Oh, so theres no theory of the case in the Indictment or the Statement of Facts?

[3] No. Just no. You cant refer the Defense to a fact to prove a charge. Thats your job as prosecutor.

Law360s Frank Runyeon summarized what these other crimes may be in plain English:

Theres a lot of discussion of the merits of charging Trump with these hypothetical other crimes, and Im sure Ill have plenty to say about Trumps putative other crimes when Bragg reveals what the other crimes actually are. For now, my laypersons view is that having a state enforce a Federal Law (in this case, the Federal Election Campaign Act) is nuts. Do we want states enforcing, say, the Espionage Act? Really? Presumably theres a dividing line of some sort. Where?

Finally, heres a handy diagram that shows the structure of Braggs case, via Asha Rangappa (former FBI Special Agent and editor of Just Security). I have added some helpful annotations:

[1] The top half of the diagram is the business records case, showing the document flows described in the Statement of Facts.

[2] The bottom half of the diagram is the other crimes that convert what would be misdemeanors into felonies. (Rangappa amusingly labels this process, marked in blue, a felony bump-up.) You will observe that to reduce the felonies down to misdemeanors, the Trump defense team must delink the records charges above the red line from the other crimes below. This will be more manageable, of course, when Bragg reveals what they are.

[3] The highlighted text implies that the other crime could be an (uncharged) conspiracy. That seems odd, too, not to say Kafka-esque. The other crime can be a crime that Trump was only convicted of on some alternate timeline? IANAL, so can this possibly be true?

* * *

It will be interesting to see what the Indictment and the Facts actually are, when Bragg chooses to reveal them. Again, I hope any real lawyers will jump in with their views; I am, after all, merely a humble blogger, and what I view as nuts may be perfectly normal and routine.

NOTES

[1] I have not seen anyone assert that theres anything wrong with Braggs procedure here, but how is the defense supposed to prepare to defend their client against the crime that transforms misdemeanors into felonies if they are not told what that crime is?
Argentina cannot be neutral in the Third World War.

When tensions between Tel Aviv and Tehran exploded this past weekend following Tehrans retaliatory strike against strategic targets in Israel, most governments in Latin America struck a relatively neutral position, expressing their concern about a possible escalation of violence in the Middle East. Despite differences of opinion over who is most to blame for the rising tensions, there was almost unanimous agreement on the need for decisive measures to avoid further escalation.

But there was one striking exception: Javier Mileis government in Argentina, which has expressed solidarity and unwavering commitment to the State of Israel in the face of attacks initiated by the Islamic Republic of Iran. To deal with the crisis, Milei cut short his international tour of the US and Europe, where he was scheduled to participate in an official ceremony to mark his governments purchase of 24 almost 40-year old F-16 fighter jets from Denmark that the Danish government is retiring, prompting jokes that Mileis government doesnt have a peso to spare for Argentine pensioners but it has $300 million for Danish ones.

One of his first acts was to call a crisis committee to spearhead his governments response to the Middle East conflict. The committees members included Argentinas Defence Minister, Luis Petri, Vits ice President, Victoria Villarruel, and, controversially, Israels Ambassador to Argentina, Eyal Sela. Controversial because the meeting was supposedly intended to analyze the risks Argentina may face as a result of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, yet Sela represents the interests of one of the two countries directly involved in that conflict.

As veteran journalist Jorge Lanata put it, it really doesnt matter whether Milei is worried or not about Israel. What matters is that a foreign ambassador, whether from Israel or Belgium, I dont care, is in a cabinet meeting in Argentina. It seems to me that there are basic standards to uphold.

As the controversy grew around Selas participation in the meeting, the government tried to memory hole the whole debacle by claiming that the Israeli ambassador had not actually attended the meeting after all, as it itself had claimed just a day earlier, but had merely participated in a preliminary session before making his departure. This was despite multiple official photos showing Sela sitting just two seats away from Milei.

Some sources even claim that Sela kicked off the meeting, as if he were its chair, with a summary of the current state of play in Israel, none of which would come as any great surprise. Once the meeting was over, Mileis spokesman, Manuel Adorni, told a press conference that Argentina emphatically supports the State of Israel in defense of its sovereignty. He then handed the mike to Sela who thanked Milei on behalf of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and President Isaac Herzog for his clear and resounding condemnation of Iran and for being on the right side of history and the facts.

No Neutrality in a Third World War

Milei himself said in an off-screen comment that Argentina cannot be neutral in the Third World War, according to the veteran TV news presenter Nelson Castro. His government released the following official statement (translation my own):

The office of President Javier Milei expresses its solidarity and unwavering commitment to the State of Israel, in the face of the attacks initiated by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Argentine Republic recognises the right of Nation-States to defend themselves, and emphatically supports the State of Israel in the defence of its sovereignty, especially against regimes that promote terror and seek the destruction of Western civilization. We recall that on Thursday April 11, the federal court of appeals ruled that the attacks against the Israel Embassy and the AMIA (Mutual Argentina-Israel Association) were perpetrated by Hezbollah under the aegis of Iranian State organisations. As the President of the Nation has said, Argentina has adopted a new foreign policy that is based on the defense of Western values and a common vision of the world in defense of life, liberty and private property. The State of Israel is a bulwark of Western values in the Middle East and Argentina will always be at its side in the face of those intent on its extermination.

No Surprise

The Milei governments unquestioning support of Israel, even as it has committed a host of war crimes in Gaza, including genocide, should not come as a surprise. On the campaign trail, foreign policy may have been overshadowed by economic concerns, but Milei made it abundantly clear where his geopolitical allegiances would lie if he won the election. He said he would cancel Argentinas entry to the BRICS alliance, which he has done. He would also cool relations with Argentinas two largest trade partners, Brazil and China, while emphatically aligning the country with the US and Israel. And he has done exactly that.

Since coming to power just over four months ago, Mileis government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States allowing members of the US Army Corps of Engineers to operate along the Parana-Paraguay Waterway, including large parts of the river Plata basin, upon which roughly 80% of all Argentine exports travel. A couple of weeks ago, he traveled 3,000 kilometres to meet up with General Laura Richardson, the commander of US Southern Command  someone of lower rank to him  in Ushuaia, on the southern tip of Tierra de Fuego. There, the two announced the establishment of a joint naval base that would allow Argentina and the US to control this key entry point to Antarctica.

As readers may recall, the director of the CIA William J Burns paid Buenos Aires a rare visit a few weeks ago. Senior Mossad agents have also apparently been in town, as too have members of the BND, or German intelligence. Out of these meetings between senior spooks and government officials came an agreement that Argentina will conduct intelligence on terrorism threats, primarily from Hezbollah, drug trafficking and the Triple Frontier, a tri-border area along the junction of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, where the Iguazu and Parana rivers converge. It was also agreed that Argentinas domestic intelligence agency would be subject to greater control by the military.

Jewish Heritage?

Milei, a Roman Catholic by upbringing, has a particular fondness for both Judaism and Israel. Not only does he want to convert to Judaism when he leaves politics, he recently claimed to have Jewish heritage. In February, he visited Israel where he wailed at the wall, danced and sang with Israeli settlers as Israeli bombs rained down on Gaza, and unveiled plans to move his countrys embassy to Jerusalem, making Argentina only the sixth country to do so after the US, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo and Papa New Guinea.

On the international trip he just cut short, Milei travelled with his sister, Karina, to Miami where they were both recognised as International Ambassadors of Light by the citys Chabad Lubavitch community, largely because of their support for Israel. They then visited Teslas Giga Plant in Texas to meet with Elon Musk, who covets Argentinas vast lithium deposits. Unlike in Bolivia five years ago, a coup was not necessary this time.

Milei has long had close ties to the Chabad Lubavitch movement, a highly influential branch of Hasidism, an orthodox transnational movement that emerged in Eastern Europe in the late 18th and early 19 centuries. As La Politica Online (LPO) reported in late November, just after he was elected president, Milei studies the Torah with Axel Wahnish, a Buenos Aires-based Lubavitch rabbi who is now Argentinas ambassador to Israel, and has visited the tomb of the Lubavitch Rebbe, the leader of the Chabad Lubavitch dynasty, twice in the past year.

Mileis government has rejected claims that its overt support for Israel will make Argentina a popular target for terrorist attacks such as those it suffered in 1992 and 1994, both of which have been attributed to Hizbollah and its primary backer, Iran.

We do not believe that standing up to an international problem makes us a target or that it will change the situation in this country that has already suffered two attacks, presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni told reporters. What Adorni fails to mention, as an article in Cronista notes, is that those two attacks, in 1992 and 1994, came after Carlos Menems government had cemented its alignment with the United States by sending two military frigates to participate in the US-led Gulf War. On the grand chessboard, these actions can have consequences.

At that time at least, Argentina was one of 30 countries taking part in the military campaign. By contrast, the Milei governments full-throated, uncritical support of Israel is almost unique in the word today. While support for the Neyanyahu regime has plummeted in most quarters, Argentina under Milei has not only stopped voting in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza, it has stopped condemning any crimes Israel commits in the ravaged enclave, where more than 33,000 people  mainly women and children  have been killed, according to official figures.

Weapons, Or Even Troops, to Ukraine?

Milei is intent on embroiling Argentina not only in the escalating tensions of the Middle East, but also in the meat grinder that is Ukraine. For just over two years, Latin America has refused to fall in line with the Collective Wests demands on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with just one country, Costa Rica, actually agreeing to apply the sanctions against Russia. For over a year, nine countries in the region, including Argentina, rebuffed the repeated exhortations from NATO members to donate or sell their Russian-made weaponry to Ukraine. But that is now over.

The new Daniel Noboa government in Ecuador recently offered to give up its Russian-made arms to Ukraine, only to furiously backtrack when Moscow threatened to stop buying Ecuadors number-one export product, bananas. As for Milei, he plans to go to Ukraine during his tour of Europe in June, which would make him the first Latin American leader to visit the war-torn country since hostilities began. He has also been invited by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to participate in the G7 summit in Orgo Egnazia between June 13 and 15. From LPO:

In statements on the radio Milei said that the governments are in contact, our Minister of Defense is in contact with the Ukrainian authorities. We are going to help them in any way we can. In addition, he confirmed that a forum is going to be held in defence of Ukraine in Latin America. But the Head of State went even further, saying they are evaluating sending weapons to Ukraine. It is something that Defense Minister Luis Petri is discussing with the Ukrainian authorities to see what we can collaborate on, he said. We are designing a trip and the idea is that we go through Ukraine. We have to travel to the G7, I thank President (Giorgia) Meloni for inviting me, I also have to go to Madrid to receive the Juan de Mariana award, then to Germany to receive the medal of honor, he explained The possibility of direct government intervention in the war is considered highly risky among Argentine diplomats. It would be like declaring war on Russia just at a time that many of Ukraines allies are beginning to get cold feet.

In an interview with CNN Espanols Andres Oppenheimer, Milei even mentioned the possibility of sending military personnel into the meat grinder, a proposal that enjoys the support of just 21% of the population, according to a survey by the consultant Gustavo Cordoba. Any decision to send troops would have to go through Congress first, an unnamed diplomatic source told LPO. The same, however, is not true of sending arms.

In other words, the Milei government could soon send a consignment of weapons  including quite possibly Russian ordinance  and other aid to Ukraine in the next few months, which, of course, will have next to no material impact on the course of the war. This it will do despite having virtually no money in the bank and depending on credit lines from the IMF and, ironically, a currency swap with China just to make ends meet. As Milei talks up sending weapons to Ukraine, his government is slashing public spending and subsidies across the board, including for food banks and soup kitchens at a time when public demand for them is surging as a result of the governments crushing austerity and triple-digit inflation.
Yves here. We were among those to point out, relatively early, that Russia would dictate terms when the Ukraine war ended. But John Helmer was first to recognize that de-electrification was the leverage point in this campaign. Turning out the lights, as much as they will need to be, is looking to be the mechanism to force Ukraines capitulation.

Helmer expands on his theme of how the electric war has become central, even if the battlefield fight also continues.

By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears

It was a relatively bright day, November 21, 1920, when Vladimir Lenin, having won the civil war and driven off the American, British, French, Canadian, and Australian invasion forces, announced: Communism is Soviet power plus the electrification of the whole country, since industry cannot be developed without electrification.

Come November 2024 it will be a century and four years to count what Lenin meant, and how Russia is proving itself against everything which the military industries, special forces, weapons, intelligence so-called, operations, and plans of the old invasion coalition, plus Germany, can throw at it. So on November 21, 2024, it will be time to revise Lenins maxim to read: Russia is military power plus the de-electrification of the countries which attack it.

This is electric war.

To make the war aim unambiguously clear, President Vladimir Putin ordered his ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Vasily Nebenzya (lead image, left), to read out a paper at his desk in the UN Security Council chamber on April 11: very soon, the only topic for international meetings in Ukraine will be the unconditional surrender of the Kiev regime.

Note what the terms unconditional surrender of the Kiev regime mean: total military defeat of the Ukrainian, American, British, French, Polish, and other forces on the Ukrainian territory and in the air surrounding; surrender of the municipal administrations of the east-bank cities, including Kharkov, Dniepropetrovsk, and Odessa; disarmament and demilitarization of the territory between Kiev and the Polish border; exit of every member of the regime, starting with Vladimir Zelensky.

This is an ultimatum without alternatives for either Moscow or Kiev. In electric war, are there any alternatives?

Nebenzya was making his announcement on the evening of Thursday, April 11, Kiev time. In the time it took for his text to be drafted, edited by the Foreign Ministry, authorized at the Kremlin, and Nebenzya given the go-ahead, it had been only a few hours after the lights of Kiev went out when the Tripolskaya power station was destroyed by a new Russian missile, the X-69 (lead image, right).

THE GEOGRAPHY OF TARGETING IN THE ELECTRIC WAR TO DATE

Click to enlarge key and identify locations: https://t.me/rezervsvo/53515

The strike against the Tripolskaya plant was carried out by X-69 missiles fired by Su-34 or Su-35 aircraft flying at a range of up to 400 kilometres from the targets. The aircraft were in Russian airspace, out of range of Ukrainian Patriot and other air defence batteries; the missiles, however, penetrated the air defence screen around Kiev and could not be intercepted. Source: https://t.me/s/Slavyangrad

Source: https://www.ft.com/

Note the single, tiny yellow blip southwest of Donetsk which the Anglo-American mapmaker calls Ukrainian claimed counteroffensive.

As of April 10, 2024: Source: https://t.me/sputniklive/78749

Boris Rozhin, whose Colonel Cassad military blog broadly represents General Staff thinking, reports the operational breakthrough demonstrated on April 11, and explains what the maps of current targeting foreshadow for the next round of strikes, and the rounds after that. Rozhin republishes his analysis from RT, the state media organ.

By the evening of April 11, Ukrainian sources reported that air-launched X-69 missiles could be used to hit the Tripolskaya TPP [Thermal Power Plant]. So far, there is no confirmation of this information, but it is worth studying these missiles in more detail. Their range is almost 20 times less than that of the X-101 missiles [equivalent to about 250-500 kilometres], the carriers of which are strategic aircraft of the Aerospace Forces [Tu-95]. In their [X-69] function, they are closer to the foreign [Anglo-French] Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, which are being attempted for strikes on the Crimean Bridge. The [X-69s] long range of the 300 km could be enough if the launches of missiles were carried out from the territory of the Bryansk region. If the use of missiles is confirmed in the future, it will mean that no energy facility of the Ukraine on the Dnieper River can work safely, and the strike capabilities of the Aerospace Forces have multiplied. https://t.me/rt_russian/197065

Several factors have led to the weakening of the air defence in Ukraine, among which in the first place is the disproportionately high consumption of expensive anti-[aircraft] missiles SAMP-T, and Patriot, as well as daily losses of the foreign air defence systems near the front line. They have been deployed there to prevent Russian aircraft, or at least reduce their activity, but as a consequence, the foreign air defence systems themselves have become the target. And so the circle is closed  medium-range air defence systems cannot be placed on energy facilities now due to the risk of destruction; in the event they are destroyed, the West is in no hurry to replace the launchers and radars. As a result, the key energy facilities remain unprotected; it becomes easier to hit them; and for combined strikes it is no longer necessary to use [Russian] strategic aviation, as it was at the beginning of the SVO or throughout the past year. These circumstances allow the Russian Defense Ministry to reduce the consumption of long-range X-101 missiles, and open up for the General Staff the opportunity to expand the operational horizon in striking, and consider the following global steps, for which long-range means of destruction will be required.

What goals can be affected after Tripolskaya? If you compare the range of the X-69 missiles with the location of energy facilities on the Dnieper, you can find that due to the shortage of air defences, the presence of cheap cruise missiles, and the large number of combatants from the Russian side, you can organize a massive strike on any target in the central part of Ukraine. It is noteworthy that a significant part of the TPP [thermal power plant], CHP [combined heat and power plant], and HPPs [hydroelectric power plant] on the Dnieper have already been attacked once or several times. But with the use of the X-69, the cost of which is several times less than X-101/X-555, the destruction of Ukraines energy infrastructure can reach a fundamentally new level.

At the same time, the cumulative effect of the blows continues to shake the Ukrainian energy network: the sudden loss of 1.8 GW of generation against the background of the destruction of the Tripolskaya thermal power plant and the general shortage of electricity is a serious and unsolved problem for the foreseeable future. There are not so many partially functioning and as yet not fully destroyed targets; three of them  Zmievskaya, Pridneprovskaya, and Kryvorizhska [Krivoy Rog] are now within reach of the X-69 missiles. For the final destruction of similar facilities in the west of Ukraine (Burshtyn and Dobrotrytskaya TPP) a combined missile strike with the use of long-range X-101 can be carried out.

For a guide to the measurement units of electricity generation and consumption, click to read.

MAP OF LOCATIONS OF UKRAINE POWER GENERATING PLANTS BY TYPE

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

Given the fact that the Thermal Power Plants (TPP), as well as the hydropower plants [HPP], in the Ukraine play an important role in the system and have played the role of the energy balancer, their destruction will lead to the fact that there will be no stable electricity in the electricity system of the eastern and central part of the Ukraine. And without that it is impossible not only for industry to function, but also any normal life, not to mention serious military capabilities.

The Ukraine has published electricity capacity levels before the war reaching their peak on January 25, 2022  according to Ukrenergo figures, reported by the International Energy Agency (IEA)  of 21.13GW. Ukrainian demand on that day was 21.91GW.

Ukrenergo figures were last published for October 27, 2022, when the first phase of the electric war was under way. Generation amounted to 10.71GW; demand to 10.77GW. The estimated capacity which survived at the end of last month, after the electric war had resumed, was estimated in Colonel Cassad reporting on March 30 at 7.8GW.

Imports of electricity from the surrounding EU states were peaking last month, on March 26, at 18,649 MW per hour, or about 779.2MW of EU generating capacity; that is just over 10% of domestic generation. The figure is considerable for a single day and expensive, whether Kiev or the Europeans pay. For how long the Ukraine and its EU neighbours can agree to keep up the rate or expand it, is unknown. The line capacity from the EU networks was at 1.7GW by late last year. On paper, that looks like double last months peak. Russian attacks on the transmission grid inside Ukraine are likely to reduce that.

At best, on paper, the current generating capacity of solar energy plants is about 5GW; wind power, 1.3GW. In fact, according to the last report of the International Energy Agency (IEA) of electricity generation by source, dated February 25, 2022, the solar plants were producing just 0.10GW, wind plants, 0.04GW. The IEA data came from Ukrenergo, the Kiev state utility. Most of the Ukraines renewable energy sources are in the southeast of country, behind or just forward of the front.

CHART OF UKRAINE ELECTRICITY GENERATION BY SOURCE TO FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Click to enlarge view. In the IEAs last public record on February 25, 2022, Ukrainian nuclear plants were producing 8.42GW, coal 3.82GW, hydro 1.28GW, natural gas 0.47GW, solar 0.10GW, and wind 0.04, totaling 14.13GW. For Rozhins analysis of how much of this capacity remained before last weeks round of strikes, read this, Rozhins estimate of the surviving balance on April 1 was 7.8GW. Based in Paris, the IEA is a propaganda agency for the Kiev regime; Russia is excluded from membership or association. The IEA is partnering with Ukraine as it bolsters its energy security, the international agency says on its website at the moment. The International Energy Agency (IEA), which has deepened its relationship with Ukraine since Russias invasion, is stepping up to provide supportThe IEA and many of our member countries are working closely with Ukraine to help the countrys energy system recover from Russias attacks. The agency has been concealing the loss of Ukrainian electricity capacity since February 2022.

In remarks this month to the Financial Times of Tokyo and London, Ukrainian energy officials claim they have three alternatives  repair the damage, bringing the system back to normal demand levels; add alternative power sources such as imported electricity from Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, Romania, and the Baltic states or local renewables, such as solar and wind generation; or defend the electricity system with more Patriot missile systems.

Our goal, according to Maxim Timchenko, chief executive of DTEK  the dominant Ukrainian power company which is owned by Rinat Akhmetov, is to restore as much as we can by October Subject to no further attacks, at least 50 per cent of damaged power units will be reconnected to the grid. Had it not been for the warm weather, energy imports from the EU, and an increase in renewable energy generation, the current situation would be much worse, Timchenko added.

The Russians are trying to cut off large industrial regions and cities from the power supply, a spokesman for Ukrenergo, the state-owned grid system operator, told the newspaper. Smaller substations  managed by Ukrenergo  can be shielded from attacks with protective structures. But it is very difficult, if not impossible to cover the large power plants, which take several months or even years to restore.

In a separate report, the FT claimed after the Tripolskaya attack that the plant had been protected by air defences. Whether these were Patriot missiles or something else, the newspaper omitted to acknowledge that they had been defeated.

It then quoted Ilya Yevlash, Ukraine Air Forces brand-new spokesman, as saying that only the Patriot system was capable of shooting down Russias hypersonic Kinzhal and Zircon missiles. Obviously we need more, which may help us to protect our critical infrastructure and cities. The newspaper didnt ask  Yevlash didnt say why the NATO-Ukrainian crews manning the Patriot batteries have been unable to defend either their missile batteries or themselves from hypersonic Kinzhal strikes or the subsonic X-69s.

Other Russian military bloggers are reporting new strikes in the west against thermal power plants (TPP) at Dobrotvir, Lvov region, and Burshtyn, Ivano-Frankivsk region, as well as the vast underground gas storage in Lvov known as Bilche-Volitzko-Ugerskoye.

Alexei Slovtsov has summed up the current situation in the military blog Slavyangrad: The enemys ability to manoeuvre [redistribute and balance] the load has practically disappeared. The base load is carried by the nuclear power plants, and all fluctuations in the schedule can now be covered only by imports from outside. And that is limited by the network bandwidth and power on the other side. The ability to control frequency in the power system will be greatly reduced. The east of Ukraine is now stuck in dependence on several lines of 330 kV and below. There, literally, the last click is needed for everything to go out from the Dnieper to Kharkov. If the 750 kV network is killed, the system will break up into three isolated nodes around the nuclear power plants. Source: April 12, 01:21.

MAP OF UKRAINIAN TRANSMISSION LINE TARGETS



This targeting map was drawn by military sources for this publication on April 1. It is not yet a map of new Russian strikes.

According to a NATO veteran and expert in applying electrical engineering to war, there is no prospect that the regime in Kiev can fill the power hole being created by the Russian operations. Renewables [solar, wind] are not even remotely close to filling the gap. Theyre a scam, especially in the Ukrainian case. Taking generation out of the equation, if the Russians continue striking transmission and distribution infrastructure, as well as production, transportation and storage facilities, the inevitable conclusion is the collapse of the Ukrainian electricity grid. This means the collapse of Ukrainian society. As we watch the electric war unfold, I get the impression that pushing [Ukrainian] people west of the Dnieper is the [Russian] goal of the current phase of the electric war  so call this Phase 2.

The source said the bordering NATO states lack the capacity to increase their electricity supplies to the Ukraine, even with the addition of newly announced power sources in the Baltic states. This European industry publication has reported that in 2023 Ukrainian imports from the European Union (EU) had doubled from 2021 to 935 million kWh.

How much more EU sources can provide is uncertain. Ukrainian sources told the Financial Times last week that in the aftermath of the March strikes, imports from the EU reached a record 18,700MWh, the equivalent generated by two power plants. In the months after Russias full-scale invasion of 2022, Ukraine connected its grid to neighbouring EU countries Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland.

The International Energy Agency (IEA), which publishes what it calls real-time data on electricity demand and generation in Ukraine, stopped reporting the demand and generation data after February 2022. The US propaganda source, Atlantic Council, is currently claiming that Ukraine expands EU energy exports in fresh display of wartime resilience; In fact, Ukrainian electricity exports have stopped, and imports from the EU may already be greater than the Atlantic Council estimated in March to be 1700MW (1.7GW).

Last month, the western press was repeating Kievs claims. In its latest update on energy security in Ukraine, the countrys Energy Ministry said Sunday [March 17] the power supply system remained balanced despite technical disruptions and shelling. No shortage of electricity is expected, it said in a press release on its website. For the current day, electricity imports are expected to reach 3,900 MWh, while exports are also expected to reach 2,000 MWh it added. On March 5, 2024, the ministry, which oversees Ukrenegro, said Ukraine achieved an electricity surplus which was exported to Poland in the amount of 246 mWh.

In the four weeks since then the Russian General Staff have despatched Kinzhal and X-69 to contradict the claims.

The NATO electrical engineer adds: I dont believe the transmission lines between the Ukraine and the EU have the capacity for the compensating increase required to fill the gap.

Oleg Tsarev is an influential Ukrainian political figure and potential Russian candidate to take the presidency in Kiev; he was the target of Ukrainian assassination last October. He now lives and works in Crimea. Here is his Telegram piece of April 7, analyzing the new phase in the electric war: What has happened? Why have our operations become more striking? Partly this is due to the fact that the Russian Aerospace Forces have pretty much blasted the Ukrainian air defense systems. Since the summer of 2022, the losses of such AFU [Armed Forces of the Ukraine] systems have sharply decreased due to the integration of air defence with Western intelligence systems. Our people looked closely at the western air defence systems, analyzed their work, and looked for vulnerabilities. And so it went on for a long time: for the whole of 2023, according to the official reports of our Ministry of Defense, only 46 anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs) of Ukraine were hit. And in three months of this year, 52 have already been counted.

Our military has studied how Western systems work, how to bypass or hit them. We have improved the quality of the intelligence. The defeats of the SAM on the combat front and in the rear are vivid examples of this. Plus a combination of Geranium drone strikes and rocket launches is used. This is confirmed by the statistics of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in their analysis of combined air strikes and UAVs: if at the beginning of 2023, our [Russian] strikes averaged about 22 per day, then in the middle and end of the year, there were over 50; in February 2024 this number jumped abruptly to 84 per day, and in March the rate continued. Our missiles and drones have really increased. There are fewer enemy air defences.

The most important thing is, apparently, that after the attacks on our refineries and on Belgorod, decisions were made to use our capabilities to the fullest. Last year, they [Russia] tried not to hit production facilities, and even blows to large transformers in network nodes were inflicted reluctantly. Today, our weapons are hitting the engine rooms of power plants and any associated military targets. Important political decisions have been made, and all these strikes are just the tip of the iceberg.

NOTE: The impact of the Tripolskaya, Dobrotvir, and Burshtyn strikes has not yet materialized in a surge of Ukrainians heading out of the blackout and into Poland. These are the latest outward and inward figures issued by the Polish Border Guard:

UKRAINIAN POPULATION MOVEMENT ACROSS THE POLISH BORDER THIS MONTH
Dear patient readers,

Sorry to be light at launch. Come back at 8:00 AM for a full ration. Sorry to overshare, but recovering from a terribly bad overnight, an estate hearing where my attorney did not even remotely adequately prepare me and then basically hung me out to dry by being too lazy to do effective redirect. I either followed her guidance or learned she was silent on issues where she should have given me a heads up. I have never felt so humiliated.

All that was treated by the opposition and even the judge as if I were trying to pull a fast one, when I worked like a dog to get a sale for over the asking price for a dated house with no big reno and was meticulous about documenting expenses AND ate many expenses that I was not even allowed to mention!

And being used to NYC-caliber lawyers, I had already gone through three (although admittedly the first one quit after it was clear one heir was going to be difficult) before this one, so it was not as if I could fire her when I saw some worrisome signs. Although the problem may have been the probate bar and not Alabama. As David in Friday Harbor said,

Probate lawyers are bottom feeders shamelessly taking advantage of widows and orphans. I have never had an ounce of respect for their ilk. Probate turns even decent judges minds to mush.

* * *

Song Lyrics Have Become Simpler and More Repetitive Over the Last Five Decades Nature. I think not at NC!

People with a higher IQ and favorable genes for intelligence are more likely to be liberal ZMEScience

Conscientious unbelievers aeon

Your Vision Can Predict Dementia 12 Years Before Diagnosis, Study Finds ScienceAlert (Chuck L)

#COVID-19

Climate/Environment

China?

European Disunion

Old Blighty

Protest against foreign agent law in Georgia turns violent (VIDEO) RT (Kevin W)

Gaza

Iran v. Israel
Genocide Joe Biden shows devotion to Israel, sends reinforcements to fight Iran

President Joe Biden expressed his devotion to Israel a day before Iran made good on its promise that it will punish Israel for the April 1 airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria that killed seven officers of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, including two of its top generals.

When asked what his message to Iran was, he warned them not to proceed with the attack. "Don't," Biden said on Friday, April 12. "We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel. We will help to defend Israel, and Iran will not succeed." He added that he would not divulge secure information, but said his expectation was that an attack could come "sooner, rather than later."

True enough, Iran launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel on Saturday, April 13.

Meanwhile, an anonymous official said the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is sending additional troops and equipment to sites in the Middle East to "bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase force protection." The DoD did not specify the number or type of assets deployed, but according to Wall Street Journal, two destroyers, at least one armed with the Aegis missile defense system, have been repositioned in the area.

U.S. Central Command head General Michael Kurilla has extended his stay in Israel, reports indicated. Kurilla arrived on Thursday, April 11, to coordinate defense against a potential Iranian strike.

Meanwhile, several countries in the region where the U.S. has bases or treaty rights have reportedly told Washington that it can't use them to strike Iran. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait have denied the use of their territory and airspace so far, according to the Middle East Eye.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

Also, India, France, Poland and Russia have warned their citizens against travel to the region. Germany on Friday called on its citizens to leave Iran.

Earlier, White House spokesperson John Kirby said the reportedly imminent attack by Iran on Israel was a real and viable threat, but gave no details about any possible timing. Kirby said the U.S. was looking at its own force posture in the region in light of Tehran's threat and was watching the situation very closely.

Israel claims intercepting missiles and drones from Iran

The Israel military reported that it has intercepted dozens of missiles and drones coming from Iran. Several Iranian missiles reportedly fell inside Israeli territory, causing minor damage to a military base. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said early Sunday, local time that a young girl was injured in the attack. According to Hagari, the attack was a "major escalation."

The IDF spokesman also reported that Iran has fired about 200 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles toward Israel. "Together with our allies and partners, we are operating at full force to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel," Hagari told reporters.

The U.S. shot down some of the Iranian drones, U.S. officials confirmed Saturday evening. "At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week," Biden said in a statement. "Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our service members, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles." (Related: Report: U.S. may intervene if Iran directly attacks Israel.)

Biden said he would convene the Group of Seven (G7) advanced democracies on Sunday, April 14, to develop a "united diplomatic response" to Iran's attack. Biden said he told Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on a call that Israel had "demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks."

Britain also deployed fighter jets to the region to help intercept any airborne attacks. "In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the U.K. government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks," it said on its official website. "We have moved several additional Royal Air Force jets and air refueling tankers to the region. These will bolster Operation Shader, which is the U.K.'s existing counter-Daesh operation in Iraq and Syria. In addition, these U.K. jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required."

Check out WWIII.news for more stories about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Watch the video below that talks about Iran's aerial attack on Israel.

This video is from the Tilt channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israel to destroy Iran's NUCLEAR facilities if Tehran follows through on retaliation threats.

Israel attacks Iranian embassy in Syria to provoke Iran, rope U.S. into WWIII.

Netanyahu convenes war cabinet as Israel prepares for "imminent" retaliation from Iran after airstrike against embassy in Syria.

Iran-backed Houthis claim to have a HYPERSONIC MISSILE they can use against Israel.

Far from being an ally, Israel is actually America's most dangerous ENEMY.

Sources include:

RT.com

TaipeiTimes.com

WashingtonPost.com

APNews.com

Gov.uk

Brighteon.com
Trump will be found guilty in NYC and Bragg will try to imprison him

New York City is out to destroy Donald Trump, and Alvin Braggs criminal trial starts today  Monday. We already know the outcome  Trump will receive nothing of a fair trial, and Bragg, with the judges, will find Trump Guilty, and they WILL try to imprison Trump on Rikers Island and cheer when an inmate kills him. I feel sorry for those who are blinded by their hatred of Trump. This is tearing down the country, and whatever they do to Trump has opened the door for rouge Republican prosecutors to do the same to Democrats. This is the start of the American Civil War, and ironically, the first one began on April 12th, 1861, and here this one will be instigated on April 15th, 2024  163 years later or just about 19 waves of 8.6 years.

(Article by Martin Armstrong republished from ArmstrongEconomics.com)

This week, the nation is entering uncharted territory. On Monday, a former president will be tried in a court of law for the first time in American history. Donald Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to prevent news of an alleged extramarital affair from becoming public. This means that from here on out, running for president will become a serious personal risk, for the gloves are off, and there is no rule of law or national dignity that will remain standing.

Bragg, who has called Trump a rich white guy, is even introducing racism to this event in addition to Bragg being a zealot Democrat. Of course, racism only works in one direction, like a ONE-WAY street. Nobody will ever address that issue. New York is notorious for corruption in the legal system. Lawyers I know privately will say New York practices law DIFFERENTLY than any other place in the country.

NYCs reputation for corruption is indeed historic. The New York Times (NYT) became a major player in the newspaper business when it exposed the corruption in the Democratic Party led by Boss Tweed. All the other established newspapers were on the take and opposed the NYTs exposing of Tweed. Just like Trumps lawyer Cohen, who will be Braggs star witness, they were all pointing fingers at each other, and Tweed agreed to cooperate in return for getting out of prison. Tweed had the courts rigged and ballots. After he turned everyone else in, the Government refused to honor the deal and left him in prison. That is how badly this affair tarnished the reputation of Democrats in New York City  the cesspool of political corruption. Nothing has changed.

This is all about desperately trying to prevent Trump from becoming president so they can continue the agenda of wiping out farmers for fictional climate change and starting World War III ASAP; so much for the Land of the Free and Justice for All. We are witnessing the total destruction of the United States, for they are DELIBERATELY dividing the country, so it will be impossible for the United States to remain a single nation that is no longer under God  even he would no longer support this corruption.

This will be the first of four criminal trials seeking to interfere in the 2024 election, which in itself is a crime. However, these trials are all sponsored by the Biden Administration, for he is their perfect president  absent 40% of the time, and all the agencies get to do whatever they want. They have torn the Constitution to shreds, and those who hate Trump are such fools, for this has altered the rule of law and politics forever. Why would anyone run for president now, knowing that the establishment can launch unlimited criminal actions against you? Our computer has projected that the United States will no longer exist post-2032. As with all major empires, they have fallen by their own hand  suicide. This is what we are truly witnessing right here and now.

Alvin Bragg has brought this case against Trump, claiming Trump was falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to adult actress Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election. He has charged Trump with 34 counts in this indictment, meaning he has taken a single act and transformed it into 34 crimes. So can you imagine that someone blackmails you, and you give them money, then Bragg prosecutes you for paying the person who violated the law and blackmailed you to start with? This logic seems to be a girl who is raped is criminally charged for enticing the guy to rape her by wearing a short skirt. Even assuming he paid Daniels to save his marriage, Bragg is arguing  no, it was for the election.

The way these prosecutors have abused the law is, lets say, there is a scam phone call, and it takes only one call to defraud a person of $10,000. For the next person, it took ten phone calls for the same $10,000. Prosecutors and judges have so abused the law that the first crime is only one Wire Fraud since it took just one phone call facing, say, ten years, and the second fraud with ten phone calls is ten crimes for the same $10,000, and that means he can be sentenced to 100 years in prison.

Even Pew Research noted that in fiscal year 2022, only 290 of 71,954 defendants in federal criminal casesabout 0.4%went to trial and were acquitted; according to their analysis, 1,379 went to trial and were found guilty (1.9%). The entire legal system is based on CONSPIRACY, the crime of tyrants, whereby all they need to do is prove an agreement. They cannot win cases without threatening someone to testify against another. If they refuse to testify against another, this uncooperative rat goes to prison for 100 years. This is all because Congress has abused the law, whereby a conspiracy used to last two years, so they changed it to the same time as the offense. That means they no longer need to prove you committed a crime; all they need is someone to say they agreed with you to commit the crime. CONSPIRACY must be eliminated from the legal code to secure our liberty. This is why the United States has more people in prison than any country on the face of the Earth.

Now look at this table. The United States has more people in prison than Russia or China. We have 400% more people in prison than Putin, and we are supposed to be a free country, and Russia is an evil autocracy. China has a population of 1,425,283,533, and 1,690,000 people are in prison. That is a conviction rate of 00.1%. Russia has 433,006 people in prison, a population of 147.2 million, and a conviction rate of .002%. Now, the United States has 1,767,200 people in prison against a population of 341,426,991. That is a conviction rate of .005%. In the claimed land of the free and home of the brave of the United States, you have about a 500% greater probability of going to prison than in any other major country. Either Americans are the most dishonest people on the face of the planet, or we have the most CORRUPT legal system on the face of the planet. The answer is obvious  the Rule of Law in the United States no longer exists. This all because of CONSPIRACY and the most corrupt legal system in the world.'

Bragg is seeking to imprison Trump with felony counts of falsifying records to conceal criminal activity, including attempts to violate state and federal election laws. Our computer correctly forecasted that Trump would win the 2016 election, showing three models projected his win, and the fourth was an even tie. What these charges are all about is total nonsense, as if paying money to this prostitute changed the election.

Trump has denied all wrongdoing, as well as the alleged affair with Daniels. He also maintained that contrary to Braggs accusations, his payments were part of a legitimate retainer agreement with his former attorney, Michael Cohen. Cohen pleaded guilty to a campaign finance violation in 2018 and said that he made the payment to Daniels to prevent negative information from surfacing before the election. Of course, he would say that to get less time. That is how the legal system works. They offer one guy less time and tell him what to say.

A Mafia defendant had subpoenaed his phone calls from the prison MCC in New York. By mistake, MCC gave him the rat who would testify against him. The rat was on a phone call with the prosecutor, who asked him to testify against someone else. The rat said he did not know that guy. The prosecutor said no worries, and by the time he finished preparing him, he would know him as his brother. The tapes were presented to his judge, Lewis Kaplan, who rejected them and said that it was a different case even though the prosecutor and the rat were on his case.

This is the same Judge Lewis Kaplan on the Carroll Case Against Trump. He is anything but fair. Over 200 lawyers signed a complaint against him for his abuse of an attorney targeting human rights lawyer Steven Donziger after he helped Indigenous peoples win a historic judgment against Chevron in Ecuador to clean up the pollution caused by decades of oil drilling with no environmental controls. Kaplan always protects banks and big corporations.

This is the same Judge Lewis Kaplan who seized my company and installed a receiver to run it, who ended up doing so from the boardroom of Goldman Sachs. He shut down my company and fired everyone, and it was all at the direction of bankers to shut down our forecasting. The fiction that $1 billion was missing from the bank they claimed they had no idea where the money was, was so outrageous you could not make it up. The bank stole the money. There was no evidence that showed any withdrawal of the $1 billion. So Judge Kaplan seized my company anyway and installed his receiver to search for money they never showed left the bank. When I said the bank stole the money, the response was; We believe the bank.

There is absolutely NO way Trump will EVER receive a fair trial in New York City. The place does not respect any law and they ALWAYS rule in their self-interest.

They put a gag order on me to stop me from helping my clients sue the bank. Only because my clients were backing me and suing the bank were they forced to finally plead guilty. My clients were all the major corporations in Japan. Had they been small private individuals, the courts would have screwed them all. They did everything possible to protect the banks in NYC. When I asked a NY lawyer why no bankers are ever charged, he replied: You dont shit where you eat.

Only because I helped my clients did the bank have to pay back my clients. They have already been trying to put a receiver over all of Trumps companies, and they will destroy them. This is so outrageous what takes place in New York City, it should be expelled from the United Stastes for they are violating EVERYONEs right to vote in 2024.

So much for getting a fair trial in New York City.

Whatever these Democrats do to Trump

Republicans will Do to Democrats When it is Their Turn

While this is such an outrageous display of the rule of law that has disgraced the entire country, the judge should reduce the charges to misdemeanors since the tax and campaign finance violations are a real legal stretch of the law, which has never been done in history. The judge will most likely FAIL to tell the jury that they can also reject the law application. Jury nullification of law is entirely within their power, but judges never tell them they have that power  We the People. Congress can pass a law that you must kill your firstborn. A Jury does not have to accept that law and has the power to reject it. Nobody tells the jury they have that right.

The entire world will be watching the trial, and if Trump takes the stand, it will perhaps be the most watched trial in history. An acquittal in New York City is HIGHLY unlikely. They would NEVER put him on trial if there were any chance of his victory. That would seal his presidency, so this is a high-stakes game where the entire world will now get to see that the United States idea of liberty and justice for all is total BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The computer has been projecting the real risk of civil unrest, and it will be MASSIVE, perhaps far greater than the 60s. It is understandable when people realize that the Biden Administration is not only imposing the World Economic Forum Agenda and subordinating the United States to the United Nations on health and climate issues but also thrusting the entire world into World War III. We are looking at massive civil unrest following the 2024 election. This usurpation of power will not succeed, and in the process, they are destroying the United States as we have known it.

Read more at: ArmstrongEconomics.com
British govt accused of exploiting COVID-19 pandemic to push climate change agenda

The government of the United Kingdom is being accused of using the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as a smokescreen to push climate change regulations

In November 2019, four months before the implementation of the Coronavirus Act that led to the national lockdown, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council published its "Absolute Zero" report.

The report, made in collaboration with five prestigious U.K. universities, told the British government that it should shut down all U.K. airports by 2029, impose a total ban on beef and lamb consumption and prohibit the construction of new buildings. These were the steps necessary to achieve so-called net-zero emissions by 2050.

According to the report, all major British airports, including Heathrow, Glasgow and Belfast International, must close between 2020 and 2029. Airports can only stay open if their transfers to and from facilities are done via rail. Subsequently, all remaining airports are slated for closure between 2030 and 2049. Every citizen in the U.K. must "stop using airplanes" for a specific period to meet the net zero target by 2050. (Related: UK government deliberately planning power grid BLACKOUTS to push climate hysteria.)

The report also called for a total ban on beef and lamb consumption, starting with a 50 percent consumption reduction by 2029 and a continued gradual phaseout of all beef and lamb consumption from 2030 to 2049.

Additionally, the report confirms that construction of new buildings will be prohibited by 2050 due to the diminished value of carbon-dependent assets.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

However, the supposedly gradual phasing out of flying, shipping, lamb and beef and blast furnace steel and cement accelerated following the implementation of the Coronavirus Act and a subsequent national lockdown in March 2020.

Independent British news site The Expose argued that the stringent lockdown measures were not solely to curb the spread of COVID-19, but rather served the dual purpose of fulfilling environmental obligations.

"Is it just a coincidence that four months after the release of the report, the U.K. government brought in the Coronavirus Act and implemented a national lockdown which has decimated the travel industry? A quick read through the report certainly suggests the real reason for the lockdown may have been so that the Government could meet its legal commitment to reduce emissions."

British government's climate change agenda mirrors pandemic manipulation tactics

The Expose also warned the public that the British government is prepared to use psychological manipulation and coercion to push its drastic climate change agenda, just like how it manipulated people during the pandemic.

"You may be wondering how on earth they are going to get the support of the public in shutting the airports and stopping the consumption of beef and lamb? Well, we could argue they are already well on their way to ensuring the closure of many airports thanks to the draconian laws that the British people have been living under since March 2020 in the name of protecting the NHS and saving lives," wrote The Expose.

In another report, The Expose revealed how the British government resorted to "medical fascism" during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

According to the documents, the British government manipulated public perception and behavior by increasing the sense of personal threat through emotional messaging and leveraging social pressure. And even after the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, the administration introduced the potential implementation of vaccine passports to continue enforcing restrictions despite promising a return to normalcy.

In turn, The Expose argued that the British government would "use the exact same tactics" to ensure people would "allow all airports to close and never eat beef or lamb again."

Visit Climate.news for more articles about the alleged effects of climate change.

Watch the video below to learn about the truth behind climate change.

This video is from the Deprogram your Mind channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

RICE is the latest target of climate change cultists and the global war to starve populations to death.

ABSURD: National Climate Assessment report attempts to link climate change to PANDEMICS and PATHOGENS.

PBS unveils climate psychology therapist to help mentally ill climate fanatics cope with carbon.

Nobel Prize laureate John Clauser challenges climate change claims, says U.S. climate policies grossly misguided.

Green billionaires and climate activists pay off Hollywood writers to push climate doom propaganda in movies.

Sources include:

Expose-News.com 1

Expose-News.com 2

Brighteon.com
China is building the worlds largest DNA database for its organ harvesting industry

China is building the worlds largest DNA database for the benefit of the communist nation's organ harvesting industry

Experts on the matter who came to Washington, D.C. testified before Congress regarding China's systematic, widespread and nonconsensual harvesting of human organs for transplantation, and how Chinse communist authorities are continuing to expand their vast DNA database that enables its organ harvesting industry to quickly locate and quietly abduct perfect matches. (Related: Arizona bill that seeks to end ORGAN TRAFFICKING and HARVESTING zooms in on China.)

"Forced organ harvesting on an industrial scale in China is an atrocity unmatched in its wickedness," warned Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. "One has to go back to the horrific crimes committed in the 20th century by [Adolf] Hitler, [Joseph] Stalin, Mao [Zedong] or Pol Pot to find comparably systemic atrocities."

"The numbers of those executed for their organs  some even before they are brain dead  is staggering," Smith announced. "State-sanctioned forced organ harvesting in China amounts to crimes against humanity."

Smith, who has been drawing attention to forced organ harvesting in China for more than two decades told of a Chinese security official who testified previously that "he and his other security agents were executing prisoners  with doctors, of course, there, and ambulances  to harvest their organs for transplantation."

Witnesses testify to China's DNA collection and organ harvesting operations

The Chinese Communist Party's DNA collection operation is helping the country expand its pool of unwilling donors from prisoners of all kinds to political foes and other dissidents and, eventually, to huge sections of the Chinese populace.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

"Substantial evidence indicates that prisoners in China have been subjected to blood tests, held in captivity, and killed on demand for their organs," one of the witnesses said in his written testimony. "This assertion is corroborated by evidence and admissions from high-level Chinese o?icials, medical professionals, and o?icial publications. Prisoners are here treated as a resource  a captive pool of organ supply to be exploited as needed."

Maya Mitalipova, director of the Human Stem Cell Laboratory at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts, warned the committee that China has not limited itself to collecting DNA sequencing data within its borders. It is even amassing the DNA information of citizens of the United States.

"The Chinese government is building the world's largest DNA database by acquiring DNA sequencing data from companies within China and across the globe including [the] U.S.A.," Mitalipova said.

"Numerous biotechnology companies are assisting the Chinese police in building this database," she continued. "They include U.S.-based Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Chinese company BGI [Beijing Genome Institute]. BGI in particular is dangerous because it collects genetic data of Americans and uses it for research with the Chinese military."

Mitalipova explained that China has already invested billions of dollars to sequence the DNA of the entire ethnic minority populations of Xinjiang and Tibet to streamline future organ transplants.

She further explained that, to streamline future organ transplantations, Chinese authorities have already invested billions of dollars to sequence the DNA of the entire Uyghur and Tibetan ethnic minorities in the provinces of Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as the DNA of the Muslim-majority Hui ethnic minority of Northwestern China.

"When a patient requests an organ in China, his or her DNA sequenced data will be blasted against millions in the DNA database stored in computers," testified Mitalipova. "Within a few minutes, a perfect match will be found. If a potential donor of the organs is not in prison or a camp, then Chinese authorities can easily find a reason to detain a match to be killed for their organs on demand."

Watch this video from American Media Periscope discussing how China's organ harvesting program works and how this illicit operation was unmasked.

This video is from the PatriotTV channel at Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Doctors claim China is executing prisoners of conscience to HARVEST THEIR ORGANS and fuel illicit transplant industry.

China harvesting DNA from pregnant women, babies in "New Axis" program.

Retired Chinese surgeon recounts being forced to HARVEST ORGANS from people who were STILL ALIVE.

Nursing program head at BCIT speaks out against China's forced ORGAN HARVESTING.

China is HARVESTING the DNA of Tibetans to create a genetic database and control the population.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

CECC.gov

Brighteon.com
Former Fulton County employee exposes DA Fani Willis alleged misuse of nearly $500K in federal funds

A former Fulton County employee has exposed District Attorney Fani Willis' alleged misuse of federal funding amounting to $488,000

Meanwhile, Willis continues to work on a case targeting former President Donald Trump and more than a dozen others for an alleged scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. (Related: Georgia judge dismisses 6 charges against Trump in election interference case.)

Due to the bombshell revelation of her former staff named Amanda Timpson, the Department of Justice (DOJ) asked Willis to resolve "inconsistencies" in how her office reports federal funding, a spokesperson for the federal department said. The DOJ earlier confirmed via a statement that it had discovered inconsistencies on how Willis' office reported that grant money and that the agency is now working to receive the correct reports.

"During our review of the award to respond to this inquiry, we have noticed some inconsistencies in what Fulton County has reported  and we are working with them to update their reporting accordingly," a DOJ spokesperson told the Washington Free Beacon. Committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R.- Oh) subpoenaed Willis in early February for records related to the federal grant and the whistleblower allegations made by a former Willis staffer, who was listed as the grant director until the district attorney abruptly fired her in January 2022.

Jordan threatened to hold Willis in contempt of Congress on March 14 after the district attorney responded to his subpoena with a "narrow set of documents" that had nothing to do with Timpson's allegations. Willis wrote in response that Jordan's demands were "unreasonable and uncustomary" and suggested his investigation was an effort to derail her election interference case against Trump.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

"Instead of using these federal grant funds for the intended purpose of helping at-risk youths, your office sought to use the grant funds to 'get Macbooks  swag  [and] use it for travel,'" the subpoena included. "Moreover, the whistleblower's direct supervisor stated that these planned expenditures 'were part of [your] vision.'"

The Epoch Times has sent multiple requests for comment to the DOJ and the DOJ's Office of Justice Programs. Willis's office has not returned a request for comment and has not yet publicly responded to the DOJ's statement. Willis has denied any wrongdoing related to the use of federal funds and told Jordan that her office would provide information on a rolling basis.

Earlier last week, the district attorney's office asked a Georgia appeals court not to consider Trump's motion to appeal "because the applicants have wholly failed to carry their burden of persuasion." "There is simply no trial court error to be found in the decision to deny disqualification," her office wrote on Monday. "Days of evidence and testimony failed to disclose anything like a calculated pre-trial plan designed to prejudice the defendants or secure their convictions. The applicants have not identified any public statement injecting the district attorney's personal belief as to the defendant's guilt or appealing to the public weighing of evidence."

Fulton County Procurement Review flags Willis' office for potentially high-risk spending practices

Released on April 4, the Fulton County Procurement Review produced by North Carolina-based accounting firm Cherry Bekaert, indicated that Willis' office was recently flagged for potentially high-risk spending practices. However, the review was not an audit and was not seeking wrongdoing. Instead, it is intended to provide "a sense of the county procurement system by interviewing key officials and a diverse sampling of departments/agencies based on suggestions of the Office of the County Auditor."

The review found that the DA's office had used prosecutorial discretion in purchasing decisions and that there was reduced accountability over the purchasing tendencies of some constitutional offices and elected offices, leading to an increased risk of damage to the reputation of the county.

"We were informed that the use of prosecutorial discretion has sometimes moved past securing services such as expert witness testimony during a trial, to items such as gun holsters for agents and office supplies and other items that likely could have been planned for and obtained through the Department of Purchasing," the report read.

The report further stated that some constitutional officers and other elected officials have special or unique business needs that "if not handled or accommodated within County procurement policies/processes can lead them to seek alternative procurement methods without established procurement policies and procedures or oversight and lacking in transparency. This lack of accountability could damage the county's reputation and erode public trust if perceived as mismanagement or inadequate oversight of public funds."

Check out Corruption.news for stories similar to this.

Watch the video below that talks about Willis completely "delegitimizing" Trump's prosecution.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Fani Willis ILLEGALLY recorded a phone call to kick off Trump investigation.

LIED under oath: Wade's cell phone records reveal "romantic relationship" with Willis started well before they initially claimed.

Whistleblower says Biden operative was inserted into Fani Willis witch hunt against Trump.

SMURFING: New complaint accuses Fulton County DA Fani Willis of illegally using people's info for CAMPAIGN DONATIONS.

Witness expected to prove Fulton County DA Fani Willis lied to court about relationship with special prosecutor she appointed to Trump election case.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NTD.com

FreeBeacon.com

Newsweek.com

Fulton.Legistar.com

Brighteon.com
Israels planned slaughter of genetically engineered red heifers will herald Temple rebuilding, unveiling of Antichrist (Jewish messiah)

The reason for the October 7 "Operation Al Aqsa Flood" Hamas attack on Israel has everything to do with the "five perfectly red heifers" that were announced a month prior in September 2023.

Many people do not realize this, but the five cows that have not yet borne calves  all genetically engineered (GMO), by the way  come from Texas and meet Israel's requirement for sacrifice. Using the ashes, Israel will then rebuild and inaugurate a third temple along with animal sacrifices, paving the way for the Jewish messiah, also known as the Antichrist, to take over.

Once the red heifers were publicly announced, Hamas reportedly responded with claims that the ashes would be used to "Judaize the holy mosques," adding that the "Al Aqsa [the mosque on the Temple Mount] is in danger," hence the subsequent Hamas attack.

Hamas' Abu Obeida cited the heifers as the reason for the attack, declaring their arrival an act of "aggression against the feelings of an entire nation in the heart of its Arab identity," not to mention what Muslim see as a major act of disrespect against Mohammed, their prophet.

(Related: Anyone who disagrees with Israel's war on Gaza is "antisemitic," according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.)

Here comes the Antichrist

The heifers only add fuel to the fires of conflict between Muslims and the Jewish people, the latter of which are using Number 19 in the Old Testament as instruction for what to do with the heifers after sacrificing them.

When Israel's third temple is rebuilt, the ashes of the heifer mixed with water will be used as ritual purification to allow kohanim, including priests and descendants of priests, to enter.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

"[L]acking a red heifer has left all of Israel ritually impure and unable to properly perform many other commandments," reported Israel365News about how the Jews are looking to the heifer rather than Jesus Christ to purify them of their sins.

In order to even perform the ceremony, a priest has to be purified using the prepared ashes, which is now possible once the chosen heifer is slaughtered and burned in accordance with Judaism.

Once the red heifer ritual has returned, which it apparently has, the time to reinstate the Jewish Temple will have arrived. And with the new temple will also come the arrival of the Jewish messiah known as Antichrist, whom they will worship instead of Jesus Christ during the Time of Jacob's Trouble.

"These Red Heifers can bring world peace!" Israel365News blasphemously reported. "The bible teaches us, that the key for building the Third Temple (the House of Prayer for All the Nations) is purifying us with the red heifer in Jerusalem."

In other words, the red heifers come first, then the Temple, then the Antichrist who will rule with a one-world government.

It was influential 12th century Rabbie Moshe ben Maimon who linked the bringing of the next red heifer to the coming Jewish messiah, meaning once the chosen red heifer arrives, next will come the Antichrist.

The only other thing standing in the way is the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which sits atop the area where the third Temple is to be rebuilt, known as the Temple Mount. Currently, only Muslims are allowed to pray at the site, but that could soon change.

"It would seem likely that, if the Temple were to be rebuilt, and as a result a particular man were to be acclaimed as the Messiah, then such a man may well be the prophesied Antichrist," writes Paul Cahill for LifeSiteNews.

The latest news about what Israel is up to can be found at Antichrist.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is the poster child of DEI

After watching DEI Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee struggle with 3rd-grade-level astronomy and trying to put on her eclipse glasses, you might just be tempted to DIE of embarrassment on her behalfand no one would blame you. It was a folly to behold. But, as most of you are aware, Congress is full of inept and ignorant career politicians whose actions have left us baffled and horrified. At the forefront of this undistinguished group is Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, affectionately dubbed the Queen of DEI politics by some (including Revolver).

(Article republished from Revolver.news)

After all, this is the same woman who, back in 2017, powered through a seven-minute MSNBC interview with a bloody nose, never once stopping to address it.

Breitbart:

In a live appearance Monday on MSNBC, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) sat through an entire interview with what appears to be blood running from her nose. When MSNBC anchor Chris Jansing cut to Jackson Lees camera feed, the member of the Congressional Black Caucus said Get away! and motions for someone off camera to keep back. Jackson Lee then went through the entire seven-minute interview without wiping her nose.

Sounds sanitary.

But it was Sheilas venture into the realm of astronomy and her unique take on eclipses that truly showcased her DEI skillset. As you dive into Sheilas profound musings on space and the celestial bodies, its important to remember that this is insight coming from a Yale graduate and a member of Congress for nearly 30 years.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D): The moon is "made up mostly of gases" so we can soon live inside it, unlike the sun which is "almost" too hot to go near. pic.twitter.com/bSd9zXcEPo  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 9, 2024

Well, in Sheilas defense, weve also heard murmurs that the sun is almost hot. Understandably, her astronomy insights left many with their jaws on the floor. Megyn Kelly, faced with the task of deciphering Ms. Lees explanation of lunar operations, gave up and dubbed her a complete moron.

And if Sheilas astronomy expertise didnt already leave you in awe, wait until you see how she put on her eclipse glasseslike poetry motion. The ease and confidence with which she navigates this simple act is nothing short of mesmerizing.

!!URGENT!!! Please, kindly help Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) put her eyewear on. WATCH pic.twitter.com/4GyeCCumtT  Simon Ateba (@simonateba) April 11, 2024

Has anyone checked on Ms. Lees vision to make sure everythings still in sharp focus? Given her unconventional approach to eclipse-watching, it might be high time for an eye check-up. Unsurprisingly, the Babylon Bee didnt let this moment pass by unnoticed, delivering a hefty dose of humor at Ms. Lees expensea joke that likely flew right over her head and disappeared like those gassy moon vapors.

Sheila Jackson Lee Named Head Of Harvard Astronomy Department https://t.co/TtqVRnvbpmpic.twitter.com/3PCrn5NWQE  The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) April 10, 2024

Those Yale folks must be green with envy.

In truth, Sheila Jackson Lee fully embodies the DEI debacle thats unraveling and undermining our nation. Were in an era where charity is hailed over merit, and skill and excellence are frowned upon. Ms. Lee is the poster child for this failed initiative.

And to make matters even worse, Sheila Jackson Lee doesnt even wear her DEI mantle with kindness. Back in 2023, while she was in the race for Houston mayor, leaked audio revealed a less-than-stellar moment: Sheila Jackson Lee unleashing a tirade, complete with berating and cuss words hurled at her staff. Needless to say, this episode didnt exactly endear her to voters, and her mayoral campaign flopped. But much to our chagrin, shes still kicking up dust in Congress.

A serious country cant thrive under the leadership of village idiots running on charity grants.

Read more at: Revolver.news
European court rules that Switzerland violated human rights by not acting quickly enough to fight climate change

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has declared that the nation of Switzerland violated its citizens' human rights buy not doing enough to fight climate change.

In a landmark ruling with far-reaching implications, the Strasbourg court sided with a group of Swiss pensioners who accused their government of acting insufficiently to reduce so-called "carbon emissions," which in turn violated their human rights.

These members of the KlimaSeniorinnen group, supported by the environmental activism group Greenpeace, argued that older people were especially harmed by Switzerland's lack of climate hysteria. Many of these older folks supposedly died earlier than they should have because of excess heat caused by global warming.

The plaintiffs in the case also argued that climate change-related heat waves damage the mental wellbeing of older people more so than others because the elderly are much less able to go outside and withstand all the heat, which impacts their quality of life.

As insane as this all sounds, the ECHR said it agrees, citing Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights which protects the general right to life. Article 8 also guarantees the right to private and family life, something that Switzerland was deemed to have violated by not doing enough to stop carbon emissions.

(Related: Last year, a prominent Swiss banker called for the "arrest" of the entire World Economic Forum [WEF], accusing the globalist body of "democide" for unleashing COVID "bioweapon" shots.)

Climate hysteria

According to the KlimaSeniorinnen group, domestic governments are obligated to take "reasonable and appropriate measures" to secure these rights, but Switzerland failed to do so.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

The Federal Administrative Court in Switzerland had previously rejected the claim, as did the Federal Supreme Court, the country's highest ruling body. Following an appeal, the case was eventually ruled against Switzerland and in favor of the climate fanatics.

This judgment marks the third such case in which the ECHR was asked to consider the effects of climate change on human rights. All of them have now set a precedent that all national courts in the Council of Europe's membership ranks will have to follow.

The other two cases were previously dismissed, having been brought by young people in Portugal and a former French mayor, respectively. Both cases were brought to their respective national governments, arguing that the plaintiffs' human rights were violated by their respective governments' lack of hysteria over the climate.

The latest ruling in the third case is expected to create a wave of change across Europe as other nations scramble to reduce their carbon emissions and pursue a much more aggressive "green" agenda to avoid also being taken to court.

A growing number of brainwashed citizens believe that governments are not prioritizing what they consider to be a matter of utmost importance, and that their lives are suffering as a result.

Outside the Strasbourg court, climate fanatics celebrated the ruling. Also present there was none other than Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was present in support of the cause.

"The ECHR verdict will send an important signal worldwide," commented Raphael Mahaim, a lawyer involved in the case and a Green Party lawmaker in the Swiss parliament.

"It doesn't provide a specific injunction or any specific direction  it just says that you have to be more consistent with what the climate science says, but with deference to the policy prerogatives and democratic processes of the Swiss government," further commented Michael Burger, executive director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.

"The decision affirms that European Human Rights law ... requires governments to pursue a high level of climate ambition."

Climate change is a religious death cult. Find out more at Climate.news.

Sources for this article include:

RMX.news

NaturalNews.com

Vox.com
Texas Supreme Court Justice John P. Devine warns of Democrat attempts to rig the 2024 election

Texas Supreme Court Justice John P. Devine recently warned that Democrats are engaging in election rigging tactics to prevent the reelection of former President Donald Trump.

"Do you really think the Democrats are gonna roll over and let Trump be president again?" asked Devine to a crowd as the keynote speaker at the Texas Tea Party Republican Women's 2023 Christmas event in Houston.

"Every day there are abuses to the First Amendment, religious, free speech issues and so forth," Devine said before turning his focus on elections.

"Election laws look at the election law abuse that happened," he told the crowd. "We're still fighting that. That's still out there. It's gonna happen again. Do you really think the Democrats are gonna roll over and let Trump be president again? [D0] You think they're just gonna go away, all of a sudden find Jesus and [let this] be an honest election? I don't think so. So, I think those kinds of cases are going to be back to us in this cycle."

Election watchers believe that Devine is not alone in his conviction. For example, questions have arisen regarding the counting of illegal immigrants in Census data as this tends to benefit Democratic states when it comes to Congressional and Electoral College apportionment. (Related: Texas school district employees charged with illegal ELECTIONEERING.)

Critics raise concerns about Devine's "impartiality on the bench"

But instead of taking Devine's warnings about election rigging seriously, critics have used the speech to raise concerns about Devine's impartiality on the bench.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

Mainstream media outlets criticized the state Supreme Court Justice for echoing claims that are supposedly "unsupported" regarding Democratic Party election meddling schemes.

"The audio is a rare glimpse into Texas' typically insular high court and window into the judicial philosophy of Devine, a former anti-abortion activist whose tenure as a jurist has been shaped by his religious beliefs and deeply conservative politics  sometimes, his critics say, at the expense of his impartiality," wrote Robert Downen for the Texas Tribune.

Downen noted that this is not the first time that Devine has expressed his concerns regarding Texas Democrats. Back in September 2023, Devine took aim at a number of Texas officials, including by RINOs, or "Republicans In Name Only."

These include officials in the Court of Criminal Appeals, who at the time ruled that Attorney General Ken Paxton could not unilaterally prosecute local voting crimes. He has also expressed concern over local Democratic leaders in Harris County, home to Houston. He accused Democrats here of "Democrat dirty tricks" and trying to "bastardize our election code" to steal elections.

In his speech at the Christmas event, Devine noted that courts in Texas could be hearing a lot more election cases, including in Harris County, which he previously criticized for expanding mail-in voting access during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Many of the county's voting protocols were later shut down by the Texas Supreme Court.

"I think those kinds of cases are going to be back to us in this cycle," he said.

Watch this clip of Rep. Yvette Clark (D-NY) admitting that she wants illegal immigrants in her district as a means of tipping future elections in her favor.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

ELECTION INTERFERENCE: Daughter of judge in Trump case boasts Kamala Harris, Adam Schiff as corporate clients.

Millions of people in 3 crucial swing states have registered to vote without photo ID this year, warn observers.

The plot to RIG the 2024 election by instantly legalizing MILLIONS of illegals who invaded America.

Biden secretly planning to grant amnesty, green cards to millions of illegals in deceptive ploy to rig elections and give Democrats permanent control.

TRAITOR: Trump lambasts Biden's immigration policies aiming to replace American voters with illegal migrants.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

TexasTribune.org

CBSNews.com

Brighteon.com
Top 7 strategies for spotting a STAGED EVENT within the first 72 hours

Whether they are vying for control of the populace, taking their guns away, scaring them into forfeiting more constitutional rights, relinquishing all medical freedoms or simply declaring a fake war for political purposes (laundering and embezzling billions of dollars), the U.S. government stops at nothing to plan, stage, carry out and propagandize "staged events."

Some are real. Some are partially real. Some are nearly completely fake. Often these are set up and rigged by the FBI, CIA or other government entities. The media-brainwashed populace calls people who don't trust these events and their narratives "conspiracy theorists," but you are actually a conspiracy theorist if you do believe the FAKE NEWS (all of mainstream media, social media, Google, YouTube and the sold-out newspapers).

How to spot the tell-tale signs of a government-backed staged event

#1. All of mass media has the same story from the outset.

#2. Nothing seems to add up to the "official story" at all, as the so-called "facts" keep getting dismantled by truth media.

#3. Always start with the "guilty until proven innocent" approach, because nearly every major catastrophe over the past two-and-a-half decades has been staged.

#4. Mass media blames the Russians.

#5. Right after the "event" happens, politicians and media pundits demand U.S. citizens back gun control (gun-grabbing) legislation or taxpayer funding for another proxy war.

#6. The catastrophe cripples the supply chain of food and/or fuel that opposes the Democrats' plan of complete government control through "green" living.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

#7. The event helps the government take away constitutional rights, medical freedom of choice and further empowers police-state tyranny.

The sheeple that believes staged events aren't inside jobs are all brainwashed by fluoride, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, processed food, fake news

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. government had the majority of the populace believing we were "winning the war," by using propaganda about "communist aggression" and falsified statistics about how many soldiers were coming home in body bags or without arms or legs. It was a complete horror story and a "war" that was impossible to "win," in a jungle full of landmines and camouflaged enemies.

When 9/11 happened, the brainwashed populace was led to believe that 19 Middle-Eastern terrorists learned how to fly commercial airliners (but never learned how to land them), crashed them into skyscrapers and this somehow brought down buildings demolition style, including a 50-story building the planes never hit. Plus, somehow, these same terrorists' passports were found in pristine condition laying on the ground near the buildings. Someone must have thrown them out the plane window just before the big crash, so the FBI and CIA could solve the case later.

Only people who are doped up on drugs in their water, food and "medicine" would fall hook-line-and-sinker for that false narrative, which makes no sense and contains no logic whatsoever.

There's a reason that the mass media industrial complex of America always has a narrative prepared for mass-casualty events that happen, and that's because most of them are planned, staged and carried out by government "forces." This can mean that FBI and CIA patsies are utilized (criminals trying to avoid more prison time), or paid stooges, or even agents themselves. Take a look at mass-shooting events, where the supposed "shooter" is always a young adult (white) male on psychiatric drugs (SSRIs) and uses an "automatic weapon," but there's NEVER a video of the event as it happened, even though every school, movie theatre and college campus has video cameras running 24/7/365.

The past few years, we've all witnessed and experienced staged events where the government immediately instructs the populace to take deadly medications, forfeit their guns, pay for more carnage and bow down to more police-state tyranny. Watch out for all those "evil-do'ers" out there looking to bring down America (communists in Washington DC right now).

So remember, if the news is blaming those pesky Russians, or some invisible "terrorists" that hate capitalism, or simply telling everyone to stop using gasoline, take blood-clotting "vaccines" and start eating bugs for meals, the events that support these "narratives" are completely staged. Tune your apocalypse dial to Preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving and thriving beyond what comes this way. This has been a public service announcement from Natural Health News.

Sources for this article include:

Censored.news

NaturalNews.com
Trudeau plans to continue immigration policies despite admitting they have caused decline in wages, housing crisis in Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that his government will continue bringing in up to 500,000 permanent immigrants to Canada annually , despite openly admitting that his immigration policies have contributed to declining wages and housing crisis.

In a media conference at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, on April 2, a journalist asked Trudeau how his policies have contributed to record-high unaffordability in the nation. Trudeau acknowledged the adverse effects of his policies, citing a drastic population increase from two percent in 2017 to 7.5 percent to date.

"Over the past few years, we've seen a massive spike in temporary immigration, whether its temporary foreign workers or whether it's international students in particular, that have grown at a rate far beyond what Canada has been able to absorb," he said. "To give an example, in 2017, two percent of Canadas population was made up of temporary immigrants. Now were at 7.5 percent of our population comprised of temporary immigrants. Thats something we need to get back under control." (Related: Florida about to be invaded by 300,000 Haitian migrants, warn observers.)

Trudeau blames the spike in "temporary" immigrants for all the negative impacts of his immigration policies, therefore, he stood firm on his decision to continue welcoming hundreds of thousands of permanent immigrants annually.

"Every year, we bring in about 450,000, now close to 500,000 permanent residents a year and that is part of the necessary growth of Canada," he said. "It benefits our citizens, our communities, it benefits our economy."

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

Previous statements from Trudeau and the Canadian government have confirmed that the country's "Immigration Level Plan" will allow up to 500,000 immigrants to make Canada their new home beginning in 2025 and continuing up to 2026. In 2024, the admission cap is at 485,000.

Mass immigration not helping Canada's economy

But contrary to Trudeau's claims, recent data reveals that Canada's GDP per capita growth rate is significantly lower compared to the United States, which has a lower migration level.

The comparison, spanning from 1981 to 2022, reveals a persistent gap in real per capita GDP between the two countries, with Canada consistently lagging behind the United States. While both nations experienced growth in real per capita GDP over the years, the 59 percent increase of Canada pales compared to the 98 percent growth of the U.S. during the same period.

According to the report, the decline has occurred in three phases: a fall from 1981 to the mid-1990s, a leveling off until about 2014 and another decline to the present. This downward trajectory marks a reversal of historical growth relative to the U.S., erasing its gains from the 1870s to the early 1980s.

Several factors, including population growth differentials, capital investment, research and development spending, structural economic issues and the policy environment, contribute to the productivity lag.

The influx of immigrants, including international students and temporary workers, has reached 40.528 million in population growth in the third quarter of 2023. This surge, reminiscent of levels not seen since the 1950s, has contributed not only to the extensive economic growth of Canada but also to declining productivity and economic stagnation.

Follow Migrants.news for more news about immigration in different parts of the world.

Watch this video about illegal immigrants getting great news from the Biden administration.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

The SOROS EFFECT: The insidious Merchant of Migrants funds war and chaos around the world that sends millions of migrants straight to the USA.

BEWARE: Some of the Haitian migrants pouring into Florida are ARMED.

Major U.S. corporations are relying on illegal migrants for cheap labor.

Texas Gov. Abbott slams NYC mayors $53M Cash for Migrants program.

TREASON: Majority of House Democrats voted against the deportation of CRIMINAL MIGRANTS.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

CICNews.com

TheHub.ca

Brighteon.com
Uber and Lyft to stop services in Minneapolis after City Council passes minimum pay rate for rideshare drivers

Rideshare giants Uber and Lyft are threatening to suspend all operations in Minneapolis following the City Council's decision to enforce a minimum pay rate for rideshare drivers in the city.

The ordinance, set to take effect on May 1, mandates rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft to compensate drivers a minimum rate of $1.40 per mile and $0.51 per minute  or a minimum of $5 per ride. The requirement applies to all transportation services in Minneapolis to ensure that rideshare drivers receive compensation on par with the city's hourly minimum wage, currently set at $15.57.

City Councilman Robin Wonsley (DSA-Seward), the lead author of the ordinance, said the minimum wage requirement is just "the right thing to do."

"For far too long, this industry has exploited workers of color and immigrant workers for cheap labor. We have the opportunity and the responsibility to build a rideshare industry that is not based on poverty wages and exploitation," Wonsley said. (Related: Uber drivers now discriminating against Black Trump supporters, essentially saying, "We don't serve your kind here.")

Councilman Jamal Osman (DFL-Cedar-Riverside), a co-author of the ordinance, echoed the statement and stressed the importance of fair compensation, particularly for immigrant drivers from East Africa.

"Drivers are human beings with families, and they deserve dignified minimum wages like all other workers  the Minneapolis City Council will not allow the East African community, or any community, to be exploited for cheap labor," Osman said.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

Josh Gold, an Uber spokesperson, warned that the company would be forced to end its operations in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area, including the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, once the ordinance takes effect on May 1.

Meanwhile, Lyft spokesperson CJ Macklin said the company would only end its operations in Minneapolis. He added that Lyft will still operate in the airport, but will not be able to pick up or drop off passengers at any Minneapolis locations.

Uber and Lyft argued that they would comply with the ordinance only if the City Council agreed to lower the rate to $0.89 per mile and $0.49 per minute, which they claim would be sufficient to match the city's minimum wage of $15.57 per hour, according to data taken from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

City ordinance gained mixed reactions from the public

The ordinance has gained mixed reactions not only from the public reliant on the transportation services but also from Uber and Lyft drivers.

Jake Clark, an Uber and Lyft driver from St. Paul opposes the ordinance. Clark said he has never earned less than $25 per hour and has earned as much as $75 per hour because he prioritizes customer services and strategies which rides to accept.

Meanwhile, Michael Sack, an Uber and Lyft driver with cerebral palsy and a member of the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities, urged the government to find a solution to increase driver wages without compromising the affordability of ride-hailing services.

"It is critical to keep the cost of rides down because people with low incomes, which most individuals with impairments have, utilize Uber and Lyft," he said.

However, Marianne Brown, a suburban Uber driver, and Arianna Feldman, a Minneapolis resident reliant on Lyft due to health issues and limited access to public transport, both support the ordinance.

Brown, a Jamaican immigrant, said it is just right to have a fair minimum wage rate after Uber and Lyft have abused their drivers for too long.

Feldman echoed the statement and sided with the drivers: "I think it's really shameful that these multimillion-dollar companies are holding us hostage like this and punishing communities for demanding a very basic right to get compensated correctly."

Watch the video below to know more about tech hypes and learn how companies like Uber can operate at a loss for years.

Watch this video and more on the Gold Newsletter channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Uber Eats to deploy an additional 2,000 delivery robots, putting more jobs in peril.

Uber agrees to pay $178M to settle lawsuit with over 8,000 taxi drivers in Australia after a 5-year legal battle.

Uber loses nearly $6 billion on investments due to stakes in Didi, Grab.

GOING DARK: New York City lacks energy infrastructure needed to power Uber and Lyft EVs or reach 2030 zero-emissions mandate.

Democrats to ban Uber, Lyft in Austin, Texas, as local bureaucrats destroy the free market to protect monopolies.

Sources include:

ThePostMillenial.com

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
Is the WHO Pandemic Treaty a red herring designed to deceive?

The infamous Pandemic Treaty devised by the World Health Organization (WHO) could be a red herring, according to James Roguski.

On his Substack, Roguski warns that the world has less than two months to "flatten the WHO," this being a play on words from the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic" when we were told that it would take just "two weeks to flatten the curve."

At issue with the Pandemic Treaty is the fact that it has been revised several times, and many people who have been following along are assessing it based on inaccurate and out-of-date information.

This misinformation has become a red herring, which in logic theory means it is being used as a distraction to sidetrack the real discussion about what is actually going on.

The latest version of the 2024 amendments proposed by the WHO suggest that the current negotiations are not about the WHO attacking national sovereignty or imposing more mandates or lockdowns, nor is it really about the WHO doing much of anything.

Roguski suggests that people go and read the latest documents to see if they really say what many people say they say. In short, he argues that the Pandemic Treaty is not a WHO power grab like many people think it is.

"This agreement is being written by countries, for countries, and will be implemented by countries, in accordance with their own national laws," Roguski writes, suggesting that individual nations rather than the WHO will be in charge of all the tyranny.

"The pandemic agreement will not give WHO any power to dictate policy to any country. In fact, it says exactly the opposite."

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

(Related: If the world refuses to obey its authoritarian Pandemic Treaty, the WHO is threatening to unleash "Disease X.")

To back his argument, Roguski quotes Article 24, paragraph 3 of the negotiation text of the Pandemic Treaty, which reads:

"Nothing in the WHO Pandemic Agreement shall be interpreted as providing the WHO Secretariat, including the WHO Director-General, any authority to direct, order, alter or otherwise prescribe the domestic laws or policies of any Party, or to mandate or otherwise impose any requirements that Parties take specific actions, such as ban or accept travellers, impose vaccination mandates or therapeutic or diagnostic measures, or implement lockdowns."

If this is really true, then health freedom fighters are focusing their efforts on the wrong targets. The real targets appear to be local tyrants, i.e., government officials right here in the United States who plan to abuse your rights during the next fake "pandemic."

In Roguski's view, the Pandemic Treaty of today is much, much different than the one proposed over a year ago. This appears to be intentional in that the earlier versions may have been the red herring to throw everyone off from focusing their efforts where it matters most.

He is encouraging everyone to read the latest version of the pandemic agreement to see what they think.

"WHAT IF ... the proposed 'Pandemic Agreement' is NOT an attack on national sovereignty?" Roguski asks. "What if, in fact, it is an expression of national sovereignty, but sovereignty is defined in the document to mean something different than you think it means?"

"WHAT IF ... 'national sovereignty' and 'legally binding' international agreements don't work the way you think they work? ... WHAT IF ... the WHO negotiations are NOT about your relationship with your doctor? What if your medical doctor is already a well-trained marketing representative for the Pharmaceutical Hospital Emergency Industrial Complex?"

Have a look at the latest documents and let us know what you think.

More related news about the coming Disease X (i.e., bird flu maybe?) can be found at Plague.info.

Sources for this article include:

JamesRoguski.substack.com

NaturalNews.com

JamesRoguski.substack.com
Government morphed into a Marxist cabal, willing and ready to impose tyranny: All tyrannies rule through fraud and force, but once the fraud is exposed they must rely on force

Who would or could have predicted that

(Article by Patricia McCarthy republished from AllNewsPipeline.com)

We know that the Obama administration and his worker bees in the DOJ, FBI and CIA abused FISA throughout the Obama and Trump administrations.

The FBI alone used the intel database 278,000 times! Their illegal misuse of the FISA gave us the entirely fabricated Russia collusion hoax and destroyed numerous lives by implicating them in their scheme to destroy Trump. The Republicans in Congress know this and yet voted to perpetuate it!

The same betrayal is at work regarding the billions sent to Ukraine, Bidens proxy war against Russia that is being fought to the death of every last Ukrainian fighter.

Why? Because those members of Congress all get rich off war. Defense industry lobbyists pay millions to buy those votes. But the war in Ukraine is lost. It is just a money-laundering operation now, one big grift.

As J.D. Vance wrote the other day, another $60 billion will make no difference. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is not remotely a champion of democracy; hes a dictator, a puppet of the oligarchs. Ukraine has long been one of the most corrupt nations on the planet.

Biden sold his soul, if he ever had one, to the moneyed crooks of Ukraine and China to enrich himself. He demonstrates no allegiance to America or its founding principles. He and his partners in crime are protected by our unscrupulous agents of chaos in the DOJ, CIA and FBI. Those once lofty institutions, or so we thought, have all been co-opted by greed and anti-Americanism. They have let the WEF and the WHO have their way with the American people. That is what the pandemic and the vaccine mandates were all about. Who is paying them all to betray their own country, who, besides George Soros?

Then there is the war against Israel begun on October 7 by Hamas. That barbaric attack against innocents was the last straw for the Israeli people. Israels just war against that terrorist organization, elected and still wholly supported by the Palestinian people, must be fought until Hamas is finished. You do not negotiate with terrorists; you destroy them.

But is the Biden regime supporting Israel? With words, but not deeds. Like Obama, Biden hates Israel and its prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, and has sabotaged the Jewish state relentlessly behind the scenes. The U.N., too, of course supports Hamas. UNWRA was radicalized by Yassir Arafat decades ago. And thanks to the Marxist indoctrination of our universities, thousands of ill-informed college students think its cool to support Hamas and demonize Israel and that they are superior beings for protesting in support of Hamas. It is sickening and pathetic that the Islamists are on their way to defeating the Judeo-Christian values that created Western civilization with the help of our own brainwashed youth.

Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com
Intelligence agencies seek congressional approval for expanded surveillance powers

Intelligence agencies in the United States are urgently seeking congressional approval for the reauthorization and expansion of their surveillance powers supposedly to " fight against the fentanyl crisis ."

According to several reports, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Security Agency have been actively engaging with Congress to expand Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.

Section 702, initially established in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack, allows certain agencies warrantless access to the communications of foreigners overseas to counter supposed threats to national security.

Over the years, Section 702 has evolved to encompass a broader range of targets beyond suspected terrorists, including foreign governments and arms traffickers. CIA operatives and analysts have been using the program to track and disrupt fentanyl trafficking networks to identify key players involved in the illicit trade.

To date, the use of Section 702 for the CIA is restricted to targeting drug traffickers linked to one of three officially recognized threat groups, but the acquisition of a "fourth certification" would grant U.S. intelligence operatives more freedom to go after those involved in the fentanyl trade without having to make such connections.

However, as the fentanyl overdose crisis in the U.S. worsens, with over 112,000 overdose deaths in 2023 alone, the CIA now argues that the current scope of Section 702 is insufficient to effectively target the transnational criminal organizations responsible for manufacturing fentanyl from China, transporting it to Mexico and then smuggling it across the border into the United States.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

Deputy CIA Director David Cohen stressed the importance of real-time intelligence to effectively target and dismantle criminal networks operating across international borders.

CIA Director William Burns, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines have all testified before Congress to underscore the importance of Section 702 in combating national security threats while affirming their commitment to safeguarding civil liberties.

They have embarked on a public relations campaign to receive popular support for expanding and reauthorizing Section 702, including declassifying information about it and addressing concerns about privacy and oversight.

Congress faces critical decision on surveillance program reauthorization amid allegations of abuse

The program and its potential reauthorization and expansion have come under intense scrutiny from both Democrats and Republicans, who argue that it needs more oversight to prevent abuses by intelligence agencies, particularly the FBI. (Related: FBI surveillance contractor infiltrated chatrooms, monitored skeptics of COVID jabs.)

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has raised alarms about the alleged misuse of the program, including instances where it was reportedly employed to investigate contributors to political campaigns. Lee voiced his distrust of Wray during the December 2023 hearing, insisting that the agency had failed to demonstrate its trustworthiness.

We have no reason to trust you because you havent behaved in a way that is trustworthy, Lee told Wray.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), one of the most vocal opponents of the CIA's warrantless surveillance program., also echoed a similar statement in an interview with USA Today. Wyden expressed deep reservations about any use of Section 702, especially an expansion, given its past abuses of civil liberties.

"Section 702 has been repeatedly abused by government agencies in recent years," said Wyden.

Analysts Noah Chauvin and Elizabeth Goitein from the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law stated that Congress must decide among four bills to reauthorize Section 702 or allow it to expire on or before April 19.

"This controversial law was originally intended to make it easier for the government to monitor foreign terrorists, but the government has repeatedly abused it to illegally spy on Americans, violating individual rights on a wide scale," Chauvin and Goitein said in a Feb. 2 primer on the surveillance statute.

Chauvin and Goitein warned the public that only two of the proposed bills offer potential solutions to curtail future abuses: the Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act (Protect Liberty Act) and the Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2023.

Learn more instances of harmful surveillance in the United States at Surveillance.news.

Watch this report about corruption inside America's intelligence agencies.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Surveillance cameras from BANNED Chinese tech company allegedly installed in 50 Quebec cities and public facilities.

Congress approves extension of U.S. governments warrantless surveillance powers despite opposition.

Alarm sounded over rapidly increasing use of SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS inside schools.

The beneficial ownership information reporting rule and the surveillance state.

California thieves NOT BOTHERED at all by surveillance cameras.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

USAToday.com

BrennanCenter.org

Brighteon.com
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law allowing state law enforcement to ARREST ILLEGALS

Following the footsteps of Texas, the state of Iowa has approved a bill allowing both state and local law enforcement to arrest illegals who have been previously deported from or denied entry to the United States.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, the chief executive of the Hawkeye State, signed Senate File (SF) 2340 on April 10. According to 100 Percent Fed Up, SF 2340 makes it a crime for illegals to enter Iowa after they have been denied entry or deported. The newly-signed law will take effect on July 1.

"The Biden administration has failed to enforce our nation's immigration laws, putting the protection and safety of Iowans at risk. Those who come into our country illegally have broken the law, yet [President Joe] Biden refused to deport them," Reynolds said in a statement.

She added that SF 2340 "gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he is unwilling to do: Enforce immigration laws already on the books." A later post on X by Reynolds reiterated this stance, adding that the new law empowers law enforcement in Iowa to "deport illegal criminals to protect our state."

According to the Des Moines Register, SF 2340 provides legal immunity for local law enforcement and other government officials responsible for enforcing the measure. However, the law prohibits the apprehension of suspects if they are in a school, a place of worship, a health care facility or a facility for survivors of sexual assault.

While Reynolds' move to sign SF 2340 into law was well-received, some groups expressed opposition  with the Des Moines-based Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (IMMJ) being one of them. "Welcoming immigrants and refugees is the definition of what 'Iowa Nice' should be," the group said in a statement.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

"Iowa politicians moved this ridiculous stunt forward in an election year in order to perpetuate partisan campaign rhetoric, drive fear in immigrant communities and mobilize voters using fear and anti-immigrant sentiment. Immigrants' rights organizations are ready to fight back and work to block this unconstitutional law from going into effect."

Mark Stringer, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Iowa chapter, also condemned the measure in a statement. According to him, SF 2340 "tells Iowa judges to order someone to be deported or jailed before they have an opportunity to seek humanitarian protection that they are entitled to."

Texas law similar to SF 2340 currently blocked by the courts

But according to the Register, the Texas law similar to SF 2340 is currently "blocked by the courts while a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality is decided." Senate Bill (SB) 4 was initially signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in December 2023.

POLITICO reported in December of last year that under SB 4, any Texas law enforcement officer can arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally. Once in custody, they could either agree to a Texas judge's order to leave the U.S. or be prosecuted on charges of illegal entry, a misdemeanor. Migrants who refuse to comply could be arrested again, this time under more serious felony charges.

However, the Biden administration and several other plaintiffs challenged SB 4 in court  with the law being caught up in a back-and-forth within the judicial system. ZeroHedge shared the latest development with regard to the measure, noting that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated a lower court's injunction against enforcement of the law.

SF 2340 isn't the only action Iowa has done in solidarity with the Lone Star State's position on border security. The Register said the Hawkeye State has deployed 10 officers of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and 110 members of the Iowa National Guard to the border to support Texas' efforts. Iowa previously deployed 115 Guardsmen to Texas in support of the latter's Operation Lone Star. (Related: 24 Republican governors pledge to support Texas in securing US-Mexico border.)

Head over to BorderSecurity.news for more similar stories.

Watch this clip from "American Agenda" on Newsmax about how Americans are fed up with the influx of illegals  something SF 2340 seeks to address.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs law allowing police to ARREST illegals.

Supreme Court gives Texas green light to start arresting, deporting illegal aliens.

Appeals court reverses lower court ruling: Police in Texas can now arrest illegal migrants starting March 11  UPDATE: Supreme Court issues temporary stay.

Sources include:

100PercentFedUp.com

DesMoinesRegister.com

ZeroHedge.com

Brighteon.com




This result was due to the increase in sales of minerals (19.8%), farming products (13%), chemicals (5.4%), and metallurgical goods (2.7%).





"The start of 2024 has been good. Trade in goods - which groups exports and imports - has closed the first two-month period at 6.6%," Minister Galdo emphasized.





"To stay on this positive path, we will continue to promote the trade negotiations that have taken place, with the aim of increasing the number of markets for our products," she added.





Traditional exports





According to the Monthly Foreign Trade Report, shipments of traditional goods accumulated US$7.305 billion (an increase of 14.6%) between January and February, driven by sales of minerals such as copper (16.6%) and gold (66.1%), which have China and India among their main destinations, respectively.





Traditional agricultural exports also saw growth. Sales of coffee (66.8%) and sugar (33.4%) allowed the sector to add US$152 million during the first two months of the year, up 62.8% compared to the first two-month period of 2023.





Non-traditional exports





Although there has been a slight drop in shipments of non-traditional goods due to a slight reduction in fishing and textile sales, agricultural, chemical, and metallurgical exports experienced a rise at the end of February.





The increased trade in goods was driven by higher trade relationships with Asian countries (17.1%), mainly India (137%), which stands as Peru's sixth trading partner in the world and second in Asia.





(END) NDP/MDV/RMB/MVB
BAYER PROTECTION ACT: Iowa Senate passes bill limiting lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers

One of the nation's largest conventional food-growing states just passed a bill that critics say protects the chemical agriculture industry from civil lawsuits.

That state is Iowa, where state senators just passed Senate File 2412 to protect pesticide companies from lawsuits involving contaminated food that poisons and sickens consumers.

SF 2412 "allows that if a label is approved by the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and is consistent with the most recent human health assessment under federal law and the EPA's carcinogen classification, companies would be safe from civil liability."

In other words, just like with Big Pharma and its vaccines racket, the chemical ag racket can continue to flood the farming industry with dangerous and highly toxic growing chemicals without having to worry about being held liable for damages.

(Related: Did you know that 75 percent of fresh, non-organic produce sold in the United States contains toxic pesticide residue?)

Bayer, owner of Roundup, behind SF 2412

As you might expect, SF 2412 was not crafted by Iowa legislators. It is the product of Bayer, the new owner of Roundup (glyphosate), which a few years back purchased Monsanto.

Iowa Public Radio reported that Bayer proposed the bill not only in Iowa but also other heavy farming states in an attempt to shield itself from consumer lawsuits.

Bayer, as a side note, is drowning in lawsuits involving Roundup right now, so this more than likely played a role in the company's pushing of this new legislation.

"Bayer, the chemical company that produces Roundup, proposed the bill in Iowa and other states in an effort to reduce lawsuits alleging the commonly used weedkiller has caused cancer," Iowa Public Radio reported.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

"It says pesticide makers cannot be held liable for failing to alert people of possible health risks as long as their products have a federally-approved label."

The report continues by revealing that SF 2412 specifically aims to limit lawsuits over Roundup, but also includes many other chemical pesticides known to damage human health.

"As cancer rates in Iowa rise, state lawmakers continue to advance a bill that would add legal protections for pesticide makers like Bayer, who helped write the bill," commented GMWatch, an independent organization that covers issues relating to genetically modified (GMO) crops and their associated pesticides.

Iowa Republican state senator Amy Sinclair, meanwhile, defends SF 2412, arguing it is needed to protect modern farming practices.

"Iowa feeds the world," Sinclair believes. "And we need partners in that who aren't constantly under threat of lawsuits for following the very laws governing the way they do business."

Republicans, by the way, are the reason why SF 2412 passed. Democrats in Iowa's state sent oppose the bill, warning it favors large corporations over the health of Iowa residents, including those who suffer from pesticide-related terminal illnesses.

"This bill is stripping away the legal protections for Iowa farmers," warned Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, a Democrat.

"And they are the people who are getting diseases like cancer and Parkinson's from chemicals they're putting on their land that we know [are] causing it."

Andrew Mertens from the Iowa Association for Justice told local media that numerous studies clearly show that exposure to the chemical products sprayed on crops increases one's risk of developing cancer or Parkinson's.

There is a link "between certain agricultural practices and pesticide use, and cancer," says the Iowa Cancer Consortium.

Back in 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) came to the conclusion that glyphosate specifically is "probably carcinogenic to humans."

"Republicans always side with big business over the people," one commenter wrote about one of the Republican Party's fatal flaws concerning issues like this.

The latest news about the chemical industry and how it poisons the food supply can be found at Pesticides.news.

Sources for this article include:

100percentfedup.com

NaturalNews.com
Is a massive DEATH WAVE coming to the Covid VAXXED population? Top virologists and immunologists are predicting exactly that

It used to be that vaccine "hesitancy" and "skepticism" amounted from concerns about all the toxins used to manufacture them, including mercury, formaldehyde, monosodium glutamate and genetically modified blood cells from aborted babies, monkeys and other animals. Now, those fears pale in comparison to the scientific proof that Covid-19 jabs are causing a tsunami of health casualties across the globe, including deadly vascular clots, spontaneous miscarriages and sudden adult death syndrome (SADS).

Prepare to witness the vaxxed sheeple death tsunami

A world-leading Belgian virologist, Dr. Geert Vanden Bossche, predicts a tsunami of deaths will occur within the herd of Covid-jabbed sheeple around the globe due to the billions of spike proteins they have in their blood and organs. This mass-casualty event has already begun, and it will pick up steam very soon when the "monster" Covid variants gain momentum. The medical industrial complex will surely call it "Long Covid," but it should be called Long-Vax-Syndrome. According to research conducted in several studies, spike proteins can remain in human immune cells for a year to 15 months following vaccination, and this is for people who never even contracted the virus, so to call it "Long Covid" is misinformation.

What happens is the spike proteins bind to blood vessels, causing endotheliitis, vascular inflammation and severely compromised immune systems. This in turn sets up Covid-vaxxed humans for a massive tsunami of death, including a surge of cancers that end with a "hyper-acute wave," according to virologists.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

Should this Covid-vaxxed death tsunami occur, hospitals will become completely overwhelmed, almost overnight, and society as we know it will fall to pieces. As another election approaches, mainstream media and the vaccine industrial complex have a plan. We are now seeing the words "bird flu" take over fake news. The origin is in Texas, and this may be the new "bat soup" that prepares the world for the next scamdemic. Of course, the Biden Regime is acting worried, saying a dairy farmer caught bird flu from a cow, and it's the worst strain of bird flu in the history of the entire world, a hundred times deadlier than the Fauci Flu. How could they know this? They don't. (Quick, all Americans should grab their face diapers and head to Mexico).

The CDC, Centers for Disease Continuance, is saying the bird flu virus has mutated (sounds familiar), and this allows it to spread much more easily. Hopefully, farmers in Texas won't climb aboard cruise ships and head to Italy and China. Now the WHO is jumping on the bird flu bandwagon, issuing statements to support the WHO World Order, also known as WHO's Pandemic Treaty, a pandemic "response measure" that has the whole world giving up all their rights and becoming slaves of the New World Order.

In essence, it's just another psyop. The Bird Flu scare is just another viral "red flag" the vaccine industrial complex runs up the plandemic flag pole every year to year-and-a-half to scare everyone into taking some new deadly jab. Will they introduce the sequel to Swine flu, Zika, Anthrax and Ebola too?

Get your phone cameras and video ready to record all the drop box smurfs delivering millions of falsified "mail-in" ballots that are pre-marked for Biden, the senile girl-hair-sniffing freak in DC who supports open borders, staged infrastructure crushing events and plandemics. This could be the final election for POTUS (President of the uprooted states) of Amerika. Disease "X" is coming to a face diaper near you. Get those contract tracing apps loaded up. Also, bookmark Vaccines.news to your favorite independent websites for updates on Long-Vax-Syndrome that's sweeping the nation and the world as you read this.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

NaturalNews.com

ZeroHedge.com

TheGatewayPundit.com
Mexican cartels smuggling drugs, trafficking people into Native American reservations thanks to Bidens open border policy

An alarming congressional testimony on April 10 exposed Mexican drug cartels' operations on Native American reservations across the United States, indicating locations close to the Mexican border.

The hearing revealed as per the testimonies that the criminal groups are taking advantage of President Joe Biden's open border policies, using the porous 62-mile stretch of border between Mexico and the lands of the Tohono O'odham Nation in southern Arizona to smuggle illegal drugs and conduct human trafficking operations.

These cartels are also allegedly hauling their cargo north to Native American communities miles away in Wyoming and even Montana. (Related: Mexican drug cartels fighting over control of Montana, "the last best place "to sell illicit substances in America.)

According to Committee Chairman Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), the cartels have set up extensive networks within these communities to distribute illegal substances, including fentanyl and methamphetamine. This has led to heightened levels of violence, crime and drug overdoses devastating Indian country. The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels have been pinpointed for targeting Indian reservations, exploiting the rural and often law enforcement-free areas for higher profits.

Also, the Tohono O'odham Nation in south-central Arizona, which has approximately 34,000 members across a 2.8-million-acre reservation, was disclosed to be the significant route for the illegal operations. The reservation's challenging terrain of mountains and deserts complicates patrol efforts, making it a strategic point for smuggling operations. The Drug Enforcement Administration already recognized it as a high-intensity drug trafficking area.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

During the hearing, Tohono O'odham Chairman Verlon Jose complained that his tribe spends about $3 million of its tribal funds on border security and enforcement. He also testified in front of a congressional panel that in 2023, the nation's tribal police responded to over 100,000 incidents involving drug seizures, illegal immigration and other border-related criminal activity. Also, the tribe's law enforcement has spent nearly $6 million on over 1,500 migrant death investigations and recoveries without any federal financial assistance.

"Criminal cartel activity has exacerbated the negative effect of drug and migrant smuggling on the Nation," Jose said and added, "smugglers have held tribal families hostage, damaged and stolen property, and recruited tribal youth to engage in smuggling activity."

He also told federal lawmakers that the border wall is "particularly ineffective in remote geographic areas like our homelands, where it can easily be circumvented by climbing over, tunneling under, or sawing through it."

Bryce Peck, member of the Tribal Executive Board of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana, which is home to several bands of Assiniboine, Lakota and Dakota peoples, added in his own testimony that there is no doubt that Mexican drug cartels are responsible for a drug crisis that has infested every corner of the tribes' community.

"They have found their way to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and embedded themselves in our communities and our families," Kirk said.

Mexican cartel threatens tribal leaders

Jeffrey Stiffarm, president of the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana, refused to name his fellow leader who backed out. But he said the threat seemed real and credible, telling lawmakers just how much power the drug lords have accumulated. According to him, a Mexican drug cartel used death threats to force the unnamed tribal leader to back out of testifying to Congress.

"One thing that we seem to overlook all the time is the threats, the death threats we get from cartel leaders," Stiffarm told the House Natural Resources Committee. "We had the tribal leader from Montana, that declined to testify here today because he received death threats that he was going to testify."

The revelation that cartel threats had interfered with lawmakers' business shocked the members. "The cartels have threatened them with death," Westerman said. "That's horrible to think that an American citizen has been threatened by a foreign cartel if they come to Congress and testify about what they're doing." The committee said it had contacted other potential witnesses who declined to testify for safety reasons.

As per Stiffarm, his community is in northern Montana, far from the southern border but the Mexican cartels control the drug activity and everything around it. "We're fighting a losing battle and the cartels are winning. The drug dealers are winning. They're overrunning our reservations," he said.

"It shows these aren't benign small-time organizations," said Jessica Vaughan, an expert at the Center for Immigration Studies who filled in as a witness after the tribal leader backed out. "These are criminal enterprises that are actively seeking to expand, that are attracted by the opportunity to sell drugs in the United States and are willing to use violent tactics to succeed."

Vaughan noted that this is a problem on so many levels. "It's a problem that they've been able to infiltrate these communities and it's a problem that these public officials feel so intimidated by them. This is creating a huge threat to our civil society that has only been very isolated and rare in the United States of America before now," she added.

Check out DrugCartels.news to read more news about how Mexican drug cartels leverage Biden's open border policies.

Watch the video below where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reveals that Mexican drug cartels run America's immigration policy.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

One of Mexico's most dangerous cartels is using artificial intelligence to expand its operations.

American tourists getting hurt in crossfire as drug cartels vie for control of Mexico's lucrative tourism industry

Mexican Defense Department seeks probe on how cartels acquired high-grade U.S. weapons.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

JudicialWatch.org

WashingtonTimes.com

Brighteon.com
San Diego County supervisor blames Biden administration for influx of 125,000 illegals

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond (R-Oceanside) blamed the administration of President Joe Biden for the release of over 125,000 illegal immigrants into the city in the past six months without proper vetting procedures.

"Over 125,000 migrants have been dropped in San Diego County since September 2023. Thats just the minimum we know about and doesnt include families, boat arrivals or elderly people who are processed differently. The numbers have gone through the roof," he said.

According to Desmond, illegal immigrants are freely crossing the border without obstruction due to resource shortages. Instances of this lax enforcement are evident in locales like the Jacumba Hot Springs in the southeast of the county, where breaches along the border barrier have facilitated the unimpeded crossings of massive groups of migrants. (Related: ABSURD: Migrants allowed to travel without showing proper identification at U.S. airports.)

"We dont know exactly where [the migrants] are going, who they are, what their background is, or if they mean harm to us. There are people who should be on terror watch lists and were missing lots of them," he said.

Illegals are not properly screened and vetted

Desmond confirmed that Customs of Border and Protection (CBP) agents are struggling to cope with the surge of border crossings in Southern California. The constraints in both time and resources hinder the CBP's ability to conduct thorough screening and vetting for individuals unlawfully crossing the border.

Vetting, a process that should ideally take up to 72 hours, now only happens within 24 to 48 hours due to the strain on local communities. But Desmond clarified that he does not blame the CBP because this illegal immigration problem is a national issue.

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"I don't blame the agents. I blame the Biden Administration and Homeland Security for not enforcing our laws. If seeking asylum, youre supposed to be detained until that is found to have validity. Were not doing that now," he warned.

Desmond cited the case of 26-year-old Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan migrant who recently murdered a 22-year-old nursing student named Laken Riley while she was going for a jog around the University of Georgia in Athens.

According to internal documents from the Department of Homeland Security, Ibarra is affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang. His journey into the U.S. began in September 2022, when he was initially arrested for illegally crossing the border in El Paso, Texas. But then he was immediately released on parole after less than 24 hours in custody.

Sources within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed that Ibarra was granted freedom to roam within the U.S. until October 2024, despite his criminal background and gang ties. After some time, he transferred to New York City, where he resided in a city-provided shelter while displaying a carefree demeanor, even posting pictures of himself enjoying iconic landmarks.

During his time in New York City, Ibarra was arrested by local law enforcement but was subsequently released. He then relocated to Georgia to reunite with his allegedly violent brother, who had also entered the country and had cut off his ankle monitor to evade authorities. Three months later, Ibarra would take Riley's life.

In turn, Desmond posed a poignant question in the wake of the tragic loss of Laken Riley: "We have already seen the preventable tragedy of Laken Riley; what will it take to secure our border?"

"We need to enforce our current laws so people can enter this country with dignity instead of coming illegally through a fence or a river."

Follow Migrants.news for more news about immigrants entering America.

Watch this video of how illegal immigrants are being taught to use the CBP One app to avoid getting their identification verified at airports.

This video is on the HaloRock channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

America sees 550% increase in illegal immigrants coming in from Canada.

Illegal immigrants leaving U.S. hospitals with BILLIONS in unpaid medical bills.

Non-profit group reveals illegal immigrants tried buying guns almost 48,000 TIMES in 2023.

NYC struggles with spike in tuberculosis cases as illegal immigrants spread previously contained disease.

Cargo processing operations in El Paso temporarily suspended due to flood of illegal immigrants.

Sources include:

LawEnforcementToday.com

MSN.com

NYPost.com

Brighteon.com
GOP-led Tennessee Senate approves bill allowing CONCEALED CARRY for teachers on school grounds

The Republican-led Tennessee Senate has approved a bill permitting teachers and staff members at K-12 public schools to carry concealed handguns on school grounds

According to The Tennessean, Senate Bill (SB) 1235 was approved by the Volunteer State's upper legislature in a 26-5 vote. This bolsters an existing law in the state that allows school resource officers to carry firearms on campus. However, these resource officers are assigned to schools by virtue of an agreement between local school districts (SDs) and law enforcement.

But SB 1235 does not automatically permit school teachers and staffers to carry guns if enacted. Anyone who wants to avail of the measure must first get an enhanced handgun carry permit. They would also need to complete a background check and a psychiatric evaluation.

The SD's director of schools, the school principal and the chief of the local law enforcement agency that has oversight of the SD must sign off on a staff member's authority to carry a concealed handgun. Moreover, the teacher or staff member must complete a total of 80 hours  40 hours for basic training for school policing and another 40 hours of Peace Officer's Standards and Training commission-approved training that is specific to school policing  of annual training with law enforcement before they are allowed to carry firearms.

State Sen. Paul Bailey, a Republican and the sponsor of SB 1235, said a school principal could make a blanker decision not to participate. He added that the principal can also inform a director of schools that they don't intend to permit any of their teachers to carry.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

But the bill itself does not directly outline this opt-out mechanism that Bailey referred to. Rather, it directs school administrators to consider each certification individually.

House Bill (HB) 1202, SB 1235's companion bill, technically only needs a final vote in the Tennessee House of Representatives after passing through the chamber's various committees last year. HB 1202 is currently being "held on the desk," which means that it is in a holding pattern unless a state representative moves to remove it from the table.

SB 1235 met with protests

If SB 1235 becomes law, the Volunteer State would join more than 30 others that allow school personnel or teachers to carry a firearm. It would also block the names of employees who are armed with guns to parents of students and other teachers. (Related: Maine mass shooting triggers spike in gun purchases.)

The Tennessee Senate's approval of SB 1235 happened about a year after the March 2023 mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. The incident at the private Christian school left three children and three adult staff members dead. Audrey Elizabeth Hale, a woman identifying as a man and the shooter involved in the incident, died at the hands of law enforcement on the same day.

Republicans have argued that SB 1235 is a necessity for schools, more so for those who have been able to hire a school resource officer. It also benefits more rural schools where law enforcement response might be delayed during a security crisis, they added.

But the bill has faced criticisms from both Democrats and gun control groups. In fact, protesters were present in the gallery on the day SB 1235 was approved in the state senate. Around 200 demonstrators voiced their opposition, holding signs with anti-gun rights slogans and hissing in dissent.

After repeated warnings about disruptions, Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally  also the speaker of the Tennessee Senate  called for state troopers to clear the gallery. Around 25 people initially refused to leave, drawing the attention of several troopers. Eventually, the troopers told those who remained they would be arrested if they did not leave.

Visit SecondAmendment.news for more stories like this.

Watch this discussion on the fundamental importance of the Second Amendment.

This video is from the Behold a Pale White Horse channel on Brighteon.com.

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Study proves there is NO CORRELATION between gun control laws and mass shootings.

Elon Musk says armed citizens vital for democracys defense, causing gun control activists to lose their minds.

Sources include:

100PercentFedUp.com

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FOX17.com

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Buyers beware: Turmeric products are often contaminated with lead

When buying supplies for your stockpile, it's important to do so from trusted sources that offer lab-verified organic products. This can help you protect your family from food tainted with harmful heavy metals, such as

Lead used to be a contaminant in turmeric, the unique spice that gives curry its beautiful golden color. Researchers traced the contamination to Bangladesh, and their report detailed how lead-adulterated turmeric was slowly poisoning people who used the spice. (h/t to Vox.com)

Lead is a neurotoxin and it can cause premature deaths and lifelong negative side effects. Experts warn that "there is no safe level of lead exposure" and data suggests that any lead causes damage.

The adverse effects may also get worse the more lead exposure there is.

The U.S. phased out leaded gasoline in 1996. After a 20-year global worldwide campaign, in 2021 Algeria became the final country to end leaded gasoline in cars.

The move should help make a huge difference to environmental lead levels. But there are other sources of lead, such as ceramics and car batteries.

This is important because even though Bangladesh phased out leaded gasoline in the 1990s, high blood lead levels have remained. To find out why, researchers Stephen Luby and Jenny Forsyth conducted their research in rural Bangladesh.

The researchers tried to find the source, and the results revealed that it was an unexpected one: lead-adulterated turmeric.

Turmeric is a yellow spice that is often used for cooking in South Asia and beyond. Adding a pigment made of lead chromate to turmeric produces bright, vibrant colors, which also leads to better sales.

The data showed that buyers of the adulterated turmeric were slowly being poisoned. The alarming discovery made a lot of headlines, particularly after it became clear that contaminated spices were also poisoning children in America, often in cases where other family members had brought spices from abroad.

Fortunately, there was also good news.

A paper studying lead in turmeric in Bangladesh revealed that researchers and the Bangladeshi government seemed to have eliminated lead in the turmeric business in the country.

Lead adulteration of turmeric

Wudan Yan, an author from Undark magazine, talked about what happened after researchers found out that turmeric could be behind the shockingly high blood lead results they were observing.

The researchers working for the nonprofit International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B) who confirmed that turmeric was the primary cause of high blood lead levels met with government officials. The research team gathered samples nationwide and published a 2019 follow-up paper on the issue.

Bangladeshs Food Safety Authority also got involved.

The groups decided on a two-part approach. First, they began an education campaign to warn consumers about the dangers of lead.

Once people found out that lead adulteration was illegal, raids were conducted to analyze turmeric and fine sellers who were selling adulterated turmeric products.

The groups also posted many fliers to teach people about the risks of lead. They also got coverage in the news.

The groups involved also thoroughly inspected the markets with X-ray fluorescence analyzers to detect lead. They also seized contaminated products and fined sellers.

According to the study, these methods worked very well. Researchers shared that the "proportion of market turmeric samples containing detectable lead decreased from 47 percent pre-intervention in 2019 to 0 percent in 2021."

The successful elimination of lead from turmeric also had an immediate and significant effect on blood lead levels in the affected populations, with blood lead levels decreasing to "a median of 30 percent."

The researchers who helped make these significant changes happen are preparing for similar campaigns in other areas where spices are also mixed with dangerous ingredients. (Related: Essential spices and herbs for your food stockpile.)

Avoid heavy metals by purchasing organic products from trusted sellers

Protect your family from heavy metals and other harmful contaminants by making sure to stock up on organic and lab-verified items like turmeric for your survival stockpile.

The Health Ranger Store has searched all across the globe for the cleanest turmeric root powder on the market. After extensive lab testing of raw materials, we've managed to secure an ultra-clean lot of organic turmeric root powder that has passed our stringent standards of cleanliness and purity.

Derived from fresh, raw turmeric root grown on pristine organic farms, Health Ranger Select Organic Turmeric Root Powder is one of the cleanest, highest-quality turmeric root powders on the market. It is full of the active component curcumin and other nutrients, and it retains the full spectrum benefits and the nutritional content of raw turmeric.

Our premium turmeric root powder contains no gluten, GMOs, fillers, artificial sweeteners, or additives.

Health Ranger Select Organic Turmeric Root Powder is certified Kosher and organic. It is also vegan, non-irradiated, non-China and is meticulously lab-tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.

Visit FoodSupply.news for tips on how to start building your survival stockpile. Go to Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store to find more clean food supplies for your prepping needs.

Watch this clip and learn how incorporating Organic Turmeric Root Powder into a balanced diet can help support your overall well-being.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

Vox.com

ScienceDirect.com

Undark.org

HealthRangerStore.com 1

HealthRangerStore.com 2

Brighteon.com
Ukrainian company Burisma used as vehicle to launder taxpayer money, lawyer says

Russia is proceeding with a criminal investigation into the infamous Ukrainian company Burisma to determine how it has been used to finance terrorism.

You probably remember the name Burisma from the Joe and Hunter Biden money laundering scandals, which is exactly what Russia wants to get to the bottom of to deliver justice.

The Russian Investigative Committee will look to see how money flowed in and out of Burisma, including where it came from, what happened while it was in the company's possession, and where it went after that.

"This is something that the Russian Investigative Committee is going to have to determine to be sure, but this is nothing new," said international human rights advocate and author Arnaud Develay, adding that Burisma is a "vehicle to launder taxpayers' money."

Already, Russian investigators have "established that the funds, flowing through commercial organizations, including the oil and gas conglomerate Burisma Holdings, operating in Ukraine, have been used in recent years to carry out terrorist attacks in Russia," Develay added.

Be sure to watch the full RT interview with Develay for more.

(Fact check: Election fraud allegations aside, Joe Biden disqualified himself from being president.)

Western power brokers in a panic

News of the investigation has the Biden Crime Family and others in something of a panic. While online chatter about Burisma's criminal structure is nothing new, Russia's probing of them is.

It is almost a certainty that, should the allegations prove true, Western power brokers will do everything within their fast-waning power to sweep it all under the rug before any attempts are successfully able to hold them criminally liable.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

"They would try to fight tooth and nail to basically deny it," Develay believes, adding that any attempt at establishing a United Nations-backed tribunal to address the matter would get vetoed by what he describes as the "big three," meaning the United States, the United Kingdom and France.

"This is something that is going to have to be handled in a different way."

Develay's book about all this, called "Foreign Entanglements: Ukraine, Biden & the Fractured American Political Consensus," was just released.

Now that the cat is out of the bag, Burisma and everyone involved with the money laundering operation is surely trying to bury and destroy as much evidence as possible before the chickens come home to roost.

"There has been a thing going on about corruption in the West and scapegoating Russia for everything, and it's reached a new level," one RT commenter wrote about the scandal.

"When you share with Western authorities what Western MPs claim in the media, that Western countries have become money laundering countries, they disregard it by asserting that it was a Russian propaganda stunt. Seriously. The West is going down in a very massive and multi-faceted ugly way. It increasingly feels surreal and apocalyptic."

Another wrote that the CIA's involvement in Ukraine is easily proven with how the agency "used Hollywood-style productions" to make Volodymyr Zelensky famous before "installing him as a president of Ukraine."

"This power move takes many years and large amounts of money," this person added. "This comedian became a leader, then started a war with Russia  none of this happens on its own."

Others pointed out that none of this is really new information for those who have been following the Burisma scandal over the years, but that perhaps it will finally get the mainstream attention it deserves to expose the Biden Crime Family and all others involved with it.

"Donald Trump sniffed it all out, raised the alarm, and also alerted Putin to what he strongly suspected was going on in Ukraine," this person added about one of the many reasons why Trump found himself in the deep state's crosshairs.

More related news is available at Corruption.news.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

NaturalNews.com
Researchers warned of potential decline of newly-discoveres insect species in Kosovo, which plays a crucial important for freshwater ecosystems. The new species, Potamophylax kosovaensis, has been threatened by water pollution and construction of hydropower plants.

Scientists have been on the quest to discover new species on the planet, from land to marine animals unknown to science. The discovery is essential to document new animals, particularly for species requiring uregent conservation and protection efforts amidsts the threats of climate change, rising temperatures, pollution, and habitat loss.

However, increasing threats to many species have caused alarm due to potential impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Understanding alarming threats is crucial for conservation efforts, protecting species from brink of extinction.

New Species of Potamophylax Winneguthi Discovered in Kosovo

In a new report, researchers raised concerns about the the status of newly-discovered aquatic insects, which are considered bioindicators of ecosystems. Studying their species can offer new insights into conservation plans. The research findings were published in the Biodiversity Data Journal, investigating the species of Potamophylax kosovaensis.

According to a recent report, the new species, the insect was discovered in Iber River Basin, within the Kopaonik Mountains of Kosovo. They can be distinguished by distinctive patterns, elongated spines and thicker parameres. The habitats are known to be rich in ecological significance, helping other aquatic species in the region.

They are often recognized as bioindicator of freshwater ecosystes, and their decline could have a potential impacts on their habitats. Recent reports show that the said species is considered restricted in spring areas. Continued effects of water pollution, construction of hydropower dams and habitat degradation can significantly affect their survival, as they are sensitive to said threats.

"The discovery of Potamophylax kosovaensis serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of our freshwater ecosystems. We must prioritize efforts to protect these habitats and the invaluable species they harbor, " Professor Halil Ibrahimi said, as quoted in a report.

Also Read: Deforestation Is Making Lizards Disappear: 84% of North American Lizards At Risk Due to Climate Change

The Persistent Threats of Habitat Loss and Water Pollution

However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) raised concerns about the species state, making it endangered after being discovered. Without urgent mitigation efforts, the degradation of their habitats can impact other species in the freshwater ecosystems.

Water pollution, with hazardous chemicals and plastic, is one of the major threats to aquatic and marine animals. The decline in water quality acn potentially affect many species, including the coral reef systems.

The report emphasizes the urgent need for protection efforts, conserving the biodiversity of freshwater. Addressing the threats in their habitats will help save insect species from the brink of extinction or population decline.

Related Article: Honeybees Antennae Help to Relay Information to Food Through Waggled Dances

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Despite the water rationing that began last week for Bogota's nine million citizens, the mayor of Colombia's capital proposed new measures to discourage residents from using more water than necessary for personal hygiene and home necessities.

Less Water Consumption

Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan announced that residences that consume more than 22 cubic meters of water per month will be charged additional fees.

He also threatened to punish people up to $300 if they washed their cars on the street or engaged in other water-wasting practices.

The mayor said that city buses, which are typically washed every day, will henceforth be washed only once a week. For public health considerations, the insides of the buses must still be cleaned on a daily basis.

"We have started to reduce water consumption, but there is still a long way to go to reach our goals," Galan said.

To efficiently enforce laws, the district has developed reporting mechanisms for violations. Citizens are encouraged to report practices that impede water conservation efforts to designated authorities, who will investigate and take appropriate steps, such as fines and warnings.

The Metropolitan Police will undertake daily patrols to monitor citizen behavior in each neighborhood. Repeat offenders risk fines ranging from COP$700,000 to COP$1,200,000 pesos.

Read Also: Water-Consumption: New Mobile App Shows Maps of World Water Use

Water Rationing

Water rationing is uncommon in Bogota, a city nestled in a humid valley of the northern Andes Mountains surrounded by cloud forests and emerald green meadows.

El Nino-induced dry weather has destabilized the city's reservoirs, resulting in forest fires in January.

The Chingaza Reservoir System, Bogota's primary source of water, is currently 15% full, the lowest level ever. Experts have warned that if rain does not come, the area's reservoirs may run dry in two months.

In January, Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a natural disaster decree, providing the government with more resources to address the disastrous effects of El Nino, such as wildfires and water stress.

Faced with this dilemma, Bogota officials last week implemented a water rationing system that splits the city into nine zones. Each zone is disconnected from the water supply for 24 hours on a rotational basis.

Galan stated that since the rationing system began on Thursday, the city's water use has decreased to 16.01 cubic meters per second, down from 17.84 cubic meters per second. However, the mayor stated that the city's water use must drop to 15 cubic meters per second in order for reservoirs to recover.

Over the last few days, city officials have also asked citizens to conserve water by taking five-minute showers and shutting off their faucets while brushing their teeth.

The mayor also proposed that people in the capital forgo taking daily showers, as is customary in Colombia, especially if they do not have to leave their houses.

"We must all use water responsibly. Every drop saved contributes to our collective resilience against water scarcity," Galan said.

Colombia joins Mexico, whose capital, Mexico City, has also been experiencing a serious water crisis as a result of years of extremely low rainfall, extended dry spells, and high temperatures.

Related Article: Drought in Colombia: Couples in Bogota Told to 'Shower Together' as Drought in Capital City Depletes Water Supplies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOuTx0BOvS8
Tropical forests are severely affected by fragmentation as human settlement, agriculture, and infrastructure, including roads, continue to expand, as observed since the Industrial Revolution.

As seen over the decades, wildlife biodiversity has been impacted by deforestation and habitat loss in remote forests across the tropics that were once untouched by human civilization. Amid forest fragmentation, these terrestrial environments are constantly damaged or destroyed.

This ecological disaster is further aggravated without the presence of frugivores or fruit-eating animals; which help trees and other types of plants to spread their seed and expand.

These findings are based on a new study led by the public research university ETH Zurich in Switzerland and other institutions worldwide. Researchers observed that frugivores enhance forest regeneration in fragment landscapes.

Tropical Forests in Danger

For the past century, swathes of forest lands have been fragmented due to multiple natural factors such as climate change and human-induced activities, including excessive logging, mining, and land use.

Although forest ecosystems are known for their resilience, scientists assert they still need help from frugivores, including fruit-eating birds such as the red-legged honeycreeper, palm tanager, and the rufous-bellied thrush.

In the study published in the journal Nature Climate Change on Monday, April 15, an international team of researchers warned that tropical forests are in potential danger. One of the main reasons for this predicament is that they cannot recover naturally without fruit-eating birds.

The findings are based from ETH Zurich's Crowther Lab which showed this critical barrier to natural forest restoration, which is assured through seed dispersal.

In relation to the study, persistent deforestation and habitat loss in the tropical region could force not only fruit-eating birds but also other frugivores like orangutans and bats to migrate. Potential movement of these in long distances could leave forests exposed and without any agents for their seeds to spread.

Also Read: Rubber Plantations Drive Tropical Forest Loss and Biodiversity Decline

Forest Restoration

The new research paper comes under the context that forest restoration is an important process when it comes to fighting biodiversity crises and climate change.

In addition, the researchers highlight the current challenges in representing animals in restoration and climate change policies; this is because the quantitative data on their contribution to forest regeneration and carbon recovery is still lacking.

In the study, the research team used individual-based models to examine frugivore-influenced seed rain in open areas within fragmented tropical forests. They found the movement of large birds was limited in terrestrial areas with less than 40% forest cover.

Meanwhile, small birds continue to disperse seeds and contribute to the recovery of tropical forests.

Using the forest landscapes in the Atlantic side of Brazil, the team showed that even wild tropical birds move freely across this habitat.

This process potentially increases the carbon storage of trees undergoing forest restoration by up to 38%, as cited by the AAAS during its media release on Monday.

Related Article: Global Warming Could Trigger Photosynthesis Failure in Tropical Forests, Study Warns
Microsoft, in October last year, put its Cloud for Sovereignty in public preview with plans to make it generally available in December with the help of partners such as G42, Accenture, Atea, and Leonardo.

Microsofts rivals also have been building hyperscale data centers in the region at an increasing pace to meet demand spurred by cloud adoption as Middle Eastern businesses modernize applications such as ERP, and in the wake of the pandemic loosen up on remote work.

In August Amazon Web Services (AWS) opened a Tel Aviv cloud region and said it would invest $7.2 billion in Israel by 2037. In February, Oracle said it would invest $1.5 billion in Saudi Arabia to expand cloud capacity.

G42 and Microsoft also signed two other agreements with each other last year. In November, Microsoft announced the availability of G42s Jais Arabic large language model (LLM) on its Azure AI Cloud Model-as-a-Service offering.

In April last year, Microsoft signed an agreement with G42 to develop AI-based offerings tailored for the public sector.

In addition to running its applications on Azure, the new investment will see both companies support the development of a skilled and diverse AI-based talent pool in the region.
One of the fashion industrys most iconic dresses is the bandage dress, the form-fitting dress that was the uniform of 90s models. It was created by designer Herve L. Leroux, who went on to become Herve Leger.

Leroux, who was actually born Herve Peugnet on May 30, 1957, in Bapaume in northern France, studied sculpture and art history at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris before dropping out to become a hairstylist and milliner.

More from WWD

In 1981, he met Karl Lagerfeld who encouraged him to pursue a career in fashion design. Lagerfeld advised him to change his surname to Leger which would be easier for Americans to pronounce. Leger worked alongside Lagerfeld at Fendi and later Chanel, and freelanced at Lanvin and Diane von Furstenberg before launching his own business in 1985 and trademarked the name Herve Leger. [He assumed the name Herve Leroux in 2000 after he lost the rights to Herve Leger.]

The house ventured into ready-to-wear in 1993 and its viscose bandage dresses  formed from dozens of elasticated bandage-style strips of knitted cloth, creating a body-sculpting, skin-tight silhouette  became an immediate sensation, with sales soaring from $600,000 generated solely from haute couture in 1992 to $10.6 million in 1984, thanks to its ready-to-wear and the debut of a cruise collection. British Royal Serena Linley became a fan, as did the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who sported one of Legers backless dresses at Versailles. Nicole Kidman wore them in Batman Forever.

Tatjana Patitz at the Herve Leger fall 1992 ready-to-wear collection.

The bandage dress quickly became a go-to choice for celebrities on the red carpet. Those who have been seen in the bandage dress include Kim Kardashian, Blake Lively, Rihanna, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Victoria Beckham. The dress, which not only provided support, accentuated the wearers curves, giving them an hourglass shape.

At first family-run, the Herve Leger house received much-needed backing in 1994 from Seagram Co. Ltd.s Paris-based Champagne G.H. Mumm & Cie division, which also took a 50 percent stake in the company. This enabled its Paris runway shows to grow more lavish and its retail distribution to increase. A Paris boutique on Rue Faubourg Saint-Honore opened in 1995.

In October 1998, Azria bought roughly 99 percent of the capital of Herve Leger as well as the trademarked name from Seagrams for an undisclosed sum. The beverage giant had put some $19.8 million into Leger over the course of four years, and the house had losses of $3.3 million to $4.1 million annually on sales of roughly $10 million wholesale, 40 percent of which was in the U.S.

I see a lot of synergies between Herve Leger and BCBG, said Max Azria at the time, noting that he had been looking for some time to buy a French company that would enable him to grow in Europe and diversify into the designer category.

When Azria bought Leger, it was saddled with huge overhead, including ateliers for couture and a rtw staff of 31 full-time employees. But rather than cut back on overhead, since it is a rare asset to have such skilled in-house ateliers, Azria had hoped to compensate by growing sales fast.

Beverly Johnson at the Herve Leger spring 2016 ready-to-wear collection.

He hired a new president, Bernard Calvet, a fixture in French industrial circles known for his career at Shell Oil Co. The goal, Calvet said at the time, was to expand production from three collections annually  fall and spring rtw plus a cruise collection  to a total of seven. The house had a small private couture business, but Azria wanted to add two couture collections and two pre-collections. He also opened stores in Los Angeles, Paris and New York.

In April 1999, Azria ousted Leger, saying, I gave a chance to the designer. I bought the company because I believed that it could be profitable, and I had the vision that we could turn it around. We gave Herve the opportunity to express himself and be the best he could be. We reinforced the infrastructure. But the whole new team in place could not work with [him].

We know what we are doing, Azria added. At the end of the day, the bottom line is the product you put on the table. The Leger collection will be more modern, more sophisticated, and the concept will be recognized as the spirit of the sexy woman. This is what the consumer wants and expects.

That same month, Azria hired knit specialist Eric Sartori as head designer, but Sartori quit in October 1999, less than a month after showing his first collection. Leger couture designer Jerome Dreyfuss, who showed his only couture collection for the house in July 1999, also departed, in November 1999.

(For his part, designer Herve Leger launched a collection and a Paris shop in 2000 under the moniker Herve L. Leroux  another suggestion from Lagerfeld.)

The Leger brand went on hiatus until it returned to retail in 2007 under the design direction of Max and Lubov Azria, and it made its debut at New York Fashion Week in February 2008 as Herve Leger by Max Azria, showing the fall 2008 collection.

Cindy Crawford attends the 1995 MTV Movie Awards on June 10, 1995.

WWDs fall 2008 review read: With a new generation of Hollywood starlets pouring their Pilates-toned bods into Herve Legers signature bandage dresses, Max Azria decided to present his first Leger runway show since acquiring the company. Yet instead of resting on Legers laurels, Azria worked to make the bandage look his own with some variations in knits and a palette of pretty degrades. He decorated many with a variety of feathers and silk organza appliques, but at times got carried away. This is a look thats best left unadorned, as exemplified in a parade of 15 full-on bandage dresses, all of them cut up to here and plunging to there.

Said Lubov, The bandage dress is a true innovation because theres nothing like it in the market. There are no patterns. The individual bandages are dabbed with pins and sewn together by hand. So basically, its a labor of love. As much as you see the product everywhere, its not made in large quantities. Sometimes we only make two of a style but the most we make is 100. Its a very focused business and to work with one type of yarn is so challenging, and yet amazing.

Since then, Lubov endeavored to innovate the materials and the styles.

To have that brand and to work on that brand is such an honor, and we respect it, and I think thats the reason we are able to innovate it constantly, she said. The designers tried to make some less body-conscious pieces, such as A-line skirts, but other design elements, like raglan sleeves, were left on the drawing board. We tried so many different silhouettes, but with bandages, unless they are really close to your body, they dont look that attractive, said Lubov.

Still, she insisted that a woman need not have a model figure to carry off a Leger.

Most people say its about body shape but I think its about confidence level. Whats great about Herve Leger is when you put that dress on, it changes everything. People look at you differently, said Lubov.

In 2014, Herve Leger was sold in 92 wholesale doors and had 13 boutiques in the U.S.: in Southern California on Rodeo Drive; at Westfield Century City mall; on Melrose Avenue, and in South Coast Plaza; in New Yorks SoHo and on Madison Avenue; in Las Vegas Miracle Mile Shops and The Venetian; in Floridas Palm Beach and Aventura; Atlanta; Troy, Mich., and Paramus, N.J.

Internationally, its major retail partners included Harrods, Selfridges, Tsum and Harvey Nichols, and there are brand boutiques in Paris; Rome; London; Geneva; Luxembourg; Manila; St. Petersburg, Russia; Moscow (two); Beirut; Abu Dhabi; Dubai (two), and Adelaide, Australia. The greatest growth opportunities were seen in the Middle East, and within the shoe, handbag and fragrance categories.

In February 2017, BCBG filed for bankruptcy protection. In August 2017, Marquee Brands LLC acquired the entire portfolio of brands from BCBG Max Azria Global Holdings, LLC, including BCBGMaxAzria, BCBGeneration, and Herve Leger. In October 2017, brand management firm Authentic Brands Group acquired the Herve Leger brand from Marquee Brands. Terms of the transaction werent disclosed.

In 2017, Leroux died of a ruptured aneurysm at the age of 60. WWD reported in his obituary that Dita Von Teese, the burlesque star, wrote on her Instagram, He made the most exquisite dresses that showcased a womans beauty, rather than distracting from it. We would have the best time, I honestly could have only ever worn his dresses.

Alexis Mabille recalled in the WWD obituary that in the 90s, Lerouxs catwalk shows  featuring the likes of Cindy Crawford, Nadja Auermann, Carla Bruni and Helena Christensen  were among the hottest tickets in town. If you had a banging body, you wore Herve Leger or Alaia, he said.

The dresses are impeccable. If you are fortunate enough to see them up close, its absolutely amazing. They sculpt the body with a support structure inside, but everything is very comfortable. You could be a fantasy version of yourself, totally gorgeous with a controlled waist and hips, yet still be at ease, Mabille said.

In 2018, Christian Juul Nielsen became creative director of Herve Leger. During his tenure, he married the sensual simplicity of iconic 90s Herve Leger. with the cutting-edge minimalism of his native Denmark. His draping-focused design approach celebrated the female form.

In 2023, Michelle Ochs, who designed the luxury womenswear collection, Et Ochs, was named as creative director of Herve Leger, taking over from Nielsen. Nielsen planned to focus on his own label, Aknvas, an advanced contemporary line he launched in 2019.

As the newly appointed creative director of Herve Leger, my goal is to propel the brand into the future defined by innovation, sophistication and empowerment. I envision a journey where tradition meets modernity, crafting pieces that resonate with the modern woman while honoring the brands iconic legacy, said Ochs this month, adding that they are committed to elevating the brands global presence.

Melissa Lefere-Cobb, senior vice president, division head of Herve Leger at Centric Brands [which licensed it from Authentic] said, For almost a decade, we have worked extremely close with Authentic Brands Group to expand Herve Legers presence and preserve its legacy as a world-renowned brand. This success take form through the expansion of the brands wholesale accounts, the deepening of its retailer relationships and its high engagement with top-tier talent and celebrities. Since bringing Michelle Ochs on board as creative director, we have experienced an increase in brand popularity and visibility, transcending generations and reaffirming Herve Legers status as an icon in the luxury fashion space.

The brand is available at retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Revolve, Net-a-porter, Selfridges and Harrods.

Recently, Ochs, in collaboration with stylist Andrew Mukamal, crafted a dress for Margot Robbies press tour. The dress drew inspiration from the iconic No. 1 dress from 1959, a piece that is showcased in the upcoming book, Barbie: The World Tour. Other noted celebrities that Ochs has dressed in Herve Leger include America Ferrera, Shay Mitchell, Rita Ora, Tessa Brooks, Jenna Dewan, Leslie Bibb and Meghan Fox.

Tatjana Patitz at the Herve Leger Fall 1992 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Herve Leger at his Fall 1992 Ready-to-Wear show.

Bridget Moynahan

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In showing her debut fall 24 last February, Ochs said, Were still building on the DNA. Bandage fabric strips, and their cinching power, were seen throughout, like a red tank dress  a signature color  but also in a range of layering pieces like sheer tops or liquid button-downs with a subtle strip of well-known fabric down the back, WWD reported.

herve leger bandage dress, history

Launch Gallery: Herve Legers Bandage Dress: Through the Years on Runways & Red Carpets [PHOTOS]

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Changes unveiled by Tan Tuesday include a standardization of the metric for pricing offerings across cloud providers to per-core licensing  the same metric used in end-customer licensing  as well as providing license portability for VCF.

This ensures customers will not face any licensing mismatch as they move between providers, and will avoid switching and additional licensing costs, Tan wrote in the post.

VCF also will now come at half the list price compared to past pricing as a standard technology stack for cloud providers to provide the same technology and support experience across them all, he wrote, but did not specify pricing.

VMware also will complete its transition plan to a subscription model that provides access to the most recent version of products plus support for a fixed term, something that began in 2018, long before Broadcom unveiled plans to purchase the company, Tan wrote.

He said the transition will not affect customers ability to use existing perpetual licenses, including those for older vSphere versions they have previously licensed. Customers also can continue to receive maintenance and support for VSphere by signing up for one of the new subscription offerings; however, if they choose not to sign up for a subscription, they will still receive free access to zero-day security patches for supported versions of vSphere, Tan said.

Uphill battle

The pending EC investigation into its VMware licensing practices is the latest concern facing Broadcom after its initial announcement of its plans to purchase of the company back in May 2022, which has been an uphill battle from the start for Tan and his team and has drawn considerable fire from customers.
Paul Goodwin, 71, doesn't understand why the postie chose to 'vandalise' his lawn  and he wasn't happy with their excuse.

Another homeowner has been left furious by the actions of a postie who chooses to drive over his front lawn in order to make their deliveries, leaving the man's well manicured grass covered in track marks from the Australia Post vehicle.

Gold Coast resident Paul Goodwin, 71, claims his local postie drove through his front yard multiple times during the last week of March, with the actions leaving his grass damaged, and muddy marks on his driveway.

"They've come across the lawn and just marked the top of it so it's obvious they have driven across it while it was wet," he told Yahoo News. "The next day they've come across and just done a bloody burnout across my grass, it dug into the grass by about four inches in some parts," he complained.

An Australia Post driver rode over Paul Goodwin's front lawn twice in one week on the Gold Coast. Source: Supplied

He recently got his driveway renovated but after the postie's actions the homeowner was left to scrub the ground in the hope the marks would disappear, which he claims haven't, and his next door neighbour also experienced the same issue.

"The same thing happened to the next door neighbour's but there's wasn't as deep as ours," Goodwin said of the damaged lawn.

Homeowner 'annoyed' by unnecessary move by postie

Goodwin has lived in the property for 27 years and frequently gets his lawn treated, taking pride in his home. He said he doesn't understand why the postie chooses to drive over his lawn, deeming it completely "unnecessary".

"They could have driven round the other side of the letterbox where there's ample room to put some mail... how hard can it be to find an alternate route and avoid this type of damage."

He reached out to Australia Post who said the specific postie would receive feedback of his complaint but no further action or compensation was offered.

In correspondence from an Australia Post worker to Goodwin in response to his complaint, and seen by Yahoo, the worker noted the entitlements enjoyed by posties. "Please be aware that Australia Post is one of the few organisations that can operate motor vehicles on the footpath or nature strip," they said. "This legislation is usually included at both state and council levels. However, this does not mean that our Posties can intentionally cause damage to the nature strip area."

"To do something like that is absolute vandalism and for no one to come talk to me locally, I thought they [Australia Post] would have had a better response," Goodwin .

Yahoo News have reached out to Australia Post for comment.

Homeowner creates makeshift fence to deter posties

A similar incident occurred in Coffs Harbour in NSW last week with the resident deciding to create a makeshift fence to stop posties from driving over their lawn.

A bright orange plastic material was hung between the resident's mailbox and a red-lidded bin after a delivery driver drove through their front lawn, leaving tyre tracks and damage in the wet turf.

It may not be easy to see but locals say the lawn was 'butchered' by posties driving on it. Source: TikTok

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Ranveer, Kriti showcase heritage of Kashi as they turn showstoppers for Manish Malhotra

A

ctors Ranveer Singh and Kriti Sanon grabbed eyeballs as they participated in a fashion show curated by designer Manish Malhotra on the theme 'Banarasi Saree- A tapestry of Indian culture and Craftsmen'.

https://x.com/ANI/status/1779555297519874051

They added a charm to Manish Malhotra's show, turning showstoppers for the grand event.

Ranveer looked gorgeous as usual in a sherwani, while Kriti chose to wear a red lehenga that looked like bridal attire.

Earlier, Ranveer, Kriti and Manish visited the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and offered prayers.

Ranveer and Kriti opted for traditional attire as they visited the Dashashwamedh Ghat along with the ace designer.

Kriti looked stunning in her yellow suit while Ranveer chose to wear a white kurta pyjama. The celebrity fashion designer was seen wearing a pink kurta that he teamed up with a white pyjama.

Ranveer was also seen shaking hands with his fans. During his visit to the ghat, he was seen waving at the crowds.

Sharing his experience of visiting Varanasi, Ranveer told ANI, "I cannot express in words the experience that I have had today. All my life, I have been a devotee of Lord Shiva but I was here today for the first time. Next time, I wish to be here along with my mother."

"'Haar Haar Mahadev', 'Jai Siya Ram'. I came here ten years ago for an ad shoot but had no time (to explore the city). However, this time, I got an opportunity to go to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. I feel blessed. There is a vibration and energy about the city."

Manish Malhotra also expressed delight over his visit to the temple, saying, "I like coming here lots and lots of times. It is very peaceful here and I was here earlier as well...Ranveer and Kriti are here for my show. I will never forget this Sunday; it was truly special."

Celebrating Kashi's ancient heritage, culture, spirituality, and crafts, the renowned couturier weaved enchantment via an extravagant fashion show in Varanasi.

Taking to his Instagram handle, he shared his thoughts on the heritage and culture of Kashi in a video, saying, "Kashi, the heritage of India! Kashi is a city where there is a wonderful confluence of Indian tradition and modernity. Kashi is known for its culture, spirituality and its world-famous For Banarasi Handicraft. This handicraft has been taken to new heights by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's 'Vocal for Local, Local for Global' policy in the last 10 years."

"Through India's heritage, I am going to showcase this historical heritage of Kashi with Ranveer Singh and Kriti Sanon by bringing together "modern fashion and tradition". With this effort, we want to take this handicraft of Kashi to every corner of the world. Get ready to see and be mesmerized by this art of Banaras," he added.

Ranveer also took to Instagram to give a sneak peek into the show, posting, "Looking forward to celebrating Indian culture and tradition in the vibrant city of Kashi."

The Manish Malhotra fashion show was part of the two-day event (April 13-14), organised by the Indian Minorities Foundation, to promote handicrafts and handlooms of Varanasi. The event was hosted at the Namo Ghat.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranveer will be seen reprising his role of Simmba in Rohit Shetty's cop drama 'Singham Again', which also stars Deepika Padukone, actors Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff and Kareena Kapoor Khan.

Ranveer will also headline Farhan Akhtar's 'Don 3', which will arrive in 2025.

Kriti, meanwhile is basking in the success of her film 'Crew', also starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Tabu.

'Crew', a story of three women, touted as a laugh-riot, set against the backdrop of the struggling airline industry. However, their destinies lead to some unwarranted situations and they get caught in a web of lies.

The heist comedy also stars Diljit Dosanjh and Kapil Sharma. Saswata Chatterjee, Rajesh Sharma and Kulbhushan Kharbanda also round out the cast of Crew. It is produced by Rhea Kapoor and Anil Kapoor under Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network, and Ektaa R Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor of Balaji Motion Pictures.

The film, made under Balaji Telefilms and Anil Kapoor Film & Communications Network banners, was released on March 29.

 Ranveer, Kriti showcase heritage of Kashi as they turn showstoppers for Manish Malhotra

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Kangana Ranaut reflects on her 'divine meeting' with Dalai Lama in Dharamshala

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ollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, who recently announced her foray into politics as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from her hometown Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, made headlines as she embarked on a spiritual journey, meeting with Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in Dharamshala.

Reflecting on her encounter with the revered spiritual figure, Ranaut expressed profound sentiments while speaking with ANI.

She said, "It was divine. It was an experience which I'll cherish all my life. I think it is exceptional to be in the presence of such a being who has sheer divinity around him. So it was very emotional for me and ex-CM (Jairam Thakur). It is something that I cherish all my life."

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1779764930062999981

Ranaut's visit to Dharamshala underscored her spiritual inclination and garnered attention amidst her political pursuits.

The 'Panga' actor also shared a post on her Instagram handle about the same.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5xlR0MROqr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

The decision of Kangana Ranaut to contest from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, a region with historical political significance, adds a layer of intrigue to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Mandi, known as a stronghold of the Congress party, presents a formidable challenge for Ranaut as she steps into the political arena.

The upcoming polls in Himachal Pradesh, scheduled for June 1, will not only witness the electoral battle for four Lok Sabha seats but also entail the contest for six Assembly seats that fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress MLAs.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aiming to maintain its dominance in the region, eyes victory once again after securing all four LS seats in 2019.

The anticipation surrounding the election results will culminate in the counting process slated for June 4.

The Mandi constituency, in particular, holds symbolic significance, being considered a bastion of the late former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's family. The seat, currently held by Pratibha Devi Singh, the late leader's wife, witnessed a bye-election in 2021 following the demise of BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.

On the work front, Kangana will be next seen in 'Emergency', which also marks her first solo directorial.

 Kangana Ranaut reflects on her 'divine meeting' with Dalai Lama in Dharamshala

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Huma Qureshi begins shooting for 'Gulabi'

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ctor Huma Qureshi has started shooting for 'Gulabi' in Ahmedabad.

As per a statement, the film promises to be a groundbreaking tale that celebrates the resilience and strength of women everywhere. "Set against the backdrop of a stirring true story", it unveils the courage of an auto rickshaw driver who became the beacon of change, inspiring women to reclaim their destinies.

'Gulabi' is directed by Vipul Mehta and produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Vishal Rana.

Sharing more details about the project, producer Vishal Rana said, "We are thrilled to start shoot for Gulabi in Ahmedabad today. Through this film, our aim is to deliver a great content-driven film for the audience they can resonate with . Huma who has delivered some great performances in her career, once again is all set to create some magic on screen."

He also posted a picture from the sets. The picture shows Huma posing with the film's director and producer She could be seen dressed up as a Gujarati woman.

Besides acting, Huma recently launched her debut novel 'Zeba: An Accidental Superhero'.The book is set in a fantasy land with its own geo- and socio-political spin.

On turning author, Huma earlier said, "I've learned that accepting who you are, with all your quirks and uniqueness, is the most empowering journey one can embark on. We live in a world that needs diversity, and every individual's story is a piece of that beautiful mosaic. Stories of fierce women are not just the need of the hour; they are the timeless tales that inspire generations, reminding us that strength and resilience know no boundaries. We need these stories to remind ourselves that we, too, can be the heroes of our own lives. This novel is deeply personal and it puts out there the rawest, most unfiltered version of me."

 Huma Qureshi begins shooting for 'Gulabi'

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We want to get India connected to global value chains: EAM Jaishankar hails BJP's manifesto

H

ailing the BJP's manifesto in Bengaluru on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted India's immense potential in the global value chains that foster an enabling environment for trade, investing in infrastructure, and nurturing a skilled workforce.

He said that while there is a commitment to "Surakshit Bharat" in the manifesto, on the economic side, there is a very strong record to show the country how exports are at a record high as well.

He added that, despite all this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government would like to take it forward and get India connected to global value chains.

In a press conference on Monday, Jaishankar said, "There is, of course, in the manifesto, a commitment to "Surakshit Bharat," but on the economic side, we have again a very strong record to show to the country that today our exports are at a record high, but we want to take it forward, we want to get India connected to global value chains. We want, as I said... we are very confident that in the coming years, we will emerge as the largest economy, which will also create many more employment possibilities."

He also stated that a lot has been done by the Modi government to increase the scale of manufacturing in the country

"...there is a commitment to increase manufacturing. From the time our reform started... until Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, manufacturing was actually neglected. And today, we have done a lot to increase the scale of manufacturing in this country. And, we want to ensure that India becomes an electronic hub, it becomes a defence hub, it becomes a semiconductor hub, and a space hub...manufacturing is something where we see a lot of possibilities, Jaishankar said, adding that "it is also something very very relevant to the youth of Karnataka."

The EAM underlined that there is also a big segment in the manifesto about foreign relations, and added that in the current scenario, India is seen as a "Vishwa Bandhu."

"Today, we are seen as a Vishwa bandhu. We executed the responsibility of G20 very well. On most major issues of the day, it is something on what we say, the positions we take, that makes an impact on the world," Jaishankar said.

"Here, whether it is countering terrorism, or whether it is, today, safeguarding the borders, we are today, taking strong positions, and the posture of the PM Modi government has been very clear. We have new challenges coming up in terms of cyber, maritime, etc.," he added.

Jaishankar, as he went to speak, underlined that if today, "there is cross-border terrorism, there is a very strong reply back."

Recalling the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel-Gaza, the EAM said, "Today, we have one conflict in Ukraine, one conflict in Israel-Gaza, and we are looking at tensions in the Red Sea area...in the Arabian Sea area. We are having challenges in the Indo-Pacific--a lot of challenges on the boundaries of different countries in Asia. We need somebody who has global understanding, who has global respect, and that is Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Jaishankar underlined that 'Modi Ki Guarantee' is not only inside the country but also outside the country as well.

Referring to it, he said, "Whenever any Indian travels abroad, this guarantee Modi gives...I mean, they can take the travel insurance, but they get a free guarantee from Modi. The free guarantee from Modi is that whatever trouble you are in, we are there for you. We have shown it in Ukraine and Sudan, and we have shown it repeatedly during COVID."

Jaishankar also talked at length about 'MSC Aries' and how he raised the issue of 17 Indian nationals on board the vessel with his Iranian counterpart.

"Now these people were on a Portuguese flag ship. The ship was taken over by Iranian forces. The ship was directed to... Yesterday I spoke to my Iranian counterpart and pressed him for the part, I told him there are 17 crew members from India. We are making a point to the Iranian government that these people should be released, and shouldn't be detained. So, I understand...and after that, there have been some follow-up conversations between our embassy and Iranian authorities," Jaishankar said.

"I am getting some reports, I want our embassy people to go there and meet these people, that will be my first point of satisfaction. Secondly, I would absolutely press for these people to come back to India as soon as possible. So, he was quite receptive and said, I will try doing something to help," he said.

In terms of national progress, Jaishankar said, "I think it is very important we have a government with a strong majority, which will continue to carry out reforms, which will take bold measures, which will think big, which will be able to meet the aspirations of the poorest persons through the yojanas, but also the aspirations of the youth."

Notably, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy seized the Israel-linked MSC ARIES container ship near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, The Times of Israel reported, citing an Iranian news agency.

The MSC Aries was last seen on Friday, sailing towards the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Dubai, according to The Times of Israel. The ship is currently sailing through the Persian Gulf, according to the ship-tracking site, Marine Traffic.

Tensions escalated between Iran and the West amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

Iran launched its first direct attack on Israel on Saturday night, launching a barrage of 300 attack drones and missiles from its territory towards the Jewish state, triggering air raid sirens throughout Israel on Sunday morning as the military tried to intercept the Iranian projectiles.

 We want to get India connected to global value chains: EAM Jaishankar hails BJP's manifesto

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Deepika Padukone's 82AE announces multi-channel partnership with Reliance Retail's Tira

A

ctor Deepika Padukone has attained several milestones and successes. Aside from astounding people with her cinematic creativity, the actress also achieved her entrepreneurial goals with her self-care brand, 82AE.

Now, taking it to new heights, Deepika's self-care brand has entered into a strategic partnership with 's cutting-edge beauty platform, Tira.

This collaboration marks a significant expansion from 82AE's successful D2C model to a first-time retail experience in the country through an online and offline presence.

Through this collaboration, 82AE will continue its objective to make self-care an easy, enjoyable, and effective part of everyday life for the Tira community.

After a year of promoting Simplified Skincare (Cleanse - Hydrate - Protect), demonstrating product effectiveness, and cultivating a strong, devoted community in India and throughout the world, 82AE is now set for rapid expansion through this revolutionary relationship with Tira

82AE is expanding its reach by making its popular Skincare, Body Care, and Men's range, featuring best-selling products like Ashwagandha Bounce, Lotus Splash, and Turmeric Shield, available on TIRA. 82AE products, previously accessible through the D2C platform, will now extend their reach to the TIRA platform, marking their offline debut at handpicked TIRA stores in select markets across North, West, and South India, as per the press release from Reliance Retail's Tira.

This collaboration intends to make luxury skincare products more accessible to a broader audience by combining Co-founder Deepika Padukone's holistic health vision and Reliance Retail's enormous offline and online network and technical capabilities.

This partnership aims to democratise access to premium skincare products for a more diverse audience by harnessing Co-founder Deepika Padukone's holistic wellness vision and leveraging Reliance Retail's extensive offline and online network and technological capabilities.

Commenting on the collaboration, Isha M Ambani, Executive Director, of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, stated, "We are excited to partner with 82AE, a brand renowned for its commitment to self-care and holistic wellness. This collaboration takes forward TIRA's vision to bring accessible yet aspirational beauty to every Indian and allows us to provide our customers with access to a range of premium skincare products. Together, we aim to elevate the self-care experience for consumers everywhere, introducing 82AE products to offline retail for the very first time."

Speaking about the partnership, Deepika Padukone, Co-Founder, of 82AE, said, "We're thrilled to announce that 82AE is now on TIRA, Online and In-Stores. This collaboration is an outcome of our shared values: to Simplify Skincare and to make Self-Care an effective and enjoyable part of our everyday lives. Through TIRA's Online and Offline platforms, we are excited to bring 82AE's Bestsellers, Award-Winning Formulations, along with the best of 82AE Skincare, 82AE Body Care, and 82AE Man to our consumers across the country."

 Deepika Padukone's 82AE announces multi-channel partnership with Reliance Retail's Tira

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One nation, One election is our commitment: PM Modi

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi said that the implementation of 'One nation, One election' which is one of the key promises made by his party-BJP in its poll manifesto is the "commitment" of his government.

In an interview with ANI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the committee formed under chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind to prepare the report on One nation, One election, received very positive and innovative suggestions.

"One nation, One election is our commitment. We have talked about this in parliament as well. We have also formed a committee. The committee has also submitted its report. So in terms of One nation, One election, many people have come on-board in the country. Many people have given their suggestions to the committee. The committee received very positive and innovative suggestions and the country will benefit a lot if we are able to implement this report," the PM said.

The idea of "One nation, One election" have gained prominence in the BJP's poll manifesto that was released on Sunday in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh among others.

"We have set up a High-Powered Committee to examine the issues of conducting simultaneous elections and will work towards the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee," reads the manifesto regarding the implementation of ONOE.

The manifesto also promises a common electoral roll.

The central government in September last year constituted a high-level Committee to examine the issue of 'One Nation, One Election' and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections in the country.

The report, comprising 18,626 pages, is an outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders, experts and research work over 191 days, since the constitution of the High-Level Committee on September 2, 2023.

The Committee was briefed by these bodies that intermittent elections had adverse consequences on economic growth, quality of public expenditure, and educational and other outcomes, besides upsetting social harmony.

In its report submitted to President Droupadi Murmu last month, the High Level Committee made several recommendations such as the elections to Lok Sabha and state Assemblies should be held at the same time and, subsequently, elections to local bodies (municipalities and panchayats) too should be "synchronised" so that they are held within 100 days of the simultaneous state and national elections.

The committee recommended that in the first step: simultaneous elections can be held for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

This can be followed in the second step with holding elections to Municipalities and Panchayats within 100 days.

The Committee recommends that in the event of a hung House, a no-confidence motion constitutes the new House, fresh elections may be held for the remainder of the five-year term.Where fresh elections are held for the State Legislative Assemblies, then such new Legislative Assembly unless it is dissolved sooner, shall continue up to the end of the end of the term of the Lok Sabha, the committee report stated. A Constitution Amendment Bill will have to be introduced in the Parliament amending Article 83 (Duration of Houses of Parliament) and Article 172 (Duration of State Legislatures). This Constitutional Amendment will not seed ratification by the States, the report said.

Other members of the Committee are Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, NK Singh, former Chairman, of the 15th Finance Commission, Subhash C Kashyap, former Secretary General, Lok Sabha, Harish Salve, Senior Advocate, and Sanjay Kothari, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Law and Justice was a Special Invitee and Dr Niten Chandra was the Secretary of the high level panel.

 One nation, One election is our commitment: PM Modi

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Centre to procure 30 LMT parboiled rice from Telangana: Kishan Reddy

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he Centre has agreed to procure 30 lakh metric tonnes of parboiled rice from Telangana during Kharif season 2023-24, Union Tourism and Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy revealed on Monday.

Kishan Reddy, who is also the state BJP President, thanked Union Consumer Affairs, Food, and Civil Supplies Piyush Goyal, stating that the decision taken by the Centre will immensely benefit farmers of Telangana.

He demanded that the state government, without wasting any time, immediately procure paddy from farmers by ensuring the Minimum Support Price and Rs 500 per quintal bonus as it promised.

He said that the Centre was doing everything to ensure that the farmers of Telangana are benefited.

In May last year, the Centre had agreed to procure 6.8 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice from the state for Kharif season 2022-23. This was in addition to 13.73 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice for Rabi 2021-22 and Kharif 2022-23.

 Centre to procure 30 LMT parboiled rice from Telangana: Kishan Reddy

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Johnny Depp ditches long hair, looks sharp after visible weight loss

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ollywood star Johnny Depp, who won the legal battle against ex-wife Amber Heard, has undergone a radical mid-life transformation, as he approaches his 61st birthday.

Earlier this year, the actor cut a distinctly bohemian figure. In February, in Turin, Italy, where he is directing his new film Modi, about the artiste Modigliani - he was pictured wearing a rasta beanie, a camo Jacket complete with a Che Guevara patch, reports Daily Mail UK.

Back then his hair was so long that it spilled below shoulder length. He has since had a very respectable make over. The pictures, obtained by Daily Mail UK, show him arriving on Monday night (Central European Time) at the small UK movie premiere of Jeanne Du Barry.

He appears to have lost a considerable amount of weight. He wore a slim-fitting Dior suit and had his hair trimmed short.

As per Daily Mail UK, the actor ditched long hair, grubby look and embraced 'clean living' in London ahead of a new Dior campaign shoot.

In other pictures, he recently sported shorter locks as he donned a fitted black suit and grey coat.

 Johnny Depp ditches long hair, looks sharp after visible weight loss

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U.S. ex-President Trump stands historic criminal trial

Xinhua) 08:14, April 16, 2024

Law enforcement personnel beef up security measures around the building of New York County Criminal Court in New York, the United States, on April 15, 2024. Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday appeared in a criminal court in Manhattan, New York City, in the hush money case, making him the first former U.S. president to stand a criminal trial. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

NEW YORK, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday appeared in a criminal court in Manhattan, New York City, in the hush money case, making him the first former U.S. president to stand a criminal trial.

Trump arrived at the court in Lower Manhattan around 9 a.m. with a heavy presence of security guards, press representatives as well as activists from different political camps.

Trump descended from his motorcade and talked to the press briefly before entering the courtroom.

"The trial is a political persecution... It's an assault on America... it's a country that's failing," said Trump.

The case should never have been brought, said Trump, who also complained about the gag order imposed on him.

Trump's lawyers made at least three tries in the previous week in order to delay the trial but the requests were denied by judges.

Facing 34 felony counts on falsifying business records in a bid to hide hush money payment of 130,000 U.S. dollars to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, Trump is expected to be present at the court very often as the trial goes on.

The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks as jury selection kicked off on Monday, according to a release by New York State Unified Court System.

Carrying flags and banners, a number of Trump supporters and critics went to Collect Pond Park in front of the court building, and they even traded barbs.

"Our legal system is corrupt, and I'm here to stand with Trump because he's much more honorable than our court system," said Steve Merczynski, a New Yorker, who supports Trump by marketing themed hammocks and hammock chairs.

Merczynski said the U.S. judicial system is partisan and the problem makes people don't trust the system, noting that he expected Trump to be found guilty as the vast majority of the jury in New York City are Democrats.

"The justice system is on trial... I think if Trump is found guilty, it shows we don't have a fair system here, because this case should not have been brought. If he's found not guilty, or if there's a hung jury, I have faith in the system that at least some people know of the baloney that this case is a mistake," he said.

For Marc Leavitt, nevertheless, "this is a beautiful day for a trial and for the rule of law."

"I believe strongly in democracy. No man or woman is above the law. Everyone has the right to be proven innocent or guilty," said Leavitt, who wore a placard criticising Trump.

A group of protesters marched by the court building in the morning and carried a big banner which read "No one is above the law."

Leavitt said he believes Trump would get a fair trial in the hush money case and the Republican Party could have chosen a much more worthy candidate in the upcoming presidential election, but he also believes that Trump is guilty of subverting democracy and a "former embarrassment in chief and a scourge on our democracy."

Trump, the Republican Party's presumptive presidential nominee in the 2024 U.S. general election, is facing four criminal indictments, and a conviction in one criminal trial would dampen his presidential campaign, analysts say.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump's supporters show up at Collect Pond Park in front of the building of New York County Criminal Court in New York, the United States, on April 15, 2024. Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday appeared in a criminal court in Manhattan, New York City, in the hush money case, making him the first former U.S. president to stand a criminal trial. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

A video screenshot shows a group of former U.S. President Donald Trump's critics marching by New York County Criminal Court in New York, the United States, on April 15, 2024. Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday appeared in a criminal court in Manhattan, New York City, in the hush money case, making him the first former U.S. president to stand a criminal trial. (Photo by Ding Ye/Xinhua)

A video screenshot shows former U.S. President Donald Trump arriving at New York County Criminal Court in New York, the United States, on April 15, 2024. Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday appeared in a criminal court in Manhattan, New York City, in the hush money case, making him the first former U.S. president to stand a criminal trial. (Photo by Ding Ye/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Close to 2,000 plants and animals are facing extinction in Australia, and conservationists don't believe today's announcement will be enough to save them.

As Australias list of animals and plants threatened with extinction grows and climate change threatens the nations forests and reefs, new environmental reforms have been announced by the Albanese government.

The reaction to the three new changes which are designed to benefit business and the environment has been mixed.

The government's decision to fund two new national environment agencies has been welcomed, so too has an investment of $100 million to deliver faster approval decisions on projects that threaten native species.

But Tuesdays Stage 2 Nature Positive Plan announced by environment minister Tanya Plibersek was just a portion of the promised comprehensive reform needed to save the countrys list of roughly 2,000 plants and animals on its threatened species list.

Australia has already lost a record 39 species of mammal, and today more than 580 are also under threat. Source: AAP/NFSA

Our Government is doing more than ever to protect our countrys natural treasures, native plants and animals, so Australians can continue to enjoy our lifestyle in the great outdoors, Plibersek said in Canberra on Tuesday.

Related: Silent extinctions occurring unreported across Australia

Focusing on the impact on business, Plibersek said the reforms would deliver greater certainty, and help drive investment in nation-building projects.

When I first announced the Nature Positive Plan, I said it would take a bit of cooperation, compromise and common sense to deliver. Thats exactly how were approaching the rollout, she said.

Environment minister Tanya Plibersek announced stage 2 Nature Positive Plan on Tuesday. Source: AAM

What are the new environmental reforms?

New laws will be introduced into parliament in the coming weeks to establish the following three reforms:

The creation of Australia's first national independent Environment Protection Agency. It will be equipped with new powers and penalties.

The establishment of a new Environment Information Australia aimed at giving businesses easier access to the latest environmental data.

A $100 million investment designed to deliver faster decisions for projects that will harm Australias native species.

Discover more of our environment coverage.

Is protecting the environment from big business possible?

Australia has the worst mammalian extinction record in the world and one of the highest levels of deforestation in the developed world. The nation is also one of the world's biggest exporters of fossil fuels, and the Albanese government has continued to approve new projects despite the world facing increasing numbers of deadly extreme weather events.

Some conservationists have privately called the environment minister role a "poison chalice", suggesting that balancing much needed nature reforms with pressure from big business is an impossible task.

In 2022, Plibersek warned the need for action has never been greater, and promised her government wouldnt shy away from difficult problems as they worked to reform broken environment protection laws that were independently assessed as ineffective, weak and tokenistic.

Why conservationists arent happy with the new nature protection laws

In a joint statement, Australias nature conservation councils, called Tuesday's announcement a major disappointment.

Its just not good enough, and we are urging Minister Plibersek to clarify how and when the plan to turn the tide from nature destruction to nature repair that she announced in December 2022 will be delivered, Conservation Council of South Australia president David Bacon said.

Nursery frogs like Cophixalus neglectus face extinction due to climate change. Source: Professor Conrad Hoskin

James Trezis who took up the directors position at Biodiversity Council this year said delaying the reforms is a significant step back from delivering what was promised when the Albanese government came to power. Nature in Australia is in crisis and cant afford delays in the comprehensive reforms needed to fix our weak and broken environmental laws, he said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the Australian Conservation Foundation CEO Kelly OShanassy who called on the government to deliver the full package it had promised. A total of 144 animals, plants and ecological communities were added to the threatened species list in 2023  thats nearly three species a week  and hundreds of thousands of hectares of precious habitat were destroyed. Every day and every decision matters for our wildlife. Further delays to nature law reform risk more extinction, she said.

Humane Society International campaigner Nicola Beynon said the new measures would not be enough to reverse the countrys extinction crisis. The Wilderness Societys Sam Szoke-Burke said improved enforcement alone will not be enough and urged the government to actively police illegal land clearing and make an example of environmental vandals.

It remains unclear as to when the government will introduce Stage 3 environment reforms.

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Sunny early then partly cloudy and windy this afternoon. High 72F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

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Climate change has been singled out as the leading cause of bleaching across the world's coral reefs.

A mass bleaching event is devastating the worlds coral reefs. Its the fourth on record and worryingly the second in the last 10 years, according to US government scientists.

With the Great Barrier Reef among the worst affected sites, the announcement has sparked frustration in Australia with conservationists accusing the government of setting a poor example when it comes to climate-change policy.

World Wide Fund for Nature-Australias Richard Leck urged the Albanese government to commit to a 90 per cent emissions reduction by 2035. "This event drives home that no reef anywhere is safe from the impacts of climate change. As caretaker of the most famous reef in the world, Australia needs to lead by example on climate action. Instead, our emissions reduction targets are nowhere near ambitious enough," he said.

While Tanya Plibersek maintains we must do "everything we can to protect" the Great Barrier Reef, conservationists have criticised the government for continuing to approve new coal mines. Source: George Roff, CSIRO/AAP

More than $2 billion has been committed by the Albanese and Morrison governments to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef, with portions of the money earmarked for coral restoration and remediating land to reduce sediment run-off.

Despite the high-profile funding announcements, bleaching events have actually continued to become more severe and frequent  the reef is now experiencing its fifth in just eight years with around 80 per cent subjected to heat stress. Coral affected during a previous bleaching has died before its reached seven years of age.

Nothing much has changed, James Cook Universitys Professor Terry Hughes warned yesterday in relation to efforts to tackle pollution and breed more resilient coral. None of these expensive, magical fixes have reduced the vulnerability of the Great Barrier Reef to anthropogenic heating.

A photo taken in March 2024 shows severe coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef. Source: George Roff, CSIRO

More environment stories you need to read

Which coral reefs are affected by the bleaching?

The global bleaching event was confirmed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which said it could impact economies, livelihoods and food security.

Mentioned alongside Australia, were reefs in Florida, the Caribbean, Brazil, the eastern Tropical Pacific, large areas of the South Pacific including Fiji, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Samoas and French Polynesia, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Aden.

NOAA's director of coral reef conservation, Jennifer Koss, linked the devastation to climate change. Climate model predictions for coral reefs have been suggesting for years that bleaching impacts would increase in frequency and magnitude as the ocean warms, she said.

Coral bleaching on the Eyrie Reef in Queensland. Source: George Roff, CSIRO

What does Australia's government have to say?

Responding to NOAAs announcement, Australias environment minister Tanya Plibersek said the biggest threat to coral reefs is climate change.

The Great Barrier Reef is no exception. The health of the Reef is vital for the 64,000 people who rely on it for work, and the plants and animals that call the Reef home, she said.

Many within previous Coalition governments had been reluctant to take action to reduce emissions, with former prime minister Tony Abbott calling the climate crisis "absolute crap" in 2019. Three years earlier One Nation leader Pauline Hanson visited a healthy section of the Great Barrier Reef in an apparent attempt to show it was actually healthy, despite other areas being severely bleached. "We can't have these lies put across by people with their own agendas," she said.

But Plibersek has claimed Labor has now put an end to political fights about climate change and the government has committed to more ambitious emissions reduction targets than its predecessor.

Weve legislated to reach net zero, with a 43 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030 and committed to reaching 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030. And were investing a record $1.2 billion in the Reef including to ensure we have the best science on reef adaptation and resilience, Plibersek said.

Its essential we do everything we can to protect this amazing place for our kids and grandkids, she added.

Aust government not doing enough, conservationists say

Despite these policy advances by the government, conservationists and green groups have criticised its decision to ignore United Nations advice and support several new fossil fuel projects by energy giants including Santos and Woodside.

The Australian Marine Conservation Society's Dr Lissa Schindler called for further reductions in emissions. "The Australian Government may say were doing our bit to battle climate change and protecting the Great Barrier Reef, but the reality is Australia is the third biggest exporter of what is causing the unprecedented marine heatwaves that are bleaching coral reefs around the world  fossil fuels," she said.

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While the adequate surgical treatment of cataract is guaranteed in high-income countries, the surgical results in the Global South are often inadequate. Video recording can be used to analyze possible surgical errors, improve training and demonstrably optimize surgical results. However, this has been very time-consuming up to now. There are now promising approaches to automating surgical video analysis using artificial intelligence (AI). However, no deep learning algorithms have yet been developed for video analysis of the surgical method commonly used in countries of the Global South. Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn, the University of Bonn, the Sankara Eye Foundation India and Microsoft Research India want to change this and develop a corresponding algorithm. The aim is to improve the results of cataract surgery in the Global South in the long term. As a first important step, they have compiled an overview of previous AI approaches for analyzing cataract surgeries. The results have now been published in Translational Vision Science and Technology (TVST).

With 70 million people affected, cataract is the most common cause of blindness and severe visual impairment worldwide. In one year alone, more than 30 million cataract surgeries are performed worldwide. "However, the burden of cataract is unevenly distributed worldwide, as blindness due to cataract is around ten times more common in countries of the Global South than in high-income countries," says Dr. Maximilian Wintergerst from the Eye Clinic at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), who also conducts research at the University of Bonn. "Against this background, the treatment of cataract in the Global South remains an important and major challenge," says Wintergerst.

Resource-saving concepts needed to improve surgical outcomes

However, the surgical results of cataract surgery in the Global South are sometimes poor, which is mainly due to inadequate training. Depending on the country context, the surgical results are unsatisfactory in up to 30 to 50 percent of those affected who undergo surgery." Dr. Maximilian Wintergerst from the Eye Clinic at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB)

"There is therefore an urgent need to improve surgical outcomes there." The video recording of operations enables a subsequent review of the surgical procedure, video-based training and the monitoring of surgical quality and has been proven to be directly linked to the improvement of surgical outcomes: "However, it is expensive and therefore generally not available in countries of the Global South."



As part of a joint research project between the UKB, the University of Bonn, the Sankara Eye Foundation India and Microsoft Research India, an algorithm is now being developed to automatically analyze surgical videos of the cataract surgery technique commonly used in the Global South. This algorithm should not only work with conventional image material, but also with videos recorded by smartphones specially attached to surgical microscopes. The researchers hope that this will improve cataract surgery results at healthcare facilities in the Global South in the long term.

No AI yet available for analyzing common surgical techniques in the Global South

As a first important milestone, they conducted a systematic literature review of existing algorithms for the automatic video analysis of cataract surgery. There are promising initial approaches, but so far only videos from countries with high-income healthcare systems have been used. "The studies examined showed large differences in quality and are challenging in terms of replication, as there are few public data sets and the source code is rarely published," says Prof. Dr. Thomas Schultz, co-author of the study, research group leader at b-it and the Institute of Computer Science at the University of Bonn and Principal Investigator at the Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. "Our literature review shows that surgical instrument tracking and surgical phase detection work well, but the assessment of surgical skills and complications is currently still a challenge." This first review paper on AI in cataract surgery video analysis is now published in Translational Vision Science and Technology (TVST).



The next step is to develop an algorithm to automatically analyze surgical videos of the cataract surgery technique commonly used in the Global South. As the researchers at the University of Bonn and the UKB have already been able to show, image recordings from smartphones can improve ophthalmologic care in India, for example. "Therefore, low-cost smartphone-based video recording of cataract surgery could be a targeted solution to improve training and surgical outcomes in countries of the Global South," adds Prof. Dr. Frank Holz, Director of the UKB Eye Clinic. "However, a comparison of smartphone-based and established conventional video recording systems is necessary in order to assess the feasibility, including the quality of the data obtained."
In a recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry, researchers review the anti-inflammatory effects of ketamine in the peripheral and central nervous systems. To this end, all relevant articles were obtained from PubMed and Web of Science databases, with both animal and human studies published until September 2023 considered for the analysis.

Study: Ketamines mechanism of action with an emphasis on neuroimmune regulation: Can the complement system complement ketamines antidepressant effects? Image Credit: Jack_the_sparrow / Shutterstock.com

Treating major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder associated with persistent feelings of loss of interest and sadness. Current estimates indicate that over 300 million individuals are affected by MDD globally, about 700,000 of whom commit suicide each year. Altered neurotrophin levels and monoamine dysregulation are both mechanisms that have been attributed to manifestations of MDD.

Monoamines associated with noradrenergic, serotoninergic, and dopaminergic activities can be regulated through certain pharmaceutical agents to improve the cognition, sleep, and mood of MDD patients. However, conventional monoamine antidepressant therapy has only been shown to be effective in 30-40% of patients with MDD.

According to the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study, a significant number of MDD patients do not respond to standard treatment. Patients who fail to respond to two antidepressants of suitable dosage are known to suffer treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Racemic (R, S)-ketamine, which is more commonly referred to as ketamine, and (S)-ketamine (esketamine) have shown significant positive effects on MDD. As compared to conventional treatments, ketamine has been shown to exert antidepressant effects within a few hours. Many TRD patients have also responded positively to a single ketamine infusion.

Mechanism of action of ketamine for MDD treatment

The mechanisms that underlie the antidepressant effects of ketamine are associated with the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, opioid pathway, -amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor, and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR).

Various neuronal cells, including microglia and astrocytes, regulate neuroinflammation. Individuals with MDD often exhibit lower levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1). In these patients, an acute administration of ketamine normalized these levels, thus improving their mood.

In vivo experimental findings have also shown that ketamine has an inhibitory effect in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation, which led to improvements in depressive-like behaviors. Rodent studies have also reported that transforming growth factor  (TGF)-, an anti-inflammatory molecule inhibiting excessive microglial activation, is associated with the differential antidepressant effects of ketamine enantiomers.

Mouse models have revealed that (R)-ketamine, and not (S)-ketamine, alleviates stress-induced reduction in the expression of Tgfb1 and its receptors Tgfbr1 and Tgfbr2. Nevertheless, additional research is needed to clarify the microglia-based mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of ketamine.

Patients with MDD exhibit higher interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor  (TNF-) levels than non-depressed individuals. One rodent study revealed ketamine administration normalized these levels and improved MDD symptoms.

Higher levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) have been observed in patients with MDD. Administration of 0.5 mg/kg ketamine infusions for twelve days led to symptomatic improvement that was associated with significant downregulation of GM-CSF.

Ketamine and the immune response

The antidepressant effects of ketamine have been linked with the complement system, which is a vital component of synaptic plasticity. The complement system comprises 30 proteins that are involved in the classical, alternate, and lectin pathways, all of which converge in C3 cleavage, a major complement component.

Complement proteins play a crucial role in the regulation of cell proliferation, maturation, and responsiveness. Activation of the complement system results in the release of complement and immune molecules that are linked with inflammatory responses.

Increased levels of serum complement components C3a and C5a have been observed in bipolar disorder. Similarly, a high concentration of serum C1q levels is found in patients with MDD.

An in vivo experiment with C5a receptor knockout mice highlighted the neuroprotective role of C5a against glutamate excitotoxicity-induced apoptosis through elevated expression and regulation of glutamate receptor subunit 2 (GluR2). Glutamatergic modulation has been established as a mechanistic commonality between the complement system and ketamine.

Ketamine also activates mTORC1 by triggering the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), and NMDA receptors. Additionally, the the C3a ligand-C3a receptor in CD4 + T-cells leads to mTOR activatiwhich is on, essential for cell survival. Complement-mTOR activation also modulates many stress and metabolic pathways, such as cytokine secretion, oxidative phosphorylation, and inflammasome activation.

Conclusions

The current study indicated the potential association between the complement system and the antidepressant effects of ketamine. Nevertheless, additional studies are needed to improve treatment outcomes for MDD using ketamine.
The researchers of a recent British Medical Journal paper reviewed heart failure diagnosis and management data.

Heart failure has led to considerable health and financial burdens globally, especially among older individuals. Recent scientific discoveries have resulted in novel medicines and an improved prognosis for heart failure patients. These include novel medications, technologies, and diagnostic approaches. Although clinical standards incorporate these improvements, their treatment and diagnostic suggestions are frequently outdated.

Clinical Review: Advances in management of heart failure. Image Credit: santoelia / Shutterstock

About the review

In the present review, researchers present updated aspects of heart failure management.

The researchers searched the Cochrane and PubMed databases for randomized clinical trials (RCTs), epidemiological studies, and cohort studies concerning heart failure diagnosis and treatment published from January 2015 to July 7, 2023. They included studies excluded from the 20212022 Heart Failure Society of America/American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (HFSA/ACC/AHA) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines, excluding case reports and case series.

Heart failure epidemiology and diagnosis

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study reported heart failure events among 57 million individuals in 2019, with age-standardized rates reducing from 7.70 per 1,000 to 7.10 per 1,000 from 2010 to 2019. However, the rates are non-linear, with initial decreases followed by a 0.6% annual growth from 2016 to 2019. In the United States, young individuals are being admitted to hospitals for heart failure at an increased rate. Survival after diagnosis is poor and heavily determined by age. Changes in heart failure care include increased usage of basic medication classes, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGL-2) inhibitors, and life-prolonging medicines.

Cardiac dysfunction, diminished systolic function of the left ventricle (40%), or elevated filling pressures characterize heart failure. The condition is classified according to the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): heart failures with decreased ejection fractions (HFrEF), heart failures with minimally reduced ejection fractions (HFmrEF), and those with preserved ejection fractions (HFpEF).

The difficulty in identifying increased filling pressure makes HFpEF challenging to diagnose. Although invasive methods are the gold standard for identifying increased filling pressures in the left ventricle, clinical scores such as HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF indicate non-invasive diagnosis. Identifying the etiology of heart failure is critical since some illnesses require particular therapy. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scans can benefit individuals with dilated cardiomyopathies and considerably hypertrophic vessels on echocardiography.

Advances in heart failure management

Individuals with HFrEF are prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blocking agents (ARBs), angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor molecules (ARNI),  blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist drugs (MRAs). Combining these four HFrEF drug pillars can reduce the relative risk of mortality by 73% and also the number needed to treat (NNT) to avoid death as compared to no treatment.

Combined treatment with ARB and ARNI is a primary component of managing heart failures. The SGL-2 inhibitor family, developed to enhance glycemic control in diabetes, can improve cardiac outcomes, including heart failure prevention. Today, this class, which includes dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, is considered one of the four primary preventive medications for heart failure and diabetes. During follow-up, around 15% of individuals with heart failure will observe their left ventricular function (LVEF) increase from below 40% to over 40%. SGLT2 inhibitors are the first line of treatment for individuals with modestly decreased or maintained LVEF. Other treatments for HFrEF include ARNI, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and MRAs, which are considered second-line therapy due to little evidence of effectiveness.

The African-American Heart Failure Trial suggests a mix of drugs for black individuals with NYHA class III or IV heart failure. Ivabradine, an inhibitor of the cardiac pacemaker current, reduced cardiovascular mortality and hospital admission for heart failure by 18% in individuals with sinus rhythm and a heart rate 70 bpm. In the VICTORIA study, Vericiguat, a novel heart failure medicine that increases vasodilation and reduces cardiac remodeling, lowers the risk of cardiovascular mortality or hospital admission by 10%.

Heart failure resynchronization treatment (HFrEF) comprises implanted cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Healthcare professionals must consider individual patient preferences and potential advantages when making shared decisions about ICD placement. Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is a viable treatment option for people with chronic, severe mitral regurgitation.

Based on the review findings, heart failure patient care has changed dramatically with the advent of four life-prolonging medication classes for individuals with low LVEF and SGLT2 inhibitors for mildly decreased and maintained LVEF. However, a correct diagnosis is still a difficulty. Further research is needed to understand the optimum starting technique and the causes of variations in heart failure prevalence. Furthermore, research should investigate the advantages of drugs for maintaining LVEF and whether patients should discontinue medication if their symptoms improve and their left ventricular function returns to normal.
A new study conducted by researchers at Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital revealed how aberrant epigenetic regulation contributes to the development of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid (AT/RT) tumors, which are aggressive brain tumors that mainly affect young children. There is an urgent need for more research in this area as current treatment options are ineffective against these highly malignant tumors.

Most tumors take a long time to develop as harmful mutations gradually accumulate in cells' DNA over time. AT/RT tumors are a rare exception, because the inactivation of one gene gives rise to this highly aggressive form of brain cancer.

AT/RT tumors are rare central nervous system embryonic tumors that predominantly affect infants and young children. On average, 73 people are diagnosed with AT/RT in the USA each year. However, AT/RT is the most common central nervous system tumor in children under one years old and accounts for 40-50% of diagnoses in this age group. The prognosis for AT/RT patients is grim, with a postoperative median survival of only 11-24 months.

The collaborative study conducted by Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital examined how aberrant DNA methylation distorts cellular developmental trajectories and thereby contributes to the formation of AT/RT. DNA methylation is a process whereby methyl groups are added to the DNA strand. DNA methylation is one of the mechanisms that cells use to control gene expression, and methylation patterns change during normal brain development.

The new study showed that DNA methylation interferes with the activity of multiple regulators, which under normal circumstances regulate the differentiation and maturation of central nervous system cells during brain development. Disrupted cell differentiation promotes the abnormal, uncontrolled proliferation of cells that eventually form a tumor.

The study also found several genes that regulate cell differentiation or inhibit tumor development and are silenced in AT/RT together with increased DNA methylation. The findings will pave the way for a more detailed understanding of the epigenetic dysregulation mechanisms in AT/RT pathogenesis and enable researchers to identify which genes contribute to the malignant progression of the tumor.

These results will provide deeper insights into the development of AT/RTs and their malignancy. In the future, the results will help to accelerate the discovery of new treatments for this aggressive brain tumor." Docent Kirsi Rautajoki from Tampere University

At Tampere University, the research was mainly carried out by the research groups led by Kirsi Rautajoki and Professor Matti Nykter. The key partners from Tampere University Hospital included paediatrician, LM Kristiina Nordfors, neurosurgeon and Docent Joonas Haapasalo and neuropathologist and Docent Hannu Haapasalo.
A recent Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) report published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) assessed the status of measles elimination in the United States (U.S.) and reported on the recent increase in cases by analyzing surveillance data from January 2020 to March 2024.

Study: Measles  United States, January 1, 2020March 28, 2024. Image Credit: sulit.photos/Shutterstock.com

Background

Measles, a highly contagious viral illness, was considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to high coverage with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Despite this, the elimination status faced challenges in 2019 following significant outbreaks in under-vaccinated communities in New York, contributing to a notable rise in cases.

Further research is needed to address gaps in vaccine coverage and enhance surveillance systems to prevent future outbreaks and sustain measles elimination.

About the study

Confirmed measles cases are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by state health departments through the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System and directly via email or telephone to the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists classifies measles cases. Cases are deemed import-associated if they originate internationally, are epidemiologically linked to an imported case, or show viral genetic evidence of an imported measles genotype.

Conversely, cases without an epidemiologic or virologic connection to an imported source are categorized as having an unknown origin.

For analytical purposes, unique sequences are identified as those varying by at least one nucleotide in the N-450 sequence, following the World Health Organization's (WHO)s recommendations for describing sequence variants.

Patients who were unvaccinated yet eligible for vaccination were identified based on the criteria set by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

A surveillance system is considered effective if at least 80% of cases meet three criteria: classification as import-associated, comprehensive reporting on key surveillance indicators, and confirmation through laboratory testing.

Additionally, measles cases are categorized into chains of transmission based on known epidemiologic links. These include isolated cases, two-case chains involving two linked cases, and outbreaks consisting of three or more linked cases.

The analysis of two-case chains and outbreaks also involves assessing the potential for missed cases by examining the time intervals between the onset of measles rashes, with intervals exceeding one maximum incubation period suggesting possible unreported cases.

Study results

From January 1, 2020, to March 28, 2024, the CDC was notified of 338 confirmed measles cases across 30 jurisdictions. A noticeable portion of these cases, particularly 12 of 13 reported before the COVID-19 mitigation measures began in March 2020, marked the early stages of this period.

In the following years, 2021 and 2022 witnessed 170 reported cases, 78% of which were linked to distinct outbreaks. Notably, 47 of the 49 cases in 2021 were among Afghan evacuees at U.S. military bases during Operation Allies Welcome, and 86 of the 121 cases in 2022 stemmed from an outbreak in Central Ohio.

By 2023, 48% of the 58 cases reported were associated with four outbreaks. As of late March 2024, 97 cases had been reported for the year, signifying a significant increase over previous first-quarter averages.

The median age of the affected individuals was three years, ranging from newborns to 64 years old, with 58% of the cases occurring in the 16 months to 19 years age group.

A significant majority, 91% of patients, were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status, and of these, 84% were eligible for vaccination.

Hospitalization data showed that 46% of the patients were hospitalized, primarily children under five years old, with 92% being unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status. There were no reported deaths due to measles.

Regarding the origin of the cases, 96% were linked to importation. A detailed breakdown reveals that the majority of the 326 import-related cases involved U.S. residents eligible yet unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status.

The most frequent origins of these imported cases were from the Eastern Mediterranean and African WHO regions. However, the first quarter of 2024 saw increased European and Southeast Asian cases.

Surveillance quality was notably high, with nearly all cases (98%) including comprehensive data on key indicators. Timeliness of reporting showed that 58% of cases were reported to health departments on or before the day of rash onset.

Laboratory confirmations were achieved in 93% of cases, with a large majority verified through real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) testing and successful genotyping of most specimens, identifying predominant measles genotypes B3 and D8.

Transmission patterns were categorized into 92 chains, with the majority being isolated cases. However, 20 chains qualified as outbreaks involving three or more cases, and the typical outbreak lasted 20 days, highlighting the rapid transmission potential of measles.

Notably, none of the two-case chains or larger outbreaks experienced a gap exceeding the maximum incubation period.
It is believed the attack at Bondi on Saturday was not 'spur of the moment'.

It has been revealed Bondi mass murderer Joel Cauchi had an unnerving Google search history in the lead-up to the attacks, with police finding he had looked up knives and "how to kill" on his phone.

"He had a fixation with killings, he also had a fixation with knives, so that in itself tells us it wasn't a spur of the moment attack," A Current Affair crime editor Simon Bouda said. "That's terribly frightening."

Bondi attacker Joel Cauchi had reportedly Googled knives and "how to kill" before attacking people at Westfield in Bondi Junction on Saturday. Source: Facebook

Bouda said police reportedly downloaded data from the attacker's phone since the weekend and made the discovery. "Disturbing" notes and drawings belonging to the attacker have also reportedly been found by authorities.

Attacker spotted in other Westfields in recent weeks

Police reportedly also told Bouda the attacker was spotted at other Westfields in Sydney and it is unclear whether he was simply visiting or "checking out other locations" for an intended attack.

"He's been spotted out at Westfield in Penrith, in Sydney's western suburbs, and Westfield at Parramatta just in the recent weeks," he said. "We do know it's all happened in a very quick succession in the past couple of weeks."

Many victims were approached from behind

It is understood many of the victims killed and injured in the attack were approached from behind, however, one "chilling" detail was consistent between each one  Cauchi reportedly didn't say a word.

"That makes it even more chilling, there were no words said at any stage through that ordeal that happened inside the shopping centre," Bouda said.

"The first woman was lining up at a queue to buy coffee we believe, he's come up behind her and stabbed her in the back. He stabbed another woman in the back. He's not even looking at them."

Police said there is an "obvious line of enquiry" with the majority of Cauchi's victims being female.

Members of the public have placed flowers near the Westfield in Bondi Junction. Source: Getty

Police hope public 'never, ever' see 'horrendous' CCTV footage

Social media is full of videos inside the shopping centre captured by shoppers during the chaos but the Westfield CCTV footage is something police reportedly hope will not "see the light of day" given it is so "horrendous".

"The actual CCTV from inside the Westfield is absolutely chilling, it is so horrendous that my understanding is the police are really hoping that it never, ever sees the light of day in the public," Bouda said.

Six people were killed by Cauchi while others remain in hospitals across the city, with the nine-month-old baby reportedly moving from the intensive care unit into a ward. It is believe she will have no long lasting physical injuries.

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Abortion opponents have maneuvered in courthouses for years to end access to reproductive health care. In Arizona last week, a win for the anti-abortion camp caused political blowback for Republican candidates in the state and beyond.

The reaction echoed the response to an Alabama Supreme Court decision over in vitro fertilization just two months before.

The election-year ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court allowing enforcement of a law from 1864 banning nearly all abortions startled Republican politicians, some of whom quickly turned to social media to denounce it.

The court decision was yet another development forcing many Republicans legislators and candidates to thread the needle: Maintain support among anti-abortion voters while not damaging their electoral prospects this fall. This shifting power dynamic between state judges and state lawmakers has turned into a high-stakes political gamble, at times causing daunting problems, on a range of reproductive health issues, for Republican candidates up and down the ballot.

When the U.S. Supreme Court said give it back to the states, OK, well now the microscope is on the states. We saw this in Alabama with the IVF decision," she said, "and now we're seeing it in Arizona." Jennifer Piatt, co-director of the Center for Public Health Law and Policy at Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

Multiple Republicans have criticized the Arizona high court's decision on the 1864 law, which allows abortion only to save a pregnant woman's life. "This decision cannot stand. I categorically reject rolling back the clock to a time when slavery was still legal and where we could lock up women and doctors because of an abortion," state Rep. Matt Gress said in a video April 9. All four Arizona Supreme Court justices who said the long-dormant Arizona abortion ban could be enforced were appointed by former Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican who in 2016 expanded the number of state Supreme Court justices from five to seven and cemented the bench's conservative majority.

Yet in a post the day of the ruling on the social platform X, Ducey said the decision "is not the outcome I would have preferred."

The irony is that the decision came after years of efforts by Arizona Republicans "to lock in a conservative majority on the court at the same time that the state's politics were shifting more towards the middle," said Douglas Keith, senior counsel at the left-leaning Brennan Center for Justice.

All the while, anti-abortion groups have been pressuring Republicans to clearly define where they stand.

"Whether running for office at the state or federal level, Arizona Republicans cannot adopt the losing ostrich strategy of burying their heads in the sand on the issue of abortion and allowing Democrats to define them," Kelsey Pritchard, a spokesperson for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said in an emailed statement. "To win, Republicans must be clear on the pro-life protections they support, express compassion for women and unborn children, and contrast their position with the Democrat agenda."

Two months before the Arizona decision, the Alabama Supreme Court said frozen embryos from in vitro fertilization can be considered children under state law. The decision prompted clinics across the state to halt fertility treatments and caused a nationwide uproar over reproductive health rights. With Republicans feeling the heat, Alabama lawmakers scrambled to pass a law to shield IVF providers from prosecution and civil lawsuits "for the damage to or death of an embryo" during treatment.

But when it comes to courts, Arizona lawmakers are doubling down: state Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor but generally face voters every six years in retention elections. That could soon change. A constitutional amendment referred by the Arizona Legislature that could appear on the November ballot would eliminate those regular elections  triggering them only under limited circumstances  and allow the justices to serve as long as they exhibit "good behavior." Effectively it would grant justices lifetime appointments until age 70, when they must retire.

Even with the backlash against the Arizona court's abortion decision, Keith said, "I suspect there aren't Republicans in the state right now who are lamenting all these changes to entrench a conservative majority on the Supreme Court."

Meanwhile, abortion rights groups are trying to get a voter-led state constitutional amendment on the ballot that would protect abortion access until fetal viability and allow abortions afterward to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.

State court decisions are causing headaches even at the very top of the Republican ticket. In an announcement in which he declined to endorse a national abortion ban, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on April 8 said he was "proudly the person responsible" for ending Roe v. Wade, which recognized a federal constitutional right to abortion before being overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022, and said the issue should be left to states. "The states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land," he said. But just two days later he sought to distance himself from the Arizona decision. Trump also praised the Alabama Legislature for enacting the law aiming to preserve access to fertility treatments. "The Republican Party should always be on the side of the miracle of life," he said.

Recent court decisions on reproductive health issues in Alabama, Arizona, and Florida will hardly be the last. The Iowa Supreme Court, which underwent a conservative overhaul in recent years, on April 11 heard arguments on the state's near-total abortion ban. Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed it into law in 2023 but it has been blocked in court.

In Florida, there was disappointment all around after dueling state Supreme Court decisions this month that simultaneously paved the way for a near-total abortion ban and also allowed a ballot measure that would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution to proceed.

The Florida high court's decisions were "simply unacceptable when five of the current seven sitting justices on the court were appointed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis," Andrew Shirvell, executive director of the anti-abortion group Florida Voice for the Unborn, said in a statement. "Clearly, grassroots pro-life advocates have been misled by elements within the 'pro-life, pro-family establishment' because Florida's highest court has now revealed itself to be a paper tiger when it comes to standing-up to the murderous abortion industry."

Tension between state judicial systems and conservative legislators seems destined to continue given judges' growing power over reproductive health access, Piatt said, with people on both sides of the political aisle asking: "Is this a court that is potentially going to give me politically what I'm looking for?"
In a recent study published in the journal Eye, researchers from Canada evaluated the performance of two artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, Google Gemini and Bard, in the ophthalmology board examination.

They found that both the tools achieved acceptable accuracy in the answers and performed well in the field of ophthalmology, with some variation across countries.

Study: Google Gemini and Bard artificial intelligence chatbot performance in ophthalmology knowledge assessment. Image Credit: Deemerwha studio/Shutterstock.com

Background

AI chatbots such as ChatGPT (short for chat-generative pre-trained transformer), Bard, and Gemini are increasingly used in medical settings. Their performance continues to evolve across exams and disciplines.

While ChatGPT-3.5's accuracy was up to 64% in steps one and two of the AMBOSS and NBME (short for National Board Medical Examination) exams, newer versions like ChatGPT-4 showed improved performance.

Google's Bard and Gemini offer responses based on diverse cultural and linguistic training, potentially tailoring information to specific countries. However, the responses vary across geographies, calling for further research to ensure consistency, particularly in medical applications where accuracy is crucial for patient safety.

In the present study, researchers aimed to evaluate the performance of Google Gemini and Bard on a set of practice questions designed for the ophthalmology board certification exam.

About the study

The performance of Google Gemini and Bard was assessed using 150 text-based multiple-choice questions obtained from EyeQuiz, an educational platform for medical professionals specializing in ophthalmology.

The portal provides practice questions for various exams, including the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP), national board exams such as the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) exam, as well as certain postgraduate exams.

The questions were categorized manually, and data were collected using the Bard and Gemini versions available as of 30th November and 28th December 2023, respectively. The accuracy, provision of explanations, response time, and question length were assessed for both tools.

Secondary analyses included evaluating the performance in countries other than the United States (US), including Vietnam, Brazil, and the Netherlands, using virtual private networks (VPNs).

Statistical tests, including the chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests, were conducted to compare performance across countries and chatbot models. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore factors influencing correct responses.

Results and discussion

Bard and Gemini responded promptly and consistently to all 150 questions without experiencing high demand. In the primary analysis using the US versions, Bard took 7.1  2.7 seconds to respond, while Gemini responded in 7.1  2.8 seconds, with a longer average response length.

In the primary analysis using the US form of the chatbots, both Bard and Gemini achieved an accuracy of 71%, correctly answering 106 out of 150 questions. Bard provided explanations for 86% of its responses, while Gemini provided explanations for all responses.

Bard was found to perform best in orbital & plastic surgery, while Gemini showed superior performance in general ophthalmology, orbital & plastic surgery, glaucoma, and uveitis. However, both the tools struggled in the cataract & lenses and refractive surgery categories.

In the secondary analysis with Bard from Vietnam, the chatbot answered 67% of questions correctly, similar to the US version. However, using Bard from Vietnam led to different answer choices in 21% of questions compared to the US version.

With Gemini from Vietnam, 74% of questions were answered correctly, similar to the US version, but there were differences in answer choices for 15% of questions compared to the US version. In both cases, some questions answered incorrectly by the US versions were answered correctly by the Vietnam versions, and vice versa.

The Vietnam versions of Bard and Gemini explained 86% and 100% of their responses, respectively. Bard performed best in retina & vitreous and orbital & plastic surgery (80% accuracy), while Gemini performed better in cornea & external disease, general ophthalmology, and glaucoma (87% accuracy each).

Bard struggled most in cataracts & lenses (40% accuracy), while Gemini faced challenges in pediatric ophthalmology & strabismus (60% accuracy). Gemini's performance in Brazil and the Netherlands was relatively inferior to the US and Vietnam versions.

Despite the promising findings, the study's limitations include a small question sample size, reliance on an openly accessible question bank, unexplored effects of user prompts, internet speed, website traffic on response times, and occasional incorrect explanations provided by the chatbots.

Future studies could explore the chatbots' ability to interpret ophthalmic images, which remains relatively unexplored. Further research is warranted to address the limitations and explore additional applications in the field.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although both the US and Vietnam iterations of Bard and Gemini demonstrated satisfactory performance on ophthalmology practice questions, the study highlights potential response variability linked to user location.

Future evaluations to track the enhancement of AI chatbots and comparisons between ophthalmology residents and AI chatbots could offer valuable insights into their efficacy and reliability.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is among the leading causes of illness and death in the current age. While CVD has long been linked to the onset of depression, not much is known about whether the spouses of those affected are more likely to become depressed after such events.

A study recently published in JAMA Network Open explored this topic, laying the foundation for future prospective studies in this field.

Study: Depression Onset After a Spouses Cardiovascular Event. Image Credit: Chay_Tee/Shutterstock.com

Depression and health

Depression has become 65% more prevalent, and it stands as the predominant mental health disorder worldwide, not only diminishing quality of life but also adversely affecting overall health.

Depression is associated with a higher risk of CVD, dementia, poor cognition, and death.

How is CVD linked to depression?

CVD and depression are both more common in people who are obese, and both share inflammation in the immune system. When someone suffers a CVD event such as a stroke or a heart attack, the family also suffers from mental stress, anxiety, and even depression.

The current study was designed to explore the association between CVD and depression at the household level. The data came from a national database maintained by the Japan Health Insurance Association (JHIA).

This included about 40% of the Japanese working-age population or 30 million individuals in this age group.

What did the study show?

The researchers found that among nearly 278,000 married couples matched for important characteristics, the vast majority (95%) reported a CVD-related event in the male partner. The mean age of the patients was 58 years.

Those whose spouses had a CVD event were more likely to be diabetic, hypertensive, or depressed compared to the other group. The spousal group had an increased cumulative incidence of depression, between 4% to 5% for males and females, respectively.

For spouses between 20 and 59 years, about 4% of spouses became depressed vs 3% of those aged 60 years or more.

New-onset depression was observed in nearly 2% of individuals. Spousal risk for depression after a CVD was 13% higher than in the group without such an event.

This did not show any change by age, sex, income, or a previous CVD history.

However, depression risk was higher by 13% to 15% after spousal stroke or heart failure, but not after a heart attack.

Other potentially confounding factors included smoking, drinking, exercise, or whether the index patient was using drugs to reduce blood pressure. None of these showed any impact on the risk of depression in the spouse, however.

The researchers also checked for the possible interaction of these results with the spouse's health status.

They examined the body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar concentrations, and kidney function. They found that the same increased risk was manifested after controlling for these factors.

The study corroborates the depressive effect of a spousal CVD event, which could involve a need to be a caregiver for the sick spouse.

This could mean inevitable lifestyle alterations, lack of other social interactions, sleep disruptions, and lack of exercise. All these are associated with chronic mental stress, which increases with the level and duration of caregiving.

Financial problems due to the forced loss of employment to manage the spouses needs, with additional caregiving-related costs, are another source of stress.

Finally, grief at the loss of a spouse or distress related to the stay of the loved one in the intensive care unit may trigger depression.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the importance of preventive care for mental health disorders in individuals whose spouses experience incident CVD.

By paying attention to possible confounders such as a history of other diseases, individual practice of healthy habits, and physical health parameters, the study fills a knowledge gap and provides stronger evidence.

Community-level and multidisciplinary clinical support systems should be studied as a possible intervention to reduce this risk for spouses of CVD patients through a wide-spectrum preventive care approach.
Ahmedabad is gearing up for another high-speed rail project, this time connecting to Delhi, after successfully securing a bullet train service to Mumbai.

With an average speed of 250km/hour on an elevated corridor, this new project promises to slash the travel time between the two bustling cities from 12 hours to just 3.5 hours.

The proposed train route, detailed in a finalized project report by the railways, will cover key stations including Himmatnagar, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Ajmer, Kishangarh, Jaipur, Rewari, and Manesar, as reported by TOI.

This development aligns with the BJPs promise in their manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, aiming to have one bullet train each in the north, south, and east regions of India.

This new Ahmedabad-Delhi bullet train is part of the governments plan to introduce six new high-speed rail projects across the country, aimed at bolstering connectivity and boosting tourism. The project, initiated by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRC) in September 2020, is currently awaiting final approval from the Centre.

Railway officials highlight that the approximately 900km elevated corridor between Ahmedabad and Delhi will significantly reduce travel time by around nine hours. Moreover, to expedite the planning process, aerial LiDAR surveys were conducted, ensuring minimal disruption to existing infrastructure.

The alignment of the tracks with the existing railway network has been carefully chosen to minimize land acquisition and avoid lengthy legal battles often associated with such mega projects. The service will commence from Sabarmati station, equipped with a multimodal hub, and will operate at a maximum speed of 350km per hour.

While the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train service is expected to kick off by July 2026, all eyes are now on the fast-approaching launch of the Ahmedabad-Delhi bullet train, poised to revolutionize travel between these two major cities.
Petrol and Diesel Prices On April 16, 2024: Today on 16th April, new rates of petrol and diesel have been released across the country. Every day at 6 am in the country, government oil companies release new prices of petrol and diesel.

Indias oil secretary Pankaj Sharma on April 2 pointed out that rising crude oil prices are a cause of concern. The remarks by the oil ministry official came after Indian oil marketing companies (OMCs) had slashed prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 2 per litre on March 14 after crude oil prices were trading around $80 per barrel for quite some time.

In India, the pricing of petrol and diesel is subject to influences like freight charges, value-added tax (VAT), and local taxes, resulting in different rates across states.

However, since then there has been no major change in the price of petrol and diesel. Let us know what are the latest rates of petrol and diesel across the country.

Petrol-diesel prices in metros (Petrol Diesel Prices)

After this cut, the price of petrol in the national capital (Petrol Price Today in Delhi) is now Rs 94.72 per liter, which was earlier Rs 96.72 per liter. Whereas diesel (Diesel Price In Delhi) is Rs 87.62 per liter, which was earlier Rs 89.62 per liter. Today petrol has become Rs 104.21 per liter in Mumbai, Rs 103.94 in Kolkata and Rs 100.75 per liter in Chennai. Whereas the price of diesel has become Rs 92.15 per liter in Mumbai, Rs 90.76 in Kolkata and Rs 92.34 per liter in Chennai.

Where petrol and diesel became cheap and where expensive (Petrol-Diesel Fresh Rates)

Noida: Petrol is Rs 94.83 per liter and diesel is Rs 87.94 per liter

Gurugram: Petrol is Rs 94.94 per liter and diesel is Rs 87.80 per liter

Bengaluru: Petrol Rs 99.84 per liter and diesel Rs 85.93 per liter

Chandigarh: Petrol is Rs 94.24 per liter and diesel is Rs 82.40 per liter

Hyderabad: Petrol is Rs 107.41 per liter and diesel is Rs 95.65 per liter

Jaipur: Petrol is Rs 104.88 per liter and diesel is Rs 90.36 per liter

Patna: Petrol is Rs 105.18 per liter and diesel is Rs 92.04 per liter

Lucknow: Petrol is Rs 94.65 per liter and diesel is Rs 87.76 per liter

Factors Affecting Petrol And Diesel Prices In India

Crude oil price: The primary raw material for the production of petrol and diesel is crude oil, and as such, its price directly influences the ultimate cost of these fuels.

The exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the US dollar: As a major importer of crude oil, Indias petrol and diesel prices are also influenced by the exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the US dollar.

Tax: Various taxes on petrol and diesel are imposed by both the central and state governments. These taxes may differ across states, exerting a notable influence on the ultimate prices of petrol and diesel.

The cost of refining:

The final price of petrol and diesel is additionally influenced by the expenses incurred in refining crude oil into these fuels. The refining process can be costly, and the refining expenses may fluctuate based on factors like the type of crude oil utilised and the efficiency of the refinery.

The demand for petrol and diesel: The demand for petrol and diesel can also affect their prices. If demand for these fuels increases, it can lead to higher prices.

Know the price of petrol and diesel through SMS

You can also find out the latest rates of petrol and diesel in your city through SMS. If you are a customer of Indian Oil, then you will have to write RSP along with the city code and send it to 9224992249. If you are a customer of BPCL, then you can get information about the new price of petrol and diesel by writing RSP and sending it to 9223112222. Whereas, if you are a customer of HPCL, then you can find out the price of petrol and diesel by writing HP Price and sending it to 9222201122.
Stocks To Watch On April 16: Equity markets took a beating on Monday with indices losing over 1% as the escalating conflict in the Middle East and weak trends from global markets unnerved investors. In todays trade, shares of RIL, Jio Financial, JSW Infra, Cipla, Gujarat Gas among others will be in focus due to various news developments.

Results today: Crisil, Den Networks, Integra Essential, Lotus Choclate and SG Mart to announce Q4 earnings today.

Angel One, Hathway Cable, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Just Dial and Tata Communications to report results on Wednesday.

Jio Financial: The Mukesh Ambani-led company plans to venture into the stockbroking and wealth management business through an equal joint venture (JV) with US-based BlackRock. Earlier, the two had agreed to a Mutual Fund JV, they awaiting Sebis approval for a licence.

Vodafone Idea (Vi): Amid the ongoing Rs 18,000 crore FPO, the companys CEO Akshaya Moondra said Vi plans to spend Rs 5,720 crore to launch 5G wireless network in the next 24 months.

Vedanta: Has secured an 11-year term loan of Rs 3,918 crore from Power Finance Corporation. The financial closure will enable Vedanta to expedite completion of its power projects.

Aster DM Healthcare: Plans to invest around Rs 1,000 crore in India to expand its bed capacity of over 6,600 in the next three years. The healthcare company plans to add 1,700 beds by 2026-27 through organic and inorganic routes.

Brigade Enterprises: To invest Rs 400 crore to build an office complex in Chennai. It has entered into a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Chennai-based Agni Estates & Foundations.

Cipla: The companys consumer healthcare arm has signed a business transfer agreement (BTA) for the purchase of the distribution and marketing business undertaking of cosmetics and personal care business of Ivia Beaute Private, which includes brands like Astaberry, Ikin, and Bhimsaini on a worldwide basis.

Ambuja Cements: In its bid to expand its footprint in the South Indian market, Ambuja to buy grinding unit in Tamil Nadu for Rs 413.75 crore from My Home Industries.

Bank of India: Inks a pact with Indian Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC) to provide mortgage guarantee-backed home loan products in the affordable housing segment.
The true story of P Balamurugan, 2019-batch IFS officer, presents an ideal premise for a blockbuster biopic movie. Raised in a large family of eight siblings, abandoned by their father and residing in a humble thatched house, they faced significant financial struggles. Despite these formidable challenges, Balamurugan refused to succumb to despair. While many would have been deterred by such adversity, he remained firm in his pursuit of his ambitions. IFS P Balamurugan is a resident of Keelkattalai, Chennai. At present, he is an IFS officer in the Forest Department of Rajasthan. Despite their poverty, Balamurugan had always been academically gifted. Although his mother had been educated only till Class 10, she left no stone unturned in educating her 8 children. His father was an alcoholic and abandoned his family to fend for themselves in 1994.

P Balamurugan was the sixth child among eight siblings, and their family faced significant financial struggles. Despite the challenging circumstances, his mother and maternal uncle worked hard to manage the household expenses. Recognising her sons academic brilliance, Balamurugans mother prioritised his education over everything. Balamurugans mother sold her jewellery to purchase a 4800 square feet house on the outskirts of Chennai. The entire family lived in a dilapidated 2-room house. To continue her childrens education, their mother had sold 1200 square feet of the house for Rs 1.25 lakh in 1997-98.

Balamurugan had a keen interest in reading from a young age. At just 9 years old, he approached a newspaper vendor and requested permission to read Tamil newspapers. When advised to subscribe monthly for Rs 90, Balamurugan explained his financial constraints. The vendor, impressed by his initiative, offered him a job paying Rs 300 to deliver newspapers.

Upon learning about Balamurugans job and his dedication to his studies, his school teachers were deeply moved and began extending their support. They generously provided him with magazines and other study materials to aid his education. The school itself played a significant role in assisting him during this challenging period. At times, his school waived off his fees, while on other occasions, they allowed him to submit his tuition fees later than usual, demonstrating their understanding and empathy towards his circumstances.

After completing his schooling, P Balamurugan obtained a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology in 2011. In campus placement, he got a job in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) with a good package. In 2012, the financial condition of the house started improving after the eldest sister got a job. His family shifted to a 5-room permanent house.

In 2013, a person tried to encroach on his house and Balamurugan was able to save his house with the help of a female IAS officer. This made him want to work in the civil service and even rejected a job offer from Australia for the same. Ultimately his hard work bore fruit and in 2018 he was successful in the UPSC IFS Exam. Then, after completing his training in 2019, he got a government job in Rajasthan.
The Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) is expected to publish the results of the class 10 and 12 this month, but no official notification has been received in this regard. Students may view the MP Board 10th and 12th Result 2024 on the official website, mpbse.nic.in, as soon as it is available at the press conference.

The MP Board exams for classes 10 and 12 were held in February/March 2024. MPBSE has, however, finished the assessment process for all copies. As a result, the results will most likely be made public soon. According to reports in the media, the results and online marksheets will be published on the official website between April 15 and 20.

MP Board Class 10, 12 Result 2024: Official Websites

The Madhya Pradesh Board Result 2024 for Class 10 and 12 will be released soon on the following official websites:

1. mpresults.nic.in

2. mpbse.mponline.gov.in

3. mpbse.nic.in

The MP Board class 10 exam was administered this year from February 5 to February 28. The board examinations for class 12 were held between February 6 and March 5. Candidates must provide their roll number and date of birth in order to access their results. The MP Boards subject-specific marks will be published online. The original marksheets will be issued directly to the schools which will then hand them over to the respective students.

MP Board Class 10, 12 Result 2024: HOW TO CHECK ON OFFICIAL WEBSITE?

The MP Board High School and Intermediate Results can be seen and obtained on the official website using the following processes.-

Step 1: To check MP Board Result 2024, visit the official website mpbse.nic.in.

Step 2: On the homepage, click the link for the class 10 and 12 results.

Step 3: Fill in the details, such as roll number and roll code, and then submit.

Step 4: MP Board Result 2024 will be shown on your screen.

Candidates must carefully review all of the details included in the MP board class 10 and 12 result marksheet once they have been made available. Any inaccuracy pertaining to personal information has to be notified to the MP board as soon as possible. Students must verify that there are no errors on their online mark sheets. The spelling, name, personal information, mark total, subject names, and score computation must all be checked by them.
MP Board Class 10, 12 Result 2024 LIVE: Pass Percentage Over the Years YEAR CLASS 10 PASS PERCENTAGE CLASS 12 PASS PERCENTAGE 2023 63.29% 55.28% 2022 59.54% 72.72% 2021 100% 100% 2020 62.84% 68.81% 2019 61.32% 72.37%

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: Passing Marks In order to pass the exam, students must achieve a minimum of 33 per cent marks in each subject as well as in overall.

When Will State Boards, CBSE and ICSE Release Results? Candidates who took the board exams in Chhattisgarh, MP, UP, CBSE, ICSE, and ISC are awaiting the announcement of their results. This years Bihar Board results have already been released The UP and MP Board Results are anticipated to be released soon. Although the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has not yet announced a date, results are anticipated to be announced within the final week of Aprilread more

MP Board Class 10, 12 Result 2024 LIVE: Date and Time The MP board results for 2024 are expected to be released soon. Last year, the results were out on May 25. However, MPBSE is yet to confirm the exact date and time of the results. Students who took the exam can check all the updates related to result on the official website, mpbse.nic.inread more

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: Division-Wise Breakdown of 2023 Class 10 Results 1st Division- 3,39,441 students 2nd Division- 1,73,290 students 3rd Division- 3,224 students

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: Passing Statistics Out of the 5,15,955 students who sat for the Class 10 exam in 2023, 2,64,216 female applicants cleared the exam and 2,51,739 male candidates qualified.

MP Board Class 10, 12 Result 2024 LIVE: Website Down? Check Scores Via SMS You may also check Madhya Pradesh Class 10 and 12 Board results via SMS. If you dont have access to the internet, you can verify your results by following the instructions below. Step 1: Open your messages. Step 2: Send an SMS to 56263 following this format  MPBSE10roll number/ MPBSE12roll number. Step 3: Your Madhya Pradesh Board Class 10 or 12 result will be available on your phone after the procedure is completed. Step 4: Save it for future reference.

MP Board Class 10, 12 Result 2024 LIVE: Document Needed to Check Marks To check their scores, candidates will need their class 10 and 12 roll numbers and date of birth, as mentioned on the admit cards provided to them by the MPBSE before the exams.

MP Board Class 10, 12 Result 2024 LIVE: Exam Dates  MP Board Class 10 Exam  February 5 to February 28  MP Board Class 12 Exam  February 6 to March 5

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: 74 Students Miss Exams After School Fails to Provide Admit Card Students in classes 10 and 12 at Archana Vidhyapeeth School in Madhya Pradeshs Dhar district were unable to attend their board exams since they did not have their admit cards. The private school agreed to issue admit cards, but did not follow through. The students and their parents protested by blocking the Sardarpur Badnawar road and demanding that the government take corrective actionread more

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: Answer Sheet Evaluation by 25,000 Teachers The evaluation procedure for the MP board class 10 and 12 answer sheets began on February 22 and was completed on March 31. Board Secretary MD Tripathi had earlier stated that about 25,000 instructors were assigned to work during the MP Board evaluation process.

MP Board Class 10, 12 Result 2024 LIVE: Grace Marks Students must note that grace marks are offered for the class 10 na d 12 students who are missing the passing marks by a small margin.

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: What to do if Unhappy With Marks? Students who obtain unsatisfactory grades or fail in any of the subjects in the MP Board exam are eligible to take the supplementary exams. The board will also provide students with the option to submit a request for a scrutiny of their answer papers for the class 10 and 12 exams.

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: How To Check Step 1: Visit the official MPBSE website Step 2: Click on the hyperlink related to the Class 10, 12 result on the homepage of the website. Step 3: You will be taken to a new window wherein you will have to enter your roll number and password to log in. Step 4: Your MPBSE Class 10, 12 result will be displayed on your screen Step 5: Download and take a print of the MPBSE Class 10, 12 result for your future reference.

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: Minimum 33% Marks Required A minimum score of 33 per cent is necessary for students to pass the MP board class 10 and 12 exams.

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: 16 Lakh Students Await Class 10 and 12 Around 16 lakh applicants who took the class 10 and 12 board exams are eagerly awaiting their results at the moment.Nearly 9 lakh students have sat for the MP Board class 10 examination. On the other hand, about 6 lakh students had taken the class 12 exam.

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: Last Year's Worst Performing Districts in Class 12 Raisen: 44.91% Satna: 39.94% Katni: 38.65% Bhind: 36.74% Niwari: 36.74%

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: Last Year's Top Performing Districts in Class 12 Narsingpur: 79.46% Neemuch: 73.14% Mandla: 67.77% Mandsour: 67.55% Anooppur: 66.95%

MP Board Result 2024 LIVE: How to Chcek Via DigiLocker Step 1: Log on to digilocker.gov.in. Step 2: Click on the registration link. Step 3: Enter a reliable mobile number and click the next button. Step 4: Verify your identity by entering the OTP (One-Time Password) sent to your registered mobile number. Step 5: Set your login credentials (username and password) for future logins. Ensure you keep them confidential. Step 6: Provide your 12-digit Aadhar number. Step 7: Choose your preferred registration option. Step 8: Log into DigiLocker using your registered username and password to save your documents securely. Step 9: Visit the MPBSE results page. Step 10: Enter the required information. Step 11: Your results will be displayed on the screen.
More than 55 lakh students of Uttar Pradesh are waiting for updates on the 10th, and 12th results date. This year, the UP Board result is expected to be released on or before April 25. UP Board High School and Intermediate examinations were over in February-March. The evaluation of all copies was also completed on March 30, 2024. Hence, the results are likely to be out anytime soon.

UP Board Result 2024 LIVE

After the release of UP Board results, students often complain about irregularities in it. This year, new efforts are being made to prevent irregularities in marks, subjects, and other credentials. As per media reports, every detail of all the students is being cross-checked before making UP Board Result 2024. Students will get information about the date and time one or two days before the release of UP Board Result 2024.

As soon as the UP Board result is released, it will be uploaded on the official websites  upmsp.edu.in and upresults.nic.in. Along with this, UP Board Result 2024 will also be uploaded on DigiLocker. In case the UP Board website crashes, students will also be able to check the exam results through SMS.

Compared to the last few years, this year the UP Board results are being released early. The Lok Sabha elections are to be held across the country and the complete schedule has also been released. That is why the UP Board results are being declared soon. With the early release of UP Board 10th, and 12th results, students will be able to increase their focus on the entrance test for college admission. Lakhs of students are also preparing for the CUET UG, and NEET exams.

To avoid the possibility of any mistake in the UP Board marksheet, the marksheet of every student of UP Board 10th and 12th is being cross checked. As soon as the mark sheet is uploaded, there is an order to cross-check the marks of all the students again. This process will help in uploading the marks of students whose marks could not be uploaded earlier.
There are calls for people to give blood after it was revealed hospitals had to acquire blood from interstate as they treated victims of the Bondi Junction attack.

Lifeblood issued several urgent and life-threatening orders in the wake of the incident at Bondi Junction, a Lifeblood spokesperson said.

Due to the additional blood needs in Sydney, we brought in blood products from other states."

The spokesperson said donation rates are routinely lower than the local demand for blood.

In the event of a serious trauma event or emergency, up to 100 blood donations may be needed to save just one life, they said.
The Bastar-Jagdalpur (ST) Lok Sabha constituency represents the heart of the states tribal population. Designated as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) reserved constituency, it encompasses the entirety of Bastar-Jagdalpur district and Bijapur district, along with Dantewada, Narayanpur, and Sukma districts. Additionally, a portion of Kondagaon district falls under its jurisdiction. The constituency is further divided into eight assembly constituencies: Kondagaon(ST), Narayanpur(ST), Bastar(ST), Jagdalpur, Chitrakot(ST), Dantewada(ST), Bijapur(ST), Konta(ST). Voting for Lok Sabha election in Bastar will take place in the first phase on April 19 and the counting of votes will take place on June 4.

Key Voting Factors

From anti-incumbency to Modi factor, these are the factors that may affect voting in 2024 Lok Sabha elections 2024:

Anti-Incumbency

Deepak Baij, despite his prominent positions as MP and PCC President, faced significant anti-incumbency sentiment in Bastar leading up to the Lok Sabha elections. Baijs domination from the seat has created resentment among party workers and the public. He has not allowed anyone else to rise within the party. Voters have been desiring a new face and fresh approach. Baijs tenure did not meet the expectations of the people. His strained relationship with influential figures like Kawasi Lakhma, a six-time MLA, further weakened his position within the party.

Tribal Vote

Tribals constitute almost 70% of the population in Bastar. The major tribal population in Bastar is mostly divided in Hindu, Christians and Tribal religion. Tribals believe in voting to their utmost capacity and their votes are loyal to a party which continues for a long period of time. Women form 7 lakh votes in the constituency. In the last assembly elections, the tribal votes went to the BJP, and the trend is likely to continue this time.

Conversions

Religious conversion has emerged as a significant political issue. The areas socio-cultural landscape is dominated by a tug-of-war between different religious groups. There have been concerted efforts to convert the tribal communities to Christianity. BJP has been particularly vocal against Christian missionaries, and has alleged forceful conversion of impoverished tribals.

Congress, on the other hand, has faced challenges in navigating this sensitive issue. Its messaging has been weak, trying to balance respect for tribal rights and religious freedom. Congress campaign had focused on development of Devgudis (tribal village temples) and Ghotuls (socio-culture centres of tribals) undertaken by Bhupesh Baghel government in the last five years.

Naxalism

Bastar has been one of the areas worst hit by Naxalism for decades, although the situation is steadily improving. While both the Congress and BJP recognize the gravity of the situation, their approaches and narratives have diverged significantly, often masking the complex realities at play. While BJPs Mahesh Kashyap has been campaigning against Naxalism and has taken a hardline stance, Congresss Kawasi Lakhma on the other hand has taken a cautious stance on Naxalism.

Modi Factor

Prime Minister Modis image as a strong and decisive leader resonates with a segment of the electorate. His governments initiatives and welfare schemes have garnered support, and his personal charisma adds to his appeal. Voters who prioritize national development and security are likely to be swayed by the Modi factor and cast their votes in favour of the BJP candidate.

2019 Election Results and 2024 Candidates

Deepak Baij of the Congress had won the 2019 Lok Sabha election from the Bastar constituency. In 2024 polls, Congress High Command finally bit the bullet and decided to field Kawasi Lakhma as their candidate in Bastar. Lakhma is a seasoned politician with a strong connection to the region. He has an undefeated track record as MLA. Lakhmas popularity stems from his ability to connect with the people on a personal level. However, unlike BJPs highly organised campaign backed by central leadership, Lakhma has largely been left to campaign on his own. Due to personal issues between him and current MP Baij, Baij has not campaigned for Lakhma.

The BJPs selection of Mahesh Kashyap as their candidate in Bastar represents a strategic shift towards fresh faces and a departure from established figures within the party. Despite several prominent names being considered, including former MPs and seasoned politicians such as Kedar Kashyap, and Dinesh Kashyap, the BJP opted for Mahesh, a young and dedicated member with a strong background in the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal.

Meanwhile, the traditional Congress-BJP fight has been queered by the entry of a wildcard Independent called Dr. Prakash Gota. Gotas journey from personal tragedy to political candidacy embodies the frustrations and disillusionment felt by many within the Bastar tribal community. His decision to run as an independent candidate in the Lok Sabha elections stems from a series of events that exposed the failures of the state government and its neglect of the regions challenges.

Key Election Issues

Connectivity and Infrastructure

Bastars infrastructure development has been picking up pace, but still lags far behind other parts of the country. The introduction of direct flights to Delhi from Bastar airport has significantly enhanced air travel options. The absence of direct train services to major cities like Raipur, the state capital, necessitates reliance on circuitous routes or alternative modes of transportation.

Since independence, there have been no trains from the region that reach Delhi, and local people feel cut off from the national capital. The ongoing construction of a railway line connecting Bastar to Raipur offers a glimmer of hope for the future. However, the projects completion timeline remains uncertain.

Lack of Civic infrastructure

There is a distinct lack of civic infrastructure throughout Bastar. There are many villages, mostly in the tribal belt, which have not seen a school, hospital, or even electricity since independence. This is despite the fact that 7 out of 8 assembly constituencies in Bastar are ST seats with an ST MLA. People in some parts still do not have access to drinking water and consume water that is highly toxic due to the presence of heavy iron minerals and no resource to purify it.

Naxalism

The lack of basic infrastructure and services, such as schools, healthcare facilities, and employment opportunities, perpetuates a cycle of poverty and despair, driving individuals towards the Naxalite movement as a means of survival and resistance. The establishment of new security camps throughout the region has played a crucial role in curbing Naxalite activities. These camps not only provide a strong security presence but also serve as hubs for development and essential services. Most tribals have welcomed the camps set up by security forces.

The presence of camps has led to the opening of schools, hospitals, and other facilities, thereby addressing some of the root causes of discontent that fueled the Naxalite movement. But there is a far way to go.

Overall, 47 alleged Maoists have been killed in 2024, more than double the 22 rebels killed in 2023. But there has also been a counter-reaction from the insurgents, with 19 civilians killed by them in 2024, three of them being BJP leaders, with 41 civilians killed in 2023.

Corruption

Corruption is a pervasive issue in Bastar and a significant obstacle to development of the tribal population. Despite the regions rich resources, such as iron ore extracted by NMDC, the benefits fail to reach the intended recipients. Funds allocated for tribal welfare and development projects often disappear into the pockets of corrupt officials and politicians. Schemes meant to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and education rarely reach the grassroots level, leaving the tribal communities deprived of essential services.

Agriculture

Agriculture forms the backbone of Bastars economy, with a majority of the population dependent on farming for their livelihood. However, the sector faces numerous challenges due to lack of resources, infrastructure, and government support, leading to dissatisfaction among farmers and making it a significant factor in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Employment and Emigration

There is a dearth of employment opportunities in the area due to a lack of infrastructural development. According to ground reports, government led employment has completely halted in the region. As a result, people are forced to migrate to Raipur, Delhi and bordering states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha, for better employment opportunities. There is also a shortfall in the disposable income which pushes people to migrate. In a survey done in 2019, around 80% of households in Bastar are affected by migration.

Ram Mandir

The construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has generated a positive response in Bastar and is likely to influence the Lok Sabha elections. Bastar holds a unique connection to the Ramayana, with the region considered part of Dandakaranya, where Lord Ram spent a considerable portion of his exile. The BJP stands to benefit from the positive sentiment surrounding its construction.
Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat will witness a high-stakes battle in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held on April 19, with Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai facing DMK leader Ganapathy P Rajkumar and AIADMKs Singai Ramachandran.

Coimbatore Lok Sabha Constituency comprises the Palladam, Sulur, Kavundampalayam, Coimbatore (North), Coimbatore (South) and Singanallur assembly segments. The sitting Coimbatore MP is PR Natarajan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Voting Factors

CPI(M): The CPI(M) is the incumbent party in the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat. The sitting MP is PR Natarajan who is one of the only two CPM MPs from Tamil Nadu. CPM is in alliance with the DMK, which is hoping to make inroads in the Kongu region.

The CPI(M) is the incumbent party in the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat. The sitting MP is PR Natarajan who is one of the only two CPM MPs from Tamil Nadu. CPM is in alliance with the DMK, which is hoping to make inroads in the Kongu region. DMK: DMKs decision to contest from the Coimbatore instead of CPM could have a significant impact on voting in the region. Left parties have represented Coimbatore seven times since 1957, and the CPM has a strong cadre base in the industrial belt. DMK, on the other hand, has not won the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat since 1996.

DMKs decision to contest from the Coimbatore instead of CPM could have a significant impact on voting in the region. Left parties have represented Coimbatore seven times since 1957, and the CPM has a strong cadre base in the industrial belt. DMK, on the other hand, has not won the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat since 1996. Ground reports indicate a considerable amount of anti-incumbency against the sitting MP. There are allegations that Natarajan does not have a good connect with all his constituents, and that his trade unionist interventions in the industrial areas have upset entrepreneurs.

It is possible that DMKs decision to contest in place of CPM could help consolidate the anti-AIADMK and anti-BJP votes. Stalins overall popularity will also contribute to DMKs image and could help the party make inroads in Coimbatore.

BJP: The BJP has been a dominant player in Coimbatore and has won the Lok Sabha seat once in 1999. In the past two Lok Sabha elections, the party has come second, once contesting in alliance with AIADMK. It also controls the Coimbatore South Assembly segment which had elected firebrand leader Vanathi Srinivasan.

The BJP has been a dominant player in Coimbatore and has won the Lok Sabha seat once in 1999. In the past two Lok Sabha elections, the party has come second, once contesting in alliance with AIADMK. It also controls the Coimbatore South Assembly segment which had elected firebrand leader Vanathi Srinivasan. Ground reports suggest that without an alliance with AIADMK this time BJP is slightly weakened. But the anti-incumbency against the sitting MP could work in its favour.

AIADMK: The AIADMK had benefitted hugely from the tie-up with BJP in Coimbatore in 2021. It holds five of the six Assembly segments. The party has traditionally had a pretty strong base in Kongu region.

The AIADMK had benefitted hugely from the tie-up with BJP in Coimbatore in 2021. It holds five of the six Assembly segments. The party has traditionally had a pretty strong base in Kongu region. Congress: Congress is not a major player in Coimbatore. But it still commands around 4-5% votes, which will help the DMK-led alliance.

Congress is not a major player in Coimbatore. But it still commands around 4-5% votes, which will help the DMK-led alliance. MNM: The 2019 Lok Sabha election saw Kamal Haasans MNM emerge as a significant force in Coimbatore. Its candidate Dr. R. Mahendran secured 11.6% of the vote. MNM is not contesting the elections this time, and its very well possible that some of its voters may go with the DMK-alliance.

The 2019 Lok Sabha election saw Kamal Haasans MNM emerge as a significant force in Coimbatore. Its candidate Dr. R. Mahendran secured 11.6% of the vote. MNM is not contesting the elections this time, and its very well possible that some of its voters may go with the DMK-alliance. Regionalism: Coimbatore is part of the Kongu region, which has historically been a stronghold of the AIADMK. The Kongu region is home to a large population of Gounders, a dominant caste that has traditionally supported the AIADMK.

Coimbatore is part of the Kongu region, which has historically been a stronghold of the AIADMK. The Kongu region is home to a large population of Gounders, a dominant caste that has traditionally supported the AIADMK. Urban-Rural Divide: Coimbatore is a major urban center, while the surrounding areas are more rural. Urban voters tend to be more supportive of the DMK, while rural voters tend to support the AIADMK.

Electorate Composition

Total Voters (as of 2019 Parliament Election): 1,958,577

Rural Voters: 340,792 (approx. 17.4%)

Urban Voters: 1,617,785 (approx. 82.6%)

Scheduled Caste (SC) Voters: 260,491 (approx. 13.3%)

Scheduled Tribe (ST) Voters: 5,876 (approx. 0.3%)

Religious Composition

Hindu: 88.9%

Christian: 5.06%

Muslim: 5.92%

Key Issues in the Constituency

Anti-Incumbency: On ground, reports suggest anti-incumbency against the current CPM MP. There are also allegations of corruption against the local administration and the state government. Natarajan is said to have lost touch with the needs of the constituents.

On ground, reports suggest anti-incumbency against the current CPM MP. There are also allegations of corruption against the local administration and the state government. Natarajan is said to have lost touch with the needs of the constituents. Unhappy Industrialists: According to on-ground reports, the rise of the electricity rates and the issue of GST compliance has made the industrial sector unhappy. The energy consumption charges have been increased from Rs 6.35 a unit to Rs 7.50 a unit and fixed charges have been increased to Rs 75 to Rs 550 a kVA a month. This has had a big impact on the 15,000-20,000 cottage industries in the constituency.

According to on-ground reports, the rise of the electricity rates and the issue of GST compliance has made the industrial sector unhappy. The energy consumption charges have been increased from Rs 6.35 a unit to Rs 7.50 a unit and fixed charges have been increased to Rs 75 to Rs 550 a kVA a month. This has had a big impact on the 15,000-20,000 cottage industries in the constituency. Tax issues: Industrial areas like Tiruppur have also struggled with GST. MSMEs have always been the backbone of the economy in both Coimbatore and Tiruppur. But they are still struggling from the effects of demonetisation and GST compliance issues. This has angered business owners.

Industrial areas like Tiruppur have also struggled with GST. MSMEs have always been the backbone of the economy in both Coimbatore and Tiruppur. But they are still struggling from the effects of demonetisation and GST compliance issues. This has angered business owners. There have been major issues of tax evasion. On June 15, 2023, GST Intelligence unearthed evidence of a firm issuing Rs 97 crore worth of fake invoices and availing Rs 13 crore as Input Tax Credit fraudulently. In 2021, a timber merchant faced accusations of GST evasion to the tune of Rs 8 crore. This has inevitably put the focus on corruption and intermingling of state officials with major businessmen in the constituency.

Unemployment and Economic Growth: Coimbatore faces a significant unemployment challenge. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), Coimbatores unemployment rate stood at 7.3% in December 2023, higher than the national average of 6.1%. This high unemployment rate is particularly concerning among the youth, who constitute a large proportion of the workforce.

Coimbatore faces a significant unemployment challenge. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), Coimbatores unemployment rate stood at 7.3% in December 2023, higher than the national average of 6.1%. This high unemployment rate is particularly concerning among the youth, who constitute a large proportion of the workforce. The constituency requires investment in industries such as manufacturing, IT, and tourism to create employment opportunities. For example, the government has announced plans to establish a textile park in Coimbatore, which is expected to create over 10,000 jobs. Additionally, the development of the Coimbatore Airport as a cargo hub has boosted economic growth and created employment opportunities in the logistics sector.

Water Scarcity: Water scarcity is a major concern in Coimbatore, especially during the summer months. The city relies heavily on groundwater extraction, leading to declining water levels. In April 2023, the Coimbatore Corporation implemented water rationing, restricting water supply to certain areas for specific hours.

Water scarcity is a major concern in Coimbatore, especially during the summer months. The city relies heavily on groundwater extraction, leading to declining water levels. In April 2023, the Coimbatore Corporation implemented water rationing, restricting water supply to certain areas for specific hours. Failing Infrastructure: Coimbatores rapid urbanization has led to increased traffic congestion and strain on infrastructure. The Coimbatore Metro Rail project was expected to significantly improve public transportation and reduce traffic congestion. However, according to ground reports no Metro work has been done in the constituency yet, which has made the constituents increasingly unhappy.

Coimbatores rapid urbanization has led to increased traffic congestion and strain on infrastructure. The Coimbatore Metro Rail project was expected to significantly improve public transportation and reduce traffic congestion. However, according to ground reports no Metro work has been done in the constituency yet, which has made the constituents increasingly unhappy. Corruption and Governance: Allegations of corruption in local administration has been a concern for voters in Coimbatore. In March 2023, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) arrested several officials of the Coimbatore Corporation for alleged corruption in the award of public contracts. The corporation is controlled by DMK.

Allegations of corruption in local administration has been a concern for voters in Coimbatore. In March 2023, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) arrested several officials of the Coimbatore Corporation for alleged corruption in the award of public contracts. The corporation is controlled by DMK. Environmental Concerns: Coimbatore faces high levels of air pollution due to industrial emissions and vehicular traffic. In January 2023, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) ranked Coimbatore as the most polluted city in Tamil Nadu in terms of air quality. However, on ground reports suggest that pollution as an electoral issue has been confined to the rural areas. But with a 17.4% rural population it will play a big role in the constituency.

Coimbatore faces high levels of air pollution due to industrial emissions and vehicular traffic. In January 2023, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) ranked Coimbatore as the most polluted city in Tamil Nadu in terms of air quality. However, on ground reports suggest that pollution as an electoral issue has been confined to the rural areas. But with a 17.4% rural population it will play a big role in the constituency. Communal Harmony: Coimbatore has experienced occasional incidents of communal tension, particularly during religious festivals. In July 2023, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders to prevent communal clashes during a religious procession. On ground reports suggests, that while communal tensions have not simmered into physical altercations, they remain a strong dividing line for the voters.

Infrastructure Development
Gaya Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 40 parliamentary constituencies in Bihar. Gaya comprises six assembly segments: Sherghati (RJD), Barachatti (HAM), Bodh Gaya (RJD), Gaya Town (BJP), Belaganj (RJD) and Wazirganj (BJP). Interestingly, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the JDU maintained a lead on all these assembly segments. The constituency will vote in phase one on April 19.

Current MP: Vijay Manjhi (JDU)

Candidates: Jitan Ram Manjhi (HAM/NDA), Kumar Sarvjeet (RJD/INDIA)

POLITICAL DYNAMICS

NDA Bets on Jitan Ram Manjhi: Jitan Ram Manjhi, a 79-year-old candidate from the NDA representing the Hindustani Awaam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S), is preparing for his fourth attempt to win the Gaya Lok Sabha seat. Manjhis previous three attempts ended in failure, making the ongoing contest in Gaya a prestige battle of sorts for the former chief minister. In a political career spanning well over four decades, Manjhi has changed his political party eight times. He contested the first Lok Sabha election in 1991 on a Congress ticket, the second in 2014 on a Janata Dal ticket and the third in 2019 on behalf of the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) and lost all three.

Life appears to be coming full circle for Manjhi. His first attempt at winning the Gaya Lok Sabha constituency came in 1991, and at the time he was contesting against Rajesh Kumar of the Janata Dal. While Kumar bagged over 50% of the votes, Manjhi could get 41.6% of the votes. Now, Manjhi is facing Rajesh Kumars son, Kumar Sarvajeet, who is contesting on an RJD ticket and is backed by the INDI Alliance. As such, the stakes for Manjhi could not be any higher.

Observers said that despite Manjhis reputation as a controversial leader who makes equally controversial remarks, the NDA retains the edge to win Gaya once again. This is largely due to the Modi factor, and the fact that the voter base of all NDA constituents  BJP, JDU and HAM  is largely intact. Like in many other parts of the country, there is a widespread realisation in Gaya as well that since this is a national election, Modi is the natural choice for most voters. While there may be local resentment against Manjhi and even internal tussle between NDA, ground inputs indicate that such is the lure of PM Modi that even traditional RJD voters (including local leaders) are appreciating the work done by his government since 2014.

On the other hand, ground reports reveal that Manjhi is facing angry and agitated crowds, especially in rural areas. There is still perceptible anger among sections of voters over Manjhis controversial remarks, including calling Shree Ram an imaginary figure. Much water has flown under the river, and now, Manjhi can be seen going from one temple to the other. He even visited the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

There is discontent within the NDA because Manjhi has been fielded from Gaya. While his advanced age is one factor, considering that the RJD has fielded a much younger candidate, most of the tension is simply due to the fact that many were vying for a ticket from Gaya. Sitting MP Vijay Manjhi from the JDU is one example, who is now seen sharing the stage with Manjhi only when big BJP leaders visit Gaya. However, there is much anger against Vijay Manjhi as well, as people largely view him as an absent MP who has done close to no work for the betterment of Gaya. It is also believed that former MP Ramji Manjhi was eyeing the seat from the BJP.

There is some visible tension between Manjhis HAM and Nitish Kumars JDU, primarily over certain remarks made by Manjhi recently. These mostly relate to setting up an alternative leadership in Bihar, which essentially means removing Nitish Kumar from the chair of the chief minister. Manjhi had said that Chirag Paswan is the future of Bihar. The fact that he was looking to court votes of the Paswan community by making such a statement has not been lost on anybody.

Manjhi is working hard to market himself as a leader who is determined to push the development of Gaya. Saying that no development has happened in the constituency for a long time, Manjhi is now promising to revitalise the Phalgu river by building a canal so that it does not run dry. As a result, Manjhi claims, not only will the water problem in Gaya be addressed to a great extent, but the lives of birds and animals will be saved too. Further, he has promised to turn Gaya into a tourism hotspot and says a Marine Drive will be built in the constituency.

Interestingly, Gaya has only been represented by MPs belonging to the Manjhi caste since 1999. With a population of over 2.5 lakh in Gaya, the Manjhis constitute one of the deciding vote banks here. By fielding Manjhi, the NDA hopes to get these votes. Meanwhile, ground reports also suggest that the JDU will be able to transfer at least 80-90% of its votes to Manjhi. Surprisingly, observers on the ground have also indicated that some Muslim votes in Gaya may be headed the BJPs way.

While the contest in Gaya is tight, Manjhi has an advantage as a well-known face who people know was the chief minister of Bihar at one point. On ground, there is recognition for the work Manjhi did as the CM, and it is now colouring the voting preferences of many in the constituency. Gaya desperately requires fast-paced development, and many appear to believe that if they vote for Manjhi, PM Modi can make that happen. The Modi factor, therefore, is set to trump all other factors this time as well.

There is also perceptible anger against Manjhi, who has a reputation for associating with notorious elements while remaining indifferent to the demands of ordinary folk. Much-needed development projects have been stuck in the pipeline for years, some even decades.

INDI Alliances Hopes with RJDs Young Gun: In a battle between two generations to wrest control of Gaya, RJDs Kumar Sarvjeet finds himself as the younger contender taking on the nearly 80-year-old Manjhi. On ground, the RJD is indeed running a spirited campaign against the BJP, which is also attracting a substantial number of people.

Observers on ground say that while the number of people present in RJDs rallies and events is at times even more than those at BJP events, when probed about who they will vote for, the reply comes in favour of Prime Minister Modi. This best encapsulates how politics is practised in Bihar, where voters are open to hearing even those who they may not vote for. In fact, inputs from the ground indicate that the RJD cadre and some leaders secretly want Manjhi to win.

Sarvjeet wields considerable sway in the area. Reports from locals indicate that he frequently appears in the town and is approachable. He is also running a more visible campaign compared to Manjhi. Previously, Sarvjeet assumed the role of Bihars tourism minister from August 2022 to January 2024. During his tenure, there was a notable boost in the budget allocated to tourism and the implementation of a fresh tourism strategy. The residents of Bodh Gaya appear to be satisfied with Sarvjeets accomplishments.

The caste dynamics playing out in Gaya are to watch out for. While the overwhelming sentiment among people is to vote for PM Modi, irrespective of caste, there are still those who are caught in a dilemma. The Paswans, for example, are expected to vote for their candidate, Kumar Sarvjeet. Ground inputs also suggest that if both the top contenders were from the Manjhi community, the contest would have been even tougher. However, as the RJD has fielded a Paswan, the Manjhi votes appear to be galvanising in favour of the NDAs Manjhi. Upper caste voters and Vaishyas are expected to vote for the NDA because of the Modi factor. On the other hand, substantial portions of Muslim voters (11%) and Yadavs (nearly 12%) are anticipated to align with the Muslim-Yadav (M-Y) equation of the RJD while voting.

The RJDs biggest poll plank for this election is the issue of unemployment. In a state like Bihar, where unemployment and rampant emigration are raging issues, it is not surprising that the RJDs rallies are drawing large crowds. Voters appear inclined to hear what the RJD, especially Tejashwi Yadav, has to say. However, voters are also aware that this is a national election. Therefore, the crowd seen at RJD events may not essentially translate into an equal number of votes on polling day.

The RJD remains the key fighting force in the INDI Alliance in Gaya. The Congress does not appear to be in a position to lure a significant chunk of voters towards the RJD. This is in contrast to the NDA, where the BJP, JDU and HAM are all significant vote getters.

On the other hand, Mayawatis BSP seems inclined to complicate the fight in Gaya. The BSP has fielded Sushma Kumari from Gaya, ostensibly with the intention of splitting the Dalit and Maha Dalit vote, in what would cause much worry to the RJD.

Kumar Sarvjeet would have a clear lead if this were an assembly election, but the Modi factor could leave him in the second spot.

KEY ISSUES

Acute Lack of Development: The constant complain among voters of Gaya is the near absence of any developmental work in the constituency. The civic infrastructure here is a shambles. The condition of roads is bad and sewage and sanitation-related woes afflict all areas. Garbage lies unchecked, exacerbating health concerns among people. There is an acute shortage of health facilities and schools. There are also complaints that no work is being done to tap into the tourism potential of Gaya.

Lack of Industries: Ground inputs have revealed that there is not even one factory or industrial unit worth its name in the entirety of Gaya constituency. It is hardly surprising that unemployment is a big problem here. A sugar mill which thousands depended on decades ago was an industrial oasis of sorts in a constituency marked otherwise by a painful lack of industries. This sugar factor in Motipur, shut for 23 years now, still owes its workers about Rs 37 crore. On a side note, Bihar  which once contributed 40% to Indias total sugar production today contributes just about 4%.

Low Wages & Unemployment: Gaya somehow finds itself ranking extremely low on the daily wage meter. While most people here depend on the hospitality and tourism sectors, many are also engaged in construction work. The wages in Gaya are much lower compared to cities like Muzaffarpur and Patna. In Gaya city, workers often have to make do with merely Rs 400 every day. In rural Gaya, the daily wages can go as low as Rs 250. However, for a constituency where unemployment is a severe issue, many are thankful they at least earn a few hundred rupees a day.

Pollution & Traffic Jams: The poor state of civic infrastructure, coupled with the menace of traffic snarls, has led to widespread pollution in Gaya. Although not an industrial region, pollution is among the biggest issues here. The government of Bihar this January commissioned a study to be undertaken by IIT Delhi and IIT Patna to find the source of pollution. Acute traffic congestion in Gaya city is a big problem, one that has remained unresolved for years now.

DEMOGRAPHY

Total Voters: 17,54,390

SC Voters: 519,299 (29.6%)

Muslims: 224,685 (12.8%)

Urban Voters: 387,720 (22.1%)

Rural Voters: 1,366,670 (77.9%)

Apart from the Manjhis and Paswans, other prominent castes include Harijan, Dhobhi and Kurmi. Bhumihars and Rajputs together account for around 2.5 lakh voters. The Yadavs and Vaishyas, meanwhile, are at around 2 lakh each.

INFRA DEVELOPMENT
Lok Sabha Election 2024 News LIVE Updates: The BJP has approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees BJP will cause riot two days before Lok Sabha election remark.

Last week, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had claimed that the BJP will riot two days before the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 17.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the High Courts decision to allow Ram Navami processions in West Bengals Howrah.

This is the first Ram Navami when Ram Lalla has been enthroned in the grand temple in Ayodhya. I know TMC, as always, tried its best to stop the Ram Navami celebrations here, and hatched several conspiracies. But only truth wins. Therefore, permission has been granted by the court and tomorrow Ram Navami processions will be taken out with full reverence and devotion. I congratulate all my brothers and sisters of Bengal on this occasion, he said.

Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwals wife, Sunita Kejriwal is likely to join Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for AAPs Gujarat poll campaign. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is currently in jail in connection with an ongoing probe into the Delhi liquor policy scam.

The BJP released its 12th list of seven candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections fielding Abhijit Das Bobby from the Diamond Harbour Parliamentary constituency in West Bengal against TMCs Abhishek Banerjee.

AAP also declared four more Lok Sabha candidates for Punjab, including Jalandhar where it has fielded Sushil Kumar Rinku.

With three days left for the first phase of the polling process in Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the poll campaigns are going in full swing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Bihars Gaya on Tuesday after campaigning in Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Monday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to address a public rally in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.

He will also hold a road show in Krishnagiri and Thiruvannamalai in the state.

All 39 seats in Tamil Nadu will go to polls in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election on April 19. People in 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories will cast their votes on April 19.
Saharanpur is one of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. It is a general category seat and is one of the westernmost parliamentary constituencies in UP. It comprises five assembly segments: Behat (Samajwadi Party), Saharanpur Nagar (Bharatiya Janata Party), Saharanpur (SP), Deoband (BJP), and Rampur Maniharan (BJP).

Haji Fazlur Rehman from the Bahujan Samaj Party is currently the MP from Saharanpur. The key candidates for the election this time are Raghav Lakhanpal from the BJP, Congresss Imran Masood, and Majid Ali from the BSP.

Saharanpur will have voting on April 19, in the first round of the seven-phase elections.

Political Dynamics

Although the BJP had lost Saharanpur to the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in 2019, it now appears in pole position to wrest the seat. The BJP has again fielded Raghav Lakhanpal, who had won the seat for the party in 2014, due to his perceived proximity to the RSS and the fact that he is seen as an active leader on the ground. Lakhanpal remains a popular leader, and this was reportedly confirmed in the BJPs internal surveys. He is also said to have close ties with Rajnath Singh. The political wind is blowing in the saffron partys favour, say observers and this is largely in line with the trend across Uttar Pradesh. Even in Saharanpurs neighbouring constituency of Kairana, 22 village heads joined the BJP recently. The BJP is placed well this election season due to a tri-cornered contest between itself, the INDIA bloc (SP+ Congress in UP) and the BSP. It is widely believed that the Muslim vote, largely seen as a deciding factor in the constituency, could be split between INDIA and BSP. This leaves the BJP in an advantageous position. The BJP is also not only bringing round independents to its side but is also set to benefit from infighting among the other parties. Recently, Sanjay Garg, a three-time MLA and former minister from the Vaishya community who was close to Mulayam Singh Yadav, joined the BJP. Before him, Nanauta Nagar panchayat chairperson Rumana Khan, her husband Afzal Khan (who is a former chairman too), and many others switched to the BJP. In February, Sarsawa panchayat chairperson Komal Panwar also joined the saffron party along with her husband Pramod Panwar. Both had contested the elections previously as independents. By including these leaders, the BJP has made inroads among the Vaishya, Muslim, and Scheduled Caste communities. Apart from these, the BJP is also in a comfortable position electorally among the Thakurs, Brahmins, Gujjars, and Valmikis, among others. Ground inputs suggest that as much as 50 per cent of the Dalit vote in this election could go to the BJP, which explains why the BSP looks in an extremely perilous situation in Saharanpur now. The Modi factor is once again aiding the BJPs prospects, despite the fact that the constituency withstood the Modi wave in 2019. People are happy with the work done by the Modi government, and the various welfare and development schemes of the Prime Minister are adding an advantage for the BJP, say observers. The delivery of flagship schemes which provide amenities like pucca houses, tap water, toilets, LPG connections, digital connectivity, free ration, electricity connections, are being well appreciated. As a part of its alliance with the Congress, the Samajwadi Party has allotted Saharanpur as one of the seats for the grand old party to contest in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress no longer has a voter base in Saharanpur to help it sail to victory on its own. The Congress is largely banking on the support of the Samajwadi Party, like the BSP did in 2019 when it was in alliance with Akhilesh Yadavs party. Realising its weakness on the ground, the Congress high command has replaced 21 district presidents recently. As a result, Sandeep Rana has been made the district president of Saharanpur. Chaudhary Muzaffar Ali, who was the district president for over four years, has been removed. The Congress has made Imran Masood its candidate. But he has a troubled past. He left the Congress before the 2017 assembly elections to join the BSP, only to be expelled by the party in August 2023. Two months later, in October last year, the Congress welcomed Masood and hailed his return as a great ghar wapsi. Masood had earlier been arrested in March 2014 on charges of hate speech after he threatened to chop Narendra Modi into pieces. Ground inputs suggest that while Masoods tirade against PM Modi may have helped him consolidate the Muslim votes in Saharanpur, it led to the alienation of several other communities, who have not returned to the Congress fold since. By repeating Masood as a candidate, the Congress has failed to recognise that there is still anger among voters against him for his remarks in 2014, say observers. This time, the SP-Congress combine hopes that Muslims will rally behind them, but with the BSP also fielding a strong Muslim candidate, there could be a split in votes that the opposition can ill-afford. A split in the Muslim vote especially bolsters the chances of the BJP, which has managed to not just retain but also grow its support base in Saharanpur. The BSP has fielded a fresh face, Majid Ali. He is an OBC Muslim and a former zila parishad chairperson. Majid Ali is facing several criminal cases and has huge assets worth Rs 92 crore. He is one of the richest candidates in the entire region and is the brother of actor-cum-producer Kamaal Rashid Khan.

Key Issues

Bypass: There is a positive impact that the construction of the Saharanpur bypass will have on the BJPs chances, say observers. Earlier, commercial and passenger vehicles had to travel from within Saharanpur to reach Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, and other regions. With the bypass, though, these vehicles are now diverted away from Saharanpur. While traffic congestion still exists, the rush of vehicles not bound for Saharanpur entering the city nevertheless has now been done away with. Similarly, the creation and upgradation of road infrastructure in general is likely to help the BJP.

Bureaucratic High-handedness: A recent complaint among the voters, according to inputs from the ground, is that the high-handedness of bureaucrats has gone up. Voters complain of having to pay bribes and endure a lot of hassle to get even nominal work done. This could prove to be a cause of worry for the BJP, which in the run-up to the elections, is itself making a big issue out of corruption.

Power Woes Solved: Earlier, there were complaints in Saharanpur that only VIP areas got uninterrupted power supply, while ordinary colonies and blocks had to suffer from repeated power cuts. That problem appears to have been largely solved, and uninterrupted power supply to all areas is now being appreciated by the people.

Maa Shakumbhari University: A long-standing demand of voters in Saharanpur was the setting up of Maa Shakumbhari Devi University in the Behat assembly constituency. Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for this university in 2021, a year ahead of the previous assembly elections in the state. The university has been constructed at a cost of over Rs 92 crore and is spread over 50.43 acres. The fulfilment of the demand for a university has helped the BJP in recent years, say observers.

Law and Order: The Yogi Adityanath government in particular is credited for greatly improving the law-and-order situation in Uttar Pradesh as a whole and Saharanpur as a constituency in particular. There is appreciation for a sense of security that has been instilled, with people no longer afraid of venturing out at night. The crackdown on mafias comes as an added bonus for the saffron party.

Delivery of Central Schemes: Prime Minister Modis flagship schemes to provide tap water, pucca houses, toilets, electricity, free ration, LPG connections, bank accounts and the overall delivery of basic amenities has created a positive environment for the BJP. However, there are complaints that those who did not vote for the BJP are getting these facilities at a faster pace. Our reporter from Saharanpur says this discrepancy is between those applying for such schemes online and those standing in physical queues in the districts administrative offices. Those who apply online stand a better chance of getting quicker delivery than those who opt for physical applications.

Pockets of Resentment: In the village of Nangal, which is predominantly inhabited by the Thakur community, residents voiced discontent with various government policies. Key concerns revolve around problems such as the threat posed by stray cattle, significantly lower sugarcane prices compared to Haryana and Punjab, outstanding payments from sugar mill owners, and a noticeable shortage of labourers.

In Sheikhpura Kadeem, the primary issues centred on insufficient sanitation infrastructure. The local dumping site spilled over near the entrances of the sole school and mosque, posing significant health and safety risks. Young residents expressed worries about the limited employment opportunities and repeated incidents of leaked competitive examination papers.

Demography (As per 2011 Census)

Total Population: 3,466,382 (Projected population now: 4,190,000)

Males: 1,834,106

Females: 1,632,276

Rural Population: 2,399,856 (69.23%)

Urban Population: 1,066,526 (30.7%)

Hindus: 56%

Muslims: 42%

Sikhs: 0.54%

According to the demographics of the constituency, the combined Muslim and Dalit vote accounts for almost 64 per cent out of which Muslims are 42% and Dalits are 22%. Hindus generally dominate rural areas while Muslims are the majority in urban areas.

Infrastructure Development
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a rally in Bihars Gaya on Tuesday, questioned those abusing Sanatan Dharma, saying that 80-90% of the people in the Constituent Assembly that made the Constitution of India were Sanatanis".

Dr Rajendra Prasad was key in formation of the Constitution. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar drafted itThose who abuse Sanatan should listen carefully that 80-90% of the people in the Constituent Assembly that made the Constitution of India were Sanatanis and those Sanatanis supported Ambedkar in making such a great Constitution," he said.

ALSO READ | What is Your Helplessness? PM Modi Questions Congress Over Alliance With Anti-Sanatana DMK

PM Modi added, Our Constitution is pure. The framers of the Constitution dreamt of a prosperous India. However, the Congress party that ruled for decades in the country lost the opportunity25 crore poor have been brought out of poverty by your sevak."

#WATCH | Gaya, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Our Constitution is pure. The framers of the Constitution dreamt of a prosperous India. However, the Congress party that ruled for decades in the country lost the opportunity25 crore poor have been brought out of pic.twitter.com/ZM7Rxzh1R7 ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

A post by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), quoted PM as saying, The arrogant alliance members say why cross 400? The people of the country have decided to cross 400! Because the people of the country want to see India developed in 2047. But, to punish those who loot the country, those who indulge in corruption, and those who tamper with the Constitution, the people of the country want to give NDA 400 votes. This election is also about making NDA win, this election is also about punishing those who have the habit of causing destruction in the country. Therefore the count is going to cross 400."

Modi also said his government started the celebration of Constitution Day on November 26, which was objected to by Congresss Mallikarjun Kharge. For the next five years, Modis guarantee card has been updated. Three crore houses will be made for the poor, the poor will get free ration for the next five years, those above 70 years of age will receive free treatment upto Rs 5 lakhs, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi will be continued. All these are Modis guarantees," PM Modi said. Ghamandia Gathbandhan has no vision or trust. When they go asking for votes, they do so on the work done by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Entire Bihar knows why they try and take credit for the work done by Nitish and the central government," the Prime Minister said, adding, The RJD is responsible for destroying Bihar with fodder scam, land for jobs scam."

SANATAN CONTROVERSY

Sanatan Dharma is used to denote eternal or absolute set of duties or religiously ordained practices incumbent upon all Hindus, regardless of class, caste, or sect. The teachings of Sanatan Dharma are laid out in Vedic scriptures, including Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita. Some of the principles and practices include virtues, moksha, Yoga, rebirth, Karma, Paap and Punya. The social structure in the Sanatan Dharma was based on the Varna system, which divides society into four varnas or groups- brahmana (priests), Kshatriya (Kings/administrators), Vaisya (merchants), and Shudra (workers) depending upon their individual nature and inclinations. Unlike what is believed today, the varna could change and three are enough evidences in the scriptures. The scriptures recommend that a persons varna or caste is ascertained by his guna (nature) and activities and not solely by the assessment of his birth.

In September last year, Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin had created a controversy after he likened the term Sanatana Dharma to diseases like dengue and malaria and said that it should not just be opposed, but eradicated". The statement had invited sharp criticism from BJP leaders and triggered a massive backlash on social media. Stalin is part of the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, which is fighting against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

CONSTITUTION & SANATAN

Many have claimed a Sanatan link to the Constitution:

Bharat: The very first Article 1(1) says, India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States." The name Bharat is derived from the legends of ancient Hindu traditions. According to the Vishnu Purana, The country that lies north of the ocean and the south of the snowy mountains is called Bharat for there dwell the descendants of the Bharat." This was quoted by the prime minister in his Lok Sabha speech recently. India was called Bharatvarsha after the king named Bharata since the Mahabharata times. He was son of King Dushyanta of Hastinapur and Queen Sakuntala. The great king Bharat conquered all of the Bharatvarsha (area comprising the Indian subcontinent as of today).

Union of States: The phrase, Union of States underlies the cultural-historical fact that the basis of Hindu civilisation in India has been a multicultural, plural and tolerant society where many sub-cultures existed and flourished.

CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

In 1946, the Constituent Assembly of India, consisting of indirectly elected representatives, was established to draft a constitution for India, including Pakistan and Bangladesh. Rajendra Prasad was appointed the president. On August 29, 1947, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar formed a committee of seven members calling it the Drafting Committee. With Dr BR Ambedkar as the Chairman, the other members included were N. Gopalaswami, Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyas, K.M Munshi, Saijo Mola Saadulla, N. Madhava Rao and D.P Khaitan.

ALSO READ | DMKs A Raja Says Were Enemies Of Ram, BJP Questions INDIA Blocs Silence

The Constituent Assembly appointed a total of 22 committees to deal with different tasks of constitution-making. Out of these, eight were major committees and the others were minor committees. Those leading the committee included Ambedkar, Nehru, Sardar Patel, JB Kripalani, G V Mavlankar, Harendra Coomar Mookerjee, B Pattabhi Sitaramayya, Moturi Satyanarayana, AV Thakkar, Gopinath Bordoloi, among others. Apart from Nehru, Patel, Prasad , Ambedkar and drafting committee members, other prominent members of the constituent assembly were Benegal Narsing Rau, Deep Narayan Singh, P. Subbarayan, Kailash Nath Katju, TT Krishnamachari, Rameshwar Prasad Sinha, Durgabai Deshmukh, M. Mohammed Ismael, Krishna Ballabh Sahay, Frank Anthony, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, John Mathai, Pratap Singh Kairon, K Kamaraj, Chidambaram Subramaniam, Jaipal Singh Munda, Hargovind Pant, Kala Venkata Rao, Hifzur Rahman Seoharwi, Ranbir Singh Hooda.
The Supreme Court heard petitions seeking cross-verification of the votes cast with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) on Tuesday. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta pointed at the issues of voting with paper ballots.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan had argued saying most European countries, who went for voting with EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), had gone back to the paper ballots system. In response, Justice Khanna said, We are in our 60s. We all know what happened when there were ballot papers, you may have, but we have not forgotten, Bar and Bench reported.

Bhushan also cited Germanys example over ballot papers, to which Justice Dipankar asked him what Germanys people. Bhushan told the court that Germanys population was around 6 crore, while India has 50-60 crore voters.

My home state West Bengal has more population that Germany. We need to repose some trust and faith on somebody. Do not try to bring down the system like this, Justice Datta was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, Justice Khanna noted, 97 crore total number of registered voters. We all know what happened when there were ballot papers.

The matter, however, will now be taken up for hearing on April 18 (Thursday).

SC HEARING ON CROSS-CHECKING EVM VOTES

Counsel for one of the petitioners  Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)  advocate Prashant Bhushan, said that majority of the European countries who went with EVM voting have returned to ballot paper system.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna responded by saying, We are in our 60s. We all know what happened when there were ballot papers, you may have, but we have not forgotten.

We can go back to paper ballots. Another option is to give VVPAT slip to the voters in hand. Otherwise, the slips falls into the machine and the slip can be then given to the voter and it can be put into the ballot box. Then the VVPAT design was changed, it had to be transparent glass, but it was changed to dark opaque mirror glass where it is only visible when the light is on for 7 seconds, Bhushan was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Another counsel, senior Advocate Sanjay Hedge told the apex court that the votes cast using EVMs should be tallied with VVPAT slips.

In response, Justice Khanna said, Yes, 60 crore VVPAT slips should be counted. Right?

The apex court bench noted that problems can be caused by human interventions and presence of human weakness can also be a part of it. This may also include biases, the court said.

Normally human interventions lead to problems and human weakness can be there which includes biases as well. Machine normally without human intervention will give you accurate results. Yes, the problem arises when there is human intervention or makes unauthorised changes when they are around the software or machine. If you have any suggestion to avert this, then you can give us that, the SC bench was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench.

Citing a research paper, advocate Prashant Bhushan spoke about a possibility of tampering with EVMs. He said that counting of just 5 VVPAT machines per assembly, when there are 200 such machines is not a justification. The seven-second light can also lead to manipulation. The voter can be allowed to take the VVPAT slip and put it into the ballot box, he added.

Representing another petitioner, senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranayaran agreed to the submissions of advocate Prashant Bhushan and noted that the issue is not malice but the voters confidence in his vote.

The top court asked the Election Commission to explain the process of voting via EVMs, how these machines are stored and how the votes are counted. It was also observed that no strict punishments are spelled out for EVM tampering.

Suppose there is some manipulation what the punishment prescribed. That is serious thing. There should be a fear that if something wrong is done then there will be punishment, the top court observed.

The ECI counsel responded and said, Breach of office punishment is there. However, Justice Khanna noted, We are not on the procedure. There is no specific provision with regard to manipulation done, if at all.

Bhushan said that if there is mismatch, they will selectively use VVPAT data. There are bound to be mismatch, there is human error not machine errors. Machine can be manipulated but that be checked and countered, we will see how, the top court replied, LiveLaw reported.

The advocate said that there is some confusion that five per cent VVPATs have been used, but it is not, it was 5 machines per assembly constituency. Only 5 units are being scrutinised. The percentage of VVPAT scrutiny is 0.00185 per cent.

The advocate noted that at least 50 per cent verification is needed to restore the confidence. Advocate Husaifa Ahmadi, representing another petitioner, said that just because it takes times to verify, that should not be a reason to not call for it to be verified.

If the VVPATs can be compared with actual numbers of votes polled then it shall be in the interest of free and fair elections. The EC should welcome this, advocate Ahmadi was quoted as saying by LiveLaw.

My vote cannot be checked once I have voted. There is no verification. Only under the statute will another vote be cast and if that is accurate then my vote will be assumed to be accurate, advocate Nizam Pasha told the court.

The top court noted that there are various assumptions about this. If the machines are made in a way that no one knows the identity of the voter, that is right. We will take up on Thursday. Will you be happy with the private sector manufacturing the machine?

What Happened Earlier?

The Supreme Court on April 1 had sought responses from the poll-governing body and the Centre on a plea filed by activist Arun Kumar Agrawal seeking complete count of VVPAT slips in elections as opposed to practice of tallying slips from only five random EVMs from each assembly of a constituency.

On April 3, the top court had said that it would hear the plea filed by NGO ADR next week along with other matters. This came after advocate Prashant Bhushan sought an urgent hearing.

ADR had sought the SCs direction to the poll panel and the Centre to ensure the voters are able to verify through VVPATs that their vote has been counted as recorded.

The petition has sought matching the count in EVMs with votes that have been verifiably recorded as cast and to ensure that the voter is able to verify through VVPAT slip that his vote, as recorded on the paper slip, has been counted as recorded.

However, there is a complete vacuum in law as the ECI has provided no procedure for the voter to verify that her vote has been counted as recorded which is an indispensable part of voter verifiability. The failure of the ECI to provide for the same is in the teeth of purport and object of the directions issued by this Court inSubramanian Swamy versus Election Commission of India (2013 verdict), the plea said.

What is VVPAT?

Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is an independent vote verification system which enables an elector to see whether his vote was cast correctly. It generates a paper slip which can be viewed by the voter. It is kept in a sealed cover and can be opened in case of a dispute.

(With inputs from PTI)
Who helped Israel shoot down 300 Iranian ballistic missiles and drones on Sunday? What is Israels three-tier defence system? What are Irans capabilities?

According to the Israel Defence Forces, Iran used 185 drones, 36 cruise missiles and 110 ballistic missiles in its attack. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) strikes came after it blamed Israel for an attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, on April 1.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant issued a statement, saying: Together with the United States and additional partners, we managed to defend the territory of the State of Israel.

According to Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, about 99% of the incoming missiles were intercepted either outside Israeli airspace or over the country.

Since most of the projectiles came from relatively far away, Israel could send F-35 stealth fighters to intercept them. The IDF said 25 of the 30 cruise missiles sent by Iran were shot down outside the country.

Several videos have emerged showing Israels Arrow defence system, along with the Iron Dome System, intercepting threats.

Israels 3-Tier Missile Defence System

The highest tier is Arrow aerial defence system, which is a surface-to-surface missile system. It operates outside the atmosphere and fights off all long-range missiles. It has been developed by Israels Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with the US Missile Defence Agency.

The Arrow 1 system went through a battery of tests and was inducted into the Israeli forces in the 1990s. Later, in 2000, a lighter version, known as Arrow 2, was inducted into the military. With this induction, Israel was equipped to counter short and medium-range missiles with its hit-and-kill approach in the upper atmosphere. Arrows objective is to neutralise the missile before it makes its descent at the target.

Arrow 3, like Arrow 2, targets long-range ballistic missiles while they are still flying through space. However, it uses faster hypersonic missiles to hit targets. It was implemented in 2017, and was used against Houthis last November.

It also uses Iron Dome and Davids Sling that form the part of Israels three-level defence shield to counter threats from Iranian missiles and rockets, mortars fired by Hamas, Hezbollah and others.

Iron Dome was implemented in 2011, and had saved lives by destroying rockets launched not directly from Iran but the surrounding territories of Gaza, southern Lebanon and Syria. It uses radar to detect incoming rockets, shells, planes, choppers, but is intelligent enough to dismiss attacks that dont pose as a threat to life and property. Each interception costs roughly $40,000. There are 10 Iron Dome batteries in Israel, with the success rate of at least 90% against short-range missiles.

Davids Sling is the medium-range interception system, developed by Israeli firm (Rafael, not to be confused with jets made by French Dassault). It became operational in 2017, and can intercept heavy missiles such as Zelzal-2, Fateh-110 and M-600. Last year, it neutralized a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip. As Israels foreign ministry stated: Davids Sling significantly strengthens Israels aerial defence strategy and is a central factor in Israels multi-tiered defence array, providing additional protection against short and medium range threats, and complementing the capabilities of the Arrow and the Iron Dome systems.

Israels air defence also includes the Patriot  an American-made system  used during the First Gulf War in 1991 to intercept Scud missiles fired by Iraqs leader at the time, Saddam Hussein. The Patriot is now used to shoot down aircraft, including drones.

How Israels Allies Helped?

President Joe Biden said US forces helped Israel take down nearly all drones and missiles launched by Iran.

According to CNN, two aircraft and two destroyers were involved in intercepting the barrage. The destroyers deployed the Aegis missile defence system to shoot down at least three ballistic missiles.

US Central Command (Centcom) said its forces had destroyed more than 80 drones and at least six ballistic missiles. Operating from undisclosed bases in the region, US forces shot down a number of Iranian drones over southern Syria near the border with Jordan, security sources told Reuters.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed that Britains Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon jets shot down a number of Iranian drones.

Jordan, which has a peace treaty with Israel and has been critical of its war against Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, also intercepted flying objects that entered the airspace.

The Israeli military said France helped to patrol airspace, but it was unclear if it had shot down any drones or missiles.

What about Irans Capabilities?

Iranian news outlet ISNA published details of missiles it said could reach Israel. Sejil is capable of flying at more than 10,500mph and has a range of 1,550 miles while Kheibar has a range of 1,240 miles and Haj Qasem can reach targets 870 miles away.

Iran says its ballistic missiles are an important deterrent and retaliatory force against the US, Israel and other potential regional targets.

Iran said last August that it had built an advanced homemade drone named Mohajer-10 with an operational range of 1,240 miles. It can fly for up to 24 hours with a payload of up to 300kg (660lbs).

Last summer, Iran showcases its first domestically-made hypersonic ballistic missiles, which can fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound, and take a complex trajectory, making it difficult to intercept.

According to Washington-based Arms Control Association, Irans short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles include Shahab-1, with an estimated range of 190 miles. Its cruise missiles such as Kh-55 is an air-launched nuclear-capable weapon with a range of up to 1,860 miles. Khalid Farzh, an advanced anti-ship missile, has an approximate range of 186 miles, and is capable of carrying a 1.1-tonne warhead.

Iran has, however, denied having any intention to develop a nuclear weapon, but the Islamic State in the recent years has expanded its stockpile of uranium. Last year, its total enriched uranium was 21 times more than the nuclear restrictions imposed on it.
Ayodhyas Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir is gearing up for its first Ram Navami on Wednesday (April 17), set to be the second biggest event after the pran pratishtha that took place in January. More than 25 lakh visitors are expected to visit the temple to offer their prayers to the Ram Lalla idol.

Officials from the Ayodhya district administration are conducting random spot checks and rehearsals in anticipation of the crowd. They said visitors will be arriving at the temple town in more than 90 flights, 100 trains and 500 buses. Besides, the police have sounded a high alert, cancelled VIP darshans till April 18 and made elaborate security arrangements.

In view of the anticipated turnout on the first Ram Navami after the consecration ceremony, it has been decided that the Ram temple will remain open for 19 hours giving visitors the chance for a darshan, said an appeal by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the temple.

Besides, the trust also extended an appeal to VIPs and VVIPs to visit Ram temple only after April 19, while cancelling all special darshan passes till April 18. Trust officials said the temple will be open for darshan from Mangala Aarti at 3.30 am to 11 pm. Curtains will be drawn for five minutes each during the four bhog offerings to the deity and stay open the rest of the time.

Preparations are underway for the Surya Tilak of the Ram Lalla idol at Ayodhyas Ram Mandir. The sacred event will take place on April 17 at noon, projecting sunlight onto the idols forehead in the garbhagriha. The spectacular event will last 4 to 5 minutes and marks the celebration of Ram Navami, the officials said.

According to the trust, the Ayodhya civic body will put up 100 LED screens across town for the live telecast of the celebrations at the Ram Mandir. Live telecast of Ram Navami celebrations will be available, so devotees are requested to watch the proceedings from their homes. Avoid unnecessary rush to Ayodhya on Ram Navami, the official said.

Though the trust will keep the temple open for 19 hours on Ram Navami so that visitors get a maximum window for darshan, the police and administration are leaving no stone unturned to be prepared.

The entire city has been divided into seven zones and 39 sectors for security reasons. We have also set up a control room in Ayodhya regarding the Ram Navami fair, which will also be held on the occasion. Officers will be deployed 24 hours in the control room A helpline number has also been issued for this, said Ayodhya divisional commissioner Gaurav Dayal.

While giving information about the fair, administrative officials said the numbers for the fair control room are: 05278-232043, 232044, 232046, 232047, 9120989195, 9454402642.

These will remain functional 24 hours. Strict instructions have been given to the concerned officers to visit their respective zone/sector areas in advance to be aware of the situation and to work in coordination with the zonal incharges/sector incharges. Magistrates and other officials of Ghat Zone, Nageshwarnath Zone, Hanumangarhi Temple Zone, Kanak Bhawan Temple Zone have been instructed to remain alert in view of Ram Navami, the Dayal said, adding that health, power department and civic body officials have also been engaged in duties related to their departments.
The newly-built Ram temple in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya is all decked up for Ram Navami celebrations on Wednesday. The festivities, which fall on the ninth day of the Chaitra month, mark Ram Lallas birth. This year, the auspicious occasion will be more special by Surya Abhishek of Ram Lalla, when the suns rays will fall on the forehead of the deitys idol at noon.

The celebrations mark the first big religious occasion after the consecration of Ram Lalla in January this year.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Light and sound show organised in Ayodhya ahead of the Rama Navami celebrations. pic.twitter.com/bKNbjF6J32 ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

Ram Lallas Surya Tilak

Huge crowds are expected in Ayodhya on Ram Navami to witness the Surya Abhishek or Surya Tilak of Ram Lalla when the rays of the sun fall on his forehead.

Ram Lalla, the Suryavanshi king of Ayodhya, is expected to be gifted with Surya Abhishek at noon, a phenomenon through which sun rays would be captured and diverted via a series of optical apparatus.

ALSO READ: Ayodhya Gears Up for Ram Navami; 25 Lakh Visitors Expected at Second Biggest Event After Pran Pratishtha

The sun rays would shine on the forehead of Ram Lalla for the next four minutes in a circular form spanning 75 millimetres.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Devotees arrive at Ram Temple in Ayodhya in large numbers for the darshan of Ram Lalla, on the eve of #RamNavamiThe festival will be celebrated tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/anPPzUvEx7  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

The exact period of tilak on the forehead centre is about three to three-and-a-half minutes, with two minutes of full illumination, said Dr S K Panigrahi, a scientist at CSIR-CBRI Roorkee, who was associated with the project.

Arrangements Made For Special Darshan

The Ram temple in Ayodhya will remain open for 19 hours starting from Mangala Aarti at 3.00 a.m. on Wednesday till noon and curtains of the temple will be drawn for five minutes each during the four bhog offerings to the Lord.

On Wednesday morning, the temple authorities posted pictures of divya abhishek of Ram Lalla as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and several other leaders expressed their satisfaction to see Lord Ram finally in his permanent home at the grand Ayodhya temple.

       ,              Divya Abhisheka of Prabhu Shri Ramlalla Sarkar at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, on the pious ocassion of Shri Ram Navami. pic.twitter.com/U4HaE5yFyg  Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) April 17, 2024

Sculptor of Ram Lalla idol, Arun Yogiraj, said, We are in Ayodhya for the first time after the pran pratishtha ceremony. My family was very happy after seeing my work. We are anxiously waiting for the Ram Navami celebration.

Elaborating on the arrangements made for the occasion, the chief priest of Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Acharya Satyendra Das said, This is being celebrated with grandeur because Lord Ram is now in his new abodeThe temple has been decoratedRituals are open and will begin at 3 am tonightRam Lalla will wear yellow clothes. He will be offered 56 Bhog. Three types of Panjiri will also be offered. Panchamrit will be offered tooThe darshan will continue from 3 am to 12 am.

#WATCH | On Ram Navami celebrations in Ayodhya, the chief priest of Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Acharya Satyendra Das says, This is being celebrated with grandeur because Lord Ram is now in his new abodeThe temple has been decoratedRituals are open and will begin at 3 am pic.twitter.com/DUyQpL7Jw5 ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has issued an appeal to distinguished guests to visit Ayodhya for the darshan of Ram Lalla only after April 19.

It has also cancelled all special pass bookings for Darshan and Aarti of Ram Lalla between April 16 and 18. Everyone will need to follow the same path as other devotees to enter the Ram Mandir, said the Trust.

No Mobile Phones Allowed, Arrangements for Live Streaming Made

A member of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Anil Mishra, said, During the Surya tilak, devotees will be allowed inside the Ram temple. Around 100 LEDs are being put up by the temple trust, and 50 by the government, which will show the Ram Navami celebrations. People will be able to see the celebrations from where they are present.

To avoid inconvenience and wastage of time during darshan, devotees have been advised not to bring their mobile phones and other valuable items. A service centre for pilgrims has been established by the trust at Sugreev Quila.

Visitors are advised to keep their mobile phones, shoes, slippers, large bags, and restricted items securely and far away to facilitate a smoother Darshan experience, the temple trust said.

Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati will live telecast the celebrations at Ram Mandir on Doordarshan.

Local reports stated that live screenings of rituals and proceedings will be conducted based on the advice of temple priests, with brief interruptions during bhog and clothing changes.

The temple trust said that the darshan will continue until 11pm, followed by the bhog and Shayan Aarti depending on the situation. Prasad will be distributed near the Mandir exit after the Shayan Aarti.

How Ram Lallas Surya Tilak Will Be Done?

The Surya tilak of the deity was made possible by an elaborate mechanism, developed by Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) scientists, involving mirrors and lenses.

Experts from the CBRI are already camping in Ayodhya to lay down an optomechanical system on the ground floor of the temple in collaboration with scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics-Bengaluru. The system was tested by the scientists on Tuesday.

The standard optomechanical setup is a Fabry-Perot cavity, where one mirror is movable, to maximize the response of an optical system to a change in the frequency/wavelength of an input laser.

Using the Fabry-Perot cavity (named after French physicists Charles Fabry and Alfred Perot who developed it in 1897), sunbeams would be guided with utmost precision to illuminate the forehead of the Lord exactly at noon on Ram Navami.

The basic objective of the Surya Tilak project is to focus a tilak on the forehead of the Shri Ram idol on every Shri Ram Navami day. Under the project, sunlight will be brought on the forehead of Lord Ram at noon on Shri Ram Navami in the Chaitra month every year, Dr S K Panigrahi, a scientist at CSIR-CBRI Roorkee, who was associated with the project said.

Elaborating further, Panigrahi said, The position of the Sun changes every year on the day of Shri Ram Navami. Detailed calculations show that the date of Shri Ram Navami repeats every 19 years.
ASIO chief Mike Burgess has clarified why Monday night's church attack has been deemed a terrorist attack, while Saturday's stabbing spree was not.

"The simple answer there is to call it a terrorist attack you need information or evidence that suggests it was religiously motivated or ideologically motivated," he said.

"In the case of Saturday, that was not the case, and in this case, the information we and the police have before us would indicate that is strongly the case."

Sydney has been rocked by two knife attacks in recent days, however only one was deemed an act of terror.

Monash University's Dr Ran Porat, an expert on extremism in the Australian Arab and Muslim community, told Yahoo there are "many different" definitions for terror, with one study outlining at least 200.

He pointed to internationally renowned terrorism expert Professor Boaz Ganor who suggests that Terrorism is "a type of violent struggle in which violence is deliberately used against civilians, in order to achieve political goals". Reasons for such an attack can include national, socio-economic, ideological or religious ideas.

"In other words, terror is different from other types of violence as it is directed at civilians  not soldiers, to spread fear in the public, and is politically motivated, for example achieving a change in the government and/or its policies. Absent a political aim, this violence could be understood as a crime," Dr Porat explained.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb pointed to the public aspect by stating authorities were confident criteria for a terrorist act were met in part due to "the intimidation of the public through that person's acts", not only those present at the church but those watching via livestream.

"Terrorism achieves maximum effect when it provokes an angry response  think of 9/11 and October 7 2023  and that appears to have been the deliberate intent of last nights attack," Deakin University's Research Professor in Global Islamic Politics Greg Barton told Yahoo.

By deeming the attack as a terrorist act immediately, police allowed themselves to activate an array of wider powers, Police Commissioner Webb said. NSW Premier Chris Minns added the time an individual was in custody could be longer if needed.
In one of the largest operations by security forces in Chhattisgarh, as many as 29 Naxalites have been killed and their bodies were recovered on Tuesday in the Kanker area. This figure can go up as the search operation is still on, Chhattisgarh Police said.

Of the 29 Maoists, more than a dozen were women who were wielding deadly weapons and trying to protect the men when forces attacked them.

Three security personnel, including two Border Security Force jawans and one personnel of the state polices District Reserve Guard (DRG), have suffered injuries.

According to officials, if the figure crosses 30 casualties from the Naxals side, this would be the largest operation by forces in the past 10 years. Before this, Greyhound commandos had eliminated 30 Naxalites in an operation in 2016. In another operation in 2021, top Naxal leader Milind Teltumbde along with 25 others was eliminated.

However, this would be the first operation in which a large number of Naxals were eliminated with no casualties from the security forces side.

On April 16, a search operation by a joint team comprising of Kanker DRG and BSF was launched in the Chhottebetiya police station limit area in Kanker district. At around 2 pm, there was an exchange of fire between Maoists and security forces near Binagunda-Koragutta jungles of the Chhottebetiya Police station area, Chhatisgarh police said.

After the encounter, the area was searched and 29 Naxals dead bodies along with a huge cache of AK 47 rifle, INSAS, SLR/Carbine, .303 rifles and huge quantities of arms ammunitions recovered from the spot, it said.

Three jawans, who were injured in the operation, are out of danger.

Officials said that so far 3 SLRs, 1 AK-47, 2 pistols, and 2 INSAS have been recovered.

We shared five inputs, including two inputs giving exact location (one input with GR also) of the north Bastar DVC Maoists in Binagunda area underlining the fact that it acted like a permanent camp of the Maoists since April 5, an official said.

According to the police, top Naxals Shankar Rao, who had a reward of Rs 25 lakh on his head, and Lalita (both DVCMs, North Bastar Division) are believed to be amongst those killed in the operation.

This is one of the biggest anti-naxal operations in the area, according to Bastar IG P Sunddaraj.

All naxalites killed in the operation were from the north Bastar division. The operation was launched after information of the presence of senior naxals Shankar, Lalita, and Raju in the area, he said.

After the latest encounter, 79 Naxalites have been killed in separate gun battles with security forces in the Bastar region, comprising seven districts, including Kanker, so far this year.

The operation against Naxalites comes three days ahead of the first phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024. While Kanker will vote on April 26, the Naxal hotbed of Bastar will vote on April 19.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the security forces on the success of the operation and called Naxalism the biggest enemy of development.

In a post on X, he wrote, Today, a large number of Naxalites have been killed in the operation of security forces in Chhattisgarh. I congratulate all the security personnel who made this operation successful with their bravery and wish for the speedy recovery of the brave policemen who have been injured. Naxalism is the biggest enemy of development, peace and a bright future of youth.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are determined to free the country from the scourge of Naxalism. Due to the offensive policy of the government and the efforts of the security forces, Naxalism has been confined to a small area today. Soon Chhattisgarh and the entire country will be completely Naxal-free, the Home Minister added.
In a tragic incident of road rage, a cab driver in Delhi was assaulted, stabbed and shot dead by a group of men in front of a large crowd after his vehicle hit an e-rickshaw accidentally.

Shakib, a cabbie, was dropping off a passenger before heading home to have a late dinner with his wife when he hit an e-rickshaw near Red Fort, The Indian Express reported.

The man found himself in an unwanted situation when three passersby stopped and confronted him over the accident.

Over the next 20 minutes, the 36-year-old man was dragged out of his WagonR, repeatedly assaulted and stabbed, before being shot dead allegedly by those men.

The police said that a huge crowd gathered during the assault but no bystander intervened or called the Police Control Room (PCR) when a crime occurred.

The authorities only received information about the incident after the victim was taken to Lok Nayak Hospital. The suspects are still at large, and their identity remains unknown, according to the police.

Further investigation revealed that around midnight, a WagonR hit a battery rickshaw near Kodia Pul-Chatta rail crossing and an altercation broke out (between the car driver and the assailants). The driver was dragged out of the vehicle by three persons and assaulted even as people started gathering at the spot. Shakib managed to grab hold of one of the persons, the assailant then pulled out a firearm and shot Shakib and the minor who was present at the spot and is an eyewitness to the incident. Both victims were rushed to the hospital by passersby, the publication quoted DCP (North) Manoj Kumar Meena as saying.

In another similar incident, a 44-year-old man allegedly shot dead an assistant sub-inspector and then killed himself on Tuesday in the Nand Nagri area of northeast Delhi, police said.

According to police, they received a PCR call around 11.40 am reporting multiple bullet rounds being fired at the Meet Nagar Flyover that killed ASI Dinesh Sharma and injured another person.
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal  currently in judicial custody  filed a plea on Tuesday, seeking permission to consult his regular doctor through video conferencing as his blood sugar levels are fluctuating.

His application was filed before Special Judge Rakesh Syal in the Rouse Avenue Court. Judge Syal asked the Enforcement Directorate to file a response by April 18.

The counsel appearing for the probe agency, which arrested Kejriwal in the excise policy case on March 21, opposed the AAP chiefs plea and argued that there are facilities necessary for such patients within the jail, adding that he can be examined there itself.

Kejriwals counsel, in response, asked Why is ED opposing if I (Kejriwal) am taking care of my health? He urged the court to allow the virtual consultation for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief.

The next hearing in this matter will take place on Thursday, April 18.

Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court extended Kejriwals judicial custody till April 23. It also refused an early hearing of the Delhi CMs plea challenging his arrest.

This development came after the top court postponed the plea of Kejriwal on the week starting from April 29. The SC also asked the ED to file its response on or before April 24.

Appearing for Kejriwal, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, had told the apex court that the arrest was made to disable him from campaigning.

Lodged in Tihar Jail, Kejriwal faces allegations of direct involvement in a conspiracy related to the formulation of the excise policy favouring specific individuals. He is also accused of collecting kickbacks from liquor business owners in exchange for favours, the ED had said.

(With PTI inputs)
Veteran air warrior Squadron Leader (retd) Dalip Singh Majithia, who joined the Indian Air Force during the tumultuous years of World War II and distinguished himself as a fearless aviator during his career, has died. He was 103.

The centenarian, who had over 1,100 flying hours to his name, including missions in aircraft such as Hurricanes and Spitfires, passed away at Uttarakhands Rudrapur in the early hours of Tuesday, IAF sources said.

He was affectionately called Maji by his fellow air warriors. Sqn Ldr Majithias leadership skills were forged and tested in the crucible of war, they said.

From patrolling of skies to reconnaissance and bombing missions, he took on each challenge with grit, skill and unparalleled courage. His tenure as the flight commander of the legendary Number 4 Squadron  The Fighting Oorials  from 1942 to 1943 at Burma, remains etched in the annals of history, the IAF sources added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to microblogging site X and said that Sqn Ldr Majithias passing is a profound loss to the Indian Air Force.

Squadron Leader Dalip Singh Majithia Jis exemplary career and valour exemplify the highest ideals of service and dedication to our country. His passing away is a profound loss to the Indian Air Force, he said, adding that his contribution will forever be a source of inspiration. Condolences to his family and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.

Squadron Leader Dalip Singh Majithia Jis exemplary career and valour exemplify the highest ideals of service and dedication to our country. His passing away is a profound loss to the Indian Air Force. His contribution will forever be a source of inspiration. Condolences to his Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 16, 2024

Under the IAF veterans guidance, this squadron became synonymous with bravery and camaraderie, and earned accolades and admiration from all quarters, they said. The IAF on Tuesday bade final farewell to its icon as the centenarian air warrior left an impressive legacy behind.

He was born in Shimla on July 27, 1920 and his passion for aviation propelled him to join the IAF volunteer reserve in 1940 during the tumultuous years of World War II, the IAF sources said.

His exceptional talent earned him the prestigious Best Pilot Trophy during his training at the Initial Training School in Walton in Lahore, they added.
In the thick of the rising spiral of violence in West Asia, CNN-News18 on Tuesday spoke to both the Iranian and Israeli ambassadors in Delhi on the prevailing situation between the two countries.

India has a huge diaspora in the region, which the two ambassadors assured to keep safe.

The Iranian side said their objectives have been achieved by exposing vulnerabilities in Israeli Invincibility and they dont want further escalation.

We wanted to send a serious message to Israel that Iran is serious about defending its security and national interest. We exposed Israels vulnerability, the Iron Dome propaganda, and invincibility. We wanted to prove that you cannot strike and escape. Any strike should be retaliated against. So Israel cannot destroy an Iranian consulate and escape, Iranian ambassador Iraj Ilahi told CNN-News18.

Israeli ambassador Naor Gilon though said that the Iranian attack would not go unanswered.

This 350-projectile attack by Iran and its proxies cannot go unanswered. We have to send a message to Iran that a price will have to be paid, he said.

Israel has always been at war with Iranian proxies, Gilon said. Over the years, Iran has supported proxies through Houthi, Hezbollah, and others, he added.

Referring to Sundays Iranian attack, he said, Support of the US to Israel is second to none. The success was a joint success. We have our technology that is unique in the world. Many countries support and help defend us. All the cruise missiles did zero damage; we sent aircraft also to shoot missiles down. Surface-to-surface missiles being tackled is encouraging. Its still 99% though.

Regarding the strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria, Gilon said, Israel never took responsibility for that attack. There have been several claims from Iran that Israel has been killing peopleWhy did not they act in the past?

Both ambassadors agreed that the tension has passed its peak and while the conflict and military alert remain in place, chances of an imminent full-blown war are over.

Iran and Israel both have strong ties with India. About 18,000 Indians live in Israel and more than 10,000 live in Iran as professionals, workers, caregivers, and students. Both Iran and Israel want to have more Indian connect. While the Israeli ambassador said that Indians in Israel are as safe as Israelis in the country, the Iranian envoy invited more Indians to visit Iran for studies or work.

There are many Indians wishing to go to Israel. Indias advisory is there so it is stopped for now. We hope it will start again soon, Ambassador Gilon said.

Israel has occupied the territory of Palestine, said Ambassador Ilahi. Israel is killing innocent people. Israel is bombarding innocent people. Israel is demolishing the houses of Palestinians. So Palestinians are resisting this violation, this aggression, he said. Yes, we are supporting them, we do not deny this, we do not reject that. But why do we support Palestinians? Because they have lost their territory. They have lost their homeland.

Ilahi spoke about the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel. One also needs to talk about the root cause of these events, he said. No one talks about the seven decades of operation against Palestinians. Also, retaliation by Israel is not proportionateI believe that without the support of the USA, without the cover of the USA, without the support of the UK, France, and other countries, Israel could not do anything.

Gilon said that many Israelis are still in the captivity of Hamas. 133 people there, some dead some murdered, some abused, sexually harassed, he said.

He also spoke about the issue of civilian casualties in Gaza. Most infiltration of 30,000 is from Hamas. We have killed about 12,000 terrorists. Hamas wanted more civilian casualties. We tried to keep the civilian casualties in check, Gilon said. Killing of aid workers was by a mistake on our side; action is taken against people involved in the act. We dont want humanitarian people dead. There is always pressure on Israel. People dont like pictures of dead civilians and military on the other side. We are trying to minimise that. We evacuated about 200,000 people and we are now bringing them back slowly.

The Iranian ambassador said Indian crew members detained after Irans Revolutionary Guards seized a cargo vessel for its links with Israel can leave whenever they want. He informed that there was a woman too in the Indian crew. They have not been arrested by Iranians and are held by the captain of the ship, he said.

Speaking on the issue, Gilon said, Is it legitimate to do piracy? Even if it (the vessel) is owned by Israel, is it legitimate to take it away?

Delhi and Tehran have been coordinating on the issue of Indian representatives meeting the crew.
Observing the lawyers should refrain from highlighting selective cases while highlighting cases of mob lynching, the Supreme Court said let us not go by religion or caste. The apex court also mentioned the case of Kanhaiya Lalthe tailor from Rajasthans Udaipur who was hacked to death outside his shop in June 2022 while it was hearing a Public Interesting Litigation (PIL) raising concerns about a rise in incidents of mob violence against minorities in different states across the country.

The plea also sought immediate interim compensation for the families of victims of mob lynching.

The petitioners counsels referred to individual incidents, arguing that states have named such incidents a general scuffle instead of mob lynching cases. The lawyers said the top courts judgment regarding mob lynching cannot be followed if states keep denying such incidents.

Hearing the arguments, the bench of Justices BR Gavai, Aravind Kumar and Sandeep Mehta asked the lawyers appearing for the PIL to not be selective about the cases which they highlight before the Court.

The bench particularly asked about the killing of tailor Kanhaiya Lal, who was killed in 2022 for allegedly sharing a social media post of former Bharathiya Janta Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma regarding Prophet Mohammad.

What about that tailor in RajasthanKanhaiya Lal who was lynched, asked the Court.

The petitioners lawyer told the court that the Kanhaiya Lal case was not included in the present petition.

To this, the Court said, You have to ensure that it is not selective at all if all States are there.

The Court further remarked that arguments should not be made based on religion or caste.

Dont make submissions based on what we say we are saying it is not about religion or caste.. it has to be about the overall issue which is prevailing, it said.

The apex court had in July last year sought the response of the Central government and the Police of six States on the matter.

On being informed that only Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have filed their responses, the top court said it was expected of all states to at least file their responses and inform the court of action taken.

Supreme Court granted 6 more weeks to states to file their responses regarding action taken in cases of mob lynching.
Diljit Dosanjh is currently basking in the success of his latest film, Amar Singh Chamkila. Amid this, he recently held a concert in Mumbai which was attended by several Bollywood celebs like Kriti Sanon, Varun Dhawan and Neha Dhupia among others. However, what has caught everyones attention is that Diljt gifted his jacket to a female fan, as shared by her on her social media.

During the concert, Diljit threw some of his items off stage towards fans. He tossed his gloves to the crowd and also sent his jacket across, which was received by one of his female fans.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by SIMRAN KEYZ (@simrankeyz)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by SIMRAN KEYZ (@simrankeyz)

On April 13, Diljit hit the stage again in Mumbai and his fans could not keep calm. Fans of Diljit Dosanjh praised his performance in their desi ways with posters saying, Hoega Bieber, hoega Travis, sadda ta ae hi hai. He requested his fans to show more support to Indian artists.

During his concert, Diljit expressed his deepest gratitude toward the director of Amar Singh Chamkila, Imtiaz Ali. He praised and thanked Imtiaz for allowing him to work in the movie. In great enthusiasm, he said,  Mei actor toh hu nhi, par jo film achii lagti hai, wo karleta hoon.

Imtiaz Alis Amar Singh Chamkila is a biographical film based on the life of the legendary artist and electrifying live-stage performer from Punjab, who gained immense popularity during the 1980s. Portraying the lead role is Diljit Dosanjh, while Parineeti Chopra takes on the character of his on-screen wife, Amarjot Kaur. The film is available to stream on Netflix and has been receiving a positive response from audiences and critics alike. News18 gave the film 3.5/5 stars.
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli welcomed their second baby in February this year and announced it social media. Speculations were doing the rounds that Anushka and Virat welcomed their son in London. While Virat is busy with IPL 2024, Anushka has reportedly returned to India. There were rumours that Kohli and Anushka had jetted off to the UK in January. In fact, soon after the birth, Virat Kohli was seen in London with daughter Vamika.

Paparazzo Viral Bhayani took to Instagram to confirm the news and mentioned that Anushka has given an exclusive sneak peek of baby Akaay to the paps at the airport and has said that she will certainly pose for the paps when her kids are not around. Virals post read, Anushka Sharma gave an exclusive sneak peek of the baby to the paps at the airport and also promised to meet soon for a get together. She will pose herself but not when the kids are around. One may recall that, earlier, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt had invited the paps to their residence for a get together. That time, Ranbir showed / revealed the angelic face of Raha to the paps from his phone! Even though she did not allow the paps to click photos or videos of her two kids, she did say that she would do a photo of herself when the kids are not around (sic).

Back in February, Anushka and Virat had taken to social media to write, With abundant happiness and our hearts full of love, we are pleased to inform everyone that on 15th February, we welcomed our baby boy Akaay and Vamikas little brother into this world!

Anushka Sharma tied the knot with Virat Kohli in December 2017. The actress then took a break from acting in 2018 after the release of her movie Zero. The couple then welcomed their daughter, Vamika, in January 2021.
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana recently paid a visit to the new Parliament building and shared glimpses from his tour on social media. The actor was all praises for the building and said that he felt proud of its architectural prowess.

Taking to his Instagram, Ayushmann wrote, Honoured to visit the new Parliament building. Feeling proud witnessing this incredible architectural marvel that represents our shining democracy, our heritage & culture in all its glory. Jai Hind. .

Check out Ayushmanns post here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk)

In one of the videos, the actor said, Bohot hi khoobsurat hai. Its beautiful. Kyuki artist hone ke naate aap hamesha chahte hain ki artist ko ek darja diya jaaye. Khaas kar ki jab aap grass-root level pe kahi jude hote ho. Aur yeh log (the artists whose creations are displayed in the building) grass-root level se hain inhe yeh darja diya gaya hai worlds largest democracy main, its deep.

Its the largest democracy that we have and we have to celebrate that. India is a very young country. We have the largest amount of youth population in the world. Youth is a true opinion leader of our country. Aur agar aapko right apna aage lekar aana hai toh bohot powerful tool hai aapke paas. Aap soch nahi sakte kitna powerful tool hai. Aur aapko ek voice deta hai apne chaheete ya phir jo leader aapki voice ko represent karta hai, Parliament tak leke jaata hai, uska chayan aap kar sakte hain through voting, Ayushmann said in another video.

Ayushmann Khurrana has been roped in by the Election Commission of India to urge youngsters to vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The 39-year-old actor also featured in the ECIs campaign video that encourages the youth to exercise their franchise in the upcoming elections.
Best known for his role as Thor in the Marvel films, Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth has a series of exciting releases lined up. Reuniting with his MCU co-star Scarlett Johansson, Hemsworth has been roped in for Paramount Pictures animated film, Transformers One. Ahead of the films release, Chris Hemsworth recently got into an interesting conversation and shared an exciting detail. Accompanied by his Transformers One co-star Brian Tyree Henry at CinemaCon, Hemsworth recalled the script for a Kevin Costner project that he wanted to work on but lost to the director himself.

While speaking to the outlet, Hemsworth shared how he tried convincing Costner for the role; however, the director went on to cast himself for the particular role.

There was a movie, a script that Id read and loved and was like, I want to get that, and then someone said, Kevin Costner has that. Id love him as a director. I was like, Goddamnit! [I spent an hour the other day trying to convince him and he was like, Im doing it, kid. Didnt work. I didnt get the part, the actor said.

He further explained that it was an abstract and interesting film focused on a small story between a man and a woman.

As long as Im still young enough, Ill play it: Costner on replacing Chris Hemsworth

On the other hand, Costner also spoke to ET on Tuesday and quipped on the incident. Stating Hemsworth would have to wait for his turn, the director added, As long as Im still young enough to play it, Ill play it.

Further, the director had a lot of good things to say about the Marvel star.

Hes so handsome and hes so good. Hes going to have to go find his own love story. Im glad he likes this one. If I reached a moment where I thought I could not do that, I would reach out to him. Hes certainly one of our great leading men right now, Costner added.

During the conversations, both the actor and the director refrained from revealing details about the film in focus.

While Chris Hemsworth is all set to return to theatres with the upcoming Paramount animated film, he recently also announced his next film titled, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. The actor shared a poster of the film and announced that it will be released on May 24, 2024.
CCTV captured the tense moment Geurot, standing at the top of the escalator, waved a bollard at Joel Cauchi who killed six people at Westfield Bondi.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded to calls for the French national dubbed "bollard man" to be granted Australian citizenship after his "extraordinary bravery" during Saturdays mass killing  saying he is "welcome to stay for as long as [he] likes".

In the wake of the shocking attack, which left seven people dead, including the attacker Joel Cauchi who was shot dead by NSW Police officer Amy Scott, footage emerged showing Damien Guerot facing off against the knife-wielding killer in an attempt to contain him.

CCTV captured the tense moment Geurot, standing at the top of the escalator, waving a bollard at the 40-year-old perpetrator in an attempt to stop him in his tracks, with his actions being praised as "heroic". He had not long before arrived at Westfield Bondi Junction with his friend Silas Despreaux when the horrifying attack unravelled.

Prime Minister Another Albanese praised Damien 'bollard man' Guerot for his bravery during Saturday's mass killing at Westfield Bondi Junction. Source: 7News

Anthony Albanese praises 'Bollard man's' courage

Since Guerot's heroic act, a Sunshine Coast solicitor started a campaign to have Guerot's bravery rewarded with Australian citizenship after it was revealed his visa is set to expire in July.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday morning, Albanese agreed Guerot "stood bravely" in the face of danger on Saturday which ultimately helped protect other shoppers from being injured or killed.

Addressing the growing calls to make him a citizen, the PM said, "I say this to Damien Guerot, who is dealing with, his visa application, that you are welcome here".

Damien Guerot was seen fighting off crazed killer Joel with a bollard during Saturday's attack. SourceX

"You are welcome to stay for as long as you like, this is someone who we would welcome becoming an Australian citizen," Albanese continued."We thank him for his extraordinary bravery.

"It says a lot about the nature of humanity at a time when we are facing difficult issues, that someone who is not a citizen of this country, stood bravely at the top of those escalators and stopped this perpetrator from getting onto another floor and potentially inflicting further carnage on citizens.

"I think that on Saturday we saw some of the best of human character at the same time as we saw such devastating tragedy. And I thank Damien for his extraordinary efforts."

In a statement to Yahoo News Australia, Andrew Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, agreed, "Mr Guerots extraordinary bravery is an example of the character we all want to see in our society."

"I am aware of Mr Guerots case and have asked my Department to look into visa options for him," he said. "Once again, we thank Mr Guerot as well as other members of the public, our heroic police officers and first responders who have helped protect others from danger."

The lawyer behind the campaign, Belinda Robinson, Principal Solicitor at Robinson Law told Yahoo News Australia it's "absolutely amazing" to hear Albanese's remarks this morning.

"The French Ambassador from Canberra has contacted Damien today  the Australian government contacted the French government about him. The French Ambassador will provide an update to him shortly," she confirmed to Yahoo.

Petition to help Damien Guerot signed by grateful Aussies

The construction worker, who has lived in Australia for eight years, is currently on a bridging visa  a temporary visa which allows a non-Australian citizen to remain in Australia for a certain period of time and expires in July.

Belinda said she contacted the Guerot after he was identified as "the bollard man". "I couldn't wait to reach out to him just to say thank you in the first place for the incredible act of bravery," she told Yahoo, revealing she's since been trying to help with his options regarding permanent residency.

"He reached out to me and said that he was so grateful. He sent me a really lovely message just saying that he really appreciates [me trying to help him]," she said.

Robinson, who described the Frenchman as a "humble" man, said he has been "bombarded" with attention since the incident.

"I think it's so helpful for there to be more awareness for him so that we can get more people to sign the petition and more people to try and help," she told Yahoo.

The Queensland lawyer on Sunday started a petition requesting signatures to help in their plight. So far, the petition has gained 1,295 signatures of the 1,500 required. "His brave and courageous act gave police time to arrive to contain the situation, it is unknown how many lives he has saved by his act of selfless heroism," she wrote.

Aussies agreed "he belongs" in Australia after stepping up to help take down the crazed Bondi killer.

"He is a hero and we need people like this in our country," said another who signed the petition. While a third agreed, "This is the character of person that we want in this country".

Police outside Westfield Bondi Junction following the mass stabbing incident. Source: AAP

Heroic tradies describe coming face-to-face with Bondi killer

The French native described the harrowing moment he and his friend Silas Despreaux came face to face with the "empty-eyed" killer. They'd not long before arrived at the shopping centre when the horrifying attack unravelled.

"We tried to catch him but we were going down the stairs, then we saw him going down, so we followed him from the top and tried to throw the bollard at him, but we couldn't," Geurot told 7News on Sunday night.

"I just thought, we need something to catch him," Geurot said. "We didn't think, you cannot think in that moment  it's just like adrenaline. His eyes were like empty eyes, he wasn't there."

Despite his incredible bravery, Despreaux, who joined his mate in trying to fight back against the knifeman, told the network: "I'm not going to lie, I was scared".

"But you cannot just stay away and not do anything," he added. "He was just determined to kill people."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Anushka Sen is all set to gear for her next release Dil Dosti Dilemma. The makers have released the trailer and it has been getting an overwhelming response. The series is adapted from the book Asmaras Summer. Anushka Sen starrer is directed by Debbie Rao and produced by Ten Years Younger Productions. It will launch on Prime Video on April 25.

The trailer opens with Asmara from a privileged family in Bengaluru who is excited to spend her summer holidays in Canada. But her plans take an unexpected turn when she ends up at Tibbri Road, the middle-class neighborhood of her maternal grandparents. She initially views it as a punishment but soon it becomes a journey of new experiences and realizations. Fans dropped heart emojis in the comment section. One of the fans wrote, Cant wait for this oneee Another wrote, Im so excited to see you girl, I cant wait, it looks exciting

Watch the trailer here

View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin)

The seven-part series emphasizes the significance of embracing ones roots and discovering oneself. The series cast includes Anushka Sen, Kush Jotwani, Tanvi Azmi, Shishir Sharma, Shruti Seth, Suhasini Mulay, Vishakha Pandey, Revathi Pillai, and Elisha Mayor. Dil Dosti Dilemma will premiere in Hindi, with dubs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.

Anushka Sen shares, Reading the script of this series, was like finding a piece of myself in Asmaras character  shes both familiar and unique in her own way. What really drew me to this story, is that it is a celebration of friendships and the importance of family bonds. I believe Dil Dosti Dilemma is a fresh, relatable story that speaks to people of all ages. Im grateful to our director Debbie, the producers, and the entire Prime Video team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to portray such a complex, endearing, and relatable character. Im eagerly looking forward to the series launch on April 25, both in India and in over 240 countries, and I cant wait to see the audiences reaction to this beautifully crafted story.

Anushka Sen, at the age of 21, has a massive global influence and it was further cemented when she was named the Honorary Ambassador of Korea in recognition of her accomplishments. Anushka Sen will also be making her grand debut in South Korean cinema with her upcoming project, Asia.
Actress Evelyn Sharma is a mother of two kids. The actress first embraced motherhood in 2021 and welcomed her second child last year in July. Her Instagram feed is full of glimpses of kids and their joyous moments at home. However, in her recent post, the actress made a disheartening revelation about dealing with Perinatal Depression. It involves a feeling of extreme sadness and despair during the postpartum period. She also shared being hospitalised for three weeks during her darkest days.

Sharing her journey post-motherhood and how she navigated through the challenges of depression, Evelyn wrote in her post, Theres never been an easy time to transition into motherhood. The moment of birth is a shock for both baby and mother, full of blissful and terrifying emotions.

Urging her fans to extend support to new mothers, the actress added, I would like to share my journey of #PerinatalDepression with you. To create awareness. To encourage you to become the village a mom near you needs.

Evelyn further highlighted, I took this selfie on one of my darkest days. I was hospitalised for 3 weeks. Im now in recovery. Thankfully I was able to get the help I needed.

The Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani actress, through her post, raised awareness as she advised people to seek help in case of depression or anxiety.

Evelyn Sharma got married to Australian dental surgeon and entrepreneur, Tushaan Bhindi in an intimate ceremony in Brisbane, Australia, in May 2021. The couple welcomed an adorable baby girl in November 2021. Moving forward to 2023, the Yaariyan actress announced her second pregnancy, 14 months after entering the parental bliss with her husband.

Meanwhile, Evelyns filmography includes Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone starrer Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). Next, she went on to garner love for her role in Yaariyan (2014), Main Tera Hero (2014), Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017), and Saaho (2019). In 2020, she stepped away from acting and moved to Australia to get married in a country-style wedding.
Around 5 am on Sunday, two motorcycle-borne assailants fired outside Bollywood star Salman Khans house in Mumbais upmarket Bandra locality and fled, leaving the vehicle near Mount Mary Church, approximately a kilometer away from the actors residence.

The Mumbai polices crime branch told a local court on Tuesday that the two arrested men aimed to kill Salman.

So how did the police crack the case? Sources told CNN-News18 that the crime branch activated its network of informers and started tracking the phones of the two men, which were on.

It was found that they were in Gujarats Kachchh district. A team took a flight from Mumbai to Rajkot and then went 350 kilometres by road to Kachchh.

The team reached Nakhatrana city, informed the local police, and took four of their personnel with them in anticipation of the attackers carrying weapons.

Finally, the accused were taken into custody around midnight from the famous Matanomadh temple in Kachchh.

They were brought to Bhuj by road and then taken to Mumbai via an Air India flight (8.55-10.10).
Claudia Kims unbelievable transformation for the upcoming television series The Atypical Family has caught the attention of the masses. The South Korean actress, who will be playing the role of Bok Dong-hee, a retired runway model, who has gained a few pounds for her character through special makeup. On April 14, the makers dropped a few pictures on Instagram, featuring Claudia Kim in her first-ever plus-size avatar. Directed by SKY Castle fame Cho Hyun-tak, The Atypical Family is scheduled to premiere on the JTBC channel on May 4.

In the first still, Claudia Kim as Bok Dong-hee was captured holding a large packet of potato chips. She tucked one piece on her finger, presumably to eat it. The actress looked unrecognisable, with a fuller face, broad shoulders, and extra weight around her waist. The following slide offered a glimpse of Bok Dong-hee, probably during her modelling days when she was fit and skinny. The last click gave viewers a speculative hint of Bok Dong-hees mental condition, where she seemed sad and teary-eyed.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by JTBC    (@jtbcdrama)

The Atypical Family revolves around a family with superpowers who lost their special abilities after encountering realistic problems, reports Soompi. Bok Dong-hee was one among them who lost her ability to fly after gaining weight, post her runway retirement.

Social media users were impressed by Claudia Kims drastic transformation and reacted to the pictures. Never expected that duality but Im all in for this, asserted one individual. Another said, The candy tucked into the second finger. I think shes a lovely character for some reason. A third drama buff found the stills interesting.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Claudia Kim   (Soo Hyun) (@claudiashkim)

Speaking about her character, Claudia Kim in a statement revealed that Bok Dong-hee was a person whom everyone looks up to, quoted Soompi. Despite the stress of gaining weight and dealing with inner conflicts, she refrains from comparing herself to others, trying to be a better person and confident in her skin.

Claudia Kim added that it was her first time attempting special makeup. The process was more challenging than I thought. But after seeing how Bok Dong Hee is depicted in the scenes, I feel grateful as an actress that my character is enriched, she said.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Claudia Kim   (Soo Hyun) (@claudiashkim)

Beginning on May 4, The Atypical Family will air every Saturday and Sunday.
Days after shots were fired outside Salman Khans Galaxy Apartments in Mumbais Bandra area, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met the Bollywood superstar at his home this afternoon days. During the visit, the Chief Minister assured Khan and his family of their safety and informed them that their security had been increased.

Police will take stringent action in the Salman Khan firing case, CM Shinde after the meeting.

I met with Salman Khan and assured him the government is with him. I also directed the police team to take immediate action on this and in that path two of the accused have been arrestedI have also directed the Police Commissioner to provide security for Salman Khan and his family Instructions have been given to Mumbai Police regarding security It is our duty to take care of our people, he told reporters outside Galaxy Apartment.

#WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde arrives at the residence of actor Salman Khan.On the firing incident outside actor Salman Khans residence on April 14, CM Eknath Shinde says, I met with Salman Khan and assured him the government is with him. I also directed the police pic.twitter.com/liweoYNtmX  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

This is Maharashtra, no gang is left hereBe it Lawrence Bishnoi or anyone else, we will eliminate him. Bullying by anyone will not work in MaharashtraWe will uproot all the gangs and goonsHere hooliganism will not be allowed to continueIf any gang is to be found involved in this, they will not be sparedThe accused arrested are being interrogated Strict actions will be taken I dont want to comment on what happened in the past government, but we will uproot all the gangs and goons who will try to harm any person of the state, the CM added.

Salmans father and senior screenwriter Salim Khan, former MLA Baba Siddiqui, MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui and Yuva Senas Rahul Kanal were also present during the meeting.

#WATCH | Mumbai | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde met actor Salman Khan at his residence.Inside visuals from the residence. (Source: Eknath Shinde office) pic.twitter.com/lbMmfCOBNm  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

The security around the actors home was tightened before the Chief Ministers arrival.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

On Sunday, two persons fired four rounds outside Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, around 5 am and fled from the spot.

Accused Wanted To Kill Salman

Two persons, including a man who allegedly opened fire outside Khans residence, were arrested from Gujarats Kutch district on Monday night. They were identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21)  both residents of Bihar, Deputy Inspector General of Kutch-West, Mahendra Bagadiya, said.

The duo was produced on Tuesday before a magistrates court here.

The Mumbai polices crime branch submitted to a local court that the two arrested accused opened fire outside Khans house in an attempt to kill him.

The police sought their custody for 14 days on the ground that custodial interrogation was required to unearth the conspiracy and to identify the mastermind behind the incident.

Additional chief metropolitan magistrate L S Paden remanded the two accused in police custody till April 25.
Malaika Arora and son Arhaan Khan are all set to engage in a spicy conversation for an upcoming episode of their vodcast, Dumb Biryani. After Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan, Malaika will make a guest appearance on Arhaans vodcast, where they will discuss sex, marriage and social media.

In a teaser, shared on the vodcasts official Instagram page, Malaika asks Arhaan about when he had sex for the first time. When did you lose your virginity? The Bollywood diva asks her son. Malaikas question left Arhaan speechless.

Arhaan further asks her mother, Are you a social climber? To which, she blatantly refused. He then asks the most inevitable question: When are you getting married is my next question?

In the last episode, actors Arbaaz and Sohail Khan spoke about their equation with Salman Khan. We are very close. When we were young, we were of course staying together. Then we started working and moved out of home. One (Salman) hasnt gotten married, but we (him and Sohail) got married and separated also and then I got remarried, he said.

Arbaaz continued, The thing is, we may not be there when were doing individual things, but we are together in crisis. Thats when people usually run away from each other, he said, adding, Salman and I might not meet often or communicate that often but if he realises I am in strife, that man isnt going to hesitate, whether its me, Sohail, or anybody else.

Arbaaz was married to Malaika Arora for 19 years before the duo parted ways in 2016. They were officially divorced in 2017. They have a son together, Arhaan. He married makeup artist Sshura Khan in December 2023 at sister Arpitas home in Mumbai. Malaika, on the other hand, is dating actor Arjun Kapoor.
Over a month after winning Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11, Manisha Rani has now claimed that she has not received her prize money of Rs 30 lakh yet. Manisha recently appeared on content creator Mahesh Keshwala aka Thugeshs vlog when she revealed that even though people think its raining money, it is not the case.

The Jhalak winning amount still hasnt come, and they will deduct half of it. People think its raining money in my life, but that only happens with those who have a Crorepati boyfriend, but neither do I have a Crorepati nor a boyfriend in my life, she said.

Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11s grand finale was held on March 3, 2024. Manisha emerged as the winner of the show, leaving behind Shoaib Ibrahim, Dhanashree Verma, Adrija Sinha, and Sreerama Chandra. She was honored with a prize of Rs 30 lakhs, while her choreographer, Ashutosh Pawar, reportedly received Rs 10 lakhs. The duo also won a grand trip to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manisha Rani (@manisharani002)

On winning the title, Manisha shared, This journey has been nothing short of a dream come true, and I owe it all to the love, support, and encouragement of the judges and the audience. I knew this experience would change my life, and it truly has. As a wildcard entry, I had to work twice as hard to prove myself, and every moment has been filled with excitement and my growth as a dancer.

I am grateful to my choreographer, Ashutosh, who has been very understanding, and each week, he has pushed me to broaden my horizons and discover new facets of my dancing abilities. This win is not just mine; it belongs to everyone who believed in me and supported me throughout this journey, she added.

Prior to Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11, Manisha Rani was also seen in Bigg Boss OTT 2. In the show, her chemistry with Abhishek Malhan aka Fukraa Insaan was widely loved by all.
Rapper and Bigg Boss 16 winner MC Stan recently attended the star-studded concert of Diljit Dosanjh in Mumbai when he met his crush Kriti Sanon. Stan took to his Instagram stories to share a picture with The Crew actress. In the photo, the two were seen posing together as they flaunted their smiles for the camera. While Kriti looked prettiest in a black top, Stan looked dapper as always in a white shirt paired with a black jacket.

In the caption of his picture, MC Stan expressed his admiration for Kriti Sanon and wrote, Crush. For real @kritisanon. Love me when the rest of them wont. Dammmmm!!! Check it out here:

MC Stan has firmly established himself as a powerhouse in the Indian hip-hop scene. The rapper enjoys a massive fan following, which only multiplied following his Bigg Biss 16 win.

Earlier this month, Stans fans were left concerned after he shared a surprising message on his social media, indicating his intention to quit rapping. Im going to quit rapping, he wrote. However, the post was deleted later.

In March this year, MC Stans YouTube channel with 9 million followers was also hacked. I was asleep and meri neend khuli raat ko 3 baje and saw that a live session is going on through my Youtube account. I got shocked in that moment. Bahut zyaada stressful the vo 12 ghante mere aur mere manager ke liye. Raat ke 4 baje bhi 25K watching chalrahi thi live par. Mere channel profile se sab udd gaya tha, sab logout hogaya tha. This has happened with many people before but when it happened with me, I realised how much it hurts. Meri lifeline hateli par agayi thi. I thought my life is finished and I will have to start from scratch again. Meri 6 saal ki mehnat hai, mujhe rona agaya tha, he told Hindustan Times while talking about the same.

Meanwhile, on the work front, MC Stan ventured into Bollywood with his playback debut in the Alizeh Agnihotri feature film Farrey. His latest musical endeavor, Numb, was also released on March 8, 2024.
When Prasanth Varma had revealed that he was auditioning a big star for Hanu Mans sequel, Jai Hanuman, rumours were rife that he was talking about Ranveer Singh. However, as per the latest reports, while Ranveer will not be leading Jai Hanuman, he will collaborate with Prasanth for a big-budget entertainer.

Ranveer Singh is a big fan of Prasanth Varmas work and met him right after the release of Hanuman. When he saw Hanuman, he went gaga over it. The director has been in talks with the actor for a big-budget film for the last 3 months. They have met multiple times and continue to be in discussions. Ranveer is sold on the idea and acknowledges the fact that its a very ambitious project. Its a yes from Ranveer for the film in principle and the team is now figuring on other modalities to get things started, revealed a source close to the development.

Ranveer knows that such projects are challenging, and needs backing from strong producers and studios. While he is bowled over by the concept, script pre-visualization, and vision, he wants to announce the film once all the factors are covered. He is well aware of the budgets that the film needs, and hence is working with Prashanth to close in all the deals, the source informed.

Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh is soon going to welcome his first child with Deepika Padukone. The two announced their pregnancy in February this year when Deepika shared an adorable poster with September 2024 written on it. The poster also had childrens clothes, toys and balloons as the border. Deepika and Ranveer have been married for over five years now.

The pregnancy announcement came weeks after Deepika said that she wanted to have kids with Ranveer. The actress was speaking to Vogue Singapore when she said, Absolutely. Ranveer and I love children. We look forward to the day when we will start our own family.
The arrested shooters in Salman Khan house firing case will be presented before a Mumbai court on Tuesday morning. The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), were flown down to Mumbai from Gujarats Bhuj.

An image of the two in handcuffs, along with Mumbai crime branch officials, has been doing rounds on social media.

Residents of West Champaran in Bihar, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal are allegedly involved in firing gunshots outside Bollywood actor Salman Khans house in Galaxy Apartments in Mumbais Bandra area on April 14.

They were arrested in a joint operation by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch and West Kutch Police from Gujarats Bhuj late on Monday. They are history sheeters and have cases such as theft and chain snatching registered against them.

A report by Indian Express quoted Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Lakhmi Gautam as saying that the men had fled to Surat from Mumbai from where they went to Bhuj and lay low.

They are being brought to the city where they will be produced before the court. We will be interrogating the accused to find out who gave them the contract for the firing, Gautam was further quoted.

A preliminary investigation has confirmed their link with Lawrence Bishnois gang. Section 120 B (Conspiracy) will be added to the FIR registered in the case. Earlier, a case was registered in the matter under the Arms Act and Attempt to Murder.

#WATCH | Two accused identified as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal were arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch from Gujarats Bhuj, in connection with the firing incident outside the residence of actor Salman Khan.(Source: Bhuj Police) pic.twitter.com/JdtXZVQrZj  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

The accused had fired four rounds outside Bandras Galaxy Apartments, where Salman Khan resides, around 5:00 am on Sunday and fled the spot. According to top sources, the firing was a pre-planned conspiracy. The two miscreants had reportedly rented a house for a month in Navi Mumbais Panvel area, approximately 12 km away from Salman Khans farmhouse.

They had also conducted a recce of Galaxy apartment four times before carrying out the attack.

Police are investigating to find out if the accused had conspired to carry out some operation at Khans farmhouse at Panvel.

Lawrence Bishnoi gang took responsibility for the firing outside Salman Khans House, top Mumbai Police sources said and claimed that the attack was carried out by gangster Rohit Godara, who operates Bishnois gang in Rajasthan.

Godaras name surfaced after gangster Lawrence Bishnois brother Anmol Bishnoi allegedly took responsibility for the attack in a Facebook post and signed off the post crediting Lawrence Bishnois gang, Goldy Brar, Rohit Godara and Kala Jathari.

Heavy police force was deployed outside the actors residence, Galaxy Apartments following the incident.

After the firing, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to Salman Khan over a phone call and also held discussions with the Mumbai Police Commissioner.

Salman Khans father, Salim Khan reacted to the gunshots that were fired at the actors house and said there was nothing to worry about. Speaking with CNN News18, Salim Khan said, There is nothing to tell. They just want publicity, there is no need to worry, he said.
The attack on bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel has been deemed an 'act of terror' by NSW authorities.

Chilling footage taken moments after a teenager allegedly stabbed a prominent Sydney bishop shows the suspected 16-year-old smiling and taunting a group of men attempting to pin him to the ground.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was attacked  alongside three other men  while delivering a sermon at a church in Wakeley, in Sydney's southwest, on Monday evening in what authorities have deemed an act of "terrorism," NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed on Tuesday morning.

The terrifying incident was live-streamed with the accused teen, wearing a black hoodie, seen calmly approaching the Assyrian orthodox Christian leader before appearing to stab him multiple times. Worshippers then rushed towards the alleged terrorist  who has since been arrested  with videos showing at least three men, including a police officer, holding him face down on the ground.

FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES ON SYDNEY CHURCH STABBING

The teen who allegedly stabbed a Sydney bishop, and was being held by three men, was seen smirking while questioned about his motives. Source: Twitter

One man, who sits with the teen's head between his legs, has visible blood on his jeans and appears to slap the teen's face before a police officer intervenes. A voice in the video appears to question the motives behind the attack, saying "While people are praying, youre gonna do this? Youre gonna f***ing do this?"

The teen then turns his face to the camera and flashes what's being described on social media as an "evil grin," prompting an enraged response from one of his captors heard in the video.

"Youre a f***ing idiot. Laughing? Youre a f***ing idiot. Youre gonna cop it. Youre gonna get " the man off camera says.

Social media commentators have described the unnerving footage as "pure evil".

Read more:

On Monday vision emerged of a bishop appearing to be stabbed during a service. Source: Twitter

Teen under police guard after alleged Sydney stabbing

Police last night arrested a 16-year-old boy in Sydney's southwest following the brutal attack. Police said the boy had serious hand injuries amid unsubstantiated rumours his finger was cut off during the scuffle that followed.

The alleged offender is recovering in hospital after he underwent surgery for injuries. He remains under police guard.

Officers had to barricade themselves inside the church with the boy for several hours as the violence continued outside. A number of police officers were injured after being hurt during the unrest.

The shocking scenes come days after after six people were killed and more injured, when Joel Cauchi targeted people with a knife at Bondi Junction Westfield on Saturday.

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The arrested shooters in Salman Khan house firing case have been sent to custody till April 25 by a Mumbai court. The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), were arrested from Gujarats Bhuj late on Monday.

The Mumbai Police said that the accused had conducted a recce of Bollywood actors house thrice. The language used in a Facebook post was threatening, and role of Anmol Bishnoi (brother of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi) is visible, a senior officer added.

Lawrence Bishnoi has warned Salman Khan that Sundays attack at his house in Mumbais Bandra was first and final warning.

How Mumbai Police Nabbed the Accused

The Mumbai Police said on Tuesday that they learned from the crime branch that the shooter might be in Gujarat. They were likely to have weapons, the police said.

The police form 12 teams to nab the accused. The teams left for Gujarat late on Monday night and informed the Bhuj Police. Four officers of Gujarat Police helped Mumbai Police in the entire operation.

The police say that the accused were nabbed 58 km away from Bhuj in Nakhatrana. The accused were hiding at Mata nu Madh temple.

We cracked the case using human and technical intelligence, Mumbai Police said.

How The Accused Carried Out The Firing

Both the accused are from the Champaran district of Bihar. Sagar Pal was working in Haryana and had called Vicky as both of them stay in adjoining villages in Champaran.

As per the police, the accused recced Salman Khans residence thrice. They were staying in Mumbai for some time to carry out the recce.

The accused came to Mumbai on February 28. They were spotted near Taj Lands End, Bandra on February 29 and March 1.

On March 1, the went to Panvel to rent a house. The accused paid Rs 10,000 deposit for a house that they were staying at in Panvel for a rent of 3,500 rent. The rent agreement was dated March 10 and was valid for 11 months. Both the accused used their Aadhaar cards for the agreement and the payment was made in cash. The house was 10 km away from Salman Khans farmhouse.

They went back to Champaran for Holi and came back to Mumbai on April 1. The bike which was used to carry out the firing was purchased April 2 for Rs 24,000. The weapon was delivered to them in Mumbai. The police say Sagar Pal was the one who fired.

The police believe that the accused had planned to attack at the place from where Salman waved to his fans and that is where bullets were fired

After carrying out the firing, the two accused travelled by road from Mumbai to Kutch. They travelled from Mumbais Vakola to Surat by car and took state buses from Surat to Ahmedabad and Ahmedabad to Kutch.
Shatrughan Sinha condemned the firing outside Salman Khans house on Sunday. The actor-politician called the firing dastardly and cowardly act. Sinha, whose daughter Sonakshi Sinha made her debut with Salman Khan in Dabangg (2010), said that his first thought after the firing was the safety of Salmans family. He also urged that the safety and security of film personnel should be a priority.

Salman and his family, including his father, the great writer Salim (Khan) saab, are very close to my heart. When I heard of the incident on Sunday morning, my primary concern was the safety of the family. Salim saab and Salman are among the pride of our film industry. We as one fraternity should come forward to condemn such a dastardly, cowardly act, he said, speaking with Times Now.

Noting that fans are always praying for Salman and his familys safety, he added that necessary measures need to be taken to control such attacks. Iss terah se khule aam aatank phailana (spreading terror openly like this), this is certainly not a healthy sign, he said.

On Monday night, the Mumbai Police confirmed that the two accused were caught in Gujarats Bhuj late on Monday night. Both the accused, who fled Mumbai after the firing, have been arrested from Gujarats Bhuj, officials told news agency ANI. Two accused involved in Salman Khans residence firing case arrested by Mumbai crime branch from Bhuj district of Gujarat. The accused have been identified as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal. According to sources, cops located both the bike borne accused involved in the firing case to Bhuj district. The accusers have been brought to Mumbai for questioning.

Arbaaz Khan broke his silence over the firing incident outside Salmans house. The recent incident of firing by two unidentified person on a motorcycle at Galaxy apartment the residence of the Salim Khan family is very disturbing and unnerving. Our family has been taken aback by this shocking incident that took place, Arbaaz wrote.

Unfortunately some people claiming to be close to our family and pretending to be the spokesperson have been making loose statements to the media saying its all a publicity stunt and the family remains unaffected which is not true and these views should not be taken seriously. No member of the Salim Khan family has made any statement regarding this incident to the media. At this time the family is helping and cooperating with the people in the investigation of this untoward incident. We have faith in the Mumbai police and we have been assured that they will do everything in their capacity to protect and secure our family. Thank you everyone for your love and support, he added.
Silence 2 Movie Review: A perfect murder mystery should be like peeling an onion, with each layer revealing new complexities and surprises. Aban Bharucha Deohans thriller Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout starts with a seemingly straightforward crime, but as the investigation progresses, the plot thickens, unveiling hidden motives, conflicting alibis, and unexpected connections.

The thing about a crime thriller is that the pace is of supreme importance, and having to compromise on that calls into question the handling of the narrative. The Commissioner of Police tasks ACP Avinash Verma (portrayed by Manoj Bajpayee) and his Special Crime Unit (SCU) with investigating a mass shooting at the Night Owl Bar in Mumbai. As they dig deeper, they uncover signs of a larger, more intricate, and sinister plot unfolding. At the center of the mass murder is a young girl, whose death leaves breadcrumbs of clues that lead both the officers and the audience down twisting paths of suspicion and intrigue. One suspect leads to another, and soon, the team, presided over by ACP Avinash, begins to unravel the mystery. But as the plot sporadically loses grip, it is Manoj Bajpayees effortless performance that redeems it.

Azma, a young girl, is deduced to be the main target in a shootout that kills 10 people. Not much effort is put into finding out what Azma did for a living. A quick look at her wardrobe, which has expensive bags and designer clothes hanging from it, is enough for Inspector Sanjana Bhatia (Prachi Desai) to jump to two possible conclusions  the victim either had a rich boyfriend or was an escort.

Meanwhile, calls are traced, alibis are questioned, and the prime suspect  one Arjun Chauhan  cold, ruthless, and eccentric in his behavioural patterns  is pinned. Too many things happen too quickly for the audience to catch up. In a bid to put together a complex, layered narrative, what the makers serve is a hotchpotch of a plot by merely blurring the lines between allies and suspects. As the final piece of the puzzle is put in place, you feel tired, dragged on for a good 2.2 hours, for an underwhelming moment of truth. Besides, the depiction of a rich bunch of mens debauchery comes across as cliched and lacking in depth, reducing the characters to mere stereotypes.

A few stray moments stand out in terms of writing and Manoj Bajpayees brilliance. The scene in which ACP Avinash asks his team to treat everything at a victims house with respect is beautifully written and executed. Another scene in which Avinash loses his cool at a pimp who forces underage girls into prostitution feels too uncomfortable to look at but too real to turn away from. Another scene leading up to the point where a crime location is being gheraoed by the cops deserves mention.

One wishes Prachi Desai had more to do in a film where she plays the character of a sub-inspector, but the script fails her. Shes mostly relegated to the background and finds most screen space when she has to break bad news to the unassuming kin of a victim. Silence 2 is a Manoj Bajpayee show through and through. Not only does he get to play the meatiest part, he also gets to mouth the catchiest dialogues dipped in wry humour. His character also exudes a certain empathy towards victims, which is absolutely effortless. Parul Gulati, as Aarti, does justice to her part. Dinker Sharma does a good job as Arjun, but the character feels caricaturish at certain points.

The second half is stretched, and the ending is underwhelming. While the buildup wasnt all that bad, its the ending that dilutes the effort a bit. Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout attempts to address a plethora of social issues simultaneously. While the films ambition to shed light on these pressing matters deserves applause, the execution falls short, resulting in a narrative that feels overstuffed and a bit scattered. By trying to tackle too many issues at once, the film struggles to delve deeply into any one of them, leading to a lack of depth and coherence in its portrayal. As a result, the themes are treated superficially, somewhat diluting the impact of the films social commentary.

That being said, Silence 2 definitely deserves a watch if you like murder mysteries. And as always, Manoj Bajpayee is at his finest. Its worth a watch despite the flaws.
The BJP released its election manifesto, known as the Sankalp Patra for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls on April 14, 2024, in the dynamic presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others. Over 1.5 million recommendations, including 400,000 from the NaMo app and 1.1 million recommendations were submitted via videos, truly showcasing the spirit of participative democracy.

Some defining highlights of this highly inclusive and pro-people manifesto are:

Launching an indigenous Bharat Krishi satellite for farm-related activities like crop forecasting, pesticide application, irrigation, soil health and weather forecasting and periodic review of the national floor-level minimum wages.

Inclusion of auto-rickshaw, taxi, truck drivers and other drivers in all social security schemes.

Empowerment of small traders and MSMEs through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to help them expand their businesses using technology.

A focused approach towards tribal healthcare, measures to eliminate malnutrition among tribal children and providing comprehensive healthcare services in tribal areas on a mission mode.

Measures to eliminate sickle-cell anemia.

Modi Ki Guarantee for a secure and prosperous Bharat.

Robust infrastructure along the borders and technological solutions on the fenced portions to make fencing smarter.

Implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Making India the third-largest economy in the world.

Expansion of employment opportunities.

Measures to make India a global manufacturing hub in various sectors, including electronics, by 2030.

Bringing a Uniform Civil Code.

Making One Nation, One Election a reality.

Quality education, establishing new institutions of higher learning.

Balanced regional development, maintaining peace in the Northeast.

Resolution of inter-state border disputes among the Northeastern states through sustained efforts.

Elder citizens (aged above 70) and the transgender community to be brought under the ambit of PM Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

Continuation of free ration for the next 5 years under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

Pledge to build 3 crore more houses for the needy.

Cheap piped gas to be made available for all households.

Free electricity to poor households under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

The BJP manifesto also promises to make 3 crore women Lakhpati Didis, up from the nearly 1 crore women who have achieved the feat

Especially abled people to be given priority in the PM housing scheme as per their special needs.

Existing healthcare services aimed at the prevention and reduction of breast cancer, cervical cancer and osteoporosis to be expanded, with a focus on omitting cervical cancer.

Implementation of strict laws to stop misconduct in recruitment examinations in the country.

Promise to keep increasing the MSP of crops from time to time, with a pledge to launch a Krishi Infrastructure Mission for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of agri-infrastructure projects as well as an indigenous Bharat Krishi satellite for farm-related activities.

Enhancement of the fisheries sector by modernising infrastructure, providing financial support and facilitating the skill development of fishermen. With India being the third-largest fish-producing country globally, the BJP aims to leverage this sectors potential for economic growth and social development through strategic initiatives outlined in its election manifesto and it is this eye for detail that ensures that the Modi government always delivers.

In this article, the focus will be on One Nation, One Election (ONOE), which is an idea whose time has come. The former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, in his address to Parliament in January 2018, mentioned this as one of the critically needed reforms. He said that citizens are concerned about frequent elections in one part of the country or another, which adversely impacts the economy and process of development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken emphatically about the desirability of having one election across the country. Therefore, the idea is not a bolt from the blue. The central idea is to synchronise the timing of Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections across all states to reduce the frequency of polls throughout the country.

The idea of ONOE made its debut in the first annual report of the Election Commission in 1983. It had supported holding simultaneous elections to reduce expenditure, for effective use of manpower and human resources and also because frequent elections affected the day-to-day functioning of the government, both at the state level and the Centre, creating hardship for common people.

The topic was revived by the 170th Report of the Law Commission, submitted in 1999. The Report underlined the desirability of holding elections to the Lok Sabha and State assemblies once in five years but admitted that it could not be achieved overnight in the prevailing circumstances. The proposal however, gained momentum with the manifesto of the BJP for the 2014 Lok Sabha election, which stated that the party would seek to evolve a method of holding Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously.

There was a flurry of activities, post-1999, after a long hiatus. The 79th Report of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, submitted in 2015, was devoted to studying the feasibility of holding these simultaneous elections. It recommended an alternative and practicable method of holding simultaneous elections, which involved holding them in two phases twice in every five-year cycle. NITI Aayog issued a working paper on the subject in 2017 titled, Analysis of Simultaneous Elections: The What, Why and How. It broadly recommended a gradual move to synchronisation of elections between Parliament and State legislative assemblies between 2019 and 2024.

This was followed by a draft report of the Law Commission in 2018, which also recommended holding of simultaneous elections, with some exceptions. The Commission noted that for holding simultaneous elections, amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and State assemblies would be required. Such an exercise would save public money, reduce the burden on the administrative set-up and security forces and lead to concentration on developmental activities rather than election duties, the Commission said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the All India Presiding Officers Conference via video conference, on November 26, 2020, raised the pitch for One Nation, One Election and a single voter list for all polls, in order to prevent the impact of the model code of conduct (MCC) on development works every few months, due to frequent spread-out polls. One Nation, One Election isnt just an issue of deliberation but also the need of the country.

On one voter list, the PM observed, Only one voter list should be used for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and other elections. Why are we wasting time and money? Emphasising the need for coordination between all three wings of the State  the legislature, executive and judiciary  PM Modi stated that everything, from their role to their decorum, was described in the Constitution itself. In the 1970s, we saw how there was an attempt to breach the dignity of separation of power, but the country got the answer only from the Constitution. After that period of Emergency, the system of checks and balances became stronger and stronger. The legislature, the executive and the judiciary, all three, learned a lot from that period and moved forward, he said at the conference.

ONOE was in fact, the practice till 1967, but it was disrupted due to various reasons such as defections, dismissals, and dissolutions of government. Subsequently, due to defections and counter-defections between parties, several legislative assemblies dissolved post-1960, which eventually led to separate polls for Lok Sabha and State assemblies. This synchronised cycle was first broken in Kerala, in July 1959, when the Centre invoked Article 356 of the Constitution to dismiss the ministry headed by EMS Namboodiripad of the Communist Party, which had assumed power after elections in April 1957. This was followed by state elections in February 1960.

ONOE enables the government to concentrate on governance even better. Today, there is some election or the other in some part of the country, at least every three months. The entire attention of the country becomes focused on these elections. There is a virtual paralysis of administration at various levels in varying degrees. ONOE will lead to continuity in policy decisions. Even when no fresh policy decision is necessary, implementation of ongoing projects gets derailed during election periods as the political executive as well as government officials are engaged with election duties.

One of the main reasons for political corruption, it is said, is frequent elections. An enormous amount of money has to be raised at every election. Election expenses of political parties can be reduced drastically if elections are held simultaneously. There would be no duplication of fundraising. This would save the public and business community from a lot of pressure for election donations, multiple times. Furthermore, the expenses incurred by the Election Commission (EC) can be reduced if elections are held simultaneously. Of course, the EC would have to invest a considerable amount of money initially to put in place the necessary infrastructure. Moreover, the same electoral rolls can be used for all the elections. This will save a tremendous amount of time and money spent on updating electoral rolls. It will also make it easier for the citizens as they would not have to worry about their names missing from the electoral rolls once they are enlisted.

A large number of police personnel and paramilitary forces are engaged to ensure that elections are conducted peacefully. This involves massive redeployment, involving huge costs. It also diverts key law enforcement personnel from their critical functions. Such deployment can be curtailed with simultaneous elections. Holding simultaneous elections could potentially reduce horse trading by elected representatives, which remains a concern even with anti-defection laws in place. Frequent elections lead to many state governments making policy decisions, only with the aim of wooing the electorate at every election. Even though this cannot be stopped fully, the frequency with which governments have to announce freebies will come down. Frequent elections have led to a situation where many state governments are broke. With a smaller number of elections, their finances could be in better shape.

Articles 83(2) and 172 of the Constitution stipulate that the tenure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies respectively will last for five years unless dissolved earlier and there can be circumstances, as in Article 356, wherein assemblies can be dissolved earlier. Therefore, critics of the ONOE plan ask  What would happen if the Central or any state government collapses mid-tenure? Would elections be held again in every state or will the Presidents rule be imposed? Again, what about the logistical challenges in terms of availability and security of electronic voting machines (EVMs), personnel and other resources? EC may face difficulties in managing such a massive exercise, it is alleged. The present form of recurrent elections can be seen as beneficial in a democracy as it allows voters to have their voices heard more frequently, say some experts. As the underlying issues of national and state polls are different, the present framework prevents the blending of issues, ensuring greater accountability, allege a few others who are against ONOE.

A 2015 study by the IDFC Institute found a 77 per cent chance that the winning political party or alliance will win both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in that State when held simultaneously, undermining the distinctive demand and needs of each state, say those who do not support ONOE. Well, all these criticisms are lame and the advantages of ONOE far outweigh any potential negatives, if any.

While One Nation, One Poll will result in huge savings in expenditure, it cannot be achieved without dramatic changes to our Constitution. India has adopted a quasi-federal set-up and is neither unitary like Britain nor fully federal like the US. Members are elected for the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assembly. Impartiality of the election process requires strict vigil on the part of the Election Commission. PM Modi has repeatedly asked the presiding officers of elected bodies to ponder over the idea of having one election and one voter list, to do away with the Aaya Ram and Gaya Ram style of politics.

The anti-defection law is special to India. It has, however, not been foolproof. Splits and mergers in political parties over the years gave room for conflict between the speakers jurisdiction and the courts role. The prime cause for the instability of elected governments in India in the last few decades must be traced to the decision of the Congress party which misused the power that it enjoyed at the Centre, to dismiss state governments run by Opposition parties and declare Presidents rule on flimsy grounds.

At one stage, nine state governments were dissolved at one stroke under Article 356 of the Constitution, by the erstwhile Congress regime. The practice would have continued unabated but for the Supreme Court ruling in the S R. Bommai case. Ours is a quasi-federal structure. In England, the king reigns but does not govern. In the US, the President both reigns and governs. The Indian President neither governs nor reigns, though he is constitutionally a very important figure and not a mere figurehead, as most would like to believe.

In the US, the state governor, like the President, is elected directly. We chose to emulate the British cabinet system, restrained by the spirit of collective responsibility. Morality is sacrificed at the altar of expediency due to frequent elections. The Charan Singh government, decades back, was overthrown within just four months. Russian President Vladimir Putin altered the law to enable himself to be the President of Russia till 2036. China, a while back, went through the one candidate election, in an election that had no candidate other than Xi Jinping, making a mockery out of what was anyway a farce to start with. Xi won the elections with 99.86 per cent of the votes.

India, in sharp contrast, stands out as a country with full allegiance to democratic conventions and One Nation, One Election will further strengthen democratic institutions and our socio-economic fabric. This theme has been an abiding one for Prime Minister Modi. While critics say it is against the principle of cooperative federalism, such criticism is unfounded. An option often suggested by some constitutional experts is that if it is not possible to conduct simultaneous elections, then at least all elections falling in one calendar year should be conducted together.

Historically, elections during the first two decades after Independence for the House of the People and state legislative assemblies were held simultaneously, i.e., during 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967. The dissolution of certain assemblies in 1968 and 1969, followed by the dissolution of the House of the People in 1970 and subsequent general elections in 1971, disturbed the cycle of simultaneous elections. Indiscriminate use of Article 356 (Presidents Rule) of the Constitution, by the Nehru-Gandhi establishment, also disrupted the schedule of simultaneous elections.

Various studies of the international scenario found that a system to ensure simultaneous election does exist in certain countries. In Germany, the Bundestag (i.e. the Lower House) cannot simply remove the Chancellor with a vote of no-confidence, as the opponents must not only disagree with the governance but also agree on a replacement, by way of a constructive vote of no-confidence. In some countries including India, in the event of a hung House/assembly, it is mandated that all efforts must be made by the president/governor, as the case may be, to install a government that will enjoy the support of the House/assembly. This would give an opportunity to the largest party, along with its pre-poll or post-poll alliance(s). If, however, a mid-term poll becomes inevitable, the duration of the House/assembly so constituted should be only for the remainder of the term. In the UK, the Parliament of Westminster introduced a fixed term by enacting the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, 2011, which provides a term of five years for general elections. The Act of 2011 specifies that early elections can be held only if a motion for it is agreed upon either by at least two-thirds of the whole House or without division, or if a motion of no-confidence is passed and no alternative government is confirmed by the Commons, within 14 days thereof.

The biggest argument in favour of holding simultaneous elections is the fact that governments do not have to be in election mode all the time, thereby making governance and policy-making more seamless. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) prevents governments from announcing new schemes and making appointments. Deputing government employees frequently on election duty hinders public services, including school education, as well as the maintenance of law and order and national security. Simultaneous elections will, therefore, reduce the time and cost involved in the conduct of elections and will curb corruption and illicit financing of elections. Those who allege that One Nation, One Election will be the harbinger of a unitary State are clearly misguided.

Again, there are concerns that simultaneous elections will impact the behaviour of voters, as national and local issues may get mixed up and distort priorities, giving an unfair advantage to national parties, at the expense of regional parties. Such concerns are, however, overdone, with no logical basis. Voters today, are very aware of both local and national issues and to assume that they will get confused if elections are held simultaneously, is an insult to the intelligence of the electorate. True, it may be a tad difficult to find a suitable time slot, given the geographical and administrative diversity relating to weather, agricultural cycle, exam schedule, religious festivals and public holidays, in a country as vast as India. However, the positives of simultaneous elections far outweigh any perceived negatives. The sheer logistics involved in holding simultaneous elections, in terms of requisitioning and movement of men, women and material, may make the exercise a mammoth one, but it is manageable.

Also, accusations that simultaneous elections may result in misuse of Article 356 or early dissolution of the Lok Sabha or any of the State assemblies, are simply a figment of the imagination of those who do not want One Nation, One Election. True, a large number of amendments to laws, rules and regulations would need to be carried out, making the task very arduous, but it is certainly worth the trouble. Amendments to the Constitution would encompass Articles 83 (duration of Houses), 85 (dissolution of the Lok Sabha), 172 (duration of state legislatures), 174 (dissolution of state legislatures), 356 (failure of constitutional machinery) and the Tenth Schedule (to ensure that all disqualification issues arising from defection are decided by the presiding officer within six months). Ratification of the amendments by not less than one-half of the State legislatures may also be required to be taken as a matter of abundant precaution.

Amendments to laws would inter alia require changes in the Representation of the People Act, 1951, such as Section 2 (adding a definition of simultaneous elections), and Sections 14 and 15 (notification of general and assembly elections). The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Lok Sabha and assemblies would need to be amended to replace Motion of No-Confidence with Motion of Constructive Vote of No-Confidence.

In the final analysis, a meeting of minds may be a good beginning in the pursuit of the goal of One Nation, One Election. But to take the idea to fruition will require not only a meeting of minds and a political consensus but also a resolute determination to act, in the larger national interest. And certainly, the courage of conviction, the ability to visualise and the will to execute and successfully implement, even the most seemingly difficult initiatives is something that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has in abundance. Be it One Nation, One Tax, One Nation, One Mobility Card, or for that matter, One Nation, One Ombudsman or even One Nation, One Ration Card, the Modi government has repeatedly showcased its ability to think big and then ensure that those big ideas are effectively implemented on the ground. Larry J. Sabato famously said  An election is always determined by the people who show up. Clearly, for the democratic process to retain its sanctity and not suffer from any fatigue, it is important to see those eligible for voting, participate in large numbers. That in turn makes it essential to make elections into an exercise that is not too frequent. One Nation, One Election is clearly an idea whose time has come. Also, if ONOE has to be implemented, it can only be done by a leader of the stature of PM Modi who has both the foresight and the courage of conviction to see it through.

Coming back to the BJP manifesto, it focuses on empowerment of women, youth, poor and farmers, with highlights like senior citizens aged above 70 and transgenders to be brought under PM Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The manifesto targets GYAN  Gareeb (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadaata (farmers), and Nari (women). It also focuses on making India prosperous, strengthening its international relations, and fostering the development of the countrys heritage, among others. Guarantee to make India the third-biggest economic power in the world from the fifth position currently, sums up the ethos of Prime Minister Modis thinking.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime is a famous adage. Well, this adage squarely sums up the difference between the Congress and BJP manifestos. While the Congress wants to focus on freebies, the Modi government wants to ensure that an aspirational India is not merely a pipe dream but an achievable goal that uplifts every citizen.

Sanju Verma is an Economist, National Spokesperson of the BJP and Bestselling Author of The Modi Gambit. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Recently, there have been several irresponsible public statements regarding the fuel status of an aeroplane that was diverted due to adverse weather conditions. These comments, often speculative and uninformed, have created unnecessary panic and concern among passengers and the public. It also casts baseless allegations on MoCA and Airlines.

Its crucial to understand that pilots and airlines adhere to stringent fuel management protocols such as Minimum Destination Fuel (MDF) and contingency measures to handle unexpected events like weather diversions safely. The aviation industrys primary concern is safety, and regulations are in place to ensure that even in the event of a diversion, aircraft have more than sufficient fuel to reach an alternative destination safely, including reserves for additional eventualities.

Public commentary that disregards these safety measures can undermine trust in aviation procedures and needlessly alarm travellers about the robust safety systems that are a fundamental part of modern air travel.

How did we get here?

Here is a case study of Avianca Flight 52.

Avianca Flight 52 was a regularly scheduled flight from Bogota, Colombia, to New York City, operated by the Colombian airline Avianca. The tragic crash occurred on January 25, 1990, when the Boeing 707 aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed in Cove Neck, New York, on Long Island. The crash resulted in the deaths of 73 out of the 158 people onboard, including 8 of the 9 crew members. This disaster is particularly noted for its insights into issues of communication, resource management, and operational procedures in aviation.

Reasons Behind the Avianca Flight 52 Crash

Fuel Exhaustion

The most direct cause of the crash was fuel exhaustion. The aircraft ran out of fuel after a flight that included a prolonged period of holding due to air traffic congestion at New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The flight was held aloft longer than the crew anticipated, and despite having reserves, it was not sufficient under the prolonged delay.

Communication Issues

A critical factor in the crash was the failure of effective communication between the flight crew and air traffic controllers at JFK. The crew, whose first language was Spanish, communicated in English but did not explicitly convey the severity of their low fuel state as an emergency until it was too late. The terminology used did not adequately express the urgency, leading to a misunderstanding of the critical nature of the situation by the air traffic controllers.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) Delays

The flight was subjected to multiple holding patterns and was put in a sequence behind other arriving international flights. JFK was experiencing unusually high traffic and adverse weather conditions that day, which led to significant delays. The air traffic controllers did not prioritise the flight as an emergency based on the crews communications.

Crew Resource Management

The crash highlighted issues in crew resource management, including the crews handling of the situation and decision-making processes. The captain and the first officer failed to assertively declare an emergency concerning their fuel state until moments before losing power, which might have prompted more immediate action from ATC.

Weather Conditions

Adverse weather conditions at JFK also contributed to the situation by necessitating the use of longer holding patterns for all inbound flights, which compounded the fuel situation for Flight 52.

Organisational and Regulatory Factors

There were also broader organisational and regulatory issues at play, including the policies regarding fuel reserves for international flights and the procedures for handling potential fuel emergencies both by airline crews and air traffic controllers.

The crash of Avianca Flight 52 had significant repercussions on international aviation policies, particularly those concerning communication, emergency handling, and fuel management. In response to this tragic event and its causes, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), along with national aviation authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, implemented several key policy changes aimed at improving safety and preventing similar incidents in the future. Here are some of the notable changes that were made in the form of ICAO Annex 6 Part 1 Amendment 36.

Understanding ICAO Annex 6 Part 1 Amendment 36: Enhancements to International Aviation Safety

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is pivotal in establishing global aviation standards that enhance air safety, efficiency, and environmental protection. Amendment 36 to ICAO Annex 6 Part 1 represents a significant evolution in these ongoing efforts, focusing on numerous key areas to bolster international flight operations. This article delves into the specifics of the amendment, its implications, and the benefits it aims to bring to the global aviation community.

Overview of Amendment 36

ICAO Annex 6 Part 1 concerns the operation of aircraft and is a critical component in the international standards and recommended practices (SARPs). Amendment 36, implemented to reflect the latest advancements and learnings in aviation safety, includes comprehensive updates aimed at enhancing operational procedures, safety equipment requirements, and pilot training standards among others. The amendments broad scope ensures that it addresses multiple aspects of flight operations, from cockpit technology to crew member health standards.

Key Features of Amendment 36

Enhanced CVR and FDR Requirements

Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVRs) must now record at least 25 hours of cockpit audio, up from the previous two-hour requirement. This change ensures that audio from longer flights can be thoroughly reviewed when necessary. Flight Data Recorders (FDRs) are required to capture a broader range of data parameters, providing a more detailed picture of aircraft performance during all phases of flight.

Upgraded Standards for Flight Tracking

Continuous tracking of aircraft is mandated under certain circumstances, aimed at improving the ability to locate aircraft that are in distress or remote areas. This provision was largely influenced by the disappearance of MH370, highlighting the need for better tracking and monitoring.

Improved Safety Management Systems

The amendment further integrates Safety Management Systems into daily operational practices, ensuring that all personnel are involved in identifying and managing risks.

Fuel Planning and Management Enhancements

Updates to fuel policy regulations strengthen the requirements for minimum fuel reserve calculations and emergency fuel planning, aiming to prevent incidents of fuel exhaustion.

Implications for Global Aviation

The changes introduced in Amendment 36 are designed to make international air travel safer by leveraging technology and updating standards to reflect current challenges and technological capabilities. These enhancements help prevent accidents and incidents while ensuring that airlines are better prepared for a range of emergency situations.

Benefits of Amendment 36

Increased Operational Safety: The extended recording time for CVRs and additional data capture by FDRs allow for more effective investigation and understanding of incidents. Improved Crisis Management: Enhanced tracking capabilities facilitate quicker response times in emergency situations, potentially saving lives. Enhanced Risk Management: The reinforced SMS provisions help airlines prevent accidents before they occur, promoting a culture of safety at all levels of operation. Unambiguous Fuel Management. Minimum Destination Fuel (MDF) and May Day Fuel were brought in.

Understanding Minimum Destination Fuel and Mayday Fuel

Minimum Destination Fuel

Minimum Destination Fuel (MDF) is the calculated minimum amount of fuel required for an aircraft to reach its destination airport and then to an alternate airport if necessary, including reserves for unforeseen circumstances. MDF is a crucial calculation that ensures an aircraft carries enough fuel to complete its journey safely without running critically low.

Calculation

The calculation of MDF typically includes the following components:

Trip Fuel: Fuel required to reach the destination airport from the last refuelling point.

Contingency Fuel: Typically 5 per cent of the trip fuel or more, to cover unforeseen circumstances like adverse weather, navigation reroutes, or holding patterns.

Alternate Fuel: Fuel needed to reach an alternate airport if a landing at the destination airport is not possible.

Final Reserve Fuel: Often calculated as enough fuel for 30 minutes of flight at holding speed at 1,500 feet above the alternate airport under standard conditions.

Operational Impact

Pilots must constantly monitor their fuel status against MDF, especially as flight conditions change. If projected fuel upon arrival falls below MDF, pilots must take corrective action, which may include rerouting, altitude changes to improve fuel efficiency, or even diverting to an alternate airport well before the situation becomes critical.

Mayday Fuel

Mayday Fuel is the threshold below which an aircraft must declare a fuel emergency using the international distress signal MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. This declaration informs air traffic control and all nearby aircraft that a critical safety situation exists, primarily due to low fuel levels. The aim is to prioritise the aircraft for immediate landing clearance to prevent fuel exhaustion.

Calculation

Mayday Fuel is determined by the following

Expected Fuel on Landing: This includes only the final reserve fuel and any additional fuel required to safely land at the intended destination or an alternate if the primary is unavailable.

Declaration Point: A mayday call is made if calculations show that landing with more than the final reserve fuel is compromised. This decision is critical and is based on real-time assessments of fuel status against the remaining flight path and conditions.

Operational Impact

Declaring a fuel emergency has significant operational implications. It typically results in air traffic controllers giving priority for landing to the aircraft, clearing airspace as necessary, and preparing on-ground emergency services to respond immediately upon landing.

Importance in Aviation Safety

Both MDF and Mayday Fuel are vital for maintaining safety margins during flight operations. They are designed to prevent instances of fuel exhaustion in the air, which can lead to catastrophic outcomes. By strictly adhering to these thresholds, flight crews can effectively manage fuel resources, even in adverse conditions, and ensure that safety is never compromised.

Minimum Destination Fuel and Mayday Fuel are essential concepts in aviation fuel management, acting as critical safeguards to ensure that aircraft operate within safe fuel parameters. The rigorous application of these standards helps to mitigate the risk of fuel-related emergencies, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew across all phases of flight. As part of broader safety management systems, these fuel policies demonstrate the aviation industrys commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards through meticulous planning and proactive management.

Aviation fuel management is a critical component of flight safety, involving stringent policies to ensure that aircraft have sufficient fuel for all phases of a flight, considering unexpected events and emergencies. Among the various fuel management protocols, the concepts of Minimum Destination Fuel and Mayday Fuel are especially significant. These terms define key fuel thresholds that are essential for the safe operation of flights.

Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (retd) tweets at @mjavinod; Vineet Maliakal is COO, AutoMicroUAS. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday welcomed yet another former spokesperson of the Congress, Prateek Anand.

Anand, a former Indian Youth Congress (IYC) member, is also the president of the Jewellers Association.

Anand is the grandson of ex-BJP MPs Sagar Suri and Lalit Suri. During his time at the Congress, he served as the spokesperson of the IYC and also of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee.

His entry into the BJP is yet another jolt to the youth wing of the grand old party.

During his induction into the BJP, Anand said, The people of Delhi are feeling cheated under Kejriwals leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to strengthen this country, and we have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party today to take it further.

He also stated that about 100 Congress workers have joined the BJP along with him and cadres of the Aam Aadmi Party too have switched to the saffron party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought glory to the country across the world. The opposition tries to weaken it, due to which we feel cheated. That is why I left the Congress party and joined the BJP, he said while explaining the reasons for his shift.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday launched her campaign for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency with a road show here with a promise of raising the voice of voiceless people in Jammu and Kashmir.

I have started my election campaign to raise voice against this enforced silence, the wanton arrests and atmosphere of suffocation that prevails here, Mufti told reporters after the road show here.

Pulwama and Shopian have always supported us and I have started my campaign from here. I hope people will make our voice, which talks about the wounds of Jammu and Kashmir, successful, she added. The former chief minister, who is up against National Conference candidate and influential Gujjar leader Mian Altaf Ahmad, alleged that a process of arresting youth has been started since the elections were announced.

Entire Kashmir has been converted into a jail. No one is allowed to talk. Since the elections have been announced, the process of arrests has also started, Mufti said.

You must have heard that recently militants shot at a tourist guide in Shopian which is an unfortunate development. But it does not mean that you will arrest hundreds of youth and place them under the public safety act, she added.

Mufti said the situation was not peculiar to Shopian and Pulwama district. It is not about Pulwama and Shopian districts only, this atmosphere has been unleashed across Kashmir. If they are claiming that everything is normal, then why these wanton arrests? she asked.

The PDP president was accompanied by her partys youth president and candidate for Srinagar Lok Sabha seat Waheed Para. Waheed is here with me. He has suffered everything in the past few years. I feel that he reflects Kashmir and what is happening with its people and its youth, she said.

Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat is going to polls in the third phase of the elections on May 7.
Separating Kukis and Meiteis geographically in violence-hit Manipur in name of safety is against the very idea of India and should be condemned left, right and centre, said Congress Lok Sabha poll candidate A Bimol Akoijam.

An associate professor at Jawaharlal Nehru Universitys School of Social Sciences, Akoijam asserted that as long as the two communities continue to be citizens of the country, they will have to live and work together.

The comments by Akoijam, 57, came amid demands by the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur for a separate administration. Equating the violence in Manipur to Rwanda-like ethnic conflict, Akoijam alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre and in the state has deliberately allowed the situation to aggravate in the state and claimed that there is some purpose behind it.

The kind of situation we are seeingwe dont believe that this can happen in a settled democracy like Indiait almost sounds like an ethnic conflict like those happen in Rwanda for instance, this has been allowed to happen for so longso returning back to normal life will take long, long time, he told .
During the Samsung Unpacked Event in January earlier this year, the South Korean smartphone maker announced a host of new AI features under its Galaxy AI Umbrella. The Galaxy S24 series was the first to receive these features, but last month Samsung also announced that they would also be introducing Galaxy AI to its 2023 flagship devices, like the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Z Flip.

Now, latest reports suggest that the smartphone maker has decided to add these major AI features to their even older flagship phones, including the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S22 series.

According to a report by 9to5Google, citing a post by a Samsung employee, the new AI feature will be equipped in all its flagship 2021 and 2022 smartphones. It was also reported that this feature will be available as soon as next month. The One UI 6.1 update, along with major AI features, will soon be available on other devices.

However, the Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy Tab S8 FE, and some other similar devices will not be eligible for the AI-feature update. The company has also revealed that even though the update will be there for its older flagship phones, they will not be able to support full-fledged AI features like the S24 series.

Samsung Devices Getting Galaxy AI Update

 Galaxy S22,

 Galaxy S22+

 Galaxy S22 Ultra

 Galaxy Z Fold 4

 Galaxy Z Flip 4

 Galaxy Tab S8

 Galaxy Tab S8+

 Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

 Galaxy S21

 Galaxy S21+

 Galaxy S21 Ultra

 Galaxy Z Fold 3

 Galaxy Z Flip 3

Apart from that, the Galaxy S21 series and the Fold/Flip 3 series will get the Circle feature, which will help with searching and magic rewriting. Some of the devices that are eligible for this update include the Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Samsung had also announced that they were planning to add three new dialects to the Galaxy AI, including Australian English, Cantonese, and Canadian English. They also plan to add Romanian, Turkish, Dutch, traditional Chinese, and Swedish later this year.
Former Google Managing Director Parminder Singh intrigued the internet when he revealed a surprising observation about Malaysians during his recent trip to the country. Singh, in the recent X post, highlighted that Malaysians often mistake Sikhs for Bengalis. According to him, its not just Sikhs who are called Bengalis in Malaysia, people from all over North India are referred to as Bengalis in the country. Singh learned about this misconception during a recent meditation retreat in Malaysia, where Malay Indians shared this fact with him. Interestingly, some even called him Parry Dada, a term used for elder brotherhood. In his viral post, Singh offered historical origins to shed light on this matter and garnered numerous reactions on social media.

Singh explained, In Malaysia, Sikhs are often referred to as Bengalis. I recently learned this fact and the fascinating history behind it. British India had three sea ports, Calcutta, Madras and Bombay. British Malaya was served by ships from Calcutta and Madras. Most North Indians used the Calcutta port, the majority of whom were Sikhs recruited for army, police and security jobs. To the Malay people, everyone who didnt come from Madras, essentially everyone from North India, was a Bengali.

I learned this during a recent Vipassana meditation retreat in Malaysia from some fellow Malay Indians. In a lighter vein, some of them insisted on calling me Parry Dada (the Bengali term for elder brother). I suppose this is the opposite of how many of us North Indians tend to label everyone from the South as Madrasis, Parminder Singh added.

In Malaysia, Sikhs are often referred to as Bengalis! I recently learned this fact and the fascinating history behind it. British India had three sea ports  Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay. British Malaya was served by ships from Calcutta and Madras. Most North Indians used the Parminder Singh (@parrysingh) April 14, 2024

Since the post was shared on X, it has gone viral and garnered over 1 lakh views. A user shared that Sikhs are referred to differently around the world due to different levels of knowledge.

Yea all over the world we are undersrood differently as per their own perception, based on lack of knowledge but in reality we the Sikhs carry values of of each one of those. We are like a VIBGYOR of the world communities and hence all names are acceptable. Gurinder Dhillon IPS (@gurinipspb) April 14, 2024

Another individual found history to be intriguing on numerous occasions.

Interesting one.History is pretty fascinating many a times !  S. P. Singh (@spsingh1956) April 14, 2024

An individual claimed that in the southern regions of India, individuals from outside their states are labelled simply as North Indians.

Just as in south every non-South Indian is labelled North Indian. Concept of Central India, Western India and Eastern India is lost on them. Divya Kanwar (@DivyaKanwar14) April 14, 2024

Another highlighted that a traditional salwar-kurta/kameez, is referred to as Punjabi in Odisha.

That is so amusing. Reminds me of what a salwar-kurta/kameez is called in Odisha. It is called, believe it or not, Punjabi!!! Imagine telling the shopkeeper there Show me colourful Punjabis Ashutosh Sinha (@AshutoshSinha00) April 14, 2024

One more revealed that in East Africa, Sikhs are commonly called Kala Singha, due to an early immigrant named Kala Singh.

Interesting. In East Africa, Sikhs are called Kala Singha. An earliest immigrant Sikh was one Kala Singh and Indians with beard and similar turban like Kala Singh got the same name tag. Ashok Attri (@AmbassadorAttri) April 14, 2024

In 1955, English Brigadier Hannikar wrote a book called Red Shadow over Malaya. He mentioned that Sikhs, Punjabi Muslims, some Dogra and other North Indians were mistakenly called Bengalis. Unfortunately, this misunderstanding went on for many years due to locals ignorance and Sikhs failure to educate others about their identity. Even after Bengalis started arriving to work in Malaysia in recent years, Sikhs were still generally seen as Bengalis by the locals, while Bangladeshis were called Bangla or Bangladeshi. However, it wasnt until around 1984 that the educated locals realized their mistake and began accurately referring to Sikhs as Sikhs or Punjabis.
It comes after an investigation into the hygiene standards at multiple Woolworths stores in New Zealand.

A disturbing sight inside a Woolworths store gave some customers "a good fright" with one woman reportedly looking as if "she was going to be sick".

Shoppers spotted a large mouse lying on a shelf in the breakfast cereal aisle at a store in Auckland, according to local media  once again raising concerns about the state of the supermarket's New Zealand stores.

It comes following an extensive investigation into previous footage showing rodents running rampant across multiple stores  including in Dunedin and Christchurch  earlier this year. New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) confirmed to the New Zealand Herald officials are looking into the matter once more after another mouse was spotted surrounded by an opened bag of cereal on Sunday.

A dead mouse was seen next to an open cereal packet in a Woolworths store in New Zealand. Source: New Zealand Herald.

An image taken inside the Pukekohe store was reportedly shared on social media by a concerned shopper. The mouse, believed to be dead, appeared to have chewed through the corner of a bag of Sanitarium Ricies, which can be seen on the supermarket floor.

One shopper told the Herald she saw a woman who "looked as if she was gonna be sick" before informing a staff member who was "pretty quick to clean it up".

It's understood New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) has been in contact with the store regarding the matter. Meanwhile, a Woolworths spokesperson told the publication the supermarket was investigating

Deputy director-general of NZFS, Vincent Arbuckle, said it was not unusual for rodents to find their way into supermarkets "from time to time" but insisted "they should not be in contact with food, or be evident to consumers, as it appears in this photo."

Rodent infestation plagues Woolworths

Earlier this year, the Dunedin South Woolworths (formerly Countdown Dunedin South) was forced to close for 18 days after numerous sightings of rodents in the store. Local media reported up to 19 rats were caught in the Dunedin store.

Days earlier, a mouse was spotted scurrying over potato salad in the deli section of a separate store in the city of Christchurch. The incidents prompted New Zealand Food Safety to launch an independent review of Woolworths' pest management processes across its New Zealand stores.

Rats were spotted in Countdown, Dunedin South, sitting on a shelf and looking up at customers. Source: Newshub

Meanwhile, a customer last week admitted they saw bird poo dripping along an overhead aisle sign at Woolworths' Three Kings Auckland store. The shopper said the sign was directly above food items.

A spokesperson for Woolworths said birds in stores were "an unfortunately common issue", the signs were cleaned once staff were made aware of the issue. It is understood the supermarket uses several preventative measures to deter birds, including netting and flaps over doors.

Previously in Australia, Woolworths launched an investigation earlier this year after black mould was discovered spread across a milk fridge at a Sydney store.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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The Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Madras has released the practice test papers for the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced) 2024 on the official website of the exam, jeeadv.ac.in. Prospective candidates are encouraged to access the official portal to view and download the JEE Advanced mock tests to begin their exam preparation. Practice tests are an invaluable source for exam preparation. They provide a simulated exam experience that enables candidates to assess their readiness, identify strengths and weaknesses, and familiarise themselves with the exam format and time constraints. Also, the practice tests provide an opportunity to practice time management, refine exam strategies, and build confidence.

The JEE Advanced Practice Tests for Paper 1 and Paper 2 are now accessible on the exam portal. Candidates can visit the Resources section on the official website to view and download the JEE Advanced mock tests. Here is a step-by-step guide and a direct link for the candidates:

1) Visit the official website of JEE Advanced exam.

2) Click on the Resources tab on the top navigation bar of the homepage

3) Choose the links for the JEE Advanced Practice Test Papers to download them or use the direct links given below

4) Go to Sign In and read the exam instructions carefully before attempting the practice tests

Candidates who are among the top 2.5 lakh in JEE Main 2024 can register for the JEE Advanced exam. Registration for JEE Advanced 2024 will begin on April 27 and will end on May 07.

The JEE Advanced 2024 admit card will be available on the official website from Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 26. Candidates can download their JEE Advanced admit card through the official portal by providing their registration number and date of birth. The JEE Advanced 2024, which is designed to select candidates for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), consists of two compulsory exams  Paper 1 and Paper 2  each of three hours duration.

This year, the exam is being organised by IIT Madras and is scheduled for Sunday, May 26. Paper 1 will be held from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by Paper 2 from 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM. Subsequently, IIT Madras will release the provisional answer keys on June 2 and the final results will be announced on June 9. Moreover, the Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) 2024 is scheduled for June 12 and the results are expected by June 15. The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) process is expected to begin on June 10.

For more details and important updates about the JEE Advanced exam, visit the official website at jeeadv.ac.in. For more details and important updates about the JEE Advanced exam, visit the official website at jeeadv.ac.in.
Traditional forms of dance and music are often associated with celebrations and festivals across the country. Especially in the Bengali culture, festivities and dance are inseparable companions, each enhancing the beauty and vibrancy of the other. Dance plays a pivotal role in Bengali celebrations, adding an extra layer of joy and cultural richness to every occasion. Whether its the graceful movements of traditional dances like the Odhishi or the energetic beats of Dhunuchi Naach during Durga Puja, dance is a language that speaks to the soul, bringing communities together.

Very recently, this deep-rooted connection between dance and festivities was beautifully exemplified in an Instagram influencers fusion dance which she performed to celebrate the Bengali New Year. Also known as Dasom Her or Luna, this influencers Korean-Indian fusion dance performance has now gone viral. The video has been entertaining and gaining praise from the online audiences globally.

Set to the melodious tune of Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo, originally sung by Farida Khanum, Dasoms performance is incredibly emotive, showing her apparent mastery of both Indian classical music and dance forms.

In the video, she elegantly draped a handloom saree, using subtle facial expressions and intricate hand gestures to interpret each lyric of the song.

This song, this dance, has stolen my heart. Shubho Nobo Borsho, my warriors of light! Your presence brings me immense gratitude, and Im so happy to have you by my side on this journey. My goal is to continue creating content that brings joy to your lives and mine too, read her caption.

She also wished for her followers year to be wrapped in warmth and love. Sending my love to each and every one of you, she added.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dasom Her (@lunayogini.official)

Before this, she had also wished her followers on this special occasion in Bengali language.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dasom Her (@lunayogini.official)

One viewer, deeply moved by her dance, commented, Wow Such a beautiful performance. Sending lots of love and blessings to you on this new year. Another admirer wrote, I admire you for everything. Im so grateful to have you as an inspiration. Such grace! Happy Bengali New Year, Luna! read another comment while a person commended her saying, Amazing and effortless.
A mysterious object that crashed on the roof of an American mans home last month has been confirmed to be a hunk of debris ejected from the International Space Station, the space agency NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) confirmed in a blog post on Monday.

On March 8, 2024, a mysterious object crashed through the roof of Alejandro Oteros home in Naples, Florida. Otero took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to describe the incident stating the object tore through the roof and went through two floors of his house, almost hitting his son.

Hello. Looks like one of those pieces missed Ft Myers and landed in my house in Naples. Tore through the roof and went thru 2 floors. Almost his my son. Can you please assist with getting NASA to connect with me? Ive left messages and emails without a response, Otero wrote in the post.

Hello. Looks like one of those pieces missed Ft Myers and landed in my house in Naples. Tore through the roof and went thru 2 floors. Almost his my son. Can you please assist with getting NASA to connect with me? Ive left messages and emails without a response. pic.twitter.com/Yi29f3EwyV Alejandro Otero (@Alejandro0tero) March 15, 2024

NASA which subsequently collected the object from Otero for analysis admitted that the object weighing 1.6 pounds (700 grams) was discarded by the International Space Station in March 2021.

In March 2021, NASA ground controllers used the International Space Stations robotic arm to release a cargo pallet containing ageing nickel hydride batteries from the space station following the delivery and installation of new lithium-ion batteries as part of power upgrades on the orbital outpost. The total mass of the hardware released from the space station was about 5,800 pounds, the space agency detailed in a blog post.

Despite expectations that the hardware released from the space station would fully burn up during re-entry through Earths atmosphere on March 8, 2024, a piece survived and impacted Oteros house in Florida.

Based on the examination, the agency determined the debris to be a stanchion from the NASA flight support equipment used to mount the batteries on the cargo pallet. The object is made of the metal alloy Inconel, weighs 1.6 pounds, is 4 inches in height and 1.6 inches in diameter, the agency confirmed.

The US space agency also vowed to investigate how the debris managed to survive re-entry without being fully destroyed in the atmosphere.

NASA remains committed to responsibly operating in low Earth orbit, and mitigating as much risk as possible to protect people on Earth when space hardware must be released, it said.

Space objects colliding with Earth have been numerous. Last year, a woman was hit by a small meteorite while she was enjoying a cup of coffee on her terrace. The incident took place in the Schirmeck district of northeastern France.
Have you ever had the urge to witness extinct animals being brought back to life? Just like in Steven Speilbergs classic cult film Jurassic Park? The film has always seemed like a science fiction fantasy to everyone, but what if we tell you this might turn into reality? The term de-extinction seems strange, but it could become increasingly common in the coming years. Scientists are getting closer to the prospect of reviving extinct animals on Earth with genetic engineering methods and technology development. Scientists who have made significant progress toward bringing back extinct species like the Dodo and Mammoth have promised to bring back more such animals.

Colossal Biosciences, a Biotechnology company, is already working toward bringing back extinct animals, such as the Tasmanian tiger. They are currently also using ancient DNA to bring back extinct animals that have never been discovered in the fossil record. Professor Beth Shapiro, the companys chief science officer, said in an interview: The past, by its very nature, is different from anything that exists today and so it is ripe for discoveries. Were like explorers, but instead of going to distant places on the planet, were going to the distant past, and we dont really know what were going to find.

In Greenland, scientists have discovered DNA pieces that date back two million years, and, likely, samples from far earlier ages are still stored. The DNA they found belonged to an animal that resembled a horse that existed 700,000 years ago. Scientists who have worked on Jurassic Park-style projects think they can mine the DNA of a 7,00,000-year-old horse or donkey to extract its greatest features.

These scientists believe they can select the features of animals as well. After which, they might be able to produce new super-breeds that will be suitable for the world where climate change occurs often. Professor Shapiro added, My own academic research lab has found a new species of Arctic equid that lived in North America approximately 7,00,000 years ago. Its not a donkey or a horse, but its something from those ages. He mentioned how they uncovered topics that were not covered in any fossil records to bring back the characteristics of extinct creatures that might aid in the ability to adapt to the future.
The first-ever in-orbit combat drill will be soon conducted by the US military in preparation for potential battles outside Earth.

The Space System Command (SSC) will arrange the first of this technology by making history in the process. Its goal is to get the US military ready for any combat that may arise outside Earth.

SSC released a statement on Thursday, April 11, about this innovation. It informed how two commercial space businesses have inked contracts with the Space Force for the Victus Hedge mission, which is scheduled to be finished by the fall of 2025.

As part of the Mission Victus Hedge, the command has a contract with Rocket Lab National Security and True Anomaly to supply spacecraft capable of operating the stations. These two spacecraft will be The Jackal from True Anomaly and an unidentified Rocket Lab craft. These will show that in a real-world operational setting, the US Space Force can react appropriately to any suspicious activity in space.

As per the Space Force statement, The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has given Rocket Lab National Security a contract worth Rs 2.67 crore. In addition to this, a total of Rs 50 crore will be needed for the mission, of which the US government will pay half and True Anomaly the other half.

Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough, SSC materiel leader for Space Safari stated, The commercial space industry is developing at a never-before-seen rate, giving the Space Force more choices to react swiftly to hostile acts. Victus Haze will demonstrate and prove capabilities to be used for future TacRS operations in direct support of urgent Combatant Command on-orbit needs.

According to the programme executive officer for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power at the SSC, Col. Bryon McClain, the organization is eager to utilize the advancements in the commercial space industry to resist Chinas increasing threat to the United States. The United States has the most innovative space industry in the world. Victus Haze will demonstrate, under operationally realistic conditions, our ability to respond to irresponsible behaviour in orbit, he added.

This historic mission strengthens defences against any space-based attacks and represents a major advancement. The US Space Forces preparedness to face new threats in space sends a strong message of determination and reaffirms the countrys commitment to upholding peace and stability on the ultimate high ground as the globe embarks on a new era of space exploration and competition.
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi issued a staunch warning stating that any action that goes against Irans interests would be met with an extensive and severe response against all the parties involved.

Raisi discussed the issue over a phone call with Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh following Irans retaliatory strikes against Israel that snowballed into a full-fledged war, reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

During the call, Raisi highlighted recent regional developments and emphasised the ongoing plight of Palestinians in Gaza. He also stressed the urgent need for effective measures to halt Israels action in the war-torn region.

The Iranian President also underlined the need for Islamic countries to take deterrent measures against the continuation of Israels crimes in Gaza.

He also criticised the support being extended to Israel by the US and some Western countries.

The Iranian leader, during his conversation, also denounced the terrorist attack on Irans consulate in Damascus as a desperate act that resulted from Israels failure and slammed the UN and the Security Council for failing to condemn the consulate attack.

He emphasised Irans right to legitimate defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter and stressed the necessity of taking deterrent actions against Israels ongoing crimes, particularly by Islamic nations

In response, Emir Hamad Al Thani reiterated the strong ties between Iran and Qatar and praised their mutual support. He also commended Qatar for condemning Israels attack on Irans consulate in Damascus and for showing solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

The leader further pointed out that the world is currently witnessing an unprecedented level of global and popular support for the Palestinian cause, and that the Israeli government is trying to divert attention from its crimes by creating tension in Gaza.

Notably, Israels war cabinet will meet to deliberate on its reaction to Irans drone and missile assault on Tuesday.
The Birmingham Airport authorities on Tuesday suspended all flights and operations following a security-related incident on board an Aer Lingus plane.

This comes after the Irish airlines aircraft left the airport this afternoon but had to return due to a security issue. The airport has advised passengers with scheduled flights to still turn up.

After the incident, social media footage of the scene, which was being widely circulated, showed multiple emergency vehicles on the runway, and several flights have been delayed as a result of the incident.

Earlier, it was reported that a flight with the registration number EI3647 was scheduled to depart at 3:10 pm but was delayed for 40 minutes. However, just an hour after takeoff, the flight returned to the airport, and all passengers and staff were escorted out of the aircraft.

Since then several flights arriving at the airport on Tuesday evening were delayed, with the arrivals board showing delays from around 4.20 pm.

The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew have disembarked. All customers due to travel should make their way to the airport and check in as normal, Guardian quoted the spokesperson as saying.

In addition, West Midlands Railway has announced that train services between Birmingham New Street and Coventry have also been suspended. Emergency services are currently at the scene, and all train services are currently at a standstill until further notice, Independent reported.
China strongly condemned the attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria on Tuesday, saying that it is a serious and unacceptable violation of international law.

During a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi expressed his countrys opposition to the attack.

In a phone call with Iranian FM @Amirabdolahian, FM Wang Yi said China strongly condemns and opposes the attack on Irans embassy in Syria and that the attack is a serious and unacceptable violation of international law. pic.twitter.com/EfNa3mPeIz Spokesperson (@MFA_China) April 16, 2024

Chinas reaction comes amid the rising spiral of violence in West Asia and the prevailing situation between Iran and Israel.

IRANIAN EMBASSY ANNEX HIT BY ISRAELI STRIKES

Israeli strikes had hit an Iranian embassy annex building in Syrias capital on April 1, killed seven members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, which runs Irans overseas military operations.

Among the dead, were Brigadier Generals Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, both senior commanders in the Quds Force, Guards foreign operations arm.

The Israeli attack targeted the Iranian consulate building in the Mazzeh neighbourhood of Damascus, according to Syrias official news agency SANA.

ALSO READ | Iran Opens New Consulate In Syrias Damascus Week After Alleged Israeli Strike Levelled Old Premises

The strikes in Damascus completely destroyed the annex building, Iranian media had reported, adding that the ambassador was unharmed.

Iranian foreign minister Abdollahian had called for the international community to act after the Israeli attack on their consulate in Damascus.

Irans President Ebrahim Raisi had condemned the deadly air strike and said cowardly crime will not go unanswered. After repeated defeats and failures against the faith and will of the Resistance Front fighters, the Zionist regime has put blind assassinations on its agenda in the struggle to save itself, Raisi had said on his offices website.

IRANS ATTACK ON ISRAEL

Iran launched more than 200 drones and missiles at Israel in an unprecedented attack late on Saturday, the Israeli army had announced, in a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes.

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari confirmed the Iranian attack, which had been anticipated for days.

President Joe Biden had said that US forces helped Israel shoot down nearly all the drones and missiles fired by Iran but appeared to guide the key US ally away from retaliating against Tehran by saying Israel had shown its strength.

I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks  sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel, Biden said.
The White House has said India remains an important strategic partner of the US and the relationship between Washington and New Delhi is expected to remain unchanged. The Biden administration asserted that India remains a very important partner of the US. The remarks on behalf of the Biden administration came during a press briefing by the US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Monday when he was responding to questions on US-India relationship in the context of some reports, articles and opinion pieces that were critical of the Indian government.

India is the worlds largest democracy. It is an important strategic partner of the United States and I expect that to remain true, Miller was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

US officials in the recent past have called India a very important partner and that the relationship between the two countries continues to grow.

There has been some unease in some areas of the bilateral relationship. The Khalistan movement, their attacks on places of worship, targeting of the Indian-origin people by Khalistanis and the recent statement by the State Department on the issue of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have led to some unease between the strategic partners. India objected strongly to the comments from the State Department.

Meanwhile, the US also appreciated Indias efforts to modernise the military by slightly reducing its dependence on Russia.

A top intelligence official from the US Department of Defense has told the Congress that in 2023, India took steps to modernise its military to compete with China and reduce its dependency on Russian origin-equipment.

During the past year, India has showcased itself as a global leader by hosting the Group of 20 economic summit and demonstrated a greater willingness to counter PRC (Peoples Republic of China) activity throughout the Indo-Pacific region, Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency told members of the House Armed Services Committee the subcommittee on intelligence and special operations during a Congressional hearing on defence intelligence countering China.
The Israeli war cabinet on Monday said that Irans aggression cannot be overlooked and merits a clear, forceful reaction, according to a report by Israeli news outlet Channel 12.

They said that Tehran will not be allowed to establish the equation which they claim the Islamic nation has tried to set through the attack.

They also said that the Israeli air force which has a squadron of US-made F-16, F-15 and F-35 fighter jets is gearing up for a counter-strike against Iran but did not provide a timeline.

Israel has however clarified that it does not want to spark a wider regional war through its retaliatory action.

The US has urged Israel to exercise restraint and US President Joe Biden warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the US will not take part in a counter-offensive against Iran.

Despite Bidens concerns, the Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant told US defence secretary Lloyd Austin Sunday that Israel has no choice but to respond to the unprecedented missile and drone attack launched by Iran over the weekend.

Israel is considering next steps and the launch of so many missiles and drones to Israeli territory will be answered with a retaliation, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) chief Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said Monday.

Iran warned Israel against any adventure and said it does not want to escalate tensions in a press release released shortly after Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke to UK foreign secretary David Cameron in a phone call Monday.

(If Israel) seeks adventure, our next response will be immediate, stronger and more extensive, Amir-Abdollahian said.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and French President Emmanuel Macron also cautioned against retaliation.

Even Iran said it considered the matter concluded unless Israel chose to commit another mistake, in which case Irans response would be considerably more severe.

Abolfazl Amoui, spokesperson for Irans National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, also said that Iran stands prepared to use weapons it has not previously deployed to address any potential escalation by Israel.

"                          "             # pic.twitter.com/y6XC7w9Ki8    (@AlMayadeenNews) April 15, 2024

We will confront any Israeli aggression and respond to it. We are ready to use weapons that we have not used before. We have plans for all scenarios and we call on the Zionists to act rationally, Amoui was quoted as saying by Al-Mayadeen News, an Iran-aligned Lebanese news outlet.

Strikes On Irans Nuclear Facilities?

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog, is concerned that Israel may strike Iranian nuclear facilities but said that inspections of Iranian facilities will resume on Tuesday.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said that Iranian strikes did not impact the inspection activity and inspections will resume Tuesday. Iran had closed its nuclear facilities on Sunday over security considerations.

We are always concerned about this possibility, Grossi said, urging extreme restraint.

A report by US broadcaster NBC citing US officials said that Israel may limit itself to striking Iranian proxies given the extent of the damage caused by Irans Saturday missile barrage is not as extensive.

(with inputs from Reuters, Axios)
The UK government announced Tuesday that it will legislate to criminalise the creation of sexually-explicit deepfake images.

Anyone found guilty of creating fake sexual images of people without their consent will face a criminal record, an unlimited fine and even jail if the image is widely shared, according to the government.

It is another example of ways in which certain people seek to degrade and dehumanise others  especially women, said Minister for Victims and Safeguarding Laura Farris.

It has the capacity to cause catastrophic consequences if the material is shared more widely. This government will not tolerate it.

This new offence sends a crystal clear message that making this material is immoral, often misogynistic, and a crime, she added.

The new offence will be introduced through an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, which is currently making its way through parliament.

Yvette Cooper, shadow interior minister with the opposition Labour Party, welcomed the announcement.

Superimposing somebodys image onto sexually explicit photos and videos is a gross violation of their autonomy and privacy, which can cause enormous harm, and it must not be tolerated, she said.
Six people dressed all in black carrying hammers and a gun robbed a jewelry store in Oakland, California, on Wednesday, making off with "nearly all the owner's life savings in a matter of minutes," NBC News reports. Diane Trinh, the 69-year old owner of Phuong Jewelry, one of the oldest jewelry stores in Oakland's Chinatown, and one not covered by insurance, said the crime was especially traumatizing as her father was shot and killed in a robbery at the same store in the 1990s. Trinh had thought she was helping a customer around 12:30pm Wednesday but the man was not what he seemed, she tells NBC.

He apparently granted entry to robbers who smashed display cases, grabbing what they could, until Trinh's 76-year-old husband came out of a backroom with a shotgun and the robbers ran out the door. The family estimates 85% to 90% of the store inventory vanished in minutes. "We've been robbed a few times before but not at this level of brazen magnitude," Trinh's son, Tony Trinh, executive director of the Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council, tells KGO. He notes the family let their business insurance lapse because of rising premiums. "Insurance costs so much with jewelry, especially in Oakland Chinatown," he tells NBC. "A lot of businesses here don't even qualify."

A GoFundMe campaign launched by the Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council has raised nearly $40,000 for the store, which has been open for four decades. One customer said it would be "a big loss for the city" if the store was forced to close, per NBC. For now, the family is vowing to stay open. But "I feel scared," Diane Trinh tells NBC. "Even right now, my heart is still hurt." Hundreds of Oakland businesses recently went on strike to protest what they said was rampant violent crime, per Fox Business. (More Oakland stories.)
UPDATE

Apr 30, 2024 11:41 AM CDT

Donald Trump may have been held in contempt of court on Tuesday, but the judge gave him a break on a different matter: The former president will be allowed to attend son Barron's high school graduation in Florida on May 17, reports Newsweek. Trump had previously complained he would be barred from attending, but Judge Juan Merchan said Tuesday that he could go. It was not immediately clear whether the trial would pause or Trump would merely be excused from attending that day, notes the New York Times.

Apr 15, 2024 6:50 PM CDT

After the first day of his hush-money trial, Donald Trump complained that it looks like Judge Juan Merchan won't let him go to his youngest son's high school graduation. "That I can't go to my son's graduation or that I can't go to the United States Supreme Court. That I'm not in Georgia, or Florida, or North Carolina campaigning like I should be," he said, per the Palm Beach Post. "It's perfect for the radical left Democrats. It's exactly what they want." Barron Trump's graduation from Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida, is scheduled for May 17. Merchan, who predicted that the trial would last around six weeks, didn't rule Monday on Trump's request to attend the graduation, CNN reports.
Sarah Klee Hood and John Mannion had their best fundraising quarters as congressional candidates, but Klee Hood maintains the financial advantage over her Democratic primary rivals in the 22nd Congressional District.

Klee Hood, D-DeWitt, set a personal record by raising $329,608 in the first quarter of 2024. The haul helped her reach a milestone: She has raised more than $1 million since launching her second campaign for Congress in April 2023.

Most of Klee Hood's money came from individual donors  $282,499, or 85.7% of her total receipts. She received $20,000 from political action committees and other entities. A joint fundraising committee, the Serve America Victory Fund, transferred $26,071 to her campaign.

Elect Democratic Women PAC and U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan's Great Chain PAC each donated $5,000 to Klee Hood's campaign, records show. Ryan is a Hudson Valley Democrat who represents New York's 18th Congressional District.

Klee Hood's campaign spent $185,306 and has $416,356 cash on hand, more than her Democratic primary opponents.

"Our campaign has the momentum to beat Brandon Williams and bring the voices of everyday central New Yorkers to Congress," Klee Hood said in a statement.

NY-22 fundraising Klee Hood Mannion Harris Q3 2023 $237,735 $221,117 $21,969 Q4 2023 $240,345 $157,875 $14,117 Q1 2024 $329,608 $302,743 $5,007 Note: Klee Hood and Harris entered race before Q3

Mannion, D-Geddes, had his best fundraising quarter since launching his campaign in July 2023. He collected $302,743, including $267,092 from individual donors. He also received $35,650 from PACs and other committees.

Unions continue to provide financial support to Mannion's campaign. He received $5,000 donations from PACs linked to the American Federation of Government Employees, Communication Workers of America, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Transport Workers Union of America and United Auto Workers.

Other donors included former U.S. Rep. Mike Arcuri, who has now given $1,000 to Mannion's campaign. Arcuri, a Utica Democrat, served two terms in Congress, from 2007 through 2010.

Mannion spent $154,710 and has $372,834 in the bank.

Clemmie Harris, a Utica University professor, raised $5,007 and spent $9,814 in the first quarter. He has $21,147 cash on hand.

The three Democrats are vying for the party's nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams in the 22nd district, which includes all of Onondaga and Madison counties, plus parts of Cayuga, Cortland and Oneida counties.

The primary election will be held Tuesday, June 25.
Maine will become the latest to join a multistate effort to elect the president by popular vote with the Democratic governor's announcement Monday that she's letting the proposal become law without her signature. Under the proposed compact, each state would allocate all its electoral votes to whoever wins the national popular vote for president, regardless of how individual states voted in an election. But the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is on hold for nowand won't play a role in the upcoming November election, the AP reports.

Gov. Janet Mills said she understands there are different facets to the debate. Opponents point out that the role of small states like Maine could be diminished if the Electoral College ends, while proponents point out that two of the past four presidents have been elected through the Electoral College system despite losing the national popular vote. Without a ranked voting system, Mills said she believes "the person who wins the most votes should become the president. To do otherwise seemingly runs counter to the democratic foundations of our country." The governor said she wants the national debate on the issue to continue.

The compact would take effect only if supporters secure pledges of states with at least 270 electoral votes. Sixteen states and Washington, DC, have joined the compact, and Maine would bring the total to 209, Mills said. Other sticking points include questions whether congressional approval is necessary to implement the compact, per the AP. In Maine, one of only two states to split their electoral votes under the current system, the legislative debate fell along partisan lines, with Republicans united in opposition.

(More electoral college stories.)
The body of a fourth construction worker killed in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore was recovered Sunday. Six workers who were repairing potholes on the bridge were killed when a cargo ship crashed into it in the early morning hours of March 26, almost immediately causing its near-complete collapse, and the bodies of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, and Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, 38, had previously been recovered. Two more victims remain unaccounted for, and the identity of the victim most recently recovered has not been made public at the request of his family, CNN reports.

Salvage teams located what they believed to be one of the missing construction vehicles, and the Maryland State Police, the FBI, and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police ultimately recovered the worker's body from inside that vehicle, ABC News reports. "As we mourn the lives lost and continue the recovery operation, we recognize each missing individual is someone's beloved friend or family member," the superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police says in a statement. The news comes as federal authorities launched a criminal probe into the incident; the city of Baltimore and lawyers for some of the victims' families are also seeking accountability. (More on the federal investigation here.)
The Bidens marked Tax Day on Monday by releasing their latest annual tax return, which revealed that last year the president and first lady earned an adjusted gross income of $619,976 and paid $146,629 in federal income tax. Their Delaware state income tax bill was $30,908, and Jill Biden paid another $3,549 in state income tax to Virginia, the Wall Street Journal reports. She teaches at a community college in Virginia, from which she earned $85,985, and her husband made $400,000 as president. The rest of their income came from interest, pensions, annuities, Social Security payments, IRA distributions, and royalties from Jill Biden's books, USA Today reports. Meanwhile, Donald Trump hasn't said whether he plans to release his tax returns.
The antitrust accusations against Ticketmaster parent company Live Nation are about to hit the fan. According to the Wall Street Journal , the Justice Department plans to file an antitrust lawsuit against the company within weeks. Live Nation has been accused of controlling the ticketing and live event venues market, a position that allows it to charge unfair ticket prices and other fees, especially since the botched sale of tickets for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in 2022. According to the Journal, "Ticketmaster now holds more than 80% of the market for primary ticket sales in the biggest venues in the US" and "has exclusive ticketing contracts with many of the stadiums and arenas where high-profile acts perform."

The Justice Department approved the 2010 merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster but reached an agreement that said Live Nation wouldn't bully venues into using Tickermaster exclusively. Antitrust enforcers found the company violated that condition in 2019. As part of a settlement, the 2010 agreement, which was supposed to expire after a decade, was extended through to 2025. And to it was added "an anti-retaliation clause that prevents Live Nation from threatening to withhold shows if a venue sells seats through a company other than Ticketmaster," the Journal reports. Each violation of that provisions carries a $1 million penalty. Senators and competitors have argued this isn't enough to counter Live Nation's dominance.

Following the Biden administration's efforts to aid competition through price transparency, the Justice Department's lawsuit will accuse the company of undermining competition, the Journal reports. Live Nation's head of corporate affairs Dan Wall has already denied many of the accusations expected to be included. In a statement last month, Wall said artists and teams set ticket prices, while venues set service charges. The primary ticketing company collects between 5% and 7% per ticket but only pockets about 2% after costs, he said. "Even if one were to assumewithout any evidencethat there is some amount of unjustified 'monopoly profit' in a 5-7% commission, it could not affect ticket prices by more than one or two percent at worst," Wall wrote. (More Live Nation stories.)
The judge who presided over Melissa Lucio's 2008 murder trial following the death of her 2-year-old daughter now says the conviction should be thrown out. State District Judge Arturo Nelson recommended on Friday that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturn Lucio's conviction and death sentence, in response to a court filing in which the Cameron County District Attorney's Office admits prosecutors withheld key evidence from Lucio's defense team and therefore the jury, per the Texas Tribune . Lucio, who's been on death row in Texas for 15 years and avoided execution in 2022, was convicted of abusing 2-year-old Mariah Alvarez to the point of death. Authorities said she confessed during an hourslong interrogation on the same day Mariah died of blunt force trauma to the head.

Lucio, who'd repeatedly claimed innocence during the interview, has recanted the supposed confession, which advocates say was related to her history as a victim of sexual and physical abuse. Lucio claims her daughter died in 2007 from injuries suffered from a fall down stairs in the family's Harlingen apartment two days previously, per the AP. Unbeknownst to Lucio's legal team, one of Lucio's other children claimed to have witnessed the fall, as well as Mariah's declining health over the next couple of days, the Texas Tribune reports. In all, five of Lucio's children told investigators their mother wasn't abusive, per the outlet. Lucio's legal team wasn't fully informed of that, either, nor of expert findings that the death was likely caused by "an accidental fall resulting in head trauma," according to the filing, per the AP.

Lucio's lawyers and Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz now agree that was a violation of Lucio's due process rights. Lucio "would not have been convicted in light of the suppressed evidence," reads the filing, which was reportedly submitted to the court in December 2022 but only received Nelson's signature on Friday. The case now heads before Texas' highest criminal court for a final decision. "We hope and pray the Court of Criminal Appeals will agree with the district attorney, the defense, and Judge Nelson, and our mother can come home to her family," Lucio's family says in a statement, per MyRGV.com. "It's been 17 years that we have been without her. We love and miss her and can't wait to hug her." (More Texas stories.)
Marjorie Taylor Greene is no longer the only Republican ready to remove Mike Johnson as House speaker. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky said Tuesday he was on board, reports Politico. In fact, Massie asked Johnson to resign in a closed-door GOP session, and Johnson refused, per the Hill. Last month, Greene filed a "motion to vacate" the speaker's post, though she hasn't said when she might trigger an actual vote. She and others in the House Freedom Caucus accuse Johnson of working too closely with Democrats on several policy issues, and his decision to call a vote on aid to Ukraine further angered them.

Johnson: "I am not resigning and it is in my view an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply trying to do our job," Johnson told reporters after the meeting, per the Wall Street Journal.
Conjoined twins Lori and George Schappell, who pursued separate careers, interests, and relationships during lives that defied medical expectations, died this month in Pennsylvania, according to funeral home officials. They were 62. The twins, listed by Guinness World Records as the oldest living conjoined twins, died April 7 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, according to obituaries posted by Leibensperger Funeral Homes of Hamburg. The cause of death was not detailed.

"When we were born, the doctors didn't think we'd make 30, but we proved them wrong," Lori said in an interview when they turned 50, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. George came out as transgender in 2007. The Inquirer reports that Lori was once engaged to be married but her fiance died in a car crash.
UPDATE

Apr 20, 2024 7:00 AM CDT

First the University of Southern California nixed a commencement speech by its valedictorian. Now, university officials say they're "redesigning" the entire graduation ceremony, with one especially notable move. "Given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main-stage commencement program, university leadership has decided it is best to release our outside speakers and honorees from attending this year's ceremony," read a Friday university statement, per the AP. That includes keynote speaker Jon M. Chu, director of the 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians, as well as such honorees as tennis legend Billie Jean King, National Endowment for the Arts chief Maria Rosario Jackson, and geophysicist Marcia McNutt, per CNN. USC says on its site it's canceling these appearances to "keep the focus on our graduates."

Apr 16, 2024 5:21 PM CDT

The University of Southern California's valedictorian will not address her graduating class, the school announced Monday. It said the planned speech by Asna Tabassum was axed due to what it described as "substantial" security risks, reports the AP. Tabassum is Muslim and has voiced her support on social media for Palestinians, drawing criticism from pro-Israeli groups. Tabassum, a biomedical engineering major with a minor in resistance to genocide, described herself as blindsided by the move. Standout details:
Kiri Hannifin, Air NZ's chief sustainability officer, said the airline has worked very hard and "punched above its weight" as a relatively small international player to secure the highly sought-after and costly SAF.

"It is very, very hard to source. It's still a very new industry and there's very few people making it," Hannifin told AM.

"It's about 1 percent of the total global aviation fuel. So it is hard to source and it's also incredibly expensive - anywhere between three and five times the price of normal jet fuel. So we're very pleased to have got it, but we've got to find a lot more of it as we work incredibly hard to decarbonise."

Asked if the higher costs of SAF would mean higher costs for airfares, Hannifin said "not yet".

"Currently we are absorbing the cost ourselves, but at some point in the future, as we need to take all of our current fossil fuel and make it into renewable fuels, that cost will become more obvious and more evident. But at the moment, because we're just buying tiny bits, we're taking on the costs ourselves."

Hannifin said the nine million litres of Neste's SAF would be blended with conventional jet fuel at a maximum of 50/50 as that was the limit imposed on airlines, although test flights without passengers have been successful using 100 percent SAF.

"If we could fly at 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel - which we can't - but if we could, [nine million litres] would be around 120 flights from LA to Auckland," she said.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On April 16, Germans Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, Steffi Lemke, led a delegation to visit BMW Group's R&D Center in Beijing, China.

Photo credit: BMW

Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges on topics such as sustainable development and circular economy. As a leader in sustainable development in the automotive industry, BMW Group, with its strong local R&D and innovation capabilities, is committed to promoting the low-carbon and green transformation of the entire value chain of the Chinese automotive industry.

BMW presented the specific plans for the sixth-generation electric drive system in the BMW Neue Klasse models, which are scheduled to commence production in Shenyang, Liaoning province, in 2026, focusing on sustainability.

Photo credit: BMW

During German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to China, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, stated, "Green development is not a solo journey; it requires collective efforts. Germany and China share this common belief, and green development becomes a new opportunity for further cooperation between the two sides. BMW is willing to play an active role as a bridge to promote cooperation between Germany and China in the field of sustainable development and circular economy."

Photo credit: BMW

BMW has been conducting local R&D in China for 20 years, with over 3,000 experts working in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, and Nanjing cities. By the end of 2024, BMW's joint venture with Chinese automotive intelligence solution devleoper ArcherMind Technology, BA TechWorks, will expand to house 600 developers. BMW Group has established the largest R&D network outside Germany in China, capable of providing solutions for intelligent connected vehicles.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Cabinet highlighted the importance of exercising restraint, de-escalating tensions, resolving disputes diplomatically, upholding the rule of law, and respecting the principles of the United Nations Charter amid regional conflicts.

In yesterdays weekly session chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at the Gudaibiya Palace, the Cabinet noted it was monitoring the concerning developments in the Middle East and their repercussions on regional peace and stability.

It also called on the United Nations and the UN Security Council to fulfil their responsibilities to ensure international peace by resolving issues and conflicts in the region.

Following His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas Royal Decree pardoning numerous inmates convicted of rioting and criminal cases, in honour of the Silver Jubilee of His Majestys accession to the throne and coinciding with Eid Al-Fitr, HRH Prince Salman instructed the Ministers of Interior and Labour to ensure that all pardoned individuals are registered as beneficiaries of unemployment benefits for job seekers.

The Cabinet extended heartfelt condolences to the leadership, the government, and the people of the Sultanate of Oman for the floods that swept the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi region and expressed its sympathy to the victims families. The Cabinet discussed several memoranda during the meeting.

It approved a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Interior regarding future measures required to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. In this regard, the Cabinet assigned the relevant authorities to implement strategic initiatives within a specific time frame.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on the establishment of the Bahrain Electricity and Water Holding Company and a memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the amendment of Article 1 of the decision to restructure the National Commission for Childhood.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The High Appeals Court of Bahrain upheld the first-degree verdict sentencing an Arab defendant to seven years in prison, imposing a fine of BD10,000, and ordering his deportation from the country.

The defendant was found guilty of participating, along with others, in a scheme to embezzle amounts exceeding BD97,000. The victims of the defendant and his accomplices included employees and a retired lawyer who were persuaded to invest their funds in gold, oil, and minerals.

The prosecution accused the defendant of conspiring and assisting an unknown accomplice in using the victims electronic signatures, which were the secret numbers of their credit cards, for fraudulent purposes and to seize the cash amount.

Additionally, the defendant conspired and assisted another unknown person in unlawfully acquiring and embezzling the specified cash amount owned by five victims through deceptive means.

Profits

Details of the incident revealed that a gang, including several Arab individuals, deceived their victims by claiming that they would make profits by investing their money. The gang also exploited their female employees to receive these funds, with the employees unknowingly unaware that the amounts were the result of fraudulent activities.

The first victim, a pharmacist, stated that she received a fraudulent call, and the fraudster convinced her of an investment opportunity.

She transferred BD40,000 through bank transfers to the fraudster, willingly giving them part of the amount (BD20,000) herself, without knowing their true intentions. However, the remaining amount of BD20,000 was taken from her bank account without her consent or authorization.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On April 16, Honda officially launched an all-new electric vehicle (EV) series ("Ye") tailored for the Chinese market.

Photo credit: Honda

The Ye Series debuts three new models, the Ye S7, Ye P7, and Ye GT CONCEPT. The Ye S7 and Ye P7, the first models under the marque, will hit the market by the end of 2024. The Ye GT CONCEPT, the second model, will see its production version launched in 2025.

The Chinese character , which means shine brilliantly, represents Hondas desire to enable everyone who drives Ye Series models to unleash their innermost passions through the joy of driving, and let their individuality shine brilliantly.

Photo credit: Honda

Globally, Ye is the first to use the new "H" logo exclusive to the next generation of Hondas battery electric vehicles. It adopts the new intelligent and efficient pure electric Architecture W. Honda plans to introduce six new Ye Series models by 2027.

Designed by Honda China's young R&D team, the Ye brand integrates leading Chinese technology and resources with Honda's latest technology, offering Chinese consumers a new driving experience.

The Architecture W features a three-in-one high-power drive motor and a large-capacity, high-density battery with an integrated die-cast all-aluminum casing. It also employs a specially designed split-isolation battery cooling system for multiple layers of battery safety.

Photo credit: Honda

The Architecture W offers both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains. The former relies on a high-power rear-drive motor for a 50:50 weight distribution. The latter utilizes high-power drive motors at the front and rear, coupled with electronic suspension, to precisely distribute power to the front and rear wheels based on different road conditions and driving needs.

The chassis features a highly adjustable double-wishbone front suspension and a 5-link rear suspension, enhancing vehicle stability and agility with Honda's sport-tuned technology.

With highly expandable FoD services, the Architecture W allows for various driving modes and personalized driving experiences beyond the ordinary, catering to different preferences and delivering exciting and fun driving experiences.
"Environmental stewardship hasn't shaped our strategy, it has always been our strategy," said Greg Muse, President and Chief Operating Officer of PennEnergy Resources. "Our dedication to environmental stewardship goes beyond regulatory compliance; it's woven into the fabric of our company, driving us to constantly seek innovative solutions that ensure our operations are as clean and efficient as possible."

PennEnergy's proactive approach has led to a series of successful initiatives such as the incorporation of liquid nitrogen systems (via partnership with Kathairos) into its portfolio of emission reduction strategies, allowing for the rapid conversion of traditional pneumatic devices to zero-emission sources. This technology has been a game-changer for remote legacy facilities with limited access to infrastructure.

"The partnership between PennEnergy and Kathairos represents a powerful alignment of vision and values. Together, we are demonstrating that sustainable practices and economic growth are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, synergistic," said Dick Brown, President and CEO of Kathairos Solutions. "Our collaborative efforts underscore our shared commitment to pioneering technologies that address critical environmental challenges while advancing the energy sector's sustainability goals."

The Energy Influencers campaign, a strategic multi-channel endeavor, aims to spotlight major oil and gas producers' significant emissions reduction milestones and their adoption of cutting-edge technology. The campaign will showcase highlight videos, press releases, and case studies, all emphasizing the role of these producers as industry pacesetters.

PennEnergy's comprehensive approach to emissions reduction extends beyond technological adoption. It involves cultivating a culture where every team member, from executives to field operators, is aligned with the company's core values of Honesty & Integrity, Environmental Stewardship, and Teamwork, Respect & Collaboration. This cultural commitment is reflected in their consistent efforts to exceed regulatory requirements and to be transparent with their progress through various third-party environmental certifications like MiQ and Project Canary.

As the natural gas industry moves towards a more sustainable future, PennEnergy Resources not only adapts but leads the way with an unwavering commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.

For more on PennEnergy's industry-leading approach to environmental stewardship and to view the spotlight video, please visit https://www.kathairos.com/partner-stories/pennenergy.

ABOUT PENNENERGY RESOURCES, LLC

PennEnergy Resources is a Pittsburgh-based oil and gas company focused on the acquisition and development of unconventional shale resources. With a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation, PennEnergy Resources is a pioneer in emissions reduction and sustainable practice in the energy sector. Learn more at https://www.pennenergyresources.com.

ABOUT KATHAIROS SOLUTIONS INC.

Kathairos has emerged as the leading North American solution for well site methane elimination from pneumatic devices, with thousands of systems in operation across North America in partnership with dozens of major oil and gas producers. Kathairos is proudly committed to solving the problem of methane venting from oil and gas production in the most effective, economical and scalable way, enabling producers to meet ambitious regulatory targets and timelines. Learn more at https://www.kathairos.com.

ABOUT THE ENERGY INFLUENCERS

The Energy Influencers storytelling series highlights the emissions reduction successes Kathairos' producer partners have achieved, as driven by their overall outlook, internal targets and timelines, commitment to industry longevity and new technology adoptions. The series features in-depth videos, interviews and case studies designed to amplify the narrative of progress and the dedicated 'doers' of sustainable energy production. It embraces a shift toward transparency, openness and exposure to what North America's forward-thinking oil and gas producers have achieved on their path to decarbonization, and what they're tackling next. See the stories at https://www.kathairos.com/resources/partner-stories.

SOURCE Kathairos Solutions

Kelly Doody, Chief Marketing Officer, Kathairos Solutions, [email protected], (855) 285-2010; Amanda Peterson,Stakeholder Relations Manager, PennEnergy Resources, [email protected], (412) 275-3200
Quaker Canada unveils the next iteration of the brand's global platform, You've Got This, with a pop-up exhibit in Toronto, including a takeover of Union Station and an interactive digital photo experience

TORONTO, April 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Quaker Canada brings to life its first-ever global brand platform, 'You've Got This,' with '100 Reasons to Rise,' a moving black-and-white photo documentary, featuring 100 everyday heroes on the morning of an important day in their lives, shot by world renowned photographer and Academy Award nominee, Misan Harriman.

Quaker Canada unveils the next iteration of the brand's global platform, You've Got This, with a pop-up exhibit. Post this Quaker Canada unveils the next iteration of the brands global platform, You've Got This, with a pop-up exhibit in Toronto, including a takeover of Union Station and an interactive digital photo experience. (CNW Group/Quaker Canada)

After appearing for one day only at The Harbourfront Centre in Toronto last week, the in-person, captivating exhibit which features an interactive pod for visitors to experience an inside look at the photo series narrated by Misan Harriman  is heading to one of city's most iconic morning hubs and highest footfall commuter stations, Union Station from April 17th  19th .

Quaker's own research found that nearly half of Canadians (49%) find mornings are the most hopeful part of their day1. What's more, 70% of people surveyed find hope in the people around them and nearly 2/3 said stories of people overcoming their challenges can help them keep going2. '100 Reasons to Rise' epitomizes these findings by telling the stories, through imagery and audio interviews, of 100 individuals (of which 14 are Canadian), aged 1 to 100, as they sit down for breakfast on a day that matters to them leaning into the universal human truth that how we rise influences the rest of our day.

'100 Reasons to Rise,' illustrates how our mornings can unite people from all walks of life and across the world, as they prepare to take on their days. With the stories highlighted in this project aiming to provide inspiration, encouragement and hope to others as they push through on their own important days.

Alongside the real-life portrait experience, Quaker created an interactive digital experience, capturing both the stunning images and the personal stories of the subjects, bringing to life the importance of how we rise to and tackle the day ahead.

"We're thrilled to introduce the next phase of the expansive 'You've Got This' initiative, '100 Reasons to Rise,' to Canadaa nation known for its passion for breakfast, making it a perfect fit," said Logan Chambers, Senior Director of Marketing at PepsiCo Canada. "This inclusive campaign celebrates everyday heroes, including 14 Canadians, who ignite greatness in others by sharing their story and morning routine on a day that matters. Misan Harriman's exceptional ability to capture genuine human connections perfectly embodies the spirit of this project."



______________________________

1 Data sourced from a survey conducted by Attest on behalf of Quaker, in 2024, surveying 1000 People UK, 1000 People Canada, ages 16 +





2 Data sourced from a survey conducted by Attest on behalf of Quaker, in 2024, surveying 1000 People UK, 1000 People Canada, ages 16 +

'100 Reasons to Rise' spotlights real-life stories captured by Misan Harriman, including a one-year-old on his big day as a ringbearer (as shared by his parents), a 61-year-old man gearing up to meet his new grandson for the first time, and an 86-year-old woman who fuels her zest for life through movement, like salsa dancing. In his photos, Misan Harriman beautifully encapsulates the inherent humanity of our morning rituals and the authentic human experience at breakfast-time, a moment of hope and a fresh start.

"This project recognizes individual stories of how we start the day and demonstrates that, regardless of what life throws at us, we have fortitude and hope," said Misan Harriman. "For Quaker to be bold enough to allow us to go to people's homes and really observe them as they live, that adds a layer of authenticity that always comes through in the lens. Quaker is one of the few brands in the world with whom it makes sense to do something like this. It was lightning in a bottle."

To enjoy the Quaker '100 Reasons to Rise' digital experience and celebrate these 100 humble heroes, please visit 100ReasonsToRise.com.

About Quaker Canada

A leader in the Canadian food industry since 1902, the Quaker brand features food products with a wide range of choices. For more information, please visit quakeroats.ca.

About The Quaker Oats Company

The Quaker Oats Company, headquartered in Chicago, a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., is one of the world's largest consumer packaged goods companies. For more than 140 years, Quaker's brands have served as symbols of quality, great taste and nutrition. Quaker Oats, Quaker Rice Cakes and Quaker Chewy Granola Bars are consumer favorites. For more information, please visit quakeroats.ca, https://www.facebook.com/quakercanada/ or follow us on X and Instagram @quakercanada.

About PepsiCo Foods Canada

PepsiCo Foods Canada is comprised of the Frito Lay Canada and Quaker Canada businesses. Frito Lay Canada is the country's largest snack food manufacturer and the company's brands include Lay's, Doritos, Tostitos, Ruffles, Smartfood, Cheetos and Havoc. The Quaker brand portfolio includes a wide range of wholesome cereals, oatmeal, rice and corn snacks and snack bars, and features other prominent brands such as Quaker Life, Quaker Chewy, Quaker Harvest Crunch and Crispy Minis. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.ca.

SOURCE Quaker Canada

or media inquiries please contact Amy Harrison, [email protected].
Washington DC, United States, April 16th, 2024, CyberNewsWire

In a digital age where information is the new currency, the recent global hack has once again highlighted the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.

The breach was identified as Midnight Blizzard, from the Russian state-sponsored actor known as NOBELIUM. It has affected Millions of individuals and government agencies worldwide, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of cyberattacks and the critical importance of protecting sensitive information.

The Scope of the Breach

The scale of the global hack is staggering. Hackers gained unauthorized access to databases containing a wealth of personal data, including financial records, social security numbers, email addresses, and passwords. The exposed information poses a significant risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and other forms of cybercrime. The breach has impacted individuals across various sectors, including government agencies, businesses, and private citizens, highlighting the pervasive nature of cyber threats.

Implications for Individuals

The fallout from a hack can be devastating for individuals whose data has been compromised. Identity theft, in particular, poses a significant threat. Hackers use stolen information to open fraudulent accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or even commit acts of impersonation. Moreover, the exposure of sensitive personal information can erode trust and privacy, leaving individuals vulnerable to exploitation and manipulation.

Response and Accountability

After the breach, affected organizations must take swift and decisive action to mitigate the damage and restore trust. This includes implementing robust cybersecurity measures, notifying affected individuals, and cooperating with law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. Additionally, there must be accountability for those responsible for the breach, whether they are individuals, criminal organizations, or state-sponsored actors. Holding perpetrators accountable prevents future attacks and conveys that protecting personal data is paramount.

Safeguarding Privacy in an Era of Cyber Threats

While the global hack serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by cyberattacks, it also underscores the importance of proactive cybersecurity practices. Individuals and organizations alike must remain vigilant in safeguarding sensitive information and adopting best practices for data protection. This includes using strong, unique passwords, encrypting sensitive data, regularly updating security software, hiring the right cybersecurity company for monitoring, and being cautious when sharing personal information online. Moreover, governments and regulatory bodies must enact robust data protection laws and regulations to hold organizations accountable for safeguarding personal data and provide recourse for individuals affected by breaches.

Hack Aftermath

The exposure of personal data in the recent global hack serves as a wake-up call for individuals, businesses, and governments alike. Cybersecurity must be a top priority in an interconnected world where data is increasingly valuable and vulnerable. That is why Axios Security Group believes that by implementing robust security measures, fostering a culture of accountability, and advocating for more robust data protection laws, can be implemented together to mitigate the risks of cyber threats and safeguard the privacy and security of personal information. Only through collective action can we effectively confront the challenges posed by cybercrime and ensure a safer, more secure digital future.

About Axios Security Group

Axios Security Group is a trusted leader in comprehensive security solutions, offering organizations physical and digital protection. With a dedicated team of experts, Axios created tailored security strategies to safeguard assets, personnel, and data. Its physical security services range from on-site personal security to cutting-edge surveillance technologies, while our cybersecurity experts provide robust digital defenses, including threat detection and incident response. Axios collaborates closely with each client to ensure our solutions align with their unique needs, industry regulations, and budgetary constraints.

Axios Security Group provides a vCSO (Virtual Security Officer) program in addition to physical and cyber security. A vCSO (Virtual Chief Security Officer) is a C-suite-level security expert who enhances your companys security. They bring strategic vision, devising comprehensive security plans encompassing digital information and physical asset protection. By collaborating closely with your leadership team, a vCSO tailors security solutions to your unique needs, aligning them with your organizational goals and industry regulations. This approach ensures that your organization is well-prepared to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of security challenges, creating a robust, adaptable, and resilient security infrastructure. A vCSO provides all the same security expertise and protections for your organization at a 1/3 of the cost of a full-time CSO (Chief Security Officer.)

Contact us to learn how Axios Security Group can protect one of your most considerable corporate assets.

Contact

Contributor

Robin Carter

News Break

[email protected]

8004853983


With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

NIO rolls out update for Alder intelligent system

On April 16, the NIO Alder intelligent system received a version 2.0.5 update, featuring enhancements to multiple applications and functions including NIO Link, the app store, and HUD.

Photo credit: NIO

China launches pilot plan for charging network enhancement in rural areas

The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Transport of China jointly released a notice regarding the pilot work for filling the gaps in charging and battery swapping facilities in counties. The notice mentioned conducting pilot work for strengthen the construction of such facilities in counties from 2024 to 2026, emphasizing the planning and construction of charging and battery swapping facilities for new energy vehicles in key villages and towns.

FAW Bestune puts B70 Longteng Edition onto market

On April 15, FAW Groups wholly-owned passenger car brand Bestune put the B70 Longteng Edition onto the market. The new car offers two variants priced at 115,900 yuan and 125,900 yuan, respectively.

RoboSense launches new-generation mid-to-long range LiDAR MX

On April 15, smart LiDAR solution provider RoboSense hosted its "REDEFINED" 2024 new product launch event, unveiling the new-generation mid-to-long range LiDAR, MX.

DiDi Autonomous Driving, Toyota Boshoku to co-develop smart cockpit solutions for Robotaxis

Toyota Boshoku (China) Co., Ltd. reached partnership with DiDi Autonomous Driving on April 12 to collaboratively develop the next-generation intelligent cabins.

BMW to produce Neue Klasse models in Shenyang in 2026

On April 16, Germans Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, Steffi Lemke, led a delegation to visit BMW Group's R&D Center in Beijing, China.

EXEED kicks off pre-sale for STERRA ETs BEV, REEV versions, starting at 199,000 yuan

Chery's EXEED brand kicked off pre-sale for its STERRA ET new energy vehicle model on April 15 with a price range of 199,000 yuan to 329,000 yuan.

BYD releases teaser photos of Qin L model

On April 15, BYD officially launched teaser images of the brand-new sedan model under the Dynasty series, the Qin L.

HOZON Auto inks agreement to get 5 billion yuan of investment

On April 15, HOZON New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. ("HOZON Auto"), the parent company of NETA Auto, signed an agreement with three capital investing and operating companies, who agreed to together invest at least 5 billion yuan in the new energy vehicle maker, according to NETA Auto's press release.

LIVAN Automobile, iFLYTEK to cooperate on automotive intelligence development

On April 15, 2024, LIVAN Automobile ("LIVAN"), the automaker backed by Geely Auto and Lifan Technology, inked an agreement with Chinese speech technology giant iFLYTEK at the latter's headquarters in Hefei, Anhui Province, for their in-depth strategic cooperation in multiple areas such as intelligent cockpits, intelligent audio, digital marketing.

SGMW's Baojun Yep range puts new additions onto market

SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) officially put the Baojun Yep Plus and the 2024 Baojun Yep models onto the market on April 12.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On April 15, smart LiDAR solution provider RoboSense hosted its "REDEFINED" 2024 new product launch event, unveiling the new-generation mid-to-long range LiDAR, MX.

Photo credit: RoboSense

Leveraging its advanced features, MX has secured three new mass production projects, with the first set to commence large-scale production in the first half of 2025.

The company said the MX is the industry's first full-stack system-on-chip LiDAR With its sleek design, MX boasts unparalleled thinness at 25mm, ultra-quiet operation, and less than 10W ultra-low power consumption. It offers a maximum detection range of 200 meters, a field of view of 12025, and 126 lines (ROI equivalent to 251 lines), enhancing safety and efficiency in intelligent driving.

Photo credit: RoboSense

Compared to the companys previous models, the MX has reduced its volume by 40% and thickness by 44%, measuring only 25mm. Its area exposed outside of the window has also decreased by 80%. The MX can be flexibly embedded in various positions such as the windshield, roof, headlights, and grille, seamlessly integrating with the vehicle's design for easy deployment.

Another highlight of the MX is its intelligent evolution. With upgraded "Gaze" function, the MX can dynamically adjust both horizontally and vertically, transitioning from "single-dimensional intelligence" to "all-around intelligence," making it the industry's first LiDAR sensor capable of dynamic scanning adjustments in all dimensions.

RoboSense has prepared comprehensively for the accelerated application of LiDAR technology. At the event, RoboSense unveiled its MARS smart manufacturing headquarters base. Covering an area of 100,000 square meters, the smart manufacturing park has begun construction and is expected to be operational by the third quarter of 2024. By the first quarter of 2025, the first batch of MX products will roll off the production line from the MARS base, ready for mass production and onboard application.
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. will continue serving as the Jersey Shore citys top elected official despite child abuse charges being levied against both him and his wife, his legal team said Tuesday.

Ed Jacob, the mayors attorney, said in a statement both Marty Small Sr. and his wife, LaQuetta Small, who is superintendent of Atlantic Citys public schools, are innocent of accusations against them by Atlantic County prosecutors, adding that they will be vindicated.
A New Jersey financial counselor and U.S. Army reservist admitted to defrauding Gold Star families who received death benefits after their family members died serving in the military, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

Caz Craffy, 41, of Colts Neck, plead guilty to six counts of wire fraud, one count of securities fraud, making false statements on a loan application, committing acts affecting a personal financial interest and making false statements to a federal agency.

Craffy, also known as Carz Craffey was indicted in June 2023 after investigators accused him of targeting families of deceased veterans and collecting millions in commissions on trades in financial securities without the approval of his clients.
A North Jersey-based gang member accused of gunning down a rival near Irvington High School in 2019 pleaded guilty Monday, federal prosecutors said.

Elijah Williams, aka Lil Smith, 24, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations conspiracy, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said in a release.

Williams was a member of the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips gang from 2015 through Sept. 22, 2022, the office said.

The gang is responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of controlled substances in the state and elsewhere, investigators said.

On Sept. 25, 2018, in Newark, Williams attempted to kill rival gang members and associates by shooting at four people, one of whom was paralyzed, authorities said.

On March 20, 2019, in Irvington, Williams shot a member of the Jungle Boys gang near the high school, authorities said. He was suspected of killing a member of the Rollin 60s in 2017, an indictment said. The indictment did not identify the victim.

The guilty plea from a member of the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips gang is a result of the collaborative effort DEA New Jersey has with our law enforcement partners effectively targeting those organizations and individuals poisoning and destroying our communities, Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the DEA New Jersey Field Division said in a statement. Removing these individuals and their illicit narcotics saves lives and prevents deaths.

Williams now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine up to $250,00 when he is sentenced on Sept. 4, the office said.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
A Gloucester County man who admitted driving away from the scene of a 2022 crash that left a pedestrian dead in Deptford Township was sentenced to five years in prison last week.

Matthew B. Jefferson, 26, of Deptford Township, was at the wheel of a car that struck Paul F. Margand, 65, of Deptford, on the evening of Sept. 1, 2022, in the township.

Margand was apparently walking in the lane of travel on the 1000 block of Cattel Road at the time, according to statements made in court Friday. He was taken to Cooper University Hospital, in Camden, where he died of his injuries.

Acting on a tip, police found Jeffersons car five days after the crash parked at an apartment complex about a quarter mile from his residence, police stated in an affidavit of probable cause filed with the charges. He was interviewed by police and admitted texting as he drove on Cattel Road before the crash, police said.

Jefferson told police he thought he hit a deer, not a person.

He parked his car at the apartment so his father wouldnt see the damage and popped the dents out of the hood, he told investigators. He also allegedly covered windshield damage with a T-shirt, according to his charges.

Jefferson was indicted last year on charges including second-degree vehicular homicide, along with hindering and tampering with evidence, but those charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement reached in December in which he agreed to plead to a single second-degree charge of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death, according to plea paperwork.

Before he was sentenced, Jefferson made a statement, saying he was taking accountability.

I really want to apologize to the family for everything that has happened because it has never been my intention to ever hurt anyone in my life, he said. I wish I acted more as an adult and not a child.

Margands brother, Charles, offered a victim impact statement on behalf of the family Friday, saying he remains concerned that Jefferson still isnt taking responsibility for what he did, referencing the ongoing claim that the victim thought he hit a deer.

We are struggling as a family to get to the point where we can honestly offer forgiveness to Mr. Jefferson, Margand said. Its difficult to forgive someone who, until a moment ago, did not even ask for it. Perhaps that will change as we move forward.

We recognize that he is a young man with no criminal history and the majority of his life still ahead of him.

Margand described his brother as the oldest of 10 siblings whose death touched many lives.

His premature, violent, painful and needless death has reverberated throughout his extended family, the brother said. We will never truly know whether Paul would have been able to survive his injuries if help had been immediately summoned. All we do know is that he died several hours later at the hospital.

Margand also acknowledged his brothers past criminal history.

Paul Margand served as a Catholic priest in Nebraska in the 1980s before he was convicted of sexual assault of a child, according to news accounts and a report by the Nebraska attorney general. He was released from prison in 1991, according to Nebraska prison records.

Paul was not a perfect man, his brother told the court. Some 35 years ago, when he was about the same age as Mr. Jefferson is now, he had his own criminal conviction. In the years since he completed his sentence, he committed to his faith and remained deeply religious in his actions, as well as in his words for the remaining years of his life.

As an example, he said his brother donated a kidney to a stranger a decade ago.

In sentencing Jefferson, Superior Court Judge George Gangloff Jr. described the tragic circumstances of the victims death.

No one deserves that ... accident or otherwise, the judge said, adding that the entire case was devastating for both the families of the victim and the defendant.

In the end, Gangloff sentenced Jefferson in accordance with the plea agreement to five years in state prison.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chery's EXEED brand kicked off pre-sale for its STERRA ET new energy vehicle model on April 15 with a price range of 199,000 yuan to 329,000 yuan.

Photo credit: EXEED

The STERRA ET offers both battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions and range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) versions. The REEV series include the Plus at 199,000 yuan, Pro at 219,000 yuan, Pro+ at 239,000 yuan. Meanwhile, the BEV series encompass the Pro at 239,000 yuan, Pro Four-Wheel-Drive at 249,000 yuan, Pro Urban Intelligent Driving at 259,000 yuan, Max at 289,000 yuan, and Ultra at 329,000 yuan.

Photo credit: EXEED

As a flagship model in EXEED's high-end new energy lineup, the STERRA ET combines Chery's 27 years of automotive manufacturing expertise. The BEV version boasts a maximum range of 760 km, while the REEV version exceeds 1,500 km.

The REEV version features Chery's self-developed engine with industry-leading 44.5% thermal efficiency, rated at 115 kW. The BEV version is equipped with CATL's Shenxing battery, with a peak charging power of 420 kW, enabling a 475-km range with just 11.5 minutes of charging.

The STERRA ET adopts a full-aluminum chassis design with front high-end double-wishbone and rear five-link suspension. Based on Chery's latest EEA 5.0 architecture, it's the first fully service-oriented architecture (SOA) in the industry, said the automaker. Equipped with the latest technology such as UWB physical key, Lion AI large model voice assistant, and DHS smart health monitoring, it offers a personalized luxury smart experience.

Photo credit: EXEED

In terms of intelligent driving assistance, the STERRA ET is installed with 30 high-performance sensors and an NVIDIA Drive Orin chip with up to 508 TOPS of computing power. Additionally, the integration of intelligent driving and intelligent cabin AI large models allows users to interact with virtual voice assistants for driving control, creating an intelligent driving experience.
The project known as the HELIX innovation center received approval from New Brunswick Planning Board last week to begin the second phase of construction on a massive 11-story research center that will be the new home of Nokia Bell Labs one day.

The New Jersey Health + Life Science Exchange, or HELIX, is a $750 million research complex that will consist of three buildings in the citys downtown on the site of the former Ferren Mall. On April 8, the city Planning Board granted New Brunswick 2 Urban Renewal Associates preliminary and final site plan approval and major subdivision approval on the plan to build a towering 415,000-square-foot building that will be home to state-of-the art offices and research spaces.

The applicant New Brunswick 2 Urban Renewal Associates is a subsidiary of SJP Properties, which is heading development of the site with community support provided by nonprofit urban real estate development company New Brunswick Development Corporation, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the city of New Brunswick.

Officials said the project and tenant Nokia Bell Labs will be a good fit for the city.

I appreciate the historical and utilitarian context of this project, and the economic impact that its going to have on the city, as well as the social engagement that its going to bring to our community, said Councilwoman Suzanne Sicora Ludwig before last weeks vote.

The board unanimously approved the project.

Nokias research arm, Nokia Bell Labs, announced in December it will leave its historic headquarters in Murray Hill over the next five years and relocate to the new tech hub.

Murray Hill, a section of Berkeley Heights and New Providence, has been the home of Bell Labs for more than 80 years. The sprawling Murray Hill campus on Mountain Avenue is described by former employees with the same fondness college graduates describe their alma maters.

Spread across 240 acres, the country club-like setting served as the headquarters for a historic company whose researchers helped earn 10 Nobel Prizes, five Turing Awards for computer science breakthroughs and more than 20,000 patents.

Bell Labs Murray Hill, pictured here in 1960, is moving out of its historic headquarters by 2028. Nokia

When we decided to move, it wasnt taken lightly, said Matthew Corliss, director of strategy and technology for Nokia.

We cast a wide net when we looked for a home. We looked at 25 places in New Jersey and beyond. And in New Brunswick we found a home that will meet not only the technology needs that we have for the facility, but also the environment here close to academia, a thriving venture environment, and so we want to be a part of that, we want to be plugged into that going forward, Corliss said during the April 8 meeting.

The new facility, which will break ground in 2025, is the second in a series of three new buildings expected to change downtown New Brunswick, developers said.

Construction is already underway on the first HELIX building  a 12-story tower and plaza, housing the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, translational researchers, innovation spaces, and amenities.

I dont believe that its hyperbole to suggest the historic significance of this application and this project, said Christopher Paladino, president of New Brunswick Development Corporation. This project is an opportunity to unlock the entrepreneurial spirit of Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Dr. Waksman Rutgers, [David] Sarnoff, Claude Shannon from Bell Labs, for the next generation.

The first two phases of the project are already creating thousands of construction jobs, Paladino said.

Developers said they plan to finish building the new Bell Labs headquarters by January 2028.

Bell Labs intends to open a technology showcase in the buildings lobby for the public to view past innovations, but also see what were working on towards the future, said Corliss, director of strategy and technology for Nokia.

Bell Labs began in 1925 as the Bell Telephone Laboratories, a science and communication research arm of the Bell system with ownership evenly split between AT&T and Western Electric.

At its height, Bell Labs was filled with scientists doing groundbreaking research in Holmdel, Murray Hill and other locations. But the company eventually went through numerous ownership changes.

In the 1980s, AT&T Technologies took over, according to the Nokia Bell Labs website. In 1996, AT&T spun off most of Bell Laboratories and its equipment manufacturing business into Lucent Technologies.

Following a merger in 2007, Bell Laboratories and the former research and innovations division of Alcatel were combined into a single organization. And in 2016, Nokia acquired Alctael-Lucent, merging Bell Labs and Nokias research arm.

The third phase of the HELIX project will involve development of a mixed-use, high-rise building, incorporating additional office space and 220 housing units, according to the developers. That development is expected to go before the city planning board by the end of the year.

The HELIX was the first project to get a tax credit from the board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority through the Aspire program. Created under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020, Aspire is a gap financing program meant to support commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and residential real estate development projects, with an emphasis on underserved communities.

The HELIX project was given a $271 million tax credit through the Aspire program.

The HELIX innovation project also involves a payment in lieu of taxes agreement, or PILOT. The city approved an agreement last year with NJ Innovation Associates Urban Renewal, a subsidiary of New Brunswick Development Corporation.

Under the terms of the agreement, the New Brunswick Development Company is paying $1.4 million to the city annually in addition to the $23 million it is paying for the property, according to public meeting documents and videos.

Last year, the Rutgers Board of Governors approved its own funding plan for Rutgers $567 million portion of the HELIX project.

Officials said the HELIX complex, pictured here, will change the nature of downtown New Brunswick.

The HELIX is a large $750 million research complex that will consist of three buildings in the citys downtown on the site of the former Ferren Mall. Office of the Governor

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Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
A 72-year-old author who was seriously injured after being struck by an SUV while riding his bicycle on Easter Sunday in Monmouth County died last week, authorities said.

Douglas Yorke was hit at 5:45 p.m. on March 31 on Samara Drive just south of Obre Place in Shrewsbury Borough, police said Tuesday.

Yorke was brought to an area hospital, where he died of his injuries on April 11. The driver stopped and spoke to police following the collision. No charges have been filed and no summonses have been issued, though the incident remains under investigation, Shrewsbury Police Lt. Adam Cerminaro said.

Yorke, of Red Bank, was an avid bike rider who pedaled all over the East Coast and Texas, according to an online obituary. He also wrote a book on road maps in 1996.

After amassing one of the largest private collections of American road maps, he published a book on their artwork and the story they reveal about American history, Hitting the Road,  the obituary said.

Yorke also penned several op-eds for the New York Times, according to his obituary.

He is survived by three adult children, a grandchild and five siblings, as well as 13 nieces and nephews.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
The $16 billion Gateway Tunnel project is a decision away from receiving a record-setting $6.8 billion federal grant.

The Gateway Development Commission, the bi state agency overseeing design and building of the tunnel, submitted the final documents needed for the Federal Transit Administration to decide on awarding the grant.

On March 30, we submitted the last documents to the FTA for us to reach a full-funding grant agreement, Kris Kolluri, Gateway Development Commission CEO, said at the commissions Tuesday meeting. We are on track to secure all the funding for the tunnel.
If you plan on visiting Brazil next year, youll need to show your bank statements before visiting. Heres why.

Why do visitors to Brazil from these countries need to show their bank statements before visiting?
Finally, a sign of hope that people are waking up to the urgent need of the 17 million Americans who are suffering from Long COVID: Bernie Sanders is on the case.

Hes right that Congress has not done anywhere near enough, and his proposal for a $10 billion moonshot over the next decade for research and clinical trials is movement in the right direction.

There is the sense that something is going on in America, which is serious, that were not addressing, he said at the first Senate hearing on long COVID in January  four years after the pandemic began.

And thats exactly it. Were living through a repeat of the mistake we made in the early days of AIDS, ignoring the problem, and millions are suffering and disabled as a result.

This isnt the inevitable death sentence that AIDS once was, but people with long COVID have seen their quality of life diminish to a degree that the rest of the public doesnt realize, advocates say.

Theyre disproportionately young, in their 20s, 30s and 40s, and mourning the lives they thought theyd have  while facing years of chronic pain, debilitating fatigue, blood clots, brain damage, hefty medical bills and no approved drugs for treatment.

What were seeing is just tons of young people giving up, said Dara York, an advocate with long COVID who co-organized a protest at the Lincoln Memorial last month. Theyre losing hope. Like the previously healthy 27-year-old son of a prominent Republican donor in Vermont, who committed suicide.

Given the sheer number of Americans grappling with this disease, and maybe 4 million seriously affected, its striking how little the government has invested and how few politicians have taken up the cause.

So far, none of New Jerseys crowded House delegation has joined Sanders call, although a few made positive noises when we reached out last week. Frank Pallone was supportive but vague, calling for more funding for long COVID research and clinical trials, and a larger patient database. Donald Norcross found Sanders proposal encouraging.

We ignored AIDS. Lets not repeat the mistake on long COVID | Editorial https://t.co/GkfjLu3evi  The Star-Ledger (@starledger) March 10, 2024

Mikie Sherrill said scientific research on this is important and her team is reviewing the proposal. Josh Gottheimer has offered mostly positive gestures, signing on to other long COVID proposals without much funding behind them. And the rest didnt offer any response of substance.

On the Senate side, neither did the frontrunner for Bob Menendezs seat, Andy Kim. And while Cory Booker said we must dedicate resources to understanding the long-term effects of COVID, he didnt offer specifics.

The National Institutes of Health has allocated only about $129 million per year, on average, over the next four years for long COVID research  which is nothing compared to the billions that some other diseases get.

Meanwhile, its not just the extreme fatigue, pain, cognitive problems and host of other symptoms that people with long COVID must endure every day; its the neglect, skepticism and stigma that comes with this disease, they said at the Lincoln Memorial protest.

A 30-year-old former captain in the Armys 82nd Airborne division, Armani Guerra, was in peak physical fitness when he was disabled by long COVID after his second infection in 2023  since then, hes paid more than $13,000 out of pocket on medical bills, searched and scoured the depths of the Internet looking for a cure that does not exist, and felt alienated by my country and by society.

Sanders gets this. Hes answered the call, and stepped up for people like Guerra. Now, who will join him?

Our website has a brand new, interactive call guide! Its now easier than ever to find & contact your legislators to demand funding for #LongCovid.



Check it out: https://t.co/XlbXWWbIAG pic.twitter.com/SV4Gk3gBeI  Long Covid Moonshot (@LCMoonshot) April 12, 2024

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The Community Crisis Response Team Pilot Program will receive $12 million in funding following the approval of a senate bill in January that focuses on police response to mental health emergency calls, officials announced Monday.

The bill, known as the Seabrooks-Washington Community-Led Crisis Response Act, is named after both Najee Seabrooks and Andrew Washington, who were killed during encounters with police while experiencing a mental health episode, according to a news release.
Donald Trump and his supporters cried foul Monday after they falsely claimed the judge in his New York criminal trial prohibited the former president from attending his youngest sons high school graduation next month.

Will Trump be unable to attend Barons graduation because he has to be in the courtroom? Maybe. But Justice Juan Merchan didnt say no on Monday as Trump and others have claimed.

Rather, Merchan said he would get back to Trump on the question from his legal team.

Telling Trump he cant attend Barrons graduation goes beyond mere jackassery. This is deliberately cruel. Is the MSM really so lacking in self-respect that theres no willingness to report on this? Utah U.S. Sen. Mike Lee posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Trump himself posted on his social media site that he was being prohibited from attending my son Barrons High School Graduation.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged effort to keep salacious  and, he says, bogus  stories about his sex life from emerging during his 2016 campaign. On Monday, Trump called the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg a scam and witch hunt.

The charges center on $130,000 in payments that Trumps company made to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen. He paid that sum on Trumps behalf to keep porn actor Stormy Daniels from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has denied the sexual encounter ever happened.

Prosecutors say the payments to Cohen were falsely logged as legal fees. Prosecutors have described it as part of a scheme to bury damaging stories Trump feared could help his opponent in the 2016 race, particularly as Trumps reputation was suffering at the time from comments he had made about women.

Trump has acknowledged reimbursing Cohen for the payment and that it was designed to stop Daniels from going public about the alleged encounter. But Trump has previously said it had nothing to do with the campaign.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Well that attempted dunk on Stormy Daniels didnt go as planned.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was more than happy to set the record straight on her 2018 arrest at an Ohio strip club. The porn actor was charged with illegally rubbing undercover police officers faces against her bare breasts during a performance, but they were dropped hours after her arrest and the two cops who charged her were later fired.

Yep! Daniels posted on social media after a MAGA supporter tagged her in a post asking is this you? from a video of her arrest.

That was the day I was falsely arrested in Ohio, Daniels continued. I stood up to the dirty cops who did it. They were fired and I was awarded over $400k! Thank you for sharing!

Yep! That was the day I was falsely arrested in Ohio. I stood up to the dirty cops who did it. They were fired and I was awarded over $400k! Thank you for sharing! https://t.co/SgJzVGZ8D7  Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) April 16, 2024

Daniels was paid out by the city in 2019 after she filed a federal defamation complaint against several Columbus officers. She alleged police conspired to retaliate against her over her claims that she had sex with Donald Trump before he became president.

Trump supporters are trolling Daniels because of the former presidents criminal trial in New York.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged effort to keep salacious  and, he says, bogus  stories about his sex life from emerging during his 2016 campaign. On Monday, Trump called the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg a scam and witch hunt.

The charges center on $130,000 in payments that Trumps company made to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen. He paid that sum on Trumps behalf to keep Daniels from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has denied the sexual encounter ever happened.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to review a case in which the U.S Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals  which has jurisdiction over Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas  ruled that protest organizers can be held liable for the criminal actions of other demonstrators.

Analysts said the lower courts original decision eliminates peoples ability to organize mass protests in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

In 2016, an unnamed police officer sued prominent Black Lives Matter organizer DeRay Mckesson claiming the activist was liable for the injuries he sustained during a protest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following the death of Alton Sterling by the same police department.

Despite not being involved in the incident, the officer claimed that Mckesson should be held responsible because he knew or should have known that violence would occur at the protest.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said the high courts decision not to review the case does not mean the Fifth Circuit Courts previous ruling was correct.

The goal of lawsuits like these is to prevent people from showing up at a protest out of the fear that they might be held responsible if anything happens, Mckesson, who is represented by the ACLU, said in a statement. But people dont need to be afraid to show up. The Constitution still protects our right to protest.

Civil rights organizations argued to the Supreme Court that Mckesson cannot be held liable unless there is proof that he directed, authorized, ratified or encouraged any act of violence at the protest. Defense lawyers said organizers shouldnt be responsible for the possibility of foreseeable violence at a protest. The ACLU said the Fifth Circuits dangerous theory of liability would place greater responsibilities on leaders than those who participate in illegal activities.

People should not be afraid that theyll face a ruinous lawsuit if they exercise their rights to protest, said Vera Eidelman, a staff attorney with the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project.

In a statement, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the courts decision does not express any views on the merit of arguments for the First Amendment, which guarantees the right to free speech and assembly. She said the lower courts are expected to apply precedent, which prohibits holding anyone liable for negligent speech and reinforces intent as the standard.

The ACLU said it would fight to ensure the decision does not apply anywhere.

The Mckesson v Doe case was brought against Mckesson eight years ago by a police officer after an unknown person threw a rock-like object at the officers head, injuring his teeth, jaw and brain, according to a lawsuit.

The protest occurred in July 2016 after police killed Sterling, a 37-year-old Black man, outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge where he was selling CDs.

It is disappointing that the court did not take the opportunity to bring this case to an end, David Goldberg, Mckessons counsel of record, said in a statement. But I am confident that the court eventually will consider and repudiate this dangerous rule of law.

The case has gone through various courts, beginning with a district ruling in 2017 that Mckesson could not be sued. The decision was then overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court, which claimed the officer plausibly alleged negligent protest and that Mckesson helped create an unsafe situation by assembling outside the police department. The Louisiana Supreme Court also weighed in and said the claim could move forward. Mckessons team asked the Supreme Court twice to intervene.

The case will now proceed to a trial court with the benefit of Sotomayors statement and previous legal precedent, according to civil rights organizations.
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Tesla announced layoffs on Sunday night. Justin Sullivan

On Sunday night, Elon Musk sent a company-wide email to Tesla staff announcing a workforce reduction of more than 10%.

One laid-off Tesla worker said they moved about 6 months ago for the job before being let go.

They moved cross-country after Tesla offered them a stipend to do it.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a former Tesla employee who was laid off on Sunday night and requested anonymity to protect their privacy. Business Insider has verified their identity and employment. A spokesperson for Tesla did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I started at Tesla as a commercial field services technician during the pandemic. I handled the troubleshooting and maintenance for Tesla's energy department.

ADVERTISEMENT

I started out with the company in California and since have moved twice while working for Tesla.

I just moved across the country for the job six months ago.

Tesla transferred me to one of its southern regions to service its energy department. The company needed someone in the region and hadn't had anybody on the ground there for over a year. People had to fly out to the area periodically to service it.

For a while, I was flying out. For like a period of three months, I was two weeks on, two weeks off, just picking up the slack.

Then Tesla asked me if I'd consider moving out there with my wife. I told them I'd only consider it if they paid for our move. They ended up helping with the relocation process and offered a stipend.

We packed up and left in about a week. We sold most of our stuff and rented a big U-Haul to drive down.

I was completely blindsided when I woke up on Monday morning to the layoff notice.

I woke up on Monday morning, trying to clock in to work. And my phone said something along the lines of: password error, contact IT.

So I went to my laptop to try to log in and I was locked out of my computer too, with the IT number right there on the screen. I called IT and they said I needed to contact HR. Then I went to my personal email account and I saw an email from Tesla that was sent out overnight. It was that generic letter  one that a lot of other people have said they got.

Story continues

I felt like I was doing well and receiving positive feedback from my managers. In that layoff letter they said the cuts were due to redundancy, but I didn't feel like my role was redundant.

I feel like Tesla could have handled the layoffs better. It was impersonal and abrupt.

Now my wife and I feel like we're kind of stuck.

We're in a town where I probably won't be able to find a lot of other opportunities without having to commute around an hour and a half to work both ways because of the rural location. We're also far away from family and without a nearby support system to help us out.

We lost some of our safety net when we moved. We rented a home that was well within our budget with my Tesla pay, but less so now that I've been laid off. Now we're stuck in the lease for six more months.

When we moved for Tesla we didn't take it lightly, but we didn't expect this. Leaving was tough because we'd been living near family. I have two children, a 17-year-old and a 9-year-old, and we had to uproot them.

Now I feel like we rolled the dice and we've kind of shot ourselves in the foot as a result.

Do you work for Tesla or have a tip? Reach out to the reporter via a non-work email and device at gkay@businessinsider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
ATLANTAThe Atlanta Board of Zoning Adjustment and the city government are targeting a boutique location of controversial adult chain Tokyo Valentino for a variety of zoning violations, reports the Atlanta local edition of Axios.

AVN reported in July 2020 that authorities in Marietta, Ga., forced the Tokyo Valentino location in the suburban fringe community outside Atlanta to shut down for code violations. The city council in Marietta revoked the business license for the store.

Now, in Atlanta proper, the boutique chain's location at the Chesire Bridge Road area is reportedly violating laws by offering illegal adult video booths and a sex club. WSB-TV, a local news station, reported earlier this month that neighbors of the adult boutique see Tokyo Valentino customers having sex behind vacant buildings in plain view of several adjacent apartment communities.

The board issued Tokyo Valentino's leadership a cease-and-desist warning for permitting sexual activity "outside of the building within plain view of residential structures," reports Axios. This location is not zoned for such an activity. Counsel representing Tokyo Valentino filed an appeal with the Board of Zoning Adjustment alleging violations of the boutique's First Amendment rights. The appeal was denied, however.

A city councilperson representing the Atlanta area where this Tokyo Valentino location is operating expects a legal battle between the adult boutique chain and the city government.

Michael Morrison, the owner of Tokyo Valentino, told Axios that "this will undoubtedly be solved in a federal court." Speaking on the onsite club hosted at that location, Morrison said that the lifestyle club doesn't serve alcohol and is regarded as a safe place for members of the local LGBTQ+ community. Sexual activity is prohibited, and this location of Tokyo Valentino removed video booths from the premises.

Morrison believes the only reason why Atlanta is cracking down on his Chesire Bridge Road location is due to a fatal shooting in March at a vacant bakery building adjacent to the store. Reportedly, Morrison owns this vacant building and wants to turn it into a massage parlor. He filed a permit with the Board of Zoning Adjustments, but his request was denied.

This is one of the reasons why he claims coming legal action against the city of Atlanta.

Tokyo Valentino operates locations across the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Boutique locations in Marietta and Duluth, Ga., are temporarily closed due to regulatory restrictions in those local communities.

This is a developing story.
Hate it, like it or love it, the New Orleans public school system has been heavily Black and mostly Black-run for quite some time  until 2005
WASHINGTONCounsel representing the Free Speech Coalition and a plaintiff class of parent companies who own the largest adult platforms in the world have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to temporarily block the state of Texas from enforcing its controversial age verification law, House Bill (HB) 1181, while they appeal to the high court.

This application was filed directly to Associate Justice Samuel Alito. Alito, the conservative justice who penned the majority opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade and stripped constitutional abortion rights, serves as the circuit justice for the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. In the judicial appeals system, Supreme Court justices are tasked with presenting cases from their assigned appeals circuits for review by the nine-member court.

If there is cause to hear the case at the high court, a writ of certiorari is granted to elevate the case from an appeals court to the high court for a final ruling.

AVN reported last week that the plaintiffs' counsel, attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union, and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP filed a petition for a writ of certiorari to have the case reviewed by the high court.

"This court should stay the judgment entered by the Fifth Circuit, thereby restoring the district courts preliminary injunction, pending resolution of applicants petition for a writ of certiorari," argues Derek L. Shaffer of Quinn Emanuel, counsel of record, in the application for stay. Shaffer refers to the preliminary injunction granted by Senior U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra of the Western District of Texas blocking HB 1181.

Ezra declared the law, which initially required adult platforms operating in the Texas digital space to verify the age of each user and publish pseudoscientific health warnings about porn use, as potentially unconstitutional.

He granted a preliminary injunction enjoining the state of Texas from enforcing the law during the remainder of the litigation.

After Texas appealed to the Fifth Circuit, the notoriously conservative appeals court overturned Ezra's ruling and said that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his office could begin enforcing the law, but without the health warning requirement. Shortly after, Paxton filed lawsuits against the parent companies of Pornhub, xHamster, and Stripchat in Travis County, Texas, courts.

"In the alternative, this court should issue an injunction temporarily enjoining Texas from enforcing the acts age-verification provisions while the Court decides whether to grant the petition," adds Shaffer. "At a minimum or in parallel, this court may direct Texas to respond to the contemporaneously filed petition on a timetable that would allow the Court to consider the petition before adjourning for the summer."

The high court typically enters recess from the middle of summer, typically early July, until the first Monday in October of that same year.
SAN DIEGO, Calif.Douglas Wiederhold, a performer who appeared in dozens of GirlsDoPorn scenes and also co-founded the affiliated website MomPOV, pleaded guilty in a federal district court last week to charges stemming from the criminal activity behind the two sites.

AVN reported on Wiederholds arrest and indictment last year. He stands accused of a federal conspiracy chargea felonyfor his role in the GirlsDoPorn sex trafficking ring that preyed on minors and engaged in fraud led by Michael Pratt. Pratt and Wiederhold together started the imprint MomPOV modeled off of the format of the GirlsDoPorn concept but targeting older women.

Both sites defrauded dozens of women, were tied to the criminal sex trafficking enterprise, and were centered on exploitation and intimidation of the victims. Wiederhold was arrested in Michigan in late 2023. Pratt appeared before a federal district judge last month after he was extradited from Spain back to the United States. For a time, Pratt was on the Most Wanted List of the Federal Bureau of Investigation alongside terrorists and drug cartel bosses. Pratt declared himself not guilty.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (L) speaks alongside U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House on April 15, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

President Joe Biden welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to the White House on April 15.

The bilateral meeting came less than two days after Irans unprecedented attack on Israel, which included missiles launched from Irans proxies in Iraqi airspace.

President Biden said the relationship between the United States and Iraq was critical for the region and the world.

The president reaffirmed Washington is committed to Israels security, but also committed the United States to bringing about a ceasefire.

This was Mr. Al-Sudanis first visit to the White House and first meeting with President Biden, during which they talked about the Strategic Framework Agreement and their ongoing effort to prevent a resurgence of ISIS in Iraq.

The two leaders also discussed financial reforms as well as progress toward the Middle Eastern nations energy self-sufficiency and modernization.

The president took no questions from the press.

The United States is committed to Israels security. Were committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent any conflict from spreading beyond what it already has, President Biden said during the meeting.

Were also committed to the security of our personnel and partners in the region, including Iraq.

The partnership between Iraq and the United States is critical.

Speaking through an interpreter, Mr. Al-Sudani told President Biden that the war against ISIS is the base of the U.S.-Iraq relationship, and victory was achieved by fighting together.

He also affirmed his nations commitment to the outcome of the Higher Military Commission discussions.

The Iraqi prime minister also shared his desire for a comprehensive long-term partnership between his nation and the United States, moving that relationship from security and military to an economical, educational, and environmental one.

However, cooperation between the United States and Iraq appears to have been strained in the past few months as U.S. forces face criticism for their strikes on Iran-backed groups within Iraqs territory.

In one instance, on Feb. 7, the United States launched unilateral strikes in eastern Baghdad that killed a commander of the Kataib Hezbollah group, an Iraqi Shiite militia said to be linked to Iran.

The next day, Iraqi army spokesman Yahya Rasool said the U.S.-led coalition had become a factor for instability [that] threatens to entangle Iraq in the cycle of conflict.

In calling for peace in Gaza during his White House visit, the prime minister said that his government is very eager about stopping this war which claimed the lives of thousands of civilians, including women and children.

But he made no mention of Israel.

Our views may be divergent about whats happening there in the region, but we agree certainly about the international law, the international humanitarian law, and the responsibility to protect the law of war.

And we reject any aggression against the civilians, especially women and children, Mr. Al-Sudani said.

And we think if we kept silent about whats happening, that we will establish a precedent that will be followed, whether it is bad or good precedent.

Officials from both countries announced in January plans to begin formal talks about winding down the activities of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq without withdrawing American troops.

According to the Pentagon, the inaugural U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission Principals meeting took place on April 8, to begin those talks about transitioning the partnership.

During that meeting, both sides reflected on the historic achievements and sacrifices made in the fight against ISIS and the support of Iraqi stability, sovereignty, and unity. They agreed to provide assessments to set a timetable for transition.

Adam Morrow contributed to this report.

From The Epoch Times
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party held an informal gathering on April 15 to discuss ways to stabilize Japans imperial reign and decided to summarize the partys opinions within this month.

S/ Aso Taro, LDP Vice President: As other parties have presented their opinions, it is necessary for the LDP to show a concrete direction as soon as possible.

The meeting confirmed two ideas, which were presented in a report of an experts panel as appropriate. One plan proposes that female members of the Imperial Family remain royalty even after marriage while the other proposes that members of the Imperial Family adopt male heirs from former imperial family branches.

Participants reached an understanding on the proposal to legally make male descendants of former imperial family branches as a supplementary measure when the number of imperial family members cannot be secured in these proposals.

After the meeting, LDP Deputy Secretary-General Kihara Minoru told reporters that he wants to speed up discussions so that the partys opinions will be summarized by the end of April.
UPDATE (10:54 a.m. 4.17.2024): In a Wednesday morning post on X, Zaawaadi stated the following in regard to the account of events presented in Phoenix Marie's lawsuit: "Although am physically back to normal, my mental health was completely destroyed due to the incident. Just to make it clear to all asking what happened, Phoenix gave me two tablets each of two different types of medicine, telling me they would help to relax my body and Dannys partner never gave me any tablets."

LAS VEGASAVN Hall of Fame performer Phoenix Marie has filed a lawsuit against Pornhubs parent company Aylo and its ownership group Ethical Capital Partners, along with fellow AVN Hall of Famer Danny D and others, for damages totaling about $80 million. Marie alleges that she was the target of a conspiracy against her, instigated by Aylo, after she witnessed a performer experience a lithium overdose on a set in Barcelona, Spain, in 2023.

According to court filings, Marie was an active participant on the set of an orgy scene for Aylo-owned studio Digital Playground. Director and male performer Danny D was the lead for the set. Other performers participating in the scene included Cherie DeVille and Kenyan-German star Zaawaadi.

"The complaint details how during the shoot, led by director and actor Danny D, a fellow performer nearly died of a lithium overdose," explains a press statement sent to AVN by counsel for Marie. She is currently represented by law firm Kerr Simpson of Henderson, Nevada.

The "fellow performer" mentioned in the statement was Zaawaadi, according to the text of the suit. She had an overdose of lithium and needed medical attention immediately. Marie is a trained emergency medical technician, the suit notes, and took action to care for Zaawaadi, who was complaining that she was unable to breathe.

"[Marie] shares how immediately following the traumatic experience, Danny D used physical force to prevent [Marie] from accompanying her colleague to the hospital and then forced her to perform a sex scene with him despite her repeated and clear protests, encouraging humiliating and degrading comments throughout," reads the press statement. In addition to Danny D, Aylo, Ethical Capital Partners and several company heads, the suit lists up to 50 unnamed "Does" as defendants.

Claims against Danny D include battery and sexual battery. In the lawsuit, he is accused of grabbing Marie and forcing her to perform the scene, despite her protests and wish to accompany Zaawaadi to the hospital. Other claims against the class of defendants include conspiracy and defamation. Marie says she was the victim of a smear campaign orchestrated by Aylo and select individuals to discredit her and present her as an unhinged grieving mother who isn't over the 2019 death of her child.

"[Aylo] executives made her a scapegoat for the life-threatening incident on one of their sets, using the 2019 death of her daughter to falsely paint her as an unhinged, grieving mother on lithium responsible for her colleagues overdose," reads the statement from Marie's counsel. It additionally charges: "Aylo also could have easily determined who had lithium on set by asking for blood tests from the cast and crewincluding the makeup artist, Danny D.s live-in girlfriend, who confided the previous day that she was self-medicating with lithium and had her pills out on set."

Other claims filed against Aylo and Ethical Capital Partners include breach of contract and breach of good faith covenant. This includes the instigation of a cover-up led by Aylo executives. Marie was offered a non-disclosure agreement to sign but refused, says her counsel.

"Aylo breached the agreement by improperly terminating [Marie] to cover-up what happened with the lithium poisoning on the Barcelona set," reads the suit. It goes on to allege that the cover-up was propagated by others who are affiliated with Aylo in a conspiracy to discredit Marie and restrict her prospects for work in the adult industry. It also claims that her refusal to sign an NDA and the incident with Danny D resulted in her missing out on millions of dollars worth of work, and that other directors and performers in the industry have told Marie in private that they're being urged not to work with her due to drama she reportedly caused, among various other rumors.

A spokesperson for Ethical Capital Partners declined to comment about ongoing litigation. In similar fashion, Aylos spokesperson told AVN, "Out of respect for the integrity of court proceedings, our policy is not to comment on ongoing litigation. We look forward to the facts being fully and fairly aired in that forum."

Danny D provided the following statement to AVN: "The claims made against me are completely false and unfounded. On a Spanish production [Marie] gave tablets to Zaawaadi, who then had a medical emergency due to taking those tablets, thankfully we were able to save her life.

"The whole production cast was present, including a talent assistant who can verify at no point, anyone was compelled or forced to perform in any nature, we have all footage, sign in's & outs, plus statements from everyone on set.

"We pride ourselves on our professionalism and safe working environments for all talent."

The case is currently before the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. It was initially filed at the Eighth Judicial District Court in Clark County, Nev., but was elevated to federal court due to jurisdictional issues pertaining to the case.

Marie's counsel also informed AVN that an amended complaint with "additional details around what happened, as well as more specifics on the retaliation and consequences" is forthcoming.

Peter Warren contributed to this story.
VALPARAISO  Jury selection was set to begin Tuesday morning in a nearly five-year-old criminal case involving the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl at a Hebron home.

Kittrell Hawthorne, 47, now of Georgia, is charged with felony counts of rape, child molesting and auto theft stemming from the alleged incident on Aug. 28, 2019, records show.

Police said when they arrived at the home that night they found the young girl sitting on a couch with her head in her lap and crying uncontrollably.

The girl's mother said she had gone to work that night and left her three children with Hawthorne, but returned unexpectedly and found Hawthorne in the girl's bedroom looking surprised and sweaty, police said. Hawthorne reportedly ran past the woman, who found her daughter in the bedroom closet crying and only partially clothed.

Hawthorne, who was dating the woman, allegedly left without permission in her vehicle, according to police.

Fire tears through Porter County home Monday night PINE TOWNSHIP  Firefighters from several area departments battled a house fire Monday evening along County Road 375 East, just south of Count

The girl told police she went to bed that night and awoke at some point to Hawthorne lying with her. It was then that he is accused of raping her, causing her physical harm, police said.

Hawthorne was taken into custody at gunpoint the following morning after police were tipped off that he was on his way to pick up his last paycheck in Merrillville before intending to flee the area.

The trial is taking place this week before Porter Superior Court Judge Mike Fish.
The mayor of Atlantic City, N.J., Marty Small Sr., and his wife, LaQuetta Small, the superintendent of Atlantic Citys public schools, have been accused of physically and emotionally abusing their teenage daughter, officials announced on Monday.

Mr. Small, 50, and Ms. Small, 47, were charged with a second-degree count of endangering the welfare of a child, the Atlantic County prosecutors office said in a news release. Prosecutors said that the couple abused their daughter on multiple occasions between December and January, when she was 15 and 16.

On one occasion, prosecutors said, Mr. Small hit his daughter in the head with a broom several times, causing her to lose consciousness. The abuse also included punching and threats, according to the prosecutors office.

A spokesman for the mayors office directed all inquiries about the charges to Mr. Smalls lawyer, Edwin Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs said the matter has absolutely nothing to do with any improprieties in the mayors office.
The National Park Service is seeking help from the public to find two men who were captured on camera toppling an ancient natural rock formation at Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada last week, officials said on Monday.

A video posted on April 7 shows the two men, legs bent, pushing the large red rocks. A young girl in the background can be heard yelling: Dont fall  Daddy! Daddy! As the men try to move the rocks, another person is heard off-camera saying, But why?

The National Park Service is asking anyone who might be able to help identify the vandalism suspects to call or text the National Park Service-wide Tip Line 888-653-0009, submit a tip online or email nps_isb@nps.gov.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, established in 1936, is 2,338 square miles. It runs along the Colorado River, from the western end of Grand Canyon National Park to below Davis Dam. The sandstone formations on the Redstone Trail were shaped over time by geological forces from 140-million-year-old dunes, according to the National Park Service.
NORTH BERGEN, N.J.Pleasure products manufacturer Nasstoys has launched a social media initiative for April focusing on sexual health and wellness in honor of STI Awareness Month. The campaignemploying the theme of "Talk. Test. Treat."aims to raise awareness about the importance of taking proactive steps towards safeguarding one's sexual health.

Through the campaign, Nasstoys emphasizes that by engaging in open communication, regular testing, and seeking treatment when necessary, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and promote overall well-being.

"At Nasstoys, we believe that knowledge is power when it comes to sexual health," Nasstoys social media manager Carly S. said. With the 'Talk. Test. Treat.' focus, we aim to empower individuals with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health."

Throughout the month of April, Nasstoys will be sharing educational content on its social media platforms to destigmatize STIs and encourage proactive health practices. Topics will include the importance of regular testing, understanding STI prevention methods, and breaking down misconceptions surrounding sexual health.

In addition to educational content, Nasstoys has secured partnerships for giveaways of the Goddess Heat Up Bunny Vibrator, which features warming technology that can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with pelvic floor issues. By offering these giveaways, Nasstoys hopes to provide individuals with tools that not only enhance pleasure but also contribute to their overall sexual wellness.

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The Goddess Heat Up Bunny and more are now shipping through Nasstoys distributing partners or by contacting your Nasstoys sales representative or [email protected]. See Nasstoys' full range of products and collections at www.nasstoys.com.
Facing mounting pressure to strike down a near-total abortion ban revived last week by Arizonas Supreme Court, Republican state legislators are considering efforts to undermine a planned ballot measure this fall that would enshrine abortion rights in the Arizona Constitution, according to a presentation obtained by The New York Times.

The 1864 law that is set to take effect in the coming weeks bans nearly all abortions and mandates prison sentences of two to five years for providing abortion care. The proposed ballot measure on abortion rights, known as the Arizona Abortion Access Act, would enshrine the right to an abortion before viability, or about 24 weeks. Supporters of the measure say they have already gathered enough signatures to put the question on the ballot ahead of a July 3 filing deadline.

Republicans in the Legislature are under tremendous pressure to overturn, or at least amend, the 1864 ban. Former President Donald J. Trump, the national standard-bearer of the Republican Party, directly intervened on Friday, calling on Republican legislators, in a frantically worded post online, to act immediately to change the law. A top Trump ally in Arizona who is running for the Senate, Kari Lake, has also called for the overturning of the 1864 law, which she had once praised.

Abortion rights have been a winning message for Democrats since the Supreme Court, with three justices appointed by Mr. Trump, overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. And even though it is an objectively unpopular aspect of his White House legacy, Mr. Trump has repeatedly bragged that he is personally responsible for overturning Roe.
Israels war cabinet met again on Monday as it faced growing international pressure not to retaliate against Iran for its missile and drone attack over the weekend, even as some far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government called for an aggressive response.

There was no immediate indication of what, if anything, the cabinet had decided. Mr. Netanyahu faces a delicate calculation: how to respond to Iran in order not to look weak, while trying to avoid alienating the Biden administration and other allies already impatient with Israels conduct of the war in Gaza.

While the United States, Britain and France strongly condemned Irans assault and stepped in to help thwart it, their calls for restraint highlighted the intense pressure Israel was facing to avoid fueling a wider Middle East conflict.

The Iranian attack, though unprecedented, produced little damage, and life in Israel was returning to normal. Iranian officials signaled on Sunday that they were seeking to prevent further escalation.

Heres what we know:
Follow live updates on Israeli military strikes in Iran.

Israels war cabinet on Monday met to weigh possible responses to Irans missile and drone attack over the weekend, as the United States, Britain and other allies strongly urged Israel to show restraint and sought to de-escalate tensions between the two regional powers.

Some far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government called for a swift and forceful retaliation in response to Iran.

An Israeli official briefed on the cabinet discussions, speaking anonymously in order to talk about security matters, said several options were being considered, ranging from diplomacy to an imminent strike, but gave no further details. There was no immediate public statement by the ministers, or by the Israeli prime minister.

We are weighing our steps, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the Israeli military chief of staff, told Israeli soldiers on Monday in televised remarks during a visit to an Israeli air base. The launching of so many missiles, cruise missiles and drones toward Israeli territory will be responded to.

Mr. Netanyahu faces a delicate calculation  how to respond to Iran in order not to look weak, while trying to avoid alienating the Biden administration and other allies already impatient with Israels prosecution of the war in Gaza.

While the United States, Britain and France strongly condemned Irans assault and stepped in to help thwart it on Saturday, their calls for restraint highlighted the pressure Israel was facing to avoid a more direct confrontation with Iran.
A Lebanese money changer hit with U.S. sanctions over his alleged role as a financial middleman between Hamas and Iran was found shot to death at a villa just outside Beirut, Lebanons state news agency reported.

Lebanons interior minister, Bassam Mawlawi, speaking to a Lebanese TV network on Sunday, said the initial findings suggested that the killing last week was carried out by intelligence services. Asked if he believed Mossad was behind it, Mr. Mawlawi answered yes.

The Israeli prime ministers office did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Lebanons state news agency reported that the money changer, Muhammad Srour, 57, had gone missing for several days after visiting a money transfer shop to withdraw a payment. It said his body was found riddled with bullet wounds. The news agency referred to him only by his initials, but his family confirmed the identity.

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Mr. Srour in August 2019, saying that he had provided financial, material, technological support, financial or other services to Hamas and that he had ties with Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese militant group. Mr. Srour was accused of transferring tens of millions of dollars annually from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to Hamass military wing.

During a televised address last week in the wake of the killing, Mr. Srours relatives called on the Lebanese authorities to find the perpetrators, and said that all of his financial transactions were fully transparent.
Israeli settlers fatally shot two Palestinians in the West Bank on Monday, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials, as tensions continued to spike in the Israeli-occupied territory.

The Palestinian Authority Health Ministry identified the two men as Abdelrahman Bani Fadel, 30, and Mohammad Bani Jama, 21. The circumstances of their deaths near the town of Aqraba remained unclear.

The Israeli military said the two men had been killed during a violent exchange between Israeli settlers and Palestinians that followed a report of a Palestinian attacking an Israeli shepherd. An initial investigation indicated that the gunfire did not originate from Israeli soldiers, the military said.

The two Palestinians appeared to have been shot by Israeli settlers on the scene, said an Israeli security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was still underway.

The killings fed fears that the West Bank could become another front for a country already in its seventh month of war in the Gaza Strip.

About 500,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank live alongside roughly 2.7 million Palestinians under Israeli military occupation. Since the war began on Oct. 7, more than 400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces there and in East Jerusalem, according to the United Nations.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art said on Tuesday it has returned a Sumerian sculpture dating from the third millennium B.C. to Iraq and described the repatriation as a product of the museums more intensive efforts to review the provenance of items in its collection.

The ancient artifact had been in the museums collection for nearly 70 years.

The Met is committed to the responsible collecting of antiquities and to the shared stewardship of the worlds cultural heritage, Max Hollein, the museums director, said in a statement. We are honored to collaborate with the Republic of Iraq on the return of this sculpture, and we value the important relationships we have fostered with our colleagues there.

Museum officials did not address what research had led to the return of the copper alloy sculpture, titled Man Carrying a Box, Possibly for Offerings. The museum said the artifact dates from around 29002600 B.C., and had been part of its collection since 1955 when it was bought by the museum.

The Met said the artifact had been on display there in recent decades until some galleries were closed and the works removed during renovations beginning in January 2023. The figure had also been included in special exhibitions at the Met and elsewhere, it said. The artifact was possibly a temple object depicting the figure of a nude man carrying a box on his head, possibly an offering.
The Teatro alla Scala in Milan, one of the worlds most prestigious and storied opera houses, announced Tuesday that its next leader would be Fortunato Ortombina, who is currently general director of Venices opera house, Teatro La Fenice.

Ortombina will succeed Dominique Meyer, a respected French impresario who has run La Scala since 2020 and who previously led the Vienna State Opera. The appointment of Ortombina comes as Italys current national government has made it clear that it favors homegrown talent over foreigners at major cultural posts.

A decision has finally been reached, Mayor Giuseppe Sala of Milan, who is the chairman of the foundation that runs the opera house, said Tuesday after a board meeting. The appointment of Ortombina ended months of speculation and whispers in the opera world.

Italys culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, enthusiastically welcomed the appointment on Tuesday. After three foreign general directors, Stephane Lissner, Alexander Pereira and Dominique Meyer, an Italian returns to La Scala, he said in a statement, which noted that the practice of Italian opera singing had recently been added to UNESCOs intangible cultural heritage list.
Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep  and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.

Dozo the Clown

Donald Trump's trial kicked off with jury selection in New York on Monday.

The trial began at 10 a.m. with the court clerk announcing, The People of the State of New York vs. Donald J. Trump, followed by 15 minutes of thunderous applause, Jimmy Kimmel said on Monday.
A handful of protesters disrupted a speech by Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday, storming a stage and accusing the mayor of caring more about the needs of the real estate lobby than the working-class New Yorkers he often talks about.

The demonstrators moved to within an arms length of Mr. Adams and chanted How much money do you take from the rich? before they were forcibly removed by police officers.

The surreal encounter, which took place at 583 Park Avenue, a historic landmark building now used as an event space, stunned the business leaders who had gathered there for a power breakfast held by the Association for a Better New York. Placed in the seat of every attendee was a one-page flier with a picture of the mayor titled New York Citys Accomplishments.

The flier centered on familiar themes of many of the mayors recent appearances, highlighting job growth and a reduction of some crimes  talking points that the mayor repeated in his speech.
With Mayor Eric Adams and top aides facing a tangle of investigations and lawsuits, he is quietly maneuvering to replace New York Citys top lawyer with a veteran litigator known for his aggressive tactics, two people who are familiar with the matter said.

The city is in the final stages of hiring Randy Mastro, a former federal prosecutor who served as chief of staff and deputy mayor to former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, a Republican, according to the two people, who were granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.

The citys current corporation counsel, Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix, a former judge who served in the role for nearly two and a half years, is expected to leave the administration.

Mr. Mastro has met with City Hall aides to discuss the job, and the citys Department of Investigation has been notified that he is expected to join the administration, according to one of the people, and it will conduct a background investigation.
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After the first day of jury selection in Donald J. Trumps criminal trial saw the dismissal of dozens of potential jurors who said they could not be impartial, the first seven jurors were chosen on Tuesday as the defendant looked on.

The picks came after a morning session in which several more potential jurors said that they could not be unbiased, underscoring the challenges of seating a panel in Manhattan, a profoundly Democratic borough.

Mr. Trump, 77, is charged with falsifying nearly three dozen business records in an attempt to cover up a payment to a porn star, Stormy Daniels, who has said she had a brief sexual encounter with him in 2006.

If convicted, he could face probation or up to four years of prison time. Mr. Trump denies having been involved with Ms. Daniels, and has declared his innocence, calling the charges against him a witch hunt conjured by the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, a Democrat.
Last Monday, Donald Trump said that abortion rights were best left to the states. The states, he said, will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land. In this case, the law of the state.

The next day, as if answering a captains call to fire from the line, the Republican-led Arizona Supreme Court, in an uncanny coincidence, revived a 160-year-old abortion ban, with no exceptions for either rape or incest. In a 4-to-2 decision, the court held that the 1864 ban was enforceable and not superseded by more recent legislation. Tasked with reconciling the states abortion laws, some more permissive than others, the Arizona court chose the most restrictive option available  one that ties the hands of Arizona residents with the restraints of yesteryear, forged by the settlers of a not-yet-state in the middle of the 19th century.

Beginning next week, a law once thought unenforceable will govern the lives of millions of people who had a say in neither its creation nor, for that matter, its resurrection.

A few thoughts come to mind here.

It does not escape my attention that this law owes its rebirth to an effort by Doug Ducey, then the governor, to expand the Arizona Supreme Courts membership from five to seven justices. Ducey then stacked this enlarged court with reliable conservatives.
Irans missile and drone attack on Israel over the weekend was a game-changing escalation that requires some game-changing rethinking on the part of Israel and its most important ally, the United States. I call it the three-state solution.

It begins with the recognition that there is probably zero hope for any resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or the Israel-Iran conflict without leadership change in Tehran, Jerusalem and Ramallah.

Starting with Tehran: I dont favor any Western attempt to topple the Islamic Republic of Iran from outside, but I pray that one day the Iranian people will do so from inside.

This region wont see any meaningful peace or stability so long as this current government is in power in Tehran, explained Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Because Irans vast resources and training are funding the 5 percent of fanatics who are making life hell for the 95 percent of Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians, Yemenis and Iraqis who just want to live in peace. To paraphrase Shimon Peres about prospects for change in Iran, the good news is there is light at the end of that tunnel. The bad news is that today there is no tunnel.
Touhami, 49, was born in the South of France and is the founder of the Paris-based creative agency Art Recherche Industrie. His three-decade-long career has ranged from retail projects  he transformed the 19th-century French fragrance company Officine Universelle Buly into a contemporary beauty brand before selling it to the luxury conglomerate LVMH in 2021  to designing types and fonts via his Swiss printing press and typography studio, the Societe Helvetique dImpression Typographique. More recently, he has set his sights on hospitality: For the party, Touhami flew in bartenders from the Drei Berge Hotel, a chalet-like lodge that he opened in Murren, Switzerland, in 2022. The bar was even designed to look like its forest green facade.

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Microsoft said on Tuesday that it would make a $1.5 billion investment in G42, an artificial intelligence giant in the United Arab Emirates, in a deal largely orchestrated by the Biden administration to box out China as Washington and Beijing battle over who will exercise technological influence in the Persian Gulf region and beyond.

Under the partnership, Microsoft will give G42 permission to sell Microsoft services that use powerful A.I. chips, which are used to train and fine-tune generative A.I. models. In return, G42, which has been under scrutiny by Washington for its ties to China, will use Microsofts cloud services and accede to a security arrangement negotiated in detailed conversations with the U.S. government. It places a series of protections on the A.I. products shared with G42 and includes an agreement to strip Chinese gear out of G42s operations, among other steps.

When it comes to emerging technology, you cannot be both in Chinas camp and our camp, said Gina Raimondo, the commerce secretary, who traveled twice to the Emirates to talk about security arrangements for this and other partnerships.

The accord is highly unusual, Brad Smith, Microsofts president, said in an interview, reflecting the U.S. governments extraordinary concern about protecting the intellectual property behind A.I. programs.
Four people involved in an anti-government group they called Gods Misfits have been arrested on murder and kidnapping charges in the disappearance of two Kansas women who last month were likely targeted over a custody dispute, the authorities said.

Two bodies were recovered as part of the investigation, and on Tuesday evening they were identified as the missing women, Veronica Butler, 27 and Jilian Kelley, 39, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said on X.

Tifany M. Adams, 54; her boyfriend, Tad B. Cullum, 43; Cora G. Twombly, 44; and her husband, Cole E. Twombly, 50, were arrested on Saturday and each was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree. Court documents did not include contact information for lawyers for any of the four people. They were being held without bond at Texas County Jail, in Guymon, Okla., The Oklahoman reported.

On March 30, Ms. Butler and Ms. Kelley were traveling from Hugoton, Kan., to Oklahoma. They were reported missing after Ms. Butler didnt arrive at a birthday party later that day. Members of Ms. Butlers family found her vehicle abandoned that same day in a rural area of Texas County, Okla., which is about 270 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
It was so close. Had just one missile or drone gotten through and killed a lot of Israelis, American officials feared, the region could have gone up in flames.

So when Israeli and U.S. forces, with help from Arab allies, managed a near-perfect defense against last weekends aerial barrage from Iran, it represented not only an extraordinary military and diplomatic feat but also a major victory for President Bidens effort to head off escalation of the war in the Middle East.

Mr. Biden and his team hoped that the developments over the weekend could give all three major actors enough to claim victory and walk away. Iran could claim vindication for taking aggressive action in response to the Israeli strike that killed some of its top military officers. Israel showed the world that its military is too formidable to challenge and that Iran is impotent against it. And the United States kept the region from erupting for another day.

It may not work out that way, however. Rather than pocketing the win, such as it was, Israeli officials said on Monday that they would respond  without saying when or exactly how  and Mr. Bidens advisers were bracing to see what that might entail.
President Biden kicked off a three-day tour of Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state, with a speech on Tuesday that focused on taxes and aimed to contrast his policies with those of former President Donald J. Trump.

In Scranton, his hometown, Mr. Biden spoke about the tax code in the frame of economic fairness, arguing that Mr. Trumps tax cuts had benefited billionaires while his own agenda had helped working- and middle-class families.

A fair tax code is how we invest in the things that make this country strong, he said. Health care, education, defense and so much more.

Speaking about lessons of hard work and fairness he said he had learned growing up in Scranton, Mr. Biden suggested that Mr. Trump had learned different lessons. He learned the best way to get rich is to inherit it, he said.
President Biden delivered a flurry of attacks on former President Donald J. Trump during a Tuesday speech in Pennsylvania about taxes and economic policy, painting his Republican rival as a puppet of plutocrats who had ignored the working class.

Visiting his hometown, Scranton, in a top battleground state that he has visited more often than any other, Mr. Biden laid out his vision for a fairer tax code, including raising rates on the wealthy and corporations and using the money to expand the economy and help working families.

But in a speech that signaled the Biden campaigns intention to make the 2024 election a referendum on his polarizing Republican opponent, the president returned again and again to Mr. Trump. His jabs at his predecessor took aim at the former presidents wealthy upbringing, his friendships with billionaires and his 2017 tax cuts that disproportionately benefited Americas upper crust.

Donald Trump looks at the world differently than you and me, Mr. Biden told a crowd of more than a hundred supporters at a cultural center in Scranton. He wakes up in the morning at Mar-a-Lago thinking about himself. How he can help his billionaire friends gain power and control, and force their extreme agenda on the rest of us.
Representative David Trone, a Democrat who apologized for using a racial slur during a recent House committee meeting, has poured nearly $42 million from his personal fortune into his Senate bid in Maryland, according to the latest federal quarter filings, putting him among the top self-funders in Senate primary history.

Mr. Trone, who founded and owns a lucrative wine and liquor retailer alongside his brother, invested $18.5 million of his own money from January to March alone, ending last month with $1 million on hand. He drew only about $216,100 from other donors in that time, according to the filings.

Mr. Trone is seeking to make up ground in his hotly contested Democratic primary against Angela Alsobrooks, the prominent executive of Prince Georges County, and a slate of lesser known candidates. Now in his third term in the House of Representatives, Mr. Trone has picked up endorsements from top House Democrats. But his use of the slur has drawn criticism.

Last month, while praising President Bidens tax proposals at a congressional budget hearing, Mr. Trone dropped a derogatory term used to caricature Black people. He later apologized, adding that he misspoke and meant to say bugaboo. Regardless of what I meant to say, I shouldnt have used that language, and I apologize, he said at the time.
The threat against U.S. elections by Russia and other foreign powers is far greater today than it was in 2020, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee said on Tuesday.

Senator Mark Warner, the Virginia Democrat who leads the committee, said the danger had grown for multiple reasons: Adversarial countries have become more adept at spreading disinformation, Americans are more vulnerable to propaganda, communication between the government and social media companies has become more difficult and artificial intelligence is giving foreign powers new abilities.

The Intelligence Committee was set to hold a hearing on election threats on Wednesday, but it was postponed on Tuesday to allow the Senate to consider of the articles of impeachment against Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary. Mr. Warner said he hoped to reschedule the hearing quickly.

A bipartisan report by the Senate Intelligence Committee, the final volume of which was released in 2020, chronicled extensive efforts by Russians to influence American politics in 2016. Since then, Russia has only honed its ability to shape debates in Europe and the United States, while people everywhere have become more vulnerable, Mr. Warner said.
The investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack is already the largest criminal inquiry in Justice Department history, federal prosecutors have said. And even after more than three years, it has shown little sign of slowing down.

Every week, a few more rioters are arrested and charges against them are unsealed in Federal District Court in Washington. Prosecutors have suggested that a total of 2,000 or 2,500 people could ultimately face indictment for their roles in the attack.

More than 1,380 people had been charged in connection with the attack as of early this month, according to the Justice Department. Among the most common charges brought against them are two misdemeanors: illegal parading inside the Capitol and entering and remaining in a restricted federal area, a type of trespassing.

About 350 rioters have been accused of violating the obstruction statute that the Supreme Court is considering at its hearing, and nearly 500 people have been charged with assaulting police officers. Many rioters have been charged with multiple crimes, the most serious of which so far has been seditious conspiracy.
Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, on Monday urged people whose routes were blocked by pro-Palestinian protesters to take matters into your own hands and confront the offenders, endorsing the use of physical force against peaceful demonstrators.

In a series of social media posts after protesters shut down traffic in cities across the country including major roads in Oakland, Calif., the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and near OHare International Airport in Chicago, Mr. Cotton called those responsible pro-Hamas and criminals.

He also shared a clip of himself during a recent interview in which he said that if protesters had disrupted public roads in his home state of Arkansas, they would have been met with force from citizens.

Lets just say I think there would be a lot of very wet criminals that would have been tossed overboard  not by law enforcement, but by the people whose road they are blocking, he told Fox News in the interview. If they glued their hands to their car or pavement, itd probably be pretty painful to have their skin ripped off.
Donald J. Trump plans to meet with the right-wing president of Poland this week, the latest in a series of his private interactions with leaders or emissaries from countries from the Persian Gulf to Eastern Europe, many of whom share an affinity with his brand of politics.

Mr. Trump is expected to have dinner in New York with Polands president, Andrzej Duda, on Wednesday, his one day off from court this week, according to two people briefed on the arrangements who were not authorized to discuss them publicly. The meeting was mentioned as a possibility by Mr. Duda on X shortly after The New York Times approached his office for comment.

It will be a reunion for Mr. Trump and Mr. Duda, who once proposed naming a military base after Mr. Trump and who now shares power in Poland with a rival whose politics are much more aligned with those of President Biden.

Mr. Trumps other recent interactions with foreign leaders and their representatives include a phone call he had last month with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, which was previously undisclosed. A senior Bahraini official described it as a social call.
The University of Southern California said it has canceled plans for a graduation speech by this years valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, who is Muslim. The school said the decision stemmed from security concerns based on emails and other electronic communications warning of a plan to disrupt the commencement, including at least one that targeted Ms. Tabassum.

Over the past several days, discussion related to the selection of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor, said Andrew T. Guzman, the provost, who added that he had made the final decision to choose Ms. Tabassum. The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of U.S.C. and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at the commencement.

But the university declined on Tuesday to give details of where the communications were coming from or whether they were under criminal investigation. And its decision followed complaints about Ms. Tabassums selection by two campus pro-Israeli groups that cited her social media support for Palestinians.

Ms. Tabassum, a biomedical engineering major who identified herself as a first-generation American of South Asian descent, could not be reached for comment. But in a statement, she criticized the decision.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany tried to strike a delicate balance on a trip to China this week, promoting business ties with his countrys biggest trading partner while raising concerns over its surge of exports to Europe and its support for Russia.

Mr. Scholz met with Chinas top leader, Xi Jinping, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Tuesday, the culmination of a three-day visit with a delegation of German officials and business leaders. He also met with Premier Li Qiang as the two countries navigate relations strained by Russias war in Ukraine and Chinas rivalry with the United States, Germanys most important ally.

Throughout his trip, Mr. Scholz promoted the interests of German companies that are finding it increasingly hard to compete in China. And he conveyed growing concern in the European Union that the regions market is becoming a dumping ground for Chinese goods produced at a loss.

But Mr. Scholz chose a conciliatory tone over a combative one in his opening remarks before sitting down with Mr. Xi on Tuesday morning, in a meeting that stretched over three hours and turned into a walk and lunch.
A mayor in Brussels on Tuesday sent police officers to break up a gathering of prominent, self-described anti-woke conservatives from across Europe, including Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, declaring the far right is not welcome before the authorities quickly retreated.

Emir Kir, the Socialist Party mayor of the central Brussels neighborhood where the gathering took place, issued the order to close the National Conservatism Conference on grounds of public safety. But critics said that Mr. Kirs order only amplified one of the gatherings main themes: that cancel culture targeting conservative voices has run amok.

This is what we are up against. We are up against an evil ideology. We are up against a new form of communism, declared Nigel Farage of Britain. Mr. Farage, a former member of the European Parliament and a champion of national sovereignty, who helped drive his countrys exit from the European Union, was getting ready to speak when the authorities arrived. This is like the old Soviet Union. No alternative view allowed, he said.
The old stock exchange building in downtown Copenhagen  one of the citys oldest structures, known for its elaborate spire of intertwined dragon tails  partly collapsed in a large fire early Tuesday.

No one was injured, according to a statement from King Frederik X. Images and video from social media showed flames on the structures roof and dark clouds of smoke lingering over the city.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire in the structure, which appeared to be undergoing renovations. As of early Tuesday afternoon, the blaze was still burning with pockets of fire in the building, an official with the Copenhagen fire department said.

The king said that the buildings famed spire had helped define Copenhagen as a city of towers.

Until today, we have regarded the historic building as a beautiful symbol of our capital and a building that we, as a nation, have been proud of, he said.
The possibility that Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, could be extradited to the United States seemed to edge closer on Tuesday, after American officials sent assurances to British authorities that he would not face the death penalty or be persecuted for his nationality, and that he could seek First Amendment protections.

The assurances were the latest turn in a prolonged legal battle over the extradition of Mr. Assange, who has been indicted by the United States for violating the Espionage Act by publishing classified documents. They came after a remark from President Biden last week that the administration was considering a request from Mr. Assanges home country of Australia that he be allowed to return there, prompting speculation that the U.S. could be rethinking the case.

But the filing of the commitments, requested by a British court last month as part of Mr. Assanges five-year battle against extradition to the United States, suggested that American authorities may still be pursuing his removal.

Mr. Assange, 52, was the head of WikiLeaks in 2010 when it published tens of thousands of classified military and diplomatic documents leaked by Chelsea Manning, an Army intelligence analyst. He has been held in a high-security British prison since the charges were filed in 2019. Before that, he had taken refuge for years in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. The charges raised questions about First Amendment issues, and some saw them as a threat to press freedom.
In his office on one of the upper floors of the headquarters of the Paris Olympic organizing committee, Franz Regul has no doubt what is coming.

We will be attacked, said Mr. Regul, who leads the team responsible for warding off cyberthreats against this years Summer Games in Paris.

Companies and governments around the world now all have teams like Mr. Reguls that operate in spartan rooms equipped with banks of computer servers and screens with indicator lights that warn of incoming hacking attacks. In the Paris operations center, there is even a red light to alert the staff to the most severe danger.

So far, Mr. Regul said, there have been no serious disruptions. But as the months until the Olympics tick down to weeks and then days and hours, he knows the number of hacking attempts and the level of risk will rise exponentially. Unlike companies and governments, though, who plan for the possibility of an attack, Mr. Regul said he knew exactly when to expect the worst.
Ukraines top military commander has issued a bleak assessment of the armys positions on the eastern front, saying they have worsened significantly in recent days.

Russian forces were pushing hard to exploit their growing advantage in manpower and ammunition to break through Ukrainian lines, the commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, said in a statement over the weekend.

Despite significant losses, the enemy is increasing his efforts by using new units on armored vehicles, thanks to which he periodically achieves tactical gains, the general said.

At the same time, Ukraines energy ministry told millions of civilians to charge their power banks, get their generators out of storage and be ready for any scenario as Ukrainian power plants are damaged or destroyed in devastating Russian airstrikes.
Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain was facing a chorus of calls to cut off arms shipments to Israel because of its devastating war in Gaza. On Monday, Mr. Sunak saluted the British warplanes that had shot down several Iranian drones as part of a successful campaign to thwart Irans attack on Israel.

It was a telling example of how the clash between Israel and Iran has scrambled the equation in the Middle East. Faced with a barrage of Iranian missiles, Britain, the United States, France and others rushed to Israels aid. They set aside their anger over Gaza to defend it from a country they view as an archnemesis, even as they pleaded for restraint in Israels response to the Iranian assault.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose approval of a deadly airstrike on a meeting of Iranian generals in Damascus on April 1 provoked Irans retaliation, has managed to change the narrative, according to British and American diplomats and analysts. But it could prove to be a fleeting change, they said, if Mr. Netanyahu orders a counterstrike damaging enough to pitch the region into wider war.

We would urge them to take the win at this point, Mr. Sunak said in Parliament, borrowing a phrase that President Biden used in a phone call with Mr. Netanyahu on Sunday after Irans attack had been mostly repelled.
Members of a United Nations commission said on Tuesday that Israel was obstructing their efforts to investigate possible human rights violations on Oct. 7 and in the ensuing war between Israel and Hamas. But they said the commission had still shared large amounts of evidence with the International Criminal Court.

We have faced not merely a lack of cooperation but active obstruction of our efforts to receive evidence from Israeli witnesses and victims related to the Oct. 7 attack, Chris Sidoti, one of three members of the commission, told a briefing for diplomats in Geneva. The commission was formed in 2021 to investigate human rights violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Israel has accused the commission of bias, and has said it would not cooperate with what it described as an anti-Israeli, antisemitic body.

It has not allowed the commission to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories, and in January it instructed Israeli medical personnel who treated released hostages and victims of the Oct. 7 attack not to cooperate with the panel, which is led by Navi Pillay, the former United Nations human rights chief.
The word polycule is a synthesis of polyamory  engaging in multiple romantic relationships  and molecule. Its not clear when the word was coined, but it seems to have started catching on around 15 years ago to suggest an intricate structure formed of people with overlapping deep attachments: romantic, sexual, sensual, platonic. Its difficult to describe a polycule. Words like family and network are used, but neither on its own captures it. Perhaps its best left to a polycule itself to offer descriptions. These are the voices and images of people who are part of a polycule in the Boston area.

These photographs were taken at a gathering of the polycule in Cambridge, Mass., in March. Some people pictured or interviewed asked that they not be identified and are using a middle name or a nickname.

Describing the Polycule

Katie The polycule is like this weird family.

Ann Its chosen family. It works like complex kinship networks work  just a little kinkier. It reflects radical queer values.

Katie Our polycule is large, 20 or a little more  people in their mid-20s to mid-40s. There are self-identified males who identify as heteroflexible, heterosexual, bisexual. Theres a nonbinary person. Every femme-presenting person or woman identifies as queer. A lot of people are married and have primary partnerships. Theyre coming to it from the opening of a monogamous relationship.

Ashley A bunch of couples met in the summer of 2020. Over the next year, we were all dating and developing friendships with several couples and individuals that eventually blossomed into this community. Its an evolving organism that looks entirely different from everyones perspective.

Ann Its definitely not a fixed or closed thing, and the relations and connections have shifted and grown and continue to do so.

Nico Our polycule is female-run. Its the female-identified people who spearhead. We convene, we plan, we call the shots. Its a bunch of queer women who say were not going to follow the rules.

Katie Its freedom. I am so grateful to be a part of it. I have this abundance of love to give. I feel so in my power. We all approach ENM, ethical nonmonogamy, differently. Everyone is so deeply in love with each other, whether or not its romantic love.

Katie (left) is dating Alex (second from left). Alex is legally married to Ashley (third from left). Chris (lower right) is legally married to Bine (not pictured), and Chris and Bine date Alex and Ashley as couples, while Bine has also dated Ashley individually.

Relationships With More Than One Person

Katie I started by dating somebody on an ENM app who was in a different polycule who was connected to someone in this polycule. And then I started dating someone else in this polycule. Hes married, and his wife and I are metamours, which is simply a word for my partners partner. People have established relationships, people have newer relationships, and there are abiding deep friendships that are sometimes sensual, sometimes sexual, sometimes romantic, sometimes platonic.

M (Katies main partner) I identified as a single guy. I went from that to dating nonmonogamously. And I fell in love with someone who was already in love with more than one other person. The fear of abandonment that Id been programmed from Day 1 to expect, I had a huge amount of stress about that. And of expressing too much anxiety. I spent a lot of time suffering alone during the first months because I didnt want to overwhelm my new partner and have them realize, Hey, you know what, this is just too much of a pain in the ass, and I need you to do more work to reach the level where you need to be.

Nico I was enthralled in college with gender-studies theory. I started to articulate that I was queer. I identify anywhere from femme to nonbinary, depending on the day. My pronouns are she/they. Gender studies is where I realized that nonmonogamy was an option. I had a professor who showed us this wheel about the accepted forms of sexuality and gender identity, and at the outside of the wheel were all the forms that arent accepted. And I was like, Oh, I fall into the outside.

Ann Im 34, and I feel like Ive been on and off nonmonogamous much of my life, even though I didnt have the word. When I was 17, 18, I said free love. Around 2018, 2019, I swore off monogamy forevermore. I use the word polyamorous, though relationship anarchist is probably a more accurate representation.

My husband and I are very, very different, which is our strength. Hes a frat bro who loves sports, and Im a radical alien witch academic nerd. In the beginning, we did all the typical stuff. Read the books on nonmonogamy, did the relationship check-ins. Wed sit down, take notes. We did every exercise in the books, listened to every podcast. We learned a strategy from the Multiamory podcast called agile scrum, which was adapted from business-meeting models. We utilized that format. We did that for a year and a half, at least once a month, sometimes six to 10 hours of hard poly-processing. That gave us great communication tactics.

Robert (Anns husband) We have this motto: Feelings are not facts. That gets us through the hard times.

At the start, I was going through some depression, and when we had sex I had so much stress. There were issues in the bedroom with her, and that happened many times, which caused more stress. She started seeing this dude who was an absolute stud, having sex with him and having a great-ass time, and I felt totally lame and inadequate.

That was really hard for me, for obvious reasons. I felt like, Im a hundred percent replaceable. It took a lot of conversations. She was like, Theres nothing wrong with you, this is going to pass, therapy will help. Lots of tears were shed. But medication helped me, talk therapy helped me, changing the way we do things helped. Thats where feelings are not facts really mattered. Because I would ask her questions, and she would be like, No, I dont feel that way; and I would be like, I know you like being with him more than me; and she would say, Im not lying to you, its different, but it doesnt make me love you less, you provide so much more to my life than just sex. I totally get it now. That was the first instance of feelings are not facts. They feel like it. But they aint facts.

Bine and Chris. They sometimes date Ann and Robert as couples.

Setting Boundaries

Bine My husband and I met about 15 years ago as undergrads, fell in love and decided to get married. We had discussed opening up our relationship to a potential third, because I identified as bi, and that was important to me. And then five years into our marriage, he was the one to start talking about ethical nonmonogamy. At that point we were saying, Lets just have some fun, but ours is really the primary relationship.

There were a lot of restrictions. I felt very insecure, like if were going to do this theres going to have to be a laundry list of rules. It can be a one-night stand, but were not going to see this person again. It cant be a friend. But it became clear that these rules didnt make any sense. We felt deeper connections with people beyond the sexual. We had to shift things, and we kind of drifted into the polyamorous space in 2018.

Resources always help, books like The Ethical Slut and Polysecure. But undoing the monogamous script, the socialization, is really, really difficult.

Katie Theres a lot of boundary-setting. Broken rules can be really damaging. Adhering to other peoples boundaries is a big part of being in the polycule. Thats paramount. In the polycule, it ranges from people who really dont have rules to were only going to date people together or were going to participate in the group only as friendships, or as sensual friendships, or were only going to be sexually intimate at gatherings, and outside of that were not going to date anyone individually. We keep track in group chats. We also gather as a group for parties that are sometimes intentionally sexual but sometimes not at all, and that is a time for people to communicate about their interests. But group chats are big.

Its an evolving organism that looks entirely different from everyones perspective, one person who is part of the polycule says.

Making Time for Multiple Partners

M The capacity to love is not a finite thing. But time is. You cant do two things at once.

Bine Scheduling can be very tricky. Making sure theres still one or two evenings every week when we spend quality time together. Overnights is something were discussing now. We dont sleep over individually with anyone were dating; we only do that when were dating someone together.

Ann My husband, my nesting partner, is the person I own a home with. I also have life-partnership friends, I call them my wives, who are core members in the polycule. One of their husbands is one of my best friends and occasional sexual partner, and I do have sex with my wives, but were not romantically involved. But I love them.

I dont ask anyones permission on anything. I spend 60 percent of my time in my house with my nesting partner and about 25 percent of my time with another partner, and although I technically have one home right now, Im in the process of building homes with multiple partners. There are check-ins, but the check-ins arent for permission. Its, Im doing these things, Im going to be gone for these two weeks, what do you need from me?

Katie Poly-saturation is different for different people. For me, the maximum seems to be three partners at once, especially because I gravitate toward long-term committed in-depth relationships. I mean romantic partners. We have play parties that are intended to be a sexual space but more of a casual connection, and Im not only with my partners there.

Nico and her husband, Fred, photographed in Cambridge, Mass.

Benefits of the Polycule

Robert We have a lot of compersion  being happy seeing your partner happy with one of their other partners  for each other. There are times when my wife will meet someone she knows Ill be attracted to, and shell say, You have to meet my husband. Shell wingman me. Or Im talking to this guy, and I think, She would really like this guy. We do that for each other.

Bine Theres something that feels radical about it, that feels liberating, that really speaks to empowerment, especially for women or queer or nonbinary individuals. Its loving people in a very unapologetic way, not conforming to norms. We know why monogamy is still the dominant structure. The patriarchy. The lack of rights women had. As a woman, and as a queer woman, being able to live my life as authentically as possible without needing my husbands permission, thats empowering.

Nico I was in a very bad car accident in the fall, and I felt so supported. I had 20 text messages from people in the polycule  this is the doctor I know, this is the lawyer I have, this is the physical therapist, so many resources.

Ann I have one partner now with three kids. He is transmasc, and hes radical about the way he raises them. Theyre radically home-schooled. Theyre 17 and nonbinary, 6 and 5. They know everything in age-appropriate ways. Theyve seen their mommy undergo the transmasc experience, seen their mom become who they really are.

I was up late last night with him in a hotel room, and the 17-year-old was in the room snoozing, so we just sat on the bathroom floor chatting about our relationship all night, and while that was happening my husband was texting to say, Oh, I got a last-minute match, so Im going to meet this girl for a date. And then I get a text while we were still on the bathroom floor vibing, it was 4 in the morning, and he said, We had a great date, a great connection, shes looking for friends with benefits, we had sex. And I was smiling. You know youre really poly when youre with one of your partners talking about how much you love each other and youre so happy your husband had this awesome night. Of course, I experience pangs of jealousy, but there are these moments, these gems, of being so happy for someone elses happiness.

Katie Last night I was at a party that was full of poly people, and at the end of the night we wound up in this big cuddle pile. There were eight of us fit together like puzzle pieces, snuggling. It felt so cozy, so much oxytocin flowing. We were all envisioning living together, not having to worry about individual mortgages, just having some big house. Cant we just do that? Why cant we do that? An adult sleepover camp, thats the vibe. It is my mission to make that happen for me and whoever wants to join me.

Ashley and her husband, Alex, photographed in Cambridge, Mass.

Poly as an Identity or a Movement or Both

Ashley Whenever you veer outside the confines of the status quo, it is political. Were really intentional about the way we want to connect, really questioning why one type of relationship has to be more significant than others. For the first time in my life, Ive found community, in a true sense. These are people who really show up for each other in beautiful ways, people who arent guarded around each other. Its just pure love. I cant imagine my life without it now.

Ann It is very much about social change. It is about making the world a better place. I want to be in relationships and be with people who make me live in this world better.

Nico Some of us are survivors of sexual assault and have reclaimed what it means to be a sexual woman, to be radically and unapologetically ourselves. Some dont really ever have sex  I think there is a power in female sexuality that doesnt necessarily mean having a lot of sex; I dont know how to explain that. Its about making decisions for yourself, how you want your relationships to look.

The men are important; they do have value. What has been valuable is being around men who want to be around empowered women, who arent intimidated. Its not like theyre wimpy guys  to me, theyre strong because theyre not threatened.

There are so many things were pushing against, but we still have to live within. My husband and I married for the legal benefits, for taxes and things like that. Our societys laws benefit married people. But Ive talked to my girlfriend about us being married as well, and while that cant be legal right now, we would like to have that for ourselves, maybe a small ceremony, rings on the other hand, something that signifies our bond and our life commitment. In Somerville, which is the city right next to mine, the city legally recognizes multiple domestic partners. I think our society is moving toward that, but its a slow process.

Katie I hope this is a social movement. I hope people will feel more freedom about how they want to live and about pooling resources and living their best life. The structure of the nuclear family, the nuclear marriage, needs to shift. Its really hard to afford a house. Some of us are thinking of moving into a place with four or five bedrooms where eight or nine of us could live together. We could share the burden of bills. Its just more realistic. And it would be a community space. We would hold events and gather and play and have this endless sleepover. If I get to do this, I will have achieved something great  great emotionally and great in terms of social transformation.

The polycule's parties are sometimes intentionally sexual but sometimes not at all.

Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.

Daniel Bergner is a contributing writer for the magazine and the author of The Mind and the Moon: My Brothers Story, the Science of Our Brains and the Search for Our Psyches. Anne Vetter is a photographer based in Los Angeles and Wellfleet, Mass.
Opinion Guest Essay Why Biden Has a Narrower Path to the Presidency Than Trump, in 11 Maps

Illustration by Akshita Chandra/The New York Times; Images by PhotoObjects.net, Yuji Sakai, and THEPALMER/Getty Images

While polls show the race for president is tightening, Joe Biden still has a narrower and more challenging path to winning the election than Donald Trump. The reason is the Electoral College: My analysis of voter history and polling shows a map that currently favors Mr. Trump, even though recent developments in Arizona improve Mr. Bidens chances. The Biden campaign will need to decide this summer which states to contest hardest. Our Electoral College maps below lay out the best scenarios for him and Mr. Trump.

Seven states with close results determined who won both the 2020 and the 2016 presidential elections, and those same seven states will most likely play the same battleground role this fall: three industrial states  Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  and four Sun Belt states  Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina.

The seven states that will most likely decide the 2024 presidential election Wis. Mich. Pa. Nev. N.C. Ariz. Ga. Wis. Mich. Pa. Nev. N.C. Ariz. Ga.

Mr. Bidens declining popularity in the Sun Belt states is the main reason Mr. Trump has an edge right now. He is especially struggling with young and nonwhite voters there. Lets take a closer look:

According to 2020 exit polls, Mr. Biden won 65 percent of Latino voters, who comprised roughly a fifth of voters in Arizona and Nevada. And Mr. Biden won 87 percent of Black voters, who made up 29 percent of the Georgia vote and 23 percent of the North Carolina vote. He also won 60 percent of voters aged 18 to 29. Now look at this year: A New York Times/Siena College poll released last weekend showed support for Mr. Biden had dropped 18 points with Black voters, 15 points with Latinos and 14 points with younger voters nationally.

Abortion could be a decisive issue in Mr. Biden stemming this erosion of support in Arizona and Nevada. The Arizona Supreme Courts ruling last week that largely bans abortions raises the stakes of a likely ballot initiative on the issue there in November. It also appears likely that there will be a similar ballot measure in Nevada.

Nevertheless, the key to Mr. Bidens victory is to perform well in the three industrial states. If Mr. Trump is able to win one or more of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, Mr. Bidens path to 270 electoral votes becomes even narrower.

If Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump remain ahead in the states where they are currently running strongest, the outcome of the election could come down to who wins Michigan and the two Sun Belt states where abortion will very likely be on the ballot, Arizona and Nevada.

Based on past voting, Mr. Trump will start out the general election with 219 electoral votes, compared to 226 votes for Mr. Biden, with 93 votes up for grabs. Voter history and recent polling suggest that Mr. Trump is in a strong position to win North Carolina. Republicans have carried the state in every presidential election since 1976 except in 2008. In a Wall Street Journal battleground poll taken in March, Mr. Biden had only 37 percent job approval in the state.



By winning North Carolina, Mr. Trump would have 235 electoral votes and two strong paths to 270. The first path involves carrying Georgia, a state he lost by fewer than 12,000 votes in 2020. Before then, Republicans won Georgia in every election since 1992. If Mr. Trump carries North Carolina and Georgia, he would have a base of 251 electoral votes with four scenarios that get him to 270. Scenario 1 Then all Mr. Trump needs is Pennsylvania  Then all Mr. Trump needs is Scenario 2  or Michigan and Nevada   orand Scenario 3  or Michigan and Arizona   orand Scenario 4  or Arizona and Wisconsin.  orand The second and harder path for Mr. Trump would be if he carried only one Southern swing state  most likely North Carolina. He would have only 235 electoral votes and would need to win three of the six remaining battleground states. Scenario 5 Then he would need to win Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin  Then he would need to winand Scenario 6  or Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania.  orand

How Biden Can Win

It is difficult to see how Mr. Biden gets re-elected without doing well in the industrial battleground states  the so-called Blue Wall for Democrats. This is particularly true of Pennsylvania, given the states 19 electoral votes and Mr. Bidens ties there and appeal to middle-class and blue-collar voters. Thats why hes spending three days in Pennsylvania this week.

Mr. Biden will most likely need to win at least one other industrial battleground  with Wisconsin the most probable, since his polling numbers there are stronger than in the other battleground states.

A combination of factors have made winning Michigan much more challenging for Mr. Biden. Hamass attack on Israel and the war in Gaza have ripped apart the coalitions that enabled Democrats to do so well in the state since 2018. There are over 300,000 Arab Americans there, as well as a large Jewish population. Both groups were crucial to Mr. Bidens success there in 2020.

In addition, Michigan voters perception of the economy is more negative compared with the other battleground states. In the Journal battleground poll, two-thirds of Michigan voters described the national economy negatively; more than half had a negative opinion of the states economy.

Now lets look at Mr. Bidens map. Mr. Bidens best strategy is based on winning Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which would give him 255 electoral votes (assuming that he carries the 2nd Congressional District in Nebraska).



By carrying these states, Mr. Biden has several paths to 270, but the first three scenarios are his most viable. Scenario 1 He just needs to win Michigan  He just needs to win Scenario 2  or Arizona and Nevada   orand Scenario 3 ... or Georgia. ... or There are two other scenarios where Mr. Biden loses Wisconsin and keeps Pennsylvania. But that would mean winning states where Mr. Biden is polling much worse. Scenario 4 They involve Mr. Biden winning Georgia and Arizona  They involve Mr. Biden winningand Scenario 5  or Michigan and Georgia.  orand

A Look Ahead

With over six months to go until Election Day, given the volatility in the world and the weaknesses of Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump, it would be foolish to make firm predictions about specific results. And other electoral map scenarios are possible: Recent polling shows Mr. Biden with a narrow lead in Minnesota, a state that usually votes for Democrats for president. While it is mathematically possible for Mr. Biden to win without carrying Minnesota, it is unlikely he will be elected if he cannot carry this traditionally Democratic state.

For the third election cycle in a row, a small number of voters in a handful of states could determine the next president of the United States.

If the election remains close but Mr. Biden is unable to regain support from the core group of voters who propelled him to victory in 2020  young and nonwhite voters  then we could be headed to a repeat of the 2016 election. The outcome of that election was decided by fewer than 80,000 votes in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Last weeks abortion ruling in Arizona, and the likely abortion ballot initiatives in that state and Nevada, give Mr. Biden the possibility of being re-elected even if he loses Michigan. Thats why, if we have another close presidential election, I think Arizona, Michigan and Nevada will likely determine the outcome for Mr. Biden or Mr. Trump.

Based on my experience as Bill Clintons White House political director in his 1996 re-election campaign, I would take immediate advantage of Mr. Bidens significant fund-raising advantage over Mr. Trump to focus on shoring up the presidents chances in Michigan and the must-win states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, while at the same time trying to keep Georgia and North Carolina in play. Mr. Biden does not need to win either of those Sun Belt states to get re-elected, but draining Mr. Trumps resources there could help him in other battleground states.

Doug Sosnik was a senior adviser to President Bill Clinton from 1994 to 2000 and has advised over 50 governors and U.S. senators.
The simple mistake of a law firm clerk accidentally choosing the wrong file from a dropdown menu on an online portal led to the irrevocable divorce of the wrong couple.

A senior judge recently refused to overturn the divorce of a couple who had accidentally been chosen from a dropdown menu by solicitors at leading London law firm Vardags, headed by Ayesha Vardag. The couple, referred to as Mr and Mrs Williams by the court, had been married for 21 years until 2023 when they separated. The couple was still in the process of arranging financial agreements for their separation when a Vardags clerk accidentally selected them for a final divorce order on an online portal, which saw them legally divorced in just 21 minutes. All attempts to have the error overturned by the judge were denied because the public trust in a truly final divorce order was more important.

Photo: Pixabay

There is a strong public policy interest in respecting the certainty and finality that flows from a final divorce order and maintaining the status quo that it has established, Sir Andrew McFarlane, the president of the family division, said.

On the other hand, Vardags representative explained that a solicitor at the firm used an online portal to mistakenly apply for a final order for a couple that was not ready to divorce. Referred to by the court as Mr. and Mrs. Williams, they still had financial details to sort out, but as soon as the final order was solicited, the divorce was official in just 21 minutes.

Vardags realized the mistake two days after it had occurred, but when it asked a high court to rescind the final divorce order, the request was denied. The firm insisted that its employee had accidentally selected the couples file with a simple click, but the judge explained that in reality, one had to go through multiple screens on the portal to be granted a final order.

Photo: Unsplash

Like many similar online processes, an operator may only get to the final screen where the final click of the mouse is made after traveling through a series of earlier screens, Sir McFarlane said.

Ayesha Vardag, the UKs self-styled diva of divorce, described the judges decision as bad, arguing that it allowed a computer to say no, youre divorced.

The state should not be divorcing people on the basis of a clerical error, Vardag added. There has to be intention on the part of the person divorcing, because the principle of intention underpins the justice of our legal system. When a mistake is brought to a courts attention, and everyone accepts that a mistake has been made, it obviously has to be undone  That means that, for now, our law says that you can be divorced by an error made on an online system. And thats just not right, not sensible, not justice.
Navigators Global has signed a one-year contract to advise Japans embassy on legislation in Congress and White House policies and actions that could affect the US and Japan relationship.

The pact, which went into effect on April 1, is worth $12K per month.

Navigators works closely with Takeru Terao, counselor at the Embassys Congressional Affairs Section.

The White House hosted a state dinner on April 10 for Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida, who also addressed a joint session of Congress on April 11.

Navigators founding principals Phil Anderson, who was special assistant to VP Dan Quayle and aide to Republican National Committee chairman Lee Atwater; Christopher Cox, who worked in the Bush II and Trump White House; and Cesar Conda, chief of staff to Senator Marco Rubio, handle the Japan business.
Richard Dukas

Theres a fine line between newsjacking and taking advantage, aka ambulance chasing.

Our job as PR professionals is to tread it carefully. The former is a term for quickly hopping on a breaking story to offer an expert who can shed some light on some aspect of it. If done right, youve helped a news organization produce well-informed reporting. Everyone wins.

In any career, from law to medicine to PR, chasing ambulances figuratively or literally means exploiting a bad situation for personal gain. Not a good look, and it likely wont work in your favor.

When a tragedy like the recent Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore happens, everyones immediate concern should be for the victims and their families. There is no such thing as a small death toll. One life is too many.

At the same time, the wider impact on society cant be ignored: in this case, it was the supply chain and logistical impact in the region, with far broader implications for the movement of coal and other commodities. This comes on the heels of lingering pandemic disruption, labor shortages and shipping detours due to Red Sea attacks. Its not just about profits but about making sure vital goodsincluding food, fuel and medicineget where they need to go.

Several major news organizations were already covering the shipping repercussions even while the search and rescue operations continued as the sun rose on March 26. After securing some talking points, we were able to offer several media organizations a transportation expert to assess the impact.

The resulting coverage noted how the economic impact, as our expert put it, pales in comparison to the human toll, while discussing how the temporary closing of Baltimores port and indefinite loss of the bridge and connected highway impacts traffic, transportation, the environment and general quality of life in the region.

When looking at similar situations and pitching reporters and producers, here are a few tips for treading the above-mentioned line of sensitivity:

Acknowledge the tragedy : Show your humanity by adding a heartfelt note about mourning the victims.

: Show your humanity by adding a heartfelt note about mourning the victims. Check your gut: This is a good time to buy the right insurance or this stock will benefit isnt a good pitch after a tragedy. Heres how this will impact our daily lives, more so.

This is a good time to buy the right insurance or this stock will benefit isnt a good pitch after a tragedy. Heres how this will impact our daily lives, more so. Never make it about personalities : John Smith of ABC Advisory predicted this would happen months ago will make everyone groan.

: John Smith of ABC Advisory predicted this would happen months ago will make everyone groan. Offer resources: These five steps can help those affected by this event adds a note of public spiritedness.

These five steps can help those affected by this event adds a note of public spiritedness. Use restraint: If the expertise in question can wait, observe a respectful amount of time until the human toll is assessed before reaching out.

Bottom line: Never forget that news and media are all about human lives and how we live them. In a time of darkness, illuminating information helps create control out of chaos.

***

Richard Dukas is chairman and CEO of Dukas Linden Public Relations.
A suspended sentence was handed down to a woman who stole a handbag from an Indian restaurant in Laois.

Nora Lynch, 51, of 6 Ruanbeg Park, Ruanbeg Manor, Kildare was accused of burglary at the Great India restaurant on French Church Street, Portarlington on June 25, 2022. The court heard the bag contained care products and an iphone charger.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant had been due to bring 500 to court for the injured party.

A defending solicitor said she doesnt have the money judge. She is not in a position to pay it today.

Judge Andrew Cody said the woman had 94 previous convictions including 21 for theft.

Her solicitor said the offence had occurred when she was using drink and drugs. He said she was now clean but her grandfather passed away two months ago and she is paying for his funeral in instalments.

Judge Cody said the woman has had two years to pay the money.

Ms Lynch asked me to inform the court that she has recently been diagnosed with cancer, the solicitor said.

He appealed for leniency or an extension of time to pay the compensation.

Judge Andrew Cody handed down a six month sentence which was suspended for two years on condition that the woman pays the 500 on or before October 1, 2024.
OFFALY County Council has granted permission for the establishment of a new gym in a former retail outlet at Tullamore Retail Park.

The unit was formerly occupied by Carpet Right under a 'retail warehousing use'. It has been unoccupied since June 2023.

The application by Corum Origin is for a 24/7 gym. The applicant said there was an ''identified demand for a gym at this location and so the proposal is intended to change the permissible use of the unoccupied unit to facilitate this.''

The proposed tenant is Snap Fitness who according to the application have nearly 2,500 locations globally and many more in the development stages. Snap Fitness is operational or in development in 26 countries and operate 88 clubs in the UK and 3 in Ireland.



They specialise in gyms which are open 24/7 allowing continued access to members at all times of the day. The company already operate similar facilities in Navan, Drogheda Retail Park, Galway City and Waterford Retail Park,

The Tullamore site is zoned Enterprise and Employment. Offaly County Council imposed 8 conditions when granting permission.

Work to the existing facility will involve internal alterations to the layout to accommodate the proposed change of use. Provision of a new mezzanine level, external alterations to the elevations including the provision of a new front door, new signage to the front and all associated development works.
A TULLAMORE man was maliciously prosecuted when he was wrongly accused of violating the terms of his visa, a court in Kenya has ruled.

Rory Bracken took a civil action against the Kenyan authorities because he believed he was wrongfully arrested in the east African country in 2019 where he was preaching the gospel in his role as a servant of God.

Bracken, now 64 and a resident of Co Laois, spent 23 days in custody before the trial five years ago and was then found not guilty six months later.

He has now been vindicated in the civil courts and was awarded 400,000 Kenyan shillings, which is nearly 2,900 at current exchange rates.

Though his claim was for compensation of more than four million shillings and he says the monetary value of the award is a joke, Bracken said he is not bitter about it and believes an apology from the Kenyan government is more important.

It took six months for the trial of me to be finished, the hotels and the meals cost more than the judgment that was given to me, said Bracken.

I just wanted my name cleared and after five years I was awarded money for a malicious prosecution.

The half-decade saga began in February 2019 when he entered an immigration office in Kisumu, Kenya to seek information about extending his 90-day visa which was due to expire in eight days.

He was arrested on charges which have now found to be maliciously brought and in the criminal trial it was alleged that he was found to be engaging in pastoral activities and was in employment.

The authorities told him after his arrest that he had been working for the Peace Deliverance Church, a claim Bracken denied.

He runs Testify World Ministries and his preaching brought him into contact with pastors in Kenya prior to his arrest but all the so called men of God in Kenya ran away and none of them were in that court.

It was me and Jesus in that court but I was found not guilty in a criminal trial so I sued the Kenyan government in a civil suit for wrongful imprisonment.

He was tried on charges of failing to comply with the conditions of his visa and being present in Kenya unlawfully.

The judge in the criminal trial said: With regards to the issue whether the accused person breached the terms and conditions of his visa, the prosecution evidence before the court is purely oral. A classic case of your word against mine. There is no evidence whatsoever placing the accused person at a place of work preaching, there is no evidence of his employment at the Peace Deliverance Church Siaya. This court is crystal clear that this task of putting evidence before this court lays with the prosecution.

In light of the aforementioned, this court finds that the prosecution has not demonstrated that the accused person breached the terms and condition of his visa by being in employment.

The judge also ruled that at the time of his arrest Bracken had a valid visa and was lawfully in Kenya.

After his arrest Bracken was detained for 23 days at Kodiaga prison because he could not raise the required 500,000 shillings cash bail.

In October 2019 Bracken brought a case against the Kenyan DPP, the country's Inspector General of Police, its Director of Immigration and the Attorney General of Kenya for malicious prosecution.

He sought general damages, punitive and exemplary damages, interest on both and his costs.

It was July 2022 before the attorney general filed a statement of defence and a hearing took place in August last year.

By then Bracken was back in Ireland but he participated online and testified that he had been lawfully in Kenya and upon his arrest was mistreated, mishandled and not informed as to why he was arrested.

The civil trial was told Bracken was subjected to sleeping on the floor, poor feeding and exposed to Hepatitis B in Kodiaga prison and though he was released he was not allowed to leave Kenya until his criminal case was completed.

He was then acquitted on August 14, 2019 after he had suffered humiliation and distress caused by the defendants.

The civil court noted the defendants filed a defence but did not call any witnesses and the case was closed on November 28 last.

Part of the civil judgment stated that if the immigration office had carefully looked at Bracken's documents then the man would not have been charged and prosecuted.

On March 5 last the order awarding Bracken 400,000 shillings in general damages for malicious prosecution was made and he was also awarded the costs of the suit and interest.

Despite the ruling, Bracken remains aggrieved that the original charges attracted far more publicity in Kenya than the finding of the civil court.

The money doesn't matter, it's not about the money, it's about the principle that it wasn't put in the news media.

A short report on the civil case was published in one Kenyan national newspaper but it did not mention the unproven allegation that Bracken was in employment at the Peace Deliverance Church.

The people of Kenya deserve to know that a man of God was put in prison for the gospel, accused wrongly and found by the courts to be maliciously prosecuted.

He has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish embassy in Kenya seeking assistance with his request for an official apology.

He was told by the Irish embassy last week that they cannot intervene in the judicial processes of another country.

The embassy said it cannot provide legal advice but has offered to provide Bracken with a list of English speaking lawyers in Kenya.

Bracken said his wife, who is from Uganda, suffered a miscarriage because of the stress they were going through in 2019.

After returning to Ireland Bracken, who is a past pupil of Colaiste Choilm (formerly Tullamore CBS) continued his work with Testify World Ministries, which has 9,600 followers on its Facebook page.

Bracken says many of those followers are in Africa and he now plans to travel to Malawi, Kenya and possibly Uganda.

I didn't make that plan, God has made me that plan. If you told me four months ago that my next place to preach will be Malawi I'd tell you, you were crazy.

He said his path to becoming a servant of God began when he was living in America.

I became a servant of God in my own house with a friend of mine and a bible in America, and I spent 10 years praying and just reading the bible. Before that I was a wild man and that's when God spoke to me.

He remarked: I'm trying to let people see truth, for truth shall set the world free.
Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) April 16, 2024: The loquacious American historian and notorious plagiarist Doris Kearns Goodwin (born in 1943; Ph.D. in government, Harvard University, 1968; married Richard N. Goodwin [1931-2018] in 1975) is the author of the celebrated 2005 book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (Simon & Schuster).

Dr. Doris Kearns Goodwin's new 2024 book is titled An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s (Simon & Schuster). In it, she weaves together a memoir of her own life, a biography of her late husband's life, and a history of the 1960s.

Dr. Doris Kearns Goodwin spoke with the New York Times real estate reporter Joanne Kaufman about her new book. See Kaufman's article "A Historian Makes Peace With Her Own History: It took Doris Kearns Goodwin a while to adjust to leaving the Concord, Mass., she shared with her husband. But Boston has its compensations" (dated April 9, 2024) in the real estate section of the New York Times:

Click Here

Kaufman says, "Ms. Kearn Goodwin's primary sources [for her new 2024 book] were the 300 (and counting) boxes of letters, postcards, documents, diaries, newspaper clippings, photos, and other ephemera that Dick Goodwin amassed during the middle years of the 20th century, unceremoniously shoved into storage unity, basements, and a barn, and then, more than 50 years later, retrieved cache by cache and shared with his eager wife."

According to Kaufman, Richard N. Goodwin "in his 20s, was a special assistant to President John F. Kennedy and forged an enduring friendship with Jackie Kennedy and in his 30s, was a speechwriter and advisor for President Lyndon B. Johnson and Robert F. Kennedy."

"Mr. Goodwin's plans to chronicle those turbulent times" were cut short by his death in 2018. However, "after his death, Ms. Kearns Goodwin took up the project."

Now, many OEN readers are too young to remember the 1960s. But those younger readers should remember that President Joe Biden was born in 1942 and former President Donald Trump was born in 1946. So Biden turned 18 in 1960, and Trump turned 14 in 1916. So Biden was 18 to 27 during the 1960s, and Trump was 14 to 23.

Dr. Doris Kearns Goodwin was 17 to 26 in the 1960s. But Richard N. Goodwin was 29 to 38, and he gathered the archive of materials about the 1960s that Dr. Doris Kearns Goodwin used in writing her personal history of the 1960s.

I was 16 to 25. And I was impressionable. Even though President Biden and I were born a wee bit too early in the 1940s to be included in the Baby Boom generation that was born after World War II officially ended in 1945, we grew up alongside the Baby Boomers - one of whom was former President Trump.

We should not forget that President Harry S. Truman had dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to bring World War II to an end in 1945. As a result, in postwar America, all Americans lived under the totally terrifying threat of possible atomic warfare.

Christopher Nolan wrote and directed the award-winning 2023 film Oppenheimer - starring the Irish actor Cillian Murphy as the cigarette-smoking physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who is often described as the father of the atomic bomb. Nolan based his film script on the aptly titled 2005 book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martic J. Sherwin (Alfred A. Knopf).

According to their 2005 book (p. 575), President Kennedy had planned to confer the Enrico Fermi Prize on J. Robert Oppenheimer in a ceremony in the White House on December 2, 1963 - which President Kennedy was unable to do because he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963 - most likely by the CIA.

Instead, "On December 2, President Lyndon Johnson went ahead with the fermi Award ceremony, as scheduled" (p. 576).

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Vacaville, CA - April 15, 2024 - In a world where ridesharing services have transformed the way people commute, the need for legal representation in rideshare accidents is increasingly crucial. Being involved in a rideshare accident can be an overwhelming experience. Understanding the benefits of having a talented California rideshare accident lawyer ensures that individuals receive protection after such incidents. Hiring an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer is critical, as it 
Vancouver police identified the woman arrested Saturday after a carjacking and an attempted carjacking that led Clark County Sheriffs Office deputies to an American Legion post where another suspect was shot and killed.

Lyndsey D. Jones was booked into Clark County Jail on allegations of residential burglary, Vancouver police said Monday. It was not clear how she was connected to the carjacking or the attempted carjacking, except that Vancouver police released her name as part of their investigation into Saturdays shooting.
EUGENE  Oregon held steady in both college softball polls after dropping a highly competitive series at Arizona.

The Ducks (24-15, 10-7 Pac-12) are tied at No. 20 with 103 points in the USA Softball poll and No. 22 with 117 points in the NFCA poll after beating Grand Canyon and dropping two of three to the then-No. 25 Wildcats.

Thats the same spots UO was ranked last week, at No. 20 with 148 points and No. 22 with 113 points, respectively. Arizona moved up to No. 22.
Literally and hallucinogenically, Mission Gibbons is a trip. Specifically, a time-trip. After a trio of stoned backpackers cross paths with a clan of cavemen, the present daytrippers must forge an anachronistic alliance with the burly Stone Agers to stave off the apocalypse. Carol Triffle, co-founder of Imago Theatre, wrote and directs this absurdly enjoyable play, comically couching very real environmental concerns.

Mission Gibbons runs through April 27 in the Southeast Portland performance space.

The show:

The minds behind the anthropomorphic-movement shows ZooZoo and Frogz have been on a creative roll throughout and despite the COVID pandemic. Imago co-founder Jerry Mouawad has produced an opera-theater piece, a comedy set in a roomful of rhinos, and a dreamy dive into insomnia (last falls My Bedroom Is an Installation).

Triffles metaphysical musical, Wheres Bruno? opened about a year ago.

Mission Gibbons isnt as abstract as many of Imagos past works. Still, Triffle said, Its hard to categorize. Its definitely a play, but there are a lot of songs in it so you could almost call it a musical, but theres more talking than singing.

Tragicomedy might be the best descriptor, she said  leaning harder into the humor.

Its funny, but its also very deep at some points, when the cavemen actually talk about whats going to happen to the world if they dont find a plan to help it. And all the plans are sung, Triffle said. Its really sad when you think about it, but then the sadness comes through as absurd or funny.

The post-Jurassic-World Triffle creates is kinetic. However, dont expect the animal-inspired pantomime and dance maneuvers of ZooZoo and Frogz, though several actors in Mission Gibbons have appeared in those shows, and are trained in the Jacques Lecoq technique of theater movement.

There is an underlying basis of physical theater in it, but its not anthropomorphic in this play, said Triffle.

Buffoonery abounds. From the rough-and-(almost)-tumble way the hikers attempt to scale the mountain (a massive set-piece by Alex Meyer) to some Stone Age slapstick from Caveman Ueh (Kyle Delamarter), its go-time from curtain up.

Carol Triffle is a playwright, director and co-founder of Imago Theatre in Portland. April 9, 2024.Beth Nakamura

Whos who:

The six actors in Mission Gibbons have all worked with Imago before  and it shows. Throughout the opening night performance, cast members fiercely maintained their commitment to Triffles journey, and the exaggerated quirks of their characters.

Anne Sorce, playing hiker Anna, seemed to be channeling Molly Shannons Saturday Night Live goofball Mary Katherine Gallagher by creepily, hilariously never breaking eye contact with the audience as she delivered every line.

Anna even leaned in to sniff Caveman Uehs armpits.

Mmm. You smell like dirt. Fresh dirt.

Whats the Big Idea?

All of my plays have an underlying theme of We gotta fix something, said Triffle. Whenever I write, I start writing and then if something pops out at me and it starts feeling like I shouldnt go there, then I go there. I dont know why, but thats been my life, for writing and for watching theater.

Lately, buried under the avalanche of bad news  everything is a catastrophe, global warming or some other catastrophe is in every newscast  Triffle felt helpless. Things were getting to the point of I want to do something, but I dont know what to do, she said.

She penned this play to give people ideas to consider how to change the future now. Absurdism is Triffles imaginative avenue into environmentalism. That mountain? Its named Mount Plastic. We and the hikers learn its not a landform; its a landfill, made mostly of garbage.

I never realized how much plastic I used until I started doing this play, Triffle said. I do recycle but I dont recycle all the plastic. (The play) hopefully just makes you think about that.

Triffle said that her mountain of pollution is meant to mirror the mass of plastic debris known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, floating between the coast of California and Hawaii.

The messaging here is unabashedly unsubtle. But absurdism isnt a wink and a nudge; its a slap and a tickle. Triffle generously swirls eco-activism with song, sci-fi twists and cheeky references to the opening scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey and the goriest scenes from Cocaine Bear.

Listen for:

Music is a big element of this story. The tagline for the show is, The time has come to listen to the cavemen sing.

Anytime there is a message theyre singing about it, Triffle said. I wrote the play and lyrics. Kyle did all the music composition.

Delamarters Cro-Magnon crooner Ueh belts out a couple of pop ballads that would shuffle nicely into a Songs to Sing in the Shower Spotify playlist.

In the final number, as the cavemen mix harmonies with in-sync choreography, audiences may be witnessing Earths first boyband.

Because they pre-date The Monkees.

Line of the night:

You dont have to be sad. Its not opera! shouts hiker Tina (Amy Katrina Bryan) near the optimism-fueled end of Mission Gibbons.

What should audiences take away from the play?

You can walk away thinking and you can walk away laughing, Triffle said. Were trying to maybe just help a little, and if everybody helps a little, maybe it will be a lot.

Mission Gibbons

When: Continues 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday through April 27.

Where: Imago Theatre, 17 S.E. Eighth Ave.

Tickets: $23; www.imagotheatre.com.

 Lee Williams, for The Oregonian/OregonLive
Paw Patrol Live! is coming to Portland on Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sunday, April 21 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. as part of their tour. The family-friendly event where kids will get to see all their favorite Paw Patrol characters live still has tickets available at a variety of price points starting at around $50 each. But dont delay, seats for this highly anticipated kids show are going fast. For a look at what you may see, check out the video provided below.

Through a special arrangement, if you are purchasing tickets for the first time through Vivid Seats, use our special discount promo code Oregon20 at checkout to save $20 on orders of $200 or more for the event you plan on attending.

 Get tickets to see Paw Patrol Live! in Portland: Buy tickets now from VividSeats or Ticketmaster.

Paw Patrol is an animated childrens television show about a group of six rescue dogs that have adventures together. The heroic dogs are led by a tech-savvy character named Ryder and their motto is no job is too big, no pup is too small as they come together to do good for their community. Paw Patrol Live! will feature these characters live on stage in a concert performance setting for children to enjoy.
With just one month left before the May primary, state Rep. Janelle Bynum has pulled far ahead in fundraising in the Democratic primary for Oregons 5th Congressional District while state Rep. Maxine Dexter is benefiting heavily from a large independent outlay in the 3rd Congressional District.

In January, Bynum and her opponent, engineer and attorney Jamie McLeod-Skinner, were neck-in-neck in fundraising. But newly released receipts show Bynum far outraised McLeod-Skinner in the first quarter of 2024, raising $942,000 compared to her opponents $652,000.
Oregon voters weighed in during the May 21 primary election on a slew of key federal, statewide and local races and measures, including contests for Congress, statewide races for secretary of state, treasurer and attorney general and the state House and Senate. In Multnomah County, voters will cast their ballots in the district attorneys race and in several contests for the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. And in Portland, voters will be asked whether they want to renew a levy to support Portland Public Schools.

Counties mailed ballots May 1, and voters have until Election Day today to mail their ballots back or drop them off at an official dropbox. The deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation has passed. Voters must be registered as a Democrat or Republican to vote in partisan primaries.

You can check whether you are registered and whether youre registered with a major party by going to oregonvotes.gov/myvote. Enter your first and last name and birthday and youll see whether your registration is current and which party, if any, you belong to.

Weve collected our top coverage of this years candidates and ballot measures in this post to help you make an informed decision about voting.

U.S. House of Representatives

In Congressional District 5, longtime civil servant Jamie McLeod-Skinner (left), who won the Democratic primary in the district in 2022, is facing Janelle Bynum, a four-term member of the state House and small business owner.courtesy of candidate campaigns

Democratic voters in Clackamas, Deschutes, Multnomah and Hood River counties and in parts of Linn, Marion and Jefferson counties will weigh in on two highly competitive congressional primaries this May.

In Congressional District 5, Janelle Bynum, a four-term member of the state House and small business owner whos received backing from national House Democrats, is facing longtime civil servant Jamie McLeod-Skinner, who won the Democratic primary in the district in 2022. The winner of the race will take on freshman Republican Congressperson Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the November election as Democrats try to win back the highly competitive seat, which had its boundaries redrawn ahead of the 2022 election.

In Congressional District 3, four candidates are running to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who announced last year he would not seek another term. State Rep. Maxine Dexter, former Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal, Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales and attorney Michael Jonas are all seeking the seat. Whoever wins the primary in May is expected to coast to victory in the heavily Democratic district in November.

Voters will also cast their ballots in less competitive primaries in Oregons other Congressional districts.

Congressional District 3

Whoever wins the Democratic primary race to succeed longtime U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer in Congress is a shoo-in to win the fall contest. Eddy Morales, right to left, Michael Jonas, Susheela Jayapal and Maxine Dexter are seeking the party's nomination for Oregon's 3rd Congressional District.Dave Killen / The Oregonian

3 policy-aligned progressives vie to replace U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer in 3rd Congressional District

Portland Democrat reports huge 1-day fundraising haul from out-of-state donors

Obscure political group amps up massive spending against Oregon candidate for Congress

Flood of 11th-hour donations, big outside spending boosts Maxine Dexter in race for Congress

Maxine Dexters bid for Congress gets boost from pro-Israel donors

New political group with undisclosed donors spends big against Susheela Jayapal

2 candidates for 3rd Congressional District join forces to criticize outside spending on rival Maxine Dexter

Ad buys for Oregon candidate for Congress top $1.24 million from pro-science group

Big 1st quarter fundraising haul, huge independent outlay boosts 2 Oregon Democratic candidates for Congress

Democratic candidates for Oregons 3rd Congressional District debate polarization, stances on Gaza

Democratic candidates for Oregons 3rd Congressional District make their pitch to voters in first primary debate

Legislator Maxine Dexter announces run for Congress

Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales to run for Congress

Susheela Jayapal announces run for Congress, resigns from Multnomah County Commission

Bernie Sanders weighs in on Oregon politics, makes endorsement in Democratic primary

Congressional District 5

Ahead of Oregons highest profile race for Congress, Oregon lawmaker, longtime civil servant vie to take on 1st term Republican

Democrats claim Republicans are meddling in competitive Oregon primary

Running for Oregons most competitive seat in Congress, Bynum, McLeod-Skinner pitch their differing track records, plans

Poll commissioned by candidate for Congress Janelle Bynum shows her, her opponent tied in Democratic primary

Clackamas Black caucus says email glitch led to endorsement exclusion of Black candidate

In races for Congress, 2 leading Dems tied in fundraising for 5th District

County Democrats blast national Dems for endorsing primary candidate in Oregons 5th District

Congressional candidate Jamie McLeod-Skinner, top former staffers offer dueling versions of safety concerns on 2022 campaign trail

Oregons female governors all endorse Janelle Bynum for Congress

Statewide Races

Treasurer Tobias Read and state Sen. James Manning, frontrunners to become Oregons next secretary of state, are running on broadly similar platforms and will face off in the May 21 Democratic primary.Courtesy of campaigns

Oregon voters this year will pick a new secretary of state, attorney general and treasurer.

Democrats have controlled those statewide offices for years. Oregon voters have only elected a Republican to serve as secretary of state once since 1985. A Republican hasnt served as state treasurer or attorney general since 1993.

The Democratic primary for secretary of state is shaping up to likely be the most competitive statewide race in May. The frontrunners in the race are state Treasurer Tobias Read and state Sen. James Manning of Eugene.

In the Republican primary, state Sen. Dennis Linthicum of Beatty, who is barred from seeking reelection to the Senate after participating in a 2023 walkout, business analyst Tim McCloud and small business owner Brent Barker are running.

The candidates have focused on restoring trust in the Secretary of States Office, which has seen significant upheaval in recent years. Shemia Fagan, Oregons last elected secretary of state, resigned last May after it came to light that she had taken a $10,000 a month consulting gig with an affiliate of embattled marijuana company La Mota at a time when her office was auditing the cannabis industry.

In the treasurers race, Sen. Elizabeth Steiner is facing former Lake Oswego City Councilor Jeff Gudman in the Democratic primary. The winner of that race will face state Republican Sen. Brian Boquist in November. Boquist is barred from seeking reelection in the Senate after participating in the 2023 walkout.

In the attorney generals race, former Oregon House Speaker Dan Rayfield is taking on Shaina Maxey Pomerantz, the executive director of Race Talks, in the Democratic primary. In the Republican primary, Will Lathrop, a former deputy district attorney in Marion and Yamhill counties, is facing Michael Cross, a business owner and U.S. Air Force veteran.

Secretary of State

Oregon secretary of state candidates cite similar goals but different strategies to restore trust in office

How would Oregons secretary of state candidates fight misinformation?

Oregon secretary of state candidates focus on need to restore trust in office during first debate

2 Republican senators blocked from running for reelection will try for statewide office instead

State Treasurer

Oregon Democratic treasurer candidates say their track records, policy proposals set them apart

Attorney General

Former House speaker faces civil rights advocate in Democratic contest to replace longtime state attorney general

Oregon House

Environmental lawyer Peter Grabiel (left), health care clinic CEO Shannon Isadore and doctor Bryan Duty will face off in the May 21 Democratic primary for House District 33.Pete Grabiel, Shannon Jones Isadore, Brian Duty campaigns

Some state lawmakers are seeking higher office this spring, leaving their current seats open. In other cases, candidates are challenging incumbents.

In the Portland area, two open Democratic primary races for the state House will bring new faces to Salem. On Portlands east side, Rep. Khanh Pham is seeking a seat in the Oregon Senate, creating an open race for House District 46 between attorney Willy Chotzen and longtime public health leader Mary Lou Hennrich. On the west side, Rep. Maxine Dexter is running for Congress. Doctor Brian Duty, lawyer Pete Grabiel and Oregon Change Clinic CEO Shannon Jones Isadore are running to replace her in District 33. Both districts are heavily Democratic, and the winners of the May primaries are expected to coast to victory in the fall.

In Clackamas County, former Republican candidate for governor Christine Drazan is trying to get back her former House seat, challenging incumbent James Hieb in the Republican primary for House District 51.

House District 33

Former lawmaker Brian Clem drops nearly $80,000 to boost Portland lawyer in Oregon House race

Former lawmaker Brian Clem to spend $1 million in bid to elect moderate Democrats to Oregon Legislature

House District 46

Longtime health administrator, public defender compete to represent outer Southeast Portland in Oregon House

House District 51

Former Oregon governor candidate Christine Drazan running to regain seat in Oregon House from Rep. James Hieb

Christine Drazan running for Oregon House again after losing governor bid

Senate District 2

Republican primary for Oregon Senate pits state legislator, son of lawmaker against each other

Southern Oregon group drops lawsuit seeking to keep state lawmaker off May primary ballot

Multnomah County

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt, left, is facing a challenge from Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez.Beth Nakamura

District Attorney

Among the biggest races that Multnomah County voters will weigh in on this May is the race for district attorney. Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt is facing challenger Nathan Vasquez, who works in Schmidts office as a senior deputy district attorney.

Schmidt was swept into office in a landslide in 2020 as part of a national movement of progressive prosecutors, but he faced pushback early on for his decision not to prosecute most protest-related crimes. Advocacy group People for Portland has long paid for a billboard downtown criticizing Schmidts performance. Schmidt has vigorously defended his record, including touting his work on statewide legislation.

More coverage:

Will Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt dodge voters wrath? Beat Check podcast

Money pours into the Multnomah County DAs race in final stretch

Nathan Vasquez leads in matchup against Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt, poll finds

Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt campaign gets boost from progressive philanthropist George Soros

Multnomah County DA candidates trade barbs, blame in televised debate

Multnomah County DA race: Fact-checking candidate claims about crime, caseloads and convictions

DA Mike Schmidts office hours become flashpoint in heated challenge

Ethics complaint dismissed against Multnomah County DA candidate Nathan Vasquez

Multnomah County DA candidates spar over leadership, direction in first debate

DA Mike Schmidts office hours become flashpoint in heated challenge

Politics ensnares Portland crime forum as complaints from DA Mike Schmidt force challenger off panel

DA candidate Nathan Vasquez endorsed by unions for Portland police, Multnomah County deputies

Multnomah County Commission

The makeup of the Multnomah County Commission could change considerably this year with four out of five seats on the Multnomah County Commission up for grabs.

Residents can expect heated races for the District 1 and 2 seats.

Meghan Moyer, a policy director at Disability Rights Oregon, and Vadim Mozyrsky, a former City Council candidate and west side neighborhood association head, have emerged as the frontrunners in the District 1 race. Kevin Fitts, executive director of the Oregon Mental Health Consumers Association, consultant Margot Wheeler and former truck driver Chris Henry are also vying for the seat.

Read more: Race for Multnomah County commission seat pits candidate backed by downtown developers against one backed by unions, elected Democrats

Former Portland Mayor Sam Adams, boutique hotel owner and Old Town neighborhood association leader Jessie Burke and Shannon Singleton, a former interim director of the Joint Office of Homeless Services and longtime housing advocate, are all competing for the District 2 seat. Data director Nick Hara and Carlos Jermaine Richard, the director of equity and inclusion manager at the Multnomah County Department of County Human Services, are also running for the seat.

Read more: Multnomah Countys most-watched commission race tests Portlanders progressive instincts

In District 3, Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, a longtime Portland Public Schools board member and former Nike executive now representing most of Southeast Portland, is being challenged by housing advocate TJ Noddings, but she is expected to keep her seat.

In District 4, Gresham City Council member Vince Jones-Dixon appears to be the favorite in a race against small business owner Brian Knotts and Timothy Youker, a former business owner and former member of the Oregon National Guard.

Read more: In race for Multnomah Countys most diverse commission district, leading contender would shift the narrative

More coverage:

Rival groups to spend big in contested Multnomah County commission races

Voters could remake Multnomah County Commission, ushering in big political, policy changes

Clackamas County Commission

Clackamas County Chair Tootie Smith is facing two challengers in May, former Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts and April Lambert, who works for the countys health, housing and human services division.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

In Clackamas County, residents will decide on several county commission races, including whether to reelect incumbents Clackamas County Chair Tootie Smith and Commissioner Mark Shull.

Former Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts and April Lambert, who works for the countys health, housing and human services division, are trying to unseat Smith in the chairs race.

In the Position 4 race, Shull, the embattled commissioner who rebuffed calls to resign after posting racist and Islamophobic views on social media, is facing three challengers. They are small business owner Melissa Fireside, Rae Gordon, an Oregon City resident who has served on neighborhood associations, and Tina Irvine, who has served on the board of directors for nonprofit organizations like Clackamas Workforce Partnership.

Clackamas County chair race injects partisan factor into nonpartisan contest  again

Embattled Clackamas County commissioner Mark Shull makes bid for reelection after controversial term

Measures

Portland voters will be asked in May whether to renew a levy to retain 600 teachers for Portland Public Schools.Beth Conyers/Portland Public Schools

Metro area voters will cast ballots on a slew of measures this spring.

In Portland, voters will be asked to renew a levy to support Portland Public Schools, after polling indicated little appetite for increasing the local property tax. In Molalla, Estacada and Banks, voters will also be asked whether to approve bonds to support school upgrades.

In Multnomah County, voters will be asked to approve bonds to upgrade levees and floodwalls and to approve bonds to support the Oregon Zoo. They will also be asked to renew a gas tax for street repairs.

Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation, meanwhile, is asking voters to support a five-year levy for parks.

In North Plains, residents will vote on the citys contentious plans to expand its urban growth boundary, despite efforts by the Legislature to block such public referendums.

Portland Public Schools

Portland Public Schools seeks levy renewal to pay for 660 educators

Portland Public Schools voters unwilling to raise property tax for education, poll find

School Bonds

Estacada, Banks, Molalla school districts seek approval of bond measures

Oregon Zoo

Voters will decide whether to fund improvements to Oregon Zoo

Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District

Multnomah County voters will weigh property tax increase to fix aging flood protection system

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, facing shortfall, will ask voters to fund operations

North Plains

Ballot fight over North Plains expansion will resonate statewide

Judge orders North Plains expansion vote to proceed despite new Oregon law that tried to stop it

Endorsements

The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board is issuing endorsements in select races for the May 21 primary. Read the endorsements from the Editorial Board here.

 The Oregonian/OregonLive Politics Team
Wednesday, April 17, is Malbec World Day and Oregons malbec producers will celebrate the grape in style this weekend at the second annual Malbec in the City event. This is a party you do not want to miss.

If you are like me, the first thing you think of when you hear malbec is a red wine from Argentina. This makes sense, considering that 75% of the worlds malbec grapes are grown there.
By Billings Gazette

Editors note: Valley Credit Union and The Billings Gazette are featuring 16 seniors throughout the 2023-2024 school year. We want to help students who are not typically eligible for scholarships and financial aid awarded to those attending a 4-year program. At the end of the year, Valley will award one $5,000 Valleydictorian grant to a deserving student.

To be considered for the grant, students must show a clear career path for their future after high school in the form of an industry certification, technical associates degree, City College, trade school or apprenticeship. Students are nominated by a teacher, counselor, or principal from their high school.

Aedan Hraban

High School: Billings Central Catholic High School

What are your plans after high school?

My plan after high school is to take a gap year working at the Fishtail General Store, just outside of Absorkee. Taking this gap year will allow me to save up a large sum of money to help pay for schooling and come out with minimal debt. After my gap year I will be going to Minnesota State College Southeast, Red Wing, to get my associates degree in band instrument tech and repair.

What is your favorite class in school and why?

My favorite class in school has always been band. My director, Brandon Martinez, has always been outstanding at his job, and has assisted me many times in becoming not only the musician, but the person that I am today. I have learned to play many instruments and have made all of my friends through the band program. I hope to find a similar community during my higher education.

Who inspires you and why?

The most inspirational person in my life has been my dad. He has always been an optimist. And that has amazed me my entire life. He has encouraged me in many ways, as well as helped me with countless homework assignments that I wouldve otherwise had to suffer through all on my own. My dad has helped me grow and mature in many incredibly important ways, and I could not have survived high school without him.

What are some things you enjoy outside of school?

Outside of school I spend most of my time working as a lifeguard at the Billings Y. When I am not working, I really enjoy playing the piano, doing game development, drawing, and creating things with Legos. Most importantly, I spent all the time I can with my three younger siblings, whether that be in the form of card games, Nerf gun fights, or simply watching a movie.

What would make you feel successful in your career/work after school?

To be successful is to accomplish what goals you have set for yourself, not what society has told you success is. To be successful, I would like to graduate with my associates degree, and manage to get a stable job using that degree that I can support myself with, while affording to be able to save a portion of my paychecks as well. Despite its below average pay, instrument repair is a very important job, and we must have people willing to fill the positions. People have been using and building instruments for thousands of years, and despite many groups moving toward all electronic instruments, there are still many, many bands around the globe in need of repair service, and this will likely continue for years to come. Music is an essential part of society, and having people who are able to maintain our tools for making that music is invaluable.

If you win the $5,000 grant, how will you use the money to help you reach your goals?

If I were to get this grant, every single penny of it would be going toward paying for my courses and tools required for those courses. I want to manage to get out of my tech program with as little debt as possible, especially considering how little those positions typically pay. This grant would significantly improve the time in which I would be able to pay off debt, allowing me to sooner start putting money toward saving for important things such as a house.

Do you have a personal motto or inspirational saying that motivates you that you would like to share?

There is a movie I watched once with this wise old turtle in it, and he said something that I never really understood as a young child, but as I grew older, I realized how important it really was. He said, Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. Thats why its called the present. This quote has really stuck with me especially since I realized how fast life is going by. Every day must be treated as important and special, because you never get to have it again. You have to cherish it and enjoy it while you can, because the ability to live this day is the greatest gift you could be given.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three things, what three things would you bring and why?

Pot for cooking

Water filter

Potatoes

I can eat the potatoes raw or cooked, and I can plant them as well. Water filter means I can filter out ocean water, and I can use the pot to get the salt out of it. Food, water, cooking supplies. Boom.

If you had to choose between hamburgers or pizza, which would you choose and what would be on it?

Like many people that I know, I have a fondness for greasy garbage, and it is amazing. If given the choice between pizza and a hamburger, I would pick pizza, due to the fact that I just enjoy the flavor more, and in my experience it tends to be a little bit less messy than a hamburger. On my pizza my favorite toppings are pepperoni, heavy cheese, and bacon sprinkled on top. I love bacon.

Any other information about yourself that you would like to share?

I am quite skilled at the art of making burritos.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, has stated that there is a deliberate refusal by the Libyan parties to hold elections "seriously", with a "stubborn desire to postpone the elections indefinitely"
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The interim Libyan Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts in the government of national unity, Nasreddine al-Fazzani, Tuesday took part in the United Nations meeting on tourism held in New York to discuss the tourism sector and its relationship with sustainable development
In Southern California, Marcus Anthony Eriz, 27, of Costa Mesa, gets the highest punishment of 40 years to life in prison for firing at a car during a road rage occurrence on an expressway, leading to the tragic passing of 6-year-old Aiden Leos.

6-Year-Old Child Shot During Road Rage Incident

The circumstances happened on May 21, 2021. Eriz was convicted of second-degree killing and firing into an occupied vehicle by a jury in January.

Superior Court Judge Richard King stressed the susceptibility of Aiden, who was on his way to kindergarten with his mother when the deadly circumstances took place.

Eriz fired a shot at the car after his girlfriend, who was driving, cut off Aiden's mother on State Route 55. Following a gesture exchange between the drivers, Eriz opened fire from the back seat, hitting Aiden, who was seated in a car seat in the back.

Eriz expressed remorse in court, acknowledging the pain he caused Aiden and his family. However, the judge declined to ignore a sentencing enhancement that added 25 years to life to his sentence.

Prosecutors contested that Eriz's actions constituted intended murder, rather than a mistake. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer convicted Eriz's actions, stating that his decision to shoot a gun on a freeway resulted in the passing of a young life and endangered the safety of all drivers.

Eriz's girlfriend, Wynne Lee, faces charges of accessory after the fact and having a concealed firearm in a vehicle. Her case is pending, and she has pleaded not guilty.

Read Also : Woman Shoots Two Drivers Claiming God Directed Her Shooting Spree Due to Solar Eclipse

California Man, Girlfriend Were Arrested for Road Rage Incident

Following a manhunt, Eriz and Lee were arrested on June 6, 2021, with a reward for information leading to their capture exceeding $300,000.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer remarked in the statement, "What he took was the life of a little six-year-old boy and the sense of security of drivers everywhere who worry that driving on our freeways could be a death sentence, not because of a crash but because of a bullet."

An email seeking comment was sent to Eriz's attorney, Randall Bethune.

During the trial, authorities described how Eriz and his girlfriend, Wynne Lee, were commuting to work when Lee cut off a car driven by Leos' mother, provoking a response with a rude gesture.

Eriz then allegedly brandished a gun, leaned out of the window, and fired a shot at the mother's car, which penetrated the trunk and struck Leos' heart.

Eriz's defense argued that he did not intend to kill anyone during what initially appeared to be a road rage incident and claimed he was unaware of the fatal outcome until days later when a co-worker mentioned the authorities' search for Lee's car.

The shooting deeply affected the county's population of 3 million, heavily reliant on freeways for commuting, drawing international attention during the more than two-week-long search for the perpetrator.

Eriz and Lee were arrested outside their apartment in Costa Mesa after investigators traced leads to Lee's white car. Lee pleaded not guilty to being an accessory after the fact and is undergoing a separate trial.
The Supreme Court has allowed Idaho the authority to implement its ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths while legal difficulties against the law persist, overturning decisions made by lower courts.

Idaho to Implement Ban on Gender-Affirming Care

In their ruling on Monday, the justices allowed the utilization of a 2023 law in Idaho that rules punishment of up to 10 years in confinement for healthcare providers who allow hormones, puberty blockers, or other gender-affirming medication to people below 18 years old.

Despite this verdict, the two transgender teenagers who filed a lawsuit against the law will still be able to access essential medical care. Notably, the court's liberal justices aversing permitted the law to take effect.

Previously, a federal judge in Idaho had stopped the law completely, quoting the need to protect the well-being of the affected youths, who are identified by alias legal documents.

Critics of the law debate that it is probable to heighten suicide rates among transgender youths. Conversely, supporters claim it is necessary to shield children from medical interferences for gender dysphoria.

However, there is scant proof referring that gender-affirming surgeries are being done on transgender youth in Idaho.

The plan of gender-affirming care for adolescent people is ratified by several outstanding medical associations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychiatric Association.

Healthcare professionals define gender dysphoria as an important mental pain encountered by people whose gender identity varies from their defined sex at birth.

This development occurs as the Supreme Court may soon deliberate on whether to review bans in Kentucky and Tennessee, which an appeals court permitted to be enforced amidst legal disputes.

Presently, at least 23 states have authorized laws reducing or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths, with most facing legal difficulties. A federal judge abolished Arkansas' ban as illegal, while Montana's ban is currently briefly pensile.

Read Also : Federal Judge Temporarily Stops Florida Law that Limits Transgender Teachers From Pronoun Restriction

Other States That Ban Gender-Affirming Medical Treatment

The states with laws restraining or constraining gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

The legal struggles center on Idaho's Vulnerable Child Protection Act, also known as H.B. 71, which constrains certain medical medications and surgeries aimed at changing the appearance or asserting the perceived gender of youths.

Two transgender girls' parents sued the state, claiming that the law breached the Constitution. The district court allowed their request to obstruct the enforcement of the law, quoting its possible illegality and the serious aftermath it could have for the complainants.

Idaho officials, characterized by the Alliance Defending Freedom, argued that the ban was overly broad and sought crisis relief from the Supreme Court. They considered the ban's reach, claiming it would avoid suitable medical care for transgender youths while permitting possibly hurtful experimental surgeries.

The ACLU responded that prohibiting the law would hurt the complainants' health and well-being, as it would hinder their access to essential medical care and need them to sacrifice their obscurity in the legal proceedings.

This growth mirrors an expansive trend, with more than 20 states imposing prohibitions on gender-affirming medical care for youths, though some of these laws have faced legal difficulties.
A Georgia man poisons his newborn baby with antifreeze in breastmilk.

The man, Curtis Jack, is now sentenced to 50 years for attempted murder after the jury found him guilty of the crime. This sentence, imposed after a jury's guilty verdict, includes 40 years of incarceration followed by 10 years of probation, as confirmed by Police Sgt. Pserda Dickerson.

Georgia Man Commits Antifreeze Poisoning

Curtis Jack faced legal consequences recently, being convicted for attempted murder and first-degree child cruelty related to an incident on October 2, 2020, involving a newborn just eight days old, as reported by the South Fulton Police Department.

Police Sgt. Pserda Dickerson, heading the investigation, said that after a week-long trial, a jury found Jack guilty on Thursday, April 11.

The sequence of events started with the birth of the baby girl on September 24, 2020, against Jack's wishes for termination. During the mother's hospitalization post-birth, Jack took charge of delivering breastmilk bottles to the baby's grandmother, who looked after the infant during the mother's recovery.

Within a day of consuming the milk, the newborn fell critically ill, prompting suspicions of poisoning, according to police statements. Following medical tests at a local hospital, the presence of ethylene glycol, commonly found in antifreeze used in automobiles, was confirmed, leading to grave concerns about the baby's well-being.

Antifreeze, commonly used in car radiators to prevent freezing and overheating, contains chemicals like ethylene glycol and methanol, both highly toxic if ingested.

Even a small amount can lead to life-threatening complications, with symptoms often appearing gradually over hours, making it easy to underestimate the danger it poses.

Jury Verdict for Attempted Murder

When questioned by police regarding the infant's potential poisoning, Jack confessed to investigators that he had introduced antifreeze into the obtained breastmilk.

Authorities stated on social media, "After delivering the breastmilk to the child's grandmother, who was also caring for the woman's other daughter, the child became critically ill within 24 hours, suspected of being poisoned. Jack admitted to adding antifreeze to the breastmilk to South Fulton Police Department detectives."

Following this admission, a warrant was secured, leading to Jack's arrest on charges of criminal attempt to commit murder and first-degree child cruelty.

During the investigation, police revealed that Jack's motive for poisoning his newborn daughter's milk was to evade child support obligations. The trial proceedings showcased a compelling case against Jack, with testimonies from various sources.

South Fulton police detailed, "During the trial, the State presented testimonies from the child's mother, grandmother, law enforcement officers, and medical experts, including a demonstration of how easy it was to poison the breastmilk."

Medical experts emphasized the severe dangers of ingesting automotive antifreeze, which can lead to symptoms such as drowsiness, vomiting, kidney damage, and even death, according to poisonhelp.org.

Despite Jack's actions, the child's mother expressed relief that her daughter is recovering well after the ordeal.

Following a thorough trial, which included significant testimonies and evidence, the jury unanimously found Jack guilty on all charges.

In response to the verdict, South Fulton police announced Jack's 50-year prison sentence, with 40 years to be served behind bars. They also extended gratitude to Madam Fani Willis and the Fulton County District Attorney's Office for their efforts in achieving justice for the victim and her family.
Arizona Republicans are exploring strategies to counter a potential ballot initiative supporting abortion rights this autumn, as revealed in a draft proposal.

Prevention of the Potential Ballot Initiative Supporting Abortion Rights

One tactic involves introducing their ballot measures, potentially restricting abortion access to either six weeks or the beginning of the 15th week of pregnancy.

This proposal, crafted by Linley Wilson, the general counsel to Arizona House Republicans, emerges shortly after the Arizona Supreme Court revived a centuries-old near-total abortion ban.

In response, Arizona for Abortion Access, an association of abortion rights supporters, has gathered over 500,000 signatures to place a constitutional modification on the November ballot safeguarding abortion until fetal life, estimated around 22 to 24 weeks.

The pressure on Arizona Republicans to address abortion rights was magnified after the latest state Supreme Court decision.

House GOP Speaker Ben Toma clarified that the document presents ideas for internal discussion within the caucus, emphasizing the exploration of options regarding the subject.

The memo outlines the potential advantages of the proposed strategy, including the possibility of causing the failure of the Arizona for Abortion Access Initiative by splitting the vote.

However, it also acknowledges the downside of transferring the regulation of abortion from the legislature to voters.

The mentioned ballot initiatives are part of a multiphase approach aimed at either blocking the Arizona for Abortion Access initiative or preserving lawmakers' authority to regulate abortion access.

Abortion rights groups have seen accomplishments with ballot initiatives since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

The memo references several such initiatives, including the one in Arizona. Arizona for Abortion Access criticized the draft strategy memo, labeling it a political maneuver designed to sow confusion.

Read Also : More Young People Opting for Permanent Sterilization Procedures After Implementation of Stricter Abortion Regulations

Arizona Republicans Evaluate Options to Block Possible Ballot Initiative

In response to the state Supreme Court verdict, House Republicans adjourned early to avert Democrats from canceling the ban. The legislature is set to reconvene on Wednesday.

While some Republicans, including former President Donald Trump and Senate candidate Kari Lake, have urged cooperation with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs on a solution, the projected strategy by Wilson recommends different methods.

Under Phase One, lawmakers would seek to add a measure to the November ballot allowing regulation of certain abortion practices.

Phase Two involves referring to a six-week ban and another measure described as a "14-week law disguised as a 15-week law."

The memo also proposes an alternative to Phase Two, wherein lawmakers would refer to a conditional enactment of the abortion rights ballot initiative, allowing for laws regulating abortion for reasons such as fetal pain mitigation.

Any ballot initiative referred by the Republican-led legislature would not require the signature of Hobbs.

However, it remains uncertain whether Republicans, holding narrow majorities in the state House and Senate, would garner enough support to implement the outlined plan.

The memo concludes with a meme featuring talk show host Seth Meyers, suggesting a sense of ease with the proposed strategy.
Investigations into the two Kansas women's disappearance reveal ties to a complicated custody battle.

The custody battle that led to the deaths of two women, Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, who were on their way to pick up one of the pair's children for a birthday party, might have included a foul play.

Kansas Women's Disappearance

Allegations detailed in court documents suggest a dark plot involving a southwest Kansas mother embroiled in a custody dispute with her children's paternal grandmother.

Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley disappeared while en route to retrieve Butler's children for a birthday celebration in Kansas. Their vehicle was discovered abandoned along a rural Texas County highway in Oklahoma, indicating possible foul play.

Hunter McKee, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, disclosed that Butler and Kelley are deceased, although the identities of the bodies found in Texas County have not been confirmed.

Four individuals: Tad Bert Cullum, 43; Tifany Machel Adams, 54; Cole Earl Twombly, 50; and Cora Twombly, 44, were arrested and charged with multiple counts, including first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Referred to as "God's Misfits," the suspects belong to a small anti-government group. Authorities initiated an investigation following a request from the Texas County Sheriff's Office after Butler and Kelley's suspicious disappearance on March 30.

Interviews revealed Butler's ongoing custody battle with Tifany Adams over her children, with court-ordered supervised visits every Saturday.

Kelley, the wife of a Hugoton pastor, accompanied Butler during these visits. Butler's family discovered her abandoned vehicle with signs of violence, including blood and a broken hammer nearby.

Further details emerged regarding Adams' contentious relationship with her son over custody issues. Concerns were raised about Adams' intentions, particularly after conversations suggesting a plan to resolve the custody battle, raising suspicions of foul play in Butler and Kelley's disappearance.

Custody Battle Under Investigation

On April 1, following the discovery of Butler's abandoned vehicle, investigators from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) examined Tifany Adams' phone. The search history revealed inquiries such as "taser pain level," "gun shops," "prepaid cellular phones," and "how to get someone out of their house."

On April 3, an OSBI agent interviewed the 16-year-old daughter of Cora Twombly, one of the suspects. The teenager disclosed that she overheard discussions implicating Butler for not safeguarding her children from Butler's brother, related to a sexual abuse allegation.

Additionally, the teenager mentioned that Cora informed her about Adams providing "burner" phones for covert communication among the suspects. The teenager reported observing two such phones charging on Cora's nightstand in her bedroom.

According to the teen's account, Cora and her husband, Cole Twombly, left on a "mission" on March 30, returning around noon that day. The teen was instructed to clean a Chevrolet pickup's interior upon their return. Cora allegedly shared with her daughter that the plan did not go smoothly but assured that Butler would no longer be a concern.

The OSBI investigation also uncovered past attempts to harm Butler near Hugoton in February, during which the suspects planned to throw an anvil through Butler's windshield to stage an accident, as per Cora's statement.

The probe revealed that Adams purchased five stun guns in Guymon on March 30 and three pre-paid cellphones in Guymon on February 13, with the phones later found in proximity to where Butler's car was located.

After the disappearance of Butler and Kelley, the phones were traced to a property approximately 8.5 miles from the abandoned vehicle's location.

Suspicious activity, including fresh dirt work beneath a dam in a pasture, raised further concerns. However, specific details about the dig site were not disclosed in the affidavit.

The whereabouts of Butler's children during the crime remain unclear. The OSBI cited the protection of the children as a reason for withholding details until all suspects were in custody.
Newly posted on the never-changing website of the Interpreter Foundation:

The Book of Mormon in Context Lesson 17: Filled with Love towards God and All Men (Mosiah 1-3)

On the evening of Sunday, 31 March 2024, Martin Tanner and Terry Hutchinson discussed Book of Mormon lesson 17, Filled with Love towards God and All Men, covering Mosiah 1-3, during the. Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show. Their conversation was recorded and, having been freed of commercial interruptions, has now been archived for your listening enjoyment and convenience. The other segments of the 31 March 2024 radio show can be accessed at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreter-radio-show-march-31-2024. The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard live every Sunday evening from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640. It can also be heard live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com.

Come, Follow Me  Study and Teaching Helps (2024): Lesson 17, April 22-28: Mosiah 1-3: Filled with Love towards God and All Men

Editors Note: Four years ago, Jonn Claybaugh began writing the Study and Teaching Helps series of articles for Interpreter. We now have these wonderful and useful posts for all four years of Come, Follow Me lessons. Beginning this year we will be reposting these articles, with dates, lesson numbers, and titles updated for the current years lessons. Jonn has graciously agreed to write new study aids for those lessons that do not directly correspond to 2020 lessons.

In related news: BYUs space ace: Minor planet named in honor of Jani Radebaugh

You might enjoy watching Jani Radebaugh address the topic of The Outer Solar System: A Window to the Creative Breadth of Divinity on the website of the Interpreter Foundation. Her remarks were given as part of the Foundations November 2013 symposium on Science and Mormonism.

U.K. Culture Secretary Tells Sports Chiefs to Protect Female Athletics: Give Women a Sporting Chance

I enjoyed this brief article: How can we address the decline in religion?

The Arabic word fitra or fitrah )) is rendered in English by terms such as original disposition, natural constitution, or innate nature. Its triconsonantal verbal root f-t-r carries the signification to split or to cleave, which is also found in the term Iftar (breaking the fast) and in the name of the Islamic Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, as well as in the title of the 82nd sura of the Quran (Surat Al-Infitar ). Arabic lexicographers also relate it to the concept expressed by the English verb to create. Thus, Fatir is commonly translated as originator or creator  see Quran 35 (al-Fatir) and fitra seems to refer to the state of creation.

In Islam, fitra is innate human nature that recognizes the existence (and the oneness) of God. It is inborn. Muslims typically believe that every human is born in a state of purity and innocence.

So turn your face toward religion as a hanif [a term that requires an explanation that is beyond the scope of this blog entry]. [Adhere to] the fitra of God according to which He has created [fatara] [all] people. There should be no change in the creation [khalq] of God. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know. (Quran 30:30)

Moreover, all of the children of Adam made a covenant with God even before they were sent to earth, recognizing his Lordship (7:172173), which properly makes them accountable to him.

Much more needs to be developed on this concept of fitra, but it seems obvious to me that it is fundamentally similar to John Calvins idea of a sensus divinitatis, an innate sense of divinity or deity that is inborn in every human soul:

That there exists in the human mind and indeed by natural instinct, some sense of Deity [sensus divinitatis], we hold to be beyond dispute, since God himself, to prevent any man from pretending ignorance, has endued all men with some idea of his Godhead. . . . this is not a doctrine which is first learned at school, but one as to which every man is, from the womb, his own master; one which nature herself allows no individual to forget. (John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion)

The Reformed epistemology advanced by the eminent Protestant philosopher Alvin Plantinga, of the University of Notre Dame, argues for a modified form of the sensus divinitatis. According to Plantinga, all humans have a sense of divinity, although  due to the noetic effects of sin, which is to say due to its effects upon the intellect and upon mental activity  it fails to function properly in some humans. In the Roman Catholic tradition, the prominent twentieth-century German Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner similarly proposed that all human beings naturally have a latent awareness of God.

It also seems obvious to me that such ideas are connected with the Latter-day Saint concept of the light of Christ, which includes both a capacity to receive and recognize divine truth and, at the same time, basic conscience and moral intuition::

Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fillthe immensity of space The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:12-13)

As the prophet Mormon taught:

The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. . . . And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.

And, finally, lest you grow too comfortable and complacent, I here offer up a chilling pair of theistic crimes from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File. Remember always that eternal vigilance is the price of ideologically-driven paranoia:

Recent Donations and Humanitarian Efforts in Brazil Help Increase Skills and Self-Reliance: Medical equipment, language training, new playgrounds and more are part of recent donations from the Church

Youth Join JustServe Efforts Around North Texas With Cleanup Projects, Donations and More: Service efforts in North Texas include helping food pantries, gardens and cemeteries
If you have a Windows 10 computer, Microsoft will offer you a free upgrade to Windows 11. Provided the hardware of the Windows 10 computer is compatible, otherwise Windows 11 will refuse the installation. Microsoft has now released a large number of Windows 10 PCs that were previously not allowed to install the upgrade for the Windows 11 upgrade.

Microsoft had been denying Windows 10 computers with an 11th-generation Intel Core Processor and Intel SST driver version 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152 (the SST stands for Smart Sound Technology) the upgrade to Windows 11 since November 2021. With this hardware driver combination, recurring blue screens of death could occur after installing Windows 11.

Get windows 11 Windows 11 Pro Price When Reviewed: 69,99 Euro Best Prices Today:

Resourceful Windows users could only solve this problem by updating the Intel SST drivers themselves. Those who did this independently were then able to switch to Windows 11 free of charge. However, Microsoft refused to upgrade all other PC owners with the described combination of CPU and driver.

As of today, however, this problem has generally been solved. From now on, all affected Windows 10 users with the chip and driver combination described above can download and install the latest Intel SST drivers via the Windows update function.

As soon as Windows 10 has installed the driver update, you can upgrade to Windows 11. However, Microsoft emphasizes that it could take another two days before Windows 10 offers the upgrade to Windows 11. You can find the official release of the Windows 10 PCs previously blocked for the upgrade on this status page from Microsoft.

It is not known why Microsoft took until April 12, 2024 to finally make the drivers, which have long since been adapted by Intel, available via Windows Update and lift the upgrade block.

However, if Windows 10 does not offer the driver update after all, PC owners should contact their PC manufacturer for the driver update.

Windows 10 is clearly in the lead

It remains to be seen whether this will significantly increase the market share of Windows 11. According to Statcounter, Windows 10 is still by far the most popular desktop operating system (March 2024: 69.05 percent market share among all Windows systems). Windows 10 even managed to gain market share slightly in March 2024, whereas Windows 11 lost market share slightly (March 2024: 26.68 percent market share among all Windows systems).

According to Statcounter, all Windows systems together had a market share of 72.47 percent in March 2024. MacOS is well behind with 14.68 percent.

This article originally appeared on PC Welt and was translated from German to English.
Some people have been waiting a long time for an alternative to Microsofts Surface series, and niche small form factor manufacturer Minisforum is ready to give it to them. The companys V3 tablet, which proclaims itself the worlds first AMD 3-in-1 Windows tablet, is now available to purchase and shipping in a little over a week.

Minisforum might be being a little grandiose in its description of the V3  its not as if it was ever impossible to use a Ryzen platform in a Surface form factor, its just that no one saw a huge demand for it. But that being said, theres no doubt that this is some pretty impressive hardware on paper. The base model of the V3 tablet uses an 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 7 8840U processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. Again, thats the base configuration, with a detachable keyboard included.

The screen and body are considerably larger than the Surface, with a 14-inch 2K panel and a 165Hz refresh rate. Other hardware features include three USB-C ports (two USB-4, one with Vlink DP-in to use the tablet as a portable monitor), a full-sized SD card slot, a headphone jack, and a fingerprint reader in the power button.

Minisforum Minisforum Minisforum

All that tech is going for $1,199 for the early bird special. Early buyers also get a free stylus, laptop sleeve, and glass screen protector. The price will go up to $1,499 after the first batch, but the equivalent build of the Surface Pro 9 is priced at over two grand. And even after more than a decade of hearing this complaint, Microsoft still wants you to pay extra for the keyboard.

Even so, Id be trepidatious about dropping more than a thousand dollars on hardware from a company that hasnt made a portable device before. Feel free to put your money down, but Id wait for the first batch of reviews to arrive.
Apostle Cephas Quarshie Founder of the Cephas Quarshie Ministries International, is the Spiritual son of Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry Inc. with headquarters in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria



Known for his inspirational and prophetic preachings in various international platforms including Liberia, Nigeria and other African countries under the tutelage of his Father who is internationally acclaimed, he has always used every opportunity as a season of recovery to break curses and deliver persons with a special repartition.



Just like his mentor and father, Apostle Cephas Quarshie started his ministry career as a prayer warrior and deliverance minister healing the sick and engaging in charity projects that have won him the admiration of anyone he comes into contact with.



In 2022, he was a pivot in the visit of his father to Ghana for a five-day crusade dubbed Ghana Invasion 2022 that attracted thousands of people.



The five-day event commenced on November 3, 2022 and was held at the Independence Square in Accra where thousands of persons in spiritual bondage were set free with most attendees from many African countries and even Europe.



Many lives have been touched spiritually through his intercession and many lives have equally been changed through his physical intervention.



Who is Apostle Cephas Quarshie in the Business World



Apostle Dr. Cephas Quarshie is the Group Chairman of the CBS Group of Companies, a conglomerate of various establishments in the country. He is an award-winning businessman recognized by the Ghana Business Awards.



With over 600 persons directly employed by his companies, thousands are indirectly employed with Cereno Homes is set to redefine the Housing System in Ghana with a comprehensive construction of units to suit all sectors as one of his entities.



Cereno Homes currently boasts various facilities in Keta in the Volta Region Ring Road within Acraa Central in the Greater Accra Region and Capital Hill within the Greater Accra that best suit income holders of various backgrounds.



As a real estate developer Especially in affordable housing, it aims to reduce the housing deficit in the country



With state-of-the-art facilities in Accra, the CBS Tower has spaces for banks, offices, conference rooms with modern equipment, lodgings and many other ancillary facilities for persons who wish to reside in the Central Business District of Accra.



Low Price Master is another company that deals in oil and gas, electronics and many other branches across the country with competitive prices and quality for its clients.



His philanthropic gesture has earned him the admiration of various establishments in the country with people from diverse backgrounds reaching out to him for support in one way or the other.



Apostle Cephas Quarshie has indeed made a name for himself and is respected by both the business and Christian community.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The second edition of the Read to Inspire Series held at the Korle Gonno Community Library featured a book by prominent Ghanaian author and writer Ama Ata Aidoo, The Girl Who Can." The initiative organised by the Duo Concept Foundation is to inspire students to cultivate the spirit of reading as well as become ambassadors of the initiative.



The 2024 edition brought together pupils from some selected basic schools within Korle Gonno, a suburb of Greater Accra, to participate in knowledge sharing, and personal development, and serve as ambassadors of reading.



Speaking to the pupils, the lead facilitator of the Duo Concept Foundation, Ms Kate Addo, expressed the need to encourage reading to improve discipline, self-awareness, and communication.



Touching on the choice of book for this edition, Ms Addo stated the contribution of the late Ama Ata to Ghanaian literature and culture and was emphatic about her style of writing, relatable scenes, and her overall inspiration as a woman who served as a great mentor to many across the world.



According to her, choice of the book speaks to the modern day struggles faced by the girl child expressed by the author in the book. Adding that, the story is relatable which tells the present day struggles and challenges of many adventurous and inspiring young women.



"The Girl Who Can by Ama Ata was read by special dignitaries, including Madam Doreen Hammond of the Mirror Newspaper, Dr. Wale Okediran, Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Associations, as well as Peer Mentor Kingsley Tetteh.



The dignitaries in attendance took turns appreciating the efforts of the legendary writer, who immensely contributed to the advancement of women and girl' child development through their works.



The Duo Concept Foundation is a nonprofit organisation in aids children and the less privileged, providing support and educational reform programmes across the country. The organization was co-founded by Panin and Kakra Acheampong in 2008.













Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Public Relations Officer (P.R.O) of the Ministry of Health, Isaac Offei Baah has clarified that the ministry through the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has cleared 14 out of the 182 containers of essential medical supplies from the port.



According to him, the ministry is clearing the commodities in batches with reason being the huge numbers of the containers at the port. He said that, there were 182 containers of medical supplies meant for the entire country, however, when the containers are cleared, the ministry needs to take them to one standard location for testing to be sure of their efficacy and quality before they are distributed to the various regional holding centres.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' morning on Monday, April 15, the PRO mentioned that 162 out of the 182 containers are loaded with mosquito nets.



He added that, the entire consignment will be cleared by Friday, 19th April.



It is recalled that, there were some medical supplies that have been left at the Tema Port since last year May, 2023.



The medical supplies were said to have been donated by the Global Fund last year and left unattended to by state agencies; particularly, the Ministry of Health.



But the Health Ministry dismissed suggestions that it has been very inactive in clearing the consignment.



Between May and December 2023, the ministry has been clearing the consignments at the airports and we did not face this issue. But this time around, 456 containers came and the government has been clearing all of it leaving 182. The 182 containers even arrived at the ports between November and December of 2023, Isaac Offei Baah stated.



He was emphatic that news about antiretroviral drugs being part of the consignments is false, adding that the containers had only malaria and tuberculosis medication.



"All the media personnel who came around last Friday would attest to the fact that the consignments did not contain antiretroviral medications," he added.







Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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The Ministry of Health has debunked reports that the Global Fund has stopped shipping medical supplies to Ghana after some drugs were locked up at the port for months.



The Global Fund is said to have freely given Ghana some essential medicines to treat various diseases, including malaria, but these medicines stayed at the port since December last year until a public uproar compelled the Health Ministry to clear them this month on Friday, April 12.



Among the items affected, the reports indicated antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS patients.



14 containers of the drugs comprising malaria and tuberculosis have been offloaded from the port, leaving the remaining 168 containers of mosquito nets, according to the Public Relations Officer of the Health Ministry, Isaac Offei Baah, in an interview with host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo".



Due to the government's inability to clear the medical supplies on time, the Global Fund is reported to have halted shipments of further supplies to Ghana, citing delays in clearing previous donations held up at the Tema Port.



The Executive Director of ACHPR&A, Dr. Thomas Anaba, in an interview on Citi FM, gave the hint saying "a 12-member delegation from the Global Fund paid a working visit to this country to follow up on the locked-up commodities. In spite of all their efforts, they did not make any headway, and the commodities still remain uncleared at the port".



He added, "They have, therefore, indicated that Ghana risks losing all Global Fund support if the government fails to act on the matter. To start with, they have already suspended all commodity shipments to the country until the ones at the ports are cleared. This development has dire consequences for the hundreds of thousands of our compatriots on free medications donated by the Global Fund."



The Ministry of Health PRO, Isaac Offei Baah, speaking to Kwami Sefa Kayi on Monday, refuted these claims stressing "it is not true".



"As we speak, there are a lot of meetings with Global Fund, even within this week. The Global Fund even gave us medicines last week, and they will give us drugs somewhere early next month. So, it is untrue that the Global Fund has issued a statement to the government that they will not give us drugs again. This is a grant to Africa of which Ghana is part," he clarified.



He also stated emphatically that the medical supplies locked at the port never included antiretroviral drugs.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Ministry of Health has shot down claims that anti-retroviral drugs were kept at the Port for a year.



The Ghana AIDS Commission and other groups expressed concerns over the delays in clearing essential healthcare medications, including crucial anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs), at the ports.



However, Isaac Offei Baah, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Health, speaking in an interview on Peace FMs morning show Kokrokoo said there were no anti-retroviral drugs in the consignment that came in last year and were not cleared.



Its not true the medicines had not been cleared for a year . . . anti-retroviral drugs were not part of the 182 containers at the port, adding the drugs (at the port) were for Malaria and tuberculosis.



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Social media giant Meta has lowered the minimum age required to use WhatsApp in Europe to 13 from 16, sparking criticism from childrens rights advocates.



The new age restriction came into force in the European Union Thursday. The new minimum age of 13 was also announced for users in the United Kingdom in February.



The messaging service  which Meta (META) acquired a decade ago  says on its website that the changes ensure a consistent minimum age requirement for WhatsApp globally.



However, the lower age limit has ignited criticism from childrens rights advocates in the UK who argue that it further exposes young people to a slew of well-documented online harms.



In a statement Thursday, UK-based campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood called on WhatsApp to reverse the new policy. WhatsApp are putting shareholder profits first and childrens safety second, said Daisy Greenwell, the groups co-founder.



Reducing the age limit is completely tone-deaf, she said, and ignores the increasingly loud alarm bells being rung by scientists, doctors, teachers, child safety experts, parents and mental health experts alike over the harms of social media use for children.



Vicky Ford, a UK lawmaker from the ruling Conservative Party and member of a key government committee on education, called the decision to lower the minimum age without speaking to parents first irresponsible, PA Media reported.



A WhatsApp spokesperson told CNN Friday: We give all users options to control who can add them to groups and, the first time you receive a message from an unknown number, we give you the option to block and report the account.



The European Commission, the EUs executive body, has not responded to a request for comment.



Meta under fire



Meta has been roundly criticized in the past for its push to lower age restrictions across platforms in the United States.



Last year, the company said it was planning to reduce the minimum age for its virtual reality app from 13 to 10 years old, despite pressure from US lawmakers not to market such services to younger users.



CNN also reported last year that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had personally and repeatedly thwarted initiatives meant to improve the well-being of teens on Facebook and Instagram, the companys other platforms.



At times, Zuckerberg directly overruled some of his most senior executives, who had been pushing for greater protections for adolescents, according to internal communications made public as part of an ongoing lawsuit against the company.



But, in a press release Thursday  unrelated to the change in WhatsApps age policy in Europe  Meta said it was testing features to protect young people from the dangers of sextortion and intimate image abuse. It hopes the new features will make it more difficult for potential scammers and criminals to find and interact with teens.



Sextortion predators typically trick young victims into believing they are talking to people their own age. They persuade them to send explicit photos and videos, and later threaten to publicize those images unless a payment is sent.

Source: CNN









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Real Estate mogul and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COD Homes, Cwesi Oteng Desmond has been listed among the 100 Most Influential Young Africans 2024 which was held at the British Council in Accra.



The tremendous recognition signifies his exceptional leadership qualities and dedication to providing quality and affordable homes and also for being an extremely respected personality advocating for best real estate practices in the sector.



The 2024 edition of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans was organized by the Pan African Youth Leadership Foundation on the theme; "Exceptional 2024". This esteemed selection features remarkable entrepreneurs, Young activists, change-makers, and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional excellence in their respective fields. The nominees came from all 52 African countries.



Cwesi Oteng Desmond delightedly expressed his profound gratitude to his team who has helped his vision and mission of providing excellent real estate services in the country and beyond.



According to him, this wonderful moment reflects his stunning dedication to delivering the highest standards of quality customer satisfaction and thanked his committed staff, partners and most especially, his clients for their unflinching support always over the years of services.



" I am really honoured to be shortlisted among the 100 Most Influential Young Africans 2024. This has come to cement my hard work over the years of selfless sacrifice. This will go a long way to encourage me for greater works ahead", COD Homes CEO noted.





ABOUT CEO OF COD HOMES, CWESI OTENG DESMOND



Cwesi Oteng Desmond is an award-winning Luxury Realtor, Property Consultant & Developer.



He has over eight years of experience in the real estate industry, he has built a solid brand that has opened him up to the Diaspora market and helped most Ghanaians living abroad to buy their homes safely without any challenges.



He has strong communication and marketing skills which enables him deal with all classes of people. His expertise transcends Ghanas real estate market to Africa as a whole. He has dealt with reputable international companies like Deloitte, EY, PWC..etc



He won the Realtor of the Year in 2023 at the Africa Real Estate Conference & Expo, he was also awarded the Best Company in real estate sales & marketing at the Ghana Property Awards. He was nominated as one of the best African entrepreneurs AFRICA 100-2024 by the Pan African Youth leadership.



Desmond has won several awards both locally and internationally giving him the opportunity to connect with a lot of great minds across the globe. He is a YouTuber with an amazing YouTube channel, showing homes in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda & Dubai.



Moreover, he recently collaborated with one of UKs biggest Real Estate investors- Mr Samuel Leeds to give the Diaspora an in-depth overview of the real estate market in Ghana & Africa. He has designed and built single-family homes in Accra, which sold out in the last quarter of 2023.



Above all, he loves God and serves in the Holy Hill Assemblies of God.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The proposed design of a train station in the Chinese city of Nanjing has attracted the attention of Chinese internet users - for all the wrong reasons.



Authorities say the design of the North Nanjing station takes inspiration from plum blossoms, which the city is known for.



But online, others are pointing out its resemblance to something rather different - a sanitary pad.



"This is a giant sanitary pad. It's embarrassing to say it looks like a plum blossom," said one comment on social media site Weibo.



The topic has generated millions of views across various Chinese social media platforms.



"Why can we all tell it is a sanitary pad immediately, but the architects can't?" one Weibo user said.



"I think we should take this chance to call for society to pay attention to period shaming. This design is ahead of its time," another user joked.



According to the state-owned newspaper Nanjing Daily, the preliminary design was greenlit by the government of Jiangsu province and China State Railway Group.



Construction is due to begin in the first half of 2024, according to local media.



According to a 2017 report by news site the Nanjing Morning News, the train station is estimated to cost some 20 billion Chinese yuan ($2,763 million; 2,224 million), and will sit across a total area of 37.6 square kilometres (14 square miles).



This is not the first architecture project in China that has drawn unexpected attention.



The headquarters of state broadcaster CCTV in the capital Beijing is known to many in China as the "big boxer shorts" building, for its unique shape.

Source: BBC









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With a resounding call to action from all stakeholders, expecially Ghanaians, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II, the revered Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, has declared *June 7th 2024 as Green Ghana Day* as he launch the commencement of preparations for the Day.



The grand launch event which was held at the Multipurpose Auditorium of the esteemed University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, Northern Region on 16th April, 2024, echoed the sentiments of environmental stewardship and collective responsibility from all.



In the keynote address, delivered by his representative, Naa Bapra Zangbalun Yakubu Mahama, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II emphasized the significance of the Green Ghana Day Project initiated by His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and Reflected on the commendable progress made since its inception in 2021, the Overlord expressed optimism about surpassing previous milestones.



"In the year 2021, 7 million trees were planted. In subsequent years more trees were planted. This year the target is to plant over 10 million tree seedlings," Yaa Naa announced, underscoring the ambitious goals set for the forthcoming campaign.



Highlighting the multifaceted benefits of afforestation, Yaa Naa stressed its pivotal role in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, particularly in the northern regions where erratic rainfall patterns pose significant challenges to livelihoods.



He lauded the initiative's potential to enhance economic opportunities, preserve biodiversity, and mitigate the threat of bushfires, thereby safeguarding the environment for future generations.



In a passionate plea, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II advocated for a concerted effort to promote the cultivation and protection of shea trees, a vital economic resource for the region's inhabitants. He urged the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel Jinapor, to spearhead initiatives aimed at expanding shea tree cultivation and safeguarding existing wild trees from annual bushfires.



Addressing the gathering, the Overlord reiterated his unwavering commitment to championing environmental conservation efforts within the Dagbon Kingdom and beyond. He called on his paramount and divisional chiefs to actively participate in the Green Ghana Day initiative and ensure its success through diligent oversight and reporting.



Addressing the audience with unwavering conviction, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor highlighted the critical importance of the Green Ghana Project in combating the escalating climate crisis. Against the backdrop of alarming statistics indicating record-breaking temperatures and ecological threats, he underscored the urgent need for comprehensive environmental conservation efforts.



Emphasizing the remarkable achievements of the initiative, Minister Jinapor revealed that since its inception three years ago, over 42 million trees have been planted nationwide, surpassing targets and exceeding expectations.



With unwavering determination, Minister Jinapor announced an ambitious target of planting an additional ten million trees during this year's Green Ghana Day, under the theme *"Growing for a Greener Tomorrow."* This theme he said encapsulates the essence of nurturing planted trees to maturity, thereby maximizing their contribution to climate resilience.



Acknowledging the pivotal role of stakeholders and Ghanaians across various sectors, Minister Jinapor called for a unified effort to achieve the set objectives. He appealed to individuals, communities, corporate entities, and government institutions to actively participate in tree planting activities and support the initiative's expansion.



In his welcome address Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Shani Alhassan Shaibu, at the Launch of the 2024 Green Ghana Day highlighted the collective dedication to environmental sustainability while underscoring the importance of proactive measures against pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, deforestation, and pollution.



Minister Shaibu expressed gratitude for the attendees' commitment, recognizing it as a testament to their willingness to safeguard the planet for present and future generations.



He called for drawing inspiration from past achievements and ensuring that actions are sustainable, while acknowledging the indispensable contribution of stakeholders such as invited guests, chiefs, and the press to the success of such endeavors.



The Vice Chancellor of the University of Development Studies, Professor Seidu Al-Hassan in his remarks commended the government for such a promising initiative while urging all to support it for a massive success.



"Government is working on fixing the degrading state of Nature at the moment and the best we can do is to support this government for the good of Ghana and the world"



Also at the event were the Board Chairpersons of the Forestry Commission, the Minerals Development Fund, Deputy CEOs of Agencies, Directors and staff of the Ministry and the Forestry Commission.









Source: Peacefmonline.com









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NIGERIA; A teacher, Suleiman Ozakwo of Anguwar Baiyi in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, was thrown into mourning after a drunk driver identified as Ya Zakari, crushed his three daughters to death.



A family member, Saidu Alhassan, who spoke to the Daily Trust, said the incident happened on Friday, April 12, 2024, along Rafin Kunama, Abaji road in Toto.



He explained that the three teenage sisters, Nusaiba, Maryam and Rumaisa, were crushed after they left their home as usual to pay Sallah a visit to their uncles wife a few metres from the Ohinoyis palace.



They were walking on the shoulder of the road while coming back from their uncles place when a drunk man at speed ran into them with his car, killing them on the spot, he explained.



He further said that the suspect was apprehended and taken to the police station, but that later a mob asked the police for the vehicle he drove which they set ablaze.



The father of the deceased children, Suleiman Ozakwo, who also spoke with the publication, described their death as untimely, even as he said he could not challenge God for the tragedy and asked people to join in praying for the souls of his daughters to continue to rest in peace



A police officer who preferred anonymity confirmed that the suspect was arrested and will be arraigned in court on Monday, April 15.



The man was arrested as he was drunk when he crashed his car into the three teenage girls and killed them on the spot. He will be arraigned in court on Monday,"

Source: LIB









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In a significant move to strengthen diplomatic relations, Ukraine officially inaugurated its Embassy in Accra, affirming its commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Ghana.



The ceremony, attended by esteemed guests including members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ukrainians residing in Ghana, and other dignitaries, marked a pivotal moment in the history of relations between the two countries.



H.E. Maksym Subkh, the special envoy of Ukraine for the Middle East and Africa Region, expressed his gratitude towards the Ghanaian government and its people for their unwavering support in facilitating the establishment of the diplomatic mission in Accra.

He stated that the opening of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ghana underscored the eagerness of both nations to nurture and expand their bilateral ties.



In response, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, acknowledged the long-standing relationship between Ukraine and Ghana, which dates back to 1992 when Ukraine attained independence.

He reiterated the Ministrys commitment and readiness to assist the Charge dAffaires ad Interim of Ukraine in effectively discharging his duties to advance the relationship between the two countries.



Prior to the official opening, H.E. Maksym Subkh paid a courtesy visit to Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

During their meeting, they engaged in productive discussions, exploring potential areas of collaboration between Ghana and Ukraine.



The establishment of a resident mission in Accra is expected to foster closer economic, political, and cultural interaction between Ukraine and Ghana.



This development serves as a testament to both nations commitment to deepening their mutual cooperation and strengthening the bonds of friendship.



The opening of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ghana brings renewed hope for the future, ushering in a new chapter of enhanced cooperation and closer diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Source: Daily Guide









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In response to the revenue gap caused by the abandonment of the value-added tax (VAT) on electricity, government plans to implement a tax on the foreign incomes of resident Ghanaians.



Earlier this year, the government introduced a VAT on electricity, but public backlash led to its abandonment, leaving a revenue gap of approximately GH1.8 billion.



Originally, the VAT on electricity was part of the revenue measures outlined in Ghana's agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).



However, its abandonment resulted in a shortfall in revenue.



To address this shortfall, the government aims to ensure compliance with a tax on the foreign incomes of Ghanaians who have resided in the country for 183 days or more.



The alternative is a compliance measure on foreign incomes of resident Ghanaians. Not Ghanaians abroad. We want to make that clear. This is not a measure. It has been in the policy but its implementation has not been optimal," the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) boss Julie Essiam said.



"We are happy to announce that we have put strong and structural measures in place to ensure that this yields the revenue of GH1.8 billion and beyond, she added.



The GRA also announced a voluntary disclosure opportunity for taxpayers to declare their foreign income accounts within three months.



Taxpayers who comply will have the interest on their accounts waived.



The GRA boss said, Its implementation has begun because the team is mobilising themselves and drafting the letters to be sent to individual account holders. So by the 2nd of May, those letters might have gone out.



"If individuals come forward within three months and say that, this is the amount in this account, the interest on the account will be waived and that is the voluntary disclosure aspect of this measure.



Finance Minister Dr Mohammed Amin Adam acknowledged the need for new measures to revive the economy and urged Ghanaians to support the government during this process.

Source: JFM









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Kwesi Pratt has scolded Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, over the latters comments regarding the LGBTQ+ community and matters relating to homosexuality in Ghana.



Dr. Bawumia, delivering a speech at Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in Kumasi on Thursday, April 11, stated unequivocally that he is fully against activities of the LGBTQ+ society.



He asserted that his faith as a Muslim is against the practice.



I will like to take this opportunity to personally comment on the raging issue of LGBTQ in Ghana. First of all, it is important to note that our cultural and societal norms and values as Ghanaians frown on the practice of homosexuality...Furthermore, as a Muslim, my view on this matter aligns with the position of my religious faith. The Holy Quran is replete with verses frowning on LGBTQ acts including same-sex marriages. My faith is therefore very strictly against the practice of homosexuality, no ifs or buts. No shades of grey, Dr. Bawumia established.



He also pledged to stand by his faith exclaiming I stand opposed to it now and I will stand opposed to it as President.



Addressing Bawumias position on the LGTBQ+ matters, that Editor-in-Chief of the Insight newspaper argued that the nation has long gone past the period of the leader stating his stance against homosexuality.



He noted that the stage Ghanaians currently find themselves is for the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to sign the anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed by Parliament to criminalize homosexual activism and practices.



There is only one thing left to do and thats for President to assent to the bill to make it law. This is where we are now. The period for expressing our minds on our position on the issue is long gone. Weve passed that stage.



Parliament opened the floor for everyone to make his/her suggestions. Every person with a suggestion went to Parliament to make his point. Christians, Muslims and those opposed to the bill all went to make their case. We have gone past that stage now. We are no longer there, he replied on Peace FMs morning show Kokrokoo.



Mr. Pratt queried the Veep on the steps hes taken to ensure the President assents to the bill.



What has he done about this bill which hasnt been signed yet to prove that he is opposed to LGBTQ+ activities in this country?, he asked, answering I havent seen anything.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Akan Constituency Office of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened nominations for parliamentary candidate hopefuls.



Nomination closes on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.



Mr Merigah Abdul Sataru, the Akan Constituency Secretary, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Kadjebi in the Oti Region on Saturday.



He said candidates shall procure nomination forms after the payment of a non-refundable application fee of GH3,000.00 in bankers draft to the New Patriotic Party National Headquarters, Accra.



To successfully file the nomination, an aspiring candidate shall pay a non-refundable filing fee of GH35,000.00 in bankers draft in favour of the New Patriotic Party National Headquarters, Accra, he said.



However, women, youth, and persons with disability, who aspire to higher political office will enjoy a 50% rebate on the filing fee.



This means they will be required to pay a non-refundable filing fee of GH17,500.00.



Mr Sataru said the election will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 and appealed to will-be aspirants to conduct a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks, insults and name-calling since it was a family affair.



The election has become necessary following the death of Alhaji Rashid Bawa, former Akan NPP parliamentary candidate, on Thursday, March 14, in Abuja, Nigeria.





Source: GNA









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The New Patriotic Party(NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will be officially introduced by the NPP-USA Branch as their presidential candidate for the upcoming general election, as it seeks to reaffirm its commitment to his victory in 2024.



This event is part of the celebrations for the 30th Anniversary of the NPP-USA Branch. Established in September 1993, the NPP-USA Branch held its maiden Congress to formalize its formation, although the party had been organized long before the official Congress in Virginia, USA.



Over the past three decades, NPP-USA has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the party. Its contributions include advocating a democratic society, fighting for political power, championing constitutional reform, promoting innovation and technology in electoral processes, and establishing the External Affairs office, among other critical agenda.



The outdooring ceremony for the Presidential Candidate will showcase the strong support and solidarity he enjoys from the Ghanaian community in North America, reaffirming NPP-USAs commitment to ensuring his victory in the 2024 General Elections in Ghana.



Additionally, the event will feature an award ceremony honoring patriots who have contributed to building the branch, as well as a fundraising activity to support the New Patriotic Partys campaign and election efforts in 2024.



The event comes off on Saturday, May 25th, 2024, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, located at 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22311, according to the Chairperson USA, Obaa Yaa. Amponsah Frimpong

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Kingsley Owusu Brobbey, the newly sworn-in Chairman of Central Hertfordshire, marked a significant milestone for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) UK branch as he took on the leadership role amidst a gathering of esteemed guests and party members.



The inauguration event, attended by notable personalities including the Ghana Commissioner to the UK, NPP National Organiser Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, Former M.P., CEO EPA, Chairman Kingsley Adumattah Agyapong, and other distinguished guests, exemplified the spirit of unity and determination within the party.



The guest of honor, Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, emphasized the importance of unity within the NPP, highlighting that solidarity and togetherness are key to achieving the party's goal of securing victory in the upcoming elections.



He urged party members to set aside differences and foster collaboration to strengthen the party's position leading up to the crucial elections in January 2025.



Chairman Kingsley Adumattah Agyapong echoed the sentiments of unity and determination, emphasizing the unwavering commitment to "break the 8" at all costs. He called upon the newly elected executives of the Central Herts Chapter to work cohesively towards this common goal, underscoring the imperative of solidarity in achieving success.



In his inaugural speech, Chairman Kingsley Owusu Brobbey expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence reposed in him by the NPP members. He articulated a vision of transformation and progress for the Ghanaian community in Hertfordshire and beyond, stressing the potential for achieving success in the upcoming elections.



He called for collective efforts, determination, and adherence to the party's principles and values to surmount challenges and secure victory in the December 2024 elections.



Chairman Owusu Brobbey set the tone for a new era within the NPP UK branch, emphasizing the significance of unity and inclusivity in propelling the party towards success. His words resonated with hope and conviction, inspiring attendees to rally behind a common cause and work diligently towards a shared objective.









The colorful event, characterized by the vibrant NPP colors, symbolized a fresh beginning and a renewed sense of purpose within the party. As Chairman Owusu Brobbey assumed his leadership role, the stage was set for a period of growth, collaboration, and collective action towards realizing the party's aspirations.



The inauguration of Kingsley Owusu Brobbey as the Chairman of Central Hertfordshire heralds a new chapter in the NPP UK branch's journey, marked by unity, determination, and a firm resolve to "break the 8."



With a strong leadership team in place and a shared vision for the future, the party stands poised to make significant strides in the political landscape leading up to the forthcoming elections.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The youth of the Poano Electoral Area in the Bekwai Constituency of the Ashanti Region could not help but embrace and jump on the blistering euphoria that accompanied the Phase 2 of the AMANSIE YOUTH PROJECT Skills Training initiative currently ongoing under the leadership of the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Bekwai Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei.



Amansie Youth Project Phase 2 is successfully underway in the Poano Zone.



Over 500 participants are currently undergoing free skills training in various career and self-employment and financial development and empowerment.



Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei through his foundation, Ralph Poku-Adusei Foundation (RPAF) last week officially opened an entrepreneurial and income-generating skills training programme for the residents of Amansie in Bekwai, Ashanti Region.



The training dubbed The Amansie Youth Project Phase 2 is designed to empower the youth to become financially dependent.



This initiative is being held in collaboration with the Ralph Poku-Adusei Foundation and Gateway Skills Training Enterprise.



The event comes with a skill acquisition advantage that would transform the lives of the youth of Bekwai and beyond.





Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei believes strongly that self-employment skills training equips individuals with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in managing their own businesses or freelancing their careers.





It is also a free service with no charge, exclusively open to the people of Bekwai.



It would be recalled that the maiden edition in 2023 recorded a huge success which massively contributed to reducing unemployment challenges.



In 2023, the training programme attracted over 2,000 participants on the first day alone.



They undertook training in the making of washing detergents, floor cleaning fluids, bleach, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, hair food, afterwash, liquid soap, wig weaving, bio digester operation and bead making.



Mercy, a Beneficiary of Amansie Youth Skills Training Project 2023 shared her experiences With Participants Of 2024 Phase 2 Edition.



Mercy gave an insightful testimony of how the free training has helped her.



She encouraged other participants to take the free training very seriously to ensure that they can make a living out of it.



This is what Mercy had to share:



"I am honored to stand before you as a beneficiary of the Youth AMANSIE YOUTH PROJECT Skills Training program.



Today, I stand here as a testament to the impact of investing in youth skills development. I am ready to contribute to society, to use my skills to make a difference, and to inspire other young people to believe in themselves and their potential.



I am immensely grateful to Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei Foundation and his partners for this opportunity, and I pledge to continue striving for excellence and giving back to my community.



This opportunity has not only equipped me with valuable skills but has also transformed my perspective on life.



.....Before joining this program, I felt lost and uncertain about my future. But through the guidance and support of the trainers, I discovered my passion and built upon it.



I learned not only technical skills but also essential soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.



.....The hands-on experience and practical learning approach of this program have been instrumental in my growth.



I have gained confidence in my abilities and developed a strong sense of determination to pursue my dreams.



Moreover, the program fostered a sense of community among us beneficiaries.



We supported each other, shared ideas, and celebrated each other's successes.



This camaraderie made the learning journey even more enriching and memorable."



From the 8th to the 26th of April, 2024, this initiative is moving across various zones:



 Zone 1: Bogyawe on the 8th and 9th



 Zone 2: Dotom on the 11th and 12th



 Zone 3: Poano on the 15th and 16th



 Zone 4: Anwiankwanta on the 18th and 19th



 Zone 5: Senfi on the 22nd and 23rd



 Zone 6: Kokofu on the 25th and 26th



Participants will have the opportunity to engage in three distinct training models:



Model 1: Detergents



 Learn to craft essential household products including liquid soap, shower gel, washing powder, after wash, and Power Zone.



Model 2: Pastries & Drink



 Delve into the art of pastry making with sessions on meat pie, cake making, shortbread, Prekese drink, and Sobolo.



Model 3: Farming



 Explore sustainable agricultural practices with modules on snail farming, mushroom farming, fish farming (catfish/tilapia), and a bonus session on bio-digester technology.



All participants will celebrate their achievements on May 1st, 2024, as they graduate equipped with valuable skills ready for application.



This initiative promises to be educative, impactful, and all-inclusive.



To secure your spot and for further information, please contact 0262287728 or 0244864380.



About The RPA Foundation



The Ralph Poku-Adusei Foundation was born out of the lawyers deep sense of belonging to the Bekwai community and his unwavering dedication to give back to the community that helped shape him in his formative years.



This deep-seated desire was birthed unofficially in 2015 and officially in 2018 and has since given back to the Bekwai community in multiple ways.



Through the help of God and the immense support of the people in Bekwai, the foundation has embarked on several social intervention programs within the community.



Among the interventions the foundation has made are donations of food, cash donations, renovation of an office complex for the Ghana Ambulance Service, and support for the zongo and Muslim communities in Bekwai.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Stan Xoese Dogbe, an aide to former president John Dramani Mahama, has accused Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of using the recently launched governments performance tracker to deceive Ghanaians.



The member of the John Mahama campaign team, in a statement, stated that the so-called tracker is being used by the NPP as a tool of manipulation and distortion of reality.



He said the tracker that was supposed to capture the projects of the Akufo-Addo administration since 2017 rather had some projects of NGOs and other institutions on it.



The former presidential staffer argued that although the NPP lied their way into power in the past, Ghanaians have seen the truth and will not be hoodwinked.



Ghanaians know the truth and feel the daily reality of hardships and suffering.

Therefore, we will choose EXPERIENCE over experiment, said Dogbe who urged Ghanaians to choose John Mahama whom he described as honest and trustworthy.



Below is his statement:



Bawumia performance tracker is nothing but a tool for manipulation and

distortion of reality.



As some people say, God, no go shame Ghanaians.



This statement rings true as the Bawumia and his cronies have again been caught in their web of deceit.



Their so-called performance tracker is nothing more than a tool of manipulation, a distortion of reality, and a blatant attempt to deceive the good people of Ghana.



The revelations of pure lies and the theft of projects by NGOs, private institutions, and others make it clear that this is just like an initiative of the Ministry of Truth from Orwells famous novel 1984. 1984 is a dystopian novel by George Orwell that illustrates the unfair and miserable society of Oceania, which is rife with totalitarian practices and constant surveillance.



The NPP is trying to rewrite the story of the last few years and the present, manipulating and presenting a fabricated reality.



You may have deceived Ghanaians with unrealistic promises in the past, but this time, we are not going to be fooled by these attempts at manipulation and propaganda.



Ghanaians know the truth and feel the daily reality of hardships and suffering.

Therefore, we will choose EXPERIENCE over experiment.



We will choose an honest and trustworthy MAHAMA over a corrupt and lying Bawumia to help build the Ghana we want together.



Stan Xoese Dogbe is a Ghanaian Journalist and Political Communications Strategist.

You can contact him at [email protected]. Facebook & X Accounts: @StanDogbe.





Source: XYZ









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Former President John Dramani Mahama has once again lambasted President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia over the current state of the country.



In a post shared on X on Monday, April 15, 2024, Mahama, the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accused Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia of eroding the gains the country has made in its democratic process.



According to him, the current government has on several occasions taken actions that contravene the countrys democratic principles, just for political benefits.



These actions, he indicated, have negatively impacted the image of Ghanas fourth republic.



The Nana Akufo-Addo and Bawumia-led administration has crossed many red lines in our democratic practice.



Their deliberate acts of putting political convenience ahead of democratic consolidation have left Ghana's 4th Republic the poorer for it, he wrote.



See the former presidents post below:





The Nana Akufo Addo and Bawumia-led administration has crossed many red lines in our democratic practice. Their deliberate acts of putting political convenience ahead of democratic consolidation have left Ghana's 4th Republic the poorer for it.  John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) April 15, 2024



















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Adansi Travels, a leading Ghanaian travel agency on Friday 12th April 2024 unveiled Kofi Kinaata as headline artiste for its 11th Anniversary tour packages.



Renowned for curating leisure and business travels for individuals, groups and businesses to destinations worldwide, the travel agency has announced an unparalleled travel package that will offer customers an exciting travel experience.



Speaking at the unveiling event, Managing Director Mr. Gideon Asare highlighted the success of their Anniversary tours over the years to Dubai, which has seen artistes like Kuame Eugene and Samini as headline artistes. He added the 11-day trip to Dubai this year will start on the 11th of August on a Chartered Emirates flight.



Serwaa Boateng Gbene, Sales Manager of Adansi Travels provided further insight into the array of exciting tour packages planned for this year's 11th Anniversary which includes for the first time a Direct chartered flight to and fro the Caribbean island of Barbados on the 30th of July.

Other tour destinations include Cape Town, Canada, Europe, Singapore, Bali and Malaysia.



Four times songwriter of the year at the Ghana Music Awards Kofi Kinaata is expected to treat patrons to captivating performances in Dubai on the 19th of August and Cape Town, South Africa on the 24th of August.



On his part, Kofi Kinaata expressed excitement about headlining the 11th Anniversary Tours to Dubai as well as Cape Town, promising to offer patrons nothing short of a spectacular performance.



The Adansi Travels 11th Anniversary tours is set to begin on the 30th of July 2024.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Stabbed 20 times in her supposedly locked apartment, Ellen Greenberg, left, was found by her live-in fiance, Samuel Goldberg (right). Her body was slumped against a kitchen cabinet in a seated position. However, an attorney for Ellen's parents said in court Tuesday that her body had been moved. (Family photo)
A Lancaster County high school is closed Tuesday after a Monday night shooting involving a school employee, district officials said.

Shots were fired toward the home of an employee of the Solanco School District in Quarryville, according to a notice on the school districts website.

We do not have any reason to believe this was school-related, the district said, noting that the high school was closed on Tuesday out of an abundance of caution because the shooting was connected to an employee.

All other Solanco School District schools are open Tuesday.

The school district said police are investigating the shooting. Additional information on the circumstances of the incident was not immediately available on Tuesday.
DAYTON, Ohio  Police say a 38-year-old Dayton man is in custody after he fatally shot his 15-year-old daughter and blamed it on his autistic son.

Kenneth Farler III is being held in the Montgomery County Jail on charges of murder, having weapons under disability and probation violations, according to jail records. No bond has been set.

Police tell WHIO Channel 7 the shooting occurred in an apartment at about 12:20 p.m. Sunday. The teen girl was found dead at the scene, WDTN Channel 2 reports.
By Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times (TNS)

A notorious fake priest who left a trail of doubt and disbelief among the faithful hes accused of swindling from coast to coast, including in Pennsylvania, will soon face judgment in Riverside County, sheriffs officials say.

For months, Malin Rostas, aka Father Martin, donned black garb and showed up at Catholic churches across the U.S. and Canada claiming to be a visiting priest from Chicago, according to investigators.

But when his all-too-trusting hosts would leave him alone in the rectory  a priests personal quarters next to the church  investigators say Rostas would rifle through their valuables and make a hasty exodus with their cash.

In March, Father Peter Raydar, of the appropriately named American Martyrs Roman Catholic Church in Queens, N.Y., got burned for $900.

Hes a vulture, hes a vulture, Raydar told a local TV station. Its very sad that someone is going to come to any house of worship and just violate everybody.

But, Raydar confessed, the alleged fake priest had done his homework. Hed learned the names of people at the church, used ecclesiastical vocabulary and knew where to find the loot, he said.

Rostas is accused of pulling a similar caper at a church in Houston, making off with $500. And authorities suspect hes responsible for the theft of more than $1,700 from a church in Oregon.

Theres nothing new about diabolical scammers posing as men of the cloth, of course.

In October, the Diocese of Stockton issued a warning about two men who had assumed the identities of real priests in Toluca, Mexico, and were charging mostly immigrant parishioners exorbitant fees to perform impromptu rituals: baptisms, confirmations, first Communions.

The wolves in sheeps clothing, as a diocese spokeswoman described the men to the National Catholic Register, also started demanding copies of the parishioners birth certificates, raising fears of identity theft and possible human trafficking.

In Miami, church officials recently warned the faithful about fake priests performing bogus rituals in exchange for iTunes gift cards loaded with cash. One parishioner was duped for $1,500.

It got so bad, the local archbishop had to go on TV and remind his flock that, although it is common for priests to pass around the collection plate asking for money during Mass, no Catholic clergyman will ask a parishioner for a gift card.

But perhaps the most inspired recent priest scam occurred in Sacramento, when the owners of a small chain of taquerias that was under federal investigation for labor law violations hired a fake father to hear employees confessions.

I found the conversation to be strange and unlike normal confessions, one of the servers later told investigators.

Instead of giving her space to search her soul and reflect on her sins, the fake priest kept steering the conversation to her job performance: asking if she ever showed up late, stole from the restaurant or did anything to harm her employer.

For Father Martin, the reckoning arrived Thursday morning in Moreno Valley in the form of Riverside County sheriffs deputies who said they noticed his car matched the description of a vehicle used in a string of burglaries.

Behind the wheel they found Rostas, 45, of New York. After running a routine check for arrest warrants, they quickly realized they were face to face with what so many had been searching for  the alleged pilfering padre.

Rostas was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on an outstanding felony warrant from Pennsylvania relating to a robbery on June 3rd, 2022, according to TV-21. Police report that Rostas entered the residence of Joan and Thomas Bauer in Adams County and stole $15,500 cash from their master bedroom.

More charges are expected to be filed soon, according to the Sheriffs Department.

2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
It seems an uncomfortable and difficult working environment is the reason why comedian Michelle Collins, who co-hosted The View for one season from 2015-16, hightailed it from the ABC talk show.

Opening up about what she endured on set during a discussion with Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang and recent View guest Matt Rogers on Wednesdays episode of the Las Culturistas podcast, Collins discussed the unpleasant experience.
Emmy Russell made the cut on Monday night and is into the top 14 on American Idol.

The granddaughter of country music legend Loretta Lynn has wowed the judges and audience throughout the contest with her original songwriting and singing ability.

It was one of those original songs  Want You  that Russell performed Sunday that got an emotional response from the judges, and enough votes from the audience to move her on into the top 14.

Its just about me wanting someone that didnt want me back, she said prior to her performance on Sunday. I really wished this person loved me like I loved them.

Russell then broke into her performance, and when she was through, host Ryan Seacrest admitted that he was emotional. That prompted the question of whether Seacrest needed a hug, which brought judge Luke Bryan onto the stage to lift Seacrest up in his arms for an embrace.

Bryan joked afterward that Seacrest was the most expensive thing he ever held.

Aside from the scene that played out, the judges were, once again, impressed with Russell.

Miss Emmy, that was one of my favorite original songs that youve sang, Katy Perry said. I know that you were just a little nervous. I just want more breath, more long notes. Girl, like go swimming, learn how to hold your breath more. We need longer notes from Emmy, and I know that you have them. We need power. Cmon, lets go. The time is now!

That was so you, Bryan told Russell. I loved it because it was so real, and I think you could really feel the emotion in that. That is what your artistry is about and dont lose that. But listen, that thing that you did with that song really is your signature. It was very emotional and probably my favorite performance youve done.

Lionel Richie told her that Want You, is a hit.

First of all, before we go any further, thats a hit record, Lionel Richie said. I dont care. We can talk about the future, but that is a hit record, and my dear you are an incredible song writer. Incredible performance.

The audience agreed and Russell is still alive in the contest.

She sang another original song  Skinny  which she has performed previously on the show. And, in typical, emotional Emmy Russell fashion, she shed a few tears afterward.

I just feel like Im who God made me to be when I sing that song, she told Seacrest.
A new version of the McCrispy is arriving at central Pennsylvania McDonalds restaurants.

Starting April 22, the fast food chain is introducing Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy for a limited time at restaurants across Harrisburg, Lancaster and York.

The sandwiches feature crispy southern-style fried chicken with smoked bacon, spicy Cajun sauce, and crispy crinkle-cut pickles on a toasted potato roll. The deluxe version is nearly identical but replaces the pickles with lettuce and Roma tomatoes.

McDonalds says the sandwich is inspired by the soul food flavors of the South. The new version joins the classic McCrispy chicken sandwich and Spicy McCrispy.

McDonalds introduced a crispy chicken sandwich in 2021 around the time Popeyes heated up the fast-food chicken wars with a chicken sandwich.

McDonalds changed the name to McCrispy in 2023, a move it later shared catapulted the sandwich into a billion-dollar brand, according to Eat This, Not That!
By SYLVIA HUI, The Associated Press

LONDON (AP)  The British governments plan for a landmark smoking ban that aims to stop young people from ever smoking was expected to clear its first hurdle Tuesday despite vocal opposition from within Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks Conservative Party.

The bill, a key policy announced by Sunak last year, would make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009. It has the support of the opposition Labour Party and was expected to pass. But Sunak faced rebellion from more libertarian-minded members of his party, who criticized the proposals as unconservative.
LEWISBURG  A Union County judge has rejected the plea agreement for a former employee of a memory care center who with a juvenile took inappropriate pictures of elderly residents.

The amount of supervision recommended in the plea agreement for Madison Elaine Cox is not appropriate, Judge Michael Piecuch said Monday.

Cox, 19, of Montgomery, had a duty to care for residents of Heritage Springs Memory Care Center near Lewisburg and she did not do it, he said.

It was a course of conduct and not a one-time incident, the judge pointed out.

The plea agreement called for a prison sentence of 3 months to two years minus a day followed by three years probation.

The probation office recommended a period of 18 months home confinement following release from prison with the period of probation to follow.

Piecuch said he was taking into consideration Coxs age and her claim of lack of training but added, Im not sure what training is necessary for human decency.

By coincidence, the state Department of Human Services Monday reissued the license of Heritage Springs because a January inspection found the center again to be in full compliance.

The agency last year following eight inspections had revoked its the certificate of compliance and the issued a provisional one.

Violations found included insufficient and inadequate staffing at times and staff members making sexually inappropriate comments to and harassing residents.

Piecuch made his decision not to accept the plea agreement after hearing from relatives of two of the victimized women and three of Coxs family members.

Since he would not accept the plea agreement, the judge would not let Cox comment to avoid her saying something that could adversely affect her at trial.

However, her attorney Graham C. Showalter said she realizes she should not have taken the pictures. She has developed mental issues for which she is taking medicine, he said.

Cox had pleaded guilty in February to one count of conspiracy and 11 of abuse of a care dependent person.

A boy also from Montgomery who took most of the 76 pictures was sentenced last week after being adjudicated as a juvenile. His sentence is not public because of his age.

Cox and he were classmates at Montgomery Area High School and each worked the 4 p.m. to midnight shift as resident assistants.

The boys Snapchat account listed pictures being posted between December 2022 and April 18, 2023.

The 12 victims for which Cox was charged ranged in age from 69 to 100. Those who spoke indicated the number of victims was 17.

They took deliberate action to take away their decency, Troy Croak, whose grandmother was one of the victims, told the judge.

Lynn Fiedler, a spokesperson for this advocating an end to elder abuse, told Piecuch she was there to be a voice for the victims including her 94-year-old mother.

She showed pictures of her mother taken before and after the abuse saying that is the effect of the trauma that will not go away.

She asked Piecuch not to show any leniency to Cox pointing out this was not a one-time silly mistake. She claimed Coxs only remorse was she got caught.

Fiedler asked the judge to send a message that this behavior would not be tolerated. Cox should be prohibited from ever again becoming a caregiver, she said.

Coxs attempt to deflect her conduct by placing it on a lack of staff was disappointing, District Attorney Brian Kerstetter said.

What occurred was not the conduct of a decent human being, he said. The pictures were disgusting, he said.

Coxs mother, Heather Cox, expressed remorse to the families of the victims. I understand she made a mistake, she said. I know the photos should not have been taken.

Examples of the inappropriate photographs included:

Partially-clothed females sitting on the toilet.

A 94-year-old woman nude in the shower with a towel over her face.

A 93-year-old woman with her breasts exposed being pushed in a wheelchair.

A frontal view of a 100-year-old nude male.

A number of lawsuits have been filed against Heritage Springs in county court on behalf of the victims of the abuse.

Following Mondays court proceedings Fiedler led a rally outside the courthouse saying, We are just getting started on a journey for justice for elder abuse victims.

A task force has been formed to develop legislation that would include a registry for elder abusers similar to the one for sex offenders under Megans Law, she said.
A former western Pennsylvania police chief pleaded guilty to federal drug charges on Tuesday.

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Shawn Denning, 43, pleaded guilty on to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

Denning is the former chief of the Greensburg Police Department in Westmoreland County. He resigned after being arrested in January 2023.

As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped five other charges related to aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine or meth, the Trib reported.

Federal court documents show that Denning faces between five and 40 years in federal prison, up to a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. The Trib reported that Denning is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 13.

Denning was charged with facilitating drug deals between a confidential informant and supplier via encrypted apps from June 2021 to October 2022.

Prosecutors said in court documents that packages containing drugs were mailed to Pennsylvania from California.

Online court records show that Denning also faces six charges from February 2023 in Westmoreland County Court and has a pre-trial conference scheduled for June 28.

The Trib reported that the charges are related to a backpack containing steroids and hallucinogenic mushrooms that went missing from the Greensburg police evidence room.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland, a key U.S. ally in NATO, issued a chilling warning Friday about war in Europe.

Tusk spoke about the Russia-Ukraine war in remarks to several European news publications. I dont want to scare anyone, but war is no longer a concept from the past. Its real!

I know it sounds devastating, especially to people of the younger generation, but we have to mentally get used to the arrival of a new era. The prewar era, he said.
After teasing eager parkgoers on social media, Dorney Park revealed which Philadelphia Eagles player would be making their way to visit for a special upcoming cause.

Eagles safety Reed Blankenship will visit the park on Friday, April 19 in partnership with the Ride for a Cause event. Ride for a Cause benefits the Eagles Autism Foundation. The event will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
With their employees working from anywhere, how can businesses ensure their security approach is unified?

By leveraging Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), argues this brief guide by Fortinet.

In 4 pages, the guide breaks down:

The key elements of SASE

How SASE can reduce the complexity of hybrid workforce cybersecurity

And more

Read on to unlock the security insights.
RunGood Poker Series Is Returning To St. Louis On April 26

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The RunGood Poker Series is running hard this month. The RGPS Reno and the RGPS Council Bluffs finish on April 28. But before they even round off their action, another RunGood series kicks off in St. Louis, Missouri. The RGPS St. Louis runs from April 26 to May 5, 2024. The series is hosted by the fabulous Hollywood Casino right on the banks of the Missouri River and will feature twenty-eight events including the satellites.

The key highlights of the schedule include the Main Event and a $50,000 guaranteed Deepstack event. The former has two Day 1 flights both scheduled for May 1, and will set you back $400 for a seat. The latter has a guaranteed prize pool of $200,000 with a buy-in of $800. Players will get four bites at the Main Event with Day 1 flights on May 2 and 3, and two Day 1 flights on May 4. They will then reconvene for the final day of action on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Win Yourself a Ring

The series starts with three days of satellites with the first ring events shuffling up on April 30.

The Seniors' Event is the first to start. The tourney begins at 10:00 a.m. and has a buy-in of $250 and an age minimum of 50 years.

Later the same day, two open-field opener events kick off at 1:00 p.m. and 6 p.m. with buy-ins of $300 and $250 respectively. After that, at least two ring events will be played every single day. These ring events include a $500 PLO event (Friday, May 3 at 12:00 p.m.) and the $400 Black Chip Bounty Ring Event.

The number, variety, and frequency of events should give most players plenty of shots at a ring. However, the one ring everyone will be chasing is the RGPS St. Louis $800 Main Event ring. They'll also be chasing the lion's share of a prize pool guaranteed at $200,000.

Previous Winner

Keith Heine won the 2023 RGPS St. Louis Main Event.

This is only the second-ever RGPS event held in St. Louis. Last year's winner was St. Louis poker legend Keith Heine.

Heine beat a field of 682 players to take home his cut ($88,504) of the $484,220 prize pool.

Heine had to beat Shaun Emery ($59,006 for second place) heads-up to secure his ring.

Read about last year's RGPS St. Louis winner

RGPS St. Louis Final Table Results

Place Player Hometown Prize 1 Keith Heine St. Louis, MO $88,504 2 Shaun Emery Raymond, IL $59,006 3 Scotter Clark Marion, IA $43,514 4 Walker Miskelly Tupelo, MS $32,444 5 Lee Richardson Wright City, MO $24,460 6 Blake O'Brien Maryland Heights, MO $18,648 7 David Prociak Orlando, FL $14,380 8 Mario Webster O'Fallon, MO $11,216 9 Dan McNeil St. Louis, MO $8,851

The full schedule for the RGPS St. Louis stop is available in the table below.

RGPS St. Louis Final Table Results Full Schedule

DATE DAY TIME EVENT BUY-IN April 26 Friday 6:00 PM Step To Ultimate Package Satellite $100 April 27 Saturday 6:00 PM Step To Ultimate Package Satellite $100 April 29 Monday 7:00 PM Ultimate Package Satellite $400 April 30 Tuesday 10:00 AM Seniors Ring Event $250 April 30 Tuesday 1:00 PM Series Opener NLH Ring Event $300 April 30 Tuesday 6:00 PM Opening Night NLH Ring Event $250 May 1 Wednesday 9:00 AM Turbo Satellite To RG Deepstack $100 May 1 Wednesday 12:00 PM Deepstack Ring Event $400 May 1 Wednesday 3:00 PM Turbo Satellite To RG Deepstack $100 May 1 Wednesday 6:00 PM Deepstack Ring Event $400 May 2 Thursday 9:00 AM Main Event Satellite $100 May 2 Thursday 12:00 PM Deepstack Ring Event (Restart) - May 2 Thursday 1:00 PM One Day NLH Ring Event $300 May 2 Thursday 5:00 PM RunGood Main Event - Day 1A $800 May 2 Thursday 9:00 PM Main Event Satellite $185 May 3 Friday 9:00 AM Main Event Satellite $185 May 3 Friday 12:00 PM PLO Ring Event $500 May 3 Friday 1:00 PM Main Event Satellite $185 May 3 Friday 5:00 PM RunGood Main Event - Day 1B $800 May 3 Friday 9:00 PM Main Event Satellite $185 May 4 Saturday 9:00 AM Turbo Main Event Satellite $185 May 4 Saturday 11:00 AM RunGood Main Event - Day 1C $800 May 4 Saturday 3:00 PM Turbo Main Event Satellite $185 May 4 Saturday 5:00 PM RunGood Main Event - Day 1D $800 May 4 Saturday 9:00 PM Turbo Ring Event $200 May 5 Sunday 9:00 AM Turbo Satellite to the Black Chip Bounty NH Ring Event $100 May 5 Sunday 12:00 PM Main Event (Restart) - May 5 Sunday 1:00 PM Black Chip Bounty Ring Event $400 May 5 Sunday 5:00 PM Closer NLH Ring Event $250

*Image courtesy RGPS & 8131 Media

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Jon Stewart took down Trump after day one of the hush money trial with a joke that highlighted the ex-presidents assaults on America.

Stewart said about Trump falling asleep at his trial, Imagine committing so many crimes, you get bored at your own trial. Move on to the good stuff! Now, in case youve lost track, this is the trial where Trump allegedly paid hush money to an adult film star that he slept with and then allegedly falsified business records to cover it up. Or as Trump would put it:

Clip of Trump saying, This is political persecution. This is a persecution like never before. Nobodys ever seen anything like it. And again, its a case that should have never been brought. Its an assault of America, and thats why Im very proud to be here.

Stewart responded with a brutally true observation, Well, its true, Trump is always very proud to be part of any assault on America.

Video:

Jon Stewart was right. If there is one thing that Donald Trump loves as much as money and crime, it is assaulting America. Trump assaults America by undermining its alliances and influence around the world. He also assaults America by practicing hateful politics that divide. He literally killed Americans by intentionally mismanaging a pandemic. There was also the literal violence assault against America on 1/6, and the ex-presidents ongoing effort to destroy democracy.

Trumps reckoning appears to be coming, and comedians like Jon Stewart are reminding the country why must go down.

A Special Message From PoliticusUSA

If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here.

We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value.

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South Carolina's first federally chartered startup lender in years is eyeing its next outpost.

Mount Pleasant-based Beacon Community Bank is looking to redevelop a former Circle K service station and convenience store at 527 N. Main St. in downtown Summerville.

The deal is subject to a proposed environmental cleanup and land-reuse plan filed by VCKHs Magnolia LLC with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control in late March

The applicant is owned by local car dealer Tommy Baker, who also is Beacon's chairman and co-founder. It plans to acquire the nearly half-acre corner property "and intends to redevelop the property with a bank," according to the document.

"The property was formerly a gas station. The past use of the property or adjoining properties may have caused environmental pollution on the property," the filing stated.

The public comment period on the cleanup proposal runs through May 1.

Fast-moving Beacon opened its sixth branch in five years in 2023 when it expanded into the North Charleston market and bolstered its existing East Cooper presence by opening a new corporate headquarters and retail office along U.S. Highway 17 across from Boone Hall Farms.

The bank opened its doors in early 2018 on East Bay Street in downtown Charleston after raising about $34 million from more than 320 local investors led by Baker of Baker Motor Co. Beacon's other branches are in Mount Pleasant and one on Daniel Island.

Split decision

The dozens of newcomers who relocate to the Charleston region each week won't include the "Golden Bachelor" and his new bride after all.

Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, who tied the knot in a TV wedding about three months ago, went on ABC's Good Morning America last week to announce they've decided to part ways. Turner filed the papers to make it official, citing an irretrievable breakdown of their new marriage
On April 16, American Rivers and its partners announced the 10 most endangered rivers in the nation, and South Carolina's Little Pee Dee is fifth on the list.

Inclusion on the list doesnt mean that these rivers are doomed, but rather that they are are at the crux of a decision-making process that could go either way, American Rivers Southeast conservation director Janae Davis said.

For the Little Pee Dee River, this tipping point is the looming construction of Interstate 73, which would cross the river and cut through the Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve, Davis said.

The road project would destroy wetlands and critical wildlife habitat, threaten the overall health of the river and make surrounding communities more vulnerable to flooding, she said.

Flood risks

South Carolinas portion of I-73 would extend from I-95 in Dillon County, through Marion County and end at S.C. Route 22 between Aynor and Conway. It would impact more than 300 acres of wetlands and more than 3,800 linear feet of streams, according to the most recent environmental impact report for the project.

Wetlands provide critical wildlife habitat, support healthy fisheries, improve water quality, filter out pollutants and function as a community's first line of defense against flooding by storing excess stormwater. By destroying these wetlands, I-73 would make flooding in the region worse, Davis said.

Many of the communities in the interstates proposed pathway still are recovering from hurricanes Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018, said Debra Buffkin, executive director of Winyah Rivers Alliance.

Many have yet to rebuild, and many are living in homes full of mold and mildew because they cannot financially build again, Buffkin said.
CLEMSON  Despite their billboard, emails, matching shirts, hours of speaking in public session against it and asking for a delay in voting, the residents here are getting a new lakefront neighbor.

The Hub Clemson, a project by Chicago-based developer Core Spaces, got final approval at Clemson City Councils meeting on April 15.

Public comments on the development started with Columbia attorney Kathleen McDaniel explaining she had been hired by two residents, telling the council the developer is using a lawsuit as leverage against them to get what they want  and that they should think seriously about how long you want to be in litigation.

She was the first to ask council to defer the vote and put more thought and preparation to do whats right  for the entire city of Clemson. Her comments were among several met with cheers and applause during the hourlong comment period on The Hub.

Ultimately, in what became a contentious meeting, the council stayed the course it set April 1 on an initial vote of approval. Following a failed motion to send the project back to the planning commission for further review, the final vote to approve The Hub was 4-3.

Keowee Trail LLC  the property owners suing the city and five council members claiming Clemson has repeatedly blocked their projects  will now be able to work with Core Spaces to build space for more than 1,300 beds across from Abernathy Park.

Keowee Trail LLC consists of a local developer and two members of Clemson University President Jim Clements family. Multiple residents mentioned this connection, noting great harm to the city should also be considered great harm to the university.

One went as far as to say the universitys lack of investment in housing, placing responsibility on the private market and city of Clemson, is a gross abuse of Clements position.

City Administrator Andy Blondeau said losing the lawsuit would drop the reserve fund to 25 percent of what its required to be by law  and likely impact bond rates for 30 years on top of more-immediate effects such as the inability to fund infrastructure projects like road paving.
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IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 /Allied Universal, the world's leading security and facility services company, is proud to announce that employee Frances Ruban received the "Patriot Employer" award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The award recognizes Frances - who works at the company's New York City branch office - for her support of an employee who is currently serving in the National Guard."I am proud to receive this award and work for a company that values the sacrifice and service made by members of the National Guard and military reservists," Ruban said. "Service to others is at the forefront of what we do at Allied Universal, and we will continue to go above and beyond for these men and women, just as they do for our country." Frances was nominated by Allied Universal employee Chris Schemer a certified protection officer who has worked for the company since 2013 and is currently overseas on deployment with the United States Army. Due to Schemer's deployment, Frances was presented with her award by Gene Westmoreland from the Department of Defense."The support of Allied Universal and its employees makes all the difference for our service members, particularly prior to deployment. Frances ironed out details in a timely matter and went the extra mile for Chris so that his family would have the proper financial support prior to his deployment," Westmoreland said. "Her actions exemplify the supportive and understanding culture that Allied Universal has developed as one of the largest employers of servicemen and servicewomen in our great country." About Allied UniversalThe world's leading security and facility services provider and trusted partner to more than 400 of the FORTUNE 500, Allied Universal delivers unparalleled customer relationships, innovative solutions, cutting-edge smart technologies and tailored services that enable clients to focus on their core businesses. With operations in over 100 countries, Allied Universal is the third-largest private employer in North America and seventh in the world. Annual revenue is more than $20 billion. There is no greater purpose and responsibility than serving and safeguarding customers, communities and people. For more information, visit www.aus.com # # #Kari GarciaDirector of Public Relations - North AmericaPhone: 949-826-3560Email: Kari.Garcia@aus.com Newsroom: ausnewsroom@ aus.com SOURCE: Allied Universal
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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / ARway.ai ("ARway" or the "Company") (CSE:ARWY)(OTCQB:ARWYF)(FSE:E65) is an AI powered Augmented Reality Experience platform with a disruptive no-code, no beacon spatial computing solution enabled by visual marker tracking with centimeter precision is pleased to announce thatGeorge Mason Universityis signed up for the ARway platform and will be deploying ten spatial maps across the university campus. The rollout is part of a 2024 project aimed at enhancing the campus navigation and campus experience for students. GMU has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately27,014 and the campus size is 817 acres . ARway.ai is seeing demand from across the globe for University Campus deployments, and is currently deployed in the Middle East at the Suleyman Demirel University in Turkey, In the EU at the Institut fur Innovations- und Informationsmanagement (iFii), University of Applied Sciences Brandenburg. ARway has also signed multiple new subscriptions with prestigious universities around the globe including Bicol University in Indonesia, DHA Suffa University in Pakistan, University of Alberta in Canada, University College Cork in the UK and German University of Technology in Oman.The deployment of ARway is scheduled to begin in early summer, allowing the university to test the platform's capabilities extensively before a potential full campus rollout in 2025. 2024 plans include expanding the augmented reality tour to enable students to search for and navigate to various offices and buildings. This will significantly enhance the accessibility of campus resources and improve the overall student experience. The university has already submitted several conference proposals to present findings on this new technology and has dedicated time this summer to further research and development. ARway.ai is committed to supporting George Mason University in its mission to leverage cutting-edge technology to create inclusive educational environments. This partnership represents a significant step forward in using augmented reality to transform educational spaces into more interactive and supportive ecosystems for all students. The ARway platform will be integrated into George Mason University's ongoing efforts to foster engagement, self-efficacy, and a sense of belonging among students - critical components for college success. Preliminary beta testing of ARway's interactive capabilities has shown promising results in enhancing student interaction and campus navigation.The university is very excited to experiment with some of the interactivity that ARway provides. Based on their initial beta testing, they believe ARway will be very powerful in engaging and promoting self-efficacy and sense of belonging which are both essential to the long term success of the college experience.Watch a demo video of ARway's technology at a university campus -click hereRecent News ARway.ai The Spatial Computing Platform Shows 200% Developer Growth, Signs Multiple New Deals for its Augmented Reality Navigation Platform in Middle East & Spain ARway.ai Introducing AR Navigation with Generative AI ChatGPT 4D Avatars in New Partner Deal with AVR Labs in UAE ARway.ai Announces Successful Deployment of AR Wayfinding and Smart Campus Activation With Deutsche Telekom AG & The Prestigious Institut fur Innovations- und Informationsmanagement (iFii), University of Applied Sciences BrandenburgSign up for Investor News -HERETo learn more about ARway, please follow on Social Media: Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and visit our website: www.arway.ai About ARway.ai ARway.ai (CSE: ARWY) (OTCQB: ARWYF) (FSE: E65) is a spatial computing platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) providing an array of augmented reality (AR) experiences for indoor spaces. ARway's breakthrough no-code no-beacon IPN allows for the easy creation of navigation, tours, information sharing, notifications, advertising and gamification. ARway works seamlessly as a cross platform solution on iOS/ Android. ARway's technology is optimized for both mobile devices and AR glasses: Apple's Vision Pro, Magic Leap and Microsoft's HoloLens. ARway has unlimited use cases for augmenting physical spaces, making it a valuable tool for creators, brands and companies in various industries. The complete ARway platform includes: the Web Creator Studio, theARwayKit Software Development Kit (SDK)and a mobile app foriOs andAndroid.Nextech 3D.ai On October 26, 2022, ARway.ai . was spun-out from its parent Company, Nextech3D.ai (OTCQX: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: 1SS). Nextech retained a control ownership in ARway.ai . with 13 million shares, or a 50% stake. Nextech3D.ai is a Generative AI powered 3D modeling Company and leading provider of augmented reality ("AR") experience technologies and 3D model services. Nextech's AI-powered 3D modeling platform, "ARitize3D" has contracts with; AMZN, KSS, CB2, Genuine Parts & many others. To learn more about Nextech3D.ai,visit For further information, please contact:Investor Relations Contact Julia Viola investor.relations@arway.ai ARway.ai Evan GappelbergCEO and Director866-ARITIZE (274-8493)Forward-looking Statements The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. ARway.ai will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.SOURCE: ARway Corporation
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Fishawack Health Founder's Deep History in Healthcare Communications Blends Nicely With Global Scientific Communications Agency's Upcoming Buy-and-Build StrategyPRINCETON, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Cactus Life Sciences, a leading global scientific communications agency that works with blue-chip pharma and biotechnology companies, announced today that Oliver Dennis has joined the company as Chairman to work alongside co-founder Anurag Goel.Oliver Dennis, Cactus Life Sciences Chairman Cactus Life Sciences, headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, was formed in 2010 and is best known for its transformational global operating models that provide best-in-class science, innovation, and efficiency. "We're delighted to have someone with Oliver's experience of growing businesses join the team," said Goel. "Cactus Life Sciences is about to undertake an exciting buy-and-build strategy. And Oliver is the perfect addition with his deep history in healthcare communications, having founded Fishawack Health (now Avalere  )."During Dennis' tenure at Fishawack, he acquired 17 businesses over 13 years, including medical communications and branding agencies as well as strategic healthcare consultancies and market access and HEOR advisory firms. He led four management buyouts to take the business from a start-up to over 1,400 people across 22 offices, spanning San Diego to Singapore. Dennis will specifically help shape the future vision for Cactus Life Sciences as the healthcare communications agency partner of the future (strategic, agile, tech-enabled, and outcomes focused) to take on traditional agencies that have lost agility and identity in the pursuit of maximizing profit. He will play an active role in driving the inorganic growth strategy for the business while pursuing his passion for bringing people together from different businesses and disciplines to collaborate on better outcomes for clients, patients, and our people."I've been following Cactus Life Sciences over the last 10 years and they're a great organization. I'm excited to be joining them. They've grown consistently and they have the ambition to become the next-generation challenger brand to the traditional players in the market," said Dennis. "This is an opportunity to do something with a greater focus on solving client challenges, improving health outcomes, and nurturing our people." "Too many companies get to a size where they lose their sense of purpose, values, and forget about individuality. As we work toward transforming Cactus Life Sciences into an agency of the future, we want to ensure that we do so while ensuring that patients and our people are at the core of everything we do," said Elvira D'souza, President of Cactus Life Sciences.About Cactus Life Sciences ( cactuslifesciences.com) Cactus Life Sciences is a medical communication company that provides scientific strategy and content across the healthcare continuum, anywhere in the world  with a focus on science, innovation, and efficiency. We work alongside leading healthcare companies to establish the optimal role of medicines and encourage positive behaviors (physician and patient) that improve patient outcomes. CACTUS has offices in Princeton, London, Aarhus, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, and Mumbai.Contact Information:Laura PerryVice President of Strategy & Marketinglaura.perry@cactusglobal.com 732-712-1005SOURCE: Cactus Life SciencesView the original press release on newswire.com
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NORFOLK, VA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / CrossSphere Global LLC, a company that offers comprehensive international business solutions, including market entry strategies, cross-cultural training, and tech talent acquisition, has announced its official US launch, opening headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia as of Q1 2024.CrossSphere Global provides a suite of services designed to bridge the gaps in international business expansion. The firm specializes in market entry strategies, cross-cultural training, and elite tech talent acquisition, and by moving into the US market, intends to empower American businesses looking to scale globally.Founder and CEO Dr. Rita Sharon Ikhuoria created CrossSphere Global with the goal of helping growing businesses handle the various complexities of international markets, such as cultural differences, understanding and complying with foreign regulations, and identifying and managing global tech talent effectively."We feel that our company offers a significant advantage to US-based businesses," states Dr. Ikhuoria. "We are experienced when it comes to dealing with international markets and global growth; so US companies that seek to enter new territories and/or expand their presence in existing overseas markets can take advantage of our services." These services include market analysis, entry strategy development, regulatory compliance guidance, and partnership facilitation.Dr. Ikhuoria adds that CrossSphere Global provides strategic support to help businesses anticipate and overcome the cultural, regulatory, and technological barriers that often impede global expansion. The firm holds tailored cross-cultural training workshops that are designed to address cultural sensitivity, which is a critical aspect of international business."Our workshops are intended to equip teams with the necessary skills to communicate effectively, negotiate successfully, and manage cross-border relationships with finesse," says Dr. Ikhuoria. "I believe that this type of training is invaluable for companies in the US market, as diverse workforces and global partnerships are increasingly the norm." Beyond enhancing internal team dynamics, CrossSphere's cross-cultural training is intended to facilitate smoother interactions with international clients, partners, and suppliers. This has the potential to drive successful global collaborations and reduce the risk of costly cultural missteps.CrossSphere Global's new US office will also provide tech talent acquisition and management services. "We believe that these services are crucial resources for US companies as they compete in the global marketplace, which is characterized by a fast pace and is driven by technology," says Dr. Ikhuoria.She says that securing the right tech talent is a challenge that many businesses face, and CrossSphere's ability to identify, recruit, and manage high-caliber tech professionals globally can provide US firms with a competitive edge. CrossSphere seeks to provide tech talent that aligns with both the technical needs and the cultural and strategic objectives of companies, with the goal of enabling clients to grow and scale."As CrossSphere Global LLC launches in the United States, we hope that our variety of international business solutions will become a valuable asset for American businesses looking to thrive on the global stage," says Dr. Ikhuoria.About CrossSphere Global LLCCrossSphere Global LLC is a dynamic and innovative company specializing in international business solutions, cross-cultural training, and tech talent acquisition. Established with a commitment to empowering businesses in the global market, CrossSphere Global excels in providing comprehensive strategies for international expansion, cross-cultural workshops, and elite tech talent management.Website: https://crosssphere.vzy.io/ Media contact: Sharon Ikhuoria Sharonikhuoria@ gmail.com SOURCE: CrossSphere Global LLC
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Innovative DevOps platform helps companies like Azibo, BlocPower, Clearstep, Galileo, Immersa, and Lily streamline operations and accelerate time-to-market.SAN JOSE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 /DuploCloud, the industry pioneer for DevOps automation and built-in compliance, announced its participation in the Startup Grind Global Conference, happening April 23-24 in Redwood City, California. This event marks a significant milestone for DuploCloud as it unveils its latest customers, showcasing the company's commitment to providing cutting-edge DevOps solutions to businesses across leading-edge sectors.DuploCloud logo DuploCloud logoDuploCloud has added several new Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning companies to its roster of over 150 clients from top-tier venture capital firms, including Mayfield, A16Z, Y-Combinator and others. This impressive customer roster highlights DuploCloud's role in enabling these companies to achieve operational excellence and enhanced security through advanced DevOps automation and compliance frameworks.Venkat Thiruvengadam, CEO of DuploCloud, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming event: "The Startup Grind Global Conference presents an invaluable opportunity for us to showcase the versatility and impact of our DevOps automation platform. And we are particularly proud to announce our new clients, which reflect the broad applicability and effectiveness of our solutions across a wide range of industries." Wontaek Shin, Chief Technology Officer of Azibo, commented on their experience with DuploCloud, saying, "Partnering with DuploCloud has been a game-changer for Azibo. We've transformed our approach to infrastructure, going from manual, error-prone processes to a streamlined, code-driven system that enhances our agility. DuploCloud's expertise has been crucial in this transition, and we're excited for the cost savings and operational simplifications this will bring as we continue to grow." To contact DuploCloud about meeting at the Global Conference, visit https://duplocloud.com/company/contact-us/ About DuploCloudDuploCloud is the industry's only low-code/no-code DevOps Automation platform, designed to make DevOps and Infrastructure-as-Code accessible for all developers. Founded by the original engineers from Microsoft Azure and AWS, our software platform puts DevOps on autopilot, virtually eliminating the need for DevOps hiring and is tailor-made to empower developer self-service across growing startups, SMBs, and platform engineering teams. The DuploCloud platform translates high-level application specifications into meticulously managed cloud configurations, allowing organizations to streamline operations while maintaining rigorous security, availability, and compliance standards. Investors of the company include WestBridge Capital, StepStone Group, Mayfield and Monta Vista Capital. Learn more at https://duplocloud.com/ Contact InformationKate PietrelliPRkate@ pathadvisors.co 760-518-2633SOURCE: DuploCloudView the original press release on newswire.com
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Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are shaping the futureBOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Brendan Ciecko, Founder & CEO of Cuseum, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 New England Award finalist. Now in its 38th year, Entrepreneur Of The Year is the preeminent competitive business award for audacious leaders who disrupt markets, revolutionize sectors and have a transformational impact on lives. Over the past four decades, the program has recognized the daring entrepreneurs with big ideas and bold actions that reshape our world.Brendan Ciecko was one of 27 regional entrepreneurs selected as finalists by an independent panel of judges. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes."It's an immense honor to be recognized alongside other leading entrepreneurs who are revolutionizing industries and impacting lives through business," said Brendan Ciecko. "This distinction is a testament to the innovation, passion, and creative spirit of the entire Cuseum team. I believe in the transformative power of entrepreneurship to catalyze positive change, and I'm energized about Cuseum's growth and leadership in the sectors we serve." Founded in 2014 by Brendan Ciecko, Cuseum helps cultural attractions, non-profit organizations, and associations better engage their members, guests, and patrons. Cuseum's award-winning software is used by over 500 customers to serve millions of members and visitors around the world.Entrepreneur Of The Year honors many different types of business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to fortify it for the future.Regional award winners will be announced on June 12th, 2024 during a special celebration, and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum , one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.About Entrepreneur Of The YearFounded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally.The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum  in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy About EY EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today. For more information, visit ey.com About Cuseum Cuseum helps organizations drive visitor, member, and patron engagement using digital tools. Cuseum's software platform makes it easy for museums, attractions, and nonprofits to publish mobile apps, generate digital membership cards, and leverage data insights. Headquartered in Boston, the company is backed by leading investors including Techstars. For more information, visit cuseum.com Contact InformationMarketing Departmentpress@ cuseum.com 617-356-8200SOURCE: CuseumView the original press release on newswire.com
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COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Fortitude Gold Corp. (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") reports preliminary production results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 of 3,983 gold ounces. Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A., offering investors exposure to both gold production and dividend yield.During the first quarter the Company mined and processed gold ore sourced from the Isabella Pearl's lower grade Civit Cat zone as it awaits permit approval to mine deeper in the deposit's high-grade Pearl zone. Full financial results for the first quarter will be available at the time the Company files its quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission.About Fortitude Gold Corp.:Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company's strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of seven high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and an eighth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions.Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release.Contact: Greg Patterson719-717-9825 greg.patterson@fortitudegold.comwww.Fortitudegold.com SOURCE: Fortitude Gold Corporation
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 14:02:05

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Internationally-Recognized Industry Standard Positions Brazil as a Global Nanotech Leader And Supplier of Graphene-Enhanced ProductsSAO PAULO, BRAZIL / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 /Gerdau Graphene, the nanotechnology company pioneering advanced graphene-enhanced materials for industrial applications, announced that Brazil has adopted an internationally-recognized industry standard for graphene. The Brazilian standard, published by Brazil's National Standards Forum (ABNT), is identical to an existing international graphene standard that was developed in collaboration with more than 30 countries, including Brazil, under ISO/TC 229 - Nanotechnologies. The standard aims to characterize the different products that make up the class of materials named graphene, thus contributing to the development of new technologies.Gerdau Graphene ISO/TC 229 - Nanotechnologies working groups Gerdau Graphene hosted an international consortium of nanotechnology researchers and industry leaders from April 8-12, 2024, in Sao Paulo, BrazilIn addition, Gerdau Graphene hosted an international consortium of nanotechnology researchers and industry leaders from April 8-12, 2024, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The ISO/TC 229 - Nanotechnologies working groups covered topics related to terminology and nomenclature; measurement and characterization; health, safety, and environmental aspects of nanotechnologies; material specifications; products and applications; and more."The global graphene market continues to grow thanks to increasing demand and technological advancement, however the absence of norms and standards have hindered its widespread commercialization," said Valdirene Sullas Teixeira Peressinotto, Executive Director and Innovation at Gerdau Graphene and member of the Special Nanotechnology Study Commission (ABNT/CEE-089), which collaborated with ABNT to publish the standard. "Industry and academia, in partnership with ABNT, have strived to standardize the entire chain of this material to support the development of new products. Publishing this standard enables accurate categorization and commercial deployment and will greatly accelerate graphene's adoption and use across industry." ABNT/CEE-089 has published eight standards to date and has another ten projects in development; four are part of ABNT NBR ISO 80004 (3, 5, 6, and 8) and two parts dealing with Nanotechnology vocabulary (1 and 13) have already been published.For ABNT's president Mario William Esper, the new standard will help stimulate the dissemination of graphene knowledge and applications: "This is a ground-breaking initiative to promote the scientific advancement and strengthening of this revolutionary material, which can generate so much wealth and foreign exchange trading for Brazil." Graphene, a carbon nanomaterial widely studied for its remarkable physical properties including high mechanical strength, lightness, malleability, and high thermal and electrical conductivity, has attracted industry attention due to its ability to enhance the material properties of common products like paint, cement and concrete, packaging, plastics, lubricants, and more. Graphene is also a key part of the green energy transition, since it has shown promise in next-generation battery technologies. Brazil is currently the world's third largest supplier of graphite, the main raw material for graphene, according to data from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovations. The estimate is that the graphene market will be worth more than $6 billion in five years.About Gerdau GrapheneGerdau Graphene is a nanotech company focused on the production, development, and commercialization of graphene-enhanced products including polymers, paints and coatings, rubber, and more. Launched in 2021 by Gerdau, the largest producer of long steel in the Americas, through its Gerdau Next program, Gerdau Graphene enables businesses to harness the revolutionary properties of graphene to deliver industry-leading products. To learn more, please visit gerdaugraphene.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gerdau-grapheneFacebook: facebook.com/gerdaugraphenebrAbout ABNTABNT is the only National Standardization Forum, recognized by Brazilian society since it was created on September 28, 1940, and confirmed by the Federal Government through various legal instruments. It is responsible for elaborating Brazilian Standards (NBR) for the most diverse sectors. ABNT participates in regional standardization in the Mercosur Standardization Association (AMN) and in the Pan-American Technical Standards Commission (Copant) and in international standardization through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Since 1950, it has also worked in certification, serving large and small companies, both domestic and foreign. It currently runs over 400 certification programs aimed at products, systems, and greenhouse gas verification, among others. The ABNT Conformity Seal is recognized by society as assurance of acquiring compliant products and services, meeting the strictest quality criteria. ABNT Certification has a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, conducting audits in more than 30 countries. Find additional information at https://www.abnt.org.br Contact Information:Aaron EndreEndre Communications for Gerdau Graphenegerdau@ endrecommunications.com SOURCE: Gerdau GrapheneView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 23:00:18

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Global Education Communities Corp. ("GECC" or the "Company") (TSX:GEC)(OTCQX:GECSF) is pleased to report that its subsidiary has signed a formal Master Lease Partnership Program agreement ("MLPP") with a local developer to master lease its property located at 4589 Gladstone Street (corner of Kingsway and Gladstone), Vancouver, B.C. This agreement is valid for five years with an option to renew for five more years. In addition to a discounted lease rate, GECC will be entitled to a future profit sharing in the event of a property sale during the lease period. The possession date for this property is expected to be June 1, 2024, and the property is expected to be fully operational under the GEC model by August 1, 2024.About GEC Kingsway:GEC Kingsway will be a six-storey building spanning nearly one city block, with over 103,000 buildable square feet and 78,000 SF residential area. The facility will accommodate 284 beds, with amenities including a fitness centre, student lounge, roof deck patio, and underground parking. Customary to all GEC branded properties, accommodations at GEC Kingsway will be fully furnished with kitchen utensils, bedding supplies, fibre optic internet, monitored surveillance, all utilities included, weekly housekeeping and resident caretakers.Located at the corner of Kingsway Avenue and Gladstone Street, the future home of GEC Kingsway is on a main thoroughfare, approximately 8 minutes' walk from the Nanaimo SkyTrain station, and within 10 minutes of downtown Vancouver via SkyTrain, where hundreds of public and private institutions are located. In addition, GEC Kingsway is at the centre of Vancouver with easy access to Metrotown and BCIT in Burnaby, and Vancouver Community College on East Broadway in Vancouver.Pictures of GEC Kingsway are available via this link: https://gechq.com/gallery/gec-kingsway/ "Since 2015, we have launched 15 GEC branded buildings including a downtown hotel, with over 1.43 million square feet of facilities, seven of which are currently in operation and seven under development; the hotel was sold in November 2023" said Toby Chu, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of GECC. "Since the announcement of this property in September 2023, we have received many inquiries from GEC partner schools, online media, and GECC's 2,000+ agents' network from around the world to pre-book the available beds at this location. We expect to be fully booked by the summer of 2024, with an annual revenue projection of over $5 million from this property." About GECC:GECC is one of Canada's largest education and student housing investment companies focused on the domestic and global education market since 1994. GECC operates business and language colleges, student-centric rental apartments, recruitment centres and corporate offices at 41 locations in Canada and abroad. Its education subsidiaries include Sprott Shaw College Corp. (established in 1903), Sprott Shaw Language College, Vancouver International College Career Campus, and CIBT School of Business & Technology Corp. GECC offers over 150 educational programs in healthcare, business management, e-commerce, cyber-security, hotel management, emergency paramedic, and language training through these schools. In fiscal 2023, GECC serviced over 14,277 domestic and international students through its educational, rental housing and recruitment subsidiaries.GECC owns Global Education City Holdings Inc. ("GECH"), an investment holding and development company focused on education-related real estate, such as student-centric rental apartments and education super-centres. In fiscal 2023, GECH operated fifteen properties under the GEC brand in Metro Vancouver and provided accommodation services to 92 partner schools serving 3,200 students from 71 countries. The total portfolio and development budget under the GEC brand exceeds $1.3 billion.GECC also owns Global Education Alliance Inc. ("GEA") and Irix Design Group Inc. ("IRIX"). GEA recruits international students for elite kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities in North America. Irix is a leading design and advertising company based in Vancouver, Canada. Visit us online and watch our corporate video at www.GEChq.com For more information, contact:Toby ChuChairman, President & CEOGlobal Education Communities Corp.Investor Relations Contact: 1-604-871-9909 extension 319 or | Email: info@ GEChq.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSSome statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (the "forward-looking statements") about GECC and its plans. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, the statement as to the expected annual revenue from GEC Kingsway. The forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors (collectively, the "Risks") that could cause the Company's actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements. The Risks include, without limitation, national and global economic factors and the other risk factors identified in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the financial year ended August 31, 2023. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of the Company's management at the time they are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances should change, except as may be required by law.SOURCE: Global Education Communities Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 17:15:31

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / In the move to bridge Chinese brands with the global market, Growth B&M, a forward-thinking advertising company, is now offering comprehensive overseas marketing and advertising services. Targeted at brands based in mainland China aiming to expand their horizons beyond domestic borders, Growth B&M specializes in crafting bespoke strategies that resonate with international audiences, particularly in the United States.Jaini Luo, Marketing Leader of Growth B&M and who holds a Bachelor's degree from Shanghai Normal University, followed by a Master's degree in Marketing from Pace University and another Master's degree in Project Management from New York University, Growth B&M brings to the table a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the global advertising landscape. Luo's impressive career includes stints at renowned global advertising firms such as Ogilvy and Ruder Finn, equipping her with the insights and expertise necessary to navigate the complex world of international marketing.At the heart of Growth B&M's philosophy lies a unique five-step process centered around demand, altruism, virality, pricing, and distribution channels. This approach is designed to identify and leverage the core strengths of products and align them with the nuances of overseas markets. The result is a tailored brand positioning and strategic plan that propels Chinese brands onto the global stage with confidence and clarity.Under Luo's leadership, the Growth B&M team has demonstrated exceptional insight and empathy, achieving remarkable success in viral marketing campaigns. Notably, during the pandemic, the team skillfully utilized culture and public welfare to forge emotional connections, leading to significant breakthroughs for clients such as the beauty brand under Fosun Group. Their campaign "I love my culture" not only went viral online but also provided much-needed support and inspiration to the Asian community abroad, underscoring the power of thoughtful and culturally resonant marketing.Luo reflects on her journey, stating, "During the startup period, I often engaged in reflection and analysis to pinpoint problems, identify what resonates with our clients, and distinguish what may not be suitable for them or the market. This iterative process has honed our ability to rapidly devise effective strategies and solutions." The globalization of Chinese brands is no longer a question of if but how. Growth B&M is poised to answer this call, offering a lifeline to brands seeking to navigate the complex and rewarding path of international expansion. By overcoming cultural, value, and behavioral differences, Growth B&M aims to establish memorable, trusted, and emotionally connected brands that thrive in the global marketplace.Furthermore, Luo was listed on "2023 Forbes China Globalization Innovatiors TOP 30" and won "Global Recognition Awards 2024" in "Who's Who in America Global Recognition Awards".Website: https://www.thegrowthbm.com/Email: info@ thegrowthbm.com SOURCE: Growth B&M
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 13:01:39

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Christian Briggs and Senator Hagerty Discuss Legislation to Block CBDC Rollout in the U.S.SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / The "Hard Asset Money Show," hosted by Christian Briggs, founder and CEO of Hard Asset Management, Inc., has released a pivotal new episode featuring a deep dive into the legislative measures against the potential implementation of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in the United States. In this engaging discussion, Tennessee Senator and Senate Banking Committee member Bill Hagerty shares insights into the bill he introduced on February 26, 2024 - the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Anti-Surveillance State Act.[Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ2wEFL-EXc&t=1s] Senator Hagerty's legislation aims to halt efforts by the Biden Administration to issue a CBDC, a move he argues could lead to unprecedented surveillance and violation of Americans' privacy rights. The Senator expressed concerns about past government actions, such as Operation Choke Point and instances of political and religious profiling by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which he sees as indicative of a broader willingness to misuse the financial system for political ends."This bill is a necessary safeguard against the potential for a CBDC to become a tool for widespread surveillance," Senator Hagerty asserts during the podcast. "Our financial privacy is at stake, and we must take action to protect it." Christian Briggs added, "Discussing these critical issues with Senator Hagerty offers our listeners valuable insights into the ongoing debate around digital currencies and the future of financial privacy in America. This episode is a must-listen for anyone concerned about the implications of a centralized digital currency and government overreach." The episode sheds light on the complexities of introducing a CBDC in the U.S. and the implications it may have on personal freedoms and privacy. As the debate over digital currencies continues to unfold, "The Hard Asset Money Show" remains at the forefront, providing thoughtful analysis and expert perspectives on the evolving landscape of finance and privacy.Tune into this compelling episode for a comprehensive overview of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Anti-Surveillance State Act and its potential impact on the future of financial privacy in the United States.Contact InformationJohn Grainerinfo@ bmcham.com 844-426-4653SOURCE: Hard Asset Management Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 22:45:45

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TORTOLA, BVI / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Recently, rumours have emerged suggesting that FortiCard is facing penalties from financial regulators due to non-compliance. In response, FortiCard has issued this statement to clarify the situation, dispel misunderstandings, and reaffirm our commitment to transparency and adherence to regulations.The rumors originated from false allegations by competitors who claimed that FortiCard was attempting to monopolize the market by increasing company costs to raise customer yields for further expansion. This accusation drew the attention of regulatory authorities and triggered an investigation.Investigation Process and ResultsAfter a thorough investigation, the regulatory authorities found that all of FortiCard's business activities were entirely within legal and regulatory frameworks. Specifically, the Singapore Financial Regulatory Authority (SFRA) conducted a rigorous review of our business model, service standards, and customer feedback. The comprehensive assessment by SFRA confirmed that FortiCard, by optimizing capital and asset allocation and introducing new lending services, not only complied with all legal regulations but also played an exemplary role in promoting the healthy development of the financial services industry.At FortiCard, every service introduction and policy adjustment prioritizes customer needs and safety. By incorporating the latest technologies, we continually enhance service efficiency and customer benefits. From risk management to personalized investment plans, our goal is to make financial investments more transparent, simple, and secure.FortiCard's Commitment to Compliance:FortiCard prides itself on its strict compliance framework. Regular audits and reviews are part of our operational structure, ensuring that every aspect of our service meets or exceeds regulatory standards. Our compliance team tirelessly keeps pace with the ever-changing regulatory environment to ensure our practices comply with local and international laws.Strengthening Our Compliance Measures:In response to recent rumors, FortiCard has decided to implement additional measures to further strengthen our compliance program. These improvements include enhanced training for employees, upgraded compliance technology, and more frequent internal reviews. This proactive approach demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of compliance and integrity.Compliance Education Initiatives:Recognizing the importance of compliance in the financial sector, FortiCard is launching an education initiative for employees and customers. This initiative will focus on the importance of adhering to regulatory standards and the impact of non-compliance. Our aim is to foster a culture of transparency and compliance both within and outside the organization.Ongoing Cooperation with Regulatory Authorities:FortiCard maintains close contact with financial regulatory bodies to ensure all practices are fully transparent and compliant. Our open policy towards regulatory authorities has become a model of cooperation and trust between financial institutions and regulators.Reaffirming Our Core Values:At FortiCard, our core values revolve around integrity, transparency, and the pursuit of excellence. These principles guide every decision and action within the company, from the highest management to our customer service teams.Looking Forward and Innovation:Looking ahead, FortiCard is excited to introduce new financial products and services that continue to meet customer needs while ensuring full compliance with regulations. As we advance in the financial services field, innovation and compliance remain the cornerstones of our strategy.FortiCard thanks our customers, partners, and stakeholders for their support and trust during this speculative period. We remain committed to maintaining our reputation as leaders in financial innovation and regulatory compliance. As always, our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and compliant financial solutions that support our customers and make a positive contribution to the financial industry.About the companyFortiCard addresses recent rumors of regulatory sanctions, asserting compliance and transparency as core values. Following thorough investigations by regulatory authorities, FortiCard's practices are deemed fully compliant, and validated by the Singapore Financial Regulatory Authority. The company emphasizes customer-centric services, strict adherence to regulatory standards, and ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance measures. FortiCard launches education initiatives and maintains close cooperation with regulatory bodies, affirming its commitment to integrity and innovation in the financial industry.CONTACT DETAILSCompany Name: FortiCard LimitedContact Person Name: Alexander Jonathan WilliamsWebsite: https://forti-card.com/Email: admin@ forti-card.com SOURCE: FortiCard Limited
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 14:00:28

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The formation of Discovery Management Group signifies a transformative reorganization within Discovery's portfolio, marking a significant advancement in the company's strategic transition towards a dynamic multi-operating company framework encompassing both national and regional brands of senior living communities supported by a network of operational support centers.BONITA SPRINGS, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Discovery Senior Living ("Discovery") is excited to announce the creation of Discovery Management Group ("DMG"), an internal restructuring that integrates existing and newly transitioned nationally branded communities under one umbrella. The inception of DMG represents a major step forward in the company's strategic evolution towards a dynamic management structure incorporating both national and regional senior living brands. This milestone underscores Discovery's ongoing commitment to providing outstanding senior living experiences throughout the United States.Discovery Management Group Created to operate a select portfolio of senior living communities across the US, Discovery Management Group represents the internal restructuring and new brand that integrates existing and new communities under one Discovery Senior Living umbrella.As a key component of Discovery Senior Living, DMG will operate with distinct eastern and western leadership teams, utilizing the extensive support resources available at the Discovery Operational Support Centers in California and Florida. This strategic move underscores Discovery's dedication to elevating senior living standards nationwide while ensuring focused resource deployment across the country.Dave Adams, a seasoned Discovery leader, assumes the role of President for Discovery Management Group. Adams brings extensive experience in developing and executing corporate strategic growth Initiatives and building high-performing teams. He previously served as a McKinsey Consultant and led the start-up of TerraBella Senior Living as its first-ever President, and prior to that, he led Discovery's Acquisition & Transition Team, which oversaw the addition and successful integration of dozens of new communities to Discovery's national, multi-brand portfolio. Adams began his professional career by serving more than nine years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, leading multiple Special Tactic Teams (Combat Control/Pararescue) through numerous deployments throughout Southwest Asia, Europe and Northern Africa. He holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy."As we unveil the establishment of Discovery Management Group, we mark a pivotal moment in our journey towards redefining excellence in senior living," said Richard J. Hutchinson, CEO of Discovery Senior Living. "By segmenting our enterprise communities into distinct Operating Companies with exceptionally talented leadership teams, we are able to provide localized operational and product expertise to optimize performance, while providing best-in-class supportive services through our unique Operational Support Centers, all with a goal to elevate the standard of experiences and care we provide nationwide." ###About Discovery Senior LivingDiscovery Senior Living is a family of companies that includes Discovery Management Group, Integral Senior Living, Provincial Senior Living, Morada Senior Living, TerraBella Senior Living, LakeHouse Senior Living, Arvum Senior Living, Discovery Development Group, Discovery Design Concepts, STAT Marketing, and Discovery At Home. With three decades of experience, the award-winning management team has been developing, building, marketing, and managing diverse senior living communities across the United States. By leveraging its innovative "Experiential Living" philosophy across a growing portfolio of over 300 communities and in excess of 30,000 homes in nearly 40 states, Discovery Senior Living is a recognized industry leader for innovation and lifestyle customization and, today, ranks among the five largest U.S. senior living operators.Contact Information:Heidi LaVanwayVice President of Marketinghlavanway@ discoverymgt.com 239.301.5330SOURCE: Discovery Senior LivingView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 10:01:09

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The partnership brings BLUbeem by Brinks, a Brinks digital retail solution, to retail and hospitality SMBs across the U.S.NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Netevia a leading fintech company known for its innovative banking services, has announced a strategic partnership with BLUbeem by Brink's, a product brand of The Brinks Company, a leading provider of cash and valuables management, digital retail solutions, and ATM Managed Services. BLUbeem by Brink's offers a comprehensive digitized cash management solution through relationships with industry payment providers. The collaboration between Netevia and BLUbeem by Brink's will allow Netevia's ISO network to deliver the BLUbeem by Brink's digital retail solution to small and medium-sized merchants. It is set to significantly enhance Netevia's offerings, particularly addressing its current cash management limitations for retail and hospitality businesses.Addressing Cash Management Challenges with BLUbeem by Brink'sAs a fintech, Netevia's Banking Services have excelled in digital transactions but faced limitations in handling cash deposits. The partnership fills this gap as BLUbeem by Brink's offers a hardware, software, and services solution designed to simplify end-to- end cash processes and offer merchants a streamlined approach to cash management.BLUbeem by Brink's allows merchants to:Save time, money, and effort by eliminating unnecessary trips to the bank to make cash deposits.Secure cash in-store by registering and dropping it into an in-store smart safe.Gain accelerated access to working capital from cash with next-business-day credit for cash payments.Reduce the risk of internal and external theft by digitizing the cash handling process.Gain visibility into cash activity across the business.Target Market: Retail and Hospitality IndustriesThe partnership strategically targets the retail and hospitality industries, where both cash and digital transactions are integral to:Delivering a seamless financial management experience, balancing digital and cash transaction handling.Effectively managing all forms of payment transactions, thereby optimizing their operational efficiency and customer service."Our strategic partnership with Netevia creates an opportunity for Brink's to provide BLUbeem by Brink's unique digital cash management solution to previously underserved markets," said Laurent Borne, Executive VP and Chief Experience Officer at Brink's. "The partnership will accelerate Brink's digital retail solution presence in SMBs in the growing retail and hospitality verticals. We value this relationship, which allows Brink's to offer a simplified yet enhanced cash management process to a greater number of merchants." Netevia's Commitment to Comprehensive Financial SolutionsNetevia is committed to expanding its capabilities to serve the business community better. By partnering with BLUbeem by Brink's, Netevia is enhancing its service offerings to include efficient cash handling, a critical component for many businesses, especially in retail and hospitality."Netevia's partnership with BLUbeem by Brink's signifies a transformative step in enhancing financial services for businesses," said Vlad Sadovskiy, Netevia CEO. Combining our banking services with BLUbeem by Brink's cash management excellence, we're set to revolutionize retail and hospitality financial experiences, driving growth and efficiency." For more information on this partnership and the services offered through the collaboration, visitNetevia.com . For more information onBLUbeem by Brink's and its cash management solution, visit blubeempayments.com About The Brink's CompanyThe Brink's Company (NYSE:BCO), a leading global provider of cash and valuables management, digital retail solutions, and ATM managed services. Our customers include financial institutions, retailers, government agencies, mints, jewelers and other commercial operations. Our network of operations in 52 countries serves customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, please visit our website at www.brinks.com or call 804-289-9709.About NeteviaNetevia has established itself as a key player in the fintech sector, offering innovative solutions to manage funds and transactions. This partnership with BLUbeem by Brink's continues Netevia's mission to provide comprehensive, efficient, and accessible financial services to businesses of all sizes.Media ContactOrganization: NeteviaContact Person: Benoit BoissetWebsite: https://netevia.com Email: press@ netevia.com City: North Miami BeachState: FloridaCountry: United StatesSOURCE: Netevia
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 12:01:00

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BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / NOA Lithium Brines Inc. (TSX-V:NOAL)(FSE:N7N) ("NOA" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the retention of PI Financial Corp. ("PI Financial") as its corporate financial advisor to assist in evaluating various options for its Arizaro Project ("Arizaro") on behalf of the Directors of the Company and its shareholders.During the last few months, the Company has signed a number of non-disclosure agreements with multiple parties who have expressed various interests in certain assets of the Company, including Arizaro.The Arizaro project consists of 78,000 hectares of mining properties that has seen limited exploration by the Company, but other mining companies have been exploring the same salar with promising results for the development of lithium projects. The Company believes that based on the public information available and geophysical studies performed, the Arizaro project may be the next asset in our portfolio to be developed, unlocking additional value for shareholders of the Company.The Company remains focused on its flagship project, Rio Grande, where during the second quarter of 2024 it plans to commence the second stage of its exploration campaign which will aim to expand its current resource of 2.3 M ton LCE (M+I+I) @ 612 mg/l average lithium concentration through the drilling of unexplored properties (only 4,400 of NOA's 37,000 hectares have been explored here), as well as further develop the project with the expansion of pumping wells, and additional water exploration and early conceptual process engineering plans.The Company cautions that there are no assurances that the evaluation of potential options to maximize shareholder value will result in the approval or completion of any specific transaction or outcome. The Company does not intend to provide further disclosure on this matter unless the Directors of the Company determine it is needed or such disclosure is required by applicable laws or TSX Venture Exchange Policies.About PI FinancialEstablished in 1982, PI Financial is a leading, full-service, independent investment dealer, providing a full range of investment products and services to corporate and institutional investors. PI Financial has been advising and servicing the capital needs of the global mining industry for over 30 years with its very specialized and focused group of professionals.About NOA Lithium Brines Inc.NOA is a lithium exploration and development company formed to acquire assets with significant resource potential. All NOA's projects are located in the heart of the prolific Lithium Triangle, in the mining-friendly province of Salta, Argentina, near a multitude of projects and operations owned by some of the largest players in the lithium industry. NOA has rapidly consolidated one of the largest lithium brine claim portfolios in this region that is not owned by a producing company, with key positions on three prospective salars, being Rio Grande, Arizaro, Salinas Grandes, and totalling over 140,000 hectares.On Behalf of the Board of Directors,Gabriel RubachaChief Executive Officer and DirectorFor Further Information On The CompanyWebsite: www.noalithium.com Email: info@ noalithium.com Telephone: +54-9-11-5060-4709Alternative Telephone: +1-403-571-8013Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements within this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements including, but not limited to NOA's future plans and objectives regarding its projects, which constitute forward looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although NOA believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements include fluctuations in market prices, including lithium prices, continued availability of capital and financing, Loan Repayment Amounts and timing of such repayment, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. NOA does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable laws.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: NOA Lithium Brines Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-17 00:00:24

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THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESTORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSXV:PX);(OTC PINK:PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the second and final tranche of a non-brokered private placement of up to 33,333,332 units (the "Units") of the Company a price of $0.015 per Unit for gross proceeds of $500,000 announced on February 28, 2024 (the "Private Placement").Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common for a period of 60 months from the date of the issue of the Warrants at an exercise price of $0.05 per Warrant Share.The Company completed the first tranche of the private placement on March 28, 2024, resulting in the issuance of 7,566,666 Shares and 7,566,666 Warrants for aggregate gross proceeds of $113,500. Pursuant to the closing of the second tranche of the private placement on April 16, 2024, the Company issued an additional 25,766,666 Shares and 25,766,666 Warrants for aggregate gross proceeds of $386,500.Proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including land maintenance costs.The Company paid total finder's fees in relation to both the first and second tranche of the private placement to eligible finders consisting of $23,000 in cash and 1,533,333 warrants (the "Finder's Warrants"). Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.05 for a period of 60 months from the date of the issue. All finder's fees are subject to compliance with applicable securities legislation and TSX Venture Exchange policies. All securities issued in this closing of the Private Placement are subject to statutory four month hold periods expiring four months after the date of issuance. The Private Placement remains subject to obtaining final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.Certain insiders of the Company participated in the first tranche of the private placement for an aggregate total of $85,500 in the Private Placement. The participation by such insiders constituted a "related party transaction" as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company was exempt from the MI 61 101 valuation and minority approval requirements for related party transactions in connection with the Offering under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves the Related Parties, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offering made will be pursuant to available prospectus exemptions and restricted to persons to whom the securities may be sold in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions, and by persons permitted to sell the securities in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions.About Pelangio Pelangio acquires and explores prospective land packages located in world-class gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is focused on its two 100% owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of eight near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi property, located 4 km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as the Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. In Canada, the Company is currently focused in Ontario at its gold, silver, zinc polymetallic Kenogaming project, located 63 km southwest of Timmins and at its Gowan polymetallic project, located 16 km east of the Kidd Creek Mine. See www.pelangio.com for further detail on all Pelangio's properties.For additional information, please visit our website at www.pelangio.com , or contact:Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEOTel: 905-336-3828 / Toll-free: 1-877-746-1632 / Email: info@ pelangio.com Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Offering generally, the proceeds that may be raised in connection with the Offering, the proposed use of proceeds and the Company's exploration plans. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made numerous assumptions, including assumptions about our ability to close additional tranches of the Offering in a timely manner, if at all, and the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the ability of the Company to meet the conditions of closing, our ability to conduct our exploration programs as planned, changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company%2
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 /Perfect Corp. (NYSE:PERF), a global leader in providing augmented reality ("AR") and artificial intelligence ("AI") Software-as-a-Service ("SAAS") solutions across the beauty and fashion industries, announced that Wayne Liu, President and Chief Growth Officer, will be presenting at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2024 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 9:30AM (Local Time -PST). Presentations will take place at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, with one-on-one investor meetings to follow, on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024.To access the live presentation virtually, register here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2024Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2024Time: 9:30AM PST Pacific TimeWebcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3026/50177 To book a 1x1 meeting with Perfect Corp. at Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2024 at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV, please register here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup The Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2024 website is available here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/ If you can't make the live presentation, all company presentations "webcasts" will be available directly on the conference event platform on this link under the tab "Agenda": https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/agenda News Compliments of AccesswireAbout Perfect Corp.Founded in 2015, Perfect Corp. is a Beautiful AI Company and global leader in enterprise SaaS solutions. As an innovative powerhouse in using artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the beauty and fashion industries, Perfect empowers major beauty, skincare, fashion, jewelry brands and retailers by providing consumers with omnichannel shopping experiences through augmented reality (AR) product try-ons and AI-powered skin diagnostics. With cutting-edge technologies such as Generative AI, real-time facial and hand 3D AR rendering and cloud solutions, Perfect enables personalized, enjoyable, and engaging shopping journey. In addition, Perfect also operates a family of YouCam consumer apps for photo, video and camera users, centered on unleashing creativity with AI-driven features for creation, beautification and enhancement. With the help of technologies, Perfect helps brands elevate customer engagement, increase conversion rates, and propel sales growth. Throughout this journey, Perfect maintains its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and fulfilling social responsibilities. For more information, visit https://ir.perfectcorp.com/ About Planet MicroCapPlanet MicroCap is a global multimedia financial news, publishing and events company focused on news dissemination, providing information, data and analytics for the MicroCap investing community. We have cultivated an active and engaged audience of folks that are interested in learning about and to stay ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space.If you would like to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase, please register here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup Contact:Corporate: Tony Tsai at press@ perfectcorp.com or by phone: +886-2-8667-1265, ext. 2167 USA: Allie Murphy at contact_pr@ perfectcorp.com or by phone +1 (415) 625-8555SOURCE: Perfect Corp. via Planet Microcap LLC
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Revolutionizing Market Research: Introducing the Cyborg Approach at SCIP Intellicon US 2024SCHAUMBURG, IL / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Proactive Worldwide is proud to announce that Chad Hinkle, Associate Director, B2B Voice of Customer, will lead a pioneering session at SCIP Intellicon US 2024 in Nashville, titled "The Cyborg Approach to Qualitative Research," on Thursday, April 25, 2024.David Kalinowski, President of Proactive Worldwide, shared, "Chad's presentation embodies our commitment to innovation in market intelligence services. By integrating human intellect with AI like Perplexity, Claude, and ChatGPT, the Cyborg Approach sets a new benchmark in qualitative research." The session will unveil a transformative methodology that harmoniously blends human expertise with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, revolutionizing the way qualitative research is conducted. Chad will guide attendees through the functionality of each AI tool and their combined power to enhance data collection, accelerate analysis, and create impactful narratives.This interactive 75-minute session promises hands-on experience in a live research exercise, spotlighting the significant advantages of the Cyborg Approach in market research.For more information, please visit https://www.scip.org/page/intellicon-us-nashville-2024 About Proactive Worldwide:Proactive Worldwide (PWW) is a global specialty market research company exclusively focused on competitive analysis. We enable leading organizations worldwide to identify vulnerabilities, forecast market trends, and strategically navigate growth. Our approach is comprehensive - analyzing competitors, suppliers, customers, and regulatory landscapes through primary and secondary intelligence gathering. With a 29-year track record of success, PWW's custom methodology, skilled research and analysis teams, and in-house industry experts converge to deliver impactful insights that reveal hidden opportunities and critical challenges. Learn more at https://www.proactiveworldwide.com/ Contact InformationKelley LoiaconoChief of Staffkelleyl@ proactiveworldwide.com 847-483-9300SOURCE: Proactive WorldwideView the original press release on newswire.com
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BRYAN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Purdy Automotive Group, a leading name in the automotive industry, is proud to unveil its latest initiative, the Purdy People Award. This prestigious accolade is designed to recognize and celebrate individuals who exemplify the highest standards of community service and dedication.The Purdy People Award seeks to shine a spotlight on those exceptional individuals who go above and beyond to contribute to the well-being and betterment of our community. Nominations for this distinguished honor will be accepted from community members who wish to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of those who selflessly invest time, effort, and resources to make a positive impact on the lives of others.A Purdy Person is someone who embodies several commendable qualities, including being service-oriented, a leader, compassionate, innovative, and a role model. These individuals, often working behind the scenes, play a crucial role in shaping the fabric of our society."As we launch the Purdy People Award, we are not just recognizing outstanding individuals; we are celebrating the heart and soul of our community. This initiative reflects Purdy Automotive Group's commitment to honoring those who inspire positive change and contribute selflessly to the well-being of others," said Harold Hurst, COO of the Purdy Automotive Group.Nominees for the Purdy People Award will be selected through a community-driven process, with our user-friendly nomination form. Our nomination form empowers individuals to share compelling stories, testimonials, and specific examples of how these unsung heroes have made a meaningful impact on the community.Purdy Automotive Group invites the community to participate in recognizing those who make a difference. Nominations will help celebrate and honor individuals who contribute selflessly to the prosperity and unity of the community. To nominate an individual for the Purdy People Award and for more information on the nomination process, please visit https://www.purdygroupusa.com/purdy-people-award.htm About The Purdy GroupFounded in 1957, Purdy Group is a worldwide leader in the automotive industry comprising 3 Texas Dealerships: Bryan College Station Toyota, Huntsville Toyota and South Toyota in Dallas. Purdy Group, the home of the Promise of Something Different, is dedicated to delivering the highest quality vehicles and service to its customers across Texas. To learn more about our core values and 3 Dealerships, visit https://www.purdygroupusa.com/ CONTACT:Faith WyattPHONE: 979-776-0404EMAIL: fwyatt@ purdygroupusa.com SITE: PurdyGroupUSA.com SOURCE: Purdy Group
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 15:01:45

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TYMLOSdemonstrated a lower incidence of hip fracture and non-vertebral fracture compared to teriparatide in women with osteoporosis 50 years and older (n=43,352) in this analysis of real-world dataBOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Radius Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Radius Health, Inc. ("Radius" or the "Company"), a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on bone health, presented real-world evidence from an analysis comparing the effectiveness of TYMLOS  (ABL) to teriparatide (TPTD) in women with osteoporosis ages 50 years and older who were new to anabolic therapy (n=43,352). In this analysis of over 18-months of treatment, abaloparatide demonstrated a lower incidence of hip fracture and non-vertebral fracture compared to teriparatide. Hip fractures were reported in 1.1% of women in the ABL cohort and 1.4% of women in the TPTD cohort (HR [95% CI] 0.83 [0.70, 0.98]; P=0.03). Nonvertebral fractures were reported in 4.4% of women in the ABL cohort and 5.0% of women in the TPTD cohort (0.88 [0.80, 0.96]; P=0.003). Major cardiovascular events were balanced between cohorts. 1"The real-world data presented further supports the favorable efficacy and safety profile of TYMLOS and why it is an important treatment option in the management of osteoporosis," said Dr. Felicia Cosman, Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, NY, an osteoporosis specialist and clinical scientist and Co-Editor in Chief of the Journal Osteoporosis International. "Harnessing real-world evidence from everyday clinical settings affords clinicians the opportunity to uncover insights that can help guide treatment decisions." The data was presented in an abstract and oral presentation at the 24th Edition of the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO) in London, on April 12th, 2024. This real-world retrospective observational cohort study identified women 50 years and older, newly initiated on anabolic therapy with ABL or TPTD between May 1, 2017, and Dec 31, 2021.This analysis included pre-specified outcomes and utilized propensity score matching to help balance the characteristics in each treatment group; patients were well matched on 73 baseline parameters.1 Patients were identified using anonymized claims data from the Symphony Health Patient Source, Osteoporosis Patient Transactional Datasets. This is a disease specific subset of Integrated Dataverse which includes data from over 307 million active patients."We are very pleased to share the results of this analysis, as it further demonstrates the value of TYMLOS in the treatment of women with osteoporosis," said Scott Briggs, Chief Executive Officer of Radius. "Radius is committed to supporting men and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, their families, and healthcare providers through our ongoing educational efforts as well as by generating data to support informed healthcare decision making." Real World Evidence:It is important to consider the limitations of RWE. RWE data sources may have incomplete information, leading to challenges in identifying and characterizing specific populations accurately. The source and type of RWE may limit the generalizability of the endpoints to broader populations/settings. RWE should be used in supplement to clinical trial evidence to support healthcare decision making. Due to data limitations, mortality data was not available in this dataset. There are no head-to-head randomized controlled clinical trials comparing abaloparatide and teriparatide.INDICATONS and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONINDICATIONSTYMLOS is indicated for: the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture (defined as a history of osteoporotic fracture or multiple risk factors for fracture), or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy. In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, TYMLOS reduces the risk of vertebral fractures and nonvertebral fractures, and the treatment to increase bone density in men withosteoporosis at high risk for fracture (defined as a history of osteoporotic fracture or multiple risk factors for fracture), or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy.IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION2Contraindications: TYMLOSis contraindicated in patients with a history of systemic hypersensitivity to abaloparatide or to any component of the product formulation. Reactions have included anaphylaxis, dyspnea, and urticaria.Risk of Osteosarcoma: It is unknown whether TYMLOS will cause osteosarcoma in humans. Osteosarcoma has been reported in patients treated with a PTH-analog in the post marketing setting; however, an increased risk of osteosarcoma has not been observed in observational studies in humans. There are limited data assessing the risk of osteosarcoma beyond 2 years of TYMLOS use. Avoid use of TYMLOS for patients at an increased baseline risk for osteosarcoma including patients with open epiphysis (pediatric and young adult patients); metabolic bone diseases other than osteoporosis, including Paget's disease of the bone; bone metastases or a history of skeletal malignancies; prior external beam or implant radiation therapy involving the skeleton; or hereditary disorders predisposing to osteosarcoma.Orthostatic Hypotension: Orthostatic hypotension may occur with TYMLOS, typically within 4 hours of injection. Associated symptoms may include dizziness, palpitations, tachycardia, or nausea, and may resolve by having the patient lie down. For the first several doses, TYMLOS should be administered where the patient can sit or lie down if necessary.Hypercalcemia: TYMLOSmay cause hypercalcemia. TYMLOS is not recommended in patients with pre-existing hypercalcemia or in patients who have an underlying hypercalcemic disorder, such as primary hyperparathyroidism, because of the possibility of exacerbating hypercalcemia.Hypercalciuria and Urolithiasis: TYMLOSmay cause hypercalciuria. It is unknown whether TYMLOS may exacerbate urolithiasis in patients with active or a history of urolithiasis. If active urolithiasis or pre-existing hypercalciuria is suspected, measurement of urinary calcium excretion should be considered.Pregnancy and Lactation: TYMLOSis not indicated for use in females of reproductive potential.Adverse Reactions:The most common adverse reactions (incidence 2%) reported with TYMLOS in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are hypercalciuria (11%), dizziness (10%), nausea (8%), headache (8%), palpitations (5%), fatigue (3%), upper abdominal pain (3%), and vertigo (2%). The most common a
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Premier Dentist PhiladelphiaPHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Dr. Richard Eidelson, DDS, MAGD, a nationally recognized leader in cosmetic dentistry, is thrilled to announce the opening of his second dental practice, Premier Dentist Philadelphia, located in the iconic Medical Arts Building in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia. The new office, designed with cutting-edge technology and modern aesthetics, stands ready to welcome patients seeking transformative smile rehabilitations.Experience Matters - Dr. Richard Eidelson Experience Matters - Philadelphia Dentist Dr. Richard EidelsonWith an illustrious career marked by a commitment to excellence in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Eidelson has been a pivotal figure in advancing dental aesthetics in Philadelphia and across the United States. His expertise in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care is evident in the wide array of services he offers, with a particular focus on porcelain veneers, dental implants, and comprehensive smile makeover techniques. Dr. Eidelson's dedication to his craft has earned him numerous accolades and a reputation as one of the top cosmetic dentists in the nation.The decision to expand his practice into the Medical Arts Building reflects Dr. Eidelson's ongoing commitment to making top-tier cosmetic dentistry accessible to more patients. "Our new location is not just about expansion; it's about bringing the art and science of smile makeovers to the heart of Philadelphia. We've equipped our new office with the latest in dental technology to ensure that our patients receive the best care possible," said Dr. Eidelson.Dr. Eidelson holds a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction that less than six percent of dentists achieve, underscoring his exceptional skills and dedication to continuing education. His extensive list of credentials, combined with a passion for creating beautiful, healthy smiles, positions Premier Dentist Philadelphia as a premier destination for anyone looking to enhance their dental health and aesthetics.The newly renovated office in the Medical Arts Building is now open and accepting new patients. With a focus on comfort, efficiency, and the highest standards of care, Dr. Eidelson and his team are ready to transform smiles and lives with their comprehensive range of cosmetic dental services.For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://www.dentistphiladelphia.com/ or call (215) 557-6668.About Dr. Richard EidelsonDr. Richard Eidelson is a highly esteemed cosmetic dentist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With a career dedicated to advancing cosmetic dentistry through innovative techniques and patient-centered care, Dr. Eidelson has established himself as a leader in the field. His commitment to excellence and education has earned him numerous awards and a place among the top dentists in the United States. At Premier Dentist Philadelphia, Dr. Eidelson and his team offer a full spectrum of cosmetic dental services from porcelain veneers and dental implants to complete smile makeovers, all designed to help patients achieve the beautiful, healthy smiles they deserve.Voted: Best / Most Affordable Dentist by Philadelphia WeeklyContact Information: Premier Dentist Philadelphia 1601 Walnut St. #1114 Philadelphia, PA 19102(215) 557-6668 https://www.dentistphiladelphia.com/ Contact InformationCody PrenticeMarketing Managercody@ elevatedds.com (888) 300-8994SOURCE: Premier Dentist PhiladelphiaView the original press release on newswire.com
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / ERC20 token, $RFKJ, was officially launched during the ETH Denver convention, pioneering a new way to support a political campaign through cryptocurrency.This initiative marks a significant milestone for crypto, meme tokens, and PolitiFi - as it is one of the first of its kind to support a presidential candidate with digital currency - putting it at the forefront of both politics and technology.The RFKJ token, now available for purchase on Uniswap on the Ethereum blockchain, is designed to merge the world of politics with decentralized finance. With a 2% tax on transactions, the token allocates half of that amount directly to RFK's Children's Health Defense, enabling investors to contribute to a pivotal cause while engaging with the token economy.Impactful Innovation in Political FundingThe introduction of the RFKJ token represents a new era for independent candidates, as they now have the opportunity to tap into the rich potential of the PolitiFi (Political Finance) landscape.The market for such tokens currently stands at nearly half a billion dollars, a testament to the burgeoning intersection of politics and finance. It draws investors who want to support their favorite politicians to meme token holders who enjoy that asset class. RFKJ is unique in this market as the sole token aligning with an independent presidential hopeful."Today, we're not just launching a token; we're setting the foundation for a Web3 political community of unparalleled scope," said a team spokesperson. "Our goal is to break new ground, where technology empowers democratic participation, facilitates content creation, and unifies supporters in their quest for meaningful change." Millennials, political independents, cryptocurrency connoisseurs, and investors alike are poised to join this radical initiative, which offers a new avenue to support a cause they believe in while potentially achieving financial growth. The RFKJ token is more than a financial tool; it's a catalyst for unity and action in the political sphere.A Call to Political Action and Community BuildingThe team behind RFKJ is committed to building a community where political activism and digital innovation intersect, setting the stage for one of the world's first web3 political ecosystems.Those interested in being at the vanguard of this movement can now turn their attention to the RFKJ token and become part of a community striving to elect a candidate who promises to foster health, democracy, and unity.Purchase and Token InformationPolitiFi coins will be the hottest narrative in crypto by the end of the year. RFKJ combines the once in a lifetime opportunity of a crypto bull-run with a collossal political event. The team believes RFKJ is the sleeper candidate that can win it all.Through memes, content, and community - the project aims to be a key part of the grass roots movement that uplifts Kennedy into the presidency.The protocol has already donated around $100,000 to RFK associated causes and helped untie key voices in the Independent movement. They want to continue supporting independent political candidates in the future while continuing to build a community around their ideas..The RFKJ token can be purchased on Uniswap. For more information about the token and how to join the movement, please visitRFKJ's website .About RFK's Children's Health DefenseRFK's Children's Health Defense is dedicated to the health and well-being of children. By supporting this cause through the RFKJ token, investors are taking a stand for future generations, ensuring that issues critical to public health form an integral part of the political conversation.SocialsRFKJ XRFKJ TelegramPress Contact: j.kingsley@ theprgenius.com SOURCE: RFKJ
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 15:03:01

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Structural Consultant Dr. David Coller On-siteST. JOHN'S, NL / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV:SIC)(OTCQB:SICNF) ("Sokoman" or the "Company") is pleased to report that structural consultant Dr. David Coller is on-site at the Moosehead gold property to update the structural model and to help plan for deeper drilling later this year. The Phase 6 program is winding down for spring breakup with assay results for 12 holes remaining outstanding and expected in two to three weeks. Drilling will resume once all assays have been received, compiled, and included in Dr. Coller's updated structural model.Timothy Froude, P. Geo., President and CEO states; "We are very pleased to have Dr. Coller back and look forward to receiving his recommendations for continued drilling at Moosehead. Dr. Coller has been involved with the project since our first year and has been instrumental in guiding us to several significant high-grade discoveries. Currently, Dr. Coller and Sokoman's geological team are evaluating drill sections from the recently discovered 552 Zone to characterize the mineralization, to determine the significance of the zone and what it means for future exploration. We are also happy to have Dr. Hamish Sandeman of the Geological Survey of Newfoundland with us, to update us on the government's advanced research (with the Geological Survey of Canada) aimed at understanding the genesis of gold mineralization in Central Newfoundland and, potentially, helping to locate new gold zones. Dr. Sandeman has worked in the central Newfoundland region for many years and is considered one of the province's top geoscientists especially with regards to gold mineral deposits in Newfoundland." Recent drill results at the 552 Zone include MH-23-574 - 2.10 m of 5.00 g/t Au, and MH-24-580 - 2.05 m of 8.31 g/t Au incl. 0.50 m of 27.79 g/t Au. Both holes had multiple specks of visible gold, a characteristic of all the high-grade zones on the property. The 552 drilling has defined a two- to five-metre-wide zone of vuggy (epizonal) quartz veining/quartz breccia, in variably sheared, to undeformed, sedimentary units located approximately 400 m to the east of the Eastern Trend mineralization in the central portion of the property. The 552 Zone has been drilled over a 150 m strike length and to 125 m vertical depth and remains open along strike and to depth.Sokoman is completing drilling at both the 552 Zone and several short holes (30 m - 50 m depth) up dip of the Footwall Splay Zone, which has been identified as a possible bulk sample target area.QPThis news release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Froude, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of Sokoman Minerals Corp.Analytical Techniques / QA/QCSamples, including duplicates, blanks, and standards, are submitted to Eastern Analytical Ltd. in Springdale, Newfoundland for gold analysis. All core samples submitted for assay are saw cut by Sokoman personnel with one-half submitted for assay and one-half retained for reference. Samples are delivered in sealed bags directly to the lab by Sokoman personnel. Eastern Analytical Ltd. is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples with visible gold are submitted for total pulp metallics with a gravimetric finish. All other samples are analyzed by standard fire assay methods. Total pulp metallic analysis includes: the entire sample being crushed to -10 mesh; and then pulverized to 95% -150 mesh. The total sample is weighed and screened to 150 mesh; the +150-mesh fraction is fire-assayed for Au, and a 30 g subsample of the -150-mesh fraction is fire-assayed for Au; with a calculated weighted average of total Au in the sample reported as well. One blank and one industry-approved standard for every twenty samples submitted is included in the sample stream. Random duplicates of selected samples are analyzed in addition to the in-house standard and duplicate policies of Eastern Analytical Ltd. All reported assays are uncut.About Sokoman Minerals Corp.Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company with projects in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company's primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects; the 100%-owned flagship, advanced-stage Moosehead, Crippleback Lake, and the district-scale Fleur de Lys project near Baie Verte in northwestern Newfoundland, that is targeting Dalradian-type orogenic gold mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland. The Company entered into a strategic alliance with Benton Resources Inc. through three, large-scale, joint-venture properties including Grey River, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland. Sokoman is one of the largest landholders in Newfoundland, in Canada's newest and rapidly emerging gold districts.In October 2023, Sokoman and Benton completed an agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc., a major developer of lithium projects and processing plants in the USA, and exactly the right partner to have to advance the lithium project. The agreement provides for Piedmont to earn up to 62.5% of the Killick Lithium Project (formerly Golden Hope project) by funding up to $12 million in exploration expenses and issuing $10 million common shares in three stages. The Killick Lithium Project has been transferred to Killick Lithium Inc. (Killick), a 100%-owned subsidiary of Vinland Lithium Inc. (Vinland). Newly created Vinland has received $2 million in financing from Piedmont for a 19.9% interest, with the balance of ownership between Sokoman and Benton. Sokoman and Benton will continue to operate the exploration efforts at Killick through the earn-in stages. Sokoman and Benton will retain a royalty of 2% NSR on future production. Piedmont will have exclusive marketing rights for the promotion and sale of any lithium products produced from the project on a life-of-mine basis, and the right of first refusal on 100% offtake rights to the lithium concentrates.Projects optioned with optionee fully vested:East Alder Project optioned to Canterra Minerals Inc (SIC retains 850,000 shares of CTM plus 1% NSR) Startrek Project optioned to Thunder Gold (SIC retains 1,750,000 shares of TGOL plus 1% NSR)The Company would like to thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the financial support of the Moosehead and Fleur de Lys Projects through the Junior Exploration Assistance Program over the past few years.For more information, please contact:Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President & CEOT: 709-765-1726E: tim@ sokomanmineralscorp.com Cathy Hume, VP Corporate Development, DirectorT: 416-868-1079 x 251 E: cathy@ chfir.com Website: www.sokomanmineralscorp.co
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 18:31:28

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HAYDEN, ID / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Timberline Resources Corporation (OTCQB:TLRS)(TSX-V:TBR) ("Timberline" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") with McEwen Mining Inc. ("McEwen"). McEwen has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company not already owned by McEwen (each, a "Timberline Share") by way of a merger between Timberline and a subsidiary of McEwen (the "Transaction").Under the Merger Agreement, Timberline shareholders will receive 0.01 of a share of McEwen's common stock (each, a "McEwen Share") for each Timberline Share held (the "Exchange Ratio"), representing a value of US$0.102 per Timberline Share, based on the 20-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of McEwen Shares on the NYSE on April 15th, 2024. This represents a 132% premium to the 20-day volume-weighted average price of Timberline Shares on the OTCQB. McEwen currently owns 6,250,000 Timberline Shares representing approximately 3.3% of Timberline's common shares outstanding and 6,250,000 warrants. The Exchange Ratio represents an undiluted equity transaction value (on a 100% basis) of approximately US$19.4 million.Patrick Highsmith, Timberline's President and CEO, commented, "The merger with McEwen Mining, at an attractive premium to Timberline's current trading price, provides our shareholders with continued exposure to Timberline's assets as part of a more diverse growth-oriented platform. The combination should also unlock synergies between the Gold Bar mine and our Eureka project." Benefits to Timberline ShareholdersPremium of 162% based on the last closing price and 132% based on the 20-day VWAP Ownership in an Americas-focused gold-silver-copper producer, with 3 operating mines forecast to produce 130,000 to 145,000 gold-equivalent ounces in 2024 on an attributable basis, run by seasoned mining professional Robert McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen McEwen also owns 47.7% of McEwen Copper, which owns a 100% interest in the PEA stage Los Azules project, the world's 8th largest undeveloped copper project, located in San Juan, Argentina Participation in the potential accelerated development of the Eureka project by consolidation with McEwen's operating Gold Bar mine located in Eureka County, central Nevada Increased trading liquidity and exposure to institutional investors through McEwen's NYSE and TSX listings Eliminates the need for continued dilutive financings to fund Timberline's exploration and corporate expenses Transaction SummaryThe proposed transaction will be completed by the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of McEwen with and into Timberline, with Timberline surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of McEwen. The transaction will require the approval of a majority of the Timberline common shares outstanding and entitled to vote at a special meeting of Timberline shareholders. It is also subject to other customary closing conditions. The directors and officers of Timberline, together with two significant shareholders of Timberline, representing approximately 40% of the common shares outstanding have entered into a voting and support agreement pursuant to which they have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the Transaction. It is anticipated that the transaction will close in the third quarter of 2024.Timberline's Board of Directors has determined that the proposed transaction is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders, having taken into account advice from its financial advisor, and has unanimously approved the execution of the Merger Agreement. Timberline's Board of Directors recommends that its shareholders vote in favor of the Transaction. Cormark Securities Inc. has provided an opinion to Timberline's Board of Directors that the consideration to be received from McEwen in connection with the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Timberline shareholders.Timberline Bridge FacilityConcurrent with the execution of the Merger Agreement, McEwen and Timberline have entered into an interim financing arrangement whereby McEwen has agreed to loan Timberline up to approximately US$500,000 to fund working capital and corporate costs of Timberline through the anticipated closing of the proposed transaction.Advisors and CounselCormark Securities Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Timberline, and Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP is acting as Timberline's legal advisor.About McEwen MiningMcEwen Mining is a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, Mexico and Argentina. In addition, it owns approximately 47.7% of McEwen Copper which owns the large, advanced stage Los Azules copper project in Argentina. The Company's goal is to improve the productivity and life of its assets with the objective of increasing its share price and providing a yield. Rob McEwen, Executive Chairman and Chief Owner, has a personal investment in the group of US$220 million and takes an annual salary of US$1.About Timberline ResourcesTimberline Resources Corporation is a Nevada based exploration company with its flagship gold-silver property in the Eureka District. The Eureka property includes the historical Lookout Mountain and Windfall mines in a total property position of approximately 27 square miles (70 square kilometers).Near the northern end of the Battle Mountain - Eureka Trend, the Company also jointly holds the Paiute Project with Nevada Gold Mines. Timberline also controls the Seven Troughs Project in northern Nevada, which is one of the state's highest-grade former gold producers.In total, Timberline controls over 43 square miles (111 square kilometers) of mineral rights in Nevada. Detailed maps and technical materials for the Company's projects may be viewed at http://timberlineresources.co/ Timberline is listed on the OTCQB where it trades under the symbol "TLRS" and on the TSX Venture Exchange where it trades under the symbol "TBR".On behalf of the Board of Directors,"Patrick Highsmith"President and CEOTel: 208-664-4859IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERSThis communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In connection with the potential transaction,
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 03:30:39

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 15, 2024 / April 3rd marked a significant milestone in the global dialogue on child and youth mental health. Romania, along with Canada, Indonesia, Kuwait, Mexico, Qatar, WHO, UN Youth Office, and UNICEF, organized an unprecedented event that convened member states, international organizations, experts, specialists, NGOs, and specialized associations. This collaborative effort targeted a crucial demographic, highlighting the paramount importance of addressing mental health issues among children and young people.Led by Ambassador H.E. Cornel FERUTA of Romania, the event, titled " Mental Health of Children and Young People: How Can We Do Better? ", featured insightful keynotes by distinguished figures Andrew Solomon and Devora Kestel. Their contributions underscored the critical nature of youth mental health and the imperative for global action.Mental health significantly influences emotional, intellectual, physical, and social well-being. It shapes individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, influences their ability to manage stress, cultivate relationships, and make life-altering decisions. Particularly for children and young people, mental health holds immense significance, with untreated conditions potentially leading to adverse effects in adulthood. Shockingly, 50% of mental health conditions manifest before the age of 14, underscoring the urgency of interventions to ensure both physical and mental well-being and to provide opportunities for fulfilling lives.Kathryn Goetzke, Chief Hope Officer and CEO ofThe Shine Hope Companyand founder of theInternational Foundation for Research and Education on Hope (iFred) , delivered a compelling address at theUnited Nations event(comments at 1:49). Goetzke emphasized the pivotal role of hope as a protective factor against anxiety, depression, addiction, and suicide. "We were never taught what hopelessness is and how to get to hope. So I'd like to suggest teaching Hope as a strategy for Mental Health prevention and interventions. Hopelessness predicts risky behaviors such as youth violence, addiction, and self-harm, yet we were never taught what it is and how to get to hope," said Goetzke, stressing the urgent need to instill hope in youth, particularly in challenging times, and that with 57% of teen girls persistently hopeless, all must be taught these skills.The Shine Hope Company ,iFredand Walmart hosted an event in 2023 with researchers and advocates to showcase why we need anInternational Day of Hope . The aim of passing a resolution for this day is to foster global solidarity by sharing the science, stories, and strategies of hope in lives and communities worldwide. Hope is teachable.You can support by encouraging your leaders to support theresolution . Urge local leaders, mayors, governors, schools, and your UN Country Ambassador to issue proclamations declaring theirsupport for the International Day of Hope . Together, we can make a difference and spread hope to every corner of the globe. Visitwww.internationaldayofhope.orgto learn more about how you can activate hope in your city or community.About The Shine Hope Company:The Shine Hope Company empowers individuals by teaching scientifically informed and evidence-based methods to cultivate hope through workplace activations, public health campaigns, educational resources, courses, training, keynotes, and consulting. The Shine Hope Company manages all programming for Shine Hope, Hopeful Minds, Hopeful Cities, and Hopeful Mindsets, and supports the work of iFred to deliver activations to vulnerable populations. Visitwww.theshinehopecompany.comto find out more.About iFred:iFred, the International Foundation for Research and Education on Hope, a 501(c)3 organization established in 2004, works to shine a positive light on mental health and eliminate stigma through prevention, research, and education. iFred is a pioneer in teaching hope as a learnable skill, and activates Hopeful Cities in areas with a poverty rate of 20% or more, and the Hopeful Minds Programs in school districts where at least 20 percent of the children they serve come from families with incomes below the poverty line. iFred also works in all low and middle-income countries. Learn more atwww.ifred.org About International Day of Hope:The International Day of Hope aims to promote global solidarity by sharing hope science, stories, and strategies worldwide. Advocating for its establishment through a United Nations resolution, this initiative kicks off a five-day campaign featuring various activities to nurture hope in communities globally, and programs for parents and kids to understand the how' to hope. Find out more atwww.internationaldayofhope.org Media Contact: For media inquiries, please contact:Anna Termulo Montances anna@ theshinehopecompany.com 734-355-6716SOURCE: The Shine Hope Company
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Known for its high-caliber partnerships with Snoop Dogg, Good Charlotte, Champ Medici and Ledger Quest, Clay Nation plans to expand its branded Web3 domains into Web2 by applying with ICANN in the future.DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Leading Web3 domain names and digital identity providerUnstoppable Domains(UD) has partnered withClay Nation , a premier creative Web3 brand known for its captivating multidimensional clay animations and on-chain collectibles, to launch .CLAY, its latest branded, community-focused Web3 domain."With the addition of .CLAY, Unstoppable continues its mission to offer passionate and enthusiastic Web3 communities a blockchain-native way to express their support and dedication to beloved projects," said Unstoppable Domains COO Sandy Carter. "The .CLAY domain is yet another example of Web3's transformational power, enabling a more accessible, equitable, and unified evolution of the digital arena." Clay Nation are characters who were brought to life in stop motion animation and re-homed on blockchain as Compressed Non-Fungible Tokens (cNFTs), with each creation being unique and designed to make people smile. All of these animations are one-of-a-kind, so once they are safely re-homed on the blockchain, the Clay Nation team creatively destroys the original models. Later, these short animations - "burns" - are distributed in varied and surprising ways.Clay Nation has also partnered with several prominent artists and projects, includingSnoop Doggand his son,Champ Medici ,Good Charlotte , andLedger Quest .Now, the newly launched .CLAY domains will enable fans of the project to build their digital Web3 passports that showcase their love and passion for Clay Nation. These domains don't only serve as unique usernames but also provide a suite of benefits and functionalities to enhance their holders' digital presence.CLAY domains can facilitate seamless crypto transactions, enabling users to effortlessly send and receive digital currencies without the need to remember long and cumbersome wallet addresses. With access to over 865+ integrations across various decentralized applications (dApps), wallets, and exchanges, the possibilities are endless.Apart from acting as a human-readable and easy-to-remember unified Web3 address, a .CLAY domain can become the foundation of a whole digital identity, uniquely tailored to reflect its holder's connection with Clay Nation. Meanwhile, project employees, customers, and ambassadors can use their branded domain to show their contribution."We are excited to offer Clay Nation' fans worldwide a brand new way to express their support for our project and ecosystem, taking communication and community building to a whole new level. Together with Unstoppable Domains, we will continue to reimagine this intersection of art and technology, uniting people in their passion for innovation and digital identities," said Lenna Onto, co-founder Claymates.Overall, a .CLAY domain is an empty canvas for self-expression, allowing people to build their profiles, showcase their creativity, and connect with like-minded individuals within the Clay Nation community, whether they are artists, collectors, or enthusiasts.In addition to the launch of .CLAY domains, Clay Nation also plans to apply for a legacy Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) withICANNwhen the next window of opportunity opens in 2026, further solidifying its place in the digital landscape and placing .CLAY alongside such iconic legacy addresses as .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, and others.This will be a part of UD's recently introduced new strategy to bring Web3 domains to the legacy Domain Name System by registering their Web2 equivalents with ICANN. Starting with a select number of Web3 domains initially, the company will continue to expand its offerings, allowing companies to explore a low-cost way to create a naming system.-end-Press Contactpress@ unstoppabledomains.com About Unstoppable DomainsLaunched in 2018, Unstoppable Domains is a Web3 domain name provider and digital identity platform working to onboard the world onto Web3. Unstoppable Domains offers Web3 domains minted on the blockchain that give people full ownership and control of their digital identity, with no renewal fees. With Unstoppable Domains, people can replace lengthy alphanumeric crypto wallet addresses with a human-readable name and log into and transact with more than 720 apps, wallets, exchanges and marketplaces. The company was named by Forbes as one of America's Best Startup Employers in 2022.For more information, please visit: https://unstoppabledomains.com/ SOURCE: Unstoppable Domains
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Annual pledge supports Red Cross response to nearly twice as many large disasters as a decade agoPITTSBURGH, PA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / The American Red Cross recognizes Wesco, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, for its pledge of $500,000 to the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). By donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief, Wesco helps ensure the organization can quickly respond to disasters big and small across the U.S. and help people in need at a moment's notice.ADGP members, along with their employees and customers, pledge financial and in-kind donations in advance of disasters to power the Red Cross with the infrastructure, volunteers, technology and resources to provide relief in times of crisis. These donations enable the Red Cross to respond to disasters at a moment's notice - offering a safe place to sleep, a nutritious meal, emotional support and supplies to aid in recovery - while also helping prepare people and communities for future disasters.The Red Cross responds to more than 65,000 disasters across the country every year, providing comfort and hope in times of crisis. As rapidly intensifying storms, extreme heat, record floods and widespread wildfires continue to devastate communities across the country, donations from ADGP members are more important than ever to power Red Cross relief efforts for those who need it most."We are so grateful to Wesco for their generous commitment to our lifesaving mission," said Anne McKeough, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. "As families and communities struggle with more frequent and intense disasters, forward-thinking ADGP members like Wesco enable us to offer vital assistance and make a profound impact on those facing adversity." "Wesco's pledge to the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program is part of our ongoing commitment to support the communities where we live and work," said John Engel, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Wesco. "As a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions we recognize the critical role that resilient infrastructure and technology play in disaster response and recovery. We are honored to join other ADGP members in empowering the Red Cross to deliver its lifesaving mission." Donations from ADGP members also support basic needs for families affected by home fires - which comprise the bulk of Red Cross response efforts - and help ensure the Red Cross can continue offering disaster preparedness education nationwide.About WescoWesco International (NYSE:WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500 company with more than $22 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry's premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates nearly 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations. For more information visit Wesco.com About the American Red Cross:The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org , or follow us on social media.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Wesco International on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: Wesco InternationalWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/wesco-international Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Wesco International
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 15:02:16

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Company Lays Foundation for Growth with Hiring of New CEOTORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Wi2Wi Corporation today announced its audited consolidated financial results for the full year ending December 31, 2023. Year over year revenue was down slightly as the company laid the foundation for growth going forward through consolidating its operations as well as hiring a new CEO. In addition the company continued to serve top tier customers and won significant supplier and quality awards during the period.Key Financial HighlightsIn FY2023, Wi2Wi generated $6.3 million in revenue, versus $6.9 million the previous year. The company's strategic initiatives have fortified its customer base with significant top-tier additions and sustained partnerships highlighting Wi2Wi's commitment to delivering high-performance, reliable solutions across diverse sectors including Avionics, Military, Industrial and IoT. Wi2Wi's relentless customer focus during the year resulted in being honoured with the "Outstanding Supplier Recognition Award" by industry giant Collins Aerospace.Wi2Wi is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ted Clark as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2024. Mr. Clark brings a wealth of experience in the technology sector, with a proven track record of driving growth, optimizing operations, and leading companies to new heights. Under his leadership, Wi2Wi is poised to accelerate growth through a keen focus on driving top-line revenue, optimizing cash flow, and expanding its market footprint.Reflecting on the company's strategic direction, Mr. Clark stated, "Wi2Wi is at a pivotal juncture, and I am thrilled to lead the company through its next growth phase. We will focus on leveraging our core strengths, as well as exploring new market opportunities, and enhancing operational efficiencies to ensure sustainable growth and value creation for our stakeholders. With our strong foundation and the collective expertise of our team, I am confident in Wi2Wi's future success." As Wi2Wi embarks on this exciting new chapter, the company reaffirms its dedication to delivering outstanding products and services, fostering strong customer relationships, and achieving operational excellence. With a clear strategic vision and strong leadership, Wi2Wi is well-positioned to capture new opportunities and accelerate its growth trajectory.Full Year 2023 Financial Overview (Audited)(In thousands of U.S. dollars)Full Year 2023 Full Year 2022Revenue$ 6.343 $ 6,857Net income (loss)(1,325 ) (1,236 )Net cash provided by (used in) operations(56 ) (305 )Total assets7,085 9,003Cash on hand917 1,522Total current liabilities1,143 1,360Shareholders' equity3,977 5,280Q4 FY23 Financial Overview (In thousands of U.S. dollars)3 Months Ending December 31, 2023 3 Months Ending December 31, 2022Revenue$ 1,522 $ 1,684Income/Loss from Operations(312 ) (316 )Detailed and historical financial information is available here.Investor & Media ContactTed Clark, Chief Executive Office+1-469-545-3423 ted_c@ wi2wi.com About Wi2Wi CorporationWi2Wi enables customers to substantially reduce their wireless R&D expenses and time to market. Wi2Wi designs, manufactures, and markets deeply integrated, end-to-end wireless connectivity solutions as well as customizable, high-performance timing and frequency control devices. Wi2Wi provides real-time technical support throughout the entire product life cycle for customers across the Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Avionics, Space, Industrial, Medical, and Government sectors.Wi2Wi was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin where all manufacturing, design and engineering, and a laboratory for reliability and quality control are located. The branch office, located in Hyderabad, India is focused on developing end to end wireless connectivity subsystems and solutions.Wi2Wi has partnered with best-in-class global leaders in technology, manufacturing and sales. The company uses a global network of manufacturer's representatives to promote its products and services, and has partnered with world class distributors for the fulfillment of orders along with direct sales.Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including management's assessment of future plans and operations, and the timing thereof, that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with the ability to access sufficient capital, the impact of general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and overseas, industry conditions, stock market volatility. The Company's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits, including the amount of proceeds, that the Company will derive there from. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect the Company's operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR website ( www.sedar.com) . Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements and if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Furthermore, the forward- looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Wi2Wi Corporation
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-16 14:02:10

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Wishpond Technologies Ltd. (TSXV:WISH)(OTCQX:WPNDF) (the "Company" or "Wishpond"), a provider of marketing-focused online business solutions, today announced that it will be presenting at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2024 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 1:30PM (Local Time -PST). Ali Tajskandar, CEO of Wishpond, will be hosting the presentation and answering questions at the conclusion.To access the live presentation, please use the following information:Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2024Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2024Time: 4:30 PM Eastern Time (1:30 PM Pacific Time)Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3026/50167 If you would like to book 1x1 investor meetings with Wishpond, and to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2024, please make sure you are registered here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup 1x1 meetings will be scheduled and conducted in person at the conference venue: Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NVThe Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2024 website is available here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/ If you can't make the live presentation, all company presentations "webcasts" will be available directly on the conference event platform on this link under the tab "Agenda": https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/agenda News Compliments of AccesswireAbout Wishpond Technologies Ltd.Based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Wishpond is a provider of marketing-focused online business solutions. Wishpond is a leading provider of digital marketing solutions that empower entrepreneurs to achieve success online. The Company's Propel IQ platform offers an "all-in-one" marketing suite that provides companies with marketing, promotion, lead generation, ad management, referral marketing, sales conversion, and outbound sales automation capabilities on one integrated platform. Wishpond replaces disparate marketing solutions with an easy-to-use product, for a fraction of the cost. Wishpond serves over 4,000 customers who are primarily small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in a wide variety of industries. The Company has developed cutting-edge marketing technology solutions, including an AI powered website builder, an AI email automation tool, an AI Sales Agent and continues to add new AI enabled features and applications. The Company employs a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business model where most of the Company's revenue is subscription-based recurring revenue which provides excellent revenue predictability and cash flow visibility. Wishpond is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker "WISH", and on the OTCQX Best Market under the ticker "WPNDF". For further information, visit: www.wishpond.com About Planet MicroCapPlanet MicroCap is a global multimedia financial news, publishing and events company focused on news dissemination, providing information, data and analytics for the MicroCap investing community. We have cultivated an active and engaged audience of folks that are interested in learning about and to stay ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space.If you would like to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase, please register here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup Contact:Name: Pardeep SanghaPhone: 604-572-6392Email: investor@ wishpond.com SOURCE: Wishpond Technologies Ltd. via Planet MicroCap
In a bid to revolutionise trade facilitation and boost economic growth, the federal government on Tuesday unveiled the National Single Window Project.

Under this new structure, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) have been designated as the projects implementing agencies and financial managers, while the project Secretariat will find its home within the FIRS.

Speaking during the inauguration of the project, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, highlighted the projects alignment with President Bola Tinubus agenda of stimulating the economy through enhanced trade facilitation.

He emphasised the transformative potential of the National Single Window, describing it as a catalyst for achieving an annual GDP growth rate of 7 per cent.

According to Mr Adedeji, the project is not just a technological advancement, but it represents a gateway to a more connected, efficient, and transparent system by linking ports, government agencies, and key stakeholders.

He said the seamless ecosystem aims to save business time, create opportunities in education and healthcare, and enable small businesses to access global markets.

Mr Adedeji put the inefficiencies and costs plaguing Nigerian ports at an estimated annual loss of $4 billion.

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He said the project aims to tackle revenue leakage and facilitate effective trade, redirecting these lost resources towards societal development.

The FIRS chair said the move towards paperless trade alone is projected to bring an annual economic benefit of approximately $2.7 billion.

The heavy cost, delay and inefficiency at our port has been a constant burden. It is estimated that a staggering 4 billion USD annually is lost due to this inefficiency. By addressing revenue leakage prevention and facilitating effective trade, we will reclaim these lost resources and channel them towards the betterment of our society, he said.

He cited success stories from countries like Singapore, Korea, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia, which have all witnessed significant trade efficiency improvements after implementing similar initiatives. He also expressed Nigerias readiness to join these ranks and reap the rewards of a streamlined and digitised trade environment.

Tax Base

Beyond trade facilitation, the National Single Window is a powerful tool for expanding the tax base and capturing the informal e-commerce sector. By providing a unified digital platform for cargo clearance and logistics, the project aims to bring more businesses into the formal economy, ensuring fair contributions to national development.

Mr Adedeji explained the projects potential to optimise intra-Africa trade by linking Nigerias National Single Window with other African nations.

This move aims to position Nigeria as a leader in regional trade facilitation, fostering economic ties and creating new collaborative opportunities.

The lack of a comprehensive trade facilitation system in Nigeria has led to bottlenecks, corruption, and decreased revenue, he said, noting that the National Single Window represents a decisive response to these challenges.

Moreover, by linking national single windows with other African nations, we will expedite cargo movement and optimise intra-African trade; this repositions Nigeria as a leader in regional trade facilitation, fostering strong economic ties with our neighbour and creating new opportunities for the groups and collaboration.

The current international trade environment is complex, involving a disparate system and requiring an average of 40 documents per transaction. Nigerias lack of a comprehensive trade facilitation system has led to bottlenecks, corruption, poor delay, decreased revenue and a negative business environment. The national single window is a decisive response to these challenges. By improving trade facilitation, revenue generation, economic growth, transparency, security and streamlining process, we will transform Nigeria into a global trade powerhouse, Mr Adedeji said.

Central to the projects success is data harmonisation, enabling efficient capture, analysis, and reconciliation of regulatory trade documents.

This, Mr Adedeji explained, will lead to reduced clearance times, improved economic metrics, increased transparency, reduced trade costs, and boosted revenue.

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives has asked the leadership of the party to close ranks and set its sights on winning back the presidency.

The lawmakers said it is the birthright of the PDP to occupy the Presidential Villa and must be taken back in subsequent election

Leader of the caucus, Kingsley Chinda, stated this on Tuesday while briefing journalists after a meeting of the partys caucus at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The PDP was in control of the national government for 16 years  between 1999 and 2015, when it was defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Flanked by other members of the caucus, Mr Chinda, also the minority leader of the House, called for unconditional loyalty from the leadership of the PDP.

We call on our leaders, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, to continue to demonstrate unconditional loyalty to the party and ensure that the party is moved to abide or place where she enjoyed the position of the largest party in Africa and to take back the Aso Villa which is supposed to be our birthright, Mr Chinda said.

Crack in the PDP..

Mr Chinda, a political ally of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, is facing an open rebellion from some members of the caucus.

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A group of five PDP lawmakers led by Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member from Imo State, recently demanded the removal of the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum.

Mr Ugochinyere-led group is believed to be acting at the behest of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and is moving to break Mr Chindas hold on the minority caucus.

The group had, during a briefing last week, threatened to pull out of the PDP if Mr Damagum continued to stay on as the acting national chairman of the opposition party.

Mr Ugochinyere attended Tuesdays caucus meeting but left before the press briefing.

He had planned to hold another press conference after the meeting but later cancelled it.

We remain unitedChinda

Mr Chinda told journalists that the PDP caucus remains united with all issues sorted out.

He stated that the caucus will focus on its core function of serving as the watchdog on behalf of the people.

We have just concluded the third meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party Caucus in the 10th assembly, and we have resolved firstly to tell all of us and the world that the PDP caucus in the House of Representatives remains united, indivisible, committed and out to perform her duty as the watchdog on behalf of the Nigerian people, Mr Chinda said.

The opposition lawmakers also agreed to call on all party caucuses, the board of trustees, national executive committee and the national working committee of the party to embark on reconciliatory measures with the view to resolve all litigations that are pending and that have hindered the parties in any way whatsoever from having a substantive national chairman.

Caucus gives three-month ultimatum to FG to end insecurity

The caucus also issued a three-month ultimatum to the federal government to address general insecurity in the country.

Mr Chinda said if the federal government fails to address insecurity after the three-month ultimatum, the caucus would mobilise Nigerians to take their security into their own hands.

In the same vein, we x-rayed the security situation in our country, and we resolved that we can no longer take this situation where Nigeria is today almost tagged as one life, one-minute silence.

The government is therefore called upon to immediately take steps to ensure that the security situation in the country is normalised, and the caucus has also given a three-month ultimatum for the government to normalise the security situation in our country.

After three months, the caucus will take further steps to sensitise and Mobilise Nigerians to perhaps take their security into their hands, he said.

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State Commissioners of Women Affairs across the country are currently in Abuja for a two-day workshop on the domestication of the National Womens Economic Empowerment Policy (WEE).

The workshop, organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs, aims to provide guidelines for the domestication of the policy in states.

WEE was launched in 2023 with the aim to streamline all gender policies to address disparities faced by women in accessing financial benefits and opportunities in various sectors.

The initiatives seek to enhance gender equality, reduce poverty, and coordinate efforts among development partners to promote womens rights and empowerment in Nigeria. Also, the policy seeks to address Nigerias gender pay gap and womens empowerment.

One year after its launch, most states are yet to domesticate the policy in their states. Under the federal system, states have to domesticate federal government policies for it to take effect.

The workshop for the domestication of the policy is ongoing at the Abuja Continental with commissioners and policymakers on gender in attendance.

PREMIUM TIMES is on the ground to provide live updates from the event.

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10:30 a.m. The event has commenced with the recitation of the national anthem and pledge

The workshop is organised in collaboration with the development Research and Project Center (dRPC) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

The three facilitators are Umar Kawu, Moji Makanjuola and Musa Umar.

10:35 a.m. Mr Kawu commenced the workshop with brief introduction of some of the guests at the venue and establishment of protocols.

Moji Makanjuola, a journalist, highlighted the need for media visibility on gender inclusion and empowerment.

In her brief remarks, Ms Makanjuola emphasized the need for collaboration among all the major actors in the gender space.

She announced that organisers are optimistic that the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, is expected to be at the event. She subsequently invited Judith-Ann Walker of dRPC to deliver her remarks.

10:49am: The executive director of dRPC, Dr Judith Ann Walker, is speaking. She said the dRPC and NIPSS have worked together in partnerships for more two decades to address social issues which concern women and girls.

This partnership has produced 12 research materials, 17 high level meetings, and convened five policy dialogues with CSOs across the country.

She said this partnership led to the launch of the National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy in 2023 in collaboration with UNICEF.

She noted that the dRPC, along with NIPPS and the Ministry of Women Affairs, will partner to ensure the implementation of the WEE policy at all levels.

The organisation will be starting with a cohort of eight states, and in the coming months, another cohort will be selected and supported to domesticate the policy.

In her speech, the Director General of Maryam Babangida National Center for Women Development, Asabe Bashir, emphasized the need for the development of women and access to cheap credit.

Mrs Bashir was represented by Jumai Idonije, who delivered a prepared speech.

She stated that women empowerment is not just morally imperative but economically imperative.

11:03am: Mrs Bashir said Nigeria is the first African country to launch the Womens Economic Empowerment Policy (WEE) as a project.

She described the implementation of the WEE as an important initiative, noting that womens empowerment is necessary for societal development.

Women economic empowerment is not just a women issues, it is crucial for the overall development of the society and it is important to ensure that conversation around this is sustained, she said.

11:26am: The Minster of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, arrives at the event.

Grace Obi-Okpabi, deputy director (Economic Growth), Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, lamented the lack of inclusion of womens contributions to economic planning.

She said most time womens issues are looked at through the prism of handouts instead of their economic contributions.

She noted that women, who constitute 49 per cent of the population, should be adequately captured for national planning.

11:33am: The Minister of Women Affairs said her ministry is working with women across the country to change the narratives and stereotypes against women.

We have changed the narratives. Women have changed the narratives as well, she said.

There cannot be gender inclusion without the empowerment of women, the minister said.

She said her ministry has commenced the distribution of empowerment packages to 15 states across the country.

The minister also called for action instead of meetings and unending talks without results.

She stated that the ministry now has a portal for the registration of women. According to her, 283,000 members have registered.

She said some states have not helped in registration, but acknowledged some states including; Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Ebonyi, Katsina and Ebonyi.

Women community groups should be registered with the ministry. The link for registration is on the ministrys portal. Our money has been so diverted that we are killing ourselves and dying in hunger.

Ayo Omotayo, the DG of NIPSS, called for meaningful and engaging conversations on women inclusion.

He pledged the support of NIPSS in the implementation of policy at the federal and state levels.

Mr Omotayo said there is a need for policymakers to be practical.

He lamented the low enrollment of women into the NIPSS course. According to him, women have 18 slots for the 2024 course, however, they currently have nine women.

11:44am: Mr Omotayo said any nation that prioritises the empowerment of women is on the path of development.

He said the institute believes the WEE policy has the ability to transform the situation of women in the country, and allow for the inclusion of more women in the countrys policy and decision making process.

He said the institute is dedicated to ensuring the domestication of the policy at grassroots level where women are excluded more.

11:56am: The Minister of Women Affairs, Ms Uju, exits the event after addressing participants.

12:32am: Ini Adiakpan, the commissioner of Women Affairs in Akwa Ibom, said the country is wrongly structured and must be restructured.

She called on the federal government to allocate a quarter of the national budget solely for the women development.

Ms Adiakpan, who is also the Dean, Commissioner of Women Affairs, said policymakers must make policy that are gender friendly and targeted at accommodating women.

1:20pm:

Aniye Osemuda of the Ministry of Women Affairs, provided a break down of the frameworks policy.

He highlighted the principles, issues, and sectors addressed in the WEE policy.

Mr Aniye who is the Ministrys Assistant Chief Development Community Officer, said the WEE is based on five sectoral intervention pillars

that is focused on promoting gender equity and opportunities for women.

These 5 core pillars of the policy are; agriculture

entrepreneurship, traditional labour market, emerging industries, education and skill acquisition.

According to him, the capacity of women should be developed along the line of the core issues and supported to thrive in these sectors.

The first panel session is moderated by Plangsat Dayil, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Social Science at the University of Jos.

She was joined by Margaret Atseva and Ruth Agbo.

Reflecting on the implementation of the WEE policy, Mrs Agbo said women are very important, hence need for a policy to target women specifically.

Mr Agbo, who is from the Association of Women in Trade and Agricultural, said most of the intervention policies targeting women have no sustainable plan.

She stated that the inability of the government to present sustainable plans spurred her group to create an economic cooperative system to address the lack of access to credit.

Mrs Agbo said women are happy with the WEE policy and are anticipating the implementation of the policy.

We want to come out of the low self esteem, Mrs Agbo said while talking about need to empower women.

Mrs Atseva, who represented the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE), said there is a need to move beyond policy documents to the implementation stage.

She said dRPC has been training her group on project management at the sub-national level adding that there is a serious lack of awareness of the WEE policy.

Most women in states dont know about WEE, but we have started training them on how to access the intervention and to form cooperative societies, she said.

When asked about the need for sustainability of the WEE policy, Mrs Atseva said there is a need for awareness and enlightenment at the grassroots.

Mrs Agbo also echoed the need for enlightenment and education of the grassroots on government policies.

We can cascade the information to the grassroots, Mrs Agbo said. Women are dying in silence due to economic hardship.

2:29 p.m.

Mrs. Atseva stressed the importance of cooperative societies (thrifts) as tools for economic empowerment.

At this point, the moderator posed a question to the participants on the sustainability of the policy.

Olalekan Tella, a participant, said the WEE policy must not be left to states alone to implement but must trickle down to the local government level. He said state governments must set up monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure sustainability.

Shekinatu Bello said the government must leverage womens groups at the community level for the implementation of the WEE policy and other interventions. She called for smarter economic intervention through technology.

Jummai Idonije lamented the dearth of women development centres in the country, noting that governments at different levels converted some of the women development centres into offices and other uses.

In the rural communities, the husband would not allow their wives to go out. That is why we need to have women development centres to mobilise women to participate in economic empowerment, she said.

Contributing to the discourse, Ebi Emezue, a participant at the event, said agencies and organisations involved in domesticating the policy should put womens individual differences into consideration.

She pointed out that, women are not homogenous and it is not one size fits all.

Ms Emezue stated that their differences should be considered when planning for their empowerment using the WEE policy.

I started my business with N5,000, and through encouragement from friends and joining cooperative societies, I have grown that business, Mrs Atseva said in her closing remarks.

The second panel session is being moderated by Moji Makanjuola.

The session is themed: Women Pushing Through Pro-Women Policy Change.

Members of the panel include; the Akwa-Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs Ini Adiakpan, Ifenna Enyantu and Ebi Enezue.

In her remarks, Mrs Enyantu, a former Chairperson of the National Health Insurance Scheme, said the process that led to the development of the WEE policy was thorough.

She called for the decentralization of gender policy because Nigeria is several countries in one and needs differ across the country.

Mrs Enyantu urged commissioners to go back to their states to properly domesticate the policy down to the local governments and towns.

She said the process of domesticating would ensure ownership. According to her, without domestication, it remains a federal government policy.

Mrs Enyantu stressed the need for everyone to be involved and not leave policies to civil servants and MDAs.

We are not against men, we are your mums, Mrs Enyantu said in a very emotional tone.

The moderator said there is a need to inculcate PTSD into policy development, implementation and monitory.

She posed a question: Are we raising the bar?

Mrs Enezue raised concerns over the plight of women and children in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the North-east, asking what is Nigeria doing to address the condition of these women and children.

She stressed the need for evidence-driven policies to raise the bar in states.

We should conduct research in our stateswe dont need so much moneythe research should be on women needs, she said.

The moderator, Mrs Makanjuola, highlighted the lack of funding for women development by federal and state governments.

You cannot have development if you have half of your women left behind, Mrs Makanjuola said while lamenting the poor funding of the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Mrs Makanjuola told the Akwa-Ibom Commissioner about the demi-god nature of governors, where some commissioners cannot even talk to their governors.

Responding to the issue raised, Mrs Adiakpan explained that commissioners must seek proper ways of communicating with their governors.

She said commissioners can use platforms like WhatsApp to communicate with their governors.

Speaking on progress made by women, Mr Adiakpan said women must set an agenda and target for the next couple of years.

She emphasized the need for strategic response by women to achieve the targets set.

We need women to set the ladder and not pull It down, she said.

Shekinatu Bello talked about the plight of HIV patients in IDPs who are facing stigmatization.

Once you are HIV positive, you are either discarded to the bush or cover your face, she said.

Reacting to the cases of stigmatisation of HIV patients, the Akwa Ibom commissioner said there is a need for development partners to deploy more resources to those IDPs.

Mrs Makanjuola called for a local solution to the stigmatisation issue in the IDPs.

3:43 p.m.

To wrap up the panel session, the facilitator, Mrs Makanjuola, called for the inclusion of all women accross the country in the empowerment project.

She called for the creation of a level playing ground that allows for the involvement and accommodation of every citizen.

We should also do evidence-based planning which involves in-depth research, she said.

In his closing remarks, Musa Umar maintained that the deliberation on the WEE policy must be about solutions and nothing more.

End of Day One

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The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, 15 April 2024, arraigned a father-in-law, Alaba Alakija, and his daughter-in-law, Oyinkansola Alakija, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on an amended two-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy and using false documents.

One of the counts reads: Alaba Alakija and Oyinkansola Alakija, on or about the 6th day of August, 2015 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to financially benefit from the property located at No.10, Keffi Street, South-west, Ikoyi, Lagos, conspired amongst yourselves to use a false document titled: Vesting Deed by Dr. Omodele Alakija and Mr. Afolabi Alakija, the executors of the estate of the late Sir Ademola Alakija, purporting same to be made by Dr. Omodele Alakija and Mr. Afolabi Alakija.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were to them.

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, M. S. Owede, prayed the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendants at a correctional facility.

Counsel to the first defendant, M.O. Akangbe, SAN, informed the court of the bail application of his client, which he said he had filed and served on the prosecution. While praying to move the application, he urged the court to grant bail to his client in the most liberal terms.

However, counsel to the second defendant, Victor Giwa, prayed the court to move the bail application of his client orally. He told the court that he was informed about the matter late and that he came from outside the jurisdiction of the court.

Giwa further stated that his client, whom he described as a lawyer, has a two month-old baby, whom she still breastfeeds, and that she would not jump bail. However, in a dramatic twist, the second defendants husband debunked the claim and told the court that their baby is nine months old.

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After listening to both parties, Justice Dada granted bail to the first defendant in the sum of N10 million, with sureties in like sum, who must submit their international passports to the court.

The court, however, took possession of the passport of the second defendant.

Both defendants were released to their lawyers pending perfection of their bail conditions.

The judge adjourned the matter to May, 28 2024 for commencement of trial.

Dele Oyewale

Head, Media & Publicity

April 25, 2024

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a significant step towards bolstering security in the nations capital by distributing 100 motorcycles to security outfits and the six area councils in the territory.

Mr Wike performed the handover ceremony in Abuja on Monday.

Each of the six area councils received ten motorcycles, which will be allocated to their respective vigilante outfits.

The police got 30 motorcycles, while the State Security Services and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) received five each.

He expressed confidence that with the motorcycles, security will be further enhanced in the nations capital.

Warning

Mr Wike urged the recipients to utilise the vehicles effectively in combating crime, particularly in rural areas, which are often more vulnerable due to their remote and challenging terrains.

He also asked the security agencies to protect these exposed regions.

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The minister tasked the area council chairpersons with ensuring the motorcycles were distributed equitably to vigilante outfits within their respective jurisdictions.

He reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to provide logistical support for the recipients.

Mr Wike warned against misuse of motorcycles, stating that they must not be utilised for commercial purposes or be seen within urban areas, stressing their exclusive deployment in rural regions.

I dont want to hear stories tomorrow that these motorcycles will not be found again. I dont want to hear such stories because sometimes when you give out vehicles, before you know it, the vehicles are no longer there. Please utilise these motorcycles to fight crime in the areas you have identified.

So, I urge you to use it well and take it not for commercial purposes. I dont want to see the motorcycles in the city here. It should be used in the rural areas. So, please let it be taken to the rural areas. All the security outposts, you give it to them so that we dont continue to hear excuses that the terrain is so bad, they require this and that, he said.

Mr Wike pledged continued support from the FCT Administration to the area councils, just as he revealed plans for the presentation of patrol vehicles to security agencies to strengthen the fight against crime further.

He also assured the agencies of continuous assistance in the future.

He said, Now that you have been given, this may not be enough, and we will continue to provide more. For vehicles, we believe by the next two weeks, the vehicles would have been ready to give out to security agencies, too.

Area council chairpersons and heads of security agencies attended the event.

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Vice President Kashim Shettima led the nation in mourning of the late first civilian Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, describing him as a visionary leader and a man of exceptional intellect.

In his solemn tribute during a National Night of Tribute held in honour of the late elder statesman at the grand arena of the ThisDay Dome in Abuja on Monday night, VP Shettima hailed Mr Ezeife as a national colossus and a pillar of nationhood.

Represented by Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of The Vice President) and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Modibbo Umar, the vice president commended Mr Ezeifes exceptional journey, highlighting his rise from someone with no formal secondary education to a Ph.D. holder in Economics from Harvard.

While eulogising his statesmanship, Mr Shettima lauded Mr Ezeifes leadership qualities, both in the civil service and as Anambras first civilian governor.

He acknowledged Mr Ezeifes focus on long-term planning for sustainable growth, even if it meant prioritising future development over immediate needs.

Dr. Ezeife, fondly known as Okwadike, was a true giant among men, the vice president said, even as he recognised his unwavering advocacy for the Igbo people.

The VP credited Mr Ezeife with igniting a spirit of self-belief within the Igbo community and championing their development through political and socio-cultural efforts.

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He also described the late elder statesman as a man of exceptional intellect and wit, known for his profound quotes and insightful analysis, saying he was a mentor to many, and always willing to share his knowledge and inspire the next generation.

Mr Ezeifes life, the vice president noted, was a testament to the power of resilience and an unwavering belief in the potential of our great nation, adding that his legacy will be a beacon of hope, guiding us through the challenges that lie ahead.

Earlier, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, noted that it was with a sense of grief but dignity in his heart that he was paying tribute to Mr Ezeife, a man he said has done so much for Nigeria.

He was a chief advocate of a federal Nigeria to achieve unity and national cohesion. He advocated for effective governance at the grassroots, Mr Akpabio said.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Sylvester Okonkwo, the senate president said Mr Ezeife believed that constructive engagement and mutual respect were essential for national unity, stating that the late former governor of Anambra State was a bridge builder.

His ideas continue to influence decisions on how to structure Nigerias federal system. He prioritised education. We cannot forget him in a hurry. It is a personal loss. I send my condolences to his wife and members of his immediate family, Mr Akpabio added.

Dignitaries who also spoke at the National Night of Tributes included the senator representing the Imo North Senatorial District, Patrick Ndubueze; the senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Osita Izunaso; the member representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II at the House of Representatives, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, and member representing Njikoka/Dunukofia/Anaocha Federal Constituency, Ozodinobi Ibezimako.

Others were former Presidents of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara and Anyim Pius Anyim; former governors of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, Rochas Okorocha and Emeka Ihedioha; former governor of Ebonyi State, Sam Egwu; former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba; a representative of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; a representative of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, and former President/CEO of Transnational Corp of Nigeria, Valentine Ozigbo, among many others.

Stanley Nkwocha

Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications

(Office of The Vice President)

16th April, 2024

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Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) on Tuesday announced that twenty-one 33kV feeders have been added to its approved Band A feeders list.

The company disclosed this in a statement posted on its X handle.

Earlier in the month, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) ordered the immediate upward review of electricity tariffs from Wednesday, 3 April.

The NERC Vice Chairperson, Musiliu Oseni, who disclosed this while speaking at a press conference in Abuja, explained that the increase would affect only electricity customers in band A.

He noted that the increase would not affect Bands B, C, D and E while noting that the number of customers previously on Band A has been reduced.

Band A customers are offered an average daily electricity supply of 20 hours, although many complain they do not get up to that.

The official said the Band A consumers represent 15 per cent of the population but consume 40 per cent of the nations electricity.

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Accordingly, he said, power distribution companies (DisCos) will be allowed to raise electricity prices to N225 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour from N68.

In its statement on Tuesday, Eko Electricity said the additional feeders bring the total number to 75 feeders.

Dear Valued Customer, We are pleased to announce that twenty-one (21), 33kV feeders have been added to the approved Band A feeders list, thus bringing the total number to 75 feeders.

The migration of the additional feeders to the Band A service category is a testament to our consistent service performance compliance as we restate our commitment to continuous improved service delivery, it said.

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The Police in Edo State, South-south Nigeria, have arrested three kidnap suspects, including a woman, who allegedly faked her kidnap for N4.8 million.

In a statement posted on X on Monday, the police spokesperson in the state, Chidi Nwabuzor, said the arrest was executed through technical intelligence.

Mr Nwabuzor, a police superintendent, identified the woman as Blessing Ogunu, a staff of Bliss Legacy Limited in Benin City.

The other suspects are Esther Anthony and Ukpebor Joel.

During interrogation, Blessing Ogunu confessed that she masterminded the whole process of herself being kidnapped because her company refused to allocate land to a customer whom they had collected money from.

The suspects will soon be charged to court, Mr Nwabuzor said.

Cases of some Nigerians faking their kidnap apparently to collect ransom from their relatives have been on the rise in the country.

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The incident occurred within the same month (March) the police in Akwa Ibom State arrested a woman for faking her kidnap.

The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Waheed Ayilara, had told reporters in Uyo, the state capital that the woman arranged her own kidnap for N4 million ransom before she and her boyfriend were arrested.

The suspect, the police commissioner said, confessed to having conspired with her boyfriend and three others to fake her kidnap, to raise money from her aunty, who is based outside the country.

This newspaper, in August, reported how a 28-year-old man, Ezekiel Eseoghene, allegedly faked his kidnap to extort money from family members.

The suspect had also masterminded the kidnap of other members of his family in Odovie in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, this newspaper had reported.

PREMIUM TIMES, in 2020, had also reported how a female teenager in Lagos, South-south Nigeria, connived with her boyfriend to allegedly stage her kidnap for N30 million ransom.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign popular Instagram celebrity Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, for alleged abuse of naira.

Mr Okechukwu faces three charges filed by the EFCC on 4 April.

He is set to appear for arraignment before the trial judge, Kehinde Ogundare, of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Wednesday, Leadership newspaper reported.

EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who filed the charges, accused Mr Okechukwu of tampering with N500 notes during various social events.

The scheduled arraignment of the Instagram personality is coming days after the EFCC said many celebrities would soon be prosecuted for naira abuse.

The commission said this in a statement on Sunday, days after securing the conviction of popular crossdresser, Bobrisky, jailed for the same crime on Friday.

The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, sentenced Bobrisky to six months in jail without an option of fine for naira abuse.

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The judge, Abimbola Awogboro, imposed the sentence after the controversial crossdresser pleaded guilty to the alleged offences.

This followed his earlier arrest by the EFCC.

Vowing on Sunday that no one found culpable will be spared, the commission said it will not relent in its no-sacred-cow mode of operations, and the public should be wary of running afoul of laws against the crime.

Since the arrest of Bobrisky, whose real name is Idris Okunneye, earlier this month, many Nigerians on social media platforms have tagged the EFCC in various posts of video clips capturing apparently worse cases of naira abuse by other celebrities.

The EFCC acknowledged a surge in the sharing of old and new video clips of such naira abuse in the statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Sunday.

It said some celebrities, whose identitles it did not disclose, had been invited for investigations and made useful statements.

Charges against Cubana Chief Priest

Count 1 of the charge stated, that you, Okechukwu Pascal on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.

In count 2, it was alleged, that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.

The third count of the charge against the celebrity alleged that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.

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Lateef Sanni, a professor and Executive Director, Nigerian Stored Produce Research Institute (NSPR), says the country needs about 300 cold chain hubs (storage facilities) to reduce post-harvest losses to the barest minimum.

Mr Sanni said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, South-west Nigeria.

He said the country recorded about 40 per cent post-harvest losses yearly, and that all hands must be on deck to reverse this trend by investing in storage facilities and cold chain hubs across the country.

He said the country required nothing less than 300 cold chain hubs across the 774 local government areas.

He added that in each of the 774 local government areas, a minimum of 10 cold chain hubs was needed to reduce post-harvest losses.

He noted that currently, there were less than 10 cold chain hubs, which represented less than one per cent.

We have cold chain hubs in this country that people can take carrots and other food produce to and store till the next day with as little as N500.

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The cold chain value is also developing and coming up, we have close to 10 of them in this country now. There is one in Ekotutu, Mile 12 market, Lagos.

We have close to 10 cold hubs, but they just started, they are just about five to seven years in the country, he said.

At least 300 cold chain hubs needed

According to him the country needs nothing less than 300 cold chain hubs.

We have 774 local government areas in this country, and we need nothing less than 10 cold chain hubs in each local government of this country.

We have less than 10 that are just springing up and being supported by donor agencies and development partners from Germany and Switzerland.

I am calling on the private sector to take advantage of that opportunity and invest in these cold chain hubs to reduce our post-harvest losses.

That is my own drive now; my drive is private sector driven to reduce post-harvest losses from 40 per cent on our agricultural produce to the barest minimum, he said.

The executive director said NSPRI and its partners would convene the first Post Harvest Connects conference from 18 to 19 April in Abuja to address post-harvest losses.

He noted that there was a need for collaboration and partnership between the research institutions to address food insecurity in the country.

We thank Mr President that has put priority on storage, and we thank all our supervisors, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, and the private sector for joining us to be able to do this.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is a major sponsor and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Mr President wants this, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security wants this, and the executive secretary of Agricultural Research Council wishes for us to reduce post-harvest losses, he said.

National Assembly committed

According to him, the National Assembly, the chairmen of committees on agriculture and agricultural institutions are passionate about the need to reduce post-harvest losses.

The onus lies with the Executive Director to think through and interact with development partners, and they said yes, lets test run it, lets come together and work together.

We need to articulate everything and now see which one of those programmes we can scale up.

It is when we want to scale-up that we will talk to our ministers, government to link us to the banks and CBN to create more credit facilities for the private sector.

With their support they will be able to scale up these investments because this will enable them to reduce all our post-harvest problems in this country, he added. (NAN)

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The Kogi Scholarship Board (KSSB) has officially unveiled an online portal for Bursary Award registration for its students in tertiary institutions across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bursary award, tagged: Ododo Students Support 2024, is strictly for students of Kogi Statr origin currently enrolled in tertiary institutions nationwide.

Addressing journalists in Lokoja, the state capital, on Monday, the Executive Chairman of KSSB, Afolabi Joseph-Raji, urged eligible candidates to register at https://forms.gle/2CrxL7WkRgvGeacw9 or visit https://scholarshipboard.kogistate.gov.ng

He noted that the online pre-qualification registration for the bursary award had started on 13 April but was officially unveiled today, April 15, and is to close on 30 April.

While demonstrating the online application process, Mr Joseph-Raji, assured the people that the registration remained free, seamless and transparent, adding that thousands of students had already applied.

He said the bursary award was part of the benevolence of Governor Ododo to cushion the hardship faced by students and lessen the burden on parents at this critical time of economic hardships.

The board is going all out as directed by the governor to ensure accurate data of students to help us plan and create annual budget for bursary payments, he said.

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He, therefore, urged the students to take advantage of the online pre-qualification process to get themselves registered.

Bursary award part of 10-year education. plan

In his remarks, the states Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, said the reintroduction of the bursary award was part of the governors commitment to support students in achieving their dreams.

Mr Jones said the scholarship award was part of the states 10 years Education Development Strategic Plan launched in 2020, and commenced from 2021 to 2030.

We are working by the 10 -year Education Development Strategic Plan, because we have a governor that is always ready to match his words with action.

In Kogi, we have planned very well and we are funding education adequately in order to drive poverty out of our state, he said.

The commissioner encouraged the eligible students to ensure massive enrollment for the exercise.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the governor on Youth and Students Matters, Oladele John-Nihi, commended the board for the innovation and for ensuring a transparent process.

Mr John-Nihi urged the students to take advantage of the rare opportunity and ensure they enrolled massively within the time frame.

The President of National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS), Jeremiah Elukpo, thanked the governor for the gesture and for prioritising students welfare in the state.

(NAN)

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The past week was eventful in Nigerias South-east, where sad and joyous events and others in-between grabbed the headlines.

The top stories included the news of the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, in a boat accident alongside four others, the fallout of the sad incident, and that of the wedding of the university lecturer who proposed to his student in the classroom,

It was the second week of April 2024.

Here are the highlights of the top stories that made headlines in the region within the period.

Police arrest hotelier over alleged torture of employee to death

The week began with an announcement by the police in Imo State on Sunday that they had arrested a hotelier over the death of an employee of his hotel.

The suspect, Ibeh Obasi, 38, owns the hotel, Our Guest House, in the Umulogho community in the Obowo Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Obasi was said to have been arrested in connection to the death of the 25-year-old victim, Ebuka Udemba, who allegedly suffocated to death after he was tortured and locked up in the hotels generator house for alleged stealing of a customers phone.

The suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Owerri for consolidation of the ongoing investigation, according to the police.

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Police probe murder of another lawyer in Imo

The police in Imo State, last Tuesday, announced that they had begun an investigation into the murder of a lawyer, Garricks Anyanwu, who was killed by assailants a week earlier.

Mr Anyawu was killed in his hometown of Orodo in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state by some suspected assassins.

His decomposing body was later discovered in a bush on 5 April.

The killing is a painful reminder that the insecurity in the South-east is yet to slow down.

Security agencies destroy criminal camps, defuse bombs  Official

The frequent destruction of criminal camps in the South-east by security agencies continued on Friday in Anambra state when combined security agencies raided some terrorist camps in a forest located in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, who announced this in a statement on Wednesday, said Amiyi and Ochuche communities within the council area were combed by the combined security team during a search for the suspected terrorists in the state.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said apart from the destroyed camps, nine improvised explosive devices were recovered from the camps and defused by the police bomb squad during the operation.

The fact that new criminal camps continue to spring up despite frequent raids and destructions by security agencies suggests that the suspected terrorists operating in the region may have developed skills to rebuild destroyed camps and manufacture explosive devices.

Junior Pope, four others die in boat mishap in Anambra River

It was a tragic day last Wednesday when Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, and four other actors drowned after their boat capsized in Anam River in Anambra State on Wednesday while returning from a movie shoot.

There was initial excitement on Wednesday night following reports that the 39-year-old was later resuscitated after initially being reported dead.

But the joy was short-lived after the actor was later confirmed dead, hours after.

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) had earlier said 12 individuals were on the ill-fated boat.

Of the number, NIWA added that seven were successfully rescued, two found dead, including Mr Odonwodo while three others  two females and one male  were declared missing.

But the police in Anambra State, Friday, said they had recovered bodies of the three missing Nollywood stars.

Adanma Luke, producer of the ill-fated movie would later blame Junior Popes death on his refusal to wear a lifejacket during the boat trip.

Meanwhile, there were speculations from Mr Odonwodos fans shortly after his death became public that some of his jealous Nollywood colleagues might have played a role in his death.

Some supporters of the deceased actor, for instance, claimed that some Nollywood colleagues took him to a mortuary after his rescue instead of seeking medical attention for him.

The police, in response, said they had begun an investigation to unravel any criminal liability in the cause of death of Mr Odonwodo and four others.

The boat accident, which claimed a total of five lives, including Junior Pope, threw nearly the whole country in mourning mood.

Enugu community resorts to invoking deities against pro-Biafra attacks, killings

On Thursday, we brought you an exclusive report about a community in Enugu State that resorted to invoking deities to stop frequent attacks and killings by pro-Biafra gunmen in the area.

The community, Enugu-Ezike, which is in the Igboeze-North Local Government Area of the Nigerian South-eastern state, had been witnessing frequent attacks and killings by the pro-Biafra gunmen.

Multiple sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the community invoked the deities following the alleged inability of the security agencies to stop the attacks in the area.

Months after the deities were invoked, the attacks and killings in the community have slowed down in the community, residents told this newspaper.

Although a security expert said the resort to deities for help by the community was not new, the development highlights the inability of Nigerian authorities to secure the country.

Ogbonnoya Onus death

It was a sad day last Thursday, when the first civilian governor of Abia State, Ogbonnaya Onu, was confirmed dead.

Mr Onu, who was the minister of science and technology in the Muhammadu Buhari administration, died in an Abuja hospital.

He hailed from Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, South-east Nigeria.

Although the former ministers death took place in Abuja and was also considered a national loss, residents and leaders of the South-east heavily mourned him.

The governors of Abia and Imo states and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, for instance, were among top South-east leaders who expressed sadness over the loss of the former minister.

Nigerian lecturer weds student he openly proposed to in classroom

On Friday, we reported that the Nigerian lecturer who proposed to his female student in a classroom during the last Valentines Day has finally married her.

The new couple held their church wedding on 6 April at Saint Pauls Anglican Church in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State.

The lecturer, Wisdom Anucha, and his new wife, Novella Grace, proceeded immediately to Ngwa High School, Aba, for their wedding reception.

READ ALSO: Police speak on reported burial of Junior Pope by riverside

The new couple had their traditional marriage a week earlier.

Some Nigerians criticised the lecturer for proposing to the students in the classroom.

However, the management of the university and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at the institution, in their separate reactions, argued that the lecturer did not violate any university law or ethical principle by his action.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has identified complete overhaul of institutional mentality and memory of police officers as fundamental in his administrations ongoing bid to transform the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) into a modern, professional and accountable institution.

This, he said, explains why since coming on board last year, his administration has initiated wide-ranging reforms to revitalise the force.

The president who spoke on Monday night during the maiden edition of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations ceremony at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, stressed the need to engage men and women of the force in training and capacity-building to equip them with the expertise required to carry out the arduous task of modern policing.

President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, explained why the federal government approved the first week of April as police week and the last day of the week as National Police Day.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in our tradition of honouring the police force in the life of this great nation, we have approved the adoption of the first week of April as Police Week. Furthermore, the last day of the week, the 7th of April, is hereby declared National Police Day in Nigeria.

Tonight, I must remind you that we dont see you as just the shields of the nation. We dont see you as robots. This is why we are here. We are here to humanise you, he declared.

Delivering the presidents speech titled, Courage Under Fire: A Bouquet for Our Police Force, VP Shettima said at a time in Nigerias history when the nations security architecture is being stretched beyond elastic limits, the citizens have been able to endure in the face of security threats as well as attacks on their lives and livelihoods due to the commitment of the police.

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Your exemplary valour doesnt only represent the pinnacle of patriotism that binds us but also instils confidence that brighter days lie just beyond the horizon, President Tinubu added.

He noted that his administration had been unequivocal about its resolve to transform the Nigeria Police Force into a modern, professional, and accountable institution that mirrors the aspirations and values of the nation.

The president continued: Our idea of a modern police force goes beyond superficial changes like repainting office buildings and residences or simply procuring firearms. True reform of our security doctrine and its architecture necessitates recognising the importance of administering justice and adhering to our ethical values to foster stability and order in the nation.

The transformation we seek must transcend mere policy and infrastructure; it requires a fundamental overhaul of our institutional mentality and memory.

President Tinubu listed part of the comprehensive reforms by his administration to rejuvenate the police force to include investment in training and capacity-building.

He said this will ensure that police officers are equipped with the knowledge, skills, values, and expertise required to tackle the complex challenges of modern policing, assuring that the government will upgrade equipment and technology to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency of the force.

This includes acquiring fit-for-purpose equipment, weapons, ammunition, and armoured carriers to provide cover and protection for officers in combat situations. These endeavours will be supported by suitable measures to enhance the status of our officers and personnel both during their service and after retirement, he further stated.

In his goodwill message, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for recognising the hardwork, resilience and patriotism of the officers and men of the police force.

Expressing his delight and that of the National Assembly for celebrating the well-deserved officers of the force, the senate president said the decision to celebrate the nations unsung heroes will pave way for a new police force in the country.

The leadership of the police understands the role of police force in a democratic dispensation. I commend the Inspector General of Police and I commend the police officers for the work of sacrifice and for maintaining peace and order in our communities.

As we commend the good officers, let us weed out the bad ones among the police force, Mr Akpabio stated, adding that to whom much is given, much is expected.

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Egbetokun applauded President Tinubu for his support to the force, as well as his administration efforts in ensuring the nations security forces are up to thier game.

To the recipients of the awards and commendations, the IGP assured them that their dedication, courage and selflessness are truly inspiring, adding that their contributions to the force will be remembered for many years to come.

On his part, Chairman of the Police Service Commission and former IGP, Solomon Arase, advocated improved welfare package for men and women of the Nigeria Police Force, noting that enhanced wellbeing of the personnel would improve their overall performance in securing lives and property.

He commended the Tinubu administration for the support so far given to the police force, even as he pledged the cooperation of the Police Service Commission for the transformation of the force.

Those who also delivered goodwill messages were Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf; Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Gaidam; Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa; and former IGP Sunday Ehindero.

Other dignitaries present at the event include Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau; Minister of State, Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Abdulhamid Madori, and Chairman, House Committee on Police Affairs, Makki Yalleman.

Others are Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja; former IGP Mike Okiro; former IGP Baba Alkali, and the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, among others.

Stanley Nkwocha

Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications

(Office of The Vice President)

15th April, 2024

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Journalism and activism have contributed immeasurably to Nigerias political and social development, as well as the struggles for freedoms across the globe. A man who lived for both endeavours, leaving behind radiant, indelible marks of excellence in Nigeria and around the world, Rotimi Sankore, has died at 55.

It is with deep sorrow that I announce that we have lost one of Nigerias finest journalists and excellent all-round human, Rotimi Sankore, read a Facebook post by Kadaria Ahmed, chief executive officer of RadioNow 95.3FM, breaking the news of Mr Sankores passing on Saturday.

Rotimi loved Nigeria with a passion that allowed him to be honest about her problems and what needs to be done to solve them.

He was an expert data journalist, the best at what he does. He could analyse data like no one else I knew, using it to understand events but also project trajectories, especially avoidable ones.

Over the years, Rotimi spent time and energy trying to make sure those in government, policy makers and ordinary Nigerians understand what the numbers show, how they came about, what they mean and how they can help us understand what needs to be done.

His work was insightful and was significant and it is his legacy. His death is a big loss. We will miss him, the post read.

At death, Mr Sankore was the Executive Director/Editor-In-Chief, Africa Centre for Development Journalism (ACDJ). A development and policy expert, he was also a journalism trainer and human rights advocate.

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His ACDJ offers strategic communication support to organisations whose goals are to effect social, political and economic change in Africa. His work as a journalist cut across Africa and, indeed, indeed, the world.

He was, until recently, the Editorial Board Chair of Nigeria Info Radio Group, part of AIM Media Group with 13 stations in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Onitsha (incorporating Nigeria Info, WaZoBia, Cool FM and Arewa Radio Stations).

Some of his previous journalism, development and rights works have included his roles as the founding Editor-in-Chief of Africa Human & Social Development Information, which pioneered the use of data and statistics for journalism and policy advocacy during the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, (2000  2015); and as pioneer Editor in the mid to late 90s of the Belgium-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) website for African journalists reporting on public accountability, corruption, democracy and rights-related issues.

He was also an IFJ Africa Media and Journalism Development trainer, and researcher and publications Editor at UK-based Article 19 The Global Centre for Freedom of Expression.

As an executive committee member of the NUJ of UK & Ireland, and chair of its Black Members Council, Mr Sankore also worked for representation of journalists from minority communities and as an anti-racism advocate.

Born on 6 June, 1968 as Rotimi Johnson, he was the son of Jimi Johnson, a pioneer in Nigerias art and theatre industry, and one of the stars of the soap opera, The Village Headmaster.

A graduate of Communication and Language Arts, Mr Sankore was reputed to have an extraordinary breadth of networks and insights which became a huge resource to the students movement during his undergraduate days at the University of Ibadan (UI).

While playing an active role in the leadership of the students movement in UI, he was also a stringer for The Guardian newspaper in Lagos.

On graduation, he had early stints with The News and Tempo weekly magazines in Nigeria) in the early 90s, and Guardian newspapers (Nigeria), before going on to work or contribute to The Guardian UK, Global Index on Censorship, Mail & Guardian South Africa, the Global New African Magazine, The Journalist (UK), and New African Woman Magazine, amongst others.

He also worked as a broadcast journalist, hosting The Public Square, a flagship programme on Nigeria Info Radio, which focuses on democracy, development, governance and policy issues.

Mr Sankores global and Africa-wide development advocacy work includes consultancy and project lead on partnership projects with UNFPA, UNAIDS, WHO, Geneva-based Global Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Africa Development Bank and African Union Commission.

He was Secretary of the Africa Health, Human & Social Development Parliamentary Network, a network of Chairs of Parliamentary Committees of Health, Finance, Gender & Development issues that worked with UN agencies and regional bodies of ECOWAS (West Africa), EAC (East Africa), SADC (Southern Africa), UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union Commission to advance Heads of States & Ministers of Finance commitments on development policy and investment.

He also coordinated the Africa 15% Plus campaign on development and health financing, which was chaired by South African democracy and rights advocate, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Mr Sankore was a feminist/gender equality advocate, with focus on the role of equality and womens rights in sustainable development and democracy.

In the early 90s, he was a founding member of the Womens Rights Project (WRP) of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO). He was also a founding board member of Nigerias leading women rights organisation, Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre (WARDC).

He worked with the Southern Africa region women groups to develop the SADC Gender Protocol, and with African women organisations to advocate for Africa-wide ratification of the African Union Protocol for Rights of Women in Africa.

Mr Sankore passed on at 55 after a spirited battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife and a daughter.

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The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) to reconcile the N45 billion unremitted operating surplus recorded from 2007 to 2021.

The chairperson of the committee, Bamidele Salam, gave the directive on Tuesday in Abuja, during the committees public hearing on leakages of government revenue.

The FRC had brought the case against the SEC before the committee for not responding to its report issued in 2022, where N45.013 computed liability in unremitted funds was recorded against the SEC.

We have written SEC on 20 December 2022 intimating the commission of our computed liability for the period 2007 to 2021 and the said liability amounted to N45,013,010,229 only.

Up till now, we have not received any response from them, so as far as we are concerned, they have accepted the liability and that is what we have recorded against the commission, Mr Bello Aliyu, a representative of FRC, told the committee.

He added that between the period and now, the SEC had not made any attempt to reconcile the figure as contained in the report.

Mr Aliyu said by law, the balance of any operating surplus should be paid into the consolidated revenue fund of the federal government in less than one month of the statutory deadline of publishing any corporation account.

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SEC responds

But, Lamido Yuguda, the Director General, SEC, while reacting to the allegation, said that the commission had reconciled its operating surplus with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).

I think if the FRC had actually done a little more work, they would have really seen from the OAGF all the efforts that we have made to reconcile the surplus figure from 2007 when FRC came into being, Mr Yuguda told the committee.

In his comment, the committee chairman said the FRC was empowered by law to ensure that all agencies and government corporations listed in its enabling Act behave responsibly with regards to remittances and management of their revenues.

I dont know why the SEC is more comfortable with the Accountant General office and I dont want to insinuate anything, but I want to assure the FRC that from now on, all that will stop.

We are going to ensure that all agencies make the FRC the major body of government that should ensure compliance with the provision of the Act, Salam said.

(NAN)

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Over 1,680 children were abducted and about 180 killed in attacks on Nigerian schools by non-state actors in the last 10 years, the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has said.

UNICEFs Communication Specialist, Susan Akila, in a statement to commemorate the 10-year mass abduction of school girls at Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, Borno State, urged for action to secure childrens education in Nigeria.

The global agency lamented that 10 years after the first mass abduction of school children in Nigeria, attacks continued in at least 70 schools in 10 vulnerable states due to poor early warning systems in place to identify threats of abduction by non-state actors.

The analysis comes on the heels of disturbing reports of violence affecting schools, with brazen abductions of students on the rise.

In the last 10 years, conflict-related violence has led to more than 1,680 children abducted while at school and elsewhere; 180 children killed due to attacks on schools; an estimated 60 school staff kidnapped and 14 killed, and more than 70 attacks on schools, according to verified reports by the United Nations.

The threat of abduction of students is severely affecting childrens learning. As of 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school, and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks, according to Policy Weekly by Nextier, Ms Akila said.

UNICEF called for intensified efforts to protect the countrys most vulnerable populationits children, adding that a new UNICEF report shows that just 37 per cent of schools across 10 states have early warning systems in place to identify threats, such as school attacks.

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UNICEF released today the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools (MSSS) Monitoring Report, revealing a stark reality: the journey toward ensuring every Nigerian child can learn in a safe environment is far from over. Most notably, the report shows that just 37 per cent of schools across 10 states have early warning systems in place to identify threats, such as school attacks.

The kidnapping of the Chibok girls was a wake-up call to the severe risks our children face in their pursuit of education, Ms Akila quoted UNICEFs Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, saying.

Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our childrens futures must be amplified. Given these alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis. Education is a fundamental right and a crucial pathway out of poverty. Yet, for too many Nigerian children, it remains an unattainable dream, she added.

North-west states lag in school safety despite challenges

Ms Munduate said the analysis looked at six result areas  strong school system, violence against children, natural hazards, conflict, everyday hazards, and safe school infrastructure  and uncovered significant disparities in the implementation of safe school standards across Nigerian states.

Borno State, with a 70 per cent fulfilment of the standards, exemplifies a strong commitment to child safety amidst adversity. Yobe State also demonstrates promising progress. In contrast, Kaduna and Sokoto states lag significantly, with fulfilment rates at just 25 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively.

In addition to the finding on early warning systems and conflict, the report shows that while schools perform relatively well in terms of training school-based management committees on safety and responding to childrens well-being concerns, only 14 per cent of the participating schools across the 10 assessed states have functioning, safe, accessible infrastructure and just 36 per cent have school staff trained on natural hazards, UNICEF lamented.

What must be done to ensure school safety

UNICEF Nigeria urged the government, partners, and the international community to take decisive action to:

Ensure all schools across all states have the resources and tools to fully implement the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, focusing on the most vulnerable regions.

Address critical gaps in safe school infrastructure, preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts, and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.

Strengthen law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abductions.

Prioritise education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children.

Ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programmes and digital platforms like the Nigeria Learning Passport, Ms Akila said.

She said UNICEF is working with the government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environments. She said the agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state-costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 states.

UNICEF also provides school grants, safety kits, training, and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, she said.

As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose right to education has been compromised, let this sombre anniversary catalyze change. However, we must acknowledge the recent abductions, which underscore the persistent vulnerability of our schools.

To ensure that schools are safe havens, strong political will and proper implementation of safe school standards are essential. Together, we can restore trust between educational institutions and the communities they serve, ensuring schools are sanctuaries for learning and growth, Ms Munduate said.

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The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to identify and remove corrupt and bad officers in the force.

Mr Akpabio made the call at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations Ceremony held on Monday evening in Abuja.

He urged the force to find a lasting solution to issues involving corrupt officers and members of the public.

The ever-evolving landscape of crime and the increasing sophistication of criminal gangs pose significant obstacles. More so, as we honor the good officers, let us weed out the bad ones because a chain is as strong as its weakest link. It is crucial that we address these issues and work together to find solutions.

The police need the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, to overcome these challenges and build a stronger and more effective police force, he said.

Mr Akpabio congratulated the awardees and urged them to continue expressing commitment towards the development of the country.

I congratulate the awardees who have excelled in their respective fields of policing. Their dedication, bravery, and integrity have set them apart and made them deserving of this recognition. I commend each and every one of them for their outstanding performance and commitment to the service of our nation. I urge them to remember that to whom much is given, much is expected, he said.

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Full support

Mr Akpabio also pledged full support of the National Assembly for better policing in Nigeria.

He said his leadership will make legislative policies that will promote the welfare of policing.

As the leader of the National Assembly, I pledge our full cooperation and support for the better policing of Nigeria. We recognise the importance of a well-equipped and motivated police force in ensuring the security and well-being of our citizens.

ALSO READ: Tinubu declares 7 April national police day

We will continue to work tirelessly to provide the necessary legislative framework and resources to enable the police to carry out their duties effectively.

In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to the Inspector General of the Police Egbetokun, and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force for organising this prestigious event.

Let us use this occasion to celebrate the achievements of the Nigeria Police Force and to reiterate our commitment to working together for a safer and more secure Nigeria, the senate president said.

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The Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo says corruption remains the biggest threat to Nigerias security challenges.

Mr Tunji-Ojo said this at a meeting with the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Accompanied by top officials of the ministry and heads of paramilitary agencies, the minister said they were at the ICPC headquarters to seek collaborative ways of tackling crime.

In my view, with a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Interior and the ICPC, we can deter crime, Mr Tunji-Ojo said.

He said across the world, governments are steps ahead of criminals, adding that Nigeria could no longer afford to play catch-up in combating crime.

We need to collaborate and build the capacity of our personnel. That way we would be able to block loopholes within our administrative sphere.

The marriage between the ICPC and the Ministry of Interior has to do with the security of Nigerians, the minister said, after he emerged from a closed-door session with the ICPC chairman.

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He promised that the government would work tirelessly to provide safe schools for children across the country.

Terrorists often referred to as bandits have been relentless in mass abduction of schoolchildren in the northern part of Nigeria.

In March, bandits abducted 287 pupils at a public school in Kuriga in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The criminals demanded N1 billion ransom for the release of the children.

But it remains unclear if the government paid ransom before the children were released a couple of weeks after the incident.

The minister also highlighted the need to ramp up border security to address terrorism.

He expressed optimism over the partnership between the two institutions.

Corruption discourages investment  ICPC chair

The Chairman of the ICPC, Mr Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), promised to follow through with the commissions mandate of combating graft.

Mr Aliyu said the twin problems of insecurity and corruption are a hindrance to investment.

Tackling corruption will make our environment conducive for investments, said.

He said the government was determined to confront the problems and attract investments into the country.

The anti-graft agency boss said the brainstorming session with Mr Tunji-Ojo provided invaluable insights into how the two institutions can collaborate in the areas of crime prevMinister ention and investigation as well as prison decongestion by way of non-custodial sentence of convicts.

Messrs Tunji-Ojo and Aliyu in their separate remarks pledged to deploy technology in addressing the challenges.

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The United States House of Representatives has called upon the Nigerian and U.S. governments to ensure that the remaining Chibok girls kidnapped a decade ago are rescued and reunited with their families.

The House disclosed this in a document issued on 12 April following its 118th congress.

Recounting the tragic midnight event of 14 April 2014 when Boko Haram insurgents seized 276 girls from a boarding school in Chibok, Borno State, the congress urged the Nigerian government to redouble efforts to bring an end to spiralling armed conflicts ravaging northern Nigeria.

It further advised the government to provide assistance to the victims of the conflicts.

A few days after the insurgents abducted the girls from their dormitories, 57 of them brazenly jumped off the trucks conveying them into the terrorists enclave in Sambisa forest.

Amina Ali Nkeki who now studies journalism in a university in Adamawa State was the first to return home [with a girl child] in 2016. That same year, 22 others regained their freedom. Although one of them, Maryam Ali-Maiyanga, was found wandering around the forest, the other 21 were negotiated for.

Between 2017 and 2023, additional 104 have either escaped captivity or been rescued by the military, bringing the total of the girls that have made it home to 184, according to a compilation by Murtala Muhammed Foundation.

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Concerted efforts by parents of the girls and Nigerians later birthed mass awareness  #BringBackOurGirls, a social movement that reached more than 440,000,000 people around the world, according to U.S. House of Representative estimates.

Despite these efforts, more than 90 girls are still missing, although some of them have been reported dead by their colleagues who recounted their experiences after regaining freedom.

However, Nigerians, local and and international non-governmental organisations including foreign governments are demanding their safe return.

10 years after, U.S. House worried, makes six demands

As it marked 10 years without more than 90 Chibok girls, the congress lamented the spate of abductions targeting students, especially girls, and made six demands to the Nigerian and U.S. governments.

First, it called for the immediate release of all Boko Haram captives, especially the remaining Chibok girls and Leah Sharibu.

Miss Sharibu was one of more than 100 girls kidnapped from their school in Dapchi, Yobe State, in 2018. While the terrorists released other captives, they continued to hold Miss Sharibu because of her refusal to deny her Christian faith.

While extolling the survivors of violence in northern Nigeria for mustering courage to tell their stories at great personal risk, the enjoined the Nigerian government to cooperate with regional partners and the international community to defeat Boko Haram and other terror groups.

In its third demand, the congress also urged the Nigeria government to:

prioritise the recovery of women and girls who have been abducted and enslaved by Boko Haram. work to determine the whereabouts of the thousands of missing people in Nigeria and provide a full accounting of the number of missing girls; undertake concrete efforts to reduce the stigmatisation and marginalisation of those abducted by Boko Haram and provide counselling and support. to allow women and girls to be reunited with their families whenever appropriate and accept international assistance in a timely manner when offered.

In addition, the U.S. House said it encourages continued efforts by the U.S. Government to defeat Boko Haram and related terrorist groups through development and security partnerships with Nigeria and other regional partners.

The congress also called on the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Defence to rapidly implement the 5-year regional strategy required under Public Law 114266 to address the grievous threat posed by Boko Haram and other violent extremist organisations.

Lastly, it requests that the U.S. Department of State track and report the number of missing persons kidnapped by Boko Haram and include such information in its annual Trafficking in Persons Report.

From Islamic sect to terror group: Boko Harams reign in Nigeria

Boko Haram under the leadership of Mohammed Yusuf was founded in the early 2000s as an Islamic sect to propagate against western education.

Mr Yusuf created the group at a time fair access to economic opportunities was a concern to many Nigerians. His propagation of Islam and extreme preachings against non-Muslims gained him followership in north eastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe.

But Mr Yusuf was summarily executed in July 2009 after he was interrogated by police operatives. Hitherto, his group has become famous and notorious for their frequent confrontations with security forces.

After his death, Abubakar Shekau whom Mr Yusuf had confirmed as his lieutenant, took over leadership of the group and declared a holy war against Nigeria.

This is a message to President Goodluck Jonathan and all who represent the Christians, Mr Shekau had said in 2010. We are declaring a holy war! We will fight the Christians, because everyone knows what they have done to the Muslims!

Boko Harams reign of terror under Mr Shekau had claimed more than 300,000 lives by the end of 2020, according to a UN estimate.

On 19 May 2021, Shekau blew himself up during a battle between his group and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Sambisa forest.

Led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, ISWAP broke away from Boko Haram in 2016 over ideological differences and pledged loyalty to Islamic State. The latter group, according to analysts, diminished the influence of the former.

Mr al-Barnawi who was also the son of Boko Haram founder was killed in August 2021. He was aged 26.

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The Africa Centre at the United States Institute of Peace has invited Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State and nine other governors to a symposium on peace and security in Northern Nigeria.

The governors are from the North-west and North-central zones of the country, a statement on Tuesday by Ibrahim Kaula, chief press secretary to Mr Radda, said.

The other governors include Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).

Others are Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Mohammed Bago (Niger) and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau).

According to the spokesperson, the symposium, scheduled for 23 to 25 April in Washington, will explore the pressing security challenges in the region.

He said that the invitation was in recognition of the crucial role of state governors in mitigating security threats and fostering peace.

Mr Kaula said the symposium aims to enhance the capacity of the governors in conflict prevention and peacebuilding across Nigeria through dialogue and collaboration.

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The Africa Center seeks to empower governors to address the underlying causes of instability and strengthen peacebuilding initiatives at local and state levels.

He added that the northern governors and other participants will engage in panel discussions focusing on the drivers of insecurity and opportunities for stabilisation.

This, he said, is to deepen understanding of the complex security landscape, identify strategies to address the challenges, and explore opportunities for sustainable peace and development in the region.

Mr Kaula also said a special panel discussion will be held focusing on Strengthening Commercial Business and Two-Way Trade Between Nigeria and the US.

This is to explore collaborative efforts between the governors, Nigerian civic groups, private businesses, and the international community to attract investments, generate employment, and foster economic development.

Many states in the North-west and North-central regions of Nigeria are under attack by bandits who routinely raid villages and towns to steal cattle, loot food and kidnap residents for ransom. Some of the states have also witnessed the mass abduction of students from schools.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday, while receiving 23 students and staff of Federal University, Gusau in Zamfara State who were kidnapped in December but released on Sunday, said the federal government had secured the release of over 1,000 people kidnapped in Northern Nigeria within the last 10 months.

(NAN)

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The Nigerian government has announced a collaboration with the Partnership for the Eradication of Cancer in Africa (PECA), Inspire2live and Oncoinv on early cancer detection technology.

The National Institute for Cancer (NICRAT) disclosed Tuesday on its X handle after an official visit of PECA, Inspire2live and OncoinV to the Director General of the institute, Usman Aliyu.

The aim of the visit, according to NICRAT, is to create awareness on a new multi-cancer early detection protocol which was developed by Inspire2Lives partners from the Netherlands.

NICRAT noted that there was an agreement by the participants at the meeting to work out sustainable partnerships on cancer screening, advocacy for early detection, community sensitisation and the utilisation of technology to achieve a shared mission of combating cancer burden in Nigeria.

Collaboration

In his remarks, Mr Aliyu expressed the readiness of NICRAT to work closely with both local and international partners in the cancer space for the benefit of Nigerians.

He commended the partners for the initiative, which, according to him, will assist the institute in achieving its target of drastically reducing cancer burden in the country.

Mr Aliyu was said to have directed the immediate implementation of all agreements reached by the parties.

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Others in attendance were officials of Inspire2Live from the Netherlands led by its chairman, Peter Kapertein, and Oncoinv, the distributors of Oncoseek.

Cancer cases in Nigeria

Premium Times earlier reported that the DG NICRAT had outlined poor funding, the campaign against vaccination in some quarters, and the non-availability of oncology nurses as some of the challenges faced by the country in cancer management.

Mr Aliyu spoke at a one-day retreat organised for select journalists in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by NICRAT in collaboration with the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH).

He said many died of cancer in Nigeria but were unaware of the disease that caused their death, blaming the development on poor education and lack of adequate documentation of the patients.

Speaking on cancer cases in Nigeria, Mr Aliyu cited the recent report by the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), which he said quoted 120,000 new cancer cases with about 80,000 deaths in Nigeria in 2022 as the latest statistics.

He said the prevalent cancer cases for both sexes in the country are breast cancer (24.3 per cent), prostate (14.1 per cent), cervical (10.7 per cent), colorectal (6.4 per cent), and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL) (4.1 per cent).

Government initiatives

Mr Aliyu noted that there have been several programmes the government has initiated to see that the fight against cancer comes to the limelight.

He said the Cancer Health Fund (CHF) and Cancer Access Programme (CAP) are some of the initiatives introduced by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with NGOs targeted at improving cancer care in the country.

The government with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), in March, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance oncology care in the country.

Mr Pate said that the MoU would aid the procurement of oncology equipment for the management of cancer.

He noted that upgrading the equipment in the six cancer centres, located in six designated teaching hospitals in the six geo-political zones of the country, was an important milestone.

He added that it would bring an end to the tragic stories of thousands of Nigerians who struggle to get care for cancer.

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Buoyed by the dream planted in him at LAUTECH, Olayinka Ajao has remained grounded, always looking back to see how he can help those who might have been left behind while ensuring that the flame of the university keeps burning. Beyond other forms of support rendered over the years, he recently decided to up the ante, committing to the building of a Lecture Theatre for the use of the University.

In establishing Oyo State University of Technology in 1990, the founding fathers had a clear objective for it not to be just another university. Their desire was for a university that would produce self-reliant graduates who would lead the charge in the technological and industrial development of Nigeria, which was why they made it a University of Technology. In line with their objective, the university commenced its first academic session on 19 October 1990, with 436 candidates enrolled in the faculties of Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Engineering and Management Sciences, and Pure and Applied Sciences, while the College of Health Sciences was established a year later.

Following the separation of Osun State from Oyo State, the universitys name was changed to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, but the dream remained the same. The University has been consistently ranked high by national and international organisations, with The Times Higher Education rating LAUTECH as the 11th best university in Nigeria and the number one State University in Nigeria. LAUTECH, which now has 12 faculties, a post-graduate school, and other centres, with over 40,000 students currently enrolled across 52 departments, has produced thousands of graduates who have continued to live up to the dream of the founding fathers, becoming leading lights in the technological space in Nigeria.

One of those leading lights is Olayinka Ajao, who enrolled in the University shortly after it was founded to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He would, upon graduation, join the telecommunications industry, which was just beginning to take shape with the licensing of the first set of companies for GSM operations. In 2001, Ajao joined one of the leading telecommunications companies in Nigeria as a foundation member of Staff, starting a career that would eventually establish him as one of Nigerias seasoned telecommunications experts. He functioned in different capacities across the industry as a Network Systems Engineer, Technical Support Engineer, and RF Planning and Optimisation Engineer (Ericsson and Huawei Equipment), before he was appointed Head of Network Planning/Programme Management at Helios Towers Nigeria in 2008 till 2013 when he left to set up his company, Zyetechcom Integrated Services Nigeria Limited, which has grown to become a major player in the collocation section of telecommunications, with a network of tower-infrastructure to across the country.

With strength in diagnosing complex issues and conceptualising innovative solutions, Olayinka Ajao, over the last two decades, established his name in the industry for his proactive and creative approach to addressing diverse challenges within the realm of Radio Frequency Planning and Optimisation, receiving several awards for reducing congestion and drop calls on the network. He would further excel in the development of Towerco infrastructure, earning the CEO Outstanding Performance Award at Helios Towers for his role in growing the Towerco infrastructure of the company from 50 to 1000.

Following on the success he has made of Zyetechcom Integrated Services Nigeria Limited, Olayinka Ajao later expanded his line of business, venturing into agriculture with the establishment of Harvestmax Agro-Allied Nigeria Limited and a property company, Giggles Properties Limited in 2021, which he has grown into a major player in the real estate industry, with portfolio across multiple cities.

Olayinka Ajao is quick to tell those who ask that what has helped him on his journey is his passion for excellence, continuous learning, and a commitment to creating enduring value. Beyond his degree and certification in Engineering, as well as extensive training in different aspects of telecommunications, he has earned an MBA, as well as numerous certifications at home and abroad in Computer Engineering, Project Management, Leadership, etc., including one from Harvard Law School Programme on Negotiation.

Beyond business, Ajao has demonstrated a keen sense of compassion and passion for community service. This would lead him to set up the Jolade and Adeyi Foundation, which he says was inspired by his deep-rooted connection to his heritage and the philanthropic legacies of Mrs Jolade Mary Ajao and Mr Adeyi Suleiman. Through that organisation, he has empowered various individuals with limited economic means in Ogbomoso and other parts of Nigeria, rendering different forms of support to the underprivileged and aiding the enrolment of 50 high school students in Ogbomoso for this years Unified Tertiary Matriculation Board examination.

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Buoyed by the dream planted in him at LAUTECH, Olayinka Ajao has remained grounded, always looking back to see how he can help those who might have been left behind while ensuring that the flame of the university keeps burning. Beyond other forms of support rendered over the years, he recently decided to up the ante, committing to the building of a Lecture Theatre for the use of the University. This, he says, is his way of giving back to an institution that gave so much to him, laying the foundation for everything he has been able to accomplish. Future generations of students deserve a better learning environment than the one he had to better prepare them for the demands of the future, he says.

The LAUTECH community has been paying attention to the activities of Olayinka Ajao in its immediate environment and the country at large, hence the decision to confer on him the award of the honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology, D.Tech (honoris causa) at the 16th Convocation ceremonies of the university holding later this month. It is, no doubt, a recognition that is truly deserved and a tribute to a man who, propelled by the dream of the founding fathers of the university, has taken to town what he got from the gown and has made exceptional contributions to the growth of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria and development of the people and his community. Between him and LAUTECH, this is a fitting way of rekindling the flame that was lit in 1990.

Simbo Olorunfemi works for Hoofbeatdotcom, a Nigerian communications consultancy and publisher of Africa Enterprise. Twitter: @simboolorunfemi

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The overall objective is avoidance of international dictatorship, and tyrannical global governance with oligarchical tendencies that shaped unipolarism against collectivism. Such singular over-dominance of the world system does not envisage a shared future for mankind. The world that China envisages is an equal and orderly multipolar world, one in which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals. China advocates fairness and justice, true multilateralism, and advances democracy in international relations.

The international system has been indeed anarchic, geopolitical in orientation and divisive in structuration. The great war (First World War) was engendered due to European bellicosity and divisions in what informed the so-called mutual defence alliances, assassinations and absolute nationalism. The state system has become more individualistic as against the comity of nations with total commitment to collective interest and self-determination. This engendered the loss of lives between 1914 and 1918, due to such balkanisation of states borders, interest and lack of human unity. Prior to the outbreak of the great war, nations have been warring among themselves, such as the civil wars in Europe, colonial expansionism, imperialism, imperial conquest, and many more inhumane trails of dehumanisation, and a sheer exuberance of selfishness by powerful empires and leaders.

In an attempt to curtail such trend of isolationism and barbarism, more destructions were being assured, especially at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, where the Treaty of Versailles became a demon that reduced some states to emptiness and created hostilities, movements and ultimately the outbreak of the Second World War. The Versailles Treaty punished Germany presumably because it caused the Great War, it gravitated the May 4th Movement in China and created Hitlers resolve to invade Europe in what led to the World War II. By 1945, the entire Europe had become ruined and devastated due to divisions and destructions. The Harry Truman Doctrine, which engineered the American policy of containment, seeing the Soviet Union as the only threat to American ideological position, created yet another theatre for international distrust, Cold War and bipolarism. The West saw itself different from the East and expanded that lacuna with hate, propaganda and dangerous rivalry.

The collapse of the Soviet Union did not create an international system of justice, democratic global governance, freedom and equity, but rather ushered a more dictatorial global system with the United States emerging as the so-called international police, dictating to states what they should do and what they should not! The US had further divided the world, identified with some states as allies, partners and friends, while others were potential adversaries and some the Axis of Evil. Many states have become victims of American creation, such as the orphans of Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Ukraine and Palestine, among others. There are divisions in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. The world has been made not to be a better place for mankind due to such conspiracies, conflicts, terrorism and hostilities all-over. The most recent are the NATO military exercises and Bidens State of the Unions speech.

The Chinese peaceful diplomacy has come to alter the course of historical global turbulence and provide a framework contrary to the American model for the world to be a better place, and for humanity to be rescued. The head of state of the Peoples Republic of China, President Xi Jinping is intellectually and philosophically a modern leader who fits the Platonian description and prescription of leaders. Xi has initiated a variegated sets of initiatives that are beneficial to the Chinese people and the entire human race. When the West sponsored war in Ukraine, President Xi rather advocated for building a community with a shared future for mankind. This is a concept introduced by President Xi Jinping in 2013. It aims to foster a new type of international relations based on mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation. The concept emphasises the importance of building a harmonious and prosperous world through dialogue, consultation, and cooperation among countries, regardless of their size, strength, or stage of development. It is a vision of a world where all countries can develop and prosper together, and where there is peace, stability, and common development. It is based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

The overall objective is avoidance of international dictatorship, and tyrannical global governance with oligarchical tendencies that shaped unipolarism against collectivism. Such singular over-dominance of the world system does not envisage a shared future for mankind. The world that China envisages is an equal and orderly multipolar world, one in which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals. China advocates fairness and justice, true multilateralism, and advances democracy in international relations.

The initiative has come to be embraced by world leaders, continental, regional and sub-regional institutions for its significance and architectural design of a better world for mankind. The concept has been incorporated into Chinas foreign policy and promoted through various fora such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The concept, as it is, can be referred to as Xism, which is the grand philosophy and political thought of President Xi Jinping, especially in his words when he clearly noted that united or divided, peace or conflict, cooperation or confrontation? The rhetorical questions by President Xi have their answers as he puts them, peoples wish for a happy life is our goal, and peace, development and win-win cooperation are unstoppable trends of our times.

The glaring human suffering, conflicts and divisions have naturally thought us to pursue a different path, not one that is hitherto known for global dominance, interventionist foreign policy, divide and rule, but a path to international unity, cooperation and peace. The path to working collectively for a shared future for mankind.

The constructive path and the rationale behind building a community of a shared future for mankind is obviously an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity; the pathway is promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit; the guiding principle is to apply peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom; the common values of humanity, the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations; the strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative, and the platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

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The overall objective is avoidance of international dictatorship, and tyrannical global governance with oligarchical tendencies that shaped unipolarism against collectivism. Such singular over-dominance of the world system does not envisage a shared future for mankind. The world that China envisages is an equal and orderly multipolar world, one in which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals. China advocates fairness and justice, true multilateralism, and advances democracy in international relations. China strongly believes that all countries should jointly safeguard the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, jointly defend the universally recognised basic norms of international relations, and jointly participate in the reform of the global governance system. China has proposed the Three Global Initiatives, as well as Belt and Road initiative, and has engaged constructively in resolving hot spots such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Ukrainian crisis. These are Chinese solutions and Chinese wisdom to build an equal and orderly multipolar world.

Building a community with a shared future for mankind also envisages the cooption of developing economies into having the benefits of economic globalisation. It is also tantamount to building an inclusive international economic order, not by excluding the other states or organisations in the architecture. It is obvious that China champions an open, inclusive, balanced, and win-win economic globalisation. Chinas modernisation aims to increase investment in global development cooperation, and help developing countries improve their independent development capabilities through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The global community of a shared future is one that allows developing countries work together to make the pie of the global economy bigger and share it with fairness, so as to make development both adequate and balanced, and help people of all countries embark on a journey to modernisation.

In building a community of a shared future in China-Africa cooperation, it should be understood that such community is for all peoples, all countries of Africa and China and all individuals and groups, with our merging destinies interconnected through thick and thin, navigating towards greater harmony with an inclusive, clean and beautiful world that supports lasting peace, security and common prosperity.

Building a community with a shared future introduces a new approach to international relations, which is completely inimical to the zero-sum game where one benefits and others loose. The new approach provides an interlocking assembly of states with shared interests of peace and prosperity, general consensus and common expectations. The concept also provides new features of global governance which are: equity and justice, harmonious coexistence, diversity and mutual learning, coupled with unity and cooperation. A world community with a shared future upholds the virtue of international exchanges, where partnership is pursued by treating people equally and extensive consultation enhances mutual understanding. It upholds the principles of international security, where an enabling environment is created to foster fairness, justice, joint efforts and shared interests. It calls for promoting an open, innovative and inclusive development that benefits all. It advocates for inter-civilisational exchanges that promote harmony and respect for differences. It respects mother nature where all of us live, through building a green economy for development.

In building a community of a shared future in China-Africa cooperation, it should be understood that such community is for all peoples, all countries of Africa and China and all individuals and groups, with our merging destinies interconnected through thick and thin, navigating towards greater harmony with an inclusive, clean and beautiful world that supports lasting peace, security and common prosperity. This was evident in how China helped Africa during the Ebola pandemic and the COVID-19 period. China had dispatched health workers to Africa, COVID-19 jabs and kits in a greater quantity for Africas health infrastructure. China has been supporting the unity, sovereignty and development initiatives of African countries and works together as developing entities for mutual benefits and win-win cooperation.

Africa needs to exit the position of being a raw materials provider but to serve both as material provider and producer in the all-inclusive market for a shared future. It is apparent that all regions and continents of the world have been able to shift from the traditional mode of production to a modern or at least a semi-modern one, but Africa is still in the 17th Century mode. The community of a shared future provides Africa with the opportunities to navigate this traditional circle of production to learn and share experience with China for a prosperous continent that will fit in this great community. Technological breakthrough, through research and development and replication, should define Africas readiness to fit in this community. Export-led growth should be consolidated by African countries through massive industrialisation, with partnership and cooperation with China. The realisation of the above goals has to go with political feasibility and readiness to transform and fit in this community with a shared future.

Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa should boost its security architecture to deal with the rising challenges of banditry and kidnapping in the country, deal with agricultural modernisation to feed the rising population and food insecurity, deal with literacy of the population, massive corrupt practices and talent development, among others. Nigeria should uphold strongly the principles of collectivism towards Africa, as it adopted Afrocentrism in its foreign policy posture and championed the course of justice, fairness and inclusiveness. Africa looks up to Nigeria to lead, navigate and pilot the continents ship to development. Nigeria needs to pilot well by sharing experience and learning from Chinas path to modernisation and to jointly build a community of a shared future for mankind.

Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim is head of department, Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja, and director, Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research; Email: sherfboy@yahoo.com.

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The West African healthcare community has a major event to look forward to this April. Medlab West Africa, the regions leading medical laboratory trade event, returns to Lagos, Nigeria for its 2024 edition. Scheduled from 22nd to 24th April, 2024 at Landmark Centre, the event is set to feature a bustling exhibition show floor with local and international healthcare manufacturers showcasing the latest emerging technological advancements in equipment and innovative solutions.

Organised by Informa Markets, the leading global exhibitions organiser, Medlab West Africa is expected to convene over 3,500 healthcare professionals across the value chain and 150+ exhibitors representing 30 countries. This makes it the largest gathering of laboratory experts and stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, procurement specialists, dealers, and regulators.

The event will build on the successes of past editions to deliver an insightful and engaging experience for all attendees, fulfilling its purpose of aiding the transformation of the regions medical laboratory healthcare systems.

Beyond the show floor, Medlab West Africa will also feature six CPD-accredited conferences alongside other knowledge exchange sessions. These sessions will allow laboratory professionals to share successful practices in management, diagnostics, and tackling public health challenges. Organised in collaboration with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), the three-day congress promises to bring together a diverse spectrum of experts, professionals, and researchers across various fields.

The conference will have six distinct tracks happening across the three days:

1. Laboratory Management & Quality Conference Monday, 22nd April 2024

2. Haematology and Blood Transfusion Conference Monday, 22nd April 2024

3. Clinical Microbiology & Parasitology Conference  Tuesday, 23rd April 2024

4. Molecular Diagnostics Conference  Tuesday, 23rdApril 2024

5. Clinical Chemistry Conference  Wednesday, 24thApril 2024

6. Anatomical Pathology Conference  Wednesday, 24th April 2024

They will all serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and the presentation of cutting-edge developments in laboratory management. Attendees can anticipate an enriching environment for collaboration and networking, leaving them inspired and well-equipped to drive advancements in the field of medical laboratory science throughout West Africa.

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The conferences will also be chaired by established experts in the industry including:

1. Dr Donald I. Ofili  Director & Deputy Registrar, MLSCN Accreditation Service, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria & Chair, West Africa Regional Technical Working Group on Biosafety and Biosecurity

2. Air Commodore Edward Abayomi Akinwale  Associate Director Laboratory Quality Assurance, HIF Medical Research International/Ge in support of Emerging Infectious Disease Branch (EIDB),Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR).

3. Dr Akyala Ishaku  Director, Global Health and Infectious Diseases Centre, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

4. Dr Funmilola Aduke Mapayi  Medical Laboratory Director, Total Healthcare Diagnostics

5. Dr Elochukwu Adibo  National president of the Guild of Private Medical Laboratory Directors of Nigeria and MD/CEO of EL-Lab Medical Diagnostics and Research Centre

Medlab West Africa is a free to attend event for anyone involved in the medical laboratory sector in West Africa. Join 3500+ industry peers in a platform for knowledge exchange and the presentation of cutting-edge developments in laboratory management.

For more information, please visit medlab-westafrica.com

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The Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, has embarked on a strategic study tour of Ethiopia with a high-level delegation comprising key aides on agricultural matters, officials, professionals from the states Ministry of Agriculture and relevant agencies.

A statement by the spokesperson of the governor, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, said the purpose of the visit is to study Ethiopias National Wheat Production Initiative and engage in a comprehensive experience-sharing programme with that countrys top agricultural officials and experts with the aim of bringing home new ideas in the sector.

Wheat, being the second-largest grain globally in terms of production volume and acreage, holds critical importance in addressing food security challenges worldwide. Against this backdrop, Ethiopia has emerged as a key player in wheat production in Africa, demonstrating remarkable achievements in agricultural sustainability and productivity.

The visit aims to achieve key objectives, including on-the-field assessment of Ethiopias successful National Wheat Production Initiative and its benefits, facilitating knowledge exchange on wheat production systems and best practices. It will also explore ways of addressing challenges in sustainable wheat production, and enhancing collaboration between Ethiopia and Nigeria in adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Specific focus areas include understanding Ethiopias long-term plans for wheat production, assessing progress and challenges, exploring different production methods, and showcasing successful models like agricultural commercialisation and farmer production clusters.

During the four-day official visit, the Jigawa delegation will, among other important things, derive lessons on rain-fed and irrigated wheat production in various federating states of Ethiopia as well as successful sustainable wheat production models, such as agricultural commercialisation and farmer production clusters.

Jigawa is currently the foremost wheat producing state in Nigeria, significantly contributing to the nations agricultural sector and food security, and the study tour is expected to open opportunities for the state as well as achieve several critical outcomes that would help to enhance sustainable wheat production in the state.

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Mr Gumel said the visit underscores the commitment of Governor Namadis administration in the state to exploring innovative agricultural practices for enhancing food security and transforming the agricultural sector into a business venture for the largely agrarian population of the state.

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Udaipur: The 20th meeting of the Research Council of Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur, was convened under the chairmanship of Dr. Ajit Kumar Karnataka, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, at the Research Directorate on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Addressing the scientists on this occasion, Dr. Ajit Kumar Karnataka, the Chancellor of MPUAT, stated that our university is at the forefront of agricultural research. He highlighted the university's achievements in developing advanced new varieties of maize, groundnut, and opium along with 37 patented technologies. Moreover, scientists have received 14 individual awards and 2 national awards for their projects, and collaborations have been established with various institutions. He emphasized the importance of aligning research activities with the needs of society, including producers, marketers, and consumers.

Dr. Karnataka stressed the need for the university to focus on the development and valorization of specific agricultural products in its jurisdiction to enhance its reputation globally. Furthermore, he urged the dissemination of research findings through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and other groups to ensure their sustainable integration into society.

Dr. S.K. Sharma, Assistant Director (Human Resources) at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, emphasized the importance of addressing climate change, which affects not only other crops but also horticultural crops, fisheries, and poultry farming. He advocated for attention to temperature management and increasing carbon levels in the soil. He emphasized the need for special attention to water management and the adoption of integrated farming systems, including horticultural crops and mushroom cultivation.

Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Director of Horticulture, Government of India, New Delhi, highlighted the importance of addressing local vegetables' excellence centers and working on crop diversification to increase farmers' income. He stressed mechanization from sowing to value addition and suggested producing hybrid seeds on every farm to boost university revenue.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Arvind Verma, Director of Research, welcomed all participants and presented a report on the decisions taken at the previous meeting held on April 15, 2024. Regional Directors of Agricultural Research Centers, Directors of Agricultural Science Centers, Senior Scientists, and officials from the Rajasthan government's Department of Agriculture were present at the meeting.

The meeting concluded with the release of the status reports of Zone IV A and Zone IV B published by the Research Directorate.

Source :
GUANGZHOU, China, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At Phase 1 of the 135th China Import and Export Fair ("Canton Fair" or "the Fair") held from April 15 to 19, the hardware tools section buzzed with activity as over 2,800 exhibitors presented products that precisely targeted international market demands, demonstrating China's latest advancements in the hardware tools industry.

To meet consumers' growing demand for efficiency and convenience, Jiangsu Dongcheng Power Tools Co., Ltd. introduced its innovative DCK Cordless Brushless Rotary Hammers series at the Fair. Featuring advanced transmission and hammering systems along with mechanical impact and anti-leak solutions, these tools promise enhanced work efficiency and durability. For more information on this product line, visit https://goo.su/IFQZL.

Safety remains a paramount concern within the industry. Shandong Shenli Rigging Co.,Ltd showcased its G100 Double-Ring Buckle and G100 Master Link with Double Grabhook, among other products, providing reliable safety solutions across various sectors. The G100 Double-Ring Buckle utilizes comprehensive material and mechanics for superior surface hardness, ensuring tensile strength 1400Mpa, even under harsh conditions with an elongation at break of 12.5%. Discover more about these safety innovations by clicking https://goo.su/QCg9ef.

Moreover, intelligence of hardware tools is becoming a prevailing trend as evidenced by Wuhan Torch Optoelectronic Technology Co., Ltd.'s display of smart helmets, including Automatic Darkening Welding Helmets and True Color Auto Darkening Solar Welding Helmet(the Mask). For instance, the Mask incorporates innovative true color technology and comes with lenses of the highest optical clarity, achieving an expansive and crystal-clear view. Equipped with sophisticated auto-darkening lenses, premium dual-layer LCDs, optical coating filters, and adjustment knobs for delay and sensitivity, this product shields against 99% of harmful light and prevents splatter damage. Learn more about these smart protective gears at https://goo.su/ayRbUzK.

Hunan Rotake Tools Co., Ltd.'s latest High Torque Cordless Impact Wrenches also reflect this trend towards intelligent tool design using cutting-edge lithium-ion battery technology for powerful impact force combined with high torque design, offering powerful impact and high work efficiency. Equipped with intelligent work modes, the product can also automatically adjust torque and speed. For further details on Rotake's innovative offerings, please visit https://goo.su/oJ7I.

The Canton Fair continues to be a pivotal platform for unveiling groundbreaking developments in hardware tools inviting professionals worldwide to discover reliable work companions amidst its vast exhibition. Please register at https://invitation.cantonfair.org.cn/BuyerUser/RegisterUser?MediaType=16.

SOURCE Canton Fair
LAS VEGAS, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International Game Technology PLC ("IGT") (NYSE: IGT) and Acres 4.0, Acres Manufacturing Company, and John Acres ("Acres") announced today that effective April 16, 2024, they have reached an agreement to resolve all legal disputes between the two companies. Terms of the settlement have not been announced.

The resolution was reached in the United States District Court of Nevada, directed to United States patents that pertain to facilitating use of a financial transaction device in a cashless wagering system in a gaming system, and Nevada State Court directed to a breach of contract claims.

"IGT is pleased to reach a mutual agreement with Acres that resolves all disputes between us. This allows us to dedicate our collective resources where they are better served, driving continued innovation in the exciting and evolving cashless gaming space," said Nick Khin, IGT COO Gaming.

Adds John Acres, CEO of Acres, "We are thrilled to put this matter behind us and work cooperatively with IGT to build exciting new gambling experiences that can increase both player enjoyment and casino profits."

About Acres

Acres is a leading casino loyalty and technology expert and the creator of FoundationTM, the first-of-its- kind casino management platform. Foundation provides casinos with real-time data from slot machines and a direct interface to the credit meter on any slot machine. Acres was founded by John Acres, the inventor of casino systems technology. For more information on Acres and Foundation, visit acresmanufacturing.com.

About IGT

IGT (NYSE:IGT) is a global leader in gaming. We deliver entertaining and responsible gaming experiences for players across all channels and regulated segments, from Lotteries and Gaming Machines to Sports Betting and Digital. Leveraging a wealth of compelling content, substantial investment in innovation, player insights, operational expertise, and leading-edge technology, our solutions deliver unrivaled gaming experiences that engage players and drive growth. We have a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 jurisdictions around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has approximately 11,000 employees. For more information, please visit www.igt.com.

SOURCE Acres Manufacturing
Regional and Business Leaders from Air Products Will Also Highlight Clean Hydrogen's Critical Role in the Energy Transition

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products' (NYSE:APD) Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Seifi Ghasemi will deliver the keynote address at the 2024 Canadian Hydrogen Convention at 9:45 a.m. MT/11:45 a.m. ET on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Edmonton Convention Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Centered on "Generating a Cleaner Future with Hydrogen," Ghasemi's remarks will reflect Air Products' energy transition leadership, including more than 65 years of hydrogen expertise and the Company's megaprojects in execution in Canada and around the world to deliver clean hydrogen at scale.

"Clean hydrogen is key to decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial and heavy-duty transportation sectors of the economy and to meeting climate goals," said Ghasemi. "As the leading global hydrogen supplier, we have made a more than $15 billion commitment to clean energy projects around the world, including our landmark net-zero hydrogen energy complex in Edmonton."

Other regional and business leads from Air Products are also scheduled to speak at the third-annual Canadian Hydrogen Convention:

Rachel Smith , Air Products Canada's Vice President and General Manager, will deliver a presentation entitled, "Transforming Ambition into Action: Accelerating our Net-Zero Journey," at 10 a.m. MT / 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday , April 24 in Hall D of the Convention Centre.

, Air Products Canada's Vice President and General Manager, will deliver a presentation entitled, "Transforming Ambition into Action: Accelerating our Net-Zero Journey," at / , April 24 in Hall D of the Convention Centre. Alison Hawkins , Air Products' General Manager, Hydrogen for Mobility Americas, will host a technical session, "California Dreaming: AI-Enabled Learnings from Early Demonstration Hydrogen Refueling Stations," at 9:30 a.m. MT / 11:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday , April 24 in the Alberta Innovates Room of the Convention Centre.

Convention attendees are invited to stop by Air Products' booth #614 on the exhibit floor to learn more about Air Products' net-zero hydrogen energy complex in Edmonton and the company's hydrogen solutions for the industrial and mobility sectors.

Air Products Canada

Air Products Canada currently operates three hydrogen production facilities in Alberta, and a 55-kilometer hydrogen pipeline in the Alberta Industrial Heartland. The company also operates a hydrogen production facility, a 30-kilometer pipeline network and a liquefaction facility in Sarnia, Ontario.

Air Products is building a net-zero hydrogen energy complex in Edmonton using advanced process technology that enables the cost-effective capture of more than 90 percent of carbon emissions for permanent sequestration safely underground. The new complex also includes a world-scale hydrogen liquefaction facility to accelerate the use of hydrogen as an emission-free transportation fuel across western Canada. In addition, to avoid the indirect emissions associated with using grid electrical power, the project includes a 100 percent hydrogen-fueled power generation unit that has the capability to export clean power to Alberta's grid.

The complex will be integrated with neighboring Imperial Oil Limited's new renewable diesel facility. Imperial will produce renewable diesel from locally sourced non-petroleum feedstocks, using a process that produces a biogenic renewable off-gas (ROG) by-product. This ROG will be used as a feedstock within the Air Products hydrogen complex, displacing natural gas and further enhancing the overall carbon emissions profile. The combination of utilizing a renewable feedstock and power export more than offset any emissions not directly captured to produce hydrogen on a net-zero basis.

The net-zero facility also will be connected to Air Products' existing 55-kilometer hydrogen pipeline network in the Alberta Heartland to support refining and petrochemical customers in reducing the carbon intensity of their operations and products.

In addition, Air Products is building the first commercial-scale multi-modal hydrogen refueling station in Edmontonlocated near Air Products' net-zero hydrogen energy complexto serve heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles. The Company continues to progress development of a hydrogen fueling and transportation corridor in Alberta.

The Company has hands-on operating experience with over 250 hydrogen fueling station projects in 20 countries and the company's technologies are used in over 1.5 million fueling operations annually.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE:APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 80 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets. The Company has two growth pillars driven by sustainability. Air Products' base business provides essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food. The Company also develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world's largest clean hydrogen projects supporting the transition to low- and zero-carbon energy in the heavy-duty transportation and industrial sectors. Additionally, Air Products is the world leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment, and provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers globally.

The Company had fiscal 2023 sales of $12.6 billion from operations in approximately 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of about $60 billion. Approximately 23,000 passionate, talented and committed employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products' higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and reimagine what's possible to address the challenges facing customers, communities, and the world. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook or Instagram.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. While forward-looking statements are made in good faith and based on assumptions, expectations and projections that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors, including the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 and other factors disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

SOURCE Air Products
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allant Group LLC, a Customer Data Orchestration company, announces the addition of Speedeon life event data to its Audience Attribute Marketplace, giving Allant clients the ability to further improve their first-party data enrichment strategies.

Speedeon data gives Allant Audience Attribute Marketplace users access to best-in-class life event data, including pre-mover, new mover, prenatal, new baby, newly engaged, newly married, and newly single signals for more than 50 million individuals every year.

"We're thrilled to partner with Allant Group and integrate Speedeon's robust life event data offerings into the Allant Audience Attribute Marketplace, enhancing the depth and precision of audience targeting for our clients," says Lindsey Kaiser, Chief Product Officer for Speedeon. "This partnership marks a significant milestone in our commitment to empowering businesses with the most accurate and actionable audience insights available."

Allant's Audience Attribute Marketplace is the market's largest composed data set comprised of 2B+ audience members and 4400+ attributes, all easily accessible in one frictionless environment. As a subscription-based service, users only pay for what they need, further highlighting Allant's dedication to providing privacy-compliant cookieless solutions at incredible scale. This gives organizations the ability to build more sophisticated buyer personas, improve personalization accuracy, inform more compelling messaging, which drives more effective campaign strategies, all leading to better customer experiences.

Jay Blaker, Allant VP, Data Strategy & Partnerships, added "I am very excited to have Speedeon's life event data within our Audience Marketplace. Speedeon has always had a great reputation in our space, and for good reason. Their data quality is strong and they are in lock-step with Allant's approach to enriching insights and value to our customers' data."

For more information about how Allant Group enriches first-party data with third-party data to improve outcomes and provide in-depth representations of your ideal customers, please click here.

About Speedeon Data

Based in Cleveland, Ohio, and founded in 2008, Speedeon delivers advertisers the marketing data, insights and tools necessary to acquire and retain valuable customers. The company's flagship consumer intelligence platform, AudienceMaker, unlocks instantaneous access to audience insights, creation and cross-channel activation capabilities. Supported by a team of motivated, passionate, and forward-thinking marketers, strategists, and data scientists, Speedeon's solutions produce real clients results across verticals. To learn more about Speedeon and client success, visit http://speedeondata.com/.

About Allant Group

Allant's Customer Data Orchestration Platform accelerates profitable growth and reduces costs by revolutionizing the process of transforming data into customer insights with unparalleled flexibility and speed. By seamlessly integrating your customer data with the market's largest composed dataset, our platform empowers you to discover breakthrough customer insights that drive innovative business decisions and activities faster than you could ever imagine.

Allant Group, the premier provider of data enrichment and customer insights activation for all the moments that matter, is a privately held company headquartered in the Chicago area, serving clients across North America. For more information, visit our website at https://www.allantgroup.com.

Contact:

Linda Vetter

[email protected]

1-800-367-7311

SOURCE Allant Group
SINGAPORE, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allozymes, a leading innovator in enzyme discovery and engineering for the food and chemical industries, is announcing the establishment of its European subsidiary in Toulouse, France. This strategic move marks a significant expansion of Allozymes' global footprint and underscores its commitment to accelerating biotech advancements across the continent. This includes Allozymes' biosolutions for the specialty chemical industry such as producing sustainable cosmetic ingredients and Allozymes' biosolutions for the food industry for upcycling certain agricultural waste into sugar alternatives.

Photo by Allozymes. Source image by Remi Deligeon

"Europe is a powerhouse of innovation in the bioeconomy, and establishing a space here allows us to be closer to the heart of the action," says Peyman Salehian, CEO and co-founder of Allozymes. "This proximity will foster deeper relationships with European companies and researchers, enabling us to collaborate on groundbreaking projects. "We're also excited to welcome passionate individuals who share our vision for a greater tomorrow by combining our expertise with local talent."

The Toulouse subsidiary will house a state-of-the-art facility primarily be equipped for R&D and fermentation. Jean-Claude Dardelet, President of the Toulouse Metropole Development Agency and Vice-chairman of Toulouse Metropole said, "We are proud to have assisted Allozymes in establishing its presence in Toulouse. We are even prouder to have persuaded them to invest here. The tailored program we put together enabled them to meet some outstanding individuals and obtain the information that convinced their decision-makers and investors. There is no doubt that Allozymes' office in Toulouse will provide them with easier access to the innovative local environment in the field of industrial biotechnology, as well as to the European market, thanks to the partnerships fostered by the TWB (Toulouse White Biotechnology) consortium. Entities such as CRITT Bio-Industrie (a transfer structure for industrial biotechnologies and associated separation techniques) are also likely to support their industrial production processes in response to market needs."

Through this expansion, Allozymes aims to extend its enzyme platform, especially to the pharmaceutical industry. By discovering and engineering enzymes tailored for specific medical applications, Allozymes can revolutionize drug discovery and manufacturing such as mRNA medicine or biologics with minimal environmental impact, or customize enzymes that unlock novel treatment pathways for complex diseases.

The company's European subsidiary will also serve as a hub for collaboration and knowledge sharing, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of sustainability. "We believe that open collaboration is key to unlocking the full potential of the bioeconomy," says CTO and co-founder Akbar Vahidi. "We invite partners and researchers across Europe to join us in this exciting journey. Just as we've achieved major milestones at an accelerated pace in Singapore, we're confident of continuing that success in Europe."

Allozymes' expansion into Europe marks a significant step forward. The company's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability paves the way for a brighter future driven by the power of enzymes.

About Allozymes

Allozymes is a fast-growing biotechnology company that applies its proprietary ultra-high-throughput platform technology to rapidly develop novel enzymes and unlock the bioeconomy across sectors. Leveraging its platform technology, Allozymes aims to build the largest enzyme data library to address current and future needs of building robust biosolutions.

For more information, please visit Allozymes' website and also follow Allozymes on LinkedIn and X .

About the Toulouse Metropole Development Agency

The Toulouse Metropole Development Agency is a company created by Toulouse Metropole and the City of Toulouse with the aim of carrying out all policies or actions relating to promotion, territorial marketing, canvassing, and support to help develop the economic and tourist appeal of the Toulouse metropolitan area.

As part of the Development Agency, Invest In Toulouse supports French and international companies to facilitate and accelerate their establishment in the dynamic Toulouse region. The

Invest In Toulouse team offers a tailored tour of the existing ecosystem, identifying points of potential development, and assisting companies in setting up in the metropolis. This gives the company access to a cutting-edge economic ecosystem, enabling it to develop its project in the best possible way in Toulouse.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2382495/Allozymes_European_Subsidiary_Lead_Image.jpg
MADRID, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anyverse, a leading provider of synthetic data solutions, is proud to announce a technical collaboration with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (Sony), integrating Sony's Image Sensor Models into Anyverse's synthetic data platform. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing the development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), autonomous driving, and other autonomous technologies.

Sony IMX728 sensor simulation using an Anyverse Hyperspectral image as input. (Top) HDR on, (Bottom) HDR off.

Integrating Sony's Image Sensor Models into Anyverse's platform will revolutionize perception system design and validation cycles, allowing developers to evaluate sensor configurations and increase model performance before implementation. Leveraging Anyverse's hyperspectral rendering technology, the collaboration ensures the generation of highly accurate synthetic data and physically-based sensor simulation, now enhanced by Sony's Image Sensor Models.

"The collaboration with Sony Semiconductor Solutions represents a tremendous leap forward in addressing one of the most critical challenges in dataset creation - the perception domain gap," said Victor Gonzalez, CEO at Anyverse. "By bridging this gap through the combination of high-fidelity data and physical sensor simulation, we empower developers to create deep learning models that can effectively handle a wide spectrum of real-world scenarios."

The perception domain gap refers to the variance between the characteristics of the sensors utilized in data acquisition and those deployed in production systems. This variance can significantly impact the performance of deep learning models, hindering their ability to interpret data accurately. With Anyverse's platform enriched by Sony's Image Sensor Models, developers can now mitigate this challenge, ensuring seamless integration of new data into production systems.

This collaboration reduces the industry's reliance on real-world data collection, streamlining go-to-market timelines and minimizing costs associated with physical testing. Developers no longer need to deploy sensors on numerous vehicles/devices for testing purposes; instead, they can access high-quality data and sensor models through Anyverse's platform, expediting the system's evaluation process or expanding the perception model's coverage.

"The collaboration between Anyverse and Sony Semiconductor Solutions will provide an automotive-grade end-to-end spectral simulation pipeline to the ADAS perception system developers," said Tomoki Seita, General Manager, Automotive Business Division, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation. "Sony has prepared Image Sensor Models based on the internal architecture of the image sensors used in camera systems to achieve automotive-grade fidelity."

Through this technical collaboration, Anyverse and Sony reaffirm their commitment to driving innovation in autonomous systems and shaping the future of advanced perception. For more information, visit https://anyverse.ai/ and https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/ .

About Anyverse:

Anyverse SL. (formerly Next Limit) is a Spanish deep-tech company based in Madrid drawing upon 25 years of experience developing state-of-the-art technologies  an Oscar-winning company always at the forefront of innovative simulation solutions.

At present, Anyverse is a leading provider of synthetic data solutions, offering advanced tools and technologies to generate highly realistic datasets for training and validating AI models. Anyverse works with bluechip companies worldwide and offers unique data solutions to accelerate innovation in various industries, including automotive in-cabin monitoring, ADAS, autonomous driving, security, defense, inspection, and more.

Contact:

Carlos Luque

Marketing Manager

[email protected]

www.anyverse.ai

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2382720/Anyverse_Sony.jpg
HOUSTON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Apache Industrial, a leading provider of industrial and commercial contracting services including scaffolding, coatings, fireproofing, insulation, Allform, and abatement services has announced that James Craig has joined their organization as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He will lead all aspects of Apache's Finance functions including strategy development, business planning and analysis, accounting, reporting, internal audit, tax and treasury. Craig will succeed Janie Bucio, who has been Apache's CFO since 2018.

"Craig is an accomplished CFO and business executive who has worked across multiple industries and guided both public and private companies through dynamic environments and successful transformations over his 30+ year career," said Stephen Hillier, CEO of Apache Industrial. "James' breadth of experience in industrial services coupled with his leadership capabilities will be extremely valuable in helping Apache to deliver profitable growth and operate with the financial discipline to scale our business."

Apache Industrial Welcomes James Craig as Chief Financial Officer Post this

Craig most recently served as CEO of Industrial Specialty Services (ISS) where he drove significant growth and successfully executed a critical acquisition and integration. Prior to his role at ISS, Craig served as CFO of Electronic Transaction Consultants (ETC), Furmanite Worldwide and Axcess International. Craig's executive leadership experience also includes his time as CEO of Guardian Compliance/Seal Tech. He began his career as a Senior Accountant at Deloitte and progressed to Controller roles before stepping into executive leadership.

"I am excited by the opportunity to join such an innovative, forward-thinking company and play a meaningful role in charting the next chapter in Apache's growth story. There is tremendous growth potential in front of us, and I look forward to the journey ahead," said Craig.

"I want to express my gratitude to Janie for her contributions and leadership. I cannot overstate the tremendous value she has delivered while leading the finance, accounting, IT and HR teams over her 6-year tenure," said Hillier. "I truly appreciate her partnership over the last few years and her commitment to Apache."

About Apache Industrial:

Apache Industrial is a leading provider of industrial craft services and is recognized for delivering exceptional services and keeping people safe. Apache maintains offices, operating centers, and laydown yards in multiple locations across the United States and Canada. To learn more about Apache Industrial, visit www.apacheip.com

MEDIA CONTACT

Samantha Coker

[email protected]

SOURCE Apache Industrial
Ascendion, the first to receive the inaugural award, recognized for excellence in delivering innovative technology solutions and positive outcomes with software engineering.

Ally's Supplier Symposium enables relationships with minority-owned businesses.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascendion, a leading provider of AI-first software engineering services, received the Supplier Diversity: Innovation Award from Ally, a digital financial services company with the nation's largest all-digital bank (NYSE: ALLY). Ascendion was recognized for demonstrating excellence in delivering industry-leading innovative solutions, fostering a strong partnership, and driving positive outcomes through software engineering work for Ally.

The Innovation Award, given for the first time by Ally, is presented to the provider that best demonstrates excellence in industry-leading innovative solutions. Ascendion provides Ally a comprehensive suite of services, encompassing cloud enablement, application modernization, platform and data software engineering and advanced AI technologies.

Ascendion recognized by Ally for excellence in delivering innovative technology solutions with software engineering. Post this

"Ally's recognition underscores our belief that success in the digital economy demands the best ideas," said Karthik Krishnamurthy, CEO, Ascendion. "Ascendion is thrilled to work with Ally and bring our digital engineering expertise and perspectives to serve Ally's customers and communities while demonstrating our strong commitment to building a workforce for the future."

Ascendion was formally recognized during Ally's Supplier Symposium. The Symposium strengthens relationships with businesses and encourages the creation of economic value, mobility, and an inclusive future for all of Ally's partners.

"Ally is committed to advancing an inclusive and sustainable marketplace by creating and sustaining mutually beneficial partnerships with diverse suppliers," said John Sack, Chief Procurement Officer, Ally. "Ascendion delivers creative solutions and diverse perspectives bolstered with a value engineering approach that is helping Ally achieve our business goals."

About Ascendion

Ascendion is a leading provider of AI-first software engineering services. Our applied AI, software engineering, cloud, data, experience design, and talent transformation capabilities accelerate innovation for Global 2000 clients. Ascendion is headquartered in New Jersey. In addition to our remote/hybrid workforce, we have 30 offices across the U.S., India, and Mexico. We are committed to building technology powered by Generative AI with an inclusive workforce, service to our communities, and a vibrant culture. For more information, please go to www.ascendion.com.

About Ally Financial

Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation's largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to "Do It Right" and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves approximately 11 million customers through a full range of online banking services (including deposits, mortgage, and credit card products) and securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company also includes a robust corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies, as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. For more information, please visit www.ally.com.

For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures.

For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com.

SOURCE Ascendion
PORT ARTHUR, Texas, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA) is taking aggressive action to combat imports of shrimp from India that were made with forced labor and tainted by other labor abuses. On March 20, 2024, reports emerged regarding horrific labor conditions in India's shrimp industry, including forced and bonded labor, child labor, hazardous and sickening working conditions, excessive hours, pay below the minimum wage, withheld pay, forced overtime and unpaid overtime, and harassment and verbal abuse.

On Friday, April 12, 2024, ASPA filed an allegation with the U.S. government arguing that the government of India's failure to enforce its most basic labor laws provides a subsidy to Indian shrimp producers. ASPA asked the Department of Commerce to include the subsidy in the ongoing countervailing duty investigation that was launched in response to ASPA's petitions on unfairly traded shrimp imports filed in October of last year. On Monday, April 15, 2024, ASPA also filed a request with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ban imports of shrimp from India made with forced labor, as required under section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

"The brutal working conditions documented in India's shrimp industry are appalling," said Trey Pearson, President of ASPA. "These producers exploit the most vulnerable workers imaginable, and then export their artificially low-priced product to the United States, harming our own domestic shrimp harvesters and processors. ASPA will do everything we can to fight back against these abhorrent practices and defend American shrimp producers."

India accounts for 40 percent of U.S. shrimp imports, and shrimp imports from India reached 650 million pounds valued at $2.3 billion in 2023. Reports of widespread and severe violations of workers' rights in the Indian shrimp industry were released in March by the Corporate Accountability Lab, the Associated Press, and the Outlaw Ocean Project. Copies of the allegations ASPA filed with the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Customs and Border Protection seeking action against these imports are available on ASPA's website.

SOURCE American Shrimp Processors Association
HOUSTON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Auto Financial Group (AFG), one of the nation's leading sources of residual based financing and vehicle remarketing for financial institutions, announced results for Q1 2024 today.

In the first quarter of 2024, AFG signed three new credit unions to its Walk-Away Balloon Lending Program, Maine State Credit Union, MCT Credit Union and Texans Credit Union. The three credit unions represent combined assets of over $3 billion and a reach increase of more than 10 million consumers across two states.

In Q1 of 2024, AFG signed three new credit unions: Maine State Credit Union, MCT Credit Union and Texans Credit Union. Post this

"At Maine State Credit Union, we always seek ways to help our members. The recent increase in rates coupled with the high demand for vehicles made the AFG program something that we wanted to consider," said Stephen Wallace, President and CEO of Maine State Credit Union. "Cash flows for some are considerably tight, and a car or truck is an essential need in Maine for most people to get to work. This product allows us to provide another option for them to consider."

"A recent headline from Edmunds read 'Elevated Auto Loan Rates Hinder New- and Used-Car Shoppers in Q1 2024'. High rates coupled with increasing vehicle prices are the main obstacles for consumers looking to purchase a car this year. AFG's walk-away balloon lending program will help these financial institutions offer a more affordable, low payment vehicle financing option to their members while reducing their risk of negative equity," said Richard Epley, CEO of AFG.

Learn more about AFG's programs at https://www.autofinancialgroup.com/products/

About Auto Financial Group



Auto Financial Group (AFG), a Houston-based company, provides an online, residual based, walk-away vehicle financing product called AFG Balloon Lending, as well as vehicle leasing and vehicle remarketing to financial institutions across North America.

AFG's residual based financing solutions provide the advantages of lower payments, flexible terms, in the case of the balloon loan, actual ownership of the vehicle and several end-of-term options, including the option to surrender the vehicle and walk away in lieu of paying the final loan payment. The financial institution receives higher loan yields, a competitive residual based financing alternative, and AFG manages the entire end-of-term process.

The AFG Remarketing program is a proven solution for financial institutions that offers the greatest financial return to their clients by matching assets to the selling network with the greatest number of buyers.

For more information about AFG call toll free at 877-354-4234, or visit www.autofinancialgroup.com

SOURCE Auto Financial Group
NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global automotive differential gear market size is estimated to grow by USD 5321.44 mn from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.28% during the forecast period. The automotive industry has seen significant growth in SUV sales during the current decade. Factors such as compact and mini-SUVs, decreased costs, and enhanced comfort and safety have driven this trend. In 2021, SUVs accounted for approximately 45% of global vehicle sales, with Russia, the US, Canada, and China contributing 46%, 45%, 43%, and 42%, respectively. Europe also experienced an increase in SUV sales. Keywords: SUVs, braking system, response time, control, weight, size reduction, compact, efficient, performance, traction control, electrification, batteries, power electronics, gearbox, engine power.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automotive Differential Gear Market 2023-2027

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

Automotive Differential Gear Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.28% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 5321.44 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 3.84 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 64% Key countries US, China, Japan, India, and Germany Key companies profiled American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc., AmTech International, Bharat Gears Ltd., Circle Gear and Machine Company Inc., Dana Inc., Eaton Corp. Plc, FA.TA. Ricambi S.p.A., Gear Motions Inc., GKN Sinter Metals Engineering GmbH, Hitachi Ltd., Linamar Corp., Neapco Holdings LLC, NSK Ltd., Perfect Gears Pvt. Ltd., Polaris Inc., and Shandong Heavy Industry Group Co. Ltd.

Segment Overview

This automotive differential gear market report extensively covers market segmentation by Channel (Aftermarket, OEM) Vehicle Type (Passenger cars, Commercial vehicles) Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa)

Market segmentation by Channel

The Automotive Differential Gear Market encompasses various types of vehicles, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and off-road vehicles. Differential gears play a crucial role in these vehicles, ensuring optimal performance by distributing torque and speed equally between drive wheels for efficient power transfer. In braking, quick response time and control are essential, making differentials a vital component. Weight and size reduction are key considerations in today's market, with compact, lighter, and quieter differentials gaining popularity. Electronic control units, traction control systems, and slippage prevention are increasingly integrated into differentials for enhanced handling and high-speed curve management. Premium SUVs, Sedans, Heavy duty engines, and Heavy commercial vehicles benefit from advanced differentials, such as those used in autonomous vehicles and electrified powertrains. Electric vehicles, traction motors, electric motors, electric compressors, batteries, power electronics, and gearboxes all rely on efficient differentials for optimal performance. In summary, the Automotive Differential Gear Market caters to diverse vehicle applications, focusing on weight reduction, size optimization, and improved handling and traction control. Electrification and autonomous vehicle trends further drive the demand for advanced, efficient, and reliable differential gear systems.

Geography Overview

The APAC automotive industry's growth is driven by the demand for passenger cars, including Premium SUVs and Sedans, and commercial vehicles, such as Heavy duty engines powering Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Light Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Trucks, and Buses. The region's expanding construction and mining sectors further boost demand. In 2022, APAC accounted for the majority of global vehicle sales and production, with a significant increase in Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption. EVs utilize Traction Motors, Electric Motors, and Electric Compressors, powered by Batteries and advanced Power Electronics. The Gearbox, a crucial component, ensures efficient Engine power transmission. Passenger cars and trucks employ Front Wheel Drive and Rear Wheel Drive systems, while Locking Differentials and Torque Vectoring Differentials enhance Traction and control. Size reduction, weight savings, and improved performance are key benefits of compact, lighter, quieter, and efficient Differential Gear systems in Automotive Vehicles. Braking systems ensure optimal response time and control, enabling smooth turns on curves.

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The global automotive market experiences a threefold increase in electric vehicle (EV) demand. Factors such as emission norms, EV subsidies, and charging infrastructure expansion drive this trend. Manufacturers focus on advanced solutions like wheel hub motors, which are BLDC electric motors installed in wheels, to enhance EV range and performance. Key components including batteries, power electronics, traction motors, and gearboxes are integral to this development. Hub motors offer size reduction, weight savings, and improved efficiency for various vehicle types, including SUVs, sedans, heavy commercial vehicles, and buses.

The automotive differential gear market encompasses advanced transmission systems in premium vehicles, featuring multiple clutches, synchromesh gear sets, and lightweight materials. These developments improve drivability but increase cost and complexity, with liability-sharing models amplifying concerns over drivetrain vulnerability. Electronics and sensors in trucks, buses, and passenger vehicles facilitate effective cornering, traction control, and handling, while electrification and torque vectoring differentials enhance performance.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 - 2021) and forecast period(2023-2027)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

The Automotive Differential Gear Market encompasses various types of vehicles, including Premium SUVs, Sedans, Buses, and both Light and Heavy Commercial Vehicles. These vehicles may feature Heavy Duty Engines and rely on Heavy Trucks for transportation of goods. Electric Vehicles, too, are a growing segment, utilizing Traction Motors, Electric Motors, and Electric Compressors, all of which require Batteries and Power Electronics for optimal performance. Gearboxes are essential components in these vehicles, with Engine Power driving the rotation of shafts within the Epicyclic Train. Differentials, such as Locking Differentials and Torque Vectoring Differentials, ensure efficient power transfer between the wheels in various driving conditions. Front Wheel Drive and Rear Wheel Drive systems utilize these differentials, while the speed of the vehicle is determined by the number of gears engaged.

Market Research Overview

The Automotive Differential Gear Market encompasses the production, sale, and installation of vehicle components that facilitate power transmission to wheels while accommodating differences in wheel speed. Comprised of vehicles with heavy loads and those requiring high maneuverability, this market caters to a diverse range of applications. Heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, rely on robust differential gears for optimal performance on rough terrain. Conversely, passenger cars employ lighter, more efficient differentials to enhance fuel economy and handling. The market comprises various types of differentials, including open, limited-slip, and locking differentials. Additionally, vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers contribute to the market's growth through continuous innovation and technological advancements. The global Automotive Differential Gear Market is expected to grow significantly due to increasing vehicle production and sales, particularly in emerging economies.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global automotive filters market size is estimated to grow by USD 6013.54 mn from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 4.14% during the forecast period. APAC held the largest share of the global market in 2022, and the market in the region is estimated to witness an incremental growth of 58%.

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size (2023-2027) - Request a sample report To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automotive Filters Market 2023-2027

APAC is expected to play a pivotal role in propelling the global automotive filters market

Geographic Landscape:

The Automotive Filters Market in APAC is experiencing significant growth due to the high adoption of automobiles, particularly commercial vehicles in China, India, and South Korea. The market is dominated by China, with revenue generated from filtration media in heavy duty engines for heavy trucks, as well as those used in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). Filtration media technology includes Synthetic media, Electrostatic material, and Cellulose media. Heavy duty engines require filtration for EMI/EMC, while hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are addressed through Diesel particulate filters, Gasoline particulate filters, and Urea filters. Crankcase ventilation filters, non-replaceable filters, and aftermarket filters are also essential. Greenhouse emission standards drive the demand for advanced filter media technology, including novel materials like nanofibers and synthetic fibers. Engine efficiency, vehicle longevity, and emission regulations are key factors influencing the market. Particle filters, catalytic converters, and fuel efficiency are also critical considerations for the automobile sector, focusing on sustainability and fuel economy.

Research Analysis

The Automotive Filters Market encompasses a wide range of filtration media, including Synthetic media, Electrostatic material, and other advanced materials. These filters play a crucial role in Heavy Duty Engines powering Heavy Trucks, as well as in Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). EMI/EMC filters ensure Electromagnetic Compatibility, while Dryer cartridges, Electrostatic filters, Air filters, Oil filters, Fuel filters, and Coolant filters maintain engine efficiency and contribute to Vehicle longevity. With increasing Greenhouse emission standards for Passenger cars, Electric vehicles, and the Automobile sector as a whole, the demand for alternative fuels and filter technologies continues to grow. Novel filter materials, such as particle filters and Catalytic converters, enhance Fuel efficiency, promote Sustainability, and improve Fuel economy. Emission regulations continue to evolve, making the development of innovative filtration solutions essential for the industry.

Market Drivers

In the automotive sector, the shift towards road transportation for last-mile delivery, particularly in emerging economies like China and India, has significant implications for the filters market. Passenger cars, including electric vehicles (EVs), rely on alternative fuels, leading to a focus on engine efficiency and vehicle longevity. Emission regulations mandate the use of particle filters and catalytic converters, enhancing fuel efficiency and contributing to sustainability and improved fuel economy. Novel filter materials, such as nanofibers and synthetic fibers, are gaining popularity for their ability to address air pollution and protect human health. The filtration media market encompasses intake air filters, cabin air filters, engine air filters, diesel engine filters, and gasoline engine filters for various vehicle types, including sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, crossovers, and commercial vehicles like heavy-duty trucks and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Additionally, EMI/EMC filters and dryer cartridges are essential components for maintaining optimal vehicle performance. Hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), diesel particulate filters, and gasoline particulate filters are crucial filtration technologies addressing pollutants in the automobile industry.

Market Overview

The Automotive Filters Market plays a crucial role in the vehicle industry, particularly in ensuring the proper functioning of engines and cabin environments. This market encompasses various filter types, including air, cabin, fuel, and oil filters. Heavy duty vehicles and commercial fleets require specific filters, such as those made of carbon and activated carbon, to meet their unique needs. Diesel engines, in particular, necessitate the use of diesel fuel filters and diesel engine coolant filters. The market for automotive filters is expected to grow significantly due to increasing vehicle production and the rising demand for cleaner and more efficient engines. Additionally, the trend towards electric and hybrid vehicles is driving the development of new filter technologies. The market for automotive filters is a dynamic and evolving one, with key players including Mann+Hummel, Cummins Filtration, and Donaldson Company, among others.

To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
The sustainability data management platform, designed exclusively for hotels and travel, will introduce a digitized ESRS framework and double materiality feature to facilitate, simplify, and streamline legislative compliance, reducing time and costs.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BeCause, the Danish start-up transforming how the global hospitality, travel, and tourism industries manage their sustainability data, is gearing up to offer a new digital tool that helps global hotel chains meet their reporting and compliance obligations under the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Starting in the second half of 2024, hotels utilizing BeCause's enterprise solution will gain access to a digitized version of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), the first-ever mandatory and standardized sustainability framework for companies in Europe. With this solution, hotels can efficiently collect and create audit-ready reports on their sustainability data.

Current BeCause users will also be able to apply any existing data collected previously through the BeCause platform and automatically map it to ESRS. Similarly, any data collected for ESRS can then be reused for other purposes such as voluntary eco-certifications, eliminating costly, time-intensive, and redundant processes and multiple input of the same data, allowing hotels to re-direct their resources elsewhere.

"Instead of starting from scratch, hotels will be able to leverage the sustainability data they already have at hand and upcycle it to the ESRS framework for CSRD compliance purposes. This ability to reuse data is a hallmark of BeCause for a reason  not only does it significantly reduce workload and conserve resources, but it encourages transparency and eliminates double-accounting errors," explains BeCause co-founder and CEO Frederik Steensgaard. "By adding the ESRS framework to our platform, we are helping hotels minimize the risk of non-compliance penalties as well as reputational damage," he adds.

Simplifying Double Materiality for Hotels

Following the release of the ESRS framework on its platform, BeCause will also launch a new feature to help hotels address the complex issue of double materiality. This issue asks organizations to report on climate's direct and indirect effects on their business and how their activities affect the environment. The feature will consist of a digitized framework based on the guidelines released by the European Corporate Reporting Lab (EFRAG), enabling hotels to efficiently determine the material matters and information to be reported on.

With 1,100 data points under ESRS, creating this kind of list would typically require large hotels to work with an outside consultant, a process that would usually take months and require costly upfront investment. Once BeCause implements double materiality into its platform  the only one of its kind built exclusively for the hotel and tourism industries  hotels can easily see which of the data points are pertinent to their business and independently determine the material information on sustainability impacts, risks, and opportunities in just a few days.

Modernizing Sustainability Data Management

The BeCause platform is a modern approach to managing hotel sustainability. Instead of manually collecting and transmitting data about a property's environmental impact, BeCause is a centralized hub through which all information seamlessly flows. For instance, hotels seeking GreenKey certification can upload all their data into BeCause and overlay that data against the certification's framework already in the platform.

Any updates to that framework are made automatically so hotels can be instantly alerted when their status is threatened due to missing data.

Travel booking websites like Booking.com also use the BeCause platform to ascertain which sustainable certificates a hotel has earned and automatically sync those with their database, enabling them to present up-to-date information to the consumer  an increasingly important factor in travelers' purchasing decisions. According to the online travel agency's 2023 Sustainable Travel Report, 76% of travelers want to travel more sustainably in the near future, while 43% say they would be willing to pay extra for travel options with a sustainable certification, representing a potentially lucrative source of room revenue for hotels that can meet these expectations.

"With hotels now obligated to report on their sustainability, there is a clear opportunity for them to also capitalize on the consumer demand for more sustainable accommodations by using BeCause to manage their sustainability data holistically," Steensgaard says. "Once on the platform, the data can be used, analyzed, and distributed in many ways. This not only gives hospitality leaders the ability to pursue more climate-friendly projects but also get more value for their efforts. That's a journey we're proud to be part of."

To experience the future of sustainability data management, visit BeCause at booth F during the International Hotel Technology Forum (IHTF) in Barcelona from April 16-18, 2024. Frederik Rubens Steensgaard will also discuss technology's role in fostering ESG responsibility during the "Fostering ESG Responsibility Across the Hotel Ecosystem" panel on April 18th at 1:25 PM.

For more information about BeCause and the digitized ESRS framework or to speak with CEO and Co-founder Frederik Steensgaard, please contact Vanessa Horwell at [email protected] .

About BeCause

BeCause is an enterprise software company that streamlines the flow of sustainability data and creates synergies between different stakeholders in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, empowering them to make decisions that result in positive, responsible change for people, the planet, and their profits. BeCause works with over 25,000 hotels, including brands like Radisson, certification entities like GreenKey, industry partners like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the SHA, and marketplaces like Booking.com. For more information, visit because.eco .

SOURCE BeCause
Platform's Third Acquisition Expands Leading Network of Technical Engineering and Consulting Service Providers for Mission Critical Clients

BATON ROUGE, La., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernhard Capital Partners ("Bernhard Capital"), a services and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm, today announced its dedicated Department of Energy ("DOE") services platform has acquired Strategic Management Solutions, LLC ("SMSI"), a leading provider of expert management and technical consulting services for federal and large industrial clients focused on nuclear programs and projects. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, SMSI provides a range of program management and project services to the DOE, National Nuclear Security Administration ("NNSA"), National Laboratories and industrial clients that operate within the Nuclear Security Enterprise. The Company's key business lines include procurement and supply chain expertise, special nuclear material and high hazard operations, decontamination and demolition, and project delivery and integration services (e.g., engineering, project management, project controls) focused on supporting clients with national security, environmental management, and large infrastructure initiatives. Today, SMSI staff numbers over 400 highly qualified professionals in four Company offices and numerous DOE and NNSA sites.

SMSI is the DOE and NNSA services platform's third acquisition. Established by Bernhard Capital in 2022 through the acquisitions of Boston Government Services, LLC ("BGS") and Sterling Engineering & Consulting Group, LLC ("SE&C"). Working collaboratively, the companies aim to provide vertically integrated capabilities and support for customers across the country executing critical projects in complex environments  ranging from strategic planning and program management to the implementation of critical engineering and technical activities.

"The addition of SMSI strengthens the mission-critical capabilities and further positions our growing national platform as a go-to resource for essential consulting, program management, engineering, procurement, safety and field services within the DOE Complex and National Security Enterprise," said Chris Dillon, Partner at Bernhard Capital. "With over two decades successfully supporting high technology projects for critical national security missions, SMSI brings expanded capabilities, valuable industry relationships and a highly skilled team of industry experts and security-cleared staff that will support our platform's vertical integration across critical DOE-related services. We look forward to partnering with the SMSI team to support the long-term success of the business and its world-class team."

SMSI will continue to be led by SMSI President Matt Nuckols and the current leadership team, while benefiting from the advantages and resources of Bernhard Capital's strategic partnership and dedicated DOE services platform.

Mr. Nuckols said, "This transaction will enable SMSI to enhance our exceptional track record as a mission enabler for our customers, while also creating new partnership opportunities. I look forward to working with Bernhard Capital, BGS and SE&C leadership to continue to ensure SMSI is both an employer of choice, as well as a reliable and essential partner for our customers."

"Since I founded SMSI 23 years ago, the Company has grown into a significant services organization for our clients' missions, and I am excited for this next chapter," said Lee Bernstein, Founder and Chairman of SMSI. "I am confident that, as part of this best-in-class platform, we will capitalize on a number of exciting opportunities to continue to grow our business and expand the support we provide for customers, all while maintaining our unique corporate culture and professional ethics."

David O'Flynn, who will assume an Executive Director role for the platform, said, "We are pleased to join Bernhard Capital's dedicated DOE platform and are excited to work together and build on SMSI's momentum and reputation as a partner of choice for customers within the DOE, NNSA and other federal markets. This partnership will also provide growth opportunities and continued stability for our exceptional SMSI team, who are essential to our mission and ability to deliver outstanding results for customers."

About Bernhard Capital Partners

Bernhard Capital Partners is a services and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm established in 2013. Bernhard Capital Partners has deployed capital in four funds across several strategies and has approximately $3.6 billion of gross assets under management. Bernhard Capital Partners seeks to create sustainable value by leveraging its experience in acquiring, operating and growing services and infrastructure businesses. For more information, visit www.BernhardCapital.com.

About SMSI

SMSI is a project solutions business that provides management, technical and engineering services to the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, National Laboratories and industrial clients. The Company's key business lines include procurement and supply chain expertise, special nuclear material & high hazard operations, decontamination and demolition and project delivery and integration services. SMSI is focused on supporting clients with national security, environmental management, and large infrastructure initiatives. Established in 1999, SMSI is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM and currently operates at four company offices and numerous DOE and NNSA sites.

Contacts

Media

Ed Trissel / Erik Carlson

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

(212) 355-4449

SOURCE Bernhard Capital Partners Management, LP
NEW YORK, April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global biologic therapeutics market size is estimated to grow by USD 286.12 bn from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.34% during the forecast period. The biologic therapeutics market encompasses various innovations, including soluble receptors, immunoconjugates, immunotherapeutics, and biosimilars. Biosimilars are highly similar biological products to approved biologics, with no significant differences in safety, purity, and potency. Key areas include infectious diseases, cancers, and autoimmune diseases, utilizing techniques like biotechnology, cell lines, proteins, and adjuvants. The market is driven by advancements in mRNA therapeutics, nanosystems, and personalized medicine. Notable biologics include Remicade, Humira, Herceptin, Avastin, and Rituxan/MabThera. Regulatory bodies like the FDA oversee approvals for treatments in areas like oncology, hematological disorders, and neurological diseases.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Biologic Therapeutics Market

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

Biologic Therapeutics Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 11.34% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 286.12 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 10.6 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 57% Key countries US, Germany, France, China, and Japan Key companies profiled AbbVie Inc., Amgen Inc., Apogenix AG, AstraZeneca Plc, Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., Baxter International Inc., Biocon Ltd., BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Celltrion Healthcare Co. Ltd., Eli Lilly and Co., GangaGen Biotechnologies Pvt Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Johnson and Johnson Services Inc., Merck and Co. Inc., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Precision Biologics Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sanofi SA, and Tubulis GmbH

Segment Overview

This biologic therapeutics market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application (Cancer, Infectious diseases, Autoimmune diseases, Others) Product (Antibody therapeutics, Vaccines, Cell therapy, Gene therapy, Others) Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, Rest of World (ROW))

Market segmentation by Application

The Biologic Therapeutics Market encompasses soluble receptors, immunoconjugates, and immunotherapeutics, primarily driven by advancements in biotechnology and biomedical science techniques. Monoclonal antibodies, including immunotherapeutics, dominate this sector due to their high specificity and effectiveness against various diseases. These proteins are produced using cell lines and can recognize specific receptors on cells, making them valuable in treating immunological and chronic conditions like infectious diseases, immune system disorders, and cancers. Adjuvants, nanosystems, mRNA therapeutics, and biosimilars are also integral parts of the market. Remicade, Humira, Herceptin, Avastin, Rituxan/MabThera, and Enbrel are notable monoclonal antibody therapies. Biologic response modifiers, such as Antithymocyte Globulin (ATG) and anti-cytokine therapies, are essential in treating autoimmune diseases and certain cancers. Infectious diseases, including those caused by microbial populations, are addressed through various immunotherapeutics and vaccines, such as Recombinant interferon and mRNA-based vaccines for diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, RSV, and Flu. Regulatory bodies like the FDA play a crucial role in approving new treatments, such as Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb) for Alzheimer's disease and mRNA-based vaccines for infectious diseases. The market also includes oncology and hematological disorder treatments, gene therapy, and personalized medicine, with companion diagnostics playing a vital role in ensuring effective treatments.

Geography Overview

The Biologic Therapeutics Market in North America is driven by advancements in biotechnology and biomedical science techniques. Key players, including AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Merck, Pfizer, and Amgen, dominate the market with differentiated products such as Soluble receptors, Immunoconjugates, Immunotherapeutics, and proteins like Remicade (infliximab), Humira (adalimumab), Herceptin (trastuzumab), and Avastin (bevacizumab). These treatments target various conditions, including Infectious diseases, Immune system disorders, Cancers, Genetic diseases, and Autoimmune diseases. Innovations include Adjuvants, Nanosystems, mRNA therapeutics, and Biosimilars. The market is fueled by the increased incidence of chronic diseases and the development of personalized medicine and companion diagnostics. Notable treatments include Antithymocyte Globulin (ATG), Anti-cytokine therapies, Biologic response modifiers, and Recombinant interferon. Areas of focus include Oncology, Hematological disorders, and Gene therapy. The FDA has approved several new treatments, such as Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb) for Alzheimer's disease and mRNA-based vaccines for RSV and Flu.

Insights on the market contribution of various segments including country and region wise, historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Download a Sample Report

The biologics market is thriving due to the effectiveness of treatments for severe infections, malignancies, and immunological disorders. Monoclonal antibodies, soluble receptors, immunoconjugates, and immunotherapeutics are among the fastest-growing segments. Over 150 monoclonal antibodies are approved or in review in the EU and US. Companies like AbbVie and Amgen are leading research in biologics, including vaccines, therapeutic proteins, and biosimilars. Key areas of focus include infectious diseases, cancers, and genetic disorders. The FDA has approved several biologics, such as Remicade, Humira, Herceptin, and Avastin. Emerging areas include mRNA therapeutics, oncology, and hematological disorders.

The biologics market encompasses expensive treatments for malignancies, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune conditions. Manufacturing costs, including clinical trials and animal handling, drive high prices. Key players include CSL Behring, BioMarin, Pfizer, CanSino Biologics, and others. Monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, recombinant proteins, and molecular therapies are produced using various systems like CHO, HEK, and mammalian expression. Notable products include Perjeta, Adcetris, Shingrix, Kadycla, Aimovig, and Pfizer's PF-07055480 and PF-06838435. Strict regulatory processes oversee treatments for chronic diseases like breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers. Innovations like mRNA-1273, nanobodies, and synthetic vaccines continue to shape the market.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 - 2021) and forecast period(2023-2027)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

The Biologic Therapeutics Market encompasses a range of innovative treatments for various genetic and autoimmune diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Personalized medicine and companion diagnostics play a significant role in this sector, ensuring effective treatments for individual patients. The market includes various types of biologics, such as monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), recombinant proteins, antisense, RNAi, and molecular therapies. Notable companies in this field are Globocan, CanSino Biologics, and FDA-approved Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb). The market also caters to the production of mRNA-based vaccines and biologics for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and chronic conditions, like breast and lung cancer. Stringent regulatory processes ensure the safety and efficacy of these advanced treatments. Additionally, microbial-based biologic production and the development of Tezepelumab are key areas of focus in the Biologic Therapeutics Market.

Market Research Overview

The Biologic Therapeutics Market represents a significant segment of the global healthcare industry. This market is characterized by the production and distribution of therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and gene therapies. Persons living with chronic diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis have benefited immensely from these advanced treatments. Companies like Pfizer, Biogen, and Amgen are major players in this market, developing and commercializing innovative biologic therapies. The use of technology, such as automation and bioprocessing, has streamlined the production process, making these therapies more accessible and affordable. The market is expected to grow at a steady pace due to increasing research and development efforts, regulatory approvals, and a rising patient population. However, challenges such as high production costs, complex regulatory frameworks, and intellectual property issues persist. Despite these challenges, the Biologic Therapeutics Market continues to offer promising opportunities for growth and innovation.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global biostimulants market size is estimated to grow by USD 1.51 bn from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 10.68% during the forecast period. Biostimulants are formulations enhancing plant growth and crop production. Key components include protein hydrolysates, humic substances, kelp extracts, and microbial-derived enzymes. Benefits include improved metabolism, stress tolerance, nutrient use, and water efficiency. Leading agriculture markets like China, India, US, and Brazil utilize biostimulants in various crops and applications such as foliar treatments, seed and soil treatments, and primary/secondary metabolites.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Biostimulants Market 2023-2027

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

Biostimulants Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.68% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 1.51 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 8.45 Regional analysis Europe, APAC, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 32% Key countries US, Canada, China, Japan, India, and Germany Key companies profiled ADAMA Ltd., Bayer AG, Bioiberica S.A.U., Biolchim Spa, Biostadt India Ltd., Biovert SL, Crop Demetra Ltd., FMC Corp., Haifa Group, Idai Nature S.L, Italpollina Spa, Koppert, Micromix Plant Health Ltd., Novozymes AS, OMEX, RAG Stiftung, SEIPASA SA, SICIT Group Spa, UPL Ltd., and Atlantica Agricola

Segment Overview

This biostimulants market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product (Acid-based, Extract-based, Others) Application (Foliar, Soil, Seed) Type (Row crops and cereals, Fruits and vegetables, Turfs and ornaments, Others) Geography (Europe, APAC, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa)

Market segmentation by Product

The Biostimulants Market encompasses a range of products, including protein hydrolysates, synthetic chemical fertilizers, and plant-derived solutions such as glycine betaine, chelated nutrients, and isopentenyl adenosine (IPA). These biostimulants, widely used in foliar applications, promote plant growth and improve crop quality by enhancing metabolic efficiency, facilitating nutrient translocation, and increasing tolerance to abiotic stresses. With population growth and climate change threatening natural resources and biodiversity loss, the demand for biostimulants in soil conditioning, crop improvement, and production is escalating. Biostimulants are applied to various crops, including oilseeds and pulses, durum wheat, and podded crops, through foliar treatments, seed treatment, and soil treatment. Key components include primary and secondary metabolites, plant chemicals, amino acids, betaines, peptides, proteins, sugars, aminopolysaccharides, lipids, vitamins, nucleotides, nucleosides, humic chemicals, and beneficial microorganisms. Regulations, such as the Nitrates Directive, govern the use of certain biostimulants, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.

Geography Overview

The Biostimulants Market in Europe is experiencing significant growth due to the dominance of Hungary, Greece, the Czech Republic, and France in the regional agriculture sector. The increasing demand for meat in leading producers such as Belgium, France, Greece, Sweden, the UK, Germany, and Russia, necessitates large quantities of livestock, driving the need for good-quality grass through pastureland expansion. In the Fruits & Vegetables segment, biostimulants extend shelf-life, improve farm yield, and enhance crop quality. These products contain protein hydrolysates, synthetic chemical fertilizers, and natural alternatives like humic substances, kelp extracts, biopolymers, microbial-derived enzymes, phosphite, silicon, and foliar treatments. Addressing environmental concerns, organic products, and germination, biostimulants also offer crop protection and improvement, and are essential for oilseeds and pulses, durum wheat, and podded crops. Amid population growth, climate change, and biodiversity loss, biostimulants play a crucial role in maintaining soil condition, crop production, and water irrigation, as well as in soil reclamation. The Nitrates Directive regulates the use of certain fertilizers, making biostimulants a valuable alternative for sustainable agriculture.

Insights on the market contribution of various segments including country and region wise, historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Download a Sample Report

The global arable land has decreased due to urbanization, industrialization, and population growth. Developing nations like China and India need an extra 120 million hectares of land for food production by 2030. In response, the biostimulants market offers solutions through products like oilseeds, pulses, nitrates, and phosphites, as well as plant biostimulants, hydrolysates, and humic substances, enhancing crop yield under abiotic stress and improving land fertility.

and need an extra 120 million hectares of land for food production by 2030. In response, the biostimulants market offers solutions through products like oilseeds, pulses, nitrates, and phosphites, as well as plant biostimulants, hydrolysates, and humic substances, enhancing crop yield under abiotic stress and improving land fertility. Biostimulants, derived from micronutrients, enhance crop quality and soil fertility. These trace minerals, including zinc, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium, are essential for plant growth and function. Deficiencies can lead to low yields, reduced growth, and abnormalities. Biostimulants, used in horticulture and agriculture, improve crop nutritional content and are key fertilizer components. They boost crop water efficiency, protect against abiotic stress, and contribute to soil reclamation. Government bodies promote their use in addressing environmental concerns, population growth, and climate change. Industries focus on biostimulants like foliar sprays, protein hydrolysates, and synthetic chemical fertilizers for improved crop yield and quality.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 - 2021) and forecast period(2023-2027)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

The Biostimulants Market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing global population and climate change, which put pressure on natural resources and biodiversity loss. Biostimulants, such as protein hydrolysates, play a crucial role in enhancing soil condition, crop quality, and plant growth, ultimately leading to improved crop yield and production. These products are essential for crop improvement in various agricultural sectors, including oilseeds and pulses, vegetables, and Food products. Biostimulants also help plants cope with abiotic stress caused by global warming and climatic scenarios. Furthermore, beneficial microorganisms and crop water efficiency are key components of biostimulants, contributing to soil reclamation and sustainable agriculture practices. Overall, biostimulants offer a sustainable solution to address the challenges of feeding a growing population while minimizing the environmental impact of synthetic chemical fertilizers.

Market Research Overview

The Biostimulants Market represents a significant segment in the agricultural industry, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable farming practices. These innovative products, including proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleotides, enhance soil fertility and improve crop productivity. Protients, such as humic and fulvic acids, play a crucial role in nutrient uptake, while carbohydrates contribute to plant growth and development. Nucleotides promote cell division and enhance stress resistance. The market is further propelled by the growing adoption of biostimulants in horticulture and turf management. The use of biostimulants in organic farming is also on the rise, as they comply with organic farming regulations. The market is expected to grow steadily due to the increasing awareness of the environmental benefits of biostimulants and the continuous research and development in this field. The crop types covered in the market include fruits, vegetables, cereals, and oilseeds. Major players in the market include BASF SE, Haifa Group, and Valagro S.p.A. The market is segmented by type, application, and region. The use of biostimulants is projected to increase in the Asia Pacific region due to the large agricultural population and the growing demand for food security. The market is also expected to grow in Europe and North America due to the increasing awareness of sustainable farming practices and the presence of major market players in these regions.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
TORONTO, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) (NYSE:BMO) today held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

At the meeting, all director nominees listed in the bank's management proxy circular dated February 7, 2024 were elected. The detailed results of the vote for the election of directors are set out below.

Each of the following 13 nominees was elected as a director of Bank of Montreal:

Nominee Votes For Votes Withheld Janice M. Babiak 342,157,861 97.36 % 9,271,842 2.64 % Craig W. Broderick 347,929,389 99.00 % 3,500,313 1.00 % Hazel Claxton 350,277,619 99.67 % 1,152,183 0.33 % George A. Cope 334,780,073 95.26 % 16,649,729 4.74 % Stephen Dent 350,489,694 99.73 % 939,655 0.27 % Christine A. Edwards 340,920,673 97.01 % 10,508,676 2.99 % Martin S. Eichenbaum 349,808,876 99.54 % 1,620,472 0.46 % David Harquail 350,281,227 99.67 % 1,148,121 0.33 % Linda S. Huber 350,224,200 99.66 % 1,205,559 0.34 % Eric R. La Fleche 346,253,767 98.53 % 5,176,036 1.47 % Lorraine Mitchelmore 347,954,785 99.01 % 3,474,973 0.99 % Madhu Ranganathan 318,658,988 90.68 % 32,770,815 9.32 % Darryl White 349,208,736 99.37 % 2,221,067 0.63 %

Final voting results on all matters voted on at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held earlier today will be published shortly on www.bmo.com, and filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators.

About BMO Financial Group

BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.3 trillion as of January 31, 2024. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society.

Internet: www.bmo.com Twitter: @BMOMedia

SOURCE BMO Financial Group
Fast-growing franchise brand signs 20 new store deals in the first 90 days of 2024

DALLAS, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bonchon, a global leader in Korean fried chicken, announces today that in Q1 2024, the company opened four new restaurants  two in California, one in New York, and one in Massachusetts  and signed an additional 20 new deals across the United States.

"We are on course to smash the record we set last year for deals signed," says Suzie Tsai, Bonchon's U.S. CEO. "Our flexible store formats combined with our simplified kitchen and operational ease are extremely attractive to individuals exploring a restaurant franchise."

Bonchon

In 2023, Bonchon achieved its strongest new store sales in company history with more than 40 locations signed throughout the year adding 13 new franchise partners.

The franchise concept, known for its distinctive Korean fried chicken, hand-battered and double-fried to achieve its craveable crunch and hand-brushed to perfection with its proprietary sauces, looks forward to bringing its unique flavor to several new markets in 2024, including Long Island and Staten Island, N.Y., Huntsville, Ala., and Tucson, Ariz.

Positioned for growth

While the ongoing popularity of Korean culture and cuisine has significantly contributed to interest in the brand, Bonchon has strategically evolved its variety of restaurant formats to enable franchise partners to open locations best positioned to succeed in their local markets. In addition to traditional full-dine and fast-casual formats as well as recent openings in malls and food halls, Bonchon launched its first two remote kitchens and first hotel location in 2023, with its airport debut slated for 2025.

To attract both customers and potential franchise partners, the brand continually focuses on menu innovation, which includes award-winning wings and signature sauces along with a variety of approachable Korean specialties. Innovation includes new seasonal sauces and menu extensions around Korean fusion menu items.

Continued expansion

Founded in Busan, South Korea in 2002, Bonchon first opened in the U.S. in New York City in 2006 and is well on its way to growing from 130 to 500 U.S. locations and 1,000 locations worldwide in the next five years. 2023 saw continued expansion within existing markets such as Chicago, Colorado Springs, Denver, Houston, Nashville, New York City, Raleigh, and Washington, D.C., with record-breaking openings in Smyrna, Ga. and White Plains, N.Y. demonstrating consistent performance beyond forecasted projections. On the international front, Bonchon debuted its first restaurant in France in 2023, with Laos and Taiwan planned to open in 2024.

"While Bonchon currently has locations in more than 25 states across the country, the brand is actively seeking franchise partners in markets including Georgia, Southern California, New Jersey, New York, Arizona, Southern Florida, and Texas," says Amanda Millikan, senior vice president of development at Bonchon.

About Bonchon

Bonchon is a global restaurant brand known for distinctive Korean double-fried chicken, Asian fusion cuisine, and Korean specialties. Born in Busan, South Korea in 2002, the concept was established in the United States in 2006. Bonchon sets out to have its fans "Crunch Out Loud" by sharing the joy of hand-battered, double-fried, crazy crispy Korean fried chicken with the world. It currently has more than 430 restaurants across nine countries including Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, France, U.S., and Vietnam.

The brand has earned several accolades  it was recognized by Business Insider as "the gold standard for fried chicken" as well as included on Nation's Restaurant News 2022 "Top 500 Restaurants", Fast Casual Magazine's 2022 "Top 100 Movers & Shakers" and Entrepreneur's 2023 "Franchise 500", "Top 10 Hot Franchise Trends" and "Top 12 Chicken Franchises to Buy" lists. Bonchon was also voted #1 in 2023 for "Best Chicken Wings" and "Best Korean Food" in The Dallas Morning News.

For more information about Bonchon, visit bonchon.com . To learn more about its franchise opportunities, visit franchising.bonchon.com .

SOURCE Bonchon
The new facility will enable Motif to grow its core manufacturing capabilities, including pre-rolls and a 4X increase in hydrocarbon extraction

LONDON, ON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Motif Labs, the leading brand house shaping Canada's cannabis 2.0 market with an iconic portfolioincluding BOXHOT, DEBUNK, and Rizzlersis expanding its operations with the opening of a new manufacturing, distribution, and packaging facility in London, Ontario. The 75,000-square-foot site will support expansion within the burgeoning pre-roll market and further enable Motif Labs to address the increasing demand for its high-quality products.

Equipped with three truck-level docks and situated near major highways and transit routes, the facility is primed for convenience and efficient logistics operations. It also allows for a 3x increase in current capacity, ensuring that Motif's brands stay in stock consistently and the company can respond to rapid shifts in demand by holding robust inventory levels.

Mario Naric, CEO of Motif Labs, commented, "We have outgrown our existing facility. This space empowers us to grow our core manufacturing capabilities and deliver on the increasing demand for products from our top-selling brands, BOXHOT, DEBUNK, and Rizzlers. With increased manufacturing output, Motif will expand the total addressable market we serve."

By moving packaging and fulfillment operations to the new facility, Motif's flagship Aylmer site will be able to double down on core manufacturing practices and expand further into hydrocarbon extraction (4X increase in current capacity), as well as pre-roll manufacturing. The new facility will have the capacity to ship 2 to 3 million units monthly, including vapes, pre-rolls, oils, and other potential product formats.

The initial $1.5 million (CAD) investment sets the stage for further expansion. The facility is purposefully selected and built to accommodate Motif's growing needs, with ample space for future expansion, scalability, and installation of flexible automation.

About Motif Labs

Founded in 2017, Motif Labs is a leading brand house shaping Canada's cannabis 2.0 market with a portfolio of iconic brands, including Boxhot (Canada's #1 cannabis vape brand and winner of ADCANN's 2023 Cannabis Accessory of the Year award), DEBUNK, and Boondocks. Founded by a team of scientists and engineers, Motif is the largest privately owned cannabis business in Canada. For more information, visit https://motiflabs.ca/

Media Contact:

Gretchen Giles, Avaans Media

[email protected]

SOURCE Motif Labs
Operation ICESTORM to head North from UK in early June on former Scottish Fishery Protection Vessel toward high seas confrontation with last fin whaling company in Europe

MEDIA

ALBERT DOCK, HULL, England, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Captain Paul Watson Foundation is launching Operation Ice Storm from Albert Dock in Yorkshire to directly oppose Iceland's last whaling company, Hvalur hf. Paul Watson, a co-founder of Greenpeace and founder of Sea Shepherd, has a history of intervening in Icelandic whaling operations - In 1986, members of his group successfully reduced the whaling fleet of Hvalur hf by half.

"The time is up for the world's most notorious hunter of whales, Kristjan Loftsson," stated Captain Paul Watson, who will lead this summer's anti-whaling campaign on his flagship the John Paul DeJoria, a 72-meter former Scottish Fisheries Protection Vessel.

Kristjan Loftsson operates Hvalur hf at a loss. The whaler's business empire includes large shareholdings in banks and IT companies and the magnate uses his wealth to hunt up to 209 fin whales each season. Fin whales are protected under international conservation law and listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Despite widespread opposition from the Icelandic public (a recent poll suggests over 51% of Icelanders oppose whaling) and Iceland's Fisheries Minister temporarily revoking Hvalur hf's whaling license last summer, Iceland's whaling boss continues to leverage his political influence in pursuit of resuming whaling operations. Loftsson plans to deploy two ships, armed with explosive harpoons - Hvalur 8 and Hvalur 9 - in June.

"Our volunteer crew members are making necessary preparations to depart UK in June. From our standpoint, Loftsson is planning to hunt whales this summer and we will be ready," stated Captain Locky MacLean, who sailed the John Paul DeJoria to the coast of Iceland last summer to intercept Hvalur's vessels when the licenses were suspended.

In 2023, the US-based Captain Paul Watson Foundation and its UK arm, CPWF UK, worked in conjunction on land and at sea on "Operation Paiakan" during which a temporary pause on whaling permits was issued by Iceland's Fisheries Minister, Svandis Svavarsdottir, as the John Paul DeJoria lay-to off the West coast of Iceland, ready for a confrontation to stop Hvalur hf's vessels from hunting fin whales. This summer, CPWF's flagship will set sail in mid-June from Hull, UK to block Loftsson's harpoon ships if permits are issued.

CPWF UK's Rob Read, who has been running a ground operation in Iceland each summer for several years, and documenting the whale processing factory in Hvalfjorur since 2018, states "Whaling is the calculated, intentional, cruel killing of one of the planet's most intelligent marine mammals, whales are a key species proven to be critical not only to saving the oceans but ultimately all life on Earth."

Last May, Iceland's Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) alleged Hvalur hf was in violation of Iceland's animal welfare laws. They cited instances of multiple fin whales failing to die instantaneously during the hunt, and a median time-to-death of 11.5 minutes. Iceland, alongside Japan and Norway, persists as one of the final nations to engage in commercial whaling, defying the global moratorium imposed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986.

MEDIA

ABOUT CAPTAIN PAUL WATSON FOUNDATION: The Captain Paul Foundation, founded in 2022 by esteemed environmental and conservation activist Paul Watson, co-founder of Greenpeace and founder of Sea Shepherd, alongside tech entrepreneur Omar Todd, is a US-based non-profit dedicated to marine conservation. Committed to halting habitat destruction and wildlife slaughter in the world's oceans, the foundation aims to safeguard marine ecosystems and species and uses innovative direct-action tactics to expose and confront illegal activities at sea. Visit www.paulwatsonfoundation.org for more information.

ABOUT OPERATION ICE STORM: Operation Ice Storm has a singular focus: to save the lives of endangered fin whales from Iceland's last whaling company Hvalur hf. Despite the global ban on commercial whaling mandated by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986, Iceland persists in granting permits for this activity. This joint campaign, launched by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation and its UK branch, will employ aggressive non-violent tactics and direct intervention to enforce international conservation laws.

For interviews and media inquiries, please contact Mia Music at [email protected] or Paul Watson at [email protected].

SOURCE The Captain Paul Watson Foundation
DOVER, Del., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) issued its 2023 Safety and Reliability Report today, providing updates on the related topics most important to the Company's businesses, stakeholders and the communities we serve, including:

Progress toward safety targets

Employee and community engagement metrics, including first responder training

Implementation of new programs and initiatives driven by our risk management mindset

Reliability and resiliency efforts, including key infrastructure improvement projects

2023 initiatives and accomplishments, including awards and success stories

"Continuous improvement is a hallmark of the Chesapeake Utilities success story. With that in mind, we are excited to unveil our first in a series of sustainability micro-reports, this one focusing on safety and reliability," said Jeff Householder, chair of the board, president and CEO. "It's appropriate to begin here, as nothing is more critical to our mission than the safety of our teams, communities and assets, and the reliability of our essential services."

The Safety and Reliability Report will be followed by at least two additional micro-reports. The second report, expected to be published this summer, will focus on the Company's environmental stewardship, including progress on environmental sustainability initiatives and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. The third micro-report, planned for distribution in the fall, will focus on community impact, reporting on DEI initiatives and investments in people, communities and customers.

Transitioning from a single large sustainability report to these micro-reports will provide a steadier release of information throughout the year, including progress updates and new or expanded initiatives and programs. In addition to the micro-reports, the Company will publish investor-focused tables later this year, including the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) tables and our progress in aligning with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations, among others.

To read the report, please click here: https://www.chpk.com/sustainability-reporting-2023/.

About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions and other businesses. For more information, visit www.chpk.com.

Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is not affiliated with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

For more information, contact:

Brianna Patterson

Manager, Public Relations and Strategic Communications

419-314-1233

[email protected]

SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Citadel plans to enhance and expand its current and future community and industry partnerships

EXTON, Pa., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Citadel Credit Union is reinforcing its dedication to supporting the communities it serves across the Chester, Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, Lancaster, and Philadelphia counties through ongoing community initiatives.

For the second consecutive year, Citadel was recognized as "Best Credit Union" in Montgomery County on the 2023 Happening List by Montco Happenings, and was recognized through the Daily Local News' 2023 Best of Chester County Reader's Choice award. Both awards are based on voting from local residents. Citadel employees have also been on the receiving end multiple times of VISTA Today's Millennial Superstars 40 Under 40 awards.

Corporate Responsibility

In July 2023, Citadel formalized its corporate giving and volunteer program, Citadel Cares, with a commitment of over $2 million in the next 4 years and 700 hours of employee volunteerism logged so far. With an already strong track record of giving back to the community, the launch of Citadel Cares allows the Credit Union to empower and support those in need across the Greater Philadelphia area by contributing to four key areas: Education & Youth Prosperity, Health & Wellness, Building & Development, and Food Security. Guided by these pillars, Citadel Cares provides opportunities for the Credit Union, its employees, and members to give back in the spirit of Building Strength Together through donations, grants, volunteerism, donation drives, and sponsorships of charitable events.

In 2023, Citadel supported a variety of community impact efforts across Greater Philadelphia. Of note, those donations included:

$292,000 to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Cancer Center

to the Children's Hospital of Cancer Center $60,000 in grants to local teachers and school districts through the Citadel Heart of Learning program

in grants to local teachers and school districts through the Citadel Heart of Learning program Over $37,000 to United Way

to United Way $40,000 to Community Volunteers in Medicine

to Community Volunteers in Medicine $20,000 to the Chester County Food Bank

to the Chester County Food Bank $12,500 to Good Works

to Good Works Over 700+ volunteer hours from employees

Later this year, Citadel will be the exclusive presenting sponsor for CHOP's Parkway Run & Walk as part of a multi-year partnership. Citadel is also an active participant in the Montgomery County Financial Reality Fair, the Philadelphia Financial Scholars Entrepreneurship Workshop program, and the First Front Door (FFD) and First Front Door Keys to Equity (Keys) funds. As part of Citadel's commitment to financial literacy, the company frequently publishes free webinars to educate viewers on mortgage lending and investing. Citadel is currently working to expand its webinar series to include additional topics on financial education.

In May 2024, Citadel will announce the winners of our Heart of Learning Award, one of its longest-standing initiatives. Started 23 years ago in partnership with the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), the program recognizes local teachers in the Greater Philadelphia communities Citadel serves who show dedication in and outside of the classroom. Prizes will total $60,000 for the winning teachers in the region along with a glass heart award for each winner. Since the program's inception, more than 400 teachers have been honored out of thousands of yearly submissions, and over $410,000 has been awarded in teacher grants. Citadel's Heart of Learning Award Program is a representation of its commitment to serving those who work every day to build a better future for all.

"Since joining Citadel in late 2023, I've been proud to become a part of the team's ongoing efforts to achieve growth and stability while enhancing Citadel's presence in our communities," said Bill Brown, President and CEO, Citadel Credit Union. "Our focus in 2024 is to be accessible, affordable, and convenient for the people of Southeast Pennsylvania and to embrace business transformation to offer better experiences, better delivery, and streamlined processes from end to end while continuing our longstanding commitments to corporate responsibility and building financial strength in our communities."

Growth & Stability

In 2023, Citadel's assets increased $228 million to $5.8 billiona 4.1 percent increase. Throughout the year, Citadel continued to have strong deposit growth at 2.5% percent from the prior year. Loan growth gained momentum as well, growing 4.2 percent year-over-year. YoY loans grew $205 million and deposits grew $116 million.

Fully documented in the 2023 Annual Report, Citadel experienced a 20-year cumulative annualized growth rate (CAGR) of 12 percent between 2003 and 2023. Over the past three years, Citadel's overall asset growth was $1.5 billion. Since 2005, Citadel experienced its most significant growthover $4.7 billion in assets, as the company has expanded to serve the broader Greater Philadelphia region beyond its early roots in Chester County.

Online & Mobile Banking Upgraded

With additions such as customized dashboards, free credit score monitoring, custom account alerts, card controls, and financial wellness tools, Citadel upgraded its Online & Mobile Banking platform in May 2023 to make it easier for members to manage their accounts.

Citadel also expanded its virtual assistant capabilities beyond voice calls to include online chatbot functionality on CitadelBanking.com and within Online & Mobile Banking. Users can now ask questions of the virtual assistant, Adel, get answers, and if additional help is needed, Adel can also connect users to a Citadel representative via live chat or video chat during normal business hours. Since launch, Adel responded to a total of 83,000 member chats in 2023, decreasing call volumes, wait times, and allowing Citadel employees to spend more time one-on-one with members who have more complex requests.

These upgrades were a significant part of the Credit Union's strategic plan to provide membership with more digital tools and easy, secure ways to access their account information.

Financial Wellness & Security

In 2023, Citadel also expanded its focus on financial wellness and security resources for members and the community. A new hub was published at CitadelBanking.com/Wellness to consolidate educational articles, tools, videos, tips, and other financial literacy content that's available any time for people to learn more about topics like building a budget, saving money, managing debt, living in retirement, borrowing money, and running a business. The Credit Union also updated its account security content at CitadelBanking.com/Security to help members and others spot red flags, avoid scams, and prevent fraud. As individuals are faced with new security threats and financial challenges every day, Citadel remains committed to providing the content, tools, and guidance to help members overcome and thrive.

About Citadel Credit Union

Citadel Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution that provides banking, investments, and insurance services to more than 260,000 members. At $5.8 billion in assets, it is one of the Greater Philadelphia area's largest credit unions, proudly serving residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Citadel is recognized as a Forbes 2022 Best-in-State Credit Union, a 2023 Faces of Philanthropy Award recipient from the Philadelphia Business Journal, and a certified 2023 Great Place to Work. For more information, visit CitadelBanking.com.

SOURCE Citadel Credit Union
CHICAGO, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA) will report first quarter 2024 results before the market opens on Monday, May 6, 2024. The news release, earnings presentation and financial supplement will be available on CNA's website at www.cna.com. A conference call for investors and analysts is scheduled for 8 a.m. CT and will be hosted by Dino E. Robusto, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of CNA Financial Corporation.

A live webcast will be available via the Investor Relations section of www.cna.com. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session should dial (844) 481-2830 (USA Toll Free) or +1 (412) 317-1850 (International). An online replay will also be available on CNA's website following the call.

About CNA

CNA is one of the largest U.S. commercial property and casualty insurance companies. Backed by more than 125 years of experience, CNA provides a broad range of standard and specialized insurance products and services for businesses and professionals in the U.S., Canada and Europe. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com.

Follow CNA (NYSE: CNA) on: X | LinkedIn | YouTube

Press Contacts

Kelly Sullivan | Vice President, Marketing

CNA

[email protected]

872-817-0350

CNA Newsroom

[email protected]

312-822-5167

Analyst Contacts

Ralitza K. Todorova | Vice President, Investor Relations & Rating Agencies

CNA

[email protected]

312-822-3834

SOURCE CNA Financial
PORTLAND, Ore., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Emphysema Treatment Market by Treatment Type (Medication, Oxygen Therapy, and Surgery), Type (Centriacinar, Panacinar, and Others), End User (Hospitals, Homecare, Specialty Centres, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032." According to the report, the emphysema treatment market was valued at $6.3 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $8.7 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2023 to 2032.

Request Sample of the Report on Emphysema Treatment Market Forecast - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A14372

Prime Determinants of Growth

The emphysema treatment market has experienced significant growth owing to rise in prevalence of emphysema cases globally. Furthermore, rise in number of smokers has contributed in the increasing prevalence of emphysema. In addition, Asia-Pacific is expected to present significant opportunities for growth owing to rise in awareness programs for emphysema, increasing diagnosis and increase in investments for well-developed healthcare infrastructure.

Report coverage & details

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20222032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $6.30 Billion Market Size in 2032 $8.73 Billion CAGR 3.3 % No. of Pages in Report 321 Segments covered Treatment Type, Type, End User, and Region Regional scope North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA Country scope U.S., Canada, Mexico; France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Rest of Europe China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific Brazil, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and rest of LAMEA Drivers Increase in prevalence of emphysema cases

Surge in number of smokers globally

Increase in air pollution contributing to emphysema Opportunity Side effects associated with medications Restraint High cost of treatment

2023 Recession Impact Analysis

The global recession has significant impact on emphysema treatment market. The economic instability has had adverse effects on fresh investments and funding allocated to R&D activities for developing new & advanced emphysema treatment options. In addition, financial strain has led to reductions in budgets for hospital management.

However, the market for emphysema treatment is expected to recover owing to rise in prevalence of emphysema.

Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A14372

The medication segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Depending on treatment type, the medication segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for almost three-fourths of the market revenue, owing to high adoption of the medications such as bronchodilators and steroids for treatment of emphysema. In addition, easy availability and cost-effectivity of the medication contribute toward high adoption of the medications.

The centriacinar segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

By type, the centriacinar segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for almost half of market revenue, owing to high prevalence of centriacinar emphysema. In addition, rise in number of smokers globally has contributed significantly in the rising prevalence of centriacinar emphysema.

The homecare segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

On the basis of end user, the homecare segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the emphysema treatment market revenue, owing to rising trend toward home healthcare. In addition, the development of portable oxygen therapy has contributed toward the growth of the segment.

For Purchase Inquiry - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A14372

North America to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Region wise, North America held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for two-fifths of emphysema treatment market revenue. This is attributed to surge in R&D activities, well-developed healthcare infrastructure, and rise in prevalence of emphysema.

However, Asia-Pacific is expected to register a noteworthy CAGR during the forecast period, owing to decreasing air quality index, initiatives for early diagnosis, and increasing healthcare investments.

Leading Market Players

Astrazeneca

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

Glaxosmithkline Plc.

Viatris Inc.

Novartis Ag

Orion Corporation

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Verona Pharma Plc.

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Inogen Inc.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the emphysema treatment market. These players have adopted different strategies such as acquisition, agreement, investment, product launch, product approval, and clinical trials to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) Offered by Allied Market Research:

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Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access

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Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domains. AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

Contact

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
BEIJING, April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from China Daily:

Since its inaugural session in 2021, the China International Consumer Products Expo, held in Haikou, the capital city of the southern island province of Hainan, has provided a new platform for global enterprises to showcase their quality products and share the development opportunities brought by the Chinese market.

The expo is China's first national-level exhibition with the theme of consumer goods and is the largest of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region.

The event has garnered great attention from the international business community since the first session was held in May 2021.

The first expo featured a total exhibition area of 80,000 square meters, including 60,000 sq m for international exhibitors in a variety of sectors including cosmetics, automobiles, food, cruise ships and garments.

A total of 70 countries and regions attended the four-day expo, and 2,628 brands under 1,505 enterprises from home and abroad participated in the exhibition. The expo also attracted more than 240,000 visits, including 30,000 professionals representing buyers from across the world.

In addition, more than 130 events relating to the release of new products, matchmaking between suppliers and buyers, as well as industrial promotions, were held at the inaugural session.

A great number of high-quality overseas consumer products, like coffee from Panama, olive oil from Spain and whisky from Ireland, have used the expo as a platform to enter the vast Chinese market, according to the event's organizers.

It is worth mentioning that all the provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China dispatched trade delegations to attend the expo.

Experts said the CICPE was targeted at boosting the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

China first proposed the establishment of a free trade zone in Hainan in 2018 and began construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port in 2020. Since then, Hainan has implemented a series of preferential policies such as visa-free entry, offshore duty-free shopping and a tax-exempt imports list, which has provided an express channel for overseas brands to enter the Chinese market.

The consumer products expo is an essential part of the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port and a step toward high-standard opening-up as the province strengthens duty-free consumption to drive economic development, according to local experts. They added that the expo has played a remarkable role in boosting duty-free consumption during the event and the period that followed.

Official data show that Hainan's offshore duty-free sales between May 6-9, 2021, increased 309 percent from the same period of 2020.

The event also attracted much attention from international media. The expo's organizers said that more than 160 media outlets from home and abroad, including Xinhua News Agency, China Daily, The Associated Press and Tass, dispatched nearly 1,000 reporters to cover the event. During the period from March 15 to May 15, more than 428,000 reports relating to the event were published by 300-plus media outlets.

Switzerland was the guest country of honor at the first expo. "The expo has brought new opportunities for global high-end brands to enter and expand in the Chinese market," said Bernardino Regazzoni, then Swiss ambassador to China. "The expo also marks another big step forward in the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port and the acceleration of China's integration into the global economic system," he added.

The second CICPE was held in Haikou from July 26-30, 2022. This session featured an exhibition area of 100,000 sq m. A total of 1,955 enterprises from 61 countries and regions, made of 1,107 from overseas and 848 from China, exhibited 2,843 brands at the expo. In addition, the 2022 expo received more than 280,000 visits including 40,000-plus representatives for buyers.

The expo released more than 600 new products. A yacht show featuring 200-plus yachts from 50 well-known brands was held alongside the expo, according to the organizer.

As the guest country of honor, France participated in the second expo with nearly 50 of its enterprises and 250 brands. French companies Galeries Lafayette and Danone, for instance, took part in the event.

Lawrance Shum, CEO of Galeries Lafayette China, said the expo is an excellent platform for purchasers to connect with global high-end brands and understand the Hainan market as well as the entire Chinese market.

Bruno Chevot, president of Danone Greater China, North Asia and Oceania, said the expo is a "bridge" and "window" for high-quality foreign goods to enter the Chinese market, which is conducive to promoting communication between domestic and foreign markets and boosting consumption upgrading.

The event again attracted great media attention. During the period between June 24 and Aug 5, 2022, a total of 324 media outlets from China and abroad covered the expo, with nearly 340,000 reports published.

The third CICPE was held in Haikou from April 10-15, 2023. The total exhibition area reached 120,000 sq m, an increase of 20 percent over the 2022 edition.

More than 3,300 brands from 65 countries and regions were displayed at the event, an increase of 19 percent from 2022. The event attracted more than 320,000 visits. The number of buyers' representatives attending the expo exceeded 50,000, growing 25 percent from the 2022 edition.

There were successful investment promotions at the expo. Businesses from the host city of Haikou, for instance, signed agreements on 24 cooperative projects with domestic and overseas partners. The combined pledged investment totaled 3 billion yuan ($414.6 million).

More than 200 media outlets from home and abroad sent reporters to cover the event. About 610,000 reports related to the expo were published during the period March 3 to April 15 that year.

Italy was the guest country of honor of the third CICPE. In a short video at the opening ceremony on April 10, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her gratitude to the Chinese leadership and the expo, stressing the bilateral consensus to enhance China-Italy trade ties and boost global economic recovery through joint efforts.

SOURCE China Daily
NEW YORK, April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientific evidence clearly requires the California State Assembly to reject activists' baseless efforts to ban the most common type of decaffeinated coffee (European Method decaf), the National Coffee Association (NCA) plans to testify tomorrow (April 16) in the California State Assembly Committee on Health.

NCA President and CEO William "Bill" Murray will detail the robust body of scientific evidence establishing the safety of European Method decaf and call on legislators to reject California Assembly Bill 2066 and protect Californians' access to a safe product proven to be associated with significant health benefits.

NCA President and CEO Bill Murray commented:

"The activists sponsoring this bill have not presented any evidence to justify banning the most common type of decaf, because none exists.

In fact, decades of independent scientific evidence demonstrate that drinking European Method decaf, like all coffee, is associated with reduced risk of multiple cancers and chronic diseases. The World Health Organization, the American Cancer Society, the American Institute for Cancer Research, the World Cancer Research Fund, and California's own Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment agree."

NCA has also detailed the evidence establishing the safety of European Method decaf in comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), opposing a separate but related activist petition seeking a federal decaf ban. NCA's comment to FDA is available here.

Additional NCA resources: Everything you need to know about caffeine, Get the facts about decaf, Coffee & health from head to toe

About the National Coffee Association: The National Coffee Association (NCA) USA, Inc. is the leading trade association serving the U.S. coffee industry through education, advocacy, and connection. NCA members represent an estimated 90% of U.S. coffee commerce with small, medium, and large companies, including growers, importers, exporters, traders, brokers, freight forwarders, roasters, manufacturers, retailers, and allied companies.

SOURCE National Coffee Association
The Evolution Technology Fund III LP is the largest dedicated cybersecurity fund raised to date.

Growth and early growth stage investor committed to differentiated portfolio characterized by strong operating performance of software companies safeguarding the digital world.

NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolution Equity Partners today announced the final closing of Evolution Technology Fund III, LP and total capital commitments of $ 1.1 Billion to back visionary entrepreneurs building next generation cybersecurity companies that safeguard the digital world. The fund raise was oversubscribed by existing and new limited partners representing a diversified mix of leading institutions, sovereign investors, insurance companies, endowments, foundations, fund of funds, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals.

The capital committed gives Evolution Equity Partners a dedicated pool of capital to pursue opportunities for investment ranging from $20 million to $150 million in cybersecurity and in companies utilizing machine learning and AI to build market leading platforms. Significant investments made to date by Evolution include SecurityScorecard, Arctic Wolf, Protect AI, Talon Cyber, Torq, Snyk, Sweet Security, Aqua Security, Oleria, Halcyon, Cybsafe, Phosphorus, DefinedAI, Carbon Black, Panaseer, AVG Technologies, OpenDNS, Pentera, and Quantexa amongst 60 portfolio companies the firm has backed.

Richard Seewald, Founder and Managing Partner at Evolution Equity Partners, said, "The overwhelming success of this fundraise was driven by strong support from both existing and new investors who recognize and support our cybersecurity focused investment strategy and our ability to build value and generate liquidity across market cycles. In one of the toughest ever fundraising environments, we are grateful for the tremendous support. Given this backdrop, we remain disciplined about investment pacing and prioritizing high conviction next generation cybersecurity investment opportunities driven by companies that are safeguarding the digital world. Additionally, our approach to portfolio diversification, coupled with decades of investment, technical and operating experience fundamentally drives our consistency."

Evolution Equity Partners was founded by investor and technology entrepreneurs Richard Seewald and Dennis Smith, who manage and lead the firm, and a specialist team of 30 professionals based out of New York City, Palo Alto, London and Zurich. The team members have been founders, operating executives and investors in leading software companies around the world and are committed to a mission of helping exceptional entrepreneurs develop market leading companies. Evolution Equity Partners' Centers of Excellence for Cybersecurity Growth, the firm's high performance engine, has a clear goal: To provide the ultimate operating playbook on how to effectively take cybersecurity startups from idea to IPO and help equip companies with the knowledge, tools and strategy to drive performance.

"We are still in the early innings of a secular trend in the cybersecurity space that involves increased spend by large enterprises, smaller businesses and consumers alike, a rapidly expanding attack surface, market consolidation and demand for next generation products and services that makes this a very compelling segment for investment," said Founder and Managing Partner Dennis Smith. "We are experiencing unprecedented disruptive forces including the impact of AI and machine learning, accelerated digitalization and increasingly sophisticated adversaries in a highly complex geopolitical environment. Cybersecurity companies have boundless opportunity to embody their innovations and leverage creativity for sustainable benefit to society. Evolution Equity Partners is proud to continue to back leading cybersecurity companies."

About Evolution Equity Partners

Evolution Equity Partners, based in New York City, Palo Alto, London and Zurich, makes investments in rapidly growing cybersecurity software companies that safeguard our digital world. The firm was founded by investor and technology entrepreneurs Richard Seewald and Dennis Smith, who manage and lead the firm and its partners have been involved as founders, investors and as senior operating executives in leading software companies around the world. Evolution currently has over $2 billion of assets under management in a growing portfolio of market leading companies. The Evolution partners include Richard Seewald, Dennis Smith, Taher Elgamal, Aron Khurana, J.R. Smith, Karthik Subramanian, Yuval Ben-Itzhak and Karel Obluk. Learn more at www.evolutionequity.com and follow us at LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE Evolution Equity Partners
SILVER SPRING, Md., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency:

Today, the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) announced the unveiling of a new public dataset designed to help assist chemistry labs in ensuring the robustness of chemical characterization methods used to assess the biocompatibility of medical devices. This dataset of chemicals allows analytical chemistry labs to determine their ability to detect a broad range of potential chemicals. This new dataset is part of CDRH's ongoing commitment to reduce the burden of premarket processes, while increasing the consistency and transparency of biocompatibility methods.





On Monday, the FDA announced the next Medical Device Sterilization Town Hall: Topics and Formats for the Continuing Sterilization Series that will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024 , 1- 2 p.m. ET . During this town hall, the FDA will discuss suggestions received on potential topics for the sterilization town hall series and how the FDA will pivot the format of the series to support more engaging discussions on topics of interest. Registration is not required to attend. Attendees may submit questions at least one week in advance to [email protected] .





that will be held on , . During this town hall, the FDA will discuss suggestions received on potential topics for the sterilization town hall series and how the FDA will pivot the format of the series to support more engaging discussions on topics of interest. Registration is not required to attend. Attendees may submit questions at least one week in advance to . On Monday the FDA published the FDA Voices: "Reflections on Travel to Europe  Part One," by Robert M. Califf , M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs. In this part one of a three-part series of blogs, Dr. Califf provides his perspective on his recent trip to Europe and describes key events and issues. The team's official travel took them to the U.K. and the European Union (EU) and included visits with The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, representatives of the U.K. medical device, digital and pharmaceutical industries in London and a visit to Oxford for an exchange and update on the conduct of clinical trials and mutual concerns about cybersecurity. Dr. Califf and the FDA team also traveled to Brussels for visits with the U.S. Mission to the EU; the European Commission; the European Food Safety Authority; representatives of European medical products and food industries; and the European Medicines Agency.





 Part One," by , M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs. In this part one of a three-part series of blogs, Dr. Califf provides his perspective on his recent trip to and describes key events and issues. The team's official travel took them to the U.K. and the European Union (EU) and included visits with The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, representatives of the U.K. medical device, digital and pharmaceutical industries in and a visit to Oxford for an exchange and update on the conduct of clinical trials and mutual concerns about cybersecurity. Dr. Califf and the FDA team also traveled to for visits with the U.S. Mission to the EU; the European Commission; the European Food Safety Authority; representatives of European medical products and food industries; and the European Medicines Agency. On Monday, the FDA announced the launch of the CDER Center for Clinical Trial Innovation (C3TI). C3TI's mission is to promote CDER clinical trial innovation activities through enhanced communication and collaboration, both internally within CDER and externally. C3TI will be a central hub within CDER that supports innovative approaches to clinical trials that are designed to improve the efficiency of drug development. This new center within CDER will enable both internal and external parties to access information on clinical trial innovation efforts more easily, engage in collaborations, identify resources that can further support the use of innovative modalities, and identify development programs where a concerted approach to the use of clinical trial innovations would be impactful. For more information about C3TI, including how to participate in a project in the C3TI Demonstration Program, explore the C3TI webpage. Visit the CDER Conversation with Dr. Kevin Bugin , deputy director for operations in CDER's Office of New Drugs and lead for C3TI to learn more about the impetus for establishing C3TI and the center's forward-facing goals and objectives.





, deputy director for operations in CDER's Office of New Drugs and lead for C3TI to learn more about the impetus for establishing C3TI and the center's forward-facing goals and objectives. On Friday, the FDA posted a new video in the "FDA In Your Day" series. In this video, Principal Deputy Commissioner Dr. Namandje Bumpus discusses allergy medicine and food safety.

Additional Resources:

Media Contact: FDA Office of Media Affairs, 301-796-4540

Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The Leader in Electrified Student Transportation Hails Benefits for Students, Schools and Communities while Moving Closer to 30,000 Electric School Buses by 2035

CINCINNATI , April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- First Student, the largest provider of school transportation in North America and the leading provider of electrified student transportation, today announced it has officially surpassed 3 million miles driven on electric school buses, expanding its industry-leading position and broadening benefits for students, schools and communities. The latest milestone comes just eight months after First Student crossed the two-million-mile mark, representing another major achievement for the company's rapidly growing electric school bus fleet and a sign of increased adoption of zero emission student transportation.

"Three million electric miles driven is an astounding achievement, and it is also just the beginning of a brighter, cleaner, safer future for the students we serve," First Student CEO John Kenning said. "This is a proud day for our team, not just as the largest provider of school transportation in North America and the leaders in zero emission school buses, but because of what it means for so many communities now and in the coming years. To help students reach their full potential, we need to help districts deploy quieter buses, create safer rides, and deliver cleaner air not tomorrow but today, and that's just what today's announcement represents."

At 3 million miles, First Student electric school buses have driven the equivalent of 120 trips around the world. The pace of First Student's electrification milestones has accelerated exponentially, as the company pushes toward its goal of transitioning 30,000 diesel school buses to electric by 2035. Replacing just one diesel school bus with an electric school bus can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54,000 pounds each year.

First Student has deployed more than 330 electric buses to school districts across North America. With an additional 1,108 electric buses approved to be ordered, First Student's fleet is expected to grow to over 1,400 total vehicles by the end of this year. These electric buses will reduce carbon emissions by 75,600,000 tons.

First Student is among the leading recipients of funds in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean School Bus Program, which provides $5 billion over five years (2022-2026) for school bus electrification. The company is actively helping school districts apply for this funding and has secured nearly $220 million for districts so far. The EPA awarded First Student $140 million in January 2024, the largest amount awarded among all contractors, to enable First Student to deploy more than 370 new electric school buses in school districts across the United States, bringing zero-emission student transportation to more communities. In November 2022, the EPA granted the company with funds to provide 11 school districts with of a total of $65 million, enough for 160 electric school buses.

First Student also assists school districts in providing cleaner transportation options through its role as their transportation provider or through its electrification consulting services. More information on First Student's electrification efforts can be found here.

B-ROLL/RESOURCES: Watch a video that showcases First Student's electric school bus fleet.

About First Student

As a leading school transportation solutions provider in North America, First Student strives to provide the best start and finish to every school day. With a team of highly trained drivers and the industry's strongest safety record, First Student delivers reliable, quality services, including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, fleet electrification, route optimization, and scheduling, maintenance, and charter services with a fleet of more than 46,000 buses.

Contact:

Jen Biddinger

513.362.4600

SOURCE First Student
MARIETTA, Ga., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstKey Homes, LLC ("FirstKey Homes" or the "Company") announced today that Colleen Keating will step down as Chief Executive Officer. Board of Directors members Chan Galbato and Brendan Garvey have been appointed Executive Chairman and Lead Director, respectively. In his role as Executive Chairman, Chan will work closely with FirstKey Homes' leadership team to oversee all strategic and operational aspects of the business.

"FirstKey Homes is proud to be a leader in delivering exceptional offerings to individuals and families across the United States," said Chan. "Since our founding in 2015, we have grown to become the second largest private single-family rental provider in the United States because of our dedicated team members and their commitment to providing unrivaled resident experiences. In our next stage of growth, we are excited to expand our footprint and provide even more quality homes to hardworking Americans."

In addition to his appointment as Executive Chairman of FirstKey Homes, Chan has served on the Company's Board since its inception. He also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Cerberus Operations and Advisory Company, the proprietary operations platform for the funds and accounts managed by Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. and its affiliates ("Cerberus"). Prior to Cerberus, Chan served as an executive leader at The Home Depot. This included roles as President of B2B businesses, which encompassed five business units, including what would become HD Supply. He was also President of Services for Home Depot. Earlier in his career, Chan served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Armstrong World Industries' global flooring unit, and also spent 14 years with General Electric in operating leadership positions at six business units, including serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Coregis, a GE Capital company.

Brendan Garvey, also a Board member of FirstKey Homes since its inception, is Co-Founder and President of Cerberus' Residential Opportunities platform, and one of FirstKey Homes' founding members. A seasoned leader in the global residential sector, Brendan brings more than 30 years of experience in investing and building market-leading platforms. Prior to joining Cerberus, he spent 11 years as a Head Mortgage Trader and Manager at Lehman Brothers, where he managed all risk and trading operations for agency and non-agency residential mortgages.

About FirstKey Homes

FirstKey Homes, LLC is a privately-owned, single-family rental home property management company with corporate headquarters in Marietta, Georgia. With a mission to give our residents a place to call home, FirstKey Homes is proud to provide safe, affordable, and well-maintained homes to individuals and families across the United States.

Contact

Alex Horwitz

Vice President, Media and Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE FirstKey Homes, LLC
DALLAS, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Change in the employee benefits space is a given. Companies that work with insurance brokers and consultants always have questions. So, it's important to know which questions to ask and how to frame them to find the right broker/consultant to navigate you to an effective Total Rewards strategy. There is no template for asking the perfect questions, but determining your goals for the conversations will help you make the best decisions for your company. Knowledge is power. So here are five questions to ask potential broker/consultant partners to build the right Total Rewards strategy for your employees.

Steve Idoux President of Lockton Dunning

How are broker/consultants compensated?

To get the straight answers you need, it's important to know the potential broker/consultant's compensation model  what fees they collect and if they disclose them. It's also critical to know if they have any preferred partnership arrangements that generate referral or revenue sharing fees. Often, commissions are built into different products, and an employer may never know about them, but they can be sizeable. It's common in the broker/consultant industry to take advantage of cost reductions due to scale, so some firms have built their own pharmacy benefit coalitions and private exchanges. That should serve as an alert. Why? When firms have their own coalition or exchange, recommending (or firing) itself becomes a conflict.

What's included/excluded in your scope of work?

Knowing what services and products your potential broker/consultant can make available to your company and their costs, is important in helping you to make the right decision for your employees' benefits. Understanding what's included and excluded in their scope of work is key. Ask your potential broker/consultant if they bill by the hour, how they track it and if they limit hours. It's also good to know if billing for travel, data and actuarial work is included. Having access to medical experts, ERISA attorneys, communications specialists, a data platform as well as people who can analyze the information is also important to know upfront in a proposal as it provides insight into whether a firm possesses those important capabilities in-house or services you will be billed for individually.

How do you derive your recommendations?

As a Human Resources executive or manager, your broker/consultant is a partner you should be able to depend on to guide you to the best decisions for your employees. For instance, to pay or not to pay for costly weight loss medications is the issue du jour for many companies now. So, having a broker/consultant help you with considerations, if not solid recommendations, requires knowing what resources they use to arrive at their decisions. That requires transparency and visibility on their part. Without it, there is no accountability. So, ask your broker/consultant what tools, people, resources, and experience they have that can help build a decision-conducive environment to improve your employees' health and wellbeing while also meeting your business objectives.

What is your end game?

Learning more about your broker/consultant's own goals and loyalties, and their company's growth aspirations can be important in understanding whether serving you or their company is their first responsibility. Many employee benefits broker/consulting firms are publicly traded, so by default, their obligation is to their shareholders, not to their clients. Some are owned by private equity, which has the same priorities. While there is nothing sinister or disqualifying in being publicly traded or funded by private equity, we're in the services business  like law and accounting firms  and we should prioritize an ethos that puts relationships above profits.

How does data help inform your recommendations?

Determining the sophistication and availability of the data in a broker/consultant partner is critical to managing your healthcare and employee benefits efficiently. In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important, knowing what data and how much a broker/consultant has access to (or if they have their own data platform) and how you will be charged to access it, should be a key consideration in deciding if that broker will be your partner of choice. Why is this important? In today's rapidly changing employee benefits environment, data is key to providing you with nuanced insights that inform critical decision-making. Integrating deep data analytics with strategic foresight, helps you to deploy the right strategies for your business and people. Underestimating data capabilities in evaluating a potential broker/consultant partner, can be an expensive oversight as you may not have the ability to identify an early trend or cost control to manage complex claims and accurately cost benefits. Remember, the strategic use of data not only allows businesses to accurately appraise cost considerations but also enhances health opportunities for their employees.

Lastly, in considering bringing a new broker/consultant to the table or strengthening the relationship with an existing partner to manage your employee benefits, honest questions deserve honest answers as transparency engenders trust. Anything less, is reason to continue looking for the right partner, or ending the marriage.

Idoux is President, Lockton Dunning.

About Lockton

What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes us better: independence. Lockton's private ownership empowers its 10,750 Associates doing business in more than 140 countries to focus solely on clients' risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results.

For 14 consecutive years, Business Insurance magazine has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance." Lockton was named among the 2022 Best Managed Companies by Deloitte and The Wall Street Journal, a program that recognizes excellence and honors private companies for their strategy, execution, culture and financials.

SOURCE Lockton Dunning
Announces Expansion in 2,000+ Walmart Locations Nationwide Showcasing Continued Explosive Growth

LOS ANGELES, April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On this Tax Day, Fly By Jing is making their fire flavors more accessible by lowering prices at all major retailers, including Target, Whole Foods, Albertsons Safeway, Sprouts, and FlyByJing.com. Fly By Jing's best-selling Sichuan Chili Crisp, Chengdu Crunch, and Xtra Spicy Chili Crisp are new at Walmart and only $9.98, the lowest prices ever for these delicious condiments.

Fly By Jing, creators of the first premium, all-natural Chinese chili sauces, is dedicated to blending deep and complex flavors using only the finest ingredients. In addition to lowering prices, Fly By Jing is embarking on a massive expansion. The brand is launching in over 2,000 Walmart locations nationwide, bringing their 3 bestsellers to more people at the affordable price of $9.98.

This initiative is part of Fly By Jing founder Jing Gao's goal to introduce Americans to the electric flavors of her home province of Sichuan, China and to dispel modern stereotypes surrounding Chinese cuisine.

"In 2018, we were the first to make a 100% all-natural premium Chinese chili sauce that delivered the deep and complex flavors I know and love. For a small company, this does not come cheap. We've worked extremely hard over the last 4 years throughout our supply chain to find efficiencies that have allowed us to significantly reduce our costs, which we are passing right along to our customers." Jing Gao says. "The prices might be new, but we will always use the most premium, Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients sourced directly from Sichuan, to make the best tasting sauces that are good on literally everything."

Gao's leadership has catapulted Fly By Jing to incredible success. She's led the company to massive heights with global retailers in Australia and Whole Foods UK, while growing exponentially in the United States. Beyond this, she's spearheaded collaborations with almost every other "it" brand in food including Shake Shack, Panda Express, Our Place, Sun Noodle, Fishwife, and more. These collaborations contribute to a broader appreciation for diverse culinary traditions and encourage other food companies to prioritize cultural authenticity and representation in their products.

ABOUT FLY BY JING

Fly By Jing is a revolutionary Chinese food company that brings thoughtfully crafted pantry staples to the modern kitchen. The brand is committed to highly charged flavors and 100% real ingredients that elevate every meal from ordinary to extraordinary. Their best-selling Sichuan Chili Crisp is a testament to this, offering a symphony of bold, authentic flavors that awaken the palate with every bite. After debuting in 2018 with a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, Fly By Jing has gone on to pioneer a new category for Asian condiments and make an indelible mark on the culinary landscape of America. As a B Corp certified company, Fly By Jing products are vegan, Non-GMO Project Verified, with no MSG, artificial preservatives, or flavors, providing customers with nothing but the best taste experience. Developed by Jing Gao, a chef, entrepreneur, cookbook author, and renowned expert on Chinese cuisine, the Los Angeles-based company is on a mission to evolve culture through taste, and expand palates and minds. Fly By Jing's products can be found nationwide at major retailers including Target, Costco, Whole Foods Market, Albertsons Safeway, Sprouts, Wegmans, Shoprite, Harris Teeter and more.

FLY BY JING ON THE WEB:

Website

Instagram

FLY BY JING PR CONTACTS

Rebecca Shapiro | [email protected]

Mikaela Duhs | [email protected]

Becca Bloch | [email protected]

SOURCE Fly By Jing
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FzioMed, Inc. ("FzioMed" or the "Company"), a recognized global leader in adhesion prevention, today announced it will attend the Hysteroscopy, Assisted Reproductive Technology and Ultrasound (HARTUS) congress April 22-24 in Rome, Italy. The Company will showcase its innovative Oxiplex adhesion barrier gel product portfolio designed to reduce the formation of post-surgical adhesions following hysteroscopic and laparoscopic surgery. The HARTUS meeting is a new concept based on teamwork for enhancing the perinatal results in the infertility patient.

FzioMed will highlight the unique benefits of its Oxiplex portfolio for intrauterine hysteroscopy and laparoscopic peritoneal procedures. Based on a patented formulation and more than 20 years of use, these barrier products provide a temporary, mechanical separation of tissues during the normal healing process, reducing adhesion formation. Oxiplex/IU and Oxiplex/AP gels offer ease of use combined with proven safety and clinical efficacy.

FzioMed is sponsoring a lecture on Tuesday, April 23 at 2:30 pm/(14:30) CEST titled 'How to Prevent Intrauterine Adhesions' which will be given by Brunella Zizolfi, MD, PhD, a specialist of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Federico II University Hospital of Naples, Italy. Dr. Zizolfi and Attilio Di Spiezio Sardo, MD, PhD, Chief of Hysteroscopy at Federico II University Hospital and who has published clinical trial results with Oxiplex/IU, will both be available at FzioMed's exhibitor booth (Booth #2) periodically throughout the congress to speak about the benefits of utilizing Oxiplex adhesion barriers.

"Even with the best procedural technique, adhesions can form in the cervical canal and intrauterine cavity following a variety of common procedures  including dilation and curettage, to myomectomy, adhesiolysis, and other hysteroscopic procedures. Intrauterine (IU) adhesions can cause a variety of complications, from pain and menstrual cycle abnormalities to infertility or inability to carry pregnancy to term," stated Todd Fanning, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Formulated specifically for intrauterine procedures, our Oxiplex/IU Adhesion Barrier Gel works in concert with the natural healing process to reduce adhesion formation. This can lead to improved patient satisfaction, reducing complaints and risk of re-operations."

Oxiplex/IU and Oxiplex/AP Adhesion Barrier Gels are provided sterile and ready to use each with respective prepackaged applicators. Oxiplex/IU includes a smooth, rounded tip applicator that allows for ease of insertion and application while the clear gel formula maintains local visibility. The proprietary applicator provided with Oxiplex/AP allows for laparoscopic use to apply a single, consistent layer of gel over ovarian and peritoneal surfaces. No special storage, refrigeration, mixing, or handling is required. Oxiplex gels do not swell or migrate after application and their unique viscosity is flowable yet remain where applied. The Oxiplex portfolio of adhesion barrier products has been available since 2002 and have been used in nearly 1 million procedures worldwide.

"Our patented dual-polymer formulation combines two synthetic biocompatible polymers proven safe and effective over more than two decades of worldwide use. Oxiplex gels are inert, bioabsorbable, and contain no pharmaceutical agents or materials of human, animal, or bacterial origin," commented Gere diZerega, MD, FzioMed's Medical Director. "Reducing post-procedural pain and adhesiogenic complications can lead to improved reproductive health and risk of re-operations."

About FzioMed, Inc.

Pioneering biomaterials since 1996, FzioMed is a privately held and vertically integrated medical device company focused exclusively on preserving surgical excellence in spine, orthopedic, peritoneal and gynecological procedures. FzioMed is a recognized global leader in the surgical biomaterials markets for adhesion prevention.

The Company develops and manufactures absorbable adhesion barriers based on its patented dual-polymer technology. Our patented dual polymer technology is tailored to meet the needs of specific clinical applications and markets its products in more than 70 countries under various brand names. FzioMed, Oxiplex, Oxiplex/IU, Oxiplex/AP, Oxiplex/SP, Dynavisc, and Interpose are registered trademarks; Intercoat and Medishield are trademarks; and Preserve Surgical ExcellenceSM and Pioneering Biomaterials Since 1996SM are sales marks  all of FzioMed, Inc.

For more information, please visit www.fziomed.com or contact Steve Burt  CFO at [email protected].

SOURCE FzioMed
AMES, Iowa, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GlobalVetLink (GVL), a pioneer in digital health certificate solutions, has partnered with Airpets International, one of the country's leading pet relocation services, to simplify pet travel. With the integration of GlobalVetLink's innovative Pet Travel Concierge Service and Airpets International's proficient logistics operations, pet owners can now enjoy an unparalleled experience in global pet travel.

With the integration of GlobalVetLink's innovative Pet Travel Concierge Service and Airpets International's proficient logistics operations, pet owners can now enjoy an unparalleled experience in global pet travel.

Airpets International is a distinguished leader within the pet shipping industry, known for its unwavering dedication to ensuring pets' utmost comfort and safety throughout their journeys. Under the leadership of CEO Karoline Brewer, a member of the board of directors of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA), the company exemplifies a steadfast commitment to advancing animal welfare through progressive innovation and conscientious stewardship. Airpets International's ethos of treating pets with the utmost care and consideration mirrors the core values upheld by GlobalVetLink.

The Pet Travel Concierge Service from GlobalVetLink revolutionizes how veterinarians, pet shippers, and pet owners navigate the complexities of international pet travel. GlobalVetLink's concierge service streamlines the pet travel process, ensuring compliance with regulations and eliminating the typical stress and time-consuming hurdles associated with preparing pets for travel abroad. By entrusting GlobalVetLink with the intricate details of pet travel documentation, veterinary professionals and pet owners can focus on what matters most  the safety and well-being of their pets.

With this partnership, Airpets International will integrate GlobalVetLink's Pet Travel Concierge Service into their workflow to offer clients a complete package. From door-to-door transport details to securing the necessary health certifications and USDA endorsements, Airpets International and GlobalVetLink aim to provide a hassle-free experience for pets and their owners.

Brent Reiter, Director of Travel Operations at Airpets International, commented on the partnership, "Combining our expertise in pet relocation with GlobalVetLink's proficiency in health certificates creates a synergy that will streamline international travel with pets. We understand pet owners' attachment to their furry companions, and we're excited to make this process as easy and stress-free as possible."

The partnership between GlobalVetLink and Airpets International is a significant milestone in the pet relocation industry. It promises to uphold the highest standards of pet welfare and client satisfaction. For individuals and families planning to move with their pets, this partnership means they can now look forward to a more streamlined process backed by professionals who care deeply about the well-being of their pets.

About Airpets International:

At Airpets International, your beloved pet takes precedence above all else. Our unwavering commitment revolves around your cherished companions' meticulous care and welfare throughout their journeys, whether they traverse local or international routes. Our devoted travel staff stands ready to provide personalized attention, ensuring both you and your pet experience utmost relaxation and enjoyment throughout your voyage. For more information on Airpets International, visit www.airpetsinternational.com.

About GlobalVetLink:

GlobalVetLink is a leader in providing digital compliance solutions for animal health practitioners, facilitating seamless, efficient, and secure animal data management for regulatory compliance. Our commitment to the animal health industry is to continuously improve health compliance, protect the industry against fraud, and prioritize data security to maintain our leadership at the forefront of veterinary digital solutions. For more information on GlobalVetLink, visit globalvetlink.com.

Media Inquires: Becca Johnson, 515-817-5075, [email protected]

SOURCE GlobalVetLink
NEW YORK, April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The government cyber security market in us size is estimated to grow by USD 10819.17 mn from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.59% during the forecast period. The US government cybersecurity market encompasses professionals, providers, and job seekers addressing cyber-attacks, data breaches, and espionage groups like Dragonfly, Thrip, and Chafer. Cloud-based platforms and solutions, including SSO and cloud-based cybersecurity, are in demand due to economic uncertainty. DDoS attacks, human errors, and misconfigurations pose threats, necessitating data protection laws and managed services. ONB, Academia, and various organizations collaborate, offering programs and enterprise security solutions in sectors like manufacturing.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Government Cyber Security Market in US 2023-2027

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

Government Cyber Security Market In US Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 14.59% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 10819.17 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 12.84 Regional analysis US Performing market contribution North America at 100% Key countries US Key companies profiled BAE Systems Plc, Cisco Systems Inc., CyberArk Software Ltd., Fortinet Inc., NXTKey Corp., SolarWinds Corp., Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp., Cyderes, Dell Technologies Inc., DXC Technology Co., Fortra LLC, General Dynamics Corp., International Business Machines Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp., Musarubra US LLC, Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Proofpoint Inc., Raytheon Technologies Corp., The Boeing Co., and Trend Micro Inc.

Segment Overview

This government cyber security market in US report extensively covers market segmentation by End-user (US intelligence community, Department of defense, Department of homeland security) Deployment (On-premises, Cloud based) Product (Services, Solutions) Geography (North America)

Market segmentation by End-user

The Government Cyber Security Market in the US continues to expand, driven by the on-premises deployment model's growth. This model allows government organizations to maintain complete control over their cybersecurity solutions, utilizing dedicated hardware and software managed by service providers. However, the need for robust IT infrastructure and professional expertise increases the demand for cybersecurity professionals. With economic uncertainty and the rise of cyber-attacks, cybercrimes, data breaches, and cyber espionage groups like Dragonfly, Thrip, and Chafer, the market's growth is imperative. Cloud-based platforms and cybersecurity solutions, such as Single Sign-On (SSO) and protection against DDoS attacks, offer alternatives. Yet, human errors and misconfigurations remain significant threats. Data protection laws necessitate managed services segments' growth. IT environments, including ONB, Academia, Cyber Centre, Ignite Fredericton, Cyber Hatch, Planet Hatch, Energia, TechImpact, and The McKenna Institute, collaborate with post-secondary institutions to develop cybersecurity programs. Enterprise security solutions, including manufacturing, remain crucial in countering digital attacks.

The US government cybersecurity market encompasses professionals, providers, and job seekers addressing cyber-attacks, data breaches, and espionage groups like Dragonfly, Thrip, and Chafer. Cloud-based platforms and solutions, including SSO and cloud-based cybersecurity, are in demand due to economic uncertainty. DDoS attacks, human errors, and misconfigurations pose threats, necessitating data protection laws and managed services. ONB, Academia, and various organizations collaborate, offering programs and enterprise security solutions in sectors like manufacturing.

The Government Cyber Security Market in the US encompasses solutions for advanced technologies, including AI and ML, in sectors like BFSI, IT and telecommunications, retail, travel, and energy utilities. It addresses confidential data protection, regulatory compliance, and security threats in hybrid cloud settings. Solutions include network, end-point, application, and cloud application security, secure web gateways, and IT security services against cyber threats.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 - 2021) and forecast period(2023-2027)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

In the US, the Government Cyber Security Market encompasses various sectors, including Academia, Cyber Centers, and critical infrastructure in Manufacturing, Banking, Financial Services, Healthcare, IoT Market, Travel and Transportation, and Energy and Utilities. With the increasing reliance on digital technologies and remote work, this market faces escalating challenges from cyber threats and regulatory compliance demands. Enterprise security solutions are crucial in addressing these issues, particularly in Hybrid cloud settings. IoT solutions, which are integral to numerous applications, necessitate robust security measures. The market's growth is driven by the need for data protection and digital transactions' security in an era of heightened cyber risks.

Market Research Overview

The Government Cyber Security Market in the US is a significant and ever-evolving sector. Companies provide solutions for securing critical infrastructure, protecting sensitive data, and combating cyber threats. Cybersecurity technologies in use include cloud security, network security, identity and access management, and encryption. The market is driven by increasing threats, regulatory compliance, and the need for advanced security solutions. Key players include CyberArk, Palo Alto Networks, IBM, and Microsoft. The market is projected to grow due to the increasing adoption of cloud services, the rise of IoT devices, and the implementation of advanced security technologies. The US government invests heavily in cybersecurity, with initiatives like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Protection System (NCPS). The market is expected to continue its growth trajectory in the coming years.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
A 5-Star Retreat in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - The Scotsman Hotel, the newest addition to Niagara-on-the-Lakes's (NOTL) prestigious hospitality scene, proudly announced its grand opening on February 16th, 2024. Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of one of Canada's most cherished wine regions, this upscale country inn is set to redefine luxury and elegance for travelers seeking an unparalleled experience.

Behind The Scotsman Hotel are owners Brenda and Blair McArthur, whose vision was deeply inspired by their time spent in Scotland. Embracing an old-world, classic rural vibe, their hotel offers an exquisite blend of sophistication and charm, with amenities designed to cater to the discerning tastes of its guests. Each of the hotel's five lavishly appointed suites, designed by Lori Morris, is a testament to the art of fine living.

"The Scotsman Hotel is a tribute to all of the love and fond memories we have made in this beautiful town," said Brenda McArthur, Owner of The Scotsman Hotel. "We hope that all who visit experience the enchanting feeling that is woven through the beautiful town of Niagara-on-the-Lake."

Guests can indulge in a culinary journey every morning, crafted by Chef Chris, who highlights local flavors and ingredients. The hotel's commitment to excellence extends to its retreat spaces, making the hotel an ideal destination for hosting a luxe wedding party, executive retreat, and other high-end group getaways. With its elegant lounges, culinary offerings and cozy outdoor patio, The Scotsman Hotel promises to make every occasion memorable.

NOTL, a charming locale in Canada, is renowned for its exquisite wineries, making it a haven for wine enthusiasts. Just a short 20-minute drive from the Lewiston Queenston Bridge, connecting Canada to the United States, luxury and refinement await, beckoning travelers to indulge in the region's delights.

For reservations and more information, visit thescotsmanhotel.ca or contact The Scotsman Hotel at [email protected] or 905-468-9991.

About The Scotsman Hotel

The Scotsman Hotel is a 5-star country inn located in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada. Offering an unmatched blend of luxury, comfort, and scenic beauty, The Scotsman Hotel provides guests with an extraordinary stay through its exceptional accommodations, gourmet dining, and personalized service. Set against the backdrop of one of Canada's most picturesque regions, The Scotsman Hotel is the ultimate destination for travelers seeking a unique and indulgent experience.

SOURCE The Scotsman Hotel
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Granicus, the leading provider of government experience software services and solutions shared a preview of technology and business priorities for 2024.

As a strategic partner to more than 6,000 governments across North America, Latin America, the United Kingdom and Australia, Granicus has been committed to technological excellence and innovation for decades. In 2024, the company is prioritizing product development and industry excellence in public sector.

Advancing cornerstone technology and investing in research and development across capabilities to enhance service delivery and surface critical data insights.

Granicus is introducing two-way text messaging for govDelivery, the communications and engagement solution relied on by more than 900 government entities in the U.S. to conduct direct, targeted outreach to citizens through email and SMS.

With this capability, governments can create interactive two-way experiences with their customers to support use cases such as gathering feedback for a service, raising awareness, assessing program qualifications, and supporting calls to action for applications and enrollment.

Granicus has also developed a data-driven insights capability to help governments surface insights on how to optimize their customer interactions across departments and channels. The capability uses a combination of data integration and enrichment, analytics and visualization dashboards, predictive models, benchmarks, and practitioner expertise to deliver critical insights for governments from their customer data.

All of Granicus' technological developments help bolster the Government Experience Cloud, the platform solution enabling governments to provide seamless, interconnected citizen experiences that make the creation, delivery, management, and measurement of those connections as intuitive as possible.

As Granicus continues to evolve customer experience capabilities, a renewed commitment to industry excellence is a critical pairing with product innovation.

On February 1, Granicus announced the acquisition of SmartGov from Brightly Software, a Siemens company. SmartGov is a cloud-based permitting, compliance and licensing (PCL) solution trusted by hundreds of US cities, counties and state agencies to digitize vital services for residents and automate PCL processing for government professionals.

In addition to growth by acquisition, Granicus is prioritizing partnerships across government and industry.

Granicus announced the signing of a Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to offer engagement and experience solutions to the public sector hosted on AWS.

The SCA accelerates Granicus' adoption of AWS's advanced high-performance data technologies, including Amazon Pinpoint, Amazon Redshift and Amazon QuickSight, enabling the company to more effectively capture and correlate billions of monthly digital interactions to drive highly personalized citizen experiences.

A key effort underway representing innovation and customer commitment is the launch of Granicus' Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Customer Advisory Board (AI/ML CAB). Granicus is facilitating a first-of-its-kind AI/ML CAB, which features 10 to 12 participants from varying levels of government from each region: North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

To learn more about Granicus' 2024 priorities, read the full press release and register for Granicus' Engagement Summit on April 23 where new product features will be unveiled.

About Granicus

Granicus is the global leader in customer engagement and experience technologies and services for the public sector. Now powering almost 30 billion digital interactions globally each year and connecting over 500,000 government professionals with 300 million opt-in subscribers, Granicus is proud to serve as a critical strategic partner to governments as they work to deliver equitable and secure government experiences. With comprehensive cloud-based solutions for communications, digital services, government website design, meeting and agenda management software, and records management, Granicus empowers stronger relationships between government and constituents across the U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. By simplifying interactions and communicating critical information, Granicus brings governments closer to the people they servedriving meaningful change for communities around the globe.

SOURCE Granicus
Roughly 1,200 eligible individuals have received funds from the organization since August 2023 as fundraising efforts for Maui fire victims come to a close at the end of April

HONOLULU, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hawai'i Ag & Culinary Alliance (HACA) is honored to share the Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund has raised over $1,220,000 for restaurant, bar and hospitality workers impacted by the devastating Maui wildfires that occurred last August. Originally established as an emergency relief fund during the pandemic, the Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund has been a beacon of hope for Maui's culinary and visitor industry, which comprises 80% of Maui's economy.

Chef Isaac Bancaco was one of the many chefs who lost his restaurant in the fires. He's pictured here at the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival's Taste Our Love For Maui Fundraiser in November 2023 with culinary students from UH Maui College where $100,000 was raised for the Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund. Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund Logo

From the beginning, HACA has been unwavering in its commitment to ensure that every dollar of the donations received are directly channeled to those affected by the firesno administrative fees are incurred. To date, the fund has provided support to roughly 1,200 eligible restaurant, bar and hospitality workers who experienced a loss of employment or reduction in income due to the fires. The one-time $1,000 disbursement to each individual offers tangible assistance in their journey to rebuild during a time of uncertainty and hardship.

"The impact of the Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund would not have been possible without the incredible outpouring of support from the global communityour Hawai'i Food & Wine Festival chefs, partners and hospitality industry at large," shared Hawai'i Ag & Culinary Alliance CEO, Denise Yamaguchi. "This widespread solidarity underscores the strength and unity that defines our culinary family," said Yamaguchi, with contributions from more than 950 donors spanning nearly all 50 states and eight countries worldwide.

In addition to the numerous bars, restaurants, and wineries that organized fundraisers to support the cause, the generosity of hospitality leaders, such as the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and Private Label Collection's Jonathan McManus, have played a significant role in the success of the initiative. A recent fundraiser held at Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux, in collaboration with renowned three-Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller of The French Laundry, propelled the Kokua Restaurant and Hospitality Fund's total to just over $1,220,000, bolstering the number of individuals supported through the fund.

"The Hotel Wailea culinary team was thrilled to host a collaboration series with iconic three Michelin star The French Laundry restaurant from Napa for the very first time to benefit our Maui 'ohana," said Jonathan McManus, Founder of Hotel Wailea and Private Label Collection. "We are honored, along with Chef Thomas Keller, to play a part in helping the Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund meet its fundraising goals to assist West Maui."

As the Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund's Maui relief efforts come to a close next month, donations will continue to be accepted until April 30. Hawai'i Ag & Culinary Alliance remains committed to expeditiously disbursing the remaining funds to eligible waitlisted individuals that applied last year. Moving forward, while the fund for Maui wildfire victims will conclude, the Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund will remain an integral part of HACA's programs, ready to be activated to provide support for restaurant, bar and hospitality workers if unforeseen hardships impact the industry.

For more information on the Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund for Maui, or to donate, visit www.HFWF.me/kokua. Hawai'i Ag and Culinary Alliance dba Hawai'i Food & Wine Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 46-0618609). Contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. Individuals are instructed to consult their tax advisor to determine the tax benefits for their donation.

ABOUT HAWAI'I AG & CULINARY ALLIANCE

The Hawai'i Ag & Culinary Alliance (HACA) is the parent organization of the Hawai'i Food & Wine Festival (HFWF)the premier epicurean destination event of the Pacific, and Hashi Mediathe digital platform for curated culinary stories featuring the global network of HFWF ambassadors and talent. Founded in 2011 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, HACA's mission is to attract national and international attention for Hawai'i's extraordinary culinary talent and diverse, high-quality locally grown productsensuring the islands maintain their competitive edge as a world-class destination. Since it's inaugural year, HACA has donated over $3.5 million to local community and 'aina-based organizations that support food sustainability, culinary education and agriculture. For more information, visit www.HFWF.me, follow HFWF on Instagram @HIFoodWineFest and Facebook at @HawaiiFoodandWineFestival.

SOURCE Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance
Consumers' health awareness and rising popularity of fast food are driving the food oil absorbing sheet market. These sheets offer a convenient way to manage oil in cooking, making food healthier. However, competition from cheaper alternatives and environmental concerns are challenges. Manufacturers are responding with sustainable materials, niche product lines, and strategic partnerships to ensure market growth.

NEWARK, Del. , April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The food oil absorbing sheet market is valued at US$ 175.3 million for 2024, projected to reach US$ 288.3 million by 2034. The market is expected to rise at a CAGR of 3.50% from 2024 to 2034. The food oil absorbing sheet industry is experiencing growth driven by the increasing consumer awareness regarding health and hygiene is fueling the demand for convenient solutions to manage oil in cooking practices. Food oil absorbing sheets provide a simple and effective way to absorb excess oil from fried foods, promoting healthier cooking habits.

Download the Sample PDF report to explore key market insights and trends: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-19462

The rise in fast food consumption and takeaway culture is boosting the demand for oil-absorbing sheets in both household and commercial kitchens. Moreover, the versatility of food oil absorbing sheets, which can be used for various cooking applications, further contributes to their growing popularity among consumers and food service establishments.

The food oil absorbing sheet industry faces certain restraints that pose challenges to its growth. One significant challenge is the competition from alternative products and solutions, such as paper towels and reusable cloth wipes, which offer similar oil-absorbing capabilities at a lower cost. Additionally, concerns regarding the environmental impact of single-use products like food oil absorbing sheets have led to calls for more sustainable alternatives, putting pressure on manufacturers to develop eco-friendly options. Moreover, the fluctuating prices of raw materials, such as pulp and paper, can affect production costs and profit margins for food oil absorbing sheet manufacturers, impacting their competitiveness in the market.

Manufacturers can leverage advancements in materials science and biotechnology to create sustainable alternatives to traditional paper-based products. Additionally, expanding into niche markets, such as specialty food oil absorbing sheets designed for specific cuisines or cooking methods, can help companies differentiate their products and attract a wider customer base. Furthermore, strategic partnerships with food manufacturers and retailers can create new distribution channels and marketing opportunities for food oil absorbing sheet manufacturers, driving market expansion.

Amidst changing consumer preferences and market trends, several notable developments are shaping the food oil absorbing sheet industry. One emerging trend is the integration of antimicrobial properties into food oil absorbing sheets, offering added hygiene benefits and extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Another trend is the introduction of innovative packaging designs that incorporate food oil absorbing sheets directly into packaging materials, providing convenient solutions for consumers and enhancing product freshness. Furthermore, there is growing interest in personalized and customizable food oil absorbing sheets, allowing consumers to tailor the size and absorbency of sheets according to their specific needs.

"The food oil absorbing sheet industry presents several opportunities for growth and innovation. One major opportunity lies in the development of eco-friendly and biodegradable materials for manufacturing food oil absorbing sheets, addressing consumer concerns about environmental sustainability." Says Ismail Sutaria (Lead Consultant, Packaging and Materials at Future Market Insights, Inc.).

Key Takeaways from the Market Study

In 2024, reed oil-absorbing paper commands an impressive market share of 84.30%.

Dominating the market with a voluminous share of 72.60% in 2024 are standard sizes.

Anticipated to increase at a rate of 3.0% until 2034, the demand for food oil absorbing sheets in the United States is set to escalate.

is set to escalate. With a moderate growth projection of 2.7% until 2034, the United Kingdom's food oil absorbing sheet industry shows promise.

food oil absorbing sheet industry shows promise. Japan emerges as a highly lucrative market for food oil absorbing sheets, boasting a robust 5.9% CAGR by 2034.

emerges as a highly lucrative market for food oil absorbing sheets, boasting a robust 5.9% CAGR by 2034. China's food oil absorbing sheet market displays immense potential, poised to grow at a rate of 5.2% until 2034.

food oil absorbing sheet market displays immense potential, poised to grow at a rate of 5.2% until 2034. India's food oil absorbing sheet market is expected to experience a steady growth rate of 5.5% until 2034.

Competition Outlook of the Food Oil Absorbing Sheet Market

The food oil absorbing sheet industry is witnessing increasing competition as more companies enter the market with innovative products and solutions. With a growing awareness of the need for effective oil management in cooking and food preparation, consumers are seeking high-quality and efficient oil-absorbing sheets that can meet their needs. This heightened demand has led to a surge in new product launches, with companies focusing on developing sheets with superior oil-absorbing capabilities, eco-friendly materials, and convenient packaging to attract consumers.

As competition intensifies, companies are also investing in research and development to differentiate their products and gain a competitive edge. This includes exploring new materials and technologies to enhance the performance of oil-absorbing sheets, as well as expanding product lines to offer a wider range of options to consumers. Additionally, strategic partnerships and collaborations with retailers and distributors are becoming increasingly important for companies to expand their market reach and increase sales. Overall, the competitive outlook for the food oil-absorbing sheet industry remains dynamic, driven by innovation, consumer preferences, and strategic initiatives aimed at capturing a larger share of the market.

Recent Developments:

Smith & Sons Enterprises, headquartered in the United States , has recently introduced a 50-count pack of oil-absorbing sheets, now available at Smith's Food and Drug, targeting consumers seeking quick remedies for oily surfaces.

, has recently introduced a 50-count pack of oil-absorbing sheets, now available at Smith's Food and Drug, targeting consumers seeking quick remedies for oily surfaces. Purajan Japan, based in Japan , has gained acclaim for its Japanese Tempura Paper, a highly effective cooking paper praised for its ability to efficiently manage excess cooking oil.

, has gained acclaim for its Japanese Tempura Paper, a highly effective cooking paper praised for its ability to efficiently manage excess cooking oil. Tikusan, a Japanese brand deeply rooted in tradition, offers a popular 100-sheet pack of Japanese Tempura Paper, renowned for its exceptional oil-absorbing capabilities and widespread consumer appeal.

Brady Corporation, situated in the United States , has made a significant impact with its SPC absorbents, originally designed for addressing oil, water, and chemical spills, suggesting potential adaptability for food oil absorption purposes.

, has made a significant impact with its SPC absorbents, originally designed for addressing oil, water, and chemical spills, suggesting potential adaptability for food oil absorption purposes. Shenzhen Beite Purification Technology Co., Ltd, operating from China , has expanded its product range to include food-grade oil-absorbing paper, showcasing its commitment to providing high-quality cleanroom consumables.

Purchase now and gain full access to the Food Oil Absorbing Sheet Industry report, featuring comprehensive Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, DROT Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives.

About the Author:

Ismail Sutaria (Lead Consultant, Packaging and Materials) has over 8 years of experience in market research and consulting in the packaging & materials industry. Ismail's strength lies in identifying key challenges faced by the client and offering logical and actionable insights to equip the clients with strategic decision-making power.

Ismail has been an instrumental part of several transformational consulting assignments. His key skills include competitive benchmarking, opportunity assessment, macroeconomic analysis, and business transformation advisory. Ismail is an MBA holder in Marketing and has a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics.

Ismail is a regular at industry conferences and expos and has been widely covered in electronic and print media. He is a Speaker at our upcoming Talk show - Rise of the Intelligent Packaging. Ismail has been quoted in leading publications, including the European Pharmaceutical Review and the European Adhesive Tape Association.

Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage in the Packaging Domain:

About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting service provider, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai and has delivery centers in the UK, the U.S., and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.

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Future Market Insights Inc.

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SOURCE Future Market Insights
OSLO, Norway, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexagon Composites (OSE: HEX.OL) today announces that Jon Erik Engeset will step down as Group President and Chief Executive Officer. The Company will shortly commence a search process. Engeset will continue as CEO until the position is filled, following which he will continue to support the company in an advisory role.

"After 11 years at the helm, Jon Erik Engeset has decided to step down," says Knut Flakk, Chair of the Board of Hexagon Composites. "Under his management the Group has undergone significant transformation. The company has been successfully repositioned from primarily a composite cylinder manufacturer to an integrated clean fuel solutions provider. Top line revenues have increased more than five times, and the company has assumed globally leading market positions. We thank Jon Erik for the passion, commitment, and leadership he has brought  and brings - every day to his work here at Hexagon."

"I have had the great privilege of leading this group for more than a decade. It is now time for me to give higher priority to my family," says Jon Erik Engeset. "The need to switch to clean energy requires urgent action from industry and governments alike and I take great pride in the contributions we at Hexagon have made together with our partners, customers, and suppliers. I predict that the market demand for our solutions will continue to grow at a very high pace in the years to come."

For more information:

Ingrid Aarsnes, VP Investor Relations & ESG, Hexagon Composites ASA

Telephone: +47 950 38 364 | [email protected]

Karen Romer, SVP Communications, Hexagon Composites ASA

Telephone: +47 950 74 950 | [email protected]

About Hexagon Composites ASA

Hexagon delivers safe and innovative solutions for a cleaner energy future. Our solutions enable storage, transportation, and conversion to clean energy in a wide range of mobility, industrial and consumer applications. Learn more at www.hexagongroup.com and follow @HexagonASA on Twitter and LinkedIn.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/hexagon-composites-asa/r/hexagon-composites-to-start-search-for-new-group-ceo,c3961949
Tampa General Hospital breaks ground on new Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower, a symbol of innovation and a tribute to the generosity of the Taneja Family Foundation.

TAMPA, Fla., April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH) today celebrated more than $120 million in charitable contributions over a two-year period to advance its vision to transform health care through innovation. The latest gift toward the $120 million milestone came from the Taneja Family Foundation and is the largest in the foundation's history.

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) today celebrated more than $120 million in charitable contributions over a two-year period to advance its vision to transform health care through innovation. The latest gift toward the $120 million milestone came from the Taneja Family Foundation and is the largest in the foundations history. Tampa General leadership, community leaders and members of the Taneja family broke ground on the Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower.

As part of the celebration, Tampa General leadership, community leaders and members of the Taneja family broke ground on the Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower, a medical pavilion in the heart of Tampa Bay, where patients will have access to best-in-class providers, the latest research therapies and state-of-the-art technologies. The tower bears the Taneja name in honor of the Taneja Family Foundation's contribution to the TGH Foundation.

"Patients come to Tampa General for world-class care, and the addition of this new tower on our campus, thanks in part to the generosity of the Taneja family, enhances our ability to deliver the highest level of academic-based medicine," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. "The Taneja family shares our vision that through innovation, we can transform health care and improve patient outcomes. The new Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower will be an intersection of academics, research and clinical care that will elevate how we are able to treat patients with complex conditions."

Construction on the Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower is expected to be completed in 2027, which will then serve as home for Tampa General's surgery, neuroscience and transplant service lines. The tower, which consists of a plaza level and 12 floors, will provide 144 patient beds, 32 operating suites and expanded intensive care unit (ICU) capacity. In addition, there will be space for education and training, emergency response and sterile processing, as well as two floors reserved for future growth.

"As Tampa General's academic health system reaches new communities across the state of Florida, the demand for Tampa General's world-class care grows, too," said Drew Graham, chairman of the board of directors of Florida Health Sciences Center, under which Tampa General operates. "The new Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower will help us fill that demand, welcoming patients from near and far for treatments and care for the most complex health conditions. The state-of-the-art pavilion will reflect the world-class care our providers and teams deliver every day."

"The Tanejas have built a successful business rooted in innovation, and their generous contribution is a testament to Tampa General's own commitment to innovation," said Gordon Gillette, chair of the board of trustees at Tampa General Hospital Foundation.

Giving back to the community was instilled in Jugal Taneja, president and treasurer of the Taneja Family Foundation, from a young age. His father emphasized the importance of generosity and encouraged his growing family to pay it forward. When Taneja moved to the United States more than five decades ago, he had little to give others with just $8 in his own pocket and a family back home in India to support.

Over the years, Taneja saved enough to bring his wife Manju to the United States. His career spanned from engineering to banking to venture capital. Through the ups and downs, he found ways to support the communities in which they lived and worked, lending his time and talents to benefit causes that were dear to his family. In 2010, Jugal and Manju Taneja together founded Belcher Pharmaceuticals, a company headquartered in Florida that focuses on innovating the development of complex genetic medications and antibiotics.

Tragedy struck the family in 2015 when Jugal and Manju's son Mandeep was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He passed away in 2018. While Mandeep's life could not be saved, the Tanejas chose to pay it forward and invest their resources in others in need of specialized care.

With their contribution to the TGH Foundation, the Taneja family is seeking to elevate impact, broaden research and provide unrivaled care to patients in need. Tampa General, the No. 4 transplant center in America and one of the nation's leading academic health systems, is a natural partner for the Taneja family.

"We have lived the American Dream, and now we want others to have that same chance at life," said Jugal Taneja on behalf of himself, Manju and the family. "What better way to pay it forward than to give greater access to world-class care for those who need it most?"

Through contributions from the Taneja Family Foundation, Jugal and Manju Taneja are creating a legacy that will have a meaningful impact for generations to come.

The Taneja family has long supported innovative efforts by Tampa General Hospital. In 2020, the family's foundation helped Tampa General and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine establish the Global Emerging Diseases Institute to fight infectious disease like COVID-19 during the pandemic. In 2019, the Taneja Family Foundation contributed to the University of South Florida to strengthen Florida's health care workforce and expand education programs at the College of Pharmacy.

"There are no bounds to the generosity of the Taneja family," said Frann Leppla, vice president and chief philanthropy officer of the TGH Foundation. "By naming the new tower in their honor, we're celebrating their passion for innovation, their impact on our community and the exceptional care we offer at Tampa General. I know the Tanejas will serve as a source of hope and inspiration for many who walk through the future doors of the Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower."

The plans for the Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower were first revealed in December before the Tampa City Council, where they received unanimous support from community leaders. The tower will be a 565,000-square-foot building adjacent to Tampa General's main campus on Davis Islands. This pavilion will be a pillar of the Tampa Medical & Research District, which is anchored by Tampa General and USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. The district boasts a variety of health care organizations from academics and clinical care to research and biotechnology, all of which contribute to Tampa's growing health care ecosystem, making the region a global destination for world-class care.

Public access around the building will be preserved during construction so that residents and visitors can walk the perimeter of the Tampa General campus on the island and enjoy the beauty of the new space.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2023-24 Best Hospitals, with six specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings  in the top 100 nationally in the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women and top 25 in Florida in the 2023 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit of approximately $240.3 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Center, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact:

Amanda Bevis

(202) 680-9262 cell

[email protected]

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
BOSTON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The move towards 800V and above in electric vehicles is already well underway, spearheaded by numerous automotive OEMs such as GM, Hyundai, VW, and Lucid Motors. These platforms enhance efficiency by minimizing joule losses and allowing for the downsizing of high-voltage cabling, thus reducing weight. This transition is facilitated by advancements in technologies and materials, particularly silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs, thanks to their improved ability to support high-frequency switching at higher voltages. In comparison to Si IGBTs, SiC MOSFETs offer smaller die areas and higher junction temperatures, necessitating more effective thermal management.

Trends for thermal management strategies driven by the transition from IGBT to MOSFET. Source: IDTechEx

Addressing this challenge, IDTechEx has noted various emerging thermal management strategies, ranging from altering thermal architecture to utilizing different die-attach materials and thermal interface materials (TIM). This shift is anticipated to present significant opportunities in the thermal management market, propelling the annual market value of TIMs to surpass US$900 million by 2034. In its latest research titled "Thermal Management for EV Power Electronics 2024-2034: Forecasts, Technologies, Markets, and Trends", IDTechEx conducted a comprehensive analysis of the market prospects for different TIMs concerning Si IGBT, SiC MOSFET, and GaN HEMT inverters while identifying potential market drivers.

High-performance TIMs

Thermal interface materials (TIMs) are commonly applied between the baseplate and the heatsink. IDTechEx anticipates a surge in demand for TIM with higher thermal conductivity (TC) owing to the escalating heat flux of SiC MOSFETs. As of 2024, the typical TC of this TIM ranges from 2.5 to 3W/mK, with expectations for this to exceed 5 or 6W/mK in some cases by 2034. This will correspond to a proportional rise in unit price alongside an increase in the market value of TIM. Although heightened production volumes might lead to a reduction in the average cost of TIM, IDTechEx suggests that the increase in average TC will outpace any manufacturing improvements, given the already large manufacturing capacity of TIM2 materials in 2024.

An interesting example of a higher-performance TIM2 material is Honeywell's PTM7000, boasting a TC of 6.5W/mK, which has already been utilized in onsemi's VE-Trac family. IDTechEx's latest research, "Thermal Management for EV Power Electronics 2024-2034: Forecasts, Technologies, Markets, and Trends", provides a comprehensive overview of properties such as TC, density, etc., of TIMs used in EV power electronics.

Die-attach and substrate-attach materials

Conventional die-attach and substrate-attach materials typically consist of solder alloys featuring bondline thicknesses ranging from 50 to 100m for die-attach and 100 to 150m for substrate-attach materials. Despite their satisfactory performance, IDTechEx has observed a growing preference for Ag sintering, led by major automotive OEMs such as Tesla, BYD, and Hyundai. Ag sintering, in comparison to traditional solder alloys, offers superior thermal and electrical conductivity, enhanced bond strength, and various other benefits. However, due to its higher costs and processing times, Ag sintering is likely to see primary adoption in applications that really require its benefits, such as wide bandgap-based inverters.

The cost of Ag sintering can vary significantly based on factors like customer relationships, order volumes, and suppliers. IDTechEx suggests that the cost of Ag sintered paste can easily be five to ten times higher than that of solder alloys. For instance, IDTechEx learned of an Ag sintered paste developed by a Japanese company costing around US$2/g, though this price has the potential to decrease significantly with increased volume. Overall, driven by leading automotive players, there is a discernible trend toward replacing solder alloys with Ag sintering pastes, creating market opportunities for material suppliers.

To address the cost factor, Cu sintering is proposed as an alternative approach. Compared to Ag sintering, Cu sintering aims to offer similar performance at a lower cost. A supplier informed IDTechEx that Cu sinter can cost as little as half as much as Ag sinter. However, as of 2024, IDTechEx has not observed widespread commercialization of Cu sintering technology in EV power modules. Due to limited volume and technical challenges, the cost of Cu sintering currently often surpasses that of Ag sintering. The IDTechEx report, "Thermal Management for EV Power Electronics 2024-2034: Forecasts, Technologies, Markets, and Trends", provides a comprehensive overview of the market opportunities in Ag and Cu sintering technologies, highlights the competitive landscape and supply chain, and analyzes the key players in the substrate-attach and die-attach sectors.

To find out more about this report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/TMPE.

For the full portfolio of electric vehicle market research from IDTechEx, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/EV.

Upcoming free-to-attend webinar

Advanced Thermal Management in EV Power Electronics: Thermal Materials and Thermal Architecture Trends

Yulin Wang, Senior Technology Analyst at IDTechEx and author of this article, will be presenting a free-to-attend webinar on the topic on Wednesday 8 May 2024 - Advanced Thermal Management in EV Power Electronics: Thermal Materials and Thermal Architecture Trends.

With the migration from Si IGBT to SiC MOSFET led by leading automotive OEMs like VW, Tesla, Hyundai, and BYD, IDTechEx has observed a rise in junction temperature, potentially surpassing 200C. This presents unprecedented thermal challenges for conventional thermal management solutions. To address these challenges and mitigate overheating issues, leading semiconductor suppliers, tier one suppliers, and automotive OEMs have proposed various strategies. These include transitioning to direct liquid cooling employing a pin-fin structure, using double-sided cooling, replacing solder alloys with silver or copper sintered paste, employing thermal interface materials with high thermal conductivity, and replacing aluminum wire bonds with copper alternatives.

In this webinar, IDTechEx will conduct an analysis of the traditional thermal structure of power modules and identify the trends and changes in thermal structure and materials employed.

The webinar encompasses the following insights:

A high-level examination of the conventional thermal framework in EV power electronics alongside projections for future structures

Analysis of trends of die-attach and substrate-attach materials

Trends in Thermal Interface Materials (TIM) and an assessment of commercially available TIMs tailored for power electronics

Comparison of single and double-sided cooling, alongside emerging trends and commercial applications

Please click here to check timings and register for your specific time zone.

If you are unable to make the date, please register anyway to receive the links to the on-demand recording (available for a limited time) and webinar slides as soon as they are available.

About IDTechEx:

IDTechEx provides trusted independent research on emerging technologies and their markets. Since 1999, we have been helping our clients to understand new technologies, their supply chains, market requirements, opportunities and forecasts. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

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Media Contact:

Lucy Rogers

Sales and Marketing Administrator

[email protected]

+44(0)1223 812300

Social Media Links:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/IDTechEx

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/IDTechEx

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SOURCE IDTechEx
LAKEVILLE, Minn. , April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ImageTrend, LLC., the leader in innovative public safety and healthcare software solutions, announced the appointment of three strategic experts to its customer success and sales divisions. The company welcomes Susan deCathelineau as Chief Customer Success Officer, Rock Toone as Strategic Advisor, Fire, and Nathaniel Meisner as Sales Engineer, Fire.

"I am thrilled to welcome Susan, Rock, and Nathaniel to the community," said Patrick Sheahan, President and CEO of ImageTrend. They are each category leaders, bringing a wealth of knowledge and familiarity with our products and our customers. The addition of these roles will propel the company forward. Together, they will drive innovation for empowering our internal community, and Fire and EMS organizations through best practices and data oversight to improve patient outcomes and foster healthier and safer communities."

Susan will lead ImageTrend's Customer Success team, with a customer-centric approach to growth and expansion opportunities, measuring and elevating overall health, and delivering outstanding user experience. She has more than twenty years of healthcare technology expertise, leading teams globally and partnering with sales, product management, and development/engineering, to advance customer growth and success. Through her industry experience, she has learned firsthand the powerful role of data in emergency services. Susan previously served as Chief Customer Success Officer for Westlake, Ohio-based Hyland and Corporate Director of Information Services for Minneapolis-based Allina Health.

"Creating a superior customer experience is my passion, and I am excited to engage with our community to gain input for delivering exceptional care," shared deCathelineau. "It's an honor to help first responders, providers and organizations across the country leverage technology to improve the well-being of their communities. I look forward to working with this innovative team to further our mission, continue to grow our reputation in healthcare technology, and create a seamless journey for our customers."

Rock will serve as a Strategic Advisor for ImageTrend's Fire products. He will provide guidance to the sales team to understand providers' needs and how best they can configure software to drive data efficiency and improve the overall safety of their communities. His 25-year career as a firefighter, most recently as fire captain in Utah's Weber Fire District, combined with his sales, marketing and real estate development experience, will help him support customers at every stage of their journey.

"As a frontline firefighter, I have a deep appreciation for the critical role data plays in this environment," shared Toone. "I always say 'faster, easier, better data'if we can remove friction for EMS workers in data collection and reporting, they will get better data, leading to better outcomes. I'm thrilled to help other fire departments understand the "why" behind data collection with ImageTrend."

Nathaniel Meisner will serve as a Sales Engineer for ImageTrend's Fire products, listening to customers' challenges and helping them find the right data solutions to make their operations more effective. In his 21-year career as a firefighter, most recently as deputy chief of Albuquerque Fire Rescue, he has implemented software and systems, including ImageTrend, that transformed operations across fire, EMS, community health, logistics, strategic planning, accreditation, staffing and payroll.

"I'm a problem-solver by nature, and I'm excited to help fire and EMS teams identify pain points and inefficiencies in their operations and together find a winning solution," shared Meisner. "My time as a firefighter and deputy chief gave me an insider's view of what it takes to implement and run an efficient, successful, and safe operation, and I am excited to continue serving this industry in a new capacity."

About ImageTrend, LLC. www.imagetrend.com

ImageTrend, LLC. empowers everyday heroes to transform the delivery of care to foster safer and healthier communities. Scalable software solutions, data analytics and world-class services for emergency medical services, fire departments, hospitals, community paramedicine, and critical care and preparedness, enable patient-centric healthcare interoperability and public safety. Our commitment to data insights, innovations, client satisfaction and tailored implementations is unparalleled. ImageTrend is headquartered in Lakeville, Minnesota.

About ImageTrend, LLC. www.imagetrend.com

ImageTrend, LLC. is dedicated to connecting life's most important data in the healthcare and emergency response community. ImageTrend delivers software solutions, data analytics and services for EMS, hospitals, community paramedicine (CP), critical care, fire, and preparedness to enable fully integrated patient-centric healthcare and public safety. ImageTrend's commitment to innovation, its clients, and providing world-class implementation and support is unsurpassed. Based in Lakeville, Minn., ImageTrend combines business analysis, creative design and data driven architecture to offer scalable solutions and strategies for today and the future.

SOURCE ImageTrend LLC
INEO Retail Media division adds new representation in the Canadian media market

SURREY, BC, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - INEO Tech Corp. (TSXV: INEO) (OTCQB: INEOF) (the "Company" or "INEO"), announces the signing of a strategic partnership with Eat It Up Media ("EIUM"). This partnership marks a significant milestone in INEO Retail Media's mission to revolutionize the in-store retail media landscape by utilizing its technology and drive impactful results for advertisers.

INEO Signs New Media Sales Firm in Canada. INEO Retail Media division adds new representation in the Canadian media market. INEO is renowned for its patented INEO Welcoming System which combines cutting-edge loss prevention and AI technology with a cohesive digital media implementation throughout the retail store. (CNW Group/INEO Tech Corp.)

The INEO and EIUM agreement, signed on April 9, 2024, covers all of the existing INEO digital signage deployments in the Canadian market. INEO is renowned for its patented INEO Welcoming System which combines cutting-edge loss prevention and AI technology with a cohesive digital media implementation throughout the retail store. By joining forces with EIUM, INEO aims to expand its sales reach and accelerate the number of advertisers signing onto its INEO Retail Media network.

"We are excited to announce our partnership with Eat It Up Media," said Kyle Hall, INEO's CEO. "Their deep industry knowledge and extensive network of clients make them the perfect partner to help us achieve our growth objectives and drive success for our clients. We have been impressed with their ability to create innovative campaigns which have received tremendously positive feedback from consumers and brands alike. We believe they are the perfect partner to energize advertisers to utilize the INEO Retail Media network to reach millions of consumers."

Eat It Up Media will serve as a strategic extension of the INEO Retail Media sales team, representing its innovative in-store advertising solutions to advertisers and agencies across Canada. With EIUM's expertise and relationships in the advertising industry, INEO is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and deliver tailored advertising campaigns which resonate with audiences.

"We are delighted to partner with INEO to bring their innovative retail media advertising solutions to our clients," said Ryan Angelo of Eat It Up Media. "Their commitment to being a leader in deploying in-store digital signage along with their substantial technological capabilities aligns perfectly with our mission to provide our clients with best-in-class advertising options."

This strategic partnership represents a significant step forward for INEO in the Canadian market as it continues to lead the way with in-store retail media advertising innovation. With EIUM by its side, INEO is poised for continued growth and success in the evolving retail media landscape. In concert with signing EIUM, INEO has served termination notice with its existing Canadian representation of Western Media Group and Adapt Media.

Explore the unique offerings and retail partnerships at www.ineoretailmedia.com .

INEO Tech Corp.

Per: "Kyle Hall"

Kyle Hall, Chief Executive Officer and Director

About INEO Tech Corp. (TSXV: INEO; OTCQB: INEOF) (TSXV: INEO; OTCQB:

INEO Tech Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary, INEO Solutions Inc., operates the INEO Media Network, a digital advertising and analytics solution for retailers, and INEO Retail Media, an advertising sales provider for in-store retail media. INEO is headquartered in Surrey, Canada and publicly traded on the TSX-Venture Exchange under the symbol "INEO" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "INEOF".

About Eat It Up Media

Based in Montreal, Eat It Up Media also has offices in Toronto and Vancouver. Eat It Up Media (EIUM) is an independent, award-winning media company specializing in experiential and out-of-home (OOH) marketing across North America. From immersive experiences to unignorable OOH offers, each contextualized campaign is designed to connect brands to audiences in creative, engaging and thoughtful ways.

For more information on INEO, please visit:

Website: www.ineosolutionsinc.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ineosolutions

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ineosolutionsinc

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ineosolutionsinc

Twitter: www.twitter.com/INEOsolutions

Forward-Looking Statements

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the disclosure document, any information released or received with respect to the Company may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

This news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Important factors  including the availability of funds, acceptance of the Company's products, competition, and general market conditions  that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed on SEDAR, including the Annual Information Form for the year ended June 30, 2022 filed on SEDAR on November 4, 2022. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE INEO Tech Corp.
Researchers can now access Integral Molecular's antibody testing expertise alongside its extensive collection of virus-like reagents including reporter viruses, VLPs, and pseudoviruses to acquire critical neutralization data.

PHILADELPHIA, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Integral Molecular, a leader in providing safe research reagents for virology, announces the launch of its Virus Neutralization Assay Services enabling researchers to rapidly obtain high-quality data to advance their vaccines and therapeutic antibodies.

Learn more about Integral Molecular's Neutralization Assay Services

With over 20 years' experience in virology, Integral Molecular has developed innovative solutions that enable researchers to study viruses safely and efficiently. These solutions include Reporter Virus Particles (RVPs), pseudoviruses, virus-like particles (VLPs), and Influenza TiterSafeTM VLPs for hemagglutination assays. These virus-like reagents cannot replicate and are incapable of causing infectious disease, enabling the study of even the most pathogenic viruses in a standard laboratory environment.

Integral Molecular's Neutralization Assay Services enable diverse applications:

Neutralization profiling for antibodies targeting viral proteins. Studies employ RVPs including coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV), influenza, Zika, dengue, yellow fever, or custom reporter viruses. RVPs are produced using ISO 9001 certified processes that enable generation of reproducible, reliable data.

Neutralization experiments can be conducted for monoclonal antibodies or preclinical sera using the company's catalog of 100+ reporter viruses or custom variants with specified mutations.

Antibody cocktail screening to test neutralization with antibody combinations.

"Our virus research tools have been instrumental in laboratories worldwide, providing safe alternatives to live viruses," said Maya Cabot, PhD, Senior Product Manager at Integral Molecular. "Given the limited access to dedicated containment facilities for manipulating pathogenic materials, our Neutralization Assay Services provide vital support to diverse researchers, especially benefiting smaller companies with limited laboratory infrastructure."

Integral Molecular's virology research tools have been adopted by over 100 laboratories worldwide and featured in over 250 publications.

About Integral Molecular

Integral Molecular (integralmolecular.com) is the industry leader in creating and commercializing transformative technologies that advance the discovery of therapeutics against difficult protein targets. With 20+ years of experience focused on membrane proteins, viruses, and antibodies, Integral Molecular's technologies have been integrated into the drug discovery pipelines of over 600 biotech and pharmaceutical companies to help discover new therapies for cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and viral threats such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, and dengue viruses.

Follow Integral Molecular on LinkedIn

Press Contact:

Integral Molecular, Inc.

Soma Banik, PhD, Director of Public Relations

215-966-6061

[email protected]

www.integralmolecular.com

SOURCE Integral Molecular
Global humanitarian aid organization expedites distribution of emergency food, equipment and placement of additional bomb shelters as threat of escalation looms

JERUSALEM, April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the attacks from Iran on April 13 in which hundreds of drones and missiles were launched at Israel from Iran and its proxies, The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) announced today it has taken immediate action to approve $600,000 for emergency food and shelter boxes. Additionally, the organization is expediting the production and placement of additional bomb shelters in the northern region of Israela project not originally planned until after Passover.

The Fellowship provides an emergency food box to an elderly beneficiary. IFCJ/Yossi Zeliger Mobile bomb shelter installed in the Manot Community in the Maale Yosef Regional Council. IFCJ/Raanan Cohen

"The Fellowship has been preparing for an escalation along the northern border of Israel since October 7, and we haven't stopped since," said Fellowship President and CEO, Yael Eckstein. "We took immediate action then to help strengthen the security of northern border communitiesplacing bomb shelters, providing first responders with armored vehicles, protective gear, and medical equipment so they would be prepared and protected at a moment's notice. We continue to provide aid and security to the people of Israel, whether the attack is from Hamas, Hezbollah, or Iran. As the agents of death try to wreak destruction, The Fellowship continues to invest in protection and sanctifying life."

The Fellowship's emergency aid initiative includes packing and distribution of 5,000 emergency food boxes and 1,000 shelter boxes, meant equip civilians and municipalities with essential food and hygiene items as well as emergency equipment such as flashlights, large batteries, and radio transistors in the event of a situation or escalation that would require spending days or weeks in bombs shelters.

The morning after the attacks, Fellowship staff also completed its distribution of Passover aid cards to ensure elderly and other vulnerable populations would have them in time for the upcoming holiday.

The organization is also actively working with its partners to fortify a NICU unit at a local hospital, and in response to the Iranian attack, is in talks to fortify an emergency medicine unit at a hospital in Jerusalem. In late March, the Fellowship dedicated a new fortified pediatric dialysis unit at Schneider Children's Hospital.

"It's a miracle that 99% of the missiles fired at Israel were intercepted by combined forces," said Robin Van Etten, Global Chief Operating Officer for the Fellowship. "Now, it's all about preparation for what could happen next, and we're preparing for every scenario with the utmost urgency."

In 2023, The Fellowship provided more than $19 million in emergency aid and assistance to hundreds of thousands of Israelis in the first three months after October 7, and has committed to providing $125 million in security-related aid support in 2024.

Eckstein added, "No matter what the risk, the crisis, or the needbig or smallthe Fellowship will always be there, as we have for more than 40 years."

About the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

For more than 40 years, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has been the leading nonprofit building bridges between Christians and Jews, blessing Israel and the Jewish people around the world with humanitarian care and lifesaving aid. In 2023, The Fellowship helped more than 2 million people living in poverty, helped thousands make aliyah back to their homeland, Israel, and helped strengthen Israel's security infrastructure. To learn more about The Fellowship's work, visit www.ifcj.org.

About Yael Eckstein

As President and CEO of The Fellowship, Yael Eckstein oversees all programs and serves as the international spokesperson for the organization. With over a decade of non-profit experience in multiple roles, Yael has the rare distinction of being a woman leading one of the world's largest religious charitable organizations. In 2021, she launched her podcast, Nourish Your Biblical Roots, in which she shares spiritual insights and lessons from the Torah, and invites leading Christian and Jewish thought leaders to discuss Jewish-Christian relations and Israel's significance on the world stage. She is the 2023 recipient of the Jerusalem Post's Humanitarian Award, and in 2020, 2021 and 2023, was named to the publication's list of 50 Most Influential Jews. Born and raised outside of Chicago, Yael is based in Israel with her husband and their four children.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
Visionary SaaS leader joins AI resilience pioneer to further capitalize on immense opportunities for supply chain and artificial intelligence technologies

ARLINGTON, Va., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Interos today announced global SaaS executive Ted Krantz will join the company as Chief Executive Officer to work alongside Jennifer Bisceglie, who will assume a new role as Founder & Executive Vice Chair, both joining the Interos Board of Directors, effective immediately. Krantz and Bisceglie will work together to usher in a new chapter of growth and build on a record year of momentum, including accelerating margins, customer expansion, and groundbreaking platform innovations.

Organizations today face an estimated $2.5 trillion in annual losses from supply chain disruptions. Bisceglie was an early visionary to recognize this critical challenge nearly two decades ago, founding Interos and building an AI-first company that helps numerous Global Fortune 500 companies, the U.S. Department of Defense, and many other leading organizations proactively mitigate supply chain risk. Interos was recently recognized as one of Inc. magazine's Fastest-Growing Private Companies in North America and named a Fastest-Growing Technology Company in North America on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500.

"Interos has been on a powerful trajectory as organizations and government agencies have awoken to the tangible and immediate impacts of supply chain disruptions. Together with Ted, I look forward to writing the next chapter in Interos' journey to help customers take control of risk for competitive advantage," said Jennifer Bisceglie, Founder and Executive Vice Chair.

Interos has seen significant growth and momentum in 2023, including +50% ARR growth and +60% improvement in gross margin. Its recent launch of Interos Resilience Watchtower empowers customers with industry-first personalized risk intelligence for a faster and more precise risk response.

"I am excited to join Interos, a dynamic company well positioned to be the primary artificial intelligence player in the supply chain ecosystem," said Ted Krantz, CEO of Interos. "Jennifer and the Interos team have built an incredible company and groundbreaking supply chain operational resilience technology that is helping some of the world's most influential companies and government organizations automate supplier risk to get in front of disruptions. I look forward to working together with Jennifer and the team to accelerate this success and scale the organization forward into the future."

Krantz has more than 20 years of CEO and executive leadership experience at artificial intelligence market leaders and ERP organizations. He is uniquely positioned to lead the adoption of artificial intelligence to mitigate systemic threats, achieve regulatory compliance, and drive scale for next-generation supply chain resilience AI. He brings deep digital and sector expertise, including a history of strong operational rigor and a demonstrated track record of driving impressive growth at various stages of multiple SaaS AI companies.

Krantz joins Interos most recently from leading mobile intelligence platform data.ai, where he served as CEO and helped drive significant recurring revenue growth and the use of artificial intelligence technology across nearly all the company's product lines. Prior to that, he held top go-to-market and sales roles at organizations including Skai, C3.ai, SAP America and Oracle.

"Interos has made extraordinary inroads in helping organizations mitigate the multi-trillion-dollar supply chain challenge. In a classic 'better together' story, Ted brings his artificial intelligence, go-to-market and operational expertise to the table, alongside Jennifer's visionary leadership and industry knowledge, to accelerate Interos and its customers to the next stage of growth and position the company to capitalize on the immense opportunity ahead of it," said Dave DeWalt, member of the Board of Directors and Founder and CEO, NightDragon, an investor in Interos.

About Interos

Interos is the AI-first operational resilience company, pioneering scoring and relationship discovery technologies that enables customers to automate risk assessment, detection, and response. As the world's first, and only, automated supplier resilience platform, we map and monitor physical and digital supply chains at scale to protect organizations from regulatory violations, unethical labor, cyber-attacks, bankruptcy, catastrophe, and other systemic vulnerabilities. Interos serves a variety of commercial, government, and public sector customers around the world including a host of Global Fortune 500 companies and from within the members of the Five Eyes nations. www.interos.ai.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Interos
HSINCHU, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClarivateTM today awarded the Top 100 Global Innovators 2024 to 11 Taiwan-based companies. The winners include Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Hon Hai Precision Industry, MediaTek, AUO, Delta Electronics, Realtek Semiconductor, Wistron, Nanya Technology, Winbond Electronics, and a newcomer, Coretronic. ITRI has secured a spot on the list for the eighth time, solidifying ITRI's position as the most awarded organization not only in Taiwan but also among Asian research institutions.

Clarivates Vice President and Head of Strategy, Intellectual Property, Vasheharan Kanesarajah (left), presents the Top Global Innovators trophy to ITRI President Dr. Edwin Liu (right).

ITRI President Edwin Liu stated that ITRI's consistent international recognition of the Top 100 Global Innovators highlights its impressive innovation performance. Ranking among the global top 50, ITRI's patent strategy is clearly resonating. Clarivate's report further emphasizes this by acknowledging ITRI's consistent patent influence and progress in application success rates and international deployment. This achievement aligns with ITRI's 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap which focuses on market-oriented innovation. To bridge the gap between innovation and financial resources, ITRI actively promotes intangible asset monetization. Partnering with the Small and Medium Enterprise Credit Guarantee Fund (SMEG) and over 40 financial institutions, ITRI is facilitating bank financing for startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) leveraging their patents, fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem in Taiwan.

Vasheharan Kanesarajah, Vice President, Head of Strategy, Intellectual Property, Clarivate, said, "We would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to ITRI for being named a Top 100 Global Innovator for the eighth time. As one of the three national research organizations on the list, ITRI truly embodies excellence in innovation, with its unique ideas and global impact. In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, sustaining a competitive edge has become a challenging task. ITRI not only responds to change but also actively redefines and drives change within their respective fields, industries, and beyond."

Visit here to explore Clarivate's Top 100 Global Innovators 2024.

About ITRI

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world's leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan's industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. To address market needs and global trends, it has launched its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap that focuses on innovation development in Smart Living, Quality Health, Sustainable Environment, and Resilient Society.

Over the years, ITRI has been dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Europe, and Japan in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.itri.org/eng.

Media Contact

Alex Chang

Office of Marketing Communications, ITRI

+886-3-591-8165

[email protected]

SOURCE Industrial Technology Research Institute
"OG" of Beyond Clean Beauty Continues on Mission to Lead Sustainable Ingredient Technology for Customers, Animals and the Planet

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Juice Beauty, the leader in high-performance, organic ingredients skincare and makeup, has pioneered and radically transformed the chemistry of beauty over the past twenty years  and the latest discovery once again proves the efficacy of organic and plant-based technology in skincare. Juice Beauty has developed the rare Sagrantino SuperGrape, grown on the Juice Beauty certified organic farm in Healdsburg, California, and created a harvesting and fermentation technology to extract and deliver one of the highest antioxidant levels found in skincare products. This powerful technology and ingredient were first utilized in Juice Beauty's SuperGrape Youth Renew Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and now this ingredient has been infused across the entire Anti-Wrinkle Stem Cellular skincare line, supercharging it with this 3x antioxidant power ingredient.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Regimen now with 3x antioxidant power Sagrantino Grape infusion. Juice Beauty SuperGrape Youth Renew Serum with Hyaluronic Acid.

The Patent-Pending Ingredient Discovery

The Sagrantino grapevine was originally brought to the Juice Beauty Farm from the Umbria region of central Italy. This rare high antioxidant SuperGrape is only grown on a few farms in North America and mostly for wine -- however starting in 2018, Founder Karen Behnke and her husband, Howard Luria, M.D., began experimenting with ways to boost the already packed antioxidant grape to even higher levels, including updating the farming techniques to maximize the yield for higher phenol antioxidant measurements. Specific methods were deployed of planting nitrogen rich red clover between the vines, removing sugar and ethanol through a clean reverse osmosis membrane process, exposing the vines to sun differently and more. The patent pending discovery with an incredibly high ORAC and phenol levels, makes the grape a powerful and strong inhibitor of free radical mediated reactions and can be advantageously used to prevent or slow the appearance of skin aging.

Clinical Testing and Industry Leading Credentials

The brand enlisted a leading University of California trained PhD Phenol expert, to advise Founder Karen and her husband, and Juice Beauty's chemists examining and testing the crop. Third party, independent lab testing showed the following results when blind tested against 2 leading serums:

144% higher Orac (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) antioxidant levels than a leading serum

78% higher Phenol antioxidant level than a leading serum

Implications of this Discovery on Skincare

"Juice Beauty was founded with revolutionary formulations started with a basic premise: I believed and proved that formulating with an antioxidant-rich organic botanical juice base (instead of water or petroleum), would yield better results than conventional products," shared Karen Behnke, Juice Beauty Founder who leads the inhouse R&D team. "Juice Beauty's promise to our customers is to deliver glowing, healthier - looking skin and our Sagrantino SuperGrape raises the bar again delivering on this promise as these incredibly high antioxidant levels help fight free radical attacks on the skin."

The Juice Beauty Anti-Wrinkle Stem Cellular Collection

Starting this month, Juice Beauty has further enhanced the best-selling Anti-Wrinkle Stem Cellular skincare line with this patent-pending antioxidant Sagrantino SuperGrape to achieve even higher levels of glowing, healthier-looking skin. Juice Beauty is proud to harvest these organic ingredients and manufacture their products in California.

Year-Round Commitment to Sustainability

Sustainability and the environment have always been integrated throughout Juice Beauty. Organic ingredients on the inside to protect humans, the planet and animals and sustainable packaging on the outside (for example the entire Stem Cellular Collection is now in Recycled Plastic/PCR from ocean and land waste) and shipped from a solar powered headquarters. For a full overview of Juice Beauty's commitment to the environment, packaging and overall footprint, visit: https://juicebeauty.com/pages/2-sustainable-packaging-and-company-practices

About Juice Beauty

Juice Beauty is a pioneering beauty company known for offering clinically validated skincare and skincare-infused makeup formulated with authentically organic ingredients. Juice Beauty brings to life their "Farm to Beauty" Science as it harvests core ingredients for their efficacious products at the Juice Beauty organic, sustainable farm located in Sonoma County in Healdsburg, California. Juice Beauty proudly adheres to always delivering clinically validated, high-performance formulations that adhere to the strictest use of ingredients safe for people, animals, and the planet.

Juice Beauty products are available at ULTA Beauty throughout the US and the brand is proud to be a part of Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty, an initiative providing guests with greater choices and transparency. Juice Beauty Founder, Karen Behnke has been an advisor of this program since its origin and serves on the Conscious Beauty Board. Juice Beauty meets all five program pillars including: Clean Ingredients, Cruelty Free, Vegan, Sustainable Packaging and Positive Impact.

Juice Beauty is also available at Sephora Canada and JuiceBeauty.com.

PR Contact:

Elizabeth Bergman

917-903-6768

[email protected]

SOURCE Juice Beauty
Accomplished physician, medical school educator, and women's-health expert will lead medical school into the future

PASADENA, Calif., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Board of Directors of the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) announced the appointment of physician, educator, and women's health expert John L. Dalrymple, MD, as the school's new Dean and CEO after an extensive national search. Dr. Dalrymple brings a wealth of academic leadership and teaching experience, respected expertise as a practicing physician, a proven record of delivering quality medical education and a commitment to advancing equitable healthcare. Dr. Dalrymple will begin his service as Dean and CEO on July 1, 2024.

Dr. John L. Dalrymple appointed as new Dean and CEO of the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine.

Dr. Dalrymple currently serves as the senior associate dean for Medical Education at Harvard Medical School. He holds the Ellen and Melvin Gordon Professorship in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology and Medical Education as well as executive vice chair and vice chair for faculty development and faculty affairs within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

"Dr. Dalrymple's dedication to championing inclusivity and diversity in medical education and the health profession will inspire and empower our faculty, staff, and students to continue shaping the future of medical education and healthcare delivery," said Holly Humphrey, MD, chair of the KPSOM board of directors. "His appointment marks an exciting chapter in the history of the school, and we are confident that Dr. Dalrymple will lead us in making a profound impact on the communities we serve. Together, we will ensure that our school remains at the forefront of innovation, equity, compassionate care, and excellence in medical education."

"I am deeply honored and immensely humbled to become part of this innovative, vibrant, and forward-thinking school and world-class healthcare organization. I am eager to join such a dedicated and diverse faculty, staff, and student body who will continue to shape the future of medicine and medical education and will ultimately impact the health and well-being of communities far and wide," said Dr. Dalrymple. "What an exciting time to be joining the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine, after the inaugural class graduates and the school looks to the future and the many promises, challenges, and opportunities that lie ahead."

As the first senior associate dean for medical education, Dalrymple oversaw the establishment of Harvard Medical School's Office of Medical Education, following the consolidation of the offices of Educational Quality Improvement and Curriculum Services. Prior to that, he led the formation of the school's Office of Educational Quality Improvement. Dr. Dalrymple also served on the leadership team at the then newly formed University of Texas, Austin, Dell Medical School as the assistant dean for clinical integration working with faculty and staff to develop the school's new curriculum.

Dr. Dalrymple's first faculty appointment was at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, where he practiced gynecologic oncology for more than 12 years and began working in medical education as a clerkship director and as the director of curriculum affairs in the Office of Medical Education.

Nationally, Dr. Dalrymple has been a key leader with the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO), serving on the Board of Directors and currently as APGO president. His scholarly interests include OBGYN education, clinical and surgical skills training, professional identity formation, and assessment, and he publishes and speaks nationally in these areas. He has also won numerous teaching awards at each of the schools where he has served on the faculty in both the University of Texas and University of California Health Systems.

Dr. Dalrymple earned his bachelor's degree with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin, his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital and his fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Dalrymple replaces Founding Dean and CEO Mark Schuster, MD, PhD, who last year announced he would step down at the end of June 2024 after the school's inaugural class graduates. Dr. Schuster will remain a professor in health systems science at KPSOM with a primary research focus.

About the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine

Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine is devoted first and foremost to offering an outstanding, forward-thinking medical education. Its curriculum is built on the three pillars of Biomedical Science, Clinical Science, and Health Systems Science. Students think broadly about the ways care can be more effective for everyone and learn how to advocate for better health in homes, school, workplaces, neighborhoods, and society. The school incorporates many of the most innovative and effective educational practices available today. In addition, the school's future physicians learn the knowledge and skills essential to the highest quality patient care and the transformation of the nation's healthcare so that all people thrive. Learn more at http://medschool.kp.org/.

Contact

Ashannti Hill Mims

[email protected]

(626) 826-7374

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
Child care provider makes annual donation to National Forest Foundation

ABINGDON, Md., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care, a nationally recognized brand of comprehensive educational child care programs, is celebrating Earth Day by donating to the National Forest Foundation to plant over 330 trees in honor of its 330 franchise locations nationwide. To date, Kiddie Academy has planted more than 3,500 trees through the National Forest Foundation's Reforestation Program.

Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care is celebrating Earth Day by donating to the National Forest Foundation to plant over 330 trees in honor of its 330 franchise locations nationwide.

"We're immensely grateful to Kiddie Academy for their contribution and stewardship of the 193-million-acre National Forest System, which benefits us allboth today and for generations to come," said Abby Schembra, reforestation partnerships coordinator at the National Forest Foundation.

According to EarthDay.org, environmental education beginning during early childhood has numerous benefits for a child's development. Because of this, Kiddie Academy's independently owned and operated franchise locations are engaging in several Earth Day activities.

For example, Academies are participating in an Earth Day art contest, with students using at least 75% reused or recycled materials to construct projects in line with Kiddie Academy's chosen theme, "Wonders of our World." Finished art projects will be combined into an art installation at each participating Academy. Kiddie Academy will make a $1,000 donation to a nonprofit environmental organization in the winning Academy's name.

"Earth Day is a great opportunity to teach our students the importance of celebrating the Earth's diverse ecosystems and to spark their sense of wonder toward the planet," said Maria Dontas, director of corporate social responsibility for Kiddie Academy. "We hope to lead by example for the children in our care as we lean on our 'Community Begins Here' motto and try to make the world a better place."

About Kiddie Academy

Since its inception in 1981, the Kiddie Academy system has been recognized as a leading brand in educational child care. The company serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full- and part-time care, before- and after-school care, and summer camp programs, through the Kiddie Academy system. Kiddie Academy's proprietary Life Essentials Curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities, and techniques help prepare children for life. The company's philanthropic efforts, including support of national nonprofit Family Promise, take character education lessons learned in the classroom beyond Academy walls. Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC has also received corporate accreditation from the globally recognized Cognia accreditation system, signifying its commitment to quality education and the highest standards in child care. For more information, visit kiddieacademy.com or find Kiddie Academy on Facebook at Facebook.com/KiddieAcademy.

About Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC

Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC is based in Maryland. There are currently 325 open Academies in the Kiddie Academy system, located in 36 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 37,000 children. Each franchised location in the Kiddie Academy system is an independently owned and operated business. For more information, visit franchising.kiddieacademy.com.

Media Contact:

Taylor Castillejo, APR

Tombras

[email protected]

865.257.0026

SOURCE Kiddie Academy
SilverBow has refused to enter into good faith negotiations or undertake substantive due diligence to assess the best path forward for unlocking value on behalf of all shareholders  necessitating the need for fresh perspectives in the Boardroom

Kimmeridge to focus on electing three highly-qualified, independent nominees to SilverBow's Nine-Person Staggered Board at 2024 Annual Meeting

NEW YORK and DENVER, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimmeridge, an alternative asset manager focused on the energy sector and the largest shareholder of SilverBow Resources ("SilverBow" or the "Company") holding 12.9% of outstanding shares, today issued the following statement:

On February 21, 2024, Kimmeridge met with SilverBow's Board of Directors (the "Board") and proposed eight different potential strategic transactions the Company could pursue to establish a foundation for long-term value creation in light of continued underperformance. At the Board's invitation, on March 13, 2024, Kimmeridge delivered a financed, premium proposal to combine Kimmeridge Texas Gas ("KTG") and SilverBow with an associated $500 million equity investment (the "Proposal").

The combination would have created a preeminent pure-play Eagle Ford shale operator with an estimated enterprise value of approximately $3.6 billion. The accretive transaction offered SilverBow shareholders a unique opportunity to participate in the compelling upside of a larger and more resilient company that would have been uniquely positioned to drive growth and lead the next phase of consolidation in the Eagle Ford.

Since then, Kimmeridge has published comprehensive financial and operational data on KTG, pre-populated a data room, and made itself available for good faith discussions towards a potential combination. The Board has done the opposite  rejected the Proposal via its proxy solicitation materials and then claimed the need for more information. SilverBow has not taken the steps that any reasonable counterparty would  they haven't even asked for access to our data room. Likewise, the Company has not suggested any counterproposals or alternative structures that it would prefer.

Kimmeridge most recently asked the Board to provide a clear view of the Company's relative value and the terms under which they would be willing to transact. Based on public statements made by the Company, the Board has such valuation information on hand, yet the Company has not responded. It appears that SilverBow is not willing to seriously engage in any discussions of mergers in which it would be the smaller party. Instead, the Board and management team are focused on maintaining their positions and compensation.

Given SilverBow's lack of engagement, Kimmeridge sees no pathway towards a transaction by the April 26, 2024 deadline that we had put forward more than a month ago. As a result, we are withdrawing the Proposal and will be focused on providing solutions for SilverBow's broken governance. The only way SilverBow will maximize value for all shareholders and reach its long-term potential is by introducing new, independent, and experienced perspectives to the Board.

The nominees we have put forward are committed to conducting a thorough and unbiased evaluation of all potential paths to value creation  and are bound by none of them, including our prior Proposal. Their only fiduciary duty is to advance the best interests of all SilverBow shareholders.

In the weeks ahead, we look forward to engaging with fellow shareholders, who face an important choice at the upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting.

Additional information

Additional information regarding Kimmeridge's definitive proxy statement can be found at www.Kimmeridge.com/sbow/.

About Kimmeridge

Founded in 2012 by Ben Dell, Dr. Neil McMahon and Henry Makansi, Kimmeridge is an alternative asset manager focused on the energy sector. The firm is differentiated by its direct investment approach, deep technical knowledge, active portfolio management, proven sustainability track record and proprietary research and data gathering.

Media

Daniel Yunger / Anntal Silver / Emma Cloyd

Kekst CNC

[email protected]

Investors

John Ferguson

Saratoga Proxy Consulting LLC

[email protected]

(212) 257-1311

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in any state to any person. The information herein contains "forward-looking statements". Specific forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and include, without limitation, words such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "targets," "forecasts," "seeks," "could," "should" or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions. There can be no assurance that any idea or assumption herein is, or will be proven, correct or that any of the objectives, plans or goals stated herein will ultimately be undertaken or achieved. If one or more of such risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Kimmeridge underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, the actual results may vary materially from outcomes indicated by these statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Kimmeridge that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated will ever be achieved.

Important Information

Kimmeridge Energy Management Company, LLC, KEF Investments, LP, KEF Fund V Investments, LP, Benjamin Dell, Alexander Inkster, Neda Jafar, Denis Laloy, Noam Lockshin, Henry Makansi, Neil McMahon, Douglas E. Brooks, Carrie M. Fox and Katherine L. Minyard (collectively, the "Participants") have filed a definitive proxy statement and accompanying GOLD proxy card (the "Proxy Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to be used to solicit proxies in connection with the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders of SilverBow Resources, Inc. (the "Company"). Shareholders of the Company are advised to read the Proxy Statement and other documents related to the solicitation of proxies with respect to the Company by the Participants because they contain important information, including additional information related to the Participants and a description of their direct or indirect interests by security holdings or otherwise. Such materials will be made available at no charge on the SEC's website, https://www.sec.gov.

SOURCE Kimmeridge
NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lama AI, the leading AI-powered commercial lending technology provider, is pleased to announce it will join the Mastercard Engage Partner Program, which makes it simple for partners to build, launch and grow payment solutions for Mastercard's global network of customers and accelerate time to market for product innovation. Mastercard Engage partners contribute different components and integration capabilities to enable seamless payment experiences. Lama AI focuses on supporting banks in digitizing and automating their lending practices, utilizing Mastercard Installments.

Small and medium businesses represent approximately 90% of enterprises, contributing to over 50% of employment and serving as significant contributors to the global GDP. However, this significant segment has encountered challenges in securing financial credit lines with traditional financial institutions. Lama AI aims to bridge this gap by supporting banks and credit unions in unlocking the potential of this asset class.

By leveraging the power of AI, big data, and network effects, Lama has set a new standard for both borrowers and lenders, streamlining the entire lending process to make it more user-friendly, efficient, and faster. The platform utilizes data sources and generative AI to significantly reduce application processing time and provide high quality data for automated credit decisioning.

As a Mastercard Engage partner, Lama AI connects to an ecosystem of partners to help launch a seamless, digital first installment lending experience through the Mastercard Installments program. This introduces scale, flexibility, and simplicity in the commercial lending space and facilitates a quicker market entry for banks, lenders, and fintechs all within a secure environment that relies on the added trust of Mastercard brand. As a qualified Engage partner, Lama AI is committed to providing financial institutions in the Mastercard network with the lending technology needed to seamlessly adapt AI-powered loan origination processes (LOS) and effortlessly launch targeted campaigns through integrated APIs.

"We are delighted to be part of the Mastercard Engage Partner Program and to contribute to unlocking the potential of artificial intelligence and big data for accelerated growth," said Omri Yacubovich, Co-founder and CEO of Lama AI. "Our technology has already demonstrated to our bank partners that AI revolutionizes business lending. From onboarding to closing, Lama AI empowers financial institutions to transform their operations, reduce underwriting costs, enhance customer experiences, and accelerate growth winning back market share from alternative lenders."

About Lama AI

Lama AI provides a technology platform that empowers banks, fintechs, and other industry players to enable fast and efficient commercial lending processes. Through an AI-powered platform, the company enables its partners to onboard customers quickly while offering a wider range of financial products without compromising target risk levels. Hundreds of banks across the United States, including top financial institutions, rely on Lama AI and its safe and secured infrastructure to power their own small business lending processes.

Contacts

[email protected]

SOURCE Lama AI
Buffalo Public Schools leaders hope a School Board redistricting process underway will come with less controversy than Common Council redistricting two years ago, which involved accusations of gerrymandering and exclusion, and culminated in a lawsuit by advocacy group Our City Action Buffalo.

According to Will Keresztes, Buffalo Schools chief of administration, public affairs and planning, and Mike Agostino, the Erie County Board of Elections official guiding the process, political maneuvering is not relevant in this case.

Theres no political motivation to even the people out, Agostino told the nine-person redistricting committee during an orientation last month. It wont affect the student population much, either, beyond  in a small proportion of cases  the board member who represents them.

This has nothing to do with where students go to school, Keresztes said.

Court fight over Buffalo's redistricting draws sharp exchanges from rival experts The monthslong contentiousness over Buffalo's new Common Council districts has spilled into reports filed by experts drawn into a lawsuit seek

The committee, comprising citizens nominated by current School Board members, will meet for a public work session at 4 p.m. today at Waterfront Elementary, 95 Fourth St. The group will review the Board of Elections first draft to adjust the existing map to reflect Buffalos population shift since 2010.

The Buffalo School Board last redistricted in 2017, but it used the 2010 census. The board cannot use the citys map because it has only six district representatives; the Common Council has nine. The School Board also has three at-large members.

The group will determine boundaries of oversight for each Buffalo School Board member so their districts are as balanced as possible.

Their finished product, if approved by the School Board in October, would be implemented when district representatives are publicly elected again in November 2025.

Board members serve three-year terms. All six district representatives were elected in 2022, but only one race was contested.

To set the stage, the Board of Elections has examined the existing School Board district boundaries and determined the total number of inhabitants  not voters or students  in each. Because the city has about 270,000 residents, an even split would be six districts of 46,392 people.

State law permits a standard deviation of 5%, or limits of 2.5% above or 2.5% below. Agostino said his aim for redistricting is to keep each district within a half-percent of each other.

Two districts should expect the most reshaping: The East District, whose board member is Kathy Evans-Brown, has grown the most since 2010. Its 51,696 residents are more than 11% above the standard. The Central District, represented by Paulette Woods, shrunk the most, to 43,115, about 7% below the standard. Coincidentally, the Central District has the most schools of the six, with 17.

Two years of trimming: Buffalo Schools revamps plan to balance budget Superintendent Tonja M. Williams will now cut costs over two years and, to account for deficits, commit between $70 million and $80 million of the district's $375 million in reserves for this budget cycle, said Buffalo Schools Chief Financial Officer Jim Barnes.

The only district that falls within the existing standard deviation is the North District, overseen by Cindi McEachon.

The redistricting committee includes Luis Rodriguez, Michael Darby, Louis Petrucci, Cedric Holloway, Khalil Cottman, Kenya House, Katie Rowan, Michael Graham and Christina Lyons.

While the committees chief task is to properly split the citys population, some factors that may prove challenging are keeping entire neighborhoods in the same district and not disrupting current relationships between board members and their constituents.

Geographic distinctions in a school choice district can cause some confusion. For example, a student could live in the Ferry District but meet the criteria to take part in a horticulture program at McKinley High School (North) or test into the Arts Academy at Buffalo Academy for Visual & Performing Arts (Central). Determining the appropriate School Board member for these families  where they live vs. where their children attend school  can be case-by-case and may be dictated by the specific need. A neighborhood schools model would naturally reduce the uncertainty.

Keresztes said he had predicted Buffalos population shift would produce districts that looked much different. Instead, much of the adjustment can be done by tweaking the boundaries of the existing map.

It wasnt as big as we thought it was going to be, he told the committee during its orientation.
MISSOULA, Mont., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ALPS Insurance, the largest direct provider of lawyer's malpractice insurance in the nation, announced today it has chosen Input 1 as its premium finance and digital payment solutions provider. Input 1's solution seamlessly integrates digital payments and premium financing at the point of sale, ensuring a streamlined experience for policyholders, while enhancing operational efficiency and modernizing interactions.

"Exceptional customer service is key to remaining competitive in the insurance industry and digital payment solutions help growing insurers put their policyholders first, even as they scale," said Chris Farfaras, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer for Input 1. "We are honored that after carefully vetting a variety of vendors, ALPS selected Input 1's platform to support this new exciting period of their growth."

ALPS initially used a custom-built, in-house premium finance system to provide payments plans, but as its customer base expanded, the system no longer met its growing needs in terms of digital capabilities and expanded functionality. After a careful evaluation of the path forward, which included a possible re-development effort, ALPS opted to seek a well-established, proven technology platform.

"We evaluated many different solutions and ultimately Input 1 was the only one capable of handling our digital payments securely, while providing a user-friendly premium finance experience to both our staff and our policyholders," said Sara Smith, Chief Financial Officer of ALPS Insurance. "This exclusive capability, along with Input 1's highly responsive technical support, distinguished its solution from the rest." The Input 1 SaaS ("Software-as-a-Service") and PaaS ("Payments-as-a-service") integrated platforms enable ALPS to offer more flexible payment options to its customers while streamlining the client onboarding experience and minimizing errors.

About ALPS Insurance

ALPS is the nation's largest direct writer of lawyers' malpractice insurance and is endorsed by more state bars than any other insurance company. Since 1988, ALPS has been the preeminent provider of legal malpractice insurance, with an emphasis on protection, stability, and commitment to the legal community.

About Input 1

Input 1 is a leading digital billing and payment solution provider to North American insurance carriers, MGAs, banks, agencies, and premium finance companies. Our software and cloud billing and payment solutions provide online access to more than one million agents, brokers, and policyholders annually. For more information, please visit input1.com.

Media Contact:

Angela Stanley, Interdependence Public Relations

(919) 480-7937

[email protected]

SOURCE Input 1
NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global load monitoring system market size is estimated to grow by USD 770.8 mn from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 4.25% during the forecast period. The load monitoring system market encompasses applications in healthcare, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, cargo industry, vehicle production, and more. Key components include load cells, indicators, single-use sensors, transmitters, and control systems. These technologies facilitate precise fluid monitoring in sectors like dialysis, IV bags, and endoscopic surgery, reducing energy consumption and ensuring optimal dosage and ratios. Industries like aerospace and automotive also utilize load monitoring systems for engineering applications and testing processes.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Load Monitoring System Market 2023-2027

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

Load Monitoring System Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.25% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 770.8 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 3.98 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution Europe at 34% Key countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and UK Key companies profiled Airtec Corp., Dynamic Load Monitoring UK Ltd., Eilersen Electric Digital Systems AS, FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology Inc., Indutrade AB, Interface Inc., James Fisher and Sons Plc, JCM Load Monitoring Ltd., Load Monitoring Systems, Mantracourt Electronics Ltd., Mettler Toledo International Inc., Spectris Plc, Standard Loadcells, Strainsert Co., Thames Side Sensors Ltd., The Crosby Group LLC, Vishay Precision Group Inc., WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE and Co. KG, Euroload, and Precia SA

Segment Overview

This load monitoring system market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product (Load cell, Indicator and controller, Data logging software) Technology (Analog, Digital) Geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, Middle East and Africa)

Market Segmentation by Product

The Load Monitoring System Market encompasses various technologies, including Analog and Digital, to ensure accurate load measurement in diverse industries. Analog technology, utilizing load cell indicators and strain gauges, dominates due to its ease of implementation and cost-effectiveness. Single-use sensors and transmitters facilitate real-time monitoring in industries such as food and beverages, agriculture, mining, and automotive. Digital technology offers advanced features like remote access and data analysis. Healthcare products, including dialysis machines and IV bags, rely on load monitoring systems for precise weight management. Energy consumption and pressure testing are crucial applications in the industrial sector, including pharmaceuticals, cargo industry, and shipbuilding. In the marine industry, load monitoring systems are essential for vessel safety and efficiency. Analog technology's widespread use extends to engineering applications like suspension testing, dynamometer testing, and capability testing in the aerospace and automotive sectors. Load cells are integral components of these systems, ensuring optimal performance and safety.

Geography Overview

The European load monitoring systems market experiences significant growth, driven by monitoring technology's increasing adoption in industrial applications. Key contributors include the automotive and shipbuilding industries. Load monitoring systems optimize cargo loading in freight vehicles and other sectors, ensuring compliance with the EU Directive 2015/719's maximum loaded vehicle weight standard. Industrial applications extend to the pharmaceutical industry, where pressure testing, capability testing, and dynamometer testing ensure product quality and safety. The aerospace and defense sectors utilize load monitoring systems for suspension testing and other mechanical force assessments. Engineering applications employ load cells and force transducers to measure and analyze various mechanical forces. Transportation and logistics, including autonomous vehicles and e-commerce, also benefit from load monitoring systems. Sensors, microprocessors, control algorithms, automation, industrial IoT, big data, and machine learning enhance system capabilities. Load cell controllers and indicators facilitate single-use sensors and transmitters, while control systems ensure healthcare product safety and energy consumption efficiency. The marine industry also leverages load monitoring systems for shipbuilding and cargo operations.

Insights on the market contribution of various segments including country and region wise, historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Download a Sample Report

The global load monitoring systems market is highly competitive, with vendors investing in M&A activities and strategic alliances to expand their customer base and market reach. Key industries utilizing load monitoring systems include automotive, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace. Technologies such as sensors, microprocessors, control algorithms, automation, Industrial IoT, and big data drive market growth. Applications include pressure testing, capability testing, dynamometer testing, and suspension testing. Industries like healthcare, engineering, transportation, and mining also benefit from load monitoring systems.

The load monitoring system market caters to various industries, including transportation and logistics, mining, aerospace and defense, healthcare, energy, and marine. Compliance with regulations such as ISO, AS 1418, and OHSAS 18001:2007 is crucial. Systems incorporate components like force transducers, sensors, microprocessors, control algorithms, automation, and IoT technology to ensure safety, efficiency, and adherence to health and safety standards. Applications span from autonomous vehicles to dialysis machines and aircraft.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 - 2021) and forecast period(2023-2027)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

The Load Monitoring System Market encompasses advanced technologies that are essential for monitoring mechanical forces in various industries. These systems are integral to the Automotive industry, where load cells and force transducers are used to ensure vehicle production efficiency and safety. In Transportation and Logistics, load monitoring systems optimize energy consumption in shipping and cargo industries. The Aerospace and Defense sector relies on these systems for mission-critical applications, while the Mining sector uses them to maximize resource extraction. Healthcare products, such as dialysis machines and IV bags, also utilize load monitoring systems for precise control. The Energy sector benefits from these systems to optimize power consumption, and the Shipbuilding industry uses them for structural integrity assessments. Overall, load monitoring systems play a crucial role in Industrial applications, enabling efficient and safe operations in numerous sectors.

Market Research Overview

The Load Monitoring System market is a significant sector in the technology industry, focusing on measuring and managing the performance of power systems. This system is crucial for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of various industries, including energy, telecommunications, and manufacturing. The technology involves the use of sensors, data analytics, and automation to monitor power consumption, identify anomalies, and optimize energy usage. Companies such as Autech, Capacitance Technologies, and Shibulidini offer load monitoring solutions, providing real-time data and predictive analytics to help clients make informed decisions. The market is expected to grow due to increasing energy demand, the need for energy efficiency, and the integration of renewable energy sources. Additionally, advancements in IoT and AI technologies are driving innovation in load monitoring systems, enabling more accurate and efficient energy management.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
SHANGHAI, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lufax Holding Ltd ("Lufax" or the "Company") (NYSE: LU and HKEX: 6623), a leading financial services enabler for small business owners in China, today announced that it plans to release its first quarter 2024 financial results after the market closes on Monday, April 22, 2024 U.S. Eastern Time.

The Company's management will hold an earnings conference call at 9:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Monday, April 22, 2024 (9:00 A.M. Beijing Time on Tuesday, April 23, 2024) to discuss the financial results. For participants who wish to join the call, please complete online registration using the link provided below in advance of the conference call. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers, the event passcode, and a unique access PIN, which can be used to join the conference call.

Registration Link: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10188298/fc485dda60

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.lufaxholding.com.

The replay will be accessible through April 29, 2024, by dialing the following numbers:

United States: 1-877-344-7529 International: 1-412-317-0088 Conference ID: 8644039

About Lufax

Lufax is a leading financial services enabler for small business owners in China. The Company offers financing products designed principally to address the needs of small business owners. In doing so, the Company has established relationships with 85 financial institutions in China as funding partners, many of which have worked with the Company for over three years.

Investor Relations Contact

Lufax Holding Ltd

Email: [email protected]

ICR, LLC

Robin Yang

Tel: +1 (646) 308-0546

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Lufax Holding Ltd
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Shopoff Realty Investments ("Shopoff"), a national manager of opportunistic and value-add real estate investments, announced today it has pre-sold more than 70% of its luxury condominium project, Parkhouse Residences at Uptown Newport, in Newport Beach, California. Polaris Pacific brokered the 21 individual condo sales, with prices ranging from $2.1 million to $4.75 million, and totaling $65 million.

Located in the enclave of the 25-acre master plan, Uptown Newport, this 30-unit luxury community includes half-floor condominium residences and two-story penthouses across five buildings, all with individual private garages. Move-ins start summer 2024.

"Parkhouse represents one of the only opportunities this year to purchase and move into a newly constructed luxury condominium in Newport Beach," explained Shopoff President and CEO William Shopoff. "A hidden gem among the bustle of Newport's airport area, this boutique, 30-unit community offers residents a private enclave with all Newport Beach has to offer, right at your fingertips."

Now 70% pre-sold, the remaining nine units are priced from approximately $2 million to $4 million, and feature 2,052 to 2,849 square feet of living space, with four available floorplans. The residences also have access to premium amenities such as a pool, hot tub and fitness center.

Located in the airport area of Newport Beach near the 73 and 405 freeways, future Parkhouse residents will enjoy easy access to the beaches and Newport Back Bay, as well as world class dining, high-end shopping and John Wayne Airport.

For more information on the remaining units at Parkhouse Residences, please contact: [email protected].

About Shopoff Realty Investments

Shopoff Realty Investments is an Irvine, California-based real estate firm with a 32-year history of value-add and opportunistic investing across the United States. The company primarily focuses on proactively generating appreciation through the repositioning of commercial income-producing properties, the entitlement of land assets, and development projects. The 32-year history includes operating as Asset Recovery Fund, Eastbridge Partners, and Shopoff Realty Investments (formerly known as The Shopoff Group). Performance has varied in this time frame, with certain offerings generating losses. For additional information, please visit https://www.shopoff.com/ or call (844) 4-SHOPOFF.

Disclosures

This is not an offering to buy or sell any securities. Such an offer may only be made through the offering memorandum to qualified purchasers. Any investment in Shopoff Realty Investments programs involves substantial risks and is suitable only for investors who have no need for liquidity and who can bear the loss of their entire investment. There is no assurance that any strategy will succeed to meet its investment objectives. The performance of this asset is not indicative of future results of other assets. Securities are offered through Shopoff Securities, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC, 18565 Jamboree Road, Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92612, (844) 4-SHOPOFF.

About Polaris Pacific

Polaris Pacific is the leading real estate sales and marketing group for today's new residential condominium communities. Drawing on a 30-year legacy of success in the Western United States, Polaris Pacific specializes in new development, leveraging the latest tools and technology to create a clear path forward. For more, visit PolarisPacific.com.

Contact:

Jill Swartz

Spotlight Marketing Communications

949.427.1389

[email protected]

SOURCE Shopoff Realty Investments
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- May 3rd to May 5th -- Get ready for a wave of fun and gratitude! Seventy-five amazing young international educators, therapists, nurses, and other care professionals are about to make a splash in San Clemente. These "Apex Care Professionals" are primarily from Germany and Austria, and they're in this country on a special U.S. Department of State J-1 cultural exchange program to participate in a unique live-in child care solution for families with diverse needs.

Apex Social Group, the organization that facilitates this unique program, is hosting its 15th Annual Surf Outing to celebrate these dedicated young professionals and offer them the chance to bond, relax, and learn to conquer the waves of San Clement's iconic coastline.

More Than Just Caregivers.

Apex Social Group provides families with developmental live-in childcare and cultural exchange. Their Care Professionals hold degrees in fields such as pediatric nursing, occupational or physical therapy, or early childhood education from their home country. They dedicate themselves to enriching the lives of families across the U.S., often working with children who have varying disabilities.

Amanda Spagnoletti, a host mom from New Jersey, is just one of many who sing the praises of her Care Professionals."To say Yasmin and Sarah, who are both Occupational Therapists from Germany, have changed our lives is an understatement. These young women have completely changed everything about the way our family functions  for the better! Their patience, professionalism, and work ethic with our son are beyond compare. The love they feel for him  and for the entire family  is apparent in everything they do. I have never seen such diligence and competence in people so young, and believe me working with Nick is no easy task!" Spagnoletti said.

California Dreams Come True.

For many of these young professionals, the opportunity to learn to surf in San Clemente is a dream come true. Hannah Elixmann, a speech therapist from Germany, currently in the middle of her second year serving an Apex host family in New Jersey expresses her excitement: "I've only seen the Pacific Ocean once before! I am grateful that Apex gives me the opportunity to cross another thing off my bucket list!"

A Heartfelt Thank You

The Apex Annual Social Surf Outing is more than just a fun outing. It's a way for Apex Social to express their deepest gratitude to these incredible young professionals. "Creating this event is a true labor of love," says Susan Asay, Founder of Apex Social Group and long-time San Clemente resident. "I'm incredibly proud of these Care Professionals, and I love seeing the joy on their faces as they get outside of their comfort zone and catch their first wave while experiencing the beauty of San Clemente, my hometown."

Celebrating Inclusion on the Waves.

The spirit of "Making a Splash" extends beyond just fun and sun. Local surf instructors from JP's San Clemente Surf School will give lessons to the Apex Care Professionals, while Pro Surfer Rocky McKinnon of Huntington Beach will offer adaptive surfing experiences for Apex host children with varying abilities. Rocky will also share his story as a pioneer of the first Adaptive Surfing program in Huntington Beach with his innovative "Chair Board" design.

An Apex Social host family from Sherman Oaks was invited to have their daughter Sadie who has Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic condition, participate in a McKinnon Adaptive Surf lesson at a previous Apex Social Surf Outing and will be attending again this year along with several other families. "Watching Sadie catch her first wave was unforgettable," said her mom, Stephanie. "It was a powerful reminder to us that Sadie loves adventure and we should never let her disability get in the way of trying new things. We were grateful to Apex for partnering with us to find amazing Apex Care Professionals for Sadie and for inviting Sadie to be a part of this special experience."

Building Bridges and Sharing Knowledge.

It is a special honor, Asay said, to again welcome representatives from the US Department of State and from the Apex Social partners in Germany and the U.S. This German-American exchange program is more than just child care," says Asay. "It's a chance for people from different backgrounds to learn from each other, share knowledge, and work together towards making the world a more inclusive place."

According to Sarah Kodinsky, CEO at Apex Social, "The excitement for the event is palpable year after year. We are all so happy and grateful to be able to positively influence so many lives  the lives of the families we serve, and the young Apex Care Professionals who make such a big difference in their lives."

About Apex Social

Founded in 2008, Apex Social Group is the leading Child Care Provider for families with children of all abilities and all ages - from newborns to young adults. Apex Social is particularly situated to assist families with children who have disabilities as our Apex Care Professionals - both from the United States and abroad - have backgrounds in a health, therapy, or educational field, with experience working with children that have autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, developmental delays and more. Apex Social offers a boutique-style service experience that reaches beyond the traditional child care agency service.

To learn more about Apex Social Group, visit apex-social.com

SOURCE Apex Social Group
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Markem-Imaje, part of Dover (NYSE: DOV) and a global provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions and industrial marking and coding systems, today announced that it has launched a new, highly versatile opaque white ink that is compatible with its specialized extruded product coders, such as the 9750+, 9750 E+ and 9750 EW+ continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers.

The MW2160P white ink is a multipurpose solution tailored to meet the diverse needs of manufacturers working with extruded substrates like polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and rubber. It is engineered with strong visibility, adhesion and durability qualities across a range of materials to withstand the challenges posed by bending, rubbing, vulcanization, lubricants and water, ensuring longevity in even the most demanding industrial environments.

In addition to its versatility, the MW2160P white ink achieves superior adhesion on all extruded parts, ensuring a reliable and long-lasting print quality that meets the high standards required in industrial applications.

"Our new white ink delivers exceptional print quality, durability and versatility for extruded products. Nicknamed the "Swiss Army Knife" of CIJ inks, this product truly offers a "do it all" solution that produces excellent results across a range of extruded substrates," said Pauline Mouillet, Product Marketing Manager at Markem-Imaje.

The recently launched 9750 E, 9750 E+ and 9750 EW+ coders offer the market's most advanced solutions for wire and cable marking and coding. This includes the first-ever CIJ printer with dual dye and pigment ink and a brand-new dedicated printhead with jet stabilization to maintain the width and legibility of wire coding.

About Markem-Imaje:

Markem-Imaje, a wholly owned subsidiary of the US-based Dover Corporation is a trusted world manufacturer of product identification and traceability solutions, offering a full line of reliable and innovative inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, and print and apply label systems. Markem-Imaje provides global reach to over 50,000 customers with 30 subsidiaries, 6 technology centers, several equipment repair centers and manufacturing plants with the most comprehensive marking and coding portfolio available in the marketplace. Visit www.markem-imaje.com for further information.

About Dover:

Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of over $8 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Clean Energy & Fueling, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Climate & Sustainability Technologies. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 65 years, our team of over 25,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com .

Markem-Imaje Contact:

Viktor Hermansson

+34 627 80 86 10

[email protected]

Dover Media Contact:

Adrian Sakowicz, VP, Communications

(630) 743-5039

[email protected]

Dover Investor Contact:

Jack Dickens, Senior Director, Investor Relations

(630) 743-2566

[email protected]

SOURCE Dover
HONOLULU, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Matson, Inc. ("Matson" or the "Company") (NYSE: MATX), a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, today announced that it will release its financial results for the first quarter on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

A conference call is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET when Matt Cox, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Joel Wine, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss Matson's first quarter results.

Date of Conference Call: Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Scheduled Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 a.m. HT

The conference call will be broadcast live along with an additional slide presentation on the Company's website at www.matson.com, under Investors.

Participants may register for the conference call at:

https://register.vevent.com/register/BI7848e398977d44feb1ab2582b428fff1

Registered participants will receive the conference call dial-in number and a unique PIN code to access the live event. While not required, it is recommended you join 10 minutes prior to the event starting time. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the event by accessing the webcast link at www.matson.com, under Investors.

About the Company

Founded in 1882, Matson (NYSE: MATX) is a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services. Matson provides a vital lifeline of ocean freight transportation services to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, and to other island economies in Micronesia. Matson also operates premium, expedited services from China to Long Beach, California, provides service to Okinawa, Japan and various islands in the South Pacific, and operates an international export service from ports in Alaska to Asia. The Company's fleet of owned and chartered vessels includes containerships, combination container and roll-on/roll-off ships and custom-designed barges. Matson Logistics, established in 1987, extends the geographic reach of Matson's transportation network throughout North America and Asia. Its integrated, asset-light logistics services include rail intermodal, highway brokerage, warehousing, freight consolidation, supply chain management, and freight forwarding to Alaska. Additional information about the Company is available at www.matson.com.

SOURCE Matson, Inc.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Human Exploration Rover Challenge when the competition returns to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's Aviation Challenge Course in Huntsville, Alabama, Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20. The event is free and open to the public with rover excursions occurring each day from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT or until the last rover completes the obstacle course.

NASA selected 72 student teams in October to begin an engineering design challenge to build human-powered rovers that will compete at the course near the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center.

Media are invited to watch more than 600 students from around the world attempt to navigate a complex obstacle course by piloting a human-powered vehicle of their own design and production. Media interested in attending or setting up interviews should contact Taylor Goodwin in the Marshall Office of Communications at 938-210-2891 no later than 2 p.m. Thursday, April 18.

Participating teams represent 42 colleges and universities and 30 high schools from 24 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 13 other nations from around the world. NASA's handbook has complete proposal guidelines and task challenges.

To conclude the 2024 season, NASA will host an in-person awards ceremony Saturday, April 20, at 5 p.m. inside the Space Camp Operations Center at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. NASA and industry sponsors will present multiple awards highlighting team successes throughout the past eight-month-long engineering design project, including awards for best rover design, best pit crew award, best social media presence, and many other accomplishments.

Media interested in attending or setting up interviews should contact Taylor Goodwin in the Marshall Office of Communications at 938-210-2891 no later than 2 p.m. Thursday, April 18.

About the Challenge

The Human Exploration Rover Challenge tasks high school, college, and university students around the world to design, build, and test their lightweight, human-powered rovers on a course simulating lunar and Martian terrain, all while completing mission-focused science tasks. Eligible teams compete to be among the top three finishers in their divisions, and to win multiple awards including best vehicle design, best rookie team, and more.

The challenge annually draws hundreds of students from around the world and reflects the goals of NASA's Artemis campaign , which will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.

The event was launched in 1994 as the NASA Great Moonbuggy Race  a collegiate competition to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. It expanded in 1996 to include high school teams, evolving again in 2014 into the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge. Since its inception, more than 15,000 students have participated  with many former students now working in the aerospace industry, including with NASA.

The Human Exploration Rover Challenge is managed by NASA's Southeast Regional Office of STEM Engagement at Marshall and is one of eight Artemis Student Challenges . NASA's Office of STEM Engagement uses challenges and competitions to further the agency's goal of encouraging students to pursue degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

To learn more about the challenge, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/roverchallenge/home/index.html

SOURCE NASA
DALLAS, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MODE Global ("MODE"), an industry-leading third-party logistics (3PL) firm is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Sync Logistics Training ("Sync"), an online learning and development platform designed specifically for the transportation industry. The collaboration strengthens MODE's existing training process and equips employees to deliver the high level of service MODE customers demand.

As the logistics industry continues to evolve, MODE recognizes the critical role training plays in employee success and professional development. By partnering with Sync, MODE can help its employees excel by providing a comprehensive training program tailored to the unique demands of its business model and growth strategy.

MODE recognizes the critical role training plays in employee success and professional development. Post this

"As a participant of the Sync pilot program, when I saw how comprehensive the curriculum and training program was, I knew I wanted to advocate for this tool not only for my team's development but also as part of an enterprise-wide solution," said Rob Jernigan, vice president of agent experience at MODE Global. "With the Sync platform, industry knowledge is no longer a stumbling block to employee success."

Key goals of the partnership include:

Decrease ramp times and set MODE employees up for long-term success with Sync's best-in-class industry-specific training.

Increase MODE employees' skills and confidence to navigate the complex world of freight brokerage through Sync's interactive simulations.

Support MODE's ongoing investment in employees by providing continuous education and upskilling opportunities.

"Our goal is to help brokers train and retain more proactive and engaged employees," said Nick Dangles, co-founder of Sync Logistics Training. "We are thrilled to partner with MODE to enhance its employee development initiatives!"

The partnership between MODE and Sync represents a shared commitment to investing in employee development for all MODE employees and to raising the bar of service excellence within the transportation industry.

About Sync Logistics Training

Sync Logistics Training is an online training and development platform, built specifically for the transportation industry. We allow your brokerage to transfer years of industry knowledge to your new employees in an engaging and effective way. Using a mix of video courses, simulations and quizzes, your new hires will reach new heights faster.

About MODE Global

MODE Global is a multi-billion, multi-brand, 3PL platform and one of the world's leading logistics companies. We are the eighth-largest truckload freight brokerage and the largest non-asset intermodal provider in the United States. Through our family of brands, which includes Avenger Logistics, MODE Transportation and SUNTECKtts, we offer more than 30 years of experience providing exceptional service with a focus on customer experience. MODE Global provides efficient, reliable transportation services around the world to more than 10,000 customers across a diverse set of markets. Powered by a sophisticated suite of technology solutions, MODE makes supply chain management easy through relationships with more than 100,000 carriers and agents in 230 locations throughout North America. For more information on how to transform your shipping solutions, please visit www.modeglobal.com.

CONTACT:

MODE Global Communications

[email protected]

972.972.7334

SOURCE MODE Global
LONDON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Morphy Richards, a renowned brand known for its high-quality, British-style, and innovative products, has proudly announced an upgrade in its brand strategy, encapsulated in the new slogan, "Smart Ideas for Your Life." This strategic upgrade, which focuses on "innovation" and "smart ideas", aims to broaden the range of products and services. The goal is to promote a lifestyle that is driven by innovation, and it will not only focus on the home experience but also pay attention to people's passion for the outdoors and give more portable choices.

Morphy Richards unveiled innovative products at AWE 2024

In line with the brand positioning upgrade, Morphy Richards is set to introduce products that embody the essence of a smart lifestyle globally. Starting in March, during the AWE Shanghai 2024, Morphy Richards has unveiled several innovative products in China's market, including a Foldable Multifunction Cooking Pot and a Handheld Fan. These products introduce innovations that enhance various aspects of life, reflecting the unique wisdom of living today.

The Foldable Multifunction Cooking Pot is a testament to Morphy Richards' commitment to innovation and smart living. It allows users to fry and boil different foods simultaneously, making it an ideal choice for family meals or social gatherings. Its foldability is a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts, offering ease of transport and storage without compromising on functionality. Whether it's a cozy dinner at home or a camping adventure, this cooking pot is designed to meet the culinary needs of any occasion.

Equally impressive is the Handheld Fan, a symbol of Morphy Richards' dedication to enhancing life's comfort and convenience. This compact device boasts a remarkable wind speed of 13.7m/s, ensuring immediate relief from the heat. Its quick charging capability and extended battery life make it a reliable companion in various environments, including the home, office, and outdoors. More than just a gadget, the fan is a lifestyle choice that reflects the smart, efficient, and adaptable nature of modern living.

Morphy Richards is committed to introducing more innovative solutions that cater to the delightful lives of people worldwide. In 2024, the brand is set to unveil more innovations and is eager to share the mission of" innovate for enlightening progress "with business partners.

For more information, please visit https://global.morphyrichards.com/.

SOURCE Morphy Richards
Also, about two-thirds of public school leaders believe state-mandated testing will not accurately measure the ability of students with individualized education plans or who are English learners

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Most public school leaders, 92 percent, indicated at least some level of concern about their students meeting academic standards, according to new data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the statistical center within the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES). In addition, 80 percent of school leaders reported some level of concern about issues related to staffing shortages, such as increased class sizes or staff doing work outside of their intended duties.

"We know that the job of public school leaders has become increasingly complex and there is a constellation of challenges that keep them up at night," said NCES Commissioner Peggy G. Carr. "What they are telling us through this latest School Pulse Panel survey is that the majority of them have some level of concern related to important issues that we asked them about, with most (92 percent) saying they were concerned about students meeting academic standards and 8 in 10 saying they were concerned about issues related to staffing shortages. Also, about 4 in 10 reported they are moderately or extremely concerned about students' mental health, as well as the mental health of teachers and staff. It's a Herculean task to manage all these challenges, and we hope that understanding what school leaders are facing will identify essential areas of support."

About 4 in 10 school leaders said they were "moderately" or "extremely" concerned about their students' mental health (43 percent) and the mental health of their teachers or staff (41 percent). In fact, 27 percent of respondents said they were "moderately" or "extremely" concerned about their own mental health. Next month's School Pulse Panel data release will delve deeper into mental health services available to students and staff in public schools.

Additionally, the latest School Pulse Panel survey provides insights on school leaders' perceptions of state-mandated assessments, as well as social and emotional skills development in schools, which in recent years has become a growing area of attention in public education.

Eighty-five percent of public schools agreed that the culture at their school supports the development of students' social and emotional skills in school, with 49 percent of schools indicating they "strongly agree" that this is the case. About two-thirds of schools (63 percent) use a formal curriculum designed to support the development of students' social and emotional skills, the data show.

Among those schools with a formal curriculum, 27 percent said it has been "very effective" or "extremely effective" at improving student outcomes and 72 percent said time limitations were a barrier to implementing the curriculum.

Leaders of public schools that participate in state-mandated testing for mathematics (96 percent) or for English language arts and literacy (96 percent) were asked about the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with statements related to the main state-mandated tests that their students will be given during the 2023-24 school year.

Approximately two-thirds of these public schools "somewhat" or "strongly" agreed that they support the use of these assessments to measure student mastery of state standards, with 66 percent for English language arts (ELA) and 62 percent for math. About three-quarters "somewhat" or "strongly" agreed that the assessments will provide useful data to inform classroom instruction (75 percent for ELA and 74 percent for math).

However, about two-thirds of public schools agreed that state-mandated testing in math and ELA will not accurately measure the ability of students with individualized education plans (IEPs) (68 percent for ELA and 67 percent for math) or who are English Learner (EL/ELL/ESL) students (68 percent for ELA and 67 percent for math).

The findings released today are part of an experimental data product from the School Pulse Panel, NCES's innovative approach to delivering timely information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on public K-12 schools in the U.S. The data, collected between February 13 and 27 of 2024, came from 1,689 participating public K-12 schools from every state and the District of Columbia.

Additional data collected from 99 public K-12 schools in the U.S. Outlying Areas  American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands  are also available. Results from this collection include the finding that 96 percent of Outlying Area public school leaders report some level of concern about students meeting academic standards.

Experimental data products are innovative statistical tools created using new data sources or methodologies. Experimental data may not meet all of NCES's quality standards but are of sufficient benefit to data users in the absence of other relevant products to justify release. NCES clearly identifies experimental data products upon their release.

All data released today can be found on the School Pulse Panel dashboard at https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/spp/results.asp.

The full press release is available

https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/4_16_2024.asp.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, is the statistical center of the U.S. Department of Education and the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations. NCES fulfills a congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze, and report complete statistics on the condition and progress of American education; conduct and publish reports; and review and report on education activities internationally.

Follow NCES on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube and subscribe to the NCES Newsflash to receive email notifications when new data are released.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is the independent and nonpartisan statistics, research, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Its mission is to provide scientific evidence on which to ground education practice and policy and to share this information in formats that are useful and accessible to educators, parents, policymakers, researchers, and the public.

Contact:

Josh De La Rosa, National Center for Education Statistics, [email protected]

Erik Robelen, Hager Sharp, [email protected]

SOURCE National Center for Education Statistics
NEW YORK, April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global MRI systems market size is estimated to grow by USD 2494.99 mn from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 6.32% during the forecast period. MRI systems are essential diagnostic tools for brain disorders, orthopedic issues, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and breast cancer. The global prevalence of neurological, orthopedic, and cardiovascular conditions is rising, necessitating early diagnosis. Advanced MRI machines, such as Velocity MRI System and multi-contract scanners, provide detailed information on CVDs and Alzheimer's disease. Market trends include hybrid MRI systems, novel technologies, and pricing analysis. Patient experience, side effects, and accessibility are key considerations. Metal implants, pacemakers, and clips pose challenges. Research studies in BRJ Journal explore new applications and improvements.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global MRI Systems Market 2023-2027

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

MRI Systems Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.32% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 2494.99 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.0 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 41% Key countries US, Canada, Germany, UK, and China Key companies profiled Aspect Imaging Ltd., AURORA HEALTHCARE US Corp., Bruker Corp., Canon Inc., Esaote Spa, FONAR Corp., FUJIFILM Corp., GE Healthcare Technologies Inc., Hologic Inc., Koninklijke Philips NV, MR Solutions Ltd., Neusoft Corp., Onex Corp., Sanrad Medical Systems Pvt ltd, Shenzhen Anke High tech Co., Shimadzu Corp., Siemens Healthineers AG, and Time Medical Holding Co Ltd

Segment Overview

This mri systems market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product (Closed MRI systems, Open MRI systems) Type (Fixed MRI, Mobile MRI) Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, Rest of World (ROW))

Market segmentation by Product

The MRI systems market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing incidence of brain-related health concerns and chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and Alzheimer's disease. Healthcare centers are investing in advanced MRI machines, including multi-contract MRI scanners like Velocity MRI System, to provide superior diagnosis and improve patient experience. Health insurance coverage and pricing analysis play a crucial role in buying behavior. Top suppliers like Siemens and Philips offer fixed MRI systems with multi-modality imaging capabilities and high magnetic strengths, including superconducting magnets with Tesla (T) levels. However, factors like claustrophobia, metal implants, pacemakers, and side effects from cancer radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and metal chips or clips can impact patient experience and accessibility. Research studies published in journals like BRJ highlight the importance of novel technologies, such as hybrid MRI systems, in addressing these challenges and expanding the market. Pricing analysis and patent analysis are essential for understanding market dynamics and future growth opportunities. The aging baby boomer population's increasing healthcare needs further fuel the demand for MRI machines.

Geography Overview

The MRI Systems Market in North America, led by the US and Canada, is expected to remain the largest segment due to health concerns related to brain conditions, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and cancer. Healthcare centers invest in advanced MRI machines for diagnosis, catering to the increasing number of MRI scans. Multi-contract MRI scanners and Velocity MRI System enhance patient experience and offer multimodality imaging. Research studies published in journals like BRJ highlight the importance of MRI in cardiovascular disease treatment, cancer radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, despite side effects like claustrophobia, metal implants, pacemakers, and metal chips. Pricing analysis and patent studies influence buying behavior. Novel technologies, such as hybrid MRI systems and novel magnetic strengths (superconducting magnets with Tesla (T) field strength), address chronic conditions and cater to the aging baby boomer population.

Insights on the market contribution of various segments including country and region wise, historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Download a Sample Report

MRI technology has advanced, with Siemens Healthineers introducing Simultaneous Multi-Slice for faster, more detailed scans. This application reduces 2D acquisition time by a factor of three, enabling advanced neurological applications like DTI and BOLD in clinical routine. It shortens brain examinations, bringing relevance to research and clinical care. Keywords: Brain, Health, MRI machines, Advanced applications, Velocity MRI System, Patient experience, Multimodality imaging, Research, CVDs, Alzheimer's disease, Pricing analysis, Patent analysis, Hospitals, Novel technologies.

The MRI market growth is hindered by the high cost of 3.0T systems, which can exceed USD3 million , including installation, servicing, and maintenance. Costs increase with high-field strength systems, offering clearer images. Economies with limited resources face challenges in adopting MRI for conditions like cancers, strokes, and spinal abnormalities. Key players invest in tech advancements for diagnostic imaging, impacting reimbursement policies and patient access.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 - 2021) and forecast period(2023-2027)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

The MRI systems market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, such as Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) and Alzheimer's disease, among aging populations, particularly the baby boomer generation. Patent analysis reveals ongoing innovation in Hybrid MRI systems, which combine multiple imaging modalities to provide more accurate and early diagnosis for various diseases, including CVDs, Alzheimer's, soft tissue, and nervous system disorders. Pricing analysis indicates a trend towards affordability, making these advanced technologies accessible to a larger patient base. Technical advancements in MRI systems continue to improve image quality and reduce scan times, further increasing their value in the healthcare sector for cancer patients and those with bone and tissue diseases.

Market Research Overview

The MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) systems market is a significant segment of the healthcare industry, utilizing advanced technology for diagnostic imaging. These systems, such as Cardiovascular MRI, MRIs for Hospitals, and MRIs for Research, provide detailed images of the body's internal structures. The market consists of various players, including Canon, GE, Siemens, and Philips, offering innovative solutions like Expertise in MRI, Superconducting Magnets, and Open MRI Systems. The market's growth is driven by factors like increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, technological advancements, and growing demand for non-invasive diagnostic procedures. Additionally, the market faces challenges like high costs and the need for large capital investments. Despite these challenges, the MRI systems market continues to evolve, offering promising opportunities for growth.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, April 16, NASA welcomed Sweden as the 38th country to sign the Artemis Accords and commit to peaceful and safe space exploration. Minister for Education Dr. Mats Persson signed the accords on behalf of Sweden at an event in Stockholm.

Minister for Education Mats Persson and U.S. Ambassador Erik D. Ramanathan shake hands after the signing ceremony.

"NASA welcomes Sweden to the Artemis Accords family," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "Our nations have worked together to discover new secrets in our Solar System, and now, we welcome you to a global coalition that is committed to exploring the heavens openly, transparently, responsibly, and in peace. The United States and Sweden share the same bedrock principles, and we're excited to expand these principles to the cosmos."

Sweden affirmed its dedication to the sustainable use of space at the Swedish Government Offices. Participants included Persson and Ambassador Erik D. Ramanathan, the U.S. ambassador to Sweden, who gave remarks welcoming Sweden to the Accords family. Pre-recorded remarks by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson played during the ceremony as well.

"Sweden has an advanced space sector, and the societal benefits of space research and activities have grown in importance," said Persson. "By joining the Artemis Accords, Sweden strengthens its strategic space partnership with the U.S. on space covering areas such as Swedish space research and the space industry, which in turn also strengthens Sweden's total defense capability."

The Artemis Accords are a set of principles to guide the next phase in space exploration, announced by NASA and the U.S. Department of State in 2020. The Accords provide important implementation of key obligations from the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and reinforce the commitment by the United States and signatory nations to the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices of responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data.

Additional countries will sign the Artemis Accords in the future, as the United States continues to work with international partners to establish a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space.

Learn more about the Artemis Accords at:

https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords

SOURCE NASA
Peer-reviewed research finds religious private schools play a particularly positive role in shaping civic outcomes

NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Private schools are linked to more positive civic outcomes for students and parents than public schools, according to a peer-reviewed statistical meta-analysis published today in Educational Psychology Review by authors from the University of Buckingham and University of Arkansas. The research, which combines, audits, and analyzes all available empirical studies of the effects of public and private schools on various civic outcomes, found that private schooling is associated with an advantage of 5.5 percent of a standard deviation, or roughly two percentile points, over public schooling in various measures of civic outcomes.

The researchers combined the results of 57 studies from more than a dozen countries, including the United States, to calculate the average association between schooling and measures of four central civic outcomes that are widely viewed as conducive to self-government:

Political Tolerance: An individual's willingness to respect the rights and opinions of people who are different from them. This also includes attitudes about equality, human dignity, and even measures of antisemitism.

An individual's willingness to respect the rights and opinions of people who are different from them. This also includes attitudes about equality, human dignity, and even measures of antisemitism. Political Participation: A behavioral measure of a person's willingness to engage in the activities of self-government. This includes activities like voting and contacting a political representative.

A behavioral measure of a person's willingness to engage in the activities of self-government. This includes activities like voting and contacting a political representative. Civic Knowledge and Skills: A set of understandings and abilities widely viewed as conducive to self-government. Examples include scores on factual quizzes regarding the country's constitutional system, as well as willingness to accept the results from fair elections.

A set of understandings and abilities widely viewed as conducive to self-government. Examples include scores on factual quizzes regarding the country's constitutional system, as well as willingness to accept the results from fair elections. Voluntarism and Social Capital: Measures of one's involvement in activities that benefit the broader community and the depth of one's community attachment. Examples include charitable giving and the number of hours of volunteering without pay.

"Since public schools were often established specifically to prepare children for citizenship, one might assume that they're superior to private schools at that function. Our research shows that is not the case," said study lead author M. Danish Shakeel, director of the E. G. West Centre for Education Policy at The University of Buckingham. "Private schooling does not threaten democracy. In fact, it may strengthen it."

The study, titled "The Public Purposes of Private Education: a Civic Outcomes MetaAnalysis," found that religious private schools had a greater effect than secular private schools relative to public schools, equivalent to 7.6 percent of a standard deviation. Even for the outcome of political tolerance, arguably the toughest test for religious schooling effects on civics, the researchers found that there is, at worst, no negative effect of religious relative to public schools.

This research comes amid global concerns about the state of civics education. In May of 2023, the National Assessment Governing Board announced that just 22 percent of eighth graders in the United States were proficient in civics. Furthermore, a recent survey from the Institute for Citizens and Scholars found that only 4 percent of Americans aged 18-24 were able to correctly answer four basic civics questions. This is not a problem unique to the United States, with UNESCO launching a framework for global citizenship education in 2015 to address disappointing civics scores in democracies around the world.

"With civics education in such a sorry state, our research points to a possible solution," said Patrick J. Wolf, Interim Department Head, Distinguished Professor of Education Policy and 21st Century Endowed Chair in School Choice in the Department of Education at the University of Arkansas. "Educational pluralism, advanced by effective school choice policies, seems to be a boon, and not a bane, for civic outcomes."

"As a more expansive and diverse population of students gain access to private schooling, and as pressure mounts for public schools to improve their civics instruction, the private (mostly religious) school advantage in promoting civic outcomes could disappear or even flip to a public-school advantage," according to the report. For now, a wealth of evidence indicates that private schools do at least as well, and likely better, at forming democratic citizens.

To ensure methodological rigor and guard against biases, the researchers pre-registered the study at the Open Science Framework and employed the latest and most rigorous meta-analytic procedures. Meta-analysis is a well-established scientific technique for consolidating all the reliable evidence that exists regarding a question.

Contact: Jacob Waters

[email protected]

609.658.8147

SOURCE University of Arkansas
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Students from Syracuse City School District and Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, will have an opportunity this week to hear from alumna and NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps aboard the International Space Station.

The space to Earth call will stream live at 10 a.m. EDT April 18, on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms including social media.

NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission specialist Jeanette Epps is pictured training inside a Dragon mockup crew vehicle at the company's headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Credit: SpaceX

Media interested in covering the event must RSVP no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, to Amanda Hull from Syracuse City Schools at [email protected], 973-975-9712, or Joe Della Pasta from Le Moyne College at [email protected], 315-445-4564.

In preparation for the event, Syracuse City School District highlighted Epps' contributions to aerospace and the local community in a collaborative effort between their social studies and STEM classrooms. Epps is an alumnae of Syracuse City schools and Le Moyne College.

Le Moyne hosted an eclipse viewing event on April 8 with astronomy and science talks by faculty and local science clubs. On April 12, Grant Farrokh, a space station trajectory operations and planning officer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and also a former Le Moyne student, gave a presentation to students. On April 18 student clubs and organizations at Le Moyne will participate in the streaming event, and the college career advising and development office will discuss career opportunities for students.

For more than 23 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts living in space aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network.

Important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the International Space Station benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for other agency missions. As part of NASA's Artemis campaign, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars. Inspiring the next generation of explorers  the Artemis Generation  ensures America will continue to lead in space exploration and discovery.

See videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the space station at:

https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation

SOURCE NASA
Experience the Thrill of Innovation as Young Minds Pitch Their Ventures for a CASH Prize

MIAMI, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fifth Annual Young Entrepreneur Showcase is back at Miami International Mall, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 11 AM to 3 PM, this event aims to celebrate and empower Kid Bosses as they showcase their innovative businesses. Produced with Purpose and Young Entrepreneur Showcase was founded by visionary Leila Hilliard, who took this year to redefine the event by hand selecting 16 businesses who will have the opportunity to present their business and its sustainability on the event stage for 2 minutes each, reminiscent of the popular "Shark Tank" format. The best presenter will be awarded with a cash prize to invest in their business, providing a valuable opportunity for growth and development.

Fifth Annual Young Entrepreneurs Showcase at Miami International Mall Fourth Annual Young Entrepreneurs Showcase at Miami International Mall

Over the course of four years, the Young Entrepreneurs Showcase has welcomed over 100 Kid Bosses, providing Miami with an immersive glimpse into the resilience and creativity of our young entrepreneurial minds. Leila Hilliard, Founder of the Young Entrepreneurs Showcase states "As we enter our fifth year, I wanted to reimagine the Young Entrepreneurs Showcase to offer an even more dynamic platform for our young innovators. The introduction of the 'Shark Tank' style format adds an exciting new dimension, empowering our Kid Bosses to pitch their ideas with confidence and flair."

The success of the Young Entrepreneurs Showcase is made possible by the generous support of sponsors and partners, including our Chairman Sponsor, The Al & Jane Nahmad Family Foundation. Their continued commitment to nurturing young talent ensures the continued success of this event. Don't miss your chance to witness the next generation of entrepreneurs in action at the Fifth Annual Young Entrepreneurs Showcase. Join us at Miami International Mall on April 27, 2024, for a day of innovation, inspiration, and community celebration, this event is Free and open to all.

The Produced with Purpose mission is to train kid bosses to THINK like entrepreneurs and create a platform where they can bring their products and services directly to the people. What is a kid boss? A kid boss is focused and passionate. A kid boss is strong willed. They decide what goal they want to achieve and go after it. Leila's vision was one in which kid bosses could tap into their skills and cultivate businesses that would become prosperous, while also creating a web of kid bosses who would be there to support each other in their pursuits for business success. This vision comes to fruition at the yearly Young Entrepreneurs Showcase, where Kid Bosses come together to do just what 10-year-old Leila had been looking for when she decided to launch a business.

Media Contact: LA Communications, 305-809-6697, [email protected]

SOURCE Produced with Purpose
Local Officials Gather to Open State-of-the-Art Branch Committed to Meeting Member and Community Needs in North County

SAN DIEGO, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- North Island Credit Union recently celebrated the official grand opening of its new full-service retail branch in Escondido located at 1230 Auto Park Way in the Escondido Promenade Shopping Center. Local city, business and community leaders opened the new branch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony along with special member raffles, prizes and give aways.

North Island Credit Union opened its newest full-service branch in Escondido Prominade Shopping Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and member celebration on April 12, 2024.

"We're excited to officially open our 11th location in the greater San Diego area with our new Escondido branch. I want to thank all the special guests who joined our celebration as well as our exceptional members and branch team," said North Island Credit Union President/CEO Steve O'Connell. "We look forward to serving our members and building even stronger relationships with our grassroots partners to benefit our Escondido community. We hope our new neighbors will stop by our branch to experience the North Island Credit Union difference."

As part of the credit union's commitment to supporting its community, the Escondido branch features a 1,700-square-foot Community Room for local organizations to hold their events and meetings at no charge. The branch has financial, investment, mortgage and business banking specialists available to members on site, with a contemporary design and open floor plan, free Wi-Fi, hospitality and private meeting areas and 24-hour ATM services.

Anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or has a business in San Diego and Riverside counties is eligible to join North Island Credit Union. The Escondido branch hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am-5pm; Friday, 9am-6pm; and Saturday, 9am-2pm.

About North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union

California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 with assets of nearly $5 billion, approximately 200,000 members and 25 retail branches. The credit union serves community members and businesses in the California counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura as well as school employees throughout the state. The credit union operates in San Diego and Riverside Counties as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. The credit union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. California Credit Union is certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a Low Income Designation, offering inclusive products and services to build financial stability in our underserved communities, including a checking account certified as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards. Visit northisland.ccu.com for more information or follow the credit union on Instagram or Facebook @northislandcu.

SOURCE North Island Credit Union
RALEIGH, N.C., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NPower , a leading, national tech training nonprofit focused on increasing economic mobility for young people and military-connected individuals through tech jobs, is proud to announce the appointment of Nick Allen as the new Executive Director for NPower North Carolina.

As Executive Director, Allen will oversee NPower's regional programs and operations in the Raleigh-Durham area, including leading the recruitment, training, certification, paid internship, and job placement of NPower North Carolina graduates. Additionally, he will leverage his expertise to seek, establish, and uphold strategic partnerships with funders, corporations, and the local government to bolster NPower North Carolina's impact in the area.

Bringing over 15 years of experience in local nonprofit ecosystems and a deep commitment to youth development and community organizing across the Triangle region, Nick will succeed Ray Trapp, who served as the previous Executive Director from June 2023 to April 2024.

"We are ecstatic to have Nick lead NPower North Carolina into its next phase of growth," said Jonathan Pride, Vice President of Field Operations at NPower. "We are confident that his relentless passion for community, data-centric mindset, and approach rooted in racial equity will help NPower North Carolina continue to close the digital divide in the region."

With a robust background in nonprofit leadership and community engagement, Allen joins NPower from United Way of the Greater Triangle, where he served as the Chief Program Officer since 2017. During his tenure, Allen led and served various teams, including grantmaking, marketing, and volunteer engagement, as well as fostered strategic initiatives centered on collaboration and innovation to help eradicate poverty and inequity in the region.

Allen's achievements at United Way include building a Community Impact strategy centered on racial and gender equity, delivering significant resources to local nonprofits, and serving over 200,000 residents annually. His leadership in establishing a Rapid Response Fund, which raised and distributed $2 million in crisis response, exemplifies his dedication to community resilience and empowerment.

NPower North Carolina provides tuition-free, virtual-led technology training, and certifications to young adults 18-26, veterans, and their spouses. The organization's award-winning training model provides employers with diverse talent equipped with the competencies of an information technology (IT) professional with one to two years of experience. Their free flagship program, NPower Tech Fundamentals, teaches students the basics of IT, assists with job placements and offers opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications.

"I am deeply honored to join the remarkable team at NPower and continue the vital work to empower individuals in the Triangle community through technology education and workforce development," said Nick Allen. "NPower's training programs are not only equipping individuals with technical skills but also building pathways for economic prosperity that will benefit communities and generations to come."

About NPower

NPower is a national nonprofit that provides free tech training, support services, and job placement assistance to young adults, military-connected individuals, and women from under-resourced communities. Since their founding in 2000, they've offered tech fundamentals and advanced career training opportunities to over 10,000 students in 13 cities. NPower's unique approach combines rigorous training, and trauma-informed support services, addressing the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students. Their strength is seeing students of non-traditional backgrounds through pivotal life transitions. Led by a team that reflects the diversity of their students, the organization empowers students to drive change in their own lives and communities. As NPower expands into 12 new markets by 2030, they're ensuring they create a tech workforce that mirrors the world around us. To learn more about NPower, visit http://www.npower.org .

Media Contact:

Hillary Ovalle

[email protected]

SOURCE NPower
DAVIS, Calif., April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is taking applications for both the NRCS Migratory Bird Resurgence Initiative (MBRI) and Tricolored Blackbird Initiative through May 24, 2024. California has $500,000 available for each initiative statewide for agricultural producers.

"It is our mission to support producers in addressing their resource concerns as well as protect our wildlife," said NRCS California State Conservationist Carlos Suarez. "These two important initiatives help our California producers improve their operations to keep habitat for critical avian species healthy, safe, and abundant, while keeping our farmers farming."

The 2018 Farm Bill authorized NRCS to create MBRI, through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), due to a pressing need for migratory bird species. MBRI is aimed at preserving, protecting, and improving habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, neotropical birds, and other avian species in the Prairie Pothole Region and in key portions of the Pacific, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Nationally, NRCS is dedicating $10,500,000 million nationwide to assist producers with technical and financial assistance under the MBRI.

MBRI in California utilizes NRCS' Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management and Conservation Cover conservation practices to address applicable wildlife habitat resource concerns. Additional supporting practices may be used to provide resource concern benefits for migratory birds.

The NRCS Tricolored Blackbird Initiative serves as an extension of a 2019 NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) agreement that will expire this year. In partnership with Audubon California, NRCS is encouraging dairy farmers to manage their fields differently. NRCS works with the dairy farmers to manage their silage fields to facilitate safe and successful nesting of these birds.

For questions regarding eligible practices and to apply, please contact your local NRCS Service Center.

How to Apply

Eligible producers for MBRI must operate within Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Yolo, or Yuba counties, and are addressing the applicable resource concerns.

Eligible producers for the NRCS Tricolored Blackbird Initiative must operate within Fresno, Kern, Madera, Merced, and Tulare counties, and have Tricolored Blackbirds on their property in a winter silage crop.

The deadline to apply for either initiative is May 24, 2024.

Since its inception in 1935, NRCS has worked in partnership with private landowners and a variety of local, state, and federal conservation partners to deliver conservation based on specific, local needs. Please visit www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov for more information about NRCS.

Contact: Jonathan Groveman, (530) 792-5690

SOURCE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Gaps in access remain for students according to new report from Next Gen Personal Finance

BURLINGAME, Calif., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of states guaranteeing a Personal Finance course to high school students grew from 17 to 25 in the last year. The new 2024 State of Financial Education Report from nonprofit Next Gen Personal Finance and researchers at Montana State University outlines what that means for the future of financial education and where glaring gaps in access remain.

In 2023, eight new states (Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin) adopted a Personal Finance course guarantee.

The number of states guaranteeing a personal finance course to high school students grew from 17 to 25 in the last year. Post this

Once personal finance graduation requirements are fully implemented in the 25 U.S. states with this policy in place, by 2030, 53.3% of U.S. high school students will be guaranteed to take a Personal Finance course. Currently, 26.3% of U.S. public high school students are guaranteed to take a Personal Finance course.

"This doubling of access to financial education by 2030 shows a tipping point in the growing movement to ensure the next generation goes into adulthood with a foundation of personal finance knowledge that will benefit them for the rest of their lives," said Tim Ranzetta, co-founder of NGPF.

Research has clearly demonstrated that a Personal Finance course improves long-term financial decision-making and positively impacts student debt decisions and credit scores, helps graduates avoid predatory lenders, helps to increase savings rates among teachers, and even generates positive spillover effects on parents.

A recent report from Tyton Partners found that taking a one-semester course in personal finance results in an average per-student lifetime benefit of approximately $100,000. The report also found the cost of implementing a standalone course can be kept low given the availability of high-quality curricular resources and teacher professional development made available by providers at no or minimal cost.

While about one in four students now have guaranteed access to a Personal Finance course, the majority (68.8%) only have access to an elective course or embedded instruction.

Access to personal finance education is still limited and inequitable. Outside of the states that guarantee the course, the statistics haven't changed much from 2022. In those states, only one in 10 high school students are guaranteed to take a Personal Finance course prior to graduation.

High school students in rural locales are more than three times as likely to take a Personal Finance course than students attending schools in urban locales.

High schools in which greater than than 75% of students are Black or Hispanic are half as likely to guarantee a Personal Finance course as schools in which fewer than 25% of students are Black or Hispanic.

In schools where over 75% of the student population is eligible for Free & Reduced-Price Lunch, just 4.6% of high school students are guaranteed to take a Personal Finance course of at least one semester.

The report also includes data on how individual states stack up as well as insights into implementation in three states with the guarantee: Nebraska, North Carolina, and Utah.

Every school year since 2017-18, NGPF has released this State of Financial Education Report by reviewing individual course catalogs from U.S. public high schools. The 2024 report was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Carly Urban, a global leader in financial education research at Montana State University.

To learn more about the state of financial education in the U.S., join Dr. Carly Urban, Economic Professor at Montana State University as she discusses the findings of the 2024 State of Financial Education Report on Thursday, April 18 at 4:00pm PT via Zoom. Register here .

About Next Gen Personal Finance

Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) is a nonprofit committed to guaranteeing that all high school students receive a personal finance course prior to graduating. NGPF has become the number one source for nearly 100,000 educators looking for high-quality, engaging personal finance curriculum to equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the future. NGPF invests in teacher professional development with live Virtual Professional Development, 10 Certification Courses, and 40+ asynchronous On-Demand modules. NGPF has been recognized by Common Sense Education as a "Top Website for Teachers to Find Lesson Plans" and "Best Business and Finance Games" and also named NGPF a "Selection for Learning." Visit ngpf.org for more.

MEDIA CONTACT

Tim Ranzetta

NGPF Mission 2030 Fund/

Next Gen Personal Finance

[email protected]

SOURCE Next Gen Personal Finance
Terrence Robinson, a longtime resident of Humboldt Parkway, is making opposition to the Kensington Expressway project the centerpiece of his campaign as he runs against Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes in the June 25 Democratic Party primary.

I want to make this election a referendum on the 33, the Kensington Expressway, with its toxic tunnel and cancer alley,  he said. I want to elevate the issue into the political season.

Robinson, 69, a former Buffalo Police officer, not-for-profit administrator and member of the Buffalo Preservation Board, is no stranger to long-shot campaigns, having run as the Green Party candidate for mayor in 2017.

He is a leader of the East Side Parkways Coalition, a group that pushed unsuccessfully for the restoration of the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Humboldt Parkway as part of the $1 billion Kensington Expressway project. Its intended to address the harm done to East Side neighborhoods when the highway was constructed in the 1950s and 1960s.

Peoples-Stokes is a leading supporter of the project. It calls for a 3/4-mile tunnel on the Kensington from Dodge Street, near Martin Luther King Jr. Park, to Sidney Street, with green space above to mimic what the parkway once looked like and to reconnect neighborhoods severed by the highway.

The study conducted by the state Department of Transportation got the federal go-ahead in February. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the project will now proceed, with the start of construction coming late this year or in early 2025.

Robinson and the coalition say air pollution as it passes mostly Black neighborhoods on both sides of the highway has made people sick for decades, and is responsible for shorter life spans and higher rates of respiratory and cardiac disease. They warn the tunnel will add additional unfiltered pollutants into the air at both ends.

Peoples-Stokes declined to address Robinsons candidacy directly, saying any candidate is entitled to run against her.

This is a democracy we live in, and elections are free and open to any candidate who chooses to get in them, she said. At the end of the day, the voters will decide and I will match my record against his and anyone elses.

Robinson said he is running for self-preservation. Hes worried construction of the tunnel could threaten the foundation of his home and those of his neighbors.

Court challenge to Kensington project dismissed on procedural grounds Justice Daniel J. Furlong said the appeal, filed in December by Terrence Robinson and Marcia Ladiana, was premature because a report by the state Department of Transportation had not yet been finalized.

I believe that if Im successful with what Im doing, which is protecting my damn house, we will have changed the perception of what this project is and prevail, Robinson said. He is also concerned that if the project goes forward it will have severely weakened state environmental law due to the way the environmental assessment was conducted.

A court challenge to the Kensington Expressway project filed by he and his wife, Marcia Ladiana, was dismissed in State Supreme Court on March 7 on administrative grounds.

Justice Daniel J. Furlong said the appeal, filed in December, was premature because a report by the state Department of Transportation had not yet been finalized and that the type of legal challenge presented by Robinson, as his own attorney, was not a proper remedy.

Robinson submitted 549 signatures earlier this month to qualify for the ballot; 500 need to be accepted without error.

The incumbent, Peoples-Stokes, has been in office since 2003. In December 2018, she became the first African American to be named majority leader of the Assembly.

If Crystal said tomorrow that this project is dead and Ill do the right thing, I could care less about going to Albany, Robinson said. But now that Im in it, I always fight to win.
America's second largest federal credit union welcomes 33,000 new members and maintains over $3 billion in regulatory net worth.

TYSONS, Va., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PenFed Credit Union, the nation's second-largest federal credit union, finished the first quarter of 2024 with increased liquidity and capital. PenFed also finished the quarter with nearly 3 million members, $34.6 billion in assets and over $3 billion in regulatory net worth.

"We are ahead of our 2024 business plan and continue to execute on our key priorities of building liquidity and capital," said PenFed President and CEO James Schenck. "PenFed is proud to deliver on our promise to members by paying top dollar on certificates. During the first quarter of 2024, PenFed paid out $209 million in member dividends, up from $140 million in the first quarter of 2023, a 50% increase. Being a credit union with the mission of people helping people, we continue to take perfect care of our membership by providing market leading rates to our savers and our borrowers."

PenFed first quarter 2024 financial highlights include:

PenFed's total cash and investments increased to 12.6% of total assets, an improvement of 240bps year-over-year.

PenFed's regulatory net worth capital ratio increased from 9.10% at year-end to 9.26% end of March, an increase of 16 basis points.

PenFed's year-to-date net income was $23 million . Over the past 5 years, PenFed has increased its regulatory net worth by $645 million with over $811 million in net income

. Over the past 5 years, PenFed has increased its regulatory net worth by with over in net income PenFed reduced total operating expense by $29 million year-over-year, which represents a 14% reduction.

year-over-year, which represents a 14% reduction. PenFed's external borrowings declined $1.6 billion year-over-year, as external borrowings were replaced with member share deposits, driven by offering great rates to our members. Member share deposits were up $750 million or 3% year over year.

year-over-year, as external borrowings were replaced with member share deposits, driven by offering great rates to our members. Member share deposits were up or 3% year over year. PenFed closed the quarter with over $786 million of capital in excess of required regulatory net worth.

In addition to accomplishing key business milestones, PenFed donated over $423,000 to 10 charitable organizations during the first quarter and will continue to support the communities where its employees live and work throughout the year.

PenFed is proud to give back to the communities we serve. April is Financial Literacy Month and PenFed recently celebrated our commitment to invest in the future of Puerto Rico by hosting a financial literacy event at a local school as part of our strategic partnership with EVERFI. The partnership provides over 4,000 public and private K-12 school students in 39 schools across Puerto Rico access to its proven curriculum at no cost to the schools. The program teaches students how to make smart financial decisions and achieve success in life. PenFed has provided this education to students on the island over the past five years and this was the fourth financial literacy event which PenFed has held in high schools in Puerto Rico.

Looking forward, Schenck said, "PenFed will continue to take care of its members with outstanding rates and service; hiring, inspiring and retaining world-class financial professionals; keeping the institution safe and sound with strong capital and liquidity; and having a positive impact on society through its philanthropic giving. Being a federal credit union and governed by dedicated volunteer board members, PenFed can always play the long-game and take care of its constituents throughout all rate environments."

About PenFed Credit Union

Established in 1935, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America's second-largest federal credit union, serving 2.9 million members worldwide with over $34.6 billion in assets. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and a wide range of other financial services with members' interests always in mind. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on X. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

SOURCE PenFed Credit Union
New beverage is available beginning April 16 for a limited time

OAKLAND, Calif., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in two years, Philz Coffee is adding a new, plant-based beverage to its menu with the introduction of Oatmeal Cookie Cold Brew, available now through June 10.

Oatmeal Cookie Cold Brew combines notes of caramelized brown sugar, oats and cinnamon spice with the smooth and refreshing Philz Mission Cold Brew coffee and creamy Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend for a rich, springtime refreshment.

Philz Coffee Oatmeal Cookie Cold Brew

"At Philz Coffee, we take pride in serving our guests the highest quality coffee and unique, delicious flavors, and our new Oatmeal Cookie Cold Brew is a great example of that," said Philz Coffee Director of Menu Innovation and Product Development Eleni Kardaras. "We took inspiration from a 'secret menu' item to bring our loyal guests a refreshing twist on a classic beverage combination while giving new customers a tasty reason to visit us."

The new limited-time beverage will be available at all 65+ Philz Coffee locations in California and Chicago.

Every Philz Coffee cup is personalized to the customer's taste with customizable sweeteners and add-ins, using real ingredients and sustainably sourced coffee. Oatmeal Cookie Cold Brew joins other popular Philz Coffee Featured Creations including Mint Mojito, Honey Haze and Iced Coffee Rose.

Philz Coffee beans are available for purchase online at philzcoffee.com and can ship nationwide. To find the nearest Philz Coffee location, visit https://philzcoffee.com/locations.

About Philz Coffee

Founded in 2003 in San Francisco, Philz Coffee specializes in customized blends, made from sustainably sourced green coffee beans from around the world and skillfully roasted at its Oakland roasting facility. Today, Philz Coffee is the third-largest whole bean coffee brand in California and has 69 stores across California and Chicago. Philz Coffee has remained committed to its mission to Better Days for everyone, every day through community and high-quality coffee handcrafted one cup at a time. Philz Coffee can be purchased at Philz locations, in select grocery stores and online and is also available in Philz K-Cup pods.

To learn more about Philz Coffee and find the nearest location, visit philzcoffee.com .

Media Contact:

Madison Guay

[email protected]

817-329-3257

SOURCE Philz Coffee
In partnership with Keith Lee, Pizza Hut is donating $50,000 to two underserved public schools to support and honor Keith and Ronni Lee's community

PLANO, Texas, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pizza Hut is thrilled to announce a partnership with acclaimed food critic, Forbes 30 Under 30 Creator and NAACP Outstanding Social Media Personality winner, Keith Lee, as they team up to support local communities and unveil the FamiLEE Community Pizza. As part of the brand's $12ANY campaign1, the FamiLEE Community Pizza promises to redefine the pizza experience with its unique blend of flavors and community spirit.

Pizza Hut Joins Forces with Viral Food Critic Keith Lee to Introduce the FamiLEE Community Pizza Pizza Hut Joins Forces with Viral Food Critic Keith Lee to Introduce the FamiLEE Community Pizza

Crafted by Keith Lee and featuring his family favorite toppings, pepperoni and bacon on hand tossed crust, the FamiLEE Community Pizza offers a tantalizing taste of culinary excellence and savory combinations. When it comes to pizza preferences, not every famiLEE has the same pizza cravings, so as part of the campaign, the brand is offering the $12ANY promotion alongside the famiLEE pizza that allows each famiLEE to customize their toppings and crust to meet their needs at an affordable price.

"I am blessed to team up with Pizza Hut for the FamiLEE Community Pizza and I'm excited to support causes that hit close to home," said Keith Lee. "This partnership is all about sharing love through food, bringing communities together, and doing what we truly feel is supposed to be done within our space. Pizza Hut has been there during big moments in life with my family, and I'm grateful to be a part of this journey together and I can only be thankful in advance that this pizza will encourage others to do the same."

In addition to his iconic food content that over 16 million people view daily, Keith Lee has always placed a significant value in his roots and community. That is why, as part of this partnership, Pizza Hut and Keith Lee will be donating $50,000 to Southfield ANT and OakHills High School, where Keith and his wife Ronni attended high school in an effort to reflect Lee's dedication to education and community service.

"Keith Lee is a creator who has really been shaping the food industry and one I have been an avid follower of for a long time," said Lindsay Morgan, CMO at Pizza Hut. "His TikTok reviews are authentic and he celebrates community and family. We felt his personal brand was a perfect fit for Pizza Hut, so together we created the FamiLEE Community Pizza so guests can try Keith's recipe and be a part of giving back to his community."

The FamiLEE Community Pizza will be available nationwide for a limited time. For more information, visit pizzahut.com.

1 Only available on Original Pan, Hand Tossed & Thin 'N Crispy crusts. Limited time offer at select participating locations only. 10 toppings max. Additional charge for Original Stuffed Crust or extra cheese. Not available on Big New Yorker or Deep Dish. Taxes and delivery fees separate. Delivery fee is not a tip.

Press Contact

ALISON BROD MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS

[email protected]

SOURCE Pizza Hut
Craig Benson to Remain on Planet Fitness Board of Directors

HAMPTON, N.H., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT) (the "Company"), today announced that it has appointed Colleen Keating as the Company's Chief Executive Officer, effective June 10, 2024. At that time, Craig Benson will resign as Interim CEO but will continue to serve as a member of the Company's Board of Directors.

Colleen Keating

Ms. Keating is a proven executive that brings to Planet Fitness over three decades of experience across hospitality, real estate, operations and franchise management, with expertise in brand management and leading customer-facing organizations. Since 2020, she has served as CEO of FirstKey Homes LLC, currently the fourth largest single-family rental home property management company in the United States. As CEO, Ms. Keating led the strategic direction of the business, increasing operational efficiency and driving scalable growth. She also implemented significant brand-aligned digital strategies and helped drive platform cost reduction while improving the overall resident experience. Prior to joining FirstKey, Ms. Keating served in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), including Chief Operating Officer, Americas, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

"On behalf of the entire Board, we are thrilled to welcome Colleen as the next CEO of Planet Fitness," said Stephen Spinelli, Jr. (Ph.D), Chairman of the Board. "Colleen's appointment is the culmination of an extensive search process conducted by the Board of Directors. Colleen's deep operational knowledge, strategic mindset and understanding of large-scale franchise operations and consumer-facing brands made her stand out among the candidates considered. She also has a proven track record of building results-oriented teams and instilling cultures that put a premium on operational excellence and rigor, which we believe will be additive to Planet Fitness. We are confident that Colleen is an exceptional leader with the desired skills, experience and culture-first mindset necessary to accelerate Planet Fitness's next phase of growth. I would also like to thank Craig for stepping in as Interim CEO. His leadership at this important time in the Company's history has been critical to our ongoing success, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside him as a member of our Board."

"As Interim CEO, I have gained a greater appreciation for the Planet Fitness brand, our franchisees and our team, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve in this role," said Mr. Benson. "As we usher in this new chapter in the Company's journey, I am confident that Colleen is an excellent choice as Planet Fitness's next CEO, and I look forward to working with her as a member of the Board."

"As the next CEO of Planet Fitness, I am eager to begin working alongside the management team and hit the ground running as we position the business for sustainable growth and value creation," said Ms. Keating. "I have long admired the Planet Fitness brand and could not be more excited to dig in and help the Company reach its fullest potential."

The Company will discuss Ms. Keating's appointment along with its first quarter financial results on its earnings call on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 8:00 am ET.

About Colleen Keating

Colleen Keating brings over 30 years of experience spanning operations management, revenue growth and efficiency enhancement. Ms. Keating most recently served as CEO of FirstKey Homes LLC, a single-family rental home property management company, where she led the strategic direction of the business through continuous operations improvement, increasing scale, optimizing costs and resident experience. Prior to joining FirstKey in 2020, Ms. Keating served as the Chief Operating Officer, Americas of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) (2018  2020), where she oversaw the operations of more than 4,000 IHG hotels across the Americas region, ensuring franchisee performance support and company-managed hotel operations. Earlier in her career, Ms. Keating spent 16 years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., serving in a variety of leadership positions of increasing responsibility, most recently as Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations and Compliance, North America (2014  2016) and Senior Vice President of Operations, North Region (2012  2014).

About Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the world by number of members and locations. As of December 31, 2023, Planet Fitness had approximately 18.7 million members and 2,575 stores in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone. More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the Company's statements with respect to the Company's growth and other statements that do not relate solely to historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "envision," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "goal," "plan," "prospect," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," "ongoing," "contemplate," "future," "strategy" and similar references to future periods, although not all forward-looking statements include these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on the Company's current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of the business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company's control. Actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially include competition in the fitness industry, the Company's and franchisees' ability to attract and retain members, the Company's and franchisees' ability to identify and secure suitable sites for new franchise stores, changes in consumer demand, changes in equipment costs, the Company's ability to expand into new markets domestically and internationally, operating costs for the Company and franchisees generally, availability and cost of capital for franchisees, acquisition activity, developments and changes in laws and regulations, our substantial increased indebtedness as a result of our refinancing and securitization transactions and our ability to incur additional indebtedness or refinance that indebtedness in the future, our future financial performance and our ability to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness, our corporate structure and tax receivable agreements, failures, interruptions or security breaches of the Company's information systems or technology, general economic conditions and the other factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's views only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, neither the Company nor any of its affiliates or representatives undertake any obligation to provide additional information or to correct or update any information set forth in this release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

SOURCE Planet Fitness, Inc.
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Porte Brown LLC, www.PorteBrown.com, a Chicagoland accounting firm, is pleased to announce the firm has been named as one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in Illinois. The Best Places to Work competition is a combination survey, study and awards ceremony established to identify the top employers in the state of Illinois, benefiting the state's economy, workforce, and businesses. This is the thirteenth consecutive time Porte Brown has made the list and the tenth time within the medium employer category. The awards program began in 2006 and is promoted by The Daily Herald Suburban Business.

2024 Best Places to Work in Illinois

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Places to Work in Illinois. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Illinois and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.

Porte Brown will be recognized and honored at the Best Places to Work in Illinois awards in-person luncheon, coordinated by The Daily Herald Suburban Business on Thursday, May 9. The final rankings will be announced at the event, posted on the Daily Herald Suburban Business website (dailyherald.com/business), and published in a special commemorative section in June. For more information on the Best Places to Work in Illinois program, visit bptwillinois.com.

About Porte Brown

Porte Brown LLC is a full-service accounting and consulting firm headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village, Illinois. For more than 75 years, Porte Brown has focused on providing the highest level of service to individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the region. In addition to the traditional accounting services such as tax planning and preparation, audit, business valuations, and retirement plan administration. Porte Brown also provides strategic consulting and leading-edge technology implementation for clients in cloud and non-cloud environments. Wealth management services provided by Porte Brown Wealth Management LLC.*

For more information, visit www.portebrown.com or call 847-956-1040.

*Wealth Management Services provided by Porte Brown Wealth Management LLC. Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM. Insurance services offered through an Avantax affiliated insurance agency.

Contact:

Pam Metzger

[email protected]

847-956-1040

www.portebrown.com

SOURCE Porte Brown
ARLINGTON, Va., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Primer Technologies, an AI/ML technology firm specializing in building and deploying decision-ready AI, announced former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency Lt. Gen (Ret.) Bob Ashley as an advisor.

Bob Ashley served as 21st Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), after serving as Army Deputy Chief of Staff, where he was senior advisor to the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff for all aspects of intelligence, counterintelligence, and security. With more than 36 years of military experience, Ashley has commanded at the company, battalion, squadron, and brigade levels with six combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a squadron, brigade commander, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence. Other key assignments include the Director of Intelligence, US Army Joint Special Operations Command; the Director of Intelligence, US Central Command; the Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, International Security Assistance Force and Director of Intelligence, US Forces, Afghanistan; and Commanding General and Commandant US Army Intelligence Center and School Fort Huachuca, AZ

"Primer's cutting-edge AI solutions are already helping national security professionals deliver for U.S. national security amidst an unprecedented period of complexity and danger. I'm excited to assist Primer as they take their contribution to the next level and continue to provide the most crucial insights for decision advantage," said General Ashley.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome former DIA Director Bob Ashley as an advisor," said Primer CEO Sean Moriarty. "General Ashley's advice and unmatched expertise from his more than three decades of distinguished military service will be invaluable as we continue delivering trusted, reliable AI tools to America's warfighters."

About Primer

Primer's AI software is deployed by the U.S. Government, strategic allies, and Fortune 100 companies to extract timely insight and decision advantage from massive datasets. Primer has offices in Arlington, Virginia and San Francisco, California. For more information, please visit www.primer.ai .

SOURCE Primer
DUBAI, UAE, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bizrahmed, a leading cosmetic center in Dubai, is delighted to announce the joining of internationally acclaimed British plastic surgeon, Mr. Norman Waterhouse. This strategic collaboration is set to be significant, as it boots the range of cosmetic and reconstructive services available in the region.

Mr. Norman Waterhouse has been featured in the prestigious Tatler Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide 2021, and this is a testament to his expertise in the field. Recognised for his remarkable work in plastic surgery, this inclusion puts Mr. Waterhouse amongst the top cosmetic surgeons globally.

Mr. Waterhouse comes to Bizrahmed with over 30 years of work experience in plastic surgery, specialising in areas such as facelift, neck lift, body lift, liposuction and other body aesthetic surgeries. He has a special technique learnt in Brazil, which is the net suturing that eliminates the need to wear post-operative garments during day time and quickens recovery.

Dr Bashar Bizrah, Founder of Bizrahmed, shares: "We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Norman Waterhouse to our Bizrahmed family. He brings a wealth of experience and innovation that will undoubtedly benefit our patients and elevate our standards."

Mr. Waterhouse's past roles include being the President of both the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). These high-profile positions prove how well-respected he is in the field of plastic surgery. Moreover, his approach to patient care echoes Bizrahmed's philosophy: use innovative techniques coupled with a compassionate approach to deliver great results that look natural.

Bizrahmed is a globally renowned cosmetic centre in Dubai. They specialise in providing top hair transplants, facial body contouring and rhinoplasty in Dubai. The clinic is named after Dr Bashar Bizrah, one of the most experienced rhinoplasty and otolaryngology consultants in Britain and the Middle East. Furthermore, Bizrahmed has the finest surgeons on board, enhancing looks and treating thousands of patients.

Media contact:

Lubna Bizrah

+971800249724

SOURCE Bizrahmed
CHICAGO, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Renterra (getrenterra.com), a modern software platform for the $70 billion equipment rental industry, announced today that it has raised $3 million, led by Bienville Capital. This investment will accelerate Renterra's product development, expand its market reach, and enhance customer support services, ensuring that Renterra remains at the forefront of the equipment rental industry's digital transformation. Additional investors participating in the round include Iron Prairie Ventures, Alaris Capital, and select strategic individuals. This round of fundraising brings Renterra's total financing to $4 million.

"We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Andy, Nick, and the Renterra team. It's been impressive to watch Renterra empower such a large industry with AI-powered software tools and stand-out customer support" said Blake Bennett of Bienville Capital.

"Renterra has been hands-down the best investment I have made for my business." Post this

Renterra has developed a cloud-based operating system to streamline all aspects of the modern equipment rental company. These offerings are accessible on any device, including a fully-functional mobile application. Additionally, Renterra now offers an Integrated Online Storefront that allows rental companies to bring their businesses online in minutes.

Andy Feis, Co-Founder and CEO of Renterra, expressed his enthusiasm for the future: "We are very excited to be on the forefront of technological innovation in an industry that has historically been wildly underserved. The response from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive and we can't wait to use this capital to continue to bring them the best rental software on the market."

Renterra has seen tremendous growth in its first 18 months, now serving companies across the US and Canada. "Renterra has been hands-down the best investment I have made for my business," said Casey Sorensen, Owner of All Equip Rental in Utah. "It is the only software I have found that incorporates all aspects of my rental business into one convenient location. This is the future of the rental business."

About Renterra

In late 2022, Renterra founders Andy Feis and Nick Hibberd set out to modernize the equipment rental industry. Renterra has since become a leading software provider for the space. Renterra's platform streamlines all aspects of equipment rental, from inventory management and customer relations to analytics and operational efficiency. With a commitment to innovation and customer success, Renterra is dedicated to transforming the equipment rental market for the better. For more information, visit https://getrenterra.com/

Contact

[email protected]

SOURCE Renterra
DETROIT, April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Representative Shri Thanedar (MI-13), a Democrat, proudly announces a significant milestone in his reelection campaign: reporting an impressive $5,100,462 cash-at-hand to support his bid for another term in office. Alongside this achievement, Representative Thanedar has garnered over 15 endorsements from influential elected officials and organizations, solidifying his position as a formidable candidate in the upcoming election.

Congressman Shri Thanedar report $5.1 Million re-election Cash-At-Hand. Post this Congressman Shri Thanedar

The campaign's fundraising success underscores the broad-based support and enthusiasm for Representative Thanedar's vision and leadership within the community. With a robust financial foundation, the campaign is well-positioned to amplify its message and engage with voters across Michigan's 13th Congressional District.

In addition to the substantial financial backing, Representative Thanedar has garnered endorsements from a diverse array of elected officials and organizations, highlighting his commitment to representing the interests of all constituents. Notable endorsements include:

Human Rights Campaign : The nation's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization recognizes Representative Thanedar's unwavering dedication to equality and civil rights.

: The nation's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization recognizes Representative Thanedar's unwavering dedication to equality and civil rights. Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) : Representing over half a million workers, LiUNA stands behind Representative Thanedar for his advocacy for working families and his commitment to strengthening labor rights.

: Representing over half a million workers, LiUNA stands behind Representative Thanedar for his advocacy for working families and his commitment to strengthening labor rights. Michigan Education Association (MEA): With over 120,000 members, MEA's endorsement reflects Representative Thanedar's steadfast support for public education and educators in Michigan .

These endorsements and others from respected individuals and organizations validate Representative Thanedar's record of accomplishment and ongoing efforts to champion issues that matter most to constituents.

"I am deeply honored to receive such overwhelming support from the community and these esteemed organizations," said Congressman Thanedar. "Together, we will continue to fight for progress, equality, and opportunity for all residents of Michigan's 13th." As the campaign gains momentum, Representative Thanedar remains committed to engaging with voters, listening to their concerns, and advocating for policies addressing our community's challenges.

Full List of Endorsements

Congressman Ami Bera

Congresswoman Judy Chu

Congressman Robert Garcia

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur

Congressman Ro Khanna

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi

Congressman Ted Lieu

Congressman Seth Magaziner

Congressman Brad Sherman

Congresswoman Dina Titus

Human Rights Campaign

Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA)

(LiUNA) National Education Association

Michigan Education Association

Newtown Action Alliance

For more information on the campaign, visit www.shriforcongress.com . For media inquiries or interview requests contact Richard Merritt at (313) 985-2805 or [email protected]

About Congressman Shri Thanedar:

U.S. Representative Shri Thanedar is a dedicated public servant known for his unwavering commitment to serving the people of Michigan's 13th Congressional District. With a track record of leadership and innovation, Shri Thanedar continues to advocate for policies that uplift communities and promote progress.

As an immigrant, scientist, entrepreneur, husband, father, and grandfather, Shri experienced firsthand the challenges of poverty. Raised in a large family in India, he recalls fetching water from the river and working as a janitor to support his studies. At 24, Shri arrived in America with just $20, driven by the hope of a better life. Despite starting with little, he earned an MBA and a Ph.D. in Chemistry through hard work and perseverance. Shri's path led him to work as a research scholar at the University of Michigan, but his true passion lay in entrepreneurship. Over 25 years, Shri founded multiple successful businesses, creating over 500 well-paying jobs that positively impacted countless families. Shri's entrepreneurial endeavors earned him three "Entrepreneur of the Year" awards from Ernst and Young. When he exited his business, he distributed the sale proceeds to all his employees.

Contact: Richard Merritt ( [email protected] )

Shri for Congress

P.O. Box 21159

Detroit, MI 48221

SOURCE Shri For Congress
"Bionic Retail" dives into the future of retail and how the industry can prepare

DENVER, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new book released today by Amplify Publishing offers leaders in the retail industry a roadmap for navigating the unchartedand often chaoticwaters of new innovation. " BIONIC RETAIL: HOW TO THRIVE IN AN EXPONENTIAL WORLD" shares invaluable guidance for anyone who wants to make their retail enterprise better, faster and stronger, from one the country's preeminent experts on the retail industry, Gary Hawkins .

"Bionic Retail: How to Thrive in an Exponential World" is available now.

Reviews from BlueInk Reviews , Kirkus Reviews and industry professionals have called the book a "must-read" as well as a "wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for transformation in the face of exponentially accelerating innovation in the retail industry."

Written by an expert with three decades in the world of retail who has been called a "visionary" and "a retail industry treasure" by his colleagues, "Bionic Retail" shares concrete advice derived from Hawkins's expansive industry expertise. In it, he helps retailers harness accelerating innovation by closing the growing gap between shopper expectations and the traditional retail experience.

Industry buy-in has been swift and impressive. With praise from retail industry leaders such as president and CEO, K-VA-T Food Stores, Steven C. Smith; president of Wakefern Food Corporation; Mike Stigers, vice president of industry relations, FMI, The Food Industry Association, Doug Baker; chief collaboration officer, FMI, The Food Industry Association, Mark W. Baum and many more, "Bionic Retail" has taken the retail industry by storm and promises to leverage Hawkins' industry knowledge to create a powerful vision for the industry's future.

Gary Hawkins is a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences around the world. He is the author of "Building the Customer Specific Retail Enterprise," "Customer Intelligence," "Retail in the Age of I" and "Bionic Retail." Learn more at his website: www.bionicretail.com .

Hawkins is available for interviews, features and events. "Bionic Retail: How to Thrive in an Exponential World" is on sale now through Amazon , Barnes & Noble and Amplify Publishing .

SOURCE Amplify Publishing Group
The third annual Women in Tech WNY event evolved this year in both scope and size.

For the first time, it was a half day conference that included a panel discussion, as well as workshops and breakout rooms hosted by employers connected to the tech industry. And the events keynote speakers for the first time came from outside the region, providing an even broader perspective.

It was also the biggest turnout yet. Around 600 professionals, tech newbies, those in tech-adjacent roles, students and allies of women registered for the event, and at least 300 of them were there in the later afternoon as the event started.

While improvements are being made in the numbers, women still only comprise a little more than a quarter of the tech workforce in the U.S., even though they make up over half of the nations workforce. It makes events such as this one even more critical.

I think the interest is there and theres a stronger desire to get involved and engaged, said Sarah Tanbakuchi-Ripa, president and CEO of TechBuffalo, which organized the event, along with Be in Buffalo and 43North.

Because theyre a minority in the tech industry, women can feel isolated in their jobs, according to Julie Elberfed, CEO of Women Who Code, which is headquartered in Atlanta. But these events can bring women together and help them feel energy and support, said Elberfed, one of the events three keynote speakers.

The event offered a chance to further develop their tech and professional skills, connect with peers facing similar challenges and explore diverse career paths in tech.

Anytime Im asked to come share my thoughts and insights I am happy to come and be a part of that, said Elberfed, who has spent the past decade committed to the discussion around women in tech, their underrepresentation and some of the roadblocks and exclusionary tactics that exist.

Its nice to see communities like Buffalo coming together around this topic, she added. I think this collaboration amongst companies really showing this authentic support is super important to changing the industry.

Also giving keynote addresses were Julie Samuels, president and executive director of Tech:NYC, and Holliday Sims, the University at Buffalo computer science student who has been the student face for UB's artificial intelligence initiatives.

The event started with a panel discussion on the regional Tech Hub designation to a packed room, before workshops and breakout rooms provided attendees the opportunity to receive feedback and participate in Q&As.

Discussions covered salary negotiations, non-traditional starts into tech and harnessing artificial intelligence, among other topics. Employers involved in the event included M&T Tech, Moog, Rich Products, Villa Maria, Delaware North, Lighthouse Technology Services, Lakelet Capital, National Grid and Ingram Micro.

We're deeply honored to champion women in our startup ecosystem and beyond, paving the path for the next generation of female tech leaders, said Colleen Heidinger, president of 43North. It's a privilege to witness the growth of this event, and we know this is only the beginning.

Buffalo startup Allie Design competes for $60,000

Buffalo startup Aille Design has been named a top 10 finalist in the Barclays Small Business Big Wins nationwide contest for small business owners, and needs the publics assistance to win a $60,000 prize.

The competition is designed to highlight and reward small businesses that have shown innovation and resilience, particularly in adapting to the economic landscape. Aille Design is a braille fashion brand, focusing on inclusive fashion for and representative of the blind and disability community.

Through April 19, the public will have a chance to vote daily for Aille Design at BarclaysSmallBizBigWins.com. The winner will be announced during the week of May 1 to coincide with National Small Business Week. Buffalo's Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs won this contest back in 2020.

Company founder Alexa Jovanovic said Aille Design is in growth mode, and major brands and organizations are reaching out to the company to gain expertise on the topic and to collaborate with the brand. In recent months, Aille Design has sold branded braille merchandise to Amazon, Wendys and the NBA-G League to help promote accessibility initiatives.

The e-commerce brand uses intricate, fully legible braille beadwork as the focal point to create inclusive, adaptive and stylish garments that can be worn by anyone. Allie Design also includes Alexas husband, Jake Walsh, and is located inside the office space at The Foundry on Buffalos East Side.

We have an even bigger opportunity coming up this year with a globally recognized brand, and need to quickly expand our team and local manufacturing capabilities, Jovanovic said. Winning the $60,000 would provide immediate relief as we scale, but its so much more than that. This win has the opportunity to create ample growth and employment opportunities in Buffalo.

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Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. How Lake Shore Savings Bank's new CEO is trying to get past the shortcomings cited by federal regulators.

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The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.
Lynn Public Schools takes pride in its diverse student body, with ELL's comprising 30% of the population, and is dedicated to ensuring that they reach their full potential. To meet this commitment, LPS has partnered with Rosetta Stone so that its students can build fluency in a second language and develop skills essential for college or a career after graduation.

Breaking down language barriers

With carefully scaffolded lessons, interactive activities, and powerful reporting tools, Rosetta Stone provides the district with everything that it needs to help ELLs overcome language obstacles and improve academic outcomes.

Rosetta Stone engages learners in all four domains of languagereading, writing, speaking, and listening. Its structured immersion method maximizes a student's exposure to English, mirroring how our brains first acquire language. Students learn intuitively through real-world images and audio from native English speakers. There are no instructions or translationsELLs learn through context and reasoning, assigning meaning to what they see and hear. These features ultimately help ELLs build a deeper and more lasting understanding of English while accelerating learning. The immersive environment also means that any student, regardless of their language skills and reading level, can benefit from Rosetta Stone.

Options for every learner

Additionally, Lynn Public Schools can leverage Rosetta Stone's immersive lessons to personalize learning for students in world language courses. With access to 25 languages , learners have the agency to select the language that they want to learn. For example, English-speaking students may choose to learn Spanish to connect with their local communities, while other learners explore Mandarin or Arabic to challenge themselves.

Speaking aloud, early, and often

Recognizing that speaking is fundamental to mastering languages, Rosetta Stone also prioritizes the development of strong verbal skills. Targeted speaking practice empowers students to develop conversational fluency, enabling them to communicate comfortably in classroom and everyday settings. TruAccent , the platform's speech recognition engine, provides learners with immediate feedback on how well they spoke each word or phrase compared to native speakers. This feature fine-tunes their accents and boosts their confidence by showing that their pronunciation is authentic and that they are communicating clearly. TruAccent is one of the only speech engines that offers specific support for children's voices.

Connecting the community

Lynn Public Schools is excited to offer Rosetta Stone as a language learning resource to its entire community. Staff members can use Rosetta Stone to learn the native languages of students and families, enabling them to better support learners' needs. The district also encourages parental involvement by giving family members the opportunity to participate in the same lessons as their children.

"For our teachers who are primarily dealing with students who speak only Spanishhow do they communicate? Rosetta Stone is a great tool where they can learn some conversational Spanish or learn to be fluent at their own pace," said Evonne Alvarez, Superintendent of LPS. "We've had an inordinate amount of teachers and staff who have asked, 'How do I pick up some Spanish to be able to communicate with my students?'"

"Language learning promotes inclusivity through shared communication and equips students with skills essential for success in the classroom and beyond," said Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning. "With Rosetta Stone's immersive environment, learners of every age and background can quickly develop fluency, build confidence, and form deeper connections with their communities."

Close equity gaps for ELLs with Rosetta Stone for Schools

English language learners were among those most severely affected by academic disruptions. In fact, World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) results show that ELL language development has trended lower recently than in pre-pandemic years. To address this challenge, Rosetta Stone gives educators a comprehensive toolkit to help ELLs develop fluency and succeed academically.

The platform's placement guides assist teachers in determining which Rosetta Stone unit matches an ELL's current proficiency level without the need for additional testing. These guides align with English language proficiency assessments in all 50 states and utilize results from state-mandated English-language screeners to recommend the exact starting unit for each student.

Educators also rely on Rosetta Stone's customizable reporting tools to identify knowledge gaps and provide students with lessons that best meet their needs. Reports on student activity, usage, and progress, highlight how ELLs are progressing through the curriculum and whether or not they are meeting learning goals.

About Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone has dedicated itself to changing people's lives through the power of language for more than 30 years. The company's innovative digital solutions use advanced technology to help learners at home, in schools, and in workplaces achieve their language goals. By learning with Rosetta Stone, people experience the joy of being able to read, write, and speak 25 languages, and make deeper connections with the world around them. Rosetta Stone joined the IXL Learning family of brands in 2021. IXL Learning includes IXL , TPT , Wyzant , SpanishDictionary.com , ingles.com , Vocabulary.com , ABCya , Education.com , Emmersion , and StudySpanish.com . Discover how IXL Learning's products are shaping the future of education by exploring its newsroom .

Press Contact

Joslyn Chesson

IXL Learning

[email protected]

SOURCE IXL Learning
CANGZHOU, China, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A once-barren field under saline-alkali stress is now teeming with life in Cangzhou in north China's Hebei province, thanks to measures to prioritize the comprehensive use of saline-alkali land, leverage the key role of scientific and technological innovation, expand the cultivation area of suitable crops and develop the intensive processing of farm products, according to Cangzhou municipal government.

This project holds significant importance in enhancing the comprehensive utilization capacity of saline-alkali land, and improving the economic and social benefits of dryland alkaline wheat production.

The China National Standardization Management Committee officially approved Cangzhou the National Dryland Alkaline Wheat Agricultural Standardization Regional Service and Promotion Platform project with construction period of three years, the first of its kind nationwide, which covers the dryland alkaline winter wheat planting area in the low-lying plains around the Bohai Sea.

The unique natural conditions in Cangzhou have laid the foundation for the development of dryland alkaline wheat agriculture. Cangzhou experiences dry and less rainy winters and springs, with high levels of soil salinization and alkalization. Ordinary wheat struggles to grow in such an environment, but dryland alkaline wheat thrives. The cultivated area of saline-alkali land in Cangzhou is 4.1 million mu accounting for over 70 percent of the total saline-alkali land area in Hebei Province, indicating significant potential for comprehensive management and utilization.

Through repeated selection and improvement by local agricultural technicians, the yield of dryland alkaline wheat in Cangzhou has been increasing year by year. In 2023, the grain planting area in Cangzhou City reached 13.546 million mu, with a total output of 4.67 million tons, successfully completing the provincial grain production tasks. Among them, 1.547 million mu were planted with dryland alkaline wheat, exceeding the target of 1.5 million mu. The saline-alkali land, which used to yield nothing for nine out of ten years, has not only become fertile farmland but is also growing into a major granary in the Bohai Bay region.

Of particular note is that the grains of dryland alkaline wheat in Cangzhou are full and translucent, rich in calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and other trace elements, with a protein content ranging from 13 percent to 16 percent (national standard is 12.2 percent).

Once completed, the project will establish core demonstration sites covering an area of over 1333 hectares, radiating and driving the standardized planting area of dryland alkaline wheat in saline-alkali coastal areas around the Bohai Sea, including Hebei, Shandong, and Tianjin, to reach 33,300 hectares.

SOURCE Cangzhou Municipal Government
The project will explore how immutable and auditable record-of-data technology can be used to ensure trustworthiness in generative AI/ML applications

TORONTO, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Seal Storage Technology , a leading provider of blockchain-based data storage, and Filecoin DeStor , a decentralized storage network, announced their collaboration with Cyber SMART on a pioneering AI research project to explore ways to improve AI data integrity. The project, Trustworthy Generative AI for Secure System Operation, is led by Cyber SMART , an Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) funded by the National Science Foundation and industry members .

Information and communications technology systems in governments and enterprises are becoming increasingly complex, linked to various systems such as cloud and IoT. LLMs like ChatGPT, a form of generative AI, are rapidly emerging as useful tools for efficiently building complex systems. However, relying on generative AI to build systems, such as requirement definition and design, may result in systems that cause unexpected damage and security risks. This research project establishes techniques to ensure secure operations in system construction using generative AI including the application of Seal's blockchain-based data storage to demonstrate how an immutable, auditable record of the data used in the design and development of secure systems further ensures trustworthiness when using generative AI and LLMs.

"Seal is proud to be part of this multi-disciplinary cyber research center accredited by the National Science Foundation working alongside researchers from Georgetown University, Virginia Tech, University of Notre Dame, and NEC," said Scott Doughman, CBO of Seal Storage Technology. "Data integrity is an essential design element of AI/ML systems, and that is powerfully enhanced through the use of a blockchain-based storage architecture."

Cyber SMART is renowned for its commitment to fostering innovative research and development at the intersection of cybersecurity, machine learning, and AI. "The center connects multidisciplinary academicians with industrial partners to address society's critical challenges in the domains of healthcare, communications, and finance, encouraging the translation of research into practical solutions," said Ophir Frieder, Cyber SMART Center Director.

"Cyber SMART's research will explore the potential of blockchain-based decentralized cloud storage to enhance the integrity and security of data in AI/ML systems. This exploration is pivotal for advancing technologies that ensure trustworthy and reliable data use in critical AI/ML applications," said Shin'ichiro Matsuo, Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University.

"Ensuring first-class data quality is a strategic imperative for any organization implementing generative AI," said Jennifer King, Co-founder and CEO, FilStor Inc. "We're excited about this research collaboration and the opportunity to explore how decentralized storage enhances data security and provenance."

Seal's involvement in this project is a testament to its commitment to advancing technological innovations and contributing to the field of AI data integrity. By collaborating with esteemed academic institutions and industry leaders, Seal aims to support secure, reliable, and ethical AI technologies.

About Seal Storage Technology

Seal Storage Technology is a blockchain-powered decentralized cloud storage platform that provides enterprise-grade, immutable, and compliant data storage. Seal serves enterprises, universities, and research institutes, using the highest data security and protection standards. Seal is SOC2 and HIPAA compliant. Data centers are enterprise-grade and powered by renewable energy. sealstorage.io | X | LinkedIn

About Cyber SMART

Cyber SMART is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry-University Collaborative Research Center (IUCRC). Initially established at Georgetown University in 2019 in response to industry demand for a new approach to cyber research and training; the Center's name, standing for Science, Management, Applications, Regulation, and Training, reflects a new holistic approach.

Cyber SMART has since expanded to include the University of Notre Dame.

About Filecoin DeStor

Filecoin DeStor, the world's largest decentralized storage network, enables users to store, request, and transfer data via a verifiable marketplace. DeStor's advanced technology provides a robust foundation to store the world's most valuable datasets. An alternative to costly cloud storage, DeStor offers efficiently priced and geographically decentralized storage, minimizing financial barriers and allowing users to take advantage of its unmatched network capabilities. DeStor is completely open source, enabling people from all over the world to participate. destor.com | LinkedIn | X

SOURCE Seal Storage Technology
Redefining Tactical Networking for Elite Operators

Operator Centric Design  Low SWaP profile, streamlined cabling and unified power reduces operator load-out

 Low SWaP profile, streamlined cabling and unified power reduces operator load-out Powerfully Advanced Networking Performance  Seamlessly scale from tactical Personal Area Network to wide-area mesh networks connecting hundreds of nodes

 Seamlessly scale from tactical Personal Area Network to wide-area mesh networks connecting hundreds of nodes Designed for the Universally Connected Warfighter  Integrated Samsung S23TE provides mission-ready mobility and powerful on-board processing with advanced security features

 Integrated Samsung S23TE provides mission-ready mobility and powerful on-board processing with advanced security features Soldier Worn AI  Select models feature powerful on-board NVIDIA Jetson Nano AI CPU providing flexible edge computing in any environment

 Select models feature powerful on-board NVIDIA Jetson Nano AI CPU providing flexible edge computing in any environment Achieve Spectrum Dominance  Access an expansive suite of LPI/LPD and Anti-Jamming resiliency capabilities for secure and protected communications in contested environments

LOS ANGELES, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Silvus Technologies, Inc. ("Silvus"), a global leader in advanced wireless networking communication systems, and Kagwerks, a global leader in solutions for tactical operator-worn networking have joined forces to introduce DOCK (Dismounted Operator's Combat Kit) StreamCaster, the next generation of Tactical Networking Systems.

Silvus Technologies and Kagwerks Unveil DOCK StreamCaster Family of Cutting-Edge Tactical Networking Systems - Redefining Tactical Networking for Elite Operators

Designed for the Universally Connected Warfighter, DOCK StreamCaster combines advanced StreamCaster MANET (Mobile Ad-hoc Network) radios with Samsung's S23TE EUDs (End User Device) in one fully integrated chest-mountable DOCK system. Compact and lightweight, each DOCK StreamCaster features a rugged, low SWaP profile and modular design, with streamlined cabling and unified power that reduces operator load-out while increasing mobility and mission effectiveness.

Integrated StreamCaster MANET radio delivers up to 4W native output power (8W effective power thanks to TX Eigen Beamforming) and up to 100 Mbps data rate, optimizing network efficiency for video, voice, and IP data communications. At the heart of every DOCK StreamCaster is Silvus' proprietary MN-MIMO waveform technology that creates a self-forming and adaptive mesh network  capable of linking hundreds of nodes with unmatched range, throughput, EW resiliency and scalability. With available access to Silvus' Spectrum Dominance expansive suite of Low Probability of Intercept/Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD) and Anti-Jamming resiliency capabilities  DOCK StreamCaster provides operators with secure and protected communications in congested and contested environments.

Direct connection to Samsung's S23TE (sold separately) provides mission-ready mobility with powerful on-board processing, advanced security, and exclusive MilSpec features. Built-in ATAK, Intra-Soldier Wireless and Nett Warrior connectivity empower operators with increased situational awareness and mission planning, with instant access to networked devices and soldier-worn peripherals. On select models, powerful on-board NVIDIA Jetson Nano AI module enables DOCK StreamCaster to create a common operational picture, delivering decision superiority at the tactical edge.

"The DOCK StreamCaster represents a strategic fusion of Silvus' advanced StreamCaster radios with Kagwerks' expertise in developing top-tier dismount solutions for the elite operator," said Jimi Henderson, Vice President of Sales for Silvus Technologies. "This collaboration elevates tactical communications, delivering unparalleled connectivity and situational awareness to empower our forces in the most demanding environments."

"We've partnered with Silvus Technologies and its industry-leading MANET radio technology to provide today's universally connected warfighter with a powerfully advanced networking solution that will increase their lethality and survivability in today's dynamically changing battlespace," said Niko Hughes, President of Kagwerks. "As the latest addition to the Kagwerks DOCK ecosystem, we've designed DOCK StreamCaster to be as modular and future forward as possible - to give operators the power and versatility they need to stay connected for mission success, no matter where it takes them."

One tactical networking solution  multi-mission capabilities. The DOCK StreamCaster family of modular and scalable solutions include:

DOCK SC4240P  The most powerful DOCK Tactical Networking System available, with up to 4 Watts output power (8 Watts effective, thanks to TX Eigen Beamforming), and up to 100 Mbps of data throughput to support high bandwidth video, voice, and data communications.

DOCK ULTRA SL4210P  Designed for the Team Leader and individual warfighter with advanced MANET mesh networking capabilities, powerful on-board AI computing and edge processing capabilities.

DOCK SL4210P  Compact, lightweight, and powerfully connected with built-in Intra-Soldier Wireless network, it seamlessly scales from a tactical Personal Area Network to wide-area mesh networks connecting hundreds of nodes.

Lear more about the family of DOCK StreamCaster Tactical Networking Systems at www.silvustechnologies.com and https://kagwerks.com/, and follow us on LinkedIn to get the latest news.

About Silvus Technologies, Inc.

As the world's leading provider of advanced MANET and MIMO communications systems, Silvus Technologies is reshaping mesh network technology for mission-critical applications  on the ground, in the air, and at sea. Its battle proven StreamCaster family of MANET radios and proprietary MN-MIMO waveform provides the vital communications link for defense, law enforcement, and public safety agencies around the world, and in the toughest operational environments. Developed by a team of top PhD scientists and design engineers, Silvus Technologies continues to innovate communications technology for the tactical edge with unmatched range, data throughput, EW resiliency, and scalability. Silvus Technologies is privately held with world headquarters located in Los Angeles, CA. Learn more at https://silvustechnologies.com.

About Kagwerks

Kagwerks is a service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) comprised of a talented team of individuals with decades of operational, design, and engineering experience. Our purpose is to change the dynamic by identifying and delivering intelligent tactical solutions. We serve. We innovate. We get it done. We strive to live excellence. Our focus is to develop rugged, tactical, advanced hardware and communication technology for a universally connected war fighter. Learn more at https://kagwerks.com/

Media Contact: Keith Swenson, 310.479.3333, [email protected]

Silvus - Sales Contact: Jimi Henderson, 310.479.3333, [email protected]

Kagwerks - Sales Contact: Bryce Kropf, 360.210.4370, [email protected]

SOURCE Silvus Technologies, Inc.
ADDISON, Texas, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Solis Mammography , the nation's largest independent provider of specialized breast health services, and Northwest Healthcare have established a new joint venture to expand breast imaging services throughout the Tucson market. The collaboration encompasses Northwest Healthcare's existing mammography centers at Northwest Medical Center, Oro Valley Hospital and Northwest Medical Center Houghton, with future plans to expand into additional communities to improve access to essential screening and diagnostic mammography services.

"Our shared mission is to positively impact the health and well-being of more women in the Tucson area through a different approach to mammography," said Grant Davies, President and Chief Executive Officer of Solis Mammography. "We know that when we redefine the way mammography is experienced and improve access, more patients will regularly get screened. Through technical expertise and clinical leadership those screenings can detect more cancers and save more lives."

With an unyielding commitment to women's health, Solis Mammography has been a trailblazer in the field of breast imaging for almost 40 years, advancing both mammography technology and the patient experience. The company is known for its high-touch, patient-centric approach that engages patients in their own breast health, driving awareness, increasing compliance and improving early detection through an innovation-driven screening platform.

"This strategic affiliation enables Northwest Healthcare to accelerate our efforts in mammography to expand breast imaging services throughout Southern Arizona, aligning with our goal to enhance patient access leading to healthier communities," said Brian Sinotte, FACHE, Market CEO of Northwest Healthcare. "Breast cancer is among the leading causes of death in women over 40; together with Solis Mammography, we are eager to further enhance our program to effectively serve more patients."

About Solis Mammography

Solis Mammography, a premier women's health company and the nation's largest independent provider of specialized breast health services, has been dedicated to elevating mammography services and maintaining breast health and peace of mind for almost 40 years. Headquartered in Addison, Texas, Solis Mammography operates more than 120 centers in 16 major markets, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, South Texas, Utah, Denver, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Columbus, Nashville, North Carolina, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and, through its affiliated brands Washington Radiology and Progressive Radiology, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Solis Mammography is pioneering a boutique-style retail healthcare experience. The company operates both wholly owned centers and multiple successful joint venture partnerships with large hospital systems and prominent medical and academic institutions.

About Northwest Healthcare

Northwest Healthcare is an integrated healthcare provider committed to delivering Tucson and surrounding communities with high quality, accessible healthcare. Northwest Healthcare includes Northwest Medical Center, Oro Valley Hospital, Northwest Medical Center Sahuarita, Northwest Medical Center Houghton, Northwest Emergency Centers in Vail and Marana, Northwest Urgent Cares, Northwest Women's Center, Northwest Primary & Specialty Care, Northwest Tucson Surgery Center, Tucson Surgery Center and Northwest Transitions, an inpatient rehabilitation facility. To learn more, visit HealthierTucson.com . Northwest Healthcare offers Live Healthy, a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox. Sign up at healthiertucson.com/enewsletter-sign-up-thank-you

SOURCE Solis Mammography
[[To comply with academic institution guidelines, the founders' academic affiliations and roles are listed only at the end of the statement.]]

BOSTON and AUSTIN, Texas, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Somite , a venture-backed company aiming to become the OpenAI of stem cell biology, announces that it has raised $5.3M in pre-seed funding. The round was led by Israel's preeminent Venture fund TechAviv, and joined by renowned Austin-based VCs Next Coast Ventures, Trust Ventures and Texas Venture Partners as well as NY-based Lerer Hippeau and others. The funds will be used to continue development of Somite's proprietary AlphaStem AI platform, building Somite labs and bringing the first therapeutic asset to phase 1 clinical trials.

Founded in October 2023, Somite is building AI foundation models to produce human tissue at scale for cell therapies. These therapies have the potential to cure a wide range of diseases that involve the loss or deficiency of cell populations, such as Diabetes, Obesity, and Muscular Dystrophies.

Somite Raises $5.3M in Pre-seed Round to Transform Cell Therapy with Al Post this

The founding team comprises five distinguished experts in their respective fields: Dr. Micha Breakstone, a seasoned AI entrepreneur who successfully sold Chorus.ai for $575 million, serves as the CEO. Joining him are the CTO, Dr. Jonathan Rosenfeld, who pioneered AI scaling laws at MIT, along with Boston-based scientists Dr. Olivier Pourquie, Dr. Allon Klein, and Dr. Cliff Tabin, who bring expertise in developmental biology, stem cells and computational biology.

Cell therapy, a revolutionary approach to treating medical conditions, involves replacing missing, damaged, or diseased cells. While recent strides in stem cell research have opened new avenues for producing various human cell types, challenges persist in terms of efficiency, scalability, and robustness across existing protocols. Somite.ai stands out as the premier company excelling in the efficient production of cells derived from somites, crucial embryonic structures giving rise to musculoskeletal cells. These include muscle, brown adipose, cartilage, bone, tendon, and dermis. Leveraging its expertise, Somite is pioneering the development of a digital twin of the embryoa computational model mirroring real embryo development and behavior. Drawing from data-rich sources such as scRNA-Seq, scATAC-seq, and gene expression databases, the digital twin empowers Artificial Intelligence to swiftly uncover innovative protocols, identify regulators of cell differentiation, and conduct rapid optimization cycles.

Somite's proprietary digital twin not only surfaces actionable insights but also expedites protocol iterations. Somite also builds on work performed in the Pourquie laboratory where production of somite-derived lineages such as human satellite and brown adipose cells in vitro was optimized using computational analysis and AI, allowing a critical increase in purity without the need for sorting procedures.

Since its inception, Somite has rapidly achieved noteworthy milestones, including gaining acceptance to the esteemed Blavatnik Harvard Life Labs and securing intellectual property for groundbreaking patents.

"The future of medicine lies at the intersection of AI and biology," says Micha Breakstone, CEO and Co-Founder of Somite. "With Somite's AlphaStem platform we have the unique opportunity to both unlock the governing principles of cell differentiation and introduce therapies to cure tens of millions of people. This funding round is only one of many first steps in our exciting journey."

"We are proud to partner with Somite and have high conviction in the exceptional team and transformative solution for stem cell therapy," says Yaron Samid, Founder and Managing Partner at TechAviv. "I am captivated by Somite's potential to redefine the boundaries of medical innovation. They are committed to advancing their groundbreaking stem cell therapy technology and have the power to transform the lives of millions of people by leveraging AI to produce human tissue for cell therapies."

About Somite

Somite.ai is a venture-backed company aiming to become the OpenAI of stem cell biology, developing AI foundation models to produce human tissue for cell therapies at scale for diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and muscular dystrophies. Somite's AI platform, AlphaStem, fuels a virtuous cycle: It enables new cell therapies, generating massive data that further improve the platform, empowering even faster therapy creation with broader applications.

Incorporated in Oct. 2023, Somite.ai has raised $5.3m to date.

Somite Management Team:

Micha Breakstone, PhD: CEO and Co-founder - Repeat AI entrepreneur (Chorus.ai acq. for $575m )

Jonathan Rosenfeld , PhD: CTO and Co-founder - Head of the Fundamental AI group at MIT FutureTech

Carl Morris , PhD: Chief Scientific Officer

Kristy Brown , PhD: SVP Translational Development

Scientific Co-founders:

Olivier Pourquie, PhD: Professor of Genetics and Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital

Allon Klein , PhD: Associate Professor of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School

Cliff Tabin , PhD: Chair of the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Somite Therapeutics
CHICAGO, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RedMane Technology, a Chicago-based software solutions and systems integration company, was awarded a contract with the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to develop, implement, and maintain a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS). As part of the project, RedMane will also develop and support a juvenile justice solution for CYFD.

Following a competitive selection process, RedMane was chosen to help the department on this strategic initiative that will bring modern tools and capabilities to those that protect the state's most vulnerable.

The solution will help CYFD efficiently manage critical business processes, including gathering information for screening, investigation, and assessment. Caseworkers will be able to better engage with children and families in the community through the system's mobile application, which functions even without cellular or Internet connectivity.

The solution will be deployed on RedMane's mCase platforma modern case management system. mCase, purpose-built and cloud-based, utilizes Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) technology to facilitate interoperability and case coordination. Its flexibility, high configurability, and robust features will support the needs of New Mexico's CYFD for years to come.

"We are excited to partner with RedMane Technology to develop our new CCWIS solution," said New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Secretary Teresa Casados. "The solution will reduce manual work and allow caseworkers to focus their efforts on supporting safety, permanency and wellbeing for children and families."

"We are thrilled to support the New Mexico CYFD on this most important project," said Cem Tanyel, RedMane's Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to working shoulder-to-shoulder with CYFD staff and delivering a solution that helps them in their mission to improve the quality of life for the children of New Mexico."

About the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department

The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) is committed to safeguarding the well-being and promoting the healthy development of children and youth throughout the state. With its three core programmatic divisions, CYFD provides comprehensive support to address abuse, neglect, behavioral health needs, and juvenile justice involvement. To learn more, visit CYFD.NM.GOV.

About RedMane

RedMane provides software solutions and systems integration services that address complex, real-world challenges. Our human services expertise includes child welfare, child support, benefit eligibility, and enterprise case management. We are a problem-solving company. Technology is just one of our tools. To learn more, visit www.redmane.com.

SOURCE RedMane Technology
Additionally, early this year, Stork Club successfully implemented a Direct Pay approach globally, enabling a streamlined member experience where members don't have to use virtual or physical benefits cards to prepay for their care. Instead, Stork Club pays in-network providers directly, removing this often-inconvenient step from members' experience. Stork Club's Direct Pay globally creates multiple advantages for global employers  from improving member experience by ensuring time-sensitive reproductive care won't be delayed because of issues with cards to reducing the cost of transactions by moving away from card payments.

As part of its continuous development of enterprise-ready care, Stork Club also now offers dedicated Care Partners across the globe. These certified clinical reproductive care experts are culturally competent and knowledgeable on local healthcare, legal, and financial regulations to ensure global members receive excellent proactive care. The Stork Club app is available in local languages and offers access to a diverse range of family-building and reproductive health services and local providers, including IVF, egg and sperm cryopreservation, child adoption, surrogacy, and other stages of reproductive care.

"We're proud to be able to build out such an expansive global network of high-performance providers to enable US-headquartered employers with teams outside of the country to offer a truly excellent care experience while providing access to critical reproductive care. We know that outsourced call centers and virtual benefits cards have their limitations, so we are leaving those in the past by creating a new healthcare experience where Stork Club-covered members have an easier way to pay so they can simply focus on their health and achieving their reproductive health goals," stated Jeni Mayorskaya, CEO and founder of Stork Club.

To hear more about national and global Stork Club solutions, visit joinstorkclub.com or meet the Stork Club team at The Conference Board's 24th Annual Employee Health Care Conference in New York, NY, on April 16-17 at the New York Marriott Marquis, 5th floor, Booth #45.

About Stork Club

Stork Club is an enterprise end-to-end reproductive care benefits solution built for employers to help them win, retain, and engage top, diverse talent while making their people healthier and significantly reducing overall reproductive care costs. Stork Club offers a flexible suite of programs to support every person at all stages of their reproductive journey, including fertility diagnostics and preservation, natural conception, or family-building with assisted services like IVF, surrogacy, child adoption; support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, as well as with inclusive reproductive mid-age care like menopause, men's health optimization, and adult gender-affirming care.

Stork Club has received recognition as an EHIR Academy alumni and has been recognized in the CB Insight Digital Health annual report as one of the 150 most promising private digital health companies that are transforming healthcare worldwide in 2022. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, Stork Club has raised $32.7M from investors, including General Catalyst, Bowery Capital, and Slow Ventures.

To learn more, visit: www.joinstorkclub.com . You can subscribe to our news here and follow Stork Club on LinkedIn .

Media Contacts

Simone DeMarco

Head of Marketing, Stork Club

[email protected]

SOURCE Stork Club Fertility, Inc
BankDirector Launches Director Certification Program for U.S. Banks

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BankDirector, the leading information resource for financial institutions, announces its expanding services for bank directors. Distinguishing individual board members through a comprehensive training program, BankDirector Certification is designed to provide participants with a thorough grounding in corporate governance and important financial industry issues that greatly enhance the performance of individual bank directors.

"Banking is a highly regulated industry with its own language and complex set of issues and challenges. Most directors come from outside the financial industry and have a steep learning curve when they join a bank board. BankDirector Certification provides new directors with a solid foundation in the core principles of banking and corporate governance, thereby shortening the learning curve while adding to the knowledge of more experienced board members. In banking, there's always something new to learn," says Jack Milligan, editor-at-large at BankDirector.

BankDirector's Certification Program is now available to those currently serving or wanting to serve on a bank's board. Offering two levels of curriculum, Fundamental and Advanced Courses, participants receive comprehensive training based on their level of experience and years served on the board.

"It has always been our core focus at BankDirector to educate senior leaders and members of the boards of financial institutions. We believe our new program provides banks and their boards with an opportunity for expanded learning on our ever-evolving, complex industry," says Michelle King, president of Bank Director.

For more information about Bank Director's Director Certification Program, please visit BankDirector.com or call our Bank Services team at 615.777.8461.

About Bank Director

BankDirector reaches the leaders of the institutions that comprise America's banking industry. Since 1991, BankDirector has provided board-level research, peer insights and in-depth executive and board services. Built for banks, BankDirector extends into and beyond the boardroom by providing timely and relevant information through BankDirector magazine, board training services and the financial industry's premier event, Acquire or Be Acquired. For more information, please visit BankDirector.com .

Source:

For additional information, please contact Bank Director's Director of Marketing, Deahna Welcher, at [email protected].

SOURCE Bank Director
Celebrating Recognitions in Best Senior Living Categories Based on Customer Feedback

MCLEAN, Va., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Sunrise Senior Living , a trailblazer in the senior living industry with a 40-year legacy, proudly announces that 139 of its communities have been recognized in U.S. News & World Report's Best Senior Living ratings for 2024; the highest total since the rankings began in 2021. These communities have excelled in categories including Best Independent Living, Best Assisted Living, Best Memory Care, and Best Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).

Sunrise Senior Living is proud that 139 communities received recognitions in Best Independent Living, Best Assisted Living, Best Memory Care, and Best Continuing Care Retirement Community.

"I am incredibly proud and humbled to have 139 communities recognized by U.S. News & World Report's Best Senior Living listthe most since the rankings began in 2021," said Jack R. Callison Jr., CEO of Sunrise Senior Living. "This recognition is particularly special because it was determined using feedback from our cherished residents and families, and in an industry where trust and transparency are paramount, it's something that my team and I don't take lightly. We pride ourselves on the bonds that we build with our residents, and this recognition is a true testament to the power of our enduring mission, vision, and values. I know I speak on behalf of the entire Sunrise team when I say that we look forward to using this honor to welcome more residents into our ever-growing Sunrise family."

This is the third year in which Sunrise communities have participated in the Best Senior Living list, and each year has seen an increase in the number of Sunrise communities recognized on the list.

U.S. News & World Report's Best Senior Living ratings provide comprehensive information and analysis of consumer satisfaction data, evaluating factors such as community & activity, food & dining, caregiving, and management & staff for nearly 3,500 communities across the continental U.S. and Hawaii. For over 30 years, U.S. News has been a trusted resource for unbiased assessments of quality across various important decisions, from choosing a college to selecting a healthcare facility.

To view the full list of Sunrise communities recognized, including their categories, please visit our website: SunriseSeniorLiving.com/USNews2024

For more information behind the data analyzed in the U.S. News ratings for Senior Living, please refer to the methodology .

To learn more about Sunrise or to find a community near you, please visit our website, www.sunriseseniorliving.com .

About Sunrise Senior Living

Founded in 1981, is credited with establishing the modern era of senior living. Each Sunrise community is dedicated to delivering a personalized approach to senior living where every aspect of the services and environment is built around the specific wants and needs of the individual seniors that call the community home. From purposefully created and thoughtful design, to engaging programming and lifestyle activities and best-in-class quality of care that evolves with the needs of each senior, Sunrise's industry-leading innovation is built upon its mission to champion quality of life for all seniors. Celebrating over 40 years, Sunrise operates more than 240 communities in the United States and Canada serving nearly 20,000 residents. With more than 20,000 highly trained team members, Sunrise offers a full range of personalized services, including independent living, assisted living, care for individuals with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, as well as nursing and rehabilitative services.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.
SEATTLE, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, TeachAI , an initiative led by Code.org, ETS, the International Society of Technology in Education, Khan Academy, and the World Economic Forum, announced the launch of a groundbreaking resource for education leaders and policymakers around the world  Foundational Policy Ideas for AI in Education. The development of this resource was led by AASA, CCSSO, Code.org, CoSN, COSSBA, Education Commission of the States, ExcelinEd, ETS, InnovateEDU, NASBE, NSBA, NEA, SEAMEO, and SETDA. It is designed to help education leaders and policymakers navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in education.

The resource, which has been informed by over 70 organizations representing industry, government, non-profits, and educator associations, offers policy ideas, informational briefs, talking points, and a customizable presentation. These materials propose five key policy ideas essential for the safe, effective, and responsible use of AI in education.

Foster Leadership: Establish an AI in Education Task Force to oversee policy development and implementation. Promote AI Literacy: Integrate AI concepts and skills into existing curriculum and instruction. Provide Guidance: Equip schools with guidance on the safe and responsible use of AI. Build Capacity: Provide funding and programs to support professional development on AI. Support Innovation: Promote the research and development of safe and effective AI in education practices, curricula, and tools.

"These tools serve as practical resources, aiding leaders in understanding AI's implications for education," says Michele Blatt, State Superintendent of Schools, West Virginia. "It is critical that we ensure appropriate supports and guardrails are in place for our teachers and students to effectively use generative artificial intelligence. We must remember that AI is an additional technology tool that can increase productivity and support innovation while recognizing the importance of the teacher in the process."

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in society and the workforce, education systems across the globe recognize the opportunity and the challenge posed by these advancements. From enhancing student engagement and addressing learning loss to transforming and redefining the essential skills of the workforce, AI offers possibilities for improving educational and career outcomes. This potential hinges on the responsible and ethical use of AI, taught through a framework that addresses critical concerns such as bias, misinformation, and the preparation of students for a world transformed by AI.

Nicolas Cataldo Astorga, Minister of Education, Chile, notes: "As educational systems, we must act swiftly to address a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly emerging. For public policy, this entails collaborating with communities, particularly educators, to creatively, critically, and safely harness these tools for learning, equity, and inclusion."

"Artificial Intelligence will soon augment nearly every sector of our workforce, and our education system must prepare our students for that future," says Chris Reykdal, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Our mission is to embrace AI in our classrooms to enhance student learning; centering student inquiry, student reflection, and critical thinking."

TeachAI invites education leaders and policymakers to explore these foundational policy ideas as a step towards embracing the transformative potential of AI in education while also addressing its challenges with foresight and responsibility.

Catherine Truitt, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, North Carolina, says: "By equipping educators and students with the knowledge and skills of AI, we are ensuring they are better prepared for their future. This valuable resource can help create policies and practices to responsibly incorporate AI into education."

Visit www.teachai.org/policy to see the Foundational Policy Ideas for AI in Education.

About TeachAI

TeachAI brings together education leaders and technology experts to assist governments and education authorities in teaching with and about AI. The initiative is led by Code.org, ETS, the International Society for Technology in Education, Khan Academy, and the World Economic Forum and advised by a diverse group of 100+ organizations, governments, and individuals. TeachAI's goals include guiding policy, building community and capacity, and increasing awareness. To learn more about TeachAI, please visit www.teachai.org/about .

SOURCE TeachAI
NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a commitment to deliver exceptional customer service when it begins operations, the New Terminal One at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport has launched a request for qualifications (RFQ) from providers to develop an interactive training program for customer service at the new world-class international terminal.

The New Terminal One, which is being constructed in partnership with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey as part of the agency's $19 billion redevelopment of JFK Airport, is seeking qualified providers to create a training program for front-line employees, with a focus on providing exceptional service to all passengers who pass through the terminal's doors.

Local, minority, women, and service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises are strongly encouraged to participate in the RFQ. It is the goal of The New Terminal One to utilize qualified firms that are committed to local workforce diversity and has demonstrated a history of hiring, training, developing, promoting and retaining minority and women employees. The New Terminal One is aligned with the Port Authority's goal of 30% for minority and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) participation across all elements of the JFK Redevelopment.

Scheduled to open in 2026, the all-international New Terminal One will be a state-of-the-art gateway to the New York metropolitan area and the United States. The project's Phase A comprises expansive and light-filled departures and arrivals halls and an initial 14 gates. At full completion in 2030, the New Terminal One will be the largest terminal at JFK Airport, anchoring the south side of the busiest US airport for international traffic.

"Our vision at The New Terminal One is to make every experience an extraordinary moment to remember, underlining our mission to be among the top five airport terminals in the world. Our passengers and customer airlines are front and centre of this mission and we look forward to partnering with our chosen training provider to offer an exceptional experience that matches our world-class international terminal," said Simon Gandy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The New Terminal One.

The New Terminal One is seeking a provider that will develop an instructor-led training program covering all aspects of the customer experience at The New Terminal One, including wayfinding assistance, the use of digital tools that enhance customer service, and training on how to help customers who require additional assistance. Participants in the RFQ must submit plans on their ability to achieve The New Terminal One's participation goals of 30% for minority and women-owned business enterprises and 10% for local business enterprises.

Interested participants may contact [email protected] for further information on how to take part in the RFQ. Participants in the RFQ will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

About The New Terminal One

The New Terminal One (NTO) at John F. Kennedy International Airport is a bold and exciting project to develop a world-class international terminal that will serve as an anchor terminal in the Port Authority's $19 billion transformation of JFK into a global gateway to the New York metropolitan area and the United States. NTO will set a new standard for design and service, aspiring to obtain a Top 5 Skytrax ranking and be considered one of the finest airport terminals in the world. The $9 billion first phase is the largest single-asset project financing in US history.

The New Terminal One is being built on sites now occupied by Terminal 1, the recently closed Terminal 2, and the former Terminal 3, where it will anchor JFK's south side. Construction is taking place in phases. The first phase, including the new arrivals and departures halls and first set of 14 new gates, is expected to open in 2026.

At completion, anticipated in 2030, the New Terminal One will be 2.4 million square feet, making it the largest terminal at JFK and nearly the same size as LaGuardia Airport's two new terminals combined. NTO will be a 23-gate, state-of-the-art, international-only terminal. Sustainably designed and future-focused, the terminal will feature expansive, naturally lit public spaces, cutting-edge technology, and an array of amenities, all designed to enhance the customer experience and compete with some of the highest-rated airport terminals in the world.

The New Terminal One consortium of labor, operating, and financial partners is led by Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle. NTO is being built by union labor and we are committed to local inclusion and labor participation, focusing on diversity and capacity-building opportunities, including ambitious goals for creating opportunities for local, minority, and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs), and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOBs).

To learn more about the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport, visit https://www.anewjfk.com/projects/the-new-terminal-one/

SOURCE The New Terminal One
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Republic of El Salvador (the "Republic"), announced today the results of an Invitation for each holder to submit offers (the "Offers") to tender for cash the notes set forth in the table below (collectively, the "Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the invitation, dated April 8, 2024 (the "Invitation"). The Invitation and withdrawal rights expired as scheduled at 5:00 p.m., New York time on April 15, 2024.

The following table sets forth the results of the Invitation, as well as the principal amount of the Notes of each series which the Republic expects to accept for purchase subject to the Financing Condition:

Securities CUSIPs, ISINs and Common Codes Principal Amount

Outstanding as of

April 8, 2024 Principal

Amount

Tendered Percentage

of Principal

Amount

Tendered Expected

Principal

Amount to be

Accepted for

Purchase Expected

Approximate

Proration

Factor1 Expected

Principal

Amount to

Remain

Outstanding

After

Repurchase 5.875% Notes

due 2025 (the

" 2025 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 AR3 ISIN: US283875AR37 Common Code: 086183617 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 AS5 ISIN: USP01012AS54 Common Code: 086183609 U.S.$347,917,000 U.S.$248,356,000 71.38 % U.S.$248,356,000 0.00 % U.S.$99,561,000































6.375% Notes

due 2027 (the

" 2027 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 AS1 ISIN: US283875AS10 Common Code: 111168059 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 AT3 ISIN: USP01012AT38 Common Code: 111168075 U.S.$800,000,000 U.S.$407,636,000 50.95 % U.S.$166,935,000 40.99 % U.S.$633,065,000































8.625% Notes

due 2029 (the

" 2029 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 BW1 ISIN: US283875BW13 Common Code: 157312162 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 BX3 ISIN: USP01012BX31 Common Code: 157242083 U.S.$601,085,000 U.S.$290,042,000 48.25 % U.S.$71,553,000 24.70 % U.S.$529,532,000































































1 The expected approximate proration factor is subject to rounding on a case-by-case basis in connection with minimum denomination adjustments as described below and is subject to acceptance, which is scheduled to occur on or before April 18, 2024.

The Republic will announce the aggregate principal amount of Notes of each series definitively accepted for purchase, the proration factor and the aggregate principal amount of Notes of each series remaining outstanding following the completion of the Invitation on or before April 18, 2024 (the "Acceptance Date").

The principal amount of each holder's validly tendered Notes expected to be accepted for purchase is determined by multiplying each holder's tender of Notes by the approximate proration factor indicated in the table above, and rounding the product down to the nearest U.S.$1,000. The Republic expects to only accept tenders of Notes subject to proration to the extent such proration does not result in (i) the relevant holder transferring Notes to the Republic in a principal amount of less than U.S.$5,000, being the minimum authorized denomination of the Notes, and (ii) the Notes in a principal amount of less than the applicable minimum denomination being returned to the relevant holder. If, due to proration, less than the applicable minimum denomination would be returned to the holders, then the Republic will either accept all or reject all of the tendered amount.

The settlement of validly tendered and accepted Notes is scheduled to occur on or about April 19, 2024 (the "Settlement Date"), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Invitation. Holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase (after proration) by the Republic will be entitled to receive for such Notes the applicable purchase price plus applicable accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the Settlement Date ("Accrued Interest"). The aggregate purchase price plus Accrued Interest to be paid by the Republic is expected to be U.S.$469,973,236.42. Any Notes tendered that are not accepted and purchased by the Republic as a result of the operation of the applicable proration provisions are expected to be returned to the relevant tendering holders on the Settlement Date.

The Republic reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to delay the Settlement Date. The Republic's expected acceptance of the Notes tendered and settlement of the Tender Offer on the Settlement Date are subject to the satisfaction by the Republic of the Financing Condition described in the Invitation which is expected to occur on April 17, 2024.

Any holder who fails to make delivery in accordance with the Invitation shall not be entitled to receive any payment therefore unless the Republic, in its sole discretion, determines to waive any such failure.

The Republic will cancel the Notes purchased pursuant to the Invitation following the Settlement Date.

The tender and information agent for the Invitation was D.F. King & Co., Inc., (the "Tender and Information Agent") and can be reached at [email protected], by telephone at 1 (866) 828-6934 (U.S. toll free) and (212) 269-5550 (collect), in writing at 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, New York 10005.

The Dealer Manager for the Invitation was BofA Securities, Inc. (the "Dealer Manager") and can be reached regarding the terms of the Invitation by telephone at +1 (646) 855-8988 (collect) or +1 (888) 292-0070 (U.S. Toll-free).

Disclaimer

This announcement is not an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes. The invitation for each holder to submit Offers is only being made pursuant to the Invitation.

The distribution of materials relating to the Invitation, and the transactions contemplated by the Invitation, may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Invitation is made only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. The Invitation is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the Invitation come into your possession, you are required to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the Invitation do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. The Invitation does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the Invitation is required to be made by a licensed broker or dealer and in which the Dealer Manager or any of its affiliates is so licensed, it shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager or such affiliates on behalf of El Salvador. See "Certain Legal Restrictions" and "Jurisdictional Restrictions" in the Invitation.

El Salvador will make (or cause to be made) all announcements regarding the Invitation by press release issued to an international news service, which is expected to be PR Newswire or another appropriate international news service, (the "News Service"), and will subsequently publish such announcement on the website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (www.luxse.com).

NONE OF EL SALVADOR, THE DEALER MANAGER OR THE INFORMATION AND TENDER AGENT MADE ANY RECOMMENDATION THAT ANY HOLDER TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SUCH HOLDER'S NOTES, AND NO ONE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY ANY OF THEM TO MAKE SUCH A RECOMMENDATION.

Important Notice

The distribution of the Invitation and the transactions contemplated hereby may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this Invitation come are required by El Salvador and the Dealer Manager to inform themselves of and to observe any of these restrictions. Each person accepting the Invitation shall be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed (in respect of itself and any person for whom it is acting) that it is not a person to whom it is unlawful to make an Invitation pursuant to this Invitation (including under the applicable securities laws referenced below), it has not distributed or forwarded this Invitation or any other documents or materials relating to the Invitation to any such person, and it has (before offering the Notes for exchange) complied with all laws and regulations applicable to it for the purposes of its participation in the Invitation.

This Invitation does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making an offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. Neither El Salvador nor the Dealer Manager accepts any responsibility for any violation by any person of the restrictions applicable in any jurisdiction.

European Economic Area

The Invitation is not intended to be offered, or otherwise made available to and should not be offered or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EC (as amended, the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 (e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129) (the "Prospectus Regulation"). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore making the Invitation or offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

United Kingdom

The Invitation is not intended to be offered, or otherwise made available to and should not be offered or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom ("UK"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the FSMA and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore making the Invitation or offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

The communication of this Invitation and any other offer material relating to the Invitation are not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials is exempt from the restriction on financial promotions under section 21 of the FSMA on the basis that it is only directed at and may only be communicated to persons (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended) (the "Financial Promotion Order"), (ii) who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) who are outside the United Kingdom, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities, including this Invitation, may otherwise lawfully be communicated in accordance with the Financial Promotion Order (such persons together being "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which this Invitation or these other documents and/or materials relate are available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this Invitation or these other documents and/or materials or any of its or their contents.

SOURCE The Republic of El Salvador
Labor availability, deal economics and supply/demand imbalance key points of discussion

DENVER, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thompson Thrift, a full-service real estate company engaged in multifamily, mixed-use, retail, industrial and commercial projects across the country, announced today that Senior Vice President of Acquisitions Brian Southworth participated in a panel discussion about the state of the Colorado multifamily market at the 2024 CREJ Spring Multifamily Development & Investment Conference in Denver.

The sold-out conference brought together leading developers, lenders, brokers and investment firms focusing on the Colorado multifamily market. Southworth was a panelist on the developer panel which discussed numerous topics from:

Deal economics Construction costs Labor availability Supply/demand metrics throughout Colorado Regulatory environment

Southworth's primary takeaways from the developer panel were:

Deal economics will remain challenging in the short term as most Colorado markets work through a significant amount of new supply. With that, new supply in metro Denver is peaking and fundamentals should start to improve as new supply gets absorbed.

markets work through a significant amount of new supply. With that, new supply in metro is peaking and fundamentals should start to improve as new supply gets absorbed. Developers are starting to see construction costs level off or come down slightly in some instances.

The sizeable affordability gap between renting and owning in Colorado has continued to grow and should provide continued tailwinds to multifamily demand.

has continued to grow and should provide continued tailwinds to multifamily demand. Regulatory changes adopted by the city and county of Denver have made it very challenging for developers and will throttle new supply and exacerbate housing affordability issues.

Thompson Thrift is a full-service real estate development company focused on ground-up commercial and mixed-use development across the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. The company has been active in Colorado for 11 years and has developed over 4,100 units in the state, which currently includes 10 communities between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

The company continues to expand its footprint with eight new residential developments targeted for 2024, including new markets in Georgia, Utah and Idaho. Since its founding nearly 40 years ago, Thompson Thrift has invested more than $5 billion into local communities and has become known as a trusted partner committed to developing high-quality, attractive commercial and multifamily communities.

About Thompson Thrift Real Estate Company

Thompson Thrift is an integrated full-service real estate company with offices in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana; Denver; Houston and Phoenix. Three business units drive Thompson Thrift's successThompson Thrift Residential which is focused on upscale Class A multifamily communities and luxury leased homes, Thompson Thrift Commercial which is focused on ground-up commercial development, and Thompson Thrift Construction, a full-service construction company. Through these business units, Thompson Thrift is engaged in all aspects of development, construction, leasing, and management of quality commercial real estate projects across the country. The company earned national recognition as a winner of a 2024 Top Workplaces USA award, the latest accolade that reflects the company's ongoing commitment to excellence in the community and workplace. For more information, please visit www.thompsonthrift.com

Contact:

Jennifer Franklin

Spotlight Marketing Communications

949.427.1385

[email protected]

SOURCE Thompson Thrift
Kincaid Group, based in Kansas, made the decision to transition contractual operations to Trafera as a result of a reallocation of The Kincaid Group investment portfolio. The Kincaid Group created Kincaid IT to support the K-12 virtual environment during COVID as a compliment to their K-12 Transportation Services division. In 2022, Kincaid Group began a series of divesting activities, leading to this year's decision to shift their IT customers and proprietary assets to Trafera. A trusted partner in K-12 technology, Trafera was felt to be a natural fit for managing Kincaid IT's existing customers.

Rob Bykowski, Chief Operating Officer of Kincaid IT noted "Kincaid IT is confident in handing the stewardship of our K-12 customers to Trafera. Like Kincaid IT, the team at Trafera has demonstrated a dedication and partnership to schools nationwide. I believe Trafera's expertise and resources will serve Kincaid's former customers well as we all move into this next chapter."

Trafera plans to continue Kincaid's legacy of providing top-tier Google Workspace IT services, technical training and software tools to Kincaid's customer base.

"Trafera will be able to offer an expanded suite of products and services to legacy Kincaid IT serviced districts," commented Scott Gill, CEO of Trafera. "We look forward to partnering with districts across the country, helping to get additional value out of Google Workspace environments and ultimately supporting better outcomes in the classroom through the effective use of technology."

Trafera is initially focused on assisting Kincaid IT customers through the transition before extending new capabilities to joint nationwide customers. The combination of Trafera's scale and Kincaid IT's services will bring unique value to school districts. Kincaid customer wondering what this means for your school? Press inquiries or general questions? Contact Kate Spangenberg, at [email protected].

About Trafera

Trafera is a leading provider of educational technology to K-12 schools and a top K-12 focused reseller of Google Chrome devices. Trafera offers a broad range of additional hardware and software solutions that support better outcomes through technology and also offers a robust set of services including deployment and warranty support. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, the company also has operations in Arden Hills, Minnesota; Madisonville, Louisiana; and Muskogee, Oklahoma supporting the needs of school districts nationwide. Visit www.trafera.com.

About Kincaid Group

The Kincaid Group is a collective of family-owned businesses that specialize in the transportation, security, and IT industries. As a group, they believe in combining all the advantages of a family owned and operated company with those of a larger corporation. The Kincaid Group's foremost commitment is to deliver maximum value to customers, achieved through nurturing relationships, offering top-tier products, and delivering industry-leading client services. Kincaid Group is based on Shawnee, KS. Visit https://thekincaidgroup.com.

SOURCE Trafera
CHICAGO, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the UK data center market is growing at a CAGR of 2.37% during 2023-2029.

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report:

https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/uk-data-center-market-investment-analysis

UK DATA CENTER MARKET RESARCH REPORT BY ARIZTON

The UK Data Center Market Report Scope

Report Scope Details Market Size (Investment) USD 10.13 Billion (2029) Market Size (Area) 955 Thousand Sq. Feet (2029) Market Size (Power Capacity) 183 MW (2029) CAGR: Investment (2023-2029) 2.37 % Colocation Market Size (Revenue) USD 5 Billion (2029) Historic Year 2020-2022 Base Year 2023 Forecast Year 2024-2029

The UK data center market is poised for substantial growth, largely propelled by the expanding presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies across industries. Projections suggest that by 2040, an estimated one million businesses throughout the UK will have integrated AI-driven solutions into their operations. According to the Global Innovation Index 2023, the UK was ranked fourth out of 211 countries.

Key Insights

The growth of the UK data center market is fueled by investments from colocation data center operators including key players such as Equinix, VIRTUS Data Centres, Digital Realty, and Ark Data Centres

Major cloud service providers, such as AWS, Microsoft, and Google, are actively expanding their data center infrastructure in the UK. Investments and expansion initiatives by these providers align with the growing demand for cloud services.

Countries including Manchester , Berkshire , and West Sussex are witnessing investments in data center facilities. Sustainability efforts such as the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) by Datum Datacentres are prevalent across counties.

, , and are witnessing investments in data center facilities. Sustainability efforts such as the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) by Datum Datacentres are prevalent across counties. The UK government has launched initiatives such as the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, which is aiming to increase wireless network connectivity by 2030. The Digital Strategy, launched by the UK government, outlines a holistic approach to digital policy across critical domains, emphasizing the country's commitment to digital technology.

Investment Opportunities

Within the Western European region, the UK represents approximately 20% of the total data center investments. This can be attributed to the growing internet penetration and the extensive adoption of cloud-based services across various sectors within the country.

The significance of the UK in submarine cable connectivity is underscored by its 56 submarine cables, linking the country to key regions such as the US, Europe , Africa , the Middle East , and Asia . The notable submarine cables include Apollo, BT-MT-1, Circe South, ESAT-1, Europe India Gateway, and NO-UK. The upcoming submarine cables, namely 2Africa, Amitie, and BT North Sea, are poised to strengthen the UK's global connectivity further.

, , the , and . The notable submarine cables include Apollo, BT-MT-1, Circe South, ESAT-1, Europe India Gateway, and NO-UK. The upcoming submarine cables, namely 2Africa, Amitie, and BT North Sea, are poised to strengthen the UK's global connectivity further. The strategic rollout of 5G network connectivity is a key focus in the UK, spearheaded by major telecom operators, including EE, Vodafone, Ericsson, Three UK, and O2. Complementing these efforts, the UK government has initiated projects such as 5G Logistics, 5G Ports, Smart Junctions 5G, AMC2, 5G CAL, 5G Factory of The Future, and 5GEM-UK.

In May 2023 , Kao Data unveiled its plans to construct a 40 MW data center in Manchester's Kenwood Point for a projected investment of $440 million ; the facility is set to go live in late 2025. The strategic move into Manchester aligns with Kao Data's commitment to advancing the region's computing capabilities and supporting the aspirations of the UK government.

, Kao Data unveiled its plans to construct a 40 MW data center in for a projected investment of ; the facility is set to go live in late 2025. The strategic move into aligns with Kao Data's commitment to advancing the region's computing capabilities and supporting the aspirations of the UK government. In April 2023 , Equinix planned to develop a 30 MW data center facility in Slough Trading Estate in Berkshire , outside London . It is a five-story building with two data halls on each floor.

, Equinix planned to develop a 30 MW data center facility in Slough Trading Estate in , outside . It is a five-story building with two data halls on each floor. In April 2023 , Vantage Data Centers announced the development of a second data center campus, LHR2, in West London , with an investment of around $310 million . The LHR1 data center campus, with a total area of 40,000 square feet and two 24 MW multi-story data centers, is expected to be online by 2024.

To Know More, Click: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/uk-data-center-market-investment-analysis

Existing VS Upcoming Data Centers

Existing Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity)

Greater London

Berkshire

Greater Manchester

Other Counties

List of Upcoming Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity)

Why Should You Buy this Research?

Market size is available in the investment, area, power capacity, and UK colocation market revenue.

An assessment of the data center investment in the UK by colocation and enterprise operators.

Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across locations in the country.

A detailed study of the existing UK data center market landscape, an in-depth market analysis, and insightful predictions about market size during the forecast period.

Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in the UK

Facilities Covered (Existing): 200

Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 40

Coverage: 30+ Locations

Existing vs. Upcoming (Area)

Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Data Center Colocation Market in the UK

Market Revenue & Forecast (2023-2029)

Retail & Wholesale Colocation Pricing

The UK data center market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast.

A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry.

Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry.

A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the industry.

The Report Includes the Investment in the Following Areas:

IT Infrastructure

Servers

Storage Systems

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgears

PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Fire Detection & Suppression Systems

Physical Security

Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)

Tier Standard

Tier I & Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

Geography

Greater London

Other Counties

Vendor Landscape

IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Networks

Atos

Broadcom

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Huawei Technologies

IBM

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

NetApp

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors

2bm

AECOM

Arup

ARC:MC

Atkins

BladeRoom Data Centres

Bouygues Construction

Deerns

Future-tech

HDR Architecture

INFINITI

ISG

JCA Engineering

Kirby Engineering Group

KMG Partnership

Mace

Mercury Engineering

MiCiM

studioNWA

Oakmont Construction

Sweet Projects

RED

SPIE UK

Skanska

STO Building Group

Sudlows

TTSP

Waldeck

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Airedale International Air Conditioning

Caterpillar

Cummins

Delta Electronics

Eaton

Kohler SDMO

Legrand

Mitsubishi Electric

Piller Power Systems

Rolls Royce

Riello Elettronica (Riello UPS)

Rittal

Schneider Electric

Socomec

Siemens

STULZ

Vertiv

Data Center Investors

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Ark Data Centres

China Mobile International (CMI)

Colt Data Centre Services

Custodian Data Centres

CyrusOne

Cyxtera Technologies

Corscale Data Centers

Digital Realty

Data Datacentres

Equinix

Echelon Data Centres

Global Switch

Iron Mountain

Ionos

Infinity SDC

Keppel Data Centres

Kao Data

NTT Global Data Centers

Lumen Technologies

Microsoft

Proximity Data Centres

Serverfarm

Sungard Availability Services

Telehouse

Vantage Data Centers

Virtus Data Centres (ST Telemedia Global Data Centres)

Yondr

New Entrants

CloudHQ

Digital Reef

EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure

Google

Global Technical Realty

Stratus DC Management

Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the growth rate of the UK data center market?

What are the driving factors for the UK data center market?

How much is the UK data center market investment expected to grow?

Who are the new entrants in the UK data center market?

How many data centers have been identified in the UK?

Get the Detailed TOC @ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/uk-data-center-market-investment-analysis

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Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.

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SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
PORTLAND, Ore., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest study from Upgraded Points is uncovering where passengers will catch a smile before they catch their flight.

"Whether it's a friendly food vendor, a grumpy TSA agent, or a happy flight attendant, the level of service received at airports can set the tone for an entire trip," said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points. "Our study acknowledges those airports where staff go the extra mile to ensure passenger satisfaction."

The U.S. Airports That Have the Friendliest Staff

Study Methodology

The study focused on the 50 busiest airports according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Analyzing Google and Yelp reviews for each airport, researchers noted mentions of "friendly" or "rude" staff or TSA. They compared these mentions to the total number of reviews to calculate a ratio of positive to negative interactions. Each airport was scored on a scale from 0 to 5 based on the ratio of positive mentions, with scores summed to yield a total possible score of 50.

The Airports With the Friendliest Staff:

Portland International Airport (PDX) leads the pack with a friendliness score of 44/50. A notable 19% of Yelp reviews praise the welcoming staff, the highest of any U.S. airport studied. Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is a close second with a score of 43. IND is known for minimal complaints about TSA, reflecting less than 1% negative mentions on Google. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) landed with a score of 39, as travelers commend the cheerful assistance provided by JAX airport staff. John Wayne Airport (SNA) showcases Southern California's sunny disposition with speed, efficiency, and warm hospitality. Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is known for combining friendly staff with forward-thinking amenities, setting a higher standard for traveler satisfaction.

Check out the full, detailed ranking of all 50 airports by visiting the complete study .

About Upgraded Points LLC

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Upgraded Points is a travel company that helps to demystify the complex world of travel and credit cards. Launched in 2016 by Alex Miller, Upgraded Points uses targeted research efforts and in-depth studies to help travelers maximize their travel, points, and experiences. Learn more at: www.UpgradedPoints.com .

Media Contact:

Alex Miller, Founder

1-214-646-8866

[email protected]

SOURCE Upgraded Points
2024 edition recognizes 1,700+ communities as high performing.

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, today revealed its 2024 Best Senior Living ratings to assist seniors and their families with researching and choosing the best senior living community for their needs.

Now in its third year, U.S. News' Best Senior Living ratings evaluate over 3,500 communities in the U.S. in one or more of the following categories: independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement. Senior living communities are evaluated on several criteria, including resident and family members' satisfaction with safety, care, community management and staff, value and other services and amenities.

"Best Senior Living reflects U.S. News' commitment to helping families navigate the important and complex decision of researching and choosing a senior living community through trusted, data-backed community ratings," said Sumita Singh, general manager of Health at U.S. News. "We are proud to recognize those communities that stand out as 'Best' by providing exceptional care and satisfaction, as directly expressed by residents and family members of residents who live and thrive in these communities."

The following ten metropolitan areas have the greatest number of "Best" Senior Living communities nationwide:

For the 2024 ratings, the following 15 companies have the greatest number of communities with Best Senior Living recognitions in the U.S.:

Of the 40 Senior Living companies with 20 or more participating communities, 18 companies had more than 50% of their communities recognized in at least one care level:

To be recognized as one of the 2024 U.S. News Best Senior Living communities, individual locations had to earn a specific final weighted score tabulated in the independent methodology developed by the U.S. News health data analytics team. U.S. News will present a free webinar , "Inside the 2024 U.S. News Best Senior Living Ratings," on May 9 for consumers, industry leaders and media; the webinar will explain how communities are considered for U.S. News' Best Senior Living as well as the methodology behind the ratings.

The U.S. News Best Senior Living finder features each community's ratings on independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement.

For more information on the U.S. News Best Senior Living ratings, explore Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) using #BestSeniorLiving.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P.
Community welcomes new partners, including Aiven, Alibaba Cloud, Chainguard, Heroku, Huawei, Percona, and Verizon.

SEATTLE, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Linux Foundation is excited to announce the Valkey 7.2.5-rc1 release candidate, amid growing support for Valkey as an open source alternative to the Redis in-memory, NoSQL data store. Announced in March as a response to a recent license change by Redis Inc, Valkey has experienced tremendous growth and support, including new partners, contributors, and community participants. Valkey will continue development based on Redis OSS 7.2.4 and will keep the project available for use and distribution under the open source Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) 3-clause license.

Since the Redis project was founded in 2009, thousands of open source developers have contributed significantly to its growth and success. To continue improving on this important technology and allow for unfettered distribution of the project, the community created Valkey, an open source high performance key-value store. The community has now unveiled Valkey 7.2.5-rc1, a release candidate for initial compatibility, which will allow existing Redis users to easily migrate to Valkey with no backwards incompatible API changes. The team is also working on an upcoming major release, Valkey 8.0, which will include new features such as more reliable slot migration and memory efficiency improvements. The Valkey 8.0 release is expected to become available by the end of 2024.

Community welcomes new partners, including Aiven, Alibaba Cloud, Chainguard, Heroku, Huawei, Percona, and Verizon. Post this

Industry participants supporting the Valkey project have expanded to include Aiven, Alibaba Cloud, Chainguard, Heroku, Huawei, Percona, and Verizon, in addition to existing partners Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Oracle, Ericsson, and Snap Inc. The core group of maintainers and contributors is also expanding, as Valkey encourages contribution in an open and collaborative manner. Together, the Valkey community will focus on making contributions that support the long-term health and viability of the project so that everyone can benefit from it.

At the Linux Foundation, Valkey will follow an open governance model, remaining community-driven and welcoming of all users and contributors. The project has already assembled a technical leadership committee of several former Redis contributors, and hundreds more community members have voiced their intent to support Valkey. To learn more about Valkey, please visit the project on GitHub .

View the full press release with supporting quotes.

About The Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, hardware, standards, and data. Linux Foundation projects are critical to the world's infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, ONAP, PyTorch, RISC-V, SPDX, OpenChain, and more. The Linux Foundation focuses on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users, and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org. The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact

Noah Lehman

The Linux Foundation

[email protected]

SOURCE The Linux Foundation
NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global vegan yogurt market size is estimated to grow by USD 4307.85 mn from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 18.15% during the forecast period. The global vegan yogurt market faces regulatory challenges due to stringent food safety guidelines from authorities like the US FDA and EFSA. India's Food Safety Administration introduced vegan logo approval processes in 2022. Key trends include advanced flavors, organic substances, probiotics, and plant-based alternatives for those with lactose intolerance, milk allergies, or high cholesterol. Millennials drive market growth, with offerings in segments like soy, rice, and nut-based yogurts available at hypermarkets and supermarkets. Veganism's environmental implications also contribute to market expansion.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Vegan Yogurt Market 2023-2027

To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

The Product Type segment emerges as the fastest-growing segment in the vegan yogurt market

The global vegan yogurt market witnessed significant growth in the offline segment in 2022, accounting for the largest market share. Supermarkets and hypermarkets, which make up this segment, offer a wide range of dairy-free, plant-based yogurt options, including Flax milk yogurt, Hemp yogurt, and Rice yogurt. Consumers prefer these retail channels due to their accessibility, convenience, and competitive pricing. The shift towards plant-based nutritional alternatives is driven by various factors, including lactose malabsorption, ethical considerations, and environmental implications. Dairy consumption is on the decline, with veganism gaining popularity. Brands like Petit Filous and Evolved Foods are expanding their product lines to cater to this trend. These dairy-free yogurts are rich in vitamins and minerals, derived from nuts, seeds, grains, and soy. Fruit-flavored varieties add to their appeal. Almond-based and soy-based yogurts are popular choices. The market's growth is further fueled by the increasing household penetration of vegan products and the health benefits associated with plant-based food. However, the environmental implications of producing plant-based alternatives should not be overlooked. The production of vegan ghee and plant-based meat, for instance, requires significant resources. It is crucial for consumers and manufacturers to consider the sustainability of their choices.

The global vegan yogurt market experienced significant growth in North America in 2022, driven by increasing consumer preference for plant-based alternatives to dairy products. Factors such as concerns for animal welfare, environmental impact, and health benefits have fueled this trend. Major players in the region include Evolved Foods, offering a range of fruit-flavored plant-based yogurts. The market's expansion is also influenced by the evolving food landscape, with the introduction of vegan ghee, plant-based meat, and various types of yogurt, such as almondbased and soybased. Household penetration of vegan products is increasing due to their nutritional value, advanced flavor profiles, and organic substances. Probiotics, gut bacteria, and healthy lifestyles are key selling points, as these products offer benefits for those with lactose intolerance, milk allergies, and those seeking to manage blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and other health concerns. Labeling as vegan is crucial for reaching millennials and consumers seeking dairy-free, plant-based nutritional options. The market includes various types of yogurt, such as flax milk yogurt, hemp yogurt, and rice yogurt, available at hypermarkets and supermarkets. The shift from dairy-based products to plant-based alternatives continues to evolve, with vitamins and minerals derived from nuts, seeds, grains, and the soy segment. The environmental implications of reducing dairy consumption are also contributing to the market's growth.

Commenting on the market trends, a Senior Analyst of Technavio, stated," The vegan yogurt market experiences growth due to increased online sales. Consumers prefer buying vegan yogurt through online stores for convenience, same-day delivery, and discounts. Manufacturers sell products via their websites, e-commerce platforms, and third-party sites. Keywords: Vegan yogurt, Plant-based, Health benefits, Environment, Probiotics, Millennials, Dairy-free, Nutritional value, Online sales, Soy, Almond, Fruit-flavored."

To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Analyst Review

The Vegan Yogurt Market is experiencing significant growth as consumers shift their preferences towards plant-based options for various reasons, including environmental concerns and health benefits. Brands like Evolved Foods offer a range of plant-based yogurts, including almondbased and soybased varieties, which cater to the increasing demand for vegan products. Fruit-flavored plantbased yogurts provide advanced flavors and nutritional properties, making them a popular choice among millennials. These products are labeled as vegan and free from lactose and milk allergens, making them accessible to a wider audience. Probiotics, which support gut bacteria and contribute to healthy lifestyles, are a key nutritional value in both plantbased and milkbased yogurts. Vegan ghee and plantbased meat are also gaining popularity as complementary vegan products. The household penetration of vegan yogurt is increasing due to its nutritional value, which includes protein and beneficial probiotic bacteria, and its ability to help manage blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol.

Market Overview

The Plant-based yogurt market is experiencing significant growth, with various companies producing and marketing these products. Daily, consumers are opting for plant-based yogurts due to their ethical, environmental, and health benefits. Producers such as Almond Bases, Soys, and Cultures use different methods to create these yogurts, including fermentation and the addition of plant-based proteins. Milk alternatives like soy, almond, and coconut are used to make these vegan yogurts. The market offers a wide range of flavors, from classic fruit varieties to exotic and unique blends. Brands like Evolution Foods and Dairy Free also provide probiotics in their vegan yogurts, ensuring consumers receive the same health benefits as traditional dairy yogurts. The Vegan Yogurt market is projected to continue growing, with Nutritionals and Milk being significant contributors. The market caters to various consumer preferences, including lactose intolerant, vegan, and those seeking a healthier lifestyle. The future of the Vegan Yogurt market looks promising, with innovations in taste, texture, and production methods driving growth.

To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the board of directors of Whirlpool Corporation (the "Company") declared a quarterly dividend of $1.75 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend is payable on June 15, 2024, to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2024.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home and inspiring generations with our brands. The company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees, and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

Website Disclosure

We routinely post important information for investors on our website, whirlpoolcorp.com, in the "Investors" section. We also intend to update the Hot Topics Q&A portion of this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation
The excessive demand for employer-sponsored green cards under the EB-2 and EB-3 visa categories has resulted in prolonged waiting periods spanning decades for applicants from India and China, making EB-5 one of the fastest routes to U.S. permanent residence. EB-5 visa applicants can anticipate receiving their conditional green cards within approximately 24 months. Learn more about the EB-5 visa.

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act increased the popularity of the EB-5 program by introducing the concurrent filing of Adjustment of Status and Employment Authorization applications. These provisions enable H-1B visa professionals to reside and work in the United States while their EB-5 visa application awaits adjudication without employment sponsorship. The USCIS has demonstrated remarkable efficiency in issuing Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to EB-5 investors, with many receiving their EADs in fewer than 90 days.

The gravitation of H1-B visa holders to EB-5 reflects the advantages it offers H-1B professionals seeking permanent residency

Freedom from employment sponsorship within months of filing the EB-5 visa application

Prevents children from aging out once they reach 21 years of age

Greater access to jobs across the United States

Freedom to establish and operate one's own business

Eligibility for in-state university tuition

Eliminates the need for visa stamping to re-enter the United States

The EB-5 program offers a pathway to stability and growth for skilled immigrants and their families. Learn more about the advantages of EB-5 for H-1B visa holders .

Golden Gate Global has successfully raised over $750M of EB-5 capital from over 1,400 EB-5 investors. GGG enjoys a 100% USCIS project approval rate and has repaid more than $210M in investor capital to over 420 EB-5 investors. Learn about available EB-5 Projects .

Press Contact: Jane Baklashov [email protected]

SOURCE Golden Gate Global
The K-12 College and Career Readiness Program is Recognized by Peers as a Market Leader

TORONTO, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Xello, the award-winning K-12 college, career and future readiness program, was recognized as a 2024 SIIA CODiE Award Finalist in both the Best College and Career Readiness Solution and the Best Customer Experience in Ed Tech categories. CODiE Award Finalists represent the best products, services and people in the Education and Business Technology Industries. The SIIA CODiE Awards are the industry's only peer-recognized awards program.

"Being recognized as a CODiE Award Finalist in both of these categories is a tremendous honor, as we have been dedicated to helping students learn, explore and grow, both in and out of the classroom, for almost 30 years," said Matt McQuillen, CEO and Co-Founder, Xello. "Every student benefits from opportunities to create a successful future through understanding themselves, exploring the options they have available, and building the skills necessary to make their vision for the future become a reality. At Xello, we help students craft a vision for their future and develop a commitment to pursue that path, giving them a greater chance for future success."

Through the Xello platform, students in grades K-12 can build self-knowledge and explore options beyond high school. Using interest-based assessments, they are matched with careers that best reflect their interests, while educators monitor and support student progress and college applications. Built-in curriculum and reflective activities help students build social-emotional skills and knowledge that future employers value.

"We strive to create an exceptional experience for our customers through an award-winning design that engages and inspires students of all interests, skills and abilities  and we work hard to ensure that the educators leading those students have the tools they need to successfully implement our program," McQuillen said. "We recognize that within a complex network of relationships  between students and their families, teachers and school staff, colleges and community partners and employers  we must always prioritize our customers' experiences and give them a voice in our continuous improvement."

The SIIA CODiE Awards , the long-running, premier awards program for the software and information industries, are produced by the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software, education, media and digital content industries. Xello was selected as a finalist across dozens of Business Technology and Education Technology categories, among hundreds of nominations.

"The 2024 CODiE Award Finalists are a showcase of those products and individuals who have been identified by industry experts as being at the forefront of innovation," said Chris Mohr, SIIA President. "These finalists perpetuate the CODiEs' longstanding tradition of acknowledging the year's most influential products, services and leaders, thereby laying the groundwork for future innovators."

Details about each finalist are listed at https://siia.net/codie/2024-finalists . To learn more about Xello, please visit https://www.xello.world/en/ .

About Xello

Xello's mission is to help anyone, anywhere in the world create a successful future through self-knowledge, exploration and planning. With more than 20 years in the education software industry, the team at Xello has helped millions of educators and millions of students become future ready with its suite of online platforms. Beginning as a small three-person business, Xello's award-winning future readiness programs are now used globally by nearly eight million students and educators. To learn more about Xello's strategies and implementation options, contact Xello's team of Education Consultants .

About the SIIA CODiE Awards

The SIIA CODiE Awards is the only peer-reviewed program to celebrate the vision, talent, and advances in building quality products in the Tech Industry. Since 1986, thousands of products, services and solutions have been recognized for Leading Innovation and Achieving Excellence. For more information, visit https://siia.net/codie/ .

About Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA)

SIIA is the only professional organization connecting more than 700 data, financial information, education technology, specialized content and publishing, and connects learners and educators. Our diverse members manage the global financial markets, develop software that solves today's challenges through technology, provide critical information that helps inform global businesses large and small, and innovate for better communication across the information ecosystem.

SOURCE Xello Inc.
IRVING, Texas, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Xstim, Inc., a pioneering developer and manufacturer of cutting-edge bone growth stimulation systems, is thrilled to announce its recent Premarket Application (PMA) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Xstim Spine Fusion Stimulator. Engineered with patient comfort and convenience in mind, the Xstim Spine Fusion Stimulator represents a significant milestone in the company's product lineup of bone growth stimulators. This capacitively coupled device emits a low-energy signal clinically proven to promote bone healing after spinal fusion surgery1. Commercial availability of the Xstim device is slated for the second quarter of this year, with a targeted and phased launch plan in place to ensure widespread accessibility.

Xstim, Inc., announces its recent PMA approval from the FDA for Xstim Spine Fusion Stimulator. Post this Xstim Spine Fusion Stimulator

The Xstim device has been meticulously designed to prioritize patient ease of use and wearability, offering a noninvasive alternative for indicated cases. With its intuitive interface and sleek design, featuring a large onboard color display, the Xstim device streamlines patient therapy management.

Dr. Adam Bruggerman, MD, commented on the significance of Xstim, stating, "Bone healing following spinal fusion surgery is paramount to successful patient outcomes. The availability of non-invasive bone growth stimulation options like Xstim provides my patients with an invaluable advantage. Its sleek design ensures simple therapy management without the hassle of downloading and managing extra apps."

Jeremy Perkins, Chief Executive Officer of Xstim, Inc., expressed the company's commitment to enhancing spinal fusion rehabilitation standards, saying, "Xstim, Inc. is dedicated to empowering patients and surgeons to elevate the quality of care in spinal fusion rehabilitation. The introduction of the Xstim Spine Fusion Stimulator represents the beginning of our robust pipeline of bone growth stimulation innovations. We are poised to collaborate with healthcare providers and distribution partners to enhance bone fusion outcomes and elevate patient satisfaction. This FDA approval underscores our leadership in and dedication to the bone growth stimulation market."

About Xstim, Inc.

Xstim, Inc. is a progressive medical technology company dedicated to transforming bone growth stimulation solutions. Centered on innovation, patient well-being, and clinical effectiveness, its mission is to redefine the care benchmark in spinal fusion rehabilitation and beyond.

For prescribing information and more about Xstim, Inc., please visit www.xstimmed.com.

For Media Inquiries:

Tony Spyropouolos

[email protected]

References:

Goodwin CB, Brighton CT, Guyer RD, Johnson JR, Light KI, Yuan HA. A double-blind study of capacitively coupled electrical stimulation as an adjunct to lumbar spinal fusions. Spine. 1999;24(13):1349-1356.

SOURCE Xstim, Inc.
WILMINGTON, Del., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP is pleased to announce that we have increased our associate starting salary to $210,000, effective immediately. This decision reflects our commitment to attracting and retaining top legal talent for our clients and underscores our dedication to providing competitive compensation within the region.

"We are pleased to announce this salary increase, which will be implemented across all associate levels, as a testament to our firm's continued growth and dedication to associate satisfaction," said Bob Brady, Chairman of the Firm. "Young Conaway recognizes our attorneys are our most valuable asset, and we are committed to ensuring that their compensation reflects the sophisticated work they perform and their dedication to our clients."

Young Conaway has consistently been recognized as a top-tier firm in Bankruptcy, Corporate, Intellectual Property Litigation and Commercial Litigation matters among others. By offering competitive compensation packages, Young Conaway aims to not only attract the best talent, but also foster a culture of excellence and innovation within the organization. Young Conaway continues to offer a comprehensive benefits package, while maintaining a dynamic and inclusive professional environment with exceptional opportunities for training, experience, development and growth. We believe that investing in our associates' professional development and overall well-being is essential to supporting them in achieving both their professional and personal goals.

Prospective candidates interested in joining Young Conaway are encouraged to visit our website at www.youngconaway.com/careers to learn more about career opportunities.

About Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP

Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP counsels national and international clients, handling sophisticated advisory and litigation matters involving bankruptcy, intellectual property, corporate and alternative entity law. Young Conaway also guides regional businesses through a myriad of employment, education, real estate, tax, estate planning, and banking issues. Young Conaway maintains offices in Wilmington, Delaware, New York, New York, and Charlotte, North Carolina. For additional information, contact Marketing and Business Development Director Felicia Gojmerac at [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn @YoungConaway.

Media Contact:

Felicia Gojmerac

302-571-6600

[email protected]

SOURCE Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP
News / National

by Staff reporter

VILLAGERS in some parts of the country have appealed to the Zanu-PF leadership to rein in their local party leaders who are reportedly fleecing them of cash under the guise of raising funds for independence day celebrations this week.This year's national independence day commemorations will be held in Buhera district, but other celebrations will be conducted at district and provincial levels countrywide.This publication heard that some Zanu-PF district officials were demanding contributions of between US$1 and US$2 from grassroots supporters purportedly to buy food for the commemorations.It has also been established that some Zanu-PF officials had ordered village heads to collect the cash from the villagers on their behalf and villagers that try to resist are threatened with unspecified actions.It is said that the ruling party has since last week been holding meetings in districts at ward and cell levels to organise for the independence day celebrations where leaders demanded the contributions for the event from party supporters.A message sent by one village head (name supplied) in Domboshava near Harare to his subjects read: "Good afternoon. May I have your full names and national registration number. I want to submit the book to Goromonzi tomorrow."We want US$3 land tax fee and US$1 independence contribution)."A Domboshava villager said: "The cash for independence celebrations is not receipted and I am concerned about that."Money is scarce. I had reasoned with the village head that I would not go to the event because I can't afford the US$2, but he said it is a national event that ought to be supported by everyone regardless of attendance."Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said donating for the celebrations was voluntary.He urged villagers to report party members, who were forcing them to contribute to the police"There is actually a stampede among the businesspeople to support the event," Mutsvangwa said."The commemorations are well sponsored. We have created so many happy businesspeople, who are eager to support."They are making money because of the president, so they are ready to sponsor Zanu-PF activities."The president has received 10 cows for that event from Giant Mine in Chegutu."So many SMEs [small to medium enterprises] are ready to sponsor because they are happy with how they are making money."Over the years, Zanu-PF has been demanding contributions from civil servants, vendors and businesspeople to fund state programmes.Indications are that the money has been pocketed for personal use by party bigwigs.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A HARARE man was left counting his losses after he was alleged robbed by two sex workers.Samantha Moyo (22) and Tafadzwa Bandare (33) have since appeared in court facing charges of robbing Tinashe Gabilo from Msasa Park.They were remanded out of custody to May 2 by Harare magistrate Simon Kandiyero.State prosecutor Miriro Matavo alleged that on March 27, Gabilo approached Moyo at corner Nelson Mandela and 5th Street for sex around 8pm.Moyo took Gabilo to room number 31 Gail Court where they had some quality time together.Matova told the court that Moyo was paid US$10 for her services.However, Moyo demanded more and a dispute arose.She allegedly took Gabilo's laptop and cellphone as she demanded an extra US$50 for her services.The court heard that Bandare and her accomplice, who is still at large, suddenly entered the room and forcibly took Gailo's laptop and cellphone.They also took his wallet containing US$50 and gave him back his belongings and left .They were arrested the following day after the complainant filed a police report.
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Gandhinagar, April 16 : The Gujarat government has admitted 39,979 children into unaided private primary schools in the first round of admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

According to the Deputy Director of Primary Education, the state facilitated these admissions by ensuring 25 per cent of the seats in Grade 1 across 9,828 unaided private schools were reserved under the RTE.

Parents of prospective students were informed via SMS to confirm their child's admission by April 22. The online application process saw 2,35,387 applications, with 1,72,675 approved and 47,393 withdrawn by the applicants. Around 15,319 applications were rejected due to incomplete documentation, the official said.

As the first round of admissions closed, 5,191 seats remained unfilled, primarily due to the applicants' absence of suitable school choices. The state has made provisions to offer these vacancies to other eligible children in subsequent rounds.

Officials informed that the initiative is part of the state's ongoing efforts to integrate children from weaker and disadvantaged groups into unaided private primary schools.
Gaza, April 16 : Israel is seeking a ceasefire agreement with Hamas to secure the release of its hostages before resuming military operations in the Gaza Strip, Ezzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas' political bureau, has said.

Al-Rishq said on Monday that Israel wanted "a temporary agreement to release its prisoners, in order to resume war and extermination thereafter", Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement.

Noting that the attempts by Israel to release its hostages "by force have failed", the Hamas official stressed that "there is no alternative to a real deal with the resistance."

He emphasized that a permanent cessation of firing is the only guarantee to protect the Palestinian people "and to stop the bloodshed and massacres," adding that Hamas adheres to its position represented by the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army and the return of displaced persons to their homes freely.

Qatar and Egypt, along with the United States, are mediating a deal between Hamas and Israel to exchange prisoners and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel estimated that there were still about 134 Israelis held hostage in Gaza, whereas Hamas announced that 70 of them had been killed in Israeli airstrikes.

More than 9,000 Palestinians were held in Israeli prisons, with some having died since the onset of the conflict in Gaza on October 7, 2023, according to HaMoked, an Israeli human rights group.
Washington, April 16 : US President Joe Biden has reiterated his country's commitment to Israel's security, underscoring as well the need to contain the conflict from further spreading.

"The United States is committed to Israel's security. We're committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading beyond what it already has," Biden said as he sat side-by-side with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday.

These were Biden's first public remarks since Iran launched a large-scale retaliatory attack against Israel on Saturday, in which most of the missiles and drones used were intercepted -- mainly by Israeli and US forces, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Biden administration has been trying to prevent a wider regional war that the Iranian attack and a potential Israeli military response would otherwise lead to.

"We're also committed to the security of our personnel and partners in the region, including Iraq," Biden said.

"The partnership between Iraq and the US is critical," he added.
Sydney, April 16 : Australian police are treating a stabbing at a Sydney church as a terrorist attack, New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said on Tuesday.

Police were called to Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, western Sydney, on Monday evening, following reports of a stabbing where two people had been injured, Webb said.

A 16-year-old boy, who had been restrained by members of the public, was arrested by police.

Webb said the boy allegedly made comments as he launched the attack. "After consideration of all the material, I declared that it was a terrorist incident."

The boy was taken to hospital where he remained under police guard. He had undergone surgery for injuries sustained during the alleged attack.

While police were responding to the incident, a large crowd gathered outside the church, Webb said.

Projectiles were thrown at officers, with a number of injured and hospitalized, she said.

"This is unacceptable. Police attended the incident in Wakeley last night to assist that community in response to calls for assistance, and the crowd turned on police," Webb said.

The attack came two days after six people were killed and dozens injured in a stabbing at a Sydney shopping centre. Police said that the attack was carried out by a man suffering poor mental health and was not thought to be terror-related.

--IANS/DPA

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Day of Hamas attack will be remembered as the day its complete destruction began: Israeli Defence Minister (IANS FROM ISRAEL). Image Source: IANS News

Tel Aviv, April 16 : Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has discussed further action in Rafah with representatives of his ministry and the Israeli COGAT authority which oversees contacts with the Palestinians and aid.

They focused on the evacuation of civilians from Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip and the expansion of food and medicine deliveries, according to the government press office.

More than a million people have fled to Rafah from attacks throughout the densely populated strip and there are growing concerns that Israel's planned offensive in Rafah could lead to mass civilian casualties.

Before Iran unleashed its attack on Israel last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had set a date for an offensive in Rafah, though Gallant contradicted this shortly afterwards.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with the Emir of Qatar and called for increased cooperation between Muslim countries in view of the war in Gaza, his office said.

These countries must increase their efforts to stop Israel's "brutal attacks" in the Gaza Strip and to hold the country accountable for "crimes against humanity," according to a statement from the presidential office.

Erdogan told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani it was crucial to exert a restraining influence on Israel and to act with common sense in order to prevent the spread of tensions in the region.

Relations between Israel and Turkey massively deteriorated after the start of the Gaza war following the massacre by the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas in Israel in October. Erdogan has harshly criticized Israel's military action in Gaza, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of committing a "massacre," charges Israel rejects.

The Turkish government maintains links with Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. Unlike some European countries and the US, Turkey does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.

In the attack by Hamas and other Palestinian militants on the Israeli border area on October 7, 2023, more than 1,200 people were killed and around 200 people were abducted to the Gaza Strip.

More than 33,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, according to health officials in the Hamas-led region.

--IANS/DPA

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Mumbai, April 16 : In a major breakthrough, the Mumbai Police have arrested two persons allegedly involved in the firing incident outside the residence of Bollywood actor Salman Khan from Gujarat, early on Tuesday, official sources said.

The duo a" tracked and caught within 48 hours - is being brought to Mumbai later today and shall be produced before a court for remand.

They were traced to a location in Bhuj, Gujarat, where they had fled after firing at least four bullets at Salman Khan's home in Galaxy Apartments in Bandra West around 5 a.m. on April 14.

Earlier on Monday, the Navi Mumbai Police had detained two persons connected with the motorbike bearing a Raigad registration number used by the shooters.

The motorcycle, with a Raigad registration number plate as seen in the CCTV footage, is being probed to ascertain whether it was sold by someone, missing or stolen.

The police, which had formed 15 probe teams, are also checking if there could be any threats to the shootout in Raigad, where the Khan family has a sprawling farmhouse in Panvel.

Hours after the Sunday shooting, Anmol Bishnoi a" the brother of the notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi a" had claimed responsibility for the attack in a chilling social media post.

He termed the firing incident as the 'first and last warning' for Salman Khan and ominously decreed that the next time "the bullets won't be fired at walls or an empty home", indicating the actor would be directly targeted for a hit.

"Salman Khan, this is just to show you a trailer, to make you understand our power and not to test our patience furthera This is the first and final warning to you," said the rattling post.

For the past several years, Salman Khan and his family have been facing death threats from certain Punjab-based mafia groups like the Bishnoi gang after the 1998 blackbuck poaching incident in Rajasthan.

During the past two years, the actor and his father Salim Khan have been issued death threats in different ways, including dropping a letter to the family.
Azamgarh : , April 16 (IANS) The Azamgarh police have started probing the death of Alok Kumar Singh, 43, who was posted in Ghazipur district as Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM).

He was found hanging at his ancestral house in Budhanpur town of Azamgarh district.

"We are probing the matter from all angles," said the police spokesman and added that they were waiting for the post-mortem report.

Police said Singh was suffering from depression since the death of his wife last year.

He was a PCS officer of the 2003 batch and was looking after the work of the executive officer at Ghazipur municipality.

He was on leave for the last 15 days and had come to his native village. According to his father, Kripa Shankar Singh, the officer, who has two daughters, was alone at home. The family members reported the matter to the police. The body has been sent for a post-mortem.

Further investigation into this connection is underway. No suicide note has been found.
Gorakhpur : , April 16 (IANS) Pakistani national Mohammad Masroor a.k.a Mansoor Ahmad Guddu, 43, is all set to be repatriated to Pakistan.

He was convicted of visa violation in 2013 and is currently lodged in Gorakhpur jail.

Mohammad Masroor has obtained a no-objection certificate from the Ministry of External Affairs, according to Gorakhpur jail superintendent Dileep Pandey.

Pandey mentioned that Masroor has served the maximum 15-year sentence for the visa violation, and the jail authorities have communicated with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to initiate the necessary legal procedures and make the final decision regarding his release.

Masroor was arrested by Bahraich police in 2009 while attempting to enter India through the porous India-Nepal border in the district.

Following interrogation, the police filed a charge sheet against Masroor for espionage, violating passport and visa regulations, and also planning an attack on India in 2010.
Mandi, April 16 : In a unique electoral showdown in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi parliamentary constituency, the battleground shifts between "royalty" and "stardom", as Congress legislator Vikramaditya Singh, the scion of the erstwhile royal family, challenges Bollywood's queen, Kangana Ranaut.

Amidst the clash of heritage and stardom, the sprawling constituency, one of the toughest and covers almost two-thirds of the state, braces for a riveting electoral spectacle.

This seat is currently represented by Pratibha Singh, the mother of Vikramaditya who belongs to the erstwhile royal family of Keonthal state. She's a three-time MP from Mandi.

She declined to re-enter the fray, saying senior party leaders had proposed Vikramaditya's name as they were of the opinion that "he's young, energetic and a good orator with influence over the youth and will be a good competitor for Kangana".

Political observers told IANS: "Kangana, who too belongs to the hill state, has a slight edge over Vikramaditya, who largely banks on his rich family political legacy, as she started her election campaign much ahead of the main archrival. The latter's candidature was cleared on April 13. Before that, there was only a war of words between them that got personal and dirty too -- like 'chotta Pappu' and 'beef eater'."

Two-time legislator Vikramaditya, 35, who describes Kangana, 37, as his "badi behan" (elder sister), is the Public Works Minister in the state government led by Sukhvinder Sukhu, while Kangana is making her political debut.

Mandi is the home district of BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur, the first Himachal Chief Minister from Mandi. In most of the election meetings and during campaigning, he's accompanying Kangana.

"This is a battle of prestige for Jai Ram Thakur as he has to establish his credibility by ensuring the victory of the BJP candidate, who is a greenhorn and caught in a straight fight with a seasoned politician family which commands respect in the entire state," a political observer told IANS.

Thakur contested the assembly election in 1998 and since then, consecutively won all the six assembly elections with a huge margin. However, he lost the Mandi parliamentary by-poll to Virbhadra Singh's wife Pratibha Singh by 1.36 lakh votes in 2013. Earlier, the seat was represented by Pratibha Singhas husband, who resigned following his election to the state assembly in December 2012.

Mandi had remained a political battleground for long for Congress veteran and six-time chief minister Virbhadra Singh, the father of Vikramaditya. After making it to the Lok Sabha for the first time by winning the Mahasu parliamentary seat in 1962 and then again in 1967, Virbhadra Singh switched to the Mandi in 1971 and registered a win. He, however, lost the seat in 1977 but was again elected from the constituency in 1980 and later in 2009.

Mandi is also the lone seat where the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is also in the fray.

Kangana belongs to Bhambla village near Hamirpur town, some 200 km from the state capital Shimla. She owns a cottage in the picturesque tourist resort Manali, which is part of the Mandi parliamentary constituency.

In his election meetings, former Chief Minister Thakur, whose focus is currently to ensure win of the Mandi seat, is often quoted as saying, "Kangana is the daughter of Mandi, which is called Chhoti Kashi. She has brought glory to Himachal and Mandi in the film industry."

For Thakur, who rose from the ranks and is known for his humble and low-profile stature, it is a do-or-die battle to won the Mandi seat and that too with the highest margin in the state, admitted a senior BJP leader, saying "that is why he's devoting most of his time in Mandi in comparison to three other seats to ensure the maximum lead".

Besides the Mandi seat, which includes Kullu, Mandi and some areas of Chamba and Shimla districts, besides the tribal-dominated Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti, the other three constituencies in the state are Shimla (reserved), Kangra and Hamirpur, which will go to the polls on June 1.

Historically, the Mandi constituency has favoured scions of erstwhile princely states, electing "royals" in 13 out of 19 elections, including two bypolls since 1952.

In the 2021 Mandi by-poll, necessitated by the death of Ram Swaroop Sharma, the BJP had pitted Brigadier Khushal Thakur (retired), a decorated officer who played a crucial in the 1999 Kargil war, against Pratibha Singh, who won the seat largely in the sympathy wave after the passing away of her husband, Virbhadra Singh.

With the electorate, traditionally in the Lok Sabha polls, favouring the party at the helm in the state, these elections are being seen as a referendum on Himachal Pradeshas 16-month-old Congress government.

The Congress wrested the state from the BJP in December 2022, winning 40 seats in the 68-member Assembly, reducing the BJP to 25.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

THE SECOND Republic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been challenged to return the Home Affairs ministry to Zapu in honour of the unity accord that was signed by late former Vice President Joshua Nkomo and late former President Robert Mugabe in 1987.At the inception of the unity accord the tradition that prevailed until the end of Mugabe's reign was that the second Vice President, home affairs ministry, and Zanu PF chairmanship were held by former Zapu members.However, since the ouster of Mugabe, Mnangagwa's administration has quashed the agreement as the Zanu PF chairman ship and the home affairs ministry are now being led by Zanu PF side officials, a development that has destroyed the unity accord elements.Only the second vice president position is currently held by Kembo Mohadi, a former Zapu member.Outspoken Zipra cadre Max Mkandla said as the nation celebrates the indep-dnence day that was attained in 1980 after a protracted liberation struggle, the Mnangagwa government must not forget to revert to the agreement that the two liberation movements namely Zapu and Zanu signed in 1987 by re ap[pointing members of Zapu to the strategic p[olitical positions.For the unit accord, the second republic must revert to what was agreed, that the home affairs be given back to the Zapu members. It is sad that our police are now having no resources because the current minister Kazembe Kazembe is not visiting provinces to meet the police officers. He only relies on commanders butthe juniors are suffering, they have no uniforms, no baton sticks, they lack many resources," he said."There is a crisis within our police service. So the minister responsible must be seen representing the police and this must start from the government following the 1987 unity accord."Mkandla hailed all the Zimbabweans who are alive, mostly the war veterans who survived several wars such as the liberation struggle, Gukurahundi, wars in Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique among others.He congratulated them for escaping death during these hard times as the country attained 44 years of independence from colonial rule.The country celebrates independence on 18 April and this year it's on Thursday.
Seoul, April 16 : South Korea on Tuesday expressed its strong opposition towards Japan after the latter released an annual diplomatic report that reasserted its territorial claims over the easternmost islets of Dokdo.

The dispute over the sovereignty of Dokdo has been a longstanding issue between the two countries, and this recent move by Japan has only escalated the tension between them.

To protest the report, South Korea's foreign ministry called in Taisuke Mibae, the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Yonhap news agency reported.

The claim, strongly disputed by South Korea, which has long maintained effective control of Dokdo with the permanent stationing of security personnel there, was included in the 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook that was reported to the Cabinet by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

In this year's report, Japan continued to claim that Dokdo is Japanese territory historically and under international law, and that South Korea is carrying on with an "illegal occupation" of the area.

"The government strongly protests against the Japanese government's repeated unfair territorial claims over Dokdo, which is clearly our own territory historically, geographically and under international law, as announced in its Diplomatic Bluebook released on April 16, and urges (Japan) to withdraw it immediately," foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a commentary.

Lim added that such claims by Japan have no impact whatsoever on South Korea's sovereignty over the islets, which are Korea's inherent territory.

South Korea has long maintained the position that Dokdo is an integral part of Korean territory historically, geographically and under international law.

In the report, Japan again took issue with the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling that ordered Japanese companies to compensate South Koreans forced into wartime labor during Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule.
Shillong, April 16 : The introduction of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country, as promised by the BJP in its election manifesto, will affect the matrilineal social structure in Meghalaya, claimed Congress MP Vincent Pala, who is seeking re-election from the Shillong Lok Sabha seat.

In an interview with IANS here, he said Meghalaya's culture is different from the rest of the country, where women have a dominant role in society.

"We have separate structures for marriage, divorce, etc. In this way, the Christian system is very different from Hinduism. But if the Central government implements a uniform civil code throughout the country, then Meghalaya will definitely face issues in the coming days," Pala said.

He also mentioned that the hill state of the northeast may witness strong resistance from its society against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

The Congress MP, however, turned down the chances of any protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Meghalaya.

"CAA was implemented in the whole country after it was passed in Parliament. Although the major portion of Meghalaya is excluded from the CAA, I believe that once a law is passed in Parliament and implemented, there is no point in talking about it," he said.

On whether the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system should be introduced in Meghalaya, Pala reacted, "The Central government has not said anything about the ILP in Meghalaya. The state government is not authorised to introduce this system. So, we have to wait for the Centre's take on ILP."

The Congress MP termed the ruling National People's Party (NPP) as corrupt and had looted the government money.

He alleged, "NPP has siphoned off the public money from Meghalaya to fund the party in other states of the northeast like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, etc. People have seen that cash was seized from Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma's convoy. This is proof of how the NPP has been using government funds to expand their party base, which is very unfortunate."

Pala also said that there are check gates in the state, and money is being collected if people are either taking or bringing any goods to the state.

"If you buy something in Meghalaya and take it to Assam and other places, you have to pay money at those gates. Even if you are bringing any goods to Meghalaya, the same system of paying money must be followed. This is a pure example of corruption," he argued.

Vincent Pala has been winning the Shillong Lok Sabha seat since 2009. He was made a Union Minister of State during the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government at the Centre. The Congress leader is looking for a straight fourth-time win in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Political watchers believe that anti-incumbency will be a factor against Pala this time. However, he dismissed the factor, saying that this would not be a big issue in the election.

"People have seen my development work through the years. The current dispensation in Meghalaya has failed to bring any infrastructural push to the state. But during the Congress period, airports and many other projects were built," Shillong MP said.

Pala also said that if he is voted to power for the fourth time, he will take new initiatives to bring infrastructural projects to the state along with the development of tourism.

Polling for two Lok Sabha seats in Meghalaya will take place on April 19. The NPP has fielded state Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh against Vincent Pala in the Shillong Lok Sabha seat.
Mumbai, April 16 : The makers of the upcoming Aayush Sharma-starrer 'Ruslaan' have planned a nationwide 'Roar Of Ruslaan India Tour'. The tour, which is scheduled to be flagged off on April 17, will cover major Indian cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Noida, and Indore.

The film's team is planning to be everywhere to meet fans in person as they will visit seven cities in seven days.

Talking about the upcoming tour, Aayush said: "The 'Ruslaan' tour is more than just a series of eventsit's an opportunity for us to connect with audiences from all walks of life. As we travel from Ahmedabad to Kolkata and everywhere in between, we're excited to bring the magic of Ruslaan directly to the people. These city tours allow us to engage with fans on a personal level and share our passion for the film in a way that transcends screens. It's a chance to celebrate cinema, culture, and community, and I can't wait to see the impact it has on audiences across the board."

Director Karan L. Butani added: "In an era dominated by social media, there's something special about connecting with audiences in person. Meeting people, grooving to the film's music, and mouthing dialogues togetherit's the most enjoyable aspect of promotions for me. While digital platforms have their place, nothing beats the personal connection forged during face-to-face interactions."

'Ruslaan' also stars Sushrii Mishraa, Jagapathi Babu and Vidya Malvade.

Produced by K. K. Radhamohan of Sri Sathya Sai Arts, and directed by Karan L. Butani, the film is all set to release on April 26.
Hyderabad, April 16 : The body of Mohammed Abdul Arfath, a 25-year-old student, who was found dead in a lake in Cleveland, US last week after being missing since March 7, has been brought to his residence in Nacharam near Hyderabad late on Monday night.

Abdul Arfath, who was pursuing master's degree in Information Technology at Cleveland University, Ohio, has not been in touch with the family since March 7 and his family here had received a ransom call.

The Consulate General of India in New York had announced on April 9 that the student was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio.

AIMIM MLC Mirza Rahmat Baig completed the paperwork and received the body at the Airport. The body was later shifted to Arfathas residence in Medchal Malkajgiri district near Hyderabad. The last rites will be performed on Tuesday.

AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi had earlier spoken to Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and also wrote a letter to the Consulate General of India in New York for necessary assistance in finding Abdul Arfath.

Arfath went to the US in May 2023 to pursue a Masters in IT from Cleveland University. His family claims he has not spoken to them since March 7.

Arfathas father Mohammed Saleem had received a call on March 17 from an unidentified person, who claimed that Arfath had been kidnapped allegedly by a gang selling drugs and demanded USD 1,200 to release him.

The caller threatened to sell Arfathas kidneys if the ransom wasnat paid. Saleem had informed his relatives in the US, who filed a missing complaint with the Cleveland police. The police had issued a watch order.

The family wrote to the Indian Consulate in Chicago on March 18 to help trace Arfath.

Arfath had reportedly left his home at Reserve Square on March 5 and had not returned.

The studentas body was found in a lake in Cleveland in a decomposed state on April 8. The body was recovered after police launched an investigation into a bag containing a laptop and ID cards found by a jogger.

Cleveland police are investigating the cause of the death.
Bengaluru, April 16 : The Tumakuru Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka will witness a fight between two veterans.

The win here is crucial for both BJP's V. Somanna, a Lingayat and Congress' S.P. Muddahanumegowda, a Vokkaliga.

Since the seat is dominated by the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, the results are keenly awaited as it would indicate how far both communities have accepted the BJP and JD(S) alliance.

It would also determine the mood of the Vokkaliga community, for which former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's family and Deputy CM and Congress' state President D.K. Shivakumar have indulged in a bitter fight.

This is a do-or-die election for 73-year-old Somanna, known for organisational skills. He is one of the top leaders of the Lingayat community, who broke the jinx of caste politics by winning the Vijayanagar and Govindarajanagar constituencies of Bengaluru which is dominated by Vokkaligas.

Somanna got the ticket amid controversy after former Minister J.C. Madhuswamy lobbied for the ticket. A campaign was also run against Somanna for being an outsider for the seat.

Somanna was asked to contest against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Varuna Assembly seat by the party in the 2023 Assembly elections. He also contested the Chamarajanagar Assembly seat and lost both. Hence, a victory here is crucial for him.

Congress candidate Muddahanumegowda, known for his friendly nature and organisational skills, is supported by DyCM Shivakumar. Gowda had returned to the Congress party from BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. He had joined the BJP before the 2023 Assembly polls.

In 2019, Muddahanumegowda was asked to vacate his Lok Sabha seat for the then Congress-JD(S) alliance candidate, former PM H.D. Deve Gowda. He was elected as an MLA from the party twice and also held the post of President of the Tumakuru District Congress party.

Muddahanumegowda has been attacking the BJP candidate, Somanna, saying that he is an outsider and the people should not vote for him. He is confident that guarantee schemes, his personal connect and the leadership of CM Siddaramaiah and DyCM Shivakumar would fetch votes for him.

Somanna has served as an MLA for five terms and he was elected MLC twice. He was brought to the BJP by Yediyurappa from the Congress party. Somanna distanced himself from Yediyurappa some time ago, but ahead of the Lok Sabha election, both leaders patched up again.

The constituency comprises Chikkanayakanahalli, Tiptur, Turuvekere, Tumakuru City, Tumakuru Rural, Koratagere, Gubbi and Madhugiri Assembly segments. The Congress has won four seats. BJP and JD(S) have won two seats each. Minister for Home Dr. G. Parameshwara represents the Koratagere constituency and Minister for Cooperation K.N. Rajanna represents the Madhugiri Assembly segment.

Home Minister Parameshwara himself had indicated that those ministers who fail to ensure the victory of candidates might lose their position. Minister K.N. Rajanna has openly supported the creation of more DyCM posts in the state much to the chagrin of Shivakumar. He also stated that if all the CM is changed in the state, Home Minister Parameshwara, who hails from the Dalit community should be made the CM.

Shivakumar and Somanna hail from the Kanakapura region and share a good bondage.

Sources said that caste plays a major role in the constituency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wave is also seen. Since most of the district comprises dry land and social indicators are low, the poor masses, beneficiaries of guarantee schemes are likely to support the Congress party. The alliance with JD(S) will come in aide for the BJP here.

Vokkaligas and Lingayats constitute major chunks of voters (four lakh each) followed by SC, Muslims and Kurubas (2.5 lakh each) and Golla (1.3 lakh).
Lucknow, April 16 : Almost a fortnight after three school children and a bus conductor who had come for an educational trip to Lucknow died in an accident in Barabanki, the Education Department has suspended Gyanesh Kumar Verma, Principal in-charge of Composite School, Suratganj, for failing at his responsibilities.

As many as 15 children were also injured in the accident on April 2.

The suspension notice issued by the district Basic Education officer Santosh Kumar Dev Pandey stated that Verma has been prima facie found guilty of not fulfilling his responsibilities.

"His suspension comes following investigations carried out by our office," Pandey said on Tuesday.

A four-member committee under the Basic Education Director has also been formed to probe the incident.

According to Pandey, Verma who was on an educational trip to Lucknow along with 42 students and five teachers left the bus before children reached their homes.

The accident took place after the bus carrying students and school staff encountered a high-speed motorcycle during its return near Salarpur village in Dewa block of Barabanki, prompting the driver to avoid a collision.

Highlighting the laxity of the in-charge Principal, the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) in his notice stated that Verma did not even bother to reach the site of incident, nor inform the departmental officials of the accident.

Verma also did not apprise the BSA office of any educational excursion to Lucknow zoo and regional science city.

Verma has been attached to Block Resource Centre (BRC), Suratganj.

Further investigations in his case will be carried out by the block education officer, Dariyabad.
Washington, April 16 : US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has said that India is the world's largest democracy and an important strategic partner of Washington.

His remarks came while answering a question on recent reports critical of the Indian government ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the country.

Replying to a question raising concern on alleged "democratic backsliding in India" on Monday, he said, "India is the world's largest democracy, it is an important strategic partner of the United States, and I expect that to remain true."

In January, US state secretary Antony Blinken had hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the latter's policy and programmes have benefitted people and ally countries.

The bilateral relationship between the nations saw some unease after the US State Department, said that the US is closely following the reports of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

CM Kejriwal was arrested in connection with a corruption case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.

Taking a strong exception to the comments of the US State Department, India had said, "We take strong objection to the remarks of the Spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India. In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in the case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents."

"India's legal processes are based on an independent judiciary that is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted," the MEA said.
Bengaluru, April 16 : The probe in the Rameshwaram cafe blast case has revealed that the initial plan of the terrorists was to explode a bomb on the premises of an IT park in the tech corridor of Bengaluru city, sources said on Tuesday.

The arrested men have also confessed that because of the high security, they could not plant the bomb on the premises of the IT parks.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested suspected bomber Mussavir Hussain Shazib and mastermind Abdul Matheen Taha recently in Kolkata.

Sources said that the suspected terrorists wanted to target one of the IT parks in the Whitefield IT corridor initially to hit the image of Bengaluru known as the IT capital of the country and draw international attention.

The most prestigious and one of the oldest International Tech Park Bengaluru (ITPB) campus in Bengaluru is located in Whitefield. Thousands of software professionals work here and it is considered an icon of Indiaas IT success story.

Many more IT companies and IT parks are located in the region. However, as the safety and vigilance levels are like that of the international level in ITPB and other tech parks, the suspected terrorists could not plant bombs in any of them. The sources said that the suspected terrorists also conducted research to plant bombs in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) of major cities in the country.

The suspected terrorists wanted to target techies and create terror in the mindsets of software professionals. The accused knew that such an incident would dent the image of the country at a global level.

After failing to sneak inside the IT parks, the suspected terrorists worked on a plan to target techies. The Rameshwaram cafe drew their attention as it was located in the tech corridor Brookfield locality in Whitefield. The name aRama in Rameshwaram cafe also drew their attention and was one of the reasons to target the cafe. A large number of techies visit the cafe and terrorists decided to plant the bomb there, sources explained.

The suspected terrorist Mussavir had visited the cafe on March 1 and planted the low-intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the premises. Several staff members were injured, some of them grievously, in the blast, which caused extensive damage to the property.
Los Angeles, April 16 : Hollywood star Henry Cavill will soon become a dad. The 'Man of Steel' actor and his girlfriend Natalie Viscuso are expecting their first baby.

The 'Justice League' star shared the exciting news at the New York City premiere of 'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare', reports People magazine.

He told Access Hollywood: "I'm very excited about it. Natalie and I are both very excited about it. I'm sure you'll see much more of that."

Before the interview wrapped, the reporter added that the movie star will make "a great dad."

"Thank you," he replied with a smile.

As per People, the couple was spotted out and about in New York City on Sunday, April 14. Viscuso wore a fitted black dress and coordinating boots while holding hands with her beau, who wore a blue jacket over a tan-coloured t-shirt and blue trousers, as well as black shoes.

In January, Cavill and his girlfriend of more than two years stepped out at the London premiere of the actor's movie 'Argylle'. The star wore a dark blue suit with black buttons and black shoes for the occasion, while Viscuso opted for a floor-length white gown and matching shoes.

She also wore an equally long white-and-gold coat with horizontal stripes over the dress. Cavill and Viscuso went official on Instagram in April 2021 when they each shared a photo of themselves playing chess together to their respective profiles.
Mumbai, April 16 : One-third of high-confidence customers in India have limited knowledge about their digital loans, and lack understanding on how to detect illegal lending apps, finds a report on Tuesday.

The report by the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) shares insights from a customer survey conducted between December, 2023 and January, 2024 to systematically understand gaps in users' approaches and knowledge about Digital Lending Applications (DLAs) in India and drive action to address them.

Almost all customers know the lender's name, but less than a third know about the key fact statement and grievance redressal mechanism.

Over 57 per cent of respondents reported checking the loan app's affiliation with NBFC or Bank as the most crucial verification factor, while 55 per cent said they consider reviews and ratings.

Over three-fourths of users noted that they ignore downloads and data-sharing metrics when deciding about lending apps.

"Unscrupulous players hit the very core of the market, that is, customer trust for digital loans, harming customers and damaging the reputation of responsible digital lenders. We note that users are aware of downloading apps from the Play Store and checking the app's partnership with NBFCs/Banks, ratings, and reviews," said Sugandh Saxena, CEO at FACE.

"However, the study informs us about significant gaps in the customer tool kit and behavioural biases, making them vulnerable to being tricked by illegal loan apps. As we work towards a safe loan app ecosystem for customers, the insights from the report will inform our effective actions to focus on aspects that customers overlook and break behavioural disposition," she added.

Further, the report showed that digital marketing through social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube triggers purchases, followed by word of mouth and product ratings. However, female users showed slightly better awareness of the loan product, the report said.

The Reserve Bank RBI cautions against fraud in the name of KYC updation. It advises against sharing KYC documents or copies of KYC documents with unknown or unidentified individuals or organisations. Earlier, Google suspended or removed over 2,500 fraudulent loan apps from its Play Store between April 2021 and July 2022.
New Delhi, April 16 : India bears a significant burden of oral cancers, and the country contributes to about 30 per cent of all global cases, said doctors on Tuesday.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

Also known as mouth cancer, the disease is the most common form of head and neck cancer and includes cancers of the mouth and the back of the throat.

Traditionally known to affect older adults, the disease is seeing an early onset, Dr. Sowrabh Arora, Senior Director - Surgical Oncology (Head & Neck), Max Hospital, Vaishali, told IANS.

"Oral cancer is a significant health concern in India, ranking as the second most common cancer overall and the most common among males.

Annually, there are over 100,000 new cases diagnosed. One emerging trend is the increasing incidence of oral cancer among young adults," he said.

"Alarmingly, the incidence of oral cancer is on the rise, with approximately 70 per cent of cases diagnosed at an advanced stage, complicating treatment efforts," added Dr. Mohit Saxena, Senior Consultant - Medical Oncology, Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurugram.

The doctors attributed the rise to the use of tobacco, chewing betel nuts, or smoke, accounting for 80-90 per cent of cases.

Other contributing factors include excessive alcohol consumption, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, weakened immune system, poor nutrition, excess body weight, and excessive sun exposure.

"This highlights the pressing need for awareness campaigns and preventive measures to curb the rising prevalence of oral cancer, particularly among the younger population, and to address the root causes," Dr. Sowrabh said.

The doctors also advised to be vigilant of symptoms to help in crucial early detection and better outcomes.

"Recognising the symptoms of oral cancer is crucial for early detection and intervention. These include persistent mouth ulcers, red or white patches, intraoral swelling or lumps, difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness of voice, neck or throat swelling, and unexplained weight loss," Dr Mohit told IANS.

He also called for prevention strategies such as abstaining from tobacco, and alcohol, practising safe sex to minimise HPV exposure, using sunscreen to protect against sun damage, and undergoing regular oral screenings for early detection.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 16 : Election campaigning has picked up in Kerala now after a slow start, as the leaders of the big three parties contesting in the state are taking on one another.

Kerala goes to the polls on April 26 to elect 20 new Lok Sabha members.

The big three  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress stalwart and Wayanad sitting Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, were in top gear on Monday.

The three star campaigners for their parties did what they do best; attack each other in order to impress not just their voter base but the fence sitters, who eventually turn the deciding factor.

PM Modi appears to have come to terms with reality and did not speak about the numbers.

Before this, whenever PM Modi came to Kerala, starting from early this year, he always asserted that this time the BJP-led NDA would get seats in double digits.

On Monday, when he addressed mammoth election rallies at Trissur and at the state capital, PM Modi was quiet about the numbers and requested voters in Kerala to help him by sending their candidates to Delhi to help him run the country for the next five years.

To add force to his requests, PM Modi went hammer and tongs against CM Vijayan more than the Congress.

PM Modi slammed CM Vijayan, his daughter for corrupt deals and a section of the CPI(M) for robbing the poor by running away with their deposits in cooperative banks run by it.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who for the first time went around parts of his constituency spread over three districts of the state, accused PM Modi of dividing the country besides harping on one leader, one religion and one language.

Attacking the Kerala Chief Minister, Rahul Gandhi asked why Vijayan was attacking him and not PM Modi.

Rahul Gandhi also questioned why the BJP had jailed two non-BJP Chief Ministers and allowed CM Vijayan to go scot-free.

Unsettled by his political opponent's remarks, CM Vijayan said all what PM Modi said should be taken with a pinch of salt as it is baseless and the BJP-led NDA will not even end up in second place in all 20 constituencies.

"I have been to 13 constituencies and this time the result for the Left will be totally different to what happened in 2019. The voters will teach the Congress-led UDF a lesson and place the BJP in third place," said CM Vijayan.

In the 2019 polls, the UDF won 19 seats, the Left got one and the BJP finished second just in Thiruvananthapuram and a distant third in rest of the seats.
Mumbai, April 16 : All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) MP from Maharashtra Saket Gokhale has trained guns at the Indian Ambassador to Cambodia, Devyani Khobragade for dressing up as 'Apsara' for the host country's New Year last weekend.

Khobragade, a career diplomat for 25 years, dressed up as the celestial danceuse 'Apsara' in the traditional Khmer attire for the Cambodian New Year celebrations (April 13) three days ago.

The Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh described Devyani's gesture as a cultural outreach arising out of her "deep admiration for Khmer culture".

"Ambassador Devyani Khobragade has a deep admiration for Khmer culture and tradition. Embracing the spirit of Khmer New Year, she elegantly dressed as a Khmer Apsara, embodying the rich bond of our civilisations," said the Indian mission in a social media post.

Not amused, Gokhale, 37, has termed it as "the pathetic condition of India's foreign affairs under Dr. S. Jaishankar" and the Ambassador (Dr. Khobragade) is "shamlessly busy with fancy dress".

"Over 5,000 Indians are currently trapped in Cambodia and kept hostage by traffickers. But what's the Indian Ambassador there doing? Playing fancy dress by 'dressing up as an Apsara' and doing photo shoots. Is this the value of Indian lives abroad," asked Gokhale, who hails from Mira Road town in Thane.

A medico-turned-IFS officer (1999), a Yoga expert and an athlete, Khobragade, who was born in Palghar's Tarapur town, is no stranger to controversies.

In 2013, when she served as the Deputy Consul-General of India in New York, she was accused of an alleged visa fraud that led to a huge diplomatic spat between the world's two most exemplary democracies.

Daughter of a senior retired IAS officer from Maharashtra, Uttam Khobragade, who hails from Gadchiroli, Devyani Khobragade was appointed Indian Ambassador to Cambodia in 2020.

The Khobragades' name had also cropped up in the infamous Adarsh Society scam which erupted in 2003 and led to the resignation of an ex-Congress chief minister Ashok Chavan, currently a Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP.
New Delhi, April 16 : Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) on Tuesday unveiled its 'Made in India' servers which are now being deployed at large scale to serve the growing demands of customers in the country.

In July last year, HPE announced its 'Make in India' plan to manufacture approximately $1 billion worth of high-volume servers in the first five years of production.

"We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the government and the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY). Their vision in introducing the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programme has been instrumental in encouraging OEMs like us to establish a manufacturing footprint in India," Som Satsangi SVP and MD at HPE India, said in a statement.

In partnership with HPE, local manufacturer VVDN Technologies established its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Manesar, Haryana, in record time and it is now operational at full scale.

"Together, we are establishing advanced manufacturing capabilities in India that reflect our commitment to local expertise and an Atmanirbhar Bharat," said Puneet Agarwal, CEO, VVDN Technologies.

HPE's plan to manufacture servers in the country aligns with its broader objective of supply chain diversification and resiliency, the company said.

It is actively exploring opportunities to deepen localisation by leveraging VVDN's backward integration capability and expanding its portfolio of products manufactured in India.
Seoul, April 16 : Artificial intelligence (AI) startup Upstage said on Tuesday it has secured 100 billion won ($71.7 million) from investors, as it seeks to make inroads into the global generative AI market.

New investors, including state-run Korea Development Bank, KT Corp. and Mirae Asset Venture Investment Co., participated in the latest round of financing, Upstage said.

Existing investors, including SBVA, which was formerly known as SoftBank Ventures Asia, also joined the so-called Series B financing, reports Yonhap news agency.

Upstage secured 31.6 billion won in the so-called Series A financing in 2021.

Sung Kim, co-founder and CEO of Upstage, said his company will use the funds to expand its businesses in the United States, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Last year, the South Korean AI software company launched digitalization solutions for corporate documents named "Document AI" and its large language model (LLM) model "Solar" in the markets.

In the first quarter of this year, the company received 10 billion won worth of deals to deliver the Document AI and Solar solutions to its customers.

With the two rounds of financing, Upstage aims to make inroads into the global generative AI markets by exploring business opportunities with IT infrastructure companies and meeting LLM demands in multinational firms.
Hyderabad, April 16 : With less than a month to go for Lok Sabha elections, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is facing one of the biggest crises since its inception.

Four months after losing power in Telangana, the BRS, previously known as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), has been hit by an exodus of leaders including MLAs, MLCs and MPs.

With two consecutive terms in power in the newly-formed state, the BRS was looking invincible till a few months ago.

However, the defeat in the November 2023 Assembly elections has changed everything.

While it took two months for BRS to come out of the shock of defeat, the last two months have proved to be disastrous for the party.

Under attack from the ruling Congress over allegations of corruption in irrigation projects, especially Kaleshwaram, and phone-tapping during its rule, BRS received a series of setbacks with several leaders switching loyalties to Congress or the BJP.

Five sitting MPs and two MLAs were among the leaders who dumped the BRS to join its rivals.

While the BRS faced few crises in the past, the present one appears to be the biggest ever in its 23-year journey and this came just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Political analysts say a poor performance in the forthcoming elections may aggravate the crisis.

Out of 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the BRS had bagged nine in 2019. Though the performance was not to its expectation, the party was unaffected as it had retained power in the state with a huge majority a few months ago.

The BRS successfully overcame the past crises but this was before the formation of Telangana state.

As the champion of Telangana cause, it cashed in on the strong sentiment to bounce back.

While earlier it was then ruling Congress party which had allegedly engineered problems in the BRS, this time both the Congress and the BJP are targeting it.

While three BRS MPs and two MLAs switched loyalties to the Congress, the BJP lured two MPs.

Several other leaders also defected to the Congress or the BJP. The biggest blow came when BRS General Secretary and Rajya Sabha member, K Keshava Rao, seen as the party's face in Delhi, crossed over to the Congress along with his daughter and Hyderabad Mayor Vijayalaxmi Gadwal.

Keshava Rao, who had quit the Congress to join BRS a year before formation of Telangana, had been a trusted lieutenant for party supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR).

Another father-daughter duo dealt the second biggest shock. In a huge embarrassment to the BRS leadership, party candidate for Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha seat, K. Kavya opted out of the contest and wrote to KCR that allegations of corruption and phone-tapping dented the party's image.

Later, Kavya along with her father and BRS MLA Kadiyam Srihari joined the Congress, which decided to field Kavya as its candidate.

Srihari, a former minister and former MP from Warangal, had also served as Deputy Chief Minister during the first term of BRS in power.

With Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who is also the President of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) declaring that the party had lifted the gates to allow leaders from other parties, an exodus started from the BRS.

Another BRS MLA, Danam Nagender switched loyalties to the Congress to enter the fray as its candidate from the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat.

Though the BRS was quick to demand disqualification of the defectors, the Congress party reminded it how BRS while in power engineered defections by luring several of its legislators.

The BRS also lost control of urban and rural local bodies with several Zilla Parishad chairpersons, corporators and other elected representatives shifting their loyalty to the Congress.

Sitting BRS MPs namely G Ranjith Reddy (Chevella), B Venkatesh Netha (Peddapalli) and Pasunuri Dayakar (Warangal) crossed over to the Congress.

Two other MPs, BB Patil (Zaheerabad) and P Ramulu (Nagarkurnool) shifted loyalty to the BJP.

Ranjith Reddy and Patil were renominated by the Congress and BJP respectively.

The BJP also fielded Ramulu's son Bharat from Nagarkurnool. The arrest of KCR's daughter and BRS MLC, K Kavitha by the ED on allegations of money laundering in the Delhi excise policy case came as a huge shock both for KCR's family and the party.

The development has upset the party's preparations for the Lok Sabha polls.

Political analyst Palwai Raghavendra Reddy believes that Kavitha's arrest is a setback for the KCR family but not for the party as she was not a key figure in it after defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The KCR family is trying to put on a brave face in the wake of the exodus.

BRS Working President, KT Rama Rao claimed that crises are not new to the party.

"Ours is a party born out of a people's movement. It faced such setbacks in the past and overcame it," he said.

In an apparent attempt to divert attention from defections, Kavitha's arrest and allegations, KCR started reaching out to people.

With farmers distressed over withering crops due to lack of water for irrigation, the BRS chief chose to visit a few districts to inspect the withered crops and assured farmers that BRS will stand by them.

Highlighting the steps taken by the BRS government during the last 10 years to achieve a turnaround in the agriculture sector, KCR trained guns on the Congress government, blaming its 'inefficiency' for failure to ensure water supply for agriculture.

Lashing out at the Congress government for failing to fulfil even a single promise made to farmers in the Assembly elections, KCR urged people to ponder why Congress failed within four months while his government ensured uninterrupted power and water supply and welfare of farmers during the last 10 years.

The BRS chief is also trying to draw home the point that only BRS can safeguard the interests of Telangana.

He is appealing to the people to elect BRS candidates in Lok Sabha polls to ensure that they pressurise the government to address their problems.

Analysts say by taking up people's issues, KCR is looking to bounce back. The entire party will be looking to the former chief minister to bail out the organisation as he did on many occasions in the past.

KCR was alone when he floated TRS in 2001 to revive the movement for statehood for Telangana. However, he succeeded in mobilising support of many people subsequently and with an impressive performance in 2004 elections in alliance with the Congress, made Telangana a key issue in political discourse.

TRS won 26 out of 42 seats it contested in the 294-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly. It also bagged five out of six Lok Sabha seats it contested.

TRS had joined the Congress-led coalition governments in the state and at the Centre. KCR, who became a minister in Congress-led UPA-1 at the Centre, succeeded in placing Telangana on the national agenda.

The Congress party under the leadership of then Chief Minister, YS Rajasekhara Reddy later succeeded in weaning away 10 legislators of the TRS.

KCR continued to push the Telangana agenda by imposing bye-elections.

In 2009, he aligned with the TDP and the Left parties but the TRS' tally came down to just 10.

With the Congress retaining power and all odds against KCR, it looked like it was all over for the TRS and the Telangana movement.

The Congress party was trying to lure TRS MLAs and there was a buzz that KCR's nephew and key leader, T Harish Rao will shift loyalty to the Congress.

"That was the biggest crisis for TRS because there was an impression that TRS and Telangana movement had finished," said Raghavendra Reddy.

However, the death of then Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash the same year gave an opportunity to KCR to bounce back. His indefinite hunger strike forced UPA-II to announce that the process for formation of Telangana state will be initiated.

When the Centre adopted delaying tactics, KCR joined hands with other pro-Telangana forces to launch a massive movement. Even his worst critics admit that the credit of making 'Jai Telangana' a household slogan goes to him.

When Congress finally gave into the demand and created Telangana state in the hope to get the TRS into its fold, KCR, the wily politician he is, decided to chart his own course.
Guwahati, April 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will land in Guwahati on Tuesday evening to kickstart his Lok Sabha poll campaign in the northeast.

The Prime Minister will address rallies in Assam and then Tripura, the first since the election dates were announced last month.

According to a BJP leader, the Prime Ministeras flight will land at Borjhar airport in Guwahati in the evening and his cavalcade will travel to the city by road. PM Modi will also hold a roadshow in the city.

The PM is scheduled to address a huge public gathering in Assam's Nalbari district on Wednesday at 11 a.m. He will campaign for Phani Bhusan Choudhury, who is contesting on Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) ticket in the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat.

The AGP, which is an alliance partner of the BJP, is contesting two seats in Assam. Another ally of the ruling party United Peopleas Party Liberal (UPPL) was given the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat. The BJP is contesting in the remaining 11 LS seats in the state.

The security arrangements have been beefed up in Guwahati for PM Modias arrival. The entire city has been converted into a ano drone fly zonea by the Kamrup district authority.

The Prime Minister will attend another public programme in Agartala on Wednesday.
New York, April 16 : Former US President Donald Trump is due to return to court on Tuesday after no jurors were selected on the first day of the former president's criminal hush money trial in New York.

The process of whittling down hundreds of people to 12 jurors and six alternates began on Monday, dpa news agency reported.

Judge Juan Merchan brought in a first batch of 96 potential jurors to the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. More than half were immediately dismissed after saying their personal bias prevented them from being fair to Trump.

Dozens more people will go through a similar process on Tuesday. Those remaining will then face more detailed questioning by the judge and attorneys in the coming days, with the whole exercise lasting as long as two weeks.

When Trump was introduced as the defendant, he turned and stared at the potential jurors. He is required to be in the courtroom all day for the entire length of the trial, which could last another eight weeks after the jurors are picked. The historic proceedings will not be televised.

Trump is the first former president in US history to stand trial on criminal charges. The case stems from payments made to an adult film actress ahead of the 2016 election.

Trump, who leads a sprawling real estate business, is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme involving his former lawyer Michael Cohen to conceal the $130,000 pay-off made to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Daniels said the money was given to keep her quiet about an affair she had with Trump in 2006. He has admitted to paying her on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her "false and extortionist accusations" but denies any sexual encounter.

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, faces a maximum of four years behind bars if convicted.

He is facing three other criminal trials as well as several civil lawsuits.

The Republican is set for an election rematch with incumbent President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in November.

--IANS/DPA

int/svn
New Delhi, April 16 : As India approaches its $5 trillion economy goal, overall employment could rise by 22 per cent, while unemployment could decline by 97 basis points by 2028, a report showed on Tuesday.

The 'India Employment Outlook 2030' report by Observer Research Foundation, explored trends across India's job market at a time of geopolitical churn, supply chain disruptions, and a decline in manufacturing but an explosion of services.

India's economy could touch $5 trillion by 2026-7, driven by the pool of human capital that its young population represents, and undergirded by robust public investment and private consumption, contends the report.

It identifies sectors that the country's 600-million-plus population of people aged 18-35 years regard as aspirational, as these sectors could act as engines of growth in the years ahead.

The service sector in particular is set to witness significant job creation with each unit rise in services output expected to contribute to a substantial 0.12 per cent increase in employment.

The report singles out 10 especially high-opportunity sub-sectors in the services space. These include digital services, financial services, and services related to health, hospitality, consumer retail, e-commerce, and renewable energy. Other areas poised for rapid growth are global capability centres, and MSME and startup ecosystems.

The burgeoning service sector also offers encouraging avenues for women's employment. Hence, investing in women's skilling, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship needs to be prioritised further, argues the report.

The projections for India's manufacturing sector are less optimistic. In spite of the US's growing imports from India, India's competitive cost structures and labour resources, and the government's push for manufacturing through flagship schemes such as Make in India, employment in the sector appears to have declined. Technological advances and increased automation continue to cast doubts upon the country's ability to absorb its expanding workforce.

In this context, transitioning towards industrial value chains associated with the service sector could help rejuvenate employment.

Nilanjan Ghosh, a Director at ORF and one of the report's authors says, "Policymakers and public sector schemes could partner more closely with other stakeholders to identify employability and skilling gaps. The next step would be to upgrade curricula and skills to make India's talent pool more industry ready."

Ghosh added that nurturing entrepreneurship would be crucial for improved next-gen employment. "A new class of entrepreneurs could stimulate job creation, expand India's startup ecosystem, spur innovation, and promote youth participation. But we also need to ensure that the workplaces of the future are gender-sensitive and inclusive," he said.

The report concludes that a multistakeholder approach towards employment generation and enhancement could help realise India's vision of a digitally empowered, skilled, innovative, and self-reliant economy.
New Delhi, April 16 : A fire broke out in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) office in the North Block on Tuesday, a fire department official said, adding that it was brought under control quickly.

Sharing the details, Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said that a call regarding a blaze on the second floor at IC Division in the MHA office was received at 9.22 a.m.

"A total of seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot and flames were doused by 9.35 a.m.," said a senior DFS official.

The official said that the fire was in a Xerox machine, computers and some documents.

"No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained," the official added.
Kolkata, April 16 : The CPI(M) has complained to the Election Commission of India (ECI) through the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, about inclusion of contractual government employees in poll-related training.

A four-member delegation of CPI(M) met the CEO, West Bengal Aariz Aftab and complained that several contractual state government employees had been participating at a training workshop on polls.

According to the CPI(M) Central Committee member, Robin Deb, there were instances where even employees of a corporate entity responsible for creating advertisements for the ruling Trinamool Congress had participated in the workshop.

Deb pointed out that the ECI has made it clear that contractual employees cannot be used in poll-related duties at any cost.

In the complaint, the CPI(M) leadership alleged that in certain districts like East Midnapore there are instances of festoons and banners of the ruling party being attached on vehicles associated with the public-transport system.

The party leadership has argued that if posters and banners are attached on any vehicle used for commercial purposes, it should be counted as the election expenditure of the political party concerned.
New Delhi, April 16 : If you're planning a business or city trip to Astanbul, include a few extra days for a beautiful outdoor adventure. Trekking paths in and around Astanbul allow "Bleisure" travellers to unwind after meetings and touristic visitors to discover distinct natural landscapes. Here are the greatest trekking paths in Istanbul.

Natural Wonder of Astanbul: Belgrade Forest

The Belgrad Forest in SarAyer district is ideal for nature lovers in IIstanbul. Belgrad Forest, described as the "lungs of Astanbul," covers 5,300 hectares and offers tree-shaded picnic areas and different hiking routes. The 6.5-kilometre-long NeAYet Suyu Trail is a favourite among runners and walkers.

Remember: Belgrad Forest features the BahAekAy Wildlife Production Station and ancient dykes, some of which were built during the Roman Empire period to carry water from northern forests to IIstanbul.

Paradise Next to the City: BallAkayalar

BallAkayalar Nature Park is just an hour's drive from IIstanbul. This natural park in TavAYanlA village of Gebze, located in a 2-kilometre valley with a stream, is well-known among nature lovers, rock climbers, and hikers. It offers easy to moderate trekking experiences. The valley's lake, waterfalls, and travertine terraces leading to the BallAkaya Stream are spectacular. Furthermore, the park's abundance of fauna and flora contributes to its popularity. While trekking, you may observe roe deer, wild rabbits, wild boars, moles, martens, and various bird species in their natural habitat.

Remember: BallAkayalar, home to rare birds, butterfly species, and 20 types of orchids, is an essential route near Astanbul for bird, butterfly, and flower watchers for its outstanding biodiversity. Spring is a perfect season to explore this route.

Hidden Treasure of TekirdaAY: UAmakdere

UAmakdere, located in the AzarkAy district of TekirdaAY, is a popular destination for nature lovers and trekkers from IIstanbul. The region is covered with lush pine forests and offers incredible views of Ganos (IAYAklar) Mountain and the Marmara Sea. This natural area is known for its local village products, lifestyle, and culture, making it a popular route for cyclists, motorbike travellers, and campers.

Remember: UAmakdere is also perfect for paragliding. Professional guides will take you paragliding on NiAYantepe, 650 meters high. AzarkAy, famous for its vineyards, also offers lovely Turkish wines.

Escape to Nature: Erikli Plateau

The Erikli Plateau, located in Yalova's AAnarcAk district, is another popular trekking destination close to Astanbul. The plateau, about a two-hour drive from Istanbul, offers a fantastic hiking trail surrounded by apple, fir, linden, chestnut, and elm trees. While the trails in the area have a slight slope, offering a moderate rather than easy level of trekking, encountering a waterfall during your walk is a delightful reward. After camping on the Erikli Plateau and exploring the region to your heartas content, you can explore the regionas TeAYvikiye City Forest, Double Waterfall, and Small and Big Bottomless Lakes.

Remember: After the Erikli Plateau, you can visit the Delmece Plateau, another well-known plateau in Yalova that is famous for camping.

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in
New Delhi, April 16 : With India aiming to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, five years ahead of the global target, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) may play a significant role in identifying cases of drug-resistant TB early and improving outcomes, reveals a study on Tuesday.

Tuberculosis stands as the second leading infectious disease killer globally, with over 2.95 million active cases reported in 2020 alone in India. Of these, 135,000 were classified as multidrug-resistant TB cases.

The study by HaystackAnalytics, an IIT-Bombay startup, in collaboration with Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, is based on data from 600 patients with drug-resistant TB in India.

Data gathered using the WGS method revealed that pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (pre-XDR-TB) was present in 50.83 per cent of cases, while multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) was found in 15.5 per cent, with nearly equivalent proportions among men and women.

These patients were not only resistant to rifampicin -- a drug used to manage and treat diverse mycobacterial infections --, and isoniazid -- an antibiotic indicated in the first-line treatment of active Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection --, but also to fluoroquinolones -- which is used widely as therapy for respiratory and urinary tract infections, the researchers said.

"I believe, going forward, whole-genome sequencing might become the first among many tests, which will be prescribed to all TB patients, not only in India, everywhere else in the world," Dr. Anirvan Chatterjee, CEO and Co-founder at HaystackAnalytics, told IANS.

"WGS is the new gold standard for TB diagnosis and is the way forward for the world for eliminating TB cases," he added.

Further, the study showed that 55 per cent of people between 15-35 years of age and 67 per cent up to 14 years of age had pre-XDR TB.

"Indeed younger people are getting tuberculosis, which is a cause of concern because this is a productive age group and TB is highly detrimental to the young population," Anirvan said.

"In fact, there is a lot of drug resistance in the younger age group, which is of very high concern, for reasons of productivity," he said, noting that it also increases the risk of active transmission of drug-resistant TB.

He explained that "WGS can find drug resistance to 18 antibiotics in a single test," eliminating the need for multiple tests

"If this is available or is sought for when the earliest signs of tuberculosis occur, then the therapy will be shorter. It will also improve the outcome. If the right antibiotic is given to a person, transmission reduces by more than 90 per cent, which means that we will be able to reduce new TB cases. And that is the holy grail," the doctor told IANS.
Tel Aviv, April 16 : Israel's foreign minister Israel Katz has launched what he called a "diplomatic offensive" against Iran following the major Iranian attack on Israel.

"This morning I sent letters to 32 countries and spoke with dozens of foreign ministers and leading figures around the world," Katz wrote on Tuesday on the X platform.

He called for sanctions to be imposed on Iran's missile programme and for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to be declared a terrorist organization. Katz believes these measures would help slow down and weaken Tehran.

"Iran must be stopped now - before it is too late," he wrote.

Katz wrote that Israel's diplomatic campaign against Iran should be flanked by a military response to Tehran's attack with more than 300 missiles, cruise missiles and drones. Israel and allied defences intercepted almost all of the incoming fire.

Israel's military leadership has signalled that it does not intend to leave the major Iranian attack on Saturday night unanswered.

Iran said it was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria that killed two Iranian generals and five officers.

--IANS/DPA

int/svn
Bengaluru, April 16 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, stated on Tuesday that senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would arrive in Karnataka on Wednesday and attend programmes in Mandya and Kolar parliamentary constituencies.

This is the first visit of former Congress chief, Rahul Gandhi, to Karnataka after the declaration of Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to reporters at his residence in Bengaluru, Dy CM Shivakumar stated that MP Rahul Gandhi would land on Wednesday afternoon at Bengaluru International Airport and reach Mandya city.

From Mandya he would head for Kolar and from there he would reach Bengaluru and take off for New Delhi, the Dy CM said.

When asked about senior Congress leader, Priyanka Gandhi's visit to the state, Dy CM Shivakumar said she would give a date for her Karnataka visit soon.

"Timing has to be adjusted as time is very short. She is under pressure to visit other states. We have also requested her to visit Karnataka for one day, let's see," he underlined.

Talking about the tug of war with former CM, HD Kumaraswamy, he said, "Personally I respected Kumaraswamy before and in future also I will continue to do so. But, if he repeatedly makes lowly personal remarks it will not suit his dignity."

"Political matters are different. You write down where his party will stand after this election. The act of losing persons like me is like losing the support of the community," he stated.

"For the sake of the community, I have not responded to any of his remarks against me and I respect him. If Kumaraswamy makes personal attacks and states I have abducted women to get their lands registered, where will it lead to?" Shivakumar questioned.

"If I am carrying out a business of exporting boulders on my property that, is my business. So what? I have stopped this business now. If he is not coming for a face to face debate it's okay, I will face him on the floor of the House," Shivakumar stated.

"We are managing the supply of drinking water to people of Bengaluru at this time of crisis. To deviate from the issue, Kumaraswamy is making allegations that I am threatening apartment residents," Shivakumar explained.

"The BJP is losing its presence in the state. Why is former CM, BS Yediyurappa, Leader of Opposition, R Ashoka, not giving answers for the statement of Kumaraswamy that women are taking the wrong path due to guarantees?" Shivakumar asked.
New Delhi, April 16 : A 44-year-old man, on a shooting spree on a busy flyover in northeast Delhi, shot dead an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Delhi Police, while another passerby sustained a bullet injury on Tuesday, an official said.

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) A 44-year-old man, on a shooting spree on a busy flyover in northeast Delhi, shot dead an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Delhi Police, while another passerby sustained a bullet injury on Tuesday, an official said.

He said that the assailant then shot himself dead following the incident.

The deceased ASI has been identified as Dinesh Sharma while the injured identified as Amit Kumar is undergoing treatment at GTB hospital.

Police said that Sharma was posted in the Special Branch of the Delhi Police and he was travelling on his motorcycle, DL4SV-3934, when the incident occurred on Meet Nagar Flyover.

According to police, a police control room (PCR) call regarding the incident at Meet Nagar Flyover was received at 11:42 a.m. on Tuesday at Nand Nagri police station following which a police team rushed to the spot.

Upon reaching the spot, Sharma and Kumar were rushed to GTB hospital, where Sharma was declared brought dead by the doctors.

Kumar sustained a bullet injury on his waist, from behind and he was travelling on the Meet Nagar Flyover on his scooty when the incident occurred.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said that the accused, Mukesh, who shot both Sharma and Kumar, forcibly sat in an auto-rickshaw and when the auto-rickshaw driver resisted, he fired at the driver, who managed to escape without injury.

"Thereafter, it seems that Mukesh shot himself in the head while sitting on the rear passenger seat of the auto-rickshaw. He was declared dead at GTB Hospital. There are two wounds on his head, one entry on the right side and the other exit on the left side of the head," said the DCP.

The DCP said that a 7.65 mm pistol was found on the rear seat of the auto-rickshaw and multiple live rounds and empty shells were also found at the three spots on the Flyover.

"The reason behind the murder is yet to be ascertained and a case of murder and attempt to murder along with Arms Act is being registered at Jyoti Nagar police station," the DCP added.
New Delhi, April 16 : A 44-year-old man, on a shooting spree on a busy flyover in northeast Delhi, shot dead an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Delhi Police, while another passerby sustained a bullet injury on Tuesday, an official said.

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) A 44-year-old man, on a shooting spree on a busy flyover in northeast Delhi, shot dead an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Delhi Police, while another passerby sustained a bullet injury on Tuesday, an official said.

He said that the assailant then shot himself dead following the incident.

The deceased ASI has been identified as Dinesh Sharma while the injured identified as Amit Kumar is undergoing treatment at GTB hospital.

Police said that Sharma was posted in the Special Branch of the Delhi Police and he was travelling on his motorcycle when the incident occurred on Meet Nagar Flyover.

According to police, a police control room (PCR) call regarding the incident at Meet Nagar Flyover was received at 11:42 a.m. on Tuesday at Nand Nagri police station following which a police team rushed to the spot.

Upon reaching the spot, Sharma and Kumar were rushed to GTB hospital, where Sharma was declared brought dead by the doctors.

Kumar sustained a bullet injury on his waist, from behind and he was travelling on the Meet Nagar Flyover on his scooty when the incident occurred.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said that the accused, Mukesh, who shot both Sharma and Kumar, forcibly sat in an auto-rickshaw and when the auto-rickshaw driver resisted, he fired at the driver, who managed to escape without injury.

"Thereafter, it seems that Mukesh shot himself in the head while sitting on the rear passenger seat of the auto-rickshaw. He was declared dead at GTB Hospital. There are two wounds on his head, one entry on the right side and the other exit on the left side of the head," said the DCP.

The DCP said that a 7.65 mm pistol was found on the rear seat of the auto-rickshaw and multiple live rounds and empty shells were also found at the three spots on the Flyover.

"The reason behind the murder is yet to be ascertained and a case of murder and attempt to murder along with Arms Act is being registered at Jyoti Nagar police station," the DCP added.
Copenhagen, April 16 : The historic stock exchange in the Danish capital Copenhagen is on fire and the top of the building's tower collapsed in flames on Tuesday morning.

Several streets and the area around the building have been cordoned off, the city's police said.

Heavy smoke and high flames could be seen coming from the building.

The Copenhagen police said that the area will remain cordoned off for some time.

The cause of the fire was initially unclear. The building was completed in 1625, and is one of the oldest in Copenhagen. The building is currently undergoing renovations and is covered in scaffolding.

The renovation was intended to correct previous work carried out in the 19th century, and restore the building's facade to its original appearance.

The historic stock exchange in Copenhagen, one of the oldest and most iconic buildings in the Danish capital, was engulfed by a major fire on Tuesday, causing its spire to collapse in the flames.

Parts of the roof have collapsed and the fire is not yet under control. Around 120 firefighters and around 60 members of the armed forces were deployed to the scene, Danish media reported.

The blaze has so far torn through around half of the building, the fire brigade incident commander said, according to the news agency Ritzau.

Television footage showed people carrying away several items, including historical paintings.

The building, also known as the BArsen, houses a large art collection, including the monumental 19th-century oil painting "From Copenhagen Stock Exchange" by P.S. KrAyer, which was carried away by several people.

Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed his shock.

"Terrible pictures from the BArsen. So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us. Our own Notre Dame moment," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, comparing the blaze to the one that severely damaged the famous Paris landmark five years ago.

The Provianthuset, a wing of Christiansborg Palace where several MPs and journalists have offices, was also evacuated in the morning due to the fire.

The palace itself houses Denmark's parliament. Meetings in the parliamentary chamber and committee rooms were initially scheduled to take place as planned.

However, the Copenhagen police announced on X that they would evacuate the Ministry of Finance buildings.

The stock exchange, on the eastern tip of the island of Slotsholmen, is located opposite the National Bank of Denmark and is a tourist attraction. The spire, which depicts four intertwined dragon tails, is a symbol of the city.

The cause of the fire was initially unclear. The building was completed in 1625, and is one of the oldest in Copenhagen. The building is currently undergoing renovations and is covered in scaffolding.

The renovation was intended to correct previous work carried out in the 19th century, and restore the building's faAade to its original appearance.

--IANS/DPA

int/svn
New Delhi, April 16 : Microsoft on Tuesday announced a $1.5 billion investment in the UAE-based artificial intelligence (AI) technology company, G42.

Both companies will also support the establishment of a $1 billion fund for developers.

The investment will strengthen collaboration on bringing the latest Microsoft AI technologies and skilling initiatives to the UAE and other countries around the world.

As part of this partnership, Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, will join the G42 Board of Directors, the companies said in a statement.

"This partnership is a testament to the shared values and aspirations for progress, fostering greater cooperation and synergy globally," said H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of G42.

G42 and Microsoft will also work together to bring advanced AI and digital infrastructure to countries in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa.

"We will work together not only in the UAE, but to bring AI and digital infrastructure and services to underserved nations," said Smith.

"We will combine world-class technology with world-leading standards for safe, trusted, and responsible AI, in close coordination with the governments of both the UAE and the US," he added.
Panaji, April 16 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that he has got 'double power' of former Congress MLAs, who joined BJP and hence winning both Lok Sabha election seats will not be a big issue.

"In 2019 (Lok Sabha election) we missed the victory in the South with few votes. We tried our best to win that election. But today changes have taken place. During that election Digambar Kamat, Ravi Naik, Alexio Sequeira (former Congress leaders) and MGP leader Sudin Dhavlikar were not with us. Now these leaders are in BJP. This means we have double power. Our strength has increased," Sawant said while addressing BJP workers in Margao-South Goa.

He said that he has faith in party workers and the 'double power' BJP has now.

Former Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Alexio Sequeira are among eight MLAs of Congress who switched to BJP in 2022 while former Chief Minister Ravi Naik joined BJP, two months before the assembly election 2022.

MGP's MLA Sudin Dhavalikar, who is currently Power Minister in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's government, worked against BJP in 2019 by supporting Congress leading to BJP's South Goa candidate Narendra Sawaikar losing by 9755 votes, despite being then a sitting MP.

Dhavalikar was dropped from cabinet in the last term (2017 to 2022) of the BJP government after his two MLAs split from the regional party and joined the BJP then.

Senior politician Sudin Dhavalikar supported Congress in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, which helped grand old party's candidate Francisco Sardinha to win from the South Goa seat.

Sawant said that Congress is creating a false narrative that the BJP will change the constitution.

"The Constitution is written by Babasaheb Ambedkar which can never be changed. The Constitution is not in danger. They are trying to create fear among minorities by saying that BJP will change the constitution. Congress has always done politics on caste and religion. We have never done such politics because Muslims and Christians are with us," Sawant said.
Chennai, April 16 : The Madras High Court rejected a petition challenging BJP leader Nainar Nagendran's nomination as a candidate for the Tirunelveli Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu.

The first bench of the Madras High Court represented by Chief Justice S.V. Gangapurwala and Justice J. Sathya Narayana Prasad on Tuesday heard the petition against the acceptance of the poll nomination of Nagendran as a candidate for the Lok Sabha seat.

The division bench, however, refused to accept the petition stating that the poll date was on April 19 and that it was too late for the petition to be entertained.

The petitioner, V. Maharajan informed the court that the Tirunelveli returning officer accepted the election nomination of the BJP leader Nainar Nagendran without considering his representation against it.

Maharajan said he had informed the returning officer that the BJP candidate had suppressed facts in the nomination papers. He said the candidate had even concealed the criminal case against him in the nomination papers.

The petitioner also demanded the Election Commission take action against the returning officer for negligently accepting the candidate's nomination without considering his representation. However, the court rejected his petition.
Los Angeles, April 16 : Hollywood star Johnny Depp, who won the legal battle against ex-wife Amber Heard, has undergone a radical mid-life transformation, as he approaches his 61st birthday.

Los Angeles, April 16 (IANS) Hollywood star Johnny Depp, who won the legal battle against ex-wife Amber Heard, has undergone a radical mid-life transformation, as he approaches his 61st birthday.

Earlier this year, the actor cut a distinctly bohemian figure. In February, in Turin, Italy, where he is directing his new film aModia, about the artiste Modigliani - he was pictured wearing a rasta beanie, a camo Jacket complete with a Che Guevara patch, reports Daily Mail UK.

Back then his hair was so long that it spilled below shoulder length. He has since had a very respectable make over. The pictures, obtained by Daily Mail UK, show him arriving on Monday night (Central European Time) at the small UK movie premiere of aJeanne Du Barrya.

He appears to have lost a considerable amount of weight. He wore a slim-fitting Dior suit and had his hair trimmed short.

As per Daily Mail UK, the actor ditched long hair, grubby look and embraced 'clean living' in London ahead of a new Dior campaign shoot.

In other pictures, he recently sported shorter locks as he donned a fitted black suit and grey coat.
Kolkata, April 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government of making all attempts to prevent Ram Navami celebrations in the state.

Addressing an election rally at Balurghat in West Bengal's South Dinajpur district on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said, "The entire country will celebrate Ram Navami on Wednesday. But this time also, the Trinamool Congress tried to create hurdles for the celebrations in Bengal. However, the court has removed all the obstacles and now Ram Navami will be celebrated in Bengal with lots of enthusiasm.

To recall, violence broke out between two groups when a Ram Navami procession was taken out in Howrah district on March 30 last year, in which vehicles were torched and shops were ransacked, leading to multiple arrests.

On Monday, the Calcutta High Court granted permission to the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) to take out Ram Navami processions in Howrah under certain conditions after the local police had denied permission for the same.

The Prime Minister also accused the Trinamool of depriving the tribal and backward classes in the state.

"Today, a tribal woman has become the President of India. But what is the Trinamool doing? At Balurghat, three tribal women joined the BJP. But the ruling party workers forced them to sit on their knees and apologise. This time, the Trinamool will realise that people from backward classes or tribal backgrounds are not their slaves," PM Modi said.

He also accused the state government of trying to shield those accused of sexually harassing women at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district.

"The Trinamool has given the state to illegal immigrants and anti-social elements on lease. That is why the ruling party is protecting the illegal immigrants but opposing our attempt to grant citizenship to genuine refugees. But the people of Bengal will no longer be misled by the falsehood being spread by the Trinamool," the Prime Minister said.

He also alleged that the Trinamool did not allow central funds to reach the genuine beneficiaries in West Bengal.

"The leaders of the ruling party distributed the central funds among themselves. Crores of rupees have been seized from the residences of the Trinamool leaders. But when the central agency officials try to perform their duties, they are attacked. Time has come for the people to give a fitting reply to the Trinamool," the Prime Minister said.
Bhopal, April 16 : Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia filed his nomination papers for Guna Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday.

After offering prayers at a temple on the occasion of Durga Asthami, Jyotiraditya Scindia's convoy headed towards Guna for filing his nomination.

His supporters gave him a rousing welcome on the way with showers of petals.

It is interesting, that for Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is contesting his sixth Lok Sabha poll from family bastion Guna, it is the first election on a BJP ticket.

Until 2019, he fought five Lok Sabha elections on the Congress' ticket and won four of them.

The Scindia scion had lost in 2019 against the BJP's KP Yadav, which was a major setback for him. After one year, he shifted into the BJP in March 2020 along with 22 Congress MLAs.

A member of the erstwhile royal Scindia family of Gwalior, Jyotiraditya Scindia contested the first Lok Sabha (bypoll) election after his father and Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia, who was a Lok Sabha MP from Guna, died in a plane crash in 2001, and he won.

Jyotiraditya Scindia (53) was re-elected as MP from his family bastion Guna for the next three consecutive terms a" 2004, 2009 and 2014.

Guna was one of the two Lok Sabha seats the Congress had managed to win despite a massive PM Modi wave in 2014; however, Scindia lost in 2019.

"I have just taken the blessings of the 'Tekri sarkar' and now we are moving forward on the path of public service," he said after offering his prayers before filing his nomination.

This time, Jyotiraditya Scindiaas main fight will be against Rao Yadavendra Singh Yadav, who joined the Congress after leaving the BJP in 2023.
New York, April 16 : Six months into the war, 10,000 Palestinian women in Gaza have been killed, among them an estimated 6,000 mothers, leaving 19,000 children orphaned, a report by the UN Women said on Tuesday.

The women who have survived Israeli bombardment and ground operations have been displaced, widowed, and facing starvation. This devastating differentiated impact continues to make the war on Gaza also a war on women.

The series of gender alerts produced by UN Women on Gaza provides a detailed analysis of the reality of women's and girls' lives in the Gaza Strip, documenting abhorrent living conditions.

The publication titled, Scarcity and Fear, focuses on the lack of access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services are vital to women's health, dignity, safety, and privacy.

More than one million Palestinian women and girls in Gaza are facing catastrophic hunger, with almost no access to food, safe drinking water, functioning toilets or running water, creating life-threatening risks.

Access to clean water is especially critical for breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women, who have higher daily water and caloric intake requirements. It is also essential for the ability of women and girls to manage their menstrual hygiene with dignity and safety.

UN Women estimates that 10 million disposable menstrual pads or four million reusable sanitary pads are required each month to cover the needs of 690,000 women and girls in Gaza.

"In Gaza, we (women) cannot meet our simplest and most basic needs: eating well, drinking safe water, accessing a toilet, having (sanitary) pads, taking a shower,changing our clothes" said a Gazan woman.

"More than 10,000 women have been killed so far, of which an estimated six thousand are mothers. Women who have survived the bombing are suffering daily starvation, sickness, and constant fear. The war in Gaza is no doubt a war on women, who are paying a heavy price for a war not of their making," said Susanne Mikhail, Regional Director of UN Women in the Arab States in a media briefing in Geneva.

Only peace can end this suffering. UN Women joins the calls for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolution 2728 (2024) adopted on March 25, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid.

UN Women is working with Palestinian women's organisations, and partners within the humanitarian systems and spaces to advocate for the rights and needs of women and girls, and to deliver urgently needed assistance.

In Gaza, UN Women has reached almost 100,000 women and their families with food, blankets, winter clothes, soap, diapers, and sanitary kits. Tens of thousands more items have been at the border crossings for weeks. This is only a fraction of what women and girls in Gaza need.

As set out in the Agreed Conclusions of the recently held Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), women and girls must be at the heart of the collective humanitarian response.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the Ministry of Minority Affairs' decision approving a proposal of the Central Waqf Council (CFC) to shut down the Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF).

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna dismissed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) observing that the decision to dissolve MAEF was well-considered and in conformity with the relevant Act, rejecting petitioners' argument to the contrary.

"We find no merit in the petition. The same is accordingly dismissed," the court said on the PIL filed by Dr Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, John Dayal, and Daya Singh.

Moreover, the Central government defended its decision by saying that MAEF had become obsolete with the presence of a dedicated Ministry executing schemes for the benefit of minorities.

The court had sought the Central government's stance on the petition last month.

MAEF, the government-funded organisation, aimed at advancing education among marginalised sections of the Muslim community.

The petition, filed by concerned citizens, argued against the closure of MAEF, citing its adverse impact on deserving and meritorious students, particularly girls, who benefit from its schemes.

The petition denounced the closure order as lacking jurisdiction and being arbitrary and mala fide.

Of particular concern was the alleged violation of legal procedures under the Societies Registration Act 1860 pertaining to the dissolution and asset transfer of societies.

The petition contended that the closure order unlawfully dictates the dissolution of MAEF and the predetermined transfer of its assets, contravening statutory provisions.

The foundation played a pivotal role in disbursing funds, particularly through schemes like the Maulana Azad National Fellowship. However, student protests erupted after the scheme was discontinued in 2022.
Why Rishabh Jaiswal relates to his 'YRKKH' role: He chose his passion over family business. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, April 16 : Actor Rishabh Jaiswal, who plays the role of Krish Bansal in 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' (YRKKH) has called it the 'best' character, adding how he also went through a similar confusion when he was in the college.

Rishabh said Krish has a great graph, and he can relate well to his character.

He said: "Krish is a very diverse character because he is a person who lives in a very loving environment. He loves his mother, his sister-in-law, his brother and respects his parents a lot, but now there is so much pressure on him to follow his career and follow his dreams."

"His father is not allowing him to follow his dreams, so now Krish is actually becoming a rebel and going against his father to pursue his dream. I feel I am contributing to the overall atmosphere of the show, through my role," said Rishabh.

He further said: "The overall tonality of my character is very lovely, and further the audience will also get to see so much more. I feel this is the best character that I can play because I also went through a similar confusion when I was in college. I was very confused about what exactly I wanted to do in life."

"I also had the option to manage my family business or take up a job, but I decided to follow my passion, and here I am, an actor. I think Krish Bansal is one of the closest characters that I can portray on TV," added Rishabh.

The show stars Samridhii Shukla and Rohit Purohit as fourth-generation leads.

It airs on Star Plus.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Oversight Board on Tuesday selected two cases from India and the US to assess Meta's policies and enforcement practices concerning explicit images of female public figures generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The Board intends to address content decisions made by Meta in the two cases, one on Instagram and one on Facebook.

In each case, it will decide "whether the content should be allowed".

"Deepfake pornography is a growing cause of gender-based harassment online and is increasingly used to target, silence, and intimidate women -- both on and offline," Oversight Board Co-Chair Helle Thorning-Schmidt said.

"Multiple studies show that deepfake pornography overwhelmingly targets women. This content can be extremely harmful to victims, and the tools used for creating it are becoming more sophisticated and accessible," Thorning-Schmidt added.

With the selection of two cases from the US and India, the Board aims to understand "whether Meta is protecting all women globally in a fair way" and whether its "policies and enforcement practices are effective at addressing this problem".

The first case involves an AI-generated image of a nude woman posted on Instagram, resembling a public figure from India. The second case concerns an image posted to a Facebook group for AI creations and features an AI-generated image of a nude woman with a man groping her breast.

"The Board is seeking public comments on the two new cases for consideration. As part of this, we are inviting people and organisations to submit public comments," it said.
New Delhi, April 16 : Logistics intelligence platform for online retailers ClickPost on Tuesday said that it raised $6 million in a Series A funding led by Inflexor Ventures partners and Athera Venture Partners.

The round also saw participation from Riverwalk Holdings and an existing investor, Rebright Partners.

According to the company, the funding will be used for launching new AI-driven modules, global growth and hiring.

"E-commerce is a space where vertical AI products will see a lot of adoption as brands look to grow more efficiently and compete with the likes of Amazon who have vast resources to provide a more data-driven experience to shoppers," Naman Vijay, the Co-Founder and CEO of ClickPost, said in a statement.

"This puts the onus on SaaS companies like us to provide solutions that keep brands at the forefront of innovation," he added.

Moreover, the company said more than 300 enterprises across India, North America, APAC, and the Middle East use ClickPost.

"ClickPostas depth, agility, flexibility, and data advantage place them well to deliver this, in India as well as in global markets. Naman, Prashant, and their talented team have made remarkable strides in efficiently scaling a top-notch product," said Rajiv Mehta, General Partner at Athera Venture Partners.

The logistics intelligence platform currently tracks over one million shipments daily and is aiming to grow five times in the next two years.
Boeings Starliner to fly 1st crewed mission to space on May 6. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, April 16 : After much delay, US aerospace company Boeing's Starliner is set to launch its first crewed flight to the International Space Station (ISS) on May 6, company officials and NASA have confirmed.

In preparations for the first Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission, Boeing on Tuesday transported The Starliner spacecraft to the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41, which will be attached to ULA Launch's Atlas V rocket.

"Welcome to the world, Starliner! BoeingSpace's Starliner spacecraft for the upcoming Crew Flight Test has left the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASAKennedy ahead of roll to ulalaunch's Vertical Integration Facility," Boeing said in a post on X.com.

"The crewed flight test is targeting launch no earlier than 10:34 p.m. Monday, May 6 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral," added NASA in a blog post.

The CFT aims to send NASA astronauts and test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on a roughly 10-day mission that will demonstrate the end-to-end capabilities of the Starliner system.

Boeing had signed a contract with NASA's Commercial Crew Programme to fly operational missions to and from the space station with Starliner in 2014.

However, it faced a series of setbacks.

Its debut uncrewed orbital flight mission in 2019 did not go as planned, requiring it to make another try before putting astronauts on board for the crewed flight test. The capsule, however, made a successful repeat of that mission in 2022.

Its crewed mission has also been repeatedly delayed.

If the spacecraft succeeds in its first crewed mission, Starliner will be used to carry four astronauts, or a mix of crew and cargo, for NASA missions to low Earth orbit.
New Delhi, April 16 : Minstry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary Bramha Kumar has been appointed as India's next ambassador to Zimbabwe.

Bramha Kumar, a 2005 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is expected to take up the assignment shortly, the MEA said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Bramha Kumar (IFS: 2005), presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Zimbabwe. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly," the statement added.

He will replace Vijay Khanduja, who was appointed the ambassador on November 9, 2020.

Khanduja had earlier worked in various capacities serving as Director (UN Economic & Social) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs,

since 2017.
Mumbai, April 16 : The trailer of the upcoming film 'Main Ladega', which was released on Monday, has scooped praise across multiple platforms in the 24 hours since its release. Several fans showed their love for the film in the comment section as the trailer took social media by storm.

'Main Ladega' is the story of a young boy, scarred after witnessing his mother endure domestic violence day after day, who then channels his anger into becoming a boxer.

One user wrote: "From punches to palpitations, #MainLadegaTrailer has it all! Buckle up for a cinematic rollercoaster like no other."

Another user commented on the important subject of domestic violence and its effect on a child, saying: "Bollywood needs to make more such movies with heart and power!! The #MainLadegaTrailer was outstandingg."

A third user was bowled over, saying, "#MainLadegaTrailer ne toh dil jeet liya! First day first show toh pakka hai mera."

Prominent journalists have also showered an immense amount of love and appreciation for the writer of the story, screenplay and dialogues, Akash Pratap Singh, who also plays the main character.

Popular film critic Joginder Tuteja showered the actor-writer with praise, saying: "This one is an arresting trailer! Sometimes a newcomer comes with a film and surprises immensely. A film releases, gets critically acclaimed, word of mouth catches up, and then, history is created. Have a feeling that this could well happen with #MainLadega! This one by actor and writer Akash Pratap Singh seems special. Film releases on 26th April (sic)."

While heaping praise on both the film and its lead actor, Rohit Jaiswal, another popular critic said: "Hold onto your seats! The adrenaline-pumping trailer of #MainLadega is here. Actor and Writer Akash Pratap Singh at his finest."

The trailer of the film can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=upqRRXNP9EDD1DvB&v=1FmLRrApI7Y&feature=youtu.be

The film is produced by Akshay Bhagwanji & Pinakin Bhakta under the banner of Kathakaar Films. The lead actor Akash Pratap Singh has also written the story, screenplay and dialogues.

Directed by Gaurav Rana, 'Main Ladega' will be released in theatres on April 26, 2024.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday released the names of 40-star campaigners in Gujarat for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls which included three incarcerated party leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain.

For the first time, signalling an entry into politics, the list also names Sunita Kejriwal, Arvind Kejriwal's wife as star campaigner for the polls.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia are in judicial custody in connection with the PMLA case linked to an alleged excise policy scam while Jain, who was arrested in May last year, is also lodged in Tihar prison.

Besides, the AAP has also announced Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Gopal Rai, Atishi, Sandeep Pathak among others as star campaigners in Gujarat.

Though mystery surrounds whether Arvind Kejriwal will get bail in the liquor-gate case or not, the AAP, as per party insider, is now banking on a mix of cadre and sympathy votes, leveraging the narrative that his arrest was orchestrated to stifle his electioneering.

Moreover, the party alleges a conspiracy between the ED and the BJP to impede the AAP convener's campaign during the election season.

Meanwhile, Singh's release injected a semblance of morale into the party, with plans to bolster the campaign with the involvement of Sunita Kejriwal, and Singh himself.

According to sources, there is a shift in focus towards the campaign, with Sunita Kejriwal expected to take a more active role in conveying messages to voters.

As Singh had been granted bail, he is likely to take charge of the campaign in Delhi and other states where the party has put forth candidates.

Since March 21, Arvind Kejriwal has remained in custody, initially under the ED's jurisdiction and subsequently in Tihar Jail.

His arrest has upended political equations, both locally and nationally, particularly impacting the AAP's campaign efforts for the impending Lok Sabha elections.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Delhi Police on Tuesday informed a court here that it has obtained all the necessary sanctions for the prosecution of the accused in the NewsClick case over allegations that the news portal took money to spread pro-China propaganda.

As per Special Public Prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh three different sanction orders under section 45 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and under Section 196 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have been secured, which are being filed in the form of supplementary chargesheets.

In light of these submissions, Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur of Patiala House Courts deferred the matter for April 30.

The court will also decide on whether to take cognisance of the charge sheet filed in the case on the next date of hearing.

The judge said that she would need to read the charge sheet before taking cognisance of the matter.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police on March 30 filed its first charge sheet running into over 9,000 pages against NewsClick Founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha under the provisions of the UAPA.

The prosecutors had earlier stated that sanctions under Section 45 of UAPA and Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) were awaited, which would be filed in the form of a supplementary charge sheet very soon.

Along with Prabir Purkayastha, PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd (news portal) has also been made an accused.

The judicial custody of Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty, the HR head of NewsClick has also been extended.

On January 9, the court granted permission to Amit Chakravarty to become an approver in the case after he had filed an application seeking pardon.

He claimed to possess material information, which he was willing to disclose to the Delhi Police.

According to official sources, the charge sheet also contains information regarding 480 electronic devices confiscated during the various raids conducted during the probe.

Prabir Purkayastha has been accused of accepting foreign funds to destabilise the country, sources said.

The sources told IANS that Prabir Purkayastha has been identified as the primary suspect, while Amit Chakravarty has been granted the role of a witness.

The charge sheet alleges that Prabir Purkayastha accepted funds to undermine the stability of the nation by fabricating narratives and attempting to disrupt the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the sources said.

As per the FIR filed by the Delhi Police on August 17 last year, substantial sums of money were clandestinely transferred from China through a convoluted route.

This money was then utilised to disseminate paid news articles deliberately criticising India's domestic policies and developmental initiatives while endorsing, advocating, and defending policies and initiatives of the Chinese government.

The allegations against NewsClick are that it received approximately Rs 38 crore in funding from abroad, the sources said.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said on Tuesday that it has successfully rescued an Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Rosary, which had encountered engine failure approximately 215 nautical miles from Karwar, Karnataka.

ICG Ship Savitribai Phule swiftly responded to a distress call from IFB Rosary on April 13 and soon established communication with the boat amidst adverse sea conditions.

"Upon its arrival, the boarding team of the ICG ship made efforts to fix the seized engine, before the boat was rendered immobile," the Indian Coast Guard said in a statement.

"The fishing boat was then towed towards Karwar with the help of the Coast Guard District Headquarters of Karnataka in collaboration with the Fisheries Department," it added.

It was handed over to IFB Shree Laxmi Narayan, which safely escorted it to Karwar port.
Mumbai, April 16 : Actors Shakti Anand and Neeharika Roy have opened up on the significance of Ram Navami, sharing their wish to visit the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Shakti, who essays the role of Karan Luthra in 'Kundali Bhagya', said: "Ram Navami holds great significance in my life. My wife and I start our day with a morning puja, and observe the nine days of Navratri and fasting. On Ram Navami, we celebrate with prayers, hymns, and offerings, rejoicing in the birth of Lord Ram."

"The completion of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya fills us with pride, making this year's celebrations even more special. It stands as a symbol of faith and unity, and we are eagerly looking forward to visiting Ayodhya this year to pay our respects and witness the beauty of the temple firsthand. Happy Ram Navami to one and all," he added.

Neeharika, who plays Radha in 'Pyaar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan', said: "Chaitra Navratri holds a profound significance in my life as I am a devout believer in Goddess Durga. Each of the nine days fills me with immense joy as I wake up early in the morning to assist my mother in the preparations for the puja. The aroma of festive delicacies and the warmth of family gatherings are moments I eagerly anticipate during Navratri."

"As we commemorate Ram Navami on the ninth day, my family and I conduct a small pooja at home, honouring the birth of Lord Ram. My mother introduced me to the traditions of this festival, and ever since, I have faithfully followed them. This year holds even greater significance for me as I aspire to visit the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. I hope to make the journey soon," added Neeharika.

The two shows air on Zee TV.
Berlin, April 16 : Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has once again warned Israel against mounting a military counterattack following Iran's recent air assault on Israel.

During a telephone call with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Raisi warned that "the slightest action" by Israel against Iran's national interests "will have extensive and painful consequences." Details of the call were published on the web portal of Iran's presidential office.

Iran has recently warned Israel several times of a military response to its large-scale attack, in which hundreds of drones and missiles were fired towards Israel on Saturday night.

The Iranian response to any further Israeli action would be "at least 10 times more drastic" than the first attack, the country's Security Council said in a statement.

So far, Iran has chosen the least severe form of punishment for Israel, the Council said in its press statement. Israel's military leadership has said that Israel does not intend to leave Saturday's large-scale Iranian attack unanswered.

--IANS/DPA

int/svn
New Delhi, April 16 : Following the successful certification of Atlantis Aquaventure in 2023, Atlantis Dubai announced that Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal have also earned the Certified Autism Centera (CAC) designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This certification marks the first resort destination in the Eastern Hemisphere to achieve this status. It reflects the team's unwavering commitment to providing exceptional experiences to guests with diverse needs and ensuring an inclusive environment.

New Delhi, April 16 (IANSlife) Following the successful certification of Atlantis Aquaventure in 2023, Atlantis Dubai announced that Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal have also earned the Certified Autism Centera (CAC) designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This certification marks the first resort destination in the Eastern Hemisphere to achieve this status. It reflects the teamas unwavering commitment to providing exceptional experiences to guests with diverse needs and ensuring an inclusive environment.

"We are incredibly proud to become the first resort destination in the Eastern Hemisphere to earn the Certified Autism Centera (CAC) designation," said Kelly Timmins, Director of Marine Animal Operations and Sustainability at Atlantis Dubai. "Partnering with IBCCES is part of our long-term Corporate Social Responsibility strategy under the Atlantis Atlas Project, with initiatives focused on supporting people and the planet on our journey to becoming a sustainable tourism business. We look forward to welcoming all guests to Atlantis Dubai for an enjoyable and memorable experience."

IBCCES awards the CACa designation to organisations that complete a training and review process to understand better and assist autistic and sensory-sensitive guests and other persons of determination. This designation ensures that at least 80 percent (an IBCCES minimum requirement) of colleagues are trained inaautismaand sensory awareness and are fully equipped to provide service to people on theaautismaspectrum. In collaboration with IBCCES, Atlantis Dubai staff underwent extensive training to understand the range of potential guest needs. More than 90 percent of guest-facing colleagues across both resorts took training in Autism & Sensory Awareness (ASA). In addition, the Learning & Development team developed a Weekly Briefing Topic on Autism and Sensory Awareness, which an additional 1,500 colleagues completed across Atlantis Dubai.

In addition to training, further achievements include:

The Atlantis Dubai website hosts an accessibility tab that provides guests with downloadable sensory guides. Outlined for rooms and restaurants at Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, as well as experiences across Atlantis Aquaventure, these guides provide a sensory rating, allowing people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to pre-plan their visit to the destination.

Allocated quiet zones are available across both resorts in case people need a moment of respite from sensory stimulation. Locations include the concierge lounge, outdoor cabanas, Imperial Club lounge, and the Explorers Club underwater theatre at Atlantis, The Palm, and the Royal Club lounge, outdoor cabanas, Royal Majlis banquet lounge, and the Explorers Club lounge at Atlantis The Royal.

By completing the CACa programme, Atlantis Dubai is helping to lead the way as part of a broader Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) initiative for Dubai to become the first Certified Autism Destinationa (CAD) in the Eastern Hemisphere. In just one year, the city has already reached the halfway point, and this significant milestone, achieved under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, underscores Dubai's dedication to inclusivity and accessibility for all travelers.

"Atlantis Dubai is at the forefront of revolutionizing accessibility standards within the hospitality industry. Their pioneering initiatives at Aquaventure Waterpark, coupled with securing this designation for Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, demonstrate a profound dedication to inclusivity. And we wholeheartedly commend their tireless efforts," said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman. aThis collective commitment across the industry is propelling Dubai towards its goal of becoming a Certified Autism Destinationa, reshaping the tourism landscape to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can fully embrace, savour, and craft cherished memories in this extraordinary city."

During World Autism Month this April, Atlantis Dubai invites persons of determination to participate in the destinationas complimentary access programme for Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium. Two complimentary tickets to Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium are available for a person of determination and one caregiver by presenting a valid ID Card at the ticketing plaza. Two accompanying guests will also receive 50 per cent off admission tickets.

Guests can also inquire and make special requests through a form on the Atlantis Dubai website before their destination visit at www.atlantis.com/dubai/about/accessibility.

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in
New Delhi, April 16 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, the birthday of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram, the celebrations will be taking place in his birthplace after a long gap hiatus of 500 years.

"Thousands of people are now heading to Ayodhya Dham to partake in the birth anniversary festivities. This is a historic moment as Ram Lalla will celebrate his birth anniversary at his birthplace for the first time in five hundred years. Our generations have been blessed to witness the birth anniversary program," he remarked.

Addressing a public gathering in Nahtaur, UP CM urged the public to support Om Kumar, the Lok Sabha candidate for Nagina and also extended his wishes for the Ashtami Tithi of Basantik Navratri and Ram Navami.

In a tirade against the opposition, including Congress and the Samajwadi Party, Yogi Adityanath said that India was the only country in the world where a deity had to provide evidence of his birthplace.

"This crisis was caused by Congress and the Samajwadi Party. Despite their attempts to undermine our faith, the Sanatan Samaj remained resolute. It was determined to construct a grand temple at Lord Ram's birthplace, and thanks to PM Modi, we have achieved this success."

He further commented: "A single vote cast in the right direction can change fate, while one cast in the wrong one leads to an identity crisis. Congress, SP, and BSP are caught in a rut they are unable to get out of. They seem to despise goodness. They even glorify mafias and criminals, visit their homes and read 'Fatiha' on their deaths, but when an innocent Hindu falls victim to an accident, they remain quiet. 'Hum samanya nagrikon ko Ram-Ram karte hain aur mafia-apradhiyon ka Ram Naam Satya (We greet common citizens with 'Ram-Ram' and criminals with 'Ram Naam Satya')."

The UP CM also highlighted challenges faced during the SP-BSP regime at Seer Govardhan, the birthplace of Saint Ravidas. He mentioned that there was only one route leading there, causing difficulties for the lakhs of devotees visiting. Today, the sacred land of Sadhguru Ravidas boasts a grand memorial, a 25-foot-high statue, a park, and a four-lane road, making it more accessible and grander, he pointed out.

He mentioned that the BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' pledges to construct an additional three crore houses for the poor over the next five years. He assured that the public will continue to benefit from government schemes. He also pointed out the infrastructural developments in Bijnor, including the four-lane connectivity with Meerut and Nazimabad, and mentioned the progress made in addressing the flood issues.

He also emphasised the inclusive approach of the government, recognising and respecting every section of society, including farmers, youth, and women.
Kolkata, April 16 : A row erupted in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district on Tuesday after a team of state police and Election Commission officials stopped the vehicle of Union Minister of State for Home and sitting MP Nisith Pramanik for checking.

Pramanik, who has been re-nominated by his party from Cooch Behar this time as well, entered into an argument with the team which stopped him in the Dinhata area, saying that since the vehicle was that of a Union Minister, it could not be checked in such a manner.

However, the team of police and EC officials refused to accept his argument and eventually checked the entire vehicle, including the bags in it. However, nothing was recovered.

On Sunday, Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee objected after a team of Income Tax officials searched his helicopter. Banerjee later clarified that his objection was not related to the search but to the denial of permission by the Income Tax officials to allow the trial run of the helicopter even after the search operations were concluded.

The ECI on Monday sought a report from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer on the development.
Kolkata, April 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, said that the current Union government led by him does not discriminate between BJP-ruled and opposition-controlled states when it comes to development which the previous Congress-ruled Union government did.

"I have myself witnessed this when I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. The opposition-controlled states were neglected then by the Congress-ruled Union government. But the current Union government never does that. That is why we are working day and night for the social and economic development of the entire eastern and northeastern India," the Prime Minister said while addressing an election rally at Raiganj in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal.

Speaking on the occasion, he accused the Trinamool Congress-ruled West Bengal of creating hurdles in implementation of several central projects in the state.

"In West Bengal, the TMC government does not even give timely permission for implementation of the infrastructure projects. In Bengal, it is not the legal system which decides who will get permission to implement which project. The authority of giving permission here is with the Trinamool Congress-backed goons and anti-social elements," the Prime Minister said.

According to him, development of West Bengal is not the intention of Trinamool Congress. "TMC actually wants to keep poor people poor, since they know very well that they will not be able to keep their shops running if the state tastes development," PM Modi said.

He accused the state government of distributing the benefits under PMAY and MGNREGA to fake beneficiaries. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister also launched a scathing attack on Trinamool Congress for creating obstructions in celebrating Hindu religious festivals.

"The goons who throw stones at Ram Navami or Durga Puja processions are actually enjoying the protection of the ruling party. Trinamool Congress tries its best to defend those accused of sexual harassment of women Sandeshkhali," the Prime Minister added.
Parineeti's shoutout to her glam team for giving shape to her Amarjot look in 'Chamkila'. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, April 16 : Parineeti Chopra, who essays the role of Amarjot Kaur in 'Amar Singh Chamkila' on Tuesday shared some behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpses of her various looks from the shoot of the biopic, giving a shout-out to her glam team.

Directed by Imtiaz Ali, the film stars Diljit Dosanjh in the titular role. It charts the untold true story of Punjab's original rockstar of the masses, the highest record-selling artist of his time, Amar Singh Chamkila, often referred to as the 'Elvis Presley of Punjab'.

Parineeti plays the role of Amar Singh Chamkila's wife.

Taking to social media, the actress, who was last seen in 'Mission Raniganj', shared a series of pictures from the shoot of the movie. One picture shows Parineeti in a red bridal outfit, and another snap features her in a blue suit with a prosthetic baby bump.

There are some photos of Parineeti visiting a gurdwara. A picture shows Parineeti with blood stains on her face.

The post is captioned as: "Shoutout to my glam team, for making me #Chamkila (shine) as Amarjot, for all the fun-filled days at Gurudwara, and for capturing Amarjot throughout the film in these stills."

Shot in real locations, the film promises to transport the audience to the vibrant and rhythmic world of Punjab's folk music, right to the rustic Akhadaas (live music performances in villages) where Chamkilaas voice would once roar.

Produced by Mohit Choudhary, Select Media Holdings LLP, Saregama, and Window Seat Films, it is streaming on Netflix.
Mumbai, April 16 : The makers of the web series 'The Broken News' starring Sonali Bendre, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Shriya Pilgaonkar on Tuesday unveiled the trailer for Season 2, which captures the lives, lies, and struggles of journalists and the battle between truth and sensationalism.

The two-minute, 27-second trailer begins with Shriya, who plays Radha Bhargava, saying, "Dipankar Sanyal brazenly called me a terrorist on national television. I was sent to jail. It's my turn now. This story will destroy Dipankar Sanyal."

The trailer features Radha, previously incarcerated because of Dipankar (Jaideep Ahlawat), who is now out on bail. She is poised for a comeback, determined to cleanse the broadcasting system by dismantling Dipankar and his manipulative tactics.

The trailer shows Dipankar saying, "News is boring, I concoct stories. Make the news entertaining before telecasting."

Recognising that unbiased news reporting alone cannot combat Josh 24x7's propaganda, Radha is prepared to engage in unorthodox methods to purge the corrupt system.

In Radha's absence, Ameena (Sonali Bendre) shoulders the responsibility of fighting the 'Sach' battle alone, venturing into the streets to uncover truth amid personal risk.

Dipankar's brand of aSansania news dominates TRPs but he is compelled to utilise his aSansania ideology to sway public opinion and further his personal and corporate agendas. However, the pertinent question remains: 'Breaking news ki race mein ab break hoga har rule! Jab sach bhi bane sansani, kya dekhega India?'

The trailer ends with Radha saying, "The entire system has decayed. To clean up the mess, I'm prepared to soil my hands."

Returning after a gap of two years, the new season will see the fight for ideologies between the two broadcast news channels, aJosh 24x7a and aAwaz Bhartia scale new heights.

Speaking about the show, Sonali said: "In the first season, Ameena and Radha were a team. However, in this new season, Ameena will be fighting the battle for 'Sach' on her own."

Jaideep said: "This time around, the viewers can expect more newsroom drama, action, and lines getting blurred as things get personal. Playing Dipankar has been a true delight and it was great getting back together with the gang of 'The Broken News'."

Shriya added: "The dynamics between Radha and Dipankar is going to be intensely personal this season, as they both strive to outmaneuver each other at every turn. It's going to be a rollercoaster ride for the viewers, with twists and turns keeping them guessing until the very end."

Director Vinay Waikul said: "I am thrilled to direct another season of 'The Broken News', bringing the high pressure and dynamic environment of newsrooms and the battle between truth and sensationalism to the audience again."

The show, which is based on the BBC Studios format aPressa, is directed by Vinay and written by Sambit Mishra.

The show also stars Faisal Rashid, Indraneil Sengupta, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, Taaruk Raina, Akshay Oberoi, Suchitra Pillai, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in key roles.

'The Broken News 2' will air on ZEE5 on May 3.
Chennai, April 16 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President J P Nadda on Tuesday said that people in Tamil Nadu are tired of the Dravidian parties and they want a change.

"People in Tamil Nadu are looking for a change. They are tired of both the Dravidian parties DMK and AIADMK. This change will come after the Lok Sabha elections with the BJP's victory," J P Nadda said while addressing an election rally in Paramkudi in favour of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam (OPS).

Nadda said that people who traditionally voted for the Dravidian parties are irked by the corrupt practices and maladministration in Tamil Nadu over the past five decades.

"The country had moved forward in every sphere and the Central government's plan is to take the Indian economy to the top three at the global level and this could be achieved only by PM Modi," the BJP President said.

He said that the goal of 400 plus seats for the BJP and its allies in the ensuing elections would become a reality on June 4.

He said that the opponents of the BJP will not be able to stop the victory for the BJP and its alliance partners in Tamil Nadu.

J P Nadda said that the slogan, "We Want Modi" is reverberating in Tamil Nadu.

He said that OPS is a veteran politician and a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and called upon the people of Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency to elect him.

OPS in his speech thanked the BJP president and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him an opportunity to contest from Ramanathapuram.

He promised that if elected, he would settle in Ramanathapuram and be accessible to the people and added that there would be a total transformation of the constituency for the better.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 16 : Union Minister and BJP candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Questioning Rahul Gandhi's contribution to India's development, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "My suggestion to everybody who has some common sense and who doesn't want to spend too much time pursuing useless commentary is to ignore people like Rahul Gandhi."

"Nothing he ever says makes any sense," alleged the BJP leader.

He went on to say that the Congress leader had not contributed positively to India's development and lacked substantial ideas for the development and progress of the country.

Talking about the electoral bonds, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "The Government of India's stand is for a transition of election funding from unaccounted cash to traceable bonds, thus promoting transparency. This will also curb black money in politics."

Taking a dig at the Congress leader, Rajeev Chandrasekhar referenced historical scandals associated with the Gandhi family, particularly the Bofors scandal and accused him of lacking credibility on issues related to funding sources.

The BJP after the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appears to have gone on a high as Rajeev Chandrasekhar is taking on three-time sitting MP, Shashi Tharoor and former MP and CPI leader P Ravindran.
Guwahati, April 16 : An Assam Rifles trooper was injured as a patrol party was ambushed in Assam's Tinsukia district on Tuesday, an Army official said.

A senior Army officer said that three vehicles of Assam Rifles, moving from Changlang towards Margherita, were ambushed by unknown personnel near Namdhang at around 8.30 a.m.

"The troopers retaliated and thwarted the ambush. In the process, one person sustained gunshot wounds. The individual has been evacuated to Military Hospital Jorhat and his condition is stable," he added.

The security has been beefed up in the area following the attack.

The banned militant organisation United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) claimed responsibility for the ambush.

Rumel Axom, identified as a 'captain' of ULFA-I, claimed responsibility for the attack in a press statement.
Mumbai, April 16 : The two shooters, who allegedly opened fire at Bollywood actor Salman Khan's home on Sunday, were apprehended from Gujarat's border Kachchh district early on Tuesday and brought to Mumbai, where a court sent them to police custody till April 25, officials said on Tuesday.

The duo, identified as Vicky Gupta, 24, and Sagar Pal, 23, were nabbed from Bhuj town in Kachchh district of Gujarat, bordering Pakistan, in a swift joint operation of the Mumbai Police and Gujarat Police, and brought to Mumbai this morning.

Joint Police Commissioner, Crime, Lakhmi Gautam told media persons that a total of five rounds were fired at Salman Khan's residence in the sea-facing Galaxy Apartments in Bandra West.

"Later that day, Anmol Bishnoi wrote a Facebook post on the incident. We have arrested both accused. They had carried out a recce of Salman Khan's house at least thrice," said Gautam, on the sensational shootout that was solved in less than 36 hours, with a dozen special teams working on it.

Earlier, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kachchh, A. R. Zankat told the media that in the preliminary questioning of the accused, it emerged that they were in touch with the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang members.

Bhuj town is barely 325 km from the India-Pakistan border that runs via the Great Rann of Kachchh.

After conducting a recce of Salman Khan's home over the past few days, as also his sprawling country house, Arpita Farms in Panvel (Raigad district), the duo zoomed towards Galaxy Apartments around 5 am on April 14 and fired the shots. Without hitting any specific target, they effectively conveyed the "message" of their intentions, and later that day, Anmol Bishnoi termed it as 'the first and last warning' to the Khans.

According to official sources, after firing, they sped off towards the Mehboob Studios and asked an autorickshaw driver how to reach Vasai (Palghar), dumped the bike near the Mount Mary Church and took another autorickshaw to Bandra station. They again commuted to Santacruz, Vakola and then towards Navi Mumbai, from where they are believed to have sneaked to Gujarat.

Almost all their movements were recorded on CCTVs installed at various locations in the city which were scanned by the police teams, which deployed tech intelligence and took the help of informers to finally zero in on the duo in Bhuj.

Meanwhile, another team managed to track the motorcycle and its registration to Raigad, and the Navi Mumbai Police helped detain the duo who claimed they had sold it to the shooter duo.

The police also learnt that the two accused had rented a flat in Navi Mumbai, Panvel and lived there for 25 days before committing the daring shootout outside Khan's home. The house owner was also grilled along with the motorbike sellers.

So far it's not clear whether they used the rented house as their 'base' while using the second-hand motorcycle to move around for their nefarious intentions under the guise of 'some business' but actually conducting the recce, as well as who financed the operation, from where they acquired the weapon, etc.

During those recon trips, they reportedly attempted to get details on Salman Khan's movements, his daily timetable, and the vehicles he preferred, and tried to find out the number of police around the actor from one of the security persons.

In the initial questioning, the duo confessed to the firing, the police recovered a pistol and other items of the crime from them.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde who visited the Khans home in Bandra, assured the family that "you have nothing to fear", the government and the police are responsible for their safety and security, and vowed that the incident will be thoroughly investigated and the culprits punished.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi, April 16 : The Indian Navy on Tuesday said that they have seized around 940 kg of contraband narcotics in the Western Arabian Sea as part of Combined Task Force 150 led Focused Operation Crimson Barracuda.

"The Indian Navy Ship INS Talwar, operating in support of the Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, conducted its first interdiction of illicit narcotics and seized 940 kg of contraband narcotics," the Navy said.

The Navy said that INS Talwar seized 453 kg of methamphetamines, 416 kg of hash and 71 kg of heroin from a dhow as part of Focused Operation Crimson Barracuda.

"The drugs are being disposed of as per CMF SOPs," the Navy said.

The Indian Navy joined the CMF in November 2023.

"I commend the crew of INS Talwar for their efforts throughout this Focused Operation and their hard work has paid off with this seizure of 940 kg of drugs," said Royal Canadian Navy Capt. Colin Matthews.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world's largest international naval partnership.

CTF 150's mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Election Commission imposed a 48-hour campaigning ban on Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, effective from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, over his derogatory remarks against Bharatiya Janata Party MP Hema Malini.

The Election Commission's action follows the issuance of show cause notices to both Surjewala and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge regarding the offensive comments made by the former against Hema Malini.

The controversy erupted after a video surfaced on social media wherein Surjewala was purportedly heard making the disparaging remarks.

In the video, Surjewala, in Hindi, reportedly said, aWhy do people elect their MLAs/MPs? So that MLAs/MPs can raise the public's voice. It's not like Hema Malini, who was elected to lick."

The remarks quickly drew condemnation from the BJP, labelling it as a "new low to disrespect and demean the dignity of women."

The EC, in its order, said that a reply was received from Surjewala on April 11 in response to the Commission's notice wherein he has, inter alia, claimed that the video cited by the complainant was doctored.

"The Commission has carefully gone through the contents and averments made in the aforesaid reply of Randeep Singh Surjewala. The Commission is in receipt of the report of DEO Kaithal wherein it is stated that the aforesaid objectionable utterances were made during a speech given by Randeep Singh Surjewala on March 31, 2024, at Faral village of Pundri assembly constituency in the Kaithal district and the entire speech was videographed by the video surveillance team deployed by DEO. To confirm the veracity of the allegation about the aforesaid remarks being made in the speech, the Commission also examined the video of the speech submitted by DEO, Kaithal and is convinced that he has made the said statement and thus violated the aforesaid provisions of Model Code of Conduct," the EC order read.

"The Commission without prejudice to any Order/Notice issued or to be issued subsequently to him in the matter relating to MCC violations, hereby, strongly condemns the impugned statement made by him during the election campaign held in Haryana and reprimands Randeep Singh Surjewala for the above-said misconduct. The Commission, under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and all other powers enabling in this behalf, bars him from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) etc. in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from 6 p.m. on April 16," it added.
Chandigarh, April 16 : Punjab Police have solved the murder case of Nangal-based Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader in less than 72 hours with the arrest of two operatives of a terror module backed by a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday.

Shopkeeper Vikas Prabhakar, alias Vikas Bagga, VHP Nangal Mandal President, was shot dead by two assailants at his shop on Saturday evening. The assailants, one wearing a helmet and the other having face covered with muffler, came on a scooty.

DGP Yadav said following the investigation, the police have arrested both the assailants identified as Mandeep Kumar and Surinder Kumar. Two .32 bore pistols, including the one used in the crime, along with 16 cartridges and one empty cartridge were seized from their possession.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the terror module was being operated, guided, motivated and funded by the foreign-based handlers operating from Portugal.
Washington, April 16 : An Indian-descent lawmaker has raised alarm over a "substantial increase" in attacks on Hinduism and Hindu places of worship in the US and expressed frustration at the failure of law enforcement agencies to find and book those responsible.

Washington, April 16 (IANS) An Indian-descent lawmaker has raised alarm over a "substantial increase" in attacks on Hinduism and Hindu places of worship in the US and expressed frustration at the failure of law enforcement agencies to find and book those responsible.

He urged the administration to accord "higher priority" to these "hate crimes".

Shri Thanedar, a Democrat elected to the House of Representatives from Michigan state, has together with four other Indian-descent lawmakers Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal and Raja Krishnamoorthi asked the Justice Department, which oversees the FBI, for a briefing on the investigation into these attacks.

"Today, I am seeing in the United States a substantial increase in attacks on Hinduism. A lot of misinformation is being circulated whether it is online or otherwise. Our community continues to be misrepresented, misunderstood, sometimes, deliberately," the lawmaker said.

Thanedar is a practicing Hindu and the founding chair of the Hindu Caucus in the US Congress.

"Having practiced Hinduism and having grown as a Hindu in a Hindu household, I know what Hinduism is. It is a very peaceful religion and its people practice their religion in a peaceful, compassionate and caring manner. It is not a religion that attacks. Ours is not a religion which is aggressive towards others. It is a very inclusive religion. Ours is a very inclusive community," he said.

The lawmaker has cited the defacement of temples in California and New York and also arson and vandalism at the Indian embassy in San Francisco as incidents of attacks on the Hindu community.

He said that some members of the community have described these incidents as the manifestation of ongoing Hinduphobia and add to the list the effort to ban caste as a ground for discrimination, calling it an attempt to tarnish the community.

"They opposed but failed to stop the city of Seattle from putting it on its list of banned grounds for discrimination but succeeded in stopping California. They persuaded the Governor, Gavin Newsom, to veto the bill passed by both the house of the state legislature," he said.

The lawmaker expressed frustration with the investigating agency for their failure to find the culprits behind the incidents at the temples and the consulate.

"It appears to be a very coordinated effort to attack these places of worship which has created a lot of fear in the community. Law enforcement enters into these investigations and rarely any suspects have been identified, and that investigation goes nowhere.

"It leaves the community feeling like nobody cares about them. Nobody reports back to them on what's going on. It means that the community continues to live in fear, the computing community continues to live in an adverse situation with essentially no help from law enforcement."

The lawmaker said that he and his colleagues are asking the Justice Department for "coordinated efforts between the local law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Department of Justice, and higher priority needs to be assigned to such hate crimes against this peaceful community."
Itanagar, April 16 : The first batch of over 40 election officials accompanied by security personnel were airlifted to four remote polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh's Kra Daadi district to conduct voting for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the state on April 19, officials said on Tuesday.

Toko Babu, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), said that the polling officials along with election-related materials including Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), were airlifted to the polling stations located at remote Pip-Sorang Circle in the Kra Daadi district bordering China.

He said that the election officials and the security personnel along with the election materials were ferried in two sorties by an MI-172 chopper.

These officials would be stationed at Tali for some time and then would move to Pip-Sorang circle on foot to reach the four polling stations -- Tedung, Pip-Sorang, Kharsang and Korapu, Babu told the media.

He said that as per the requirements of the District Electoral Officers (DEOs), more election officials and security personnel are likely to be carried by helicopter before the first phase of polling day on April 19.

Each polling team comprises 10 persons on average including, a presiding officer, two polling officers, one polling attendant besides, security personnel.

The official said that more polling teams would go on foot march from Wednesday to reach their respective polling stations.

Out of the total of 2,226 polling stations, polling and security officials of 228 polling stations have to go only through foot march as there are no conducive motorable roads in these areas.

Simultaneous polls in two Lok Sabha seats a" Arunachal West and Arunachal East Parliamentary constituencies -- along with 50 assembly seats would be held in the first phase on April 19.

Of the total of 60 assembly seats in the state, BJP candidates in 10 seats including Chief Minister Pema Khandu (Mukto seat) and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein (Chowkham seat), won unopposed.

A total of 8.92,694 voters including 4,54,256 women, will decide the fate of 143 candidates contesting for the 50 assembly seats and 14 candidates vying for the two Lok Sabha seats.

In all 11,130 polling officials have been deployed to conduct the polling process while 6,874 EVMs would be used for conducting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

The Union Home Ministry has provided 80 companies (7500 personnel) of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to manage the law and order in the poll bound state.

Counting of votes for assembly elections will be held on June 2, while that of Lok Sabha polls on June 4.
New Delhi, April 16 : 'Ground-breaking ceremony of key projects and their inauguration in the same term' remains one of the key hallmarks of the Modi government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often mentioned this while inaugurating big-ticket projects.

In fact, the reason behind the drastic change in governance, as compared to previous regimes, is PM Modi's signature style of setting goals and then setting the momentum for accomplishing them.

Modi Archive, a popular X handle on Tuesday shared an interesting lowdown on Narendra Modi, the then Gujarat CM and his 100-day action plan in the first stint.

The handle writes, "100-day action plan is Narendra Modi's mathematical approach to breaking down work into targets" and also highlights how he outlined 100 day blueprint and also achieved the targets.

Narendra Modi as the Gujarat CM led by example and took strict measures, from cracking down on lax bureaucrats to donating auction proceeds for girl child education. CM Modi also spent Diwali with earthquake victims and personally made it a point to highlight their plight to IAS officials.

Narendra Modi as Gujarat CM also initiated Gram Sabhas and Lok Kalyan Melas, to bridge the gaps between administration and citizens.

The X handle also shared the works of the then Narendra Modi government and says his approach was that of a 'Karmayogi', prioritizing people over politics.

Notably, after moving to Centre in 2014, PM Modi has stood by the same principle and rather went on reinforcing the practice.

PM Modi in a recent interview said that his government has outlined a blueprint for next five years and a roadmap for growth for next 25 years, under Viksit Bharat Mission.

Notably, PM Modi also held a meeting with his Council of Ministers in first week of March to discuss the roadmap for Viskit Bharat as well as the agenda for first 100 days, when his government is re-elected for third term in May 2024.
New Delhi, April 16 : President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday extended greetings to all fellow citizens on the eve of Ram Navami which will be celebrated on April 17.

The President has said, "On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, I extend warm greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens."

In her message issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Murmu said, "The Ram Navami, celebrated on the auspicious occasion of the birth of Lord Shri Ram, guides us on the path of truth and righteousness."

"Maryada Purushottam Prabhu Shri Ram is an ideal of humility, fortitude and bravery. Lord Shri Ram set the highest standards of selfless service, friendship and unwavering commitment to his word. The festival of Ram Navami is also an opportunity to reflect on our eternal values."

"Let us imbibe the values of Lord Shri Ram and pledge to build a nation where, in line with the concept of Ram Rajya, every person lives with dignity and the stream of development continues to flow in everyone's life," added the President.

--IANS

brt/dan
Guwahati, April 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Guwahati on Tuesday evening to kickstart his poll campaign in Assam and Tripura.

PM Modi was received at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi airport by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The Chief Minister posted on his X handle, "Extended a warm welcome to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji at LGBI Airport, as he arrived on his 27th visit to Assam."

The Prime Minister will address rallies in Assam and then Tripura, the first since the election dates were announced last month.

The PM is scheduled to address a huge public gathering in Assam's Nalbari district on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

He will campaign for Phani Bhusan Choudhury, who is contesting on Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) ticket in the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat.
Bhubaneswar, April 16 : A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha alleging violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by senior officers of Odisha Police and other state government officials.

The party has urged the CEO to suspend the erring officials for flouting the model code of conduct.

Speaking to media persons, BJP leader Samir Mohanty raised questions over the security arrangements put in place by the Commissionerate Police during the visit of 5T Chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian to SCB Medical College and hospital to meet the patients who got injured in the tragic bus mishap in Jajpur district on Monday.

Mohanty termed the conduct of the Commissionerate Police and other officials as unfortunate and a clear violation of the MCC.

Choudwar-Cuttack MLA Souvic Biswal, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, Jajpur district Superintendent of Police Vinit Agrawal also accompanied Pandian during his visit to the hospital.

The party also sought action against some officials of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority for approving the appointment of three DEOs on April 10 despite the Model code of conduct coming into effect.

Meanwhile, the BJD lodged a complaint with the CEO accusing Manoranjan Dyan Samantra, the BJP candidate for the Chikiti assembly constituency, of violating MCC.

The party in its petition alleged that the BJP candidate is threatening government officials on election duty of transfer and punitive action by misusing the name of the Election Commission of India.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to restrain the Congress from "publishing, disseminating and distributing Guarantee Cards or any such material aimed to promote electoral bribery and inducement of voters".

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to restrain the Congress from "publishing, disseminating and distributing Guarantee Cards or any such material aimed to promote electoral bribery and inducement of voters".

The party has also requested the poll panel to order filing of FIRs against the 'agents' of the Congress distributing the Guarantee Cards to the voters throughout India.

The BJP has termed the Congress' "Ghar Ghar Guarantee" initiative -- launched by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge on April 3 -- as a "corrupt practice that amounts to bribery".

"This initiative purportedly involves disseminating Guarantee Cards to the households across India, purportedly containing QR code, perforated application form, and manifesto pledges," the BJP said in its representation to the ECI.

"To further confound the wrong, the cards bear the promissory signatures of prominent Congress leaders, namely Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, as official endorsement," stated the party, adding, "These purported activities raise serious concerns regarding grave violation of electoral laws and regulations, particularly about the manipulation of voters' trust and the misrepresentation of the Guarantee Cards as legitimate instruments for accessing promised INC freebies, largesse and utopian promises."

The party contended that "allowing such practices openly contradicts the principles of free and fair elections, and sets a precedent where only registered political supporters may be entitled to government schemes and not the remaining ones".

Citing the Model Code of Conduct and the Indian Penal Code, the BJP told the ECI that this practice falls under corrupt practice and bribery, and stern action needs to be taken in this case under the relevant laws.

The BJP also accused the Congress and its leaders of committing similar "unethical and illegal" acts in the past as well.

"During the Rajasthan Assembly polls in 2023, the Congress had carried out a similar surrogate campaign to bribe and mislead the voters and the EC had then taken a serious view of the matter," the BJP submitted to the poll panel.

It further said that to an unsuspecting voter, it may sound as if such 'goodies' would actually be handed over to them and hence it amounts to inducement that is expressly barred under the laws of the land, including the Model Code of Conduct.

This practice erodes the sanctity of the electoral process and undermines the foundational principles of democracy, the BJP pointed out, stating that practices like this warrant thorough investigation and stringent enforcement of legal measures to preserve the integrity of the electoral system.
New Delhi, April 16 : Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena on Tuesday wrote to incarcerated Chief Minister Arvid Kejriwal, saying that due to the wrong policies of the Delhi government, over two crore people are deprived of drinking water in the national capital.

"Of about 2.5 crore people in the city, more than 2 crore (over 80 per cent) people are deprived of drinking water supply in varying degrees, especially in unauthorised colonies, slum clusters and to a lesser extent, even in organised developed colonies," the L-G wrote.

The L-G said that the Economic Survey 2023-24, tabled by Delhi Finance Minister Atishi in the recent Budget Session brings out some startling facts.

"Over last decade, water treatment capacity grew marginally from 906 MGD to 946 MGD, barely 4.4 per cent increase. During the same period, the population of the city has grown significantly by 15 per cent. The overall shortfall in water supply amounts to about 290 MGD. Of the total water being supplied, 120 MGD comes from ground water extraction, which is also a gross exaggeration. I am sure that you are aware that of the sixteen Ranney wells, five are non-functional. Similarly a large number of tubewells are also dysfunctional," the L-G said.

He said that in Delhi, 7 per cent of households - an average of 20 lakh people - still do not receive piped water supply. The accumulated loan and interest liability of DJB stands at a staggering Rs 73,000 crores.

"I am constrained to write this open letter to you, knowing that a direct communication with you in your present circumstances is not possible. However, I am sure that you would be able to access news and library facilities to read these words of anguish," the L-G said.

"Your Minister's hasty missive to me is an admission of these failures and defaults of performance of your government and amount to facile attempts at shrugging responsibility off, a complex problem."

He said that the minister has yet again targeted the Chief Secretary, Chief Executive Officer of DJB, officers of Finance and Urban Development Department.

"It has almost now become habitual on part of your ministers to blame officers for their own failures, be it in the field of health, hospitals, sanitation, education or water supply," the L-G said.

The L-G said that having underlined the inadequate supply of water as the cause behind the incident, Finance Minister Atishi has ironically indicted her own government of more than 9 years.

"Her note indeed is a prima facie admission of guilt, inaction and inefficiency over the past almost 10 years," the L-G said.

He said that the percentage of "unaccounted for water" that is a sum of water leakages by way of transmission and distribution losses, water theft and non-payment of dues, saw a sharp increase from 45 per cent in 2015 to 58 per cent in 2022-2023.

"In 2015, of the 906 MGD of water treated, only 498 MGD was accounted for. In 2022-23, of the 946 MGD treated, barely 397 MGD are accounted for. Over the last decade, net water availability has decreased by more than 100 MGD due to the criminal neglect by your Government," the L-G mentioned.

He said that in the last 9 years that is since 2015, Rs 28,400 crore has been spent as Capital Expenditure by DJB. However, according to the Economic Survey 2023-24, over the last decade, water treatment capacity has grown marginally from 906 MGD to 946 MGD, barely 4.4 per cent increase.

"During the same period, the population of the city has grown significantly by 15 per cent. The overall shortfall in water supply amounts to about 290 MGD," the L-G said.

He said that the percentage of "unaccounted for water" that is a sum of water leakages by way of transmission and distribution losses, water theft and non-payment of dues, saw a sharp increase from 45 per cent in 2015 to 58 per cent in 2022-2023.

"In Singapore, "unaccounted for water" is just 5 per cent, compared to Delhi's 58 per cent. Even other Indian cities fare much better than Delhi - Chennai (35 percent), Mumbai (27 per cent), Pune (35 per cent)," the L-G wrote.

He wrote that in 2015, of the 906 MGD of water treated, only 498 MGD was accounted for.

"In 2022-23, of the 946 MGD treated, barely 397 MGD are accounted for," the L-G letter concluded.
Bhopal, April 16 : At least 29 Maoists were gunned down in one of the biggest operations carried out by the security forces in recent times in Chhattisgarh's Kanker region on Tuesday.

According to the police, top Maoist leaders Shankar Rao, who carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh on his head, and Lalita were killed in the encounter.

Chhattisgarh police said the number of fatalities could go up as the search operation is still underway in the densely forested area.

Three security personnel, including two BSF jawans and one from the state policeas District Reserve Guard (DRG), suffered injuries in the incident.

The operation was carried out by a joint team of the BSF and DRG near the Binagunda-Koragutta forest area in Kanker.

aAfter the encounter, the area was searched which led to the recovery of 29 bodies along with a large cache of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles," the police said.
Tashkent, April 16 : India and Uzbekistan on Tuesday discussed the prospects of training and military cooperation between the two countries during the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande's ongoing visit to Tashkent.

General Pande interacted with Major General Khalmukhamedov Shukhrat Gayratjanovich, First Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of the General Staff (CGS) of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan, discussing key aspects of strengthening military cooperation between both armies.

The COAS also met Major General Burkhanov Ahmed Jamalovich, Deputy Minister and Chief of Air and Air Defence Forces of Uzbekistan, discussing avenues to strengthen the existing defence relations between both forces.

The Indian Army said in a statement that General Pande also visited the Armed Forces Museum in Tashkent which displays military exhibits belonging to different historical epochs of Uzbekistan. COAS, it said, was offered insights into the rich military history and achievements of Uzbekistan during the visit.

General Pande later paid obeisance to Late Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India, by laying a wreath at his monument in the Uzbek capital. He also visited Victory Park which commemorates Uzbekistan's contributions and sacrifices in the Second World War.

During his visit to the Centre for Innovative Technologies LLC, which conducts research and implements technological modernisation in the military-industrial complex, the COAS interacted with the Directors of Defence Industrial Agencies of Uzbekistan.

On Wednesday, the Indian Army chief is scheduled to visit Samarkand and meet the Commander of the Central Military District.

The visit will culminate in Termez on April 18, where the COAS is also scheduled to witness the Joint Exercise DUSTLIK between the armed forces of India and Uzbekistan, highlighting the interoperability and camaraderie developed between the two countries.

He will also visit the Termez Museum and the historical monuments of the Surkhandarya Region, beholding a first-hand account of Uzbekistan's glorious past and cultural landscapes.

"The visit by General Pande aims at strengthening military cooperation between India and Uzbekistan besides exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two nations," stated the Indian Army.
Mumbai, April 16 : The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will soon release a combined election manifesto of the three allies, the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party-SP, and the Shiv Sena-UBT, Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray here on Tuesday.

The proposed joint manifesto will incorporate all the Maharashtra-related aspects in the Congress documents announced last week, he said at the release of a song to popularise his partyas aFlaming Torcha symbol, allotted first for a by-election and then given to his party to January 24, while the (undivided) Shiv Sena name and symbol of aBow and Arrowa was given to the party now headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Thackeray reiterated that the aFlaming Torcha has reached every nook and cranny of state and vowed that "it will reduce to ashes the dictatorial regime of the Bharatiya Janata Party" while exuding confidence that the MVA would romp home in all the 48 LS seats in Maharashtra.

Responding to a question on the Congress rebel Vishal P. Patil filing multiple nominations for the Sangli Lok Sabha seat to challenge the SS-UBT nominee Chandrahar Patil, Thackeray said that itas the individual responsibility of the MVA partners to prevent any dissidence within their ranks.

"The MVA allies held a joint press conference last week and announced the seat-distribution formulaa Now, if there is a rebellion, then the partner concerned put a check on such activities," he said.

The SS-UBT is contesting 21 seats, the Congress 17 and the NCP-SP has put up candidates in the remaining 10 constituencies, but there are still rumblings among the allies on the seat distribution agreement, sparking concerns.

Party sources say that the MVA allies could face rebels and independents in at least four or five constituencies in the state which may mar the prospects of the official nominees.
Ahmedabad, April 16 : The Cybercrime Branch of the Ahmedabad Police has arrested two individuals linked to a gang committing financial fraud.

The accused were allegedly selling an ayurvedic medicine claimed to enhance sexual power under the brand name 'Ankush Aryuveda'.

This scam involved contacting people across India, dispatching parcels of the dubious medicine, and then coercing them with threats of legal action if they refused to pay or posted negative reviews, officials said.

The accused, identified as Ajay alias Ajju Babulal Verma (25) and Himanshu Harishbhai (18), were allegedly involved in this act for the last two months. During this period, they defrauded 13 individuals of a significant amount of money.

According to the Cybercrime Branch officials, the scam also involved sending fake notices to the victims, which fraudulently claimed to be from the Gandhinagar Cyber Crime Department, threatening the recipients with imprisonment or fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 unless they made payments through digital wallets.

The investigation revealed that a case had also been registered against the main accused in Daman, indicating a pattern of criminal activity.
New Delhi, April 16 : A man, helped by his son, on Tuesday killed his daughter and his cousin by slitting their throats following suspicion over an illicit relationship between them, police said, adding both have been arrested.

The incident occurred in east Delhias Bhajanpura area, and the deceased were identified as Danish, 35, of Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr, and Shaina, 22, a resident of Ghonda.

According to police, the incident occurred at around 4.30 p.m. and a police control room call was received at Bhajanpura police station at 4.40 p.m., with the caller saying that his sister and uncle had been murdered and he wanted to surrender.

A police team reached the spot at Gali No 5, North Ghonda, to find both the deceased and the accused, identified as Mohd Shahid, 46, and his son Kudush, 20, were arrested from there.

aFather (Shahid) and son (Kudush) murdered Shaina and Danish because they suspected that Shaina and Danish were having an illicit love affair," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Northeast, Joy Tirkey said, adding that the throats of both were slit with a large knife.

"The hands and feet of Shaina had been bound with a chunni and a lungi. The accused persons first killed Danish and then Shaina," he said.

Kudush then called the PCR and reported the crime.

The DCP said that the crime and forensic science laboratory teams also reached the spot and a case of murder was registered.
Visakhapatnam, April 16 : A special court in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on Tuesday sentenced YSR Congress Party MLC Thota Trimurthulu and nine others to imprisonment for 18 months for tonsuring two Dalit youths 28 years ago, but hours later, the district court granted him bail.

Trimurthulu, who is also the YSRCP candidate for the Mandapeta Assembly seat in Konaseema district in the next month's polls, approached the district court after XI Additional District and Session Court-cum-special court for trial of cases under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act pronounced its verdict in the sensational case of 1996.

The ruling party leader said he would challenge the special court's verdict in the High Court.

The special court imposed a fine of Rs 2.5 lakh on the main accused Trimurthulu. The fine on others ranged from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.

The court also ordered a compensation of Rs.1.20 lakh to Koti Chinna Raju and Dandala Venkata Ratnam, who were tonsured by Trimurthulu and others.

The case had created a sensation in 1996 and the victims and their families have been awaiting justice for over two and a half decades.

On December 29, 1996, Trimurthulu, the then independent MLA of Ramachandrapuram, had tonsured two Dalit youngsters Koti Chinna Raju and Dandala Venkata Ratnam and beat up three others, Challapaudi Pattabhiramayya, Kanikella Ganapati, and Puvvala Venkata Ramana of Venkatayapalem in East Godavari district as they had opposed him in Assembly elections.

The Dalit youth had worked for polling agents of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

On a complaint by the two victims, a case was registered in 1997 at Draksharamam police station in East Godavari district.

Trimurthulu was later elected as MLA on the TDP ticket in 1999 and 2014. He later joined the YSR Congress.

The victims have welcomed the court order saying justice was finally done after 28 years. The reaction from Dalit groups and peopleas organisations was mixed. Few of them said the punishment awarded to convicts was not proportionate to the nature of the crime committed by them.

Jahan Ara, counsel of the victims, said the quantum of punishment awarded was disappointing.

The incident, which had occurred in Venkatayapalem village in the combined East Godavari district, had triggered protests by Dalit groups and human rights organisations.

Trimurthulu was arrested along with other accused and was jailed for 87 days. The then TDP government had also constituted the Justice Puttaswamy Commission to probe the incident.

Based on its report, a Government Order (GO) was issued, giving clean chit to Trimurthulu. The victims had challenged the GO in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which had passed orders for questioning Trimurthulu.

In 2008, the investigation was re-opened in the case.

Senior lawyer and activist Bojja Tarakam had filed a petition in the High Court in 2015. The High Court directed the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the case and do justice to the victims.

On the directions of the High Court, the special court in Visakhapatnam began the trial in 2017. There was another twist in the case when authorities refused to issue caste certificates to the victims, claiming that they were not Dalits but Christians.

After protests by Dalit and civil liberties groups and the direction of the Supreme Court, caste certificates were issued to them in June 2019.

The case was adjourned for143 times.

There were 24 witnesses in the case and 11 of them died due to old age or ill-health. Among the victims, Puvvala Venkat Ramna passed away.

Following the court order, police stepped up the security in Venkatayapalem and also at Draksharamam, which are now in Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district.
Hyderabad, April 16 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday predicted that the Congress government in Telangana will not last more than a year "as nobody knows who will join the BJP and when".

"We don't know, the Chief Minister (Revanth Reddy) himself may jump to the BJP," he said.

Addressing a public meeting at Sultanpur in Sangareddy as part of the party's campaign for next month's Lok Sabha elections, he said while they want the Congress government to complete its five-year term, considering the recent developments, he doubts if it will last more than a year.

He said that all surveys show that Congress will not get more than two Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Claiming that farmers are revolting, he said the fear in Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was evident as he was shivering at the Narayanpet public meeting.

"The Chief Minister says one thing here and goes to Delhi and on television ask people to vote for the BJP," he said.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, said BRS MPs should be there in the Parliament to fulfil the aspirations of Telangana. He slammed the Congress government for insulting Dr B. R. Ambedkar by not garlanding his 125-foot statue in Hyderabad on his birth anniversary.

"Nobody from this government went to the statue to garland it and pay tributes. They did not go there because I installed the statue. I also built the Secretariat. Are they not sitting in it? I constructed the Yadadri temple. Will you shut it?" he asked.

KCR came down heavily on Congress for not implementing its promises. He recalled that the Congress had promised to waive off farm loans on December 9.

"Four months have passed but they have not waived the loans. Now they are saying they will do it by August 15. The government should immediately waive off farm loans up to Rs.2 lakh. For this, we will fight against the government," he said and called for conducting a postcard campaign for loan waiver and bonus for paddy.

The TRS chief alleged that the Chief Minister was using abusive language for those demanding the implementation of promises.

"I was the Chief Minister for 10 years. I never spoke this kind of language. I never threatened anybody," he said.

Claiming that the BRS government took great care of farmers, he said today farmers were worried as they are not getting money under Rythu Bandhu, benefits of Rythu Bima, and they are not even being supplied electricity to irrigate their fields.

Lashing out at the BJP, the BRS chief likened it to "useless relatives", as it had made no contribution to Telangana and its people. "Casting a vote for the BJP is like dumping your vote in the Manjira river," he said.
Mumbai, April 17 : The BJP has registered an FIR at the Marine Drive police station here against an unknown person for forging and fabricating the letterhead and publishing a fake candidate list for the Palghar Lok Sabha constituency.

As per the "fake list", the party has nominated Prakash Nikam from Palghar seat.

Incidentally, the BJP and Shiv Sena are yet to reach a consensus on a seat-sharing agreement over the Palghar constituency. Both have staked their claims.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued an ad-interim injunction order in favour of senior advocate and BJP member Gaurav Bhatia on his defamation plea against multiple social media users and YouTube channels.

The case arises from what Bhatia claims to be defamatory content circulated about him following an assault incident last month during a lawyers' strike at the Gautam Budha Nagar District & Sessions Court.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna disposed of Bhatia's application seeking interim relief and directed that posts or tweets against Bhatia be taken down from social media platforms.

The court expressed concern about the dissemination of deepfake videos showing Bhatia being assaulted, saying that such content is sensationalised and presents false information.

The court concluded that irreparable harm would be caused to Bhatia if the deepfake videos and tweets remained in the public domain, while no harm would be caused to the defendants by restraining the material until the suit is adjudicated on its merits.
New Delhi, April 17 : Delhi Police's Special Cell has arrested the wanted kingpin of a drug syndicate and recovered Tramadol capsules and codeine-based cough syrup bottles valued at around Rs 8 crore, an official said on Tuesday.

The arrested kingpin has been identified as Yusuf Azam (43), a resident of Lucknow. Police had earlier nabbed six members of his syndicate, which he was operating through his pharmaceutical company, AK Pharma, the official added.

In October 2023, police apprehended three men Md Faizan Beg, Md Zubair, and Rekha linked to the syndicate. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of three more members and seizures of incriminating evidence. However, the alleged mastermind, Yusuf, remained elusive.

"Faizan and Zubair confessed to sourcing psychotropic medications from Rahul and Tushar, both of whom were subsequently detained. Through their interrogation and examination of their electronic and financial records, Yusuf Azam emerged as the primary orchestrator," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Manoj C.

Numerous raids were conducted to track down Yusuf, who continuously changed locations to evade arrest. "Manual and technological efforts eventually pinpointed his whereabouts in Transport Nagar, Lucknow," said the DCP.

On April 8, after extensive intelligence gathering, a raid successfully led to Yusuf's arrest at his hideout.

"He was taken into custody for questioning, which revealed substantial evidence, including 648,942 capsules/tablets of Tramadol, 44,834 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, incriminating documents, and three mobile phones," said the DCP.

On interrogation, Yusuf confessed to operating in the illicit trade for 15 years, using his pharmaceutical company, AK Pharma, as a front.

"Additionally, he acquired licences from other firms to procure psychotropic medications in large quantities, selling them in the grey market for significant profits without proper documentation," said the DCP.
Julie Isgrigg, a sales rep of the year nominee two years running, loves the variety of her work at Hachette. No day is ever the same, Isgrigg says, whether shes introducing herself to a startup, troubleshooting a POS system, or checking details with a long-established account in her territory of Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas, and Washington, D.C.

Im in regular touch with more than 100 active accounts, she says. I treasure getting to know them, whether we talk on the phone, meet in person, or just exchange chatty emails.

Laura Shinn, manager at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, N.C., calls Isgrigg the queen of the sales reps. She consistently pulls through for us on tight deadlines and helps us support our teachers for school programs, Shinn says. Quail Ridge bookseller Emma Sidoli concurs, calling Isgrigg a go-to for event ordering and B2B assistance. And Angie Tally, childrens buyer at the Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, N.C., says Isgrigg truly cares for me, my coworkers, and my customers.

With around 900 titles per season, Isgrigg finds something for everyone. She says shes noticed a real hunger right now for any book thats an intersection of nature, spirituality, and wonder, and anticipates pitching scientist Alan Townsends forthcoming memoir This Ordinary Stardust (Grand Central, June). She also notes strong interest in Treehouse Town by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Charlie Mylie (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers).

Last fall, she and a colleague staged a friendly competition to see who could sell the most copies of Maybell Eequays The Little Frogs Guide to Self-Care (Octopus). Most stores displayed healthy stacks where impulse purchases are made, Isgrigg says. I sold well over 1,000 copies in a few months.

Having worked in merchandising at Borders and sales at Baker and Taylor, Isgrigg calls herself a technology junkie who likes to help people untie knots in day-to-day operations. The books are why Im here, Isgrigg says, but if I can help businesses be more successful, then Im more successful, and Hachettes more successful too.
Best known for his social justice comics, which he shares online, Irish cartoonist Pan Cooke makes his middle grade debut with graphic novel memoir Puzzled. In it, he depicts his childhood and teenage experience managing persistent anxious thoughts that he deems the Puzzle, which he later learns is undiagnosed obsessive compulsive disorder. At 10, Cooke, who attends Catholic school, engages in an extensive bedtime prayer routine, only tucking himself in once his Hail Marys feel just right. At 12, intrusive thoughts insist he must run up the stairs or risk his family dying horrifically. When, at 14, he begins counting calories, the compulsion soon results in an anorexia and hypochondria diagnosis that eventually leads him to uncovering a piece that fits: a description of OCD. Cooke spoke with PW about his journey from traditional painting to creating comics, his process behind developing Puzzled, and how his work has evolved over the years.

How has your debut experience been so far?

Its been great. My first few copies of Puzzled actually arrived a few hours ago. So, for the first time I got to sit down and read it front to back. Its a real book, and it was a surreal experience for me to have it in my hands after all the work I put into it. People seem to be enjoying it so far, so Im super excited to watch everything thats to come at the official release stage.

You started out as a portrait artist before pivoting to comics in March 2020. Can you talk about that trajectory?

I was working as a portrait painter for a lot of my 20s. I did a lot of celebrity portraits, or peoples kids and grandparents, from photos clients sent me. It was going okay, but it was really starting to plateau. And then lockdown happened and I had to move back in with my parents at 30 years old. I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I had a lot of free time on my hands. Ive always been creative and loved reading and comics, so I picked up an iPad and started doing a daily diary comic of my life during lockdown as practice. I knew it was such an event; I knew that when I looked back at [the comics] in a few years, Id be like, That was crazy. So, I thought having documentation of it would be helpful.

Then George Floyd was killed, and everyone was on social media posting the black tile in solidarity. I thought that was a really powerful thing, but I also thought that there was some more proactive way that I could get involved. I decided to use this new format of comics to educate myself on those realities a bit more. I began by researching Eric Garner and made a one-page comic talking about what happened to him and the injustice of it. I had no intentions of sharing it, but I sent it to a few friends on a WhatsApp group and they were like, We found this very helpful, and we think people will gain something from it. So, I set up a separate Instagram from my painting one and I posted it there. The reaction was pretty immediate. People said that they were learning from it; they found it as being a helpful medium to digest things that can otherwise be difficult. Throughout lockdown, I dedicated myself to that for a year and its something that I still do, and Im incredibly proud of it. I imagine I will continue doing it for a long time.

Did your work creating comics for advocacy organizations influence your development of Puzzled?

Everything I learned from doing those comics I was able to use in a different way in Puzzled. I was able to look at high-pressure scenarios and try breaking them down into the easiest way to digest them. It was obviously quite a contrast to whats taking place in my social justice comics, but in times where I was experiencing obsessions or anxiety, they felt like the same kind of high-pressure scenarios, so I was able to use the same kind of storytelling techniques. After I started making those original comics and I built a following, I started thinking about telling my own story and how other people could learn from it and hopefully help others, like my comics were already doing.

 I started thinking about telling my own story and how other people could learn from it and hopefully help others. 

In the book, you use the puzzle as a metaphor to help contextualize your OCD. Did you use the same description in childhood?

I did. I was trying to process what was happening to me. One of my main OCD tendencies was a subtype called Just-Right OCD, where the compulsions exist without the intrusive thoughts. So, I had really uncomfortable feelings that I would have to neutralize by acting out compulsions; I always had a feeling of incompleteness if I didnt. When I was trying to combat them by doing a compulsionsay, brushing my teethI would be in my own head trying to solve this anxiety. I didnt know where it was coming from. I just knew that by doing a simple movement, it would go away, but I never knew when it would go away. It kind of felt like a puzzleevery time I was enacting my compulsion, I was adding a piece to it, hoping that after a while, a piece would land, and Id be able to stop. It was just one in a long line of different ways to try and conceptualize what was going on, because I had no idea what was happening to me.

Did you imagine youd be publishing a graphic novel memoir?

Not in a million years. I had lost a lot of passion for painting, and I was stuck, and I was living at home again and I didnt really have any prospects. So its incredibly fulfilling and just a dream come true to be able to sit down and work on something Im passionate about and that will hopefully lead into a career that I can continue. A lot of luck was involved in getting me here and Im thankful to all my readers online. Hopefully they can gain something from this experience as well.

What do you hope they gain?

I think people will gain different things. Maybe Puzzled can help parents who have a kid who they think may have OCD understand more about the nature of the disorder. Maybe [it can help] kids who, like me, are growing up and experiencing symptoms of OCD, but dont quite understand whats happening. I hope my book outlines the ways it can manifest and hopefully be a stepping stone for them to seek treatment, but also let them know theyre not alone. OCD is known for being quite difficult to diagnose and people who experience OCD wait, on average, 11 years from when their symptoms begin to seek help. I just hope that it can help kids shorten that waiting time before they get help, and they can start getting better.

Can you tell us about what youre working on now?

Im working on my next book, but I dont think I can reveal anything about it yet. But Im always working on stuff, whether it be commissions, or my own personal projects. Drawing cartoons is my passion, and if I was working an office job, Id be coming home in the evenings to make comics as well.

Puzzled: A Memoir of Growing Up with OCD by Pan Cooke. Rocky Pond, $23.99 Apr. 16 ISBN 978-0-593-61561-4; $13.99 paper ISBN 978-0-593-61562-1
The Bologna Childrens Book Fair hosted a panel discussion exploring the crucial role that childrens literature can play in educating and empowering young readers to become vocal advocates and change agents for a sustainable future. The round table, entitled Reading for the Planet: Childrens Books for a Sustainable Future, was chaired by Ed Nawotka, senior international editor at Publishers Weekly, and featured a group of panelists representing the publishing industry, academia, and the United Nations. It was accompanied by an exhibit of books on the same topic.

Establishing a baseline for conversations, Karine Pansa, president of the International Publishers Association, described the IPAs ongoing collaboration with the UN on the SDG Book Club, an initiative that curates titles from around the world that align with and promote the UNs 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We have selected 115 titles divided into the 17 categories, Pansa explained. Its a very good list for any parent or teacher to start with if they want to help children understand the issues the SDG address.

Irina Lumelsky from United Nations Publications emphasized the urgency of the decade of action leading up to 2030, the target date for achieving the SDGs. She noted that progress has been hindered by global crises like the pandemic, making it all the more critical for every part of society to take action now. Whether youre an individual, nonprofit, commercial entity, publisher, or academic institution, everybody can do their part, she said. Lumelsky shared that more than 300 publishers have already signed onto the UNs SDG Publishers Compact, committing to both sustainable practices and publishing books that promote the global goals.

Panelists agreed that creating effective childrens books on complex sustainability topics requires a careful balancing act: presenting scientific information accurately yet accessibly, and telling engaging stories that inspire a sense of wonder and agency rather than despair or paralysis.

On one side, we have to use age-appropriate language and break down complex concepts into simpler terms without losing the accuracy of the information conveyed, said Elisa Palazzi, a climatologist at the University of Turin and author of childrens books on climate change, including Siamo tutti Greta (We Are All Greta, Daedalus Editions, 2022), which she wrote with Sara Moraca. But telling personal stories is also important because they have the capacity to touch emotions and inspire children to take action. Showing relatable examples of young changemakers is key to let children understand they can be agents of positive change, Palazzi added. Even [through] a small act, all together, we can be a positive community making a revolution.

Ines Castel-Branco, publisher of Spains Akiara Books, argued that beyond providing information, books for the youngest readers should aim to awaken and nurture childrens innate sense of curiosity about the natural world. She quoted a passage from biologist and conservationist Rachel Carson: If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.

Wonder is not enough, countered Ferdinando Boero, a zoologist and president of the Dohrn Foundation in Naples. While an initial sense of awe is important, he said awareness and knowledge are critical so that people truly understand and appreciate less charismatic but vitally important species. He lamented that few are aware of the existence, let alone the ecological importance, of tiny marine creatures like copepods and diatoms that play an outsized role in ocean health. Its a tragedy that nobody knows they exist, Boero said. We cannot take care of things we dont know.

The challenge for illustrators, Palazzi noted, is representing complex subjects in an engaging way, which requires close collaboration with authors from the earliest stages. Castel-Branco emphasized the importance of publishers thoroughly vetting nonfiction content and working closely with authors and illustrators to present information through compelling, age-appropriate narratives.

Boero drew a distinction between information and true knowledge. Children can study an image of the water cycle, but if they dont connect the dots between this image and the environment and how they live in it, it doesnt become real knowledge. He argued that a deeper understanding is what will ultimately drive the broad social changes needed for sustainability.

Beyond content, panelists also addressed the publishing industrys responsibility to walk the walk by making its own operations more sustainable. Castel-Branco shared how her publishing house applies the principles of Eco-edicion, a project from the government of Spain that helps publishers reduce their carbon footprint and communicate their efforts transparently. She outlined some key practices, including printing locally, using FSC-certified and recycled papers, vegetable-based inks, renewable energy, and avoiding plastic in packaging. However, the panelists acknowledged the challenges small publishers face, as eco-friendly papers and inks can be cost-prohibitive, and not always available at or compatible with printers even if they want to use them. This is especially true in smaller or less developed publishing markets, such as those in the global South. .

The speakers expressed hope that despite young peoples understandable anxiety about issues like climate change, their innate curiosity and desire to shape a better world can be nurtured through inspiring, informative books. When I talk to young people, that [gives] me hope for the future, Palazzi said. Boero agreed, We dont have to create ittheir curiosity is innate. We have to keep it alive while they grow up. Thats the big challenge.
In a Bologna Children's Book Fair session called Dead Bunnies and Naked Bottoms: Meeting the Challenges of Childrens Publishing Across Cultures, held on April 9, moderator Maria Russo, former childrens books editor at the New York Times, explained the panels title: In the U.S. a dead bunny is a red flag in a picture book, as is a naked bottom. In the rest of the world, these are regular elements in a picture book.

The four panelists were asked to show a few successful titles for them, either originated by them and/or originated in another country. Dolores Prades, founder, director, and editor of Instituto Emilia in Brazil, talked about her longtime mission to publish books from Africa in Brazil, beginning with Niki Daly. She came across Dalys books at Bologna one year, one of my first discoveries. Now, 20 years later, its an editorial choice Im most proud of. Dalys picture books center on the daily life of a girl living with her parents and grandparents. Sosus Call by Meshack Asare is another book thats been successful for Prades; Asare, born in Ghana and currently living in Germany, is a popular African childrens author.

Bologna veteran Neal Porter, publisher of Neal Porter Books at Holiday House, said he has seen a lot of changes in the international market since he started attending the fair in the mid-1980s. At that time, there was an explosion of the retail market for childrens books in the U.S., stemming from the large number of childrens bookshops that were opening. An easy way for American publishers to expand their lists was to acquire books from abroad at Bologna. This has ebbed and flowed over the years.

Porter showed images from The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess, [a picture book by graphic novelist and Guardian cartoonist Tom Gauld] https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/87176-q-a-with-tom-gauld.html, which he published in 2020. Of the books Ive published, this book probably holds the record for foreign editions: 23 throughout Europe and Asia, he said. Gauld has a very inventive way of approaching fairy tales and making them his own. Its been a tremendous pleasure to see how well this book has done in cultures other than our own.

An example of a book he saw and bought at Bologna, back in 2007, was ABC3D by Marion Bataille, a pop-up alphabet book that took off after an enterprising marketing staffer created a short video for the book that went viral and now has 15 million views. It may have been the beginning of digital marketing for childrens books, he said. It was thrilling to buy that book at the fair. He remembers telling the originating publisher, If you dont sell me this book I may do serious damage. He published it to great success, with 100,000 copies sold.

Another title he showed was I Talk Like a River, written by Jordan Scott, and illustrated by just-crowned Hans Christian Andersen Award winner Sydney Smith, a picture book about a boy with a stutter, and how his father likens the sounds of his speech to the flow of a river. This is one of my favorite books Ive ever published, Porter said. The book won a number of international awards and had 19 co-editions.

Erik Titusson, publisher of Lilla Piratforlaget (Little Pirate) in Sweden, highlighted a book he bought from a Latvian publisher in 2020, called The Kiosk by Anete Melece, about a woman who is stuck working in a kiosk but dreaming of travel and adventure. The Billy Goats Gruff Go to the Bathhouse by Bjrn F. Rrvik, which I bought from Norway, was the very first book I published, he said.

In Sweden, he said, theres a long tradition of translating books from other parts of the world. In recent years, the number of translated books has been decreasing. Currently, 32% of the books he publishes are in translation, compared to 50% in 2010. Retail space for childrens books in Sweden is getting a bit smaller, and Swedish books are being prioritized.

He recalled showing Porter a book at a previous Bologna Fair that he said had a lot of nudity in it. Neal asked me, Please, can I have a copy? Not to publish it, but to show my colleagues how crazy the Swedes are.

Author-illustrator Beatrice Alemagna said she has been publishing picture books for 24 years42 books to date. Over the years, I realized that each one has a different life, depending on which country it was published into, she told the audience. I believe a reason for the success of any book is that children have fun.

Alemagna talked about her book Never, Not Ever!, published three years ago and already translated into 15 languages. The books success, she feels, was due to it being a weird story, about a bat who doesnt want to go to school.

Results, she said, can vary widely by country. What Is a Child?, her most translated book, has been published in 20 countries. In Italy its a classic; in France it has been a failure, she said. She showed the books covers in an array of languages and editions, pointing out that the British cover (Tate) was different from the other editions because the British publisher felt the image was reminiscent of pictures of children during war.

Russo asked the panelists what appeals to them about a picture book, whether they are acquiring it, editing it, or creating it. Titusson said he looks for psychological truth in a book. You can trust that other people will feel the way you do. Its also important to find editors who have a similar feeling about books as you.

Porter answered, I tend to publish books selfishly, for me, or the five-year-old in me. I dont think about whether the book is too sophisticated. But its very gratifying when others feel the same way I do about it.

With experience, Alemagna said, Ive learned that the less I think about the audience and the more I focus on my emotion, the more sincere the book will be. The more I emotionally engage with my book, the more successful it will be.
In November 2021, Tan Khanh Cao and Josiah Luis Alderete cofounded Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore and Gallery in Calle 24, San Franciscos Latino cultural district. They specialize in radical literature, poetry, and Spanish-language titles, embodying the Mission Districts storied revolutionary spirit.

Before opening their store in the former location of Alley Cat Books, Cao and Alderete were booksellers at San Franciscos iconic City Lights Books. Cao, a visual and performance artist, also spent four years with worker-owned Modern Times Bookstore Collective in San Francisco, which closed in 2016. Alderete, who helped coordinate events at City Lights, writes poetry that examines the tensions between Spanish and English: I mean, be honest, the language of America is Spanglish, he says.

In that polyglot spirit, Medicine for Nightmares amplifies underrepresented voices. The majority of books we sell are by people of color, Cao says. We carry frontlist things, but backlist is as important for us and featured as prominently. Store visitors can browse Mexican zines, Aime Cesaires Discourse on Colonialism, and Dionne Brands A Map to the Door of No Return (to be reprinted by Picador in October). Cao and Alderete handsell Ruth Wilson Gilmores Abolition Geography and Marc James Leger and David Tomass anthology Zapantera Negra: An Artistic Encounter Between Black Panthers and Zapatistas.

In addition to curating shelves, Cao and Alderete host community events and music, and they exhibit a new artist every few weeks. This June, theyll team up with San Francisco State Universitys Poetry Center and the Flor Y Canto Literary Festival to host a Mexican poetry night.

Chris Carosi, sales manager for Bay Area publisher Heyday, calls Medicine for Nightmares the locus of anti-colonial energy San Francisco desperately needs. Carosi says Cao and Alderete carry the true spirit of what Lawrence Ferlinghetti innovated: the bookstore as community center and literary meeting place.

Valencia Street was home to five independent bookstores when I was growing up here, Alderete says. He and Cao established Medicine for Nightmares to be a small part of continuing that legacy.
In a new report out this week, PEN America found that the number of individual books banned by schools across the nation surged to record levels through the first half of the 2023-2024 school year.

The new report, Banned in the USA: Narrating the Crisis, reports 4,349 book bans recorded across 23 states and 52 public school districts from July to December 2023. PEN officials noted that more book bans were recorded during the first half of the current school year than in the entire 2022-2023 year, in which 3,362 books were targeted.

For anyone who cares about the bedrock of American values and the protection of free expression, this report should be a red alert, said the reports lead author, Sabrina Baeta, Freedom to Read program manager at PEN, in a release. Book bans are targeting narratives about race and sexual identities and sexual content writ large, and they show no sign of stopping.

Among the reports key findings:

The more than 4,000 book bans in the first half of this school year suggest that the pace of book banning is speeding up year over year

Once again, Florida led the nation with 3,135 bans acrss 11 school districtsover 1,600 of which came from the Escambia County Public Schools

Behind Florida, Wisconsin came in second with 481 bans, with 444 of those bans stemming from a single complaint; Iowa came in third, with 142 bans, followed by Texas, with 141

The campaign to ban books is active in both red and blue districts

Would-be book banners continue to use obscenity claims and hyperbolic rhetoric about porn in schools to justify banning books about sexual violence and LGBTQ+ topics, as well as attacking themes of race and racism by advancing rhetoric disparaging critical race theory, woke ideology, and efforts to ensure library collections are diverse and inclusive

But there is also hope, the report finds. Now into the third year of an organized right-wing attack on the freedom to read, PEN America also found that "resistance" to book banning is also on the rise.

Galvanized by the actions of the very students most impacted by book bans, a broad coalition of educators, librarians, parents, authors, and advocates are organizing in ways large and small to protect the freedom to read, the report states. The growing resistance to the book banning movement is a signal that todays censorship efforts may be losing in the popular consciousness. But the crisis is not over. Every day, librarians are laid off and public libraries thrown into disarray, their already precarious funding further threatened. Educators are left unsure of their job security and physical safety, undermining their ability to do their jobs.

The report is the latest in PEN Americas Banned in the USA series, exploring educational censorship in Americas schools. Prior to today's release, a report last September found a 33% increase in school book bans, and a report in April 2023, Banned in the USA: State Laws Supercharge Book Suppression in Schools, explored how state legislation was fueling bans. With the inclusion of the organization's two previous reports, PEN America has documented more than 10,000 book bans so far.

The PEN America report comes a month after the American Library Association reported a similar acceleration in book banning, finding that the number of unique titles targeted for censorship surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022, once again hitting record levels.

In the ALAs annual State of America's Libraries report, released on April 8 during National Library Week, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA's office for intellectual freedom, put the three-year surge in book bans in perspective, noting that the ALA tracked more book bans 2023 than in the previous 20 years combined.
After a federal judge blocked key parts of SF 496, Iowas anti-LGBTQ book banning law, last December, five more publishersincluding all four remaining Big Five publishershave now joined Penguin Random House on the joint lawsuit against the state as plaintiffs, to help defend against the states bid to lift the block on appeal.

In a release this week, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, and Sourcebooks announced that they have joined the initial plaintiffs, which included PRH, the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), four renowned authors (Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, Malinda Lo, and Jodi Picoult), and a group of teachers and students.

We as publishers are uniting in our unwavering commitment to stand with educators, librarians, students, authors, and readers against the unconstitutional censorship measures being imposed by the state of Iowa," the publishers said in a joint statement. "Now, more than ever, we must stand firmly with our authors and readers to defend the fundamental right to read and the freedom of expression.

Among its provisions, SF 496, which was signed by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in May 2023, sought to ban books with depictions of sex from school libraries and prohibit instruction and materials involving gender identity and sexual orientation for students through sixth grade. But in a 49-page December 29 opinion and order, judge Stephen Locher preliminarily enjoined two key provisions of the law, finding its sweeping restrictions were unlikely to satisfy the First Amendment under any standard of scrutiny.

In a rebuke to Iowa lawmakers, Locher said that he was unable to locate a single case upholding the constitutionality of a school library restriction even remotely similar to Senate File 496 and said state lawmakers had sought to impose a puritanical pall of orthodoxy over school libraries.

Furthermore, Locher suggested that the law was a solution in search of a problem. The state presented no evidence that student access to books depicting sex acts was creating any significant problems in the school setting, much less to the degree that would justify across-the-board removal. At most, Locher concluded, the state presented evidence that some parents found the content of a small handful of books to be objectionable.

Locher also found the law to be unconstitutionally vague. While opponents of SF 496 have often described the law as a dont say gay or dont say trans bill, Locher said that the law, based on the plain language of the statute, was in fact a dont say anything bill, and thus void for vagueness.

The state, meanwhile, has appealed the ruling to the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals, and in their March 11 appeal filing, state attorneys argued that Locher erred in enjoining the law on several technical grounds. The plaintiffs filed their response brief on April 11, urging the appeals court to uphold the block.

In first announcing the appeal in January, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird defended the law. Iowas law is clear; sexually explicit books and materials have no place in our elementary school classrooms or libraries, Bird said in a statement. With this appeal, we will continue the fight to protect Iowa families and to uphold Iowas law in Court.

At press time, oral arguments have not yet been set.
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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/16/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

winner Theresa Nist has spoken out after she and her husband of three months, Gerry Turner , announced their divorce.Gerry filed for divorce from Theresa in his hometown of Petersburg, Indiana on Friday, April 12, just hours after the pair had publicly announced their split and decision to get a divorce in a clip of their lengthy ABC Nightline interview that aired on Good Morning America.Theresa, 70, took to Instagram on Monday, April 15 and posted an image that read, "Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened. - Dr. Seuss."Theresa wrote in the caption, "To everyone who has expressed love, support and kindness to me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are all such wonderful human beings.""It means the world to me that you took the time to reach out to me," she continued, "whether in person, on the phone, by text or by direct message. You are all so kind to do so."But Theresa also took a jab at the haters out there amid backlash she and Gerry have thrown in the towel so quickly after enjoying a lavish televised wedding that cost ABC millions of dollars on January 4."For everyone else who is confused and angry and who does not understand, please try to find it in your heart to understand and to try a little kindness," Theresa wrote."Not just for me but for the world and for everyone you encounter.Theresa called her relationship with Gerry, which began on in 2023, "one of the most incredible experiences" of her life."[It was] something I never expected to happen at this point in my life and I truly thought it was going to last forever. It turns out, even at the age of 70, you don't know everything," Theresa admitted in the caption of her post.Theresa and Gerry's engagement aired in late November, and the couple rushed down the aisle because they had claimed they were so in love."Sometimes things don't go the way you planned and that's okay," Theresa noted."I take so many positives away from this experience, most importantly and above all the incredible friends I now have in all of these amazing, wonderful women and in Angie and Jenny, Payton and Charlee, the producers, the production crew and so many of you."winner concluded, "I ask you to please stay open to all the experiences, opportunities, and love that may come your way. Keep smiling, keep laughing... I will. I love you all."Gerry listed April 12 as the pair's date of separation in the divorce papers, although Theresa said they had been discussing their breakup for several weeks prior, according to Us Weekly.Gerry reportedly cited an "irretrievable breakdown" of marriage as the cause of his split from Theresa.Theresa also confirmed on ABC Nightline that she and the retired restaurant owner had signed a prenuptial agreement."So many people wanted us to sign a prenup, and we do [have one]," Theresa revealed with a big smile. "We thought it would be best for our families."Up until April 12, the couple had been putting on a united front.Gerry and Theresa just recently walked the red carpet together and filmed an episode of Celebrity Family Feud, after which Gerry boasted about the couple's "blended family" reuniting on social media.The couple's bombshell divorce announcement made headlines about two weeks after reports they were still living separately had surfaced.During their interview with Juju Chang on ABC Nightline, Gerry and Theresa revealed they're divorcing because neither one of them was willing to relocate and move away from their adult children and families.Gerry is still living at his lake house in Indiana, which is about 45 minutes away from his ageing father, Everett Turner.Theresa, meanwhile, currently resides in her native New Jersey, where she works full-time in financial services and has a home of her own near several of her grandsons."The thing that strikes me the most, and in our conversations, is how dedicated both of us our to our families," Gerry said as Theresa nodded in agreement."So we look at these situations and I think we just feel like it's best for the happiness of each of us to live apart."But Juju was openly skeptical of the couple's explanation, as many Bachelor Nation alums have been as well."I hear what you're saying... and yet throughout the process you said you were 100% committed to making it work," she said. "In November you told me you were thinking of moving to South Carolina to be together. How did it all fall apart?""Yeah, so that was the plan," Theresa replied."We looked at homes in South Carolina. We [also] considered New Jersey. We just looked at home after home but we never got to the point where we made that decision."Sessions with a marriage counselor apparently helped Gerry and Theresa decide to move in the direction of divorce rather than trying to stay together.However, the reality TV stars insisted they have not fallen out of love, despite their choice to part ways.Gerry and Theresa also urged others to not give up on finding lasting love despite the briefness of their own marriage."Don't give up," Theresa said. "We say stay in it, stay hopeful because we are."During the ABC interview, Theresa also insisted a November 2023 media report that Gerry misrepresented his past throughout 's production and broadcast run and allegedly had a live-in girlfriend of nearly three years before he appeared on the show played no role in her decision to divorce."No, not for me," Theresa said. "Because Gerry had already discussed that with me, he had already explained that to me before the report was ever released -- so we were good with that, that didn't play into it.""No," Gerry shrugged.stars also shared that they plan to continuing looking for love in new relationships."Oh yeah," Gerry told Juju."Yes," Theresa acknowledged. "And we tell everyone else to continue looking for love."After the couple got engaged on last year, Gerry and Theresa had told multiple media outlets that they planned to have a fresh start by moving to South Carolina together."For the last couple of years, when my family gets together, I've talked about moving to South Carolina, and it's an idea I've toyed with. And then in conversation with Theresa, a private moment, she's saying, 'Well, yeah, my son lives near Charleston in South Carolina,'" Gerry told People in December 2023."And all of a sudden, it's like, there's a big problem that is gone. The issue of compromising on where to live and how to reconcile families and all of that is, it's no longer an issue."Theresa had gushed at the time about how she wanted to build a big home with Gerry so their children and grandchildren could visit and have plenty of room to stay.Afterward, Gerry drove 10 hours from Indiana with his dog to visit Theresa in New Jersey on January 9.Gerry -- an Iowa native who has been living in Indiana since 2017 -- and Theresa tried new restaurants together, and they even recreated their first date with a trip to a local diner.Gerry and Theresa were asked if they were still planning to move to Charleston together during a January 16 appearance on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast, which is co-hosted by Bachelor in Paradise spouses Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt Theresa shared at the time, "We're still going to look there, yeah, absolutely... We're going to consider New Jersey, but it's probably going to be outside of Charleston. So that's the plan!""The plan is that we're going to plan. We're going to sit down and plan, and all of a sudden, my wheels started spinning about our trip to Italy."Theresa had said she and Gerry were thinking about going to Italy, a trip ABC had gifted them, in May or June of this year.When the Los Angeles Times previously asked Gerry if he'd continue to seek stardom or just live a quiet life with Theresa post-show, Gerry had replied, "I don't think those two things are mutually exclusive.""I can have a great, quiet life with Theresa and still look at the aspirations and ambitions that may be out there," he elaborated in December."But I will say this, I am absolutely going to savor every moment until I get to that altar and say my 'I do's.' I want every single moment to be as joyful for her as it is for me, and I never want to look back and feel I hurried through anything. We'll deal with the aspirations after that."Interested in more news? 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Goodwills East Athens Career Center is a part of the Goodwill North Georgia network that has served as a starting place for job seekers for the past 19 years.

We're synonymous with thrift store and people know that, Jenny Taylor, vice president of career services and chief mission officer at Goodwill North Georgia, said. They don't know the rest of the story.
Top government officials in New Delhi have started discussions with stakeholders ranging from shipping and container companies to export promotion councils to understand the impact of the Iran-Israel tensions and plan ahead.

Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

Inter-ministerial talks are also being lined up amid the crisis situation in West Asia, sources confirmed.

While the crude flows are not directly under any threat, elevated oil prices remain a concern, according to officials.

Commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal told reporters at a press conference on Monday that the government is monitoring the situation and will take appropriate action or remedial measures.

Whenever such conflicts occur, we start monitoring trade, conduct stakeholder consultation. Policy interventions will come when we understand what issues traders are facing, Barthwal said.

He pointed out that the government has been dealing with regional conflicts over the last couple of years and has devised a strategy to diversify exports to different regions.

Two days after Irans drone and missile attacks on Israel, finance ministry officials said they were taking stock of the situation and staying in touch with concerned ministries on the issue.

New Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that India's trade problems due to shipping disruption in the Red Sea could get worse because of the new conflict between Iran and Israel.

While the hostilities between Israel and Iran are not expected to affect oil flows directly, the government remains concerned about the cascading impact on global prices.

"We have always maintained that prices crossing $100 per barrel would lead to a very difficult situation.

"There is still enough buffer before that is reached. But the impact of successive crises in West Asia may lead to oil prices remaining elevated for a period much longer than we had expected earlier," a top Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry official said.

The GTRI report said that this conflict might not affect petrol prices in India.

The conflict makes the situation in West Asia very unstable, which could force projects like the India Middle East Corridor (IMEC) trade corridor to remain on paper for a long time, the report said, adding that Indias trade with Iran and Israel are at higher risk due to potential escalations and disruptions in maritime security affecting Red Sea shipping routes.

Rice exporters, for instance, are a worried lot and are holding an internal meeting on Tuesday to discuss the transit issues in the Red Sea among other challenges, in light of the ongoing conflict, according to sources.

"The challenge is with the immediate neighborhood hosting several shipping routes. Freight charges for transporting crude already remain elevated, and further increase in shipping rates will negatively impact procurement by oil marketing companies.

"We are monitoring the situation," another oil ministry official said.

In 2023, India's trade with Iran included merchandise exports worth $1.7 billion and imports of $672 million.

Key exports from India to Iran were rice at $1.03 billion and organic chemicals $113 million.

The wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and subsequent threats by Iran-backed Houthi militants to shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have kept tensions elevated and the oil trade volatile.

Brent crude prices slid back below the crucial $90 per barrel level on Monday, ending at $89.77. Brent prices had risen to a six-month high of $92.09 per barrel last week.

Officials, however, say the latest flashpoint in West Asia does not threaten India's import channels directly as it does not import crude oil from Iran, given difficulties in payments to the heavily sanctioned Islamic regime in Tehran.

Iran was the third-largest source of crude oil for India till 2018-19, when imports had topped at $12.1 billion.

After more than a year of securing major shipments of Russian crude, India is increasingly looking to re-establish supplies from its traditional partners in West Asia. All crude delivered from these nations travel via the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, often through Iranian economic waters.

As of January, Iraq and Saudi Arabia were the second and third-largest sources of crude for India, according to estimates made by London-based commodity data analytics provider Vortexa, which tracks ship movements to estimate imports.

The share of crude coming from these nations has risen over the past few months.

Weighing options

Officials say crude flows are not directly under any threat and elevated oil prices remain a concern

Finance ministry officials said they were taking stock of the situation and staying in touch with ministries concerned on the issue

According to GTRI, India's problems due to shipping disruption in the Red Sea could get worse

Rice exporters holding an internal meeting on Tuesday to discuss the transit issues in the Red Sea

(Inputs from Sanjeeb Mukherjee)
Was Lieutenant General Ayman Bilal Safdar removed because he criticised army chief, General Asim Munir, asks Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at R&AW, India's external intelligence agency.

IMAGE: Lieutenant General Ayman Bilal Safdar. Photograph: Kind courtesy Global Defense Insight/X

As has been usual of late, a veil of secrecy surrounds the recent, rather abrupt, removal of Lieutenant General Ayman Bilal Safdar, Artillery, as Corps Commander, I Corps, Mangla.

Though there is no official confirmation, reports have it that Lieutenant General Safdar was compulsorily retired and asked to report to General Headquarters (GHQ) on April 4.

He left his command on April 2 without any farewells and reportedly left for Umrah in Saudi Arabia.

No replacement has been announced for this vital offensive command slot of the Pakistan army so far.

Lieutenant General Safdar belongs to the 118 medium artillery regiment. He graduated from the 80th Pakistan Military Academy course.

He was promoted to three star rank in October 2022 along with 11 of his peers, in one of the last reshuffles occurring during the tenure of then army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Lieutenant General Safdar had previously served as director general, perspective planning at GHQ, where he handled Financial Action Task Force (FATF) issues.

He served also as inspector general, Frontier Corps (South) Balochistan and in infantry division commands at Kharian and Sialkot (8 Division).

In what seemed professionally a fine military career, touching on key assignments, he did a stint at the National Defence University, Rawalpindi, as chief instructor.

A Rawalpindi based Web site, Global Defence Insights, has claimed Lieutenant General Safdar opted for early retirement.

However, two recalcitrant ex-army officers, Haider Mehdi and Adil Raja, who run the controversial programme @soldierspeaks on YouTube from abroad (USA amd UK), have been quick to allege that Lieutenant General Safdar was removed from command and suffered because he 'voiced serious criticism against' current army chief General Syed Asim Munir's policies and objected to the 'army's involvement in politics' and 'stealing of the 8 th February election mandate'.

Another charge being touted is about alleged extravagant and unauthorised expenditure incurred in construction of a new residential premise for the corps commander during Lieutenant General Safdar's tenure.

A reshuffle of corps commanders has been long overdue and officers of the 80th PMA course are chaffing at the bits for long hibernation in GHQ staff assignments.

The extension in service of Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum as DG, Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) remains open-ended, since his retirement last November.

No other retirements of lieutenant generals are due before November 2024.

Delay in filling up the Mangla post would suggest that General Asim Munir has still not been able to fully contain simmering differences among three star generals in the Pakistan army.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
A North Carolina teenager has been charged with a carjacking reported at an Albemarle County gas station just after midnight Sunday morning.

The Amherst County Sheriffs Office announced deputies arrested 19-year-old Charlotte resident Jareece Breeden on Sunday, not long after Breeden was identified as a suspect in a carjacking reported in neighboring Albemarle County.

Albemarle authorities say a man was pumping gas at a station on Country Green Road just south of Charlottesville city limits around 12:20 a.m. Sunday when he was attacked. The man sustained minor injuries that were treated on the scene, and his car, wallet and cell phone were reported stolen.

Roughly an hour later, Amherst sheriffs deputies reported they found the stolen vehicle disabled along U.S. 29. The driver of the vehicle was identified as the suspect described in the earlier carjacking, and Breeden was taken into custody.

Breeden has been charged with carjacking, grand larceny, assault and battery, and robbery. He is being held without bond at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Amherst.

Anyone with information regarding the reported carjacking is encouraged to contact the Albemarle County Police Department at (434) 296-5807. Those who wish to remain anonymous, can contact the Crime Stoppers tip line at (434) 977-4000 or Crimestoppers@albemarle.org.
'There was a huge difference between the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2020 assembly elections in Bihar.'

'Between 39/1 in 2019 to almost 50-50 in late 2020, Bihar had already moved.'

IMAGE: Rashtriya Janata Dal Founder Lalu Prasad Yadav flanked by his sons Tejashwi Yadav, right, and Tej Pratap Yadav, left, at the party's Jan Vishwas Maha Rally at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo

The office of the Communist Party of India - (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation in Patna is at the end of a narrow lane. It is close to the ancestral home of Jayaprakash Narayan who led independent India's most powerful anti-government movement against Indira Gandhi's government in the mid-1970s.

The CPI M-L has 12 MLAs in the Bihar assembly. It is contesting three Lok Sabha seats as part of the INDIA alliance which is led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar. The RJD is contesting 26 seats, the Congress 9 and the Left parties of which the CPI M-L is part 5.

Dipankar Bhattacharya has been general secretary of the party since 1998. An alumnus of the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata, he spends nearly three weeks in a month in Bihar. The CPI M-L has MLAs in the Bihar and Jharkhand assemblies.

On the day, the party was to release its manifesto in Patna, Bhattacharya spoke to Rediff.com's Archana Masih and Nikhil Lakshman about the extraordinary political situation that demanded extraordinary measures and why 2024 will not be a repeat of 2019, at least in Bihar.

The first of a multi-part interview:

Did the RJD play hard ball in the seat sharing negotiations in Bihar?

I don't know, you would have to ask them. The Congress has 19 MLAs in Bihar, two of them defected which leaves them with 17 MLAs now and they got 9 Lok Sabha seats to contest.

The CPI and CPI-M have two MLAs each and got one seat each.

Our party, the CPI-ML, has 12 MLAs and no one defected -- one has been convicted and hence disqualified -- but we have got only 3 seats.

There is no parity and no political rationale in the seat sharing arrangement in Bihar.

But you had to give in to the RJD?

We had to because of the larger interest of the alliance.

In the assembly election, the Congress had been give 70 seats -- they won 19 from 70 and here is the CPI M-L which got 19 seats and won 12. The whole talk was that if the CPI M-L had got 30 seats and won 20-21, Tejaswi Yadav could have become CM! But anyway, we are now focusing on the seats we have got.

What accounts for the RJD's confidence considering the RJD did not win a single seat in the Lok Sabha election of 2019?

I cannot comment on the RJD's perception and strategy. This is one election which has the imprint of Lalu Yadav.

The 2020 assembly election was a Tejaswi Yadav election whereas this is a Lalu Yadav election. It is his plan. But Lalu had clicked in the early 1990s and this is 2024. Of course, Tejashwi too has had his say in the decision making and time will tell us whether this works or not.

We are focusing on our 3 seats and one assembly by-election.

The seat sharing negotiations is a very unstructured sort of exercise. This is not a coalition where you expect people to argue and have transparent clear cut negotiations. The RJD is the dominant party and had bilateral negotiations with different parties.

IMAGE: Tejashwi Yadav, third from left, and other RJD leaders release the Parivertan Patra -- the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections -- in Patna, April 13, 2024. Photograph:

Do you have a realistic assessment of how the alliance will fare?

It will not be a repeat of 2019 -- at least in Bihar. Bihar was an extreme case like Gujarat and Rajasthan. In Bihar the Congress won only one seat and that too due to demographic reasons, while the NDA won 39/40.

This time there will be a difference. There was a huge difference between the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2020 assembly elections, which was only 18 months later in the backdrop of the corona pandemic and the return of migrant workers.

Between 39/1 in 2019 to almost 50-50 in late 2020, Bihar had already moved.

Photograph: Nikhil Lakshman/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Dipankar Bhattacharya, General Secretary, Communist Party of India - (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, at the party office in Patna.

But that was the assembly election and this is a national election.

Still my feeling is that it will be more like 2020 than 2019. If the seat sharing had been more on a rational basis and the INDIA coalition had hit the ground earlier with some agitational thrust, it would have probably been in a better position.

There is no point lamenting about it now and we are trying to make the most of the situation as it is.

Will Tejaswi be leading the Mahagatbandhan campaign in Bihar?

RJD is the leading party and he is its emerging leader, but the coalition includes other parties and hence, it will be a collective effort.

IMAGE: Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader Doraiswamy Raja and others at the RJD's Jan Vishwas Maha Rally in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo

What has been your experience of the INDIA alliance?

It is a product of the circumstances. The situation demanded it, otherwise you would never expect the Shiv Sena (UBT) and CPI M-L in a single coalition, but these are abnormal times and extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

This is an extraordinary political situation. So many times people have written obituaries for INDIA, but it has come back.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'What happened to Andhra Pradesh? It is the perfect example of the transientness of Federal Units.'

'Federalism is a transient thing in this country.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. Photograph: ANI Photo

Come 2026, a major change is expected to take place regarding the size of India's constituencies.

The delimitation exercise was to happen in 2001, but the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government froze it for 25 years.

Delimitation is fixing the boundaries of the constituencies based on the number of people it represents as the Constitution stipulates proportional representation as the basis for the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha.

The worry many states, especially the south Indian states which have implemented family planning effectively, is that they are going to lose seats.

For example, it is said that Tamil Nadu may lose 7 seats and Kerala, 5 seats while UP may gain 8 seats, Bihar 6 seats and Rajasthan 5 seats.

It was reported that for every rupee given to the Centre, when Bihar gets Rs 7.06 and UP gets Rs 2.73, Karnataka gets 15 paise, Tamil Nadu gets 29 paise and Kerala, 25 paise...

But more than the loss of seats, what the states should be worried about is how revenue is shared among states, retired Supreme Court Justice Jasti Chelameswar tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier.

As we are getting closer to 2026, the debate over delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies also is heating up.

Is it because the Constitution talks about proportional representation as the basis for the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha that delimitation exercise is necessary?

Of course. It is because in a Republic, each citizen is entitled to participate in the law-making process.

The system of proportional representation is enshrined in the Constitution of India so that the weightage with regard to each other is approximately the same, irrespective of the State to which a person belongs to.

If there is a representative for 10 lakhs of people from Andhra, Kerala also should have a representative for 10 lakh people. So also UP, MP, Maharashtra.

That's the purpose behind the idea of proportional representation.

The 42nd Amendment froze the number and boundary of constituencies for 25 years because Parliament didn't want to punish the states that implemented family planning policies effectively.

These are the opinions of some politicians and some private individuals.

Parliament never said it was freezing the number because of the reason you cited.

Originally the Constitution said tghe delimitation exercise is to be undertaken after each census.

There is nothing in the Constitution which determines as to when the census is to take place.

The Census Act gives the discretion to the Government of India in this regard.

IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar along with Congress leaders protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the central government over the reduction in fund allocation. Photograph: Mohd Zakir/ANI Photo

Earlier, states were asked to take measures to control the rising population. Some states like the southern states succeeded while northern states like UP, Bihar, etc were not able to even today.

As the Constitution talks about proportional representation, won't the states which successfully implemented population control measures are going to lose the number of seats in Parliament.

Is it fair?

"States were asked...." Who asked?

There is nothing in the Constitution which mandates controlling the population.

There is no law that prohibits or promotes the number of children a family can have.

That a state has implemented family planning successfully is not a relevant consideration in the scheme of the Constitution for the purpose of delimitation.

Whether it is fair or not is a matter of opinion.

The Constitution says the composition of the House will be based on population.

But the states that have controlled population growth are at a disadvantage after the delimitation exercise...

What is the disadvantage?

They will lose seats because they have less people...

How is it going to affect a state if it sends less number of MPs? What is the disadvantage they are going to suffer?

Just having certain number of seats in the Lok Sabha is not going to give any advantage or disadvantage to a state in constitutional governance.

IMAGE: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan leads the Left Democratic Front protest against the central government's alleged discrimination against Kerala at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi. Photograph: Ayush Sharma/ANI Photo

What is the solution to the problem that will be created by the delimitation exercise?

Please identify the problem first.

Have you heard any politician talking about it? No political party will be willing to discuss the issue because they do not want to antagonise the voters of the more populous states.

Have you heard any statement from any political party in this regard?

In my opinion, the debate is purely esoteric and confined to newspapers.

On the other hand, what is relevant is how the funds are distributed by the Government of India among various states.

Whether a state has 20 MPs or 200 MPs is not the issue. The issue is whether each state is getting a fair share of the total revenue collected by the government of India from each of those states?

The population of a state is only one of the factors for determining the share of a state in the process of devolution of funds from the Government of India.

There are specific provisions of the Constitution of India which deal with that aspect (Articles 268 to 273).

The real question would be whether the Union of India is allocating funds from out of the revenue collected by it from the people residing in various states in a rational and reasonably proportionate measure.

We can understand some states are economically under-developed and they need to be assisted.

An examination and identification of the factors which contribute to the situation that a state needs assistance is essential.

Thereafter, those factors are to be attended to in order to improve the economic strength of a state.

The central assistance cannot be for eternity. Assurance of assistance forever would promote inefficient administration of those states forever.

For how long will such assistance continue? How long a state that contributes more but gets back less, remain happy with the situation?

So, the problem is not the number of seats. The problem is how funds are distributed.

There has to be a rational basis on which funds are distributed by the Government of India.

IMAGE: Justice Jasti Chelameswar IMAGE: Justice Jasti Chelameswar

It seems when the southern states contribute 31% of GDP, they get back only 18% of the funds allotted to states...

Distribution of funds requires a more concrete debate as that is the real problem the states face, and not the number of seats.

You mean allocation of funds to the states is the most pressing problem than what will happen after the delimitation exercise?

If there is disproportionate margin between what a state contributes under various Head of Taxes and Duties falling under the First List of the 7th Schedule and what the state gets back, the reasons are required to be examined.

Whether such reasons are rational or not will be the real issue.

For that we need complete data.

Elections are round the corner and the BJP is clamouring for 'One Nation, One Election', but other political parties are against it.

Do you think this idea is viable? Will this affect the federal structure of the country?

This is a very important and serious issue that needs a great deal of examination and debate.

In my view, India is not strictly a federal democracy.

Before the Constitution was framed, India was not a single entity politically. India exists today as a single political entity-Nation.

Federation pre-supposes the existence of several federal units whose identity and existence cannot be tinkered.

Under our Constitution, a state can be created and divided by a simple law in the parliament.

What happened to Andhra Pradesh? It is the perfect example of the transientness of the Federal Units.

Federalism is a transient thing in this country.

Will the One Nation, One election theory work?

I have grave doubt whether it can work in the existing Constitutional framework. It requires great deal of examination and debate.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Aditya Srivastava, a trainee Indian Police Service officer, has topped the civil services examination 2023, results of which were announced on Tuesday by the Union Public Service Commission.

IMAGE: UPSC Civil Service Exam 2023 topper Aditya Srivastava's family members celebrate after announcing the results, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, April 16, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Animesh Pradhan, Donuru Ananya Reddy, PK Sidharth Ramkumar and Ruhani have secured second, third, fourth and fifth rank, respectively.

A total of 1,016 candidates -- 664 men and 352 women -- have qualified in the examination and have been recommended by the Union Public Service Commission for appointment to various services.

Congratulating the successful candidates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said their efforts will shape the future of the nation in the times to come.

In his posts on X, the prime minister also reached out to the unsuccessful aspirants for the coveted government services, saying they have chances ahead to success while noting that India is rich with opportunities where their talents can truly shine.

Three of the top five rank holders -- Srivastava, Ramkumar and Ruhani -- are IPS trainees and currently undergoing training at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Telangana, officials said.

It is for the first time in over a decade that a trainee IPS trainee has secured the top position in the examination, they said.

The top 25 candidates in the civil services 2023 examination comprise 10 women and 15 men.

Of the total recommended candidates, 30 are persons with benchmark disability -- 16 orthopedically handicapped, six visually challenged, five hearing impaired and three with multiple disabilities.

"I congratulate all those who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2023. Their hard work, perseverance and dedication have paid off, marking the start of a promising career in public service. Their efforts will shape the future of our nation in the times to come. My best wishes to them," Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X.

"I want to tell those who didn't achieve the desired success in the Civil Services Examination - setbacks can be tough, but remember, this isn't the end of your journey. There are chances ahead to succeed in Exams, but beyond that, India is rich with opportunities where your talents can truly shine. Keep striving and exploring the vast possibilities ahead. Wishing you all the very best," he added.

Top ranker Srivastava (27), who hails from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, completed his BTech in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and also has an MTec degree. He had electrical engineering as his optional subject in the UPSC exam.

He secured 236th rank in the 2022 exam. According to the UPSC, Srivastava has mentioned "studying about dinosaurs" as his hobby.

Pradhan (24), who lost both his parents in 2015, secured second rank in the exam with sociology as his optional subject. He has a BTech in computer science from the National Institute of Technology Rourkela.

The resident of Talcher town in Odisha's Angul district is currently an employee of the Indian Oil Corporation's (IOC) refineries division in Delhi.

Donuru Ananya Reddy, who has a BA (Hons) in geography, from Miranda House, Delhi University, stood third in the UPSC exam with anthropology as her optional subject. Twenty-two-year-old Reddy hails from Mahabubnagar in Telangana.

Fourth-rank Ramkumar (27) has a bachelor's degree in Architecture from the College of Architecture in Trivandrum. He had anthropology as his optional subject. The native of Cochin in Kerala has mentioned "heritage walks" and "hatha yoga" as his hobbies. He got 121st rank in the 2022 exam.

Ruhani, who has a BA (Hons) in economics from St Stephens College, Delhi University, secured the fifth rank with economics as her optional subject. The 28-year-old Gurugram resident 159th rank in the 2022 examination.

Her parents work with the Delhi government as teachers.

"I thank god for the achievement of my daughter," Suresh, her father, told PTI. Eldest of two siblings, Ruhani had also qualified Indian Economic Service examination 2019 and worked in Niti Aayog, her father said.

The civil services examination is conducted annually in three stages -- preliminary, main and interview -- by the UPSC to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service and Indian Police Service among others.

The civil services (preliminary) examination, 2023, was conducted on May 28 last year. A total of 10,16,850 candidates applied out of which 5,92,141 candidates appeared in the examination.

As many as 14,624 candidates qualified for the written (main) examination, which was held in September 2023. "A total of 2,855 candidates qualified for the personality test of the examination," the UPSC said.

Of the total 1,016 recommended candidates, 347 are from the general category, 115 are from economically weaker sections, 303 from other backward classes, 165 from Scheduled Castes and 86 from Scheduled Tribes, it said.

The government has reported 1,143 vacancies -- 180 in IAS, 37 in IPS, 200 in IPS, 613 posts in different central Group A services and 113 in Group B services -- to be filled through the civil services examination 2023, the UPSC said.

As many as 240 candidates have been put on a reserved list, it said, adding that the candidature of 355 recommended candidates has been kept provisional.

"Candidates can obtain any information/clarification regarding their examinations/recruitments on the working days between 10:00 hours to 17:00 hours in person or over telephone nos. 23385271/23381125/23098543," it said.

Candidates' marks will be available on the Commission's website within 15 days from the date of declaration of result, the UPSC said.

Women had got top ranks in the 2021 and 2022 civil services examinations. Shruti Sharma and Ishita Kishore topped the civil services examination in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
The original Aadhaar cards submitted by two suspects, wanted in connection with the firing at actor Salman Khan's Bandra residence, for a rent agreement and bike purchase documents helped police to establish their identities, an official said on Tuesday.

IMAGE: Two accused Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal arrested in connection with the firing incident outside the residence of Salman Khan. Photograph: ANI Photo

After identifying the duo, the police used human and technical intelligence to track them.

Joint teams of the Kutch-West and Mumbai police nabbed Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) late Monday night from Mata No Madh village in Gujarat, less than 48 hours after one of them had opened fire at Khan's house.

"A preliminary probe suggested that both Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta were hired by the gang of Lawrence Bishnoi to open fire at Khan's house," deputy inspector general of police, Kutch West, Mahendra Bagadiya, said earlier in the day.

A Mumbai police official said the duo, originally from Champaran in Bihar, travelled to Mumbai Central station on February 28.

They rented a house near Panvel city in Raigad, around 13 km away from Salman Khan's farmhouse, he said. However, it is not known whether they had conducted a recce of the farmhouse.

He also said the duo used their original Aadhaar cards for a rent agreement.

"The agreement was made with the house owner wherein the one-time deposit is fixed at Rs 10,000 and monthly rent at Rs 3,500," he said.

After staying for a few days in Panvel, the duo travelled to Champaran on March 18 for Holi celebrations. They returned on April 1, he said.

On April 2, Vicky Gupta purchased a second-hand motorcycle from a two-wheeler agent in Navi Mumbai for Rs 24,000, he said.

After a few days, a pistol to be used for firing was delivered to them in Mumbai by their operator, the official said.

The police had recovered a live round from the spot after the firing incident in the early hours of April 14.

"Considering the make of the round, police suspect a good quality weapon was used," he said.

Preliminary probe suggested that Pal, who was riding pillion on the motorcycle, opened fire, while Gupta remained in touch with gang members while riding the bike.

After opening fire, the duo abandoned the bike near Mount Mary Church in Bandra, went to the local railway station and boarded a Borivali-bound local train, the official said.

"They alighted at Santacruz railway station and from Vakola area, they hired a car to go to Surat. From Surat, they travelled to Bhuj in a state transport bus," he said.

They dumped the firearm used in the crime in a river while heading to Surat.

"The police are trying to establish the identity of the person who provided the duo logistical support and money for their stay in Panvel and also for purchasing the bike and other expenses," the official said.

Speaking about how the breakthrough was achieved, joint commissioner of police (crime) Lakhmi Gautam said, "With the help of human and technical intelligence, the crime branch team received information that the accused persons were in Gujarat, following which two teams were sent to nab them".

He said there was a possibility that the accused persons were carrying weapons.

"As the terrain of Bhuj was unknown to our officials, the Bhuj Superintendent of Police was informed about the accused persons," he said.

A team from the Bhuj crime branch joined Mumbai Police officials around 60 km away from Bhuj.

"After travelling around 40 kilometres farther, the two accused were nabbed by the team. They were brought to Mumbai this morning," said Lakhmi Gautam.

Another official said the police first traced the original owner of the motorcycle to Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai.

The official said the owner directed them to the agent, who showed the documents submitted for the purchase of the bike.

Based on these documents, which included a rent agreement, police contacted the house owner. The Aadhaar cards revealed the identity of the duo, he added.

Meanwhile, Lakhmi Gautam said there is good coordination among sister agencies as Mumbai Police and their Gujarat counterpart separately claimed credit for the arrest.
Additional United States military assets that were moved into the Middle East before Iran's attack on Israel will remain in place, CNN reported, citing Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder.

IMAGE: Demonstrators gather to demand a ceasefire and the end of Israeli attacks on Gaza, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, outside the New York Stock Exchange in the Wall Street area of New York City, on April 15, 2024. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

"As (Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin) has said, both publicly and privately, we don't want to see escalation, but we obviously will take necessary measures to protect our forces in the region and as was demonstrated over the weekend, we'll take necessary measures to defend Israel," Maj Gen Ryder said.

Maj Gen Ryder's comments come as Israel debates possible retaliation to Iran's attack.

Earlier, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) chief of staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi vowed answer to the Iranian attack and said that Iran's attack on Israel 'will be met with a response'.

"Iran wanted to harm the strategic capabilities of the State of Israel, this is something that did not happen in the past," Lt Gen Halevi said while addressing troops at Nevatim airbase, which was hit in the strike.

"We were prepared in the 'Iron Shield' operation, this preparation brought Iran to also meet air superiority, which you expressed (manifested) very well," he said, CNN reported.

Lt Gen Halevi said that Israel had intelligence of Iran's strike since last Monday, adding that Israel is 'very strong and knows how to deal with it on its own'.

Meanwhile, amid fears of Israel response, US Secretary of Defence Llyod Austin spoke with the acting Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Sabah and discussed the unprecedented attack by Iran on Israel, adding that the United States does not seek escalation, an official statement said.
At noon on Ram Navami Wednesday, the Sun's rays will fall on the forehead of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, a 'Surya tilak' of the deity made possible by an elaborate mechanism involving mirrors and lenses.

IMAGE: The idol of Lord Ram being decorated at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on the eve of Ram Navami festival, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, April 16, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

This would be the first Ram Navami since the consecration of the Ram idol at the new temple, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22.

The system was tested by the scientists on Tuesday.

"The basic objective of the Surya Tilak project is to focus a 'tilak' on the forehead of Shri Ram idol on every Shri Ram Navami day. Under the project, sunlight will be brought on the forehead of Lord Ram at noon on Shri Ram Navami in the Chaitra month every year," Dr S K Panigrahi, scientist at CSIR-CBRI Roorkee, who was associated with the project told PTI.

Elaborating further, Panigrahi said, "The position of the Sun changes every year on the day of Shri Ram Navami. Detailed calculations show that the date of Shri Ram Navami repeats every 19 years."

According to a senior scientist of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, the planned tilak size is 58 mm.

The exact period of tilak on the forehead centre is about three to three-and-a-half minutes, with two minutes of full illumination, he said.

Meanwhile, a member of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Anil Mishra, told PTI, "During the Surya tilak, devotees will be allowed inside the Ram temple. Around 100 LEDs are being put up by the temple trust, and 50 by the government, which will show the Ram Navami celebrations. People will be able to see the celebrations from where they are present."

Sharing his personal experience in installing this unique mechanism, Dr DP Kanungo, chief scientist at CSIR-CBRI, Roorkee said, "Actually this is meticulously planned, designed and implemented to achieve utmost accuracy."

This will be a testament to our scientific acumen and indigenous technological development to showcase before our countrymen who have all the faith in and support to our scientific community, he said.

Asked what will happen to Surya tilak in case of a cloudy sky, Kanungo said, "That's the limitation. We don't wish to do with artificial light because of the faith and belief of our people."

In consultation with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, the CSIR-CBRI, Roorkee team has developed a mechanism for a 19-year period to steer the sunlight from the third floor of the temple to the 'garbha griha'.

The detailed complete design to bring the sunlight to the garbha griha is developed by CBRI, with the IIA providing consultancy for the optical design.

The fabrication of optical elements, pipes, tilt mechanism and other related components are carried out by Optics and Allied Engg Pvt Ltd (Optica), a Bangalore-based company.

Before implementing the opto-mechanical system in the Ram temple for Surya tilak, a scaled down model suitable for the Roorkee locality has been successfully validated. A full scale model has been successfully validated at Optica site at Bangalore in March 2024.

The CSIR-CBRI, Roorkee team along with IIA Bangalore and Optica Bangalore completed the installation in the first week of April, and repeated trials have been done, Panigrahi said.

Meanwhile, explaining the opto-mechanical system for Surya tilak, Panigrahi said, "The opto-mechanical system consists of four mirrors and four lenses fitted inside the tilt mechanism and piping systems. The complete cover with aperture for the tilt mechanism is placed at the top floor to divert the Sun rays through mirrors and lenses to the garbha girha."

"The final lens and mirror focus the Sun rays to the forehead of Shri Ram facing towards the east. The tilt mechanism is used to adjust the first mirror tilting for sending the Sun rays towards the north direction to the second mirror for making the Surya tilak every year on Shri Ram Navami day," he said.

"All the piping and other parts are manufactured using the brass material. The mirrors and lenses which are used are of very high quality and durable to sustain for a long period.

"The inner surface of pipes, elbows and enclosures are black powder coated to avoid scattering of sunlight. Also at the top aperture, IR (infra red) filter glass is used to restrict the Sun heat wave to fall on the forehead of the idol," Panigrahi said.

He said the team from CSIR-CBRI Roorkee includes Dr S K Panigrahi, Dr R S Bisht, Kanti Solanki, V Chakradhar, Dinesh and Sameer. Prof R Pradeep Kumar (director, CSIR-CBRI) mentored the project.

From IIA Bangalore side, Dr Anna Purni S (Director IIA), Er S Sriram and Professor Tushar Prabhu are the consultants. Rajinder Kotaria, managing director, Optica, and his team Nagraj, Vivek, Thava Kumar were actively involved in fabrication and installation part.
The Congress on Tuesday took strong objection to the criticism directed at it by the Indian envoy to Ireland while responding to an Irish daily's editorial, saying that attacking opposition parties openly in a manner like a 'party apparatchik' was 'disgraceful behaviour' and the ambassador should be sacked.

IMAGE: Congress media in-charge Jairam Ramesh. Photograph: ANI Photo

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh hit out at Indian Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra over his remarks in his 'rejoinder' to The Irish Times over what the embassy said was a 'highly biased and prejudiced editorial, casting aspersion on Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, Indian democracy, law enforcement institutions & 'Hindu-majority' people of India'.

In the rejoinder, Mishra said, 'Further to The Irish Times view on the Indian election: Modi tightens his grip' (April 11th), Indian prime minister Narendra Modi enjoys unprecedented popularity and profile not only in India but globally because of his impeccable personal character and integrity and thought-leadership on innovative, inclusive governance and sustainable development.'

'...The fight against the deeply entrenched ecosystem of corruption (created by the 55-year rule, including first 30 years, by a single dynastic party in India) is a major factor behind Mr Modi's ever-growing popularity,' the ambassador wrote.

Hitting out at the envoy's remarks, Congress general secretary in-charge communications, Ramesh said, 'Defending the Government of India is one thing and is to be expected. But to attack Opposition parties openly in thus manner like a party apparatchik is not expected from an Ambassador even if he be a political appointment.'

He later said in another post, 'I stand corrected. This Ambassador is actually a career diplomat which makes his comments even more shameful, disgraceful and completely unacceptable. He has actually breached service rules and should be sacked right away.'

'This is unprofessional and disgraceful behaviour on his part-but is par for the Modi course I guess,' the Congress leader said.

Sharing the envoy's rejoinder, the embassy said on X, 'Ambassador @AkhileshIFS's rejoinder to @IrishTimes' highly biased & prejudiced editorial (Modi tightens his grip' April 11, 2024), casting aspersion on Prime Minister of India, Shri @narendramodi, Indian democracy, law enforcement institutions & 'Hindu-majority' people of India.'
The Delhi high court on Tuesday asked the Centre to consider objections raised by stakeholders on a fresh draft notification before imposing a ban on sale and breeding of several breeds of ferocious dogs.

IMAGE: File image of a pit-bull. Photograph: Jas Lehal/Reuters

The high court passed the order after the counsel for the central government admitted that except for government bodies, no private entity or stakeholder was heard before the earlier notification was issued.

Since it is not possible to give an oral hearing to each and every dog owner, this court directs the Union of India to issue a public notice on its official website and one national daily inviting objections to the proposed draft notification/ amendment to the rules, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora said.

The high court said the objections filed in response to the government's advertisement/ notice published on its website and newspaper shall be considered before finalising the notification.

The court passed the order while disposing of a batch of petitions challenging the Centre's March 12 notification on the ground that the ban was imposed on 23 dog breeds without consulting or inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders.

The petitioners submitted that the circular was perverse and illegal as it was passed in violation of an earlier undertaking given to the court that due opportunity will be given to all stakeholders to present their views.

On April 10, the Karnataka high court quashed the Centre's March 12 circular banning the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs.

It said the central government could not have imposed a blanket ban on these breeds through a circular in the absence of any such power available under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 or the Animal Birth Control Rules.

During the hearing before the Delhi high court on Tuesday, central government's standing counsel Rajesh Gogna submitted that stakeholders would mean every dog owner and giving a hearing to each one of them is not possible.

He urged the court for protection against the Karnataka high court order.

The bench did not concur with his view and said it would not mean every dog owner as everyone cannot be heard.

It said people can file their objections to the government over its decision in writing.

On March 12, the Centre had directed states to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs, including Pit-bull Terriers, American Bulldog, Rottweilers and Mastiffs, amid rising instances of pet dog attacks. The directive issued to states and Union Territories bars people from keeping these 23 breeds of dogs as pets.

In a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories, the Union government's Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying also said these breeds of dogs already kept as pets should be sterilised to prevent further breeding.
On Monday, April 15, 2024, Donald J Trump made history of a dubious kind when he became the first former American president to go on trial for criminal charges.

Trump faces charges of paying $130,000 via his then lawyer Michael Cohen to adult film actor Stormy Daniels at the end of the 2016 election cycle to keep her from going public with an allegation that she and Trump had had an affair. Trump then repaid Cohen in installments marked as legal fees in company records.

This is only one of four criminal cases Trump faces while being the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for the November presidential election.

Trump has denied the affair and pleaded not guilty to the charges, which he says are politically motivated.

Trump is required to be present at the trial, which will take place four days a week and could last eight weeks.

IMAGE: Trump arrives at the Manhattan criminal court with his legal team ahead of the start of jury selection in New York on Monday, April 15, 2024. Photograph: Jabin Botsford/Pool via Reuters

IMAGE: Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged scheme to silence claims of extramarital sexual encounters during his 2016 presidential campaign. Photograph: Jabin Botsford/Pool via Reuters

IMAGE: New York Times Reporter Maggie Haberman -- who covered the Trump White House better than any other correspondent -- reported that Trump slept during part of Monday's proceedings in court. Photograph: Jabin Botsford/Pool via Reuters

IMAGE: Trump speaks to the media after his courtroom appearance. Photograph: Angela Weiss/Pool via Reuters

IMAGE: Trump walks out of the courtroom. Photograph: Angela Weiss/Pool via Reuters

IMAGE: Trump outside the Manhattan criminal court. Photograph: Michael Nagle/Pool via Reuters

IMAGE: How the trial will affect his presidential campaign remains to be seen; Trump will need to be in court four days of the week for the length of the trial, which could last eight weeks. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

IMAGE: Trump gives a thumbs up as he walks to the courtroom after a break on the first day of his trial. Photograph: Angela Weiss/Pool via Reuters

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
The Supreme Court on Tuesday deprecated criticism of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and calls for reverting to ballot papers, saying the electoral process in India is a "humongous task" and attempts should not be made to "bring down the system".

IMAGE: Election Commission staff prepare the VVPAT machines and EVMs ahead of the Lok Sabha election in Ahmedabad, March 6, 2019. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

It also recalled how polling booths were captured in the era of ballot papers to manipulate election results.

The top court was hearing a batch of pleas seeking complete cross-verification of the votes cast using EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), an independent vote verification system which enables an elector to see whether his vote was cast correctly.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta was critical of the argument that many European countries have gone back to ballot papers after having tried out voting machines.

"This is a humongous task. No European country can do this. You talked about Germany but what is the population there? My home state West Bengal is far more populous than Germany. We have to repose faith and trust in the electoral process. Don't try to bring down the system like this," Justice Datta told advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO Association for Democratic Reforms.

Bhushan had pitched for a return to ballot papers while citing the German example.

The bench said there were roughly 98 crore registered voters in India. "There will be some mismatch in vote count due to some human errors but it can be countered and checked," it said.

Justice Khanna, while referring to booth capturing in the past, said, "Mr. Bhushan, we are all in our 60s. We have seen what used to happen earlier when there were no EVMs. We don't need to tell you."

Maintaining that he is not casting any aspersion on the Election Commission or saying that EVMs have been manipulated, Bhushan said his only point is that these polling machines can be tinkered with.

Normally, human intervention in a process creates problems including bias, while machines, without any wrong human intervention, work properly and give accurate results, Justice Khanna told Bhushan.

The bench posed a barrage of questions to the Election Commission officials present in the court about the functioning of EVMs, their storage and the possibility of data manipulation.

"We want you to apprise us of each and every detail from point A to Z on the EVMs, right from their assembling to storage after the counting of votes," the bench told senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the Election Commission.

Bhushan said he also wants that every voter should be allowed to collect the paper slip of his vote cast from the VVPAT machine and drop it into the ballot box. He also sought reversal of the poll panel's decision to replace the transparent glass on VVPAT machines with an opaque glass through which a voter can see the slip only when the light is on for seven seconds.

He alleged that two public sector undertakings -- Bharat Electronic Ltd and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECILL) -- have as its directors people who are associated with ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The bench asked Singh whether it is possible to subject EVMs to technical evaluation to rule out any foul play after the counting of votes is over.

Singh urged the court to not indicate any such thing without hearing the poll panel on the issue as it would create unnecessary confusion.

"Don't be apprehensive. We are not indicating any such thing but are only soliciting a response," Justice Khanna told Singh.

The bench also asked the poll panel to apprise it about the punishment prescribed under the law for someone who manipulates EVMs.

"If some manipulation is done, then what is the consequence? What is the punishment prescribed under the law? Tell us. This is a very serious thing because there should be some fear of the consequences," the court told Singh.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for activist Arun Kumar Agrawal, who has sought a complete count of VVPAT slips in polls, submitted there should not be even an iota of doubt about the electoral process and the Election Commission should ensure that.

He claimed after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, a parliamentary committee had found discrepancies in EVM data but the Election Commission never responded to the panel.

"There are very high chances of error. We always blame the population for everything including the number of cases clogging our judicial system. We should focus on the system so that there is no iota of doubt in the mind of even a single voter," he said.

During the nearly two-hour-long hearing, several advocates appearing for different petitioners addressed the court, with some suggesting use of bar codes to reduce chances of manipulation of EVMs. One of them claimed conflict of interest on the part of members of the technical committee of the Election Commission, saying they were the inventors and designers of the EVMs.

The hearing remained inconclusive and would resume on April 18.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls will begin on April 19.

The ADR has sought matching the count in EVMs with votes that have been verifiably "recorded as cast" and to ensure that the voter is able to verify through VVPAT slip that his vote, as recorded on the paper slip, has been "counted as recorded".
Ahead of its 150th anniversary, the Miller School of Albemarle has announced bold new plans to expand its iconic red-brick wings and grow in its massive campus, in the words of headmaster Michael Drude.

And on 1,600 acres of forests and farmland tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with only 240 students, the coeducational day and boarding school has ample space to do so.

Beginning this fall, the Miller School, which has been structured for 141 years as an upper school for eighth- through 12th-graders, will be taking over the kindergarten-through-seventh grade operations of the Seven Rivers Country Day School, incorporating that schools 60 students and 10 to 12 full-time and part-time staff into its organization.

Were always looking to the future, Drude told The Daily Progress. Im excited to continue this. Theres a really great buzz on campus. With 300 students, theres just a liveliness thats fun to be around, and its fun to hear and watch it. Im excited to watch this develop and watch these younger kids grow up and become Miller Upper School kids and just continue the success.

Seven Rivers has been based out of the Haden-Hart building on the Miller Schools campus for the past four years, having outgrown its facilities at Triple C Camp, a summer camp just south of Charlottesville, according to Drude. As the Miller School is bringing on the entire staff from Seven Rivers, Drude expects it will only need a couple new hires to support the new lower school ahead of the fall semester.

Merging the two programs was a natural fit, not only due to their proximity, but as both the Miller School and Seven Rivers emphasize experiential education with a curriculum that integrates classical courses with outdoor, hands-on experience.

Students of all ages have the opportunity to spend time during the day getting their hands dirty at the working farm on the Miller Schools property that also houses several goats, chickens, ducks and a cow. Though elementary school children may be a little too young to understand land management and sustainable agriculture practices, these are among some of the nontraditional courses offered at the Miller School. One such class is the applied engineering program that instructs students in a variety of disciplines, including civil, mechanical, biomedical, environmental and chemical engineering.

This year, a group of students in the engineering program not only competed in the American Society for Civil Engineers Concrete Canoe Competition at Virginia Tech, but managed to beat out college teams from Liberty University, Old Dominion University and the Virginia Military Institute  though their ranking was announced unofficially as high schools are technically not allowed to participate. Students spent over a year designing and crafting a 400-pound canoe made entirely out of concrete before testing it out in the three-day competition with challenges such as swamping, in which teams take their canoes into the water and fill them with water to ensure they wont immediately sink, and a series of slalom water races.

The merger with Seven Rivers Country Day School is not the only change in store for the Miller School. Last August, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors approved the schools request for a special use permit allowing for the construction of a new dormitory.

The residential building will be the future home for boys who are currently housed in the first floor of the main administrative building, known on grounds as Old Main. The Miller School then plans to update the first and fourth floors of Old Main to create more room for classes and community space. The new dormitory will also open up space on campus for faculty housing; roughly 20 of the Miller Schools faculty live on grounds.

Just one building accomplishes three things for us, so were excited about that, said Drude.

Renovations will also be made to Wayland Hall, the building that houses female boarders. Once these projects are complete, Drude is looking to increase the number of pedestrian walkways and outdoor recreational space between the buildings and limit vehicular traffic by constructing parking lots on the perimeter of the campus.

As the Miller School functions as a private educational institution, it does not receive any financial support from the commonwealth of Virginia, so the administration is already in the early phases of setting up a campaign to fund these capital projects.

Drude said that the school is not looking to dramatically expand enrollment, though it is looking to eventually reach 500 students once the additional facilities are complete. Drude said the capital campaigns are all about setting the school up for success and maintaining its solid financial ground for the next 150 years.

Were very forward-thinking, said Drude. I want the future to be bright for the school, and I dont want any roadblocks for future administrations, so having a SUP [special use permit] then allows us that growth on our terms and on our scale. Thats the important part in all of this.

The Miller School was founded in 1878 after Samuel Miller, a businessman from Batesville, bequeathed the majority of his Albemarle estate to establish a boarding school for orphaned children. Miller left behind $1.1 million for the creation of the school upon his death in 1869 and work began on the schools construction in 1874.

The Hill, as the campus is affectionately called by students, has evolved over the years. While it functioned as a coeducational institution in its early years, it transitioned to an all-boys school from 1927 until 1992. During the post-World War II era, the Miller School adopted more military programs until 1992, when girls were allowed to return to campus.

Today, roughly 240 students, nearly evenly split male and female, attend the school. There are 180 who are day students from the surrounding area including Albemarle County, Charlottesville, Waynesboro and Staunton. The schools boarders hail from 13 different countries, providing more local students exposure to different cultures  an opportunity that you dont find somewhere else, said Drude. The headmaster expects the school will continue to attract students from these markets as it increases its capacity.

Photographs of the school will look familiar to many who have never attended or even visited the campus. The Miller School has been a popular filming location through the years, playing the the boarding school in 1987s Morgan Stewarts Coming Home, Regis High School in 1991s Toy Soldiers, Madison Preparatory School in 1995s Mayor Payne and the preparatory school in 2005s Cry Wolf.

Expanding into a K-12 school as well as building and renovating several structures on campus positions the Miller School to continue carrying out its mission of educating minds, hands and hearts as it reaches its sesquicentennial.

Its very rare you get to celebrate the 150th anniversary for any organization, so Im pretty proud to be a part of that, said Drude.
The Mumbai police's crime branch on Tuesday submitted to a local court that the two arrested accused opened fire outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's house here "in an attempt to kill him".

IMAGE: Bhuj police arrested two accused Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal in connection with the firing incident outside the residence of Bollywood actor Salman Khan and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Photograph: ANI Photo

The accused, Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), both residents of Bihar, were on the run after the firing incident outside Khan's house at the Galaxy Apartment in Bandra area in Mumbai early Sunday morning.

They were apprehended late Monday night from Mata No Madh village in Gujarat's Kutch district and later brought to Mumbai.

As per the police, Gupta was riding the motorcycle at the time of the incident and Pal, who was riding pillion, had fired shots at the actor's house.

The duo was produced on Tuesday before a magistrate's court in Mumbai.

The police sought their custody for 14 days on the ground that custodial interrogation was required to unearth the conspiracy and to identify the mastermind behind the incident.

Additional chief metropolitan magistrate L S Paden remanded the two accused in police custody till April 25.

The crime branch in its remand note submitted to the court said the duo had opened fire outside Khan's residence with an intention to kill him.

"The two accused opened fire outside Salman Khan's house in an attempt to kill the actor. Custodial interrogation is required to identify the mastermind and to also ascertain the motive," the note said.

The police said a preliminary probe has established that the duo "played an active role in the alleged offence".

During preliminary questioning, the two arrested accused accepted that they had carried out the firing, the police said.

"Custody of the accused is required to probe if the accused had plans to attack anyone else other than Salman Khan," the police said in their remand note.

The note further said the police are yet to recover the firearm used in the incident and a probe is also required to be done with regard to the motorcycle used by the accused persons.

The police said that after the incident, a person claimed responsibility for it on social media platform Facebook.

As per the probe, this account was being operated from a foreign country, the police said.

"Further probe and interrogation of the arrested accused is required to be done on this," the note said.

A senior official on Monday said the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the FB post was traced to Portugal and the police were verifying it.

The accused have booked under Indian Penal Code Section 307 (attempt to murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention) and relevant provisions of the Arms Act, the police said.

At around 5 am on Sunday, two motorcycle-borne persons had opened fire outside 58-year-old Khan's house in Bandra area of Mumbai and fled the spot.

The motorcycle was abandoned near Mount Mary Church, a little over a kilometre from the actor's house, the police said.
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan will continue to be bipolar contests as would Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar and Jharkhand.

IMAGE: Teachers with their faces painted in the colours of the national flag participate in an event in Chennai to raise awareness among Indians to vote for the Lok Sabha elections. Photograph: ANI Photo

Close to half of the total 543 Lok Sabha seats are bracing for multi-cornered fight this time, making the contest way more interesting and intense than it was in the 2019 elections.

And, interestingly, this multi-cornered contest on over 45 per cent seats is happening despite the absence of a credible 'third front', and the two principal rival alliances, the National Democratic Alliance and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, together comprising 80 of the country's leading political parties.

For example, in 2019, key states, such as Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh had bipolar contests, which could turn out to be different this time.

With 144 MPs, these three states cumulatively elect a fourth of the Lok Sabha's total strength.

In UP, the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal had struck an alliance against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA in 2019.

The Congress was not part of the Opposition alliance, and it proved to be a marginal player in UP five years back, securing a meagre 6.3 per cent of votes.

However, in 2024, the BSP isn't part of either the INDIA bloc or the NDA, and is contesting UP's 80 seats in earnest. The RLD has joined the NDA.

There is also the birth of a putative third front in UP with the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and Pallavi Patel-led Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) coming together. Patel's party recently exited the INDIA bloc.

In Tamil Nadu, as part of its alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the BJP had contested only five of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.

The DMK-led alliance, which included the Congress and Left parties, had swept the polls.

However, for 2024, the BJP is leading a third front, comprising itself, the Pattali Makkal Katchi and others.

In Andhra Pradesh, the BJP has tied up with the Telugu Desam Party and the Jana Sena Party, while the Congress, under Y S Sharmila Reddy, expects to improve its performance.

The BJP and Congress fared poorly in 2019 as the contest was primarily between the ruling YSR Congress Party and TDP. The YSRCP had swept the polls. The TDP had exited the NDA in 2018.

The BJP emerged as the third pole in Telangana in 2019, winning four seats, and it is hopeful of consolidating its position against the ruling Congress and Bharat Rashtra Samithi.

In Kerala, the BJP-led NDA couldn't win a seat five years ago, but improved its vote share to 15.64 per cent. The party is hopeful of winning a couple of seats and increasing its vote share in Kerala in 2024.

Karnataka, meanwhile, is set to be a bipolar contest as it was in 2019.

The Janata Dal-Secular was an ally of the Congress five years back, but it is now an alliance partner of the BJP.

Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan will continue to be bipolar contests as would Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar and Jharkhand.

In Assam, the All India United Democratic Front is contesting only three of the 14 seats. It will make the electoral battle a two-cornered one on the remaining 11 seats.

Contests in rest of the North East are also likely to be bipolar barring Meghalaya's Tura, where the Congress and Trinamool Congress have both fielded their candidates.

Unlike 2019, the BJP has decided to support the National People's Party on Meghalaya's Tura and Shillong seats.

The Aam Aadmi Party's success in the Gujarat assembly polls in 2022 meant the Congress has accommodated its demand to contest two seats in the state as part of the INDIA coalition.

Delhi was a three-cornered fight in 2019, but will be a bipolar one in 2024 with the Congress contesting three and AAP four.

Punjab witnessed a three-cornered contest in 2019, but is set to witness four-sided battle on this occasion since the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal are no longer allies.

Odisha, which sends 21 MPs to the Lok Sabha, was a triangular contest in 2019, and will be in 2024.

In West Bengal, the Left parties and Congress have a seat sharing agreement.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'Modi is trying avenues to convince people why they should vote for the BJP.'

IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra D Modi holds a roadshow with the BJP's Tamil Nadu president Kuppusamy Annamalai in support of the party's South Chennai candidate Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, April 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

In a cauldron of issues brewing and bubbling in Tamil Nadu before the Lok Sabha election, the Bharatiya Janata Party has thrown in a few main ingredients.

Using history, culture, and rhetoric in good measure -- from the Centre hosting the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in 2023 ostensibly to 'rediscover' the ancient links between Kashi (or Varanasi) and the state, to a concerted attack on a state government's minister pillorying the concept and practice of Sanatan Dharma to pursuing corruption charges against state ministers -- the BJP has never let its guard down.

The choice of Kashi was significant as Varanasi is Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency, symbolising his personal endeavour to reach out to the voters of Tamil Nadu.

All these issues put the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and, to a degree, the two factions of the Opposition All India Anna DMK on the defensive -- particularly that on Sanatan Dharma because the adversarial remarks came from Udayanidhi Stalin, Chief Minister M K Stalin's son and his heir apparent.

As the BJP sought to make Tamil Nadu the centrepiece of its efforts to stamp its footprint more vigorously in the South, it brought up the issue of Katchatheevu, which has strategic and diplomatic implications for India-Sri Lanka ties.

Katchatheevu, located north east of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu and southwest of Sri Lanka's Delft island, has been a subject of dispute between the two countries since 1921.

The first concrete moves towards a settlement birthed the 1974 and 1976 agreements -- the first being the Boundary in Historic Waters between the two Countries and Related Matters and then the Agreement on the Maritime Boundary between the Two Countries in the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal and Related Matters in 1976.

The pacts granted Sri Lanka deviation around Katchatheevu and ensured that no third parties could enter the troubled waters as the Palk Straits were divided between India and Sri Lanka into their exclusive economic zones.

These agreements were clinched by the then PMs of India and Sri Lanka, Indira Gandhi and Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

In return for the unpopulated Katchatheevu, Sri Lanka relinquished its claim over Wadge Bank, one of the world's 20 surviving wadge banks, which is fertile, richly biodiverse, and possibly contains an undersea oil and gas reserve.

The context for the BJP's ongoing campaign is based on the information procured by its Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai through the RTI Act.

Annamalai alleged that the then DMK government under M Karunanidhi was complicit in ceding Katchatheevu, although the information also revealed that the state government only belatedly learnt of Indira Gandhi's decision from the then foreign secretary Kewal Singh.

"The BJP is calling to mind something that happened 50 years ago. But what did its government do in 10 years? This matter is completely under the jurisdiction of the Centre," DMK Spokesperson Aandal Priyadarshini said.

C R Kesavan, a BJP national spokesperson and former Congress functionary from Tamil Nadu, retorted: "The revelations through the RTI documents underlined by the foreign minister have clearly exposed the Shakuni-like match-fixing by the Congress and the DMK."

"Hitherto, both the Congress and the DMK used to shed crocodile tears about Katchatheevu but now the people have realised these are the same people who were responsible for surrendering Katchatheevu," Kesavan added.

The DMK is a key constituent of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, with the Congress as a partner.

Can the dispute over a tiny island become an electorally defining issue?

Tamil Nadu political observer, Arun Kumar G, a professor at Bengaluru's Gitam University, said another dynamic worked in Katchatheevu.

"In 2014, shortly before the BJP was voted to power, its leaders organised a Sea Lotus Conference in Rameswaram where they promised to constitute a dedicated fishermen's welfare ministry.

"But even now attacks on Indian fishermen continue and they are arrested by Sri Lanka. After 10 years why is the PM talking about Katchatheevu?"

"The DMK and AIADMK factions are united in opposing the BJP on this, so it will no longer be electorally defining," he said.

S Janakarajan, a former professor at Madras Institute of Development Studies, was not dismissive of the BJP's attempted inroads into Tamil Nadu.

"Modi and the BJP are trying all the avenues and modalities to convince people why they should vote for the BJP. Katchatheevu is one of them.

"The question is: Have the BJP's issues caught voters' attention? Tamil Nadu voters have a strong cultural background, are believers in God, and are temple goers, but they don't like to be told what they should do.

"Among the matters being avidly discussed now is why didn't the Centre do enough during floods and cyclones?"

Kesavan countered such perceptions, saying, "The PM sees a new hope in the women and the youth of Tamil Nadu who will become the driving energy of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India)."

"The PM's politics of progress and development is the vaccine which will defeat the virus of the DMK's politics of division and corruption."

Southern bet

> 5 seats tje BJP contested in Tamil Nadu in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in alliance with AIADMK. It failed to win a seat but secured 3.66% votes

> 20 seats the BJP contested in the 2021 assembly polls in alliance with AIADMK; it won 4 seats and got 2.62% votes

> 23 seats the BJP is contesting in the state in the 2024 parliamentary polls; its ally Anbumani Ramadoss-led Pattali Makkal Katchi is contesting 10 seats

> Other constituents of the BJP-led alliance in TN are the T T V Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagham and the G K Vasan-led Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar); they are contesting six seats

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Two men arrested in connection with firing at Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai had conducted a recce around the actor's house at least three times before executing the plan on April 14, a senior crime branch officer said on Tuesday.

IMAGE: Bhuj police arrested two accused Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal in connection with the Salman Khan house shooting case and handed them to the Mumbai crime branch, April 15, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The duo Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), originally from Chamaparan in Bihar, were apprehended late Monday night from Mata No Madh village in Gujarat's Kutch district.

A senior Gujarat police officer has said that Gupta and Pal were hired by the gang of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to open fire at Khan's house.

However, when asked about the role of Lawrence Bishnoi, the Mumbai police officer said they are verifying.

At around 5 am on Sunday, two motorcycle-borne men opened fire outside 58-year-old Khan's house in Bandra.

Out of five rounds fired at Galaxy Apartment, where Khan lives, one hit the wall and another hit the gallery of his residence, according to the police.

Preliminary probe suggested that Pal, who was riding pillion on the motorcycle, opened fire, while Gupta remained in touch with gang members while riding the bike.

"A preliminary probe suggested that both Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta were hired by the gang of Lawrence Bishnoi to open fire at Khan's house," Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kutch West, Mahendra Bagadiya, said earlier in the day.

After they were arrested by the Mumbai police's crime branch team, the accused duo was flown to the Maharashtra capital by a flight on Tuesday morning, said Lakhmi Gautam, joint commissioner of police (crime), Mumbai.

"Their medical check-up was conducted and they were produced before a court which remanded them in police custody till April 25," he said.

Considering the seriousness of the crime, Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC was added to the FIR, which was registered on charges of attempt to murder and Arms Act after the probe was transferred to the crime branch from Bandra police, he said.

The crime branch had formed 12 teams to probe the case, he said.

Speaking about how the breakthrough was achieved, Lakhmi Gautam said, "With the help of human and technical intelligence, the crime branch team received information that the accused persons were in Gujarat, following which two teams were sent to nab them.

He said there was a possibility that the accused persons were carrying weapons.

"As the terrain of Bhuj was unknown to our officials, the Bhuj Superintendent of Police was informed about the accused persons," he said.

A team from the Bhuj crime branch joined Mumbai police officials around 60 km from Bhuj.

"After travelling around 40 kilometres farther, the two accused were nabbed by the team. They were brought to Mumbai this morning," the Joint Commissioner of Police said.

He said the preliminary investigation suggested that the accused persons carried out recce around Khan's house at least three times before the firing.

Notably, a Facebook post claiming the responsibility for firing surfaced hours after the incident. The post was allegedly uploaded by Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, according to the police.

"Anmol Bishnoi's role is primarily visible in the crime and we are investigating," the officer said.

Prima facie, it was Anmol Bishnoi who posted on a Facebook account, he said.

"He used threatening language and he is basically commenting on the (firing) incident; Anmol's role is prima facie visible", Lakhmi Gautam said.

The FB account holder is named as a wanted person in the case, he added.

Queried on the involvement of other persons in the incident, he said police would investigate all the possible angles.

When asked about the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, he said, "Mumbai Police are in touch with all states and investigating agencies where cases are registered against the particular gang".

The investigation so far suggested that Gupta was riding the motorcycle at the time of the incident, while Pal, who was riding a pillion, allegedly fired five rounds at the actor's house, a police official said.

He said a Mumbai crime branch team travelled to Champaran and questioned family members of Gupta and Pal
A boat carrying mostly school children capsized in the Jhelum river on the outskirts of the city on Tuesday, leaving six people dead, officials said.

Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Rescue operation underway at the site.

The incident took place around 8 am in Gandbal Nowgam area here and six people have been pulled out of the river whose water level had risen over the last couple of days due to incessant rains in the Kashmir valley.

The exact number of people on the boat was not clear.

Deputy commissioner, Srinagar, Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, said six people have died and their bodies have been retrieved.

"Six people have unfortunately died, while we have rescued six others -- out of which three are under treatment but stable. The rest three are at home," Bhat told reporters.

"The unfortunate incident occurred between 7:45 am and 8 am. We are ascertaining how many people were travelling in the boat, but the information we have so far is that 15 people were on it, including seven minors," he said.

The deputy commissioner said the rescue operations were on.

Asked if the administration had warned the people in view of an increase in the water levels of various rivers and streams in the valley, Bhat said the authorities had issued an alert on Monday asking people living near the embankments of the river to remain cautious.

"We issued an alert yesterday. I was touring the city till around midnight. The danger level of Jhelum in Ram Munshibagh (in Srinagar) is 18 feet. When the level crosses 10 feet, we issue an initial alert asking people living near the banks to remain cautious. (However), it was flowing below the danger level and the rain had also stopped around 10 pm last night," he added.

In response to a question whether the boat was overloaded, the deputy commissioner said, "We are looking into it."

Senior officials from police and civil administration, including Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar, were at the spot at Gandbal Batwara monitoring rescue operations.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and many other leaders expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident.

'I am deeply grieved by the loss of lives due to a boat accident in Srinagar. My thoughts are with the bereaved families & I pray to the Almighty to give them strength to withstand this immense loss. Team of SDRF, Army & other agencies are carrying out relief & rescue work,' Sinha said in a post on X.

The LG said he is constantly monitoring the situation and guiding the team on the ground.

'The administration is providing all possible help to the bereaved families who have lost their near and dear ones and medical facilities to those who have been injured. Marcos teams have also been alerted. I am constantly monitoring the situation and guiding the team on the ground,' Sinha said.

The National Conference also expressed grief over the incident.

'JKNC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and VP @OmarAbdullah express deep shock and sadness over the tragic demise of three minors whose boat capsized in Gandbal, Batwara. JKNC senior leader @RuhullahMehdi, along with CI @ahsanpardesi also join in expressing their profound grief,' the party said in a statement on X.

The party urged the administration to expedite rescue efforts and extend comprehensive support to the affected families.

In this moment of grief their thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, it said.

Former J-K chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti condoled the loss of lives in the incident.

"Reports coming in of several children dead. My deepest condolences to their families and I urge the administration to extend all help possible," she said.

Bharatiya Janata Party J-K spokesperson Altaf Thakur expresed solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those under treatment at SMHS.

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader M Y Tarigami said he was deeply pained by the loss of lives.

"Sending heartfelt condolences to the victims' families. The prolonged construction of a footbridge, lingering for years, highlights a missed opportunity to prevent such tragedies," he said.

Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari urged the administration to swiftly extend support to those in need.

"Devastated to hear of the tragic capsizing of a boat carrying several persons, including children, in the River Jhelum near Batwara, Srinagar.

"The loss of precious lives is heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this terrible accident. Urging the administration to swiftly extend support to those in need," Bukhari said.
The Election Commission on Tuesday barred Congress leader Randeep Surjewala from campaigning for 48 hours over his alleged derogatory remarks against Bharatiya Janata Party MP Hema Malini.

IMAGE: Former BJP leader Birender Singh (left) being congratulated by Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan, party leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda (second from left) and Randeep Singh Surjewala (right) as he joins the party, in New Delhi, April 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

This is the first campaign ban imposed by the poll body in this Lok Sabha election cycle.

The Election Commission last Tuesday issued a show-cause notice to Surjewala for his alleged "undignified, uncivilised and vulgar" remarks against Malini.

The poll body said it has carefully gone through the contents and averments made in the reply of Surjewala.

"The commission without prejudice to any order/notice issued or to be issued subsequently to him in the matter relating to MCC violations, hereby, strongly condemns the impugned statement made by him during the election campaign held in Haryana and reprimands Randeep Surjewala for the misconduct," the poll watchdog said.

The commission, under Article 324 of the Constitution and all other powers enabling in this behalf, bars Surjewala from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) etc, in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from 6 pm on April 16, it said.

In its notice to Surjewala, the EC had said that on careful examination, the comments were found to be "highly undignified, vulgar and uncivilised" and to be prima facie violative of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the poll panel's advisory issued to parties last month.
Observing that there is substantial increase in attacks against Hindus and Hinduism in the United States, an Indian-American Congressman warned that this was just the 'beginning of a coordinated anti-Hindu attack'.

IMAGE: A Hindu devotee offers prayers at a temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Image used only for representation. Photograph: Bing Guan/Reuters

"Today, I am seeing in the United States a substantial increase of attacks on Hinduism. A lot of misinformation is being circulated whether it is online or otherwise," Congressman Shri Thanedar told reporters at a news conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on Monday.

Thanedar and four other Indian American lawmakers -- Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ami Bera and Pramila Jayapal -- had recently written to the Department of Justice seeking an investigation on the recent surge in attacks on Hindu temples and places of worship.

At the press conference organised by HinduAction, a non-profit body, Thanedar complained that no action has been taken against those responsible for the attacks and no arrests have been made either.

"We have experienced substantially more events of this kind in recent months. I have a feeling that this is just the beginning of a very coordinated attempt against this community and the community must stand together. The time has come and I will stand with you," Thanedar said.

"Having practised Hinduism, having grown as a Hindu in a Hindu household, I know what Hinduism is. It is a very peaceful religion," he said, adding that it is not a religion that attacks others.

"However, this community continues to be misrepresented, misunderstood, sometimes deliberately so. I recently joined four of my Indian-American colleagues to write to the Department of Justice. You know, one of the concerns that we had was the rising attacks on places of worship.

"We've seen those happening in California, we have seen those happening all the way in New York and all across America. It appears to be a very coordinated effort to attack these places of worship, which has created a lot of fear in the community," he said.

Thanedar alleged that often local law enforcement enters into these investigations which goes nowhere.

He said it leaves the community feeling like they have nobody who cares about them.

That means that the community continues to live in fear. The community continues to live in an adverse situation with essentially no help from law enforcement, he added.

Thanedar said that there is a need to coordinate efforts between the local law enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Justice.

"A higher priority needs to be assigned to such hate crimes against this peaceful community," he said.

"That is what we have asked the Justice Department to do and it is time for the whole community to come together and make sure that we demand equality, that we demand justice. We we will not tolerate such hate against Hinduism."

Thanedar said he has introduced a resolution in the United States Congress on 'anti-Hindu attacks'.

"Through the resolution and the letter that we wrote to the Department of Justice, we continue to put pressure on this administration to ensure that the Hindu community has a right to live in peace," he said.

Utsav Chakrabarti from HinduACtion described it as a historic resolution in the fight against 'anti-Hindu crimes' in the US.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked various state governments to apprise it in six weeks on the action taken in incidents of mob lynching and cow vigilantism.

IMAGE: A view of the Supreme Court, in New Delhi. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo

A bench of Justices B R Gavai, Aravind Kumar and Sandeep Mehta posted for hearing after six weeks a plea filed by a women's organisation seeking directions to states to take immediate action in consonance with a 2018 verdict of the apex court to effectively deal with incidents of lynching and mob violence against Muslims by cow vigilantes.

"We find that most of the states have not filed their reply affidavits to the writ petition giving instances of mob lynching. It was expected of the states to at least respond to what action has been taken in such cases. We grant six weeks' time to the states who have not filed their replies and also give details of steps taken by them in such cases," the bench ordered.

The top court was hearing a plea filed by the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), an organisation linked to the Communist Party of India in which notices were issued last year to the Centre and the DGPs of Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana seeking their responses to the plea.

During the hearing, advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for the petitioner organisation, said that in Madhya Pradesh there was an incident of alleged mob-lynching but the FIR was registered for cow slaughter against the victims.

Pasha submitted, "If the state is to deny the incident of mob lynching, then how can 2018 verdict in Tehseen Poonawalla case will be followed."

In the Poonawalla case, the top court has issued a slew of directions to States to check incidents of cow vigilantism and mob lynching.

The bench questioned the counsel appearing for the Madhya Pradesh government, as how FIR for cow slaughter was registered without chemical analysis of the meat and why no FIR was registered against those involved in the scuffle.

"Are you trying to save someone? How can you register FIR for cow slaughter without even chemical analysis," the bench told the counsel for Madhya Pradesh and asked him to give details of the incident.

Pasha pointed out that same thing happened in Haryana where a case for transporting beef was registered but not mob lynching.

"The states are denying that there were any incident of mob lynching and FIRs are being registered for cow slaughter against the victims. Only two states Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have filed their affidavit on incidents pointed out in the writ petition and interlocutory applications but other states have not filed any affidavit," he submitted.

The bench then passed the order.

Justice Kumar told Pasha that incidents mentioned in the petitions should not be selectively chosen from particular states but all incidents should be mentioned.

Senior advocate Archana Pathak Dave, appearing for one of the states, said that in the writ petition there is specific averment made that Muslim men are mob lynched and there is no mention of mob lynching of people of other religion.

"The relief sought cannot be religion specific," she said.

Pasha submitted this is the reality of the society and incidents against particular communities can be brought before the court.

The bench asked Dave to observe restraint in her submissions, and said, "Let's not go into the incidents on the basis of religion. We should focus on the larger cause."

The top court posted the matter for hearing after summer vacation and ordered that states should file their replies on the steps take to check mob lynching.

On July 28, last year, the top court agreed to hear a plea which sought urgent intervention of the apex court in view of the 'alarming' rise in cases of lynching and mob violence targeting Muslims despite clear guidelines and directions issued by the top court in 2018 with regard to cow vigilantes.

'In view of the alarming rise in cases of lynching and mob violence against the Muslim community, the petitioner is seeking a writ in the nature of mandamus to the concerned State authorities to take immediate action in terms of the findings and directions of this court in Tehseen Poonawalla so as to effectively contain and deal with the same,' the plea said.

In its 2018 verdict, the top court had held the states have the principal obligation to see to it that vigilantism, be it cow vigilantism or any other vigilantism of any perception, does not take place, and issued guidelines to be adopted by the authorities to deal with such incidents.

The PIL referred to several incidents of mob violence, the most recent being the killing of a 55-year-old truck driver named Jaharuddin on June 28, 2023 in Bihar's Saran district on suspicion of carrying beef. It said the killing happened on the heels of two such incidents in Maharashtra's Nashik.

The PIL sought direction to the Centre to provide a minimum uniform amount to the victims of such violence in addition to the compensation determined by the respective states after considering factors like the nature of bodily injury, psychological injury and loss of earning, including loss of employment opportunities, and legal and medical expenses.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday visited actor Salman Khan's residence in Bandra in Mumbais western suburbs and assured him of protection after two persons were arrested in connection with firing at his house.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde meets Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and his father Salim Khan at their Bandra home, Mumbai, April 16, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Talking to reporters, Shinde said stringent action will be taken against those involved in the firing.

Shinde also said he has instructed the Mumbai police commissioner to beef up security cover for Khan and his family members.

"I have assured Salman Khan that the government stands behind him and his safety is the government's responsibility. The government will ensure that no one dares do such an act in Mumbai," Shinde said.

Two persons -- Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) -- who were on the run after firing at Khan's house on Sunday, were nabbed late Monday night from a temple premises in Gujarat's Kutch district.

One of them, who was riding pillion on a motorcycle, fired five rounds -- one of which hit the wall and another the gallery of Khan's residence, according to the police.

"The police are investigating and the truth will come out. The police will find out who is behind the incident. Strict action will be taken against them," Shinde said.

Former MLA Baba Siddiqui, his son and Congress legislator Zeeshan Siddiqui, and Shiv Sena leader Rahul Kanal were also present at Khan's residence during Shinde's visit.
Enquiries in Kalpetta showed that Wayanad will continue to support Rahul, but not to the same extent as in 2019, when his margin of victory had been enormous, reports Shyam G Menon.

IMAGE: Rahul Gandhi, the Congress candidate from Wayanad, at a roadshow in Wayanad, April 15, 2024.

The opening words in this concluding part of the election scene in Kerala should belong to a political commentator I spoke to in Thiruvananthapuram.

In the 2019 parliamentary elections from Kerala, the United Democratic Front (UDF) had executed a near complete sweep of the state's 20 seats.

Its primary opponent, the Left Democratic Front (LDF), could pick up just one seat.

Outlining the significance of the 2024 polls, the commentator said that the LDF wishes for the Bharatiya Janata Party and its Hindutva politics to be seen as a major problem at the national level.

It should logically make the LDF and its politics, ideal choice for Kerala.

Except, the LDF is a nobody beyond Kerala and its main constituent, the Communist Party of India-Marxist, even risks losing recognition as a national party if it doesn't garner a specific number of seats.

So it is, advantage to the Congress led-UDF again but with a catch.

"If the UDF does not get 17 seats or so, I would say they need to really ask themselves what they are doing. On the other hand, if the LDF can't corner the balance, I would say it is a verdict on how their government in Kerala has functioned," he said, late-March.

Fact is, much like the BJP at the Centre has been exhausting its critics and generally tiring people at large with its unchanged concoction of religion, nationalism, development and Modi-cult, the LDF has experienced an erosion of popularity in Kerala.

For long free of pressure from investigating agencies, that too seemed to change with the media reporting on March 27 that the Enforcement Directorate had filed a money laundering case against the chief minister's daughter.

Yet to offer anything meaningful for the electorate (beyond ever rising religiosity and fanning the development bogey) and desperate to open its parliamentary account from the state, the BJP fishes in these murky waters.

Against this backdrop, the final two constituencies hosting major contests in Kerala, are the following:

Wayanad

On April 3, Kalpetta in Wayanad, witnessed two political rallies.

The first one, which was of a modest size, featured the Communist Party of India's Annie Raja on her way to the local civil station to file her nomination papers for the 2024 Parliament elections.

The second rally of the day -- it was a big one -- featured siblings Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi, on their way to the same civil station to file Rahul's nomination papers to contest from the Wayanad parliamentary seat.

As the sitting MP, Rahul Gandhi, 53, has had a rocky ride.

Months ago, he was suspended from Parliament and his Lok Sabha membership hung by a thread.

Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled in his favour. Wayanad, angry at such treatment for its elected representative, stood by him.

But even in that disqualification phase, one thing was clear -- electing Rahul Gandhi and coping with him for MP had little to do with the genuine concerns of Wayanad.

And those concerns -- perhaps the biggest of the lot being man-animal conflicts in this region of hill farmers -- have only grown.

The church is involved in this scenario of agitated farmers; at times the clergy has asked if human lives don't matter as much as wildlife.

It is an issue that needs to be seen in perspective.

The church is present across the Kerala geography composed of sea coast, an intermediate zone of plains and small hills and finally, the forested big hills.

Within this, the sensitive parishes tend to be those where livelihood is insecure and risky.

Top of the list would be those on the sea coast because fishing is not only a risky activity; it also tapers during the monsoon resulting in stressed financial existence.

Next on the sensitivity index would be the zone of hill farmers where an emergent problem is that of increasing encroachment by wildlife on farms bordering forests.

IMAGE: CPI candidate Annie Raja on her way to file her nomination papers in Kalpetta, Wayanad, April 3, 2024. Photograph: Shyam G Menon

Between the time of Rahul Gandhi's disqualification and his current return to Wayanad for re-election, these problems have only risen in Kerala.

Even as the Congress's competition raises these issues, fact is there is knowledge within the church itself that the problems are complex, related to climate change (when water and food depletes in forests, animals venture out) and without immediate solution.

Still the church has to speak up to seem responsible unto its parishes.

Further, the ruling state government has been tardy in showing empathy to the worries of the affected hill farmers.

As if the man-animal conflicts were not enough for headache amidst elections, the death of a student under violent circumstances at a college in Pookode near Kalpetta also became a big controversy in Kerala putting the Students Federation of India, the CPI-M's student wing, under a cloud.

Despite Wayanad hosting its share of the above said issues, none of it counts as regards Rahul Gandhi because he floats locally on a different set of equations.

IMAGE: Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by his sister and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party leaders, on their way to file Rahul's nomination papers at Kalpetta, Wayanad, April 3, 2024. Photograph: Shyam G Menon

To begin with, Wayanad as Parliament constituency is safe turf for the UDF courtesy assembly segments where its partner, the Muslim League, is influential.

In a sense, adequate votes for the UDF are assured.

Second, although the perception of Rahul Gandhi as potential prime minister has dipped since 2019, that tenor of thought still prevails alongside his electoral success viewed as relevant check on a BJP drunk with power and engineering divisive policies unchallenged.

Enquiries in Kalpetta showed that Wayanad will continue to support Rahul albeit not to the same extent as in 2019, when his margin of victory had been enormous.

Against Rahul's rather passive route to potential success in Wayanad, the real find of the constituency's 2024 rendezvous with Lok Sabha polls would seem to be the CPI's Annie Raja.

On April 2, we caught up with her at Korum on the campaign trail.

At a public meeting, she spoke mainly about the threat to India's secular fabric, which the BJP represented.

Articulate, to the point and speaking in fluent Malayalam, she had the people who gathered to see her, listening in rapt attention.

As with most LDF candidates, she had commenced her campaign adequately early.

The difference now was -- by April 2, it was formally known that notwithstanding their parties' partnership in the INDIA bloc, Rahul Gandhi would be contesting from Wayanad.

Annie Raja made it clear that it altered nothing. "I am contesting to win," she told me.

The day after the CPI and Congress candidates filed their nomination papers, the BJP candidate -- K Surendran, 54, state president of the party -- was due to file his.

At least some in Wayanad's business community would be backing his candidature as they find the BJP more receptive of their concerns than other parties.

The votes this translate into, would be among factors reducing the margin of the contest's leader.

Thrissur

IMAGE: Congress candidate K Muraleedharan speaking at Muriyad, Thrissur, April 6, 2024. Photograph: Shyam G Menon

It isn't always that a candidate who lost the elections makes his constituency important.

That is precisely what has happened to Thrissur which fits the profile of constituency the BJP has betrayed in its choices in Kerala.

Generally speaking, the DNA would seem temples and a community of the faithful to anchor the BJP's campaign along with possibilities to influence communities that swing votes.

Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur -- they all exhibit these traits.

Specifically, about Thrissur -- often called Kerala's cultural capital with its wealth of literature, arts and religious festivals, it is also a major hub of trade and commerce.

The man responsible for the above said predicament of someone who lost making his constituency noteworthy, is actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who joined the BJP in 2016.

Although the 65 year old served as a MP, having been nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2016, he hasn't yet won an election.

Contesting from Thrissur, he lost both the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the 2021 assembly polls. The 2024 Parliament election is his third attempt.

The persistence, the optimism of striking luck third time around and the fact that a potential win could deliver the BJP its elusive Parliament seat from Kerala, has made Suresh Gopi the reason to remember Thrissur, in the latest edition of the polls.

The BJP's desperation to win a seat from Kerala seemed showcased well in a series of large hoardings in Thrissur promising a Union minister from the constituency if Suresh Gopi was elected.

On April 7, Suresh Gopi and members of his campaign team spoke at a function in a residential pocket associated with the city's Brahmin community.

The general tenor at the meeting was that there was no doubt as regards who would be elected to power at the Centre; it will be Narendra Modi yet again.

According to one of the speakers, the only question therefore confronting the Thrissur electorate was if they wanted a mere MP or one assured of being a Union minister; the latter opportunity being what voting for Suresh Gopi represented.

On his part, Suresh Gopi said that if elected, he would work not just for Thrissur but all of Kerala.

Aware of his critics sniping at him, he also mentioned that he wouldn't let his detractors decide what he is and asked his supporters to stay focused on improving the country.

IMAGE: V S Sunil Kumar, the CPI candidate in Thrissur, addresses a gathering at Pullu, Thrissur, April 6, 2024. Photograph: Shyam G Menon

Notwithstanding the optimism in that auditorium, the sentiment outside continued to be tricky for the BJP.

By April second week in Thrissur, some in the electorate had come to feel that the real contest was between the LDF's V S Sunil Kumar and the UDF's K Muraleedharan.

It was clear in such conversations that the occasional quirky behaviour and emotional outbursts Suresh Gopi was capable of, made it difficult for this section of the electorate to accept him as a representative.

The observation was surprising because Muraleedharan had been a late entrant in the fray, having been shifted from Vadakara (which he had won in 2019) to Thrissur, replacing the incumbent MP, T N Prathapan of the Congress.

In comparison, the CPI's V S Sunil Kumar was until 2021, the MLA from Thrissur while Suresh Gopi had been a presence in the town since before the 2019 elections.

Perceived to play in Muraleedharan's favour, courtesy he being the son of the late Congress stalwart K Karunakaran (former chief minister of Kerala), were votes from sections of the Hindu upper class that have traditionally supported the Congress party.

The other segment known to be crucial in elections from Thrissur is the Christian community.

When the BJP made overtures to the church and sought to influence Christians into voting for it, Thrissur would undoubtedly have been among constituencies it had in mind.

Thrissur has a sizable population of Christians (who are also influential in business) and their votes matter to a candidate seeking to win.

The BJP's newfound affection for Kerala's Christian community sparked a roller coaster ride locally as regards sentiments within the community.

In that period, some members of the clergy warmed up to the idea of favouring the BJP. Right-Wing factions within the community approved.

However, remarks made by the church, closer to the elections, have applied the brakes on that honeymoon.

Fuelled largely by how Christians were treated in North and North East India (Manipur), the current mood of the church is one of caution when it comes to the BJP.

Once the BJP is removed from the frame, Right leaning Christian votes, as usual, should favour the Congress.

Further, a tried and tested entity, Muraleedharan (despite his track record showing a series of constituency-shifts) has a reputation of doing things and taking care of his constituency.

It was in the hot afternoon of April 6 that I caught up with Muraleedharan, 66, at Muriyad, on the campaign trail.

Thrissur is among places in Kerala experiencing an abnormally hot summer in 2024.

Addressing a small group of supporters at Muriyad, Muraleedharan said that a vote for him was a vote for Rahul Gandhi and a vote for change.

Probably due to the intense heat and the number of places to be visited on the campaign trail, he kept his talk brief.

IMAGE: A hoarding in Thrissur featuring Suresh Gopi and the promise of a Union minister from the constituency. Photograph: Shyam G Menon

Miles away in Pullu, the blazing sun did not deter a robust turnout for the CPI's Sunil Kumar.

The former state agriculture minister also had in him, the energy and zest to speak to the electorate.

Party supporters arrived to welcome the 56 year old brought with them offerings of the crops they had grown.

Sunil reminded his supporters to vote carefully for there was another candidate with the same name fielded allegedly by competition.

"For me, the main point to highlight in my campaign is secularism; how secularism is currently threatened and the importance of protecting it," he told this writer.

The following day, April 7, one came across a concert celebrating plurality in voices, organised by the LDF at Thrissur's main circle around the Vadakkumnathan temple.

In Kerala, it is a matter of serious debate how deep the state's secularist attitude runs.

Some political observers feel that Kerala with its unique religious composition -- around 55 per cent is Hindu and the rest is made up of Muslims, Christians and other minorities -- is very unlike the reality in North Indian states where the BJP can bank on distinct Hindu majorities to push its agenda through.

Kerala's religious composition makes a secular state of existence its safest and most sustainable bet.

Challenge this -- as the BJP does -- and the provoker not only stirs a hornet's nest, but also runs the risk of seeing the push back grow proportionately to the provocation.

In constituencies like Thiruvananthapuram, the BJP has tried to side-step this risk by nudging the election discourse towards economic development.

It evokes 'Modi's guarantee' and tries to convince people that projects will be taken up and executed in time.

This focus on development may or may not work; the latter outcome being attributed to the state as it is very political and thereby incapable of feeling satisfied with a discourse around development alone, for parliament elections.

IMAGE: Suresh Gopi of the BJP addresses a gathering in Thrissur, April 7. Photograph: Shyam G Menon

In Kerala, there are people who feel that development as subject of discussion, makes greater sense in assembly and local body elections wherein those elected typically work in close touch with the electorate.

Parliament elections, they feel, are meant to deal with the more abstract notion of country and general life in the country besides liaising with the Centre.

Given its sizable population of minorities; secularism and the state's coexistence with the Centre as part of the federal contract are major topics of interest in Kerala.

And it is discussed not just at the level of politicians and the upper echelons of society; the concern and discourse permeate to street level.

So far, the BJP has been poor at appreciating this.

That's why its candidates continue to be poised precariously in electoral battles, even after persistence harking of Robert Bruce.

Shyam G Menon is a freelance journalist based in Mumbai.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
At Krunal Patels convenience store outside Richmond, a row of Queen of Virginia skill games has been powered off and turned around against a wall. On Monday, in response to what he sees as unfair treatment in a state thats embraced legalized gambling, Patel also turned off the Virginia Lottery machines in his store.

He posted signs on his front doors and above the checkout counter explaining the one-day shutdown of lottery sales was a protest against Gov. Glenn Youngkins proposed changes to a pending Virginia bill that would legalize, tax and regulate skill games instead of leaving them banned as a type of illegal gambling.

In an interview, Patel, 38, said the slots-like skill games once made up about 30% to 40% of his revenue. But because the governor proposed prohibiting skill games within 35 miles of existing casinos and horse racing facilities, the store he co-owns in eastern Henrico County might be banned from having them due to its proximity to the Colonial Downs race track in neighboring New Kent County.

If a lot of stores close down, its going to close down Lottery too, Patel said, when asked what message the temporary stop of lottery sales was supposed to send.

The protest aimed at lottery tickets was the latest escalation in the long-running gambling turf war playing out in Virginia as various interests try to bend state policy in their favor. A coalition supporting skill games said nearly 500 businesses were participating in the lottery shutdown, as well as a plan to close stores entirely on Tuesday from 3:50 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.

This statewide convenience store shutdown will show customers, communities and localities the harmful impact that Governor Youngkins skill game amendments will have, the pro-skill game Virginia Merchants and Amusement Coalition said in a news release.

After years of grappling with the question of whether the machines should be legal or illegal, Virginia lawmakers will take up the issue again Wednesday when the General Assembly reconvenes to address Youngkins amendments and vetoes. Supporters say Youngkins sweeping amendments to the skill game bill impose the type of public safeguards the General Assembly left out. Critics have called his suggestions so strict theyd effectively ban skill games in most of the state.

In addition to the 35-mile rule, Youngkins amendments would raise the proposed tax rate on the machines from 25% to 35%, allow local governments or local voters to ban the machines at the city and county level and impose stricter rules to prohibit underage play and mitigate gambling addiction.

Concern that skill games might eat into Lottery revenues was one of many reasons the Virginia General Assembly voted to ban the machines in 2020, as was frustration over skill game companies sending unregulated and untaxed machines into the state and insisting gambling laws didnt apply to their games because, despite the strong resemblance, they technically arent slot machines.

When asked for a comment Monday, Youngkins office didnt directly address the protest.

The governor supports small business owners having access to skill games and his proposed legislative amendments, stemming from discussions with a bipartisan group of members and dozens of outside stakeholders, would establish an important regulatory framework, enhance consumer and public safety protections, and grant localities and Virginians a voice, said Youngkin spokesman Christian Martinez.

If the machines do become legal in Virginia, both the General Assembly and Youngkin have identified the Virginia Lottery as the state agency that should regulate them on a permanent basis. The General Assemblys skill game bill calls for the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage and Control Authority to oversee the machines on a temporary basis while the Lottery prepares a fuller regulatory structure. Youngkins proposal sets the Lottery as the regulator from the beginning, even though it would likely delay reactivation of the machines until well into 2025 to allow the agency to create a central monitoring system for keeping tabs on skill games.

That means the target of Mondays protest could very well end up writing some of the rules for how skill games can and cant operate.

The Lottery didnt appear to see Mondays protest as a major concern, saying the agency has contractual agreements with all retailers who agree to sell tickets that raise funds for Virginias K-12 schools.

The Lottery works with each individual retailer as to what works best for them, and we make it a practice not to tell retailers how to run their business, said Virginia Lottery spokesman John Hagerty. The Lottery has nothing to do with skill machines.

The Lottery gave no indication it was planning to take any action against licensees that stopped selling its products as a form of political protest.

Patel said he wasnt sure if he would face any repercussions from the Lottery for stopping sales for a day.

Im willing to take that risk, he said. At the end of the day, its my business.

Virginias casino and horse racing industries have argued they should get some protection from the more scattered competition from skill games because their forms of gambling required significant capital investment. The states casinos, for example, had to pay $15 million for a license and pledge to invest at least $300 million in facilities that could only be built in specific cities where voters had approved a casino.

Only a few states have affirmatively legalized and regulated skill games. The machines are fully legal in Wyoming and the District of Columbia, and could be legalized soon in Pennsylvania. Skill games are also legal in Georgia, as long as they dont offer cash payouts.

Patel said he hopes state legislators and Youngkin will agree to drop the 35-mile exclusion rule and lower the tax rate back to the 25% envisioned in the bill the General Assembly approved. Some of the rules, he said, seem designed to maximize profits for bigger, out-of-state gambling interests that own Virginias casinos and horse racing facilities.

Were more local than they are, he said.

Patel said most of his customers didnt have a problem with not being able to buy lottery tickets Monday.

Some of them are happy, he said. It actually saved them money.

This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High 47F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Rain. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Virginias chapter of the NAACP plans to take Gov. Glenn Youngkin to court over an alleged failure to respond to public records requests.

The chapters president, the Rev. Cozy Bailey, said at a news conference outside the state Capitol on Monday that Youngkin was being served legal action that day.

The pending legal back-and-forth stems from an initial August public records request by the NAACP to determine if the administration has been complying with state law regarding DEI work.

The NAACP's inquiry on this matter began after Martin Brown  Virginias chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer  said last April at Virginia Military Institute that DEI is dead.

Were not going to bring that cow up anymore. Its dead. It was mandated by the General Assembly, but this governor has a different philosophy, Brown said during a mandatory DEI training for faculty and staff at VMI on April 21, 2023.

The NAACP then sought more details by requesting public records and correspondence under the DEI Office through a Freedom of Information Act request. A back-and-forth ensued with the governors FOIA officer where the NAACP claims the administration sought to narrow the request and failed to provide cost estimates. In the end, records were not provided.

Because of the extraordinary number of documents sought, a legitimate issue involving the best method for document search and production has arisen, said Christian Martinez, a Youngkin spokesman. We expect further discussions to occur to seek a resolution per the statute.

On April 9, the organization informed Youngkin that it intended to sue. It would be the latest suit the NAACP has levied against the governor over FOIA issues. Last year, it sought more clarity on criteria for restoring rights to felons who had completed their terms. The request came after the administration quietly adjusted its processes for rights restoration that three previous governors had streamlined. Youngkins team provided some details, but questions lingered, and a district judge eventually sided with Youngkin that further details fell under an exemption.

Bailey said the NAACP's latest legal effort has been brewing since Youngkin has been in office. Before his 2021 election, conservative outcry over alleged critical race theory in K-12 curriculum had spread nationwide. The college-level teaching of systemic ways race is included in laws became a catch-all for things like diversity training for faculty at all levels. Youngkins first executive order as governor was to end teaching of inherently divisive concepts. More recently, he has requested to review Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason Universitys racial literacy syllabi materials.

Bailey called Youngkins attitudes toward DEI concepts an insidious fight.

He doesn't seem to understand that when we talk about these issues of differences, that we prevent problems in the future. He would rather, let me say it, stir the pot," Bailey said.

While a 2020 state law outlined Virginias DEI office, Youngkins administration has changed its operating name to emphasize "opportunity" rather than "equity."

This and Browns statement have led some Democrats and the NAACP to question how much the office is or isnt carrying out its responsibilities.

When Brown was first confirmed to his post, the state legislature amended Youngkins language that had swapped equity for opportunity. Though it is not the language in the statute, the administrations website lists Browns purview as the Office of Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion.

Recently, Texas and a handful of other states have passed legislation targeting DEI programs. In watching developments nationally, Bailey said he is concerned that incremental actions are adding up in Virginia.

Some believe that the governor is copying efforts seen in other states to limit or outright eliminate DEI practices in state government, Bailey said. If this is the direction that he is going, the Virginia NAACP will not stand by and allow this to happen.
San Bunchhay says the case should be a slam dunk for authorities, if they are willing to proceed.

San Bunchhay, following a beating in downtown Battambang when as many as six motorcyclists wearing masks and helmets attacked him from behind with bamboo sticks April 10, 2024.

A Cambodian-Australian opposition supporter known for criticizing Cambodias government on social media was severely beaten by unidentified assailants in Battambang province in what he says is a case of politically motivated violence.

At around 5:50 p.m. on the evening of April 10, San Bunchhay, 43, was about to enter his car after leaving the ABA Bank in downtown Battambang when as many as six motorcyclists wearing masks and helmets attacked him from behind with bamboo sticks, he told RFA Khmer in an interview.

As the assailants were beating me, two of them blocked the door of my car to prevent my wife, children and relatives from getting out to help me, he said. These guys violently attacked me, even though there were two security guards stationed in front of the bank and about 20 people entering and leaving the building.

After the assailants began beating him, the ABA Bank security guards shouted at them several times and they escaped on their motorcycles, San Bunchhay said.

The ABA Bank branch is located near Battambang Provincial Hall and the Svay Por Police Station, but no one came to his aid, he added.

The attack left him with a bleeding head wound and bruises over his entire body. He required eight stitches in his head when he went for treatment at a nearby hospital.

San Bunchhay, his wife and young daughter reside in Australia, but had been visiting his hometown in Battambang province for six days to observe the Cambodian New Year, which runs April 13-16. Instead, after briefly recovering from the assault, San Bunchhay and his family returned to Australia on April 12.

Sam Rainsy supporter

A former professor of economics and outspoken supporter of exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy, San Bunchhay regularly posts comments on social media calling for reconciliation between Cambodias politicians in the interest of the nation.

San Bunchhay has taken part in several protests of the CPP in Australia along with his wife and three siblings, including one of former Prime Minister Hun Sen in July 2023 and of Hun Sens eldest son and Cambodias current Prime Minister Hun Manet during a state visit in March this year.

Speaking to RFA during his recuperation, San Bunchhay said there are reasons why he believes the attack was politically motivated.

Immediately after the assault, as he arrived at the hospital and before he spoke with anyone about the incident, local police visited his family home and informed his mother of what had happened.

San Bunchhay, following a beating in downtown Battambang when as many as six motorcyclists wearing masks and helmets attacked him from behind with bamboo sticks April 10, 2024. (San Bunchhay via Facebook)

The officer said that his boss had advised him to check in because he was worried about San Bunchhays safety and wanted to know where he is staying after being beaten.

San Bunchhay said that senior officials with the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, or CPP, had contacted him several times in the past to have a friendly meal and try to lure him to the party, but he had always refused, making them angry.

Additionally, he said, his family took part in anti-government protests in Australia prior to the July 2023 election, which the National Election Committee barred the opposition Candlelight Party from competing in, citing inadequate paperwork. The CPP handily won the election, which was criticized by the international community as neither free nor fair, taking 120 of 125 seats in the National Assembly.

San Bunchhay told RFA he had already filed a complaint with the Battambang City Police and suggested that the case would be a slam dunk, if authorities were willing to proceed.

He noted that there were several witnesses to the attack and said security cameras would have been able to capture clear images of the perpetrators and the license plates on their motorcycles.

However, he expressed doubt that he would receive justice.

Investigation underway

When questioned about the attack by RFA, Battambang Provincial Police Commissioner Sat Kimsan claimed that municipal authorities were conducting a search, having already identified the suspects motorcycle license plates through security camera footage.

He said three suspects were involved in the assault, but authorities have yet to identify them because they were wearing helmets.

I cant comment on the case because authorities are conducting an investigation, he said. No matter what the case is, as long as it happens in my province, I always seek justice for all victims.

In a statement posted to its Facebook page on April 12, the Battambang Provincial Police detailed the attack and said the motivation was unclear. The police department urged anyone with information about the assault to report it and vowed to bring the suspects to justice in accordance with the law.

Tak Meng Heang, an ethnic Khmer Australian lawmaker, called the attack on San Bunchhay a complete threat to political freedom and expression and said Cambodian authorities must respect the right of expression of the Cambodian people, no matter where they live.

If this is a real political assault, we cant ignore this violent act, he said, adding that San Bunchhay should file a complaint with the Australian Federal Police.

Translated by Yun, Samean. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Prak Sophea, a Cambodian activist, is seen in her Bangkok apartment in December 2023. She fled Cambodia in August 2023.

The chief way to pass time at the Refugee Camp is to worry.

In an apartment whose single window overlooks a sunbaked street, Prak Sophea, 43, worries how shell pay rent next month. One floor up, 72-year-old Sreymom, worries shell never see her homeland again. Down the hall, Sok Soeum, 44, worries whether he can collect enough donations to feed his hungry neighbors.

Despite its nickname, the Refugee Camp is not really a camp. It is a nondescript apartment building in central Bangkok where a revolving population of Cambodian asylum seekers have for years found shelter through word of mouth. The rooms are shabby and the rents are high; but when youre fleeing from your government and dont speak a word of Thai, you take what you can get.

I dont go anywhere, I just stay in my room so I have no problem, said Sreymom, who asked that her name be changed for security reasons. She arrived in Thailand last year after Cambodian police started harassing her for the whereabouts of her son, a political activist who fled to Bangkok several years ago. I cry all night, I miss home a lot.

Today, she shares a room no larger than 200 square feet with her son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter-in-law. Though the family tries to keep it neat  pushing bedrolls against the wall, stacking suitcases in tidy piles  it is difficult with so many people in such tight quarters. The sole door in the room is attached to the bathroom in the corner. Across from it sits the space that serves as a kitchen. There is no sink or counter or appliances, simply a rice cooker, portable stove and a handful of plastic containers that are lined against the wall and pulled out when it is time to cook whatever food the family can get their hands on.

With small variations  blue blankets instead of pink, two rice cookers instead of one  Sreymoms flat is nearly identical to the one Sophea shares with her four children, and the one Soeum shares with his wife and son.

Its difficult every day, said Sreymom. We dont have enough food, but I dont know what to do because we cant go back.

The handful of Cambodians living in this building represent just a small portion of Thailands estimated 5,000 U.N.-registered urban refugees. Their quiet, fearful lives are shared by many. Thailand has never ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, meaning the government does not recognize asylum seekers. While refugees like Sophea, Soeum and Sreymom can register with the U.N. refugee office  opening a pathway to third-country resettlement  that does not give them legal protection in Thailand.

Any one of them can easily be picked up by the police on the grounds that theyve overstayed their visa and be threatened with deportation. Rights activists note the fear is particularly acute for political refugees, many of whom face threats from the same governments that their unwelcoming hosts retain close relationships with.

After Thai elections last May resulted in the first non-military-led government in almost a decade, campaigners hoped it would result in better protections for asylum seekers and other vulnerable minorities. In Cambodia  which last year changed leaders for the first time in four decades  some wondered whether reforms lay in the future.

Instead, Cambodias prime minister, Hun Manet, who took over his fathers position, heads a no less repressive administration, according to rights groups. Across the border, Thailands ruling Pheu Thai Party has shown little interest in reforming the countrys refugee policies.

As a result, political refugees like Sophea and Soeum remain as vulnerable as ever. That was evident in February, when three Cambodian refugees who had planned a protest in Bangkok against Hun Manet were arrested along with their families. While lawyers successfully blocked deportations, the arrests highlight the precarious nature of life as a refugee in Thailand today.

The Cambodian premier and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appear to share an agenda to "crush voices of dissent on Thai soil," said Emilie Palamy Pradichit, founder and executive director of Manushya Foundation, a Bangkok-based human rights organization. Instead of protecting human rights, Thai authorities actively participate in transnational repression, collaborating with authoritarian neighboring regimes like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, in silencing dissent.

Making the rounds

Unless he is sick or busy, Soeum spends his mornings collecting food for monks, his family and his neighbors.

It is dark when he wakes and still dark when he boards a crowded, airless bus populated by the poor who make this rich city run. By 6 a.m., Soeum has disembarked and made his way to a small Bangkok pagoda. Ignoring the barking dogs, he takes a large cart from the temples grounds and pushes it over bridges and beneath a quiet underpass. By 6:30, Soeum is stationed at the market, standing alongside a monk who offers blessings in exchange for alms, which take the form of food. As the morning grows brighter, Soeum follows the monk up and down the sunbaked streets, transferring these alms to a bucket, hauling the food back to the cart in heavy sacks. It is hard work for anyone, let alone a man well into his forties, dressed in the trousers of an office worker.

I have a difficult life because I have no income and not enough food, so I have to go out walking with Buddhist monks to collect alms from laypeople, said Soeum, who arrived in Thailand last August. A farmer and an opposition activist, Soeum escaped Cambodia after he was convicted of defamation for a Facebook post criticizing the local governments response to a flood. Having escaped imprisonment in his home country, his new life is hardly any easier.

He spoke as he worked, collecting the alms and transferring them to the cart. Inside sat packets of rice and sealed plastic water cups; bags of papaya salad and snacks and cakes and water bottles and green curry and jackfruit and biscuits. With any luck, by the end of the morning there would be enough inside that cart to feed the monks at the pagoda. Enough to help out  even just a little  at the Refugee Camp.

But being out in public, walking through the streets in the bright light of day comes with risks, said Soeum.

When I accompany monks to ask for food, I am always afraid that the Thai police will arrest me.

The U.N.-issued refugee card held by Soeum can help him access medical care and schooling, it may eventually allow him to resettle elsewhere, but it cannot provide any particular protections. A refugee card is not a work permit and few want to risk breaking the law, leaving Soeum and his neighbors to survive off charity.

People are afraid to go out because they become like a cash cow for the police, explained Nadthasiri Bergman, a Thai lawyer who has represented numerous asylum seekers. Theyre paid a lower wage, theyre extorted, theyre forced to live on donations. Theres so much indignity.

Representatives of Thailands national police and immigration bureau could not be reached for comment.

Sok Soeum follows a monk beginning his day collecting alms in Bangkok. (RFA)

Killing time

While Soeum finished up his rounds one December morning, his neighbor Prak Sophea sat on the floor of her one-room flat and dug through a box until she found the folder she was looking for. She fanned out its contents, court documents and photos of security forces clashing with demonstrators near her home. Her eldest daughter, Bopha, looked at the pictures muttering so cruel.

An outspoken activist, Sophea had for years protested a development project that had seen her lakeside home village carved up and handed to associates of former Prime Minister Hun Sen.

In 2022 and 2023, at least ten of Sopheas fellow protesters were charged with crimes like intentional violence and property damage. Last May, Sophea and two others were charged with assaulting district authorities, an allegation they deny. Believing she would soon face arrest, Sophea fled in August 2023.

Some people live in Boeung Tamok for 10 or 20 years and they still dont give us land titles. They want to steal our land, they want to evict us, Sophea said, her daughter at times translating for her.

If my mom doesnt fight for justice, were homeless, said Bopha, whose name has been changed for security reasons.

As Sophea spoke about the struggles of activism, she rubbed her daughters back. The girl had arrived with her three younger siblings in September in part because they missed their mother and in part because Bopha started seeing authorities following her to school. Her father and grandmother stayed at their lakeside house, hoping to protect it. Instead, the protests continued and more arrests occurred. While the familys home has yet to be razed, its an almost constant concern.

I want to know how they can give this land to those people even when weve all lived here so long, Sophea asked.

Far from their home, family, friends and school, Sopheas children face a circumscribed existence. They seldom leave the building and have almost never ventured out into larger Bangkok. As the eldest, with her good English and a smattering of Thai, Bopha occasionally accompanies her mother on a rare errand. Otherwise, the entire family mostly stays in the building, watching YouTube videos, looking after younger neighbors, filming impassioned monologues on justice for Facebook Live; waiting.

I have no idea how long resettlement will take, Sophea said. When I think about being here for three years or six years, I think its a lot of pressure because we cant work and so we dont have money to spend for the room or for food.

While Bopha is old enough to enroll in courses for young adults, her younger siblings must wait until May when the new term begins.

It will be better when I go to school because staying here is so stressful, she said. While she spoke, one sister sat against the wall carefully painting her nails. The other kept their young brother entertained with a video.

Sometimes they cry. They really miss their friends back home. They want to go back.

Cambodian migrants are detained by police in the eastern Thai province of Sa Kaeo, which borders Cambodia, in this image released May 13, 2021. (Royal Thai Army via AFP)

Friendly ties

While Thailand hosts nearly 100,000 registered asylum seekers, the vast majority of those are Karen refugees from Myanmar living in decades-old border camps that resemble small, sealed villages. There they face similar challenges, with many of the residents languishing without any chance of resettlement but with little opportunity to return home  particularly as fighting in Myanmar intensifies.

Apart from the registered asylum seekers, there are millions more documented and undocumented migrant workers, many of whom might be classed refugees fleeing war (as in the case of neighboring Myanmar) or persecution.

While Thailands new government has dashed hopes that the refugee convention would at long last be ratified, it launched a National Screening Mechanism, or NSM, in September. The NSM is a government registration process, ostensibly allowing for the legal recognition for asylum seekers. But rights groups say the program falls far short of providing adequate protection and could instead open asylum seekers up to even more risk of refoulement. It has also come under criticism for excluding documented migrants from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Political refugees like Sophea and Soeum could easily fail to gain legal status under the NSM, explained Pradichit of the Manushya Foundation.

Given Thailand's collaborative efforts with neighboring countries to crack down on dissidents within Thai borders, political refugees may face rejection from the NSM under the pretext of 'national security, she said.

Such concern is omnipresent for Heng Kem Ley, a Cambodian monk who has lived as a refugee in Thailand for two years. Most days he broadcasts on Facebook, speaking of political repression in his home country. That, he believes, has put him at risk of what might legally be termed extrajudicial rendition, but what he describes as: they arrest, and then they push us into the car, and then they drive to the border and then they push to the Cambodian government.

Cambodian officials have questioned the accounts of some refugees seeking political asylum, noting that those with pending court cases cannot take refuge or seek asylum abroad to escape from justice, as Chum Soumry, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, put it in a message to RFA.

Cambodia has extradition treaties/agreements with many countries, including Thailand, he said.

In response to Kem Leys allegation, Soumry stressed: The Cambodian government doesnt have a policy to carry out any secret arrests of innocent Cambodians abroad.

Still when the monk walks near the pagoda, when he makes his rounds collecting food for my Cambodia refugee people, he has the feeling of being watched. He tries not to let it scare him.

We fight for our democracy in Cambodia, we fight for our freedom, he said. If were afraid, were not going to win.

Edited by Boer Deng and Jim Snyder.
The 'national security' campaign will create fear of the West and strain personal relationships, analysts say.

China's top spy agency is cranking up its propaganda campaign warning of foreign "spies" to mark National Security Education Day, in a bid to get more people to inform on each other and steer clear of anything linked to the West, analysts said this week.

Introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2015, National Security Education Day is observed every April 15 to raise public awareness about safeguarding Chinas national security, a core interest of the government.

The feared Ministry of State Security released a video detailing its "top 10" list of major espionage cases and a list of cases based on tip-offs from members of the public, including the "hostile foreign forces" that Beijing claims are behind the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, and calling for greater public awareness of foreign "espionage" activities.

Part of the video features a Chinese-American shown to confess to allegedly being recruited as a spy by U.S. intelligence, who appealed to his sense of patriotism and fooled him into betrayal.

The man, surnamed Liang, goes on to say he regretted it greatly and warns readers: I want to tell all Chinese people: Their (American) sweet words are fake.

The man is in his 70s and is said in the video to have been sentenced to life in prison in China in 2023.

Elastic definitions

The Chinese authorities have typically employed a highly elastic definition of what constitutes a state secret, and national security charges are frequently leveled at journalists, rights lawyers and activists, often based on material they post online.

"Comprehensive measures are needed in terms of raising awareness of safeguarding national security," the ministry, which included a top 10 list of public tip-offs, as well as details of "awards" handed out to people who made "significant contributions."

The video warned that university teachers and students were targets for foreign infiltration, mirroring international allegations about Chinas activities on overseas campuses.

Elderly residents with red armbands, identifying them as security volunteers, stand on duty beside a road in central Beijing, Dec. 12, 2013. (Jason Lee/Reuters)

Beijing also promoted National Security Education Day education in far-western Tibet and Uyghur-populated Xinjiang, where authorities impose particularly heavy-handed control to suppress what Beijing says are growing separatist  and in the case of Xinjiang, terrorist  threats.

Chinese nationals abroad were also warned to be vigilant.

"Through various means such as emotional solicitation, seduction and corruption, financial purchase and offering help, overseas spies have tried every means to recruit and instigate Chinese officials, researchers and Chinese personnel working overseas, posing a serious threat to China's national security," the film warned.

Claims of foreign espionage

Amendments to the Counter-Espionage Law in April 2023 further broadened the scope of material that can be used to back up allegations of spying, including the kind of data that could be gathered for market analysis.

They also give authorities new powers to access corporate facilities and electronic equipment, which have already been used to target foreign consultancies.

Feng Chongyi, a professor at the University of Technology in Sydney, said claims of foreign espionage are there to help shore up Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's grip on power.

"They want to keep eyes on everyone, everywhere, and watch everyone," Feng said. "They feel they don't have enough people to do this, despite already having around four million police officers, which is quite a lot."

"So, they need to mobilize the masses and give them the right to enforce the law and do the authorities' dirty work for them," he said. "That means people informing on each other, setting people against each other, and everyone watching everyone else."

In January, police arrested the head of a foreign consultancy firm as an alleged British spy, with one newspaper warning that there are "007s" everywhere in real life  a reference to the fictional British secret agent James Bond whose code name is 007.

The ministry list features Canadian nationals Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, along with Belizean national Henley Lee, who was accused of funding the 2014 Occupy Central pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, also known as the Umbrella Movement.

Lee was paraded on state TV in a heavily stage-managed confession in 2021 and accused of "funding hostile elements in the U.S., colluding with foreign anti-China forces to intervene in Hong Kong affairs, and funding the implementation of criminal activities that endangered our national security," in connection with the 2014 Hong Kong protests.

Spavor and Kovrig were among eight Canadian nationals detained in China within weeks of the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver in December 2018. All three were released almost simultaneously after Meng made a deal with U.S. investigators over allegations that she broke U.S. sanctions, ending her house arrest.

The partys grip on power

Veteran journalist and political commentator Hu Ping said the "national security" campaign is a political tool that will help ensure the stability of the regime.

"What they are doing is trying to get everyone to inform on each other," Hu said. "It claims to be about national security, but actually it puts the interests of the Communist Party's grip on power above everything else."

Hu warned that such an approach will cause "widespread panic" and put a huge strain on interpersonal relationships.

"That atmosphere is entirely conducive to the authorities' control over the people ... and could lead to a large number of false claims and miscarriages of justice," he said.

Chinese police conduct work during a raid of the Shanghai, China, office of international consultancy Capvison in an undated photo. (Screenshot from CCTV via AP)

Veteran journalist Tang Jingyuan said the ministry's lists were carefully curated to give the impression that anything that has to do with the West is suspicious.

"It replicates the tactics of class struggle from the Mao era," Tang said in a reference to Mao Zedong, influential Chinese leader and founder of the People's Republic of China, whose revolutionary ideology shaped the countrys history from 1949 to 1976.

"The aim is to create an atmosphere that is anti-Western, or at least wary of the West ... and that keeps its distance from foreign countries," she said.

Hong Kong

Authorities in Hong Kong, which recently added a second national security law to its statute book, staged a series of lavish ceremonies to mark the day, which critics say has become a focal point for "brainwashing" of Hong Kongers by the ruling Chinese Communist Party amid an ongoing crackdown on public dissent.

Beijing's envoy to Hong Kong, Central Liaison Office director Zheng Yanxiong warned that the government would fight back, using "tit-for-tat cognitive warfare" against critics of the Safeguarding National Security Law, which extended an ongoing crackdown on dissent and political opposition in the city begun in the wake of the 2019 protest movement.

"Some ill-intentioned foreign forces have been bad-mouthing China and Hong Kong ... and even some renowned Western media have jumped on the bandwagon, slandering and smearing," Zheng said, in a reference to criticism of the new law, known as Article 23, in the media.

Current affairs commentator Sang Pu said Beijing is continuing to claim that Hong Kong is a "base" from which "foreign forces" will try to infiltrate the rest of China, despite the fact that the majority of opposition politicians and activists are either behind bars or overseas now.

"It's all a kind of packaging, and is definitely not factual," Sang said of the claim. "They claim that large amounts of money have poured into Hong Kong since June 2019, but it's all fake news."

"They want to shift everyone's focus from the tyranny, incompetence and corruption of the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong government to 'infiltration by foreign forces,'" he said.

Tibet

In monasteries, schools, and villages in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, authorities emphasized the need to protect state secrets, promptly report any activities threatening national security, and defend the country and resist aggression.

Authorities also stressed the ban on communication with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and the exiled Tibetan community, considered by China as separatist groups, and on restricting the sharing of domestic information with the outside world, a source inside Tibet told Radio Free Asia.

Experts on the region said the measures were initiated without any legal basis and were intended as a suppression tool to be used against Tibetans and other ethnic minorities.

Two men perform unarmed combat at a Police College Open Day, part of National Security Education Day, in Hong Kong, April 13, 2024. (Peter Parks/AFP)

The Chinese government asserts that national security education strengthens the totalitarian power of the Chinese Communist Party, said Dawa Tsering, director of the Tibet Policy Research Institute in Dharmasala, India. In the interests of the party, Tibetans are often accused of national security violations and breaking the law.

China's National Security Education Day initiatives include official interpretations and terminologies, such as state power, ruling power of the state, unitary sovereignty and complete territorial integrity, but in Tibet, they primarily refer to banning contact with the Dalai Lama, he said.

Every year, there are reports of Tibetans who have been arrested, arbitrarily detained, disappeared or sentenced for alleged involvement in national security violations in Tibet.

The arrests and sentencing of Tibetans for such alleged crimes underscore Beijings continuing drive to destroy the influence of men and women whose views of life in Tibetan regions of China go against official Chinese narratives.

Xinjiang

In Xinjiang, to the north of Tibet, officials are broadcasting a national security education public course for 10 days, according to an April 14 statement on the website of the Department of Justice of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Through a variety of online and offline propaganda and education activities, we will further promote the overall national security concept to be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and build a common national security defense line, the statement said.

Other activities were held in specific areas of the vast region, home to more than 11 million Uyghurs.

National security themes were promoted on educational billboards and banners in the Peoples Park in Ghulja, called Yining in Chinese, capital of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, beginning on April 7.

On the same day, authorities held a publicizing activity on the laws and regulations on overall national security and border security was held in Tajik township of Pishan county in Hotan prefecture.

The Hongmiaozi police station under Shaibak district's Bureau of Public Security in Urumqi, Xinjiang's capital, held a public lecture on Chinas Cybersecurity Law and Anti-Espionage Law in many communities on April 13.

On the same day, the Public Security Bureau in Akesu prefecture held a police camp where children learned about security awareness to improve their ability to recognize acts that endanger national security.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie and by Tenzin Palmo for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
More drunk driving during holiday festivities is to blame, officials say.

Cambodians spray water to mark the end of traditional Khmer New Years celebrations outside Phnom Penh on April 16, 2023.

Updated at 10:32 pm ET on April 16, 2024

Authorities in Cambodia and Laos have reported an uptick in traffic-related deaths during this weeks New Years festivities, a period that typically sees an increase in traffic fatalities.

Officials in both countries have pointed to an increase in drunk driving during the holiday season, which falls on April 13-16 this year, as the primary cause.

In Cambodia, at least 21 people died in traffic accidents during the first two days of the Khmer New Years celebrations. At least 58 other people were injured.

Last years New Year weekend celebrations in Cambodia saw at least 18 traffic-related fatalities.

Bo Pov, the head of a Phnom Penh-based humanitarian group, attributes the uptick in deaths to the governments failure to educate people in traffic laws. He also said that local police do not adequately enforce laws against driving under the influence.

The governments failure to prevent traffic accidents has caused innocent people to die, he told RFA.

Authorities in Laos similarly reported that at least 13 people were killed and 253 others were injured in traffic accidents during the 2024 New Year weekend.

A rescue worker in Vientiane told RFA that volunteer rescue teams have to stand by 24 hours a day during the New Years holiday due to the high number of traffic accidents.

We do not have any free time [during the weekend] as we are receiving calls all night and all day, he said.

A resident in Vientiane told RFA that it is common for people to drive home after attending New Years parties and consuming alcohol. He also pointed out that motorcyclists are at an increased risk, and that many of the fatal accidents he has seen have been between cars and motorcycles.

Colonel Khamsone Sidavong, deputy general director of the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, told local media that authorities are expecting an increase in fatalities compared to last year.

Normally, New Years celebrations last only three days, he explained. This year the celebration period will last four days, so there will be more parties and therefore more accidents.

In 2023, 35 people were killed and 611 others were injured during the three-day holiday period in Laos. The traffic police department reported that most of the traffic accidents took place between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., which is when most people are returning home from New Years parties.

Translated by Phouvong and Sum Sok Ry. Edited by Claire McCrea and Malcolm Foster.

Corrects death toll in Laos in 2023 to 35, not 25.
Dozens of junta troops remain stranded at a truck depot along the border with Thailand.

Military personnel stand guard as hundreds of refugees cross over the Moei River frontier between Myanmar and Thailand in Mae Sot, Tak province, Thailand, April 13, 2024.

Myanmars junta launched an airstrike Tuesday on a military garrison in Kayin state that rebel forces captured last week and attempted to rescue dozens of its former occupants who had been sheltering near the countrys border with Thailand, according to Thai soldiers and residents.

Allied rebel forces, including the Karen National Liberation Army, or KNLA, captured a final junta battalion base in Myawaddy on the morning of April 11, effectively gaining control of the city and causing thousands of residents to flee into the border region.

The takeover forced some 200 junta soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion 275 to seek shelter at a truck depot in northern Myawaddy near Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2  one of two bridges which regulate both people and goods and connect Myawaddy to Thailands Mae Sot.

The Karen National Union displays weapons and ammunition seized on April 11, 2024 from the military junta councils Light Infantry Battalion 275 in Myawaddy township. (KNU via Facebook)

A Thai soldier in Mae Sot told RFA Burmese that the junta attacked the site of the garrison on Tuesday and sent reinforcements from Mawlamyine  Myanmars fourth largest city, located 300 kilometers (190 miles) southeast of Yangon  to rescue the troops at the border.

The junta mobilized armored cars from Mawlamyines Southeastern Command and conducted an airstrike today to retake and rescue the stranded troops following the fall of Battalion 275 last week, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter.

The Reporters, a Thailand-based news organization, reported that the junta carried out an airstrike at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday near the Light Infantry Battalion 275 base in Myawaddy, which is currently occupied by the KNLA and allied forces.

A soldier stands guard as hundreds of refugees cross over the Moei River frontier between Myanmar and Thailand in Mae Sot, Tak province, Thailand, April 13, 2024. (Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

The airstrike, reportedly conducted by a MIG-29 jet fighter, took place a day after rebels raised the ethnic Karen flag over the compound. The extent of damage to the site was unknown.

Attempts by RFA to contact Saw Khin Maung Myint, the juntas economic minister and spokesperson for Kayin state, went unanswered Tuesday, as did efforts to contact the Karen National Union  the political organization whose armed wing is the KNLA.

Stranded soldiers

A resident of Myawaddy who declined to be named due to security concerns told RFA that the situation in the city appeared normal on Tuesday, despite the airstrike.

"I havent heard anything unusual, he said, adding that people are going about their usual activities."

It was not immediately clear whether the junta was able to rescue its stranded soldiers on Tuesday.

Military personnel stand guard as hundreds of refugees crossed over the Moei River frontier between Myanmar and Thailand in Mae Sot, Tak province, Thailand, April 13, 2024.(Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

But Thai soldiers on the other side of Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2 told RFA they expect the patience of the Karen rebels will run out soon and that an attack on the truck depot could be imminent.

Thai media reports have also cited local sources on both sides of the border as saying that the stranded junta troops are running out of food and may be forced to surrender, if Karen rebels dont attack first.

The reports follow an April 13 statement issued by the anti-junta White Tiger Column, which claimed rebel forces had intercepted a military convoy that included tanks on its way to Myawaddy township as reinforcements.

Translated by Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
The 78-year-old democracy icon was moved because of the prisons brutal daytime heat, spokesman said.

Myanmar nationals living in Thailand hold pictures of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Bangkok on Feb. 1, 2024.

Myanmars military junta moved Aung San Suu Kyi, the countrys former de facto leader, from Naypyidaw Prison to house arrest on Tuesday, Yangon-based Eleven Media reported.

Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who is now 78, was believed to have been in solitary confinement at the prison in the capital.

She was arrested shortly after the Feb. 1, 2021, military coup detat that removed her National League for Democracy, or NLD, from power. She was eventually sentenced by the junta to 33 years on 19 charges  later reduced to 27 years.

For much of 2023, Suu Kyis whereabouts were unknown and her legal team was unable to meet with her at the prison. The junta has kept her out of view since her arrest  likely a reflection of her persistent popularity.

Eleven Media reported that she was transferred under tight security in the capital. The outlet also said that former President Win Myint was moved to house arrest from Taungoo Prison in central Myanmars Bago region.

A half dozen cars went into Naypyidaw Prison on Tuesday  four of them with security forces and two other cars carrying junta senior officials, according to NLD Central Working Committee member Kyaw Htwe, citing his own sources.

They brought Auntie with them, he told Radio Free Asia, referring to Suu Kyi. She had to leave all her belongings behind, and it is still unknown where she was taken.

A student from Myanmar who lives in Taiwan holds a poster of former leader Win Myint during a protest against the military coup in her home country at National Taiwan University in Taipei on Feb. 28, 2021. (Sam Yeh/AFP)





Junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun confirmed the transfers to Voice of Americas Burmese service, saying that Suu Kyi and Win Myint were moved to relieve them from the brutal daytime heat during the hot season, when temperatures in Naypyidaw have soared above 40 degrees Celsius (104 F).

He didnt mention their new location or give any other reasons for the transfer. RFA was unable to reach Zaw Min Tun on Tuesday.

Suu Kyis son, Kim Aris, told RFA that he was worried about his mothers health because of the current high temperatures.

Sources close to Win Myints family told RFA they hadnt received any information about his transfer.

Recent Chinese delegation

To me, its not because of hot weather, but because of political heat and the current crisis, political commentator Than Soe Naing said.

Chinas ambassador to Myanmar in Yangon, Chen Hai, recently traveled to Myanmar to meet with former junta chief Than Shwe and other leaders of his military regime, which ruled from 1992 to 2011.

There were some reports that the ambassador also met with Suu Kyi. However, the Chinese embassy in Yangon didnt make any statement about such a meeting and RFA was unable to verify the reports.

The military council doesnt pay much attention to international pressure, said Thike Tun Oo, a member of the leading committee of the Political Prisoners Network-Myanmar.

Instead, they fear China more, he said. It can be assumed that this happened as a consequence of the recent meetings between senior Chinese officials and the military council.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Joint forces will begin operations in two nearby townships, the group said.

Nearly 50 junta soldiers surrendered to an ethnic armed group in southern Myanmar, its political wing announced on Tuesday

The Karen National Unions armed branch, the Karen National Liberation Army, intercepted junta troops in Tanintharyi regions Myeik township.

Commander Lieutenant Colonel Aung Hein, leading the juntas Myeik-based Infantry Battalion 103, surrendered to the Karen armys Brigade 4, according to a statement from the Karen National Union. The Karen National Liberation Army intercepted 48 troops on their way back to regroup in Htee Hta Byu Har junta camp on Monday, while six junta soldiers were killed in the attack.

The group began fighting for territory in Tanintharyi in November 2022. This victory marks a first for the Karen National Liberation Armys successes in the region, a spokesman for KNLA allies the Myeik District Revolutionary Force told RFA.

We can say that this surrender was the very first of its kind in Tanintharyi region, he told RFA, declining to be named for security reasons. I heard that they surrendered yesterday.

The troops that surrendered used to conduct military operations in Tanintharyi and Palaw townships, he said, adding that joint Karen National Union and Peoples Defense Forces are conducting operations against the army in Dawei and Palaw township.

RFA contacted Tanintharyi regions junta spokesperson Thet Naing for a comment on the incident, but he did not respond by the time of publication.

Nearly 70 light and heavy weapons were seized and the 48 junta soldiers who surrendered are being held in accordance with international law, the Karen National Unions statement said.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.
The caucus fell into a lull after its chair retired at the 2022 midterm elections.

Uyghur activists present two U.S. lawmakers with accolades for their long support for Uyghurs on April 16, 2024, at the Capitol building in Washington. From left to right: Nury Turkel, commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, Rishat Abbas, chairman of the Uyghur Academy International, Rep. Chris Smith, (R-NJ), Elfidar Iltebir, president of the Uyghur American Association, Rushan Abbas, executive director of the Campaign for Uyghurs, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Omer Kanat, executive director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project, Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, and Ablikim Idris, executive director of the Center for Uyghur Studies.

UPDATED at 4:03 P.M. ET on 04-17-2024

The Congressional Uyghur Caucus is back.

Though the caucus never disbanded, the activities of the bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers slowed to a trickle after its chair, Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat from New York, retired from his district, which Republican Rep. George Santos then won in the 2022 midterms.

Shortly after his shock win, Santos personal biography was proved to be a series of lies by a New York Times report. He was then expelled from the House of Representatives in December, less than a year after taking his seat, which paved the way for Suozzi to return.

The former attorney said he was pleased to be back at work.

We just do not hear about the Uyghurs enough, and I am excited to come back to Congress to work with you to make sure that we let more people know what is happening, he said at an event Tuesday on Capitol Hill relaunching the Congressional Uyghur Caucus.

The most pressing priority of the revamped caucus, Suozzi said, would be to more widely spread awareness of the plight of Uyghurs in Chinas far-west, whom the U.S. government says are subject to an ongoing genocide and are often detained in forced-labor camps.

Beijing, though, says the Muslim minority were only taken to vocational training centers, most of which it says are now shuttered.

We have to figure out how, as a team, can we make this part of the national conversation, and the global conversation? Suozzi said on Tuesday. There's no question of the abuse. There's no question about how horrific it is. There's no question that it's being done.

There's no question it would rise to the level of the things that would most offend most people  if they were educated about it, he added. but we can't get it to be part of everyday conversation.

Looking askance

Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey who chairs the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and will be a co-chair for the Congressional Uyghur Caucus, said the caucus had a lot of work left over from when it was last working at full steam.

To think that, as we meet, Smith said, there's a genocide going on this very minute.

He accused both the White House and the State Department of looking askance at the genocide when it served their diplomatic ends, such as the current warming of ties with Beijing.

That's usually both parties: Once they get the White House, human rights become an asterisk on a bunch of talking points when they meet with foreign leaders like [Chinese President] Xi Jinping, he said. It's brought up, but its not brought up in a way that is meaningful.

Smith said he wanted to see the caucus push the passage of the Uyghur Policy Act, which would force the U.S. State Department to place a Uyghur speaker in every American consulate in China and include Uyghurs in outreach programs in Muslim countries.

He also said the Senate should take up a bill that passed the House in a 414-2 vote last year that would place sanctions on Chinese officials involved in forced organ harvesting, which Uyghur activists say is rife in far-western Xinjiang region where most of the minority live.

The Uyghurs are suffering from this in a horrible way, Smith said. Weve got to get it done. I'm almost at a point of outrage.

He added the bill was now sitting idly languishing, collecting dust over in the U.S. Senate, and that he did not believe organ harvesting gets raised properly by diplomats in meetings with Chinese officials.

Also attending the event was Rep. Jennifer Wexton, a Democrat from Virginia whose district in the states north is home to many Uyghurs.

Wexton, who was previously one of the most outspoken members of the caucus, is now set to retire at the end of the current congressional term after being debilitated by progressive supra-nuclear palsy, a disease she described as like Parkinsons [disease] on steroids.

Using an assisted speaking app on her phone, Wexton said she hoped the revamped caucus was able to pass legislation that would help end the gut-wrenching situation taking place in the Xinjiang region.

We have made great strides in this fight, she said. But as all of you know, it is far from over. While I may not be serving in Congress for much longer, I want you to know that I will not give up this fight.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.

The story was updated to correct Nury Turkel's title in the photo caption.
One year ago, Hamas -- the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip -- carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, the deadliest in the countrys history.

In response, Israel launched an aerial bombardment and ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave to destroy Hamas and rescue the 251 hostages taken by the group.

Israel has expanded its war in recent weeks by invading Lebanon and launching air strikes targeting Hezbollah, the armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon.

RFE/RL spoke to Lior Yohanani, manager of quantitative research at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based independent research center, which on October 7 released a wide-ranging survey of Israeli public opinion after one year of war.

RFE/RL: Can you explain what your study found as to how Israelis view the past year since Hamas's October 7 attack?



Lior Yohanani: Well, I think Israelis still don't see October 7 as an event that's over. Sure, the actual horrific events of that day ended, but Israelis are still living with the consequences.

There are two main aspects to this. First, since October 7, Israel has been in this multifront war that doesn't seem to have an end in sight. And then, of course, there is the issue of the hostages still being held in Gaza. So, we're seeing a sharp drop in people's sense of personal security. Almost three quarters of the public feel less safe compared to before October 7, and that's despite a year of war and some significant military achievements. On the flip side, we're also seeing that most people say their lives have returned to normal when it comes to things like work, media consumption, and family and social gatherings.

Another thing we're noticing is that the Israeli public is giving pretty low marks to all the political and military leaders for the performance since October 7. For example, almost two-thirds of Israelis are rating Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu's performance since then as poor or not good.

RFE/RL: How has Israel's involvement in a two-front conflict, in both Gaza and Lebanon, as well as a confrontation with Iran affected public opinion among Israelis?



Yohanani: It's tough to answer that question, because we're at the point where things could go in a few different directions. In the last few weeks, we've seen a major escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and just last week, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, which Israel is expected to respond to. In a survey we just did recently, we asked whether Israeli society and the military could handle fighting on two or more fronts for an extended period of time, and the results were pretty striking. Over 70 percent believe that yes, both Israeli society and the military can handle that kind of prolonged fighting. So, while the situation is complex and evolving, there seems to be a strong sense of resilience and capability among Israelis, even in the face of these multiple threats. But of course, public opinion could shift depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks or months.



RFE/RL: Is there support for Netanyahus response to October 7? Is there debate in Israeli society, as well as political circles, over Netanyahus strategic choices?



Yohanani: First of all, it's important to say that the Israeli public has largely supported significant military operation against Hamas in Gaza. That said, the Israeli discourse around the October 7 events, the ongoing war, and especially toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, is very polarized between right-wing supporters on the one hand and left and center supporters on the other.

People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term."

So, on the left and the center, there is a high level of distrust and suspicion toward Netanyahu and his government. For instance, Netanyahu's apparent reluctance to pursue a deal for returning the hostages in exchange for ending the fighting in Gaza is seen by large parts of the public, even on the right, as resulting from Netanyahu's dependence on far-right, ultranationalist members of his government who refuse any compromise or ceasefire.

Now for a long time, Netanyahu and his ministers argued that only significant military force would lead Hamas to compromise and release the hostages. Now, with military attention and resources shifting to the north, people are asking, where is this massive military force that was supposed to bring the hostages home?

One question we have asked several times since October 7 in our polls is what should be the main goal in Gaza: Dismantling Hamas or bringing back the hostages? And as time goes on, public opinion is increasingly supporting the return of hostages. In our current survey, 62 percent saw bringing the bringing back the hostages as Israel's main goal, while only 29 percent pointed to dismantling Hamas as the primary objective.

RFE/RL: How do ordinary Israelis see the question of the remaining hostages amid the continued protests by the hostages' families?



Yohanani: As I mentioned before, most of the public supports a deal to release the hostages, even if it means ending the war and withdrawing the military forces from Gaza. There's this widespread feeling that we've left the hostages behind, and that's really hitting at our sense of solidarity, which is a deep and fundamental value, I think, in Jewish history in general and in Israel society in particular.

At the same time, the campaign run by the Hostages And Missing Families Forum has become very politicized. Many right-wing supporters see it as weakening Israel. As time goes on, we're seeing more and more harassment of protesters who support bringing the hostages back. There are cases of passersby cursing, even hitting and throwing eggs, at hostages' families. In our latest survey, we asked about the effectiveness of the protests and actions taken by the hostages' families.

Despite most of the public feeling empathetic toward the hostage issue, only less than a third think these actions are actually helping to advance a deal for the hostages' release, while almost 40 percent think they're actually hurting the cause. So, you've got this complex situation where people want the hostages back, but there is disagreement and some backlash about how to make that happen.

RFE/RL: Can you explain the reasons behind the apparent contradiction in views regarding prioritizing a negotiated return of the hostages, or destroying Hamas?

Yohanani: You're right to point out that apparent contradiction. Let me break it down a bit. As I mentioned earlier, a clear majority of the public sees a deal to release the hostages as the main goal. But there is a big gap between political camps on this issue. In the center and left, about 80 percent support the deal for the hostages' release, while the opinions on the right are evenly split. So, for most of the left and center, the fighting in Gaza has run its course. They feel most military objectives have been achieved, and Hamas's military power has been significantly weakened. From their perspective, continuing the fight now only puts the hostages at greater risk.

It's important to know that about half of the right-wing also shares this view of prioritizing the hostages' release, but the other half of those on the far-right thinks dismantling Hamas is more important.

Why? For a couple of reasons.

First, there's a security stance that Hamas must be wiped out and not allowed to recover. There is also a very strong sentiment of revenge, with minimal consideration for the cost, whether it's the lives of the hostages, soldiers, let alone innocent civilians in Gaza. Another significant component openly discussed in religious nationalist circles is the return of Jewish settlement to the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuated Jewish settlements from there in 2005.

RFE/RL: Is there public confidence that Israel will ultimately be able to remove the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah and come out of this conflict with greater prospects for a peaceful and stable near-term future?



Yohanani: Right now, the Israeli public isn't showing a lot of optimism. In our current survey, when we asked people if they're optimistic or pessimistic about Israel's future, we found more pessimists, 48 percent, than optimists, 45 percent.

I also think it's important to note that a peaceful future, as you put it, or peace in general, isn't really a common concept in the current Israeli discourse. I would say the hope of Israelis is that the military actions against Hezbollah and Iran will lead to a situation where Israel's existence isn't in question, and that Israeli military superiority will prevent events like October 7 from happening again. So, it's less about peace in the traditional sense, and more about security and deterrence. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term.
Russian President Vladimir Putin used a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Masud Pezeshkian, to cement their growing bilateral ties that have raised concern in the West as war rages in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The two leaders met in Ashgabat on the sidelines of a conference in the capital of the tightly controlled Central Asian country of Turkmenistan on October 11. It was the first of two meetings between the men, with another scheduled at the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan that runs on October 22-24.

It was the first of two meetings between the two, with another scheduled at the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan that runs on October 22-24.



Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters ahead of the meeting that while the talks will focus on bilateral relations, "the situation in the Middle East definitely will not be ignored and will also be on the agenda."



The meeting was the first between the two since Pezeshkian assumed office on July 30 after winning an election to succeed his hard-line predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.

Relations between Moscow and Tehran have strengthened since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"Pezeshkian is trying to gauge to what extent Iran can rely on Russia for help," Touraj Atabaki, professor emeritus of Middle East and Central Asia social history at Leiden University in the Netherlands, told Radio Farda.

"Russia wants to stand with Iran due to Iran's support in its war on Ukraine but Moscow doesn't want to darken its relationship with Israel further and cut all ties," he added.

Since the early months of the Ukraine war, Russia has been accused of using Iranian-made Shahed and Mohajer-6 drones, many of which have been found after being shot down over Ukrainian cities and battlefields.



Iran initially denied arming Russia before relenting and admitting that it had supplied a "limited number of drones" to Moscow before the war.



Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Tehran continues to deny that its drones are being used by Russia against Ukraine. That has not stopped the United States and the European Union from imposing sanctions on Iran for helping Moscow.



Last month, the EU said it had "credible" information provided by allies suggesting that Iran has supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia to help Moscow wage war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have been heightened since Tehran launched some 200 missiles at Israel on October 1, saying the attack was in response to the killing of Tehran-backed militant leaders and a general from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.



Israel has vowed to launch a "deadly, precise, and surprising" attack on Iran in retaliation, while it continues to pound targets in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip that it says are aimed at Iran-backed proxies.

At least 30 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded on October 11 by Israeli strikes in Jabalia in northern Gaza, according to the territory's civil-defense agency.



The recent spiral of violence was sparked by the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas that killed around 1,200 people and saw some 250 taken hostage. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.



The fighting in Gaza prompted another Iran-backed group, Hezbollah, to fire missiles into Israel in support of Hamas. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the EU blacklists its armed wing but not its political party.



The Israeli military has launched massive air strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon in response, as well as a ground incursion into southern Lebanon intended to destroy the Iran-allied militant group, whose political party has seats in the Lebanese parliament.

Israel faced condemnation on October 11 after its forces fired at what it said was a threat near a UN peacekeeping position in Lebanon. Israeli soldiers had responded to "an immediate threat" around 50 meters from the UNIFIL post, the military said.

"An initial examination indicates that during the incident, a hit was identified on a UNIFIL post...resulting in the injury of two UNIFIL personnel," the statement added. The army pledged to carry out a "thorough review."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the firing as "intolerable" and "a violation of international humanitarian law," while the British government said it was "appalled" by reports of the injuries.

U.S. President Joe Biden said he was "absolutely" asking Israel to stop firing at UN peacekeepers, while the French, Spanish, and Italian leaders issued a joint statement expressing "outrage."

French President Emmanuel Macron renewed his call for an end to exports of weapons used by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon, while saying the UN peacekeepers had been "deliberately targeted."

In Iran, more than three dozen hard-line lawmakers on October 10 demanded the government revise its nuclear doctrine to pursue atomic weapons.



In a letter to the Supreme National Security Council, they said Western powers could not control Israel, thus making nuclear weapons "Iran's option to create deterrence."



Iran has been hit with waves of crippling economic sanctions for its nuclear program, which has seen a sharp increase in its uranium enrichment capacity after the United States under former President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 landmark deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that restricted Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions.



Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful civilian purposes, but government officials caused alarm recently by saying it could change its "nuclear doctrine" if it is attacked or its existence is threatened by Israel.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
Staff, students and parents at Greater Albany Public Schools reported more than 300 bias incidents at GAPS during the first half of the school year.

But, according to the district's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Director Kelsey Nava-Costales, thats actually a step in the right direction.

A Place to Sleep, episode 7: Grants Pass It's a community that openly heckles  and worse  its homeless neighbors, many who have deep roots. And it may have a date with the Supreme Court.

At the latest school board meeting, she told members while the figure seemed alarming, it reflected not an increase in bias at the district but a greater effort by district staff to identify and tamp down harmful and previously underreported behavior.

Indeed, only 34 incidents from the districts 21 schools were reported last year, Nava-Costales said.

I warned our administrators, Dont be afraid of high numbers; it means youre doing your job, she told the school board on Monday, April 8, adding the district was likely still undercounting.

The EDI directors update to the school board is part of what she and Superintendent Andy Gardner have said is a broader push to strengthen the districts response to bias complaints by tracking such incidents better and implementing a progressive disciplinary model to resolve them.

Nava-Costales said teachers and administrators were making progress on those fronts, while acknowledging the frustration felt by parents of students who've been victims of name calling, racial slurs or other hurtful behavior.

While the number was troubling for school board members, Vice Chair Pete Morse said the figure was also an indication employees were no longer afraid to speak up.

I think thats a huge step, he said.

Numbers breakdown

Most incidents, 166 out of the 341 reported, occurred at the districts middle schools. Elementary schools reported 127 incidents, while high schools reported 21.

According to Nava-Costales, the majority of incidents were racially charged and involved verbal exchanges  and in a shift this school year, most were logged internally by staff through the districts new data management system, called Synergy. That's a move the EDI director said has made reporting incidents easier.

Of course, GAPS, which serves nearly 9,000 students according to last years enrollment numbers, isnt the only district in the state or even the mid-Willamette Valley grappling with bias within its schools.

The Corvallis School District, which enrolls around 6,000 students, reported 114 incidents from the start of the school year to Jan. 31.

Like GAPS, most reports came from middle schools, the majority of which were related to race, color and nationality. Thats according to a presentation to the Corvallis School Board heard earlier in March from the districts assistant superintendent and equity coordinator.

The Lebanon Community School District, which serves nearly 4,000 students and which began implementing a districtwide reporting system this year, has received 92 reports from students and staff since January, according to district spokesperson Susanne Stefani.

GAPS' Nava-Costales said neighboring districts talk monthly about their approaches to tackling bias. Beyond the emotional harm, those incidents disrupt learning and, in some cases, discourage students from showing up to class, she said.

But while touting progress in the districts reporting, Nava-Costales acknowledged some families of students whove experienced repeated bias incidents remain frustrated.

Frustrated parents

In fact, GAPS employee and parent Charles Williams took his bias concerns to the Albany City Council, not the school board, in February because of the districts continued lack of an in-person public comment period during board meetings, a pandemic-era policy.

GAPS instead hosts unrecorded listening sessions four times a year, while the superintendent reads aloud summarized comments submitted to the school board before regularly scheduled meetings.

Williams, who is Black and the father of four children at GAPS, expressed concerns at the time over the district's teacher development program, but also told the council his 7-year-old daughter at Takena Elementary had recently been on the receiving end of a bias incident.

She was told she couldnt be Princess Peach (the Mario video game character) during class pretend time because Princess Peach is white and pure and you're Black and dirty, Williams said.

That was very hard on me, he later told Mid-Valley Media. I thought I had a couple more years to wait before having that conversation (with her).

Williams said Nava-Costales met with him after the City Council appearance to discuss his concerns about the district's equity work. He said he appreciated the discussion.

Williams and other parents have expressed concerns about bias incidents at the district in the past.

Gardner told Mid-Valley Media last fall that the districts push to improve its bias tracking ahead of the 2023-24 school year was prompted in part by racial bias incidents among students last school year which drew concern from Black parents.

Rebuilding trust?

Williams knows bias is an issue school districts face nationwide, and said he sees GAPS's increased reporting as the first step in recognizing the problem.

Nava-Costales and Gardner have said the district is emphasizing restorative practices to address it. That's an education philosophy that looks to repair relationships within the school community by helping whoever is accused of bias understand how their actions harmed others.

I think by and large, students that weve engaged with and given the opportunity to understand how theyve caused harm have not continued to have that behavior, Nava-Costales told the school board.

That doesn't exclude more punitive measures such as suspensions or even expulsions if behaviors don't change, she told board members.

Nava-Costales also touted the creation of affinity spaces throughout the districts middle and high schools.

Those spaces, typically organized during lunch breaks, offer students who share a specific racial, ethnic, sexual or gender identity, a safe environment to share experiences and cultivate a sense of belonging at school, she said.

At the latest school board meeting, the EDI departments student support specialist Eathen Swain highlighted recent equity-centered activities organized for students.

That included a field trip for Black Student Union students at South Albany and West Albany high schools to Portlands Albina District, a collection of historically Black neighborhoods.

As for bias incidents, Swain said students tell him it's still a problem, but they are now more willing to say something when an incident happens because they know there will be consequences.

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While there's more work to do, Swain said, he believed teachers and administrators were holding students more accountable this year.

I think were in the process of rebuilding trust with our Black and Brown families, he said.

Related stories:
NATO  Challenges on the 75th Anniversary

The anniversary of 75 years of existence found NATO in a context of international turmoil

NATO  Challenges on the 75th Anniversary

Corina Cristea, 12.04.2024, 13:20

The anniversary of 75 years of existence found NATO in a context of international turmoil  the war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, but also the revival of terrorism. The challenges are complex and varied, with the Alliance having to be prepared to respond to cyberattacks, disinformation, and campaigns designed to undermine the stability of its members. Hybrid threats, which combine military, political, economic, and informational elements, are a major problem. Its a critical moment, lets remember why NATO was founded  journalist Catalin Lenta commented for Euronews.

It was founded as an attempt to find an adequate response, a military one, if necessary, to external threats. We recall that after World War II, the United States was already less friendly to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. And this alliance emerged in order to counter possible military actions of the USSR in Europe. Where are we today? Unfortunately, in much the same situation. An attempt to counter Russian aggression in Europe. And we have been seeing this aggression since 2014, when Russia illegally annexed Crimea, and 10 years have passed since then. We saw it in 2022, in February, when it invaded Ukraine and conquered quite a large area, about a sixth of the territory of Ukraine. We see it every day through Russias extremely bellicose and vindictive statements towards Poland, the Baltic states, Romania, and Bulgaria. Less towards Hungary, which still maintains good relations with Moscow, Catalin Lenta points out.

The North Atlantic Alliance stood up to the Warsaw Pact staunchly, and continuously adapted to the security challenges that have not stopped appearing, says the vice-president of the Euro-Atlantic Center for Resilience, Air Flotilla General in reserve Adrian Duta, referring to NATOs role in the last 75 years of peace

NATO not only adapted to the threats imposed by the Soviet Union, but was also able to develop based on the fact that the member states, the partner states, shared the same values and the same interests. As you know, the Alliance has grown from 12 states initially to 32 today, and the particularly complex security environment of the last period and the challenges we have to face every day are so much more. Thats why countries like Sweden and Finland, after many years of neutrality, decided very quickly to apply for NATO integration.

Predictably, Ukraine and its support in the face of Russian aggression dominated the celebration of the 75 years of existence of the North Atlantic Alliance, especially in the context of maintaining Moscows military pressure, and against the background of the slowdown in Western military support. Currently, the allies are analyzing a financial framework of 100 billion dollars that would allow NATO to maintain the defense of Ukraine, in the perspective of a possible win by Donald Trump in the American elections. Some of the allies also announced financial support for the Czech initiative to buy armaments from third countries in order to increase the volume of deliveries to Kiev. The best defense is attack, for us the best defense is deterrence and thats when we all decided, with our leaders, in Vilnius, almost a year ago, to come up with a new generation of NATO defense and deterrence plans, including in Romania, declared the deputy secretary general of NATO, Mircea Geoana, invited to Radio Romania on April 2. This was the very day on which Romanias accession to the North Atlantic Alliance became 20 years old:

We do not exclusively mount a much stronger defense, military presence, last generation military technology, but we are actually making a gesture of deterrence, also because Russia knows what we have as a military force. And thats why, if needed, obviously we will activate Article 5, but we still hope that Article 5 will not be needed. It was activated only once, when America was attacked on September 11, 2001. There has never been war on NATO territory. There has never been a war on NATO territory in 75 years. And I believe that this beautiful history of NATO will continue for many decades.

For the Romanian Army, the period between the exit from totalitarianism and the NATO summit in Prague in 2002 meant an extensive process of reforms and modernization that would allow it to align with the Alliances standards. Once Romania became a full member of NATO, Romanian soldiers tested their mettle in theaters of operations, alongside armies with which they are now fully compatible. In these 20 years, about 50,000 Romanian soldiers were engaged in the theaters of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Western Balkans. Currently, Romania is a military base of the Alliance, with the strategic anti-missile shield at Deveselu (south), the Kogalniceanu airport (southeast), and the training centers in Transylvania (center). With the war in Ukraine, Bucharest gained strategic recognition in the geopolitical game, demonstrating that the Black Sea area should not be forgotten by world powers, as Romania has constantly warned, alongside allies such as Poland, the Czech Republic, or the Baltic states. Compared to 20 years ago, Romania is a security provider, a provider of aid to Ukraine, a training center for future F-16 pilots from Kiev and a main actor in the attempt to demine the Black Sea, and there is an international NATO military presence on the countrys territory.
Harghita, the Family Friendly County

The year 2024 was declared the year of adrenaline in Harghita county

foto visitharghita

Daniel Onea, 01.08.2024, 14:00

In the center of Romania, in Harghita county, there is a petting zoo. Contact with animals can be therapeutic, and here you can find deer, Icelandic horses, or rabbits. Another unique experience, for the whole family, is the visit to one of the sheepfolds. But you can also choose a trip to the Tinovul Mohos botanical reserve. Here you can see rare species of plants, such as carnivorous ones. In fact, the year 2024 was declared the year of adrenaline in Harghita county. The thematic year will focus on tourism services that encourage an active lifestyle, exercise, and adventure. You can explore Harghita county on horseback, try six bobsleigh tracks, take a paraglider, or a hot air balloon flight. You can climb mountains or explore the world of caves, these are just a few examples of the countless opportunities that await you!

Going to visitharghita.com, the website developed by the Harghita Intercommunity Development Association, you will find many lists of attractions and holiday activities. And many of these, says Zsolt Mezey, project manager, are intended for families.

My first proposal is the Salt Land destination. Here we have many experimental activities that aim to present the crafts in detail through the personal involvement of the visitor: knowing by doing. The experience is unforgettable, because, assisted by a professional, you become an apprentice and learn the secrets of the craft. You take the masterpiece crafted with your own hands home as a souvenir. The experimental activities of pottery, cooking the famous kurtoskalacs, or crafting Corundum aragonite jewelry will all be unforgettable. You can find more details on the application, or on our Visit Harghita page.

An experience that is becoming increasingly popular is the Via Ferrata. The name comes from Italy, from the Dolomites, and originally it was an infrastructure for soldiers in the world wars, as we learned from Zsolt Mezey, project manager at the Harghita Intercommunity Development Association.

In the Gheorgheni-Lacu Rosu tourist destination, there is only one via ferrata route called Wild Ferenc, and it is on the south-western wall of Suhardul Mic Mountain. This route has a length of 200 meters and a difference in level of 170 meters. Another route can be found in Cheile Sugaului, on the wall of Mount Munticelu, called Astragalus. It is found in the Cheile Sugaului nature reserve. Munticelu has a total length of 700 meters, has five routes, with an elevation gain of 285 meters on the main route. I think that the most beautiful of all can be found in the Corbu commune. A via ferrata route called Falco Tinnunculus (Falcon Rock) was created, with an approximate length of 150 meters, which includes both a 15-meter-long suspension bridge and a vertical section equipped with approximately 15-meter-long stairs. This program is available between April and November, but it depends a lot on weather conditions.

The next destination on our list is the Tinovul Mohos botanical reserve. The hour long tour is very interesting for children.

It takes place in a habitat reminiscent of the Ice Age, where carnivorous plants and other rare plant species can be seen. Many species in Tinov survived from the Ice Age. The tour takes place on pontoons and rafts, under safe conditions, with a friendly and knowledgeable guide. Also there, I propose a boat ride. It is an activity liked by families at Saint Ana Lake. The boats are suitable for families of 3-4 people, and the life jackets are also available in childrens sizes. Another family friendly experience is the bobsled, which offers unforgettable landscapes and moments. We currently have a summer track in Borsec. It has a length of almost 1,500 meters. The climb to the top of the piste is done with the existing ski lift and is open during the spring-autumn seasons. The bobsleigh track in Toplita is the longest bobsleigh track in Romania. It is 1,800 meters long, plus the curves. Most of the track descends through the forest, with the sled reaching speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour, and there is also a slow uphill section. The ascent-descent circuit takes about eight minutes. Children between the ages of three and eight can only participate if accompanied by an adult. Access is allowed for 2 people in a sled, provided that they do not exceed 150 kilograms together.

The oldest bobsleigh track is located in the Lunca de Sus commune, and has become, in a very short time, an attraction for tourists visiting the area or for adrenaline lovers who come here specifically to experience this sensation. In addition to the adrenaline rush, tourists can enjoy a special landscape, which many compare to the ones seen in Austria or Switzerland.

On the other hand, a mountain kart ride can be just as interesting, says Zsolt Mezey, project manager at the Harghita Intercommunity Development Association. Its a newly developed and fun means that gives us the opportunity to go carting all year round. The ergonomic seat makes it possible to focus only on the pleasure of speed. The three-wheel cart is a high quality and safe means of transportation that is perfect for families, groups of friends, and team building programs. Mountain karting is a new and unique adventure not only for Romania, but also for the whole of Europe. Here, the program lasts about an hour and a half, and there are two superb tracks, one is at Harghita Madaras, and the other near the mountains in the vicinity of Baile Tusnad. A descent is 3-3.5 kilometers. All participants are normally trained and briefed, and given helmets. A specialist is present at the descent. On the other hand, the newest mountain kart can be found in Varsag. They have the slogan We take you up on the chairlift, you just have to enjoy the speed as many times as you want.

At the end, you can stop at the sheepfold. Here you will discover the specific customs, traditions and activities. You will taste organic products and enjoy the wonderful landscapes and the mountains that surround you. The meal will be hearty, composed of the following: traditional platter, bulz, Transylvanian stew, Transylvanian topcit, or balmos. You will have access to the grill, and you will be able to taste the trout or the steak on a hot stone slab.
Romania at the London Book Fair 2024

Romania's participation in this year's edition of the London Book Fair was dedicated to all generations of local writers who have created in an epoch of full freedom of speech.

book, reading Photo: pixabay.com

Corina Sabau, 13.04.2024, 14:00

35 years after the Romanian Revolution, the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) celebrated freedom in all its creative forms, at a new edition of the London Book Fair. Under the motto Voices of Freedom, Romanias participation in this years edition of the London Book Fair, one of the largest events devoted to professionals in the literary field, was dedicated to all generations of local writers who have created in an epoch of full freedom of speech. The Romanian Cultural Institute prepared a program of events that included book launches, conferences and spoken word performances, which took place at the ICR stand at the fair, the ICR London headquarters, the Barbican library and Conway Hall.

Eli Badica, the coordinator and initiator of the collection of contemporary Romanian literature by Nemira Editorial Group, spoke to us about Romanias participation in the London Book Fair from her perspective as a publisher: A fair like this is also accessible to the public, but it is not a book sale fair. It is not a fair similar to those held in Romania, within which many events and launches take place, it is an event dedicated especially to literary agents, publishers, cultural managers and translators, to literary and commercial networking. It is an important fair for me and my colleagues, who are active in this industry, it is the second largest fair after Frankfurt in terms of importance worldwide. Thats why they are somehow strategically scheduled, in spring and autumn, because they are the fairs where translation rights are usually bought. Returning to Romanias presence at this edition of the fair, part of the events took place at the headquarters of the Romanian Cultural Institute in London, and another two events took place in libraries, some splendid spaces. Romanian writers, literary critics and cultural managers were present and participated in some very interesting discussions. Also, the few recently published translations from Romanian into English were also presented. And during these events, a discussion was brought up that only 3% of the Anglo-Saxon book market is represented by translations.Im saying this to understand how difficult this mission of publishers is, to try to find publishing houses for Romanian writers in this space, where English dominates the book market. I had some meetings in London with translators, editors and agents really interested in what Romanian writers write. What very few people know is that usually the editorial plans that are made in this space are considering very few writers from the East, sometimes only one in an editorial year. So, you have to try to convince the publisher, translator or the agent that that writer from Eastern Europe deserves to be a Romanian writer.

Participation in this edition of the London Book Fair opened with an event dedicated to the voices of female writers from Romania and Great Britain. One of the writers who participated in that debate was Elena Vladareanu, the initiator and coordinator of the Sofia Nadejde Prize, awarded to contemporary Romanian writers.

Elena Vladareanu: One of the writers participating in this discussion was Alina Purcaru. Alina Purcaru is also the coordinator, together with Paula Erizanu, of the three-volume anthology A century of Romanian poetry written by women published by the Cartier publishing house. It is a very important anthology because Alina and Paula have collected a century of Romanian poetry, selecting and managing to bring in the spotlight writers that many people have not even heard of. Two very interesting writers and philosophers from Great Britain, with very rich work and PhDs in philosophy, Suzannah Lipscomb and Hannah Dawson, also participated in the same discussion. Suzannah Lipscomb is a specialist in history and has recently initiated a prize for non-fiction literature, which complements the prize already being granted in the UK for fiction. This prize which she initiated is called the Womens Prize for Non-Fiction. At the debate organized by ICR London, Suzannah Lipscomb said she came up with the idea of the award after noticing that references in the academia were mostly to texts and research written by men. In this way, she thought of highlighting these non-fiction texts written by women and that is why she initiated the award, which this year will be granted for the first time. In turn, Hannah Dawson, a specialist in the philosophy of language, has recently published an anthology at Penguin entitled The Penguin Book of Feminist Writing. To compile this anthology, Dawson went through at least 100 years of literature written by women. She was interested, first of all, in finding those unknown texts that address feminist themes. And she was surprised to find very old texts, texts even more than 100 years old, which addressed in a very contemporary way feminist themes, such as equality, the right to education, the social status of women, the relationships that women have within the family as well as within society.

Madalina Cauneac, Liliana Corobca, Cosmin Perta, Florentin Popa, Maria Stadnicka, Matei Visniec, Marius Chivu, Bogdan Cretu, Alex Ciorogarand, Susan Curtis, Iulian Morar, Gabi Reigh and Milena Deleva are on the list of participants attending the events organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute in London as part of the London Book Fair. (LS)
April 15, 2024

A roundup of domestic and international news

NEWSFLASH

Newsroom, 15.04.2024, 13:55

Attack  Neither the region nor the world can afford more war, Antonio Guterres told the bodys Security Council as it met to discuss Saturdays Iranian attack. The Middle East is on the brink, he warned. The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate insisted Antonio Guterres. The Iranian attack, called Operation Honest Promise, was a response to the strike that destroyed the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, an attack in which seven members of the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological army of the Islamic Republic, lost their lives. Iran has put the blame on Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied. Since the Iranian revolution of 1979, Israel has been the avowed enemy of the Islamic Republic. So far, Tehran has not attacked Israel head-on, and the two countries have usually clashed through third parties, such as the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.

Visit  The Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, is paying an official visit to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week. The main topics of discussion concern the fields of energy, port infrastructure, agriculture and IT. Investment opportunities in Romania, in the field of renewable energy, both offshore and on-shore, will also be addressed. The parties also intend to develop the public-private partnership to support large-scale projects, both in the highway and railway infrastructure. One such project, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, is Moldavias Highway. Topics of regional and international interest will also be discussed.

Energy  The Romanian Energy Ministry is organizing, on Monday, in collaboration with several entities, an event dedicated to the first cyber security exercise organized in Romania. According to the institution, the purpose of the exercise is to establish the level of preparation of the energy companies in order to face potential cyber attacks. Based on the exercise, a risk assessment will be made, and according to the results, procurement plans for goods and services in cyber security will be established, said the quoted source.

Strike  The Romanian employees of the National Trade Register Office, on Thursday, will go on a Japanese-style strike, at the national level, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES news agency on Monday. They request the Government to take urgent steps to increase salaries by 15%, given that the Office is the public institution with the lowest salary level in the judiciary field. At the same time, the trade unionists demand the granting of increased benefits for risk and neuropsychological overload, a right that is granted to all other categories of employees from the Justice occupational family. The trade unionists announced, for the period April 23-25, rallies at the national level in all counties, and on April 26 a rally at the headquarters of the Justice Ministry. In August, the collective labor conflict will be started, the trade unionists also announced.

Price  In Romania, the average price of one liter of gasoline increased, compared to last month, by 3.2%, while one liter of diesel oil increased by one percent. With an average price of one liter of gasoline of 1.47 Euros and of diesel oil of 1.51 Euros, Romania ranks 3rd in the European Union, in the top of the countries with the cheapest fuel, after Bulgaria and Malta. The price of oil could increase, today, after Irans attack on Israel, according to some analysts, quoted by the Reuters news agency. Everything depends on how Israel and the West choose to fight back.

Art  The Romanian Culture Minister, Raluca Turcan, is starting today a five-day visit to Italy, in the context of Romanias participation in the 60th edition of the Venice Art Biennale. Raluca Turcan will participate in the opening of the exhibition What Work Is by Serban Savu, presented at the Romanian Pavilion at this years edition of the Biennale, as well as at the New Gallery of the Romanian Institute of Culture and Humanistic Research in Venice. According to a Ministry of Culture press release, Romanias participation in the Venice Biennale is a constantly renewed declaration of membership to European and world culture. The Culture Ministry traditionally supports the Romanian presence at the Venice Biennale, one of the most prestigious cultural events in the world. (LS)
April 16, 2024

A roundup of local and international news.

NEWSFLASH

Newsroom, 16.04.2024, 13:47

Elections. Candidates running for the 9th June local elections can start registering from today. Political parties, alliances, ethnic minority citizens organisations and independent candidates will all be able to submit their applications to run for local public administration with the electoral bureaus by 30th April at midnight. Electoral alliances for the local elections can also start registering today. The European Parliamentary elections will also be held on 9th June.

Visit. Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu and members of his cabinet are today travelling to Doha, the capital of Qatar. They are due to meet a number of high-ranking Qatari officials to discuss the consolidation of bilateral cooperation in key areas such as agriculture, transport infrastructure, new technologies and energy. An important role will be played by the dialogue between the business communities from the two states and the talks on the organisation of a future business forum. Prime minister Ciolacu is accompanied on his trip by the ministers of foreign affairs, transport, economy, energy, agriculture and digitalisation. After Qatar, the government delegation will travel to the United Arab Emirates.

Israel-Iran. Israel has decided to retaliate to Irans unprecedented attack two days ago, despite growing international pressure to avoid escalating the conflict in the Middle East. The US, France and Great Britain, who helped Israel intercept the Iranian drones and missiles, now call for restraint and Washington made it clear it will not participate in an Israeli counteroffensive. Israeli army chief of staff Herzi Halevi said yesterday during a visit to the airbase in Nevatim, in the south of the country, which saw minor damage from the Iranian strikes, that Iran wanted to harm Israels strategic capabilities, which had not happened before and that this should be taken into account when considering a response and not that Tehran failed to achieve its goal. Earlier, the Washington Post said the Israeli prime minister asked the army to provide him with a list of possible Iranian targets in response to the attack, with the proposals made so far including a site in Tehran or a cyber attack. Israeli sources said the American secretary of state Antony Blinken will travel to Jerusalem in the coming days. Visits by the British and German foreign ministers have also been announced.

The US House of Representatives is this week expected to vote on separate aid bills for Ukraine and Israel, after months of political disputes between the Biden administration and his Republican opposition, according to the speaker of the House. A financial package of 60 billion dollars for Kyiv proposed by Biden has been blocked for months in Congress, as well as a package for Israel. By far the main provider of military support for both Ukraine and Israel, the United States last sent any significant aid to Kyiv in December 2022, due to opposition from the Republicans. The latter refuse to examine the bill because of another disagreement, relating to migration. A few months before the presidential elections of 5th November, the matter has become a political bone of contention between Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump.
Romanian reactions to the attack against Israel

Leaders from around the world, including Romania, have condemned Irans unprecedented attack against Israel.

RRI

Corina Cristea, 15.04.2024, 14:00

Irans attack against Israel on Saturday night, when it fired hundreds of drones, 99% of which were intercepted and which caused no significant damages, crossed however a line  Iran had never before, in the decades of antagonism between the two states, launched an attack inside Israel.

The response had been expected for a number of days, after seven Iranian elite military were killed in Syria on 1st April in a strike against the Iranian consulate in Damascus attributed to Israel. It is not clear why Israel might have carried out the strike in Syria, commentators say, but Iran was forced to respond to save face internationally and demonstrate its power in the region. The tactic chosen by Tehran, and which is similar to that used by Russia in Ukraine, was to try to overwhelm the Israeli defence system by firing a large number of projectiles. Except the Israeli defence system is much more effective and was also aided by allied American and British fighter jets.

Tehran says the matter is now concluded. What will happen next depends on whether Israel itself chooses to retaliate or not. In a first reaction, the countrys war cabinet, which met during the night at an underground bunker at the headquarters in Tel Aviv, empowered prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defence minister Yoav Galant and minister Benny Gantz to prepare the reaction to Irans attack.

Neither the region, nor the world can afford more war, said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Sunday, calling for maximum restraint at a Security Council meeting that assembled after the attack. Leaders from around the world condemned Irans unprecedented attack on Israel. US president Joe Biden reiterated his countrys unflinching support for Israel and Russia called on both sides to show restraint. With the stated aim to contribute to defusing the situation and consolidate security in the region, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers, to take place on Tuesday and discuss the attack.

In Bucharest, president Klaus Iohannis posted that Romania condemned Irans attack against Israel in the strongest terms. We stand in full solidarity with the Israeli people in these difficult moments. We call for avoiding further regional escalation, he said, a sentiment shared by prime minister Marcel Ciolacu, who also emphasised Romanias solidarity with Israel: We firmly condemn this attack and support Israels right to ensure the security of its citizens. Last but not least, the head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniel, on Sunday conveyed a message to the Patriarch of Jerusalem voicing his concern about the escalation of the military conflict.
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New Zealand will on Wednesday release Q1 figures for gross domestic product, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. GDP is expected to rise 0.6 percent on quarter and 5.0 percent on year after adding 0.5 percent on quarter and 4.7 percent on year in the previous three months.

Japan will provide March numbers for imports, exports and trade balance. In February, imports were up 0.5 percent on year and exports rose an annual 7.8 percent for a trade deficit of 379.4 billion yen.

Singapore will see March data for non-oil domestic exports; in February, NODX was down 4.8 percent on month and 0.1 percent on year for a trade surplus of SGD5.968 billion.

Indonesia will provide February figures for retail sales; in January, sales were up 1.1 percent on year.

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What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
The Swedish telecom company Ericsson (ERIC) reported that its first quarter net income attributable to owners of the parent company climbed to 2.56 billion Swedish kronor or 0.77 kronor per share from 1.52 billion kronor or 0.45 kronor per share last year.

The latest quarter results included a one-time gain of 1.9 billion kronor from the resolution of a commercial dispute.

EBIT, excluding restructuring charges, increased to 4.3 billion kronor from 4.0 billion kronor in the prior year.

But quarterly sales decreased by about 15% to 53.33 billion kronor from 62.55 billion kronor in the prior year. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency decreased by 14%, reflecting reduced operator investment levels across a number of geographies.

For 2024, restructuring charges are expected to be in the range of 3.0 billion kronor - 4.0 billion kronor.

The company expects a further decline in the RAN market, at least through the

end of this year, as customers remain cautious with their investments and the pace of investment in India continues to normalize.

If current trends persist, the company expects its sales to stabilize during the

second half of the year, benefiting from recent contract wins and the normalization of customer inventory levels in North America.

For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.

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Business News
Finland's economic output expanded for the first time in seven months in February, data from Statistics Finland showed on Tuesday.

Output of the national rose a working-day-adjusted 0.8 percent year-over-year in February, reversing a 0.3 percent drop in January, which was revised from a 1.2 percent decrease estimated initially.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, output declined 0.4 percent in February versus a 1.5 percent recovery in the previous month.

Among sectors, primary sector production grew by around 3.6 percent from last year. The secondary and tertiary sectors advanced by 0.5 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively.

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Business News
James Fisher and Sons plc (FSJ.L) posted a loss before tax of 39.9 million pounds for the year ended 31 December 2023 compared to profit of 14.5 million pounds, last year. Loss per share from continuing activities was 101.2 pence compared to profit of 17.4 pence. Underlying operating profit improved by 12.1% to 29.6 million pounds. Underlying earnings per share declined to 11.4 pence from 22.3 pence.

The Group generated revenue of 496.2 million pounds in 2023, an increase of 3.8% compared to 478.1 million pounds in 2022.

In the current fiscal year to date, the Group's overall performance has been in line with the Boards' expectations.

For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.

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Turkey's retail sales expanded at the fastest pace in seven months in February, data from Turkstat showed on Tuesday.

Retail sales surged 25.1 percent annually in February, much faster than the 13.7 percent increase in the previous month. Sales have been rising since June 2020.

Further, the latest increase was the quickest since July 2023, when sales had risen 31.9 percent.

Sales of non-food products, except automotive fuels, grew 36.5 percent annually in February, compared to 19.7 percent a month ago.

Sales of food, drinks, and tobacco rose 13.0 percent, and those of computers, books, and telecommunications equipment jumped by 56.1 percent.

Data showed that retail sales via mail orders and the internet alone showed a sharp increase of 59.0 percent.

On a monthly basis, retail sales growth was 3.5 percent in February versus a 2.5 percent increase in the preceding month.

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President Joe Biden has pledged U.S. support for Iraq's progress towards energy self-sufficiency. The pledge came when he hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani at the White House Monday.

The two leaders discussed the Iraqi government's interest in future opportunities for cooperation to ensure Iraq becomes energy self-sufficient by 2030, with help from U.S. companies.

President Biden affirmed continued U.S. support for Iraq's efforts to modernize its energy sector, reduce methane emissions, improve public , more reliably provide electricity for the Iraqi people, and complete the electrical grid connections with neighboring countries. Efforts are underway to connect Iraq's grid with Jordan and GCC countries.

The two leaders discussed future plans to develop Iraq's resources in a manner that ensures all Iraqis benefit from their country's natural wealth, consistent with Iraq's constitution.

Iraq was the world's fifth largest oil producer in 2009, and has the world's fifth largest proven petroleum reserves. But its oil sector has suffered over the past decades from sanctions and wars, and its oil infrastructure is in need of modernization and investment. Iraqi oil production has surged after years of disorder.

Sudani and Biden affirmed the importance of ensuring Iraqi oil can reach international and expressed their desire to reopen the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline, the White House said.

The two leaders also discussed Iraq's progressive efforts to reform its financial and banking sector to connect to the international and increase trade while shielding the Iraqi people from the harmful impacts of corruption and money-laundering. Through 2023 and 2024, banks in Iraq have expanded their correspondent relationships with international financial institutions to enable trade financing, with the majority of trade finance now occurring through these channels. The two leaders affirmed the importance of these and other measures to improve the investment climate in Iraq to attract foreign capital and promote economic growth.

The United States promised to support the Central Bank of Iraq to fully wind down the wire auction mechanism by the end of 2024 and transition to direct correspondent relationships between Iraqi and international banks.

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Business News
Inspira Technologies OXY B.H.N. Ltd. (IINN, IINNW) has signed a collaboration term sheet with the Beilinson Hospital in Israel for the evaluation of its INSPIRA ART100 device in organ transplant procedures. The hospital will provide Inspira with access to the internally logged data and diagnostics from the use of the Device and user feedback from medical doctors, certified clinical perfusionists, and other caregivers.

The company said the primary objectives of the evaluation agreement are to assess the functionality and performance of the Device in clinical settings and healthcare delivery.

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Chinese internet company Baidu Inc.'s artificial intelligence or AI chatbot Ernie Bot has secured more than 200 million users, reports said citing CEO Robin Li.

Ernie Bot, China's most popular ChatGPT-like chatbot, was released to the public in August last year. In December, the company had said that Ernie Bot's users reached over 100 million.

The CEO reportedly revealed at Baidu's AI Create conference in Shenzhen that Ernie Bot's application programming interface or API is being used 200 million times everyday, and that the number enterprise clients for the chatbot reached 85,000.

It was in March last year that Baidu announced the launch of ERNIE Bot, a new-generation large language model and generative AI product.

The company then said ERNIE Bot could be performed in a range of areas, including understanding Chinese language and culture, generating literary and writing, performing complex mathematical calculations, and producing multi-modal content.

Later, in August, it won China's approval for public release, as part of the first eight AI chatbots that received approval. The tech company, which is recognized as China's leading AI developer, had stated that any organization or individual, can register and ask questions to the AI.

In November, 2023, Baidu unveiled a paid version ERNIE Bot.

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Business News
Top 4 selling hatchbacks of India for March 2024 are all from Maruti  Having 60% market share

After discussing SUV sales and Sedan sales of India, lets now take a look at the hatchback sales. In March 2024, hatchback sales in India experienced a notable downturn compared to the same period last year, reflecting a challenging market landscape. Total hatchback sales for the month reached 95,251 units, marking a significant decline of 8.20% compared to March 2023.

Hatchback Sales March 2024 vs March 2023  YoY Performance

Among the key players in the segment, Maruti Suzuki continued to dominate with multiple models in the top ranks. However, even the market leader faced setbacks in sales figures. Leading the pack, albeit with a slight dip, is the perennial favourite, Maruti Suzukis WagonR. Despite recording 16,368 units sold, a decrease of 5.41% compared to March 2023, the WagonR maintains a stronghold with a 17.18% market share. Similarly, Maruti Swift and Baleno, at 15,728 and 15,588 units respectively, experienced declines of 10.43% and 3.59%, underscoring the subdued consumer sentiment.

Following closely, Maruti Alto secured 9,332 units in sales, reflecting a modest increase of 2.11% compared to the same period last year. Tata Motors Tiago / EV faced a notable decline of 13.37%, with 6,381 units sold in March 2024, down from 7,366 units in March 2023. Tata Altroz emerges as a standout performer, witnessing a remarkable surge of 54.97% with 5,985 units sold in March 2024, compared to 3,862 units in the same period last year.

Hyundais i20 and i10 NIOS experienced substantial declines of 21.85% and 45.89% respectively, reflecting challenges in retaining market share amidst fierce competition and changing consumer preferences. Toyota Glanza, with 4,319 units sold, recorded a commendable growth of 28.35% in March 2024, showcasing the brands resilience and consumer acceptance.

Maruti Celerio and Ignis, with 3,478 and 2,788 units respectively, faced declines of 25.14% and marginal growth of 1.01%. Additionally, Maruti S-Presso witnessed a slight increase of 2.21%, with 2,497 units sold in March 2024. Renault Kwid experienced a decline of 27.67%, with 928 units sold compared to 1,283 units in March 2023. MG Comet EV garnered attention with 875 units sold, securing a 0.92% market share. Citroen eC3 EV and C3 faced hurdles, registering declines of 40.32% and 75.35% respectively, underlining the nascent yet competitive landscape of EVs in India.

Hatchback Sales March 2024 vs Feb 2024  MoM Performance

Month on Month performance also reported a decline; marking a slight decrease of 3.58% compared to February 2024. WagonR witnessed a significant decline in sales, dropping by 15.68% from February to March 2024, with 16,368 units sold. In contrast, the Swift recorded a substantial increase of 19.47% in sales month-on-month, with 15,728 units sold in March 2024.

Baleno faced a decline of 11.01% in sales compared to February 2024, with 15,588 units sold, reflecting a shift in consumer demand. Alto experienced a noticeable downturn in sales, decreasing by 20.40% month-on-month, with 9,332 units sold in March 2024. Tiago / EV also faced a slight decline of 8.15% in sales from February to March 2024, with 6,381 units sold. Altroz, witnessing a remarkable surge of 31.02% in sales month-on-month, with 5,985 units sold in March 2024.

Despite a marginal increase of 0.47% in sales, i20 maintained its position in the market with 5,155 units sold in March 2024. i10 NIOS witnessed a modest growth of 1.76% in sales, with 5,034 units sold in March 2024, reflecting steady consumer interest. Glanza experienced a slight decline of 5.72% in sales compared to February 2024, with 4,319 units sold in March.

Celerio faced a marginal decline of 3.01% in sales month-on-month, with 3,478 units sold in March 2024. Ignis recorded a notable growth of 32.13% in sales, with 2,788 units sold in March 2024, reflecting renewed consumer interest. S-Presso witnessed a significant decrease of 18.37% in sales from February to March 2024, with 2,497 units sold.

Kwid experienced a notable increase of 12.08% in sales month-on-month, with 928 units sold in March 2024. Despite a minor decline of 4.89% in sales, MG Comet EV maintained a steady presence in the market with 875 units sold in March 2024. Citroen eC3 EV showcased an extraordinary growth of 538.55% in sales from February to March 2024, with 530 units sold, reflecting growing interest in electric vehicles. C3 also witnessed a notable increase of 25.59% in sales month-on-month, with 265 units sold in March 2024.
For the third consecutive year, Tata Nexon has been positioned as the No 1 SUV in India

The mainstream SUV segment is currently overcrowded with a bunch of sub 4m and compact offerings. Even though Tata Motors doesnt currently have a compact SUV offering, it has aced the mainstream SUV segment with Nexon and Punch at 1st and 2nd position respectively in FY 2023  2024 SUV sales.

Tata Nexon And Punch Secure 1st And 2nd Position

This is quite a feat for Tata Motors and the company is expecting to amplify this effect with the launch of Curvv compact SUV and continue dominating this mainstream SUV segment. Currently, the champions for Tata Motors are Nexon and Punch, securing 1st and 2nd positions in FY 2023  2024.

Celebration is more profound in the case of Tata Nexon which has secured 1st position in SUV segment for the third consecutive year in a row. In this sense, Nexon was the best-selling SUV in India in FY 2021  2022, FY 2022  2023 and FY 2023  2024. With this, Tata Motors has securely positioned itself as Indias #1 SUV maker.

Punch proved to be a great addition to Tatas lineup and has all the ingredients to be the companys next superstar. We wouldnt be surprised if Punch surpassed Nexon in sales one day and gain 1st position. We say this because the pace at which Punch is racking sales numbers is very commendable and is getting closer to Nexon with every month passing by.

The two rockstars from Tata Motors have been appealing propositions in their respective segments for many reasons. For starters, they promise among the best crash safety propositions with a full fat 5 Star rating from Global NCAP. After looks, design, technology and features, both Punch and Nexon offer three fuel options including electric. With upcoming i-CNG variant, Nexon will be Indias only mainstream car with 4 fuel options.

Breaking down the numbers

Where sales are concerned, numbers speak for themselves. Analysing sales performance of FY 2023  2024, Nexon sold an average of 14,308 units per month, while it was 14,128 units per month average for Punch. In H1 FY 2023  2024, Tata Motors sold 78,975 units of Nexon and 72,086 units of Punch.

However, as the FY progressed, Tata Motors sold 92,722 units of Nexon in H2 FY 2023  2024 and 97,450 units of Punch in the same period. At the beginning of FY 2023  2024, Nexon had around 5K units per month advantage over Punch, but at the end of this FY, Punch registered a lead over Nexon with around 3K to 4K units per month.

In Q1 of FY 2023  2024, Tata sold 43,252 Nexons and 32,508 units of Punch. In Q2, Nexon sales stood at 35,723 units and Punch sales stood at 39,578 units. H1 of FY 2023  2024 established Nexon ahead of Punch with 78,975 units over 72,086 units. In Q3, Nexon continued to pull ahead of Punch with 47,087 units over 43,487 units.

It was in Q4 that the narrative shifted in the favour of Punch. Launch of Punch EV was a big boost for sales numbers. Punch pulled ahead of Nexon in Q4 with 53,963 units over 45,635 units. While H1 analysis favoured Nexon, H2 favoured Punch. In total, Tata Motors sold 1,71,697 units of Nexon and 1,69,536 units of Punch.
The San Diego Union-Tribune will mark its 150th anniversary in 2018 by presenting a significant front page from the archives each day throughout the year.

Wednesday, April 12, 1961

On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. Gagarin made one orbit around the Earth in a 108-minute mission, raising fears in America that the Soviet Union had taken an unbeatable lead in the space race.

Here are the first few paragraphs of the story:

Russ Orbit, Return Spaceman, Celebrate Science Feat

Young Major Okay After 2-Hour Trip

Ship Speeds 25,000 M.P.H.; Jubilant Crowds Jam Moscow

MOSCOW (UPI)Russia won the man in space race today by shooting a young air force officer around the world in a space ship and bringing him back alive.

The Soviet Union announced that Maj. Yuri Gagarin, 27, father of two children, had orbited the earth in a five-ton space ship on a flight that took an hour and 48 minutes.

In that brief span man broke the barrier to space travel and raced closer to the eventual goal of flights to other planets.

A leading Soviet scientist likened the space feat to the accomplishment of the Wright brothers in flying the first airplane.

In accomplishing the feat, Gagarin was hurled at an estimated 25,000 m.p.h. into orbitthe fastest speed a human has traveled.

The first space man himself was quoted by Moscow radio as saying: The realization of mans flight into space opens up grandiose prospects in the conquest of space by mankind.

Wild Display Told

The epic flight was made while the United States apparently was still weeks away from putting its first man into space and months from shooting him into orbit around the earth.

As the news spread through Moscow crowds swarmed into the streets in the wildest display of jubilation seen here since Nazi German collapsed on May 8, 1945.

Celebrants paraded through the main streets, children were dismissed from school, radios and television sets proclaimed the news over and over. Snow that had been falling on Moscow ceased, and the sun came out.

Town Renames Street

Communist leaders in the city of Kishinev renamed the towns main street Gagarin Boulevard. Many boy babies born today were named for the new Soviet hero, a foundryman by trade, son of a carpenter, and member of the Communist party.

Muscovites had been waiting with eager expectancy for the word that a Soviet man had returned from space. Reports of the launching of a man into space had been circulating throughout Moscow for two days.

View anniversary front pages online at sandiegouniontribune.com/150-years. For more from the Union-Tribune digital archives, go to newslibrary.com/sites/sdub. Searching is free, with registration. A fee is required to view full stories.
Oman fixed broadband provider Awasr announced that it has officially launched the "Oman-IX" internet exchange point in collaboration with regional digital infrastructure services provider Alliance Networks and internet exchange provider AMS-IX.

Oman-IX  the plans for which were first revealed in September 2023  has been deployed at Equinix's neutral carrier data centre in MC1 in Muscat. Powered by AMS-IX, Oman-IX aims to establish a neutral internet exchange in the Middle East region and connect telecom networks providers, hyperscalers, data centres, and cloud services across the Middle East and beyond.

Awasr also said Oman-IX will also contribute towards Oman's overall digital transformation by serving as a hub for aggregating internet traffic from local and global networks.

Awasr, Alliance Networks, and AMS-IX will also collaborate to build digital ecosystem and infrastructure services in the region, said Awasrs chief commercial officer Eugen Comendant.

We are confident that we will open new horizons for Oman in the field of digital data, enabling efficient internet traffic exchange and enhancing digital innovation across sectors towards enriching the customer experience, he said in a statement.
Mastercard and pan-African digital payments company Onafriq announced on Monday that they are collaborating to increase accessibility to mobile payment services for consumers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Africa.

Under the agreement, Mastercard and Onafriq plan to deliver secure, cost-effective, and innovative payment options  including mobile money transactions, cross-border remittances, and cross-border settlements  to drive the growth of digital financial services across the continent.

Onafriq said the collaboration will enable it to leverage Mastercards technology to support its consumers digital commerce needs, interactions, and experiences.

We are excited about our collaboration with Mastercard, as we share a strong alignment of vision and mission, interoperability, and markets, said Onafriq founder and CEO Dare Okoudjou in a statement. In addition, we both understand that financial inclusion is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic priority for economic development in Africa.

The Onafriq is also part of Mastercards push into the pan-African fintech market. In early February, Mastercard took a minority stake in MTN Group Fintech, the digital financial services arm of MTN. At the end of the same month, MTN Group Fintech signed a multi-market agreement with Mastercard to use its technology and capabilities.

Technological advancements are steering the digital financial services industry, and providing accessible digital payment solutions is imperative for empowering consumers to seamlessly transition to digital commerce, said Amnah Ajmal, EVP of market development for EEMEA at Mastercard. We seek to leverage fintech partnerships in Africa to catalyze transformative change across industries that benefit individuals, communities, and businesses.

Africas mobile money sector is said to be one of the most established and fastest growing fintech industries in the world. The latest report on the global mobile money industry from GSMA says there are 835 million registered mobile money accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 48% of global users and registering a 19% increase year on year.
Remittance deals continue to hog the fintech headlines in Africa. MTN MoMo, Mastercard and Equity Bank Kenya are the latest companies to make announcements about plans to serve the vast African remittance market.

Indeed, the MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) app is already part of that market but has now significantly expanded its international remittance capabilities by launching 25 additional wallet corridors in ten new countries.

That means MoMo users can now send money to more than 200 million wallets, maintained by 39 partners, across 24 African countries.

MTN says it will now benefit migrant populations in South Africa who send money home to Mozambique, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania are among the other countries where passageways have recently been opened. Existing corridors are in Zambia, Ghana, Cameroon, Rwanda, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Congo Brazzaville, Benin, Guinea Conakry, and Guinea Bissau.

Meanwhile, coinciding with its news about a deal with pan-African digital payments company Onafriq, payment giant Mastercard has announced a strategic collaboration with Kenyas Equity Bank that will enable Equity Bank customers to send money safely and securely to 30 countries.

Through Mastercard Cross-Border Services, Equity Bank customers will be able to send funds through any Equity Branch location in Kenya. This platform offers a suite of benefits including faster transaction times, enhanced security measures and competitive pricing, making cross-border transactions accessible to consumers across Equity Bank's expansive market network.

Both announcements highlight the low fees their services charge, underlining just how competitive this market is getting.

Indeed, the ITWeb Africa news service quotes consulting group McKinsey, which says that more than US$2 billion is processed in daily transactions, which is equivalent to more than 40% of the GDP of sub-Saharan Africa.
Paratus Group announced on Monday that it has launched what it claims is the fastest fibre express route from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Europe after completing a terrestrial fibre link linking Johannesburg to Googles Equiano subsea cable.

The new 1 890-km fibre link runs from Johannesburg through Botswana to Swakopmund, Namibia, which hosts one of the landing stations of the Equiano cable that runs off the West African coast from Cape Town to Lisbon.

Paratus said the Johannesburg-Swakopmund route uses Infinera FlexILS and GX Series DWDM equipment that can support wavelengths up to 800 Gbps. The company also said the new route also enables a latency rate of 123 milliseconds from Johannesburg to Lisbon, which Paratus says is much lower compared to similar routes.

The route includes Paratus recently completed Botswana Kalahari Fiber (BKF), which connects Botswana to the Equiano landing station in Swakopmund. The Johannesburg link connects to the BKF in Lobatse, Botswana.

Paratus said the route will add resiliency to South Africas international cable capacity in the wake of recent network disruptions caused by subsea cable breaks, including three cables in the Red Sea in February, and four cables off the coast of Cote dIvoire in March. The new express route provides an alternative route out of South Africa via Equiano and mitigates against possible fibre outages between Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Culminating in this unique express route, we can now offer carriers and operators a diverse and unequalled transmission route to Europe, said Paratus Group Chief Commercial Officer, Martin Cox in a statement.
The benefits that broadband delivers are proven and measurable in terms of economics, and few would dispute that fibre is the optimal broadband technology in situations where it is feasible to deploy.

Offering fast speeds and an environmentally conscious solution, fibre is also efficient to evolve, making it an attractive long-term investment. Once the infrastructure is deployed, it can be used for many years, with the existing assets upgraded to enable faster speeds.

However, cost can of course be an issue. In much of Africa, gigabit speeds are prohibitively expensive for the majority of the population, even though there is a pressing need for connectivity - particularly in remote areas. Operators wont get a return on their investment for building out fibre to areas where consumers cant afford it, so most mobile users resort to mobile data for internet access  far from an ideal solution, as it is disproportionately expensive in comparison to fibre connectivity. This means that many of the poorest inhabitants of the continent are limited to only using data when absolutely necessary.

This issue is endemic to South Africa  when ranked using the GINI Coefficient, which measures the gap between rich and poor based on income, South Africa typically places dead last, underlining the inequality that lingers in the country. Accentuating this, the six countries that border South Africa also place in the bottom ten, showing that inequality is entrenched in the region.

This is reflected in prices for internet, with high income South Africans typically paying just 10 US cents per gigabit as they are able to afford fibre access. However, most South Africans  particularly in the poorest areas, known as townships  only have access to the internet via mobile data. Given the high cost of this service, it can effectively cost as much as 70 times more than fibre access per gigabit  so its unsurprising that most South Africans keep their mobile data firmly switched off unless its in active use. This issue is prevalent in all middle to low income countries globally  whether in Africa, Asia or Latin America.

fibertime was founded to address this inequality, with its founders seeing a digital opportunity to enable connectivity. The firm uses a new pay-as-you-go model to deliver connectivity to township residents - the lowest income consumers in South Africa. Instead of using a fixed subscriber fee, customers can pay a subscription for fibre access based on usage time, whether this is a few hours, a day, or a week. To achieve this, fibertime has engaged extensively with communities within South African townships.

Watch the full fibertime story here

The business model depends on installing optical network terminals (ONTs) within users homes, and this required fibertime to establish trust by connecting with township dwellers, eventually receiving the blessing of residents to install the required equipment to connect the township on a large scale. All of the ONTs use a single shared SSID, so customers can connect their device to any terminal in the township then buy fibre access to connect for however long they choose.

fibertime branding played a significant role in the building of trust with residents to allow for the easy installation of the ONTs. Building a lasting and living brand, fibertime took the decision to build their network with top of the range hardware and Nokias vendor coverage in Africa created the opportunity for a mutual partnership to deliver quality ONTs for customers.

The firm defines this term in a particular way  for access to be meaningful, it must be affordable while providing acceptable speeds and data volumes. This is unavailable to the vast majority of South Africans, and Fibertime knew it could not compromise on this expectation in delivering connectivity. Fortunately, the chosen model has proven successful and replicable, and the firm credits its refusal to compromise on the quality of its terminals, acknowledging the role that Nokias ONTs and OLTs have played in both delivering quality connectivity and reducing the cost of deployment.

Another major factor in getting consumers on board was the key differentiating factor of fibertimes business model  the ONTs are installed for free, with revenue being generated per fibertime voucher sold. Nehal Osman, Business Development  Fixed at Nokia, says that consumers understand that it is not a subscription service following the installation, as the terminals enable fibertime to offer a pay-as-you-go fiber service that delivers the flexibility of mobile airtime with the reliability, speed and throughput of fiber. This solved the issue of making connectivity available  making it profitable was another matter.

fibertimes goal was to ensure that its not just the wealthiest of medium segments that have the right to fibre connectivity. People in a township have the right to affordable internet access  but often this is just a few rands, and most established payment systems charge a set percentage which would have eliminated any value that could be derived from such small transactions. Fibertime Group CEO Steve Briggs explained: This was the biggest issue  there were no systems in place. Everything was enterprise-gradeif youre trying to sell people micro-increments and payments to the internet, your challenge is how are you going to get those payments back into your bank account.

fibertime users can pay for their fibertime voucher using a variety of payment methods. VulaCoin, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Fibertime Group, enables fibertime to process and collect micropayments from users without charging minimum fees. fibertime users can add credit to their fibertime wallet using VulaCoin, which they can then use to buy vouchers or to become a reseller of vouchers in an active network area. This functionality allows fibertime to develop an agent network to resell vouchers as other mobile operators have done across Africa. Given that customers in many markets are familiar with resellernetworks, it providers a touch point for fibertimes model to expand into different countries  whether in Africa or any other low to middle income countries which experience similar level of inequality and high mobile data prices.

Nokias Ana Pesovic explains: The opportunities for this are huge. In Africa, Latin America, Asia, there are many regions where people cannot afford to have full fibre connectivity, and for them this is a perfect solutionfor them [its] now a life-changing thing. It requires working closely with the community to explain the advantages, the benefits and how it works, because this is a new concept in in many places. But it's replicable, it's doable and brings a lot of benefit.

For more information, click here.
Global recruiter Hays reported a fall in net fees in a challenging third quarter on Tuesday, down 17% in total year-on-year, and 14% lower on a like-for-like basis.

The FTSE 250 company said declines were seen across all divisions, with Germany experiencing a 16% decrease, the UK and Ireland a 16% decrease, Australia and New Zealand a 29% decrease, and the rest of the world a 14% decrease.

Looking at the numbers segmentally, Hays said temporary placements experienced a 14% decrease, while permanent placements saw a steeper decline of 21%.

Amid challenging market conditions, Hays said it was focussed on cost reduction and efficiency programmes, aiming to achieve 50m in annualised cost savings by the end of the 2024 financial year, with 20m of that expected to be structural.

Looking ahead, the company said it anticipated near-term market conditions to remain challenging but stable.

However, the impact of temporary and contracting hours worked in Germany would continue to be a significant factor affecting fee and profit performance.

Market conditions remained challenging through the quarter, said chief executive officer Dirk Hahn.

In Australia, and the UK and Ireland, temp activity was stable through the third quarter, although volumes in each are down around 15% year-on-year, and slightly below pre-Christmas levels.

In Germany, temp and contractor volumes decreased by 5% year-on-year, and fees were also impacted by lower-than-normal average hours worked per assignment.

Hahn said group permanent activity was stable through the quarter, although the company continued to see extended 'time-to-hire', impacted by low levels of client and candidate confidence.

While economic uncertainties remain, we have a strong and clear strategy and will continue to build a more resilient business through greater focus, increased operational rigour and strong cost management.

As set out at our first-half results, we are firmly focused on targeting the many structural growth opportunities we see and, over time, rebuilding our conversion rate.

Driven by our strong teams of talented colleagues worldwide, I am excited by what we can achieve once our end markets recover.

At 0852 BST, shares in Hays were down 3.05% at 89.68p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Tesla is to cut more than 14,000 jobs as Elon Musks groundbreaking electric car company feels the heat of a global price war with Chinese rivals at the same time as stalled demand for zero-emission vehicles. In an email to staff amid reports that workers in California and Texas have begun receiving redundancy notices, Musk stated: As we prepare the company for our next phase of growth, it is extremely important to look at every aspect of the company for cost reductions and increasing productivity. - The Times

Donald Trump appeared to fall asleep in court on the first day of his hush money case as he became the first US president to stand criminal trial. Mr Trump seemingly dozed off on Monday morning in the New York courtroom as his lawyers clashed with prosecutors over what evidence would be admissible. The former president has been charged with falsifying business records ahead of the 2016 election to cover up a $130,000 (104,000) payment made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star. - Telegraph

An internal service for Boeing employees to raise safety and quality concerns has exploded this year, an executive claimed, after a whistleblower said he endured retaliation for speaking up. The planemaker has come under intense scrutiny since a terrifying cabin panel blowout in January prompted fresh questions about the production of its bestselling commercial jet, the 737 Max. - Guardian

Thames Water has less than two months to persuade the regulator that it has a feasible plan for its survival. The troubled water company must present its plans to Ofwat before the regulators publication on June 12 of its draft determinations that set out what households will pay in water bills through to 2030. The date effectively is D-Day for whether Thames Water, the financially stricken supplier and sewerage operator, becomes an investable proposition and is able to attract new equity investors to save the heavily indebted company. - The Times

Apple has lost its spot as the worlds biggest mobile phone seller after a steep sales drop as South Korean rival Samsung retook the lead in the global market share. Samsung had been the biggest seller of mobile phones for 12 years until the end of 2023, when sales of Apples iPhone models overtook it. - Guardian
Mosaics, the Provo, Utah, bookstore, cafe, event, and queer community space that opened last October, was the target of a bomb threat on Saturday morning, as reported by multiple local news media. Police were notified and went to the store, where they found "no bombs or suspicious packages" and said that the investigation is continuing.

The threat was sent in an e-mail to several news organizations at about 9 a.m., shortly before a scheduled drag queen storytime was to take place. According to the Daily Herald, the message called the booksellers "degenerates" and "groomers... acting out your sexual (fantasies) upon our children sheathed under the false guise of tolerance and inclusivity.... We will not stand idly by as the next generation of children are preyed upon and corrupted, we will stop you and we will kill you." The message ended saying that "bombs will go off" at Mosaics.

Drag artist Tara Lipsyncki, who owns the store with her husband, told ABC 4 News that the store has been threatened before and said, "To those that keep doing these threats, you are threatening children. You are the villain. You are taking public resources--with the police and everyone else--and squandering it. So you are the problem and you need to address that with yourself and stop projecting it on the rest of us."

And she told the Daily Herald, "I need to make sure that my family--both my biological family and physical family, and my chosen family of my employees and the community that I've built in the store--I need to make sure they're safe."

The store posted on Facebook: "Thank you ABC 4 News for coming to Provo to speak to us. Mosaics will be issuing a stronger statement in the next few days. In the meantime, we ask Provo Police Department to take this threat seriously and pursue an active and meaningful investigation to find the individual(s) responsible."

Last September, the King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City cancelled a drag queen storytime after a pair of bomb threats. That event would have starred Lipsyncki.
Earth observation and data analysis are in the news again thanks to two MoUs of strong relevance to Africa.

The European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC) and the Reseau des Professionels Africains de la Geomatique (RPAG) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish formal cooperation between the two associations.

EARSC is a European trade association representing more than 130 companies registered in 25 European countries that promotes the use of Earth observation (EO) technology. Earth observation, the gathering of information about the physical, chemical, and biological systems of the planet Earth, can be performed via satellites or through direct-contact sensors in ground-based or airborne platforms.

RPAG represents over 1,000 geomatics professionals in 28 countries and 26 companies, promoting the use of geomatics to solve African countries challenges. Geomatics is the branch of science that deals with the collection, analysis and interpretation of data relating to the earth's surface.

The MoU aligns with the objective of strengthening and deepening working relations between the two associations in areas of mutual interest related to Earth observation capabilities and capacity-building activities, with a focus on collaboration between Africa and Europe.

The main beneficiaries of this MoU, say the partners, will be African and European organisations and companies wanting to develop partnerships and joint projects that are interested in benefiting from the sharing of best practices and exchange of expertise, information and technologies linked to EO. This exchange will be supported and facilitated by EARSC and RPAG.

The MoU is also an important step towards promoting international collaboration within the framework of the UNs Sustainable Development Goals and developing new Earth observation services for the benefit of African and European organisations and companies.

The MoU will also further encourage these different communities to make use of both associations existing tools and knowledge sharing platforms.

This agreement follows hard on the heels of an MoU recently signed by the Eratosthenes Center for Excellence at the University of Cyprus of Technology and the Regional Remote Sensing Centre for North Africa (CRTEAN). The MoU aims to establish CRTEAN as a pivotal link between North African nations and the countries of the Middle East and Southern Europe. CRTEAN was established on October 5 1990. The founding law was signed by Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya, after which Egypt and Sudan joined.

It's also hoped that, by leveraging the two institutions collective expertise and resources, the collaboration can foster advancements in remote sensing applications, data analysis, and environmental monitoring.

Through this joint endeavour, researchers and scientists from North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe will have the opportunity to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects, share knowledge, and tackle pressing environmental challenges.

By harnessing the power of remote sensing technologies, the partners add, this collaboration aims to provide valuable insights into areas such as natural resource management, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.
After much delay, US aerospace company Boeings Starliner is set to launch its first crewed flight to the International Space Station (ISS) on May 6, company officials and NASA have confirmed.

In preparations for the first Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission, Boeing transported The Starliner spacecraft to the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41, which will be attached to ULA Launch's Atlas V rocket.

Welcome to the world, Starliner! BoeingSpaces Starliner spacecraft for the upcoming Crew Flight Test has left the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASAKennedy ahead of roll to ulalaunchs Vertical Integration Facility, Boeing said in a post on X.com.

"The crewed flight test is targeting launch no earlier than 10:34 p.m. Monday, May 6 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral, added NASA in a blog post.

The CFT aims to send NASA astronauts and test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on a roughly 10-day mission that will demonstrate the end-to-end capabilities of the Starliner system.

NASA's Commercial Crew Programme to fly operational missions to and from the space station with Starliner in 2014. Boeing had signed a contract withto fly operational missions to and from the space station with Starliner in 2014.

However, it faced a series of setbacks.

Its debut uncrewed orbital flight mission in 2019 did not go as planned, requiring it to make another try before putting astronauts on board for the crewed flight test. The capsule, however, made a successful repeat of that mission in 2022.

Its crewed mission has also been repeatedly delayed. If the spacecraft succeeds in its first crewed mission, Starliner will be used to carry four astronauts, or a mix of crew and cargo, for NASA missions to low Earth orbit.
IIT Bhubaneswar is embracing emerging technology trends with the introduction of two new degree programs for the upcoming academic session. The institute is launching an MTech degree in semiconductor technology and chip design, alongside an interdisciplinary blended-mode MTech degree in advanced maintenance technology.

semiconductor technology aims to cater to the growing demand in India's Semiconductor Mission (ISM), which is positioning the nation as a global electronics manufacturing and design hub. The program will cover various aspects of semiconductor design, fabrication, assembly, testing, packaging, and the development of IPs/ASICs/SoCs/Systems for specific applications. The MTech degree inaims to cater to the growing demand in India's Semiconductor Mission (ISM), which is positioning the nation as a global electronics manufacturing and design hub. The program will cover various aspects of semiconductor design, fabrication, assembly, testing, packaging, and the development of IPs/ASICs/SoCs/Systems for specific applications.

Additionally, IIT Bhubaneswar is offering the advanced maintenance technology MTech degree tailored for engineers already employed in the industry.

These initiatives align with India's semiconductor industry's recent milestones, including the establishment of a new semiconductor fab and two outsourced assembly and testing (OSAT) facilities, with a total investment of Rs 1.25 lakh crore. The projects are anticipated to generate numerous technology jobs and startup opportunities, focusing on producing chips with 28 nm, 40 nm, and 90 nm transistors.

Alongside these new degree programs, IIT Bhubaneswar has expanded its course offerings to include a minor in economics, micro-specialization in software engineering, entrepreneurship courses, and a range of new open electives in modern study areas for both undergraduate and research students.

Furthermore, the institute has established a new PhD Fellowship named 'Professor RH Tupkary Fellowship' through a generous donation of Rs 1 crore by Prof Brahma Deo, MGM chair professor at IIT Bhubaneswar. These endeavors underscore IIT Bhubaneswar's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation and addressing the evolving needs of the industry.
STATEN ISLAND,N.Y. -- Its been more than a year since Aldi announced its intentions to open a Staten Island outpost, causing a major shift in retail operations at the Greenridge Plaza shopping center and a months-long construction push. But as the shape of the store becomes visibly evident, many borough shoppers want to know -- will the low-price grocer meet its previously reported spring grand open deadline? According to company execs, we should be cruising the aisles a little closer to summer.

We are excited to confirm we are planning to open a store in Staten Island this summer, Chris Daniels, Aldis South Windsor division vice president said in a statement, noting that details about the stores opening would be available in the coming months.

In November, Daniels confirmed that the store will be located at 3275 Richmond Ave., where Dollar Tree, Ralphs Ices, G&S Pools Inc. and several other retailers used to reside. He also estimated the store would open in the spring of 2024. No further information was given about the delayed start.

Kimco Realty is excited to welcome Aldi Grocery to our Greenridge Plaza on Staten Island, Joshua Weinkranz, president of the Northern Region of Kimco, a real estate investment firm that is in charge of leasing at the location, previously told the Advance/SILive.

It is the centerpiece of the centers re-positioning that began one year ago, Weinkranz continued. Aldis addition will greatly bolster Greenridge Plaza, one of five shopping centers Kimco owns and operates on Staten Island .

According to Kimco Realty, the real estate investment firm in charge of leasing operations at Greenridge Plaza, Aldi will be the "centerpiece of the centers re-positioning." (Staten Island Advance/Jessica Jones-Gorman)(Staten Island Advance/Jessica Jones-Gorman)

Operating more than 2,000 locations throughout 36 states, mostly concentrated in the eastern half of the country, Aldi is well-known in Europe -- especially in Germany, where the company was founded in the 1940s by Karl and Theo Albrecht.

According to Aldis corporate website, the store branched out to the United States in 1976, opening its first U.S. store in Iowa. Now headquartered in Batavia, Ill., the company employs more than 25,000 people. The Staten Island store will be the 123rd Aldi location in New York state. All other NYC boroughs currently have at least one Aldi store.

Not to be confused with Lidl, another German-based discount supermarket chain that opened a New Springville location at the Staten Island Mall in 2018, Aldi is a completely separate entity known for its smaller layout and highly curated selection of goods.

We are private-label trailblazers,the company noted on the New York portion of its site. And our company is built on these basic principles: simplicity matters, we sell the best food at low prices, and everything we do is purposefully designed to save people money.

The opening of the Staten Island store is in line with the grocers recent announcement of a $9 billion investment to open 800 new U.S. locations over the next five years.

With this commitment to add 800 stores in the next five years, well be where our shoppers need us while positively impacting the communities we serve, said Aldi CEO Jason Hart in a press release.

The expansion will strengthen the companys presence in the Northeast and Midwest, adding nearly 330 locations across both regions. The company also plans to add more locations in Southern California, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, among others, by the end of 2028.

Stay tuned for more updates about the brand.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Amazon has announced it will soon ditch its Just Walk Out technology  which allows customers to shop and leave Amazon Fresh stores without going to a register  for more streamlined technology, USA Today has reported.

The artificial intelligence-powered shopping experience, which sends customers their receipt after theyve taken items off the shelves and left the store, will be replaced by smart carts, which allow customers to scan their items as they shop and see what theyre paying and saving on a screen, Amazon told the publication.

Weve invested a lot of time redesigning a number of our Amazon Fresh stores over the last year, offering a better overall shopping experience with more value, convenience, and selection, and so far weve seen positive results, with higher customer shopping satisfaction scores and increased purchasing, Jessica Martin, Amazon spokesperson, said in a statement issued to USA Today.

Weve also heard from customers that, while they enjoyed the benefit of skipping the checkout line with Just Walk Out, they also wanted the ability to easily find nearby products and deals, view their receipt as they shop, and know how much money they saved while shopping throughout the store, she said.

The change only affects Amazon Fresh locations and not Amazon Go, the brands chain of smaller convenience stores. It also does not impact more than 130 third-party retailers in airports, college stores and cafes, which will continue to use Just Walk Out.

There are over 40 Amazon Fresh stores in the United States  27 of which have Just Walk Out technology and will transition to Amazon Dash Cart, according to the company.

The news comes just one year since Amazon placed its Fresh concept on pause closing some underperforming locations and pumping the brakes on stores that were already deep into development  including what appears to be a fully built-out market in New Dorp.

The 44,448-square-foot space -- located at the corner of Hylan Boulevard and New Dorp Lane  is decorated with a tell-tale green-striped awning and rows of idle shopping cart bays. An enabled WiFi hotspot and pending state liquor license are both tied to Amazon at that New Dorp address, even though the company has never confirmed it is building a Staten Island presence.

Other frozen Amazon Fresh locations are scattered throughout the Tristate area. According to an article on northjersey.coms website, there are other locations in various stages of completion in Eatontown, OldBridge, Lodi and Holmdel.

The company did not comment on the status of any uncompleted stores, stating only that there are currently no details about specific location openings.

But Claire Peters, Amazons vice president of retail, acknowledged in an interview with CNBC that Amazon still has more work to do to win over customers, noting that the company is currently laser focused on making the grocery shopping experience more enjoyable and delightful.
A man who served time for attempted murder could face more time in prison after being caught with a loaded gun during a 2022 incident at a Williamsburg Dunkin Donuts, the Daily News is reporting.

Antonio Rosario, 35, is accused of sticking a gun in his pants following an argument with store employees during which he insisted they sell him six pumpkin donuts after being told they only had five, the report said.

According to the report, frightened employees dialed 911, unsure of whether Rosario was carrying a gun or knife and whether he planned on using it. They also informed the operator that they believed he was intoxicated.

Rosario was taken into custody in a nearby deli, where he was found to be carrying a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol with a round in the chamber and 13 more in the magazine, the report said.

Rosario, whos currently on parole, pleaded guilty to a federal firearm charge and faces up to seven years when hes sentenced in July.
Rafael Alvarez, a Bronx tax preparer nicked named the magician, is facing multiple charges stemming from his alleged involvement in submitting false tax returns to the IRS for over 10 years, NBC News is reporting.

According to the report, Alvarez, 60, faces federal tax and conspiracy charges following a plot to submit thousands of false tax returns to the tune of over $100 million while earning $15 million at the New York tax firm he owned.

Prosecutors called the alleged scheme one of the single biggest tax rip-offs ever committed by a single tax preparer, the report said.

While Alvarez may have been known as the magician, he cant say abracadabra and make these charges disappear, said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso. Todays arrest was no magical illusion, and Alvarez now faces the reality of his actions.

Alvarez faces a maximum of five years on charges including include tax fraud, identity theft, making false statements and conspiracy, as well as two years for identity theft, the report said.
NEW YORK, N.Y.  Jury selection in the historic Manhattan criminal trial against former President Donald Trump began Monday.

About 200 potential jurors made their way to New York Supreme Court at 100 Centre St. Monday, Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the nations first criminal case against a former president, said.
NEW YORK, N.Y.  Former President Donald Trump didnt hold back on social media Tuesday morning despite a New York Supreme Court judges gag order and an upcoming contempt hearing.

The former president took to his online platform, Truth Social, a little after 8 a.m. to blast Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the alleged hush money case Trump is facing.

This conflicted, Trump Hating Judge wont let me respond to people that are on TV lying and spewing hate all day long. He is running rough shod over my lawyers and legal team. The New York System of Justice is being decimated by critics from all over the World, Trump wrote. I want to speak, or at least be able to respond. Election Interference! RIGGED, UNCONSTITUTIONAL TRIAL! Take off the Gag Order!!!

Merchan scheduled an April 23 contempt hearing in the former presidents case after prosecutors from the office of District Attorney Alvin Bragg called for Trump to be held accountable for violations of the gag order.

Braggs office asked for a $1,000 fine for each of three previous posts Trump made to Truth Social about the case, the removal of those posts, and explicit instruction against continued violation of the gag order.

Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, left, arrives at Manhattan criminal court, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New York. Donald Trump returns to a New York courtroom Tuesday as a judge works to find a panel of jurors who will decide whether the former president is guilty of criminal charges alleging he falsified business records to cover up a sex scandal during the 2016 campaign. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)AP

The judge permitted Trumps team to respond to that request in writing and set a hearing date over the contempt concerns for April 23 at 9:30 a.m. Merchan issued the gag order in March and more recently expanded it.

Merchan has repeatedly admonished Trump for his public comments on the case, particularly those directed at his former fixer and personal attorney Michael Cohen and pornstar Stormy Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, with whom the former president had an alleged affair with in 2006.

Trump has also made repeated attacks on Truth Social against Merchan and the judges daughter calling her a Rabid Trump Hater due to her work at a consulting firm with Democratic clients.

The Manhattan case, one of several Trump is facing, stems from the former presidents alleged falsification of business records in a hush money scheme with Cohen, who has said he paid off Daniels to keep quiet about the alleged affair in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election.

The Manhattan district attorney charged the former president last year with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, which carries a maximum sentence of four years in jail, according to the state court system.

Cohen, who is a convicted felon and key witness in Braggs case, has said that he made the $130,000 payment to Daniels on Trumps behalf, and was subsequently repaid by the former presidents family business, the Trump Organization.

In an effort to conceal the payments, the Trump Organization allegedly falsified business records, a scheme Cohen has said the former president knew about.

Merchans wasnt the first gag order against the former president in his ongoing legal proceedings.

Judge Arthur Engoron, who oversaw Trumps civil fraud trial in New York, imposed a separate gag order on Trump, who was ultimately fined $10,000 for violating that order.

Trump has denied all wrongdoing, and his lawyers have argued gag orders against him violate his right to free speech.

Tuesdays portion of the criminal hearing will be focused on jury selection, which is expected to take at least this week.
Editors note: This story first appeared on palabra, the digital news site by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

By Beatriz Limon, edited by Wendy Selene Perez, translated by Nathalie Alonso

Chef Carlos Guerrero thought he had made it, that after five days traveling through the Sonoran Desert in Arizona he was safe. On the other side of the border and with nightfall approaching, thirst led him to a small shop to purchase cold water, cookies and some fruit. His dry lips, chapped from dehydration, his sunburnt skin and his dusty clothes alerted the shop employee.

Without Guerrero noticing, the American in charge of the business called the police, believing that he wouldnt have the money to pay. A customer standing near the cash register, the septuagenarian Mike Wilson, was watching the scene. He followed Guerrero out of the shop to offer him help in protecting himself from immigration authorities.

The scene is fictional. It appears in The Long Walk of Carlos Guerrero (Katha Films, 2024), a film by Joseph Mathew that relays the journey of a Mexican immigrant without documents who decides to return to Mexico to say goodbye to his gravely ill mother. On his way back through the desert, he encounters drug traffickers and extortionists, both Mexican and American, and distressed families attempting to enter the United States. But he also comes across activist groups that help to save lives.

Poster for the film The Long Walk of Carlos Guerrero. Photo courtesy of Joseph MathewPalabra

Both in real life and in the fictional narrative, Wilson belongs to the Tohono OOdham Nation. He helps carry water to different points within the desert so that migrants will not die of thirst. In the film, he gives voice to his own motto: No one deserves to die from a lack of water.

Wilsons face has the mettle of desert dwellers, weathered by the sun and marked by time. Deep gaze, soft smile, long, grayed locks held together in a ponytail. At first glance, he doesnt look like a typical actor. And he never thought of becoming one, until the day that filmmaker Mathew proposed it.

Will you be in my movie?, Wilson says that Mathew asked him.

Im not an actor, Wilson replied.

I dont want an actor; I want Mike Wilson, the director said, urging him on.

In addition to Wilson, a small group of volunteers at the Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, make appearances as actors. The church offers refuge to immigrants and some scenes were filmed there.

Mathew began writing the script for the story in 2006, after premiering Crossing Arizona (Rainlake, 2006). Once he had convinced Wilson to join the cast, he gave him just one simple assignment: All you have to do is portray yourself and do the things you normally do.

The director was referring to the 12 years Wilson spent working alongside the organization Humane Borders to place blue flags on tens of water tanks and refill them for migrants. Between 1981 and 2022, the organization installed more than 80 of these safe water stations in Pinal, Pima and Maricopa counties. They had to stop because of the dangerous presence of organized crime, which put their lives at risk.

Although it may seem easy, Mathew recognized that playing a role without being an actor is no easy task. Wilson had to memorize a lot of dialogue. I appreciated his dedication; he did very well, said the director.

In real life, Wilson describes himself just like his character: Im exactly me.

Mike Wilson in the film The Long Walk of Carlos Guerrero receives phone calls to assist migrants in the desert. Photo courtesy of Joseph MathewPalabra

Tribute to a hero friend

Filmmaker Mathew produced The Long Walk of Carlos Guerrero with the aim of dignifying the image of migrants in the U.S. during an election year and amid pressure from various state laws that are increasing fears of deportation and family separation, like SB4 in Texas.

We know what is coming  election year fear-mongering with talks of invasion and chaos on the border, said the director.

He knows something about migration, having been an immigrant himself. He was born in Kerala, India, and has lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years.

The idea of better border security is being used once again to win votes in an election cycle; earlier this year, conservative politicians insisted that Congress approve a bill making limits with Mexico ironclad, but the effort ultimately failed.

Donald Trump continues to employ anti-migrant rhetoric in his bid to recapture the presidency of the United States.

Mathew chose to dedicate the film to his friend, chef Carlos Garcia. Guerreros character is fictional, not based on Garcias life, but merely a tribute. Garcia began his career as a dishwasher when he arrived in New York City from Mexico and over time he rose to the role of executive chef at the celebrated Brasserie Les Halles, taking over the restaurants management and leadership after Anthony Bourdain left to devote himself to television in early 2000.

Mathew lived near the restaurant, and during long chats over some beers, he learned of the sacrifices migrants are faced with.

This inspired me to make my hero an undocumented immigrant, said Mathew.

Garcia died of cancer in 2015.

Joseph Mathew, director of the film The Long Walk of Carlos Guerrero. Photo courtesy of Joseph MathewPalabra

One migrant personifying another

Jonathan De La Torre, who plays Carlos Guerrero, is 38 years old and a native of Mexico City. He migrated with his family to Arizona at the age of 5. He became a U.S. citizen just three years ago.

My father was deported, several family members had really difficult experiences as migrants and an uncle died of dehydration in the desert, the actor explained. Perhaps thats why the migrants represented in the film, whose feet are often destroyed by walking in the desert, moved De La Torre deeply.

I felt the importance and the seriousness of this story, he said. On set he became familiar with the work that Wilson and Humane Borders undertake along the border. He says it was the most beautiful thing he took away from filming.

The film was screened in Phoenix and Tucson in November 2023. And, this year, it will appear at small venues and at festivals, like the Arizona International Film Festival.

Actor Rogelio Camarillo portrays Viento, a human trafficker responsible for leading migrants across the Arizona desert, in the film "The Long Walk of Carlos Guerrero." Photo courtesy of Joseph MathewPalabra

De La Torre shared personal experiences with the audience during those premieres. He said that at some point while shooting the film in 2020, he felt as vulnerable as that five-year-old boy who crossed the border. Like Carlos Guerrero almost dying in the desert. Or like Carlos Garcia in real life yearning to return to Mexico.

He also revealed that, during the last stretch of filming period, he crossed into Nogales, Sonora, and on his way back, immigration authorities detained him for five hours. The film production crew had to pay a $500 bond to release him.

Oooff. A breath escapes De La Torre. As soon as I read the script, I (felt that I) had to tell this story, for the people I know and for myself, he said.

Water for thousands of thirsty migrants

When Mike Wilson began filling Humane Borders water tanks in 2002, his Tohono Oodham government opposed it. They didnt want me to provide water because they thought more immigrants would come through, said the activist.

The nations authorities threatened to strip him of his membership, but that didnt stop him. Nor did intimidation from border patrol. And certainly not those of the Minutemen militia, armed civilians along the border who detained migrants and damaged the water tanks.

Wilson filled each cistern with 55 gallons, equivalent to 880 cups. He is moved when he recalls the gratitude of the thousands of immigrants he met. Wilson lived in Central America when serving in the military and says that, while he experienced poverty as a child, hed never seen the extremes of poverty that he witnessed in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.

Migrant deaths along the southern border rose when Trump was inaugurated president in 2017, stepping up militarization of the region. So migrants began to seek other, more deadly, crossings.

According to the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, 3,356 bodies were found along the southern border between 1990-2020. Some have yet to be identified.

Human rights scholar and activist Angeles Maldonado is familiar with Wilsons story and is working to establish partnerships with national organizations to promote the film.

As for whether the film could have an influence on the votes of viewers, their support for Trump or their disillusionment with President Joe Biden, Maldonado said that the most important message of the film is the power built up by individuals and the community  a potent reminder that change doesnt just come through voting, but also through everyday acts of compassion and solidarity. The film empowers us, by showing us that each one of us has the potential and the power to help each other out, she said.

Actor Jonathan De La Torre plays Carlos Guerrero in The Long Walk of Carlos Guerrero" after his character has been lost for days in the desert without water. Photo courtesy of Joseph MathewPalabra

This motivation is what keeps Wilson on his feet at the age of 74, distributing water in the desert, now in Green Valley, in Pima County. Its what drove him to portray his own life despite not being an actor.

On a chilly November afternoon outside The Loft, a theater in Tucson, Wilson wore a red shirt and a native tie, fashioned from leather and braided with a silver pendant featuring the characteristic Iitoi pattern of the Oodham tribes, which represents divine creation.

Were you 100% Mike Wilson in the film? I asked him.

Yes, he answered, adding, with a laugh, And I still am.

Wilson walked towards the entrance of the theater. Little by little, his figure disappeared into the crowd.

------

Beatriz Limon is a freelance journalist with extensive experience in the field of communications. During her career, she was a correspondent in Arizona and New York for the international news agency EFE, as well as for The Arizona Republic, where she contributed to the Latino publication La Voz. She earned a B.A. in communication sciences from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California and a masters in history. She has received fellowships from the Solutions Journalism Network and has contributed articles for the SJN Labor Cohort. She is currently a Education Writers Association fellowship working on a series of articles on the topic: The worrisome mental health situation among Latino students in Arizona. In addition to her journalistic work, she is an accomplished professional photographer and a columnist for the newspaper El Imparcial. Additionally, she actively contributes to outlets such as Arizona Luminaria, palabra and Conecta Arizona. @BetyLimon16

Other palabra articles by Beatriz Limon: Children Drawing Deportation, Dibujar la Deportacion, Seen. Heard., Vista y escuchada, The Mexican Option

Wendy Selene Perez is a freelance journalist with a two-decade career spanning various media outlets in Mexico, Argentina and the United States. Her work focuses on social justice, victims of violence, government accountability, transparency and immigration. Wendys articles have been featured in The Texas Tribune, palabra, Environmental Health News, El Pais, Animal Politico, Gatopardo, Proceso, Vice y Al Dia Dallas/The Dallas Morning News. She has held positions such as bureau chief of CNN Mexico, editor of Domingo magazine (El Universal), and multimedia editor of Clarin.com. Previously, she served as the chief multimedia editor of the newspaper Mural (Grupo Reforma). Wendy holds a masters degree in Journalism from Diario Clarin-Universidad de San Andres-Columbia University, with her thesis titled La Tierra de las Fosas, a data-driven journalistic investigation. She has been honored twice each with the National Journalism Award in Mexico (2019, 2022) and the Breach-Valdez Human Rights Award (2022, 2023), the Texas APME 2021 News Spanish-Language award and received an honorable mention in the Latin American Investigative Journalism Award. She is a UNESCO and Altavoz Lab fellow. @wendyselene

Other palabra articles by Wendy Selene Perez: Neglected and Exposed, Expuestos y en el Olvido

Nathalie Alonso is a Cuban American journalist based in Queens, New York, where she was born and raised. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including National Geographic, Outside, Refinery29, AFAR, and TIME for Kids. She is also the author of several books for children, including Hispanic Star: Sonia Sotomayor and Hispanic Star: Ellen Ochoa (Roaring Book Press, 2023); Old Clothes for Dinner?! (Barefoot Books, 2024); and Call Me Roberto! (Calkins Creek, 2024). She is on the faculty for the Highlights Foundation. Since 2006, Nathalie has worked as an editorial producer, translator and reporter for LasMayores.com, the official Spanish language website of Major League Baseball. She received a B.A. in American studies from Columbia University. Learn more about her work at NathalieAlonso.com.

Other palabra articles by Nathalie Alonso: Ambassador of Story, Embajadora de Historias
IN CLASS: This feature is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities that engage school communities.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Catholic schools across Staten Island celebrated Catholic Schools Week earlier this year with several fun and exciting programs.
Satellite communications company Starlink has halted internet services in Zimbabwe until it receives licensing approval from the nations telecommunications regulator.

The Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has asked Starlink to disconnect all kits that were illegally operating in Zimbabwe on the basis that the service has not yet been licensed.

SpaceX, Starlinks parent company, apparently needs to first submit a formal application to provide services in Zimbabwe.

In January we reported POTRAZ warnings that individuals and businesses discovered distributing and advertising equipment to access Starlink internet services could face arrest. However, local news reports indicate that trade in Starlink kits seems to have continued via social media platforms.

Zimbabwe is among several African nations, including neighbouring South Africa, that have not yet licensed the service.

Theres better news for Starlink from Madagascar, where the government appears keener to make the most of a service that could address at least some of the countrys connectivity issues.

Starlink has obtained the agreement of the Malagasy government to launch its commercial services in Madagascar. Details of the date of the launch of Starlink's commercial activities in Madagascar were not disclosed, though the company has publicised plans to launch its high-speed connectivity services in Madagascar from the third quarter of 2024.

As the Ecofin news service points out, the Malagasy government has been implementing a policy of total liberalisation of the ICT sector since April. It is in this context that the Communication Technology Regulatory Authority (ARTEC) launched, in November 2023, an international call for tenders for the establishment and operation of public satellite communication networks in Madagascar.

Whether Starlink will actually be affordable for many people remains to be seen. Still, with an estimated population of around 28.8 million, about 80% of whom do not have access to the internet, satellite services seem likely to have some appeal.
Tickets are on sale now for this colourful DJ-driven lunch, but youd best be quick.

Jenna Holmes Pasta Club events became a sold-out COVID-era sensation in Melbourne and Sydney. Now, shes bringing Pasta Club back to Brisbane for the second time, taking over Simon Martins Flying Colours bar in West End.

Holmes will be in the kitchen this Saturday from 1pm with the Flying Colours chefs for a DJ-driven lunch, preparing a three-course menu that includes dishes such as slow-cooked beans with sage, shallot and pecorino; fried zucchini with ricotta, lemon and chilli; and pasta with beef ragu and parmesan.

Jenna Holmes all set for a previous Pasta Club event. Courtesy of Pasta Club

Holmes is still deciding on the two types of pasta shell use for the event, but will source it fresh from a local supplier on the day.

We like to say its the middle ground between a dinner party and a restaurant, Holmes says. You get to stay three to four hours. You dont choose the food, it all just comes out  The idea is that you just worry about who you want to sit at the table with, and we take care of all the sensory elements: the music, the tablecloths [designed by Holmes]. Youre eating a meal, but its a curated experience, so its a little bit different to a normal restaurant.
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Eating outSummer barbecue How a Perth chef turned a love of barbecue into one of the planets best open-fire dining restaurants In May, local boy done good Dave Pynt brings the party back to Perth for one heck of a homecoming. Max Veenhuyzen April 17, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Burnt Ends in Singapore is my favourite restaurant on the planet. Bookings for the restaurant  not least at its 16-seat counter that faces the open fire kitchen where chefs grill over charcoal  disappear immediately. Full disclosure: Im far from a neutral observer when it comes to Burnt Ends. Im

lucky to count Dave Pynt  the restaurants Perth-born chef-partner  as a close

friend, plus Ive worked with the Burnt Ends crew in various capacities over the past 11 years. Burnt Ends chef Dave Pynt is bringing his amazing food to Perth Simon Pynt Thankfully, theres enough empirical evidence at hand to support my argument that Burnt Ends is a restaurant of substance.

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The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in 2018 and has maintained its one-star rating since. Burnt Ends has also featured in the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants list since 2016 and has been ranked as high as 34 th on the influential albeit controversial industry-voted list. (Pro-tip: although the main restaurant books out fast, the cocktail bar also serves food including a menu of the restaurants greatest hits and usually has seats available.) Pynt has also airlifted the Burnt Ends party to destinations around the world including Tokyo, Los Angeles, Bangkok and back to London: the city where the Burnt Ends story started after Pynts original Burnt Enz pop-up at an East London roastery during the summer of 2012. In May, the story comes full circle when Burnt Ends takes over beachside Cottesloe restaurant Indigo Oscar for the weekend and brings its smoky brand of modern barbecue cooking to town. Guests can make a play for one of three services: a 10-course dinner tasting menu on Friday May 10 or Saturday May 11; or an eight-course lunch on Saturday May 11.

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Indigo Oscar. Supplied For diners, this pop-up will be their chance to taste Burnt Ends signatures such as the burnt flour grissini with taramasalata, smoked quail eggs, Jamaican jerk chicken wings, steak frites and pavlova. For Pynt and his team, itll be a chance to cook (in-situ) with some of the West Australian ingredients served at his Singapore, open-fire restaurant: a restaurant, incidentally, that buys ingredients as well as serves diners from all over the world. I really think Western Australia is home to some of the best produce in the world, says Pynt who also buys black truffles from David Coomers Manjimup-based Hound & Hunter and carries plenty of West Australian wine in the restaurants all-Australian cellar. We can buy in octopus from anywhere on the planet, but we use Fremantle

octopus because it cooks really well on our grills and its delicious. When we choose to put marron on our menu, its because we feel that its better than any lobster or crayfish in the world. While its been a joy to track Pynts career trajectory as a friend (in a nutshell:

Balthazar, a stint at trailblazing Sydney restaurant Tetsuya, helping open Restaurant Amuse in East Perth, then heading to Europe to work at places such as legendary Basque barbecue restaurant Etxebarri and Copenhagens Noma) the pro-WA booster in me is equally delighted.

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Here, after all, is a West Australian cook thats gone out into the world, put in the

hard yards and is reaping the rewards of that effort. (See also Shane Osborn  the first Australian chef to helm a two-Michelin-starred restaurant  of Hong Kongs Arcane; and Luke Armstrong of The Kitchen in Bacc hanalia in Singapore.) By the end of next year, Burnt Ends will have opened a London outpost at luxury department story Harrods as well as released its first cookbook. (More disclosure: I spent the past year co-writing it with Pynt.) If Pynt could parlay a high school job washing dishes at a City Beach restaurant into a world-renowned restaurant in Singapore thats on the up, it stands to reason that any other WA cook with similar drive could reach similar heights. Always eat more, drink more, read more, says Pynt when asked about advice for

young chefs.

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Its actually simple. Go and eat as much as you can in as many different places whether its high-end or low-end. Go and build a library of all these different flavour profiles in your mind and collect all these experiences. Try and learn

from what other people are sharing. Pynt also encourages young chefs to learn about the business side of running a

restaurant sooner rather than later. Admittedly, this side of the industry isnt quite as structured as the cooking side of things, yet it remains crucial knowledge for any cook that hopes to one day own their own business. Its not as simple as just reading a book, says Pynt who studied cooking at TAFE. Get a little bit of hustle in your life and make yourself feel a little bit uncomfortable and force yourself to learn about and deal with things like managing food costs. Youve got to work hard in this industry and buy into it. Youve got to read books. Youve got to eat out. If you dont, you wont succeed. Tickets to the Burnt Ends pop-up at Indigo Oscar go on sale at 9am on Thursday

April 18 and are available online.

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Angry legal letters The day after the Spotlight broadcast, law firm Thomson Geer, acting for Channel Ten, fired off an angry letter to Lehrmanns solicitors at Mark OBrien Legal suggesting Lehrmann had breached what is known in legal circles as the Harman undertaking. The effect of the implied undertaking is that any documents produced under subpoenas in the criminal proceedings cannot be used for collateral or ulterior purposes unrelated to the proceedings in which the documents were obtained, other than with leave of the court, wrote Marlia Saunders. A breach of the implied Harman undertaking is a contempt of court, Saunders wrote. Sue Chrysanthou, SC, hugs Lisa Wilkinson as they emerge from the Federal Court on Monday. Credit: Getty Images That week a flurry of legal letters were sent. On June 6, Wilkinsons lawyers wrote to Llewellyn at Spotlight pointing out that the documents they had been leaked could not be used for any purpose except for Lehrmanns criminal trial.

The misuse of such documents is a serious matter because it undermines the administration of justice ... all of those persons involved in that conduct, either knowingly or recklessly, amounts to contempt, wrote lawyers from Gillis Delaney. Lehrmanns lawyers at Mark OBrien Legal were indignant, complaining that their opposing lawyers were inferring that the documents the subject of Harman undertakings were provided by, or with the knowledge or complicity of, Mr Lehrmann. Loading Since his opponents allegation was serious, as well as baseless, Lehrmann would claim aggravated damages, wrote Lehrmanns solicitor, Paul Svilans. In court that same week, Lehrmanns barrister Matthew Richardson, SC, went further, saying an allegation had been made that my client had provided material to Channel 7 in breach of his Harman obligations. He absolutely denies that. It is a grave and serious allegation. Its aggravating the damages in this case.

When Lehrmamn was later questioned about the issue during the defamation trial, he said the only material he had supplied Seven was his interview. False representations by Lehrmann This week Justice Lee found this was just one of many false representations made by Lehrmann. The judge said last-minute evidence by former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach, that Lehrmann leaked the confidential information, was supported by other material including photographs. These included photographs taken from Lehrmanns computer which contained a reflected image of the photographer: Spotlights boss Mark Llewellyn. The inescapable conclusion is that Mr Lehrmann provided access to Mr Llewellyn to take the relevant photographs, and thus wrongly provided him with access [to confidential information], Lee found. Lehrmanns representations and evidence to the contrary were false to his knowledge on a serious matter, and this conclusion fortifies my assessment as to his general credit, the judge said.

As Lee was delivering his judgment on Monday, Seven quietly issued a press release saying: Mark Llewellyn no longer works for the Seven Network. The Australians journalists Janet Albrechtsen and Stephen Rice, Sky News and the Daily Mail also received legal letters in June 2023 from lawyers from Wilkinson and Ten warning them they could face contempt of court charges for using material in breach of undertakings imposed by the ACT Supreme Court. Asked recently whether she had received material contrary to the Harman undertaking, Albrechtsen replied: I am not answering that question. She referred this masthead to The Australians reporting on the Lehrmann case, which she said has been stellar. I dont discuss sources, ever, said her colleague, Stephen Rice, when asked the same question.

In June 2021 Victorian Supreme Court Justice John Dixon fined an orthopaedic surgeon $5000 for using material obtained in court to damage a rival surgeon. The obligations of a Harman undertaking are significant for the proper administration of justice because protecting the confidentiality of documents produced to a court under compulsion of a subpoena is important to engender community confidence and respect for the administration of justice, the judge said. He also noted the undertaking also binds third parties to whom information is given. He went on to say, It is not necessary to prove that the disclosure was committed with knowledge of the Harman undertaking or the legal consequences should it be breached. That said, intention and knowledge are relevant to penalty. Penalties for this kind of contempt of court can result in fines or imprisonment. Last year, the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Anthony Williamson, SC, told Ten lawyers in an email on June 6, released in Lehrmanns defamation case against media outlets, that the breach of the undertaking constituted a contempt of court.
We believe there are elements that are satisfied in terms of religious motivated extremism and of course the intimidation of the public, Webb said. Police believe the boy acted alone. No charges have so far been laid over the attack. He had been suspended from school in 2020 for carrying a knife on school grounds and last year faced a NSW Childrens Court, charged with being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, stalking/intimidation intending to cause physical harm and damaging/destroying property. The charge of being armed with intent to commit an offence was withdrawn and dismissed in January, when the matter was finalised and he was given a good behaviour bond for the other two charges.

Responding to reports the teenager had lost a finger in the attack, Minns told 2GB radio this had occurred in the commission of the alleged crime, without detailing the circumstances of the injury. NSW Police, the NSW Crime Commission, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) on Monday formed a joint counter-terrorism investigation, operating from an undisclosed location. When asked about the basis for the terrorism designation, ASIO director-general Mike Burgess and AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw did not discuss specific evidence. To call it a terrorist attack you need indications of information or evidence that suggests actually the motivation was religiously motivated or ideologically motivated, Burgess said at a press conference in Canberra.

In this case [Wakeley], information that we and the police have before us, it would indicate strongly that is the case and thats why it was called an act of terrorism. Loading Appearing alongside Burgess, the prime minister described the attack as a disturbing incident. There is no place for violence in our community, Albanese said. Were a peace-loving nation. This is a time to unite, not divide, as a community, and as a country. Greg Barton, an expert on terrorism and violent extremism at Deakin University, said authorities acted with significant speed to say they suspected the stabbing was an act of terrorism.

He said police likely had good reasons to do so, including evidence gained from their interviews with the teenager, his social media footprint and what he shouted out while carrying out the attack. He was a pretty open book, Barton said of the assailant. Barton noted many members of Sydneys Assyrian community had fled brutality by the Islamic State terror organisation in Iraq, making Monday nights stabbing a highly distressing moment for them. It took police two months to label the December 2022 shooting of two police officers and a neighbour in the Queensland town of Wieambilla a Christian terrorist attack. The terrorism designation provides police with extraordinary powers, including the ability to conduct searches of people, vehicles and premises without a warrant.

Independent federal MP Dai Le, whose south-west Sydney electorate includes Wakeley, questioned the decision, which was made by the police commissioner and affirmed by the Police Minister Yasmin Catley. Im not exaggerating, I feel sick in the stomach, Le told the ABC, adding that she hoped the decision had been properly justified and would not fuel further fear. Earlier she said the church was one of seven Assyrian churches that were much loved and charitable. Lakemba Mosque in the citys west will have extra security in the coming week after firebombing threats were made on Monday night.

Imam Jamal-Ud-Din El-Kiki said tensions in the Muslim community were running high and he was wary of the terrorism designation. Loading I think its a politically loaded term, El-Kiki said. Im concerned about this being treated as a Muslim problem. I think its about a teenager who had a knife who decided to commit a horrific action. The imam said his community was praying for the bishops recovery. Minns said declaring the church attack as a terrorist incident was not a performative gesture designed to go on a media release, and that the decision had been affirmed by the AFP.

He warned against reprisal violence. There is no such thing in Australia as taking the law into your own hands, Minns said. You will be met by the full force of the law if theres any attempt of tit-for-tat violence in Sydney over the coming days. Police have vowed to prosecute members of a crowd that rioted outside the Christ The Good Shepherd Church on Monday night after police apprehended the alleged attacker. The crowd turned on police, Webb said. People used what was available to them in the area, including bricks, concrete pilings, to assault police and throw missiles at police and police equipment, police vehicles. Four police were injured and 20 police vehicles were damaged, 10 of which were rendered unusable.

NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan said paramedics responded to 30 patients over a period of about three-and-a-half hours and that crowd numbers had grown to include hundreds of people in a rapidly evolving situation. Loading Our paramedics became directly under threat, supported by police, and had to retreat into the church, Morgan said. Paramedics were holed up in the church for more than three hours, he added. Leaders across Muslim and Christian faith denominations have urged harmony and calm in the wake of the attack, which targeted a bishop known for at times inflammatory rhetoric.

When Bishop Emmanuel was attacked he was livestreaming on Facebook, where he has 291,000 followers. Sometimes referred to as the TikTok bishop due to his appearances in short-form videos, he has criticised COVID-19 lockdowns and previously said he would not recognise transgender people as human. Other viral livestreams of his feature hardline views about American and Russian politics, as well as the claim that Satan founded the United Nations. Emannuel said in a video that an interview he gave last year had upset some in his beloved Muslim world. I love you, and I will always love you, and I pray for you, and I will always continue to pray for you, whether you like me, hate me, accept me or reject me, he said, adding that no religious figure could compare to Jesus. Emmanuel previously preached in western Sydney at St Zaias Cathedral, which belongs to the Ancient Church of the East, before starting his own Assyrian Orthodox church.
Thats why everyone was so passionate and upset last night, said Monica Gayed, a Coptic Christian. The majority of people in our community have parents or are parents that have fled from war crimes. This is what we get now  its come into our back door and were just so over it. It was not only Assyrians who had mobilised but also an enormous community of Maronite, Coptic and Catholic Christians who all support one another in times of crisis and despair.

An Assyrian community member outside the church on Tuesday told the Herald her community had left Iraq because, in part, of attacks on Christians by the Muslim majority. Loading Thats why everyone is so scared and angry, said the woman, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons. It happened there, now its happening here. People are scared, you dont expect to see things like that in Australia. Fairfield is home to most of Australias Assyrian population of 40,000 people from countries across the Middle East including Iraq, Iran and Syria.

Assyrians practise their Christian faith at a number of churches in south-western Sydney. The woman was grateful that Muslim leaders in Sydney had condemned the attack, and said she had also been contacted by a number of Muslim friends who had apologised for the attackers behaviour. People are scared - you dont expect to see things like that in Australia. Assyrian community member I thought that was really nice as well, she said. They didnt have to do that. Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone said the stabbing attack in the eastern suburbs had made for a febrile environment and people reacted in a way that they otherwise might not have done.

The majority of people who came were concerned about their relatives and friends and they came to make sure everyone was OK, Carbone said. Loading There were a lot of emotions based on what happened in Bondi. It was the unknown because in Bondi many innocent people were murdered and people didnt know what had happened inside, and I think emotions got the best of people, especially young people. There was no underlying community tension, he said. The teenage perpetrator did not live in the area. For at least one 15-year-old who lived close to the church and became caught in the melee as he tried to assist an old lady down the road to safety, the attack was inexplicable.

I put on my Crocs, I see everyone surrounding the church, he said. It was crazy. There were cars everywhere. I had pepper spray in my mouth, I started coughing. The 15-year-old said he was familiar with the bishop and his jokes from TikTok, and the community loved him and would protect him like a father. I dont understand a guy my age doing this. Im just at home playing games. I just dont understand that.

Mar Mari Emmanuel is estranged from the dominant Assyrian Church of the East, which stridently rejects any association with him. Prominent Bishop Mar Meelis Zaia denounced Emmanuel in a video posted to YouTube in February and warned others not to confuse the two churches. Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was attacked during a service on Monday night. Please, those who refer to [Emmanuel] as Assyrian Church of the East, be careful, dont come at that mistake because we will come at you legally, he said, before pointing to a recording of Emmanuel telling his congregation that he would like to pinch the fat thighs of baby Jesus and clean up his poo poo. But Reverend Father Shlemon Dinkha, who ministers at St Marys Assyrian Church of the East, said the Assyrian Christian community was peaceful and did not wish ill of Emmanuel.

Assyrian Christians have lived with everyone in Fairfield in harmony, regardless of their faith and beliefs, Dinkha said. Even though [Christ the Good Shepherd Church] is not part of our congregation, theyre Assyrian as well, and we condemn any act of violence not only against our colleagues but against human beings. Jasmine, with her dog Milo, said the community was shocked by the attack. Credit: Oscar Colman All the Christians who spoke with the Herald on Tuesday were effusive in their praise of the bishop, who they described as a peaceful and passionate man who inspired them in their faith. Ive known him for a long time, said a Lebanese Maronite Christian woman who asked to be referred to only by her first name, Jasmine.

When I heard about it, everyone was just heartbroken. Loading Coming just two days after the Bondi Junction attack, the community was fearful for their safety, she said. While she was adamant she would still attend the church, she said she would need security guards there to feel safe. Its not going to be the same, she said. Church is a beautiful place for everyone to come to pray and be in the Lords presence.
He energetically pursued human sexuality education and galvanised a small group to write and publish the seminal booklet, Young, Gay and Proud. His dedication to achieving equality for all drove him to continue advocating for the gay and lesbian liberation movement. Throughout his lifelong advocacy, Phil contributed to the legalisation of same-sex marriage, the exoneration of those criminalised for their sexuality, and the abolition of conversion therapy. Phil experienced the fruits of his liberation efforts when homosexuality was decriminalised in 1980, describing the freedom of living authentically as pure joy. A year later, he would be forced to return to advocating for his community with a greater urgency than ever before. The AIDS epidemic, as we now recognise it, began in 1981. By 1982, Phil was working with the ALSO Foundation, gathering information about gay related immune deficiency (GRID), which would come to be named acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Just a few years into his career as an educator, Phil felt compelled to leave teaching and joined the Department of Health in Victoria to do his part in the fight against AIDS.

In 1983, Phil convened the Victorian AIDS Action Committee, bringing together some of the communitys brightest minds with backgrounds in law, medicine, marketing, and activism to form a united front against AIDS. He would later serve as the organisations first president when it became the Victorian AIDS Council in 1984. Phil believed people were the organisations heartbeat and attributed the Victorian AIDS Councils ultimate success to the hardworking volunteers who fought tirelessly alongside him. David Menadue OAM was one of the first people diagnosed with HIV in Australia and worked closely with Phil throughout the epidemic. What really impressed me about Phil was he was always ahead of the story  in the early 80s he and friend Tom Carter took candles to Melbournes City Square to raise consciousness about an epidemic that hardly any of us knew much about. He never gave up that dedication to caring and advocating for those of us who discovered we were HIV-positive, Menadue said. Phil and Toms activism was the basis for Australias first AIDS Candlelight Vigil  a tradition that continues to this day.

Like in his teaching days, Phils indomitable personality allowed him to forge relationships and act as a much-needed bridge between the government and the gay community. In 1984, Phil became a liaison officer for the Health Commission of Victoria and a representative for the gay community on the National Advisory Committee on AIDS. Fellow former VAC president and friend of more than 50 years, Dr Adam Carr, recalls Phils ability to bridge these gaps. His real leadership gift was that he was able to work very closely with people of all different political orientations or social backgrounds and get us working together as a team, Carr said. Phil participated in Australias first National AIDS Conference in 1985. The following year, he travelled to the US and Europe to collect information and produce a report on AIDS education resources. Clarity and education, rather than the vilification of the gay community, were the cornerstones of Phils response to the AIDS epidemic. In 1987, Phil became one of the first trustees of the AIDS Trust of Australia and organised the creation of an AIDS memorial quilt to honour those who had died. The quilt is now recognised and protected by the Victorian Heritage Register.

After over a decade with the Victorian Department of Health, Phil moved to Brisbane in 1993, where he continued his work for the Queensland Department of Health for the next 20 years. In June 2015, Phil was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his outstanding service to community health and response to the HIV and AIDS crisis. Phils peers reflected on his legacy and long-lasting community impact. Phil was able to harness everybodys energies and acknowledge the hurt in the community, the bereavement and sense of loss that we were all suffering at that time and turn it to positive effect. I dont think anybody has been as good at that as he was, Carr said. Phil was a warrior for those of us living with HIV  he saw the epidemic coming before the rest of us and helped set up the community organisations to deal with it. We owe him a great debt for his compassion and conviction, David Menadue said.
With the Australian governments recent unveiling of its landmark Future Made in Australia Act, the nation is on the cusp of a green industrial revolution. This pivotal act aims to transform Australias global image from the worlds quarry, to one of innovation and sustainable industry.

Central to this transformation is Kwinana, an area known for its industrial might, now repositioning itself as the linchpin in the countrys renewable energy sector. By leveraging its legacy in heavy industry, the Kwinana Industrial Area is one of the best positioned places in Australia for heavy industries to lead the transition from dig and ship to mine and make.

What could heavy industry have to do with Australias net-zero targets? A great deal, as it turns out.

Beyond Zero Emissions is an Australian renewable energy think tank, and our research shows that the most efficient way to deliver a future made in Australia is to provide clean industrial clusters with priority access to new renewable energy. We recently visited Kwinana to see one of the best industrial clusters in the world in action. And we were not disappointed.

WAs Western Trade Coast employs 11,000-plus people
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Parts of the United Arab Emirates received 2 times the average annual rainfall in 24 hours, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai, and disrupting flights to and from Dubai.

The state-run WAM news agency called the rain a historic weather event that surpassed anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949. Thats before the discovery of crude oil in this energy-rich nation then part of a British protectorate known as the Trucial States.

Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighbouring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing.

The rains left massive ponds on streets, forcing some drivers to abandon their cars.
PHILIPSBURG:--- A representative of the youth probation department within the Court of Guardianship is scheduled to attend the 6th World Congress on Probation and Parole in The Hague, Netherlands, from April 16 to 18, 2024.

During the World Congress on Probation and Parole Conference the latest trends, methods, and experiences in youth probation will be shared during workshops and trainings, as hosted by professionals from the Netherlands, Caribbean region and around the world.

The conference and workshops' theme is  The future of probation and parole, which aligns with the ongoing efforts of the Court of Guardianship/Youth Probation office to optimize work processes and procedures. The upcoming workshops will present restorative justice, tackle hardened clients, best practices for juveniles transitioning into adulthood, and implement and evaluate core disciplinary practices.

Furthermore, the attendee based in St. Maarten will be able to create relationships with other youth probation organizations and professionals from around the Caribbean region.

Kimberly Brown, Department Head of the Court of Guardianship (St. Maarten): Our representative will use the opportunity to visit the organizations that provided the methodologies training of So-Cool, HALT Nederlands,  and' Reclassering Nederland, ' which have extended invitations to visit their organizations. The Court of Guardianship also decided to use the opportunity to conduct a working visit as we were already in discussions with HALT and Reclassering Nederland.

Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson- Im enthusiastic for the Court of Guardianship Sint Maarten's participation in the conference. I recognize the immense benefits it brings in our pursuit for child protection and guidance. As we seek productive steps to mitigate the challenges we are experiencing with our youth in Sint Maarten, this engagement underscores our commitment to exploring best practices and fostering international partnerships."
~Career exploration tips to be given to participants~



PHILIPSBURG:--- The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport is organizing a workshop entitled My Study or Career: My Choice on April 18, 2024, at the University of St. Martin from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

This free, interactive workshop is geared toward students in their last two years of secondary school or recent graduates. Parents are also welcome to attend.

Many students are undecided about a college major and what career or occupation they want to pursue. Career Guidance Counselors at the Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport see many of the abovementioned cases regularly. The workshop is aimed at helping such individuals. It will cover areas such as choosing a career path, exploring careers, deciding on a major or study at a college/university, not overlooking career options, and other related aspects.

Workshop participants will also receive tips on exploring their interests and skills and how these can be incorporated into their career or study choice. Students or parents can register in advance by calling SSSD at Tel: 543-1235. Participants are urged to be on time for this workshop on April 18, 2024.

The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) office is located in the Gatspys Building, across from the Police Station and next to the WIB. SSSD provides services to students referred by the schools, such as psychological services, counseling services, social work services, educational diagnostic services, and speech-language pathology services. SSSD also provides general services such as career services, parent sessions, and crisis response.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  The Supreme Court is allowing Idaho to enforce its ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth while lawsuits over the law proceed, reversing lower courts.

The justices order Monday allows the state to put in place a 2023 law that subjects physicians to up to 10 years in prison if they provide hormones, puberty blockers or other gender-affirming care to people younger than age 18. Under the courts order, the two transgender teens who sued to challenge the law still will be able to obtain care.

The courts three liberal justices would have kept the law on hold. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote that it would have been better to let the case proceed unfettered by our intervention.

Justice Neil Gorsuch of the conservative majority wrote it is a welcome development that the court is reining in a broad lower court order.

A federal judge in Idaho had blocked the law in its entirety after determining it was necessary to do so to protect the teens, who are identified under pseudonyms in court papers.

Lawyers for the teens wrote in court papers that the teens gender dysphoria has been dramatically alleviated as a result of puberty blockers and estrogen therapy.
Microsoft to invest $1.5bn in AI firm in UAE, take board seat



Dubai, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



Microsoft is to invest $1.5 billion in United Arab Emirates artificial intelligence firm G42, taking a minority stake and a seat on the board, the companies said on Tuesday.

The deal, in which G42 will run its applications and services on Microsoft's Azure platform, comes days after the US giant said it would plough $2.9 billion into Japanese AI.

Microsoft has become a major player in the advancement of AI through its partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI -- propelling it past Apple as the world's biggest company by market capitalisation.

According to the New York Times and Bloomberg, the strategic investment follows talks between the US and UAE governments where G42 agreed to drop Chinese partnerships in favour of American technology.

"The commercial partnership is backed by assurances to the US and UAE governments through a first-of-its-kind binding agreement to apply world-class best practices to ensure the secure, trusted and responsible development and deployment of AI," Judson Althoff, Microsoft executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, said in a statement.

Microsoft president Brad Smith, who will join the board of G42, told Bloomberg that his company "got strong encouragement from the US government to move forward in this process".

"That reflects a recognition by the US government of the importance of the relationship between the two countries and the importance of continuing to encourage responsible companies," he was quoted as saying.

The deal appears to mark the latest salvo in the battle between the US and China over technology, which includes Washington's sanctions on Huawei and centres on fears over intellectual property and data protection.

Abu Dhabi-based G42 is part of the reported $1.5 trillion business empire of National Security Advisor Tahnoon bin Zayed, brother of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed.

Under the new arrangement, G42 will offer AI services via Azure to public sector clients and large enterprises in various sectors, focusing on the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa.
Women in tech, AI in focus as Web Summit opens in Rio



Rio de Janeiro, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



The future of artificial intelligence, technology to fight climate change and other glimpses at the cutting edge were in focus Tuesday as mega-tech conference Web Summit opened in Rio de Janeiro.

Known as the "Davos for Geeks," the conference is holding its second edition in the Brazilian beach city, with more than 600 tech gurus, public personalities and other speakers joining entrepreneurs from more than 1,000 startups.

In a male-dominated industry, organizers said 45 percent of the startups represented this year were founded or are led by women, a record for Web Summit, which started in 2009.

Dozens of women tech entrepreneurs from countries including Argentina, Brazil, Portugal and Uruguay took the stage to applause as organizers opened the three-day event.

"Discussions at this year's event focus on technology's role in addressing crucial global issues, such as AI, fintech, climate change and human rights," said conference director Artur Pereira.

The gathering is "an opportunity for Web Summit to convene technology's leaders in Latin America's already dynamic and rapidly growing tech scene" and connect them with global players, he said.

Launched in Dublin 15 years ago, Web Summit moved to Lisbon in 2016. The Latin American edition is held in parallel with the original, which still convenes each November.

Organizers plan to hold the Rio edition at least through 2028. AFP is a media partner of the event this year.

The conference brings together startups with giants like IBM, BYD, Salesforce, Huawei and JP Morgan.

"Our mission is to transform Rio into the capital of innovation of Latin America," Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said in his opening speech.

"We believe that tech and innovation can act as key drivers of Rio's economy."

Rio officials say the event will draw 40,000 people a day and inject some 33 million reais ($6.4 million) into the economy.

ll-jhb/caw

IBM

BYD COMPANY
CORRECTED: Ukraine nuclear plant 'dangerously close' to accident: IAEA chief



United Nations, United States, April 15 (AFP) Apr 15, 2024



The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is "dangerously close" to suffering an accident because of recent attacks on it, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency warned Monday.

The largest nuclear power facility in Europe, Zaporizhzhia has been occupied by Russian forces since shortly after their invasion started in February 2022.

It has been shut down since that year amid frequent shelling attacks.

The plant has come under a series of drone attacks since April 7, with Ukraine and Russia each placing the blame on the other side.

They are the first direct attacks on the plant since November 2022.

"These reckless attacks must cease immediately," Rafael Grossi, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told a meeting of the UN Security Council.

"Though, fortunately, they have not led to a radiological incident this time, they significantly increase the risk at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where nuclear safety is already compromised," said Grossi, whose agency has staff deployed at the facility.

He said the attack "sets a very dangerous precedent" because the reactor confinement structure was hit.

Grossi added: "Two years of war are weighing heavily on nuclear safety at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Every one of the IAEA's seven pillars of nuclear safety and security have been compromised. We cannot sit by and watch as the final weight tips the finely balanced scale."

"We are getting dangerously close to a nuclear accident. We must not allow complacency to let a role of the dice decide what happens tomorrow," he said.

The risk of a major accident is real even though the reactors are turned off, he said.
Ukraine nuclear plant dangerously close to accident: IAEA



United Nations, United States, April 15 (AFP) Apr 15, 2024



The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is dangerously close to suffering an accident because of recent attacks on it, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency warned Monday.

Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for the attacks over the last week, but it is "impossible" at the moment to prove who is behind them, said International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi.

The largest nuclear power facility in Europe, Zaporizhzhia has been occupied by Russian forces since shortly after their invasion started in February 2022.

It has been shut down since that year amid frequent shelling attacks.

The plant has come under a series of drone attacks since April 7, the first direct assaults on the plant since November 2022.

"These reckless attacks must cease immediately," Grossi told a meeting of the UN Security Council.

"Though, fortunately, they have not led to a radiological incident this time, they significantly increase the risk at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where nuclear safety is already compromised," said Grossi, whose agency has staff deployed at the facility.

He said the attack "sets a very dangerous precedent" because the reactor confinement structure was hit.

Asked later by reporters about the perpetrators of the attacks, Grossi said "it is simply impossible" to ascertain.

The attacks have been carried out with drones, a device which has "a diverse trajectory. It hovers, it circles."

And drones "can be obtained almost anywhere," said Grossi.

He earlier said that "two years of war are weighing heavily on nuclear safety at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant," where "every one of the IAEA's seven pillars of nuclear safety and security have been compromised.

"We cannot sit by and watch as the final weight tips the finely balanced scale," he warned.

"We are getting dangerously close to a nuclear accident. We must not allow complacency to let a role of the dice decide what happens tomorrow," he said.

The risk of a major accident is real even though the reactors are turned off, he said.
Biden, Iraqi PM agree on talks for US-led coalition withdrawal



Washington, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



US President Joe Biden and Iraq's Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani said Monday they would keep working towards the withdrawal of a US-led anti-jihadist coalition in the country.

Their meeting at the White House came amid soaring tensions in the Middle East after Iraq's neighbor Iran launched a massive aerial attack on US ally Israel over the weekend.

The US-led military coalition was formed in 2014 to fight the Islamic State group -- the year the jihadists overran nearly a third of Iraq's territory and swaths of neighboring Syria.

Iraq has been trying to stay out of regional tensions amid the six-month war waged by Israel against Iran-backed Palestinian militants in Gaza, following Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.

Armed groups linked to Iran, including some based in Iraq, have since carried out a series of attacks on facilities belonging to the United States, which is Israel's main ally.

Iraq, hoping not to be consumed by US-Iran hostility, strongly protested a US drone strike in February that killed an Iraqi militia leader, carried out in retaliation for an attack that killed three US service members in Jordan.

But tensions have since subsided between Washington and Baghdad, and they resumed talks on the future of the coalition.

In a joint statement, Biden and Sudani said they discussed the "natural evolution" of the coalition "in light of the significant progress that has been made in ten years."

They would now look at issues including the continued threat from IS, the needs of the fragile Iraqi government for support, and bolstering Iraqi security forces, they said.

"The two leaders affirmed they would review these factors to determine when and how the mission of the Global Coalition in Iraq would end," they said in the statement.

The aim would be to move to a bilateral agreement that could still keep some US troops in Iraq.

The United States currently has some 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria as part of the coalition.

Biden and Sudani, making his first visit to Washington since taking office in 2022, also discussed the fractious situation in the region following Iran's attack on Israel.

At the start of their meeting in the Oval Office, Sudani urged "restraint" on all sides to "stop the expansion of the area of conflict."

US forces based near the northern Iraq city of Erbil were involved in the operation to counter the attack, using a Patriot missile battery to shoot down an Iranian ballistic missile.
German defence giant to build ammunition plant in Lithuania



Vilnius, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



Lithuania and German weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall agreed Tuesday to build an ammunition plant in the Baltic state, in a new sign of Europe re-arming to counter any threat from Russia.

Germany's largest military equipment maker and the Lithuanian government signed a letter of intent to set up a factory to make 155mm artillery shells in the EU and NATO member that was once a Soviet-ruled nation.

"This will be the largest ever defence investment in Lithuania," Economy Minister Ausrine Armonaite told reporters.

"It is time for us, democracies, to step up our arsenal that is (a) prerequisite to defend freedom," Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said on social media.

Lithuania is a staunch ally of Germany, which plans to deploy a brigade-sized military unit in the country until 2027 to help secure NATO's eastern flank.

Germany is also a key arms supplier to Lithuania. Purchases include PzH 2000 howitzers which use 155 mm shells that Lithuania plans to buy from the Rheinmetall plant.

Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said the Ukraine war showed the importance of having an independent ammunition supply "as an integral part of national security and defence".

The location of the plant and the investment amount are being negotiated between the government and the German company.

The BNS news agency reported this week however that land in northern Lithuania, near a NATO air base, was being considered for the plant.

Rheinmetall has said it plans to set up at least four factories in Ukraine, which is in desperate need of ammunition to confront the Russian invasion.

sau/mmp/amj/tw
Israeli army says Iran won't get off 'scot-free' after attack



Jerusalem, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



Israel's army said on Tuesday that Iran will not get off "scot-free" after the Islamic republic launched an unprecedented wave of missiles and drones at Israel last weekend.

"Iran will not get (off) scot-free with this aggression," military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters at Julis military base while displaying the remains of an intercepted missile.

"We will not allow this aggression in the region," Hagari said, speaking in English.

He said that, even as the world was talking about the "nuclear threat from Iran," the Islamic republic was "building a conventional threat, meaning to create a ring of fire across Israel".

From late on Saturday to early Sunday, Iran launched more than 300 drones, missiles and ballistic missiles at Israel but caused just minor damage, including at a military base in the country's south.

smk-ibz-jd/fz




US, China defense chiefs hold first talks in 18 months: Pentagon



Washington, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun via video teleconference Tuesday, the Pentagon said, in the first substantive talks between the superpowers' defense chiefs in nearly 18 months.

The United States has been working to strengthen defense cooperation with its allies in the Asia-Pacific region to counter China's growing influence, but also wants to maintain lines of communication with Beijing to prevent tensions from spiraling out of control.

"The two officials discussed US-PRC defense relations and regional and global security issues," the Pentagon said in a statement, referring to the People's Republic of China.

"Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and the PRC" following talks between the two sides in recent months, the statement said.

Austin also "reiterated that the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate -- safely and responsibly -- wherever international law allows," and "underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea."

Austin's last significant interaction with a Chinese counterpart occurred in November 2022, when he met with Wei Fenghe in Cambodia.

Wei was subsequently replaced by Li Shangfu, who shook hands and spoke briefly with Austin at a defense conference in Singapore last June, but did not hold a formal meeting with the Pentagon chief.

There are multiple points of contention between Washington and Beijing, especially over Taiwan, the democratic, self-ruled island that China claims as part of its territory to be taken one day, by force if necessary.

Beijing halted some defense talks between the two countries 2022 to express its displeasure over a visit by then-US House speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island, but US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed at a summit in November to the resume discussions.

Disputes over the South China Sea -- which Beijing claims almost in its entirety -- is another potential flashpoint, with clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels stoking fears of wider conflict.

The United States has also repeatedly highlighted incidents in recent years in which it says Chinese warplanes and ships have operated in an unsafe manner around American aircraft and vessels.
US, China defense chiefs hold first talks in nearly 18 months



Washington, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun via video teleconference Tuesday, the Pentagon said, in the first substantive talks between the superpowers' defense chiefs in nearly 18 months.

The United States has been working to strengthen defense cooperation with its allies in the Asia-Pacific region to counter China's growing influence, but also wants to maintain lines of communication with Beijing to prevent tensions from spiraling out of control.

"The two officials discussed US-PRC defense relations and regional and global security issues," the Pentagon said in a statement, referring to the People's Republic of China.

"Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and the PRC" following talks between the two sides in recent months, the statement said.

Austin also "reiterated that the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate -- safely and responsibly -- wherever international law allows," and "underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea."

Austin's last significant interaction with a Chinese counterpart occurred in November 2022, when he met with Wei Fenghe in Cambodia.

Wei was subsequently replaced by Li Shangfu, who shook hands and spoke briefly with Austin at a defense conference in Singapore last June, but did not hold a formal meeting with the Pentagon chief.

China was unwilling to agree to talks between Austin and Li while the latter was under American sanctions, a senior US defense official told journalists -- an obstacle that was removed when Li was replaced by Dong last year.



- US-China tensions -



There are multiple points of contention between Washington and Beijing, especially over Taiwan, the democratic, self-ruled island that China claims as part of its territory to be taken one day, by force if necessary.

Beijing halted cooperation with the US on issues including defense talks in August 2022 to express its displeasure over a visit by then-US House speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island, but US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed at a summit in November to the resume discussions.

Disputes over the South China Sea -- which Beijing claims almost in its entirety -- is another potential flashpoint, with clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels stoking fears of wider conflict.

The United States has also highlighted multiple incidents in recent years in which it says Chinese warplanes and ships have operated in an unsafe manner around American aircraft and vessels.

Austin has repeatedly emphasized the importance of military-to-military communications as a means of heading off possible conflict, and there have been several recent interactions between military officials from the United States and China despite tensions between the two sides.

These include top US military officer General Charles "CQ" Brown speaking with his counterpart General Liu Zhenli in December, and talks between military officials from Washington and Beijing this month on safety in interactions between their armed forces.

The Pentagon and China "are continuing to discuss future engagements between our senior defense and military leaders," the senior US defense official said, adding: "These engagements provide us with opportunities to prevent competition from veering into conflict by speaking candidly about our concerns."
More warships needed to boost Red Sea cargo traffic: EU admiral



Larissa, Greece, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



The head of an EU force protecting cargo ships from Huthi attacks in the Red Sea on Tuesday said the operation had met its goals, but freight traffic cannot increase without more warships.

"The distances that need to be covered are huge," Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis told AFP at EU operation headquarters in the central Greek city of Larissa.

"So far, because shipping is down by over 50 percent, it is possible to escort any ship that requests protection."

"We have accompanied 79 ships so far and none has sustained damage whilst under our escort."

"This is a point of reference on which we can build to increase the number of ships under protection... with the means currently at our disposal, this is not possible," he said.

Operation Aspides, named after the Greek word for shield, was launched by the European Union in February with the goal of protecting international shipping.

The Huthis began attacking ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea in November, a campaign they say is intended to signal solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

They have vowed to target Israeli, British and American ships, as well as vessels heading to Israeli ports, disrupting traffic through the vital trade route off Yemen's coasts.

In March, the US defence department said Huthi rebels had attacked civilian and military ships sailing off Yemen's shores at least 50 times since their assaults began.

The attacks have sent insurance costs spiraling for vessels transiting the Red Sea and prompted many shipping firms to take the far longer passage around the southern tip of Africa instead.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia  The U.S. Navy owns many large submarines, ships and aircraft carriers that need to be protected when operating at sea and close to the shore. A special group of sailors is charged with protecting these Navy investments.

The Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF) operates ashore, at sea and in the waters of harbors, rivers, bays and across the littorals. The primary focus of MESF is to conduct maritime security operations. They do this by providing port and harbor security as well as security for high-value units, like aircraft carriers and submarines, on coastal waterways and ashore.

Fireman Luis Ascanoa Llerena, with family ties to Headland, Alabama, is one of these sailors serving at Maritime Security Squadron 2 which is responsible for protecting the Navys maritime platforms and port infrastructure.

The Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF) operates ashore, at sea and in the waters of harbors, rivers, bays and across the littorals. The primary focus of MESF is to conduct maritime security operations. They do this by providing port and harbor security as well as security for high-value units, like aircraft carriers and submarines, on coastal waterways and ashore.

Fireman Luis Ascanoa Llerena, with family ties to Headland, Alabama, is one of these sailors serving at Maritime Security Squadron 2 which is responsible for protecting the Navys maritime platforms and port infrastructure.

Im originally from Peru and met my wife in Lima while she was on vacation there in 2017, said Ascanoa Llerena. My wife has family in Alabama. Her name is Anna Lauren Richburg.

Ascanoa Llerena joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Ascanoa Llerena serves as an electricians mate.

I joined the Navy because I wanted to be part of something larger than myself, said Ascanoa Llerena. I wanted to give back to this country that has given so much to me. Ive been given so many opportunities in this country. I want to make my family and my country proud.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Ascanoa Llerena serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nations prosperity and security.

We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day, said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.

Ascanoa Llerena has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

Im most proud of getting everything done that needs to be done, said Ascanoa Llerena. My shipmates are relying on me, and I dont want to let them down.

Ascanoa Llerena can take pride in serving America through military service.

Serving in the Navy helps my family, my community and my country, added Ascanoa Llerena. Im on a good path to achieve my goals thanks to the Navy.
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This is the first city opening in the US from Aman, the lifestyle brand associated with super smart spas, exceptional service and no detail spared in design or craft. Now, it has managed to take the crown for the most expensive hotel in Manhattan, a bold move, but it has been pulled off with charm. Theres no sweeping lobby here, rather, an atmospherically lit entrance with two elevators that take you high up to the 14th floor. Staff seem to slip out from every hallway, there to help point you to your room, the inanely slick spa or high-tech gym (helpful as the signage is slightly lack and it can be hard to know where to go). But, once you get to where youre going, you wont want to leave. Rooms are enormous, with beds that melt and tubs that call your name. Where to eat? Two excellent spots that keep up with the pace of New Yorks food scene. We loved Nama, a Washoku-focussed restaurant where adventurous folk come to nab one of the few seats at the hinoki wood bar for omakase. Sushi, sashimi and more intricate plates of savoury mochi are must-tries, as is the matcha tiramisu. In a neighborhood that can feel pretty dead after 5pm (dont skip on shopping down 5th Avenue though), this is a big, zen-like exhale from the chaos, especially when you can while away hours in the oh-so cool jazz club.
WandAi is a cutting-edge AI tool designed to revolutionize how businesses interact with data and streamline processes. This AI assistant, named Wandy, offers users the ability to achieve 10x productivity improvements by leveraging its advanced capabilities. With WandAi, users can easily access and manipulate complex data sets, analyze customer information, detect fraudulent claims, and monitor commodities prices with ease.

One of the key features of WandAi is its ability to quickly and accurately find relevant information from millions of data points based on natural language queries and context. This makes it a valuable tool for users of all skill levels, allowing them to effortlessly find data and insights, generate value quickly, and interact with data in a conversational manner.

Wandy also offers role-based access control, hallucination control, fully traceable outputs, and complete data privacy to ensure the security and integrity of user data. Additionally, WandAi collaborates with leading industry partners to provide users with an enterprise-grade platform that meets the highest standards of data protection.

Whether you are a data analytics expert, social media content creator, or industry professional, WandAi has something to offer. From semantic search capabilities to personalized support for various tasks, WandAi empowers users to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently.

Join a global community of businesses using AI for their operations and discover the power of WandAi in optimizing your workflow. Try WandAi for free to experience Generative Enterprise AI in action and unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence for your business.

WandAi  Features

Churn data analysis

Fraud detection in insurance claims

Time series data analysis for commodity prices

Role-based access control

Natural language data search

AI support for users of all skill levels

Semantic search based on context

Experimental marketplace for quick value creation

WandAi  Pricing

WandAi offers pricing plans starting at $29/month for Starter, $99/month for Growth, $499/month for Scale, and seat-based pricing for Enterprise. Plans include custom chatbots, chat queries per month, chatbot training data, websites per chatbot, and more. Contact for Enterprise pricing.

Visit enterprise.wand.ai for more.

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"Multiculturalism can only succeed when we understand that every group must make sacrifices for the sake of the whole. We allow our children freedoms of all sorts, as long as those freedoms do not threaten the happiness and success of the whole school community.
If you're out there, and you know who these people are, I plead with you to do the right thing. Sami didn't deserve this and we need to have justice. If these killers continue walking free, they can just do it to someone else.
The judge is clear that the childs statements were not written by her alone. Indeed this mum intends to send her second child to Michaela, starting in September. At the same time, this mum has sent a letter to our lawyers suggesting that she may take us to court yet again over another issue at the school she doesnt like, presumably once again at the taxpayers expense.
She told Sky News: Nobody is denying that they are a malign force. We have repeatedly sanctioned both individual commanders and the IRGC more generally, so that puts very severe restrictions on their ability to move and on other freedoms that they would have had. We are not suggesting they are not a problem.
Discussing how he would like to die now hes older, he said: I want my kids and the people that love me to (be able to tell a story like), Oh, Jimmy died funny story. He flew to South Africa and he went on one of those great shark cage experiences and he forgoed the cage. He said, no cage for me, thanks. Ill just jump in there with a fish.
April 15, 2024 | 04:40 pm PT

Twenty years ago, my father-in-law suffered a stroke while watching television. He was rushed to hospital and began to spend days in a deep coma, his brain already dead. His frail life was prolonged only by a respirator.

During the days he lay in the hospital, the entire family was anxious and worried. Each day, each hour passed excruciatingly slowly.

When a sister in the family visited and saw blood occasionally oozing from the corner of his mouth, she felt intense pity for the [slowly, painfully] dying man.

She talked to other siblings about asking the doctor for an intervention so that he could pass away more peacefully. Everyone was confused and hesitant about her intention.

I told my siblings that such a request would not be accepted by any doctor. The law does not allow it.

Eventually, my father-in-law passed away naturally  his heartbeat stopped.

I recall this story as Tung, a lawyer friend of mine, told me about French President Emmanuel Macron recently introducing a bill regarding the right to die. The bill allows for medically assisted death to help those facing terminal illness at the end of their life avoid physical and mental torment.

Euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the right to die were all topics that Tung and I were very interested in and spent a lot of time researching while we were in law school.

To date, only a few countries in Europe like Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, and some states in the U.S. allow their citizens to exercise the right to die under certain conditions. If Macron's bill is passed by the Parliament next month, France will be the next country in the not-so-long list of nations worldwide to legalize the right to die for its citizens.

Currently, if French patients want to exercise their right to die peacefully and legitimately, they can only travel to the aforementioned countries in Europe.

Vietnam is among the majority of countries that have not legalized the right to die.

Issues regarding euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the right to die were also brought up for discussion on the agenda during National Assembly sessions over the 2004-2005 period. However, the number of delegates who supported the measures was not enough to pass proposals that would have included the right to die in the draft civil code at that time. Most delegates believed that these issues were too new and sensitive, and not aligned with Vietnamese culture and moral values.

This view remained unchanged at later parliamentary forums, even when the Constitution was amended in 2013, and when the new Civil Code was passed in 2015. In daily life, debates on whether or not to accept the right to die for citizens are still ongoing among medical and legal experts  these have lasted many years.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Vietnam ranks among the countries with a high incidence of terminal illnesses, especially cancer. In 2023, the mortality rate from cancer in Vietnam was 73.5%, compared to the global rate of 59.7%, and 67.9% in developing countries. Every year, Vietnam records 200,000 new cases, with the death toll reaching 82,000 cases.

Cancer is also one of the most painful diseases for humans, according to many doctors.

Two of my friends passed away from cancer a few years ago while still in their middle age. They were truly courageous people, full of perseverance, having fought the disease for many years. However, the devastating disease gradually eroded their bodies and spirits, even as they were in their most robust years with many aspirations unfulfilled. The extreme and persistent pain that my friends had to endure in the final stages of the disease made their families feel incredibly saddened.

In moments of despair, the relatives of these friends said they wished there were a way to free their loved ones from the agony in a crumbling body.

Could this escape be possible by law? I wonder.

The line between sin and humanity is still too thin, especially in sensitive matters like death. The law gives people the right to be born and the right to pursue happiness, but has yet to allow them the right to end their lives when they can no longer bear with their physical and mental pain.

After all, at the end of one's life, true happiness is to be able to pass away painlessly and peacefully.

*Ha Duc Tri is a business director at Willis Towers Watson Vietnam (WTW).
The United States is deeply concerned about the recent action taken by the transition government in Mali. On April 10 the government issued a decree suspending all political parties and associations and banned the media from reporting on political activity.



The decree is the latest blow to the democratic aspirations of the people of the strife-torn nation in West Africa. After decades of dictatorial rule, in the 1990s Mali began making strides in building up democratic institutions, but the country suffered a series of military coups, as well as a brutal insurgency that continues in the north.



In June 2021, Col Assimi Goita, one of the military leaders of a coup that took place in 2020, was sworn in as president of the transitional government. That government pledged to return the country to democratic rule in March 2024, after elections in February 2024. However, in September 2023, the transitional government cancelled those elections indefinitely citing technical difficulties. Now, in the interests of public order, the government claims no election can be held and political activity and reporting on political matters must stop.



We are deeply concerned about the Malian transition governments decree suspending all political activities until further notice, said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Freedom of expression and freedom of association are critical to an open society. The transition government has already made a decision not to hold an election in February 2024 to return to a civilian-led, democratic government, despite the commitment that it made publicly in 2022 to do so. We call on Mailis transition government to honor its commitment to its citizens and hold free and fair elections.



In Mali and elsewhere, Spokesperson Miller declared, democracy remains the best foundation for stability and prosperity.
Romania's Defence Minister Angel Tilvar on Tuesday had a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien, highlighting the need to strengthen NATO's presence on the entire eastern flank, calling that an imperative aspect for the security and stability of the extended Black Sea region, according to the Defence Ministry (MApN).

Discussed during the meeting at the MApN headquarters, also attended by Kathleen Kavalec, the US ambassador in Bucharest, was mainly Romanian-American bilateral co-operation under the strategic partnership between the two nations, as well as relevant aspects regarding the security situation in the Black Sea region, the Western Balkans and the Middle East.

Tilvar highlighted the deterioration of the security situation in the region, generated by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and the need to strengthen NATO's presence on the entire eastern flank, which is an imperative for the security and stability of the extended Black Sea region.

The minister also reiterated Romania's strong commitment to strengthening and deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations. Romania expresses its gratitude for the essential support offered by the United States of America for ensuring the security and defence of NATO's eastern flank.

The two officials also discussed Ukraine's European path and continued international support for the country.
Technology is not a bad thing, and media literacy is essential to have correctly informed citizens - the conclusion of communication and cyber security specialists, present in one of the panels of the 2024 Digital Innovation Summit Bucharest (DISB) event, which takes place in Bucharest, between April 16 and 18.

"I think no one expects the answer from me that technology is a bad thing, and we do not hate technology, of course. Information is a tool, it is a weapon created by ourselves. So this weapon can be in good hands and can be in the wrong hands. The context creates this tool and if it is in the wrong hands they poison it. The only key thing we have truly reached to is that the approaches to the use of technology, in general, are still outdated. We further believe that technology is a novelty, which is not true. There is technology today and there was technology yesterday. The AI [Artificial Intelligence] still thinks under our control, but we don't know how long and for what period we will become unable to control it," emphasized Giorgi Iashvili, co-founder and cyber security consultant at Cyber Trust, in his intervention in the panel moderated by Claudia Nicolae, the director general of the National News Agency AGERPRES.

For her part, Flavia Durach, lecturer at the College of Communication and Public Relations, within the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration Bucharest (SNSPA), mentioned that media literacy is essential to have correct information, but this process "takes time to have positive results."

"The good news is that media literacy is one of the important pillars, and this is a conclusion that is based on research. The effectiveness of media literacy interventions has been tested repeatedly with satisfactory results. Media literacy, however, takes time to have positive results. It is one of the structural interventions that do not solve the immediate problems. For example, the use of Deepfakes in 2024, in which there is a record number of elections around the globe. So I would say that media literacy is essential to equip citizens with accurate and secure information. It can and should be applied together with other measures and policies that will bring immediate results to our contemporary problems related to not only content, but also related to connectivity. We live in an era of networks, which are equipped with technological means for increasing political and social influence, in the broader sense of the political term. This connectivity is currently organized by geopolitical, state or non-state actors. The digital domain has become one of the main places for geopolitical competition, and the problem is even more complicated when the digital space is organized and dominated by private businesses," said Durach.

The National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics - ICI Bucharest is organizing, from April 16 to 18, at the Palace of the Parliament, the Digital Innovation Summit Bucharest (DISB) event, during which the 7th edition of the Forum on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP Forum), as well as the 3rd edition of the International Conference on Cyber Diplomacy (ICCD).

According to the organizers, CIP Forum focuses on the integration of blockchain to combat cyber attacks, the launch of the NFT Museum of ICI Bucharest and panels dedicated to the role of women in innovation and society.

The event will include panels and workshops, TechPulse Hackathon, B2B meetings, international inter-ministerial dialogues and demonstrations of state-of-the-art products.
The joint standing bureaus of the Chamber and Senate took note on Tuesday of President Klaus Iohannis' letter informing Parliament that he approved the participation of Romania's Army in EU's maritime security operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and asking approval for the participation of Romania's Army in PROSPERITY GUARDIAN (OPG) coalition-type maritime operation.

In the document, Iohannis brings to mind that amid the conflict in the Gaza Strip and the intensification of the actions of the Yemeni rebel group Al-Houthi against targets and interests related to Israel, including the commercial maritime traffic in the Red Sea, the security situation in the area of the Yemeni coasts and the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait has constantly deteriorated, with negative repercussions on the European and world economy.

In this context, the president added, on 18 December 2023, the United States of America took action against the Al-Houthi rebels by launching the PROSPERITY GUARDIAN (OPG) coalition maritime operation and called on the international community to get involved in resolving the security situation in the Red Sea by participating with staff and naval capabilities and by intensifying information exchange.

At the same time, on 29 January this year, the European Union took steps to launch an operation to ensure freedom of navigation in the context of this crisis, in close cooperation with PROSPERITY GUARDIAN. To this end, the Crisis Management Concept for a new maritime operation, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, has been approved with the objective of protecting maritime security on the main shipping routes in the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait, the Strait of Hormuz, international waters of the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf.

Operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES was launched on 19 February at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union.

The president mentions that he approved, after consultation with the Supreme Council of National Defence, the participation of the Romanian Army in EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, in order to ensure freedom of navigation in the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait, the Strait of Hormuz, the international waters of the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, starting in 2024, with up to five military.

"Also under the provisions of Article 7 para. (2) of Law no. 121/2011 on the participation of the armed forces in missions and operations outside the territory of the Romanian State, as amended and supplemented, I request the approval of the Romanian Parliament for the participation of the Romanian Army in the PROSPERITY GUARDIAN (OPG) coalition maritime operation, under US command, in the area of responsibility in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the territory of Bahrain, starting in 2024, with up to three military. The participation of personnel in this operation, within the command deployed on the territory of Bahrain, will be done after the legal status of the Romanian military on the territory of this state has been regulated. The financial funds necessary for the participation in the missions are provided from the budget allocated to the Ministry of National Defence in 2024," reads the president's letter, which was sent to the parliamentary defence committees.
President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday signed the decree on the accreditation of Daniela Anda Grigore Gitman as Romania's ambassador to the Portuguese Republic.

Also, according to a press release issued by the Presidential Administration, a decree was signed on the transfer of Brigadier General Ferencz Daniel-Mihai from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the reserve on 25 April. Ferencz Daniel-Mihai is the chief inspector of the Constanta County Gendarmerie Inspectorate.

Corega Adrian-Dumitru, from the Hunedoara Court, and Ordog Lorand-Andras, from the Covasna Court, have been released from their posts as judges, following their retirement.

At the same time, the president signed the decrees on awarding the Battle Flag to the 421 Communications and Information Technology Centre "Lieutenant Mihai Milea," as well as to the Naval Component Command "Vice Admiral Ioan Georgescu."

On 29 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the president of Romania approved the appointment of Daniela Grigore Gitman as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Portuguese Republic. She has been secretary of state for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously, she worked as secretary of state for Inter-institutional Relations (2020-2022) and secretary of state for Global Affairs (2016-2017). From 2009 to 2015, she was Romania's ambassador to the Czech Republic, and from 2004 to 2008 she worked at the Romanian Embassy in the USA, as first collaborator and later as charge d'affaires. a.i.. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs central offices, she also held the position of director of the Western and Central Europe Directorate (2002-2004). She speaks English and Italian.

In November 2023, the High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ) ordered the termination of the criminal proceedings against the defendants in the Romsilva illegal logging case, on the grounds that the offences of which they were accused were time-barred. Following this decision, the sentences issued by the Brasov Court of Appeal in July 2021 were annulled. Lorand Andras Ordog (judge at the Covasna Court) - sentenced to 7 years in prison - was also among those who were spared.
From her early days as a social studies teacher and journeys across 10 African countries, to spearheading the African Heritage Youth Organization (AHYO) and co-founding the Universal African Peoples Organization (UAPO), Safiyah Chauvin  affectionately called Mama Safiyah  has shaped thousands of lives in St. Louis and globally through cultural advocacy, political activism, and by championing positive social change.

On April 13, the African Dance community in St. Louis honored Mama Safiyah at the 38th annual concert of BLACK DANCE USA: A Celebration in Movement, at COCA (Center of Creative Arts).

The American sat down with Mama Safiyah to learn more about her remarkable journey and unwavering commitment and legacy.

Q. What inspired you to start the African Heritage Youth Organization in St. Louis?

A. Thanks to my parents Sylvester Chauvin III and Evelyn Chauvin, I grew up knowing that I was African. I remember when I was nine, I said, I am going to Africa. I didnt have any negative hangups  I always knew I was African. So, you have to tell the children the truth early on and teach them to be proud of their African heritage. Thats why I started the African Heritage Youth Organization, to teach children about their greatness through African dance, drum, song, poetry, history, leadership training and character development. I started the organization in 1973.

Q. How else did your family history influence your activism?

A. As a child, I was always going to meetings with my parents and organizing. I thought everyones family did that. I remember going with Mom and Dad to protest and boycott because Black people couldnt sit down and eat at Stix, Baer and Fuller, Famous-Barr and other businesses in Downtown. Thats where I got my early sense of dignity. Youre not supposed to be treated less than or as a marginalized person. My father was a leader in the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees and my mother was one of the founders of the St. Louis Committee on Africa. We were always a host family for African students. They look like us and we look like them. We are Africans born in America. Ive always believed that. You have to get political. Were suffering from the negative impacts of slavery.

After graduating from high school, I later went to SIU Carbondale to major in Sociology and Psychology for Secondary Education and started the campus first Black Student Union. Being interested in Africa, culture, and history, I always wanted to be a teacher too. I became a social studies teacher in both middle and high schools. After retiring, I continued teaching at the Muhammad Islamic Academy.

Q. What are some highlights from co-founding the UAPO, helping create the St. Louis African Arts Festival, and being an International Folklore Federation founding member.

A. Being mentored by world renowned Madame Katherine Dunham, choreographer, anthropologist, author and humanitarian activist, was a major highlight. I have also deeply cherished my work with young people and seeing them go on to start careers, become leaders, and start their own families. All of our work and steady organizing, that we still have to do, is important. As we strive to eliminate racial bias, we must follow the examples of our resilient and courageous ancestors; by remaining steadfast in our quest for equity, inclusion and total liberation and justice to all who suffer from the disparities and inequities of enslavement. Thats why its important we organize, unite, and vote. We cant just sit back. We must build on the gains of the Civil and Human Rights Movement.

Q. What message do you have for all generations?

A. Its imperative that we pass on the knowledge and pass on the greatness to our people. Weve been taught through enslavement to be divisive and hateful and to harm each other. But we must act as a collective and love one another.
St. Louis based KAI has hired architect Brien Graham, AIA, NOMA, NCARB as Civic, Municipal & Cultural Market leader at its Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas office.

Graham will oversee project management, channel team alignment and growth through mentorship, and strategically drive market positioning, sales and profit management.

He has held positions prior to KAI that include senior project manager at LPA, Inc.; associate project Manager at Richmond Group; and director of facilities and project manager at Concord Church.

Graham was recently honored with the 2023 AIA Young Architect Award, 2022 AIA Dallas Presidential Citation, 2021 AIA Fort Worth Community Award, and 2020 Texas Society of Architects Presidential Citation.
ST. LOUIS  A man died nine days after he was assaulted April 1 in the city's Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood.

Police said he was found just after 4 p.m. in the 5600 block of Cote Brilliante Avenue.

He had suffered blunt force trauma to his head, but he was listed as stable at the hospital, police said. His condition worsened and he underwent surgery to repair a brain hemorrhage.

He died April 10, and his death has been ruled a homicide.

Police on Tuesday did not release his name and said they have not identified any suspects.
ST. LOUIS  Transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, whose face on a Bud Light can created an uproar last year, is scheduled to speak on Monday at St. Louis University.

The social media star was linked to many of Anheuser-Busch InBevs headaches after the controversial marketing campaign.

LGBTQ advocates on Tuesday called Mulvaneys appearance at SLU significant.

Obviously giving a voice to trans people at a Jesuit institution is a big deal, said Micah Ballard, director of development and finance at St. Louis Metro Trans Umbrella Group. Its cool to see them bringing in a very different perspective students arent used to.

But conservative activists quickly criticized the decision. Some took to social media, calling it embarrassing and woke crap.

Alexandra Leung, president of SLUs College Republicans, said Mulvaneys message contradicts SLUs Catholic teachings  but also said her student organization did not have plans to protest the event.

Mulvaneys comments have been deemed disrespectful and derogatory towards women and to SLUs central mission, Leung said in a statement.

She said the College Republicans tried to get womens sports activist Paula Scanlan to come speak the day after Mulvaneys visit, to balance viewpoints, but was told by the school that security could not accommodate their request.

The controversy regarding Mulvaney started last April, when she posted a video showcasing a personalized Bud Light can with an image of her face on the side, courtesy of A-B.

Some consumers, including celebrities such as Kid Rock, called for a boycott in protest of the partnership and Bud Light sales plummeted. Over the summer, Bud Light lost its title of Americas No. 1 beer, A-B stock fell and, in its most recent earnings report, the company said beer sales dropped by $1.5 billion in North America in 2023.

Mulvaney, now 27, said A-B did not reach out to her following the fallout and she faced more bullying and transphobia than I could have ever imagined.

For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse, in my opinion, than not hiring a trans person at all  because it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want, Mulvaney said in a TikTok last July.

SLUs event is being organized by the schools Great Issues Committee, which aims to stimulate insightful, provocative debate on current issues that will inform and educate, as a service to the St. Louis University community, according to the committees description.

In January, the committee hosted actress and activist Jameela Jamil, known for her portrayal of Tahani in NBC sitcom The Good Place and her promotion of body-positivity. Last year, fashion designer Tan France, one of the Fab Five featured in Queer Eye on Netflix, spoke, as did Brenda Song, who played London in Disney channel shows The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Suite Life on Deck.

Mulvaney is known for her social media presence, specifically her Days of Girlhood series on TikTok, in which she chronicled her life following her coming out as a trans woman.

She has previously spoken at other colleges such as the University of Pittsburgh, Weber State University in Utah, Emerson College in Boston and Pennsylvania State University.

Penn States student newspaper reported that Mulvaney addressed beergate when the school hosted her last December.

I realized that these companies were capitalizing on my identity and transness in a way that was really ugly, Mulvaney said on stage. I was putting my energy and identity into situations that were not safe for me, or for the (trans) community.

Robert Fischer, spokesperson for Missouris LGBTQ+ advocacy group PROMO, said the SLU community is walking the walk. The university has partnered extensively with PROMO in trainings, public events and other activities.

Its something to be celebrated  religious communities who celebrate and showcase trans and LGBTQ communities, Fischer said.

Sometimes those speakers or voices are left out, he continued.

SLUs event Monday will start at 7 p.m. at the Busch Student Centers Wool Ballroom on North Grand Boulevard.

SLU said that 500 chairs were requested for the event, less than half of the ballrooms full capacity.

Attendees must show a university ID for entry.

The university did not immediately respond to comment.
The United States condemns in the strongest of terms the unprecedented attack on the State of Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its militant proxies and partners, said Ambassador Robert Wood, U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations.

Irans intent was to cause significant damage and death in Israel. It launched over 300 munitions, including more than 100 ballistic missiles and land attack cruise missiles at Israel, as well as explosive unmanned aerial vehicles.



Irans reckless actions not only posed a threat to populations in Israel, but also to other UN Member States in the region, including Jordan and Iraq.



Iran has a long record of flagrantly violating its international legal obligations, notably through the actions of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Ambassador Wood:

By arming Hezbollah in violation of Security Council Resolution 1701. By arming, facilitating, and enabling Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE and, more recently, merchant, and commercial shipping in the Red Sea in clear violation of Resolution 2216 and in defiance of Resolution 2722.



In recent years, Iran also has repeatedly violated international law by targeting with mines and seizing commercial ships in international waters of the Persian Gulf and surrounding waterways.



Iran also was, in a broad sense, complicit in the October 7 attack on Israel because it has provided significant funding and training for the military wing of Hamas, said Ambassador Wood.



He went on to urge the Security Council to unequivocally condemn Irans aggressive actions and call for Iran and its partners and proxies to cease their attacks.



The United States supports Israels exercise of its inherent right to defend itself in the face of this attack, stressed Ambassador Wood:



And let me be clear  if Iran or its proxies take actions against the United States or further action against Israel, Iran will be held responsible.



The best way to prevent any further escalation is an unambiguous condemnation from the Security Council of Irans unprecedented, large-scale attack and an unequivocal call on it and its proxies and partners to refrain from further violence.
ST. LOUIS  Carmen Gamble was working from her north city home last month when she heard a loud boom. The noise reminded Gamble, an Army veteran, of the mortar explosions she heard in Iraq.

It was not something I expected to experience in the United States in my neighborhood, she said.

When Gamble walked outside, she saw two cars had collided with each other, the force of which pushed one vehicle into the corner of the brick wall encircling her mothers historic home: the Kulage House, a city landmark.

The crash bent the wrought iron fence and slammed into one of the columns capping the 148-year-old property in College Hill, spitting bricks onto the grass. It was the third time the wall had been hit in six years. Gambles mother, Katherine Goins, was devastated. The damage, estimated at $5,000, was the worst yet.

Gamble was fed up.

Every hour, every day, cars race through the intersection of College Avenue and Conde Street. At least a half-dozen rolled through or ran the stop sign while Gamble talked to a reporter on Sunday.

They act like I have somewhere to go  which is nowhere, she said.

In the short term, Gamble wants the city to erect the concrete, spherical bollards she sees on the South Side to protect the Kulage House. But in the long term, Gamble wants change: She wants City Hall to protect its neighborhoods by figuring out how to slow traffic. Lives, homes and the future of St. Louis are at stake, she said.

This is not just in College Hill, Gamble said. Its everywhere.

College Hill, like much of the North Side, has its share of vacant property, criminal activity and historic landmarks. Several homeowners, like Goins, Gamble and others, have made strides in improving the neighborhood, block by block.

Goins, who was not available Sunday for comment, and her husband, the late Benjamin Goins, bought the Kulage House more than 50 years ago. Built in 1876 on land formerly owned by St. Louis University, the Tudor Revival-style home is in the National Register of Historic Places. Its noted for its architecture and remarkable condition.

But its one thing to maintain the home from time. Its another to protect it from speeding cars. Goins, 83, is on a fixed income, and the wall and fence have been repaired twice before, totaling $6,000.

On March 4, two speeding cars collided with each other, causing one to slam into the Kulage House fence. Gamble came out of her house and saw five young people flee on foot, including one woman who was limping, wearing masks and carrying guns heading southwest toward West Florissant Avenue. Their belongings, including a purse and ammunition, were left behind. Neither car had insurance, she said.

Gamble said her mother hasnt used her home insurance because her deductible has been higher than the cost of the damages and because of fear that the insurance company would raise rates or cancel the insurance altogether. Gamble launched a GoFundMe to help her mother pay for repairs. As of Sunday afternoon, she had raised $815 of her $5,000 goal with a donation from Alderwoman Laura Keys, who represents a neighboring ward.

Gamble has reached out to her alderman, Rasheen Aldridge, about the bollards. Shed also like to see the nearby traffic-calming pots, which are crumbling, replaced as well.

On Monday, Aldridge told the Post-Dispatch that hes in contact with the Streets Department to determine what will be the best solution. He said he wasnt sure how effective the bollards have been on the South Side, but he said hes also looking into adding a roundabout at College and Conde.

Gamble said she wants to preserve the homes that are here, to help the families she grew up with who are still on College Avenue.

Were going to fix this wall one way or another, Gamble said.
April 16, 2024: Russia may lose its ability to carry out offensive operations in Ukraine by 2025 because of a shortage of armored vehicles. Russia lost thousands of its most modern tanks during the first few months of fighting in Ukraine. Since then, Russia has relied on older tanks stored in pre-1991 arms storage facilities. These elderly tanks are one of the primary sources of tanks that allow Russian troops to continue fighting despite massive combat losses. Russia has been withdrawing tanks, other armored vehicles, and artillery from these storage sites since late 2022. These weapons were produced from the late 1940s through the 1970s. Most of these armored vehicles and artillery were withdrawn from service decades ago. Now these weapons are being refurbished so they can return to battlefield operations. Weapons that are too decrepit to return to combat are cannibalized for spare parts for use by weapons factories as well as army weapons repair facilities close to the combat zone.

These storage facilities are being stripped of all usable combat vehicles, including those only used for spare parts. These stockpiles cannot be replenished because of the demands for combat vehicles to fight in Ukraine and the inability of the Russian weapons industries to produce enough new or reconditioned armored vehicles. If the fighting in Ukraine maintains its high level of combat intensity and heavy Russian losses continue in 2024, it will be much harder for the Russian army to maintain its military power for offensive operations in 2025. That means the conventional Russian military threat to other nations in the region is much more limited.

The shortage of Russian weapons reserves plus new weapons production means as long as Ukraine continues to receive military assistance from NATO countries, Russia will soon have fewer weapons than the Ukrainians. Most Russian forces in Ukraine are already on the defensive and Russia has been able to carry out fewer and fewer offensive operations. Russian losses in Ukraine were higher than expected because Ukraine innovated and produced thousands of relatively cheap UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and USV (Unmanned Surface Vessels) to dominate the battlefield on land and sea. Half the Russian Black Sea Fleet has been disabled or destroyed by USVs and the surviving ships have moved to distant ports to avoid destruction.

UAVs, many of them armed, have dominated the fighting on land by providing Ukrainian forces with constant surveillance of the battlefield and the ability to quickly attack any Russian forces detected. The Russians have to equip their trucks and armored vehicles with an overhead screen to provide some protection from UAV attacks. Russia has deployed several generations of electronic jammers to disrupt the Ukrainian UAV operations. The Ukrainians quickly responded by changing control frequencies or other aspects of equipment being jammed. Ukrainian use of UAVs is constant despite Russian countermeasures. Most of the Ukrainian UAVs are manufactured in Ukraine by local firms. That means one of the most useful Ukrainian weapons is produced locally, not brought in as part of a NATO aid effort.

Russia has no similar internal or external sources of military aid involving significant numbers of UAVs or anything else. Unless the Russians can conjure up some more weapons and munitions, they will soon be unable to continue combat operations in Ukraine.
Import, export fair to leverage high-tech advantage

08:17, April 16, 2024 By Wang Keju and Qiu Quanlin ( Chinadaily.com.cn

A staff member of an enterprise demonstrates the use of an intelligent bionic hand to a visitor on Monday at the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. [Photo by Feng Yongbin / China Daily]

With the greater presence of high-tech enterprises, China's largest trade expo will enable participants this year to tap into new business opportunities in emerging sectors and inject much-needed energy into sluggish global trade, said experts and executives.

The China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, kicked off its 135th edition on Monday in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and is scheduled to run through May 5.

The country's major trade event continues to embrace digital technology and intelligent manufacturing, with nearly 3,600 participating companies in this field showcasing more than 90,000 intelligent products, such as artificial intelligence-powered translator devices and automated guided vehicles.

The increasing focus on high-tech products and technological advancements at the trade fair serves as evidence of China's transformation from a labor-intensive manufacturing powerhouse to a major technology-driven industry player, said Bai Ming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Amid a challenging external environment, products with high-tech content are gaining a competitive edge and have emerged as the key to breaking through the current global slump in foreign trade, Bai added.

With exhibition venues covering 1.55 million square meters, this year's event features around 28,600 companies participating in the export section, including more than 4,300 first-timers. In addition, 680 companies will participate in the import section.

Bekar Mikaberidze, founder of the Belt and Road Georgian Business House, said the fair has become synonymous with discovering fresh prospects and exploring untapped markets. He has participated in the event for more than a decade.

With each visit to the fair, attendees are able to witness the emergence of new trends and technologies driving industry development, and identify potential investment or collaboration prospects, Mikaberidze said.

The trade fair will showcase a wide range of new products, with the number expected to top 1 million. Among these will be more than 450,000 environmentally friendly products and more than 250,000 offerings involving indigenous intellectual property rights.

With an array of improved products, Bella Intelligent Information Technology Co, a Guangzhou-based massage-products manufacturer, is focused on making the most of the Canton Fair, at which 140,000 overseas buyers from 215 countries and regions had signed up as of Saturday for broader business partnerships.

The fair has proved to be an invaluable platform for launching new ventures, expanding market reach and staying ahead of the competition, said Zeng Zhitao, the company's chairman.

The fair comes as international trade is grappling with a period of sluggishness and uncertainty. Global trade, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, saw a 3 percent contraction, roughly equaling $1 trillion, in 2023.

Although the World Trade Organization said earlier this month that it expected global trade volume to increase by 2.6 percent in 2024, it warned that geopolitical tensions continue to pose a significant risk to its outlook, as signs of trade fragmentation rise.

Christophe Benard, general manager of Schneider Consumer Asia, said that China's commitment to openness, innovation and development will continue to drive opportunities and prosperity despite global economic uncertainties.

Data released by the General Administration of Customs showed that the country's foreign trade in goods climbed 5 percent year-on-year to 10.17 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) in the first quarter.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The United States reiterates its strong support for the continued implementation of the 2016 Peace Accord, between the Colombian government and two armed rebel groups, the FARC and the ELN, said Ambassador Robert Wood, U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations.



Accelerating efforts toward full implementation is vital to Colombias efforts to make progress toward justice for victims of the conflict, alongside its security, stability, and counternarcotics goals. We welcome continued dialogue between the Colombian government and the ELN [National Liberation Army], including the sixth round of talks in Cuba.



The U.S. welcomes progress on the implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Reform program. More must be done to expand access to land, in particular for marginalized ethnic communities, said Ambassador Wood.



The U.S. condemns acts of violence perpetrated by the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces, or FARC, on March 16 and 17 against Indigenous communities in the municipality of Toribio, Cauca, said Ambassador Wood:



In particular, we mourn the death of community leader, Carmelina Ascue Yule, and the wounding of two Indigenous guards. According to reports, FARC dissidents attacked her and others following their protests against the armed groups forced recruitment of minors. We also remain greatly concerned by increased violence in regions such as Antioquia, Cauca, Choco, Narino, and Putumayo that particularly threatens the safety and development of Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities.



The United States will continue to look for more progress on discussions between the Colombian government and the FARC before considering a further expansion of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia mandate to include monitoring the ceasefire between the FARC and the Colombian government. Unhindered humanitarian access, particularly for humanitarian demining organizations, as well as civilian protections, continues to be of paramount importance.



The ELN, FARC, and Segunda Marquetalia remain designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations under U.S. law, and these designations demonstrate the United States solidarity with Colombias efforts to support victims as they seek truth and justice.



Past peace processes, said Ambassador Wood, have made clear that a security strategy is essential to pressure illegal armed groups to negotiate in good faith and to avoid impunity for their abuses.
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Ioneer Ltds Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project southwest of Tonopah, Nevada, has moved one step closer to production with the Bureau of Land Managements announcement it will issue a draft Environmental Impact Statement on the project on Friday. This will be the first draft EIS issued by the Biden administration for a lithium mine project.

The forthcoming release of the draft EIS represents six years of hard work to help build Americas critical minerals supply chain and reaffirms the viability of our investment in Nevada, said James Calaway, Ioneers executive chairman. Rhyolite Ridge will help accelerate the electric vehicle transition and secure a cleaner future for our children and grandchildren.

Bernard Rowe, Ioneers managing director, said, This news sets a clear path forward to construction and brings us one step closer to making Rhyolite Ridge a reality. Rhyolite Ridge will be a significant, reliable and sustainable source of critical minerals for the United States.

Rowe said, Ioneer is committed to working with the local community, Tribal nations and state and federal agencies to help the U.S. secure a domestic supply of the critical minerals vital to the clean energy transition.

The publication of the draft impact statement on Friday will start a 45-day public comment period which will run through June 3. Information on the Rhyolite Ridge project, the draft impact statement, and how to submit public comments can be found by going to eplanning.blm.gov and searching for Rhyolite Ridge. During the public comment period, BLM will conduct one in-person and one virtual public meeting on the proposed mine, but the dates for those meetings have not yet been announced yet.

If approved, the Rhyolite Ridge project is expected employ up to 500 workers during construction and up to 350 workers during operations, generating an estimated $125 million in wages annually during the life of the mine.

In a news release, the BLM said advancing the Rhyolite Ridge project is part of an overall effort to produce and process more critical minerals within the U.S. The news release says Rhyolite Ridge could potentially produce enough lithium to supply nearly 370,000 electric vehicles each year. The project represents another step by the Biden-Harris administration to support the responsible, domestic development of critical minerals to power the clean energy economy.

Our public lands have an important role to play in powering the economy of the future, BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning said in the BLMs news release on Rhyolite Ridge. Under President Bidens leadership, BLM continues to support the development of critical minerals to power electric vehicles, renewable energy, new technologies, and critical infrastructure.

This draft analysis is the result of strong engagement and work with the proponent, Tribal Nations, state and local governments, and our agency partners, BLM Nevada State Director Jon Raby said. We know the importance of responsible mineral development in Nevada, and we look forward to hearing the publics feedback on this draft assessment.

Tiehms buckwheat

The Rhyolite Ridge project has faced controversy over Tiehms buckwheat, a wildflower which has only been found on about 10 acres of land in the area of the proposed mine. Ioneer has modified its mine plans over the years to protect Tiehms buckwheat and has worked on efforts to propagate the plant. However, Patrick Donnelly, the Great Basin director of the Center for Biological Diversity, has said that weve been saying all along if Ioneer can come up with a mine that stays more than a mile away from Tiehms buckwheat, then well back off, but they have not taken us up on that.

Donnelly said that the BLM putting out a press release advocating for Rhyolite Ridge a week before people have the opportunity to look through the draft EIS is another in a series of bizarre media stunts that the Bureau of Land Management has concocted while it drives the false narrative that it is conserving Tiehms buckwheat.

The Rhyolite Ridge Mine would turn Tiehms buckwheats habitat into an open-pit mining zone, surrounded by waste rock and an open pit and a sulfuric acid processing plant. This is a federally protected endangered species and we will take every available measure to protect it, Donnelly said.

He said the Center for Biological Diversity can provide further comment after the draft EIS is released.

The BLM, on the other hand, said it has conducted its review of the proposed mine in close coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify significant protections for the endangered Tiehms Buckwheat, a desert flower endemic to the area. The project proponent, Ioneer, modified its mining proposal at the request of the BLM and FWS to minimize impacts to the plant and its critical habitat. The protections include redesigning and relocating project features, funding Tiehms buckwheat propagation work, and developing a formal Tiehms buckwheat protection plan.

The Biden-Harris administration understands the important role mining will continue to play in the modern economy and the growing need for responsibly sourced critical minerals to meet our climate, infrastructure, and global competitiveness goals, said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Steve Feldgus. Federal agencies cooperating to solve issues efficiently while protecting vulnerable species and other irreplaceable resources is exactly how we will need to move forward if were going to produce these critical minerals in the United States.

Ioneer said it has voluntarily invested $2.5 million in conservation efforts and committed an additional $1 million annually to ensure the plant and its surrounding habitat are protected.

The company said it will work to ensure the plant and its habitat for pollinators are protected as it works to transplant seedlings grown at its dedicated greenhouse.

Ioneer provided maps of its 2020, 2022 and 2024 proposed plan of operations for Rhyolite Ridge showing the changes it has made to avoid direct impacts to Tiehms Buckwheat.

Ioneer said its investments to protect Tiehms buckwheat represent one piece of a comprehensive sustainability strategy at the proposed site. The on-site processing facility, supported by the companys $700 million conditional loan commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, will generate excess steam sufficient to power the entire projectmeaning the operation will not be required to be connected to the energy grid and be entirely energy independent.

The company also said its water management will differ from other current and proposed domestic producers, and the mine will recycle half of all water used. The proposed mine will not have evaporation ponds or tailings dams.

Ioneers estimated project timeline shows that now that the draft EIS is being published, the BLM could issue a Record of Decision in October, a final investment decision could be made in December, and after 24 to 36 months of construction, commercial production of high-grade lithium and boron could begin in 2027.
Overseas Vietnamese in Malaysia hold a ceremony to mark the Hung Kings

Commemoration Day (Photo: VNA)

At the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Dinh Ngoc Linh to Malaysia said that this is a meaningful opportunity to gather the spirit and values of 100 million Vietnamese people at home and about 4.5 million others living abroad, and demonstrating the spirit of building and defending the nation.

This is also an opportunity for Vietnamese people to nurture their patriotism, overcome challenges and affirm their position, he added.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy screened a documentary about Truong Sa and called for donations for a greener Truong Sa.

On behalf of the embassy, Linh handed over more than 16,000 MYR (3,350 USD) to Tran Thi Chang, Chairwoman of the Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association, who will join a delegation of overseas Vietnamese to visit Truong Sa in the coming time, to present the money to its people and soldiers.

At the event, delegates enjoyed art performances performed by members of the Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association and traditional Vietnamese dishes

The practice of worshiping the Hung Kings in the northern midland province of Phu Tho was recognised by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage in 2012./.
An aerial drone photo taken on June 3, 2023 shows the Dalian International Conference Center, venue of the 2024 Summer Davos, in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth."(Photo by Piao Feng/Xinhua)

DALIAN, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth."

The event will gather over 1,500 high-level leaders from business, government, civil society and international organizations, as well as prominent entrepreneurs, innovators and academics to generate collective insights and deployable solutions.

Six major topics will be discussed during the meeting: a new global economy; China and the world; entrepreneurship in the age of AI; new frontiers for industries; investing in people; and connecting climate, nature and energy.

Editor: WXL
A fire-fighting helicopter operates at the site of a forest fire in Jinning District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 14, 2024. More than 2,300 people are battling a forest fire that has raged in southwest China's Yunnan Province since Friday, local authorities said Sunday.

The fire started at around 4 p.m. Friday in Diantou Village in Jinning District of the capital city Kunming. No casualties have been reported so far.

Officials confirmed the mobilization of 46 excavators and two helicopters to help put out the blaze. (Xinhua)

KUNMING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- More than 2,300 people are battling a forest fire that has raged in southwest China's Yunnan Province since Friday, local authorities said Sunday.

The fire started at around 4 p.m. Friday in Diantou Village in Jinning District of the capital city Kunming. No casualties have been reported so far.

Officials confirmed the mobilization of 46 excavators and two helicopters to help put out the blaze.

Firefighters operate at the site of a forest fire in Jinning District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 14, 2024. More than 2,300 people are battling a forest fire that has raged in southwest China's Yunnan Province since Friday, local authorities said Sunday.

The fire started at around 4 p.m. Friday in Diantou Village in Jinning District of the capital city Kunming. No casualties have been reported so far.

Officials confirmed the mobilization of 46 excavators and two helicopters to help put out the blaze. (Xinhua)

Firefighters operate at the site of a forest fire in Jinning District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 13, 2024. More than 2,300 people are battling a forest fire that has raged in southwest China's Yunnan Province since Friday, local authorities said Sunday.

The fire started at around 4 p.m. Friday in Diantou Village in Jinning District of the capital city Kunming. No casualties have been reported so far.

Officials confirmed the mobilization of 46 excavators and two helicopters to help put out the blaze. (Xinhua)

Editor: WXL
An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows cleaners removing illegal fishing net at a port of Taihu Lake, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

A villager works at a crayfish breeding pond in Xulou Village of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a view of the Taihu Lake near Jinting Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Yan Jielong, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, shows Biluochun, one of the top tea varieties in China and the speciality of Suzhou, at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Chen Ting, a homestay manager, trims pot plants at her homestay near Taihu Lake at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Chen started her homestay business after resigning her work as a bank employee in 2018. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows staff members of an ecological police service team patrolling on Taihu Lake, Wuxing District of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows tourists visiting a resort near Taihu Lake in Wuxing District of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

A tourist poses for photos in Yigao Village of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Tourists have a rest in Yigao Village of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows cleaners removing illegal fishing net at a port of Taihu Lake, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Visitors walk into a cafe in Yigao Village, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Chen Ting, a homestay manager, works at her homestay near Taihu Lake at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Chen started her homestay business after resigning her work as a bank employee in 2018. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2024 shows tourists appreciating cherry blossoms at the Yuantouzhu scenic spot of the Taihu Lake in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Yan Jielong, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, teaches his apprentice the skills of dark tea making at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Former fisherman Shen Xuerong (L) and his wife Shen Yanyan work at their agritainment resort in Jinting Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a view of a homestay near Taihu Lake at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Chen Ting, a homestay manager, works at her homestay near Taihu Lake at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Chen started her homestay business after resigning her work as a bank employee in 2018. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows a view of the Taihu Lake near Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Li Huiling (L), a homestay manager, drinks tea with a customer at her homestay transformed from pig-sheep pens and woodhouses in Miaodou Village, Zhili Town, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Tourists visit an exhibition showing the irrigation system of Taihu Lake in Yigao Village, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Cleaners collect wastes along the bank of Taihu Lake, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Local urban management and law enforcement team members inspect along the Taihu Lake bank in Wuxing District of Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a view of the Taihu Lake near Jinting Town of Wuzhong District, Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows staff members of local water authority collecting floating objects on Taihu Lake in Wuzhong District of Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Villagers work in an orchard in Xulou Village of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows a view of the Taihu Lake near Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a view of the Yigao New Village for relocated former fishermen in Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a wetland restoration project of Taihu Lake near Jinting Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Chen Ting (R), a homestay manager, feeds fish at her homestay near Taihu Lake at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Chen started her homestay business after resigning her work as a bank employee in 2018. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Editor: JYZ
Artworks are displayed at a ceramics exhibition held at the Modern Art Museum in Kuwait City, Kuwait, April 15, 2024. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)

People visit a ceramics exhibition held at the Modern Art Museum in Kuwait City, Kuwait, April 15, 2024. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)

People visit a ceramics exhibition held at the Modern Art Museum in Kuwait City, Kuwait, April 15, 2024. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)

Editor: JYZ
A South Korean air force F-15K Slam Eagle arrives for the Korea Flying Training exercise at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, April 12, 2024. (Samuel Earick/U.S. Air Force)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  The United States and South Korea are carrying out their largest, annual aerial training to deter, defend and defeat enemies in and around the Korean Peninsula, according to an Air Force news release.

The 7th Air Force at Kunsan Air Base, about 115 miles south of Seoul, is coordinating the 15-day exercise, dubbed Korea Flying Training, which kicked off Friday.

The release described the training as defensive in nature and did not mention North Korea, which regularly condemns joint military drills between the United States and the South.

President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed to expand the scope and scale of combined military exercises in and around the Korean Peninsula due to the Norths nuclear and missile threats, according to a joint statement on May 21, 2022.

Korea Flying Training began less than two weeks after North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile. The solid-fueled weapon, launched April 2 from the Pyongyang area, flew roughly 370 miles before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, or East Sea, according to the Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The missile was equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle capable of traveling more than 3,800 mph, the communist regimes Korean Central News Agency reported the next day.

Aircraft from the South Korean air force arrive for the Korea Flying Training exercise at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, April 12, 2024. (Samuel Earick/U.S. Air Force)

Korea Flying Training is focusing on integrating fifth-generation aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II, with other U.S. and South Korean jets during the drill, the Air Force release said. Other scenarios include combat search and rescue, precision strikes, airborne operations and defending against aerial and ground-based threats.

About 25 types of aircraft from both air forces, the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command are scheduled to participate in the exercise, the release said. These include the F-35B, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, MQ-9 Reaper and C-130J Super Hercules.

F-35As, F-15K Slam Eagles, C-130 Hercules and KC-330 Cygnus from South Korea are also participating, according to the release.

The 7th Air Force did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday requesting the number of aircraft used and whether munitions will be dropped while training.

Joint military training by the two allies is carried out year-round on land, air and sea in and around the peninsula.

More than 130 U.S., South Korean and Australian aircraft conducted a five-day airpower demonstration dubbed Vigilant Defense on Oct. 23, the Souths military said at the time.

Eleven months earlier, roughly 240 U.S. and South Korean aircraft flew about 1,600 sorties during another airpower exercise called Vigilant Storm.

Col. Charles Cameron, 7th Air Forces director of operations and plans, described Korea Flying Training as the most realistic opportunity for our forces.

KFT is a critical training event due to the sheer size of the exercise, the amount of aircraft and people involved from across the joint and allied forces, and the complexity of the training, he said in the release.
In this screenshot from a Defense Department video, then-1st Lt. Carz Craffey sends Thanksgiving greetings from Baghdad in 2009. Also known as Caz Craffy, the Army Reserve major and financial counselor has been indicted on charges stemming from a scheme that defrauded grieving military families out of $3 million in survivor benefits, according to the Justice Department. (Defense Department)

A former Army financial counselor accused of siphoning millions of dollars from deceased soldiers life insurance funds pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday, accepting a deal with prosecutors that could put him in jail for years.

After publication of a Washington Post investigation, federal investigators last year charged Caz Craffy, whose duties included providing basic financial guidance for Army families facing the loss of loved ones, with illegally exploiting his government job to produce clients for a brokerage firm where he moonlighted. With control over the accounts belonging to two dozen grieving families, authorities alleged, Craffy oversaw cumulative losses of $3.4 million stemming from shady trades that net him about $1.4 million in commissions.

Craffy, 41, was charged with 10 counts, including wire and securities fraud. His plea agreement calls for a prison sentence of 8 to 10 years. The judge presiding over the case will make that determination in August along with the amount of restitution Craffy must pay.

Craffy had faced decades in prison if convicted at trial. His attorney did not immediately return a request for comment.

Those who target and steal from the families of fallen American servicemembers will be held accountable for their crimes, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Nothing can undo the enormous loss that Gold Star families have suffered, but the Justice Department is committed to doing everything in our power to protect them from further harm.

The case was handled by the U.S. attorneys office for the District of New Jersey.

The plea deal represents a measure of justice for the families, who said their trust in the military was violated when Craffy took advantage of their vulnerability.

Investigators, lawmakers and military officials said they were shocked and appalled by the scheme. It led to congressional action after The Posts investigation exposed Craffys campaign to enrich himself at the expense of widows and children. The legislation, which was passed last year, established tough new requirements for the Defense Department to enhance vetting procedures for military financial counselors.

Craffy is a major in the Army Reserve, and it was unclear whether he will face further punishment in the military justice system. Officials declined to specify their next steps, citing privacy laws.

The Army Reserve remains committed to holding personnel accountable for conduct that does not align with DoD and Army policies, Lt. Col Addie L. Leonhardt, an Army Reserve spokeswoman, said in a statement. We take these matters very seriously and will address this issue in accordance with Army regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice to ensure due process.
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, far right, admirals and guests watch the symbolic welding of the first plate of the keel of the frigate USS Constellation on April 12, 2024, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Wisconsin. (U.S. Navy)

Top Navy officials rallied around the services delay-plagued new frigate program last week by focusing on the symbolic welding of the first plate of the keel on the first of the Constellation-class, guided-missile ships.

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro and Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations, attended the April 12 event at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marinette, Wis.

The USS Constellation and Constellation-class frigates are a critical next step in the modernization of our surface ship inventory, increasing the number of players on the field available globally, Del Toro said.

The ceremony came near the end of a week in which congressional critics, angry over its delays and cost overruns, excoriated the USS Constellation.

In a time of constrained budgets, this reflects the gross inefficiencies and problems in our shipbuilding program, Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., chairman of the House Appropriations Committees subpanel on defense, said during an April 10 hearing on the Navy budget.

A Pentagon report obtained by Bloomberg News showed the shipbuilders labor needs were worse than officially reported earlier this year. The shipyard requires 1,600 skilled workers in 2025 and has only 900 today, Bloomberg reported.

The American unit of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri S.p.A. won a 2020 competition to build new frigates for the Navy. The ships were to be built by Fincantieris shipyard in Green Bay in northeast Wisconsin, about 170 miles north of Milwaukee. The original contract calls for the French shipbuilder Naval Group to build some later ships.

The frigate will be a modified version of the European multi-purpose frigate now in service with France and Italy. The ships are projected to have a top speed of 26 knots and carry a crew of 200 sailors and officers. It can fire anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and ship-to-shore missiles.

An artist rendering of the USS Constellation, the first of the Navys new frigate program. (U.S. Navy)

The contract called for the first frigate to be delivered to the Navy by April 2026. However, the Navy has recently pushed the first ship delivery date to 2027, with some internal Pentagon estimates putting the latest date in early 2029.

The recently released Navy shipbuilding budget for 2025 is smaller than previous budgets. Del Toro, Franchetti and budget planners want to slow purchases of the frigates and Virginia-class attack submarines to use the savings for an across-the-board infusion of funds into improving the sprawling subcontractor supply chain and beefing up the recruiting and retention of skilled workers at defense industry plants.

I am committed to restoring the shipbuilding might our nation once had  both commercial and naval  and to ensuring that we get our major shipbuilding programs back on track  on-time and on-budget, Del Toro said Friday.

The first four frigates will be sent to Naval Station Everett in Washington state, which will eventually serve as homeport to as many as 12 of the ships.

Fincantieri Marine Repair, a subsidiary of the Wisconsin shipyard, signed a lease March 12 with the Port of Everett Commission to eventually establish a repair shop for the frigates adjacent to the naval station, according to local officials. They emphasized the Navy plan calls for unspecified spending on post-delivery support and crew training, some of which would be done at NS Everett.

The port panel said the move was a tangible sign of the Navys planned expansion at Everett.

We value the strong partnership we have with Naval Station Everett and strive to be a good neighbor and fierce advocate of the U.S. Navy, said Lisa Lefeber, CEO and executive director of the Port of Everett. Naval Station Everett is one of the largest job creators in Snohomish County, so the port has been investing heavily to further support trade, jobs and national defense.

NS Everett is about 50 miles north of Naval Base Kitsap. The Navy operates a destroyer squadron out of the Everett station. While Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is nearby, most of the Navy presence in the Seattle area is at Bremerton and Bangor along the Kitsap Peninsula.
The Navys medium landing ship, or LSM, shown here in an artists rendering, is a key element of a U.S. Marine Corps plan to modernize the service. The 18-ship program may now exceed $6.2 billion in cost, according to a report by the Congressional Budget Office. (CBO)

An amphibious ship program critical to a U.S. Marine Corps plan to adapt the service for future warfare could cost billions more than expected, the Congressional Budget Office says.

Costs for the Navys medium landing ship, or LSM, could range from $6.2 billion to as much as $7.8 billion for 18 ships, the CBO said in a report released Thursday. Each ship could cost between $340 million and $430 million, depending on how the Navy configures and arms the vessels, the CBO said.

But the Navy says the ships, which would be used to deploy Marine units, will cost $179.1 million each, according to copy of the services 2025 long-range shipbuilding plan submitted to Congress in March and posted online by USNI News.

That would bring the cost of 18 ships to $3.2 billion, using figures from the report.

Many facets of the program remain uncertain, such as the number of ships the Navy wants to buy as well as the design and capabilities of the ship, the CBO said.

The agency noted that Navy and Marine Corps officials have called for as many as 35 ships.

Equally uncertain is the overall cost of the program, because the Navys estimates have varied widely in its last three shipbuilding plans and budget submissions, the CBO stated.

Proposed in 2020, the program consists of ships designed to carry small Marine Corps units armed with anti-ship or anti-air missiles, particularly in the western Pacific and in any potential conflict with China, according to the CBO.

With a length of 200 to 400 feet, and a crew of 70 sailors and the ability to support 50 embarked Marines, LSMs are smaller and less costly than other Navy amphibious assault and transport dock ships, the report said.

The ships are a key part of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations concept, and its Force Design 2030 program that, among other objectives, seeks to readily deploy smaller, agile forces.

The Navy plans to start building the ships in 2025.

Differing methods in determining costs and unclear program objectives, such as whether LSMs would be built to sustain combat conditions, may be some of the reasons for the disparity in the Navy and CBO cost estimates.

Its not certain if the Navy and Marine Corps would use LSMs solely to deploy service members ahead of a conflict, or if the vessels also would be used to redeploy and resupply Marine units  an important factor in determining costs, the CBO said.

Ships built mostly to commercial standards would cost less and require fewer modifications such as stronger hulls, shock-hardened systems and more armament.

But if the LSMs were configured more like amphibious warships, the per ship cost could mushroom to as much as $600 million, according to the CBO report.

The Navy, in making its cost estimates over the last three years, specified it has relied on commercial design standards, which do not have significant survivability and recoverability features, the CBO report stated.

But the service has said while the LSM mostly would be built to commercial standards, it would have the survivability and recoverability features of an amphibious warfare ship.

In its analysis, the CBO considered a hybrid commercial-warship model of construction. It also used full-load weight displacements, or the amount of water displaced by a ship when its fully loaded, in determining costs, according to the report.

bath.alison@stripes.com @alisonbath_
The Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer USS Carney fires at Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea on Oct. 19, 2023. (Aaron Lau/U.S. Navy)

WASHINGTON  The Navy urgently needs Congress to pass a stalled national security spending plan to replenish the nearly $1 billion in munitions spent to counter attacks by Iran and its proxies in the Middle East in the past six months, the Navy secretary said Tuesday.

Expenditures on munitions have skyrocketed since October, when the Hamas-Israeli war started in the Gaza Strip. U.S. forces continue to guard Navy and commercial ships in the Red Sea from Houthi rebel attacks, and American service members helped shoot down missiles launched over the weekend by Iran against Israel.

Its critical for Congress to pass a supplemental [spending bill] this week so that we could actually get the additional resources to be able to supplement those munitions, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said during testimony to a subpanel of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The $95 billion package to provide aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan contains $2.4 billion to cover the cost of replacing munitions used to intercept enemy missiles and drones.

The Senate approved the legislation in February, but it languished in the House until Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Monday that he will break the package into three pieces to appease members of his party. The complicated strategy could further delay the aid.

Del Toro said Tuesday that it was important to keep the packages bundled together, describing the efforts to support allies and partners against Russia, Iran and China as interrelated.

In the Middle East, all roads lead to Iran, he warned. The nation is a designated state sponsor of terrorism and props up Hamas militants in Gaza, the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. It has also provided weapons for Russias war in Ukraine.

The over $2 billion thats provided for in the supplemental is entirely critical to our Navy and Marine Corps to be able to replenish those munitions and continue to provide the types of defensive measures that we have this past 6 months now, Del Toro said.

U.S. forces have so far countered more than 130 direct attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants on Navy and merchant ships in the Red Sea, he said.

Two Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyers operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea  the USS Carney and USS Arleigh Burke  shot down at least six Iranian ballistic missiles during Irans aerial attack on Israel on April 13 and April 14, according to Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. The U.S. also intercepted more than 80 drones.

The fact that less than 1% of the weapons reached their targets this weekend in Israel does not in any way reflect to lack of effort or malign intent by Iran, she said. Rather, it is a testament to the service members who successfully deployed modern missile defense capabilities.

Those capabilities are expensive, costing millions of dollars per missile. The Navy has been firing SM-2 missiles, SM-6 missiles and most recently SM-3 missiles to counter the ballistic missile threat from Iran, Del Toro said.

We are now closely approaching a billion dollars in expenditures for munitions that we need paid back by the supplemental, he said.
Young fairy fans brought their wings to last years first annual Fairy Tales event on the South Mountain Fairy Trail in Millburn, N.J. The next event, which features fairy stories, face-painting and walking tours, will be May 4. (Beth Kelly)

Therese Ojibway was hiking in the woods when she came across a couple of tree twigs naturally entwined together like a tiny fairy swing.

It reminded her of miniature fairy furniture shed fashioned as a child in her backyard, and right away she thought of her son, Clinton Craig, who was diagnosed with autism at age 2.

Mother and son would go on frequent hikes around the 2,110-acre South Mountain Reservation in Millburn, N.J., to get some exercise and go exploring, she said. Craig, who was 10 at the time, felt happy and free in nature.

Clinton Craig and his mom, Therese Ojibway, on the South Mountain Fairy Trail in 2016. Therese started making fairy houses for Craig, who has autism, to find on their frequent hikes around the 2,110-acre South Mountain Reservation in Millburn, N.J. Craig, who was 10 at the time, felt happy and free in nature. (Therese Ojibway)

I thought it would be fun to leave him a few little surprises, Ojibway said.

She fashioned a wee sofa out of dead tree bark shed found on the ground, added a few moss cushions and tucked it inside a tree hollow. Her son discovered it and was delighted.

Over the next several months, I started slowly adding to it, using natural materials from the environment to make fairy houses, said Ojibway, 68.

As the teeny wonderland grew, she figured she should tell someone at South Mountain Reservation what she was doing.

So in 2011, she approached the volunteer group South Mountain Conservancy, which looks after the nature reservations trails for Essex County Parks. Organizers said she was fine to continue making her enchanted forest, as long as the fairy houses were confined to a half-mile section at the beginning of the Rahway River Trail, she said.

Volunteers even began contributing mini whimsical items to the fairyland.

Thirteen years later, there are more than 80 wee fairy dwellings built by both Ojibway and volunteers, tucked inside trees and root systems along what it now known as the South Mountain Fairy Trail.

Fairy houses created by Therese Ojibway and volunteers. There are now more than 80 fairy dwellings on the South Mountain Fairy Trail in Millburn, N.J. ( Therese Ojibway) A mini dwelling created by Therese Ojibway, perfect for a fairy or hobbit. ( Therese Ojibway) One of Therese Ojibways fairy houses is tucked inside a hollowed log along the South Mountain Fairy Trail in Millburn, N.J. She and volunteers also have used root systems. ( Therese Ojibway) A moss-covered house beckons from the South Mountain Fairy Trail in Millburn, N.J. (Beth Kelly) A wee fairy bench created by Therese Ojibway. (Therese Ojibway)

When Ojibways husband died in 2022 and she and her son decided to move to Michigan to be near family, she said she worried whether anyone would want to take over as the fairy trails keeper. It had become a destination for people near and far.

I was sad to leave because the trail had become such an important part of the community, she said.

Ojibway was overjoyed when two women immediately raised their hands offering to be the keepers of the trail.

Julie Gould and Beth Kelly took over stewardship of Ojibways enchanting fairyland almost two years ago, enlisting Scout troops and students to help with the upkeep. They do weekly inspections to tidy the trail, replace any caved-in structures and repair worn moss roofs and broken chairs.

Beth Kelly and Julie Gould on the South Mountain Trail last year. They took over looking after the trail when the founder, Therese Ojibway, moved in 2022. (Julie Gould)

They are now preparing for spring hikers, creating new fairy houses and furniture to replace anything that may have been vandalized or damaged over the winter by snow and ice.

Im really proud to continue Thereses legacy, because it helps draw more kids to the woods, said Kelly, 63. We want to keep the magic going.

On May 4, she and Gould will hold their second annual free Fairy Tales at the Fairy Trail event featuring fairy stories, face-painting and walking tours.

Ever since I discovered the trail during the pandemic with my two little boys, Ive wanted to be a part of it, said Gould, 39.

Its not just that I get to be in the woods every week, she said. Its about seeing the excitement in the kids eyes as they peer inside the houses and look for fairies. This trail nurtures their imaginations.

When Ojibway first started leaving tiny moss-and-twig houses in the forest, she said some people were critical and wondered why looking at a natural landscape wasnt enough of a reward for children and their parents.

I had a few people say they were going to go tear everything out  that it didnt belong there, she said.

My response was that the fairy houses were bringing families here who might not otherwise come, Ojibway said, noting that the nature preserve is about 20 miles from New York City. She shared the story of how she started the trail with Patch.com.

A lot of the kids who come are city kids, she said. Once they explore the fairy trail, maybe theyll go off and explore some of the other trails. There is a place here for a small bit of magic.

Children dont spend enough time outside and benefit when they explore natural environments, according to the National Institutes of Health. Time outdoors helps kids become more creative and confident, but people of all ages are boosted by short breaks in nature.

A lot of people dont get enough interaction with nature, and the fairy trail gets kids thinking about what it means to be in a forest, said Dennis Percher, chair of the South Mountain Conservancys board of trustees.

Anything to make them feel more comfortable in the woods is a positive thing, he said.

Kelly and Gould wear green T-shirts identifying themselves as Fairy Trail Keepers whenever they conduct trail cleanups or do repairs to the fairy houses tucked in nooks along the pathway.

Kids will ask if weve seen the fairies, and theyll leave little notes for them in the houses, Gould said. Usually theyll say something like, Dear fairies  please come and visit me at my house.

Children often leave notes inside the fairy houses, said Julie Gould, one of the keepers of the South Mountain Fairy Trail in Millburn, N.J. (Julie Gould)

The fairy trail grabs their imaginations, Kelly added. Well talk about what they think fairies do all day. Do they like to take rides on the leaves? That sparks a desire for them to go exploring and look for fairies.

Ojibway said shes happy to know her Thumbelina-sized creations are still captivating young hikers and their parents. She and Craig, now 33, plan to return to the fairy trail sometime this summer for a visit, she said.

I imagine that some of the little houses I made will have gone back to nature, and thats how it should be, she said. You gather up the pieces, and you make a new one. Thats part of the fairy magic.
Tarps cover the spill site of PFAS-infused firefighting foam concentrate at an entrance to the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Honolulu, Dec. 9, 2022. (Matthew Mackintosh/U.S. Army)

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  The Navy has identified 20 sites on and near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam suspected of contamination by PFAS forever chemicals, but cleanup could take decades, according to a federal government watchdog.

The Navy is taking steps to assess these sites and, where appropriate, develop plans for their long-term cleanup, the Government Accountability Office said in a report released Monday.

Long-term cleanup for some sites could take more than 30 years, the report states.

PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, is a class of hazardous chemicals that have been commonly used in manufacturing and fire suppressants since the 1950s.

The Environmental Protection Agency refers to PFAS components as forever chemicals because they persist in the environment and do not break down readily.

PFAS exposure may lead to a variety of health effects, including an increased risk of cancer, according to the EPA.

Last week, the EPA finalized a rule that established the first-ever nationally enforceable drinking water standard for six PFAS substances.

Among those are perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOS, and perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, which have been among the most widely used PFAS compounds in America.

Hawaiis congressional delegation requested the GAO report in response to a November 2022 spill of about 1,100 gallons of a PFAS-infused firefighting foam concentrate at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility near the joint base.

The accidental release from a tank near the top level of the massive underground facility followed a jet fuel leak a year earlier that had contaminated the Navys drinking water distribution system. The Navy is in the process of decommissioning the facility.

The firefighting foam incident raised concerns about how the Navy would remediate PFAS contamination at the installation, the GAO report states.

In September, the Navy conducted sampling tests for PFAS at 21 wells in the vicinity of the Red Hill fuel facility.

This sampling found low-level PFAS detections in four wells that exceeded the state of Hawaii groundwater screening levels, the GAO report states.

DOD officials stated they are not concerned that these PFAS detections will impact drinking water as the nearest drinking water well is upgradient and approximately six miles away.

Navy officials told the GAO that the PFAS detected in the wells was not from the 2022 accidental spill at the fuel facility.

In a report submitted to the EPA in November, the Navy identified 124 potential areas of interest for PFAS contamination on and near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the GAO report states.

Those sites included all aircraft hangars, locations of known or suspected jet fuel fires, firefighting foam training sites and other locations possibly used for storing the foam, the GAO report states.

The Navy found that 20 of those sites, including the area of the Red Hill spill, had known of potential releases of firefighting foam.

The Defense Department has directed that the investigation and cleanup of those sites advance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, more commonly referred to as the EPAs Superfund, the GAO report states.
The Typhoon launcher, designed to fire SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles, was deployed to the Philippines from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., by the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force. (U.S. Army)

The U.S. Army has temporarily deployed its newest missile launcher to the Philippines for training purposes amid ongoing tensions over Beijings claims to Taiwan and the South China Sea.

The Typhoon launcher, designed to fire SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles, was deployed last week from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., by the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, U.S. Army Pacific said in a news release Monday.

The launcher is in the islands for the Salaknib exercise, which began April 8 and wraps up Friday. Six-hundred U.S. troops are training with 1,000 of their Filipino counterparts, according to the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

The exercise includes multi-domain operations, infantry operations, urban breaching, jungle operations, joint forcible entry, air and direct assaults, javelin, and anti-tank operations, U.S. Army Pacific said in an April 2 statement.

Washington and allies Tokyo and Manila and Japan are gearing up for a potential fight with Beijing, which boasts a formidable missile force, around Taiwan or in the South China Sea.

The Typhoon deployment was flagged by U.S. Army Pacific commander Gen. Charles Flynn, who told reporters April 5 in Tokyo that the Army would field newly developed missiles in the Indo-Pacific region this year.

Im not going to discuss what system and Im not going to say where and when, he said. Im just saying that there will be a long-range precision fires capability.

The Typhoon has a hypersonic capability, Flynn said, referring to missiles that can travel faster than five times the speed of sound.

It took 15 hours to fly the Typhoon launcher to the Philippines aboard an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 62nd Airlift Wing at Lewis-McChord, according to the Army release.

A full Typhoon battery includes an operations center, four launchers, prime movers and modified trailers, the release said, without specifying how much equipment was sent to Salaknib.

The deployment marks a significant step in Americas partnership with the Philippines, Brig. Gen. Bernard Harrington, commander of the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, said in the release.

Were grateful to our partners in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and were excited to expand our security cooperation as we bring this new capability to Luzon, he said. This creates several new collaboration opportunities for our bilateral training and readiness, we look forward to growing together.
President Joe Biden meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in the White House on April 15, 2024 (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)

Irans recent attack on Israel has complicated President Joe Bidens efforts to change Israels course in Gaza and introduced a new, unpredictable element into his push to prevent the Israel-Gaza war from escalating into a broader conflict.

Just days ago, Biden told Israel the U.S. would rethink its Gaza policy if Israel did not immediately address the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the enclave, which is on the brink of famine due to an Israeli siege  a warning that many analysts took as a sign that the president would consider imposing conditions on military aid to the Jewish state.

But following Irans attack on Sunday, Biden said Americas commitment to Israels defense is ironclad in its conflict with Tehran, and he renewed his push for Congress to approve more military aid to Israel.

While those two messages can coexist, they leave Biden telling Israel to change its course when it comes to one front of its conflict with its neighbors, while pledging unwavering support on another front.

The president publicly threatened to condition military assistance, so we were about to get much tougher with the Israelis, then the attack by Iran comes along and everything gets swept to the side, said Frank Lowenstein, a former State Department official who helped lead Israeli-Palestinian negotiations in 2014. Now were back into lockstep on their big security issues.

Lowenstein added: Whats the impact on all the priorities we had before, including the cease-fire, humanitarian assistance and settler violence, going forward?

U.S. officials are urging Israel, in public and in private, to show restraint in response to the barrage of more than 300 drones and missiles that Iran sent toward Israeli territory overnight on Saturday. Officials have said 99% of the projectiles were intercepted and that the damage to Israel was minimal.

But Israeli officials said the unprecedented aerial attack could not go unanswered. They were deliberating Monday how best to respond without unduly angering their allies, whose support for Israel in the face of the Iranian assault is in sharp contrast to their criticism of the countrys conduct of its scorched-earth military campaign in Gaza.

On Monday, the White House sought to cast Tehrans inability to cause significant damage or casualties as a resounding Israeli victory, seemingly in part to signal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he does not need to respond. Washington has also emphasized that it will not participate in whatever military response Israel is planning.

Biden noted to Netanyahu that this was an extraordinary success  and that that success alone  speaks volumes about Israels standing in the region, White House spokesman John Kirby said on Monday. The president urged the prime minister to think about what that success says all by itself to the rest of the region.

Kirby argued that the Iranian attack strengthened Israels strategic position and weakened Irans, since it suggests Tehran has little ability to harm Israel. The White House appeared to be trying to reduce Israels sense of vulnerability and isolation since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants rampaged easily through its defenses on the Gaza border and killed 1,200 people, many of them civilians, and took 253 hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

Israels retaliatory assault in Gaza has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and prompted fierce international condemnation because of the high civilian death toll and Israels refusal to allow a significant amount of aid to get into Gaza.

Much of the world is standing with Israel today, Kirby said on Monday, adding, Unlike Iran, which is increasingly isolated on the world stage, Israel has friends.

The Iranian action last weekend came in response to an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria two weeks ago that killed two senior commanders. Iran said over the weekend that no additional military action was currently planned beyond the barrage of missiles and drones, but that any further Israeli action would be met with at least a tenfold response.

Since the Oct. 7 attacks, Israel has sought to address an array of nearby threats with military force, arguing that it must reestablish deterrence in the region. Its adversaries include not only Hamas in Gaza, but also Hezbollah on Israels northern border with Lebanon, where there has been an exchange of rocket fire for several months that has resulted in deaths in Lebanon. Tens of thousands of Israeli citizens have yet to return to their homes in the north because of the continued fighting.

Now, American officials are increasingly concerned that Israel is looking to confront Iran directly, moving beyond the long-standing shadow war between the two countries that has involved proxies and relatively limited strikes. Such a development would risk drawing in the United States, they fear, which is one reason they urged Israel so strongly on Monday not to escalate the conflict.

Despite this, Israeli leaders are signaling that they believe they must respond to a barrage of weaponry fired directly at their soil.

One of the advantages of Israel not attacking is they can create a diplomatic effort to isolate Iran and it reduces public pressure on them on Gaza, said Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington. The Israelis know this. The fact that they are willing to strain relations with the Biden administration over counterattacking  shows the psychological impact of Oct. 7 on Israels psyche.

Biden officials unease about the coming weeks is exacerbated by their concern over the mindset of Netanyahu, who U.S. officials increasingly believe is prioritizing his own political survival above all else, potentially leading him to prolong the fighting on multiple fronts. Netanyahu is deeply unpopular among Israeli voters, who blame him for the security failures that led to the Oct. 7 attacks, and he faces multiple corruption charges, but it is harder for opponents to topple him in the midst of ongoing hostilities.

Many U.S. officials worry that Netanyahu is far more focused on placating far-right members of his coalition  who favor resettling Gaza, arming Israeli settlers in the West Bank and fighting Iran directly  than on heeding Bidens pleas to de-escalate and provide more aid and protection to Palestinians. Netanyahus repeated rejections of Bidens demands since Oct. 7 come despite the unwavering military and diplomatic support the United States has provided.

Theres an awful lot of this Israeli government that wants a conflict with Iran, that sees this as their chance to perhaps get rid of the Iranian nuclear program or to get the United States involved, said Bruce Riedel, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who worked on Middle East issues in the Clinton administration.

Netanyahu is preoccupied with his political survival, Riedel added. He knows if there is a cease-fire, an end to this conflict, the Israeli people are going to demand accountability and hes going to be out of office very quickly. Then he faces his corruption trials.

The risk of escalation between Iran and Israel is also overshadowing the combustibility of the occupied West Bank. Israeli settlers in recent days went on a rampage against Palestinians there after the death of an Israeli teenager. A Palestinian was killed and dozens of others injured as settlers burned homes and cars.

While the White House has sought to pressure Netanyahu to rein in Israeli settler violence  and has sanctioned a handful of settlers accused of violently attacking Palestinians  the conflict in the West Bank may be another issue that is harder for the administration to address as it works to head off further escalation in the broader Middle East.

If the Biden administration was frustrated before, nothing that has happened is making them less frustrated, in that its making it more difficult for them to change course, one outside adviser said. I do think what were seeing is an understanding that Israel is in this not just for Gaza, but to remove the threat that it has confronted and been willing to live with but is no longer willing to live with.
An image grab from AFPTV footage shows onlookers and security agents standing around the debris of a missile that Jordanian forces intercepted over Amman amid an unprecedented Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel in the early hours of April 14, 2024. (Ahmad Shoura, AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Irans unprecedented attack on Israel and the prospect of escalating hostilities has threatened to embroil Jordan, a key Western ally and a country regarded by Gulf states as pivotal to their own security.

When the Islamic Republic fired a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel on Saturday night, Jordan helped shoot down some that flew over its capital Amman, with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi saying the kingdom saw the projectiles as posing a real danger to its territory.

While he was quick to say the country would do the same if Israel were to use Jordanian airspace to attack Iran, the move led to a torrent of online abuse in the Islamic Republic. State media reposted a missive on social-media site X calling Jordanian King Abdullah II a traitor and pro-Tehran accounts shared memes of the king dressed in an Israel Defense Forces uniform.

It was all too much for Jordanian authorities, which summoned the Iranian ambassador to demand an end to the insults.

Jordan had already seen weeks of protests in Amman in support of Hamas, the Iran-backed militia that Israel has been fighting in Gaza since October, and the Palestinians who have died or had their lives upended by the conflict. Chants and slogans like all of Jordan is Hamas and Jordanian day of rage alarmed security officials and led to multiple arrests. Authorities have also been on high alert after Iran-backed Iraqi militia leader Abu Ali Al-Askary vowed to flood Jordan with enough weapons for 12,000 fighters to march on Israel.

All of this has raised concerns about Jordans stability in both Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, and both Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed have offered their support to King Abdullah.

For Saudi Arabia, Jordan is a bulwark against further Iranian expansion in the Levant, said Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator close to the royal court.

It all adds up to a conundrum for Jordan, a kingdom of some 11 million people, many of them descendants of Palestinian refugees, sandwiched between Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the Palestinian territory of the West Bank. Jordanian officials feel caught between an Israeli government which they openly describe as a threat to regional peace and security, and a confrontational Iranian regime eager to leverage the increasingly unpopular war in Gaza to expand its influence and reach.

Jordans not the only Arab country trying to balance countering Iran with rising pro-Palestinian sentiment. Saudi Arabia has downplayed reports it also shot down some of the projectiles fired by Iran. The country and the UAE said they were both deeply concerned about the regional political situation following Saturdays attack, but neither of them explicitly condemned Iran.

Tough words

Our message to Iran is that your problem is with Israel and any attempt to insult Jordan is unacceptable and categorically rejected, Safadi told the state-owned Mamlaka (Kingdom) TV on Sunday.

But he had equally tough words for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he accused of attacking Irans consulate in Syria on April 1 to provoke confrontation with Tehran, distract the world and alleviate the pressure hes come under from Washington to end the war in Gaza.

The root cause of tension in the region is Israels aggression in Gaza and the measures it has taken to kill the chances for peace, he said.

Speaking to U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday, King Abdullah warned that any Israeli retaliation to Irans missile and drone attacks will expand the conflict in the region. Jordan will not allow for a regional war to unfold on its land, the king said in a statement.

Gaza war

Ammans balancing act has grown increasingly precarious as the war in Gaza has entered its seventh month. Authorities have allowed almost daily protests outside the Israeli Embassy and have not permitted the Israeli ambassador to return since November, but have resisted popular demands that it sever ties with Israel completely.

Jordan is dependent on billions of dollars of aid from the U.S. and the European Union and enjoys longstanding and deep military and security cooperation with the West, limiting its ability to distance itself from the Jewish state.

Jordans economy runs on life support from external donors, said Ziad Daoud, Chief Emerging Markets Economist at Bloomberg Economics. In addition to almost continuous aid from the International Monetary Fund since 1989 and $1.45 billion a year in U.S. assistance, the country is the third-largest recipient of support from oil-rich Gulf states.

Jordan faces a similar dilemma when it comes to Iran. While the kingdom was one of the first Arab countries to warn about what it called Irans expansionist agenda in the aftermath of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, it has tried to maintain diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic.

But the growing power of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria and their involvement in the smuggling drugs and weapons to and through Jordan prompted the king to declare in July that his country was confronting systematic attacks at its borders by these groups.

And now several current and former Jordanian officials fear Iran and its allies, including Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union, are using the war in Gaza to destabilize Jordan and further their agendas.

The ongoing war in Gaza has been an opportunity for different attempts to infiltrate the Jordanian space, said Samih al-Mayateh, Jordans former information minister.

With assistance from Alisa Odenheimer.

2024 Bloomberg News.

Visit at bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A vehicle destroyed by a Hezbollah missile in Kibbutz Menara. (Amnon Gutman/Bloomberg)

Iran sent more than 300 missiles and drones toward Israel beginning April 13, marking its first direct military attack on the Jewish state. But Israel and Iran have waged a shadow war for decades, through cyberattacks, targeted killings and proxy groups.

Successive Iranian regimes have vowed to destroy Israel. Israel and its Western allies, including the United States, view Tehran as a threat  particularly as it gets closer to nuclear weapons capability. The United States has provided Israel with more military aid than any other country since World War II  now amounting to about $3 billion per year  in part to protect it from Iran.

Here are the key moments in Israeli-Iranian relations and the shadow war leading up to the attack.

The Islamic Republic of Iran forms, broadens its reach

The Islamic Republic of Iran, whose clerical leaders seized power in a 1979 revolution, has worked to cultivate proxy groups across the Middle East to broaden its reach and serve as a counterweight to Israel and its main Western backer, the United States  which Iran has called Little Satan and Great Satan, respectively.

Tehran provides support to Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in the Palestinian territories, and factions in Syria and Iraq. Wherever Israel looks right now, it sees Iran on its border, even though Iran does not border Israel, said Yossi Mekelberg, an associate fellow in Chatham Houses Middle East and North Africa Program.

Hezbollah first emerged in Lebanon in the 1980s during the Lebanese civil war, in reaction to Israels occupation of the countrys southern region. In its 1985 manifesto, Hezbollah laid out the destruction of Israel as a key goal.

Hamas was first formed in the 1980s, but it rose to power in Gaza in 2007, after it defeated the established Fatah party in parliamentary elections and waged a bloody battle for the territory. Israel and many Western allies consider Hamas a terrorist group. In 2007, two years after withdrawing from Gaza, Israel imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip with Egypts support. That blockade has never been entirely lifted. Washington says that Iran provides extensive support to Hamas and to another militant group committed to armed resistance against Israel, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, in the form of financing, weapons and training.

The Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, who took control of Yemens capital in 2014 and triggered a humanitarian crisis, have been fighting against Saudi-backed government forces. In what they call an act of solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza, the militants have increased attacks on cargo ships traversing the Red Sea since Oct. 7, disrupting maritime trade and drawing global ire.

Iran bombs Jewish center in Argentina, court finds

Argentinas highest criminal court last week said that Iran planned, and Hezbollah executed, the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center headquarters that killed 85 people and injured more than 300, the Associated Press reported. This was one of the events that made clear that Iran and its proxies were prepared to attack Israel and Jewish communities anywhere in the world, said Mekelberg.

For decades, people have accused Argentina of bungling the investigation. Both Iran and Hezbollah have denied involvement in the attack on the Asociacion Mutual Israelita Argentina, but Argentinas judiciary long maintained that Iran was behind the attack.

Israel targets Irans nuclear program

In the last two decades, Iran has accused Israel of tampering with its nuclear program.

In 2010, cyberanalysts discovered a computer virus, named Stuxnet, that had successfully infiltrated Irans nuclear program, among other systems. It later emerged that the cyberattack was the work of U.S. and Israeli experts and that, even after software security companies discovered the virus, the joint operation targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure proceeded under the secret orders of President Barack Obama, who was eager to slow Irans apparent progress toward building an atomic bomb without launching a traditional military attack, The Post reported at the time.

Irans highly sensitive Natanz nuclear facility has been hit over the years. In 2020, for instance, a massive explosion and fire caused significant damage. Iranian officials suggested that the United States or Israeli operatives were to blame, though neither country acknowledged involvement. In 2021, Iran blamed Israel for an electrical blackout that left some older centrifuges damaged. Israeli media outlets reported at the time that the facility had been targeted by a cyberattack carried out by the Mossad, Israels intelligence service, but Israel did not comment.

There have also been several suspicious deaths of scientists. Between 2010 and 2012, four scientists affiliated with Irans nuclear program were killed in separate incidents. In one, a physics professor at Tehran University was killed when a bomb planted on a motorcycle exploded as he passed nearby. More Iranian scientists have been killed since and, in many cases, authorities and Iranian media said Israel was responsible. Israel did not comment. On Nov. 27, 2020, a top Iranian nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was killed in an ambush outside of Tehran. Iranian officials again suggested that Israel was behind the attack.

Ali Ansari, professor of Iranian history at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, said that while the killings did not fundamentally alter Iran and Israels conflictual relationship, the thought that Israel was able to find and execute targeted strikes against people with sensitive knowledge of Irans closely guarded nuclear program made the Iranians panic and created higher levels of anxiety within the Iranian establishment and the desire to restore a degree of deterrence.

In January 2018  years after Iran signed a deal with the United States and others to stop developing nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting economic sanctions  Israeli secret agents raided a storage facility in Tehran and stole tens of thousands of documents relating to Irans nuclear program. Israeli officials used the uncovered information to further their campaign against the 2015 nuclear accord, which Israel views as a threat to its security because it believes the deal was not stringent enough to prevent Iran from one day developing nuclear weapons. The stolen documents contained no proof that Iran had violated the nuclear accord, The Post reported at the time.

War in Gaza heightens regional tensions

On Oct. 7, Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people, the deadliest onslaught in the countrys history. At least 253 people were taken hostage. Israel reacted by invading Gaza, vowing to destroy Hamas. More than 33,000 people have been killed and 76,000 injured in Gaza since the war began, according to the enclaves Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

Israeli officials blame Iran for supporting and enabling Hamas, even if they have stopped short of accusing Tehran of being responsible for the Oct. 7 attack. President Joe Biden said shortly after it happened that there was no clear evidence of Tehrans direct involvement.

But since Oct. 7, Iranian-backed proxy groups have targeted Israel and its economic interests, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in the Red Sea.

Syria as a shadow battleground

An Israeli airstrike hit an Iranian consular building in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, killing members of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two senior commanders. The IRGC has a long history of supporting violent attacks against Israel and the United States. Israel has carried out strikes against Iranians and Syrian military targets in Syria for years, but this attack stood out because of its location, a diplomatic compound, and the seniority of the target. Israel, as is custom, did not publicly claim responsibility for the strike.

The strike may have exposed the regimes vulnerability, creating domestic pressure for the regime to retaliate, Ansari said.

Iran mounts first attack on Israel from its territory

On April 13, Iran began its first full-scale military attack against Israel. Israel and allies intercepted around 99 percent of the projectiles, Israeli officials said, but the attack still caused damage to a military base and seriously injured a young girl in Israel.

Iranian media said Tehrans attack was in retaliation for the Damascus strike. Israel is weighing its response, as the United States and Western allies urge restraint amid concerns about escalation.

Miriam Berger, Susannah George, Mohamad El Chamaa, Elizabeth Dwoskin, Justine McDaniel and Frances Vinall contributed to this report.
Defense witness Werner Spitz, a self-employed forensic pathologist, testifies that he believes that Lana Clarkson died from a self-inflicted gun shot wound during music producer Phil Spectors murder trial at the Los Angeles Superior Court July 25, 2007, in Los Angeles. (Jamie Rector, Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Dr. Werner Spitz  the renowned former Detroit-area medical examiner who used his expertise in forensic pathology to weigh in on some of the significant cases of the last century, from President John F. Kennedys death to the Oakland County, Michigan, child murders  was remembered as a pioneer Monday.

His son, Jonathan Spitz, who lives in Washington state, said his father was recently hospitalized after a brief illness, and then moved to a rehab facility. After a few days there, he was placed in a hospice situation, Jonathan Spitz said. He said his father passed peacefully Sunday, surrounded by his family. He was 97.

Spitz served as the chief medical examiner in Wayne County, Michigan, in the 70s and 80s, and later served as the Macomb County medical examiner. Oakland County Medical Examiner Dr. Ljubisa Dragovic said Spitz was a very charismatic character, and he trained many forensic pathologists over the years.

Theres no question, his contribution is gargantuan, its tremendous  and immeasurable for the times to come, too, he said.

Werner Spitz was born in Germany in 1926 to a Jewish family, and they moved to Mandatory Palestine  now Israel  ahead of World War II. He started attending medical school in Switzerland, but finished his medical degree in Israel. He later immigrated to the U.S. in 1959.

Werner Spitz went on serve as the deputy chief medical examiner in Baltimore and as the chief medical examiner in Wayne County, where he instituted reforms at the countys morgue, according to The Detroit News archives. He decreed that bodies were to remain in the facility no longer than 24 hours, and he hired additional staff and trained them to run the morgue more efficiently.

While at Wayne County, Spitz built an international reputation by testifying at high-profile trials and congressional investigations. He testified in investigations into the Mary Jo Kopechne drowning, the Oakland County child murders, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the Skid Row Murder trial in Los Angeles.

In fact, he was often called to consult on nearly every high-profile murder, from the death of Caylee Anthony, the two-year-old Florida toddler who disappear, to JonBenet Ramsey. In 1995, Time Magazine profiled him, calling him a medical detective.

During his career, he also co-wrote a textbook thats been kind of the seminal text in forensic pathology for decades, said Jonathan Spitz. He added that his father would rewrite the book periodically, so its in its fifth edition.

Professionally, he was a pioneer, Jonathan Spitz said. He was a leader, a thought leader in that field  he and few others who were called whenever there was a case anywhere in the country.

He said his father enjoyed the fact that he was the opinion sought after. After he retired from the Macomb County Medical Examiners office, he continued to work in private practice.

Jonathan Spitz said his father had three kids and ten grandkids.

In addition to his professional work, he had a ... full family that he was involved in and engaged with, and enjoyed their company all the way through his life as well, he said.

Daniel Spitz, his son who is also a former Macomb County medical examiner, said his father loved taking his family out to eat.

He just loved to go and have a good meal and, you know, tell his stories that people all loved to hear, he said.

2024 www.detroitnews.com.

Visit at detroitnews.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies April 9, 2024, before the Senate Armed Services Committee about the Defense Department budget. (Chad J. McNeeley/Defense Department)

WASHINGTON  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday morning spoke with Chinas minister of national defense for the first time since November 2022, marking another step toward restoring military communications between the two major powers, the Pentagon said.

This was also the first time Austin has spoken with Adm. Dong Jun, who was appointed as Chinas defense minister in December. The two spoke during a video teleconference.

Secretary Austin underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea. He also discussed Russias unprovoked war against Ukraine and expressed concerns about recent provocations from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the Pentagon said in a statement.

The conversation comes as the two nations have worked to expand communications and ease growing tensions. Military-to-military conversations stalled in August 2022, after Beijing suspended such communications after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., visited Taiwan.

China views Taiwan, the independent island, as its own territory and has threatened to bring Taiwan under its control by force.

Chinas previous defense minister Wei Fenghe turned down a Pentagon request to speak with Austin last year after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon that had floated across the United States. Austin had previously met with Wei in 2022 at a defense conference in Cambodia.

President Joe Biden and Chinas President Xi Jinping met in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. Air Force Gen. Charles CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with his Chinese counterpart in a video call the following month, marking the first senior military-to-military contact since the Pelosi visit.

Austins conversation comes less than two weeks after military officials from the U.S. and China met in Hawaii to discuss the safety of forces in the Pacific region.

Defense officials in recent years have been concerned about unsafe and unprofessional incidents involving the U.S. and China militaries in the region, particularly in and around the South China Sea, where China has built up an increasingly large military force and claims portions of it for itself.

Last October, the Pentagon released footage of more than 180 U.S. planes experiencing encounters with Chinese aircraft in the previous two years. A defense official, who spoke Monday on the condition of anonymity before the call, said the U.S. hasnt seen any unsafe or unprofessional intercepts of U.S. aircraft since November.

The secretary also reiterated that the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate  safely and responsibly  wherever international law allows, the Pentagon statement said.
An artist's rendering depicts the Next Generation Interceptor, designed by Lockheed Martin as the newest addition to the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system. (Lockheed Martin)

Defense giant Lockheed Martin has won a contract to continue development of a new interceptor to protect the United States from an intercontinental ballistic missile attack.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency announced Monday that it selected the company as the sole developer of its Next Generation Interceptor program.

The interceptor is slated to be the most technically advanced in the U.S. Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system, a network of radars, interceptors and other equipment used to defend the U.S. from threats posed by countries like North Korea.

The system was designed to protect the entire country. It targets ballistic missiles during the longest part of their flight, after their boosters burn out and while they coast in space toward a target.

Lockheed Martin beat rival defense company Northrop Grumman for the main contract. Both companies were awarded separate contracts to develop initial designs in 2021.

The Missile Defense Agency had expected to select a winning contractor next year, after both companies completed a critical design review. But agency officials told congressional lawmakers last week that they accelerated their decision partly because of budget restraints.

The interceptor program will be worth nearly $18 billion over its lifetime, according to government estimates. The new interceptors will be able to handle more complex threats than current missiles, according to agency officials.

The midcourse defense system is comprised of staging bases at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., with 22 ground-based interceptors at each location.

The first Next Generation Interceptor is expected to be operational by late 2028, the agency said.
Tibet Ergul, left, and Chance Brannon, an active-duty Marine then stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., are seen on still images from surveillance footage, as identified in court documents provided by the Justice Department. Both have been convicted on charges related to domestic terrorism. (Justice Department)

A Marine veteran who firebombed a Planned Parenthood clinic in California and plotted other acts of domestic terrorism while serving on active duty was sentenced to nine years in prison this week.

Chance Brannon, 24, was motivated by neo-Nazi ideology when he threw a Molotov cocktail at the clinic in 2022, according to documents filed in federal court for the Central District of California.

This defendants deep-seated hatred led him to commit a firebombing and plan many other acts of violence, including starting a race war, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement Monday.

Brannon, who was stationed at Camp Pendleton at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty in November to four charges related to the attack, which shut down the clinic for a day but left no one injured.

The San Juan Capistrano resident described himself as a domestic terroris[t], a sentencing memorandum by U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney said.

At the time of his June 2023 arrest, Brannon was a Marine corporal who had joined in 2018, ABC News reported at the time.

Brannon joins other service members who have been convicted of acts of extremism while on active duty. This includes Ethan Melzer, an Army paratrooper sentenced to 45 years in prison for plotting with neo-Nazis to get other soldiers in his unit killed, and Micah Coomer, one of five active-duty troops arrested in connection to the Jan. 6 breach of the Capitol building.

Extremist groups often seek out people with military ties, and a Defense Department Inspector General report in August found military recruiters sometimes skipped steps to screen out enlistees affiliated with criminal gangs or extremist groups.

In his plea agreement, Brannon admitted he and two conspirators planned violent attacks across California.

Among these plots were a second firebombing, an attack on the local electrical grid with the goal of starting a race war, planting a bomb at Dodger Stadium on a night celebrating LGBTQI+ pride and robbing Jewish residents in Hollywood Hills.

After Brannon was arrested, investigators said they found white supremacist literature, as well as photos showing him performing a Nazi salute. Brannon also possessed messages declaring an unbelievable desire to murder journalists, prosecutors said.

Brannons defense highlighted his struggles with mental health issues, including autism, and argued his actions were fueled by a combination of poor self-esteem and rigid thinking, a report Tuesday by Californias City News Service said.

He was called a very intelligent young man but socially immature and driven by deeply religious beliefs by his father Michael Brannon, who wrote a letter to the court asking for leniency, according to the Orange County Register. Brannon was described as an atheist in high school who converted to Catholicism as an adult.

Brannons sentencing memorandum noted he grew up in an upper-class neighborhood in Orange County with a supportive mother who was a clinical psychologist.

He served as a Farsi language analyst and graduated from the Defense Language Institute in 2020, the memo said. Brannon received awards and decorations that included a good conduct medal and various shooting badges.

But troubling signs could be seen at the time, said the sentencing memorandum written by Carney.

When Brannon felt the Marines had wasted five years of his life by not deploying him into combat, he placed calls to the Chinese and Russian embassies, as he was considering offering himself up as a mole, the memo said.

Brannon kept a thumb drive bearing the motto for the Marine Corps that contained a plan to destroy a power station.

The thumb drive was part of plots between Brannon and two friends, Tibet Ergul, 22, of Irvine, Calif.; and Xavier Batten, 21, of Brooksville, Fla.

He shared with Ergul a WWII sabotage manual and discussed how they could case Dodger Stadium to bomb it.

Brannon and Ergul were caught after they shared evidence of the Planned Parenthood clinic bombing via text messages.

An image, released in court filings, shows a Molotov cocktail later thrown at the entrance of a Planned Parenthood facility in Costa Mesa, Calif., on March 13, 2022. Marine veteran Chance Brannon, 24, was sentenced this week to nine years in prison for his role in the firebombing and other planned terror attacks. (Justice Department)

Ergul had texted a woman he knew from high school a photo of his gloved hand holding the Molotov cocktail while in Brannons Dodge Challenger, the criminal complaint against them said.

Brannon said he didnt dispute the facts of the case while in court Monday.

All I can tell you was it was stupid and out of control, the Los Angeles Daily News quoted Brannon as saying.

Carneys explanation for the sentence indicated that Brannon had shown remorse but was unlikely to change his beliefs.

Candidly, there is no convincing evidence that Mr. Brannon will stop engaging in wrongdoing that he believes to be morally justified, Carney wrote.

Brannons co-conspirator, Ergul, pleaded guilty earlier this year to similar charges and has a sentencing hearing scheduled for May 30.

The other conspirator, Batten, also pleaded guilty and is expected to be sentenced May 15.
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Honor to former Army Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. on May 21, 2021, during a ceremony at the White House. (XaViera Masline/U.S. Army)

Retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett, one of Americas most decorated war veterans who died last week at his home in Columbus, Ga., will lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda later this month, congressional leaders announced Tuesday.

Puckett, 97, was a legendary Army Ranger who received the Medal of Honor in 2021 some seven decades after his Korean War battlefield heroics were credited with saving multiple lives in a fierce battle where he and his unit were outnumbered 10-1.

During his 22-year Army career, Puckett went on to serve in Vietnam and collected dozens of military honors, including the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Star Medals with combat V device for valor and five Purple Hearts, according to Army records.

He died April 8, and will lie in honor at the Capitol on April 29.

The extraordinary valor of Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. represents the best of the 1.7 million Americans who left home to fight for freedom in the Korean War. He demonstrated tireless sacrifice for our country and his fellow Rangers and is an exceptional model for service members and civilians alike, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a joint statement. To recognize Col. Pucketts remarkable heroism and service, and the contributions of all Korean War veterans, it is our privilege to permit his remains to lie in honor in the Rotunda of the Capitol.

Lying in honor is a rare final tribute to private American citizens. While dozens of past presidents, lawmakers and justices have lain in state, only six private citizens have previously lain in honor, according to the Architect of the Capitol. They include Hershel Woody Williams, who was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, and civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks.

Puckett is also set to be honored Saturday in a public memorial service at the National Infantry Museum in his hometown of Columbus, just outside the gates of Fort Moore, Ga. Well into his 90s, Puckett spent much of his time at the Army infantry and armor training installation, where he was known to mentor young Rangers in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment.

His name was among the finalists considered when Congress mandated in 2020 that the Army change the installations name from Fort Benning, which honored a Confederate general. His name is honored in several locations around the west Georgia Army post, including on Col. Ralph Puckett Parkway, one of the installations main thoroughfares, which also connects Fort Moore with Columbus.

Pucketts Medal of Honor was an upgrade of the Distinguished Service Cross that he received shortly after leading the Armys 8th Ranger Company into battle in late 1950 at a location known as Hill 205 near Unsan.

Throughout the course of an hourslong battle with Chinese forces, Puckett repeatedly risked his life to draw enemy fire away from his fellow Rangers, called in artillery strikes, helped secure a perimeter and delivered ammunition to other soldiers as Chinese troops repeatedly assaulted the hill, according to his Medal of Honor citation. He suffered at least three serious wounds during the assaults, rendering him unable to move by its end. Despite ordering his troops to leave him, fellow Rangers fought their way to his side and evacuated him to safety, according to the Army.

After refusing a medical retirement, Puckett went on to complete Special Forces training before commanding a 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam, where he earned another Distinguished Service Cross among other valor citations.
Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks at a Department of Justice press conference Dec. 6, 2023, in Washington. (Sydney Phoenix/Department of Homeland Security)

The U.S. government may lose between $233 billion and $521 billion to fraud each year, according to a rough, first-of-its-kind federal estimate released Tuesday.

But the author of that report  the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office  simultaneously cautioned that its new figure is incomplete and imprecise because of a lack of reliable data and the inherent challenge in uncovering sophisticated schemes to steal federal funds.

The watchdog, known as GAO, computed its estimate by studying the federal budget between the 2018 and 2022 fiscal years, spanning the Trump and Biden administrations and the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, when Democrats and Republicans alike provisioned historic aid that scammers repeatedly targeted.

With the aid of a complicated economic model, GAO computed that fraud in past years may have reached as high as 7 percent of federal spending, with the highest spikes likely coinciding with the past abuse of coronavirus relief funds.

The GAO did not pinpoint fraud in specific federal programs, and it stressed its analysis could not be used to predict future federal losses. But it still presented its staggering finding as a stark warning to Washington, where the federal debt has surged this year to more than $34.5 trillion.

Citing the countrys fiscal health as unsustainable, the report called for significant reforms that can reduce the loss of federal dollars and help improve the federal governments fiscal outlook.

Even before its release, though, the GAO report drew sharp, rare rebukes from the White House Office of Management and Budget, which raised significant concerns with its methodology in a formal letter released alongside the analysis Tuesday.

Jason Miller, the deputy director for management at OMB, stressed the fraud estimate is not based on analysis of estimated losses by individual federal programs, but rather, is a government-wide figure derived from a simulation model.

Miller pointed to the GAOs own acknowledgments that it lacked the proper data to pinpoint the full extent of waste, fraud and abuse in some federal programs. And he said its release would create confusion and promote misleading generalizations that have no factual connection to federal spending.

The new report is still likely to rile Capitol Hill, where fiscal hawks from both parties have long lamented the scourge of federal waste, fraud and abuse  even if they have done very little to address the root causes of the problem. Repeatedly, the GAO has asked Congress to adopt some basic reforms that might improve federal spending data and bolster the governments ability to spot scams, but Democrats and Republicans often have ignored the requests.

The GAOs indictment arrives one week after the White House joined Senate Democrats in unveiling new legislation that would crack down on fraud targeting federal programs. The $1.3 billion bill would deliver on President Joe Bidens two-year old request by investing new resources toward fighting identity theft, aiming to ward off scammers who use real Americans information to obtain government benefits they do not deserve.

Identity theft long has dogged the government, but it emerged as one of the most costly, devastating scourges during the coronavirus pandemic. Criminals repeatedly relied on real Americans stolen information to bilk government programs that were supposed to help Americans who were out of a job or businesses at risk of closing their doors.

Underscoring the problem, the Justice Department announced last week it had brought charges against more than 3,500 defendants, and secured the seizure or forfeiture of more than $1.4 billion, in connection with illegally obtained coronavirus relief funds since 2021. Endorsing new anti-fraud legislation, Attorney General Merrick Garland added that the governments work is still far from over.
He has 75 previous convictions and was previously jailed for drugs possession, the court heard.

16/4/2024 Keith Tiswell, 39yrs, of Woodavens, Clondalkin, Dublin, pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin for his sentence hearing. pic: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

A drug addict who was caught with 3.3 million worth of cannabis in the back of a van has been jailed for eight years.

Keith Tiswell (39) of Woodavens, Clondalkin, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing cannabis worth 3.3 million at an industrial estate in Dublin 12 on September 8 last year.

He has 75 previous convictions and was previously jailed for drugs possession, the court heard.

Detective Garda Ciara McNulty told David Staunton BL, prosecuting, that gardai were carrying out a surveillance operation on the day in question and were closely monitoring two vans.

Keith Tiswell (39) of Woodavens, Clondalkin, Dublin pleaded guilty to one count of possessing cannabis worth 3.3 million. Pic Collins Courts

After gardai intercepted one van and arrested Tiswell, he gave them the keys to the other van under surveillance which was parked at Concorde Industrial Estate on the Naas Road in Dublin 12.

When this van was searched, dozens of vacuum-packed bags containing a total of 168 kilos of cannabis were seized. The cannabis had a street value of 3.3 million, the court heard.

Tiswell told gardai that he had run up large debts due to a long-standing drug and gambling addiction. He said he was put under pressure to hold the drugs, with his wife's car being burnt out in the weeks prior to his arrest.

Tiswell said he was aware he was under surveillance by gardai, but he was under such pressure that he had no choice but to continue transporting the drugs.

Anne-Marie Lawlor SC, defending, urged Judge Martin Nolan to take into account the fact that pressure was being brought to bear on her client to commit the offence. She noted that once presented with the job, her client could not extricate himself, despite the amount of drugs involved.

She said Tiswell had an up-and-down relationship with his wife, but the pair had recently reconciled. They have three children aged between two and 13. Tiswell's debts and his long-standing addictions had ruined him, the court heard.

Sentencing Tiswell today, Judge Nolan said he could not say for sure that Tiswell would not re-offend in the future, given his criminal history. He accepted there was a level of coercion in the case but said Tiswell must serve a lengthy sentence.

He imposed a sentence of eight years and backdated it to account for any time served in custody.
Robert Fennell, of Woodview Cottages, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, pleaded guilty to rape of the child at his home

A 50-year old man who raped a vulnerable 16 year old girl who had come to him seeking advice has been jailed for ten years.

The Central Criminal Court heard that Robert Fennell, now aged 56, gave the girl alcohol before she woke up in his home to find him raping her.

Fennell, of Woodview Cottages, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, pleaded guilty to rape of the child at his home, on June 11, 2018. He has 28 previous convictions, mainly for road traffic offences.

Passing sentence yesterday Mr Justice Paul McDermott said Fennell, then a 50-year-old man, had undoubtedly taken advantage of the naivety and vulnerability of a 16-year-old girl. He said he had known she was vulnerable and had betrayed the trust he had built up with her.

He noted the plea of guilty in this case, which was valuable, but said it had been entered at a late stage, leaving the complainant in a situation where she had to prepare for the case on several occasions and then face the overwhelming disappointment of trials not getting on.

He said this was an aspect of the Central Criminal Court list of which he was acutely aware and said it was very important that trials get on and disclosure is completed in a timely fashion.

He said the problem with lates pleas was that victims have to prepare for the case on repeated occasions. He said there was an undoubted benefit to the plea but nevertheless there is an identifiable corrosive difficulty for complainants where case like this dominate their lives until they are addressed.

Mr Justice McDermot set a headline sentence of 12 years, and taking into account mitigation he reduced it to 11 years imprisonment.

He suspended the last year for two years on strict conditions including that Fennell undertake assessment for offence-focused work, addiction treatment and drug monitoring. He also ordered that he have no unsupervised access to children.

Detective Garda Gavin Cooke told Gerard Clarke SC, prosecuting, that the young woman had been having difficulties in her personal life. While speaking to a person she believed to be a 17-year-old boy through social media, he told her he knew a man who could help her with her problems.

The boy gave her Fennells contact details and she contacted him. He allayed any suspicions she had on learning he was a 50-year old man by telling her he had a daughter and girlfriend around her age. They arranged to meet and on the first occasion nothing untoward happened.

The second time they met he gave her five to six cans of Bulmers. The girl fell asleep and woke up to find Fennell having sex with her. She was afraid and pretended to remain asleep.

Earlier in the evening Fennell had been talking about killing or murdering people and for this reason she decided to remain quiet. When he left, she made her way out of the house.

Gardai were alerted and the accused man was interviewed. He initially claimed it was a set up. He said he could not remember having sex with the girl and blamed drink or drugs.

Fennell consistently denied being the person who had made initial social media contact with the girl, insisting this person existed but gardai were unable to track him down.

The girl described in her victim impact statement how she had moved as she had been so terrified by what occurred. She outlined how it still affects her life and she hopes to attend counselling.

John Byrne SC, defending, said his client wished to offer a full apology, was deeply ashamed of what he has done and was conscious of the effect of the offence on the injured party.

He said Fennell had suffered tragedy in his life, with the loss of an infant daughter in a fire, and worked at menial jobs since leaving school. He has not received treatment for his alcohol and mental health issues. He said his client has suffered from depression.

Counsel said Fennell was willing to use his time in custody to deal with his demons and willing to engage with whatever services are available to him in prison.
The court heard she had run up a drug debt and agreed to keep these drugs at her home in an attempt to repay some of that debt

A Dublin woman has been jailed for four years after she was caught with 280,000 worth of cocaine in her home.

Emma Burgess (38) of Parkview, Rathborne, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having the drugs for sale or supply at her home on May 5, 2023. She has some minor previous convictions.

Garda Shane Cunningham told Sarah Connolly BL, prosecuting, that Burgess ultimately admitted to gardai, following her arrest, that she had been supplying a small amount of cocaine. She had run up a drug debt and agreed to keep these drugs at her home in an attempt to repay some of that debt.

Gardai secured a warrant to search Burgess home and she immediately admitted that there were drugs in a bedroom. The four kilogrammes worth of cocaine were found on top of a wardrobe.

She took responsibility for the drugs but was not able to identify who had given them to her. She said she had arranged to pick them up from the carpark at Crumlins Childrens Hospital in Dublin.

She said she met a person she didnt know in the carpark and they handed her a heavy black bin.

She didnt look into the bag and she was told to hold it for some time before somebody would come to pick it up. Burgess told gardai that she had a debt of about 15,000. She said it was known that she was in dire financial circumstances.

She admitted that she sold a bit of cocaine and always got paid in cash. There was evidence of drug dealing on her phone in a notes app.

Gda Cunningham agreed with Seamus Clarke SC, defending, that Burgess has two teenage children. He accepted her children have never come to garda attention and appear to be doing well.

Mr Clarke said that Burgess had a debt problem due to her own recreational drug use. He said she had split up from her partner and was a good mother and her children were doing well.

She has since attended for drug treatment and is clean for the last 18 months, counsel said.

Mr Clarke said she had been working as a special needs assistant but is no longer able to work in this area.

Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged that Burgess made immediate admissions and accepted that she was holding the drugs for some type of reward.

She came into the company of third parties who took advantage of her to some degree, the judge said before he acknowledged the various testimonials and letters before the court outlining that Burgess is a good mother and has many good points.

He said however that she deserved a custodial sentence before he jailed Burgess for four years.
Patrick Cawley (34) had 144 previous convictions

A man who threatened a garda that he would get people to rape his wife and would kill his mother stone dead has been jailed for seven months.

Patrick Cawley (34) had been trying to start fights with people and had grabbed a man by the throat when he made the threats to the investigating officer.

Judge John Hughes imposed the sentence when the accused appeared at Dublin District Court.

Cawley, with an address at Plunkett Crescent, Finglas, pleaded guilty to charges including threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour, public intoxication and resisting arrest.

A garda sergeant told the judge that gardai on duty on August 30 last year saw the accused acting aggressively on Crampton Quay, where he was starting fights with members of the public.

A garda saw him grabbing a man by the throat and when they intervened and tried to calm Cawley down, he became abusive, saying: Ill get people to rape your wife, Ill kill your mother stone dead.

He was acting erratically and resisted arrest.

Cawley was taken into custody and brought to Kevin Street garda station, where he swung punches and kicks at gardai.

He grabbed one garda by the hood and ripped his clothing.

While in the station, the accused smeared faeces over the cell, which had to be cleaned at a cost of 80.

In a separate incident last October 5, gardai came across the accused with a scooter that matched the description of a stolen one and when they approached, he fled across OConnell Bridge.

He was apprehended after a short foot chase and became abusive to gardai, calling them f**king c**t rats and dirty paedophiles.

He threatened to spit in the officers faces and continued to be aggressive and to spit after he was arrested and taken to Pearse Street garda station.

Cawley had 144 previous convictions, for charges including public order offences and criminal damage. He was already in custody when he appeared in court on the latest charges, having been refused bail for the incident last October.

Cawley had a severe drug addiction, which had been the main trigger for a lot of his offending, his solicitor John Quinn said.

He had been on methadone since he went into custody and was making efforts to get on a residential treatment programme.

The judge backdated the sentences to last October.
A confiscation order totalling 182,000 (213,000) was made against Ronan Hughes

An Irish haulier found guilty of the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese immigrants in a truck has won his appeal against a 175,000 asset confiscation order based on the value of a home he built in Co Monaghan.

A confiscation order totalling 182,000 (213,000) was made against Ronan Hughes last year by the British Crown Court, with the money to be distributed to the families of the deceased immigrants. That amount included 150,000 (175,000) the court said represented his share of ownership in the Monaghan home.

But Hughes and his mother Catherine Hughes have successfully appealed the confiscation order in respect of the home, with the Crown Court now directed by the Court of Appeal to conduct a fresh hearing into its ownership.

Hughes was a criminal kingpin in the smuggling of illegal immigrants across the English Channel from France. He was paid 3,000 for each immigrant he smuggled.

Irish haulier who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese immigrants has won an appeal against a confiscation order against his home in Co Monaghan

In October 2019, two of his employees took part in transporting the 39 Vietnamese nationals by truck in an airtight trailer from France to Essex in England. When the doors were opened nearly 12 hours later, all those inside  including men, women and teenagers  were dead. Their deaths were caused by asphyxiation, carbon dioxide poisoning and hyperthermia.

Some of those inside the trailer had tried in vain to escape, leaving bloody handprints on the inside of the container before they died.

Mr Hughes was extradited from Ireland to the UK in 2020 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for manslaughter in 2021.

The Crown Court subsequently determined that Mr Hughes benefited to the tune of 182,000 from his criminal conduct. Some assets, including cash and vehicles, amounted to just over 55,000.

But there was an issue as to the value of any interest Mr Hughes had in a property at Leitrim Silverstream, Tyholland, Co Monaghan.

Until his arrest, Mr Hughes had lived at the house with his wife Michelle and their three children. He had paid for the house to be built on land owned at the time by his father. In October 2020  six months after he was arrested in Ireland  Catherine Hughes was added to the registered title as a co-owner of the land with her husband, Gerard.

Gerard Hughes died in 2021, and the land on which the house was built is now registered as being solely owned by Mrs Hughes.

In 2021, Ronan Hughes stated that he owned the home built on the land in Co Monaghan and owned it jointly with his wife. The house was valued in 2021 at 532,000 (624,000) by the courts financial investigator. Hughes disagreed with that valuation. Michelle Hughes produced a certificate to the court that showed the property was valued at 350,000.

Catherine Hughes told the court that while her son and Michelle Hughes were given permission to build on a house on the land, she and her late husband did not intend to provide any assurance that her son and his family would obtain rights to the land or that they could sell the property.

But the Crown Court judge ruled that Hughes did have an equitable interest in the house. The judge ruled that his share was worth 150,000. He then made the asset confiscation order totalling 182,000 against Hughes.

Hughes and his mother appealed the order. Hughes lawyers argued that he does not have any present right to sell the house, because the land on which it sits is owned by his mother.

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the Crown Courts ruling that Hughes had a proprietary interest in the Co Monaghan home must be set aside.

We are satisfied that giving effect to the judge's determination would result in a serious risk of injustice to Mrs [Catherine] Hughes, the Court of Appeal noted. It instructed the Crown Court to engage in a fresh determination of Hughess interest in the house.
He claims that he was suspended after information he gave in the broadcast, which he claims was also carried by other media outlets, turned out not to be accurate.

Broadcaster Paul Byrne has launched High Court proceedings over internal disciplinary proceedings brought against him by his employer Virgin Media.

Mr Byrne, who is the broadcaster's southern correspondent, was suspended from his role following a live report he made on the afternoon of February 9 last concerning the death of a young boy in Co Waterford.

He claims that he was suspended after information he gave in the broadcast, which he claims was also carried by other media outlets, turned out not to be accurate.

At the time he had believed the information to be credible.

He claims his employer informed him that he was being suspended for allegedly breaching the broadcasters News Guidelines and Production Handbook, because he had failed to speak to his line manager about the matter in advance of the broadcast.

The disciplinary process, he claims, could result in his dismissal for alleged gross misconduct.

He denies any wrongdoing, and claims that the process engaged by his employer is flawed, punitive, disproportionate and should be set aside.

He also claims that the process lacks credibility and is in breach of his contractual rights.

As a result he is seeking a High Court injunction restraining Virgin Media Ireland Ltd, and Virgin Media Television Limited from continuing the disciplinary process against him.

He also seeks orders requiring the defendants to continue to pay his full salary and benefits, lift his suspension, and not appoint anyone to carry out his duties.

The court heard that in correspondence the defendants rejected Mr Byrne's claims against them and about the disciplinary process.

They said that given its role as a public broadcaster it deems the alleged breach as being "serious in nature" and informed him that "steps needed to be taken to avoid a repeat".

Mr Byrne's counsel Eoin Clifford SC told the court that the disciplinary process commenced by the reporter's employer is "irredeemably flawed." and "should be set at naught".

Counsel said that as part of his client's broadcast on February 9 Mr Byrne had stated that one line of inquiry being considered by the gardai as part of the investigation into the child's death was that the boy had allegedly been drowned and placed into a car.

His client had cited the allegation after checking it with at least two credible sources, and after two other media outlets had published the same information.

The information later turned out not to be true, and Mr Byrne was later suspended on full pay from his job.

It is Mr Byrne's case that the requirement to speak to the producer in advance is not mandatory, and is a guideline, counsel said.

Mr Byrne has not broken any mandatory rule nor any contractual provision, counsel said.

Counsel said that during the investigation stage of the process his client wanted to bring a trade union representative, namely Damien Tiernan of the NUJ, with him to the investigation meeting.

Under the defendants' own grievance and disciplinary procedures counsel said that Mr Byrne is allowed to be represented at such a meeting by a work colleague or a recognised trade union representative, counsel said.

The employer refused to allow Mr Tiernan attend the meeting, because he does not work for the defendants, counsel said.

Mr Byrne attended a meeting by himself, counsel said, and now contests the accuracy of the minutes of that meeting.

Mr Byrne had been invited to a disciplinary meeting, initially due to be held in Limerick on Wednesday, April 17, counsel said.

The defendants had agreed to put that meeting back by another week, counsel said.

A medical report had been supplied to the defendants stating that Mr Byrne is not fit to attend that meeting.

Counsel said that his client was informed that if he were not present the meeting will proceed in his absence.

The outcome of the meeting could have very serious consequences for Mr Byrne, counsel said, adding that an adverse finding against the plaintiff could result in his dismissal from his job.

Counsel said that Mr Byrne was initially told he was being suspended on full pay, but that is no longer the case, and after a period of sick leave, and is only on partial pay.

The broadcaster's claim came before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on Tuesday, who on an ex-parte (one side only represented) basis granted Mr Byrne permission to serve short notice of the proceedings on the defendants.

The case will return before the court next week.
Mr Hickson is accused of intimidating Michael Healy-Rae at Kildare Street Dublin 2 on September 20.

Dean Hickson, 21yrs, of Griffith Parade, Finglas, Dublin pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin after he appeared before the Dublin District Court. Pic: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

A young man accused of intimidating independent TD Michael Healy-Rae during a protest outside Government buildings has been allowed more time to examine CCTV evidence before entering a plea.

About 200 protesters held a rally outside Leinster House on September 20 as the Dail resumed following the summer recess, leading to several arrests.

Afterwards, the Kerry TD condemned the conduct of some demonstrators as he and an intern from his office attempted to leave the area.

Dean Hickson, 21, of Griffith Parade, Finglas East Dublin, appeared again at Dublin District Court before Judge Paula Murphy today when he was scheduled to enter a plea.

However, defence solicitor Donal Quigley said he needed more time to go through the evidence, including CCTV, with his client.

Pleading for an adjournment, he added that gardai had furnished "a lot of disclosure".

Judge Murphy agreed to the request, adjourned the case for a week and remanded Mr Hickson on continuing bail. He will be expected to enter a plea at his next appearance or have a later hearing date set if he intends to contest the charge.

Following an investigation, gardai charged him in February.

Pearse Street Garda Chloe Rochfort obtained directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charge him under section nine of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Mr Hickson is accused of intimidating Michael Healy-Rae at Kildare Street Dublin 2 on September 20.

The DPP directed summary disposal in the District Court, which can impose a 12-month sentence and a fine, rather than a trial at the Circuit Court level, which can impose a sentence of up to five years.

Judge Murphy had accepted jurisdiction after hearing a summary of the prosecution evidence.

Earlier, court Garda Sergeant James Ward had said it was alleged that "The accused was among a number of aggressive protesters outside Leinster House during an anti-government, anti-immigration protest."

At one point, the CCTV footage captured someone "throwing a plastic bottle in the direction of Michael Healy Rae, narrowly missing his head".

During the investigation, the accused was identified from the video footage "as the person who deliberately impeded the injured party from entering Government buildings, a place of work".

At that preliminary hearing in February, his solicitor told the judge that his client maintained "he did not block anyone going in or out".

The defence was granted an order to be given copies of prosecution evidence, including video footage.

Healy-Rae, 57, has not been required to attend the proceedings so far but could be called as a witness to testify if the case proceeds to a contested hearing.

Mr Hickson, who is unemployed, was granted legal aid but has not addressed the court at any point in the proceedings.
Cyril Mullane subjected daughter to years of rape and he will spend the next 11 years in jail

Chloe Mullane when she was six, the year her dad started to abuse her

Cyril Mullane sexually abused his daughter for over five years, starting when she was six years old.

Chloe Mullane speaks to the media after her father Cyril Mullane was jailed yesterday for a total of 11-and-a-half years. Photo: Collins

A survivor of sexual abuse was just 11 when she wrote a letter to her mother that uncovered the shocking trauma inflicted on her by her father.

Chloe Mullane (19) waited seven years for justice after being raped by her father from the age of just six.

She spoke out yesterday after her father Cyril Mullane (51) was jailed for 11-and-a-half years at the Central Criminal Court for the prolonged abuse of his daughter.

Ms Mullane revealed that she was only 11 when she first reported the abuse after a letter to her mother signified that he was forcing her to touch him.

When asked why she decided to waive her anonymity in the case, Ms Mullane said: I did it in the hope that other survivors of sexual abuse might come forward when they hear about my case.

I want to give a little bit of hope for other survivors that these people can be punished.

My mum and myself have been fighting this case for almost eight years. We hope this day will be a new chapter in our lives.

Cyril Mullane had no involvement in the first six years of his daughters life. As soon as he was invited to spend time with the little girl, he embarked on a campaign of abuse.

In January, a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of 26 counts of sexually abusing Chloe on dates between June 2011 and September 2016, when she was aged between six and 12.

Father-of-three Mullane, with an address at Borefield, Strokestown, Co Roscommon, was found guilty of 11 counts of oral rape, 14 counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted rape at his then-homes in Co Sligo and Norfolk in the UK. He had denied the charges.

Cyril Mullane sexually abused his daughter for over five years, starting when she was six years old.

To compound the stress that Ms Mullane had to deal with, this was the third time the trial had come before the courts.

It had previously been adjourned because of the Covid pandemic, while a jury failed to reach a verdict in the case at another court hearing.

Cyril Mullane still insists he is not guilty of the offences which Ms Mullane said led to her making seven attempts on her life as well as multiple self-harm incidents. That has led to scarring on her arms, shoulders and legs.

Now based in the UK, Ms Mullane said she would not have been able to survive the campaign of abuse by her father without the support of her network of family and friends.

Me and my mum came to the conclusion years ago that his brain was wired differently to normal people

That support network was led by her mother Naomi and a son of Cyril Mullanes from another relationship, Patrick.

Ms Mullane also praised the investigation work and support that she received from gardai and police in Norfolk, England, who she originally made her criminal complaint to.

I am pretty scarred, she said. At one stage I pulled all my hair out. I hope there are no other victims of my father but I dont know.

Welcoming the prison sentence handed down to her father, she said she had no idea why he did what he did.

Me and my mum came to the conclusion years ago that his brain was wired differently to normal people, she said.

I remember almost every incident of the abuse and this started when I was six years old.

She described the sentence handed down to her abuser as a relief  welcoming the fact that he will not be around children for many years because he will be in jail, where he belongs.

Chloe Mullane when she was six, the year her dad started to abuse her

I never want to see him again, said Ms Mullane, who now hopes to spend more time in Ireland, especially with her family and friends in Co Roscommon.

Her mother and father had a nine-month relationship. He moved away following the break-up of the relationship, while Naomi was pregnant.

When Chloe was six, her father began visiting her home to get to know her. She would then stay with him.

However, instead of the normal loving relationship she wanted, the court heard her childhood years were poisoned.

She spoke of being left confused, isolated and angry.

She is still struggling to get over it

She would visit her fathers home in Rainbow Cottage, Castlebaldwin, Co Sligo. Later, she made visits to his home in Norfolk.

Sentencing Cyril Mullane yesterday, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo said Ms Mullanes youth was poisoned by the abuse to which she was subjected.

She is still struggling to get over it, he said.

The judge added that a sad aspect of the case was that Ms Mullane was initially excited to have her father back in her life.

She continued to wish for a normal relationship with him, even as he continued to abuse her.

The judge noted a number of aggravating factors, including the elevated degradation of the sexual abuse, given her young age.

He noted it was a significant breach of trust and the abuse took place over a five-year period, capturing most of Ms Mullanes childhood.

The judge handed down a sentence of 13 years. He suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on a number of conditions.
Four other properties are to go under the hammer in bumper offload by cops

The Villa which was once owned by Fat Andy Connors

The semi detached house in Belgard, Tallaght has a minimum price of 240,000

Eight years after his death, burglary gang boss Pale Miley Connors old house is part of a million-euro auction of properties seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).

Now boarded up and badly in need of repairs, the five-bed semi-D contrasts with some of the slick homes that Bureau will put under the hammer later this month.

Despite a minimum price of 240,000, similar houses in Belgard Heights, Tallaght, Dublin 24, have been going for well in excess of 400,000.

Members of the Pale Miley gang had been targets for CAB before the grandfather of crime passed away in 2016.

Miley Connors ran a prolific burglary gang. He died in 2016

His son, Fat Andy Connors, was gunned down in a gangland murder in 2014, while another son, infamous burglar Jimmy Connors, died in 2019 after choking on food.

The sale of the house in Tallaght is one of five properties set for auction, along with homes taken from Kinahan cartel man Ross Browning and Cabra-based gangland figure Christopher Git Waldron.

The sales, which include Brownings sea-side plot in Rush, Co Dublin, are expected to net well over 1 million for the State.

Just last December CAB offloaded two properties linked to another Kinahan cartel figure, Liam Byrne, for 500,000 as well as drug dealer Barry Fowlers house in Wexford for 266,000

The semi detached house in Belgard, Tallaght has a minimum price of 240,000

Another member of the Pale Miley gang was forced to hand over a house bought with his ill-gotten gains in January this year.

Patrick Wall had bought the semi-detached bungalow in Newbridge, Co Kildare for 166,500 in cash despite not having had any income to explain his wealth.

That property has yet to go on the market.

The Pale Miley gang has been one of the most prolific burglary gangs in Ireland and was the focus of Operation Fiacla and Operation Thor.

Younger members of the gang have since been arrested and prosecuted over break-ins in the UK and in Melbourne, Australia.

In 2013, CAB seized almost 1m from the gang after a three-year long investigation into its criminal activities.

Officers discovered a network of bank accounts with a total balance of more than 950,000, and got court orders to freeze the assets.

In 2021, a sister of Fat Andys, Elizabeth Wall, and her husband, John Wall, handed over five acres of land in Carlow and more than 130,000 in cash after they were targeted by CAB.

There was also a revenue demand for 2.5m put in place against Ann Connors, Fat Andys widow.

The Sunday World previously reported how CAB got judgement mortgages on several properties in her name including The Ranch and The Villa properties.

It means any proceeds from Ann Connors interest in the properties would go to the CAB should the properties be sold.

Fat Andy once put The Villa, a large mansion on the Blessington Road outside Tallaght, on the market with a 3m price tag after being hit with a tax demand by CAB. He was later able to settle the bill without having to sell his trophy home.

The Villa which was once owned by Fat Andy Connors

Fat Andy Connors

However, the father-of-six was shot dead by a masked man at his home in Saggart, Co Dublin, in August 2014 in a murder witnessed by his wife, four of their children, and a niece.

It also emerged this week Christopher Git Waldrons Cabra home at Killala Road was advertised for auction with a reserve price of 275,000.

Last year a similar end-of-terrace house on the same road went for 344,000.

Waldrons house might be expected to reach an even higher price tag having had a two-storey extension added at the back and side of the house.

An estimated 430,000 was spent on renovating the house, according to CAB, which was bought by Waldron for a bargain 50,000 in 2013, according to the Price Property Register.

His brother David Waldron, a convicted drug dealer, is the target of a 2.9m CAB case which went to a two-day hearing, with a judgement yet to be made.

Christopher Git Waldrons home in Cabra has had extensive renovations

Christopher 'Git' Waldron

It centres around three properties in Dublin, Kildare and Wexford, including Darview a luxury mansion.

Also, up for grabs in the online auctions are the properties linked to the Kinahans No1 man in Ireland, Ross Browning.

A cottage, a house, three stables and a large steel shed on 3.2 acres is set for auction with a reserve price of 550,000.

The cottage, Chesnut Lodge, at the Garristown site is where Brownings mother Julie Conway and her partner ex-garda David OBrien had been living.

Included in the sale is the three-bedroom red-bricked house where Browning lived with his partner Sinead Mulhall, as are two seaside plots in Rush, Co Dublin.
This was not a goud idea and the two arrested men wont brie free for a long time

UK prosecutors have jailed two men after over 20 million worth of cocaine was found hidden inside blocks of Gouda cheese.

217 kilos of the illicit drugs were found after cops busted the smelly import from Belgium last May.

Images released by UK detectives showed the narcotics stashed inside the dairy product after being cut open.

One of the men arrested, Saleem Chaudhri, was spotted by Lancashire Police driving a Toyota he had picked up from a drugs courier.

Cops tracked the 46-year-old and found the huge coke haul at the Old Fire Station in Blackburn, ready to be distributed across Britain.

The cocaine hidden in Gouda

The drugs boss was arrested on May 3, just hours before he was set to hand over 67kg of drugs to one gang member, who was arrested on the same day, and 63kg to another gangster.

Two months later, police arrested Rieddul Mohabath (28) at a property in the north east of England. He was in charge of operations and distribution for the gang.

Investigators later found evidence that Chaudhri agreed to sell over 2000kg of cocaine worth over 82 million.

More cocaine was found in black bin bags alongside the Gouda and a sum of cash totalling 13,000.

Police operation

This is the moment Saleem Chaudhri and Rieddul Mohabath said 'cheese' to our custody camera, after concealing cocaine inside blocks of Gouda smuggled from Belgium, UK cops announced this week on social media.

Detective Sergeant Haydn Sibley of Lancashire Police said: Chaudhri and his associates went to great lengths to hide their product and with the amount of cocaine seized  the biggest haul ever in Lancashire  you can understand why.

The two arrested men (Lancashire Police)

When we arrested Chaudhri you could see by the look on his face that his world had crumbled and that is reflected by the significant sentence he has received today.

Some of the drugs were hidden in blocks of cheese, but no problem for our sharp officers who got to work uncovering it.

An investigation was launched, uncovering money laundering and other criminal exploits before it all crumbled like feta.

Our evidence shows that between September 2022 and May 2023 Chaudhri agreed to sell over 2000 kilos of cocaine worth over 70 million.

Cocaine is found

And luckily we didn't take Chaudhri's curd that he was acting alone - our investigation identified that Mohabath was directing couriers, storing cash and concealing drugs as part of the organised crime gang.

On Friday Chaudhri was sentenced to 27 and a half years. Mohabath was today jailed for 16 years. Meaning the pair wont be brie - sorry - free for a very long time.

"I welcome the sentences that both Chaudhri and Mohabath received and I hope they send out a clear message about what you should expect to happen when we catch you supplying Class A drugs in Lancashire.
"Until an insurance company kicks in, were struggling

Businesses that were destroyed in the Engine Block fire in west Dublin last week are waiting for insurance to kick in.

Gardai and Dublin Fire Brigade rushed to the home of car culture in Ireland which went up in flames on Tuesday April 9 at roughly 20:50pm.

The blaze gutted the building where Deane Motors, Drift Games, JC Autocare and many others operate in the Ballycoolin industrial estate, Dublin 15.

It took 22 firefighters to extinguish the blaze which was started by a gas explosion, according to RTE news.

"We are struggling, until an insurance company kicks in. We have staff and we have no revenue, said Simon Deane of Deane Motors on social media.

Burned interior of The Engine Block

The classic car entrepreneur have been overwhelmed by well wishers as they come to terms with what happened. Mr Deane also described how their two staff members barely escaped with their lives.

"The aftermath and where we go from here, he said. It was so hard to keep it together but the support is so so overwhelming. The Irish car community did us all so proud.

"Just want to say thank you to everyone, it has been surreal. We are lost for words with the support from people.

Simon from Deane Motors

"Car clubs, the whole motoring community, customers, business, so many offers of support, it would bring you to tears the generosity.

"The fire started in our workshop, we know it wasnt suspicious, it wasnt arson. We were lucky we had two people in the building, without Ciaran, the mechanic would not have made it out alive.

"He tried to put the fire out, seconds later he had to follow Ciarans voice to try get out of the place. Most importantly he is OK.

Drift Games image of aftermath

"All of the loss, financial and emotional is all irrelevant if anyone had died. It would be a different conversation. Thats the long and the short of it.

The financial implications for all the companies involved is vast. Drift Games lost so much and all the businesses are described as being f**ked.

"We are struggling, until an insurance company kicks in. We have staff and we have no revenue, Simon continued.

"This place was our dream. For a car enthusiast and business owner, it is devastating. The blood, sweat and tears that went into the place.

"Its life-altering and frustrating, it feels as if we did it all for nothing. Its so sad.

Burned dressing gown

Deane Motors also displayed an image of burned clothing from the fire and wrote:

"You either laugh or you cry The greatest dressing gown from my best friend Simon Walsh survived the fire Today was a really hard day but we know we have to do this again

"The Engine Block must go on. Deane Motors must go on. If this dressing gown says anything It says we are just happy to still be together. #rebuild #hearbreak

Drift Games stated: Its been an emotionally dark time for all of us, but we are fighting. Thanks to all of you, we are still here, we are able to pay our short term bills (and most importantly) we can stay together as a team.

"We dont know how right now, but we promise we will repay all your support, belief and generosity in the future.
"Give us a ri...we mean call us on 025 82100

Gardai have put out a nationwide appeal to help find the owners of two wedding bands found this week in a Cork supermarket carpark.

The gold rings are uniquely engraved and are worth a substantial sum of money.

"These two gold wedding bands were found in a supermarket carpark on the Dublin Rd in Fermoy, Co Cork, last Tuesday morning, said a garda spokesperson.

"They are both uniquely engraved.

"Perhaps they are familiar and you havent realized just yet that they have been missing, or that you accidentally misplaced them?

"Give us a ri...we mean call us on 025 82100, here to help.

This latest find comes hot on the heels of the discovery of a saphire engagement ring in the Wicklow mountains last week.

That discovery had a happy ending as the 1.5 carat stone band was returned to its owner.

Another lost ring

After posting an appeal for help in tracing the owner of the jewel on Instagram, Irish jewellers Chupi revealed that that someone had come forward.

There was a bunch of potential leads most of which were dead ends. But Katie our store manager spoke to the people this morning and they confirmed details that only the purchaser would know so we were finally able to find it on our system.

They have asked for privacy so we wont be sharing any more details.

However, the happy shop did extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who did so much to return the ring but especially to the incredible lady Treasa who found it.

"There arent many places in the world when a sapphire ring is found on the ground that it would be safely returned, it says so much about Ireland and community and above all hope that the ring made it safely back.
Loyalists target home linked to thug whos pushing dodgy pills

The downstairs flat in Westbourne Crescent which had its windows smashed on Easter Sunday

A blood-thirsty UDA gang whose members once shot a 61-year-old granny in the head is waging war against a notorious drug dealer.

Coleraine pusher Mark Hayes recently walked free from court despite being convicted of dealing drugs to a man who died after taking tablets from what cops described as a bad batch of prescription pills.

Now, the 32-year-old is in the sights of the much-feared North Antrim UDA who have been responsible for a spate of near-deadly gun attacks in the last five years.

The attacks include targeting drug-smuggling grandmother Sally Cummins and Celtic fan Paul Fleming  both of whom miraculously escaped with their lives despite being shot in the head.

Celtic fan Paul Fleming's injuries

We can reveal a property linked to Hayes was attacked last weekend, with the UDA gang furious he not only walked free from Ballymena Magistrates Court, but that he has returned to live with family in Coleraine despite a number of warnings.

Our picture shows a flat in Westbourne Crescent belonging to someone known to him which had its windows put in on Easter Sunday  10 days after his court reprieve.

The PSNI told the Sunday World: Police are investigating a report of criminal damage caused to a house in the Coleraine area.

It was reported to police at approximately 2.30pm on Sunday, March 31, that sometime overnight three windows were broken at the property in the Westbourne Crescent area of the town.

Inquiries were made following the report. Anyone with any new information that could help with our investigation is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 848 31/03/24.

The downstairs flat in Westbourne Crescent which had its windows smashed on Easter Sunday

Last September, we revealed a petrol bomb was thrown at another property in Coleraine that Hayes had given as his bail address just days after he appeared in court charged with dealing the dodgy drugs.

He had been dealing drugs in Ballymena and was staying in a hostel where a man died after taking a bad batch of pills sold to him by Hayes. Since being charged, Hayes returned to Coleraine to stay with relatives.

Its understood there have been at least three house attacks and several warnings issued to Hayes, all believed to be from the North Antrim UDA.

Sources in Coleraine have told the Sunday World the gang is likely to up the ante if Hayes stays in town.

The UDA here like to see themselves as anti-drugs and Hayess return to Coleraine has not gone down very well, said a source.

They attacked his a house last year when Hayes was charged and it came out in court about the fella dying in the Lighthouse Hostel in Ballymena. That time they chucked a petrol bomb at the front door and then they attacked another relatives house after Hayes moved in with her and they attacked it a second time last week.

These guys will up the ante for sure. They arent very happy he didnt serve a day in prison and want to make a statement to other drug dealers that they arent welcome in Coleraine.

Last month, District Judge Nigel Broderick told Hayes that, just on balance, he was imposing a combination order of 12 months probation and 100 hours of community service.

He also warned him that he should be under no illusions  supplying drugs to anyone else is a serious matter and will be dealt with accordingly by the courts.

Hayes, from Westbourne Crescent, had earlier entered guilty pleas to possessing pregabalin with intent to supply and supplying the class C drug to another on August 25 last year.

When Hayes was first charged last August, the court heard how there was a sudden death at the Lighthouse Hostel after a man passed away in his room with a box of pregabalin beside him.

When Hayes room at the hostel was searched, cops found a sheet of pregabalin and it appears to be the same brand as the box that was found in the deceaseds room, said an officer.

At a previous court hearing police objected to bail, claiming Hayes admitted to them that he knew about a bad batch of pregabalin being sold in Belfast.

Detectives argued that despite this, they believed Hayes would continue to deal the drugs because he just doesnt care.

Leading a plea in mitigation, defence counsel Michael Smyth conceded that Hayes has previous convictions but since the incident last August, he has moved in with his father, is attending drug addiction counselling and although his drug consumption continues, it has certainly reduced.

He said a further period on probation would help Hayes tackle his issues.

The same gang targeting Hayes was responsible for the shooting of then 61-year-old grandmother Sally Cummins at her Bushmills Road home on October 5, 2020.

She was left fighting for her life in Belfasts Royal Victoria Hospital after shots were fired at the front and back of the home, with at least one striking her head.

Her son, Russell, was also injured in the shooting. The attack was said to have been ordered by a paramilitary boss over the sudden death of 21-year-old Coleraine woman Lindsey Boyd inside the Cummins home a number of weeks previous.

In 2014, Sally Cummins received a six-month suspended prison sentence after attempting to smuggle drugs into Magilligan prison.

Just a month before that shooting, the same faction was believed to be responsible for the so-called punishment shooting of a convicted paedophile in nearby Bushmills.

Masked men stormed the rural home of a convicted sex offender where they battered him with crowbars.

He was dragged out the back of his Ballyclogh Road home and shot in the arms and legs. Hed previously been warned a number of times that his life was in danger, the Sunday World revealed at the time.

Paul Fleming was shot in head as he answered his door in 2020

In December 2020, Coleraine dad Paul Fleming was also left fighting for his life after being shot in the head as he answered the door of his Churchlands Road flat.

His family claimed he was targeted because he was a Celtic supporter, but it later emerged Fleming had also been waging a hate campaign against a Protestant family and was caught on CCTV throwing cans of beer at their house.
Firefighters were called to the City Hospital tower block in the south of the city shortly before 1pm.

Seven fire crews were summoned to attend a fire on the roof of Belfast City Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the City Hospital tower block in the south of the city shortly before 1pm.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that the fire that is understood to be accidental had already been extinguished.

A spokesperson for Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said: "Firefighters were called to reports of a fire on the roof of a building on the Lisburn Road, Belfast, at 12.52pm.

"It was established on arrival that the fire had been extinguished. Firefighters carried out an intensive inspection but found no further hot spots or fires.

"The cause of the fire was accidental and the incident was dealt with by 2.19pm."
Police have said they believe Cauchi was targeting women specifically

The father of the Sydney shopping centre attacker said he too would have shot his son if he was the lone police officer who had to confront the knifeman.

Joel Cauchi fatally stabbed five women and one man during a knife attack on Bondi Junction Westfield on Saturday. Cauchis family has voiced their support for Inspector Amy Scott, the policewoman who killed their son.

If I was in her uniform, and this wasnt my son and he runs at me with a knife, Id have to do the same thing, said Andrew Cauchi.

Police said they believe Cauchi was targeting women specifically.

His parents confirmed their son was desperate to have a girlfriend. Karen Webb, the New South Wales police commissioner, said: The videos speak for themselves. Its obvious the offender had focused on women and avoided the men.

A young child carries flowers to place as a tribute near the crime scene at Bondi Junction, Sydney, where the stabbings took place. Photo: Rick Rycroft

Mr Cauchi said yesterday he knew why his mentally unwell son had targeted women.

Because he wanted a girlfriend and hes got no social skills and he was frustrated out of his brain, the 76-year-old told reporters outside his home in Queensland.

Describing his son as very sick, his visibly shaken father described grappling with the feelings of loving a monster.

The majority of the 12 people wounded in the attack were female, including a baby girl. The victims include the babys mother Ashlee Good (38), architect Jade Young (47), artist Pikria Darchia (55), economics student Yixuan Cheng (27) and Dawn Singleton (25), who was buying make-up for her upcoming wedding to her high-school sweetheart when she was fatally stabbed.

The male victim was Faraz Tahir, (30) an unarmed security guard on his first shift.

Cauchi grew up in a loving home, had been top of his class and had many friends until he was diagnosed schizophrenic at age 18, his mother Michele Cauchi said.

Aided by medication and with family support, he obtained a university degree and went on to work as an English tutor.

Since tapering off his medication, the 40-year-old had, in recent months, been homeless in Sydney where he joined escort websites to sell sexual services to both men and women.

Mrs Cauchi said that her son was likely triggered into a psychosis.

This is a parents absolute nightmare when they have a child with a mental illness that something like this would happen, she said.

As detectives investigated the motive, New South Wales premier Chris Minns said an inquest would consider the need to strengthen the mental health system.
It had ripped through the houses ceiling and torn up the flooring

A mystery object that crashed onto a Florida home last month was from the International Space Station, Nasa has confirmed.

The object, weighing about 0.7kg (1.6lbs) and 10cm (4in) tall, was part of equipment from the space station that tore through a home in Naples on 8 March.

It had ripped through the houses ceiling and torn up the flooring.

The homes owner Alejandro Otero told local television at the time that he was on holiday when his son told him what had happened at the house.

I was shaking. I was completely in disbelief. What are the chances of something landing on my house with such force to cause so much damage. Im super grateful that nobody got hurt, Mr Otero told The Associated Press.

The object was then taken to the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral for further analysis.

Nasa confirmed on Monday that the object was part of metal support of a cargo pallet packed with over 2,600kg (5,800lbs) of aging batteries, which was released from the space station in 2021.

The space agency planned to release aging nickel hydride batteries from the space station after the delivery and installation of new lithium-ion batteries as part of power upgrades on the orbital outpost.

While the discarded chunk of space junk, made of metal alloy Inconel, was expected to burn up on entry into Earths atmosphere, a piece of it survived and crashed onto the Florida home, the space agency noted.

Based on the examination, the agency determined the debris to be a stanchion from the Nasa flight support equipment used to mount the batteries on the cargo pallet, the agencys officials said.

The International Space Station will perform a detailed investigation of the jettison and re-entry analysis to determine the cause of the debris survival and to update modeling and analysis, as needed, Nasa said.

Nasa researchers model how objects heat up and break apart during re-entry into the Earths atmosphere.

These models are regularly updated when agency officials find debris that survives re-entry to the ground.




Anzac Day commemorations across Tauranga city will include several dawn services, at Papamoa, Mount Maunganui and Tauranga city, giving residents a chance to remember the brave men and women who fought for the freedom we enjoy today.

At Papamoa the Anzac Day service will be held at the Papamoa War Memorial in Stella Place, with the public encourated to arrive by 5.30am for a 5.55am start.

Veterans, families and individuals will be invited to place poppies or wreaths at the base of the Papamoa Cenotaph following the main service.



Road closures will apply in support of the services at Mount Maunganui and Tauranga.

Tauranga

From 7am to 12pm, road closures will be in place for the following locations:

Fraser Street  between Eleventh and Thirteenth Avenues

 between Eleventh and Thirteenth Avenues Eleventh Avenue  between Devonport Road and Fraser Street

A free park and ride service will be available from Tauranga Boys' College to Memorial Park between 8am and 8.40am, with buses returning immediately after the service.



Buses will drop off and pick up from the Queen Elizabeth Youth car park. All park and ride buses are accessible for people with limited mobility.

Mount Maunganui

From 2am to 12pm, road closures will be in place for the following locations:

Marine Parade - between Commons and Banks Avenues

- between Commons and Banks Avenues Pacific Avenue - between Rita Street and Marine Parade

- between Rita Street and Marine Parade Grace Avenue - between Maunganui Road and Marine Parade

A free park and ride service will be available from Kawaka Street, behind Blake Park, to Maunganui Road, behind Mount Drury Reserve, Hopukiore.



Buses will depart from Kawaka Street between 5am and 5.50am, returning at the conclusion of the Dawn Service between 6.15am and 7.30am. All park and ride buses are accessible for people with limited mobility.
People suffering from Long Covid are scared they will face penalties under the coalition government's benefit reset.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston has announced a ramping up of benefit sanctions would begin from June.

The ministry would begin "work check-ins" for those who had been on a jobseeker benefit for at least six months, to make sure beneficiaries were "taking appropriate steps to find employment and are receiving the right help", Upston says.

Long Covid sufferer Sarah Macrae was so sick, she had to leave her job as a director at Waikato Hospital in September 2023.

Facing a huge drop in wages, she went straight to Work and Income for help.

"I sat in front of the woman and I burst into tears and I just said, 'I am absolutely terrified. I've never claimed a benefit a day in my life. I have worked every single day. I'm a professional. I'm now solely responsible for four children, and I don't have a job. And I'm incapable of working. What do I do?'"

Backed by her GP, Sarah initially applied for the supported living payment or sickness benefit, because it was more money and could give her disability status.

But the ministry rejected the application because her medical certificate did not state that she would be unable to work for two years or more.

She was then put on the sole parent support benefit - which aims to help single parents find or get ready for work.

Her extreme fatigue, severe pain and mental impairment meant she was given a medical exemption from seeking work.

"Every time I do push myself, I'm in agony. My kids are watching me trying to get them to school in the morning and I can't even raise my arms to go on the steering wheel without crying in pain."

Despite the exemption, Sarah was sent multiple texts to take part in online job seminars, which she says was humiliating.

"That, to me, was just such an insult, you know, even a professional for as many years as I have. I'm not capable of working or I would be working. There is nothing that would stop me getting a job."

RNZ has seen the texts offering the job seminars, although the ministry denies ever sending the invitations.

Photo: Vinay Ranchhod.

Sarah was finally approved for supported living in March and says it bumped her total benefit income from $413 to $468 a week.

But with four children to feed and $560 a week in rent to pay, she was struggling to cope and has been asking the ministry for food grants.

Because she had been given a $300 grant at least three times in the past year, the agency had started asking her to prove she was buying cheaper food, she says.

"I've been asking (MSD) for food grants because I've literally got no way of making ends meet. I've used up every single little bit of savings I ever had. I sold the second car I had, I've used all of that. I've literally got nothing left.

"And still they're belittling me for the fact that I'm claiming too many food grants. I was just like 'You kidding me?'"

Sarah says she wished Work and Income would give people with Long Covid an individual case manager.

"We are already so fatigued, brain fogged, cognitively impaired... That's been one of the hardest things, is constantly dealing with different people and not having a person. 'Hey, remember what happened last week. Can we help again this week?' You know someone who sees it or knows my file."

Another Long Covid sufferer, Hannah, says she also struggled to access the supported living benefit.

She says contacting Work and Income to update her details or book an appointment was a nightmare.

"Fifty per cent of the time you can't even get hold of [anyone] on the phone. You call them and you get disconnected or you call them and you end up on a long as wait list."

In response to questions, the ministry says anyone who experienced difficulties applying for support should get in touch.

Jessica, not her real name, says Long Covid had left her unable to work since October 2022 and she was on the jobseeker benefit.

She says up until now, Work and Income staff had been supportive and realised she could not look for work.

But now she was scared she would face penalties under the coalition's new "work check-ins".

"It worries you with the whole National government, what they're doing - like trying to say 'Oh, there'll be options for people to get back to work who can work'.

"I'm like, 'I'd love to be back at work but I physically can't'. So what are they going to do?"

Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The Ministry of Social Development says anyone who did not meet their obligations to look for work would be contacted to find out if there was a good reason. If there was not, they would be told to comply.

Upston has said the check-ins would only apply to those on jobseeker benefits and not those on sole parent or supported living benefits.

However, people on those benefits would also have obligations in the future - although they might be different, she says.

"Their obligations might be to look for a few hours' work, their obligations might be in training or work preparation, but we don't want to wait for the two years before we start to provide the support that they need to get back into employment."

Jemima Huston/RNZ
The original Ford Mustang of 1964 was named after a wild, some say feral, horse found in the USA.

Ford Mustangs  new and vintage  continue to be celebrated in the Bay of Plenty, some 60 years after the first Ford Mustang was developed.

The Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club celebrated the 60th anniversary of the infamous vehicle with a run/cruise leaving from the Crossing Shopping Centre Lower Carpark on Sunday, April 14, says BOP Mustang Owners Club president Bruce Lewis.

Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club. Photos supplied.

Sundays run

Cruising through Welcome Bay, out onto State Highway 2, onto Sandhurst Drive, Ocean Beach Road to the base of Mt Maunganui and into Maunganui Road, Rata Street, Totara Street, Hewletts Road, over the bridge and right into Chapel Street, Vale Street, Grange Road, Otumoetai Road, Millers Road, Carmicheal Road and right into Bethlehem Road and stopping at Bethlehem Shores Retirement Village.

Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club. Photos supplied.

We have some 130 family members and about 250 Mustangs from 1964 to the very latest GT, Roush, Boss and Shelby models.

Ford launched the Mustang on April 19, 1964, and set a world record of 418,812 cars sold in the first year  that record still stands, says Bruce.

Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club. Photos supplied.

After the clubs run, they gathered to listen to guest speaker Kevin Foley, who is a member of both the Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club and United States Mustang Clubs.

A very pleasant afternoon was enjoyed by all followed by a burger and a drink.

Bruce says Kevin is a volunteer for the Petersen Automotive Museum which is a huge automotive museum with more than 300 cars spread over three floors in California.

Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club. Photos supplied.

The Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club was founded in Tauranga in 2002 by a small group of Mustang enthusiasts keen to share the love of their cars and the fun of being part of a group of like-minded people.

The club welcomes new members who are Mustang Owners and who want to enjoy their cars on runs to a wide variety of places & events, please contact; bopmustangclub@gmail.com.

Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club. Photos supplied.
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is expected to bring an "exhilarating and evocative music experience", featuring classical giants Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Bruckner and more, to Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland this week.

Testimony: Shostakovich & Tchaikovsky, directed by the NZSOs acclaimed Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppanen, is a rare opportunity to enjoy some of the finest works ever written performed exclusively by the NZSOs strings.

The Post hailed Testimony in Wellington last week as exquisite.

There were moments of reverential beauty a pitch-perfect piece of musicianship to cap a cleverly balanced and creative programme.

Testimony also includes enthralling music by renowned New Zealand composer Douglas Lilburn and Finlands greatest composer since Sibelius, Einojuhani Rautavaara.

The concert features the NZSOs talented Associate Principal Cellist Ken Ichinose as soloist for Tchaikovskys romantic Andante cantabile, the famous second movement from his String Quartet No.1 arranged by the composer for cello and orchestra.

Tchaikovsky's Andante cantabile is a treasured melody, especially for any string quartet player, says Ichinose.

For me, the emotion and beauty of this work is drawn from the sheer simplicity of form and musical line. We are so fortunate to have an arrangement by Tchaikovsky himself and I very much look forward to performing this particular version for solo cello and orchestra, having previously had the pleasure to perform the original quartet with colleagues from the NZSO a few years ago.

Shostakovichs Chamber Symphony is an arrangement of his Eighth String Quartet, written after he saw the aftermath of the apocalyptic 1945 bombing of Dresden.

Though he dedicated the Quartet to victims of fascism and war, in his later memoir, Testimony, Shostakovich said that the Quartet in fact described himself.

The Adagio from Bruckners String Quintet has been lauded as the pearl of the quintet  one of the noblest, most enlightened, tenderest and most beautiful in sound.

Rautavaaras Pelimannit is a suite of fantasies on Finnish fiddle music, while Lilburns Diversions for String Orchestra overflows with Lilburns love for the Kiwi countryside.

Testimony is performed in Tauranga on 18 April, Hamilton (19 April) and Auckland (20 April).

Ken Ichinoses appearance as a soloist is supported by Susan and Donald Best ONZM.
Beggars physically accosted 10 Aussie tourists at a cafe last week, claims a Rotorua councillor arguing it is time to seriously consider a begging ban.

One tourism operator says this would be an isolated incident and most tourists do not see the issue, but a hospitality leader says he would support a begging bylaw.

Rotorua Lakes Council staff say there is anecdotal evidence begging is down and work is ongoing to improve community safety, while police and the districts tourism promoter say the cafe incident was not reported to them.

Begging has been an ongoing issue for the city, with reports in the last year including beggars punching a McDonalds manager, lashing out at a motorist, being fined in court, operating in syndicates and making up to $400 a day in Rotorua.

The issue was raised at a Community and District Development Committee meeting on Wednesday.

A council report said its patrol vehicle was moving beggars on from intersections, and those who returned were dealt with by police who had the authority to trespass.

Anecdotal evidence suggests begging activity has reduced.

Rotorua Lakes Councillor Don Paterson. Photo / Laura Smith.

Councillor Don Paterson disagreed. He said he was told of an incident two days prior to the meeting while presenting on the councils draft Long-Term Plan to a local Rotary Club.

Ten Australian tourists arrived on their e-bikes at a cafe to have breakfast, it had been their first night in Rotorua  they got physically accosted by three guys, intimidating them asking for money.

He said he attended another consultation event, this time with high school children. They were talking about ram raids, they were talking about beggars  if thats permeating into their lives then we have a problem.

Noting the councils own survey that found 85 per cent of respondents wanted it to focus on community safety, he asked if it was time to seriously consider a begging ban.

The idea was floated last year as the council developed its community safety plan.

Community and district development group manager Jean-Paul Gaston told Paterson he previously advised councillors it would be very difficult to ban any form of begging.

It instead worked with police on safety, particularly around roads and busy intersections, outside businesses with long-running challenges and intimidating or antisocial behaviour.

One such business was McDonalds. Rotorua franchise owner Rob Parry previously told Local Democracy Reporting he would support a bylaw.

Gaston said exploring a bylaw would take 6-12 months and noted their effectiveness in other places was questioned.

This is not something that can be instantly resolved.

Rotorua Lakes Council chief executive Andrew Moraes. Photo / Andrew Warner.

Council chief executive Andrew Moraes said the council would still explore avenues to make Rotorua safe for everyone.

Committee chairwoman Sandra Kai Fong said the Community Safety Hub on Hinemoa St housed police, Safe City Guardians and Maori Wardens and can go to an issue straight away.

Local Democracy Reporting has sought more information from Paterson about the tourist incident he raised in the meeting and has requested to contact his source, who he said was overseas.

Deputy mayor Sandra Kai Fong. Photo / Laura Smith.

LDR also contacted other members of the Rotorua hospitality community, police and tourism promotion agency RotoruaNZ but none knew about it.

Police said to find out the number of intersection beggars charged under the Land Transport Act in Rotorua would require an Official Information Act request.

Rotorua NZ said it had not received any details from operators about the impacts of begging on tourism.

Hospitality New Zealand Bay of Plenty president and owner of Hennessys Irish Bar, Reg Hennessy, said he had not seen tourists have problems with beggars.

We police our place tough so they stay away.

Hennessy said he would, however, support a bylaw. Theres still quite a few [beggars] around which is disappointing.

People getting confronted by them isnt right for locals, and not advantageous for having tourists in town.

Rotorua hot pool attraction Secret Spot co-founder Keith Kolver told Local Democracy Reporting he believed the cafe incident would be an isolated event.

After four years in business, this Easter weekend was one of the busiest periods the business had seen, and Kolver was expecting another busy few weeks during school holidays.

Kolver said most tourists were not exposed to beggars and only experienced good things in Rotorua.

These were the things the industry was promoting, he said, and it was hugely important it showed the manaakitanga [hospitality] of the city as well as its offerings.

Rotoruas reputation rebuild

At Wednesdays meeting, Paterson also commented on RotoruaNZs draft statement of intent 2024-2025, in particular its three-year plan to strengthen Rotoruas reputation and rebuild brand equity.

We havent fixed the issues that are plaguing our city and yet here we are going to be shouting from the rooftop saying, weve fixed it, when we havent.

Kai Fong said it was addressing issues and it was about promoting Rotorua for the good it offered.

She referred to its Community Safety Hub and the work police were doing at intersections.

Gaston said Patersons point was well-founded in that reputational risks needed to be monitored, but the success of the summer season needed to be considered too.

Feedback about Rotorua as a destination from tourists had been extremely positive, he said.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Tony Bryant Torremolinos Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 11:45 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Hundreds of residents and visitors in La Carihuela, Torremolinos, took advantage of the excellent weather last weekend during the popular residents day festivities (Jornadas del Residentes), which were held in Plaza del Remo from Friday until Sunday.

The three-day festival, which was attended by the town's mayor, Margarita del Cid, is organised to strengthen ties and promote coexistence between people residing in Torremolinos, which is home to 125 different nationalities.

The gathering presented the culture, customs and cuisine of more than 15 countries, including Peru, India, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Holland, Cuba and Germany, among others.

Zoom Visitors enjoyed a variety of different music and dance shows. SUR

Along with world cuisine, visitors enjoyed craft stalls offering a variety of different artisan products, along with around 30 live performances, highlighting each country's folklore, dance and music.

The event was organised by the various groups and associations that represent the different foreign residents, and the town hall, which claimed the event shapes the character of Torremolinos.
Cristina Vallejo Malaga Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 17:31 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Malaga is the province in Spain in which the number of self-employed workers is growing the most, a movement that is being led by women, according to the latest data.

The growth of women as 'autonomos' far exceeds that of men, the figures show. Since 2012, the oldest record in the history of the ministry of inclusion and social security, the number of self-employed people has risen by 45.8% in Malaga, from just over 92,000 to 134,354, making it the fifth province in the country with the most self-employed. Malaga only trails Madrid and Barcelona, where there are more than 400,000; Valencia, with more than 185,000; and Alicante, with 142,000.

This growth is more than four times higher than the rest of the country, where it is limited to 10%, from 3.04 million to 3.35 million, according to the data.

134,354 self-employed workers in Malaga last March, according to Social Security records, making it the fifth province in terms of the number of self-employed, after Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante

And Malaga also far outstrips - more than doubles - the Andalusian provinces that follow: the increase in self-employed workers in Cadiz, Granada and Seville ranges between 27% and 21%. And in terms of Social Security affiliates in the self-employment sector, Malaga is ahead of Seville, which is the sixth province for then umber of self-employed workers, with 118,300.

Led by women

However, the increase in the number of self-employed women has been greater, the data shows, both in Malaga and in Spain. Nationally, their growth is 18.55%, which is 80% higher than the 10% recorded by the self-employed as a whole and more than three times the increase experienced by men (5.8%). However, the number of self-employed men still exceeds the number of self-employed women: 2.1 million men compared with 1.23 million women.

60% of the self-employed are still men in Malaga, but twelve years ago they accounted for 65% of the total.

In Malaga, meanwhile, just over 51,000 self-employed women contrast with just over 83,000 men. But the balance of power has changed significantly over the past twelve years for which data is available. In 2012, men accounted for 65% of all self-employed workers, while 12 years later, in 2024, they account for 60%. Women, at 40%, are approaching their share, accounting for half of the population.

This is the distribution of self-employed workers after the number of women in Malaga has increased by 60% in the past twelve years, from almost 32,000 in 2012 to over 51,000, while the number of self-employed men has grown by 38%, from 60,200 to 83,200. If Malaga leads the growth in the total number of self-employed workers, it is also the leader in an increase in the number of self-employed women, as well as the number of self-employed men.

Although there are 10% more self-employed in Spain than 12 years ago, growth has not been the norm throughout the country: there are 23 provinces where the number is lower than 12 years ago; for example, in Lugo, Palencia, Ourense, Zamora and Leon the fall is between 15% and 10%.

This uptick in Malaga, according to figures from UATAE (Union of Self-Employed Workers' Associations), continues to occur in the immediate short term: if in Andalucia as a whole self-employed workers grew by 2.4% in the past 12 months, in Malaga the rate was 4.1%. And, from ATA (Association of Self-Employed Workers), its president in Andalucia, Rafael Amor, believes this "is not the result of chance, but of public investment and the work done to take advantage of it", adding that the Technology Park, the airport and the growth of some inland areas of the province make Malaga a "perfect place for entrepreneurship".

Isabel Lavado, from UATAE, pointed out the importance of institutional programmes to preserve self-employment in rural areas, such as that of the provincial council to guarantee generational replacement, or others that help those who have a business venture.

Impact on consolidation

Rafael Amor said the growth of the self-employed is accompanied by other patterns in the province and in Andalucia such as a greater consolidation of the productive fabric they make up: 75% of Andalusian self-employed workers have been active for more than three years and 65% for more than five years. And this, Amor said, has contributed to the growth of the self-employed due to the activities they start up having "greater durability". "They are businesses with more solid and proven viability plans," he said. However, they do present a vulnerability: in crises, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, where there was more destruction of self-employment among women than among men.

Women's businesses tend to be more durable and have stronger viability plans, experts say

In terms of sectors, women are increasingly involved in professional, scientific and technical activities. Lavado pointed out women are more open to new technologies and are more willing to adapt to change. "Theirs are more durable businesses and also show greater development. Moreover, when they start up, they can face other problems, but not glass ceilings or wage gaps," she added.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A gun used to shoot and kill two Central New York law enforcement officers was illegal, according to the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office.

Syracuse police officer Michael E. Jensen and sheriffs deputy Lt. Michael Hoosock were killed in Salina when a man opened fire on them. The shooter, Christopher R. Murphy, was shot dead by officers.

Murphy had a Springfield AR-15 gun, said Tom Newton, a spokesperson with the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office. It is a lightweight semi-automatic weapon.

The gun was illegal because it had a 40-round banana clip, Newton said.

In New York state, gun magazines are illegal if they have more than 10 rounds, said Robert Spitzer, a former professor at SUNY Cortland who has written six books on gun policy. Banana magazines are curved and often have up to 30 rounds, he said.

If the magazine was removable from Murphys gun that means the gun would also be illegal, Spitzer said.

Assault rifles are legal if they conform to certain state standards, he said. Having a removable magazine makes it illegal, he said.

Murphy also did not have a license to have a gun, Newton said. How he obtained the weapon and who the gun is registered to is still under investigation, Newton said.

The number of bullets fired is also still under investigation, Newton said.

A recording from a nearby home revealed the shooting lasted about 10 seconds. So many shots were fired so fast that it was impossible to count them.

Officers from the Syracuse Police Department opened fire that night but no deputies discharged their weapon, he said. Hoosock had his service pistol on him when he was shot, Newton said.

22 1 / 22 Two police officers killed in shooting in Salina

Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Thousands of police officers, firefighters and others stood along city streets, bridges and highways Tuesday in honor of Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen as his body was taken home to Rome.

A procession of about 200 police cars and motorcycles accompanied a hearse that made the 47-mile trip from downtown Syracuse to a funeral home in Rome.

Along the way, fire trucks parked on bridges over highways and firefighters stood at attention as the procession passed. People gathered along streets to watch.

In Rome, more people stood along roads as the procession went by and passed his family home.

Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriffs Deputy Lt. Michael Hoosock were both killed in a Salina shooting Sunday after a traffic stop where the driver speed away. The shooter, Christopher R. Murphy, 33, of Salina, was also killed in the gunfight.

The procession started at about 11 a.m. at the Wallie J. Howard Center for Forensic Sciences in downtown Syracuse.

Crowds of officers stood at attention and saluted as Jensens body passed by in the hearse.

Police cars and motorcycles flashed red and blue lights as they escorted the hearse up Interstate 81 North.

As Jensen passed underneath the Court Street Bridge, the sun shined on the American flag placed on the bridges fence by a Syracuse firefighter.

Syracuse firefighters on Bear Street bridge stood still in silence for 16 minutes. The firefighters walked away with tears in their eyes and returned to their fire truck after the procession passed under the bridge.

The procession continued north and took the Thruway to Rome.

In Rome, people watched, and some honked their horns in respect of the lost officer.

People started to line Turnit road in front of the funeral by 11 a.m. About 50 Rome police officers and firefighters, Oneida county sheriffs deputies and officers from neighboring towns also stood in wait for their fallen brother in the funeral homes parking lot.

Two fire trucks with their ladders fully extended draped an American flag over Merrick Road in front of the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home in Rome.

An American flag is draped over the ladders of two firetrucks just before a funeral procession of police and fire vehicles on Turin Street in Rome to escort the body of Syracuse Officer Michael Jensen on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Officer Jensen of Salina and Onondaga Sheriff's deputy Michael Hoosock were gunned down in Salina after a traffic stop gone wrong led to the suspect fleeing to his home and killing them in a shootout.James McClendon | jmcclendon@syracuse.com

At about 12:54 p.m., the first of over 200 police vehicles began driving the intersection of Turin and Merrick. The procession lasted well over 15 minutes before ending at 1:10 p.m.

Police cars from Geddes, Cicero, Oneida, Baldwinsville, Syracuse, Solvay, Dewitt, Fulton, state police and many more attended the procession.

Patricia Nichols, 54, of Rome, started crying as the procession passed where she and her family stood.

When you have small town like this (Rome) where everybody kind of knows each other, thats what makes this all so sad, she said. We didnt know him, but we just wanted to be out here today to show our support for the Jensen family.

Jensen graduated from the Syracuse Regional Police Academy in August 2022. Jensen had 2 years on the force and was described as ambitious and hard-working, according to Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile.

He came to work yesterday with his typical bright smile, ear to ear, and his charming personality, that infectious, charming personality, that resonated so well with our members, Syracuse police union president Joe Moran said at a news conference Monday.

Hoosock, 37 was taken to the Thomas J. Pirro Jr. Funeral Home in Salina Monday night, according to Thomas Newton, a spokesperson for the sheriffs office.

22 1 / 22 Two police officers killed in shooting in Salina

Staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com.

Contact James McClendon anytime: Email | X | Facebook
Syracuse, N.Y.  Traffic closures are starting for a procession taking Officer Michael Jensen from Syracuse to Rome, his hometown, officials said.

Syracuse police officer Jensen and sheriffs deputy Lt. Michael Hoosock were killed in a hail of gunfire in a suburban Salina neighborhood Sunday night, officials said.

The shooter, Christopher R. Murphy, 33, of Salina, was killed in the ensuing gunfight, authorities have said.

Road closures are starting at the Wallie J. Howard Center for Forensic Sciences where law enforcement officers and vehicles are gathering, according to dispatches from the Onondaga County 911 Center.

The procession is expected to start at 11 a.m. and travel up Interstate 81 North towards Rome.

Fire trucks will be perched on bridges over the interstate to say goodbye to Jensen, said District Chief Matt Craner, a spokesperson with the Syracuse Fire Department.

The procession will get on the Thruway at Exit 36, said Trooper Tara McCormick. Then they will exit at Exit 33 and proceed to the funeral home, she said. The eastbound ramps will be shut down and there will be a rolling road block so the procession is not interrupted, she said.

The procession for Lt. Michael Hoosock was Monday evening, traveling from the forensic sciences center to the Thomas J. Pirro Jr. Funeral Home in Clay.

22 1 / 22 Two police officers killed in shooting in Salina

Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com.
A bomb threat that forced a Central New York mall to close earlier this month was targeting LGBTQ events, according to new reports.

The Dewitt Mall, located in downtown Ithaca, N.Y., was closed Sunday, April 7, as the Ithaca Police Department and the Tompkins County Sheriffs Office investigated a bomb threat. Police said the threat was received around noon and specifically identified the Dewitt Mall and several individuals as target.
Syracuse, N.Y.  An online fundraiser has been launched for the families of the two police officers killed during a shootout Sunday night in Salina.

The fundraiser has been endorsed by the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association and the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office.

Heres the site: Supporting the families of Lt. Michael Hoosock & Officer Michael Jensen

It has a goal to raise $500,000. As of Tuesday morning, more than $50,000 had been raised.

The sheriffs office had put out a warning Monday of scam fundraising being done off the deaths of the two officers. The office confirmed to Syracuse.com today that this is a legitimate fundraising drive.

Syracuse police officer Michael E. Jensen and sheriffs Lt. Michael Hoosock were killed in a hail of gunfire in Darien Drive in Salina, officials said.

The trouble started with a traffic stop around 7 p.m. in the citys Tipp Hill neighborhood, according to Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile. Thats when officers tried to pull over a car, but the driver refused and sped off.

Police took the plate number, which led them to a home on Darien Drive. There, police saw ammunition in the back of the car, Cecile said. And then, from inside the home, they heard the sound of a gun being readied to fire, he said.

Hoosock took cover behind a maple tree in the back yard of the neighboring house, according to Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley. The suspected killer, Christopher R. Murphy, 33, fired at Hoosock from the back deck of his house with a Springfield AR-15, a military-style assault weapon, killing him there, Shelley said.

Murphy then ran to the front of the house and fired at Jensen, killing him. Murphy died after being fired upon by police officers at the scene.

Before Sunday night, it had been more than 30 years since the last time Syracuse lost a police officer in the line of duty. A sheriffs deputy hadnt been killed in the line in two decades.

Jensen, 29, joined the force about 2 1/2 years ago, officials said. He earned an officer of the month award four months ago. He is survived by his parents and a sister.

Hoosock, 37, of Clay, was a decorated 16-year veteran of the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office and a volunteer firefighter who served as a captain at the Moyers Corners Fire Department.

He leaves a wife and three children, ages 3, 5 and 7.

Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7.
Salina, N.Y.  The sheriffs lieutenant killed in a shootout Sunday night in Salina was honored with a procession Monday as his body was moved from downtown Syracuse to a funeral home.

Around 100 emergency vehicles formed the procession as the body of sheriffs Lt. Michael Hoosock was taken around 7 p.m. from the Wallie J. Howard Center for Forensic Sciences in downtown Syracuse to the Thomas J. Pirro Jr. Funeral Home in Salina, according to Thomas Newton, a spokesperson for the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office.

The procession passed underneath two fire engines holding a large American flag high over the ramp from Park Street and Interstate 81 onto Buckley Road. People lined the road to salute Hoosock, Newton said.

Scores of police cars with lights on lined Buckley Road as his body was driven by.

Hoosock, 37, of Clay, was a decorated 16-year veteran of the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office and a volunteer firefighter who served as a captain at the Moyers Corners Fire Department.

He was married with three young children.

Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7.
New York lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul have tentatively agreed on a $237 billion state budget that includes housing reforms, new initiatives to crack down on hate crimes and retail theft, and boosts spending to address the states migrant crisis.

Hochul announced the handshake deal Monday night at the state Capitol. The agreement comes 15 days after lawmakers missed the April 1 deadline to pass a budget for 2024-25.

Lawmakers have passed several budget extensions since the deadline. Hocuhl said a vote on a final budget agreement could come later this week.

If approved, the budget would increase state spending by almost $4 billion over Hochuls original proposal in January. But the governor said the plan wont raise taxes and maintains a 15% reserve fund to deal with any shortfall in the years ahead.

Hochul said the agreement includes $200 million in funding to open four new workforce development centers across Upstate New York to serve Micron Technology and other high-tech manufacturers. A center in Syracuse would serve as the flagship of the program.

The governor also touted a deal to boost affordable housing in the state, one of the key outcomes of intense negotiations over the past two weeks.

Hochul tried and failed last year to push through a controversial plan to boost affordable housing with reforms aimed at speeding the construction of 800,000 new units statewide over the next decade. The plan included a proposal to accomplish the goal by allowing the state to override local zoning laws.

On Monday, Hochul said the budget deal includes $650 million to help spur housing construction in pro-housing communities, $500 million in incentives to encourage the construction of 15,000 housing units on state-owned properties, and a new statewide tax incentive for the construction of multi-family housing.

In New York City, the budget would extend a program known as 421a that will give developers a tax break for an additional six years, provide incentives to help convert office buildings to housing and set up a pilot program to legalize basement and cellar apartments. The plan also would allow more housing density in Manhattan.

This is a landmark deal and Im really proud of it, Hochul said Monday night. Housing is not a privilege. Its a right.

The budget also would cap the amount of rent increases that could be charged by landlords. Hochul declined to provide details until an agreement is finalized. One proposal would allow an increase of 5% plus the rate of inflation in any given year, capped at a maximum of 10 percent.

The governor said the budget deal includes other key priorities for her administration:

To crack down on retail theft, the state will increase criminal penalties for the assault of retail workers, make it illegal to sell stolen goods online, and set aside $40 million to establish a retail theft team of state police and local police departments. The budget also includes funding to hire 100 new state troopers who would help break up organized retail theft rings. Business owners would be able to claim a $3,000 tax credit for investments in security.

A new crackdown on illegal cannabis stores that would give authorities the right to padlock stores for up to a year while cases against store owners move through the courts.

The budget includes $35 million aimed at stopping hate crimes in New York. Hochul said the initiative will include changes to state law that would add 20 different offenses that could be prosecuted as hate crimes.

A $500 million boost in spending to help New York City respond to the migrant crisis, bringing total spending on migrants to $2.4 billion.

Providing $3.9 billion to support distressed hospitals across the state.

An increase in school aid of $1.3 billion to $36 billion for the fiscal year. Hochul and lawmakers also agreed to change the school aid formula next year, taking away a long-standing state promise that no district would receive less state aid than it did the previous year. The governor proposed the changes to deal with shrinking enrollment in some districts. In the long-term it just doesnt make sense to be paying for empty seats in classrooms, Hochul said.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
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re: Shared Google Maps list of 750+ Hospitals in India that offer good quality 24x7 emergency services Very sorry to hear about your friends daughter. It must be awful losing a child, especially under these circumstances.



It must have been an incredible difficult decision to move her to the hospital and then to find out there is no doctor on call?



Cardiac arrests and heart attacks are real killers. The victim needs care asap. We are talking minutes here, in order to have a decent chance at recovery.



Just as a thought, let me explain how we deal with these here in the Netherlands.



There is one thing you can do yourself and it is also the best investment in yourself, take a first aid course in CPR! Not sure how easy that would be in India.



I have done the CPR course here in the Netherlands and I renew my license every year. I am part of a very large group of volunteers, that can be called upon in case somebody has a heart attack or cardiac arrest. I have a dedicated app on my phone. It contacts all volunteers within a certain radius (depends a bit on city versus rural area, 1-4km) when somebody calls in the emergency via the phone. The operator will sent out an alert to the nearby volunteers. Those who accept will usually be at the emergency within minutes. The operator will also direct one of the volunteers to pick up the nearest AED. In our tiny village we have already four of those. On average, in a village with about 900 people we get about 2-3 calls a year! We have a lot of elderly folks in the village. We usually get called out to the church or the village hall. Apparently, a stressful environment for old folks, would you believe.



Obviously the operator will direct an ambulance, police and or fire brigade as well. But the volunteers are almost always there before the ambulance arrives and will have CPR going manually or in combination with the AED.



In case of cardiac arrest and or heart attack the first six minutes are crucial. The quicker CPR is started the better the chances are of the victim. Survival rates after six minutes without CPR or other intervention plummet.



With CPR going you can keep the victim alive till the ambulance or other professionals arrive. Even if it takes an hour you just keep going!



Its not difficult, anybody can learn to do it, but it does make sense to practice regularly, in my case, a refresher course, every year. The cost associated with the courses and so on is subsidised by our council.



Jeroen
A hot potato: The controversy surrounding melting RTX 4090 power cable adapters continues. Users began reporting burned connectors over a year ago, and the problem persisted long after Nvidia's official statement blamed user error. Although the company upgraded to safer plugs, CableMod recalled its third-party adapters, and a repair shop still receives hundreds of damaged units each month.

In a new video showcasing the repair of yet another burned RTX 4090 power connector, repair shop Northridge Fix states that it restored around 200 GPUs in a month. The number indicates a concerning increase since last fall when the shop's YouTube channel reported around 100 per month.

Northridge Fix says that it currently receives 4090s with melted connectors every day. The shop's latest video shows a box full of dozens of connectors to show the scale of the problem (below).

Users have complained of burning 4090 power cables since October 2022. Nvidia acknowledged around 50 cases worldwide and blamed user error, while others, including the PCIe consortium, suggested a design flaw was to blame.

Despite Nvidia rolling out GPUs with safer connectors last summer, incidents remain worryingly frequent. Custom vendor CableMod began a voluntary recall for its V1.0 and V1.1 12VHPWR 90-degree and 180-degree adapters last December. That became a mandatory recall in February after the Consumer Product Safety Commission got involved.

Many of the adapters that Northridge repaired were CableMod units, but other manufacturers are also affected. When asked for thoughts on the recalled adapters, the channel said that CableMod built a good product on a lousy foundation and got caught in the crossfire, suggesting that the problem lies with Nvidia  a criticism it has held since the beginning of the mess.

Several companies have come up with innovative solutions to the problem. For instance, Seasonic suggests gradually angling the cables with a hairdryer. Meanwhile, MSI has introduced brightly colored connectors that clearly indicate when they aren't fully connected. Gigabyte has taken a different route by designing a GPU with a 'cut out' to provide extra cable space.

Asus has an idea of building GPUs without power cables. In January, the company unveiled an RTX 4070Ti and 4090 that receive power through a new motherboard socket, reducing cable clutter and hopefully eliminating a potential safety hazard.
In brief: Multiple companies have introduced TVs hovering around the 100-inch mark since the beginning of the year. Samsung's 2024 lineup now includes a range of ultra-large sets featuring AI-assisted upscaling to enhance content that isn't in 4K (or 8K). The company's latest addition is its most affordable 98-inch model.

Samsung's 98-inch Crystal UHD DU9000 TV is now available for $3,999, thousands of dollars below other variants of similar size. While the product page is light on specs like nits or dimming zones, the LED set supports 120Hz VRR and HDR10+, though Dolby Vision isn't mentioned.

One of the main features that Samsung advertises is AI upscaling. Much of the content viewers watch likely won't be in 4K, so TV vendors use upscaling to make up the difference in resolution, but Samsung's method also employs AI and machine learning to determine the proper filter. Additionally, Samsung uses AI to automatically determine when to activate Game Mode and detect the presence of in-game mini maps.

Another image quality feature is Supersize Picture Enhancer, which sharpens the picture and reduces the extra noise to compensate for the large pixels and thus low pixel density common with ultra-size TVs. To experience the proper perceived pixel density while using a 98-inch TV, Samsung recommends a viewing distance of six-to-12 feet.

The company's 2024 TV lineup includes several other sets ranging from 43 to 98 inches. The 4K Neo QLED (QN90D), starting at $1,499, incorporates Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen 2 processor, which enables AI-enhanced features like Real Depth Enhancer Pro and AI Customization Mode. The latter automatically adjusts picture settings based on content. The QN85D is slightly cheaper, starting at $1,399.

Meanwhile, the OLED S95D, starting at $2,599, utilizes the company's OLED Glare-Free technology to minimize the reflections that often plague OLED displays in bright rooms. The OLED S90D is available for as low as $1,999, both models incorporate OLED HDR Pro.

Samsung has also introduced two new 8K QLED TVs. The Neo QLED 8K (QN900D), starting at $4,999, uses the NQ8 AI Gen 3 processor with neural networks for AI-based upscaling and motion enhancement. The other 8K set  the AN800D  starts at $3,499.

Starting at $999, the company also offers a 4K QLED designed to double as a frame for digital art. The TV includes a customizable frame, a low-reflection matte display, and an energy-efficient "art mode" for displaying static images.
A hot potato: Humane's Ai Pin recently became available to buy after the company raised a lot of money and publicity for its wearable device. The reviews have been pretty bad, especially from YouTube tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, who called it the worst product he's ever reviewed. His scathing words have led to an online debate over whether his video was fair or even ethical, given that, with 18.6 million subscribers, Brownlee could have killed the company.

iPhone alumni Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno made some big promises about the Ai Pin, a screenless, square device that can be attached to clothing. It features a camera, microphone, a touch pad, and a laser projector that displays the GUI on a user's hand. The Ai Pin can also make calls and send and receive text messages. Then there's the price: $700 plus a $24 per month subscription.

The Ai Pin arrived this month to mostly bad reviews. The biggest complaints are that it simply doesn't work half the time, is slow, runs hot, and has a short battery life.

YouTube tech reviewer Marques Brownlee made his feelings clear in the title of his Ai Pin video review: "The Worst Product I've Ever Reviewed... For Now."

Brownlee's complaints echo those of other reviewers, that the Ai Pin is usually wrong, incredibly slow, and has a terrible battery life. There are plenty of other justifiable criticisms in the video, such as the lack of any apps and the projector being almost unreadable outdoors in brighter conditions.

Brownlee's video has been criticized by some social media users, with one calling it "distasteful, almost unethical, to say this when you have 18 million subscribers." The poster later added that Brownlee "significantly" influences the market, and that the reviewer just wanted to show he can crush companies. Brownlee himself responded to the post, saying, "We disagree on what my job is."

Business Insider reports that the author of the post later told the publication it was the title of the video that he had issues with, not the review itself.

Others agreed that an influencer such as Brownlee really does have the power to crush companies and that his review will probably kill Humane.

MKBHD bankrupted a company in 41 seconds



A slight criticism from a big Youtuber, let alone calling the product HORRENDOUS, is enough to make a company go bust



Creators are so much more powerful in 2024 than you think



This clip will be the gravestone for Humane pic.twitter.com/UbVtEHbN1g  Alex Finn (@AlexFinnX) April 15, 2024

Somewhat surprisingly, one person who supported Brownlee's review was Sam Sheffer, Humane's head of new media. He said the review was honest, solid, and fair.

an honest, solid review marques  all fair and valid critiques, both the good and the bad



feedback is a gift. we reflect and we listen and we learn and we continue building. https://t.co/gKp1E3V2et  Sam Sheffer (@samsheffer) April 15, 2024

Brownlee does have some good things to say about the Ai Pin: it can be very useful on those occasions it works normally, and the lack of display is great for those desiring more time away from screens.

While Brownlee's review will doubtlessly have had a big impact, the Ai Pin was always going to be a hard sell. The $700 price and $24 monthly subscription are a lot of money for anything, never mind a product that leaves most people asking, "but what does it actually do?" It's not as if plenty of other reviewers haven't laid into it, either.

Humane, founded in 2018, had raised $230 million from investors by the end of 2023. The Ai Pin is its first product. Given that the company laid off 4% of its staff in January, it might also be its last, or maybe not.

Update: A day later after reviewing the Ai Pin and that controversy ensued, Marques felt compelled to upload a new video with his take on the matter, not specific to Humane's device only but reviews in general, watch below:
What just happened? Mark Zuckerberg's attempt to prove that he should not be held personally liable for the negative effects of social media on kids has proved successful. A judge dismissed several claims made against the Meta boss in dozens of lawsuits that accuse Meta and similar platforms of purposely designing their products in a way that makes them addictive to children.

Meta and other firms, including Google, TikTok, and Snap, are facing hundreds of lawsuits accusing the companies of being responsible for the harms they allegedly cause children. As reported by Reuters, 25 of these cases aim to hold Zuckerberg personally liable, claiming he gave a false impression about the platforms' safety for children. It's claimed that Zuckerberg was repeatedly warned that Facebook and Instagram were not safe for kids, but he ignored the findings and publicly stated the platforms were safe for younger people.

Corporate law traditionally shields executives from liability, particularly at massive companies like Meta where many people are involved in the decision-making process. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, sided with Zuckerberg, saying that the plaintiffs could not rely on his comparative knowledge about Meta's products to establish he personally had such a duty to each plaintiff.

"The court will not countenance such a novel approach here," she said, adding that those who sued Meta and Zuckerberg have the opportunity to amend and refile their complaints.

Zuckerberg previously argued that he can't be held personally responsible for actions at Meta just because he is the CEO. As for his previous public statements about social media being safe for children, his lawyers claim that they were generalized or covered by the First Amendment protection of free speech, and that Zuckerberg didn't have a duty to disclose the safety findings that were allegedly reported to him.

The lawsuits seek damages and a halt to the defendants' "harmful" practices.

In January last year, Seattle schools sued social media companies for causing a "mental health crisis" among children. Over 40 states did the same thing last October.

Last November, a study that used data from over 2 million people disputed claims that the internet, smartphones, and apps are detrimental to users' mental health. The researchers said they looked for a smoking gun linking tech with mental well-being but didn't find it.
Something to look forward to: Lawmakers around the world have begun to exhibit a more proactive stance toward openness and competition in mobile ecosystems. Apple and Google, the companies controlling the global mobile market with their respective operating systems, will face heightened scrutiny and stricter penalties if they violate regulations.

According to a new report by Nikkei Asia, Japanese authorities are poised to toughen their antitrust regulations, posing a significant challenge to incumbents in the mobile market. The publication revealed that penalties aimed at curbing monopolistic practices will see a substantial increase, with fines more than tripled compared to current antitrust laws.

The new antitrust legislation is being drafted by Japan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) and is squarely aimed at the mobile ecosystems of Apple and Google. Big Tech corporations will be compelled to allow third-party app stores and alternative payment methods within their closed ecosystems, or face fines of up to 20 percent of their revenue in the country.

According to Nikkei Asia, further violations could lead to a maximum fine of 30 percent of a company's revenue. Mobile app stores generate significant revenue for Big Tech companies, and previous antitrust laws in Japan were criticized for being too lenient in addressing predatory practices in app stores and the substantial share collected by these companies on sales from third-party apps.

Apple's rules for the iOS store entail a 15 percent cut from app sales, while developers earning over $1 million annually face a 30 percent contribution to Cupertino's coffers. Google adopts a similar model, taking a 15 percent cut on the initial $1 million earned by three percent of app makers, with developers surpassing this threshold obligated to pay a 30 percent fee annually.

Japan's FTC is anticipated to present a comprehensive draft of the new antitrust regulations to lawmaker groups, including the Liberal Democratic Party's economy and industry unit. Parliament members could deliberate on the draft as soon as this month, potentially reshaping Japan's mobile market and compelling Apple and Google to overhaul their business practices, much like they've had to do in other parts of the world.

In Europe, the newly ratified regulations of the Digital Markets Act aim to propel the continent's mobile market into an era of app sideloading, increased store competition, and enhanced consumer protection. Meanwhile, in the US, antitrust lawsuits have been filed against Google and Apple. Mountain View recently settled a case brought by US states and Washington DC with a $700 million payout, while Cupertino faces legal action from 15 states and the Department of Justice.
Stuff will soon replace Newshub as the new 6 PM news bulletin for Three, a channel in New Zealand, which recently confirmed the proposal to replace its old evening news show in favor of the latest one. This came after Stuff won the pitching process to create a new news product that will be slated for its vital 6 PM slot for the channel, available all week long.

This was also done thanks to Three's partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery who would be working closely with the show's production and run.

Stuff to Replace Newshub on Channel Three with WBD

Newshub will soon bid farewell, as Stuff will swoop in to replace the former news bulletin for the crucial 6 PM timeslot for the channel known as Three, as reported by The Spinoff New Zealand. Both parties, Stuff, and Newshub, confirmed this latest development after staff meetings, with the news broadcast first starting on Saturday, July 6, with Friday, July 5 being Newshub's last airing date.

According to the report, Stuff will run an hour-long program from Monday to Friday and 30-minute programmes on Saturday and Sunday.

"Today's announcement will see us working closely with WBD in a transition period as we create the new bulletin for them and will also support a longer-term partnership seeking broader news opportunities together," said Stuff CEO Sinead Boucher via a press release.

New Zealand's Latest 6 PM Bulletin, Stuff

New Zealand's Newshub is on the verge of shutting down, with this massive issue seeing its solution thanks to Stuff's proposal and WBD's help in delivering the latest 6 PM news bulletin of the country.

According to Stuff, this new direction saves Three's 6 PM news bulletin in the country for Warner Bros. Discovery, with WBD's Glen Kyne offering the "most compelling option" for the daily bulletin to deliver the latest and top news to New Zealand.

"As a large, already-established news organisation with newsrooms around the country, Stuff's proposal offered us strong confidence in the future we'll now embark on together," said Kyne.

Warner Bros. Discovery's Streaming

Warner Bros. and Discovery's merger was completed in 2022, but there were fears that the newly merged company would also be sold to other conglomerates, with reports behind many others interested in this sale. However, this is not the case now, as WBD remains its own entity now, best known for expanding more of streaming to the world.

In 2023, Warner Bros.' HBO Max and Discovery Plus were said to also merge to bring a more powerful streaming experience, with Max now known as the main streaming app of WBD.

There were still reported problems behind WBD's company, but one development from late 2023 saw WBD's interest in merging with another media giant, Paramount, with the deal said to have fallen earlier this year.

Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount went on their separate ways, with Max steering clear from its supposed merger with Paramount Plus for a massive streaming experience to offer.

Now, WBD's New Zealand presence made it possible to save the country and Three's 6 PM bulletin, soon launching Stuff with the channel to bring the daily news program for all.
United Kingdom's Ministry of Justice has announced it is looking to criminalize the creation of unconsented sexually explicit deepfake images.

Anyone who makes such an image without permission is subject to an unlimited fine and a criminal record under the law. If the picture is circulated more widely, they might also go to jail.

According to the department, whether or not the developer intended for the deepfake image to be shared, it will still be illegal to create one.

Artificial intelligence advancements are making it easier to create deepfake intimate photographs, which are already illegal to share according to the Online Safety Act of last year.

Artificial intelligence is reportedly developing rapidly, which has increased the production and distribution of deepfake photos and movies.

This law is intended to assist the police in taking tough measures against a practice that is increasingly being used to degrade or upset victims.

The UK has designated violence against women and girls as a national threat, meaning that police must prioritize addressing it.

(Photo: STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) This photo illustration created on July 18, 2023, in Washington, DC, shows an advertisement to create AI girls reflected in a public service announcement issued by the FBI regarding malicious actors manipulating photos and videos to create explicit content and sextortion schemes.

Additionally, the government is creating new criminal penalties for those who install technology that allows someone to shoot or film actual, personal photos without permission.

For perpetrators who employ abusive, demeaning, or hazardous sexual behavior to cause death, a new statutory aggravating factor will be implemented.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper applauded the announcement, saying it is good that the government agreed with Labour's demands to make the production of deepfake pornography illegal.

Cooper continues by saying that putting someone's picture over sexually explicit images and videos is a flagrant invasion of their privacy and autonomy, which can have devastating consequences and should never be allowed.

Read Also: Stable Diffusion from Stability AI is Now Used to Generate Porn Through AI

London Students on Deepfakes

The newly-announced legislation comes as numerous London-based students recently advocated for AI-centered education to help prevent the creation and proliferation of sexually explicit deepfake images.

Every student surveyed in a London-based school said that if the offending student or students are discovered, there ought to be a suspension.

Even though she doesn't know who is responsible, one of the students who claimed to have been the target of AI-generated photos of themselves in the nude says she feels embarrassed about her classmates' actions.

The youngster says it is "super frustrating," and they want people to believe it is not them, and that even knowing that it's not them still makes it embarrassing.

AI Deepfake Cases

The number of fake AI-generated nude cases is still rising worldwide. The month prior, a third-grade teacher in the US was placed under arrest upon discovering child porn and artificial intelligence-generated porn that was created using the yearbook photos of three students.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office identified the accused as Steven Houser, a 67-year-old science teacher at Beacon Christian Academy in New Port Richey who instructs third graders.

Related Article: Australia's Tasmania Makes First-Ever Conviction for AI-Generated Child Abuse Material

(Photo: Tech Times)
.NET development is a cornerstone in the custom software development landscape, offering a versatile and scalable framework for building various applications. Collaborating with leading .NET development companies enhances the chances of success in software projects by leveraging their expertise, experience, and commitment to delivering high-quality solutions.

As businesses navigate the complexities of the digital age, harnessing the power of .NET through collaboration with proficient development partners becomes strategic for achieving technological excellence and sustained growth. Cooperation with such companies brings added value in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Their experience in .NET software development allows for streamlined project timelines, reduced development costs, and a higher likelihood of project success. Moreover, they often provide ongoing support and maintenance, ensuring the developed applications remain responsive to changing business needs and evolving technology landscapes.

Here are the Top 5 Best .NET Developers in 2024 to help boost your organization's business.

No 1. Leobit

Overview

Leobit is a leading European full-cycle web and .NET development company. With almost ten years of expertise in the .NET domain and over 100 .NET projects in its portfolio, Leobit has proven to be a reliable software development partner for technology companies and startups worldwide. Its team consists of 170+ strong software engineers, architects, QA testers, and project managers. The company operates from a representative office in Austin, TX (USA), and development centers in Lviv (Ukraine), Tallinn (Estonia), and Krakow (Poland).

Leobit has been a Microsoft solution partner and ISTQB Gold partner for many years, has ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2013 certifications, and has wide recognition from Clutch in such categories as::

Top .NET software development company 2023 in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and worldwide.

Top ASP.NET developers 2023.

Top Software Developers 2023.

Clutch TOP 1000 B2B service providers 2023.

Over the years, Leobit has demonstrated expertise in developing web, desktop, and mobile projects of different scales and complexities. Beyond the core Microsoft technology stack, encompassing .NET, ASP.NET, and Azure, Leobit works with Angular, React, Ruby, Flutter, PHP, and AWS to meet the unique clients' needs.

The company has great feedback from the customers which is validated by 4.9/5.0 review and referral rating on Clutch, complemented by 5.0/5.0 client satisfaction score on UpCity.

Leobit emerges as an agile partner capable of guiding businesses through technology innovation and transformation, providing the following services:

Custom Software Development: covering the entire development lifecycle, from ideation to launch and ongoing maintenance.

Cloud Development Services, include cloud consulting, migration, optimization, architecture and development, and SaaS solution development.

Dedicated Development Team Outsourcing: offering varied collaboration models to determine the right approach for individual projects.

In addition to its core offerings, Leobit provides a comprehensive suite of services that includes web and mobile application development, software architecture design, UI/UX design, QA services, application support and maintenance, and innovative embedded software development.

Understanding that every project is unique, Leobit provides flexible collaboration models that cater to specific needs.

(Photo: Leobit)

Features

.NET Custom Software Development

Leobit leverages Microsoft technologies to their full potential, offering high-quality .NET application development services. From dynamic SaaS and PaaS solutions to real-time and scalable application development, Leobit specializes in crafting N-tier applications that drive innovation and efficiency for business. With expertise in ASP.NET Core (WebAPI, MVC, RazorPages), Blazor, .NET MAUI, Entity Framework, WPF, and Xamarin, Leobit excels in developing .NET solutions.

.NET Web Development Services

The company's web development professionals are adept at designing and developing reliable .NET web applications tailored to align with specific business needs and goals. Leobit's proficiency extends to web and desktop applications, catering to various industries, including finance, healthcare, real estate, and others. The company's web development professionals ensure the creation of reliable .NET web applications aligned with specific business goals, while their dedicated teams handle the full spectrum of .NET desktop development projects.

.NET Platform Modernization

Leobit specializes in .NET Platform Modernization, offering migration from .NET Framework versions to the latest .NET, ensuring compatibility and enhanced functionality. Additionally, their expertise extends to migrating applications from other technologies to .NET, coupled with performance tuning and application scaling, empowering your systems to meet evolving demands efficiently.

.NET Desktop Application Development

Leobit's dedicated teams handle a full range of .NET desktop development projects, from initial estimation and discovery to modernization, maintenance, and support. The focus is delivering solutions tailored to unique business requirements rather than submitting time reports.

Hire .NET Developers

Leobit stands out in its approach to hiring .NET developers. Leobit's team includes smart, experienced, and professional .NET engineers who can swiftly address the diverse needs of businesses, from startups to global corporations. The .NET engineer staffing time is just one day.

Cloud-Focused Services

From seamless migration to cloud platforms and integration of ML.NET for advanced analytics to developing high-reliability applications and FaaS application development, Leobit specializes in craftin cloud-native solutions for Azure, AWS, and GCP.

No 2. TatvaSoft

(Photo: Taken from TatvaSoft Website)

Overview

TatvaSoft, a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner, is a formidable force in the realm of .NET application development. With a track record spanning over two decades, this robust team of technology experts has carved a niche in delivering secure, scalable, and high-performance enterprise solutions.

TatvaSoft's .NET software developers showcase proficiency in a spectrum of technologies, including ASP.NET, .NET Core, C#, VB.NET, MVC WPF, MVVM, Entity Framework, Xamarin, SharePoint, and BizTalk Server. This comprehensive set of skills allows them to provide end-to-end solutions, covering web applications, mobile apps, and desktop applications.

Features

.NET Core Development

The utilization of .NET Core, .NET Frameworks, and the latest front-end technologies positions TatvaSoft at the forefront of creating high-performance and cloud-based .NET web and mobile apps. The emphasis on cross-platform compatibility ensures that their solutions are robust and adaptable to diverse environments.

Azure Development Services:

TatvaSoft's prowess extends to leveraging Azure services for building multi-tenant cloud-native solutions. Whether it's Azure apps, Blob & Table Storage, SQL Database, or Stream Analytics, their .NET developers demonstrate expertise in harnessing the power of Microsoft's cloud platform to deliver scalable and efficient solutions.

ASP.NET Web Application Development:

From startups to large enterprises, TatvaSoft excels in developing highly functional, robust, and agile custom ASP.NET web applications. Their commitment to tailoring solutions based on business requirements ensures that clients receive full-featured backend development for web, mobile, and desktop applications.

No 3. Brainhub

(Photo: Screenshot from Brainhub Website)

Overview

Brainhub is a software development agency that excels in ASP.NET Core development and stands out for its commitment to simplicity, quality, and collaboration within the .NET community. It is a fast-growing company whose strategic approach to technology adoption positions Brainhub as a reliable partner for businesses seeking innovative and efficient digital solutions.

Being listed among the Financial Times 1000 Europe's Fastest-Growing Companies and Forbes Diamonds is a testament to Brainhub's success and the effectiveness of its approach to digital acceleration. Their commitment to adding .NET to their tech stack after the release of .NET 6 reflects their dedication to staying at the forefront of technology for enhanced development flexibility and speed.

Features

.NET Platform Security

Brainhub emphasizes the top-notch security features embedded in the .NET platform, including threat modeling, Control-Flow Guard (CET), (W^X) memory protection, and advanced cryptography. This commitment to security ensures that applications developed by Brainhub adhere to the highest standards of data protection and integrity.

Compulsory E2E Tests

End-to-End (E2E) tests are essential in .NET development, as they play a crucial role in ensuring an application's overall functionality and integrity. Brainhub employs compulsory E2E tests to provide a holistic approach to quality assurance, covering user interactions, integrations, security, and business workflows.

Elite DevOps Team

A notable feature of Brainhub's .NET development services is their focus on DevOps excellence. To be expendable and embrace a changemaker mindset, Brainhub emphasizes regular and frequent deployments, allowing clients to validate assumptions, receive real feedback, and adapt to changing requirements seamlessly.

No 4. ScienceSoft

(Photo: Taken from ScienceSoft Website)

Overview

ScienceSoft has firmly established itself as a leading player in the NET software development services field. With a wealth of experience and a mature, impact-focused approach, ScienceSoft stands out for its ability to understand and address clients' unique needs across 30+ industries.

Holding Microsoft partner status since 2008 is a testament to ScienceSoft's unwavering commitment to Microsoft technologies and best practices. This long-standing partnership reflects a collaborative relationship with Microsoft, ensuring that ScienceSoft stays on top of the latest advancements and adheres to industry-leading standards.

Features

Azure Cloud Expertise

ScienceSoft places a premium on certified expertise, highlighting its commitment to excellence. The presence of Certified Azure and AWS Solution Architects and Certified Azure Developers showcases ScienceSoft's dedication to staying at the forefront of cloud technologies. This expertise ensures the integration of cutting-edge solutions and positions them as leaders in the ever-evolving cloud landscape.

Broad Selection of .NET Developers

A dedicated and skilled team is at the heart of ScienceSoft's success. With over 60 .NET developers supported by a full-scale Project Management Office, they ensure efficient project execution. This team dynamic allows for seamless collaboration, effective project management, and the successful delivery of high-quality .NET solutions.

No 5. CSHARK

(Photo: Taken from CSHARK Website)

Overview

Founded in 2014 by four passionate software developers, CSHARK has grown into a powerhouse with over 230 experts by their side. Their trajectory of success is evident, having been recognized among the 1000 fastest-growing companies in Europe from 2019 to 2021. CSHARK stands out because of its growth and unwavering commitment to being process experts and problem solvers. The company's .NET consultations, lasting approximately 30 minutes, exemplify their commitment to understanding your unique challenges and tailoring solutions that align with your goals.

Features

Innovative and Collaborative Development

CSHARK's teams consist exclusively of mid .NET developers, seniors, and tech leads, bringing a wealth of knowledge from diverse projects. Their commitment to knowledge sharing is evident through internal initiatives like TechTalks and competence guilds, ensuring that the solution to your software challenge is a result of collective expertise, not just an individual opinion.

Advanced Technological Trends

CSHARK is not just up to date. They are ahead of the curve. Fearless in the face of emerging technologies, they embrace SaaS, serverless technologies, and cloud services from Azure to AWS. Their dedication to staying at the forefront of technological trends ensures that clients benefit from the latest and most efficient solutions.

Global Reach with Local Expertise

Working predominantly with clients in the USA, Canada, and the UK, CSHARK is well-acquainted with overcoming time zone differences. Their emphasis on excellent communication and fluency in English across their team ensures that geographical distances don't hinder project success.

Conclusion

.NET development services provide a comprehensive solution for building secure, scalable, and high-performance applications. The framework's versatility, robustness, and support ecosystem make it a compelling choice for a wide range of software development projects, ensuring long-term success and adaptability in the ever-evolving technological landscape.

With a strong focus on rapid development and cross-platform compatibility, .NET provides a cost-effective solution that aligns with modern business needs. Contact the best .NET development company now to provide solutions for your woes.
Samsung Galaxy owners are set to be delighted after they update their devices. Samsung has officially announced that the tech giant's coveted Galaxy AI is coming to other devices in line with the latest update, One UI 6.1.

The Galaxy Z Flip4 foldable phones, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy S22 series, and the Galaxy Tab S8 series tablets will all get access to Galaxy AI, the premium mobile AI experiences that were first unveiled in the most recent Galaxy S24 series.

With the One UI 6.1 upgrade, more people worldwide can access the following well-liked Galaxy AI features: Note Assist, Chat Assist, Circle to Search with Google, AI-Generated Wallpaper, Generative Edit, Interpreter, Live Translate, and Edit Suggestion.

(Photo: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images) Attendees walk past the logo of Samsung Galaxy during the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event in Seoul on July 26, 2023

The update will be available in early May for the Galaxy S22, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Z Flip4, and Galaxy Tab S8 series.

Samsung's announcement comes after its latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S24, has done well since its release.

According to statistics from industry researcher Counterpoint Research, Samsung outsold Apple, which sold more than 17 million phones for an 18% market share, by selling more than 19 million smartphones in February.

Analysts attributed Samsung's return to the top of the rankings to robust sales in the US and European markets.

Samsung reportedly wants to include generative AI into Bixby, its voice assistant. This is just one example of how the tech giant utilizes AI in nearly every element of its gadgets.

Read Also: US Government Approves $6.4 Billion Subsidy for Samsung Chip Plant in Texas

Samsung's Bixby AI Aspirations

This is a step in improving Samsung's Bixby and possibly achieving parity with other leading chatbots, such as ChatGPT.

Won-Joon Choi, executive vice president of Samsung's mobile division, said he believed the company needs to redefine Bixby's purpose in order for it to be capable of generative AI in the future and become wiser.

This is because of the introduction of huge language model technology and generative AI. Choi said that Samsung is "working so hard" on developing generative AI capabilities for Bixby, but they could not specify when those features may become accessible.

Currently, Bixby can only be used to activate Samsung's Galaxy AI capabilities for users hands-free; it does not fully support AI in and of itself; rather, it serves as a means to activate Samsung's other AI tools.

Samsung's AI Chip

Additionally, Samsung recently revealed that the "Mach-1" artificial intelligence chip will be available in early 2025. An AI processor that might serve as Samsung's attempt to take on the recently revealed "B200" chip from NVIDIA, which is scheduled for release later this year.

The new chip will be put into production by the end of the year and launched in early 2025. It is anticipated to target edge applications with low power consumption requirements.

Related Article: Samsung Fixes OLED Screen Burn-in Issue Thanks to One UI 6.0 Update

(Photo: Tech Times)
The recent wave of layoffs at Tesla has brought about more than just a reduction in workforce size. This sparked significant changes in leadership roles and project management, particularly within the pivotal initiatives underway at Gigafactory Texas.

Reorganizing Operations in Austin

While Tesla attributes the layoffs to hiring challenges stemming from rapid expansion, a deeper layer of restructuring is occurring in Austin, Texas.

Electrek reported that this indicates a strategic effort by Tesla to streamline operations and possibly reallocate resources within key projects at Gigafactory Texas.

Drew Baglino, Tesla's Senior Vice President of Powertrain and Energy Engineering, disclosed his departure from the company's ranks.

Baglino was pivotal in spearheading several engineering initiatives at Tesla, including the 4680 battery cell production and establishing the cathode factory at Gigafactory Texas in Austin.

However, both projects have encountered significant setbacks, experiencing notable delays in their timelines. In addition to Baglino's exit, sources familiar with the situation have informed of the termination of Anthony Thurston, Tesla's Senior Manager of Cathode Materials & Manufacturing.

Thurston, who reported to Baglino regarding the cathode factory endeavor, is no longer with the company. Describing the cathode factory project as "a financial black hole," an individual closely associated with the undertaking conveyed their perspective.

Navigating Changes at Gigafactory Texas

The factory's primary objective is to furnish Tesla with refined cathode material necessary for its battery cell production activities at Gigafactory Texas.

Allegedly dissatisfied with the factory's advancement, Elon Musk has instigated personnel changes. The circumstances surrounding Baglino's departure remain ambiguous, with uncertainty prevailing over whether he was terminated or chose to depart independently amidst the ongoing staff reductions.

Additionally, Musk has advocated for further alterations at Gigafactory Texas. He halted the NV9 project, which aimed to develop a next-generation, more affordable electric vehicle at the facility.

Instead, Musk redirected all resources toward the Robotaxi program, emphasizing the construction of a new data center as part of the factory's ongoing expansion.

The project is reportedly experiencing delays. Musk is now expediting the project's timeline with the aim of activating the data center by August 20th, although the current status remains uncertain.

Tesla and Elon Musk attribute the recent layoffs to "hiring inefficiencies due to rapid growth," but there appears to be a deeper rationale behind the decision.

Some Tesla enthusiasts speculate that the company is streamlining operations by "trimming the fat" and removing underperforming employees, yet there are additional layers to consider.

It seems that Musk is dissatisfied with certain aspects of Tesla's initiatives and is undertaking a restructuring process, whether for better or worse.

These layoffs serve to obscure the discontinuation of certain programs and the reallocation of resources that are no longer necessary.

Tesla's evolving needs reflect Musk's changing perspectives, with a heightened emphasis on self-driving technology as the focal point of the company's future endeavors.
ChatGPT's Chinese counterpart, Baidu's "Ernie Bot," has now reportedly recorded a user base of 200 million, nearly doubling its user count since it recorded over 100 million users last December. The daunting user count helps the AI chatbot to maintain China's most popular AI chatbot.

The CEO of the Chinese internet giant, Robin Li, disclosed the new milestone at a meeting in Shenzhen on Tuesday. Public access to the chatbot was granted eight months ago.

(Photo: JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images) This photo, taken on July 20, 2022, shows the Baidu logo on its headquarters building in Shenzhen, in China's southern Guangdong province.

The firm last disclosed that statistic when the user base hit over 100 million in December. According to Li, Ernie Bot's application programming interface (API) is used 200 million times a day, which indicates that users have asked the chatbot to perform activities that many times a day.

According to Li, the chatbot now has 85,000 enterprise clients. As one of the first eight AI chatbots China approved, Ernie Bot was the first domestically produced ChatGPT-like chatbot to be disclosed in the country last March. However, it wasn't until August that it received approval for public release.

Read Also: China Acknowledges AI Sector Is Lagging Behind US

Baidu's AI Ventures

AI-wise, Baidu proved to be significantly advancing, particularly since Apple and the Chinese tech behemoth recently conducted discussions about utilizing Baidu's AI capabilities.

According to sources, Apple is competing with the Chinese company to incorporate its generative artificial intelligence technology into its products in China.

This is the most recent instance of the American tech giant's attempts to expand its artificial intelligence capabilities. The company has been investigating the possibility of enlisting outside partners to aid in hastening its AI goals. It talks about leveraging the technologies of businesses like Google and OpenAI to power its mobile features.

People who know the matter claim that Apple has been looking for a local supplier of generative AI models in China, mainly because China requires these models to be approved by its internet regulator before being made available to the public.

Following the regulation's announcement in August, Beijing has approved more than 40 generative AI models, including Baidu's Ernie Bot.

As of now, no models developed by international developers have been approved, and it is unclear if any foreign enterprises have asked for government authorization.

Due to local legislation, China cannot access cutting-edge generative AI models like Google's Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT.

The latest Galaxy smartphone from Apple rival Samsung employs Baidu's Ernie in China and Gemini outside of China to enable some AI capabilities.

Ernie Bot and the Military

Controversies surrounding Ernie Bot surfaced online when the AI company claimed it was connected to Chinese Military research. The company immediately denied the claims.

Baidu denied the South China Morning Post article, referencing an academic paper from a university connected to the People's Liberation Army cyber warfare branch.

The paper said that the institution had tested its AI system on two AI chatbots, Ernie and Spark, both of which are comparable to ChatGPT.

The PLA Information Engineering University scholarly study explains how researchers offered Ernie Bot prompts to generate simulated military response plans for Libyan troops against a US military invasion. The corporation highlighted that Ernie Bot "is available to and used by the general public."

Baidu contended that the writers would have used the features accessible to any user dealing with such AI tools if they had employed huge language models, such as Ernie Bot.

Related Article: Alibaba Founder Jack Ma Returns to the Spotlight, Encourages Staff to Seize 'AI Opportunity'

(Photo: Tech Times)
NASA revisits the April 8 total solar eclipse with a stunning collection of images capturing the celestial spectacle as the Moon's shadow journeyed across North America.

How NASA Saw the April 8 Total Solar Eclipse

The sequence of images showcases the gradual transition as the Moon obscured the Sun, culminating in the ethereal display of the solar corona. Each frame immortalizes a moment of the eclipse's progression, allowing viewers to witness the celestial spectacle unfolding overhead.





Experiencing a total solar eclipse firsthand transcends mere observation; it's an immersive encounter with the cosmos. The gradual dimming of light gives way to a deep darkness, enveloping spectators in a surreal ambiance as the Sun's corona emerges.



Throughout history, observers have noted the peculiar behaviors of wildlife during eclipses. The Eclipse Soundscapes project, supported by NASA, gathered data on animal reactions, shedding light on the intricate interplay between celestial events and earthly ecosystems.



On April 8, crowds gathered at various vantage points along the eclipse's path, including NASA's designated "SunSpot" locations. Attendees engaged with experts, participated in educational activities, and eagerly awaited the celestial spectacle.



During this brief period of darkness, celestial wonders revealed themselves to the naked eye. Planets such as Venus and Jupiter gleamed brightly against the darkened sky, according to NASA.





There's Something Pink Around the Sun?

The eclipse also unveiled mesmerizing pink prominences emanating from the Sun, vast clouds of plasma suspended by magnetic forces. These celestial structures, many times larger than Earth, offered a rare spectacle visible without telescopic aid.

While terrestrial observers marveled at the eclipse's splendor, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and astronauts aboard the International Space Station provided unique perspectives from above. SDO's imagery captured the Sun's pre-totality state, offering a complementary view to ground-based observations.



Meanwhile, astronauts witnessed the Moon's shadow traversing Earth from their vantage point in space, a perspective unattainable from the ground.



The Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) on the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite captured striking views of Earth during the eclipse, offering a glimpse of the fleeting phenomenon from a million miles away.



Closer to home, NASA's WB-57 jets soared at 50,000 feet, extending the duration of scientific observations during the eclipse. These airborne platforms facilitated crucial research into the Sun's corona and Earth's atmosphere, contributing to our understanding of these complex systems.



Beyond its scientific significance, the eclipse served as a unifying experience, bringing communities together in shared awe and wonder.
Recent Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence analysis found a significant decline in the AI industry. According to the research, global investment in AI fell significantly in 2023-the second year in a row.



Venture capital investments for startups and corporate mergers and acquisitions fell in 2023. AI-related mergers and acquisitions fell 31.2%, from $117.16 billion in 2022 to $80.61 billion in 2023. Private investment fell from $103.4 billion to $95.99 billion. AI investment fell 20% to $189.2 billion in 2023, including minority share purchases and public offers, per TechCrunch.



Despite this drop, several AI ventures received large amounts of funding. Microsoft bought key personnel from Inflection AI for $650 million, while Amazon invested billions in Anthropic. In 2023, 1,812 AI companies received funding, a 40.6% increase from the year before.



AI investment is declining for many reasons, according to experts. According to Gartner analyst John-David Lovelock, AI investment is expanding as larger firms like Anthropic and OpenAI secure their positions. Umesh Padval, managing director at Thomvest Ventures, attributed the dip to slower-than-expected growth and AI's technical and business problems.



Other industry analysts cite decreasing enthusiasm for supporting new firms, overreliance on exponential growth, and a more careful approach to AI investment evaluation.



Despite the industrial slump, generative AI is a bright light. In 2023, generative AI startups received $25.2 billion, up significantly from prior years. However, business leaders remain skeptical of generative AI-powered products' productivity advantages and hazards.



Investment fever in the AI field is cooling, but others see it as an essential step toward sustainability. Industry analysts anticipate AI investment to continue, with occasional changes.

Entry Level Jobs at Risk

Amid the changing business landscape driven by AI, Wall Street corporations are considering using the technology to help or replace entry-level workers, increasing concerns about financial sector job security, per an earlier TechTimes report.



Wall Street and investment banks, traditionally adaptable to cultural upheavals, are increasingly interested in generative artificial intelligence as a transformational technology that might augment or replace whole workforces.



This trend particularly affects entry-level investment banking analysts, who spend a lot of time learning about corporate finance, bond sales, M&A transactions, and public offerings. AI systems can complete many jobs quickly and without complaints.

This illustration photograph taken in Helsinki on June 12, 2023, shows an AI (Artificial Intelligence) logo blended with four fake Twitter accounts bearing profile pictures apparently generated by Artificial Intelligence software.

Tech Giants Addressing AI's Impact on Employment

Tech giants like Cisco, Google, Microsoft, and IBM formed the AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium in response to these concerns. The consortium will examine AI's influence on jobs and offer training.



The effort evaluates AI's influence on 56 major ICT vocations and suggests training options. However, industry-led solutions are not trusted. IBM and Intel training has not increased demand for AI-related professions, according to analysts.



The consortium's long-term strategy and efficacy are unknown as it prepares to deliver its results this summer. Stakeholders want tangible measures to curb job losses and boost workforce development as AI technology advances, per a previous report.



Job cutbacks in 2023 affected media, banking, and retail, as well as IT. Business Insider reported employment losses at IBM, Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, and Dow.



Nearly 40% of firm owners foresee layoffs, and 50% expect hiring freezes in 2024, according to ResumeBuilder. CEOs of firms over 10 describe recession worries as a major influence. AI is another major cause of job cuts, with 40% of respondents wanting to replace humans with AI. Dropbox, Google, and IBM have cut AI-related jobs.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC) has achieved a major milestone in space exploration with the successful completion of ground tests for its 130-ton reusable liquid oxygen kerosene engine.

The engine, developed by CASC's Sixth Academy, promises to transform space travel with its groundbreaking propulsion capabilities. According to reports from Chinese state media, CASC's engineers completed two ground ignition tests on Saturday, April 13, marking a historic moment in China's space program.

China's Massive Reusable Rockets Sets New Record

The engine's performance during the tests surpassed expectations, with a total of 15 repeated tests, 30 ignition starts, and a cumulative test duration exceeding 3,900 seconds.

This achievement not only sets a new record for the number of tests for liquid rocket main engines in China but also demonstrates the engine's comprehensive performance, strong expandability, and high reliability.

In a statement provided to the Global Times, the research team behind the engine emphasized its key features, stating, "The engine features comprehensive performance, strong expandability, and high reliability."

They also highlighted the engine's ability to address critical challenges in reusable rocket technology, including precise landing, stable docking, durability for reuse, and quick repair for maintenance.

Read Also : US Space Force to Conduct First Orbital Defense Exercise Amid Rising Concerns Over China's Satellite Network

A Long March-2C rocket, carrying the Einstein Probe satellite, lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Xichang, in southwestern China's Sichuan province on January 9, 2024.

China's Rapid Progress in Space Exploration

China's successful ground tests of the 130-ton liquid oxygen kerosene engine highlight its rapid progress in space exploration and its ambitions to become a leading space power.

With plans to perform test flights for two state-owned reusable rockets in 2025 and 2026, including the Long March 10 for lunar missions, China is poised to make significant strides in space travel, Interesting Engineering notes.

According to industry insiders, the development of reusable rockets is a crucial step toward advancing China's commercial space launches and applications. The commercial space sector in China has experienced rapid growth, with significant investment and participation from the private sector and research institutions. In 2023 alone, nearly 6 billion yuan ($833 million) of social capital was invested in satellite and rocket manufacturing sectors.

Furthermore, China's commercial space launches have achieved new records, with 26 launches completed in 2023, accounting for 39 percent of the total launches, and a success rate of 96 percent, according to CASC data.

General Stephen Whiting, head of the US Space Command, recently raised concerns about China's rapid advancement in space technology, emphasizing the potential threats to American interests on Earth and in orbit.

Whiting, speaking to the US Senate Armed Services Committee, emphasized China's "breathtaking" progress in military space and counter-space capabilities, which aim to deny the US and its allies access to space assets if necessary.
British legislators will vote today on a smoking ban to create the "first smoke-free generation."



Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's primary initiative will ban tobacco sales to everyone born after January 1, 2009, phasing out smoking. Labor supports the bill, which should pass. Sunak faces opposition from conservatives who call the initiative "unconservative."



If approved, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill would progressively raise the tobacco purchase age. No one under 15 could buy cigarettes this year. The legal smoking age would climb one year every year until it applied to everyone, per ABC News.



The UK smoking ban bill also bans inexpensive disposable vapes and restricts flavor selections to prevent young nicotine addiction. The UK forbids the sale of tobacco to minors.

Preserving the Health of The Next Generations

The UK's top avoidable cause of death is smoking, killing 80,000 people a year. Supporters of the UK smoking ban, including health authorities and NHS managers, believe it will significantly lower the number. The Ministry estimates the ban may reduce youth smoking rates (14-30) to near zero by 2040.



"By preventing children and young people from becoming addicted to nicotine and tobacco, we reduce their risk of developing preventable diseases later in life and protect children from nicotine addiction," said Royal College for Paediatrics and Child Health president Prof. Steve Turner.



By 2100, the "smoke-free generation" project might avoid over 470,000 cases of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other diseases, according to the government. According to government data, smoking costs the UK 17 billion ($21 billion) a year, 10 billion ($12 billion) of which is lost productivity. They claim these expenses exceed the 10 billion tobacco tax revenue, The Guardian reported.



Some Conservative MPs oppose the bill as an excess of government power. Former Prime Ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson called the measures "profoundly unconservative" and the prohibition "absolutely nuts."

Truss says conservatives shouldn't grow the "nanny state" because it empowers freedom-cutters. Other Tory MPs worry that the prohibition might become unworkable and lead to alcohol restrictions. Former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said, "An enforcement nightmare and a slippery slope-alcohol next?"



Despite major UK smoking rate declines, concerns persist about older teens using tobacco. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that over 12% of 16- to 17-year-olds in England smoke cigarettes. While smoking among 11 to 17-year-olds has fallen in the previous decade, disposable vaping has increased, which is worrying.

Read Also : UK Government Weighs Smartphone Ban for Children Amid Rising Concerns

(Photo : Benjamin Cremel - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak records a statement about the Iranian attacks on Israel overnight, at 10 Downing Street on April 14, 2024 in London, England.

The ONS also indicates a nationwide uptrend. The lowest percentage of individuals aged 18 and older who smoke cigarettes was 12.9% in 2022, the lowest since 2011. Adults 65 and older have the lowest smoking rate, while 25-to 34-year-olds smoke the most, per the BBC.



England has the lowest smoking rate in the UK, whereas Wales has the highest.



This drop is partly due to high tobacco prices, say experts. A pack of 20 cigarettes costs over 15 ($18), mostly due to tax. Ash, an anti-smoking nonprofit, believes that these price spikes caused some smokers to stop.

The Global Fight Against Smoking

New Zealand's smoking reduction program may have influenced the UK's. Previously, New Zealand intended to impose a lifetime tobacco sales ban on anyone born after 2008. The current administration scrapped this legislation in November 2023 to emphasize tax savings.



Other nations have robust anti-smoking policies. Mexico has among the world's strongest smoking laws, including on beaches, parks, and certain houses. Portugal hopes to eliminate tobacco sales in bars, cafes, and petrol stations by 2040 to create a "smoke-free generation." Canada became the first nation to require health warnings on cigarettes and expects to cut smoking rates below 5% by 2035.
Portugal's far-right political party, Chega, has recently announced its intention to pursue legal action against Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, over the decision to impose a 10-year ban on the party's official Facebook account, Reuters reports.

Portugal's Far-right Chega Pushes Legal Actions Against Meta

Chega, which surged in popularity during last month's snap election, quadrupling its parliamentary representation to 50 lawmakers, finds itself at odds with Meta over allegations of breaching community standards on the social media platform.

According to a spokesperson for the party, Patricia Carvalho, Meta notified Chega that its account had been restricted for 3,649 days due to violations of community standards, without providing an opportunity for appeal within the platform.

"This is undoubtedly political censorship. There is no other justification," remarked Andre Ventura, the leader of Chega, denouncing Meta's decision as "absolutely incomprehensible" and an "unprecedented persecution of a political party in Portugal."

Chega asserts that Meta's actions infringe upon its freedom of expression and impede its political activities.

Read Also : Meta Explores Classroom Potential with Quest Headset Despite Criticisms

Leader of far-right wing party Chega, Andre Ventura gestures for his supporters during a street campaign rally ahead of Portugal's general elections, in Lisbon, on January 28, 2022. - Campaigning wrapped up for a tightly-fought weekend general election in Portugal, with polls pointing to a hung parliament and huge gains by the far-right.

Why Meta Banned Chega on Facebook

Meta's decision appears to stem from Chega's contentious online content, particularly regarding issues of immigration and the Roma community. The party's anti-immigration and anti-Roma rhetoric has previously sparked accusations of discriminatory speech.

A recent video posted on Chega's Facebook page, addressing impunity within the gypsy community, has been cited as a potential trigger for the account restriction. Andre Ventura claims in the video that there is "brutal impunity" with "the gypsy community in Portugal" and that "there is only one party capable of telling the truth".

"Your account has been restricted for 3649 days. Your account activity has disrespected our community standards. Therefore, you cannot perform one or more of the usual actions," Meta's message to CHEGA's official Facebook account reads.

According to a local news outlet, the video in question was still viewable hours after Chega's Facebook page was banned. Chega challenged the consistency of Meta's enforcement, noting that despite the ban, the party's Facebook page remains active, with the latest post dated just 19 hours ago.

Additionally, Chega leader Andre Ventura's personal Facebook account has reportedly faced restrictions since December, further complicating the situation.

What's Next?

In response to Meta's actions, Chega is preparing to escalate the matter both within the Portuguese Parliament and the judicial system. The party contends that Meta's decision is not only unjust but also illegal, as it hampers the legitimate political engagement of a significant portion of the Portuguese electorate.

Meta's stance on content moderation has faced scrutiny globally, with recent actions in Turkey and Canada raising concerns over its market dominance and influence on political discourse.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.
With BYD on the pyramid of China's electric vehicle (EV) market, foreign automakers might have a hard time catching up, but Honda is built differently.

The Japanese car manufacturer is set to challenge the Chinese EV sector with the introduction of six new models under its Ye Series.

This expansion includes the debut of the P7 and S7 crossovers, scheduled for release by the close of 2024, along with an appealing peek at the GT Concept, slated to arrive in late 2025.

Honda Unveils New Ye Series

With an eye on challenging dominant players like BYD, Honda aims to bolster its presence in China's EV industry through the Ye Series.

According to the company, the brand name "Ye" (), meaning "shine" in Chinese, signifies Honda's commitment to driving pleasure and individuality.

Related Article : Nissan and Honda Announce Partnership to Advance Electric Vehicle Development

Distinctive Styling and Features

The Ye Series showcases Honda's innovative design philosophy, featuring a simplified H emblem and vibrant color options. The P7 and S7 crossovers, distinguished by their unique characteristics, promise a blend of sophistication and emotion in their design language.

Design Highlights

Both models boast sleek profiles with black pillars, flush door handles, and angular wheel arches. While the Ye P7 embodies a classic Honda aesthetic, the Ye S7 offers a touch of luxury reminiscent of Cadillac, particularly from the rear angle, Honda writes in its latest post.

Interior and Technology

Although interior images are yet to be revealed, Honda assures spacious cabins and cutting-edge technology. An AI-powered assistant will control LED ambient lighting, enhancing the driving experience for occupants.

Technical Specifications

Riding on a new EV-dedicated platform developed in China, the Ye Series offers options between single and dual electric motors. The RWD variants promise sporty handling, while the AWD models boast enhanced power and responsiveness.

Ye GT Concept

The GT Concept epitomizes Honda's vision for the future, featuring a sleek silhouette and upscale design cues. Its driver-centric interior, complemented by a "far-focus" display for the front passenger, offers a glimpse into the automotive luxury of tomorrow.

Excitement mounts as the Ye P7, S7, and GT Concept make their public debut at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show. Production will be overseen by Dongfeng Honda and Guangqi Honda joint ventures, aligning with Honda's broader goal of introducing 10 EVs in China by 2027.

Honda Will Try to Catch Up With BYD

The Chinese car industry is fully embracing the power of EVs. With BYD now on top, it will be harder for other automakers who started with gas-powered cars to catch up.

Currently, BYD continues to post impressive sales in China, driving foreign brands out of the country, per Electrek.

In 2023, Honda's sales plunged to 10% and this was even lower than its 2022 record.

If Honda wants to turn things around, there's a need to release never-before-seen models that will captivate Chinese consumers.

The Ye brand could be Honda's answer to accelerate the fast-growing EV market in mainland China ground.

Earlier this year, BYD touted the Yuan Up SUV to be the next affordable electric car to buyers.
Drought-hit Panama Canal to ease traffic restrictions



Panama City, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



The number of ships allowed through the drought-hit Panama Canal each day will be increased thanks to signs of an improvement in water levels, authorities said Monday.

The interoceanic channel is a key transit point for international cargo, but low water levels blamed on climate change and the El Nino phenomenon last year led officials to limit the number of vessels using it.

The Panama Canal Authority said Monday that it had informed clients it would gradually allow up to 32 ships through per day, compared with a limit of 27 announced a month ago.

In 2022, it had welcomed an average of 39 ships a day.

"The management and administration of water has been very efficient," canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez told AFP.

The arrival of the rainy season was also expected to help, he added.

Restrictions on the maximum draft (water depth) of ships passing through the largest locks will be increased in mid-June to 13.71 meters (45 feet), from 13.41, authorities said.

The century-old maritime channel, which usually handles about six percent of global maritime trade, uses rainwater stored in two artificial lakes.

The canal -- used mainly by customers from the United States, China and Japan -- has a system of locks to raise and lower ships.

For each vessel that passes through it, 200 million liters of fresh water are released into the sea.
Russia orders fresh evacuations in Siberia amid flood fears



Moscow, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



Russian authorities on Tuesday began fresh evacuations from towns and villages in western Siberia threatened by devastating floods that have swept the region and neighbouring Kazakhstan.

The floods have forced thousands to flee and are expected to peak this week on the Tobol and Ishim rivers.

The governor of the Tyumen region, Alexander Moor, said emergency services had begun "urgent evacuations" from towns expected to be inundated.

"Pack your valuables. Leave now for a safe place, to relatives or to a temporary accommodation centre," Moor said on social media.

In Tyumen, the level of the Ishim river reached "critical" levels of 808 centimetres in some areas, local authorities said.

Some 67,000 residents of Ishim, a town with the same name, were urged to flee via text message.

In the neighboring Kurgan region, the level of the Tobol river rose by 111 centimetres over the last day, reaching 742 centimetres, authorities said.

The residents of 21 towns and villages have been asked to leave their homes.

Russian Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov and the governor of Kurgan, Vadim Shumkov, inspected flooded regions by helicopter on Tuesday, the ministry said.

In the Orenburg region, which has been at the heart of the flooding in recent days, the level of the Ural river has dropped, authorities said.

Over the past 24 hours, water has receded from around 1,000 flooded homes, regional officials said.

The town of Orsk, where the situation recently improved after heavy flooding last week, was again under threat after water overflowed from a dam.

Authorities in Kazakhstan reported last week that over 100,000 people were evacuated over the rising water levels.

The floods have been caused by heavy rainfall combined with rising temperatures and increased melting of snow and ice.
'Go home': Overtourism sparks backlash in Spain



Madrid, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



Anti-tourism movements are multiplying in Spain, the world's second most visited country, prompting authorities to try and reconcile the interests of locals and the lucrative sector.

Rallying under the slogan "The Canaries have a limit", a collective of groups on the archipelago off northwest Africa are planning a slew of protests on Saturday.

The Canaries are known for volcanic landscapes and year-round sunshine and attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.

Groups there want authorities to halt work on two new hotels on Tenerife, the largest and most developed of the archipelago's seven islands.

They are also demanding that locals be given a greater say in the face of what they consider uncontrolled development which is harming the environment.

Several members of the collective "Canaries Sold Out" also began an "indefinite" hunger strike last week to put pressure of the authorities.

"Our islands are a treasure that must be defended," the collective said.

The Canaries received 16 million visitors last year, more than seven times its population of around 2.2 million people.

This is an unsustainable level given the archipelago's limited resources, Victor Martin, a spokesman for the collective told a recent press briefing, calling it a "suicidal growth model".



- 'Social revulsion' -



Similar anti-tourism movements have sprung up elsewhere in Spain and are active on social media.

In the southern port of Malaga on the Costa del Sol, a centre of Spain's decades-old "soy y playa" or "sun and beach" tourism model, stickers with unfriendly slogans such as "This used to be my home" and "Go home" have appeared on the walls and doors of tourist accommodations.

In Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, activists have put up fake signs at the entrances to some popular beaches warning in English of the risk of "falling rocks" or "dangerous jellyfish".

Locals complain a rise in accommodation listings on short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb have worsened a housing shortage and caused rents to soar, especially in town centres.

The influx of tourists also adds to noise and environmental pollution and taxes resources such as water, they add.

In the northeastern region of Catalonia, which declared a drought emergency in February, anger is growing over the pressure exerted on depleted water reserves by hotels on the Costa Brava.

"Our concern is to continue to grow tourism in Spain so that it is sustainable and does not generate social revulsion," the vice president of tourism association Exceltur, Jose Luis Zoreda, told a news conference on Tuesday when asked about the protest movements.

The group said it expects Spain's tourism sector will post record revenues of 202.65 billion euros ($215.4 billion) this year.



- Loudspeaker ban -



Before the Covid-19 pandemic brought the global travel industry to its knees in 2020, protest movements against overtourism had already emerged in Spain, especially in Barcelona.

Now that pandemic travel restrictions have been lifted, tourism is back with a vengeance -- Spain welcomed a record 85.1 million foreign visitors last year.

In response, several cities have taken measures to try to limit overcrowding.

The northern seaside city of San Sebastian last month limited the size of tourist groups in the centre to 25 people and banned the use of loudspeakers during guided tours.

The southern city of Seville is mulling charging non-residents a fee to enter its landmark Plaza de Espana while Barcelona had removed a bus route popular with tourists from Google Maps to try to make more room for locals.

Housing Minister Isabel Rodriguez said over the weekend that "action needs to be taken to limit the number of tourist flats" but stressed the government is "aware of the importance of the tourist sector", which accounts for 12.8 percent of Spain's economic activity.
Russia orders fresh evacuations in Siberia over flood fears



Moscow, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



Russia on Tuesday began fresh evacuations from towns and villages in western Siberia threatened by devastating floods, as Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with people evacuated from rising water on his side of the border.

Russia and Kazakhstan have been hit by the worst floods in decades, as massive rivers rise with their ice cover melting.

The floods are expected to peak this week on Siberia's Tobol and Ishim rivers.

The governor of the Tyumen region, Alexander Moor, said emergency services had begun "urgent evacuations" from towns expected to be inundated.

"Pack your valuables. Leave now for a safe place, to relatives or to a temporary accommodation centre," Moor said on social media.

In Tyumen, the level of the Ishim river reached "critical" levels of 808 centimetres in some areas, local authorities said.

Some 67,000 residents of Ishim, a town with the same name, were urged to flee via text message.

In the neighbouring Kurgan region, the level of the Tobol river rose by 111 centimetres over the last day, reaching 742 centimetres, authorities said.

The residents of 21 towns and villages have been asked to leave their homes.

Russian Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov and the governor of Kurgan, Vadim Shumkov, inspected flooded regions by helicopter on Tuesday, the ministry said.



- 'National disaster' -



Kurenkov also oversaw the building of a dike on the Tobol river, saying 4,000 people -- including emergency workers and volunteers -- were taking part in building it.

"Everyone is trying to help each other: volunteers, residents of the city and people from other regions. All services are working day and night," Kurenkov said in a video published by his ministry.

In the Orenburg region, which has been at the heart of the flooding in recent days, the level of the Ural river has dropped, authorities said.

Over the past 24 hours, water has receded from around 1,000 flooded homes, regional officials said.

The town of Orsk, where the situation recently improved after heavy flooding last week, was again under threat after water overflowed from a dam.

In neighbouring Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart flew over swathes of the north of the country, where Astana has said some 90,000 people have been evacuated since the floods began over a week ago.

According to his office, Tokayev told evacuees that the state will take "all necessary measures" to protect them and discussed compensation issues with them.

"We are going through difficult times. It is a national disaster," he said.

"On the other hand, there are some positive signs. Water is slowly retreating," he added.

The Kazakh leader said "the next 10 days will be the most critical", with large amounts of water still heading towards the city of Petropavlovsk.

The floods have been caused by heavy rainfall combined with rising temperatures and increased melting of snow and ice.
Drought-hit Colombia halts export of electricity to Ecuador



Bogota, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2024



Colombia has halted electricity exports to neighboring Ecuador as its hydropower plants reach near-critical levels due to a biting drought, the government said late Monday.

The severe dry spell, associated with the El Nino climate phenomenon, has also led to water rationing that is affecting 10 million people in the capital Bogota and surrounds.

Mining and Energy Minister Andres Camacho told journalists that the country, which gets most of its energy from hydroelectric sources, was taking "all measures" to avoid energy cuts.

"Since Easter week, we limited energy exports to Ecuador. Right now, we are not exporting any electricity," Mining and Energy Minister Andres Camacho told journalists.

Water reservoirs currently stand at 29.8 percent of their capacity, according to the XM national electricity operator. A level of 27 percent is considered critical.

Camacho said that rains were expected soon to break the dry spell and high temperatures which also led to hundreds of forest fires in the country earlier this year.
Older Australians and their families are being warned to be careful about seeking the help of unlicensed and unregulated advisers and consultants when planning how to structure their finances to afford aged care.

Advisers and consultants are not required to have qualifications or professional association membership, leaving those receiving advice potentially liable to advice that is not in their best interest.

Advice on aged care financial decisions would be more reliable if the licensing net was expanded.

Families often do not have the luxury of time to check the credentials of an adviser or consultant to be better assured the guidance will be in their best interests, says Louise Biti, co-founder of Aged Care Steps, an education and training provider to financial planners who give aged care advice.

These decisions are often made by adult children, on their parents behalf, under an enduring power of attorney or financial management order.
Early on Tuesday morning, Mottel Gestetner awoke to distressing news. Sometime during the night, a mural at a prominent Melbourne intersection carrying a Bring Them Home Now message for Israelis held hostage by Hamas had been crudely painted over.

Gestetner wasnt offended by the fresh Free Palestine message daubed in black, white and red paint. As the Jewish business manager explains, he supports a free Palestine, especially one free from the tyranny of Hamas.

The freshly painted sign conceals a tribute to Israeli hostages that was created in the heart of Melbournes Jewish community.

Yet he is dismayed that whoever painted the sign had no apparent compunction erasing the faces of women and children who are either dead or, at best, living through a horrific ordeal. The location of the late-night patch-over, the corner of St Kilda Road and Carlisle Street, is in the heart of Melbournes bagel belt.

It is not the message, it is the place, Gestetner says. It was pasted over a community effort to come together.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Joel Cauchis father Andrew Cauchi said: I made myself a servant to my son when I found out he had a mental illness. If ever there was a heroic statement, this is one (Killer details emerge as family speaks, April 16). That is a life of dedication that would never have been uncovered in the normal course of life. There are hundreds of such parents in our anguished society. Mental illness is at epidemic proportions and very often the family quietly and heroically carries the cross. Michael Kennedy, West Pymble Andrew Cauchi (left) spoke to the media on Monday after his son Joel Cauchi (right) fatally stabbed multiple people in Bondi Junction on Saturday. Is it unpredictable that homeless, seriously mentally ill people, without treatment, maybe taking amphetamines and/or cannabis, fending for themselves, finally snap and have a major psychotic episode? What would happen to an asthmatic or diabetic being deprived of medication, living on the streets? Our premier sees the answer in giving police more powers  to do what? The premier could look at the vacant lands around state psychiatric hospitals for building halfway houses, and staffing them properly, bringing retired psychiatrists, nurses, paramedical staff to fill the gaps in discombobulated mental health services. In north-east Goulburn there is a large paddock of unused demountable classrooms. With some modifications they could be used, say, in the grounds of Callan Park, Macquarie, Kenmore, and other hospitals for temporary housing. There are simply not enough police to go around whether they have more powers or not. There are plenty more people in Joel Cauchis circumstances. Though, of course, it is cheaper to pass a law giving police more, useless powers. Gregory Cook, Beecroft (retired psychiatrist) In 1983, the Richmond Report recommended the NSW government fund a system of community-based networks, backed up by specialist hospital and accommodation services for the mental health sector. Lack of political support meant this failed. In 1993, the Burdekin Report found disgraceful progress on this. Savings from the Richmond Reports deinstitutionalisation recommendations had not been directed to community-based mental health services which were mostly grossly underfunded and underdeveloped. The absence of supported accommodation was the single biggest obstacle to patient recovery. Between 2006 and 2012 there were 32 more separate statutory inquiries into the sector with few, if any, implemented. It is now 2024. We do not need more reports, enquiries, inquests, broken lives and political scapegoating. We need the political will and resources to address the woeful inadequacy of mental illness treatment and funding. We can no longer afford to fail. Vivien Clark-Ferraino, Duckmaloi The premier has announced a $18m coronial inquiry into the Bondi tragedy. Where will this money actually go? At a time when the city has just lost two privately run mental health hospitals in Kogarah and Ashfield, surely the delivery of those services will serve the state better than a lawyers picnic. Duncan Anderson, Hunters Hill

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In the aftermath of the Richmond Report, psychiatric hospitals across the country began to close from the 1980s onward. This was heralded as an advancement in the treatment of mental health, given a background of questionable therapies such as the Chelmsford Hospitals deep sleep program. As a visitor to both Callan Park and North Ryde hospitals in the 1970s, I can attest to an atmosphere of gloom  perhaps, the result of many patients being heavily sedated. The definition of what constituted poor mental health was also up for debate. Wayward, abusive husbands could legally section their unwanted wives, and young people with drug problems, directed by courts to seek treatment in such places, were instead given powerful sedatives. However, when these asylums closed, the necessary supportive infrastructure was, and continues to be, minimal. Institutions are a cheap fix for mental health problems in society, but they are certainly not a solution. Lyndall Nelson, Goulburn I worked as a correctional officer for almost 20 years in both maximum and minimum facilities. Many inmates currently in jail would have been cared for in earlier times in psychiatric hospitals by resident medical professionals. Many offenders deliberately commit crimes so that they can be sent to jail where they have a relatively safe, ordered environment. Others just wander the streets, dependent on charity and trying to deal with their mental conditions as best as they can. Within the correctional system there was training available for officers in recognising and dealing with mental health issues. It was quite limited but at least it was something. Successive penny-pinching by the department has seen most training replaced with meaningless tick and flick computer exercises. This leaves correctional officers, who generally carry no weapons or PPE, even less equipped to deal with inmates with mental health issues. Stephen McDonald, Goulburn The image of the bollard man is seared into the memories of any Australian viewing the confronting Bondi massacre scenes. This young Frenchman has been identified as Damien Guerot whose visa runs out in a month. Its wonderful news that he has been offered a permanent visa in return for his brave act of saving possibly multiple more lives. Narelle Ryan, Woollahra In the aftermath of the Bondi tragedy, the role of security guards has been raised. These hardworking people, who have no legal protection, are basically there to tell kids to stop riding their skateboards and to deter shoplifters. During a real emergency, their role should be seen as facilitating building evacuation and communicating with first responders. To expect any more is unreasonable. Ross MacPherson, Seaforth Lehrmann should have quit while he was ahead A fantastic, non-sensational, forensic analysis of the Lehrmann case by Justice Michael Lee (A lying rapist, April 16). The quote of all time about going back into the lions den to get his hat must be ringing in Lehrmanns ears. He should have quit while he was ahead! Both parties being described as questionable witnesses and the sensationalised headlines by the media must bring a focus back onto factual reporting. My wonder now is whether this roadshow will continue, or slide into oblivion. Has justice to the victim really been done? Robert Mulas, Corlette Justice Michael Lee found that Bruce Lehrmann was hell-bent on having sex with Brittany Higgins and went to great lengths to orchestrate a situation that allowed that outcome. Credit: Michaela Pollock

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Enough is enough. Women are absolutely sick of having, always, to be alert to the possibility of being attacked by a man. This is a man problem, not a woman problem. I am beyond incensed at the very high rate of sexual assault, violence and killing of women in Australia. Including the apparently targeted attacks at Bondi, more than 20 women have already been killed this year by angry men. All you good men who make up the vast majority of the male population, get out there. Organise yourselves, let those pathetic aggressive men know that killing and injuring women is cowardly. Shout loudly and show that you actually care enough to stop this wholesale war on women. Enough is enough. Judy Hungerford, Kew (Vic) A damning but astute appellation; I nominate omnishambles for word of the year. Meredith Williams, Baulkham Hills I thought the Heralds front page said it all. And then I saw Wilcox. Liz Crosby, Darlington There is so much about the sordid Bruce Lehrmann defamation case that has been gobsmacking. As the revelations kept coming, I continued to wonder what influence this senior staffer had and how this reflected on the quality of our government? Mark Tietjen, Redfern As the Bruce Lehrmann soap opera continues, an obvious question  how did an unqualified person manage to get a senior position as a government adviser. Who did he know? Ross Hudson, Mount Martha (Vic) You have to applaud the skill and judgement of Justice Lee in coming to the decisions that he did. Finally, after consuming thousands of pieces of evidence, he has given us a conclusion, hopefully, to this sorry mess of lies, deceit and grandstanding. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne Thank you, Justice Lee, for being the voice of logic and reason. Its the vindication that all Australians needed to hear, especially the women in this country. Daniela Catalano, Haberfield

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Any chance of Justice Lee handling the Trump trials? Steve Taverner, Gulgong Hate begets hate As an Ahmadi Muslim, I was deeply disturbed by the recent knife attack on Bishop Emmanuel (Joint counter-terrorism team to investigate Wakeley stabbing, smh.com.au, April 16). Our heartfelt prayers are with him for a swift recovery. Its imperative for our community to uphold social cohesion and harmony during this trying time. No religion condones such acts. Khizar Rana, Hyde Park Scene of a stabbing at a church in Wakeley. Credit: Wolter Peeters It is unfortunate that the church stabbing victim, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, has actually contributed to pain and division with continual messages of intolerance. His messages of clear opposition to other faiths and understandings, loud denunciation of diversity and against the LGBTQI+ community and stance as a COVID-19 vaccination sceptic will inevitably act as petrol thrown on the fire of community unrest, and what we have here is part of the fallout. It could be that this is a reaction to religious hate speech delivered from the safety of religious privilege and fired into the community. Interfaith dialogue can be difficult to navigate, and some faith groups have no interest in working together, even within their own religious denominations. We are fortunate in regional Australia to have the legacy of past religious and cultural leaders, which builds a safer community. The stabbing in Bondi Junction and the church are related to the state of mental health services, the power of social media and the volatile effect of polarising religious prejudice on young, vulnerable minds. We are looking forward to joining the Islamic Society of Albury-Wodonga and the Bahai community following a friendly invitation to celebrate their major religious festivals. As ANZAC Day approaches, perhaps we can redouble our efforts to foster peace and understanding across this land that increasingly sings anthems about being one but many. Fr Peter MacLeod-Miller, Anglican Rector of Albury

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Solar solution For those desperate to reduce power bills, solar panels provide part of the solution if one is willing and able to carefully control much of the power usage to periods when the sun shines (High bills lead to demand for home batteries, April 16). Battery storage spreads the usage time to 24 hours, but the $8000 plus cost is generally unaffordable, and it is unlikely to be dented significantly by government subsidies. A better option may be a solar hot water system or heat pump. These attract subsidies, cost less than a battery, run with high efficiency and the hot water tank provides the simple storage solution. With the combination of our modest solar panel array and a solar hot water system, two full-time occupants and occasionally six, paid a total quarterly bill of $8 in summer and partly due to cloudy conditions, a recent autumn bill of $60. Geoff Harding, Chatswood As an owner of a solar system, panels and batteries, I can agree that it has made a difference to my energy consumption. However, the aspect of ones power bill that is often overlooked is the service charge. When I received my bill recently, I found that I am charged $1.10 per day for the poles and wires that service my property. This is 40 per cent of my bill. Another way of viewing the costs dilemma perhaps? Dinah Kimbell, Speers Point The Herald editorial is right to point to the glaring hole in our transition plan to renewable energy  home batteries (Editorial, April 16). Even without subsidies, battery sales are picking up, but with the addition of government incentives, they would skyrocket, fixing the problem of the so-called solar duck (the excess output of electricity from rooftop solar in the middle of the day). Consumers would benefit by being able to use their own electricity to power their homes. The grid would also be stabilised by the addition of more storage. And, of course, emissions would fall as fewer people relied on the grid. Its a win-win situation. Ken Enderby, Concord Violence against women systemic A quick perusal of todays paper shows an alarming number of articles about disrespect for or violence perpetrated against women, including one about a trend of men randomly punching women on the streets of New York, as well as those about the Bondi Junction stabbing, the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case and Donald Trumps sex cover-up case. Along with focusing on mental health support, we need to have a serious go at a meaningful and nuanced conversation about the issue of violence against women, one in which were all prepared to have a good hard look at ourselves, our values, our family behaviour and our social norms, and where were willing to see our hard-earned money committed to achieving change. We need to develop programs to help men manage anger and acknowledge that the problem is systemic without implying that most men are violent or have anger-management issues. We need to stop pussyfooting around the issue with lots of programs based on unproved methods and throw ourselves at improving safety outcomes for women. Prue Nelson, Cremorne Point

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Online descriptions of Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre portray it as a stunning rural oasis with a big heart and soothing ambience that offers workshops with alternative healing specialists including body workers, energy healers and psychic mediums.

Its website extols the virtues you would expect of holistic wellness: a place to untangle the mind and come to your senses and be in the present moment.

The Soul Barn retreat in Clunes, where a woman died on Sunday. Credit: Facebook

But the self-described alternative and holistic health business, located in the former Victorian gold mining town of Clunes, about 33 kilometres north of Ballarat, is now at the centre of a police investigation after one woman died and two people were hospitalised after ingesting a drink at the venue on Saturday.

Police said detectives and the coroner were investigating the death of a 53-year-old Ringwood North woman who became ill and died in the early hours of Sunday after allegedly consuming a drink at Soul Barn.
X was contacted for comment and replied with an automated message saying busy now, please check back later. Misinformation and the Bondi attack Soon after the Bondi attack, in which six people were killed and several others injured, prominent accounts began sharing misinformation originally posted by Simeon Boikov  known on X as Aussie Cossack  that wrongly claimed the perpetrator was a person named Ben Cohen. Some accounts shared photos of a 20-year-old student by that name, pulled from social media, while others spread wild antisemitic conspiracy theories. Cohens name was trending on X for at least 12 hours and the students family was inundated with messages. The misinformation was even briefly picked up and reported as fact by some mainstream media. Dr Belinda Barnet, senior lecturer at Swinburne University, said Twitter was never completely immune from inaccurate reports but that its ability to amplify verified information declined drastically after it was acquired by Musk as he intentionally tore down the processes that made it useful for disseminating news. Elon Musks acquisition of Twitter is seen as a turning point in its attitude towards moderation. Credit: Bloomberg

Almost every decision hes made has made it more difficult to distinguish fact from fiction, she said. He immediately dismantled the verification system. That was important because a lot of the media and journalists and people who fact-check information had blue ticks. It definitely wasnt a perfect system but it was a useful identifier of trustworthiness. Under the current system, blue ticks are given to paying X subscribers or gifted by Musk to accounts of his choosing, with the platforms underlying algorithm pushing posts from those users above all others. Barnet said that, combined with Musks moves to reduce moderation, reinstate accounts with histories of bad behaviour, and suppress posts with links to news organisations, the changes to verification had a profound effect on Twitters usefulness during a crisis as it was much harder to quickly assess the credibility of reports. Its made it significantly less reliable as a source of information and, in fact, more dangerous in terms of its potential to spread misinformation, she said, pointing to the fact Cohens name was trending all night on Saturday and into Sunday.

Loading [Before Musk] Twitter would have stepped in to kill the trend, or moderate, or take the original tweet or piece of misinformation out. They had some stopgaps in place that are not in place now. Australia has a voluntary code on misinformation, designed to prevent the spread of harmful posts, to which Meta, TikTok, Apple, Google and Microsoft are signatories. Twitter was previously a signatory but this, too, fell apart following Musks acquisition. As part of the dismantling of safety features on the platform, X removed the ability for users to report misinformation, breaching the code. An independent committee investigating the breach reported that X promised to provide documents in its defence, and have an executive join a video-call discussion, but neither eventuated. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which administers the voluntary code, is set to get expanded powers this year that would allow it to enforce a mandatory code or standard.

Live-streamed video and the church attack When an armed assailant in Christchurch live-streamed himself opening fire in a mosque five years ago, it had an immediate impact on social media networks, which were just beginning to reckon with the moderation requirements of real-time video. Facebook, Twitter and others founded a non-government organisation called the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), which monitors for violent extremist content and shares information to help platforms take action according to their own policies. This includes a hash-sharing database that allows all versions of a particular image or video to be blocked. Yet in some cases harmful images still proliferate. Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was live-streaming a sermon when he was approached and stabbed several times, meaning thousands of viewers potentially saw the event in real time. But within hours X was filled with many versions of the violent and confronting video, which could be viewed on demand. Some users discussed the actions of the attacker and parishioners in detail, while some used it as evidence to support various speculative theories, and others even edited or remixed the video with other videos and Bishop Emmanuel clips.

At the time of writing, not only is it still easy to find graphic video of the stabbing on X but there are many terms in the trending sidebar (which does differ from user to user) that lead directly to the videos, to hate speech or to speculation about the attackers name, ethnicity, religion and motivation. Inman Grant has given X 24 hours to remove the footage. On Facebook and Instagram, copies of the video are also floating around, though most are covered by a graphic content warning. A key difference between these and X is that searching on Metas platforms primarily brings up links to news sources, whereas X primarily brings up comments and videos posted directly to the platform. At the time of writing, video of the incident was difficult to find on TikTok. Loading Unlike the Christchurch live-stream, the stabbing video might not be considered abhorrent violent material under Australian law, since the footage was not taken by the perpetrator as part of their act of terror. That means there might not have been a legal obligation to remove it before Inman Grants order. But Zoe Hawkins, head of policy design at the Australian National Universitys Tech Policy Design Centre, said Xs lack of action constituted a failure to protect its users. X should absolutely be doing more to moderate the broadcasting of graphic violence on their platform in order to comply with their obligations under Australias online safety codes, but also, importantly, to meet the community expectations of its Australian users, she said.
This article is part of Travellers hot list for May, featuring the best new hotel reviews, attractions and airline news.

At the reception desk on level four, the hostels name suddenly clicked: Millennials. Hand up here, thats me. This capsule hostel appeals to those wanting to graduate from basic bunk-bed lodging or keen to try the shared accommodation thing in style, with perks and without lowering standards.

Its a sleek spot to retreat in one of Tokyos most pulsating districts, Shibuya. It offers affordable accommodation in an in-demand area but I cant imagine spending too much time here. Theres a bounty of entertainment, restaurants and bars on my doorstep.

Instead of a personal hostel tour, I am given an iPad to watch a tutorial on operating my bed, a first for this self-proclaimed hostel veteran. The minutes-long video explains how to work my high-tech Smart Pod sleeping pod, controlled with a re-engineered iPod Touch  peak Millennial nostalgia.

The look

Vibrant colours and vogueish art in the communal areas.

The 120-bed hostel is a thrifty travellers dream. Everything under its communal areas exposed ceiling is clean, orderly and worth a feature in an interior design mag. The space has floor-to-ceiling windows, minimalist furniture  an L-shaped lounge, coffee tables and chairs  and a wall displaying vogueish objects. The marble-look breakfast bar kitchen gives the room a chic feel, and the coffee machine (free to use) is undoubtedly the hardest worker here.
Thailand is bracing for a crisis on its border amid fears Myanmars brutal junta are about to launch a counter-offensive to reclaim a strategic city it has lost to resistance forces.

The citys full capture by forces for the Karen National Union and its allies on Thursday was one of the most significant gains by armed resistance groups inside Myanmar since the military took power in a February 2021 coup that toppled the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Karen forces and allied groups took the town of Myawaddy from Myanmars military junta last week. Credit:

You can think of it in two ways, Morgan Michaels, a Myanmar analyst at Singapores International Institute for Strategic Studies, said of Myawaddys fall. Theres the material and strategic value, but also the symbolic value. And symbolically, its massive.

This is the last major international border gate that the military controls. It makes them look weak, and it will galvanise opposition forces.
The jury selection process began on Monday but ended with dozens of candidates being dismissed after they acknowledged they would struggle to be fair and impartial. Things looked ominous again on day two, when two prospective jurors were late  leaving Trump looking unimpressed as he sat with his defence team in the drab courtroom on the 15th floor of the New York County Supreme Court. Former president Donald Trump and lawyer Todd Blanche await the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection. Credit: Pool A third juror also had to be excused due to illness, followed by three more dismissals on the grounds of impartiality. But just before midday, the first group of 18 prospective jurors made it through the initial round  a 42-part questionnaire designed to weed out potential biases  and into the second stage of direct questioning by lawyers.

Loading Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass kicked things off by telling the group that the trial against the former president was not a referendum on whether you like Donald Trump or who youre going to vote for in November. We dont care. This case is about whether he broke the law, he said. But it was Trumps lawyer, Todd Blanche, who asked the unavoidable question, given every one of you knows president Trump. So what opinion did they have of him? I dont really have one, said one potential juror, insisting she was there for her civic duty.

Especially in this courtroom, he will be treated as anyone else can be treated. No one is above the law. Another woman said she obviously knew of Trump because she is female. Asked by Blanche what she meant, she replied: I know that there have been opinions on how he doesnt treat females correctly, stuff like that. Melania Trump has not appeared on the campaign trail or at any of Trumps court cases. Credit: New York Times However, she added: I honestly dont know the story. So I dont have a view on it. And a third person  a Democrat who ended up being dismissed by the judge  replied: If we were sitting in a bar, Id be happy to tell you  But in this room what I feel about president Trump is not important.

It was another surreal day  even for a man known for shattering norms and making history. Situated in Lower Manhattan, the New York County Supreme Court has seen many high-profile defendants over the years, but perhaps none as well known as a former reality TV star-turned president, who is now campaigning to return to the White House. And yet here, minus his usual bravado and bluster, and once again without his wife, Melania, by his side, Trump looked more like a weary, ordinary man. On the first day of the trial, his alleged sexual encounters had been in full view of the court as lawyers argued over what evidence could be given to the jury. Stormy Daniels (left) and Karen McDougal have each said they had sex with Donald Trump before he was president, and Michael Cohen, a former Trump lawyer, alleges that both were paid off. Credit: AP, CNN/Youtube

Trumps side scored a win when Judge Juan Merchan ruled that during the expected testimony of Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who says she had an affair with Trump, there could be no mention of Melania being pregnant with their son, Barron, at the time, or that the affair continued when Melania was at home with a newborn. Nor could prosecutors play to the jury the now infamous Access Hollywood tape in which Trump is heard bragging about grabbing women by the p----. The main part of the trial, however, will focus on allegations he falsified three dozen business records in an attempt to cover up a hush money payment to Daniels, who says she had a brief sexual encounter with him in 2006. Trumps fixer and lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid Daniels $US130,000 ($203,000) to remain silent in the lead-up to the 2016 election.
Washington: US House Speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled an elaborate plan to split the aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan into separate votes to navigate the House of Representatives political divides on foreign policy.

Facing an outright rebellion from conservatives fiercely opposed to aiding Ukraine, the Republican Speakers move on the foreign aid package was a potential watershed moment, the first significant action on the bill after more than two months of delay.

Under pressure: Mike Johnson met with Donald Trump in Florida last week. Credit: AP

But Johnsons intention to hold four separate votes on parts of the package also left it open to being significantly altered from the $US95 billion ($148 billion) aid package the Senate handed the House in February.

Its unclear if the House could end up with a package that is similar to the Senates bill or something significantly different, which could complicate the months-long, painstaking effort to get Congress to approve military funding for Ukraine.
For all his bluster, bad-mouthing and myriad delay attempts, former US president Donald Trump finally found himself in court this week facing charges that he falsified nearly three dozen business records in an attempt to cover up a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Its a moment for the history books, with Trump being the first ex-president to go on trial in a criminal case. It was evident from day one that this was going to be a sordid affair. Before jury selection began, the judge gave prosecutors the green light to dredge up Trumps previous bad behaviour, including an alleged affair with a Playboy model and his vile comments on the Access Hollywood tapes.

Donald Trump walks back into the courtroom following an afternoon break in New York. Credit: AP

Not that this will change the gist of the former presidents rhetoric. A Trump rally is incomplete without reference to his criminal trials as a battle against the deep state, politically motivated witch hunts and hatchet jobs by crooked Joe Biden. But bellicose language, Trumps stock-in-trade for attacking his enemies, will be largely muted by the courts proceedings.

The former president will have to front up to court four days a week for potentially weeks. This will create a formidable drag on his ability to campaign, run his business and orchestrate his efforts to delay three other criminal trials for election interference and stashing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home.
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Beam Suntory appoints new president, North America

Spirits company Beam Suntory has confirmed the appointment of Carlo Coppola as president of North America. Coppola succeeds Jessica Spence in the role.

Coppolas most recent role saw him as president of American whiskey and Tequila, in which he oversaw profit and loss for Beam Suntorys priority bourbon brands and Tequila portfolio. Over his career at the company, Coppola has also served as managing director of James B Beam Distilling Company brand house and US chief commercial officer.

Reflecting on his appointment, Coppola said: Im looking forward to returning to the North America market team. We have a strong foundation in place, and we are only just getting started on realizing the full potential of our portfolio in this region.

Greg Hughes, president and CEO, added: With a career spanning across US commercial, finance and global brands over the past 20-plus years, Carlo brings strong commercial acumen, in-depth customer and consumer knowledge, and deep understanding and passion for our brands and people to our largest market.

Beam Suntory recently saw success for its WhiskHy project , under which it proved that hydrogen can be used to power direct-fired stills.

16 April 2024 - Lucy Schofield
Opposition spreading lies on electoral bonds scheme





NEW DELHI :

PM Modi said the electoral bonds scheme was aimed at curbing black money in elections and said the Opposition wants to run away after making allegations

PM said of the 16 companies who gave donations after action by probe agencies, only 37 per cent of the amount went to the BJP and 63% to Opposition parties opposed to the BJP

NOTING that he had never said that a decision taken cannot have a shortcoming, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Opposition parties of spreading lies over the electoral bonds scheme, which has been struck down by the Supreme Court, and said everyone will regret it when there is an honest reflection. In an interview with ANI, PM Modi said the electoral bonds scheme was aimed at curbing black money in elections and said the Opposition wants to run away after making allegations. He said of the 16 companies who gave donations after action by probe agencies, only 37 per cent of the amount went to the BJP and 63 per cent to Opposition parties opposed to the BJP.

The Prime Minister said the country has been pushed towards black money in elections and everyone will regret it. In his first detailed reaction on electoral bonds scheme, PM Modi, who has been on a hectic campaign for the Lok Sabha polls, said the scheme should also be viewed a success story as it has allowed the trail to show who had made contributions to political parties through the scheme. He also said there is a lot scope of improvement in the scheme. There has been a discussion in our country for a long time that (through) black money a dangerous game is there in elections. The play of black money in the countrys elections ends, this discussion has been going on for a long time. Money is spent in elections; no one can deny this. My party also spends, all parties, candidates spend and money has to be taken from people. I wanted that we try something, how can our elections be free from this black money, how can there be transparency? There was a pure thought in my mind. We were looking for a way. We found a small way, we never claimed that this was the absolute way, he said.

He said there was debate in Parliament on the electoral bonds scheme when the relevant bill was passed and some of those who are now commenting on it had supported it. He referred to the Governments decision to disband Rs 1000 and Rs 2000 denomination currency notes as part of its efforts to tackle black money. These notes were moved in large quantities during the elections. We took the step so that black money ends, PM Modi said. The Prime Minister said political parties were earlier allowed cash donations up to Rs 20,000 and he changed it to Rs 2500 as he did not want this cash business to go on. He said BJP had earlier decided to take all political donation by cheques but business people came and said they cannot pay through this mode as Government would get to know how much they had contributed to a political party and would trouble them. He said the businessmen conveyed that they are ready to give donations but not through cheque. I remember in the nineties, BJP faced a lot of problems; there was no money as we had this rule. Those wanting to give did not have courage to do so...I was aware of all this.... now see, if there was no electoral bond, which system has power to find out how the money came and where it went, he said.

This is the success story of electoral bonds, there were electoral bonds, so you are getting a trail which company gave, how it gave, where it gave. Whether what happened in the process was good or bad can be an issue of debate....I never say that there is no shortcoming in decision-making. We learn after discussing and improve. There is a lot of scope of improvement in this also. But today we have completely pushed the country towards black money, hence I say everyone will regret it. When they will think honestly, everyone will regret it, he said. PM Modi also attacked the Opposition of spreading lies over electoral bonds and said of the 3,000 companies that gave donations through the scheme, 26 faced action by probe agencies such as ED. He said of these 26 companies, there were 16 who took electoral bonds when they faced action. Of these (16 companies) 37 per cent of the amount went to BJP and 63 per cent to Opposition parties opposed to BJP. There is an ED raid... the work of donating to the Opposition, will BJP do this? This means 63 per cent of this amount went to the Opposition and you are making allegations against us. Their goal is to keep skirting around and run away, he said. The Supreme Court in February this year struck down the electoral bonds scheme and said it was unconstitutional. I.N.D.I.A. Bloc parties have been targeting the BJP-led Government over the electoral bonds scheme in their election campaign. In its decision, the Supreme Court asked the SBI to stop issuing electoral bonds. In compliance with a directive from the Supreme Court, the Election Commission of India (ECI) uploaded data on electoral bonds on its official website. The data was provided by the State Bank of India (SBI) on the directions of the apex court.
Brijmohan Agrawal files nomination for Raipur LS seat





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

The nomination rally of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Brijmohan Agrawal for the Raipur Lok Sabha constituency witnessed an unprecedented turnout on Monday, as supporters from nine assembly constituencies joined the procession. The rally, which commenced from the Raipur District BJP Office Ekatm Parisar, saw a massive gathering of party workers and members of Matri Shakti, all adorned with BJP flags and posters, creating a vibrant atmosphere accompanied by musical instruments. Addressing the rally, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai underscored the significance of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing the need to elect Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term. He lauded Prime Minister Modis relentless dedication to serving the nation and improving the lives of its citizens, particularly focusing on the welfare of farmers and laborers. Chief Minister Sai reiterated the BJPs commitment to inclusive development, encapsulated in the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas. Echoing Chief Minister Sais sentiments, BJP State President Kiran Singh Deo highlighted Prime Minister Modis track record of ten years of continuous service and emphasized the guarantees associated with his leadershipdevelopment, trust, and security.

He criticized the Congress Party for its alleged corruption and scams during its tenure, contrasting it with the BJPs swift action and fulfillment of promises in Chhattisgarh. In a similar vein, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao lambasted the Congress Party for its lack of vision and leadership, accusing it of resorting to empty promises and deceitful tactics. He urged voters to strengthen Prime Minister Modis leadership by supporting the BJP in the elections, emphasizing the partys track record of governance and future-oriented vision. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma emphasized the transformative impact of the Modi government at the national level, highlighting initiatives that have bolstered Indias global standing and ushered in systemic reforms. He reiterated the need to create records in the Lok Sabha elections to further solidify the BJPs mandate and accelerate development across the country.

Brijmohan Agrawal, the BJP candidate for the Raipur Lok Sabha constituency, rallied the crowd, urging them to break records in the upcoming elections. He called upon the electorate to vote overwhelmingly in favor of the BJP, sending a clear message of support to Prime Minister Modi. Agrawal expressed confidence in securing victory for the BJP in all eleven Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Vishnu Deo Sai. The nomination rally culminated in a display of solidarity and enthusiasm, with party leaders, workers, and supporters reiterating their commitment to the BJPs vision of progress and prosperity for Chhattisgarh and the nation. The event also witnessed several prominent figures joining the BJP
Iran to allow Indian officials to meet 17 crew of seized ship





NEW DELHI :

IRANIAN Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said that Tehran will soon allow Indian authorities to meet 17 Indian crew members of a cargo vessel that was seized by Irans military near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Amir-Abdollahian conveyed this to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a telephonic conversation on Sunday, according to an Iranian Foreign Ministry readout. It said Amir-Abdollahian also apprised details of Irans legitimate defence and punitive measures against the Israeli regime, in a reference to Tehrans missile and drone attacks on the Jewish nation. The Iranian Foreign Minister urged the Indian Government to maintain its active role through international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council, to halt the war in Gaza as it is at the core of the current crisis in the region, the readout said. In the talks, Jaishankar called for the release of the Indians onboard the Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel MSC Aries.

The Indian Foreign Minister expressed concern about the situation of 17 Indian crew members and sought assistance from Iran in this matter, the Iranian statement said. We are actively monitoring the situation concerning the seized ship, and arrangements will soon be made for representatives of the Indian Government to meet with the crew members of the vessel in question, it quoted Amir-Abdollahian as saying. Special Naval Forces of Irans Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) seized MSC Aries reportedly in view of its links with Israel. The MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) said on Saturday that it is working closely with relevant authorities for the well-being of 25 crew members and the return of the vessel.

Hours after the Iranian action, White House National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the ships crew comprised of Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian nationals. India has been in touch with Iran to secure the release of the Indians onboard the container ship MSC Aries. Spoke to Iranian FM @Amirabdolahian this evening. Took up the release of 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries, Jaishankar said on X on Sunday night. Discussed the current situation in the region. Stressed the importance of avoiding escalation, exercising restraint and returning to diplomacy. Agreed to remain in touch, he said. Iran on Saturday launched its first direct attack on Israel by firing hundreds of drones and missiles in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1 that killed seven Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards including two generals.

In its reaction, India called for immediate de-escalation of the situation and that its embassies in the region are in close touch with the Indian community in the region. We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy, it said. The MEA said India is closely monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia. It is vital that security and stability are maintained in the region, it added.
MISSING tigress NT-3 FOUND





Staff Reporter and

District Correspondent

The elusive sub-adult NT-3 tigress, which was missing since April 13 and whose GPS collar was found in the compartment No 95 on Sunday of Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR), was captured after rigorous efforts by the Forest Department on Monday morning. Under its Tiger Conservation Translocation (TCT) programme, the Forest Department translocated NT-3 tigress from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) and was released in NNTR core on April 11. Before releasing the big cat, forest team fixed a radio collar to monitor her movement in the forest. Under this programme, around seven-eight tigers will be released in NNTR to reduce the man animal conflict in Chandrapur and Bramhapuri districts. So far, three tigers have been released in NNTR under this programme.

NT-3 tigress was missing within 48 hours of her release in wild and the radio collar was found in Compartment No 95 in NNTR core area. After spotting the radio collar in the jungle, Forest Department sprung into action and started rigorous search operation in NNTR. The entire operation was carried successfully under the monitoring and guidance of the senior forest officials. Rapid Response Team (RRT) joined by expert veterinarian Dr Ravikant Khobragade from TATR and Assistant Researcher from Dehradun successfully tranquillised the tigress in the morning.

They reinstalled the GPS collar and later, the big cat was again released in the wild. Forest Conservator Srilaxmi A (Territorial), Deputy Conservator of Forest and Field Director of NNTR Pramokumar Panchbhai, Deputy Filed Director Pavan Jep monitored the operation. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Chief Conservator of Forest Maheep Gupta (Wildlife), Additional CCF Dr Praveen Chauhan (Nagpur), TATRs Field Director Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar, Deputy Conservator of Forest and Field Director of NNTR Jayarame Gowda R. It was informed that the movement of the released NT-3 tigress is been monitored 24x7 by the expert and trained team with the help of the GPS collar and VHF.
NEW TENSION





IRANS itch for a riposte to Israels recent strike on the Iranian Embassy complex in Syria culminated in a missile and drone strikes on its bitter rival thus escalating the tensions in the Middle-East and throwing the world into another dangerous situation. Iran fired more than 300 missiles and drones towards Israels military sites but the strikes were largely neutralised as Israel, United States, Britain and Jordan, acted in self-defence and shot down the missiles. The strikes have made a minor impact on Israeli facilities but Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahus resolve to respond to the attacks makes the situation totally fragile. The world is now looking at another military conflict which can have tremendous ramifications on every nation. Though Mr. Netanyahu called off retaliatory strikes on Iran after a phone call with US President Mr. Joe Biden, the Israeli War Cabinets maneuvers make it pretty clear that Tel Aviv is in no mood to calm down soon. The strikes by Iran were, in fact, expected after the Israeli attack on its Embassy complex in Damascus killed several of Irans top commanders. This was set to become a flash-point of the series of incidents where Israel and the US had direct connection either with attacks on Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRG) commanders or top scientists in neighbouring Iraq and other provinces. Tehran had been waiting for an opportunity to attack Israel after playing a shadow war for long.

The Gaza conflict provided Iran a chance to raise the stakes and wait for Israels miscalculation which came with the deadly strike in Syria. The strike by Iran did not target civilians which is a signal that it does not want to escalate the situation. The world is condemning Iran for flaring up tensions in the region with the attack but as Mr. Netanyahu has always propagated Israels legitimate right to self-defence, Tehran is using the same card. With the targeted strike Iran has also indicated that it would not like to strike further unless attacked.The focus is clearly on Israel now. Its Defence Minister Mr. Yoav Gallant has already said that Israels confrontation with Iran is not over. This again puts the ball in the court of Mr. Netanyahu who is firm on responding in the same coin. This juncture should prod the top world leaders to make an intervention and talk with the trigger-happy Israeli Prime Minister to dial down tensions. There is a possibility of Mr. Netanyahu again defying the world opinion and opening another war front with Iran. The Israeli Defence Forces are already engaged in a military offensive in Gaza after the deadly missile attack by Hamas militants on October 7 last.

As per the latest plans, IDF is readying itself for a similar operation in the Rafah province against the wishes of its closest partner America. Now, with Iran taking in a direct plunge in the war theatre, Israel seems determined to go all out against its sworn enemy. The question is, whether Israel, without the active support of its allies, is capable of withstanding all the war fronts. It does have tremendous military capabilities and also men to wage the wars on every front. However, on the flip side, Mr. Netanyahu is also facing international isolation for being rigid with his armed offensives sans humanitarian considerations. Also, there is a swelling section within Israel which is against the prolonged war. In such circumstances, Mr. Netanyahu would need to work very carefully before pulling the trigger.

It is time for the international community to take up matters on highest priority instead of safeguarding bilateral alliances. India, too, will have to be at the forefront in diffusing the tensions whose shadow can be really dark.
Arms and ammunition recovered

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IMPHAL, Apr 16: A combined team of Kakching district commandos and personnel of 37 Assam Rifles carried out a search operation at Utangpokpi village under Sugnu police station and recovered arms and ammunition today afternoon.

The arms and ammunition recovered include one country made pistol with one empty magazine, five Indian made hand-grenade without detonator and fuse, one empty SLR magazine, one Baofeng handset, one smoke shell and three bulletproof vests. The arms and ammunition have been handed over to Sugnu police station.
Flood victims urge Government

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IMPHAL, Apr 16 : The Hills and Valley Relief Demand Committee (HVRDC), Manipur has urged the State Government to release the 'sanctioned relief assistance for the 2019 drought victims' by the end of this month.

HVRDC, in a statement, said that they are highly aggrieved and astonished at the State Government's apathy towards the suffering of the '2019 drought victims.'

As per the Committee, the State Government declared drought in 2019.

Stating that the State Government had submitted a proposal for grant of relief assistance to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the HVRDC continued that the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) sanctioned relief assistance amounting to Rs 26.53 crore vide order dated May 27, 2020.

The Relief and Disaster Management of the State Government accorded administration approval and expenditure sanction, it claimed.

It went on to state that the State Government is withholding the release of the already sanctioned and relief assistance even after the matter was raised in the second session of the State Legislative Assembly in 2023.

The Committee further said they will take up the matter with MHA for immediate redressal of the pending issue if the State Govt fails to release the sanctioned relief assistance.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Italian companies are using modern green technologies with low environmental impact for Karabakh's reconstruction, Director of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in Baku Andrea Maccanico told reporters, Trend reports.

He made a remark during the press conference on the agency's planned activities for spring-summer 2024.

"Economic relations between Azerbaijan and Italy are developing and are now very strong," he emphasized.

He noted that cooperation between the two countries continues in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation in the field of engineering and design.

"We also cooperate in the construction and engineering sectors as reconstruction works are being carried out in these territories," the director of ITA added.

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Umashankar Chauhan (35), owner of a private micro finance company was killed when unidentified assailants fired at him from close range in his office chamber in broad daylight in Chinakuri, under Kulti police station of West Burdwan district today.

This fresh incident of murder by suspected supari killers of a private micro finance company owner in broad daylight at colliery town of Kulti has created a stir before the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the district. Senior cops of Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate (ADPC), led by DCP (West) rushed to the site.

Investigations have started and the Kulti police station has started a murder case. Till the time of reporting, nobody has been detained or arrested by police in this connection.

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The body has been sent to Asansol District Hospital for post-mortem.

Kulti Police said that Mr Chauhan had returned from Chennai on Sunday and was meeting with his staff at his office today when the assailant barged inside his chamber and shot him repeatedly from a close range and fled away.

The face of the killer was wrapped by a gamcha (towel) and could not be identified. Kulti Police suspect that four to five rounds of bullets have been fired.

ADPC officials are now scanning the CCTV footage near the area and seeking help of mobile tower dumping technology to trace the killer.

Recently, two hoteliers have been killed by supari killers of Asansol and Durgapur respectively, Arvind Bhagat and Rajesh Jha. In neither of the two high-profile murder cases, the culprits have been arrested.

These murders have put a serious question mark on the law and order situation in the ADPC area ahead of the polls.
As the BJP advocates the vision of one nation, one election and views the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as imperative for the nations welfare, chief minister Mamata Banerjee today urged the people to drive out the BJP so that it cannot implement the UCC. Addressing a public meeting at Raas Mela ground in Cooch Behar, chief minister Mamata Banerjee today said, The people belonging to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, the minority community and even the Hindus will lose their identity.

They will decide what you eat. They would ask you to drink cow urine. You have to follow their routine in your daily life. They will also impose restrictions over the worship of the god and the goddess, Ms Banerjee said, adding, If the country is to be kept free, beat the BJP. Chief minister Miss Banerjee also came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and steadfastly opposed the idea of one nation, one election, mentioned in the BJPs manifesto. There will be no elections in the country, there will be no federal structure, not even the existence of states, a dictatorial government will be created and oppression will start. One nation, one election is nothing but one nation, one leader.

You will have to listen to the leaders thoughts and advice, Ms Banerjee said, adding, Beat Modi, otherwise the country will go beyond your control. Significantly, the Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari was addressing Dinhata in Cooch Behar, just after CMs meeting. Mr Adhikari, reacting to her comments, said: It is her nature to mislead people., Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee today protested against the role of Income Tax officials, who allegedly raided the helicopter of Abhishek Banerjee yesterday. Central agencies have been engaged in elections for harassing my party leaders.

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The I-T officials raided the helicopter as Abhishek was scheduled to attend a programme yesterday. They were in search of money and gold from a helicopter, Ms Banerjee said, adding, BJP leaders carry money with the help of CISF and BSF personnel by aeroplane. Does any policeman have the guts to prevent them! A very critical time is coming, a war-like game will start, even a riot. Beware of any provocation, especially on 17 April on the occasion of Ram Navami. The BJP candidate here is notorious. People belonging to Muslim community will pray to your Allah only. If you protest, the National Investigation Agency will start acting so that the BJP can rig votes, she said in Cooch Behar.

Addressing another public meeting in Alipurduar today, the CM also criticised the Election Commission of India and said, I can stage a 52-day sit-in demonstration in front of ECI office to protest against transfer of efficient officials of state government, to help the BJP. Election Commission has transferred the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Murshidabad Range. The Commission will take responsibility if trouble like communal clashes breaks out in Malda and Murshidabad. The Commission is not paying heed to us. It is working for the BJP only. If I can continue 26-day fasting on the issue of Singur, I will be able to stage a 52-day sit-in demonstration in front of the Commissions office in protest. I am not afraid of you. I can fight to ensure democratic rights and can beat the BJP and even Narendra Modi, who is trying to curb the power of the Opposition in the country, she added.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari today claimed that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has granted permission to the West Bengal government to pay ex-gratia to the families affected by the storm in Jalpaiguri district on 31 March.

In three districts of north Bengal, including Jalpaiguri, theres a debate between the Trinamul and BJP regarding aid for those affected by the storm. Trinamul Congress claimed that the ECI has not provided the required funds for assistance.

Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly Mr Adhikari, however, alleged that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary and partys second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee were telling lies to the people that the state government was not able to pay compensation to the families affected by the storm as the model code of conduct was in force and the Election Commission has not given permission for it.

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Mr Adhikari posted in his X handle the ECI letter dated 9 April granting NOC to the state governments proposal to pay ex-gratia to the families affected by the storm.

You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time. The renowned pair of pathological and congenital liars of West Bengal think they can continue lying and the people of WB will accept it as gospel truth. Well, they are living in a fools paradise, Adhikari wrote in his post. He further stated in the post: Election Commission of India, on 9 April, granted an exemption for the payment of ex-gratia and house building from the model code of conduct (MCC). This message was conveyed to the West Bengal government on the same day. Thus, there is no embargo on the release of funds for disaster management & civil defence development, a significant portion of which is provided by the central government through the NDRF. At least five people were killed and over 200 were rendered homeless, after a sudden storm and heavy rain wreaked havoc in Jalpaiguri town and its surrounding areas on 31 March.

On 31 March, the brief storm caused widespread damage in several districts of north Bengal, particularly affecting Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts. Affected families have applied to the government through the ECI for financial assistance, claiming damages worth Rs 1.2 lakh for each affected family.

Trinamul Congress Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose on 12 April, while visiting Jalpaiguri as part of the party delegation, had said, We have come to visit the affected areas of Maynaguri in north Bengal and to see the plight of the people and their sufferings. The party has urged the ECI to grant permission to the West Bengal government to rebuild the houses of 1,600 families affected by the storm that struck the region on 31 March.
One-third of high-confidence customers in India have limited knowledge about their digital loans, and lack understanding on how to detect illegal lending apps, finds a report on Tuesday.

The report by the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) shares insights from a customer survey conducted between December, 2023 and January, 2024 to systematically understand gaps in users approaches and knowledge about Digital Lending Applications (DLAs) in India and drive action to address them.

Almost all customers know the lenders name, but less than a third know about the key fact statement and grievance redressal mechanism.

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Over 57 per cent of respondents reported checking the loan apps affiliation with NBFC or Bank as the most crucial verification factor, while 55 per cent said they consider reviews and ratings.

Over three-fourths of users noted that they ignore downloads and data-sharing metrics when deciding about lending apps.

Unscrupulous players hit the very core of the market, that is, customer trust for digital loans, harming customers and damaging the reputation of responsible digital lenders. We note that users are aware of downloading apps from the Play Store and checking the apps partnership with NBFCs/Banks, ratings, and reviews, said Sugandh Saxena, CEO at FACE.

However, the study informs us about significant gaps in the customer tool kit and behavioural biases, making them vulnerable to being tricked by illegal loan apps. As we work towards a safe loan app ecosystem for customers, the insights from the report will inform our effective actions to focus on aspects that customers overlook and break behavioural disposition, she added.

Further, the report showed that digital marketing through social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube triggers purchases, followed by word of mouth and product ratings. However, female users showed slightly better awareness of the loan product, the report said.

The Reserve Bank RBI cautions against fraud in the name of KYC updation. It advises against sharing KYC documents or copies of KYC documents with unknown or unidentified individuals or organisations. Earlier, Google suspended or removed over 2,500 fraudulent loan apps from its Play Store between April 2021 and July 2022.
Recalling the custodial death of gangsters-turned-politicians Mukhtar Ansari and Atiq Ahmed in Uttar Pradesh under mysterious circumstances, AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin speculated about a similar fate for him and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin, popularly known as the Owaisi brothers.

Speaking at an Eid Milap programme in the Yakutpura area of Hyderabad, from where his elder brother is contesting the Lok Sabha elections, the AIMIM floor leader in the Telangana Assembly sounded prophetic when he asked the gathering to imagine a situation where there is no AIMIM and the Owaisi brothers.

He said, The situation is such that we dont know how we would die. We dont know if Akbaruddin Owaisi would be poisoned to death in jail. We dont know if Akbaruddin Owaisi and Asaduddin Owaisi would be shot dead while taking them to the hospital from jail, said Akbaruddin Owaisi.

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He, however, clarified that he hoped nothing of the kind would happen to them.

Mukhtar Ansari had complained of being poisoned in jail before his eventual death and Atiq Ahmed and his brother warned against their custodial death before being gunned down while being taken to the hospital from jail. Assaduddin received death threats following his visit to the family of Mukhtar Ansari after his death.

The AIMIM barely scraped through in some of the Assembly constituencies under the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat during the Assembly polls held in November last year. While appealing to the people to support his party, Akbaruddin Owaisi referred to the gangsters-turned-politicians of Uttar Pradesh. He also urged the gathering to close their eyes and think about what could happen without AIMIM and Owaisi brothers.

He appealed to Muslims to support the AIMIM and solicited their suggestions to arrest the lapses in the party.

Meanwhile, BJP candidate from Hyderabad K Madhavi Latha said the Congress was apprehensive about fielding a candidate from the Lok Sabha constituency. The ruling party in the state is yet to announce a candidate in this key constituency while the BRS has already named one belonging to a BC community to eat into BJPs vote bank.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah sought votes for the BJP for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Ram Temple, border villages, and tourism in Uttarakhand. He assured Pauri voters to take care of Pauri personally if party nominee Anil Baluni wins.

Addressing the last leg of poll rallies on Tuesday for the first phase of voting to be held on April 19 in Kotdwar of the Pauri Lok Sabha constituency Shah, said, Ram Lalla will celebrate his birthday after 500 years in the temple, instead of a tent.

This, he said is a proud moment for us for we have seen the consecration of Lord Rama in our lifetime. The Congress party and its supporters kept the construction of Ram Temple hanging for 70 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured timely court verdict, laid the foundation stone, and carried out the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya within five years.

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Ever since the Bharatiya Jan Sangh (predecessor of the BJP) was formed after Independence, our leaders have been consistently demanding, through election manifestos, that the nation would not have laws based on religion. The country would have a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Today, I feel proud to say that our Uttarakhand chief minister was the first to enact a Uniform Civil Code in the country. Now, Prime Minister Modi has included UCC in our manifesto to implement it across the nation.

Shah lauded Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for his development works in the state. I want to ask Congress leaders what they gave to the state in 10 years. Congress gave 53,000 crore in ten years while Modi released 1.66 lakh crore as grants, three times more.

He further said, Apart from this, 84,000 crore was given to the state for infrastructure development, 31,000 crore for roads 50,000 crore for developing railway network, and 100 crore for airport development by the Modi Government. We are happy to see a developed Uttarakhand and satisfied that our chief minister is doing great work.

We have improved tourism facilities to stop mass migration from the hills of Uttarakhand. The Modi Government has constructed 900 kilometers of Chardham Mahamarg between Yamunotri and Gangotri at the cost of Rs 12,000 crore. Our leader Narendra Modi has constructed Rs 8000 crore Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor, Rs 2,200 crore new national highway projects were initiated in Tanakpu and 17,000 crore 216 kilometers three new railway track projects were started by the Modi government in Uttarakhand.

Besides, Rs 23,000 crore was given for 14 kilometers of rail track between Devprayag and Jangshu. Uttarakhand today has the largest railway tunnel. Modi government constructed 23 railway flyovers, increased heli services, and Rs 50 crore airport development works were started in the last five years.

Shah stressed that the biggest work to stop migration from the hills, the vibrant villages programme, was started by the Modi Government. Every village along the Chinese border will have more population than 1980s in the next five years. This is a guarantee of Modi and you note my words, said the Union home minister.

He took a dig at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge saying He stated what have Uttarakhand and Rajasthan to do with Kashmir but he doesnt know that majority of the Jawans from Pauri Garhwal gave their blood to the save Jammu and Kashmir. Your party leader did not hesitate to insult late general Bipin Rawat calling him a street ruffian.

Seeking votes for BJPs Pauri Garhwal candidate Anil Baluni union home minister said, You send Anil to Lok Sabha and I will take care of Garhwal. Modi needs a campaign from from Uttarakhand that can take forward the vibrant village progagramme.
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At least four people were killed and three rescued after a boat carrying mostly school children capsized in the river Jhelum in Srinagar on Tuesday morning.

Personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to rescue the other missing persons.

The three rescued were receiving treatment in Srinagars SMHS hospital.

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The mishap occurred near the Batwara area of Srinagar while the boat was ferrying school children.

The Srinagar administration launched rescue operations at Ganderbal near Batwara soon after the report of the mishap came in.

Incessant rains over the last couple of days have reportedly led to an increase in the water levels of several water bodies, including Jhelum.

Reports said that seven people were evacuated to the hospital where four were declared brought dead and three were undergoing treatment.

Further details are awaited.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday congratulated the security personnel for their successful operation against Naxalites in Chhattisgarhs Kanker and said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India will soon be Naxal-free.

Today, a large number of Naxalites have been killed in the operation of security forces in Chhattisgarh. I congratulate all the security personnel who made this operation successful with their bravery and wish for the speedy recovery of the brave policemen who have been injured, Shah said in a post on X.

The home minister further added, Naxalism is the biggest enemy of development, peace and bright future of youth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, we are determined to free the country from the scourge of Naxalism. Due to the offensive policy of the government and the efforts of the security forces, Naxalism has been confined to a small area today. Soon Chhattisgarh and the entire country will be completely Naxal-free.

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His remarks came shortly after security forces gunned down 29 Naxals in a fierce encounter.

The clash between the security personnel and the insurgents broke out around 2 pm in the dense jungles of Binagunda and Coronar, located in the Chhotepatia area of Kanker district, officials said.

The clash between the security personnel and the insurgents broke out around 2 pm in the dense jungles of Binagunda and Coronar, located in the Chhotepatia area of Kanker district, officials said.

According to reports, most wanted Maoist commander Shankar Rao and Lalita were among those killed during the confrontation. Subsequently, the security forces have recovered 29 bodies of the Maoist insurgents along with a substantial cache of automatic weapons.

Three security personnel sustained injuries in the exchange of fire. Currently, security forces are conducting an extensive search operation in the Maad region. Additional reinforcements have been deployed to assist in the extraction of injured soldiers from the jungle terrain, they said.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Tuesday alleged that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal played with the sentiments of Delhiites and they will not forgive him.

Arvind Kejriwal has played with the sentiments of Delhiites who trusted his dramatic innocence. They will not forgive him, he said here.

The Delhi BJP chief further said, The countrymen know Arvind Kejriwal is an economic offender involved in illegal money laundering. He is a corrupt Chief Minister who has misused and influenced not only the liquor policy but many other departments funds to raise kickbacks for his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

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Referring to AAPs allegation that Kejriwal is being treated like a terrorist and denied basic facilities even to hardcore criminals, in Tihar jail, Sachdeva said, It seems Sanjay Singh has half understood the statement of Arvind Kejriwal. He is not a terrorist but he must have said I am Arvind Kejriwal involved in a liquor scam.

The people of Delhi have lost sympathy for CM Arvind Kejriwal. People very well know that Delhis Tihar jail is under his government and he is neither facing any harassment nor any torture, he said.

He claimed that the jail authorities bound by Delhi Prison manual and the direction of the Court concerned are allowing all facilities to the jailed CM.

The Delhi BJP chief has been demanding resignation of Kejriwal as CM of Delhi since he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a liquor policy case.
In a setback to Malayalam actor Dileep, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed his appeal challenging the order of a single bench on Friday directing the Ernakulam District and Sessions Judge to provide copies of statements of those examined during the fact-finding inquiry to the survivor in the actress assault case.

A division bench comprising Justice N Nagaresh and Justice PM Manoj dismissed the appeal filed by the actor observing that there is no reason to interfere with the single bench order.

During the hearing of the case, the counsel appearing for Dileep submitted that the survivor cannot file interim applications in a petition that attained finality since it was disposed of on 7 December 2023.

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Relying upon the Supreme Court judgments, it was argued that the applications could not be filed in a case that was disposed of since there were no pending proceedings. It was stated that the order of the single bench judge was not maintainable since the judgment had attained finality.

Appearing for the survivor, advocate Gaurav Agarwal said that the fact-finding inquiry was conducted at the insistence of the survivor since her fundamental rights were violated due to alleged illegal access of the memory card. It was argued that the impugned order of the single bench judge was made in a writ petition under Article 226, and was thus maintainable. It was also submitted that the accused had no right to state that the survivor should not be provided with copies of statements of witnesses examined during an inquiry conducted at her insistence. It was also argued that the single bench judge would hear on the maintainability of the interim applications on 30 May 2024, and the present appeal was filed only to delay relief to the survivor.

The survivor, in the 2017 sexual assault case, filed a plea seeking a court-monitored investigation into the alleged leakage of visuals from a memory card, which was in court custody during the proceedings.

The survivors plea was heard and disposed of on 7 December 2023. The court directed the Ernakulam District and Sessions Judge to conduct a fact-finding inquiry on the allegations raised by the survivor pertaining to the unauthorised access and copy and transfer of the visuals from the memory card and pen drive relating to the incident while it was in court custody. The court also laid down the guidelines to be followed by the law enforcement agencies and courts while handling the sexually explicit materials to ensure that it was not leaked or transmitted.

The survivor was denied a copy of the inquiry report and was constrained to approach the court for the same. The High Court directed the Ernakulam District and Sessions Judge to provide a copy of the inquiry report to the survivor vide an order dated 21 February 2024.

Again, the victim filed two interim applications before the High Court seeking to set aside the inquiry report and to provide copies of statements of witnesses examined during the inquiry. The High Court directed the Ernakulam District and Sessions Judge to provide copies of statements of witnesses to the survivor vide an order dated 12 April 2024, which is challenged in the present appeal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Congress for spreading wrong narratives about what the BJP might do to the Constitution if it came to power, and said people have decided to give 400 seats to the NDA to punish those who looted the nation and disrespected the Constitution.

Addressing a massive election rally in Gaya, Bihar, he said the Congress had used the Constitution as a political weapon in the last 25 to 30 years. The party spread false narratives and tried to scare people that the nation would burn if the RSS-BJP came to power, he said.

Mr Modi said for the last 30 years, we have been running governments in several States, and since Ataljis time, we have been in power and the country has seen the most peaceful time during our governments. They said minorities will have to run away if RSS-BJP comes to power. They are very much here with all respect, enjoying benefits of welfare schemes.

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They even said RSS-BJP are old-minded, not progressive, but we have proved them wrong by the Chandrayaan landing on the Moon, he said.

The Prime Minister said the Congress spread the narrative that if the BJP comes to power, it will change the Constitution. I want to tell them, what to talk of Modi or the BJP, even architect of the Constitution Babasaheb Ambedkar cannot change the Constitution. Therefore, they must stop spreading lies.

He said the Constituent Assembly worked under the presidentship of Rajendra Prasad and Babasaheb was putting it to words, while eminent people of the country worked for months, keeping in view the nations realities. Mr Modi said those who abuse Sanatan should know, the Constitution had 80 to 90 per cent of its members who were Sanatanis and they cooperated with Babasaheb in the writing of the Constitution.

After Independence, he said, instead of it being used as a political weapon, the Constitution should have been treated as a document of reverence. Our people have respect for Ramayan, Mahabharat and Gita, and would have had the same reverence for the Constitution, he said.

Mr Modi said while the Congress tried to politicize the Constitution, his party has been trying to invoke reverence for it. He said when he came up with the proposal for the Constitution Day, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge opposed it in Parliament saying when there is 26 January, why have Constitution Day; he did not understand that there is need to have constant efforts to ensure a sustained respect for it.

Mr Modi said his government had introduced the Constitution Day in schools so that a commitment to chapters and the Preamble of the Constitution could be generated. His government started a new tradition; while the Supreme Court has a two-day seminar on the Constitution, Parliament discusses the subject.

His government organised the biggest programme for the celebration of 75 years of the Constitution, he said. We want the Constitution used not just for arguments in courts; it should be an instrument of giving strength to our life, for you it may be a political weapon, and for us it will be a centre of reverence and a guide on our journey towards Viksit Bharat in 2047, he said.

The Prime Minister said people who have treated the Constitution casually should have no place in public life. If social justice is to be brought, the solution lies in the Constitution, he said. The document inspires multi-community society. The respect we have given to Ambedkar, you have no right to speak; five places connected with his life have been made panch-teerthas, he said.

Those spreading lies must be silenced for ever, and if you vote for us, they will be silenced for ever, he told the crowds. The Prime Minister said the Opposition asks how the BJP is sure of 400 seats. He said people of the country have decided 400 paar because they want Viksit (developed) in 2047.

At the same time, they want to give 400 to the NDA to punish those who looted the nation, the corrupt and those who played with the Constitution, he said. The Prime Minister said this election is to give victory to the NDA and also to punish those who played havoc with the country, that is why the NDA will be getting 400 seats.

Our country is full of diversities, several languages, dialects, customs, traditions, attire, lifestyles, food habits, the country is full of diversities. A country of different views, communities, schools of thought. In such a situation, the only way to ensure a bright future for the country is to go by the Constitution. The Constitution is sacred for all of us.

He said Modi has come from a poor family and reached here with peoples blessings and the Constitution. If there was no Constitution given by Dr Rajendra Prasad and Babasaheb B R Ambedkar, it was impossible for a person born in a backward class family to have become the Prime Minister of the country.

The BJP recently released its Sankalp Patra, it is for the first time a partys manifesto is being called a guarantee card, he said. People in Bihar know this election is not just of a party, but an election for the nation.

He said INDI alliance partners of the Congress says Sanatan is like dengue, is this not an insult of rishi-munis, our ancestors, do they deserve even a single seat in the State, should they be punished or not, should they be not cleaned off from the whole of Bihar.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on the Electoral Bonds scheme and said the PM was trying to defend what he called was the biggest corruption scandal on the planet.

Addressing the public at a roadshow in Keralas Kozhikode, Gandhi said, I dont know if you saw his interview with ANI yesterday. I dont know if you saw his face, his eyes, he was trying to defend the biggest corruption scandal on the planet through which BJP has got thousands of crores of rupees by extorting from Indias businessmen.

His remarks came after PM Modi, in an interview with ANI, defended the electoral bonds scheme, which was scrapped by the Supreme Court, saying it was aimed at curbing black money in politics.

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PM Modi said that everyone will regret it when there is an honest reflection.

Gandhi also questioned Modis political understanding to run the country.

When people were dying of Covid, the PM was saying, Thali Bajao. The media called him a genius! If any other citizen of India had said Thali Bajao, he wouldve been beaten up with a lathi or put in jail. So, you know what type of person is running the country. That is the state of the government today, he said, adding the PM doesnt have the understanding to run the country.

The Wayanad MP also requested people to read the Congress partys election manifesto, calling it a document that can transform India and revolutionise our country.

I would request that you read our manifesto because it is a document that can transform India and revolutionise our country. And after that, take a look at the BJPs manifesto. They have two main ideas in their manifesto: to bring the Olympic Games to India and send a man to the moon!, he added.
Dropping a hint that the BJP might not field its candidates on the three Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir Valley, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the party is not in a hurry to see the lotus bloom in the Valley as the BJP is in the process of winning hearts of the people in Kashmir.

He was addressing an election rally here in favour of BJP candidate Jugal Kishore Sharma for the Jammu Lok Sabha seat.

Referring to allegations by political adversaries that the saffron party was trying to capture Kashmir through the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Shah said, I want to tell the people of Kashmir that we are not among those who believe in capturing, the lotus (BJPs party symbol) will bloom in the Valley only through your affection.

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He asked the people to vote for anyone except the parties of Abdullahs, Mehbooba and Sonia Gandhi who work for the growth of only their dynasties.

The minister also accused the Congress, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of staging fake encounters and handing over guns in the hands of the Kashmiri youth and these parties are responsible for encouraging terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. I want to ask Dr Farooq Abdullah, in whose tenure most of the fake encounters took place? Wasnt it Dr Farooq Abdullahs government then? he asked.

He asserted that the Narendra Modi government has not only restored peace in Jammu and Kashmir but also accelerated development and employment through a transparent system.

He said the assembly election in J-K will be held within the timeframe fixed by the Supreme Court. There will be no delay, he said.

Targeting PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Shah said, Nobody has the guts to raise slogans for Pakistan. Slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai can only be heard in Jammu and Kashmir. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had said that if Article 370 is removed, nobody will be left to give a shoulder to the tricolour She needs to understand that this tricolour is immortal and will always stay. Article 370 was scrapped and the tricolour still flies with pride and glory.

He said by abrogating Article 370, BJP ideologue Shyama Prasad Mukherjees dream of Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan, Eik Nishan stands fulfilled.

The home minister asserted that terrorism is on its deathbed, while stone pelting, bandh calls from Pakistan and street protests have become a thing of the past under the Modi regime.

Prime Minister Modi has handed over laptops in the hands of youth who were earlier holding stones, Shah said, adding that this is the change we have brought in Kashmir.

There was an era when we could not imagine a gathering like this stone pelting, firing, and bomb explosions used to happen. Announcements of strike were made from Pakistan. The evil shadow of Article 370 was all over Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP government has tightened the noose around terrorism in the Valley, he added.

Shah said the current regime has given reservation to Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis, Valmikis, and OBCs. We also gave 33 per cent reservation to women in the assembly, he said.

He said the Bharatiya Janata Party is also mulling to ensure every border village of Jammu looks like Jammu city.

Today, Jammu is progressing. It was in Jammu where e-buses started plying first. Today, the city has AIIMS, IIMs, and IITs, and students from across the country are coming here to study. We are also committed to convert Suchetgarh border in Jammu like Wagah border.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated all those who were declared successful in the Union Public Service Commissions (UPSC) Final Result of Civil Services Examination, 2023 and recommended for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Central Services, Group A and Group B.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said: I congratulate all those who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2023. Their hard work, perseverance and dedication has paid off, marking the start of a promising career in public service. Their efforts will shape the future of our nation in the times to come. My best wishes to them.

In another post on X, Mr Modi said those who could not clear the selection process should remember that this isnt the end of their journey, adding that there are chances ahead to succeed in the exams.

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He posted: I want to tell those who didnt achieve the desired success in the Civil Services Examination  setbacks can be tough, but remember, this isnt the end of your journey. There are chances ahead to succeed in Exams, but beyond that, India is rich with opportunities where your talents can truly shine. Keep striving and exploring the vast possibilities ahead. Wishing you all the very best.

A total number of 1016 candidates have been recommended for appointment in the different Services. They include 347 in the General category, 115 in EWS category, 303 in OBC category, 165 in SC category and 86 in ST category.

The IAS will have 180 appointments, including 73 in General, 17 in EWS, 49 in OBC, 27 in SC and 14 in ST categories.

The IFS will have 37 appointments in different categories: 16 General, four EWS, 10 OBC, five SC and two ST.

The IPS will have 200 appointments: 80 General, 20 EWS, 55 OBC, 32 ST and 13 ST.

The Central Services Group A will have 613 appointments: 258 General, 64 EWS, 160 OBC, 86 SC and 45 ST. The Group B Services will have 113 appointments including 47 General, 10 EWS, 29 OBC, 15 SC and 12 ST.

The total appointments will be 1143 and these will include 37 PwBD vacancies. The candidature of 355 recommended candidates has been kept provisional, a press release added. A consolidated Reserve List of 240 candidates is also maintained.

Aditya Srivastava has secured the first position in the Civil Services Examination, 2023. Animesh Pradhan secured the second rank and Donuru Ananya Reddy stood third.

Others in top 10 include PK Sidharth Ramkumar (4), Ruhani (5), Srishti Dabas (6) Anmol Rathore (7), Ashish Kumar (8), Nausheen (9) and Aishwaryam Prajapati (10). In recent years, women have demonstrated remarkable achievements in securing top positions in the UPSC examinations.

According to the official release, 1016 candidates (664 men and 352 women) have been recommended by the Commission for appointment to various services. Among the final qualified candidates, the top five comprise three men and two women.
Wayanad is once again drawing national attention as Rahul Gandhi is seeking a mandate from the Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala.

Wayanad shot to fame after Congress fielded its prominent leader from the Gandhi family from the constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The election in the constituency is being watched keenly as it is a tough contest between allies of the INDIA bloc. The Congress and the CPI, which are part of the Opposition bloc, are vying with each other for the key Lok Sabha seat in the southern state.

The CPI has fielded its senior leader, Annie Raja, against Rahul Gandhi while the BJPs Kerala unit chief, K Surendran, is also in the fray thus making it a three-way battle

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Annie Raja is the wife of CPI general secretary D Raja and holds the post of general secretary in the partys National Federation of Indian Women. Shes also a member of the national executive of CPI.

When the CPI announced the candidature of Annie for Wayanad, it hoped that sitting MP Rahul Gandhi of the Congress would shift his constituency elsewhere. But the Kerala unit of the Congress put pressure on the high command to convince Rahul to contest from Wayanad again.

Congress leaders in Kerala believe Rahul contesting from the state would set off a ripple effect and brighten the prospects of the party in a few other seats as well.

In 2019, Rahul Gandhi won from the constituency, defeating P P Suneer of the CPI by a whopping margin 4,31,770 votes. He secured 706,367 votes as against Suneers 274,597 votes. The BJP-backed BDJS candidate Thushar Vellappally could manage only 78,816 votes.

Wayanad consists of seven assembly constituencies, Mananthavady, Kalpetta, Sulthan Bathery, Thiruvambady, Nilambur, Wandoor and Eranad. During the 2021 assembly poll, four went in favour of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and three with the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front(LDF). The Wayanad constituency predominantly comprises tribals, the marginalised and the minority communities. Muslim voters constitute around 41.3 per cent of the population while Christians are around 13.7 per cent.

The sprawling Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency has its own set of challenges. The region has been witnessing man-wild animal conflict. Rahul as a local MP so far has failed to address this burning issue.

Farmers and Adivasis constitute a chunk of voters in Wayanad. They make up 40 per cent of the electorate. The farmer here is affected by climate change. He is the victim of public and private moneylenders; is hit by the free-fall of farm-produce prices and is dogged and dragged by wild animals.

There is perceptible resentment here against the Pinarayi Vijayan Government which is bound to impact the voters of Wayanad too. There is a strong anti-incumbency sentiment among the voters due to multiple reasons. The state is now facing an unprecedented financial crisis.

By fielding its state president K Surendran against Rahul Gandhi, the BJP is sending out a message that the party is not taking the fight in Wayanad lightly.

Surendran contested from the Pathanamthitta LS seat in 2019 in the backdrop of the Sabarimala entry-for-ladies controversy and polled 2.97 lakh votes, the biggest vote gain ever for the saffron party in central Kerala.

The BJP is of the view that in 2019 there was a strong feeling that Congress would return to power and Rahul Gandhi would become prime minister. However, this time, there is no such feeling in Rahuls favour.

The BJP aims to bring down Rahuls victory margin of 4.3 lakh votes in 2019 fielding party state president K Surendran. It expected to give a tough fight to the Gandhi scion as the party made an upsurge in its popular mass base in Kerala, including in Wayanad in recent years.

The LDF has a strong presence in the Wayanad constituency. Of the seven Assembly constituencies, three are with the LDF. The LDF government is trying to overcome anti-incumbency by raising the issue of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) vociferously.

The CAA notification has come as a blessing in disguise for the ruling CPI-M. With an eye on the minority votes, LDF star campaigners are taking up the issue in right earnest while highlighting atrocities against Christians in Manipur and north Indian states in their election meetings across the state.

Political pundits suggest that the state is not experiencing a discernible wave in favour of Rahul Gandhi this time around. With the campaigning gaining momentum, the Congress leader has the upper hand. He will though win comfortably, and cannot expect a landslide victory this time that he had achieved last time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday came down heavily on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), saying the only things the Opposition party in Bihar has given the state are jungle raj and corruption.

Addressing a rally in support of NDA candidate Jitan Ram Manjhi in Gaya, Modi held Lalu Prasads party responsible for the poor condition of Bihar.

Modi said despite ruling the state for years, the RJD didnt have the guts to discuss the works done by their governments.

RJD has ruled Bihar for several years but they dont have the guts to discuss the work done by their government. The biggest face of jungle raj in Bihar is RJD. It is another name for corruption in Bihar. RJD is the biggest culprit for the destruction of Bihar. They have given only two things to the state: the first is jungle raj and the other, corruption, PM Modi said.

During their reign, kidnapping and ransom became a business in Bihar. Women used to feel unsafe while coming out of their house late at night, he added.

Modi said that the Oppositions Ghamanidya Ghatbandhan (arrogant alliance  INDIA bloc) took votes in the name of works done by (Bihar CM)Nitish Kumar.

Ghamandia Gathbandhan has neither vision nor confidence. Even when these people go to ask for votes, they ask for votes on the basis of Nitish jis works. The whole of Bihar knows why these people take credit for the works of Nitish Ji and the Central government, PM Modi said.

He accused the Opposition of boycotting the consecration ceremony of Ram temple to appease one community.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Azerbaijan is closely cooperating with the EU to harness offshore wind resources in the Caspian for the production of green hydrogen, said Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov at the Green Hydrogen Summit underway in Abu Dhabi, Trend reports.

"We have designated green zones in the recently liberated territories where hydrogen production will be implemented. This aspect stands as one of the cornerstones of our collaboration with Europe. The offshore wind potential in the Caspian Sea amounts to 157 GW. We are closely collaborating with the EU to harness offshore wind resources in the Caspian for the production of green hydrogen, intending to transport it to the European market," he said.

According to the minister, Azerbaijan has already outlined its hydrogen development roadmap.

"Hydrogen is crucial for achieving a 100 percent renewable capacity. In Azerbaijan, we have already outlined hydrogen development in various strategic documents. The primary strategy for our country's economic development encompasses not only the development and utilization of hydrogen but also explores production and export opportunities," he said.
I n a recent interview to Newsweek, the Prime Minister, discussing Indo-China relations, commented, For India, the relationship with China is important and significant. It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us.

I hope and believe that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, we will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquillity on our borders. These words coming from Mr Narendra Modi, especially when electioneering is gaining steam, are profound. This is possibly the first time that the PM has hinted at rapprochement with China. Till now central ministers took credit for the performance of the army in the ongoing standoff, while insisting on no loss of territory. External Affairs minister S Jaishankar had repeatedly stated that bilateral ties cannot be normal unless the border situation reverts to preApril 2020. PM Modi has adopted the same approach, while supporting dialogue.

The PM had thus far maintained silence, while avoiding an embarrassing situation resulting from him and President Xi Jinping being present on a common platform. The conduct of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) summit in online mode as also the nonpresence of Mr Xi at the G-20 worked to his benefit. The PM even refused to meet the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, on his visits to India. India also rejected calls by China to rebuild relations placing the border issue at an appropriate place while concentrating on other aspects of the relationship. Simultaneously, India is expending resources to boost its military capabilities and infrastructure to close the gap with China.

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The recent conduct of the Agni 5 test with MIRV technology, demonstrated that India is an equal and not a nation which could be pressured or bullied. Indias military deployment along the LAC matches Chinas, confirming that India will not back down. The PMs message was that while India is extending a hand of friendship it possesses the capability to respond in case of any misadventures. To assuage Chinese misconceptions, the PM also spoke of the Quad. He mentioned, Quad is not aimed against any country. Like many other international groupings, SCO, BRICS and others, Quad is a group of likeminded countries working on a shared positive agenda. He added, The Quad has established itself as an important platform for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The message was evident. Apart from countering Chinas continuous prattle that the Quad is a military alliance created to contain it, PM Modi confirmed that India will remain its member and be allied to the West, while balancing its ties with others. The message could not have been more subtle.

These signals from the nations top leadership were assessed by the Chinese. Since India is in the midst of elections, there is unlikely to be any forward movement from Beijing. PM Modis statements for normalization of ties come at a time when relations between the two nations are sliding downhill. Further, tensions in the East and South China Seas as also the Taiwan strait are at an all-time high. China has, for the third time, issued its own list of names for places in Arunachal Pradesh, strongly condemned by India.

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated China noted PM Modis remarks. She added, China and India are in close communication through diplomatic and military channels to address issues related to the border situation, and have achieved positive progress. She parroted the Chinese line, We hope that India will work with China to place the boundary question appropriately in bilateral relations and manage it properly, and put the relationship on a sound and steady track.

The Global Times, Beijings mouthpiece, in an editorial termed PM Modis remarks as rare, mentioning, Modis direct statement, especially his clear position, is quite rare and carefully timed, hence receiving exceptional attention from the public. It added, Modis interview has sent out quite positive signals regarding China-Indian relations. It further mentioned that China believes that the statement may not be too pleasing to some in Washington. Beijing assumes that Washington desires Indo-China ties remain tense as it backs their Indo-Pacific strategy.

As per the Global Times, being in conflict would squeeze resources needed for development (for India). Possibly the Chinese are hinting that the current deployment is the new normal and should be accepted. For China to pull back to pre-April 2020 positions could be considered a setback. Internally, the PMs statement was criticized by the Congress. Its spokesperson, Jairam Ramesh, tweeted, the Prime Ministers reaction to the China issue is not only disgraceful but also disrespectful to our martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in defending our borders. PM Modi also clarified that India will compete with China in the economic field. He mentioned, We believe that when a country with one-sixth of the worlds population adopts global standards, it will have a big positive impact on the world. We have major global manufacturing entities setting up shops in India. India is now globally considered most suited for manufacturing world-class goods at competitive cost.

Apart from producing for the world, the vast Indian domestic market is an added attraction. Evidently, India is proving to be the destination that companies exiting China wish to embrace. The forthcoming visit of Elon Musk and talks of a plant in India has China concerned. Sending a message to Pakistan on non-interference, PM Modi mentioned, I wont comment on matters internal (incarceration of Imran Khan) to Pakistan. The Pakistani government reciprocating appears unlikely. There were no comments from Islamabad on PM Modis statement.

India is clear. While it seeks dialogue and desires normalization of ties, it will not bow down. Its capability, development and trained armed forces send a firm message that it is not a pushover. For China, facing tensions in the East and South China seas, as also the straits of Taiwan, alongside a receding economy, peace with India is to its advantage. PM Modis message has been received in Beijing. It is now for them to respond. Unless they display positivity, tensions would remain. Further, India will compete with China by offering better sops to global manufacturers. (The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.)
US President Joe Biden has reiterated his countrys commitment to Israels security, underscoring as well the need to contain the conflict from further spreading.

The United States is committed to Israels security. Were committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading beyond what it already has, Biden said as he sat side-by-side with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday.

These were Bidens first public remarks since Iran launched a large-scale retaliatory attack against Israel on Saturday, in which most of the missiles and drones used were intercepted  mainly by Israeli and US forces, Xinhua news agency reported.

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The Biden administration has been trying to prevent a wider regional war that the Iranian attack and a potential Israeli military response would otherwise lead to.

Were also committed to the security of our personnel and partners in the region, including Iraq, Biden said.

The partnership between Iraq and the US is critical, he added.
Israels Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has discussed further action in Rafah with representatives of his ministry and the Israeli COGAT authority which oversees contacts with the Palestinians and aid.

They focused on the evacuation of civilians from Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip and the expansion of food and medicine deliveries, according to the government press office.

More than a million people have fled to Rafah from attacks throughout the densely populated strip and there are growing concerns that Israels planned offensive in Rafah could lead to mass civilian casualties.

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Before Iran unleashed its attack on Israel last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had set a date for an offensive in Rafah, though Gallant contradicted this shortly afterwards.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with the Emir of Qatar and called for increased cooperation between Muslim countries in view of the war in Gaza, his office said.

These countries must increase their efforts to stop Israels brutal attacks in the Gaza Strip and to hold the country accountable for crimes against humanity, according to a statement from the presidential office.

Erdogan told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani it was crucial to exert a restraining influence on Israel and to act with common sense in order to prevent the spread of tensions in the region.

Relations between Israel and Turkey massively deteriorated after the start of the Gaza war following the massacre by the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas in Israel in October. Erdogan has harshly criticized Israels military action in Gaza, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of committing a massacre, charges Israel rejects.

The Turkish government maintains links with Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. Unlike some European countries and the US, Turkey does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.

In the attack by Hamas and other Palestinian militants on the Israeli border area on October 7, 2023, more than 1,200 people were killed and around 200 people were abducted to the Gaza Strip.

More than 33,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, according to health officials in the Hamas-led region.


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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. bp, as operator of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) project, today announced the start-up of oil production from the new Azeri Central East (ACE) platform as part of the ACG field development in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea, Trend reports.

The ACE platform is the seventh oil producing platform installed on the giant ACG field in the Caspian Sea. ACG first began production in 1997 and has since produced over 4.3 billion barrels of oil. The bp-operated Shah Deniz gas field has two further platforms in the Caspian.

The ACE platform and related facilities are designed to process up to 100,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and the project is expected to produce up to 300 million barrels over its lifetime. Oil will pass through the processing facilities on the platform and then be exported around 130 kilometres to the onshore Sangachal terminal via a new in-field pipeline linked to an existing 30-inch subsea export line.

Initial production from ACE comes from the first well that was initiated from the platform at the end of last year. ACE production is expected to increase through 2024 to around 24,000bpd as two more planned wells are drilled, completed and brought online.

The safe start-up of ACE delivers on the first major investment decision made by the ACG partnership since the signing of the extended ACG production sharing agreement in 2017.

ACG participating interests are: bp (30.37%), SOCAR (25.0%), MOL (9.57%), INPEX (9.31%), Equinor (7.27%), ExxonMobil (6.79%), TPAO (5.73%), ITOCHU (3.65%), ONGCVidesh (2.31%).
With the advent of crypto trading, the horizons of financial investments and assets have expanded, and now and then new possibilities and prospects have opened up. Its decentralized nature makes every investment and transaction free of any government rules or orders of financial institutions. Another major aspect of crypto trading is the promise of huge returns.

Any trader's only concern about crypto is the highly volatile market. It can twist and turn at any moment and sometimes be highly unpredictable. So, how does one invest wisely by identifying potential risks? What could help traders to conduct smooth trading by avoiding risks and major failures?

Visit Immediate Serax AI

To enhance the trading experience, new technologies and platforms are introduced. Many trading systems are available today, however, people need more advanced, affordable, and result-oriented systems that fulfill all their trading needs. One such is the Immediate Serax trading system. Many claims are surfacing about this system; it is said that it is developed using the latest technologies that give precise trading data and generate data signals.

As a trader, there might be a lot of concerns and questions about this platform and doubts about how effective this platform is. This Immediate Serax review will answer all your questions and verify whether the claims made are valid. So, lets get started.

Immediate Serax - Facts Overview

Platform Name Immediate Serax Platform Type Web-based platform Registration Required Yes Registration Fee None Interface User-friendly interface Minimum Deposit $250 Assets Supported Cryptocurrencies, stocks, forex, and other assets. Payout Time 24 hours Deposit Methods The platform supports different deposit and withdrawal options Customer Support 24/7 Official Website Click Here

What Is Immediate Serax?

Immediate Serax is an automated trading system developed to cater to the needs of a crypto trader. When it comes to any system, the first and foremost thing that a person looks for is its usability and ease of use. This platform gives traders a seamless trading experience with its user-friendly interface and personalized experience. The creators of this platform have collaborated with the top-most brokers, who provide trusted services.

Cutting-edge technologies, such as algorithms, artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and other tools have been used to develop Immediate Serax. This platform not only supports cryptocurrencies, but also enables trading in stocks, forex, CDCs, and other assets. A demo mode is available to give you a free chance to get a full insight into how the system works.

Check Out Immediate Serax Official Website

Immediate Serax Key Features

The Immediate Serax trading platform is developed using the latest technologies and has many advanced features that give you an easy yet informative trading experience. So, lets look at the features of this trading system.

Intuitive User Interface

One of the major features of Immediate Serax is its intuitive user interface. This gives traders a seamless experience in trading. Even beginners, who do not have any sort of trading experience can jumpstart investing and trading using this system. Many features are automated and hence, it works based on the customized setting.

Maximum Asset Opportunities

Immediate Serax provides traders an opportunity to invest in multiple cryptocurrencies, assets, stocks, and other commodities from a single platform. This feature enables them to maximize their profits and grow their trading portfolio.

Web-based Platform

There is no need to download Immediate Serax on your mobile device, or desktop. This is a web-based platform; you can access it through your mobile phone, desktop, or even laptop. There is no need for updation, installation, or maintenance is required.

Real-time Data

The inclusion of cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, algorithms, and advanced analytics can help access real-time market insights. This platform generates precise trading signals and a comprehensive market analysis. This enables traders to make an informed decision.

Easy Investment And Withdrawals

The Immediate Serax system is partnered with the top-most brokerage services, which provides traders with a wide range of payment options. They can use debit or credit cards, e-wallets, and bank wire transfers as payment or withdrawal options. This also provides the utmost safety and security while transacting money.

Demo Trading Option

The Immediate Serax demo feature allows traders to familiarize themselves with the platform. This is a free mode and mainly targets novice traders who want to get started with trading. They can get accustomed to different assets, learn about setting parameters, and learn about trading in general.

Trade With Immediate Serax For Free

Why has Immediate Serax become a reliable trading partner?

The Immediate Serax trading system becomes a reliable trading partner because of a set of things.

The platform allows traders to customize their settings according to their needs. There are automated and manual trading options. Traders can switch between the two according to their trading activities. They can either take trading into their own hands or leave it to the system to take care of all the tasks.

The system works according to the set parameters, such as entry and exit time, risk management, and stake amount. The use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and algorithms gives traders a wide variety of options for investment strategies.

With the help of advanced analytics, traders can jumpstart with investing as the system generates accurate trade signals. It can help monitor market price fluctuations, and help traders make informed and profitable decisions. The automated trading platform offers traders ample opportunities and makes sure they never miss out on any profitable opportunities as it enables them to stay connected with the platform.

How To Register On Immediate Serax?

To register on the Immediate Serax trading platform you need to only follow three simple steps.

Step 1 - Register

The first step is to register on the Immediate Serax platform. For this, you need to visit their official site, click on the Register button, and fill out a form. Only basic details, such as name, email address, date of birth, and contact number should be filled out. After you complete the form, click on Submit. The Immediate Serax verification team will verify all your details. After verification, a confirmation email will be sent. You can click on the confirmation link and get started. There is no need to pay any registration fee to start an account on this platform.

Step 2 - Invest

As you can see, there are no registration fees required for registering on Immediate Serax. After you complete the registration, the system will guide you through a payment portal where you can deposit the minimum capital required. The minimum investment amount is $250 and no deposit fee or transaction charges are levied. You can even increase the amount as per your trading goals or experience.

Step 2 - Start Trading

After completing the registration process and investing the minimum capital required, you can now start trading. You can set up the parameters and the system will generate comprehensive market analysis and accurate trading signals. The AI assistance will guide you through the journey and help identify the right trading opportunities.

Register On Immediate Serax For Free

Immediate Serax - Pros And Cons

So far, we have discussed the important aspects of the Immediate Serax system. It gives a clear picture of how the platform works and how traders get to experience seamless trading. In this part, we will be looking at the pros and cons of Immediate Serax.

Simple and intuitive user interface.

Free trading system.

Easy registration.

The minimum deposit required is $250.

Safe and secure transactions.

Accurate trade signals are generated.

Use of advanced technologies.

24/7 customer support.

Some countries have strict trading laws and as a result, the Immediate Serax trading system is not available in countries such as the United States, Cyprus, France, and Iran.

Immediate Serax: Minimum Cost and Other Deposits

Immediate Serax is a free trading platform, which means that there is no need to pay any registration fees or maintenance fees while using this system. Traders have to only make an initial deposit of $250 as a capital investment. The capital investment can be increased according to a traders trading goals, experience, and other factors.

The Immediate Serax team ensures safe and secure transactions through this platform as top-most brokerages are used to conduct all the transactions. They not only provide a seamless and secure transaction but also support different modes of transaction, such as credit/debit cards, net baking, and others.

Start Trading With Immediate Serax For Free

Immediate Serax - Cryptocurrencies

The Immediate Serax platform supports trading in different cryptocurrencies and other assets such as forex, CDCs, and other stocks. It allows traders to diversify their portfolios and get high investment returns. Apart from the popular cryptocurrencies, the platform also supports a variety of cryptocurrencies. Lets take a look at them.

Bitcoin (BTC)

Litecoin (LTC)

Ethereum (ETH)

Binance Coin (BNC)

Dash (DASH)

Polkadot (DOT)

Ethereum Classic (ETC)

Cardano (ADA)

Ripple (XRP)

Montero (XMR)

Immediate Serax: Customer Support

The Immediate Serax customer support team makes no compromise when it comes to resolving any issues or complaints raised by any user. The team is led by experts in the field who are capable of solving any technical problem or other issues. The customer support team is available 24/7. You can contact them through email, or their toll-free number at any point of the day. They are also available to clear any of your doubts and solve any technical errors or payment issues. You can visit the official website to get more information about customer support.

Countries where Immediate Serax is accessible

The Immediate Serax trading platform is accessible in the majority of countries apart from the United States, Cyprus, Iran, Israel, and France. Lets look at in which countries the platform is accessible.

Canada

Australia

Germany

Belgium

Malaysia

South Africa

Hong Kong

Japan

Vietnam

United Kingdom

Norway

Sweden

Netherlands

Finland

Mexico

Brazil

Spain

Singapore

Switzerland

Slovenia

Slovakia

Taiwan

Thailand

Poland

Is Immediate Serax a scam?

To verify whether Immediate Serax is a legit platform, lets go through some of the important factors. One of the crucial aspects is the use of advanced technologies. As we have seen before, artificial intelligence, algorithms, and advanced analytics are used to predict and generate accurate trade signals.

The creators of this platform are committed to developing this platform and new strategies to create and generate accurate signals. It also enables traders to identify the right and profitable trading opportunities and execute trading by identifying the potential risks.

Traders do not have to pay any extra charges such as maintenance fees, or other upgradation fees. After registering, they can access the whole platform and enjoy full benefits without having to spend another penny apart from the initial capital investment of $250. Traders also get a safe and secure trading experience and all the safety technologies are employed to prevent fraud or foul play.

If we look at the Immediate Serax customer reviews, this trading system has received many positive feedback and a huge success rate. Evaluating all the information, this trading platform does seem to be a legitimate one.

Immediate Serax: Final verdict

The Immediate Serax system aims to offer a seamless trading experience to people. It not only helps them to grasp the right trading opportunities. This system has been developed using the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, algorithms, and analytics.

The combination of technologies helps predict and present market signals with utmost accuracy. This is a free trading platform, which means there are no registration fees and other maintenance costs.

Traders only have to deposit an initial capital amount of $250. It also offers a safe and secure transaction as the platform has an in-built encryption system that protects all the transactions and trader information. Traders also have the opportunity to diversify their portfolios through this platform and invest in various cryptocurrencies or stocks from a single point.

Evaluating all the aspects of the Immediate Serax platform, it does seem to be legit and give you a worthwhile trading experience.

Immediate Serax is a legitimate trading AI platform. The immense hype surrounding this trading system did raise suspicion about its authenticity but from our analysis, the platform seems legit. We surveyed the user responses, discussed with experts in the trading industry, and examined the official website

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Immediate Serax - FAQs

Can I use the Immediate Serax platform even though I have zero trading experience?

The Immediate Serax platform has a simple, intuitive, and user-friendly interface which makes it easy to navigate. There is no need for any skills or previous experience to get started. If you are a beginner, you can start by using the free demo mode.

How long does the profile verification take?

While registering on the Immediate Serax platform, your information will be verified by the verification team. It would take around a couple of hours to get the information verified.

Who can use the Immediate Serax platform?

Anyone interested in trading can use the Immediate Serax trading system. The only thing is that people who are above 18 years of age can use this platform.

Can I use the Immediate Serax on my mobile phone?

Yes. The Immediate Serax trading system is compatible with any device such as a desktop, laptop, or mobile phone- Android or iOS.

What if I do not make any profits using this platform?

If you do not make any profits using this platform, you can immediately withdraw your money and close the account.
Quantum AI is an advanced trading system created to make trading seamless and help traders make smart trading decisions. The people who have developed this trading system say that Quantum AI works for traders of all levels of experience and can provide you with all the assistance that could help you improve your trading game. Continue reading this Quantum AI review to get to know more about this trading system and a clear picture of the trading system.

Visit Quantum AI

Trading systems are one of the newest innovations available for traders and they are quite helpful if you choose the right one. Among the plethora of trading systems that are available for use, Quantum AI is the one that is quite popular among traders and trading experts alike. Looking at the massive hype around the trading system, we get a picture that Quantum AI is legit and works efficiently. However, as this is a matter of trading, it is important to cross-examine the various aspects of the trading system and check whether it works as the creator says it to.

In this Quantum AI review, we will be taking a look at some of the most important aspects and facets of the trading system that can help you determine its efficacy. So read till the end!

Quantum AI - Quick Facts

Trading Platform Name Quantum AI Assets Supported Supports many cryptocurrencies and other digital assets like CFDs, stocks, etc. Minimum Deposit $250 Payout Time Within 24 hours Platform Cost None Withdrawal Fees No withdrawal charges Pros Designed for all levels of traders

Supports instant trading

Integrated with advanced technology

Comes with an easy-to-navigate website

Access to multiple cryptocurrencies and other assets

Secure platform for trading

High flexibility

Convenient payment methods

24/7 customer support

Free platform

Simple registration

No hidden charges

Requires just a minimum deposit of $250 Cons In some places like the United States, France, Iran, Israel, and Cyprus, Quantum AI might not be available due to restrictions imposed by authorities Payment Options Supports different payment methods that are safe and secure Operating Systems Compatible with all operating systems Verification Required Yes Customer Support 24/7 Official Website Click Here

What Is Quantum AI?

Quantum AI is a trading system that is made using advanced technologies and aims at making trading easier for you. The trading system offers the necessary assistance to help you make trading decisions. Quantum AI can also give you insights into the trading system and resourceful tools that you can utilize to identify the trading opportunities that work best for you.

Apart from being created by integrating advanced technologies, Quantum AI has various other features that make it unique. The trading system works equally efficiently for both newbie and experienced traders. It also offers the option to customize the assistance that a trader needs which makes it a trading platform that can easily meet the requirements and goals of all traders.

Click Here To Visit Quantum AI Official Website

How To Get Started With Quantum AI?

If you want to start your trading journey with Quantum AI, you will have to complete a few steps before trading and all of them are discussed below:

Step 1 - Create an account: The initial step that you need to complete for trading with Quantum AI is to create an account on the trading systems official website. You can create an account by filling out the registration form given on the official website by giving the required information like your name, email address, and phone number.

Step 2 - Account verification: After you have created an account on the Quantum AI official website, you will receive an email from the trading system requesting you to verify your account before moving on to the next process. You can follow the instructions provided on the trading systems website to complete the verification process.

Step 3 - Deposit minimum capital: The third step of getting started with Quantum AI is depositing minimum capital into your account. This capital will be used for your trading transactions. At the moment, the minimum capital requirement for Quantum AI is $250. Traders have the option to start with a large amount of capital if interested.

Step 4 - Start real-time trading: Once you have deposited the capital, the next step is trading. You can start trading with Quantum AI and make use of all the assistance that it provides. Along with this, you can also adjust the assistance that you require from trading.

Register On Quantum AI For Free

Main Features Of Quantum AI

Quantum AI is a trading system that has multiple features which makes it a trading system unique and efficient. We will now be taking a look at some of these main features:

Quantum AI is an easy-to-use trading system that both novice and experienced traders can use. The trading system has all the things that are necessary for trading including assistance that you need and a portfolio management system and all of them are provided on the official website of the trading platform in a way that is easy to navigate.

Adjustable assistance

The Quantum AI trading platform allows traders to adjust the assistance that they need from the trading system. This means that a new trader has the option to either choose automated trading or customize the assistance they need from the system. Experienced traders also have the same option. The trading system allows you to adjust the assistance that you require from the trading as per your skill in trading.

Simultaneous Trading

Quantum AI allows the traders to trade simultaneously which is a unique feature that you may not find in other trading systems. The trading system allows you to trade multiple cryptocurrencies at the same time without any hassles. As Quantum AI has a portfolio manager, you can easily trade multiple currencies at the same time without having to worry about keeping track of your trading transactions.

Emotionless Trading

Quantum AI removes the influence of emotions when trading. The trading system provides you with charting tools, algorithm analysis, updates on the trading market, and so much more which can help you make smart trading decisions. Along with eliminating the influence of emotions, Quantum AI also increases your chance of gaining profits as each decision is based on data and information that you can rely on.

Advantages Of Quantum AI

There are a wide array of advantages of Quantum AI which makes the trading system worth trying out. Some of these advantages include the following:

The trading system increases your chances of gaining profits

Quantum AI is ideal for both novice and experienced traders

Registering an account is entirely free of cost and also hassle-free

Quantum AI allows you to customize the assistance as per your needs

Quantum AI gives you insights and data that you can rely on

Quantum AI can be used anywhere anytime if you have a proper internet connection

Try Quantum AI For Free

Quantum AI - Pros And Cons

Pros of Quantum AI

Free of cost

Easy deposit and withdrawal process

Suitable for all traders

The minimum deposit needed is only $250

The trading system is active 24/7

Supports simultaneous trading

Promotes portfolio diversification

Quantum AI is easy to use

Efficient customer support team

Cons of Quantum AI

Quantum AI is not available in the United States of America

Is Quantum AI A Scam?

Quantum AI is not a scam but a legit trading bot

Since there are many trading systems that we hyped to be effective but turned out to be a scam, it is quite common for people to pose the question if Quantum AI is a scam or legit. Looking at the popularity of the trading system, we get the impression that the trading system is legit. However, there are a few other factors that need to be taken into account to reach an informed decision on whether or not the trading system is legit or a scam. The first factor is the efficiency of the working of the trading system. Quantum AI is developed by integrating top-notch technologies like AI into it that helps with trading by giving you insights into the trading market and giving you data on profitable trading situations.

The next factor is the ease of use. Quantum AI, as already mentioned, is a trading system that is quite convenient for usage and it is also suitable for novice and experienced traders. In addition to this, the trading system also allows you to customize the degree of assistance that you need. The last factor is the customer reviews. The majority of reviews from the customers of the trading system say that it has worked efficiently for them and is smooth and profitable. Since Quantum AI ticks all the boxes that need to be met to be authentic, we can conclude that the trading system is legit.

Quantum AI - Cryptocurrencies Supported

Quantum AI supports the trading of all legal cryptocurrencies which includes the major ones like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum. Since the trading system has multiple cryptocurrencies that you can trade, you can easily diversify your trading portfolio.

Some of the prime cryptocurrencies that Quantum AI supports trading include the following:

Bitcoin (BTC)

Litecoin (LTC)

Ripple (XRP)

Montero (XMR)

Ethereum (ETH)

Binance Coin (BNC)

Dash (DASH)

Ethereum Classic (ETC)

Cardano (ADA)

Polkadot (DOT)

Start Trading With Quantum AI For Free

Quantum AI - Countries Eligible

Quantum AI is supported for use in many countries all across the world. The trading system is quite popular among traders from various countries and they have shared that Quantum AI has improved their trading journey quite efficiently. Some of the major countries where Quantum AI is available are the following:

Mexico

Brazil

Spain

Germany

Belgium

Malaysia

Singapore

Taiwan

Thailand

Hong Kong

Japan

Vietnam

United Kingdom

Canada

Australia

South Africa

Norway

Sweden

Netherlands

Finland

Poland

Switzerland

Slovenia

Slovakia

Quantum AI - Fee, Minimum Deposit, And Profit

Quantum AI is a trading system that is free for everyone to use. You can register an account on the official website of the trading system without paying any fee. Once you have created an account, you are required to deposit capital into your account for trading. At present, the minimum amount that is accepted by the trading system as capital is $250. This capital will not be used until you start trading. The traders can start with an amount larger than $250 if they are confident in their trading skills. Nonetheless, we recommend that you take your financial situation into account before trading with the system. Once you start trading, you can easily gain profits by making decisions based on the data and information that the system provides.

Quantum AI Review - Bottom Line

In this Quantum AI review, we have examined some of the major aspects of the trading system, and let us now summarize all the things that we have discussed. The trading system is developed by integrating advanced technologies that give you charting tools, updates on the trading system, insights into the latest trends, and so much more that can help you with trading and making decisions. Quantum AI is suitable for both novice and experienced traders and works efficiently to meet the needs of all traders. Quantum AI comes with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5

Quantum AI is safe and quite easy to use. The trading system does not compromise your privacy and security while trading. Quantum AI has a website that is easy to navigate making it suitable for even traders with no prior experience with trading systems. We have already looked at the authenticity of the trading system and concluded that it is legit. Furthermore, the trading system is free for everyone to use and does not come with any hidden fees. So taking all of these into account, Quantum AI seems to be worth giving a try.

Trade With Quantum AI For Free

Quantum AI - Frequently Asked Questions

Who can use Quantum AI?

Anyone who wants to trade with the assistance of an efficient trading system can use Quantum AI.

How much time do I have to spend on Quantum AI daily?

You only have to spend 20-30 minutes of your time daily on Quantum AI.

Can I withdraw the profit that I have earned at any time?

Yes, you can withdraw the profit that you have earned at any time.

Where can I register an account for trading with Quantum AI?

You can register an account for trading with Quantum AI on the official website of the trading system.

Is this trading system compatible with laptops?

Yes, the Quantum AI trading system is compatible with laptops and other smart devices.
Though there aren't many big theatre releases, we have two animated movies hitting the screens this week. While 'Luv You Shankar' and 'Appu' promise to be treated for animation lovers, Vidya Balan is back with a comic outing 'Do Aur Do Pyaar'.

THEATRICAL RELEASES

1. Do Aur Do Pyaar

Release date: April 19

Vidya Balan returns to the silver screen in this rom-com "Do Aur Do Pyaar," directed by Shirsha Guha Thakurta. The film also stars Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D'Cruz, and Sendhil Ramamurthy. Game for a light-hearted take on life after marriage and the twists and turns in the lives of two married couples? Then, book your tickets for 'Do Aur Do Pyaar'.

2. LSD2 - Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2

Release date: April 19

The highly-anticipated sequel to the 2010 film delves into the raw and real portrayal of modern relationships through technology. Directed by Dibakar Banerjee and produced by Ekta Kapoor, the movie features Bonitta Rajpurohit, Nimrit Ahluwalia, and Anu Malik. Mouni Roy and Tusshar Kapoor play cameo roles. Transgender actor Bonitta Rajpurohit is set to make her debut in LSD2. On her role, Rajpurohit says: "There was a time when trans people were not as visible in mainstream media. But now, I see some changes, and when I am part of that change, I feel honoured."

3. Civil War

Release date: April 19

The American dystopian war film, directed by Alex Garland, is set in the future where a civil war breaks out, and a group of military journalists from across the country aims to reach Washington D.C. before havoc ensues. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Kristen Dunst, Wagner Moura, and Cailee Spaeny, among others. Despite offering different genres to explore, the movie did not perform well in theatres in the US and UK.

OTT RELEASES

1. Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout

Release date: April 16

Streaming platform: Zee5

ACP Avinash Varma returns with the second instalment of the 'Silence' franchise. Avinash and his team are all set to uncover the truth behind a shootout that occurred in a bar in Mumbai. The plot thickens as they peel off the layers of truth and find themselves entangled in bigger and darker mysteries. ACP Avinash is portrayed by Manoj Bajpayee, along with Prachi Desai, Sahil Vaid, and Vaquar Shaikh. Directed by Aban Bharucha Deohans, the movie promises a suspenseful, thrilling watch.

2. See You in Another Life

Release date: April 17

Streaming Platform: Disney Plus Hotstar

The intriguing Spanish crime series, created by Jorge Sanchez-Cabezudo and Alberto Sanchez-Cabezudo, is based on Manuel Jabois' book and revolves around the Madrid train bombings of 2004. Tamara Casellas, Pol Lopez, and Roberto Gutierrez are among the stellar cast in the series.

3. Rebel Moon  Part Two: The Scargiver

Release date: April 19

Streaming platform: Netflix

Zack Snyder returns with the second part of the much-anticipated film Rebel Moon. The sequel picks up as Kora and the surviving warriors take refuge in a new place and face the challenges of staying in their newfound home. The ensemble cast includes Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, Anthony Hopkins, and Djimon Hounsou, among others. The movie had its theatrical release, and according to reviews, "The Scargiver" won't disappoint Rebel Moon fans.
At least 29 Maoists, including a top leader of the rebel group, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, reports said.

Three security personnel suffered injuries in the fierce gun-battle that comes just three days ahead of the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state.

Shankar Rao, the top Maoist leader killed in the operation, had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on his head.

I congratulate all security personnel for today's successful operation against Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on X.

Terming Naxalism as the biggest enemy of development, peace and bright future of the youth, Shah said under leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are determined to free country from scourge of Naxalism.

According to reports, a joint team of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the state's District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on an anti-Naxal operation when the encounter broke out at 2 pm in Hapatola forest between Binagunda and Koronar villages under Chhotebethiya police station limits.

"After the encounter, the area was searched and 29 Naxal dead bodies, along with a huge cache of AK 47 rifles, INSAS/SLR/Carbine/.303 rifles and huge quantities of arms ammunition, were recovered from the spot. Three of the jawans were injured in the encounter and their condition is out of danger," police said.

The three security personnel, who were injured in the gunfight, have been shifted to a hospital for treatment.

Inspector General of Police (Bastar) P.P. Sundarraj said the operation, which he claimed to be one of the biggest in the region, was launched after information about the presence of senior naxals Shankar, Lalita and Raju.

A search operation is underway, he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who holds the home portfolio, hailed the encounter as a "surgical strike" and a major success, and asserted credit for it goes to brave security personnel.

Since the start of 2024, as many as 79 Naxalites have been killed in separate gun-battles with security forces in the Bastar region, a Maoist stronghold.

Polling in the Naxalite-hit Bastar Lok Sabha seat will take place on April 19 in the first phase, while the Kanker constituency, part of the Bastar region, will vote in the second round of general elections on April 26.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Washington hosts the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Trend reports.

Special seminars for a group of reporters from around the world have been organized as part of the event, which runs from April 15 through 20.

The sole Azerbaijani representative invited to the seminars is Lyaman Zeynalova, Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Trend News Agency.

Senior IMF officials also take part in the seminars.

The Spring Meetings bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations, and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness.

Among other things, the Spring Meetings will focus on the return of industrial policy, building tax capacity in developing countries, the presentation of the World Economic Outlook, the Global Financial Stability Report, energy subsidy reforms, and the consequences of Geo-Economic Fragmentation on Financial Stability in Open Economies - Central Bank's Perspectives from Europe and Asia.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Supreme Court on Tuesday deprecated criticism of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and calls for reverting to ballot papers, saying the electoral process in India is a "humongous task" and attempts should not be made to "bring down the system".

It also recalled how polling booths were captured in the era of ballot papers to manipulate election results.

The top court was hearing a batch of pleas seeking complete cross-verification of the votes cast using EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), an independent vote verification system which enables an elector to see whether his vote was cast correctly.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta was critical of the argument that many European countries have gone back to ballot papers after having tried out voting machines.

"This is a humongous task. No European country can do this. You talked about Germany but what is the population there. My home state West Bengal is far more populous than Germany. We have to repose faith and trust in the electoral process. Don't try to bring down the system like this," Justice Datta told advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO 'Association for Democratic Reforms'.

Bhushan had pitched for a return to ballot papers while citing the German example.

The bench said there were roughly 98 crore registered voters in India. "There will be some mismatch in vote count due to some human errors but it can be countered and checked," it said.

Justice Khanna, while referring to booth capturing in the past, said, "Mr. Bhushan, we are all in our 60s. We have seen what used to happen earlier when there were no EVMs. We don't need to tell you."

Maintaining that he is not casting any aspersion on the Election Commission or saying that EVMs have been manipulated, Bhushan said his only point is that these polling machines can be tinkered with.

Normally, human intervention in a process creates problems including bias, while machines, without any wrong human intervention, work properly and give accurate results, Justice Khanna told Bhushan.

The bench posed a barrage of questions to the Election Commission officials present in the court about the functioning of EVMs, their storage and the possibility of data manipulation.

"We want you to apprise us of each and every detail from point A to Z on the EVMs, right from their assembling to storage after the counting of votes," the bench told senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the Election Commission.

Bhushan said he also wants that every voter should be allowed to collect the paper slip of his vote cast from the VVPAT machine and drop it into the ballot box. He also sought reversal of the poll panel's decision to replace the transparent glass on VVPAT machines with an opaque glass through which a voter can see the slip only when the light is on for seven seconds.

He alleged that two public sector undertakings--Bharat Electronic Ltd and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECILL)--have as its directors people who are associated with ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The bench asked Singh whether it is possible to subject EVMs to technical evaluation to rule out any foul play after the counting of votes is over.

Singh urged the court to not indicate any such thing without hearing the poll panel on the issue as it would create unnecessary confusion.

"Don't be apprehensive. We are not indicating any such thing but are only soliciting a response," Justice Khanna told Singh.

The bench also asked the poll panel to apprise it about the punishment prescribed under the law for someone who manipulates EVMs.

"If some manipulation is done, then what is the consequence? What is the punishment prescribed under the law? Tell us. This is a very serious thing because there should be some fear of the consequences," the court told Singh.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for activist Arun Kumar Agrawal, who has sought a complete count of VVPAT slips in polls, submitted there should not be even an iota of doubt about the electoral process and the Election Commission should ensure that.

He claimed after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, a parliamentary committee had found discrepancies in EVM data but the Election Commission never responded to the panel.

"There are very high chances of error. We always blame the population for everything including the number of cases clogging our judicial system. We should focus on the system so that there is no iota of doubt in the mind of even a single voter," he said.

During the nearly two-hour-long hearing, several advocates appearing for different petitioners addressed the court, with some suggesting use of bar codes to reduce chances of manipulation of EVMs. One of them claimed conflict of interest on part of members of the technical committee of the election commission, saying they were the inventors and designers of the EVMs.

The hearing remained inconclusive and would resume on April 18.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls will begin on April 19.

The ADR has sought matching the count in EVMs with votes that have been verifiably "recorded as cast" and to ensure that the voter is able to verify through VVPAT slip that his vote, as recorded on the paper slip, has been "counted as recorded".
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday hinted that the BJP may not field candidates on Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir, saying the party was not in a hurry to see the 'lotus' bloom in the valley.

He was addressing an election rally in the Paloura area in the Jammu-Reasi Lok Sabha constituency from where the party candidate, Jugal Kishore, is seeking a third term. Kishores main rival is the Congresss Raman Balla.

He, however, urged people in Kashmir, especially the youth, not to vote for the National Conference, the Congress, and the PDP.

"We are not in a hurry to conquer Kashmir as portrayed by our adversaries, he said. We aim to win the hearts of every Kashmiri."

Taking a dig at the NC, the PDP, and the Congress, Shah accused them of fostering terrorism and pushing the youngster to arms. He also accused the parties of orchestrating fake encounters.

"During whose tenure did most fake encounters occur? Wasn't it during Dr. Farooq Abdullah's government?" he asked.

He affirmed the assembly elections in J&K would be held on the dates set by the Supreme Court, without delay.

In its verdict on Article 370, the SC had asked the Election Commission of India to hold the assembly polls in J&K by September 2024.

Criticising PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, he said she had claimed that if Article 370 was revoked, nobody would hoist the tricolour. "Today, Article 370 is repealed, yet the tricolour flies high with dignity and honour," he said.

He said Syama Prasad Mookerjee's vision of 'Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan, Ek Nishan' (One Constitution, One Leader, One Symbol) has been realised.

"Today, terrorism is on its deathbed, and incidents like stone-pelting, strikes, and street protests are history," he said.

He attributed this change to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies. "PM Modi has replaced stones in the hands of youth with laptops," he said.

Shah assured that without cutting the share of Gujjars and Bakerwals, the due reservation would be given to Paharis, as promised on the floor of Parliament.

"We have provided reservations to Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis, Valmikis, OBCs, and women," he said.

The home minister expressed the BJP's commitment to develop every border village of Jammu to match the standards of Jammu city. "Jammu is progressing. We introduced E-buses first in Jammu. Today, J&K houses AIIMS, IIMs, and IITs, attracting students from all over the nation," he said.
At least four persons lost their lives and three are currently receiving treatment at a Srinagar hospital after a boat capsized in the Jhelum River near Batwara in Srinagar on Tuesday morning.

#WATCH | J&K: A boat capsized in River Jhelum at Gandbal. SDRF team deployed. More details awaited: Disaster Management, J&K pic.twitter.com/hOAKvNCYtT  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

According to locals from the BatwaraGandabal area, a boat carrying children overturned early this morning, causing shock and trauma throughout the area. The rescued persons were rushed to Srinagar's SMHS Hospital for treatment.

A rescue operation was immediately launched, and seven individuals were evacuated to the hospital. Dr Muzaffar Zargar, the Medical Superintendent of SMHS, confirmed that four individuals have died in the incident, while three others are currently undergoing treatment.

The State Disaster Response Force team has been deployed, authorities said. The river had breached the banks after incessant rains battered the region for the last couple of days.

-with inputs from Tariq Bhat.
Several traffic diversions have been put in place to manage vehicles that are expected to reach Ayodhya on the occasion of Ram Naumi on Wednesday. However, some saints believe that these diversions will be a deterrent to devotees.

While Ram Navami, the birth of Lord Ram is a special day of celebration for Hindus; this time the festival is made even more special by the fact that a new temple of Lord Ram is now in place. The rays of the sun shall be falling on the forehead of the new idol around 12 pm and Hindus across the world are looking forward to it.

To manage the influx of devotees-- more than one lakh of whom have been thronging Ayodhya every day since the pran pratishtha on January 22-- several road diversions have been notified. These diversions will be in effect for vehicles coming from Gorakhpur, Sant Kabirnagar, Basti, Gonda, Dumariyaganj, Kanpur, Lucknow, Sitapur, Balrampur, Bahraich, Sulatanpur and so on.

Mahant Awadh Bihari Das said, There has been a huge number of devotees coming to Ayodhya in the past too and it has been managed. The government and administration should understand that traditions exist only because of devotees and their devotion. Too much strictness and multiple diversions will dampen their enthusiasm.

Another mahant, Krishna Kumar Das said that repeated appeals by the Trust for people to keep away from Ayodhya has been creating fear. It is the devotees on whose basis mutts, mandirs and ashrams are able to run. Religious discourses, melas (fairs)and celebrations are the lifeline of this city. The administration is being unreasonable.

Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Sri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has asked people to visit Ayodhya in peace and not rush. In a statement, aimed at devotees coming from rural areas, he said that they should concentrate on their crops and weddings (this is an auspicious time in the Hindu calendar for celebrations) and come to Ayodhya later on.

Other members of the Trust have also asked people to watch the Ram Naumi celebrations on television and offer prayers in mandirs at homes or in their neighbourhoods.

Ramsundar Das, a seer said, The attitude of the administration will cause people to lose interest in the Ram Mandir. On some routes movement has been completely stopped and this is very wrong.
The Mumbai police said it has arrested two persons suspected to be involved in the shooting outside actor Salman Khan's Bandra residence. The arrests were made on Tuesday from Bhuj in Gujarat.

The arrested men were identified as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal. They have been brought to the city. "Both the accused who fled Mumbai after the firing have been arrested from Gujarat's Bhuj," a Mumbai Police Crime Branch official told ANI.

The arrested men are both residents of Bihar. Deputy Inspector General of Kutch-West Mahendra Bagadiya told reporters that the men were nabbed late Monday night from Mata No Madh village in Gujarat's Kutch district. "Based on technical surveillance, joint teams of the Kutch-West and Mumbai police nabbed the duo," he said.

They were handed over to the Mumbai police as the complaint is registered there, Bagadiya said.

"A preliminary probe suggested that both Pal and Gupta were hired by the gang of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to open fire at Khan's house. While Pal did the firing, Gupta was in touch with the gang members," Bagadiya said.

The shooting happened in the early hours of Sunday after motorcycle-borne shooters had opened fire outside Galaxy Apartments, Khan's residence. Police said the suspects had their faces covered and the incident was a meticulously planned one. A total of four rounds were fired by the accused and a live cartridge was recovered from the spot.

Meanwhile, the police official investigating the incident said on Monday that the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the Facebook post claiming responsibility for the firing has been traced to Portugal.



Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol Bishnoi had claimed responsibility for the firing, calling it the "first and last warning".



Police suspect a VPN (virtual private network) was used for uploading the Facebook post. A VPN establishes a digital connection between a computer and a remote server owned by a VPN provider, creating a point-to-point tunnel that encrypts personal data, masks IP addresses, and allows the user to sidestep website blocks and firewalls on the Internet.



"The IP address of the FB post was traced to Portugal. We are verifying," the officer added.



In the wake of the shooting, the Mumbai Police has enhanced security at the Galaxy Apartment. "The actor has Y+ category security cover, but after the firing, the number of police personnel guarding him has been increased," an officer told reporters.



Though Salman has not reacted to the incident, his brother and actor Arbaaz Khan issued a statement, refusing earlier reports attributed to Salim Khan that the shooting was just a "publicity stunt".



"The recent incident of firing by two unidentified persons on a motorcycle at Galaxy apartment the residence of the Salim Khan family is very disturbing and unnerving. Our family has been taken aback by this shocking incident that took place.



Meanwhile, Salman Khan was also seen leaving the apartment on Monday with heavy security, his first sighting after the incident. In a video that viral on the internet, Salman was seen leaving with police vans surrounding his car. Iulia Vantur was also spotted leaving Salmans apartment.


In the absence of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, could attend the party's campaign in Gujarat. Party sources told reporters on Tuesday that Sunita could join Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in the campaign.

Of the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat, AAP has fielded two candidates in Gujarat - Bharuch and Bhavnagar. While Chaitar Vasava will be in the fray from Bharuch, Umesh Makwana is the AAP candidate from Bhavnagar.



As per the seat-sharing pact, the Congress will field candidates in the remaining 24 seats. The party is likely to announce its list of star campaigners for Gujarat later in the day.



The Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat will be held in a single phase on May 7 and the last date for filing nomination papers is April 19.



Meanwhile, AAP has announced four candidates for Punjab, of which three are sitting MLAs. While former MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu is being fielded from the Jalandhar reserve constituency, Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar will be the candidate from Ferozepur. Amansher Singh Kalsi is in the fray from Gurdaspur and Ashok Parashar Pappi from Ludhiana parliamentary seat.



The announcement was made by the party's national general secretary Sandeep Pathak in a post on X.



Brar represents the Muktsar assembly seat, Kalsi is a legislator from Batala seat and Pappi is an MLA from the Ludhiana Central assembly constituency. Tinu left the Shiromani Akali Dal recently to join AAP.



Kejriwal's message

#WATCH | AAP MP Sanjay Singh says "...Efforts are being made 24 hours to demoralize Arvind Kejriwal. This is Arvind Kejriwal, he is made of a different clay... The more you try to break him, the stronger he will come back...Yesterday CM Bhagwant Mann became emotional during the pic.twitter.com/BSDnrzgdxM  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

In a press conference held on Tuesday, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said the Delhi Chief Minister has conveyed a message from jail. "Arvind Kejriwal, who worked like a son and a brother for the country and the people of Delhi, has sent a message from jail that 'My name is Arvind Kejriwal and I am not a terrorist'.

Singh alleged that Kejriwal was made to meet Chief Minister Mann through a glass. "It is clear from this that the Prime Minister has a feeling of hatred against Arvind Kejriwal," Singh told reporters.



He alleged that there was a bid to demoralise Kejriwal. "This is Arvind Kejriwal, he is made of a different mould. The more you try to break him, the stronger he will come back. Yesterday, CM Bhagwant Mann became emotional during the meeting. This is an emotional matter for all of us but it is a matter of shame for BJP and PM Modi," Singh said.


A bishop and a priest were stabbed by a 16-year-old boy during a church service that was being live-streamed in Sydney on Monday. The incident, witnessed by hundreds of worshippers online, triggered a riot in the western suburb of Wakeley.

The incident happened at Christ The Good Shepherd Church. Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was presiding over a service that was being live-streamed when a 16-year-old boy charged at him with a knife. The 39-year-old priest tried to intervene and stop the attack, but both were injured. Police said they were recovering and expected to survive.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the suspect's comments pointed to a religious motive for the attack. "We'll allege there's a degree of premeditation on the basis that this person has travelled to that location, which is not near his residential address, he has travelled with a knife and subsequently the bishop and the priest have been stabbed," Webb said. They're lucky to be alive," Webb told AP.

The suspect was restrained by the public at the scene and later handed over to the police. He was taken to the hospital under custody and received surgery for injuries sustained during the attack. "The teenager was known to police but was not on a terror watch list," Webb said.

However, the incident sparked riots as the video of the attack went viral. Hundreds of community members thronged the charge and threw objects at police cars. "People converged on that area and began to turn on police. People used what was available to them in the area, including bricks, concrete, palings, to assault police and throw missiles at police, police equipment, and police vehicles," Webb said.

Following the situation, the paramedics and police were forced to retreat inside the church, where they were holed up for over three hours as crowds rioted outside. "A number of houses have been damaged. They've broken into a number of houses to gain weapons to throw at the police. They've thrown weapons and items at the church itself. There were obviously people who wanted to get access to the young person who caused the injuries to the clergy people," officials told reporters.

Meanwhile, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel is said to be a social media star with a huge following. The 53-year-old Iraq-born bishop is known to speak on a range of issues and was critical of homosexuality, COVID

vaccinations, Islam and U.S. President Joe Biden's election, according to Reuters.

He had over 100,000 subscribers on TikTok and has been a target for criticism, hate and online trolling.

The report added that some sermons posted online by the Bishop question parts of Islamic theology, although in others he stresses his love for the Muslim community and how he regularly prays for them. In a recent post, he expressed support for Palestinians in Gaza.

Emmanuel has also hit at the secular world, casting doubt on Biden's election, attacking his support for gay rights and urging Trump to stay true to God and resist the influence of Freemasons. He was also in national news last year with comments about gender.
As Israel holds a second war cabinet meeting to discuss its response to Iran's drone and missile attacks, the top Israeli general has warned that Iran's actions "will be met with a response."

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi made the statement on Monday while visiting the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, where four Iranian ballistic missiles struck during the attack early Sunday. "This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response," he said, without providing much details.



"Iran wanted to harm the strategic capabilities of the State of Israel  that is something that had not happened before. We were prepared for the 'Iron Shield' operation  preparation that brought Iran to also encounter aerial superiority," he said, adding that Israel is very strong and knows how to deal with it alone. He also reiterated the US support for the country.



In a separate video, Halevi said a coalition was activated to counter this attack, marking the start of the IDFs 'Operation: Iron Shield'. "We are closely assessing the situation. We remain at our highest level of readiness. Iran will face the consequences of its actions. We will choose our response accordingly. The IDF remains ready to counter any threat from Iran and its terror proxies, as we continue our mission to defend the State of Israel," he added.



Halevi's statement came hours after Netanyahu summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh a response to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack.



Iran claims the attack was in retaliation to an Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus.



Meanwhile, in a phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the latter is said to have made it clear that Tehran is "aware of the regional tensions, is willing to exercise restraint and has no intention of further escalations."



According to a report that appeared in the official Xinhua news agency, Wang reiterated Irans assertion that its launch of some 350 missiles and drones at Israel early Sunday was a "limited" action taken in self-defence. Wang also condemned the Israeli attack while thanking Iran for not targeting regional and neighbouring countries as it bombarded Israel.
With the US and the other Western allies urging restraint, the war cabinet meeting gets underway over the recent Iran air strike in Israel. Israel has called for imposing sanctions on Iran's missile project after the attack.

Reiterating Israel's stand, the military spokesperson said that Iran will not get off "scot-free" after its missile and drone strikes.

"We cannot stand still from this kind of aggression, Iran will not get (off) scot-free with this aggression," Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in southern Israel.

"We will respond the way that we will choose at the time that we will choose," he added.

However, Jordan's foreign minister said that Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to "steal" the attention away from the Gaza war by escalating its confrontation with Iran.

FM Ayman Safadi said Iran was responding to the attack against its consulate and announced that it did not want to escalate further.

"We are against escalating. Netanyahu wants to draw attention away from Gaza and focus on his confrontation with Iran," Safadi told reporters in Berlin.

Germany has also joined the calls to impose sanctions on Iran. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is calling on the European Union to impose fresh sanctions on Iranian drone technology. Baerbock had campaigned last year for the drone sanctions regime to be extended.

In these fragile times that we all work together to contribute to de-escalation" in the Middle East, she added.

The US is expected to impose further sanctions on Iran in the coming days. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Iran's oil exports "remain in focus as a possible area", adding that Iran's actions threaten stability in the Middle East.

"From this weekend's attack to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Iran's actions threaten the region's stability and could cause economic spillovers," she said.

Russia urges Iran to stand down

In a phone call with Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that further escalation in the Middle East could have "catastrophic consequences".

Meanwhile, a former US security adviser said Israel should launch the "mother of all cyber-attacks" and take out Iran's nuclear weapons programme. John Bolton said that it was one way that Israel could make Iran suffer.

"The idea of saying 'take the win' simply because the missiles and drones missed their target is like saying 'hey you're still alive, what's the problem'...the problem is Israel's under attack," Bolton said.

US report reveals Israel violated international law

Meanwhile, a United Nations expert report reveals that Israel violated international law by attacking the Iranian diplomatic building in Syria.

The report by a group of independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council said that "Killings in foreign territory are arbitrary when they are not authorised under international law."

"All countries are prohibited from arbitrarily depriving individuals of their right to life in military operations abroad, including when countering terrorism, said the experts.

The report emphasised that Israel does not appear to have been exercising self-defence on April 1. "It presented no evidence that Iran was directly committing an armed attack on Israel or sending non-state armed groups to attack it," the report said.

Israel has also not provided any legal justification for the strike or reported it to the Security Council, as required by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, it said.

Israels attack consequently violated the prohibition on the use of armed force against another state under Article 2(4) of the Charter, the experts said.

Iran had launched around 300 drones, and missiles at Israel after an alleged Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria.
Amid the intensifying Russia-Ukraine war and deepening Middle East crisis, France President Emmanual Macron has called for a truce during the Paris Olympics.

In his interview with French media, Macron said France would "do everything" to bring about a truce in the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. "It is an opportunity in which I will try to involve many of our partners. The Chinese president is coming to Paris in a few weeks, I will ask him to help me," he said.

Macron said he will be making efforts towards achieving the truce when Paris hosts the Summer Games from July 26 to Aug 11.

What is Olympic truce?

The Olympic truce aims to ensure a halt to all hostilities, allowing the safety and participation of athletes and spectators for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Olympic Truce was revived by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1992.

The draft resolution for the Olympic Truce for Paris 2024 will be formally submitted to the member states by the Government of France in collaboration with the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee and the Organising Committee.

The introduction of the Olympic Truce draft resolution for Paris 2024 will be submitted at the United Nations headquarters in New York on November 21, 2023.

Not welcomed by Kremlin

Macron's call for a truce during the Paris Olympics was not welcomed by Kremlin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that it would be an opportunity for Kyiv to regroup and rearm.

Both President Vladimir Putin and the Russian military had noticed that "as a rule the Kyiv regime uses such ideas, such initiatives to try to regroup, to try to rearm, and so on and so forth," said Peskov.

The war that raged since 2022 had helped Russia gain many Ukraine towns including Avdiivka in February this year. With Ukraine running low on ammunition every day has become challenging to keep up the fight.

With latest Iran's air strike on Israel has worsened the Middle East crisis. Since the Hamas attack on October 7, the Israel-Gaza war has forced millions of Palestinians to flee their homes and seek refuge in Rafah, bordering Egypt. Though the US, Egypt and Qatar are attempting to work on a truce deal, it has not been fruitful so far.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Four more internationally wanted persons have been extradited to Azerbaijan, the press service of the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

Based on the request of the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan, the General Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation following the requirements of the Convention of October 07, 2002 "On legal assistance and legal relations in civil, family and criminal cases", decided on extradition of citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shovkatbek Mustafayev, Ilkin Rustamov, Rovshan Amirkhanli, and Nihad Salimli.

Thus, since serious suspicions of committing crimes against health by Nihad Salimli, against property by Shovkatbek Mustafayev, Ilkin Rustamov, and Rovshan Amirkhanli were revealed, it was decided to bring them as accused and to declare them on the international wanted list for evasion from investigation and concealment.

These persons were detained in the territory of the Russian Federation and brought to Azerbaijan today under special escort of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

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eMSIT is the first Master's degree from an Indian university partner on Coursera t hat also provides for integration of industry micro-credentials



Designed for fresh undergraduates and early working professionals



HYDERABAD, India, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITH) is launching an Online Master of Science in Information Technology (eMSIT) on Coursera, one of the world's leading online learning platforms. IIIT Hyderabad, India's first IIIT, is known for its research-led education programmes, and a well-received Online Executive education programs.





The eMSIT is the first master's degree programme from an Indian university offered on Coursera. It integrates and recognizes industry micro-credentials, creating pathways for students to advance their learning journey based on prior learning.



"We're honoured to partner with IIIT Hyderabad to bring the benefits of the high-quality, affordable education the university is known for to learners across India and beyond," said Raghav Gupta, Managing Director, India and Asia Pacific, Coursera.



The curriculum features hands-on projects, specializations in data science, full stack development and machine learning, and exposure to AI tools such as ChatGPT and Copilot. For additional support, students will also have access to experienced teaching assistants and periodic sessions from experienced industry professionals.



"We are excited to expand access to MSIT's innovative, interdisciplinary learning experience. The programme's innovative 'learn by doing' framework will help new generations of students successfully launch or advance their careers in IT and computer science," said Prof. P. J. Narayanan, Director, International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad.



According to NASSCOM, the Indian IT industry is projected to require around 95 lakh tech professionals by 2026. Graduates of the eMSIT programme will be prepared for these sought-after computer science and IT jobs in industries such as finance, healthcare, and software development. Students will have access to online job boards and networking opportunities with MSIT's vast base of 3,000 alumni, employed at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase & Co, and American Express.



"As IIIT Hyderabad celebrates its silver jubilee, this new programme will help us continue our legacy into the future and build on our commitment to make India a global tech talent hub," said Prof. Raj Reddy, Founding Chairman of IIIT-Hyderabad. "Our partnership with Coursera helps us deliver this transformative programme at scale and widen the talent pool, as the National Education Policy envisioned."



The programme enables students to learn anytime, from anywhere. The application process is designed to attract learners of diverse backgrounds. Students need a four-year undergraduate (UG) degree with a STEM background, or three years undergraduate degree with at least one course in Mathematics of Computing plus one year of a post-graduate programme after UG to apply.



The Spring 2024 cohort is expected to begin on 22 July 2024. Applications are open now.



To learn more and apply, visit: https://www.coursera.org/degrees/master-of-science-information-technology-iiithyderabad/academics



About IIIT-Hyderabad: The International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) is an autonomous research university founded in 1998 that focuses on the core areas of Information Technology, such as Computer Science, Electronics and Communications, and their applications in other domains through inter-disciplinary research that has a greater social impact. Some of its research domains include Signal Processing and Communications, Data Sciences and Analytics, Language Technologies, Robotics, Security, Theory and Algorithms, Software Engineering, Visual Information Technology, VLSI and Embedded Systems Technology, Computer Systems, Machine Learning, Quantum Science and Technology, Computational Social Science, IT for Agricultural and Rural Development, IT in Building Science (CBS), Cognitive Science, Computational Natural Sciences and Bioinformatics, Earthquake Engineering, Spatial Informatics and eGovernance.



Website: www.iiit.ac.in



About Coursera



Coursera was launched in 2012 by two Stanford Computer Science professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, with a mission to provide universal access to world-class learning. It is now one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with more than 136 million registered learners as of September 30, 2023. Coursera partners with over 300 leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials, including courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, Guided Projects, and bachelor's and master's degrees. Institutions around the world use Coursera to upskill and reskill their employees, citizens, and students in fields such as data science, technology, and business. Coursera became a Delaware public benefit corporation and a B Corp in February 2021.



Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1900509/IIITH_Logo.jpg



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
GURGAON, India, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the heart of India's Western Ghats lies a realm of breathtaking beauty, the Sahyadri mountain range. Here, in the Nashik Valley, amidst the mist-shrouded peaks and green valleys, a rare spirit is born  a single malt whisky that embodies the very essence of this unique landscape. Guided by generations of expertise and an unwavering commitment to quality, the liquid stands as a testament to Indian craftsmanship, provenance, and luxury.





A blanket of mist unveils a shape both familiar and fresh  a creation that transcends time and tradition. The initial look reveals a royal deep purple adorned with glowing golden accents, signalling the dawn of a new era in Indian Single Malt. A revered name, now poised on the precipice of a transformative era  behold the debut of McDowell's & Co Distiller's Batch Indian Single Malt. Distilled and matured in Nashik Distillery, this triple cask whisky represents the pinnacle of Indian whisky making.



With only 6000 bottles available, the liquid embarks on a journey of refinement unlike any other. It is first matured in Ex-Bourbon and Virgin Oak Casks and then in Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz casks unique to the Sahyadri terrain, which add an exceptional vintage character to the whisky, making it unlike any other. On the nose, the whisky boasts aromas of vanilla and rich fresh fruit, complemented by gentle afternotes of citrus and spice. On the palate, it offers a velvety richness and complex layers of sweet wood and fresh fruity flavours, resulting in a mellow-sweet and lingering finish.



The essence of the Sahyadri mountain range comes to life through the whisky's captivating bottle and label design. Inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the Nashik Distillery, where the whisky casks are enveloped by mountain mists, the brand's packaging reflects the vibrant hues and mystical aura of this unique region. Deep purple tones and veiled peaks adorn the packaging, embodying the spirit of the mountains. As an ode to its spectacular terroir, the wine region also comes alive on the packaging with a golden map.



Speaking about the launch, Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer, Diageo India, says, "With McDowell's & Co, we are placing consumers at the forefront by curating unparalleled drinking experiences with world-class spirits that embody luxury and craftsmanship. With seven distilleries strategically located across the country, access to unique local ingredients and raw materials, and a team of over a hundred skilled craftspeople, we are pushing the needle of innovation to revolutionize the way Indian consumers drink and socialize. Our McDowell's & Co Distiller's Batch Indian Single Malt is the first of many new liquids to come from our premium portfolio and is a tribute to our rich legacy. With provenance, luxury, and rarity at its core, this spirit represents the pinnacle of whisky craftsmanship  backed by 70 years of expertise and crafted for discerning consumers who value the best that India has to offer."



Founded 125 years ago, McDowell's and Co stands as India's original alco-bev pioneer  synonymous with excellence, high quality, and fine spirits. In 1959, the company established its first distillery in Cherthala, Kerala. This marked the genesis of the McDowell's No.1 brand, which soon launched its brandy and later expanding to introduce whisky and rums, thereby becoming the first to offer a diverse portfolio of spirits from a single house of brands. In 1968, the brand launched McDowell's No.1 Whisky, marking the inception of the world's largest selling whisky, born out of India.



For the design, Diageo India has collaborated with Design Bridge and Partners, their established long-term partner. Jon Neal, Creative Leadership Director, explains that the bottle and packaging are the ultimate capture of the spirit of the Sahyadri mountain range in India where the whisky is produced. The spectacular location, the vibrant hues, and the unique atmospheric conditions of the Nashik Distillery, where mountain mists embrace the whisky casks, have inspired the deep purple tones and shrouded peaks on the packaging. This marks a new and exciting chapter for the McDowell's brand, introducing a sophisticated and premium Single Malt Whisky and celebrates the untold story of India's contribution to the world of whisky making.



The launch of 'McDowell's & Co Distiller's Batch Indian Single Malt' marks an exciting new chapter for the McDowell's brand. Recognizing a rapidly growing consumer appetite for made-in-India spirits, hyperlocal ingredients, and Indian craftsmanship, the brand aims to reinvent drinking experiences by launching a slew of exquisite liquids, beginning with a single malt whisky proudly crafted in India



Product Details:



- Tasting Notes:



 Nose  A symphony of vanilla and rich fresh fruit aromas takes centre stage, complemented by gentle afternotes of citrus and spice.



 Palate  A velvety richness with sweet wood and fresh fruit flavours intertwine to create complex layers.



 Finish  Sweet and lingering, gently coating the palate with a flavourful embrace.



 Size  750ML



 ABV  46%



- Market Availability:



 Haryana  Price upon request



About Diageo India



Diageo India is among the country's leading beverage alcohol company and a subsidiary of global leader Diageo Plc. The company manufactures, sells and distributes an outstanding portfolio of premium brands such as Johnnie Walker, Black Dog, Black & White, VAT 69, Antiquity, Signature, The Singleton, Royal Challenge, McDowell's No. 1, Smirnoff, Ketel One, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan and Godawan, an artisanal single malt whisky from India. Headquartered in Bengaluru, our wide footprint is supported by a committed team of around 3000 employees, 36 manufacturing facilities across states and union territories in India, a strong distribution network and a state-of-the-art Technical Centre. Incorporated in India as United Spirits Limited (USL), the company is listed on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.



For more information about Diageo India, our people, our brands, and our performance, visit us at www.diageoindia.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, http://www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practices.



Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2386926/McDowellsIndianSingle_Malt.jpg



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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MUMBAI, India, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomorrow Capital, a $100 MN Mumbai-based operating venture capital fund, has invested in VitusCare, a leading kidney care startup based in Gurgaon. Tomorrow Capital's commitment to addressing chronic healthcare challenges in India is exemplified by its substantial lead investment in Vitus Care's $2.7 MN Series A funding round.



VitusCare, founded in 2017, has emerged as a trailblazer in the provision of quality dialysis care, particularly in regions where access to such services is limited.



India has 5MN+ patients suffering from ESRD (end-stage renal disease), however, only about 5% of these receive regular dialysis with reasons ranging from affordability, lack of awareness and critically access. Even today, most dialysis services are skewed towards the bigger cities, further compounding this problem for Bharat where patients must travel ~50km for every dialysis session (or hence unable to travel leading to accelerated mortality)



With ~30 centres currently operational across North India, VitusCare's collaborative approach with existing hospitals ensures the seamless delivery of end-to-end dialysis services, including equipment provision, skilled technicians, and patient care. In essence, a quality renal care service even in the hinterlands of India.



In addition to Tomorrow Capital's contribution, the funding round saw participation from existing investor 1Crowd, alongside support from 3i Partners and a consortium of angel investors, totalling approximately $5 Million in funding across all the funding rounds. This investment marks Tomorrow Capital's steadfast dedication to supporting visionary entrepreneurs who are driving transformative changes in healthcare delivery. The fresh capital injection will empower VitusCare to aggressively expand its operations, with a targeted focus on deeper penetration into Bharat.



Rohini Prakash, CEO of Tomorrow Capital, underscored the firm's investment thesis, stating, "Tomorrow Capital has a long-standing commitment to supporting brands that address large, real consumer problems such as chronic healthcare issues in India. As the prevalence of lifestyle-related disorders such as diabetes and hypertension continue to rise, the demand for kidney-related services is poised to increase exponentially. VitusCare's innovative approach and impressive growth trajectory align perfectly with our mission to invest in solutions that make a meaningful impact on public health.



We are thrilled to join forces with VitusCare on their journey to becoming a leading kidney care brand in India. Their commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centric care resonates deeply with Tomorrow Capital's vision for a healthier, more equitable future for all."



Prabhat Shrivastava, Co-Founder & CEO, VitusCare said, "Tomorrow Capital's investment marks a significant milestone for VitusCare as we embark on our mission to deliver high-quality, patient-centric care to underserved regions of India. This fundraise will be pivotal in accelerating our expansion efforts and scaling our operations to meet the growing demand for quality dialysis care. We are thrilled to welcome Tomorrow Capital onboard as the driving force behind this funding round. Their unwavering passion and long-term vision align seamlessly with our commitment to providing accessible healthcare solutions in essential and underserved areas. Together, we are poised to make a meaningful impact on the lives of countless individuals in need of critical medical services."



VitusCare is led by a formidable trio of co-founders: Prabhat Shrivastava, CEO & Co-Founder; Dr. Saurabh Pokhariyal, Chief Medical Director & Co-Founder apart from being a renowned nephrologist; and Pankaj Tandon, CFO & Co-Founder. The fresh capital infusion will empower VitusCare to aggressively expand its operations, with a targeted focus on deeper penetration into Bharat.



About Tomorrow Capital:



Tomorrow Capital is a $100 million operating investment fund investing in multiple sectors in the consumer space. Tomorrow Capital focuses on empowering stellar early-stage entrepreneurs with strong and differentiated models to build transformative and sustainable businesses around consumption themes of the future. With a deep understanding of business fundamentals, Tomorrow Capital aims to create iconic consumer brands out of its investee companies in India.



About VitusCare



VitusCare is a pioneering kidney care startup committed to revolutionizing dialysis services in India. Founded in 2017, VitusCare operates with a mission to provide high-quality, patient-centric Dialysis care, particularly in underserved regions. Through strategic partnerships with existing hospitals, VitusCare delivers end-to-end dialysis solutions, including equipment provision, skilled technicians, and comprehensive patient care. With a focus on affordability and accessibility, VitusCare aims to bridge the gap in access to quality dialysis services, thereby improving the lives of individuals affected by end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As a fast-growing brand in the healthcare industry, VitusCare provides our patients with world-class dialysis care.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has entered into a record 125 Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with Indian taxpayers in 2023-24.

This includes 86 Unilateral APAs (UAPAs) and 39 Bilateral APAs (BAPAs), the finance ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

This marks the highest ever APA signings in any financial year since the launch of the APA programme, it said.

The number of APAs signed in 2023-24 also represents a 31 per cent increase compared to the 95 APAs signed during the preceding financial year.

With this, the total number of APAs since inception of the APA programme has gone up to 641, comprising 506 UAPAs and 135 BAPAs, it said.

During 2023-24 CBDT also signed the maximum number of BAPAs in any financial year till date, it said, adding, the BAPAs were signed as a consequence of entering into mutual agreements with India's treaty partners namely Australia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Singapore, the UK and the US.

The APA Scheme endeavours to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and determining the arm's length price of international transactions in advance for a maximum of five future years.

Further, the taxpayer has the option to rollback the APA for four preceding years, as a result of which, tax certainty is provided for nine years.

The signing of bilateral APAs additionally provides the taxpayers with protection from any anticipated or actual double taxation.

The APA programme has contributed significantly to the government of India's mission of promoting ease of doing business, especially for multinational enterprises which have a large number of cross-border transactions within their group entities, it said.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) The CBI has filed an FIR against home appliances showroom chain Sargam Electronics and its directors in over Rs 22.13 crore alleged bank fraud in the State Bank of India, officials said Tuesday.

The company, headquartered in the Rohini area of the national capital and having over 50 multi-brand showrooms in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Jharkhand, was booked along with its Directors Deepak Kumar, Daya Nand and Dinesh Kumar Bansal on a complaint from the SBI under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

It is alleged that the accounts of the company, which had been banking with the SBI since 2013, became inactive in 2021 and later declared a non-performing asset in 2022. In September 2023, the SBI declared the account fraud.

The SBI, in its complaint, now part of the FIR, has alleged that the company and its directors shifted and sold the stock hypothecated to the SBI without informing the bank and proceeds were not deposited with the bank.

The bank has alleged that the accused directors and the company cheated the bank in a criminal conspiracy and misappropriated the funds to the tune of Rs 22.13 crore (plus accrued interest) and corresponding gains to themselves.
London, Apr 16 (PTI) The UK government on Tuesday said that it continues to work towards striking an ambitious trade deal with India as a negotiating team from Delhi resumed talks with their British counterparts in London this week.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) reiterated its stance of only signing a free trade agreement (FTA) that was in the best interests of the British people and economy. Last month, DBT officials had indicated that formal trade negotiations were being paused for the course of India's phased general election, though some talks were expected to carry on until the poll results are declared on June 4.

On Tuesday, UK officials said discussions resume in London this week to "continue talks under Round 14" of the negotiations, which opened in January.

The UK and India continue to work towards an ambitious trade deal that work for both countries, a DBT spokesperson said.

While we do not comment on the details of negotiations, we are clear that we will only sign a deal that is fair, balanced, and ultimately in the best interests of the British people and the economy, the spokesperson said.

It came as reports from New Delhi suggested a resumption of talks as the Indian team arrived in London to review the very few pending issues remaining in the path towards an agreement.

Senior Indian officials familiar with the discussions have indicated working towards a window for an FTA to be signed off after the Indian elections and before Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirms the date for the UK general election, expected in the second half of the year.

The India-UK FTA negotiations, which opened in January 2022, are aimed at significantly enhancing bilateral trade  currently worth around GBP 38.1 billion a year as per official statistics from earlier this year.

Last month, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch said the bigger the country, the more complex the trade agreement".

"And also, the more different the economy is, the harder it is to negotiate...India is still very protectionist, where we are very, very liberalised, she said.

The UK wants India to significantly reduce tariffs on UK exports and India in turn is concerned about the fairness of rules applied to Indian professionals.
Washington, Apr 16 (AP) Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Tuesday of potential global economic damage from rising tensions in the Middle East and pledged that the US and its allies won't hesitate to use their sanctions powers to address Iran's "malign and destabilizing activity in the region.

She made her remarks ahead of this week's spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, saying Iran's weekend missile attack on Israel underscores the importance of Treasury's work to use our economic tools to counter Iran's malign activity.

She added: From this weekend's attack to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Iran's actions threaten the region's stability and could cause economic spillovers.

Iran's missile attack on Israel early Sunday came in response to what it says was an Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Syria earlier this month. Israel's military chief said Monday that his country will respond to the attack, while world leaders caution against retaliation, trying to avoid a spiral of violence.

As the IMF and its fellow lending agency, the World Bank, hold their spring meetings this week, high on the agenda are the fast-rising tensions between Iran and Israel and what escalation could spell for the global economy.

Israel and Iran have been on a collision course throughout Israel's six-month war against Hamas militants in Gaza. The war erupted after two militant groups backed by Iran led an attack on October 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. An Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,000 people, according to local health officials.

We've targeted over 500 individuals and entities connected to terrorism and terrorist financing by the Iranian regime and its proxies since the start of the Administration," Yellen said, citing sanctions against Iran's drone and missile programs, militant groups Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah, and other Iraqi militia groups.

Treasury will not hesitate to work with our allies to use our sanctions authority to continue disrupting the Iranian regime's malign and destabilizing activity, she said. I fully expect we will take additional sanctions actions against Iran in the coming days."

The annual gathering will take place as other ongoing conflicts, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, threaten global financial stability.

Yellen in February offered her strongest public support yet for the idea of liquidating roughly USD 300 billion in frozen Russian Central Bank assets and using them for Ukraine's long-term reconstruction.

She said Tuesday that the US is continuing to work with our international partners to unlock the economic value of immobilized Russian sovereign assets and ensure that Russia pays for the damage it has caused.

Yellen added that she will meet with Group of Seven finance leaders Wednesday to continue discussions on the topic and will look at a series of possibilities, ranging from actually seizing the assets to using them as collateral.

Another major issue for this year's meetings on the US side, Yellen said, will be ongoing conversations about Chinese industrial policy that poses a threat to US jobs and the global economy. She traveled to Guangzhou and Beijing earlier this month, to hold difficult conversations with counterparts over what she describes as China's overcapacity in its wave of low-priced Chinese green tech exports that could overwhelm factories in the US and make it impossible to compete.

Yellen said she plans to meet later this week with her Chinese counterparts for a fourth meeting of the US-China Economic and Financial Working Groups, "to share information, identify potential areas of cooperation, and, when we disagree, frankly communicate concerns.

US Treasury and China's Ministry of Finance launched the economic working groups in an effort to ease tensions and deepen ties between the nations. (AP) NPK

NPK
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred the hearing to July 30 on the legal question of whether a person holding a driving licence for a light motor vehicle is also entitled to drive a transport vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding 7,500 kg.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud adjourned the matter after Attorney General R Venkataramani submitted a note indicating that the consultations carried out by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have culminated in proposals for amending the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 that will be put before the newly constituted Parliament following the general elections.

"By its communication dated April 15, 2024, the Ministry has placed on the record the details of the proposed amendment to the statute.

"In view of the impending General Elections, the Attorney General for India requests that these proceedings may be deferred until the last week of July 2024 so as to enable the Union government to bring forth a proposal for the amendment of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 before the newly constituted Parliament following the General Elections," the bench said.

The impact, if any, of the amendment which is proposed on the reference will be decided in the course of the hearing, the bench, also comprising justices Hrishikesh Roy, P S Narasimha, Pankaj Mithal and Manoj Misra, said.

"In view of the above position, we stand over the hearing of the reference to the Constitution Bench to 30 July 2024," the bench said.

The apex court had earlier asked the Union government if a change in law is warranted on the legal question of whether a person holding a driving licence for a light motor vehicle is entitled to legally drive a transport vehicle of a particular weight.

It had earlier sought the assistance of the attorney general in dealing with the legal question.

The constitution bench had said that knowing the position of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will be necessary after it was argued that the apex courts 2017 verdict in the case of Mukund Dewangan versus Oriental Insurance Company Limited was accepted by the Centre and rules were amended to align them with the judgement.

In the Mukund Dewangan case, a three-judge bench of the top court had held that transport vehicles, the gross weight of which does not exceed 7,500 kg, are not excluded from the definition of LMV.

"There may be lakhs of drivers across the country who are working on the basis of Dewangan judgment. This is not a constitutional issue. It is purely a statutory issue, the bench had said.

"This is just not the question of law but also the social impact of the law Road safety has to be balanced with the social purpose of the law and you have to see if this causes serious hardships. We cannot decide issues of social policy in a constitution bench," it had said.

On July 18 last year, the constitution bench commenced hearing as many as 76 petitions to deal with the legal question.

It had then heard the arguments of senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for one of the petitioners, on alleged anomalies in the Motor Vehicle Act about regimes for dealing with the grant of driving licenses for different categories of vehicles.

The lead petition was filed by M/s Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co Ltd.

The Motor Vehicle Act provides for different regimes for the granting of driving licences for different categories of vehicles. The matter was referred to the larger bench on March 8, 2022, by a three-judge bench headed by Justice U U Lalit, since retired.

It was said that certain provisions of the law were not noticed by the apex court in the Mukund Dewangan judgement and the controversy in question needs to be revisited.
Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 16 (PTI) Kerala IT firms are changing how they hire people as they believe conventional methods are no longer suitable for finding candidates who can thrive in today's digital era with the advent of Artificial Intelligence.



Instead of the traditional recruitment process, they are using longer tests to see if candidates can actually do the job and keep up with new technology.

This helps find people who can put their knowledge into action in today's fast-changing tech world, according to a release here on Tuesday.

Under the traditional system, candidates are selected through shortlisting based on marks in engineering, written tests, and interviews.

Launchpad Kerala 2024, a month-long talent acquisition programme organised by the Kerala Section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Group of Technology Companies (GTech) across the state, piloted the new hiring process, the GTech release said.

In the pilot edition, over 10,000 engineering students will undergo a series of tasks designed to test and enhance their problem-solving capabilities, technical skills and adaptability to secure jobs offered by more than 100 IT companies, including multinational firms operating in the state, it said.

The organisers exuded confidence that companies across the country would replicate this model.

A job fair will follow on May 6, 8 and 10 at IT Parks in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode, respectively, under the new recruitment model.

Inaugurating the initiative, Dr Saji Gopinath, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation, and Technology (Digital University Kerala), and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, said Launchpad is a great learning experience and a new recruitment model in which graduates are being taken at an accelerated pace.

It helps youngsters get involved in problem-solving tasks, and it would be great if this model could be extended beyond IT to benefit other sectors.

"As per the pioneering model, a real-world problem-solving challenge will precede the interviews for jobs in software companies in the state," said V Sreekumar, secretary, GTech and Kerala head, Tata Elxsi.

Deepu S Nath, Convenor of GTech ATFG and MD of Faya India, said Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents like Devin and Devika and AI software engineers are redefining roles and responsibilities.

"It has led to a significant displacement of jobs, putting immense pressure on companies as they struggle to hire talent with relevant skills," he said.

Nath said it is time to prepare students to be agile learners who can easily navigate through uncertainties as conventional methods are no longer suitable for finding candidates who can thrive in today's digital era.

Rony Alex Thomas, Chair of Industry Relations, IEEE Kerala Section and Design Verification Engineer at Intel, said the new assessment approach will revolutionise the hiring practices in the IT industry by hiring candidates with perseverance and grit, offering a tangible solution to one of the most significant challenges being faced by the IT sector today.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. A new chairman of the board of Azerbaijan's State Advertising Agency has been appointed, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on appointing Farhad Adigozalov as chairman of the board of the State Advertising Agency of Azerbaijan.

The State Agency for Advertisement of the Republic of Azerbaijan was founded by Presidential Decree dated June 20, 2017. The agency is in charge of issuing approvals for placement, installation of advertisement (signage), and advertisement structures.
Mumbai, Apr 16 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday visited actor Salman Khan's residence in Bandra and assured him of protection after two persons were arrested in connection with firing at his house.



Talking to reporters, Shinde said stringent action will be taken against those involved in the firing.



Shinde also said he has instructed the Mumbai Police commissioner to beef up security cover for Khan and his family members.

Two persons - Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) - who were on the run after firing outside Khan's house on Sunday, were nabbed late Monday night from a temple premises in Gujarat's Kutch district.
Mumbai, Apr 16 (PTI) Two men arrested in connection with firing at Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai had conducted a recce around the actor's house at least three times before executing the plan on April 14, a senior crime branch officer said on Tuesday.

The duo Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), originally from Chamaparan in Bihar, were apprehended late Monday night from Mata No Madh village in Gujarat's Kutch district.

A senior Gujarat Police officer has said that Gupta and Pal were hired by the gang of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to open fire at Khan's house.

However, when asked about the role of Lawrence Bishnoi, the Mumbai Police officer said they are verifying.

At around 5 am on Sunday, two motorcycle-borne men opened fire outside 58-year-old Khan's house in Bandra.

Out of five rounds fired at Galaxy Apartment, where Khan lives, one hit the wall and another hit the gallery of his residence, according to police.

Preliminary probe suggested that Pal, who was riding pillion on the motorcycle, opened fire, while Gupta remained in touch with gang members while riding the bike.

"A preliminary probe suggested that both Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta were hired by the gang of Lawrence Bishnoi to open fire at Khan's house," Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kutch West, Mahendra Bagadiya, said earlier in the day.

After they were arrested by the Mumbai Police's crime branch team, the accused duo was flown to the Maharashtra capital by a flight on Tuesday morning, said Lakhmi Gautam, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Mumbai.



"Their medical check-up was conducted and they were produced before a court which remanded them in police custody till April 25," he said.



Considering the seriousness of the crime, section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC was added to the FIR, which was registered on charges of attempt to murder and Arms Act after the probe was transferred to the crime branch from Bandra Police, he said.



The crime branch had formed 12 teams to probe the case, he said.



Speaking about how the breakthrough was achieved, Lakhmi Gautam said, "With the help of human and technical intelligence, the crime branch team received information that the accused persons were in Gujarat, following which two teams were sent to nab them.



He said there was a possibility that the accused persons were carrying weapons.

"As the terrain of Bhuj was unknown to our officials, the Bhuj Superintendent of Police was informed about the accused persons," he said.



A team from the Bhuj crime branch joined Mumbai Police officials around 60 km away from Bhuj.

"After travelling around 40 kilometres farther, the two accused were nabbed by the team. They were brought to Mumbai this morning," the Joint Commissioner of Police said.

He said the preliminary investigation suggested that the accused persons carried out recce around Khan's house at least three times before the firing.

Notably, a Facebook post claiming the responsibility for firing surfaced hours after the incident. The post was allegedly uploaded by Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, according to the police.

"Anmol Bishnoi's role is primarily visible in the crime and we are investigating," the officer said.

Prima facie, it was Anmol Bishnoi who posted on a Facebook account, he said.

"He used threatening language and he is basically commenting on the (firing) incident; Anmol's role is prima facie visible", Lakhmi Gautam said.

The FB account holder is named as a wanted person in the case, he added.

Queried on the involvement of other persons in the incident, he said police would investigate all the possible angles.

When asked about the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, he said, "Mumbai Police are in touch with all states and investigating agencies where cases are registered against the particular gang".

The investigation so far suggested that Gupta was riding the motorcycle at the time of the incident, while Pal, who was riding a pillion, allegedly fired five rounds at the actor's house, a police official said.



He said a Mumbai crime branch team travelled to Champaran and questioned family members of Gupta and Pal.
Mumbai, Apr 16 (PTI) The original Aadhaar cards submitted by two suspects, wanted in connection with the firing at actor Salman Khan's Bandra residence, for a rent agreement and bike purchase documents helped police to establish their identities, an official said on Tuesday.

After identifying the duo, police used human and technical intelligence to track them.

Joint teams of the Kutch-West and Mumbai Police nabbed Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) late Monday night from Mata No Madh village in Gujarat, less than 48 hours after one of them had opened fire at Khan's house.

"A preliminary probe suggested that both Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta were hired by the gang of Lawrence Bishnoi to open fire at Khan's house," Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kutch West, Mahendra Bagadiya, said earlier in the day.

A Mumbai Police official said the duo, originally from Champaran in Bihar, travelled to Mumbai Central station on February 28.

They rented a house near Panvel city in Raigad, around 13 km away from Salman Khan's farmhouse, he said. However, it is not known whether they had conducted a recce of the farmhouse.



He also said the duo used their original Aadhaar cards for a rent agreement.



"The agreement was made with the house owner wherein the one-time deposit is fixed at Rs 10,000 and monthly rent at Rs 3,500," he said.

After staying for a few days in Panvel, the duo travelled to Champaran on March 18 for Holi celebrations. They returned on April 1, he said.

On April 2, Vicky Gupta purchased a second-hand motorcycle from a two-wheeler agent in Navi Mumbai for Rs 24,000, he said.

After a few days, a pistol to be used for firing was delivered to them in Mumbai by their operator, the official said.



Police had recovered a live round from the spot after the firing incident in the early hours of April 14.



"Considering the make of the round, police suspect a good quality weapon was used," he said.

Preliminary probe suggested that Pal, who was riding pillion on the motorcycle, opened fire, while Gupta remained in touch with gang members while riding the bike.

After opening fire, the duo abandoned the bike near Mount Mary Church in Bandra, went to the local railway station and boarded a Borivali-bound local train, the official said.

"They alighted at Santacruz railway station and from Vakola area, they hired a car to go to Surat. From Surat, they travelled to Bhuj in a state transport bus," he said.

They dumped the firearm used in the crime in a river while heading to Surat.

"Police are trying to establish the identity of the person who provided the duo logistical support and money for their stay in Panvel and also for purchasing the bike and other expenses," the official said.

Speaking about how the breakthrough was achieved, Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Lakhmi Gautam said, "With the help of human and technical intelligence, the crime branch team received information that the accused persons were in Gujarat, following which two teams were sent to nab them".

He said there was a possibility that the accused persons were carrying weapons.

"As the terrain of Bhuj was unknown to our officials, the Bhuj Superintendent of Police was informed about the accused persons," he said.

A team from the Bhuj crime branch joined Mumbai Police officials around 60 km away from Bhuj.

"After travelling around 40 kilometres farther, the two accused were nabbed by the team. They were brought to Mumbai this morning," said Lakhmi Gautam.

Another official said the police first traced the original owner of the motorcycle to Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai.

The official said the owner directed them to the agent, who showed the documents submitted for the purchase of the bike.

Based on these documents, which included a rent agreement, police contacted the house owner. The Aadhaar cards revealed the identity of the duo, he added.

Meanwhile, Lakhmi Gautam said there is good coordination among sister agencies as Mumbai Police and their Gujarat counterpart separately claimed credit for the arrest.
Islamabad, Apr 16 (PTI) Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid has been exonerated by the inquiry commission established to investigate the 2017 sit-in by a hardline religious group here and Rawalpindi, a media report said on Tuesday.

The commission was formed on the directives of the Supreme Court to unravel the facts behind the 2017 sit-in at Faizabad by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi.

The 20-day sit-in by the group caused massive inconvenience to the public as it paralysed life in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The commission in its finding, said that Gen Hamid had to sign the accord as an arbitrator as he had permission of the then Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI DG Naveed Mukhtar.

Meanwhile, former Punjab Rangers director general Major General (retd) Azhar Naveed Hayat has also received a clean chit in the matter that has been under probe by the commission, Geo News reported.

Both the former military officers were accused of distributing money among participants of the sit-in protest in the federal capital. At the time of the protest, Hamid was heading ISI's counterintelligence wing and held the rank of a major general.

The commission was led by Dr Akhtar Ali Shah, a former officer of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal had also agreed to the signing of the accord by Hamid on November 25, 2017, following which the demonstrators dispersed.

The probe body was tasked with identifying the perpetrators who facilitated the sit-in. However, it simply suggested taking legal action against the individuals in light of the federal government and Punjab's findings.

Additionally, statements from Abbasi, Shehbaz Sharif, Iqbal, current Intelligence Bureau head Fawad Asadullah, former ISI chief Hamid, ex-Intelligence Bureau chief Aftab Sultan, ex-Punjab IG Arif Nawaz and former Punjab Rangers DG Maj Gen (retd) Azhar Naveed and others are attached to the report.

Without mentioning the name of then-Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz, the commission said his government was responsible for the sit-in in Islamabad.

"There is no connection of any government official with the protest as we could not find evidence establishing involvement of a state institution or secret agency in facilitating it," the commission stated.

During the sit-in, army officers, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and ministers received threats on social media, but the government committed negligence in taking action against the social media propaganda.

The commission said that the then Punjab government desisted from taking action against the protesters to save its vote bank and the action was not praiseworthy as it was an escape from the responsibilities and misconduct. It recommended action against the responsible persons, The News International reported.

The commission said that there should be no agreement with the terrorists, and there should be some permanent solution to the problem.

The commission has rejected accord with the TLP at that time, suggesting that such agreements are a temporary solution, not a permanent one. It said that there is no code of conduct for the intelligence agencies, so there is a need for legislation regarding their rules and SOPs. The commission recommended the implementation of the National Action Plan.
Dhaka, Apr 16 (PTI) At least 14 people, including five members of a family, were killed on Tuesday when a bus and a pick-up truck collided head-on in Bangladesh's Dhaka-Khulna highway, police said.

The accident occurred in Faridpur when a bus bound for Magura city in the Khulna Division collided with a Dhaka-bound pick-up truck, leaving 11 people dead on the spot, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper quoted police as saying.

Police said that two persons died while being taken to hospital and another died undergoing treatment.

Those killed were the passengers, driver and helper of the pick-up truck, which was also carrying 15 passengers, including the driver's helper.

The Daily Star news portal, which reported the death toll as 13, said that those killed included seven women, three men, and three children.

Among those killed were five members of the same family, the bdnews24 news portal reported.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Md Kamrul Ahsan Talukder and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Morshed Alam visited the accident site.

The government gave an immediate grant of Tk 20,000 for the burial of those killed, and a grant of the same amount for those who are under treatment, Talukder was quoted as saying in the report.

Additional grants of Tk 5 lakh will be given to the family of the deceased and Tk 3 lakh to the injured family, he said.
*India took steps to modernise its military and reduce dependence on Russian arms: US intel official.



India is worlds largest democracy and an important strategic partner: US



US continues to offer welcoming environment to Indian students: Indian-American academician.



Substantial increase in attack on Hindus in US: Indian-American Congressman



Decorated ex-Indian Army officer, UN diplomat Siddharth Chatterjee makes waves in China with his fitness regime



Stories related to political developments in Pakistan.



Stories on Israel-Gaza war.



Stories on Russia-Ukraine war. *
Singapore, Apr 16 (PTI) Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will stay in the Cabinet as Senior Minister after stepping down as the leader of the government on May 15, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who will succeed him, said on Tuesday.

There won't be many changes to the rest of the lineup for now, Wong, who would be the fourth prime minister of the economically prosperous city-state of Singapore, said.

Earlier on Monday, it was announced that Lee will step down on May 15 after nearly 20 years of heading the government as part of the long-planned leadership transition.

Details of the cabinet reshuffle would be announced a few days before the swearing-in ceremony on May 15, Wong told reporters a day after the leadership handover date was announced.

Our system works on the basis of continuity and progressive change. It has never been the case that when there is a leadership transition, all the older ministers step down at the same time, the 51-year-old Prime Minister-to-be said.

Instead, they continue to contribute in different ways, while making room for the younger ones. So, I will adopt the same approach when I take over, Wong was quoted as saying by Channel News Asia.

Wong, who is also Finance Minister, said he is glad Lee has agreed to stay in the Cabinet as Senior Minister. Former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong also served as Senior Ministers after stepping down.

Bigger changes to the Cabinet will likely happen only after the General Election, which must be held by November 2025, said Wong.

I'm already in the midst of looking for new candidates, especially those with potential to hold political office. So, depending on the outcome of the General Election, there will be an opportunity then to renew and strengthen the team with new members," he said.

Lee, 72, was sworn in on August 12, 2004, as Singapore's third Prime Minister. The transition comes 12 years after Lee pronounced in 2012 that he did not want to be Prime Minister beyond the age of 70, Channel News Asia said on Monday.
Islamabad, Apr 16 (PTI) Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday agreed to expedite their bilateral investment negotiations with the foreign minister of the Gulf kingdom pledging support for the cash-strapped country's efforts to attract foreign investors to rebuild its fractured economy.

Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Pakistan with a high-level Saudi delegation on Monday and addressed a joint press conference along with Pakistan counterpart Ishaq Dar after high-level talks focused on Saudi investment in the country.

To a question, he refused to give the exact volume of the investment or sectors being considered for business but was all praise for the governments Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a joint civil-military body created last year to attract investment in the country.

I would not go into details but am very much impressed by this new approach by the government. It has given us significant confidence and help to decide about investment, he said, referring to the briefings at the SIFC. We are very much enthusiastic. Pakistan's new approach gave us a lot of confidence.

The Saudi foreign minister's visit was a follow-up on the understanding reached between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman during their recent meeting in Makkah to enhance bilateral economic cooperation.

The two sides had agreed in the meeting to expedite work on investment of an initial USD 5 billion by the Kingdom in Pakistan. Overall, Saudi Arabia has committed to investing USD 25 billion in Pakistan over the next five years, focusing on energy, IT, minerals, defence, and agriculture sectors

The Saudi foreign minister said he had a productive series of meetings with Pakistani officials during which he had stressed the importance and strategic depth of bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as the Saudi commitment to deepening that relationship.

We are extremely impressed by the very proactive attitude that we saw in our meetings, especially with the [Special] Investment [Facilitation] Council and a very strong business-focused approach on addressing challenges and opportunities and highlighting the work we can do together, he said.

I feel very confident that the results of this visit and the results of the work being done between the two respective teams with this attitude, with this approach of focus on results [and] overcoming hurdles will deliver significant benefits for both of our countries [and] will significantly accelerate the process of achieving those investments that were looking at together. I can say that there is a significant opportunity to increase the level of investment that is already on the table, he said.

Foreign Minister Dar said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to expedite investment as part of broader strategic and economic cooperation. Using the SIFC platform, Pakistan is committed to improving the investment environment to flourish investment and increase investment inflows into the country, he said.

Dar said the Saudi delegation was briefed about the investment opportunities, asserting that Pakistan was committed to providing all support. We look forward to government-to-government and business-to-business interactions, he said.

Dar also said that Pakistan had mines and minerals of over 10 trillion dollars worth and the countrys debt was just a peanut as compared to its potential.

The two sides also demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the lifting of all burbs on the delivery of aid to the besieged people of Gaza. They also lambasted the international community to stop the massacre of the people in Gaza where more than 33,000 have been killed so far.

To a question about the deteriorating regional security situation due to tension between Iran and Israel, he said that de-escalation should be a priority.

Earlier, the Saudi Foreign Minister met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who urged closer cooperation to expedite the first phase of Saudi investments in Pakistan under the new arrangement, according to an official handout by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO).

The prime minister underscored the significance accorded by Pakistan to its longstanding fraternal, economic and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia. He said both countries had always stood together at all times, the statement said.

Shehbaz also informed the Saudi delegation about the SIFC and its initiatives to promote investment in Pakistan. He also highlighted the key role of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and the cooperation of all institutions for the promotion of investment in the country through SIFC, the statement said.

The Saudi foreign minister said Riyadh attached high importance to its strong and close ties with Pakistan.

The foreign minister also conveyed the kingdoms commitment to an enhanced strategic and economic partnership with Pakistan, it said.

Separately, the Saudi delegation also met with President Asif Ali Zardari, where the two sides resolved to build a strong partnership and further promote economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries, the President's Office said in a statement posted on X.

Zardari acknowledged that the two countries enjoyed a long-standing relationship, with Pakistan looking to transform existing ties into a long-term strategic and economic partnership.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed regional dynamics and recent developments in the Middle East and called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and end to the atrocities in Gaza.
Islamabad, Apr 16 (PTI) Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir on Tuesday vowed to permanently eliminate the menace posed by militancy, amidst a spike in terrorist attacks in the country's restive regions bordering Afghanistan.

Gen Munir presided over the 264th Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) held at GHQ Rawalpindi, where he also addressed the military top brass, according to a statement by the armys media wing.

General Munir appreciated the untiring efforts of the Pakistan Army and the other law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) in successfully thwarting several terrorist attacks and neutralising key terrorist commanders during ongoing counterterrorism operations.

Armed Forces and LEAs of Pakistan, fully backed by the resilient nation, remain determined to permanently eliminate this menace from Pakistan, he said.

The army chief also directed commanders to proactively deny any space to the terrorists.

The meeting condemned the heartless terrorist attack against Chinese nationals in Besham last month and the killings of innocent civilians in Balochistan in various terrorist attacks.

The meeting was also briefed on how terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan pose a threat to regional and global security, besides acting as proxies against Pakistan and its economic interests, especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The forum expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemned serious human rights violations, war crimes and genocide being perpetrated in Gaza.

The military leadership also expressed concern over the escalating tensions in West Asia and noted that a wider regional conflict could ensue if both sides did not de-escalate immediately.

The forum noted with concern the malicious propaganda campaign meant to demoralise the Armed Forces and said these were efforts to drive a wedge between the people and the Armed Forces of Pakistan.

We will not allow such efforts to succeed and as per the law and constitution, stern action will be ensured, it said.

The military resolved to provide full support to the government towards achieving sustainable socioeconomic growth in the country including wholehearted assistance in countering the illegal spectrum, particularly smuggling, hoarding, electricity theft and safe repatriation of all illegal foreigners.
Washington, Apr 16 (PTI) US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday spoke with his Chinese counterpart for the first time since November 2022, during which they discussed bilateral ties and underlined the importance of maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication, amidst Beijing's aggressive manoeuvres in the Indo-Pacific.

The video conference was the maiden communication between Austin and Admiral Dong Jun, China's Defence Minister, who assumed charge in December last year.

It is also the first time the Defence Secretary has spoken at length with his Chinese counterpart since November 2022, when he met with the then-PRC (People's Republic of China) Minister of National Defence, General Wei Fenghe, at the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus in Cambodia.

Austin emphasised the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and the PRC, following the 17th US-PRC Defence Policy Coordination Talks (DPCTs) in January 2024 and a round of working-level Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) talks in early April 2024, Pentagon Press Secretary Pa Ryder said after the call between the two top officials.

The Defence Secretary reaffirmed the announcement by President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November 2023 that both sides will resume telephone conversations between theatre commanders.

He also reiterated that the US will continue to fly, sail, and operate - safely and responsibly - wherever international law allows, Ryder said.

During the call, Austin underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea. The Chinese military has been behaving assertively in the Indo-Pacific region, causing concerns in many global capitals.

He also discussed Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine and expressed concerns about recent provocations from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)," Ryder said.

"The Secretary also reiterated that the United States remains committed to our longstanding one-China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three US-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances, and he reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Strait, he added.

The call follows Bidens November 15 meeting with Chinese President Xi, as well as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown Jr.s call via video teleconference with his Peoples Liberation Army counterpart on December 21, 2023.

Biden and Xi welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication and responsibly manage the relationship through high-level diplomacy and working-level consultations in the weeks and months ahead, a White House statement said after the two leaders' meeting.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The Chairman of the Board of the State Advertising Agency of Azerbaijan has been dismissed of his post, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a corresponding decree.

According to the decree, Aydin Ibadov was relieved of his post as Chairman of the Board of the State Advertising Agency of Azerbaijan.
Mumbai, Apr 16 (PTI) Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday alleged that the opposition parties were spreading false news about the Bharatiya Janata Party's plans to change the Constitution if it comes to power for the third time.

Speaking to reporters, the Union minister of state for social justice said the days are gone when the Congress spread rumours and won votes.

"The opposition parties are spreading false news that the BJP will change the Constitution if it gets re-elected. The days are gone when the Congress won votes by spreading rumours," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always respected the Constitution and even started observing November 26 as Constitution Day, he said.

The minister said the construction work of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's memorial at Indu Mill in Mumbai is expected to be completed in the next one and a half years.

Claiming that the Republican Party of India (Athawale) was the first one to demand reservation for the Maratha community, he said, "I feel that a new group of backward communities should be formed, and Marathas should get reservation benefits through it."

Athawale also expressed disappointment with the NDA for not giving his party any tickets.

"The RPI has been with the NDA for a long time, and we stayed with them loyally. But the Ajit Pawar-led NCP became an ally much later and still managed to get tickets," the minister said.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) The health ministry on Tuesday said the government has no ulterior motive behind linking the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiary IDs to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) numbers.

"ABHA isn't some sneaky way for the government to track money. In fact, it is not linked to any monetary or fiscal scheme of the government. It is being rolled out across government health programs, such as Reproductive and Child Health (RCH), Non- Communicable Disease (NCD), Nikshay, U-win (Universal-immunisation), E-Sanjeevani (teleconsultation), PMJAY, Poshan (Anganwadi), etc," the ministry said in a statement.

It added that a lot of misinformation is being spread around its recent move to link CGHS records to ABHA numbers and clarified that ABHA is a unique health ID based on Aadhaar.

The need for ABHA arose because Aadhaar details cannot be saved on systems without implementing Aadhaar vault and other security systems, the ministry said adding that ABHA is a proxy of Aadhaar in the sphere of health.

"The government doesn't have any ulterior motive to hide nor does it need to. ABHA will eventually apply to all Indian citizens at every health facility," it clarified.

The health ministry said this initiative will allow the CGHS beneficiaries to access their health records on their mobile phones, thus saving money spent on repeating tests.

According to the statement, any place where a health record is getting created, ABHA is being implemented.

One can find this in the Char Dham Yatra screening, Maha-Kumbh screening, medical examination for UPSC and other central services, medical examination for driving licence, etc., it said.

The ministry has also extended the deadline for linking of the ABHA number with the CGHS ID for 120 days or four months with effect from June 30, 2024.

It said in an office memorandum that kiosks would be made operational at all wellness centres by June 30 to assist the CGHS beneficiaries.

The creation of the ABHA number has also been extended for a time period of 90 days with effect from June 30, the memorandum said.
Gurugram, Apr 16 (PTI) Gurugram Police has busted an alleged prostitution racket being run from five spa centres in the city's Manesar area, officials said on Tuesday.

The police rescued 17 women working at these spas while arresting the manager of one of the centres, they said.

The owners of the five spa centres have also been booked, they added.

According to the police, the rescued women were allegedly engaged in prostitution in the spa centres for several months and hail from Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal.

Based on a tip-off, five police teams led by ACP (Headquarters) Sushila were formed to bust the racket, the officials said.

Five cops were sent as decoy customers to these spas to gather information and the police on Monday raided four spa centres in Amrapali Corporate Hub, Sector 2 and another at Sector 1 market, all in Manesar, they said.

"These spa centres were running for the last six months. Prostitution business was carried out here in the name of spa," said Virendra Khatri, SHO of Manesar police station.

"The raids were conducted after complaints were received for several days. During the raid, 17 women were rescued from the five spa centres and a manager was arrested. We are trying to nab the owners of these spa centres," Khatri said.

The arrested manager is Lalit Kumar, a native of Hapur in Uttar Pradesh, from Magic Touch spa centre in Sector 1, Manesar, the officials said.

An FIR was registered on Monday against the owners of all the spa centres at the Manesar police station under Sections 3, 4, and 7 of the Immoral Trafficking Act, they added.
Noida, Apr 16 (PTI) Police here on Tuesday said they have initiated steps against three absconding members of a Delhi-based family on a court order, directing them to depose in connection with its probe into a multi-crore GST scam or face action.

If an absconding proclaimed offender fails to depose in court after CrPC section 82 is invoked, his properties are attached and subsequently sold off with the earnings getting remitted to government treasury.

Giving details of the case, a senior police officer said Sanjay Dhingra, his wife Kanika and their son Mayank, who own businesses and properties worth hundreds of crores, are accused of fraudulently claiming around Rs 60 crore in input tax credit from the government.

It is part of the "GST scam" which came to light in June 2023 and pertains to revenue loss to the exchequer through input tax credit being claimed by thousands of bogus companies floated using forged documents.

Police investigations have shown involvement of bogus firms and transactions of around Rs 10,000 crore from them, and so far over two dozen people have been arrested in the case, according to officials involved in the probe.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shakti Mohan Avasthy on Tuesday said the three members of the family "are accused in the GST scam and the local court had issued orders for action against them under CrPC section 82 (declaration as absconders) on which the Sector 20 police station officials have initiated action."

"They are masterminds of the case who are absconding and recently a non-bailable warrant was also issued against them. In future, action will be taken against them under CrPC section 83 (attachment of property) also," he said.

The family has duped the government of around Rs 60 crore by fraudulently claiming input tax credit on behalf of bogus companies. Based out of the Punjabi Bagh area of Delhi, the family owns businesses with their assets running into hundreds of crores, the officer told PTI.

The police said an FIR in connection with the case was lodged at the Sector 20 police station of Noida under Indian Penal Code sections 420 (cheating), 467, 468, 471 (all related to forgery) and 120B (party to criminal conspiracy).

In February, the Noida police attached assets of approximately worth around Rs 12 crore of gang members involved in the GST scam and it includes their immovable properties at multiple locations in Delhi.

The case had come to light in 2023 after thugs had applied for registration of bogus companies by fraudulently using PAN details of a journalist and got two firms registered -- one in Punjab and the other in Maharashtra -- while the request for a third in Delhi was rejected by the GST authorities.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) A total of 250 candidates in the fray for the second phase of the Lok Sabha election have criminal cases against them, with three facing murder charges, according to an analysis of self-sworn affidavits of the contestants by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the National Election Watch.

The analysis was carried out on 1,192 of the 1,198 candidates contesting in the second phase of the election.

Of these 1,192 candidates, 21 per cent or 250 candidates are named in criminal cases, with 14 per cent or 167 candidates facing serious criminal charges, according to the analysis.

Three candidates have murder cases lodged against them, while 24 are implicated in attempt to murder cases, it showed.

Twenty-five candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women and one of them faces rape charges under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Twenty-one candidates are linked to cases of hate speech, the analysis showed.

It also showed that 52 per cent of the 87 seats scheduled to go to polls in the second of the seven-phase elections are 'red alert' constituencies.

'Red alert' constituencies are those where three or more candidates have declared criminal cases in their affidavits.

The analysis showed that among major parties, there are criminal cases against 31 out of the 69 candidates from the BJP, 35 out of the 68 candidates from the Congress, all five candidates from the CPI, all four candidates from the SP, two out of three candidates from the Shiv Sena, two out of four candidates from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and two out of five candidates from the JD(U).

In tandem with the revelations on criminal backgrounds, the ADR said the analysis also highlights wealth disparities among candidates.

According to the affidavits, it said, around 33 per cent of candidates in the second phase of the polls are "crorepatis". The average assets per candidate stands at Rs 5.17 crores, with notable discrepancies observed across party lines, the ADR found.

"Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 68 INC candidates is Rs 39.70 crores, 69 BJP candidates is Rs 24.68 crores, four SP candidates have average assets of Rs 17.34 crores, four Shivsena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) candidates have average assets worth Rs 12.81 crores, three Shiv Sena candidates have average assets worth Rs 7.54 crores," the analysis said.

"Four AITC candidates have average assets worth Rs 4.16 crores, five JD(U) candidates have average assets worth Rs 3.31 crores, 18 CPI(M) candidates have average assets worth Rs 2.29 crores and five CPI candidates have average assets of Rs 78.44 lakhs," it added.

While six candidates have declared zero assets, 47 have not declared their PAN details.

The Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases beginning on April 19 and the counting of votes will take place on June 4 for the world's biggest election exercise in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will bid for a third consecutive term.

Voting in the other phases will be held on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) The Election Commission on Tuesday told the Andhra Pradesh chief secretary that provisions of the model code of conduct apply to private advisors of the state government as they hold the rank of cabinet ministers, sources said.

The poll panel's directions came following "various complaints" on the conduct of the advisors.

It was found that instead of doing their specified work, they were indulging in political campaigns and even organising press conferences criticising the opposition parties.

It was brought to the notice of the Commission that all the 40 advisors of the Andhra Pradesh government were appointed through executive orders and hold the rank of cabinet minister.

Almost all of them are drawing pay and allowances from the consolidated fund of the state government, the sources said.

The poll panel categorically warned the chief secretary that any violation of its directions would be viewed seriously and subject to the commission's stern action under the provision of the model code and relevant laws.
Pauri (Uttarakhand), Apr 16 (PTI) Local issues like unemployment, health infrastructure, paper leak, land reform, etc. have taken centrestage for voters in Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency of Uttarakhand which will see polling on April 19.

Shortage of teachers and doctors and rapid migration are some of the other local issues, while the recruitment under Agnipath scheme and the women's safety after the Ankita Bhandari murder case are also expected to matter.

Former state Congress president Ganesh Godiyal is locked in a direct contest against BJP's national media chief Anil Baluni.

"The major concern of the region is that youths have migrated to bigger cities due to lack of employment opportunities. They have adopted the lifestyle of those areas and reverse migration seems to be an impossible task here," Prateet Dhasmana, a resident of Pauri Garhwal, said.

Many villagers are complaining about the lack of infrastructure in the remote areas of the state, especially in those places that have no tourist or religious significance.

Rohit Pawar, another resident of Pauri, said, "The district is highly affected by migration. It does not get any benefit from religious tourism. People in the area are demanding employment and raising this issue with every candidate who is coming here for campaigning. The Ankita Bhandari case has also raised questions over women safety."

Many big faces, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have campaigned for Baluni. Modi held a public rally in Rishikesh which is a tri-junction for Garhwal, Haridwar, and Tehri Lok Sabha constituencies.

Union Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday also addressed a rally here in favour of Baluni.

Atul Sati, social worker and convenor of Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, said Delhi is close to Uttarakhand and in every general election, national level issues have played an important role in the politics of the state.

"However, for the first time, the local issues of unemployment, health infrastructure, paper leak, land reform, etc. have become prominent in this election. These issues have become crucial in the last two years."

M M Semwal, head of the department of political science at HNBG University Srinagar Garhwal, said regional political parties are very crucial for any state.

"This time, the election campaign is more technology based. The local issues are also playing a very important role in this election. The role of women voters, who are known as silent voters, will play a crucial role in this poll. The role of regional political parties is also very crucial for any state. Their manifestos are also based on regional issues which directly impact the local people.

"Uttarakhand does not have a state-level party. You can see the impact of state level parties in the south. If you have a strong state level party, then the regional issues can be raised more effectively," Semwal said.

Godiyal, expressing confidence of a win, said, "Migration is an issue which people are facing here. If you want to stop migration, you will have to provide employment. We are also fighting against the Agnipath programme."

However, state BJP media in-charge Manvir Singh Chauhan claimed Baluni will win with a big margin.

"The BJP has been preparing at the grass-roots level since last year and it will continue working. This time we will win by a bigger margin since the double engine government is working rapidly for the development of Uttarakhand," he said.

BJP's Tirath Singh Rawat won the seat in 2019 and BC Khanduri in 2014.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal has formed a fresh committee to examine the allegations against a distillery in Himachal Pradeshs Kasauli polluting a natural water source.

The NGT passed the order for constituting a new panel after hearing a matter relating to a Mohan Meakin distillery allegedly dumping effluents into Kasauli Kund in Solan district.

A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said a report had been submitted by a joint committee comprising representatives of the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board (HPPCB), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), besides the district magistrate (DM) of Solan and others constituted earlier.

However, the report lacked "material particulars", the bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel said.

"The credibility of the entire report is doubtful," the bench said in an order passed on April 9.

The tribunal noted the submissions of the project proponent (Mohan Meakin) about using water from three sources, the on-source groundwater for which permission was obtained, and two natural springs for which there was no permission.

"The PP is required to disclose as to how it is utilising the water from two sources of spring existing within the premises without permission," it said.

The tribunal said it required a fresh report from an independent panel and formed a joint committee comprising the DM of Solan, member secretary of HPPCB, a representative of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change not below the rank of Scientist E, and a representative of the CPCB's Delhi office.

"Committee will visit the site, collect all the relevant information relating to compliance of norms by the PP, get the sample analysis done for this purpose and submit the report," the green panel said.

The tribunal allowed the PPs prayer to permit it to submit its reply within four weeks.

The matter has been listed on July 22 for further proceedings.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) More than 11 years after a Delhi Police constable was fatally stabbed in front of a brothel in Central Delhi's G B Road, a court here has sentenced four convicts to life imprisonment for his murder, saying the offence was "heinous, diabolical and barbaric".

Additional Sessions Judge Virender Kumar Kharta was hearing the arguments on sentencing against the four persons -- Ashish Bahuguna alias Ashu, Suraj, Manoj and Aakash -- who were convicted under various Indian Penal Code offences, including murder and attempt to commit murder.

According to the prosecution, the four accused had fatally stabbed constable Bijender besides causing stab injuries to two people -- Irshad and constable Sandeep -- on the intervening night of September 10 and 11, 2012.

"Offences committed by the convicts are heinous, diabolical and barbaric. The trauma of the family members of deceased Bijender who was working as a constable in Delhi Police and the trauma of constable Sandeep Kumar and Irshad can be understood," the court said in an order passed on April 8.

It said though the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating circumstances, the present case was not within the purview of the 'rarest of rare' doctrine.

Noting the evidence before it, the court sentenced the four convicts to life imprisonment under Indian Penal Code Sections of 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention).

Suraj was also convicted under the Arms Act for possessing a button-actuated knife and sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment (RI).

The court also sentenced them to RI of seven years for their common intention in attempting to murder constable Kumar and Irshad.

The accused were also sentenced to five years of RI for voluntarily causing grievous hurt to public servants and two more years of RI for assaulting or using criminal force to deter public servants and simple imprisonment of three months for obstructing public servants.

All the sentences will run concurrently, the court said.
Alappuzha (Kerala), Apr 16 (PTI) She was forced to write all the major examinations in her life with the left hand as fate claimed her right hand at a younger age. Parvathy Gopakumar, hailing from Kerala's Ambalapuzha, secured 282nd rank in the civil services examinations 2023 for which the results were announced by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday.

Despite her right hand having been amputated below the elbow following a fatal accident at the age of 12, Gopakumar has been aspiring to become an IAS officer, fighting all challenges and odes in life.

After graduation in law, she has been preparing tirelessly to realise her dream.

Gopakumar said that though the journey had been tough, she is feeling happy now that she has finally managed to reach her goal. Her parents are government staff.

As an artificial limb was stitched in the place of the right hand after the accident, Gopakumar, started practicing writing with her left hand.

"As it was a younger age, I could manage to start writing with my left hand gradually. I myself wrote all the exams during my study days. But I still doubt whether I have the same speed others have," she told the media.

During civil service exams, she got a mandatory 20 minutes of extra time per hour.

"But it was physically more tiring when we wrote all these exams back-to-back...compared to others, I had to write more hours," she recalled.

When asked whether she was confident about getting IAS post, the civil services exam achiever said she would prepare and write again till she achieved her dream career.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree "On the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan and the Council of Higher Education of Turkiye on the establishment of the Turkish-Azerbaijani University (TAU), Trend reports.

In accordance with the decree, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the Turkish-Azerbaijani University has been approved.

Upon the entry into force of the memorandum of understanding, the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan will ensure the implementation of its provisions.

The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan will send a notification to the Government of Turkiye regarding the completion of domestic procedures necessary for the entry into force of the memorandum of understanding.
The suicide bombing at the Kabul airport that killed U.S. troops and Afghans in August 2021 was not preventable, and the bald man in black spotted by U.S. service members the morning of the attack was not the bomber, according to a new review by U.S. Central Command.

The findings. released Monday, refute assertions by some service members who believed they had a chance to take out the would-be bomber but did not get approval. And, for the first time, the U.S. military is confirming that the bomber was Abdul Rahman al-Logari, an Islamic State militant who had been in an Afghan prison but was released by the Taliban as the group took control of the country that summer.

The Abbey Gate bombing during the final chaotic days of the Afghanistan withdrawal killed 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghans, and wounded scores more. It triggered widespread debate and congressional criticism, fueled by emotional testimony from a Marine injured in the blast, who said snipers believe they saw the possible bomber but couldnt get approval to take him out.

Former Marine Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews told the House Foreign Affairs Committee last March that Marines and others aiding in the evacuation were given descriptions of men believed to be plotting an attack. Vargas-Andrews, who was injured in the blast but not interviewed in the initial investigation, said he and others saw a man matching the description and might have been able to stop the attack, but requests to take action were denied.

In a detailed briefing to a small number of reporters, members of the team that did the review released photos of the bald man identified by military snipers as a potential threat and compared it with photos of al-Logari. The team members, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public, described facial recognition and other analysis they used that they said confirmed those were not the same man.

For the past two years, some service members have claimed that they had the bomber in their sights and they could have prevented the attack. We now know that is not correct, said a team member.

They said they also showed the photo of the bald man to service members during the latest interviews, and that the troops again confirmed that was the suspicious man they had targeted.

The review notes that the bald man was first seen around 7 a.m. and that troops lost sight of him by 10 a.m. The bombing was more than seven hours later, and the U.S. says al-Logari didnt get to Abbey Gate until very shortly before the blast took place. They declined to be more specific about the timing, saying details are classified.

Family members of those killed in the blast received similar briefings over the past two weekends and some are still unconvinced.

For me, personally, we are still not clear. I believe Tyler saw what Tyler saw and he knows what he saw. And it was not the guy that they were claiming was the man in black, Jim McCollum, the father of Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, told The Associated Press.

He said the team went into pretty good detail, not trying to discredit Tyler, but effectively saying he was wrong. However, that ended up being as clear as mud to us.

And Mark Schmitz, the father of Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, questioned the photo itself.

They kept saying this is who Tyler Vargas-Andrews was looking at and we were thinking to ourselves, well, thats interesting. Why is this a picture of a picture from a Canon camera? he said. To me it felt like they were trying to find the guy in those cameras that may have come close to looking like somebody of interest that they can try to sell to us.

The families, however, also said they were relieved to get more details about their loved ones deaths, saying the initial briefings were not as good.

Schmitz said that Army Gen. Eric Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, was part of the latest briefing and apologized for how the families were treated during the initial probe. This time around officials were able to share with Schmitz for the first time exactly where his son was when the bomb went off and that he was unconscious almost immediately, and therefore did not feel the impact of the shrapnel that went through his left torso, hitting a primary artery.

That to me was, first and foremost, the best news I could have gotten, Schmitz said. That gave me a little bit of closure that my son didnt suffer, which made me feel really good.

Team members said they also are planning to speak with the troops who were interviewed this time, to share the results of the report.

They said the review also could not completely rule out claims that militants did a test run of the bombing several days earlier. But after reviewing photos and other intelligence, the team concluded it was unlikely that three men seen carrying a large bag  which troops deemed suspicious  were doing a trial run.

More broadly, the team said the review brought some new details to light, including more discussion about the possible bombing test run. But they said overall it confirmed the findings of U.S. Central Commands initial investigation into the bombing: that it was not preventable and that reports of threats prior to the bombing were too vague.

As an example, the new review noted that threat reports talked about a possible bomber with groomed hair, wearing loose clothes, and carrying a black bag. That description, the review said, could have matched anyone in the enormous crowd desperately trying to get into the airport.

The team said they conducted 52 interviews for the review  adding up to a total of 190 when the previous investigation is included. Service members were asked about 64 questions, and the sessions lasted between one hour and seven hours long.

A number of those questioned werent included in the original investigation, many because they were severely wounded in the attack. The new review was ordered last September by Kurilla, largely due to criticism of the initial investigation and assertions that the deadly assault could have been stopped.

Members of the team said the Islamic State group put out the bombers name on social media, but U.S. intelligence was later able to independently confirm that report.

U.S. Central Commands initial investigation concluded in November 2021 that given the worsening security situation at the airports Abbey Gate as Afghans became increasingly desperate to flee,  the attack was not preventable at the tactical level without degrading the mission to maximize the number of evacuees.

Critics have slammed the Biden administration for the catastrophic evacuation, and theyve complained that no one was held accountable for it. And while the U.S. was able to get more than 130,000 civilians out of the country during the panic after the Taliban took control of the government, there were horrifying images of desperate Afghans clinging to military aircraft as they lifted off.

(AP)
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Tuesday of potential global economic damage from rising tensions in the Middle East and pledged that the U.S. and its allies wont hesitate to use their sanctions powers to address Irans malign and destabilizing activity in the region.

She made her remarks ahead of this weeks spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, saying Irans weekend missile attack on Israel underscores the importance of Treasurys work to use our economic tools to counter Irans malign activity.

She added: From this weekends attack to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Irans actions threaten the regions stability and could cause economic spillovers.

Irans missile attack on Israel early Sunday came in response to what it says was an Israeli strike on Irans consulate in Syria earlier this month. Israels military chief said Monday that his country will respond to the attack, while world leaders caution against retaliation, trying to avoid a spiral of violence.

As the IMF and its fellow lending agency, the World Bank, hold their spring meetings this week, high on the agenda are the fast-rising tensions between Iran and Israel and what escalation could spell for the global economy.

Israel and Iran have been on a collision course throughout Israels six-month war against Hamas militants in Gaza. The war erupted after two militant groups backed by Iran led an attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. An Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,000 people, according to local health officials.

Weve targeted over 500 individuals and entities connected to terrorism and terrorist financing by the Iranian regime and its proxies since the start of the Administration, Yellen said, citing sanctions against Irans drone and missile programs, militant groups Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah, and other Iraqi militia groups.

Treasury will not hesitate to work with our allies to use our sanctions authority to continue disrupting the Iranian regimes malign and destabilizing activity, she said. I fully expect we will take additional sanctions actions against Iran in the coming days.

The annual gathering will take place as other ongoing conflicts, including Russias invasion of Ukraine, threaten global financial stability.

Yellen in February offered her strongest public support yet for the idea of liquidating roughly $300 billion in frozen Russian Central Bank assets and using them for Ukraines long-term reconstruction.

She said Tuesday that the U.S. is continuing to work with our international partners to unlock the economic value of immobilized Russian sovereign assets and ensure that Russia pays for the damage it has caused. Yellen added that she will meet with Group of Seven finance leaders Wednesday to continue discussions on the topic and will look at a series of possibilities, ranging from actually seizing the assets to using them as collateral.

Another major issue for this years meetings on the U.S. side, Yellen said, will be ongoing conversations about Chinese industrial policy that poses a threat to U.S. jobs and the global economy. She traveled to Guangzhou and Beijing earlier this month, to hold difficult conversations with counterparts over what she describes as Chinas overcapacity in its wave of low-priced Chinese green tech exports that could overwhelm factories in the U.S. and make it impossible to compete.

Yellen said she plans to meet later this week with her Chinese counterparts for a fourth meeting of the U.S.-China Economic and Financial Working Groups, to share information, identify potential areas of cooperation, and, when we disagree, frankly communicate concerns.

U.S. Treasury and Chinas Ministry of Finance launched the economic working groups in an effort to ease tensions and deepen ties between the nations.

(AP)
Getting ready for Pesach is hard enough, but for families facing pediatric illness and medical crisis, Yom Tov preparations can feel impossible. Chai Lifeline, the Jewish communitys leading health support network, is there to help families every step of the way so they can focus on what truly matters mostthe health and wellbeing of their loved ones.

This Yom Tov, Chai Lifeline is once again setting the standard for compassion and support, providing a comprehensive array of services designed to ease the burden for families navigating medical crisis. With offerings ranging from hospital sedarim and meal deliveries to home cleanings, car washes, and financial assistance through the Evan Levy ZL Fund, Chai Lifelines regions across the United States are hard at work to mitigate the stress and hardship of Yom Tov preparations of more than 6,000 families affected by medical crises.

In Chai Lifeline regions such as New Jersey/Pennsylvania, services extend to car and house cleanings, kashering services, and a pre-Pesach day camp for children and their siblings. The Greater New York area will see car wash services, pre-Pesach dinner programs, and special Pesach afikoman toy box packages for children, among other support activities. The Midwest region is hosting a pre-Pesach program complete with haircuts, dinner, and engaging activities for kids, along with essential services and gifts to ease the holiday preparations.

The Mid-Atlantic regions offerings include pre-Pesach car cleaning in collaboration with the Baltimore Chesed League and care packages filled with holiday essentials. In the Southeast, families will receive financial support for holiday purchases and a special childrens program to uplift spirits. West Coast families are being treated to personalized Pesach kits, ensuring they have everything needed for a meaningful and joyous Yom Tov.

Amidst the preparations and celebrations of Pesach, its crucial to remember those in our community facing unimaginable challenges, said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. Every gesture of support is a step towards lightening their load, allowing them to embrace the Yom Tov with peace of mind. At Chai Lifeline, were not just offering help; were offering hope, demonstrating that compassion and community can transform the Pesach experience for families in need.

To help support Chai Lifeline children and families this Pesach, visit www.chailifeline.org/ pesach
Hamas has presented a new set of demands for a hostage deal, seeking the release of fewer than 20 hostages in exchange for a six-week truce. The terrorist organization is also now seeking a larger number of Palestinian security prisoner releases, including those with a history of violence.

In addition, Hamas is demanding an international guarantee that Israel will halt the war, withdraw its forces, and allow the return of northern Gazans to their homes in the first phase of the deal.

An Israeli official expressed skepticism about Hamass intentions, stating that the demands indicate that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, does not want an agreement and is instead seeking to escalate the regional conflict.

The development comes somewhat as a surprise, as earlier reports suggested that Hamas was willing to negotiate a deal that could make sense. The new demands, however, suggest that the terrorist organization is not interested in a ceasefire at all.

The Israeli government has yet to respond to the new demands, but officials have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of giving in to Hamass demands.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
US officials believe that Israels response to the Iranian attack will be limited in scope and will likely focus on attacks against Iranian forces or militias outside the Islamic Republic, NBC News reported, quoting four US officials.

The assessment is based on conversations between senior Israeli and American officials, which took place even before Irans attack on Motzei Shabbos.

Israel does not want to risk sparking a regional war by striking Iran directly.

Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani warned Israel on Monday that if it carries out a retaliatory strike, Iran will give a harder, faster and more urgent blow.

He added that the Iranian response will happen in seconds.

IDF Chief of Staff Hertzi Halevi on Monday visited the Nevatim Airbase, which was slightly damaged in the Iranian attack, and said that the launch of such a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones at Israel will be met with a response.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Israel sent behind the scene messages to Arab countries across the Middle East that its response to Iran will not endanger them, Kan News reported on Tuesday morning.

In other words, Israel will take care not to portray regional partners  some Gulf states and Jordan and Egypt  as the Jewish states collaborators.

According to the report, the messages were transmitted due to the deep concern of Middle Eastern countries that Israels response will cause Iran to retaliate against them as well, especially in light of the fact that Iran already threatened to respond to any country that opens its airspace for Israeli use against Iran.

Reports that some Arab countries cooperated with the US and Israel in thwarting Irans attack has already led to a media campaign against them by the pro-Iranain camp  at an especially tense time in the Middle East when Gulf States, Jordan, and Egypt do not wish to be portrayed as Israels collaborators.

A direct war between Israel and Iran that involves Iraq will also affect Jordan and its stability. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are also concerned about the effect on their countries, either via the Houthis in Yemen or directly.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Iran closed its nuclear facilities due to security concerns following its attack on Israel overnight Motzei Shabbos, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said, AFP reported on Monday.

Journalists asked Grossi on the sidelines of a UN Security Council meeting if he was concerned about a possible Israeli strike on an Iranian nuclear facility in response to the Iranian attack on Israel.

We are always concerned about this possibility, he said. What I can tell you is that our inspectors in Iran were informed by the Iranian government that yesterday [Sunday], all the nuclear facilities that we are inspecting every day would remain closed on security considerations.

Grossis added that Iran reopened the facilities on Monday but he still doesnt feel comfortable letting inspectors return there. I decided to not let the inspectors return until we see that the situation is completely calm, he said, calling for extreme restraint.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Two drones launched by Hezbollah exploded near the yishuv of Beit Hillel, close to Kiryat Shmona in the Galil, the IDF spokesperson said.

Three people were lightly injured.

No warning sirens had sounded. The incident is under investigation, the IDF said.

Hezbollah later claimed responsibility for attacking an Iron Dome battery in Beit Hillel via drones and said that members of the Iron Dome crew were killed.

Shortly later, Lebanese media reports said that an Israeli drone struck a car in a town near Tyre. According to Arab media reports, a senior Hezbollah official was killed in the attack.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Israeli police have demolished the East Jerusalem home of Khaled al-Muhtasib, a Palestinian terrorist who critically wounded a police officer in a shooting attack last year.

On October 12, al-Muhtasib opened fire with a makeshift submachine gun at two police officers outside the Shalem police station in Jerusalem, before being shot dead by responding forces.

Early Tuesday morning, a large contingent of approximately 350 police officers entered the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina to carry out the demolition of al-Muhtasibs home. This marks the first time a house demolition has been carried out in response to a Palestinian terror attack that did not result in a fatality.

The demolition order was signed by Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, head of the IDF Home Front Command, who has jurisdiction over Israeli territory, including East Jerusalem. The High Court had previously upheld the decision to demolish the home last month.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Azerbaijan seeks stability and peace in the country and the region, former military attache of Turkiye in Azerbaijan, reserve general Yucel Karauz said, Trend reports.

He believes that countries should connect their foreign policy with their national interests, taking regional events into account without jeopardizing their stability. This is exactly what Turkiye and Azerbaijan are doing.

"The geography we live in has enormous geopolitical and strategic implications.

The globe appears to be on the verge of a confrontation that could well be referred to as World War III, with its beginnings seemingly underway. Global trends will inevitably have an impact on nations around the world. Amidst this backdrop, Azerbaijan navigates events with a clear focus on its national interests.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan has chosen its own strategic direction. While siding with Armenia, its southern neighbor puts pressure on Azerbaijan on unrelated matters.

Hence, Azerbaijan prioritizes stability and peace within its borders and the broader region. Collaboration with allied nations is paramount. Azerbaijan and Turkiye remain steadfast allies, actively engaging in global affairs and emphasizing political cooperation," Karauz concluded.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Recently, a structure named Lemkin Institute for the Prevention of Genocide has been regularly opposing Azerbaijan, the statement of the Western Azerbaijan Community (WAC) said, Trend reports.

''The activity of this institution, which turns a blind eye to the fact that there is not a sole Azerbaijani in Armenia, as well as the numerous acts of genocide committed by this state, which has kept the territory of Azerbaijan under occupation for almost 30 years, consists, it can be said, solely of vilifying Azerbaijan,'' the statement says.

The Community noted that the genuine reasons for the zeal of this fictitious institution become known with a scrutiny of the information published in open sources about its "activities".

"This "institute", financed by the fraudster Ruben Vardanyan and another fraudster Nubar Afyan, who are under investigation in Azerbaijan on charges of financing terrorism, is a group of hired scribblers. Not surprisingly, radical elements of the Armenian diaspora, such as Poghosyan and Mirzoyan, are represented in the organization. The Western Azerbaijan Community strongly condemns the slander of Azerbaijan by these circles and the abuse of the name of Professor Rafael Lemkin (1900-1959), who played an important role in the formation of the international struggle against genocide, to carry out these heinous actions. The community urges states, international organizations, and civil society to fight such disinformation campaigns conducted by radical Armenian nationalist circles," the statement of the WAC stressed.

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A. O. Smith Co. (NYSE:AOS  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,470,000 shares, a growth of 11.3% from the August 31st total of 2,220,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 963,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.6 days. Approximately 2.1% of the companys shares are short sold.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Samuel M. Carver sold 14,705 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.00, for a total transaction of $1,191,105.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 2,399 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $194,319. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.70% of the companys stock.

Get A. O. Smith alerts:

Institutional Investors Weigh In On A. O. Smith

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in A. O. Smith by 11.3% during the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 225,930 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $20,212,000 after purchasing an additional 22,859 shares during the last quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group raised its stake in shares of A. O. Smith by 37.2% in the fourth quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 623,357 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $51,390,000 after acquiring an additional 168,911 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Capital Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in A. O. Smith in the second quarter worth $228,000. TD Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of A. O. Smith by 39.7% in the fourth quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 79,075 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $6,519,000 after buying an additional 22,483 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cim LLC bought a new stake in shares of A. O. Smith during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $3,165,000. 76.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

A. O. Smith Trading Down 1.0 %

NYSE AOS traded down $0.89 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $88.94. The companys stock had a trading volume of 825,863 shares, compared to its average volume of 944,857. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 1.70 and a quick ratio of 1.07. A. O. Smith has a 52-week low of $64.86 and a 52-week high of $92.44. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $82.06 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $84.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 1.15.

A. O. Smith (NYSE:AOS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The industrial products company reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.07 by ($0.01). A. O. Smith had a return on equity of 31.04% and a net margin of 14.67%. The firm had revenue of $1.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.01 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that A. O. Smith will post 4.07 EPS for the current year.

A. O. Smith Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 31st were issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 31st. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.44%. A. O. Smiths payout ratio is presently 33.16%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on AOS. UBS Group lifted their price objective on A. O. Smith from $73.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Monday, July 8th. Stifel Nicolaus upgraded shares of A. O. Smith from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $97.00 to $98.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on A. O. Smith from $92.00 to $90.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded A. O. Smith from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $89.67.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on A. O. Smith

A. O. Smith Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

A. O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets residential and commercial gas and electric water heaters, boilers, heat pumps, tanks, and water treatment products in North America, China, Europe, and India. The company offers water heaters for residences, restaurants, hotels, office buildings, laundries, car washes, and small businesses; boilers for hospitals, schools, hotels, and other large commercial buildings, as well as homes, apartments, and condominiums; and water treatment products comprising point-of-entry water softeners, well water solutions, and whole-home water filtration products, and point-of-use carbon and reverse osmosis products for residences, restaurants, hotels, and offices.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has received EU Special Representative for Central Asia Terhi Hakala, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The parties exchanged views on the current situation and prospects for relations between Azerbaijan and the EU, the role of Azerbaijan in relations between Central Asia and the EU, issues of cooperation within the framework of international platforms and formats.

The main topic of discussion was the agreements reached with the EU in the field of energy security, communications and transport, as well as relations with Central Asia within the framework of this.

The importance of the Memorandum of Understanding on a strategic partnership in the field of energy between Azerbaijan and the EU, which includes joint activities in the field of energy security, as well as the development of alternative energy resources, in cooperation in this area was emphasized.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the work carried out by Azerbaijan both in the Baku port and in the field of development of transport and communications.

The parties then exchanged views on other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. France has decided to recall its ambassador to Azerbaijan for consultations, Trend reports.

Accordingly, Paris asserts that this decision was made due to "unilateral actions by Azerbaijan, which are detrimental to relations between the two countries", says the French Foreign Ministry.

"The President of the Republic met with our ambassador today regarding this matter. He expressed regret over Azerbaijan's actions and expressed a desire for the Azerbaijani side to clarify its intentions. France reaffirms its support for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia while respecting international law and the territorial integrity of both countries. This normalization will benefit both nations and the region as a whole," the statement reads.

Meanwhile, actions carried out by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan in early December 2023 resulted in the exposure of an extensive network of agents from French intelligence services in Azerbaijan. Within a short period, dozens of French spies were identified, some of whom had operated in Azerbaijan at various times, while others continued to work undercover in different countries and prestigious international organizations.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Construction work on the artificial land plot within the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea will adhere to the regulations outlined in the Urban Planning and Construction Code, Trend reports.

This is stated in the draft of the law "On creation of artificial land plots in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea".

The draft specifies that the construction permit granted for the development of an artificial land plot should encompass provisions for erecting and establishing construction structures on said land plot as well.

An artificial land plot in this case means a land plot created in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea by the delivery and backfilling of earth or soil or using other methods.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. An inspection of light cars and passenger buses in operation of the Azerbaijani Combined Arms Armys formations and units was carried out, Trend reports via the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan.

"During the inspection, the technical condition of the vehicles, the operability and completeness of the control systems ensuring safety of movement were checked.

Special attention was paid to the operability of components and mechanisms of auto vehicles, the maintenance of running gear and other parts of the vehicle in working condition and technical maintenance.

At the end of the inspection, units with the best result were awarded.

High experience and knowledge are necessary for the removal of vehicle malfunctions and proper technical maintenance.

Technical inspections conducted between formations and units of the Army contribute to improving the knowledge and skills of personnel in this area, as well as maintaining a high level of combat and technical training," the ministry added.

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Justice Minister Helen McEntee says she is introducing tougher sentences for knife crime as a preventative measure.

Cabinet approved a proposal from the Justice Minister to increase sentences for knife-related crimes after new Taoiseach Simon Harris pledged to focus on law and order.

These include possessing a knife with intent to unlawfully cause injury, trespassing with a knife and producing a knife to unlawfully intimidate from a maximum sentence of five to seven years.

The penalty for importing and selling knives is to be increased from seven to 10 years.

The Government said it would also look to introduce a minimum age by which you can purchase a knife in Ireland.

She said the measures were being introduced based on recommendations from the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum, established in 2020 by junior minister at the Department of Justice James Browne.

Its about making sure every one is proportionate to the offence, said Minister of State Mr Browne.

Knives are extremely dangerous and knife crime must carry significant consequences, Ms McEntee said on Tuesday.

There were 2,146 knives seized in 2019, 2,260 in 2020 and 2,186 in 2023, according to Garda figures.

Knife crime has become a significant issue in the UK, with knife crime offences recorded by police forces in England and Wales rising year-on-year, but not as high as before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some 48,716 offences were recorded in the 12 months to September 2023, a 5% rise from 46,367 in the previous 12 months.

Asked whether she expected knife-related crime to fall as a result of these changes, she said: What we always need to do is try and put in place preventative measures.

Thankfully, were not in a situation where we potentially are in London or Glasgow, where we have particular gangs where knife crime is a really serious issue.

We have seen a small and incremental problem here in Ireland, and we need to make sure that it doesnt get any worse.

So this is about making sure to Minister Brownes point, the punishment matches the crime at the moment.

Simple possession for a knife is five years, possession with intent is also five years. So what is happening here is were increasing the sentence to match the crime thats been committed.

Asked if this represented a Fine Gael U-turn, Ms McEntee said Mr Browne, who is a Fianna Fail TD, had been working on the issue of knife crime for some time.

Mr Browne said a knife amnesty would be a very expensive route that would bring very little benefit because knives were so easily obtained.

A knife amnesty involves giving people the opportunity to dispose of knives in amnesty bins in communities.

So while amnesties in other countries have collected large amounts of knives, they have very little or no impact on actual knife crime  they can simply go back to your kitchen and get another knife, Mr Browne said.

He said through a youth diversion project, young people who committed crimes but accepted they had done wrong and were prepared to engage could be diverted towards better behaviour.

But where young people persistently refused the opportunities given to them, they will face the courts and they will face ultimately prison, he said.

Mr Browne said the measures did go far enough, but added that Ireland was one of the few countries in the West that did not have an age limit on the purchase of knives.

The proposed legislative changes would mean that the minister for justice could add banned knives as they became an issue, by way of a statutory instrument.

For example, zombie knives are a serious issue in the UK, theyre not an issue here. But if they ever were to, we could move very quickly on it, Mr Browne said.

Ms McEntee said she would be looking to progress the legislation as quickly as possible, while Mr Browne said that Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghans Bill could be restarted immediately and amended to bring changes through quickly.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The creation of artificial land plots in the Caspian Sea will surely bring new opportunities to Azerbaijan, MP Nurlan Hasanov said, Trend reports.

He made the remark commenting on the discussion of the draft law "On creation of artificial land plots in the sector of the Caspian Sea (lake) of Azerbaijan" at today's meeting of the parliamentary committee on legal policy and state building.

According to him, the creation of artificial land plots at sea is widely used in international practice.

Several states use this for energy, transportation, tourism, and other military uses. Japan employs artificial islands for transportation. An international convention governs the creation of artificial islands. The revised draft will open up greater potential for Azerbaijan in this area, the MP added.

To note, the above draft determines the creation forms of artificial land plots in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

The plan proposes creating an artificial land plot in the Azerbaijani section of the Caspian Sea using land granted from the water fund. This region could be standalone or close to the coastline, an island, or another man-made land tract.



According to the proposal, an artificial land parcel is one that is built in the Azerbaijani portion of the Caspian Sea by supplying and filling in dirt or soil, among other methods.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 15. Artificial islands will be created in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, Chief of Staff of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture Rashad Ismayilov said, Trend reports.

He made the remark commenting on the discussion of the draft law "On creation of artificial land plots in the sector of the Caspian Sea (lake) of Azerbaijan" at today's meeting of the parliamentary committee on legal policy and state building.

The official explained that this draft will fully cover activities related to the creation of artificial islands.

According to him, work on the artificial island will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Urban Planning and Construction Code.

To note, the above draft determines the creation forms of artificial land plots in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

According to the draft, an artificial land plot may be created in the Azerbaijani section of the Caspian Sea, utilizing land allocated from the water fund. This area could either stand alone or be adjacent to the coastline, an island, or another man-made land plot.

Under the project, an artificial land plot means a land plot created in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea by delivering and filling in earth or soil or using other methods.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Over two billion manat ($1.18 billion) of social payments were paid in Azerbaijan from January through March 2024, a source in the country's Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population told Trend.

According to the source, the dynamics of growth in the volume of funds allocated for social payments have continued this year.

The source noted that the volume of paid pensions, benefits, scholarships, and targeted state social assistance to the population in the reporting period grew by 224.4 million manat ($132 million), or 11.5 percent, from the same period last year.

To note, the new step in the direction of increasing social payments was ensuring an increase in all pensions from the beginning of this year with indexation by 11.2 percent in accordance with the increase in average monthly wages over the past year.

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This week starts with tribute after a soul crushing tragedy claimed the life of an innocent young girl.

Here's reporting on the aftermath memorial . . .



"KC Mother's in Charge planned a vigil for 11-year-old Kourtney Freeman on Monday night, which is an all too familiar scene for most of those who attended.



"Freeman was inside of her home when bullets from outside struck and killed near Flora Avenue and east 33rd Street on April 10."





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

'Nobody was like her': Slain 11-year-old Kauffman School student remembered by loved ones, classmates KC Mother's in Charge planned a vigil for 11-year-old Kourtney Freeman on Monday night, which is an all too familiar scene for most of those who attended.
Make that . . .

Civil War Part Deux: Electric Boogaloo.

Don't worry, it's not gonna happen if only because any insurrection beyond looting & rioting would risk our phones missing a recharge.

Also . . . Keyboard warriors might struggle to with steps beyond the typical laps to the fridge and the toilet.

Still . . .

This weekend we were lucky enough to see the movie Civil War and we really liked it if only because imagining journalistic bravery is more fun than paying for the Sunday paper that now costs $5.99.

However . . .

Not everybody liked it . . . Here's our favorite passage from a bad review that includes a classic movie reference and a great deal of snark.



"Say what you will about Red Dawn, a movie dumber, perhaps, than Orson Scott Cards writing on this very subject: It knows what side it is on. This is more than you can say for Civil War, the confused but pretty ode to Old School War Journalism that seems to understand neither war nor journalism. I write about film a lot, so I can say this is not a bad film. I also was a nobody Midwestern journalist from 2008-2013, a time that further entrenched the actual divisions between actual Americans even as it destroyed the sorts of institutions I worked for that are supposed to be as objective as Civil War is trying to be. So I can also say that Civil War is f*cking stupid."

Also . . .

If you made it this far . . .

The correct answer to the post title question is:

We're not sure which side Kansas City would choose in Civil War redux but we think that we still might win over JoCo if only because their superior firepower would be directed first at their allies who didn't swear a loyalty oath.

In Kansas City proper, ideological consistency only serves as a punchline.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Box Office: Alex Garland's 'Civil War' Opens No. 1 With History-Making $25.7M for A24 The dystopian action pic shows America at war with itself just as Donald Trump battles to overtake Joe Biden and return to the White House.

Civil War Is the Loveliest Monument to Both-Sides Nonsense Yet What's going on in Civil War? Not much, and that's the big problem. Objectivity is one thing, but both-sides nonsense is another.

When Is 'Civil War' Coming To Streaming? Here's What To Know A24's new dystopian war film "Civil War" is now in theaters. Want to watch the movie at home? Here's when the A24 film will likely arrive on streaming and digital.

'Civil War' is getting mixed reviews. Here's why some fans are 'nervous' about the battle film Moviegoers are having mixed reactions to Kirsten Dunst's new film "Civil War," which shows what could happen in a dystopian future in the United States.

Developing . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Another 156 families will be relocated to their native Fuzuli city in Azerbaijan in the coming days, a source in the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and IDPs, Trend reports.

The committee has held a draw among the families who will soon return to Fuzuli city.

The event involved personnel from the Special Representative Office of the President of Azerbaijan in the liberated territories within the Karabakh Economic Region (except Shusha district), the Fuzuli district's executive power, and the public council under the Committee for Affairs of Refugees and IDPs.

In total, 156 families took part in the drawing. Based on the family composition, 59 of them received two-room, 80 - three-room, and 17 - four-room apartments.

The former IDPs, who will soon return to their permanent place of residence in Fuzuli, noted that they feel great joy in returning to their native places and expressed their deep gratitude to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the conditions created in the territories liberated from occupation and the care given to them.

Following the liberation of its territories from Armenian occupation in 2020, Azerbaijan initiated the long-awaited 'Great Return' program, which envisions the return of IDPs to their native lands.

Up to now, 666 families (2,517 people) have returned to Fuzuli.

Along with Fuzuli, the former IDPs returned to Lachin city, the villages of Talish (Aghdara district), Aghali (Zangilan district), and Zabukh (Lachin district).

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The New York Greek Independence Parade on Fifth Avenue, commemorating the 203rd anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821, was held in an atmosphere of emotion and pride on April 14. After a brief shower just moments before the parade began, sunny skies and warm temperatures soon bolstered the spirits of all those marching and watching from the sidelines.

The crowds lining Fifth Avenue cheered and were once again impressed by the sight of the Hellenic Presidential Guard, the Evzones, marching in the parade. The Old Philharmonic of Kerkyra performed beautiful renditions of the National Anthems of the U.S. and Greece as well as patriotic songs.

All ages marched in the parade and some marched twice if they could get through the crowds fast enough to reach their association, church or school group in time. One participant noted that she barely got back in time though the groups she was marching with were separated by about 28 other groups. Family and friends gathered some who had not attended the parade in years, with many noting that they felt it was time to return to Fifth Avenue and show their Hellenic pride. Everyone shared their best wishes to Hellenism everywhere and looked forward to next years parade.

The turnout this year was one of the greatest in recent memory, due in part to the beautiful spring weather, but also undoubtedly to the emotionally charged theme of the parade, the grim 50th anniversary of the illegal invasion and continuing occupation of Cyprus. The marchers sent a strong message with Cypriot flags waving alongside Greek and American ones as well as banners calling for the end of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus and proclaiming Never forget!

Earlier in the day, a Doxology service was held at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and in the presence of the Evzones as well as the dignitaries and members of the Greek Parliament who arrived in New York to attend the parade.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Tilemahos Efthimiadis
The pilots union at American Airlines has reported a big increase in safety problems. This includes not doing as many regular checks on planes and doing shorter test flights after major repairs.

The union also noticed tools and other items left in parts of planes where they shouldn't be. These issues were brought up to the airline's senior managers, who seemed responsive to the union's concerns. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, American Airlines insists it has a world-class system for keeping flights safe.

American Airlines Faces Safety Concerns, Union Says

Recently, the Allied Pilots Association, which represents the pilots, said they've been seeing more safety and maintenance issues than usual. They claim that the airline has stretched the time between routine plane inspections, as reported by AP News.

Furthermore, American Airlines has stopped doing overnight maintenance checks unless a plane needs special attention or is scheduled for regular maintenance. Now, the airline also does shorter test flights when a plane is fixed and ready to fly again after being stored for a long time.

The union has asked its members to report any problems they see with safety or maintenance. They believe that preventing even one small error can stop a big accident from happening.

American Airlines responded to the concerns by stating it has a strong safety management system and regularly talks with regulators and unions to make sure their safety practices are good enough.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which checks airline safety, didn't give a specific comment about the union's claims. However, they mentioned that airlines must find ways to fix possible dangers before becoming serious problems. The union remains committed to making sure that American Airlines keeps its safety practices strong and effective.

Related Article : American Airlines Gears Up for Sky-High Growth with Boeing 737 MAX Deal

American Airlines Accuses Flight Attendants of Manipulating Delays for Profit

American Airlines has raised concerns that some of its flight attendants are intentionally causing delays to earn extra pay, which the airline is calling theft. The issue was highlighted as American Airlines reviews instances where flight attendants pick trips that clash with existing schedules, aiming to exploit pay protection rules.

Flight attendants have a complex bidding system for their schedules, which allows them to add trips last-minute.

However, this system requires that they maintain a minimum rest period between flights, typically 10 hours.

According to The Street, the airline is investigating whether these last-minute additions are made with the knowledge that they will cause scheduling conflicts, resulting in guaranteed pay without the intent to fly the trips.

American Airlines examines each case to determine if the actions were deliberate and warns that disciplinary actions may follow if they find wrongful intent. This situation unfolds amid tense negotiations over work conditions, with flight attendants previously raising issues about insufficient rest and retaliation for complaints.

The company has notified the flight attendants through their union that such manipulations are considered theft, and they may face the consequences, including loss of pay and further investigation.
Greece is giving a free week-long hotel stay to travelers who had to leave their hotels because of wildfires last summer on the island of Rhodes. The Greek Ministry of Tourism announced that guests who were evacuated during the July 2023 fires can apply for this offer. They can choose to stay at certain hotels from now until May 31 or from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15.

Free Hotel Stays to Tourists Affected by Last Year's Wildfires

The offer is a way for Greece to welcome back tourists who faced hardships during their previous visits. Myron Flouris, the General Secretary of the Greek Tourism Ministry, said that this effort is unique and complicated, but they are proud to be the first country to provide such a program.

To be eligible, according to Travel and Leisure, travelers must fill out an online form with details about their previous stay, including where they stayed, the type of room they booked, their reservation number, and how long they were supposed to stay.

They will then receive an e-voucher that they can use at a hotel similar to the one they stayed at during the fires.

The voucher amount varies: 300 for stays in one to three-star hotels with up to triple rooms, 400 for more than three people in the same room categories, and 500 for larger rooms in four or five-star hotels.

The wildfires in Rhodes last year were part of a severe heatwave that hit many parts of Europe, causing massive evacuations. Despite the damage, the island's scenic beaches, boating, and historic sites, like the cobblestoned streets of the Jewish Quarter, still attract tourists.

This program by Greece invites tourists to experience the beauty of Rhodes again.

Related Article : Here Are the 5 Destinations in Greece You Need to See Beyond the Beaches

Greece Aims for Year-Round Tourism to Boost Economy

Harry Kyrillou, director of Planet Holidays, announced his company's readiness to offer travel and weddings in Greece throughout the year. This initiative supports the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's recent statements at an EU tourism summit.

Mitsotakis emphasized the benefits of extending the tourism season beyond the popular summer months. As per TTG, he argued that this would reduce overcrowding and allow for a more sustainable distribution of tourists, potentially enhancing economic and environmental outcomes.

Greece, which annually attracts between 30 and 32 million visitors, could shift its focus from quantity to quality, according to Mitsotakis. He envisions welcoming fewer tourists who spend more money, thus offering a more substantial economic benefit.

Kyrillou highlighted that his business has already been promoting Athens as a year-round destination and has expanded these offerings to Thessaloniki, Crete, and Rhodes over the past decade. Additionally, they provide unique travel packages like fly-drive holidays to places with hotels open in winter.

He suggested that areas with rich cultural heritage and activities like gastronomy tours and hiking could extend their tourist seasons. This shift, Kyrillou noted, would require cooperation between the tourism industry and the Greek government, involving hotels, restaurants, and other local services.
So you've heard Istanbul stole the top spot as Europe's favorite city in Travel + Leisure? Trust me, it's not hard to see why. This place is a lively mix of old and new, where you can wander through ancient ruins in the morning and sip coffee in a hip cafe by afternoon.

Why do travelers love Istanbul so much? Istanbul's charm goes beyond its iconic landmarks. Here, you can feast on delicious Turkish kebabs, sail the Bosphorus for stunning skyline views, and lose yourself in the colorful chaos of the Grand Bazaar.

Every corner of Istanbul offers a new flavor, a new sound, or a new sight that turns your visit into a treasure hunt.

Let's find out why Istanbul has captured the hearts of globetrotters everywhere!

A Tale of Two Continents

One of the coolest things about Istanbul is its spot straddling two continents. Crossing from Europe to Asia via the Bosphorus Bridge isn't just a commute-it's a leap through history. This city thrives on the mix, showing off a cultural mash-up that's reflected in everything from food to everyday life.

Grab a quick bite in Europe and enjoy your coffee in Asia-yes, it's that simple here! This blend of East and West gives Istanbul a vibe you can't find anywhere else in the world.

Landmarks That Tell Tales

Istanbul is packed with sites that will fill your camera roll in no time. Take the Hagia Sophia, for instance, a masterpiece with roots in the Byzantine Empire, or the stunning Blue Mosque nearby.

Don't miss out on Topkapi Palace, where tales of sultans and their courts come alive. And for something a bit eerie but totally cool, head to the Basilica Cistern with its ancient Medusa heads. Each landmark tells part of Istanbul's layered history, making every visit a new discovery.

Related Article

Food to Make You Drool

Let's talk food in Istanbul because, wow, it's a highlight. This city has streets lined with vendors dishing out simit and freshly grilled fish sandwiches. Or pop into a meyhane where the small plates keep coming and the raki never stops flowing.

Istanbul is a place where meals are a feast for the senses and always better when shared. It's about diving into the local scene and coming out with a full belly and a big smile.

The Magic of the Bosphorus

And then there's the Bosphorus-the heartline of Istanbul, a bustling waterway that splits the city in two and ties it together all at once. Hop on a ferry and cruise past a lineup of palatial splendor, wooden villas, and chic waterfront pads.

Bosphorus is a front-row seat to Istanbul's historical luxury and modern beauty. Plus, there's nothing like a breeze off the sea to refresh you after a day of exploring.

Festivals and Fun After Dark

Istanbul's event calendar is as packed as its streets. There's always a film festival, a music gig, or a dance show going on. When night falls, the city doesn't slow down. Hit up a club along the Bosphorus for some beats and views, or find a cozy bar in Beyoglu to chill out and chat. Fancy some jazz? Karakoy has spots that will keep your feet tapping.

The nightlife here is vibrant and diverse, just like the city itself.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The opening ceremony of Employability Week 2024, organized by ADA University, has been held, Trend reports.

The objective of Employability Week, which runs until April 25 and is co-sponsored by the International Bank of Azerbaijan (ABB) and the ADA University Foundation, is to familiarize students with job opportunities in the country's labor market.

Students were chosen to participate in this crucial event based on their academic achievements as well as the results of approximately 500 interviews organized by the ADA University Career Services department.

Students had the opportunity to participate in specialized training and seminars delivered by industry specialists based on their academic performance and interview ratings.

These workshops, led by seasoned professionals from 20 local and international organizations specializing in finance, banking, information technology, telecommunications, auditing, consulting, and other fields, will cover labor market demands and career growth techniques.

Partner organizations at the event include International Bank of Azerbaijan (ABB), Azerbaijan Airlines, Azercell, Azerconnect, Azercosmos, Azersun, Baker Tilly, Coca-Cola Company, Deloitte & Touche, State Examination Center, State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), EKVITA, Ernst & Young, Innovation and Digital Development Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transportation of Azerbaijan, Kapital Bank, Nobel Energy, PASHA Bank, PASHA Life Insurance, PASHA Malls, and PMD GROUP.

Throughout the ten-day program, students will network with future employers and acquire hands-on experience within firms. Internship opportunities are a highlight of the week: five students will receive specialized professional development associated with their particular disciplines after being selected through a rigorous process offered by the employers.

On May 2, a career fair will be held where students can meet with representatives from over 100 companies, research job possibilities, and build networks with possible employers. This event is significant in defining the professional paths of many ADA University students.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Some state and municipally owned land plots in the administrative territories of Baku city, Garadagh, and Absheron districts have been defined as territories of renewable energy sources (RES), Trend reports.

According to the information, Azerbaijani PM Ali Asadov has signed the relevant resolution.

As the decree reads, state-owned 3.375 hectares of land in Mushfigabad settlement of Garadagh district of Baku city, 19.875 ha of state-owned land in the administrative territory of Absheron district, and 34.5 ha of agricultural land, of which 11.25 ha are owned by Pirekeshkul-Gobustan municipality of Absheron district, are designated as renewable energy sources territories for the construction of a 240 MW wind power plant.



The Cabinet of Ministers also decided to designate some state and municipally held land plots in the Neftchala and Bilasuvar districts as renewable energy regions.

Thereupon, 523.0 ha of lands in the administrative territory of Neftchala district belonging to the category of industrial, transport, and other lands used by the Ministry of Defense, 400.0 ha of lands owned by Yenikend municipality of Neftchala district, and 50.0 ha of agricultural lands owned by Neftchala municipality - a total of 973.0 ha of land defined as renewable energy territories - were transferred to the use of the Ministry of Energy.

The state-owned land plot with an area of 1454.0 ha, which belongs to the category of agricultural land in the administrative territory of Bilasuvar district, is defined as the territory of renewable energy sources for the construction of a solar power plant with a capacity of 445 MW.

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The Ukrainian Economy Ministry and the global technology company, Mastercard, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation related to the implementation of the Made in Ukraine policy.

The relevant statement was made by the ministrys press service, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The document was signed by Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister, Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Mastercard Eastern Europe Division President Yasemin Bedir and Mastercard CEO in Ukraine and Moldova Inga Andreeva.

The memorandum provides for cooperation in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, namely improving digital business processes (digital solutions for accepting payments, issuing electronic receipts, raising awareness of innovative financial trends).

Additionally, the parties will jointly work in the field of expert and technological partnership in implementing the national cashback programme for Ukrainian goods in support of the Made in Ukraine platform and communication campaigns of the Ukrainian Economy Ministry.

Despite the war, constant missile attacks, blackouts, disrupted supply chains, and a shortage of workers, domestic entrepreneurs continue to work. That is why the government policy Made in Ukraine is aimed at supporting them, enabling them to develop through different government programmes, and stimulating the demand for domestic products and services both in Ukraine and abroad, Svyrydenko noted.

A reminder that, on January 26, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on the establishment of the All-Ukrainian Economic Platform Made in Ukraine. The platform is intended to ensure an effective dialogue and combine the efforts of government authorities and businesses, encourage the business activity of Ukrainian producers, promote Ukrainian products, improve the investment climate, create economic conditions for Ukraines recovery, modernization and economic growth, as well as encourage Ukrainian citizens to return from abroad.

Photo: Ukrainian Economy Ministry
On Monday, April 22, the EU Council of Ministers will meet in the Jumbo format, which involves participation of foreign and defense ministers, to discuss the situation pf Ukraine and ways to speed up military aid to the nation.

EU spokesman Peter Stano spoke of this in Brussels, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We are well aware of the needs of Ukraine, and the European Union and its member states are trying to do everything they can to help Ukraine to defend itself... This something that we will again be discussing in the so-called Jumbo format  the meeting of foreign and defense ministers of the EU next week on Monday in Luxembourg. We are trying to cover the needs with whatever the member states can provide. But alternately, its in the hands of the member states, what to send to Ukraine and at what point," the EU spokesman said.

Asked by reporters whether Western allies could deter Russian attacks against Ukraine the way they did with the Iranian airstrike against Israel, Stano noted that the situation in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Iran are significantly different.

"Of course, I would not draw parallels between what happened over the weekend between Israel and Iran and what is happening in Ukraine. The fact is that the European Union and its member states are providing Ukraine unprecedented assistance for the third year running, this assistance includes also military assistance, including fighter jets, including air defense systems," the spokesman said.

He recalled that the High Representative of the EU continues to work with the member states, urging them them to provide more military aid to Ukraine, and to do it faster. The EU is aware that these needs are urgent. Russian aggression continues, and Putin shows his intention to further escalate it. This, in particular, was manifested in recent Russian attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure and other civilian targets.

"Of course, this is something the High Representative regularly discusses with Foreign Minister (Dmytro  ed.) Kuleba," Stano added.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, in an interview with PBS, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that without the help from the United States, Ukraine will stand no chance of prevailing in the war against Russia. Recently, he recalled, the Russians were able to destroy the Trypillia TPP near Kyiv due to the lack of surface-to-air missiles in the area.
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Published April 15, 2024

(L-R): Naresh Chhetri, Pushkar Kandel, Abhishek Amgain

MONROE, LA  Naresh Chhetri and Abhishek Amgain, international students from Nepal, and computer science majors at ULM, created a computer science workshop for high school freshmen as part of their work with the ULM TRiO Programs. Pushkar Kandel, international student from Nepal and mathematics/actuarial science major, assisted with the creation of the workshop. All three have held campus jobs as tutors for ULMs TRiO participants. On March 14, 2024, they presented the computer science workshop to TRiO staff and received excellent reviews. Chhetri and Amgain will now pilot the workshop in selected ninth-grade robotics, math, and science classrooms in TRiO Educational Talent Searchs target area schools.

Amgain stated, I believe this workshop helps students raise awareness about the importance of computer science and its impact on students future. This workshop helps students to understand different opportunities available to them inside the tech field and make decisions about their career paths.

Picture computer science as a superpower  the ability to turn numbers and logic into incredible inventions! Just like how math helps us understand the world, learning computer science helps us change it for the better, said Kandel.

The objective of this TRiO ETS initiative is to encourage young students to explore careers in the rapidly growing technology industry and to educate students in the STEM fields, with a particular focus on computer science and career exploration. The freshman-level workshop will highlight areas of computer science, including software engineering, programming languages and coding, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, cryptography, cybersecurity, and more, including careers in these fields. Students will be encouraged to select the proper high school mathematics courses in order to prepare for a career in computer science.

Were excited to introduce students to the transformative world of computer science! Our workshop aims to spark curiosity and show them the exciting career possibilities in the ever-evolving tech industry, said Chhetri.

Chhetri, Kandel, and Amgain are also members of the ULM Honors Program, which is a unique program open to all majors that seeks intellectually curious students who desire to challenge themselves with new ideas and to work with similarly motivated students.

ULM hosts three federally-funded TRiO Programs: Student Support Services (SSS), which serves college students; Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS), which assists college students who are parents with their child care costs and parenting skills; and Educational Talent Search (ETS), which serves junior high and high school students. The goal of TRiO programs is to increase the number of underrepresented, disadvantaged, or first-generation individuals who persist and graduate from high school and college. TRiO participants must meet federal eligibility requirements. ULM TRiO ETS has been assisting area students for more than 35 years. For more information about Talent Search, contact Mrs. Debbie Upshaw at (318)342-1094, or visit https://www.ulm.edu/research/trio/talent search.html
04/16/2024

By Amy Allen

UMass Lowell is an official Observer Organization to the United Nations (UN) climate negotiations and sends a delegation to the UN climate negotiations and conference, or Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.The 29th Conference of Parties, COP29, will be held in November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. COP29 promises to be an exciting event that brings together policymakers, scientists, innovators, educators, advocates, and the media from around the world.The Climate Change Initiative and Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy are excited to send a small group of faculty members and students to COP29 to represent UMass Lowell (UML) at this major international conference and negotiations focused on climate action. COP29 will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Nov. 11 to 22, 2024.Please submit the COP29 application if you would like to join our delegation.
Press Release

April 16, 2024 EDCOM 2 visits US to study higher education reforms The Second Congressional Commission on Education's (EDCOM 2) is currently conducting a benchmarking visit to the United States of America (US) from April 15-19, 2024. EDCOM 2 Co-Chairpersons Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Rep. Mark Go, and Rep. Roman Romulo, are joined by Commissioners Rep. Pablo John Garcia, Rep. Kiko Benitez, and Senator Sonny Angara. "As we prepare our Filipino students for the demands of the 21st century, we need to strengthen our HEIs as hubs of innovation and research that could boost our national development. In pursuing this goal, we need to learn from global best practices", Senator Gatchalian said. The delegation is also composed of members of the Advisory Council including Dr. Cynthia Baustista, Dr. Chito Salazar, and Mr. Fred Ayala. They are also joined by members of the EDCOM 2 Standing Committee on Higher Education, as well as UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez, DLSU President Br. Bernard Oca, and Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Roberto Yap SJ. During the visit, the delegation will be meeting with higher education leaders, and renowned scholars from Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Arizona State University, Georgetown University, Boston College, and the University of the District of Columbia, among others. The Commission will tackle seven EDCOM priority areas on higher education, including (1) Access to quality higher education, (2) Quality assurance, (3) Graduate education, research and innovation, (4) Internationalization, and (5) Connectedness of learner pathways throughout the system. The delegation aims to learn from the institutions, as well as faculty members and researchers who have conducted research in these areas, to inform the Commission's ongoing formulation of policy recommendations in higher education. "Our purpose here is clear: to engage with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), key experts, and stakeholders in the United States, delving into the intricacies of micro-credentials, lifelong learning pathways, and community colleges", Rep. Garcia said during his opening remarks at the University of District of Columbia (UDC). "Our discussions will also center on improving equity in access to higher education opportunities, recognizing the diverse profiles of institutions-both public and private, akin to the Philippines'", Rep. Garcia said. In EDCOM 2's Year One Report, the Commission found that while attendance rates in Philippine HEIs are high, attrition rates are severe at 35% based on data from CHED. Further, a study from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies shows that from AY 2015-2016 to AY 2022-2023, there is less than one percentage point improvement in the admission of students from the lowest income decile, while there is a 9 percentage point increase in the highest income decile. The EDCOM visit to the US is part of its ongoing study of best practices in higher education that can inform locally responsive reforms, and is undertaken with the support of USAID through the newly-launched UPSKILL (U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning) Program. UPSKILL is a five-year, $30 million dollar USAID/Philippines program that will develop human capital and drive sustainable, inclusive growth by strengthening higher education in the Philippines. UPSKILL brings together U.S. universities, Philippine government agencies, and the private sector to support Philippine colleges and universities to become more globally competitive. UPSKILL is implemented by a consortium of partners led by RTI International and includes Arizona State University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, North Carolina Agricultural Technical and State University, Philippine Business for Education, and Edukasyon.ph.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. At the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of the IDEA Public Union, courtyards located in multi-story buildings housing over 2,200 residents were landscaped and inaugurated as part of the Green World Solidarity Year, Trend reports.

Leyla Aliyeva, who attended the ceremony on Tuesday, participated in a mass tree-planting event held as part of the initiative and presented gifts to the young residents of the courtyard.

The "Our Courtyard" project, spearheaded by founder and head of the IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva since 2017, aims to enhance cleanliness and environmental quality in courtyards across the capital, promote green spaces, foster spaces for meaningful recreation, and ensure safe and comfortable living conditions for residents. So far, a total of 152 residential areas have been landscaped and handed over to residents under this initiative.

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U.S., Washington, April 16. The second day of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington D.C. will see a series of events featuring prominent speakers shedding light on critical economic matters affecting the world, Trend reports from the event venue.

Discussing the World Economic Outlook, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, Petya Koeva-Brooks, and Daniel Leigh from the IMF's Research Department will present insights into the current economic landscape.

Simultaneously, the Global Financial Stability Report briefing, led by Tobias Adrian, Fabio Natalucci, and Jason Wu from the IMF's Monetary and Capital Markets Department, will address pressing issues concerning financial stability.

In a separate session, representatives from the G-24 nations, including Ralph Recto of the Philippines, Candelaria Alvarez Moroni of Argentina, Wale Edun of Nigeria, and Iyabo Masha of the G-24 Secretariat, will convene to discuss international economic cooperation and financial governance.

The Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group kicked off on April 15.

The main ministerial meetings and events will take place April 17-19 with other events and activities taking place during the week, April 15-20.

At the heart of the gathering are meetings of the joint Development Committee and the IMF's International Monetary and Financial Committee, which discuss progress on the work of the World Bank Group and the IMF.

The Spring Meetings bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Within the framework of the 14th session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov met with the Agency's Director General Francesco La Camera, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry.

The meeting covered projects implemented in Azerbaijan in the sector of renewable energy sources, as well as the parties' cooperation through various initiatives and forums.

The sides discussed issues related to Azerbaijan's IRENA Investment Forum for Central Asia, which was held in conjunction with the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), as well as the presentation of a report on the initiative of renewable energy roadmaps for Eastern Partnership countries.

During the conversation, perspectives on other areas of cooperation were also shared.

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In a recent announcement, Duke University has made a significant shift in its approach to supporting students of African descent. The university has decided to discontinue its Reginaldo Howard Scholars program and replace it with the Reginaldo Howard Leadership Program.

As reported by The Duke Chronicle, this transition marks a departure from the previous practice of awarding full-ride merit scholarships to a select group of students. Let's delve into the implications and rationale behind this decision.

Honoring a Legacy: From Scholarships to Leadership

The Reginaldo Howard Scholars program was established to recognize and support outstanding students of African descent. Named after Reginaldo "Reggie" Howard, Duke's first Black student body president, the scholarship aimed to provide financial assistance and foster leadership among its recipients. However, the university has opted to pivot from a competitive scholarship model to a more inclusive leadership program open to all students.

This shift underscores Duke's commitment to honoring Reggie Howard's legacy in a multifaceted manner. Rather than confining recognition to a select few, the Reginaldo Howard Leadership Program seeks to cultivate leadership qualities across the entire student body. Duke aims to uphold Howard's spirit of service and engagement by promoting inclusivity and widening access to leadership opportunities.

Navigating Affirmative Action Debates: Contextualizing the Decision

The decision to transition from merit scholarships to a leadership program occurs against broader discussions surrounding affirmative action in higher education. Approximately ten months ago, the Supreme Court issued a ruling banning the use of affirmative action in admissions decisions. This ruling prompted institutions like Duke to reassess their diversity and inclusion initiatives in light of evolving legal frameworks.

In navigating these debates, Duke University has chosen to adopt a proactive stance. By discontinuing the Reginaldo Howard Scholars program, the university acknowledges the need for innovative approaches to promoting diversity and equity on campus. The transition to a noncompetitive leadership program reflects a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and dynamic learning environment.

A Holistic Approach to Diversity: Looking Ahead

As Duke University transitions from merit scholarships to leadership programs, it reaffirms its dedication to diversity and inclusion in higher education. Frank Tramble, vice president for communications, marketing, and public affairs, emphasizes the university's unwavering commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds. This commitment extends beyond financial assistance to include initiatives such as supporting graduates of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) who are pursuing graduate programs at Duke.

Moreover, Duke remains steadfast in its efforts to provide financial aid to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The continuation of full tuition grants for undergraduate students from specific income brackets exemplifies the university's holistic approach to addressing socioeconomic disparities in higher education.

Looking ahead, Duke University's transition from merit scholarships to leadership programs sets a precedent for reimagining traditional student support models. By fostering leadership qualities among all students and promoting inclusivity at every level, Duke strives to create a vibrant and equitable campus community.

Duke University's decision to end the Reginaldo Howard Scholars program in favor of the Reginaldo Howard Leadership Program reflects a broader commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. As institutions navigate evolving legal landscapes and societal expectations, innovative student support and engagement approaches become paramount. Through this transition, Duke reaffirms its dedication to honoring legacies, fostering leadership, and creating opportunities for all students to thrive.
In a recent development at Pitzer College, President Strom Thacker made headlines by rejecting an amended resolution put forth by students, faculty, and staff.

This resolution, which called for a complete severance of ties between Pitzer College and Israeli universities, was met with staunch opposition from Thacker. His decision, articulated in a statement to the campus community on April 11, underscores a fundamental clash between academic freedom principles and advocacy-driven initiatives within academic institutions.

The Debate Unfolds: Academic Freedom vs. Advocacy

The tension between academic freedom and advocacy-driven initiatives lies at the heart of the controversy. Like many academic institutions, Pitzer College upholds the value of academic freedom as a cornerstone of its educational philosophy. Thacker's rejection of the resolution reflects a commitment to this principle, asserting that an academic boycott undermines the diversity of perspectives essential for robust scholarly discourse.

The resolution, initially proposed by pro-Palestinian student activists and later amended to gain broader support within the college community, has sparked a significant debate. Thacker's stance on the resolution brings to light a divergence in perspective regarding the appropriate role of advocacy within academic institutions. The question arises: to what extent should advocacy influence institutional policies, particularly in matters as contentious as international relations?

Thacker's assertion that embracing an academic boycott could lead to the marginalization of certain perspectives highlights the potential consequences of such initiatives. Advocates argue that boycotts serve as powerful tools for promoting social justice and human rights. However, opponents, including Thacker, argue that they risk stifling academic freedom and limiting the diversity of ideas essential for intellectual growth.

READ MORE : Pitzer College's Removal Of Study Abroad Program At University Of Haifa In Israel Sparks Debate Over Academic Freedom And Activism

Navigating Complexities: The Haifa Program and Beyond

The controversy surrounding the resolution was further compounded by the decision to close Pitzer College's study abroad program at the University of Haifa in Israel. While university leaders attributed this decision to logistical concerns such as low enrollment, student activists interpreted it as a victory for the boycott movement. This move, coupled with the subsequent rejection of the amended resolution, sparked widespread debate within the college community and beyond.

The closure of the Haifa program underscored the complexities inherent in navigating the intersection of academic initiatives and geopolitical tensions. While university leaders maintained that the decision was based on practical considerations, its timing amidst the broader debate over academic boycotts inevitably fueled speculation. Moreover, Thacker's subsequent rejection of the amended resolution further deepened the divide between proponents of the boycott movement and defenders of academic freedom.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

As the fallout from Pitzer College's decision reverberates across academia, it underscores the enduring challenges and opportunities inherent in reconciling competing priorities within academic institutions. The clash between advocacy-driven initiatives and academic freedom principles is not unique to Pitzer College but reflects broader tensions within higher education.

Moving forward, the Pitzer College community faces the challenge of fostering constructive dialogue and reconciliation amidst divergent viewpoints. While Thacker's rejection of the resolution may have disappointed proponents of the boycott movement, it also reaffirmed the college's commitment to academic freedom. However, this decision also highlights the need for continued engagement and dialogue to address underlying concerns and promote a more inclusive and equitable campus environment.

The rejection of the amended resolution by Pitzer College President Strom Thacker underscores the complexities inherent in navigating advocacy-driven initiatives and academic freedom principles within academic institutions. As the debate unfolds, it prompts critical reflection on the role of advocacy in shaping institutional policies and the broader implications for scholarly discourse and intellectual exchange.
Six months after the Israel-Hamas war sparked a new wave of campus activism in the United States, students continued to protest fervently. However, at some institutions, administrators are responding to student demonstrators-especially those supporting Palestinians-with increasingly severe discipline.

Campus Clashes: Protesters and Arrests

In March, Vanderbilt University police detained four students and a local journalist following a protest that seized control of the chancellor's office. They demanded the administration restore an Israeli divestment-related amendment removed from the student government ballot. Subsequently, three students were expelled, and others received suspensions or disciplinary probation.

Shortly after, 20 students at Pomona College in California were arrested, with some facing suspension, after masked protesters from the Pomona Divest from Apartheid coalition stormed the president's office. This action was allegedly accompanied by a racial slur directed at an administrator.

Rutgers University at Brunswick's Students for Justice in Palestine chapter canceled a planned walkout after administrators reportedly warned of possible suspension or expulsion.

READ MORE : Pitzer College's Removal Of Study Abroad Program At University Of Haifa In Israel Sparks Debate Over Academic Freedom And Activism

Political and Donor Pressure

These clashes and disciplinary actions reflect past campus climates during the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the apartheid era in South Africa. What has changed is the mounting pressure from politicians and donors on college leaders to support specific viewpoints.

According to Tom Ginsburg, a law professor at the University of Chicago, the outside pressures are larger and more significant than in recent memory. He notes that incidents of students shouting down campus speakers they disagree with have changed the academic culture negatively. University leaders find themselves caught in the middle, facing pressure from various quarters.

This pressure will likely be evident as Minouche Shafik, president of Columbia University, and its Board of Trustees testify before the House Education and Workforce Committee about the university's response to antisemitism. Previous hearings criticized university presidents for equivocating on issues related to antisemitism.

Response to Antisemitism and Student Activism

Columbia University has suspended students for holding an unauthorized panel discussion called "Resistance 101," featuring speakers from pro-Palestinian groups Within Our Lifetime, Masar Badil, and the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network. Shafik characterized the speakers as "support[ing] terrorism and promot[ing] violence," calling the event an "abhorrent breach of our values."

However, Columbia's response to campus antisemitism is under investigation, not only by the House committee but also by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, along with numerous other institutions.

Zachary Greenberg, from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, notes a shift from warnings and probations to suspensions and arrests. He suggests that universities may be preemptively cracking down on protests ahead of commencement ceremonies to avoid disruptions during these high-profile events.

Free Speech and Safety Concerns

The debate around free speech versus safety concerns intensifies as universities grapple with how to respond to disruptive protests. At Vanderbilt, where some student protesters were arrested, the campus is engaged in a debate about whether the university's response was a violation of free speech.

Daniel Diermeier, chancellor of Vanderbilt University, defended the decision to arrest some students after they allegedly assaulted a community service officer and shoved staff members during their protest. He emphasized the university's duty to maintain safety and normal operations.

However, critics argue that the punishments were too severe and inconsistent with Vanderbilt's commitment to free speech. They contend that the criterion that student protests must not 'disrupt' university operations is vague and expansive.

The Role of DEI and Political Climate

The political climate has shifted from the 2010s, when universities responded to demands for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with pledges to expand such efforts. In recent years, conservative efforts to ban DEI programs in higher education have gained traction, influencing university responses to antisemitism and student activism.

Walter F. Heinecke, from the University of Virginia, notes that some lawmakers are using antisemitism as a vehicle to undermine DEI commitments. This trend, coupled with political influences, has led to unequal punishments for pro-Palestinian faculty and student protesters.

The clash between student activism and institutional responses reflects a broader societal divide. While universities aim to uphold free speech and safety, they face pressure from various stakeholders. The outcomes of these clashes will likely shape campus activism and free speech debates for years to come.
The rollout of the revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been anything but smooth. What was anticipated to streamline the financial aid process for students has turned into a debacle affecting not only individuals but also institutions across the nation.

As Congress members and higher education leaders continue to voice concerns and advocate for solutions, it's crucial to delve into the multifaceted repercussions of this crisis. This is not just a problem; it's a responsibility we all share.

The Human Toll: Students Left in Limbo

The heart of the FAFSA issue lies in its impact on the very individuals it was designed to assist: students. With delays and glitches plaguing the system, countless students find themselves in a state of uncertainty regarding their financial aid prospects. The repercussions are particularly dire for marginalized groups, including first-generation college students, students of color, and those from low-income backgrounds.

ACE President Ted Mitchell aptly described the situation as "a rolling catastrophe," emphasizing how it disproportionately affects vulnerable student populations. The consequences extend beyond mere inconvenience; they pose a significant barrier to accessing higher education and realizing the American dream for many aspiring students. As high school students hesitate to complete the FAFSA, fearing a system fraught with errors, the potential for lost opportunities looms.

The recent report indicating a 40 percent drop in completed FAFSA forms compared to the previous year's statistics is not just concerning; it's alarming. Mitchell's concerns about this decline surpassing even the pandemic-induced drop underscore the severity of the situation. The crisis not only exacerbates existing inequalities but also perpetuates a sense of exclusion among those who already face systemic barriers to educational attainment. This is a crisis that demands immediate attention.

Institutional Challenges: Navigating the Fallout

While students bear the brunt of the FAFSA fiasco, higher education institutions grapple with their own challenges. The botched rollout has forced colleges and universities to reassess their enrollment and financial aid processes, disrupting administrative timelines and institutional planning.

A survey conducted by ACE, EDUCAUSE, and NACBUO illuminates the struggles institutions face in adapting to the new FAFSA system. Nearly half of the respondents indicated a need to adjust enrollment deadlines, and a growing number have already done so. This adjustment adds logistical complications and uncertainty to the admissions process, potentially deterring prospective students from committing to higher education.

In response to these challenges, higher education groups like ACE advocate for flexibility in enrollment and financial aid deadlines. By providing institutions with the leeway to accommodate students affected by the FAFSA crisis, these measures aim to mitigate the disruptive effects on both individuals and institutions. The collaborative efforts of stakeholders across the higher education landscape are crucial in navigating this turbulent period and safeguarding the accessibility and inclusivity of higher education.

Urgent Action Required: Advocating for Solutions

As the FAFSA debacle unfolds, calls for urgent action reverberate through Congress and the higher education community. Bipartisan legislators, advocacy groups, and institutional leaders are united in their demand for accountability and resolution from the Department of Education (ED).

Rep. Burgess Owens aptly characterizes the FAFSA rollout as "mired in delays and dysfunction," emphasizing the need for swift intervention to prevent further harm to students, families, and institutions. The stakes are high, with decades of progress in widening access to higher education hanging in the balance. Rep. Frederica Wilson underscores the threat to marginalized student groups, highlighting the risk of undoing hard-won advancements in educational equity and financial stability.

In response to the crisis, ED has pledged to address known errors and expedite processing FAFSA forms. However, the scale of the challenge demands a comprehensive and sustained effort to rectify systemic issues and restore confidence in the financial aid system. Transparent communication, proactive outreach, and targeted support for affected individuals are essential to any effective response strategy.

Furthermore, collaboration between policymakers, education leaders, and advocacy groups is vital in shaping long-term solutions to prevent similar crises in the future. By learning from the shortcomings of the current FAFSA rollout, stakeholders can work together to design a more resilient and equitable financial aid infrastructure that serves the needs of all students.

Charting a Path Forward

The fallout from the botched FAFSA rollout serves as a sobering reminder of financial aid's critical role in facilitating access to higher education. As students and institutions grapple with the ongoing repercussions, stakeholders must remain vigilant in advocating for solutions and supporting those affected by the crisis.

By addressing systemic issues, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing the needs of marginalized student populations, we can chart a path toward a more equitable and inclusive higher education landscape. The resilience of the education community in the face of adversity offers hope for a brighter future where every aspiring student can pursue their academic aspirations without undue barriers or obstacles.
April 16 2024

The largest development phase thus far at an Aberdeenshire New Town has begun with the construction of 220 homes.

Social enterprise Places for People carried out a sod-cutting ceremony in Chapelton to mark the occasion, the latest step towards creating an 8,000-home community eight miles from Aberdeen city centre.

Delivered in partnership with Elsick Development Company the homes include a variety of properties for private sale, as more affordable shared equity, mid-market rent and social rent options.

David Carnegie, the Duke of Fife, said: "We have a long-term vision for Chapelton as a sustainable new town designed to meet the needs of residents and create opportunities now and for generations to come. We are pleased to reach this significant milestone, which will include Chapeltons first school, as we launch the latest and largest phase of development...

Conceived as an agglomeration of distinct neighbourhoods, with shops, business space and cafes. The latest phase will centre on Geddes Square flanked by several shops and active travel routes with a large park sitting at the heart of the town, designed by Brooks Murray Architects.
RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2024) Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited Murree's Tehsil Headquarters Hospital here on Tuesday and examined various departments of the hospital.

The chief minister expressed anger on seeing the long cues of patients in the OPD. She reprimanded the hospital medical superintendent and directed for an improved OPD system to avoid long waiting for the visiting patients. Fix the hospital system, patients are dying, she warned.

CM visited various departments and patients' wards of the hospital. While interacting with the women waiting in the queue, she inquired about any problems they were facing and assured them for early resolution of the issues.

The chief minister inspected the medical facilities and interacted with under treatment patients in OPD.

She also consoled the sick mother and daughter, expressed her compassion to the little child and directed the doctor for the best treatment of them. The Chief Minister visited the patients in the emergency ward and prayed for their early recovery. She directed for better care of patients in the emergency department.

The chief minister also interacted with patients' attendants and inquired about the provision of free medicines to the patients and medical tests facilities by the hospital.

During the visit Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also inspected the PCU center, reviewed the facilities in the medical ward, gynecology wards and children's nursery.

The patients of the hospital expressed their joy during CM's visit and her conversation with them.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2024) Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said that the Saudi investment in Pakistan, would not only strengthen the deeply valued partnership but also make a sterling contribution to regional peace and stability.

The foreign minister, addressing the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) Forum held here and attended by the visiting high-powered Saudi delegation, led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, said that the incumbent government's goal was to transform Pakistan into a hub for economic activity and innovation, creating an attractive environment for global investors, particularly those from Saudi Arabia.

The visiting delegation consists of Saudi Minister of Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley; Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef; Assistant Minister of Investment, Ibrahim bin Yousef Al-Mubarak; Head of Saudi Special Committee, Mohammed Maziad Al-Tuwaijri; and senior officials from Ministry of Energy and Saudi Public Investment Fund.

The foreign minister assured the delegation that the Saudi investment in Pakistan was not just the placement of capital, rather it would prove to be instrumental for mutual progress and prosperity.

The foreign minister reaffirmed that the Saudi investment in Pakistan would be handled with the utmost respect and through institutionalized mechanisms.

He told the gathering that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia shared deep-rooted ties, anchored in rich Islamic heritage and mutual strategic interests and the Saudi delegation's visit underscored a deep and abiding connection between the two countries.

He said a longstanding and time-tested friendship with Saudi Arabia was a significant element of Pakistan's foreign policy with an aim to transform the traditionally fraternal ties into a strategic economic partnership.

He informed the delegation that the SIFC platform intended to streamline processes and ensure rapid decision-making and efficient handling of investments. The Council has a central role in augmenting infrastructure, streamlining regulatory framework and ensuring the swift processes to attract foreign direct investment to Pakistan.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan was endowed with fertile agricultural land, a dynamic population, mineral wealth, a vibrant IT sector and abundant prospects for renewable energy like solar, hydro and wind.

He said Pakistan's fertile land presented numerous opportunities in agriculture technology and food processing. A vast network of water resources did create the prospects for Pakistan to become the region's food basket, he added.

Furthermore, he said the country's mining sector was marked by untapped potential, especially in the Tethyan Belt known for copper, gold and valuable minerals.

He said through collaborative efforts, the bond between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was set to strengthen and emphasised that both sides should seize the abundant opportunity ahead.
La Mesa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2024) Wearing a necklace of jaguar fangs and a green feather headdress, shaman Claudino Perez is back home in Colombia overseeing an ayahuasca ceremony after the mind-altering brew landed him in a Mexican jail.

Perez, 63, is one of nine people, mainly from Indigenous communities in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, to have been arrested in Mexico since 2022 for possession of ayahuasca -- classed as an illicit substance in many countries.

He spent two years awaiting trial on narcotics charges.

All nine have since been released, but their arrests have revived a debate over the ancient Amazonian concoction used by Indigenous people as a healing portal to the spirit world.

In Mexico, "you are just another criminal... they classify us as traffickers," Perez told AFP on the sidelines of a traditional ceremony in La Mesa, 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the capital Bogota.

Perez, from the Uitoto people, was arrested in March 2022 at the Mexico City airport after drug enforcement agents found bottles of ayahuasca in his luggage.

Prosecutors sought a 25-year prison term against him.

His case was dismissed after Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has said he tried ayahuasca, sent a team of academics to Mexico to address the court about the ancient uses of ayahuasca.

- Ritual, therapy, and trend -

Ayahuasca is extracted from an Amazonian vine, Banisteriopsis caapi, and mixed with other leaves and ingredients before being consumed in shamanic rituals.

It contains the hallucinogenic active ingredient dimethyltryptamine, or DMT, which is illegal in Mexico, the United States, Canada and some European countries.

Mexico considers it "an especially serious problem for public health."

Perez has travelled the world with ayahuasca to treat those seeking its healing benefits. He said he has been to Mexico dozens of times for this purpose.

Scientists are increasingly interested in the therapeutic uses of psychedelic drugs to treat addiction and mental health issues.

Ayahuasca has also become trendy amongst wellness-obsessed Westerners who flock to retreats in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, as well as those hosted by so-called "neo-shamans" in Europe and the United States.

Celebrities such as Susan Sarandon, Sting and Lindsay Lohan have openly talked about taking the brew.

However, experts warn the concoction has its dangers, especially if mixed with other drugs, and can trigger psychotic episodes.

Julian Quintero of the NGO Accion Tecnica Social, which is against the war on drugs, said traditional ceremonies that include the use of ayahuasca are moving out of Indigenous ritual contexts given the "global trend of returning to spiritual experiences."

"There is a gray area that Latin American countries should regulate" including to determine "who has the power" to use ayahuasca and ensuring it is not aimed at "purely recreational commercial sale," he said.

- 'The crime is being Indigenous' -

Among Colombia's Indigenous people, 84 percent of those older than 12 have used ayahuasca as a traditional medicine, according to official figures.

In Peru, authorities declared ayahuasca part of the natural cultural heritage in 2008.

But in September 2023, shaman Lauro Hinostroza of the Peruvian Amazon's Shipibo-Konibo tribe was arrested after he landed in Mexico City to attend an international congress on Indigenous medicine.

The 71-year-old told AFP he did not understand why he ended up behind bars for six months.

In "healing, the working tool is the plant, ayahuasca," he said.

"They arrest us for being poor and for being healers... the crime is being Indigenous," said Hinostroza.

Mexican authorities did not respond to AFP's requests for comment.
(@FahadShabbir)

Georgian lawmakers on Tuesday agreed an early draft of a controversial "foreign influence" bill, sparking fears of protests against the legislation criticised for mirroring repressive Russian law

Tbilisi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2024) Georgian lawmakers on Tuesday agreed an early draft of a controversial "foreign influence" bill, sparking fears of protests against the legislation criticised for mirroring repressive Russian law.

The law has sparked outrage in Georgia and concern in the West, with many arguing it undermines Georgia's bid for European Union membership.

Lawmakers voted 78 to 25 to approve the draft bill for further debate and are expected to pass the law on first reading later Tuesday.

The ruling Georgian Dream party holds a commanding majority in the legislature and can pass it without opposition backing.

Opponents have called for a mass rally against the law on Tuesday. On Monday, police detained 14 demonstrators when some 10,000 people took to the streets.

If adopted, the bill will require any independent NGO and media organisation that receives more than 20 percent of funding from abroad to register as an "organisation pursuing the interests of a foreign power."

A similar law is used in Russia to punish government critics and suffocate independent media.

The European Commission has called on Tbilisi not to pass the legislation, saying it contradicts the democratic reforms Tbilisi is required to pursue to progress on its path towards EU membership.

In December, the EU granted Georgia official candidate status but said Tbilisi would have to reform its judicial and electoral systems, reduce political polarisation, improve press freedom and curtail the power of oligarchs before membership talks are formally launched.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said last week that passing the law would "derail Georgia from its European path."

In a surprise move ahead of October's parliamentary elections seen as key democratic test, the ruling party re-introduced the bill in parliament earlier this month.

It was forced to drop a similar measure last year, following mass protests that saw police use water cannon and tear gas against demonstrators.

A former Soviet republic, Georgia has sought for years to deepen relations with the West, but the current ruling party is accused of trying to steer the Black Sea nation toward closer ties with Russia.

Traditionally seen as a leader of democratic transformation among ex-Soviet countries, Georgia has in recent years been criticised for perceived democratic backsliding.
Prosecutors began grilling prospective jurors in Donald Trump's historic criminal trial Tuesday, kicking off a grueling process in which both sides will look to weed out biased panelists

New York, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2024) Prosecutors began grilling prospective jurors in Donald Trump's historic criminal trial Tuesday, kicking off a grueling process in which both sides will look to weed out biased panelists.

No other US ex-president has faced a criminal trial and the pressure is high on defense attorneys and prosecutors to get a dozen jurors able to sit in judgement on a man running to return to the White House this November.

After a preliminary phase in which prospective jurors could opt out if they felt unable to be impartial, the prosecution began detailed questioning of an initial panel of 12, with Trump's defense team to follow.

The high bar in a criminal trial means that to convict Trump of his alleged fraud in a scheme to cover up an embarrassing alleged extramarital encounter with a porn star will require a unanimous jury.

Even one dissenting voice would see him walk free.

The painstaking process was expected to take as long as two weeks before arguments can even begin, eating deep into the presidential campaign.

Trump, 77, has been ordered by Judge Juan Merchan to attend daily and on arrival Tuesday for the second day the Republican was fuming.

"I should be right now in Pennsylvania and Florida -- in many other states, North Carolina, Georgia -- campaigning," Trump said, calling Merchan, "Trump-hating."

Meanwhile, Biden was due to tout his economic policies in a visit to his birthplace in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Tuesday -- a key swing state Biden narrowly carried in the 2020 election.
Kosovo's president on Tuesday declared a day of mourning and urged a clampdown on violence against women after hundreds joined a demonstration in the capital amidst outrage over two murders in five days

Pristina, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2024) Kosovo's president on Tuesday declared a day of mourning and urged a clampdown on violence against women after hundreds joined a demonstration in the capital amidst outrage over two murders in five days.

Several hundred people marched in front of the justice ministry in capital Pristina late Monday over the killing of a 21-year-old woman, calling for a tougher policy against gender-based violence. Prosecutors said she was shot dead by her husband in the town of Ferizaj last Friday.

The protesters carried banners saying that prosecutors, police, courts and the state all have "blood on their hands".

The murder of a second woman in the western town of Peja was announced Tuesday and came as a new shock. It was "suspected that the husband took the life of his wife" in their apartment, prosecutors said in a statement.

"The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, in support of the Constitution of Kosovo, has decided to declare Wednesday, April 17, 2024, a day of mourning, in memory of all women and girls killed in Kosovo as a result of violence on a gender basis", according to a statement from the presidency.

Speaking to reporters, Osmani said "unfortunately, today we all woke up this morning with the terrible news of the murder of a woman by her husband."

"The only way to stop it is if we all wake up as a society, as a state and as a nation," Osmani added.

Since 2010, there have been 55 cases of femicide in the country of only 1.8 million people. Last year police registered more than 1,100 cases of gender-based violence, but human rights groups said there were many more.
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Mexico City, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2024) Mexico's capital registered a record-high temperature on Monday when thermometers reached 34.2 degrees Celsius (93.6 Fahrenheit), the head of the National Water Commission said.

"Today a historical maximum temperature record was established for Mexico City," director-general of the National Water Commission (Conagua) German Martinez Santoyo wrote on social media site X.

"The 33.9 degrees Celsius that had been reached on May 9, 1998 was surpassed by the 34.2 registered today at the Meteorological Observatory of Tacubaya," he added.

Mexico's capital and its metropolitan area together have more than 20 million inhabitants.

The mayor's office issued an alert over the high temperatures, which are expected to continue in the coming days. Authorities recommended the public stay hydrated, try to remain in the shade and use sunscreen.

Nearly all of Mexico has been hit by the heatwave, and in eight states with coastlines on the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico, temperatures are forecast to exceed 45 degrees Celsius.
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Brussels authorities set off a political firestorm Tuesday by ordering the shutdown of a controversial gathering of hard-right European politicians, in a move denounced by the Belgian prime minister as "unacceptable"

Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2024) Brussels authorities set off a political firestorm Tuesday by ordering the shutdown of a controversial gathering of hard-right European politicians, in a move denounced by the Belgian prime minister as "unacceptable".

Keynote speakers at the "national conservatism" conference included the eurosceptic populist Nigel Farage and Britain's former interior minister Suella Braverman, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban scheduled to address the two-day gathering on Wednesday.

Farage's speech went ahead amid swirling rumours the event was about to be shut down, followed by Braverman, who took the stage despite police entering the venue to notify organisers of a ban.

France's far-right former presidential candidate Eric Zemmour was later barred by police from entering the venue to deliver an address on migration.

"I think it's absolutely monstrous," Farage told reporters after wrapping up his address.

"This is the complete old Communist style where if you don't agree with me, you've got to be banned, you've got to be shut down," said the Brexit figurehead.

Emir Kir, mayor of the Brussels district of Saint-Josse where the venue is located, said on Facebook he issued a ban in order to "ensure public security" -- with protesters vowing to target the venue.

He said the far-right -- which is predicted to surge in EU-wide elections taking place in June -- was "not welcome" in the city.

But Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo slammed the move as "unacceptable" and said the Belgian constitution guaranteed freedom of speech.

"Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop," the liberal leader wrote on X.

A spokesperson for Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the decision "extremely disturbing".

Despite the order, the conference limped on through Tuesday afternoon with police refraining from forcing out the participants, but also blocking new attendees from entering.

Organisers said they were challenging the mayor's decision in court and it remained unclear if the gathering would be forced to shift location for its second day or be held at all.

Orban -- who will also be attending a two-day summit of EU leaders in Brussels starting Wednesday -- vowed "we will not give up" as he railed against the authorities in the Belgian capital.

"I guess they couldn't take free speech any longer," he wrote on X.
Lawyer Omar Ushari still remembers the hope that gripped Khartoum after the uprising that overthrew dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Now after a year of war between rival generals, much of the Sudanese capital lies in ruins

Cairo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2024) Lawyer Omar Ushari still remembers the hope that gripped Khartoum after the uprising that overthrew dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Now after a year of war between rival generals, much of the Sudanese capital lies in ruins.

The 37-year-old, then detained for his activism, celebrated behind bars when Bashir was toppled in a palace coup.

In the heady days that followed, as the army promised a transition to elective civilian rule, Ushari was released, and set to work on his dream project: a literary cafe near the banks of the Nile.

Named Rateena, his cafe swiftly became known as a safe haven for young activists eager to take part in building a "better Sudan".

But on April 15 last year, the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces went to war, and Ushari watched both his project and his dreams for the country "fade, bit by bit".

For months, he braved raging street battles to visit Rateena, "sit in the dark, take stock of what had been looted since my last visit, and reminisce".

He didn't understand how "the music that filled the space, the lectures and debates people shared, had been replaced with stray bullets strewn around me and the sound of tank fire outside".

Now as the war has entered its second year, with thousands dead and millions more driven from their homes, Ushari tells AFP his is "only one of thousands of dreams shattered" -- a microcosm of "a stolen revolution".

- 'Hopes were high' -

Bashir's ouster in April 2019 ushered in a civilian-led transition that saw an outpouring of "hope, inspiration and vibrancy" among young Sudanese, said Samah Salman, who worked in corporate venture capital at the time.

Startups were "springing up all across Sudan," she told AFP from the United States, "all building extraordinary solutions to real needs ordinary Sudanese people were facing".

Salman alone reviewed over 50 startups working in telehealth, agritech, renewable energy, logistics and fintech solutions, crediting the boom to "the energy of the revolution".

According to Ushari, "hopes were high that Sudan was finally on the right path, out of the shadows and heading towards democracy, towards freedom."

Like countless others, communications expert Raghdan Orsud, 36, wanted to play her part.

She co-founded Beam Reports to investigate disinformation in Sudan -- "out of the belief in the role media can play in democratic transition," she told AFP from London.

But in October 2021, two months after Beam Reports launched, that transition came to an end. The same generals who would later go to war -- army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his then-deputy RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo -- ousted civilians from the transitional administration.

"Nothing was the same after the coup," Ushari said.

"It was a painful time, they were killing protesters every week, but still we had hope."

Then, one fateful Saturday at the end of Ramadan, the people of Khartoum awoke to the sounds of air strikes and shelling as their worst fears came true: the erstwhile allies had turned their guns on each other.

- Up in flames -

Overnight, bodies began piling up on the streets as vicious urban warfare drove millions to flee.

Orsud had just bought studio-grade recording equipment, "still in their boxes" when RSF paramilitaries seized and looted her offices.

Ushari was piecing together a life in Cairo when he received a video message showing a massive fire.

"That's how I found out Rateena had burned down," he said.

Countless Sudanese in the diaspora -- who had spent decades saving up to build their Khartoum homes -- have been forced to watch from afar as they were looted by the RSF.

"At some point, he was praying for an air strike to hit the house," pastry chef Shaimaa Adlan, 29, told AFP in Cairo, referring to her father in Saudi Arabia.

"He would have rather seen it destroyed than know his life's work was being used as a paramilitary base."

Adlan herself had started a catering business in Khartoum, before finding herself in Egypt -- uprooted and jobless.

But barely a year later, she sprints through a bustling kitchen in Cairo, shouting orders to her staff and fussing over dishes.

Back home, Salman says the war has not crushed Sudanese entrepreneurialism, just redirected it.

Tech entrepreneurs now crowdsource real-time safety updates instead of protest plans, optimising evacuation paths instead of delivery routes, she said.

The same young people who were organising demonstrations now coordinate aid, becoming what the United Nations calls "the front line" of humanitarian response.

And in displacement centres and the diaspora, the dream of a new Sudan has not been forgotten.

"No matter where we've been exiled, or what remote Sudanese state we've ended up in, there's still a spark of the revolution left in every heart," Ushari said.

"Sudan is ours, it's all of ours," said Orsud, whose fact-checking team has resumed operations from Nairobi.

"What else would we do besides rebuild it, over and over?"
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The International Energy Agency (IEA) is organizing a People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions global conference summit on April 26 in Paris, Trend reports via IEA.

The summit will tackle pivotal issues and prospects for an equitable and sustainable energy shift, covering topics such as workforce development, socio-economic progress, inclusivity, gender parity, and public engagement in global initiatives.

"The conference anticipates the participation of several ministers, esteemed politicians, trade union leaders, energy company representatives, youth delegates, and international experts. They will engage in crucial discussions regarding the socio-economic challenges essential for a fair and inclusive transition to clean energy," the IEA said in a statement.

Key topics during the sessions include developing clean energy policies to ensure maximum benefits for all demographics and garnering public backing for the transition to cleaner energy sources.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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The UK parliament on Tuesday kicked off its first debate on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's planned flagship legislation to prevent young people from smoking, despite opposition from many in his own Conservative Party.

London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2024) The UK parliament on Tuesday kicked off its first debate on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's planned flagship legislation to prevent young people from smoking, despite opposition from many in his own Conservative Party.

The law would ban the selling of tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009 -- effectively raising the smoking age by a year each year until it applies to the whole population.

"This has the potential to phase out smoking in young people almost completely as early as 2040," the government said when it unveiled the plan, calling the move "historic".

While the law looks set to pass thanks to support from opposition parties -- including Labour, which is expected to win a general election due this year -- Sunak faces the prospect of a rebellion from backbench Tory MPs.

The beleaguered leader has little political capital to expend within his fractured party as he struggles to revive its fortunes following months of dire polling.

Smoking is the UK's biggest preventable killer and opinion polls show that around two-thirds of people in the UK back a phased smoking ban.

However, libertarian-leaning MPs on the right of the ruling Conservatives, including former prime minister Liz Truss, have branded the move an attack on personal freedoms.

Conservative MP Simon Clarke told BBC radio that he was "both sceptical and downright opposed" to the plans.

"I think that an outright ban risks being counterproductive, I think it actually risks making smoking cooler, it certainly risks creating a black market, and it also risks creating a unmanageable challenge for the authorities," he said.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson also said at an event in Canada last week it was "mad" that the party of Winston Churchill was "banning cigars".

- Vaping clamp down -

Opening the debate for the government, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told the House of Commons that there is "no liberty in addiction".

"Nicotine robs people of their freedom to choose. The vast majority of smokers start when they are young, and three quarters say that if they could turn back the clock they would not have started," she said.

MPs are due to vote on whether to approve the plans for the next stage of the legislative process on Tuesday evening.

Conservative MPs have been given a free vote, meaning they are able to defy the government without fear of being suspended from the party.

Westminster watchers will closely study the size of the rebellion to see what it suggests about Sunak's authority, amid reports that some cabinet members are considering voting against.

The proposed ban was supposedly inspired by a similar plan in New Zealand which was later dropped.

Official figures show smoking causes about one in four deaths from cancer and leads to 64,000 deaths in England per year.

"If parliament passes this new bill, it will put the UK at the very forefront of the fight to eradicate one of the most harmful inventions of modern times," said Lion Shahab, co-director of the tobacco and alcohol research group at University College London.

The legislation also seeks to clamp down on young people vaping by restricting flavours and packaging to make less appealing to children.
Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2024) US House Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday that his Republican-controlled chamber would vote this week on separate aid bills for Ukraine and Israel, after stalling for months over pressure from his party's right-wing.

The US Senate passed a $95 billion package in February that included massive new funds to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion, as well as new support for Israel and Taiwan.

Johnson, leading a razor-thin Republican majority in the House, has refused to allow a vote in his chamber on the so-called security supplemental, despite urgent pleas from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other American allies.

Russia has regrouped amid the deadlock and gone on the offensive, with Ukraine suffering its first territorial setbacks in months after rationing ammunition due to shortages.

"We won't be voting on the Senate supplemental in its current form," Johnson told reporters Monday evening, "but we will vote on each of these measures separately in four different pieces.

"

He said that votes on the separate bills could occur by Friday evening, but that members would be allowed to offer amendments, which would likely drag out the process.

Johnson had previously opposed a standalone vote on Ukraine aid, demanding first that Democratic President Joe Biden crack down on illegal border crossings.

His sudden about-face comes after an unprecedented attack by Iran targeting Israel over the weekend, after which he pledged a prompt show of US support.

"There are precipitating events around the globe that we're all watching very carefully, and we know that the world is watching us to see how we react," he said Monday.

Earlier in the day, the White House ruled out any bill that only contained aid for Israel.

"We will not accept a standalone. A standalone would not help Israel and Ukraine," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told a briefing.
In a show of solidarity with survivors of sexual assault, members of the University of Wyoming community are urged to wear jeans Wednesday, April 24, during Denim Day, the worlds longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign.

People also can participate by being proactive in Green Dot, UWs bystander intervention program, and they can consider donating to UWs Denim Day Survivor Emergency Fund.

Denim Days campaign inspires and mobilizes individuals and our community by providing tools, messaging and an accessible call to action: wearing jeans with a purpose, says Libby Thorson, a UW assistant dean of students.

Denim Day was initiated after an Italian Supreme Court case sparked international outrage when a judge overturned a lower courts conviction of a rapist because the victim wore tight jeans.

According to UW data, 18 percent of students report experiencing sexual assault while enrolled at the university.

At UW, Denim Day coincides with a Green Dot Day of Action event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with educational and awareness activities on Simpson Plaza and in the Wyoming Union. Thorson urges the campus community to wear their denim and Green Dot gear on Denim Day to make a social statement with their fashion statement.

The show of solidarity indicates that violence is not tolerated in the community and that everyone is expected to do their part in ending it. Participants are encouraged to post photos of their denim on Instagram with the hashtag #CowboysWearDenim and tagging @UofWyoming.

Denim Day also serves as a day of fundraising for the Survivor Emergency Fund, Thorson says.

The fund acts as a critical student success tool to alleviate the financial burden many student survivors face because of their victimization so that they can focus on their academic progression, she says.

To learn more and contribute to the fund, go here. To view the Denim Day emergency fund video, go here.

The day will wrap up with a storytelling event at 6 p.m. in Pokes Pub, located on the Wyoming Unions lower level.

Join us with your jeans on for an inspiring evening as we tell the galvanizing stories of bystanders and survivors, says Bob Vines, UW violence prevention coordinator.

Appetizers will be provided, with beverages for purchase available at Pokes Pub.

The community is encouraged to attend a Green Dot training to gain skills as bystanders using the three Ds -- direct, distract and delegate -- to prevent sexual and interpersonal violence.

If you or someone you know is in need of support related to sexual assault, relationship abuse, sexual harassment or stalking, please know that you are not alone, and support is available, Thorson says.

Confidential resources can be found at UWs University Counseling Center, Psychology Center and Employee Assistance Program; and Albany County SAFE Project and Ivinson Memorial Hospital SANE program.

Nonconfidential resources available are UWs Dean of Students Office; Equal Opportunity Report and Response/Title IX office; and Police Department.

For more information, call the UW Dean of Students Office at (307) 766-3298 or email dos@uwyo.edu.
The University of Wyoming Geological Museum will host the annual Fossil Fish Festival Saturday, April 20.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Participants can learn about Wyomings state fossil, Knightia, prepare fossil fish, make fossil-inspired bracelets and learn about the fossilization process, along with other activities.

Come explore the underwater world of prehistoric Wyoming, says Laura Vietti, museum and collections manager for the UW Geological Museum. Join us for some kid-friendly, educational and interactive activities highlighting Wyomings world-renowned fossil fish deposits from the Green River formation quarried by Kemmerer. We have some brand-new fun activities to try out this year.

The UW Geological Museum, the UW Science Kitchen and the Wyoming State Geological Survey sponsor the event.

For more information, call the UW Geological Museum at (307) 766-2646 or email geolmus@uwyo.edu.
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The Azerbaijani Energy Minister discussed actual projects with the head of ACWA Power (Saudi Arabia) Marco Arcelli in Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov wrote on X, Trend reports.

"We discussed cooperation on offshore and onshore wind power projects, as well as projects on the creation of energy storage systems in Azerbaijan," the minister said.

However, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of wind energy has been in force between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and ACWA Power since January 13, 2022 (opportunities for 1 GW onshore and 1.5 GW offshore are being studied).

ACWA Power is also building the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron wind farm in Azerbaijan for $300 million, and this facility may be commissioned in 2025.

To note, the parties have also agreed to cooperate on green hydrogen and the creation of battery energy storage systems.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The 12-month grace period for student loan borrowers ended on September 30. The "on-ramp" period helped borrowers who are struggling to make payments avoid the risk of defaulting and hurting their credit score.

"The end of the on-ramp period means the beginning of the potentially harsh consequences for student loan borrowers who are not able to make payments," said Persis Yu, Deputy Executive Director at the Student Borrower Protection Center.

Around 43 million Americans have student loan debt, amounting to $1.5 trillion. Around eight million of those borrowers had enrolled in the SAVE plan, the newest income-driven repayment plan that extended the eligibility for borrowers to have affordable monthly student loan payments. However, this plan is currently on hold due to legal challenges.

With the on-ramp period and a separate program known as Fresh Start ending and the SAVE plan on hold, student loan borrowers who are struggling to afford their monthly payments have fewer options, added Yu. Student loan borrowers who haven't been able to afford their monthly payments must consider their options to avoid going into default.

If you have student loans, here's what you need to know.

What was the on-ramp period?

The Education Department implemented this grace period to ease the borrower's transition to make payments after a three-year payment pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this year-long period, borrowers were encouraged to keep making payments since interest continued to accumulate.

"Normally, loans will default if you fall about nine months behind on making payments, but during this on-ramp period, missed payments would not move people towards defaulting and then being subject to forced collections. However, if you missed payments, you still be falling behind ultimately on repaying your loans," said Abby Shaforth, director of National Consumer Law Center's Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project.

Since this grace period has ended, student loan borrowers who don't make payments will go delinquent or, if their loans are not paid for nine months, go into default.

Borrowers who cannot afford to make payments can apply for deferment or forbearance, which pause payments, though interest continues to accrue.

What happens if I don't make my payments?

Borrowers who can't or don't pay risk delinquency and eventually default. That can badly hurt your credit rating and make you ineligible for additional aid and government benefits.

If a borrower missed one month's payment, they will start receiving email notifications, said Shaforth. Once the loan hasn't been paid for three months, loan servicers notify to the credit reporting agencies that the loan is delinquent, affecting your credit history. Once the borrower hasn't paid the loan for nine months, the loan goes into default.

If you're struggling to pay, advisers first encourage you to check if you qualify for an income-driven repayment plan, which determines your payments by looking at your expenses. You can see whether you qualify by visiting the Federal Student Aid website. If you've worked for a government agency or a non-profit organization, you could also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives student debt after 10 years.

What happens when a loan goes into default?

When you fall behind on a loan by 270 days  roughly nine months  the loan appears on your credit report as being in default.

Once a loan is in default, it goes into collections. This means the government can garnish wages (without a court order) to go towards paying back the loan, intercept tax refunds, and seize portions of Social Security checks and other benefit payments.

What if I can't pay?

If your budget doesn't allow you to resume payments, it's important to know how to navigate the possibility of default and delinquency on a student loan. Both can hurt your credit rating, which would make you ineligible for additional aid.

If you're in a short-term financial bind, you may qualify for deferment or forbearance  allowing you to temporarily suspend payment.

To determine whether deferment or forbearance are good options for you, you can contact your loan servicer. One thing to note: interest still accrues during deferment or forbearance. Both can also impact potential loan forgiveness options. Depending on the conditions of your deferment or forbearance, it may make sense to continue paying the interest during the payment suspension.

What is an income-driven repayment plan?

The U.S. Education Department offers several plans for repaying federal student loans. Under the standard plan, borrowers are charged a fixed monthly amount that ensures all their debt will be repaid after 10 years. But if borrowers have difficulty paying that amount, they can enroll in one of several plans that offer lower monthly payments based on income and family size. Those are known as income-driven repayment plans.

Income-driven options have been offered for years and generally cap monthly payments at 10% of a borrower's discretionary income. If a borrower's earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased.

What is the latest with the SAVE program?

In August, the Supreme Court kept on hold the SAVE plan, the income-driven repayment plan that would have lowered payments for millions of borrowers, while lawsuits make their way through lower courts.

Eight million borrowers who had already enrolled in the SAVE plan don't have to pay their monthly student loan bills until the court case is resolved. Debt that already had been forgiven under the plan was unaffected.

The next court hearing about this case will be held on October 15.

What happened with the Fresh Start program?

The Fresh Start program, which gave benefits to borrowers who were delinquent prior to the pandemic payment pause, also closed on September 30. During this limited program, student loan borrowers who were in default prior to the pandemic were given the opportunity to remove their loans from default, allowing them to enroll in income-driven payment plans, or apply for deferment, among other benefits.
As U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Iraqs prime minister Monday, all eyes were on Iran, which over the weekend made a historic first strike on Israel.

That attack has inflamed concerns of a wider regional war  a situation that effectively eclipsed the leaders already-planned Oval Office meeting, where they wanted to discuss their mutual fight against Islamic State, economic issues and Iraqs progress toward energy independence and modernization.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the enduring strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States, and discussed their visions for comprehensive bilateral cooperation under the 2008 U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, the two leaders said in a joint statement after Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with Biden.

Meanwhile, White House officials disputed reports that Iran delivered a clear warning before the strike. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby called such reports nonsense.

Can you imagine a world in which Iran would pick up the phone and say, Hey, we're about to try to schwack Israel with 300 cruise missiles and drones. We just wanted to let you know it's coming. And oh, by the way, here's what we're going to hit.

I'm sorry, he said. It just didn't happen.

He stressed that Israels response is an Israeli decision to make, and were going to leave it squarely with them.

Even though the United States is describing Iran's aerial assault as a failure, Iraqs leader acknowledged that the conflict between Israel and Hamas is of major concern in the region.

We are actually very eager about stopping this war, which claimed the lives of thousands of civilians, women and children, Sudani said, sitting beside Biden in the Oval Office. And we encourage all the efforts about stopping the expansion of the area of conflict."

The two nations have a delicate relationship after decades of U.S. military involvement in Iraq. U.S. anti-aircraft assets in northern Iraq were used to shoot down some of the Iranian missiles.

Biden said Iraq has a role to play in maintaining peace.

Simply put, our partnership is pivotal for our nations, for the Middle East, and I believe, for the world, he said.

Earlier Monday, Sudanis deputy met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, where both men hailed the regional cooperation that thwarted the attack and urged de-escalation.

"I think what this weekend demonstrated is that Israel did not have to and does not have to defend itself alone when it is the victim of an aggression, the victim of an attack, Blinken said.

In the 36 hours since, we have been coordinating a diplomatic response to seek to prevent escalation.

We call on all parties for self-restraint and respect the rules and also international norms that we set, said Muhammad Ali Tamim, Iraqs deputy prime minister.

The two leaders announced a raft of bilateral measures Monday, but none directly referenced Iran.

The President and Prime Minister agreed on the importance of working together to advance regional stability and reinforce and respect Iraqi sovereignty, stability, and security, their joint statement said.

The other agreements centered on the priorities the Biden administration outlined in March ahead of the visit: energy independence, regional security and the lasting defeat of ISIS.

But analysts say Baghdad should seize every diplomatic opportunity to seek peace.

Iraq needs to make its preference for reduced escalation clear, Daniel Byman, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told VOA on Zoom. And that's both talking to the Iranians, but also talking to other Arab states and talking to the United States, that this is negative from Iraq's point of view, and that it wants all the powers to take responsible action to try to reduce escalation.

As Israel mulls its response, regional actors are not sitting still. On Monday, Iraqs president met with King Abdullah II of Jordan. According to Jordans royal court, they spoke about the dangers of this conflict escalating further.
As President Joe Biden hosted Iraqs prime minister on Monday, all eyes were on Iran, which over the weekend made a historic first strike on Israel. That attack has inflamed concerns of a wider regional war, something the two leaders focused on during their Oval Office meeting. VOAs Anita Powell reports from the White House.
Chinas growing security presence in the Pacific will be scrutinized this week as the Solomon Islands holds its national election on Wednesday. While the Pacific island nation has been plagued by a slew of domestic issues such as youth unemployment and weakening health and education systems, some analysts say the election is a de-facto referendum on its relationship with China.

The results will determine whether the Solomon Islands continues growing its relationship with China or changes course in favor of a different approach, Parker Novak, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub, told VOA in a written response.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who seeks an unprecedented second consecutive term, has focused on deepening the countrys ties with China since he returned to power in 2019.

After switching Solomon Islands diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, Sogavare signed a series of security-related agreements with China, including a security pact in 2022 and a police cooperation agreement in 2023.

The developments prompted the U.S., Australia and other Pacific island nations to express concerns about the security implications of these deals. So far, the Solomon Islands hasnt revealed details of the controversial security pact with China.

However, a leaked draft agreement shows that China could potentially deploy security and naval assets to the country.

The lack of transparency around the security deal with China has prompted several opposition candidates in the Solomon Islands to vow to abolish or review the security pact.

While opposition leaders have sounded the alarm about Chinas growing security presence in the Solomon Islands, Sogavare has strongly defended his administrations efforts to deepen bilateral ties with China.

Centering his campaign around his signature Look North strategy, which aims to consolidate Solomon Islands economic and diplomatic ties with Asian countries, Sogavare has repeatedly emphasized how Chinese support with infrastructure developments and the Pacific Games has helped place the Pacific island nation in a more favorable footing domestically and internationally.

In response to opposition politicians concerns about Chinas growing influence over the Solomon Islands, Chinas Foreign Ministry said Monday that Beijing supports the people of Solomon Islands in choosing a development path that suits their national conditions.

Some experts say Chinas entry into the Solomon Islands security sector in recent years has created friction with traditional security partners like Australia. There has been an increase in friction as a result of Chinas entry into the security space in the Solomon Islands and other parts of the Pacific, said Mihai Sora, a research fellow in the Pacific Islands program at Lowy Institute in Australia.

While the Solomon Islands is trying to retain relationships with partners like Australia amid its efforts to deepen ties with China, Sora said the Sogavare administrations attempt will be difficult to execute because of continuing strategic friction between Beijing and Canberra, especially in the security space. [The Solomon Islands] will need to resolve the increasing frictions, he told VOA by phone.

Chinese security presence in the Pacific comes into focus

In addition to the Solomon Islands, Chinas growing security presence in other parts of the Pacific region is also coming under scrutiny ahead of other major political events. Earlier this month, Tongas Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said he would be open to accepting Chinese security support when the country hosts the Pacific Islands Forum in August.

Theres no reason to be concerned. China is offering to assist with the hosting of the foreign leaders' meeting, he told reporters in the Tongan capital Nukualofa.

The Chinese Embassy in Tonga told AFP in a statement that Beijing has no interest in geopolitical competition or seeking the so-called 'sphere of influence.

Some analysts say Tongas decision to welcome China as a potential security provider reflects Pacific island nations efforts to diversify their security partners since 2021.

China has had success in presenting itself as a security stakeholder in the region and this is certainly of concern to Canberra, Wellington and Washington, who view Chinas security interests in the Pacific as disruptive and indicative of Chinas broader interests, Anna Powles, an associate professor in security studies at Massey University in New Zealand, told VOA in a written response.

Meanwhile, Fijis Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told ABC Australia in March that the country has removed Chinese police embedded in its police force despite the earlier decision to uphold Fijis policing cooperation agreement with China.

Some experts say Fiji is walking a fine line in its relationship with China and Western countries. By not throwing away the police deal, Fiji is showing that they are not willing to go all in and align with the West, Michael Walsh, an affiliated researcher at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, told VOA by phone.

In his view, Fijis careful calibration of its security relationship with China demonstrates that they are going to keep having a relationship with China that extends into the security domain for the foreseeable future.

While some experts agree that China has made progress in expanding its security presence in the Pacific, Novak from the Atlantic Council said Beijings security influence in the region shouldnt be overstated.

More often than not, Pacific islands countries have elected to maintain or even grow traditional security partnerships with countries like Australia, New Zealand and the United States while carefully maintaining their own sovereignty, he told VOA.
The number of ships allowed through the drought-hit Panama Canal each day will be increased thanks to signs of an improvement in water levels, authorities said Monday.

The interoceanic channel is a key transit point for international cargo, but low water levels blamed on climate change and the El Nino phenomenon last year led officials to limit the number of vessels using it.

The Panama Canal Authority said Monday that it had informed clients it would gradually allow up to 32 ships through per day, compared with a limit of 27 announced a month ago.

In 2022, it had welcomed an average of 39 ships a day.

"The management and administration of water has been very efficient," canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez told AFP.

The arrival of the rainy season was also expected to help, he added.

Restrictions on the maximum draft (water depth) of ships passing through the largest locks will be increased in mid-June to 13.71 meters (45 feet), from 13.41, authorities said.

The century-old maritime channel, which usually handles about 6% of global maritime trade, uses rainwater stored in two artificial lakes.

The canal, used mainly by customers from the United States, China and Japan, has a system of locks to raise and lower ships.

For each vessel that passes through it, 200 million liters of fresh water are released into the sea.
Defiant and determined, House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed back Tuesday against mounting Republican anger over his proposed U.S. aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies, and rejected a call to step aside or risk a vote to oust him from office.

"I am not resigning," Johnson said after a testy morning meeting of fellow House Republicans at the Capitol

Johnson referred to himself as a "wartime speaker" of the House and indicated in his strongest self-defense yet he would press forward with a U.S. national security aid package, a situation that would force him to rely on Democrats to help pass it, over objections from his weakened majority.

"We are simply here trying to do our jobs," Johnson said, calling the motion to oust him "absurd ... not helpful."

Tuesday brought a definitive shift in tone from both the House Republicans and the speaker himself at a pivotal moment as the embattled leader tries, against the wishes of his majority, to marshal the votes needed to send the stalled national security aid for Israel, Ukraine and other overseas allies to passage.

Johnson appeared emboldened by his meeting late last week with Donald Trump when the Republican former president threw him a political lifeline with a nod of support after their private talk at Trump's Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida. At his own press conference Tuesday, Johnson spoke of the importance of ensuring Trump, who is now at his criminal trial in New York, is re-elected to the White House.

Johnson also spoke over the weekend with President Joe Biden as well as other congressional leaders about the emerging U.S. aid package, which the speaker plans to move in separate votes for each section  with bills for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific region. He spoke about it with Biden again late Monday.

It's a complicated approach that breaks apart the Senate's $95 billion aid package for separate votes, and then stitches it back together for the president's signature.

The approach will require the speaker to cobble together bipartisan majorities with different factions of House Republicans and Democrats on each measure. Additionally, Johnson is preparing a fourth measure that would include various Republican-preferred national security priorities, such as a plan to seize some Russian assets in U.S. banks to help fund Ukraine and another to turn the economic aid for Ukraine into loans.

The plan is not an automatic deal-braker for Democrats in the House and Senate, with leaders refraining from comment until they see the actual text of the measure, due out later Tuesday.

House Republicans, however, were livid that Johnson will be leaving their top priority  efforts to impose more security at the U.S.-Mexico border  on the sidelines. Some predicted Johnson will not be able to push ahead with voting on the package this week, as planned..

Rep. Debbie Lesko, a Republican representing Arizona, called the morning meeting an "argument fest."

She said Johnson was "most definitely'' losing support for the plan, but he seemed undeterred in trying to move forward despite "what the majority of the Conference" of Republicans wanted.

When the speaker said the House Republicans' priority border security bill H.R. 2 would not be considered germane to the package, Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican representing Texas and a chief sponsor, said it's for the House to determine which provisions and amendments are relevant.

"Things are very unresolved," Roy said.

Roy said said Republicans want "to be united. They just have to be able to figure out how to do it."

The speaker faces a threat of ouster from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican representing Georgia and the top Trump ally who has filed a motion to vacate the speaker from office in a snap vote  much the way Republicans ousted their former speaker, Kevin McCarthy, last fall.

While Greene has not said if or when she will force the issue, and has not found much support for her plan after last year's turmoil over McCarthy's exit, she drew at least one key supporter Tuesday.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican representing Kentucky, rose in the meeting and suggested Johnson should step aside, pointing to the example of John Boehner, an even earlier House speaker who announced an early resignation in 2015 rather than risk a vote to oust him, according to Republicans in the room.

Johnson did not respond, according to Republicans in the room, but told the lawmakers they have a "binary" choice" before them.

The speaker explained they either try to pass the package as he is proposing or risk facing a discharge petition from Democrats that would force a vote on their preferred package  the Senate approved measure. But that would leave behind the extra Republican priorities.
Russia has been using predatory recruitment methods to coerce thousands of convicts from prisons across the country to serve on the front lines in Ukraine. That helped prevent the need for domestic mobilization ahead of President Vladimir Putins reelection in March, Reuters and others reported last October.

With the war now in its third year, Ukraine is struggling to fill its personnel shortages as its fighting force is dwarfed by Russias.

Moscow is using Ukraines shortage of troops as ammunition in its hybrid warfare, which includes inventing and spreading conspiracy theories designed to undermine Ukraine and its allies, with the United States being the most frequent target.

In a recent example of such disinformation, on April 9, Russias Foreign Intelligence Service, or SVR, baselessly alleged that U.S. law enforcement agencies are recruiting imprisoned members of Mexican and Colombian drug cartels to fight in Ukraine.

American private military companies, under the guidance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI, have begun to recruit Mexican and Colombian drug cartels' members, who are serving their sentence in American prisons, to take part in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of Kyiv's degrading regime," the SVR said in a press statement.

The SVR alleged the first group of cutthroats would be deployed to Ukraine this summer, adding they had been promised full amnesty after the combat service.

The SVR also said the recruitment process "is not going on smoothly, as the U.S. has to negotiate with drug lords to secure their permission for the convicts to collaborate with American authorities.

These claims are unsubstantiated.

The SVR provided no details or facts to support its allegations.

Polygraph.info found no reports in Russian and Western news outlets or by rights and drug trafficking watch groups to back up the SVRs statement. There are also no reports about the U.S. government agencies asking drug lords for permission to send their men to the front line in Ukraine.

The FBI and DEA declined to comment on the allegations.

Russias embassy in Mexico shared the unsupported claim, prompting this response from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico:

Como dicen por ahi, la calumnia cuando no mancha, tizna, which roughly translates to: As they say out there, libel, when it does not stain, it smears.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has repeatedly used that phrase to brush off accusations of malfeasance he considers libelous.

Contrary to SVRs unfounded allegations against the U.S., Russias state-backed campaign to enlist criminals and foreigners to fight in Ukraine is well-documented.

That included allowing Yevgeny Prigozhin, the now-deceased head of the Russian private military company Wagner Group, to recruit tens of thousands of Russian prisoners to fight as mercenaries in Ukraine.

Those who survived were initially granted amnesty after six months, with some men coming home to recommit violent crimes in Russia.

In September 2022, a video emerged of Prigozhin personally recruiting inmates in a Russian prison colony in exchange for amnesty, even though Russian law does not allow commutation of prison sentences in exchange for mercenary service, the BBC reported.

Foreign nationals imprisoned on drug charges were also recruited by Wagner.

In June 2023, Reuters reported on three African inmates who had taken up Wagners offer of a pardon in return for a six-month service in Ukraine. Two of the three men died in combat.

Russias Ministry of Defense has also recruited prisoners to fight in so-called Storm-Z detachments, where they are reportedly treated as cannon fodder (expendable).

In September 2023, Olga Romanova, who heads the prisoner rights organization Russia Behind Bars, told VOAs sister organization Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), that Prigozhin had tapped into a bottomless reservoir of mercenaries  because Russian prisons are some of the most horrible places on Earth.

In January, Romanova alleged Russian prison authorities were turning off heat to further compel inmates to fight in Ukraine, an allegation Russias Federal Penitentiary Service denied.

Reports indicate Russia has sent more than 100,000 convicts to fight in Ukraine. Now, rather than being sent home after six months, Russian authorities are reportedly forcing those convict fighters to remain deployed until the war ends.

Russia is also reportedly targeting and coercing Central Asian migrants to enlist.

Additionally, Russia has recruited and allegedly tricked foreign nationals from Cuba, Nepal, India, and Africa to take up arms.

Some were offered the promise of a better life.

For example, many of the thousands of Nepalese fighters believed to have been recruited to fight on Russias side in the war were offered money and a fast-tracked path to Russian citizenship.

Speaking with CNN, some recruits claimed they did not support Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Others claim they never agreed to fight at all.

Several recent reports suggest Indian nationals have experienced extreme duress after being coerced, and even forced, to fight on Russias side in Ukraine.

Sky News recently reported that Indian nationals who traveled to Russia on tourist visas hoping to find work were arrested by Russian authorities and threatened with 10-year jail sentences for violating visa laws. Those men were told that to avoid prison, they had to serve one year in the Russian military.

Other Indian nationals speaking with the BBC said they had taken up what they believed were jobs to be security guards in Russia, only to be sent into combat.

They spoke of harrowing conditions on the front lines.

Polygraph.info previously debunked the unsubstantiated claim, spread by Russian and sympathetic social media users, that the U.S. and other NATO allies are sending mercenaries to Ukraine.
All About America explores American culture, politics, trends, history, ideals and places of interest.



DEARBORN, MICHIGAN - The term slacks, meaning pants worn during relaxation activities, was coined by an Arab American. Joseph Haggar, a Lebanese immigrant, founded the iconic Haggar mens clothing brand in 1926.



He settled in Texas, and he started this pant company that was extremely successful in the 20th century, says Diana Abouali, director of the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. He also revolutionized the way that pants and clothing were mass produced.

An exhibit at the museum is dedicated to Haggar, whose pants were worn by U.S. President Lyndon Johnson. Stories like Haggars are integral to the museums mission to demonstrate how Arab Americans have been part of the American fabric since the late 19th century. We communicate the American narrative in the voices of Arab Americans. They express their experiences in their own words, Abouali says. This provides people with a more authentic and real representation of what it means to be Arab American.

The museum attempts to share the full range of the Arab American experience, including the journey to America, home and work life, and service in the U.S. Armed Forces.



The diverse offerings include an exhibit about the hundreds of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants who owned homesteads in North Dakota between 1890 and World War I. Thousands of descendants of those pioneers still live in North Dakota. Another exhibit includes lists of Arab American passengers on the doomed Titanic, which sank in 1912. The museum also challenges religious misconceptions. Half of the Arab American community is Christian, Abouali says. And in fact, the earlier immigrants, who came in the late 19th century, early 20th century, were predominantly Christian.

A wall of fame highlights prominent Arab Americans like journalist Helen Thomas, actress Kathy Najimy, politicians like former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, and Candace Lightner, who founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1980. Arab immigrant stories arent well-known among mainstream America. And what little Americans do know about Arabs is often informed by negative stereotypes. The obvious one would be the angry Arab, the terrorist Arab, the being afraid of the Arab that comes from abroad. I think that's the very obvious one, but it's a bit overplayed, says Jasmine Hawamdeh, director of arts and culture at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, a civil rights advocacy group. And I think one of the more harmful stereotypes that currently exists in American media is the oppressed Arab woman.
A high-level pledging conference in Geneva co-sponsored by Ethiopia, Britain and the United Nations received $610 million in pledges to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance for millions of Ethiopians suffering from the ill effects of conflict and climate change. It was seeking $1 billion.

We understand this is just the beginning, and we hope for continued and increased support throughout the year, said Joyce Msuya, U.N. assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs.

Of the 20 countries, the U.S. was the biggest donor with $154 million, followed by the United Kingdom with $124.58 million and the European Union with $139 million.

Last months U.N.-backed multibillion-dollar humanitarian response plan is less than 5% funded, far from enough to address the dire needs of 15.5 million people suffering from conflict and back-to-back climate shocks.

Ambassador Shiferaw Teklemariam, commissioner of the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission, told journalists in Geneva on Tuesday that he hoped the pledging event would turn things around and donor nations would provide critical lifesaving support to Ethiopia. Failure to do so, he said, would have serious consequences.

We are coming out of the COVID pandemic. And, at the same time several disasters including epidemics, locusts, displacements, as we have already raised, is an issue which we have to address and that is why we are saying we really have to act before it is too late, he said.

The United Nations warns the emergency has been building up through cycles of droughts, floods and conflict and is likely to peak during the July-September lean season.

The U.N. projects nearly 11 million people are likely to be food insecure, causing malnutrition levels to rise during the lean season, the period between harvests when food stocks are at their lowest.

Andrew Mitchell, Britains deputy foreign secretary and minister for Development and Africa who recently visited Ethiopia, said he saw increasingly worrying signs of famine-like conditions emerging in conflict areas in the north.

What we found when we went up into Tigray and looked at the areas, where the marginalization and the difficulties were taking place. We found an increasing number of people, particularly children suffering from malnutrition, with the pipeline growing, he said.



Because of climate change and particularly because of the displacement of people, we saw that the coping mechanisms of people were being seriously eroded and people were selling whatever they had, he added.

El Nino has exacerbated a drought in the northern highlands. U.N. agencies report malnutrition rates in conflict-ridden parts of Afar, Amhara, and Tigray are worsening, forcing millions of people to cope with less water, drier pastures and smaller harvests.

Ramiz Alakbarov, U.N. assistant secretary-general, resident and humanitarian coordinator in Ethiopia, noted that the compounded effect of back-to-back climate shocks and conflicts is quite devastating.

On top of it, we have 4.5 million people who have left their homes, he said, noting that Ethiopia is among the top 10 countries with the highest level of internal displacement caused by all those elements.

At the same time, he said conflicts have destroyed and damaged thousands of schools, health facilities, water systems and other community infrastructure in a number of regions and that adds to the difficulty.

Alakbarov said the U.N. was working with the Ethiopian government and international partners to strengthen national systems and civil society. He said humanitarian aid is focused on helping the most vulnerable people, which is a major challenge.

The challenges are working on improving the access, which is not fluid. Sometimes we are prevented in reaching people and people cannot reach us because of insecurity.  In many parts of Ethiopia that situation needs to improve, he said.

Conference organizers say Ethiopia will need at least $1 billion to cover critical aid needs for the next three months.

Last year, USAID and the U.N.s World Food Program temporarily suspended food aid to Ethiopia amid allegations that the food was being diverted. The Ethiopian government denied this.

The agencies have since resumed food distributions following stringent reforms to prevent anything similar from occurring.

In December, after a six-month pause prompted by the discovery of widespread aid diversion, USAID resumed food assistance in Ethiopia, Isobel Coleman, USAID deputy administrator told the conference.

We worked closely with the Ethiopian government and our partners, including the U.N., to reform the food aid system and protect against corruption, she said.

Since December, we have reached more than 4 million people with food assistance across the country, prioritizing drought- and conflict-affected regions with the most acute need, said Coleman, noting that the U.S. is providing Ethiopia with an additional $154 million contribution, bringing its total aid to $243 million this year.

Alakbarov described the reform system as one of the most detailed and most verified processes I have ever observed in my life.

That includes 30 verification points including issuance of digital IDs, creation of community complaint mechanisms and all sorts of digital tracking of every bag of items, he said.

The problem is that we do not have enough to distribute, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov spoke at the 14th session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi about plans to increase renewable energy capacities in Azerbaijan, the press release of Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry said, Trend report.

"We have two stages of planning for green energy on land and sea: 2027 and 2030. Renewable energy potential in Azerbaijan will double by 2027 and more than quadruple by 2030. We will have more than 8 GW of green energy by 2023 for local needs, decarbonization of the economy, and export," the Minister stated during discussions on creating an incentive for 100 percent renewable energy sources.

According to Shahbazov, Azerbaijan has projects that will increase the share of renewable energy in the installed capacity of electricity to 33 percent in the coming 4-5 years.

"This will happen three years ahead of schedule and will be 3 percent higher than the previously expected share of renewable energy in the energy balance," the minister stated.

He added that Azerbaijan, as a COP29 host country, is committed to contributing to the implementation of climate and green energy goals at the national level until 2030 and beyond.

"Azerbaijan is ready at COP29 to be a driving force of global solidarity in the fight against climate change," Shahbazov emphasized.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged Chinas leader Xi Jinping to use his country's influence to press Russia to end its war in Ukraine.

Following meetings with Xi on Tuesday in Beijing, Scholz said on the social media platform X that Chinas word carries weight in Russia, and that I have therefore asked President Xi to influence Russia so that Putin finally  ends this terrible war.

He added that Xi agreed to support a peace conference in Switzerland.

The statements come at the tail end of Scholzs three-day visit to China, in which he discussed a wide range of issues with Xi and other leaders.

Scholz on Tuesday warned against threatening nuclear weapons during the war, after Russian President Vladimir Putin last month said he is ready to use them if the countrys sovereignty or independence is threatened.

He also told Xi that Moscows invasion threatens global security and that the two countries could work together to achieve a just peace for Ukraine.

Commenting on the crisis, Xi said, China encourages and supports all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis, according to Chinese state media.

Xi added that China and Germany are the second and third largest economies in the world and that Beijing and Berlin should view and develop bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic perspective and work together to inject more stability and certainty into the world.

This statement follows growing international criticism of Beijing over its continued diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow amid its invasion of Ukraine, which has helped Russia stay afloat during expansive Western sanctions.

China claims it is a neutral party in the conflict, and despite accusations from the United States, has asserted that it has not and will not provide military aid to Russia to support its invasion.

In addition to the Ukraine war, Scholzs trip has been overshadowed by other international conflicts and events.

Germanys chancellor arrived on Sunday after Irans first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory. Nearly all of more than 300 missiles and drones were intercepted by Israel and its allies. Scholz has followed other Western leaders in warning Iran not to strike again and Israel not to retaliate.

On Monday, Scholz discussed the importance of fair competition between Europe and China, while urging Beijing to not dump or overproduce in the European market. For eight consecutive years as of 2023, China has been Germanys largest trade partner.

The trip also comes as the humanitarian crisis worsens in the Gaza Strip, more than six months into the Israel-Hamas war.

In a press conference Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that China and Germany are concerned about the serious humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the danger of further escalation of regional tensions.

Lin added that both Beijing and Berlin call for unhindered and sustainable access to humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip.

Some information in this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
Authorities in Pakistan and Afghanistan said Tuesday that intense unseasonal rainfall, lightning and floods across both neighboring countries had killed at least 100 people over the past several days.

A spokesman for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said floods had caused human and material losses in 13 of the countrys 34 provinces.

Janan Saiq reported that the disaster resulted in nearly 50 fatalities, dozens of injuries, and the loss of hundreds of livestock.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Afghanistan said Tuesday that the recent heavy rains and floods have affected more than 1,200 families and damaged almost 1,000 houses and at least 25,000 hectares of agricultural land.

The statement noted that the U.N. and partners are assessing the impact and related needs and providing assistance.

The Afghan meteorological agency has predicted that more heavy rainfall is expected in most provinces.

Poverty-stricken Afghanistan has been reeling from the devastation of years of conflict and natural disasters, including floods, droughts and earthquakes.

Last October, a series of earthquakes rattled western Herat and surrounding provinces, killing around 1,500 people.

Devastation in Pakistan

On Tuesday, Pakistan's federal and provincial authorities reported that over 50 people have died due to heavy rains, flash floods, lightning, storms and landslides.

Most of the fatalities occurred in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan, and central Punjab province. Officials said that at least 42 people were killed in both provinces, and many more were injured.

Southwestern Baluchistan province and areas elsewhere in Pakistan have reported the rest of the casualties and losses to houses, as well as agricultural land.

The National Disaster Management Authority has advised emergency services to remain on high alert, as another spell of heavy rains is expected later this week.

Officials have blamed climate change for the unusually heavy rains in Pakistan.

Although the South Asian nation, with an estimated 250 million population, contributes less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, it is listed as one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change.

Pakistan experienced severe flooding in 2022 due to seasonal heavy monsoon rainfall and floods, resulting in at least 1,700 deaths, affecting 33 million people and submerging approximately one-third of the country.

After visiting flood-hit areas in 2022, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Pakistanis were facing a monsoon on steroids  the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and flooding.

Guterres criticized a lack of climate action, despite rising global emissions of greenhouse gases.

Lets stop sleepwalking towards the destruction of our planet by climate change. Today, its Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country," he said.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Monday that his teams briefly halted inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities this week amid regional tensions between Israel and Iran.

What I can tell you is that our inspectors in Iran were informed by the Iranian government yesterday that all the nuclear facilities that we are inspecting every day would remain closed on security considerations, Rafael Mariano Grossi told reporters at the United Nations in New York.

He said the facilities were to reopen Monday for inspections, but he decided to wait an extra day  planning to resume work on Tuesday  to be sure the situation is completely calm before sending his teams back.

This has not had an impact on our inspection activity, but we always call for extreme restraint, he added.

Iran launched an attack Sunday toward Israel with over 300 drones and ballistic and cruise missiles. The massive strike caused only modest damage in Israel and no deaths. Tehran said it was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy in Syria earlier this month that killed seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers, including two senior commanders.

With Israel considering whether to launch a counterattack, and its concerns over Irans nuclear ambitions widely known, some analysts have questioned whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might target nuclear-related sites in Iran.

On Sunday, Israels U.N. envoy told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Irans strike that Tehran would soon have nuclear weapons capabilities.

Irans breakout time to produce an arsenal of nuclear weapons is now weeks  mere weeks, Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan said.

Grossi told reporters that while Iran has a stockpile of enriched uranium at very, very high levels, that does not automatically mean they have a nuclear weapon.

As far as the agency is concerned, we dont have any information or indication that there is a nuclear weapons program in Iran, Grossi said. At the same time, while we say this, which we need to say, we are telling our Iranian counterparts that this important accumulation of nuclear material, at levels that are very, very close  technically identical almost to weapons grade level  of course is not irrelevant and raises questions in the international community.

In its quarterly report in February, the IAEA said based on information provided by Iran, it had an estimated total enriched uranium stockpile of 5,525.5 kilograms (about 12,182 pounds), an increase of 1,038.7 kilograms (2,289 pounds) since the previous quarterly report in November 2023. Of that, an estimated 121.5 kilograms (267.8 pounds) of uranium is enriched up to 60% purity, which is one step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for purely peaceful civilian purposes.

Grossi said outstanding questions are why it is so important that the Iranian government fully cooperate with the IAEA.

Iran has barred several experienced inspectors from monitoring its nuclear program. It has also unilaterally stopped implementing the Joint Statement agreed with the IAEA in March 2023, and there are outstanding safeguards issues under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement that need to be resolved for the IAEA to provide assurances that Irans nuclear program is exclusively peaceful.

Grossi said he hopes to visit Tehran soon to put the situation back on track.

Some information in this report was provided by The Associated Press.


Israel called Tuesday for new sanctions against Iran as part of the response to the Iranian military and some of its allies launching an unprecedented aerial attack on the Jewish state.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on social media that he reached out to more than 30 nations to push for sanctions against Irans missile program and for declaring Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization.

The United States is one of several countries that have already designated the IRGC as a terror group. Since October, the U.S. has imposed several rounds of sanctions targeting the Iranian ballistic missile program as U.N. sanctions expired.

Israel also appears bent on exacting a measure of revenge militarily, despite pleas by world leaders for a de-escalation of the situation.

Israeli military officials said Monday that Tehran must pay a price for Saturdays barrage of some 350 missiles and drones, many launched from Iranian soil.

The Iranian attack will be met with a response, said Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi.

Iran will face the consequences for its actions, he said, speaking from Nevatim air base in southern Israel.

Israeli military officials did not elaborate on what that response could look like, though Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said it would come, at the time that we choose.

The tough Israeli rhetoric comes even as its most ardent backer, the United States, has urged Israel to show restraint, arguing the failure of Irans drone and missile barrage to inflict much damage was itself a massive victory.

"It's pretty telling that Iran launched over 300 air threats  and 99% of those were knocked down," said Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder.

The White House on Monday was even more strident.

Israel today is in a far stronger strategic position than it was only a few days ago," White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters, noting the range of countries that came to Israels aid.

Britain, France, Jordan and Saudi Arabia joined with the U.S. and Israel to shoot down the Iranian missiles and drones.

"Iran's vaunted missile program, something it has used to threaten Israel and the region, proved to be far less effective, Kirby said. Israel's defenses on the other hand proved even better than many had long assumed."

The Pentagon said late Monday U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated steadfast U.S. support for Israel's defense and reaffirmed the strategic goal of regional stability as he spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Senior U.S. officials have said the Iranian attack on Israel, the first ever launched from Iranian soil, involved more than 110 ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles and more than 150 one-way, explosive aerial drones.

They said Iranian proxy forces in Iraq, Syria and Yemen also took part in the attack.

Iran, which described the Saturday assault as a success, said it was a response to a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Syria on April 1 that killed seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers, including two senior commanders.

Some officials from Turkey, Jordan and Iraq said Sunday that Iran shared warnings of the attack ahead of time to avoid mass casualties and to prevent hostilities from escalating further.

But Irans foreign ministry spokesperson rejected such claims during a news conference in Tehran on Monday, saying, "There was no pre-arranged deal between us and any other side.

U.S. officials also disputed reports that the attack by Tehran was meant to be symbolic.

I've seen reporting that the Iranians meant to fail, that this spectacular and embarrassing failure was all by design, said Kirby, calling such claims categorically false.

Given the scale of this attack, Iran's intent was clearly to cause significant destruction and casualties, Kirby said. The aim was to get as many of them [missiles and drones] through Israel's defenses as possible.

Despite Irans intent, U.S. President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the United States will not participate in any Israeli counteroffensive against Iran.

But various U.S. officials said Monday that Washingtons support for Israel in the face of Iranian aggression remains ironclad, and that U.S. military assets placed in the region to fend off the Iranian barrage remained in place should Tehran try again.

Still, concerns persist that the Iranian attack and a potential Israeli response could spark a wider regional conflict.

We call on all parties for self-restraint, said Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Tamim during a visit to the U.S. State Department in Washington on Monday.

We hope escalations and tensions in the area will end, Tamim said, adding Iraq does not want to see the region dragged into a wider war that will threaten international security and safety.

European officials, likewise, urged caution.

"We're on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it," Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. "We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear."

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday, his government will do all it can to avoid an escalation of the situation between Israel and Iran.

Speaking to French media BFM-TV and RMC, Macron also urged Israel to pursue isolation of Iran rather than escalation.

The White House later Monday confirmed those efforts are already underway, with members of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, or G7, already working on a new round of sanctions targeting industries that support Irans missile programs.

The G7 includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Some information was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters.
Israel appears determined to exact a measure of revenge against Iran, just days after the Iranian military and some of its allies across the Middle East launched an unprecedented aerial assault on the Jewish state.

Seemingly ignoring pleas by world leaders, Israeli military officials said Monday that Tehran must pay a price for Saturdays barrage of more than 350 missiles and drones, many launched from Iranian soil.

The Iranian attack will be met with a response, said Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi.

Iran will face the consequences for its actions, he said, speaking from Nevatim air base in southern Israel.

Israeli military officials did not elaborate on what that response could look like, though Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said it would come at the time that we choose.

The tough Israeli rhetoric comes even as the country's most ardent backer, the United States, has urged Israel to show restraint, arguing the failure of Irans drone and missile barrage to inflict much damage was itself a massive victory.

"It's pretty telling that Iran launched over 300 air threats  and 99% of those were knocked down," said Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder.

The White House on Monday was even more strident.

Israel today is in a far stronger strategic position than it was only a few days ago," White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters, noting the range of countries that came to Israels aid.

Britain, France, Jordan and Saudi Arabia joined with the U.S. and Israel to shoot down the Iranian missiles and drones.

"Iran's vaunted missile program, something it has used to threaten Israel and the region, proved to be far less effective, Kirby said. Israel's defenses, on the other hand, proved even better than many had long assumed."

Senior U.S. officials have said the Iranian attack on Israel, the first ever launched from Iranian soil, involved more than 110 ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles and more than 150 one-way, explosive aerial drones.

They said Iranian proxy forces in Iraq, Syria and Yemen also took part in the attack.

Iran, which described the Saturday assault as a success, described it as a response to a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Syria on April 1 that killed seven officers from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two senior commanders.

Some officials from Turkey, Jordan and Iraq said Sunday that Iran shared warnings of the attack ahead of time to avoid mass casualties and to prevent hostilities from escalating further.

But Irans foreign ministry spokesperson rejected such claims during a news conference in Tehran on Monday, saying, "There was no pre-arranged deal between us and any other side.

U.S. officials also disputed reports that the attack by Tehran was meant to be symbolic.

I've seen reporting that the Iranians meant to fail, that this spectacular and embarrassing failure was all by design, said Kirby, calling such claims, categorically false.

Given the scale of this attack, Iran's intent was clearly to cause significant destruction and casualties, Kirby said. The aim was to get as many of them [missiles and drones] through Israel's defenses as possible.

Despite Irans intent, U.S. President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the United States will not participate in any Israeli counteroffensive against Iran.

But various U.S. officials on Monday said Washingtons support for Israel in the face of Iranian aggression remained ironclad, and that U.S. military assets placed in the region to fend off the Iranian barrage remained in place should Tehran try again.

Still, concerns persist that the Iranian attack and a potential Israeli response could spark a wider, regional conflict.

We call on all parties for self-restraint, said Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Tamim during a visit to the U.S. State Department in Washington on Monday.

We hope escalations and tensions in the area will end, Tamim said, adding Iraq does not want to see the region dragged into a wider war that will threaten international security and safety.

European officials, likewise, urged caution.

"We're on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it," Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign policy chief, told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. "We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear."

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that his government would do all it could to avoid an escalation of the situation between Israel and Iran.

Speaking to French media BFM-TV and RMC, Macron also urged Israel to pursue isolation of Iran rather than escalation.

The White House later Monday confirmed those efforts were already underway, with members of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, or G7, already working on a new round of sanctions targeting industries that support Irans missile programs.

The G7 consists of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
International pressure is building on Israel to hold back in responding to Irans attacks, but Israel says it will retaliate. Despite the size of the Iranian assault on Israel is Iran really looking to escalate the situation? We talk to Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute. Ukrainian officials are voicing concern about future military support from the West, especially the United States. A bakery in Gaza City has started operating for the first time in six months with aid from the World Food Program (WFP), providing desperately needed food in a part of the territory where a U.N.-backed report has warned of imminent famine.
Israel will decide on its own how to respond to Irans missile and drone attacks last weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday, even as Western countries pleaded for restraint to avoid all-out Middle East warfare.

The United States, European Union and the G7 group of industrialized nations all announced plans to consider tighter sanctions on Iran, a move aimed at supporting Israel and at the same time persuading it to rein in its intention to retaliate against Tehran.

Netanyahu met with British foreign minister David Cameron and his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, who both traveled to Israel as part of a Western attempt to keep the Israel-Iran confrontation from escalating further, on top of the Israeli war against Hamas militants in Gaza, which is now in its seventh month.

Netanyahu's office said he thanked Cameron and Baerbock for their support, while telling them: "I want to make it clear - we will make our own decisions, and the State of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself."

Earlier, Cameron said it was now apparent Israel planned to retaliate for the hundreds of missiles and drones Iran aimed at Israel, almost all of which Israel and its allies shot down. Tehran launched the Saturday attack in response to a presumed April 1 Israeli airstrike that killed military officers at Irans embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Baerbock said escalation "would serve no one, not Israel's security, not the many dozens of hostages still in the hands of Hamas, not the suffering population of Gaza, not the many people in Iran who are themselves suffering under the regime, and not the third countries in the region who simply want to live in peace."

Israel says it must retaliate to preserve its credibility.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, speaking at an annual military parade on the outskirts of Tehran, warned against Israel retaliating, saying Iran would follow with a massive and harsh response.

The United States said it is planning to impose new sanctions targeting Iran's missile and drone program in the coming days and expects its allies will follow suit. EU leaders are set to discuss sanctions at a summit in Brussels, and sanctions are also on the agenda at G7 talks in Italy.

Since Hamas fighters triggered the war in Gaza by attacking southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and leading to the capture of about 250 hostages, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-supported groups based in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

Inside Gaza, Israels counter-offensive has killed nearly 34,000 people in Gaza, two-thirds of them women and children, Gaza health officials say, while Israel says the death toll includes thousands of Hamas fighters.

Cameron met with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, voicing support for enacting coordinated sanctions against Iran, as his counterparts from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations prepared for the talks in Italy.

I think there's more that we can do to show a united front, that Iran is behind so much of the malign activity in this region, backing Hamas, backing Hezbollah, backing the Houthis, Cameron said. They need to be given a clear, unequivocal message by the G7.

Senior U.S. officials have said the Iranian attack on Israel, the first ever launched from Iranian soil, involved more than 110 ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles and more than 150 one-way, explosive aerial drones. They said Iranian proxy forces in Iraq, Syria and Yemen also took part in the attack.

Iran has called Sundays aerial assault a one-off event carried out in retaliation for the attack on its consulate in Damascus.

The Israeli war Cabinet, which includes Gallant, has met repeatedly in recent days to debate Israels response options.

Speaking to VOAs Flashpoint Global Crises program in a Tuesday phone interview from northern Israel, former Israeli intelligence official Avi Melamed said Israel could retaliate against Iran with a direct military strike on Iranian territory, a cyberattack or some other kind of covert kinetic action.

Any Israeli retaliation likely would have to be coordinated with the United States, said Melamed, who runs Inside the Middle East, a U.S. nonprofit research group. He said an Israeli response also would need to make Iran pay a significant price that sends a strong message to the region while not being so painful that it triggers further Iranian escalation.

When I look at all those components, I think it is very likely that there will be a series of covert, significant Israeli actions against Iranian assets, Melamed said.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a Tuesday briefing that Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in consultations with his regional counterparts, has let it be known that the U.S. does not want to see further escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict.

Israels Katz said in a post on the X platform that he has reached out to 32 nations to push for sanctions against Irans missile program and to declare Irans top military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a terrorist organization.

The United States is one of several countries that already designate the IRGC as a terror group. Since October, the U.S. has imposed several rounds of sanctions targeting the Iranian ballistic missile program as U.N. sanctions on that program expired.

VOAs Michael Lipin and State Department bureau chief Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters
Additional equipment such as fire trucks or water tankers would have helped the Maui Fire Department fight the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century last August, the agency said on Tuesday.

Wildfires were burning in several locations in Maui on August 8, 2023, stretching the department's limited resources. A severe windstorm made battling the flames difficult, and the blaze in Lahaina quickly tore through the historic town, killing 101 people and destroying thousands of homes. Crews used personal vehicles and even a moped to try to rescue residents from the flames, the department said.

The need for additional firefighting equipment is one of 17 recommendations included in an after-action report produced for the department by the Western Fire Chiefs Association. The report details what went well when the department responded in Lahaina, Olinda and Kula on August 8, as well as improvements that can be made, Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Giesa said.

Giesa and Fire Chief Brad Ventura discussed the report during a news conference in Kula on Tuesday morning and said the full document would be released later that day.

"There were firefighters fighting the fires in Lahaina as they well knew their homes were burning down," Ventura said. "There were firefighters who rescued people and kept them in their apparatus for several hours as they continued to evacuate others."

One off-duty safety officer repeatedly drove his personal moped into the fire zone to rescue people, according to Ventura, and other firefighters drove their own cars to the perimeter and ran and hiked inside to evacuate people.

"While I'm incredibly proud of our department's response, I believe we can always improve our efforts," Ventura said.

One of the recommendations in the report is that the department keep their relief fire equipment fully stocked, he said. Other recommendations include creating a statewide mutual aid program and a statewide evacuation plan for residents who speak different languages.

Many of the factors that contributed to the disaster are already known: A windstorm battering the island had downed power lines and blown off parts of rooftops, and debris blocked roads throughout Lahaina.

Hawaiian Electric has acknowledged that one of its power lines fell and caused a fire in Lahaina the morning of August 8, but the utility company denies the morning fire caused the flames that burned through the town later that day.

The vast majority of the county's fire crews were already tied up fighting other wildfires on a different part of the island, their efforts sometimes hindered by a critical loss of water pressure after the winds knocked out electricity for the water pumps normally used to load firefighting tanks and reservoirs. County officials have acknowledged that a lack of backup power for critical pumps made it significantly harder for crews to battle the Upcountry fires.

A smaller firefighting team was tasked with handling any outbreaks in Lahaina. That crew brought the morning fire under control and even declared it extinguished, then broke for lunch. By the time they returned, flames had erupted in the same area and were quickly moving into a major subdivision.

"Our firefighters are well-trained, they are well-equipped. They are basically forced to make decisions every single day with the best information available," Giesa said of the crew leaving. "It's 20-20 hindsight, but our crews did everything that they normally do on fires."

Cellphone and internet service were also down in the area at times, so it was difficult for some to call for help or to get information about the spreading fire  including any evacuation announcements. And emergency officials did not use Hawaii's extensive network of emergency sirens to warn Lahaina residents.

The after-action report also recommends that officials undertake an analysis of the island's cellular system, Ventura said.

The high winds made it hard at times for first responders to communicate on their radios, and 911 operators and emergency dispatchers were overwhelmed with hundreds of calls.

Police and electricity crews tried to direct people away from roads that were partially or completely blocked by downed power lines. Meanwhile, people trying to flee burning neighborhoods packed the few thoroughfares leading in and out of town.

The traffic jam left some trapped in their cars when the fire overtook them. Others who were close to the ocean jumped into the choppy waters to escape the flames.

The fire department's after-action report comes one day before the Hawaii Attorney General is expected to release the first phase of a separate comprehensive investigation about the events before, during and after the fires.

The reports could help officials understand exactly what happened when the wind-whipped fire overtook the historic Maui town of Lahaina, destroying roughly 3,000 properties and causing more than $5.5 billion in estimated damage, according to state officials.

A similar after-action report was released by the Maui Police Department in February. It included 32 recommendations to improve the agency's disaster response, including that the department obtain better equipment and station a high-ranking officer in the island's communications center during emergencies.
Moscow has avoided condemning Irans attack against Israel while calling on Israeli leaders to exercise restraint. Analysts say the Kremlins statements suggest it has chosen Iran as a preferred partner and abandoned the delicate diplomatic balance that it cultivated for decades in the region. Steve Baragona narrates this report by Ricardo Marquina.
NASA put out the call Monday for ideas to bring back the rocks that the Perseverance rover has been collecting more quickly and cheaply than current plans.

The agency is calling for help from its entire community and anyone else with an idea for a less complicated mission.

A review of the mission last year by an independent review board identified the Mars Sample Return Mission as too costly - as much as $11 billion - and near zero possibility of maintaining its launch dates.

While NASAs mission would have rock samples from the planet brought to Earth by 2040, a Chinese mission to Mars is expected to bring back rocks in 2030, according to state media.

NASA is now looking for out-of-the-box possibilities, the agencys head of science Nicola Fox said Monday. The agency wants to grab the rock samples and bring them here as quickly as possible. The rocks can provide critical new insights into the origins and evolution of Mars, our solar system and life on Earth, said Fox.

NASAs current mission plan is complicated with several vehicles needed to travel, gather the samples, blast off into space again, and deposit the samples into another vehicle before landing on Earth.

Stanford professor G. Scott Hubbard, who once led NASAs Mars program, told The Washington Post, NASA needs a magic wand solution.


Nigeria will no longer pay ransom to armed gangs that have plagued the country with kidnapping and extortion, President Bola Tinubu said in an opinion piece published Monday.

He made the statement as activists commemorated the 10th anniversary of the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok. Acknowledging that legitimate concerns over kidnappings persist, Tinubu said Nigeria must address the root causes of poverty, inequality, and a lack of opportunity if it hopes to eradicate the threat posed by criminal gangs.

In the Newsweek magazine piece, titled Ten Years Since Chibok - Nigeria Will No Longer Pay the Price, Tinubu said ransom payments to gangs only encouraged gangs to commit more crimes and said, the extortion racket must be squeezed out of existence.

The president said instead of ransom, perpetrators of the violence will receive the security services' counter actions.

He cited the recent rescue of 137 school students kidnapped in Kaduna state. Their abductors had demanded $600,000 in ransom, but the president said no ransom was paid.

Ndu Nwokolo, managing partner at Nextier, a public advisory firm with focus on security and economic issues, agreed that ransom payment emboldens perpetrators, but said Nigeria is not ready to take such a stance.

"The Nigerian state is obviously very weak to do those things it says it wants to do. If you're someone, you have your [relative] kidnapped and you know that the state security agents can't do anything, Nwokolo said. How come you were able to retrieve those numbers of kids without shooting a gun, and we know that those guys demanded ransom? The entire thing shows that there's no honesty, there's no transparency."

Tinubu said the government's response to the Chibok abduction in 2014 was slow.

But, the president said, Nigeria must recognize the changing nature of the threat. He said criminal gangs behind more recent kidnappings are primarily after cash rewards, unlike Boko Haram, which sought to impose Islamist rule.

In 2022 Tinubus predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, tried to criminalize ransom payments to kidnappers, but the decision was met with resistance from activists and the families of victims.

Security analyst Senator Iroegbu said lack of accountability from authorities is the main concern.

"There will not be ransoms in the first place if measures are on ground to prevent it, Iroegbu said. Why is it easy for kidnappers to kidnap Nigerians and keep them for long? Ten years after Chibok girls, why are the cases still rising? It's not trying to blame victims who are desperate to do everything they can to rescue their loved ones. For citizens, that may be their last resort."

Tinubu said Nigeria must ultimately address the triggers for insecurity, including poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity.

In the article, Tinubu also talked about his economic reforms. The Nigerian president said they were necessary to save public finances and encourage foreign investment.

Tinubu scrapped fuel subsidies for the public and floated the naira just days after assuming office last year. The decisions sent prices soaring and were widely criticized, but have not been reversed.

Tinubu said previous governments had failed to boost the economy, and 63 percent of Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor.

Iroegbu said blaming predecessors will not solve Tinubus problems.

"This mentality of trying to blame past administrations, thinking you're better while you're not actually doing something different, needs to stop until there's a result that Nigerians can see and testify," Iroegbu said.

The Nigerian president ended his article by saying, there will be no more ransoms paid to kidnappers nor towards policies which have trapped our people economically."
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan jointly called for a cease-fire in Gaza on Tuesday, with Saudis urging de-escalation in the region without mentioning Irans recent strike on Israel.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud led a high-level delegation to Islamabad Monday on a two-day visit to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan.

Addressing a joint press conference with Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar at the end of the short visit, Al-Saud urged a cessation of hostilities in Gaza between Israel and militant group Hamas, citing the mounting death toll of Palestinians.

The situation is unacceptable. This is a complete failure of the international system. We must have a cease-fire now, Al-Saud said.

The reality is the international community is not living up to its responsibility. We must do more to end the killing, the Saudi foreign minister added.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, since October 7 of last year, Israeli military operations aimed at eliminating Hamas have killed more than 33,000 Palestinians. The war broke out after Hamas attacked Israel, killing nearly 1,200 civilians and taking around 250 hostages.

Pakistans foreign minister said he had discussed the war in Gaza with the visiting foreign minister.

We both agree that what we need is immediate and unconditional cease-fire to take place, Dar said.

Without naming Israel, Pakistans foreign minister declared the situation in Gaza a genocide and called for accountability.

Both the top diplomats urged unhindered delivery of aid to Palestinians.

According to ReliefWeb, a platform run by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, six months into the war, 90 percent of Gazans are displaced with more than half-a-million on the verge of famine.

Neither official called for the release of the more than 100 Israeli hostages still in Hamas custody.

Silent on Iran

Addressing the regional fallout of the Gaza war, Riyadhs top diplomat called for de-escalation, but refrained from calling out Iran for launching a massive drone and missile attack against Israel over the weekend.

Look, we are already in an unstable region. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is already inflaming the region. We do not need more conflict in our region, Al-Saud said.

Long-time rivals Riyadh and Tehran restored diplomatic ties last year. The deal brokered by China ended a seven-year rift between the two Muslim countries.

So, it is our position that de-escalation must be everyones priority. When there are differences, they should be resolved through dialogue, not through the use of force, Al-Saud added.

The Iranian attack involving some 350 drones and missiles came in response to Israels alleged strike on Irans consulate in Syria on April 1. The strike killed two Iranian generals and five other officers of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Tehran.

The Pakistani foreign minister also did not address Iran's attack on Israel.

He called, however, for the creation of a Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders, reiterating Pakistans diplomatic position on the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

It is good for Israel, perhaps, also, Dar said, mentioning the Jewish state only once in his remarks.

No investment deal

Pakistan presented a wide range of investment options to the visiting Saudi delegation, however, no deals were inked during the visit.

The delegation included Saudi ministers for water and agriculture, and industry and mineral resources, as well as the assistant minister for investment and senior officials from the Saudi Public Investment Fund, among others.

The Saudi visit follows one by a Pakistani delegation to Saudi Arabia earlier this month. During that visit, led by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, both sides agreed to expedite the first wave of investment package worth $5 billion which was discussed previously, according to a Pakistani foreign ministry statement.

Pakistani state media recently reported Riyadh could invest $1 billion in Reko Diq  a copper and gold mine project  in the restive Balochistan province. The two sides, however, did not report any progress on that during Tuesdays media briefing.

Al-Saud, whose team met with Pakistans president, prime minister and the powerful army chief, sounded optimistic about future investment in the cash-strapped South Asian country, saying his delegation was impressed with the presentations it received.

Critics, however, say Pakistan has boasted of billion-dollar pledges from Saudi Arabia in the past as well with little to show for it.


Australia will work with international security agencies to assess global extremism after a stabbing at a church in Sydney.

The attack, in which a 16-year-old boy was arrested, is being treated as an act of terrorism, according to the police.

A bishop, a parish priest and several worshippers were injured Monday during a sermon that was being live-streamed.

The teenage suspect was subdued by worshippers and arrested by the police.

Australian investigators believe the alleged attacker was motivated by religious extremism.

Declaring the attack a terrorist incident gives investigators greater powers and resources to probe the precise motivations of the alleged attacker.

Australian intelligence agencies will work with their Five Eyes security alliance partners, including Canada and the U.S., to assess the global threat of extremism.

Video of the service at the Assyrian Orthodox Church has shown an individual walking toward the altar.

The alleged assailant then lunges at a clergyman and appears to stab him several times before churchgoers rush in to help. There are screams of horror from the congregation at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Sydney.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a prominent Christian leader, was among those who were injured, along with a parish priest and a small number of worshippers. None of the victims have life-threatening injuries.

Outside the church, a large crowd angry at the attack clashed with the police. Bring him out! they chanted, calling for retribution against the teenage suspect.

A group of leaders from different faiths met with government officials and called for calm in the community. Western Sydney is one of Australias most culturally and religiously diverse regions.

There is no place for violence in our community. There is no place for violent extremism," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters Tuesday. "We are a peace-loving nation. This is a time to unite (and) not divide as a community and as a country.

Albanese was scheduled to meet with his national security advisers later on Tuesday in Canberra.

Australias official national terror threat level remains at "possible," the second lowest in a five-category alert system. A government advisory states that there are a small number of people in Australia and overseas who want to cause Australia harm.

The church stabbings follow the murders of six people in a separate knife attack in a Sydney shopping center over the weekend. The attacker, a 40-year-old man from Queensland state with mental health issues, was shot dead at the scene by a police officer.

Among the injured is a 9-month-old baby girl, who remains in hospital. The infants mother was killed in Saturdays rampage. It is not being treated as a terrorism-related attack.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken left for Capri, Italy, on Tuesday night for a Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting, where he will discuss Washington's concerns about China's support for Russia's defense industrial base, the State Department said.

Blinken will also raise this issue during his planned visit to China.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Tuesday that over the past months, the U.S. has observed materials being transferred from China to Russia. Russia is using the materials to rebuild its defense industrial base and produce arms that are showing up on the battlefield in Ukraine.

"We are incredibly concerned about that," Miller said.

Washington has long communicated its concerns to China about any actions that could support Russia's war in Ukraine, U.S. officials say. This includes not only direct military support but also steps taken by Chinese companies to reconstitute Russia's defense industrial base.

"The secretary does plan to travel to China in the coming weeks," Miller added. "That is an issue that he would be expected to raise."

In Ukraine

Ukraine's military said Tuesday it destroyed all nine aerial drones that Russia used in overnight attacks targeting multiple parts of the country.

The Ukrainian air force said the intercepts took place over the Kherson, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, Cherkasy and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

There were no reports of damage or injuries from falling drone debris.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Western allies Monday to display the same unity toward Ukraine as they did toward Israel when they thwarted an Iranian aerial assault against Israel.

In a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy thanked allies who had answered Ukraine's request for more air defenses but said that "the intensity of Russian attacks" requires unity of the kind shown in the defense of Israel.

"The same is possible in defending Ukraine, which, like Israel, is not a NATO member, from terror," he continued. He called for "political will" from Ukraine's allies, as Ukraine is growing short of ammunition and desperate for more air defenses to repel Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy signed on Tuesday a controversial mobilization law designed to identify and increase the ranks of the country's soldiers as it continues to battle against Russia. The new law includes no provisions for soldiers, some of whom have been fighting for years, to take a break from the front line. In addition, draft dodgers may find they cannot access consular services or obtain driver's licenses. Parliament approved the bill last week.

US aid bill

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson announced Monday the House would consider a bill to provide additional military aid to Ukraine.

President Joe Biden has championed a $95 billion aid package that includes about $60 billion for Ukraine, in addition to aid for Israel and Taiwan.

The measure passed the Democrat-controlled Senate, but Johnson has declined to bring it up for a vote in the House.

Johnson said Monday the House would instead consider separate bills for aid to Israel, Ukraine and Indio-Pacific allies, as well as border security at home.

Many conservative Republican lawmakers, especially those closely allied with former President Donald Trump, who has been skeptical of assisting Kyiv in its fight against Moscow, fiercely oppose sending billions more dollars to Ukraine.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency warned Monday that the danger of a major nuclear accident at Ukraines Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains very real.

We are getting dangerously close to a nuclear accident, Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the U.N. Security Council.

The nuclear plant, Europes largest, came under several attacks in the early part of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Russian forces have occupied the facility since March 2022. The IAEA worked out an agreement to station one of its teams there to monitor the facility and any damage to its systems.

Grossi said that over the past 10 days, the plant has sustained several direct attacks  the first since November 2022. He did not say who carried them out.

In one direct hit, the containment dome of a reactor building was struck. Grossi said the damage to the structure was not significant, but the attack set a dangerous precedent.

Two other attacks were near the main reactor buildings and resulted in at least one casualty.

These reckless attacks must cease immediately, Grossi said.

He warned that two years of war are weighing heavily on nuclear safety at the plant.

We cannot sit by and watch as the final weight tips the finely balanced scale, he said.

Russia and Ukraine each blame the other for the strikes.

Ukraines shelling of ZNPP cannot be justifiable on any grounds, including military goals, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said, referring to the plant by its initialism.

He claimed that Russia has never stationed heavy weaponry at the plant nor attacked from its territory.

Grossi confirmed to reporters that there is no heavy weaponry there but added that the vicinity is something else.

Ukraines ambassador said the recent attacks were a well-planned false flag operation by Russia.

The only way out of the current, very precarious situation is complete demilitarization and deoccupation of the ZNPP and adjacent territories, Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said.
Israel is placing unlawful restrictions on humanitarian aid going into and being distributed in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations human rights office said Tuesday.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for U.N. High Commission for Human Rights Volker Turk, told reporters in Geneva that Israeli forces continue to carry out widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

The high commissioner repeats that there must be an immediate cease-fire, the hostages must be released and full, unfettered humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow immediately, Shamdasani said.

Israel has defended its military campaign in Gaza as targeting the Hamas militant group and has accused Hamas of operating in civilian areas.

Six months of fighting have left widespread devastation and forced the majority of Gazas population to seek shelter in the Rafah area near the Egyptian border.

No area of the Gaza Strip has been spared from Israels bombardment. Nearly 1.7 million people remain forcibly displaced, living in appalling conditions and under constant threat, Shamdasani said.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday the amount of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza has increased in recent days and that the United States wants to see that aid sustained.

About 100 trucks have entered the enclave in the last 24 hours, Kirby told MSNBC, bringing the total to 2,000 aid deliveries by truck since the conflict began.

But the head of the U.N. humanitarian office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory told reporters Tuesday in a video call that the number of trucks does not necessarily accurately reflect the volume of aid going into Gaza.

I cannot stop stressing the importance that a truck is not a measurement that should be used, said Andrea De Domenico. The trucks that come in from Israel are loaded in a way that allows and facilitates the scanning, so they are less loaded than what we do, he said of the inspection process.

The volume of aid is also affected by the kind of cargo  be it fuel, food or household items.

De Domenico said the U.N. would launch an appeal Wednesday for $2.8 billion to support 3 million people across Gaza and the West Bank through the end of this year.

He was recently in Gaza and painted a bleak picture, calling the 2 million people who live there survivors.

Every day is literally a struggle to survive, he said.

He described burned homes, cars, hospitals and schools.

There is not a single university that is standing in Gaza, De Domenico said. It will take years to bring back students to school  and you can imagine what is the implication for that.

At Gaza Citys Shifa Hospital, which was the site of several Israeli raids in search of Hamas fighters and is now completely nonfunctional, he said humanitarians found scores of bodies, many buried by bulldozers in and around the premises. He said families, assisted by aid workers, were trying to identify parts of corpses by shoes and clothing.

I have seen with my eyes the MRI shot through, in a way that you wonder what was the military objective, he said of a specialized imaging machine at Shifa.

U.N. Women said in a report Tuesday that an estimated 10,000 Palestinian women in Gaza have been killed in the war, among them about 6,000 mothers, leaving 19,000 children orphaned.

Ground offensive

As Israel prepares to carry out its planned offensive in Rafah, the Israeli military said Tuesday it conducted airstrikes in central Gaza that targeted Hamas tunnels and military buildings.

Israel launched its offensive in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Militants also took about 250 people hostage. Israel says about 130 hostages remain in captivity, but one-quarter of them are dead.

Israeli tanks pushed back into parts of the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday and the Israeli military warned Palestinians not to return. Israel said it does not want the Palestinians to return because it fears Hamas militants will be able to regroup there.

Meanwhile, Hamas said it wants Israel to withdraw all its troops from Gaza and a free-flowing return of people to the north.

Many families who had returned to Beit Hanoun and Jabalia in recent weeks after Israeli forces withdrew, began moving out again on Tuesday because of the new raid, some residents told Reuters.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said Tuesday that Israeli military actions killed at least 46 people in the past day, bringing the total since the war began to at least 33,843. The ministry says two-thirds of those killed are women and children.

VOA United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
For decades, U.S. policy in Asia has relied on what was informally known as the hub and spokes system of bilateral alliances. But lately, U.S. officials have used another analogy to describe their vision for the region: a lattice fence.

It may sound like only a metaphorical tweak, but officials in the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden say it could have big implications, as they try to create a durable plan to respond to China's growing power.

Under the old framework, the United States, the global military superpower, acted as the hub and its Asian allies, such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, served as spokes.

Spokes are not linked to each other. But that dynamic is changing, as several major U.S. allies and partners coalesce around what they have come to call a free and open Indo-Pacific.

What U.S. officials envision is not a multilateral treaty alliance like NATO. Analysts have long said such a security framework is impossible in Asia, given competing interests and deep historical animosities, even among U.S. allies.

Instead, the goal is to help create an expanding number of mutually reinforcing links between like-minded countries, which together form a barrier  or in other words, a lattice.

Trilateral summit

The lattice strategy was on display last week, when Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for their countries first ever trilateral summit.

The meeting had important symbolic value. A joint statement expressed serious concerns about Chinas behavior in the East and South China Seas, where China is trying to push its territorial claims over those of Japan and the Philippines.

The United States and Japan also pledged further assistance for the Philippines military modernization efforts and vowed to continue expanding joint military drills in the region, which have involved a growing number of partners in recent years.

At a separate meeting between Biden and Kishida, the United States and Japan announced dozens of bilateral deals related to defense cooperation, including plans to allow U.S. and Japanese forces to work more closely during a potential conflict.

According to a U.S. administration official who spoke to reporters during a background briefing, the meetings are evidence that Bidens Asia plan is working.

(Bidens) theory of case was that if the United States reinvested in its alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific  those allies and partners would step up alongside in ways that made us much better equipped to accomplish our objectives, the U.S. official said.

Nowhere is this theory better proven, the official added, than in the U.S. alliance with Japan, where Kishida has stepped up and stepped out into the world more than anyone really could have imagined.

Japan a key player

As Japan loosens its self-imposed pacifist restraints, the country has become a major player in regional security. Japan has dramatically increased defense spending, moved to acquire missiles that can hit other countries, and enacted legal changes allowing it to more easily export weapons.

Japan is now heavily involved in many U.S.-led forums, including the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, an informal coalition that also includes Australia and India, and the Group of Seven advanced economies, which has increasingly focused on China.

Last week, Britain, the United States, and Australia announced they are considering cooperation with Japan through their AUKUS security pact. NATO, the European military alliance, has also expanded cooperation with Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Todays Japan is no longer the timid and inward-looking nation that counted on its embrace of pacifism and on American muscle to insulate it from external threats, said Daniel Russel, a vice president at the Asia Society and a former top Asia official at the State Department.

One of the most crucial regional developments is the improvement of Japan-South Korea relations, which have long been strained because of issues related to Japans colonial occupation of Korea. Under South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, the two countries now regularly participate in military drills with the United States. Last year, the three countries unveiled a new system for sharing North Korean missile warning data in real-time.

But will it work?

Few observers deny that big changes are occurring, as countries respond to a more powerful China. But the strategic shift toward the United States is far from unanimous.

Most governments in the region are hedging, recognizing the reality that China is a permanent and central feature of (the) Asian political economy, said Van Jackson, who teaches at New Zealands Victoria University of Wellington.

According to a survey released this month by the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Southeast Asian perceptions of the United States have worsened over the past year.

The State of Southeast Asia survey asks the same questions every year to a group of experts and government officials.

More than half, 51%, of Southeast Asian respondents said they would side with China over the United States if they were forced to choose. It is the first time that the survey has shown a preference for China.

One of the key complaints, according to the poll, is skepticism about U.S. economic engagement. Following then-President Donald Trumps 2017 withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, many in Asia have questioned whether the United States is as committed as it once was to free trade.

Biden officials dispute that notion, touting the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework or IPEF, as a counterweight to China's economic clout. But IPEF differs from traditional free trade deals in that it does not provide greater market access or reduce tariffs  areas no longer seen as safe in a U.S. domestic political context. Regardless, Trump has vowed to kill IPEF if he defeats Biden in Novembers presidential election.

In the opinion of Philip Turner, a former New Zealand diplomat, IPEF appears to have largely failed.

Many Asian countries and regional players like Australia and New Zealand have pointed out that the U.S. failure to commit economically to the region undercuts its claims to regional leadership, said Turner, who most recently served as New Zealands ambassador to South Korea.

While there are increasing regional worries about Chinas rise and behavior, few if any Asian countries support efforts to contain Chinas growth, Turner added.

They would prefer the U.S. climb down from its high horse of economic coercion against China and find ways of getting on with each other short of conflict, he said.
He brutally used violence against me.  He hit me. He grabbed my neck. I really had a hard time when I was with him, and my mental health was very unstable.

When Thach Chanty, a 35-year-old woman from the southeastern Cambodian province of Kampong Cham recalls life with her former husband, My tears almost fall down.

Chanty, who works as a garment worker, now struggles to support her two children in the aftermath of a marriage she describes as colored with neglect and violence.

Escaping the brutality left her alone in a society that continues to judge divorced women as having failed in their primary social role of wife and mother. Chanty found solace in her familys support.

I felt sorry for my two sons after I divorced my husband, she said. A lot of people judge me for being divorced, but luckily my parents and sister have been there to support me.

A recent report titled Separate Ways, released in late 2023 by the small nonprofit organization Klahaan, sheds light on the struggles faced by Cambodias divorced women. Beyond enduring significant social shame and judgment, the report says the divorced women are more likely to face financial and mental issues compared to their former husbands.

The report also finds little has changed since a November 2015 study by Cambodias statistics ministry in conjunction with a U.N. agency found approximately 20% of Cambodian women faced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner during relationships including marriage. The report also found emotional abuse affected one-third of women, violence often occurred in the presence of children and few victims sought assistance.

Gender disparities after divorce

Conducted online, the Klahaan study involved 40 female and male participants from Phnom Penh, the capital city, and remote areas, including Ratanakiri and Kep provinces. Among the participants, 22 women reported having gone through a divorce.

The study revealed significant gender disparities in the aftermath of divorce. Most participants  87%  said women bear a heavier burden of shame or stigma following divorce, while only 1% considered men to be more affected than their partners.

The report also highlighted regional differences: 48% of survey respondents believed rural women experience more pronounced effects in the aftermath of divorce, compared to 8% who felt urban women faced social stigma and judgement.

Klahaan Executive Director Mao Map told VOA Khmer the new study, which is based on FPAR methodology, aims to address the controversial choice of divorce for both women and men.

According to Mao Map, the prevailing belief in Cambodia is that women can marry only once in their lifetime  a notion that influences perceptions of divorce. To support women, Mao Map is pushing the government to establish policies that expedite the divorce process, lessening the need for court mediation and increasing protections for womens health by eliminating victim-blaming by law enforcement.

Sar Sineth, spokesperson for Cambodias Ministry of Womens Affairs, emphasized the governments commitment to assisting women and girls who have experienced violence, particularly those navigating divorce and coping with post-traumatic stress disorder. She said the ministry coordinates closely with government and the legal system to provide swift support.

Were working hard to expedite the proceedings ... in providing legal assistance to victims of ... divorce due to chronic violence, she said. And with this provision of lawyers, the National Womens Action Council has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bar Association to support the victims and provide timely services.

Sar Sineth did not respond when VOA Khmer asked for details about how women could access those services.

Infidelity prompts divorce

The study revealed that infidelity is a significant factor influencing womens decisions to get divorced, with 81% of survey respondents identifying cheating and affairs as a likely cause for women choosing divorce. In contrast, only 68% selected the same response for men.

One participant said that while her husband began cheating on her soon after their marriage, after their children were born he went too far  he brought her to sleep at the house that we had built together. In the end, I decided to sell that house and get a divorce.

Thach Chanty said she no longer cares about how others judge her for divorcing to escape violence and focus on her sons.

Initially, when I contemplated my divorce, I cried and sometimes even considered ending my life, she said. But now, I have let go of those thoughts and am living my normal life, driven by my desire to do everything for my kids.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct Mao Map's title.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Chinese counterpart on Tuesday, the first dialogue between the two countries defense chiefs in nearly 17 months.

The Pentagon said Austin and Chinese Admiral Dong Jun discussed defense relations and global security issues from Russias unprovoked war in Ukraine to recent provocations from North Korea. A Pentagon press release said Austin stressed the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation as guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea.

Beijing has asserted its desire to control access to the South China Sea and bring Taiwan under its control, by force if necessary. President Joe Biden has said U.S. troops would defend the democratically-run island from attack.

A Chinese defense ministry statement said the Taiwan issue is "core of China's core interests.

"The U.S. side should recognize China's firm position, respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and take practical actions to safeguard regional peace," Dong said, according to the statement.

Dong also said the two countries should work to build mutual trust.

Tensions have risen between China and U.S. ally the Philippines in the South China Sea as well, with Chinas coast guard using water cannons this month to threaten Filipino fishing ships. China has also used collision and ramming tactics, undersea barriers and a military-grade laser to stop Philippine resupply and patrol missions.

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity ahead of the talks, said the call between Austin and Dong was an important step in keeping lines of communication open between the two military powers.

These engagements provide us with opportunities to prevent competition from veering into conflict by speaking candidly about our concerns. That includes the PRC's behavior in the South China Sea, as well as the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, said the senior defense official. PRC is the acronym for the Peoples Republic of China, the countrys official name.

The call marked the first time Austin has ever spoken to Dong, who has served as Chinas minister of national defense since December. It also marked the first time that Austin has spoken at length with a PRC counterpart since November 2022, when he met with then-Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe in Cambodia.

Chinas previous defense minister, General Li Shangfu, was subjected to U.S. sanctions that China deemed an obstacle to having him communicate directly with Austin. The only engagement Austin had with General Li was a handshake at the Shangri-la dialogue in Singapore last year.

The senior defense official said conversations between U.S. and Chinese defense leaders ensure that the PRC has a clear understanding of our positions on all of the regional and global security issues.

The talks come as the Pentagon said it had indications that a Chinese surge of weapons technology sales to Russia is helping ramp up Moscows defense production as it continues to attack its neighbor, Ukraine.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters in response to a question from VOA Monday that China had sold significant quantities of machine tools, microelectronics, optics, drones and cruise missile technology to Russia, which Moscow is using to make propellants for weapons.

So this support is actively enabling Russia's war in Ukraine and poses a significant threat to security  international security, Ryder added.

The Associated Press reported on Friday that two senior Biden administration officials said that about 90% of Russias microelectronics in 2023 and nearly 70% of Russias machine tool imports in the last quarter of 2023 came from China. Russia used that technology to make missiles, tanks and aircraft.

Chinese and Russian entities have jointly produced drones inside Russia, and China-based companies are providing optical components for use in Russian tanks and armored vehicles, the officials also told AP.

The call between Austin and Dong is the latest in a series of recent conversations between U.S. and Chinese defense leaders. The top U.S. general, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown, spoke with his Chinese military counterpart in December.

Earlier this month, the U.S. and Chinese militaries held working-level Military Maritime Consultative Agreement talks in Hawaii for the first time since 2021.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Tuesday he ordered the closure of his countrys embassy and consulates in Ecuador. The move follows a raid ordered by Ecuadors president earlier this month on the Mexican embassy in Quito.

Ecuadorian authorities raided the embassy on President Daniel Noboas orders to arrest Jorge Glas, the nations former vice president, accused of corruption and seeking asylum in Mexico.

Maduro announced his decision during a virtual meeting of CELAC, or the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, saying that he ordered diplomatic personnel to return to Venezuela immediately  until international law is restored in Ecuador.

Noboa claims the raid was authorized to protect national security, and says that because Glas was convicted for criminal reasons, not political ones, there were no grounds to grant asylum for him. Glas denies the allegations of corruption.

Following the raid, Mexico expressed outrage and filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice. It requested that the United Nations suspend Ecuador until the country agrees to provide reparations and apologizes for the raid.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 16. Kazakhstan's Air Astana has signed a memorandum of understanding with Neos SpA (Neos), the second Italian airline and part of the Alpitour group, to enter a strategic partnership, Trend reports.

According to the company, the strategic partnership will encompass several areas of cooperation, including:

- a codeshare agreement under which Air Astana will apply a marketing code to Neos-operated flights between Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Almaty (ALA) and vice versa;

- service collaboration on Boeing aircraft from 2025, when Air Astana Group will receive delivery of three Boeing 787-900. Where permitted, the parties will share technical and operational insights gained during existing operations by Neos and their entrance into service by Air Astana.

- the parties will consider and evaluate the formation of a joint venture for routes between Italy and Kazakhstan where regulatory, antitrust, and governmental authority permit.

"We are delighted to enter a strategic partnership with Neos and look forward to exploring initiatives together so we can better serve our mutual customers. This agreement will provide Air Astana passengers with more flexibility, convenience, and choice of flights between Kazakhstan and Italy. The first interline agreement was signed by Air Astana in 2005, and since then, the group has steadily grown ties with other international carriers in Asia and Europe as we endeavor to offer our customers even more choices for traveling around the world," Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana Group, said.

Earlier, the Italian airline Neos announced plans to open flights between Astana (Kazakhstan) and Rome (Italy), as well as between Astana and Milan (Italy). The airline also plans to increase the number of flights on the Almaty-Milan route.

Meanwhile, as one of the largest private Italian airlines, Neos flies to more than 70 destinations. The company's revenue in 2022 was $640 million.
Irans weekend attack on Israel and monetary support for militant groups in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq could have far-reaching economic impacts in the region and beyond, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Tuesday.

Yellen said her Treasury Department "will not hesitate to work with our allies to use our sanctions authority to continue disrupting the Iranian regime's malign and destabilizing activity.

Yellen was speaking ahead of spring meetings this week of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

The United States has long used sanctions to isolate Iran from its proxies and global economic systems.

Irans attack Saturday was in retaliation for a deadly April 1 strike on its consulate in Damascus, which Tehran blames on Israel. Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles, which the Israeli military said were mostly shot down and resulted in no deaths. It was Irans first assault on Israel from its own soil.

The rising tension has prompted appeals from the international community to avoid stoking a wider conflict. On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 33,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in an Israeli assault on Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.

In her statement, Yellen called for urgent action to end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and noted that the economic pressures on Hamas should not impede aid for the displaced people in Gaza who are on the verge of a famine.

"It is incumbent on all of us here at these meetings to do everything in our power to end this suffering," she said.

Yellen highlighted that Washington is also using sanctions to address violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Some information for this report was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
A few mainstream media colleagues have launched a controversy over an extract from a lecture I gave in Colmar last month [1]. They dispute what I said about the personal responsibility of former Chancellor Angela Merkel and former President Francois Hollande for the current war in Ukraine.

Here, in detail, are the facts I have reported and the documents on which I relied, which they deny.

Crimes against peace

On December 28, 2022, President Hollande gave an interview in Paris to Theo Prouvost of the Kyiv Independent [2] , which my opponents have confused with the sketch by Russian comedians Vovan and Lexus that he inspired [3]. In it, he claims to recognize himself in the remarks made a few days earlier by the former German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, to Zeit [4]. In it, she declared that she had signed the Minsk agreements, not to protect the people of the Donbass and put an end to the war being waged against them by the Kiev authorities, but to give them time to arm themselves. Francois Hollande explicitly confesses: "Yes, Angela Merkel is right on this point. The Minsk agreements stopped the Russian offensive for a while. What was very important was to know how the West would use this respite to prevent any new Russian attempt".

The "Russian attempt" he refers to is not Moscow sending Russian troops, but the private initiative of billionaire Konstantin Malofeyev to send Cossacks to support the people of the Donbass, as he had done for the Bosnian Serbs.

Angela Merkels and Francois Hollandes comments were confirmed by the Secretary General of Ukraines National Defense and Security Council, Oleksiy Danilov, who resigned three weeks ago after insulting the Chinese special envoy [5]..

The Minsk agreements were negotiated in two stages:

 The first protocol was signed, on September 5, 2014, by Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). It was also initialed by the governors of Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts. At the time, these oblasts, though called "republics" like the former Soviet regions, had no ambitions for independence. The protocol instituted a ceasefire, the release of hostages, the withdrawal of troops from both sides, including Konstantin Malofeyevs Cossacks, and a general amnesty. It also provides for decentralization of powers, local elections and a national dialogue.

Not much happened, however, apart from the withdrawal of Konstantin Malofeyevs Cossacks at the urging of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who took a dim view of a modern oligarch behaving like a Tsarist-era Grand Duke.

 The second protocol was signed six months later, on February 11, 2015. Negotiations took place under the responsibility of the OSCE, again between Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk. This time, Germany, France and Russia acted as guarantors ("Normandy format").

It contains more or less the same provisions as the first protocol, but is more detailed. Above all, it states that decentralization, which has not taken place as agreed, will have to be achieved through constitutional reform.

Russia feared that this second protocol would not be applied any more than the first. Vladislav Sourkov, who had been in charge of this dossier at the Kremlin, later explained this and not that it did not want to apply it, as Le Figaro [6] wrongly interpreted it. Moreover, it was Moscow [7], not Berlin or Paris, that submitted the protocol to the Security Council for approval.

Towards a Nuremberg 2 trial

Reacting to Chancellor Merkels and President Hollandes remarks, Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma (i.e. the lower house), immediately intervened to express his indignation at these confessions. Then, after the Christmas holidays, he published his comments on his Telegram channel [8]. This led to two dispatches, one from the Tass agency [9] and another from the Ria-Novosti agency [10], which my opponents also ignore.

In his capacity as Chairman of the State Duma, he first quotes President Vladimir Putin: "If a fight is unavoidable, you must strike first". Then he declares: "The confessions of a representative of the Kiev regime and former German and French leaders should be used as evidence before an international military tribunal. These leaders were plotting to start a World War with predictable consequences. They deserve to be punished for their crimes.

In describing the statements made by Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande and Oleksiy Danilov as evidence of "crimes", he is referring to the "crimes against peace" enunciated at the Liberation by the Nuremberg International Military Tribunal. According to this authority, recognized by all UN member states, these are the most serious crimes, even more so than "crimes against humanity". They are therefore not subject to any statute of limitations.

Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande and Oleksiy Danilov have not yet been the subject of an arrest warrant, but they have already been reported. For the time being, there is no jurisdiction capable of judging their crimes. This is why President Vyacheslav Volodin alluded to the idea of an "international military tribunal" (equivalent to the Nuremberg Tribunal). Such a tribunal has yet to be set up following the war in Ukraine. There is no doubt that, unless France, Germany and Ukraine agree, Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande and Oleksiy Danilov will have to answer for "crimes against Peace".

I can only deplore the fact that my opponents have not found the above-mentioned documents. In reality, this is quite normal: they are only interested in Anglo-Saxon or European press agencies that refuse to take into account the Russian point of view. They take the official narrative at face value and dont do their due diligence.

Why the Minsk agreements were never implemented

Russia, as I mentioned above, presented the second protocol to the Security Council on February 17, 2015. This was the subject of resolution 2202. In the annex, Moscow had the text of the protocol and the statement by the four heads of state adopted: Vladimir Putin (Russia), Petro Poroshenko (Ukraine), Francois Hollande (France) and Angela Merkel (Germany). During the debates, Ukraines permanent representative in New York expressed his satisfaction at the unwavering support of the United Nations.

In passing, it should be noted that Chinas permanent representative made clear at the time the position he still holds today: peace can only be lasting if the concerns of all parties are addressed.

Yet the second Minsk agreement has not been implemented. In the Donbass, sporadic clashes have always taken place, with each side blaming the other. Moreover, Kiev wanted the amnesty to be proclaimed after the local elections, while the leaders of the Donbass Oblates wanted it to be proclaimed beforehand. This would have enabled them to stand in the elections, which they would probably have won. Constitutional amendments were indeed put to the vote on August 31, 2015, at the Verkhovna Rada, in the presence... of the US special envoy, the Straussian Victoria Nuland, who had organized the 2014 coup (known as "EuroMaidan"). Elected representatives of the "integral nationalist" Sloboda party tried to block the vote and invaded the gallery, shouting "Shame!" and "Treason!" [11]. Meanwhile, outside the Assembly, clashes broke out between police and "integral nationalist" militiamen, leaving 4 dead and 122 injured. A qualified majority was not reached in the Rada, and the constitutional reform was not adopted.

These riots were the biggest since the overthrow of the elected president, Viktor Yanukovych, by the Sloboda "integral nationalists", supported by Victoria Nuland. President Petro Poroshneko condemned them, but wasnt told twice. It was clear that if he persisted in implementing the Minsk agreements, he too would be overthrown.

Courageous, but not foolhardy, he suddenly denounced the second Minsk protocol. According to him, former president Leonid Kuchmas signature on the Ukrainian side was worthless because he had not been accredited by the Verkhovna Rada. Yes, but Petro Poroshenko was present at the negotiations, as acting Ukrainian President, he raised no objections when the agreements were signed, nor when they were ratified by the Security Council, and he signed a joint declaration in which he undertook to implement them. Henceforth, he shared the same bad faith as President Francois Hollande and Chancellor Angela Merkel.

President Petro Poroshenko immediately appointed the Sloboda militia to put pressure on the people of the Donbass. This is the sinister Azov division of the "White Fuhrer", Andriy Biletsky. Over a period of seven years, 80,000 fighters would battle it out. Kievs men killed between 17,000 and 21,000 of their own Donbass population. Poroshenko set up an apartheid, a two-tier citizenship: Russian speakers in the Donbass were no longer entitled to any public services, schools or pensions.

The United Nations Security Council did not intervene, at most issuing a presidential statement on June 6, 2018 [12]. Once in power, President Volodymyr Zelensky tried to reconnect the threads by convening a Normandy-format meeting, but to no avail.

The responsibility to protect the people of Donbass

On November 2, 2021, the President appoints Dmytro Yarosh, the leading figure of the "integral nationalists" and a long-time CIA agent [13], as advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. He quickly drew up a plan for an attack on the Donbass [14], to be launched on March 9, 2022.

However, at an impromptu ceremony in the Kremlin on February 21, Moscow suddenly recognized the Donestk and Loughansk Peoples Republics as independent states. The following day, it launched a "special military operation". Russian troops converged from both their own border and that of Belarus to prevent any regrouping of Ukrainian forces in the Donbass. It destroyed Kievs military airport, but did not seek to take the capital. Within a few weeks, it had liberated most of the Donbass.

For months, Russia avoided uttering the word "war". It explained that it was intervening exclusively to put an end to the suffering of the civilian population of Donbass. On the contrary, the West accused Russia of having "invaded" Ukraine in order to conquer it. However, Russia has merely applied Resolution 2202 and the declaration of the heads of state that negotiated the Minsk agreements. In fact, in order to reserve this possibility, it reproduced it as an annex to the resolution. To say that Russia invaded Ukraine would imply that France "invaded" Rwanda when it put an end to the Tutsi genocide in 1994. No one thinks so. It simply implemented Resolution 929 and saved millions of lives.

Strangely enough, Russia did not raise the "responsibility to protect" argument. This is because it had opposed the formulation of this concept, which was only adopted by the United Nations in 2005. However, she would finally use it, on February 12, 2024, at a meeting of the Security Council that she would convene. She would set out her invariable position, but this time she would use the same diplomatic language as her interlocutors.

War propaganda

As I conclude this article, Id like to come back to what my colleagues have written. According to them, I have invented the responsibility of Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel in the current war, and I am relaying Russian disinformation by claiming that Moscow did not invade Ukraine. They probably wrote these articles with the intention of undermining my credibility.

Perhaps they didnt realize that by writing this nonsense in mainstream media, they were misleading the public and ultimately relaying the propaganda of war supporters.
Photo: Murray Close

This article was originally published on April 15, 2024. Spoilers follow for the Alex Garland film Civil War, which is now streaming on Max.

A pictures worth a thousand words, and especially so in the photojournalism-focused Civil War. But its tough to say what message a film this politically vague wants to send through its pictures  especially when its final frame is so deliberately provocative, and so frustratingly two-dimensional.

Alex Garlands attempt at an anti-war epic follows a group of journalists traveling to Washington, D.C., for an interview with the countrys fascist (and nameless) president (Nick Offerman), who has disbanded the FBI, executed journalists, called in airstrikes on American citizens, and is serving his third term. In this version of America, 19 states have seceded, and there are two primary insurgent groups  the Western Forces of Texas and California, and the Florida Alliance, comprising Florida and some other southern states  who are at war with the U.S. military and attacking the countrys capital city. A24s marketing for the film has primarily hyped up its conflict, but Civil War is mostly a road-trip movie as four writers and photographers drive the 500-plus miles from New York to D.C., running into situations that test the code of objectivity to which theyre supposed to abide.

The group is led by photographer Lee (Kirsten Dunst), who became famous in college for taking a picture of the Antifa Massacre, whatever that was, and her reporting partner, journalist Joel (Wagner Moura). Where Lee is emotionally detached from her work and increasingly jaded about its waning impact, Joel is an adrenaline junkie who yuks it up with insurgents and is always on the lookout for the next hot spot to pull up to and start asking questions. Theyre joined by Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), their mentor and a veteran writer for what Joel dismissively calls whatevers left of the New York Times, and young photographer Jessie (Cailee Spaeny), a Lee fangirl who can practically recite her resume  and points out that Lee shares her first name with renowned photojournalist Lee Miller, who famously covered World War II for Vogue.

The two women gradually reverse roles as the film progresses, with Lee becoming more shell-shocked by the violence around her and Jessie beginning to thrive off it. In the movies final moments, the two women tag along with a Western Forces squadron storming the White House, hoping to find the president. Lee dies protecting Jessie from gunfire, and Jessie goes on to take the final shots that Lee had wanted to, showing Western Forces soldiers killing the defenseless president. Jessies last photo is the films parting image: soldiers gloating around the dead mans body, their guns raised in celebration and wide grins on their faces. Garland has compared the photo to ones taken by law enforcement and military officers in real life, including a famous shot of Pablo Escobars body. But its questionable, even doubtful, that an image from Colombia taken in 1993 is what Civil Wars audience will think of after seeing American violence done by Americans in military uniform. Its more likely that this photo brings to mind the most memorable pictures leaked in April 2004 out of Abu Ghraib, in which American soldiers flashed thumbs-up to the camera while perched next to the bodies of tortured Middle Eastern prisoners. Jessies picture is the closest Civil War comes to a distinct political statement  a condemnation of bloodlust and how it infects even those were supposed to see as liberators. But its too little, too late for a film that otherwise romanticizes the chaotic spectacle of war and puts its version of bias-free journalism on a pedestal without understanding that objectivity is itself a kind of privilege.

Civil War is more interested in Lee and Jessies relationship than it is in the war raging around them, and begins devoting time early on to positioning Jessie as Lees successor. The veteran photographer feels protective of her young counterpart, though she disguises that instinct with prickly inaccessibility. She doesnt think Jessie is prepared enough to cover this war, and tells her as much after they come across the hanging bodies of two tortured looters. Jessie is too overwhelmed to snap a photo, but Lee does so coolly, and even gets the tormenter to pose alongside his victims. When Jessie questions whether she should have helped the beaten men, Lee reminds her that regret, hesitation, and personal opinion have no place in their profession. Once you start asking yourself those questions, you cant stop, Lee says, and Dunst is wonderfully stern as she insists that their job is only documenting; its up to others to make decisions based on the content of their photos.

Jessie of course gets more comfortable with the camera as she tags along with Lee and Joel  taking pictures of a dying Florida Alliance member in one scene and of two pastel-haired and nail-polish-wearing snipers in a shootout in another. She learns to compartmentalize her emotions while getting the shot, developing her film, reviewing her best images, and then preparing to do it all again the next day. Lee, meanwhile, begins dissociating, becoming more distant and withdrawn, her facial expression set in an inflexible mask. When Florida Alliance insurgents get the better of U.S. military soldiers and execute them, an inscrutable Lee just watches. And as the snipers exchange gunfire, a tense back-and-forth during which Jessie snaps away, Lee simply lays down on a patch of grass and rests her head on a clump of flowers (a reprise of an iconic Dunst moment from The Virgin Suicides). For all of Lees lecturing about the responsibilities of their profession, the toll of the job is weighing on her. I thought I was sending a warning home: Dont do this. But here we are, she tells Jessie in a brief moment of honesty  a reflection of the American exceptionalism that guided Lees career.

Lees unmoored state of mind adds extra tension to the films closing siege on the White House, when Lee, Jessie, and Joel follow a Western Forces squadron fighting its way toward the president. For most of this sequence, Lee cowers in the fetal position and refuses to look at their embattled surroundings, while Jessie darts from spot to spot, shooting everything she can and sharing exhilarated smiles with Joel. But when Lee susses out that a trio of cars speeding out from the White House is a feint  meaning the president is still inside and a photograph of him is still a possibility  she snaps to attention, striding toward the building in search of the money shot. Its there that she dies, pushing an overzealous Jessie out of the way of gunfire, taking the bullets herself, and breaking all her rules against caring too much.

Civil War foreshadows Lees death, to an extent. In Lee and Jessies first heart to heart, Jessie asked her, Would you photograph that moment, if I got shot? to which Lee replied, What do you think? At the White House, Jessie does what her mentor would do. We watch Lee get shot and fall through Jessies black-and-white pictures, the rapid-fire click-click-click of the younger womans camera standing in for the whiz of bullets. Jessie has been taking pictures of Lee since they met and her photographing Lee in death is a poetic, melancholy end to that series of portraits. Her decision to keep shooting through Lees sacrificial death becomes Civil Wars final insistence that there is a unique nobility to this profession. They care about the truth; its why Jessie captures the presidents extrajudicial killing. And they care about people; its why Lee dies to protect Jessie, and earlier in the film, Sammy dies to protect them both (and Joel) from execution.

This is bravery, dedication, and selflessness in service of educating the populace, Civil War argues; these are professionals we should honor and respect for forcing us to pay attention. But who, if anyone, is paying attention? How are these journalists shaping public opinion and the war? Its hard to say  the film so steadfastly avoids details about the world theyre documenting, it becomes impossible to gauge what impact Jessies final photograph will have. What were left with is an undercurrent of futility: Only one character who the four journalists meet ever mentions paying attention to the news. Both Lee and Jessies parents, according to their daughters, are in denial about the war happening in their own country, despite what their daughters do. Even Sammy questions the usefulness of Joel speaking to the president now when the war is almost over and so much damage has already been done. If the images journalists risk their lives to capture can still make a difference, we never see evidence of that in Civil War.

In part, one could argue, this is because the film is focused on Lee and Jessies stories. And yet, while Jessie is the one who survives to take that photo, the film is aloof about her intentions, too, and what motivates her as a photographer. What does Jessie want her Abu Ghraiblike photo to convey? Is it the cruelty of the Western Forces? The weakness of the president? Does it suggest that both sides in this civil war are at fault? What does she hope might change as a result of its existence? Hard to say with so little context about the world she lives in. Will a publication run it? Will the Western Forces suppress its release? Will there be people who call it fake news? Jessie never seems to wonder, perhaps because the film mistakes journalistic objectivity for neutrality, even passivity.

And theres a jarring, even ineffective quality to how Civil War aligns Jessies photo of the presidents death with other newsworthy images. Garlands comparison to photos like the one of Escobar doesnt quite work, because an American DEA agent snapped the first pictures of the drug lords body, not a journalist. The resemblance to photos like those from Abu Ghraib, of abused detainees turned into victims of American imperialism, is an awkward juxtaposition, too, when you think for more than a second about who the casualties are and why they were targeted. Part of Garlands purpose with the photo, presumably, is to point out how desensitized we are to images of violence abroad, and ask why we might care more when the subject of an image like this is a dead American white man. But it matters who takes these photos, too. And Civil War ignores the fact that, for decades, especially since the widespread availability of cellphone cameras, its often whistleblowers (like reservist Joe Darby, who went against his colleagues and the American military apparatus to reveal their moral rot by leaking the Abu Ghraib photos), activists, and citizen journalists behind the camera.

There are certainly journalists around the world  in particular in Gaza, where 103 Palestinian reporters and photographers were killed in 105 days of Israeli strikes, including 22 killed in the course of their work  who fit the truth-telling role Civil War valorizes. But in documenting the killing of their own people and destruction of their communities, they might not be objective enough to fit the films rigid understanding of what a journalist is; a healthy remove, Civil War seems to say, is the only way to keep the work pure. Functionally, though, that standard feels like a narrative shortcut so Garland doesnt have to explain his fictional factions allegiances or overall politics. Because in the real world, objectivity in journalism doesnt mean you dont have any opinion on what youre covering, dont have feelings and fears about years of conflict or the future of the country that you discuss with your colleagues, dont make private delineations for yourself about whos right and whos wrong in whatever situation youre reporting on or photographing. If you didnt think your work could make some kind of difference, why would you do it at all? The goal shouldnt be bland impartiality, but accuracy and honesty. In failing to reflect that, Civil Wars perspective remains underexposed.
Andrew Scott and Johnny Flynn in Steven Zaillians Ripley. Photo: Lorenzo Sisti/Netflix

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Is Tom Ripley gay? For nearly 70 years, the answer has bedeviled readers of Patricia Highsmiths 1955 thriller The Talented Mr. Ripley, the story of a diffident but ambitious young man who slides into and then brutally ends the life of a wealthy American expatriate, as well as the four sequels she produced fitfully over the following 36 years. It has challenged the directors  French, British, German, Italian, Canadian, American  who have tried to bring Ripley to the screen, including in the latest adaptation by Steven Zaillian, now on Netflix. And it appears even to have flummoxed Ripleys creator, a lesbian with a complicated relationship to queer sexuality. In a 1988 interview, shortly before she undertook writing the final installment of the series, Ripley Under Water, Highsmith seemed determined to dismiss the possibility. I dont think Ripley is gay, she said  adamantly, in the characterization of her interviewer. He appreciates good looks in other men, thats true. But hes married in later books. Im not saying hes very strong in the sex department. But he makes it in bed with his wife.

The question isnt a minor one. Ripleys killing of Dickie Greenleaf  the most complicated, and because its so murkily motivated, the most deeply rattling of the many murders the character eventually commits  has always felt intertwined with his sexuality. Does Tom kill Dickie because he wants to be Dickie, because he wants what Dickie has, because he loves Dickie, because he knows what Dickie thinks of him, or because he cant bear the fact that Dickie doesnt love him? Ordinarily, Im not a big fan of completely ignoring authorial intent, and Im inclined to let novelists have the last word on factual information about their own creations. But Highsmith, a cantankerous alcoholic misanthrope who was long past her best days when she made that statement, may have forgotten, or wanted to disown, her own initial portrait of Tom Ripley, which is  especially considering the time in which it was written  perfumed with unmistakable implication.

Consider the case that Highsmith puts forward in The Talented Mr. Ripley. Tom, a single man, lives a hand-to-mouth existence in New York with a male roommate who is, ahem, a window dresser. Before that, he lived with an older man with some money and a controlling streak, a sugar daddy he contemptuously describes as an old maid; Tom still has the key to his apartment. Most of his social circle  the names he tosses around when introducing himself to Dickie  are gay men. The aunt who raised him, he bitterly recalls, once said of him, Sissy! Hes a sissy from the ground up. Just like his father! Tom, who compulsively rehearses his public interactions and just as compulsively relives his public humiliations, recalls a particularly stinging moment when he was shamed by a friend for a practiced line he liked to use repeatedly at parties: I cant make up my mind whether I like men or women, so Im thinking of giving them both up. It has always been good for a laugh, the way he delivered it, he thinks, while admitting to himself that there was a lot of truth in it. Fortunately, Tom has another go-to party trick. Still nurturing vague fantasies of becoming an actor, he knows how to delight a small room with a set of monologues hes contrived. All of his signature characters are, by the way, women.

This was an extremely specific set of ornamentations for a male character in 1955, a time when homosexuality was beginning to show up with some frequency in novels but almost always as a central problem, menace, or tragedy rather than an incidental characteristic. And it culminates in a gruesome scene that Zaillians Ripley replicates to the last detail in the second of its eight episodes: The moment when Dickie, the louche playboy whose luxe permanent-vacation life in the Italian coastal town of Atrani with his girlfriend, Marge, has been infiltrated by Tom, discovers Tom alone in his bedroom, imitating him while dressed in his clothes. It is, in both Highsmiths and Zaillians tellings, as mortifying for Tom as being caught in drag, because essentially it is drag but drag without exaggeration or wit, drag that is simply suffused with a desire either to become or to possess the object of ones envy and adoration. It repulses Dickie, who takes it as a sexual threat and warns Tom, Im not queer, then adds, lashingly, Marge thinks you are. In the novel, Tom reacts by going pale. He hotly denies it but not before feeling faint. Nobody had ever said it outright to him, Highsmith writes, not in this way. Not a single gay reader in the mid-1950s would have failed to recognize this as the dread of being found out, quickly disguised as the indignity of being misunderstood.

And it seemed to frighten Highsmith herself. In the second novel, Ripley Under Ground, published 15 years later, she backed away from her conception of Tom, leaping several years forward and turning him into a soigne country gentleman living a placid, idyllic life in France with an oblivious wife. None of the sequels approach the cold, challenging terror of the first novel  a challenge that has been met in different ways, each appropriate to their era, by the three filmmakers who have taken on The Talented Mr. Ripley. Zaillians ice-cold, diamond-hard Ripley just happens to be the first to deliver a full and uncompromising depiction of one of the most unnerving characters in American crime fiction.

The first Ripley adaptation, Rene Clements French-language drama Purple Noon, is much beloved for its sun-saturated atmosphere of endless indolence and for the tone of alienated ennui that anticipated much of the decade to come; the movie was also a showcase for its Ripley, the preposterously sexy, maddeningly aloof Alain Delon. And therein lies the problem: A Ripley who is preposterously sexy is not a Ripley who has ever had to deal with soul-deep humiliation, and a Ripley who is maddeningly aloof is not going to be able to worm his way into anyones life. Purple Noon is not especially willing (or able  it was released in 1960) to explore Ripleys possible homosexuality. Though the movie itself suggests that no man or woman could fail to find him alluring, what we get with Delon is, in a way, a less complex character type, a gorgeous and magnetic smooth criminal who, as if even France had to succumb to the hoariest dictates of the Hollywood Production Code, gets the punishment due to him by the closing credits. Its delectable daylit noir, but nothing unsettling lingers.

Anthony Minghellas The Talented Mr. Ripley, released in 1999, is far better; it couldnt be more different from the current Ripley, but its a legitimate reading that proves that Highsmiths novel is complex and elastic enough to accommodate wildly varying interpretations. A committed Matt Damon makes a startlingly fine Tom Ripley, ingratiating and appealing but always just slightly inept or needy or wrong; Jude Law  peak Jude Law  is such an effortless golden boy that he manages the necessary task of making Damons Tom seem a bit dim and dull; and acting-era Gwyneth Paltrow is a spirited and touchingly vulnerable Marge.

Minghella grapples with Toms sexual orientation in an intelligently progressive-circa-1999 way; he assumes that Highsmith would have made Tom overtly gay if the culture of 1955 had allowed it, and he runs all the way with the idea. He gives us a Tom Ripley who is clearly, if not in love with Dickie, wildly destabilized by his attraction to him. And in a giant departure from the novel, he elevates a character Highsmith had barely developed, Peter Smith-Kingsley (played by Jack Davenport) into a major one, a man with whom were given to understand that Ripley, with two murders behind him and now embarking on a comfortable and well-funded European life, has fallen in love. It doesnt end well for either of them. A heartsick Tom eventually kills Peter, too, rather than risk discovery  its his third murder, one more than in the novel  and were meant to take this as the tragedy of his life: That, having come into the one identity that could have made him truly happy (gay man), he will always have to subsume it to the identity he chose in order to get there (murderer). This is nowhere that Highsmith ever would have gone  and thats fine, since all of these movies are not transcriptions but interpretations. Its as if Minghella, wandering around inside the palace of the novel, decided to open doors Highsmith had left closed to see what might be behind them. The result is the most touching and sympathetic of Ripleys  and, as a result, far from the most frightening.

Zaillian is not especially interested in courting our sympathy. Working with the magnificent cinematographer Robert Elswit, who makes every black-and-white shot a stunning, tense, precise duel between light and shadow, he turns coastal Italy not into an azure utopia but into a daunting vertical maze, alternately paradise, purgatory, and inferno, in which Tom Ripley is forever struggling; no matter where he turns, he always seems to be at the bottom of yet another flight of stairs.

Its part of the genius of this Ripley  and a measure of how deeply Zaillian has absorbed the book  that the biggest departures he makes from Highsmith somehow manage to bring his work closer to her scariest implications. There are a number of minor changes, but I want to talk about the big ones, the most striking of which is the aging of both Tom and Dickie. In the novel, theyre both clearly in their 20s  Tom is a young striver patching together an existence as a minor scam artist who steals mail and impersonates a collection agent, bilking guileless suckers out of just enough odd sums for him to get by, and Dickie is a rich mans son whose father worries that he has extended his post-college jaunt to Europe well past its sowing-wild-oats expiration date. Those plot points all remain in place in the miniseries, but Andrew Scott, who plays Ripley, is 47, and Johnny Flynn, who plays Dickie, is 41; onscreen, they register, respectively, as about 40 and 35.

This changes everything we think we know about the characters from the first moments of episode one. As we watch Ripley in New York, dourly plying his miserable, penny-ante con from a tiny, barren shoe-box apartment that barely has room for a bed as wide as a prison cot (this is not a place to which Ripley has ever brought guests), we learn a lot: This Ripley is not a struggler but a loser. Hes been at this a very long time, and this is as far as hes gotten. We can see, in an early scene set in a bank, that hes wearily familiar with almost getting caught. If he ever had dreams, he probably buried them years earlier. And Dickie, as a golden boy, is pretty tarnished himself  he isnt a wild young man but an already-past-his-prime disappointment, a dilettante living off of Daddys money while dabbling in painting (hes not good at it) and stringing along a girlfriend whos stuck on him but probably, in her heart, knows he isnt likely to amount to much.

Making Tom older also allows Zaillian to mount a persuasive argument about his sexuality that hews closely to Highsmiths vision (if not to her subsequent denial). If the Ripley of 1999 was gay, the Ripley of 2024 is something else: queer, in both the newest and the oldest senses of the word. Scotts impeccable performance finds a thousand shades of moon-faced blankness in Ripleys sociopathy, and Elswits endlessly inventive lighting of his minimal expressions, his small, ambivalent mouth and high, smooth forehead, often makes him look slightly uncanny, like a Daniel Clowes or Charles Burns drawing. Scotts Ripley is a man who has to practice every vocal intonation, every smile or quizzical look, every interaction. If he ever had any sexual desire, he seems to have doused it long ago. Is he queer? I dont know, Marge writes in a letter to Dickie (actually to Tom, now impersonating his murder victim). I dont think hes normal enough to have any kind of sex life. This, too, is from the novel, almost word for word, and Zaillian uses it as a north star. The Ripley he and Scott give us is indeed queer  hes off, amiss, not quite right, and Marge knows it. (In the novel, she adds, All right, he may not be queer [meaning gay]. Hes just a nothing, which is worse.) Ripleys possible asexuality  or more accurately, his revulsion at any kind of expressed sexuality  makes his killing of Dickie even more horrific because it robs us of lust as a possible explanation. This is the first adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley Ive seen in which even Ripley may not know why he murders Dickie.

When I heard that Zaillian (who both wrote and directed all of the episodes) was working on a Ripley adaptation, I wondered if he might replace sexual identity, the great unequalizer of 1999, with economic inequity, a more of-the-moment choice. Minghellas version played with the idea; every person and object and room and vista Damons Ripley encountered was so lush and beautiful and gleaming that it became, in some scenes, the story of a man driven mad by having his nose pressed up against the glass that separated him from a world of privilege (and from the people in that world who were openly contemptuous of his gaucheries). Zaillian doesnt do that  a lucky thing, since the heavily Ripley-influenced film Saltburn played with those very tropes recently and effectively. Whether intentional or not, one side effect of his decision to shoot Ripley in black and white is that it slightly tamps down any temptation to turn Italy into an occasion for wealth porn and in turn to make Tom an eat-the-rich surrogate. This Italy looks gorgeous in its own way, but its also a world in which even the most beautiful treasures appear threatened by encroaching dampness or decay or rot. Zaillian gives us a Ripley who wants Dickies life of money and nice things and art (though what hes thinking when he stares at all those Caravaggios is anybodys guess). But he resists the temptation to make Dickie and Marge disdainful about Toms poverty, or mean to the servants, or anything that might make his killing more palatable. This Tom is not a class warrior any more than hes a victim of the closet or anything else that would make him more explicable in contemporary terms. Hes his own thing  a universe of one.

Anyway, sexuality gives any Ripley adapter more to toy with than money does, and the way Zaillian uses it also plays effectively into another of his intuitive leaps  his decision to present Dickies friend and Toms instant nemesis Freddie Miles not as an obnoxious loudmouth pest (in Minghellas movie, he was played superbly by a loutish Philip Seymour Hoffman) but as a frosty, sexually ambiguous, gender-fluid-before-it-was-a-term threat to Toms stability, excellently portrayed by Eliot Sumner (Stings kid), a nonbinary actor who brings perceptive to-the-manor-born disdain to Freddies interactions with Tom. They loathe each other on sight: Freddie instantly clocks Tom as a pathetic poser and possible closet case, and Tom, seeing in Freddie a man who seems to wear androgyny with entitlement and no self-consciousness, registers him as a danger, someone who can see too much, too clearly. This leads, of course, to murder and to a grisly flourish in the scene in which Tom, attempting to get rid of Freddies body, walks his upright corpse, his bloodied head hidden under a hat, along a street at night, pretending hes holding up a drunken friend. When someone approaches, Tom, needing to make his possible alibi work, turns away, slamming his own body into Freddies up against a wall and kissing him passionately on the lips. Thats not in Highsmiths novel, but I imagine it would have gotten at least a dry smile out of her; in Ripleys eight hours, this necrophiliac interlude is Toms sole sexual interaction.

No adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley would work without a couple of macabre jokes like that, and Zaillian serves up some zesty ones, including an appearance by John Malkovich, the reigning king/queen of sexual ambiguity (and himself a past Ripley, in 2002s Ripleys Game), nodding to Toms future by playing a character who doesnt show up until book two. He also gives us a witty final twist that suggests that Ripley may not even make it to that sequel, one that reminds us how fragile and easily upended his whole scheme has been. Because Ripley, in this conception, is no mastermind; Zaillians most daring and thoughtful move may have been the excision of the word talented from the title. In the course of the show, we see him toy with being an editor, a writer (all those letters!), a painter, an art appreciator, and a wealthy man, often convincingly  but always as an impersonation. He gives us a Tom who is fiercely determined but so drained of human affect when hes not being watched that we come to realize that his only real skill is a knack for concentrating on one thing to the exclusion of everything else. What we watch him get away with may be the first thing in his life hes really good at (and the last moment of the show suggests that really good may not be good enough). This is not a Tom with a brilliant plan but a Tom who just barely gets away with it, a Tom who can never relax.

Toms sexuality is ultimately an enigma that Zaillian chooses to leave unsolved  as it remains at the end of the novel. Highsmiths decision to turn Tom into a roguish heterosexual with a taste for art fraud before the start of the second novel has never felt entirely persuasive, and its clearly a resolution in which Zaillian couldnt be less interested. Toward the end of Ripley, Tom is asked by a detective to describe the kind of man Dickie was. He transforms Dickies suspicion about his queerness into a new narrative, telling the private investigator that Dickie was in love with him: I told him I found him pathetic and that I wanted nothing more to do with him. But its the crushing verdict he delivers just before that line that will stay with me, a moment in which Tom, almost in a reverie, might well be describing himself: Everything about him was an act. He knew he was supremely untalented. In the end, Scott and Zaillian give us a Ripley for an era in which evil is so often meted out by human automatons with even tempers and bland self-justification: He is methodical, ordinary, mild, and terrifying.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 16. Kazakhstan's Samruk-Kazyna (Sovereign Wealth Fund) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have discussed cooperation on projects in the energy field, Trend reports.

According to Samruk-Kazyna, discussions took place between the head of the fund Nurlan Zhakupov and the Managing Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Group at the EBRD Nandita Parshad and the director of the EBRD in Kazakhstan Huseyin Ozhan.

The parties, in particular, reviewed cooperation within the framework of the project "Integration of the energy system of Western Kazakhstan with the Unified Electric Power System of the Republic of Kazakhstan."

Zhakupov noted that the fund and the fund's portfolio companies have been cooperating with the EBRD for a long time and have declared their readiness for further cooperation.

Meanwhile, the EBRD's current project portfolio in Kazakhstan reaches 2.77 billion euros as of January 31, 2024, based on the implementation of 117 active portfolio projects.

Investments in sustainable infrastructure projects have increased to 71 percent of the whole portfolio. At the same time, the amount of investment climbed from 1.91 billion to 1.95 billion euros. The EBRD's portfolio continues to comprise 24 percent industrial, trade, and agricultural projects. However, volume climbed from 643 to 654 million euros. The financial sector portfolio remained stable in terms of share. Investments in financial institutions account for 6 percent of the portfolio (from 149 million to 164 million euros).

Meanwhile, the bank has spent almost ten billion euros in 317 projects in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is the EBRD's largest and most established Central Asian banking company.
The Italian flag, or Il Tricolore, is one of the most recognisable flags in the world.

Where do the colors green, white, and red in the Italian flag come from?

splashed across Italian restaurant signs all over the world and printed on T-shirts in tourist kiosks across the country, the Italian flag is an icon of Italy and Italian culture. But stripes of greed, white, and red werent always synonymous with ItalyOriginally designed under, the Italian flag was heavily influenced by another Tricolore-- the French flag.

Though the national Italian flag would go through many different iterations before becoming what it is today, the colors green, white, and red have been a recurring pattern throughout its history.Oddly enough, there is no clear answer to what the symbolism is behind the three colors.

There are multiple theories regarding Italys Tricolore. One is that the colors carry idealistic significance: green for freedom, white for faith and purity, and red for love.

Others believe that the colors have religious significance, representing the three theological virtues: Green for hope, white for faith, and red for charity.

How long has the Italian flag existed?

Another theory is that the colors represent Italys geographical landscape and history. Green for the countryside, white for the snowy Alps, and red for the blood of the Italian people shed over the course of Italys history.The Italian flag precedes Italys unification. Before unification in 1861, each republic in Italy had a different flag.When Napoleon began conquering Italian states after the French Revolution began in 1789, he changed the landscape of Italy, creating new republics and destroying former territories.

Following Frances call for national unity, many Italians formed political and military groups to focus efforts on creating unity within their republics.

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The colors green, white, and red were originally taken from the civic militia in the Transpadane Republic, an unofficial government in Milan. Militia members wore the colors on their uniforms.In 1797, the, established by Napoleon, designed its flag with the trio of colors in horizontal stripes and a central emblem.

When the Cispadane Republic merged with nearby regions to create the new Cisalpine Republic, the stripes were rotated counterclockwise to the vertical stripes they are today, with green on the left, white in the middle, and red on the right.

However, this was not the final form of the Italian flag. Later, the short-lived region known as the Italian Republic, located in the north of Italy, also had a green, white, and red flag, but organized in a geometric pattern.

The geometric pattern mirrored patterns from Napoleonic military flags. When the Italian Republic became the Kingdom of Italy, with Napoleon as its emperor, the flag design was slightly altered, and a golden Napoleonic eagle was placed in the center.

When did Italy get an official Italian flag?

From 1798 to 1848, the Tricolore was an unofficial symbol of ununified Italian nationalism.When Napoleons rule ended in 1814, a new chapter of Italian history began. Italy was geographically united as one country in 1848, and the Tricolore became a celebrated symbol of Italy.

Many regions began adopting flags that reflected elements of the Tricolore, adding to a sense of national unity. On 23 March 1848, the flag was used by Italian troops in battle against the Austrian army, making it an official symbol of Italian confederation.

The following month, the flag was adopted by the Kingdom of Sardinia. In 1861, it became the official flag of the Kingdom of Italy.

When Italy was officially united as a monarchy under the rule of the Royal House of Savoy in 1861, a shield, cross, and crown were added to the center of the flags three stripes.

What is the flag of Italy used for in Italy?

The shield and cross represented the House of Savoy, and the crown symbolised the monarchy. In 1946, when Italy changed from a monarchy to a republic, the flag returned to the simple, vertical Tricolore.Finally, the flag legally represented all of Italy, geographically, politically, and historically.As well as being a symbol of national unity and pride, the Italian flag is a cherished symbol of Italys history and the complicated road to becoming the Italian Republic.As in many countries, it is illegal to disrespect the Italian flag. Any form of vandalisation or destruction to an Italian flag is considered a, and perpetrators risk being fined up to 5000 euro or potential imprisonment.The Italian flag can be seen hanging outside of government buildings, or being flown on holidays and ceremonial occasions.
RICHMOND  Virginias Republican-led House and Senate sustained Gov. Ralph Northams veto of a bill banning sanctuary cities on Wednesday but rejected his amendments to anti-gerrymandering legislation. With both chambers under narrow GOP control, legislators never came close during their one-day veto session to mustering the two-thirds majority needed to override any of the Democratic governors 10 vetoes.

Northam (D), who ran for office last year as a consensus-builder, made sparing use of his veto pen compared with his predecessor, Terry McAuliffe (D), who vetoed a record 120 bills over four years.

Among the bills Northam vetoed were those that would have capped contingency fees that private law firms can earn when the attorney general hires them to represent state agencies; prohibited the state from participating in regional greenhouse gas initiatives without legislative approval; banned local governments from setting a minimum wage for government contractors; and blocked the General Assembly from tinkering with legislative district lines more than every 10 years.

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Though Northam prevailed on all of those bills, the legislature rejected a slew of his amendments on matters as massive as Metro and as mundane as mulch. Those bills will return to Northam, who can choose to sign them in their unamended form or shelve them with a veto that the legislature has no opportunity to override.

The legislature killed Northams amendment to fund the mass transit system through two regional taxes. It also nixed his amendment to a bill intended to protect the rights of homeowners to spread mulch around their homes, a measure meant to undercut local ordinances that ban the ground cover as a fire hazard. Northams amendment would have prevented assisted-living facilities, college dorms and hotels from ducking local mulch restrictions.

I evaluate legislation by one standard  whether it makes life better for the people who call Virginia home, Northam said in written statement afterward. I thank the General Assembly for engaging in a conversation on how we can best accomplish that goal.

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There was little debate on most of the vetoed bills given the long odds for overriding them. One exception was a bill sponsored by Del. Ben Cline (R-Amherst) that would have prohibited Virginia localities from designating themselves as sanctuaries, or zones where local officials refuse to enforce federal immigration policies. Cline, who is running for Congress, argued that while Virginia has no sanctuary cities, it does have localities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials.

He cited a recent Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were not allowed to speak on immigration-related issues, and noted that several supervisors asked the county police chief and sheriff to ensure that ICE agents are not able to easily arrest anyone who is not already the target of a criminal investigation.

That is actively interfering with the enforcement of federal immigration law, Cline said. Those who would say we dont have sanctuary cities in the commonwealth, well, we certainly seem to have a problem with sanctuary policies.

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But Del. Alfonso H. Lopez (D-Arlington) argued that enlisting local law enforcement to round up undocumented immigrants would discourage immigrants from cooperating with police.

The 51-to-48 party-line vote fell well short of the 67 needed to override the governors veto.

The House and Senate had an easier time pushing back against some of Northams unfriendly amendments to bills, something that required only a simple majority vote.

The House and Senate rejected Northams amendments to two identical anti-gerrymandering bills, proposed by Sen. David R. Suetterlein (R-Roanoke) and Del. S. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk). The bills sought to establish standards for drawing congressional and legislative districts that would, among other things, require compactness. Northam inserted language requiring that existing communities of interest should be considered so that districts do not split up groups of people with similar social, cultural or economic interests.

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Jones, one of Northams closest friends on the Republican side, urged the House to reject the changes and said the governor had not sought his blessing.

I was not consulted  I was informed, Jones said. The amendment failed on a 51-to-48 party-line vote.

One hefty subject, the state budget, was off the table because the veto session was only for bills that passed during the regular session that concluded March 10. A standoff over whether to expand Medicaid prevented the legislature from passing a budget.

A special session on the budget began last week, with the House on Tuesday passing a $115 billion, two-year spending plan that would allow up to 400,000 Virginians to enroll in the federal-state health insurance program for the poor. The measure now heads to the Senate Finance Committee. The state needs a budget in place by July 1 to avoid a shutdown.
Dining chat: A waiter gave our anniversary bubbly to the table next to us. What should we have done?
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with US Ambassador Robin Dunnigan, EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski , and UK Ambassador Mark Clayton to discuss 'Russian Law'.According to the government administration, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told the ambassadors that the law "fully complies with all basic legal principles and serves the sole purpose of annual disclosure of the finances of non-governmental organizations and relevant media.""When the government itself shows an example of transparency and all government decisions and legal acts are published, it is not clear why it is unacceptable for non-governmental organizations to meet the minimum standard of transparency," Kobakhidze said.The State Security Service reported that three Georgian citizens were unlawfully detained by Russian occupation forces within the occupied territory, near the villages of Zemo Artsevi and Otrevi."Upon receiving information about the mentioned incident, the State Security Service activated the 'hotline' operated by the European Union Monitoring Mission. Another instance of illegal detention was promptly reported to the co-chairs of the international discussions in Geneva and to our international partners.All existing mechanisms for the release of illegally detained Georgian citizens have been activated.Responsibility for all destructive actions committed on the occupied territories of Georgia, as well as along the occupation line, rests with the occupying power," the statement reads.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 16. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has decided to introduce a regime of austerity of state funds, Trend reports via Akorda.

The head of state stated this during a meeting with villagers in the Kostanay region affected by flooding.

"I have decided to introduce a regime of austerity for public funds to direct them to citizens," Tokayev said.

According to him, all those affected will be provided with the necessary assistance.

"The most important element is compensation, which will be paid. Furthermore, people who have lost their housing or require repairs will be given assistance. We would buy and provide apartments to anyone who wants to move in. We will construct model dwellings for individuals who wish to remain in their current location, but staying in unsafe areas is not an option. The project for such houses is provided. These houses will be built in large numbers over the summer and into the winter. I have set a task for the government to begin construction in the next summer months and in the fall, and to eradicate the consequences of the calamity," Tokayev said.

To note, more than 4,800 private residential houses were flooded due to floods in Kazakhstan. Since the beginning of the floods, rescuers have evacuated more than 100,000 people.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Venice, Italy  Since February, thousands of pro-Palestinian activists have tried in vain to get the Venice Biennale, one of the worlds most prestigious international art exhibitions, to ban Israel over its conduct of the war in the Gaza Strip.

But this week, when the Biennales international pavilions open for a media preview, the doors to the Israel pavilion will nonetheless remain locked, at the behest of the artist and curators representing Israel.

A woman takes a photo as an Italian soldier patrols the Israeli pavilion at the Biennale art fair in Venice on Tuesday. Credit: AP

The artist and curators of the Israeli pavilion will open the exhibition when a ceasefire and hostage release agreement is reached, reads a sign that the Israeli team taped to the door of the pavilion.

I hate it, Ruth Patir, the artist chosen to represent Israel, said in an interview about her decision not to open the exhibit she has been working on, but I think its important.
I have short blonde hair, ears to rival King Charles and a seven oclock shadow but after my first skin needling treatment I am a dead ringer for Samantha Jones from Sex and the City. This was not my intention.

The sex positive television character received a chemical peel in a 2002 television episode, temporarily leaving her skin the same shade of red as my freshly needled face, which is attracting curious and concerned glances on the street.

Actor Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones who receives a damaging chemical peel in a 2002 episode of Sex and the City; journalist Damien Woolnough, 50, immediately after receiving a skin needling treatment. Credit: HBO

What is microneedling?

The tomato transformation is a result of a clinician using needles in a sleek delivery device to puncture my skin. Most clinics penetrate the skin to a depth of 0.5 to 2.5 millimetres. The wounds trigger collagen production to tighten skin and reduce signs of ageing.
Two more parks in Melbournes west have been confirmed this afternoon as having asbestos contamination.

Fragments of the deadly material have been found in at least 11 parks across four council areas since the start of April.

Hobsons Bay Council today informed the Environment Protection Authority that suspicious material found at both Laverton Creek at the rear of AB Shaw Reserve in Altona Meadows and Doug Grant Reserve in Altona tested positive.

Asbestos was found in mulch at Laverton Creek and in soil at Altona, according to the EPA.

Tests at eight parks across Hobsons Bay confirmed asbestos contamination, with six more awaiting test results (Buffer Mound in Altona, Federation Trail in Brooklyn, Grieve Parade in Altona, Kororoit Creek Reserve in Altona North, Newport Lakes Reserve in Newport and Truganina Park in Altona Meadows).

On Monday, Casey Council in Melbournes south-east reported asbestos had been found in Minihans Reserve in Cranbourne.

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The source of contamination remains under investigation, but EPA believes it is not due to contamination in mulch, the EPAs incident update states in relation to Cranbourne.

We have established an Agency Command Team  comprising environment protection officers, environmental and environmental public health scientists and specialist investigators - to lead our response to potential asbestos contamination in mulch delivered to parks and reserves, the incident update states.

Investigations into sources of contamination continue. Small pieces of asbestos-containing material found so far in parks and reserves pose low risk. All asbestos found to date is bonded in cement and non-friable.

Some parks are undergoing total remediation with mulch being removed and replaced, others have already been cleared to reopen. Check the status of the EPAs of your local parks here.
The bishop targeted in Monday nights stabbing attack in western Sydney has previously claimed the Islamic prophet Muhammad and other religious figures cannot be compared to Jesus, made inflammatory comments toward the LGBTQI+ community and fought against COVID lockdowns and vaccines.

Shortly after 7pm, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was set upon in what police have described as a terror attack carried out by a 16-year-old boy, who was most likely acting alone.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed during a service in Sydney on Monday night. Credit: The Holy Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has not outlined a precise motive but pointed to comments around religion allegedly made by the accused teenager before the stabbing.

Emmanuel had been conducting a livestreamed bible session at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydneys west, where he leads four other priests.
Division is easy when a video goes viral of a young man striding toward a bishop and appearing to stab him on an altar as he falls to the floor.

That sight creates an instant challenge for social cohesion and an urgent test for political leaders when the war in the Middle East has already set Australians against each other.

The response was swift after the alleged attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in western Sydney on Monday night, but we can all see a worrying limit to the power of political leaders to maintain calm.

At the very time NSW Premier Chris Minns hoped that community leaders could keep the peace, the crowd swelled from 50 to 500 outside the Christ the Good Shepherd Church and a riot began.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 16. Kyrgyzstan is keen to draw US businesses into its economic landscape, said the Chairman of Kyrgyzstans Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Japarov, during a meeting with representatives from the US-Kyrgyz Business Council in Washington, Trend reports.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Japarov expressed interest in enticing US technologies and investments into sectors such as energy, agriculture, mining, and tourism. He voiced confidence that US businesses would find reliable partners and promising avenues for capital investment in Kyrgyzstan.

"Kyrgyzstan boasts a rich cultural heritage, significant natural resources, and a strategic geographical position. We are committed to establishing a stable and open economy that appeals to foreign investors and business communities," Japarov said.

In addition to these discussions, he held a meeting with the leadership of the Alvarez & Marsal Holdings consulting company.

A delegation led by Chairman Japarov is currently in Washington to participate in the spring meetings of the boards of governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG).

The primary focus of Kyrgyzstan's agenda at these meetings will be the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant (HPP).
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 16. Kyrgyzstan and the Alvarez & Marsal Holdings consulting company have agreed to establish a working technical group and swiftly develop a roadmap for bilateral cooperation, Trend reports.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, the agreement was reached during a meeting between the Chairman of the Cabinet, Akylbek Japarov, and the Managing Director of the company, Peter Briggs, in Washington.

During the meeting, the parties discussed matters related to attracting foreign investments into key infrastructure projects and sustainable development initiatives in Kyrgyzstan. They also outlined priority areas for bilateral cooperation.

Japarov highlighted Kyrgyzstan's continued sustainable growth, stating that in the first quarter of 2024, the economy grew by 8.8 percent. In 2023, the country's GDP reached 1.228 trillion soms ($13.751 billion), with a growth rate of 6.2 percent, significantly higher than in previous years.

Alvarez & Marsal Holdings is a global provider of professional services, renowned for its expertise in turnaround management and enhancing the performance of numerous prominent businesses, both domestically in the US and internationally.

A delegation led by Chairman Japarov is currently in Washington to participate in the spring meetings of the boards of governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG).

The primary focus of Kyrgyzstan's agenda at these meetings will be the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant (HPP).
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 16. The Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or TITR) holds significant importance for Kyrgyzstan, the country's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kairat Osmonaliev told Kyrgyz media, Trend reports.

"The topic of the Middle Corridor is currently under active discussion. Essentially, it revives the operation of the old classical Silk Road, which originally passed through Central Asian countries, including the Caucasus. We are continuously working on this issue, including maximizing multimodal transportation along the corridor," the ambassador said.

He noted that Baku is now becoming a regional logistics hub, with the Baku Alat International Sea Trade Port and the Baku Hovsan International Sea Trade Port. According to him, discussions are currently underway for cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and both ports.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 16. Construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway paves the way for Kyrgyzstan to become a regional transit hub, the country's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kairat Osmonaliev told Kyrgyz media, Trend reports.

Osmonaliev noted that while the railway project requires substantial investment, it promises to yield returns that will position Kyrgyzstan as a key player in the transit sector.

He emphasized that transit involves not only the movement of goods from China through their countries to other destinations but also the return flow. Osmonaliev highlighted the importance of recognizing China not only as an exporter but also as an importer, with significant demand for organic products and unique technologies.

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, a planned 454-kilometer rail line, is intended to connect China's and Uzbekistan's railways through Kyrgyzstan's territory and further link up with the European railway network through Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkiye.
Pupils from The Quay National School, Ballina achieved remarkable success in the 2024 All-Ireland Credit Union Schools' Quiz Finals at the RDS in Dublin on April 7 last.

Gareth Doyle, Michael Duffy, Aoife Hillery and Cian Gillespie triumphed in the Under-11 Competition A category as their parents, siblings, friends and teachers supported them.

Meanwhile, there was further success for The Quay National School as David Baynes, Noah Gallagher, Iarla Hannon and Rowan Harrison were the joint runners-up in the Under 13 Competition B section.

Competing against 90 teams from all over the country, the young pupils from Ballina, under the tutelage of deputy principal of The Quay National School, Anne Treacy, maintained their excellent record in this competition.

The questions challenged the contestants to dig deep into their reserves of knowledge with more than 25,000 students from schools across the island participating in regional rounds.

The members of The Quay National School Under 13 team which were joint runners-up in the 2024 All-Ireland Credit Union Schools' Quiz Finals.

School principal, Sean Gallagher paid tribute to the teams adding that they were tremendous ambassadors for the school. He also praised Anne Treacy, the teachers in the school, and the parents who supported the teams so well.

"The teams prepared for the finals very diligently and their hard work and dedication paid dividends," he said. "It is a remarkable achievement to have teams from the school feature amongst the prizewinners at national level."

Mr Gallagher noted that it was not the first time the school has featured amongst the prizewinners in this nationwide quiz competition. Teams from The Quay National School have now won the Junior Quiz on three occasions but this was the first time that the school featured in the top places of the Senior Quiz competition.

The competition, structured into two sections (Competition A for children under 11 and Competition B for children under 13) challenged young minds and fostered a spirit of learning and collaboration.

The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) is the largest credit union representative body on the island of Ireland and the quiz is part of its youth outreach programme, which aims to demonstrate the value of local credit unions to children and young people. The Quay National School teams competed at local credit union and chapter levels before progressing to the national finals.

Martin Busch, President of the ILCU, said the competition highlights community spirit, one of the values the credit union movement holds in the highest regard.
Fianna Fail European Election candidate Senator Lisa Chambers has issued a resounding call to action in response to an open letter from Ireland's leading cancer clinicians to Taoiseach Simon Harris, warning of the critical state of cancer care in the country.

She said the clinicians' letter paints a concerning picture of the healthcare system, with understaffing and lack of funding leading to delayed surgeries and potentially stagnating or worsening cancer survival rates.

Senator Chambers, a Midlands Northwest constituency candidate, spoke with Prof. Michael Kerin, Professor of Surgery and Director of the Cancer programme for the west and northwest, and discussed the implications of the letter and the vital need for improvements at University Hospital Galway (UHG).

With UHG in the process of seeking accreditation by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI), Senator Chambers has highlighted the importance of the peer review visit set for May, which is a step towards achieving the high standards required by the OECI.

Beaumont and Trinity St James Hospitals are already accredited to this organisation.

"The west of Ireland cannot remain in the shadows of healthcare disparity. It is unacceptable that survival rates in our region lag behind, and the plea from our nation's cancer clinicians only emphasises the urgency of enhancing our cancer care infrastructure," Senator Chambers stated.

Senator Chambers, alongside other colleagues working with Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Finance Michael McGrath, ensured the inclusion of the new Regional Cancer Centre for the west in the National Development Plan.

This initiative is accompanied by a robust implementation program aimed at addressing regional imbalances and improving health outcomes.

Another ongoing challenge in University Hospital Galway at present, is the fact that cancer care has to compete with emergency medicine. So it is crucial that the Regional Cancer Centre is delivered for the region, to ensure faster access to care and treatment, better working conditions for staff and overall, better outcomes for patients.

"It's high time for dedicated, ring-fenced funding to not only support but elevate the National Cancer Control Programme," Chambers insisted. "Our goal is to ensure that the new Regional Cancer Centre provides swift access to care, fostering an environment for medical professionals to deliver their best, and for patients to receive the treatment they deserve."

Senator Chambers is also adamant that Ireland must actively participate in EU-wide strategies for cancer treatment, citing the potential for research and innovation projects to improve outcomes across the European Union.

"This is a pivotal moment for our healthcare system. The clinicians' letter is not just a warning but a call to steadfast action. We need to secure access to cutting-edge medicine, and ensure that our cancer centres, especially those in the west, are adequately staffed to face this challenge head-on," Senator Chambers concluded.
Mayo County Council came in for fierce criticism as Fine Gael launched their local election campaign last week.

Party TDs and councillors vented their frustration with the local authority at the launch in the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide on Monday, April 8.

Mayo County Council has failed the people of Co Mayo, stated Deputy Michael Ring.

He accused the local authority of letting people down when it comes to the provision of housing.

Going back to 1994, we had no money but we were building 100 houses in Westport, Castlebar, Ballina and everywhere else. Whats going on now, the Government is to blame because we havent controlled the county council. They (the council) are too lazy. If I was Minister for Housing tomorrow the first thing I would do would be to take housing away from councils."

Deputy Ring bemoaned the abolition of the dual mandate for TDs which previously allowed them to sit on county councils.

When TDs were in the council they kept manners on the county managers. And thats why they wanted us out!

He said the biggest ever single mistake made by a Fine Gael government was the abolition of town councils.

Deputy Alan Dillon and Deputy Ring accused the council of failing to allocate and spend State money adequately and expediently.

At times they (Mayo County Council) wash their hands and blame Government, said Deputy Dillon.

We have millions outstanding that I allocated five years ago to Mayo County Council. Projects all over this county have not been delivered, added Deputy Ring.

Cllr Jarlath Munnelly accused Mayo County Council of failing to engage with councillors on the issue of affordable housing.

I dont understand how our other colleagues arent outraged by this but we are, said the Killala councillor.

Foxford-based Cllr Neil Cruise said areas of the county have been neglected by the local authority. He pleaded with Government TDs to make county councils more accountable.

Will you make the county managers accountable to a sub-committee. Please do that. Make them accountable to the Public Accounts Committee, said Cllr Cruise. There is a shocking amount of money being wasted, he added.

Facing into an election campaign, the ills of social media were discussed at the manifesto launch.

Deputy Ring called on the Government to introduce more regulation of social media platforms.

There are no standards in social media and if we dont do something about it its going to destroy society, its going to destroy politics, and its going to destroy anyone going into any organisation in this country.

MEP Maria Walsh has spoken about the potential dangers of AI deep fakes for female candidates.

Once they are out there its very difficult to say that should be discredited or its disinformation, said the sitting MEP.

She said social media accounts should be treated like Revolut or Airbnb where a protected identification goes alongside your name to curb the spread of fake news and bots.

Fine Gael is running five new candidates in this years local election in Mayo.

The new candidates say they knew what they signed up for when they put their name on the ballot paper and have yet to be stung by distemper on the doorsteps.

Im the youngest candidate in Mayo and there hasnt been anyone who has been particularly rude," said Swinford-based candidate Antoinette Peyton. "You arent always going to get a warm reception but you can put your best foot forward and say 'Im a new candidate with a clean slate. Youre not going to have everyone open the doors with warm and welcome arms but thats the life we are all in."

Her party colleague, Alma Gallagher, said candidates are going into the campaign with their eyes open.

"We knew what we were signing up to when we put our hat in the ring.

"Not every house I call to will be a traditional Fine Gael house, but at the same time, people respect the fact that we are young women putting ourselves forward and respect the fact that people like myself have worked hard for several years on the ground and know what the issues are."

Tiernaur-based candidate Pat Chambers had little to complain about on the doorsteps in his local area.

I have got an unbelievable response so far. I was invited for tea in every house!

Fine Gael's stock at national level may be low but Deputy Dillon, who was promoted to Minister of State 48 hours later, contended that their new leader Simon Haris will give the party a bump.

"The Ard Fheis was a really positive event, you could feel the energy and spirit in our party."
Flooding is at crisis point at Lough Funshinagh in county Roscommon as people have been left with no option but to leave their homes.

Several roads have been closed and large sections of farmlands have been completely submerged in water.

The Irish Farmers Association Project Team Chair Brendan Golden has sought an urgent meeting with the OPW Minister Kieran ODonnell to devise a solution.

Minister ODonnell visited affected local people last week shortly after he was appointed OPW MInister following the cabinet reshuffle.
Independent Ireland have announced today that their candidate in the Castlebar Local Electoral Area will be Donal Geraghty.

The party said Mr Geraghty will represent the party in the upcoming Local Elections on June 7.

Donal works as a support staff member at Mayo University Hospital, and he also assists with the running of the family business, Geraghty Fuels in Castlebar.

Donal has been described by Independent Ireland as a dedicated community leader who will bring a fresh perspective and a determination to drive positive change in Castlebar.
Last Tuesday (April 9) could be called Simon Harris Day as Dail Eireann, the media, Fine Gael and others pulled out all the stops to celebrate the political beatification of a new Taoiseach. Young, brisk, energetic and a gifted communicator, Harris played a starring role (as new Taoisigh do) in a series of parliamentary and other semi-liturgical set-pieces that mark his huge leap up the political ladder. As ever, we witnessed history in the making.

The following day (April 10) was historic in its own way when the Papal Nuncio in Ireland announced that the dioceses of Tuam and Killala, as well as the dioceses of Elphin and Achonry were to merge.

Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam will head a new diocese, incorporating Tuam (of which he is already archbishop) and Killala (to which he has been appointed Apostolic Administrator). Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin will head another new diocese, incorporating Elphin (of which he already is bishop) and Achonry (to which he has been appointed Apostolic Administrator).

This is a huge break, in terms of diocesan boundaries, with a 900-plus years of tradition. From Patrician times until the 12th century, the Irish Church was pre-diocesan and was in large part monastic. The diocesan territorial system under the administration of bishops was introduced in the twelfth century in order to bring the structure of the Church in Ireland into line with that of the rest of Europe.

The first delineation of dioceses in Ireland was introduced by the Synod of Rathbrazil in the year 1111AD where tentative boundaries were agreed. Killala was mooted to stretch from Nephin to Ballyshannon and from Blacksod to Ballisodare but this never became a reality. In the event, it was left to the Connacht clergy to agree boundaries for themselves and what became Killala diocese was subsequently confined to the territory in which Ui Fiachrach lived  what we know now as the baronies of Tireragh, Tirawley and Erris. That delineation of Killala was sanctioned at the Synod of Kells in 1152 and the boundaries have been unchanged for 900 years.

Archbishop Duffy, in a statement, described what he called "this level of change in the episcopate in one province at the same time" as "quite significant". He continued: "It creates the possibility of exploring a closer union between the Archdiocese of Tuam and the Diocese of Killala, and between the Dioceses of Elphin and Achonry not unlike the process that is already underway in the Dioceses of Galway and Clonfert. Any such change would involve living communities and could not be simply structural or administrative. It would require careful discernment over some time, involving the whole people of God in the respective Dioceses."

Its understandable (and necessary) that Archbishop Duffy would be so tentative in his approach because this initiative is very much a game-changer. Its breaking new ground and in the process over-turning centuries of tradition. Unlike the union between Galway and Clonfert where each of the two dioceses retain their independence under a shared bishop, it was clear in the preceding consultation to the above unions that any decision to merge dioceses would be of a different order to that of Galway and Clonfert, in other words an amalgamation.

This process will demand much time, will need to be given plenty of space and will require a huge commitment as merging two dioceses is a huge task, covering a whole range of issues, many of which will demand challenging levels of sensitivity and respect for the traditions and heritage of both dioceses.

Theres no accepted template for the union of dioceses and the four dioceses  Tuam, Killala, Elphin and Achonry  will have to negotiate a new path without much guidance or precedence regarding an optimum sequence to be followed. Traditions, procedures, approaches vary from diocese to diocese and a mutually respectful, open and a facilitative attitude to problem-solving needs to be accepted as a necessary building block for the resolution of what may emerge as contentious issues.

In a way, the union of Tuam and Killala could be more problematic in that, unlike with Elphin and Achonry, there is a greater disparity in size. Tuam has 56 parishes (Killala, 22). Tuam has a population of 145,000 (Killala, 36,000). Tuam has 74 priests (Killala, 23). Tuam has 131 churches (Killala, 48). Tuam has 195 primary schools and 18 second-level schools (Killala has correspondingly, 63 and 10).

Individual disparities of practice and tradition will need a mutual and respectful engagement that will include appointments policy in terms of location, the status of the two cathedrals (each at either end of the new diocese), determining the character and location of ritual diocesan occasions like Chrism Masses, priests retreats and other standard realities of diocesan life, agreeing appropriate and acceptable name changes for the new diocese and reconciling any disparity of income that may exist.

There is no reason why such agreements would not be possible given the core values of respect and generosity that underpin our Christian faith. The reconfiguration and amalgamation of dioceses is not the equivalent of a company takeover of another company. Fundamentally, this is not so much about down-sizing as about maximising the potential to respond to the primary focus of the Church, the gospel message of Jesus, a reconstruction that adverts to deeper impulses than market forces.

It is also about responding at a personal level to a huge loss of diocesan identify cemented over 900 years of history and lifetimes of individual service and with the personal and institutional sadness that many will grieve. It will be, as someone said to me the other day, an orphan experience for many.

Though its a done deal, there is a further road to travel in respecting the depths of its implications.
Adrian Langan makes some particularly good points in his April 11th article ('Roads, not rail, must be the Wests priority'). For example, the inadequate nature of the existing N17 that links Sligo southwards into Mayo (specifically, serving Connachts dynamic Ireland West Airport), Galway and further south, the need for a robust road system along the entire Atlantic coast linking Derry, Sligo, Galway, Limerick and Cork to provide a counter-balance to the dominance of the current hub-and-spoke motorway and rail systems centred on and emanating from Dublin and the essential facilitating role played by transport infrastructure if the economy of the Northwest region is to prosper and the scattered smallish towns of the region are to grow.

However, I differ from Mr Langan when he presents the choice between road and rail as an either-or decision, presumably because he believes that it would be difficult enough to win political support for any one of the two, but probably impossible to win support for both. So he plumps for road on the basis of its greater short-term flexibility compared to rail. In fact, we need both rail and roads.

There is a better way to work towards achieving Mr Langans goals of greater economic prosperity in the N&W region but on a phased basis. Since the ability to win political approval is easier when costs are modest and results can be produced quickly, lets start with rail. The Western Rail Corridor (WRC) originally linked Cork, Limerick, Galway, Mayo and Sligo, but many services were terminated in the 1980s and Mayo-Limerick freight in 2000.

The Limerick-Galway link was reopened in 2010 and is now the fastest-growing rail service in the entire Irish rail network, even though it runs alongside the horrendously expensive and environmentally destructive M18 motorway. Happily, a decision to reopen the WRC rail link from Athenry to Claremorris is imminent, initially for freight but soon for passengers. And the costs of restoring the entire WRC? Much less than a kilometre or two of Dublins Metro-North or a few more kilometres of top-grade motorway.

Deputy Eamon Ryan, Minister for Transport, declared at a meeting in Sligo in May last year that there would be no further funding for either the N17 or for restoring the Claremorris-Collooney rail line, and that the people of Sligo could be gifted a greenway on the rail line as a kind of consolation prize. Perhaps the Green Party will rue that rash and ill-considered decision when the election campaign starts up later in the year.

The problem that Mr Langan identified in his article is even more serious than he believes. The real political choice being addressed by our Dublin-centred government is not road versus rail for the West. Rather, it is between a focused regional development policy to re-balance the Irish economy versus a continuation of the present system that favours the eastern and southern regions and starves the North and Western (N&W) region of serious infrastructural investment. And I have bad news for Mr Langan. Efforts to get the Dublin policy-makers to take regional development seriously are falling on deaf ears and the five city model (actually, one city) continues to dominate the policy agenda.

There is a better way to present the development needs of the N&W region than reducing it to roads versus rail. A new report to be published shortly takes up the challenge of examining the nature of underdevelopment in the mid-N&W region and the fact that growth of towns in the immediate catchment area of the Claremorris-Collooney line in north Mayo and south Sligo has been much lower than in towns in mid and south Mayo and north Galway. It shows that the region supports an impressive manufacturing and traded services culture, but that the enterprise sector is constrained with respect to future growth by inadequate transport infrastructure.

It will also draw attention to the need for a far more searching analysis of how the economies of peripheral counties like Mayo and Sligo actually function. The N&W Regional Assembly Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy has recommended that priority focus in the region needs to include strengthening inter-regional connectivity, through the improvement of inter-urban road and rail connectivity, with a particular emphasis on improved connectivity between the largest urban centres and access to ports and airports. But there is also a need for greater intra-regional rail connectivity that could be provided by the restoration of the full Western Rail Corridor combined with improvements to local roads and a reorganised bus service to connect with railway stations.

Two bodies that are hugely important to the enhanced development of Mayo and Sligo are Ireland West Airport and the Atlantic Technological University (ATU). The airport acts as an international airport link to a wide population catchment area in the N&W region and has the potential to function as an air-freight hub. The airport needs to be made accessible by rail through a shuttle bus service operating from Charlestown station on a restored Claremorris-Collooney line. The ATU is targeted towards promoting and supporting regional development and educating the future labour force of the region. Restored rail links connecting Sligo, Mayo and Galway would facilitate student interchanges between the different ATU campuses and create a wider travel-to-work area to service future industries in the region.

People in the West need to start thinking deeply about how their region can develop and catch up with the more prosperous east and south. They had better start now because the Dublin government is not going to do it for them.

Dr John Bradley is a former economist with the Economic and Social Research Institute of Ireland (ESRI).
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 16. Direct flights between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan will resume on June 4, Kyrgyzstans Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kairat Osmonaliev told Kyrgyz media, Trend reports.

He highlighted that Kyrgyz airlines are currently unable to initiate flights to Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) is the sole carrier capable of doing so. However, significant positive changes are occurring at Kyrgyzstan's Manas International Airport (the operator for all airports in the country).

"These changes are quite visible. We can see aircraft purchases happening and a new airport being opened. Overall, the airport management is improving noticeably," he said.

The ambassador mentioned plans to conduct a promotional campaign to ensure the flight's capacity and expressed hope that the route would become regular.

He also highlighted the significant number of people from Kyrgyzstan visiting Azerbaijan and noted that there are approximately 21,000 ethnic Azerbaijanis living in Kyrgyzstan.

According to AZAL, flights from Baku to Bishkek will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Sundays. The flight will be carried out by an Airbus A319 aircraft.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Partly sunny and rather mild; a few scattered showers are possible, but mainly in the Poconos and along and north of the I-80 corridor..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with a few showers; many only get a couple hundredths of an inch at most but a bit more in the Poconos and points north...maybe as much as a quarter of an inch.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 16. Kyrgyzstan aims to include mountain-related issues in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) agenda, Kyrgyzstans Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kairat Osmonaliev told Kyrgyz media, Trend reports.

The ambassador noted that he proposed this initiative during a meeting with Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, COP29 PresidentDesignate Mukhtar Babayev.

"Kyrgyzstan is a mountain agenda leader and originator, addressing mountain community problems while also protecting mountain ecosystems. Kyrgyzstan heads the Group of Friends of Mountainous Countries, which primarily supports the interests of the worldwide community that lives in mountainous regions. Azerbaijan assists us in our endeavor," Osmonaliev said.

"COP 29 in Baku is a prestigious event and comes with great responsibility. Azerbaijan is currently preparing for the event," added the ambassador.

To note, 2022 was declared by the UN General Assembly as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development by Kyrgyzstan's initiative.

Azerbaijan will host the COP29 this November. This decision was reached during the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11, 2023. In less than two weeks, Baku is poised to become the epicenter of global climate discussions, welcoming an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 foreign delegates.

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DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 16. The World Bank (WB) anticipates that the current account balance of Tajikistan will be 3.5 percent of its GDP in 2024, Trend reports.

The WB forecasts that the balance-to-GDP ratio will decrease to 3 percent in 2025 and further to 2.4 percent in 2026. In contrast, last year, the current account balance stood at 5.7 percent of the GDP.

The WB data underscores that despite a decrease in remittances from Tajik workers abroad in 2023 following their peak in 2022, this was counterbalanced by a rise in gold exports, which contributed 9.5 percent to the country's GDP (up from 4.9 percent in 2022). Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows remained subdued, remaining below 1 percent of GDP.

By the end of 2023, Tajikistan's gross international reserves amounted to $3.6 billion, slightly lower than their level of $3.8 billion at the end of 2022.

According to the WB, the current account balance of Tajikistan was 15.3 percent in 2022, while in 2021, it was 8.2 percent.
Symposium held to honour Professor Boris Balinsky

Wits and the Embassy of Ukraine come together to honour a scientist son of both countries.

The much anticipated Balinsky Symposium got underway on Wednesday as commemoration to the life and legacy of world-renowned Wits scientist Boris Balinsky, who died in 1997.

The two-day event was a celebration of the pioneering biologist, embryologist, and entomologists research endeavours, achievements and passion for science over his 92 years of life. In his academic life he earned deep respect as a scientist, teacher, mentor and leader whose work in experimental embryology and electron microscopy was lauded as ground breaking and visionary. He authored over 140 scientific papers and his textbook An Introduction to Embryology was translated into five languages reaching students and scholars across the globe with over 100 000 copies printed.

Held in the Senate Room, the symposium brought together an in-person and online global scientific community, giving researchers from around the world an opportunity to present their work. It was also a nod to Wits commitment to enlarge its scientific lineage across generations.

Balinskys imprint in South Africa started when he joined the university in 1949 after being forced to leave Ukraine. Post-World War II Ukraine was reeling from a crippling manmade famine that left an estimated 3.9 million people dead and was languishing under Stalins brutal influence. As a scientist working in a field of genetics, embryology and evolutionary biology Balinsky and his colleagues faced threats of persecution. As a result his seminal textbook was never translated into Ukrainian or Russian.

The symposium was jointly held by Wits University and the Embassy of Ukraine in South Africa. Planning for the symposium got underway some years ago but was derailed first by Covid-19 and then by Russias invasion of Ukraine. But Ukrainian ambassador Liubov Abravitova said the backdrop of an on-going war in her country served as a reminder of the commitment of scientists who continue doing their work to find solutions from science and technology even in the most trying conditions. She added that the realities of what is lost in war should also offer resolve to build strongeracademic bridges between Africa and Ukraine.

Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi said in his opening address that it was a proud day for the University to honour Balinsky, whom he described as a promising scientist who published his first academic paper as an undergraduate student while at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

But he said it was at Wits that Balinsky would find his academic home. Wits became his sanctuary and its where his work would flourish, Vilakazi said. Balinsky joined as head of Zoology and went on to become Dean in the faculty of science. He counted among his students and their students a line of eminent scientists, including Wits Emeritus Professor Barry Fabian and Fabians student Professor Hazel Sive, currently Dean of Science at Northeastern University in the United States. Both professors spoke on the opening day of the event.

In this symposium we get to delve into the genius that was Boris Balinsky and explore how his ground-breaking work has had a lasting impact in the field of science. He emerged as a man ahead of his time. He was profound in shaping science and had enlightened views, Vilakazi said.

Dzvinka Kachur of the Ukrainian Association of South Africa, who also spoke at the symposium, said outside of his wide-ranging scientific pursuits, Balinskys journals and personal writings help piece together more of the story of the Ukrainian diaspora.

The people who left are the missing middle. Balinskys very rare memoirs tell us the story between the two world wars, she said, adding that there are between 5000 and 6000 Ukrainians currently living in South Africa.

Professor Balinskys daughter, Helen David, gave a personal tribute at the symposium. Herself an ex-Witsie and one-time lecturer at the university, David fleshed out the picture of Balinsky the husband, father, and grandfather. He was a skilled pianist and painter, consummate reader and a keen mountain climber. David said her father was happiest in nature with a net in his hand to catch butterflies and moths for his extensive collections. If he wasnt outdoors, hed be tending to his orchids in the greenhouse he built, weeding the lawn or enjoying a glass of wine and good conversation, even at the age of 92.

David said her father did get to return to Kyiv, visiting twice in the 1990s. She concluded her tribute quoting Balinsky himself from the year he died: In spite of all troubles, I am a happy man.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 16. Russia and Tajikistan discussed the development of cooperation in the industrial sector, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, the issue was addressed during a meeting between the Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, Sherali Kabir, the Chairman of the State Committee for Investments and State Property Management of Tajikistan, Sulton Rahimzoda, and the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia, Alexei Gruzdev.

During the discussion, the importance of implementing projects in various areas was emphasized, including the establishment of joint innovative industrial parks, strengthening industrial cooperation between enterprises of the two countries, and presenting local products at events organized by the countries.

According to Tajikistan's National Statistical Agency, industrial production in Tajikistan in 2023, including that of private entrepreneurs, totaled 46.815 billion somoni ($4.279 billion), which is a 12 percent increase compared to 2022 at comparable prices.

Tajikistan's ongoing industrialization strategy for 20222026, named the "Years of Industrial Development", aims to increase industrial output by 2.5 times within five years. The strategy sets a target of reaching 95 billion somoni ($9.3 billion) by 2026, compared to 39 billion somoni ($3.7 billion) in 2021, and includes plans to establish over 870 new industrial enterprises.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 16. Tajikistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) discussed the expansion of cooperation, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, the issue was discussed between the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Ismatullo Nasredin, and Eric Livny, the Associate Director and Regional Lead Economist for Central Asia at EBRD.

The parties addressed cooperation in the trade, economic, and legal spheres.

Meanwhile, the current loan portfolio of the EBRD in Tajikistan amounted to 482 million euros for 69 active projects as of January 31, 2024.

As of the reporting date, the EBRD's cumulative investments in Tajikistan totaled 919 million euros, spread across 165 projects, with the private sector's share in the portfolio amounting to 13 percent.

In late March 2024, the bank approved the allocation of funds to Tajikistan's financial organizations for a series of projects related to the development of entrepreneurship and the green economy in the country. The funds were allocated to Arvand Bank and the HUMO microcredit deposit organization.
From April 18 to 23, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will pay an official visit to Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea upon invitation and will chair the Fourth Meeting of the China-Indonesia High-Level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism and the Seventh Meeting of the China-Cambodia Intergovernmental Coordination Committee.

CCTV: Today, President Xi Jinping met with visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. We noted that the two leaders exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Can you share more information on this?

Lin Jian: President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Beijing this morning. The two leaders exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest. The two sides agreed to send the following joint messages on the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

On the Ukraine crisis, China and Germany are committed to observing the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including upholding states sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is the essential foundation of a sustainable security architecture, and must be respected. China and Germany encourage and support efforts to seek a political settlement for peace in Ukraine, and are ready to continue to maintain close communication on the convening of a high-level conference in Switzerland and other future relevant international peace conferences. China and Germany jointly call for: opposing the use or threat of nuclear weapons; opposing attacks on nuclear facilities for peaceful purposes, including nuclear power plants; addressing global food security issues properly and contributing to global food securitythe production and export of food must not be hindered; observing international humanitarian law, protecting civilians, releasing prisoners of war on both sides as soon as possible and respecting their basic rights.

On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China and Germany are concerned about the grave humanitarian situation facing people in Gaza and the risk of further escalation of regional situation. China and Germany jointly call for: ensuring unimpeded and sustainable humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip and supporting the coordinating role of the UN and UNRWA in humanitarian aid; implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2728; implementing the two-State solution as the only way to achieve lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians; jointly maintaining the safety of commercial shipping in line with international law, particularly in the Red Sea.

Xinhua News Agency: I want to follow up on Foreign Minister Wang Yis visit to Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea. Whats Chinas consideration and expectation for the visit?

Lin Jian: China, Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea are all situated in the Asia-Pacific. We are all developing countries, and each others good friends and partners enjoying mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development. Under the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, Chinas relations with the three countries have maintained robust momentum of growth. China has worked with Indonesia and Cambodia to build China-Indonesia and China-Cambodia community with a shared future, worked with Papua New Guinea to advance comprehensive strategic partnership, and deepened Belt and Road cooperation.

Through this visit, China looks forward to implementing the important common understandings reached between President Xi Jinping and the leaders of the three countries, conducting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, pursuing deeper and more substantive progress in the building of China-Indonesia and China-Cambodia community with a shared future, and injecting new impetus into the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Papua New Guinea. We look to elevating Chinas bilateral relations with the three countries to a new level. China stands ready to work with the three countries and other countries in the region to advance solidarity and cooperation, maintain peace and tranquility, and contribute to the regional and global peace, stability and development.

Reuters: How does China view the Myanmar juntas loss of control over a key border town called Myawaddy last week and will continuing loss of territory for the junta mean that China will now be more open to engaging with anti-junta resistance groups that are gaining ground in Myanmar?

Lin Jian: Weve noted the reports. China calls on all parties to stop the fighting, resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation and in peaceful means, and avoid any escalation of the situation.

AFP: Chinas official media reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian yesterday. Could you share more details on what they discussed during the phone call?

Lin Jian: On April 15, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at Irans request. We have released a readout on the phone call. I would like to share some information with you.

During the phone call, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China strongly condemns and opposes the attack on Irans embassy in Syria and that the attack is a serious and unacceptable violation of international law. China noted Irans statement that its action was restrained and was an act of self-defense in response to the attack on its embassy. China appreciated Irans emphasis on not targeting regional and neighboring countries and its reiteration of its continuing commitment to a good-neighborly and friendly policy. China believed that Iran is fully cognizant of the situation and will avoid causing further turbulence while defending its sovereignty and dignity.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the ongoing situation is a spillover of the escalating Gaza conflict. There should be no more delays in implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 2728, achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, truly protecting civilians, and avoiding further deterioration of the humanitarian disaster. China will maintain communication with Iran, and work together toward a full, just and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine. China and Iran are comprehensive strategic partners. China is ready to steadily advance practical cooperation in various fields with Iran to make greater progress in China-Iran relations.

China Review News: On April 15, the UK government issued Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong: July to December 2023 to criticize Hong Kong affairs. Whats Chinas comments?

Lin Jian: The UKs so-called report ignores facts and calls white black. It is a blatant interference in Hong Kong affairs which are Chinas internal affairs and violation of the principles of international law and basic norms in international relations. China deplores and firmly opposes it.

Since the return of Hong Kong, the central government has fully, faithfully and firmly implemented the principles of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy. The Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Safeguarding National Security Ordinance have given Hong Kong a strong shield for national security. Thanks to the national security legislation, Hong Kong residents rights and freedoms granted by law are under better protection. They also enjoy a stronger sense of gain, happiness and security. Hong Kong is better positioned than ever to fully focus on economic growth, its stature as an international financial, shipping and trade center will be further consolidated and its development outlook will be even brighter.

Hong Kong affairs are purely Chinas domestic affair. Its been 27 years since Hong Kongs return and the UK must respect that fact. The UK also needs to stop interfering in Chinas domestic affairs and stop being a haven to the people who sought to undermine Chinas national security and stability in Hong Kong.

Reuters: The top US diplomat for East Asia Mr. Kritenbrink met with Chinese officials from the Foreign Ministry as well as the Taiwan Affairs Office this week. The US State Department said that they discussed Middle East developments, the South China Sea and Taiwan issues, but did not provide a lot of details. Could we understand what were the key discussions at the meetings, especially on the Middle East, given the phone calls that Minister Wang Yi had with the Iranian and Saudi Arabian counterparts this week as well, where China has said it will maintain communications with Iran over the Gaza crisis, while Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister said it highly expects Chinas active role?

Lin Jian: On April 15, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu met with US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and National Security Council Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs Sarah Beran. We have released a readout which you may refer to.

At the meeting, the two sides, in line with the common understandings reached by the two presidents at the San Francisco meeting and the recent phone call, had candid, in-depth and constructive communication on promoting China-US dialogue and cooperation in various fields and properly managing differences, and exchanged views on the Middle East, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and other international and regional hotspots. The two sides agreed to continue implementing the San Francisco vision, maintain exchanges at various levels and further stabilize and grow China-US relations.

You also mentioned Foreign Minister Wang Yis phone calls with foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia. Let me briefly go over Chinas principled positions which were made clear by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He said that China firmly opposes the attack on Irans embassy in Syria and that the attack is a serious violation of international law. In the meantime, we noted that Iran said its counterattack is not targeted at any neighboring country and Iran is willing to continue taking a good-neighborly and friendly policy.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that the ongoing escalation in the Middle East is the latest spillover of the Gaza conflict. There should be no more delays in implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 2728, realizing an unconditional and durable ceasefire, truly protecting civilians and ensuring humanitarian aid. Palestinians have long been denied their legitimate national rights. This has been the most persisting injustice in modern-day world, the root cause of the Palestinian-Israeli question and the crux of the Middle East issue. The right way forward is to implement the two-State solution as soon as possible, establish an independent State of Palestine, and restore the legitimate national rights of Palestine so that the two states of Palestine and Israel will live side by side in peace. The international community needs to show more initiative, support full UN membership for Palestine, and call for a more broad-based, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference to work out a timetable and roadmap for the two-State solution. China also stands ready to step up communication and coordination with all parties to that end.

NHK: Japan released its Diplomatic Bluebook 2024 today where it described China-Japan relations as a strategic relationship of mutual benefit for the first time in five years. Whats your comment?

Lin Jian: During their meeting in San Francisco last November, the leaders of China and Japan reaffirmed commitment to comprehensively promoting a strategic relationship of mutual benefit and provided crucial political guidance to the improvement of bilateral relations. Japan has resorted to the same old false accusations against China and hype of China threat in its 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook. We firmly oppose this and Japans meddling in Chinas domestic affairs. We urge Japan to change its wrong course of actions, stop stoking bloc confrontation, truly commit itself to advancing a strategic relationship of mutual benefit with China and work to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 16. The exchange of best practices among the OSCE participating states on the establishment of the Business Ombudsman Institution and the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of business entities was the subject of discussion at an OSCE-organized seminar held in Ashgabat city, Trend reports.

The event was attended by representatives of the Parliament, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Institute of State, Law, and Democracy, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, as well as relevant ministries and higher educational institutions.

The seminar presented the history, international experience, and prospects for the development of the Business Ombudsman Institution.

The international expert shared with the participants of the seminar information on institutional reforms and improvements to the institute of the Business Ombudsman and also gave practical examples of the digitalization of the system of protection of the rights of entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, the participants exchanged views on the role of the business Ombudsman in supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, paying special attention to women's entrepreneurship.

The OSCE representative noted that within the framework of its mandate, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) supports sustainable economic growth and strengthens international economic cooperation in many areas.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan, striving to improve the business climate and protect the rights of entrepreneurs, is interested in the process of creating a Business Ombudsman Institution.

Steps in this direction include consultations with international experts on the experience of other countries, the development of appropriate legislation and regulations, as well as training and infrastructure for the effective work of the future Ombudsman.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 16. The Parliament of Turkmenistan delegated its representative to the 8th International Parliamentarians Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action (IPCI/ICPD), which was held in the Norwegian city of Oslo, Trend reports.

During the conference, measures to address reproductive health issues were discussed, as well as the exchange of countries' experiences on maternal and child health, protection of women's rights, and principles and methods for achieving gender equality for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) until 2030.

The participants of the meeting were familiarized with the systematic and consistent activities carried out in Turkmenistan in this area, including at the legislative level and in cooperation with UN agencies, as told by Gurbanmyrat Ashirov, a member of the Committee on Social Policy of the National Parliament of Turkmenistan.

Furthermore, the conference was attended by about 300 participants, including more than 200 parliamentarians from all regions of the world and representatives of national, regional, and global parliamentary groups.

Meanwhile, the IPCI conference is aimed at facilitating dialogue between parliamentarians from all regions of the world on the implementation of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and is the only event specifically created to form a global political consensus on reproductive health and rights in order to then transform into tangible national results in the fields of policy, financing, and accountability.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 16. The mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Ms. Anna Bordon visited the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat city, from March 27 through April 9, 2024, to assess economic indicators, Trend reports.

According to the IMF, the mission was in the country to analyze macroeconomic and financial developments, economic prospects and risks, and policy actions to promote diverse, inclusive, and sustainable growth.



The IMF delegates spoke with senior government officials, private and financial sector representatives, as well as members of the diplomatic community.



The mission observes that Turkmenistan's economy stalled in 2023 after recovering from the epidemic the previous year, and that the next economic challenge is to translate hydrocarbon wealth into more diverse, sustainable, and equitable growth.

"To achieve this growth transition, a market-based diversification strategy, monetary and exchange rate changes, higher public spending efficiency, and enhanced governance and transparency would be required," the IMF notes.

Staff will draft a report based on the mission's preliminary findings, which, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF's Executive Board for debate and decision.

Meanwhile, the IMF is an intergovernmental organization formed in 1944 with the goal of fostering global financial stability, international trade cooperation, economic growth, and long-term development in member countries.

The organization offers financial help and economic guidance to countries in financial difficulty, as well as monitoring the global economy and providing professional assistance in economic management and financial policy.

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[tuchong]

With enrollments falling, China's excess kindergartens could be transformed into daycare centers to make up for a shortfall in the nation's childcare resources and to relieve burdens on parents, according to an education expert.

There were 274,400 kindergartens in China last year, with 40.93 million children enrolled, the Ministry of Education said at a news conference last month.

The number of preschool children last year dropped 5.35 million from 2022 and has seen a decrease for three consecutive years, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said the decline of children in kindergartens is closely related to the decrease in births since 2017.

The nationwide peak in births in 2017, a direct result of the two-child policy implemented in the early 2010s, had the knock-on effect of peaking kindergarten enrollment in 2020 at 48.18 million, its highest point in 17 years.

"Since 2020, the number of kids entering kindergartens has reduced, and it will keep dropping rapidly in the future in line with the declining birth rate," Xiong said.

Births in China in 2021, 2022 and 2023 were 10.62 million, 9.56 million and 9.02 million respectively, according to the NBS.

By 2026, with all children born from 2021 to 2023 enrolled in kindergartens, the total number of preschoolers will be just over 29 million, which is about 12 million fewer than last year, Xiong said.

"It is essential to plan for the development of preschool education based on changes in birth rates," he said.

"If the teacher-to-child ratio remains at the current level, many kindergartens may face closure, and early childhood educators might be at risk of unemployment," Xiong said.

Guo Peng, head of the ministry's department of development planning, said the number of full-time teachers in preschool education hit 3.07 million last year, with one teacher for every 13 children, an improvement from one teacher for every 16 children in 2022.

To address the inevitable surplus of kindergarten capacity, many sites could be turned into inclusive childcare facilities, according to Xiong, accommodating children under the age of 3 and also addressing the national shortage in childcare.

"Childcare services for children age 0 to 3 in China are mainly provided by private institutions, leading to a lack of spaces and difficulty getting in," he said.

Health authorities have been promoting childcare development and encouraging social entities to establish childcare facilities.

The National Health Commission said in late February that there are nearly 100,000 institutions providing childcare services nationwide, with approximately 4.8 million childcare spaces, which is currently insufficient.

"A more practical and effective approach would be to leverage the surplus of kindergarten capacities resulting from the decreasing preschool children and allocate them to toddlers under 3 years old, thereby promoting inclusive childcare," Xiong said.

Political adviser Su Hua said promoting the development of preschool education and inclusive childcare is not only crucial for ensuring that young children receive high-quality education, but also for alleviating burdens on families in terms of both childcare and education.

"Kindergartens can explore personalized childcare services tailored to children age 0 to 3 years old," said Su, who is also the vice-chairman of the National Association of Vocational Education.

Su is researching the scientific adjustment in demand between decreasing kindergarten candidates and insufficient childcare services for toddlers under 3 years old.

Before this year's two sessions that concluded early last month, Su visited a kindergarten at Deyang Foreign Languages School in Sichuan province to learn about its approach to education and teaching facilities.

The private kindergarten includes both regular classes for children over age 3 and childcare services for toddlers. In the morning, children of the daycare class engaged in sensory games under the guidance of teachers. Most of them had adapted well to group activities, Su said.

In the "forest town" set up in the school, children in the kindergarten class dressed as postal workers and rode scooters through the corridors to deliver mail, while others wearing safety helmets played the role of construction workers.

When Su asked about their work, a young "construction worker" said they were building a park.

"Starting vocational education from a young age helps children understand the concepts of labor," Su said, adding that vocational enlightenment in kindergarten can allow children to develop an initial understanding of society.

Qiu Xuejiao, vice-principal of the kindergarten, said the preschool education management has been adjusted according to the changing population.

"In the past, there was more emphasis on the construction of more kindergartens in local communities. However, with the changing demographics in the country, some institutions have insufficient enrollment, leading to closures and mergers," Qiu said.

Meanwhile, kindergartens could open both long-term and temporary daycare classes to supplement childcare services, Qiu said.

According to Su's investigation, infants under 6 months old are mainly taken care of at home, and the caring of those age 6 months to 2 years requires high standards of hygiene and safety.

Early education is needed for children age 2 to 3, so it's suitable to integrate childcare and early education in kindergartens into this group, Su said.

China's preschool education has initially addressed the difficulty in enrollment and high costs. However, challenges remain in the uneven development of preschool education in rural and urban areas, as well as the imbalanced supply-demand structure of resources, Su said.

Currently, there is an opportunity for comprehensively advancing high-quality development in early childhood education, which needs timely adjustments to the goals of early childhood education.

He suggested that kindergartens could have more flexible operating models; for instance, establishing daycare centers in densely populated communities to meet diverse needs.

Additionally, the quality of care and education needs to be enhanced, with more financial investment in place, he added.

Li Guohua, a national political adviser and an official with the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, said the challenges of early childhood education could also provide an opportunity to promote high-quality development and free access.

For instance, public first-tier kindergartens in Shanghai charge a monthly tuition fee of 225 yuan ($31.2), Li said, while proposing universal free access to early childhood education in China.

"By exempting tuition fees for kindergarten education while continuing to collect fees for meals and childcare supplies, we can gradually incorporate early childhood education into compulsory education," Li said.

He also called for further reducing the teacher-child ratio, as the current guidelines for staffing standards in kindergartens were issued 11 years ago, stipulating that each kindergarten class should have two full-time teachers, and the ratio of childcare staff to children should be between one staff member for every seven to nine children.

He recommended a revision of the standards, taking current requirements for high-quality development into account.

Dong Yuzheng, president of the Guangdong Social Sciences Association, said the investment and allocation of educational resources should be adjusted along with the changes in population structure.

As the population concentrates toward large and medium-sized cities, rural areas and smaller towns experience a decrease in population, which also leads to a reduction of preschool students, Dong told media outlet Yicai.com.

The adjustments and merging of rural educational institutions are becoming a major trend, he said.

Some education authorities have already taken measures to adjust school layouts in accordance with new changes in the school-age population.

In November, the education department in Hunan province issued a notice on optimizing the layout of kindergartens, as well as primary and secondary schools in response to population changes.

The notice suggested organizing the orderly establishment, conversion and closure of kindergartens. A batch of public kindergartens should be built or renovated in areas with growing urban populations, while new kindergartens should not be established in rural areas, it said.

(Source: China Daily)
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2024. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua)  The recent meeting of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, with a Taiwan delegation led by Ma Ying-jeou has injected stability and positive energy into the relations across the Taiwan Strait.

Wednesday's meeting in Beijing marked the first time Xi had received Taiwan compatriots and delivered an important speech since the 20th CPC National Congress in late 2022.

The meeting took place amidst a complex and challenging situation in the Taiwan Strait. "Taiwan independence" separatists, in collusion with external forces, have made provocations to seek independence, further escalating tensions in the Strait.

Xi's speech, filled with deep affection and goodwill towards Taiwan compatriots, will surely further unite compatriots on both sides of the Strait to achieve national reunification.

Throughout its development journey, the Chinese nation has created a history demonstrating the inseparable connection between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Although the mainland and Taiwan are yet to be reunified, the fact that both belong to one China and one nation has never changed, and national reunification remains an irreversible trend.

Confronted with the activities of "Taiwan independence" separatists colluding with foreign forces to undermine the development of their shared homeland, every member of the Chinese nation must unite in resolve to oppose and crack down on such actions.

Compatriots across the Taiwan Strait should join hands to create a bright future of peaceful reunification, firmly holding the destiny of the Chinese nation in their own hands.

During the meeting, Xi emphasized that improving the well-being of people across the Strait is the driving force and objective behind efforts to advance cross-Strait relations.

He underscored the mainland's genuine sincerity and goodwill in benefiting Taiwan compatriots.

The mainland will continue enhancing systems and policies aimed at improving the well-being of Taiwan compatriots, maintaining its commitment to ensuring a better life for people on both sides of the Strait.

The mainland has always kept its doors open to Taiwan compatriots, actively fostering cross-Strait exchanges, interactions, and mutual understanding.

It also unites all sectors of Taiwan society for concerted efforts to eliminate political obstacles and facilitate normal and regular exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Recognizing the pivotal role of youth in advancing cross-Strait relations, the mainland will implement more vigorous policies and measures to facilitate the sound development and success of youth across the Taiwan Strait.

(Source: Xinhua)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi and his wife Mellisa Santokhi-Seenacherry prior to the talks between Xi and Santokhi in Beijing, capital of China, April 12, 2024. Xi held talks with Santokhi, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

BEIJING, April 12 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi in Beijing on Friday.

Noting that the China-Suriname friendship has a long history and has stood the test of time, Xi said Suriname was one of the first Caribbean countries to establish diplomatic ties with China, establish a strategic partnership with China and sign the Belt and Road cooperation plan with China.

The two countries have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, becoming a model of South-South cooperation, he said, adding that China is willing to work with Suriname to further consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen economic and trade cooperation, expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges, step up international coordination, and push for a closer China-Suriname strategic cooperative partnership to better benefit the two peoples.

Xi stressed that China highly appreciates Suriname's friendship and its firm support for China on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He added that China also firmly supports Suriname in safeguarding its national sovereignty and independence and independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions.

China is willing to continue to understand and support each other with Suriname, maintain high-level exchanges, increase friendly exchanges between various departments, legislative bodies and political parties, and enhance the exchange of experience in governance, according to Xi.

"China welcomes more high-quality and distinctive Surinamese products to enter the Chinese market, and stands ready to deepen cooperation with Suriname on joint Belt and Road construction, enhance synergy of development strategies, and expand cooperation on trade, investment, agriculture, energy, mining, infrastructure construction and digital economy to bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples," Xi said.

Noting that Suriname is one of the countries with the largest number of overseas Chinese in the Caribbean and the first country in the Western Hemisphere to mark the Chinese New Year as an official holiday, Xi said the two sides should continue to encourage cultural and people-to-people exchanges, facilitate personnel exchanges, and jointly build Confucius Institutes.

The two countries should strengthen sub-national cooperation and constantly enrich the content of bilateral exchanges and cooperation, he added.

Xi said China is ready to work with Suriname and other developing countries to strengthen multilateral coordination, solidarity and cooperation, safeguard common interests, achieve common development and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

China attaches importance to developing relations with Caribbean countries, supports Caribbean countries in seeking prosperity and development and improving people's well-being, and stands ready to continue to provide assistance within its capacity for the economic and social development of countries in the region, Xi said.

Noting that the friendly exchanges between the two countries enjoy a long history, Santokhi, for his part, complimented the important contributions made by the Chinese community in Suriname to the development of the country.

He said that since the two countries established diplomatic ties 48 years ago, the Surinamese side has always firmly adhered to the one-China principle, and will continue to support China unswervingly in its endeavor to achieve national reunification.

Santokhi expressed Suriname's appreciation for the assistance provided by the Chinese side to its economic and social development, saying that the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, health, infrastructure and other fields reflects the high-level political mutual trust and brotherly friendship, improved Suriname's economy and people's livelihoods, setting a good example of South-South cooperation.

Suriname supports the important initiatives proposed by China, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, which are of great significance in upholding multilateralism and promoting world peace and sustainable development, and stands ready to advance coordination with China to jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Santokhi said.

He said that Suriname expects to improve exchanges between the political parties of the two countries, expand cooperation in fields such as trade, economy and investment, green development and climate change, and advance the Suriname-China strategic cooperative partnership, and is willing to contribute to Caribbean-China relations.

The two heads of state witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on economy, trade, investment, green development, digital economy, education and other fields. The two sides also issued a joint press communique.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 12, 2024. Xi held talks with Santokhi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. [Xinhua/Ding Haitao]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 12, 2024. Xi held talks with Santokhi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. [Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 12, 2024. Xi held talks with Santokhi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 12, 2024. Xi held talks with Santokhi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 12, 2024. [Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan]

Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi witness the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on economy, trade, investment, green development, digital economy, education and other fields after their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 12, 2024. Xi held talks with Santokhi, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. [Xinhua/Ding Haitao]

(Source: Xinhua)


Liang Yongying, owner of Jusheng Family Farm, in Junlian (a village in Shanghang, a county in Longyan, a city in southeast China's Fujian Province), is the first woman university graduate from her village. In 2006, she began working as an editor, in Fuzhou (capital of Fujian Province), soon after she completed her studies in East China University of Political Science and Law, in Shanghai. Five years later, she returned to her village to cultivate rice.

As she grew up in Shanghang, a sacred place of the Chinese revolution, Liang has made great efforts to promote the Party (Communist Party of China)'s traditions of revolution. During the past decade, she has led rural residents in getting rich through hard work. Given her outstanding achievements, she has received many titles, including being named a National Woman Achievement Maker Pacesetter, a Fujian Model Worker, and a Rural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Star in Fujian Province. She has been elected a deputy to Longyan's municipal people's congress.

Returning Home

In 2014, Liang established Jusheng Family's Farm, in Junlian. Within a short time, she began leading villagers in growing (in Junlian) high-grade rice, Yueguangdao, which has filled multiple gaps in domestic agricultural development. Numerous customers have offered positive comments about the rice. In 2020, the "Green, Quality and Efficient Yueguangdao Cultivation Technology," developed by the work team led by Liang, earned Liang Yongying's Model Workers' Studio the Excellent Achievement Award.

During the past several years, Liang has performed trials on growing new varieties of rice. For example, she has led rural residents in growing Duruikang Rice, which has sold well throughout the country. In 2019, the China Green Food Development Center, under China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, recognized the rice as an A-level, green-food product. Also that year, Fujian Grain Industry Association named the rice one of the "Excellent Grain or Oil Products in Fujian Province."



Improving Village's Agricultural Production

In 2015, Liang grew double-harvest rice on more than 800 mu (53 hectares) of land (in Shanghang). As a result, she became the largest grain owner in the county.

"Once I laid a solid foundation for improving rice production, I was bold enough to mechanize rice cultivation," recalls Liang. She believes the accumulation of knowledge helped her build her courage. "During the past few years, departments under Longyan's Municipal Government, and the Government of Shanghang County, have provided training, to help us improve our agricultural-production skills," says Liang.

To strengthen her mechanized grain production, Liang in recent years has bought various types of agricultural machinery, including transplanters, harvesters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and automatic drying machines. She has also undertaken efforts to improve her agricultural production. For example, she has built temperature-controlled seedling sheds and drying rooms, and she has implemented a pilot project, to promote construction of high-standard farmland.

"We have implemented full-process mechanization of grain production in hilly regions in southern China, changing our seniors' traditional way of cultivating grain. In addition to helping farmers increase their production efficiency and incomes, we have provided job opportunities to many farmers," says Liang.

As an outstanding example of a self-made rural entrepreneur in Longyan, Liang has taken the lead in experimenting with turning livestock and poultry waste into valuable resources. For example, she has led farmers in developing ecological-circular agriculture, by implementing a pilot project to raise fish in rice paddies, so the fish manure can be used to fertilize the rice. Liang has also popularized scientific and technological rice-cultivation knowledge among farmers in Junlian, and in neighboring villages.

Her farm collects rice grown by area farmers, and helps those farmers sell their rice.

Helping Rural Residents Get Rich

Given Liang's efforts to help rural residents get rich, by growing and selling Duruikang Rice (across the country), Zhongdu Town, in which Junlian Village lies, has been named one of the top towns in China with strong agricultural industrial entrepreneurship.

In 2017, Liang established a production and marketing chain, under which her farm's members grow, process and sell rice under unified management.

Influenced by Liang, the number of rural residents, who have cultivated more than 100 mu (seven hectares) of grain, has risen sharply in Shanghang in recent years. "In addition to establishing business ties with many supermarkets (across the country), the residents have tried their best to promote sales of their products. As a result, their rice has sold well throughout the country," says Liang.

Under her leadership, Jusheng Family Farm has received many titles, including national women's experimental base for developing agriculture, national food security education base, and experimental rural residents' family farm in Fujian Province.

"China's favorable policies to support entrepreneurship, technological aid provided by Shanghang's agricultural experts, my seniors and fellow villagers' support for developing my business, and my persevering efforts to realize my dream of helping farmers live better lives ... These are the essential prerequisites for my career success," Liang says.

Liang believes promoting agricultural development has bright prospects. She hopes more university graduates will join "new farmers" in building rural areas into beautiful places with "lucid waters and lush mountains."

Photos from Interviewee

Source: chinanews.com

(Women of China English Monthly March 2024)


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Voter registration for Mays Police and Crime Commissioner elections closes today

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Apr 16th, 2024

Anyone wanting to register to vote in next months Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election must do so by the end of today, Tuesday, April 16.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight.

On Thursday May 2, voters will go to the polls to vote for North Wales PCC.

The role of the PCC is to ensure the policing needs of their communities are met as effectively as possible, bringing communities closer to the police, building confidence in the system and restoring trust.

In North Wales four candidates have put themselves forward to become the regions next PCC. These are:

Andy Dunbobbin  Labour and Co-operative Party

Ann Griffith  Plaid Cymru

Brian Jones  Welsh Conservative Party

Richard Marbrow  Welsh Liberal Democrats

Anyone wanting to vote must make sure they are registered in time.

Voters have a range of options  they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

You can find out more about the different ways to vote on the councils PCC election webpage.

You can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes.

Photo ID

At the PCC election voters will need to show photographic ID at the polling station in order to be able to vote.

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport or drivers licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older persons bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card.

Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Jackie Killeen, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance, said: Anyone voting at a polling station will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper.

Its important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it.

You can find information about the new requirement and what to expect at the polling station, on the Electoral Commissions website.

Ian Bancroft, Returning Officer at Wrexham Council, said: With elections taking place in Wrexham on May 2, 2024, it is important that those who want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID.

It may seem early but checking now means you will be ready to vote in May.

Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to Wrexhams electoral services team.

Anyone who doesnt have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online or by completing a paper form.

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commissions website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.

If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact the electoral services team on email electoral@wrexham.gov.uk or call 01978 292020.
On Wednesday, video of a University of California Berkely law professor, Catherine Fisk, assaulting a Palestinian student peacefully protesting at a graduation dinner went viral. The university administration leapt into action defending the professor and slandering student protesters as antisemitic.

Fisks husband Professor Erwin Chemerinsky, the Dean of the law school, a leading US constitutional lawyer and a prominent Zionist, wasted no time in misrepresenting the protests and giving interviews to the media calling the students antisemites and denying that students have a First Amendment right to protest state university policies at university events. The official frenzy to demonize the protest points to UC Berkeleys ongoing plans to crack down on opposition to the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza.

In sharp contrast to how the university presents them, Berkeley Law Students for Justice in Palestine carried out a remarkably calm and measured protest. After the graduation dinners were announced to be at Dean Chemerinskys house, law students planned to protest over a Zionist professor holding a celebratory dinner while Palestinians were being starved by Israel.

The law students registered and were invited guests to the dinner where Malak Afaneh, a Palestinian student, began to address the crowd and shortly into commemorating the final day of Ramadan was attacked by Fisk who tried to seize Afanehs microphone. Chemerinsky and Fisk are both heard clearly on camera ordering them to leave their house as Afaneh and other protesters calmly defend their right to speak and call on the university to divest from Israel despite Professor Fisks one-sided attack. After Fisk threatened to call the police, the protesters calmly left without further disruption.

Immediately after, Chemerinsky began misrepresenting events. He claimed that students had no right to speak to a private dinner at his house despite the fact that it was an official event paid for by the university and he was hosting solely in his role as dean of the law school. He further gave interviews to the media claiming that he was being targeted solely for being Jewish and completely ignored the repeated statements of students that what they objected to was his Zionism and the universitys economic investments in Israel.

UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ immediately issued a statement parroting Chemerinskys lies stating, I am appalled and deeply disturbed by what occurred at Dean Chemerinskys home last night. While our support for free speech is unwavering, we cannot condone using a social occasion at a persons private residence as a platform for protest.

The chair of the UC Board of Regents, Richard Leib, issued the harshest slander of students writing: The individuals that targeted this event did so simply because it was hosted by a dean who is Jewish. These actions were antisemitic, threatening, and do not reflect the values of this university. Leib is a notorious Zionist bigot and a diverse group of faculty and student organizations called for his resignation last December over social media activity painting Palestinians as backward and defending the Israeli assault on hospitals.

The frenzy with which the UC System denounced the protesters indicates that they are preparing to crack down on the standing anti-genocide protests being at Berkeley and on campuses across the state.

Since Israel launched its genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza last October, Berkeley has been the site of persistent anti-war protests and vigils, with a prominent and consistent presence at the iconic Sather Gate that overlooked much of the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s. In a statement last month Chancellor Christ stated the university was reexamining its rules on protests, which she acknowledges the anti-genocide protesters have been following, given the number of complaints from Zionists around Sather Gate in particular.

Far from a groundswell of antisemitism, the Berkeley campus has seen a sharp rise in Zionist provocations and attacks on pro-Palestinian protesters as the genocide continues. Over the past couple months far-right Zionist student organizations have been taking an increasingly aggressive approach seeking to mobilize the university administration against students. Their main method of provocation at the moment is to invite open war criminals, fascists, and bigots to speak at Berkeley, who demand harsher military measures against civilians, and then calling any protest against their speakers an antisemitic attack on free speech.

Zionist student groups invited Mosab Hassan Yousef to speak on April 18. Yousef is famous among other things for likening Islam to Nazism and calling for the free world to unite in destroying the religion. More extreme was their invitation of the Israeli fascist and war criminal Ran Bar Yoshafat in February. Yoshafat has made numerous social media posts declaring that there are no civilians in Gaza and that children and elderly are legitimate military targets.

He laments that Israel did not shoot enough unarmed Palestinians during the Great March of Return five years ago, and is an open advocate of ethnic cleansing:

As for the rest of the Arabs in Gaza, there is no escape from the expulsion of most of them. The only question is to where. Those who insist that we live alongside them, will simply cause that in the next war, instead of 120,000 we will have to eliminate 1,200,000. (Ran Bar Yoshafats Facebook, Jan 7, 2024)

As Deputy Director of Israels Kohelet Institute, Yoshafat is a deeply despised figure in Israel itself. He played a role in enshrining Jewish supremacy into Israels basic law and was a major proponent of the far-right judicial reforms that were met with mass protests across Israel which only stopped with the invasion of Gaza.

In response to the planned speech of this fascist, anti-genocide protesters blocked the venue and forced its initial cancellation. Chancellor Christ wrote that these protests against an open advocate of genocide violated not only our rules, but also some of our most fundamental values.

Following the cancellation of Yoshafats speech, the Republican-controlled House Committee on Education and the Workforce added UC Berkeley to its investigation of antisemitism on college campuses. The letter from committee member Virginia Foxx specifically called the protests against Yoshafats support for genocide an act of anti-Jewish hate.

Included in the congresswomans complaint were numerous instances of constitutionally protected political speech by students in defense of Palestine. The committees previous McCarthyite investigations forced the resignations of the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. In targeting Berkeley, the House Committee is seeking to accelerate the administrations attack on student protests.

Despite his long history as a liberal Zionist who criticized the extremes of Israels anti-Palestinian policies and defended the legal rights of pro-Palestinian protesters, Chemerinsky has aligned himself with these far-right provocations. In an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper the day after his wife assaulted the Palestinian student, Chemerinsky emphasized that he has made no public statements about the war or Israels conduct of it, and therefore was only being targeted because he was Jewish. This is a lie.

By the end of October, Chemerinsky had published an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times headlined, Nothing has prepared me for the antisemitism I see on college campuses now. In it he denounced all opposition to Zionism as antisemitism and concluded, there is no bridge between those who seek the elimination of Israel and those who believe it is essential to have a Jewish state. In short, for Chemerinsky one can criticize specific methods and actions of Israel but not the ethnic cleansing at the heart of carving out a Jewish ethnostate from Palestine.

The vast majority of students are opposed to the genocide being carried out by the United States and Israel but are under increasing attack from the university administration which seeks to intimidate and silence their voices. No amount of protest or letter-writing will bring around die-hard imperialists and Zionists like Christ, Leib, or President Joe Biden. There is, in fact, no bridge between those seeking the liberation of the Palestinians and those who defend US imperial interests. Instead students must turn to the broader working class to oppose the capitalist government tobogganing towards World War III.
On March 27, far-right Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order, GA 44, that requires all public universities in the state of Texas to review and update free speech policies to address the sharp rise in antisemitic speech and acts and establish appropriate punishments, including expulsion from the institution for students who voice opposition to the Israeli state.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott [AP Photo/Eric Gay]

The reactionary decree makes no mention of the mass slaughter in Gaza, but amounts to full support for Israels genocide and identifies essentially every expression of criticism of Zionism and the state of Israel as a form of antisemitism that is now to be subject to punitive measures.

GA 44 explicitly mentions the student groups Palestinian Solidarity Committee (PSC) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which currently lead many of the protests against Israels genocide in Gaza and have faced violent provocations from Zionists encouraged by university administrations. Over the course of the last several months, there have been recurring pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Austin, the Texas capital, with tens of thousands participating at times.

The pseudo-legal basis for the repressive measures in GA 44 is the definition of anti-Semitism adopted by the State of Texas in Section 448.001 of the Texas Government Code. Per the specified code, Texas recognizes the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of antisemitism, which equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism.

Thus, drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis, claiming that the existence of the State of Israel is a racist endeavor, and denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, are all prohibited, as is the slogan frequently chanted at anti-genocide protests, From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.

Governor Abbotts action follows on the heels of similar efforts to stifle the free speech of pro-Palestinian students on campuses across the country, such as the attempt by Floridas Ron DeSantis to illegalize the Students for Justice in Palestine and Palestinian Solidarity Committee in the state university system. The presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University were forced to resign for failing to sufficiently crack down on pro-Palestinian opposition to Israels crimes.

Last year, two teaching assistants (TAs) at the University of Texas, Austin were fired for composing a letter that identified mental health resources to which Palestinian students could turn. Students who opposed the firings and demanded that the laid-off educators be reinstated were then accused of harassment and given deferred suspensions by the college. Administrators clearly wanted to make an example of them.

An increasingly violent atmosphere is also beginning to emerge at Texas universities and elsewhere. On April 5, a Muslim student and a companion were assaulted on the Austin campus after leaving a mosque. Two months earlier, Palestinian-American Zachariah Doar was stabbed in an explicitly racist attack after attending a protest for Palestine at the Texas State Capitol. Governor Abbott has been silent about both incidents.

In intensifying the McCarthyite atmosphere at Texas colleges and universities, Abbott has the full backing of the states Democratic Party. In line with their unabashed support for Israels right to self-defense, Texas Democrats, including so-called progressives, such as US representative for Texass 35th congressional district, Greg Casar, have been silent on executive order GA 44. In other parts of the country, university administrations with close ties to the Democratic Party, including Columbia University in New York City, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, have taken the lead in cracking down on student protesters on their campuses.

The drive to illegalize opposition by students to imperialist barbarism is an integral part of the attempt by the ruling class to completely subordinate the higher education system to its preparations for another world war. Huge resources are devoted at universities and colleges across the country, including the University of Texas, Texas A&M University and other smaller institutions, to programs that recruit young people into the military. At Texas flagship campuses, the US military maintains extensive training and research centers, with the universities basically serving as a production facility for weapons innovations, intelligence personnel and army officers.

The Students for Justice in Palestine and the Palestinian Solidarity Committee have issued a petition, opposing GA 44 and calling upon the administrations of the University of Texas system to reject Abbotts demand. Appealing to both students and neighbors in their petition, they denounce GA 44 as censorship and an act of State discriminatory suppression.

The petition says,

We condemn the racist campaign being launched in violation of our state and federal constitutions and reaffirm our commitment to fight for the liberation of Palestine on our campuses and communities. ... When confronted with the strength, momentum, and mass support of our movement, the Governor has leveraged the highest level of state action to suppress our activism. He is resorting to racist misrepresentations to justify the blatantly discriminatory violation of our First Amendment right. There is no real, legal, or moral basis for their censorship. Our right to demand accountability for our institutions complicity in genocide and to advocate for the freedom of the people in Gaza is protected speech.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality at Austin Community College unequivocally opposes GA 44 and endorses the demands by the SJP and PSC. We have signed the petition and call upon all our readers and supporters in Texas to do the same. The attack on the democratic rights of the SJP and student protesters is an attack on the democratic rights of the working class as a whole.

In opposing this state-backed offensive, young people cannot limit their struggle to the campuses: The fight to defend democratic rights, just as the fight against imperialist war and genocide, requires the mobilization of the working class as the principal force in society that can overthrow the root cause of both: The capitalist system.
Forty-eight hours after Iran launched an airstrike on Israel, Israeli officials offered indications Monday that Israel is preparing military strikes on Iranian targets, as the US-provoked war in the Middle East continued to escalate.

An Israeli air force F-15 warplane is seen before landing in an airbase in central Israel, Monday, April 15, 2024. [AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg]

This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said on Monday.

NBC News ran a headline by its chief foreign correspondent Raf Sanchez entitled, Israels response to the Iranian attack may be imminent, official says, stating that Any response will be coordinated with the Americans.

And David Ignatius of the Washington Post reported in an op-ed Monday that Israeli officials have concluded that to deter Iran, they should retaliate for this weekends massive missile barrage.

For their part, US officials repeatedly and categorically refused to preclude or oppose an Israeli strike on Iran. Speaking during the White House daily briefing Monday, White House spokesman John Kirby declared, This is an Israeli decision to make, whether and how theyll respond to what Iran did on Saturday and were going to leave it squarely with them.

Asked by a reporter whether Iran can defy the US without facing any consequences, Kirby replied with a threat, If Im sitting in Tehran, and Im taking a look at what just happened on Saturday night, I dont think Id be betting that the United States is not willing to get engaged here and help defend Israel.

He continued, I mean, you had American fighter pilots in the air in combat operation, shooting down drones and missiles that were heading towards Israel, as well as US Navy destroyers at sea, knocking them down from there. So the message should be very clear to anybody. When the President says were going to take our commitments to the region seriously, when were going to help Israel defend itself... we will do what we have to do to defend Israel.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken likewise vowed USs unconditional support for Israel during a meeting with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Tamim. He declared, Well continue to support the defense of Israel and to protect our personnel in the region. He added, What this weekend demonstrated is that Israel did not have to and does not have to defend itself alone when it is the victim of an aggression, the victim of an attack.

Irans strike on Israel was provoked by an April 1 attack on an Iranian embassy in Syria that killed seven high-level Iranian military leaders. While claiming it did not have advanced knowledge of the strike, the United States defended Israels attack, claiming the embassy was a terrorist compound and vetoing a UN Security Council resolution that would have condemned the Israeli attack.

The Iranian strike on Israel created the conditions for the United States and its imperialist allies to affirm their unequivocal backing of Israels continued genocide against the population of Gaza.

In its daily report on Gaza, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) wrote, Israeli bombardment from the air, land, and sea continues to be reported across much of the Gaza Strip, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructure.

Over the weekend,163 Palestinians in Gaza were killed, according to Gazas Ministry of Health, amid systematic bombardment of refugee camps throughout the Gaza Strip. The official death toll of the Gaza genocide reached 33,797 Monday, according to the Ministry of Health, with another 76,465 people wounded. When the thousands buried underneath the rubble are added to the death toll, the figure is greater than 40,000.

Israels promised invasion of Rafah would see mass killing on an even greater scale. In a briefing on Friday, former UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Palestine Jamie McGoldrick warned that about 800,000 people may be forced to evacuate if the Israeli military launches a ground incursion into Rafah. He pointed to the systematic obstruction of the delivery of food aid to Gaza, declaring, If we dont have the chance to expand the delivery of aid in all parts of Gaza, but in particular to the north, then were going to face a catastrophe.

Israel is proceeding with its efforts to completely clear a one-kilometer wide stretch around Gaza along the Israeli border. The UN noted that 4,000 buildings within one kilometer of the Israeli border90 percent of the totalhave been either destroyed or damaged.

Meanwhile, more mass graves continue to be discovered as evidence of the massacre committed by the IDF at Al-Shifa Hospital last month. On Monday, Palestinian doctors said they discovered at least 10 bodies in a mass grave near the hospital, who still had medical bandages and catheters attached to their bodies, according to Al Jazeera. The publication reported that Medical staff inside the hospital confirmed that these people were, in fact, executed by the Israeli military very close to the main gate of al-Shifa Hospital when it was stormed in March.
The US and South Korea on Friday began annual air force drills, the largest of their kind on the Korean Peninsula. While both governments maintain that this and other military exercises are directed at the supposed North Korean threat, the drills are aimed at preparing the two militaries for a US-led war against China.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, centre, looks around military vehicles following South Korea-US joint military drill at Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, South Korea, on June 15, 2023. [AP Photo/Jung Yeon-je]

Dubbed Korea Flying Training (KFT), the drills involve approximately 25 different types of warplanes and around 100 aircraft in total. These include US F-35B and South Korean F-35A stealth fighter jets, unmanned MQ-9 Reaper Predator drones, refueling tankers, and transport planes. The exercises will run from April 12 to 26. Personnel from the US Army and Marine Corps are also taking part in the war games.

The USs Seventh Air Force Director of Operations and Plans Colonel Charles G. Cameron stated, This exercise provides the most realistic opportunity for our forces to rehearse tactics through difficult training scenarios while learning from each other to strengthen our defensive posture in the region. He added, Our ability to train together at this scope enhances interoperability and enables our forces to be ready for any potential situations. The Seventh Air Force is based in South Korea.

Without directly naming China, Camerons comments demonstrate that these drills are part of broader war planning throughout the Indo-Pacific. The exercises are taking place out of the US Kunsan Air Base in the city of Gunsan, 178 kilometers south of Seoul. Any war with China would immediately put these South Korean bases on the front lines. The Kunsan base is just 950 kilometers from Beijing and 198 kilometers from the North Korean border. In addition, the headquarters of Russias Pacific Fleet near Vladivostok and the nuclear facilities of both China and Russia are in easy range.

The focus on interoperability is also not simply a matter of joint operations. In the event of war, the US takes operational control of South Koreas massive military. At present, there are approximately 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea, which also fields its own huge, heavily-armed military of around 500,000 active troops.

The KFT drills are one of two large-scale aerial war games that take place annually between the US and South Korea. However, there are many other exercises that not only routinely take place, but are expanding as US-instigated conflicts unfold around the world. Just last month, the US and South Korea conducted one of their largest overall drills, the Freedom Shield exercises, involving tens of thousands of troops. It also involved the participation of 11 other countries including the United Kingdom and the Philippines.

Last Thursday in Washington, officials from the US Defense Department and the South Korean Defense Ministry held their 24th Korea-US Integrated Defense Dialogue in which they agreed to hold a tabletop exercise on nuclear weapon planning concurrently for the first time with the upcoming Ulchi Freedom Shield war games in August.

The decision is part of the growing nuclear weapon cooperation between the US and South Korea. At their summit last year, Presidents Joe Biden and Yoon Suk-yeol agreed to establish the Nuclear Consultative Group to give Seoul a larger role in how US nuclear weapons are used.

According to a joint press statement, during the talks last week, the two sides also stressed the importance of trilateral cooperation with Japan and of preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. While trying to paint Beijing as the aggressor in the region. Washington is actively working to strengthen alliances throughout the region as it goads China into a war over Taiwan by undermining the One China policy. As a result, Seoul and Tokyo have increased military cooperation over the past year.

Last week, trilateral drills between the US, South Korea, and Japan also took place in the East China Sea, south of Jeju Island at the end of the Korean Peninsula. The exercises involved six warships, including the US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. It is one of two carrier strike groups currently in the region, with the USS Ronald Reagan operating out of its base in Yokosuka, Japan.

US imperialisms accelerating preparations for war with China take place as it ramps up the US-NATO war with Russia in Ukraine and backs Israel to the hilt as its genocidal war in Gaza inflames tensions throughout the Middle East. That region is on the brink of a far wider war after Iran retaliated against Israel over the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria on April 1.

The Theodore Roosevelt strike group is continuing its operations in the East China Sea, provocatively near the Chinese mainland. If China were to hold such naval maneuvers anywhere near the US coastline, the response from the US political and media establishment would an eruption of self-righteous indignation and warmongering.

The US is again deliberating raising tensions with China with the upcoming Balikatan war games beginning on April 22 between the US and the Philippines around the Batanes Islands in the Bashi Channel. The channel is a strategic sea lane between the Philippines and Taiwan, connecting the South China Sea with the wider Pacific Ocean and used by the Chinese navy. South Korea, Japan, and 12 other countries are set to participate as observers.

The US has supplied Taiwan with large amounts of military aid, including direct foreign military funding for the first time last August. This is something typically only provided to sovereign nations and is another challenge to the One China policy. In its recent $US825 billion war budget, Washington also earmarked $US300 million in direct military funding for Taiwan.

Beijing has made repeatedly clear that Taiwan is a redline: if Taipei were to declare or Washington were to recognize Taiwanese independence, it would lead to war. Taiwan was part of China prior to being carved out by the imperialist powers in the 19th century. Beijing is conscious that allowing Taiwan to be split off from China would set a precedent for a new imperialist division of the country and allow the US to turn Taiwan into a military base just off the Chinese mainland.

This is the war that South Korea and Japan have signed up for behind the backs of their respective populations as they continue to claim that their various military drills are purely defensive and supposedly aimed at deterring North Korea.
Anti-genocide protesters block the I-880 in Oakland, California, April 15, 2024. [Photo: @a15action]

On April 15, thousands of peaceful protesters around the world demonstrated against the ongoing US-Israeli genocide in Gaza by blocking traffic on major bridges, roadways, airports, and inside and outside the offices of weapons contractors and government buildings.

As of this writing protests, some involving a few dozen people, while others have drawn in several hundred, have taken place in Melbourne, Australia; Gothenburg, Sweden; Barcelona and Tarragona, Spain; Zwolle and Utrecht, Netherlands; Copenhagen, Denmark; Swalwell, Leeds and London, England; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Ottawa, Ontario; Vancouver, British Columbia; Montreal, Quebec; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; New York City; Elizabeth, New Jersey; Eugene, Oregon; Oakland and San Francisco, California; San Antonio, Texas; Washington D.C. and many other cities.

Defying police violence, job loss and antisemitism slanders for over six months, millions of people around the world have participated in protests against the US-NATO-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. Since October 7, the Israeli military, supplied with billions of dollars in bombs, bullets and missiles by the US government, has killed over 33,000 Palestinians, according to the official count by the Gaza Health Ministry, although the true death toll is likely far higher.



On April 11, human rights organization Euro-Med Monitor released a report estimating that in addition to the over 33,000 dead, another 13,000 Palestinians were missing under debris, buried in indiscriminate mass graves, or forcibly disappeared in Israeli prisons and detention facilities, where some have been been killed.



The organization divided the missing into four categories: dead buried under the rubble, dead buried in mass graves or in haphazard individual graves, those whose bodies have been exhumed by the Israeli military and stolen/relocated, and those whose fate is unknown. The organization had previously documented more than 120 random mass graves. Recently, the organization working with rescue teams and civil defense crews, recovered 422 Palestinian bodies at the Al-Shifa Medical Complex and in Khan Younis following the temporary withdrawal of the Israeli military.



On Monday, Al Jazeera reported that another mass grave had been discovered at Al-Shifa. Doctors on site were able to identify the bodies of at least 10 patients at the hospital. The doctors told the network that the victims still had medical bandages and catheters attached to their bodies.



Outraged over the support of US-NATO governments for the Israeli ethnic cleansing campaign, many of the protesters have specifically targeted their actions to disrupt economic and logistics activity. While some of the protesters were still oriented to appealing to the politicians responsible for the genocide to reconsider, many of the demonstrations targeted ports and major weapons manufacturers, including Elbit Systems, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, and Day & Zimmerman.



The overall more militant character of Mondays protest prompted a massive response by the police in several countries.



In Melbourne, Australia, the Australian Associated Press reported that at least 14 people were arrested on Monday. Twelve people were arrested while blocking the road near the Boeing factory in the Port of Melbourne, while another two were arrested for allegedly tampering with traffic lights in Carlton.



The news service reported that more than 100 people also protested against British Petroleum (BP) oil company. More than 50 people also demonstrated outside the Ferra Engineering facility in Brisbane. Ferra Engineering has been repeatedly targeted by protesters, as it is the sole supplier of a mechanism used in the bomb delivery system of the F-35 fighter jet.



In Halifax, Nova Scotia, CTV News reported that police arrested 21 people at a protest held at the intersection of Terminal Road and Hollis Street. All the protesters are facing obstruction charges, while some have also been cited for failure to use a sidewalk and failure to obey a police officer.



In the United States, at least 25 people were arrested for blocking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco for several hours.



In the midst of the blockade, Fox News brought on fascistic Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton to stoke vigilante violence against the peaceful protesters.



If something like this happened in Arkansas on a bridge there, Cotton threatened, lets just say I think there would be a lot of very wet criminals that had been tossed overboard, not by law enforcement, but by the people, whose road they are blocking.



Cotton, who endorsed Donald Trump for president in January, added that if protesters glued their hands to the car or to the pavement, well it would be pretty painful to have their skin ripped off, but I think that is the way we would handle it in Arkansas.



I would encourage most people anywhere that gets stuck behind criminals like this who are trying to block traffic to take matters into their own hands, he added, concluding his menacing remarks with a demand to put an end to this nonsense.



Perhaps heeding the senators words, in Chicago, over 90 people were arrested for blocking roadways around the city, including outside OHare International Airport. Reporting from downtown Chicago Wednesday evening, World Socialist Web Site writer Andy Thompson observed that Chicago police had kettled in a crowd of youth and that the police were blocking their efforts to march.



In Detroit, Michigan, four protesters were arrested and 38 citations were issued in response to a 60-vehicle convoy that attempted to demonstrate on the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit with Windsor, Ontario.



In Middletown, Connecticut Monday morning, at least 10 protesters were arrested for blocking the road outside the Pratt & Whitney factory. In a statement, the protesters, said they chose the location because Pratt & Whitney produces the engines used in multiple Israeli warplanes that bomb Gaza and massacre Palestinians every day, including engines produced and tested at the Middletown facility.



The protesters wrote that the company has been supplying Israel with military aircraft since 1947. They said that while they were independent, their action was in solidarity with A15 Action.



Many of Mondays protests were organized by or called in solidarity with A15 Action. On their website, the group called for a coordinated economic blockade to Free Palestine, writing that the global economy is complicit in genocide.



The group called for protests and blockades at major choke points in the economy, focusing on points of production and circulation with the aim of causing the most economic impact, as did the port shutdown in recent months in Oakland, California and Melbourne, Australia.



Expressing the growing recognition by millions of people that protests to the politicians responsible for funding and executing the genocide have failed, the group noted, There is a sense in the streets ... that escalation has become necessary: there is a need to shift from symbolic actions to those that cause pain to the economy.



Selecting April 15, the final day to file taxes in the United States, in order to draw attention to the billions the US government provides the Israeli military every year, the group called for actions to disrupt and blockade economic logical hubs and the flow of capital.



While Mondays protest were not as large as many of the others that have occurred over the last half year, the global character of the protests, coupled with their militant character, is a testament to the still-widespread and deep-seated anger felt by millions of people around the world who are repulsed by the US and its allies unstinting support for Israeli war crimes.



The Socialist Equality Party is fighting to develop a movement in the working class that is aimed at stopping the genocide in Gaza and the drive to World War III. This can only be done by uniting the international working class in a mass movement to put an end to the capitalist system and replace it with socialism.
Christoph Vandreier, chairman and leading candidate of the SGP in the European elections, condemns the recent attack on the Palestine Congress in Berlin. The video includes English subtitles.

SGP leader Christoph Vandreier condemns the attack on the Palestine Congress. The video includes English subtitles.
David North responds to students questions about the Gaza genocide and the fight for socialism, at an event held on April 8, 2024 at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

On April 8, David North answered questions about the Gaza genocide at a public event held at Wayne State University (WSU) in Detroit, Michigan, hosted by the WSU chapter of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE).

The extensive, historically-grounded answers given by North, a leader in the Trotskyist movement for over 50 years, should be studied by all those who want to stop the genocide in Gaza and the descent into World War III.

Videos of four important exchanges from the meeting can be found below.

Three students sit on the panel at a discussion on how to stop the Gaza genocide, featuring Trotskyist leader and author David North, held on April 8, 2024 at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

The meeting was opened by Adham, the president of the WSU chapter of the IYSSE, who explained that the IYSSE was the youth movement of the Socialist Equality Party, the American section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), the world Trotskyist movement. He noted that the IYSSE has sister organizations in countries internationally, including in the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Australia and Sri Lanka.

We insist that the social crisis confronting humanity, including war, genocide, poverty, social inequality, the threat of climate change and pandemics are caused by the economic system under which we live, capitalism, Adham concluded. He encouraged attendees to get involved with the IYSSE on campus and join the club in going to Detroit auto factories to fight for a socialist solution to austerity and war.

Evan Blake, a member of the Socialist Equality Partys National Committee, moderated the discussion. He began by cautioning the meeting on the persistent spread of COVID-19 and thanked everyone in attendance for masking. He said all panelists tested beforehand, and the SEP had set up far-UV lamps and HEPA filters for the additional protection of the audience.

Making clear the long history of struggle by the Trotskyist movement against war and genocide, Blake cited Norths role as a leader in the ICFI for a half-century. Blake briefly reviewed eight of Norths books analyzing the burning issues confronting workers and youth today. He gave special attention to Norths most recent volume, Leon Trotsky and the Struggle for Socialism in the Twenty-First Century, which focuses on the life, political work and significance of the co-leader of the Russian Revolution, whose analysis is indispensable for young people and workers seeking to end capitalism.

Eight books by David North. Available now at Mehring.com

Turning to Norths The Logic of Zionism: from Nationalist Myth to the Gaza Genocide, published this year, Blake said the volume compiled a series of lectures that represent the most significant examination of the historical roots and reactionary ideological underpinnings of Zionism, which have culminated in the present-day imperialist-backed slaughter being carried out by the fascist Netanyahu regime in Israel.

Blake continued:

The lectures trace the development of Zionism as a nationalist movement that has always been in sharp conflict with socialist internationalism and the most advanced sections of the Jewish working class and intelligentsia.

Questions and Answers

The first question directed to North came from Adham, who asked if there had been any major shifts in what you believe the role of a socialist should be during your time in the socialist movement?

Norths in-depth response noted specific events of the 1960s, when his generation became radicalized, but emphasized the connection of that period to antecedent world history. He recalled that he first began studying Trotsky in 1970, as the world was still reeling from the French general strike of May 1968.

North recounted:

What had begun as a student strike in Paris at the Sorbonne University developed and escalated into a general strike of the French working class. It not only staggered France, it staggered the entire world. Suddenly, almost overnight, socialist revolution by the working class was on the order of the day.

Describing the political climate across the world at that time, North stated that 1968 was also the year of the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, which enormously escalated the anti-war movement and showed the US propaganda of imminent victory to be lies. US President Lyndon Johnson announced he would not run for reelection on March 31, and on April 4, Martin Luther King was assassinated.

North emphasized that the May-June general strike suddenly made clear that the basic conceptions of Marxism, of the revolutionary role of the working class as a decisive force, was not just a matter of history, it was real.

Alongside these developments, he said, there was renewed interest in Leon Trotsky. North cited the trilogy by Isaac Deutscher, The Prophet Armed: Trotsky 18791921, The Prophet Unarmed: Trotsky 19211929, and The Prophet Outcast: Trotsky 19291940.

It was an extraordinarily important book because it presented to a whole new generation this figure who had been covered in so many lies and distortions, the most slandered figure in modern history, Leon Trotsky, North said, adding that the trilogy introduced youth to a genuine Marxist critique of Stalinism.

Posing the question, Why was my generation so radical in the 1960s? North said:

If you want to understand what framed the thinking of my generation and determined the extreme radicalism of our response to Vietnam, you have to go further back. It was World War Two. It was World War One.

North also pointed to the big historical questions that needed to be answered then, as now. You ask what has changed since that time? Of course, the great problem which we had then was trying to find out  who are the socialists?

North explained:

There were many organizations which called themselves socialistso many parties which claimed to be socialist. There was, of course, the Communist Party. There were the many varieties of organizations which even claimed to be Trotskyist. Now, look at the present situation today. What has happened to all these great mass movements? When I joined the socialist movement, the Communists called themselves real existing socialism. The Trotskyist movement said these are counterrevolutionary parties. They do not represent the continuity of the Marxist tradition. They are the worst enemies of the working class, and not one stone will be left of them upon another. We emphasized that Stalin was the gravedigger of the working class, and that unless the working class carried through a political revolution against the Soviet bureaucracy, the USSR would end with the restoration of capitalism. How did one determine what the real socialism was? The critique of Trotsky was so fundamental because what Trotsky presented was a world revolutionary conception.

Concluding, North said:

Here we come to, I think, the most fundamental question of what has changed. It is the extent to which the world has been globalized in every sense. Every event is a world event. Production is a global process and change must occur on a global scale. What accounts for the power of Trotskyism is that it expresses this. Our program corresponds to the objective development of world economy. There is no national solution to the problems of our times. All the problems are world problems. Thats the greatest change.

David, a WSU IYSSE member and Amazon worker, said he watched Norths lecture on Aaron Bushnell and asked, Bushnell tragically took his life to protest the genocide in Gaza. What progressive role can youth play in ending the genocide in Gaza?

North described young people as a political barometer of society. He continued:

They havent become desensitized to hypocrisy, to the contradiction between the ideals that are proclaimed and the reality that they see. And so theyre given to protest. But young people by themselves cannot change the world. They can be a catalytic force in stimulating change. But unless the young people establish contact and direct their protest to a force which is capable of effecting change, then, as is so often the case, the protest is misled.

North described how he would have addressed Bushnell, urging him to build a political movement in the working class. North strenuously opposed the attitude of those like journalist Chris Hedges who glorified suicide and despair.

Addressing the young people in the audience, North said:

I would hope, perhaps we cant answer every question you have, but if we can encourage you now to start studying and learning from the great and often tragic revolutionary experiences of the last century, if you can assimilate that, youll be preparing yourself and the working class for whats to come.

The final panelists question came from Amanda, who said:

I had the privilege of attending one of your lectures at the University of Michigan recently about the Zionist myth. And something that really struck me was your conception that the creation of the State of Israel is a mockery and a betrayal of the Jewish people. And I was wondering if you could speak more on that conception and other Trotskyist attitudes towards the creation of the State of Israel.

North noted that the Jewish people have been profoundly oppressed for many centuries. But he stressed:

All phenomena, even the phenomena of hatred, have to be examined. Historically and in the latter part of the 19th century, hatred of Jews acquired a new dimension, a new character. It was profoundly related to changes in the socioeconomic structure of society, the emergence of modern industrial capitalism, the emergence of the working class as a revolutionary force, and the emergence of socialism. More and more the traditional hatred of Jews became bound up with a political movement directed against socialism.

In other words, North explained, The ruling elites sought to exploit what had been traditionally a religious antagonism to direct it politically against the socialist movement. North then explained the origins of Zionism and the evolution of this ideology, including the Holocaust industry, and the reactionary deployment of identity politics.

North told the audience, If anything demonstrates the bankruptcy of nationalism, it is the Zionist project.

History shows, he continued:

Zionism was constructed as a national imperialist project. But it was false from the beginning. And now the horrific consequences of nationalism, of the defense of the nation-state system, the artificial construction of nationality as a principle to justify oppression, is being exploded. Zionism as a movement basically adopted an ideology that was already becoming discredited, or being overtaken by the actual process of socioeconomic development. The heyday of nationalism was from its emergence as a potent force through the 17th, through the 18th, and certainly into the 19th century. The period of the consolidation of the great national states comes more and more under pressure during the second half of the 19th century. By 1847-48, Marx already defines this. The working class has no country. The working class is an international force, and, he says, the next stage of historical development will not be the consolidation of national states, but the international unification of mankind in a socialist movement. And that was to be vindicated and verified in the growth of world socialism.

During open discussion, several audience members raised questions about the Socialist Equality Partys presidential election candidates, Joseph Kishore and Jerry White, asking if voting for the SEP opened the door for Donald Trump or was throwing away their vote.

North, in response, denounced the politics of lesser evilism:

When you tell workers to vote for Biden, you are accepting responsibility for the consequences. So if the day after the election, or even in the midst of it, Biden escalates the war against Ukraine or sends more bombs, or allies himself with Israel in a war against Iran, what is the oversight? Well, youre responsible for it. What have you done to prepare the working class for that eventuality?

He concluded:

When an election comes, we dont drop our principles. Our politics during an election is consistent with our politics before the election. We are a party of principles, of historical conceptions, not of pragmatic short-term results So for us, the election is an opportunity. We use it to carry out the absolutely essential work of political education. Thats our method. As Trotsky said, to educate workers on what they must save and what they must overthrow.
The criminal trial of ex-President Donald Trump on charges linked to hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels began Monday in Manhattan. Judge Juan Merchan made a series of procedural rulings, followed by the questioning of the first potential jurors, in what is expected to be a long and contentious process of selecting the jury.

Former President Donald Trump sits in Manhattan criminal court with his legal team ahead of the start of jury selection in New York, Monday, April 15, 2024. [AP Photo/Jabin Botsford/Pool]

The New York case, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, is a diversion from the momentous political issues raised by Trumps four years in the White House and the subsequent three years during which he has been plotting and preparing a return to power.

It is not connected in any way to Trumps real crimes, particularly his central role in the attempted coup of January 6, 2021, when his supporters attacked the US Capitol, blocked the congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election, won by Democrat Joe Biden, and sought to maintain Trump in the presidency despite his repudiation by the American people.

Trumps sexual encounter with Daniels is of interest only to his wife and family. The money paid to Daniels during the 2016 election campaign to keep her from selling her story to the media is likewise of little interest. The manner in which the funds were routed from Trump through his personal fixer Michael Cohen to Daniels constitutes at most a technical violation of federal election laws, which would ordinarily be settled with the payment of a fine.

As for state law, the filing of false business reports, portraying the money disbursed to Cohen as payments for legal services, was only a misdemeanor, and the statute of limitations has long expired. DA Bragg, however, leveraged the misdemeanor into a felony by alleging that the false reports were an element of a conspiracy to violate federal law, even though no federal prosecutor has chosen to bring such a case. He charged each of 34 false reports separately as a four-year felony, with a combined maximum 20 years in prison upon conviction.

Both the substance and the timing of the case are clearly calculated to benefit the Democratic Party in the 2024 election, at least in part by confining Trump to the Manhattan courtroom, away from his own presidential campaign, every day of the trial, which is expected to take many weeks. That political calculation could well be utterly mistaken.

Certainly over the past year Trump has made use of the obviously concocted and politically motivated character of the Manhattan criminal case to claim that all other charges against himparticularly those related to January 6 and other efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 electionsare equally bogus.

Only the Democratic Party could manage to provide Trump the opportunity to posture as the victim of a political frame-up and to do so with a shred of credibility. It is of a piece with the entire posture of the Democrats since Trump first entered the White House, which has been to avoid all the fundamental democratic questions raised by the transformation of the Republican Party, under Trumps auspices, into an increasingly fascistic political formation.

The Democrats differences with Trump have largely revolved around foreign policy, particularly over the use of Ukraine as a political and military spearhead against Russia. This goes back to the 2014 Maidan coup, under the Obama-Biden administration, which ousted an elected pro-Russian president and installed a virulently anti-Russian right-wing regime in Kiev, backed by fascist and neo-Nazi groups.

The Mueller investigation, based on false allegations of widespread Russian interference in the 2016 US elections, and the first impeachment of Trump, based on his temporary withholding of US military aid to Ukraine, were both examples of this clash over foreign policy. Today, the central issue in official Washington is how to push through another $60 billion in emergency military aid to Ukraine, despite the opposition among a section of House Republicans.

Nothing of this political reality is acknowledged in the coverage of the Trump trial in the corporate media. Instead, there are solemn, hushed-voice commentaries about the historic character of the first-ever criminal trial of a former president.

The obvious questionnever voiced, of course, on the network newsis why Trump should be the first. Every ex-president in living memory should have been criminally prosecuted on charges like sanctioning mass murder, waging illegal wars, supporting military coups, authorizing torture, and spying on the entire world, including American citizens. But these actions, committed in defense of the worldwide interests of the US ruling elite, are not considered crimes by the US justice system.

And now Trump, who as president separated thousands of migrant children from their parents, breaking up many families irreparably, who openly incites fascist violence against political opponents, the first president to defy the results of an election in which he lost by a near-landslide, is being prosecuted for something which is not a crime at all.

As we wrote last year:

[P]aying someone to remain silent about a sexual encounter, or buying someones story in order not to publish it, is not illegal. Nor is lying about ones personal conduct in the course of an election campaign. If every politician who lied about such matters were prosecuted, the jails would overflow.

The criminalization of private sexual conduct is fundamentally reactionary, as are sex scandals in general. They degrade popular consciousness and drown political understanding in a geyser of sensationalism and prurience. The use of such allegations always involves an effort to conceal from the masses the real political differences being fought out within the ruling elite.

As for the question of hush money, it is well known that Democratic President Bill Clinton offered to pay $700,000 to Paula Jones to settle her lawsuit over her allegations of improper behavior. In that case, right-wing Republican lawyers induced Jones to refuse the money in order to engineer the perjury trap that led to Clintons impeachment. In the current case, a Democratic district attorney is using equally underhanded methods. There is nothing progressive or democratic in such political cynicism.

The WSWS and the SEP are intransigently opposed to the politics of both Trump and his Democratic opponents. We have consistently warned of the fascistic transformation of the Republican Party, even as Biden and the Democrats continue to beseech their Republican colleagues to join with them in a bipartisan policy of militarism abroad and austerity and anti-democratic attacks on immigrants and anti-war protesters at home.

We do not cede the defense of democracy to Genocide Joe and the Democrats, the party of Wall Street and the military-intelligence apparatus. The only effective method of fighting the threat of fascism personified by Trump is the mobilization of the working class, through the development of the class struggle and the political organization of workers as an independent force against both parties of big business.
Education Minister Jason Clare with Professor Mary OKane AC [Photo: X/@JasonClareMP]

The Rank-and-File Committee at Sydneys Macquarie University hosted an online forum last week to discuss the far-reaching implications for all levels of education of the Australian Labor governments Universities Accord final report.

The committee, established last year by supporters of the Socialist Equality Party, is alerting educators and students to the true content of the report, which is being covered up by the corporate media and the education trade union leaders.

In the name of reform, the Accord document insists on an accelerated corporate restructuring of tertiary education to satisfy the employment and research demands of big business and the Albanese Labor governments escalating commitment to US militarism.

The forum was attended by school teachers as well as university educators. In the discussion, it became clear, including from questions and comments by teachers, that the war-related thrust of the Accord report is also being imposed in schools, where related outreach courses and competitions are being rolled out.

In her opening report to the forum, Carolyn Kennett, a leading member of the Macquarie University Rank-and-File Committee, warned that university educators and students were already being pressured into joining these profit- and war-driven programs, including by changes to courses, workloads, performance indicators and career prospects.

Kennett said the thrust of the Accord could not be separated from the whole pro-business agenda of the Albanese government, its commitment to US war plans and its complicity in the US-backed genocide in Gaza, in which the enclaves universities had been destroyed, as well as 90 percent of the school buildings.

This is the same government that defends Israels genocide in Gaza, sends arms to the Ukraine to be used against Russia, and has allocated billions of dollars to preparations for war against China through the AUKUS military pact, she said.

Kennett cited the Accord panels first discussion paper, which declared: The Australian Government is working to establish an Australian Universities Accord to drive lasting alignment between Australias high quality higher education system and national needs.

By national needs, she explained, the panel meant the private profit, geo-strategic and war requirements of the capitalist class, particularly for vocational training to meet the narrow needs of employers, and for the dedication of research to commercial and military purposes.

This necessarily meant denying students the essential social right to a decent, all-round critical education and depriving educators and researchers of the capacity to conduct genuinely socially useful and scientifically important teaching and research.

While the report suggested some changes to the HELP student fee system, whose aim was to draw students into industry-tied courses, including higher degree research placements through industry.

The Accord final report proposed a further shift to microcredentialscourses tailored to meet the needs of employersand work-integrated learning to embed students in industry throughout their courses, featuring tied degree apprenticeships.

One of the examples cited by the report was the University of South Australia partnering with the South Australian Labor state government, the Australian Industry Group and the defence industry to develop university degree apprenticeships to support the construction of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.

Kennett pointed out that the AUKUS alliance was part of a vast military build-up directed against China, which the strategists of American imperialism openly proclaimed as the chief threat to US global dominance.

To drive its agenda, the report called for a revamped funding scheme that would tie universities to negotiated mission compacts overseen by a new body called the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, with key stakeholders from business and government.

At Macquarie University there are already courses where content is essentially dictated by business, Kennett continued. We have seen a huge emphasis on work-integrated learning. So much so, that the amount of content in a degree program on key topics has been reduced significantly. This will only be further entrenched under the mission-based compacts.

Workloads and research will be further tied to this agenda, as will career progression. We already have measures in promotions that require application. Examples on the universitys promotions website of application when seeking promotion include Leadership in sustained and durable industry, government or community engagement and Leadership or coordination of student placements within industry or community and/or engagement.

Kennett said universities had become increasingly enmeshed into serving the research needs of the Australian and US militaries, including via multi-million-dollar research and development deals with the worlds largest arms manufacturers, such as Lockheed Martin and BAE systems.

Another example was the $370 million Trailblazer project, initiated in 2022. The federal government website for this program stated:

Trailblazer is a new research funding driving commercialisation outcomes and new industry engagement opportunities with universities in problems that matter. It provides opportunities and pathways that promote strong industry engagement and job ready skills, including developing educational pathways with VET [Vocational Education and Training]. The trailblazer priorities include projects in resources and critical minerals, defence, the space market, production of rockets and launchers, satellite spy systems and renewable energy.

The Trailblazer programs featured outreach into schools, including primary schools, ensuring a pipeline of students ready and willing to contribute to the war efforts of the Albanese government. For example, the space project website stated:

By facilitating career pathways into Space Engineering, we will draw upon the educational expertise from each university partner, and key industry partners. This will support outreach and enable activities from STEM in schools (Year 3-12), through to micro-credentialling, and tertiary studies in the form of a Space Engineering Degree to industry PhD pathways.

Kennett said this war-related drive was not just an Australian phenomenon. Universities were being militarised internationally: One report recently released details of the military and arms industry ties that exist at various universities in the UK, in what is referred to as the Military Industrial Academic Complex.

This process was rife in the United States as well, and the German Social Democrat government was even demanding the teaching of war requirements in schools.

Kennett condemned the role of the leaders of the two main campus unions, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU). They have repeatedly urged workers and students to support Labors review, promoting illusions that it would improve university conditions, she said. The truth is that the unions share Labors pro-business and militarist agenda.

For years, the union bureaucrats had suppressed educators hostility to the corporate transformation of universities, blocking any unified mobilisation against it while pushing through enterprise agreements that enabled such restructuring.

In the discussion that followed, school teachers said Kennetts report had shed a revealing light on what was happening in schools, with curriculum changes and other programs being implemented along the same lines.

In order to fight this destructive agenda, educators and students need to form rank-and-file committees, independent of the unions, to link up with workers in Australia and worldwide through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. This is part of a broader necessary struggle against capitalism itself and its program of ever-greater corporate wealth and turn to war.

For further discussion, please contact the Committee for Public Education (CFPE), the rank-and-file educators network:

Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/commforpubliceducation

Twitter: @CFPE_Australia
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The nuclear industry can bring Iran great revenues in various fields, Iran's Vice President and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami said, Trend reports.

He made a remark during the event dedicated to the signing of a cooperation document between the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the Ministry of Cooperation, Labor, and Social Security.

According to him, the nuclear industry creates added value in the production of various products, and in many cases, it is possible to avoid exporting products in raw form through this industry.

Eslami stated that Iran plans to take fundamental steps in the nuclear industry in the current Iranian year (from March 20, 2024, through March 20, 2025).

Meanwhile, a recently signed cooperation document was signed between Mohammad Eslami, chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Sowlat Mortazavi, Iran's Minister of Cooperation, Labor, and Social Security.

The document on cooperation will utilize the potential of companies under the Ministry of Cooperation, Labor, and Social Security to benefit from technical expertise in identifying and exploring mining resources.

To note, Iran declares that it is using its nuclear program in agriculture, health, electrical engineering, etc., and is taking steps to this end, starting with the discovery of uranium, mining of uranium stone, production of yellow key, etc.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. A telephone conversation between President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi was held at the initiative of the Iranian side, the press service of the Kremlin said, Trend reports.

"According to the information, Vladimir Putin congratulated Ebrahim Raisi and all Muslims of Iran on the end of the holy month and the recently celebrated Ramadan holiday. In addition, the presidents of Russia and Iran discussed the situation in the Middle East. Vladimir Putin expressed hope that all sides would show reasonable restraint and prevent a new round of confrontation fraught with catastrophic consequences for the entire region.

Raisi, in turn, noted that Iran's actions were forced and limited. At the same time, he emphasized Tehran's disinterest in further escalation of tensions," the press service of the Kremlin says.

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Recognising the threat to many traditional crafts, watchmaker and jeweller Cartier created the Maison des Metiers dArt. This unique place celebrates its 10th anniversary this year

In 2014, Cartier opened the doors of its Maison des Metiers dArt in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Housed in a 17th-century farmhouse, the facility is dedicated to artistic craftsmanship and the pursuit of innovation through the revival of ancestral know-how. The crafts are categorised into three main families: the art of fire, the art of metal and the art of composition.

Maison des Metiers dArt in La Chaux-de-Fonds  Cartier

The art of fire encompasses all the different enamelling techniques including enamel painting, cloisonne, champleve, grisaille and plique-a-jour. The art of metal includes gold granulation, which was developed in the 3rd century BC to create relief decoration from gold beads; enamel granulation, which is a combination of gold granulation and enamelling; and filigree, attributed to the Sumerians around 3,000 BC, which results in intricate openwork designs. The art of composition involves creating novel decorations using a variety of materials; thus mosaic, when translated to a watch dial, becomes micro-mosaic. Other materials include flower petals, straw, wood and gold leaf.

Metiers dArt  Cartier

The Maison des Metiers dArt is a unique initiative that has evolved into an Ali Babas cave of wonders, blending history and innovation while bringing together the finest examples of watchmaking and jewellery craftsmanship, known as metiers dart, which are rightly considered to be threatened with extinction.

In a calm and serene setting, 40 artisans with golden hands work together, embodying Cartiers long-term commitment to preserving, transmitting and developing these renowned forms of know-how in an atmosphere of boundless creativity. The Cartier Maison des Metiers dArt will celebrate its 10th anniversary in autumn 2024, providing an ideal opportunity to reflect on a decade of creativity, and look ahead to the next 10 years.

Cartier Crash London watch 1967  Cartier

The mission of the Maison des Metiers dArt has not changed: to celebrate and pass on ancestral crafts while developing new techniques to create unique watches; to bring together jewellery and watchmaking workshops under one roof in order to produce exceptional jewellery timepieces; to collaborate with the local ecosystem in terms of talent and industry; and to attract international visitors. The Cartier Maison des Metiers dArt offers bespoke tours during which visitors can discover the work of each artist at their workbench.

Whether you call it a house, a farm, a treasure trove or a showcase for high craftsmanship, the Cartier Maison des Metiers dArt is a unique location that places creativity in the spotlight while preserving the exceptional crafts without which our watches and jewellery would not be nearly so sublime.
The Fallout show's Wasteland looks so good in part because it's real: Some of it was shot in the same desert as Mad Max: Fury Road

The Vault sets for Amazon's Fallout show were built in a New York soundstage, but when Lucy steps into the Wasteland, the actors and crew ventured outdoors to shoot some of the scenes on location in a genuine ghost town and coastal desert.

Ironically, the desert in question is nowhere near Southern California. The joke about Hollywood pretending the whole world looks like LA wouldn't have applied to Fallout, which is actually set in the remains of California, but instead of using the state's real geography, the production spent multiple days filming in the Namib Desert on the coast of Southern Africa.

Specifically, several scenes were shot in and around Kolmanskop, a former diamond mining town that was abandoned in the middle of the last century. One of the locations they used, according to Maximus actor Aaron Moten via a set of production notes provided by Amazon, was "a bombed diamond mine that is now a hyenas' den."

Executive producer Jonathan Nolan says that while shooting at "an abandoned diamond refinery right on the coast" of Namibia, he was told that no one else had ever filmed in that particular location. He also mentions hyenas.

"I've never shot somewhere so remote, where literally the only things there are hyenas," Nolan said. "It's an incredibly beautiful and strange place."

Lucy actor Ella Purnell recalls taking a five hour helicopter ride to film at an abandoned shipwreck. "I think I will remember that for as long as I live, it was truly one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced," she said.

The Fallout show might've been the first production to shoot at those particular hyena dens, but the ancient Namib Desert has been seen in other big productions. Most notably, Mad Max: Fury Road spent a year shooting its post-apocalyptic car chase in Namibia. The result was stunning, but not without controversythe Mad Max filmmakers were accused of being reckless with the desert ecology, something Namibia's film commission denied.

A behind-the-scenes Fallout filming photo of Jonathan Nolan and Ella Purnell.

If you've watched the Fallout show, you'll recognize the bits that were filmed in Kolmanskop and on the coast of Namibia. The shipwreck is seen at the start of episode two, and whenever the characters wind up in the sand-filled interior of a ruined home, the architecture is noticeably of Kolmanskop, which was built by German settlers in the early 1900s.

Hollywood's ability to make it look like actors are somewhere they aren't has become remarkably good, but I wince a little whenever I see photos of Marvel actors posing in front of green screens. It would be hard to shoot on location in Asgard, to be fair, but I might prefer the foam rocks and matte paintings of old Star Trek sets to the incorporeal, Unreal Engine tech demo look.

One of the Fallout show's best qualities, I think, is that it looks like the Fallout games without looking like a cutscene from the Fallout games. I'm sure I have no idea how much expert compositing and CGI was involved in making it work, but the great locations, sets, and props have to at least be partially responsible for grounding the goofy videogame logic of the Vaults and Wasteland in physical realitywith the exception of a few scenes where I suppose they couldn't find any giant craters or ruined skyscrapers to film.
Rapper Yungeen Ace arrested for possession of firearm by convicted felon in Jacksonville Beach

A popular rapper from Jacksonville was arrested by the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, online Duval County Jail records show.

Yungeen Ace, whose real name is Keyanta Bullard, was arrested on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Action News Jax has reached out to JBPD to obtain Bullards arrest report.

Bullard, 26, is scheduled to have his first appearance in Duval County court at 1 p.m.

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We told you in June 2018 that Bullard was the lone survivor in a drive-by shooting on Town Center Parkway that killed 3 young men.

After he was released from the hospital from his injuries in that shooting, he was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office for violation of probation.

Officials said at that time that he violated his probation for possessing a firearm. In 2017, he was given 31 months of probation on an accessory charge out of Clay County.

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In October 2018, Bullard was arrested again for violation of probation. The warrant from that arrest stated he did not stay with his itinerary while traveling back from a trip to Louisiana and also visited the Orange Park Mall without consent from his probation officer.

In March 2019, Bullards attorney said he was ambushed, which led to a shooting at the Hampton Inn in Waycross. One man was killed, another was injured. Bullard was in the area performing a concert.

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John Akomfrahs new commission for the British pavilion at this years Venice Biennale opens with a confident, wrong-footing intervention. Suspended before the buildings imposing 19th-century facade, three large screens block the elevated threshold, forcing visitors to enter via the basement, around the back.

Given that Akomfrahs work, since the Eighties, has interrogated the immigrant experience (he, himself, was born in Ghana in 1957, and moved to Britain when he was eight), its hard not to read this as an allusion to segregation, or, at least, an attempt to upend old social hierarchies. This year, everyone, no matter their skin colour or station, is obliged to use, as it were, the tradesmans entrance.

Theres nothing cheap or workaday, though, about the pavilions interior. With a designers eye for detail, Akomfrah has decked out the rooms  each of which presents one of eight distinct yet overlapping multimedia and sound installations (or cantos, as he prefers)  with tastefully dark colours and plush drapes. It feels like walking into a high-end night spot or private members club  except that, instead of champagne and chit-chat, were offered an opportunity to engage with, as a wall text puts it, the enduring legacies of colonialism. Chin-chin!

Thus, on various screens arranged to resemble altarpieces, we encounter imagery of, say, golliwogs or sombre, motionless figures, wearing colourful raincoats, looking soulfully out to sea. Short introductions to each canto, picked out in gold against the walls, evoke various historical moments to which Akomfrahs installations supposedly refer, such as the brutalities of the British counter-insurgency campaign, following the Mau Mau uprisings in Kenya  not that youd necessarily know it, from the images on screen (which, in this case, include  oddly  rubber ducks). Canto VII apparently evokes ecocide and the Korean War; Canto VIII is about the women and children of Windrush.

If this sounds polemical, its not. The atmosphere is melancholic and precious, not aggressive, and it is here, rather than with its content, that I take issue with Akomfrahs work. Theres something so stately about his recent films, with their slow, lingering pans across sundry objects spuriously selected for their poetic qualities (including metronomes, toadstools, and lots and lots of water); every frame manifestly strains for import and effect.

Inside, above the doorways, quotations, also in gold script, are reproduced, presumably in the hope that some of their gravitas will rub off; that dour title, Listening All Night to the Rain, alludes, we learn, to the 11th-century Chinese poet Su Dongpo.

As for Akomfrahs claim that, here, hes focusing on the sonic, and promoting a manifesto that encourages listening as a form of activism, its pretentious. (An intro to Canto IV mentions an impenetrable academic term, acoustemology.) Besides, the sounds we do hear  some of which seem to emerge from an installation of vintage radios and ghetto blasters, suspended from a ceiling, and seeming overly indebted to the work of the Brazilian artist Cildo Meireles  are indistinct: mostly, a sort of low-level rumble, with lots of crackle (punctuated by bells and the occasional ticking clock), designed, I suppose, to generate a moody, dramatic atmosphere.

Instead, then, of feeling sorrowful about Britains past, I experienced impatience: everything is mannered, with little shooting-from-the-hip energy, spontaneity, or zip. Art doesnt have to be this rarefied and self-regarding.

From Saturday April 20; labiennale.org

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Launched as a limited edition at the Patek Philippe grand exhibition Watch Art held in Tokyo in June 2023, Reference 5330 now enters the manufactures regular collection

This new-generation World Time is distinguished by a patented world first: a date display synchronized with local time; that is, the time in the time zone selected at the 12 oclock position on the city disk and indicated by the center hands. The new caliber 240 HU C self-winding movement, with an innovative differential system, indicates the date on the periphery of the dial by means of a center hand in transparent glass with a red hammer-head-style tip. The elegant white-gold case frames a dial in blue-gray opaline, its center adorned with a carbon motif. This new technical evolution in the Patek Philippe World Time watches now enriches the choice of travel watches proposed by the manufacture.

Introduced in the 1930s, the era of the first transatlantic flights, and based on an invention by the Genevan master watchmaker Louis Cottier, the renowned Patek Philippe World Time has been technically optimized continually ever since. From the early 1950s onwards this function has made it possible to read off the time simultaneously and permanently in the 24 time zones, by means of two mobile disks (a city disk and a 24-hour disk) while also benefiting from a local-time display (in a time zone selected at the 12 oclock position) by center hour and minute hands. This ingenious system, combined with dial centers often adorned with colorful maps in Grand Feu cloisonne enamel or hand- guilloched decorations, has made this complication one of the most recognizable of Patek Philippe models and one of the most sought after by devotees of splendid mechanisms.

World Time Reference 5330G-001  Patek Philippe

Innovative territory

In 1999, Patek Philippe announced a major improvement in the functionality of the World Time with an exclusive patented mechanism whereby, when its owner changes time zones, a single pressure on a push-piece suffices to adjust all the displays together (city disk, 24-hour disk and center hour hand) in one-hour steps without affecting the rate accuracy of the minutes and seconds. This innovation was introduced in the year 2000 with the launch of Reference 5110. More recently, the engineers have also paired the World Time with two of the manufactures other most emblematic complications. In 2016 they unveiled the World Time Chronograph Reference 5930, with a caliber CH 28-520 HU self-winding movement. In 2017, on the occasion of the Grand Exhibition in New York, Patek Philippe presented the first World Time minute repeater that always chimes the local time: Reference 5531, with a caliber R 27 HU self-winding movement, in a limited edition of ten watches. This model joined the regular collection in 2018.

World Time Reference 5330G-001  Patek Philippe

A new alliance of functions useful in everyday life

The manufacture is now marking a new milestone in the history of the Patek Philippe World Time watch by endowing it for the first time with a date display. While normally quite straightforward, here this function posed a real technical challenge. Other world-time watches equipped with a date indicator always oblige the traveler, when changing time zones, to adjust the time zone and the date independently. Patek Philippe, however, was intent on making the user experience as practical and comfortable as possible, and tasked its engineers with coupling the date display mechanically with the local time (the time zone selected at 12 oclock and indicated by the center hands) with no need for correction. Meeting this challenge required, therefore, that the date adjust automatically in the two situations entailing a change: past midnight, when the date advances to that of the following day; and when crossing the International Date Line (in the middle of the Pacific Ocean) from west to east, where the date goes back by a day  as Phileas Fogg famously forgets in the Jules Verne novel Around the World in Eighty Days. (He believes that he has lost his bet by a day, an error that he would have avoided had he been wearing the new Reference 5330G-001). Here, as in the World Time Minute Repeater Reference 5531, accommodating the two complications in the same movement was not the only difficulty: they had to be made to interact, with the World Time controlling the date display (just as it controls the minute repeater in Reference 5531). Therefore, the date mechanism had to be able to function in either direction, backwards or forwards, during a date change, and to do so reliably, with no risk of damage to the movement.

World Time Reference 5330G-001  Patek Philippe

An innovative, patented differential

To provide this useful, exclusive and user-friendly function, the manufacture developed a new movement, caliber 240 HU C, based on the caliber 240 HU ultra-thin self-winding movement that has equipped the Patek Philippe World Time watches without additional functions since the year 2000. The first distinguishing feature of this innovative movement is its date-display module, which alone comprises 70 parts. A patented central differential system comprising two concentric star-type gear wheels manages the local-time date. When the outer star (of larger diameter and with 62 teeth) turns clockwise, the date hand advances clockwise by one notch. When the inner star (with 31 teeth) turns clockwise the date hand moves back counterclockwise by a notch. When the two stars turn clockwise together (which should imply simultaneously a forward and a backward movement of the date hand) the differential allows this hand to remain stationary. Each pressure on the pusher positioned at 10 oclock therefore serves to adjust, in one-hour steps, not only the city disk, the 24-hour disk and the center hour hand, but henceforth where applicable the date, in either direction. Complex and yet so easy to operate, this system perfectly illustrates Patek Philippes creative philosophy of putting the user first. Furthermore, despite its additional mechanism, the new caliber 240 HU C movement is barely 0.7 millimeters thicker than caliber 240 HU (4.58 mm instead of 3.88 mm) allowing it be housed in a slender, elegant case.

Original, legible displays

The second distinguishing feature of the new World Time Reference 5330G-001 is its date display mode. Patek Philippe opted for a center hand with a hammer-shaped tip in red lacquer that moves along a transfer-printed scale from 1 to 31 at the outer edge of the dial on a beveled, silvery flange that creates a beautiful sense of depth. To avoid this relatively static hands disturbing the legibility of the other information, the manufactures engineers conceived for the first time at Patek Philippe  a transparent hand made of glass.

World Time Reference 5330G-001  Patek Philippe

Character shows in its face

As with all Patek Philippe World Time watches, the new Reference 5330G-001 stands out by its refined and highly distinctive appearance. Its opaline dial center in an elegant shade of blue-gray is adorned with a carbon motif, adding a dynamic modern touch. The 24-hour disk is subdivided into day and night zones, identified respectively by a small gilt sun on a silvery background symbolizing noon and a gilt crescent moon on a blue-gray ground symbolizing midnight. On the city disk, a red dot between Auckland and Midway marks the International Date Line. Faceted dauphine-style hands and faceted applied baton- style hour markers, all in white gold with a white luminescent coating, indicate local time in the time zone selected at the 12 oclock position. The fully polished white-gold case, 40 mm in diameter, catches the eye with its curved two-tier fluted lugs. Its sapphire-crystal back affords a private view of the architecture of the new caliber 240 HU C self-winding movement and the painstaking finishing touches lavished on its parts.

A calfskin strap embossed with a denim motif, in blue gray with white hand-stitching, echoes the color of the dial. It is secured by a fold-over clasp in white gold.

240 HU C Caliber  Patek Philippe

Time zones and the International Date Line

It was long the case that every country- if not every city had its own local time, based more or less on the longitude, and travelers constantly had to adjust the indications on their watches. But the era of rapid growth in transport and communications brought with it the need to unify the time system. In 1884, the International Meridian Conference in Washington resulted in the decision to divide the planet into 24 time zones, each covering 15 degrees of longitude (one hour) and to take as reference point (longitude 0) the Greenwich meridian, which navigators were already using for that purpose.

According to this system, the time zone in which Auckland (New Zealand) is situated is 12 hours ahead of that of Greenwich (UTC + 12). It is therefore the first to pass to the following day. On the other hand, the time zone applying to Midway (an atoll and area of the United States in the North Pacific) is 11 hours behind Greenwich (UTC -11). Thus, it is the last to pass to the following day. In our example, when one is travelling westward from Midway to Auckland it is therefore necessary to advance the date by a day. And when one is travelling eastward from Auckland to Midway the date must move back by a day. The International Date Line, which is situated between the Auckland and Midway time zones (and has not been the subject of any international treaty) zigzags around the 180meridian in the middle of the Pacific Ocean at the will of the different islands choices of time zone.

But this system is nevertheless particular in one respect. During the time segment from 11 a.m. to noon in London, it is between midnight and 1 a.m. in Midway and between 11 p.m. and midnight in Auckland (unless daylight saving is in force). The entire planet is therefore on the same date for one hour. Thanks to its patented differential system, the new World Time Reference 5330G-001 respects this case by keeping the date stationary even when another time zone is selected using the push-piece at 10 oclock. Without this differential system, in the time segment where the date is identical in all the time zones, that is, at midnight, when its owner crossed the International Date Line located between Auckland and Midway the watch would send two contradictory signals to the same star-wheel, one to advance the date by a day, the other to subtract a day  which would block the movement.
A top adult film star alleges she was forced to participate in an onscreen orgy against her will and then became the victim of a vicious smear campaign after a fellow performer overdosed on prescription drugs and nearly died while on set.

Now, Melissa Hutchison, who is known to her fans as Phoenix Marie, claims to be out multiple millions and a deal with the Fleshlight brand of sex toys, according to a $30 million federal lawsuit obtained by The Daily Beast.

The situation has led to anxiety, panic attacks, sleepless nights, and sexual dysfunction, Hutchison maintains.

George Robinson, Hutchisons attorney, initially filed the lawsuit in February in Clark County, Nevada district court, after which it was removed to federal court at the request of the defendants over jurisdictional issues. Robinson told The Daily Beast he will soon be refiling an amended complaint, which will increase Hutchisons demand to $80 million.

It is a very intriguing case, Robinson said.

In a joint statement, Robinson and co-counsel Sterling Kerr said, Everyone deserves the right to a workplace that is safe, secure, and free from physical and sexual assaulteven porn stars.

The production company and industry executives who allegedly wronged Hutchison had a chance to stand behind their public commitments to safe working environments, and instead they used the unregulated power of their Big Porn monopoly to launch a coverup and retaliatory smear campaign against her, they said, adding, Were looking forward to holding them accountable, not only to find justice for Melissa, but also to put an end to their heyday of destroying peoples lives on a whim so they can line their executives pockets through the abuse, mistreatment, and exploitation of performers.

Hutchison was at the Exxxotica conference in Chicago and unable to comment in time for publication, Robinsons office said.

It all started with an anal sex scene, according to Hutchisons complaint.

Last October, the Las Vegas-based Hutchison traveled to Barcelona for a shoot with, among others, actor/producer/director and self-described British stud Danny D, physical therapist-turned-porn star Cherie DeVille, and a young female with the screen name Zaawaadi, the complaint states.

The 42-year-old, known for playing MILF roles, has been one of the most prolific and popular stars in the industry for the past 18 years, according to the complaint.

Hutchison, who said she was once set ablaze on a porn set, also has training as an emergency medical technician, has held a day job as a medical assistant for the better part of a decade, and is known to be meticulous about safety while filming, the complaint contends, noting she is very concerned and passionate about female sexual health.

As a veteran of the adult film industry, she tries to educate and assist the younger actresses about sexual health issues whenever she can, it explains.

The production at the center of Hutchisons lawsuit took place at a luxe Spanish home where the cast and crew were also staying for the duration, according to the complaint. It says that Hutchison, given her two decades of experience, took it upon herself to counsel Zaawaadi before her first-ever anal sex scene.

Zaawaadi had informed Hutchison that she had taken three Imodium tablets, an anti-diarrheal, to avoid any unpleasant accidents during the scene, the complaint states. It says Hutchison told Zaawaadi that three Imodium exceeded the recommended dose, and could cause dehydration and other complications, so she gave Zaawaadi two natural probiotic pills and two tablets of Senokot, a natural laxative, to help counter any potential ill-effects.

These over-the-counter remedies were to be taken immediately after the scene to prevent issues associated with anal sex scenes like tearing, yeast infections, and bowel obstructions, the complaint states.

During a bit of downtime at the residence, Danny Ds girlfriend, Liss Lacao, who was also the shoots makeup artist/production manager/talent liaison, told Hutchison that she had been dealing with depression, according to the complaint. It says her relationship with Danny D, who was not only acting in the film but directing it, as well, was sometimes difficult for her to deal with because he was having sexual intercourse with numerous other partners as an adult actor and casually with no formal commitment to her.

Liss was taking lithium because of this depression, the complaint goes on. Liss made [it] known to Hutchison that she has lithium that she had purchased to self-medicate for her depression related to Danny D. On the final day of shooting, Hutchison was performing in an orgy scene by the pool with Danny D and the remaining female actresses.

Danny D. was at the Barcelona shoot with his partner, Liss, who was also the makeup artist, production manager, and talent assistant.

Reached by phone in London, Lacao told The Daily Beast she was not willing to discuss Hutchisons allegations, given the active litigation.

At the moment, Im not going to comment on anything, just, obviously, because of the situation, she said.

Danny D, whose full name is Danny Martin, would say exactly the same, Lacao said, declining comment on his behalf. (He did not reply to interview requests sent through his website.)

In the middle of the orgy scene, the complaint says Liss burst out of the house screaming, Emergency, emergency! She cant breathe! Hutchison, being a trained EMT, immediately stopped what she was doing and ran inside to help, according to the complaint. There, she saw Zaawaadi lying on the couch, shaking violently and screaming that she couldnt breathe. Hutchison grabbed Zaawaadis face and told her that if she could speak, she was breathing, the complaint states, adding that Hutchison yelled for someone to call an ambulance right away and started emergency care.

Hutchison tried to keep Zaawaadi calm and regulate her breathing while she evaluated her, called Zaawaadis sister for her medical history, and got her some fluids once her sister was on the phone, the complaint says. Hutchison asked [Zaawaadi] if she had taken any drugs or medicines lately, and she said, Only the 4 pills you gave me. Hutchison knew that the pills that she had given Zaawaadi would not have caused this reaction. The girl continued to shake and have difficulty breathing as a person would during a seizure or neurological episode.

However, according to Hutchison, Danny Dwho sells his used underwear and socks online for hundreds of dollars a pop, along with lifelike dildos modeled on his own genitaliawas reluctant to involve the authorities, and waited more than an hour to summon help. Once it became clear that Zaawaadis life was in danger, the complaint says, Danny D finally made the call, and an ambulance arrived to take Zaawaadi to the hospital.

Zaawaadi wanted Hutchison to ride there with her, according to the complaint, but Danny D forbade her to leave the set, it says.

Hutchison was very upset and declined to continue the scene as Zaawaadi had a serious life-threatening medical event, and no one had any way of knowing if the girl was going to live or die, the complaint states. Hutchison was severely shaken that this had happened and pleaded with Danny D. to shoot the scene at another time. Danny D. insisted that they finish the scene, so Hutchison continued filming the orgy scene against her will.

When the scene was over, Hutchison says she was very distraught about what had occurred, and wanted to go to the hospital to check up on Zaawaadi. But Danny D forbade her from leaving, according to the complaint.

Danny D and his attorneys did not respond to The Daily Beasts requests for comment.

The next morning, the complaint alleges Danny D lied to Hutchison, falsely telling her that the police had come to the house late the night before and forced him to go to the hospital. He said that Zaawaadi had overdosed on lithium, and that doctors had put her in a medically induced coma. Danny D then showed Hutchison a video of Zaawaadi thrashing around and convulsing in her hospital bed, the complaint states.

Danny D interrogated Hutchison about lithium, even though Hutchison knew it was Liss who had the lithium in the house, the complaint continues. He then made her show him the probiotics and laxatives she had on hand, and took pictures of it all, but found no lithium in her possession, according to the complaint.

With Zaawaadi in a critical medical state, Danny D was protecting Liss from an investigation for Zaawaadis death by lithium poisoning, according to the complaint. Danny D knew that Hutchison was the perfect scapegoat for the poisoning, so he concocted a story about the poisoning. Zaawaadi falsely stated during the medical event that she had only taken the pills that she had given her.

Danny D was aware that Hutchisons 18-year-old daughter died of cancer a few years ago, and devised a phony tale that it must have been Hutchison that had the lithium because of her depression from the death of her daughter, the complaint states.

Ironically, Hutchison had helped Danny D treat his own depression and suicidal ideations, which he has talked about publicly, it says.

A day later, as Zaawaadiwho did not respond to a request for commentremained hospitalized, the entire cast and crew were scheduled to fly to Berlin for a porn industry convention, according to the complaint. It claims the others abandoned Hutchison at the airport, and left her to travel by herself. That evening, at her hotel in Berlin, Hutchison became aware that false accusations were already spreading about what had happened to Zaawaadi in Barcelona.

She was summoned to a room on the second floor of the hotel, where the complaint says a group of production executives said awful, hurtful things to her, such as, We feel like you havent properly coped with the death of your daughter, and that the man she was dating was a piece of shit and that she should leave him. The execs accused Hutchison of drinking and using drugs, claiming she was slurring her speech, and blamed her for Zaawaadis condition.

They told her to leave Berlin and go back to the U.S., and rejected Hutchisons plea for everyone who was in Barcelona to be blood-tested for lithium so she could prove it wasnt her, according to the complaint. It became clear that Hutchison was being unfairly condemned for what had happened to Zaawaadi, the complaint states.

Hutchison was completely shocked and devastated as she had done her best to save Zaawaadis life, it says. While everyone else sat around and watched and didnt even call for emergency help when asked, [Hutchison] was [now] being blamed for what had happened.

Further, according to a spokesperson for Hutchisons attorneys, company policy requires a second safety camera to be continuously recording at all times, even after a scene wraps. This would have proven Hutchisons version of events was accurate, according to the spokesperson.

The production execs offered Hutchison a $60,000 payment to sign an NDA, which she refused to do, the spokesperson said.

Rumors began to circulate throughout the industry, as Danny D and the production execs went into damage-control mode, according to the suit. It says one very well-known adult actress told Hutchison she heard that Spain was a shit show, and that Hutchison was to blame.

A male performer told Hutchison that a mutual friend warned him to distance himself from working with Phoenix Marie in the future as theres something shady going on around her, the filing states.

And in late November 2023, two well-known adult actresses both unfollowed Hutchison on social media at the same time under circumstances that indicate they were told lies about Hutchison, according to the complaint. Another untagged Hutchison from all of the podcasts they had done together, it says, alleging that popular sites like Pornhub that carried Hutchisons videos subsequently tweaked their algorithms to bury her work.

They also warned other performers not to associate with Hutchison, which the complaint says has affected her life to the point that she cant find a makeup artist willing to work with her, her lawyers spokesperson told The Daily Beast.

In January 2024, Hutchison attended the XBIZ Show in Los Angeles, one of the porn industrys top conferences, according to the complaint.

At the confab, a male porn actor told Hutchison that he had heard rumblings about the drama now surrounding her, but that he was on her side.

Another, who is described in the complaint as one of the biggest stars in the industry, told Hutchison that he heard things were going on, and hoped she was okay.

In a series of text messages, the wife of a third male performer told Hutchison that the situation was very messed up, and all demented, but that the production executives behind the smear campaign were coming from a good place, not a bad one.

It was all too much for Hutchison to bear, the complaint states. Hutchison says her industry colleagues at XBIZ watched her break down in the middle of the show and cry for over an hour, and she couldnt finish her autograph signing.

On the bright side, Zaawaadi recovered after being in a coma for five days, and is now healthy and performing again, according to the complaint.

Unfortunately, it says, Hutchisons career did not recover after saving Zaawaadis life.

Hutchisons career and brand has been ruined, and she has been defamed by the same executives that she always thought were like her family and friends and close colleagues, the complaint contends.

She blames Danny D, Ethical Capital Partners, a Canadian venture capital firm which owns Aylothe company that operates Pornhub, and a producer of the film Hutchison was shooting in Barcelona when Zaawaadi ODedand three Aylo execs, for her troubles.

She has already lost more than $100,000.00 per month in revenue because of Defendants tortious interference with the promotion of her videos and sites, according to the complaint. Aylo is responsible for Ms. Hutchisons severe emotional distress caused by being subjected to forced sex acts to finish the orgy video after a girl that she knew almost died in her arms, being interrogated, assaulted by, and lied to by Danny D. about the incident, and the statements by the executives regarding her emotional state after the death of her daughter.

The malicious and false claims, the complaint alleges, has actively disrupted Hutchisons contractual relationships, i.e. Fleshlight deal and conventions, etc. She is asking for general and special damages of over $10,000,000.00, punitive damages in amounts sufficient to punish Defendants for the tortious conduct in an amount over $20,000,000.00, pre-judgment interest, attorneys fees, and such other and further relief that this Court deems just and proper.

A spokesperson for Ethical Capital Partners told The Daily Beast, Out of respect for the integrity of court proceedings, our policy is not to comment on ongoing litigation. We look forward to the facts being fully and fairly aired in that forum.

Initial statements in the case are due to be submitted by April 23.

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Alan Ritchson, the titular star of Prime Videos Reacher series, has been known to share his political opinions despite how they may conflict with those of the shows conservative fan base. And even though some viewers have threatened to stop watching the popular streamer series in protest of Ritchsons woke comments, hes doubling down on his message of police accountability in a post to Instagram this week.

The digs aimed at Ritchson were related to an interview he did with The Hollywood Reporter this month, in which he addressed the online stir among Reacher fans after an old photo of him wearing an Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor tee shirt resurfaced: Cops get away with murder all the time, and the fact that we cant really hold them accountable for their improprieties is disturbing to me, he said in the interview. We should completely reform the way that we do it. I mean, you shouldnt have to spend more time getting an education as a hairstylist than as a cop whos armed with a deadly weapon.

The National Fraternal Order of Police caught wind of Ritchsons comments and posted a photo of the actor to its Instagram page, calling him a useless Hollywood actor who is virtue signaling for attention at the expense of brave police officers. Ritchson responded to the post on Tuesday, calling it a concerning display of emotional immaturity in his lengthy reply.

This kind of emotionally immature response is the epitome of what concerns me about law enforcement today, he wrote in the post. If this is how leadership handles a peaceful disagreement, what does life look like for those unseen interactions in the street? How does this shape the character of those police officers looking to management?

Do you really want individuals so easily angered and bully[sic] like school children to have a gun and the protection of an untouchable union? he also said.

Ritchson went on to say that he knows there are many good and brave cops but pretending that there arent some bad apples indicates blind allegiance he called dangerous and fertile ground for fascism.

There are rogue or ill-equipped officers who remind us that we need higher barriers to entry and stricter regulations so abuses are relegated to the past, he continued, To only seek praise and ignore this need is extremely unwise and endangers those at risk of being ostracized and marginalized.

Ritchson also took the opportunity to call out Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. To make matters worse, in Florida, voters perpetuate these issues by continuing to support people like Gov. Desantis who just passed a law making it illegal for anyone other than the police to police themselves, he wrote, referring to the governors recent bill that limits police oversight panels in the state.

This lack of transparency would be laughable if not so deadly, he added. Efforts like these take us further from the world I hope to leave for my children, which is one with extreme prudence when deciding who we arm and a glass house for public institutions. Especially ones with the ability to end lives.

In the same Hollywood Reporter interview, Ritchson opened up about his own Christian faith and expressed frustration over how conservatives have seemingly co-opted his religion. Trump is a rapist and a con man, and yet the entire Christian church seems to treat him like hes their poster child and its unreal, he remarked. I dont understand it.

Alan Ritchsons Reacher Is a Gigantic, Unstoppable Force

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SeaWorld, long famous for its shows involving dolphins and killer whales, no longer breeds killer whales. Its trainers have also stopped riding on dolphins. Norbert Eisele-Hein/imageBROKER/dpa

San Diego (tca/dpa)  When SeaWorld San Diego marked its half-century anniversary 10 years ago, it was enmeshed in a public relations quagmire following the release just a year earlier of Blackfish, the searing anti-captivity documentary that threatened to upend the theme parks identity as the home of Shamu the beloved killer whale.

What a difference a decade makes. As the park embarks on a yearlong celebration of its 60 years in business, much has changed, even in the past 10 years.

While the San Diego park has yet to exceed  or even reach  its peak annual attendance milestone of 11 years ago, it ultimately weathered a yearslong Blackfish backlash from both the public and animal rights activists and retained its appeal as a marine theme park while doubling down on thrill rides. In just a five-year span, SeaWorld added four roller coasters, although one  Tidal Twister  was plagued by multiple operational problems and was shuttered for good in 2023, five years after it had opened.

SeaWorld also survived a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic that shut down the park for months and kept it from returning to full capacity for more than a year.

The iconic Shamu show is now gone, although it lives on, sort of, in whats now called Orca Encounter. The park no longer breeds killer whales but still has a healthy population of eight orcas. And its trainers stopped riding astride dolphins four years ago in the shows featuring the acrobatic marine mammals.

Is it an amusement park or a marine park?

As much as SeaWorld continues to showcase its animal population and the rescue work it conducts year-round, the park opened two coaster rides in just the last two years, the most recent being Arctic Rescue, which debuted in 2023.

There was a time not all that long ago when some pundits wondered whether SeaWorld was planning to transition to a more traditional theme park model as it fought back against unceasing news stories about the marine parks treatment of killer whales in the wake of the Blackfish film. The documentary focused on Tilikum, a 12,000-pound killer whale that fatally attacked a SeaWorld Orlando trainer in 2010.

This park was lacking on rides so we started adding rides, said Byron Surrett, chief parks operation officer. We survey our guests and we ask what theyre missing and they told us pretty loud and clear you need more rides when comparing us to other parks in California. We listened to that and responded. So we have had several teen to adult rides as well as some of the kids rides in our Rescue Jr. area.

This year, in a departure from its string of spine-tingling coasters, SeaWorld is debuting in late spring a new exhibit that reinforces the parks roots as a sea life-focused attraction.

Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience, which will be housed in the parks former Clydesdale barn near Journey to Atlantis, will be a first for any of the SeaWorld parks. The new exhibit area will give visitors a close-up look at the tentacled invertebrates in a three-room gallery that will include an 18-foot-tall cylindrical acrylic aquarium. The new exhibit will reinforce SeaWorlds educational mission, which is incorporated into SeaWorlds master plan and requires that at least 75 percent of the parks total attractions include significant educational and/or animal conservation-related elements.

SeaWorld also will be revealing this month its brand-new entrance, which, in addition to featuring a new look, will eventually have self-service kiosks and biometric-equipped turnstiles that will allow pass holders to enter the park via facial recognition. The technology upgrade is expected to come on line later this year

To mark the occasion of its 60th year in business, the San Diego park has a number of things planned, including limited-edition food and beverage items, like the return of the Shamu cookie and a special 60th Anniversary IPA from San Diegos Mike Hess Brewing. Theres also vintage merchandise, such as reusable water bottles, plush animals and backpacks, plus a collectible figurine featuring a boy and a girl looking down at a dolphin, orca and sea lion.

SeaWorld, to a degree, remains a giant aquarium, with its touch pools, marine mammal underwater viewing areas and animal shows that the park now characterizes as educational presentations. And the parks parent company continues to remind the public of its longstanding animal rescue work. In all, the SeaWorld parks have participated in more than 40,000 rescues.

I grew up in the company and went through that whole period (following the release of Blackfish), Surrett said. I never heard within the company  nor did I ever think it would happen  that wed become a rides-only park. Weve had the conservation theme since 1964, and we are still that same company. Thats why our rides are themed after animals, and we try to partner with other industries out there that are either protecting or saving animals.

I cant talk about upcoming attractions, but I will tell you that we continue to have animal habitats in our plans.

With its collection today of 12,000 animals, more than a dozen rides and an off-site water park in Chula Vista, SeaWorld San Diego has come a long way from when it was a kernel of an idea to create a park full of sea life that would rival Marineland in Palos Verdes, which closed nearly 40 years ago. It too was known for its performing killer whales.

George Millay, a former stockbroker and successful restaurateur, was looking for a new challenge and found just that after talking to a customer, Kenny Norris, curator of fish and mammals at Marineland. Why not build a rival park in Mission Bay, Norris suggested.

And so they did. The two men, joined by two of their UCLA fraternity brothers, opened the park on March 21, 1964.

Some of Millays grand ideas have survived to this day  the Skytower ride and a killer whale show. Others, like the pearl diver shows and hydrofoil boat rides, did not.

Eventually, the San Diego park would successfully spawn two more marine parks in the U.S.  in Orlando and San Antonio  which opened in 1973 and 1988, respectively, and are under the umbrella of parent company United Parks and Resorts. More recently, the Orlando-based company opened a SeaWorld park in Abu Dhabi under a license agreement with the Abu Dhabi-based company Miral Asset Management, which is the park owner and operator.

SeaWorld has long been one of San Diegos biggest tourist attractions and an important driver of visitation to San Diego, but in recent years, the relationship between the city and the theme park has frayed. After multiple failed efforts by the city to collect back rent that went unpaid by SeaWorld during the height of the pandemic, the San Diego city attorney filed suit in September of last year, demanding payment of more than $12.2 million in outstanding rent and fees.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for next April.

Even as SeaWorlds ownership ventures into overseas parks and is in the midst of developing plans for its own branded hotels, it is still struggling, as are other theme parks, to build attendance back to pre-pandemic levels. Some analysts are predicting that the industry as a whole may not see a full recovery until possibly 2025. SeaWorld San Diego, though, has a ways to goes before it approaches the peak visitation it reached more than a decade ago.

Surrett says he has faith that SeaWorld can continue to grow its attendance in San Diego but acknowledges the challenges of wooing visitors at a time when people are still cautious about their discretionary spending.

I dont think money is as easy to come by as it was prior to COVID, he said. I see it out there everywhere. As we continue to add compelling rides and products like the jellyfish habitat, people will continue to come back.

The economy has to change at some point and when people have more money in their pockets for discretionary spending, theyll want to come back to theme parks more.
Prince Harry was stupid to boast about his illegal drug use in his memoir Spare, and in interviews to promote the book, royal experts have told The Daily Beast, after the American ambassador in London sharpened the political dimension of the issue by saying Harry would never be deported under a Biden administration.

Ambassador Jane Hartleys comments that deportation action against Harry was not going to happen in the Biden administration have now been submitted in new court papers filed by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative pressure group trying to force the U.S. government to release details of whether or not Harry admitted to drug use when applying to live in the U.S., according to reports in the New York Post, Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph.

After Kates Cancer Diagnosis, William and Harry Should Reconcileand Save the Monarchy

The remarks bring a fresh political dimension to the row over Harrys claims to have used marijuana, cocaine, magic mushrooms and ayahuasca in his memoir, Spare, and in interviews to promote the book. Admission of former or ongoing drug use is usually a bar to smoothly immigrating to the U.S. Donald Trump has strongly hinted that Harry could be deported if he wins the presidency.

Royal writer and YouTuber Lady Colin Campbell, the author of a new book about Harry and Meghan entitled Meghan and Harry, The Real Story: Persecutors or Victims told the Daily Beast: Harry was criticized for being both stupid and arrogant by publicizing his use of illegal drugs in his memoir. But what this intervention by the American ambassador shows us is that the Biden administration were prepared to allow the kings son into the country regardless of what rules he may or may not have broken. So, maybe he knew he would get away with it.

The issue that perhaps Harry hadnt thought about so clearly is what would happen if there were to be a change of government. If Trump wins, Harry may well come to regret these very foolish remarks, made no doubt at the urging of his publisher to sell a few more books. The reality is that no foreigner has an inviolable right to enter another country and you can be made a persona non grata at the drop of a hat.

Prince Harry attends the 2023 WellChild Awards ceremony in London, Britain, September 7, 2023. Toby Melville/Reuters

Indeed, an immigration lawyer recently told The Daily Beast that Harry could be vulnerable to a politically motivated attack on his residential status, saying: Department of State decisions are discretionary and very susceptible to political influence. His visa could be canceled. He could be denied entry upon return to the U.S. from foreign travel for inadmissibility due to prior drug usage, despite an unexpired visa in his passport. There are many scenarios where political influence could impact Harrys ability to re-enter the U.S.

Duncan Larcombe, the former royal editor for the Sun, told The Daily Beast that by writing about his previous use of drugs, Harry had now opened himself up to legitimate questions about when he most recently used them.

In an interview with Gabor Mate to promote the book, Harry spoke about using the psychedelic drug ayahuasca and seemed to suggest he had used it regularly and recently.

He said: It was the cleaning of the windshield, removal of lifes filters. It removed it all for me and brought me a sense of relaxation, release, comfort, a lightness that I managed to hold onto for a period of time. For me I started doing it recreationally and then started to realize how good it was for me. I would say it is one of the fundamental parts of my life that changed me and helped me deal with the traumas and the pains of the past.

Larcombe said: Its incredibly stupid to take Class A drugs when you are a prince in the royal family. Its even more stupid to boast about it afterwards. He has opened himself up to a myriad of questions, for example: Does he still do them? Was he high on drugs at Sandhurst? How about when he wore a Nazi uniform to a party? The Biden administration may well be prepared to look the other way, but Trump clearly isnt. And if its good enough for Trump then it is good enough for Trump supporters.

The Heritage Foundation, best known as the publisher of the right wing blogosphere favorite The Daily Signal, has argued that Harry either lied on his paperwork or told the truth and received special treatment.

Their lawyers say that the ambassadors extraordinary remarks, made in an interview with Sky News last month, support their case that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should reveal Harrys records under Americas Freedom of Information laws. The DHS says such forms are always a private matter and should not be released. They have, however, exposed themselves to ridicule by arguing that Harry may have invented his stories about drug use in his book and interviews.

Asked about the possibility of the Harry being deported in an interview on Sky News on March 25, Hartley said: Well its not going to happen in the Biden administration.

The Heritage Foundation argues that the Executive Branch has now categorically stated that, regardless of future circumstances, they will decline to deport the Duke of Sussexeven in the most extreme of cases.

Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Centre for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation, told the Telegraph: The US Ambassador to London speaks directly on behalf of the president of the United States. It is extraordinary that she has chosen to comment on an ongoing federal court case.

British celebrity Nigella Lawson was famously denied entry to the U.S. over admissions of drug use in 2013.

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WaterWalkers Foundation will launch its first-ever filmmaking summer camp for high school students in Jackson.

WaterWalkers Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Jackson and is founded in June 2023 by TV and film producer Carmen Jones.

The foundation focuses on providing a creative environment for young high schools students to develop filmmaking skills.

"We definitely want the camp to appeal to Jackson high school students and surrounding areas but we are opening the camp to anyone in high school who may be interested in a filmmaking career," said Jones in an interview with the Clarion Ledger.

The summer camp will consist of 10 students for one week only and will provide the students with tools that are needed to pursue a career in television and film production. The students must also submit a 3-minute short film video with their application for consideration.

"During my career Ive been passionate about reaching out to youth who, perhaps like I, were told that film and art were nice hobbies but would never amount to an actual job," Jones said in an interview. "So my hope for the summer film camp is to pour into these students so that they can tangibly take away skill sets to replicate on their own and produce films on their own throughout the year as well as create their own film community within the camp. We also help them create portfolios to help get into film schools across the country."

Carmen Jones, WaterWalkers Foundation Founder.

The students who are accepted will have the opportunity to learn from experienced industry professionals who will serve as mentors and will be guiding the students throughout the filmmaking process, Jones said.

"The foundations vision is to foster a passion for storytelling and nurture future filmmakers who will bring positive change to their communities, the state of Mississippi, and the world, said Jones in a press release. "The summer 2024 filmmaking summer camp will provide a creative and collaborative environment where young minds can learn the art of filmmaking, develop essential skills and explore their own unique voices. "

Jones currently serves as director of production at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has produced on hit shows including "Sistas," "Zatima" and more.

Carmen Jones, WaterWalkers Foundation Founder.

Summer film camp begins:

Sunday, July 7, through Saturday, July 13.

The deadline to receive applications is Wednesday, May 1.

The location of where the camp will take place in Jackson has not been confirmed yet but students can apply to camp at www.WaterWalkersfoundation.org or email info@waterwalkersfoundation.org

A link to the application process can be found here:

https://script.google.com/macros/s/AKfycbzPfSdWV_Vdaz8eu9NtRbgGgvUZT23qgS4gqGhVLZ1e2PqhsDc/exec?action=sign&formId=1lhhTpLjvfZ_jQrZ2ohN7PJt409xgGaZre-rAzujC2UY&editorUUID=f5d74f8a-62e7-4369-84e1-8ebd446b6533.

More: Record Store Day is coming up. Check out these record stores' deals for that day. See when

More: See which Mississippi towns made Southern Living's 15 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in South

-Know an event coming up or have a good story idea? Reporter Kiara Fleming can be reached via email KDFleming@jackson.gannett.com and Follow on X @Ki_dajournalist

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Tyler Perry production director announces summer camp in Jackson MS
The voicemails and emails last year came from his supporters, praising his work and asking if he could connect them with Donald Trump.

Not a weird ask for Mike Lindell, the pillow salesman who now makes a name for himself by questioning election results.

But the callers and writers had the wrong Mike Lindell: they were reaching out to a semi-retired 77-year-old professor living in Seattle who most definitely didnt know how to reach the former president.

Related: Trump and Mike Johnson push for redundant ban on non-citizens voting

The professors recent spate of mistaken identity gives a glimpse at what its like to share the same name as someone famous  or, in this instance, infamous. Its the lower-profile version of booking the Four Seasons Total Landscaping when you meant to book the Four Seasons.

The professor is deliberate with his words, speaking slowly, after taking time to think. The pillow salesman is perhaps the opposite, going a mile a minute with an over-the-top showmanship common to Trump and those within his realm.

Lindell the professor first felt a bit embarrassed when a man with his same name burst on to the national scene. For years, the professors name popped up first on Google, having spent his professional career researching and teaching on emergency preparedness. Now, he falls below the other Mike Lindell. (This reporter found his listing by accident recently, while looking up what the pillow guy was doing on hand counts.)

Theres a feeling, he said, of the name being contaminated, though hes never suffered any personal consequences  beyond the instances of mistaken identity  since hes long been established in his career.

Its sort of like the idea of picking up a slug, that kind of sense of revulsion was my immediate reaction, the professor said.

Why some people think theyre reaching the pillow-slinger at a university email address escapes the professor, but his public contact information must be posted somewhere Lindell fans hang out.

His political and personal views are so different from mine, I guess is the kindest way I could say it, the elder Lindell said. Its sort of like an optical illusion that we even live on the same planet.

He feels some compassion for the guy who shares his name, who he thinks has lost his way, simply because its sad to see another human being engage in that kind of self-destructive behavior. He feels a modicum of it for Trump at times, too, although its only for nanoseconds.

Mike Lindell screens his calls  too much spam, aside from the name issue  so hes never directly engaged with a caller trying to find the other guy. He deletes the emails hes gotten seeking the election activist. Its a low-level nuisance at most and only occasionally.

When he goes to a conference or checks into a hotel, theres sometimes a raised eyebrow or a joke from someone who saw the name and is now seeing the man, but not the one they see on TV.

Lindell turns it into a joke, too: He sells pillows and I put students to sleep, so were sort of in the same line of business.

 The headline to this article was amended on 16 April 2024 to remove a reference to Oregon.
Young Sheldon's Cast Says Filming Series Finale Is 'Bittersweet': 'It Very Much Comes Full Circle' (Exclusive)

With shooting on the series finale wrapping up this week, the cast is already feeling nostalgic.

Robert Voets/CBS Iain Armitage, Annie Potts, Craig T. Nelson, Raegan Revord, Lance Barber, Emily Osment, Montana Jordan, Zoe Perry in 'Young Sheldon.'

Young Sheldon is coming to an end after seven seasons, and with shooting on the series finale wrapping up this week, the cast is already feeling nostalgic.

In exclusive interviews with PEOPLE at PaleyFest 2024 on April 14, the cast reflected on the years they spent together filming the beloved CBS comedy.

It's been very bittersweet. It's not an easy thing to know that something that's been so wonderful for us is coming to an end, Zoe Perry admitted. But I think I can speak for everyone that we're all just really grateful that we've gotten to tell this story, tell it for as long as we have, get to experience the audience reactions and how wonderful they've been. I think we're just so appreciative. Truly.

Montana Jordan described the cast as a true-blue family, even when the cameras werent rolling as they did activities together outside of work. Raegan Revord, in particular, bugged him all the time via text to do stuff.

Related: Everything to Know About Young Sheldon Season 7

Amanda Edwards/FilmMagic Emily Osment, Montana Jordan, Raegan Revord, Zoe Perry, Annie Potts, Iain Armitage and Lance Barber the PaleyFest LA 2024 screening and panel of 'Young Sheldon' in Hollywood, California on April 14, 2024.

But no, I enjoy it, man. I really enjoy it. I got two older sisters in real life, and on the show I got a little brother and a little sister, so I got the best of both worlds, Jordan, 21, explained, adding, We've been a family ever since the first day we met  and we're still a family. Just because the show's ending don't mean we're not going to continue being a family. That's what kind of bond we got.

While the cast was understandably tight-lipped about what viewers can expect when Young Sheldons series finale airs May 16, star Iain Armitage teased that fans of Young Sheldon  and The Big Bang Theory  will be pleased with how the show ties things up.

It very much comes full circle, and I think we are trying to do our best to satisfy both fans of our show and Big Bang, and it's been so much fun to film, Armitage, 15, said.

Perry, 40, hinted there would be fun little nods to previous episodes or Easter eggs loyal viewers will notice throughout the episode.

Related: Young Sheldons George and Mandy Finally Tie the Knot  See the First Look of Their Wedding! (Exclusive)

Robert Voets/CBS Annie Potts, Craig T. Nelson, Zoe Perry, Raegan Revord, Lance Barber, Emily Osment, Will Sasso and Rachel Bay Jones in 'Young Sheldon.'

I think what you could always expect from the show is obviously the levity, the humor, but also a lot of heart, she hinted. So I think people will be really moved by the ending of this. It's a big chapter closed.

Once shooting wraps, Young Sheldons cast and crew will celebrate the work with a wrap party, according to Emily Osment. Several of the actors also plan on taking home small mementos from the set as reminders of their time on the show.

Revord, 16, plans on taking a tapestry behind her character Missy Coopers bed. Shed also love to take home some of the miniature spoons, which she collects.

We went to London and I found one at a flea mark and I was like, The obsession has started, and Zoe  has a holder of miniature spoons," she continued. "That's also mine. I'm running with it. I love them.

Related: The Best Shows on Netflix to Stream Now

Robert Voets/CBS Will Sasso, Rachel Bay Jones, Emily Osment, Montana Jordan, Ed Begley Jr., Zoe Perry, Lance Barber and Craig T. Nelson on Young Sheldon.

Lance Barber, meanwhile, has his eye on an acrylic photo cube in George (Barber) and Marys (Perry) bedroom. Back in when I was a kid, these were popular, he said, adding, I'd love to take that home with me as a memorabilia for my time with Young Sheldon.

Annie Potts souvenirs, meanwhile, aren't material objects, but they're no less poignant.

"It's just incredible that I was walking around the set the other day thinking, oh, that, and then I thought, no, it's the memories. It's not an object, Potts, 71, admitted. It's the feelings that are treasures."

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For those who travel frequently, seeking new regions and novel experiences is part of the thrill. The problem is that getting to these locations often involves complex and time-consuming travel routes, making these kinds of trips inconvenient for most people. However, new airports are popping up in some of the worlds most sought-after spots, so getting there wont be an issue anymore. These airports will transform travel to some of the most coveted places, making dreams come true for many.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Photo Credit: Greta Soave

The Amalfi Coast, famous for its coastline, which is all over Instagram, has long been a favorite among vacationers. However, getting to this gorgeous place has historically required a long voyage. To arrive here, the trip generally goes via Naples. Come 2026, the journey to the Amalfi Coast will become much simpler with the opening of its own commercial airport.

Tulum, Mexico

Photo Credit: Amar Preciado

If theres a beach town everyone seems to love or dream of in Mexico, then its Tulum. The city, known for its beaches, forests, and historical attractions, was formerly only accessible via a long drive from Cancun. With the inauguration of the Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, things have changed. The airport opened for domestic flights in December 2023 and will start welcoming international flights on March 28, 2024. Reaching Tulum has now become much more convenient.

Dominica

Photo Credit: iSAW Company

Dominica, the Nature Island of the Caribbean, makes you feel like you walked into a paradise. The island, known for its unspoiled beauty and Creole culture, was accessible only through a regional airport with just three gates. Now, a new international airport is under construction. Slated to be completed by 2026, this airport will make travel to Dominica much more straightforward.

Perus Sacred Valley

Photo Credit: Karson

Perus Sacred Valley, home to the famous archaeological site of Machu Picchu, is set to become more accessible to international travelers. A new airport, Chinchero Airport, is currently under construction right in the Sacred Valley. When it opens in 2026, it will serve as a direct gateway to Machu Picchu. The airport will be able to accommodate nonstop flights from North America and major cities throughout South America.

Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan

Photo Credit: Prateek Katyal

Bhutan, the Himalayan Buddhist country, will gain a second international airport as part of an ambitious initiative to build a new contemporary city called Gelephu Mindfulness City. This new metropolis will include a university, cultural and spiritual centers, and healthcare services. Located near the current town of Gelephu, its new airport will provide an essential option for travelers looking to visit Bhutans southern and western regions.

Western Sydney, Australia

Photo Credit: Belle Co

Sydney, Australia, is known for its iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and its proximity to natural wonders like the Blue Mountains National Park. Travelers to Sydney used to land in the citys eastern part, which is quite far from these inland attractions. The Western Sydney Airport, set to start operations in 2026, will provide an ideal gateway for those wanting to explore these attractions.
Eliza Milio at Front Porch Farm in Healdsburg, Calif., on April 25, 2020. Credit - Courtesy Eliza Milio

In 2023, Scott Chang-Fleemana young farmer like meput down his shovel. A post on his Instagram read, Shao Shan Farm, in its current form, is going on indefinite hiatus. From the outside, the burgeoning farm had the makeup of one that could stand the test of time. In reality, his experience of farm ownership was wrought with challenges.

A farmer in his late 20s, Chang-Fleeman started Shao Shan Farm in 2019 to reconnect with his roots and provide a source of locally grown heritage Asian vegetables to the Bay Area. He quickly secured a clientele and fan basetwo of the greatest hurdles of starting a farmand became the go-to for San Franciscos high-end Asian eateries.

But after four years of creative pivots to withstand unexpected hurdles that included financial stress, severe drought, and a global pandemic, Chang-Fleeman made a choice that many young farmers are considering: to leave farming behind. Why he left and what could have kept him on the land are critical questions we must address if we are to have a sustainable and food-secure future.

The USDA Census of Agriculture reported that in 2017, nearly 1 in 4 of the 3.4 million agricultural producers in the US were new and beginning farmers. Many of these new farmers are doing exactly what it seems American agriculture needs: starting small farms. According to the most recent data from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) in 2019, farms with annual sales of less than $100,000 accounted for about 85% of all U.S. farms. And though not all of these small-scale farms are necessarily organic, small farms are more likely to grow a diversity of crop types, use methods that reduce negative impacts on the climate, increase carbon sequestration, and tend to be more resilient in the face of climate change.

Read More: How Extreme Weather Is Affecting Small Farmers Across the U.S.

There has been a growing interest among younger people in recent years in sustainable and organic farming practices, as well as in local food systems. This interest has led people in their 20s and 30s to enter into small-scale farming, particularly in niche markets such as organic produce, specialty crops, and direct-to-consumer sales.

As a result, both congressional Democrats and Republicans have maintained that encouraging young people to farm is of utmost importance in ensuring the stability of our food system. But getting young people into farming may not be the problem. Keeping them on the farm may be the hardest part.

I should know. I quit too.

Scott Chang-Fleeman, owner and farmer of Shao Shan Farm, grows Asian vegetables in Bolinas, Calif. on May 2, 2019. Celeste Noche

Chang-Fleeman got his start in agriculture right out of college, where he spent several years working at the on-campus farm. As a third-generation Chinese American, he noticed a distinct lack of Asian vegetables at local farmers markets, particularly those that were grown organically, and suspected there would be a demand should a supply exist. He started trialing some varieties, and his suspicions were quickly affirmed when samples of his choy sum caught the attention of chef Brandon Jew of Mister Jius, a contemporary Chinese eatery with a Michelin star in the heart of San Franciscos Chinatown. Jew provided some seed funds for what was to become Shao Shan Farm in 2019.

During the first year running his farm, Chang-Fleeman focused his sales on his relationships with local restaurants, while attending some farmers' markets sales to supplement income. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, he lost all of his restaurant accounts overnight.

Like many farmers at that time, he pivoted to a CSA model, offering farm boxes that provide a household with an assortment of vegetables for the week.

So literally over a night, I reworked my crop plan he told me. Just to get through that year, or through that season, not knowing how long [the pandemic was going to] last.

As if a global pandemic wasnt enough, in 2021, California entered a drought, and he lost the ability to irrigate his crops come mid-summer, which meant a hard stop for production.

I was hoping to hit some sort of a rhythm, and every year felt a bit like starting from scratch, Chang-Fleeman reflected.

Throughout farm ownership, he worked side jobs to compensate for the slow build of business income and the fact that he could only afford to pay himself a monthly salary of $2,000. He regularly worked 90 hours a week. At the same time, farm expenses were on the rise.

The cost of our packaging went up like three times in one year and the cost of the produce didn't change, he explained. Our operating expenses went up like 30%, after COVID.

In four short years, Chang-Fleeman experienced an avalanche of extenuating circumstances that would bring most farm businesses to their knees. But the thing that finally catalyzed the closing of his business was burnout. He relayed the experience of the exhaustion and stress building over time until he reached a breaking point. If I dont stop now, its going to kill me, he recalled thinking.

Chang-Fleemans burnout reminded me of my own story. In the fall of 2018, I took what ended up being a two-month medical leave from an organic farm I managed in Northern California in order to try to try to resolve a set of weird symptoms that included dizzy spells and heart palpitations. If you know anything about farming, fall is not the time to be absent. Its peak harvest time and the culmination of all of your work is underway. But as my medical anomaly continued to worsen, I came no closer to getting back to work. After many doctor visits, several trips to the specialist, a flurry of blood tests, and a week of heart monitoring, it took one Xanax to solve the mystery.

Read More: Theyre Trying to Wipe Us Off the Map. Small American Farmers Are Nearing Extinction

The prolonged physical stress that I had been harboring at work had triggered the onset of panic disorder, a nervous system affliction that had led me into a near-chronic state of fight or flight mode, causing a swath of physical symptoms not typically associated with anxiety.

For me, this was a wake-up call. I turned to a slew of Western and naturopathic remedies to alleviate my symptoms, but ultimately, removing the stressors of farm management was the thing that allowed me to, mostly, reach a nervous system balance. Even still, six years later, Im constantly navigating the new normal of this diagnosis.

A pilot study conducted by agriculture researcher Josie Rudolphi and her colleagues in 2020 found that of 170 participants, approximately 71% met the criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. By comparison, in the US, an estimated 18% of adults experience an anxiety disorder. Rudolphis work indicates that these disorders maybe three times more prevalent in young farmer and rancher populations.

This rang true as I went from farm to farm trying to figure out what so often goes wrong in a new farm operation. Again and again mental health was a through-line. Collette Walsh, owner of a cut-flower operation in Braddock, PA, put it to me bluntly: "I usually get to a point in late August or early September, where theres a week where I just cry.

How can we build a farming economy that helps young farmers not only stay, but also thrive on the land? The Farm Bill, a federal package of legislation that provides funding for agricultural programs, is one route. As the reboot of the Farm Bill approaches, its a critical time to ask these questions and advocate for policies that support young farmers and the barriers theyre facing in maintaining a long-lasting career in agriculture.

Take for instance, Jac Wypler, Farmer Mental Health Director at the National Young Farmer Coalition (Young Farmers), who oversees the Northeast regions Farmer and Rancher Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). The organization was established by the Farm Bill in 2018 to develop a service provider network for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers that was dedicated to mental well-being. Through the network of service providers she directs, called Cultivemos, Wypler and her colleagues utilize a multi-tiered approach to address mental health in farming spaces. Cultivemos partners provide direct support in moments of stress and crisis as well as peer-to-peer support spaces.

An expanded (and subsidized) program that scales efforts like Cultivemos to a size commensurate with the young work force is clearly needed. But its only part of the picture.

While we believe that it is important to make sure that farms, farmers, and farmworkers are getting direct support around their mental health, Wypler explained. We need to alleviate what is causing them stress.

Cultivemos works to address the structural root causes of stress which can include climate change, land prices, and systemic racism, to name a few. They focus on communities that are disproportionately harmed by these structural root causes, specifically Black, Indigenous, and other farmers of color. Finally, they seek to make this impact by regranting funding directly into the hands of these farmers.

The way I think of regranting is that the USDA and these large institutions are the Mississippi River of funding. Wypler says. Were trying to get the funding into these smaller rivers and tributaries to disperse these funds and shift that power dynamic and leadership dynamic.

The next Farm Bill cycle will be critical in ensuring this work is continued. In November of 2023, lawmakers signed a stopgap funding bill that allows for a one-year extension on the 2018 Farm Bill. Lawmakers are currently in deliberations over the bill until September when it will be up for a vote. Young Farmers underscores the importance of the appropriations process, which is when program areas that are authorized in the farm bill are allocated funding.

Eliza Milio at Front Porch Farm in Healdsburg, Calif., on April 25, 2020. Courtesy Eliza Milio

Back-to-the-landism has waxed and waned throughout the last hundred years, booming in the pre-Depression years of the 1930s, dying in the war years and then storming back in the 60s and 70s. When my generations own farming revolution came along in the early 2000s, I was similarly swept up. I imagined when I chose to farm that the path would be lifelong. What I hadnt accounted for, as a determined, starry-eyed changemaker, was the toll that a decade of farming through wildfires, evacuations, floods, power outages, and a global pandemic would take on my mental health.

Dont get me wrong: I was happy working hard with my two feet planted firmly on the land. In a better world I and people like Scott Chang-Fleeman would have kept getting our hands dirty, making an honest, if modest, living providing good and wholesome food in synch with the rhythms of the planet.

But to borrow a word from the world of ecology, being a young farmer in todays economy is unsustainable. The numbers dont work economically and, eventually, any mind trying to square this un-squarable circle is going to break. The economic, physical and mental challenges are all interconnected.

Its hard to find an American, Republican or Democrat, red or blue state resident that doesnt want more young hands on the land. We all rightly see agriculture as a pathway to personal fulfillment and a way to make our food supply healthier and more secure. But words and intentions can only do so much. We must answer these very real problems with very real subsidy.

If we dont, my generation might be the last to think of going back-to-the-land as something actually worth doing.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional society and author of "Reset: A Leaders Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.

Have a question? Submit it here.

Question: Im currently searching for a job. One of my friends favors a volume approach in his job search, where he applies for as many jobs as possible. However, hes sometimes overwhelmed with follow-ups and regularly ghosts employers who are a lower priority for him. Are there drawbacks to focusing on quantity and ghosting so many employers?  Stan

Answer: There certainly are drawbacks to focusing on quantity and ghosting employers. Applying for jobs you consider a low priority not only wastes your time but the employers time as well. If an employer reaches out for an interview and youre no longer interested, its professional courtesy to either send a quick email or call them back to let them know. It only takes a minute or two to communicate a change of heart. Recruiters appreciate knowing this information to avoid unnecessary follow-ups. Besides, if you change your mind, you have not burned any bridges.

Another drawback is potentially damaging your professional reputation. The world is smaller than we think, and word can spread quickly in some hiring networks, geographic areas and industries. Ghosting a potential employer may negatively impact future job opportunities.

Instead of applying for the most jobs possible, focus on quality over quantity. You can do this by tailoring your resume to each open position. Include specific keywords and skills related to the job posting, and only apply to positions of genuine interest. This approach can help you focus your job search and ensure that your new position is a good match for your skills and career goals.

When hunting for a job, youre likely doing so with a sense of urgency, and every moment matters. The same is true for employers who are seeking candidates. Theyre looking to fill the positions with the same sense of urgency. You both are trying to reduce the clutter and the dead ends to find your best path to success. In the course of job seeking and recruiting, we expect to encounter a lot of dead ends. Having a plan for dealing with them is just part of the process. Its essential to let people know youre choosing a different direction and thank them for their time, so both they and you can move forward. Even if your strategy is to apply to as many positions as possible, you can craft one standard message for positions that youre no longer pursuing to copy and paste into a quick email.

Above all, stay professional in every interaction. Maintaining positive and fruitful relationships with employers can help build your reputation and lead to other job opportunities in the future.

Salaried, nonexempt? What does that mean? Ask HR

Im a manager at a medical testing lab. Several people who previously worked for us have recently contacted us to inquire about employment. Should we be concerned about hiring people who have chosen to leave in the past?  Dawn

We call them boomerangs, former employees who return to a previous employer or position. Its a compliment to your lab that former employees want to return! Of course, its vital to consider the circumstances that caused an employee to leave before rehiring them.

If you use exit interviews, review those to see why an employee indicated they were leaving. Perhaps they wanted to advance their career, return to school, or explore alternate career paths. Review their personnel file. How did they perform the first time they worked for the company? Speak to their former manager to understand their work ethic and how they align with company values.

Try to keep an open mind to employees who leave and decide to return. Conversely, you may not find it worthwhile to rehire employees who were terminated for cause. But unless your company has a relevant policy, you could consider the facts surrounding involuntary terminations before making any decisions.

There are many reasons why your lab may want to consider rehiring employees who left on good terms. Boomerang employees can be a great source of talent, particularly in a tight labor market. Some of the reasons why include:

 Faster ramp-up time: Unless things have changed significantly since they left, rehires may take less time to get up to speed and become productive. Rehires need time to assimilate, and you should still provide refresher instructions even if little has changed or only a short time has passed since they left. Make rehires feel welcome during onboarding, as you do with new hires.

 More engaged: Boomerang employees tend to be more engaged and have higher retention rates than brand-new employees. Theyve already tested whether the grass is greener with another employer or have taken the time to address personal matters. Now, theyre ready to return to your organization, knowing what to expect.

 Diverse ideas: Boomerang employees can bring ideas from their outside experience and provide a perspective that may not have been considered.

I hope you can bring back some talented employees and enhance your business!

Unfair job review? Here's how to respond. Ask HR

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What are the drawbacks of ghosting a potential employer?
The manufacture is reinterpreting its iconic Golden Ellipse wristwatch by endowing it with an exclusive brand-new bracelet whose modern patented construction unites comfort with elegance. Equipped with the caliber 240 ultra-thin self-winding movement, the new Golden Ellipse Reference 5738/1R-001 presents a case and bracelet in rose gold framing an ebony- black sunburst dial on which the slender hour markers and hands, also in rose gold, stand out clearly

With its instantly recognizable shape, between a circle and a rectangle, and its harmonious proportions inspired by the ancient golden section, the Golden Ellipse has made its mark as a style icon in the Patek Philippe collections. Launched in 1968 with a case in yellow gold and a dial in blue gold, it has since appeared in other hues of gold and with dials of different colors. For its 40th anniversary in 2008, the collection introduced a large model (34.5 x 39.5 mm) in platinum, with a blue sunburst dial (5738P-001) followed in 2018 by a large model in rose gold with an ebony-black sunburst dial (5738R- 001).

From the time of its launch and through to the early 1980s the Golden Ellipse collection was proposed, not only on leather straps but on several types of chain bracelet, such as the milanais-style bracelet of Reference 3548 (1968) or the polonais-style bracelet of Reference 3605 (1974). To these must be added a number of link bracelets with particularly distinctive designs. This great creativity expressed in the bracelets added to the aura surrounding this flagship watch of the 1970s, a unique alliance of audacity and balance.

Golden Ellipse Reference 5738/1R-001  Patek Philippe

A reinvented chain bracelet

Patek Philippe is revisiting this great era of horological design by proposing Reference 5738 on an elegant chain-style bracelet in rose gold that follows the contours of the wrist and offers superb comfort while also accentuating the finesse of the case. True to its continuous quest for innovation, the manufacture was intent on reinstating the chain bracelet in the collection, but eliminating the technical drawbacks associated with the previous versions, particularly with respect to adjusting the length. The product of 15 years development, the new bracelet in 18K rose gold, hand-polished throughout, is distinguished by its modern, patented construction, which made it possible to recreate the style of the classic chain bracelets. It comprises 363 parts, including more than 300 links, assembled manually one by one. The new bracelet is introduced as an exclusive feature of this Golden Ellipse Reference 5738/1R-001. Its modern construction allows the length to be adjusted more easily, whether shorter or longer. The clasp (its cover adorned with an engraved motif continuing that of the bracelet) offers the choice of three adjustment notches.

Golden Ellipse Reference 5738/1R-001  Patek Philippe

A pure, timeless dial design

The ebony-black sunburst dial forms a background to baton-style applied hour markers and slender cheveu-style hands, all in rose gold. This timeless, understated aesthetic perfectly reflects the spirit of the Golden Ellipse. A black onyx cabochon set into the crown completes the visual harmony of the design.

The slimmest Patek Philippe watch

Beating inside this model is the self-winding caliber 240, an ultra-thin movement with off-center mini- rotor in 22K gold allowing for a case with an extremely low profile (5.9 mm)  making the Golden Ellipse Reference 5738 the slimmest watch in the Patek Philippe regular collection.

The new Reference 5738/1R-001 joins the regular collection References 5738P-001, 5738R-001 and the Rare Handrafts Reference 5738/51G-001.

Golden Ellipse Reference 5738/1R-001  Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe and the metal bracelets

Ever since the emergence of the first wrist-worn timepieces in the 1910s, Patek Philippe has been renowned for the technical and aesthetic inventiveness of its bracelets. The late 1960s and the decade of the 70s also stands out as a period of great creativity in the metal bracelets proposed. Patek Philippes metal bracelets can be divided into two types, according to the way in which they are constructed.

The links of the chain bracelets are crafted one by one by artisan chainsmiths from a gold wire or a wire in another metal, and then assembled by hand to produce a structure that is remarkably supple. Throughout its history Patek Philippe has continued to showcase the skills of its artisans and certain specialized suppliers, such as Gennari Ponti, subsequently renamed ARSA (Ateliers Reunis SA) before being integrated into Patek Philippe when all the manufactures workshops were united under one roof at Plan-les-Ouates in 1996.

The links, clasps and catches comprising the bracelets known as mechanical are produced on CNC machinery from a bar of metal (gold, platinum or steel) before being assembled by hand and then depending on the bracelet  polished or satin brushed, also by hand. This category includes the polished/satin-brushed bracelet of the Nautilus (launched in 1976 and requiring more than 15 different finishing operations), the Goutte (or droplet) bracelet (1998) and the fully polished bracelet of the ladies Twenty~4 watch (1999).

The new chain-style bracelet developed and crafted by a historic partner of Patek Philippe and introduced as an exclusive feature of the Golden Ellipse Reference 5738/1R-001 unites the best of those two worlds, with parts produced by industrial processes on the latest-generation CNC machines, and then assembled and finished by hand, drawing on all the traditional know-how of the artisan chainsmiths.
The best countries in the world to be a digital nomad

The world is full of countries with great remote working visa options - The Telegraph

Many of us have fantasised about living in our favourite holiday destination, swapping a dull commute for a walk along the beach, or the confines of the office for a poolside villa. Until the pandemic, moving abroad would have required a complicated visa process and, most probably, a change in career. But this is no longer the case.

Post-pandemic, many European countries  and some farther abroad  have introduced digital nomad schemes, allowing would-be emigres a taste of living overseas without having to change occupation.

It is worth noting that while some countries do not officially have digital nomad schemes, other visas may provide a similar stay of residency. In Germany, for example, the Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Selbststandige Tatigkeit allows freelancers to live in the country for up to three years.

Here, we explore some of the most attractive digital nomad visa schemes.

What is a digital nomad visa?

A digital nomad visa is one that allows people to live in a country for a limited amount of time while they work remotely. Digital nomads almost always need to be employed outside of the country they move to and prove a certain amount of funds in order to be eligible, plus pay a (sometimes substantial) application fee.

Almost all require applicants to prove they have the technological means to support remote work  that usually means having a laptop and access to a high-speed internet connection.

Most digital nomad visas span between one and five years, and some allow conversion to a more permanent type of residency after expiration.

For those who work from home, it can be an alluring prospect, with countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece all offering schemes. But it is worth noting that  among all the usual concerns with moving abroad  taxation can be particularly confusing for digital nomads, and all schemes differ.

Experts advise potential applicants to consult a tax expert before taking the plunge. Some states have agreements that mean digital nomads pay tax only in their own country. Others, such as Estonia, require nomads to pay tax in both countries after a certain amount of time.

Regardless of this complication, the visas  and the associated lifestyle  can be extremely attractive.

Which countries have digital nomad visa schemes?

Skip ahead to digital nomad visa requirements in:

Spain

Length

One year, with the option to renew for up to five years

Minimum income

1,840 per month

Application fee

62.55

Cost of living

One-bedroom apartment outside of city centre (monthly): 600

Basic utilities (monthly): 110

Pint of beer: 2.40

Cappuccino: 1.55

Spains digital nomad visa allows non-EU citizens to work remotely in the country for up to five years. Written permission is needed from an employer, though freelancers are accepted, too. Applicants must prove specific expertise in their field, demonstrated via a university degree, professional certificate or three years of work experience.

They must also have been in their current position for at least three months; freelancers can show long-term contracts as evidence of their stability. Up to 20 per cent of an applicants work can come from Spanish clients (but no more).

Applicants applying for a visa in Spain must prove 'specific expertise' in their field - Getty

Applicants must prove that they have a minimum income of 1,840 per month to apply, though a higher salary is needed if they support a partner or children. They must not have lived in Spain for the last five years.

Think Spain could be for you? Read our guides to the country here. If you just fancy a holiday, take a look at our guide to the best hotels in Spain instead.

How to apply: Full application details can be found on Spains government website. Applicants should expect to attend an in-person interview at their nearest embassy.

Italy

Length

One year, with the option to renew

Minimum income

24,000 per year

Application fee

99

Cost of living

One-bedroom apartment outside of city centre (monthly): 490

Basic utilities (monthly): 170

Pint of beer: 4.20

Cappuccino: 1.35

Since April 4, highly skilled workers have been able to move to Italy. Digital nomads are particularly encouraged to move to the remote  and very beautiful  villages in the south of the country, which are struggling with dwindling local populations.

Those hoping to apply must be a citizen of a non-EU state, be employed (or self-employed) in a way that allows them to work remotely, and earn at least three times the minimum level required for exemption from participation in healthcare costs. Thats currently around 28,000, or 24,000. They also cannot have been convicted of a crime within the last five years.

Italy is one of the newest European countries to introduce a remote working visa - Getty

Applicants need to prove they have health insurance valid for the entire length of their stay, plus prove suitable accommodation is booked, too. They also need to show that they have been a digital nomad, or remote worker, elsewhere for at least six months previously.

Keen for more? Our Italy guides include where to stay in the Italian Lakes and the perfect holiday in Tuscany.

How to apply: Applicants need to attend an in-person meeting at a valid diplomatic consular office and submit a declaration signed by their employer. Find out more on Italys Interior Ministry website.

Greece

Length

One year, with the option to renew

Minimum income

3,000 per month

Application fee

64

Cost of living

One-bedroom apartment outside of city centre (monthly): 340

Basic utilities (monthly): 180

Pint of beer: 3.80

Cappuccino: 2.80

Non-EU citizens have been able to apply for digital nomad visas since 2021. Applicants must have proof of health insurance, accommodation details, a clean criminal background and proof that they are able to work remotely.

Digital nomads in Greece must earn at least 3,000 per month - Getty

Those hoping for a breezy Aegean lifestyle should note, however, that a minimum salary of at least 3,500 (3,000) per month is required, unless youre bringing a spouse  in which case the minimum salary rises to 4,200 (3,580). Bring an additional dependant and that number increases to 4,830 (4,120).

Planning a Hellenic odyssey? Whether its for a year or just a fortnight, read our guide to the perfect Greek island-hopping holiday.

How to apply: Applicants must apply, in person, at the nearest Greek embassy. The application form can be downloaded from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Estonia

Length

One year

Minimum income

3,840 per month

Application fee

51

Cost of living

One bedroom apartment outside of city centre (monthly): 375

Basic utilities (monthly): 226

Pint of beer: 4.25

Cappuccino: 2.85

Estonia launched its digital nomad visa early in the pandemic. The scheme has continued, allowing people with certain employment conditions to be based in the country for up to a year. Those conditions include having a contract with a company registered outside of Estonia, conducting business through your own company registered abroad, or working as a freelancer for clients mostly outside of Estonia.

Estonia also has an e-residency scheme, which gives successful applicants a government-issued digital identity, providing access to Estonias transparent business environment. Essentially allowing anyone to run an EU-based business, the scheme allows people to open an Estonian bank account, benefit from low rates of business tax and access start-up support.

How to apply: Applicants must apply, in person, at the nearest Estonian embassy. The application form can be downloaded from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Portugal

Length

One year, with the option to extend to up to five years

Minimum income

2,800 a month

Application fee

64

Cost of living

One-bedroom apartment outside of city centre (monthly): 620

Basic utilities (monthly): 95

Pint of beer: 2.15

Cappuccino: 1.50

Portugal has five types of digital nomad visa. Most will be interested in the Temporary Stay Visa, which allows those with proof of a remote job the opportunity to live in Portugal.

Their remote work must generate at least 3,280 (2,800) a month  or 50 per cent more if entering with a spouse, and 30 per cent more on top of that if also bringing a child. As with most digital nomad visas, applicants need full health insurance, proof of accommodation and a clean criminal record.

Portugal is particularly popular with digital nomads - Getty

The Portuguese digital nomad visa lasts one year, though it can be extended four times to a maximum of five years. There are beneficial tax implications, too: for the first four years, nomads are subject to a 15 per cent tax rate, as opposed to the standard 25 per cent. The only catch? Nomads should be aware of the minimum stay requirement, which means they must spend 183 days within the country at some point during the first two years.

If youre interested in something more permanent, the D2 Visa and the Golden Visa are targeted at those looking to move to the country in the long term. These require a substantial asset transfer into the Portuguese economy.

Those who wish to stay for less than 90 days (and who dont require a Portuguese bank account) are able to use a short-stay tourist visa.

For the perfect trip to the Algarve, or a sight-filled city break to Lisbon, read our Portugal guides here.

How to apply: Applicants must apply, in person, at the nearest Portuguese embassy. More information can be found on the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Indonesia

Length

60 days, with the option to increase to six months

Minimum income

No minimum, but 1,600 in savings

Application fee

160

Cost of living

One-bedroom apartment outside of city centre (monthly): 130

Basic utilities (monthly): 53

Pint of beer: 2

Cappuccino: 1.60

Despite its reputation as a digital nomad hot spot, Indonesias current visa scheme allows people to stay for up to only six months while working remotely. It was first introduced to encourage a more sustainable travel model, encouraging people to stay within the country for longer than the typical backpacking trip.

The B211A Business Visa requires applicants to have a job outside of Indonesia, with a minimum of $2,000 (1,600) in savings. Its possible you will also be asked for proof of a clear criminal record.

How to apply: More details can be found on the Indonesian government website.

United Arab Emirates

Length

One year, with the option to renew

Minimum income

2,400 per month

Application fee

490

Cost of living

One-bedroom apartment outside of city centre (monthly): 940

Basic utilities (monthly): 140

Pint of beer: 8.70

Cappuccino: 4.30

The UAE launched its Remote Work Visa in 2021 for digital nomads hoping to work from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. It lasts up to a year (with the chance to renew indefinitely) and applicants must have a monthly salary of $3,000 or 2,400, plus produce the previous months payslip and three months of bank statements. They must also have been working for their current employer for at least three years prior.

This is slightly different for business owners, who must have an average monthly income of $5,000 (4,010), plus show proof of ownership for at least a year.

Be warned: while digital nomads can leave the country, an absence from the UAE for more than six consecutive months will result in an automatic visa nullification.

Planning a supersized trip to the City of Gold? Read on for our ultimate guide to a weekend in Dubai.

How to apply: Applications are processed online  visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs portal for more information.

Costa Rica

Length

One year, with the option to renew for two

Minimum income

2,400 per month

Application fee

80

Cost of living

One-bedroom apartment outside of city centre (monthly): 375

Basic utilities (monthly): 70

Pint of beer: 2.40

Cappuccino: 2.80

Costa Rica is a highly desirable holiday destination  and those who are truly enamoured can now work from there for two years. To live in the country, the applicant needs to prove a minimum salary of $3,000 (2,400) per month  and this must be steady.

Costa Rica's digital nomad scheme is highly sought after - Getty

A claim of a salary of 4,000 per month cannot be accrued by earning 3,000 one month, then 5,000 the next, meaning that freelancers are advised to form a limited company from which to pay a salary. Digital nomads are exempt from tax on their foreign income while resident.

Applicants are also required to show proof of medical insurance, with a minimum coverage value of $50,000 (40,100).

How to apply: Applications can be made digitally on the Costa Rican government website. The process is finalised once in the country  applicants must register their biometric data at an immigration centre within the first three months of living there.

The Bahamas

Length

One year

Minimum income

No minimum income (but proof of financial self-sufficiency needed)

Application fee

823

Cost of living

One-bedroom apartment outside of city centre (monthly): 885

Basic utilities (monthly): 229

Pint of beer: 3.20

Cappuccino: 4.20

With the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay, or Beats, digital nomads can work from the Atlantic country for up to a year. With no minimum income (just the ability to support oneself financially), the scheme is proving particularly popular. Furthermore, remote workers are not required to pay additional income or capital gains taxes while in the country, meaning the laid-back island nation can be an affordable place to live.

Digital nomads can work from the Bahamas for up to a year - Getty

As with most schemes, applicants are required to have a clean criminal record and provide proof of employment or freelance contracts. They can also be a student enrolled in an overseas university, providing their college allows remote work.

Beach lovers should read our Bahamas-based content before considering the move, or find out more about the greatest islands in the Caribbean.

How to apply: Applications can be made via the Beats website.

Cost-of-living data provided by Numbeo.

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A funky pastel invitation suite, designed by the stationer bride, set the tone for this Joshua Tree wedding.

The Shalom Imaginative

When Becky Pedroza decided she wanted to propose to Erik Revelli, whom shed met in Brooklyn in 2016, she had to work up the courage. She packed a cutesy conversation heart ring that said, "Be Mine" for their 2022 trip to Charleston, South Carolina. "After a couple of almost attempts at proposingone of which was on a sunset cruise where a guy proposed to his girlfriend with an actual diamond ring right as I was mustering up the courage to do itI finally got down on one knee on a quiet beach under a lighthouse," she says. "And he said yes!"

Though the couple is on the East Coast now, Becky grew up in California and had always imagined a California wedding, she says. They toured venues from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree with one primary consideration in mind. "Our vision was to be unconventional and the most 'us' we could be," Becky says. "We wanted to feel like our wedding day was our day, a day we could be 100 percent ourselves with our most favorite people."

When they found Rimrock Ranch in Pioneertown, California, they knew it was the one. "It was the first wedding venue we visited, and something about its quiet serenity and respect for the surrounding desert, balanced with the wild-west feel of nearby Pioneertown, stayed in our minds for each subsequent venue visit," Becky says.

They planned the wedding from across the country, and the bride estimates that about three-quarters of the planning and decor projects were DIY. Shes a graphic designer and stationer for Paper Daisies Stationery and has a natural eye for aesthetics, so everything from the invitation suite to the table numbers to the unique escort board had a cool and cohesive vibe. And she wouldnt change a thingbut she does offer a word of advice to fellow wedding DIYers. "Breathe and take it all in," Becky says. "Dont take on too much DIY. It saves you money and adds a personal touch, but it can feel hectic and panic-inducing when it starts taking much longer than anticipated. On the day of, take some time not wrapped up in the small details; have fun, drink a lot of water, and be engaged with your partner."



Related: This L.A. Couple With a Hollywood Connection Flipped the Script of a Traditional Wedding

Setting the Tone

The Shalom Imaginative

"The wedding didnt have a theme, but more of a vibe, which was spring minimalism [meets] desert midcentury modern," Becky says. As for the palette? "Every pastel color!"

As a stationer, the bride wanted to set a strong aesthetic foundation with the invitation suite. "Ive been obsessed with letterpress and was super excited to use this printing technique for my main invitation," she says. "We also had a die-cut RSVP card and a fun corner pocket to hold everything together, complete with a blind embossed Joshua Tree and our monogram that I created."



A Funky Bouquet

The Shalom Imaginative

The couple enlisted Sparks & Sand Floral Design to work within their pastel palette and create fun florals. "We went for funky and whimsical [with the bouquet], but kept it elegant and a little classic when creating the shape," says florist Mekai. "We wanted it to be playful and cute with fun floral shapes and little floaty flowers. The flower choices and the pastel color scheme helped with executing that elegant playfulness we were going for." The finished product featured white dahlias, yellow ranunculus, soft pink sweetpeas, and blue delphinium.



A One-of-a-Kind Gown

The Shalom Imaginative

"As a former fashion designer, I wanted my dress to be one-of-a-kind," Becky says. She fell in love with the bottom half of a Willowby by Waters gown, then worked with a specialist at White Orchid Bridal in Atlanta to rework the original bodice. "Together, we redesigned the top half to make my dress unique and exactly what I had envisioned."



An Inspired Boutonniere

The Shalom Imaginative

"At one point, Erik had mentioned he loved seeing yellow buttercup wildflowers on the side of the road and that he would love to incorporate those somehow," florist Mekai shares. "We werent able to make those little buttercups last, but were able to get buttery yellow ranunculus buds to give a similar look." The boutonniere perfectly complemented his charcoal gray tuxedo with black satin lapels.



The First Look

The Shalom Imaginative

"Our biggest goal for our wedding was to feel connected with each other, so we wanted a first look before everyone arrived on the property," Becky says. Their photographer from Shalom Imaginative found the perfect private space near a copse of vintage airstreams on Rimrock Ranchs property. "Before the first look, I was a little nervous but mostly excited," the bride remembered. "During the first look, I felt an immediate sense of relief because it just felt like us, like home."



A Desert Setting

The Shalom Imaginative

The couple envisioned a quick, light wedding ceremony. "The only ceremony decor we had were two large aisle floral arrangements," Becky says. "We wanted our guests to soak in the natural beauty of the desert."



A Short and Sweet Ceremony

The Shalom Imaginative

Becky walked down the aisle with her parents to "Shes a Rainbow" by The Rolling Stones and exchanged personal vows with Erik. "Erik surprised me and everyone by revealing that he had actually stumbled across the ring I was going to propose with a couple of days before the proposal and had been sweating out the weekend waiting for the special moment," Becky says. "He had kept this under wraps for nearly two years of being engaged."



The Party Begins

The Shalom Imaginative

The newlyweds recessed down the aisle to an upbeat and old-school classic: "The Oogum Boogum Song" by Brenton Wood.



Cocktail Hour

The Shalom Imaginative

The DJ spun chill tracks during cocktail hour while the couples 85 guests sipped signature palomas and noshed on mini bean burritos and red snapper ceviche.



Sunset Photos

The Shalom Imaginative

The couple worked their photography timeline so that they could enjoy cocktail hour with their loved ones. They took family portraits before the ceremony, then did a sunset photo session between cocktail hour and reception.



A DIY Escort Board

The Shalom Imaginative

Becky put the finishing touches on the DIY escort board just hours before the wedding began. And it was worth it, creating some of her favorite moments of the day. "First, the quiet moments before the wedding began, listening to music while pinning dried citrus name tags to the escort card display with my youngest brother and his girlfriend, and starting to believe that all of our DIY efforts might actually be coming together to create something special," she says. "Then watching everyone pin them to their jackets as boutonnieres."



Midcentury Minimalism

The Shalom Imaginative

Minimalist floral arrangements were inspired by ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arranging, and surrounded by pillar candles and flower-shaped candles on the tablescapes. "Each table had a simple light and airy white cheesecloth runner, and plates were set with mustard yellow cotton gauze napkins," Becky says.



Tables With a Personal Touch

The Shalom Imaginative

Creativity was poured into every detail. "My mom and I handmade candles for the table decor," Becky says. "My mom also washed, hand-cut, and knotted each napkin with love."



Mirrored Table Numbers

The Shalom Imaginative

Organic-shaped mirrors adorned with vinyl stickers marked the numbers on each table.



The Sweetheart Table

The Shalom Imaginative

"My favorite decor element was the backdrop to our sweetheart table," Becky says. "We had my parents neighbor make the frames, and my mom and I wove yarn through them. They were the perfect additions to the reception." As the sun went down, string lights overhead lit up the desert.



A Taco Dinner

The Shalom Imaginative

Just like with every other detail, Becky and Erik eschewed the traditional when it came to catering, opting for a taco dinner. "Tacos are one of our top favorite foods, and since a lot of our guests live in New York, we knew they needed a taste of good Southern Californian tacos."



A Heart-Shaped Cake

The Shalom Imaginative

They cut into a funky (and funfetti!) heart-shaped cake with vintage-inspired Lambeth piped buttercream.



The First Dance

The Shalom Imaginative

"Erik and I initially bonded over music from the 60s and 70s, so it seemed only fitting to choose a song from that era," Becky says. They listened to a lot of options and landed on one that just felt right: "Dedicated to the One I Love" by the Mamas & the Papas.



The Dance Floor

The Shalom Imaginative

The dance floor was active. "We put together a list of must-play songs that consisted of mostly Y2K bangers sprinkled in with some Abba and a touch of the '80s," Becky says. It created some favorite memories. "We watched a wedding guests cowboy hat be passed around the reception to find its way to every more-than-willing headand then saw the photo evidence later," the bride says. "Seeing all our loved ones from many different walks of life bump into each other and have a great time together on the dance floor [was so special]."



A Perfect Finish

The Shalom Imaginative

The couple delayed their big honeymoon but finished the wedding weekend with a minimoon tour of the California Coast, starting in Palm Springs and traveling up to Big Sur and Carmel by the Sea.



Sources

The Shalom Imaginative

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.
Celebrate 4/20 in Michigan with deals, events for weed users

Marijuana has been legal for recreational use in Detroit for the past few years. The industry has now exploded with $3 billion in both recreational and medical marijuana sales.

Here's a list of events and deals in Detroit and metro Detroit for a pot lovers' biggest day: 4/20.

Wayne County

Puff Cannabis will have food trucks, a live DJ and goodie bags on site for 4/20.

Location: 11397 W Jefferson Ave., River Rouge

Hours on 4/20: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The first 150 customers with an order of $100 or more will receive a free goodie bag valued at $250. Puff Cannabis also has special deals at their locations around the state.

OZ Detroit will have a pop-up shop with infused pre-rolls and merch for sale. They will also have a collection of discounted items and an on-site food truck.

Location: 16829 Harper Ave., Detroit

Hours on 4/20: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Deals include:

Mambas 6 for $29

Pre-rolls BOGO

1.5g dispo BOGO

2g dispo 2 for $50

1g carts 15 for $100

Monroe County

Mint Cannabis is selling tickets to enter a raffle to win Tigers tickets, an NFL draft package or a cruise getaway to Jamaica.

Location: 760 S. Telegraph Road, Monroe

Hours on 4/20: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Raffle tickets will benefit the Billy Pease Foundation a Michigan-based nonprofit that provides transportation for people living with chronic kidney disease.

What's in the Draft package: Two tickets to the NFL draft event on Saturday, April 27, at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Also included in the gift set is a $150 gift card and two medicated gift baskets with Mint products worth $100.

Pure Lapeer assistant manager Tanner Karns refills a jar of Kush Mints cannabis flowers before filling an order at Pure Lapeer in Lapeer on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.

More: 2024 NFL draft in Detroit: Everything you need to know before you go

Tigers tickets: Two tickets for the Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros on Saturday, May 11, at Comerica Park. Winners will also be special guest of the Mint pre-game tailgate.

Jamaica Getaway: You have a chance to win two tickets to Jamaica for a trip in September. These tickets don't need to be purchased; they will be given out for free at each Michigan storefront.

Where to find the winner: For the draft and Tigers tickets the winner will be randomly drawn on Monday, April 22, at 4:20 p.m. live on Instagram.

The ticket for the Jamaica getaway will be drawn at 7:20 p.m. Monday, April 22, on Facebook.

In addition to the raffles, Mint will have food trucks, live DJs and free weed every hour on-site.

Oakland County

Lume Cannabis is launching its cannabis-infused beer for anyone who visits the storefront on 4/20.

Location: 26760 Lahser Road, Southfield

Hours on 4/20: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The beer is made with THC and real fruit juice. It includes 7.5 mg of THC per can and comes in three flavors: strawberry, cherry and watermelon.

Skymint is giving away a $250 gift card every month for a year to a lucky grand prize winner.

Location: 20940 John R Road, Hazel Park

Hours on 4/20: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

How to enter: Spend $75 between now and 4/20 at any Skymint location to qualify for one ticket.

This gift card can be used on any Skymint branded product, merchandise or accessory.

In addition to the grand prize winner, 10 raffle winners will receive a $100 DoorDash gift card and an additional 50 will receive a Skymint T-shirt.

What else is Skymint doing on 4/20: Skymint will have events and promotions at their Hazel Park location and throughout the state. All purchases on 4/20 will be 42% off.

A microscope display of the Kitchen Sink flavor of cannabis at Lume Cannabis Co. in Southfield on Monday, June 26, 2023. The 33rd Lume in Michigan is expected to open very soon.

Macomb County

The Grove - Center Line Marijuana & Cannabis Dispensary: First 500 customers will receive a free 1/2 oz with a $20 purchase.

Location: 26352 Lawrence Ave., Center Line

Hours on 4/20: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Are we missing a 4/20 deal? Email details to city@freepress.com and we''ll include them in our roundup.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 4/20 Day in Detroit, Michigan: Events, deals for weed users
Cookie the cat lost her babies. Then she accepted Crumb the kitten as her own

Cookie the cat lost her babies  then she accepted Crumb the kitten as her own.

She took right up with the kitten, Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue of North Carolina told McClatchy News in an email. It was a very emotional ordeal. We were so ecstatic that Cookie took the baby in as her own.

But those touching moments were surrounded by hardship. Cookie arrived at the Rutherford County rescue pregnant after she was spotted at an RV park, according to the email and social media posts from the animal organization.

A few weeks after Cookies March 23 arrival, she delivered three stillborn kittens.

Cookie would have died had she still been living outside on her own, they had to physically pull all three babies out to save her life, Heart of the Foothills wrote April 11 in a Facebook post.

Then a few days after the traumatic delivery, the rescue welcomed 2-week-old kitten Crumb. A man reportedly took in her mom as a stray before she gave birth, then escaped.

He was doing the best he could by trying to bottle feed the kitten but he was terrified the kitten was going to die, the rescue wrote.

So Cookies foster mom introduced her to Crumb, and the little one began nursing non stop, heartwarming photos show. But more bad news was in store.

After the kitten started nursing, it stimulated contractions and (Cookie) had another dead baby and then ... another dead baby, the rescue wrote in its April 15 email, adding that Cookie later got an X-ray confirming shes not expecting any more kittens.

Though Cookie will go up for adoption, Crumb may go back home with the man who brought her to the rescue. The organization is based in Rutherfordton, a roughly 55-mile drive southeast from the popular mountain town of Asheville.

Cat shares newborn kittens with cat who lost own baby. See beautiful video on TikTok

Litter of orphaned puppies needed help. Then, this mama dog tenderly embraced them
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway made a fashionable appearance during a royal engagement at the National Association for Public Health Research Awards on Monday. The royal was on hand to present at the event, which was held in Norways capital, Oslo.

More from WWD

For the daytime event, Princess Mette-Marit opted for her own interpretation on an old fashion trend. The royal wore a Max Mara Pepli wool-blend jacket in black, which featured padded shoulders and a slight flare at the waist. She paired the look with the Vernice black patent bow belt, courtesy of Prada.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit attends the National Association for Public Health Research Awards on April 15.

Beneath the jacket, Princess Mette-Marit wore a cobalt blue dress with a pleated skirt. She opted to wear black textured pumps courtesy of Yvonne Kone to complete the look. The royals ensemble hardly needed any accessories, thanks to the belted element of her look and the varied shapes and textures of her dress and jacket.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit attends the National Association for Public Health Research Awards on April 15.

Belted jackets, especially those with skinny belts that are separate from the jacket itself, havent been among the trends fashioned by European royal women as of late. More recently, several royal women have opted for the power suit trend. Princess Charlene of Monaco was the latest royal to offer her own take on the power suit, fashioning a double-breasted jacket by Ralph Lauren with gold button detailing.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit attends the National Association for Public Health Research Awards on April 15.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden also approached the trend, making the case for spring wool in a boucle blazer with gold buttons by Andiata. Then, of course, theres Kate Middleton, whos made the power suit a new staple of her collection of looks.

When it comes to daytime engagements, royal women have taken business attire to a whole new level. Whether they opt for the power suit trend, or put their own unique spin on a combination of pieces, business attire is a staple for several royal wardrobes across Europe.

Princess Mette-Marit of Norway Wears Max Mara and Prada for Event

Max Mara Pepli Wool Jacket

Buy Now at nordstrom $1,790

Buy Now at saks fifth avenue $1,790

Catherine, Princess of Wales attends The "Together At Christmas" Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 08, 2023 in London, England. Spearheaded by The Princess of Wales, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the service is a moment to bring people together at Christmas time and recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help others throughout the year.

Launch Gallery: Kate Middleton's Style Through the Years: Catherine Walker Coat Dresses, Jenny Packham Gowns & More

Best of WWD
Here's a look at some new or new-to-you places that have opened in recent months and a few that are coming soon:

500 Delaware Ave., Wilmington; thebluebirdwilmington.com

Toscana owner Dan Butler (left) and Brian Walsh plan to open a new downtown Wilmington restaurant, The BlueBird, on April 22, 2024. The breakfast and lunch spot is at 500 Delaware Ave. April 10, 2024.

Veteran Wilmington restaurateur Dan Butler is teaming up with his longtime Toscana staffer Brian Walsh to open The BlueBird, a new downtown Wilmington cafe serving breakfast and lunch.

Butler said he plans to open the 300 Delaware Ave. cafe on Monday, April 22. The cafe is located in what is known as the WSFS Bank Center and takes the place of the former PureBread Deli.

Plans have been in the works for The BlueBird since September 2023. Renovations to the interior of the building began more than a month ago.

The BlueBird will have 60 seats indoors and have seating for 60 people outside on the plaza.

The restaurant will have banquettes, maple butcher block tables, high-top tables, booths parked in corners, and individual window seats facing the plaza. The BlueBird will be open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., but Butler said the hours and days could be extended after the restaurant is up and running.

The menu will include bagels, egg sandwiches, pastries and baked goods made on-site, panini, soups, salads, sandwiches, bowl dishes, and other healthy options.

Lavazza coffee will be served, but no alcoholic beverages.

Butler closed his Toscana kiosk at The Chancery Market food hall and bar in February to concentrate on The BlueBird. He last opened a restaurant in 2007 when he created Brandywine Prime Steakhouse at the former Chadds Ford Inn in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

4837 Limestone Road, Pike Creek; playabowls.com

A Playa Bowls acai bowl with Nutella. A new location is opening soon in Pike Creek off Limestone Road.

Acai (ah-sah-EE) a tropical, South American purple berry found in rainforests, is often touted as a superfruit. And it continues to be a hot food trend in Delaware.

Playa Bowls, a concept founded by New Jersey natives and surfers Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor, offers acai, coconut and pitaya bowls, smoothies, cold-pressed brews, and juice drinks at over 200 stores.

A fifth Playa Bowls location in Delaware is opening soon in Pike Creek in the same shopping center as Anthonys Coal Fired Pizza.

It joins other Playa Bowls locations in Rehoboth Beach, East Main Street in downtown Newark, Middletown and Concord Pike in Talleyville.

According to its Instagram page, the Pike Creek location is scheduled to open in May.

1215 New London Road, Landenberg, Pennsylvania; 484-720-8552; thehavensocial.com

The BYOB social club opened in November 2023 in Landenberg in the area known as "The Wedge" which includes the borders of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. The site had formerly been a concept testing space for Great Big Jerk, a takeout BBQ restaurant that opened during the pandemic. Great Big Jerk is now located in downtown Wilmington at 12th and Washington streets. It had formerly been the home of Rosenfeld's Deli.

The Haven Social is a concept from husband-and-wife team Chef Tim Bolt, who runs Great Big Jerk, and Mary Schleuter. The menu includes raw oysters, shrimp cocktail, oven-baked flatbreads, Buffalo chicken wings, crispy Brussels sprouts, lobster mac and cheese, smoked brisket, and sandwiches like the Nashville hot chicken. Sunday brunch has lobster Benedict, short rib frites with fried eggs, and blueberry pancakes.

There is a $10 corkage fee for wine; $5 charge for beer. The restaurant has limited parking so carpooling is suggested. The Haven Social is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays; 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. A $25 deposit is required for reservations.

19819 Coastal Hwy, Rehoboth Beach, 302-260-9468, 302thelocal.com. Soft opening mid-April; call to confirm.

In the former location of Chaps Pit Beef in Rehoboth beach, brothers Chris and Steven Desch built out a gastropub called 302 The Local with smoked cocktails, smashburgers, hot chicken and ahi tuna.

Where Chaps Pit Beef once stood in Rehoboth Beach, say Chaps former franchisee, there will instead be something all-Delaware in its place. Thats both the promise and the name at forthcoming gastropub 302 The Local, which will open this month at 19819 Coastal Highway, next to the Rehoboth Beach location of Iron Hill Brewery.

There, brothers and co-owners Chris and Steven Desch will offer cold-smoked cocktails, hot chicken, crab cakes, blackened tuna and a cornucopia of smash burgers made with ingredients ranging from cowboy candy to whiskey-bacon jam. The cocktails will be designed by nationally recognized mixologist Ryan Minnick.

Were doing all fresh herbs, craft ice cubes, weve got a machine thatll shoot smoke bubbles onto your drink. Were pulling out all the tricks, Chris Desch said. The idea, he said, is elevated comfort: taking the hearty meatloaf sandwiches or Southern-fried chicken that makes people feel at home and dialing the flavor up a little.

We've got these bourbon-buttermilk chicken sandwiches thatll blow your freakin mind, said Desch. Beautiful toppings, gourmet hamburgers and ahi tuna.

The restaurant is due to open softly in mid-April, Desch told Delaware Online/The News Journal this month.

More: Crabcakes, cocktails and Southern-fried chicken coming to former Chaps Pit Beef

36740 Seaside Outlet Drive, 302-257-5292, mission-bbq.com. Grand opening April 23.

Mission BBQ in Concord Gallery, as seen in 2023. A Rehoboth Beach location will open in April at the Tanger Outlets. Another will open near Wilmington this year at 4433 Kirkwood Highway.

Wildly popular barbecue chain Mission BBQ is opening its first Sussex County location this month.

This will be the third location in Delaware for the Maryland-based barbecue chain, since the first location in Dover in 2016, and a second last year at Concord Gallery shopping center in Talleyville. Mission, founded in 2011 by former executives from Under Armour and Outback Steakhouse is well-known for its patriotic branding, charitable donations and pan-regional approach to barbecue.

Mission BBQ's third Delaware location, in Rehoboth Beach, will open this month in the Tanger Outlets, spokesperson Linda Dotterer confirmed earlier this month.

"We are excited to share that our location in Rehoboth Beach will hold its grand opening on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at noon," she wrote. The Rehoboth Beach location is at 36740 Seaside Outlet Drive. As is traditional for Mission BBQ, the Rehoboth location will hold a military appreciation night on the Friday evening before the restaurant officially opens to the public.

On April 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. all sales proceeds will be donated to the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. The first 100 customers to purchase an "American Heroes" soda cup for $4.99 will win free BBQ for a year: This amounts to 52 gift cards redeemable over the next 52 weeks.

Another Mission BBQ is scheduled to open this year near Wilmington, at Kirkwood Plaza shopping center on 4433 Kirkwood Highway.

More: Mission BBQ opens third Delaware location this month. Another is planned this year

Projected to open by end of 2024, at 140 E Main St., Newark.

Dishes at Ugly Dumpling Express in Holmdel, N.J., include (clockwise from bottom left) xiao long bao (soup dumplings), cucumber salad, stir-fried noodles with shredded beef, milk tea and scallion pancakes.

A Shanghai-style soup dumpling restaurant hopes to open in downtown Newark by the end of 2024.

Its featured specialty is hand-crafted Xiao Long Bao, known as soup dumplings. The century-old treat was born in the Shanghai suburb of Nanxiang and involves filling delicate rice noodle dumplings with a gush of savory soup.

The Ugly Dumplings chain is the creation of New York-based Vertex Hospitality Group, the company behind other popular Asian-influenced restaurants in the Mid-Atlantic region. These include Viet-Cajun seafood boil spot Hook & Reel, Korean-inflected BBQ and hot pot chain KPOT, and sushi and ramen spot Kinya.

Similar to a full-service Ugly Dumpling in Edison, N.J., Farrell said, the Newark location will have somewhere between 60 and 80 seats.

50 N. Dupont Highway, unit 10, Dover

From left, Gabi Ramos and Grayson Lewis serve cookies during the March 20 sneak preview of the new Crumbl Cookies in Dover, 50 N. DuPont Highway (Route 13), in the Capital Station shopping center behind Aldi and Red Robin.

Crumbl Cookies, the increasingly popular national bakery chain, celebrated the grand opening of its second Delaware store in Dovers Capital Station on March 22.

The chain opened its first Delaware store in late June at Christiana Fashion Center, and a "coming soon" sign has been posted on the door of the new Dover location since last year. The business is known for its gourmet cookies, which come in a rotating variety of flavors and are delivered in pink packaging.

Leo and Carolyn Campero, the new owners of Crumbl Dover, said they fell in love with Crumbl Cookies while stationed in Phoenix, Arizona. So when Leo Campero was transferred to Dover Air Force Base in 2022 what was then the Crumbl Cookie-less state of Delaware, the couple "decided to share the Crumbl love with Kent County."

The store is next to Veronicas Brick Oven Pizzeria and behind Starbucks. It's open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

A third Crumbl, in Prices Corner, will arrive in equally short order: The grand opening is scheduled for June 27.

617 E. Loockerman St., Dover

El Nopal Mexican restaurant has opened in the former site of Tender Bones Ribs at 617 E. Loockerman St., just east of Route 13 near Burger King. This is the second El Nopal in Dover, with the original location at 627 W. Division St.

El Nopal recently opened its second Dover restaurant one block east of Route 13 in the former site of Tender Bones Ribs. The original El Nopal is at 627 W. Division St. Tender Bones' current location is at 504 Red Lion Road in Bear.

According to El Nopal's website, hours are Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The menu includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, tamales, soups, grilled chicken dishes and chicken flautas.

20 N. Dupont Highway, Dover

BurritoBar fresh Mexican grill is in the Capital Station shopping center at 20 N. Dupont Highway (Route 13) at Division Street, next to Walgreens, behind Aldi.

Canadas largest Tex-Mex restaurant chain with over 250 restaurants has opened a Dover location, only the fourth in the United States.

The company was founded in 2005 in Toronto. Known as BarBurrito up north, the chain is branding its U.S. restaurants as BurritoBar.

The Dover site opened earlier this month in the Capital Station shopping center at Division Street, behind Aldi, next to Walgreens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In a press release, Dover franchise owner Manish Patel said hes excited to be among the first in the country to open a BurritoBar.

There are other places in Dover you can get tacos and burritos, but I think BurritoBars menu is very unique, Patel said. They have their own sauces and salsa and they do a panini press style of burrito that helps keep everything together  its pressed tight enough for you to eat on the go.

The restaurant also serves seafood like their popular bang bang shrimp.

Patel has experience in the food service business as co-owner of four Jakes Wayback Burger restaurants in Delaware.

He said the Capital Station is a prime traffic-heavy spot, with great potential.

515 S. Dupont Highway, Dover

The new Pizza Hut in Dover is on Route 13 north at 515 S. Dupont Highway near 84 Lumber and Winner Ford.

About four years ago after decades in business, the Pizza Hut closed on Route 13 north in Dover at Leipsic Road near Home Depot. The site is now a Citizens Bank.

But a new Pizza Hut has opened a few miles south on Route 13 near 84 Lumber and Winner Ford.

Flynn Group LP is the owner and operator of the new restaurant, along with over 970 Pizza Huts in 27 states including another Dover location at 1155 E. Lebanon Road.

The grand opening of the Route 13 store was Feb. 9.

With about 15 employees, the 1,432-square-foot restaurant features "Pizza Huts beloved menu items, a fresh new look and more modern, compact design, said Randy Bates, Flynn Group vice president of marketing.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Customers can order online or on the mobile app for carryout, curbside pickup or delivery.

106 N. Cannon St., Seaford

Regardless of which sister is at fault, from the owners of My Sister's Fault in Milford comes Sweet Sister's Fault in Seaford. Say that a few times fast.

Angie and Rous Robles' Puerto Rican cooking is famed in Milford, where customers line up for their empanadas and cakes. The Seaford location, which opened in early April, focuses on desserts. The menu also features coffee and pan sabao, a Puerto Rican bread.

Right off High Street, the downtown location puts Sweet Sister's Fault in the area of several other acclaimed Seaford eateries, such as Dona Maria's Pupuseria and Bon Appetit.

According to the Sweet Sister's Fault Facebook page, they're regularly selling out, so go early and make a day of it. Hours are Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you want to read more stories from Patricia Talorico, visit delawareonline.com/staff/2646617001/patricia-talorico You can find her on Instagram , X and Facebook. Email ptalorico@delawareonline.com. Sign up for her Delaware Eats newsletter. Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate, development and business news. Reach him at rmace@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: New Delaware restaurants include BYOB social club, burritos, dumplings
How will your dog do this summer? These breeds have it the hardest in MS Coast heat waves

Mississippi summers can be unrelenting for us humans  even downright oppressive. Now imagine having to survive four months of 100% humidity with a fur coat or a flat face?

Some dogs have just as hard a time, sometimes harder, adjusting to the hotter months, so these are the breeds you should look out for during the dog days of summer. (I just couldnt resist).

Heres which dog breeds are the most intolerable to high temperatures, the symptoms of heat exhaustion to look out for, and the best way to treat your dogs illness at home.

Which breeds suffer the most during the summer?

Boxer - This breed, because of the Brachycephalic (flat-faced) anatomy, rely on panting to regulate their body temperature.

Bulldog - One of the more popular breeds of dog in this state, the increased work of breathing in the heat can hinder their regulation.

Chow Chow - You can blame this dogs trouble with heat on its thick coat. Because of the volume of fur, air has a harder time reaching the skin.

Pug - Most dogs have long tongues and open noses for a more open cooling area, but pugs have neither, so their cooling area is significantly smaller.

Husky - Huskies are one of the least self-aware dogs. Their love of running will keep them going until they just keel over from heat exhaustion.

Shih Tzu - Aside from being so low to the ground, these dogs have a double coat of fur that could keep them from cooling down.

What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion in dogs?

Animal Care Clinic Columbus warns pet owners to look out for these symptoms:

Excessive panting or difficulty breathing

Dehydration, which can include dry nose, lethargy, no urine output, or sunken eyes

Excessive drooling

Gray, purple or blue gums

Shaking

Vomiting and/or diarrhea

Dizziness

What should you do to treat your dog at home?

The University of Georgia Research offers some advice about heat safety. Dogs normal temperatures run between 100.5 to 102.5 and anything above 103 is considered dangerous.

Wet them down with cool water - especially around their ears and paws.

Set them in front of a fan.

Give them sips of lukewarm or cool - not cold - water, and never ice.

If your dog loses consciousness or you cant get their temperature or symptoms under control, its best to just call your vet.

AI thinks snakes wont die & bears cant run. We asked experts what is true or false
Rescuers thought a severely emaciated puppy was dead when they first laid eyes on her in New York back in January.

But then the Humane Law Enforcement team at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society noticed the husky pup taking shallow breaths, and they rushed her to a veterinary hospital for lifesaving care, rescuers said on Facebook.

This little fighter amazed us all with her will to survive! rescuers said in the April 15 post. We named her Sprite and eventually placed her in a wonderful foster home with other dogs, where Sprite started learning how to be a dog for the first time in her young life.

Photos show Sprites transformation from a thin, scared, weak puppy into a playful, rambunctious girl whos looking for a home to call her own, rescuers said.

People in the comments on the post and on the photo showing how healthy Sprite currently looks couldnt get over her glow up  and several said her story and the sight of her when she was rescued moved them to tears.

What a difference love and care have made, someone said under the photo. She is gorgeous!

Dozens of people commented on the stunning dog, as well as her amazing transformation.

Unbelievable transformation, someone said. I hope she is treated like a queen in her new home. So much love sent.

Those considering adopting the blue-eyed pup should know Sprite is on the mend after her rough start to life, and rescuers dont know what type of medical needs she might have in the future.

Sprite is very food motivated and already knows some commands, like sit and down, rescuers said.

Still, she doesnt know quite how to be a dog just yet and might benefit from living with a patient dog friend who is her size or larger and can show her the ropes, rescuers said.

She hasnt had much exposure to kids, but rescuers say she might be fine with older children who understand how to interact with dogs. However, new experiences also make her nervous.

Rescuers are accepting adoption applications for Sprite from April 15-19 and will respond to those whose applications they accept by April 24. Then, prospective adopters will be able to meet her, rescuers said.

Poor sweet puphas been through so much, someone said. I hope someone who will love her and keep her safe forever finds her and takes her home. She deserves only the best.

Sweet dog with rough past is over shelter life after 300 days of waiting in Florida

Dog with gentle soul finds home with former veterinarian in heartwarming NC adoption

Misunderstood dog finally gets chance at new life after three years in Texas shelter
I flew over 1,500 miles to meet man Id been talking to online  only to be ghosted

A woman flew 1,151 miles to meet a man she'd been talking to online for three years - but he never showed up and ghosted her.

A woman flew 1,151 miles to meet a man shed been talking to online for three years  but he never showed up and ghosted her.

River Blake, 23, flew cross-country from Lafayette, Louisiana, US, to Rapid City, South Dakota, with a one-way ticket to meet her date.

She says the eight-hour flight was paid for by her date  but after he didnt show, River was forced to pay $1,290 to cover the cost of overnight accommodation and a last-minute ticket home for the following day.

River Blake, 23, flew cross-country from Lafayette, Louisiana, US, to Rapid City, South Dakota, with a one-way ticket to meet her date. River Blake / SWNS

River hasnt spoken to him since and vows only to focus on her career from now on.

River, a model, from Lafayette, New Orleans, said: I spent three to four hours at the airport running in circles  and when I realized he wasnt coming to get me, I left.

I booked a Hilton for two nights, met a nice guy through a friend, and he showed me the city.

It definitely still hurts  it really rubbed me up the wrong way  but at least I got to do some sightseeing.

She says the eight-hour flight was paid for by her date  but after he didnt show. River Blake / SWNS

Rivers date first slid into her DMs in 2019  saying hed spotted her modeling work and thought she was beautiful.

They both had a lot in common  including a passion for truck shows and working in social media full-time  giving them plenty to talk about.

Despite living in different states, the pair spoke almost every day for five years and had lots of mutual friends  leading River to believe he was the real deal.

I spent three to four hours at the airport running in circles  and when I realized he wasnt coming to get me, I left, Blake said. River Blake / SWNS

She said: We FaceTimed every night  but our relationship was kind of weird  like, wishy-washy.

Sometimes hed disappear for a bit, then reappear like nothing had ever happened.

On February 9, 2024, Rivers date told her suddenly that he wanted to fly her out one-way and to move her in with him.

She says hed told her he was building a house and wanted her to come in and help him decorate it.

He paid for her plane ticket, and on February 17, River set off at 5.30am from Lafayette Regional Airport and got three connecting flights to Rapid City, South Dakota.

He mustve created this dream life that he knew Id be interested in, she said.

And built everything up, to the point of me going.

I packed to go for weeks and months  he wanted me to live with him.

River arrived in Rapid City at 3pm the same day  and spent the first hour sitting in a cafe, doing work on her laptop.

Her date texted her to tell her he was still getting ready, and hadnt left for the airport.

But after sending her a selfie to let her know he was on his way, River noticed her date was actually going in the wrong direction.

She said: Airport security kept checking to see if I was OK  and I wanted to stay, just in case he actually showed up.

He sent me a picture, saying he was definitely on the way.

River waited at the airport until 7pm, before paying $290 to spend a night at the local Hilton. River Blake / SWNS

But I noticed the road signs showing he was heading West  but I was in the East.

I knew he had to be heading in the opposite direction  and I messaged saying, I dont think youre actually going to pick me up.

He didnt say anything  and we havent spoken since.

River waited at the airport until 7pm, before paying $290 to spend a night at the local Hilton.

She rang a friend  another truck driver  who said he knew someone in the area and connected them.

The pair spent the evening sightseeing, going to local parks and grabbing ice cream.

Im still in touch with Tucker to this day, River said.

Blake rang a friend who said he knew someone in the area and connected them. The pair spent the evening sightseeing. River Blake / SWNS

He showed me some pretty good places.

I guess alls well that ends well.

She spent the entirety of the next morning sat at the airport, talking to the same security guard.

And at 1pm, River headed back on the eight-hour journey to Lafayette.

She spent an additional $1k on last-minute flights back  arriving home at 10pm.

River said: Im a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.

This just wasnt my time  and he wasnt my person, after all.

Im just focusing on my career now, and spending as much time travelling as I can.
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

Fodors Travel has named its list of the 10 best restaurants in Orlando  and the news rankings from the El Segundo, California-based travel guide company include a challenge to those visiting the City Beautiful to set aside any preconceived notions about its culinary scene.

If your idea of Orlando dining is of the fast-food Turkey Leg, Dole Whip and Butter Beer variety of the theme parks, youve got a lot to learn about this city brimming with innovative chefs, Michelin-starred restaurants and unassuming haunts, too, read the report from travel writer Terry Ward.

Make sure to depart the tourist corridor for restaurant hopping in leafy downtown neighborhoods like Thornton Park and College Park, which harbor a far more local scene.

Photos: Fire destroys Copenhagens Old Stock Exchange dating back to the 1600s

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
On the occasion of the Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024 Salon, Patek Philippe is innovating in technical terms by endowing its regular collection with the first World Time watch to feature a date display synchronized with local time

The manufacture also stands out by the elegance of the new models, as illustrated by the grand return of the chain-style bracelet in the Golden Ellipse line. In addition, the vast array of Patek Philippe collections has seen subtle new interpretations in the areas of the travel watches, the calendar watches and the elegantly sporty models, as well as in the Twenty~4 ladies collection, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. Furthermore, the manufacture is announcing two important developments in the Directives of the Patek Philippe Seal, together with an extension of the international warranty pertaining to new watches from two years to five years.

Antoine Norbert de Patek, creative force and lover of beauty. Jean Adrien Philippe, horological genius. From the time of its foundation in 1839, the Genevan manufacture has devoted itself to creating timepieces whose aesthetic refinement reflects their mechanical perfection. Since 1932, the Stern family has perpetuated this tradition of innovation, embodied today in more than one hundred patents and a range of 56 movements designed and built entirely in the manufactures own workshops. Patek Philippe is also distinguished by its timeless designs, which have inspired a large number of iconic timepieces in every segment from the Grand Complications to the jewelry watches, and from the classically chic to the elegantly sporty. The splendid array of new introductions presented in the spring of 2024 maintains the creative momentum, with a major technical advance in the area of watches with multiple time zones, the arrival of a new, exclusive chain-style bracelet in the Golden Ellipse collection and nine fresh interpretations of flagship models, with a wide variety of functions and external decors.

Aquanaut Luce Haute Joaillerie Reference 5268/461G-001  Patek Philippe

The new generation of the World Time, with a date display synchronized with local time

Launched as a limited edition at the Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition Watch Art Tokyo 2023, Reference 5330 is now entering the manufactures regular collection. This new-generation World Time is distinguished by a patented world first: a date display synchronized with local time. To offer this useful and user-friendly function, Patek Philippe developed a new movement, the self-winding caliber 240 HU C, featuring an innovative differential system indicating the date on the periphery of the dial by means of a center hand in transparent glass with a red hammer-head-style tip. The new World Time Reference 5330G-001 in white gold has a dial in blue-gray opaline, its center adorned with a carbon motif.

World Time Reference 5330G-001  Patek Philippe

A new chain-style bracelet for the legendary Golden Ellipse

Instantly recognizable by the shape of its case, the Golden Ellipse, launched in 1968, has made its mark as a style icon in the Patek Philippe collections. Up until the early 1980s, this model proposed, alongside the leather straps, a choice of chain bracelets or link bracelets in precious metals. Patek Philippe is now reviving that tradition by unveiling the new Golden Ellipse Reference 5738/1R-001 on an elegant chain-style bracelet in rose gold that follows the contours of the wrist and offers superb comfort while complementing the finesse of the case. The product of 15 years development, this new bracelet, secured by an engraved clasp with three adjustment notches (and remarkably easy to shorten or lengthen), combines modern, patented construction making it possible to recreate the style of the classic chain bracelets with manual assembly and finishing, perpetuating the skills of the artisan chain-makers. This new chain-style bracelet is launched as an exclusive feature of the Golden Ellipse Reference 5738/1R- 001. The dial presents an ebony-black sunburst on which slender applied hour markers and hands, all in rose gold, stand out clearly. With its caliber 240 ultra-thin self-winding movement, this timepiece also has the distinction of being the slimmest watch in the Patek Philippe regular collection.

Golden Ellipse Reference 5738/1R-001  Patek Philippe

Refined variations on the travel watches

Ever since the globe was divided into 24 time zones at the end of the nineteenth century, Patek Philippe has accompanied the rapid growth in transcontinental travel, with models enabling the traveler to juggle all the planets different times. The 1930s saw the arrival of the famous World Time watch, now equipped with a date display synchronized with local time. At the end of the 1950s, the Travel Time system of dual time zones made its debut. It has since become available in a wide variety of watches in very different styles. Today three new versions are enriching the range.

The very essence of the travel watch with its sporty elegant Pilot style, the Alarm Travel Time (2019) claims the spotlight in a new version with a touch of two-tone: a case in rose gold and the tubes of the four pushers in white gold. This Alarm Travel Time Reference 5520RG-001 also stands out by its two- tone dial: gray sunburst and charcoal gray, and applied Arabic numerals and sword-shaped hands in charcoal-gray white gold with a luminescent coating. Powered by the caliber AL 30-660 S C FUS self-winding movement, leading to four patent applications for the alarm, this Grand Complication unites the exclusive Travel Time system for the display of a second time zone with a 24-hour alarm mechanism, with a hammer striking on a classic gong. It joins its predecessor in the collection: Reference 5520P-001 in platinum with an ebony-black sunburst dial.

Alarm Travel Time Reference 5520RG-001  Patek Philippe

After steel and rose gold, the Aquanaut Travel Time with a self-winding movement now presents the first version in white gold, set off by a dial in blue-gray opaline and a matching integrated strap in a composite material. The harmonious color scheme accentuates the watchs modern, casual chic. This new Aquanaut Travel Time Reference 5164G-001, equipped with the caliber 26-330 S C FUS self-winding movement, is distinguished by its system for the display of a second time zone, combining excellent legibility with ease of operation. Its owner has only to press on one of the two pushers set into the left flank of the case to advance or move back the local-hour hand (the solid hand) in one-hour steps, without any effect on the watchs rate accuracy. The date indication by a hand on the subsidiary dial at 6 oclock is coupled with the local time.

Aquanaut Travel Time Reference 5164G-001  Patek Philippe

In 2021, Patek Philippe welcomed into its Aquanaut range a travel watch equipped with a new quartz movement incorporating the Travel Time function, combined with a practical, discreet setting system using the crown. This timepiece made its debut in a rose-gold case with a diamond-set bezel and a white dial and strap. The manufacture has now brought out a new version in rose gold without diamonds. This Aquanaut Travel Time Reference 5269R-001 also attracts the eye with its blue-gray opaline dial embossed with the Aquanaut motif, and its integrated strap in a matching composite material, the patented fold-over clasp secured by four independent catches. Contrasting polished and satin-brushed finishes accentuate the lines of the case, which measures 38.8 mm in diameter.

Aquanaut Travel Time Reference 5269R-001  Patek Philippe

New faces among the calendar watches

Whether one considers the precious perpetual calendars  classic Grand Complications par excellence or the ingenious Annual Calendar, which the manufacture patented in 1996, Patek Philippe offers a wide range of calendar watches distinguished by their exterior features and their particular display mode. And now the range has become even more extensive.

In 2021, Patek Philippe unveiled a new perpetual calendar with day, date and month indications in one large aperture at the 12 oclock position. Equipped with its distinctive patented display mode, this timepiece was launched in a platinum case framing a blue dial with a black gradation to the periphery. The manufacture is now revisiting this platinum model, endowing it with a rose-gilt opaline dial of vintage inspiration presenting facetted baton-style applied hour markers and facetted baton-style hands, all in charcoal-gray white gold. The caliber 31-260 PS QL ultra-thin self-winding movement is notable for its additional module, awarded three patents, and its mini-rotor in platinum increasing the winding power. The new in-line perpetual calendar Reference 5236P-010 joins the platinum version, distinguished by its blue dial with a black-gradient rim, in the regular collection.

5236P In-Line Perpetual Calendar  Patek Philippe

With their sapphire-crystal back protected by a hinged dust cover, and their straight lugs, the Officers- style perpetual calendars with a retrograde date hand are among the models most sought after by devotees of rare timepieces particularly when the case and the dial center are fully engraved by hand, as in Reference 5160/500G-001 in white gold, launched in 2016. Patek Philippe has now reinterpreted this exceptional model in rose gold with a silvery opaline gold dial presenting applied Breguet numerals in blackened white gold and pear-shaped hands in black-oxidized yellow gold. Equipped with the caliber 26-330 S QR self-winding movement, this new Rare Handcrafts Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Reference 5160/500R-001 replaces the previous version in white gold.

Rare Handcrafts Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Reference 5160/500R-001  Patek Philippe

With its double day/month aperture at 12 oclock and date aperture at 6 oclock and its subsidiary 24-hour dial incorporating a moon-phase display, the mens Annual Calendar Reference 5396, launched in 2006, has established itself as a firm favorite. Patek Philippe is now bringing out a new version in white gold featuring a blue sunburst dial with a black gradient at the rim lit discreetly by the radiance of twelve baguette-cut diamond hour markers (0.26 ct). This elegant contrast plays up the extreme restraint and legibility of the dial design, with its facetted dauphine-style hands in white gold and slender sweep seconds hand. An alligator-leather strap in shiny navy blue echoes the dial color. It is secured by a fold-over clasp in white gold. This new Annual Calendar Reference 5396G-017 houses the caliber 26-330 S QA LU 24H self-winding movement.

Annual Calendar Reference 5396G-017  Patek Philippe

New takes on timeless feminine elegance, sporty style and haute joaillerie

Patek Philippe now offers a regular collection of some 150 different references, produced in small series ranging from about ten pieces to several hundred. Every year, the goal is to ensure the coherent and balanced evolution of this vast range of timepieces in all market segments. In 2024 therefore, the manufacture is celebrating other models in the collection, brought into the spotlight by new dial designs, new case materials, new combinations of colors and new settings of precious gems.

Launched in 1999 in a steel case set with diamonds, the Twenty~4  the first Patek Philippe collection dedicated entirely to women made its mark as a classic example of timeless elegance, suited to every occasion. In 2018, this line, built initially around the manchette (or cuff-style) model with a quartz movement, enriched its offer with a new Twenty~4 Automatic in a round case. To celebrate 25 years of feminine seduction and success, Patek Philippe is now bringing out a new version of the manchette model in rose gold. The extremely refined dial of this Twenty~4 Reference 4910/1201R-010 is embossed with a motif of concentric waves, before being coated with several dozen fine layers of translucent lacquer, the first layers tinted purple, the later layers colorless, creating delicate plays of light and depth.

4910/1201R TWENTY~4  Patek Philippe

The Nautilus self-winding flyback chronograph Reference 5980, launched in 2006, has offered the choice of versions in rose gold or in two-tone steel and rose gold since 2010. Patek Philippe now revisits this elegantly sporty model in a new version in white gold with a blue-gray opaline dial, on which the rounded-baton style hands and the baton-style applied hour markers stand out clearly in white gold with a white luminescent coating. The dials refined color continues through to the two straps delivered with the watch, one in blue-gray calfskin, its embossed denim motif edged with contrasting white hand-stitching; the other in a composite material presenting a fabric motif, in blue-gray with contrasting white stitching. Endowed with a slightly enlarged dial opening, this new Nautilus Flyback Chronograph Reference 5980/60G-001 houses a caliber CH 28-520 C self-winding movement grouping the chronograph indications in one large mono-counter at 6 oclock.

Nautilus Flyback Chronograph Reference 5980/60G-001  Patek Philippe

After the launch of an Annual Calendar in the Aquanaut collection in March 2023 and an Haute Joaillerie minute repeater in November 2023, Patek Philippe continues to enrich the Aquanaut line, with a new Aquanaut Luce Haute Joaillerie Reference 5268/461G-001 in white gold adorned with diamonds and blue sapphires, showcasing the snow and baguette settings. A chequered setting of gems on the dial recalls the Aquanaut collections emblematic motif. On the rounded octagonal bezel, baguette-cut sapphires form a subtle gradation from light blue to dark blue. This delicate harmony of nuances continues through to the integrated composite strap, in a new shade of dark blue. This watch is endowed with a caliber 26-330 S self-winding movement, which may be admired through the sapphire-crystal back.

Aquanaut Luce Haute Joaillerie Reference 5268/461G-001  Patek Philippe

A rich collection of rare handcrafts

This year, as in previous years, Patek Philippe is also unveiling a rich collection of one-of-a-kind pieces and limited editions (dome clocks, table clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches) celebrating the most refined of the rare handcrafts, such as miniature painting on enamel, Grand Feu cloisonne enamel, hand engraving and wood marquetry. The Rare Handcrafts 2024 exhibition bringing together these 82 creations will be open to the public from April 13 to 27 2024 in the Patek Philippe Salons in Genevaat 41 rue du Rhone every day except Sunday, from 11.00 to 18.00 (last entry at 17.00). Visitors are invited to register online before on the site patek.com.

The Rare Handcrafts 2024 exhibition will then be presented, from 7 to 16 June, in the Patek Philippe Salons in Bond Street, London. A grand premiere for those emblematic premises, which have just been renovated, and a unique opportunity for visitors to admire the entirety of these outstanding creations before they rejoin private collections all over the world.

Rare Handcrafts Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Reference 5160/500R-001  Patek Philippe

Two major evolutions for the Patek Philippe Seal

The aim of the Patek Philippe Seal, introduced in 2009, was to establish a new standard of quality for mechanical watches, while clearly describing what constitutes the essence and distinctiveness of Patek Philippe quality. The Seal was conceived by the Stern family as an all-embracing quality label that would continue to evolve, a dynamic reflection of the innovations and technical advances brought into play by the manufacture. With that objective in mind Patek Philippe set down in the Patek Philippe Seal two significant evolutions.

Strengthened criteria governing rate accuracy

The rate accuracy of Patek Philippe watches is checked at several stages in the manufacturing process, initially with uncased movements and then with finished watches. Since 2009, the final rate-accuracy measurement, performed on a kinetic simulator, must comply with the following precision standards: within the range of -3 and +2 seconds per 24 hours for calibers with diameters of 20 mm or more; within the range of -5 and +4 seconds per 24 hours for calibers with diameters of less than 20 mm, and within the range of -1 and +2 seconds per 24 hours for watches with a tourbillon (with, in addition for this last group, the greatest deviation between the average rate of the watch in all six measuring positions and the rate in each position must not exceed 4 seconds per 24 hours). Henceforth, all watches equipped with a Spiromax balance spring in Silinvar or a traditional Breguet balance spring must therefore comply with a tight tolerance range of -1 and +2 seconds per 24 hours  an advance made possible by the perfectly concentric development of the Spiromax balance spring and the progress in precision timing achieved by Patek Philippe. The watches with a tourbillon, which must comply with this same tight tolerance range, are delivered with an individually issued rating certificate and remain subject to the same stipulations as regards rate accuracy in six measuring positions.

Unified criteria for water-resistance

To ensure the homogeneity and clarity of the information provided to clients, Patek Philippe has decided to introduce a new unified standard of water-resistance set at 30 meters for all watches certified as water-resistant  having been tested in air and underwater by immersion at an overpressure of 3 bars (corresponding to a depth of 30 m). This measure makes it possible to guarantee the same performance level across all the models concerned and to provide perfectly comprehensible information as to the day-to-day activities in which clients can engage while wearing their watch: washing their hands, showering, bathing, swimming and other aquatic activities, including diving to a depth of 30 m  which corresponds in large measure to actual utilization.

Aquanaut Travel Time Reference 5269R-001  Patek Philippe

An international 5-year warranty for new watches

The Watches and Wonders Salon 2024 is also the occasion for Patek Philippe to announce an evolution with regard to the international warranty. For all new Patek Philippe watches sold as from May 1 2024, the duration of this warranty increases from two years to five years, counting from the date of purchase. In addition to this new advantage for the customer, it is important to remember that the Directives of the Patek Philippe Seal already contain a pledge by the International Customer Service network to service, repair or restore every watch produced by the manufacture since its foundation in 1839. In sum, everything is in place to ensure the long-term reliability of these timepieces, designed and built to be handed down to future generations.
Editor's note: Reporter Patti Zarling spent 14 days in Morocco Feb. 8-22. Following is part two of her experience.

Slipping into my soft bed in a posh room at the Kasbah Xaluca Hotel in Erfoud, I tossed and turned a bit the night of Feb. 14.

It had already been a wonderful day  mostly on the bus driving from Fes to the edge of the Sahara desert. The highlight of that journey was a stop within the Atlas Mountains to feed and take photos of monkeys. They seemed comfortable around people, and we got quite close.

The Barbary macaque monkeys are native to Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, according to the Encyclopedia of Life. They are endangered.

We stopped during our drive to the Sahara Desert to feed some monkeys.

Our tour guide, Nory, knew where these little monkeys could be found in the treed area. We got off the bus to take photos. Some men with Berber horses (a type of breed, which seem slightly smaller than horses I am used to) approached us to take photos and attempt to sell us rides.

Then, we climbed back on the bus, stopping in a village to eat tagine in a truly local cafe with the local people. This place also had squat toilets, which is always interesting for us Americans.

We arrived at the Xaluca in late afternoon, and enjoyed a buffet meal (there was pizza!) and called it an early night.

Read part one: From Manitowoc to Morocco: My journey to this exotic and wonderful country, part one

Traversing the rolling dunes of the Sahara was like being on a movie set.

In the morning, we left our bus behind and divided into groups of four. We each had a driver and a 4x4 vehicle that would take us to our camp in the Sahara desert.

Jude and I were fortunate enough to ride with both Nory and our hometown tour organizer, Suzanne. We could have all our questions answered!

Jude and I always wondered how the drivers knew where they were going. Once you got off the main highway, the desert had what we would call trails  sort of unmarked graveling dirt/sand tire tracks they would drive through the open desert on. They knew where to turn to find our destinations, but we never noticed any signs or other landmarks.

Nory told us large parts of the western Sahara are owned by the Moroccan government. Our camp area is owned by the Moroccan army and leased to the private company that runs the camps.

Sunset over the Sahara Desert. Patti Zarling joined a tour group headed to Morocco in February and one highlight included a camel ride in the desert.

Its impossible to describe the drive through the rolling dunes of the desert  with blue, cloudless skies and miles of no signs of civilization  that would do the experience justice. Sort of like being on a movie set.

The sand just looks soft, and you can see the ripples in the ever-moving sand. Definitely one of those moments in life when you cant really believe you are where you are. Which is one of the main points of traveling, right?

We made a brief stop at a market in a small desert town. Nory wore traditional Berber clothing and explained how various wares are used in everyday life.

Trinkets were for sale in the desert, as a token of the experience for visitors

This market was more rural than the one we experienced in Fes or would visit in Marrakesh. I felt like I did when I visited my aunt and uncle in Kumba, Cameroon, two decades ago. They were there as missionaries. Seeing a taste of the African part of Morocco was interesting to me.

We stopped at a small shop (or farm?)  some sort of place that had baby camels and a gift shop. We saw a guy milk a two-week-old camel and some of us tasted the milk. To me, it tasted like slightly less-fatty cows milk.

Our group also visited a traditional Nomadic family. They did not speak English, so Nory translated for us. There was a grandfather and a younger couple and their young children. They live in a simple home made of sticks and stones. They have water and food storage. They teach the children at home, and they move when the weather gets too warm or too cold. They live on so little, some in our tour I think felt bad for them and wanted to give them money, but Nory said these nomadic families are content and prefer a simple way of life. They are born into it, I guess.

They also served us mint tea and cookies. No matter where we went, Moroccan people always wanted to share tea  and a smile  with us.

Camping in the Sahara is nothing like camping in Wisconsin.

Our campsite in the early morning was nothing like campsites back home in Wisconsin.

When we signed up for the trip, I thought our two nights of camping in the Sahara would be similar to the camping I do at home  pitch a tent, pull out your chairs and build a fire. Get your food out of coolers and roll out the sleeping bag.

Well, this camp was a giant step up from that. Each camp had around 12 tents that were made of strong canvas with cement walkways leading to the door and a little patio out front.

Jude and I slept on full-sized beds within our large tent, which had a door, window, electricity and a bathroom and shower.

Staff cooked a meal in the camp kitchen, and we ate in a full dining room, with a fabulous view of the desert dunes.

Everything ran on solar energy, and our staff lived in the camp, too. They also multi-tasked as we recognized our food server later playing with the drummers around the fire.

Reporter Patti Zarling took this photo while atop a camel in the Sahara Desert in Morocco. She went on a tour of Morocco recently, and riding a camel was an experience she won't soon forget.

Friday morning (Feb. 16) was the main event. As we finished our breakfast, we could see camels at the far side of the camp. We were all so excited to climb aboard and have our ride in the desert!

The camels were roped together in groups of five or six, and we all got on our camels as they knelt in the sand. They had saddles made of carpets and we hung on to a metal bar. Our feet hung loose. Once the camel at the front got up, the other camels did, too. You leaned far forward and far back as they got up onto their long legs. The handlers led them over the dunes.

The ride was so cool! They went very slowly up and down the hills. Cant say the ride was super comfortable, and half hour was about enough. Nory said the ride is less bumpy when camels are running, rather than loping along.

But our day was just getting started. We then climbed into our trucks and visited a deserted mine and a desert graveyard. We participated in a fun drumming lesson at a desert school where talented kids apprentice. We also stopped at a date farm (in an oasis in the desert) to learn about agriculture methods.

The next morning, we packed our ruck sacks and headed through the High Atlas Mountains.

The next two days would be mostly driving along the rugged Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Marrakesh. It was interesting to see all these small towns and ancient villages, wondering what life is like for the people living in these remote areas.

Patti Zarling took this photo from a nearby building as the tour group followed the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" to Marrakesh, where turreted fortresses rise up like sandcastles.

Visiting the busy and crowded city of Marrakesh.

We spent the next three or so days in Marrakesh, which is about as crowded and crazy as you might imagine.

I am not really a big-city type person, and three days is probably enough for me!

The highlight of this experience for me was a cooking class we took at a womens training center. We sliced vegetables, added seasoning, and slow-cooked our dishes on outdoor clay fire pots. We learned how the Amal training school prepares women for culinary or chef careers, and also run a successful restaurant and catering service.

This street is within the busy city center of Marrakesh, a city that has a population of almost a million people. When Patti Zarling visited here, she was thrilled to buy some Moroccan yarn.

We had tea and ate the meals we cooked. When we returned to our top-notch hotel, Bob, who was part of our tour but did not do the class, told me he had found a yarn and fiber shop in the crazy Marrakesh marketplace! I was so excited!

I am a knitter and try to buy yarn whenever I visit a new place. I wasnt sure if I would have luck in Morocco, but had located the Fiber Shop on Instagram. Bob had kindly bought some red yarn for me!

Since the group was going back to the marketplace, for people who wanted to shop, I was determined to find the Fiber Shop.

Our local tour guide knew where the shop was within the maze of the marketplace and led me there. Luckily, he also translated for me as I had about two seconds to choose the colors I wanted and bargain a price. Not like the yarn shops at home I am used to browsing through! I will never get accustomed to the in-your-face bartering system used in so many other cultures. I am truly a deer in the headlights.

Fiber and yarn hung in the Marrakesh marketplace. When Patti Zarling traveled to Morocco, she bought some yarn to bring home.

Now, I need to choose a project! Fiber was sold by the half pound, so yardage-wise, I am not exactly sure the amount I purchased.

We also had dinner in a local restaurant that served alcohol. I ordered the draft beer. They offer one kind  a bit different than the 20 beers you might find on tap in Wisconsin! We also had a blast singing Sweet Caroline with another American group when the DJ played the song.

Later, we toured the marketplace at night and took a charming horse carriage ride.

A trip to Germany: I went to Germany for two weeks to see Christmas markets and more. Heres what I learned.

Some tour members pump oxygen into their fire pots while taking a cooking class. Reporter Patti Zarling joined a tour group to Morocco recently.

A final day in Casablanca, and parting thoughts.

Our final day was spent in Casablanca. We toured the Hassan II Mosque, which is breathtakingly beautiful. It is the largest mosque in Africa and the third largest in the world.

We ate our final meal at the famous Ricks Cafe. It was fun, but as it was built in 2004, I dont think Sam ever actually played there. The food was so good, and we were all chatty and sad it was time to go home.

We got up at 4 a.m. to head to the airport, and I got home to Green Bay at about 9 p.m. that evening. A long day, when you consider the seven-hour time difference.

Jude and I agree it will be hard to top this vacation. I learned so much, its hard to answer when someone asks me what my favorite thing was.

Patti Zarling and her friend Jude take a photo at the site of the ancient Roman ruins during her recent trip to Morocco.

I appreciated that I went with a group of people from northeastern Wisconsin, as we had things in common to talk about and can stay in touch.

I appreciated traveling through Collette, which puts an emphasis on educational pieces to a travel experience.

I appreciated taking a tour with Nory as our guide. He was very open in sharing his life story with us, and his knowledge of the culture and people added a lot of depth to the experience.

I liked talking to the people. I enjoyed talking to a young guy running a stand in the Marrakesh market about his life, what brought him from the hills to the city, and how he drives a scooter in the crazy traffic and narrow streets of the medina!

I hope to get back to Morocco at some point, to see the northern portion I missed this time around and revisit some other spots.

When talking to folks from other countries, especially ones less developed than the U.S. I always feel this: we have it so much better than we realize. We take our belongings, our incomes, our homes, our wide-open spaces, our education, our large middle class, our freedoms, for granted.

A woman gathering water in the desert. My February trip to Morocco included some sights and experiences in the Sahara Desert.

I also feel this: We dont have it as good as people in other places think we do. There is a lot of corruption here, too, and poverty, and the freedom to move around or own a home or get a great education is not distributed evenly in the U.S., either.

But a person never gets that chance unless they leave their own back yards. Yes, technology has made our world smaller. But a digital experience will never replace a real-life experience.

Please, if you get the chance to go  GO. I said yes to a trip to Morocco. And I will never regret that.

Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@gannett.com or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on X @PGPattiZarling or on Instagram @PGPatti.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Reporter from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, travels to Morocco, Sahara, Casablanca
This Napping Practice In Other Parts Of The World May Surprise You

When Helen Russell, a British journalist who had relocated to Denmark, visited a Danish day care for the first time, she was struck by an unusual sight: rows of baby carriages parked in an outdoor shed, each containing a sleeping child.

At day care, or vuggestue (nursery room), under threes nap outside in their Mary Poppins-style perambulators under a shelter or in a sleeping shed, Russell, author of The Danish Secret to Happy Kids, told HuffPost.

Infants are strapped in so they cant escape, with rein-like harnesses. And some prams are made from wood and even have hinged wooden bars over the opening so that toddlers stay put until a pedagogue comes to get them. There may also be 3-foot ladders leaning against some prams to help sturdier toddlers make their own way up to sleep. ... The whole thing looks archaic, but they nap like a dream, Russell said.

Though she was anxious about leaving her firstborn to nap outside, everything worked out fine when she eventually gave it a try. When she subsequently had twins, she was grateful for the option to leave their hulking double stroller outdoors while they snoozed.

If my twin babies were sleeping, they stayed outside, and Id take a window seat, keeping an eye out for twitching blankets, Russell said. She also let the babies nap outdoors in a shed in her yard, where they slept well and woke happy (usually).

In addition to rows of strollers in day care sleeping sheds and parked in families yards or patios, its not a rare view to see a coffee shop and outside several strollers with babies inside them and no adults around. The parents are hanging out inside the coffee shop, Avigiel Cohen, a mother of a 2-year-old who lives in Copenhagen, told HuffPost. Russell mentioned that families living in apartment buildings also use communal courtyards for this purpose.

Where does the practice come from?

The practice is common in Nordic countries. It was championed by Emily Picker, a well-known Hungarian pediatrician, whose teachings and approaches to infant development were introduced in the USA by Magda Gerber, explained infant and child sleep consultant Lola Sanchez Liste. At her Loczy orphanages, all babies nap in their cribs outside, Sanchez Liste said.

Since it gets quite chilly at northern latitudes in places like Denmark, caregivers have perfected the art of bundling up little ones to stay warm.

Danish children wear a balaclava, or elephant hat, much of the year-around in varying thickness  from cotton in spring to wool in winter. Theyre dressed in multiple layers, often woolen sleep suits, as well as mittens and booties, all topped off with a duvet or sleeping bag and then a pram cover, Russell said.

Some people even go old school and use layers of newspaper for insulation, she added.

Caregivers also pay attention to where the stroller is parked, selecting a spot that will offer shelter from the wind.

What are the benefits of babies napping outside?

Nordic caregivers cite multiple benefits to the practice of babies napping outdoors, Swedish psychologist, sleep expert and mother Li Aslund explained.

First, there is the reduced chance of catching a respiratory illness as opposed to indoor naps  a concept were all deeply familiar with after the COVID-19 pandemic. This is important during the long winters in the Nordic countries, she said.

Second, there is a belief in the salutary effects of being outside. Exposure to natural light and fresh air is thought to promote healthy sleep patterns, helping babies maintain a regular circadian rhythm, Aslund said.

This is consistent with the Nordic philosophy of friluftsliv, or free air life, Russell said. They see breathing in fresh, cold air as a way to develop immunity.

When children outgrow their naps, its still expected that they will spend hours every day outdoors, playing in clothes that will protect them from the often harsh weather.

Finally, and most critically to new parents, adherents believe that babies fall asleep more quickly and take longer naps when they are outside. Parents will therefore opt for the outdoor nap as often as possible, Aslund said.

Russell remarked that an added benefit might be that children become accustomed to sleeping through the kind of ambient noise that is common outdoors.

Are there any safety concerns?

Met with the sight of strollers parked outside cafes and bars, most Americans immediately have the same thought: What if someone steals the baby! That this is where peoples minds go says something about the fear-based, crime-obsessed nature of our culture  and the lack of such widely held anxiety in other parts of the world.

I worried that the practice was dangerous early on, asking my Danish friends: What if someone ... takes them? But I got the same answer again and again: No one steals babies in Denmark, Russell said.

She noted that the only instance of this she knew of was a 1966 case in which the baby was eventually found safe and returned to her family.

There was a well-publicized drama in the U.S. involving a baby napping outside, but in this case it was the authorities who separated the child from her mother. In 1997, a Danish woman, Annette Srensen, was arrested in New York City for leaving her sleeping toddler outside a restaurant she had entered to have a drink. The baby was placed in foster care and then reunited with Srensen four days later. Srensen was charged with child endangerment, and she later sued the city over the ordeal.

The biggest concern in Nordic countries, on the other hand, seems to be that babies will get cold. In addition to proper bundling and strategic stroller parking, Danes keep their babies inside when the temperatures drop. Danish health authorities recommend moving naps indoors when the temperatures fall below 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 10 degrees Celsius).

Cohen said that during a recent snowstorm in Copenhagen, she saw on the news an official statement that since its -10 degrees Celsius, if your baby is under 1 year old, you should consider not having them sleep outside.

Both Russell and Cohen reported that outdoor napping has been successful with their children.

I can count on one hand how many times she has taken a nap indoors, Cohen said of her 2-year-old daughter. We always prioritize fresh air, and she sleeps better this way.

Can this help babies who struggle with naps?

If youre struggling with naps, pushing the stroller out onto the patio may be worth a shot  but you shouldnt expect it to solve all the issues that youre having. Sanchez Liste cautions parents: While it is very romantic to see dozens of European babies sleeping in their strollers outside a coffee shop, this is not an image that is realistic in New York, for example.

In general, she said, while newborns sleep so often that they end up frequently napping on the go, in the stroller or a carrier, as babies get older, they may require more particular sleeping conditions  at least here in the U.S., where napping outside is not the norm.

The need for a nap becomes more regular, timing more relevant for the nap quality, and the older baby more stimulated with everything that happens around him/her, she explained. In most cases, she added, the best place for a nap is the crib, in a dark, cool room, following safe sleep recommendations.

If you do decide to give outdoor naps a try, its important to take precautions regarding babys temperature. Though cold weather means layers, Sanchez Liste advises also paying attention to the chance of overheating when weather is warmer.

Leaving the stroller in the sun (or even in the shade on a hot day), covered with blankets to block the light, increases the temperature of the stroller so much that it creates the risk of suffocation. The stroller should always be put in a cool area and not covered with blankets that prevent the airflow, she said.

The recommendation to put babies to sleep flat on their backs applies to strollers as well, Sanchez Liste said, recommending stroller bassinets for young babies that allow for this positioning.

A childs sleep needs change a lot during their first years, Sanchez Liste explained. Though newborns wont adhere to a schedule, after 4 months of age, daytime sleep starts slowly becoming organized. Babies will transition from three to two naps, and from two to one, all within the first 15 months of life.

She advises parents to follow a routine for naps, just as they do for nighttime. It can be helpful to arrange activities in the order of eat, play, sleep, where the baby is feeding when he/she wakes up from a nap instead of when she/he is going down for the nap.

Another way to encourage a healthy sleep? Fresh air and natural light while the child is awake, particularly during the morning hours. That is, as a Scandinavian might say, a good daily dose of friluftsliv.

Related...
Ouch! What bit me? Atlanta ranks in top 50 mosquito-infested cities

Feeling itchy? Youre not alone. Terminix has identified the Top 50 mosquito-infested cities and Atlanta made the list.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

According to Terminix, a Rentokil Terminix company, May is the beginning of mosquito season.

As temperatures rise worldwide, bugs and insects are beginning to creep out and for longer periods, than in previous years.

TRENDING STORIES:

Atlanta came in the top, falling in fourth place as one of the mosquito-infested cities. The number one city is Los, Angeles, Calif., second place is New York, N.Y., and the third is Dallas-Fort Worth, TX.

The ranking was determined from 2023 Terminix service data, focusing on key metropolitan areas. Any area that experiences seasonal temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit is at risk of mosquito activity, with coastal regions and areas prone to higher humidity being the most vulnerable, according to Terminix.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

To help fight the bite Dr. Sydney Crawley, principal vector scientist for Terminix, recommends the following three Ds: defend, dress and drain.

Defend  Use a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved insect repellent according to label directions.

Dress  Extra precautions that may help you avoid being bitten include wearing lighter color clothing as lighter colors are less attractive to mosquitoes than darker colors. Long sleeves, long pants and socks are recommended when near water or heavily wooded areas.

Drain  Drain any standing water and clean out gutters and drains to ensure they are free-flowing.

For more tips for pest management and the full list, click here.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Portugal is often described by wine lovers and pros as a treasure trove (yes, guilty, Ive said it many times). Its a reference to the diverse, often fascinating wines made throughout the country, mostly from lesser-known local grapes. Why, then, do so many think only of port or big-brand rose (heres looking at you, Mateus) when you mention Portuguese wines?

I think it is, unfortunately, down to these same local varieties. In a world where its oh-so easy to ask for malbec or chardonnay in a restaurant or wine merchant, grapes with names like esgana cao (translates as dog strangler, referring to its grippy acidity), rabigato (means ewes tail or cats tail, depending on which part of the country youre in, because of its long clusters of grapes) and tinto bastardinha (well) dont trip off the tongue so easily  or have the same appeal.

But Portuguese table wines really can be wonderful, and they do  like that treasure trove  open the lid on a world of glinting gems. If I ever feel stuck in a wine rut, pouring the same predictable labels every time, I often turn to Portugal to shake up my taste buds. Im talking wines with refreshingly different flavours and textures, not too far removed from international styles, but just that bit unusual.

Portuguese whites are mostly dry, deeply refreshing and lean, with exotic floral and spicy notes adding to a mouthwatering ping of citrus peel, so perfect for late spring and summer drinking. Its a mistake to generalise about the reds, such is the range of local grapes, either used on their own or blended with international varieties. But do expect lots of ripe, rounded textures (its no exaggeration to say that Portuguese reds are a lot softer than they were 20 years ago). Some of the best table reds now come from port country, that beautifully steep-terraced, arid northern Douro Valley, and are made from the same mix of grapes as port, only unfortified.

Here are five Portuguese wines to pluck, jewel-like, from this barely discovered cache of delights:

potuguese wines

Animus 2021, Douro (13%, Aldi, 6.49)

Made from the same blend of red grapes used for port, this red table wine is quite the bargain. At its core are ripe, juicy red plums, theres a whiff of violets and a rounded, easy-going texture. A Portuguese party red, it has a more food-friendly sister wine in Animus Douro Reserva 2021  (13.5%, Aldi, 6.79), which tastes similar but is more structured and tannic.

Morrisons The Best Alvarinho 2022, Vinho Verde (12.5%, Morrisons, 9.50 or 25 per cent off on any three The Best wines until April 28)

Banish all thoughts of medium-sweet, stumpy-bottled vinho verde; this is a very dry, more sophisticated take on the whites of that cool-climate, damp north-west region. It is a little spritzy, as many VVs are, but has racy acidity and tangy splashes of lemon and lime. Excellent with grilled sardines. Among the major retailers, Morrisons has a notably good bunch of Portuguese wines.

Quinta Vale do Olmo Golpe 2022, Douro (12.5%, Tanners, 14.90)

If you like zingy sauvignon blanc, give gulpable Golpe a try. A blend of three Douro Valley white grapes: viosinho, gouveio and rabigato, it has deliciously fresh and zesty flavours of lemon and white grapefruit, with a little orange blossom sprinkled in, ending crisply. Chill it for white fish and new-season asparagus.

The Wine Society Generation Series Portuguese Red 2021 (12.5%, The Wine Society, 17.50)

Interesting, convincing new wine conjured from a cross-regional blend of grapes grown in the Bairrada, Alentejo and Dao regions. Made by the renowned Niepoort family to celebrate 150 years of The Wine Society, its elegant, fresh and full of juicy red fruits, with a subtle sprinkle of woody herbs. I admire its fine balance; dont expect a blockbuster but an unoaked medium-bodied red. Could be chilled lightly.

M&S Lisboa Bonita 2021, Lisboa (13.5%, M&S, Ocado, 11)

Some interesting reds are made around Lisbon; this is a blend of 25 per cent syrah with five Portuguese grapes. Its fairly robust with rich blackcurrants and prunes and some wood spice from barrel ageing. Match with grilled red meats.

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Get ready to put your hummingbird feeders out. See where they are with interactive map

Hummingbirds are synonymous with spring, and for many Massachusetts gardeners and bird watchers used to temperamental New England weather, looking out the window to see these hardworking pollinators hovering over the flower bed is as sure a sign as any that the seasons have finally turned.

Bird enthusiasts will recognize the ruby-throated hummingbird at their feeders and gardens, the primary species that nests in the Eastern United States according to Mass. Audubon, and is forecast to be returning this spring.

Every year, these tiny birds migrate more than the length of the continental United States to Massachusetts from their winter retreats in Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama.

Track hummingbirds as they migrate to Massachusetts

A hummingbird sips nectar from a feeder in a file photo. According to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the ruby-throated hummingbird is the smallest breeding bird found in the state.

Thanks to HummingbirdCentral.com, an interactive map allows bird watchers to report sightings that will then be fed into the constantly updated map, hummingbirds are easy to track. As of Monday, the birds have not yet been reported in Massachusetts, with early arrival having been seen in Ford, New Jersey, this past weekend.

This is somewhat later than last year, with the first potential hummingbird sighting in the state reported April 12 in Worcester.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Hummingbird rest stop

If you want to set up a feeder for the hummingbirds after their continent spanning journey, Charles Clarkson, director of Audubon Avian Research, recommended the following:

A mixture that is one part sugar to four parts water. A tip: Bleached white sugar works just fine, and many individual birds seem to prefer it, he wrote.

Change the feeder every week.

When you change the food, clean the feeder with a solution that is 10% bleach and 90% water. Rinse well.

Hang the feeder in an open area. Hummingbirds dart around and maneuver constantly and need the space to accommodate these movements, he wrote.

Bird-watchers should be careful where and when to set up their feeders, however  the food inside can attract much larger wildlife such as bears. Residents in areas with heavy bear activity are advised to use their discretion.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Hummingbirds Interactive Map: See how close hummingbirds are to MA
Big Lost Meadery is expanding and has chosen Sioux Falls as its second location. The new meadery and restaurant will be built facing the glistening waters of Lake Lorraine near Hyatt Place Hotel.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday afternoon at the future site of Big Lost Meadery & Brewery and Ranch & Roost, a Gillette, Wyoming, meadery and restaurant.

Opening remarks were given by Ryan Boschee, chair for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and regional vice president for First Interstate Bank.

Owner Sam Clikeman spoke next, mentioning during the last year and a half, they have been searching around the country for their first expansion location, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Tampa, Florida, before selecting Sioux Falls.

Sam Clikeman, owner of Big Lost Meadery & Brewery, speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony on April 15, 2024.

This community truly is incredible," Clikeman said. "The vibrance of the hospitality industry, the vision for the future and its voracious growth is pretty special. Its part of what drew us here. But, ultimately, the people here made that key factor in our decision. While this city is growing, you guys are still a small community, and you act that way.

Steve Van Buskirk, president of Van Buskirk Companies, speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for Big Lost Meadery April 15, 2024.

Steve Van Buskirk, president of Van Buskirk Companies, said they had met with Cindy Monnin and Patty Vognild, daughters of Warren Friessen and Hilda Lorraine Hooshagen, of Freissen Construction Company, Inc., who shared their familys legacy of wanting to leave something better behind for the community. Freissen Construction Company founded the lake project, and partnered with Van Buskirk in the 2010s to market the site for development. Van Buskirk Companies is co-developing the land for this project also, along with Friessen Construction.

Sioux Falls council member Mark Zelberg, and Lawrence & Schiller CEO Scott Lawrence, also shared their enthusiasm for the project.

Big Lost Meadery & Brewery is anticpated to open first quarter of 2025.

The two-story structure will host about 140 people within its nearly 9,500 square feet.

Guests will have the option of indoor or outdoor seating on multiple levels. The brewery will be on-site and the mead will come straight from Wyoming.

Owner Sam Clikeman is presented a commemorative shovel at the Big Lost Meadery and Ranch & Roost groundbreaking ceremony April 15, 2024.

Clikeman said the business will bring its semi-Viking, mountain man, very rugged Wyoming cowboy theme, with a distinct South Dakota flair.

In 2007, Big Lost Meaderys humble beginning took place in a run-down, remote cabin in Logan, Utah. Clikeman and his friend Ned Vasholtz started with brewing beer. Then a suggestion from a friend introduced the idea of mead, which Clikeman said he was initially reluctant about.

Sioux Falls is the second location for Big Lost Meadery and Roost & Ranch, based out of Gillette, Wyoming.

After finding a honey producer in Montana, Clikeman ventured into making mead, which then fermented into Big Lost Meadery in 2014 and was eventually distributed nationwide.

The cuisine of Ranch & Roost will feature smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, hand cut fries, and much more, according to its website. Clikeman also said they will be expanding the menu some for the Sioux Falls location, which will include chislic, a South Dakota staple.

The project is anticipated to be complete in the first quarter of 2025.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Big Lost Meadery new location breaks ground in Sioux Falls
If you or someone you know is in crisis, these resources can help

If you are in crisis, or know someone who is, there are many resources that can help. These hotlines and organizations are free and available to anyone who is struggling.

For suicide prevention:

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

For sexual assault:

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. The hotline, run by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), can put you in contact with your local rape crisis center. You can also access RAINNs online chat service at https://www.rainn.org/get-help. Confidential chats are available in English and in Spanish.

For domestic violence:

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or go to www.thehotline.org for anonymous, confidential online chats, available in English and Spanish. Individual states often have their own domestic violence hotlines as well.

Advocates at the National Domestic Violence Hotline field calls from both survivors of domestic violence as well as individuals who are concerned that they may be abusive toward their partners.

For crisis counseling after tornadoes, hurricanes or other disasters:

The Disaster Distress Helpline offers 24/7 confidential crisis counseling to survivors and responders in the U.S. who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters, including floods, fires and incidents of mass violence. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

For mental health support during or after pregnancy:

If you are pregnant or a new mother and you are in crisis, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential support 24/7 in English and Spanish. Call or text the hotline at 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS.

For members of the LGBTQ+ community who are in crisis:

Trans Lifeline is a peer phone service run by trans individuals for other trans individuals who are in need of emotional support. The hotline can be reached at 877-565-8860. More resources are available at translifeline.org.

The Trevor Project offers a 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotline for LGBTQ youth and their loved ones. Call 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678 or send a confidential instant message to a counselor through TrevorChat. More resources are available at thetrevorproject.org.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community can also call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat live at 988lifeline.org.

For alcohol or other substance abuse problems:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a 24/7 National Helpline for individuals with substance abuse issues and their family members. The hotline, which offers assistance in English and Spanish, can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). To find behavioral health treatment services, visit SAMHSAs website.

For eating disorders:

The National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline provides support, resources and information about treatment options at 1-866-662-1235, Monday through Friday. You can also text ALLIANCE to 741741 if you are experiencing a crisis to be contacted by a trained volunteer. More information about eating disorders, including other free and low-cost support options, can be found on the National Eating Disorder Association's website.

For gambling problems:

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Council on Problem Gambling for help at 1-800-522-4700, or chat online with a specialist at ncpgambling.org/chat.

For veterans who are in crisis:

If you are a veteran in crisis or you are concerned about one, you can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and then pressing 1. Find more ways to get help through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

For teens who are in crisis:

The Teen Line provides peer-based support from trained teenagers who are available every evening to field calls and texts. Call 310-855-HOPE (4673), or toll-free at 800-TLC-TEEN from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET, or text TEEN to 839863 from 3 and 6 p.m. ET. Teen Line also responds to emails and has a message board.

For young people of color who are in crisis:

The Steve Fund is dedicated to helping students of color who are feeling stressed, overwhelmed or depressed. Text STEVE to 741741 to reach a culturally trained Crisis Text Line counselor.

For child abuse:

If you are a minor who is being abused, or you know a child who may be facing abuse, call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 or go to www.childhelphotline.org. States often also have child abuse hotlines, but if you suspect a child's life is in imminent danger, call 911.

For human trafficking:

The National Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached toll-free 24 hours a day at 1-888-373-7888. Support is available in more than 200 languages. The hotline can also be reached by texting BEFREE to 233733. Authorities urge those who suspect trafficking to also contact local police.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
This uptown Charlotte rooftop bar named among the top 10 best in the world

Skyline views, seasonal cocktails and Southern bites have helped put a Charlotte rooftop bar among the best spots of its kind in the world.

Merchant & Trade at Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel was recently ranked No. 8 on Mandoe Medias Top Rooftop Bars in the World list.

The company uses social media analytics including shares and rankings to create an index of the top global rooftop bars. This year, Merchant & Trade jumped up the ranks, moving up 60 places from its No. 71 ranking last year.

Mandoe Media noted Merchant & Trades panoramic views and called out its bar programs innovative original cocktails, many made using North Carolina spirits and house-made mixers.

The list also called its vibe lively, making it a good choice for special celebrations.

The 4,500-square-foot space offers standout drinks such as the Kind of a Pornstar ($17), with Grey Goose vodka, Cointreau, passion fruit, fresh pineapple and lime, house-made simple syrup and bubbles. Pair it with a shareable board such as Southern Traditions ($26), with fried pork belly, house pickles, deviled eggs, hoop cheese pimento and spiced pork rinds.

The No. 1 rooftop bar was Sky51 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Other rooftop bars in the region that ranked in the Top 10 included:

Merchant & Trade opened in 2017 and has since caught plenty of national attention. The rooftop bar has been featured in Conde Nast Traveler, Food & Wine and USA Today, and it also was recognized by Food Network on its list of Best Rooftop Restaurants in the Country.

The Merchant & Trade team is led by director of restaurants and bars Chris Baliles and assistant director of restaurants and bars Amanda Robertson.

Location: Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, 303 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28202

Menu

Cuisine: Southern, bar food

Instagram: @merchantandtrade
New data on the world's busiest airports in 2023 reveals the latest trends in global travel.

8.5 billion passengers traveled by plane last year, almost marking a return to pre-pandemic levels.

Airports in Asia and the Middle East became busier, but the US has once again clinched the top spot.

International travel is almost back to pre-pandemic levels, according to the just-released list of the world's busiest airports in 2023.

8.5 billion passengers traveled globally by plane last year  up from 7 billion passengers in 2022.

The rise in air travel marks a recovery to 93.8% of levels in 2019 before the world shut down, according to preliminary data published by the Airports Council International (ACI), a trade association that includes 2,600 airports worldwide.

Increasing travel to airports in Asia and the Middle East was one of the key trends to emerge from the data, with Dubai International Airport jumping from the fifth to the second busiest airport in the world.

Airports in India, Japan, and Turkey also made it into the top 10 and were some of the biggest movers in terms of annual gains in passenger numbers.

As the world's largest domestic market for flights, US airports still make up five of the busiest airports in the world, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retaining its No. 1 position.

Despite tough global economic conditions, there was "a growing inclination towards travel," Luis Felipe de Oliveira, the ACI's world director general, said in a press release.

"Airports continue to demonstrate their resilience and adaptability amidst the challenges posed by the ever-evolving landscape of global travel," said Oliveira.

Here's a closer look at the top 10 busiest airports in the world.

10. Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India

Indira Gandhi International Airport. Tooykrub / Shutterstock.com

Passengers: 72.2 million

2022 ranking: 9th

Delhi's main airport, Indira Gandhi International Airport, saw a 21.4% increase in year-on-year traffic. While it has dropped a place this year, Delhi has grown significantly as a transport hub since 2019, when it sat at number 19 in the rankings.

9. Chicago OHare International Airport, USA

A snowstorm at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. Kamil Krzaczynski/Reuters

Passengers: 73.9 million

2022 ranking: 4th

Travel through Chicago O'Hare jumped by 8.1% throughout 2023. O'Hare is a hub airport for domestic travel, particularly for United and American Airlines flights. It is also a focus city for low-cost rivals Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines.

8. Los Angeles International Airport, USA

Los Angeles International Airport. Eric Glenn/Shutterstock

Passengers: 75.1 million

2022 ranking: 6th

Travel through LAX was up 13.8% in 2023, however, compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, passengers at the West Coast airport decreased by 14.8%  the largest decrease of any airport in the top ten rankings. LAX is a hub for a number of carriers, including Alaska Airlines, United, American, and Delta. But domestic travel at the airport shrunk dramatically as airlines cut the number of flights following a series of meltdowns in 2022.

7. Istanbul Airport, Turkey

Istanbul Airport. gokcentunc/Shutterstock.com

Passengers: 76 million

2022 ranking: 7th

Passenger numbers at Turkey's Istanbul airport have increased by 18.3%, making it the only transit hub to keep level with its previous ranking in the top 10. Notably, traffic through the airport has jumped by 45.7% since 2019.

6. Denver International Airport, USA

A TSA security checkpoint at Denver International Airport. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Passengers: 77.8 million

2022 ranking: 3rd

Denver Airport has dropped down several places on the list but still shows strong signs of growth in terms of passengers. In the last year traffic through the Colorado airport was up 12.3%, and it has also grown 12.8% from pre-pandemic levels.

5. Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Japan

Tokyo Haneda International Airport. Sean Pavone / iStock

Passengers: 78.7 million

2022 ranking: 16th

Japan's Tokyo Haneda Airport saw the largest increase in traffic by far, with passenger numbers surging by 55.1%. Some of that jump can be explained by a lag in tourism as Japan only reopened its borders in late 2022. Despite the jump, Tokyo Haneda is still 7.9% under its 2019 level of traffic. This January the airport made headlines after a fatal collision involving a Japan Airlines plane and a coastguard vehicle killed five people.

4. London Heathrow, UK

Passengers line up to go through security in departures at Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport. Steve Parsons - PA Images via Getty Images

Passengers: 79.2 million

2022 ranking: 8th

Travel through the UK's largest airport shot up by 218% in 2022 and has once again made strong gains throughout 2023, jumping by a slightly more modest 28.5%. The airport has credited travel from the Asia-Pacific region as a major factor in its increased passenger numbers. It hopes to supersede its pre-pandemic level of traffic in 2024 and hit a record 81.4 million passengers, the airport said in a report published in December.

3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, USA

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. LJ Jones/Shutterstock

Passengers: 81.8 million

2022 ranking: 2nd

Dallas/Fort Worth airport , known as DFW, is American Airlines' busiest hub and the departure city for many of the airline's international flights. Last year traffic through the airport jumped by 11.4%.

2. Dubai International Airport, UAE

Departures at Dubai International Airport in February 2022. KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Passengers: 87 million

2022 ranking: 5th

Dubai took the number 2 ranking in the list for the first time, thanks to a significant 31.7% increase in passenger numbers. Dubai's new position reflects the heavy investment that has gone into the aviation industry and boosting tourism in the region.

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. REUTERS/Tami Chappell

Passengers: 104.7 million

2022 ranking: 1st

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport comes in at No. 1 as the busiest airport in the world, a position it has held for more than two decades. In 2023, the Atlanta airport saw an 11.7% increase in passenger numbers.

Here's a look at what it takes to be an air traffic controller at the world's busiest airport.

Read the original article on Business Insider
DENVER (KDVR)  The Denver Police Department arrested a man on suspicion of stabbing a person Sunday night in Cheesman Park.

According to the department, the stabbing took place at about 9:32 p.m. at 1599 E. 8th Ave. When officers arrived on scene, witnesses pointed out the suspect to officers, police said.

Denver police said investigators are not aware of any relationship between the suspect and victim prior to the stabbing.

Police investigate stabbing in Cherry Creek North

Officers were subsequently able to arrest the suspect safely. The agency identified him as Dustin Ronfeldt, 43, and said he is being held on investigation of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon.

The victim, a man, was transported to a hospital with serious injuries.

The investigation into the circumstances of the stabbing is ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
American Oscar-winning actor and director Sean Penn gave a candid interview on the occasion of the television premiere of his film about Russia's war in Ukraine, Superpower, which took place in Germany. The famous filmmaker admitted what he would do if he met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and explained how Russia's victory in the war would be the end of the United States.

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According to him, US President Joe Biden currently lacks "the will, leadership and sacrifice that President Roosevelt had in World War II." This was reported by NV with reference to the German newspaper Bild.

Sean Penn said that his people need to learn from the unity of Ukrainians who have rallied in the face of threat. After talking to people in Ukraine, he realized the value of life as never before.

"I believe in the resilience of Ukrainians who are fighting for every bit of their territory, including Crimea. That is why we must not allow defeat in this war. This must not happen. Regardless of whether Democrats or Republicans are in power. If we lose this war, it could be the end of the United States. You know, I am a child of the Vietnam War. I grew up with its cruel and criminal images. So I have never believed that weapons lead to peace. But now we must give Ukraine everything we have to stop this war," said Sean Penn.

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He also expressed his thoughts on the two leaders of hostile countries - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. When asked what the director would do with the latter if he met him, he said: "Bang!" Obviously, Penn hinted at a swift execution of the war criminal.

At the same time, he spoke warmly about his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, to whom the American left his Oscar for safekeeping until the victory day.

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"I am grateful that I was able to meet him. Apart from my parents and children, no one has ever touched me as much as he has," the director and friend of Ukraine recalled. By the way, earlier Sean Penn named a feature that distinguishes the President of Ukraine from others.

As OBOZ.UA wrote, the director knows Vladimir Putin personally. It happened back in 2001, when the filmmaker and his colleague Jack Nicholson came to Moscow for a film festival and stopped by Nikita Mikhalkov's summer residence.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
1-Year-Old Boy Killed by 3 Dogs While Being Babysat in Texas: 'This Is Certainly a Tragedy'

The toddler died from his injuries in the attack on April 15, Duncanville police revealed Monday

FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth/Youtube Texas home where 1-year-old boy was killed by 3 dogs

A toddler has tragically died after being attacked by three dogs in Texas.

The 1-year-old boy, who has not yet been identified, died from severe injuries sustained in the attack in Duncanville on the morning of Monday, April 15, the Duncanville Police Department stated in a press release.

The incident occurred while the toddler was being babysat and the dogs walked into the property despite being confined outside, Duncanville Interim Police Chief Matthew Stogner said in a news conference on Monday.

Police responded to the scene at around 10:40 a.m. on April 15 where they immediately began performing life-saving measures on the unconscious child, per the release. The toddler was transported to Childrens Medical Center in Dallas where they continued to work on him before he was pronounced dead.

Related: Ala. Boy, 4, Mauled to Death by Neighbors' Olde English Bulldog That Had No History of Aggressive Behavior

The dogs involved in the attack were of [German] shepherd mix, weighing approximately 80 lbs., Stogner shared in the news conference. The dogs were outside, somehow they made their way back inside the house where the incident took place, he said.

Three other children were also believed to be in the home at the time of the attack, who were left unharmed, and one adult.

Stogner said of the adults injuries in the attack, The dogs were confined in the house, they were not loose. The resident at the location, she attempted to pull the dogs from the infant unsuccessfully until the officers got there, at which point, she sustained some injuries as well.

Duncanville Police Department Facebook Duncanville Police speak about the death of 1-year-old boy

Related: Woman, 68, Killed by Dogs While Visiting Her Grandson

Police confirmed that Duncanville Animal Control responded to the scene and secured possession of the dogs following the attack.

David Trout, who is the brother of the injured residents ex-husband, described the babysitter as a sweetheart to NBC 5, who means well.

"She jumped in between and tried to, I guess, tear them apart," Trout told the news outlet. Shes taken care of kids down there forever without any kind of problems. I just hate it for her.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Google Maps Texas home where 1-year-old boy was killed by dogs

"Our hearts go out to the family," Stogner said in conclusion after the attack. "This is certainly a tragedy."

"It's important for all animal owners to ensure that their animals are confined and if there's kids around to ensure that there's some adult supervision around in case something like this were to happen," he added.

An investigation is ongoing with potential for criminal charges to be filed, authorities stated in the release.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
DENVER (KDVR)  Police in Commerce City were investigating a stabbing on Monday night they say may have been road rage-related.

It happened in the 11000 block of Oakland Drive, according to the Commerce City Police Department, which posted about the incident at 9:50 p.m.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Police said a man was taken to the hospital, but the extent of his injuries was unknown. A suspect had not been identified.

FOX31 has a crew at the scene and will be live on FOX31 News at 10 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
11-year-old girl has permanent brain damage from meal at dirty Wendys, lawsuit says

The family of an 11-year-old girl is suing after they said she fell critically ill from eating at a Wendys in Michigan.

On Aug. 1, 2022, 11-year-old Aspen Lamfers went to a Wendys in Jenison after softball practice and ate a Biggie Bag meal. The meal included a hamburger, chicken nuggets and french fries, according to an April 4 lawsuit filed by her family.

On Aug. 4, Aspen began to feel very sick, experiencing nausea, stomach pain, fever and diarrhea, the lawsuit said. Her symptoms got worse over the next few days, and after seeing she had blood in her stool Aug. 6, her mother took her to a hospital.

She was sent home after being treated, but by Aug. 7, she was back in the hospital feeling worse, the lawsuit said.

On Aug. 11, she was transferred to another hospital, eventually placed in the pediatric ICU and was put on dialysis, according to court documents.

Aspen was being treated for hemolytic uremic syndrome, a known and critical complication from STEC (Shiga toxin producing E. coli) infection, the lawsuit said. She was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney failure, according to the lawsuit.

She also suffered suddenly from neurological issues, such as facial drooping, weakness on the left side of her body and numbness, according to the lawsuit.

Aspen was considered to be critically ill and ultimately suffered from renal failure and permanent brain damage, according to the lawsuit.

Aspens life has been forever changed because of this blatant disregard for the health and safety of the public, the family attorney, Tom Worsfold, told McClatchy News in a statement.

At one point, Aspen became nonverbal, but not before asking a question, the lawsuit said.

Why am I so sick? Why? And its so bad! she said, according to the court document.

Aspen became paralyzed to an extent and had trouble drinking through a straw, according to the lawsuit. She developed high blood pressure, anemia, vision impairments and hallucinations due to brain swelling, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit said Aspen had to undergo physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, nursing care, counseling, and medical supervision and management, including continued kidney dialysis.

On Sept. 9, she was discharged with permanent impairments, including hypertension, loss of strength, diabetes, seizure disorder and brain damage, according to the lawsuit.

When Aspen took the State M-Step assessment in fifth grade in the spring of 2022, she scored in the 61st percentile for reading with a 6th grade reading level, and she scored in the 70th percentile for math, the lawsuit said. When Aspen took the State M-Step assessment after her STEC infection in the spring of 2023, she scored in the 26th percentile in reading with a 4th grade reading level, and she scored in the 9th percentile for math.

Reports of a dirty restaurant

McClatchy News reached out to Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc., which does business as Wendys, for comment April 16 but did not immediately hear back.

During a July 27 inspection of the Wendys location by the Ottawa County Health Department, results stated the restaurant had 17 health and food code violations. Inspectors found moldy strawberries, spoiled tomatoes, and day-old chili that had been left out, inspection reports included in the lawsuit show.

There was also water leaking throughout the building, expired food, food on the ground and dirty surfaces, the report said.

Facility throughout is dirty at an excessive end of the spectrum. Mold and mildew noted throughout, according to the report.

The restaurant was closed while staff worked to correct the issues. Then, on Aug. 8, the county health district recognized there was a connection with recent STEC infections and the Wendys location, the lawsuit said.

A follow-up inspection was done at the Wendys and investigators found several violations, according to the lawsuit.

Employees were not changing their gloves after contamination occurred, it said. Observed some blood from the ground beef dripped across the clean surface/food storage area of the grill where food is not held (such as cooked burgers staying warm). Blood transferred via gloved hands to clean white spatula utilized for the cooked burgers that are then prepared/served without any further cooking.

The inspection report said the violations indicated the food safety at the Wendys was at risk.

After the follow-up inspection, the business shut down again due to illness complaints and potential outbreak of E. coli infections, the lawsuit said. It reopened Aug. 17 after changing management.

Despite our best efforts, Meritage Hospitality Group has been unwilling or unable to engage in any effort to resolve Aspens claims without litigation, Worsfold told McClatchy News.

The lawsuit is asking for a judgment in the amount of $20 million.

Jenison is about a 10-mile drive southwest from Grand Rapids.

Wendys food illness outbreak is now up to six states, CDC says. Heres what to know

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A trio of teenagers including a 13-year-old Sacramento boy were arrested by authorities in Solano County after police said they carjacked a woman in Sacramento and robbed a Walgreens.

Officers were alerted just before noon Saturday of a robbery at Walgreens in the 3500 block of Del Paso Road in Westlake, a neighborhood west of North Natomas.

Three suspects  two from Sacramento and another from Antioch  shoved a woman aside to take her pickup truck and steal her cigarettes before fleeing the scene, according to police and archived radio dispatches.

A Walgreens store manager suffered injuries during the incident, according to radio audio.

The teenagers left the scene in the stolen Ford F-150, authorities said.

On Sunday, Rio Vista police officers were alerted by their Flock camera system that a stolen Ford F-150 was coming into their city, the Rio Vista Police Department said in a social media post.

The stolen vehicle was spotted by officers at a parking lot of a Taco Bell and KFC. The driver pulled onto Highway 12, at which point a teenager stepped out and began crossing the lanes, police said in the post.

Officers stopped the vehicle at a Liras Supermarket location along Highway 12, less than a mile away.

A 13-year-old and 16-year-old, both from Sacramento, were arrested by officers. A 17-year-old Antioch suspect was also arrested, police said.

Its unclear what charges the juvenile suspects face in Sacramento.
14-year-old shot to death in Ohio, feds say. Suspect caught in Georgia months later

A fugitive wanted in the senseless killing of a 14-year-old in Ohio was found hundreds of miles away in Georgia, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Ian Price, 21, was arrested on an aggravated murder charge Monday, April 15, nearly a year after he was accused of shooting and killing the teen in Cleveland, federal authorities said.

Officers tracked him to a home in Lithonia, just east of downtown Atlanta.

The Cleveland Division of Police was called about the shooting on Aug. 15, 2023, and officers found an unresponsive male lying face down on the ground. Authorities said he had been shot multiple times.

The teen, who wasnt identified, died from his injuries, U.S. Marshals said.

Authorities identified Price as a suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest. An investigation revealed he fled to the Atlanta area after the fatal shooting.

The senseless violence and killing of juveniles needs to stop, U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said in a news release. Our USMS task force will do everything in our authority to bring these violent fugitives to justice, including arresting them over 700 miles away from Cleveland.

Authorities didnt release information on a possible motive.

Lithonia is about a 20-mile drive east from downtown Atlanta.

Gun violence in the US

Thousands of people die each year from firearm injuries in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Gun-related injuries are a serious public health problem and accounted for more than 48,000 deaths across the nation in 2022, the CDC reported.

Experts said the impact of gun violence reaches far beyond the victims and their families.

Shooting incidents, including those in homes, schools, houses of worship, workplaces, shopping areas, on the street or at community events can affect the sense of safety and security of entire communities and impact everyday decisions, the public health agency said.

Charlotte triple-homicide suspect fled to notorious off-the-grid city, CA cops say

Meat market owner fled US over $10M food stamp fraud, feds say. Now, hes sentenced

Inmate serving 30 years vanishes during work release program, Georgia officials say
17-year-old charged with first degree murder, child pornography crimes in Topeka

TOPEKA (KSNT)  A juvenile is charged with multiple crimes by the Shawnee County District Attorneys Office Tuesday, including murder and sexual exploitation of a child.

The Shawnee County DAs Office announced in a press release that it is charging Joshua M. Mitchiner, 17, for multiple crimes. He was initially charged as a juvenile on Oct. 18, 2023 and waived to adult status on April 10, 2024.

Murder in the first degree; intentionally dangerous felony

Murder in the second degree; reckless

Aggravated robbery; bodily harm

Murder in the first degree; premeditation

Murder in the second degree; intentional

Eight counts of sexual exploitation of a child; visual depiction of a child under 18

2 injured after tornado rips into RV in northeast Kansas

Katie Garceran with the Shawnee County DAs Office says police were called to the 2000 block of Pennsylvania Avenue on reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, police found a victim, later identified as 17-year-old Victor N. Carlton, in the area. He was killed following a gunshot wound to the chest.

A follow-up investigation found Mitchiner drove the same type of car found on security cameras in the area at the time of the shooting. A search warrant was issued for his phone where officers found photos of child pornography. He was arrested on Oct. 17, 2023.

Man with gunshot injury hospitalized in Manhattan

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo.  A Lincoln County, Missouri, woman admitted in court on Monday that she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when she crashed into a tree in 2023 and killed three passengers.

The crash happened around 3:40 a.m. on Feb. 5, 2023, on South Chantilly Road, south of Ethington Road. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said a 2008 Ford Focus was driving north when it briefly flew into the air, skidded off the road, hit a tree, and flipped over.

The driver, Hailey G. Zenk, had to be extricated from the car. She and another passenger had to be airlifted to a St. Louis hospital with serious injuries.

The other three passengers in the car, William Flickinger, 18, Emily McNees, 17, and Kaeden Tyler, 15, were pronounced dead at the scene.

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Witness interviews indicated Zenk and others in the vehicle had smoked marijuana before the crash.

Data from the Ford Focus showed the vehicle was traveling approximately 81 miles per hour just four seconds prior to airbag deployment. South Chantilly Road has a posted speed limit of 35 mph. Zenks blood and urine tested positive for benzodiazepines and cannabis.

An Alford plea is sometimes referred to as a best interests plea, in which a defendant enters a guilty plea without pleading guilty in the eyes of the court but accepts the courts sentence nonetheless.

Zenk, now 19, pleaded guilty to DWI  death of 2 or more, DWI  serious physical injury, and three counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter.

Zenk will be sentenced on June 10. She faces up to 7 years in prison on the DWI  serious injury charge; 5 to 15 years on the fatal DWI charge; and 3 to 10 years, plus $10,000 fines on each involuntary manslaughter charge.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
(PUEBLO, Colo.)  The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) is searching for a 19-year-old in connection to the shooting death of a man on the south side of Pueblo on Sunday, April 7.

According to PPD, 19-year-old Gabriel Joseph Santiago is sought as a suspect in the shooting death of 27-year-old Dominic Aaron Adams of Pueblo. Adams was pronounced dead by Pueblo County Coroners investigators after police responded to the 1000 block of Elm Street just before 9:30 p.m. on April 7.

Courtesy: Pueblo Police Department

When officers arrived on scene, they found Adams suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. On Monday, April 15, PPD said that a warrant had been issued for Santiago on charges of First Degree Murder in connection to Adams death.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: No arrests made in Sunday fatal shooting in Pueblo

Santiago is described as a Hispanic male, 64, with brown hair and brown eyes. He may be driving a 2017 black Hyundai Accent with Colorado license plate CTDR27.

PPD is actively looking for Santiago. If you have seen him or know where he is, contact PPD at (719) 553-2502 or Detective Nicholas Lile at (719) 601-7751. To remain anonymous, contact Pueblo Crime Stoppers at (719) 542-STOP (7867) or PuebloCrimeStoppers.com.

If your information leads to a felony arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
2,000 elderly people known to be victims of enforced disappearance  Defence Intelligence

Ukraine has information on nearly 2,000 people over the age of 70 who are victims of enforced disappearance.

Source: Andrii Yusov, representative of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), at an event entitled "Civilians Illegally Held by Russia: Joint Steps by the Authorities and Civil Society towards their Liberation", as reported by Ukrinform

Details: Yusov said it has been officially recognised that there are over 14,000 civilians from Ukraine in Russian captivity, according to data from human rights organisations and Ukraines partners.

"The number may be far higher. And also, [there is information that] about 2,000 people over the age of 70 have become victims of enforced disappearances," Yusov stated.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has so far confirmed 868 cases of civilians being held at places of detention in Russia. Yusov noted, however, that in reality this number is far higher.

"But the mere fact that the ICRC indicates and confirms the presence of civilians in detention centres is also an acknowledgement of the fact that the Russian Federation has committed war crimes and direct violations of the Geneva Conventions," he added.

Background:

Dmytro Lubinets earlier reported that almost 37,000 people, including children, civilians and soldiers, are considered missing under special circumstances in Ukraine.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Two men who attempted to carjack an elderly victim, only to have their robbery thwarted, have been sentenced.

Back in July, the Erie County District Attorneys office says Andre Washington, Jr. 22, and Makeigh Brown, 20, attempted to forcibly steal a vehicle from a man as he was loading groceries into it. The incident took place not long after 7 p.m. in a parking lot outside a store on Orchard Park Road.

According to the DAs office, one of the men displayed what appeared to be a handgun during the robbery attempt.

The victim thwarted the robbery attempt by kicking one of the defendants, the DAs office said.

After this, they say Brown and Washington fled the parking lot. They both pleaded guilty to attempted robbery last month.

Washington received a sentence of five years in prison with five years of post-release supervision, while Brown was given a split sentence of six months in jail with five years of probation.

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Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award, JANY Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
The great-granddaughter of one of the world's stingiest billionaires and oil tycoon Jean Paul Getty, artist Ivy Getty, has filed for divorce after a 4-year marriage to Tobias Engel. Although the couple got married in December 2020 privately, they still celebrated a lavish wedding a few months later, hitting the headlines many times.

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The couple thought about the legal side of a possible divorce in advance, so after the engagement, a special agreement to protect all the assets of the billionaire family was drawn up. "It's obvious that Ivy, as a member of the Getty family, is cautious about legal tricks," an insider told Page Six.

The source indicates that Getty's lawyer filed for divorce back in January 2024. It is known that the couple did not undergo mediation (when a mediator can help resolve a conflict) as the relevant application is listed as "contested".

The artist has already deleted the photos of herself and Tobias Engel from her Instagram page, leaving those that were part of the wedding only.

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The lavish celebration of the new marriage took place in several stages, the first of which was a pre-wedding party called "British Invasion". It was held at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California, USA. The artist changed three looks during the entire festive evening, and the theme of the event was the style of the 60s, Insider reports.

The wedding itself took place at San Francisco City Hall, where the ceremony was officiated by U.S. House of Representatives member Nancy Pelosi. A total of 450 guests were invited, including the Queen's Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy, who herself secretly celebrated her wedding in 2022.

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The billionaire heiress entrusted her look to designer John Galliano, who made an exquisite translucent dress from pieces of mirrors. The crown on her head and the long veil were similar. The ceremony was also attended by a guitarist as a sign of honor to Ivy Getty's late father.

John Gilbert Getty died in 2020 at the age of 52. The man was addicted to alcohol and later to drugs, which created considerable problems for his billionaire grandfather Jean Paul Getty. In order to get hold of some of the tycoon's money, John was even kidnapped and demanded a ransom of $17 million, but the wise, albeit stingy, oil tycoon was then able to reduce the price to as little as $3 million.

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Ivy Getty and Tobias Engel met through a mutual friend, and began to communicate closely after a sudden meeting at Paris Fashion Week. The couple often went on vacation together, during one of which in Italy, the man proposed to his beloved at sunset.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WJW)  A 36-year-old and a 4-year-old from Stark County were found dead following a boating incident on a Florida lake.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in a news release identified the victims as 36-year-old Wayne Raber and 4-year-old Josiah Kayden Raber, both of Wilmot.

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Florida authorities on Saturday, April 13, responded to a report of an incident involving a single vessel behind a water treatment plant on Ward Lake in the states Manatee County.

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They found one person dead in the water near a boat. The other victim was found two days later in the water nearby, on Monday, April 15.

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All the members of the [commission] want to express their sincere sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased, reads the release.

The cause of the incident is still being actively investigated.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
2023 saw highest number of antisemitic incidents recorded across the country, report says

Driven in part by reactions to the Israel-Hamas war, 2023 saw the highest number of antisemitic incidents against Jewish Americans ever recorded by the Anti-Defamation League since the Jewish civil rights group began tracking attacks in 1979.

The number of antisemitic incidents recorded by the organization far exceeded any other annual tally from the ADL in the past 45 years. The ADL tracked 8,873 incidents of antisemitic assault, harassment and vandalism across the country last year  representing a 140% increase from 2022.

This marks a significant increase from the early 2010s, when antisemitic incidents recorded by the group in the U.S. were at their lowest levels. Since 2014, the annual number of incidents has risen consistently, setting new records in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and now 2023.

"Despite these unprecedented challenges, American Jews must not give into fear, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. Even while we fight the scourge of antisemitism, we should be proud of our Jewish identities and confident in our place in American society.

Kathy Tee holds up a sign condemning antisemitism at a rally for Israel outside the Texas Capitol, Oct. 15, 2023. (Credit: Aaron Martinez/American-Statesman/File)

A rise in hate and controversy

Of the nearly 8,873 incidents the ADL tracked last year, 5,204 of them took place following Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which left 1,200 people dead and hundreds taken hostage.

The ADL said for the first time, antisemitic incidents referencing Israel or Zionism constituted the majority of painful moments recorded by the group. These kinds of incidents accounted for 59% of the record in October and 60% in November, according to the audit.

In total, 36% of incidents the ADL tracked last year directly related to Israel or Zionism. In contrast, only 7% in 2022 included similar references.

An American Jewish Committee report released earlier this year revealed that 78% of Jewish people in the United States said they felt less safe following the Oct. 7 attack.

Hamas' assault last year sparked a sweeping, bloody war in the region. Approximately 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli's military action in the last six months. The Council on American Islamic Relations also warned earlier this year that it has received 8,061 complaints of Islamophobia in 2023  nearly half of which were made in the last three months of the year.

More: New report says most American Jews feel less safe in US after Israel-Hamas war

Bomb threats to Jewish institutions increased dramatically

The ADL documented 1,009 bomb threats against Jewish institutions in 2023, marking a dramatic increase. In 2022, the group tracked 91. Of the 1,009 threats last year, 906 targeted synagogues. In December alone, bomb threats targeted 747 synagogues.

The organization's annual audit also pointed to individuals who allegedly contacted law enforcement and crisis hotlines with false claims, resulting in at least 66 instances of what's known as swatting at Jewish institutions last summer. The ADL recorded a total of 104 swatting incidents in 2023.

ADL Center on Extremism Vice President Oren Segal said its documentation had a goal of preventing further activity aiming to terrorize the American Jewish community.

Our tracking of a swatting network enabled ADL to offer crucial intelligence to law enforcement, ensuring accountability for perpetrators, while also preemptively alerting targeted communities and mitigating potential harm, Segal said in a statement.

More: Jewish groups increase security after swatting spree of hundreds of false bomb threats

Nov 14, 2023; Washington, DC, USA; Yale University student Sahar Tartak, speaks to members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development during a hearing on the rise of antisemitism on college campuses in Washington .. Mandatory Credit: Josh Morgan-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-740613 ORIG FILE ID: 20231114_ajw_qu0_030.JPG

Antisemitic incidents on campuses tripled in 2023

The ADL's audit revealed that antisemitic incidents increased in multiple settings in 2023, but schools experienced a drastic spike. The number of incidents at K-12 schools increased by 135%, according to the report. The ADL said antisemitic incidents on college campuses increased by 321%, most of which occurred following Oct. 7.

Antisemitism is nothing short of a national emergency, a five-alarm fire that is still raging across the country and in our local communities and campuses, Greenblatt said in a statement. This crisis demands immediate action from every sector of society and every state in the union.

More: A professor slept in his office to protest antisemitism. He's not the only one.

The ADL audit comes a week after it released a Campus Antisemitism Report Card, in which it gave failing grades to colleges across the country it says have not taken appropriate action to protect Jewish students.

The report cards release came after three college presidents testified before Congress last year about antisemitism on college campuses and prompted a massive wave of backlash, preceding two of the presidents' resignations. Columbia University president Minouche Shafik will continue the conversation Wednesday, as she has agreed to testify before House lawmakers.

Rachel Barber is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on politics and education. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, as @rachelbarber_

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Record number of antisemitic incidents hit US amid Israel-Hamas war
22-year-old firefighter recruit dies in hit-and-run on way to training, CA rescuers say

A firefighter recruit was killed in a hit-and-run after getting into a car accident on a freeway, California rescuers say.

Jacob Fuerte, 22, who joined the Los Angeles Fire Department two months ago, was on his way to the Drill Tower Academy on the 101 Freeway shortly after 5 a.m. on Monday, April 15, when he may have been in a traffic collision, Erik Scott, the departments public information officer, said in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

As he got out of his car to assess the situation and render aid to anyone in need, Scott said Fuerte was hit by another car.

Scott said the departments firefighter paramedics arrived on scene and pronounced Fuerte dead.

Fuerte was nearly halfway done with a 20-week rigorous training program, according to Scott.

He had just started his firefighting career, which requires courage, bravery, and prioritizing others before oneself, Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said in a news release. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family during this most difficult time.

His father is a 17-year veteran firefighter paramedic with the department, Scott said.

Being raised in an LAFD family, recruit Fuerte understood the importance of helping those in need, Scott said.

Fuerte is survived by his father, along with two sisters and a brother, according to Scott.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the hit-and-run, Scott said. Anyone with information is asked to call 818-888-0980.

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Leaders of 23 EU member states and the European Commission have signed a Solar Charter pledging to step up financing opportunities, skills capacity and to address unfair competition in the bloc during an Energy Council.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and the Netherlands signed the European Solar Charter in Brussels on Monday (April 15) in Brussels in an attempt to accelerate deployment of solar energy in the EU, with a view to reaching the bloc's binding commitment to provide at least 42.5% renewable energy by 2030.

Tinne Van der Straeten, Belgian Minister for Energy currently holding the rotating EU Presidency, said the charter aims to anchor and maintain the competitiveness of Europe's solar industry.

In 2023, a new record was set with 27% of electricity in the EU coming from solar and wind power, according to the Belgian Presidency. However, while 56 GW of photovoltaic (PV) panels were installed in Europe in 2023, according to the Belgian minister, 97% of the installed capacity was made up of Chinese panels.

Member states are also considering innovative forms of solar energy deployment such as agriculture-PV, floating solar, and PVs integrated with infrastructure, vehicles or buildings. Plans are also in motion to expand skills for the solar sector through the Solar Academy and the Renewable Energy Skills Partnership.

The European Solar Charter brings together the Commission, national authorities and the industry, fostering cooperation and bringing support to the production of solar panels made in Europe, said Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.

Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of industry group SolarPower Europe, said the Solar Charter marked a key moment of recognition and acclaimed leaders for standing up to their commitments.

The continents governments have made a high-level promise to our manufacturers, recognising their critical role in the strategic supply chains of today and tomorrow, said Hemetsberger.

She noted, however, that rapid action and concrete measures at national and EU level are paramount to support manufacturers and keep unfair foreign competition at bay.

This means rolling out resilience criteria in public procurement and auctions as soon as possible, unlocking subsidy support, and establishing dedicated EU financing for solar, she added, referring to the provisions in the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) which seek to apply resilience and sustainability criteria to avoid overdependence on foreign sources.

Member states alongside industry representatives have committed to promote supply of solar PV products in Europe through rapid implementation of the NZIA and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), meant to revamp old buildings, which promotes installation of solar rooftops.

The EPBD requires member states to take action in public and non-residential buildings from 2026 to 2030 to progressively equip roofs with solar installations. To do so, governments must also roll out national strategies, policies and measures on solar installations in residential buildings.

Rooftop solar PV growth is thriving, growing 54% year-on-year, according to a report from the NGO Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, putting France and Lithuania as the frontrunners and Bulgaria and Romania as the laggards.

EU leaders are considering all available EU funding opportunities including flexibilities under State aid, according to the Charter.
Police have arrested the creator of a revenge porn group that contained victims from the Rio Grande Valley, Texas officials said.

Jose Maria Cosino, 23, of San Benito was arrested April 12 after turning himself in to authorities, according to an April 15 news release from the Cameron County District Attorneys Office.

The Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigation Task Force, composed of local investigators and Homeland Security agents, discovered a private Telegram group distributing child pornography, officials said.

Cosino was identified as the creator and administrator of the group, which had more than 3,000 members, according to the district attorneys office.

He faces 12 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of unlawful distribution or promotion of intimate visual material, court records show.

Cosino is being held on a $300,000 bond. McClatchy News was unable to locate his attorney information.

Underage victims featured in the group confirmed they did not give anyone consent to share their content or make it public, officials said.

Investigators are working to identify more victims throughout the Rio Grande Valley, according to officials.

This case highlights a danger of todays society, Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz said.

Sharing intimate pictures online may end badly, he warned. The initial circumstance in which intimate photos are shared may change in the future, however once you share you cant un-share.

The National Association of Attorneys General says revenge porn is a type of nonconsensual porn, defined as the distribution of sexually graphic images or videos of an individual without their consent.

Typically, we think of these as images or videos which are consensually sent to an intimate partner who then shares the images outside of their original, consensually shared context, according to the NAAG.

The organization says 80% of nonconsensual porn can be classified as revenge porn.

If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom.

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GLENDALE, Wis. (WFRV)  Police in Wisconsin say they are investigating an incident in which a 3-year-old child was found safe in a vehicle after it had reportedly been stolen Monday night.

According to a release from the Glendale Police Department, officers responded at 8:24 p.m. to the 5600 block of North Port Washington Road for a reported vehicle theft.

Dog safely rescued from Green Bay garage fire that caused $40,000 in damages

Once on the scene, Police say they learned that there was a 3-year-old child in the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

Officers then searched the surrounding area and located the stolen vehicle at 8:44 p.m. on the 1100 block of West Kendall Avenue with the child safely inside.

At this time, no arrests have been made and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
35-year-old man uses rock to break into Gainesville bank, police say

A Cartersville man is behind bars after police said he burglarized a Gainesville bank.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Friday, around 7:30 a.m., officers were called to the MyGeorgia Credit Union on Limestone Parkway regarding a burglary that happened around 4:30 a.m.

Gainesville detectives used businesses surveillance footage and evidence to identify the suspect as Victor Barragan, 35, of Gainesville.

Police said Barragan used a rock to break a window to get inside the credit union, causing nearly $450 in damages.

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Once inside, Barragan reportedly searched through multiple drawers before leaving the bank. No items were reported missing.

Barragan was later found in a family members car in Lighthouse Manors parking lot. He was arrested just before 3 p.m. and booked into the Hall County Jail.

Hes charged with 2nd-degree burglary and criminal trespass.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  A coalition aimed at reducing violence has received grants for more than $550,000 to build an evidence-based violence prevention program. Theyre seeking Topeka community input later this month.

In January, the Community Inspired Violence Intervention Coalition (CIVIC) was chosen to be one of four teams to receive funding from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The goals of this grant are to complete a comprehensive community violence needs assessment and develop a community-led violence intervention program using a public health approach using community data to drive the focus, a press release from the YWCA Northeast Kansas said.

A few months later, the teams received a grant for over $500,000 from the Department of Justice Federal Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) which will let the coalition hire new staff and implement strategies through the YMCA Northeast Kansas.

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The inspiration for our coalition comes directly from the community, and our work starts there. This is also personal for me. I have felt the direct impact of community violence since the age of fifteen when I attended the first of many funerals of friends who lost their lives to gun violence. The fact that my organization was willing and able to take on this program says a lot about our commitment to the community and promoting peace, equity and justice for all he said. YWCA is no stranger to anti-violence work. Many people are familiar with the Center for Safety and Empowerment, and CIVIC is a natural fit alongside our other programs. YWCA Director of Operations Courtland Davis

CIVIC is asking Shawnee County residents to complete a Community Violence Survey and attend one of the town halls scheduled for later this month:

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 20 at the Central Park Community Center at 1534 SW Clay St.

From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 22 at the Oakland Community Center at 801 NE Poplar St.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 27 at Hillcrest Community Center at 1800 SE 21st St.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Dmytro Kapranov, a writer, publisher, publicist, blogger, and public figure, died suddenly at the age of 56. Details are not yet disclosed, as well as the place of the funeral, but our editorial office has learned that the cultural figure had heart problems.

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The tragic news was reported on the Kapranov brothers' Facebook page. Fans of the twins' work and their friends reacted to it.

"Dmytro died suddenly this morning. I will write tomorrow about the time and place of the funeral. Everything else is canceled, sorry," the post reads.

The Kapranov brothers were born on July 24, 1967 in Dubasari, now Moldova. Apparently, the post was written by Vitaliy.

A close friend and colleague of the writer, Sashko Lirnyk, told OBOZ.UA that he had seen his friend a few days ago.

"Dmytro had heart problems, he was sick. We were all worried, but the doctors said everything was fine. And then he felt bad in the morning  and that was it," said our source.

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Since the first day of the full-scale war on February 24, the Kapranov brothers have been fighting the occupiers with arms in Kyiv with the Azov regiment. The twins, Dmytro and Vitaliy, said that Kyiv would stand and there would be no compromises with Russia.

Dmytro Kapranov, together with his brother, hosted the channel "In the Name of Taras Shevchenko", where they talked about the history of Ukraine in an interesting and truthful way. The last video was released two days ago and was dedicated to the "Dry Law". In addition, they were active in literary activities together.

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Hundreds of talented Ukrainians left comments on the post on Facebook. They emphasized that this was a great loss for the country and wished the family the strength to overcome their grief.

Three years ago, the Kapranov brothers gave a tour of their house, where they lived with their 4 children and wives. At the time, they said that they called all the kids "our children" and even shared a car.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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81-year-old shoots and kills Uber driver sent to his house by scammer, Ohio police say

An 81-year-old man was charged with murder after police said he shot and killed an Uber driver after they were both targeted by a scammer.

On March 25, William Brock was called by an unknown person. The person told Brock he needed to pay a certain amount of money to bail out a family member who had been arrested, according to a news release from the Clark County Sheriffs Office.

Brock and the unknown person spoke multiple times for a significant amount of time, officials said.

Then, at some point, Uber driver Loletha Hall arrived at Brocks home to retrieve a package, according to the sheriffs office.

Officials said Brock became suspicious and believed Hall was there to rob him. However, it was later learned Hall was also targeted in the scam, and the package delivery order was placed by the same person, or an accomplice, who had been making calls to Brock asking for money, officials said.

Mr. Brock produced a gun and held (Hall) at gunpoint, making demands for identities of the subjects he had spoken with on the phone. He also demanded and took possession of her cell phone to prevent calls, and refused to allow Ms. Hall to leave, officials said.

Brock made no attempts to contact police, according to the release. Instead, when Hall tried to get into her vehicle to leave, Brock shot her, officials said.

Further exchange took place between them, after which Mr. Brock shot Ms. Hall again, and after further exchange, shot her again a third, separate, time, officials said.

Brock told police he shot Hall because he thought she was going to her vehicle to get a gun, according to a police report.

Hall was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Although, Brock and Hall were both targeted in a scam, officials said Brock is being charged due to there being no active threat presented by Ms. Hall at any time during the encounter, and Mr. Brocks failure to contact authorities for assistance.

An attorney for Brock was not listed in court records. He pleaded not guilty and is due back in court April 22.

Clark County is about a 40-mile drive west from Columbus.

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In our Reality Check stories, Idaho Statesman journalists seek to hold the powerful accountable and find answers to critical questions in our community. Read more. Story idea? Tips@idahostatesman.com.

In recent years, the city of Boise has seen the forced resignation of its police chief, the firing of its police oversight director, and a litany of lawsuits in the aftermath of the airing of several complaints against ex-Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee.

But in all that time  despite repeated attempts to obtain more information  the full contents of the complaints against the former police chief were never publicized. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said the complaints and the findings of a third-party review were internal personnel matters.

That all changed when 4th District Judge Jonathan Medema declined motions to seal several documents from the public in former Office of Police Accountability Director Jesus Jaras lawsuit, the Idaho Statesman reported. The documents include a 31-page report by Jara, who was fired in December 2022, and a 21-page third-party review by Boise attorney Ryan Henson.

In several cases, the complaints in Jaras report were dismissed by Hensons review. In others, Henson wrote that he would need more information to draw a conclusion.

At least nine Boise Police Department employees ranging from internal affairs investigators to members of the command staff filed the complaints, which boiled down to concerns that Lee engaged in unethical behavior, repeatedly retaliated against subordinates, and behaved unprofessionally, creating a hostile work environment. Lees attorney, Bill Mauk, called the complaints an orchestrated effort to ruin Lees career.

Heres a rundown of all the complaints:

Forced out? Reports detail variety of complaints against former Boise police chief

Former Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee.







Accusations of unethical behavior

Multiple complaints in Jaras 2022 report accuse Lee of acting unethically by:

Quashing an investigation into whether a Boise officer lied in an investigation.

Keeping on the force an officer with multiple allegations of using excessive force during arrests, because the two had a personal relationship.

Hiring two questionable officers because they were from his previous department in Portland.

1. Officer accused of lying during investigations into off-duty shooting

Jaras April 2022 report details accusations that Lee pressed Police Department investigators and other city officials to halt an investigation into accusations that Officer Tim Green lied to investigators after an off-duty shooting he witnessed in 2020.

Green was part of an 18-member camping party in Central Idaho that got into an argument with another man, 73-year-old Russell Liddell, who complained that the group was occupying his preferred campsite. Liddell fired two shots at members of the group, one of whom fired back  hitting Liddell seven times and killing him, according to Jaras report.

Green told local investigators that he had a gun during this episode, though he did not shoot. Months later, during an internal investigation in Boise, Green said he did not actually have a gun during the episode, according to Jaras report.

Complainants expressed concern that Lee did not sufficiently discipline Green for the inconsistent statements, and implied Lee may have exerted pressure to stop the internal investigation and prevent Green from being put on administrative leave.

Referring to police investigators and Bryan Norton, former attorney for the city of Boise, Jaras report said, It was relayed  that they all had bosses and that this would not move forward.

In his May 2022 review, Henson dismissed this complaint as a second guess of a decision that should be left to the chief, who is tasked with ultimate decision-making responsibility.

Henson also took issue with an Internal Affairs recommendation that Green be placed on leave, given his role in the episode as a witness.

It is perplexing that (the Office of Internal Affairs) would recommend any BPD officer who witnessed a shooting, should be place(d) on administrative leave, Henson wrote. To extend this logic, any officer who witnesses a tragic event should also be placed on leave, leading to absurd results.

Henson focused his review on whether the complaints suggested Lee had committed crimes or violated city policy. His review did not involve interviews with complainants or Lee. Several times in his report, Henson noted that he lacked complete information.

Off-duty police chief fatally shot man at an Idaho campground. The case is still unresolved

2. Lee protected an officer with a checkered past, complaints alleged

In a separate complaint, Lee was accused of giving Boise Police Officer Tyson Cooper preferential treatment because the two practiced martial arts together. Cooper, who is still on the force, has a history of allegations of using excessive force during arrests.

Though the reports redacted Coopers name, the Statesman was able to identify him based on matching details from a 2019 arrest detailed in Jaras report.

The eight-year veteran of the Boise Police Department has been the subject of nine use-of-force investigations, nine citizen complaints, three department-initiated complaints, and one critical incident, which could have been a police shooting or any situation in which someone dies or is physically injured, according to Jaras report.

At least two of those incidents prompted internal affairs investigations, one of which occurred after a May 2021 arrest where Cooper allegedly choked a suspect several times. Internal Affairs recommended that Cooper be placed on restricted duty, but Lee declined, which raised concerns from several officers about his relationship with Cooper.

The consensus from the BPD staff that met with (the Office of Police Accountability) is that Officer Cooper should no longer be on the force, Jara wrote.

The decision not to place Cooper on restrictive duty was ultimately reversed by then-Deputy Chief Ron Winegar. Henson found that Winegar properly reversed Lees decision. He wrote that if Cooper was involved in a critical incident, like a shooting, the liability to the city could be conflated with a propensity and failure to supervise claims.

A Boise officer threw a handcuffed Black teen to the ground. Chief calls it unacceptable

At the same time, Henson said Lee didnt violate any policies when it came to Coopers status. Henson said Lee was authorized to refuse an Internal Affairs recommendation, and that the reversal couldnt have occurred without Lees knowledge.

3. Lee accused of hiring Portland officers with questionable pasts

In a third complaint, Jara reported concern that Lee had hired two former co-workers from his former department, the Portland Police Bureau, without properly vetting them through the Boise Police Department, and that they had questionable histories.

Its not fully clear what those histories were, as that portion of Jaras report is redacted, though Hensons report says that one of the officers had a history of questionable sexual conduct.

Professional Standards Division Captain Tom Fleming, who oversaw recruitment and the Office of Internal Affairs, told Jara that he would have recommended hiring the first officer but not the officer who had the questionable sexual conduct. It isnt clear from the documents whether Fleming actually made that recommendation or was just telling Jara what he would have done. Fleming has since left the department and sued the city, accusing Lee of discriminating and retaliating against him for conducting internal affairs investigations  including the investigation into Green.

The chief has discretion in hiring decisions for his department, Henson wrote.

Henson added that Lee didnt violate any policies and that there would be a conflict of interest only if Lee was related to or in a relationship with either of the officers.

Former Police Chief Ryan Lee stepped down in 2022 after a KTVB story revealed accusations against him from Boise police officers. Lees attorney says the complaints were orchestrated to ruin career.

Complaints accuse Lee of retaliation

Several sections in Jaras report detail complaints that Lee retaliated against subordinates for perceived slights, blocking some from professional opportunities and in one case publicly humiliating  and injuring  an officer during a demonstration of a neck restraint.

4. Lee injured subordinate in retaliation for K9 program dispute, sergeant says

One complaint relays an incident that received substantial media attention at the time. In October 2021, during a meeting, Lee demonstrated two types of neck restraint holds on Boise Police Sgt. Kirk Rush and seriously injured Rushs neck, according to a lawsuit Rush later filed.

Rush has alleged that Lees decision to demonstrate a restraint procedure on him was in retaliation for a disagreement about whether the departments police dogs should bite or bark when they locate a suspect. Officers train dogs to bite suspects, and Lee was advocating to change the policy, the Statesman previously reported.

According to Jaras report, department employees who met with Jara  and were also filing complaints with Jara against Lee  agreed that Rush was specifically targeted in this instance. However, Jaras report also says it is believed that Lee asked Rush to the front of the room because the two had just been discussing a neck-restraint technique in the meeting, though Rush himself does not recall why the chief asked him to come to the front. Lee previously described his interactions with Rush around the K-9 program as cordial disagreement, the Statesman reported.

Henson said Lees intent would be a critical element for a criminal charge, adding that Rushs conclusion as to why Lee selected him for the demonstration was speculative.

The Clearwater County prosecutor separately investigated this incident in 2022 to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge Lee with a crime. Months after Hensons report, the prosecutor, Clayne Tyler, decided not to press charges but called the case a close call, saying there was probable cause to support a criminal charge of felony battery but insufficient evidence to prove the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, the Statesman previously reported.

More than a year after Lee left Boise, Lee received a written reprimand from the Police Department for his role in this incident. He was not given an opportunity to respond to the allegations within the department, his attorney, Mauk, told the Statesman.

This investigation, unbeknownst to him, continued after he left the department and reached the conclusion  without even talking to Ryan Lee, Mauk said.

5. Dispute over hybrid vehicles led to retaliation

Two additional complaints  including from a high-ranking member of the departments command staff  reported accusations that Lee blocked officers advancement and some professional opportunities because of disagreements about how the departments vehicle patrol fleet should operate.

Captain Matt Jones, who oversees the criminal investigations division, said he reported to Lee  who was advocating to incorporate more hybrid and electric vehicles into the force  that the departments hybrid vehicles werent performing well in high-speed situations.

After that conversation, Jones fell out of favor with Lee, according to Jaras report. Jones claimed it eventually led to him being removed as the departments fleet manager.

Jones name is redacted from the report, but he is identifiable by his title as the departments criminal investigations captain.

Hensons review said Lee had absolute discretion to make personnel changes, and that disagreements with management style or the chiefs decisions shouldnt warrant placing Lee on administrative leave, as Jara recommended.

In a related complaint, a Boise police sergeant, whose name is redacted in the report, also reported concerns about the hybrid vehicles and got backing from another police captain.

The sergeant put together an email with data that he asked Jones to look over. Captain Jones allegedly told (the sergeant) that if he sent the results up the chain of command  that he would be placed on the chiefs negative list, the report said.

The data led Lee to change the departments purchase order, though the sergeant said Lee became angry about not being able to complete his goal of converting the fleet to all-hybrid and blamed the sergeants team. The sergeant alleged Lee later retaliated against him by opening a separate investigation into the sergeant over lost equipment.

It is this authors opinion that Sergeant [redacted] concerns should not have been included in the concerns by the (Office of Police Accountability) investigation, Henson wrote.

6. Officer said Lee put his career on pause

In a separate case, a lieutenant complained that, because Lee believed he had insufficiently disciplined an officer who bragged in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, that he would not observe city mask mandates, Lee had put the lieutenants career on pause. Ever since their disagreement about discipline, the lieutenant perceived that Lee showed distaste toward him, commenting at one point that he wasnt smart enough to resolve a staffing problem.

The lieutenant said Lee denied him an opportunity to step in for then-Patrol Captain Matt Bryngelson when Bryngelson took time off for mental-health treatment. While the report doesnt name Bryngelson, it identifies him as the captain of the departments patrol division, which Bryngelson was at the time. Henson wrote that these concerns should not have been included in Jaras report, as they reflect only a perception by the chief that this officer is not suited for his current responsibilities.

Retired Boise Police Capt. Matt Bryngelson.

Creating a hostile work environment

Multiple complaints in Jaras report allege that Lee acted unprofessionally in the office, repeatedly yelling at subordinates, revealing acaptains private medical information, and making inappropriate comments about his own personal life.

7. Lee frustrated over the discipline of an officer

In early 2021, Lee expressed anger at the insubordination of the officer who bragged about disobeying a mask mandate. The officer, whose name is redacted in the court filings, posted on the police unions website that he would not comply with city mask mandates or ask his patrol team to arrest people not wearing a mask, according to Jaras report.

The Office of Internal Affairs investigated the officer, who was disciplined and demoted. But Lee thought the consequences the officer faced were insufficient. According to Jaras report, Lee yelled at an investigator that the outcome of the investigation was (obscenity) and that the Office of Internal Affairs had the power to put people into their place.





Subsequently, Lee expressed to the investigator his frustration with a lieutenants approach to disciplining the demoted officer. This was the same lieutenant who said he was passed over for captain. Lee, referring to the lieutenant, said he was gonna take that guy and string him up the flagpole, according to Jaras report.

Henson found that complaints about Lees interactions with the investigator contain[ed] no facts to suggest that Lee committed a criminal or policy violation. Henson said a police chief should have absolute discretion on personnel matters, including discipline. Henson assessed the complaint as primarily a disagreement with management style.

8. Lee accused of violating the privacy of a former captain

In a separate case later in 2021, Lee made inappropriate comments and violated the privacy of Bryngelson, the captain with a mental-health problem, according to Jaras report. After telling Bryngelson he would keep his mental health issues top secret amid his treatment, Lee then told another officer about it, according to the report.

Bryngelson said it was Lees negativity and hostility in the workplace that led to his mental-health struggles, according to Jaras report. Bryngelson publicly acknowledged his mental-health struggle in a September 2022 interview with KTVB.

Henson wrote that he would need more information  specifically, the citys employee policy handbook  to assess whether Lee violated city policy. With that information, he said, further evaluation may be warranted for counseling and/or corrective action for Lee.

Mauk invoked to the Statesman widely publicized revelations that Bryngelson was scheduled to speak at a white-supremacist conference, and had authored racist posts on the organizations website, suggesting these beliefs may have been a driver of his complaints against Lee, who is Chinese-American.

Think about the source of this complaint, Mauk said.

He also pointed to concerns that officers of color who were hired from outside agencies didnt feel comfortable in the Boise Police Department, adding that at least two officers who are people of color resigned soon after Lee did.

Black people are a small minority in Ada County. They are arrested 3.5 times more often

9. Complainant says Lee downplayed domestic dispute

In a separate case in 2021, Lee pushed back on an Internal Affairs investigation into an accusation that a Boise officer  whose name is redacted in the filings  had been involved in a verbal domestic dispute. According to Jaras report, Lee told an investigator that he believed the officers wife was overreacting and, referring to himself, said heyells at his wife all the time.

When an Internal Affairs investigator contacted the officers wife, the wife said that the dispute hadnt turned physical in any way and that she was concerned about her husband and suggested the department get him some counseling, according to Jaras report.

Jara wrote that Lees downplaying of the concerns about the officer represented a missed opportunity for counseling.

In his review, Henson said this point was well-received but that he didnt believe the issue belonged in Jaras report. Henson found that complaints about Lees interactions with the investigator contain[ed] no facts to support the idea that Lee committed a criminal or policy violation. Henson wrote that he saw no connection between Lees conduct and the investigation itself.

Boise mayor: Unprecedented public release of personnel complaints led to Lees departure

Boise mayor has chance to do things the right way in hiring next police chief | Opinion

Surprised Boise City Council was given no warning about police chief resignation
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW)  Police officers investigating an animal cruelty complaint at a local home found nine dead dogs.

The complaint came on Sunday, April 14, according to a Tuesday news release from Jackson Township Police Department. Authorities obtained a search warrant for the home in the 6800 block of Lake O Springs Avenue, which appeared to be vacant.

2 from NE Ohio dead after Florida boating incident

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Police officers and Stark County Humane Society workers recovered the nine dead dogs from inside and outside the home, according to the release.

Detectives obtained a warrant for the homes previous resident, 54-year-old Tome Stambolziovski, whos now charged with eight felony counts of prohibitions concerning companion animals.

Animal advocates call for change to Ohio law after viral video

Stambolziovski was handed a $100,000 bond at a Tuesday hearing in Massillon Municipal Court, Stark County court records show.

Stambolziovski was previously indicted on animal cruelty charges out of Massillon earlier this year in Stark County Common Pleas Court, records show. He pleaded not guilty at a hearing earlier this month and is due back in court in that case on April 23.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
911 callers help ID shooter in Las Vegas law office shooting: It was so loud, please hurry

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Several 911 callers helped identify the shooter in last weeks shooting at a Summerlin law office in several calls the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Monday.

Joe Houston II, 77, shot and killed Ashley Prince, 30; and her husband, Dennis Prince, 57, during a custody deposition at Dennis Princes law firm on Monday, April 8. The firm is located on the fifth floor of an office building at the corner of Charleston Boulevard and Pavilion Center Drive in Summerlin.

Several people called from inside the building, reporting the shooting. Many were hiding in their offices, including some in offices right next to the conference room where Joe Houston was still shooting during the first calls.

Joe Houston was there to represent his son, Dylan Houston, in the custody dispute with his former wife, Ashley Prince. Dennis Prince was representing his wife. Several other people were in the room, including two other lawyers and a court reporter, sources told the 8 News Now Investigators.

Joe Houston died by suicide before police arrived.

Dylan Houston and Ashley Prince have two young children at the center of the custody dispute. Dennis Prince and Ashley Prince had a child together in December.

Ashley Prince expressed safety concerns before Mondays child custody deposition.

Ashley and Dennis Prince.

Do you have any private security you recommend? she texted private investigator Hal De Becker. Dylan has a ton of guns in that house.

The first 911 call came in from the fifth floor at 10:04 a.m. The caller said she heard seven or eight shots.

Prince Law Group, the caller calmly told a dispatcher.

There was just a shooting in our conference room, another caller told a dispatcher as a gunshot is heard. Im hiding under the desk.

It was so loud, another caller says. Please hurry.

One female witness told police she was inside the conference room when Joe Houston II pulled out a gun, the woman fled the room with the court reporter and deposition witness before shots were heard.

The gun came out next to me and it was so shocking that we fled the room, the female witness said. I dont know if anyone was hit with a bulletthere were several shots fired.

Another witness hid in a nearby office inside the City National Bank building, before getting on the phone with the dispatcher they could be heard thanking employees for letting them in to hide.

As soon as I heard the noise I dropped to my knees and crawled out, the witness said.

Multiple witnesses from the fifth floor, at the Prince Law Group offices, told police dispatchers they fled their workplace and hid in offices either on the same floor or floors below.

I heard the gunshots go off and people started screaming, He killed Dennis, the witness said. I ran downstairs to the third floor and the folks let me in here and gave me the phone to make this call.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
When a group of crossover voters was asked during a focus group about Vice President Kamala Harris, their assessments were brutal: If she is helping Biden, you dont see it. She rubs me the wrong way. She was picked because she is a demographic. The big things she had, she failed.

The comments, fair or not, represent a problem for President Biden and for Harris, echoed in interviews with voters here in Arizona, a key swing state where Harris spoke on Friday. More than three years into the oldest president in historys first term, his understudy has failed to win over a majority of voters or convince them that she is ready to step in if Biden falters, according to polls.

Swing voters dont like her, said Gunner Ramer, political director for a group called Republican Voters Against Trump, which allowed The Times to view videos from three focus groups, including the crossover group that featured people who voted for former President Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020.

It wasnt just former Trump voters who were negative about Harris. In a focus group of Black voters who were disappointed with Biden, none raised their hand in support of Harris, with one participant calling her the bad news bear. A focus group of California Democrats, while they liked Harris, had to be prompted to discuss her and said she needed more influence and exposure.

Read more: Kamala Harris was tapped to fix the immigration crisis. Then the problem shifted

Many of Harris allies and supporters say the judgments are influenced by racism and sexism, pointing out that other vice presidents stayed in the background with less scrutiny and saw their popularity tied to the top of the ticket. Some people in focus groups criticized her clothes or compared her to Hillary Clinton in comments that seemed to validate those concerns.

But her low popularity could pose a political problem that her predecessors have not faced, given the focus on Trumps and Bidens ages, 77 and 81 respectively. More than half of voters, 54%, said she is not qualified to serve as president in a March USA Today/Suffolk poll, compared with 38% who said she is.

If there was a health event for either nominee, the VP is front and center in terms of people who may be on the fence, people who may dislike both candidates, said David Paleologos, who conducted a USA Today/Suffolk poll that asked voters their assessment of Harris. And there are a lot whose decision may hinge on a comfort level with the vice presidential choice.

Harris has heard the criticism since she entered the White House to historic triumph in 2021. While she seldom responds directly, she has stepped up her appearances with core Democratic groups, often keeping a more robust campaign and travel schedule than Biden. Many allies believe her role as the administrations leading voice on abortion rights will boost her and the Democratic ticket on an issue that helped carry the party to unexpected success in the 2022 midterm elections.

She spoke Friday in Tucson, three days after the states Supreme Court ruled that an1864 ban on abortion can be enforced in the coming weeks. She framed the Democrats' case against Trump, who has claimed credit for shifting the Supreme Court against abortion rights and last week said each state should decide on the issue.

Just like he did in Arizona, he basically wants to take America back to the 1800s," Harris said.

Several voters said in interviews in Phoenix on Monday that they were not aware Harris was in their state just a few days ago, underscoring the challenge of getting attention as a vice president in an era of information overload.

"If she is coming for us, she doesn't show it," said Tracey Sayles, a 52-year-old Black Democrat.

Sayles voted in prior elections for Democrats Hillary Clinton and Biden but now says her choice is 50-50 in the coming election, despite calling Trump "vulgar," because Biden "looks like he's ill." She would have driven to see Harris in Tucson if she'd known she was in the state, she said, but feels the vice president has been hiding.

Another voter who dislikes both Trump and Biden, Jeff Garland, said he has not seen much of Harris either.

"But from what I have seen of her, she doesn't look like someone I want running my country," said Garland, a 57-year-old retired member of the military who said he voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020 and planned to sit out 2024.

Kellie Hoverson, a 31-year-old Democrat, said she "was not thrilled about Biden" but was more bullish on Harris, despite hearing concerns from younger friends and relatives about her history as a prosecutor in California.

"I just want a woman president," she said. "I just want to see it in my lifetime."

Studies by the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, which works to advance women's equality in politics, suggest women face an imagination barrier when they run for the highest executive offices, because voters have a harder time picturing them in the job than they do white men, who have historically held the posts.

Men can tell and women have to show, said Amanda Hunter, the foundation's executive director.

Polls suggest Harris, who dropped out early in the 2020 presidential primary, has made strides with the Democratic base. Three quarters of Democrats had a favorable view of her in the USA Today/Suffolk poll, which showed a little more than a quarter of independents view her favorably.

Brian Fallon, who serves as her campaign communications director, said she has proven to be a highly effective messenger on issues from reproductive freedom to gun violence prevention and said she is uniquely positioned to mobilize critical groups across the Biden-Harris coalition, including both progressives and independents."

The fact that many voters say they remain unfamiliar with Harris is something her allies and advisors see as an opening, because it leaves room for persuasion when more voters focus in on the race in the early fall.

Read more: Why Kamala Harris prefers Gen Z to millennials, and why it matters

This is not a one-speech or two-speech thing, this is four or five months of just putting in the work, said Cornell Belcher, who served as one of former President Obamas pollsters.

Belcher argued that the small slice of persuadable voters who give Harris her lowest marks wont decide the race; it will instead be a question of whether Democrats can rebuild their coalition of young voters, women and people of color that delivered Obama his 2012 reelection and formed the backbone of Bidens 2020 victory.

I'm more worried about these younger voters taking the off-ramp, like they did in 2016, he said, crediting Harris with her work reaching them in college campus tours and other outreach.

But there are questions there, too, with inconsistencies in polls of voters age 18-29, given the small sample sizes of subgroups. One poll conducted in early April by Emerson College showed Harris with pretty high favorable marks among those younger voters, nearly 49%, while another poll by the Economist taken a few days later showed only 34% of that age group viewed her favorably.

Read more: What does America think of Kamala Harris? We're tracking her polls

Its unclear whether Trump, who has not targeted the vice president often, will pick up his attacks on Harris, who is unsurprisingly toxic among Republican base voters. If they cheat on the election, it might be Kamala, Trump said during a March rally in North Carolina, echoing his false claims of widespread election fraud.

He fairly quickly pivoted back to Biden: We got enough problems with this guy.

A senior advisor to the Trump campaign, Danielle Alvarez, called Harris irrelevant. Political reality is that Biden's under water and he is a failed president, she said. She is certainly probably equal to him in those failures, but he is the target.

Whit Ayres, a longtime Republican pollster, agrees that running mates do not generally impact votes but points to Sarah Palin in 2008 as an exception, in large part because polls showed dual concerns about John McCains health and Palins fitness for office. He argues that Harris, whom he characterizes as a walking gaffe, presents a similar problem.

There may be plenty of time, but if you dont have the ability to be more articulate and look like youre ready to be leader of the free world, its going to be difficult to accomplish that, Ayres said.

Harris is counting on that time. She is fairly busy with public events, but vice presidents, by design, dont tend to draw much attention compared with the president.

As the campaign heats up, and Trump picks a running mate, they are likely to see more of her, and, potentially, in a different light.

For people who have misgivings about her, ultimately the question for them is going to be how does she look as opposed to X? said Joel Goldstein, a historian who studies the vice presidency. Now, shes measured against an ideal figure.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
"Absurd": Experts say Trump still "playing games" with fraud bond  and it could blow up in his face

Attorneys for Donald Trump asserted Monday night that the $175 million bond the former president posted to cover the judgement of his New York civil fraud case is financially secure, asking the judge to "set aside" the state attorney general's challenge and award him costs.

In a spate of court filings submitted just hours before the midnight deadline, Trump indicated that the bond Knight Specialty Insurance Company secured is backed by his Charles Schwab account, which contains more than $175 million in cash, CNN reports. Knight Specialty can take over the Schwab account, and any risk it assumes is also fully covered by its parent company, a joint memorandum filed by Trump's attorneys said.

The DJT Trust granted KSIC a security interest in a Schwab brokerage account, in which the DJT Trust is obligated to maintain no less than $175 million in cash or cash equivalents at all times, read an affirmation filed in support of the bond by Gregory Serio, a former superintendent of insurance for New York state.

KSIC also has a standing agreement with its parent company, Knight Insurance Company, Ltd. (KIC), by which KIC reinsures 100% of KSICs risk, added Serio, who is a partner of government consulting firm Park Strategies. The $175 million bond at issue is adequately secured.

But Trump's latest set of filings "doesn't address" the concerns with the bond, Gregory Germain, a Syracuse University College of Law professor, told Salon. The notion that the former president's "reimbursement obligation to the insurance company," that he alleges is secured in the account, sufficiently satisfies the bonding requirement is "simply incorrect," he said.

"The insurance company must have sufficient capitalization and liquidity to immediately pay the bond amount if the judgment is affirmed, and the insurance company they utilized does not have that capacity," Germain explained, noting that Knight Specialty's parent company "appears" to have enough capital to assure payment of the bond. If Knight Insurance was "acting as a co-surety, the court might accept it."

"But instead of addressing the case properly, Trump has made absurd arguments to support the validity of the bond and has demanded sanctions, which is typical of his blustering and attacking way of handling his cases," Germain added. "Unless Trump provides sufficient surety and stops playing games, the Court will and should determine that the bond is insufficient and allow the attorney general to enforce the judgment."

Monday's filings came in response to Attorney General Letitia James challenging the financial ability of Knight Specialty to "justify the surety" earlier this month.

James' office questioned if the company was authorized to underwrite a surety bond in the state and whether it lacked a certificate from the state regulatory body attesting that it's qualified. She gave the company and the former president 10 days to submit filings showing they could financially support the bond. Experts previously told Salon that James could begin the process of seizing Trump's assets if they failed to meet her deadline.

The company's initial bond filing's missing components and other errors prompted the New York court clerks to order it to refile its bond posting earlier this month, which Knight Specialty did the day after.

The insurer  based in California and registered in Delaware  does not have a license to issue bonds in New York or have the necessary certificate of qualification from the state Department of Financial Services, which Germain notes are required by New York insurance law. Company officials have insisted, however, that they are still authorized to issue the bond.

Also of concern was Knight Specialty admitting that it only had $138 million in surplus capital in an April 4 filing. New York law prohibits a company from providing a bond to a single borrower that amounts to more than 10 percent of its surplus capital, which would require the company to have $1.75 billion in surplus to cover Trump's bond, experts previously told Salon.

On Monday Knight Specialty said it "independently maintains more than $539 million in assets and $138 million in equity and has access to more than $2 billion in assets and $1 billion in equity, of which nearly $1 billion is cash and marketable securities, pursuant to a reinsurance agreement with its parent company, Knight Insurance Company."

While the company's flurry of late-night filings "appears to move the ball towards assuring the AG that the bond is secure," it also "raises many new questions," former Assistant New York Attorney General Adam Pollock told Salon.

One arises from the parent company appearing to have "adequate capitalization" without having "authority to do business in New York or to issue surety bonds," Germain pointed out. "The question, I think, is whether that reinsurance would clearly and unconditionally apply and require KIC to pay the bond, and whether the AG would be able to enforce that reinsurance commitment if KSIC was unable to pay," he said.

Another question revolves around the Charles Schwab account Trump pledged to Knight Specialty. "If Trump has $175M free and clear, why not just directly post it and not pay a fee for a surety bond?" former Mueller prosecutor Andrew Weissmann wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The account holds $175,304,075.95 in cash, according to Trump's lawyers. His eldest son authorized the agreement on behalf of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust last month, providing the company with a security interest over the brokerage account.

Somethings fishy here. If Trump has $175M free and clear, why not just directly post it and not pay a fee for a surety bond? And the agreement does not give Knight a lien on the account as collateral and seems to afford Trump a two-day window to dissipate the account. https://t.co/sK7xTEloVC  Andrew Weissmann (weissmann11 on Threads) (@AWeissmann_) April 16, 2024

A "simple answer" to the latter question, Pollock said, could be that Trump is "earning interest" on the money, which would screech to a halt should he use it to post his bond. Trump's apparent decision to not put up the money himself "also raises the question of whether the collateral is double-pledged to secure another obligation," he said.

Doing so would make the account "unavailable then as true collateral for the surety bond," Weissmann added.

I suspect he does not have the Schwab cash account money free and clear (Ie its used to secure other debt) and so he cant post it. And it is also unavailable then as true collateral for the surety bond.  Andrew Weissmann (weissmann11 on Threads) (@AWeissmann_) April 16, 2024

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

This Schwab account appears to be different from another Schwab account Trump used as collateral when he obtained a $92 million bond through Chubb's Federal Insurance Co. earlier this year to cover the $83.3 million verdict of writer E. Jean Carroll 's defamation lawsuit against him, The Daily Beast notes.

The former president, Germain said, appears to be "trying to use an incapable insurance company as a front to avoid meeting the statutory requirement," but "it's not going to work."

Presiding Judge Arthur Engoron tentatively scheduled a hearing to hash out the bonding issue for April 22, which Trump's lawyers argued Monday is not needed. Pollock countered, however, that not only is the hearing necessary, it will also need to be "detailed" to effectively "sort out whether this bond actually secures the judgement."

The court, Germain said, will have to determine whether Knight Insurance's reinsurance makes the parent company's capital "immediately available" to Knight Specialty if the $175 million bond has to be paid to ensure "prompt payment."

"The AG has valid reasons for questioning the validity of a bond posted by an out-of-state insurer without a certificate from the Insurance department, and having inadequate capitalization to cover the bond," he added. "I am also somewhat doubtful that a reinsurance policy would so clearly cover a default on a surety bond."
TechCrunch

Starship is ready to fly again  and for the first time, SpaceX is going to try to bring the booster back to the launch site to catch it with a pair of oversized "chopsticks." SpaceX will launch the mammoth Starship on Sunday in a launch window that opens at 5 AM PST (7 AM local time) from the companys Starbase site in southeast Texas. This flight, which will be the fifth in the Starship development program, is coming a little sooner than expected: the Federal Aviation Administration had previously said that it did not anticipate issuing a modified launch license for this test before late November.
Accused drunk driver flees law for 15 years overseas  until trip to Florida, cops say

A man accused of causing a crash while under the influence fled the U.S. for 15 years to avoid prosecution, Florida authorities said.

He was arrested after catching a flight to Orlando, according to state officials.

Faisal Javaid was 27 at the time of a 2006 crash in Polk County that left two people seriously injured, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said in an April 16 news release.

On May 20, 2006, Javaid was driving a Jaguar on I-4 when he lost control of the car, crossed the median and hit a Honda traveling the opposite direction, troopers said. The Honda flipped onto its roof, trapping two people inside, according to officials.

Photos show the Jaguar was sheared in half.

Highway patrol troopers said Javaid appeared to be impaired, and a blood test of .129 exceeded the legal limit in Florida, court documents show.

But Javaids attorney, John Liguori, told McClatchy News over the phone that his client wasnt the one driving. He said Javaid was asleep in the backseat of the car during the crash and wasnt wearing a seat belt, which is how he was thrown nearly 100 feet from the vehicle.

Javaid spent 30 days in a coma after the crash, Liguori said.

His trial was scheduled for 2008, but shortly before, he left the country, went to Pakistan, and did not return, officials said. When he failed to appear at his trial, a warrant was issued for his arrest, records show.

Liguori said his client didnt flee the country to avoid prosecution, but rather got tangled in expired visa issues and was unable to reenter the U.S.

In an email exchange between his father and Liguori in April 2009, his father said he asked his son to come to Pakistan to see his sick grandmother, according to court documents.

The father told the attorney that local authorities in Pakistan prevented Javaid from boarding a flight.

My son very much wants to come and turn himself in and face the court, his father wrote in an email. Since you represent him, I would highly appreciate if you can explain the situation to the prosecutor and resolve this matter with less punishment, possibly with no jail time.

The Jaguar involved in the crash was sheared in half and the Honda flipped upside down, Florida troopers said.

He said they were working with an immigration lawyer so Javaid could return to the U.S., but 15 years went by with no updates, according to state officials.

They said the victims were left to wonder if justice would ever be served following the crash, where both had suffered life-altering injuries.

Then one day in May 2023, troopers got a phone call.

Javaid spent time in Pakistan and Kenya before he caught a flight back to Orlando, where he was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear at his trial, according to the state attorneys office.

Liguori told McClatchy News it took years of negotiations with immigration lawyers and the government to get Javaid permission to return to the country. When Javaid flew into Orlando International Airport, his attorney said he did so with the intention of standing trial.

He was booked in Polk County jail and held without bond until his trial, during which he was found guilty, officials said.

Javaid, who is now 45, is expected to be sentenced May 15. He faces up to 10 years in prison, and Liguori said they plan to file an appeal.

Polk County is in central Florida, about a 55-mile drive east of downtown Tampa.

What to know about impaired driving

In 2020, nearly 12,000 people were killed in car crashes that involved drunk drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than 30 people die each day in crashes where a driver is believed to be drunk, the CDC reported.

Safe driving requires focus, coordination, good judgment, and quick reactions to the environment, the CDC said. Any alcohol or other drug use impairs the ability to drive safely.

A persons blood alcohol concentration can be measured, and the legal limit for driving in most states is 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter. Experts, however, say even lower levels of alcohol concentration can cause impairment.

The CDC says everyone can help prevent drunk driving with these steps:

Dont let friends drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Dont ride with an impaired driver.

If youre hosting a party, remind guests to plan ahead.

Arrange alternative transportation or have a designated driver.

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Mom smelling of alcohol was unconscious as 2 kids roamed busy road, Florida cops say
During her working visit to Denmark, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska spoke with Queen Consort Mary and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The Ukrainian stylist, as always, chose elegant and eloquent images for her, in which the wife of the President of Ukraine looked as luxurious as the monarch.

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Olena Zelenska was warmly received in Denmark, and the first lady thanked the country for its reliable and consistent support of Ukrainians. The photos appeared on the public figure's social media.

The first outfit she wore to meet Mette Frederiksen consisted of a gray straight-cut suit and a beige blouse. The first lady wore black pumps, and the lapel of her jacket was adorned with a gold brooch from the Ukrainian jewelry brand Guzema Fine Jewelry. The name of the jewelry is KVITKA.

According to Vogue fashion experts, gray is synonymous with chic and gives you a sense of confidence. It's a great choice for a business meeting, as achromatic colors - white, gray and black - are timeless and always in trend.

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For the meeting with Queen Consort Mary and King Frederik X of Denmark, Olena Zelenska chose a more relaxed, but at the same time very stylish outfit. The Ukrainian woman paired trendy high-waisted wide trousers with a white blouse with accent sleeves, which was decorated with subtle lines of a richer shade.

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It is noteworthy that Queen Mary also met the First Lady of Ukraine in similar pants, but in cream color. Together they looked harmonious and equally elegant.

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Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that Olena Zelenska spoke at a forum, where she chose a light-colored outfit. The elegant suit also featured unusual embroidery.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Have you seen Jerald Sanford? If so, you are asked to let authorities know.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, Sanford, 33, is accused of stabbing another man on March 31 in Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The victim told police Sanford approached him and aggressively asked him for money before walking away.

Jerald Marquese Sanford (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

He then reportedly returned with a knife and stabbed the victim in the neck before fleeing on foot, according to police.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

The victim was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and treated for a severe laceration.

Sanford is wanted for attempted criminal homicide, police said. Anyone with any information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A green Acura captured on video at the scene of an armed carjacking in Central Florida last week that investigators believe led to a Homestead womans tragic murder is now linked to the shooting death of a tow truck driver a day earlier in another county.

Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas, 31, was kidnapped Thursday evening at the intersection of East Lake Drive and Tuskawilla Road in unincorporated Seminole County. She hasnt been seen since.

Prior to stopping at a red light, Aguasvivas, a Homestead hair salon owner, called her husband and told him she was being followed by a green Acura sedan that repeatedly rammed into the back of her SUV, according to authorities.

Once she pulled over, a man wearing a black hoodie and what appears to be Halloween mask hopped out of the Acura holding a gun, pointing the weapon at Aguasvivas and climbed into the backseat of the white Dodge Durango.

The Durango, with the Acura following, then drove from the intersection. A person in a vehicle behind the Acura filmed what they presumed to be a carjacking in progress on cellphone video widely shared online.

Later that day, investigators revealed the Durango was found torched with a burned body inside it at a construction site in Osceola County. Witnesses also reported hearing multiple gunshots before the SUV was found. Police suspect the body is Aguasvivas, but are still waiting on results from a DNA test and dental records.

Additionally, investigators believe Aguasvivas was targeted  but they dont know why.

02 green Acura linked to two murders?

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma told reporters Monday the 2002 green Acura has been located, and that it is believed to be connected to the shooting death of a tow truck driver the day before Aguasvivas was carjacked. The car was found parked in an Orange County apartment complex.

We immediately knew it was our car, Lemma said.

The reason they knew: there is only one 2002 green Acura currently registered in Florida, Lemma said, adding that this particular car had been circulating unregistered since February.

The tow truck driver hauled the car away in Orange County in March. He was found shot to death last Wednesday, Lemma said. Spotted at the scene were hundreds of rounds of ammunition, including spent 10 millimeter bullet casings, Lemma noted, the same caliber found at the location of the charred Durango.

The ammunition is not as commonly used as bullets like 9 millimeters or .45 calibers, according to Lemma.

The green Acura sedan from which the Seminole County Sheriffs Office say the carjacker emerged. Seminole County Sheriff's Office

He knows a lot more than hes shared

In another bizarre development in the case, Seminole County deputies on Monday also announced the arrest of an Orange County deputy believed to have illegally accessed information about the lead investigator in the case and passed those details on to Aguasvivas husband, Miguel.

It turns out Miguel Aguasvivas is childhood friends with the Orange County deputys wife. Seminole County detectives called the number that was on a for sale sign on the Durango, and her husband picked up. They told him about their investigation, and he said he would drive up from Homestead to Seminole County.

On the way up, he called his childhood friend. She contacted her husband, Francisco Estrella, who contacted Seminole County investigators saying he was a detective working the case and was looking for information. Estrella also illegally accessed the states law enforcement database and pulled unique information about the main Seminole County detective, including his home address.

This is the Dodge Durango Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvias was driving. Seminole County Sheriff's Office

Estrella provided this information to Miguel Aguasvivas. Seminole County investigators only found out about Estrella after Guerreros husband voluntarily turned over his phone to them, Lemma said. Estrella was arrested Sunday on multiple felony counts, and has been placed on leave without pay, News 6 reported.

Miguel Aguasvivas told detectives that his wife was traveling to Central Florida to visit family  although investigators have yet to establish if she had any family living in the area.

Lemma stressed Monday that Miguel Aguasvivas is not a suspect or person of interest, but noted that he believes he has not been completely forthright with information to date.

Quite frankly, I think he knows a lot more than hes shared, Lemma said.
ADL asks Georgia for security grants following record number of antisemitic incidents

A Jewish civil rights organization is asking Georgia for grant money. Leaders say they need it to help offset increased security costs in the wake of threats.

A new audit obtained by Channel 2s Richard Elliot shows 2023 was a record year for antisemitic incidents.

More than 8,900 documented antisemitic incidents across the country as compiled by the Anti-Defamation League. Thats more than the previous three years combined.

Now the ADL is asking the state for help.

Just three months after Gov. Brian Kemp signed Georgias first antisemitism bill into law, a new audit by the Anti-Defamation League shows 2023 was one of the worst years on record for antisemitic incidents, including these antisemitic fliers placed outside the homes of Jewish families.

We knew going into this years audit that this one would look really different, said Eytan Davidson with the Anti-Defamation League.

Elliot spoke with Davidson about the audit, which showed a 140% increase in antisemitic incidents from 2022.

The total of nearly 8,900 incidents was more than the previous three years combined.

Harassment, assaults and vandalism were up, but bomb threats to synagogues and Jewish centers spiked 1000%.

Davidson said theyve sent letters to Kemp and other governors asking for help.

Were asking governors to enact a strategy to combat antisemitism at the state level, Davidson said.

That includes asking lawmakers for state security grants to religious and nonprofit organizations that have been shouldering the financial burden of increased security.

Its something that we should be looking into, state Rep. Esther Panitch said.

Panitch got Georgias first antisemitism bill through the legislature. She thinks security grants for synagogues, mosques and churches is something lawmakers should look at next session.

Then the government really can, and it should help by providing an ability for these communities to protect themselves, Panitch said.

Kemp did fully support and sign the antisemitism bill into law.

A statement from his office read in part, Georgia will continue to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters.

He said hes proud of Georgias record of standing with Israel and the Jewish community.

RELATED NEWS:
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Airport Advisory Board for the Dona Ana County International Jetport at Santa Teresa, New Mexico, is seeking three new members.

Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. Friday, May 17.

Applicants must reside in Dona Ana County or El Paso. Licensed pilots are encouraged to apply.

Board members work closely with the jetport manager, county engineer, planning director and a representative of the County Attorneys Office to identify safety, growth, development or administration issues relevant to the airport, according to a social media post by Dona Ana County.

Selected applicants will serve a three-year term which will run from July 1 through June 20, 2027.

The Board serves staggered terms, meets monthly and periodically reports to the Board of County Commissioners, recommends changes or informs about upcoming challenges and opportunities in the airports operations or administration, according to County.

All Airport Advisory Board meetings comply with the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, which means they are open to the public and the agendas for regular and special meetings are available to the public, at least 72 hours prior to each meeting. They are posted on the Countys website.

To request an application, call Dona Ana County International Jetport Manager William Provance at (575) 644-2358 or email him at williamp@donaanacounty.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, were last seen in the Texas County area over the weekend. On Monday, the two women were confirmed dead.

A grandmother who served as a county Republican Party chair and allegedly belonged to an anti-government religious group is accused of purchasing five stun guns and three burner phones in the weeks leading up to her arrest in connection with the kidnapping and deaths of two Kansas women.

In Texas County District Court, Tifany Machel Adams, 54, of Keyes, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39.

The two women went missing March 30 when Butler's car was found abandoned in rural Texas County, Oklahoma  near Highway 95 and Road L, just south of Elkhart, Kansas, and the Oklahoma/Kansas border.

Investigators say Adams was embroiled in a custody battle with Butler.

Adams, the mother of Butlers former romantic partner, believed Butlers brother was abusing the couple's 8- and 6-year-old children, according to court documents in a prolonged custody dispute.

Butler was granted court-ordered visitation every Saturday, and because her usual supervisor was unavailable on the day of her disappearance, another supervisor, Kelley, went with Butler to pick up her kids from Adams.

When Butlers family didnt hear from her later, they called police.

On Monday, the two women were confirmed dead.

Two bodies were recovered in rural Texas County Sunday, and the Oklahoma chief medical examiner's office is still working to identify the bodies. However, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Hunter McKee said there is no hope that Butler and Kelley are still alive.

Facing the same charges are Adams' boyfriend, Tad Bert Cullum, 43, of Keyes, as well as Cole Earl Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44, each of Texhoma. It is unclear whether the four have obtained an attorney, according to online court records.

The OSBI discovered that Adams, Cullum, Cole Twombly and Cora Twombly belong to an anti-government group called Gods Misfits that held regular meetings, according to a probable cause affidavit for an arrest warrant.

Adams served as the chair for the Cimarron County GOP, state Republican leaders said.

elkhart_map_bodies2

Disappearance coincides with custody battle

Court documents show Adams and Butler were engaged in a bitter custody battle involving Butlers two young children. The father of the children is Wrangler Rickman, Adams 26-year-old son.

On the day of Butler's disappearance, Adams had been taking care of the children and Butler planned to pick them up at Four Corners near Highway 95 and US-64 in Texas County to take her daughter to a birthday party. When they did not arrive, the family began looking for Butler.

In an interview with the OSBI, Adams allegedly said she was at home at the time Butler and Kelley went missing. She called Butler to confirm the pickup of the children, but Butler said something came up and she wasnt going to make it, according to the probable cause affidavit.

However, investigators say, Butler was in Hugoton, Kansas, and in the process of picking Kelley up to go meet Adams.

Adams is also alleged to have told one of her visitation supervisors to take a couple of weeks off so Adams could question the children about Butlers visitation supervisors.

Adams was the last known person to communicate with Butler, and Adams was scheduled to meet Butler and Kelley for visitation at 10 a.m. on March 30, an OSBI agent wrote in the affidavit.

Butler and Kelley's phone records indicated their devices were actively sending signals to their carriers until about 9:42 a.m., after which the devices were no longer seen by the networks and stopped transmitting.

Neither phone was found at the scene or within the vehicle.

When the vehicle was located in rural Texas County, authorities reported blood and Butler's glasses were found in the roadway near a broken hammer. A pistol magazine was found inside Kelley's purse at the scene, but no pistol was found.

Series of death threats preceded disappearance, investigators say

The child custody dispute at times turned threatening, according to OSBI investigators.

Recordings obtained by investigators allegedly reveal Rickman discussing death threats made by Adams and her boyfriend, Cullum, one of the accused in the slaying case.

The custody battle started in 2019. In March this year, motions were filed requesting extended visitation for Butler.

A hearing was scheduled to occur on April 17. Butler's attorney informed the OSBI that Butler was likely to receive unsupervised visitation with her children.

At times, Adams refused to let Rickman have his children, even though Rickman had legal custody of them, according to investigators. Law enforcement previously responded to a call for service where Adams refused to give Rickman his children.

Rickman's grandmother, Debi Knox-Davis, reported that in February, Rickman told her they didn't have to worry about the custody battle much longer because Adams had it under control.

Rickman is alleged to have told her that Adams knew the path the judge walked to work, and "we will take out Veronica [Butler] at drop off." Rickman denied having that conversation with Knox, according to investigators.

Rickman was confirmed to be in a rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma City at the time of Butler and Kelleys disappearance.

Taser pain level, prepaid cell phones in search history

On April 1, OSBI agents obtained a search warrant for Adams cell phone.

They allege that the phone showed internet searches for Taser pain level, gun shops, prepaid cellular phones and how to get someone out of their house.

OSBI investigators say Adams purchased three prepaid cell phones from WalMart in Guymon on Feb. 3. All three phones were at the area where Butler's car was located and the last known location of Butler and Kelley at the time of their disappearance, according to the OSBI.

A search of local gun shops showed Adams bought five stun guns at Big R Stores in Guymon on March 23, investigators say.

OSBI: Teen witness reports conversations about homicide

On April 3, OSBI investigators interviewed a 16-year-old daughter of Cora Twombly.

The teen told investigators she overheard group conversations about Butler allegedly not protecting her children from abuse at the hands of Butlers brother.

The mother told her daughter of her involvement in the homicides, and that the others who were later arrested were also involved, the witness allegedly told OSBI.

The girl also told investigators she saw two burner phones charging on her mothers nightstand in her bedroom.

Investigators later learned of two burner phones left below a dam near a rural property in Texas County where it was discovered that a hole had been dug and filled back in and then covered with hay.

The night before Butler and Kelley went missing, the girl told investigators that Cora Twombly said she and Twomblys husband, Cole, would not be home in the morning when she woke up because they were going on a mission.

They returned home in a blue and gray pickup and blue flatbed pickup.

The daughter was told to clean the interior of the blue and gray pickup and that things had not gone as planned, according to the affidavit.

According to OSBI investigators, she was told that her mother and her mothers husband blocked the road to stop Butler and Kelley and divert them to where Adams, Cullum and another man, who has not been arrested, were located.

Asked if the bodies of Butler and Kelley were put in a well, her mother allegedly told her daughter: Something like that.

The girl also claimed other attempts on Butlers life were made in February.

Near Hugoton, Kansas, the four charged, along with another man not arrested, planned to throw an anvil through Butler's windshield while driving, making it look like an accident because anvils regularly fall off of work vehicles, according to the affidavit.

All four defendants remain in the Texas County jail without bond.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 'God's Misfits,' custody battle connected to murder plot: Affidavit
Attorney General Merrick Garland vowed Wednesday that President Biden has "no impairment" after being pressed by a Republican lawmaker about the findings of special counsel Robert Hurs report on Bidens improper handling of classified documents.

Garland, speaking to Rep. Ben Cline of Virginia during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on the Justice Departments Fiscal Year 2025 budget request, said "I have seen the president effectively guide the members of the Department of his Cabinet and his military."

Garland declined to comment when asked by Cline if he agreed with Hurs characterization that Biden is a "sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory," saying "I've said before, and I'll say again with respect to the report that it's improper for the attorney general to editorialize."

"The president has no impairment. I don't know how many ways I can say this. I have complete confidence in the president and I reject your characterization," Garland also said.

SUPREME COURT TO DEBATE SLEEPER CASE THAT COULD AFFECT TRUMP FEDERAL PROSECUTION

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks at a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on April 16 in Washington, D.C.

Hur said in his report that he would bring no criminal charges against the president after a monthslong investigation into his improper retention of classified documents related to national security.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

During another part of his testimony, Garland said "I am glad to be able to report that last year we saw a significant decrease in overall violent crime across the country compared to the previous year, including an over 13% decline in homicides.

REPUBLICANS PRESSURE BIDEN DOJ TO PROBE ACTIVISTS CALLING FOR DEATH TO AMERICA

Special counsel Robert Hur's report calling out President Biden's "poor memory" sparked widespread coverage of the leader's mental capacity in office.

"That is the largest one-year decline in homicides in over 30 years," he continued. "And data indicates that this decline is continuing."

Garland said the Justice Department is "seeking a total of $21 billion to support the efforts of the FBI, ATF, DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Attorney's offices, as well as the criminal Division and the National Security Division."

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland says homicides have fallen in the U.S.

He said the funding would be used to fight gun violence and "strengthen our work to counter both foreign and domestic terrorism."

Fox News Brooke Singman contributed to this report.





Original article source: AG Garland pressed on Hur report, says Biden 'has no impairment'
The Air Force's top uniformed officer told the service in a memo that changes to basic housing allowances at some bases, expanded child-care staffing and updated dining halls are either in place or on the horizon for airmen.

Gen. David Allvin, the Air Force chief of staff, told airmen in an emailed memo on Monday that as he nears the six-month mark in his tenure, the service has "been charting a course for the change we need" and highlighted a variety of recent policy updates and quality-of-life updates that have been put in place.

"This biannual letter is my way of chronicling our improvements and holding myself accountable to this vision," Allvin wrote. "Being mindful stewards of our progress is our best chance at overcoming the challenges we face."

Read Next: Former Marine 'Neo-Nazi' Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Firebombing of Planned Parenthood

Allvin said airmen began receiving a basic housing allowance increase of 5.4% since the beginning of 2024, and that there was an even more substantial increase of 10.5% in six areas, namely for those near F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, as well as other Air National Guard bases and assignments in Fargo, North Dakota; Terre Haute, Indiana; and Washington, D.C.

He also said that the Air Force has been working to expand staffing, family child care and financial assistance for airmen who need support.

"In the past six months, we have seen the [child development center] staffing remain at the high watermark of 80%, up nearly 20% from two years ago ... improving, but not there yet," Allvin wrote to airmen.

Allvin also told airmen that the Air Force is working to expand its food service program at more bases, saying it's taking on "a model reminiscent of college campus dining facilities" -- such as offering airmen personalized pizza, deli, salad bars and convenient snacks.

Around 70 installations are changing their dining halls to meet the new model, and some, such as Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, are currently underway, the service said in a January press release.

All these fixes are targeted at addressing longstanding quality-of-life issues within all the military services, including the Air Force.

Military.com reported last month that Washington lawmakers have said they want to include more financial support for military quality-of-life improvements than what the Pentagon asked for in its 2025 budget request, but congressionally agreed-upon budget caps are likely to cause issues.

Allvin also pointed to recent updates to the Air Force's training and testing methods, including offering electronic testing for the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test and for the enlisted Weighted Airman Promotion System, as well as tweaks to Basic Military Training that implements physical training and lifestyle management courses at the beginning.

In the Air Force chief of staff's first letter to the force in November, he warned of "formidable challenges" facing airmen and named China as a major threat.

In February, the Department of the Air Force unveiled that officials are renaming, reorganizing and rethinking their services' structures so airmen and Space Force Guardians can be ready for competition with China.

One of those changes included bringing back warrant officers -- a plan first reported by Military.com. In his Monday memo, Allvin said the first class of cyber- and information technology-focused warrant officers will start this October, and the second will begin in January 2025.

Allvin also mentioned in his letter that the service is looking to reorganize the numbered air forces -- such as the 8th Air Force or 9th Air Force, which are focused on certain theaters, or the 2nd Air Force or 19th Air Force, which are focused on training -- into "Service Component Commands." But details were scant, with Allvin saying "more to follow in my next update."

Related: New Air Force Chief of Staff Warns of 'Formidable Challenges' in First Message to Service
Air Force: Ukraine downs 9 out of 9 Russian drones launched overnight

Russian forces launched nine Shahed attack drones at Ukraine overnight on April 16, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported.

Ukrainian air defense units intercepted all nine drones, Oleshchuk said.

According to the Air Force, Russian forces launched the Shaheds from positions in Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea. Mobile firing groups shot down the drones over Kherson, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

According to the news outlet Suspilne, explosions were heard in Khmelnytskyi Oblast in the early hours of April 16.

Drone attacks are a daily occurrence in Ukraine, common in multiple regions across the country.

In recent weeks, Russia has intensified attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, launching massive drone and missile strikes targeting critical facilities.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Deploying jets to protect Ukraine would lead to escalation, UK foreign secretary says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
DENVER (KDVR)  Air travel customers will soon be able to send their complaints of airlines or ticketing agents directly to the Colorado Attorney Generals Office, thanks to an agreement the office announced in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday.

Colorado is one of 15 states to sign such an agreement, allowing the DOT to establish a new process to review and resolve consumer complaints against airlines and ticket agents. The announcement came as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Colorado.

Coloradans lost millions due to scams in 2023

The agreement aims to streamline how attorneys general and the DOT work together to review consumer complaints and identify violations of federal aviation consumer protection requirements, according to a joint announcement by Attorney General Phil Weiser and Secretary Buttigieg.

Weiser said in the announcement that the agreement will lead to improved travel for passengers and allow authorities to hold accountable airlines or ticket agents that harm consumers.

Consumers deserve to be treated fairly, know what theyre getting, and get everything they pay for when they fly, said Weiser. This agreement and partnership with the DOT will allow my office to directly serve Colorado consumers when they file complaints about unfair or deceptive airline business practices and creates a process to ensure DOT prioritizes complaints we refer.

The new agreement means that Colorado consumers will report their air travel complaints about harmful or deceptive practices to the Colorado Attorney Generals Office at StopFraudColorado.gov.

Agreement details process to review complaints

The memorandum of understanding with 25 U.S. states or territories comes at a time when complaints about flight disruptions, lack of refunds, and lost or delayed baggage continue to be core passenger concerns, according to the Colorado AGs office.

According to the AGs office, airline consumer protections are the DOTs responsibility under federal law.

However, through the agreement, the attorney generals office is authorized to investigate consumer complaints against air carriers, ticket agents and other air travel companies supervised by the DOT. According to documents released Tuesday, the attorney generals office will work with consumers and companies to resolve complaints, and if necessary, will refer complaints to the DOTs Office of Aviation Consumer Protection.

Coloradans without power will not be reimbursed for spoiled food

Under the agreement, that office will prioritize the review of escalated complaints and include the attorney generals office staff on letters of inquiry to those companies based on those referrals, in addition to consulting with the attorney generals office before determining the next steps toward resolution. The current agreement will last for two years, but the parties may agree to extend it at two-year intervals after that.

We take our mission to protect consumers seriously, and todays launch of the Airline Passenger Protection Partnership is an important milestone in that effort, said Buttigieg in a release. By partnering with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general, the U.S. Department of Transportation has expanded our ability to hold airlines and ticket agents accountable and protect passengers from unfair or deceptive practices.

The DOT is also tasked with providing technical assistance and training to staff in the attorney generals office and will meet at least annually with the AGs office to assess ongoing efforts and to update Colorado on any actions taken in response to state-referred complaints, according to Weisers release.

New Colorado State Patrol report shows auto theft is down in the state

Other states and territories that have signed the memorandum of understanding include California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina, the Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Wisconsin. Several other regions have voiced their interest in signing similar agreements.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
A woman on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives

Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, enters the Alabama House of Representatives on March 19, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama House Judiciary Committee last week approved a measure that could keep pregnant women convicted of a crime out of prison or jail for up to three months after giving birth.

HB 411, sponsored by Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, gives a judge the discretion to allow women sentenced to incarceration to have 12 weeks of pre-incarceration probation to provide postpartum infant care outside a correctional facility.

This bill will help both the parents and children, Hollis said. Help children by eliminating the stigma of being born in prison, allowing for a short period of postpartum care, (and) allowing for a childs rearing to begin at home and not in prison. It is safer to give birth at home, and safer for a pregnant woman and for the baby for late-term care to occur outside of prison.

Current state law does not allow a pregnant individual to defer sentencing until after the birth of the child.

Julia Tutweiler Prison for Women, located in Wetumpka, serves as the intake facility for individuals who are pregnant. According to the Alabama Department of Corrections website, the prison has units dedicated to people who are pregnant.

Currently in state statute, waist and leg restraints are not allowed for people who are pregnant.

The bill, called the Alabama Womens Child Care Alternatives, Resources, and Education Act, would require officials to screen each woman who tells an official overseeing admission at a prison or jail that she is pregnant.

A person testing positive for a pregnancy would be released on bail if the presiding judge determines the person is not a threat to the public.

The individual would receive credit for the time spent on probation and could have an electronic monitor placed on her ankle without any fines or fees.

The person must report to her probation officer if she loses the child during pregnancy and must surrender herself once the 12 weeks is over or face a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $6,000 fine.

Some Republicans on the committee expressed concerns that the mother would use pregnancy as a means of avoiding incarceration.

Basically, if a lady went and got pregnant, then she can avoid jail time? Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley asked Hollis.

Hollis denied that, saying the person would be on probation during the time she was giving birth and providing postpartum care to the infant.

If the judge sentenced someone to jail or custody in a jail or prison, then it does take that time away, said Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster. At the end of the day, I completely understand the spirit in which that is intended, but it does take away from the actual time in incarceration. It is more of a probation and monitoring and not incarceration.

The bill passed the committee on a voice vote and moves to the Alabama House of Representatives. The legislation needs four more legislative days to pass. There are eight days left in the 2024 session.

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The post Alabama House bill would allow delayed incarceration for pregnant women appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
On the night of April 16, 2024, a fire broke out at a power substation in the Russian city of Bryansk. This led to a power outage at several military and industrial facilities in Russia.

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This was reported by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. It is emphasized that a 110 kW transformer was damaged.

As a result, the following units were left without power supply:

military unit No. 33149 (29th separate railway brigade);

111th military plant (machine-building enterprise);

192nd Central Military Plant (supplier of railway equipment).

These facilities were used by the enemy during the genocidal war against Ukraine.

The intelligence emphasized that the occupants will be punished for every war crime committed against Ukraine.

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Earlier it was reported that the SBU hit a long-range radar in the Bryansk region, which controlled the sky 700 km deep into Ukraine. It was a modernized Nebo-U complex that helped to detect Ukrainian weapons and supported Russian bombers launching KABs.

As a reminder, on April 15, the Armed Forces of Ukraine neutralized 920 occupants and nine enemy tanks. In total, the invaders lost 103 pieces of military equipment and weapons the day before, including 6 artillery systems (11,609 in total), 13 armored combat vehicles (13,809) and air defense systems (759) of the occupation army.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Alabama kids: Poverty and foster care numbers rise, but so do reading and math rankings

Alabama ranks among the worst states for childhood well-being, clocking in at No. 45 according to a new report from the child advocacy group VOICES for Alabamas Children. The only states that fall below Alabama are Oklahoma, Nevada, Mississippi, Louisiana and New Mexico.

Funded by the Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation, VOICES releases the Alabama Kids Count Data Book annually to help policymakers and researchers understand how children are growing up in the state and identify areas in need of improvement.

For the last 30 years, the report has tracked trends in children's health, education, safety and economic security across all of Alabamas 67 counties.

Data is a benchmark of where we are and where we have been and sets the stage for transformation, Alabama Kids Count Director Apreill Hartsfield said in a statement. We note the changes such as the decrease in child population and the growing diversity among our children. We celebrate the areas of improvement including the increase in health care coverage and early intervention services and the decrease in teens not attending school and not working (idle teens). And we raise awareness about opportunities for improvement, including infant deaths, child poverty and food insecurity.

Here are the top takeaways from the 102-page report:

The Alabama Kids Count Data Book records trends across the state that have to do with children's health, education and overall well-being.

1. More kids are going into foster care now than in 2015.

Since 2015, the number of children entering foster care has increased by 16.3%, according to the report. The leading reason for kids entering the foster system has been substance abuse by the parents.

After initial publication, VOICES made an addition to the report to clarify that the total number of children in foster care in Alabama has steadily declined in the last five years, though the number remains higher than it was in 2015.

The good news is that the number of annual adoptions each year is going up. According to a statement from Alabama Department of Human Resources Commissioner Nancy Buckner, the department facilitated more than 700 adoptions in 2023. Thirty years ago, that number was closer to 100.

DHR responded to around 23,600 abuse and neglect cases in the last year, but Buckner reported that this number has fallen from 40,000 in 1993.

In 2022, about 35,932 children were subject to an investigated abuse and neglect report in Alabama.

Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner

2. More kids are living in poverty.

Since 2000, child poverty has been steadily climbing in Alabama, and Black and Hispanic children are being affected at two times the rate of white children.

In 2023, more than 245,000, about 22.3%, of the states children were living in poverty. The Data Book classifies nearly half of those children as being in extreme poverty.

Of those kids in extreme poverty, 13.5% are white, 38.3% are Black and 36.7% are Hispanic.

Diving into the county-specific data, even though the average household income in the state is $53,990 a year or $25.96 per hour, the median household income in at least six Alabama counties is below the hourly rate needed to rent a two bedroom apartment, the report states, citing the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.

3. Education statistics are improving compared to other states.

Alabama is the only state that has shown improvement in both reading and math since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the report. It cites the Nations Report Card, in which Alabama rose several spots in reading and math in the most recently available rankings from 2022.

In 2019, Alabama fourth graders ranked last in the country in math and No. 49 in reading. In 2023, Alabama moved up to No. 40 in math and 39 in reading. Still, VOICES couched this improvement with the likelihood that it was inflated by other states performing poorly.

State Superintendent Eric Mackey credits the Alabama Literacy Act with the reading gains.

Every childs potential is a reflection of the opportunities we provide  education, healthcare and a supportive family create the foundation for a brighter future, shaping not just our children but the destiny of our communities as well, State Superintendent Eric Mackey said in a statement included in the Data Book.

State School Superintendent Eric Mackey looks on at Dalraida Elementary in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday October 19, 2022.

Still, the percent of fourth graders in Alabama who are not proficient in reading remains high at 72%, marking no change since 2019. Also, the percent of eighth graders not proficient in math is up from 79% in 2019 to 81% last year.

4. Child well-being tends to be worse in rural Alabama.

Alabamas rural Black Belt counties fare the worst in child well-being, taking 13 out of the 15 lowest rankings. The bottom counties include Perry, Wilcox, Greene, Bullock, Sumter, Dallas, Hale, Pickens, Butler, Lowndes, Barbour, Macon and Marengo.

The county-specific rankings were determined by several key indicators, like births to teens aged 15-17, child poverty and unemployment rates.

Data included in the report also demonstrates a disparity in healthcare access between rural Alabama and the rest of the state.

More children have health insurance since the 1990s, but depending on where children live in the state, fewer have access to health care due to the shrinking number of healthcare facilities and resources, particularly in rural areas, VOICES director Rhonda Mann wrote in the Data Book.

Hadley Hitson covers children's health, education and welfare for the Montgomery Advertiser. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to the Advertiser.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: 4 things to know about Alabama kids' well-being from new report
FIRST ON FOX: A prominent Republican senator from Alabama is aiming to increase transparency about abortions that take place within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

On Tuesday, Sen. Tommy Tuberville plans to introduce the VA Abortion Transparency Act of 2024, a measure that would require the VA to provide quarterly reports as well as a variety of details surrounding its involvement in abortions performed.

HILLARY CLINTON SLAMS 'CRUELTY' OF ARIZONA ABORTION LAW IN INTERVIEW WITH EMOTIONAL KELLY CLARKSON

Sen. Tommy Tuberville is introducing a bill to require the VA to provide quarterly reports on abortion.

Some of the data required under the legislation would be the number of abortions that the VA facilitated during the quarter, whether it was conducted with medication such as Mifepristone or if it was a surgical abortion, at what week during pregnancy the abortion took place, and the expenditures associated with abortions during the time frame, among other details.

"Congress has spoken. The Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 clearly prohibits the VA from providing abortion services of any kind," Tuberville said in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital.

"For the Biden administration to twist the law into something other than what Congress intended and force the cost on the taxpayer is a disgrace. Our veterans deserve a VA that is 100% focused on ensuring they receive timely and quality care, not on implementing Joe Bidens abortion-on-demand agenda. I am proud to introduce this bill that provides much needed transparency for taxpayers and holds the VA accountable."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

HEARTLAND VOTERS FEELING STRAIN OF MASS MIGRATION: 'EVERY STATE IS A BORDER STATE'

Tuberville was at the center of controversy last year when he held up hundreds of military promotions in protest of the Department of Defense's policies on abortion. His blockade began in February 2023 in response to a Pentagon policy providing travel expense reimbursement for abortion. He ended the hold up in December, noting he couldn't continue due to a rule change in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) spending bill.

Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, are joining Tuberville in his quest for transparency on abortions in the VA  they've signed onto his bill as co-sponsors.

BIDEN RESISTS PULLING CONTROVERSIAL JUDICIAL NOMINEE ADEEL MANGI DESPITE DEMOCRAT DEFECTORS

The VA facilitates abortions through its veteran health care coverage.

The legislation further has the approval of several pro-life organizations, including CatholicVote, National Right to Life, March for Life Action, Concerned Women for America and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

BIDEN HAD SIMILAR LEGAL AID ARRANGEMENT HE SLAMMED TRUMP OVER

Tuberville, who sits on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, is introducing the measure in part because he believes taxpayers should be able to see how funds are being spent by the department, according to his office.

The Republican senator's office noted that between September 2022 and September 2023, 88 abortions were facilitated through the VA, 28 of which were surgical, according to Military.com.

However, the VA has since been unwilling to provide more recent data despite various letters requesting such, Tuberville's office said.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes said, "While VA does not comment on pending legislation, VA is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive care to women veterans  including basic preventive care, acute care, chronic disease management, mental health care, and reproductive health care."





Original article source: Alabama senator seeks to expose abortions at the Department of Veterans Affairs
Alaska correspondence students to finish out the year while officials grapple with ruling

Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, speaks at a news conference Friday, March 15, 2024, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, speaks at a news conference Friday, March 15, 2024, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Bishop supports the payments to correspondence schools, which a Superior Court judge ruled against on Friday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development is advising state school districts to continue business as usual after a legal decision struck down the core of the states correspondence school programs.

I will be sending out a letter today to all school districts with some direction, said Deena Bishop, the agencys commissioner, on Monday afternoon. At this point, wed like them to continue to finish out the year as theyve been working.

The letter comes as attorneys on both sides of the legal decision petition an Anchorage Superior Court judge to put his decision on hold while the case is appealed.

Addressed to superintendents statewide, the letter says, At this time the court order is not a final judgment, which means it does not have any immediate impact to school districts with correspondence study programs.  the Department of Law will be filing appropriate applications with the Superior Court and, if necessary, the Alaska Supreme Court to hopefully keep the status quo in place with no change in the correspondence study program until the Alaska Supreme Court has had a full opportunity to review this case.

More than one in six of Alaskas 131,264 K-12 students are in a correspondence program. Those programs are typically used by homeschooled students, but since Gov. Mike Dunleavy became governor in 2018, theyve also become popular among the families of private-school students because the state has ruled that a financial allotment distributed to correspondence students can be used for private-school tuition.

On Friday, Judge Adolf Zeman ruled that the allotment system violates a section of the state constitution that prohibits public money being spent for the direct benefit of any religious or other private educational institution.

Zeman struck down the allotment program and a connected law requiring correspondence programs to write individual education plans for their students.

The full implications of that decision remained unclear on Monday, but Dunleavys office said in an internal white paper shared with state legislators that if this ruling were to stand, there would be no public correspondence school options in Alaska, and families currently in correspondence school would be forced to pay for what is otherwise public schooling out of their own pockets.

Independently, some legislators reached the same conclusions as the governors office.

My understanding is the page is wiped and theres not a state correspondence program at all, said Rep. Rebecca Himschoot, I-Sitka, so Im very motivated to find a solution.  We have a lot of families in limbo.

Scott Kendall is the attorney representing plaintiffs in the lawsuit that overturned the correspondence program. By text message, he said they are asking Zeman for a stay  a pause  in the decision through the end of the state fiscal year, June 30.

Institute for Justice, a libertarian public-interest law firm, represented parents who intervened in the case to support the states defense.

Kirby West, an attorney with the firm, said it would appeal Fridays decision to the Alaska Supreme Court and would request a stay of Zemans decision while the appeal proceeds.

We decided not to do an expedited appeal because we want to be sure the court has a full opportunity to consider our arguments, he said.

The Alaska Department of Law said it also will appeal the ruling, but officials with the agency did not immediately provide details about the states action.

The post Alaska correspondence students to finish out the year while officials grapple with ruling appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  An Albany woman was forced to go back to work just a few weeks after surgery while her benefits from Oregons Employment Department continue to stall.

Corina Thompson enjoys her job at Bi-Mart. But in March, she had to take several weeks off for abdominal surgery.

Man dies after assault in Kerns neighborhood

She filled out the necessary forms for Paid Leave Oregon nearly 30 days beforehand, but never received any of the money. Thompsons friends and family pitched in to cover her bills, but without a paycheck, she still risked losing her apartment.

Corina Thompson (KOIN)

Without that money, she was forced to go back to work roughly one week earlier than doctors recommended.

Youre not supposed to go back after a surgery for up to six weeks, she said. I am almost at my six weeks post-op, but Im still a little bit sore inside.

Thompsons story is the latest in a string of stories from Oregonians frustrated with OEDs system. Since the Frances Online website launched in late February, KOIN 6 News has covered various cases of people reaching out for help only to wait for hours on hold, get hung up on or end up without anything at all.

Investigation launched as Lake Oswego man goes missing for four days

Thompson said she keeps getting notices on her account saying it is pending, and Bi-Mart received a letter from April 3 that she had received the green light for at least 21 days.

OED sent KOIN 6 News the following statement:

We certainly empathize with people who have to wait for benefits. We understand that people who need paid leave arent always in a place where they can wait. However, we need time to make sure customers are both eligible for the program and that they are who they say they are. Right now, thats taking an average of 29 days, but there are many reasons why a certain claim may take longer than the average 29 days. We cant comment on a specific claim without a release, but we can describe some of the issues that make a claim take longer. One common delay is when someone doesnt reply to our additional questions for identify verification. Another is not uploading all of the necessary documents, or if they do upload the documents, they may have filled out the forms incorrectly. Sometimes their medical providers documents dont match what the customer applied for, for example the medical condition, the amount of leave needed, or who is covered by it.

All of these issues can delay the claim while we work with the individual to get the right information that we need to make sure they are eligible for the program. We understand that some people face more difficulties than others, and we have a team of complex-claim specialists who reach out to these folks to give them the extra support they need. Even then, sometimes it takes several more weeks to get all of the issues resolved.

KOIN 6 News also reached out to Oregon Gov. Tina Koteks office, but we have yet to receive a response.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
A Northwest Side alderman filed a complaint Tuesday against the head of the independent agency that oversees the Chicago Police Department after she spoke with some media outlets about the fatal shooting of Dexter Reed, the latest escalation by pro-law enforcement officials who are unhappy with her.

Ald. Nicholas Sposato, 38th, sent a letter to the citys Office of the Inspector General criticizing Andrea Kersten, chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, for her recent local and national news interviews and calling for COPAs ongoing probe into the 26-year-olds death to be turned over to state police.

Chief Administrator Kersten should not be participating in interviews or comment in memos regarding investigations that have yet to commence, Sposato wrote. Her comments have led to a tainting of public opinion about the case, and of the brave members of the Chicago Police Department.

COPA spokesperson Jennifer Rottner did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday, and OIG spokesperson Deanna Shoss declined to comment.

Kerstens recent media and public appearances on the shooting have included WTTW, ABC-7, WGN-9, CBS-2, CNN, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smiths show and a press scrum after remarks at the City Club of Chicago.

But while Sposato accused the COPA boss of speaking in an accusatory and inappropriate prejudicial tone about facts that have yet to be investigated, his letter did not cite examples from her public remarks. The alderman acknowledged in a phone interview that he could not find such examples before then punting that responsibility to Inspector General Deborah Witzburg.

We scoured all over the place and then we couldnt find the stuff that we were making accusations about, so we didnt want to just put a pile of (expletive) in front of the inspector general and have her investigate everything, Sposato said. So we tried to give her what we could. Were going to continue to investigate and look for stuff that we have, but, yeah, we had a bit of trouble.

Body-camera footage and a COPA statement released last week showed Chicago police officers firing 96 times at Reed after he apparently shot and wounded a tactical officer during a traffic stop on March 21. A group of tactical officers curbed Reeds vehicle because he allegedly wasnt wearing a seat belt in the 3800 block of West Ferdinand Street in the Humboldt Park neighborhood shortly after 6 p.m.

Warning: Graphic content. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability released video footage Tuesday that shows a group of Chicago police officers firing dozens of bullets at Dexter Reed, 26, during a traffic stop in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on March 21, 2024. (Chicago Police Department)



Sposatos OIG complaint does quote Kersten writing to Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling days after the shooting, questioning the validity of the traffic stop and recommending that the four officers who fired at Reed be stripped of their police powers during the investigations pendency.

Specifically, COPA is uncertain how the officers could have seen this seat belt violation given their location relative to Reeds vehicle and the dark tints on Reeds vehicle windows. This evidence raises serious concerns about the validity of the traffic stop that led to the officers encounter with Reed, Kersten wrote. Based on the totality of the available evidence, COPA has grave concerns about the officers ability to assess what is a necessary, reasonable, and proportional use of deadly force.

But that correspondence  sharper in tone than Kerstens media interviews on the case  was only made public because news outlets including the Tribune filed Freedom of Information Act requests last week. Presented with this distinction, Sposato responded, Well, then, I guess she needs to be more careful about what shes doing and what she thinks is public and private. Because nowadays youd have to assume everything you say or do will either be videoed or recorded.

When asked about what rules Kersten would be violating for sending a private letter to Snelling, the alderman said, I dont know, Im not the inspector general.  Why didnt I get more stuff? Well, how long do we wait? I mean, I wanted to do this awhile ago. He said his priority remains getting the OIG to reprimand Kersten and instruct her to stop speaking on the case.

Sposatos complaint comes after a steady drip of disapproval of Kerstens leadership from pro-law enforcement figures  though to be sure, tension between those backing the police department and those running the city agency that probes misconduct has always existed.

Resistance has escalated upon Kerstens ascendance, which included aldermen attempting to scuttle her appointment because she had recommended slain officer Ella French be disciplined for the botched police raid of Anjanette Young. Last fall, the head of the Chicago police union, John Catanzara, also cast her investigation into later-unfounded sexual abuse allegations of migrants at a CPD district as a witch hunt.

Now, the high-profile shooting of Reed has attracted more criticism, with some of the most fiery words coming from Snelling. In a Friday news conference, the top cop ripped into unspecified figures who he said were sharing information with the media before the investigations conclusion, in an apparent pointed reprimand of Kersten.

Those officers up to this point have not been interviewed. So without those officers being interviewed and having something concrete that is written where these officers gave a statement as to why that traffic stop occurred, we cant speculate on that, Snelling said when asked about details on the traffic stop. And theres speculation out there in the media right now as to why that happened.  Those who are putting that information out into the media are doing so irresponsibly.

Kersten was asked about Snellings reproach and her letter to him during some of her media interviews, but she refrained from going as far as she did in her letter beyond saying questions remained.

The letter that was sent to the superintendent about that is after reviewing all available video evidence and preliminary information that wed received on scene, Kersten said in a WGN appearance last week. We have more questions about that information.

Still, Snelling on Friday balked at even that level of public discussion given that the officers had not been interviewed, telling reporters that no one should be judged in a court of public opinion. It was his latest salvo against COPA and followed a lengthy, stern critique before the Chicago Police Board in February against the agencys proclivity towards personal opinions and speculation.

Mayor Brandon Johnson has publicly spoken once about the fatal shooting so far, in a Tuesday news conference after the videos release. The progressive mayor spoke broadly about justice and rebuilding trust between police and the community, but did not weigh in on the specifics of the case.

The Tribunes Sam Charles contributed reporting.

ayin@chicagotribune.com
A drone is launched in an undisclosed area in Iran as Iran launches dozens of drones toward Israel. Tasnim News Agancy/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Calls for restraint mounted on Israel on Monday following Iran's unprecedented attack on the country, amid fears that the confrontation could further inflame tensions in the Middle East and bring the two sworn enemies to the brink of war.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Israel to help de-escalate the situation, calling the country's largely successful deterrence of around 300 drones and missiles "a success that should maybe not be thrown away," during a visit to China.

"We will do everything in our power to prevent a flare-up, an escalation," French President Emmanuel Macron told broadcaster BFMTV.

Israel's war cabinet met for a second time in 24 hours on Monday and weighed several possible responses to the attack, according to a media report, but it remained initially unclear whether a decision was made.

Some of the options are minor in nature, while others are more intensive, Israeli television station Channel 12 reported, saying Israel seeks a response that is painful to Iran without sparking a regional war.

The cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, met for nearly three hours, assessing possible responses to the airstrikes, which came following a strike on Iran's embassy compound in Damascus believed to have been carried out by Israel in which several high-ranking commanders were killed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a private meeting with ministers from his Likud party that Iran's missile attack must be followed by a smart response, according to a report by Kan radio station.

Iran should have to wait nervously to see when the backlash will come, as Israel did before the attack late on Saturday evening, according to the report.

The broadcaster reported, citing a high-ranking official, that Israel has promised to inform the US before launching a counter-attack, in order to give US troops in the region time to prepare for any Iranian retaliation.

On Sunday, US President Joe Biden had urged Netanyahu to "think carefully and strategically about risks of escalation," according to a senior US government official.

Within the Israeli government, there are calls for swift and harsh action, particularly from politicians on the far-right wing. The hardliners are not represented in the war cabinet, however.

"The best thing to do in the case of Israel is to recognize this has been a failure for Iran," British Foreign Secretary David Cameron told Times Radio.

While Israel had the right to respond to such an attack, he said Britain also wanted to avoid escalation and was urging the country to "think with head as well as heart."

Western leaders also directed warnings at Tehran.

Iran's first ever direct attack on Israel was a "terrible escalation" that should not have taken place, Germany's Scholz said.

The German Foreign Office summoned Iran's ambassador in response to the overnight attack, a spokesman said. Tehran had also summoned the German ambassador on Sunday, along with those of France and Britain, citing the countries' "irresponsible positions."

Even Russia, which is being supplied by Tehran with combat drones used in its war on Ukraine, called on Israel and Iran to exercise restraint.

The Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, emphasized in talks with the head of the Israeli National Security Council, Zachi Ha-Negbi, "the need for restraint on all sides of the conflict in the Middle East in order to prevent its escalation," Russian state agencies reported.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahian, meanwhile, described his country's attack on Israel as a matter of "legitimate defence" in talks with several of his counterparts.

In a call with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, Amirabdollahian once again criticized the April 1 attack on Iran's embassy compound in Syria that left seven people dead, including two top commanders. Israel has not denied responsibility for the airstrike.

Amirabdollahian said Iran "had no choice but to punish the Zionist regime as part of its legitimate defence," a statement from his ministry said.

According to his ministry, Amirabdollahian has also spoken to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Syria, India, Qatar, Egypt and Malta.

In a conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Iran's foreign minister warned of a harsh response if Israel retaliates.

Earlier on Monday, Israel's Home Front Command lifted restrictions, imposed on civilians while the country waited for the Iranian attack.

The order had banned educational activities and put limits on workplace and other public gatherings.

Exceptions continue to apply to high-risk areas, such as communities bordering the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. There, only up to 30 people are allowed to gather outside and up to 300 inside. Citizens must also ensure that they can quickly seek shelter in the event of an emergency.
'I am not resigning': Johnson at risk as he forges ahead on Ukraine, Israel aid

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday forged ahead with a plan to try to pass aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan that's been tied up in a political fight in Washington for months -- even though the move could cost him his job.

Johnson has laid out a proposal to split the $95 billion foreign aid package passed by the Senate into three separate bills, one for each country, and a fourth bill loaded with conservative priorities.

Johnson spoke with President Joe Biden on Monday before unveiling his plan to his conference, two sources told ABC News. A White House official said the administration was waiting to see the plan "in detail" before discussing with Democrats how to proceed.

But Johnson's approach is already causing more rancor with the right flank of his party, as a second member said Tuesday he would join Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's motion to remove him from the speaker post, in part over aid to Ukraine.

MORE: Mike Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene speakership standoff continues after meeting

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said he told Johnson in a closed-door conference meeting he is cosponsoring Greene's motion, which she introduced last month. Massie said he suggested Johnson "pre-announce" his resignation so Republicans can get to work on finding a new speaker and avoid any lapse in leadership.

ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott asked Johnson at the GOP's weekly news conference for his response to Republicans who say that if he doesn't step aside, they may oust him over this issue.

"I am not resigning," Johnson answered. "And it is, in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our jobs."

Johnson continued, "It is not helpful to the cause. It is not helpful to the country. It does not help the House Republicans to advance our agenda."

PHOTO: House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to the press following a House Conference meeting to discuss Iran's attack on Israel at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. (Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)

"I asked him to resign," Massie told ABC News as he left the GOP meeting earlier Tuesday. "He said he would not, and I said you're the one who is going to put us into this. The motion is going to get called, does anybody doubt that? The motion will get called, and he's going to lose more votes than Kevin McCarthy. And I have told him this in private, like weeks ago."

Johnson also made recent comments that prompted frustration from former President Donald Trump's advisers, and forced Johnson's team to issue a new statement, sources told ABC News.

After a show of unity at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, Johnson told Fox News on Sunday it was a great visit and that he and Trump were "100% united on these big agenda items."

But sources said Johnson did not fully lay out the details of this plan for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan to Trump when he met the former president at Mar-a-Lago. Therefore, the former president did not endorse the idea. A source familiar with Johnson's plans told ABC News conversations with members were ongoing through the weekend and there was no final plan yet Friday when the two met.

Sources said frustration from the Trump team prompted Johnson's team to put out another statement, in which Johnson senior adviser Raj Shah clarified Johnson didn't intend to suggest he and Trump are "fully aligned on ... every piece of any legislation."

Shah added, "He was grateful for the Presidents gracious words of support on Friday, and will let the President and his team speak about his views on specific matters of national security."

MORE: Trump holds Mar-a-Lago joint appearance with Johnson amid speakership threat

Republicans have a razor-thin majority in the House, which means Johnson can afford only two defections.

However, some Democrats have privately signaled they'd bail out Johnson rather than freeze the House in another month of potential speaker elections.

"We don't like the chaos and dysfunction," House Democratic Caucus chair Pete Aguilar said Tuesday when asked about the motion to vacate during a Democratic news conference.

Aguilar added, "Look, we want this place to work. We want to see aid to Israel, Ukraine, humanitarian assistance and [Indo-Pacific] priorities. That's what we're focused on right now. We can't control the theatrics of Marjorie Taylor Greene and the House Republican conference but we stand willing to stand with anyone who wants to deliver on that help and support."

And some Republicans are fuming over Massie's latest threat to oust Johnson.

"I hate to even dignify it. It's wrong. We voted for the speaker, and we stick with our speaker," Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., told ABC News. "He's trying his very best. He's a good man, he's been dealt a tough hand, and he's playing it the best he can. And we should stand by him."

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said he does not support Massie's effort, as the "last thing this country needs is to throw a speaker out even though I disagree with what he has done. [Johnson] is an honest man."

"I am not concerned about this," Johnson said on Tuesday. "I am going to do my job and I think that's what the American people expected."

PHOTO: Thomas Massie speaks with reporters after announcing that he will co-sponsor a resolution to remove Mike Johnson from the Speaker's post, Washington, DC, April 16, 2024. (Allison Bailey/NurPhoto via Shutterstock)

Legislative text for the bills has not yet been released, and Johnson said discussions would continue Tuesday.

"We're still working it out," he said. "We have lots of ideas on the table and we'll be doing that in earnest."

MORE: How initial US support for aiding Ukraine has come to a standstill 2 years later

Johnson previously said funding levels would be similar to the Senate package, which provided roughly $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion in security assistance for Israel and nearly $5 billion for partners in the Indo-Pacific.

As for the fourth bill on Republican priorities, details are still being worked out, but it could include measures to ban TikTok and to seize Russian assets to help provide funding to Ukraine.

"We've laid out the plan on how to finally address the supplemental situation. There are precipitating events around the globe that we're all watching very carefully. And we know that the world is watching us to see how we react, Johnson told reporters Monday, adding he thought this approach would let members vote their conscience on each issue.

Johnson said Monday he expected a possible vote on the bills Friday, before lawmakers will be out of session for a week-long recess.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday he was "reserving judgment" on Johnson's proposal for individual foreign aid bills until more information is released, but stressed the only way to proceed is in a bipartisan manner.

"Hopefully we will get details of the speaker's proposal later today," Schumer said in remarks on the Senate floor. "Again, time is of the essence. Israel was attacked for the first time in its history directly by Iran. The people of Ukraine are now in all-out desperation ... and anyone who thinks that the war in Ukraine will stay in Ukraine, remember the warning of Japanese Prime Minister [Fumio] Kishida: Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow."

ABC News' Lauren Peller, Mariam Khan, Benjamin Siegel Justin Gomez, Katherine Faulders and John Santucci contributed to this report.

'I am not resigning': Johnson at risk as he forges ahead on Ukraine, Israel aid originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Amanda Knox Is Back in Court  This Time For Alleged Slander. Here's Everything to Know

In 2007, Knox was convicted of killing her 21-year-old British roommate, Meredith Kercher, but after four years in prison, the murder conviction was overturned

Paula Lobo/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Amanda Knox on 'Good Morning America' in 2018.

Amanda Knox is on trial again.

In 2007, Knox and her boyfriend at the time, Raffaele Sollecito, were convicted of killing her 21-year-old British roommate, Meredith Kercher, while the two were studying abroad in Perugia, Italy.

Knox spent four years in prison, heading to court again and again to clear her name. In 2011, her's and Sollecitos murder convictions were reversed. In 2015, the pair were officially exonerated by the Cassation Court, Italys highest court, PEOPLE previously reported.

However, Knox's legal troubles weren't quite over.



In 2009 while still in prison, she was convicted of slander for wrongly accusing her boss, Congolese bar owner Patrick Lumumba, of murdering Kercher, even though she quickly recanted her accusation at the time. Knox appealed the conviction and on April 10, a retrial of the case began in the Florence appeals court, the Associated Press reports.



Knox, who has gone on to become a successful podcaster and advocate for criminal justice, was not in court. She is being tried in absentia, staying in the U.S. to take care of her two young children, one of whom was born recently, her lawyer said, TIME reports.

Related: Amanda Knox Found Guilty in Murder Case Retrial

In a lengthy Instagram post in October 2023, Knox, 36, who will be played by Margaret Qualley in an upcoming Hulu limited series, wrote about how she looking forward to being completely exonerated.

Amanda Knox

I am no longer a convicted person. And I will fight with my lawyers to prove my innocence once and for all, she wrote.

Heres everything to know about Amanda Knox's legal battles.

Kercher's Murder and the Messy Legal Aftermath

Knox was a 20-year-old exchange student when Kercher was murdered in the apartment they shared in the university town of Perugia in November 2007.

Kercher was found in her bedroom with more than 40 stab wounds and a deep gash in her throat. She had also been sexually assaulted.

Knox and Sollecito were arrested five days later for her brutal murder. After a sensational, 11-month trial, Knox and Sollecito were convicted in Kercher's murder.

In 2011, they won an appeal and were freed and cleared of most charges.

But in a second appeals trial in 2014, Knox was once again found guilty of murdering Kercher, and sentenced to 28 1/2 years in prison. Sollecito was also found guilty and was sentenced to 25 years.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Then, in March 2015, Italy's highest appeals court overturned the second conviction, once again exonerating Knox and Sollecito of the charges, citing glaring errors in the underlying fabric of the sentence in question," the AP reports.

Related: Man Who Killed Meredith Kercher, Amanda Knox's Roommate in Italy, Is Freed from Prison

Rudy Guede was convicted of Kercher's murder in a separate 2008 trial and was sentenced to a reduced sentence. He was eventually released from prison in November, 2021, per The Guardian.



The Slander Conviction

In 2007, when Knox, who didn't speak Italian fluently, was questioned for 53 hours by Italian police, she accused her boss Lumumba of murdering her roommate, signing statements that police typed up, the AP reports.



She recanted the accusation in a four-page handwritten note the next day, the AP reports.

Even though she took back her accusation, police took Lumumba into custody for questioning, holding him for nearly two weeks, the AP reports.

He was finally released after someone came forward with an alibi for him, according to The Guardian.

At the time, Knox's lawyers argued that she made the accusation against Lumumba because she was under police duress and didnt have an interpreter or legal assistance at the time, The Guardian reported.

Tried for Slander  Again

For years, Knox has wanted to clear her name of the slander conviction.

In a 2023 Instagram post, Knox wrote, As everyone knows, on March 27th, 2015, the Court of Cassation definitively acquitted me and Raffaele Sollecito of the murder of Meredith Kercher, per non aver commesso il fatto  for not having committed the act."

The unprecedented acquittal exonerated them on the grounds of factual innocence, citing stunning errors in the prosecutions case and culpable omissions, she wrote. It was clear vindication."

Adding: But this final ruling also upheld my conviction for slander. The Court of Cassation sentenced me to time served for the slander charge, which meant that according to the state of Italy, three of my four years of imprisonment were rightfully served. Though I was exonerated for murder, I remained wrongfully convicted of slander.

In 2016, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that her rights had been violated during her interrogation, the AP reports.

As a result, Knox appealed the slander conviction. The Court of Cassation annulled the slander conviction, CBS News reports.

Related: Years After Murder Exoneration, Amanda Knox Hosts TV Show About Women Who've Been Publicly Shamed

Last fall, the Court of Cassation ordered a retrial, acknowledging the ECHRs ruling thanks to a 2022 reform in Italys code of criminal procedure, TIME reports.

The court ruled that the notes from Knox's interrogation that police typed up would be inadmissible in the retrial, CBS News reports.

Knoxs handwritten note  and whether it contains evidence of slandering Lumumba  is the only evidence that is allowed in the retrial, CBS News reports.



Related: Amanda Knox, Four Years After Acquittal: Her Life Today

Knox hopes the court rules in her favor.

Patrick Lumumba suffered 10 days of wrongful imprisonment, and Raffaele and I nearly four years. One day in prison as an innocent person is one too many, Knox wrote on social media.

I am no longer a convicted person. And I will fight with my lawyers to prove my innocence once and for all, she added.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
UPDATE (4:20 p.m.): News 5 has learned that a vehicle in connection with this alleged abduction has been recovered. However, the children believed to be in that 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have not been located.

ORIGINAL STORY:

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WKRG)  An Amber Alert was sent around 2:24 Tuesday afternoon regarding a 13-year-old accused of abducting a 5-year-old.

Kaiden Tymari Perryman, 5, a Black male, was abducted, and the abductor is believed to be a 13-year-old driving a white 2011 Chevrolet Equinox with an Alabama license plate reading 6357BL5.

Motorcyclist hit patrol car at Cody Road and Zeigler Boulevard, according to crash report

The Amber Alert said the two were last seen near Gibbs Village in Montgomery.

Their direction of travel is unknown at this time, the alert said.

Those who have seen them or have any information can call 911 or *HP.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
On April 16, Polish farmers stopped blocking the Dolhobyczow-Uhryniv checkpoint on the Ukrainian border. Now trucks are moving in this direction as usual, although queues still remain after the blockade. Yahodyn and Rava-Ruska remain blocked.

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This was reported by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS). "Polish farmers have stopped blocking truck traffic in front of the Dovhobychiv-Uhryniv checkpoint," the statement said.

It is noted that as of 14.45, there were queues to leave Ukraine in front of this checkpoint. In particular, 100 trucks were waiting.

In the opposite direction, another 30 trucks were waiting to enter Ukraine from Poland. These were trucks with a gross vehicle weight of up to 7.5 tons.

As a reminder, the Poles resumed the blockade of the Uhryniv checkpoint on April 2. Before that, on March 28, it was possible to pass through it freely.

It is noteworthy that before the lifting of the blockade, the protesters at Uhryniv had not allowed a single truck from Ukraine to Poland to cross the border. Currently, the situation is similar at the Yagodyn and Rava-Ruska checkpoints.

ADVERTISIMENT

Also, according to SBGS spokesman Andriy Demchenko, in the morning of April 16, there were still queues at the previously unblocked Krakivtsi and Shehyni checkpoints  900 and 450 trucks, respectively. However, there is intense traffic in these directions, both to leave and enter Ukraine, Demchenko emphasized.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, in general, Polish farmers plan to continue the blockade of the Ukrainian border at least until April 30. Before that, the strikers promised to end the protests in early March but extended the blockade.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
In a warning to American Airlines pilots, their union, the Allied Pilots Association (APA), says it's seen "a significant spike in safety- and maintenance-related problems in our operation."

The union claims that among the "problematic trends" it's been tracking are tools left in wheel wells, an increasing number of collisions between aircraft while they're being towed, an increasing number of items left in the safety area near jet bridges and "pressure to return aircraft to line service to maintain on-time performance due to a lack of spares."

CBS News obtained pictures of a hammer the APA says was found in an Airbus A319 wheel well on March 25 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport before Flight 1654 departed for Cedar Rapids, Iowa. According to the APA, the flight's first officer discovered it during his pre-flight walkaround and notified the captain. The captain called maintenance, who in turn inspected the aircraft and found a "Channellock style pliers and a screwdriver also located inside the wheel well." The union says there were no open maintenance actions when the tool was found.

A hammer is seen being held by an American Airlines pilot after, the carrier's pilots union says, it was discovered in an Airbus A319 on March 25 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport before the flight left for Cedar Rapids, Iowa. / Credit: Allied Pilots Association via CBS News

In a message to union members Monday, APA President Capt. Ed Sicher says, "We met with (American's) senior management earlier this month to discuss the operational hazards we have identified. ... We now have management's full attention. We secured management's commitment to involve the union earlier in the safety risk assessment (SRA) process, and we are likewise seeking a commitment that APA will have a seat at the table for the entire quality assurance process. ... Management's initial response to our concerns was encouraging."

American, which is based in Fort Worth, Texas, said, "Safety at any airline is a shared mission and it's especially true at American. Our robust safety program is guided by our industry-leading safety management system" that includes collaborating with regulators and its unions.

While not commenting directly on the issues raised by the APA, the Federal Aviation Administration said it "requires all U.S. airlines to have Safety Management Systems (SMS) through which they identify, monitor and address potential hazards early on before they become serious problems."

Complaints about mechanics being pressured to quickly return planes to service aren't new at American, as CBS News reported in 2019.

United Airlines is currently the subject of an FAA audit after a series of concerning incidents that included a wheel falling off a Boeing 777 as it was taking off from San Francisco and an aerodynamic panel that flew off a 737 during a flight from San Francisco to Medford, Oregon.

"While United Airlines is currently under public and government scrutiny, it could just as easily be American Airlines," the APA memo says.

The union safety committee urged pilots not to rush or be intimidated "and don't be pressured into doing something that doesn't pass the 'smell test.' Just because it's legal doesn't make it safe."

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(The Hill)  A union representing pilots for American Airlines warned over the weekend that there has been a significant spike in safety problems at the airline.

APA has been tracking a significant spike in safety- and maintenance-related problems in our operation, the safety committee of the Allied Pilots Association (APA) wrote in a memo dated April 13. While United Airlines is currently under public and government scrutiny, it could just as easily be American Airlines.

The union, which represents 15,000 American Airlines pilots, listed a series of problematic trends it has observed. Among the included problems were tools being left in wheel wells, a rise in collisions between aircraft being towed and longer intervals between routine aircraft inspections.

The committee also said there has been improper paperwork when damaged aircraft are moved to a new location and a lack of proper special flight permits on international maintenance ferry flights.

Part falls off Boeing plane during takeoff in Denver

The committee urged pilots to remain vigilant and take their time to ensure safety.

Remember: Dont rush, dont be intimidated, and dont be pressured into doing something that doesnt pass the smell test. Just because its legal doesnt make it safe, the memo states. Be mindful of the hazards while operating on the ramps and taxiways in congested airports staffed with inexperienced controllers and ground personnel.

In an update posted Monday, APA President Ed Sicher said the union met with senior management earlier this month to address the safety concerns.

APA is squarely focused on finding solutions  which will require collaboration between the union and management  and managements initial response to our concerns was encouraging, he said.

The Hill has reached out to American Airlines for comment.

This comes as the aviation industry has faced increased scrutiny in recent months. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said last month that it would be increasing oversight of United Airlines. Separately, the FAA is investigating Boeing for safety concerns after a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines aircraft earlier this year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
As the 29th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing nears, HBO is revisiting the tragic terrorist attack with An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th (April 16), a feature-length documentary from director Marc Levin and producer Daphne Pinkerson (and executive producer Katie Couric) that not only investigates its prime subject but seeks to place it in the wider context of a burgeoning white power movement that began more than a decade earlier.

That framework is a valuable one that affords insights into some of the root causes of Timothy McVeighs slaughter of 168 people (including 19 children) in the citys downtown Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. Yet whats conspicuously missing from this non-fiction inquirymuch to its detrimentis an attendant discussion of what came next, and how McVeighs actions directly and indirectly led us to our precarious present moment.

An American Bombing: The Road to April 19ths initial sounds are of right-wing radio hosts railing against the assault weapons ban, the Brady Bill, and the ATF and FBI shredding the Constitution. These are some of the opinions that endlessly rattled around McVeighs head as he traversed the country between the siege at Waco on April 19, 1993 (which he attended) and his bombing attack two years later. And Levin opens with them to suggest the radicalizing power that Rush Limbaugh and his ilk had on certain segments of the population.

McVeigh was a man of grievances, and he expressed his frustration and fury at the country hed served (via the military) by detonating a truck bomb filled with fuel oil and ammonium nitrate fertilizer that hed collected during his travels. Motivated by his belief that he was answering a great call to spark a second Revolutionitself inspired by the virulent The Turner DiariesMcVeigh methodically carried out his strike. His handiwork was suitably monstrous, obliterating an entire side of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and ending the lives of hundreds, including children who were in the facilitys day care center.

Mike Boettcher, investigative reporter and war correspondent HBO

It reminded me of Beirut, says NBC correspondent (and Oklahoma native) Mike Boettcher, and footage of the wreckage corroborates that comparison. In the immediate aftermath, federal officials searched for a vehicle whose bumper theyd retrieved at the scene. That produced the name Timothy McVeigh, and as luck would have it, they swiftly discovered that they already had him in custody courtesy of a traffic stop for a missing license plate that, an hour and a half after the bombing, had resulted in his arrest. This put to rest the knee-jerk assumption that Islamic terrorists had been behind the massacre, and it shifted the attention of law enforcement and Bill Clintons administration to Americas deadly domestic threats, which had blossomed during the previous 15 years.

An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th provides a detailed and chilling blow-by-blow account of that fateful day from multiple perspectives, including police officers on the ground, citizens grieving their lost loved ones, and federal investigators tasked with initiating the case. In that regard, it benefits from the participation of numerous key figures in its story, from FBI special agents Danny Coulson and Bob Ricks, to grandmother-turned-activist Kathy Sanders, to then-President Clinton, who admits that once McVeigh was pinpointed as the culprit, his thoughts turned to the past.

Ann Coulter Gets Byline in NY Times, Which She Wanted Bombed by Timothy McVeigh

So too does Levins film, leaping backwards to the 1983 first wave of homegrown white nationalism when, in response to Ronald Reagan vetoing a massive bailout that would have saved the livelihoods of countless farmers (who were suffering from embargoes related to the Soviet-Afghan War), far-right leaders seized the opportunity to create what would become the Patriot movement.

Aided by commentary from ex-extremist Kerry Noble, the film lays out how economic desperation drove these individualswith pseudo-prophet Jim Ellison at the forefrontto create groups like The Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord (CSA) in northern Arkansas during Clintons governorship. Director Levin deftly traces these organizations evolution from religious to paramilitary militias, culminating with an April 19, 1985, siege that came to a peacefully negotiated end. Courtesy of virulent hatemongers like Richard Butler (Aryan Nations) and Louis Beam (KKK), white-power extremism continued to grow, and it blossomed more after the federal government, in 1988, failed spectacularly in its bid to prosecute these groups for seditious conspiracy.

In the wake of that legal catastrophe, the sieges at Ruby Ridge and Waco further inflamed disaffected rural Americansmany of them veterans, including of the recently concluded Gulf War. In the case of McVeigh and his pal Terry Nichols, it compelled them to take action in the bloodiest way imaginable.

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum Marc Levin / HBO

Levins mix of archival footage and talking-head commentary does a fine job placing the Oklahoma City Bombing in a grander timeline, all while revisiting the attack with compassion and outrage. At a certain point, however, the film begins to treat April 19, 1995, as more of an end date rather than the deafening first warning shot in a conflict thats still raging to this day. There may be, for example, some minor value in exploring Sanders attempts to discover if McVeigh had additional accomplices on the ground in Oklahoma City, or her and others efforts to forgive McVeigh for his offense, but such threads come across as less relevant than the bombings galvanizing effect on right-wing Americans.

To that end, Jan. 6 is only cursorily referenced during the course of the proceedings 104 minutes, and Donald Trumpthe selfish and amoral demagogue that the white power movement has long waited forisnt seen or mentioned at all.

Couple those omissions with the films decision to ignore the role that the internet has played in allowing such splintered factions to find each other, congregate, and conspire, and An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th proves a history lesson that disappointingly cuts itself off too soon. By examining the before but not the after of the cataclysmic bombing, it ultimately tells us too little about how and why 2024 is still trapped in the shadow of McVeighs horrendous crime.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The American founder of an orphanage in Haiti pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to new federal charges accusing him of traveling from Miami to the island and sexually assaulting four underage boys under his care more than a decade ago.

But during his detention hearing in Miami federal court, a prosecutor said Michael Karl Geilenfeld sexually abused 20 boys at his orphanage and then threatened them not to say anything or they would be harmed.

We have multiple people saying the defendant sexually abused them in the same way, Justice Department prosecutor Eduardo Palomo told a federal judge.

Palomo argued that Geilenfeld, who was granted a bond by a magistrate judge in Denver before his recent transfer to Miami, should not be released before trial because hes a danger to the community and a flight risk to the Caribbean.

U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz agreed, ordering that the 72-year founder of St. Josephs Home for Boys in 1985 in Port-au-Prince be detained in a federal lock-up until trial. In doing so, Leibowitz overturned the decision of the magistrate judge, who in February allowed Geilenfeld to be released to a halfway house pending trial. That decision, however, was put on hold in March while prosecutors appealed it.

Between then and now, the U.S. criminal case changed significantly, with prosecutors last week filing a superseding indictment accusing Geilenfeld of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with four minor boys between 2006 and 2010 in addition to the original charge of traveling to Haiti for that purpose. The four boys, now adults, are expected to testify at Geilenfelds trial.

Palomo, assisted by prosecutor Lacee Monk, told the judge during the detention hearing that one of the four underage boys cited in the indictment was stabbed in the chest by a Haitian friend of Geilenfelds because the alleged victim had reported his abuse to authorities in Haiti.

Palomo said Geilenfeld paid the associate as much as $27,000 for various tasks, including helping him open another home for the poor in the neighboring Dominican Republic after the orphanage operator was shut down in Haiti and charged with crimes there in 2014.

Photos of alleged victims

Palomo also said Geilenfeld kept a dossier with photos of his alleged sexual-abuse victims  evidence that was discovered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in May 2019 when Geilenfeld was traveling through Miami International Airport to the Dominican Republic. The array of photos included pictures of two of Geilenfelds victims cited in the new indictment, Palomo said.

Geilenfelds lawyer, DArsey Houlihan with the Federal Public Defenders Office, argued that his client should be released to a halfway house in Miami as he awaits trial because he is elderly and has no prior criminal history.

He has dedicated his life to serving the poor and indigent, Houlihan told the judge, noting that Geilenfeld was living in a studio apartment in Denver that had been offered to him by the pastor of a church that he attended there every day. This is a gentleman who doesnt have significant means.

But Judge Leibowitz disagreed, pointing out that Geilenfeld was charged with extremely serious crimes that carry up to 30 years in prison. The weight of the evidence has really changed, he said, citing the superseding indictment filed last Thursday.

In addition, Leibowitz issued a protective order to shield the identities and other personal information about Geilenfelds alleged sexual-abuse victims from the public and other parties.

No trial date has been set for the case, which includes about 100,000 pages of evidence, according to prosecutors.

Opened home in the Dominican Republic

In court papers, prosecutors said Geilenfeld has held himself out as a missionary while using his position and privilege to sexually abuse young boys and cover up his crimes. Between the mid-1980s through 2014, Geilenfeld operated multiple orphanages in Haiti, including the St. Josephs Home for Boys. He also opened a home in the Dominican Republic after fleeing there to escape sexual abuse allegations in Haiti, where he had been jailed and still has a court case pending.

Allegations of sexual abuse have followed Geilenfeld for more than a decade. After a childrens rights advocate, Paul Kendrick, and Haitian journalist Cyrus Sibert launched a campaign to have him arrested, Geilenfeld and a Raleigh, North Carolina, nonprofit group that supported his St. Josephs Home for Boys orphanage sued for defamation in federal court. They initially won a judgment against Kendrick, who lives in Maine, but that was later vacated due to a lack of jurisdiction.

A second lawsuit was filed in state court in Maine by Geilenfeld and the nonprofit, Hearts with Haiti. Kendrick settled and his homeowners insurance policies paid the charity $3.5 million. Geilenfeld, he said, signed a document with the court dismissing all charges against him with no financial remuneration.

Following Geilenfelds arrest in January, the non-profits executive director, Emily Everett, told McClatchys sister newspaper, The News & Observer, that the charity severed all ties with Mr. Geilenfeld years ago.

Mr. Geilenfeld was never an employee, volunteer nor member of the Hearts with Haiti Board of Directors, she said in an email to the newspaper. Hearts with Haiti has no knowledge regarding the guilt or innocence of Michael Geilenfeld concerning these federal charges.

Home closed by Haitian officials

The original St. Josephs Home for Boys was closed by the Haitian government in 2014 following his arrest over sexual abuse allegations. Hearts with Haiti, Everett said, continues to support the St. Joseph Family, an organization that provides education and housing to children and adults with disabilities and economically disadvantaged children in Jacmel, Haiti.

Federal prosecutors, who have issued an appeal in Haitian-Creole, French, Spanish and English for victims to come forward, said about 20 different people have reported being sexually abused by Geilenfeld over the years. FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents have spoken to individuals who were not part of the civil defamation suit, prosecutors wrote in court papers.

Prosecutors have highlighted allegations by four victims who say they were forced to engage in sexual acts with Geilenfeld while they stayed at the Haiti orphanage. They were between the ages of 9 and 13 years old at the time. Prosecutors also pointed out that in May 2019, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped Geilenfeld after he tried to fly to the Dominican Republic, where he lived after fleeing sexual abuse allegations in Haiti.

During the stop at MIA, an officer found in Geilenfelds possession 11 copies of a three-page photo array of victims/witnesses involved in the sexual-abuse allegations. Prosecutors said they believe the purpose of the photos was to aid Geilenfeld in intimidating or bribing witnesses and victims.

In a September 2022 deposition, Geilenfeld stated that all of his efforts were to get back to the Dominican Republic because that is my wealth, my life, that is my everything, prosecutors said.

Geilenfeld was charged as part of a nationwide initiative launched by the U.S. Justice Department to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Anyone with related information or who may have been a victim or witness is being asked to call Homeland Security Investigations at 877-4-HSI TIP (877-447-4847).
America's F-35 stealth fighters are going to be flying less as costs soar, watchdog finds

The US military's F-35 program is very expensive  and beset with challenges.

A new watchdog report found that the lifetime cost for the stealth fighter has topped $2 trillion.

The jet's availability has decreased, and the Pentagon also plans to use it less.

The US military is cutting future flight hours for the F-35  already not available as often as it should be  as the program's price tag grows, a new watchdog report revealed this week.

The Pentagon estimates that the full life-cycle cost for the F-35, which consists of purchasing, operating, and sustaining the aircraft over the next several decades, has now surpassed more than $2 trillion, the US Government Accountability Office noted in a Monday report.

The eye-popping figure from the GAO for what was already the world's costliest weapons program is much larger than the previous estimate of $1.7 trillion. The Department of Defense currently fields around 650 F-35s  of which there are three variants for the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps  and it plans to procure around 2,500 in total by the mid-2040s.

The GAO also said that sustainment costs for the F-35 program grew from around $1.1 trillion in 2018 to about $1.58 trillion in 2023  a 44% increase that comes, in part, as a result of the aircraft's extended service life from 2077 to 2088. Inflation and use play a role as well.

An F-35B Lightning II jet at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 20, 2023. US Marine Corps/Staff Sgt. Theodore Bergan

The Pentagon's planned future use of the F-35, as well as the stealth aircraft's overall availability over the past few years, have both decreased.

Changes to planned future use keep the costs down. "The military services have lowered the number of hours each aircraft is estimated to fly, which has contributed to reduced cost estimates and the services' ability to meet their affordability targets," the GAO said in its report.

The F-35 Joint Program Office reported in a 2020 Annual Cost Estimate that the advanced fifth-generation aircraft would fly 382,376 hours each year at "steady state," which was identified by the GAO as occurring in the mid-2030s. In a 2023 Annual Cost Estimate, however, the steady state flight hours decreased by nearly 82,000 per year to 300,524  a 21% decrease.

The F-35 Joint Program Office and various military service officials told the GAO "that this reduction in planned flight hours reflects lower than anticipated use up to this point and evolving projections about future use of the aircraft," the report said.

US Air Force F-35s over the US Central Command area of responsibility on Sept. 30, 2020. US Air Force/Senior Airman Duncan Bevan

But there are other challenges. The GAO said it has consistently found that the F-35 fleet is not meeting availability and performance goals, even as projected costs for the program go up. Indeed, a 2023 report revealed that the aircraft was only capable of flying missions just over half the time, thanks to a plethora of serious and widespread maintenance issues.

The Pentagon "has pursued cost savings efforts and continues to look for new ways to reduce costs," the GAO explained in its report. However, it cautioned, "officials generally agree that these efforts are not likely to fundamentally change the estimated costs to operate the aircraft."

The Lockheed Martin-manufactured fighter is the second fifth-generation jet in the US arsenal after the F-22 Raptor, and was built for air-to-air combat and ground attacks. Several US allies also operate the aircraft.

The F-35 has so far only seen actual combat experience in the Middle East, with its most recent engagement occurring over the weekend, as Israel used the fighter in an air-defense role to defend against an unprecedented Iranian missile and drone attack.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Arshad Mohammed, Timothy Gardner and Michael Martina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Iran's unprecedented missile and drone strike on Israel is unlikely to prompt dramatic sanctions action on Iran's oil exports from the Biden administration due to worries about boosting oil prices and angering top buyer China, said analysts.

Shortly after Tehran launched its weekend attack - retaliation for Israel's suspected April 1 strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus - House Republican leaders accused President Joe Biden of failing to enforce existing measures and said they would take up this week a series of bills to sharpen sanctions on Iran.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Representative Steve Scalise the No. 2 House Republican, said the administration had made it easier for Iran to sell its oil, generating revenues that were being used to "go fund terrorist activity."

The political pressure to punish Iran creates a thorny problem for the administration: how to deter such attacks in future without escalating regional tensions, raising oil prices or antagonizing China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil.

Washington has said for months that among its primary goals is to keep the Gaza conflict between Palestinian group Hamas and Israel from metastasizing into a wider regional war, with a key aim of keeping Tehran on the sidelines.

The House late on Monday overwhelmingly passed a bill called the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act, which would expand sanctions on Iran by requiring annual reports to determine whether Chinese financial institutions have participated in transactions on Iranian oil. It would ban U.S. financial institutions from having accounts for any Chinese entities that engage in those deals.

The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, which is controlled by Biden's fellow Democrats who are wary of pushing up oil prices.

Several regional analysts said they doubted Biden would take significant action to ramp up enforcement of existing U.S. sanctions to choke off Iran's crude exports, the lifeblood of its economy.

"Even if these bills pass, it's hard to see the Biden administration going into overdrive, to try to spring into action or enforce existing sanctions or new ones to try to cut or curb (Iranian oil exports) in any meaningful way," said Scott Modell, a former CIA officer, now CEO of Rapidan Energy Group.

ENFORCING SANCTIONS

Former President Donald Trump reinstated U.S. sanctions on Iran's oil in 2018 after pulling out of an international deal on Tehran's nuclear program. The Biden administration has sought to crack down on evasion of those measures with sanctions against companies in China, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere.

Despite those efforts, Rapidan estimates Iran's oil exports have hit 1.6 million to 1.8 million barrels a day, excluding condensates, a very light oil. That is close to the 2 million barrels a day Iran exported before sanctions, said Modell.

The possible effect on gasoline prices is one reason Biden may not move strongly to curb Iran's oil exports.

Kimberly Donovan, a sanctions and anti-money laundering expert at the Atlantic Council, said that oil-related sanctions have not been strictly enforced in the past couple of years.

"I would not expect the administration to tighten enforcement in response to Iran's missile and drone attacks against Israel over the weekend, mainly for concerns (that) could lead to increases in oil prices," she said.

"The price of oil and ultimately the prices of gas at the pump become critical during an election year."

A State Department spokesman said the Biden administration had not lifted any sanctions on Iran and continued to increase pressure on the Islamic Republic.

"Our extensive and overlapping sanctions on Iran remain in place, and we continue to enforce them," said the spokesman.

THE CHINA FACTOR

Aggressively enforcing sanctions could also destabilize the U.S.-China relationship, which Chinese and U.S. officials have tried to repair following a rocky period after the U.S. last year downed a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that crossed U.S. territory.

Almost all Iranian oil entering China is branded as originating from Malaysia or other Middle Eastern countries and is carried by a "dark fleet" of older tankers that typically switch off their transponders when loading at Iranian ports to avoid detection.

Tanker tracking specialist Vortexa Analytics estimated China acquired a record 55.6 million metric tons or 1.11 million barrels of Iranian crude a day last year. That amounted to roughly 90% of Iran's crude oil exports and 10% of China's oil imports.

Several analysts suggested Washington might take some action to cut Iran's oil exports in part to temper any Israeli reaction to the Iranian strikes, which could escalate the conflict.

But they said this would fall short of dramatic action such as sanctioning a major Chinese financial institution and instead could involve targeting Chinese or other entities engaged in such trade.

"If you really want to go after Iran's oil exports yes, you would have to take meaningful action against China," said one source familiar with the issue.

"Are you really going to go after the big banks? Are you going to do something that the administration has not done and even the Trump administration did not do?" he added.

Jon Alterman, a Middle East analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said there were limits to what Washington can do to impose sanctions and that evaders are adept at finding loopholes.

"I'd expect to see a gesture in the direction of (imposing) economic consequences on Iran, but I don't expect the White House  or any future White House  to be able to completely turn off the spigot of Iranian oil," he said.

(Reporting By Arshad Mohammed in Saint Paul, Minn. and Timothy Gardner and Michael Martina in Washington; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason, Humeyra Pamuk, and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and by Chen Aizhu in Singapore; Editing by Don Durfee and Lincoln Feast)
It was perhaps only a matter of time before animal rights campaigners started targeting Jeremy Clarksons business premises, given the Amazon Prime stars knack of telling inconvenient truths about the environment and challenging the leftist narrative.

His Hawkstone Brewery was besieged, because Clarkson had allowed The Heythrop Hunt onto his land, and he had also allegedly allowed an official badger cull on his farm.

But, why wouldnt he? Both are entirely legal activities supported by a majority of the rural community in the Cotswolds. Hunting runs deep in local culture. And his Clarksons Farm series highlighted the misery inflicted on farming families by bovine TB.

There is an argument that writing about this only gives the wider animal rights movement the publicity they crave, while potentially leading to further intimidation of farmers and huntsmen. Yet given where we are in the electoral cycle, this type of activity needs calling out.

Vigilante groups are using bullying tactics which they justify with self-appropriated moral superiority. They ignore how the Hunting Act  a bad piece of legislation and one which Tony Blair later said he regretted most  has led to more foxes being killed by less natural methods. Bad government policy, meanwhile, has led to TB spiralling out of control, and consequently increased badger culling to get on top of a zoonotic disease that afflicts not just cattle but also humans and wildlife.

Many animal rights activists dont seem to care. Nor do they appear too bothered about wasting police time, not just as officers have to deal with incidents in the hunting field, but with their targeting of a man who does not hunt himself, is perfectly entitled to invite the local equestrian community to hunt trails across his land if he wishes, and has only complied with government policy over the badger cull.

Jeremy Clarkson has broader shoulders than most and the protesters outside his brewery looked peaceful (the kind of people the television star might characterise as badger huggers).

But there are some hunt saboteurs with a frightening history of violence and criminal damage, meaning that any possible threat must be taken seriously.

Activists may have been further emboldened by the Labour Party talking up plans to ban all forms of hunting if they win power. Some are thought to have ties to far-left organisations. Meanwhile, after 14 years in power, the Tories have done very little to turn back the war waged on rural culture by the Blair government. Talk about cracking down on hunt saboteurs has been mostly just that, talk. But this surely runs the risk that some activists will feel they can harass and intimidate without consequence.

As we enter another election period it is worth reflecting on the fact that hunting remains very popular. The sizeable rural minority who still support their local hunts is as big as it ever was during the bitter parliamentary battles at the start of the century. Country people have shown that they will not be cowed by intimidation. And politicians would be well advised to dial down the rhetoric and engender a spirit of live and let live.

Jamie Blackett is a farmer and the author of Red Rag to a Bull and Land of Milk and Honey (Quiller)

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An hour into the smoking debate, I confessed to a colleague: Listening to this makes me want to light up.

Never mind that, he replied, Id be tempted to shoot up. For theres nowt more depressing than watching MPs  Left and nominally Right  compete to choke your liberties.

We were subject to emotional blackmail, spurious philosophy and university union rhetoric. Smoking is not a free choice, said the SNPs Kirsten Oswald, it is an addiction. So, madam, are porn and Morris dancing, but we are yet to outlaw those. Do you also want to ban salt and sugar? mocked the libertarians. Do you want to legalise heroin? retorted the authoritarians.

As the thin edge of the straw man arguments grew thicker, Victoria Atkins, the health secretary, pleaded with us to move from the tossing sea of theory to the firm ground of fact and build a brighter future for our children by passing her progressive ban on smoking.

But though advocates for the Bill were admirably pro-child (as am I: they make such good workers), few MPs seemed to grasp that the ban will age with them, so that even a future 35-year-old wont be able to smoke. What are they supposed to do after sex? Talk?

Liz Truss rose up in a magnificent red dress to complain about 'nannying control freaks'

Why is a Conservative government proposing this claptrap? Because, implied Liz Truss, they are not Conservative. Rising to her feet in a magnificent red dress, the ex-PM laid into the finger wagging, nannying control freaks on her own benches, noting that the same health police that wished to save children from nicotine only five minutes ago favoured prescribing pills to block puberty.

This gets to the flabby heart of the matter: whats legal and whats not is a matter of elite taste. Today, the toffs are pro-sex change and anti-smoking; whereas 150 years ago, one could legally smoke opium with Queen Victoria but if I showed up at Buck Palace in a dress Id get 10 years in Bedlam.

Wes Streeting, Labours shadow health boss, wittily exploited the divisions on the government side, calling Atkins comrade, accusing her of stealing his idea and adding that it proves our dominance in the battle of ideas.

Yes, but it also proves Lizs point about the illiberal consensus. The Tories are simply the lighter option: vote Labour if you prefer your socialism unfiltered. Streeting declared that a crackdown on smoking would be just the beginning  hes got his eye on you, chocolate and gin  and laughed at the news of a meeting of Conservatives that had been shut down by the police in Brussels on suspicion that they were in possession of dangerous opinions.

One fears that many Lefties would approve a progressive ban on proper Conservatives speaking in public, starting at 16 and rising to the point that the care home is silent but for the sound of Midsomer Murders.

Smoking is bad and should be discouraged, yet there is a thin line of liberty and its distressing to see many politicians march over it con brio.

They have wrecked our economy, mucked up foreign affairs and now push us to the brink of war. Its rubbing salt into the wound to insist that there be no smoking in the nuclear fallout zone.

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Anti-Israel agitators shut down traffic, disrupt cities all across US in demand for Gaza cease-fire

Anti-Israel agitators shut down traffic, disrupt cities all across US in demand for Gaza cease-fire

As hundreds of anti-Israel agitators stopped traffic in California along the Golden Gate Bridge and in Oakland, several other large protests have surfaced across the country.

"The worst tactics, the worst cause, the worst people," Guy Benson wrote in response on X.

In New York City, nearly 300 protesters gathered outside the New York Stock Exchange on Monday morning.

Protesters were heard chanting "free, free Palestine" - "Palestine will never die" - "from Wall Street to Palestine intifada" - "Israel bombs. USA pays. How many kids did you kill today?"

Many of the protesters were also carrying watermelon balloons, which are a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.

ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS BLOCK GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TRAFFIC

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Anti-Israel agitators confront a small group of Israeli demonstrators during dueling events outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on April 15, 2024 in New York City.

"I encourage people who get stuck behind the pro-Hamas mobs blocking traffic: take matters into your own hands to get them out of the way. It's time to put an end to this nonsense," Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wrote on X in response to ongoing protests.

It is unclear where the protesters are traveling to, but Fox 5 NYC has reported that protesters are now flooding the Brooklyn Bridge. Burning flares are now being used by police on the Brooklyn Bridge as officers work to block the rest of the protesters from walking onto the bridge.

Police have started to arrest several protesters, but officers tell Fox News it's still too early to report what the arrests were for or how many arrests there have been.

In Chicago, protesters blocked traffic to O'Hare Airport, causing delays that lasted for several hours after the protest was broken up by police.

VIDEO SHOWS CHICAGO ACTIVISTS CHEER AFTER LEARNING IRAN LAUNCHED ATTACK ON ISRAEL: 'HANDS OFF IRAN!'

Chicago Police told Fox News that 40 people in total were arrested and that charges are pending.

"We need new laws that if you block American roads to protest you go to jail for at least six months with no bail or early release. That would end all of this in a hurry. (And look at these losers still wearing masks outdoors too. They are all mentally ill," Clay Travis wrote on X.

Anti-Israel agitators gathered outside of Philadelphia's City Hall on Monday morning, drawing a noticeable police presence. However, no arrests were reported.

Protesters also flooded downtown Miami and downtown Tampa, calling for a cease-fire in the ongoing war in Gaza.

"In Florida, we drag these people out of the road and arrest them," Bryan Griffin, Communications Director for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis commented on a video of anti-Israel agitators being restrained by officers.

Anti-Israel agitators marched through the U.S. Capitol complex Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

"In Florida, anyone who blocks traffic will be immediately arrested. This includes any act that obstructs the normal flow of traffic, such as standing, approaching, or endangering the safe movement of vehicles or pedestrians," Florida Highway Patrol wrote in response to the nation-wide demonstrations.

"Take notes NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, and D.C. Letting protestors obstruct your roadways is a choice," the Heritage Foundation wrote, calling out the response efforts of the protests in other Democrat-led cities.

PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTER DERAILS DINNER AT UC BERKELEY LAW SCHOOL DEANS HOME, REFUSES TO LEAVE

In Texas, a group of protesters demonstrated outside the Valero headquarters in San Antonio on Monday morning to express their opposition to Israeli military action in Gaza.

Late Monday afternoon, pro-Israel agitators blocked traffic Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, closing down traffic along the expressway.

"A demonstration has closed the airport expressway leading to SEA Airport. Travelers coming to the airport are urged to use alternate routes or take Light Rail and public transit," the airport wrote on X.

It was unclear as of Monday evening how long the demonstration would last or when traffic would get moving again.

A demonstration has closed the airport expressway leading to SEA Airport.

The LAPD also reported that a group of anti-Israel agitators had taken to the downtown area.

"The LAPD is aware of a group of pedestrian demonstrators in the Downtown Los Angeles area. Please avoid the area and expect traffic delays," LAPD wrote on X.

About an hour later, police said the demonstrators had dispersed and the flow of traffic had been restored.

WHITE HOUSE CONDEMNS 'DEATH TO AMERICA' CHANTS IN MICHIGAN, REP. RASHIDA TLAIB AND GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER MUM

Traffic on both lanes of California's Golden Gate Bridge was shut down Monday, the California Highway Patrol told Fox News Digital, as images emerged from the scene showing anti-Israel agitators holding banners with the messages "Stop the world for Gaza" and "End the siege on Gaza now!"

"While they do have the right to protest, the manner in which they are doing it is not only illegal but incredibly dangerous," CHP PIO Andrew Barclay told Fox News.

"How long before Kamala Harris starts raising $$ to free the Golden Gate Bridge protesters?" Michele Tafoya commented on X.

CHP told Fox News Digital that 26 people were arrested for involvement in the Golden Gate Bridge demonstration.

On Sunday, Sky News Australia reported that a global anti-Israel protest had been planned for Monday, but in an effort to cause maximum disruption, the activists refused to disclose protest locations.

ProtectPalestine.org also called on protesters to take action on Monday.

"GLOBAL STRIKE TOMORROW. TAKE ACTION TO DEMAND A CEASEFIRE NOW. Whether its autonomous or one of the organized protests, make our voices heard. NO MORE WEAPONS FOR ISRAEL. EMERGENCY AID FOR GAZA NOW. PERMANENT CEASEFIRE NOW," the organization posted on social media.





Original article source: Anti-Israel agitators shut down traffic, disrupt cities all across US in demand for Gaza cease-fire
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called for the frozen assets of the Russian central bank to be transferred to rebuild Ukraine. At the same time, the Assembly calls for the confiscation to be extended to include assets of Russian oligarchs who cooperate with the Kremlin that have been seized in the European Union (EU).

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PACE adopted the resolution at a meeting on April 16. The decision was made unanimously, according to the PACE page on X (ex-Twitter). "The Parliamentary Assembly unanimously adopts a resolution calling for the transfer of frozen Russian state assets to a new fund for the restoration of Ukraine," the statement reads.

As explained by MP Oleksiy Honcharenko (Eurosolidarity), the document adopted by PACE contains several calls. In particular:

to create an international compensation mechanism under the auspices of the Council of Europe;

to actively cooperate with different countries for the rapid transfer of Russian assets to the compensation mechanism;

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create an international trust fund to transfer all Russian state assets to the EU;

convene an impartial and effective commission on international claims.

It also provides for the development of a mechanism to bring to justice all those who cooperate with the Kremlin. According to this proposal, liability should come in the form of confiscation of property that will be used to rebuild Ukraine.

"Under international law, countries have the authority to take countermeasures against a state that has seriously violated international law. The time has come for the Council of Europe member states to move from sanctions to countermeasures," the PACE committee said earlier, adding that the legitimacy of such countermeasures remains "indisputable."

As a reminder, so far, the EU decision-making level has not discussed the confiscation of Russian money. They are only considering using the proceeds of frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine. According to the Vice President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, it could be up to 3 billion euros a year.

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At the same time, about 260 billion euros of Russian central bank assets, mostly in the form of securities and cash, have been seized in the G7 countries, the EU, and Australia. Most of the funds have been frozen through the Belgian clearing center Euroclear, which earned about 4.4 billion in profit last year.

The G7 (the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Canada) is debating whether it is possible to take the frozen funds from Russia and transfer them to Ukraine without violating the principles of international law. The United States and Britain are in favor of full confiscation of assets, while the most fierce opponents of this idea are France and Germany, who are concerned about Russia's possible response to confiscation.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, even the United States and Britain have problems with confiscation. Thus, after two years since the start of the full-scale invasion, British politicians have not yet implemented their ideas on confiscation of Russian assets in favor of Ukraine. They believe that there are allegedly insufficient grounds for such confiscation.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The California Highway Patrol is warning that tactics used by "unlawful" anti-Israel protesters that temporarily blocked roads and created a traffic nightmare yesterday on the Golden Gate Bridge and along Interstate-880 in Oakland "will not be tolerated."

The CHPs Golden Gate Division says 38 people have been arrested following the incidents, in which demonstrators held up a banner with the message "Stop the world for Gaza" and attached themselves to 55-gallon drums filled with concrete.

Officials say the protesters are now facing numerous charges including unlawful assembly, resisting and delaying officers and false imprisonment.

"Attempting to block or shut down a freeway or state highway to protest is unlawful, dangerous, and prevents motorists from safely reaching their destinations," the CHP said in a statement.

ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS BLOCK GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TRAFFIC

A15 Action, an activist group linked to the demonstrations and others around the U.S. on Monday, did not respond to requests from Fox News Digital for comment.

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"Protesters carried out economic blockades in over 50 cities across the world, targeting the global economy for its complicity in the genocide of Palestinian people in Gaza," it said on X.

In the Golden Gate Bridge protest that blocked the southbound lane, "Officers had to contend with numerous vehicles utilizing chains concealed with pipes, connecting the drivers and passengers outside the vehicle," the CHP says.

A total of 26 people were arrested in that protest.

ISRAEL PUSHES FOR NEW SANCTIONS ON IRAN, URGES COUNTRIES TO DECLARE REVOLUTIONARY GUARD A TERROR GROUP

Anti-Israel protesters disrupt traffic Monday, April 15, on the Golden Gate Bridge in California.

In one of the I-880 demonstrations, "protesters blocked northbound I-880 at Embarcadero, where officers had to contend with 55-gallon drums filled with cement and heavy-duty chains attaching protesters to the drums," according to the CHP.

"This required the use of jackhammers and heavy-duty saws to remove these devices before protesters could be arrested," it added.

In the other I-880 demonstration in the southbound lane at 7th Street, a group of around 300 protesters stopped traffic, authorities say.

A dozen were taken into custody in relation to both Oakland incidents.

"Our disentanglement team was able to successfully defeat the intricate devices the protestors [sic] utilized, while minimizing the risk of injuries to the public, protesters, and Department Personnel," the CHP said.





Original article source: Anti-Israel agitators unlawful tactics will not be tolerated, California Highway Patrol warns
Antisemitic incidents spiked last year to an all-time record, with the bulk of the surge coming in the days following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel, according to data compiled by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

The U.S. saw more than 8,800 antisemitic incidents in 2023, according to the annual survey by the ADL, a category that includes assaults, harassment, and vandalism. It was the second consecutive year of record-breaking antisemitic incidents.

The figures represent a 140 percent jump in antisemitic incidents over what the group tracked in 2022, which likewise was a record-setting year.

Antisemitism is nothing short of a national emergency, a five-alarm fire that is still raging across the country and in our local communities and campuses, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL said in a statement.

Jewish Americans are being targeted for who they are at school, at work, on the street, in Jewish institutions and even at home. This crisis demands immediate action from every sector of society and every state in the union. We need every governor to develop and put in place a comprehensive strategy to fight antisemitism, just as the administration has done at the national level.

Some 5,200 of the incidents tracked by the ADL came after war broke out between Hamas and Israel, highlighting the role the conflict has played in spurring anti-Jewish sentiment across the globe.

The group said it saw an explosion of anti-Israel activism following the attack, including messaging that could be perceived as supporting terrorism or attacks on Jews, Israelis or Zionists.

A significant portion of post-October 7 Israel-related incidents occurred at anti-Israel/pro-Palestinian rallies, where ADL observed antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric in the form of signs, chants and speeches from protest leaders. In the months of October, November and December, ADL tracked 1,352 incidents associated with anti-Israel rallies. In 172 cases, incidents at anti-Israel rallies included classic antisemitic elements, such as swastikas and claims that Jews control the media, the group wrote.

Harassment and vandalism in particular jumped in 2023.

More than 6,500 people were targeted with antisemitic slurs, stereotypes or conspiracy theories, a 184 percent jump from 2022.

Vandalism also jumped 69 percent, with swastikas used in more than half the reported incidents.

But the biggest spike was seen in bomb threats made to Jewish institutions, jumping more than tenfold from 91 such threats in 2022 to more than 1,000 last year.

The group called it the largest antisemitic bomb threat spree ever recorded by the ADL.

In the days after the Oct. 7 attack, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that the conflict came in the midst of what was already historic levels of antisemitism.

The reality is that the Jewish community is uniquely targeted by pretty much every terrorist organization across the spectrum. And when you look at a group that makes up 2.4 percent, roughly, of the American population, it should be jarring to everyone that that same population accounts for something like 60 percent of all religious-based hate crimes, and so they need our help, Wray said last October.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Antisemitic incidents in US skyrocketed in 2023, ADL report says, averaging 24 per day

Antisemitic incidents in US skyrocketed in 2023, ADL report says, averaging 24 per day

Antisemitic incidents across the U.S. last year broke all previous records, fueled by the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, numbers released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Tuesday show.

The total number of antisemitic incidents in the form of assaults, harassment and vandalism tallied in 2023 is 8,873, according to ADL data. The organization says this 140% increase from 2022's then-record numbers is the highest annual number in the last 45 years, "since ADL started tracking this data in 1979."

Of all the incidents computed, 5,204 of them were post-Oct. 7, "reflecting global trends as Jewish communities worldwide faced heightened tensions and hatred in response to the massacre and conflict."

The ADL says the United States saw an average of 24 antisemitic incidents a day in 2023.

COLUMBIA SUSPENDS STUDENTS OVER ANTI-ISRAEL EVENT FEATURING SPEAKER LINKED TO TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

From left to right, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY),New York City Mayor Eric Adams, ADL regional director Scott Richman and Israel Nitzan, Acting Consul General of Israel attend the Anti-Defamation League annual Walk Against Hate in Van Cortland Park in New York on Aug. 20, 2023.

"Antisemitism is nothing short of a national emergency, a five-alarm fire that is still raging across the country and in our local communities and campuses," ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. "Jewish Americans are being targeted for who they are at school, at work, on the street, in Jewish institutions and even at home. This crisis demands immediate action from every sector of society and every state in the union. We need every governor to develop and put in place a comprehensive strategy to fight antisemitism, just as the administration has done at the national level."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

FLORIDA MAN SETS FIRE TO RABBI'S VAN OUTSIDE FORT LAUDERDALE JEWISH CENTER: POLICE

Protestors demonstrate near Columbia University on Feb. 2, 2024 in New York City.

Of the three types of offenses  harassment saw the highest jump, followed by vandalism. The states with the highest number of incidents were California, New York, New Jersey, Florida and Massachusetts. The numbers from the five states added together total nearly half of the total incidents.

Out of 8,873 total incidents, the ADL said, 3,162 "specifically contained elements referencing Israel or Zionism." up dramatically from 241 reported incidents of that nature in 2022.

Last week, it was reported that Columbia University suspended at least four students over an anti-Israel event last month that featured a speaker "known to support terrorism. "

The school's student newspaper, the Columbia Spectator , reported the students face disciplinary action in connection to the March 24 panel titled, "Resistance 101," which featured Khaled Barakat among its speakers.

Last month, police in Florida arrested a man they say intentionally set fire to a rabbi's car. The rabbi had said security cameras showed the man lighting his van on fire and unsuccessfully attempting to light the building on fire, before the fire eventually spread from the vehicle to the building itself.



Fox News' Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.





Original article source: Antisemitic incidents in US skyrocketed in 2023, ADL report says, averaging 24 per day
How close Iran is to building nuclear bombs - and why no one can stop them

Nuclear weapons were once deemed un-Islamic by Irans supreme leader, who went as far as issuing a fatwa against their production.

But a lot has changed since the 1990s, and although Ayatollah Ali Khamenei still sits atop of the regime, nuclear arms appear to be far from taboo.

Tehran, of course, insists it has no plans to weaponise its nuclear programme, which it claims is for civilian purposes only.

And the latest assessment by US intelligence is that Iran is not currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons-development activities necessary to produce a testable nuclear device.

But that isnt the whole story.

Iran is ramping up its production of highly enriched uranium, just short of the weapons grade needed for an atomic bomb, at the underground Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.

Since 2019, and as of February, Iran has increased its amount of enriched uranium from 997kg to 5,525kg.

This includes an increase in uranium enriched up to 60 per cent, or near weapons grade, from 88kg to 123kg in the past year, a 38 per cent increase.

UN inspectors noted this in a February report, which warned of new equipment and expansion at Fordow, a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps base 20 miles northeast of the city of Qom.

Iran is sitting on the threshold of nuclear weapons; it can build a bomb more quickly than at any point in its history, said Kelsey Davenport, director for nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association.

If Tehran makes the political decision to develop a nuclear arsenal, it can produce enough weapons-grade uranium for an explosive device in less than a week and enough for five or six weapons in a month.

She added: Building a bomb would take more time  likely six months to a year  but that process will take place at covert, undeclared sites, making it more difficult to detect and disrupt.

Irans nuclear deal

The roots of this build-up lie in the collapse of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the Iran nuclear deal.

Signed in 2015, it offered Iran relief from Western sanctions in return for curbs to end international monitoring of its nuclear programme. Parties to the agreement included the UK, the EU, the US, China and Russia.

The Iran deal was hated by US conservatives. Donald Trump, then campaigning to replace Barack Obama as president, branded it the worst deal ever.

In 2018, despite the entreaties of his Western allies, the then President Trump pulled the US out of the JCPOA and restored Washingtons sanctions against Tehran.

Both Donald Trump and Joe Biden are deemed to have weakened the West's control of Iran's nuclear programme - Majid Asgaripour/WANA

The move mortally wounded the JCPOA. Its ghost lumbers on in the form of some UN inspections of Iranian facilities.

An effort to revive the agreement early in Joe Bidens presidency failed in the face of Iranian resistance and a lack of political will in the US.

Tehran has asserted its right to cancel parts of the deal since the US withdrawal.

Under the pact, Iran had agreed to tight limits that ensured it could not stockpile enough enriched uranium to produce a single bomb.

Enriched uranium numbers are still significantly below 2015 levels, the year the JCPOA was signed, when they hit 7,953kg but are increasing at a similar rate to that seen in the early 2010s.

UN inspectors have not been able to access some crucial facilities in the nuclear programme, including centrifuge production workshops, since February 2021.

On Sunday, Iran barred inspectors on the grounds of security considerations over a possible Israeli attack in retaliation for its missile and drone assault on Israel on Saturday.

The bottom line is that Irans nuclear programme has advanced pretty dramatically and with far less international oversight than at any point in its history since the US withdrawal from the JCPOA, said Julien Barnes-Dacey, of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Effectively today everyones flying blind. In less than a years time, the world may well be contending with a nuclear Iran, said Urban Coningham, of the Royal United Services Institute think tank on defence.

Five years after the JCPOA withdrawal and three years after Joe Bidens attempts to renegotiate failed, he said there was still no new methodology for engaging with Iran.

Whats stopping Iran?

Tehran calculates that it stands to gain more in terms of sanctions relief and future negotiations by dangling the threat of the bomb than actually building it.

It has carefully cultivated a network of proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas across the Middle East as part of a forward defence strategy to contain Israel.

Iranian officials have begun talking of their deterrent, jargon associated with nuclear bombs, and suggesting that they have the ability to build a bomb when they want to.

Weaponising would be dangerous. Far better instead to leverage the status of a threshold nuclear power.

Escalation carries significant risk to the regime, which explains why the April 13 attack was so clearly telegraphed and more performative than intent on serious damage.

But if Israel retaliates, Tehran could decide it needs the bomb for its own security and has already shown a taste for danger.

While the recent Iranian attack was ultimately ineffective, it illustrates that the regime in Tehran is deeply reckless, and seemingly comfortable with the risk that one drone or missile strike could have hit a densely populated urban target and completely changed Israels response, Mr Coningham said.

Iran will pay a steep price for developing nuclear weapons, so it will not make that decision lightly, Ms Davenport told The Telegraph.

She added: Escalating tensions between Israel and Iran increases the risk of Tehran determining that nuclear weapons are necessary for its security, particularly if Israel responds to the April 13 attack with a counterstrike on Iranian territory.

Mr Barnes-Dacey said: The intelligence suggests they dont want to weaponise at the moment but that could change on a dime.

Iran could decide, particularly given the worsening regional situation, that actually ultimately a nuclear deterrent is precisely what it needs in the context of a more aggressive Israel and the prospect of Trump coming back into power.

Axis of Putin and Trump

The prospect of Mr Trump winning Novembers US elections is not the only factor in play in a complicated geopolitical picture that also involves Russia.

Vladimir Putin has deepened Russian ties with Iran since his illegal invasion of Ukraine made Moscow an international pariah, which risks emboldening Tehran.

Successive Iranian presidents, like Hassan Rouhani, have downplayed the Islamic republic's desire to be nuclear power - IRANIAN PRESIDENCY OFFICE HANDOUt/EPA-EFE/REX

Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi told the Russian president in a call on Tuesday that Tehrans strikes on Israel were limited and that the Islamic republic was not interested in escalation.

Russia wont now play the same role it did in the negotiation of the JCPOA, Mr Barnes-Dacey said.

The prospect of a kind of unified international coalition, including Russia and China, coming together to squeeze Iran on the nuclear issue is pretty non-existent at this stage, he said.

An already unpredictable situation is complicated by the age of Irans Supreme Leader. When the 84 year old dies, his fatwa could be reshaped by a more hardline successor.

It could well be that hardliners are able to seize the reins of power more fully and push the nuclear agenda forward without really caring about making any deal with us, Mr Barnes-Dacey said.

Can the West stop Iran?

Western influence is at a low ebb with the region in such turmoil and the chances of the JCPOA being resurrected appear slim to non-existent.

Ebrahim Raisi has dismissed he has plans to build nuclear weaponry - Iran's Presidency/WANA

Mr Biden was captured on video describing the deal as dead as long ago as December 2022.

While the JCPOA is off the table, diplomacy is not. It is past time the United States puts a deal on the table to stabilise the nuclear crisis and prevent further escalation, Ms Davenport said.

A package that includes enhanced transparency in exchange for limited economic relief would be a good place to start.

However, there was no political will to engage in sanctions relief with Tehran, said Mr Barnes-Dacey. At the moment, that seems impossible given US domestic politics and the forthcoming election.

Iran is now one of those one of the poisonous issues where theres no room for manoeuvre in the US.

Comment

Iran has chosen self-destruction, and is happy to take the world down with it

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled later this month for new affordable housing units for an area along the 24 Highway in north Topeka.

The Topeka Community Foundation announced in a press release that locals will soon be able to find new housing options at a planned apartment complex at the corner of 24 Highway and Kansas Avenue. This building will contain new units providing 216 square feet of space at the cost of $550-$600 per month, including utilities.

President of the Topeka Community Foundation, Marsha Pope, says the complex was made possible through financing from Alliance Bank and the foundation. The price tag for the project is $1 million with the foundation providing a $300,000 loan for its completion.

Community challenges are complex and often require resources beyond traditional grantmaking, Pope said. Our impact investment program has the potential to create lasting and transformative changes that will benefit our communitys most vulnerable populations for years to come.

New principal selected for Seaman High School

Gods people deserve a peaceful, quiet and secure place to stay, said project developer Reden Jalosjos with Reden Construction. We are building more than a structure  we are building kindness, forgiveness and hope for His people.

The groundbreaking for the new apartment complex is set for 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Friday, April 26 at 117 NE Hwy 24. Speakers for the ceremony include Topeka Mayor Mike Padilla, Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala, Pope, Alliance Bank President Ben Murphy and Jalosjos.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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A view of the Colorado Capitol on Jan. 25, 2024. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado voters could decide this fall whether a state lawmaker appointed to their seat through a vacancy committee should be able to immediately run for a full term or if they should have to wait and forfeit their incumbency advantage.

House Concurrent Resolution 24-1004 passed through committee on a 7-4 vote Monday. It would ask voters to amend the state Constitution by prohibiting an appointed lawmaker from running for a term in their seat immediately following the one they were appointed to fill. They would instead have to wait an election cycle to run.

A lawmaker appointed in January of an election year, for example, would not be able to run for that same seat that year.

In Colorado, a vacancy committee convenes to pick a replacement for any state lawmaker who leaves office early, a quicker and less expensive option than a special election to fill the seat. A small group of people  often a few dozen or so  from an outgoing lawmakers political party pick a new lawmaker to represent the tens of thousands of Coloradans in the district.

Almost all appointed lawmakers then go on to win their seat in the next general election when they run for a full term, bolstered by their incumbency, name recognition and track record in the Legislature.

Is it a ratification, or is it essentially a rubber stamp because of the power of the vacancy and how the system is working? asked resolution sponsor Rep. Bob Marshall, a Highlands Ranch Democrat.

Under his proposal, vacancy appointments would be a true interim appointment, rather than a new anointed golden child to hold the seat for the next 8 or 12 years to start a political career.

This is a problem and to say were not doing anything to address the problem is very damaging to trust and confidence in the system.

 Rep. Bob Marshall

Nearly a quarter of sitting state lawmakers got their start with a vacancy appointment. Ten were appointed for their current term and have yet to win a general election for their seat.

Vacancy committees are triggered for various reasons. Last year, Former Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno left the chamber to work in Denver Mayor Mike Johnstons administration. A vacancy committee picked Democrat Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, then a representative, to fill his seat, triggering another vacancy committee to select Rep. Manny Rutinel to complete Michaelson Jenets term in the House.

Rep. Tim Hernandez, a Denver Democrat, won his appointment after former Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez was elected to Denver City Council midway through her term at the Capitol.

Two representatives, citing a negative work environment, resigned after last falls special session, leading to the appointments of Democratic Reps. Chad Clifford and Julia Marvin.

It is an issue when people look from the outside in. This is a problem and to say were not doing anything to address the problem is very damaging to trust and confidence in the system, Marshall said.

Democratic Rep. Kyle Brown of Louisville, who was appointed to replace former Rep. Tracey Bernett, said Marshalls proposal would not create responsive and quality representation.

If it were in place when he was chosen in early 2023, his district would have had essentially a seat filler for two years. Some of the people who ran in my vacancy, including myself, probably would not have run, but the people who did run might have had a different agenda and may not have felt as directly connected to, especially, the tragedy of the Marshall Fire, he said.

Rep. Jenny Willford, a Northglenn Democrat, said she worries the change could create a barrier for people to put their name in for a vacancy appointment, since they would have to find a new job once the abbreviated term ends.

Four Democrats joined with Republican members of the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee to advance the resolution to the House floor. Two-thirds of the Legislature needs to approve it for it to go on Novembers ballot, where it would require a 55% vote.

Two voter-led initiatives this year would get rid of the vacancy committee process and require special elections to replace outgoing lawmakers. Titles were set for both initiatives, but neither has an approved petition format.

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If you arent sure why doctors are leaving Idaho, its because youre not listening to them

Criminalization of doctors providing health care is dangerous for patients, for doctors and for our communities, writes guest columnist Dr. Amelia Huntsberger. (Getty Images)

An Open Letter to House Speaker Mike Moyle and the Idaho Legislature:

If you arent sure why doctors are leaving Idaho at this point, its because you are not listening to them.

Perhaps you missed an early informal survey from the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare showing 75 of 117 physicians surveyed in Idaho answered yes or maybe when asked if they were considering leaving the state. Seventy-three of 75 respondents cited Idahos restrictive abortion laws as the reason.

Maybe you didnt know that Dr. Lauren Miller told CNN that her greatest fear was being tried as a felon simply for saving someones life. Dr. Miller is a maternal fetal medicine physician, a high risk pregnancy doctor, who previously lived and worked in Boise. She now practices medicine in Colorado.

Perhaps you didnt see the survey showing that 22% of practicing obstetricians have left the state since the abortion bans took effect according to a report by the Idaho Physician Well-Being Action Collaborative.

In case you missed it, Dr. Kylie Cooper is a maternal fetal medicine physician, an expert in complicated pregnancies, who moved from Idaho to Minnesota. Regarding the move she said, It was a really difficult decision to make  my husband and I had many conversations about what would it actually look like if I was charged with a felony and then went to prison.

Dr. Sara Thomson, OB/GYN in Boise, said: Many of us have had a crisis of conscience about what to do. Feeling both deeply committed to our patients, but also concerned about what this means for us personally and for our own families. The threat of incarceration for five years for patient care is a heavy burden. And being told that no physician in our state has been prosecuted  yet  or that a case of medical necessity is unlikely to be prosecuted, is not adequately reassuring.

Bonner General Health is one of three Idaho hospitals that have closed their labor and delivery department so far. You should know that none of the three OB/GYNs who worked there up until the closure even considered looking for another job in Idaho after the closure was announced. All three of them have moved to a state without abortion restrictions.

You could listen to my own words about practicing obstetrics and gynecology in Idaho for more than a decade on This American Life, in an episode aptly called When to Leave. Shortly after that interview, my physician husband and I decided to leave Idaho. It was heartbreaking to leave the community we loved. It was anything but convenient to take our children away from the only place they had ever called home. We are still grieving being forced to leave Idaho, and yet we are profoundly relieved to be a state that doesnt allow government interference in health care.

These laws are decimating our workforce, said Dr. John Werdel, medical director of Womens Services at St. Lukes. For the physicians that stay, theyre dispirited and have a low-level anxiety which increases their burnout. Its an inability to recruit, an inability to retain, it harms the workforce and it creates risk and harm to our citizens.

Criminalization of doctors providing health care is dangerous for patients, for doctors and for our communities. For a state lagging behind the rest of the nation in per capita physicians, laws that allow the government to interfere in the practice of medicine and that drive doctors out of the state are unwise. You can choose to ignore physician voices. But we will not be silent as patients continue to suffer injury and harm under these laws.

The post If you arent sure why doctors are leaving Idaho, its because youre not listening to them appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
Argentina's Minister of Defence Luis Alfonso Petri arrives in a Danish F-16 aircraft at Skrydstrup Airport where he meets with Denmark's Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen, in Jutland

Argentina's Minister of Defence Luis Alfonso Petri arrives in a Danish F-16 aircraft at Skrydstrup Airport where he meets with Denmark's Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen, in Jutland

(Reuters) -Argentina inked a deal for 24 F-16 jets for its air force from Denmark for some $300 million, the government said on Tuesday.

President Javier Milei and Defense Minister Luis Petri announced the purchase in a video posted on X.

"With these new aircraft we are taking a transcendental step in our defense policy," Petri said via video from Copenhagen.

"From today, Argentines, we once again have forces from heaven to protect us," Petri added.

Milei had planned to take part in the contract's signing but cancelled his trip to the Danish capital to focus on the crisis in the Middle East, the government said over the weekend.

"The contract is for around $300 million, below the market cost," government spokesman Manuel Adorni said at a press conference.

The purchase comes as the administration of libertarian Milei cuts spending elsewhere across government as part of an effort to correct imbalances plaguing the economy.

The purchase of the aircraft, originally from the U.S., ratifies the government's decision to promote investment to strengthen the country's military capabilities, a government statement said.

The agreement included delivery of four flight simulators, eight engines and spare parts for the aircraft for five years, it said.

(Reporting by Lucila Sigal and Adam Jourdan; Writing by Natalia Siniawski and Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Tomasz Janowski, Barbara Lewis and Bill Berkrot)
SAO PAULO The Argentine government has completed the purchase of 24 F-16 fighter jets from Denmark, Argentinas president and defense minister announced Tuesday during a live broadcast.

The deal for the Block 15 aircraft was finalized during Defense Minister Luis Petris visit to Denmark, alongside the chief of the General Staff of the Argentine Air Force, Maj. Gen. Fernando Luis Mengo, and a government delegation.

The contract, which is worth $320 million, also includes reconnaissance pods and training armaments, such as AIM-9X and AIM-120 missiles. The U.S. government previously approved the aircraft transaction.

You are moving the country forward, you are taking Argentina out of decades of decline and are carrying the flags of freedom to all corners of the world, and this is also felt here in Denmark, the minister said during the broadcast. As of today, Argentines once again have forces from the sky to protect us, under the leadership of President [Javier] Milei and with the support of allies like Denmark and the United States.

El Presidente Javier Milei participo de manera virtual del encuentro realizado en Dinamarca para la firma del convenio por la compra de los aviones F-16. Fin. pic.twitter.com/MPGpx2bJud  Manuel Adorni (@madorni) April 16, 2024

Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the sale is part of a restructuring of his countrys Air Force, which is replacing its fighters with F-35s, in addition to donating some of the equipment to Ukraine. Ukraine is currently fighting off a Russian invasion.

In close cooperation with our allies, we have donated 19 F-16s to Ukraines fight for freedom, and now we have sold 24 aircraft to Argentina in a good process that has created valuable ties between our two countries, he said.
The European Commission has accepted the proposal to positively evaluate the Reform Plan for Ukraine for the next four years. This plan envisages the allocation of 50 billion euros in aid to Ukraine .

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This is stated in the Commission's report. Funding under the Fund will help Ukraine to support its administration, pay salaries and pensions, provide basic public services, and support recovery and reconstruction while it continues to defend itself against Russian aggression.

The disbursements will be conditional on the implementation of agreed reform and investment steps set out in the annex to the Council Implementing Decision. In addition, financial support under the Ukraine Plan will be provided on condition that Ukraine continues to support and respect effective democratic mechanisms.

The Commission's assessment of the Ukraine Plan is based on the criteria set out in the Financial Facility Regulation for Ukraine. In particular, the Commission has assessed whether the Ukraine Plan is a targeted and well-balanced response to the objectives of the Instrument for Ukraine, whether it responds to the challenges of Ukraine's accession path, and whether it meets Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction and modernization needs.

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What conditions must Ukraine fulfill

The reforms themselves can be divided into three sectors. Basic reforms (public administration, finance, judiciary, fight against corruption), economic reforms (markets, asset management, business environment, decentralization, human capital). The third sector, reforms, relates directly to economic sectors . Changes have been developed for industry, transportation, energy, etc. that will bring regulation closer to EU standards.

The first reform concerns public administration. Its goal is to improve the quality of public service. To do this, the government plans to revise the remuneration system again. At the beginning of the year, a model that deprived some civil servants of up to half of their salaries was already in place. The concept of the plan is to "create a fair system of remuneration." Of course, the document does not specify the level of salaries. However, it is noted that there should not be a significant difference in salaries between different government agencies, and the role of bonuses should be reduced. Another important condition is a transparent procedure for selecting specialists and digitalization of management.

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"Civil service without nepotism and corruption" is how the plan describes the expected effect of the reform. It is worth noting here that not all civil servants, in their official capacity, can theoretically be involved in corruption schemes. We are talking about those civil servants who have influence on the allocation of state budgets, procurement, or are engaged in control, issuing permits, etc. The low quality of the civil service is explained, among other things, by low financial motivation.

Indicators for public administration reform:

change the remuneration system (eliminate salary differences in different agencies, reduce seniority bonuses) - January-March 2025;

restore competitive selection for positions, revise competitive procedures - July 2025 - September 2026;

digitalization (a single portal for civil service vacancies and an information system for personnel management) - January-March 2026.

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Officials of the Ministry of Finance, the Tax Service, the Customs Service and the Ministry of Reconstruction have to implement five reforms in public finance management. As a result, the public debt should be reduced, the budget deficit should be reduced, and the economy should be de-shadowed (desired indicators are not specified). This is to be achieved through a new management system.

Audit, strategies, elimination of tax loopholes, and a transparent system of revenue and expenditure management are all envisaged in the five reforms, the implementation of which will be monitored by 10 indicators.

The main ones are:

National Revenue Strategy (already adopted), changes in budget planning - April-June 2024;

public debt management strategy - October-December 2025;

public investment management - April-June 2024;

improvement of audit and control - October-December 2025.

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The basic reforms also include changes in the judicial system. According to the plan, efforts will be focused on three components: selection of judges, prosecution reform, and digitalization of the judicial system. The prosecutor's office will be made accountable, and the courts will be given an evidence-based system. The changes should also affect ordinary Ukrainians. We are talking about the system of enforcement of court decisions: seizure of property and funds of debtors in an almost automatic mode.

All judges must be properly vetted; the integrity declaration and verification system will be changed in September 2025;

early prevention of bankruptcy, expansion of automatic enforcement of court decisions, automatic seizure of debtors' funds - December 2024;

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digitalization of judicial systems (audit of systems, modernization) - December 2027;

competitive selection of prosecutors and disciplinary liability of prosecutors - March 2026.

The last reform on this list is anti-corruption. It includes 11 indicators. The effect: increased budget revenues, improved business climate, and higher investment.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, at the same time, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine will be able to cover a significant part of the huge costs of resuming the war with Russian assets frozen in Europe. In particular, 1,700 schools, more than 1,000 kindergartens and 586 universities could be rebuilt with Russian assets stored in Germany ($6.5 billion), Austria ($1.8 billion), Ireland ($2 billion) and Poland ($1.13 billion).

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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PHOENIX  Republican legislators in Arizona are considering pushing alternative ballot measures to compete with a proposed constitutional amendment to expand abortion rights in the state, according to a PowerPoint presentation obtained by NBC News, as the GOP faces the fallout from a state Supreme Court ruling upholding a near-total abortion ban.

The strategy document includes a slide titled: PHASE 2: SEND VOTERS TWO OTHER OPTIONS THAT CONFLICT WITH AAA INITIATIVE, referring to the Arizona for Abortion Access ballot measure, which aims to enshrine abortion rights into the states constitution through fetal viability and vastly expand the scope for exceptions.

The document outlines a plan to give the voters alternatives to the Arizona for Abortion Access ballot measure, presenting options for other constitutional amendments like the 15-week Reproductive Care and Abortion Act and Heartbeat Protection Act.

And the document also discusses presenting voters with an option for a limit on abortions after 15 weeks that would actually be a stricter ban.

Could scale back 15-week law to 14-week law, the presentation reads. In reality, a 14-week law disguised as a 15-week law because it would only allow abortion until the beginning of the 15th week, it goes on.

The document also acknowledges that both of those time frames represent an "arbitrary number of weeks" of a pregnancy and that it would be considered a disadvantage to move a measure that "solidifies" that number in the state constitution.

The Legislature is scheduled to reconvene Wednesday as pressure mounts from Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, to repeal Arizonas 1864 abortion ban.

State House Speaker Ben Toma said in a statement responding to the presentation: The document presents ideas drafted for internal discussion and consideration within the caucus. Ive publicly stated that we are looking at options to address this subject, and this is simply part of that.

Dawn Penich, a spokesperson for Arizona for Abortion Access, the coalition of reproductive rights organizations including the ACLU of Arizona and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, said the document shows yet again why Arizonans cant leave our most basic and personal rights in the hands of politicians in the state Legislature.

The Republican PowerPoint also outlines a plan to constitutionalize existing laws on the books in Arizona in response to the debate over abortion policy. That includes forbidding anyone who is not a licensed physician from performing an abortion, outlawing discriminatory abortions or prohibiting physicians from performing an abortion when a physician knows the purpose is based on genetic abnormality or race or gender.

The purpose of putting those proposals forward, according to the document: Changes narrative  Republicans have a plan! It says the GOP needs to give voters something other than the extreme abortion-on-demand AAA Initiative to choose in November. The 24-week ballot measure has gotten a surge of attention in the last week after the state Supreme Court ruled that Arizonas near-total 1864 ban was enforceable.

The PowerPoint presentation ends with a slide that includes a meme of late-night television host Seth Meyers and the text BOOM. EASY AS THAT.

In Arizona, a proposed constitutional amendment can make its way onto the ballot through a citizen-initiated process that relies on collecting signatures or through a referral by the Legislature.

The measure seeking to enshrine abortion access is going the petition signature route, while the proposals discussed in the Republican strategy document would be referred to the ballot by the GOP-controlled Legislature.

The document appears to lay out several contingencies.

For example, the "Phase 1" options appear to describe a situation in which Republican lawmakers would refer a proposed amendment to protect legislators' authority to "enact laws rationally related to promoting and preserving life and to protecting the health and safety of pregnant women."

The document describes that approach as "complimentary (not conflicting)" to the proposed abortion-rights amendment  and it says that if both appeared and passed in November, "courts would" be forced to "consider both when interpreting the constitutional right to abortion."

The document also advises Republican lawmakers to choose titles for their "Phase 1" measures along the lines of Protecting Pregnant Women and Safe Abortions Act, the Arizona Abortion and Reproductive Care Act" and the Arizona Abortion Protection Act."

Meanwhile, the document lays out an "ALTERNATIVE TO PHASE 2," under which lawmakers would refer a "conditional enactment" of the "Phase 2 proposal." Under that approach, the "Phase 2" proposal "does not become effective unless the Arizona Abortion Access Act is adopted" during the 2024 general election.

It was not immediately clear from the document whether the Phase 2 approach, to refer ballot measures that conflict with the abortion-rights proposal, would be considered concurrently or alternatively to Phase 1.

However, the document features a proposed timeline that states there are REASONS TO PROCEED WITH PHASE 1, THEN CONSIDER PHASE 2 OR CONDITIONAL ENACTMENT," arguing that doing so "puts Democrats in a defensive position."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A protestor holds a sign at an April 14, 2024, protest in favor of reproductive rights and abortion access in Scottsdale. Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez | Arizona Mirror

April 9, 2024, will remain a dark day in Arizona history. On this day, the Arizona Supreme Court rolled back the clocks to 1864  the Civil War era  to uphold a near-total ban of abortions that would criminalize physicians for providing care.

As organizations on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women, YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix and YWCA Southern Arizona strongly condemn the Supreme Court for subjectively applying this law that is a clear exertion of power and control over womens bodies and the bodies of pregnant people  and that disproportionately affects women and pregnant people of color.

With criminal penalties on the line, it is understandable that doctors will deny care. This ruling includes NO exceptions for rape, incest or health; abortion care may only be used to save the life of the pregnant person.

Any doctor or hospital will tell you that drawing that line is nearly impossible and will inevitably lead to unnecessary deaths. Read: Abortion bans are not pro-life, in fact they increase maternal mortality rates.

Already facing maternal mortality rates at 2-4 times the rate of birthing white people, Black women and pregnant people will be disproportionately affected by this ruling. As stated by YWCA USA, Black women are more likely to face policy and structural barriers that inhibit their ability both to access abortion care and to have healthy pregnancies  policies like paid sick days, pay equity, affordable health insurance that compound the impact of these intersecting issues in their lives.

The justices will see just how out of step they are with the people they are meant to serve at the polls this November when we stand forward to enshrine our right to abortion in the state constitution.

Even before the April 9 ruling, abortion for many people in Arizona was a choice only in theory. The states geography and laws meant people living in vast areas of Arizona have received no access to care, ever.

Abortion access cannot be reduced to pro-choice vs. pro-life. This is an economic justice issue, a racial justice issue and a gender justice issue. According to an article in the American Journal of Public Health, Low-income and birthing people of color have increased rates of abortion compared to White and high-income birthing people.

Abortion bans do not minimize peoples need to access care, but they do increase poor health outcomes and unnecessary economic strain for people who must travel to access care  if they can.

The misguided decision from the Arizona Supreme Court to reinstate a ban from 1864 is even more incomprehensible when put into context: In 1864, Arizona was not yet a state, and it wouldnt be for another 48 years. At that time, women did not have the right to vote, nor did they have the right to divorce. And the country was about halfway through the Civil War, in which the Southern secessionists were determined to preserve the institution of slavery.

This law is not just old. Its irrelevant, its cruel, its racist, and Arizonans overwhelmingly do not agree with it. The justices will see just how out of step they are with the people they are meant to serve at the polls this November when we stand forward to enshrine our right to abortion in the state constitution.

Its now up to the people to take control over the right to govern our bodies back from the hands of careless politicians and misguided judges.

Both YWCA Southern Arizona and YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix continue to advocate for abortion rights and will channel the agencies energy and resources toward getting people to the ballot box in November to vote on the Arizona Right to Abortion Initiative. To join us in doing so, get in touch with YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix and YWCA Southern Arizona by following us online (@ywcaaz and @ywcasouthernaz) or visiting our websites (ywcaaz.org and ywcatucson.org).

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The post The Arizona Supreme Courts abortion ban ruling is racist, irrelevant and cruel appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Investigators with Arkansas State Police were in Wynne on Monday, assisting local law enforcement after Saturdays shooting at a block party, which left one man dead and at least nine people hurt.

Local pastors are now coming together in the wake of the violence.

Mass shooting at Wynne, AR party kills 1, injures 9 more

It was a block party right here where we standing at, having a good time, but somebody decided to interrupt with gunfire, said Freddie Smith, Pastor of Strong Tower The Temple Church.

The shooting took place Saturday night on Williams Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Street, leaving 27-year-old Varian Campbell dead.

Pastor Smith says he is close friends with Campbells father.

He called me, and we talked about 30 minutes last night. (I was) encouraging him to keep his head up. I realize his heart has been broken, he lost his son. But, I prayed with him, and he said he was going to be okay, said Pastor Smith.

According to witnesses, Campbell was caught in the crossfire of an argument between two men.

The shooting caused chaos as partygoers fled. Two victims were reportedly run over by vehicles leaving the scene.

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Guns everywhere. Guns everywhere. The gun itself is not doing the damage, its the person that got it, said Pastor Smith.

Pastor Smith is also the President of a local Ministers Alliance. He says preachers in Wynne are united in stopping violence, and Saturdays tragedy is a call for action.

Thats why we pastors have stepped up, and said were going to start monitoring everything thats going on. We want to know whats going on in our city. If they see the pastors, the leaders there, maybe they will respect that, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
The Army says it will continue the suspension of horse-drawn funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery after roughly a year of no operations, leaving some family members with a tough decision on how they want to honor their service members.

The timeline for when those services will resume is unclear, officials said Friday. The original suspension followed a string of military working horse deaths, reports of unsanitary and potentially life-threatening living conditions, as well as congressional scrutiny directed at the Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard" -- the service's premier ceremonial unit, which is in charge of conducting the horse-drawn services.

The Army and Arlington National Cemetery officials on Friday assured the public that there were no families awaiting services due to the suspension. After Military.com contacted one family that was waiting for caisson services, those officials initially doubled down on the claim, only to walk it back days later.

Read Next: Troubled USS Boxer Returns Home 10 Days into Deployment Due to Maintenance Issue

"We apologize for any confusion last week and regret any further emotional stress that families awaiting the caisson may have endured," Kerry Meeker, the chief of public affairs for Arlington National Cemetery, told Military.com via email on Tuesday. "We will continue to review our case records to determine if there are any remaining families who have opted to wait for the return of the caisson."

After speaking with the family Military.com interviewed, Arlington officials also said that following "a more thorough review," they are now tracking "a few families" who are waiting for the return of caisson services to potentially escort their loved ones to their final resting places.

The caisson platoon consists of military working horses that pull caskets of fallen service members to burial plots at Arlington National Cemetery. The unit is part of The Old Guard and, according to officials Friday, has and will continue to undergo several changes -- such as improved feed and work cycles -- in the wake of those deaths and reports of mistreatment.

In April 2023, Military.com first reported that the caisson platoon would be suspending horse-drawn casket operations for 45 days to conduct an internal review of the equine's health. That review found that more than half of the 48-member herd had muscle, joint or hoof issues. After that review, officials decided to stand-down caisson support for a year.

When the caisson service will return, and when families will know whether they can utilize it, is still a question.

"I personally recognize and appreciate the impact that this holding in caisson operations has had and continues to have on military families and veterans," Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp, commander of the Military District of Washington and Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, said Friday.

"This extension is necessary," he said. "We have to ensure a sustainable program in order to maintain the trust with the American people."

On the same day, Charles Alexander, the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, said that of the 700 funerals scheduled or to be scheduled, "there are no families that are waiting for a service due to the suspension or the extension."

That proved untrue. Military.com spoke to one family on Friday that said they had been waiting for more than two years to inter their loved one, an Army colonel who died in 2022. The family grew up with horses and was looking forward to giving their loved one full honors with a caisson escort.

"Horses were part of our lives," one of the family members told Military.com. "This is more than just, 'Well, sorry, we can't do this,' ... it's just really disappointing."

Military.com followed up with Arlington Friday, asking about this family's case -- the family wished to remain anonymous in reporting and to Arlington National Cemetery at the time. Alexander said then that he stood by his previous statement that no families were waiting.

"If this family exists, yes, we want to get their loved one scheduled as soon as possible," Alexander said. "But beyond that, I don't know what value this serves, other than perhaps to sensationalize this."

On Tuesday, the family connected with Alexander and another Arlington official. A family member told Military.com after the conversation that it was "positive" and that they were satisfied with the outcome, though still facing a decision on whether they want to wait for the caisson to return or continue with honors without horses.

Meeker, the spokesperson for Arlington, said the discussion was positive after Alexander personally spoke to the family.

"He apologized for not being aware they were awaiting scheduling until the caisson's return, and for any inconsistencies in the clarity or accuracy of the information provided by our scheduling team Friday when the Army announced the continued suspension," Meeker said. "He committed to them that their loved one's service will be conducted with the same level of dignity, compassion and precision in the absence of the caisson, but advised that they may continue to wait if they choose to do so."

Meeker said Arlington will be contacting other families who have opted to wait for the caisson return to see if they want to continue to hold their services, given the news that the suspension of the caisson will continue.

Officials could not give an estimate of when that suspension would lift, though Bredenkamp said that the decision to resume operations would be "conditions-based" and did not expect the extension to last multiple years. Those conditions include factors like how many new horses the unit can procure to replace those who have retired, aged out or were adopted.

It also centers around fine-tuning training and rest cycles, which officials said were overburdened before experts and lawmakers leveled scrutiny at the unit. Before April 2023, the caisson horses were doing 6-8 funerals per day, every two hours, according to officials.

"What we've learned is that the more appropriate work-rest cycle is no more than five hours under saddle and tack in a day," Bredenkamp said. "So, that reduces the amount of funerals we can support with those squads."

In 2022, CNN reported that two horses died within just days of each other and that the herd was living in small, unsanitary conditions, consuming low-quality feed and suffering from parasites. Within nine months of those deaths, two other horses died, totalling four in less than a year.

Following those deaths, the unit started rotating horses to a larger plot of land in Virginia in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management. One of the challenges that officials and soldiers who care for the horses have grappled with is the lack of organic space at Fort Myer and Fort Belvoir, where the horses live and train. In 2022, the Army said the then-60-member herd was living in less than 20% of the space equine experts recommend.

"It just became very cost-prohibitive to be able to expand the relatively small facility we had at Fort Belvoir to accommodate a larger herd," Bredenkamp said. "And we're not going to get any more in Fort Myer."

Over the last year, the number of horses began to dwindle as some were adopted out of the unit, which meant those remaining had more space as the unit looked for alternatives to the tiny six-acre pasture complex at Belvoir. Two years ago, the herd numbered around 60, which crowded the limited space they occupied at the two bases. Now, the herd totals at 42, which includes 18 new horses since June 2023.

Currently, the dozens of caisson horses are residing at the Northern Virginia Equine Center, which has about 52 acres of turnout and 47 stalls, according to officials. Bredenkamp said the Army Corps of Engineers is working to solicit potential locations, and that the unit is "evaluating a variety of options" for a permanent solution to the space issue.

One of the challenges is horse procurement, according to Bredenkamp, as they are required to be a specific breed and have a specific temperament. He said that getting new horses "has proven to be a little more challenging than we initially anticipated;" more horses means less work burden for the herd, but it also means that more space is required to house them.

Lack of funding was also noted in the original Army documents that spurred the CNN report. Since then, the caisson platoon received $15 million in congressional funding. In fiscal year 2023, the caisson platoon spent about $7 million in rehabilitative care, improved feed and nutrition, clinician care and procurement of horses.

The unit is also looking at options to create a specific military occupational specialty aligned with caring for, training with and executing missions at Arlington National Cemetery, Bredenkamp said. Other options include expanding civilian contracts or extending the on-station time of soldiers charged with their care.

Related: Army to Suspend Operations at Embattled Horse Unit but Promises No Impact to Arlington Funerals
A picture and its story: Fleeing from Nagorno-Karabakh on the mountain road west

A picture and its story: Fleeing from Nagorno-Karabakh on the mountain road west

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Armenia on Tuesday urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold Azerbaijan responsible for what it said was the ethnic cleansing of Armenians from the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

"After threatening to do so for years, Azerbaijan has completed the ethnic cleansing of the region and is now systematically erasing all traces of ethnic Armenians' presence," Armenia's representative, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, said on the second day of hearings at the U.N.'s top court.

The case is part of the fallout from decades of confrontation between the South Caucasus neighbours, most explosively over the disputed region in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan's armed forces recaptured the mountainous region in September after years of ethnic Armenian control, prompting most ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia.

In a case first filed at the ICJ in 2021, Armenia accused Azerbaijan of glorifying racism against Armenians, allowing hate speech against Armenians and destroying Armenian cultural sites.

Armenia said that put Azerbaijan in violation of a U.N. anti-discrimination treaty. Baku denies all the accusations against it.

On Monday, Azerbaijan told the court that most of Armenia's complaints related to the armed conflicts over Nagorno-Karabakh and did not fall within the scope of the U.N. treaty.

It also accused Armenia of not genuinely engaging in negotiations before bringing the case to the ICJ, also known as the World Court. Kirakosyan rejected these claims.

"Armenia negotiated with Azerbaijan in good faith and pursued discussions far beyond the point of utility," he said.

In November, the court issued emergency measures in the case, ordering Azerbaijan to allow ethnic Armenians who fled Nagorno-Karabakh to return.

Azerbaijan says it has pledged to ensure all residents' safety and security, regardless of national or ethnic origin, and that it has not forced ethnic Armenians to leave Karabakh.

The hearings will cover only the legal objections to the jurisdiction of the ICJ and will not go into the merits of the discrimination claims. A final ruling in both cases could be years away and the ICJ has no way to enforce its rulings.

(Reporting by Bart Meijer; Editing by Ros Russell)
An Army Veteran Vanished in January. Why Is a Police Officer Accused of Lying About Encounter with Him?

Erik Foote was last seen on Jan. 30

Facebook Erik Foote

A Maine police officer is accused of lying about dropping off a missing man at a hospital and is now charged with multiple crimes.

Army veteran Erik Foote, 39, was last seen January 30, according to the Aroostook County Sheriffs Office. According to reports from the Associated Press, the Bangor Daily News and WAGM, authorities say the last person known to have seen Foote was Washburn police Sgt. Chandler Cole.

Cole is now charged with aggravated forgery, tampering with public records or information, falsifying physical evidence and unsworn falsification in connection to the disappearance, the outlets report, citing court records.

Cole is accused of having filed a report saying he had dropped off Foote, who had been walking along a road appearing distressed, at a store, WAGM reported. But, according to the cited court records, Cole is now accused of telling Footes parents that he had dropped him off at a hospital and allegedly changed his report to reflect that claim.

Foote has not been located.

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The AP reports that Cole, who resigned from the police department in February, declined to comment on the charges. It is not immediately clear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney.

The Aroostook County Sheriffs Office is handling the investigation into Footes disappearance.



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Arraignment expected Tuesday for suspended Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill following her arrest

An arraignment is scheduled Tuesday for suspended Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill.

Hill was arrested last month after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement accused her of elderly exploitation and fraud.

She has denied wrongdoing.

Watch: Ex-Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill takes stand during civil court hearing

Hill is not expected to be in the courtroom Tuesday after her attorneys filed a waiver of personal appearance at the arraignment and a written plea of not guilty.

Hill is accused of seven felony charges, including falsifying documents to purchase a home and buy luxuries with a 96-year-olds money.

Regina Hill

Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill left the Orange County Jail on Tuesday afternoon after paying bail.

Orlando commissioner

Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, 58, was arrested Thursday morning on elderly exploitation and fraud charges, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Thursday morning that Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill was arrested after an investigation into accusations of elderly exploitation and fraud.

GF Default - Raw Regina Hill pushes for bill that protects witnesses

GF Default - Raw: Regina Hill speaks to Channel 9

Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, 58, was arrested Thursday morning on elderly exploitation and fraud charges, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said.

If shes convicted -- shes facing life in prison.

Tuesday is also the deadline for candidates to file for a special election to release Hill on the Orlando City Commission.

Read: Who is Regina Hill, the Orlando city commissioner who was arrested?

Candidates have until 5 p.m. to file for the election.

At least nine candidates have filed to run.

Read: Nine people running to replace suspended Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill

The special election is scheduled for May 21.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  Officers with the New Orleans Police Department have announced the arrest of a man in connection with a triple shooting that happened on Royal Street in February.

On Feb. 14, the NOPD reported that officers responded to the 100 block of Royal Street around 12:23 a.m., where a man allegedly took out a gun and began shooting at three women who were arguing before leaving the scene.

New Orleans police investigate triple shooting in Mid-City

NOPD officials said the women were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Following an investigation, NOPD detectives said they identified 23-year-old Michael Bates-Browder as the suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest.

On Monday, April 15, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick announced Bates-Browders arrest in connection with the investigation.

NOPD officials said police in Georgia arrested Bates-Browder, and he was transported back to New Orleans on April 11.

Bates-Browder faces charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery by shooting, criminal damage to property, illegal carrying of a weapon, illegal use of weapons and obstruction of justice.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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(Bloomberg) -- A relic from a piece of art history depicted on The Crown is hitting the auction block at Sothebys. The oil-on-canvas study by Graham Sutherland preceded the portrait Winston Churchill so famously despised that it ended up getting set on fire, as portrayed in the first season of the Netflix series.

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Parliament commissioned the portrait for the prime ministers 80th birthday and hired Sutherland, one of the leading British artists of the time, according to Andre Zlattinger, Sothebys head of modern British and Irish art.

Churchill wasnt an easy person to paint, Zlattinger says. The aging statesman, an artist himself, was conscious about the image he showed to the nation. Churchill asked Sutherland if he was going to be painted as a cherub or a bulldog, and Sutherland replied that it depends on what you show me.

Graham Sutherland was known for his gritty realism, says Kevin Ruane, author of Churchill and the Bomb, and he painted what he saw in 1954. That was an almost 80-year-old man whod suffered a stroke a year earlier, Ruane says.

When I look at a photograph of the painting, I see a man who has been carrying the weight of the world and is a bit of a ruin, but a glorious ruinlike the Parthenon, he says. You can still see the greatness that was there, but its crumbling.

When Churchill saw his portrait, he despised it so much that he almost refused to go to its unveiling in Parliament, Ruane says. (John Lithgow gives a mostly accurate depiction of this as Churchill in The Crown, he says.)

He likely hated the Sutherland portrait because of his vanity, Ruane says. This is a man who, his supporters as much as his detractors would say, had a bit of a super ego, and by 1954 he was more and more conscious of his declining power and physical infirmity.

When the painting was presented to him at the state opening of Parliament, Churchill derided the work as a remarkable example of modern art, to laughter from the crowd. It was never displayed in Parliament. Instead it was taken home to Churchills country house, Chartwell, where it was stuffed into a cellar before eventually being set on fire by his secretary, Grace Hamblin, and her brother, with the blessing of Clementine, his wife. Sutherland called the pieces destruction an act of vandalism. (On The Crown, Clementine watches the portrait burn in a bonfire.)

What remains of Churchills sittings with Sutherland is whats now being sold by Sothebys, with an estimate of 500,000 to 800,000 ($622,000 to $996,000). It was painted in the late, low sunshine in Chartwell, as Sutherlands artistic process involved doing investigative studies to understand his subject before producing the final version.

Sothebys Zlattinger characterizes the study as more intimate than the final portrait, as well as revealing an insight into Churchills state of mind at the time Sutherland was focused on depicting his face. It is probably a better portrayal of what Churchill was actually like, Zlattinger says, and we regard this to be the best surviving portrait of Churchill by Sutherland.

The painting will be exhibited April 16-21 at Blenheim Palace in the Cotswolds, in the same ornate room the famous statesman was born, before going on public view at Sothebys New York from May 3 to May 16. Zlattinger says that theres a massive fascination with Churchill in the US and that there are collectors of Churchill memorabilia and art from around the world.

In January, Steve Forbes consigned Churchill books and memorabiliaincluding his old personal writing deskto a rare-book dealer in New York. In 2021 a Moroccan landscape Churchill painted himself and later gifted to President Franklin Roosevelt sold for a record $11.6 million at Christies, from the collection of Angelina Jolie.

After the studys public view in New York, it will head back across the pond and appear at Sothebys London from May 25 to June 5. The auction takes place on June 6.

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Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters hand over newly released hostages to the Red Cross in Rafah, as part of a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel. The Israeli pavilion at the Venice Biennale art and cultural exhibition will not open as planned until a Gaza ceasefire deal has been reached, according to the exhibiting artist. Stringer/dpa

The Israeli pavilion at the Venice Biennale art and cultural exhibition will not open as planned until a Gaza ceasefire deal has been reached, according to the exhibiting artist.

The artist and curators of the pavilion will open their exhibition when an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of the hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas has been reached, artist Ruth Patir announced on her website on Tuesday.

The US newspaper the New York Times reported that the decision had also been announced on a sign outside the closed pavilion.

The Venice Biennale is due to open on Saturday. On Tuesday, representatives of the press were to be given a preview of the countries' pavilions.

The Biennale takes place from April 20 to November 24 in the northern Italian city. It is regarded as one of the world's most important presentations of contemporary art.

The opening of the Israeli pavilion at this year's art biennial had been eagerly awaited. Like many other cultural events, the art biennial was overshadowed by the Gaza war in the run-up to the event.

"The decision by the artist and the curators is not to cancel themselves nor the exhibition; rather, they choose to take a stance in solidarity with the families of the hostages and the large community in Israel who is calling for change," the statement on Patir's website said.

"I hate it ... but I think it's important," the New York Times quoted Patir as saying.

Patir rejects a cultural boycott. " I prefer to raise my voice with those I stand with in their scream, ceasefire now, bring the people back from captivity. We can't take it anymore," she wrote in an Instagram story.

Curator Tamar Margalit told the New York Times that visitors could see one of Patir's video works through the windows of the closed pavilion.

Patir wrote in her Instagram story, which was posted shortly after it was announced that the pavilion would not be opening, that she felt it was not the time for art and that she had to believe that she would return.

"If I am given such a remarkable stage, I want to make it count. I have therefore decided that the pavilion will only open when the when the release of hostages and ceasefire agreement happens," she wrote.

Thousands of people, including many artists, had called for Israel to be excluded from this year's Biennale in a petition at the end of February.

It is unacceptable to present art from a state that is currently carrying out atrocities against the Palestinians in Gaza, according to an open letter published online by the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA). They accuse Israel of genocide. According to the activist group, more than 23,000 people have now signed the letter.

More than 1,200 people were killed in the massacre carried out by Hamas and other militant Palestinian groups in Israel on October 7. Numerous people were also taken hostage from Israel to the Gaza Strip. There are still 133 people being held there, only some of whom are probably still alive.

Israel responded to the attack with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

In view of the high number of civilian casualties and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the strip, Israel is being increasingly criticized internationally - even by close partners.
China realizes monitoring of coral reefs growth in South China Sea using bionic submersible

Global Times) 08:28, April 16, 2024

Photo: Screenshot of CCTV News video

China has achieved a significant milestone by utilizing a bionic submersible to monitor coral reef growth in the South China Sea, which marks a technological breakthrough in the application of bionic underwater equipment, according to media reports on Monday.

The achievement was spearheaded by a team from the School of Marine Science and Technology at the Northwestern Polytechnical University, China Central Television reported. They developed a biomimetic soft-bodied submersible shaped like a manta ray.

The team has been researching the bionic submersible since 2016, breaking through key technologies such as bionic fluid shape optimization design and the fluid-structure coupling simulation of pectoral fin flapping, integrated propulsion design with sliding and flapping during motion, and smooth switching control of high-similarity multimodal motion.

The team is focusing on coral growth and the settlement of island reef foundations in the South China Sea, and has launched the latest developed 30kg and 720kg types of biomimetic manta ray soft-body diving robots, thus establishing a lineage of bionic intelligent diving robots ranging from flexible small-scale to functional large-scale.

Currently, the submersible has carried out a variety of tasks such as long-distance gliding, wide-area or fixed-depth or stationary hydrological fine collection, and replacement protection of rare animals in marine aquariums. It has completed over 200 operations, achieving a technological breakthrough in the practical application of biomimetic underwater equipment in China.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Fatima Statue Tour Paves the Way for Eucharistic Revival Pilgrimage

NEWS PROVIDED BY

World Apostolate of Fatima, USA

April 15, 2024

WASHINGTON, N.J., April 15, 2024 /Standard Newswire/ -- The World Apostolate of Fatima, USA/Our Ladys Blue Army is launching a tour of the historic National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima ahead of the Eucharistic Revival pilgrimage along the Seton route, from Connecticut to Indianapolis. The tour will launch from St. Theresa Catholic Church in Trumbull, CT, in the Diocese of Bridgeport on May 10-11, and stop at the National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Washington, NJ, for the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, May 13, before continuing along the route. Host parishes on the tour will offer prayers and vigils of Eucharistic reparation for the return of fallen-away and marginal Catholics. Petitions for these conversions are being gathered from across the nation to be carried in Our Ladys Heart to the Eucharistic Revival Congress.

The foundation of our Faith is our belief in the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. The foundation of the Fatima message is Eucharistic Reparation. This is where the Angel of Peace at Fatima directed us more than a century ago. Mary accompanying her Son on this journey to Indianapolis is a reaffirmation of this, said David Carollo, executive director for the WAF/Blue Army.

Coinciding with the WAF/Blue Army Seton Route procession, the Marian Devotional Movement in Ottawa, Ont., Canada, will process the statue of Our Lady of the Cape along the northern St. Michael route to Indianapolis, commencing from the Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape in Trois Rivieres, Quebec, on July 4, 2024. The two apostolates are spearheading the processions as members of the Coalition of Eucharistic and Marian Apostolates (CEMA) in support of the USCCB Eucharistic Revival.

In a letter of support, Tim Glemkowski, executive director of the Eucharistic Revival Congress, said the pilgrim virgin statue processions will visibly demonstrate Our Blessed Mothers accompaniment of this Eucharistic Revival journey the Church is undertaking collectively. The Eucharistic Revival, in my view, is distinctly Marian in its heart, part of the work of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts to heal, convert, form and unify the Church so that it can be sent on mission for the life of the world. Our Blessed Mother never obscures her Son, but invites all to behold and know Him fully.

In addition to Connecticut and New Jersey, the Fatima Statue tour will make stops in Philadelphia, PA, Baltimore/Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, PA, Steubenville, OH, Cleveland, OH, Fort Wayne, IN and Lafayette, IN, before reaching Indianapolis where it will be displayed during the Congress.

Learn about the tour, be a host parish, or send in petitions at http://www.bluearmy.com/eucharistic-revival-statue-tour/

Fatima Statue Tour Paves the Way for Eucharistic Revival Pilgrimage

SOURCE World Apostolate of Fatima, USA

CONTACT: Barb Ernster, 612-419-7677, bernster@bluearmy.com


Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hypocritically reacted to French President Emmanuel Macron's call for an Olympic ceasefire for the 2024 Games. The spokesman for dictator Vladimir Putin cynically accused Ukraine of constant attempts to escalate the war that Russia started in the first place.

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Peskov, repeating the same old lies, said this in a commentary to Interfax. The accomplice in Russia's war crimes against Ukraine added that Russia allegedly had not received any official ceasefire proposals.

"So far, no one has taken any official steps in this regard. Both the president and our military have pointed out that, as a rule, the Kyiv regime uses such initiatives to try to regroup, rearm, and so on. This, of course, complicates the process of considering such initiatives," Peskov said, without mentioning that Russia invaded Ukraine two days after the end of the 2022 Olympics.

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Earlier, Putin himself commented on Macron's call for an Olympic truce, saying that Russia allegedly "wants to build good neighborly relations between the two states," while Ukraine's traitor Sergey Karjakin called it "borderline cynicism" to demand that Russia stop killing Ukrainians.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters hand over newly released hostages to the Red Cross in Rafah, as part of a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel. The Israeli pavilion at the Venice Biennale art and cultural exhibition will not open as planned until a Gaza ceasefire deal has been reached, according to the exhibiting artist. Stringer/dpa

The Israeli pavilion at the Venice Biennale art and cultural exhibition will not open as planned until a Gaza ceasefire deal has been reached, according to the exhibiting artist.

The artist and curators of the pavilion will open their exhibition when an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of the hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas has been reached, artist Ruth Patir announced on her website on Tuesday.

The Venice Biennale is due to open on Saturday. On Tuesday, representatives of the press were to be given a preview of the countries' pavilions.

The Biennale takes place from April 20 to November 24 in the northern Italian city. It is regarded as one of the world's most important presentations of contemporary art.

The opening of the Israeli pavilion at this year's art biennial had been eagerly awaited. Like many other cultural events, the art biennial was overshadowed by the Gaza war in the run-up to the event.

"The decision by the artist and the curators is not to cancel themselves nor the exhibition; rather, they choose to take a stance in solidarity with the families of the hostages and the large community in Israel who is calling for change," the statement on Patir's website said.

"I hate it ... but I think it's important," the New York Times quoted Patir as saying.

Patir rejects a cultural boycott. " I prefer to raise my voice with those I stand with in their scream, ceasefire now, bring the people back from captivity. We can't take it anymore," she wrote on Instagram.

Curator Tamar Margalit told the New York Times that visitors could see one of Patir's video works through the windows of the closed pavilion.
By Michael Holden and Kanishka Singh

LONDON (Reuters) -The United States has provided assurances requested by the High Court in London which could finally pave the way for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be extradited from Britain.

Last month, the High Court ruled that, without certain U.S. guarantees, Assange, 52, would be allowed to launch a new appeal against being extradited to face 18 charges, all bar one under the Espionage Act, over WikiLeaks' release of confidential U.S. military records and diplomatic cables.

Those assurances - that in a U.S. trial he could seek a First Amendment right to free speech and that there was no prospect of new charges which could see the death penalty being imposed - have now been submitted by a deadline which fell on Tuesday.

The document, seen by Reuters, states that Assange "will have the ability to raise and seek to rely upon at trial the rights and protections given under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States". However it adds that a decision on the "applicability of the First Amendment is exclusively within the purview of the U.S. courts".

The document also says that a sentence of death will neither be sought nor imposed.

"These assurances are binding on any and all present or subsequent individuals to whom authority has been delegated to decide the matters," it said.

There will now be a further court hearing in London on May 20, but his lawyers have previously described U.S. assurances given in other cases as not "worth the paper they're written on," echoing similar criticism from human rights group Amnesty International.

'EXTREME DISTRESS'

Assange's wife Stella, whom he married while in prison in London, said the guarantees did not satisfy their concerns, describing them as "blatant weasel words".

"The United States has issued a non-assurance in relation to the First Amendment, and a standard assurance in relation to the death penalty," she said in a statement.

"The diplomatic note does nothing to relieve our family's extreme distress about his future -- his grim expectation of spending the rest of his life in isolation in U.S. prison for publishing award-winning journalism."

There was no immediate comment from the U.S. Department of Justice or a High Court spokesperson.

Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden said he was considering a request from Australia to drop the prosecution, which Assange's U.S. lawyer described as "encouraging".

It was not clear what influence, if any, Biden could exert on a criminal case, but the Wall Street Journal has also reported that discussions are underway about a potential plea bargaining deal.

Assange, who is an Australian citizen, has spent more than 13 years in various legal battles in the English courts since he was first arrested in November 2010.

To his many supporters, he is an anti-establishment hero who is being persecuted for exposing U.S. wrongdoing and details of alleged war crimes in secret, classified files.

The U.S. authorities argue he is not being prosecuted for the publication of the leaked materials, but for the criminal act of conspiring with former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to unlawfully obtain them.

"The Biden administration must drop this dangerous prosecution before it is too late," Stella Assange said.

(Reporting by Michael Holden and Kanishka Singh;Editing by Gareth Jones and Sharon Singleton)
The Milky Way galaxy appears in the sky above the natural reserve area of Wadi Al-Hitan (Valley of the Whales) at the desert of Al Fayoum Governorate. Astronomers discover the Milky Way's most massive stellar black hole Gehad Hamdy/dpa

The "wobbling" of a star has alerted researchers to a particularly enormous black hole in the Milky Way.

It is the most massive stellar black hole known to date in our galaxy, the European Southern Observatory (ESO), based near the German city of Munich, announced on Tuesday.

The black hole, named Gaia BH3, has about 33 times the mass of our sun. Stellar black holes in the Milky Way measure on average only 10 times the mass of the sun. The previously largest known - Cygnus X-1 - has about 21 solar masses.

"No one was expecting to find a high-mass black hole lurking nearby, undetected so far," astronomer Pasquale Panuzzo from the Observatoire de Paris said in a statement. "This is the kind of discovery you make once in your research life."

ESO says the black hole is extremely close to Earth at a distance of "only" 2,000 light years. A light year is the distance that light travels in one year - a distance of 9.46 trillion kilometres.

The black hole's companion star is set into a kind of wobbling motion by its mammoth mate - and this was detected by the ESO astronomers.

BH3 was spotted thanks to data gathered by the Gaia mission of the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission aims to record the positions, movements, distances and brightness of almost 2 billion celestial bodies.

Black holes are objects with such a strong gravitational force that not even light can escape from them. They are formed when large stars with many times the mass of our sun explode as supernovae at the end of their existence and the remaining stellar remnant collapses.

The analyses of the new discovery were published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Atlanta police want to identify man who broke into business, tried to steal money from ATM

Atlanta police want to identify a man accused of breaking into a business to try and steal from an ATM.

On Tuesday, April 16, at approximately 6:40 a.m., officers responded to a burglary call at the Quest Community Development Corporation located at 299 Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard NW.

When they arrived, officers spoke to someone at the business who said an unidentified man broke in and tried to access the ATM.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

After failing to break into the ATM, the man left.

Surveillance footage provided to police shows the man approaching the business with a tool and using it to pry open a door.

Anyone with information about his identity can submit a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477.

Tipsters are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

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Atlantic City Mayor and His Wife Accused of Threatening and Physically Abusing Their Teenage Daughter

Marty Small, Sr. and his wife LaQuetta Small were both charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child

Donald Kravitz/Getty Images

The Atlantic City Mayor and his wife have been charged with endangering the welfare of their teenage daughter, according to authorities.

The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office announced on Monday that Marty Small, Sr., 50, and his wife, LaQuetta Small, 47, were both charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child after allegedly assaulting their daughter when she was 15 and 16.

Marty was also charged with third-degree terroristic threats, third degree aggravated assault and disorderly persons simple assault, while LaQuetta, who works as Atlantic Citys superintendent of schools, faces three separate counts of disorderly persons simple assault, according to the office.

The charges stem from alleged incidents of abuse that occurred between December 2023 and January 2024, during which time Marty allegedly hit his daughter multiple times with a broom, which caused her to lose consciousness, according to the release. During another incident, he allegedly "repeatedly" punched his daughter in the legs causing bruising.

Related: Mom Is Accused of Murdering Daughter, 5, Who Was Allegedly Locked in Closet and Covered in Waste

The prosecutors office claimed that Marty also continuously threatened to hurt his daughter during one argument by earth slamming her down the stairs and grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground."

Authorities also alleged that LaQuetta punched her daughter on at least two separate occasions, including one incident where she punched her multiple times on her chest." She is also accused of dragging her daughter by the hair and striking her with a belt.

The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said the incidents were investigated by the Atlantic County Prosecutors Offices Special Victims Unit.

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Martys attorney Edwin Jacobs did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on the charges.

However, he told Associated Press and The New York Times in a statement that the matter has absolutely nothing to do with any improprieties in the mayors office." Jacobs further shared that it involved a private family matter, including the challenges that Mayor Small and his wife have dealt with raising a teenage daughter.

Related: Body Parts of Teenager Were Found Strewn Across Wisc. Cities After She Went on 1st Date; Suspect Charged

He also told the AP that the couple's daughter had not been removed from their home, saying, This is an intact family. Shes right where she belongs.

Investigators reportedly began looking into abuse allegations in the Small family home in late January after their teenage daughter wrote the word "abuse" during a mental health activity in school and said that she would like a counselor," according to a criminal complaint obtained by NBC Philadelphia.

The teenager then detailed the abuse to a staff member at her high school who referred her to the principal. The principal then made a report to the Department of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P). The teen also allegedly shared with a therapist during a telehealth session around that time that her parents had been physically and emotionally abusing her and cited three separate incidents, per NBC Philadelphia.

Smalls home was previously searched on March 28, and a few days later, the family attended a news conference in which he said he had nothing to hide, NBC Philadelphia reported.

Were going through family therapy, and thats what this should be, a family matter, he said during the press conference, per the AP.



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Attacks on Israel and Ukraine cannot be compared  EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy High Representative

Josep Borrell, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has said that the situation in Ukraine and Israel cannot be compared.

Source: European Pravda citing Josep Borrell at a press conference following the meeting of EU foreign ministers on 16 April

Details: Borrell said the situation when Western allies helped Israel shoot down Iranian missiles and drones and the situation with Russian attacks in Ukraine are "two distinct things that cannot be compared."

First of all, he recalled that Israel has a multi-level air defence system called the Iron Dome, and deploying its equivalent in Europe would require a lot of time and financial resources that are not available.

"Secondly, the Iranian attack involved missiles passing across air bases belonging to France, the United States and Jordan, who also defended their bases. This is not happening in Ukraine. Either there are no air bases belonging to the US, the UK or Jordan," the EU's top diplomat added.

At the same time, Borrell stressed that he believed it was necessary for the EU to strengthen the capabilities of Ukraine's air defence.

"On Monday (22 April  ed.), when the defence ministers [of the EU member states] meet, I hope that we will have some very concrete commitments in this direction," he said earlier during a press conference.

Background:

Previously, following a recent meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Zelenskyy said that Western powers could help Ukraine defend itself against Russian attacks in the same way they helped Israel against Iranian strikes.

The White House stated that the United States refused to take any combat role in the war in Ukraine, so it will not shoot down Iranian drones launched by Russia, as it did with allies last weekend in Israel.

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Atwater police arrest 27-year-old suspected of driving off road to strike man with vehicle

A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in Atwater after allegedly striking another man with a vehicle, according to authorities.

Atwater police officers responded at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday to a disturbance call in the 2400 block of Palm Avenue.

Arriving officers located a blue Toyota that had struck a tree in the 400 block of Fortuna Avenue. Officers also located an injured man lying on the ground near the vehicle.

According to police, when officers approached the vehicle, a different man fled from the scene on foot. The officers engaged in a foot chase and were able to detain the man, who was ultimately identified as 27-year-old Jesus Trujillo-Sanchez of Atwater.

Police said their investigation revealed that the Toyota was reportedly being driven erratically prior to the crash.

Officers later determined Trujillo-Sanchez intentionally drove the vehicle off the roadway to strike the victim.

In addition, police discovered that Trujillo-Sanchez is the brother of the injured mans girlfriend.

The man who was struck by the Toyota was flown to a Modesto hospital for treatment of serious injuries, according to police.

Trujillo-Sanchez was arrested and booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, according to jail records. According to police, the incident remains under investigation.
AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL)  In the heart of Auburn, a beloved school officer, Lavareis Bryant, and his equally remarkable wife, Becca Bryant, a dedicated cardiovascular ICU nurse, are preparing to embrace an extraordinary chapter in their lives  the arrival of not one, not two, but four new additions to their family.

Lavareis Bryant, revered for his commitment to the safety and welfare of students and educators, achieved hero status following his courageous actions during a road rage incident near a local school. His wife, Becca Bryant, provides steadfast support in emergencies as a cardiovascular ICU nurse. It takes a lot to rattle these two, but they were both caught off guard during their ultrasound session. In the video, you see Lavareis Bryant candidly saying, What do you mean four? He remembers getting really hot in the doctors office.

Becca says she thought she was having twins based on her lab work and made a bet with her husband. Becca took the video to capture her husbands reaction to twins  but she got the shock of her life too, I wasnt ready for that, she said.

Lavareis Bryant, himself a twin, says his sister also has twins. With three children already in their care, aged 11, 6, and 2, the Bryants had envisioned expanding their family by one more. However, their hopes were exceeded as they received the extraordinary news of quadruplets.

Im so excited to meet them and see what they look like because A and B are identical  which are the girls  C and D are the boys, and theres a chance they could be identical, but we wont know until they are born- so its like what if we have two sets of identical twins  thats even more rare, said Becca Bryant.

As they anticipate the arrival of their quadruplets after July 1st, each passing day beyond the 28-week mark is cherished as a precious blessing. Yet, Beccas pregnancy has presented challenges, marked by severe headaches and nausea, amidst her pursuit of another degree. The path forward includes career adjustments and frequent trips to Birmingham to consult with UAB OB specialists alongside Lavareis Bryants juggling act of law enforcement duties and a burgeoning contractor business.

In light of the significant hurdles ahead, both known and unknown, the Quads of Auburn Family finds solace in the unwavering support of their community. A Bryant, party of 9! QUADS on the way GoFundMe campaign has been launched, alongside the sale of Quads of Aubs t-shirts, showcasing the collective effort to assist.

Touched by the overwhelming generosity of strangers and acquaintances alike, Becca Bryant expresses gratitude, I have people reach out to me that I dont even know, and theyre like, hey, I saw your story. I have twins. Do you need this? Can you use this? And Im like, oh my gosh, yes, please, and thank you.

As the Quads of Auburn Family prepares for the arrival of their four miracles, East Alabama is ready to extend a helping hand.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Polish inspectors have banned the sale of a batch of more than 7 tons of ice cream that was previously imported from Ukraine. The Poles did not have any questions about the quality of the product  they were not satisfied with the labeling.

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The decision was announced on the microblog of the Polish Agricultural and Food Quality Inspectorate (IJHARS) in Poznan. 7127.7 kg of ice cream in a cone was withdrawn from sale due to incorrect labeling  some of the information was obscured, the inspectors explained. The decision was immediately enforced.

This is not the first time this month that Ukrainian products have been banned from the Polish market. On April 11, IJHARS seized two batches of cookies weighing 10.55 tons in Rzeszow, and three days earlier, three batches of Ukrainian bagels weighing 5.34 tons. And in Lublin, three batches of Ukrainian ice cream weighing 8.48 tons were seized due to defrosting.

In addition, in early April, a Ukrainian company was fined a record-breaking PLN 1.5 million (about $380 thousand) for importing 11.5 thousand tons of technical rapeseed and feed wheat as counterfeit products for further use. It was also decided to ban the import of 57.66 tons of tomato paste from Ukraine due to the presence of mold.

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In general, according to the chief inspector of IJHARS Przemyslaw Zodkiewicz, 1.4% of batches of products from Ukraine were rejected at the border over the past year.

OBOZ.UA also reported that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland removed the list of Ukrainian grain importers from its website. The head of the ministry apologized to Ukrainian companies that suffered losses because of this.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A long-awaited report from the Arkansas Legislative Audit disclosed the details of a lectern purchase that raised concerns.

According to the report released on Monday afternoon, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanderss office was potentially non-compliant with state law in seven areas, including paying for the lectern before it was delivered, capitalizing it as an operating expense and improper record keeping.

Draft audit report of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders lectern purchase complete

The governors office responded that it was exonerated by the audits outcome. It calls the audit deeply flawed in its response, an appendix to the report.

No laws were broken. No fraud was committed, the response concludes.

The facts outlined in the report demonstrate what the governors office said all along: we followed the law, and the state was fully reimbursed with private funds for the podium, at no cost to the taxpayers, the governors spokesperson Alexa Henning said.

One area of concern is the audit report stating that the governors offices shredding of the lecterns bill of lading was a potential violation of the records requirement.

A governors office spokesperson told auditors the shredding was inadvertent. The office also stated in its response that a replacement bill of laden was acquired.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin releases opinion on audit looking into governors $19,000 lectern purchase

The lectern and case were purchased in June 2023 using a state credit card for $19,029.25. The audit stated that this was a violation of state policy since a purchase order was not used.

The report also stated that upon receipt, the governors staff found the podium was not the correct height, the point of custom-ordering it. Auditors reported not being able to confirm the custom order due to a lack of formal purchasing documents or invoices.

Sanders stated at a news conference in September 2023 that she required a shorter-than-typical lectern, and that was why it was ordered.

Tension after Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders asked about podium at news conference

The Legislative Audit also stated in its report that it was not able to determine if this was a reasonable price since none of the vendors it contacted for pricing information responded.

The auditors also found that no effort was made to seek reimbursement for the purchase until after a Freedom of Information Act request was made to the governors office for purchase records of the lectern.

The Legislative Audit maintained that the reimbursement process by the Republican Party of Arkansas was in violation of state policy for surplus property.

State Sen. Greg Leding (D-Fayetteville) spoke on the controversy and subsequent audit.

This doesnt do any elected official or any politician any favors, Leding said. Any time something like this happens its a bad look for us.

State Sen. Ben Gilmore (R-Crossett) also shared his thoughts on the audit.

If you support the governor and you think shes doing a great job and you love the policies shes pushing, thats not gonna change your mind about her, Gilmore said. And if you didnt like the governor going into all this and you think shes doing a terrible job, your minds not going to be changed either.

The governors office responded that it is not a state agency but a constitutional office, making it exempt from the majority of reporting requirements.

Auditors concluded that the report is being forwarded to the Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General.

Sixth Judicial District Prosecutor Will Jones confirmed Monday evening his office had received the audit and was reviewing it.

Its important to note, that this review is no different than any other file review sent by an investigating authority to the Prosecuting Attorney, Jones said.

The governor released a video on social media shortly after the audit was released.

READ THE FULL AUDIT HERE

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders stands at a lecturn that looks similar to one her office paid $19,000 for this summer.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders stands at a lectern during her inauguration that looks similar to one her office paid $19,000 for in June 2023. (Karen E. Segrave/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas Legislative Audits report on the $19,000 purchase of a lectern for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders office found several instances of potential noncompliance with state law and has been sent to the state attorney general and Pulaski Countys prosecuting attorney.

Members of Sanders staff used a state-issued credit card to buy the lectern and a carrying case in June 2023 from a Virginia-based event design and management firm with political ties to Sanders. The Republican Party of Arkansas reimbursed the governors office three months later, just before the purchase became public and brought scrutiny on Sanders and her staff.

Arkansas Legislative Audit, a nonpartisan entity that investigates government spending, began the audit at lawmakers direction in October and released the report Monday afternoon. The report is critical of actions taken by the governors office and recommends adherence to state purchasing and property disposal laws in the future.

Alexa Henning, Sanders communications director, said Monday that the report demonstrate[s] what the governors office said all along: we followed the law, and the state was fully reimbursed with private funds for the podium, at no cost to the taxpayers.

The report said several actions by Sanders office potentially ran afoul of state law including:

Paying for the lectern before it was delivered.

Failing to notify the state Department of Transformation and Shared Services of the delivery, which prevented the purchase from being properly recorded as belonging to state government.

Characterizing the purchase as an operating expense instead of a capital asset, a category for property that costs more than $5,000.

Seeking reimbursement for the lectern from the Republican Party of Arkansas instead of asking the State Procurement Director for an exemption from state purchasing and property disposal laws.

Shredding a document that included details about the lectern necessary to properly record the purchase. Sanders offices staff told auditors this was done in error.

Failing to create a business justification statement for the purchase.

The report noted that the governors office had three copies of the invoice for the lectern, two of which had handwritten notes on them, indicating that staff altered public records.

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Auditors also found that the Department of Transformation and Shared Services excluded several requested documents from its responses to state Freedom of Information Act queries related to the lectern purchase. The report recommended that DTSS comply with FOIA in the future.

The report recommended that the governors office ensure purchases are paid for after delivery, retain all original documentation related to purchases and deliveries, follow state law when disposing of property and ensure documentation is completed in a timely manner.

The state Legislature could add language to state law that would restrict the governors offices use of funds appropriated to it in the state budget, the report recommended.

The Legislature could also create language defining the disbursing officer and business office of the Governors Office, especially regarding responsibility of delivery of goods prior to payment and clarifying the custodian of record for the governors for purposes of FOIA, the report states.

Last year, Sanders repeatedly called criticism of the purchase a manufactured controversy and said she welcomed the audit. The report states that she declined the opportunity to speak with ALA staff or provide a statement.

Sanders office had the chance to review the report before it was made public, as is standard operating procedure for Legislative Audit. The response, dated March 29, called the report deeply flawed, a waste of taxpayer resources and time and proof that no laws were broken and no fraud was committed.

The state Republican Party could not be reached for comment Monday.

In a statement after the reports release, Democratic Party of Arkansas Chair Grant Tennille called for Attorney General Tim Griffin and Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones to swiftly deliver justice to any government official found to have committed an act of corruption.

This is not and never was a partisan matter, but a very serious investigation of wrongdoing by government officials who may have broken as many as seven state laws, Tennille said.

Prior to a FOIA request related to the podium purchase, made on September 11, 2023, there was no indication that the Governors Office was seeking reimbursement for the cost of the podium and the road case.

 Arkansas Legislative Audit

Reasonableness unclear

The customized lecterns base cost was $11,575, the carrying case cost $2,200 and shipping and handling of both items also cost $2,200, according to the report. The governors office also paid a $2,500 consulting fee to Beckett Events, a business in the Washington D.C. area run by Virginia Beckett, a consultant and lobbyist who worked on Sanders 2022 gubernatorial campaign.

The 3% credit card processing fee of $554 brought the $18,475 lectern purchase to a total of $19,029. New York-based Millers Presentation Furniture manufactured the lectern, and D.C.-area Salem Strategies and its owner, Hannah Stone, gave Sanders office information about portable lecterns upon request, the report states.

Similar non-customized lecterns are available online for as low as $7,000, the report notes. Legislative Audit could not determine the reasonableness of both the podiums base cost and the consulting fee because Beckett Events, Salem Strategies and Millers Presentation Furniture all did not respond to auditors attempts to contact them.

Sanders office sent one additional email to Hannah Stone and Virginia Beckett in January 2024 but failed to attach ALAs list of proposed questions regarding the podium, according to the report.

State Sen. Jimmy Hickey, R-Texarkana, requested the audit in September. His request also included looking into significant expenditures involving the governors office that were shielded from public accessibility by Act 7 of 2023. The law exempted records related to the governors security from the FOIA.

Sen. Jimmy Hickey, R-Texarkana, asks the Legislative Joint Auditing Executive Committee on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 to approve his request for an audit into Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders purchase of a $19,000 lectern and the retroactive shielding of certain government expenses from public access. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Hickey said Monday that the second portion of the audit is still in progress, and the released reports findings specifically pertained to the lectern purchase.

The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee will meet Tuesday to discuss the report. Hickey said Monday afternoon that he had not yet read it and likely would not comment on it before Tuesdays meeting regardless.

Legislative Joint Auditing Committee co-chairs Sen. David Wallace of Leachville and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway of Paragould, both Republicans, first read the report last week, and the rest of the committee read it Monday afternoon, Wallace said later on Monday.

Gazaway and Wallace could not be reached for comment after the report was released.

Timeline of purchase and controversy

The audit was necessary in light of everything with the timeline of events regarding the signing of Act 7 and the way the lectern purchase became public knowledge, Hickey said in September.

The Republican Party of Arkansas reimbursed Sanders office for the full $19,209 cost on Sept. 14. Attorney and blogger Matt Campbell posted the document, which he had previously requested via the FOIA, on X (formerly Twitter) on Sept. 15.

Prior to a FOIA request related to the podium purchase, made on September 11, 2023, there was no indication that the Governors Office was seeking reimbursement for the cost of the podium and the road case, the audit report states.

Also on Sept. 14, Sanders signed Act 7 after a special legislative session in which she had supported additional exemptions to the FOIA that met bipartisan opposition in the Legislature and from the public. Campbell, who is now an Arkansas Times reporter, had been using the FOIA for several weeks to request and report on Sanders offices spending.

After Hickeys request for an audit later that month, Rogers-based attorney Tom Mars contacted Hickey to offer an anonymous clients aid during the requested audit. Mars said his client could provide clear and convincing evidence to the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee that Sanders office had recently altered and withheld FOIA-accessible records.

On Oct. 10, Campbell posted an email on X that indicated Laura Hamilton, Sanders executive assistant, was instructed to alter the invoice for the lectern by writing to be reimbursed on it by hand, shortly before Campbell received it via FOIA request.

Lawmakers approved Hickeys audit request three days after Campbell posted the email.

Auditors found three different versions of the invoice during the audit. One appears to be a copy of the original invoice and does not include the handwritten addition of to be reimbursed along with Hamiltons initials. Two others include the addition  one was attached to the check from the state GOP that was deposited into the state Treasury  and were both sent to Campbell in response to his FOIA requests, the report states.

ALA maintains this handwritten notation, which altered the public record, potentially conflicts with [state law], the report states.

Sanders offices formal response to auditors claimed a handwritten note on an invoice, absent a false alteration, is not a violation of law.

Mars said Monday on X that his anonymous client gave sworn testimony to the legislative auditors before a court reporter based on first-hand knowledge of the alteration and concealment of highly relevant records.

In a prepared statement, Mars said the information in the report made Monday a sad day for Arkansans who care about truth and integrity in government.

The report just confirms peoples worst fears about the dishonesty of the Governor and members of her staff who appear to have participated in a transaction that any intelligent, objective observer would call fraud, Mars wrote.

Purchasing laws and property ownership

Hickey said in October that one question he hoped the audit would answer was who owns the lectern, since it was apparently purchased with state funds despite the eventual reimbursement.

The audit report asserts that since the podium and carrying case were initially paid for with funds appropriated by the General Assembly to the Governors Office, both continued to be state property after the state GOP reimbursed Sanders office.

Griffin published an opinion last week, at Sanders request, declaring that certain executive branch officials such as the governor are not subject to certain laws that regulate purchases by government entities.

The opinion states that elected constitutional offices are not state agencies under the General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law, which regulates the financial behavior of the states agencies, boards, commissions, departments, and institutions. The list included in the law does not specifically contain offices or officers and therefore does not apply to them unless otherwise necessary, a phrase taken directly from the law, Griffin wrote.

But Arkansas Legislative Audit considers the governors office an agency under the GABPL, which requires the state and its subsidiaries to provide adequate accounting for all fiscal transactions.

The report also states that the governors office is subject to marketing-and-redistribution (M&R) law, which regulates effective utilization of surplus state property. Griffin disputed this in last weeks opinion.

Auditors found during the investigation that Sanders office had disposed of other state property, including a storage cabinet and a tabletop podium, in compliance with M&R law, according to the report.

Griffin said in a statement Monday that he was perplexed at Arkansas Legislative Audits mistaken conclusion that the Governors office is a state agency for the purposes of certain statutes.

I am continuing to review the report, which was transmitted to my office in accordance with state law, Griffin said.

Sanders offices response to auditors reiterated Griffins opinion from last week. Legislative Audits response, also included in the report, defended its interpretation of the laws in question.

A cardinal rule in dealing with a statutory provision is to give it a consistent and uniform interpretation, the auditing body wrote.

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The Montana Women's Prison in BIllings (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

A new legislative audit report released Monday tells lawmakers its unclear if inmates with the Montana Department of Corrections are receiving much education or instruction because the data and record-keeping within the agency is either non-existent or so incomplete that it was nearly impossible for auditors to perform their tasks.

Furthermore, some of the programs offered through the Department of Corrections seemed to do little for inmates who face re-entry into a market hungry for employees, and those same inmates gain little in terms of practical skills.

For years, lawmakers and auditors have focused on the Montana Department of Corrections education and rehabilitation  and for good reason. Statistics provided by the auditors show that when inmates are put through educational or vocational programs, their chances at recidivism, or reoffending, drop significantly.

Around one-third of inmates who enter the Department of Corrections do not have a high-school diploma. By state policy, those inmates should be enrolled in programming that will help them complete a diploma-equivalency, the report said.

Research indicates that participating in educational and vocational programs can decrease recidivism by a third, the audit report said.

For more than four years, lawmakers have been pressuring the states Corrections Department to update its offerings. In 2020, the performance audit completed by the Legislative Audit Division compared state and contracted facilities, but that report determined the Department of Corrections was not monitoring or comparing education, which resulted in lawmakers recommending a formal, data-driven approach.

This portion of the recommendation was not completed, the auditors found.

A response from the Montana Department of Corrections

The Montana Department of Corrections released a statement and provided information regarding this audit report. Department of Education Services Bureau Chief Travis Anderson said:

The Montana Department of Corrections appreciated the opportunity to assist the Legislative Audit Division in its Evaluating Education and Training in Montanas Prisons audit of education and career training in Montana prisons (2020  2022). We are pleased to note that the DOC had already identified many of the areas in which LAD (Legislative Audit Division) provided recommendations in its report delivered in 2024 and has already made significant progress on those. The department recognizes the pivotal role educational opportunities in prison play in the future success of offenders when they return to Montana communities and strives to ensure the relevance of its programming to help ensure the best possible outcomes for offenders.

The department is particularly proud of new educational programming being offered at our facilities including:

The Last Mile computer coding class. Our second cohort of students at Montana State Prison recently reached the half-way mark in their programming and are on target to graduate in September. For more on this, please click here.

Second Chance Pell (now Prison Education Programs  PEPs). The DOC offers PEP programming in partnership with Helena College to allow students to earn their Certificates in Applied Science in Auto Technology and with Dawson Community College for Associate of Arts in Chemical Dependency Counseling. The second cohort of students in the Applied Science in Auto Technology program will graduate on May 6 at Montana State Prison. For more on this, please click here.

In 2022, a report showed that one of the departments largest contractors, Core Civic Corrections, was embroiled in a cheating scandal for inmates utilizing the education programs there. After that incident, though, it appears that the educational programming either stopped temporarily or was restarted with little tracking. Meanwhile, the 2024 audit report also said that educational and work-training programs have been moved and reorganized so many times that tracking data is underdeveloped or (does) not exist.

The audit report had four key findings:

The Montana Department of Corrections does not maintain usable program data to assess education and work program performance and compliance, and the department does not monitor recidivism.

Education and work programs across the state do not meet demand and are not regularly assessed to ensure relevance or quality.

Inmates are not consistently provided education, career counseling or re-entry assistance.

Contracted secure facilities, like Core Civic, in some cases have even more problems with education programs.

No tracking equals no data

The auditors and the report itself released by the Legislative Audit Division repeatedly pointed out that officials couldnt say much definitively because the data and tracking was either so sparse or incomplete.

The Department of Corrections lacked accurate records for inmate education and work participation across public and private facilities. The data management procedures for this program are inadequate or absent, the report said. We intended to use department records to assess program performance and compliance with the law, policy and best practices. However, while obtaining and reviewing the records, we realized that there were significant deficiencies in the data management practices.

A deeper look into the problem with data reveals that information about an inmates work history or education could be in as many as six different software programs and servers.

The report details years of lost data at the Montana Womens Prison. And many facilities dont track milestone achievements like receiving a certificate of completion or even a high-school diploma equivalency.

The report said that auditing staff worked for months in an attempt to either resurrect or rebuild data. When the auditors did receive data, it was inaccurate, incomplete, or difficult to decipher.

We found errors in student records including impossible date ranges, incorrectly identified information and duplicate entries, the report said.

The problems with the data didnt just present problems for auditors.

Its unclear which programs are most effective, and accurate information on course achievement is necessary to assess interventions, the report said. The Board of Pardons and Parole also reported lacking information on education and training accomplishments for parole consideration.

High demand, few opportunities

What little data was available to auditors showed that theres high demand among the incarcerated population in Montana, with as many as three out of four inmates wanting the opportunity, but not receiving a chance.

Education and work program opportunities at Montanas secure facilities are limited, with long waitlists and inconsistently relevant programs, the report said. Inmates opportunities to access beneficial programs are not equitable between private and public facilities.

Not only is there high demand among inmates, which auditors say the Department of Corrections cannot meet, it also found that some of the programs quality was lacking, leading to a mismatch between the training inmates receive and what is expected in the workforce.

Work program opportunities cannot meet inmate demand, do match inmate interest or state workforce needs, often do not provide industry-recognized credentials and are not regularly assessed to ensure enough continued relevance or quality, the report said.

And the auditors found that 75% of those who had been accepted into a program received no classes or less than one day of instruction. The ripple effect from the lack of education has left even the prison system with a deficit of workers with skills.

Despite the expected overestimation of participation from this data, it also shows that most of the individuals (63%) received no education or work program opportunities between 2020 and 2022. Nearly a third have not worked a single job, auditors said.

It also appears that leaders within the Department of Corrections are not monitoring the programs, or looking for ways to improve or update the education.

Programs are not assessed for feasibility, market strength, or cost-effectiveness prior to implementation or on an ongoing basis to ensure the time, space, and resources are going to programs that serve the most inmates and the state in the most inmates in the most effective way possible, the audit said.

The report documents that its hard for inmates to be prepared for re-entry into society with few new skills and even less help from prison staff. For example, other states have career counselors that help inmates begin preparing for education. Seventy-nine percent of inmates have said theyve never met with a staff person to discuss education.

Case managers shared that they do not often advise inmates on education or job skill needs, and were not all aware related categories existed in the risk and and needs assessment, the report said. Case managers do not typically assist inmates until approximately one month before a parole hearing.

The risk, the auditors note, isnt just that inmates being released from prison will fail, but ultimately the lack of education opportunities will become a problem for the facilities and the department.

Lack of support for inmates to obtain education and training increases idle time, may lead to more dangerous prisons, increases subsequent recidivism rates and results in an inefficient use of limited education resources, the audit said.

Problems at contracted facilities

Auditors also noted that it wasnt just state-run facilities, like the mens prison in Deer Lodge, or the states womens prison in Billings, that were problematic. Instead, they noted that other facilities in the state, namely Core Civic in Shelby and Dawson County Correctional Facility, which contract with the state, have, in many cases, even worse educational programming.

Private facility contract requirements mandate some educational and job opportunities to facilitate inmate reform, the report said. However, these facilities are failing to meet their contracted obligations.

Several of the facilities say they cannot afford to hire staff. For example, Core Civic said that its average monthly teacher vacancy rate reached as high as 51%, the report said. Furthermore, there are penalties in the contracts that these private companies can face if they dont offer education.

Based on SFCB (Secured Facilities Contract Bureau) records, we estimate that in 2021, more than $100,000 in fines were not levied to address minimum teacher shortfalls, the report said.

22P-04

The post Auditors: Montana DOC fails to provide education, training to meet demand; lacks data appeared first on Daily Montanan.
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- Tuesday, Augusta commissioners could vote to approve rezoning for a tiny homes community. Bridge Builder Communities is a non-profit that provides homes for young adults 18 to 25, who are aging out of the foster care system.

This non-profit provides a safe haven for these young adults. Its estimated about 65 percent of them end up in sex trafficking rings and up to 50 percent are homeless immediately when they come out of foster care.

If approved, the $2.5-million development would be located on Merry Street.

Rendering of Bridge Builder Communities. Courtesy: Jackson Drumgoole.

Plans include a community center and 25 tiny homes. Each home would be 320-square-feet with a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.

The non profit will partner with community organizations to provide needed resources like mental health, financial planning and help entering school or the work force.

Jackson Drumgoole is the founder of Bridge Builder. He said their community partners have already stepped up to help a young adult. The young man was found behind a building with two broken legs after being hit by a car.

Hometown History: Augusta National Golf Clubs African American caddies

We were able to find him a place to stay for that weekend, get him some resources, but get him some hospitalization. Its that type of wraparound services that are needed where a community can come together. So were talking about food. Were talking about the housing insecurities that theyre facing. Were talking about, honestly, just someone they can call and say, Hey, I need some help,' explained Drumgoole.

If the vote passes the commission on Tuesday, then construction can begin.

Bridge Builder Communities layout. Courtesy: Jackson Drumgoole.

Drumgoole said that two years ago this was just a dream that is now so close to becoming reality.

It feels amazing. A little anxiety, because we want to make sure that the commission understands what were doing and why were doing it for our city. Like I said, weve amassed tons of support from churches, businesses, civic organizations, social service organizations to wrap our arms around this population. So, its very exciting to be at this point.

The rezoning vote is Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the municipal building on Telfair Street.

If passed, the tiny homes village will break ground in the Summer and could be complete by the end of 2025.

Photojournalist: Dania Alawir.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF)  A man has been arrested after injuring a Columbia County Sheriffs Office lieutenant and leading officers on a brief police chase.

According to the Columbia County Sheriffs Office, Bobby Dwyane Burnett, 26, of Augusta, walked into the CCSO Headquarters building on County Camp Road in Appling around 2 P.M. with, what authorities say, the sole purpose of requesting a background check.

Bobby Dwyane Burnett, 26

According to authorities, it was discovered that Burnett had an active Probation Violation warrant, and while leaving the building and walking to his vehicle, Burnett was confronted by two deputies which included Lieutenant Brandon Thacker.

According to officers, Burnett proceeded to drive away dragging Lt. Thacker down County Camp Road for approximately 100 yards before Lt. Thacker managed to break free from the vehicle.

ALSO ON WJBF: Aiken man arrested in connection to October 2023 murder

After dispatchers in the Real Time Crime Center sent out an alert, authorities say a deputy spotted Burnetts vehicle on Columbia Road at South Old Belair Road, and a brief pursuit ensued with the Georgia State Patrol assisting by pitting Burnetts vehicle on Warren Road in Richmond County.

According to CCSO, Burnett has been charged with Aggravated Assault involving a Law Enforcement officer, Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer and Fleeing/Attempting to Elude.

Lt. Brandon Thacker

Authorities state that ambulance and fire rescue units provided medical attention on scene, and Lieutenant Thacker was transported to AU Medical Center and has been listed to be in stable condition.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke on Tuesday morning with Chinas Minister of National Defense Adm. Dong Jun, marking both Austins first call with Dong and his first at-length conversation with his Chinese counterpart since November 2022.

During their teleconference call, Austin and Dong discussed U.S.-PRC defense relations and regional and global security issues, a news release said Tuesday morning.

Secretary Austin underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea, the release said. He also discussed Russias unprovoked war against Ukraine and expressed concerns about recent provocations from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK). The Secretary also reiterated that the United States remains committed to our longstanding one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances, and he reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Strait.

Dong, a former naval commander, was appointed as Chinas defense minister in December last year. A senior defense official on Monday declined to say for how long the call between the two had been in planning, but said they typically take some time to schedule and prepare for on both sides.

The conversation is a result of the meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November, the official said, which followed months of strained silence between the two countries. In 2023, China rejected a US proposal for Austin to meet with his then-counterpart Li Shangfu at the Shangri-La Dialogue Security Forum in Singapore.

It also comes less than two weeks after US and Chinese military representatives met in-person in Honolulu for the first meeting of its kind in years after cancellations by China.

I think that what weve seen is the PRC committed to reestablishing or reopening these lines of communication  The call between the Secretary and the Minister is another step in that set of engagements, an important one, but certainly should not be the last one, the official said. I think well have more coming throughout this year.

While US officials said last fall that there had been an increase in unsafe behavior by Chinese pilots against US aircraft in the Pacific, the senior defense official on Monday said they have not seen that behavior since November.

We have, however, seen behavior that risks escalation, very coercive behavior towards the Philippines and the maritime domain, particularly around Second Thomas Shoal, the official said.

In his conversation with Dong on Tuesday, the release said Austin reiterated that the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate  safely and responsibly  wherever international law allows.

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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday morning spoke with his Chinese counterpart, reestablishing top-level military communications between the two countries for the first time in nearly two years.

Austin and Chinese Minister of Defense Adm. Dong Jun, who spoke via video teleconference, discussed U.S.-China defense relations, operating in the South China Sea and U.S. policy toward Taiwan, as well as the war in Ukraine and recent provocations from North Korea, according to a Pentagon readout of the call.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the call, a senior defense official said the dialogue is meant to ensure competition with China doesnt veer into conflict.

We think having these open lines of communication is important to avoid any kind of misperception, misunderstanding, miscalculation, anything that would cause competition to spiral into conflict, they said.

This is the first time Austin has spoken with Dong, who took over as Chinas top military official in December after his predecessor was removed without explanation, and the first time the Pentagon chief had a substantive exchange with a Chinese counterpart since November 2022.

Austin had interacted with then-Minister of Defense Li Shangfu in June at a dinner in Singapore while both were attending a defense forum, but the two only shook hands as China had rejected a U.S. invitation for a formal meeting.

The call marks another step in the thaw in diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing, coming about five months after a meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco. The two also spoke over the phone earlier this month.

China had ended most military communication with the United States after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) visited Taiwan in August 2022. The trip sparked condemnation from China, which views the independent island as its own territory and has threatened to bring it under its control by force.

But after Biden and Xis meeting, where the two agreed to open more lines of dialogue, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. C.Q. Brown held a video call with his Chinese counterpart in December, the first time the two had spoken.

U.S. and Chinese military officials also met in Waikiki, Hawaii earlier this month to discuss the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA)  a typically annual meeting meant to reduce any air and sea clashes between the two.

An additional set of MMCA meetings is expected later this year, the official said. They added that the two sides are continuing to discuss future engagements between our senior defense and military leaders.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke Tuesday morning with Chinas minister of defense  the highest level of military communications to resume between the two countries.

In a readout of the call, the Pentagon said they discussed the war in Ukraine, North Korea, operating in the South China Sea and U.S. policy toward Taiwan.

The last time Austin held such a conversation was in late 2022. Since then, Chinas defense minister seat has turned over twice  partly due to a broad anti-corruption purge in the Chinese military. The position is now held by Adm. Dong Jun, who Austin spoke with for the first time on Tuesday.

China ended most military talks with the U.S. in 2022, after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Ca., visited Taiwan, which Chinas government considers a rogue breakaway province.

Dongs predecessor  Gen. Li Shangfu  was sanctioned by the U.S. government for his former role in buying weapons for the Chinese military. China said Li wouldnt speak with his American counterpart while under sanctions, though U.S. officials disagreed with the rationale. Last year, while attending a conference in Singapore, Li and Austin shared only a handshake.

The short greeting reflected the state of U.S.-China relations, especially as it concerned their militaries. After Pelosis visit, China became more aggressive in the Taiwan Strait. Last fall, Pentagon officials publicly criticized the Chinese military for a pattern of reckless behavior around American ships and aircraft  like flying a jet just feet away from a U.S. bomber.

The two countries agreed to resume military talks at a summit in November near San Francisco. There, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese Leader Xi Jinping pledged to have their governments speak more often in an effort to relax the relationship. Austins call is now part of a long queue of such meetings.

Biden and Xi spoke over the phone earlier in April.

Since November, American officials have said China has stopped the unsafe behavior around U.S. forces. But that hasnt been the case around Americas allies, such as the Philippines. Manila resupplies an outpost on Second Thomas Shoal, a reef in the South China Sea, about once a month. On recent trips, Chinese forces have harassed Filipino vessels, firing water cannons and even disabling one ship.

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking with reporters this week, said that behavior risks escalation. America has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.

With the call Tuesday, the Pentagon has almost completed its first lap of military talks agreed to in the summit in November. The two countries top military officers have already spoken with each other, as have other defense officials and military operators responsible for the Pacific.

Theyre not asking us for anything in return for holding the exchanges, the defense official said. Were not offering anything in return.
(Bloomberg) -- Australia plans to set up an independent regulator to hold business to account over environmental breaches.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Environment Protection Agency will audit companies  including in the nations crucial mining and energy sectors  to ensure they are complying with regulations, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said in a press release. It will be able to issue so-called stop-work orders to those breaking the law, and through courts issue maximum fines of A$780 million ($500 million) and prison sentences of as long as seven years.

The move follows an audit ordered last year that found about one in seven developments may not have properly compensated for the impact they were having on the environment, Plibersek said. The government, which came to power just under two years ago promising to end the nations reputation as a climate laggard, is seeking to slash emissions and protect the environment while sustaining its multibillion-dollar resource exports.

Read More: Australia Plans IRA-Style Act to Drive Green Manufacturing Tilt

Mining and natural gas extraction account for just over an eighth of Australias gross domestic product. Some companies have said the new body will create another layer of bureaucracy and lead to further delays in approvals as Australia already has similar watchdogs at state and territory level.

If the Federal Government gets it wrong, better environmental outcomes are at risk, and the ongoing economic contribution of the sectors existing operations and A$93 billion in future Western Australian investment projects and associated jobs are threatened, said Rebecca Tomkinson, chief executive officer of The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

A 2020 government review found the time to decide whether to approve new mines and projects had blown out to an average of 1,013 days. Australia will allocate A$100 million to speed up environmental approval decisions, including on renewables and critical minerals, Plibersek said Tuesday.

The EPA will also be responsible for enforcing other federal laws including wildlife trafficking and the dumping of waste at sea. The government will also set up Environment Information Australia to improve access to data and publicly report on progress toward environmental goals, it said.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Australian police are now saying that the stabbing of a church bishop and priest during a livestreamed mass outside of Sydney is a "terrorist incident."

A 16-year-old male suspect, who has not been publicly identified, remains in custody Tuesday following the attack Monday night at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley.

"We believe there are elements that are satisfied in terms of religious motivated extremism," New South Wales state Police Commissioner Karen Webb said Tuesday, according to Reuters. "After consideration of all the material, I declared that it was a terrorist incident."

The church's livestream showed a man, later identified as Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, behind the altar in the church when a man walked toward him holding an unknown object. The man lunged at him and began to stab him in the chest.

SYDNEY CHURCH STABBING SUSPECT IN CUSTODY

An attacker approaches Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a church service at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, Australia, on Monday, April 15.

Churchgoers screamed and rushed to help the bishop, who could be seen falling to the ground as the suspect continued to attack.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Video of the attack spread quickly on social media and an angry crowd converged on the church demanding vengeance, according to The Associated Press. They hurled bricks and bottles at police, who temporarily barricaded the suspect inside the church for his own safety.

First responders attended to 30 people involved in the incident outside the church, which left 7 injured  including police, Reuters reports. Twenty police vehicles also were damaged, the news agency added, citing Webb.

Webb said the teen suspect in the church attack had been known to police, but had not been on a terror watch list. He had been convicted in January of a range of offenses including possession of a switchblade knife, being armed with a weapon with an intention to commit an indictable offence, stalking, intimidation and damaging property, but a Sydney court had released him on a good behavior bond, the Associated Press reports, citing the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

AUSTRALIAN KILLERS FATHER REVEALS WHY SON TARGETED WOMEN DURING DEADLY STABBING AT SYDNEY MALL

Broken glass is cleaned up from the road after police held back an angry mob following a stabbing at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley in Sydney, Australia.

Emmanuel has a strong social media following and is outspoken on a range of issues, including the situation in Gaza and COVID-19 restrictions, according to the AP.

The church said in a statement that "the attacker approached the lectern with a concealed knife then lunged forth to deliver multiple blows; to the head, then several to the body."

"The man also made another attempt on one of our Parish Priests, Fr. Isaac Royel, who is also receiving treatment for injuries sustained," it added. "No one else in the Church suffered injury through the attacker [and he] was quickly apprehended by faithful sitting nearby, and has been detained by Police who now have him in custody."

It also said Emmanuel is "stable and improving."

The attack happened just days after a stabbing spree at a mall in Sydney left six dead.

Fox News Stephen Sorace and The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Australia says bishop, priests church stabbing was a 'terrorist incident'
Experts believe that it was only a matter of time before the two most popular aesthetics merged into one. Thus, a new trendy hairstyle called the "mob bob" flooded the web.

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Just as the "old money" style reigned supreme in 2023, the "gangster's wife" trend on TikTok is a hit in 2024. The haircut has the same glamor, but adds sass, Glamour writes. Along with animal print and designer accessories, one of the main features of the "mafia wife" aesthetic is voluminous hair that adds sexuality.

What is a mob bob?

The mob bob gives luxury and volume to the hair but is a short length. Posting the trend on TikTok, hairdresser Faye Redfern explained: "The mafia wife haircut is an interpretation of the massive 90s bob. [It has] a lot of fullness at the ends [...] a lot of movement when you blow dry it, so it looks really fun."

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Influencer Nadia Khaled showed the process of creating her mob bob after visiting a hairdresser who understood the task 100%. "This is literally the definition of a mafia wife. The fluidity. Volume," she said.

How to style a mob bob

A great solution is a side parting when blow-drying. "It's going to have a really dramatic Hollywood vibe," said Faye. "The side parting has a modern look.

When it comes to styling, your blow dryer and round brush should do the heavy lifting, but you can enhance the result with a curling iron. "I would take a wide nozzle and curl the ends back to get volume," she advises.

Curved mob bob

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Side parting

Mob bob with a parting in the center

Vintage mob bob

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Retro Mob Bob

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Rachael Dixon died and two other people required treatment in hospital but have since been discharged

An Australian woman has died after drinking an infusion suspected to contain toxic mushrooms at an alternative healing centre north-west of Melbourne.

Rachael Dixon, 53, went into cardiac arrest after drinking an unknown substance at Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre in Clunes at midnight on Sunday, according to authorities.

Two other people required treatment in hospital and have since been discharged.

Its believed a woman was at a retreat on Fraser Street when she became ill after ingesting a drink just after 12am, a Victoria Police spokesman said.

Investigations remain ongoing and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Police are investigating whether the group planned to ingest magic mushrooms.

Soul Barns Facebook page describes the centre as an alternative and holistic health service.

On Saturday night, it was hosting an event about ancient skincare rituals led by a visiting beautician who used infused herbal oils sourced from local farms and wild-foraged plants.

A post said: [The specialist] weaves ancient skincare rituals and combines them with modern techniques to create nurturing yet active facials.

Using infused herbal oils sourced from local farms & wild foraged plants, plus handcrafted skincare from around the world especially chosen for its potency and purity ... This is a facial like none other, one you will never forget!

Guided trips

It was not clear if Ms Dixon and the other two people who required hospital treatment were at the event.

A new post on Sunday said that Soul Barn extended its deepest condolences to the family.

A sound healing session planned for that day was cancelled and Soul Barn remained closed on Tuesday.

The Telegraph has contacted Soul Barn for comment.

Ms Dixons son Matthew paid tribute to his mother on social media on Sunday, writing: To the most loving, most caring person Ive ever known; cant thank you enough for everything you ever did for me and all the support you gave me.

Words cant begin to describe how much I will miss you, wish I could give you one last hug.

Detectives have yet to determine what kind of mushrooms may have been in the drinks.

The ingestion of magic mushrooms in guided trips led by counsellors has become more popular in Australia amid growing research into the possible therapeutic benefits of the psychedelic substance psilocybin.

But as that industry develops, some health experts have raised concerns about a lack of regulation as well as the possibility people could unknowingly ingest poisonous varieties.

Earlier in April, Australian food safety experts issued a warning about the dangers of wild mushrooms.

Deadly mushrooms can look edible

Dr Evelyn Wong, Victorias acting chief health officer, said: There is no home test available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms.

Cathy Moir, the chairman of the Food Safety Information Council, said that social media influencers had also contributed to the popularity of wild foraging.

She said that death cap mushrooms could appear at any time of year but were more common in the two weeks after heavy rain.

They are not native to Australia and are often found near English oak trees, Ms Moir said.

People born overseas, especially in European and Asian countries, should be aware that these deadly mushrooms can look like edible mushrooms they may have gathered in their home countries.

The incident comes less than a year after the highly publicised case involving the alleged murderer Erin Patterson, who has been accused of lacing a family lunch with death cap fungi.

Three people died. Patterson has been charged with murder and attempted murder.

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Tasmanian Devils fight in their enclosure before the first shipment of healthy and genetically diverse devils to the island state of Tasmania are sent from the Devil Ark sanctuary in Barrington Tops on Australia's mainland

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Archaeologists surveying the Juukan Gorge rock shelter in Western Australia that was destroyed by Rio Tinto in 2020 have unearthed major finds including the tooth of a Tasmanian Devil that has not been recorded on the mainland in 3,000 years.

The Tasmanian Devil is one of the world's largest meat-eating marsupials that is an apex predator on the country's southern island. It died out on the mainland around 3,500 years ago.

The work, undertaken as part of a remediation agreement between the miner and the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) peoples, is shedding fresh light on the history of human habitation through the last Ice Age, for at least 46,000 years, the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation said in a statement on Tuesday.

The results add to finds from excavations in 2008 and 2014 that included a length of braided human hair that was dated to around 5,000 years ago, and showed a genetic link to Aboriginal people living in the Pilbara in the present.

"The fact we have a collection of these items all from one small part of the planned excavation demonstrates what the PKK people have been saying all along  that this is a very special and important place," said excavation director Michael Slack of Scarp Archaeology.

The destruction of the rock shelters at Juukan Gorge four years ago prompted a global outcry, the departure of Rio's top executives and an overhaul of Western Australia's heritage protection laws.

(Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Michael Perry)
Protester who threatened city council is out of jail

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A pro-Palestinian protester charged with threatening to murder Bakersfield City Council members is out of jail.

On Tuesday, Riddhi Patels bail was reduced to $500,000 and she was not listed in custody later that evening.

During a court hearing Tuesday morning, Patel, 28, was ordered to turn in her passport, not leave the state and be placed on GPS monitoring upon her release.

Judge David Wolf questioned if Patel made her comments in the heat of the moment rather than rationally thinking them through. Still, he found them disappointing and disturbing.

You cant when youre not getting what you want threaten to kill people, Wolf said.

Patel had previously been held on $1 million bail. Shes due back in court next week.

Prosecutor Ken Russell asked for no bail, saying he believes Patel poses an extreme threat to public safety, especially considering the targets of her comments.

Her attorney, Deputy Public Defender Jacob Evans, argued for the reduction. He said Patel would agree to probation terms imposed by the court.

In reducing bail, Wolf noted Patel has no prior criminal record and didnt appear to own any firearms.

Patel was arrested April 10 after telling the council during public comment, Well see you at your house. Well murder you.

Patel, one of several people to demand the council pass a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, was railing against recent security measures put in place for city council meetings when she made the comment.

Earlier, she told council members she hopes someone brings back the guillotine and kills all you m.

Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted previous meetings over the council not passing a ceasefire resolution. Several are facing charges, among them a woman accused of breaking a glass door at city hall, causing an estimated $2,000 in damage, and a woman accused of spitting on an officer.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
Bald eagle likely hit by a car while hunting for food, Missouri officials say

An injured bald eagle found in a field is expected to make a full recovery after an officers quick actions, Missouri officials said.

Warren County Agent Ashton Crance found the bald eagle with a broken wing lying next to roadkill, officials said in a Facebook post.

The bird was likely hit by a car while scavenging the roadkill opossum, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The eagle is being treated by the World Bird Sanctuary and will be released back into the wild after the wing heals, officials said.

Warren County is about a 65-mile drive west of St. Louis.

Firefighters rescue injured bald eagle found while en route to another Missouri call

Photographer found sick bald eagle in state park. Now officials know what killed it

Bald eagle found dead after neighbor reports gunshot, Missouri officials say
Ban cellphones in Arizona schools? Lawmakers thought it would be that easy

I am a retired Arizona public school teacher. By the end of my career, almost every middle school and high school student had a cellphone.

I watched as teachers and administrators struggled with how to handle the distraction, while parents wanted their sons and daughters to have them to keep in touch.

Now, the Arizona Legislature seems to believe they have solved the distraction. All that is needed is to ban cellphones.

Why are teens so hopeless? Blame social media

Not so fast. The result of a state ban in place of district policies is an administrative nightmare.

How will cellphones be collected from students? Will there be pat downs prior to entering school? When students smuggle the cellphones into class, will the cellphones be confiscated? Will school security be called?

A case hangs on the wall inside a classroom where cellphones are placed as the enter class at Northwest High School in Canton, Ohio, on Monday, March 18, 2024.

Or as a state issue, will it be criminal so that police can be called to arrest the student and collect the contraband? Will the collected phones go up for state auction?

Lucky private schools: They get state money and get to make their own decisions about cellphones. They can remove a student for any reason without due process.

Maybe local boards should be left to deal with the issue with parental involvement.

Tim Rockey, Glendale

Whats on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor online or via email at opinions@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona cellphone ban in school was never going to be easy
Climate investor Bay Bridge Ventures is raising a new $200 million fund, TechCrunch has exclusively learned.

Bay Bridge filed paperwork Monday for the new climate fund with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The raise comes at a time when venture investors are increasingly bullish on climate tech.

Though the last few years have been marked by a downturn in the general venture market, a number of firms have raised eye-popping sums to back climate tech founders. SOSV announced on Tuesday a $306 million deep tech fund that will be 70% focused on climate. New Summit Investments is raising a $100 million impact fund. And Congruent Ventures raised a $275 million fund in 2023, turning down $325 million in additional LP interest.

The difference, though, is that those are all relatively established firms. Bay Bridge Ventures is new, having been founded in 2022 with a focus on ESG more broadly and sustainability in particular. Though the firm participated in a $10 million round for SailPlan in 2022, according to PitchBook, it doesnt appear to have any other investments or funds on record, based on a search of SEC filings and PitchBook data.

Still, that doesnt mean Bay Bridge lacks experience. General partner Andrew Karsh left pension fund CalPERS to co-found the firm. His co-founders Joe Blair and Kim Kolt arent new to the scene, either. Blair previously worked at Cota Capital and Obvious Ventures and currently hosts the Epic Human Podcast. Kolt founded For Good Ventures and previously worked at Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank.

The firm did not reply to a request for comment prior to publication.

The teams previous investments span a range of industries, including sustainable shoe company Allbirds, electric grid software startup Arcadia, fleet EV charging company Amply and space launch startup Astra.
In the United States, there is already open talk of Russian influence on the actions of certain representatives of the Republican Party. For example, Republican Michael Turner, who chairs the House Select Committee on Intelligence, said that some of his fellow members of Congress are broadcasting Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine. Earlier, Congressman McCaul said that Russian propaganda "has infected a large part of my party."

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This problem does exist, but it is limited. This opinion was expressed by Oleksandr Merezhko, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, in an exclusive interview with OBOZ.UA.

"It is very good that the Republicans themselves understand this and are trying to fight this phenomenon. Among them are many politicians, congressmen, senators who are supporters of the Reagan approach, i.e., decisiveness in foreign policy and policy of deterring the aggressor. I have talked to the chairmen of the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committees, and they are Republicans who support Reaganism and Ukraine," Merezhko said.

At the same time, in his opinion, these pro-Russian Republicans are marginal figures, so they do not influence much. However, it still worries Ukraine because Russia often takes advantage of this course of events.

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Earlier, it was reported that the United States has not been able to agree on an aid package for Ukraine for more than 5 months because of the confrontation between the administration of US President Joe Biden and the Republican Party and former President Donald Trump.

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The BBC has been accused of allowing trans activists to peddle propaganda in its Scottish coverage of the landmark Cass Review into child gender services.

The campaign group For Women Scotland has made a formal complaint to the broadcaster, accusing it of a lack of balance and allowing partisan commentators to make unfounded claims unchallenged about puberty blockers.

While south of the border the BBC has covered the Cass Review in depth, the day after the report was published BBC Scotland chose instead to focus on an NHS England decision about migraine tablets, already available in Scotland, on its flagship morning radio phone-in.

Meanwhile, on the day the report was released, it convened a panel made up exclusively of critics of the Cass Review on its nightly news programme The Nine.

Ellie Gomersall, a transgender woman and activist, was invited to react to the Cass Review alongside Dr Aidan Kelly, who runs a private gender clinic and has also been publicly critical of the report.

Trans activists have criticised the review of child gender treatment by Dr Hilary Cass - Yui Mok/PA

Ms Gomersall also criticised the Cass Review on BBC Scotlands Drivetime radio show that day and claimed, unchallenged by the host, that the effects of puberty blockers were perfectly reversible.

The Cass Review, however, found that there was no compelling evidence about long-term impacts and could not rule out fears they can damage cognitive and psychological development and fertility. Studies have shown they do harm bone development.

The Telegraph understands that the Scottish Tories, who are leading calls for ban on puberty blockers north of the border, have been invited onto BBC Scotland to discuss the report only once since its release.

The For Women Scotland complaint, to BBC Scotlands Gary Smith, head of news and current affairs, accused the broadcaster of a dearth of Scottish coverage over the Cass Review.

It said where it had been featured, appalling editorial decisions had been made resulting in frequently misleading coverage which was little short of propaganda.

Naturally, the Cass Review did not address the provision of services in the Scottish NHS, but even a cursory investigation should reveal that the situation in Scotland is, if anything, worse, the complaint said.

Despite the troubling findings of the report, affirmation-only care and dangerous experimental drugs continue to be the only show in town in Scotland.

A public service broadcaster should, surely, have been asking the tough questions of ministers and the health service which continues to allow this discredited and damaging approach.

It added: While we should give credit to Drivetime for attempting to cover the issue at all, we were horrified that they gave air time over to the unqualified, non-medical activist Ellie Gomersall who outright lied about studies being ignored in the Cass Report, and was permitted to make wholly unevidenced claims about puberty blockers, regret rates and medical best practice.

Dr Aidan Kelly, who runs a private gender clinic, has also criticised the review - Yoav Pichersky

While the Cass Review was commissioned by NHS England, the Scottish Government is facing calls to adopt its findings with concerns raised over practices at the Sandyford clinic in Glasgow, Scotlands only gender identity clinic for children.

Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, was asked about the report in an interview with BBC Scotlands Good Morning Scotland programme on Tuesday, leading to the BBC publishing only its second online news article on Scottish implications of the review.

The issue did not feature on The Sunday Show, which claims to cover the stories that matter to Scotland, including in its review of Scottish Sunday newspapers where there was widespread Cass coverage.

In his interview, Mr Yousaf reiterated the position that the Cass Report would be reviewed in Scotland but ruled out calls to close the Sandyford, claiming it offered exceptional health care.

Tried to force a ministerial statement

While Mr Yousaf said the review would not take an inordinate amount of time, the Scottish Tories have accused the SNP of burying their heads in the sand over Hilary Casss findings.

Meghan Gallacher, the Scottish Tory deputy leader, on Tuesday attempted to change Holyroods agenda to force a ministerial statement on the issue but was voted down by Green and SNP MSPs.

Ms Gallacher said: The issues examined in the Cass report are extremely serious and vulnerable young Scots and their parents deserve to know what the SNP Governments response to it is. This deafening silence is unacceptable.

A BBC Scotland spokesman said: We regularly receive feedback from a variety of audience members on this important issue.

We are committed to covering the subject impartially, which means taking into account not just one days coverage but examining this issue over time. We will, of course, answer any official complaints in the usual way.

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Rural health outcomes would improve if more states expanded Medicaid, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra told a Senate panel Tuesday.

During a hearing on the administrations budget request, Sen. Cindy-Hyde Smith (R-Miss.) said she is particularly worried about maternal care deserts caused by hospital closures. Mississippi sees some of the worst maternal health outcomes in the country, she said, and often leads the country in infant mortality.

Becerra said telehealth access is crucial, and Congress should ensure the agencys pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities can continue. Many temporary waivers expire at the end of the year.

But more than anything, Becerra said, women in Mississippi would be better served if the state expanded Medicaid.

Many of the women who are having bad outcomes could have qualified for earlier care had they been eligible for Medicaid, he said. I think if we expand Medicaid in some of the states that havent yet done it, about a million and a half more Americans, many of them women who want to deliver a baby, would have access to earlier care and not wait until its a difficult circumstance in the delivery.

Mississippi is one of 10 states that have declined to accept federal money to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

State lawmakers appear closer than ever to adopting expansion. But the legislature passed dueling proposals, and a controversial work requirement is a significant barrier, as is the opposition of Gov. Tate Reeves (R).

Becerra was also pressed by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) about why HHS hasnt yet implemented an anti-addiction law that aims to allow better data sharing, so health providers have all the information necessary to provide medically appropriate care.

We are trying to tackle that HIPAA privacy hurdle, Becerra said, because providers need to understand the new rules.

But Manchin expressed frustration that the agency hasnt been moving faster.

We thought we crossed every hurdle  its just time to implement it. I would implore you, get your staff moving on this one here. Weve waited a long time for it, he said.

Jessies Law, passed by Congress in 2018, was named for a recovering addict who died of an opioid overdose when her discharging physician, unaware of her medical history, prescribed oxycodone.

The law lets doctors access a consenting patients prior history of addiction to make fully informed care and treatment decisions. It requires HHS to develop best practices for hospitals and doctors to display a patients history of substance use disorder when the patient provides that information.

We need the help of providers to make sure theyre getting their personnel to understand the new rules, Becerra said.

Well, I think the quicker you put them out, the quicker theyll understand them, Manchin countered.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Bedford candidates for mayor include man who tried to free Tiger King Joe Exotic

Bedfords mayors race includes the incumbent, a former council member and a newcomer who helped lead the failed effort to pardon Tiger King Joe Exotic, the subject of a Netflix documentary who is in a federal prison on animal cruelty charges and a murder for hire scheme.

The three candidates in the city of 48,724 are Mayor Dan Cogan, former mayor Jim Griffin and Eric Big Juicy Love, who is running for office for the first time. Early voting begins April 22 for the May 4 election.

Love, 57, included the name of his English bulldog Big Juicy on his ballot listing because he wants to pay homage to his dog. He said he decided to run because he doesnt think Bedford is doing enough to bring in new businesses.

Love, a private investigator and philanthropist, helped lead a campaign to request that former President Donald Trump pardon Joe Maldonado-Passage.

I am a person who will speak for others if I see injustice, Love said.

Love said he also attended the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally and filmed Trump speaking but said he did not take part in the storming of the Capitol.

Love said his campaign platform focuses on what he sees as Bedfords weak leadership and failure to take advantage of business opportunities.

But he is also facing criticism for putting out false information that a prime piece of city-owned property, known as Campus West, was sold for $7 million, less than the purchase price of $9.5 million.

Love claims in a video on his campaign website that the city the 18.5-acre property (formerly known as Campus West) at 2005 N. Industrial Blvd.

However, the City Council has not approved the property sale, and the land wont be sold until developers submit site plans, according to the city.

Love told the Star-Telegram that he did not talk to anyone with the city about the status of the property, but he contacted a developer who told him about the sale. Love did not name the developer.

Bedford bought in December 2021 so that the city would have a say in the type of development after residents vehemently opposed more apartments in the city. Plans call for townhomes, restaurants and shops.

Bedford is working with StreetLevel Investments of Dallas on the commercial development and Dickerson Development of Dallas on the residential side.

Love said Bedford is also carrying too much debt and also questioned why the city doesnt have a lower tax rate.

If elected, Love said he would go to each business and meet with the owners to find out what is important to them and what their needs are.

Cogan, 36, was appointed as mayor in September after Michael Boyter resigned.

Cogan teaches sixth-grade science and world cultures at South Euless Elementary. He said he decided to run for mayor because he wants to see Bedford continue to make progress with its business and economic development strategies.

Cogan was first elected to the Place 2 council seat in 2018.

Cogan said when Boyter was at the helm the city was in good shape. He said he was in shock when Boyter resigned.

Cogan said he had a difficult decision to make. I decided that I wanted to stay because I dindt want to see all of the hard work I put in go to waste.

Cogan said he and the council worked repave more streets, attract new businesses and reduce the property tax rate down to its lowest amount in seven years.

Another task in front of the council is choosing a new city manager to replace Jimmy Stathatos, who resigned to take a job in the private sector.

Cogan said he wants to make sure that the remaining parcels of vacant land, including Campus West and Bedford Commons, are developed wisely.

We dont want storage facilities, he said. We dont want pawn shops or low budget hotels. That is just a reflection of what residents want.

Cogan criticized Love for the unsubstantiated claims about Campus West and that Bedford is not business friendly.

What is a candidates motivation and why are they running? I ran six years ago because Im raising my family here. Ive got a vested interest in making sure we do this right.

Griffin, 67, a retired network planner from Verizon, was mayor from 2012 to 2019, when he resigned to run for the Texas House after Jonathan Stickland announced that he wasnt seeking re-election. Griffin lost his bid for the District 92 seat.

Before he became mayor, Griffin was on the city council and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Griffin said he is running for mayor because he has more experience than his opponents in working with other cities and organizations.

Griffin serves on the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Chamber of Commerce executive board, Northeast Leadership Forum and the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Education Foundation.

Griffin said he has forged relationships over the years with leaders from other cities and organizations, but that he hasnt seen much involvement from Bedford.

I really wanted to keep our city connected with my over two decades of experience, he said.

Griffin described Bedford as being at a critical point because it is 98% built out.

Griffin said one of his strengths is economic development and that he served as president of the city economic development corporation.

He also helped attract successful businesses like Turning Point Beer and Whats Poppin Texas and described how he launched an initiative for artists to put up displays in empty store fronts to help bring businesses to vacant shopping centers.

I just have a real passion and love for serving and trying to make our community a better place.
NEW BEDFORD  On a surface level, it appears as if the everyday business of schools has returned to pre-pandemic norms: It's been over three years since most Massachusetts schools returned to full in-person learning, and at least two since students were reminded to mask up and remain 6 feet apart at all times. But despite appearances, the state's latest school attendance data shows that there's still a ways to go in undoing the damage COVID unleashed in March 2020.

When it comes to what the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education refers to as "chronic absenteeism"  when a student is absent 10% or more of the school year  22.2% of all students statewide were chronically absent during the 2022-2023 school year, according to DESE's data. This is an improvement from 2021-22 (27.7%) but still much higher than the pre-pandemic baseline (12.9% in 2018-19). '

Ten percent of the school year usually equates to 18 days out of 180, according to a report released last month by Massachusetts Education-to-Career and Data Hub, provided by DESE.

SouthCoast's two urban hub districts of New Bedford Public Schools and Fall River Public Schools landed toward the top of the list in the 2022-2023 school year, according to DESE's data.

Out of 399 Mass. districts  counting public single-school districts like voc-techs and charters  FRPS had the 27th highest rate, with 37.3% of students deemed chronically absent, and an overall attendance rate of 89.7% for the year. NBPS was No. 33, with 35.8% of students chronically absent, and an attendance rate of 89.9%.

Who is most likely to be chronically absent?

When it comes to who is most likely to be chronically absent, the data shows Pre-K/Kindergarten students and high schoolers were the top two grade-level categories even before the pandemic. In the 2022-2023 school year, 30.5% of Pre-K/K students, and 26.4% of students in grades 9 to 12, were chronically absent. In comparison, grades 1 to 5 was the group with the lowest rate, at 17.7%.

See what's new: New Bedford Emergency Management's new vehicle will be vital at public safety incidents

The March report also highlights that there are racial disparities when it comes to chronic absenteeism.

"Hispanic or Latino students are the most likely of any ethnic-racial group to be chronically absent (34.5% in 2022-23)," the report reads, going on to note higher-than-average rates of chronic absenteeism also for English language learners (33.5%) and students with disabilities (30.4%).

Data for the New Bedford and Fall River public school systems show trends for these groups are in line with  albeit, more severe in comparison to  statewide averages; Fall River stands out with a lower rate of chronically absent English language learners than the state average.

The following table shows how chronic absenteeism for these groups and others in the two districts compares to state data.

NEW BEDFORD FALL RIVER STATE All students 35.8% 37.3% 22.2% Students with disabilities 41.7% 42.1% 30.4% English language learners 38.3% 30.8% 33.5% Low income 38.9% 39.9% 33.5% Hispanic or Latino 39.9% 41.8% 34.5% African American/Black 30.6% 32.4% 25.3% White 33% 35.8% 17%

Students make their way between classes at the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Center for STEAM Education at Global Learning Charter Public School in New Bedford.

Putting chronic absenteeism in context

When asked to comment for a recent Enterprise article on chronic absenteeism, sources pointed to COVID being the culprit from a number of angles.

"Normally when we see a high level of chronic absence, it's often connected to these positive conditions for learning being significantly eroded," Hedy Chang, founder and executive director of Attendance Works, told The Enterprise of Brockton, going on to say, "The pandemic  the disruptions, the health issues, the economic challenges  all affected schools with higher proportions of low-income kids more."

When it comes to percentages of total student populations that are low-income, New Bedford comes in at No. 19 in the state, according to 2023-2024 data, with 79.8% of students considered low-income; Fall River comes in at No. 24, with 78.5%.

In comparison, Brockton Public Schools comes in at No. 34 for highest percentage of low-income students, at 74%. Meanwhile, Brockton came in at No. 65 in the state for chronic absenteeism, with a percentage of 29.8% having been absent 10% or more of the 2022-2023 school year.

Administrations and School Committee members from both New Bedford and Fall River school systems, as well as representatives from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, did not oblige invitations to comment for this article.

"COVID was one driving force, but this was already a problem long before the pandemic," filmmaker and educational leader Carla McCullough told The Enterprise. McCullough is author of an opinion piece titled "Another epidemic is causing Black students to fall behind: Chronic absenteeism" for The Hechinger Report at Columbia University. "Once students were at home, parents were able to see what was going on in the classroom through Zoom, and that is part of what derailed parents from being adamant about sending their kids back to school once classes resumed. I think students also got used to be at home and they didn't necessarily want to go back to some school environments that are not as welcoming."

Keep up with the latest local news: New Bedford city councilor wants closer look at 2020 complaints against Building Dept.

McCullough said older students suddenly being required to work or care for younger siblings also "might be one contributing factor that required students to be home or be less engaged in school."

Why does it matter?

According to the Massachusetts Education-to-Career and Data Hub report, students who were chronically absent in kindergarten had the lowest academic performances among their first-grade peers, "with even lower performance for students in poverty who were chronically absent in kindergarten."

Ultimately, chronic absenteeism can be an early  as well as a more immediate  indicator of a student dropping out of high school, the report suggests.

"In high school, being chronically absent is associated with higher rates of dropout and lower rates of on-time graduation," the report reads, noting nearly 90% of Massachusetts students who dropped out during the 2021-2022 school year had been chronically absent that year, and over half of dropouts were chronically absent in the three years leading up. "As early as sixth grade, chronic absenteeism is an early warning sign that a student is less likely to graduate high school."

According to DESE's statewide 2022 graduation data, the latest available in a statewide report, New Bedford ranked No. 10 in the state when it came to the high school dropout rate, with 19.8% of students having dropped out. Fall River was No. 16, at 14.2%. Brockton came in at No. 39, with 9.1%.

How do you fix chronic absenteeism?

Chang says Attendance Works, a national and state level initiative aimed at addressing chronic absence, recommends a tiered approach to deal with chronic absenteeism that always starts with foundational supports for the entire school. The foundational supports are followed by prevention-oriented supports for attendance, more personalized outreach or early intervention and then intensive intervention.

"Finding out what are some of the crutch barriers some kids face is really important because your solutions then need to reflect your understanding," she said. "Do you need to create more access to health care on campuses? Do you need to make sure there's more guidance on whether kids should show up to school or not? Is part of the challenge that there's bullying going on? Is there a lack of connection to enrichment activities and sports?"

According to the Massachusetts Education-to-Career and Data Hub report, DESE has $4 million allocated to help 170 districts  each having received $10,000 each, as well as "technical support"  for the 2023-2024 school year, meant to help districts enhance one or more of the following: track and monitor attendance data, family engagement practices, "attendance academies for out-of-school learning recovery," and "implementation of evidence-based practices."

It is not known to The Standard-Times whether New Bedford or Fall River were among districts to receive said funding.

Stay current: OSHA fines company after New Bedford dock collapse that injured Eastern Fisheries workers

The report also notes the state's "all-hands-on-deck" approach to addressing chronic absenteeism has involved using data to identify "attendance priority schools," and a January 2024 multilingual ad campaign.

More highlights

The five Mass. districts with lowest chronic absenteeism in 2022-2023 were all voc-techs, charters, and in the case of the very lowest rate, a "non-residential magnet school" catering to "academically advanced youth in grades 11 and 12," according to an online description of the Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science in Worcester.

The top 12 districts with the state's highest rates of chronic absenteeism are all charter schools, with Holyoke Public Schools being the top comprehensive public school district on that list.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford, Fall River schools rank high in chronic absenteeism
Police stand guard outside the front entrance of the event venue as the National Conservatism conference takes place in Brussels, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sylvain Plazy)

BRUSSELS (AP)  Belgian police shut down a gathering of far-right politicians and supporters on Tuesday, citing concerns about public order, while attendees protested curbs on free speech and vowed to find another venue for the second day of their meeting.

The annual National Conservative conference, held this year in Brussels, comes ahead of Europe-wide elections. As campaigning for the June 6-9 event heats up, mainstream parties fear that disenchanted voters might turn to the people at NatCon 2024.

This is what were up against. Were up against a new form of evil ideology," Nigel Farage, the man credited with taking Britain out of the European Union, told the gathering of a few hundred stridently nationalist and fundamentalist Christian politicians and think-tankers.

British and Belgian leaders expressed concern the event had been forced to close. A spokeswoman for Rishi Sunak said the British prime minister found reports police had shut down the National Conservatives conference extremely disturbing.

The prime minister is a strong supporter and advocator for free speech, and he believes that should be fundamental to any democracy, said spokeswoman Camilla Marshall. Cancelling events or cancelling attendance and no-platforming speakers is damaging to free speech and democracy as a result.

Taking to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said that what happened at the Claridge today is unacceptable. The gathering was taking place at the Claridge event center in the Belgian capital

Municipal autonomy is a cornerstone of our democracy but can never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly since 1830. Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop, he wrote.

Belgian police shut down the conference by barring attendees from reentering the venue if they dared to leave. A dozen or so officers blocked the main entrance. It was the third venue selected for the gathering after the owners of two other locations shied away when anti-fascist protesters vowed to disrupt proceedings.

Around 50 protesters approached the Claridge late in the afternoon, after most of the conference-goers had left, and hours after police tried to close the meeting down.

Earlier at the event, anti-migrant sentiment featured in a number of speeches. Some targeted what they saw as the follies of climate policy, narco-socialism or woke indoctrination, often with sharp opposition to multinational organizations like the EU.

Lashing out at the blocs treaties, and the pledge in the preamble of the founding EU texts to an ever-closer Union among the 27 member countries, Polish lawmaker Ryszard Legutko said it all makes medieval monks look almost like intellectual anarchists.

Surveys suggest that mainstream political parties are likely to retain power after the June elections, but quite possibly with a reduced majority.

This years NatCon, organized by the conservative U.S. think tank the Edmund Burke Foundation, was held under the banner of National Conservatism, Preserving the Nation-State in Europe.

French far-right figurehead Eric Zemmour was scheduled to criticize the EUs new migrant and asylum rules but was turned away by police. Suella Braverman, who served as U.K. home secretary for just over a month in 2022 before being fired, railed for 27 minutes against the European Court of Human Rights.

Politicians and former leaders from Spain, Poland and the Netherlands were also on the agenda. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was due to speak on Wednesday.

I guess they couldnt take free speech any longer, Orban posted on X about the shutdown. The last time they wanted to silence me with the police was when the Communists set them on me in 88. We didnt give up then and we will not give up this time either!

Speakers summoned the grand ideas of figures like the Pope, Homer, Dostoyevsky, Leo Strauss, Tocqueville and Gramsci. English was the common language, spattered with classical Latin. Modern liberal democracy was likened to a form of neo-Marxist authoritarianism.

Mostly though, those who could speak before the gathering was shut down for the day focused on their enemies among the mainstream political parties.

We have to know our enemies are in panic and they show it every day, said EU lawmaker Hermann Tertsch, from Spains far-right Vox party. The enemy knows their time is running out.

As Brussels police warned that the conference's time was limited, too, Edmund Burke Foundation Chairman Yoram Hazony invited participants to stay as long as they dared.

The new democracy works in mysterious ways. Your goal as someone in the new democracy is to prevent the other guy from speaking, Hazony had said as the conference opened.

___

Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.
Beloved 138-year-old church in Queens may have to shut its doors

Beloved 138-year-old church in Queens may have to shut its doors

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11)  A beloved 138-year-old church in Queens may have to close its doors. Rev. Joyce Dugger from the First Congregational Church of Rockaway Beach reached out to PIX11 News to help this community gem stay open and help the neighborhood thrive.

Dugger said that besides spiritual help, they provide mental health resources, even free yoga for seniors. They need help to keep their mission alive.

More Monica Makes It Happen

The church doors have been open to those in need since 1885. Duggar said its a place of worship but also a hub of community resources, offering a food pantry that hosts weekly distributions, free mental health and wellness care, and more.

For Diana Rivera, just the thought of this church closing due to financial need breaks her heart. Duggar said even though attendance is down post-pandemic, services to the community never stopped and even increased, especially for the children.

Sylvia Hamilton is considered the grandmother of the church and helps with childrens programs. Duggar said with just the flood insurance to the church in the tens of thousands of dollars she is praying for a miracle to help keep this place open.

If you have a story, reach out to Monica Morales at monica@pix11.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Beloved car enthusiast found by parents shot and stabbed in garage, Minnesota cops say

A car enthusiast known as a pillar of the Minnesota auto community was found dead in a violent assault, authorities say.

The Carver County Sheriffs Office said the 33-year-old man, identified by loved ones as Erik Berger, was discovered by his parents Friday, April 12, lying on the floor of an auto garage in Chanhassen. His parents began CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene when first responders arrived.

Berger had been shot and stabbed, SW News Media reported, citing a report from the sheriffs office.

The man accused of assaulting Berger, a fellow car collector, was later discovered dead after killing himself at his home in Minneapolis, according to the Star Tribune. Berger and the accused attacker knew one another, the sheriffs office said, but a motive for the killing is unclear.

The garage where Berger had been stabbed and shot is Chanhassen AutoPlex, according to Bring Me The News. More than 100 owners store and showcase their vehicles at the autoplex, which it calls a local man cave for car enthusiasts to work on their vehicles.

Berger was described by friend Alec Rosin as a true OG in the car community.

He was around from the beginning and was one of those car guys that all the other car guys could admire, Rosin said in a Facebook post. He was competent, witty, and in his prime. He had many people who loved him dearly and he had a great future ahead of him.

Another one of Bergers friends, T.J. Beadle, called him a pillar in the community for car enthusiasts. Beadle told the Star-Tribune that Berger, a collector of vintage BMWs, would rarely miss a car event

Scott Berger said in a Facebook post mourning his brothers death will be long and painful.

Erik lived more life, a richer life, and accomplished more in 33 short years than many of us could hope to do in 103 years, Scott Berger said.

Chanhassen is about a 20-mile drive southwest of Minneapolis.

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As fallout over the Israel-Hamas war grows, the head of the embattled Berkeley public school district is being summoned to Washington, D.C., to testify in front of congressional members amid allegations of antisemitism in her schools.

Berkeley Unified Supt. Enikia Ford Morthel said Monday that she would travel to the nation's capital for a May 8 hearing to field elected officials' questions in the latest chapter of congressional inquiries into campus antisemitism that previously contributed to the resignations of the presidents of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania.

The hearing in the House Education and Workforce Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), comes as the district of 9,100 students battles accusations that it has become an unwelcome place for Jews since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and Israel's retaliatory war in Gaza.

Read more: 'I can't focus on anything but rage.' Pro-Palestinian protests roil elite Pomona College

In March, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and the Anti-Defamation League filed a federal complaint with the Department of Education over "severe and persistent" harassment and discrimination against Jewish kids enrolled in Berkeley schools. It said school leaders "knowingly allowed" a "viciously hostile" anti-Jewish environment.

The center, which is run by a former Education Department assistant secretary for civil rights under President Trump, has lodged similar complaints against multiple higher education institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania and Wellesley College. It also sued the University of California and UC Berkeley officials in the fall over allegations of campus antisemitism.

Last week, a Jewish parent in the Berkeley district, Yossi Fendel, also sued the district, saying it failed to adequately respond to his requests to release ninth-grade teaching materials about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That lawsuit was filed with the Deborah Project, a legal group that focuses on antisemitism in schools.

The Brandeis center and the Deborah Project did not reply to requests seeking comment.

Pro-Palestinian parents in the district, including a Jewish group called Berkeley Unified School District Jewish Parents for Collective Liberation, have said that people making complaints conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism. As a result, they have widely labeled pro-Palestinian activity, such as lessons on Israelis and Palestinians and student protests, as anti-Jewish, according to the pro-Palestinian parents.

Read more: 'Please leave!' A Jewish UC Berkeley dean confronts pro-Palestinian activist at his home

Morthel will be joined at the hearing by New York City Schools Chancellor David C. Banks and the board of education president of Montgomery County, Maryland, Karla Silvestre. The school districts, which are among the largest in the U.S., have also seen intense activism over the Israel-Hamas war and reports of anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim or anti-Arab incidents.

A spokeswoman for Berkeley schools said that Morthel, who previously worked in schools in San Francisco and Hayward, "did not seek this invitation."

"As our superintendent has shared many times, Berkeley Unified celebrates our diversity and stands against all forms of hate and othering, including antisemitism and Islamophobia," the spokeswoman, Trish McDermott, said in a statement.

"We strive every day to ensure that our classrooms are respectful, humanizing, and joyful places for all our students, where they are welcomed, seen, valued, and heard. We will continue to center our students and take care of each other during this time."

The Berkeley Unified School District Jewish Parents for Collective Liberation, which includes about 60 parents, said Monday that the May hearing is "part of the MAGA Republican war on education."

"Jewish children are safe and thriving in Berkeleys diverse schools," the statement said. "As Jewish Berkeley parents, we reject the notion that there is rampant antisemitism in our schools; it is simply not true. A handful of parents have painted a false picture of our city in the national media, fueling the national right-wing attack on education."

"These congressional hearings are not about Jewish students well-being," the group continued. "This is part of the MAGA Republican war on education that is restricting public school students right to learn."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NEW ORLEANS (KLFY)  A company in Berwick will pay damages to a former job applicant for withdrawing a job offer due to the applicants ADHD, federal officials said.

Eagle Marine Services Electrical and Refrigeration, LLC, a marine services company based in Berwick, has agreed to pay a former job applicant $45,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency announced today.

Under the court-approved consent decree settling the suit, Eagle Marine will pay the

candidate $45,000 in back pay and damages, and also conduct training, revise policies, provide regular reports to the EEOC and post a notice affirming its obligations under the ADA.

According to the EEOCs lawsuit, the company withdrew a job offer after a company-ordered medical examination revealed the candidate had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and took prescribed medication, Adderall, for treatment.

According to the EEOC, the company failed to make any individual assessment of the workers medication use or whether it would affect his ability to safely perform the job.

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This violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, which forbids discrimination against an individual because of disability. The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans.

This resolution provides appropriate relief for the former applicant and sends the message that employers are obligated to assess and hire individuals with disabilities in accordance with the law, said Rudy Sustaita, regional attorney for the EEOCs Houston District Office.

Librarians turn to civil rights agency to oppose book bans and their firings

Peter Theis, a senior trial attorney in the EEOCs New Orleans Field Office, said employers who use pre-employment medical screenings need to do so in a way that does not discriminate.

Employers cannot reject an applicant simply because the medical screener indicates that

there are restrictions, Thies said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
On Tuesday, April 16, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the draft law No. 10449 on mobilization in Ukraine. The document will come into force in a month.

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This is evidenced by information on the website of the Verkhovna Rada. "Returned with the President's signature," the bill card says.

The document, among other things, introduces basic general military training, repeated military qualification commission for those who are limitedly fit, and restrictions on driving for evaders.

At the same time, the draft law does not mention demobilization and rotation of the military.

According to the text of the document, as amended by the Verkhovna Rada Committee, this law will come into force one month after the day following its publication, except for paragraphs 12 and 13 of subparagraph 2 of paragraph 8 of Section I of this law (regarding amendments to paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 6 of the Law "On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization"), which will come into force eight months after the day following the day of publication of this law.

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The Cabinet of Ministers was instructed, inter alia, to adopt regulations arising from paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 6 of the Law "On Mobilization Training and Mobilization" within eight months of the publication of this law, as well as to develop and submit to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law on improving the mechanisms for rotation of military personnel under martial law, their discharge and medical and social rehabilitation.

As a reminder, on April 11, members of the Verkhovna Rada approved in the second reading draft law No. 10449 on mobilization. A total of 283 MPs voted in favor of the decision.

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According to the rules of procedure and the Constitution of Ukraine, the document was to be signed by the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and submitted to the President for signature, after which the law would come into force in a month.

What does the new law on mobilization provide for?

Among the main provisions of the adopted document:

 instead of conscription, basic military service is introduced for five (in peacetime) and three (in wartime) months. Ukrainians under the age of 24 will be able to choose the year and period of service;

 basic general military training is being introduced, which will become an element of education in universities of all forms of ownership starting in 2025 ;

 persons liable for military service will no longer need to go to the military registration and enlistment office to update their data. This can be done online in a personal account or at an ASC. Citizens who are registered with the military can voluntarily create a personal electronic account of a conscript, person liable for military service, or reservist;

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 the rule on the right to demobilization of people with disabilities, as well as demobilization in connection with the release from captivity (if the serviceman does not wish to continue his service) remains;

 persons liable for military service who have been recognized as partially fit must re-appear for a military qualification commission;

 those who received a disability group II-III after February 24, 2022 (except for military personnel) must undergo a second medical examination to determine their fitness for service.

 military personnel, in case of signing the first contract, are entitled to compensation of 50% of the down payment on a loan secured by a mortgage.

The new law on mobilization also affects Ukrainian citizens of military age who are abroad. Thus, within 60 days, they will need to update their personal data in the CCP. This can be done remotely by email, telephone, or through an electronic cabinet.

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The document provides for restrictions on the right to drive for military service evaders (although there are exceptions).

When checking the documents of persons liable for military service, an authorized representative of the TCC or a police officer will take photos and videos of the process of presenting and checking documents using technical devices and means of photo and video recording.

The new law obliges to have a military registration document with you and show it at the request of a representative of the CCC, a police officer, or the State Border Guard Service. For the period of mobilization, this applies to all citizens aged 18 to 60 who are registered or deregistered.

We would like to add that the draft law No. 10449 was criticized for excluding the provision on demobilization of the military after 36 months of continuous service. This was done at the request of Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.

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It is likely that the government will now be tasked with drafting a separate bill that will regulate the issue of dismissal from military service during the martial law regime. The deadline for its development is eight months.

In addition, on April 10, members of the Verkhovna Rada voted (in the first reading) for a separate draft law No. 10379 to increase responsibility for military offenses. It provides for fines for violation of military registration rules by conscripts, persons liable for military service and reservists, violation of laws on defense, military duty and military service, mobilization training and mobilization, in particular during martial law.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Sodol spoke before the consideration of the draft law on mobilization No. 10449 in the Verkhovna Rada. He said that the Ukrainian army was holding the line with its last strength, so he urged MPs to support the bill.

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Beware of door-to-door sales people in St. Marys; how to handle the situation

ST. MARYS (KSNT)  The St. Marys Police Department is asking its residents to remain vigilant as door-to-door sellers have been reported in the area.

St. Marys Police Chief Derek Cid says in a press release there have been multiple reports of door-to-door sellers in the area. The city currently does not have an ordinance that prohibits door-to-door selling, and it does not require permits.

Topekas St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is about to kickoff

Also, there is no state law prohibiting door-to-door sales, according to the Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobachs website. The Kansas Consumer Protection Act has created some rules that those participating in door-to-door sales must follow. Below is a list of those rules:

High-pressure sales pitches or creating intimidating situations are prohibited.

They must also provide two copies of cancellation forms and a copy of the contract or receipt at the time of sale.

A salesperson must verbally inform customers of their cancellation rights at the time of sale. It must state that Kansas law guarantees three days to cancel any purchase of $25 or more made at their home, often referred to as the Cooling-Off Rule.

The contract or receipt must be dated, show the sellers name and address in large, legible font, and explain the buyers right to cancel.

The contract or receipt must be in the same language as the sales presentation.

Companies are then required to refund the customers money within 10 days of receiving notification of cancellation.

Under the Cooling-Off Rule, it is also against Kansas law for the salespersons or the company to cash your check after three days.

Seller is also prohibited from selling if they are on the Kansas Attorney General Door-to-Door Sales Injunction list

Violation of these can result in a report of the seller to the Kansas Attorney Generals Office or a potential SMPD criminal report.

Endangered lemur born at David Traylor Zoo in Emporia

To file a complaint about a solicitor with the attorney generals office, click here.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
President Joe Biden listens as he meets with Iraq's Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden's administration will help 50 countries identify and respond to infectious diseases, with the goal of preventing pandemics like the COVID-19 outbreak that suddenly halted normal life around the globe in 2020.

U.S. government officials will offer support in the countries, most of them located in Africa and Asia, to develop better testing, surveillance, communication and preparedness for such outbreaks in those countries.

The strategy will help prevent, detect and effectively respond to biological threats wherever they emerge, Biden said in a statement Tuesday.

The Global Health Security Strategy, the president said, aims to protect people worldwide and "will make the United States stronger, safer, and healthier than ever before at this critical moment.

The announcement about the strategy comes as countries have struggled to meet a worldwide accord on responses to future pandemics. Four years after the coronavirus pandemic, prospects of a pandemic treaty signed by all 194 of the World Health Organizations members are flailing.

Talks for the treaty are ongoing, with a final text expected to be agreed upon next month in Geneva. Its meant to be a legally binding treaty that obliges countries to monitor pandemic threats and share scientific findings. But major disputes have emerged over vaccine equity and transferring the technology used to make vaccines.

Even if a deal is hammered out, there would be few consequences for countries that choose not to abide by the treaty.

The U.S. will push on with its global health strategy to prevent future pandemics, regardless of a pandemic treaty or not, a senior administration official told reporters on Monday.

Several U.S. government agencies  including the State Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID  will help countries refine their infectious disease response.

Health systems around the globe have been overwhelmed with COVID-19 and other health emergencies such as Ebola, malaria and mpox, the CDC said in a statement. The new strategy will help countries rebuild their agencies, the U.S. agency explained.

Global health security is national security, and CDC is proud to contribute its expertise, investments and rapid response to protect the health and safety of the American people and the world, Mandy Cohen, the CDC's director, said in a statement.

Congo is one country where work has already begun. The U.S. government is helping Congo with its response to an mpox virus outbreak, including with immunizations. Mpox, a virus that's in the same family as the one that causes smallpox, creates painful skin lesions. The World Health Organization declared mpox a global emergency in 2022, and there have been more than 91,000 cases spanning across 100 countries to date.

The White House on Tuesday released a website with the names of the countries that are participating in the program. Biden officials are seeking to get 100 countries signed onto the program by the end of the year.

The U.S. has devoted billions of dollars, including money raised from private donations, to the effort. Biden, a Democrat, is asking for $1.2 billion for global health safety efforts in his yearly budget proposal to Congress.



Associated Press writer Maria Cheng in London contributed.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  President Joe Biden approved Oregons federal major disaster declaration request on Saturday to help the state recover from Januarys deadly winter weather, the White House announced.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek requested the declaration in March on behalf of the state and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians after a Preliminary Public Assistance Damage Assessment totaled over $48 million.

I am grateful to President Biden for answering our call for help following the January ice and wind emergency and to our federal delegation for amplifying this critical need, Gov. Kotek said. This opportunity for federal assistance will make a significant difference across communities that are still grappling with significant damage from the storm.

Data: Middle-to-high-income residents relocating to Clark County from Portland

The disaster declaration comes after the winter weather blanketed the region with snow and ice and downed hundreds of trees along with powerlines.

The severe winter weather led to 17 deaths in Oregon and caused over 238,900 Oregonians to lose power at the peak of power outages, with some households losing power for two weeks, officials said.

Additionally, over 1,300 small businesses sustained substantial economic losses from the storm, totaling an estimated $165,331,014 from several factors including lost wages and revenue decline, the governors office says.

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The declaration will provide supplemental grants through the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Public Assistance Program to state, tribal, and local governments along with certain nonprofits to help with costs from responding and recovering from the winter storms damage from Jan. 10-22.

Funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repair, or replacement of damaged facilities in several counties including Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Multnomah, and Tillamook counties.

Oregons Office of Emergency Management told KOIN 6 News there is no cap on federal funding for the disaster. Officials said funding is a reimbursement program, so funds will be based on requests from state, local and tribal governments.

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The Office of Emergency Management said federal funds will reimburse 75% of costs.

The Office of Emergency Management previously told KOIN 6 News that Gov. Kotek did not request the president to authorize individual assistance programs that would provide aid to individuals and households for housing, personal property losses, transportation, medical costs, and child care expenses, because the storm damage did not meet FEMAs threshold for that type of assistance.

Reaction from Clackamas County

Clackamas Countys Disaster Management Program Director Daniel Nibouar said they estimated county damages around $2.46 million. The county accounted for about $350,000 of that total, while the remainder came from cities and special districts within Clackamas County.

Seemingly the two most impacted areas of the county was, in general, the Lake Oswego area. There was a lot of ice damage, a lot of trees down and a lot of power outages for a while, Nibouar said. And then also up on Mount Hood. Welches, Government Camp area had some significant ice.

Unlike other noteworthy storms, Nibouar said the county was caught off guard when a significant amount of pipes burst, which led to the need to get bottled water to residents.

I think the frozen pipes was a little bit of a twist that we hadnt seen as much in previous incidents, he said. Getting information in so we understand where the impacts are so we know where to best put our resources is important.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
(Bloomberg) -- Joe Biden came into office in 2021 vowing to undo Donald Trumps harsh policies on the USs southern border and work with governments across Central America to reduce the motivations for their citizens to head north.

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Tapping decades of experience with the region, Biden rebuilt relationships with efforts to boost economic cooperation, not just focus on keeping migrants out. He courted new leaders, alienating some old ones.

None of it was enough.

Record flows of migrants - including hundreds of thousands from countries in South America that the Biden administration hadnt included in its aid efforts - have overwhelmed the system, turning the issue into an existential threat to the presidents hopes of reelection. With Congress stonewalling a long-overdue overhaul, Biden last week said his administration may further restrict migrants ability to claim asylum, echoing some of the Trump-era policies that he had previously rejected.

The administration hoped it would have both the support of Congress on funding and time to implement that root-causes strategy, and that wasnt the case, said Roberta Jacobson, a longtime diplomat who helped lead Bidens border policy in the first months of the administration.

You suddenly had a composition of countries where migrants were coming from that went way beyond the Central American nations the administration had targeted, she added.

Biden administration officials argue there was no way to anticipate the extraordinary wave of migration thats engulfed the world since the pandemic, with tens of thousands turning up at the border from as far away as China and Russia. They blame Congress for failing to approve its $4 billion aid plan for the region or deliver on any of the reforms needed to streamline the process of handling the huge numbers of people seeking to move to the US. The strong American economy has also drawn migrants looking for work and multinational criminal networks have grown to feed the flow.

The White House also points to data from the first quarter of this year, showing a decline - of almost 30%, according to US Customs and Border Protection - in the number of irregular migrants at the border compared to the previous three months.

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Critics argue the Biden administration has failed to follow through on some early initiatives aimed at taking the pressure off the border. Instead, Bidens team has increasingly resorted to leaning on partners in Latin America to turn the migrants around. Some allies felt abandoned. Ambitious gambles like a deal to ease sanctions on the repressive regime in Venezuela - the no. 2 source of migrants - stumbled. With poverty and instability spreading across the region, theres little indication the flow will slow.

The first year of Bidens term felt like it was a series of good plans getting halted, with frequent leadership changes on the issue, according to a former official who asked for anonymity.

Administration officials reject that criticism. The work to rebuild relationships in the region has paid off in increased cooperation, though Washington always wants more, said one official. With Congress blocking aid, Vice President Kamala Harris lined up $5 billion in private-sector investment commitments for the region. Aid programs created more than 250,000 jobs in Central America, according to the White House, and migrant flows from that region have slowed.

Administration officials say theyre acutely aware of the political risks from surging migration, citing the rise of right-wing anti-immigrant parties in Europe.

But the Biden administrations more humane approach on the border - a point of pride for a president whose own ancestors were immigrants - also helped change migrants perceptions, according to aid groups.

The rhetoric has an effect, said Juan Jose Hurtado, director of a Guatemala City nonprofit that works with migrants. Trump created fear, and Bidens message is less clear.

The Biden administration knew that its less aggressive approach would draw more migrants from traditional source countries in Central America, especially after pandemic restrictions ended. To prevent that, it sought to ease the poverty, violence and misrule that led them to leave home.

If you really want to solve the immigration challenges, youve got to deal with the underlying economic issues, said Chris Dodd, a longtime ally who Biden appointed as his special adviser for the region in late 2022.

Dodd spent much of his first year in the role marshaling support for the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, which Biden unveiled at a summit in 2022.

But that program only got off the ground in late 2023.

A network of Safe Mobility Offices set up across the region to offer migrants a lawful pathway and keep them from heading straight for the border are handling fewer cases than the administration hoped, according to the Migration Policy Institute. The White House says the system is generating strong results, with over 170,000 applications to date.

Still, aid groups say many migrants still believe the border offers their best chance for getting to the US and steer clear of the other channels Washington has set up. The growing numbers of people whove made it across the border and managed to eke out a living in the US have also encouraged more of their compatriots to risk the trek.

The Biden administrations diplomatic push across the region also hasnt always delivered results.

Despite regular courting of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, known as AMLO, his government deported less than half as many migrants last year as the year before.

In December, Biden dispatched two rounds of top officials to Mexico City to get AMLOs government to restore funding for deportations that had run out. One group had to endure lecturing from the nationalist leader on the superiority of Mexican family values against social ills like drug use before he agreed to dedicate more funding and make a greater effort.

Lopez Obrador has been blackmailing the Biden administration and getting a pass on other things in exchange for what little cooperation he provides on migration, said Veronica Ortiz, the former head of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations. US officials disagree, pointing out that Mexico has stepped up patrols in recent months to catch migrants. A spokesperson for AMLOs office didnt respond to a request for comment.

Elsewhere, administration outreach has extended to leaders who might otherwise have gotten the cold shoulder were it not for their help on migration. In Guatemala, the third-largest source of migrants, the US has gambled on an outsider anti-corruption activist who won presidential elections last year. Washington steadily upped sanctions pressure on his establishment opponents - including some whod once enjoyed US support - to block their efforts to keep him from taking office, something the US feared could spur a bigger flow of people out of the troubled country. Guatemala has been a bright spot for the administration, with its citizens showing up at the US border in lower numbers in the last two years.

But for all the efforts in Mexico and Central America, arrivals at the border from South America for the first time last year topped those from the traditional Northern Triangle of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala - the focus of many of the administrations root-cause efforts.

That was a surprise for the administration, officials said.

We have these waves of migrants that are the product of the sometimes contradictory, stop-and-go signals the United States sends, Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves said in an interview in May 2023, as his country was struggling to handle tens of thousands of migrants whod come from further south. Aid has been few and far between in amounts that are not very large.

Biden later hosted Chaves at the White House and the two countries ultimately agreed on a new program to reduce the flow of migrants, diverting them to legal channels.

No place symbolizes the transformed nature of the challenge better than the Darien Gap, a stretch of roadless rainforest between Colombia and Panama linking South and Central America. For centuries, it was considered all but impassible. But last year, more than 520,000 people went through it on the way north.

We are witnessing a constant increase, said Ricardo Valenzuela, head of mission support at Doctors Without Borders operations in Colombia and Panama, where the group maintains two medical-assistance centers for migrants at the Darien Gap.

--With assistance from Michael McDonald and Andreina Itriago Acosta.

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The White House has rejected calls from House Republicans for President Joe Biden to testify in their flailing impeachment inquiry.

Special counsel to the president Richard Sauber wrote in a letter on Monday to House Intelligence Committee chair James Comer that last months invitation to the president to testify was a partisan charade.

House Republicans have been unsuccessfully looking for incriminating evidence that Mr Biden used his position to enrich his family and aid their foreign business dealings, including unsubstantiated allegations of bribery.

Your Committees purported impeachment inquiry has succeeded only in turning up abundant evidence that, in fact, the President has done nothing wrong, Mr Sauber wrote.

Your insistence on peddling these false and unsupported allegations despite ample evidence to the contrary makes one thing about your investigation abundantly clear: The facts do not matter to you, he added.

Mr Sauber is leaving the White House next month, possibly revealing that House Republicans efforts to impeach Mr Biden are coming to an end.

Mr Sauber joined the White House in 2022 to lead its response to congressional probes as Democrats were preparing to possibly lose their majorities in Congress in the then-upcoming midterms. In the end, they narrowly lost the House and managed to hold on to the Senate.

Mr Comer had asked Mr Biden to explain, under oath, what role he may have played in his familys businesses.

The chair has argued that the Bidens used their family name to do business, with the committee trying to connect a few phone calls or dinner meetings between Mr Biden and his son Hunter alongside his business partners when Mr Biden was vice-president or out of office.

After interviewing dozens of witnesses, such as Hunter Biden and the presidents brother, James Biden, the committee has been unable to provide any evidence linking the president to his family businesses or to show that he benefitted from their dealings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Biden returns to campaign trail as Trump forced to remain in court for second day of New York hush money trial

Biden returns to campaign trail as Trump forced to remain in court for second day of New York hush money trial

President Biden returns to the campaign trail on Tuesday with a visit to his childhood hometown of Scranton to begin three consecutive days of campaigning in Pennsylvania. While the Democratic incumbent is holding events in the battleground state, his 2024 opponent, Donald Trump, is forced to spend the day in a New York City courtroom for the first ever criminal trial of a former president.

Biden plans to use Scranton, a working class city of roughly 75,000 people, as the backdrop to pitch his new tax plan. His travels through Pennsylvania overlap with the start of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs criminal hush money case against Trump.

Day two of the New York City trial continues with the jury selection at approximately 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Trump has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree relating to alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels during his successful 2016 presidential campaign.

Trump has been ordered to attend the court proceedings Tuesday and every day of the trial. Judge Juan Merchan told Trump that if he fails to be present, a warrant will be issued for his arrest.

TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL ENTERS DAY TWO AS JURY SELECTION CONTINUES

Former U.S. President Donald Trump walks out of the courtroom following the first day of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024, in New York City. Former President Donald Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial.

Biden plans to spend Tuesday night in Scranton before continuing to Pittsburgh on Wednesday morning. He is expected to then briefly visit the White House, but intends to return to Pennsylvania on Thursday, with an event in Philadelphia.

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Scranton, Bidens first destination, blends the personal and political for Biden as he grew up in a three-story colonial home in the Green Ridge neighborhood. His family later moved to Delaware, the state Biden ultimately represented in the U.S. Senate.

"Its hard to draw paths to Biden winning the White House that dont involve Pennsylvania," said Daniel Hopkins, a political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

President Biden will draw a stark contrast with Donald Trump on April 16, 2024, when he visits his birthplace in Scranton, Pennsylvania  while his election rival is stuck in a New York courtroom.

Harry Truman, in 1948, was the last Democrat to become president who did not win the state.

SEE THE 42 QUESTIONS POTENTIAL TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL JURORS ARE BEING ASKED

His opportunity to campaign comes as Trump is sequestered in a courtroom, defending himself against criminal charges. If convicted, Trump could be sentenced to time behind bars.

Former President Donald Trump arrives at Manhattan criminal court with his legal team ahead of the start of jury selection in New York, NY on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Trump pleaded not guilty to all counts last year.

As Monday showed, however, the criminal case against the former president continues to struggle against worries that Trump will get a fair trial.

TRUMP SLAMS BRAGG AFTER PLEADING NOT GUILTY: 'I NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN IN AMERICA'

Yesterday afternoon, 96 prospective jurors were sworn in but more than 50 of them were almost immediately excused for admitting they could not serve as impartial jurors.

"Its a scam. Its a political witch hunt," Trump said after court adjourned Monday.

Former President Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower after departing Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024, in New York City.

Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump held a campaign event ahead of his criminal trial in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania on April 13, 2024.

Judge Juan Merchan, who Trump has repeatedly criticized as being partisan and serving the interest of Democrats, addressed Trump directly before calling the prospective jurors into the courtroom.

NEW YORK JUDGE IMPOSES GAG ORDER ON TRUMP IN BRAGG HUSH MONEY CASE

The judge told Trump that if he fails to be present, a warrant will be issued for his arrest. Judge Merchan also told Trump that he has a right to be present at the trial, but that if he disrupts the proceedings he would be removed. Trump nodded after hearing the instructions.

Traffic passes a sign on the highway at Scranton, Pennsylvania on April 15, 2024.

Judge Merchan denied Trumps request to be excused from the trial next Thursday, after the president expressed he wanted to attend arguments at the Supreme Court about presidential immunity. The judge has not yet ruled on whether the trial will be adjourned so Trump can attend his son Barrons high school graduation.

Before jury selection began, Judge Merchan again denied the defenses request to recuse himself.

Judge Merchan also set a hearing for next Tuesday, April 23 to discuss possible sanctions for Trump violating the gag order.





Original article source: Biden returns to campaign trail as Trump forced to remain in court for second day of New York hush money trial
The Education Department unveiled a draft proposal on Tuesday of President Joe Bidens latest plan to broadly cancel swaths of student loan debt for millions of borrowers.

His plan seeks to forgive unpaid interest for some 25 million Americans who now owe more on their loans than they originally borrowed. It would also help more than 2 million borrowers whove carried their debts for decades and another 2 million borrowers who would have qualified for existing federal programs but failed to enroll. Borrowers who attended low-value programs could see relief as well.

If implemented, the administration said the plan, along with its other student debt relief efforts, would apply to roughly 30 million borrowers as early as this fall.

These distinct forms of debt relief are designed for borrowers struggling with their loans  and thats a lot of people, Education Undersecretary James Kvaal said in a statement. There are 25 million borrowers whose interest is growing faster than they can pay it down. That fact alone shows how badly President Bidens student loan relief is needed.



Biden first announced the plan last week at a community college in Madison, Wisconsin, while other top administration officials went to other swing states to push his pitch.

The proposal, which provides targeted relief for the majority of student loan borrowers, comes as Biden looks to deliver on his campaign promise to cancel some student loan debt after his more sweeping plan was thwarted by the Supreme Court last year.

Senior administration officials have previously told reporters theyre confident that Bidens new attempt is sufficiently different to pass muster before the court. The plan hinges on the Education secretarys legal authority under the Higher Education Act, rather than the Covid-related emergency powers that were the basis for the administrations first plan.

While Democrats and groups in support of debt relief have lauded the Biden administrations efforts, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), who helms the House education panel, slammed the proposal as a reckless and fiscally irresponsible" action.

Mr. President, you have no legal ground to stand upon, Foxx said. Your scheme is not steeped in benevolence or goodwill. It is mired in utter contempt for the Supreme Court and every student, family and hardworking taxpayer in this country.

The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday with a 30-day comment period, and the department said it is still aiming to finalize its rules by the fall.

A separate draft rule focused on relief for borrowers experiencing hardship is slated for the coming months. It is expected to include proposals to grant automatic forgiveness of loans for borrowers at a high risk of default and others who show hardship due to other indicators like high medical and caregiving expenses.

As President Biden said last week, our Administration is working as quickly as possible to deliver relief to as many borrowers as possible, a department spokesperson said about the hardship proposal. As we vigorously continue to develop the NPRM related to hardship for release in the coming months, we also are moving forward with these proposed rules today so we can begin delivering relief to borrowers as early as this fall.
(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden paid $146,629 in federal income taxes on a combined $619,976 in adjusted gross income in 2023  meaning the first family paid an effective federal income tax of 23.7%  according to tax filings released by the White House.

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The amount represents a slight uptick in both income and taxes paid compared to the previous year, driven in part by a small raise for the first lady, a professor at Northern Virginia Community College, and increased Social Security benefits.

The Bidens donated just over $20,000 to charity, led by a $5,000 donation to the Beau Biden Foundation, named for the presidents late son. Other donations benefitted St. Joseph on the Brandywine, the Bidens home parish, and the National Fraternal Order of Police Foundation.

Despite the increase in income  the Bidens made a combined $579,514 in adjusted gross income the previous year  the presidents effective federal income rate fell slightly, from 23.8%. The returns, which were released Monday to coincide with the federal tax-filing deadline, showed that the Bidens wont receive a refund this year and instead had to write a $334 check to the federal government. The Bidens paid a penalty in the amount of $285 for not making enough estimated federal income tax payments before filing the return.

The White House noted that this was the 26th year the Bidens publicly disclosed their tax returns, offering an implicit contrast with former President Donald Trump. Bidens opponent in Novembers presidential election has declined to release his tax returns, and his personal finances made headlines in recent months as he struggled to post a bond to appeal a civil fraud verdict related to his companys activities in New York state.

President Biden believes that all occupants of the Oval Office should be open and honest with the American people, and that the longstanding tradition of annually releasing presidential tax returns should continue unbroken, the White House said in a statement.

Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff also released their federal and state returns Monday, showing they earned a combined adjusted gross income of $450,299 and paid $88,570 in federal income taxes.

The couple paid $26,766 in California and District of Columbia income taxes and contributed $23,026 to charity. Like the first family, Harris and Emhoff owed a penalty - $451 - for not making enough estimated payments.

The disclosures come as lawmakers on Capitol Hill are girding for a fight next year over the renewal of tax cuts passed during Trumps presidency. Biden has proposed letting the tax rates on corporations and Americans making over $400,000 per year increase, while offering credits for families with children and high mortgage rates  a proposal hes expected to detail Tuesday during a trip to the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

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Ukraine can win the war against the Russian occupiers. If the Russian Federation wins, the consequences will spread to other countries as Moscow, Beijing, Pyongyang and Tehran will "create a new world order."

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Former NATO Secretary-General (1999-2004), British politician George Robertson shared his opinion on the prospects of a full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war in an interview with the Austrian newspaper Die Presse. Commenting on the consequences for the North Atlantic Alliance if Ukraine loses, he said,

"I don't even want to think about it. Ukraine can win this war, and one day it can become a member of the EU and NATO. But if [Vladimir] Putin wins the war, then Russia, China, North Korea and Iran will create a new world order, and then we will all be in a very uncomfortable position."

A scenario in which Russia wins would be "dramatic," Robertson added.

The Russian Federation may not dare to directly attack NATO member states. However, "there is no doubt that Russia would be much more aggressive in the so-called gray zone if it won the war. This includes cyberattacks, election manipulation, organized crime, and attacks on critical infrastructure."

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Earlier, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who visited Kyiv on April 15, admitted that the West is not doing enough to help Ukraine in the war against the Russian occupiers.

Earlier, Estonian Chief of the General Staff Enno Mits believes that the Russian Armed Forces are using the so-called amoebic tactics in the war against Ukraine as the invaders are unable to make a deep breakthrough. The enemy has to experiment with smaller forces and hope for success.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden reported a federal adjusted gross income of $619,976, according to their 2023 federal income tax returns, which were released by the White House on Monday.

The president and first lady filed their income tax return jointly and paid $146,629 in federal income tax, according to the records reviewed by Fox News Digital.

Their 2023 effective federal income tax rate was 23.7%.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden listen as Maria Shriver, the former first lady of California, speaks during a Womens History Month reception in the East Room of the White House on March 18, 2024 in Washington, DC.

FLASHBACK: BIDENS REPORT ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME OF $579,514 IN 2022

The president and first lady also released their Delaware income tax return and reported paying $30,908 in Delaware income tax.

First Lady Jill Biden also released her Virginia income tax return and reported paying $3,549 in Virginia income tax  from her teaching at Northern Virginia Community College.

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An annual presidential salary is $400,000.

In 2022, the president and first lady reported a federal adjusted gross income of $579,514. In 2021, they reported $610,702. In 2020, the first couple earned $607,336, which was down from the $985,223 they reported in 2019.

President Joe Biden's administration oversaw some of the highest national average gas prices in U.S. history

The president and first lady also reported contributions of $20,477 to 17 different charities, including a $5,000 contribution to the Beau Biden Foundation, a public charity dedicated to ensuring that all children are free from the threat of abuse.

They also donated to St. Joseph on the Brandywine, their home parish, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the National Fraternal Order of Police Foundation, among other charities.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff reported federal adjusted gross income of $450,299. They paid $88,570 in federal income tax and had a federal income tax rate of 19.7%.

FLASHBACK: WHITE HOUSE RELEASES BIDEN'S 2021 TAX RETURNS

Harris and Emhoff also paid $15,167 in California income tax and Emhoff paid $11,599 in District of Columbia income tax.

Harris and Emhoff contributed $23,026 to charity in 2023.

The White House, in a statement after the release of the returns, said the Biden administration has restored "the bipartisan tradition of sharing presidential tax returns with the public."

Emhoff spoke to "Watch What Happens Live" host Andy Cohen about his marriage with the vice president.

"President Biden has now shared a total of 26 years of tax returns with the country," the White House said Monday. "Once again demonstrating his commitment to being transparent with the American people, President Biden has released the most tax returns of any commander-in-chief while in office."

The White House added that the president "believes that all occupants of the Oval Office should be open and honest with the American people, and that the longstanding tradition of annually releasing presidential tax returns should continue unbroken."





Original article source: Bidens report adjusted gross income of $619,976 in 2023
Kys 2024 General Assembly was awful but it could have been way worse | Opinion

The Kentucky General Assembly is mercifully over; lawmakers are driving home to gleefully brag about how the state can now lock up a lot of homeless people.

Yes, House Bill 5, the Safer KY Act, that will cost taxpayers billions without solving our declining crime rate, was disastrous bill that Republicans will say is their greatest achievement of this seemingly endless session.

Surprisingly, however, the General Assembly did achieve some good this time around, enough at least to consider this session less of a dumpster fire, and more of an oily plume of smoke in the distance.

Probably the best thing they did was pass an omnibus or Momnibus bill to improve women and childrens health, shorn of obnoxious political maneuvers by abortion foes.

Women from both parties came together to join Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mills original momnibus, which among other things would expand health coverage for pregnancy, to another bill aimed at improving maternal and infant mortality.

As education advocate Nema Brewer observed on X: Its amazing what happens when both parties work towards policy that helps more than hurts. And it was led by women. From both parties. Theres a lesson here.

There sure is. And maybe the women will lead it.

Other legislative successes came out of omission rather than commission. So lets look at the other winners and losers of the session:

Winners: WE THE PEOPLE. The Senate decided to end the long tortured life of HB 509, which would have created huge a loophole in the states Open Records Act. It just goes to show that enough public outrage can move the needle, and that government accountability is still a concept that matters. Until next year.

Losers: Students who will still not be protected from abusive teachers because House Bill 275, a sweeping corrective, failed at the last minute. Its very curious because the bill passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate. The Senate made some changes, and the House never bothered to concur with them. Why? Does someone think an abusive teacher should move around school districts? That teachers dont need more training? That its not a problem, despite enormous evidence to the contrary? This is the second year in a row this bill has failed, and its a disgrace.

Winners: Students. Lawmakers may not think teacher sex abuse is a problem, but they at least recognized that child labor laws should not be loosened. Sorry to Phillip Pratt and his landscaping business, but House Bill 255 is dead.

Losers: Public school teachers who did not get a sufficient raise in the budget and public schools in general, which in addition to suffering enormous verbal abuse from elected officials and tiny amounts of funding increases, will now have to face a constitutional amendment to send public tax dollars to private and religious schools.

Winners: Gay people, Black people, really anyone who is not straight and white. Anti-DEI legislation, this years performative culture war target, could not get to the gate. Maybe legislative leaders looked at substantive legislation like the Momnibus bill and realized how silly this all was? One positive consequence was discussions of DEI led to serious questions about how well underrepresented students are doing at Kentucky universities. Lets follow up on that, please.

At the same time, the Fairness Campaign reported that 10 anti-LGBTQ bills had failed.

Today marks a massive victory in the fight against worsening hostility toward LGBTQ Kentuckians, Fairness Campaign director Chris Hartman said. Over the last few months, thousands across the commonwealth stood fiercely in defense of their LGBTQ friends, family and neighbors, and made it clear to lawmakers: enough is enough.

Losers: Everyone in Louisville. The GOP supermajority really doubled down on punishing Kentuckys biggest city, everything from forcing it to hold nonpartisan elections to scrapping really good zoning reforms. The party of local control and small government is dead, long live the party of poking our nose everywhere it doesnt belong.

Losers: Anyone who supports the tiniest amount of gun safety. The legislature never even considered Sen. Whitney Westerfields Crisis Aversion and Rights Retention bill, which might have stopped last years tragic mass shooting at Louisvilles Old National Bank.

Winners: Late night comedy writers. This year, they got the cousin incest bill, the fluoride conspiracy and white slavery. Ladies and gentleman, the Kentucky General Assembly, a gift that never stops giving, no matter how much we beg it to stop.
This article was originally published in Oklahoma Voice.

OKLAHOMA CITY  Legislation permitting chaplains to work in public schools reemerged and advanced in the Oklahoma Legislature this week.

Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, deleted the original language of Senate Bill 36, a discarded bill from 2023 relating to the Open Records Act, and replaced it with a measure to allow religious chaplains to be hired or to volunteer in schools.

The House General Government Committee passed the new version of SB 36 on Tuesday in a party-line vote 6-2. Four other school chaplain bills failed earlier in the legislative session without receiving a committee hearing.

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West said chaplains wouldnt try to sway students toward a certain faith but could help with counseling, though his bill doesnt specify required qualifications nor their role in a school.

It forbids chaplains who are registered sex offenders but doesnt require them to complete a background check.

West said each local school board could decide whether to mandate a particular certification and vetting.

We have chaplains from many, many different religious backgrounds, he said before the committee vote. This is not benefiting one specific religion over another. It is simply a tool that could be at the disposal of a school board to assist with counseling.

The Oklahoma School Counselors Association encouraged Oklahomans to call on their local lawmakers to vote against SB 36.

OSCA does not support this bill as we see the necessity of highly trained school counselors to be providing mental health and wellness, academic, and career support to Oklahoma students, the organization posted in a social media message.

House Democrats have opposed the bill, citing constitutional concerns over hiring religious ministers with public tax dollars.

School counselors typically are required to hold a masters degree and pass a certification test before being hired to counsel students.

SB 36 includes no language that ensures chaplains are qualified for counseling, and it doesnt forbid them from preaching their faith, said Rev. Shannon Fleck, executive director of the Oklahoma Faith Network.

Some lawmakers, while supporting SB 36, referred to the militarys use of chaplains, but Fleck said the two are not comparable. Becoming a military chaplain comes with clear requirements, including obtaining a masters level theology degree, an endorsement from a faith group and military training to work in a multi-faith setting.

When youre not putting parameters around something, it could go in a multitude of different directions, Fleck said. We really want to be clear about who we are letting into our public schools and who we are allowing access to our children.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.
A bill that would require more disclosure of teacher sexual misconduct, ban nondisclosure agreements and require teachers to tell prospective employees about prior investigations of misconduct failed to pass the Kentucky General Assembly despite unanimous support.

House Bill 275, a sweeping educator sexual misconduct bill, would help stop a revolving door of sexual predators in our schools, said Sen. Stephen West, R-Paris, in late March.

The bill passed unanimously in the Senate March 27. It had passed unanimously in the House in February. The Senate made some tweaks and changes to the bill. The House never concurred or addressed the changes on Monday, the last day of the legislative session.

This is the second year the bill, despite not receiving any no votes, failed to pass the Kentucky General Assembly.

Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville, the sponsor of HB 275, was not immediately available for comment Monday night.

The bill would require schools complete investigations into teacher sexual misconduct. Sometimes teachers resign before an investigation is completed and the school district does not know the teacher has been under investigation, Tipton said.

The bill also requires teachers to disclose those investigations to prospective employers. The bill bans nondisclosure agreements between an educator and a school district. It also requires school districts have all employees pass criminal background checks every five years. It would also up teacher and staff education to include training on appropriate boundaries between students and adult staff. That training would be required every five years.

The Lexington Herald-Leaders September 2022 investigation highlighted just how significant the problem of teacher sexual misconduct is in Kentucky, West said April 10. The newspaper obtained 194 cases of teachers who voluntarily surrendered or had their license revoked or suspended from 2016 to 2021. Of those, 118  61%  lost their license due to sexual misconduct. The overwhelming majority of those cases involved male teachers and teenage girls.

The Herald-Leader also found instances where teachers who had previously been accused of sexual misconduct moved to other school districts and were accused again of misconduct.

In February, the Kentucky Education Standards Board revoked the license of Eric Smart, a Bourbon County teacher, for his inappropriate behavior to students and staff. Smart, who resigned from the school district in June 2023, resigned from the University of Kentucky in 2012 after university and federal officials found he had fabricated research. Smart had been disciplined for sexual harassment in 2009 at UK but that disciplinary record never made it into Smarts personnel file, records show.

Tipton filed a similar bill in 2023 but the measure never made it to the full Senate for a vote despite passing unanimously in the House and the Senate Education Committee.

This story may be updated.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed the presence of avian influenza at a Newaygo County commercial poultry farm.

Its the seventh time that highly pathogenic avian influenza has been found at a commercial facility in Michigan since 2022, MDARD said Tuesday.

The department says the Newaygo County facility is under quarantine and the birds will be depopulated so the disease doesnt spread.

Avian flu confirmed in dairy herds across 3 more West Michigan counties

In late March, MDARD announced bird flu had been found in a Montcalm County dairy herd. The department later confirmed the presence of avian flu in three more dairy herds, located in Ionia, Isabella and Ottawa counties, as well as a commercial poultry farm in Ionia County.

MDARD continues to thoroughly and robustly respond to the detection of HPAI with an all-hands-on-deck approach with our federal, state, and local partners, said MDARD Director Tim Boring in a statement. Biosecurity remains the best tool available to combat HPAI, and we continue to encourage producers of all sizes to enhance their biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of introducing this disease to their farm.

Bird flu found at commercial poultry farm in Ionia County

Producers are asked to protect their animals from wild birds as they complete their spring migration.

As wild birds continue to migrate and the outside temperatures remain cool and temperate, conditions are ideal for the virus to spread, State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said in a news release. This is why it is so vital for producers to assess the risks on their premises and tighten protocols.

MDARD: Avian flu found in Montcalm Co. dairy herd

MDARD says avian flu can be spread directly, by infected animals, or indirectly, through exposed items like equipment, feed and clothing. Producers are asked to prevent contact between domestic and wild birds, wash their hands before and after handling birds, disinfect boots and other supplies, not share equipment between coops or farms, give birds well or municipal water to drink and ensure that wild animals cant access poultry feed.

Those who suspect avian flu in their domestic animals are asked to call MDARD immediately at 800.292.3939 during the day or 517.373.0440 after hours.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Birmingham Airport has reopened after suspending all takeoffs and landings

Birmingham Airport has reopened after suspending all takeoffs and landings when a suspicious item was reportedly found aboard an Aer Lingus flight.

An aircraft from the Irish airline took off from the airport on a scheduled flight to Belfast on Tuesday afternoon but then returned to Birmingham, data from Flight Radar 24 says.

Unconfirmed reports suggested a suspicious item may have been found on board, but an Aer Lingus spokesman said: We can confirm that an undeclared item discovered on Aer Lingus Regional flight EI3647, operated by Emerald Airlines, from Birmingham to Belfast today was not a security risk.

Our teams are currently working to accommodate impacted passengers..

The flight, which appeared to be EI3647, had been scheduled to depart at 3.10pm but took off after a delay of around 40 minutes. It returned to Birmingham just over an hour later, landing at 4.25pm.

A Birmingham Airport spokesman said the airport had temporarily suspended operations due to a security incident on an aircraft.

Live footage from the scene suggested that the aircraft, an ATR-72 regional turboprop airliner with 72 seats, was parked at a remote corner of the airfield.

The airliner was later moved back to the terminal after officials declared it was safe.

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A dog-bites-woman story usually isnt much of a story at all. But an incident in one of L.A.s wealthiest enclaves has become something else entirely.

What began in a Brentwood park on a summer day in 2022, when a dog owned by billionaire surgical-device inventor Gary Michelson allegedly bit another pet owner, has turned into dueling lawsuits and an allegation of blackmail.

Michelson claims its a simple case of extortion. He says interior designer Sandra Evling tried to force him to pay her $85,000 by threatening to publicly humiliate him and report his dog to authorities, which she claimed would lead to the pet being put down. He filed suit first, seeking damages in excess of $250,000.

From Evling's perspective, he should have known better. She alleged Michelson, a philanthropist prominent in animal welfare circles, let his dog run free despite knowing it had bitten other animals and one other person  traumatizing her and causing severe injuries, according to a personal injury lawsuit she filed in response seeking unspecified damages.

In a town where the rich have legitimate fears of extortion, is this a case of a person seeking a payday? Or a billionaire using his wealth and legal savvy to protect himself from responsibility for an aggressive animal?

Dr. Gary Michelson at a 2019 gala for his Michelson Found Animals Foundation in Beverly Hills. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

Michelson, 75, seems an unlikely antagonist in a dog-bite case. After reaching a $1.35-billion patent dispute settlement with medical device maker Medtronic two decades ago, he has made a name for himself as a philanthropist in animal welfare and other fields.

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005 orphaned more than 100,000 pets, he established the nation's first free microchip pet registry. He has a standing prize offer of $25 million for the development of a single-dose medication that can permanently and safely sterilize both cats and dogs.

Michelsons devotion to animal welfare extended to his own pet Blue, a beige-and-white dog with droopy eyes he celebrated on Instagram with the tongue-in-cheek handle @scarypitbully. The page, since taken down, documented the maturation of the American bully XL, the largest of a muscular breed derived from the American pit bull terrier that the United Kennel Club describes as more gentle and playful, making it an excellent family dog.

Michelson and Evling, 37, an immigrant from Sweden, were regulars at Veterans' Barrington Park. They lived nearby: Evling in an apartment and Michelson in a $24-million mansion.

The incident took place Aug. 9, 2022, just outside a fenced-in dog park on ball fields where owners let their dogs run free.

Dogs tend to play off-leash on a sports field adjacent to the dog park at Veterans' Barrington Park. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Evling, in her lawsuit, said that she was walking with her dog Neo, a tamaskan, when Blue charged her pet, and that she was bitten trying to protect it. She sought treatment that evening at an urgent care clinic complaining of pain in her left hand from a crush injury and an abrasion to her right elbow, according to medical records reviewed by The Times.

An X-ray found no fractures or vascular injuries in her hand, which was put in a finger splint. She was given a tetanus shot and prescribed antibiotics, the records show.

In messages sent to The Times, Michelson said the records are not evidence of dog bites, claiming instead she might have twisted her finger on her dog's collar and scraped her elbow while falling. He said that afterward he checked on Evling "for days" and offered to pay her medical bills. He said that the calls were cordial and that she "seemed ok."

Michelson said he also set up a session at his house with celebrity dog trainer Cesar Millan, a longtime friend, to work with Neo and Blue together so that "Sandra could feel comfortable at the dog park with Blue around."

After the session, Michelson said, he and Evling would see each other at Gold's Gym Venice, where they both brought their service-dog pets. He said that "things were always quite friendly" and that Evling never complained of being bitten until she learned of his wealth.

Attorney Benjamin Taylor, who represents Evling in the extortion lawsuit, said Evling knew Michelson's background "well before this incident."

On April 20, 2023, eight months after the alleged attack, Evling texted Michelson asking to meet the next day at the gym, according to a copy of the pair's text string provided by former Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley, a friend of Michelson's who is listed as one of his attorneys in the extortion lawsuit.

Their conversation continued via texts. Evling complained she was suffering from "severe PTSD" and a lifelong scar from the attack, and chastised Michelson about another alleged incident at the park involving Blue.

"When I was told that you had taken Blue off leash at the park this week and that he had attacked another dog all my trauma came back (like it happened all over again) and a severe anger that you're not taking this problem seriously. Is it going to take someone getting killed before you realize how serious this is?" she texted. (Michelson denied Blue ever attacked another dog or person in answers to a list of questions sent to Cooley in February.)

Evling, who had stated she didn't want to involve attorneys, laid out two options.

If Michelson chose Option A, she would have him and his dog expelled from the gym, file a report with police and animal control that would result in the dog being put down, and file a class-action lawsuit with other parkgoers that "will cost you a loooot of money."

If Michelson chose Option B, Evling texted, he could keep Blue as long as he paid her $85,000, kept his dog on a leash and didn't bring it to the park. She promised not to file a complaint with the gym so long as Michelson kept Blue away from her while she was training. She added she would sign a nondisclosure agreement that would be voided only if Blue attacked her or her dog again, not if Blue was aggressive with others.

"It is time for you take responsibility and suffer the consequences of your actions," she texted.

Read more: 99 Cents Only was an L.A. icon. Inside the fall of the popular chain

Several days later, Michelson asked Evling how she arrived at the compensation figure and how he and his wife, recording artist Alya Michelson, could trust that she wouldn't carry out her threats anyway.

Evling said she had consulted with several law firms and claimed the $85,000 would be less than a court judgment. She assured him she wouldn't talk to anyone or file legal action. "I AM a person of my word and just want to move on as much as you do and leave this in the past," she texted on April 27.

The negotiations then turned sour. Michelson told Evling he had just learned from several dog park friends that she was recruiting plaintiffs for a lawsuit, accusing her of "already breaking your promise." However, he said he was immediately sending a "good faith" payment of $10,000 if she would not take the steps she had outlined. "Hopefully, this small measure of restraint will be acceptable to you," he texted.

Evling disputed that she was preparing a lawsuit, contending she had only learned of the new alleged attack through a dog park chat group.

After being assured the $10,000 was a partial payment, Evling said she would not take further action as long as she received a contract by May 15 for the remainder of the $85,000. Michelson filed his extortion lawsuit days later on May 3.

Taylor said Evling had sought payment to resolve the matter informally without attorneys in the hopes of avoiding a "spectacle." "Now that Dr. Michelson decided to sue her first, she looks forward to her day in court," he said.

Attorney Ryan Baker, a founding partner of L.A. law firm Waymaker, reviewed the exchange to offer an opinion on whether it amounted to civil extortion, which under California law includes receiving a benefit such as money through the threatened exposure of any "disgrace or crime" even if falsely alleged.

Baker said that Evling had the right to pursue a private settlement under the threat of her own lawsuit, but if she threatened to report Michelson unless he met her demands she crossed a bright line. She cant become her own private judge, jury and executioner," he said.

Michelson was "extremely shrewd," he said, to seek the demands in writing and send the $10,000, since receiving it would be a key element of civil extortion.

Baker said a "critical question" a jury would have to decide was whether Evling had extorted the money or had simply received and kept it.

After Evling was sued, she filed a personal injury lawsuit that claimed Blue had bitten four dogs and one person in 2022 before the attack on her, and one poodle afterward.

Her lawsuit provided few details about the other alleged attacks. Blue, though, was a topic of a dog park group chat on April 17, 2023  the day of the alleged poodle attack. Multiple members of the chat alleged that Michelson brought his dog to the park and that his dog had repeated altercations with other animals.

Michelson denied Blue has a history of aggression, contending "chat rooms are not acceptable or reliable sources of factual information," in response to the questions sent Cooley. He said that Evling's characterization of his pet, which is referred to as a "vicious animal" in her lawsuit, "reeks of outdated stereotypes."

Michelson pointed to a lack of complaints with Los Angeles Animal Services as evidence, which the department confirmed in February in response to a California Public Records Act request.

Judie Mancuso, the founder of Social Compassion in Legislation, a public policy group that advocates for animals in Sacramento, said Blue was "super well behaved" at a fundraiser Michelson and his wife hosted for the nonprofit in July at the couple's Brentwood home.

"The dog didn't even bark at anyone," Mancuso said.

At the time of the dog park incident, neither of their dogs were neutered. Michelson said in a text this was to allow Blue to compete as a purebred show dog. He said he opted to have Blue neutered last month because of the difficulty of participating in competition with a dog whose breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. "As I am a champion for S&N [spay and neuter], I gave up and had him neutered," he texted.

Evling's dog was 8 months old at the time. He has since been neutered, according to Taylor.

In support of her allegations that Blue was aggressive, Evling collected the names and numbers of some two dozen people she alleged had witnessed attacks, including 12 chat group members, whose identities were disclosed in court filings. The Times attempted to contact all of them; most did not respond or would not comment publicly.

Syed Ahmed, a Brentwood data analyst, was an exception. He said that his dog Turbo, a male 70-pound Doberman pinscher, and Blue got into a fight in March 2022 and that Michelson's dog "ended up grabbing my dog by the throat." Evling's lawsuit alleged a dog of that name was bitten that month.

Turbo was treated for puncture wounds, according to a veterinary bill provided to The Times, along with photos of the bite wound.

Ahmed said he didn't ask Michelson to reimburse him for his $908.10 bill. Michelson "was very apologetic, and thats why I didnt pursue anything. I was like, OK, you know, s happens, he said.

After Michelson learned from The Times last month that the dog had been injured, he reimbursed Ahmed for his veterinary bill.

Michelson said that he believed Turbo just wanted to play, but that Blue bit the dog because he had been attacked several times by other male dogs. "Blue misread the dog's intent and reacted to protect himself. I was very upset that it happened," he emailed. "I will testify under oath that I have never seen Blue attack anyone, ever."

Read more: Fisker had big dreams to compete with Tesla. What went wrong with this Manhattan Beach company?

Michelsons and Evlings lawsuits are wending their way through Superior Court. Trial dates for each have been set for next year.

In early December, Evling saw Westside plastic and reconstructive surgeon Michael Zarrabi to examine the scar allegedly left by the dog bite on her right elbow. Zarrabi called the injury "disfiguring" and recommended surgery, multiple laser treatments and topical ointments that he anticipated would improve the appearance 80%, according to medical records reviewed by The Times. The estimated cost: $41,900.

Michelson, in a text, called the estimate "beyond absurd." He said in an email that he consulted a "well-regarded" Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who, after seeing pictures of the abrasion, said the scar tissue could be removed for $5,000  half the $10,000 he had already sent her.

As the two parties await trial, Evling has started a business selling Swedish cookies, while Michelson has remained active in civic and philanthropic circles. He rubbed elbows with Gov. Gavin Newsom at an event announcing UCLA's acquisition of the former Westside Pavilion mall, which the university is converting into a research park. It will house the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, which Michelson chairs and has pledged $120 million toward.

One place he apparently has not been in a long while is the Barrington dog park.

After the alleged poodle attack, Michelson texted Evling that he was never going to the dog park again and it is my intention to stay as far away from you as possible.

Taylor said she had stopped going there too.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A black hole illustration with two black holes within one.

Black holes are monstrous and monolithic regions of space and time that have captured humanity's imagination. Some are created by the death and collapse of a massive star  yet no single star can birth the most tremendously large black holes. Those are the supermassive black holes that lurk at the hearts of galaxies with masses equivalent to millions, or even billions, of suns.

Giant black holes such as these are believed to have been created when two smaller black holes collided and merged once upon a time. And now, scientists wonder whether we can learn about the family tree of a black hole by working backward through the generations.

Related: How do some black holes get so big? The James Webb Space Telescope may have an answer

If there is a cosmological object or event designed to be mysterious, it is the black hole. This region of space is marked by a boundary called the event horizon, the barrier between our universe and whatever lies within the void itself. Thus, it is impossible to get a signal and, thus, information from beyond this barrier.

In addition to this, black holes have very few identifying characteristics, something theoretical physicist John Wheeler once described by saying, "black holes have no hair." That means, unlike looking at a child's hair color or complexion and making a rough guess about the hair color and completion of their parents, "hairless" supermassive black holes seem to give away no hints at their lineage  or do they?

Not all black holes are created the same way

Imre Bartos is a physicist at the University of Florida who theorizes that the limited characteristics of supermassive black holes  mass, spin and electric charge  could actually hide details of the original black hole assembly line that created them.

The standard picture of black hole birth that involves the death and collapse of massive stars, he says, can't account for the creation of the enormous black holes we see today. That includes both supermassive black holes as well as relatively smaller, intermediate-mass black holes with masses around 100 to 100,000 times the mass of the sun.

"Stars have sort of a limit of how big they can grow without basically falling apart by themselves. If a star gets very, very big, then it will explode before it has time to create this dense core that can form the seed for the black hole," Bartos told Space.com. "We expect a natural limit for how heavy black holes can be when they form from the death of stars. This mass is something like 50 times the mass of our sun. So, it's a pretty large mass, but nowhere as large as a mass we see for supermassive or intermediate black holes."

This means there has to be some other process creating the most monstrous black holes, and observations of tiny ripples in spacetime called gravitational waves suggest such a process could be subsequent collisions and mergers of progresively larger generations of black holes.

"How can we do the detective work to go back in the past and see what actually went down in the environment of merging black holes? Can we say anything about the black hole ancestors?" Bartos wondered.

As two supermassive black holes spiral around one another and merge, they create gravitational waves. With enough energy, they can

Bartos thinks that understanding what causes black holes to draw together and merge is key to understanding how the universe evolved  and could even to get to the bottom of the laws of fundamental physics.

"We want to learn, and so far, we haven't fully understood what in the universe actually makes the black holes come together and merge," Bartos said. "This cannot be just a random process. There has to be some mechanism that brings the black holes together and makes them merge. And this is what we try to understand from the limited properties that we have available."

He added that, by looking at the mass of a supermassive black hole and gravitational waves from the merger that created it, researchers could estimate the masses of the black holes that must have come together to create it in the first place. More than this, Bartos and colleagues theorize that observing how fast the black hole is rotating can reveal also how fast the parent black holes that created it were spinning.

Looking at electromagnetic signals from the region in which these mergers occurred could, according to Bartos, show how they were interacting with their environments as well. For instance, were the black holes feeding on gas and dust from their surroundings to facilitate their own growth?

Black holes have grandparents, too

Bartos added that black holes with masses greater than 50 times that of the sun might be found in regions with many other black holes. This means that, just as we have parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, black hole mergers likely aren't unique events, and the most massive black holes come from repeated generations of mergers.

This generational situation wouldn't just result in a gathering of mass, but subsequent daughter black holes would also gather angular momentum from their ancestors. Bartos said this means that, as black holes get bigger and bigger, they should also spin faster and faster.

"If we detect higher spin, that can be an indication that there might have been previous mergers," Bartos said. "It turns out that for some of the heavier black holes we've seen so far, we do see that there is an indication of the high spin that we would anticipate from these consecutive mergers."

While Bartos thinks the idea of black holes having "grandparents" is fascinating, however, and believes we can unveil some details of black hole parents from gravitational wave observations, the story of black hole grandparents may be lost to time.

"There is no way that we can detect the previous mergers just directly from gravitational wave observations. We would have to operate detectors for millions of years, which is unlikely," he said.

The supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way Sgr A* seen in polarized light for the first time

Related Stories:

 Tiny black holes left over from the Big Bang may be prime dark matter suspects

 What is a black hole event horizon (and what happens there)?

 Scientists find black hole powering a molecular gas fountain in the ancient universe

The chain of mergers that would create a supermassive black hole is believed to take at least 1 billion years, but these cosmic titans have been observed in the universe since just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. Those observations are courtesy of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). That leaves a challenge. Scientists still need to fully explain how these cosmic titans grew so big, so quickly. However, maybe the clues lie in the ancestral mechanism itself.

"If we see the processes that merge these black holes, we can see what the starting points for supermassive black holes in galactic centers are," Bartos said. "We can see how fast the process is, how prevalent it is, and that can help us understand how big a role this may play in the process of forming the heavier black holes."

Bartos expects that, as gravitational wave detectors become more sensitive, humanity will spot these ripples in space and time from more distant, and thus early, black hole mergers. This means we should continue to learn more and more about how black hole growth has proceeded over the 13.8 billion-year history of the cosmos.

"I'm very excited about seeing things for the first time and discovering things going to the extremes of our knowledge," Bartos concluded. "When we look at the extremes, things are very different from what we're used to. And black holes are extreme in many ways."
Black men in the Air Forces junior enlisted ranks are 86% more likely than their white counterparts to face nonjudicial punishment or court-martial, according to a new study that explores racial disparities in the services justice system.

Why their experiences diverge can be tricky to pinpoint, the federally funded think tank Rand Corp. said in its April 10 report. An airmans job, their Armed Forces Qualification Test score and where they call home can all play a role in who might face a criminal charge or potential punishment.

In most cases, researchers couldnt explain why Black airmen wound up in trouble more often than peers of other races  meaning the differences may boil down to unfair treatment.

Consistent, widespread racial disparities hurt Black airmen, IG study finds

The Air Force-funded report is the latest in a growing body of work that has sought to uncover and explain racial disparities across the military, as well as within its justice system, including an Air Force inspector general report and others that were conducted after George Floyds death in 2020 sparked protests and prompted discussions of racial equity across the United States.

Those studies have found that Black airmen, other minorities and women faced consistent hurdles in their careers that have limited their opportunities to progress and hurt their sense of belonging in uniform. Rands new work attempts to take a deeper look at the problem by focusing on airmen in the ranks of E-1 through E-4, when troops are more often disciplined.

The study delved into Air Force discipline and personnel data on active duty enlisted airmen from fiscal years 2010 through 2019. Researchers considered the extent to which disparities in nonjudicial punishments  known as Article 15s for their place in the Uniform Code of Military Justice  and court-martial referrals could be explained by racial differences in offense rates, as well as the racial breakdown of career fields in which harsher consequences might be seen as more proportional for certain offenses than in others.

As an example, Rand said, security forces airmen tend to be punished more severely for falling asleep on the job or being late to work  possibly risking a breach on base  than airmen in other fields. Black airmen tend to occupy more of the jobs where such repercussions are steeper, researchers said.

Researchers also considered variables like marital status, test scores, waivers, education, training issues, previous punishments and whether marijuana was legal in an airmans state, among other factors, to understand why Black and white airmen might be treated differently.

Air Force finds hurdles to success for women, Hispanics, other minorities in second disparity review

Among the reports findings:

Overall, Article 15s and court-martial referrals were 71% more likely for Black junior enlisted airmen  male or female  when compared to white airmen.

Those actions were 27% more likely for American Indian and native Alaskan airmen; 8% more likely for Hispanic airmen; equally likely for native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders; and less likely for Asian airmen than their white counterparts.

Black airmen referred to court-martial were less likely to be convicted than their white counterparts and face lower sentences, depending upon the conviction. There were no racial differences in punishments doled out for those issued an Article 15.

One-fifth of disparities among Article 15 and court-martial referrals between Black and white airmen could be explained in racial differences in career fields and other variables that might foreshadow offense rates, including their home of record and Armed Forces Qualification Test scores.

Four-fifths of disparities could not be explained by the available data. Researchers noted that while those cases lacked a definitive explanation, the results are consistent with a situation in which disparate treatment may be at least partly responsible.

Identifying disparities

The report comes as the Pentagon seeks to root out racism within the military while also diversifying new recruits and improving equity across its ranks.

The Department of the Air Forces active duty component, which includes the Space Force, is overwhelmingly comprised of white personnel at 69%, while 15% of troops are Black, according to its most recent data. Hispanic or Latino personnel represented the next largest group at 17.8%, while Asians made up 5.2% of the two services. Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders and American Indians/Alaska natives represented 1.3% and 0.9%, respectively.

The enlisted force, which accounts for every 8 in 10 airmen, is more diverse than the officer corps. For instance, Reuters reported in March that while only 6% of Air Force officers identify as Black, the figure rises to about 17% among enlisted airmen.

In finding that some minority airmen are more likely to encounter the Air Forces justice system, Rand found that AFQT scores, which are derived from the tests airmen take when entering the military; training issues; and prior trouble  which can also be a result of unfair treatment  could explain some of that gap. But the community in which someone grew up and their job in the military played a bigger role in whether they faced punishment, researchers said.

Air Force leaders set new goals to diversify officer corps

Still, while some minority airmen in junior enlisted ranks were punished more often than their white peers, they didnt necessarily face worse outcomes, whether in the courtroom or at their unit, Rand found.

Among those who faced court-martial, Black and Hispanic airmen were more likely to have their cases acquitted and were also less likely to spend time in confinement or be punitively discharged than white airmen.

Rand said that while factors like lower test scores or particular jobs might predict a higher likelihood to offend, they didnt necessarily correlate to negative court-martial outcomes. Researchers also could not definitively conclude that Black airmen do better at the court-martial stage [because]  a lower standard of evidence is being used to refer Black airmen cases relative to White airmen cases, the report said.

Among those who received Article 15s, which are typically handed out by a squadron commander, minority and white junior enlisted were issued the same punishments  like being knocked down in rank  at similar rates.

Study: Eligibility rules hamper minority representation in Air Force

The lasting effect of facing punishment, however, can be long.

It is important to note that, even if an airman is not found guilty, the process of being accused, investigated, and having their case adjudicated can still have a negative impact on the airmans reputation, career opportunities, well-being and family, the report said.

Recommendations

Rand researchers recommended several courses of action to address racial inequity in the Air Force justice system.

Gathering data on administrative actions could offer a more complete picture of those disparities in the Air Force, Rand said. While the service is working on collecting that information, it isnt stored in a central database, researchers said.

Rand also advised that using a diverse panel to decide whether disciplinary actions will move forward, rather than a sole commander, could lead to fairer outcomes and build trust. Researchers also urged the service to adopt additional reforms and evaluations that can cut bias out of the justice system.

An Air Force spokesperson said the services previous reports echo Rands findings but did not otherwise answer how the service might use the new analysis.

The Rand report mirrors similar disparities within the civilian criminal justice system, said Mona Sahaf, a former federal prosecutor who now works at the Vera Institute of Justice, a criminal justice-reform organization in Washington.

Disparities are driven by lack of resources and overpolicing, Sahaf argued. She believes that while looking for bias against certain races and ethnicities is important, it doesnt go far enough to root out institutional prejudice.

Prosecutors, including military judge advocate generals, need to be aware of those disparities, too.

In order to ameliorate these racial disparities in the criminal system, you need targeted policies, she said. You need to be doing racial justice audits of policies in terms of charging, pleas and sentencing.

If you dont take those actions, you end up being a pass-through for all the racial disparities that exist in society, she added.
Mobilization is important for Ukraine because the country needs to adjust to a "long game" war. The Russian occupation forces are likely to focus on limited attacks this spring, and in the summer they will try to launch a larger-scale offensive.

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Retired US Major General David Grange, co-founder of the Osprey Global Solutions Ukraine charity foundation, shared his forecast in an interview with Radio Liberty. In his opinion, "the war will last a long time."

"And that's why I say this. If the goal is to restore the borders as of 2014, it will require a lot of effort. To defend what is currently under Kyiv's control  this will also take time. That is why mobilization is so important for Ukraine now... Now is the time to adjust to the long game, because this will not end soon," Grange said.

When asked about the likely scenario of further hostilities, the military said that he believes the Russians will try to "conduct limited attacks, especially this spring."

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The Russian Armed Forces have had limited successes recently  but they are significant for dictator Vladimir Putin and his propaganda." I think there will be a larger offensive in the summer," the expert suggested.

Many factors will influence the situation. For example, whether the United States will decide to help Ukraine and whether Europe will be able to increase its support. Grange noted that "resources are starting to dwindle for everyone," including America. "And we need to have our reserves for other threats that we face or our allies face, besides Ukraine. And this is very difficult," he said.

According to the retired major general, Russia's actions can be deterred by two things: weapons and asymmetric warfare. Ukraine is doing the latter very well.

"I mean special operations. I mean what is happening in the Black Sea. What is happening in Russia, what is happening behind the front line. This has an incredible psychological effect and creates conditions for maneuvering and for the rest of the conventional operations. So I think Ukraine should continue in the same spirit, if not increase the scale of such operations. They are doing a very good job," Grange praised the Defense Forces.

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As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Ukraine has started regularly attacking military-industrial complex facilities in Russia. The occupiers are forced to balance the risks to try to protect potential targets, UK intelligence said earlier.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The police report on last weekends Black Spring Break shows guns and narcotics were brought to the beach, Biloxi Police Chief John Miller reported Tuesday.

Miller said there were 31 separate incidents with guns in that area. One person was armed with a switch, he said, which allows a handgun to fire like a machine gun.

In addition, Miller reported 61 seizures of narcotics in the area of spring break.

Biloxi Police made about 60 arrests in that area of the beach over the three-day event, he said. Of the 2,538 calls for service during the week, 740 were in the event area over the weekend, he said, including a call about a person on the beach with a gun.

Some of this is spring breakers calling us, he said.

Miller said problems with spring break arent just in Biloxi, where events are called by various names indicating it is a Black spring break.

Its not just us  its all across the country, Miller said, and especially in the South, where cities like Miami Beach and Panama City Beach have instituted curfews and taken other steps to control the crowds and violence by spring breakers of all races.

Charges of racism

The organizer of Black Spring Break hasnt commented directly on the events of the weekend, while the organizers of Black Beach Weekend said in a press release they are addressing the blatant discrimination, misinformation, and unethical mistreatment of spring breakers from the Biloxi Police Department, City of Biloxi, Gulfport Police Department, news media and the Harrison County Sheriffs Office.

Spring breakers enjoy the weather at Biloxi Beach during Black Spring Break in Biloxi on Saturday, April 13.

Maurice Bryant, CEO of Black Beach Weekend, and Derrian Burns, general manager, said the way spring break was handled this year differs from other major events in South Mississippi.

We are absolutely committed to providing an organized, safe and enjoyable experience for everyone that attends our organized and promoted events regardless of color or racial background, they said in a news release.

While crime and violence in not tolerated, they said, racial discrimination, harassment and violence also will not be tolerated.

The fight to continue our culture and to celebrate people of color being able to use and enjoy the public beaches on the Mississippi Gulf Coast starts now, they said. It starts with all of us demanding equal treatment and calling out unethical practices.

Bryant told the Biloxi Council on Tuesday he was left out of any meetings by the special events committee and was not notified when they would be held, although he didnt apply for any special event permits.

Police came armed

Miller responded to questions about why the police carried rifles during the weekend.

Yes, we armed ourselves, he said, especially because of what happened last year.

One person was shot and killed during the 2023 spring break. Five more were shot and injured in the city, including a Biloxi Police officer. Seven were charged with aggravated assault, the majority on police officers, Miller told the council after the 2023 event.

That prompted the City Council to adopt special events ordinances for spring break and all other events in the city.

Miller estimated the spring break crowd at 15,000 to 20,000, compared with 30,000 last year. He attributes that, in part, to chatter on social media by people who said they were staying away after all the violence in 2023.

That speaks volumes to me, he said.

Miller said 3,000 to 5,000 people congregated around a small area near the Quality Inn on U.S. 90 over the weekend, which forced pedestrians to go out onto the highway to get past them. The service drive was shut down Friday and Saturday nights, he said, and police arrested several people who refused to clear the sidewalk as directed so that pedestrians didnt have to go out into the roadway.

Next years spring break

Biloxi Councilman Paul Tisdale said hes sure Biloxi will do spring break again next year.

Organizers and the citys special events committee will work through parking and other concerns as required by the ordinances.

I think we can iron out any wrinkles, Mayor Andrew FoFo Gilich said.

Spring breakers enjoy the weather at Biloxi Beach during Black Spring Break in Biloxi on Saturday, April 13. Some organizers of spring break events said the treatment of spring breakers by law enforcement was racist.
By Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on an upcoming visit to China is expected to raise U.S. concerns Beijing is helping Russia build up its defense industrial base to fight the war in Ukraine, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday.

The U.S. has warned China not to aid Moscow's war effort since Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which came just weeks after Russia and China declared a "no limits partnership."

"What we have seen over the past months is that there have been materials moving from China to Russia that Russia has used to rebuild that industrial base and produce arms that are showing up on the battlefield in Ukraine," Miller said at a press briefing. "And we are incredibly concerned about that."

U.S. officials briefed reporters last week on materials China was providing to Russia, including drone and missile technology, satellite imagery and machine tools, that fall short of providing lethal assistance but were helping Russia build up its military to sustain its two-year-old war in Ukraine.

A Chinese embassy spokesperson told Reuters last week that China was not a party to the Ukraine crisis and that normal trade between China and Russia should not be interfered with or restricted.

President Joe Biden raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a phone call earlier this month, after which U.S. officials said Blinken would travel to China in the coming weeks. Details of Blinken's trip have not yet been announced.

"Without getting too far ahead of those meetings, you can certainly expect that that is an issue that he would be expected to raise," Miller said.

Blinken raised the issue with NATO foreign ministers in Brussels earlier this month and would also discuss it when he meets counterparts from the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies in Italy this week, he added.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis, Costas Pitas and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Daniel Wallis)
Bloomberg: Russia does not have capability to launch offensive on Kharkiv

Western officials do not believe that Russia has the capability to launch a new attack on Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv "without a major replenishment of Russian troops," Bloomberg reported on April 16.

Russia recently intensified attacks against Kharkiv, which had a population of 1.4 million in 2021, with the use of missiles, glide bombs, and drones, destroying energy infrastructure and killing civilians.

Russian forces failed to take Kharkiv in the first weeks of the full-scale invasion, despite the fact the city lies less than 30 kilometers from the Russian border.

In late March, President Volodymyr Zelensky said another major Russian offensive may come at the end of May or in June.

The Financial Times then reported on April 13 that Russia might plan to attack Kharkiv as part of a wider offensive.

Zelensky has said that "Kharkiv is protected" and Ukraine's military intelligence said earlier in April that news of a potential attack on Kharkiv "part of a Russian psychological operation," adding that there were no signs of Moscow preparing new attack formations to carry out a ground offensive.

"While Russia may be short of the manpower," Moscow is making a "coordinated effort to cut off supplies and create conditions that make the city uninhabitable, Bloomberg said, citing officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"The damage is extensive enough, and the attacks so unrelenting, that authorities will struggle to restore capacity before the cold sets in next winter," Bloomberg said.

More than $10 billion is needed to rebuild everything that Russian forces have damaged or destroyed in Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said earlier in April.

Terekhov then told The Economist that Russia aims to make the city uninhabitable for civilians, but that Kharkiv was in a worse situation at the start of the full-scale war, when only 300,000 residents remained.

Read also: Opinion: A look at the drone arsenal Russia uses against Ukraine

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Ukrainian and Western officials believe that Russia has increased the intensity of its attacks on Kharkiv to try to force an evacuation of civilians from Ukraine's second-largest city, Bloomberg reported on April 16.

Russia recently intensified attacks against Kharkiv, which had a population of 1.4 million in 2021, with the use of missiles, glide bombs, and drones, destroying energy infrastructure and killing civilians.

Russian forces failed to take Kharkiv in the first weeks of the full-scale invasion, despite the fact the city lies less than 30 kilometers from the Russian border.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 6 that "Kharkiv is protected" amid news that Russia may attempt to launch another offensive.

Ukraine's military intelligence called the news of a potential attack on Kharkiv "part of a Russian psychological operation," adding that there were no signs of Moscow preparing new attack formations to carry out a ground offensive.

"U.S. and other Western officials agree that Russia doesn't have the capability to attack Kharkiv without a major replenishment of Russian troops, according to people familiar with the discussions."

Russia is instead making a "coordinated effort to cut off supplies and create conditions that make the city uninhabitable, Bloomberg said, citing officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"The damage is extensive enough, and the attacks so unrelenting, that authorities will struggle to restore capacity before the cold sets in next winter," Bloomberg said.

More than $10 billion is needed to rebuild everything that Russian forces have damaged or destroyed in Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said earlier in April.

Terekhov then told The Economist that Russia aims to make the city uninhabitable for civilians, but that Kharkiv was in a worse situation at the start of the full-scale war, when only 300,000 residents remained.

Read also: Opinion: A look at the drone arsenal Russia uses against Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BALTIMORE, Md. (DC News Now)  The Key Bridge Response Unified Command said Monday that crews recovered the body of a fourth missing construction worker who died when the bridge collapsed in March.

Unified Command salvage teams found one of the missing construction vehicles and notified Maryland State Police (MSP). Troopers, the FBI and Maryland Transportation Authority Police responded and found the workers body inside the car.

Ship that caused bridge collapse had apparent electrical issues while still docked, AP source says

Officials said that the body was identified on Monday. In accordance with the wishes of the family of the worker, officials did not release his name.

The Key Bridge collapsed on March 26 after a cargo ship struck one of its supports. Eight construction workers who were on the bridge at that time fell into the Patapsco River.

Two workers were rescued, and crews recovered two bodies a day after the collapse. Dive teams recovered a third body on April 5.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
The body of a fourth person who was killed in the Baltimore bridge collapse last month has been recovered from the scene, authorities announced Monday.

Authorities confirmed that teams recovered Sunday the body of one of the victims of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, according to a statement from the Key Bridge Response Unified Command. The statement did not identify the victim at the request of the family.

As we mourn the lives lost and continue the recovery operation, we recognize each missing individual is someones beloved friend or family member, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, said in a statement.

Along with all of our allied law enforcement partners, we pledge to exhaust the physical and technical aspects of their training while deploying every available resource possible.

Salvage teams at the site notified Maryland State Police after discovering what is believed to be one of the construction vehicles missing from the bridge. The statement said Maryland State Police, the FBI and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police later located a deceased victim trapped inside the vehicle.

The Key Bridge Response Unified Command said officials notified the victims family members on Monday.

A shipping vessel named the Dali lost power on its way out of the Baltimore Harbor late last month on its way to Sri Lanka and slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse.

Six of the eight construction workers on the bridge that night were killed in the collapse. The Coast Guard has since begun an effort to recover the bodies of the victims.

The Washington Post and The Associated Press reported that the FBI has now opened an investigation into the incident, citing sources familiar with the matter. The FBI confirmed to The Hill that there were agents present on the cargo ship on Monday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert speaks during the first Republican primary debate for Colorado's 4th Congressional district in Fort Lupton on Jan. 25, 2024. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert will head into Colorados June 25 primary with a big fundraising advantage over a crowded field of rivals for the Republican nomination in the 4th Congressional District.

In her bid to switch districts, after representing the Western Slopes 3rd District in Congress since 2021, Boebert had nearly $1 million in cash on hand at the end of the first quarter of 2024, according to Federal Election Commission reports. Thats a bigger campaign war chest than all of her GOP primary rivals combined.

Republicans hold a strong advantage in the 4th District, which includes Douglas County and most of Colorados Eastern Plains. Former Rep. Ken Buck resigned his seat last month, and the winner of the Republican primary on June 25 will be heavily favored to win a full term in Congress in November. A separate special election will be held the same day to fill out the remainder of Bucks current term. Greg Lopez, who was selected by a party committee to be the GOPs special election nominee, calls himself a placeholder candidate and is not a candidate in the 2024 primary.

Boeberts best-funded rivals are former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, who has picked up endorsements from a long list of Republican establishment figures, and Deborah Flora, a conservative radio host who previously sought the partys 2022 U.S. Senate nomination. Both had raised over $300,000 through March 31, according to FEC reports, though Floras campaign has spent her haul at a faster clip, more than doubling Sonnenbergs expenditures to date.

State Reps. Richard Holtorf of Akron and Mike Lynch of Wellington have also qualified for the primary ballot. Holtorf, who had already floated a primary challenge against Buck and quickly jumped into the race following Bucks retirement announcement in November, has raised less than $140,000 since then, disclosures show. Lynch, who resigned as House minority leader in January following revelations about a 2022 drunk driving arrest, has raised even less, and reported just $3,036 in cash on hand at the end of March.

State party chair behind in fundraising

Bucks resignation, Boeberts district switch and the retirement of Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs, who has represented the 5th District there since 2007, mean that all three of Colorados GOP-held congressional seats are up for grabs in 2024.

Colorado Republican Party chair Dave Williams, a former state lawmaker who ran unsuccessfully against Lamborn in the 2022 primary before being elected as state party chair last year, is seeking the seat again. He announced his candidacy in an official state GOP email, and has been the target of a formal campaign-finance complaint and bitter criticism from fellow Republicans over his conduct as party chair, including additional emails and a mailer criticizing his primary opponent, longtime GOP operative Jeff Crank.

Crank, who has won endorsements from many establishment Republicans and the Colorado Springs Gazette, the newspaper owned by right-wing billionaire Phil Anschutz, holds a sizable fundraising advantage over Williams, having raised over $300,000 to date, FEC reports show. Williams has raised $71,511 from outside contributors and personally loaned $100,000 to his campaign, but reported expenditures of just $5,319 in the first quarter.

Frisch has largest haul

In the race for the 3rd District seat being vacated by Boebert, Grand Junction attorney Jeff Hurd, who had announced a primary challenge against the controversial congresswoman before her district switch last year, holds a substantial fundraising lead over another crowded field of hopefuls. Hurds $527,987 in cash on hand is four times the amount held by his nearest rival. Former state Rep. Ron Hanks, a far-right election conspiracy theorist who lost the 2022 U.S. Senate primary, trails far behind the rest of the field with barely $9,000 raised through March 31.

The GOP nominee in the 3rd District will face Adam Frisch, the former Aspen city council member who came within 546 votes of unseating Boebert in 2022. Frisch smashed fundraising records while campaigning against Boebert and continued his strong performance even after her departure from the race, according to FEC disclosures. The $1.4 million his campaign collected in the first quarter was by far the largest haul of any Colorado congressional candidate, and he has a $5.8 million war chest with which to compete in Novembers general election in the 3rd District, where Republicans are generally favored.

Early super PAC spending

Congressional candidate committees are subject to donation limits of $6,600 from individuals, but wealthy donors and corporations can contribute unlimited sums to so-called super PACs, which can make independent expenditures on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate, but are barred from coordinating directly with candidates or their campaigns.

In recent elections, many of Colorados closest congressional races have become battles between deep-pocketed super PACs, which are able to raise and spend far more than candidates themselves. Republican state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, for example, raised just $1.5 million in her unsuccessful 8th District campaign in 2022, but benefited from more than $10 million in independent expenditures from Republican-aligned super PACs.

State Rep. Gabe Evans, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Rep. Yadira Caraveo of Thornton in the 8th District race this year, is already getting a boost from Americans for Prosperity, the super PAC funded largely by conservative billionaire Charles Koch, the Walton family and other wealthy GOP donors. The group has also backed Crank in the 5th District primary, and Hurd in the 3rd District.

To date, Americans for Prosperity hasnt spent any money to influence the 4th District race, according to disclosure reports. And although the House Freedom Fund, a super PAC that backs members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, previously spent over $190,000 to back Boeberts 3rd District candidacy in 2023, the group hasnt reported any spending on her behalf since she jumped to the 4th District in December.

Caraveo and another first-term Democrat, Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Lakewood, received support from Fairshake, a super PAC funded by the cryptocurrency industry. The group, which has spent on behalf of candidates from both parties during the 2024 election cycle, says it aims to fund candidates who will provide blockchain innovators the ability to develop their networks under a clearer regulatory and legal framework.

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The post Boebert leads GOP primary field in fundraising ahead of June primary appeared first on Colorado Newsline.
A circuit court judge denied bond Thursday for 18-year-old Benjamin Shamar Seabrook IV, a St. Helena resident charged with involuntary manslaughter after a 6-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed in a Beaufort apartment in early March. Court proceedings revealed Seabrook allegedly stored the firearm negligently and, after the gun went off, tried to convince police that the fatal bullet came from elsewhere.

Seabrook, who was returned into custody at the Beaufort County jail after his Thursday morning bond hearing, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, criminal conspiracy, obstruction of justice, tampering with physical evidence and filing a false police report of a felony violation.

Beaufort police responded around 1:15 p.m. on March 3 to the Cross Creek Apartments, located east of the Walmart on Robert Smalls Parkway. Six-year-old Frankie Washington originally survived the single gunshot wound but died about nine hours later at the Medical University of South Carolina childrens hospital in Charleston.

Fourteenth Circuit Solicitors Office prosecutor Mary Jones said Seabrook had been accused of storing a switch-modified pistol under the 6-year-olds pillow, which inadvertently went off and struck the child in the head. That type of modified firearm, which uses a small switch to convert a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic weapon, is classified as a machine gun and therefore prohibited under federal law.

Jones said Seabrook and his half-sister Desarai Bennett, who has also been charged, then hid the handgun and developed a story that the deadly bullet had come from outside the apartment. They reportedly poked a hole in the apartments porch screen to give the appearance of a bullet hole and reported their fabrications to the Beaufort Police Department, the prosecutor added.

Bennett, 22, who lives at the Cross Creek Apartments, was arrested March 19 for filing a false police report, criminal conspiracy and accessory after the fact to a felony. She bailed out the same day on a personal recognizance bond, according to Beaufort County judicial records.

Beaufort police spokesperson Chief Stephenie Price previously said Bennett assisted Seabrook with obstruction of justice, a broad offense encompassing any intentional act that impedes the work of the criminal justice system. Criminal conspiracy refers to two or more people banding together to commit a crime.

Marlin Malone Washington, the boys father, was called by prosecutors at Thursdays bond hearing to speak to Circuit Court Judge Carmen T. Mullen. Rising from his seat in the courtroom gallery, Washington said he saw Seabrook with the gun at his side in the apartments breezeway about three or four days before the accidental shooting. Asked why he had the weapon on him, Seabrook said he had previously been shot with an AK-47 and needed it for protection, Washington told the judge.

But then three, four days later, youre gonna have a gun under my sons bed ... and leave out the room? Washington said. Thats not fair. Its too much.

The 6-year-old boy was born in 2017 and attended Whale Branch Elementary School in Seabrook, according to his obituary.

Anthony Dore, Seabrooks defense attorney, conceded the childs death was a tragic situation but asked the judge not to revoke bond. He argued that many of his clients relatives, including the childs mother, were in attendance to support him and did not want to see him go back to jail.

Dore said the Seabrooks were a very, very close, tight-knit family whom he had known his entire life, calling Seabrook mild-mannered and shy. The defense attorney added that the Department of Social Services had performed home visits at the apartment and would soon be following up on the case.

On top of his Feb. 3 arrest for carjacking, felony assault and illegal firearms possession, the prosecution noted Seabrook had also been charged with child neglect. Searching the suspects phone after the March 3 accidental shooting, Beaufort police found a video of the same 6-year-old child playing with a different gun, Jones said.

The modified handgun that fatally shot the boy was found hidden in one of the apartments closets, according to prosecutors. Jones successfully argued for Seabrooks bond revocation using new bond legislation passed in September 2023, which states that the original bond must be revoked if someone commits a violent crime while out on bond for a previous violent crime.

Investigators from the Beaufort Police Department do not expect additional arrests or charges in this case, Price told The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.
Russian occupiers have increasingly started shooting down their aircraft over the temporarily occupied Crimea. The reason for the "friendly fire" of Russian air defense was the growing tension due to Ukraine's constant attacks on Russian military facilities on the peninsula.

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Fearing the next "cotton", the Russian command ordered the commanders of air defense calculations to respond to any threats  despite the fact that the Russian "friend or foe" recognition system has problems. This was stated by the Atesh military movement of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars.

"Agents of the Atesh movement report that tension is growing among the occupiers in Crimea due to constant missile attacks and UAV raids that threaten military facilities. Top military authorities have ordered air defense commanders to shoot down threats despite problems with the target detection and recognition system. "One's own is another's". However, faced with constant missile attacks and UAV raids, air defense commanders are forced to conduct targeting in a virtually manual mode. This often results in strikes on their air targets," the statement said.

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Thus, the 12th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment of the 31st Air Defense Division of the Russian Federation has been particularly active in this area: over the past few weeks, it has shot down two military aircraft of the Russian occupiers.

On March 28, the Pantsyr air defense missile regiment of this anti-aircraft missile regiment sent a Russian Su-27 fighter jet into "perpetual flight."

"The air defense system was deployed in the Inkerman Bay area in Sevastopol," Atesh specified.

And on April 10, another Pantsyr unit stationed near the Saki airbase was shot down by a Mi-24 helicopter on the western coast of Crimea.

"The units responsible for such incidents continue to serve and are not penalized. The Russian leadership is taking into account the above-mentioned problems. A natural question arises: is it possible that Russian air defense systems shoot down Russian aircraft on purpose or out of impunity? Could they be doing it to fight racism or to get a good bonus?" Atesh noted.

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Earlier, on April 16, it became known that the SBU had hit a $100 million radar in the Bryansk region. It controlled the sky 700 kilometers into Ukraine. It was a modernized Nebo-U complex that helped to detect Ukrainian weapons and supported Russian bombers launching KABs.

The $100 million facility was hit by seven kamikaze drones, and "probably turned into a colander" after the attack.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
After already soaring to record peaks, book bans in U.S. schools have hit a new high, according to free speech advocacy group PEN America.

In the first half of the current school year, the group found more than 4,000 instances of book bans, beating the number found in the entire 2022-23 academic year.

The new record high far outpaced the first half of the 2022-23 school year, which saw a then-record of nearly 1,500 bans.

For anyone who cares about the bedrock of American values and the protection of free expression, this report should be a red alert, said Sabrina Baeta, Freedom to Read program manager at PEN America and a lead author of the report.

The report, from July to December, found bans in 23 states and 52 school districts.

Many of the books that faced backlash focused on rape, sexual violence and women, along with topics of racism and LGBTQ individuals.

Book bans are targeting narratives about race and sexual identities and sexual content writ large, and they show no sign of stopping. The bans were seeing are broad, harsh, and pernicious  and theyre undermining the education of millions of students across the country, Baeta said.

From July 2021 to last December, Pen America has recorded more than 10,000 instances of book bans.

Florida has had the most at more than 3,000, while Kentucky and Virginia have experienced the least.

PEN America also highlighted efforts by students and teachers to protest book bans or create alternative routes so kids can find threatened titles, such as through banned-book clubs.

The group defines a school book ban as action taken against a book from the community or administrators that leads a book to be completely removed or restricted when it was once available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- New Mexicos southernmost congressional district is home to haunts of Billy the Kid, the site of the first atomic bomb detonation and the most political turnovers in recent US House history.

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This quirky and unpredictable area, which earned the nickname the swingiest of swing districts by changing hands each election cycle since 2018, will help determine which party wins control of the US House in November.

Democrat Gabe Vasquez, 39, won the House seat in 2022 by less than 1 percentage point  about 1,350 votes  over then-GOP incumbent Yvette Herrell, 60. The two are now headed for a rematch and Republicans see a win here as key to growing their tiny House majority.

Adding to the drama of this tight race is its geography: it shares a 180-mile border with Mexico, placing it at the epicenter of one of the most contentious issues of the 2024 election.

Tell Gabe Vasquez to end his dangerous open-border policies. American lives are at stake, declares a National Republican Congressional Committee digital ad running in the district.

But voters here, while historically more conservative than in other areas of the Democratic state, dont tend to embrace Donald Trumps aggressive immigration policies.

Fifty-five percent of the voting-age population is Hispanic, and among the most acute issues are the humane treatment of migrants and the identification and return of bodies found in the desert.

Theres also no financial incentive here to shutting the border. Development near the border checkpoints drives the economy in many of the dusty towns near the states three crossings.

Political campaigns based on fear of the border  depictions of criminals running through our fields, looting and raping  dont work here, said Jerry Pacheco, 58, president of the Border Industrial Association, a local economic group based in Santa Teresa.

Economic Realities

This border district has a different vantage point than New York and other northern cities straining under the financial costs and societal burden of the migrant surge.

Its also unique among its neighbors on the border. Officials here in a safe Democratic state arent moving to militarize the border like in neighboring Texas, a Republican stronghold, or even Arizona, a swing state.

Theres a lot of empathy and acceptance, and so many people here with family on the other side of the border, real familial bonds, Pacheco said

Republican Philip Skinner, 76, the schoolbus-driving mayor of the tiny border village Columbus, confided recently that hes not a Trump Republican and would cool to Herrell if she got too close to the former president.

What motivates Skinner is growth at Columbus port of entry,  one of the states three, along with Santa Teresa and Antelope Wells.

Within New Mexicos border counties the economy has generally been growing at a slower rate than the rest of the state, according to the states Legislative Finance Committee.

But border communities have made strides in retail trade, health care, and transportation and warehousing, and boosters like Skinner and Pacheco wants to seize on that momentum.

I dont care if youre Republican, independent or Democrat. If you can help us, were for you, Skinner said.

Shared History

Cross-border ties are embraced in Columbus, both as an economic and a cultural necessity.

Residents commemorate Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villas surprise 1916 attack with a fiesta and a binational horseback friendship ride.

The annual bash, a seemingly incongruous celebration of a deadly battle that prompted a US counterattack, exemplifies the complexity of border politics in the region.

New Mexico has the highest percentage of Hispanics of any US state and many of its laws  such as obtaining a drivers license  are friendlier to undocumented immigrants than its neighbors. New Mexico doesnt require proof of citizenship or legal residency to obtain professional or occupational licenses, and it provides eligible undocumented students with access to in-state tuition and financial aid to public colleges and universities.

New Mexico is also the only border state that allows overweight cargo from Mexico to enter and unload in a six-mile radius, the states Legislative Finance Committee also has found. And wait times for crossing in New Mexico are about a quarter of what they are in nearby El Paso, Texas.

Democratic Freshman

Vasquez, a former city councilor in Las Cruces, the states second-largest city, epitomizes these cross-border connections.

At campaign events, Vasquez moves adeptly between English and Spanish and frequently discusses his upbringing, which spanned both sides of the Mexican border.

Vasquez pro-actively speaks about border security and immigration issues, pushing for more federal investments on technology and border personnel. He also wants better conditions for migrant detainees, and tougher criminal sentences for human-trafficking crimes against minors.

We have to represent everybody across this big district, he said at an event a few miles from the Santa Teresa border crossing. We have to listen to everybody.

For many Vasquez supporters in the district, that also means focusing more resources on humanitarian responses to the cross-border traffic.

Weve seen a lot of bodies discovered in the desert, said community activist Ytzel Cano, 24. Vasquez has been receptive to those concerns, she added.

Republican Comeback

Herrell, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation and a former state legislator, needs to walk a careful line if shes going to make a comeback.

At a diner in Alamogordo, about 15 miles from White Sands National Park, Herrell surmises that Trumps position at the top of the Republican ticket could help with GOP turnout in the election, giving her the extra votes she needs to best Vasquez.

But her feelings about the likely GOP presidential nominee are complicated. Trump lost in New Mexico in 2020 by almost 100,000 votes, a nearly 11 percentage point difference.

Herrell said shed like Trump to stump for her this year, but stresses her race isnt a referendum on the former president.

Whether Im tied to Trump, or not tied to Trump, I think its more about who I am, she said.

On the border, she advocates GOP-favored policies such as finishing the border wall, reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy, ending Catch and Release, and immediate detention of any unauthorized migrants charged with crimes.

That strikes a cord with Otero County Sheriff David Black, who nodded in agreement at a recent event.

Black says hes worried about migrant gotaways who evade patrols, and how immigration is the vehicle for cartels importing violent crime and drugs into the country.

Redrawn District

Those stances are popular in safely Republican districts, but could prove tricky here.

State Democrats redrew the district before the 2022 election to make it more advantageous for the party.

The conservative-leaning Permian Basin oil-producing region was sliced up and its power diluted. And other conservative rural areas were exchanged for heavily Hispanic and Democratic parts of Albuquerque.

Still, Vasquez just barely won in 2022, and the 2024 match is considered a toss-up despite Democrats having an 11 percentage point edge over Republicans in registered voters. Twenty-six percent of voters here are registered as others, creating a significant wild card population.

Columbus Municipal Clerk Omar Carreon, 50, a Democrat, has his own theory about why the district is so swingy.

Latinos here tend to be more Democratic  but usually, probably more conservative Democrat, he said. They might not have an issue voting Republican if it lines up with their way of thinking. They might tend to flip.

--With assistance from Dave Merrill.

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An investigation is underway into a shooting involving an Indiana National Guard trooper and a migrant at the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, authorities said.

The Texas Military Department confirmed a National Guard trooper, stationed on the border as part of the Operation Lone Star border security initiative, was involved in a shooting April 14 at the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso. No further information was released.

Texas National Guard and Texas State Troopers use anti-riot gear to prevent asylum seekers from entering further into U.S. territory after the migrants crossed the Rio Grande into El Paso, Texas from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on March 22, 2024.

El Paso District Attorney's Office officials confirmed an investigation is underway but could not comment further since it is ongoing. Texas Department of Public Safety and U.S. Border Patrol officials directed all questions to the Texas Military Department.

El Paso Fire Department officials said they have no records of responding to a shooting Sunday near the border in El Paso.

The Indiana National Guard told the Indianapolis Star it was aware of the incident but released no further information.

"The Indiana National Guard is aware of the incident that happened Sunday, April 14," reads a statement from the National Guard's media department. "We support and care for our soldiers and airmen supporting Operation Lone Star."

The Star reported 50 Indiana soldiers were sent to El Paso to support the Texas National Guard's Operation Lone Star at the southern border. The Indiana troopers are set to be stationed in El Paso for 10 months.

Operation Lone Star is a border security initiative launched by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in response to large amounts of migrants, mostly seeking asylum, who have gathered at the U.S.-Mexico border fence across Texas, including several hundred in the El Paso area.

Abbott has not addressed the shooting investigation as of Monday afternoon. In a Monday X, formerly known as Twitter, post, Abbott praised the National Guard troops for "holding the line."

Texas National Guard engineers in El Paso install anti-climb barriers along the border.



Operation Lone Star personnel continue to reinforce razor wire barriers to deny and repel illegal entry.



Texas is holding the line. pic.twitter.com/nr05ujKxAR  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 15, 2024

The troops have patrolled the border in an effort to keep the migrants from illegally entering the U.S. The soldiers have placed concertina wire barriers to combat the migrants from crossing the border.

The National Guard troops and the migrants have clashed in recent weeks including a "riot" resulting in nine migrants arrested on felony state charges. The nine migrants are accused of assaulting two National Guard troops as more than 680 migrants broke through the concertina wire and rushed the troops in an effort to illegally enter the U.S.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Border shooting involving El Paso migrant under investigation
A Boston police officers body was found two years ago in a snowy yard. Now his girlfriend goes on trial for murder

After many months of courtroom showdowns, conspiracy theories and accusations of a cover-up, the trial in the killing of Boston Police Officer John OKeefe starts in earnest today.

OKeefes body was found in the snow on January 29, 2022, outside the home of a fellow Boston police officer in Canton, Massachusetts. His girlfriend, former finance professor Karen Read, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision.

Residents of Canton and neighboring suburbs have spent months debating two potential scenarios: Was OKeefe beaten inside the officers house and tossed outside to die in the snow? Or did his girlfriend fatally strike him with her black Lexus SUV?

Protesters have accused local authorities of a cover-up to protect the homeowner and have stormed city council meetings to demand answers. Some have formed private Facebook pages and frequented blogs to discuss intricacies of that fateful night, turning what began as a local homicide case into a national sensation.

Opening statements are underway today in Norfolk County, south of Boston. The cases heavy publicity complicates the process of picking an impartial jury, which may come down to selecting jurors who are familiar with OKeefes killing or have read about it but have not formed an opinion, said Daniel Medwed, a criminal law professor at Northeastern University.

Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe. - Boston Police Department/AP

Its fair to say a large number of people in Massachusetts know about this case, Medwed told CNN. What happens in these jury selection processes is that the lawyers will say, Well, given what you know, can you still be fair? Its possible that there could be 12 citizens, residents of this county, who havent made up their mind.

The case has sharply divided the Boston suburb of 24,000 people and neighboring towns.

As the trial gets underway at the Norfolk County Superior Court building in Dedham, Massachusetts, here are the key highlights.

The case comes down to a crucial six-hour window

The case revolves around the six hours before OKeefes body was discovered that winter night. Surveillance footage captured video of him and Read on a night out on January 28, 2022 drinking at two Canton bars and meeting up with friends, including the fellow officer.

Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Reads SUV and drove to the home of OKeefes colleague on Fairview Road in Canton for an after-party, court documents show.

The body of police officer John O'Keefe was found near the fire hydrant outside this home on Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts. - Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

Read, 44, has said she dropped off OKeefe at the Fairview Road house, then drove to his home because she wasnt feeling well, according to court documents. She said she later woke up in the predawn hours and panicked when she realized he was not home.

She told investigators she then called two female acquaintances and the three women drove through the streets of Canton in near white-out conditions, looking for OKeefe and calling his name, court documents show.

Read spotted her boyfriends body in the front yard of the house, covered in snow, and rushed to perform CPR on him, court documents show.

Read and her legal team, including attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yannetti, have argued their client is being framed. Jackson told CNN that he believes OKeefe entered the Fairview Road house that night and got into an altercation with someone inside.

I think that confrontation got physical, and he was beaten to a point of unconsciousness, Jackson said. This was a coverup  he was murdered inside that house and his body placed outside.

But the prosecution alleges that the couple got into an argument that led to OKeefe getting out of the Lexus, after which a drunken Read struck him with her vehicle and fled, leaving him to die in the snowy cold.

In case documents and in court, Reads attorneys have said they believe one of the two female acquaintances, the homeowners sister-in-law, is part of a cover-up to protect the people inside the house and frame Read for the crime.

A forensic search of the womans phone revealed a Google search for the phrase, Ho(w) long to die in cold hours before OKeefe was found, according to court documents.

But the woman has not been charged with a crime and her attorney, Kevin Reddington, has told local media that allegations of her involvement in a cover-up are baseless.

Meanwhile, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey has said allegations that a network of law enforcement agencies conspired to frame Read are not plausible.

These people were not part of a conspiracy and certainly did not commit murder or any crime that night, Morrissey said. The idea that multiple police departments, EMTs, fire personnel, the medical examiner and prosecuting agencies are joining in  a vast conspiracy should be seen for what it is  completely contrary to the evidence and a desperate attempt to reassign guilt.

The furor over the case has divided the town

The case has been marked by legal wrangling for months. Last week, both the defense and prosecution filed a flurry of motions over evidence they want to introduce or exclude from the trial. For example, prosecutors are seeking to show jurors details from a December 2021 trip the couple took to Aruba, arguing that it shows strains in the couples relationship.

The US Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts has launched a federal probe into Reads arrest and prosecution. In February, federal officials released some 3,000 pages of documents about their investigation. Most of the information was withheld from the public.

And last month, the Massachusetts State Police announced an investigation into a state trooper who is involved in the case. The agency did not elaborate on whether the alleged violation is related to the charges against Read.

Protesters gather outside the courthouse during a recent pretrial hearing for Karen Read at Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts. - David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

The investigation was announced the same week Reads defense team alleged the trooper did not fully disclose his relationship with key witnesses in the case. Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally accused the defense of using the relationships to distract from Reads alleged guilt, CNN affiliate WFXT reported.

Its a three-card Monte trick. You know, card trick. On the corner, on the side. Look at all of this. Look at this relationship. Look at that relationship, Lally said.

In November, Canton residents voted for an independent investigation into the police department after a special town meeting that focused on Reads case. At the time, Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty told CNN that investigators found absolutely no evidence of a cover-up in the tragic death of John OKeefe.

Meanwhile, pretrial hearings have drawn protesters wearing Free Karen Read sweatshirts and carrying placards with similar messages. In response Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone issued an order establishing a buffer zone around the courthouse to keep protesters away and restrict what they are wearing.

No individual may demonstrate in any manner, including carrying signs or placards, within 200 feet of the courthouse complex during trial of this case. . No individuals will be permitted to wear or exhibit any buttons, photographs, clothing, or insignia relating to  any trial participant, the order said.

In ordering the buffer zone, Cannone said there have been documented cases of protesters shouting at witnesses and confronting family members outside court.

There is a substantial risk that the defendants right to a fair trial will be jeopardized if prospective jurors are exposed to the protests and messages displayed on signs, Cannone wrote.

Reads supporters have argued the order violates their First Amendment rights. Early Tuesday morning, like they have every time shes appeared in court, they gathered in the streets outside the courthouse with their sweatshirts and placards, shouting, were behind you and go get them as she arrived. Flanked by her lawyers, Read placed her hand over her heart in silent acknowledgment.

But this time, the protesters stood behind the barrier mandated by the judge. No First Amendment Rights Beyond This Point, one sign said.

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Happy Caitlin Clark week! I don't think we're even close to understanding how fortunate we are that the Indiana Fever got the chance to bring her to Indianapolis.

I have a lot of thoughts to share about the upcoming primary elections, so I'm only including two questions in this week's mailbag. If you'd like to submit questions for future mailbags and help balance out my topics, you can email me at the address below or fill out the Google form at the bottom of the online article page.

Edmund Smith: Democrats are concerned about having a say as to who will be our new governor. Is the only way to do that in this Republican state to vote on a Republican ballot in the May primary?

This idea attracted attention last week when a political action committee put up billboards urging Democrats to vote in the Republican primary.

Republicans dismissed the pitch, as IndyStar's Kayla Dwyer wrote, with a party spokesman calling it "unfortunate that Democrats in Indiana can't win elections on the merit of their own policies."

For Democrats, that's sad, but true.

Jennifer McCormick has already grabbed the Democratic nomination for governor, and whoever wins the May 7 Republican primary will have an immense advantage over McCormick in November. Democrats and independents should acknowledge reality and vote Republican next month.

The only reasons not to are if you strongly care about a down-ballot Democratic primary race, you plan to run as a Democrat in some future election or you feel pressure to vote Democratic and support the team.

Democrats want to guilt you on that last point. Jocelyn Vare, chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, issued a statement Monday warning that Democrats voting in Republican primaries can scramble election data and suppress fundraising.

ReCenter Indiana, a political action committee that supports moderate candidates for office, put up this billboard in Merrillville, Indiana, on Broadway just north of the intersection with U.S. 30.

Sorry, but that's a problem for consultants and candidates to figure out. Voters have bigger issues, such as who will be their next governor and whether they'd like to influence that outcome.

"We unequivocally ask all Democratic voters to vote Democrat in the primary. Important races are at stake," Vare said.

The stakes really are high  and that's why Democrats should consider how they can make a difference.

If you're looking to play the role of lib spoiler, you have two main choices in the gubernatorial primary:

Brad Chambers, the CEO of Buckingham Cos. and a former state commerce secretary, is the (wink-wink) anti-Trump candidate. Chambers isn't explicitly running against Donald Trump, but he's making it clear he aspires to follow in the path of former Gov. Mitch Daniels as a pragmatic, business-oriented governor.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch is the secret establishment candidate. She's made a rhetorical hard right turn, while maintaining the confidence of business leaders and local officials (including both moderate Republicans and Democrats) who expect her to govern as a Normal Republican if she wins. She's hitched her candidacy to an improbable pitch to abolish Indiana's income tax.

Those two candidates are chasing Sen. Mike Braun, who, fittingly for this discussion, wouldn't be running in the Republican primary at all in an alt-universe.

Braun for all practical purposes was a Democrat before sliding into the Republican primary ballot box for the first time in 2012 and then evolving into a less-than-sincere Trumpist. Now, he has Trump's endorsement even though he'd disown Trump, too, if he thought it would benefit his career.

It's tough to predict what Braun might do as governor. Braun does what is best for Braun. If you don't want a craven opportunist as your governor, then you might want to vote for someone who has a chance to beat him.

The other candidates are Eric Doden, a businessman and social conservative who might have been more palatable to moderate Democrats without Chambers entering the race; Curtis Hill, a disgraced former attorney general; and Jamie Reitenour, who seems to want a literal theocracy.

If you're a Democratic-leaning voter in Indiana, would you rather help a good-faith Republican candidate defeat a feckless Trump acolyte, or serve up a data point for your loser party? The answer seems obvious to me, but your mileage may vary.

Jerry Gearlds: My question is about the ads being run about the senator and gubernatorial candidates. I'm seeing a lot of ads talking about "finishing the wall" or "backing the blue" or "liberals destroying our cities," but none of the candidates talk about ANYTHING having to do bettering Hoosier lives or attacking each other for being too soft. Is this REALLY working on persuading voters?

I talked about campaign ads in a previous mailbag and defended the people behind them at the time, so I'll take this question as a chance to offer a somewhat contradictory perspective.

As I noted before, political ads hit the same national themes over and over again because consultants possess reams of data showing those points connect with people.

In the case of the Republican gubernatorial primary race, though, I think we're getting to a point where you have several campaigns stuck in a rut of playing not to lose. The problem with this approach is that Chambers, Crouch and Doden are losing  by a lot  to Braun and, yet, they seem to be clinging to generic, consultant-approved scripts.

It's past time for them to get more creative and take risks.

Braun is a recent example of how an effective ad campaign can move the needle late in a competitive primary. Braun famously in 2018 put out an ad in which he carried around cardboard cutouts of Republican primary opponents Todd Rokita and Luke Messer, asking voters if they could tell them apart (they couldn't). Braun ran a near-perfect Senate campaign then, combining resonant ads with effective branding (the blue shirt, for example).

It would be hard to replicate that success. Braun doesn't have to try. He's the frontrunner and his opponents are chasing him. They're just not doing it nearly as effectively as Braun did in 2018 when he defeated two candidates who were supposedly much stronger.

We're three weeks from Election Day. If playing the same old hits  border, outsider, etc.  hasn't worked yet, it's probably not going to make a difference down the stretch.

Thank you for reading! If you want to send questions for future mailbags, fill out the Google form on the online article page or email james.briggs@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why Democrats should vote Republican in Indiana's May 7 primary
BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL)  The Bristol Casino  Future Home of Hard Rock donated hundreds of books to schools in Bristol on Sunday.

According to a news release from the casino, Sunday marked National Donate a Book Day. The casino partnered with the Bristol Tennessee City Schools Book Bus Program.

March Bristol casino revenue shatters monthly record

More than 800 books were donated to Bristol Tennessee City Schools (BTCS).

We are thrilled to help local schools with these book donations, Allie Evangelista, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, stated in the release. By donating to schools within the community, our team can help ensure Bristol students have access to educational materials.

The school district said the donation will help foster a love of reading in Bristol.

We are extremely grateful for Hard Rock Bristols generous donation and support of the students and families of Bristol Tennessee City Schools, Kay Ward, Coordinator of Family and Community Engagement for BTCS, said in the release. Through Hard Rocks efforts to care for local schools, we can support our ongoing literacy efforts by putting books directly into the hands of our students.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
The successful defence mounted by Israel and allied countries including the UK against the complex missile and drone attack launched by Iran over the weekend has drawn renewed attention towards the inadequacies of Britains air and missile defences, with former chair of the Defence Select Committee Tobias Ellwood even calling for Britain to develop its own Iron Dome system.

While its important for politicians to think hard about the high levels of risk posed to the UK by Russian stand-off missile attacks, we should also remember that there are very significant differences between the threat geography we face, and those in Israel or forward bases in Eastern Europe.

The Iranian attack on Israel combined waves of around 180 Shahed-136 one-way attack drones, with approximately 30 cruise missiles and around 120 ballistic missiles. In many ways, this represents a nightmare scenario for air and missile defence planners, since the various attack systems combine a wide variety of operating altitudes, speeds and manoeuvring characteristics.

One-way attack drones like the Shahed-136 (which Russia now manufactures on mass as the Geran-2) are essentially cheap, propellor powered cruise missiles. Given their cost, they can be used in larger numbers than conventional cruise missiles, but are slow and carry comparatively small 30-50kg explosive warheads.

True cruise missiles are a different proposition. Powered by jet engines, with wings to enable them to fly at high subsonic (or sometimes supersonic) speeds at low altitudes, they can carry a medium sized conventional or nuclear warhead over long distances. However, they are generally large weapons that cost significantly more than a million dollars each, so there are limits to how many can be bought and launched simultaneously for any given amount of defence spending.

The final element of the trio, ballistic missiles, are rockets with a large warhead that fly at very high speeds and altitudes across a very high altitude ballistic arc trajectory. This makes them very difficult to intercept except with specialised systems like the Patriot PAC-3 or Israeli Arrow 3. However, they are also expensive and produce a very obvious launch signature when fired.

Israel and its allies were able to mount a successful defence because it had early warning of the attack. This meant that multiple air forces, especially the US Air Force and Israeli Air Force, were able to launch large numbers of fighter aircraft, early warning and radar surveillance aircraft and tankers to intercept all of the Shahed-136 attack drones and most of the cruise missiles before they reached Israeli airspace.

This left the Israeli and US Navy anti-ballistic missile systems like Patriot, Arrow 3, Davids Sling and SM-3 to engage the incoming high-speed, high-altitude ballistic missiles successfully without having to also contend with the drones and cruise missiles at the same time.

Some have argued that the relative success of the Shahed-136/Geran-2 and Ukrainian equivalent designs in the stand-off strike campaigns being waged as part of the Russo-Ukrainian war point to a massed UAV threat to the UK homeland which our defences are not equipped to deal with.

These systems are certainly likely to form part of Russias arsenal for the foreseeable future and likely in large quantities, and so are part of the looming threat against NATO in Europe as a whole.

However, for the defence of the UK homeland, the threat should be understood in more geographically bounded terms. From its closest territory in the Kaliningrad enclave, Russia is about 750 miles from the nearest patch of British soil. A Shahed-136 travelling at its maximum economic cruise speed of around 100mph would therefore take at least 7 and a half hours to reach targets in the UK even on a direct route that did not attempt to avoid known allied air defences or mask its trajectory. Such an attack would also have to pass through the airspace of multiple allied nations with significant air defence and ground-based air defence capabilities such as Poland, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.

If massed Shahed/Geran drones were used to try to swamp UK air defences to enable cruise missiles to get through, then the launch of those much faster cruise missiles would need to be delayed until well after the drones were launched to enable them to arrive simultaneously. This would give the UK ample early warning of an incoming attack  as Iran did for Israel by opening with massed launches of slow drones in large numbers on the weekend.

Russian ballistic missiles, meanwhile, and specifically the 9M720 and 9M723 fired by the land-based Iskander-M system, lack the range to reach UK targets from Russian territory. Similarly, air-launched Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles would have to be carried by launch aircraft to within around 300 miles of the UK to be fired  a suicide mission due to having to pass through or past large numbers of NATO allies airspace and through their defensive counter-air patrols to reach us.

The true Russian threat from long range missiles to the UK actually remains what it has been for decades  massed long range cruise missiles fired by bombers up in Arctic launch areas, and potentially submarines in the Arctic or North Atlantic; as well as nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles. Trident is our defence against the latter.

Against the former, what is needed is hardening of key UK bases to reduce their vulnerability to limited numbers of missiles getting through; more missile ammunition and funded flying hours to practice realistic intercepts for the Typhoon force; and limited numbers of medium-range surface to air missile systems.

The use of similar systems such as NASAMS and IRIS-T in Ukraine has shown that the Sky Sabre system which the British Army has already bought would be extremely effective even in small batteries against Russian cruise missile salvoes, so acquiring more should be prioritised over grandiose plans to defend against massed threats that are unlikely to reach UK targets in practice.

Professor Justin Bronk is Senior Research Fellow for Airpower at the Royal United Services Institute

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Katharine Birbalsingh says parents need to know the school rules before sending their children there - Geoff Pugh

In one of the most deprived areas of London, parents compete to get their children into a state school run by Katharine Birbalsingh, known as Britains strictest head teacher.

Michaela Community School, housed in a seven-storey office block in Brent, has transformed the lives of thousands of children. Its strict ethos and teaching yields top GCSE and A-level results that open the door to Russell Group university places for most of its leavers.

Now, Ms Birbalsingh has a message for prospective parents: If parents do not like what Michaela is, they do not need to send their children to us.

She made the comment on Tuesday after Michaela won a legal battle with a Muslim pupil who had challenged the school over its decision to ban prayer rituals. A growing group of pupils praying in a yard had caused alarm about threats to safety and the schools secular ethos.

However, a pupils mother, who wants to send her second child to Michaela in September 2024, has sent a letter to the schools lawyers threatening legal action over a separate issue at the school, Ms Birbalsingh revealed.

She said on Tuesday that self-sacrifice was required for multiculturalism to succeed at the school. Parents, knowing this, have the freedom to make informed choices. This is who we are.

Pupils at Michaela move between cramped classrooms and corridors with lines running down the middle to ensure they walk down one side, in single file and in silence. Any child walking past a teacher is required to make eye contact and say, Good morning, Sir, or Good afternoon, Miss. There is a strict ban on using a narrow staircase to go the wrong way.

Michaela Community School has impressive academic results in one of the most deprived areas of the city - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The school is oversubscribed, with parents fighting for places because of its academic success and approach to discipline. The mother of a pupil who took the school to court over its prayer policy this year was no exception. She joined a waiting list for the school after missing out on a place. The pupil, who cannot be named, said her mother was drawn to Michaelas exam results and strict rules, which would keep her safe.

However, the relationship turned sour after the mother and pupil realised the school did not have space to accommodate a prayer room. The mother had not attended the schools open days, nor its welcome events for new pupils, where she could have expected to learn more about the schools policies. She assumed that prayers were something her daughter would do when the time was right for her, the High Court heard.

Her daughter told the court that she and her friends knew they should be praying as they were getting older and reaching puberty. She said that one of the core pillars of her faith wass undertaking five daily prayers, including Duhr at midday.

Lunch break at the school includes a 25-minute sitting during which pupils stand beside their chairs and chant poetry, including If by Rudyard Kipling. A teacher sets a topic of conversation, such as books or current affairs, and pupils are not allowed to discuss anything else. For the remaining 25 minutes of break time, pupils can play in groups of up to four in the yard, work in the computer room or attend lunchtime clubs.

Children were talking about praying

The pupil behind the legal challenge wanted to spend 25 minutes of her lunch break performing Duhr. She said that in the autumn term of 2022 and at the start of term in 2023 lots of children were talking amongst themselves about the possibility of praying at the school, but, with one possible exception, none of them raised it or acted on this.

Pupils were moved to act after the head teacher of an Islamic school visited Michaela and told the pupil and her friends that he had heard they were not encouraged to ask questions.

The pupil told the court that she believed the head teacher also spoke to another group of girls who told him there was no prayer room, and he suggested that they could pray in the school playground. While she was considering what to do, other pupils began praying in the yard using prayer mats.

Ms Birbalsingh said she did not intervene at first as the ritual was not against school rules at the time.

However, within days about 20 pupils had begun to group together to pray in the yard, in a position which made them highly visible from the street.

Pupils had started to bring in prayer mats, which Michaela claimed was the first co-ordinated attempt by children to undermine the schools rules.

About a week after the first pupil had been seen praying in the yard, a teacher told the enlarged group to put the prayer mats away because they were against school policy.

Two pupils, including the girl who later brought the legal challenge, answered back, and the teacher said she found the level of contempt towards her shocking. The pupil behind the legal challenge was suspended for two days.

The school claimed that on the same day, pupils praying at lunch in the yard began intimidating other Muslim pupils who had chosen to eat rather than fast during Ramadan.

The following day, about 30 pupils were praying in the yard. Ms Birbalsingh told the court she had been told by a teacher that one of the Muslim pupils who had not previously worn a headscarf had been intimidated into doing so, while harassment of Muslim pupils who were not fasting during lunch increased.

Four of the pupils were given exclusions for refusing to respond to a teacher when spoken to, arguing that they should not be interrupted while praying. Meanwhile, a division was developing in the yard between Muslim and non-Muslim pupils, according to Ms Birbalsingh, which she worried was undermining the schools culture of all races and religions mixing and being friends with each other.

On the same day, an online petition was launched which accused the teacher, who had first challenged pupils for bringing in prayer mats, of disgusting, Islamophobic behaviour.

The petition was signed by at least 4,000 people. Abuse of the teacher, who is black, included references to the Klu Klux Klan, slavery and lynching and comparisons with monkeys, in comments posted on the online petition.

Some people called for Ms Birbalsingh to be dismissed and there were protests outside the school. As well as receiving abusive emails, the school had calls from members of the public accusing it of disrespecting Islam by requiring children to pray outside in dirty and wet conditions rather than allowing them to pray inside in a prayer room.

The following weekend, an email was sent to the school which claimed that bombs had been planted at the site. A subsequent police sweep found no evidence of explosives. However, after consulting with the chairman and vice-chairman of governors over how to keep the school, teachers and children safe, Ms Birbalsingh said they agreed to ban prayer rituals. The ban was upheld after a subsequent meeting of the governing body.

The school felt it needed to employ bodyguards to protect teachers. At the end of March 2023, a brick was thrown through the window of the home of one of the teachers, and glass bottles were thrown into the school yard. The school said that after lawyers were instructed and the online petition was removed in April 2023, the abusive emails began to slow.

Ms Birbalsingh found that after the Easter holidays the school returned to the peaceful and successfully integrated community that it had been before the events of the previous term and no children sought to conduct prayer rituals.

Second exclusion was unfair

The pupil behind the legal challenge received a second exclusion after it was reported by other pupils that she had been openly talking about wanting to do harm to the school.

Mr Justice Linden, handing down his ruling on Tuesday, said the second exclusion had been made unfairly because the pupil had not been asked for her version of events before a decision was made.

However, he backed Michaela on all other grounds of the legal challenge, finding that the prayer ritual ban did not interfere with the pupils freedom to manifest her religious beliefs. He found that the prayer policy was a proportionate means of achieving the legitimate aims of the school and was therefore justified.

The disadvantage to Muslim pupils was outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole including Muslim pupils, he added.

After the ruling, Ms Birbalsingh said the school had faced an onslaught of opposition for its strict rules and traditional values, accusing critics of thinking that ethnic minority families cannot possibly know what they want and have chosen and continue to choose for their children.

She said: A deep-seated progressivist racism fuels the condescending belief that ethnic minorities cannot think and choose for themselves. It is what has allowed a particular kind of bullying identity politics to take such a grip of our country.

In 2023, Michaela achieved the highest Progress 8 score in the country, which means that on average pupils there achieved more than two grades higher than they would have at an average secondary school.

Ms Birbalsingh does not appear to be concerned about future demand for places at Michaela, including from hundreds of Muslim families who love our school.

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By Sarah Young and Alistair Smout

LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan to ban anyone aged 15 and under from ever buying cigarettes passed its first parliamentary vote on Tuesday, although dozens of his own lawmakers voted against it.

Sunak's plan to impose some of the world's strictest anti-smoking rules has angered some members of his governing Conservative Party, including former prime ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, who say the state should not interfere in how people live their lives.

The bill passed a vote in Britain's parliament with 383 in favour and 67 against, meaning it will progress to the next stage in parliament, where it can be subject to amendment.

Lawmakers were given a so-called free vote on the bill, meaning they did not have to vote along party lines. A similar law in New Zealand was scrapped this year by the new coalition government before the legislation went into force.

But 57 Conservatives, including Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, voted against the plan, and the scale of the rebellion was another blow for Sunak, who has already faced criticism in his party over issues ranging from climate change to defence policy.

The legislation is one of Sunak's flagship policies before an election later this year which opinion polls suggest the opposition Labour Party will win.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to prevent children born since 2009 from ever being able to legally buy tobacco, rather than criminalising the habit.

Sunak has said it will tackle "the single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability and death".

PUBLIC SUPPORT

About 6.4 million people were smokers in the UK in 2022, the Office for National Statistics has estimated, around 13% of the adult population.

That is much lower than other European countries such as Italy, Germany and France, where between 18%-23% of adults smoke, according to OECD figures.

There is strong support for the ban from medical and healthcare experts and charities, who say smoking causes 80,000 deaths every year plus many more smoking-related illnesses.

Polling by YouGov also suggests a smoking ban is popular, with a third of voters supporting the phased approach, 30% supporting a ban for everyone at the same time and only a quarter saying there shouldn't be any ban.

The plans have hit the share price of companies like L&B cigarette maker Imperial Brands, which has highlighted the UK as one of its key markets.

It and other tobacco companies like Dunhill maker British American Tobacco have criticised the proposed ban, saying it could fuel black market trade and will be difficult to enforce.

Business minister Badenoch said she was not a smoker and agreed with Sunak's intentions, but said she opposed the bill as she was concerned about its impact on people's rights and difficulty in enforcing the policy.

"We should not treat legally competent adults differently in this way, where people born a day apart will have permanently different rights," she said on social media platform X.

(Reporting by Sarah Young; additional reporting by Emma Rumney, Paul Sandle and Alistair Smout, Editing by Kate Holton, Timothy Heritage, Gareth Jones and Jonathan Oatis)
Sam West travelled to a resort near Paphos to celebrate her 40th birthday

A British tourist has described the intense burning pain she experienced after being bitten by a large venomous snake while practising yoga on holiday in Cyprus.

Sam West had travelled to a resort near Paphos, in western Cyprus, to celebrate her 40th birthday.

She was just about to step on to a meditation platform at the Atlantica Aphrodite Hills Hotel on April 3 when she was bitten by the 5ft-long snake, believed to be a blunt-nosed viper.

Quickly, before I had time to react, it bit me just above my left ankle, said Ms West, 40, from Shifnal in Shropshire, who was on holiday with her wife, Kate.

I started to shake the snake off as I shouted that I had just been bitten. My leg was burning and throbbing, the pain was instantaneous, she told the BBC.

Sam West says her leg was 'burning and throbbing' after the snake bite

Ms West, who runs a hairdressing salon in Telford, was taken to hospital where doctors administered anti-venom.

She spent the next four days in intensive care and another day in a regular ward before being discharged.

She is now relying on a wheelchair to get around and has had to pay 310 (260) a night for a hotel room with disabled access. She is hoping that her insurance company will cover the costs of the hotel and also fly her back to Britain.

Ms West said that the hotel had trimmed back some vegetation around the meditation platform and that yoga activities had been moved to a dance studio.

Her travel company, TUI, said it was liaising directly with the guest to provide our full support.

Blunt-nosed vipers, Macrovipera lebetinus, are found not just in Cyprus but across North Africa and the Middle East.

Blunt-nosed vipers are found across North Africa and the Middle East - DEA / C. P. RICCI

In advice to British military personnel serving on the UKs two sovereign bases on Cyprus, the Ministry of Defence says: This strong snake can grow up to two metres long.

It has small cat-like eyes and fangs at the front of the mouth. The vipers venom can be toxic to humans and the victim should receive immediate first-aid and medical assistance.

A local travel website describes the blunt-nosed viper as the bad boy of the islands snakes  the only potentially lethal snake in Cyprus. It notes, however, that fatalities are extremely rare.

An average of about 40 people are hospitalised after being bitten by venomous snakes on Cyprus each year, according to a study in the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology.

Between 2000 and 2018, there were just two deaths from snake bites, a man aged 73 and a woman aged 77.

More than 90 per cent of cases came during the warm months of April to October, with a spike in September.

Snake bite-related deaths are very rare in the Republic of Cyprus, the study said. Short hospital stays indicate mostly non-severe clinical courses.

The risk of being bitten by a venomous snake was highest around Paphos, the holiday resort in the west of the island that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists, including many Britons.

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The SBU has hit a long-range radar in Bryansk region that controlled the sky 700 km deep into Ukraine. The radar in question was a modernized Nebo-U complex that helped detect Ukrainian weapons and supported Russian bombers launching KABs.

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The $100 million facility was hit by seven kamikaze drones. This was reported to OBOZ.UA by sources in the Security Service.

According to the source, the destroyed radar surveillance complex costs about $100 million. It was hit by seven airplane-type kamikaze drones. And the damage was effective: our sources say that the damaged Nebo-U will no longer work because it "probably turned into a colander."

Thanks to the damage to this radar, the enemy has less ability to detect air targets along Ukraine's northern border.

"The radar blindness of the Russians will help our troops to conduct reconnaissance, launch drones, and use army aviation in this area more efficiently," the source said.

The "Nebo-U" system destroyed by the Special Forces, which the invaders deployed in the Bryansk region, helped the occupiers detect Ukrainian weapons and provided support to Russian bombers attacking Ukrainian cities and villages with anti-aircraft missiles.

ADVERTISIMENT

This is the second Nebo-U system destroyed by the SBU's 13th Main Military Counterintelligence Directorate. The first one was destroyed in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation. Also recently, the Kasta-2E2 radar complex was destroyed near the temporarily occupied Ukrainian city of Berdiansk.

Earlier, a video was posted online showing Ukrainian defenders canceling a Russian T-90 tank in Donetsk region.

In total, on April 15, the Armed Forces of Ukraine neutralized 920 occupants and nine enemy tanks. In total, the invaders lost 103 pieces of military equipment and weapons the day before, including 6 artillery systems (11,609 in total), 13 armored combat vehicles (13,809) and air defense systems (759) of the occupation army.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!

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The Broward school district has been considering closing some of its schools because of a massive decline in student enrollment. It has also been negotiating with local charter schools over an about $80-million debt.

Now the sixth largest school district in the country is dealing with a third crisis: a leadership transition.

Howard Hepburn, the former deputy superintendent for teaching and learning, unexpectedly became the new superintendent of Broward County Public Schools on Tuesday, after former Superintendent Peter Licata announced his plans to step down.

Licata shocked everyone during a School Board meeting when he revealed he wants to retire Dec. 31 over health reasons. He disclosed his medical condition to School Board members on Dec. 17, 2023, he said, and he recently decided to leave his role because of it.

Howard Hepburn, former deputy superintendent for teaching and learning for Broward County Public Schools, unexpectedly became the new superintendent of the school district on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, after former Superintendent Peter Licata announced his plans to step down. LinkedIn

WEIGH IN: Have you or your child recently left a South Florida public school? Tell us why

After conferring recently with my doctors, my wife and my four adult children, it is best that I retire from this incredible role as an educator after 30 plus years here in South Florida, said Licata, 59. Im giving advance notice, so you can properly prepare for the next superintendent.

When asked during a press conference later, Licata declined to name the medical condition or say whether it involved a life-or-death situation.

In the same press conference, Hepburn wished Licata well and said hes excited for his unforeseen promotion.

I am so elated to continue to focus to move our school district to an A, Hepburn said, referring to the state-issued grade for performance. The state has rated Broward Public Schools with a B for about nine years.

FROM DECEMBER 2023: Florida released its grades for school districts. Heres how Miami-Dade and Broward did

Such a shock for Broward County Public Schools

Most School Board members voiced surprise after Licatas news shook the room Tuesday. They also raised concerns of instability in the school district, as Licata was the third official superintendent in the last five years.

Its such a shock; its hard to absorb all of this, said Board Member Allen Zeman during the meeting.

In response to his advanced retirement, the Broward School Board voted 8-1 to mutually separate from Licata immediately, instead of waiting until December. Board members terminated his contract without good cause, and asked Lori Alhadeff, the boards chair, to negotiate a shorter transitional period.

The board also voted 8-1 to name Hepburn as the new superintendent. Board Member Daniel Foganholi was the lone dissenter after raising issues about paying two superintendents at the same time.

Superintendent Peter Licata, center, breaks into laughter as School Board members points to where he must stand for a group picture at the Kathleen C. Wright Building in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Left to Right: School Board members Daniel Foganholi, Debra Hixon and Allen Zeman. On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, Licata announced his retirement. Carl Juste/cjuste@miamiherald.com

Alhadeff said the board chose to shorten Licatas departure to lessen the blow of instability as much as possible.

Hepburn, a native of Belle Glade in Palm Beach County, served as a middle and high school principal in Orange County Public Schools from 2011 to 2016, according to his LinkedIn page. He then moved to the Palm Beach County school district as an instructional superintendent from 2016 to 2023.

He joined Broward Public Schools on Aug. 1, roughly a month after Licata.

To the press after the boards vote, Licata described Hepburn as smart, charismatic and very focused on kids. He said that because Hepburn is with him during most of his days, this is easiest way to transition.

Third official superintendent in Broward in five years

In turn, Hepburn described Licata as a boss, a mentor and a friend.

He said he and Licata have always aligned in terms of vision and mission, and that none of the school districts priorities will change now that hes at the helm. He will still work toward improving academics and redefining schools, the term used to close or repurpose schools because of student under-enrollment.

Board members thanked Licata on Tuesday for his tenure. Sarah Leonardi said Licata is the best superintendent shes worked with, and Alhadeff said Licata was the only superintendent willing to discuss how to redefine schools. Debbie Hixon, the boards vice chair, said the community loves him, and that hes a very innovative forward-thinking person.

FROM JULY: Five things to know about Peter Licata, Browards new superintendent

When the board officially replaced him, Licata stood up to leave the dais, and the entire conference room rose and applauded.

He left his dream job as the superintendent of Broward Public Schools after roughly 10 months.

It was shorter than I wanted to be here, he said in the press conference.

The School Board picked Licata in June following a national search, and officially hired him in July, with an annual salary of $350,000 with the possibility of an additional $20,000 in performance bonuses.

READ MORE: Broward School Board approves contract for new superintendent with these 3 crucial details

Licata replaced Vickie Cartwright, a controversial superintendent who got fired, then rehired in late 2022. She ultimately left by mutual separation in early 2023 with almost $268,000 in severance.

Cartwright replaced Robert Runcie, who left the district under a $754,900 separation agreement negotiated with the School Board. Runcie stepped down as superintendent in May 2021 after he was indicted and charged with lying to a statewide grand jury investigating the Broward district. He pleaded not guilty, and a judge dismissed the case in April 2023.

FROM FEBRUARY 2023: New Broward schools leader receives $300K salary and a mandate to fix a hot mess

Task-assigned superintendent option trashed

Board Member Brenda Fam said during Tuesdays meeting that she supported Licata passing the baton to Hepburn because of their mutual history.

These two men worked as a team, she said.

But not all of her colleagues agreed.

At least two board members, Foganholi and Torey Alston, suggested naming Hepburn as a task-assigned superintendent temporarily instead of hiring him long-term right away. Foganholi advocated for more community input, and Alston feared a rushed decision.

Broward School Board member Torey Alston addresses Dr. Earlean Smiley, the interim superintendent during a Broward County School Board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Alie Skowronski/askowronski@miamiherald.com

Ultimately the board chose to lock him in.

Leonardi said the district has done two national searches in the past five years and shes not interested in spending another $50,000 for a third search.

I think it makes sense for a deputy superintendent to move into this position, she said.

Im really interested in righting this ship. Im not interested in doing task-assigned or interim or another national search that I was unimpressed with, she added.

Alhadeff said she recently wrote a recommendation letter for Hepburn and worried another school district could steal him.

And Nora Rupert worried that not naming a superintendent quickly would bring back the crazy carousel of chaos  what she called the Cartwright debacle back in 2022.

I can slightly hear the carnival music, and I dont want it to get here, she said, eliciting laughs from the audience.

Former Broward Public Schools Superintendent Vickie Cartwright. Miami Herald

FROM JANUARY 2023: Political ousting? Come to your own conclusions, Cartwright says after removal
*UPDATE: "In a late-night emergency decision, the Belgian Court has struck down state censorship" and ruled that NatCon Brussels 2 may go on "without police interference," according to ADF International.

This is not how leaders of a free society behave.

At 7:29 Eastern time this morning, the @NatConTalk account on the website formerly known as Twitter reported that police in Brussels, Belgium, had arrived at the site of the second Brussels-based National Conservatism Conference "with an order to shut NatCon down for creating a public disturbance." An English translation of the order shared by a lawyer cites the fact that participants are from the "conservative and religious right" and that they express a "'Eurosceptic' attitude" as reasons for prohibiting the two-day event.

The document also claims that "it cannot be ruled out thatextremist groups are associating themselves with this event" and that the conference "could undeniably lead to violent reactions." It is signed by Emir Kir, mayor of the Saint-Josse-ten-Nood municipality and a member of Belgium's Socialist Party.

Police didn't, in the end, break up Day 1 of the NatCon Brussels 2 program, but they did prevent anyone not already inside, including scheduled speakers, from entering the venue, according to subsequent posts from organizers and attendees. They also attempted to halt all food and beverage deliveries, according to reports from people on the ground.

Organizers have initiated a legal challenge to the shut-down order, according to @NatConTalk. "There is no public disturbance and no grounds to shut down a gathering of politicians, intellectuals, journalists, students, civic leaders, and concerned citizens," the account added. The Alliance Defending Freedom's international arm has announced it will back the effort.

This afternoon, a group of right-of-center figures that includes several Reason contributors released an open letter "condemn[ing] in the strongest possible terms the Belgian authorities' attempts to shut down, without due process, the National Conservatism Conference underway in Brussels." It notes that the signatories object to the attempt despite fundamental disagreements with the natcon worldview. "We say this as critics of national conservatism, not allies," the document reads. "Indeed, we believe that national conservatism as a political and ideological movement is profoundly mistaken, both empirically and normatively, on most fronts."

The signatories rightly observe that "the use of public authority and police force to shut down peaceful conferences and public meetings is anathema to a free and open society." Ironically, the shut-down attempt is an excellent example of the error-has-no-rights ethos sometimes voiced on the New Right, which includes figures with connections to the natcon movement. It is a political approach that runs directly contrary to the liberal ideal of equal rights under law (to say nothing of the liberal commitments to free speech and free association).

A long post from conference organizer Yoram Hazony yesterday evening explained that NatCon Brussels 2 had already been relocated twice following pressure from local officials.

The National Conservatism Conference will go ahead in Brussels today (Tuesday) despite frantic and continuing efforts by Brussels officials to cancel it at the last minute. Some 600 participants are arriving this morning to hear speeches from the former MEP Nigel Farage, the pic.twitter.com/PNPxQvZHQM  Yoram Hazony (@yhazony) April 15, 2024

"Last Friday, the Concert Noble venue which had hosted the 2022 NatCon conference cancelled this year's event following an intervention by the Socialist Party mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close," the post reads. "Yesterday (Monday) the replacement venue, the Sofitel Brusselsbroke its written contract citing objections from people involved in the European Union Council who would be staying at the hotel. The Mayor of Etterbeek Vincent de Wolf (MR) yesterday boasted to The Brussels Times that he was responsible for the Sofitel cancellation."

After issuing today's order, Kir declared explicitly that "in Etterbeek, Brussels City and Saint-Josse, the far right is not welcome." Controversial European right-wingers, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, French politician Eric Zemmour, and British politician Nigel Farage, were on the lineup for the confab.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has since weighed in with a post calling today's shut-down attempt unacceptable. "Banning political meetings is unconstitutional," he wrote. "Full stop."

NatCon Brussels 2 is affiliated with the U.S.-based National Conservatism Conference (which I wrote about critically in 2019) and NatCon 3 (which I wrote about critically in 2022). One hopes the experience will give national conservatives a new appreciation for the liberal values that will necessarily undergird their legal and rhetorical challenges to today's events.

The post Brussels Mayor Attempts To Shut Down National Conservatism Conference by Force appeared first on Reason.com.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Buffalo man pleaded guilty last week to two separate indictments for an attempted burglary and assaulting firefighters who were attempting to give him aid, the Erie County District Attorneys Office announced Tuesday.

Officials said on Aug. 16, 2022, 43-year-old Titus D. Smith pushed an air conditioner out of a window in an apartment on Auburn Avenue in order to gain entrance. He and another individual left with two bags of belongings from the home.

Less than a month later, on Sep. 11, 2022, officials said firefighters responded to a residence on 14th Street because Smith required medical assistance. He slashed one of them with broken glass, hit another with a toilet lid, and punched the third in the eye as they attempted to give him aid. All three were taken to ECMC. Smith was also taken to ECMC for evaluation.

Smith pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted burglary and second-degree assault charges. He faces twelve years to life in prison and remains held without bail.

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch

For months, House Republicans who support Ukraine have hinted that extraordinary measures might be needed to force a vote if Speaker Mike Johnson wont put a new aid bill on the floor. All it would take to pass the multi-state foreign aid package approved by the Senate, theyve warned, is a handful of hawkish conservatives to join with Democrats on a discharge petition.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a libertarian Republican and opponent of Ukraine funding, was indignant when presented with that scenario in February. Its violence against the speaker, he said at the time.

Two months later, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is threatening to call a vote to oust Johnson if he proceeds with his new plan for a standalone Ukraine bill. She had no allies in that effortuntil Tuesday morning, when a Republican colleague threw his support to her.

Rep. Thomas Massie has chosen violence.

I just told Mike Johnson in conference that Im cosponsoring the Motion to Vacate that was introduced by @RepMTG.



He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker.  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 16, 2024

Youre not going to be the speaker much longer, he reportedly warned Johnson during a conference meeting. Greene hasnt yet called a vote on the motion to vacate she recently introduced as I write this but Axios is reporting that Republican leaders expect it within the next 48 hours.

Two Republican votes to topple the speaker doesnt sound like much  until you remember that, as of this coming Friday, the GOP will be down to a one-vote margin in the chamber. If Democrats vote unanimously to oust Johnson, Greene and Massie would be enough to make a majority with them and decapitate the House leadership.

Again.

In January I wondered if the best thing Johnson could do to teach his ungovernable conference a lesson about dysfunction would be to resign, as the humiliation of a second leadership vacuum in the span of six months might finally persuade House Republicans to stop organizing coups against their own speakers. I stress: Might. You know how these people are; coup plots and insurrections are sort of their thing.

Johnson made clear on Tuesday that he will not be resigning:

Speaker Johnson: I am not resigning pic.twitter.com/T9SijB5WPa  Acyn (@Acyn) April 16, 2024

Today I find myself thinking that his resignation isnt necessary after all. Enough lessons may have been learned already from this rolling disaster that the gavel will remain in Johnsons hand with everyone involved benefiting from the ordealRepublicans, Democrats, even the Greene-Massie brigade.

Kevin McCarthy lost his speakership because he alienated three important blocs. One was House Democrats, the second was renegade populists, and the third was Donald Trump, a bloc unto himself.

House Democrats grew to despise McCarthy as the symbol of a pre-Trump establishment Republican whod sold his soul for favor with his partys new center of power. He criticized Trump after January 6, then turned around and paid tribute to him at Mar-a-Lago. He offered himself as the smiling, respectable face of the MAGA-led GOP while forming alliances with the likes of Greene. When the time came for him to fulfill his dream of becoming speaker, he made numerous concessions to populistsincluding, fatefully, allowing any single member to bring a motion to oust him from the jobfor the sake of satisfying his ambition.

When given the chance to save him, Democrats declined. He had made his bed by courting the worst elements of his party. Now it was time for him to lie in it.

The House Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy had their own reasons for doing so. Rep. Matt Gaetz seems to have borne him a personal grudge but the other seven saw an opportunity to burnish their populist credentials on the cheap by moving against a leader whom the rights populist activist class had never trusted. Not only was McCarthy a veteran of the globalist Paul Ryan-era House GOP, he had seemed a bit too eager to squander the House GOPs leverage over matters like the debt ceiling by cutting deals with Joe Biden. Surely the Republican majority could find a speaker with more spine than him.

Trump maintained a love-hate relationship with McCarthy that tipped toward hatred by the end. He opted not to lobby House Republicans on the speakers behalf after Gaetz brought his motion to vacate; when McCarthy phoned Trump to ask why, the former president reportedly ticked through a list of grievances. McCarthy hadnt endorsed him during the Republican presidential primary or moved to expunge his two House impeachments, he complained. The fact that McCarthy hadnt clearly said that Trump was the GOPs strongest possible nominee bothered him as well.

McCarthy ended up winning the support of nearly all House Republicans on Gaetzs motion to vacate. But in a closely divided chamber, without the aforementioned three blocs, it wasnt enough. Too many people were glad to see him go.

Tell me: Wholl be glad to see Mike Johnson go?

Not Donald Trump. When Johnson paid his own tribute at Mar-a-Lago last week, he received this valuable soundbite as thanks:

Donald Trump, when asked about Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-GA) motion to vacate the House Speaker:



"[Mike Johnson is] doing about as good as you're going to do  She's a very good friend of mine and I know she has a lot of respect for the speaker." pic.twitter.com/x0BfvBGTqr  The Recount (@therecount) April 12, 2024

Johnson endorsed Trump in November, a few weeks after becoming speaker and in the home stretch of the primary campaign. Trump probably hasnt forgotten. I suspect he also hasnt forgotten that Johnson was a loyal soldier for his coup attempt following the 2020 election. In Donald Trumps moral universe, a Republicans qualifications to lead have nothing to do with his policy positions and everything to do with his loyalty to Trump himself. Johnsons given him no reason to doubt his qualifications.

House Republicans, including the type of populists who moved against McCarthy, arent keen to see Johnson go either. Timing is everything here.

The 2024 election was still more than a year away when McCarthy was ousted, ample timein theoryfor voters to forget how disruptive and internecine the GOPs leadership vacuum last year became. A second such crisis six months out from Election Day would refresh their memories, which I assume is also a factor in Trumps current support for Johnson. Hes keen to ease the minds of centrist voters who worry about the chaos that a second presidential term for him might bring. Another mess in the House would undercut that.

It also matters, of course, that this would be the second defenestration of a Republican leader in a six-month span when there had been zero such ousters in all of American history before. As Oscar Wilde might have said, to lose one speaker may be regarded as a misfortune but to lose two looks like carelessness. Carelessness is a bad brand for a narrow majority whose entire membership is set to face voters in November.

Tell em, governor:

Instead of bickering amongst themselves and handing Democrats control of the House, Republicans should do their damn job and vote on the important issues facing our nation.



Enough is enough. I support @SpeakerJohnson. https://t.co/r429Zb1yyd  Brian Kemp (@BrianKempGA) April 16, 2024

Even Republican voters might be tiring of the dysfunction. We underestimate at our peril the ability of populist media to turn any given GOP official into a villain and traitor, but as of the end of March the GOP base seemed to like Mike Johnson just fine. His favorable rating among Republicans stood at 38-16, according to Morning Consult, a slight improvement over his initial ratings as speaker last November. Contrast that with Matt Gaetzs approval among Florida Republicans after McCarthys removal last year, barely breaking even at 36.6-36.3. The rights appetite for chaos is vast, but maybe not quite insatiable.

No wonder Massie was booed at Tuesday mornings conference meeting when he announced he would support Greenes motion to oust Johnson.

What about House Democrats, though? Shouldnt they want to see Johnson go, if only for the lulz?

Its complicated.

There is a strong lulz argument for Democrats to join Greene and Massie in dumping Johnson. If the House majority is so stupid as to hand the minority not one but two invitations to embarrass them by removing their leader, its political malpractice for that minority not to accept, no?

For the same reason that most House Republicans dont want to see Johnson go, House Democrats should want to make it happen. The speakers departure would be tantamount to erecting a 50-foot blazing neon sign that reads THE GOP CANT GOVERN.

Besides, if Democrats disliked Kevin McCarthy for being too comfortable with Donald Trump and his brand of politics, they should detest Mike Johnson for scheming to stop the certification of Joe Bidens victory on January 6, 2021. They owe him for that; nows their chance to repay him.

But.

As disgraceful as Johnsons actions after the last election were, in some ways his political trajectory is the opposite of McCarthys. McCarthy was the establishmentarian who repositioned opportunistically as a populist, Johnson is a populist who, as speaker, has repositioned as a proto-establishmentarian. (Or, to borrow a term, a MAGA pragmatist.) He made a deal with Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer to avert a government shutdown; he successfully lobbied his conference to renew federal authority to conduct warrantless surveillance overseas; now hes pushing a funding bill for Ukraine despite opposition from right-wing nationalists.

And its not just that hes done those things. Its how hes done them.

Over and over, more than 10 times in his first five months as speaker, Johnson opted to diminish the power of his own Republican majority by moving bills under the procedural tactic known as suspension of the rules. Knowing that the Houses populist-dominated Rules Committee would block certain legislation before it reached the floor, Johnson chose to bypass the committee and advance that legislation by invoking suspension, which requires the support of two-thirds of the House for passage. Massie is a member of the Rules Committee; each use of suspension nullifies his power to obstruct bills he opposes, which explains some of his antipathy to Johnson.

An extraordinary number of major bills have passed this year via suspensionwith Democrats providing most of the two-thirds majority needed. If Ukraine aid passes, it too might rely on suspension (or unusual Democratic support within the Rules Committee), again with most of the votes on the floor destined to come from Hakeem Jeffries caucus.

Forced to choose between letting MAGA Republicans derail important legislation and passing that legislation with a bipartisan supermajority composed mostly of Democrats, Johnson has consistently and remarkably chosen the latter. So why would House Democrats want to oust him, especially given the risk that hed be replaced by a Steve Scalise or Jim Jordan?

Go figure that some of them dont:

My position hasnt changed. Massie wants the world to burn, I wont stand by and watch. I have a bucket of water. https://t.co/bn61J6N2y3  Jared Moskowitz (@JaredEMoskowitz) April 16, 2024

Moskowitz is a Democrat from Florida. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat from New York, is also prepared to vote to keep Johnson as speaker. Many other members of the party may follow suit, especially if the Ukraine package Johnson is preparing is to liberals liking.

The fact that a figure as loathsome as Greene is his chief antagonist in this standoff might give him a boost among Democrats as well. So neck-deep in Russian propaganda is she that she recently described the prospect of more U.S. military aid to Kyiv as the most repulsive, disgusting thing happening in Washington. To hand her a win by backing her motion to vacate at a moment when Johnson is struggling to do the right thing would be unconscionable for liberal Ukraine supporters despite the partisan benefit to Democrats in seeing Johnson toppled.

As for the neon sign I described earlier, Democrats already put up a version of it when they helped Gaetz get rid of McCarthy. It might not have been 50 feet tall, as toppling one speaker isnt as screamingly dysfunctional as toppling two would be. But removing McCarthy and attempting to remove Johnson will nonetheless be an impressive signal from Republicans to swing voters that they still cant get their act together in the public interest.

If thats not enough to persuade Democrats to protect Johnson as speaker, theres also the fact that his continued tenure is destined to cause further Republican infighting. If hes ousted, theres a chance the conference will replace him with someone like Scalise, whom all factions of the GOP might grudgingly tolerate for the rest of the year. Whereas if Johnson stays thanks to Democratic help, the bipartisan nature of his support will create a rift on the right that bedevils the majority for the rest of the term. Each time going forward that he disappoints populists by playing to the center on an important vote, the Greenes and Massies and their enablers in right-wing media will screech that hes the Democrats speaker, a man who holds the gavel only at the sufferance of hated liberals.

If you like the idea of House Republicans brawling with each other for the next eight months over whether the head of the conference is a well-meaning guy in an impossible job or a uniparty sellout in hock to globalists, then Mike Johnson is the speaker for you. Democrats should like that idea.

They wouldnt even have to vote for him as speaker, technically. They could simply join with the majority of House Republicans in voting to table Greenes motion to vacate after its introduced. Or, if the motion reaches the floor, they could vote present and allow the large majority of pro-Johnson Republicans to outvote the Greene/Massie contingent.

In short, everyone wins if Mike Johnson hangs on as speaker. But Democrats win even if he doesnt.

Trump wins because he has a toady in charge of the House whos doing his best to stay on the right side of the American majority and whose survival as speaker Trump can claim credit for, per his recent endorsement at Mar-a-Lago.

Normie House Republicans win because they desperately want to avoid further leadership chaos in an election year and because Johnsons moves to sideline the populist wing are advancing traditional Republican priorities, like foreign military aid and the FISA rules reauthorization.

The populists win because Johnsons continued survival gives them a hate object against whom to rally their grassroots supporters. Figures like Greene and Massie arent built to govern, theyre built to rail against the corruption of the establishment. So long as an enemy like Johnson is in charge, they get to fight that establishment despite the fact that a member of their own party is running it.

And Democrats win for all sorts of reasons. Under Johnson, rule-by-suspension would continue and probably grow more normalized than it already is, with the left and normie right forging a de facto governing House majority while the MAGA faction cultivates its ideological purity by opposing everything. Ukraine aid will pass, at long last. And tensions within the GOP will grow more toxiceventually, perhaps, to the point where a few more Republicans end up resigning in disgust, creating a (probably temporary) House majority for Democrats and making Jeffries speaker.

On the other hand, if Johnson is ousted with Democratic help and another leadership vacuum opens, then  Democrats also win, as Republican dysfunction would collapse into total disrepair.

The only potential loser I can see in all this is, er, the nation of Ukraine. If Democrats refuse to support Johnson against Greenes coup plot, forcing him to survive with Republican votes alone, he may decide he has no choice but to appease the Greenes and Massies by yanking the Ukraine aid bill. Normie Republicans could theoretically apply counterpressure at that point by threatening to bring their own motion to vacate if he doesnt put Ukraine aid on the floor, but thats not the way mainstream Republicans operate. They refuse to take hostages the way populists do.

And because they refuse, its the populists who ultimately have the leverage.

So lets hope Johnson delivers a Ukraine package that hawks can be excited about and that those hawksright and leftdeliver the votes he needs to defeat Greenes challenge. Thats the only way in which this fiasco doesnt end up as a debacle for America abroad.

Read more at The Dispatch

The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free.
The historic Buxton Inns tavern reopened April 1, nearly two years after an electrical fire gutted the kitchen in the 212-year-old hotel and restaurant, but the kitchen and restaurant will not reopen.

While fire and smoke damaged the structure Oct. 25, 2022, Jennifer Valenzuela, the inns general manager, said she decided over the course of restoration and reconstruction work not to offer a full menu.

"I might add some small plates here and there, but, you know, a lot of things have changed in Granville," Valenzuela said. "Its just not a very profitable business to run a restaurant."

The hotel reopened to overnight guests six months after the fire, and Valenzuela said the inn will offer spaces for private events. The tavern opens at 3 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays in the inn, 313 E. Broadway, across from the Granville Inn.

The historic Buxton Inn Tavern reopened on April 1, nearly two years after an electrical fire gutted the kitchen in the 212-year-old Granville hotel and restaurant, but the kitchen and restaurant will not reopen.

The restoration process at the oldest business in Granville, and one of the oldest inns in Ohio, was long and emotional, but Valenzuela said she is grateful for what it taught her.

"With any type of adversity or challenge or difficult situation, you just take it day-by-day and keep moving forward," she said. "Its when you stop and you let the weight of the situation consume you that its not good."

The Buxton Inns intricately painted fireboards placed in front of the fireplaces in the summer and lustrous chandeliers may not give away any evidence of what the inn has been through in the past few years, but the loss of the restaurant is certain to have a significant impact on Granville for years to come.

The fire that sent thick smoke across Granville reduced the kitchen to a broken, smoldering shell, and some nearby guest rooms were affected and remain closed.

The renovation included updated safety measures, but Valenzuela said it would not be worth reopening the restaurant. For now, the Buxton Inn will focus on its other hospitality services, providing overnight guestrooms and the tavern and remaining available for small, private events.

After the fire, renovations made to the kitchen included updated safety measures.

Born 30 miles away in Reynoldsburg, Valenzuela said she began working at the Buxton shortly after her father, Robert Schilling, bought the inn from its previous longtime owners in 2014.

Her background in interior design aided her work in refreshing the inn while still honoring the rich history within every wooden board.

The Buxton opened as a tavern in 1812 and later became an inn.

"We dont get the crazy crowds that we used to, but people still enjoy just coming in here to learn the history," said Buxton Event Manager Arlena Dean, who has worked at the Buxton since the early 1980s.

The Buxton Inn has five staff members, three of whom are recent hires.

Mark Golden, 48, originally from Pittsburgh, has worked the inns front desk since the 1990s. He has worked in numerous hotels, he said, but the Buxton appealed to him because of its unique history. Despite the recent hardships the inn and its staff faced because of the fire, Golden remains proud of the business.

"This place persevered against it all when a lot of family-owned and operated places would have thrown in the towel, so its pretty great to see them stick it out," Golden said. "All things considered, they are like the phoenix from the ashes."

Abby Jump writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison Universitys Journalism program, which is funded by the Mellon Foundation and donations from readers.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Granville's Buxton Inn Tavern reopens without restaurant after fire
I have Barbadian heritage and am contemplating retiring there, a reader writes from London. I aim to fly out to Barbados next month and stay there for between three and six months while I decide whether to emigrate.

Sounds an idyllic plan. But, she continues: I want to buy what I understand to be an open ticket, so I can come back whenever I Iike. But I cant see how to book one. Let me try to help.

In the olden days, when flights were, for most people, prohibitively expensive, open tickets were common. If you could afford to buy a plane ticket, then you could choose a return date within a year. What with fares being so high, flight loads were generally light and you would be very likely to find a seat whenever you wished.

Today, the idea of an open ticket has more or less vanished. Most of us commit to specific flights, knowing it will be expensive or impossible to change them. The closest equivalent to an open ticket is a flexible return. But you pay a fortune for the benefit of being able to change travel dates without penalty.

To illustrate the difference, I made some test bookings on British Airways from London Heathrow to Barbados: flying out on 1 May and returning five months later, on 1 October.

The fully flexible fare is currently 2,591, and allows you to change your dates or get a full refund without penalty. Effectively, it is an open ticket. But, inconveniently, it is almost three times as expensive as the cheapest economy fare, which is 883; if you are flexible with dates either way, you can slice a couple of hundred pounds off the cost.

With the less expensive ticket, BA says you can change each segment for a fee of 150 plus any difference in fare. The difference between the fare on the day you buy and the prevailing price on the day you decide to change is impossible to predict, but could easily run into hundreds of pounds. Even so, the best plan may be to book the lowest fare, come up with a plausible return date, and do your best to stick to it.

Hang on, though: what is wrong with the reasonable strategy of booking a one-way ticket, then sorting out the inbound leg separately?

Unfortunately, aviation is about as irrational as any industry could be. Remember that 883 round trip? If you book only the outbound segment, covering half the number of miles, the price from British Airways does not halve  it more than doubles, to 1,757 one way.

Fortunately, BAs sister airline, Aer Lingus, can restore some sanity to the situation. Until the end of May, the Irish carrier flies from Manchester to Barbados. It has a simple single-leg pricing structure. For the journey outbound on 1 May, the fare is 643; add an extra 30 or so for the train fare from London, booked in advance.

Coming home, Aer Lingus will no longer be in contention. But there will be many other options, plus plenty of time to find the best deal. If British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are too expensive to London, then JetBlue via New York will save cash. Or perhaps another airline will have stepped up with fresh flights between Barbados and the UK.

To return to the original question: why do open tickets no longer really exist? Because airlines deploy the dark art of revenue management to fill as many seats as they can on each flight. By persuading many passengers to commit in advance, they can maximise the load factor. When performed effectively, this helps them extract the highest possible revenue. And that strategy, they would say, enables them to keep connecting the UK with beautiful Caribbean islands.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Gordon Ross Tripp and Luis Esparza Jr. long had issues with each other.

The California City residents argued or fought every time they crossed paths, according to witnesses. During one confrontation, witnesses said, Esparza hit Tripp in the head with a wrench, knocking him unconscious.

On Dec. 8, the bad blood between the two ended with Esparza dead, according to recently released court documents.

Arrest made in California City shooting that left a 21-year-old dead

Tripp, 65, is accused of shooting Esparza, 21, in the face at a home on Tamarack Avenue. He pleaded not guilty in March to a charge of first-degree murder and has a preliminary hearing scheduled this week.

On Dec. 8, Esparza answered the door and exchanged words with someone others in the home didnt see but heard.

It was Gordy, one resident told police, saying she recognized his voice.

Esparza said something to the effect of, Thats not real, then threatened to hit the person with something, possibly a shovel found by the door, if they tried to enter.

Ill show you its not fake, the other person said, according to residents statements contained in the documents. A loud bang followed.

Protester charged with threatening Bakersfield council, fired from job with advocacy group

When others got to the door, Esparza was seated on the floor, bleeding and making gurgling noises, documents said. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Tripp disappeared for a while after the shooting, one witness told police. Another person said Tripp admitted to shooting Esparza, according to the documents.

When arrested March 20, Tripp denied involvement.

The boy was an a, but I wouldnt do that to him, Tripp told police.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
The California Department of Public Health has issued a warning to consumers advising them not to purchase or use a hemorrhoid ointment from Vietnam that was found to contain dangerous levels of lead and was linked to a death in Northern California.

A public health advisory declared that California consumers should not use Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau, an ointment for hemorrhoids that is produced in Vietnam and available for purchase on social media and by private vendors at public events like swap meets.

USC Class of 2024 valedictorians speech canceled amid allegations of antisemitism

According to CDPH, the product was found to contain 4% lead, which was described by health officials as an incredibly high and dangerous level, who added that the ointment was linked to a lead poisoning death in Sacramento County.

Reports from KTLA sister station KTXL indicate that the victim allegedly bought Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau on Facebook and had it shipped to her by a relative in Vietnam.

Consumers should be extremely cautious using unregulated health products available online or through social media, said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, Dr. Tomas J. Aragon. Many of these products overpromise to cure or relieve ailments and are not tested for safety. Putting these products on or in your body can have serious consequences.

Godfather gets decades in prison for $150M fraud scheme

State health officials are working with county health departments to raise awareness within their Vietnamese communities. Federal health officials have also been notified, CDPH said.

Anyone who is using or has used Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau is urged to stop immediately, see a healthcare provider and request a blood lead test as soon as possible, health officials said.

CHP introduces fast, easy way to obtain crash reports

Consumers are advised to put the product in a plastic bag and call 510-620-3620 or email toxoutbreak@cdph.ca.gov for more information.

CDPH has established a web page with resources for individuals with questions regarding the public health advisory. Information is available in English and Vietnamese.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
During his visit to China, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said to Xi Jinping that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine threatens global security. He also called on Beijing to put more pressure on Moscow to resolve the conflict.

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For his part, Chinese President reiterated that the aggressor country Russia should take part in the upcoming peace conference. This was reported by The Washington Post.

During the talks with Xi, the German chancellor emphasized that the use of nuclear weapons in the Russian-Ukrainian war is unacceptable. He also warned that the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine threatens to escalate into a global conflict and disrupt food supplies and other types of trade.

Beijing's representatives emphasized the need to establish peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. At the same time, the Chinese authorities put forward such a proposal without specifying the nuances of resolving the aggressor's key territorial claims. China also continues to insist that the UN Charter should prevail in international affairs and be based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, which is clearly contrary to Russia's actions.

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Despite this, Xi Jinping said that China encourages and supports all efforts that contribute to a peaceful settlement of the war. In particular, Beijing noted that it supports the convening of an international peace conference with equal participation of all parties and a fair discussion of all peaceful options.

"China is ready to maintain cooperation with all interested parties, including Germany, in this regard," Xi Jinping said.

As a reminder, Scholz's visit to China became the longest foreign trip by a chancellor to a single country since he took office in December 2021. The three-day program includes a meeting with Xi Jinping. The main topics are the economy, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the situation around Taiwan.

Earlier, it was reported that the German government welcomes the upcoming Ukrainian peace summit to be held in Switzerland. Berlin is trying to help attract as many participants as possible from around the world, including Brazil and China.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
California man arrested for doing stunts in truck with 3-year-old inside

A man from San Bernardino County has been arrested for child endangerment after he was found doing stunts in his truck with a 3-year-old child in the backseat.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, the man was arrested on Friday after deputies observed approximately 100 vehicles in the parking lot of a closed business. A large group  estimated by authorities to be between 50 and 100 people  was simultaneously walking through the lot, SBSD said.

Soon after, deputies observed a black GMC Sierra doing donuts in the parking lot.

[The driver] was observed intentionally accelerating his vehicle at a high rate of speed, law enforcement officials said. [The driver] turned the tires and intentionally forced the rear tires to lose traction with the ground. This caused the vehicle to spin uncontrollably and placed the surrounding pedestrians in danger.

Possible home invasion elicits heavy police presence in Orange County neighborhood

Deputies quickly conducted a traffic stop on the driver, later identified as 21-year-old Highland resident Alex Sanchez. During the traffic stop, it was discovered that Sanchez had been doing stunts with a 3-year-old in the rear seat.

The toddler was not restrained by a car seat, authorities added.

Sanchez was arrested and booked for child endangerment at the Central Detention Center. He is being held on $60,000 bail.

Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Departments Central Station by calling 909-387-3545.

To submit information anonymously, contact We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or visit their website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A bipartisan California bill that would make it a crime for a person to sit, lie, sleep, or camp on a street or sidewalk within 500 feet of a school, park or major transit stop was voted down following a hearing in the Senate Public Safety Committee Tuesday morning.

Senate Bill 1011 was co-authored by Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, R-Santee, and Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas. A similar bill, Senate Bill 31, also introduced by Jones, failed last year.

This time, the bill met with resistance from committee lawmakers, including Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and Sen. Aisha Wahab, D-Hayward, who chairs the committee.

Skinner said she couldnt support a statewide measure to clear homeless camps, adding that local governments already have the power to do so if they wish.

But for us to put it in law, its like trying to make a problem invisible versus addressing the core of the problem, she said.

For 50 years, Skinner said, local governments worked to suppress the supply of housing, and the senator said that they bear some responsibility for the states homelessness crisis.

Though the bill has the support of a handful of interests  California Baptists for Biblical Values, the California State Sheriffs Association, the cities of Carlsbad, Exeter and Oroville and the Riverside County Sheriffs Office  it is opposed by several dozen others.

Among them: ACLU California Action, Disability Rights California, the Vera Institute of Justice, the Western Center on Law and Poverty and many pro-housing and homeless advocacy groups.

Jones spoke Tuesday on behalf of SB 1011, saying it would help protect our most vulnerable populations: children, seniors and families.

The bill, which Jones called compassionate, would require enforcing authorities to give unhoused people 72 hours notice before clearing their encampments. It also would make creating such an encampment a misdemeanor or infraction offense.

Jones said Tuesday that the goal was not to criminalize homelessness.

Jones and Blakespear said that their bill was inspired by an ordinance passed by the City of San Diego last year. The lawmakers said that it had led to fewer unhoused encampments in the downtown area.

A report by CalMatters found that while encampments were less common in high-traffic areas such as downtown, the citys main park and around certain schools, encampments are still prevalent, perhaps even moreso, near freeways and along the banks of the San Diego River.

The citys homeless shelters are full, often with no beds for people who want to avoid a citation. Theres no evidence the citys overall homeless population has decreased in the eight months since enforcement started, according to the CalMatters report.

But support for the bill was clearly lacking Tuesday.

Wahab said that she could not support the bill.

Just because people that are unhoused make people uncomfortable, does not mean it should be criminalized, Wahab said.

Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, spoke in favor of the bill, saying that when public spaces are taken up by encampments, they are no longer public spaces. He said those spaces should be available to everybody.

Seyarto expressed frustration with the bills critics.

Weve had a slough of people come out and tell us what we shouldnt be doing. Well what the hell should we be doing? he asked.

Wahab, Skinner and Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, voted against the bill. Seyarto voted for it. Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Gardena, abstained from voting.
California officials are suing the beachside city of Huntington Beach over a voter ID amendment it passed last month with support from a majority of residents.

The lawsuit, from California Attorney General Rob Bonta and California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, challenges Huntington Beachs voter ID law, Measure A, which amends the citys charter to allow voter ID requirements by 2026.

In their lawsuit, Bonta and Weber argued that the citys voter ID law "unlawfully conflicts and is preempted by state law."

Waves roll past the Huntington Beach Pier, epicenter of the city's beach culture, in Huntington Beach, Ca. on February 22nd, 2024.

"The right to freely cast your vote is the foundation of our democracy and Huntington Beachs voter ID policy flies in the face of this principle," Bonta said in a statement.

He argued that state elections already contain "robust voter ID requirements with strong protections to prevent voter fraud." He said the new requirements would disproportionately burden "low-income voters, voters of color, young or elderly voters, and people with disabilities."

The City Council placed the voter ID measure on the March ballot after taking a series of hotly contested decisions on topics ranging from flag flying to the removal of books from the public library's children's section over concerns about the appropriateness of materials. The moves were initiated by a politically conservative council majority, which took office in 2022, and have drawn scores of residents on all sides of issues to city meetings.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

AG GARLAND PLEDGES TO FIGHT VOTER ID LAWS, ELECTION INTEGRITY MEASURES

The measure  which would let the city require voter identification, increase in-person voting sites and monitor ballot drop boxes in local elections  won at the polls in March with 53%, county election data shows.

City Attorney Michael Gates said the amendment approved by voters last month is "not only permissible" but backed by the state constitution.

"The people of Huntington Beach have made their voices clear on this issue and the people's decision on the March 5th ballot measures for election integrity is final," Gates said in a statement "To that end, the City will vigorously uphold and defend the will of the people."

Bonta, a Democrat, said it was not immediately clear how the measure would be implemented. In California, voters can cast ballots in person and also by returning ballots to drop boxes or by mail.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Bontas office and the Orange County Registrar of Voters for additional comment.

Huntington Beach, dubbed "Surf City USA" and known for its scenic shoreline, has a history of sparring with state officials over the measures it can take under its city charter on topics ranging from immigration to housing.

While Democrats outnumber Republicans in Orange County, the GOP is dominant in Huntington Beach with nearly 54,000 registered voters versus 41,000 Democrats, county data shows.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: California sues beach city over voter ID law backed by majority of residents
California has sued Huntington Beach, alleging that the city's new law requiring voters to show photo identification is a violation of state law.

The 320-page lawsuit, filed Monday in Orange County Superior Court, accuses Huntington Beach of violating California's Constitution and the state election code over a new charter amendment that would require voters to show photo identification in local elections starting in 2026.

Huntington Beach has argued that the city charter grants local officials the authority to handle municipal issues, including local elections. In addition to the photo identification requirement, the amendment requires that Huntington Beach provide 20 in-person polling places and monitor ballot drop boxes.

Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said Monday that Huntington Beach's charter does not exempt the city from following state laws that govern voter registration and election integrity. The photo identification requirement "is not only misguided  it is blatantly and flatly illegal," Bonta said at a news conference in downtown Los Angeles.

"They have greatly overstated the authority they think they have," said Bonta, a Democrat. "They have willfully violated the law, they have brazenly violated the law. ... They know exactly what they are doing, and they are doing it anyway."

Voters in Huntington Beach approved the law by passing Measure A on the March 5 ballot, with 53.4% support. Michael Gates, Huntington Beach's city attorney, said in a statement that "the people of Huntington Beach have made their voices clear on this issue."

"The city will vigorously uphold and defend the will of the people," Gates said.

Bonta's lawsuit is the latest clash between California and Huntington Beach, which has thrust itself into the crosshairs of state lawmakers and the nation's culture wars since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the last four years, officials in the conservative beach town have declared it a "no mask and no vaccine-mandate" city, sued the state over zoning requirements to add housing and a "sanctuary city" immigration law, created a panel to screen children's books in the city library for sexual content and approved the voter ID measure for the March ballot despite threats of a lawsuit.

Read more: Huntington Beach is sticking it to 'woke' California. Some residents ask at what cost

After the Huntington Beach City Council began discussing the voter ID measure last fall, Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, California's top election official, warned in a letter to city officials that the measure was illegal and could prompt a lawsuit.

California law requires voters to verify their identities when they register to vote and imposes criminal penalties for fraudulent registration, Bonta and Weber wrote. The state does not require photo identification at the polls but does require that voters provide their names and addresses.

The Huntington Beach City Council voted 4 to 3 in October to place the voter ID law on the March ballot.

Read more: Column: I know who Trump should pick for VP  and she's right here in O.C.

Councilmembers Tony Strickland and Gracey Van Der Mark, who backed the measure, wrote in their ballot argument that "extreme policies" allowing noncitizens to vote "have been spreading" and that the measure would "forever protect Huntington Beach's elections."

Three council members who opposed the measure said that the city's elections, overseen by the Orange County Registrar of Voters, are secure and that Huntington Beach was not prepared to oversee its own elections.

Weber, a Democrat, said Monday that her office investigates claims of voter fraud and has "not found it to be true that California, nor any other state, suffers from a tremendous amount of fraud."

The voter ID measure "is really a solution looking for a problem," Weber said.

A Huntington Beach resident sued in November to block the voter ID measure. The ACLU of Southern California and Disability Rights California filed briefs in support of the lawsuit, arguing that voter ID laws impose severe burdens on Black, Latino and low-income voters.

Orange County Superior Court judge Nick Dourbetas declined to stop the measure from appearing on the ballot but wrote in his December ruling that if the measure passed "and if its implementation raises an issue of constitutionality, at that point, it may be appropriate for judicial review."

Bonta warned Huntington Beach last fall that another facet of the charter amendment  monitoring ballot drop boxes  could also violate state law.

The state's lawsuit does not mention drop boxes. Bonta said state officials will be watching how the Huntington Beach law is implemented to ensure it does not run afoul of a prohibition on taking photos, videos or otherwise recording voters at polling places or ballot drop boxes "with the intent of dissuading another person from voting."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The University of Southern California said its valedictorian will no longer deliver a graduation speech this year, citing "substantial risks relating to security" over social media chatter surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Los Angeles school revealed that Asna Tabassum, a fourth-year student from Chino Hills, California, was selected as the valedictorian and would give a speech alongside two salutatorians. In a news release Monday, the university said she would no longer speak at the ceremony after the discussion about her selection took on "an alarming tenor."

The move comes after some students, alumni and others complained to the university about Tabassum's social media, which includes an Instagram bio that links to a pro-Palestine website.

People walk on the campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles on March 21, 2024.

"The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement," Provost Andrew Guzman said in a statement.

Guzman said the school can not ignore that similar risks led to harassment and violence at other campuses. He added that the school's Department of Public Safety and campus safety team have consulted to evaluate potential threats for graduation, which typically draws around 65,000 people.

"This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation  including the expectations of federal regulators  that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe," he said.

Groups call to reverse USC decision

Tabassum addressed the university's decision in a statement released through the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Los Angeles.

"Although this should have been a time of celebration for my family, friends, professors, and classmates, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all," Tabassum said.

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The council said the school's decision empowers voices of hate, violates its obligation to project students and "sends a terrible message to not only Muslim students at USC but all students who dare to express support for Palestinian humanity." It's also urging the community to demand the school to allow Tassabum to speak at graduation.

Among the calls against Tassabum as a graduation speaker were student group "Trojans For Israel," who said her selection turned "an inclusive and meaningful milestone into an unwelcoming and intolerant environment for Jewish graduates and their families."

The 2024 commencement ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 10.

War in Gaza stokes controversy worldwide

Controversies over the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict have been amplified since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a brutal attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people.

Over 30,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since that day. The region is also difficult to access, leaving many civilians displaced and facing famine.

The crisis had led to protests for the release of Israeli hostages and to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, with those speaking out in support of Israelis and Palestinians on social media receiving threats.

Contributing: Kinsey Crowley

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USC cancels valedictorian's speech over safety
Video above: DeSantis signs bill stripping local citizen oversight boards from investigating police

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Florida appeals court ruled in favor of a Floral City man in a years-long dispute with the Citrus County Sheriffs Office, bringing new insight into how the states wiretapping law applies to law enforcement.

The court threw out five charges of unlawful interception of oral communications (wiretapping) against Michael Leroy Waite, 63, stating law enforcement officers have no expectation of privacy while acting in their official capacity.

Citrus County investment broker stole $3M from clients, spent it on tractors and adult entertainment: SEC

According to court documents, Waite had been involved in a lengthy dispute with the sheriffs office and city officials over his property boundaries since 2018. Things escalated after he began recording his phone calls with deputies.

In January 2021, he called 911 and accused deputies of trespassing on his property. Waite recorded a three minute call with Sergeant Edward Blair, a CCSO supervisor, without telling him he was being recorded.

Detectives secured an arrest warrant after Waite emailed the recording of the call to the sheriffs office records department, calling for an internal investigation.

We in no way suggest the CCSO committed police misconduct, the opinion stated. Rather, this was how Waite perceived the situation.

State prosecutors alleged Waite violated the states wiretapping law by recording the conversation without the Sergeants consent.

Waite was accused of elbowing a deputy in the face when the sheriffs office went to his home to serve the warrant, which resulted in additional charges of battery on a police officer and resisting arrest with violence. They found proof of the alleged wiretapping on an audio recording device with three more recordings of CCSO phone calls.

A Citrus County trial court agreed with the states argument and denied Waites motion to dismiss. He appealed the decision to the Fifth District Court of Appeal.

DeSantis signs bill stripping local citizen oversight boards from investigating police

In her opinion filed last week, Judge Paige Kilbane said citizens right to record police in public has a lengthy legal precedent and is permitted under the First Amendment. She pointed to a 1982 ruling that determined constitutional protections of the home do not extend to an office or place of business, and another case that denied privacy protections for phone calls for business purposes.

Of Waites recorded phone calls, Kilbane wrote, Under these circumstances, it cannot be said that any of the deputies exhibited a reasonable expectation of privacy that society is willing to recognize.

Importantly, this is based on the record before us as there is no dispute that all conversations concerned matters of public business, occurred while the deputies were on duty, and involved phones utilized for work purposes, Kilbane wrote. As such, Waite did not violate section 934.03(1)(a) when he recorded the conversations with the deputies, all of whom were acting in their official capacities at the time of the recordings, just as if he had the conversations face-to-face.

The court reversed the wiretapping charges, but affirmed the charges of battery and resisting arrest with violence against Waite.

In a statement, Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast said he believes the case will have impacts beyond Florida law enforcement.

I have been in contact with our State Attorneys Office in reference to this case and how it will impact Floridas law enforcement professionals in the future. I believe if this case is not taken to a higher court, the implications will extend far beyond just law enforcement based upon the Courts decision. It will spread to all entities required to adhere to Floridas Sunshine law, just as long as a public business nexus can be established. I have full faith in our State Attorneys Office, Floridas Attorney General, and the Judicial System to ensure final rulings equally protect all parties involved. Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast

Florida Supreme Court says Marsys Law does not shield identities of officers who used lethal force

The appeal court ruling came on the same day Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills into law that aim to protect police. One bill curtails citizen oversight boards, which allowed members of the public to investigate cases of police misconduct. The other bill requires people to stay 25 feet away from officers while they conduct their official duties in public.

The Florida Supreme Court ruled in November 2023 that officers identities are not protected under Marsys Law, which is intended to hide information that could be used to track down crime victims. The court overturned an appeal court decision in favor of a statewide police union. The Florida Police Benevolent Association argued two Tallahassee Police Officers who fatally shot suspects should not have their names released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Canton City Council unanimously approved new planning and zoning regulations Monday for small-box discount retail stores, which includes dollar stores. The rules do not apply to existing stores, such as the Dollar Tree at 4217 Tuscarawas Street W that is pictured in this 2021 photo.

CANTON  The next dollar store to move into Canton will have a new set of rules to follow, including a requirement to sell fresh produce.

Canton City Council unanimously approved new planning and zoning regulations Monday for small-box discount retail stores, which the city defines as stores between 3,000 and 15,000 square feet that dedicate less than 15% of shelf space to fresh or fresh frozen foods and produce, and sell an assortment of products directly to the consumer for less than $10.

Roughly 20 discount stores exist within city limits, according to Canton officials.

The vote came after council held a public hearing Monday where no speakers attended to support or oppose the rules, which have had the public support of Mayor William V. Sherer II and were recommended by Planning Director Donn Angus and Canton's Planning Commission.

Council last month passed a moratorium that prevents the establishment of new dollar stores and similar retailers until after Jan. 1.

Council Majority Leader John Mariol II, D-Ward 7, said the new rules are meant to help residents gain access to healthier food options. He said dollar stores, which often offer high-calorie foods with low nutritional value, operate like a quasi-grocery store and drive out traditional grocery stores.

I think these are very reasonable restrictions, said Mariol, who noted that more than a dozen other Ohio communities have passed restrictions on dollar stores and similar retailers.

Nationally, dollar stores are routinely blamed for failing to maintain their properties, attracting crime due to their lean staffing, and targeting distressed neighborhoods by building multiple stores within several miles of each other.

Dollar General representatives have defended the companys role in the community and previously told the Canton Repository that such restrictive measures could take away residents' options and reduce their access to affordable food and necessities.

What are the new rules for dollar stores?

The new planning and zoning rules for small-box discount retail stores:

 Prevent the stores from being established within two miles of another small-box discount retail store. Multiple small-box discount retail stores cannot be located in the same building or on the same lot.

 Require the stores to provide a floor and shelf plan as part of their building permit application, so city officials can ensure they are providing fresh produce and other healthy foods.

 Require the store owners or operators to keep their property, including the sidewalks and tree lawns, free of litter and debris and to provide at least one trash container outside the stores primary entrance.

 Allow the city to use more stringent zoning standards toward the establishments to prevent substandard building materials from being used for the stores and to ensure the store's design is consistent with the character of the neighborhood.

 Require the citys planning director to maintain a map of the existing store locations, as well as other information necessary to determine compliance with city codes.

 Allow the city to penalize store operators if they dont comply with the rules.

The rules only affect newly constructed stores, stores that move into vacant buildings and any stores that make substantial renovations. They do not apply to existing stores, retail stores that dedicate less than 5% of shelf space to food sales, sell gasoline or diesel fuel, contain a prescription pharmacy or dedicate at least 15% of shelf space to fresh or fresh frozen foods and produce.

City planning officials previously have said the moratorium does not apply to the Five Below store that is taking over the former Rue 21 location at 4120 Tuscarawas St. W. Five Below sells a variety of items for $5 or less, but less than 5% of its shelf space is dedicated to food sales.

Reach Canton Repository staff writer Kelli Weir at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton council approved restrictions for new dollar stores
Road reopened after car accident in Summers County

UPDATE: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 @ 5:48 p.m. | SUMMERS COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  According to the Summers County WV 911 Centers Facebook page, State Routes 3 and 12 are reopened.

SUMMERS COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  A single-car accident closed a road in Summers County on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

According to Summers County Dispatch, State Routes 3 and 12 are shut down between Lowell and Pence Springs due to a single-car accident.

One person injured in car accident in Mercer County

Summers County Dispatch stated that responding agencies included Talcott Volunteer Fire Department Station 51, Forest Hill Volunteer Fire Department Station 14, Summers County Volunteer Fire Department Station 13, Hinton Fire Department Station 21, the West Virginia State Police, the Summers County Sheriffs Office, and EMS.

The extent of any injuries is unknown at this time.

Due to State Routes 3 and 12 between Lowell and Pence Springs being closed, traffic is being detoured around Lowell Road.

Stick with 59News for updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Schools were put on a soft lockdown Tuesday after the investigation of an auto theft in Las Vegas spread to Henderson, police said.

According to the release from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials, the soft lockdowns were the result of the discovery of a carjacked vehicle in the 300 block of Golden Glow Court in Henderson. The vehicle was originally carjacked in the 4000 block of Baldwin Street in southeast Las Vegas.

One person is in custody related to the carjacking. LVMPD said the two schools placed on a soft lockdown as a precaution were C.T. Sewell Elementary and Basic High School.

The Henderson Police Department is assisting LVMPD officials with the case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The International Real Estate and Investment Summit will be held on June 1 at "The Ritz Carlton Baku" under the organization of "Between" and "Facemark" companies, Azernews reports.

Through the event, there will be an exchange of information and experience in local and international fields.

The purpose of the event, which will be held with the concept message " Investment towards the future " , is to inform Azerbaijani investors about how they can effectively use real estate and other investment opportunities in the markets of Turkiye and the European Union.

With professional moderators and speakers with experience in management, banking, insurance, education and retail (Amazon), the summit will provide a convenient platform for both beginners and experienced investors, and show how to make the most of real estate investment opportunities in Europe and Turkiye. They will explain how to get more income by investing.

The International Real Estate and Investment Summit will help strengthen the position of Azerbaijani investors in the international investment environment by expanding cooperation and networking opportunities. The event will provide each participant with valuable knowledge, new perspectives and the necessary tools for long-term success.
NATO countries helped Israel shoot down the missiles, but they are afraid of being drawn into a war in Ukraine for two reasons. One is fear and the other is that Russia has nuclear weapons.

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This opinion was shared in a commentary to OBOZ.UA by military and political observer Ihor Levchenko. "They (Western countries  ed.) are afraid because, firstly, it is close to them, closer than Iran, because Iran is far away. Secondly, because Russia has nuclear weapons," he said, answering a related question.

As for why partners help Israel immediately, unlike helping Ukrainians, the expert explained that it is a matter of political will and political readiness.

Ihor Levchenko added that from the very beginning, our Western partners stated that they would not personally take part in hostilities against Russia in any way, and they did not give such guarantees to Iran either.

"There are such different aspects here. For example, on a purely technical level, Iranian drone missiles launched from Iran's territory were flying through the airspace of other third countries, such as Iraq. We know that the United States has been closely associated with Iraq for several decades, has conducted military campaigns there, has kept large contingents there, and, in principle, has the appropriate forces and means there. So, let's just say, if we take some technical side, they may be responsible for the security of Iraqi airspace in a certain way," he explained.

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The expert also clarified that as part of ensuring this airspace security, third countries simply destroyed the air forces that were in their airspace.

"That's all. The logic here may be as follows. No one, for example, flew into Israeli airspace from third countries, or even into Iranian airspace, let alone into Iranian airspace. That is, as far as I understand, all these actions took place in Iraqi airspace. The United States is, so to speak, in some way involved in the security situation in Iraq and its partners, because not only were the Americans there, but the coalition forces were there, so to speak. The same British were initially involved with the Americans in the operation against Saddam Hussein back in 2001. So, so to speak, this is a slightly different story. We want American and British planes to fly into Ukrainian airspace and shoot down Russian missiles. The allies said that they would not do this from the very beginning, even at the initial stage, when our air defense situation and the effectiveness of destroying Russian missiles was, let's say, not very good. They made it clear to us that no one will take part in this war, even with a limited air contingent," he summarized.

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As OBOZ.UA reported, on the night of April 14, Iran fired about 200 drones and more than a hundred missiles at Israel. According to the Israeli military, none of the targets reached the country's airspace  all were intercepted, including by allies.

Israel promised a response to Iran and called the attack a declaration of war. For its part, Iran told the UN that it was a response to the aggression of the "Zionist regime" against Iranian diplomatic missions in Damascus, and Tehran's military actions were allegedly carried out in accordance with the UN Charter "in legitimate defense."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as well as a number of leaders, condemned Iran's aggression, emphasizing that neither the Middle East nor the world "can afford another war."

U.S. President Joe Biden convened consultations in the G7 on how to respond to the attack, and Italy also called for an urgent meeting of the Group of Seven.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Investigators in Florida tied the suspects in a deadly carjacking to the shooting death of a tow truck driver, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

The April 10 death of a tow truck driver in Orange County and the April 11 death of a woman in Seminole County were connected by a 2002 green Acura, one of only three in the state from 2002, Sheriff Dennis Lemma said in a press briefing. "Two had been salvaged and only one existed in the state," he said.

The bullets used in both shootings -10 mm rounds which are uncommon in the area - also tie the cases together.

The Seminole County sheriff announced the connection between the shootings and said his department is working very closely with Orange County to solve the crimes.

"Because of the rareness of the weapon and the round, it's likely that our bad guys are the same bad guys that committed this crime," Lemma said.

A green Acura in two places

The green Acura was towed from an Orlando apartment complex, where it was parked illegally, on March 19. It was eventually released. On April 10, the tow truck driver was killed in Orange County  one day before the Seminole County kidnapping and murder. A green vehicle was at the scene of the April 10 shooting and it matches the description of the green vehicle involved in the April 11 case.

More than 100 rounds were fired in the shooting death of the tow truck driver, Lemma said. Some of the rounds were 10mm rounds, which Lemma said are "incredibly unique and uncommon" in the area. The victim in the tow truck shooting was identified as Juan Luis Cintron Garcia, 39, by the Orange County Sheriff's office.

A spokesperson from the Orange County Sheriff's Office said the shooting "was not a random act and that detectives believe Mr. Cintron Garcia was targeted." There was no motive or suspect at this time, the sheriff's office said.

The carjacking victim, who's believed to be 31-year-old Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas of Homestead in southern Florida, was attacked and taken at gunpoint in an area about 20 minutes northeast of Orlando, officials said. Lemma said it was not a random act of violence.

"We believe that she was absolutely targeted and followed to a certain extent," he said.

Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas / Credit: Seminole County Sheriff's Office

The Acura was seen repeatedly ramming the back of the Durango shortly before the carjacking, Lemma said. The victim called her husband, who told her not to stop.

Around 7 p.m., witnesses in Osceola County reported hearing gunshots, then discovered what's believed to be the victim's vehicle. It had been set on fire, officials said. A burned body believed to be the Homestead woman was found inside the SUV, but investigators were seeking DNA and dental records to make an identification.

What a husband knows

The victim's husband, Miguel, told investigators his wife was in the area to visit family. Homestead, where the woman lived, is hours away from where she was killed. While Lemma said the woman's husband has cooperated with police and is not a person of interest, he said he believes the victim's husband knows more than he's shared with police.

"You don't have your wife communicate with you that you're getting rammed by a car and go two hours without calling anybody," Lemma said Monday.

The husband did give investigators in Seminole his cellphone, which led police to arrest an Orange County deputy. After hearing from officers in Seminole about what happened to his wife, Miguel reached out to a childhood friend, who's married to Orange County Deputy Francisco Estrella, Lemma said. Miguel asked if they could find anything out about the investigation into what happened to Guerrero De Aguasvias.

This screen grab taken from a nearby motorist's cellphone video and provided by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office shows a man pointing a gun at the driver of an SUV at an intersection just outside Winter Springs, Fla., Thursday, April 11, 2024. The suspect emerged from the car seen behind the SUV. (Courtesy of Seminole County Sheriff's Office via AP) / Credit: / AP

Estrella allegedly called officers in Seminole and posed as a detective with Orange County to find out information for his friend. He was arrested and charged with five felonies, Lemma said. Officials in Orange County said Estrella, who was hired in September of 2022, was suspended without pay.

Officers are still looking for the shooters in the tow truck and carjacking cases.

"We still have incredibly dangerous people that are out there on the streets," Lemma said. "We still want to encourage our public to not approach these individuals. They should be perceived as armed and dangerous."

Escaped circus elephant, Viola, stops traffic in Montana city

Paris Olympics flame lit as athletes prepare for Summer Games

Biden hits campaign trail as Trump's New York trial enters 2nd day
Catch up on the days news: Trump jurors sworn in, Mayorkas impeachment, space trash

 Welcome to 5 Things PM! Lots of teenagers have a smartphone, but studies suggest that social media platforms are contributing to serious problems with depression and anxiety among young people. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt believes that kids should have little or no access to smartphones and social media until age 16. Some states are even passing laws along those lines.

Heres what else you might have missed during your busy day:

5 things

Christine Cornell/Pool/CNN

1 Trump trial: Seven jurors were sworn in for Donald Trumps hush money trial in Manhattan. Potential jurors are being questioned about their social media posts, and Trump was admonished for reacting to one of their answers.  Heres why the trial is posing so many challenges.  Video: Woman dismissed from jury pool

2 Supreme Court: The courts conservative majority indicated that it may toss out a charge prosecutors have lodged against hundreds of people who took part in the January 6 riot at the US Capitol  Video: Analyst weighs in on obstruction law

3 Space trash: A piece of garbage jettisoned from the International Space Station unexpectedly survived a fiery reentry from orbit and pierced the roof of a home in Florida, NASA said.

4 Mayorkas impeachment: House Republicans sent the Senate two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, setting the stage for a possible trial.

5 OAN settlement: Voting technology company Smartmatic and the far-right network One America News settled a defamation lawsuit stemming from the outlets lies about the 2020 election.

Watch this

 One giant leap: This startled feline jumped all the way across the room, leading one admirer to dub him the Michael Jordan of cats.

Editors picks

 Here are a few recommended reads for you:

$164,000

Thats how much it will cost to fly to the edge of space in a balloon.

Listen in

 Eating well: Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with a physician and chef about reframing our relationship with food so it doesnt revolve around bad and good.

Check this out

 Flash flooding: A years worth of rain unleashed floods in Dubai as roads turned into rivers and rushing water inundated homes and businesses.

Cars drive through a flooded street during a rainstorm in Dubai. - Abdel Hadi Ramahi/Reuters

Good vibes

 We like to wrap things up on a positive note:

Parrots are pretty good at playing games, so researchers are looking at how to improve the experience and make tablets bird-friendly.

Looking ahead

 Key testimony: A Senate subcommittee will hear from a whistleblower who claims Boeing took shortcuts in manufacturing its 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets.

Thanks for reading

 Well see you tomorrow.

 Were trying something new and want your thoughts. What would you like to see in 5 Things PM? Email us: 5ThingsPM@cnn.com

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5 Things PM is produced by CNNs Tricia Escobedo, Meghan Pryce and Kimberly Richardson.

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Millions of Americans in the Central U.S. could see severe thunderstorms and tornadoes Monday night through Wednesday.

Severe thunderstorms are expected to touch down across the Central Great Plains and parts of Virginia and Maryland starting Monday night and continuing overnight, the National Weather Services (NWS) Storm Prediction Center said.

Parts of the Great Plains could see scattered severe thunderstorms, along with strong tornadoes in Kansas and Nebraska. Large hail and damaging wind gusts are also possible in these areas, forecasters said.

The threat of tornadoes Monday will depend upon the development of large supercells  a tall system with a prolonged updraft in wind that can cause tornado and hail, the NWS noted.

Residents in parts of Virginia could experience scattered severe gusts starting Monday afternoon and continuing into the evening, forecasters added.

Once through the Great Plains, the storm could make its way Tuesday into the Mississippi Valley, Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, bringing severe weather and isolated flash flooding, The Associated Press reported, citing the NWS.

Southern Iowa, northern Missouri and west-central Illinois are the most at risk of severe hail and tornado potential starting Tuesday, forecasters said. An isolated severe threat is also expected across parts of the mid-Atlantic states.

May is typically the midpoint of tornado season, Harold Brooks, a tornado scientist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory, told the AP. Late April to the middle of May is generally when the strongest, more deadly tornadoes can occur, he added.

Some scientists have suggested tornadoes in the U.S. are shifting, with more popping up in states along the Mississippi River and further east, the AP added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE)  A Central Valley Honor Flight made its way to Washington, D.C. on Monday.

The 28th Central Valley Honor Flight left from the Fresno Yosemite International Airport on Monday carrying a group of veterans.

The Central Valley Honor Flight is a local non-profit organization that organizes these flights at no cost to the veterans, a feat only made possible by donations from the local community and businesses.

The veterans and their companies will visit memorials commemorating their service and they will return from the whirlwind trip on Wednesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  Out of more than 7,000 students, one from Central High School in Champaign won second place at the Illinois Arts Council (IAC)s Illinois Poetry Out Loud contest.

The event is a recitation competition hosted by Poetry Out Loud, which is a national arts education program. This year, 44 high schools and 205 teachers participated.

Last month, 16 students from across Illinois vied for the title of state champion. They traveled to Hoogland Center for the Arts in Springfield and recited their works to a panel of judges. Skokie student Yohanna Endashaw of Niles West High School was named the champion, and Kate Roth from Champaign earned runner-up.

St. Joseph Kindness Crew gives back to lunchroom staff

Endashaw will move onto the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C. On May 1, she will compete in the second round of semi-finals, representing Illinois.

Congratulations to Yohanna Endashaw and to all the young people who dedicated themselves to the study of poetry and put themselves forward to perform, no small feat for anyone of any age, Governor J.B. Pritzker said. Your passion for art and your hard work will represent Illinois admirably on the national stage, and I wish you the best of luck in Washington D.C. this spring.

Roth is joined by three other Central Illinois students who were recognized for their regional successes. That includes Anna Probst from Teutopolis High School, as well as Springfield students Ella Meyer from Lutheran High School and Ashyla Richards from Southeast High School.

Champaign-Urbana schools join in Bike & Roll to School Day

Poetry Out Loud serves as a positive outlet for personal expression, IAC Executive Director Joshua Davis-Ruperto said. Id like to thank all Poetry Out Loud regional participants for demonstrating the power of poetry with a special congratulations to Yohanna Endashaw who will represent Illinois again in the national contest.

Poetry Out Loud offers free educational materials for students to help them enhance public speaking skills, self-confidence, and knowledge of literary history and contemporary life. The National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the state and jurisdictional arts agencies work in collaboration with the program.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Charlotte attorney has been arrested and is now facing charges for punching a colleague in the face and assaulting multiple Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers, court records obtained by Queen City News showed Tuesday.

Officers responded to calls regarding the incident around 11:50 a.m. Monday, April 15, at the law offices of Attorney Mary Leazer Rogers on Euclid Avenue. Four victims were listed in the police report as having been assaulted by Rogers.

CMS assistant principal arrested on domestic child abuse charges

Court records obtained by Queen City News showed that one of those victims stated they were punched in the head by Rogers with a closed fist causing scratches, blood, and minor injuries to the nose. They were then punched an additional five times in the face while seated, according to Mecklenburg County court records.

The court records stated that the suspect, identified as Rogers, became agitated at this specific victim and accused the victim of having a personal relationship with a male client, and that the suspect wanted to have a sexual relationship with the victim, but the victim refused. That is when the alleged attack ensued.

Pedestrian identified after struck, killed by two vehicles on I-485: NCSHP

While she was being arrested, Rogers became combative and kicked a CMPD officer before spitting in the face of another CMPD officer, court records state. She then faked a seizure before spitting at a Charlotte Medic staffer while being loaded into an ambulance, records show.

Rogers has been charged with simple assault, assault on a government official, and malicious conduct by a prisoner.

Her bond has been set at $1,000. Rogers is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Days after string of killings, CMPD reports citys homicides have jumped in 2024

Homicides are up in Charlotte this year compared to the first part of 2023.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department shared crime statistics at a press conference on Monday from the first quarter of 2024 that show 34 homicides between Jan. 1 and March 31. Thats a 31% increase from the same period in 2023.

Any homicide in Charlotte is one too many, but 34 in three months is an alarming number, Deputy Chief Zeru Chickoree said. And a pace that we should not tolerate as a city.

On Friday, three people were shot and killed. Police have identified the victims as:

Justin Carache-Soto, 21, who was found dead in the 6200 block of Upas Lane, just north of Waverly Lake and Albemarle Road in east Charlotte.

Kaleb Brown, 17, who was found dead in the 7600 block of Boswell Road off Misenheimer and Harrisburg roads in east Charlotte.

Larry Thomas Jr., 27, who was found shot in the 5300 block of Pinehurst Park Drive, off Providence Road in south Charlotte.

Lt. Kevin Pietrus said the department compares quarters of the year to the same months of the previous year to be transparent.

We feel that keeping the lines of communication open, keeping those in our community and our partners here the media abreast as to what the conditions are in our city is important, Pietrus said. So thats why were here quarterly.

In January, The Charlotte Observer requested data on shootings at or near Romare Bearden Park in uptown from 2018 to 2022. The request came after five people were shot there on New Years Eve. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department still hasnt provided that data despite a requirement in state law that public records be provided promptly.

A Wall Street Journal story published on Sunday, which compared the number of homicides in major cities during the first three months of 2024 and 2023, said homicides dropped about 20% in 133 cities, including New York, Philadelphia and Boston.

Homicides in American cities are falling at the fastest pace in decades, bringing them close to levels they were at before a pandemic-era jump, the story said.

In 2023, there were 95 homicides in Charlotte, an 11% drop from 107 the year prior.

During the press conference, the department also shared that violent crime has remained relatively flat in 2024 compared to the beginning of 2023. Violent crime is down 1% compared to 2023, while property crime saw a 4% increase, according to police. Crime overall has risen 3% in the city of Charlotte.

The city has also seen a 30% increase in auto thefts in the first three months of this year, police said, with 1,941. Kia and Hyundai thefts continue to be a major part of those thefts.

About 80% of people arrested in auto thefts so far this year  222 people  were under 18, police said.

Police stats showed 17 shootings into occupied homes so far this year, impacting 74 victims. Police said thats a 42 percent increase from the first quarter of last year.

The department also announced what it calls the Civilian Crash Investigators Program, which is set to launch in July.

It will include the hiring of 16 people to investigate accidents that dont involve injuries. They will receive city benefits and be paid $46,000 to $52,000. The investigators will not be sworn officers and will not have power to arrest or detain people or write citations, Chickoree said.
It has long been assumed the hottest parts of Charlotte are wedged between the concrete and steel of Uptown, but federal officials say the question must be addressed  for the sake of vulnerable neighborhoods that may prove even hotter.

This week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration named Charlotte one of 14 U.S. cities that will participate in an urban heat island mapping campaign this summer.

In mid-July, an army of volunteers will be launched across Charlotte with sensors that will measure temperature and humidity in specific neighborhoods during morning, afternoon and evening.

If Charlotte is anything like other communities in the program, city leaders may discover disadvantaged neighborhoods are among the hottest and most dangerous for vulnerable people, NOAA says.

The cities and counties selected this year have a range of experiences with extreme heat, NOAA says. Identifying these areas, called urban heat islands, helps communities take action to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat and provides cooling relief for those living in the hottest areas.

Why Charlotte?

July was chosen because its typically the hottest, driest month in Charlotte, with temperatures of 90 degrees and above for days at a time.

A specific day hasnt been picked, but it will likely be July 12, 13 or 14, according to Katherine Idziorek, an assistant professor in geography at UNC Charlotte who filed the application to include Charlotte in the NOAA program.

She moved to Charlotte from the north in 2021 and quickly discovered the summer heat and humidity are intense.

One of the most exciting aspects of this mapping campaign is that the mobile sensors capture data more or less at the height of a person instead of measuring ground surface temperature  so this data will reflect more accurately how people actually experience heat in different areas of the city, she told The Charlotte Observer.

The data we collect in the mapping campaign has the potential to support a range of local policy initiatives, from identifying the places where new trees are most needed to locating emergency cooling shelters to informing the implementation of 10-minute neighborhoods.

NOAA funding is enough to cover 100 square miles of Charlotte.

Researchers suspect neighborhoods that have seen more investment will be the coolest, while neighborhoods with less investment and fewer amenities may be warmer.

Revelations in the data could save lives, she said, and those most impacted will include children, older adults, outdoor workers, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities and lower-income communities.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports about 1,220 people in the country are killed annually by extreme heat.

We know the places that tend to be the hottest are areas with fewer trees, less vegetation, more dark-colored pavement, and more heat-absorbing building materials, said Idziorek, who is community planning coordinator.

These conditions tend to be concentrated in historically under invested communities, such as areas that were redlined, as well as in industrial areas and along highly urbanized transportation corridors. We would suspect those parts of the city are likely to be hotter relative to other areas.

Data may surprise

NOAA began the heat mapping program in 2017 and among the surprises is some large cities have had 20-plus degree disparity in different sides of town, according to Morgan Zabow, the NOAA Community Heat and Health Information Coordinator.

Im from the Southeast and its very common for people in the Southeast to be used to the heat. But while it has always been hot, its getting hotter. Heat events are increasing in intensity and duration, Zabow told McClatchy News.

Charlotte is a fast growing city and with so many more people moving there, its important to address the heat. In some cities, like Chicago, they saw a 22-degree difference in neighborhoods.

It will take about two months to compile the data revealing Charlottes heat islands. UNC Charlotte will make the data public to help local governments and advocacy organizations pursue development and implementation of policies that reduce the inequitable impacts of extreme heat.

Other cities in the program have used the maps to prioritize new parks, add shade structures to bus stops, offer low-cost air conditioning assistance, plant trees and improve heat warning systems, NOAA says.

With urban heat, there isnt a one-size-fits-all. Every community is different, Zabow said.

How to help

Eighty to 100 volunteers are needed for the heat mapping program, officials say.

Anyone interested in helping should email heatmappers@charlotte.edu and fill out a volunteer interest form at bit.ly/CharlotteHeatMappersInterestForm.

Licensed drivers with automobiles and insurance are needed to deploy the sensors over three shifts. There is a parent/legal guardian sign-off with the volunteer waiver for volunteers under the age of 18.

We will also be recruiting navigators who will ride along, provide navigation assistance, and take notes as well as folks to help staff the test hubs and organize volunteers, Idziorek said.

Volunteers typically drive one route but may choose to do more if they like. We will definitely work with volunteers to try to pair them with a route in their community.

NOAA has funded CAPA Strategies to provide the sensors, and help design the routes that will be used by volunteers.

The Charlotte survey is backed by a coalition of more than 20 community organizations, nonprofits and government agencies, with support from UNC Charlottes Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences.

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Check out stunning photos from the $2 billion space telescope that captures the invisible universe  and that NASA plans to defund

NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory faces budget cuts that may end its mission.

Chandra still makes new black-hole discoveries and joins forces with the Webb and Hubble telescopes.

Photos show how the space telescope has beautifully captured the invisible universe for 25 years.

One of NASA's top space telescopes may be facing an untimely end due to budget cuts.

The Chandra X-ray Observatory has been orbiting Earth for 25 years, peering at the universe in X-ray light that's invisible to the human eye.

Through its stunning images, the telescope has revealed that the cosmos is teeming with black holes, discovered direct evidence for the existence of dark matter, and spotted the light of colliding neutron stars that warped space-time.

Check out some of Chandra's best photos, including collaborations with the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes.

The Chandra X-ray Observatory is one of NASA's flagship space telescopes.

The Tarantula Nebula, imaged by the Chandra and Webb space telescopes. Chandra's X-ray observations (in royal blue and purple) reveal gas that was heated to millions of degrees by shock waves from the wind of massive stars. X-ray: NASA/CXC/Penn State Univ./L. Townsley et al.; IR: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/JWST ERO Production Team

The observatory cost NASA about $2.2 billion to build and launch, and it has paid off.

"For many years it was the most productive mission in NASA's program if measured in publications/dollar spent," Thomas Zurbuchen, who was the Associate Administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate from 2016 to 2022, told Business Insider in an email.

But in its budget request for the 2025 fiscal year, NASA slashed Chandra's funding from $68 million to $41 million.

Combined data from Chandra and Webb revealed new details of the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A. X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; IR: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/Milisavljevic et al., NASA/JPL/CalTech; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt and K. Arcand

Over the ensuing years, the budget proposes to give the observatory $26.6 million annually until a drastic plummet to $5.2 million in 2029.

That budget plan is not enough to keep the telescope running at full capacity.

Chandra revealed X-ray emissions (pink) on Uranus for the first time, either from its rings, from auroras on the planet, or from its atmosphere scattering the sun's X-rays. X-ray: NASA/CXO/University College London/W. Dunn et al; Infrared: W.M. Keck Observatory

In fact, Chandra's operating team says that's just the amount it would need to decommission the telescope and end its operations.

The observatory still makes new discoveries, like the record-setting black hole in this image.

The James Webb and Chandra telescopes teamed up to produce this X-ray image of the most distant black hole ever discovered. X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/Akos Bogdan; Infrared: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/L. Frattare & K. Arcand

It's both the most distant black hole ever detected, and at a stage of infancy that had never been seen before.

Chandra also complements Webb and Hubble photos by imaging ultra-hot material that's invisible to those telescopes.

The "Pillars of Creation," a formation of dusty clouds where new stars are born, as imaged by the James Webb and Chandra space telescopes. X-ray: NASA/CXO/SAO; Infrared: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI; Image processing: L. Frattare.

For example, Chandra revealed a sea of young stars burning bright in X-rays across the above Webb image of the iconic Pillars of Creation, a cloud formation constantly birthing new stars.

"Often you get like a gas cloud that's glowing, and then there's this X-ray source in the middle that's pumping the energy into it that's causing it to glow," Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist who leads science data systems for Chandra, told Business Insider. "If you don't have Chandra, you can't see that. So you're missing a big part of the story."

For instance, take the bright X-ray footprint at the center of the Milky Way in this image.

Chandra spotted Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. NASA/CXC/Univ. of Wisconsin/Y.Bai, et al.

That's how Chandra discovered that the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy is spinning rapidly.

Chandra is also key to studying explosive, fleeting cosmic events like supernovae or the collisions of dead stars.

Here Chandra made the first X-ray detection of a gravitational wave source  a collision of neutron stars called GW170817. X-ray: NASA/CXC/Northwestern U./W. Fong & R. Margutti et al. & NASA/GSFC/E. Troja et al.; Optical:NASA/STScI

The telescope clearly captured the X-ray emissions of a neutron-star collision in 2017. It was the first  and, so far, only  time that anyone had seen the light from a violent cosmic collision that sent gravitational waves (ripples in space-time) through Earth.

Scientists expect to discover thousands more such mysterious flash-in-a-pan events with the advent of the Rubin Observatory, which is set to begin scanning the entire southern sky next year.

Rubin will open an entirely new field of astronomy.

Chandra joined forces with other telescopes to map this remnant of a supernova explosion that suddenly appeared in the night sky 800 years ago. X-ray: (Chandra) NASA/CXC/U. Manitoba/C. Treyturik, (XMM-Newton) ESA/C. Treyturik; Optical: (Pan-STARRS) NOIRLab/MDM/Dartmouth/R. Fesen; Infrared: (WISE) NASA/JPL/Caltech/; Image Processing: Univ. of Manitoba/Gilles Ferrand and Jayanne English

When Rubin discovers an explosion unfolding rapidly in the distant universe, telescopes worldwide will have to turn their lens to capture the phenomenon in visible light, infrared, radio, gamma rays, and X-rays. Without Chandra, a piece of the puzzle will be missing.

Losing Chandra would be "a devastating blow" and "a disaster" for X-ray astronomy, astrophysicists said after the budget announcement, according to Space.com.

NASA had to trim down somewhere.

A mosaic of the center of the Milky Way, using data from Chandra (shown in orange, green, and purple) and the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa (gray). X-ray: NASA/CXC/UMass/Q.D. Wang; Radio: NRF/SARAO/MeerKAT

Congress put a cap on its spending for 2024 and 2025, slashing its science budget by half a billion dollars while the agency invests more in its Artemis moon program.

In the astrophysics division, most missions escaped the cuts this year. In fact, plans for the ambitious alien-life-hunting Habitable Worlds Observatory for the 2040s got a boost. To offset that, NASA proposed a 5% cut to Hubble's budget and the extreme cuts to Chandra.

NASA's budget document suggested Chandra should scale down to "minimal operations."

Chandra captured the two tails of superheated gas (in blue) that this galaxy leaves behind as it barrels through space at 1.5 million miles per hour. X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Alabama, Huntsville/M. Sun et al.; H-&alpha: ESO/MUSE; Optical/IR: NASA/STScI/HST

The document said the spacecraft has degraded over time, requiring more intense management to keep its temperatures low enough to operate. That complicates scheduling and increases mission costs beyond what NASA can afford, the document says.

Patrick Slane, director of the Chandra X-ray Center, took issue with that explanation.

Chandra revealed mysterious clumps throughout the Tycho supernova remnant. X-ray: NASA/CXC/RIKEN & GSFC/T. Sato et al; Optical: DSS

In a letter to Chandra astronomers, he wrote that "there has been only one instance in which the cost has increased to help manage temperatures," and that was a 1% increase in costs so the project could hire two additional people for the flight team.

"I'm unclear whether I still have a job in October, or whether I can keep it one more year," McDowell said.

This Chandra image of a galaxy cluster shows a clear separation between the normal matter seen as hot gas in X-rays (pink) and where astronomers find most of the mass in the cluster (blue). The blue regions must be dark matter. X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/M.Markevitch et al.; Optical: NASA/STScI; Magellan/U.Arizona/D.Clowe et al.; Lensing Map: NASA/STScI; ESO WFI; Magellan/U.Arizona/D.Clowe et al.

If the current budget proposal holds, and Chandra has to begin its end when the 2025 fiscal year starts in October, that will likely lead to layoffs.

That's another crisis for X-ray astronomy. If Chandra ends, many jobs in the field will disappear until NASA launches its next major space-based X-ray telescope, Lynx, in about a decade at the earliest.

"There are just simply not going to be people who can do this," X-ray astronomer David Pooley told USA Today.

Astronomers are pushing to save Chandra.

The Kepler supernova remnant is the remains of a white dwarf that exploded after undergoing a thermonuclear explosion. Chandra (blue) shows a powerful blast wave that ripped through space after the detonation. NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: SDSS; NASA/ESA/STScI; IR: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Spitzer; Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk, K. Arcand

During April, Chandra is undergoing a review to assess its options within the new budget, including any possibilities for restructuring the mission to avoid its end.

Astronomers are taking the opportunity to push for NASA to amend its proposal, writing letters to NASA leadership.

NASA's 2025 budget won't be final until Congress approves it later this year.

Chandra's data (pink) reveals over a dozen individual X-ray sources, mostly young stars, in the "Cosmic Cliffs" formation of the Carina Nebula. X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ. Observ. Munich/T. Preibisch et al.; IR: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI

"We will continue to strongly make the case for the continued full support of Chandra, which the astrophysics community recognizes as a highly functioning facility that provides transformational science and crucial support to many of NASA's primary astrophysics goals," Slane wrote.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Chick-fil-A is partnering with LifeHouse Child Advocacy Center on April 16 to support child victims of sexual and physical abuse.

On April 16, Chick-fil-A is holding a Spirit Day fundraiser for LifeHouse Child Advocacy Center. Residents can stop by Chick-fil-A for drive-thru, dine-in, carry out or curbside orders with 10% of the proceeds going to LifeHouse.

LifeHouse provides support to Shawnee, Jackson, Brown and Wabaunsee counties. It provides advocates to children who will help provide services and follow families through the court process, according to a press release from LifeHouse Child Advocacy Center.

Last year, most cases came from the Topeka and Shawnee County areas, according to a press release from Chick-fil-A.

Special Victims Unit Detective Barry Nelson has also organized a fundraiser with the goal of raising $3,000 for LifeHouse. So far, the fundraiser has raised $2,000.

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I have been assigned as a Detective in the Special Victims Unit since July of 2022, Nelson wrote on the fundraiser website. During many of my cases, I use LifeHouse to complete Forensic Interviews with child victims and witnesses. I know the ladies at LifeHouse do a lot of tough work. If a small amount of my help will help LifeHouse, I know it will help the children and families they serve.

If youd like to donate to the cause, you can visit the online fundraiser here or contribute by ordering at Chick-fil-A today.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Russia is stepping up defense cooperation with Iran. Moscow is currently considering transferring its fighter jets and air defense technologies to Tehran.

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If these plans are implemented, it will be easier for Iran to repel possible air strikes by Israel or the United States. This was reported by The Washington Post, citing sources.

The newspaper writes that in March, the Russian arms manufacturer NNP Start invited an Iranian delegation to take a "tour" of its production facilities. The documentation leaked by the hackers characterizes this "tour" as a "demonstration of the 'scientific and technical potential and production capabilities' that Russia can offer Iran. Among the products of this sub-enterprise are S-400 systems, which, according to experts, can detect and destroy stealth fighter jets in service with the US and Israeli armies.

It is not yet known whether this "excursion" continued in the form of Iran's acquisition of such Russian weapons. However, the newspaper's sources are confident that after Iran agreed to supply Russia with thousands of its kamikaze drones and missiles for the war against Ukraine in 2022, cooperation between the two regimes has only intensified. In particular, The Washington Post writes that Russia has pledged to provide Iran with its advanced fighter jets and air defense technology to help Tehran strengthen its defense against potential future air attacks from the United States or Israel. This is the consensus of the publication's interlocutors: officials, representatives of the US, European and Middle Eastern intelligence agencies, as well as weapons experts.

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Whether Russia has already begun to fulfill its obligations and, if so, how many systems Iran has already received and deployed is currently unknown. However, experts and officials fear that with Russian technology, Iran will become a more dangerous and less vulnerable adversary.

"The arms deals, some of the details of which have not been previously reported, are part of broader cooperation that includes joint production of military drones in Russia, sharing of jamming technologies, and real-time battlefield assessments of weapons deployed against NATO. The cooperation brings significant benefits to both countries, elevating Iran's status from a junior ally to a strategic partner," WP writes.

At the same time, such a transformation into a strategic partner is extremely beneficial for Iran. After all, it is not about selling or exchanging weapons but about something more, such as obtaining technology, knowledge, and intangible profits.

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Western intelligence agencies claim that Russia has secretly pledged to give Iran its Su-35 jets, which are Russia's most powerful fighter-bombers to date. If this happens, Tehran will be able to "dramatically" modernize its air force, which currently consists of refurbished American and Soviet aircraft manufactured before 1979.

In addition, Russia is going to help Iran with Iranian spy satellites, as well as with the construction of rockets to send more satellites into space, the interlocutors of the publication noted.

Currently, US and Middle East intelligence agencies have no evidence of Su-35 deliveries to Iran. It is possible that there was a delay in the transfer process, which may be due to the fact that Iran did not pay for the aircraft on time.

Iran is also extremely interested in acquiring the best Russian air defense systems to protect its nuclear and military facilities from possible attacks. Thus, in 2007, Tehran even signed an agreement to purchase S-300 air defense systems, but then, under pressure from the West, Russia delayed the delivery of weapons until 2016. The S-300 appeared in Iranian service in 2019.

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"Since then, Iran has been trying to acquire a more powerful S-400 system from Russia, although it is not publicly known whether Moscow has decided to provide S-400 batteries. Some variants of the S-400 are equipped with radars that can defeat the stealth technology used by modern military aircraft. Russia has deployed S-400s to protect its military bases in Syria, and these batteries pose a potentially lethal threat to US and Israeli warplanes that occasionally operate in Syrian airspace," WP notes.

And if Russia transfers the promised systems to Iran, it will be much easier for the latter to protect its important facilities, especially those related to nuclear weapons, which Tehran is developing uncontrollably and rapidly.

Such cooperation is beneficial for Russia too as it is interested in weapons that are essential for continuing the war against Ukraine.

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"In addition to the thousands of drones it has purchased from Iran, Russia agreed late last year to buy about $2 billion worth of additional military goods, including anti-drone systems that have become a top priority for Russian generals in Ukraine, two intelligence officials with detailed knowledge of the deal say. Iran has separately agreed to sell Russia surface-to-surface missiles for use in Ukraine and is expected to begin transferring the weapons soon, according to a new intelligence assessment. According to officials, spy services have not yet found evidence that the missiles have been delivered," the newspaper says.

Russia and Iran are now jointly producing Iranian kamikaze drones. If the first batches of Shahed drone were sold by Tehran to Moscow so that it could "plug the holes" in its armed aggression against our country, then approximately in the middle of summer 2023, Russia began producing Iranian Shahed-136 drones at a plant in Alabuga, a city in the Tatarstan region of Russia.

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According to Russian documents obtained by the publication, by the summer of 2025, the Russians plan to produce 6,000 drones, which Russia will use to strike at Ukrainian territory and vital infrastructure.

In addition, according to intelligence and leaked documents published by hackers from the Prana Network group, Moscow and Tehran have recently begun to jointly produce new types of drones.

"The documents contained details of visits by Iranian and Russian delegations to inspect the weapons of both countries. The Iranians' trip to the Start Nuclear Power Plant was described in the Russian "program" of the visit, which included inspections of defense facilities in five cities. The document was signed by representatives of Technodinamika JSC, which is the operator of the Start NPP, as well as the Russian Defense Ministry... Several documents describe a trip by a delegation of Russian engineers to Iran in April 2023 to view a demonstration of a new jet-powered drone, as well as a line of hunter-killer UAVs designed to destroy enemy drones. Both seemed to impress visitors," WP writes.

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The new variants of the drones, called MS-237, Shahed-238 and Shahed-236, have a claimed top speed of about 400 miles per hour, which is three times the speed of the Shahed-136/131.

"During the demonstration, the jet drone - codenamed 'motor boat' in Russia's internal communications - 'successfully took off, completed the task... and landed on a parachute,'" a Russian report from the leaked data set reads. "Given its high speed, the boat is essentially a cruise missile."

The publication notes that Russia has signed an agreement with Iran to purchase more than 600 such drones, most of which were assembled in Russia. The leaked documents also mention Russia's payment for these UAVs: in at least two tranches, Moscow will hand over gold bullion worth about $140 million to Tehran.

The test apparently helped cement the deal to purchase more than 600 Iranian-designed jet drones, most of them built on Russian territory with Iranian parts and assistance, according to the leaked emails. The documents also describe lengthy negotiations over how Russia would pay for the drones. According to the documents, at least two tranches were to come in the form of gold bullion worth about $140 million.

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Experts emphasize that if the new kamikaze drones are faster, it will be harder for air defense forces to shoot them down. In addition, since these are UAVs with jet engines of a certain type, these drones are "probably much more expensive."

For Iran, Russia's use of Iranian drones in Ukraine is important in terms of assessing their effectiveness in real combat conditions. Analyzing previous use, according to the leaked documents, Russian engineers improved the design of Iranian drones and corrected mistakes. And this will play into Iran's hands in the future.

As a reminder, on the night of April 14, Iran attacked Israel with ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as Shahed drones missiles. In total, about 300 air means were launched. Israeli air defense forces and its allies destroyed 99% of them. Only ballistic missiles reached Israeli airspace, which did not cause significant damage.

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Contrary to Washington's warnings, Israel is going to respond to Iran's air attack.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A child is headed to the hospital after a crash in Tigard, officials said.

According to Tigard police, traffic is backed up near the intersection of Southwest Hall Boulevard and Southwest Burnham Street.

Photos: Car goes over cliff, into Skamania County river

Tigard police told KOIN 6 that the crash involved a car and a young pedestrian. However, they also confirmed that the childs injuries are not-life-threatening.

Traffic is expected to be slowed in the area. Authorities warn drivers to use an alternate route.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
China calls for peace conference to resolve war, but insists on joint participation of Russia and Ukraine

Chinese leader Xi Jinping stated his support for holding a peaceful conference to resolve the "Ukrainian crisis", but only if both Russia and Ukraine participate.

Source: China Central Television (CCTV)

China does not refer to the war in Ukraine as a "war"; in its statement, the Chinese side refers to the Russian-Ukrainian war as a "crisis".

Quote: "China encourages and supports all efforts that contribute to a peaceful resolution of the crisis (war  ed.), advocates for the timely convening of an international peace conference approved by the Russian and Ukrainian sides, with equal participation of all parties and honest discussion of all peaceful options, and is ready to maintain close communication with all interested parties."

Details: Xi Jinping made these remarks on the morning of 16 April at a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Commenting on the war, Scholz and Xi stated that they "are committed to the goals and principles of the UN Charter, oppose the use of nuclear weapons or attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities, properly address issues of international food security, and adhere to international humanitarian law."

Xi also stated that the following principles should be followed to restore peace in Ukraine: "First, focus on the overall situation of peace and stability, rather than pursue selfish interests. Second, cool down the situation, rather than add fuel to the fire. Third, create conditions for peace restoration, rather than promote further conflict escalation. Fourth, minimise the negative impact on the global economy and refrain from destabilising the global industrial supply chain."

After the meeting, Xi and Scholz took a walk and had lunch together. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was also present at the meeting.

Background:

Ukraine invited Chinese leader Xi Jinping to take part in a Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, which is scheduled for 15-16 June.

In early May, Xi Jinping will visit several European countries. According to sources, after France and Serbia, he will come to Hungary.

On 14 April, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz started his three-day visit to China with a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where the two leaders discussed Russias war against Ukraine.

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China can help restore peace in Ukraine  Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that China can help to restore a just peace for Ukraine and stability in international relations.

Source: Zelenskyy in his evening video address on social media

Quote: "China can indeed help to restore a just peace for Ukraine and stability in international relations."

Details: Zelenskyy added that intense preparations are now underway for the first global Peace Summit in Switzerland, and huge efforts are being made to ensure that it will be productive.

Zelenskyy thanked the world leaders who have expressed their willingness to participate in the summit.

He also said he was particularly grateful to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his "signals from Beijing".

Background:

While on a visit to China, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help achieve a just peace in Ukraine.

Xi Jinping said he would support a peace conference to resolve the "Ukrainian crisis", but only if both Russia and Ukraine participate.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China is not involved in Russia's war against Ukraine during talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

China is neither a party nor a participant in the Ukraine crisis, according to a statement on Tuesday following the meeting between the two in Beijing. Instead, China has always "promoted peace talks in its own way," Xi said.

Beijing would support an international peace conference "in due course," but Russia and Ukraine would have to accept it, the Chinese leader said.

Moscow has so far declined an invitation to a planned conference in Switzerland in June. The Chinese response to an invitation from the Alpine state is still pending.

China is a close ally of Russia. Accusations of Chinese companies supplying so-called dual-use goods - goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes - to Russia are constantly being levelled.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) welcomes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the State Guest House. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) welcomes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the State Guest House. Michael Kappeler/dpa
(Bloomberg) -- Chinas top diplomat told Iran that the nations can work together across a range of areas in the future, signaling their ties remain solid following Tehrans unprecedented attack on Israel.

Most Read from Bloomberg

China is ready to steadily advance practical cooperation in various fields with Iran and promote greater development of China-Iran relations, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian in a phone call on Monday.

Wang also said China noted Irans position that its military action was limited and the country was exercising its right of self-defense, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry in Beijing. China also believed Iran could handle the situation to avoid further turbulence, he said.

Wangs comments offer Iran a measure of diplomatic support after its missile and drone attack on Israel sparked worries of a broader conflict. Tehran said the move was retaliation for an attack on its embassy compound in Syria that killed top Iranian military officers. This was the first time Iran has struck Israel from its soil.

On Monday, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation aimed at countering Chinas purchase of Iranian crude oil as part of a package of bills being brought to the floor in response to Irans move.

Wang didnt say type of cooperation China was ready to advance with Iran but Beijing has made similar pledges in the past. Last year, Chinese leader Xi Jinping vowed to deepen ties after meeting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Beijing. The US had said just weeks earlier that it would increase pressure on China to stop buying Iranian oil.

China is a main customer for Irans oil, though in January Tehran withheld shipments to demand higher prices. Beijing is also a key negotiating power in the stalled talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

China helped Iran and Saudi Arabia reach a deal last year to ease years of diplomatic deadlock between the Middle East rivals. China also pushed to expand the BRICS bloc that it aspires to lead, and Iran became a member to start 2024.

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By Andreas Rinke

BEIJING (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lobbied for better market access for German firms in China in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday and urged him to exert pressure on Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine.

The talks with Xi capped a three-day tour of China during which Scholz walked a tightrope, conveying growing concerns in Europe about Beijing's economic policies and support for Russia while also promoting business ties with Germany's largest trade partner.

The visit was the first since Berlin agreed a China strategy outlining the need to reduce strategic dependencies on Chinese goods, and since the European Union launched several investigations into whether Chinese manufacturers are dumping subsidised goods on its market.

Scholz, who met for more than three hours with Xi, before later seeing Premier Li Qiang, said he had pressed the case for China to guarantee German firms equal market access, the protection of intellectual property and a reliable legal system.

"I expressed my concern ... that unilateral economic policy decisions in China are creating major structural difficulties for companies in Germany and Europe," he said, noting he hoped this would quickly lead to practical solutions.

On the EU anti-subsidy investigations, Scholz said the bloc should not act out of protectionist self-interest but competition should be fair and that it is important to establish processes to ensure this. He said he discussed with Xi the role of the World Trade Organization.

Xi showed little willingness to make concessions, saying Chinese green tech exports have "not only enriched global supply and alleviated inflationary pressure, but also contributed greatly to the response to climate change".

"(Germany and China) should be vigilant against rising protectionism," Xi said.

NO ALTERNATIVE TO CHINESE MARKET

Scholz was joined on his trip by senior German executives, such as Ola Kallenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz, and Oliver Zipse, chief executive of BMW, underlining the importance of the Chinese market to Europe's largest economy.

Sino-German commercial ties should not only be cultivated but expanded, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius told German broadcaster ARD in Beijing on Tuesday.

"Withdrawing from such a large market is not an alternative, but rather strengthening our position," he said about the company's strategy in China, the world's second largest economy.

BMW CEO Oliver Zipse expressed a similar view. "We actually see more opportunities than risks," he told the ARD news programme Tagesschau.

Xi told Scholz that China and Germany have "huge potential" for cooperation in both traditional fields such as machinery manufacturing and automobiles and emerging fields including green transformation and digital artificial intelligence.

China has also lifted restrictions on imports of beef and apples from Germany, Scholz said.

Critics worried that the trip - Scholz's longest bilateral visit anywhere since taking office in 2021 - is a sign Germany is not serious about diversifying trade and will continue to prioritise short-term financial gain over long-term security.

PRESSURE ON RUSSIA?

Regarding Russia's two-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Scholz said he asked Xi "to exert pressure on Russia so that (President Vladimir) Putin finally calls off his insane campaign, withdraws his troops and ends this terrible war".

Both leaders agreed they rejected attacks on nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants, Scholz said, alluding to strikes on the Zaporizhzhia complex in Russian-held southern Ukraine that the two sides have blamed on each other.

But Xi appeared to dismiss a peace summit in Switzerland requested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and scheduled for June that Russia has made clear it will not attend.

China supports all efforts towards peaceful resolution, Xi said, such as an international peace conference recognised by both Russia and Ukraine with equal participation by all parties.

Before the trip, German officials had said Beijing's support and exports to Russia were enabling Moscow to wage a war of aggression in Ukraine and causing a "growing loss of reputation for China" in Europe and beyond.

Scholz further said he had discussed at length with Xi the supply of dual-use goods to Russia.

"There can be no misunderstanding as to how we see things," he said, without clarifying whether he had extracted any kind of commitment from China to limit such exports.

($1=0.9426 euros)

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke and the Beijing Bureau; Additional Reporting by Matthias Williams in Berlin; Writing by Ryan Woo and Sarah Marsh; editing by Miral Fahmy, Clarence Fernandez, Alex Richardson and Mark Heinrich)
A former Cincinnati Health Department employee accused of taking cash from restaurants in exchange for fraudulent food licenses has been fired for misconduct including dishonesty and neglect of duty.

Court records show that Lisa McGiveron, 57, was indicted Feb. 29 on felony charges of theft in office, tampering with records and forgery. She faces up to three years in prison on the theft and tampering with records charges. Forgery is punishable by up to 18 months.

McGiveron, of Fairfield, has pleaded not guilty. Her attorney, Courtney DiVincenzo, declined to comment, saying she doesn't comment on pending cases.

McGiveron was fired on Dec. 7, officials said.

'I am saddened by this case'

The city of Cincinnati inspects restaurants, and as part of that process issues licenses to operate. McGiveron was one of the employees tasked with overseeing licenses and conducting inspections.

A lot about what happened isn't known because police and city officials have declined to talk about details while the criminal case is pending. No one has said how many restaurants McGiveron targeted or how much money changed hands and what that's meant for the restaurants.

Court documents say the fraudulent transactions took place between February 2023 and Dec. 6, 2023. The indictment says the cash totaled between $7,500 and $150,000.

It is important the public knows that we take our commitment to the integrity of our program and serving our communitys needs very seriously, Health Commissioner Dr. Grant Mussman said in a statement.

The investigation showed that McGiveron was the only employee involved, Mussman said.

I am saddened by this case, but it is important to stress that this instance does not reflect the values of the hundreds of employees in this department who do not waver in their dedication to our community," he said.

Helping the restaurant victims

McGiveron earned $75,549 a year, city records show.

In response to the investigation into McGiveron, the city sent a letter and email to its list of current and closed food operators, including restaurants and grocery stores, according to Mollie Lair, a city spokeswoman. Businesses that paid cash to McGiveron were not penalized for the previous cash payments and were not required to pay again for a valid license.

Licenses must be renewed by March 1, so businesses have since gone through the yearly licensing process and all licenses are current.

Officials have declined to talk specifically about the allegations  including how many restaurants were targeted or paid  but stressed a single employee does not reflect "the values or dedication of the Health Department."

"The city was swift in its response to and investigation of these allegations, working closely with the Law Department and Cincinnati Police, ultimately resulting in the prosecution of this individual," Lair said.

McGiveron is the second city employee to be charged this year. A recreation employee was indicted on misdemeanor charges of child endangering.

McGiveron hired in 2019

McGiveron was hired by Cincinnatis health department in 2019. A report that year said she came to the department from Hamilton County Public Health. The Enquirer has requested but not received a copy of her personnel file from the city.

She previously worked as a supervisor for the county health department in Lansing, Michigan. McGiveron resigned from her Michigan job in 2017. The agency, in responding to a Freedom of Information Act request, did not provide any documents that describe the reason or reasons for her resignation.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers said in a statement that one of the most important functions of her office is to be a watchdog for the government.

"When government employees break the law, they should be held accountable, just as anyone else," Powers said. "These kinds of corruption issues matter to our community. In this case, you have a government employee exploiting small businesses for her own gain. She used her position of power as an inspector to enrich herself. When we take our families out to eat, we should feel confident in the safety of our food, not worried that the people doing inspections were more interested in taking cash than doing their job properly."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: City health inspector fired for issuing phony restaurant licenses
Citadel's Ken Griffin wants to build a massive NYC skyscraper that the city hopes will lure more workers back to the office

Citadel's Ken Griffin filed plans alongside Vornado and Rudin for a 62-story NYC skyscraper.

The mayor's office said the building would bolster an ongoing revitalization of midtown.

Beyond NYC, Griffin has said also Miami could become the US' next financial hub.

Citadel's Ken Griffin is planning a 62-story skyscraper in the heart of midtown that New York City's mayor hopes will bolster the ongoing revitalization of the neighborhood after many buildings went vacant during the pandemic.

Real estate developers Vornado Realty Trust and Rudin filed plans for the project alongside Griffin (whose Citadel and Citadel Securities will serve as anchor tenants), the mayor's office said Tuesday.

Located at 350 Park Avenue, the building is expected to be completed in 2032, and will house over 6,000 jobs. It will also comprise a public concourse with seating, green space, and art.

Developers purchased air rights from St. Patrick's Cathedral and Saint Bartholomew's Church in order to construct the building. The prices they paid will fund upkeep for both churches, the Mayor's office said, to the tune of $150 million.

"This project will build on our continued efforts to energize Midtown Manhattan as the world's most important business address and an economic engine for working-class New Yorkers," Adams said in a statement.

There have been signs that New Yorkers are increasingly working in person. Bloomberg reported Wednesday that the city's return-to-office rate had reached almost 80% of pre-pandemic levels, according to a new study.

For his part, Griffin highlighted in a statement the building's "incredible light, 360-degree views, and spacious layouts in one of the leading financial centers in the world."

Griffin has previously discussed how remote work can harm corporate culture, and a spokesperson for Citadel told Business Insider the company has been back in the office full-time since June 2021.

But Griffin doesn't have his sights set exclusively on New York. In November, the billionaire hedge fund manager said Miami  where Citadel moved from Chicago in 2022  could one day overtake New York as the financial hub of the United States.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Greece has supported and continues to support Ukraine. However, the information that appeared in the media about the alleged transfer of F-16 aircraft from the country to Ukraine is not true.

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This was stated by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in an interview with the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita. According to him, he pledged to continue supporting Ukraine as much as possible without jeopardizing Greece's ability to defend itself.

According to him, Greece is a country that not only respects but also defends the principles of the international order. It has always been on the right side of history.

"This is happening now when Ukraine is defending itself against the brutal Russian invasion," the Greek prime minister said.

Mitsotakis noted that Greece, despite its strong cultural and religious ties with Russia, "strongly opposes the Kremlin regime."

The head of the Greek government also reminded that the country had supplied "a significant number of 155-mm shells, which is especially important as Ukraine is currently facing a serious shortage of ammunition."

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According to Mitsotakis, Athens is constantly considering the possibility of increasing military support for Ukraine.

Earlier, it was reported that the Greek government is considering the possibility of transferring about 32 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. However, this requires the approval of France.

It is worth noting that Ukraine needs the F-16 jets that it is about to receive in order to counter Russian Su-34 and Su-35, which are dropping missiles on Ukrainian positions and frontline settlements. At the moment, our country "can do too little to repel them," but F-16 jets may give it a chance.

As reported, Ukraine will receive F-16 fighter jets in the first half of this year. First, the planes will arrive from Denmark.

Meanwhile, it has become known that the first group of Ukrainian pilots has successfully completed intensive basic flight training on F-16 jets under the guidance of instructors from the British Royal Air Force. This program included basic flight, and technical and language training, which took place in the UK.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The City of El Paso wants the community to celebrate the completion of a newly renovated fire station in Central El Paso.

The community is invited to come out to the grand reopening of Fire Station No. 10 at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 17 at 1801 Montana Avenue.

The $2.3 million reconstruction was funded in 2019 through the voter-approved Public Safety Bond Program, according to the news release by the City.

The City is investing in El Paso and delivering on its steadfast commitment to safeguarding lives and property thanks to the voter-approved 2019 Public Safety Bond program. In neighborhoods across the City, we are modernizing aging facilities to maintain El Pasos standing as one of the nations safest cities, build up community involvement in resident safety, take proactive approaches to prevent fire and medical incidents, lower regional risk, and improve public safety operational efficiencies, said Deputy City Manager, Mario DAgostino.

The newly renovated fire station meets National Fire Protection Association standard for minimizing fire risks and other hazards, according to the City.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Kansas City held true to its nickname on Tuesday afternoon when the City of Fountains kicked off its annual Fountain Day celebration.

Community members and public officials gathered at the Northland Fountain, near North Oak Trafficway and Vivion Road in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1-2 p.m. to connect and learn about the citys history.

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Several notable figures spoke at the event, which was put on by the City of Fountains Foundation, including Mayor Quinton Lucas, the Kansas City Missouri Fire Chief, the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Director and the City of Fountains Foundation President, Mark McHenry.

This years event was not just about turning the water back on, the City of Fountains Foundation said. It was a symbol of renewal, community spirit, and our collective efforts to preserve the historical and aesthetic value of Kansas Citys fountains.

Fountains are a famous part of Kansas Citys history. Dating back to the late 1800s, they were mainly used for horses, dogs and birds in the city. As the years went by, fountains appeared downtown with various architectural styles, providing citizens with safe drinking water, according to Visit KC.

Then, in 1973, the City of Fountains Foundation was created, which has since restored the historic fountains in-and-outside of the city that fell into disrepair, and built several new ones along the way.

Today, there are over 200 fountains registered throughout the Kansas City metro with 48 that are publicly owned, Visit KC said.

According to Kansas City Parks and Recreation, there are many famous fountains throughout Kansas City. But the best-known and most-photographed of all the citys fountains is in Mill Creek Park.

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This historic statue, which consists of four large horsemen and four small children playing on dolphins  one of which was missing prior to purchase, but later replicated  is located off the Country Club Plaza, near Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard and Mill Creek Parkway. It was sculpted in 1910 by Henri-Leon Greber and installed in 1960.

There are many other fountains throughout the metro that have deep symbolism, unique architecture and impressive craftsmanship. And now that fountain season has officially begun, you can see them for yourself.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
City of Las Vegas to implement plans to help keep park areas safe

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The City of Las Vegas is sharing details about what they plan to do after a rise in crime was spotted at parks across the area.

Both Justice Myron E. Leavitt Park near Sahara and Eastern avenues and Lorenzi Park on the Historic Westside are the most crime-infested parks in the valley, according to a recent report from Las Vegas Parks and Recreation. 8 News Now reported on the rise in crime after officers issued a high number of arrests and citations at three parks.

Valerie Lopez visits Lorenzi Park weekly but told 8 News Now she has had to cut her trips short because she doesnt feel completely safe.

The City of Las Vegas is sharing details about what they plan to do after a rise in crime was spotted at parks across the area. (KLAS)

I did have an incident with a homeless person who harassed me, she added.

City officials said they are doing what they can to ease those safety concerns as a new budget was passed this April to include 22 additional police officers and five new deputy city marshals who will oversee area parks. Plus, new security camera installations are expected to be added at certain parks.

I would like to see more of a patrol patrolling at those late hours at night when its dark around here, Martha Rodriguez shared.

The City of Las Vegas is sharing details about what they plan to do after a rise in crime was spotted at parks across the area. (KLAS)

She added while she wants to see more security, she is pleased with the cleanliness of the park as of late.

Las Vegas is trying to clean it up as much as possible and I have noticed a big difference, she added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Unlawful maiming charges filed against a Navy captain in 2022 were dismissed in 2023, according to Virginia court records and the officers civilian defense attorney.

The charges against Capt. Dennis J. Turner were dismissed in July 2023, and expunged from Turners record in December 2023.

I can confirm that both criminal charges were dismissed (nolle prosequi) and the Hampton Circuit Court granted the expungement petition for both charges, David Good, Turners defense attorney, confirmed to Navy Times in an email.
After being absent from hearing oral arguments on Monday, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas returned to the bench on Tuesday. No explanation was given for why he was missing; Chief Justice John Roberts shared that Thomas would not take part shortly after the court sat for arguments in a public corruption case.

Interestingly enough, Thomas did come back in time for Tuesdays oral arguments into whether prosecutors can charge hundreds of Jan. 6 participants with obstruction for disrupting Congress as it certified President Joe Bidens presidential victory.

Does Thomas have something to hide? In addition to Thomas  who is 75 years old  being the courts oldest member and the most senior associate justice, he also has a conflict of interest regarding the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

WTF: How come SCOTUS and DOJ have yet to indict Clarence Thomas and Ginni Thomas for their part in the attack on democracy and the Capitol, despite the Supreme Court's attempts to shield Donald Trump and the insurrectionists of January 6th? pic.twitter.com/HInL4PXoho  Popular Liberal  (@PopularLiberal) April 16, 2024

His wife, Ginni, contacted Arizona state lawmakers as well as former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and other officials after the 2020 election in hopes of overturning the results of the presidential election.

With her involvement, folks wondered if Thomas would be forced to recuse himself. Unfortunately, he has been allowed to stay on the case. During Tuesdays hearing  in regards to defendant Joseph Fischer  Thomas asked an attorney for the Department of Justice if the federal government has ever charged anyone with obstruction of an official proceeding.

There have been many violent protests that have interfered with proceedings, Thomas commented during the hearing. Has the government applied this provision to other protests in the past? Thomas obvious attempts to downplay what happened on Jan. 6 are palpable and its reprehensible that he is allowed to be a part of these cases.

Thomas himself has also been accused of sexual harassment and corruption over the course of his career, and has somehow avoided consequences. We doubt this time will be any different.

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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating an armed robbery involving a BRINKS armored truck on Monday.

The armed robbery happened outside a Charlotte QuikTrip along North Tryon Street.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police told Queen City News officers responded to the location for the reports of an armed robbery Monday afternoon.

No word on whether any suspects were taken into custody or if any injuries have been reported.

Additional details are limited at this time.

This is a developing story; check back for updates

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
FILE - Julie Su speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions confirmation hearing for her to be the Labor Secretary, on Capitol Hill, April 20, 2023, in Washington. The Labor Department moved Tuesday to better protect miners from poisonous silica dust that has contributed to the premature deaths of thousands of mine workers from a respiratory disease commonly known as black lung. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Coal miners will be better protected from poisonous silica dust that has contributed to the premature deaths of thousands of mine workers from a respiratory ailment commonly known as black lung disease, the Labor Department said Tuesday as it issued a new federal rule on miners' safety.

The final rule, announced by Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, cuts by half the permissible exposure limit for crystalline silica for an eight-hour shift.

Mine workers, community advocates and elected officials from Appalachian states have pushed for the stricter rule, noting that health problems have grown in recent years as miners dig through more layers of rock to gain access to coal seams when deposits closer to the surface have long been tapped. The increased drilling generates deadly silica dust and has caused severe forms of pneumoconiosis, better known as black lung disease, even among younger miners, some in their 30s and 40s.

It is unconscionable that our nations miners have worked without adequate protection from silica dust despite it being a known health hazard for decades, Su said Tuesday. Today, were making it clear that no job should be a death sentence, and every worker has the right to come home healthy and safe at the end of the day.''

In Central Appalachia, an estimated one in five tenured coal miners has black lung disease. The condition reduces life expectancy by an average of 12 years and makes it a struggle to get through a phone call or play with their grandkids without losing their breath,'' Su said in a speech in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where she appeared with Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, and other union leaders.

For too long, we accepted this as just the way things are for people who work in mines,'' Su said. Theyve had to work without the same protections from silica dust that people in other industries have, even though weve known about the harms of silica dust since Frances Perkins," who was labor secretary in the 1930s and 1940s.

The election-year rule shows "what it looks like to have the most pro-worker, pro-union president in history,'' Su said, a political comment referring to Democratic President Joe Biden.

Rebecca Shelton, director of policy at the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, which pressed for stricter rules to protect miners, said the group was reviewing the rule to ensure regulators from the Mine Safety and Health Administration accounted for comments by health professionals, attorneys and miners who have worked on the rule for years.

There are too many lives at stake to get this wrong, and well do whatever we can to ensure that this rule provides the protection that miners deserve,'' Shelton said.

Democratic senators from Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia hailed the new rule, saying it will be essential in safeguarding miners.

A spokesman for the National Mining Association said the group was reviewing the rule but supports the lower limits. The mining lobby has pushed to allow use of administrative controls and personal protective equipment to meet safety standards. Unfortunately, those recommendations were not included in the final rule, said spokesman Conor Bernstein.

Vonda Robinson, whose husband, John, was diagnosed with black lung a decade ago at age 47, said shes felt hopeful as officials considered the rule changes. But she was skeptical how the rule will be enforced.

Robinson, who lives in rural Nickelsville, Virginia, near the Tennessee line, said the mine safety office does not have enough staff or resources to adequately protect workers and their families.

You can have rules, but until you back it up with enforcement, its not going to mean anything, she said in an interview. If theyre going to put out these rulings, you need to hire more people.

The White House requested a $50 million increase to the mine safety office's budget for the current year, most of which would have been for more inspectors and enforcement. Congress rejected it, keeping the budget at the 2023 level of $388 million.

Vonda Robinson said her husband struggles every day. John Robinson worked in the mines for almost three decades. Two years ago, the couple met with a physician about a lung transplant.

Until you see it and live with it, you dont understand, Vonda Robinson said. And knowing what were looking at now -- miners being diagnosed at 32  theyll probably never see their children graduate or have grandchildren."

The Labor Department rule lowers the permissible exposure limit of respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a full-shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour average. If a miners exposure exceeds the limit, mine operators must take immediate corrective actions.

The rule is in line with exposure levels imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on construction and other non-mining industries. And its the standard the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was recommending as far back as 1974.

The Labor Department began studying silica and its impact on workers health nearly a century ago, but the focus on stopping exposure in the workplace largely bypassed coal miners. Instead, regulations centered on coal dust, a separate hazard created by crushing or pulverizing coal rock that also contributes to black lung.

In the decades since, silica dust has become a major problem as Appalachian miners cut through layers of sandstone to reach less accessible coal seams in mountaintop mines where coal closer to the surface has long been tapped. Silica dust is 20 times more toxic than coal dust and causes severe forms of black lung disease after even a few years of exposure.

___

Willingham reported from Charleston, West Virginia.
This article was originally published in Alabama Reflector.

A coalition of education and civil rights groups plan to push for changes to how Alabama funds its schools.

A Thursday news release announcing the formation of the coalition said that Alabama is one of the few states to allocate money based on enrollment rather than needs from students.

Education budget chairs Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, have both spoken in the past about changing the way Alabama provides funding for schools.

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Alabama has not updated the way it funds public schools in more than three decades, and how we fund them creates large disparities across the state, said Jason Meadows, the advocacy and partnerships director of A+ Education Partnership, wrote in the release. Every child is different, and some children need more support to be successful. A better approach would be to consider the specific needs of students within each school system and ensure every school can fund the resources needed to help them and their families thrive.

A+ Education Partnership, an education advocacy organization, launched the coalition. Other members include Alabama Possible, Alabama Network of Child Advocacy Centers, Alabama, Goodwill, Faith in Action Alabama, Teach for America Alabama, Huntsville Committee of 100, EmpowerED Birmingham, Birmingham Promise, Alabama Arise, New Schools for Alabama, Mobile Area Education Foundation, Black Alabamians for Education, Breakthrough Birmingham, Baldwin County Education Coalition, Inc., Alabama State Conference NAACP, Education 4 Life, Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (HICA!), AG Gaston Business Institute, Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance, New Life Church of God in Christ, Montgomery Education Foundation, Alabama Families for Great Schools, VOICES for Alabamas Children, Learning Little People, LLC, and John Wilson, Chief School Financial Officer, Baldwin County Board of Education, according the release.

Every Child Alabama is beginning by launching a 7-part learning series on education funding.

The 1901 Alabama Constitution, passed to take the vote from Black Alabamians and poor whites, includes tight property tax caps that make it difficult for local governments to raise adequate revenue for schools. According to the U.S. Census, Alabamas per-pupil spending in 2022 was $11,819, 36th in the nation. The national average was $16,340.

Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.
A county in Colorado is suing its own state over sanctuary immigration policies, according to a new filing.

Douglas County filed a lawsuit on Monday morning against Governor Jared Polis and the Centennial State, in reference to Colorado House bills 19-1124 and 23-1100. The state is currently seeking the right to comply with the federal government on immigration matters, which the bills prohibit.

Specifically, the bills forbid Colorado police from arresting and detaining undocumented immigrants based on immigration status. It also prevents state judges from exchanging information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Local Colorado governments are also prohibited from entering into agreements with the federal government on matters related to immigration enforcement under the bills.

DENVER PUT ON NOTICE BY NEARBY AURORA OVER TRANSPORTING MIGRANTS TO COMMUNITY: NOT A SANCTUARY CITY

In a press conference on Monday, Douglas County Board of County Commissioners Chairman George Teal said that the laws are "a violation of several tenets of the Colorado State Constitution."

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"It is our intent to bring suit specifically to address the illegal immigration crisis now present in this country," Teal added. "Federal policies along the southern border have resulted in an unlimited stream of illegal immigrants into our communities."

The chairman added that the board believes that filing the lawsuit is part of their civic duties.

"We see it as the duty of the county to push back against the state laws that prohibit us from working with federal authorities to keep Douglas County and our communities safe," he continued. "That is the purpose of this lawsuit, and we do believe we will have victory."

DENVER CITY OFFICIAL CAUGHT ON CAMERA BEGGING MIGRANTS TO LEAVE, HEAD TO CHICAGO, NYC: GOING TO SUFFER

A Colorado state flag in Pueblo, Colorado, US, on Monday, July 24, 2023.

County Commissioner Abe Laydon added that he "recognize[d] the plight of those that are seeking refuge and asylum here," while supporting the filing of the lawsuit.

"Douglas County is a place where quality of life comes first, and we want to prioritize the rights of those who are legally here first," he explained.

"We heard many months ago that 40,000 Venezuelan migrants were being bussed to Denver from Texas at a cost of about $120 million, to the City and County of Denver and Douglas County We are not going to be cutting services to our residents."

Other similar lawsuits have been filed in the past five years. In 2018, Huntington Beach's city council voted 6-1 to sue the state of California over an immigration-related law signed by former Gov. Jerry Brown. An Orange County court ruled in favor of the city.

A volunteer attorney works with Venezuelan migrants to help them begin the work permitting process at a local hotel in Denver, Colorado on February 5, 2024.

Fox News reached out to Governor Polis for a statement, but his office declined to comment.





Original article source: Colorado county sues state government over sanctuary immigration policies: 'Quality of life comes first'
A Colorado Springs, Colorado couple who authorities claim abandoned nearly 200 bodies in a building infested with maggots and flies, faces additional charges after allegedly spending more than $880,000 in COVID relief funds on vacations, cosmetic surgery and other personal expenses.

Jon Hallford and his wife, Carie Hallford, owned the Back to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado Springs and had been facing 190 counts of abuse of a corpse, five counts of theft, four counts of money laundering and over 50 counts of forgery.

An indictment unsealed on Monday alleged the Hallfords used $882,300 in COVID pandemic relief funds to buy items for themselves, including cars, dinners, cryptocurrency and tuition for their child.

The 15 federal offenses carry potential penalties of 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines, according to the indictment.

Between March 2020 and October 2021, prosecutors claim, Jon and Carie fraudulently obtained three loans.

COLORADO FUNERAL HOME OWNERS WHO ABANDONED BODIES SPENT CREMATION, BURIAL MONEY ON VEHICLES, $1,500 DINNER

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In previously released court documents regarding the abuse of corpse case, more details were revealed about what the Hallfords used the money for.

They allegedly purchased a GMC Yukon and an Infiniti with a combined worth of over $120,000.

The couple also took trips to California, Florida and Las Vegas, purchased $31,000 in cryptocurrency, shopped at luxury retailers like Tiffany & Co. and Gucci, and paid for laser body sculpting, court documents allege.

COLORADO FUNERAL HOME OWNERS FACE CHARGES AFTER DISCOVERY OF 190 DECOMPOSING BODIES

FBI agent Andrew Cohen testified in February that the money  which they received as an adjustment to a pandemic-era small business loan  used to buy the Yukon was obtained fraudulently after Jon lied and said he was not behind on child support payments.

The court documents reaffirm accusations from state prosecutors that the Hallfords presented families with dry concrete instead of cremated ashes, while also alleging the couple buried the wrong body on two separate occasions.

The Hallfords collected over $130,000 from families for cremation and burial services that they never followed through with, the indictment alleged.

COLORADO FUNERAL HOME OWNER WHO ALLEGEDLY LEFT ALMOST 200 BODIES TO ROT WILL APPEAR IN COURT

Cohen testified that the money was enough to cover cremation costs twice for all the bodies found in the business facility in October.

They were arrested in November 2023 in Oklahoma after an investigation that began in October, when 190 bodies were found inside a building in a nearby rural community as a body storage facility, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors previously presented text messages suggesting Carie Hallford and her husband tried to cover up their financial difficulties by leaving the bodies at the building in Penrose, which had makeshift refrigeration units that were not operating when the bodies were discovered, Cohen had testified.

Jon Hallford was worried about getting caught as far back as 2020, prosecutors alleged, and he suggested getting rid of the bodies by dumping them in a big hole, then treating them with lye or setting them on fire.

"My one and only focus is keeping us out of jail," he wrote in one text message, prosecutors allege.

Fox News Digitals Elizabeth Pritchett and The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Colorado funeral home owners found with nearly 200 decomposing bodies, charged with COVID fraud
The first screening of Megalopolis at Universals CityWalk IMAX theater in Los Angeles ended with a standing ovation from 300 guests. Octogenarian filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola had finally brought his 40-year-old dream to the big screen. Coppola began writing the script while making Apocalypse Now in 1979. However, there have been no other screenings, leaving many people wondering about its global release due to financial challenges. Coppola has spent $120 million of his own money to make the film, but has struggled to find a studio willing to pony up $100 million for distribution. Making it more difficult, his most recent film, Twixt, only earned $1.3 million in 2012.

The Megalopolis screening was attended by the likes of Al Pacino, Nicolas Cage, Spike Jonze, Shia LaBeouf, Darren Aronofsky, Anjelica Huston, John Favreau, Roger Corman and Andy Garcia. Friends and family were also there, like his sister Talia Shire and son Roman, who helped his father during filming as head of the second unit. Absent was daughter Sofia, who has been caring for Eleanor Coppola, the filmmakers wife and artistic collaborator who passed away on April 12. Someone who attended the screening said that Andy Garcia (who took over the Corleone family in The Godfather Part III)  shouted out when the applause died down: This man is the reason we all make movies. Attendees described the film as not a typical blockbuster, but believe theres a fan base eager to watch, especially with critical acclaim and a big ad push at the premiere. Another said that its boldness would attract some and repel others, requiring careful handling during launch, a daunting task in todays market. The film is shot in IMAX format, and at one point an actor  a real human  stands up in the theater and speaks to the screen (at least thats what happened at the screening in Los Angeles). Then, the on-screen character played by Adam Driver looks at the camera and responds to the human in the theater. A third viewer described Megalopolis as part Coppola and part Ed Emshwiller, an innovative visual artist known for experimental cinema and science fiction illustrations.

Megalopolis is a brilliant, visionary masterpiece, said Selena director Gregory Nava in a statement to IndieWire about his experience. I was so overwhelmed that I couldnt do anything for the rest of the day but think about Megalopolis and feel its powerful, uplifting message. Mike Figgis, who has been making a documentary about the filming of Megalopolis said that Coppolas movie is something like Julius Caesar meets Blade Runner. Mike Fleming, editor-in-chief of Deadline, also attended the screening and noted the influence of Ancient Rome, which is reflected in the characters hairstyles.

An image from 'Megalopolis' released by American Zoetrope.

What is Megalopolis about? The protagonist is a visionary architect named Cesar, played by Adam Driver who portrayed similar characters in Ferrari and The House of Gucci. Cesar is a tortured innovator, echoing the character in Coppolas Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988). Nathalie Emmanuel portrays Julia, torn between her love for Driver and respect for her father, Mayor Frank Cicero (played by Giancarlo Esposito). The story follows a clash between the conservative mayor and the progressive architect working to rebuild New York with a utopian vision. Lawrence Fishburne narrates, with Aubrey Plaza as Emmanuels love rival adding to the drama. The star-studded cast includes Jon Voight, Shire, LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman (Coppolas nephew) and Dustin Hoffman.

At the screening were key figures from major Hollywood studios, Netflix, Amazon MGM Prime Video. However, none have made offers to distribute the film. Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Fremaux recently announced that Megalopolis will be screened on May 17, 45 years after Apocalypse Now won the Palme dOr. Coppola hopes that a good reception at Cannes will clinch a global distribution deal for Megalopolis, which is increasingly difficult these days. Without a global deal, Coppola and his lifelong lawyer turned producer, Barry Hirsch, will have to follow the traditional route of selling piecemeal exhibition rights to local distributors, including a U.S. distributor.

A 40-year journey

Coppola came up with the original idea for the movie in 1979 and completed the initial script in 1983. Six years later, Coppola explored filming Megalopolis at the Cinecitta Studios in Rome. Production designer Dean Tavoularis even set up an office there to finalize sketches and build sets. However, other projects like The Godfather Part III, Bram Stokers Dracula, Jack and The Rainmaker got in the way. With no final script or financing, Coppola then searched for Arab investors, which didnt pan out.

In 2001, Coppola revealed in an interview that the script paralleled the story of Lucius Sergius Catilina, a Roman politician and soldier best known for a failed attempt to violently seize control of the Roman state in 63 BC. However, this time the story would unfold in a futuristic New York City, which is why Coppola began shooting second unit material there a few weeks before 9/11. That material was scrapped after the terrorist attack. Around that time, Coppola met actor Russell Crowe at a dinner in Paris. Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Edie Falco, James Gandolfini, Paul Newman, Kevin Spacey, Uma Thurman and others have participated in readings at various casting meetings over the years. In 2002, with the advent of high definition, Coppola filmed more material at major cities. When a friend gave him Youth Without Youth by Mircea Eliade, Coppola decided to adapt the book to film in 2007 and put Megalopolis aside.

Since 2007, Coppolas career has been like a roller coaster ride. While Tetro and Twixt didnt do well commercially or critically, he made a comeback with the 2020 re-edited version of The Godfather Part III. While his attempts to make Megalopolis faltered, his wineries thrived. Selling part of that business raised enough cash for him to revive the project in 2019. A few years later, there were more cast changes with Oscar Isaac, Forest Whitaker, Cate Blanchett, Jon Voight, Zendaya, James Caan, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Jessica Lange joining the project in 2021.

Of all these stars, only Jon Voight remained in the film. Caan, who died in 2022, was replaced by Dustin Hoffman. Filming took place in Atlanta from November 2022 to March 2023. Initially planning to use StageCraft technology seen in The Batman and The Mandalorian, which surrounds actors with large LED screens, Coppola opted for traditional green screens due to cost.

Adam Driver and Nathalie Emmanuel in a scene from 'Megalopolis'

That course change obliged Coppola to switch out part of the technical crew in January 2023. The Hollywood Reporter reported chaos following the departure of the production designer, art director, visual effects supervisor and their teams. Coppola and Driver promptly responded to the article to address the rumors, while Coppola fans defended him by saying a similar change during the filming of Dracula did not affect the films quality. Eventually, some Megalopolis scenes were reshot and a few new ones were added last summer.

Now all we have to do is wait for May 17, when the lights go down at the Grand Theatre Lumiere in Cannes and the 140-minute film starts. That day will mark the culmination of Coppolas longest cinematic journey in a career that has weathered huge box-office flops like One From the Heart and three bankruptcies of his American Zoetrope production company. Now, he just needs to bide his time for a distribution offer he cant refuse for Megalopolis.

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Columbia University is in the hot seat as House Republicans are ready to question four of its top officials on Wednesday for a hearing regarding antisemitism on campus.

Columbia President Nemat Shafik, along with two members of the Board of Trustees and a professor, will be questioned by the House Education and the Workforce Committee after missing the December hearing that became the downfall of other university heads.

Some of the worst cases of antisemitic assaults, harassment, and vandalism on campus have occurred at Columbia University, Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) said in a statement.

Due to the severe and pervasive nature of these cases, and the Columbia administrations failure to enforce its own policies to protect Jewish students, the Committee must hear from Columbias leadership in person to learn how the school is addressing antisemitism on its campus, she added.

Shafik was invited to the December hearing that also focused on antisemitism at Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) but was unable to make it due to previous travel plans.

Columbias leadership lucked out as they watched from the sidelines how the three other universities were questioned  and the fallout that followed.

All three presidents at the December hearing took bipartisan backlash after Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) asked them if calling for the genocide of Jewish people would be considered harassment on campus.

All three responded saying it would depend on the context of the speech and would need further investigation. While First Amendment experts said the responses were legally correct, it did not go over well in the public eye.

UPenn President Liz Magill resigned days after the hearing, and Harvard President Claudine Gay resigned the following month after backlash from the hearing and allegations of plagiarism.

MIT President Sally Kornbluth was the only one able to weather the storm as her school released a statement of support for her and then she stayed out of the public eye.

Antisemitism on campuses became a hot-button issue after Oct. 7, when Hamas launched its attacking killing more than 1,000 Israeli civilians.

In the following weeks, some campus groups blamed Israel for the attack or said it was justified, antisemitic instances rose on colleges campuses and the public felt outraged over the responses, or lack thereof, from administrators.

The Anti-Defamation League recorded 8,800 antisemitic instances in the U.S. in 2023, with a surge after the Oct. 7 attack. It was a record-setting year and a 140 percent jump from 2022.

Sixty-four percent of Jewish parents of college applicants said their child eliminated at least one school from their application process due to concerns about antisemitism, according to a survey from Hillel International released earlier this month.

So far, Columbia has sought to project a confident public image leading up to the hearing.

Columbia is committed to combating antisemitism and we welcome the opportunity to discuss our work to protect and support Jewish students and keep our community safe, the university said in a statement.

But those who have been on campus are hopeful this hearing can mark a significant change for the school.

I hope that this hearing will create an opportunity to publicize that there has been a problem at this university. Over the last six months, its often felt like Jewish students are screaming into a void, so I hope that this hearing will force the university to actually take note of what is going on and to respond to it effectively, Jacob Schmeltz, a senior at Columbia and vice president of the Jewish on Campus Student Union, told The Hill.

Jewish students have been marginalized and isolated and has encountered hostility at nearly every single avenue. Weve been excluded from student groups on campus. There have been many demonstrations on campus where antisemitic slogans and calls for violence have occurred, he added.

Columbias responses at the hearing will determine how the Houses investigation will be conducted afterward.

Currently, House Republicans and Harvard are in a battle over documents relating to antisemitism on the Ivy League schools campus. Harvard has given over thousands of documents, but lawmakers say the information is not relevant and has subpoenaed the school.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
UPDATE 4/16/34 4:10 p.m.: Jernigan has been located, according to the Columbus Police Department.

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Columbus Police Department is looking for a missing man.

Tyrone Jay Jernigan, 33, was last seen in the 200 block of 30th Avenue on Sunday, April 14 at about 10 p.m., according to CPD. Jernigans clothing description is not available.

Police say Jernigan has not been heard from in 24 hours and his family is worried for his safety.

Jernigan is described as standing at 58 and weighing 170lbs with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911, the CPD Special Victims Unit at (706) 225-3449, or lead investigator Cpl. Emily Stice at (706) 225-4366.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announces money for a housing program for Columbus State in July. The city has enlisted a PR firm to help generate support for its housing strategy, which includes a massive zoning overhaul.

Editor's note: A secondary headline on a previous version of this story was removed for containing information not supported by the story.

For more than two years Mayor Andrew J. Ginther's administration has been paying a private public relations firm more than $260,000 to help gain public support for his housing strategy, which includes expanding tax abatements citywide and a massive zoning overhaul unveiled in the past two weeks.

The firm's objectives include to "rally the community to this common vision" and to "create a strategic communications plan."

A Dispatch review of public records reveals a behind-the-scenes effort that included the firm writing an emotional draft letter to the editor on behalf of a supposed member of the public, creating and/or revising "quotes" supposedly said by the mayor and a citizen supporter of the rezoning effort, and a team of writers drafting a public essay on the initiative signed by the mayor, but for which it is unclear if Ginther ever saw.

In essence, documents suggest that Paul Werth Associates worked in concert with the city's Department of Development to create a top-down public relations campaign funded by city taxpayers, but also produced work product that sometimes gave the impression of a bottom-up grassroots movement. The city called the work "standard industry practice."

Key messages developed by the firm included that central Ohio residents "must embrace greater density in their neighborhoods if we are to remain economically competitive and create prosperity for everyone," or face a "housing crisis that could displace working families and force our most vulnerable residents into homelessness."

They also developed a marketing framework: Build, Preserve, Invest, Include. The region must build more units, preserve existing affordability, invest public dollars in housing the market won't provide, and include everyone by getting the public to embrace new-housing density "in their own neighborhoods."

The goal was to "sustain a drumbeat of communication on the Columbus Housing Strategy," according to a July 2022 email by Jennifer Fening, deputy director in the city Development Department, to Paul Werth officials. "...What other narratives should we put forth, to demonstrate action (for) the Build, Preserve, Invest, Include framework? What channels/tactics should we use?"

Much of what the firm did on behalf of the city remains unclear. The Development Department and the firm declined to answer a list of questions from The Dispatch, including what the firm provided under the section of its contract dealing with "social media." Its contract calls for it to develop and schedule social media content, including "monitoring channels, and engaging with followers."

But it was clear that the firm created other content under the contract designed to look like an everyday citizen had said it, and was not a product of a taxpayer-financed marketing effort.

Deliverables under the contract with Paul Werth include workshop agendas, discussion guides, fact sheets, policy briefs and "messaging documents to educate audiences." The city contract also requires Paul Werth to electronically submit "strategic communications plans" in a "final document." It is unclear whether the city provided those strategy plans in response to a public records request, as it repeatedly declined to discuss the matter.

Paul Werth firm writes emotional letter

In early December, upset over a Dispatch story on Ginther's efforts to expand property tax abatements from older neighborhoods into thriving sections of Columbus, Michael Stevens, director of the Development Department, informed The Dispatch by email that "one of the experts who spoke at (city) hearings will be submitting a letter to the editor on this coverage."

That same day, Dec. 8, 2023, Dan Williamson, once a senior adviser to former Mayor Michael B. Coleman  who was now heading the Paul Werth team assigned to the city PR project  emailed Fening and two other Development officials: "Here's a first draft."

Attached was a document that embedded metadata shows was created by Williamson earlier that day, which read:

"To the Editor:

"It saddened me to read Fridays Dispatch story about the proposed Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) expansion in the City of Columbus. The Central Ohio community has come together to recognize the threat posed by our housing shortage and the consequences of inaction. Other media outlets have given balanced, thoughtful coverage to this important issue.

"I joined other community members (name them) to voice our support for the CRA proposal before City Council. But the Dispatch story didnt mention any of us, quoting instead the mayors political opponent, who lost the November election. Those of us who work every day to provide housing to Columbus residents deserve better. So do your readers."

The "political opponent" referenced was Joe Motil, who unsuccessfully ran against Ginther in November.

Stevens declined to respond to questions, including whether this was the letter he referred to in his email to The Dispatch dated the same day, whether he asked Paul Werth to create it, and whether the city had asked anyone to lend their name to it.

The letter was never submitted to The Dispatch.

"Our engagement with Paul Werth reflects standard industry practice," Sheldon Goodrum, the Development Department spokesman who worked closely with Paul Werth on the project, said in an April 1 email in which he declined to answer questions about a series of incidents revealed in emails, including "media training" the firm gave to Department of Development employees in 2023.

"Today is my last day with the City of Columbus," Goodrum added in the email, referring questions to a new spokesman, Cameron Keir, the spokesperson for Ginther's mayoral campaign last year.

Firm crafts Affordable Housing Trust quote

Lark Mallory, president and CEO of the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County, discusses the new Regional Impact Fund to help build more affordable housing in seven counties surround Franklin County.

In November 2022 Goodrum emailed Lark Mallory, president and CEO of the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County, which has received millions of dollars from the city for affordable housing initiatives and which Stevens is a member of the 11-person board, five of whom are appointed by Ginther and Franklin County.

Goodrum asked Mallory to "share a quote with me" for an in-house city housing strategy publication. She responded that Williamson had already "offered to draft something I could tweak."

Williamson responded to the group email: "Thank you Lark. How's this? 'If we can speed up our review and permitting processes, it will be great news for affordable housing development and for our emerging developers.'"

Mallory responded that the suggested quote neither named her organization nor any projects it had partnered on. "I'd like the quote to include our name. Let me know if that's possible?" She gave them some projects to craft a different quote around.

Goodrum responded: "We'd like the quote to be a little broader, addressing the need for more housing in the region, why it's so important, what you and your partners are doing, etc. Thanks!"

The final quote that appeared under Mallory's name was similar to a draft that included mention of two housing projects, but added to it was that they were "the type of creative, transformational solutions we need to address our housing needs."

Mallory didn't return a call left with her office.

Emails show Williamson crafting and refining a quote for Ginther that appeared in the same report. The Dispatch asked the firm and the department when the mayor made that statement that was quoted, but received no response.

PR team writes Ginther op-ed

City records show a team of PR people from the firm and the city labored over the creation of a piece submitted under Ginther's name to The Dispatch in December.

"Our current zoning code was created to serve the Columbus of the 1950s," the piece said. "...We've engaged residents from all corners of the city to join us in visualizing and evaluating a modernized zoning code."

"Most of our changes are outlined with comments, but I also punched up the opening paragraph a bit," emailed Kevin Kilbane, city director of communications, to seven other people, including Williamson, showing numerous edits.

"Attached for your review is the mayor's contributed column to The Dispatch," Fening emailed to Robin Davis, Ginther's former chief of staff, who also recently left her city job.

No one at the firm or city responded when asked if Ginther ever saw this essay before it was published, which appeared under the byline: Andrew J. Ginther, guest columnist.

wbush@gannett.com

@ReporterBush

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus, Paul Werth PR firm work in tandem to boost zoning overhaul
For the record:

12:22 p.m. April 17, 2024: An earlier version of this column incorrectly identified Rep. Andrew S. Clyde (R-Ga.) as a Democrat.



You may have noticed over the last few days that the political world is in an uproar over President Biden's dispensing of student debt relief.

It's not so much that Biden implemented the relief program at all; what got politicians and pundits in a tizzy was that he called out the GOP naysayers in the House by pointing out that many of them had received business loans via the pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, that had never been paid back.

The White House tweeted out the forgiven PPP balances of 13 GOP House members critical of student loan relief, under the heading, "This you?"

The PPP helped people remain employed while the government literally shut down much of the economy,. Only an intellectual clown would compare that to what Biden is doing now with student loans.

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., recipient of $616,241 in pandemic relief

That's a really unfair comparison, the argument goes, because the PPP loans were never intended to be paid back. Under the program's terms, the loans would be forgiven if the money was used to support the workers of a small business that had been forced to close or curtail operations because of pandemic restrictions.

In other words, it's said, the PPP money was never expected to be repaid. By contrast, student loans were taken out in full expectation that they would be repaid  if not for the handouts being distributed by the White House.

"The PPP helped people remain employed while the government literally shut down much of the economy," Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), tweeted back in 2022, the first time Biden made this purportedly invidious comparison. "Only an intellectual clown would compare that to what Biden is doing now with student loans."

Norman received $616,241 from the PPP, according to the White House.

There's something to be said for the distinction made by the PPP-pocketing student relief critics, but not nearly as much as they claim. More on that in a moment.

This is just another example of how our political press is incapable of telling the forest from the trees, or how it's perennially distracted by a shiny object. (Insert your own pertinent metaphor here.)

In this case, the shiny object is the idea that it's Biden who is the hypocrite for comparing the PPP loans to student debt. This misses the bigger picture of how America's economy is structured to benefit corporations and the wealthy  that is, the patrons of the Republican political establishment  at the expense of average Americans. The pundits who are flaying the White House for making the connection are merely buying a GOP talking point.

Not only right-leaning commentators are committing this error. Not a few progressive-minded writers are complicit. Here, for instance, is Jordan Weissmann of Semaphor, usually a percipient analyst of economics and finance: "The thing about this talking point is that I know everybody in the White House, including the [communications] shop, is smart enough to know how disingenuous it is."

Read more: Column: Bidenomics has been a boon for working-class voters. Why don't they give him credit?

Let's take a closer  and a broader  look.

The comparison between student debt relief and the PPP loans first emerged in 2022, when Biden first announced his plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student debt for households with incomes of up to $125,000. The White House then issued a series of tweets targeting GOP critics of student debt relief whose PPP loans had been forgiven.

The Supreme Court invalidated Biden's original proposal in 2023. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote for a 6-3 conservative majority that although the law gave the secretary of Education the authority to "waive or modify" the terms of student loans, the White House had gone too far.

After that, the administration implemented a new program, the SAVE plan, that limited monthly repayments on student debt for most borrowers to as little as 5% of their income and ended payments for borrowers living near or below the federal poverty standard. After as little as 10 years, the balance on loans originally totaling $12,000 or less will be permanently forgiven.

The White House issued this roster of GOP politicians who criticized Biden's student debt relief program but got their pandemic relief loans forgiven (White House)

The issue erupted again a few days ago when Biden announced new features of his student relief program. They included waiving some accrued interest for borrowers whose balances had grown higher than their original debt, generally because their payments hadn't covered the accumulated interest  an issue that affects more than one-third of all student borrowers, and two-thirds of Black borrowers.

Critics, again mostly Republicans, weighed in again with tendentious lectures on social media about the moral imperative of meeting one's obligation to pay back a loan.



Rep. Andrew S. Clyde (R-Ga.), for instance, tweeted that Biden's latest initiative, which will relieve student borrowers of about $7.4 billion in principal and interest, would "transfer millions more in student debt onto the backs of hardworking taxpayers." Clyde called it "nothing more than a desperate attempt to buy votes with Americans hard-earned money."

Clyde's $156,597 PPP loan was forgiven.

That brings us back to the hypocrisy issue. It's true that students who took out education loans are expected to repay them, and that businesses that took out PPP loans were led to believe that they would be forgiven  as long as they were used to support their payrolls through business closings and cutbacks.

But things are not so simple. Critics of Biden's plan argue that the PPP loans were designed to address an acute economic disaster, which isn't the case with student loans.

The student loan burden, however, has become an economic disaster. The total amount of outstanding student loans for higher education has ballooned over the last two decades to almost $1.8 trillion today, up from about $300 billion in 2000. Those loans are carried by about 43 million borrowers.

Read more: Column: Student debt relief might cost $420 billion. That's a bargain

The burden has grown in part because the cost of higher education has exploded. That's so even at public institutions: In 1970, the average tuition at public four-year universities was $358, or about $2,958 in today's money. Since then, public university tuition and fees have grown to the point that working families can't afford them without borrowing.

At UCLA and UC Berkeley, those annual costs come to $13,401 and $14,395 for state residents, respectively. It's proper to note that the University of California was free to Californians until tuition charges were introduced under Gov. Ronald Reagan in the 1970s. Among the beneficiaries of the old system were former governor and U.S. Chief Justice Earl Warren, diplomat Ralph Bunche, L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley, and writer Maxine Hong Kingston, all children of low-income families.

Public university students today accumulate an average of $32,637 to receive a bachelor's degree. The overall average of student debt reached $37,600 in 2022, more than double the average in 2007.

The economic implications of this burden are inescapable. Households burdened by high student debt often delay or forgo homeownership and face difficulties in starting a family or building up savings. The debt load also contradicts Americans cherished assumptions about the value of higher education.

The whole premise of the main higher education industry is that a college degree pays off, Marshall Steinbaum, an expert in higher education finance at the Jain Family Institute, told me in 2022. When some people are still paying off their student loans as they approach retirement, that premise loses some of its oomph.

As for the PPP, it was nothing like the unalloyed boon that its GOP defenders portray. The members of Congress who snarfed up loans by the six or seven figures (Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) tops the list of those called out as hypocrites by Biden with $4.4 million in forgiven loans) are beneficiaries of a program they themselves voted for.

Of the 13 on Biden's list, three (Marjorie Taylor Greene and Clyde of Georgia and Pat Fallon of Texas) hadn't yet been elected when the PPP came up for a vote in April 2020; another, Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, didn't cast a vote. All the others on the White House roster voted in favor. The measure passed the House 388 to 5. Representatives and senators could have exempted themselves from the PPP benefits, but they didn't. Then they lined up for the goods.

Read more: Column: GOP ratchets up the hypocrisy in opposing Biden's student debt plan

Were the PPP funds invariably used as they were supposed to? There's reason to be skeptical. Greene, who received a $182,300 PPP loan in April 2020 for her family construction business, donated $250,000 to her own congressional campaign the following June and August. The government subsequently forgave $183,500, including interest.

Did any of those donations come from the PPP? We'll never know, because days before Biden took office, the Small Business Administration deleted almost all the database red flags designating potentially questionable or fraudulent loans subject to further review. That's according to the Project on Government Oversight, a watchdog group that based its findings on a government database.

As many as 2.3 million loans, including 54,000 loans of more than $1 million each, thus may have received a free pass. The red flags included signs that a recipient company had laid off workers or were ineligible to participate in the program.

The SBA's inspector general's office later disclosed that it had "substantiated an unprecedented level of fraud activity" in the PPP program, but said the mass closeout, as well as the SBA's habit of forgiving loans before reviewing them for potential fraud, would hamper the agency's ability "to recover funds for forgiven loans later determined to be ineligible."

A larger problem in the haste by politicians and pundits to flay Biden for his defense of student loan relief is that their view is too narrow. As I reported in 2022, many of the politicians wringing their hands over how student loan relief burdens ordinary taxpayers received their higher education courtesy of ordinary taxpayers  by attending public institutions at a time when they were overwhelmingly tax-supported.

That's not all. Republican fiscal policies are almost invariably aimed to benefit corporations and wealthier Americans. The 2017 tax cuts are a perfect example. The richest 20% of Americans received nearly 64% of the tax benefits. The top 1% received a reduction in their average federal tax rate of 1.5 percentage points, worth an average $32,650 a year; the lowest-income 20% got a tax rate reduction of 0.3 of a percentage point, worth $40 a year.

Student debt relief, however, overwhelmingly favors low-income borrowers. According to a 2022 study done for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), $10,000 in student debt cancellation would reduce the share of people with debt by one-third among the lowest-income 20% and by one-fourth for households among the next 20%. But it would make almost no difference for the richest 10%.

Debt cancellation also would reduce racial gaps in household economics. A $10,000 debt reduction would zero out loan balances for 2 million Black families, the study said, reducing the share of Black individuals with student loans to 17% from 24%.

In other words, student debt relief is a boon for the most economically vulnerable American households. That can't be said of the PPP program, and certainly not for the GOP tax cuts.

The debate over whether it's "fair" to juxtapose student debt relief with the millions pocketed by GOP representatives and their patrons is, indeed, a story of hypocrisy. But the hypocrisy is not where our political press has claimed to find it. They should pay attention to what really drives conservatives to hate student debt relief so much.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Shoppes at Newberrytown, 700 York Road, announced a new grocery store, The Warehouse.

The Warehouse provides groceries, offering products at half the cost of discount stores and a quarter of the price found at big-box retailers, according to a news release.

The Warehouse will host a grand re-opening on Saturday, April 20 where shoppers can expect exclusive discounts and giveaways throughout the day.

Operating hours for The Warehouse are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shoppes at Newberrytown in Newberry Township.

Coming

Wawa may soon have a location in northern York County. According to documents submitted to Fairview Township, Wawa is proposing a 6,000-square-foot store with fueling pumps at Fishing Creek and Old York Road. The store would be built next to CVS Pharmacy on a 2-acre lot that is near a new Tractor Supply.

The project, which is still in the early phases of development, would be on a property that is zoned commercial. The developers are 2024 Fishing Creek Fairview LLC in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. No official land development plans for the store have been submitted, yet.

Wawa is also planning locations for other areas of York County. In Dover Township, the chain is planning to open a new store at 2941 Carlisle Road. They have submitted a plan for Penn Township at 1007 Baltimore St. The proposed plan consists of an approximately 5,585-square-foot convenience store with eight gasoline pumps. In Springettsbury Township, Madison Development is working on a project at the intersection of East Market Street and Mount Zion Road, which would include a Wawa. In West Manchester Township, Wawa plans to open a store at 4545 W. Market St.

York

The Downtown Resource Center, 44 W. Philadelphia St., York, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 23.

The Downtown Resource Center will be a shared office space for the Downtown Inc, York County Economic Alliance, and BLOOM Business Empowerment Center teams and the York City Police Department.The Center will have working office hours when members of the public and small business owners can stop by for collaboration and assistance.

Red Lion

Yoe Construction, 775 Lombard Road, a Dallastown-based commercial and industrial design-build firm with in-house construction, steel, concrete and excavation capabilities, announced the addition of a new steel fabrication shop. The new location serves as an extension of the companys metal fabrication shop located at the Yoe Construction headquarters in Dallastown, according to a news release.

The addition of this second dedicated fabrication facility will allow the company to expand its in-house structural steel capabilities and increase capacity. Yoe Construction will initially hire approximately 15 new employees with plans for continued team expansion.

Shrewsbury

Realty ONE Group has opened a branch office in Shrewsbury, located behind Village Coffee & Cream.

Closing

Hawn's Outdoor Power Equipment, located at 2220 Carlisle Road, West Manchester Township, has closed.

Personnel

Hill Woodworks, a builder of finely crafted commercial cabinetry and fixtures for over 40 years in the Mid-Atlantic region, has hired Mark Leonard as a project manager. Leonard has over 30 years of experience in the Cabinetry and Fixtures industry, much of that time as director of operations for a multi-million-dollar company, according to a news release. Hill Woodworks is based in southern York County.

Investment Real Estate Group of Companies announced the hiring of Heather Perez as a financial analyst. The group also announced the hiring of Josh Grove as a senior staff accountant.

Awards

The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania recently announced that Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith, president emerita of York College of Pennsylvania, is the winner of the 2024 Francis J. Michelini Award. Dr. Gunter-Smith was recognized for her outstanding achievements in higher education and community leadership at an awards ceremony held on March 25.

Voith, a global technology company with North America headquarters in Appleton, Wisconsin and York, has awarded eight nonprofits a total of $8,000 in #VoithCares donations to support local communities, according to a news release. Each nonprofit received $1,000 as a part of the program. A total of 50 nonprofits around the world received funding for fiscal year 2023-2024, including the Theater Arts for Everyone in York and the York County Special Olympics.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Comings and Goings: New grocery store is opening in Newberrytown, PA
Community mourns girl, 9, killed in Saturday mass shooting: These are kids that had nothing to do with it

Hundreds of people Monday filled a Southwest Side street where a 9-year-old girl was killed in a shooting that left 10 of her relatives wounded over the weekend.

Ariana Molina, 9, died of a gunshot wound to the head when shots were fired about 9 p.m. Saturday in the 2000 block of West 52nd Street while Arianas family was celebrating her aunts confirmation. Three boys ages 1, 8 and 9 and seven adults were also wounded in the shooting, which drew condemnation from Mayor Brandon Johnson and brought hundreds to the site of the shooting in the New City neighborhood to support Arianas family.

All the other victims were recovering from their injuries Monday afternoon, according to Arianas father Jose Molina, but he said the 1-year-old boy may need surgery. Molina, other family members and neighbors remembered Ariana as playful, smart and a loving big sister.

Late Monday afternoon, people milled around a stack of balloons, stuffed animals and other offerings placed on the sidewalk near the familys home. A table decorated with photos of Ariana held a crucifix and a prayer candle. A few feet from the memorial, blood still dripped down the curb into the street.

Across from the home, a woman wrangled a bundle of pink and white heart-shaped balloons out of a car. After an hour of prayer, song and speeches, the crowd released the balloons, which floated west.

Chicago police have said the shooting was likely gang-related. Neighbors and other family members were adamant that Ariana and her family were unlucky bystanders to gang activity in a community that is doing its best to keep their blocks safe despite conflict between groups.

Speaking to the crowd later Monday in the closed-off street, Arianas cousin Esmerelda Vargas said her family had not been targeted.

We need to fix that narrative, said Vargas, 20, a University of Illinois student. (They) were just trying to enjoy a party.

She pleaded with those who had information about the shooting to come forward and with city officials to help them.

All of you politicians, hear us, she said. We are tired of this happening in our communities. Please be with us. Please help us get justice.

Two women who stood across the street taking in the memorial remembered Ariana as a bright girl who always kept her younger siblings safe when they played on the sidewalk. She liked to dye her hair and to roller-skate, they said.

The neighbors said gang activity has intensified on their block since 2020. They were frustrated with how police have responded to their calls about the uptick.

They are running up and down our street with rifles, said one of the neighbors, who declined to give her name out of concern for her safety.  Theres no reason why we should have to keep our children in the house because of this.

Sam Castro, director of community violence intervention at the Institute for Nonviolence, said there are about six active gangs in the area and attributed their prevalence to a lack of community resources and alternatives. The institute lists New City and Back of the Yards as one of its target areas where it works to reduce gun violence.

Castro said even among people who are involved in local gangs, nobody respects what happened here.

These are kids that had nothing to do with it, he said. Even the people still in that life, theyre like, this is unacceptable.

Decadeslong gang conflicts in the area have, at times, led to shootings involving rifles.

In 2017, the Tribune reported on a rise in the use of rifles amid the conflict between the Saints and La Razas  two of the largest gangs operating in Back of the Yards.

The neighborhood has been the scene of other mass shootings in recent years, too. Thirteen people were shot in Cornell Square Park, half a mile from Saturdays shooting, in September 2013.

Alissa Gonzalez, a friend of the family and former neighbor, said she had a brother the same age as Ariana.

I watched that little girl grow up, said Gonzalez, 19. We cant even have gatherings or have fun, because things like this happen.

She said she wanted better for her neighborhood.
Company fired 65-year-old with cancer to avoid paying for his treatment, feds say

A sales executive at a Texas-based auto company was diagnosed with cancer when he turned 65  then he was fired and replaced by a younger worker so the company could avoid paying his medical bills, federal officials said.

Gregg Orr Auto has now agreed to pay the man $325,000, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced in an April 16 news release.

McClatchy News reached out to the company and its attorney for comment but did not immediately receive a response April 16.

Gregg Orr Auto, which owns car dealerships throughout the Southeast, maintains a self-insured health plan that directly covers the cost of employees medical expenses, officials said.

The 65-year-old sales executive had been with the company for seven years by the time he was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2019, federal officials said in a complaint filed in the Eastern District of Texas, Texarkana division.

He took medical leave from the Texarkana office to undergo surgery Dec. 19, and he returned to work less than a month later, officials said in the September 2023 complaint.

EEOC officials said he rushed back to work against his doctors recommendation because he had seen (the company) push workers with medical conditions or older workers out of the company in favor of younger workers or individuals needing less medical care.

The man said he worried the same would happen to him.

Then he got the $150,000 hospital bill about a week after he returned to work.

Officials said the company knew it was liable for the mans medical bills, including 30 radiation treatments to follow his December surgery.

On Feb. 11, 2020, Gregg Orr Auto told the man his employment and health insurance would end, effective immediately, officials said.

His employer told him they were eliminating his role, but federal officials said that wasnt the real reason for his termination.

Greg Orr Auto knew the company would be exposed to the employees ongoing healthcare expenses under its self-insured employee health care plan and therefore replaced him with a significantly younger worker in his mid-30s, the EEOC said.

Federal officials accuse the company of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by discriminating against the man for his age and his cancer diagnosis, then replacing him with a substantially younger individual, according to the complaint.

To avoid litigation, the government and the company agreed to settle, but Gregg Orr Auto denies wrongdoing.

As part of the consent decree, the company agreed to update its anti-discrimination policies and train managers on the ADA.

The EEOC appreciates Greg Orr Autos willingness to undertake significant training to ensure workers rights are protected in the future, Birmingham District Director Bradley Anderson said in the release.

Texarkana is in northeast Texas along the border of Arkansas.

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The Congressional Tri-Caucus has called on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to publish a complete version of federal contracting spending data broken down by race and ethnicity.

Chairs of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) led 40 democrats in writing a letter to SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman on Friday demanding data from all federal agencies.

In fiscal year 2020, the federal government spent more than $665 billion on contracts, the letter states. But minority-owned businesses often struggle to win federal contracts, depriving those companies and communities of billions of dollars in opportunities.

One study cited in the letter found that had minority-owned businesses received 2020 federal contracting dollars in proportion to their share of the US business sector, they would have received $64 billion more in federal contracts.

Black-owned businesses would have received an additional $4 billion in contract awards and Hispanic-owned businesses nearly $24 billion more.

The Biden-Harris Administration published the data for the first time in December 2021, but the data released in January for 2021 and 2022 has been limited only to the top five federal agencies.

As members of Congress, we write to remind your administration of this commitment and reiterate that publishing this data for all federal agencies will help legislators to understand the needs of Americas 33.2 million small businesses while fostering greater economic opportunity for marginalized groups, the lawmakers wrote.

Having such data made available, the lawmakers added, would help monitor equity and understanding the disparities minority-owned small businesses face.

The lawmakers are calling for the data to be published by April 30.

The Hill has reached out to the Small Business Administration for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Senators in both parties are warning the expanded surveillance authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) could lapse after Friday because of a battle over amending the House bill, which has become a target of conservative Republicans and some Democrats.

Opponents of the bill could drag the Senate debate past the 11:59 p.m. Friday deadline, which threatens to cause a lapse in warrantless surveillance authority that some lawmakers warn could leave the nation exposed to an attack at a dangerous time.

It would be a very big problem. FISAs incredibly important to alerting us of terrorist plots, for example. And I believe the threat of a terrorist attack is much higher than is being discussed, warned Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Monday that he would put the House-passed bill to reauthorize FISAs controversial Section 702, which empowers the nations intelligence agencies to collect the phone numbers of Americans in contact with foreign intelligence targets, on the Senate calendar.

That means it would take more than a week to process the bill on the Senate floor, and opponents of the legislation are threatening to push the debate past the Friday deadline unless they get time to debate and vote on changes to the bill.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), an outspoken critic of the FISA program, said hes willing to let it lapse over the weekend if he doesnt get changes to the bill considered on the Senate floor.

We need to debate  weve had five years [to reauthorize the program]  I would think weve got time to debate whether or not its appropriate for our government to spy on its own citizens without a warrant, he said.

Paul said he would agree to speed up the process depending on how much debate the Democrats are willing to allow.

But he said he would have no problem with letting the program lapse, arguing that the country and its intelligence agencies functioned well enough before Congress passed FISA in 1978.

He dismissed colleagues who are warning that a lapse in authority would expose the nation to attack as scaremongering.

Paul and his allies critical of the surveillance program last week were energized when former President Trump urged Congress to kill FISA.

The Kentucky senator said he plans to offer a companion amendment to the proposal sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), which failed on a tie vote in the House, to require a warrant to review the data of Americans swept up in the surveillance of foreigners.

He will also offer an amendment to prohibit law enforcement and intelligence agencies from purchasing data on people in the United States and Americans abroad and another to bar those agencies from using to FISA to search an Americans communications even with a warrant.

Im not concerned with the date, he said of the looming deadline. If all else fails, I think we can live under the Constitution maybe for a day, maybe two days.

The debate over FISA has sparked internal battles in both the Senate Republican and Democratic conferences.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) pushed back against Pauls threat to drag the debate over FISA into the weekend by pledging Monday not to let surveillance authority go dark.

At the end of the week, an essential authority Americas law enforcement and intelligence professionals rely on to monitor and mitigate serious threats is set to expire. A crucial window into the activities of those wish Americans harm is set to go dark, McConnell said on the Senate floor.

He warned that to let the program lapse would be to forget the lessons of 9/11.

We have until Friday to avoid a dangerous lapse in a critical tool for identifying and stopping espionage and terrorism against the United States. If any of our colleagues believes that now is an appropriate moment to make this mission even more difficult, Id be very interested to hear their rationale, he said.

Getting the expiring FISA authority renewed by weeks end will be a harder challenge than usual because the Senate will also have to juggle articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which the House is expected to send across the Capitol at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Senators expect to spend Wednesday afternoon and possibly Wednesday evening debating the impeachment and whether to hold a full trial on the Senate floor.

Theres going to be a bit of pileup, I think, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) said with a dose of understatement. We are concerned about FISA, yes.

Senate Democrats, including Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a senior member of the Intelligence Committee, are also criticizing the House-passed bill, which they argue doesnt go far enough to reforming Section 702.

Wyden warned last week this bill represents one of the most dramatic and terrifying expansions of government surveillance authority in history.

I will do everything in my power to stop it from passing the Senate, he declared.

The House bill includes several reforms, such as implementing a stricter approval process for searching the 702 database for information belonging to Americans.

But some of the changes to the program angered critics such as Paul and Wyden.

Paul said language was added to the reauthorization of the program to make it easier to prosecute drug-related crimes, and Wyden called some of the changes stunning and staggering.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) said he would oppose amendments to the bill, which was carefully negotiated between Senate and House leaders. He warned changes at this late date would open a can of worms.

The measure passed the House on Friday after a bruising fight. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) agreed to shorten the programs authorization from five years to two to placate its conservative critics in his conference.

It passed the lower chamber 273-147 after House conservatives derailed a rule to govern its floor consideration.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
There are moments in history that can change the world forever, such as the attack on the Twin Towers in 2001 and, before that, the Manhattan Project, so topical because of the success of the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer in theaters, and because of headlines in the press. Netflixs documentary series Turning Point began by analyzing 9/11 and now becomes an anthology with a second season focusing on the atomic bomb, the Cold War, and its various connections to the present-day geopolitical situation.

Beginning with the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the nine-episode documentary The Bomb and the Cold War traces the conflict between the Eastern and Western blocs, traversing the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rise of Vladimir Putin, and the Kremlins 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

If the first victim of war is the truth, what happens in the era of fake news? The world that we live in, where wars are playing out online, in social media, means that the non-political, the investigative, journalistic approach is more needed than ever, said the director of the series, Brian Knappenberger, in an interview with EL PAIS in mid-March from New York, days before the Crocus City Hall bombing in Moscow. I think this shows up pretty dramatically now because youre starting to see a kind of rise of the myth of Stalin again in a positive way. Somebody in the series says that its weaponization of history, that Stalin is being looked at as potentially a decent figure in history. Thats pretty alarming and may tell us more about where Russia is headed.

For Knappenberger, narrative was important in World War I, even more important in World War II, and eventually became one of the key elements in the Cold War. Propaganda has always been a part of war, but theres something about the Cold War, which was dominated by massive arsenals of nuclear weapons on both sides, weapons that could, if deployed, destroy all life on Earth, he says.

In the second season of Turning Point, Knappenberger presents the results of more than 100 interviews conducted in seven countries around the world over the course of 10 hours of runtime. Through these, he attempts to tell deeply personal stories that reveal the ongoing impact of the Cold War. They range from survivors of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima to world leaders past and present, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and prominent political figures such as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, former CIA director Robert Gates, and former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.

Historical mirage

George H. W. Bush, the U.S. president when the Berlin Wall came down, said at the time: By the grace of God, America won the Cold War. But of course, history didnt end there, the director says. The series asks the audience to consider whether this unifying milestone between East and West Germany ended the conflict between the two great political blocs or whether, on the contrary, it was just a historical mirage.

Knappenberger insists that the Cold War was a confrontation between competing narratives: In America, its about individual freedom and democracy. But the Soviets had a different story: that capitalism was running amok, that it was creating a stratospheric difference between the rich and the poor, and that communism was the right path, he says. Putin is a child of the Cold War. He was a KGB agent in Dresden when the Berlin Wall fell. Putins vision of the Cold War and World War II is riddled with errors. Obviously, its not factually accurate. But there are grains of truth in it that hes able to build on to justify his actions in Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy during an interview for the second season of 'Turning Point.'

A change of structure

The idea on which the second season of Turning Point was conceived was to create a more or less chronological story with a focus on nuclear weapons. Just two months after production began, Russia invaded Ukraine. Putin has defined the collapse of the Soviet Union as one of the greatest geopolitical tragedies in history. We realized that this was no longer a historical documentary, but a reflection on a very present issue. The Cold War was definitely starting to heat up. Knowing what happened then is crucial to understanding the world today, Knappenberger notes.

The structure of the episodes changed from that moment on: the showrunners decided to start each episode with a topical fragment, followed by the credits, and then the chronological story they had planned to tell from the beginning. We dont know how [the war in Ukraine] going to play out yet. Its every bit as disturbing and urgent as it was two years ago. Were just past the two-year anniversary and were all asking some of the same questions. What does this mean for democracy in Europe? What does this mean for security in Europe? What does this mean for the world order? How likely is it that Putin will actually resort to nuclear weapons in Ukraine?

An admirer of the award-winning film about Robert Oppenheimer, Knappenbergers documentary seeks to pick up the conversation from Christopher Nolans story. That initial invention of the bomb and that scientific advancement is, for us, the beginning. The invention of nuclear weapons is a kind of turning point in human history. How do we react to the invention of a weapon that can destroy us? This is the story of that weapon and of how we react to it, he says.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Several pieces of equipment were damaged in an early morning fire at a construction site next to a hospital in Fayette County and police suspect it is the work of arsonists.

Just after 4 a.m., Fayetteville police received calls reporting the fire.

When officers and Fayetteville Fire Department crews arrived at the construction site next to Piedmont Fayette Hospital, they saw several pieces of construction equipment were on fire.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The equipment belongs to Brasfield & Gorrie, one of the lead contractors for the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.

They are also a donor to the Atlanta Police Foundation.

Fayetteville police said it is too early in their investigation to know if the fire is related to the protests that destroyed equipment at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center construction site.

In March, two protesters climbed a Brasfield & Gorrie crane and chained themselves to it in northwest Atlanta.

A similar situation happened in January in Midtown Atlanta when two protesters chained themselves to another Brasfield & Gorrie crane.

In January, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said there have been more than two dozen attacks in the metro Atlanta area and other states that have targeted companies that have worked on the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.

TRENDING STORIES:

Piedmont Fayette Hospital issued the following statement about the incident:

We are assisting authorities in the investigation of the overnight destruction of construction equipment on our campus. This equipment was to be used in a long-planned project to alleviate parking issues at Piedmont Fayette, which is one of our busiest hospitals, in order to improve ease of access for our patients to medical care.

While any act of vandalism on a hospital campus or in our communities is concerning, we are hopeful that any project delays caused by this incident will be minimal.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that Gov. Roy Coopers decision to keep bars shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic violated the state constitution.

A panel of three Republican judges wrote that while Cooper had the authority to shut down some businesses in the interests of public health, his decision to begin reopening restaurants but not bars violated the rights of those business owners.

The unequal treatment of Plaintiffs had the effect of denying their fundamental right to earn a living by the continued operation of their businesses, the court wrote.

The case began in 2020 after a group of nearly 200 bar owners sued Cooper for leaving them out of part of the states reopening plan, arguing that the distinction between bars and restaurants was arbitrary.

The court partially agreed, finding that Coopers decision violated the bar owners right to equal protection of the laws.

Gov. Roy Cooper is interviewed by The News & Observer at the Executive Mansion Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2023. Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com

The judges rejected some of the bar owners other claims, such as their argument that Cooper unconstitutionally took their property away from them without proper compensation.

The case now goes back to the trial court, though either side could appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Representatives for Cooper and the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A general view of the old stock exchange. The historic stock exchange in the Danish capital Copenhagen is on fire. picture alliance / dpa

The Danish capital Copenhagen suffered its "Notre Dame moment" after the historic stock exchange, one of its oldest and most iconic buildings, was engulfed by a major fire on Tuesday, causing its spire to collapse into the flames.

Even hours after the fire broke out, smoke was still rising, flames were blazing and people were gathering at the site.

According to the fire brigade, the fire had already engulfed around half of the huge building by mid-morning. The fire has damaged supporting structures, the brigade said later, confirming that part of the 400-year-old building was badly burnt.

However, the emergency services said they did not initially expect the entire building to collapse.

Around 120 firefighters and around 60 volunteers from the armed forces were deployed, according to the Danish news agency Ritzau.

The building, known as Brsen in Danish, houses a large art collection, including the monumental 19th-century oil painting "From Copenhagen Stock Exchange" by PS Kryer, which was carried away by several people.

The police announced on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that several streets and the area around the building had been cordoned off.

Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed his shock. "Terrible pictures from the Brsen. So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us. Our own Notre Dame moment," he wrote, comparing the blaze to the one that severely damaged the famous Paris landmark five years ago.

Notre Dame Cathedral is expected to reopen in December after its reconstruction, with the spire restored.

King Frederik X wrote in a statement of a sad sight. "An important part of our architectural heritage was and still is in flames."

The striking Dragon Spire, which has now collapsed, has helped to shape the cityscape and define Copenhagen as the "City of Towers," the king said.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also expressed her dismay. "Terrible images we are seeing right now. A piece of Danish history in flames," Frederiksen wrote on Instagram.

"The stock exchange is one of Copenhagen's most iconic buildings. A symbol of 400 years of business history in Denmark. Irreplaceable cultural heritage. It hurts to see," Frederiksen wrote.

At the same time, the prime minister thanked the fire brigade, police and everyone "who bravely fought the fire."

"I will do everything I can to ensure that the Dragon Spire once again towers over Copenhagen as a symbol of Denmark's strong history as a trading nation," Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt wrote on X.

The cause of the fire was initially unclear.

The Dutch Renaissance-style building was completed in 1625 with a 56-metre-high spire featuring four intertwined dragon tails and is one of the oldest buildings in Copenhagen. The spire is a symbol of the city.

Located on the eastern tip of the island of Slotsholmen on the Holmens Canal opposite the National Bank of Denmark, it is a major tourist attraction.

Today it houses the Chamber of Commerce, which also owns the building.

It is currently being restored and is therefore covered in scaffolding. The restoration was intended to correct an improper renovation of the building in the 19th century and restore the facade to its original appearance.

The Provianthuset, a wing of Christiansborg Palace where several MPs and journalists have offices, was also evacuated in the morning due to the fire.

The palace itself houses Denmark's parliament. Meetings in the parliamentary chamber and committee rooms were initially scheduled to take place as planned.

However the Copenhagen police said the Ministry of Finance buildings would be evacuated.
A general view of the old stock exchange. The historic stock exchange in the Danish capital Copenhagen is on fire. picture alliance / dpa

The major fire that has engulfed Copenhagen's historic stock exchange, one of its oldest and most iconic buildings, has been brought under control, the head of the Danish capital's fire brigade said on Tuesday.

The cause of the fire, which broke out suddenly on Tuesday morning, remains unclear. Half of the stock exchange had more or less burnt down, according to the fire brigade.

Around 135 firefighters and other emergency workers were deployed, along with volunteers from the armed forces.

Copenhagen suffered its "Notre Dame moment" after the exchange, which is known as Brsen in Danish, was engulfed by flames, which caused its spire to collapse.

Even hours after the fire broke out, smoke was still rising and flames were blazing, as people gathered to look at the scene.

According to the fire brigade, the fire had already engulfed around half of the huge building by mid-morning. The fire has damaged supporting structures, the brigade said later, confirming that part of the 400-year-old building was badly burnt.

However, the emergency services said they did not initially expect the entire building to collapse.

The building houses a large art collection, including the monumental 19th-century oil painting "From Copenhagen Stock Exchange" by PS Kryer, which was carried away by several people.

The police announced on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that several streets and the area around the building had been cordoned off.

Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed his shock. "Terrible pictures from the Brsen. So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us. Our own Notre Dame moment," he wrote, comparing the blaze to the one that severely damaged the famous Paris landmark five years ago.

Notre Dame Cathedral is expected to reopen in December after its reconstruction.

King Frederik X wrote in a statement of a sad sight: "An important part of our architectural heritage was and still is in flames."

The striking Dragon Spire, which has now collapsed, has helped to shape the cityscape and define Copenhagen as the "City of Towers," the king said.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also expressed her dismay. "Terrible images we are seeing right now. A piece of Danish history in flames," Frederiksen wrote on Instagram.

"The stock exchange is one of Copenhagen's most iconic buildings. A symbol of 400 years of business history in Denmark. Irreplaceable cultural heritage. It hurts to see," Frederiksen wrote.

At the same time, the prime minister thanked the fire brigade, police and everyone "who bravely fought the fire."

"I will do everything I can to ensure that the Dragon Spire once again towers over Copenhagen as a symbol of Denmark's strong history as a trading nation," Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt wrote on X.

The Dutch Renaissance-style building was completed in 1625 with a 56-metre-high spire featuring four intertwined dragon tails. The spire is a symbol of the city.

Located on the eastern tip of the island of Slotsholmen on the Holmens Kanal street opposite the National Bank of Denmark, it is a major tourist attraction.

The old stock exchange, which is now home to the Danish Chamber of Commerce and which also owns the building, houses a large art collection.

The chamber's chief executive, Brian Mikkelsen, helped staff to save some of the artefacts from the fire.

"We have decided with our board that we will definitely rebuild Brsen," he said. "It's a terrible day. A tragedy. One of the saddest days of my life. Years of history and art up in flames. It's not just a tragedy for the Danish Chamber of Commerce, but for Denmark as a nation."

The building is currently being restored and is therefore covered in scaffolding. The restoration was intended to correct an improper renovation of the building in the 19th century and restore the facade to its original appearance.

The Provianthuset, a wing of Christiansborg Palace where several MPs and journalists have offices, was also evacuated in the morning due to the fire.

The palace itself houses Denmark's parliament. Meetings in the parliamentary chamber and committee rooms were initially scheduled to take place as planned.

However the Copenhagen police said the Ministry of Finance buildings would be evacuated.
A knife attack on a bishop and others at a church in Sydney on Monday was a religiously-motivated terrorist act, according to police in Australia.

A 16-year-old boy was restrained and arrested after he allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and others at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley. Footage of the alleged attack, in which at least four people sustained non-life-threatening injuries, captured by a church livestream spread rapidly online, sparking outrage and prompting an angry mob to descend on the place of worship.

Bishop and Worshippers Injured in Livestreamed Stabbing Attack

The suspect was held inside the church for his own safety as hundreds of worshippers assembled outside demanding vengeance. The crowd violently clashed with police, throwing bricks and bottles at officers trying to maintain order. Two officers were hurtincluding one who suffered a broken jawand 10 police cars were destroyed in the hourslong riot, according to the BBC.

Police have not confirmed reports claiming that the suspect had one of his fingers severed in the incident, though law enforcement did confirm his hand injuries are severe. Authorities believe he severed the finger himself, according to The Guardian.

Police have also repeatedly declined to state the religion of the suspect. In a video purportedly filmed in the aftermath of the alleged attack, the boy can be heard saying in Arabic: If he [the bishop] didnt get himself involved in my religion, if he hadnt spoken about my Prophet, I wouldnt have come here, the Guardian reports.

The church has named two of the people injured in the attack as a priest, Father Isaac Royel, and bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel. Emmanuel, a popular but controversial church leader whose sermons have racked up millions of views on TikTok, has previously made public comments critical of Islam and the prophet Muhammad. He has also expressed love for the Muslim community and recently spoke of his support for the Palestinian people in Gaza.

In other videos, the 53-year-old bishop also casted doubt on the legitimacy of Joe Bidens election and criticized the Democrats support for gay rights, according to Reuters. Emmanuel had further called on Donald Trump to stay true to God and admonished him to resist Freemasons influence. The preachers public comments attacking COVID vaccines and lockdown restrictions during the pandemic helped to fuel his online prominence.

According to Australias ABC, the suspect was charged with a series of crimes including possessing a knife in November following an incident at a Sydney train station. His case was reportedly proven at a court appearance in January but ultimately dismissed with a good behavior bonda non-custodial sentence offered in the Australian legal system in which the offender is ordered to stay out of trouble for a specified period and may be subject to other court-imposed conditions.

The boy was no longer subject to court orders or law enforcement supervision at the time of the attack Monday, according to ABC, which also quoted New South Wales Premier Chris Minns as saying that the teen was not on a terrorism watchlist. Minns also told a Sydney radio station that the suspect had been found with a blade at a school in 2020, according to the BBC.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said there was evidence that there was evident premeditation and an attempt to intimidate members of the church with the attack, especially given that it was committed during a livestreamed service. We believe there are elements that are satisfied in terms of religious motivated extremism, she said.

Webb also said that those involved in the riot outside the church will be prosecuted.

The church attack came just days after six people were stabbed to death at a Sydney shopping mall. Authorities say the earlier rampage was likely related to the mental health of the culpritidentified as 40-year-old Joel Cauchithan any ideological motive.

There is no place for violence in our community, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at a Tuesday morning press conference. Theres no place for violent extremism. Were a peace-loving nation. This is a time to unite, not divide, as a community, and as a country.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The National Agency on Corruption Prevention began monitoring Illia Vitiuk, the suspended cybersecurity chief of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), following an investigation by Slidstvo.Info, the outlet reported on April 16, citing a statement from the agency.

Slidstvo.Info wrote on April 4 that Vitiuk's family had purchased real estate worth at least Hr 25.5 million (roughly $645,000) in market value. In particular, Vitiuk's wife reportedly started making big earnings after her husband was appointed to the job and bought an apartment in a premium residential complex in Kyiv below the market price.

The outlet said that its journalist who led the investigation, Yevhenii Shulhat, was later targeted by enlistment officers in retaliation. The officers were allegedly accompanied by an SBU officer from Vitiuk's department.

The SBU announced days later that Vitiuk had been suspended and sent to the front while the inquiry into Slidstvo.Info's revelations was underway.

The Prosecutor General's Office announced on April 8 that it had opened a criminal investigation into possible abuse of office and obstruction of a journalist's professional activities by the SBU employees and military enlistment officers following the incident.

This was only the latest incident in what the Ukrainian media view as mounting pressure against the press. In January, Bihus.Info published an investigation that revealed months of surveillance of its team by an SBU department.

Read also: Recent campaigns against journalists raise concerns about press freedom in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BALLINGER, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A large fire broke out in Ballinger over the weekend, and victims are starting their weeks by cleaning up the ashes.

The first call to the Ballinger Fire Department (BFD) came in right around 7:50 p.m. Saturday when a fire began along North 9th Street at Ballinger Home Healths storage building. Thankfully, the fire department lives right next door and were responding to the blaze in no time at all. However, 18 vehicles were kept in that storage building. One was damaged by the flames, and the others took in some smoke damage.

Late night fire rages in downtown Ballinger, power outages reported

Another nearby business also suffered fire damages. Shelby Kalina recalled when she first heard about the fire, rushing to her business Apples N Spice Florist on North 8th Street right behind Ballinger Home Health.

Smoke, lots of black smoke. The flames were coming over the top of my building, described Kalina.

Kalina faced real fears that her floral business she founded 16 years ago could be taken by the massive flames. The vehicle she uses to make floral deliveries, which was parked in the alley between her business and the fire, was the worst of it in the way of damages. She said she was grateful for insurance to help her get through the damages.

Running up to my business that I worked so hard, thinking it was fixing to be gone, was- it was awful. It was awful. My suburban itself is going to be a big loss, and then going through inventory. Yeah, I would say several thousand dollars in damage, Kalina told KTAB/KRBC.

One of many businesses near the flames, Kalina shared, even the fire department nextdoor was working to prevent their items from catching fire as well.

They were pulling out all their fire trucks, they were trying to get everything out, too, there next door. We were all in the line of fire, said Kalina.

Business owners like Kalina said they were thankful for their neighboring first responders, alongside other responding agencies, for preventing the fire from spreading.

If it were to jump our alley and hit our businesses, were a long row of a bunch of them, it could have been completely devastating. Everytime I looked up under one of the firefighters hats, it was somebody I knew It was people that were fighting to save my familys business, and thats what is important in a small town, Kalina expressed gratitude.

Stressing the importance and benefits of volunteer fire departments, Kalina added, Those people put their life on the line to come here and save our business, and we always want to give back to them so they can continue to do what they do.

At this time, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the Texas State Fire Marshal has been contacted to assist.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Could retail cannabis come to West Richland? Heres what the council will decide on

West Richland could be looking to voters to end the discussion on potential retail cannabis sales in the city.

A decade ago, a split West Richland City Council voted to permanently ban pot shops, but over the past year the issue has become a point of contention for the council. Last fall one council member said they need to find a way to permanently put a close to the conversation.

The discussion died down for several months without a decision being made, but it appears the council is now looking for voters to have the final say on the matter.

The West Richland council was expected Tuesday night to consider putting an advisory vote on the Aug. 6 primary election ballot.

An advisory vote is a non-binding vote used by municipal governments to gauge voter interest on a topic. The council does not have to adhere to the direction indicated by the majority though.

The proposed text of the ballot measure says:

Please advise the City Council (nonbinding) of your preference for recreational cannabis activities in the City.

Allow regulation of cannabis retail sales within the city of West Richland.

Do not allow cannabis retail sales within the city of West Richland.

If the council chooses to put the advisory vote on the August ballot, they will also vote on whether to appoint members for the pro and con committees for the voters guide for that election.

People being considered for those groups are Walter Tamosaitis, Nancy Aldrich and Ken Weaver for the Pro Committee and David Cole, Cindy Reents, and Dan Richey for the Con Committee.

Using Aberdeen as an example, city staff have estimated retail cannabis sales could bring in $67,000 to $101,000 a year plus state shared revenue of about $60,000 a year.

Previous pot sales discussion

Ken Weaver is the owner of Yakima-based cannabis store Slow Burn. Last summer he submitted an environmental impact report to Washington state that would have opened the door for certain zoning changes to allow retail cannabis sales.

Between August and November the council debated the topic, with some members upset that their planning commission would vote to recommend approving the changes and even allow the discussion to make its way to the council.

In a November meeting Councilman John Smart said they needed to find a way to put a permanent pin in that proposal and all future ones. Fellow Council Member Richard Bloom suggested it was a big enough issue that it needed to be put to a public vote.

Smart also commented that the council needed to ensure they had people on the planning commission for the right reasons.

After public outcry, an attempt to sanction Smart for his comments failed at a December meeting.

Then the matter fell on the back burner, after council heard from a group of citizens opposed to allowing retail cannabis shops. The vote to consider approving the zoning changes was tabled without discussion in the months that followed.

West Richland previously used a community survey to attempt to measure where residents stood on the issue. Fewer than 700 people filled it out, and only 34% of respondents indicated they somewhat opposed or strongly opposed retail cannabis sales.

Many of the commenters who spoke at council meetings said they never saw the survey.

The survey found 32% of respondents strongly supported allowing cannabis shops, another 16% somewhat supported the idea and 18% were neutral.

The council also had staff prepare a report about police calls for service at Nirvana, a cannabis shop just outside of West Richland city limits. The presentation indicated the pot shop had fewer calls for service than gas stations or grocery stores in the city.

In a one year period, from July 2022 to July 2023, the West Richland Police Department received 22 calls to 911 at Nirvana compared to 140 at a grocery store 114 at a convenience store, according to a presentation given to the council.

However, several people who live nearby have said crime related to the cannabis store has spilled over to their homes and neighborhood.

Last year Pasco changed its zoning to allow for up to three retail cannabis stores. Theyve now been open for about six months, bringing the total number of Tri-Cities pot shops up to five, including Nirvana and Green2Go in Finley. Theres also one in Prosser.

Annette Cary contributed to this report.
It all started with a tweet. In the fall of 2016, now seven and a half years ago, Elon Musk took to Twitter to tell the world that he was fed up with the traffic in Los Angeles and that he had decided to remedy it. His solution, as prosaic as it was effective, consisted of building tunnels and taking a large part of that traffic underground, to a high-performance network where people could get from any point in the center of the big city to airport terminals in less than 10 minutes  all for just a $1 one-way ticket.

To materialize this utopia of urban mobility in record time, Musk created the Boring Company, his first major infrastructure company, presented with the appropriate pomp and ceremony in Hawthorne, California, in December 2016. Shortly after, Boring announced the launch of The Loop, a modular network of underground connections that was going to begin construction in less than a year in four metropolitan areas: Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and the conurbation between Washington D.C. and Baltimore.

The companys initial steps  the construction of a first tunnel in Hawthorne, a test bed for Musks team innovative technology  suggested that the Californian phase was going to be a priority. But in the end, it was the Las Vegas Loop that became the Boring Companys star project. It was an ambitious project, with an initial budget of $48.7 million that was set to rise to more than $500 million once it had passed the early phases. By 2024, the network was expected to cover nearly 70 miles and include 55 stations. A fleet of Tesla Model 3 cars, mostly self-driving, was going to cover the routes at an average speed of 150 miles per hour.

A Tesla Model X at the entrance to the Hawthorne Tunnel in 2018. ROBYN BECK (AFP via Getty Images)

Problems arise

In recent weeks, media outlets such as Fortune, Bloomberg, Fox and QZ have reported on an incident that occurred several months ago, but has only just become public. As Jessica Mathews explains in Fortune, in May 2023, the then safety manager of one of the Boring Companys branches, Wayne Merideth, sent a late-night email to his superiors in which he denounced the precarious conditions of the Las Vegas tunnel excavation works.

Merideth wrote that the company has been very fortunate these past few months that there hasnt been a fatality. The safety manager said the lack of supervision and basic precautions had made the underground work highly dangerous. We have consistently flirted with death, he said in the email.

Merideth blamed the dire safety conditions on the companys poorly calibrated attempt to accelerate the pace of excavations to meet deadlines that were never realistic and, whats more, did not take into account the particularities of the terrain. Bloomberg journalist Max Chafkin reported that the excavation team has been forced to deal with pools of mud at least two feet deep with the consistency of a milkshake and a high degree of toxicity. Several employees said they had suffered burns, rashes and allergic reactions attributable to the high concentration of chemical accelerants (the byproducts of any dig) in the mud. Some of these injuries had become chronic due to the workers continuous exposure to the accelerants, an issue the company did not try to address. Merideth ended his email with this cutting sentence: No tunnel is worth a single persons life.

Bloomberg reported that the workers complaints have reached the Nevada state health and safety commission. The newly opened proceedings could lead to million-dollar penalties for the Boring Company and cause new delays in the construction of the underground network that was going to transform the Las Vegas metropolitan area.

Whats happening in Las Vegas

The first two sections of the Vegas Loop  drilled 12 meters deep  were built in the spring of 2020 and entered the testing phase a year later, once the last of the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. Tens of thousands of volunteers were willing to act as guinea pigs on wheels in the cutting-edge experiment.

A few weeks later, Boring announced that these two sections and the five stations already operational had demonstrated their capacity to transport nearly 4,400 passengers per hour, with most journeys lasting less than five minutes. The launch and debut of the Vegas Loop would come a year and a half later, coinciding with the 2023 edition of the Consumer Electronic Show (CES).

At that time, Adrian Revuelta, a 43-year-old engineer from Madrid, who was a resident in Las Vegas and accredited at the 2023 fair, had the opportunity to go underground to see what Elon Musks new avant-garde development had to offer. I remember that it seemed like an extravagance without much substance, far below initial expectations, he told EL PAIS. I went down some escalators that gave access to a kind of quite precarious subway platform. Once there, after a short wait, they boarded me with another couple of travelers into a white Tesla Model Y piloted by a company driver. In a few minutes, at a constant speed of about 60 kilometers [40 miles], we traveled the only section available that day, around four kilometers [2.5 miles] between one end of the convention center and the other.

The driver, apparently repeating the arguments that the company had given him, told Revuelta that this was the first of more than a hundred tunnels that were going to be available in a few months and that very soon would take in between 5 and 10% of the private traffic of the city of Las Vegas. Revuelta showed his skepticism and even commented that the tunnel  measuring just three and a half meters wide, illuminated with rather dim LED lights  seemed a bit claustrophobic. The driver shrugged his shoulders and acknowledged that there were still minor details to iron out. He then spoke to him about the magnificent opportunity that this cutting-edge engineering work was going to provide for professional drivers like him. He imagined a fleet of thousands of electric cars making continuous journeys from one end of the network to the other. I asked him if there were plans to replace them with self-driving vehicles in the very short term and he replied that this idea had been rejected for safety reasons.

Once on the surface, Revuelta met a co-worker who had also gone down to Musks underground tunnel and was as wary as him about the project. He told me that it seemed like a cross between a private limousine service and the reinvention of the subway. We agreed that, no matter how much they promised individual routes for $1 and daily passes for less than $5, it seemed to be conceived rather as a very restricted and elitist network, a minority solution so that the richest could avoid the inconvenience of traveling on the surface. It seemed to us then and it still seems to me now that its impact on city traffic is going to be very limited. I think it is very unlikely that a network with these characteristics will one day absorb between a twentieth and a tenth of the vehicles that circulate through the city.

Revuelta lives very close to the southern end of the Strip, the most popular and most congested avenue in Las Vegas. Few people would benefit more from Musks umpteenth idea becoming a success. Whats more, Revuelta is willing to recognize its indisputable potential and give it the benefit of the doubt. But he says nothing he has seen or read has inspired even moderate optimism.

Image of the controversial Las Vegas tunnel works. Las Vegas Review-Journal (TNS)

The stuff dreams are made of

The four local variants of The Loop project have made hardly any progress in the 15 months since CES 2023. The Chicago, Los Angeles and Baltimore projects appear to have gone into hibernation and there is little news about the Loop, with the exception of controversy in Las Vegas about worker complaints.

In the opinion of Walter Isaacson, the most prestigious of his biographers, Elon Musk is a genuine representative of the culture of the so-called providential man and of what could be defined as the syndrome of executive impatience. According to Isaacson, Musk tends to think that what he doesnt do, no one else will, because contemporary capitalism suffers from a worrying shortage of disruptive leadership. He believes that the changes demanded by our societies are happening at an exasperatingly slow pace for lack of ambition, competence and, very often, financial muscle. And that everything he does not lead seems doomed to failure or, worse, to irrelevance.

Entrepreneurship expert Sid Mohasseb argues that Musk has become obsessed with gaining the superpowers of a James Bond movie villain. Boosted by a fortune that remains around $180 billion despite last years drop, the Pretoria-born tycoon can manipulate entire markets with a single tweet, says Mohasseb, or embark on cyclopean projects such as plans to program minds and take societys elite on trips to outer space.

In 2022, Mohasseb warned of the self-proclaimed technological saviors dominance in diverse fields, be it driving the electric revolution with Tesla, implanting microchips in human brains with Neuralink, conquering space and destroying the asteroids with SpaceX, providing new payment options with PayPal or guaranteeing the supply of Internet to the farthest corners of the planet with Starlink. And this was all before Musk set out to monopolize public debate through an alternative channel (Twitter, now X) or take artificial intelligence to another level with Grok.

A Tesla driving through the Las Vegas tunnel in January 2023. PATRICK T. FALLON (AFP via Getty Images)

Some of these projects may be considered noble and worthy of praise  more in line with the work of a philanthropist with an unprecedented fortune than of a Darth Vader or a Montgomery Burns  but Mohasseb points out that even the Joker wanted to make the world smile. He argues that it is not a good idea for all the eggs of technological disruption to be in the same basket and that, as Lord Acton once said, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

For Mohasseb, the recipe against this one-man monopoly of large transformative projects is not to clip Musks wings, but to create a breeding ground that promotes free competition much more strongly. As much as money attracts money, other entrepreneurs deserve the opportunity to enjoy the generous grants and strong corporate support that Musk has received since his name began to become synonymous with capitalism.

Other analysts have also supported the thesis that Musk is the supervillain of our time. Jim Lepore, from The New Yorker, argues that self-proclaimed superheroes slide down the slope of evil as soon as they begin to put their powers at the service of their own agenda, a switch that may have happened with Bill Gates. When Stephen Colbert invited Musk on his late night show, he asked him  with a heavy dose of irony  if he really wanted to save the world. And Liam Gaughan, from The Dallas Observer, goes so far as to compare him to Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones, an autocrat who invites his subjects to speak out in order to identify the dissidents so he can purge them, as Mao Zedong did in his day.

Ultimately, as Alice Kelly argues in Your Tango, there are at least 16 valid reasons to hate Elon Musk, from how he has widened the global wealth, to his arrogant contempt for the diver who rescued a group of Thai schoolchildren, to his dalliances with the anti-vaccine movement, and to his treacherous manipulation of the cryptocurrency market. Seen this way, the fact that his plan to decongest traffic in Las Vegas has become stuck in a puddle of toxic mud with the consistency of milkshake doesnt seem, by any stretch of the imagination, the worst of his actions.

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Counterfeit Botox has been found in several states. Heres what consumers should know

The US Food and Drug Administration is warning that dangerous counterfeit versions of Botox have been identified in multiple states, putting the safety of consumers at risk.

Some serious symptoms  including blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, difficulty lifting ones head and even hospitalizations  have been linked to the use of counterfeit Botox, the FDA said on Tuesday.

These symptoms are similar to those seen when botulinum toxin spreads to other parts of the body, according to the FDA announcement.

The agency announced that it is working closely with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state health departments and manufacturers to investigate and identify these counterfeit products and remove them from the market.

As of Friday, a total of 19 women from nine states  Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and Washington  reported harmful reactions after receiving Botox injections from unlicensed or untrained individuals or in places that were not health care settings, such as homes or spas, according to the CDC. The patients were between 25 and 59 years old.

Nine of the women were hospitalized and four were treated with botulism antitoxin medication due to concerns that the botulinum toxin could have spread beyond the injection site. Five women were tested for the illness botulism. Their results were negative.

The incidents of counterfeit Botox being administered to consumers appear to be connected to products that have been purchased from unlicensed sources and then administered by either unlicensed or licensed providers.

The FDA warns health-care professionals that purchasing and administering counterfeit products puts patients health at risk and all providers should check products for any signs of counterfeiting before using them.

The counterfeit Botox products may be identified by the lot number C3709C3 found on the outer carton and vial, the FDA said.

The outer carton also may display the active ingredient as Botulinum Toxin Type A instead of OnabotulinumtoxinA. Also, the carton and vial may indicate 150-unit doses, which is not a unit made by the companies AbbVie or Allergan, the FDA said, and the outer carton may contain language that is not English.

Counterfeit Botox cartons and vials may indicate 150-unit doses, which is not a unit made by the companies AbbVie or Allergan, the FDA said. - FDA

What questions you should ask

The growing spread of counterfeit Botox has horrified Dr. Lavanya Krishnan, a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco who founded the practice Arya Derm and has been following the FDA and CDC warnings closely.

I think its horrific and honestly really sad to think that someone is going in for what should be a very simple, straightforward aesthetic injection and walking out with symptoms that are classic for botulism, Krishnan said.

In the United States, there are five different types of FDA-approved neurotoxins used for cosmetic purposes, according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery: Botox under the company Allergan; Dysport under the company Galderma; Jeuveau under the company Evolus; Daxxify under Revance Therapeutics and Xeomin under Merz Aesthetics. Providers purchase these products directly from the company manufacturers to ensure that they are getting the real FDA-approved product, Krishnan said.

So, the best way to find a licensed provider is to go to the company websites for these products  say you wanted Botox, you would go to the company Allergans website, and Allergan actually should have a list of licensed providers who they are selling their product to, Krishnan said, adding that it also can be helpful for consumers to ask their providers where they are getting their product from.

Counterfeit products are often quoted at much lower prices, and that should be a tip-off to ask more questions about where that product was purchased from, and patients have a right to know, Krishnan said.

Sometimes when the price is too good to be true, that should be a tip-off, she said. Brand name Botox typically costs a certain amount. Prices can vary a little bit from clinic to clinic, based on the practitioner and based on the location of the clinic, but if the price is way cheaper, I think that sometimes that should be a flag.

If a provider is not licensed then the manufacturer wont sell them their product, said plastic surgeon Dr. Jimmy Sung, medical director of Tribeca Aesthetics in New York City, who has treated patients with adverse reactions from previous cosmetic services.

First of all, if youre not licensed, you cant get the drug legitimately. The manufacturer will not sell it to you, Sung said.

Most often, when counterfeit Botox is sold, the injector knows theyre purchasing something counterfeit, Sung said. And the counterfeiter knows that theyre selling to somebody whos most likely not a board-certified plastic surgeon or a board-certified dermatologist.

The symptoms to watch for

Botox as a product contains the neurotoxic protein botulinum toxin, which, when used in small doses, can treat various medical or cosmetic concerns, such as severe underarm sweating, chronic migraines, overactive bladder or temporarily smoothing facial wrinkles.

Botox and its peer brands provide a dilute, precise, and consistent amount of botulinum toxin, whereas knock-off unregulated products are not reliably manufactured or subject to the same quality assurance, which can lead to over or underdosing, said Dr. Michael Cameron, president and founder of Cameron Dermatology and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Health System in New York.

When in the body at high levels, the toxin botulinum can cause the rare but serious illness botulism, or symptoms similar to those from the illness.

Signs and symptoms of botulism include muscle weakness, vision changes, slurred speech, difficulty moving your eyes. An emergency would be if you start to have difficulty breathing, Cameron said.

I personally recommend if youre getting Botox for your wrinkles, you go to a board-certified dermatologist. If youre getting Botox for your migraines, you go to a neurologist. If youre getting Botox for your bladder issues, you go to your urologist, Cameron said. If you feel like theres any risk or the pricing doesnt really make sense, then you could just ask to actually see the vial and inspect the vial of Botox yourself.

Sung said that counterfeit Botox could be made in a cheaper way that makes it more potent, causing serious reactions, or it could be made in a way that makes it more easily spreadable once its injected under the skin, raising the risks of it traveling to other parts of the face or body where it was not initially intended for.

The factories that make fake Botox usually dont have the tightest quality control. They could have a bad batch thats more potent, that spreads out a little more than the next batch, Sung said. Its no different than getting a bad batch of fentanyl or heroin on the street.

Counterfeit toxins, used for cosmetic purposes, seem to have been circling on the market for some time, Sung said.

Im actually surprised that it took like, almost 20 years for the FDA to actually issue something. Although Ive never seen it, Im aware that this is going on, he said. Im aware because patients tell me.

How to find the right provider

If a provider is hesitant or deceptive in sharing details about their training, their credentials, or where they purchased product from, that behavior should be a massive red flag and patients should not be afraid to ask questions or reconsider whether they are at the right place to receive these types of treatments, Dr. Steven Williams, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, said in an email Tuesday.

Providers that wont show you the original bottle or packaging that the Botox came in should be viewed with some suspicion, Williams said. He added that rules around injecting medications like Botox can vary somewhat from state to state, but in most states, nurses, physician assistants and physicians can inject Botox, but in some places, it is required for nurses to be supervised by physicians when administering the injections.

Patients should be suspicious if they are offered Botox injections in hotel rooms or at home. Generally, the most qualified physician, physician assistant, or nurse will be working at a plastic surgeon or dermatology office, Williams said. These providers are not only expert injectors of these types of medications but are well prepared to manage potential complications and advise on the risks and benefits of these treatments.

Other steps that patients can take to find the right provider including checking patient reviews for the providers practice and making sure there arent any that describe concerning side effects from the Botox, such as slurred speech, difficulty breathing or double vision, Dr. Cynthia Elliott, owner and primary practitioner of Skinspirations in Florida, said in an email Tuesday.

Read the reviews that arent 5 stars to see what patients were not happy about and if there are a lot describing bad outcomes that sound legitimate, skip that practice because there are plenty of better ones, Elliott said.

Also, check the before and after photos used on the providers website to confirm that they are their own patients photos. Theres often a watermark in the photo so that it cant be used to show results on another providers website. Be wary if they only have before and after photos published by the manufacturer, she said, adding, Make an appointment for a consultation with the provider to get a feel for their knowledge before committing to a treatment. Some practices only allow you to meet with what is essentially a salesperson during your consultation, which is a red flag.

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A Nebraska couple was recently scammed out of $115,000 in a very unusual and scary fraud scheme, investigators say.

A couple  ages 71 and 68  were at their home in Lancaster County on Friday, March 29, when their computer suddenly shut down, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said during an April 16 news briefing. When it rebooted, a message appeared stating there was a malware issue with the computer, and a phone number was listed, Houchin said. They called it.

The voice that answered had bad news, the couple told investigators. Not only had $5,000 been stolen from them, but the FBI also was looking into them for child porn, Houchin said.

None of this was true, according to Houchin, but more calls came over the next few days and the couple became increasingly certain they may have broken the law, and that their bank accounts were vulnerable.

By April 1, the voice on the phone convinced them to buy gold bars, Houchin said. They withdrew $115,000 from their bank accounts and spent it on gold bars at a local business.

The voice instructed them to place the bars in a cardboard box and hand them over to a man who would take the gold to Washington, D.C., where it would be stored for them in a secure bank, according to investigators.

Five days later, a man showed up at their home in a silver Ford Explorer, Houchin said. The couple gave him the box as ordered and he left.

Some time passed and they heard nothing more from the caller. They called the bank, then the sheriffs office, realizing too late theyd been duped, Houchin said.

Im sure theyre embarrassed (about) what transpired, Houchin said, adding that scams like this rely on scare tactics to keep victims from thinking clearly.

The couples money is probably gone for good.

Its going to be extremely difficult for us to locate the gold bars, Houchin said.

We will do everything we possibly can, he added. (But) its very likely  this is out of the country by now.

The scam was very unusual, and more concerning than many other similar fraud schemes, Houchin said.

The  scary part about this is, usually, they have them mail or give them numbers on credit cards, he said. It is very unusual that a person actually shows up at a residence and takes the money.

Houchin urged anyone who suspects theyre being scammed to call their bank or law enforcement.

If theyd have done either one of those, this would not have occurred, he said.

Lancaster County encompasses the city of Lincoln and is a roughly 50-mile drive southwest from Omaha.

As strange as the gold bar scam strategy may seem, a similar plot was recently carried out in Maryland  leading to the arrest of a 34-year-old California man, Wenhui Sun, Maryland authorities said in a March news release. Sun claimed to be an employee of the federal government and cheated a victim out of nearly $800,000 before being caught.

81-year-old shoots and kills Uber driver sent to his house by scammer, Ohio police say

Man caught with 1,000 checks worth $2.6 million he stole from mail in Texas, feds say

Man has kids roam the streets collecting money for fake nonprofit, Florida cops say
Court documents describe a custody battle and a bloody scene in the alleged killings of 2 women in Oklahoma

Court documents unsealed Monday shed new light on the disappearance of two women and the arrest of four people accused of their slayings in rural Oklahoma.

Tad Bert Cullum, 43; Tifany Machel Adams, 54; Cole Earl Twombly, 50; and Cora Gayle Twombly, 44, each have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder by arranging and planning, the deliberate, intentional, and unlawful taking away of the life of Veronica Butler and/or (Jilian) Kelley, the charging documents state.

The missing women, 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley, were driving together to pick up Butlers children when they disappeared, the Texas County Sheriffs Office said in an endangered missing advisory posted March 30.

This weekend, two bodies were recovered in Texas County, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Hunter McKee said. The identities of the two individuals have not been determined, McKee said during a news conference Monday.

But the nearly identical charging and probable cause documents of the four defendants in custody clearly state they are accused of killing Butler and Kelley.

CNN has made attempts to determine whether the defendants have legal representation. Records do not indicate counsel has been obtained.

Butler was in a custody battle with Adams, who is the grandmother of Butlers children, according to the probable cause documents.

Cullum is Adams boyfriend, according to the probable cause documents. The two other defendants, the Twomblys, are married, the probable cause documents show.

On March 30, the day Butler and Kelley disappeared, they were scheduled to pick up the children from Adams at about 10 a.m. CT and attend a birthday party, but they never made it to the event, according to the probable cause documents. Thats when Butlers family located Butlers abandoned vehicle in a rural area of Texas County near the Kansas and Oklahoma border and called police, the same documents show.

An examination of the vehicle and area surrounding the vehicle found evidence of a severe injury. Blood was found on the roadway and edge of the roadway. Butlers glasses were also found in the roadway south of the vehicle, near a broken hammer. A pistol magazine was found inside Kelleys purse at the scene, but no pistol was found, the probable cause documents state.

Top row: Cole Earl Twombly and Cora Twombly. Bottom row: Tad Bert Cullum and Tifany Machel Adams - Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation

Butler and Kelleys phones were actively sending signals to their carriers until about 9:42 a.m. and then stopped transmitting, the probable cause documents state. The phones have not been recovered, according to the documents.

State investigators extracted information from Adams phone that showed web searches for taser pain level, gun shops, prepaid cellular phones and how to get someone out of their house, the probable cause documents show. Adams also purchased five stun guns and three pre-paid cellular phones in the months and days leading to the disappearance of Butler and Kelley, according to the documents.

Some details missing in the probable cause documents are whether the bodies of Butler and Kelley have been recovered and how they were allegedly killed.

All four defendants are described as being part of an anti-government group that had a religious affiliation called Gods Misfits that met weekly, sometimes at the Twomblys residence, according to statements made to investigators by Cora Gayle Twomblys teenage daughter and recorded in the probable cause documents.

The daughter told investigators the defendants made other attempts to kill Butler in February, the probable cause documents stated.

The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office is assisting in the investigation with a dedicated team of agents, analysts, task force officers, evidence response personnel and tactical teams, according to a statement from the agency.

The defendants are scheduled to make their first court appearances Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. ET, per court documents.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  The four people arrested in connection to the disappearance of two Kansas women are allegedly members of an anti-government group who plotted the killings, even going as far as buying burner phones, according to court documents released Monday.

Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, both of Hugoton, Kansas, were reported missing in March. The Texas County Sheriffs Department in Oklahoma said the women were traveling to pick up children but never arrived at their destination.

Over the weekend, four people  Tifany Adams, 54; Tad Cullum, 43; Cole Twombly, 50; and Cora Twombly, 44  were arrested in connection with their disappearance. They each faced multiple charges, including suspicion of murder and kidnapping.

The four affidavits made public on Monday show how investigators pieced together evidence in the case of two missing Kansas women. A judge had originally sealed the court documents but allowed access Monday morning.

The affidavits detail the connection between the four people who have been arrested in the alleged kidnapping and murders of Kelley and Butler on Saturday, March 30.

The car

Investigators say Butler was on her way to have a court-ordered supervised visit with her two children in Oklahoma. The court documents say Kelley was the approved supervisor. They were going to take Butlers daughter to a birthday party, but when they did not arrive, Butlers family began looking for them.

Investigators have evidence that the women got to Highway 95 and Road L at 9:40 a.m. They were allegedly scheduled to exchange custody at 10 a.m. with the childrens grandmother five miles farther down the road at Highway 95 and U.S. 64 West, also known as Four Corners.

Authorities: Missing Kansas women dead; 4 facing charges

Two of Butlers family members found their vehicle, abandoned, at Road L and contacted law enforcement.

The affidavits say evidence in and around the vehicle indicated a severe injury. Blood was seen along the road, Butlers glasses were on the ground near a broken hammer, and a pistol magazine was found inside Kelleys purse at the scene, but no pistol was found.

The grandmother

According to the affidavits, Adams is the childrens grandmother. Her son, Wrangler Rickman, is their father and has legal custody. But the affidavits say Adams sometimes refused to let Rickman have his children and was particular about who should monitor Butlers Saturday visits.

The court ordered Adams to pay for the supervisor she preferred. Otherwise, Butler was to choose and pay for one of three approved supervisors.

According to the affidavits, Adams said her preferred person was unavailable for the March 30 visit. That individual allegedly told investigators a different story, saying Adams told her to take a couple of weeks off.

Because the preferred supervisor was not going to supervise the visit, Butler chose Kelley to go with her.

Investigators say Adams told them Butler canceled the visit during a phone call at 9 a.m. on March 30. Butlers phone records confirmed a phone call, the affidavit explained, but that was the same time Butler was in Hugoton picking up Kelley.

Adams told investigators she was home at the time the women disappeared.

Court records show Rickman was in a rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma City.

Death threats

The custody battle between Butler and Rickman began in February 2019. The affidavits claim that there are recordings where Rickman talks about death threats made by his mother and her boyfriend, Tad Cullum. The affidavit is not clear about who the death threats were against.

Missing Kansas moms were shot, blood found near car: NewsNation

Last month, Butler requested extended visitation with the children. A hearing on her request was scheduled for Wednesday, April 17. Her attorney told authorities that it was likely Butler would have been granted unsupervised visits at the hearing.

Burner phones

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation received a search warrant for Adams phone and gained information including web searches for taser pain level, gun shops, prepaid cellular phones, and how to get someone out of their house.

A juvenile allegedly told the OSBI that she overheard conversations about Butler. She claimed Cora Twombly said she  as well as Adams, Cullum, and her husband, Cole  were involved in the deaths.

The OSBI says, according to the teen, that Adams provided burner phones to use so the group could communicate without using their personal phones. The teen told investigators she saw two burner phones charging on Cora Twomblys nightstand.

The four suspects, as well as another unidentified man, are part of an anti-government group with a religious affiliation, the teen explained to investigators. That group, identified as Gods Misfits in the affidavit, met weekly, Oklahoma authorities determined.

The morning of the disappearance

Investigators say the Twomblys told a relative they were going to be on a mission on the morning of March 30. The OSBI says they arrived back home around noon and told a relative to clean the pickup they had been in.

The relative asked what happened and was allegedly told that things did not go as planned, but that they would not have to worry about her (Butler) again.

According to the affidavit, the Twomblys blocked the road to divert Butler and Kelley to where Adams, Cullum, and another man were.

The relative asked why Kelley had to die, and Cora Twombly allegedly said Kelley wasnt innocent because she had supported Butler. When the unidentified relative asked if the bodies were put in a well, and Cora Twombly allegedly replied, Something like that.

OSBI arrests four on suspicion of murder in missing Kansas women case

Investigators explained that the relative told them there had been previous unsuccessful attempts to kill Butler. One alleged attempt would have involved throwing an anvil through Butlers windshield, but she never came out of her house that day.

The OSBI says that while investigators were interviewing the relative, Cora and Cole Twombly tried to get to the relative, and were verbally aggressive.

Stun guns and the phones

Adams allegedly bought five stun guns in Guymon, Oklahoma, on March 23. Investigators also say she bought three prepaid cellular phones on Feb. 13.

The OSBI says information related to location services and phone usage shows that all three phones were at the area where Butlers car was located, and the last known location of Butler and Kelley at the time of their disappearance.

The investigators say the phones were first powered on at or near Cullums home at different times before March 30, and that there is evidence of two of the phones being at the Twombly residence.

The OSBI says that after the women disappeared, the phones were at another persons property in a pasture where fresh dirt work had been done. All of the pre-paid phones allegedly stopped transmitting on the morning of March 30 near the fresh dirt site and near the Twombly home.

Fresh dirt

The person who owns the land where the dirt work was done says Cullum rents the pasture. The owner says Cullum asked, on March 28 or 29, if he could cut a tree down, remove a stump, bury some concrete and do dirt work. The owner said Adams was with Cullum during the request. The owner gave Cullum permission.

The landowner said Cullum did the work with a skid steer on March 30, and the skid steer was gone by noon. At the site, less than nine miles from where Butler and Kelley disappeared, authorities found a hole had been dug, filled back in, and then covered with hay.

During a Monday press conference, authorities confirmed Butler and Kelley are dead. The affidavits did not say anything about the bodies being found at the location, and authorities have not provided any additional details.

Butlers children are safe, authorities said Monday.

All four suspects are being held without bond in the Texas County Jail and are scheduled to make an initial court appearance Wednesday morning, said Texas County Court Clerk Renee Ellis.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Its only the second day of Donald Trumps New York trial, but the judge has already seen fit to sternly warn the former president to shut up in the courtroom, after New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan witnessed Trump mumbling something while facing a juror in the courtroom.

Your client was uttering something in the direction of the juror, Merchan said to Trumps lead attorney, Todd Blanche. I wont tolerate that. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. I want to make that crystal clear. Take a minute with your client.

While the court proceeding quickly moved on as lawyers continued to debate the merits of knocking potential jurors off the panel, the brief lashing showed how the judge continues to wrestle with a former president whose courtroom behavior shows undeniable contempt for the nations justice system.

Trump was similarly ordered to stop talking by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan during a two-week rape defamation trial in January, where Trump would regularly mutter angry misgivings from the defense table just feet from the jury. In that case, the judge forcefully ordered defense lawyer Alina Habba to restrain her clientor have him ejected from the courtroom.

And months before that, New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron had to repeatedly remind Trump to keep quiet in his courtroom and cease his irritated outbursts in which he would complain about the judges law clerk and the case as a whole.

Trump is already facing a gag order in his current criminal trial, and Justice Merchan has displayed little patience for the former presidents traditional courtroom antics. His speedy interjection Tuesday is just the latest signal that Trump wont be able to get away with his typical behavior of ostentatiously reacting to witness testimony, prosecutor arguments, and unfavorable rulings from the judge.

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All the Crazy Things Trump Has Done on the First Day Of Hush Money Criminal Trial

Jury selection in Donald Trumps hush money criminal trial has now entered day two and there has been no shortage of ridiculous moments. The trial will not be televised, so theres no video footage or photos of the proceedings.

However, media outlets have been allowed in the court room and diligently report on its happenings. One of the most shocking moments from day one is that Trump seemingly fell asleep in court. According to NBC News report, it was quite an awkward sight to behold.

Trumps eyes were closed during part of Mondays proceedings when [Judge Juan Merchan] was reading the potential jurors his instructions  creating speculation about whether he was asleep or just deep in thought, the outlet wrote.

In addition, the New York Times stated that the former president appeared to nod off a few times, his mouth going slack and his head drooping onto his chest. The Washington Post also noted that Trump closed his eyes and at times appeared to nod off.

During the course of his campaign to officially garner the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Trump and his allies have consistently attacked President Biden and his cognitive abilities (theyve nicknamed him Sleepy Joe). However, Trumps nap in court underlines his hypocrisy and utter lack of self-awareness.

In a courthouse statement, Trump took it upon himself to whine over being forced to go to trial in the first place. He called it a political persecution like never before and an assault on America. Trump labeled Judge Juan Merchan a Trump hating judge who should be recused from the case, though all attempts to remove the judge have been unsuccessful.

In addition, his legal team requested Justice Juan Merchan not to hold the trial on Friday, May 17 so Trump can attend his sons graduation at Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida. Merchan made no promises, so of course Trump had a fit.

I was looking forward to that graduation with his mother and father there, and it looks like the judge does not allow me to escape this scam, Trump said in the hallway of Manhattan Supreme Court after the first day of trial.

The hush money case may be the only case to face a jury before the election. If convicted, Trump could actually face jail time. Sadly, this is most likely just the beginning of his theatrics.

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Crime Reports: Unknown suspect steals $2,300+ worth of items from 2 vehicles on the same block

Editors Note: The following arrest and incident reports were supplied by the Abilene Police Department. All information below comes from reports made by responding officers, and all suspects are considered not guilty unless determined otherwise in a court of law.

Incidents

1600 block of South 7th Street  Terroristic Causing Fear of Imminent Serious Bodily Injury

Two neighbors were allegedly arguing when one man pulled out a knife, causing the other neighbor to fear for their life.

1400 block of North 4th St.  Assault

A man reported that he was assaulted by another man while waiting for a homeless resource center to open.

2600 block of S. 39th St.  Criminal Mischief

A teenager reported that an unknown person broke the window at her home.

1400 block of N. 4th St.  Assault

A man reported that two unknown Hispanic men attacked him and hit him with a chain.

8000 block of Saddle Creek Road  Criminal Mischief

Police said after a road range incident, a victims vehicle was keyed, causing a large amount of damage.

4300 block of Antilley Rd.  Theft of Property

A Texas license plate was reported stolen.

4500 block of S. 1st St.  Theft of Property

Jewelry and tools valued at $1,600 total were reported stolen.

1200 block of S. Willis St.  Harassment

A woman told police she received repeat, amarming, and annoying communications from one person.

600 block of Woodlawn Drive  Family Violence Assault

A woman told police that her boyfriend kept her from leaving her home, strangling her in the process.

2800 block of Ambler Avenue  Criminal Trespass

A suspect was caught on video trespassing.

2400 block of Buffalo Gap Rd.  Credit or Debit Card Abuse

No further information released.

100 block of Sayles Boulevard  Theft of Property

A business told police an unknown suspect called and asked for an undisclosed amount of money to be deposited into their account. The business reported to be out of $6,000. Police are investigating.

2100 block of Swenson St.  Publish of Intimate Visual Material

A man reportedly shared unsolicited sexually explicit content of himself with an ex-girlfriend who then shared the image(s) with others.

600 block of N. Jefferson Dr.  Criminal Mischief

An elderly woman told police an unknown suspect used an object to shatter her window.

1500 block of Anson Avenue  Theft of Property

A man told police his ex stole his Motorola cell phone valued at $350.

2100 block of Beechwood Lane  Family Violence Assault

A 17-year-old told police that her 19-year-old boyfriend pushed her over a table, wrestling over a phone. The victim hurt her leg. She is not pressing charges.

3100 block of Winter Hawk Dr.  THeft of Property

A victim said her Samsung cell phone valued at $450 was taken without her consent.

1500 block of Anson Av.  Family Violence Assault

A woman said her husband assaulted her.

3000 block of Cherry Bark  Theft of Property

A man told police an unknown suspect stole his trailer valued at $1,000.

300 block of Northway Dr.  Credit or Debit Card Abuse

An elderly man said his great granddaughter stole his debit card and took $800 out of his account without permission.

2900 block of N. 2nd St.  Theft of Property

A cell phone valued at $1,800 was reported stolen.

500 block of Miller St.  Burglary of Habitation

Jewelry, a Samsung television, and cookware were reported stolen.

2400 block of S. 25th St.  Fraud Use/ Possession of Identifying Info

No further information released.

1600 block of Roosevelt St.  Family Violence Assault

A woman was reportedly arrested after assaulting her cousin.

1300 block of Marshall St.  Assault of a Pregnant Person

No further information released.

1600 block of Highway 351  Assault

Police say an unknown suspect assaulted a victim after arguing with her about panhandling at a grocery store.

900 block of Meander St.  Family Violence Assault

No further information released.

3700 block of Scranton Ln.  Family Violence Assault

A woman was arrested for allegedly assaulting her adult son.

1000 block of S. 2nd St.  Assault

A woman was hit in her head by a bottle thrown by an unknown suspect.

1800 block of S. Clack St.  Theft of Property

A woman told police her Apple cell phone was taken from a bar. Upon checking its location, her phone showed that it was at an apartment across from the bar. Attempts to make contact were not successful. The phone was valued at $500.

2700 block of E. Lake Rd.  Family Violence Assault

A woman was assaulted by her husband during an argument, leaving visible injuries. The husband was soon after arrested to prevent further acts of violence.

1200 block of Harmony Drive  Criminal Mischief

No further information released.

1300 block of S. 14th St.  Credit or Debit Card Abuse

While police investigated a theft, they discovered unauthorized purchases on the victims bank card. Police caught a man committing the card abuse. He purchased a Playboy wallet valued at $60, and several other items valued at $20.

1600 block of HWY 351  Theft of Property

A woman was arrested after allegedly stealing $700+ worth of household goods.

1300 block of Westheimer Rd.  Burglary of Vehicle

A victim told police someone entered his unlocked vehicle and stole the following items: Apple laptop, Apple iPad, Northface backpack, Coors Beer cap, and 2 Ranch caps. The items were valued at $1,510.

1900 block of Denton St.  Family Violence Assault

Police responded to a disturbance in South Abilene, finding a victim who was assaulted by her adult son with a visible injury.

1800 block of 8th St.  Criminal Mischief

A woman told police her vehicle was damaged while parked outside of a school.

1400 block of Westheimer Rd.  Theft of Firearm

A victim said an unknown suspect entered her locked vehicle and stole a firearm and other property. All items stolen were valued at $850.

1700 block of Pasadena Dr.  Criminal Trespass

A man was warned multiple times of trespass by police. He was arrested.

UNLISTED LOCATION  Family Violence Assault

Police were called out on a Check Welfare Emergency call, which resulted in a Family Violence Assault.

1300 block of S. 14th Street  Assault

A man told police he was assaulted at a South Abilene business.

300 block of N. Judge Ely Blvd.  Robbery

A convenience store was reportedly robbed by two unknown suspects. Officers were unable to locate the suspects.

UNLISTED LOCATION  Assault

No further information released.

2500 block of S. 25th St.  Theft of Property

A lawnmower valued at $650 was reported stolen.

Arrests

Kurtis Parish  Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Kori Herring  Warrant, Possession of a Controlled Substance

Michael Delaurie  Warrant, False ID

Zarek Brown  Public Intoxication

Abigail Starrett  Driving While Intoxicated

Kiera Branson  Public Intoxication

Richard Stanley  Warrant, Possession of a Controlled Substance

Bernard Falconer  Public Intoxication

Santos Sanchez  Assault of a Pregnant Person

Taunya Gruben  Family Violence Assault

Johnathan Morales  Evading Arrest, Resist Arrest, Warrant

Eliseo Gutierrez  Theft of Firearm, Unlicensed Carrying Weapon, Possession of Marijuana

David Silva  Public Intoxication

Ashley Baker  Public Intoxication with 3 Prior Convictions

Cedrick Jones  DWLI, Failure to Maintain Responsibility, Operating Unregistered Motor Vehicle

Phillip Blagrove  Failure to ID, Public Intoxication, Credit or Debit Card Abuse

Daniel Salas  Continuous Violence Against Family, Public Intoxication

Salvador Maravilla  Evading Arrest, Warrant

Isaiah Garcia-Jennings  Public Intoxication

Priscilla Hubbard  Family Violence Assault

Benjamin Sanchez  Driving While Intoxicated

Vincent Anderson  Warrant, Evading Arrest Detention With Previous Conviction

Alejandro Silva Sandoval  Driving While Intoxicated

Jules Kanamugire  Family Violence Assault

Amie Dickson  Theft of Property

Dylan Aguilar  Family Violence Assault

Joe Starks  Criminal Trespass, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Amanda Kile  Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Stephen Bilberry  Driving While Intoxicated II, Unlicensed Carrying Weapon

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Guest columnist and Republican congressional candidate Orlando Sonza writes as hard as most public school teachers and administrators work every day to educate the youth in our region, it is deeply troubling that districts like Cincinnati Public Schools only earned 2 out of 5 stars, according to the Ohio Board of Education rankings. Parents deserve options for the best educational situation for their kids, which is why school choice is the answer, he says.

Cincinnati Classical Academy, a new community, tuition-free school in the Greater Cincinnati area, provides an outstanding opportunity for students from K-7 to obtain a classical liberal arts and science education. CCA plans to add on an additional grade each school year until the school services students from K-12. CCAs goal is to provide a high-quality education to disadvantaged students who have previously suffered from a subpar educational experience in Southwest Ohio.

Recently, CCA received a nearly $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for further development of its school. Once partisan elites and special interests groups learned of the $2 million grant to CCA, they launched a smear campaign against the school, accusing them of only wanting wealthy kids to attend CCA. Additionally, these partisan elites and special interest groups requested that the Department of Education rescind the $2 million grant due to alleged falsities on their application.

In looking at CCAs application to the Department of Education, I am here to report that CCAs application was accurate in its description. Moreover, this attack on the school is not only baseless, but it speaks to a broader issue: Partisan elites and special interest groups are scared of high-level community schools (i.e. "charter" schools) competing with the traditional public option in our state.

Here are the facts: Just like in the business world, competition breeds choice. As they say, the cream of the crop rises to the top. CCA is a tuition-free school that is available for any student, regardless of color, religion, or any other demographic. Those against school choice are scared that parents will learn about the academic richness at schools like CCA, and they will make the decision to leave their current below-average education system.

This is a moment for honesty  as hard as most public school teachers and administrators work every day to educate the youth in our region, it is deeply troubling that schools like Cincinnati Public Schools only earned 2 out of 5 stars, according to the Ohio Board of Education rankings. One out of three CPS public high schools are providing sub-par education, and only one out of three CPS elementary schools are rated average or better. This is by no means a call to eliminate our public schools, but taxpayers certainly deserve a better return on their investment, and parents deserve better educational options for their kids.

I call upon students and parents to look into their educational options in Southwest Ohio. CCA is the type of school we need to provide high-quality education to disadvantaged students who need better results. Partisan elites and special interests groups are desperate to continue an old, broken educational model that is a disservice to students, their parents and taxpayers. Its time for a change. We as parents of school-aged children need to demand transparency and know our options.Orlando Sonza is a U.S. Army Veteran, attorney, CPA, and father of four children. He is the Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Ohios First District. He and his family currently reside in Springfield Township.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: School choice: Parents deserve better educational options for kids
By Antonio Bronic and Fedja Grulovic

ZAGREB (Reuters) -Croatia's ruling HDZ party won Wednesday's parliamentary election but with fewer seats than before and without a majority, according to preliminary results.

The HDZ was won 60 seats in the 151-seat parliament, according to preliminary results from 94.4% of polling stations counted.

A coalition led by the opposition Social Democratic Party was set to come in second with 42 seats, while the right-wing Homeland Movement was set to take third place with 14.

The vote was seen as a popularity test for Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his HDZ party, which has dominated politics since Croatia's independence from a crumbling federal Yugoslavia in 1991.

The outcome could also dictate major policy, including how the Croatian government views the conflict in Ukraine, and relations with the European Union. Plenkovic supports Ukraine; the opposition does not.

The slim victory will likely usher in a period of political instability in the EU member state as the main parties seek to forge alliances with other factions with differing political views.

"The HDZ won parliamentary election for the third consecutive time. As of tomorrow we will move towards securing the parliamentary majority in order to be able to form the government," Plenkovic said after midnight.

The Homeland Movement could emerge as kingmaker, although publicly it has not said which party - if any - it will back.

The HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) had hoped to ride the long-term support it has for overseeing Croatia's accession to the EU, the introduction of the euro and a boom in tourists visiting the Adriatic coastline.

But many have grown tired of the party and its many graft scandals, including Plenkovic's appointment of a state attorney known for links with people involved in corrupt dealings, may dent its majority. Plenkovic denies wrongdoing.

The opposition SDP had hoped for a better result, its leader Pedja Grbin said.

"It is not over. Days, weeks and perhaps months of talks are ahead of us and they will result in the change that will make Croatia a better place. We will start talks as of tomorrow," he said.

The State Election Commission said turnout on Wednesday was 61.83%.

"Regardless of the final distribution of seats, it is likely the parliament will be more fragmented and coalition negotiations will drag on for longer," said Mario Bikarski, East and Central Europe Analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.

"A minority government, either HDZ- or SDP-led, would be even more unstable and unlikely to last its full term."

(Reporting by Antonio Bronic and Fedja Grulovic; Writing by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Christina Fincher, Gareth Jones and Stephen Coates)
On Tuesday the government of Argentina will formally sign the contract to purchase 24 U.S.-made, second-hand F-16 fighter jets. The combat aircraft are about 40 years old and are being sold by Denmark, which is going to replace them with the more modern F-35s. The decision by Argentina President Javier Milei to choose the American-made but used aircraft over Chinas offer of new JF-17s with better weapons equipment was ultimately a geostrategic one: the United States is interested in stopping Chinas advance in Latin America and Milei is interested in being appreciated as an unconditional partner of Washington and Israel. Unlike his predecessors, the Argentine president has chosen to distance himself from the Asian giant without regard for the commercial and financial ties that exist between the two countries. Defense and aviation experts have defended the choice of the F-16s, which will start being delivered in 2025, but they have also warned that there is a second pending contract with the United States that is key: the weapons system with which the airplanes will be equipped. The total estimated cost is around $360 million, which Washington will partially finance.

Years ago, Argentina began the search for aircraft that would allow it to recover the supersonic capacity it lost a decade ago, when it decommissioned the Mirage with which it fought in the Falkland Islands war in 1982 against the United Kingdom. The biggest obstacle was always the British veto. London opposes the sale of any military equipment containing British components to safeguard its dominance of the South Atlantic islands against Argentinas sovereignty claims over them. That veto forced Argentina to discard the Swedish-made Gripen, one of the options under consideration, and it also ruled out the Super Etendard that former president Mauricio Macri bought with the argument of repelling a possible attack during the G-20 summit held at the end of 2018. The British refused to sell spare parts for the seats, and those planes were never able to take off.

The most competitive offers that the Argentine government had on the table were the Danish F-16s and the JF-17s offered by China. The F-16 are multipurpose aircraft, that is, they can carry out a wide range of tasks, from air combat to attacking ground targets. They are fast, easy to maneuver and have been used by the air forces of almost 30 countries. They have in their favor that they are airplanes with a very proven system, with more than 50 years of experience, says Andrei Serbin Pont, a security and defense specialist. The JF-17s, on the other hand, have more modern technology and China was willing to deliver them with a range of more modern and longer-range weapons. But the security expert notes that the JF-17 generated doubts about its logistical support because it was a poorly tested system, and because of its modernization costs. The purchase of military aviation, he adds, is always a long-term bet that requires guarantees that the supplier will provide training and spare parts.

The first offer from the United States for the F-16s was not very good because it included only airplanes with very basic weapons, says the historian and defense analyst Santiago Rivas. That is why Argentina began to move forward with China, which offered weapons of all kinds and made that offer more tempting, although it had the drawback that it was a totally unknown system that is only used by Pakistan, Myanmar and Nigeria, and it implied the risk that if it could not be adapted, it would be out of service, adds Rivas, who is the editor of a magazine specializing in military aviation, Pucara Defensa. As a result of progress with China, the United States greatly improved its offer and included air-to-air missiles, surface missiles, advanced target recognition and electronic warfare equipment.

The diplomat Diego Guelar underscores that the sale also entails the end of the British veto thanks to the fact that the United States fought tooth and nail to ensure that China does not become a major arms supplier in Latin America. The JF-17 is a good product and China was facilitating credit and providing weapons, says Guelar, who served as Argentine ambassador in both China and the U.S.

Deterrence capability

In its first months, the Milei administration has applied severe cuts in public spending on pensions, education, health, science and public works, in contrast with its significant investment in defense. Why does Argentina need fighter planes? At a time when the world is experiencing an escalation of war, they represent a deterrence tool against potential external threats. The F-16s that will arrive in Argentina have been modernized and maintained in very good condition by Denmark. Despite their age, experts agree that with them the Argentine Air Force will once again be among the most advanced in the region, only behind Brazil and close to Chile.

Given the bad experience of previous acquisitions, lingering doubts will only be dispelled once the deal with the United States has been signed. The most memorable experience involves 30 Fightinghawk fighter jets purchased by the neoliberal president Carlos Menem in 1997. Then weapons were not negotiated, just airplanes were purchased, and it was proposed that the weapons would be purchased later, but that never happened, recalls Rivas. For the summit of presidents held in Mar del Plata in 2004, the United States delivered some missiles, very few. This expert says there were initial fears in the Armed Forces that the same thing would happen this time around.

Of the fighters purchased by Menem, eight remain in good condition, said the former defense minister Jorge Taiana a few days ago. The veteran politician stressed that Argentina had a real need to recover its supersonic capacity, and he welcomed the fact that the United States authorized a purchase for which the United Kingdom did not exercise its veto. Still, he made it clear that the move is also very convenient for Washington. The goal for the U.S. is not for us to have the F-16s, it is for us not to have Chinese aircraft, said Taiana in statements to the online media outlet El Destape.

Although they improved the initial offer, the weapons that the Argentine fighters will be equipped with will not pose an effective threat to the British defense of the Falkland Islands. Everything is short and medium range, defensive. That was the British request to the United States. It is not useful for a potential conflict with the British, a former senior military leader consulted told the newspaper Clarin.

The Argentine Minister of Defense, Luis Petri, will lead the signing of the contract on Tuesday instead of Milei, who had been scheduled to be present. The president had even undergone medical checkups in order to fly as a co-pilot in one of the aircraft, but Irans recent attack on Israel made him suspend the trip to Denmark and return to Buenos Aires to head a crisis committee. Argentina is the country with the largest Jewish community in Latin America, and three decades ago it was the victim of two terrorist attacks against Israeli targets.
Crouch has the most money on hand for final governors race push

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch leads in terms of money on hand with $3M. None of the other candidates broke $1M with just weeks to go before the May primary. (Getty Images)

As the six Republican candidates round the final bend before the May 7 primary in the 2024 governors race, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch leads the pack in terms of money on hand, according to the new campaign finance reports filed Monday.

Others vying to succeed the term-limited Gov. Eric Holcomb include: U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, businessmen Brad Chambers and Eric Doden, former Attorney General Curtis Hill and Jamie Reitenour.

Combined, the candidates have nearly $5 million left to spend and have spent a jaw-dropping $20 million in the first quarter of 2024. In 2023, the six potential nominees spent nearly $14.5 million, almost certainly making this race the most expensive gubernatorial nomination in Indiana history with another few weeks to go.

As of March 31st, Crouch had over $3 million on hand and no debts.

The next leading contender, in terms of money on hand, is Braun, with $946,000 followed by Chambers with $761,000 and Doden with $250,000.

Hill and Reitenour have lagged behind their competitors in terms of fundraising and spending, both reporting less than $35,000 in terms of money on hand with less than a month to go. Hill had $34,000  according to the reports  compared to Reitenours $6,000.

The six GOP gubernatorial hopefuls participate in a March 11 debate in Carmel. Clockwise from left: U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, Brad Chambers, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Jamie Reitenour, former Attorney General Curtis Hill and Eric Doden. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Both Chambers and Doden have campaign debts, with Chambers owing himself $8 million compared to Dodens debt of $1 million to his parents.

In a statement, Braun campaign senior advisor Josh Kelley criticized the two campaign for self-funding.

With 21 days until Election Day, Mike Braun raised more money than anyone else without self-funding his campaign. On March 31, Braun reserved $3.6 million in television ads for the final six weeks, hes the only candidate with the cash to make that reservation, and now in the final three weeks he has the largest presence on any of the candidates currently on television, Kelley said.

Though she leads in funds remaining, Crouch has been slower to use her money when compared to the other candidates, spending just $1.8 million in 2023. For comparison, Chambers, Doden and Braun each spent $5.3 million, $3.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively. All three men are independently wealthy entrepreneurs and Braun has additionally built a sizable fund during his term in Congress.

Hill spent $270,000 in 2023 and Reitenour spent $27,000.

But that amount of spending pales in comparison to whats been spent in 2024s first quarter.

Chambers outpaced the other contenders after spending $6.6 million, with Braun close behind at $6 million. Doden rounded out the top three with $5.1 million.

Crouch reported $2.1 million spent in 2024 while Hill spent $289,000. Reitenour spent $48,000.

The cash on hand will be critically important to purchase campaign advertising and sway voters in the upcoming election in which polls have identified a swath of voters who are still undecided, though Braun leads by double digits across five polls compiled by Five Thirty Eight.

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The latest poll, from SurveyUSA for State Affairs/Howey Politics, puts Braun at 44% of the vote, followed by Crouch with 10% while both Chambers and Doden got 8%.

Hill and Reitenour each had 2% but over a quarter of those polled, 26%, were undecided.

The undecided portion is closing. A poll from Emerson College for The Hill and Nexstar released about a month ago found that 43% of the surveyed Republican voters were undecided.

Braun at that time had one-third of the vote followed by Crouch and Doden around 7% and Chambers at 5%. Again, Hill and Reitenour got 2%.

The primary winner only needs a plurality vote  meaning that they dont need to get 51% of votes to win, just the largest share. In a theoretical race where all candidates got nearly the same percentage, that means that someone could win with as little as 17% of the vote so long as their competitors got less of a share.

To check ones voter registration status and polling places, Hoosiers should visit indianavoters.in.gov. The deadline to register was last week but early voting is open for eligible voters.

This story has been updated to include a comment from the Braun campaign.

The post Crouch has the most money on hand for final governors race push appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
The lawsuit against Cuesta College alleging the school retaliated against an employee for whistleblowing has been settled for more than $60,000.

According to the lawsuit filed in November, Andrew Kranes claimed his supervisors and coworkers harassed him and his family to the point he became depressed, his wife suffered panic attacks and his children developed night terrors, social anxiety and a phobia of public restrooms.

The alleged harassment came after Kranes reported supervisors and coworkers to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office, for supposedly misusing the colleges vehicles and auto repair shop for personal reasons.

Kranes had worked at Cuesta as a general maintenance worker since October 2016, the lawsuit said. According to Shannon Hill, spokesperson for Cuesta, Kranes was still employed at the college as of April 6.

Court documents show the case was settled April 11  the day after Kranes final day of employment at Cuesta, according to Hill.

According to a news release from Kranes lawyer, Marilyn Rossa, Kranes is pleased with the outcome and looks forward to moving on and pursuing new opportunities with his family.

Rossa told The Tribune the settlement was in excess of a years salary while Hill told The Tribune the amount was $66,000.

According to Transparent California, a database that gathers public employee salaries, Kranes salary was about $55,000 excluding benefits in 2022, the most recent year available. With benefits it was around $77,600.

Hill said Cuesta has no further comment on the matter.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A Cumberland County sheriffs vehicle was involved in a head-on crash Monday night.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, the crash occurred around 6 p.m. on West Trindle Road near the intersection of Horners Road in South Middleton Township.

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State Police say a marked Cumberland County Sheriffs vehicle was headed westbound with its emergency lights and sirens on and attempted to pass other vehicles.

During the attempt to pass, the sheriffs vehicle was then struck head-on in the eastbound lane by a Honda SUV.

The operator of the sheriffs vehicle was taken to UPMC Carlisle for minor injuries. The driver of the Honda was taken to Penn State Holy Spirit for non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash is under investigation and the road reopened shortly before 9 p.m.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
(CUSTER COUNTY, Colo.)  According to the Custer County Sheriffs Office, there has been a surge of fraudulent land sales in Custer County, leading to multiple open criminal cases.

On Tuesday, April 16, the Sheriffs Office posted on its Facebook page that multiple related scams have occurred in Custer County, and possibly other rural Colorado Counties, in which the unknown scammer pretends to be the owner of vacant land who wants to put it up for sale on a quick turnaround basis.

The scammer exhibits multiple red flags that potential buyers and real estate agents need to watch out for:

Trying to sell the land at a below-market price quickly

Listing the vacant land with no mortgage

Giving reasons why there should be no in-person communication, usually claiming they are out of town, and all communication should be done by text or email

Insisting on a remote, no-contact closing, often using a local notary of their choosing, and refusing to accept a notary selected by the title company

According to the Sheriffs Office, the scammer has presented fraudulent drivers licenses and papers as identification and has used spoofed phone numbers and untraceable email addresses.

The Sheriffs Office warns people to be vigilant before entering a deal or accepting listings when these red flags are present. If someone believes they have been in contact with a scammer about fraudulent land sales in Custer County, they should call the Sheriffs Office at (719) 783-2270, and if in any other area of Colorado, reach out to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation at reportwirefraud@state.co.us.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  The mother of a 2-year-old who died from a fentanyl overdose turned down her plea deal, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore confirmed Monday, April 15.

Whitney Ard was arrested after Mitchell Robinson, her son, died in a hospital in June 2022. Authorities suspected that Robinson ingested pills that were left lying around and was not immediately taken for medical treatment.

The East Baton Rouge Coroners Office said the toddlers death was due to acute fentanyl toxicity.

Ard was formally charged with second-degree murder in September 2022 and pleaded not guilty.

According to court records, the state made an offer that Ard plead guilty to manslaughter in exchange for 30 years in prison. The offer was open until April 15.

Father of 2-year-old boy who died of fentanyl overdose sues Louisiana DCFS

Moore confirmed that Ard turned down her plea deal in court.

The trial has been rescheduled for a later date.

Latest News

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A 45-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison for domestic violence and other violent crimes after his victim forgot to buy cigarettes in Tulare County, according to the District Attorneys office.

According to the Tulare County DA, on September 26, 2023, deputies with the Tulare County Sheriffs Office were dispatched to a home in East Porterville for a report of domestic violence.

DA: Torture conviction after 3-hour-long attack in east Porterville

The DA says when deputies arrived, they discovered the victim had visible bruising and swelling on the entirety of her face and neck. The suspect, 45-year-old Jeffrey Spears, was in the backyard and was taken into custody.

The DA says that three days prior Spears started arguing with the victim over forgetting to buy cigarettes at the store and accused her of other relationship issues. For three hours, Spears punched, kicked, and struck her all over her body all while threatening to kill her if she contacted law enforcement.

Spears repeatedly strangled the victim to the brink of unconsciousness, smothered her with a pillow, and forcefully did not allow her to leave the residence. Eventually, the DA said she was able to go to a neighbor where she contacted a family member for help.

According to the DA, before trial and while in custody, Spears contacted the victim and urged her not to testify. At trial, the District Attorney says criminal investigators with expertise in domestic violence testified about the cycle of violence and the power dynamics involved in the crime.

On February 9, 2024, prosecutors say they secured convictions for torture, domestic violence, false imprisonment by violence, criminal threats, and dissuading a witness from reporting a crime.

Jurors also agreed that the victim was vulnerable, that Spears unlawfully dissuaded the victim from testifying, that he took advantage of a position of trust, and that he engaged in violent conduct, according to the DA.

According to current California sentencing laws, Spears must serve 25 years before being considered for parole

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Dad accused of fatally shooting daughter tried to blame teen with autism, Ohio cops say

An Ohio man is accused of fatally shooting his teenage daughter, then trying to pin the killing on his stepson with autism, police told news outlets.

Officers responding to a 911 call at about 12:20 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, found a 15-year-old girl who was shot and died at the scene, Dayton police told WDTN.

Investigators say the teens 38-year-old father tried to blame her death on a boy with autism, the station reported.

In a 911 call he said the boy, who is his 15-year-old stepson, shot the girl by accident, WHIO reported.

My stepson, hes autistic, he had no, it was an accident maam. Hes autistic he had no (expletive) idea what he was doing, he said during the call, the outlet reported.

McClatchy News contacted the Dayton Police Department for more information and is waiting for a response.

Police arrested the father, Kenneth Paul Farler III, on several charges including murder, jail records show. He was booked into Montgomery County Jail on April 14 and was still in custody as of April 16.

Officials did not say what may have motivated the shooting.

Autistic teen found starved, chained to cot, Ohio officials say. Adoptive mom arrested

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Dad moving car to avoid parking ticket was killed, CA officials say. Man sentenced

A man has been sentenced to prison more than a decade after a young father was shot and killed while moving his car to avoid a parking ticket, California prosecutors say.

David Guadelupe Calderon, now 31, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 27 years, in the 2012 fatal shooting of Edwin Herrera, the Ventura County District Attorneys Office said in an April 12 news release.

A jury found Calderon guilty of first-degree murder in March, prosecutors said.

Hopefully, the defendants conviction and sentence will allow Edwins family to begin the healing process, Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick said in the news release.

As Calderon, a registered gang member, drove through Oxnard with another gang member on Feb. 29, 2012, they came across Herrera, a young father, prosecutors said.

Herrera was moving his car to avoid a parking ticket when the pair drove beside him and demanded to know his gang affiliation, according to prosecutors.

Though Herrera told them he was not in a gang, prosecutors said Calderon shot him in the neck before fleeing.

Herreras family heard the gunshot and rushed outside to find him slumped over in his car, prosecutors said.

He was taken to a hospital, where he died a short time later, according to prosecutors.

Oxnard police detectives found that Calderon had bought a unique type of shotgun ammunition from a gun shop the same day as the killing, prosecutors said.

Calderon sold the gun used in the shooting to another gang member days after, prosecutors said.

After obtaining the gun through a search warrant on March 30, 2012, prosecutors said police found DNA evidence that linked the shotgun to Herreras fatal shooting.

Then, while in custody on an unrelated robbery charge months later, prosecutors said Calderon was recorded bragging about the killing to another inmate.

Calderon was indicted and charged with murder in August 2015, prosecutors said.

Now, finally, after 12 long years, Edwins family will receive the justice they so rightfully deserve, Barrick said after Calderons conviction in March.

Oxnard is about a 60-mile drive northwest from Los Angeles.

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Boy killed in road rage shooting on way to kindergarten, officials say. Man sentenced

Man hunted down exs boyfriend with shotgun, Georgia officials say. He got prison time
In this 2022 photo, Lake Powell sits at low levels behind Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River in Page, Ariz. (Joshua Lott / Washington Post via Getty Images)

Federal officials have discovered damage inside Glen Canyon Dam that could force limits on how much Colorado River water is released at low reservoir levels, raising risks the Southwest could face shortages that were previously unforeseen.

The damage was recently detected in four 8-foot-wide steel tubes  called the river outlet works  that allow water to pass through the dam in northern Arizona when Lake Powell reaches low levels. Dam managers spotted deterioration in the tubes after conducting an exercise last year that sent large flows from the dam into the Grand Canyon.

To reduce risks of additional damage, federal Bureau of Reclamation officials have determined that flows should be reduced in the event of low reservoir levels. The infrastructure problems in one of the countrys largest dams have created new complications as water managers representing seven Western states negotiate long-term plans for reducing water use to address the rivers chronic supply-demand gap and adapt to the effects of climate change.

Because of the dam's design, there are real structural risks under low elevations that could potentially leave stranded as much water in Lake Powell as Californias largest reservoir, Lake Shasta, said JB Hamby, Californias Colorado River commissioner.

Such a scenario could lead to significant unexpected cuts in water deliveries to California, Nevada, Arizona and Mexico.

There are a couple of ways to deal with this, absent an infrastructure fix, Hamby said in an email. One, reduce releases to Arizona, California, Nevada, and Mexico.

But he said that could be a violation of the 1922 Colorado River Compact, which guarantees that the states in the rivers lower basin receive a certain quantity of water.

A second option, Hamby said, would affect the four states in the rivers upper basin: Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico. He said that could include reducing water use in the upper basin states or releasing water from upstream reservoirs.

An engineering solution is preferable to both of those options, Hamby said.

Efforts to analyze potential fixes appear to be in the early stages.

The problems came to light at a meeting in Arizona last month. Brenda Burman, general manager of the Central Arizona Project, presented a diagram showing the dam's eight large tubes, called penstocks, that water normally passes through, as well as the smaller outlet pipes that enable water releases at low reservoir levels.

They have some unknown issues about how these river outlet works would perform. That's very difficult new information to hear, Burman said.

She said officials found sediment, "thinning in the pipes" and "cavitation." Cavitation refers to the formation and collapse of air bubbles in flowing water and is known to damage propellers, pumps and other structures. Under certain flow conditions, cavitation can pit and tear into metal, damaging the infrastructure.

Read more: As the Colorado River shrinks, federal officials consider overhauling Glen Canyon Dam

Federal officials are analyzing how to address the problems, Burman said, adding that the Bureau of Reclamation is known for being able to come up with engineering solutions to engineering problems.

We very much expect to be working with Reclamation in the coming months to investigate exactly what can be done, she said.

The problems with a crucial part of the dams water-delivery system, which were first reported by the Arizona Daily Star , have raised new questions about what sort of fix would be most effective, how much it would cost, and how long repairs could take.

The Colorado River supplies water used by cities, farms and tribal nations across seven states and northern Mexico. The river has long been overallocated, and its average flow has declined dramatically since 2000. Research has shown that global warming is intensifying drought years and contributing significantly to the reduced flows .

The water level in Lake Powell, the nations second-largest reservoir, now sits at 33% of capacity  its surface about 68 feet above the lowest level at which the dam can continue generating electricity . The snowpack in the upper Colorado River Basin this year has been above average, and the snowmelt will give reservoir levels a boost for now.

But long-term projections show that substantial reductions in water use will be necessary in the coming years to reduce risks of reservoirs reaching critically low levels.

The infrastructure problems at Glen Canyon Dam add another layer of complications and uncertainty.

Read more: Colorado River in Crisis: A Times series on the Southwests shrinking water lifeline

The Bureau of Reclamation detailed some of the agencys initial steps in a March 26 memo . Richard LaFond, director of the agencys Technical Service Center, wrote that if the reservoir were to decline below the minimum level for generating electricity, there are concerns with relying on the river outlet works."

The latest federal projections show the reservoir is expected to remain above that level for the next two years.

LaFond said his team is using scale models in a laboratory to study how the issues could be addressed.

The Bureau of Reclamation responded to questions from The Times by email, saying the outlet tubes were not designed to be used indefinitely to deliver water at low elevations.

It is important to note that our knowledge will increase as time goes on and that we may need to adjust our actions, as appropriate, consistent with best emerging information, engineering standards, and current science, the Bureau of Reclamation said.

Read more: As Colorado River shrinks, California farmers urge 'one-dam solution'

The agencys officials said while they study the issues, they plan to do maintenance that will include pipe recoating." They said they don't yet have cost estimates for fixes.

Lake Powell has shimmered between red canyon walls along the Arizona-Utah border since Glen Canyon Dam was completed in the 1960s.

Environmental activists, who have long urged federal officials to consider draining the reservoir, said the dams internal problems create serious risks of unanticipated water shortages in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico.

We need to have a discussion about how the dam's antique plumbing could affect 25 million people downstream in low water conditions  especially persistent low water conditions, as we are expecting, said Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network. We need the bureau to step up and help us all have a better idea of how to fix it.

Read more: A river guide's view of Lake Powell's decline and the depths of the Colorado River crisis

Roerinks organization, together with the Utah Rivers Council and Glen Canyon Institute, had warned in a 2022 report that the antiquated plumbing system inside Glen Canyon Dam represents a liability, with risks of precisely the type of problems that have come to light.

Roerink called for the Biden administration to bring its analysis of Glen Canyon Dams vulnerabilities into its ongoing process of considering long-term plans for reducing water use.

The Bureau of Reclamation plans to analyze alternatives for new rules to govern river management starting after 2026, when the current rules expire.

The federal government has received separate proposals from the upper and lower basin states , tribes , environmental groups and water researchers .

The risk of a choke point at Glen Canyon Dam not only increases uncertainty, Roerink said, but also sets up potential for more acrimony.

He said there should be an open discussion, as part of the federal review, to analyze the problem and what can be done about it.

That would create an opportunity for the public to vet, scrutinize and understand everything that the bureau knows, and also consider the known unknowns as well, Roerink said. Let's talk about uncertainty, and what that could mean.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Naser (center), Amina's brother, shows the injury caused while he was running to flee the Iranian attack when a piece of projectile fell into the room where the family was sleeping.

Mohamed al Hasuni looks at the hole caused by the chunk of projectile as it passed through the metal roof and hit the floor of his house. He opens his hands about 20 centimeters to gauge the size, which coincides with the size of the gaping hole in the roof. The impact seriously injured his daughter Amina, seven, who is now in a hospital fighting for her life. When we picked her up, she had blood on her head, explains the 49-year-old father, while flicking the right side of his ear upwards. Amina was the only serious victim of the attack launched by Iran in the early hours of Sunday morning against Israel. Israel claimed to have intercepted, with the help of its allies, 99% of the more than 300 drones and missiles launched by Tehran.

The Al Hasuni family lives in Alfurah, a Bedouin village in the Negev desert, in southeastern Israel, where some 12,000 residents are scattered across different settlements. Israel refuses to recognize the settlements as legal and they have no right to housing or infrastructure. There are, in total, 36 settlements inhabited by some 150,000 people for whom the authorities, unlike the rest of Israeli citizens, do not provide shelters or alarm systems for attacks like the one that took place over the weekend. We either take shelter in our homes or in our cars, Mohamed says.

The almost permanent threat of demolition faced by these families coexists today with the enormous concern for the injured girl. Mohamed displays the paperwork ordering the demolition of the fence around his house and several precarious constructions surrounding the building where his daughter was wounded. It is dated March 25, like the one received by many Bedouins who are being pressured by the Israeli authorities to leave their villages. Mohamed affirms that the authorities have warned him if he does not obey the demolition order on his own initiative, they will demolish his damaged house as well. This Monday, despite the attack at the weekend, houses continued to be demolished in the surrounding area.

Amid this work a bulldozer hired by the authorities, escorted by several white SUVs, leaves the Gaboa familys plot after carrying out a demolition, a few miles from where the Al Hasunis live. Halil Gaboa, 63, says they asked for a weeks grace because the demolition order came during the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that concludes the month. On Sunday, they themselves began to dismantle the construction considered illegal by the authorities, but that did not prevent the arrival of the demolition workers on Monday, accompanied by the police. Now, the Gaboa family has to bear the cost of the work, explains Halil. The rules dictate that if the recipient of the order refuses to carry it out, they must pay for the Israeli authorities to pull the building down.

Mohamed al Hasuni, 49, points to the hole caused by a piece of projectile that fell into his home during Iran's attack early Sunday, wounding his daughter Amina while she slept. LUIS DE VEGA

Institutional neglect means that this Bedouin population is 2,200 times more likely to die than other citizens in rocket attacks, according to an estimate made last November by the Regional Council for Unrecognized Villages (RCUV). Although without causing deaths or major damage, Irans offensive, unprecedented and carried out in response to the Israeli bombing of its consulate in Damascus at the beginning of the month, has opened new questions and fears about the possibility of the current war escalating.

It was around 1:45 a.m. on Sunday when sirens sounded throughout Israel. Mohamed recounts that in the solitude of the desert, they heard air raid warnings from the city of Arad, several miles away. We started to see fire in the sky and then something fell on the house, he says, sitting on the dirt and stone floor of one of the sheds that doubles as a living room. Next to him is Salah, his cousin, a 31-year-old father of six: All the children panicked. They were crying, they didnt know where to hide as they ran into the bush.

View of Alfurah, the town where Iran's attack left Amina, a seven-year-old girl, seriously injured.

Most of the villagers stayed away from the village for more than 12 hours, until Sunday afternoon, adds Salah. We have no shelter or anything to take refuge in, says Halil, 71, Mohameds uncle. He believes that with better-built houses, Amina would not have been injured. Everyone is calling for more protection from the authorities, especially for children and women, none of whom are seen during the journalists visit. This is a place that has always been at war. This year, and it will be the same next year too, Halil says, insisting on the need for shelters.

A swarm of children mill around the door of the building damaged during the Iranian attack. Vertical midday light penetrates the gap left by the rocket and reflects off a white wall, brightening the room. On the floor, in the place where Amina slept, are the metallic remains of the projectile, which ended up buried several centimeters and broke one of the floor tiles. The family does not know if the shrapnel corresponds to one of the devices launched by Iran, or to the remains of the Israeli anti-aircraft batteries deployed to intercept them. On a promontory near the settlement, one of these batteries points to the sky, guarded by several soldiers.

Children observe the hole in the floor caused by the projectile that fell during the Iranian attack, April 15. LUIS DE VEGA

Aminas brother Naser, nine, was one of the five minors who were also in the house. When they all ran out in panic, Naser fell and was injured on his right side (the child shows his wound). Outside the house roam camels, goats, sheep, donkeys, and chickens, which help the familys income.

Mohamed al Hasuni is the father of 10 sons and four daughters with his two wives. One of the boys immediately took Amina by car to a health center. On the way, he came across an ambulance, which took the girl to the Soroka Medical Center in the city of Beersheba, some 37 miles (60 kilometers) from Alfurah.

After the attack  Mohamed estimates 20 minutes to half an hour  police and military arrived and removed the remains of the shell. Mohamed says he has received many calls, but no direct visit from the authorities. Nati Yeffet, a member of the RCUV, notes that what happens to Bedouins is not properly covered by the local media. In fact, this organization and others working with them claim that Bedouins are treated as second-class citizens.

Since its creation as a state in 1948, Israel has been trying to wipe out much of the traditional life of these desert dwellers, the RCUV denounces. This is a mining area that they consider strategic and want to exploit, says Yeffet. Among the rubble of the recently destroyed house, several children recover objects that could be useful to them, such as a brush and a dustpan. Despite the demolition of their home, the Gaboas have no intention of leaving the desert where their Bedouin ancestors lived long before the state of Israel came into being.

Several children and young people in Alfurah, April 15.

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My daughter rights are under attack. Has Mike DeWine forgotten about trans children?

Trans youth missing from DeWine's address

April 10, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio Governor Mike DeWine waves at the completion of his 2024 State of the State address in the Ohio House chambers at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday afternoon.

During his State of the State last week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine focused on the future of Ohio for our youth, encouraging lawmakers to take strides and invest in resources for children.

From noting ongoing problems with tobacco and cannabis to discussing infant mortality to touting the critical need for mental health services for youth, DeWine touched upon many subjects.

However, I must note that he pointedly did not mention the importance of gender-affirming care and mental health support for transgender and gender non-confirming youth, whose rights have consistently been under attack.

More: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announces child care vouchers in State of the State address

DeWine cannot claim to be committed to the future of Ohios children while allowing harmful, discriminatory laws and regulations to restrict care for a vulnerable minority.

As a father, I want the best for my children  a safe place for them to live, opportunities to learn and grow, a supportive community. Moreover, as a father of a trans child, I understand the critical need for community care and support.

'No politician will shame her. Ohio Mom says trans daughter, others demonized

After moving to several states, I, my trans daughter and our family settled in Ohio because we believed it would be a safe place for her. Yet now her rights are in jeopardy and we are face-to-face with the decision of staying or leaving the state to protect her. Supporting our youth is imperative, but when we discuss our children, we need to include all children.

Mikael McLaren, Lancaster

What do you think? How to submit a letter to the editor for The Columbus Dispatch

Letters to the Editor

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio no longer safe for trans kids. Mike DeWine left them out of address.
A heated debate over chili crunch has come to an endfor now.

After receiving backlash for trademarking the term chile crunch, David Chang and his company Momofuku have decided not to enforce the trademark, The Washington Post reported on Friday evening. The group will, however, hold on to the trademark, rather than giving it up completely.

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We have heard the feedback from our community and now understand that the term chili crunch carries broader meaning for many, a Momofuku spokesperson said in a statement to the Post. We have no interest in owning a cultures terminology and we will not be enforcing the trademark going forward.

Momofuku bought the chile crunch trademark from another company last year, according to patent office information cited by The Washington Post. But earlier this month, it came to light that Changs group was sending cease-and-desist letters to other companies that were branding their condiments as chili crunch, including smaller, Asian-owned businesses. Additionally, in late March, Momofuku applied to trademark the chili crunch spelling as well.

The pushback to Momofukus actions was quick and fierce. Chili crunch is a popular condiment in China and other Asian countries, the Post noted, and many producers have generational ties to chili crunch. Smaller businesses could have been adversely affected by needing to change the name of their products: Michelle Tew, the founder and CEO of Homiah, told the newspaper that rebranding her sambal chili crunch could have impacted contracts with Whole Foods and Target, for example.

Chang addressed the hubbub in a podcast on Friday: In holding the term crunch as a trademark, Momofuku can be seen as trying to own a piece of Chinese culture and heritage, which is exactly the opposite of what we wanted to achieve, he said. I want to apologize to everyone in the AAPI community who has been hurt or feels like Ive marginalized them or put a ceiling on them by our actions.

Still, Momofuku will retain the chile crunch trademark. On the same podcast episode, CEO Marguerite Mariscal explained that if it relinquished the trademark, another company with the resources to litigate could pick it up and potentially cause even more problems. The same thing could happen while Momofuku doesnt enforce the trademark, but Mariscal said thats a risk were willing to take.

For now, then, it seems the chili-crunch debacle has lost some of its spiciness.

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Donald Trumps New York hush-money-to-a-porn-star trial has barely begun and, already, his MAGA backers are trying to rig the outcome.

On Monday, conservative media personality Clay Travis sent the following tweet to his one million-plus Twitter (X) followers: If youre a Trump supporter in New York City who is a part of the jury pool, do everything you can to get seated on the jury and then refuse to convict as a matter of principle, dooming the case via hung jury. Its the most patriotic thing you could possibly do.

Make no mistake, this is a very dangerous and irresponsible message to send. It seeks to pervert the American legal system, a system where no man is above the law and the goal is to deliver blind justice.

Trumps Hardest Fight May Be Staying Awake in Court

For this trials jury selection, potential jurors are required to answer 42 questions to suss out whether they can be fair and impartial. So how would a hardcore Trump backer (or opponent, for that matter) make it on this jury? Travis is clearly encouraging Trump supporters to lie to get chosen for the jury, and then, irrespective of the evidence, to refuse to convict.

But Travis isnt the only right-winger making mischief. Also on Monday, right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer (who was outside the courtroom, leading a group of Trump supporters) accused Judge Juan Merchan of ELECTION INTERFERENCE for having the audacity to insist that Trump physically attend every day of the trial.

Meanwhile, Trump attorney Alina Habba (who is not representing him during this trial) is simultaneously accusing Judge Merchan of being unfair regarding jury selection rules. As always, Trumpworld is great at projection. As they attempt to unfairly influence jury selection, they accuse others of doing the same.

Trumps Criminal Trial Begins With Vitriol and 42 Questions

Based on day one, there is little doubt that this trial is about to become a circus (or worse). And what happens if things start to visibly go south during the trial for Trump? What happens if the jury finds him guilty? What will Steve Bannon say or do? Or Marjorie Taylor Greene? Or Charlie Kirk?

Just like the Big Lie, the effort to discredit and delegitimize this trial will not be limited to fringe actors. Its incredible and horrible to think about it, but MAGA ideas have metastasized to the GOP mainstream. Case in point, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgam is calling this a sham trial and an unprecedented attack during an election year. This is straight out of the MAGA playbook.

Gloves Off! DA Wants Trump Punished for Contempt on Day 1

To the degree he can get away with it, Trump is turning this trial into one big campaign. This is true in more ways than one.

Undermining Americas institutions (such as jury trials) fits into Trumps 2024 presidential campaign narrative about Biden using lawfare to go after his political enemies, i.e., Trump. Likewise, Trump and his backers are weaponizing Trumpian campaign tactics, normally reserved for the political world, to get him acquitted and (in the event that doesnt work) to undermine the legitimacy of the court.

But heres the problem: Courts arent supposed to be like campaigns.

On a campaign, image is everything. On a campaign, money talks. On a campaign, perception is reality.

In this post-truth world, the courts may be one of the last places where facts and logic matter, and where Trump and his accomplices can be held accountable.

But make no mistake, this trial could very well be another historic occasion for MAGA to erode norms and undermine institutions (such as Jan. 6, for starters). The real question is whether this is done subtly or audaciously. Although physical security inside the courtroom will be tight, Trumps supporters can still use social media and other communications tools to remotely attack and potentially intimidate witnesses, the judge, and the jurors.

And if Trumps supporters arent dangerous enough, Trump is (for lack of a better word) inciting them. He has already violated a gag order by attacking key witnesses, former Trump fixer Michael Cohen and former porn star Stormy Daniels, and referring to them as sleazebags, according to prosecutors.

Trump Campaign Insists Mid-Trial Snooze Never Happened

But remember, this is just the beginning. Theyre just getting started.

When we talk about Trump and his minions, we are talking about people who were willing to lie about the 2020 election. We are talking about people who were willing to incite a Capitol riot with the intent to stop the peaceful transfer of power. And were talking about people whose passion for Trump has only increased with every indictment. Its difficult to imagine that there is any line they will not cross.

Why should this Trump campaign... erm, trial be any different?

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Daysha Johnson, a graduate student pursuing her Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Angelo State University, has been recognized as the 2024 South Central Province Collegian of the Year by the Delta Sigma Pi (DSP) national professional business fraternity.

This prestigious accolade acknowledges Johnsons outstanding leadership and steadfast dedication to embodying DSPs core values, selected from a group of nominees representing 34 collegiate chapters across the South-Central Province, Johnsons achievement highlights her significant contributions within the fraternity.

Furthermore, Johnsons influence has extended beyond the boundaries of her competitive province, as she also earned the esteemed title of 2024 DSP Southwestern Region Collegian of the year. Institutions such as Baylor University, Texas Christian University, and the University of Texas- Arlington, among others were in competition.

Johnson has also actively participated in various campus organizations, including the African American Students Assocation as a representative in the Student Government Association (SGA). Her dedication to campus engagement and community service has been acknowledged with awards such as the Promising Female Leader Award and the Most Valued Ram Award at SGAs prestigious 2023 Rammy Awards Ceremony. As she prepares to graduate in May. Johnsons impactful leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence serve as a testament to her enduring legacy at Angelo State University.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Duval County School Board members held a two-hour-long discussion Tuesday on the prospect of closing 30 traditional public schools in the district.

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Members of the public and local leaders came out in support of saving their local schools.

To take the only school, in this case, Atlantic Beach Elementary, out of Atlantic Beach would be to just rip the heart out of the City of Atlantic Beach, said Atlantic Beach Mayor Curtis Ford.

DCPS statistics show enrollment in traditional public schools has dropped by nearly ten percent since 2017.

Meanwhile, enrollment grew by roughly 90 percent over that same time frame in alternative options like home, virtual, and charter schools, as well as in private schools through the use of state-funded scholarships.

The declining enrollment is part of what is driving the district to consider shuttering 30 traditional public schools and consolidating them with other nearby schools.

Increased construction costs have also contributed to a $1.4 billion budget shortfall in the districts master facility plan.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed off on a universal school choice law last year, which allows any parent to receive a private school scholarship.

As school board members met to discuss consolidation we asked DeSantis, who was holding a press conference on the other side of town, about the situation facing Duval schools and what he believes the future holds for traditional public schools.

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He noted this years state budget includes record funding for public schools, and argued that increased competition makes all schools perform better.

Ultimately, we want parents to be the ones that are driving this by being able to choose the school thats best for them, and I think what youve seen in many parts of the state is these school districts have had to respond by offering programs that the parents want, said DeSantis.

But Andrew Spar with the Florida Education Association argued the problems facing Duval and other districts arent an unintended consequence of the push towards school choice.

Theres a clear motive here and the clear motive is, make it really hard for public schools to exist, make it really easy for private schools that accept vouchers and charter schools to exist with zero accountability, said Spar.

During the school board meeting, it was announced there would be a series of public meetings in May and June on the potential closures.

A timeline for closures will be developed in July and a final vote on the updated five-year plan is expected in September or October.

A district spokesperson emphasized that no new school closures are anticipated for next school year.

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In the year of our lord 2024, the Confederate States of America are still being honored in Mississippi.

Continuing a decades-old annual tradition, Governor Tate Reeves declared April as Confederate Heritage Month, the Beauvoir museum in Biloxi announced on Facebook Friday. The site is the historic home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

The tradition dates back to 1993 but isnt publicized by any Mississippi state official or government agency. The only organization that regularly does so is the Sons of Confederate Veterans, or SCV, who first requested the proclamation 31 years ago. The SCV owns and operates the Beauvoir museum, promoting the Lost Cause myth of the Civil War that downplays the role of slavery and white supremacy in causing the war.

Reevess record on race and Civil War history is checkered. As a student at Millsaps College in his youth, Reeves was part of a fraternity that threw Confederate-themed parties where members wore blackface. The governor says he never wore blackface while in the fraternity.

In 2020, he signed a law retiring Mississippis state flag, which honored the Confederate flag, but criticized Black Lives Matter protesters at the same time. And Reeves has also denied the existence of systemic racism in the United States.

Mississippi is the only state that has dedicated a month to honoring the Confederacy in the last three years, although six other Southern states have done so historically. Mississippi will also recognize Confederate Memorial Day on April 27, as state law requires. But those seeking to protest against these policies will have a tough time: The Supreme Court just effectively abolished protests in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
Inside the two-story apartment building constructed of tan and black bricks and stucco exterior walls, OTishae Womacks body was on her kitchen floor.

A white Albertsons grocery bag covered her head. A black and white floral comforter was on top of her legs.

Upstairs on a bed in the east Fort Worth apartment lay her daughter, KaMayria, covered by a blanket. The 10-year-old wore shorts and a T-shirt. She looked as though she was asleep.

But KaMayria, too, was gone. The little girls body was cold.

Both had been strangled with the hands of a man who applied pressure to their necks until they stopped breathing, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office account.

Prosecutors allege that their killer was Paige Terrell Lawyer, Womacks 38-year-old boyfriend. Lawyer had a history of arrests on domestic violence assault in which Womack was also the victim before the killings on April 6, 2018, in the 200 block of Shady Lane Drive.

Lashundra Womack describes finding the bodies of her sister, OTishae Womack, and niece, KaMayria Womack, 10, at their east Fort Worth apartment in 2018 while giving testimony on Monday at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth. Paige Terrell Lawyer is on trial for capital murder in their deaths and could face the death penalty if convicted. Amanda McCoy/amccoy@star-telegram.com

Putting his hands around Womacks neck was his modus operandi, his standard method for injuring his girlfriend, according to the district attorneys office.

Lawyer was motivated in part by his fear Womack would participate in his prosecution on the previous domestic violence assault cases, the state alleges.

So he killed her, prosecutor Dale Smith told the jury in his opening statement in the capital murder trial that began on Monday in Criminal District Court No. 1 in Tarrant County.

The District Attorneys Office is seeking the death penalty. Jurors are first hearing evidence and argument to consider whether Lawyer is guilty or not guilty before moving, if the panel convicts him, to a phase to determine punishment.

Today's top stories:

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Lawyer was indicted in February 2020, and the decision to seek the death penalty in the case was made when District Attorney Phil Sorrells predecessor, Sharen Wilson, held the office.

The last time a Tarrant County jury sent a defendant to Death Row was in November 2019 when it convicted Hector Acosta of capital murder. The Mexican drug cartel hit man was found guilty of killing two people in Arlington in 2017, beheading one of the victims, and mutilating their bodies with a machete and a two-by-four.

Paige Terrell Lawyer enters the courtroom of Criminal District Court No. 1 on Monday at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth. Lawyer is on trial for capital murder in the April 2018 strangulation of his girlfriend, OTishae Womack, and her 10-year-old daughter, KaMayria Womack. Amanda McCoy/amccoy@star-telegram.com

Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Loyd Whelchel is, with Smith, prosecuting Lawyer.

The jury will hear evidence showing the defendants bloody fingerprint was found on a mop near OTishae Womacks body and his DNA was found under her fingernails, Smith told the jury.

Defense attorney Steve Gordon forecast that the evidence would be insufficient to convict Lawyer of capital murder.

He encouraged the jury to pay close attention and dissect the evidence.

With Gordon, defense attorneys Brian Poe and William Biggs were appointed to represent Lawyer.

Judge Elizabeth Beach is presiding at the trial. The jury resumed hearing the states case at 8:30 a.m. today.
Last month, when a judge delayed the final trial in the 2016 Pike County massacre of the Rhoden family, Wilma McCoy fled the courtroom in tears.

Outside the Pike County Courthouse, the Rhoden sister said she felt like her familys case had been put on the back burner.

We will be a decade before theyre all found guilty and sentenced, McCoy said after the trial against George Billy Wagner III was moved from this May to next January.

She may not be far off.

Wilma McCoy, sister and aunt to victims in the 2016 Pike County massacre, listens to lawyers for George Billy Wagner III outside the Pike County Courthouse in March.

Assuming the new schedule for Billy Wagners trial sticks, he should get a verdict in March 2025. After that, his wife and younger son  both of whom admitted their roles in the eight-person homicide  will return to court for formal sentencing.

His older son, meanwhile, continues to push forward an appeal of his 2022 conviction for the killings.

The cases could, in fact, still be active a decade after the crimes. Here's where events stand this week, at the eight-year mark.

More: Timeline of Pike County massacre. At the eight-year mark in the Pike County killings, a final trial looms.

The Pike County victims ranged in age from 16 to 44.

What happened in 2016 and why?

Seven members of the Rhoden family and one future member were discovered dead on April 22, 2016, shot to death in their homes in rural southern Ohio. Killed were:

Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40, who helped build Big Bear Family Resort in Lucasville, among other jobs.

Dana Manley Rhoden, 37, an aide at a nursing and rehabilitation center, the former wife of Chris Rhoden and mother to their three children.

Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden , 20, the older son of Chris and Dana Rhoden who worked at a lumber business and had two young sons.

Hanna May Rhoden , 19, the daughter of Chris and Dana Rhoden who was working as a nurse's aide and had two young daughters.

Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16, the younger son of Chris and Dana Rhoden, a freshman at Piketon High School who had recently gotten his driver's license.

Kenneth Rhoden , 44, a divorced father of four and grandfather of four who worked at U.S. Utility in Columbus.

Gary Rhoden , 37, who lived with his cousin Chris Rhoden Sr. from time to time, with a permanent address in Greenup, Kentucky.

Hannah Hazel Gilley, 20, who was a graduate of Northwest High School and shared a son with fiance Frankie Rhoden.

In this undated photo, the Wagner family gathers at the Flying W Farms in Lucasville, Ohio, the horse-breeding business owned by the parents of Billy Wagner. From left are George "Billy" Wagner III, Angela Wagner, George Wagner IV and Edward "Jake" Wagner. Sitting in the tree are Sophia Wagner, the daughter of Jake Wagner and Hanna May Rhoden, and Bulvine Wagner, the son of George Wagner and former wife Tabitha Claytor.

Where are the accused?

The Wagners killed the Rhodens, prosecutors maintain, in effort to win custody of a shared granddaughter, Sophia Wagner, then 2 1/2 years old. The Wagners believed Sophia was being molested when spending time with the Rhodens, witnesses said during George Wagner's 2022 trial.

The Wagners have been jailed since their arrests in November 2018.

Billy Wagner has been held in the Butler County jail since then.

His wife, Angela Wagner, is jailed in the Delaware County jail. She admitted to her involvement in the crimes in September 2021 and agreed to accept a sentence of 30 years without the possibility of parole.

George Wagner is being held at the Maximum Security Facility in Cranston, Rhode Island, at the request of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. He was convicted on eight counts of aggravated murder and 14 other charges in November of 2022, and is appealing his conviction.

Edward "Jake" Wagner is held in the Franklin County jail. On the fifth anniversary of the massacre, he admitted killing five of the eight victims and agreed to serve eight consecutive life prison terms without the possibility of parole. Hanna Rhoden, mother of Sophia, was among his victims.

Angela and Jake Wagner will be formally sentenced and moved to Ohio prisons after Billy Wagner's trial. They agreed to testify in the cases against Billy and George Wagner as part of a plea deal that spares the entire family from the death penalty.

The Wagner family spent mid-2017 to mid-2018 in Kenai, Alaska, as Ohio investigators put a case together against them in the April 2016 shooting deaths of Pike County's Rhoden family. From left are Bulvine (son of George Wagner IV), Angela Wagner, Billy Wagner, Jake Wagner and his daughter, Sophia.

Where are the children?

Three children were extracted from the crime scenes, uninjured. Two others lost a parent  to death or jail  because of the crimes.

Families of the children closely guard their privacy, with only rare online mentions or photos.

George Wagner's son lives with his mother, as does one of Frankie Rhoden's sons, witnesses in the 2022 trial said.

Not disclosed then or since: who is raising Hanna Rhoden's two daughters and the son of Frankie Rhoden and Hannah Gilley.

George "Billy" Wagner III exits the back of the Pike County Courthouse after a hearing in March. Wagner attended the 11-minute hearing in jail attire, despite earlier winning a request to appear in street clothes.

What's next in the case?

In the last year, Billy Wagner has been back to court three times for hearings, including the March one that pushed his trial into next year. George Wagner was moved out of state. And the Rhoden family paused a wrongful death lawsuit against the Wagners for logistical reasons.

In recent weeks, Facebook pages that follow the case have suggested lighting candles or releasing balloons to mark this week's anniversary. Relatives have posted victims' photos and "Happy Heavenly Birthday" messages. "I am missing my best friend," wrote the former wife of one.

None of the pages note any public events for the week, like the vigils scheduled in the years just after the crimes.

Later this year, Billy Wagner is likely to be back in the Pike County Common Pleas Court for more pretrial hearings.

His trial is scheduled to start Jan. 6, a date visiting Judge R. Alan Corbin said he would not reschedule.

Enquirer media partner Fox19 contributed the interview of Wilma McCoy for this story.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What's happening in the Pike County massacre case?
In the early hours of Sunday, videos recorded in the outskirts of Amman showing the debris of one of the more than 100 missiles that Iran launched against Israel began to appear on social media. The missile had been shot down by the Jordanian army, the only one in the Arab world to do so  despite the fact that the war in Gaza has pushed Jordans relationship with neighboring Israel to one of its lowest points since 1996, when the Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty was signed. One message on social media, which has more than 6,000 retweets and 19,000 likes, shared the video with a sarcastic comment in Arabic that summed up the feeling of much of the population: The Jordanian king launches Iranian missiles against its citizens to protect Israel.

The Hashemite kingdoms decision to help contain the Iranian attack has sparked a lot of discussion. Jordan showed that  at a key moment  it valued its strong alliance with the United States and disapproval of Iran over its criticism of the war in Gaza (the harshest in the part of the Arab world that recognizes the Jewish state), its longstanding distrust of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the fact that many sectors do not support the peace. Millions of its citizens are, in fact, Palestinian refugees. For weeks, hundreds of people have been demonstrating every day in front of the Israeli Embassy in Amman. Media outlets aligned with the authorities argue the protests are being organized by external agents who want to destabilize a country that borders Israel, the West Bank, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. A country that likes to present itself as an oasis of peace in a turbulent Middle East. One of the words that Jordanians use the most is istiqrar (stability).

Amman shot down dozens of drones headed to Israel as they passed over Jordanian territory, in a joint operation with the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. These countries were allowed to enter Jordans airspace. Two other Arab countries  the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia  gave Washington information about the attack that Tehran itself had passed on to them, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal on Monday. They were the other countries that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari thanked discreetly so as to not get them in trouble. Iran, the great Shiite power, inspires little sympathy among the Sunni populations of the Gulf. But helping Israel, after their Palestinian brothers have been dying and starving in Gaza for six months, would not be a popular move for these governments.

Precisely because it actively participated to contain Irans attack and was public about its actions, Ammans decision has been just as applauded by Israel and the United States as it has been criticized by Iran and its allies. The Fars press agency, close to Irans Revolutionary Guard, citing a well-informed source, claimed that Tehran had told Amman that it would become the next target if it cooperated with Israel. In response, Jordan summoned the Iranian ambassador to warn Tehran that it must stop questioning the Jordanian position.

For Hasni Abidi, director of the Geneva-based Study and Research Center for the Arab and Mediterranean World, Jordan had no choice but to shoot down the missiles. Its air defense is linked to the United States, from which it receives substantial military and financial aid, and it has a peace agreement with Israel with security obligations, he explains in an email. According to Abidi, Jordan also has bad relations with Iran and fears the destabilization of the country.

Members of the Jordanian armed forces drop aid parcels over Gaza on April 9. Alaa Al Sukhni (REUTERS)

Jordan also has fresh in its mind the recent statements made by Abu Ali al-Askari, a senior commander of Kataib Hezbollah, the powerful pro-Iran militia in Iraq. On April 3, Al-Askari said that the group could provide their allies in Jordan with light and medium weapons, tactical missiles, anti-tank projectiles and tons of explosives for 12,000 fighters to defend our brothers in Palestine.

Black September

Few ideas raise more alarm in Jordan, a country that part of the Arab world has always seen as a kind of traitor. For its cooperation  both official and secret  with Israel and for Black September in 1970, when the Jordanian army killed thousands of militiamen of the Palestine Liberation Organization for preparing an insurrection and trying to establish a kind of parallel state.

Tuqa Nusairat, an expert on U.S. policy in the Middle East and North Africa at the Atlantic Council, recalls by phone that Jordan  a country the British created in 1921 under the name Emirate of Transjordan  is in a strategic position with little water and a lot of desert, and is very vulnerable without Washingtons support. It is not a very rich country, but it has a diplomatic and security relationship with the United States that it wants to maintain. Saturdays decision, he says, is part of that quid pro quo. It receives funding, security guarantees and training for its troops in exchange for keeping things calm and protecting U.S. interests in the region.

Nusairat lists two other factors: Jordan did not want to be accused of supporting in any way or looking the other way in an attack on another country and is in a very delicate position, with tensions on all its borders. Indeed, Washington rushed to deploy Patriot missiles on its borders last year, when Amman feared that tensions over the Gaza war could end up affecting the country. In January, a pro-Iran militia killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan, next to the Syrian border.

Aware of this balancing act and the fact that many Jordanians are seeing the images coming out of Gaza, Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi  the same politician who has been attacking Israel for months  justified the decision by claiming there was a real danger of Iranian drones or missiles falling inside the country. The Armed Forces dealt with that threat, just as if the attack came from Israel, he defended.

Jordans authorities are trying to navigate a delicate situation, fearing that the most Islamist sectors or those most critical of Israel will openly question the monarchy and the family clans of Bedouin origin, which are in power. On the one hand, Jordans parliament has voted to review the agreements with Israel and the executive has stopped a deal in the works on water and solar energy. On the other hand, it has repressed demonstrations in support of Palestine and ordered the removal of an October 7 restaurant sign in Amman  the date of the Hamas attack that killed nearly 1,200 Israelis, sparking Israels invasion of Gaza. Many in the Arab world see the attack as revenge that Israel deserves for its treatment of the Palestinians.

In any case, it is difficult to ignore the historical symbolism of seeing Jordan  the same country that fought four wars against Israel, between 1948 and 1973  stopping an attack against it. Its especially significant for a generation of Israelis who remember having taken refuge from Jordans attacks, senior Israel analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank Mairav Sonszein recalled on Sunday. According to Sonszein, the lesson for Israel, where militarist and isolationist discourse is increasingly gaining ground, is that diplomatic agreements are vital for stability. A religious foundation under the tutelage of the Jordanian monarchy administers the Esplanade of the Mosques in Jerusalem, but they have more and more weight in the Israeli government and are making more and more visits to ultra-nationalist sectors that seek to annul the peace treaty and even demolish the complex to build a third Jewish temple.

Amid this context, Noa Landau, deputy editor of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, wrote on Monday: Netanyahu and his supporters should have apologized Sunday not only to Biden but also to the Jordanians. After the attack, some opponents of the Israeli prime minister published one of the most iconic photos in the Middle Easts modern history: an image of King Hussein smiling as he lights a cigarette for Yitzhak Rabin after signing the Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty in 1994.

The relationship since then has had its ups and downs. In the past 30 years, Jordan has withdrawn its ambassador to Tel Aviv six times, most famously over a major fiasco by Mossad, Israels foreign spy service, and also in 2017, when an Israeli security guard killed two Jordanians on the embassy grounds and was greeted as a hero by Netanyahu.

The most recent is due to the war in Gaza, which has led Queen Rania to give two scathing interviews against Israel. Amman has tried to make up for the populations discomfort with the fact that it maintains diplomatic ties with Israel with well-publicized airdrops of aid to Gaza  with King Abdullah himself pictured taking part  and trucks carrying humanitarian aid to the enclave.

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Pro-Palestinian protesters are resorting to ever-louder and intrusive tactics  like shutting down the Golden Gate Bridge during Mondays morning commute and blocking access to Chicagos OHare airport  as they try to shake US support for Israel and draw attention to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

The disruptions are raising questions about the limits of free speech and led a US senator to encourage people to take matters in their own hands.

An activist in Bakersfield, California, blew through limits on free speech when, during a public comment period on a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, she told city council members last week they would be murdered in their homes. She now faces felony charges.

Why was a valedictorians speech removed from USCs ceremony?

Separately, on Monday, the University of Southern California canceled the commencement speech of its valedictorian  biomedical engineering major Asna Tabassum, who is Muslim  after her social media posts were targeted by pro-Israel activists, raising questions about the existence of free speech.

Tradition must give way to safety, USC Provost Andrew Guzman wrote in an online, campuswide letter announcing his decision to axe Tabassums speech. The rest of the ceremony on May 10, including the planned commencement address of the Hollywood director Jon Chu, famous for the blockbuster film Crazy Rich Asians and who is being awarded an honorary degree, will apparently proceed.

USC student Asna Tabassum - From USC

It is not clear what Tabassum planned to say in her speech, and she would not go into details during an interview on Tuesday with CNNs Nick Watt. She disputed the cancellation had to with security and said USCs decision to cancel the remarks impedes on my freedom of expression.

Tabassums resume, as described in the early April release announcing her selection as valedictorian, is objectively incredible and pointed to her volunteer work sending medical supplies to foreign countries and volunteering with the homeless on Skid Row in Los Angeles.

In a statement after the cancellation of her speech, she noted that her minor is in resistance to genocide, a horror she said can be driven by hate and fear. And due to widespread fear, Tabassum wrote, I was hoping to use my commencement speech to inspire my classmates with a message of hope.

In between the time when Tabassums valedictorian application was selected by Guzman and his cancellation of her speech, her social media activity was attacked by pro-Israel activists. In her Instagram profile, she links to a website that calls for the abolishment of the state of Israel.

The content of the commencement speech was not mentioned in Guzmans letter announcing the cancellation, and he argued it was not about speech but about security.

The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement, Guzman wrote, noting 65,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony.

While Tabassum will not get the chance to speak at USC, and it remains to be seen if there will be any kind of protest to disrupt the commencement ceremony, theres a growing frustration expressed by lawmakers and presumably by Bay Area commuters with protesters adopting an in-your-face strategy.

Senator wants people to take matters in their own hands against protesters

A Republican senator, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, encouraged people whose lives are disrupted by pro-Palestinian protests to go rogue.

I would encourage most people anywhere that get stuck behind criminals like this who are trying to block traffic to take matters in their own hands, Cotton said on Fox News on Monday, intentionally referring to the protesters as criminals.

This worldview is to be expected from Cotton, who wrote a controversial op-ed for The New York Times in 2020 calling on the government to call in the military to put down the occasionally violent protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.

But the frustration extends across party lines. Sen. John Fetterman, the Pennsylvania Democrat, shared a video on X on Tuesday of a brief but loud protest at an Ann Arbor, Michigan, Starbucks, with the comment, blocking a bridge or berating folks in Starbucks isnt righteous, it just makes you an asshole.

Grabbing the mic

Erwin Chemerinsky, the University of California, Berkeleys law school dean, is a bona fide expert on the First Amendment who is also dealing with the real-world example of his wife  fellow Berkeley law professor Catherine Fisk  essentially taking Cottons advice to take matters literally into her own hands.

A celebration Chemerinsky and Fisk hosted for third-year law students at their Oakland, California, home was interrupted when one of the celebrants, Malak Afaneh, who is co-president of Berkeley Law Students for Justice in Palestine, pulled her own microphone and amplifier out of a backpack and began loudly calling on the University of California system to divest from Israel.

When Fisk tried to grab the microphone from Afaneh, the mixer turned into a social media moment.

The added context is that before the mixer, posters had been hung around campus depicting Chemerinsky with a bloody knife and fork and referring to him as a Zionist.

Chemerinsky explained his view of free speech to CNNs Jake Tapper on The Lead last week:

CHEMERINSKY: I found the image of me with a bloody knife and fork deeply offensive; it does raise the antisemitic trope of blood libel. But I also took the position that they had the right to put it out in bulletin boards around the school. Many students and staff, Jewish and non-Jewish, said that it made them feel unsafe. But I said under the First Amendment, they have the right to put those things on bulletin boards.

But when something is happening at my house, thats quite different. We invited the graduating students over at the request of the class president to celebrate their graduation. When a student took out of her backpack a microphone and an amplifier and began talking about whats going on in the Middle East, thats not OK in my home. No one was speaking that night. It wasnt in any way an occasion for anything but socializing and celebration.

More reports of bias

Meanwhile, there are more and more reports of both anti-Muslim and antisemitic bias. Here are key lines from two separate CNN reports this month:

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said it received 8,061 complaints of anti-Muslim bias incidents last year  the highest number in the 28 years CAIR has tracked hate. Read more about the groups annual civil rights report.

The Anti-Defamation League tracked 8,873 antisemitic incidents in the United States in 2023  the highest number of incidents reported since the organization began tracking data in 1979, according to the organizations annual audit of antisemitism. Read more about the ADLs report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius visits the Operative Communications Centre and inspects the technical equipment, which is loaded onto trucks. Thomas Frey/dpa

Germany needs to become more resistant to Russian disinformation, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on visiting the military's operative communications centre in Mayen in the south-west of the country.

Disinformation campaigns had to be recognized early on and publicly exposed, he said. "We cannot be taken in by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin in this area ... we must be prepared," Pistorius said.

"In brief, we have to become resilient, overall as a state and as a society," Pistorius said, accusing Russia of seeking to divide Western countries and societies. Russia was seeking to influence political decision-making in Germany, he said.

"Putin would also like, and this is a constant effort, to drive a wedge between us and our allies and divide the free Western societies," Pistorius said, with the aim of weakening support for Ukraine and sowing mistrust in NATO.

Pistorius inspected the work at the base to speak to the troops stationed there and was shown large balloons that can be used to distribute flyers.

The balloons were unique in NATO, base commander Colonel Ferdi Akaltin said. Flying a drone or aircraft to drop flyers could be seen as an aggressive act, but balloons were not, he said.

German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius visits the Operative Communications Centre and welcomed by Commander Colonel Ferdi Akaltin (R). Thomas Frey/dpa
HACKENSACK  Dylan Rodriguez apologized Friday for his actions that led to the death of a Fairview man in 2019, as well as to the court and prosecutors for lying while on the stand.

Rodriguez was sentenced Friday to 13 years for aggravated manslaughter and an additional five years for perjury, having pleaded guilty in late February.

David Duque-Soto, a 23-year-old Fairview resident, was found fatally shot in June 2019 in a drug deal turned robbery that went wrong. Bullet casings from 9 mm and .32-caliber guns were found near his body, and he had signs of acute blunt force trauma.

Hackensack, NJ -- April 12, 2024 -- Dylan Rodriguez addresses the court and victim's family during Rodriguez's sentencing for his role in the murder of David Duque-Soto.

Rodriguez initially faced weapon counts but was later charged with felony murder and perjury after the state said he lied during defendant Lexie Burke's trial. Evidence was found that showed he supplied one of the guns for the robbery.

Before he was sentenced, Rodriguez apologized for the "pain and suffering" he had caused Duque-Soto's family.

"I deeply regret my actions, and I often feel the weight of guilt on my shoulders, pulling me down," Rodriguez said.

He also apologized to Matt Fitzpatrick and Suzanne Cevasco, the assistant prosecutors, and Judge Margaret Foti, the judge in Burke's case, for lying on the standing during his testimony.

Rodriguez said he didn't want to be a criminal, bouncing in and out of prison, and wanted to be an asset to society. Rodriguez has a long criminal history that began when he was a juvenile.

Hackensack, NJ -- April 12, 2024 -- Attorney Nathan Kittner with his client Dylan Rodriguez during Rodriguez's sentencing for his role in the murder of David Duque-Soto.

Alicia Rodriguez told the court her son got caught up with the wrong crowd in high school and that as a young child, he was a curious, smart and funny person. She said she knew her son would do better and that when he was released from prison, she would be there to support him.

Rodriguez, his mother and his attorney, Nathan Kittner, asked for a reduced 10-year sentence for the aggravated manslaughter charge and for the five years for the perjury charge to run concurrently with the sentence, something Judge James Sattely did not approve.

Duque-Soto's mother and sister were at the sentencing, and his mother cried as she gave her victim impact statement through a Spanish translator. Despite Rodriguez's apology and his mother's pleas, she was not forgiving in her statement.

Duque-Soto's mother called Rodriguez a "terrible man" and said he was "the same as the other rats in jail."

"They took away the life of my son for a lousy $1,000," she said through her tears.

When handing down his sentence, Sattely told Rodriguez he hoped the young man would spend his time in prison using the resources provided to him to turn his life around.

Hackensack, NJ -- April 12, 2024 -- Dylan Rodriguez during his sentencing for his role in the murder of David Duque-Soto.

Rodriguez is the fourth of five defendants involved with the killing of Duque-Soto to be sentenced. Burke, who masterminded the robbery gone wrong, is expected to be sentenced in the next few weeks. He pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in April 2022.

Raul Torres and Carlos Burgos, who the state said shot Duque-Soto just minutes after entering his Fourth Street apartment in Fairview. Torres and Burgos pleaded guilty in March 2023 to aggravated manslaughter and were sentenced in May 2023 to 30 years in prison.

Getaway driver David Martinez was sentenced on May 1, 2023, to 30 years after being found guilty of felony murder in March 2023, along with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Fairview NJ shooting leads to sentencing of fourth person
Re: "Lizzette Reynolds, Tennessee education commissioner, suffers for disrupting the status quo," by Joseph R. Murray II, April 10.

Attorney Joseph R. Murrays recent guest opinion column, defending the besmirched honor of Tennessee Education Commission Lizzette Reynolds was as shameless as it was risible.

I do not wish to engage with his argument, stated repeatedly but backed up only by one piece of data  which shows student standardized test scores rising in recent years, and which Gov. Bill Lee himself trumpeted  that public education in Tennessee is a complete failure, a laughingstock.

Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds during a House committee meeting where the school voucher bill was debated at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

If that were the case, Tennesseans would be clamoring in support of Governor Lees voucher program, instead of doing what they have been doing throughout the current legislative session: imploring their representatives to vote against it.

Mr. Murray is, of course, a proponent of that same voucher program. He is hardly a dispassionate observer. The poverty of his argument is underscored by the fact that Ms. Reynolds could find no one else to deliver a defense of her conduct and qualifications.

I would think that an award-winning attorney would conclude, as even some Republicans have admitted, that Ms. Reynolds is unqualified to hold the position to which she has been appointed.

The law is clear on that the commissioner be a person who is qualified to teach in the school of the highest standing over which the commissioner has authority.

Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds was informed of her acceptance at UT Martin on June 13 - about 6 weeks after Gov. Bill Lee announced her appointment, according records obtained through a records request by The Tennessean.

I would also think that an award-winning attorney would know perjury when they see it, and Ms. Reynolds appears to have perjured herself when she lied on her application for a tuition waiver for her teaching certificate at University of Tennessee-Martin, which her office called an "administrative error." The shamelessness of this lie is par for the course for the entire crooked enterprise, fueled by out-of-state money, which seeks to impose vouchers on a state that does not want them.

David Rivera, Brentwood 37027

Point: School choice expansion helps Tennessee parents who have been waiting for better options

Counterpoint: Admit it: Tennessee Senate and House are at odds on school vouchers. It's time to move on

Columnist never says how commissioner makes Tennessee education better

In his column, Joseph R. Murray II laments that Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds has been unfairly criticized for two reasons: first, she fails to meet a pre-existing standard for the position of education commissioner (prior experience as an educator); and second, for falsely representing that she was entitled to a tuition waiver for which she applied (which is only eligible to those who have been employed by the State for at least six months) ostensibly to meet the experience requirement that she lacks.

However, nowhere in his column does Mr. Murray point to any accomplishment by Ms. Reynolds either prior to or after assuming her position with respect to education administration. Nor does Mr. Murray identify any steps taken by Commissioner Reynolds to shake up the establishment that has motivated attacks based on her lack of experience or failure to follow otherwise clear requirements for a tuition waiver.

Mr. Murray suggests that it in order to secure better performance in Tennessee schools it is advisable and commendable to appoint someone without demonstrable and relevant experience in education administration or who can understand and comply with a basic prerequisite for a State funded benefit.

The agenda of the Lee Administration is to further cripple public schools by diverting limited public funding to pay for private school tuition for certain students while not requiring demonstration of any educational progress. For these tasks, Commissioner Reynolds appears to be eminently qualified.

Irwin Venick, Nashville 37205

Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee education: Defense of Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds lacking
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The Ararat Armenian Cemetery in Fresno has had 20 trees set on fire this year, eight of them in just one night, according to the cemeterys board.

Ararat Cementary Board Member Frank Balakian said eight cypress trees were lit on fire early Saturday morning.

Disrespectful: This veterans cemetery is not being looked after, Fresno County report finds

Its arson, said Balekian. Its a deliberate, attack on the cemetery. Were, working with law enforcement, the fire department, to see what can be done.

Balekian says there have been incidents similar to this before. With the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on the horizon, Balakian says the fires were a deliberate attack on the Armenian community.

Balakian says the attack on the cemetery hurts him especially and that he has very close ties to it.

This cemetery is like my home. Its a part of me, my family, and my friends and relatives, said Balakian. The cemetery is historic. It was until recently the only Armenian cemetery in the Western hemisphere, dating back to 1885. Theres a lot of history here.

The Fresno Police Department and the Fresno Fire Department are working to find those responsible for the fires. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
A passenger loads his carry-on suitcase in an overhead compartment on a Delta Air Lines flight at Salt Lake City International Airport, Saturday, March 2, 2024.

Boarding a plane can often be a frustrating experience, particularly due to the lengthy process, straining to hear boarding groups and securing an overhead bin space  all before finally settling into a seat.

However, Delta Air Lines is hoping to streamline this process by changing how it calls boarding groups.

What is Delta Air Lines new boarding process?

Starting May 1, Delta is rolling out numbered boarding zones, one through eight, for all flights. Passengers will receive a zone number instead of boarding groups based on airline status or fare class. However, the boarding order will remain the same, per CBS News.

This change is similar to the process the company used back in early 2019, according to CNN.

Delta said in a statement to CBS News that the simple change will provide customers more clarity into the boarding sequence and make the boarding process more intuitive  especially for infrequent travelers and/or customers who might face a language barrier at the gate.

Numbered zones will also align more closely with our joint venture and international partners, providing international customers a more simplified, consistent experience when traveling on mixed-metal itineraries, Delta continued to CBS News.

To see a visual of the current boarding process and the new numbered boarding zones, check out this graphic from Delta Air Lines.

Should you board a plane first or last?

Hoping to make the boarding process quicker and easier for yourself? Besides having family members, luggage, bathroom breaks and snacks all situated, considering your boarding time can significantly improve efficiency.

Deciding whether to board a plane early or late ultimately comes down to personal priorities for you and your family. On one hand, one author on The Points Guy explains his preference for boarding early when your group is called:

Less stress (makes sure you will not miss your flight).

Available space in the overhead bins for luggage.

More time to get settled in.

Time to sanitize the area youre sitting in.

In comparison, Lonely Planet spoke to individuals about why they board planes last:

Bypass stressful and crowded lines.

Have more leg room and time to stretch before sitting in a tight space on the plane.

There are usually a few spots left in overhead bins. If not, the crew will gate-check the bag.

Why is boarding a plane so inefficient?

According to CNBC, during the 1970s, Southwest Airlines, for example, had an average turn time of 10 minutes, from the planes arrival at the gate to its departure. However, in present times, this figure has extended to approximately 45 to 55 minutes.

New York Magazine found reasons why airline boarding proves inefficient:

Size of overhead bins: Increased checked bag fees, leading to more passengers placing baggage in overhead bins.

Boarding groups: Airlines may have six to 10 distinct groups to board at separate times.

Boarding the plane front to back.

Jason Steffan, an associate professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, studied how to make airplane boarding better, per USA Today.

His computer model analyzed millions of boarding methods and found the fastest one: Passengers in window seats board first, followed by those in middle seats and then aisle seats. However, this approach doesnt account for families staying together or accommodations for disabled passengers, according to USA Today.

Noting this more efficient way is unlikely to be adopted, Steffan suggested other options: Stop trying to get individuals on in a certain order and put carry-on bags away faster, per USA Today.
House Democratic leaders said Tuesday that theyre ready to embrace Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-La.) strategy of splitting an emergency foreign aid package into targeted pieces, but first want assurances that all the components of a Senate-passed bill are a part of the deal.

The Democrats have, for weeks, pushed Johnson to bring a vote on the $95 billion Senate package, which combines military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with humanitarian assistance for Gaza and other global hotspots.

But this week, after Johnson announced his plan to vote on those four provisions separately, Democratic leaders said theyre ready to get on board  if all the major elements of the Senate package are included.

The important point is the substance of the legislation. The substance matters, Rep. Pete Aguilar (Calif.), chairman of the Democratic Caucus, told reporters in the Capitol.

We hope that we can get an agreement today on exactly whats going to be in it, echoed Rep. Katherine Clark (Mass.), the Democratic whip.

The Democrats are waiting for Johnson to release the precise details of his plan, expected on Tuesday. At that time, Aguilar said, several top Democrats  including the heads of the Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Appropriations committees  will review the four bills to ensure they pass the substance test meriting Democratic support.

If those individuals indicate that the substance of the legislation that we are talking about meets that test to help Ukraine, to help our allies, to provide humanitarian assistance, then House Democrats and the leadership team will work to find the process that fits to deliver that, Aguilar said.

Were more concerned about the substance right now than we are the process.

That message marks a shift for Democratic leaders, who have insisted for weeks that Johnson stage a vote specifically on the Senate bill, which passed through the upper chamber in February with a resounding bipartisan vote of 70 to 29. Anything less, they said, would cause an undue delay at a time of urgent need.

We continue to make clear that the only path forward is an up or down vote on the bipartisan, comprehensive, national security bill passed by the Senate, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said last week.

The Democrats openness to Johnsons alternative strategy acknowledges the political dilemmas the Speaker is facing as he seeks to usher the foreign-aid package through a rebellious GOP conference, where scores of conservatives are opposed to major pieces of the Senate bill.

It also reflects the urgency of the situations in Ukraine, where Kyivs beleaguered forces are said to be running low on ammunition, and in Israel, which was attacked by missile strikes from Iran over the weekend.

Some Democrats have hammered Johnsons four-vote plan, voicing concerns that it provides no guarantees that the less popular proposals will make it all the way to President Bidens desk.

I dont think its good, said Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.). I think theyll leave us out to dry on some of the components. We need to do a supplemental thats comprehensive.

Yet some liberal Democrats are actually welcoming Johnsons piecemeal strategy, which will allow them to vote against parts of the Senate package they opposed: namely, offensive weapons for Israel.

I think its important that this not all be lumped together, said Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas). Im a very strong supporter of Ukraine aid. Im also a strong believer that I dont want to be complicit with the policies of Benjamin Netanyahu.

In an effort to make the legislation more appealing to wary conservatives, Johnson and his leadership team have tweaked their messaging pitch with a new emphasis on the billions of dollars that will go to replenish U.S. weapons supplies.

The lions share of that money  at least two-thirds of it  is money that really is used to backfill American stockpiles, American weapon systems, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said Monday. So its not money that would be going to Ukraine.

That message has done little to appease many GOP hardliners, who are furious that Johnson  after insisting for months that any Ukraine aid must be accompanied by tougher security measures at the southern U.S. border  abandoned that demand in unveiling his foreign aid blueprint. Fueling the conservative discontent, Johnson is also not allowing any amendments related to the border.

Im fine with putting individual subjects as a matter of course on the floor, said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). But when its all sort of predetermined, and its gonna leave border off, then youve given up the entire point of the fight.

Democrats, meanwhile, appear most concerned that GOP leaders will scrimp on the humanitarian aid, particularly in Gaza, where Israeli strikes have killed more than 34,000 people.

The Senate bill provided $9.2 billion for food, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid for Gaza, Ukraine and other global hotspots. Many Democrats on Tuesday morning said theyre prepared to oppose any foreign-aid package that falls below that number.

If they take out the aid to Gaza and all the other places that need help, thats a poison pill, said Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.). We need to have humanitarian aid in this.

If Speaker Johnsons version is missing one of these components, its highly unlikely Democrats would support it, echoed Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), the vice chair of the Caucus.

Johnson is planning to bring the four bills to the floor under a single rule. If they all pass, then hell recombine them into a single package to send to the Senate.

That strategy is likely to present the Speaker with an early problem: How to pass the rule given that some conservatives will likely oppose it to block votes on the underlying bills?

The answer might be that hell have to lean on the minority Democrats to pass the rule and bring the four bills to the floor  a highly unusual scenario, but one that Democratic leaders are not ruling out.

There is no option off the table right now, from procedural measures that bring this directly to the floor, to any votes that are options, Aguilar said.

We dont want to sink any plan that delivers any aid to our allies, he said.

Mychael Schnell contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Units of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine have joined the Demining Corps, which will perform mine clearance tasks on the liberated territories of Ukraine.

Source: Colonel Ruslan Berehulia, Head of the Ministry of Defence's Environmental Safety and Mine Action Department, at a briefing at the Military Media Centre, as quoted by ArmyInform

Details: The officer said that there are still difficulties, there is a lack of sufficient vehicles, special equipment and machinery.

Quote: "The Demining Corps has been created. As of today, units of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine have joined it and will perform tasks on the liberated territories. We have already created 1,000 mine clearance teams.

We are working with our foreign partners who have joined the coalition for mine clearance. Thanks to our joint work, we should expect to receive financial and technical assistance in the near future. This will allow us to complete the units that make up the Demining Corps."

Details: Berehulia added that these units are currently operating in Mykolaiv, Kherson and Kharkiv oblasts.

It was stated at the briefing that the Demining Corps will consist of 5,000 specialists. Its tasks will include: inspecting the territories, rapid response mine clearance, and humanitarian demining.

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Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), a former federal prosecutor, weighed in on former President Trumps first day in court for his hush money trial, saying hes glad the jury selection process is exhaustive because the sanctity of the pool of jurors will be vital in the case.

So, I wonder who is actually pulling him or herself out because of bias. Is it bias against Trump? Is it bias for Trump? Its very hard to tell, Goldman told MSNBCs Jen Psaki on Monday evening. But I am glad that there will be an exhaustive voir dire of the jurors because I do think that the sanctity of the jury pool is going to be vital in this trial.

This is going to be a model for many Americans as to how criminal trials work, how our countrys rule of law operates, he added. And how no person, whether the former president or anyone else, is above the law.

Trump made history Monday as the first former or current U.S. president to face a criminal trial. Prosecutors in the case alleged Trump illegally falsified business records when reimbursing his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, for paying adult film actor Stormy Daniels to cover up an alleged affair ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Nearly 100 New Yorkers filled the courtroom for the first day of jury selection. But by the time the day wrapped up, it was clear how difficult it would be to find an impartial panel of jurists.

Among the 96 potential jurors who showed up, around half told the judge they could not be fair and impartial in the former presidents trial. Jury selection process will continue Tuesday morning, but the search could easily drag on.

Ultimately, 12 jurors and six alternates need to be chosen.

Goldman said the trial will give many Americans an idea of how criminal trials and the countrys rule of law work because Trump will be treated as any other defendant and politicization will have to stay out of the courtroom.

The only thing that will come in will be facts and evidence, according to the rule of law, Goldman told Psaki, the former White House press secretary. And these jurors will ultimately decide whether or not the evidence  proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Donald Trump committed these crimes.

Thats what our great system is based on, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Denmark's historic stock exchange in Copenhagen goes up in flames

A general view of the old stock exchange. The historic stock exchange in the Danish capital Copenhagen is on fire. picture alliance / dpa

The historic stock exchange in the Danish capital Copenhagen is on fire.

The top of the building's tower collapsed in flames on Tuesday morning. Several streets and the area around the building have been cordoned off, the city's police said.

Heavy smoke and high flames could be seen coming from the building. The Copenhagen police said that the area will remain cordoned off for some time.

The cause of the fire was initially unclear. The building was completed in 1625, and is one of the oldest in Copenhagen. The building is currently undergoing renovations and is covered in scaffolding.

The renovation was intended to correct previous work carried out in the 19th century, and restore the building's facade to its original appearance.
The scenes are unprecedented. A group of 12 heavily armed agents forced their way into the Mexican Embassy in Quito, treated the diplomatic corps roughly and forcibly removed former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who had been granted political asylum by Mexico. This extreme breach of agreements governing bilateral relations on April 5 has triggered a severe crisis with uncertain repercussions. Mexico has now filed a complaint against Ecuador at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, and seeks a temporary suspension of Ecuadors membership in the United Nations.

The conflict between Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and President Daniel Noboa, his right-wing counterpart in Ecuador, is a significant challenge in Latin America, but its not the sole source of diplomatic tensions. Venezuela recently passed a law unilaterally annexing the Essequibo region in neighboring Guyana, and President Nicolas Maduro has frequently clashed with almost everyone in Latin America. His controversial handling of the presidential candidate registration process drew criticism even from left-wing leaders like Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Tensions with Chile escalated, prompting President Gabriel Boric to recall his ambassador from Caracas for consultations. Chilean prosecutors have also accused the Venezuela government of involvement in the murder of an exiled Venezuelan former military officer.

Meanwhile, Argentine President Javier Milei has had more disputes than agreements with fellow Latin American leaders since taking office last December. In Central America, the Daniel Ortega-Rosario Murillo regime is increasingly isolated, while El Salvadors Nayib Bukele rancorously defends his Draconian security measures. Latin America is awash in diplomatic strife.

The Mexican Embassy assault

The Mexico-Ecuador crisis began well before the world saw Ecuadorian police force Mexicos top diplomat in Quito to his knees in his own embassy. Ecuadorian police had surrounded the Mexican Embassy on April 5, a few hours after Mexico granted political asylum to former Vice President Jorge Glas. Embassies hold a revered status in international politics and are regarded as sovereign territory. None of the Mexican officials within those walls could have fathomed the events that unfolded until a sudden knock jolted them into an unexpected reality.

Jorge Glas (from the Rafael Correa administration) had been holed up in the Mexican Embassy since last December, and after several acrimonious exchanges between the two countries, Mexico formally granted Glas asylum and requested his safe passage out of the country. Noboa stood by his decision to breach the embassy in an interview with the Australian news outlet SBS on April 15, and said he was open to a friendly chat with Lopez Obrador over tacos and ceviche. But the embassy attack has been unanimously decried in the international community, adding yet another layer of complexity to Latin American foreign policy.

The Essequibo affair

The president of Venezuela's National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez, displays the official record of the referendum to annex Guyana's Essequibo region; December 2023. Getty Images (Getty Images)

Another recent event that caused alarm in Washington and the United Nations was Nicolas Maduros move on Guyana. The dispute over almost 62,000 square miles (160,000 square kilometers) of Essequibo, a mineral-rich jungle region, has been smoldering for over 200 years. Now Maduro has decided to fan the flames of a territorial dispute that has languished at the ICJ since 2018. Most of the people who live in Essequibo speak English and have Guyanese identity documents, which are currently under scrutiny in the ICJ case.

The Essequibo affair has sputtered in Venezuelas political narrative for decades, but Maduro revived it last year in the run-up to presidential elections on July 28. He launched a referendum to annex the territory, appointed authorities to govern the region, and officially changed Venezuelas maps to include Essequibo. Troops were mobilized amid frantic communications between the two countries, alarming regional leaders and prompting mediation.

Venezuela, again

For years, decisions and words coming out of Caracas have strained the regional political landscape. The exclusion of the main opposition candidate, Maria Corina Machado, from the presidential candidate registration process has led to widespread criticism. Expressions of concern and alarm flooded social media, including from left-wing governments. Among the regions progressive leaders, Chilean President Gabriel Boric has a particularly tense relationship with Maduro.

Chiles Undersecretary of the Interior, Manuel Monsalve, recently characterized his countrys relationship with Venezuela: Weve been trying to set up a good political climate for months. But things have taken a dramatic turn for the worse in the past few weeks. The latest point of friction was when Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil called the Tren de Aragua criminal network a fiction created by the international media. That led Boric to recall Ambassador Jaime Gazmuri from his post in Venezuela. Before Gazmuris 2023 appointment, Chile hadnt had an ambassador in Caracas since 2018. That episode marked the start of a wider crisis. The abduction and murder of Venezuelan opposition leader Ronald Ojeda with asylum in Chile, had all the markings of a political hit by Caracas, further straining bilateral relations.

Mileis mouth

Argentine President Javier Milei delivers a speech after his swearing-in ceremony attended by regional leaders like Gabriel Boric, Daniel Noboa and Jair Bolsonaro; Buenos Aires, December 2023. AGUSTIN MARCARIAN (Reuters)

During his four months in office, Javier Milei has had more disputes than agreements with other Latin American leaders. The first one started even before he took office, when he was drawing up the invitation list for his December 10 inauguration ceremony. Milei first extended an invitation to former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, with whom he shares a strong ideological bond. He later reluctantly invited Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whom he has called corrupt and a communist. Unsurprisingly, Lula declined the invitation.

More recently, Mileis acerbic tongue has been unleashed on Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He called Petro a terrorist murderer and Lopez Obrador ignorant. Both governments reacted and their respective foreign ministries scrambled to avoid an escalation of insults. That didnt stop Lopez Obrador from retorting, I still do not understand how the Argentines, being so intelligent elected someone like Milei.

After several tense days, Colombia and Argentina issued a joint statement to calm the waters, averting expulsions of diplomats. The relationship between Mexico and Argentina was less contentious, but the flurry of barbs clearly exposed animosity between the leaders of two major Latin American countries.

With reporting by Georgina Zerega, Carolina Mella, Florantonia Singer, Antonia Laborde and Mar Centenera.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A body was found early Tuesday morning, April 16 in San Elizario, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office.

The Sheriffs Office says just before 1 a.m., deputies were dispatched to Dindinger and Salcido Road in San Elizario about a body that was found.

Deputies arrived at the scene and discovered an unresponsive body with no apparent signs of life at the fence line, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office.

The Major Crimes Unit is currently investigating the incident, and the Tribal Fire Department assisted at the scene.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Deputy arrested, sheriff says murdered tow truck driver may be linked to carjacking victims death

Two murders in two separate Central Florida counties last week now appear to be connected, according to investigators.

We told you last week about the Seminole County carjacking and abduction that ultimately ended in the death of Katherine Aguasvivas.

We also reported on a shooting in Orange County that took the life of Juan Cintron-Garcia.

Read: Sheriff: Car used in carjacking, kidnapping near Winter Springs tied to Taft murder 1 day earlier

On Monday, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said he believes the suspect vehicle and weapon in both cases seem to tie the two together.

Katherines father told our affiliate station in Miami that finding out about the death was a heavy blow to the whole family.

He asked to remain anonymous out of fear for his family following what happened but said Katherine always took care of them.

Sheriff Lemma said Katherine was carjacked and abducted last Thursday at a stoplight in Winter Springs.

The crime was all caught on cellphone video.

In the video, you can see a masked man holding a gun go up to the white SUV Katherine was in and appear to threaten her, then get in the back seat.

Read: Orange County deputy accused of calling detective to obtain information about carjacking, kidnapping

They take off and are followed by a green Acura.

Whats unique about a 2002 green Acura in the state of Florida is that there are only three in the state of Florida, said Sheriff Lemma. Two had been salvaged and only one existed in the state.

Investigators said back in March that the same car was towed from an apartment complex in Orange County.

The tow truck driver of that particular tow of this vehicle was a murder victim in Orange County that happened one day before our kidnapping murder, said Sheriff Lemma.

The tow truck driver was identified as Juan Cintron-Garcia.

Read: Madeline Sotos biological father says he was blindsided by her death, seeks closure

Witnesses told investigators a similar green car was spotted at the scene where Cintron-Garcia was shot and killed last Wednesday night in Taft.

Our cameras captured dozens of bullet holes and evidence markers left behind, where were told more than a hundred rounds were fired.

Many of those rounds, according to the Seminole County Sheriff, were 10mm rounds matching the rounds found at a construction site in Osceola County where Katherines burned SUV and body were found.

An incredibly unique and uncommon round for us to see out on the streets, said Sheriff Lemma.

I absolutely think [the murders] are connected, but well have to have physical evidence that absolutely proves that.

The green Acura was found over the weekend, but the people who were inside and are believed to have committed both crimes have not been located. The sheriffs office is asking for the publics help to find them.

We also learned an Orange County deputy was arrested for his alleged involvement in the case.

That deputy is facing five felony charges related to wiretapping and unlawful use of police databases.

Sheriff Lemma said Deputy Francisco Estrella contacted Seminole Countys lead investigator assigned to the case and used a fake name and claimed he was an Orange County Detective as well as a cousin to the victim.

It was all to relay information about the case to the victims husband.

Law enforcement expert Randy Nelson says there are rules in place to prevent these kinds of abuse of power.

Law enforcement have information and have access to information, but only in an official capacity, said Nelson. Not - cant use it for personal reasons or outside. So, if guilty, he was outside of due bounds because he was using information outside of his personal capacity and was sharing that information which was confidential.

Investigators said Estrella sent the victims husband a recorded conversation he had with deputies -- as well as screenshots from a law enforcement database.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The EU should be able to offer a negotiating framework to begin the process of Ukraines ascension to the European Union in June, Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said during a press briefing on April 16, as reported by the Hromadske news outlet.

Stefanishyna, who is in Brussels this week to meet with European foreign ministers, said Kyiv is receiving "optimistic indicators" about upcoming negotiations.

In November 2023, the European Commission  the Union's executive arm  recommended the launch of accession talks with Kyiv but said four additional reforms must be implemented. The European Council then agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine the following month.

Katarina Mathernova, the current EU ambassador to Ukraine, said that Kyiv must first carry out "fundamental institutional reforms" to improve the rule of law and the judicial system before formally joining the European Union.

"This is not a secret; it is something we talk about openly, which is required not only from Ukraine but from everyone who wants to join the EU," Mathernova said.

Stefanishyna announced earlier this year that Ukraine had fulfilled all four recommendations set forth by the European Commission to approve the framework for Ukraine's EU accession negotiations.

The Commission then proposed a draft framework for the membership talks with Ukraine on the same day.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal later said that European Council President Charles Michel had named 2030 as a possible target year for further EU enlargement but added that the Commission would work to try to integrate Ukraine on a faster timeline.

Read also: Ukraines anti-corruption bureau makes progress yet doesnt take on top presidential allies

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Gender Queer, a graphic memoir by Maia Kobabe, was the most challenged book in America in 2022, according to the American Library Association. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

The DeSantis administration plans to punish teachers and principals deemed to be exploiting public school book challenges to, in the governors view, weaponize Floridas parental rights laws.

DeSantis leveled that charge Monday during a news conference in Pensacola. On Tuesday, he raised it again during a second news conference in Jacksonville, where he signed legislation restricting nonparents to one book challenge per month.

The challenges come under state law allowing anyone to complain about the content of classroom materials they deem objectionable or pornographic. The laws require removal of challenged books pending reviews that can take considerable time. DeSantis began trying to tone down the situation in February, in advance of the 2024 legislative session.

Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses a news conference on April 16, 2024, in Jacksonville. Source: Screenshot/DeSantis Facebook

Manny, in the Department of Education, theyre going to be holding many principals or teachers accountable who are weaponizing this, DeSantis said Tuesday, referring to Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr.

DeSantis cited Sarasota County teachers who papered over every book in the classroom, saying, Oh! You cant have books! The states not letting me show you books! Thats a lie. Thats not true. Thats performative.

And so, thats somebody whos entrusted to teach kids putting their political agenda over the best interests of the students education and their access to learning. Thats wrong; thats not going to stand in the state of Florida. So, we dont have time for your activism; we dont have time for your nonsense. We have a process in place to empower parents, the governor said.

Teachers told the Sarasota Herald Tribune in January 2023 that they feared prosecution if they put students in contact with unvetted books.

The Phoenix asked the administration for an explanation of any investigations launched or punishment inflicted on school employees but hasnt heard back yet.

Rebuttal

Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar issued a rebuttal in the form of a written statement.

Its important to remember that Gov. DeSantis full throated support is the reason why fringe groups who do not represent the majority of Floridians and often do not have students in the classroom have felt so comfortable removing books off shelves and making Florida the leader in the nation on book banning, Spar said.

Andrew Spar, president, Florida Education Association. Credit: FEA

This rule does nothing to fix the vague language that caused the issue in the first place, no matter how much the Governor and Commissioner Manny Diaz try to shift blame. Schools, teachers, and media specialists have long been asking for guidance on this issue and once again, instead of providing students what they need, Floridas elected and appointed officials decide to play the blame game instead of taking responsibility, Spar continued.

The American Library Association has reported that the bulk of the book challenges nationally come from conservatives.

Recent censorship data are evidence of a growing, well-organized, conservative political movement, the goals of which include removing books about race, history, gender identity, sexuality, and reproductive health from Americas public and school libraries that do not meet their approval, the association says in a written statement on its website.

Using social media and other channels, these groups distribute book lists to their local chapters and individual adherents, who then utilize the lists to initiate a mass challenge that can empty the shelves of a library, the association continues.

Florida saw 2,672 titles challenged during 2023, it says.

Meanwhile, PEN America recorded 1,406 book ban cases in Florida during the 2022-2023 school year, which accounted for 40% of the national total.

One challenge per customer

The new law (HB 1285) restricts challenges by people without children in a school district to one per month, while parents and guardians remain free to issue unlimited challenges.

Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. Credit: Florida Department of Education

That would still allow 12 challenges by nonparents per year, Diaz observed during Tuesdays news conference. However, Anyone who creates a cottage industry of going around the state and just creating challenges just to gunk up the system and put schools in arrears as far as reviewing these books, that person wont be able to do it anymore, Diaz said.

DeSantis complained that the news media have inflated challenges against classic books and biographies of important Americans while playing down other materials, including LGBTQ content, that he considers unsuitable for young kids or even pornographic.

Theyve said, Oh, you know, youre not having Rosa Parks  and yet thats on the summer reading list. Things about Hank Aaron, a book of the month from the Department of Education. So thats clearly a bad-faith challenge, just trying to create a narrative, DeSantis said.

Some of those bad-faith actions have been done from people within the school system who are doing that to try to create a narrative. So, Manny will be able to hold those folks accountable because clearly theres nothing in Florida law that would tell you to do that, he continued.

Spar observed: What Gov. DeSantis and Commissioner Manny Diaz always seem to forget when they attack public schools is that they have failed public schools through their punitive policies that have worsened the teacher and staff shortage and kept teacher and staff pay low. It is clear their political agenda is more important than the needs of Floridas students.

The post DeSantis ratchets up the rhetoric against weaponization of school book challenges appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida  Florida residents who dont have children attending school will have significantly fewer chances to challenge books in local K-12 libraries under a new law signed Tuesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Meant to curb what lawmakers described as a logistical nightmare facing school districts flooded with requests to remove books, the policy marks an admission from Republican leaders that last years expansions to book challenge laws may have gone too far after national backlash from free speech groups and even some conservatives.

In backing the idea, DeSantis said Florida wants to stamp out frivolous challenges as activists from all ends of the political spectrum are objecting to everything under the sun.

Schools are there to serve the community, DeSantis said Monday during an event touting the legislation. Schools are not there for you to try to go on some ideological joyride at the expense of our kids.

Residents who dont have a child in school will only be able to challenge one title per month under the new law. It is a significant piece of FL HB1285 (24R), a wide-ranging education bill that also addresses struggling public schools and includes policies to benefit military families.

The new law, in part, is a response to a 2023 policy requiring schools to pull books considered pornographic, harmful to minors or that depict sexual activity within five days of an objection and keep them out of circulation for the duration of any challenge. That law caused a national outcry after local schools received hundreds of challenges to a wide range of books, leading officials to review titles such as Ernest Hemingways For Whom the Bell Tolls and And Tango Makes Three, a kids book about a penguin family with two dads.

According to the free speech advocacy group PEN America, Florida has banned more books than any other state  some 1,406 works total. A legislative analysis found that districts removed 386 books during the 2022-2023 school year.

Some book transparency advocates say the limit on challenges is good on its face yet falls short for not targeting the state rule surrounding book objections. They contend the law wont slow down some of the states more prolific book challengers, such as one person in Clay County responsible for 94 percent of local objections. As such, some Democratic lawmakers criticized the new policy for being too lax in fixing the loopholes plaguing the current rules. It passed the Legislature with most Democrats in opposition.

The new law is not mission accomplished on stopping the needless censorship happening in [Florida] schools, but it might slow it in certain areas, according to the Florida Freedom to Read Project, an organization that monitors local book challenges.

State officials including DeSantis have downplayed accusations that the state is banning books and label the claims as a hoax. DeSantis and other conservatives argue the law is meant to target books that broach sensitive topics like sexuality and gender orientation  such as Gender Queer: A Memoir for showing sex acts and Flamer, which depicts young boys performing sexual acts at a summer camp. School boards should use common sense in considering book objections, according to DeSantis.

The idea that a parent sending their kid to school should have to worry about some of the garbage that weve seen out there put into their school system, no you shouldnt have to worry about that as a parent, DeSantis said Monday at an event in Pensacola. You should rest assured, send your kid to first grade  they are not going to be told they are born in the wrong body. In Florida, that is not going to happen.

As one example of an ongoing book challenge, the Broward County school board on Tuesday is considering a local objection to the Holy Bible: King James Version. The objection called into question several verses that reference sexuality, though school officials recommend allowing the Bible to remain available to students in all grade levels.
Detroit Public Television is moving its headquarters from Wixom, at the fringes of the metro area, into the heart of Detroit and rebranding itself in the process.

Now rebranded as Detroit PBS, the nonprofit media organization said it purchased a former engineering facility that once belonged to General Motors on Piquette Avenue, between John R and Brush streets. The building will be renovated and expanded for a traditional television station and more.

The building purchased by Detroit PBS for its new headquarters in the city.

The estimated cost of the new campus is $30 million. Construction is expected to begin later this year, with an opening scheduled for fall 2026. The area is south of Detroit's New Center, tucked between Interstate 75 and Woodward Avenue and just north of I-94.

The building is expected to house more than 100 employees and will have 120 parking spaces.

Detroit PBS sold its building in Wixom, visible from I-96, last year and staff relocated to another building in the area until construction is completed.

Building purchased by Detroit PBS for its new headquarters in the city

"Our return to Detroit represents more than the culmination of more than a decade of commitment to Detroit," said Rich Homberg, president, and CEO of PBS Detroit.

"The focus of our content and engagement starts in the city and expands outward to the far reaches of southeast Michigan, becoming a unifying force in the region," Homberg said in a news release Tuesday announcing the new building and new name.

In an interview Monday, Homberg said Detroit PBS was "blown away" by the building, which had been idle. He said the headquarters will cover about 50,000 square feet and will include seven different, fully equipped video locations throughout, including a theater-style studio and indoor-outdoor performing space.

Detroit PBS is Michigan's only community-licensed public television station, operating independently of any educational institution or government entity. It has more than 2 million weekly viewers across its five channels. According to a news release, Detroit PBS is also the state's largest and most-watched public television station. Detroit PBS reaches nearly 4 million monthly visitors through its websites, YouTube channels, and social media platforms.

It is known for its children's programming, notably "Sesame Street," and most recently, "Lyla in the Loop."

A rendering of a new recording studio inside the Detroit PBS building in Detroit

Related: More about Detroit PBS

According to a news release, the new campus will house the organization's headquarters, video production and broadcasts, 90.9 WRCJ radio production and broadcasts, art performances, journalism hub, and community events space.

"This new space provides new opportunities in all of our mission pillars," said Melissa Roy, chair of the board of trustees. "Education, arts and culture, journalism and public affairs, and energy and the environment, will have room to grow and deepen engagement with our community via television, online and beyond."

Detroit Public Television has been a part of the community since 1955. Nearly 20 years ago, it announced its move to Wixom, driven by a federal mandate at the time to convert to digital television broadcasting.

But it never really left the city of Detroit. Over the past two decades, 90.9 WRCJ, a jazz and classical music station, has continually broadcast from the city, with television production happening in the city and a journalism bureau, first at the Detroit Historical Museum and now at Marygrove College.

Detroit PBS is governed by the Detroit Education Television Foundation, and its operations include WTVS-TV, 90.9 WRCJ, multiple digital learning channels, such as the Michigan Learning Channel, online properties, and initiatives such as PBS books. Those efforts are also being rebranded, to Detroit Public Media, to reflect that its mission extends beyond television.

WTVS-TV, known for years as Channel 56, will also be rebranded to Detroit PBS.

Detroit PBS had also adopted a new slogan: "imagine the possibilities." The news release said the phrasing will "communicate the power of its programming, platforms and community outreach. It serves as a positive affirmation and emotional connection to the community, especially the children who have long been inspired by PBS shows."

Roy, the board chair, said the new name will provide a more connected brand in today's digital landscape, where viewing extends beyond traditional TV to a multiplatform world of apps, phones, tablets, and social media.

She said this ensures "Detroit PBS remains relevant now and in the future, while also leaving room for future innovations."

Related: Sesame Street visits Detroit for 50th anniversary, films for November episode

Contact Jennifer Dixon: jbdixon@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit PBS has new name, new building, but same commitment to city
Seniors living in rental housing in Detroit are dealing with mold infestation, vermin, lack of heat and inadequate security measures.

Thats according to residents and advocates who gathered Monday for a news conference at Gabriel Richard Park alongside Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and members of Council Member At-Large Mary Waters office. The group said Detroit seniors are facing poor living conditions in apartment complexes throughout the city and called for officials, property owners and community members to provide safe housing and hold negligent landlords accountable.

Our seniors should be treated with dignity and respect, Sheffield said. If they raise concerns within their buildings about issues, they should be addressed expeditiously.

Residents and advocates gathered for a news conference Monday with Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield about seniors living in poor rental housing conditions.

The District 5 council member said she represents people in more than 26 rental buildings, the majority of which are for seniors, and more than half have issues. There is a lack of cleanliness and safety measures, Sheffield said, and complex managers are slow to respond to complaints.

"What we're hearing is that either its not being addressed, or if it is being addressed, its substandard, or if it is being addressed, it takes forever, Sheffield said.

Residents say they feel unsafe and contend there is drug activity and robberies happening in the buildings. They want security and safety measures. At the same time, seniors are afraid to complain for fear of repercussions, speakers said.

I've seen so many mice. Ive had roaches. And I'm sick of it, said Nancy Hall Smith, 71, a five-year tenant of River Towers, a senior apartment complex on East Jefferson Avenue.

Smith said she saw a dead mouse last week and that mice ate through her kitchens new baseboard. The mice have been addressed several times but she worries about the critters coming back every day. She also said her building needs a security gate.

Susan Carroll, vice president of Associated Management Company, which manages River Towers, said in an emailed statement that pest issues are responded to immediately, but it takes time to resolve because it requires residents to report the problem and follow instructions throughout the treatment. Carroll said the company works to resolve drug-related issues and that residents found to have illegal drugs are issued a lease violation and could go through the eviction process.

Noise complaints are addressed by management, Carroll said, and the building is part of the citys Project Green Light (a public-private community safety program) and has attendants in the lobby around the clock.

We take all concerns raised by our residents seriously and address them promptly. The community has a resident council who meet regularly to discuss issues and concerns. Our staff will attend these meetings when our presence is requested, Carroll said. Residents are encouraged to put any concerns in writing and direct them to management. Very few written complaints have been received. We are happy to look into the issues brought up during this meeting.

She said River Towers has passed all local and state inspections and holds a certificate of compliance from the city of Detroit.

AID DRYING UP: Program that has prevented thousands of evictions in Michigan is running out of money

Detroit tenants have long raised concerns about rental housing in the city. The city's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) has issued thousands of rental blight violation tickets this year and in 2023. Last year, the city of Detroit announced a program for small-scale property owners of duplexes and other types of rentals to get repair grants and rebates for bringing their properties up to code. Landlords can also get trained to understand the dangers of lead paint and lead paint compliance.

"I look forward to working with Council President Sheffield, Council Member Waters and the tenant councils on addressing concerns in apartment buildings, holding property management companies accountable and increasing the quality of life for Detroit's residents," BSEED Director David Bell said in a statement Tuesday.

Sheffield said she plans to convene a roundtable with city officials and 10 building owners and managers within District 5, which has received the most complaints, and then work with them to address issues.

If they're good actors, then maybe it's just some help that needs to be provided. And if they're bad actors  they just don't want to get things right  then we're going to go actively, aggressively after them. There have been tickets issued in a lot of these situations and sometimes they pay them and they don't fix things, Sheffield said.

Housing issues are top of mind for other Detroit City Council members, too.

Waters, in a news release, said she is proud to have led the fight to establish a Tenants Rights Commission in Detroit. That commission will help improve housing quality and access to affordable housing, Waters said.

We're not saying all landlords are bad landlords, but the ones that are slumlords, these scam lords, these people who are not maintaining their property and treating our residents with disrespect  it's over for that. We have to take action now, not later, Joanna Underwood, a policy analyst for Waters office, said during the news conference Monday.

Last week, staff from Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloways office gathered for an emergency protest over complaints and housing violations across apartment complexes in Palmer Park.

Demonstrators there said the owner  Urban Communities  has received hundreds of violations from Detroits BSEED and contended that residents have dealt with the loss of heat and hot water, broken locks and windows and a nonfunctioning elevator.

Juwan Outlaw, community relations manager for Whitfield Calloways office, said the owner came on his radar in November after calls about no heat. An avalanche of other issues and complaints came in.

This is one of the first times I have come across a landlord completely ignoring tenants, completely ignoring the violations from BSEED, Outlaw said.

On its website, Urban Communities says it plans to restore the Palmer Park neighborhood to its full potential.

Urban Communities did not respond to emails seeking comment. GMS is the property management company, Outlaw said. In an email, GMS said it does not manage the properties and that they were improperly assigned to GMS and are under receivership and to contact the receiver law firm. That firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Palmer Park Apartment Buildings Historic District is recognized for its distinct and varied architecture. Several apartment buildings in the neighborhood are in clear disrepair, with boarded up doors and windows and chipped and faded columns.

Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com; 313-348-7558. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @NushratR.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit seniors on rental housing conditions: Mold, vermin, no heat
Summit Carbon Solutions wants to build a carbon dioxide pipeline network to connect to at least 30 Iowa ethanol producers. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Supervisors of Dickinson County voted unanimously Tuesday to implement new restrictions on the placement of carbon dioxide pipelines to create larger buffers between them and people and animals.

Weve tried to balance both sides, said Bill Leupold, chairperson of the countys five-member board of supervisors. I think this ordinance does it.

By approving the ordinance  and waiving two other votes to make it effective immediately  the county faces the threat of litigation from Summit Carbon Solutions, a company that is on the cusp of potentially receiving approval for its project from Iowa regulators.

Summit seeks to build a five-state pipeline system to transport captured carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to North Dakota for underground storage. It has sued five other Iowa counties that have enacted similar ordinances.

Dickinsons ordinance includes less-restrictive separation distances, which county leaders have hoped will preclude them from litigation.

Summits pipeline system would pass through the east side of Dickinson County. (Iowa Utilities Board filing)

Notably, they reduced the distance from cities from two miles to 1,600 feet, or by about 85%. There is a similar setback requirement for homes. The ordinance also requires the pipelines to be at least a half mile from schools, nursing homes, medical facilities and public parks, and 1,000 feet from livestock operations.

However, the reduced distances still have the potential to affect Summits planned route through the county that is currently being weighed by the Iowa Utilities Board.

A federal judge issued permanent injunctions in December to bar Shelby and Story counties from enforcing their pipeline ordinances. The ruling said the IUB has authority over pipeline routes and the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration governs their safety.

The courts see setbacks as safety standards, which fall under the exclusive authority of the federal agencies, not local ordinances, Scott OKonek, a Summit project manager, told the Dickinson supervisors before their vote.

OKonek said despite the adjustments to the Dickinson ordinance, it is still very similar to those adopted by Shelby and Story. Appeals of the injunctions for those ordinances are pending.

A Summit spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request to comment about the Dickinson ordinance.

The county ordinances stem largely from residents concerns about pipeline safety. A catastrophic pipeline breach can create a plume of carbon dioxide that hugs the ground and can travel long distances, potentially asphyxiating people and animals.

The board of supervisors is duty bound to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Dickinson County, Bonnie Ewoldt, of Milford, said during the supervisors meeting. So I urge you to pass this ordinance in spite of Summits stated intent to sue the county. This is simply evidence of the way Summit bullies its way through.

Ewoldt was among a handful of residents who spoke in favor of the ordinance, and none spoke against it. Vicki Beck, of Spirit Lake, said she lives near enough to Summits proposed route to be potentially affected by a pipeline break but not sufficiently close to take part in its permit proceedings as an affected landowner.

As far as Summit is concerned, I have no say, Beck said. But I live less than 1,600 feet from their pipeline. So, I should have a say, and this (ordinance) is doing that.

Summit has repeatedly said its carbon dioxide pipeline system will be the safest that has been constructed to date. In recent months, it has made new agreements to more than double the number of ethanol producers  for a total of 30  that might connect to the system in Iowa.

Safety of the landowners, communities and our workers is ingrained in our corporate values and reflected in all we do, OKonek said. Protecting local communities and the landscape is our top priority.

Summits project is expected to cost more than $8 billion. The company and ethanol producers would benefit from generous federal tax credits that reward companies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ethanol plants would further be able to sell their fuels in low-carbon markets.

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The post Dickinson County leaders unanimously approve pipeline ordinance appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
New Discovery Suggests Riley Strain May Have Hinted That His Drink Was Roofied

A new discovery may lead investigators to look into the possibility of foul play after Riley Strain's mom revealed a text message from her son the night he disappeared.

As The Blast previously reported, Riley's body was found in a river two weeks after he went missing. The student was last seen by his friends at Luke Bryan's bar in downtown Nashville after he was reportedly kicked out of the establishment.

Before he went missing, Riley's mom, Michelle Whiteid, says she was texting him throughout the evening, but one message may raise more questions for investigators.

Riley Strain Was In Contact With His Mom The Night Of His Disappearance

Whiteid and Gilbert Family

When news first broke that Riley was missing, Riley's stepfather, Chris Whiteid, told WSMV of Nashville that Riley FaceTimed his mom around 8 p.m. that evening and gave her "a hard time because she was already in bed."

He and his buddy were having a good time, and he just wanted to show me that he was having a good time, Michelle Whiteid told NewsNations Markie Martin on 'Morning in America' at the time.

Now, more details begin to surface from the night Riley went MIA.

Was Riley Strain Drugged?

The Strain Family

Weeks after Riley's body was discovered in the river, his mom is now revealing she received a text message from her son, indicating his drink may have been drugged.

According to TMZ, Michelle Whiteid told NewsNation that Riley told her the rum and coke that he ordered at Luke Bryan's 32 Bridge bar did "not taste good" and tasted like barbecue. Michelle says she told her son he probably shouldn't have been drinking it then.

She is convinced that Riley's drink was roofied at the bar, as it was the last place he was before wandering the streets. "Maybe there was something in it that shouldn't have been," she stated in the interview, which will air later on Tuesday, April 16.

As The Blast previously reported, the bar claimed Riley was only served one drink and two glasses of water. The establishment also stated they provided police with receipts, transaction records, and time stamps to back their claims.

Investigators Say There Is No Indication Of Foul Play

Whiteid and Gilbert Family

While Michelle thinks there is foul play involved in her son's death, investigators have stated they believe his death was an accident. They removed something from the river, and as they moved it, they noticed Mr. Strain and called it in, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake said at the time of the discovery.

While the autopsy appears to have ruled the death accidental, the medical examiner's office has not yet released details regarding their findings of the toxicology report.

Riley's family has been outspoken about their beliefs that Riley's death was not accidental, claiming something else happened to their loved one.

Medical Professional Gives Insight Into Riley Strain's Death

Whiteid and Gilbert Family

While reports came out claiming the autopsy found a "lack of water" in Riley's lungs at the time of death, Dr. Michael Baden says there is a reasonable explanation as to why.

"It's not the water that causes harm" in a drowning, the doctor told FOX, "it's the blockage of oxygen getting to the lungs."

He added, "So, if somebody goes in the water and because of a spasm of the windpipe, because  if you can't breathe, you get a little spasm there. It's the lack of oxygen that causes the person to die. And one can have [a] lack of oxygen and water without water getting into the lungs, but just by creating a spasm in the air passages," he explained.

The public must await the findings of the toxicology reports before these questions are answered.

The Strain Family Orders A Second Autopsy

Whiteid and Gilbert Family

Per The Blast's previous report, Rileys body was found without several personal belongings and clothing items, including his phone, pants, belt, wallet, and boots. His credit card was found near the river days before his body was discovered.

Weve had a lot of questions as far as pants, belt, wallet, [and] boots, and none of those items have been found. Were pretty certain that he would have been wearing a belt at the time," Ryan Gilbert, Rileys father, said, per KY3.

Riley Strain's family has ordered a second autopsy, and are hoping one of the two autopsies being done will help answer their questions.

Riley had a swimmers body. [The belt] would have been snug to him, riding on his hips.  As soon as we found out he had a belt on that night, [it] totally changes the dynamics of why those articles are missing," family spokesperson Chris Dingman said on 'Elizabeth Vargas Reports', per NewsNation.
Fatime Letifova

There are plans to create a green energy corridor from the Caspian Sea to the European Union, Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov said, speaking at the second annual summit on green hydrogen in the UAE, Azernews reports.

Now we are planning to create a green energy corridor from the Caspian Sea to the European Union. At the same time, we have another important project that connects us with the countries of Central Asia. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan have united to build another green energy corridor, where green hydrogen is one of the important components, he said.

According to the minister, much remains to be done to ensure that hydrogen becomes a significant factor in the full transition to renewable energy.

We also understand from what we are doing in our country to develop hydrogen that we need specific national strategies in this area, we need legal frameworks, regulatory support, and, of course, we need major investments in this area. It is also clear that competitive production and large infrastructure for production, storage, and transportation are needed, Shahbazov noted.

He added that the production and use of hydrogen, as an important part of the green transition in the world, is one of the important elements of the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

The minister noted that Azerbaijan has already included the issue of developing hydrogen production in various development strategy documents.

The main strategy for the socio-economic development of the country also includes the development of the hydrogen industry and its use both within the country and for export, the minister said.

He added that Azerbaijan has also declared a green energy zone in the recently liberated territories, where, among other things, hydrogen will be produced.

According to the minister, there is great potential in the Caspian Sea for energy production from wind, it amounts to about 157 GW, and this is a huge volume that is in demand in Azerbaijan, but greatly exceeds its needs.

Therefore, Azerbaijan is intensively cooperating with European countries to also produce, among other things, green hydrogen using wind energy, with the possibility of further exporting it to the European market, Shahbazov said.
Russia is stepping up its assault on the Donetsk front, in eastern Ukraine, taking advantage of the growing weakness of Kyivs arsenal and the weather: low rainfall and high temperatures are allowing the Kremlins armored columns to roll smoothly. Russian military accounts have released footage showing the transport of infantry even up to the first lines of Ukrainian defensive positions.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, warned on Saturday of the renewed role of large numbers of tanks and other armored vehicles in the Russian offensive. This is because the spring rains that turn the Ukrainian countryside into a quagmire, hampering the movement of tracked heavy armor, have not yet arrived. Syrskyi acknowledged that the map of the war in Donetsk had significantly deteriorated. The situation at the front is always difficult. But these days  and especially on the Donetsk front  its getting harder, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Sunday. On Saturday, Russian forces took full control of Pervomaiske, having advanced 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from Avdiivka after taking the city in February.

From Avdiivka and the neighboring city of Donetsk, Russia is advancing on two flanks towards the municipality of Pokrovsk, the Ukrainian rear base in the southern part of Donetsk province. A video that has circulated of the Russian advance in this sector evidences the absence of Ukrainian artillery fire and anti-tank rocket launchers to stop the columns of armored vehicles. Only a few mortars attempt to slow the progress of the enemy infantry vehicles, which progress as far as a Ukrainian trench. The main weapon Ukraine has today is its massive fleet of drones, which are enabling it to keep the enemy at bay despite Russian superiority in numbers and weapons.

The only thing preventing Russias breakthrough on all fronts is FPV [first-person] drones, 90% of which are being provided by volunteers or military divisions themselves, Ukrainian Lieutenant Colonel Pavlo Kurylenko told The Telegraph on April 12. A year ago it was a bad situation. Today the situation with shells and gear is just horrible, added Kurylenko, one of the most respected commanders in Ukraine. Zelenskiy had already warned on March 29 in The Washington Post that drones cannot replace artillery ammunition, anti-aircraft batteries, or long-range weaponry that can disrupt logistics lines and destroy command centers. Ukraine is in urgent need of all this hardware while the transfer of military aid from the United States remains blocked in Congress.

The Ukrainian president indicated, in line with the figures provided by military commanders on the ground, that his forces have only 25% of the artillery ammunition needed to resist the Russian advance. Just as evident is the dearth of anti-aircraft defenses: more and more missiles are hitting their targets in cities far from the battlefields, and Russian warplanes are striking more frequently at the front without fear of being shot down. If there is no U.S. support, it means that we have no air defense, no Patriot missiles, no jammers for electronic warfare, no 155-millimeter artillery rounds. It means we will go back, retreat, step by step, in small steps, Zelenskiy said in an interview with The Washington Post on March 29.

Objective: Chasiv Yar

Those backward steps are already taking place. Russia is focusing all its attention on taking Chasiv Yar, a municipality five kilometers (3.1 miles) from Bakhmut and decisive in the final objective of the Kremlin: to control 40% of the Donetsk province which remains part of free Ukraine. Chasiv Yar is located in an elevated position, from which neighboring Kostiantynivka would be an easy target. As indicated Sunday by the Center for Defense Strategies (CDS), a Ukrainian institute for military studies, the conquest or siege of Kostiantynivka would cut the road linking the southern front of Donetsk  that of Pokrovsk  with that of the north, where Ukraine has rear bases in the cities of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk. The CDS also warned that the next Russian onslaught will take place to the east of Slovyansk, from the Siversk area, in preparation for a future siege on Kramatorsk. Syrskyi confirmed that the Russian strategy is to try to reach Kramatorsk, something that would in effect practically signify the Ukrainian loss of the Donetsk province.

Syrskyi said Sunday from the Donetsk front that the Kremlin had set its sights on capturing Chasiv Yar by May 9, when Russia commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The time margin to achieve that objective is very tight, despite the fact that Russian troops last week planted their flag in Bogdanivka, a village on the outskirts of Chasiv Yar. EL PAIS visited Chasiv Yar in February during the first phase of the Russian siege, which consisted of a systematic artillery bombardment on the urban center. On April 9, a video was made public of two Russian Su-25 fighters flying over the town and attacking Ukrainian positions without facing anti-aircraft fire, something that until a few months ago was difficult to imagine. In the second phase of the battle, Russian forces have probed the citys outer defenses and have now begun assault maneuvers to cross the Siverskyi DonetsDonbas Canal, which serves as a natural defensive barrier.

Syrskyi added that it is necessary to improve the quality of [soldiers] training, including the psychological component, a comment that was interpreted as a reference to the war fatigue being suffered by hundreds of thousands of military personnel, who have been fighting for more than two years. The new mobilization law, approved last week, should help to incorporate nearly 400,000 new recruits into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but they will not be ready to enter combat until well into the summer.

It is precisely then that a major Russian offensive is anticipated. Rob Lee, one of the leading analysts of the Ukraine war at the U.S. Foreign Policy Research Institute, wrote on Saturday that Moscow wants to take Chasiv Yar before the summer and from there to launch its warm-weather campaign, when the terrain is suitable for the movement of armored vehicles. The head of the intelligence services of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Kyrylo Budanov, told German television channel ARD on April 7 that he foresees the start of the Russian offensive coming at the beginning of June, with Chasiv Yar and Pokrovsk as the main objectives. Budanov  known for his defiant tone and occasionally overly optimistic forecasts  was particularly concerned: Without the help of Western allies, it will be catastrophically difficult for Ukraine to repel the Russian advance, he said.

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Photo of Joseph W. Fischer of Pennsylvania at the Stop the Steal rally in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. The U.S. Supreme Court on April 16, 2024, heard arguments in a case centering on Fischers actions that day.

Photo of Joseph W. Fischer of Pennsylvania at the Stop the Steal rally in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. The U.S. Supreme Court on April 16, 2024, heard arguments in a case centering on Fischers actions that day. (U.S. District Court documents)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a Jan. 6, 2021, case that could potentially upend convictions for a mass of Capitol riot defendants and slash some election interference charges against former President Donald Trump.

The case, Fischer v. United States, centers on whether former Pennsylvania police officer and Jan. 6 defendant Joseph W. Fischer violated an obstruction statute when he joined the mob that entered the U.S. Capitol and prevented Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election results for several hours.

The justices, appearing split and at times opaque in their individual stances, questioned Fischers attorney Jeffrey Green and U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar for more than 90 minutes, though they grilled Prelogar for twice as long as Green.

We thought it went about as well as it could, but we still think it will be a very close case, Green told States Newsroom outside the court following arguments.

The provision in question stems from an early 2000s law, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, that passed after the Enron accounting scandal and targets whoever corruptly  otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so.

In this particular case, the proceeding is referring to the joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 presidential election results.

The government maintains that Fischer had an intent to disrupt the proceeding, and points to his text messages in the preceding days that discuss stopping the democratic process and committing physical harm of Congress members.

The Justice Department also maintains video evidence shows Fischer assaulting a police officer and encouraging rioters to charge into the Capitol.

Fischers team argues that he wasnt present while Congress was meeting because he arrived later in the day, and that he only had a four-minute foray to about 20 feet inside the Capitol.

A lower trial court last year granted Fischers motion to dismiss the felony charge against him after he argued the clause is inseparable from preceding language that refers only to tampering with physical evidence.

The U.S. Circuit of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit reversed the ruling, though the three-judge panel split. Judge Florence Y. Pan  who also sat on the panel in Trumps presidential immunity appeal  wrote in the lead opinion that the statute is unambiguous in its meaning of what constitutes obstructing an official proceeding.

Roughly 350 Jan. 6 defendants have been charged under the same statute, and about 50 have been sentenced to an average 26 months in prison, according to Prelogar.

The clause in the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act is also at the core of two of the four election subversion charges brought against Trump by U.S. Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith.

Whether those charges stand now hangs on whether the justices agree that the law applies to Fischers actions at the U.S Capitol.

If the justices rule in Fischers favor, Trump would almost certainly challenge the governments case, further delaying an already drawn out legal process as the 2024 presidential election inches closer.

Additionally, numerous Jan. 6 defendants convicted of the charge, among the most serious levied against them, could challenge and potentially re-open their cases.

How far does obstruction extend?

The Sarbanes-Oxley clause at the center of Supreme Court oral arguments Tuesday is a two-part provision over which the parties disagree.

The provision, Section 1512(c), carries a fine and not more than 20 years in prison for (w)hoever corruptly:

(1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the objects integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or

(2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so.

Fischer contends the governments application of the law in his Jan. 6 case is unprecedented and creates a breathtaking scope for the provision.

He maintains that clause (2) has a residual link to clause (1) and therefore both only pertain to physical evidence in a congressional investigation or inquiry.

Among the governments arguments, the U.S. homes in on the word otherwise to prove the second clause is a catchall phrase for other types of obstruction, not only manipulation of physical objects.

When challenging Fischers attorney Tuesday, the justices pressed whether Congress meant the two subsections to apply to different types of obstruction.

Justice Elena Kagan asked What is the commonality that (c)(2) is drawing from (c)(1)?

The text, she said, tells you what the commonality is, the commonality is that the things that fall into (c)(2) also have to obstruct, influence or impede but what (c)(2) does not say  really does not say  is everything in (c)(2) also has to spoil evidence.

Greens response was that the laws drafters could have easily decided that they didnt need to specifically mention physical evidence in the second clause. They could have said were not going to repeat what we said there, but were going to use a connector like otherwise to demonstrate that were talking about similar conduct, Green proposed.

Myriad forms of obstructing

While the justices questioned Green for just over 30 minutes, they devoted an hour to Prelogar.

Justice Clarence Thomas began questioning the U.S. solicitor general with an inquiry about how the statute has been applied in the past.

The governments position since the dawn of the provision has been that it covers myriad forms of obstructing an official proceeding, Prelogar said.

Have you enforced it in that manner? Thomas asked.

A variety of prosecutions that werent related to evidence tampering have used the statute, Prelogar answered.

I cant give you an example of enforcing it in a situation where people have violently stormed a building in order to prevent an official proceeding, a specified one, from occurring  Im not aware of that circumstance ever happening prior to January 6, Prelogar said.

A flavor of when the Justice Department has used it in other circumstances includes things like tipping off someone about the existence of a grand jury investigation, or there was another case where someone tipped off about the identity of an undercover law enforcement officer, Prelogar told the justices.

What role does (c)(1) play in your analysis? Thomas asked.

The 1512(c) provision split(s) up the world of obstructive conduct into two categories, Prelogar said.

(c)(1) covers everything it enumerates; its the acts of altering, concealing, destroying records, documents or other objects, and then (c)(2) would only pick up conduct that obstructs an official proceeding in a different way, Prelogar said.

Congress was taking this universe and dividing it up into the two separate offenses.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson asked Prelogar how she can be sure that Congress  in the wake of evidence tampering that occurred during the Enron accounting scandal  was thinking about obstruction more generally when it authored the provision.

So can you just give us a little bit more as to why we shouldnt think of this as being a narrower set of circumstances to which this text relates? Jackson asked.

Congress added Section 1512 to close any gaps in the law exposed by the Enron misconduct, Prelogar said.

Congress went further and added (c)(2) to be safe, Prelogar said.

The broader lesson Congress took away from Enron is that when you set out in advance to try to enumerate all the various ways that official proceedings can be obstructed, things will slip through the cracks, Prelogar said.

A far-reaching charge?

Several justices also pressed Prelogar on another of Fischers arguments: If the court upheld the obstruction charge against Fischer, what stops the government from criminalizing protests or other activities?

In other words, if (c)(2) involves all other types of obstruction beyond evidence tampering, what are the guardrails against overuse?

What does that mean for the breadth of this statute? asked Justice Neil Gorsuch.

Would a sit-in that disrupts a trial or access to a federal courthouse qualify? Would a heckler in todays audience qualify, or at the State of the Union address? Would pulling a fire alarm before a vote qualify, and for 20 years in federal prison? Gorsuch continued, specifically referring to when U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York pulled a fire alarm in September minutes before a vote to prevent a government shutdown. The congressman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor the following month for falsely pulling a fire alarm.

Prelogar said built-in limitations in the law would prevent prosecution for some minor disruption or minimal outburst. Additionally, the prosecution would have to prove that the party acted corruptly.

Does the charge matter?

The obstruction charge is not the only count brought against Fischer after his participation in the Jan. 6 riot.

The indictment also included charges of civil disorder, assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly conduct, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked Why arent those six counts good enough?

They dont carry the hurdles of the obstruction charge, he added.

Those counts dont fully reflect Fischers behavior on Jan. 6, Prelogar responded.

One of the root problems with the petitioners conduct is that he knew about that proceeding. He had said in advance of January 6 that he was prepared to storm the Capitol, prepared to use violence. He wanted to intimidate Congress. He said they cant vote if they cant breathe, Prelogar said, referring to one of Fischers text messages prior to the joint session of Congress.

And then he went to the Capitol on January 6, with that intent in mind and took action, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, she said. That did impede the ability of the officers to regain control of the Capitol and let Congress finish its work in that session.

A ruling is expected in late June or early July.

The post Divided U.S. Supreme Court wrestles with case of Pennsylvania man who joined Jan. 6 mob appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
By Luis Jaime Acosta

YARI PLAINS (Reuters) - A majority of the units that make up Colombia's Estado Mayor Central (EMC) armed group have abandoned peace negotiations with the government because of internal divisions, according to a rebel leader and the head government peace negotiator, as observers warn the fissures could worsen violence and put civilians at risk.

The talks with the EMC, which was founded by former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who reject that group's 2016 peace deal with the government, have been in crisis for weeks.

Last month, the government partially suspended a ceasefire because of violence and top rebel leader warned a deal is unlikely during this presidential administration.

President Gustavo Petro has promised peace or surrender deals to end the country's 60-year conflict, which has killed 450,000 people, but he is also facing trouble at talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels.

"We aren't all present at the same negotiating table," EMC second-in-command Alexander Diaz Mendoza, better known by his nom de guerre Calarca Cordoba, told Reuters during a recent interview in the country's south. "It's a lie to say there is not a crisis."

Just two of the EMC's six units and a small, separate jungle squad have representatives at the talks.

"Internally we had some disagreements, which has meant that those of us who were at the talks representing the guerrilla continue at the negotiating table and other comrades, for many reasons...are waiting," Calarca Cordoba said.

He did not go into detail about what specifically has caused the divisions, but said they existed before the suspension of a ceasefire in three provinces last month, after the governments said members of the EMC had attacked civilians, including an Indigenous leader, and security forces.

The divisions also are not due to EMC fighters wanting to abandon the talks, he said.

"They are internal problems, internal difficulties."

Those units which are not participating in the talks could eventually name representatives or could ask the government for talks of their own, Calarca Cordoba said.

"It's a crisis; it's serious because the other units are outside of the talks," head government negotiator Camilo Gonzalez said.

Talks with the EMC, which has an estimated 3,500 members, began in October and a ceasefire in some provinces remains in effect until mid-July.

Violence has risen in Cauca, Narino and Valle del Cauca provinces since the ceasefire there was called off last month, according to authorities.

Several regions could see worsening conflict and grave humanitarian consequences because of the divisions within the EMC, said Juana Cabezas, of the Institute for Development and Peace Studies (Indepaz) thinktank.

"If the units that have separated from the talks don't continue in the dialogue with the government, there could be a strong escalation," said Cabezas.

The government remains committed to negotiation, even if it has to meet individually with dissenting units.

"The government can't say it won't dialogue unless everyone is there," said Gonzalez. "We must speak to who we can, the key is alleviating the situation for the population and looking for pathways to the end of the conflict, even if it's not in a simultaneous way."

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to help monitor water quality and fish habitats across the state.

Volunteers will take part in the MiCorps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program.

DNR exploring criminal charges against hunter who shot wolf

This community science program is seeking volunteers who enjoy and want to help protect Michigans nearly 11,000 inland lakes, the agency said in a news release. There is a lot we dont know about many of our lakes, and volunteering with MiCorps will connect you with a statewide network of people who are making a positive impact on these waters.

Volunteers can choose which lake they want to cover and can even decide which measurements they are willing to take, from water quality to monitoring for invasive species, native plants and shoreline conditions.

The program provides detailed instructions, training and the equipment. There is a small fee to cover the cost of supplies, but the DNR says volunteers often collaborate with local lake associations to handle those costs.

From fad to bad: Why callery pear trees are now considered invasive species

All volunteer-gathered information is added to the MiCorps Data Exchange, a public database that includes 50 years worth of program lake data, the DNR stated. This database is used by people, local communities and state agencies like the MDNR to better protect and manage our beautiful lakes and the fish and wildlife that rely on them.

More information is available at the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Speaking with the Star-Telegram after Tuesdays Tarrant County Commissioners Court session, Election Administrator Clint Ludwig would not say whether he supported pre-numbered ballots. He did say, however, that they are not necessary to ensure election integrity.

I can provide free, fair, secure elections with pre-numbered ballots, and I can do it without pre-numbered ballots, he said. If it is the wish of the Election Board, the Election Commission and the court that we have numbers, then I will provide that. If it is the wish that we dont have numbers, then I can do it that way as well. I will do my job. And I will provide it with the means that Im asked to do it in.

When asked why Tarrant County needs pre-numbered ballots if he can provide free and fair elections without them, Ludwig responded, Thats not a question for me.

His comments came after a heated commissioners court session during which Precinct 2 Commissioner Alisa Simmons asked Mark Kratovil, a lawyer with the District Attorneys Office, if the Tarrant County Election Board has the authority to compel Ludwig to use pre-numbered ballots.

The board voted along party lines to use pre-numbered ballots earlier this month after Ludwig briefed county commissioners on the issue.

Following that decision, the Star-Telegram spoke with a ballot design expert, a computer scientist and a board certified campaign and legislative lawyer, all of whom said that pre-numbered ballots do not prevent voter fraud.

Commissioners send pre-numbered ballots issue to closed session

Having stated during Tuesdays session that he could only provide a high-level aggregate of the topic, Kratovil responded that the answer entailed legal analysis and thus would need to be discussed in a closed session.

To the extent that youre asking me to apply this to a specific situation, I would say that thats a privileged conversation that would best be left for closed session, Kratovil said.

According to the Texas Open Meetings Act, a governmental body is authorized to deliberate in closed session if a topic entails consultation with an attorney on pending or contemplated litigation, a settlement offer or a matter in which the attorneys duty conflicts with chapter in the Texas government code on open meetings.

A message left with the Texas Attorney Generals Open Government Hotline seeking clarification was not immediately answered.

You should just answer the question, Simmons told Kratovil. Referring to a meeting with him, her staff and three constituents, she said, What you told us before is, yes, the election administrator can decide to use the pre-numbered paper or stick with blank paper.

Kratovil said the election board approves the procurement of supplies and makes sure theyre necessary and sufficient for conducting elections.

The elections administrator is then in some cases an employee of the county, in some cases, an officer of the county, and in conducting elections he would likely be deemed an officer of the county, Kratovil said. Theres some authority he has then in terms of how to carry out the job.

County commissioners spar over pre-numbered ballot issue

Things got heated when Simmons, on Kratovils advice, introduced a motion to waive the attorney-client privilege and allow the attorney to answer her specific question about the boards authority to compel Ludwig to use pre-numbered ballots.

In the vote, it appeared that Precinct 3 Commissioner Gary Fickes initially joined Simmons and Precinct 1 Commissioner Roy Brooks in voting to pass the motion, but County Judge Tim OHare stepped in to confirm that Fickes had intended to vote yes.

When Simmons objected, OHare said, I will run the court, you will not.

It was the second time in the court session that OHare responded to Simmons in such a manner.

Have a semblance of class, he told her.

Fickes changed his vote in the second round, quashing the motion.

Speaking in public comment, Kennedy Jones, president of the Arlington branch of the NAACP advised OHare to conduct the session with decorum.

Referring to this and a previous incident in which OHare told Simmons, Youll sit there and be quiet, Jones said: It is demeaning and it is offensive to the people of Precinct 2. We are better than that. Judge, I know youre better than that. Those words harken back to a time when women could not vote, to a time when they were virtually owned by their husband or male companion, so your words came with a sting and a bite. That was offensive not just to the commissioner, but to every woman who is sitting in this room and to every woman who is listening online today.
DOH issues blue-green algae advisory for Caloosahatchee River. Where else are blooms?

A blue-green algae outbreak in the Caloosahatchee River appears to be spreading as the state issued more contact advisories Friday.

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County issued an advisory for the Alva Boat Ramp after April 8 samples taken there showed toxins in the water.

Where else is algae a problem?

"Lee is also cautioning the public of the presence of blue-green algae blooms in the Caloosahatchee River (at the) Palace Grande Canal, Caloosahatchee River (at) Walpole Canal, and Whiskey Creek (at the) Winkler Road Canal," a DOH press release reads. "Blooms have the potential to produce toxins, and what triggers them to do so remains poorly understood. Since bloom conditions can change at any time, it is important to exercise caution as if the bloom were toxic, even if toxin presence has not yet been confirmed."

Codty Pierce, the Calusa Waterkeeper sets up an aerosol detection for algae monitoring unit along the Caloosahatchee River in Alva on Wednesday, July, 19, 2023. The unit will be deployed for 24 hours and will collect air samples which includes cyanotoxins. Pockets of the river and its tributaries are seeing blue green algae.

What to know about blue-green algae

Blue-green algae is naturally present at background levels in Florida waterways like Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River, but concentrations can turn toxic during outbreaks.

Blue-green algae has also been reported in upstream areas of the river and in places like Cape Coral.

"Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that is common in Floridas freshwater environments," the DOH press release says. "A bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors. Some environmental factors that contribute to blue-green algae blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients."

Algae toxins can kill domestic animals, pets, fish and other wildlife. They can also cause problems in humans ranging from hay fever-like symptoms to gastrointestinal distress, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

More: Mote Marine, FWC rescue endangered sawfish 'whirling' in the Florida Keys

When do outbreaks normally occur?

These outbreaks typically occur during summer months as the algae prefers warmer conditions, but blooms can happen during any time of the year.

A 2018 blue-green algae bloom crippled the Fort Myers-Cape Coral area as thick mats of algae blanketed canals across the region for months.

That bloom started on Lake Okeechobee early in the summer and spread to the Southwest Florida coast, and a state of emergency was declared for Lee County.

Army Corps starts Lake O releases to Fort Myers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased releases Saturday to the Caloosahatchee River, pushing 2,000 cubic feet per second of water through the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam, the structures that separates the downstream estuary from the upstream freshwater portion of the river.

Healthy flows for the river and its estuary range from around 400 cubic feet per second to 2,800 cubic feet per second. Anything outside of that envelop can be harmful for oysters and sea grass, indicators used to measure the health of the estuary.

More: Feds designate 13 Florida counties as critical habitat for nation's most endangered bat

Florida Department of Environmental Protection records show that a bloom persists on the west side of Lake Okeechobee, but Florida Gulf Coast University professor and blue-green algae expert Mike Parsons said the lake was not inoculating the river as blue-green algae has been documented in the Caloosahatchee River for several weeks.

Lake Okeechobee releases to the Caloosahatchee could be a regular occurrence for the next several weeks as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tries to lower the lake before the coming rainy and hurricane seasons.

Some health and safety tips

The Florida Department of Health offers these tips to reduce your risk and risk to pets:

Avoid scummy, foamy water where algae mats are present (Heavy blooms often appear as bright or pea green to reddish-brown water, occasionally with a "paint scum" appearance due to dead algae, and may emit unpleasant gassy odors.)

Don't cook with, eat fish from, or drink scummy water

Do not let your pets or children eat or drink from affected waters

Don't eat fish that look unhealthy

Do not harvest dead or dying fish or shellfish

Do not swim in, jet ski over, or play near scummy water or algal mats

Do not allow your pets or children to swim in, drink from, or play near scummy water

Do not irrigate with scummy water

Do not use herbicides to kill blooms (this can release the toxins directly into the water)

Minimize nutrient runoff and use of fertilizers (this reduces the risk of a potential harmful bloom occurring)

If contact with suspect or contaminated water occurs, wash off immediately and thoroughly with clean water and soap (make sure to rinse the swimsuit areas and your pets' fur). Consult a doctor if illness occurs. Contact a veterinarian if your pet suddenly becomes lethargic or shows signs of poisoning including vomiting, diarrhea, or seizures.

Connect with this reporter: Chad Gillis on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Algae update: Bloom conditions linger as Lake O releases continue
UPDATE: A seventh juror was sworn in to serve during Donald Trumps hush money trial, as proceedings ended for the day.

The juror, a civil litigation lawyer, was selected after a long day in which prospective panelists were grilled about their views and past social media posts. Although Judge Juan Merchan excused some potential jurors who had posted egregious anti-Trump messages, he allowed others who had posted political content indicating their views.

More from Deadline

The judge also scolded Trumps attorneys when the former president was heard muttering as they were questioning a juror. The judge had been questioning a potential juror who had posted video of the celebration following the 2020 election, which Trump lost.

Merchan has been telling selected jurors to expect to return on Monday for opening statements.

Still to be selected are five additional jurors as well as alternates.

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Trump again attacked the judge, calling him totally conflicted and accused him of rushing this trial and doing as much as he can for the Democrats.

Jury selection will resume on Thursday, as Merchan has indicated that Wednesdays will be dark due to his other obligations. That could change if the case falls behind.

PREVIOUSLY: The first six jurors have been sworn in in Donald Trumps hush money trial, after extensive questioning that included queries about past social media posts.

Twelve jurors and as many as six alternates have to be seated before testimony begins.

Judge Juan Merchan also told the jury that they could plan for opening statements on Monday.

Merchan then continued jury selection. Among those queried was a retired New York city law enforcement officer who now works for two security firms. He said that he was once to serve on a jury in a lawsuit involving Trump and Merv Griffin, but it was settled out of court.

Donald Trump was one of the parties? Merchan asked. I think so. Im not 100 percent sure.

Trump sued Griffin in 1988 during a battle over control of Resorts International Inc. It was ultimately settled under a deal in which Trump retained ownership of the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

The prospective juror also said that he has friends who have committed crimes, laughing as he told the judge, Thats the best I can tell you. Theyve done time. And you know, were friends, the potential juror said, per a pool report.

PREVIOUSLY: Donald Trumps lawyers have been reviewing potential jurors social media posts, calling out those whose pledges to be impartial may conflict with their affinities on Facebook and other platforms.

But Judge Juan Merchan scolded the former presidents legal team for Trumps audible reaction as one potential juror was being questioned over her past Facebook post that showed an outdoor celebration, captioned a full-on dance party, apparently tied to the 2020 election.

The potential juror defended the post, telling the judge that she had been re-parking her car when she spotted the celebration. She said that regardless of my thoughts about anyone or anything or political feelings or convictions, the job of a juror is to understand the facts of a trial and to the judge of those facts, per a pool report.

After the juror left the courtroom, Merchan told Trumps lawyers that as she was being questioned, your client was audible. He said that he could not hear what Trump was saying but that he was muttering and gesturing.

I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom, the judge said, during Trumps lawyers to speak to their client.

Merchan declined to dismiss the potential juror.

But he did excuse another potential juror who had a past social media post during the Trump presidency that read, Good news!! Trump lost his court battle on his unlawful travel ban!! Get him out, and lock him up. As the potential juror was being questioned over the post, Trump flashed him a smirk, according to the pool report.

Another juror also was excused over social media posts, including a parody video generated by AI titled Im dumb as f and featuring Trump.

But the judge declined to dismiss another prospective juror over social media posts that her husband made or shared in 2016, showing the extent to which Trumps team is investigating the backgrounds of those in the mix.

These are three posts. They are all fairly characterized as satire, I believe, Merchan said. None of them expresses the sentiment we saw in some others, a desire to see your client locked up or beheaded or something or other of that nature.

He added, The question is not whether someone agrees with your client politically or not. The question is whether or not they can be fair and impartial.

PREVIOUSLY: Kara McGee, a jury pool candidate who was excused on Tuesday morning during the latest round of jury selection in Donald Trumps hush money trial, told reporters outside the Manhattan courthouse she was disappointed to not be able to serve because of scheduling conflicts with her cybersecurity job.

I dont approve of what he did as a president, McGee told reporters, but added that the right to a fair trial was important enough to her that she could have put her feelings aside and judged the case impartially.

We all have prior opinions about the defendant, she added.

McGee described the mood among jury candidates in the courtroom on Monday and Tuesday as tense as they took turns answering a 42-item juror questionnaire covering jobs, hobbies, family life, political activities and feelings about the case. People did seem nervous  like no one wanted to talk to each other, she said

She said the gravity of the occasion was palpable: You walked in and you felt like history was happening.

She added that her first thought on walking into the courtroom on Monday and seeing the former president was, Oh, he looks exactly like he does on TV, she said.

Video via Sean Piccoli.

(WATCH) Kara McGee, the excused juror from the Trump trial in NYC, talks with the media pic.twitter.com/7azWL9yPCr  Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) April 16, 2024

PREVIOUSLY: Donald Trump again blasted the judge in his hush money trial, before entering the courtroom this morning for what is a long slog through jury selection.

In what is likely to be a routine moment for each days proceedings, the former president stopped in the courthouse hallway to make brief remarks to reporters, seizing on the medias need for visuals given the restrictions on cameras in the courtroom itself.

Trump called Judge Juan Merchan a Trump hating judge who should be recused from the case, although efforts to remove the judge have so far been rejected. Trump also again claimed that the case, involving hush money payments paid to Stormy Daniels in advance of the 2016 election, was orchestrated by Joe Biden. After Trumps remarks, CNN quickly went to a fact check to note that the case is brought in the state of New York, not at the federal level, and by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Earlier today, on Truth Social Trump railed at some of the reporting on the trials first day, complaining of people lying and spewing hate all day long on TV. The New York Times Maggie Haberman reported that Trump dozed off at one moment during the proceedings, something that was quickly picked up by cable news and even late night comics.

Trump is under a partial gag order that prevents him from attacking the judges family and potential witnesses, among others.

The charges against Trump have to do with the recording of payments to his former attorney Michael Cohen as legal expenses. The indictment alleges that those expenses were actually reimbursement for hush money payments, and that it was part of a scheme to cover up damaging information in advance of the 2016 election. Trump told reporters today that I was paying a lawyer and marked it down as legal expense. An accountant I didnt know marked it down as a legal expense. Thats exactly what it was.

Jury selection is expected to continue throughout the day today, with some 32 potential jurors remaining from an initial pool of 96. The process is slow, as each juror is given a list of 42 questions to answer as part of the voir dire process.

Outside the courthouse, the scene was quiet, with no demonstrators in the park across the street from the Manhattan complex.

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Donald Trump brings his campaign to the courthouse as his criminal hush money trial begins

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the press in Manhattan state court in New York, Monday, April 15, 2024, after the first day of his trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016. (Angela Weiss/Pool Photo via AP)

NEW YORK (AP)  Former President Donald Trump began his day as a criminal defendant lashing out at the judge and prosecutors, casting himself as a victim and angrily posting on social media.

In other words: a familiar routine.

But inside the courtroom, which was closed to TV cameras, Trump was a different man  reserved and muted in a stark departure from his feisty approach to other legal troubles.

The contrast spoke to the gravity of his situation. Trump is now the first former president ever to stand trial on criminal charges and faces the prospect, if he loses, of becoming the first major American presidential candidate in history to run as a convicted felon.

Trump is accused in the case of falsifying business records to hide alleged hush money payments made to a porn star to keep her from going public during his 2016 campaign with allegations of an affair.

The trial is expected to last at least six weeks and Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is required to attend every day court is in session  a schedule that will dramatically alter his daily life and his ability to campaign in battleground states.

So Trump instead brought his campaign to the courthouse, delivering statements before and after the days proceedings, which he again cast as nothing more than a politically motivated effort by his rivals to hinder his campaign.

This is political persecution, he steamed after arriving with a phalanx of lawyers and several senior aides, but without his wife or other family members. This is an assault on our country, he went on.

Trump is already well practiced in the art of campaigning from the courtroom. In addition to appearances related to his four criminal trials, Trump this year voluntarily attended most days of his civil fraud trial as well as a defamation case brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, who had accused Trump of rape.

Those two trials did not end well for Trump: The former president was found liable in both cases, and now owes over half a billion dollars, including interest.

During those hearings, Trump was often admonished by the judges, who instructed him to be quiet or answer questions more succinctly. At one point, the judge in the Carroll suit threatened to kick Trump out of the courtroom for speaking loudly. Another day he stormed out. Trump also openly sparred with the judge in his civil fraud case, including from the witness stand.

Such behavior would not be tolerated in a criminal courtroom and Judge Juan Merchan made clear Trump could be sent to jail and prosecuted separately if he were to engage in such disruptive behavior.

On Monday, Trump did not.

At times, he was seen whispering and passing notes with Todd Blanche, his lead attorney. But during other stretches, Trump slouched forward, casting his gaze toward the ceiling, or leaned back in his chair with his arms folded and his eyes closed.

Every movement was memorialized by a small pool of reporters inside. As he entered the courtroom, Trump "paused for a split second" and licked his lips before walking up the courtrooms center aisle. When he was introduced as the defendant, Trump turned and gave prospective jurors "a little tight-lipped smirk. Later, when he exited the courtroom for a break, Trump glared at a New York Times reporter who earlier had reported Trump had fallen asleep in his chair.

While his body language was carefully parsed, he was seen more than heard.

During the first day of his trial, Trump said just five words on the record  Yes once, and Yes, sir twice  as he was read his so-called Parker warnings" informing him that his right to be present at the trial could be revoked if he acted out and that he could be sent to jail for disruptive behavior.

It remains unclear how long Trump's restraint will last as the trial drags on.

The sterile, fluorescent-lit courtroom is a world away from the gilded Mar-a-Lago club where he has taken up residency in his post-presidential life. There he is surrounded by doting staff and ardent supporters who deliver standing ovations every night as he enters the dining room.

In the courtroom, Trump was introduced to jurors not as president  as his aides still call him  but Mr. Donald J. Trump"  and faced restraints, including the prospect that he might not be granted permission to attend his youngest sons high school graduation.

The judge has not ruled on the matter, but did bar Trump from traveling to Washington next Thursday, when the Supreme Court will take up his argument that, as a former president, he is immune from prosecution.

We think that it is important for the court to remind Mr. Trump that he is a criminal defendant and that he is under the courts supervision," one prosecutor, Christopher Conroy, said.

With Trump stuck in New York for the foreseeable future, aides have been planning rallies and other political events on weekends and on Wednesdays, when court is not supposed to be in session. Merchan said Monday that Wednesdays could be added if he trial falls behind schedule.

Aides are also considering possible events around New York after court ends for the day. Trump has often talked about wanting to campaign in his home state, even though New York remains overwhelmingly Democratic.

He is also expected continue to speak from the courthouse and hold press conferences to spin each day's proceedings, as he has in his other trials.

While Trump has complained about being taken off the campaign trail, he has been keeping a relatively light schedule of public events since he locked up the GOP nomination last month, with most of his rallies scheduled on weekends anyway. Instead, he has been focused on fundraising as he tries to close the gap with his Democratic rival, President Joe Biden.

He is also expected to rely more heavily on surrogates. On Monday, allies including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds  all potential vice presidential or cabinet picks  fanned out across cable networks to blast the case.

Trump's indictments proved beneficial during the primaries, helping him rake in tens of millions of dollars from angry supporters and denying his GOP rivals the media spotlight as they were trying to gain traction.

It's unclear, however, how a criminal trial and possible conviction resonate with the broader general election audience, which includes more moderate and independent voters that could decide the race.

Half of Americans say they would consider Trump unfit to be president if he is convicted in the case, according to new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.

But many are also skeptical he can get a fair shake from jurors selected in the cases. The poll found just 2 in 10 U.S. adults are extremely or very confident jurors can be fair and impartial when evaluating the former president. About 4 in 10 are not very or not confident at all

The details of the case are salacious  involving a porn star, tabloids and hush money payments. But the case is widely see as posing less of a legal risk to Trump than his other cases, which accuse him of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election and of charges under the Espionage Act over his hoarding of classified documents that could lead to serious jail time.

But the hush money case could be the only one that makes it to trial before Novembers vote.

Biden's campaign, meanwhile, ignored Monday's proceedings as his aides seek to avoid the appearance of judicial interference.

Campaign officials said Monday that they will instead focus on continuing to present a political split-screen between the two men, with the president focused on governing and Trump focused on himself.

That contrast was especially striking this weekend, as Iran launched an attack against Israel and Biden worked to prevent a wider Middle East escalation, speaking by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jordans King Abdullah II.

He'll spend the week campaigning in battleground Pennsylvania, with events planned in Scranton, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, as Trump remains in court.

___ Associated Press writers Will Weissert in Washington and Liset Cruz in New York contributed to this report.
NEW YORK  Donald Trumps historic hush money trial got underway Monday at Manhattan Supreme Court, where the former president was dealt a set of legal blows  when he wasnt nodding off at the defense table  and a stern warning that he cant pick and choose when he wants to turn up.

The trial officially got underway at 2:30 p.m. when the first batch of 96 prospective jurors who filed into Justice Juan Merchans 15th-floor courtroom were sworn in  and only 32 were still in their seats a few hours later, expected to face further questioning Tuesday.

The system of trial by jury is one of the cornerstones of our judicial system, Merchan said, as some potential jurors stretched out their necks to peek at Trump seated at the defense table and looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

The name of this case is the People of the State of New York vs. Donald Trump.

Trump stood briefly as Merchan introduced him, looking around the room with a tight-lipped smirk. Straight out of the gate, more than 50 Manhattanites, almost half of them white women, raised their hands when the judge asked if anyone felt they couldnt be fair or impartial.

I just couldnt do it, one young woman told reporters outside the courtroom after she was dismissed. Merchan previously ruled that the jurors names would be anonymous to the public and that their addresses would remain unknown to Trump, noting safety concerns.

Merchan dismissed at least nine jurors who said they couldnt serve because of various personal commitments and was expected to get through the first batch by around 11 a.m. Tuesday.

The former president walked into Merchans courtroom around 9:30 a.m. with his Secret Service entourage at the center of a media and law enforcement maelstrom clogging up the downtown courthouse and much of lower Manhattan. He looked to be in foul humor and was spotted appearing to fall asleep at one point while reclined back in his chair with his legs outstretched during the morning session.

Outside the courtroom, Trump decried the case as an an assault on America.

Nothing like this has ever happened before, Trump said. This is political persecution, persecution like never before.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felonies in the case, which alleges he repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records during his first year in the White House to cover up a payment to a porn star. He also faces three more criminal cases in Georgia, Washington, D.C., and Florida, alleging he plotted to subvert the results of the last election and mishandled classified documents he wasnt supposed to hold on to.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who sat in the courtrooms second row throughout Mondays proceedings, alleges Trump disguised payments to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, totaling $420,000 to conceal that they were repayment for carrying out an illicit hush money scheme including $130,000 to Stormy Daniels.

Jury selection was delayed by several hours as Merchan resolved several outstanding motions. First, he denied Trumps latest request to recuse himself from the case because his daughter is employed by a political firm that works with Democrats.

To say that these claims are attenuated is an understatement, Merchan said, adding Trump could take it up with the appeals courts. The court will not address this matter further.

Before jury selection, prosecutors asked Merchan to hold Trump in criminal contempt for potentially violating a gag order in one of his latest online diatribes, in part attacking anticipated star witness Michael Cohen as a liar and a sleazebag, which the judge said hed weigh at a hearing next week.

In the weeks ahead of the trial, Merchan imposed a gag order prohibiting Trump from making extrajudicial statements about witnesses, jurors, prosecutors on the case and other trial participants. He expanded it to include his relatives and those of Bragg after Trump targeted the judge's daughter online.

Assistant District Attorney Chris Conroy said Trump should be fined $1,000 for each Truth Social post in question. He said prosecutors were reviewing whether he violated Merchans gag order a fourth time in another online post Monday morning.

Its entirely possible it was done within this courthouse, Conroy said.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche, in response, denied his client had broken the gag order, claiming he was defending himself against salacious, repeated, vehement attacks.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Merchan said he would allow prosecutors to present evidence of Trumps alleged 2015 agreement with The National Enquirer concerning the magazines efforts to hurt his competitors in the presidential race. He also said jurors could hear allegations of Playboy model Karen McDougals monthslong affair with Trump.

The judge said he would not permit the jury to hear that Trumps wife, Melania, was pregnant at the time of his alleged tryst with Stormy Daniels, finding it would be overly prejudicial.

In a win for Trump, Merchan wouldnt budge on his previous denial of prosecutors request to show the infamous Access Hollywood tape that showed Trump boasting about grabbing women by the genitals because hes a star. But Merchan reiterated that jurors could read a transcript and ruled that prosecutors could ask witnesses about it.

He also rejected prosecutors request to show footage of Trumps contentious deposition in litigation with E. Jean Carroll, the writer Trump was last year found liable for sexually assaulting, when he said it was historically true that famous men could grope women by their genitals, unfortunately or fortunately. And he denied a request from the prosecution to bring up other womens sexual assault allegations against Trump, calling them complete gossip, completely hearsay.

The jury selection at his Manhattan trial, which is expected to be the only one he sits through before the election in November, will involve hundreds of New Yorkers being surveyed for potential biases before the parties decide on 12 jurors and six alternates.

In the lead-up to the trial, Trumps lawyers took a kitchen sink approach in their attempts to delay it. They wound up before appeals court judges three days in a row last week and lost each time.

Blanche told the court that his client plans to be present for the whole trial, and even wants to be present when lawyers and prosecutors huddle at the bench  highly unusual for a defendant. Merchan didnt immediately give Trumps legal team an answer when asked whether he could miss trial to attend his son Barrons high school graduation, which Trump took to mean no in his comments after trial wrapped for the day.

My son has worked very, very hard, and hes a great student, said Trump, who was not accompanied by any relatives on the first day of his trial.

I was looking forward to that graduation with his mother and father there and it looks like the judge does not allow me to escape this scam.

Toward the end of Mondays proceedings, Blanche said Trump might want to call out when his lawyers argue before the nations high court on April 25. Trump has invoked presidential immunity in his federal election interference case, arguing he cant be held legally liable for his actions as president.

Merchan said he recognized it was an important court hearing  but no more so than his Manhattan trial.

Arguing before the Supreme Court is a big deal, and I can certainly appreciate why your client would want to be there, but a trial in New York County Supreme Court is also a big deal, the judge said, looking at Trump.

I will see you here next week.

_____
NEW YORK  Donald Trump was in Manhattan Supreme Court Monday for jury selection at his historic hush money trial  the first criminal trial of a former president. The trial is the culmination of a multiyear investigation by the Manhattan district attorney into Trump and his alleged efforts to influence the results of the 2016 presidential election by paying hush money to silence stories of his illicit sexual encounters.

District Attorney Alvin Braggs case is expected to center on payments arranged by Trumps former fixer Michael Cohen to porn star Stormy Daniels as well as Playboy model Karen McDougal and a Trump Tower doorman.

Bragg has accused the former president of concealing his reimbursement of Cohen for a $130,000 payment to Daniels right before the 2016 election in exchange for keeping quiet about a sexual encounter she says they had 10 years prior. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts related to reimbursement to Cohen  a total of $420,000. The counts represent 11 checks, 11 invoices, and 12 ledger entries.

The first batch of potential jurors went through a set of questions both sides have agreed upon in a process called voir dire that will whittle the pool of hundreds of potential jurors to 12 plus six alternates.

The first question posed to the 96 prospective panelists was whether they think they can be fair and impartial in judging the facts of the case. After Judge Juan Merchan asked the room, more than half of them were excused.

Before the jurors came in, Merchan settled some last pretrial matters. He gave the defense 24 hours to present evidence to the DAs lawyers, and set a hearing date of April 23 as the next step in the prosecutions request for Trump to be held in contempt for the Truth Social posts.

Prosecutors had asked Merchan to hold Trump in contempt for violating a gag order prohibiting comments about witnesses in three recent online posts referencing Cohen, calling him a sleazebag in one.

Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass said, The defendant himself has publicly embraced the public strategy of going after his perceived enemies.

ADA Chris Conroy later asked Merchan to fine Trump $1,000 for each of the posts in question and said prosecutors were reviewing whether he violated it a fourth time in another post Monday morning.

Its entirely possible it was done within this courthouse, the prosecutor said.

In response, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said his client was defending himself against salacious, repeated, vehement attacks and had not violated the gag order.

Merchan did not immediately rule on the request.

Lawyers for the two sides spent much of the first hour of Mondays proceedings arguing about evidence.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Merchan said he would allow prosecutors to introduce evidence of Trumps alleged 2015 agreement with The National Enquirer concerning the magazines efforts to hurt his competitors and allegations of McDougals monthslong affair with him, which Trumps attorney Blanche argued would create a side trial we cant do anything about.

The judge said he would not permit the jury to hear that Trumps wife Melania was pregnant at the time of his alleged tryst with Stormy Daniels, finding it would be overly prejudicial.

The judge similarly wouldnt budge on his previous denial of prosecutors request to show the infamous Access Hollywood tape that recorded Trump boasting about grabbing women by the genitals because hes a star. But Merchan said jurors could read Trumps comments on it.

He also rejected prosecutors request to show footage of Trumps contentious deposition in litigation with E. Jean Carroll, the writer who claimed she was raped by Trump, when he said it was historically true that famous men could grope women by their genitals, unfortunately or fortunately.

Merchan denied Trumps second recusal motion after summarizing its main arguments, including unfounded claims about Merchans daughter, a political consultant for Democrats. Trumps lawyers claimed the daughters job at a digital agency that works on campaigns for Democrats would impact his impartiality.

The court will not address this matter further, Merchan said, noting that its now in the hands of the appellate courts.

Of Trumps claims about his daughter, Merchan said, to say that these claims are attenuated is an understatement.

Before entering the courtroom Monday morning, Trump did not answer any questions from reporters but blasted the trial as an assault on America.

Nothing like this has ever happened before, Trump said. This is political persecution, persecution like never before.

Its an assault on America. And thats why Im very proud to be here. This is an assault on our country. And its a country thats failing. Its a country thats run by an incompetent man whos very much involved in this case. This is really an attack on a political opponent. Thats all it is. So Im very honored to be here.

Prosecutors say Trump's hush money payments were disguised to conceal separate violations of election laws, which makes the alleged crimes Class-E felonies.

Expected on the witness stand are a colorful crew from Trumps past, including Daniels and Cohen, who flipped on Trump; McDougal, the Playboy model allegedly paid off to stay mum on her nine-month relationship with Trump; Dino Sajudin, a doorman at Trump Tower who tried to sell a story alleging Trump fathered a child out of wedlock; David Pecker, a supermarket tabloid publisher who allegedly worked with Trump to silence unfavorable stories; and several other Trumpworld characters.

The road to the trial, which is expected to last six to eight weeks, has been winding.

In the week leading up to it, Trumps lawyers took a kitchen-sink approach to delay proceedings further, throwing three attempts at New York appeals court judges in as many days. The judges struck down all three.

Trump also faces three more criminal cases in Georgia, Washington, D.C., and Florida, although none of those are expected to reach trial by election day in November.

The trial has collided with the campaign trail as the presumed GOP nominee faces off against Joe Biden.

_____

(New York Daily News staff writer Dave Goldiner contributed to this story.)

_____
The world is going through a phase of turbulent change. New balances of power and new demands  sometimes political, other times violent  are shaking up international relations. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that were living in a changing era. And, as if the climate crisis and the technological revolution werent enough, our geopolitical reality is an enormous cause of disruption.

Below, EL PAIS has compiled a kind of dictionary that seeks to offer guidance in this new strategic scenario.

AUKUS

This is a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Its an emblem of Washingtons willingness to strengthen its cooperation with allies in the Asia-Pacific region, in the face of the rise of China. Beijing is watching angrily, viewing these moves as attempts to contain its rise. Washington, meanwhile, claims that these actions are only elements of legitimate defensive cooperation. The first pillar of the project is to facilitate Australias access to nuclear propulsion technology for submarines (not for weapons), which will give that countrys Navy greater reach. The second contemplates common projects in strategic technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, or hypersonic weapons. In this second pillar, the three partners say that theyre open to cooperating with Japan, reinforcing Washingtons influence and Beijings anger.

BRICS+

In the expanded version of this group  which, until last year, included Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have joined. Saudi Arabia and Argentina have also been invited: the former is considering membership, while the latter has declined under the present administration.

Today, the BRICS+ nations represent more than 30% of the worlds GDP and have plans to open up to new partners in the future. China has pushed these expansion plans. Unlike Washington, Beijing doesnt maintain formal alliances. Therefore, it seeks to rebalance global power by spurring new networks that, even if they lack formal treaties or security pacts, bolster synergy. The BRICS+ have considerable weight and share the objective of a reconfiguration of the global order, which they believe is too favorable for the West. But the internal discrepancies are enormous: among the BRICS+ partners, there are adversaries such as China and India, or Saudi Arabia and Iran. Additionally, the intergovernmental organizations capacity for action is limited.

EPC

The European Political Community is a recently-conceived organization, launched after the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in February 2022. Its objective is to build a political platform that transcends the limits of entities such as the EU or NATO, to work towards Russias isolation. It brings together almost 50 countries. However, its prospects for actual effectiveness seem very limited.

The Diaoyu or Senkaku Islands

This group of islands is controlled by Japan and claimed by China. Hence, the archipelago is one of many examples of maritime friction in the region. Further south, the Spratly and Paracel archipelagos are also the subject of dispute between Beijing and other countries in the area. China has an enormous strategic interest in asserting extensive control over waters that allow for the flow of important maritime traffic. Additionally, the Asian giant seeks to build advanced fortifications on natural or artificial islets, which would allow for better military force projection in the event of conflict.

Beijing always remembers its long history without starting wars. So far, these contemporary disputes havent entailed military confrontations. Yet, theres been growing aggressiveness with hybrid actions, which have contributed to bringing several countries in the area closer to the United States.

Eurobonds

The term emerged with the pandemic, when the EU decided to respond to the crisis with the issuance of long-term debt instruments that would cover the delivery of aid or loans, especially to European countries with less capacity to finance economic recovery and thus guarantee the cohesion of the single market. Its likely that Eurobonds will  once again  be at the center of the regional debate.

EU nations are currently considering huge investments to improve their defensive capabilities and strategic autonomy. Many officials believe that the issuance of more Eurobonds is necessary in the new world order. Not every government can afford new, substantial expenses, as theyre weighed down by considerable debts. Given these circumstances, an overall insufficient and also asymmetrical effort may occur, with some countries providing more defense and promoting key industries through subsidies, while others lag behind. This would be a problematic result for the security of the bloc and for the balance of the single market: some nations would be in advantageous situations, although they would bear greater responsibility and financial burdens. Therefore, issuing more Eurobonds may be a solution.

FCAS

FCAS  or the Future Combat Air System  is an ambitious project put forward by the European defense industry. Germany, France and Spain have cooperated on the initiative, with the involvement of firms such as Airbus, Dassault, or Indra. The project provides for the development of a new combat aircraft and other key elements in aerial combat. The slow (and sometimes contentious) progress of the initiative is indicative of the difficulties of cooperation in a sector in which, for decades, governments protected national companies and had misgivings about pooling resources and expertise.

Theres a fundamental dilemma this time around: if the EU wants greater autonomy on a global scale, the bloc requires large industrial champions at the community level and less protection of national markets. Even so, these major partners will need time to produce aerial weapons, while the EU must decide how much to spend on quickly buying up whats already available on the global market and how much to invest for medium to long-term results.

G7 and G20

The two groups arent new, but theyve taken on new meaning in recent years. The G7  a club of Western industrial powers (and Japan)  has gained new political vigor in these times of confrontation. There are those who advocate for a G9, which would include South Korea and Australia, two advanced economies in the Asia-Pacific, which would join Japan in the group to turn it into a forum with a broader geographical meaning. Meanwhile, the G20  which began as a platform that brought together the 20 largest developed and emerging economies  has taken on a more political profile, rather than a purely economic one. Tensions frequently rattle the forum, but at the last summit  convened in India  the members showed the political will not to burst one of the few structures of dialogue that have been established between them. They even came to a consensus statement that many experts anticipated would be difficult to draft.

Hypersonic

Weapons capable of flying at five or more times the speed of sound are a fundamental part of the current arms race. Various countries are determinedly pursuing advances in this sector, which can have a major disruptive effect on strategic balances of power.

Weapons with hypersonic speed have been around for a long time. But in the past, they tended to be ballistic missiles with a predictable trajectory. Technology now allows for a previously unthinkable maneuverability that greatly complicates anti-missile defense tasks. In this sector, China is considered to have capabilities that the United States hasnt yet reached, in a clear example of how primacy can be altered with a technological leap of strategic value.

Interconnection

There are experts who believe that were facing a new cold war, with a struggle for hegemony being waged between two superpowers: the United States and China. The difference with the original Cold War (1947-1991) is that today, theres an enormous level of interconnectivity between the adversaries that never existed between Washington and Moscow. Globalization has created networks and powerful economic interests that act as moderating factors for confrontational impulses of a geopolitical nature. The difference is so profound that many experts feel that the analogy of the original Cold War has been invalidated. The majority consensus believes that this interconnectivity  namely, globalization  wont be broken, but rather is going through a phase of reconfiguration, responding to the desire of the major players to reduce risks of dependency, but continuing the course in non-sensitive areas.

JAUKUS

This acronym adds a J for Japan to the AUKUS alliance. Many advocate for the group to be enlarged, in order to send a message to China. The original partners  Australia, the U.K. and the U.S.  have opened the door to cooperation with Tokyo, although they arent offering to incorporate the Asian country as a full member. Among other reasons, this is due to a prevailing doubt regarding the mechanisms that are used to protect the secrecy of sensitive communications within the Japanese system: they are perceived as being insufficiently secure.

Kivu

North Kivu is a province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of a terrible conflict that has had international implications since the early 2000s, given the wars over mining concessions and the flow of foreign weapons. The situation hasnt attracted much geopolitical attention in the past. And, unfortunately, theres nothing to suggest that it will become a priority issue in the new era of international politics. Without detracting one bit from the battle around Kyiv  or the disruption that another important K (that of Kim Jong-un) could create  the Kivu battle should attract more attention.

Lithium

One of the most famous strategic raw materials, its used in products as increasingly important as electric batteries. The European Commission periodically prepares reports on essential raw materials, studying who the main producers are, where there are dominant positions  either when it comes to extraction or processing  and which are the most risky dependencies. The cartography shows a great preeminence of China as a large producer, often due to its refining activities rather than its extractive ones, which are currently dominated by Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. This means that Beijing is the main supplier of dozens of key raw materials  such as cobalt or rare earth elements  on the global market. This is an important ace up the countrys sleeve amidst friction, fights, blows and retaliation.

Multipolar

Its the concept that defines our era. Already at the Munich Security Conference in 2007, Vladimir Putin delivered a fiery challenge to a world order with unipolar features, in existence due to the hegemony of the United States after its victory in the Cold War. Today, the strong rise of China, the advance of India, the brutal challenge posed by Russia, together with the relative decline of the West make up a picture of evident multipolarity. The problem is that its an unstable multipolarity, given that institutions arent considered to be representative nor effective. In short, our multipolar world is fragmented and prone to confrontation.

Non-aligned

The heterogeneous nebula of the non-aligned  those nations that dont wish to position themselves in a formal and constant manner in one or another of the dominant poles  appeared during the original Cold War. Unlike then, today, these nations receive intense courtship (or pressure) to get closer, and not only from the two main powers, but also from a large number of secondary, yet major actors (the EU, India, Brazil, Turkey, etc.). In this context, the majority of these countries seek to hedge their bets and extract the best from the competition between powers, so as to obtain their sympathy.

SCO

The letter O presents multiple options of great interest for this dictionary, from an expanding NATO, to a WTO paralyzed by the Americans, to a WHO that was hindered by China during the pandemic. But lets stick with the acronym SCO: the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Its a forum promoted by China, which originally included Russia and some Central Asian countries. Today, it counts India, Pakistan and Iran among its members. Its also seeking further expansion in the Arab world, with Saudi Arabia in the lead as a new potential partner. The forum has security and economic ambitions. Its heterogeneity makes specific agreements difficult, but its a significant reality on the new global chessboard.

Populism

Populism is a plague thats eating away at a good part of Western democracies. The mix of frustration over the adverse effects of globalization, poor crisis management and the advent of social media has given wings to populist forces. These promote a polarization of societies that makes the search for democratic consensus difficult. The ineffectiveness and gridlock that this brings to the decision-making process of democracies is a big problem.

Quad

Another forum emerged from widespread concern about the characteristics of the rise of China, which is an increasingly authoritarian power when it comes to internal affairs, while demonstrably assertive in international affairs. The forum  the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), commonly known as Quad  includes the U.S., Japan, India and Australia. Here  and across the board  the importance of India as a factor of imbalance between the Western and Eastern poles is evident. Washington is trying to take advantage of New Delhis suspicion of Beijing to bring it deeper into its sphere of influence. However, India has its own plans as an autonomous power.

Rheinmetall

This German firm  the fifth-largest arms manufacturer in Europe  is crucial in the production of ammunition, which is essential for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. With U.S. aid on hold due to opposition from the Trump-led Republican Party in Congress, Kyiv is experiencing a dramatic shortage of bullets. If the Europeans fail to increase supply, the outlook for Ukraine is very dark.

The Global South

One of the fundamental concepts of our time, the term Global South attempts to give a political contextualization to a diverse array of emerging and developing countries, with a generic indication of the Southern Hemisphere (although other nations that are north of the equator are often included). These nations share a desire for a reorganization of the world order  and especially of financial institutions  that better takes into account their interests. They are also attempting to compel the Northern Hemisphere to implement measures that will mitigate the climate disaster that its emissions and extractivism have caused. World powers such as China, India and Brazil are seeking  via the use of different tactics  to position themselves as leaders in the Global South. The political reality, however, is that its a constellation of countries with starkly different interests and strategies.

TSMC

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) is a benchmark in the production of high-end microchips, an essential component for the manufacturing of any advanced technological product. The production chain for semiconductors of this type is hypercomplex. Depending on the different phases  design, production machinery, assembly, etc.  there are different companies that emerge as essential (with the U.S., Japan and the Netherlands standing out). Washington is restricting the necessary elements to manufacture these chips from being exported to China, resulting in a hot spot of competition between superpowers. Neither side wants to facilitate the technological development of the opposition.

TSMC is a key player in this sector. The Taiwanese firm has just announced the construction of a new plant in the U.S. to manufacture the most advanced chips on the market  an initiative undertaken with the support of heavy federal subsidies.

EU

An institution from another era that needs to adapt to the present. The central debate is about to what extent the EU can provide itself with strategic autonomy, which implies large investments and reflection on what new powers to cede to the community (rather than individual nation states). In parallel, work on enlargement is taking place, which requires internal reforms. This is happening at a time when its clear that leaving gray areas on the continents board causes enormous risks and not only for the people who live in those gray areas. The EU will have to decide where and how it places itself in the new atlas. This will involve tough decisions.

Visegrad

The so-called Visegrad Group brings together four EU members: Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Poland recently voted to turn the page on the far-right populist experience embodied by the Law and Justice party. But Prime Minister Orban is holding on, while Slovakia is sliding down the extremist slope. This internal flank of the EU may prove problematic down the road.

Washington

The capital of the still-leading power on the planet is a symbol of the serious tribulations of democracies, mired in a dysfunctionality that harms them in changing times. The assault on the Capitol after Bidens victory  along with the prolonged legislative gridlock ever since  are warning signs of what is to come.

Xi

President Xi Jinping is probably the most powerful person on the planet. Although the United States retains a margin of economic and military superiority over China, Xi Jinpings personal power is superior to that of Biden, as he isnt subject to the limitations of democratic checks and balances. The Chinese leader has built an increasingly authoritarian and personalistic system, seeking to rise to a mythical height comparable to that of Mao Zedong. Personalism often leads to negative conclusions. In this case, the biggest question is whether Xi will want to go down in history as the leader of reunification with Taiwan at any cost.

Jakarta

The Global South is a disjointed entity. However, some of its members are gaining real strength. Indonesia  whose capital is Jakarta  is a country of 280 million inhabitants, has growth rates of over 5% and will gradually be an actor with a voice to be taken into account in the international community.

Zeitenwende

A few days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave a speech in the Bundestag, in which he mentioned the concept of zeitenwende (which translates roughly as a change of era). Accordingly, Germany has since tried to adapt. It has heavily increased military spending  this year it will hit 2% of GDP  and has disengaged itself from dependence on Russian energy. But much more remains to be done and the diverse coalition that holds power in Berlin complicates things, leading to hesitations and slowness. The future of the EU depends largely on how its wealthiest and most industrialized country will interpret the zeitenwende.

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Donald Trump Rages At 'Trump-Hating Judge' To 'Take Off The Gag Order' In Hush Money Trial

Donald Trump Rages At 'Trump-Hating Judge' To 'Take Off The Gag Order' In Hush Money Trial

Donald Trump rages about the gag order in his hush money trial, which prevents him from attacking witnesses linked to the case.

In his social media rant, the former president claimed that the presiding judge in the case, Judge Juan Merchan, hates him and that the whole trial is "election interference."

He also complained that the trial would seemingly prevent him from attending his young son's high school graduation after it was disclosed yesterday that it may run until Friday, May 17.

Donald Trump Wants The Gag Order Removed

MEGA

The 77-year-old took to his Truth Social platform this morning to vent about the gag order in his hush money trial. Trump is being tried for falsifying his business record to allegedly carry out a $130k payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Daniels claimed that he paid her ahead of the 2016 elections to buy her silence over an alleged affair they had after he married his wife, Melania.

"This conflicted, Trump-Hating Judge won't let me respond to people that are on TV lying and spewing hate all day long," Trump vented, per Radar Online.

The ex-president continued, "He is running roughshod over my lawyers and legal team. The New York System of 'Justice' is being decimated by critics from all over the World. I want to speak or at least be able to respond. Election Interference! RIGGED, UNCONSTITUTIONAL TRIAL! Take off the Gag Order!!!"

The Former President Claims The Payment Was 'Legal Expense'

MEGA

As he made his way into the courtroom this morning, Trump defended his case against the DA's assertion that the payments to Michael Cohen, his then-lawyer who reportedly carried out the payment to Daniels, were improperly tagged legal expenses.

It comes after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg accused Trump of improperly labeling the money as legal expenses to Cohen to hide that the money was to repay the same amount paid to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 elections.

"I was paying a lawyer and I marked it down as a legal expense, some accountant," Trump told reporters, per ABC News. "I didn't know. That's exactly what it was."

"Legal expense -- that's what you're supposed to call it," he continued. "This is a trial that should never happen, it should have been thrown out."

He Is Displeased With The Possibility Of Missing Barron's Graduation

MEGA

After appearing for the commencement of trial in New York yesterday, the billionaire politician was notably unhappy about the case's impact outside the court.

Jury selection began yesterday, and the judge in charge revealed that the trial will likely last until May 17, when Trump's youngest son, Barron, graduates from high school.

"It looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son who's worked very, very hard," Trump lamented to a crowd of reporters outside of the courtroom.

"He's a great student and he's very proud of the fact he did so well and was looking forward for years to having his graduation with his mother and father there, and it looks like the judge isn't going to allow me to escape this scam," he added. "It's a scam trial."

Donald Trump Thinks Judge Juan Merchan Is 'Very Conflicted'

MEGA

Trump also called out Judge Merchan for preventing him from attending the upcoming Supreme Court trial related to the January 6 Capitol rioters.

The "Apprentice" alum branded Merchan a "conflicted" judge, decrying how he seems to be hindering him from attending to other matters.

"He's a very conflicted judge," he said of Judge Merchan. "He won't allow me to leave here for half a day to go to D.C. and go before the U.S. Supreme Court because he thinks he's superior, I guess, to the Supreme Court."

"We've got a real problem with this judge and a real problem with a lot of things having to do with this trial," he continued. "That I can't go to my son's graduation, that I can't go to the U.S. Supreme Court, that I'm not in Georgia or Florida or North Carolina campaigning like I should be...it's perfect for the radical-left Democrats."

"That's exactly what they want," Trump added. "This is about election interference, that's all it's about."

Donald Trump Demands To Be Given His 'Voice Back'

MEGA

On Monday, before the commencement of his hush money trial, Trump took to Truth Social to blast President Joe Biden and the Department of Justice.

He wrote, "As virtually every legal scholar has powerfully stated, the Biden Manhattan Witch Hunt Case is, among other things, BARRED by the Statute of Limitations. This 'trial' should be ended by the highly conflicted presiding judge."

In another post, the ex-president told his supporters, "The Radical Left Democrats are already cheating on the 2024 Presidential Election by bringing or helping to bring, all of these bogus lawsuits against me, thereby forcing me to sit in courthouses and spend money that could be used for campaigning, instead of being out in the field knocking Crooked Joe Biden, the WORST president in the History of the United States. Election Interference!"

Trump added, "I want my VOICE back. This Crooked Judge has GAGGED me. Unconstitutional! The other side can talk about me, but I am not allowed to talk about them! Rigged Trial!"
Don't let it flow: Tourists to Spain's Catalonia may soon see water restrictions in the dry season

FILE - Joan Torrent, 64, walks toward his house carrying two plastic jugs of water refilled at a natural spring in Gualba, about 50 km, (31 miles) northwest of Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan 31, 2024. Spains drought-stricken northeastern Catalonia is considering imposing water restrictions on tourists in the driest parts of the region if domestic consumption is not curtailed, the Catalan government said Tuesday April 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

BARCELONA, Spain (AP)  Spains drought-stricken northeastern Catalonia is considering imposing water restrictions on tourists in the driest parts of the region if domestic consumption is not curtailed, the Catalan government said Tuesday.

The restriction of 100 liters (26 gallons) per tourist per day for hotels would go into effect if a municipality fails to keep domestic water use by residents below established limits for three consecutive months under the current drought emergency for Catalonia, officials said.

Barcelona, Spains second largest city and the regional capital, uses 160 liters of water per resident per day  well below the current limit of 200 liters, Catalonia's water agency said. That includes uses by residents for both washing and drinking.

Tourism represents nearly 12% of Spains economy. But there has been growing pressure by water conservationist groups to limit the use of water by tourists during the drought.

According to Barcelonas hotel guild, the average tourist to Barcelona in 2022 used some 163 liters per day, while the figure rose to over 240 liters for luxury hotels.

The limits for tourists would not include the water used to fill swimming pools.

Also Tuesday, the Catalan government loosened restrictions that prohibited the filling of swimming pools with fresh water. Under the new measure, a privately-owned swimming pool can be refilled in a severe drought if authorities declare it a climate refuge open to residents seeking relief from the heat.

The regional government also made modifications to its drought restrictions to allow for the private use of desalination installations, a move hotel owners have demanded.

Catalonia has borne the brunt of a drought driven by climate change that has also impacted parts of southern Spain, though a wet spring this year has helped the situation. The reservoirs for Barcelona and surrounding areas that were at 15% of their capacity are now 18% full.

Even so, Catalonia has kept in place its restrictions under a water emergency declared in February to combat a drought regional authorities call historic. Those limitations include reducing average water use by 80% for crop irrigation, 50% for herd animals and 25% for industry.

___

Read more of APs climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment
Hitting a building, waiting for first responders and the media to arrive, and hitting the same place again to target those who came to put out the fire, help the victims, or document a potential war crime is a well-honed tool of Russia in its wars.

This ruthless and illegal military tactic is called a "double-tap" attack.

Having used Syria as a "testing ground" since 2015, Russia started terrorizing Ukraine with "double-tap" attacks following the full-scale invasion. Those attacks have grown more frequent in recent weeks.

Russian "double-tap" attacks against Ukraine have killed and injured dozens of rescuers, police officers, medics, and journalists who should be protected by international law.

The escalation in "double-tap" attacks may be linked to Russia's attempt to affect the morale of Ukrainians, exhausted from over two years of full-scale war, as well as inflict greater damage to the country's critical infrastructure, experts suggest.

Maximum damage and loss of life

"I heard this terrible whistle. My colleague shouted for me to lie down. And then it hit," said Kira Oves, a journalist from the Ukrainian TV channel 1+1, describing her experience of witnessing a Russian "double-tap" missile attack on Zaporizhzhia on April 5.

Her team went to the site of the initial strike in one of Zaporizhzhia's largest residential neighborhoods to report on the damage inflicted on civilian infrastructure. Just when they were preparing to interview residents clearing their homes from shattered glass, two more Russian missiles struck the same location, about two hours after the initial barrage.

A column of smoke rises into the sky after a second Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on April 5, 2024. The Russian army attacked the city twice with missiles. One of the strikes occurred while police, rescue workers and journalists were working at the scene. A total of five missiles were launched at Zaporizhzhia. (Vladyslav Kiyashchuk/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC "UA:PBC"/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Oves sustained a minor head injury, while another Ukrainian journalist, Olha Zvonarova, was seriously wounded. A total of four people were killed and 31 were injured, including a police officer, according to the regional governor. Over 40 buildings, including civilian and industrial infrastructure, were reportedly damaged, the governor said.

"Firing multiple munitions at a target is not unusual in and of itself since it increases the likelihood the target will be destroyed. But if there's a lag between the first strike and the follow-on strikes, the goal may be to kill people that arrive at the scene after the first strike," John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told the Kyiv Independent.

According to Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center whose expertise includes international security and air operations, if Russia's goal was to ensure it had destroyed a target, the strikes would likely occur with a shorter gap.

Read also: 5 children killed in single attack: We should never forget what Russia did

"But the regularity with which these strikes seem to come thirty minutes apart suggests the purpose is to cause maximum damage and loss of life, including to rescue workers," she told the Kyiv Independent.

Just a day before the Zaporizhzhia strike, Russian forces conducted a "double-tap" drone attack against Kharkiv, resulting in four fatalities, including three first responders, and injuring 12, including an emergency service worker, a policeman, and a nurse.

First responders injured as they conduct search and rescue operations after the Russian attacks in different locations around the country, killing and injuring civilians, destroying buildings and cars and causing fires in Odesa, Ukraine on March 15, 2024. According to Ukraine State Emergency Service, 20 people were injured, of which five were employees of the State Emergency Service. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Anadolu via Getty Images)

A burnt protective glove is seen among the wreckage of a building while Ukrainian firefighters extinguish the fire at the site after the Russian attacks targeting in different locations around the country, killing and injuring civilians, destroying buildings and cars and causing fires in Odesa, Ukraine on March 15, 2024. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

A drone struck between two emergency service vehicles. Firefighters were lying nearby with serious injuries and screaming for help," Heorhii Ivanchenko, a Ukrainian photojournalist who witnessed the attack, told the Kyiv Independent.

"My colleague and I tried to understand where they were aiming  there had to be some justification for this attack... but like most attacks on Ukraine, it was just terror.

Russian "double-tap" attacks against Odesa on March 15 and April 10 claimed the lives of over 20 people, including a 10-year-old girl, and left more than 80 wounded. Among the victims were eight first responders, an unspecified number of police officers, and a paramedic.

Read also: What we know about hypersonic Zircon missiles  Russias latest threat

As of April 16, a total of 91 employees of Ukraine's State Emergency Service have been killed, and another 351 have been wounded since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, the service's spokesperson, Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, told the Kyiv Independent.

He said that some of these casualties had resulted from Russia's "double-tap" attacks, but the exact number was not yet established.

History of double-tap attacks

Ukraine is not the first country suffering from Russian "double-tap" strikes  Moscow employed this tactic extensively in Syria alongside Bashar al-Assad's government forces. According to Syria's Justice and Accountability Center, 58 "double-tap" airstrikes were carried out in Syria between 2013 and 2021, primarily targeting humanitarian workers.

The White Helmets volunteer organization, which rescued civilians from the rubble of destroyed buildings, lost over 300 volunteers during the war in Syria, with most falling victim to "double-tap" attacks, the group said in July 2023.

The rubble of damaged buildings are seen after the Russian airstrikes targeted residential areas in El Zebdiye neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria on Feb. 13, 2016. (Ahmed Muhammed Ali/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Civil defense team members try to rescue people from the wreckage of a building after the Russian military carried out airstrikes on the al-Salihiya district in Aleppo on March 11, 2016. (Ibrahim Ebu Leys/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

The Reckoning Project, which has been gathering testimonies of war crimes in Ukraine since 2022, has drawn a lot of parallels between what happened in Russia's wars in the two countries. One of the projects co-founders is Janine di Giovanni, a human rights reporter and investigator with over 30 years of experience working in war zones, including Syria.

"We should always look back to what Putin did in Aleppo. Because the tactics he used there were a playbook that he set in motion and continues to use in Ukraine now, di Giovanni told the Kyiv Independent.

"Sometimes we even look as far back as Chechnya because (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has a pattern of attacking civilians indiscriminately It's part of a larger strategy of punishment and control."

A double-tap attack amounts to a war crime if proven that the attack was deliberately targeting civilians, including first responders, humanitarian workers, and journalists, which is prohibited by the Geneva Convention, according to di Giovanni.

Civilians come back to the main Grozny market after its destruction by a Russian missile, Chechnya in 1999. (Antoine GYORI/Sygma via Getty Images)

U.S. forces in Pakistan, the Israeli military fighting in Gaza, and the Saudi-led coalition that launched an intervention in Yemen in 2015 have also been accused of carrying out "double-tap" attacks.

Why now?

Russia's intensified "double-tap" attacks coincide with an increasingly grim situation for Ukrainian forces on the battlefield, who are struggling to maintain their positions amid delays in Western military aid.

"It's two years into a war. Ukrainians are exhausted. They're demoralized. They're extremely worried about whether they're going to get more ammunition from the West. And Putin taps into this," said di Giovanni.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian cities endure Russian large-scale attacks against their energy systems, which in March alone damaged or destroyed 80% of the thermal generating capacity of the country's largest private energy company, DTEK.

"In the case of double-taps against energy facilities, the Russians may be trying to degrade Ukraine's ability to repair its infrastructure," according to Hardie.

Smoke rises above Kharkiv's Slobidskyi district following a Russian missile strike on the city's energy facilities in Kharkiv, Ukraine on March 22, 2024. (Suspilne Ukraine/JSC "UA:PBC"/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces launched a series of successful drone strikes against Russian oil refineries and industrial facilities. Some experts suggest Moscow's increased attacks may serve as a "punishment" for the strikes inside Russia, something that Putin openly claimed on April 11.

"The Russians vowed to retaliate, and these double-tap attacks seem to be part of the retaliation, in a bid to dissuade Ukrainians from conducting more such attacks against its energy infrastructure," Grieco said.

Efforts to protect

The surge in "double-tap" attacks has forced Ukraines emergency service to reassess its safety protocols to minimize casualties among its personnel.

According to Khorunzhyi, the State Emergency Service has already begun implementing new instructions, which include providing rescuers with more advanced body armor, improving the system of security alerts, and increasing the automation of rescue processes.

However, rescuers can't afford to arrive at the scene of an attack only when the danger has passed "since the essence of the emergency services is lost in this case," Khorunzhyi said.

"When help is needed, if a person is bleeding under the rubble or needs to be rescued from a fire, no rescuer would wait for hours until the air raid alert is over."

Despite the ongoing threat posed by Russias double-tap attacks in Ukraine, journalists are also determined to continue their work in the field.

A Ukrainian State Emergency Service firefighter seen during a short pause during the inspection of a destroyed house after a Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on March 23, 2024. (Andriy Andriyenko/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Of course, everyone tells us to be more careful. We also go to (the front-line towns) of Orikhiv and Huliaipole so you can never predict when you might come under fire, said Oves.

But when it's essential to convey information  especially in the aftermath of attacks resulting in injuries and fatalities  how can we stay silent?

Read also: Russia prepares for a major offensive in Ukraine, eyes Chasiv Yar

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
MANOR, Texas (KXAN)  Texas authorities are investigating after a car with a dead body inside was pulled out of a creek in Manor Monday morning.

The Department of Public Safety said it responded to a fatal crash around 8:41 a.m. Monday after a driver reported seeing a vehicle upside down and almost completely submerged in Cottonwood Creek in the 18800 block of Cameron Road in Manor.

The vehicle, a 2008 Infiniti, was recovered from the creek and emergency responders found a man in the passenger seat. He was confirmed to be dead on the scene, according to Travis County ESD No. 2.

The accident is being investigated by DPS.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
FILE - Missouri Speaker of the House Dean Plocher listens as Gov. Mike Parson delivers the State of the State address, Jan. 24, 2024, in Jefferson City, Mo. A Missouri ethics panel is at an impasse over reported misconduct by the powerful state House speaker, who allegedly used his office to stymie an investigation into his actions. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)  A Missouri ethics panel is at an impasse over reported misconduct by the powerful state House speaker, who allegedly used his office to stymie an investigation into his actions.

A draft of the Ethics Committee report recommended that the House formally denounce actions taken by Republican Speaker Dean Plocher that substantially impair public confidence in the General Assembly.

Committee members voted 6-2 against the report but made it publicly available Monday. Another Ethics Committee hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Plocher did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press on Tuesday.

At issue are complaints that Plocher last year tried to use his influence as speaker to get the House to contract with a company for a new constituent services program called Fireside.

Firesides parent company, FiscalNote, had hired Bardgett and Associates lobbyists in an attempt to win a $776,000 two-year contract with the House, independent investigator Beth Boggs wrote in a March 1 report. Plocher worked as a lawyer at the Blitz, Bardgett and Deutsch law firm.

Plocher also faces allegations that he improperly requested taxpayer dollars to pay for a business-class ticket on a flight to Hawaii and expenses for several other work trips dating back to 2018.

Plocher admitted he accepted reimbursements for the travel expenses both from the state and from his political campaign, which is against Missouri law. He has since repaid the state about $4,000.

The Ethics Committee struggled to investigate claims about Plocher's dealings with Fireside.

Boggs in a March 1 letter to the committee said she hit a roadblock because witnesses, including Plocher, refused to speak to her.

The level of fear expressed by a number of the potential witnesses is a daunting factor in completing this investigation, Boggs wrote.

When the Ethics Committee sought approval from the speaker, Plocher, to force witnesses to testify through subpoenas, he refused, according to the report.

The draft report alleges that Plocher, as the speaker, has blocked payment of the independent investigator hired by the House to investigate him. In total, the investigation cost about $17,000 to complete.

Contractors have not been paid, according to the draft report, because the speaker's approval is necessary.

Missouri lawmakers have about a month left of the 2024 legislative session.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  One person was arrested following a deadly early morning crash on East Riverside Drive in southeast Austin, according to a release from the Austin Police Department.

APD said police responded to a vehicle-pedestrian crash around 2:26 a.m. on April 12 near 1700 East Riverside Drive and Lakeshore Boulevard. The pedestrian, identified by police as 37-year-old Aaron Alcala Hernandez, was pronounced dead at the scene.

MAP: Where have Austins fatal crashes occurred in 2024?

The driver of the vehicle, Dontay Waffer, 33, was arrested and charged with accident involving death and driving while intoxicated, police said.

KXAN is working to find attorney representation for Waffer. This story will be updated if we receive a statement or a response to the charges.

Police said this crash is being investigated as Austins 24th fatal crash of 2024, resulting in 24 deaths. On this date last year, there had been 30 fatal crashes resulting in 30 deaths.

APD said the investigation is still pending. Anyone with information about the crash should call the APD Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. You can submit a tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
DENVER (KDVR)  A 44-year-old man was convicted of second-degree murder after shooting and killing a woman who was allegedly throwing rocks at his truck.

Following a four-day jury trial, John David Thoren III was convicted on Friday of second-degree murder and violent crime/use of a weapon.

The case stems from a shooting that took place in the overnight hours on Oct. 28, 2022.

According to the 18th Judicial District Attorneys Office, Thoren was sleeping in his semitruck at a parking lot on South Parker Road in Arapahoe County. At around 2:30 a.m., he awoke to a woman, whom he did not know, allegedly throwing rocks at the drivers side of his truck.

Parents of man hit by vehicle on I-25 after being tased sue Larimer County deputy

Thoren said he told the woman to stop and then flashed her a gun. According to the DA, Thoren said that he cracked open the door and said that if the woman didnt stop throwing rocks she would be shot.

The DA said the woman was identified as 46-year-old Rachel Holmes. She was shot with a 9mm gun and pronounced dead on scene.

Thoren called 911 to report the shooting, but the DA said he never rendered aid to Holmes. He told investigators he was scared for his safety and admitted to shooting the victim.

My number one intention was to protect myself. That was my intent, whatever I had to do to do it. That was what I was thinking, said Thoren, according to court documents obtained by FOX31.

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However, the DA said officers found minimal damage to his semitruck. When they told Thoren, he said he was surprised there was no damage, according to court documents.

Instead of driving to a safe location or calling 911 to report someone throwing rocks at his

truck, the defendant decided to take matters into his own hands by confronting the woman with a gun and pulling the trigger, Senior Deputy DA Michael Mauro said. Based on the facts of this

case, deadly use of force was not justified.

Thoren will be sentenced on July 22.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Hugh Blanchard with the number plate that has seen him receive Ulez charges - Andrew Baker

Drivers are being given Ulez fines after cameras wrongly identified their vehicles as being in the charge zone.

Motorists have contacted The Telegraph to report how they were sent fines for non-payment of the Ulez charge in London, despite a different vehicle being captured on the systems cameras.

In one case the owner was sent a fine relating to non-payment of Ulez for his Ford Mondeo, when Transport for Londons cameras had captured a Nissan SUV.

At the time, the Mondeo was parked hundreds of miles away in Greater Manchester.

The cases emerged after Charles Cooper, 65, was handed a Ulez fine despite donating his car to the Ukraine war effort last summer.

Transport for London (TfL) sent Mr Cooper, of Lymington in Hampshire, a series of fines after automated number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) allegedly picked up the car being driven through London in October.

TfL has since been chasing him for hundreds of pounds in penalties for non-payment through the courts even though the accountant showed that his car was given to Ukraine last year.

After reading about Mr Coopers case, Arthur Bailey, a retired designer from Greater Manchester reported that a similar thing had happened with his sons Ford Mondeo.

He told The Telegraph: My son received a penalty charge from them with the registration number and correct details of his vehicle. However the vehicle in the attached photograph, the proof of the alleged crime, was clearly a completely different vehicle to his, possibly a Nissan SUV and certainly not the Ford Mondeo he owned which had never been within a hundred miles of London.

Youd think theyd have better things to do

This typifies how incompetent the Ulez system is. Youd think theyd have better things to do than chase fines for the wrong vehicles.

TfL later established that Mr Baileys number plate had been cloned and used on another car, resulting in him being charged. It has since waived the fine.

Another motorist reported that his vehicle has been charged for entering Londons Ultra Low Emission Zone after its personalised number plate was apparently mistaken for one containing similar numbers and letters.

On one occasion last month Hugh Blanchards antique silver Mazda, which has the registration plate 444AA, was charged for driving in St Johns Wood, north west London, when at the time it was parked on his driveway in the south London suburb of Bromley.

When he looked at the photographic evidence supplied by TFL, Mr Blanchard, 64, realised the camera appeared to have captured another vehicle that happened to have 444AA as part of its registration number.

On further investigation he noticed the same car also appeared to have been confused with his own two days earlier, this time after being photographed driving through Mill Hill, in North London.

My car was sitting on my drive

I use auto-pay for my car, and so this confusion over the number plates means Im getting automatically charged for a vehicle that isnt mine, said Mr Blanchard, who works in IT.

Its extremely annoying. I know its not my car because it was sitting on my drive on both occasions that it was charged for being in the Ulez zone.

I wonder if others are getting this problem with their cars being charged when they are still in their garage?

TfL said that Mr Blanchards car had been charged by mistake because the correct vehicles number plate was slightly obscured when it was photographed by the Ulez camera.

A TfL spokesman said on Tuesday: After a review of Mr Coopers case it is clear that the charge was issued in error. We apologise for any distress caused and have cancelled the outstanding charge.

We have got procedures to deal with these issues and where people have been charged incorrectly they will be refunded, said the spokesman.

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Donald Trump continues to define the judicial year at the U.S. Supreme Court. He is the leading figure of several of the most politically and constitutionally important cases, either directly or indirectly. On Tuesday  while the first criminal trial of the former president warms up in a Manhattan court  the nine justices of the Supreme Court will discuss the application of two charges against Trump in the federal case over his efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election. Although, strictly speaking, Trump is not a defendant in the case, what the Supreme Court decides may overturn the charges against him. Whats more, the case will play a decisive role in the convictions against the rioters who took part in the assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The Supreme Court has a six-to-three conservative supermajority. Three of the justices were appointed by Trump himself when he was president. On March 4, the Supreme Court ruled that the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution  which prohibits an insurrectionist from running for president  could not be applied to Trump over his role in the assault on the Capitol. The justices are also set to decide whether Trump was protected by presidential immunity when he sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election. And other cases linked to the Republican could also reach the Supreme Court.

For now, the Supreme Court will hear the case of Joseph Fischer vs the United States, which concerns a Capitol riot defendant who has appealed one of the counts of his indictment, obstruction of an official proceeding. At stake is the validity of the charge, which was applied to the rioters who stormed the Capitol and prevented Congress from certifying Joe Bidens victory in the November 2020 elections.

In the case of Fischer, a former Boston police officer, the district judge initially agreed with his request to overturn the obstruction charge. The magistrate ruled that in order to charge a defendant with obstructing an official proceeding  in this case, Congress certifying Bidens victory  the law states that they must have taken some action with respect to a document, record, or other object. In response to this judges decision, the Department of Justice appealed to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, which said that the article should be applied to Fischers case.

The crime of obstruction of an official proceeding is listed under the U.S. criminal code in Section 1512 of Title 18, which indicates in part C2 that whoever corruptly obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.

Considered on its own, that description seems to clearly apply to the rioters who stormed the Capitol. The problem is that nearly all of Title 18 is intended to punish people who boycott or obstruct an investigation, from murdering a witness to hiding evidence.

In fact, the title is called: Tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant. Whats more, it was approved as part of the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act, aimed at prosecuting white-collar crimes. There are also several words that leave room for interpretation.

The exact question that the Supreme Court has agreed to answer is: Did the DC Circuit err in construing 18 USC  1512 (Witness, Victim, or Informant Tampering), which prohibits obstruction of congressional inquiries and investigations, to include acts unrelated to investigations and evidence?

In Washingtons case against Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, two of the crimes he is charged with depend on the answer to that question. In the indictment, the former president is charged with four counts: conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction or attempted obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to violate civil rights. Although Trump is not directly accused of the assault on the Capitol, his efforts sought to obstruct the certification of Bidens victory, so the second and third charges depend on what the Supreme Court says in Joseph Fischer vs the United States.

The federal case against Trump also depends on whether the Supreme Court rules that he was protected by presidential immunity  an argument rejected by the lower courts. The Supreme Court hearing on the former presidents immunity claims is scheduled for April 25. That decision would affect the four counts charged against Trump in the federal case. The appeal has indefinitely delayed the trial, which should have started last month, but is now stalled and may not take place before the presidential elections on November 5, which will be a repeat of the 2016 showdown between Trump and Joe Biden.

The Supreme Courts ruling in the Fischer case, which is expected in June, will affect dozens of the rioters convicted of the assault on the Capitol. At least 353 defendants were charged with corruptly obstructing, influencing, or impeding an official proceeding, or attempting to do so, according to a recent count from the Justice Department. It is one of the most-used charges to persecute the rioters who stormed the Capitol. In total, nearly 1,400 people were charged with federal crimes stemming from the riots. A total of 791 people pleaded guilty to a variety of federal charges, many of whom faced or will face incarceration at sentencing, and another 193 were found guilty at trial.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Attorney General Drummond has announced a new initiative that will give him the authority to investigate complaints from customers regarding actions concerning airline carriers and ticket agents.

After the level of consumer complaints have recently risen against airline carriers which includes flight disruptions, lack of refunds, and lost or delayed baggage, Drummond feels it is time to take action.

Drummond acknowledged that there is a need in the efforts to protect customers against airlines and ticket agents. Recently signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to review and resolve complaints filed and to identify violations of federal aviation consumer protection requirements.

I am unwavering in my commitment protecting the rights of air travelers and holding accountable any airline that is found to have engaged in deceptive or prohibited conduct, he said. The people of Oklahoma should know that your complaints will not fall on the deaf ears of a sprawling federal government. I am personally committed to ensuring all airline passengers are treated fairly and in full compliance with the law.

American Airlines pilots union warns of significant spike in safety problems

Before putting the recent MOU into action, Drummond has urged that the federal government strengthen its protection towards airline passengers and asked Congress to give authorization to state attorneys general enforcement of the federal consumer protection laws that govern the airline industry.

The recently signed MOU will go for two years but Oklahoma and DOT could agree to extend it through two-year intervals once the agreement reaches its end mark.

The MOU states that customers that book their airline tickets deserve to be treated fairly, to know exactly what they are buying, and to get what they pay for.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Intense rain in the Middle East from late Sunday through Tuesday caused extensive flooding in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, where at least 20 people were killed by the floodwaters. The death toll includes 10 schoolchildren who were washed away while in a vehicle in Samad A'Shan, Oman.

On Tuesday, Dubai International Airport, the second-busiest airport in the world, diverted inbound flights due to flooding on the tarmac and roads to the airport. The city reported nearly 4 inches (99 mm) of rain in 12 hours Tuesday, which is more than its historical average annual rainfall of 3.73 inches (94.7 mm).

The storm's total rainfall in Dubai added up to 6.45 inches (164 mm) by Wednesday morning, an event the state-run WAM news agency said was worse than "anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949."

Streets were submerged and vehicles were stranded in water across Dubai following the historic rainfall, according to The Associated Press.

Marmul Airport, which is located near oil fields in southern Oman, measured 13.61 inches (345.8 mm) during the storms. Chahbahar, on the coast of Iran, reported 12.36 inches (314 mm).

At one point Tuesday, NASA's IMERG rainfall instrument estimated 1.32 inches of rain was falling per hour over the Gulf of Oman. (NASA) At one point Tuesday, NASA's IMERG rainfall instrument estimated 1.32 inches of rain was falling per hour over the Gulf of Oman. (NASA)

"March and April are typically the wettest months in the UAE and Oman," explained AccuWeather Lead International Forecaster Jason Nicholls.

"But this year has been wetter than normal across the area, which means more storms," Nicholls added. "A series of low-pressure systems has brought rounds of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain to the region over the last several weeks. It looks like a quieter pattern across the region later this week into next week."
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The El Paso County Coroner has identified the victim in a fatal stabbing on the southeast side of the city on Sunday, April 14.

On Monday, April 15, the coroners office identified the victim as 65-year-old Frank Mason of Colorado Springs. While the coroner will determine the official cause and manner of death, the incident is being investigated as a homicide.

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) originally responded to the 3600 block of Dundee Place, near the intersection of Airport Road and South Chelton Road, on Sunday around 11:17 a.m., where they discovered a man suffering from multiple stab wounds.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: One man dead after stabbing attack, said CSPD

Officers attempted lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful, and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. CSPD arrested a suspect identified as 32-year-old Alexander Brown, a neighbor of Mason. He was taken into custody without incident and brought to El Paso County Jail and is being charged with First Degree Murder.

Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department

This is the 11th homicide in Colorado Springs in 2024, compared to this time in 2023, when there were six homicides.

This is an active investigation, and CSPD asks anyone with information or who was a witness to this incident to call CSPD at (719) 444-7000, or for those wishing to stay anonymous, call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
RILEY COUNTY (KSNT)  A highway southwest of Manhattan, near the Manhattan Regional Airport, is closed due to an injury incident.

The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) is on the scene of an injury crash in the 5400 block of K18, according to a social media post. Both eastbound lanes on K18 are blocked because of the crash. Traffic on the highway is being diverted to Skyway Drive.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

A spokeswoman with the RCPD told 27 News dispatch received a call at 8:49 p.m. of a two-vehicle crash. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) is assisting the RCPD on this crash.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
The chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the agency tasked with investigating police misconduct and recommending disciplinary measures, had functioned in relative obscurity until the police shooting of Dexter Reed. But since the April 9 release of video detailing the awful scene in Humboldt Park on March 21 that started when a five-member police tactical force stopped Reed in his car and ended with a cop shot and wounded and Reeds shooting death, Andrea Kersten seemingly has been everywhere.

First, she appeared at the City Club of Chicago, in an event scheduled on the very day COPA chose to make the videos public. Then on to WTTW later that night. The next day, April 10, Kersten was discussing the videos and what her agency was probing on CBS 2 and on WGN radio. On April 11, she opted to appear on the YouTube podcast hosted by ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, known for his spicy takes (but usually on sports). CNN followed on April 13.

Youll notice that Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling arent all over your airwaves discussing this case. Johnson appeared with Kersten at a news conference the day the videos were released. Snelling discussed the matter briefly on April 8, the day before the videos came out. Both Snelling and Johnson were appropriately brief, acknowledged the horrifying nature of the incident, and then essentially said the matter was under investigation and they would allow that to play out.

Kersten, meanwhile, has felt free to discuss the substance of a probe still in its early stages. That includes COPAs suspicion that the officers lied when they said they stopped Reed for failing to wear a seat belt. In addition, she has spoken repeatedly about the 96 shots fired by the cops and emphasized state law requiring police responses, even when theyre shot at first (as they were in this case), to be proportional.

While Kersten has been careful throughout to emphasize the probe is ongoing, which is good, this media barnstorming risks giving the public the impression that COPA is leaning toward recommending discipline for some or all of the officers involved. Headlines that have followed her interviews have blared out the 96 shots in 41 seconds and COPAs implied view that the cops may be dissembling.

Helpfully, COPA and Kersten also have said from the outset that evidence shows Reed fired first. Its impossible to know for sure, but the timely disclosure of that critical fact may be why we didnt see more unrest following public release of the videos.

Nonetheless, the Andrea Kersten Show has been unsettling given that she runs the agency charged with investigating all police-involved shootings, as well as complaints of police misconduct. It goes without saying that this troubling incident is highly sensitive. Its ultimate resolution, which isnt likely until early next year, could create yet another fraught moment for Chicago.

Intended or not, Kersten has given the impression that these officers did something  or many things  wrong. Members of the public viewing those videos are free, of course, to voice those opinions. But the person leading the first step of the official reckoning shouldnt be doing so.

Why? Among other reasons, she risks undermining the impartiality of whatever COPA eventually recommends, particularly if the agency proposes harsh disciplinary consequences for the officers. With these repeated public airings, she also risks sending the message, intended or not, to her staff that she expects a result along those lines.

And, finally, preliminary release of internal questions  Were the officers lying? Was the volume of shots from police proportional?  provides fodder for the lawsuit against the city likely to come from Reeds family, possibly before COPAs full report is completed.

Snelling, whos been at odds with Kersten previous to the Dexter Reed shooting, finally called her out on Friday, accusing her agency of acting irresponsibly. Nothing, or no one, should be judged in the court of public opinion, he said. He emphasized that COPA hasnt even interviewed the officers yet, an obvious point of fairness. Hes right, of course.

Civilian authority over police matters is a struggle thats been ongoing for decades in Chicago. For much of that period, there were too many instances in which stark police misconduct was swept under the rug. That all changed after the 2014 police murder of Laquan McDonald, the event that led to the consent decree now governing many aspects of the Police Departments operations. COPA is a relatively young agency and isnt technically under the mayors control anymore (which is why he should not have been standing next to Kersten at a news briefing). One good question: Whats the recourse if the public loses confidence in COPAs leadership?

It wouldnt be a good thing to return to the days when cops could behave badly without accountability. But Kersten is doing her agency  and the philosophy that Chicagoans should have a say in how theyre policed beyond electing a mayor  no favors with this unorthodox display.

Kersten deserves praise for her agencys timely release of the videos in the death of Dexter Reed and her disclosure of the critically important context that Reed shot first at police. Beyond that, she needed just to say that determining who shot first was far from the sum total of her agencys investigation and that COPA would probe all aspects of the incident, including the justification for stopping Reed.

By all means, educate Chicagoans by offering information on what COPA does and how it goes about its work. But Kersten now should stay away from substantive aspects of this ongoing case.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
EL CAJON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man was arrested near the U.S.-Mexico Border Friday in connection with a homicide that happened in El Cajon last week, El Cajon Police said Monday.

Around 3 a.m. on April 9, police responded to reports of a possible assault in the 100 block of W. Main Street in El Cajon.

Officers found an unhoused man, later identified as 41-year-old Robert Mansi, with critical blunt force trauma injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene and authorities later ruled the incident as a homicide.

San Diego police investigating after burning body found in Old Town

On Friday, around 2 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents detained 37-year-old John Paul Campbell, who is also homeless, as he attempted to cross into the U.S. at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

El Cajon Police detectives took him into custody and booked him into the San Diego County Central Jail for murder.

Records showed Campbell had previously been arrested by the San Diego County Sheriffs Department on Feb. 15 for assault with a deadly weapon, the release said. He also had an extensive history of violent crimes dating back to the early 2000s, according to police.

Pedestrian in critical condition after hit by car in Chula Vista

Campbell was released from jail about seven hours before the homicide on April 9 occurred and was on probation at the time.

The investigation is ongoing and the motive behind the homicide is unknown at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
The U.S. Armys Network Cross-Functional Team is slated for a leadership shakeup.

Maj. Gen. Jeth Rey, the teams director, will be succeeded by Brig. Gen. Patrick Ellis, according to a personnel announcement shared by the Department of Defense. Rey has led the team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, since 2021. He pinned a second star in his time there.

Ellis is expected to take over this summer. Rey will become the director of architecture, operations, networks and space at the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-6.

The Network Cross-Functional Team is an outgrowth of Army Futures Command, established in 2018 to tackle the services modernization requirements. It is one of eight original teams convened and works closely with the Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical, or PEO C3T.

Other foundational cross-functional teams include Long-Range Precision Fires, Next-Generation Combat Vehicles, Future Vertical Lift and Synthetic Training Environment.

The change of directors comes as the Army pays increasing attention to connectivity and digital security. Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George at the Association of the U.S. Army convention in October described an overhauled network as his priority.

Soldiers need to shoot, move and communicate, he said at the time. Technology should facilitate those fundamentals, not encumber them.
Every economist knows Steins Law: If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.

That was Herbert Stein, Nixon economic adviser, professor, and longtime sage of the American Enterprise Institute. His axiom sounds tautological, but with Yogi Berra-like wisdom it points out a major flaw in the way humans think about causes and effects. Trends are reflections of the factors driving them, not the other way around.

And so it goes with America in this second year of post-pandemic life.

Jeff Asher, one of the founders of criminal justice consulting firm AH Datalytics, has been tracking some pretty remarkable numbers on whats happening with crime in our country, particularly murder rates. In looking at 133 cities, Asher found that murder rates so far this year are down 20 percent nationally compared to the first quarter of 2023. And in some places, down by more than half.

Columbus, Ohio, saw 45 murders in the first three months of last year, but only 19 over the same period in 2024. San Antonio, Texas, dropped from 46 murders at the start of 2023 to 23 this year. Philadelphia enjoyed a 34 percent decline, going from 114 in the first quarter of 2023 to 75 through March of this year.

And this comes on the heels of a historic 12 percent decline from 2022 to 2023.

Nationally, youre seeing a very similar situation to what you saw in the mid-to-late 90s, Asher told the Wall Street Journal. But its potentially even larger in terms of the percentages and numbers of the drops.

Now, thats a little bit like President Joe Biden taking credit for his awesome record on job creation. Its a lot easier to add 15 millions jobs to the economy on the heels of 20 million workers getting sacked in one month.

The 21,570 homicides of 2020, nearly eight deaths for every 100,000 Americans, was a staggering increase. The previous year saw 16,669, the largest hike since the FBI started keeping records. And there was no let up in 2021.

Its a lot easier to make big progress on a big problem.

Nor are murder rates down everywhere. Some hot spots like St. Louis, Atlanta, and Albuquerque have continued to see murder rates rise this year. Or consider the ravages of Louisville. Kentuckys largest city has less than half the population of San Diego, California, but four times as many murders this year: 43 compared to 11.

But certainly the trend on violent crime is clear, and not just on murder. Rape, robbery, and aggravated assault have all been down sharply since 2022. Property crime rates are down, but not nearly as much, with FBI statistics pointing to a 4 percent decline from 2022 to 2023.

All in all, the madness unleashed in 2020 and 2021 seems to be ebbing. The number of traffic fatalities, which spiked in the pandemic years, is tapering off. The 10 percent increase of 2021, the largest hike since the post-war chaos of 1945 and 1946, leveled off in 2022, and the rate seems to actually have declined last year. Nearly 40,000 deaths is still quite a lot, but it puts Americans back in the direction of the consistent improvements of the 2000s and 2010s when the country reached our lowest level of fatalities per mile traveled at about 1 per million.

We dont yet have reliable numbers on drug overdose deaths for last year, but in 2022 we saw the terrifying increases of 2020 and 2021 at least level off. Drug overdoses had been steadily worsening since the start of this century, but what happened in the pandemic years was truly stunning. Overdose deaths jumped by more than 21,000 in 2020 to 91,799. The next year saw 14,900 additional deaths. Numbers and rates stayed about the same in 2022, and theres reason for hope that we will see the first significant decline in decades when the final tabulations for 2023 come out.

And one of the weirdest pandemic-era problems, the spike in violent and disruptive passengers on airline flights, saw a steep decline: an 80 percent drop in 2023 from 2021s all-time high of 5,973 cases. The steepness of the decline there has a pretty obvious explanation. Once flight attendants didnt have to enforce mask mandates or settle disputes between passengers over mask violations, life got a lot easier.

We cant explain everything thats getting better to the end of the pandemic, nor is it sufficient to explain why so many things got so much worse. No discussion of crime rates, for example, should omit what happened when police brutality protests became a flashpoint in 2020 and local leaders across the country clamped down on law enforcement in response.

But even there, we see a pandemic effect. Those protests were no doubt larger and more intense in a nation with millions of Americans not working and lockdown-era anxieties running high.

Two years is not a very long time for a nation, especially one as numerous, large, and diverse as ours. Federal, state, and local governments, schools, businesses, and other institutions undertook unprecedented disruptions to the American way of life in response to the pandemic. Some effects, like the consequences for children kept out of the classroom in some cases for two years, will last for generations. Others will simply take time to work their way out of our systems.

The good news is that Steins Law still applies, and these destructive trends do not seem to be continuing without the spark that lit them in the first place.

Read more at The Dispatch

The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free.
Less than seven months before the presidential elections and with four court cases underway, Donald Trumps return to the White House is as likely as Joe Bidens reelection. In fact, in the polls collected by the Real Clear Politics aggregator, the tycoon has a 0.2-point lead over his rival:

Trump also has a high chance of returning to the White House, according to Metaculus, a community of thousands of users dedicated to predictions about future real-world events, which has a good record of accurately predicting outcomes. The community estimates that the Republican candidate has a 50% chance of returning to the White House.

Mataculus has been increasing Trumps odds nearly nonstop since late last year, as he saw off his challengers in the Republican Partys primaries. It only registered a slight drop, for example, in the days surrounding the former presidents testimony in the civil fraud trial.

What's to come for Trump

There are still key events on the Republican candidates agenda, especially in the courts. First up is his criminal trial for hush money paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels to allegedly prevent her claims that she had an extramarital affair with Trump from causing a scandal before the 2016 elections. Below, we detail Trumps key legal and election dates before the elections on November 5.

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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) implemented a final rule on Monday requiring most employers to provide reasonable accommodations for workers experiencing limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth or other related conditions such as choosing to get an abortion.

The final rule implements the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) that was signed into law in 2022 and went into effect last year. It requires covered entities to provide reasonable accommodations relating to an employees pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.

The PWFA does not require leave to be paid as part of these accommodations, though an employer can provide paid leave if their policies account for it. These accommodations are required unless providing them causes undue hardship on the operation of the business. Employers may cite their religion when seeking an exemption from the rule.

Under the framework of this final rule, accommodations related to abortion  like all accommodations  remain subject to applicable exceptions and defenses, including both those based on religion and undue hardship, the final rule states.

The EEOC considers related conditions to include lactation, miscarriage, stillbirth, having or choosing not to have an abortion, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count).

The EEOC provided examples of reasonable accommodations like breaks to eat, drink or use the restroom; a stool to sit on while working; time off for health care appointments; temporary reassignments or suspension of some job duties; and time off to recover from childbirth, miscarriage or other conditions.

The law applies to public and private employers with 15 or more employees, unions, employment agencies, and the Federal Government. The final rule will be published on April 19 and will be in effect 60 days after this date.

Employees who believe their employer has violated the PWFA can file charges with the EEOC. Remedies for violations can include lost wages, additional compensation for emotional distress as well as having their attorney fees covered.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a win for workers, families, and our economy. It gives pregnant workers clear access to reasonable accommodations that will allow them to keep doing their jobs safely and effectively, free from discrimination and retaliation, EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows said in a statement.

It encourages employers and employees to communicate early and often, allowing them to identify and resolve issues in a timely manner.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Koocanusa Reservoir north of the Libby Dam. (Image courtesy U.S. Forest Service)

A Montana environmental policy group sued the state Department of Justice on Friday, alleging the department is violating the organizations right to know under the constitution by withholding communications between the department and a Canadian coal mining company whose pollution is flowing downstream to Montana.

The Montana Environmental Information Center is asking a judge to force the DOJ, led by Attorney General Austin Knudsen, to turn over a privilege log and 414 documents so the court can review them to see if they should be handed over to the organization.

The records involve communications between the DOJ and Teck Coal, a company that owns coal mines in British Columbia across the border from northwestern Montana that the U.S. Geological Survey said in November was causing vast increases in selenium pollution in the Elk River. The Elk River flows downstream into Lake Koocanusa.

The company was fined $60 million in 2021 for dumping harmful materials into the river and harming westslope cutthroat trout, white sturgeon and other fish populations.

Elevated levels of selenium can be harmful to fish and bird reproduction and disrupt the ecosystem, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and numerous other studies.

In November, a USGS study reported that levels of selenium and nitrate had been increasing for decades and that the selenium concentrations at the border had not met Montanas site-specific standards since July 2020.

Last month, the International Joint Commission, which decides water disputes and other issues on the U.S.-Canada border, was asked by both governments and the Ktunaxa Nation Council to oversee the establishment of a framework to study the pollution and find ways to reduce it.

Following years of discussions between Montana and Canadian governments over the selenium problem, in late 2020, the Montana Board of Environmental Review wrote an administrative rule setting a water quality standard of 0.8 micrograms per liter of selenium for Lake Koocanusa from the border with Canada down to the Libby Dam, which was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2021. The EPAs federal standard is 1.5 micrograms per liter but allows for site-specific levels as well that can be more stringent.

But Teck Coal and Lincoln County Commissioners asked the board to review the rule, and it sided with the coal company and tried to overturn it. That led the Department of Environmental Quality to sue the board, alleging the board had overstepped its authority, and then the MEIC to challenge the boards decision.

Those two lawsuits are still ongoing in Lewis and Clark District Court. The Montana Department of Justice is an intervenor in the DEQs lawsuit, according to court records.

The Montana Environmental Information Center submitted a public records request to the DOJ on Jan. 4 asking for any documents and communications it has had with Teck Coal since the start of 2022.

But according to the new lawsuit, the organization received nothing back until a communications staffer with the DOJ on Jan. 17 told the organization there were likely many privileged documents that needed to be searched.

The request was narrowed to only communications and a list of terms, according to the MEIC, after which the department said it needed to pay a fee just to search for the documents.

The organization declined, and on Feb. 14, the attorney generals assistant said the MEIC could pay after the request was filled and also that the communications would be privileged since both the DOJ and Teck Coal were involved in active litigation, according to the suit.

The DOJ charged the MEIC $2,769 for 414 records which the group paid on March 14. But on March 20, according to the lawsuit, the DOJ asked the organization to withdraw its request and again said the records were privileged.

A week later, the organization responded and said the DOJ had to provide a privilege log at the very least and set an April 26 deadline for the department to provide the records.

But on April 5, the DOJ again said it wouldnt comply with the request nor provide a privilege log, claiming most of the communications are protected under common interest privilege, which is a type of attorney-client privilege that at times can cover communications between lawyers from two separate parties. The DOJ offered to give the organization its money back and provide the records it determines are not privileged.

The Montana Environmental Information Center believes the Department of Justice is violating its right to know under the state constitution as well as public records laws since it has not provided any records or privilege log. It also contends that a common interest privilege has never before existed between Montanas government and a regulated foreign corporation.

The Department of Justice did not respond to an email seeking comment on Tuesday.

The suit asks a judge to grant writs of mandamus directing the DOJ to produce the documents and a privilege log for a review by the judge, who would then determine what is privileged and what could be released to the organization.

Not only are (the DOJ) failing to live up to their name and bring this corporation to justice, but theyre threatening those of us who are trying to do so in their stead, MEIC Deputy Director Derf Johnson said in a statement. Even more alarming is that the DOJ is claiming it has a common interest with Teck Coal, and so the documents can be concealed from public scrutiny.

1-Complaint_4-12-24

The post Environmental policy group sues DOJ over withheld communications with Canadian coal company appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Plant operator Forrest Iwanik stands beside one of eight filters inside the Robert L. Moylan Jr. Water Filtration Plant Friday. The plant produces, on average, 22 million gallons of clean water daily.

WORCESTER  Dozens of Massachusetts communities, including some in Central Massachusetts, don't meet a new federal standard to limit potentially harmful PFAS chemicals in their public drinking water systems.

A list of cities and towns is expected to be publicly released this week, said a spokesman at the state Department of Environmental Protection. The agency won't release the list until it's finished speaking with the communities on what steps they must take to meet the new standard.

Meanwhile, Worcester is meeting or exceeding every state or federal standard there is, said Sean Divoll, the citys assistant commissioner of public works for water and sewer.

"Water in Worcester is safe. There should be no reservation about using Worcesters water, said Divoll.

What does PFAS mean?

PFAS stands for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Theyre man-made chemicals found in heat- and stain-resistant coatings in numerous products. Forever chemicals is a term for PFAS, because many of the chemicals dont break down in the environment and can enter our food and water systems.

In its press release last week that announced the new PFAS standard, the EPA said exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children.

However, the CDC said it's unclear what the impacts are from exposure to low levels of PFAS. Laboratory tests of animals that were given large amounts of PFAS showed the potential for growth and development impacts, the CDC noted. Those animals may experience problems in reproduction, thyroid function, the immune system and injuries to the liver.

New standard is tougher

The EPAs new standard is the first ever nationally for PFAS in drinking water. It sets limits of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS and 10 parts per trillion for PFNA, PFHxS and GenX chemicals.

The Robert L. Moylan Jr. Water Filtration Plant operates on the bank on Holden Reservoir Number 2. The plant produces, on average, 22 million gallons of clean water daily.

That standard is tougher than the Massachusetts one set in 2020 by the state DEP. The state standard is 20 parts per trillion for six PFAS chemicals: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA and PFDA. What that means is that each of the six, or a combination of any of the six, cant exceed a limit of 20 parts per trillion.

Chemicals listed in the EPA and Massachusetts standards don't align. All PFAS in the EPAs new rule will be included in the state's updated regulations, said a state DEP spokesman.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is reviewing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys new PFAS regulations for drinking water," said an email from spokesman Ed Coletta. "Massachusetts has been a national leader in addressing PFAS contamination, setting the state drinking water standard at 20 parts per trillion for the sum of six PFAS in 2020, and will update our standards to align with the new federal level.

"We have provided more than $504 million in grants and loans directly to communities to combat PFAS contamination and build new treatment infrastructure. Additional federal funding is both welcomed and necessary to keep our drinking water safe for all and help our cities and towns implement these health-based protections."

Worcester: Water readings are safe

Current readings of Worcesters tap water are below the state standard of 20 parts per trillion, according to Divoll. All Worcester readings are estimates: PFOS (.7-1.5) and PFOA (.8-3 parts per trillion); PFHxS (.6 parts per trillion); and PFHpA (.8-1.9 parts per trillion). Readings for PFNA and PFDA are at such a low level that theyre nondetectable, said Divoll.

When asked what Worcester will do to meet the tougher EPA standard, Divoll said the city must first measure for the presence of the compounds in the new standard before a plan can be developed. Whatever steps need to be taken to meet the EPA standard, Divoll said, its too early to determine what equipment might be needed and how much it could cost.

Meanwhile, the citys existing water filtration plant appears to be doing the job of meeting the state standard. The plant is located in Holden. Divoll said it was built in the 1990s before PFAS contamination became a widespread public health concern. As a result, the plant wasnt built for PFAS removal.

The facility is removing some trace amounts of PFAS arriving from Worcesters water sources, said Divoll. Worcesters water is supplied by 10 reservoirs located in Holden, Princeton, Paxton and Leicester.

New PFAS standard: more details

All public water systems have three years to finish initial monitoring for the chemicals in the EPA standard, and the public must be informed of the PFAS level measured in their drinking water. Where PFAS exceeds the standard, solutions must be in place to cut PFAS within five years.

It's estimated that the new EPA standards for PFOS and PFOA of 4 parts per trillion would impact 181 public water systems in Massachusetts that supply drinking water daily to the same population. Included in the 181 total are nontransient noncommunity public water systems. This category includes places like schools and office buildings that have their own water systems.

The DEP is working with 86 of the 181 public water systems because they previously or currently exceed the Massachusetts PFAS standard. Also, 95 public water systems with PFAS levels between the federal standard's 4 parts per trillion and the state's standard of 20 parts per trillion will need to address PFAS for the first time.

There is money available to address PFAS, including nearly $1 billion in the federal infrastructure law to help states test for PFAS and treat public water systems. It's part of $9 billion in the infrastructure law to help communities nationwide impacted by PFAS and other emerging contaminants.

New standard does not impact private wells

Those funds will also help remove PFAS from private wells. That is fantastic news, said Amie Shei, president and CEO of the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts.

Amie Shei, president and CEO of the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts.

However, Shei noted the new PFAS standard falls short because it doesn't require PFAS testing of private wells.

"There are no state and federal regulations to ensure private well water is safe to consume," said Shei. Laws currently on the books require routine monitoring and testing of public water systems.

Roughly half a million Massachusetts residents drink from 200,000 private wells. In fact, 5% of the wells have PFAS levels that exceed the state standard, according to studies conducted by the state DEP, Shei said.

There is pending legislation that would give the state DEP the authority to develop regulations for private wells. State lawmakers need to pass it, said Shei, and then Massachusetts can work with technical experts to develop the regulations.

More than 1,600 private drinking water wells have received free PFAS testing from the Massachusetts DEP. The agency installed and monitors treatment systems at 49 PFAS-contaminated private water supply wells and provides bottled water at an additional 53 locations.

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on X: @henrytelegram.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester 'meeting every standard' on limiting PFAS in drinking water
EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson supports Ukraine's proposal to increase its capacity for electricity imports from the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said on April 15.

Simson and Halushchenko met on the sidelines of an informal meeting of E.U. energy ministers in Brussels. Halushchenko discussed the urgent energy infrastructure needs Ukraine faces amid an ongoing Russian assault on the country's power grid.

"The Russians want to achieve a complete blackout of Ukraine," Halushchenko told the ministers.

"Therefore, it is very important to consolidate our efforts in order to resist Russian aggression next winter."

Halushchenko urged EU member states to assist in Ukraine's recovery, which involves not only repairing damaged facilities but also increasing generation capacity and developing decentralization solutions.

Read also: 80% of DTEKs energy capacity damaged, destroyed after Russian March attacks

In particular, Halushchenko called for a loosening of the restrictions that govern the cross-border electricity trade between Ukraine and other ENTSO-E countries. ENTSO-E represents 39 different operators in 35 European countries, and its interconnected electrical grid is the largest in the world.

"Thermal and hydropower generation, as well as electricity transmission system facilities, suffered the greatest losses. The most difficult situation remains with the electricity supply in Kharkiv and Kharkiv Oblast, which are located in close proximity to the Russian border and are subject to regular shelling with all types of weapons," he said.

According to the Energy Ministry, Simson supported an ENTSO-E solution to increase electricity imports. Simson also highlighted the importance of the EU's Energy Support Fund for Ukraine in purchasing equipment necessary for Ukraine's infrastructure recovery.

Halushchenko went on to discuss Russian attacks on Ukrainian gas infrastructure and described the attacks as a threat to European energy security.

"Ukraine's energy infrastructure  the electricity transmission system, gas transportation system, and underground gas storage facilities  has long been part of the overall European energy system, and therefore any attack on the Ukrainian energy sector jeopardizes the EU's energy security. That is why non-standard responses to the unprecedented challenges Ukraine is facing must be found," he said.

Read also: Russia intensifies attacks on Kharkiv, draining Ukraines air defense and civilian morale

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European Commission Coordinator for Combating Anti-Semitism and Promoting Jewish Life Katharina von Schnurbein takes part in a press conference during a meeting of Special Representatives and Coordinators for Combating Anti-Semitism. John Macdougall/AFP/POOL/dpa

A new EU initiative to record anti-Semitic incidents across Europe was launched in Berlin on Tuesday.

The European Network for Monitoring Anti-Semitism (ENMA) aims to provide a transnational overview of the extent of hostility towards Jews.

"Anti-Semitism must be made visible in order to be able to combat it," said European Commission Anti-Semitism Commissioner Katharina von Schnurbein.

Obtaining an adequate picture of anti-Semitism in society is a prerequisite for informing politicians and decision-makers appropriately,

she said. Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year, Europe has seen what she described as a "tsunami of anti-Semitism."

The EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) says anti-Semitic incidents are under-reported, with as many as eight out of 10 people who experience anti-Semitism not reporting it. Von Schnurbein said that this was often because seen as too "cumbersome" to do so.

The ENMA network, which brings together Jewish and non-Jewish civil society organizations from various European countries, aims to lower the threshold for reporting such incidents to the police.

German Anti-Semitism Commissioner Felix Klein explained that all anti-Semitic incidents could be reported in the most direct, quickest and most uncomplicated way. This information would then be collected, verified, analysed and published. The data collected in this way paints a picture that more realistically reflects the reality of anti-Semitism in the countries.

The Managing Director of Berlin's RIAS Anti-Semitism Reporting Centre, Benjamin Steinitz, spoke of a milestone in anti-Semitism research and prevention. "Anti-Semitism is on the rise in Europe, but too little is known about its transnational dimension," he said.
Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, speaks to the media before the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. "The EU strongly condemns the unacceptable Iranian attack against Israel. This is an unprecedented escalation and a grave threat to regional security," Borrell wrote on X. -/European Council/dpa

The European Union is planning new sanctions on Iran following Tehran's recent missile and drone attacks on Israel, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday in Brussels.

"The region is at the edge of an abyss," Borrell warned, describing the tense situation in the Middle East. "We have to move away from it," he added.

EU foreign ministers discussed the Iranian attack in a videocall, specially convened after Iran directly attacked Israel on Saturday, for the first time in the history of the Islamic Republic.

Iran said it was retaliation for the killing of high-ranking Iranian officers in Syria at the start of the month.

New punitive measures could be imposed through a sanctions regime set up after Iran began supporting the Russian war on Ukraine by supplying Moscow with drones, Borrell said.

The measures banned the export of components used for the construction and production of unmanned aerial vehicles to Iran. The bloc's top diplomat said those sanctions could be expanded to make it harder for Iran to produce missiles.

Borrell said there are also plans to target the supply of drones and missiles to Iranian proxies in the Middle East. Borrell said he has instructed EU officials to begin the "necessary work."

Some EU member states have called to sanction the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) but Borrell said that the elite unit of the Iranian armed forces would first have to be prosecuted by a national authority for terrorist activities under EU law. However, this has not yet been the case.

The video conference also discussed how the EU can contribute to de-escalation in the region. EU foreign ministers called "on all actors" to show restraint in the region, Borrell said.

Condemning the Iranian attack, Borrell said that EU foreign ministers "the commitment of the European Union to Israel's security."

EU foreign ministers also highlighted their previous calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Borrell said, while calling for the release of all hostages taken by Hamas after the October 7 attacks and for humanitarian access to the civilian population be unhindered

While the fighting in Gaza continues "there will be no regional stability," Borrell said, stressing that the conflict must be taken into consideration when attempting to keep peace in the Middle East.
(Bloomberg) -- The European Union should consider consolidation for telecom operators as a way to improve the blocs mobile and fixed networks and should further integrate its energy markets, according to a report it commissioned on competitiveness.

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The concession on telecom, which is part of a report former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta is presenting to EU leaders on Wednesday, is a win for operators that have argued for years that the sector is ripe for mergers in some countries to provide the growth and scale necessary to fund network upgrades.

Due consideration should be given to the necessity of some level of consolidation within national markets or strategic alliances between market players including pro-competitive sharing of investments in key network elements, the document said, according to a draft seen by Bloomberg.

On energy, Letta said the EU should further integrate its market through steps such as developing green bonds and joint purchases of critical minerals. That would help it gain the leverage and economic weight needed to ensure secure supplies and keep businesses investing in the region, he wrote.

Lettas report only addresses issues within the EUs single market and doesnt by itself change any regulations or competition policy. Bloomberg reported earlier that he will also suggest that EU leaders consider amending the blocs strict state-aid rules by creating a new mechanism to fund projects that span across member states

Telecom Concerns

Telecom operators are hopeful the next European Commission, which will be formed after the blocs elections in June, will propose a new law that takes on these concerns.

While regulators insist there is no magic number of firms in national phone markets, deals cutting competition to three companies in a country have often struggled to win approval. That situation has frustrated companies seeking to scale-up operations across the 27-nation EU and recoup massive investments in infrastructure and wireless spectrum.

There have been signs that the rules are changing, however. Orange SAs Spanish unit and Masmovil Ibercom SA won conditional approval this year to form the countrys biggest operator.

The commission earlier this year published another report that detailed issues with the EUs telecom market and addressed how operators are failing to make a return on their network investments. That paper did not encourage in-market consolidation but rather proposed cross-border mergers to create pan-European players.

The commission has been too favorable to new market disrupters, according to the draft report from Letta.

Today, keeping the focus only on pro-entrant regulation, would be detrimental for a technology switch towards advanced networks that require massive investments, the report said. Other reommendations include:

Harmonizing spectrum rules and focusing on network improvement rather than revenue in auctions

Analyzing net neutrality rules to ensure use cases like network slicing is allowed

Looking into separating infrastructure and services for more cross-border competition

Energy Risks

As the 27-nation EU emerges from an unprecedented energy crisis and faces new geopolitical risks and toughening international competition in clean technologies, it cannot lose time, Letta wrote.

No single member state can compete with the US on gas or oil prices, as they are the worlds largest fossil producer, the draft said. Nor Europe can replicate some advantages that Chinas state-controlled economy can deploy. But the EU has a continental scale energy market united by a modern, sophisticated regulatory framework unmatched around the world.

In order to deepen the integration and make Europes diverse systems a competitive asset, the region needs to muster the political will and take some decisive steps, it said. Lettas recommendations include:

Adopting a cross border cost benefit allocation methodology to build trust for regional offshore wind projects  by 2025

Developing cross-border systems for procuring flexibility and joint auctions for renewables  by 2025

Developing green bonds to support energy infrastructure projects  within the next legislature.

Revising the EU gas supply security framework  by 2025.

Set up a mechanism for joint purchasing of critical minerals  by the end of the next legislature

Setting up a Clean Energy Delivery Agency and a Clean Technologies Development Fund  by 2027

Adopting a proposed law on energy taxation as soon as possible

Defense Spending

The report also advocates further issuance of joint borrowing to finance defense, although it says that there should be a clear path to increase the EUs own resources to pay back the additional common debt.

Despite the political sensitivities surrounding this option, it has the potential to swiftly mobilize significant resources on one hand, and to foster the development of collaborative projects on the other, thereby facilitating a gradual transition towards a unified market, the draft text says.

The document calls for making all existing and future issuances of the different EU institutions fully homogeneous by marketing them under a single name, suggesting the option of an EU agency to unify the issuance.

The benefits of a single issuance for all EU institutions would become more visible as the list of priorities to be financing by EU borrowing could increase, including the funding of European public goods such as digital, energy or defence infrastructures and equipment, or the reconstruction of Ukraine.

--With assistance from Jorge Valero.

(Updates with additional telecom, defense recommendations starting in 12th paragraph)

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  After a couple of years of fighting against larger utility poles coming to the Riverside neighborhood, residents got some good news Monday, but some people may still be disappointed.

Evergy continues its plan to upgrade a transmission line between the substation located at 17th Street and Emporia Avenue and the substation at 11th Street and Jefferson in Riverside. The transmission line was built in the 1950s.

But Evergy has decided the work will stop once it reaches 11th and Jefferson. It will no longer extend the work to the 777 W. Central Ave. substation. That section of the rebuild would have gone through historic neighborhoods and parks.

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After further evaluation  we determined the rebuild is not needed at this time. Infrastructure upgrades we have made throughout the city, as well as a planned substation upgrade near Mead and 3rd Street, have allowed us to remove the project from the current schedule, Kaley Bohlen, Evergy communications manager, said.

Affidavits detail alleged plot targeting 2 Kansas women

If Evergy decides it needs to add that stretch of transmission line in the future, it will reach out to landowners and hold an open house.

Evergy is holding an open house on the rest of the Riverside rebuild on Tuesday night. The open house is from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 16 at the Minisa shelter building, 704 W. 13th St.

Residents can expect to see preliminary project details.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Every singe day: Judge tells woman to remember destroying family of pregnant teen she killed, then hands down 50-year sentence

CHICAGO  With the five-year anniversary of the slaying of 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez looming, the woman accused of killing the teen and cutting her baby out of the womb in a sensational case that drew international attention was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Clarisa Figueroa, 51, entered a guilty plea on charges of first-degree murder Tuesday. She had been charged with murder, kidnapping, dismembering a human body and other felonies in the April 2019 killing of Ochoa-Lopez, who was nine months pregnant.

She appeared in court at the Leighton Criminal Court Building sitting in a wheelchair, while family members of Ochoa-Lopez lined the front row of the gallery carrying a photograph of Marlens young family.

They  live every single day with the actions that you put into motion on April 23, 2019, Judge Peggy Chiampas said after she accepted the guilty plea. Every single day, I want you to think of those individuals. Every single day.

Figueroa strangled the teen with a cable, slicing open her abdomen from side to side, removing the baby from the womb and placing him inside a bucket, prosecutors said. The baby, Yovanny Jadiel Lopez, died months later.

The memory of my infant sons last breath in my arms is complete agony, wrote Marlens husband Yovanny Lopez in a statement read to the court by an advocate.

Lopez and his family wore shirts that displayed a photograph of a sunflower field, which he said was Marlens favorite flower.

In his victim impact statement, he said his other son, Joshua, has lost his mother forever.

The death of my wife Marlen in this matter has hurt me physically, scarred me emotionally for which I will never recover, he said the a statement.

After the hearing, Pastor Julie Contreras, a family friend, said she was with Lopez when he held his son at the hospital.

I had never heard a sound come out of a human being the way I heard it come out of him, she said.

Figueroas daughter, Desiree, 29, previously agreed to testify against her mother in exchange for a sentence of 30 years in prison. She pleaded guilty to murder in January.

A third co-defendant, Piotr Bobak, the boyfriend of Clarisa Figueroa, last year pleaded guilty to a felony count of obstruction of justice and was sentenced to four years in prison.

The mother and daughter lured Ochoa-Lopez to their Southwest Side home with the promise of free baby clothes, prosecutors have said. Ochoa-Lopez was last seen leaving her high school in the Little Village neighborhood. Clarisa Figueroa planned to raise the baby herself, and tricked Bobak into believing the baby was his child, according to police and prosecutors.

After cutting out the baby, Clarisa Figueroa called 911 and announced that she had delivered a baby who was not breathing, prosecutors have said. As paramedics arrived, she was holding the baby with its placenta and umbilical cord attached.

Both were rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center. The newborn had problems breathing and appeared blue.

About two weeks after Ochoa-Lopez was last seen, detectives investigating her disappearance learned the teen had gone to the Figueroa home the day she disappeared.

They went to the home and were told by Desiree Figueroa that her mother had recently had a baby, and found Ochoa-Lopezs car parked nearby.

Detectives visited Clarisa Figueroa at the hospital, but she denied that the teen came to her home the day she disappeared. Police eventually used DNA to determine Clarisa Figueroa was not the babys mother.

When detectives arrived to search the Figueroa home, Bobak was outside cleaning a rug with bleach and a hose, prosecutors said during a bond hearing in 2019. When Bobak saw the officers, he dropped the bleach and hose, and walked away, they said.

Ochoa-Lopezs decaying body was found in a garbage can outside the Figueroa home with the coaxial cables used to strangle her still around her neck, prosecutors have said.

After police discovered Ochoa-Lopezs body and her hospitalized child, her husband, Yovanny Lopez, told the Tribune he prayed for the babys recovery, though family were told he had brain damage.

Its so hurtful losing a wife that you spent beautiful moments with, he told the Tribune at the time.

_________
KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2024 - 17:54 | Arts, All, Japan

Around 40 countries are set to build their own pavilions at the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka next year, down from the initially planned 60, Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura said Tuesday.

"Looking at various circumstances, (the number in the end) will be around 40," Yoshimura told reporters, as inflated materials and labor costs have affected the construction plans of countries participating in the global event from April 13 through Oct. 13 next year on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay.

Around a dozen countries planning self-built "Type A" pavilions, seen as the highlight of the expo, have yet to find construction firms, with complexity of designs posing an additional problem for them.

Yoshimura said that while it is up to each country to choose which type of pavilion it wants, Japan should urge those having difficulties in building Type A pavilions to switch to pavilions built by the organizer.

He added space allotted for Type A pavilions can then be diverted into a rest area or an open space.

The governor dismissed the possibility that fewer self-built pavilions would dampen public enthusiasm for the event, saying 40 is enough for the expo to showcase "unique pavilions."

As of Thursday, 36 countries had secured contractors to build their own pavilions, according to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. But at least seven, including Brazil, have given up on Type A and switched to simpler, organizer-built types.

As of March 14, 160 countries and one region as well as nine international organizations had confirmed their participation in the expo, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Related coverage:

FOCUS: Osaka Expo preparations gather pace amid concerns, with 1 year to go

82% of 2025 World Expo entities see low public interest as challenge

2025 Expo to exhibit carbon-capturing concrete dome
Cybersecurity has had a rough go of it lately, with investment in the sector dropping a precipitous 40% compared to the year prior. But there are promising early, even preliminary, signs of a recovery.

The vast majority of chief information security officers reported higher budgets for 2024, according to the cybersecurity-focused VC firm NightDragon. And, despite lower overall investment in the cybersecurity industry in Q1 2024, the number of deals increased compared to Q1 2023, per recruitment outfit Pinpoint.

It's against this backdrop that Evolution Equity Partners, a growth capital investment firm based in NYC, on Tuesday launched a $1.1 billion cybersecurity and AI fund, the third such fund in Evolution's history.

The fund, called Evolution Technology Fund III, was oversubscribed, with participation from existing and new endowments, sovereign investors, insurance companies, foundations, fund of funds, family offices and angels. It'll pursue investments ranging from $20 million to $150 million in cybersecurity firms and startups leveraging machine learning and AI to build "market-leading" platforms, Richard Seewald, managing partner at Evolution and one of the firm's founders, told TechCrunch.

"The Evolution Technology Fund III has already backed 15 leading cybersecurity companies, initiating its investment period over 12 months ago," Seewald said. "We expect to invest in a portfolio of up to 30 companies in the present fund. We'll work with management teams and founders, providing them with support and insight in areas including sales and marketing, product technology, human capital, M&A and business development, really enabling them to excel."

With Evolution Technology Fund III, Evolution's strategy will be to reserve around 75% of the $1.1 billion total for early-growth-stage companies, around 15% for later-growth-stage startups and around 10% for earlier-stage VC tranches, with investments to be made not only in North America but in Europe and Israel, a hotspot for security tech.

"Our strategy is to invest that fund in a diversified portfolio across the different stages of maturity," Seewald said. "We believe that provides private markets investors with diversified exposure to cybersecurity opportunities."

ESG will be another factor, according to Seewald.

"Evolution is committed to integrating material environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in its investment processes and ownership practices," he said. "We actively engage with our portfolio companies creating diverse boards and leadership teams bringing varied perspectives to decision-making processes, reducing the risk of groupthink and enhancing accountability."

We'll hold them to it.

Evolution, which has offices in Palo Alto, London and Zurich in addition to New York, was founded in 2008 by Seewald and Dennis Smith, who met while working together at the cybersecurity giant AVG (now owned by Avast). J.R. Smith and Karel Obluk  the former CEO and chief scientist at AVG, respectively  joined Seewald and Smith to start Evolution after AVG went public.

Evolution's 30-person team manages around $2 billion in assets and has backed 60 companies to date; its previous fund was $400 million. Among some of the firm's more successful bets are Arctic Wolf (which is planning for an IPO), Talon Cyber Security (which is reportedly in negotiations with Palo Alto Networks for an M&A deal), Snyk, Aqua Security, SecurityScorecard and Carbon Black.
Oleh Hladkovsky, a former first deputy secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council and a suspect in a years-old defense procurement criminal case, has been declared wanted, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said on April 16.

Hladkovsky was dismissed and charged in 2019 over the purchase of vehicles for the military at artificially inflated prices, allegedly costing the state more than Hr 17 million (now $430,000). He has held the position since 2015.

The official, who was a long-time business partner and associate of former President Petro Poroshenko, was detained in October 2019. The court released Hladkovsky from detention in March 2022 while the investigation was still ongoing.

NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) said that after his release, Hladkovsky, aged 54, stopped appearing in court and went abroad. Men aged 18-60 are prohibited from leaving the country under martial law, save for some exceptions.

In 2022, pictures of Hladkovsky in Warsaw surfaced, with Ukraine's Border Guard saying he left abroad for humanitarian work.

Hladkovsky was charged with abuse of official position and providing false information on income. According to the investigation, Hladkovsky, along with an ex-deputy defense minister and a director of the ministry's military-technical policy department, purchased MAZ 6317 trucks at inflated prices in 2017.

The car manufacturer was a subsidiary of the Auto Assembly Plant No. 2, which was a part of Hladkovsky's Bohdan Corporation.

In February 2019, an investigation by Bihus.Info connected Hladkovsky's son Ihor to an extensive corruption scheme in Ukraine's defense industry.

Read also: Ukraines anti-corruption bureau makes progress yet doesnt take on top presidential allies

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According to records reviewed by PEOPLE, Denise Lodge pled guilty to a charge of interstate transportation of stolen goods

Steven Porter/The Boston Globe via Getty Denise Lodge

The wife of a former Harvard Medical School morgue manager has pled guilty to stealing and transporting human remains.

According to records from the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania reviewed by PEOPLE, Denise Lodge pled guilty to a charge of interstate transportation of stolen goods on Friday, April 12.

Court records show that Lodge pled guilty as part of a plea deal in which prosecutors would move to dismiss a conspiracy charge she faced in relation to the case. Lodge's attorney, Hope Lefeber, tells PEOPLE her client pleaded guilty due to her own health concerns.

"She is very ill and wanted to put this chapter of life behind her and not have the stress of ongoing legal proceedings," Lefeber says. "It's a complicated case, it's really a case of first impression. There's not another case nationwide about whether human remains constitute stolen goods or merchandise."

Her husband, Cedric Lodge, managed the morgue for the Anatomical Gifts Program at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and allegedly "stole organs and other parts of cadavers donated for medical research and education before their scheduled cremations" from 2018 to 2022, according to a previous press release from the district court.

Steven Porter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Cedric Lodge

Related: Harvard Medical School Morgue Manager Accused of Stealing and Selling Human Remains: 'Some Crimes Defy Understanding'

The stolen remains included "heads, brains, skin, bones," and was done "without the knowledge or permission of HMS," according to an indictment reviewed by PEOPLE.

He, his wife, along with Katrina Maclean, Joshua Taylor, and Mathew Lampi (individuals to whom the stolen goods were allegedly sold) were indicted on conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen goods charges in June 2023, per a previous press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Jeremy Pauley, who was accused of purchasing and then reselling the stolen remains, pled guilty to conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property that September, per a press release.

PEOPLE previously spoke with the family of Nick Pichowicz, a deputy sheriff in Rockingham County, N.H., who died in 2019 and whose remains were among those sold.

Getty Images Harvard Medical School

Related: Their Dad's Body Was Stolen from the Harvard Morgue. Now Kids Want Their Mom Back: 'It's Just Sickening'

"He looked up to this prestigious school, and he and my mom wanted to donate to science to help other people. That was always their wish, so we honored their wish," recalled their daughter, Darlene Lynch.

The situation left their son Nicholas Pichowicz feeling "shocked, sad, and angry," adding, "We feel extremely betrayed by these individuals and the school."

George Q. Daley, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Harvard University, and Edward M. Hundert, dean for Medical Education at Harvard Medical School (HMS), released a joint statement after Cedric's arrest, calling his actions an "abhorrent betrayal."

Getty Stock image of a court gavel

"We owe it to ourselves, our community, our profession, and our patients and their loved ones to ensure that HMS is worthy of the donors who have entrusted their bodies to us for the advancement of medical education and research," their statement read. "There is nothing more sacred and worthy of our attention and respect."

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The pair also announced that the university had "appointed an external panel of experts to evaluate our Anatomical Gift Program and morgue policies and practices" in an effort to gain "constructive feedback and recommendations to improve security for the program."



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An Ex-Marine from Orange County has been sentenced for his role in the firebombing of a Planned Parenthood clinic.

The United States Department of Justice announced that 24-year-old Chance Brannon received a nine-year sentence for the attack.

Brannon pleaded guilty in November of last year to conspiracy, destruction of property, and targeting a reproductive health services facility  a violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

According to the DOJ, Brannon admitted to planning attacks with two co-conspirators, 22-year-old Tibet Ergul of Irvine and 21-year-old Xavier Batten of Brooksville, Florida.

Suspects wanted by the FBI for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at an Orange County Planned Parenthood on March 13, 2022. (FBI)

The firebombing occurred in March of 2022, while Brannon was an active-duty Marine. The Costa Mesa native and Ergul went to the Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa, ignited the Molotov cocktail, and threw it at the clinic entrance in hopes of scaring pregnant women, intimidating abortion providers from offering the procedure, and encouraging similar violent acts, the DOJ said.

An image of a Molotov cocktail was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Authorities say Brannon initially had numerous targets he wanted to attack, including the Anti-Defamation League in San Diego, before deciding on firebombing the Costa Mesa clinic.

Following the United States Supreme Courts decision to overturn the landmark court decision Roe v. Wade, which ruled that women had a constitutional right to abortion, Brannon and Ergul began plotting another attack at a second Planned Parenthood location, federal prosecutors allege.

Brannon was motivated by neo-nazi ideology. Authorities found a thumb drive that contained several clues to the former Marines plans. Brannon had a rifle with Total [N-word] Death written in Cyrillic and a recording of the 2019 mosque shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, where a white supremacist murdered 51 people and injured 40 others, officials said.

According to the sentencing memorandum. Brannon possessed antisemitic writings, drawings, and literature in his bedroom at the time of his arrest and made comments to his fellow Marines including All Jews deserve to die.

Brannon was also involved in planning several other attacks on targets around Southern California.

The DOJ says Brannon and Ergul formulated a plan to start a race war by severely damaging an electrical substation to disrupt the functioning of the power grid in Orange County.

Brannon and Ergul also commiserated on attacking Dodger Stadium on a night celebrating LGBTQ pride. Shortly before his arrest, Brannon planned to rob several Jewish-owned homes in the Hollywood Hills, according to the DOJ.

The 24-year-old has been in custody since being arrested in June of last year. The judge in the case also ruled that Brannon must pay $1,000 in restitution.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Michael Steele, a former chair of the Republican National Committee, pulled no punches with his commentary on Donald Trumps hush money trial, which began Monday.

Steele sarcastically swiped on X (formerly Twitter) that it was such a proud moment for the GOP that its presumptive presidential nominee was sitting in a courtroom on trial for 34 counts of first-degree falsifying business records.

Steele, a longtime critic of Trump, summarized the allegations against the four-times-indicted former president, who is accused making a payment before the 2016 election to porn actor Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair.

Then the Republican grandee sought to clarify, This case is NOT about the payment but rather about the catch and kill scheme  the effort to falsify official records  to conceal his agreement with others in order to cover up the payment from the public and to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election.

So Proud, Steele sarcastically ended his post.

Such a proud moment for the @GOP. Our nominee for president is sitting in a courtroom on trial for 34 counts of first-degree falsifying business records. In 2016, @realDonaldTrump tried to hide from the voting public damaging information about his affairs with a porn star and a https://t.co/EZ3KbVgO38  Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) April 15, 2024

Last week, Steele lamented Trumps lack of shame and embarrassment, which hadnt dampened his enthusiasm to return to the White House.

Steele also urged the media not to become distracted by the ex-presidents crazy-behind circus, saying: We should be embarrassed as a country right now that we find ourselves with this man as a potential next president.

Related...
A recently retired Rock Hill police lieutenant Monday joined three other candidates, including the current sheriffs wife, in the Republican race for the top law enforcement job in York County.

With four candidates now on the ballot for York County Sheriff, the possibility of a runoff after the June 11 primary seems likely. The only way to avoid a runoff is for one candidate on June 11 to get more than 50% of the total votes cast, elections officials said.

Filing is open until Wednesday at noon. There remains a possibility that other candidates could enter an already crowded field.

In South Carolina, any registered voter can vote in one partys primary in the county where they live. South Carolina voters do not register to vote as Republican, Democrat or unaffiliated, as voters do in North Carolina and some other states.

Any runoff would be June 25. The general election is Nov. 5.

Who is running so far for sheriff?

Retired Rock Hill police Lt. Tony Breeden, 55, filed as a Republican for sheriff on Monday. He left the Rock Hill Police Department in 2022 after more than 27 years of service. Breeden is a Marine Corps veteran.

With humility and grace, I am here to officially announce my candidacy for sheriff of York County, Breeden said Monday after filing.

Beth Bryant Tolson, the wife of current sheriff Kevin Tolson, is also a Republican candidate. She has more than 30 years experience in law enforcement, and is the daughter of former sheriff Bruce Bryant.

Two retired York County deputies with more than 25 years experience each, Chris Blevins and Heath Clevenger, filed for the seat last week.

Filings are public record and can be viewed at scvotes.gov under candidate tracking.

Why was filing reopened?

Republicans reopened filing because Republican Sheriff Kevin Tolson filed for the seat March 18, but withdrew from the race.

Kevin Tolson filed seeking re-election March 18, but withdrew when his wife filed and said he supported her candidacy. He told The Herald he is going to take a job with a national non-profit that assists first responders and law enforcement with mental health.

Beth Bryant Tolson filed as a Republican for the seat on the last day of filing on April 1. That left her as the one candidate, and South Carolina law allowed the party to reopen filing.

York County Republican Party leaders voted to reopen filing.

No Democrat or anyone from another party filed for sheriff during regular filing March 16 through April 1.

There is no limit to the number of Republican candidates who can file to run, provided they meet the legal qualifications for the office, York County Voter Registration and Elections director Alan Helms said.

About the sheriffs job

The sheriff is paid an annual salary of $209,261. The sheriff runs the county jail and has more than 300 employees in law enforcement and detention.

The sheriffs office has countywide jurisdiction, yet is separate from municipal police departments in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York, Clover and Tega Cay. York County has almost 300,000 residents.

The sheriff must have at least five years of law enforcement experience to hold the office under state law. The sheriff that is elected in November will take office in early 2025.
A former White House official and prominent fundamentalist Christian said Donald Trump is cloaking his actual, radical beliefs on the campaign trail, and that a second Trump administration would see him govern in a more conservative and more aggressive fashion.

William Wolfe  a self-described Christian nationalist who served under Trump as a deputy assistant secretary of defense at the Pentagon and as director of legislative affairs at the State Department  made the remarks Thursday during a conversation on X Spaces, a live audio chat room on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Wolfe was among half a dozen panelists convened by editors at The Sentinel, a far-right digital media outlet, to discuss Trumps stance on abortion.

The panelists were concerned that Trump had publicly criticized the Arizona Supreme Courts decision to uphold an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions in the state. They were also perturbed about Trumps claim that he would not support a federal abortion ban, Right Wing Watch first reported.

But Wolfe argued that Trump  whose selections for the U.S. Supreme Court led to the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, which had protected abortion rights in America  is hiding his actual position on many issues, including abortion.

I actually think theres wisdom in cloaking some of your power levels and maybe some of the things that youre trying to do, and then once you secure power, and you have it, you govern in a more extreme position, Wolfe said. I think Trump is one of the first Republican candidates Ive ever seen in my lifetime who has done that.

Power levels, a popular term in online far-right and white supremacist circles, refers to the degree of a persons extremism or radicalization. Its most often used when discussing the need to hide your power levels while infiltrating mainstream conservative and Republican organizations.

I am confident with the people that I see lining up to be with Trump in a second term that regardless of what the rhetoric looks like during this campaign season, that he would actually govern in a more conservative and more aggressive fashion in the White House, Wolfe said. Thats something that I think we need to be comfortable with and maybe we should use  maybe even some other conservative Republicans out there who want to run for office and gain power and use it to do radical scary conservative things should consider doing.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment on Wolfes remarks.

Wolfe has intimate knowledge of at least one person heavily involved in shaping Trumps potential second-term policy agenda. As reported by Politico, Wolfe has close ties to Russ Vought, president of the Center for Renewing America, a MAGA-aligned think tank thats part of the consortium behind Project 2025, a blueprint for a radically conservative second Trump administration.

Wolfe was a visiting fellow at CRA, and also worked alongside Vought at Heritage Action, another conservative policy advocacy group. Im proud to work with @William_E_Wolfe on scoping out a sound Christian Nationalism, Vought tweeted in January 2023.

Voughts plans for the Trump administration include infusing Christian nationalism into every level of government, according to documents obtained by Politico. Christian nationalism is based in the belief that America was founded as a Christian nation and that a far-right, fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible should guide policy agendas  a theocratic worldview that makes little room for equal governance in a diverse, pluralistic society.

Wolfe is a leading proponent of Christian nationalism in America, and has advocated for banning abortions, sex education in schools, same-sex marriage and no-fault divorces. He has also made anti-trans comments, once arguing that its your moral and civic duty to misgender a man pretending to be a woman.

In October, Wolfe appeared on The Stew Peters Show, a livestreamed talk show named for its host, a white supremacist and antisemite who frequently advocates for executing Democratic government officials. Wolfe argued on the show that Christian nationalists elected to office need to exercise authority in accordance with the Bible to save America from globo-homo nationalism.

Later that month, Wolfe told a crowd of Christians at a conference that they are close to a time when itll be necessary to take up arms in defense of their faith.

If we have ever lived in a point in time in American history since then that we could argue that now is the time to arms again, I think we are getting close, Wolfe said, according to another report from Right Wing Watch. Even though as Christians we seek peace, when the enemy is pressed upon us, if we fail to heed the call to arms, then we are acting as cowards.

During the X Spaces conversation last week, Wolfe  who at one point used a transphobic slur  argued that the Biden administration is possessed by legions of demons, Marxists and radicals who hate Christians and humanity itself.

What were up against is one of the most lawless, hostile and aggressive anti-Christian regimes that we have ever seen in our country to this point, Wolfe said of President Joe Bidens White House. In reality, Biden is a practicing Catholic.

The Biden administration is ruthless, Wolfe went on. They will utilize the crushing and deadly power of the federal government, the national security apparatus, and the deep state to destroy you and your family without remorse. If youre an outspoken, conservative Christian in this country, and youre not walking around looking over your shoulder, wondering when the FBI might be coming to roll you up for your group chats or for your memes or for your advocacy for Christian values and causes in the country, you need to be.

I think [Biden] poses a civilizational threat to our country and the world, he said.

Related...
MERIDIAN TWP., Mich. (WLNS)  Meridian Townships top employee has been using township resources to benefit his consulting business.

As Township Manager, Frank Walsh oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of Meridian Township. But Walsh confirms to 6 News that he has used township resources to conduct some of his consulting work with his business Walsh Municipal Services, LLC (WMS).

WMS contracts with municipalities across the state to conduct searches for executive-level employees such as city manager and director of public works positions.

How much township time and resources Walsh uses to conduct his private business is a matter of debate.

Frank Walsh  Meridian Township Manager. (Photo: Meridian Twp.)

I can assure the residents of Meridian Township that my business activities are conducted 99% of the time on my personal phone, email and personal computer. Walsh wrote in an email to 6 News. With anything, there are times that you plan for a phone call at home and you get a call or Zoom on my personal cellphone while at the office. I typically spend 4-6 hours per week with my recruitment activities. The Township has always been my top priority. This will not change.

But a source with direct knowledge of Walshs activities tells 6 News he spends about 20% of his time at the Township working on consulting contracts rather than his township responsibilities.

Multiple sources tell 6 News their perception is that Walsh is spending significantly more than 1% of his time working on his consulting contracts, rather than township business. Walsh also comes in later in the day when he travels to other locations to present for his contracting work because he is working late that day.

EDITORS NOTE: This report is part of an extensive investigation by 6 News. It involved numerous confidential sources and thousands of pages of public documents. The investigation stems from dissatisfaction employees and residents of Meridian Township have had over an investigation being conducted by an outside law firm into allegations and concerns over Walshs manager practices from human resources activity to the handling of township dollars.

If you want to make a case that Ive accepted phone calls and emails on my personal cell phone while at work you are correct, Walsh wrote. Im sure if you expanded your search youd find that it is common to respond to private emails or calls during the day. Like I said, I average 46 hours a week in the office. The Township is not in any way receiving less than 40 hours a week from me.

All of the sources who spoke to 6 News for this reporting were granted anonymity because they fear retaliation from Walsh and they remain actively involved at the township. 6 News relied on sources verifying information provided, often independently of one other, as well as cross-referencing with thousands of pages of documents obtained by 6 News.

Walsh refused to meet in person or appear on camera for this story.

Supervisor Pro Tem Scott Hendrickson responded to questions from 6 News on behalf of the board.

On the advice of Township counsel, the Board has no comment on any investigation that may or may not be ongoing, he wrote in an email Monday.

In response to 6 News reporting, Walsh denied any wrongdoing Monday in an email.

The taxpayers are not subsidizing my consulting. I operate with my own cell phone, home computer & office, Walsh wrote. The only time that my schedule has changed during a time or two, I would take a short Zoom call with a community. I estimate that occurred 4-5 times over the past few years. I keep track of my time during the day and account for the time with evening and weekend work. Ive never taken more time than Ive given during a week without using vacation time.

Walshs claims do not match interviews with several sources and thousands of documents obtained by 6 News from the Township.

Gauging how much time he spends working on government responsibilities versus his contract work is difficult, sources tell 6 News. They say he carries two cell phones that appear the same. One has the ringtone of a barking dog, but no one is certain as to whether that is his contracting cell phone or his township cell phone. Those sources also say he will travel across Marsh Rd. to the Fed Ex copy center during the day to produce copies of presentations he will give to clients, but he also prints some of those items off on the township printer in his office.

Sources tell 6 News that in a year, his assistant spends an estimated 10 hours handling Walshs consulting-related work while on the Township clock. That includes answering emails and phone calls from applicants for positions Walsh is running searches on. Walsh denies that.

My assistant does not spend 10 hours a year responding to inquiries., Walsh wrote in an email to 6 News. On an average 10 calls are received per year which take one minute to say please use Frankss (sic) private cell number. I cant control who contacts my office.

As Township Manager, Walsh earns $160,823 a year in taxpayer salary plus health and retirement benefits. His consulting business brings in thousands of additional dollars on top of that. 6 News talked to three of Walshs clients who, combined, said they paid WMS around $13,000 in 2023.

WLNS

Jay Kennedy is an expert in white-collar crime. He has studied and taught about it at Michigan State University and is now in the private sector. 6 News shared the results of the investigation into Walshs outside contracting with him.

Actually, the diversion of resources is a type of theft. It does not have to be simply taking cash, says Kennedy. It can be organizational resources to ensure that you, yourself, dont have to pay costs that you would normally pay in running your own private business.

While Walsh says 99% of his consulting work is done on equipment he owns and personal time, Kennedy questions this.

What I have found with my work on employee theft  and I am not saying that this is employee theft  but what I have found in that work is that people tend to underestimate the amount of resources that theyve either used or have taken advantage of from their company or their employer, Kennedy says.

Kennedy says the extent and impact of Walshs use of township resources would require further review.

Go back to the records to see what the utilization is and put a number on it and see where it lands. Now there are two things here, he said. One is the very use of it, irrespective of whether its 30 seconds or whether its 30 hours, is likely a violation of an ethical contract that exists between the individual and the employer, whether it rises to a level of crime is something for a prosecutor to determine.

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In my expert opinion, someone who utilizes Township resources for their own personal benefit  redirects staff work to something that generates revenue for that individual that is outside the scope of their work for that organization and is the same, is tantamount to taking $20-$30 a week, an hour, what have you, says Kennedy.

Walshs consulting work appears to violate Township policies regarding outside employment. The Township employee handbook explicitly prohibits employees from using Township supplies, staff or equipment, including computers or technology, with any outside employment or private practice, and prohibits the employee from engaging in outside employment during employees regularly scheduled working hours.

A portion of the Meridian Township Employee Handbook on outside employment. (Photo by WLNS)

For instance, one document obtained by 6 News shows a 9 a.m. meeting on Friday, November 3, 2023, between Walsh and participants in a search for the Saginaw County Administrator position. The meeting was held on a Meridian Township-owned computer in Walshs office at the Township.

Notes on the document and interviews reveal Deputy Township Manager Dan Opsommer attempted to move a 10 a.m. Zoom meeting about township work to 9:40 a.m. Opsommer showed up outside Walshs office asking if he was available.

Walshs assistant told Opsommer that the manager was not available because Walsh was on a Zoom for his business.

The printed calendar invite for the meeting with contemporary notes reveals Walsh exited his office at 10 a.m. after completing the Zoom meeting with Saginaw county officials and told Opsommer and his assistant, Mark me down for one hour of vacation for today.

6 News also has a 2021 email from Walsh directing his assistant to put 40 hours of vacation time aside as a bank for his consulting time.

The email includes Meridian Townships director of human resources, as well as township attorneys.

As we orally discussed, please immediately deduct 40 vacation hours from my personal account. The deduction is to account for personal calls or emails I author during regular business hours, Walsh wrote in the email.

(WLNS)

Kennedy says the use of vacation hours is easy to play.

Who is monitoring that 40 hours? How do you monitor that 40 hours, right? Because you can get, you know, three months down the line and, Oh, wow, Ive used 46 hours now. Do you have to pay back those six hours? he says. Where, in a normal case, if you said, Hey, I want to use up six more hours of vacation time or PTO [Paid Time Off] and the system or the supervisor tells you youre at 40 hours already, youve got no more left. Then its unpaid time off, potentially, or some other mechanism that can be used. Its difficult to do that retrospectively.

The rules also prohibit the employee from using the township as a referral or recruitment location for outside employment, reference to the township employment in any advertising or recruitment of customers or clients, and maintaining a clear separation between the outside work and township functions and responsibilities.

Sources tell 6 News Walsh regularly wears Walsh Municipal Services branded clothing while on duty at the Township. The image of Walsh on his consulting business website is also an official Meridian Township picture.

I dont believe wearing a pullover with my logo affects anyone, Walsh wrote of branded clothing for his consulting job while on official Township duties. Im not trying to cultivate clients at work.

Regardless of the intent of his wearing his branded clothing, Kennedy says it blurs the lines between his personal and professional work.

Thats a concern for me because you are, youre addressing the Township board in your role as supervisor, he says of Walsh wearing his branded clothing during meetings with officials and official functions. There needs to be that clear distinction between you, the supervisor and you, the consultant. And look, youve got a closet full of clothes, right?

FILE: Frank Walsh speaks at a news conference on the release of a Meridian Township report on Nassar sex assault case. (WLNS)

In a previous email, Walsh reported his contracting work and management work did not conflict.

Under the terms of the contract, I must inform the Supervisor of my client list. For the past four years, I have done so. I maintain a personal cell phone, website, computer and home office to perform my consulting, Walsh explained in an email. I have a family member who supports our work during daytime hours through emails and drafting proposals. Whenever someone reaches out to me on my Meridian email, I always direct them to my personal cell phone. I average 46/48 hours per week performing my duties as Township Manager. Im available to the residents 24/7. When I travel for interviews, I use vacation time. There have been a few occasions when my Meridian work schedule has not allowed me to travel home for a brief Zoom call. Oftentimes, Ive used my personal cell phone for those Zoom calls.

Walshs contract has evolved over the years. At first, Township officials provided a provision to allow Walsh to conduct up to three consulting searches in the 2020 contract. That was expanded gradually over the years until the 2023 contract provided him the opportunity to participate in an unlimited number of searches as long as he informed the Township.

Then-Trustee Dan Opsommer made the motion to amend Walshs employment contract to allow him unlimited consultant jobs, lifting it from a cap of 10 in late 2022.

Walsh states on his website for WMS that the consulting business began in 1997. However, he did not file articles of incorporation with the state of Michigan for Walsh Municipal Services, LLC until December of 2018.

My consulting business started in 1997 by donating our services to smaller communities trying to find Municipal leaders, Walsh explained of the discrepancy. We did this off and on until around 2009. With township approval, we officially kicked off a business model in 2018. We have been providing searches since 97.

The WMS Facebook page reveals Walsh is involved in at least five consulting jobs in 2024. They include a search for a township manager in Zeeland Township, a city manager for the city of Saugatuck and a village manager for the village of Dimondale.

In 2023, the WMS Facebook page revealed Walsh was involved in searches for 17 municipalities. Heres the list of municipalities he conducted searches for last year:

Charlotte

Riverview

Clinton County

Chelsea

Caledonia

Van Buren County

St. Johns

Plainwell

Watervliet

Buchanan

Gratiot County

Cedar Springs (finance director)

Mason County

Norton Shores

Saginaw County

Litchfield

Spring Lake

All of the sources expressed concerns about how taxpayers would react to Walshs contracting work and the use of township resources.

I just dont know if the community knew that he has the ability to do unlimited searches, says one of the sources. If that would seem reasonable.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
By Adam Jourdan and Stephanie van den Berg

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - A Ukrainian man who alleges he was tortured by Russian occupying forces has filed a legal complaint halfway around the world in Argentina, an unusual bid to seek accountability for alleged war crimes at a time when prosecutors in Kyiv are overwhelmed.

In the filing, reported for the first time, the man accuses one named person, two identified by their call signs or military insignia, and others who are unnamed of using electrocution and unlawful imprisonment as forms of torture in mid to late 2022, the complaint seen by Reuters shows.

The man, who asked not to be identified by Reuters because of fears for his family who are still in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, filed the complaint with the Federal Court in Buenos Aires on Monday against the people who he says tortured him, the officials who ran the detention center in southern Ukraine where he says he was held, and his superior at work who he accuses of facilitating the abuse.

"I was detained at work. Then they tortured me. They used electric shocks," he told Reuters in an interview in a Buenos Aires apartment ahead of the filing.

"It was incredibly painful, so I lost consciousness. I was lucky to survive. Many people are still there."

Reuters was unable to independently confirm specifics of the victim's account.

The Russian defense ministry on Monday declined to comment. Moscow denies committing war crimes in Ukraine and has dismissed previous International Criminal Court war crimes arrest warrants as part of a biased Western campaign to discredit Russia.

The near 70-page legal complaint was shown to Reuters by the man's legal team and members of Ukraine-based NGO The Reckoning Project who jointly filed the case. It includes purported testimony from other people held in the same detention center that support the allegations as well as United Nations' experts findings of similar practices of torture at sites, including the one involved.

The complaint says electric cables were attached to the man's ear and finger to pass a shock through his body. He and others were held in cells 10 meters (32 ft) squared, with 12-20 people per cell, the complaint alleges.

Ibrahim Olabi, chief legal counsel on the case, said the man had been questioned and tortured over some 20 days. He was eventually released without charge and managed to flee to a non-occupied territory of Ukraine, Olabi said.

The man's legal team asked that details in the filing that could identify the man, the exact location and timing of the alleged events, and the identity of the alleged perpetrators be withheld, citing concerns for the man's security and the integrity of the proceedings.

The Argentine court now has to decide if it will accept the complaint, which potentially could take months. Until that time, the filing is not made public.

'HISTORIC STEP'

If Argentinian prosecutors accept the complaint it will be the first case looking at alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine filed outside of Europe and the United States.

"Today's filing is an important historic step. We will do everything in our capacity to assist the Argentine judiciary in their pursuit of truth and justice," said Yuriy Belousov, head of the war crimes unit in Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office.

He said using what is known as universal jurisdiction was crucial for Ukraine, given a large number of cases relating to alleged war crimes that had created an "unprecedented challenge for our justice system." Ukraine prosecutors have logged over 126,000 war crimes cases since the February 2022 invasion by Russia, Belousov said.

After landmark trials of the leaders of its former military dictatorship in the 1980s and the early 2000s Argentina turned itself into one of the global leaders in universal jurisdiction.

Applying this principle, prosecutors can bring cases for war crimes and crimes against humanity in other countries even if the victims and perpetrators have no link with Argentina.

"A universal jurisdiction case like this signals to perpetrators that crimes come at a cost, and you will never be able to travel easily again, you won't be able to cross a border without wondering what will happen on the other side," said Iva Vukusic, an international law expert at the University of Utrecht.

Last year, a U.N. commission of inquiry found that Russia's use of torture in areas under their control was widespread and systematic. The U.N. also found a "few cases" of violations committed by Ukrainian forces relating to instances of indiscriminate attacks and ill treatment of Russian detainees.

The experts found that torture was committed mainly in detention centers operated by the Russian authorities and chiefly against people accused of being Ukrainian informants.

Argentina has previously taken on cases from places including Spain, Yemen and Myanmar. Argentine prosecutors have filed arrest warrants, although they have little recourse if the local jurisdictions decline to cooperate.

(Reporting by Adam Jourdan in Buenos Aires and Stephanie van den Berg in The Hague, additional reporting by Anastasiia Malenko in Kyiv and Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Explainer-What are US sanctions on Iran? How can Washington impose more?

By Daphne Psaledakis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has warned it will impose new sanctions on Iran following its unprecedented attack on Israel.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Tuesday said new sanctions on Tehran - which could be focused on reducing the country's capacity to export oil - would come within days. Congressional Republicans also are considering a series of bills on Iran.

Here are details about existing measures against Iran and what the U.S. might do next:

WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF EXISTING U.S. SANCTIONS ON IRAN?

Washington's sanctions on Iran already ban nearly all U.S. trade with the country, block the government's assets in the U.S. and prohibit U.S. foreign assistance and arms sales, according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

Thousands of people and companies, both Iranian and foreign, have been targeted under the sanctions program as Washington has sought to constrain Iran's government and change its behavior, the CRS said in a report last year.

U.S. concerns have included Iran's nuclear program, human rights abuses and its support for groups the U.S. sees as terrorists.

"U.S. sanctions on Iran are arguably the most extensive and comprehensive set of sanctions that the United States maintains on any country," the CRS said.

WHAT MORE CAN THE U.S. DO?

Peter Harrell, a former National Security Council official, said U.S. options for further sanctions include targeting the flow of Iranian oil and playing a more aggressive game of "Whac-A-Mole" to go after Iran's front companies and financiers.

One of the most significant moves would be for Washington to get the European Union and other western allies to impose multilateral sanctions on Tehran, he said, as most of the sanctions in place against Iran currently are U.S. measures.

Former President Donald Trump reinstated U.S. sanctions that were eased under an international deal on Tehran's nuclear program when he withdrew in 2018.

"We have to be realistic that from a U.S. perspective, while there are always more sanctions you can impose, we are in a world of diminishing actual economic pressure because we have so many sanctions already in place," Harrell said.

WHAT IS CONGRESS CONSIDERING?

House Republican leaders have accused President Joe Biden of failing to enforce existing measures and said they would take up a series of bills to sharpen sanctions on Iran.

Among them is legislation that would increase congressional oversight of sanctions waivers, tighten restrictions on the export of U.S. goods and technology to Iran and require the administration to ensure humanitarian exemptions to the sanctions do not facilitate acts of terrorism or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

There was no immediate indication of when, if ever, any of the measures would become law, which would require passage by the Democratic-led Senate and the signature of Democratic President Joe Biden.

The House late on Monday overwhelmingly passed a bill called the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act, which would expand sanctions on Iran by requiring annual reports to determine whether Chinese financial institutions have participated in transactions on Iranian oil. It would ban U.S. financial institutions from having accounts for any Chinese entities that engage in those deals.

The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

The Democratic-led Senate may consider its own legislation. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a bill on Tuesday that would impose measures on foreign ports and refineries that process oil exported from Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions, after a companion bill passed last year in the House.

The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on hundreds of people and entities in Iran-related action since 2021.

WHAT ARE THE KEY PARTS OF THE CURRENT MEASURES?

U.S. sanctions on Iran have targeted its nuclear capabilities, energy and defense sectors, government officials, banks and other aspects of Iran's economy:

* The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the Atomic EnergyOrganization of Iran and other companies it says are linked toIran's nuclear program, as well as dozens of banks, includingthe Central Bank of Iran. * Washington has also targeted the National Iranian OilCompany, Ministry of Petroleum and others in an effort to stemrevenue Iran receives from its energy sector, and has targetedcompanies outside Iran - including in China and the United ArabEmirates - over the trade of Iranian petrochemicals andpetroleum despite U.S. sanctions. * The U.S. has imposed several sets of sanctions on Iran'sRevolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), its overseas Quds Force andthe Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, as well aspeople and entities it said were associated with them.Washington has designated the IRGC and Quds Force as ForeignTerrorist Organizations. * Iranian government officials, including President EbrahimRaisi, have been targeted.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Patricia Zengerle and Timothy Gardner; Editing by Don Durfee and Alistair Bell)
KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2024 - 19:48 | All, World, Japan

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on Tuesday urged Iran and Israel to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation of tensions in the Middle East following Tehran's missile and drone attack on Israel last weekend, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

In separate phone talks with her Iranian and Israeli counterparts, Hossein Amir Abdollahian and Israel Katz, Kamikawa also said Tokyo is seriously concerned about Iran's attack and "strongly condemns such escalation," according to the ministry.

"The current situation is not in the interest" of not only the Iranian and Israeli people but the entire international community, Kamikawa was quoted by the ministry as telling both ministers.

Kamikawa agreed with both counterparts to continue close communication, the ministry said.

She urged Iran to "ensure the safety of navigation" in regional waters, the ministry said.

Kamikawa also asked for Iran and Israel's support in securing the safety of Japanese nationals in the Middle Eastern nations, according to the ministry.

Iran's attack on Israel over the weekend was in retaliation for the bombing of the Iranian embassy's consular section in Damascus early this month in which seven Iranian officers, including a top Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commander, were killed.

The Iranian force also reportedly seized a commercial ship with links to Israel as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday.

Resource-poor Japan has been highly dependent on crude oil from the region and traditionally pursues a "balanced diplomacy" between Israel and Muslim nations in the Middle East, including Iran.

Meanwhile, the Group of Seven industrialized countries, which includes Japan, held an online summit Sunday and condemned "in the strongest terms Iran's direct and unprecedented attack against Israel."

At the virtual gathering, the G7 leaders considered imposing sanctions on Tehran, and some of them proposed that the Revolutionary Guards be designated as a terrorist organization, according to a senior U.S. official.

Israel has been engaged in a prolonged conflict with Hamas since the Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack on southern Israel in October, causing a serious humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip.

Related coverage:

G7 eyes sanctions over Iran drone, missile attack on Israel

Japan PM strongly condemns Iran attack on Israel, conflict escalation

Iran launches retaliatory attack on Israel with drones, missiles
Explainer-Why is Russia trying to capture the Ukrainian town of Chasiv Yar?

FILE PHOTO: A Ukrainian serviceman camouflages a self propelled howitzer at a front line near the town of Chasiv Yar

FILE PHOTO: A Ukrainian serviceman camouflages a self propelled howitzer at a front line near the town of Chasiv Yar

By Andrew Osborn

LONDON (Reuters) - Russian paratroopers have reached the eastern edge of the Ukrainian town of Chasiv Yar, which Kyiv's top commander says Moscow wants taken by May 9, the date when Russia marks the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.

The Kremlin has not acknowledged setting such a deadline, but Russian forces are pummelling the strategically-important Ukrainian town's defenders with artillery, drone and air strikes.

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top commander, has warned that the battlefield situation in the east has deteriorated. But he has said that Kyiv's brigades in Chasiv Yar are holding back the assaults for now and have been reinforced with ammunition, drones and electronic warfare devices.

If Russian forces capture the town, 12 km (7.4 miles) from the centre of the devastated city of Bakhmut they took last May after months of bloody fighting, they would be able to launch direct offensives against several Ukrainian "fortress cities."

Moscow's forces, according to embedded Russian war correspondents and analysts, are likely to attempt to squeeze Ukrainian forces from the east, south and north in order to force them to flee westwards.

Russian soldiers have begun phoning their Ukrainian counterparts in Chasiv Yar to demand they surrender or be wiped out by guided aerial bombs, which Moscow's forces have used with devastating effect, according to Russian state news outlet Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

With warmer weather setting in, Kyiv, which is lobbying Washington to release a delayed aid package amid shortages of men and ammunition, fears Russia is preparing a major offensive across the more than 1,000 km-long (620-mile) frontline.

WHAT IS CHASIV YAR?

Chasiv Yar (Quiet Ravine), which had a pre-war population of more than 12,000 and is called Chasov Yar by Russians, sits in the industrial Donbas area in Ukraine's Donetsk region - one of four Ukrainian regions Moscow claims to have annexed.

Dissected by a canal, its pre-war economy centred on a factory that produced reinforced concrete products and mining fire (refractory) clay, which is resistant to high temperatures, and making products out of it such as bricks.

Located on higher ground, it has variously served as a regrouping point and as a forward artillery base for the Ukrainian army. It has been extensively shelled and damaged by Russian forces.

Ukraine says a Russian strike on residential buildings in the town in 2022 killed at least 43 people. Russia says those killed were Ukrainian troops.

Only a few hundred mostly elderly residents remain, some of whom are evacuating. Those that are still there shelter in basements and rely on volunteers for food and water.

The mayor of the town fled long ago, and Serhii Chaus, head of the local military administration, drives aid into the town from other centres.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Russian military analysts list Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostiantynivka as the "fortress cities" in Ukraine's east accessible from Chasiv Yar.

The Washington-based Institute for War Studies (IWS) think-tank describes the cities as "the backbone" of the Ukrainian army's defence in the east.

"The offensive effort to seize Chasiv Yar offers Russian forces the most immediate prospects for operationally significant advances," ISW said in a briefing note.

The ISW warned that losing Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka in particular would be a major operational setback that would be hard to reverse.

WHAT SHAPE IS THE BATTLE LIKELY TO TAKE?

Casualties on both sides during Russia's lengthy capture of Bakhmut and Avdiivka, to the south, have been high, though no reliable public data exists on the scale.

Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser, forecast the battle for Chasiv Yar would be equally hard from a Russian perspective.

"The 'fighting for Chasov Yar' period has begun. It will be long. The fighting will be about the same as for Bakhmut," Markov wrote on his official blog.

Alexander Kots, a war correspondent for Russia's Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper who often travels with the Russian army, said airborne forces were trying to advance.

"To enter, it is necessary to first level the flanks and encircle the city, providing several entry points from different directions at once," Kots wrote on the Telegram messenger service.

"This is necessary in order to stretch the enemy's defence forces in the city and to force them to constantly move in different directions under our constant fire."

Ukrainian analysts with Deep State UA, a group that closely tracks the war, said on X that Russia was gathering reserves for the battle of Chasiv Yar.

(Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and the House Republican leadership meet with reporters following a closed-door Republican strategy session as Johnson pushes towards separate votes on aid for Israel and Ukraine, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Defiant and determined, House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed back Tuesday against mounting Republican anger over his proposed U.S. aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies, and rejected a call to step aside or risk a vote to oust him from office.

I am not resigning, Johnson said after a testy morning meeting of fellow House Republicans at the Capitol.

Johnson referred to himself as a wartime speaker of the House and indicated in his strongest self-defense yet he would press forward with a U.S. national security aid package, a situation that would force him to rely on Democrats to help pass it, over objections from his weakened majority.

We are simply here trying to do our jobs, Johnson said, calling the motion to oust him absurd ... not helpful.

But as night fell, the speaker's resolve collided with Republican opposition to his plan.

For hours, Johnson holed up at the Capitol with lawmakers sorting through their alternative strategies, particularly ways to attach U.S.-Mexico border security measures to the package. No bill text was released, putting passage of any aid this week in serious doubt.

We'll see, Johnson said about the legislation, ducking into a meeting that dragged toward midnight.

Tuesday had initially brought a definitive shift in tone from both the House Republicans and the speaker himself at a pivotal moment as the embattled leader tries, against the wishes of his majority, to marshal the votes needed to send the stalled national security aid for Israel, Ukraine and other overseas allies to passage.

Johnson appeared emboldened by his meeting late last week at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida when the Republican former president threw him a political lifeline with a nod of support. At his own press conference Tuesday, Johnson spoke of the importance of ensuring Trump, who is now at his criminal trial in New York, is reelected to the White House.

Johnson also spoke over the weekend with President Joe Biden as well as other congressional leaders about the emerging U.S. aid package, which the speaker plans to move in separate votes for each section  with bills for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific region. He spoke to Biden about it again late Monday.

After Johnson briefed the president, White House officials said they were taking a wait-and-see approach until the text of the speakers plan is released and the procedural pathway becomes more clear.

It does appear at first blush, that the speakers proposal will, in fact, help us get aid to Ukraine, aid to Israel and needed resources to the Indo-Pacific for a wide range of contingencies there, John Kirby, the White Houses national security spokesman, told reporters on Tuesday.

The speaker is considering a complicated approach that would break apart the Senate's $95 billion aid package for separate votes, and then either stitch it back together or send the components to the Senate for final passage, and potentially onto the White House for the president's signature.

All told, it would require the speaker to cobble together bipartisan majorities with different factions of House Republicans and Democrats on each measure.

Additionally, Johnson is preparing a fourth measure that would include various Republican-preferred national security priorities, such as a plan to seize some Russian assets in U.S. banks to help fund Ukraine and another to turn the economic aid for Ukraine into loans. It could also include provisions to sanction Iran over its weekend attack on Israel, among others.

The speaker's emerging plan is not an automatic deal-breaker for Democrats in the House and Senate, but the more Republicans try to pile on their priorities the further they push Democrats away from any compromise.

During their own closed-door meeting, Leader Hakeem Jeffries said House Democrats would not accept a penny less than the $9 billion in humanitarian aid that senators had included in their package with money for Gaza, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss it.

Johnson will need Democratic votes to pass aspects of his package, but Democratic support for Israel is slipping in both the House and Senate amid the Netanyahu government's retaliatory bombardment of Gaza that has left 30,000 people dead. A previous House GOP bill for Israel gutted the assistance for Gaza.

House Republicans, meanwhile, were livid that Johnson would be leaving their top priority  efforts to impose more security at the U.S.-Mexico border  on the sidelines. Some predicted Johnson will not be able to push ahead with voting on the package this week, as planned.

Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., called the morning meeting an argument fest.

When the speaker said the House GOP's priority border security bill H.R. 2 would not be considered germane to the package, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a chief sponsor, said it's for the House to determine which provisions and amendments are relevant.

Things are very unresolved, Roy said.

The speaker faces a threat of ouster from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., the top Trump ally who has filed a motion to vacate the speaker from office in a snap vote  much the way Republicans ousted their former speaker, Kevin McCarthy, last fall..

While Greene has not said if or when she will force the issue, and has not found much support for her plan after last year's turmoil over McCarthy's exit, she drew at least one key backer Tuesday.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., rose in the meeting and suggested Johnson should step aside, pointing to the example of John Boehner, an even earlier House speaker who announced an early resignation in 2015 rather than risk a vote to oust him, according to Republicans in the room.

Speaker Johnson must announce a resignation date and allow Republicans to elect a new Speaker to put America First and pass a Republican agenda, Greene wrote on social media, thanking Massie for his support for her motion to vacate.

Johnson did not respond, but told the lawmakers they have a "binary choice" before them.

The speaker explained they either try to pass the package as he is proposing or risk facing a discharge petition from Democrats that would force a vote on their preferred package  the Senate approved measure. But that would leave behind the extra Republican priorities.

Later Johnson drew prominent support from six Republican committee chairmen in a unified show of force.

There is nothing our adversaries would love more than if Congress were to fail to pass critical national security aid, said Reps. Tom Cole of Appropriations, Ken Calvert of the Defense Appropriations subcommittee, Mario Diaz-Balart of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee, Mike Rogers of the Armed Services Committee, Michael McCaul of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Mike Turner of the Intelligence committee in a joint statement.

We dont have time to spare," the chairmen said. We need to pass this aid package this week.

As the House debates, Ukraine faces increasing difficulty fighting Russia's invasion.

Lawmakers have stepped up their efforts to explain to Americans that the overseas aid to Ukraine largely flows to U.S. defense manufacturers to bolster production of missiles, munitions and other military provisions then sent abroad.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this week on social media the U.S. and others' response to Irans attack on Israel shows the potential of what can be done with allied action.

___

Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim, Farnoush Amiri and Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
Fact Check: There's No Evidence Trump Asked If It's Wrong to Be More Sexually Attracted to Your Own Daughter Than Your Wife

Claim:

In 1994 or 1995, Donald Trump said of his 13-year-old daughter Ivanka, "Is it wrong to be more sexually attracted to your own daughter than your wife?"

Rating:

Rating: Unproven

In April 2024, a user on X posted a meme claiming Donald Trump once made a very specific remark about his daughter Ivanka. The meme read, "In 1993, Trump asked, 'Is it wrong to be more sexually attracted to your own daughter than your wife?' At the time, Ivanka was 13 years old."

Remember when Biden went on national television saying that he and Ashley Biden have sex in common?



Oh, wait. That was Trump.



Trump asked if it's wrong to be more sexually attracted to his 13 year old daughter than his wife.



If you agree that it's wrong, #VoteForBiden. pic.twitter.com/FY59xJyYpt  Shelly R Kirchoff (@ShellyRKirchoff) April 10, 2024

We first traced this quote to the 2020 book "Trump: The Chosen One: Road to Perdition." The book referenced as its source an article published by Cosmopolitan on Nov. 22, 2016. The Cosmopolitan article cited original reporting from BuzzFeed News.

According to the BuzzFeed News article  which also was published on Nov. 22, 2016  the supposed Trump quote appeared only in an early, unpublished draft of an opinion column from The Washington Post. The early draft was sent to outlets that would syndicate the story, BuzzFeed News said. The reporting from BuzzFeed News did not say its journalists personally reviewed the unpublished draft. Rather, it cited one unnamed source as its evidence.

Snopes contacted editors for the Post, the writer of the BuzzFeed News article and Trump's 2024 reelection campaign to inquire about the truth of this matter. This story will be updated should we receive any further details.

The Origins of the Quote

The opinion column from the Post was titled, "Our next president, the Godfather" and was written by Richard Cohen, who worked for the Post from 1968 to 2019. Hours after outlets reportedly received the early draft, the column was published without the quote on the night of Nov. 21, 2016.

The BuzzFeed News story, citing its one unnamed source, said one of the early drafts of Cohen's Post column included the following paragraph:

Jared Kushner, our Tom Hagen, who married Trump's stunning daughter Ivanka  "Can I ask you something?" Trump asked someone I know, about his then-13-year-old kid, "Is it wrong to be more sexually attracted to your own daughter than your wife?" -- has lately lost some of this Boy Scout aura. It turns out Kushner's admission to Harvard was preceded by his father's $2.5 million pledge.

The following text appears in the published version of the story on the Post's website, minus the quote reportedly included in an earlier draft:

Jared Kushner, our Tom Hagen, who married Trump's daughter Ivanka, has lately lost some of this Boy Scout aura. It turns out Kushner's admission to Harvard was preceded by his father's $2.5 million pledge.

Some online memes and posts wrongly claimed the Post's reporting said Trump had spoken the remark directly to Cohen, while other users included a year for Ivanka that did not line up with when she was 13 years old.

To be clear, the purported early draft of the Post column said Trump had asked the question to an unnamed person with whom Cohen was familiar. Also, Ivanka was born on Oct. 30, 1981. She turned 13 on Oct. 30, 1994, and the remark was then said to have been spoken by Trump in either 1994 or 1995, not 1993 as the meme claimed. In 1994 and 1995, Trump was early in his second marriage with Marla Maples.

After publishing its story about the quote, BuzzFeed News received a statement from Fred Hiatt, who at the time was the Post's editorial page editor.

"We (or the Washington Post Writers Group, our affiliated syndicate) edit every column to try to make it as good as it can be," Hiatt told BuzzFeed News. "We don't think it would be fair to our writers to discuss the editing process, and don't see what is to be gained by talking about things that are not published  there are countless drafts that never see the light of day."

Other 'Questionable' Remarks About Ivanka Trump

Going back to Cosmopolitan's 2016 article, the reporting noted the remark referenced by BuzzFeed News wasn't "the first time Trump's questionable references to his daughter have surfaced."

"He said on the Howard Stern Show in 2003 that 'she's got the best body,'" Cosmopolitan wrote. "The next year, he was back on Stern agreeing with the radio host that she was 'A piece of a**.' He also admitted on 'The View' that, 'I've said if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her.'"

These remarks and others were previously included in a compilation of comments posted in a YouTube video by New York Magazine.

Conclusion

It's possible Trump may have made the remark about being more sexually attracted to his young daughter Ivanka than his wife, considering the fact video and audio exist of him making other similar comments. For example, after Trump made a remark on "The View" in 2006 saying he'd date Ivanka if she wasn't his daughter, a Trump representative later told The Associated Press that Trump "was absolutely joking. He was making fun of himself for his tendency to date younger women. It's a sense of humor that people don't see [from him] all the time."

Without further evidence, we haven't yet been able to definitively confirm the veracity of the quote published by BuzzFeed News. A rating of "Unproven" has been selected for this fact check. This rating does not mean the rumor is true or false. Rather, it simply means we weren't yet able to find and independently review enough evidence to make a more firm determination.

For further reading, we previously reported more details about the Trump remark about considering dating his daughter and the rumor he once admitted to going into changing rooms of beauty pageant contestants. We also published a story in 2019 about a claim regarding the same "sexually attracted to your own daughter" quote.

Sources:

Cohen, Richard. "Opinion | Our next President, the Godfather." Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/our-next-president-the-godfather/2016/11/21/c5040e82-b012-11e6-8616-52b15787add0_story.html.

"Donald Trump." Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Donald-Trump.

Evon, Dan. "Did Donald Trump Say He'd Like to Date His Daughter?" Snopes, 10 July 2015, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/donald-trump-date-daughter/.

Fine, Bruce, and Hank Lewin. Trump: The Chosen One: Road to Perdition. Gatekeeper Press, 2020.

Griffin, Tamerra. "Draft Washington Post Column Claimed Trump Said He Was 'Sexually Attracted' To His Teenage Daughter." BuzzFeed News, 22 Nov. 2016, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tamerragriffin/trump-asked-if-its-wrong-to-be-attracted-to-his-daughter.

"Gross Things Donald Trump Has Said About His Daughters." YouTube, New York Magazine, 13 May 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EPEkk6qWkg.

Ibrahim, Nur. "Did Trump Admit Going Into Changing Room of Beauty Pageant Contestants?" Snopes, 26 Mar. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/03/26/trump-pageant-dressing-rooms/.

Jung, Helin. "Donald Trump Once Allegedly Asked If It Was 'Wrong' to Be 'Sexually Attracted' to Ivanka." Cosmopolitan, 22 Nov. 2016, https://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a8353161/donald-trump-sexual-attraction-ivanka-trump/.

Kasprak, Alex. "Did Donald Trump Say 2 Lovers Reminded Him of Daughter Ivanka?" Snopes, 16 July 2019, https://www.snopes.com//news/2019/07/16/trump-mcdougal-stormy-ivanka/.

"Richard Cohen." The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/richard-cohen/.

Schudel, Matt. "Fred Hiatt, Washington Post Editorial Page Editor, Dies at 66." The Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2021/12/06/fred-hiatt-dies/.

"Trump Jokes That He'd Date Daughter." TODAY.com via The Associated Press, 7 Mar. 2006, https://www.today.com/popculture/trump-jokes-he-d-date-daughter-wbna11714379.
Fact Check: Trump Claims Judge Barred Him from Attending His Son Barron's High School Graduation. Here Are the Facts

Claim:

Judge Juan Merchan barred Donald Trump from attending his son Barron's graduation in May 2024.

Rating:

Rating: False

Context:

Trump's lawyers submitted a request to the judge asking if the former president could attend his son's graduation. Merchan has not made an official ruling on the request. Therefore, Trump may still be able to attend his son's graduation.

High school graduation is a special occasion, and it would be a shame to miss it. That's why on April 15, 2024, the first day of his New York criminal trial over allegedly falsified business records and purported hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels, former President Donald Trump posted on his social media site Truth Social that the judge would not let him attend his son Barron's high school graduation.

(Truth Social user @realDonaldTrump)

The post began:

Who will explain for me, to my wonderful son, Barron, who is a GREAT Student at a fantastic School, that his Dad will likely not be allowed to attend his Graduation Ceremony, something that we have been talking about for years, because a seriously Conflicted and Corrupt New York State Judge wants me in Criminal Court on a bogus "Biden Case" which, according to virtually all Legal Scholars and Pundits, has no merit, and should NEVER have been brought.

But, at the time of this writing, that wasn't true  Trump has not been banned from attending his son's high school graduation.

Defendants in criminal trials are generally required to appear in court in person. Trump's attorneys submitted two requests to Judge Juan Merchan asking to excuse the former president from appearing because of scheduling conflicts.

One of those was for April 25, 2024, when the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal from Trump about whether he can officially be charged for criminal actions taken while he was president. Trump wished to appear at the Supreme Court, but Merchan rejected the request. Trump complained about Merchan's decision in a separate Truth Social post, writing that it showed "such great disdain and disrespect for our Nation's Highest Court."

(Truth Social user @realDonaldTrump)

As for Barron's high school graduation, on May 17, 2024, Merchan didn't officially decide one way or another. Multiple media outlets wrote that Merchan said it was too early to decide either way, and that his decision could rest on whether the trial proceeded on schedule.

Trump's allies, such as Kari Lake, the Republican Senate candidate from Arizona, ignored the fact that Merchan had not decided when they posted on social media supporting the former president.

I am heartbroken for President Trump & Barron.



All the hard work our kids put into graduating, & President Trump is being robbed of getting to experience his sons High School graduation ceremony.



This corrupt judge is heartless & cruel.



We The People will send a message in pic.twitter.com/jdAjrVKqkE  Kari Lake (@KariLake) April 15, 2024

Sources:

Bushard, Brian. "Trump Claims Hush Money Judge Won't Let Him Attend Son's GraduationBut Judge Hasn't Ruled Yet." Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2024/04/16/trump-claims-hush-money-judge-wont-let-him-attend-sons-graduation-but-judge-hasnt-ruled-yet/. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

CNN, By Kara Scannell, Jeremy Herb, Maureen Chowdhury, Kaanita Iyer, Aditi Sangal and Elise Hammond. "Fact Check: Trump Falsely Claims Judge Won't Let Him Attend Son's High School Graduation next Month." CNN, 15 Apr. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-hush-money-trial-04-15-24/h_97b70ae3f8097c6d8511dd1595cd535d.

"Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)." Truth Social, https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/112277727022231642. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

"---." Truth Social, https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/112277423663686687. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

"Https://Twitter.Com/KariLake/Status/1780022085181681938." X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/KariLake/status/1780022085181681938. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Italiano, Natalie Musumeci, Jacob Shamsian, Laura. "Trump May Miss His Son Barron's High School Graduation Because He'll Be on Trial over Hush Money Payments to a Porn Star." Business Insider, https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-barron-high-school-graduation-hush-money-trial-2024-4. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Norton, Tom. "Fact Check: Is Donald Trump Barred from Barron's Graduation?" Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-donald-trump-barred-barrons-graduation-1890711.

"Supreme Court Takes up Trump Immunity Appeal." SCOTUSblog, 28 Feb. 2024, https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/02/supreme-court-takes-up-trump-immunity-appeal/.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his immediate war cabinet are considering what action to take following Iran's attack on Saturday.

Allies including the United States have urged Israel not to risk igniting a wider regional conflict, and President Joe Biden has made clear U.S. forces would not join any retaliatory attack on Iran.

Here are some of the options which Israel may be considering:

AIR STRIKES

Israel could respond to the Iranian barrage with air strikes of its own, particularly as Iranian air defences are considered much less well developed than the multi-layer system that Israel and its allies deployed on Saturday night.

An Israeli air force officer told a briefing with reporters that the air force was ready to defend Israel and added: "Some of defence is to react and attack if needed."

"And that is put to our government and the cabinet and for them to decide how, when and if," the officer said.

Such an attack could hit strategic facilities including Revolutionary Guards bases or nuclear research facilities.

Former intelligence officials say it would be less likely to hit civilian infrastructure such as power plants, and would need to avoid civilian casualties. This would be both to ensure no further loss of international support and also because of the assessment that the Iranian authorities are vulnerable to popular pressure over political repression and the dire economic situation. Significant civilian casualties would be considered likely to rally Iranian public support behind the government.

Israel could also hit proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or Iranian targets in countries such as Syria and Iraq. However, the fact that Iran directly attacked Israel for the first time suggests that any such action would be only part of a wider response that would also target Iran itself.

CYBER ATTACK

Israel is believed to have carried out numerous cyber attacks in Iran over the years, on infrastructure ranging from petrol stations to industrial plants and nuclear facilities, and a repeat is considered among the likely options for retaliation.

Any such attacks could interfere in highly visible areas such as energy production or flight services. As with direct air strikes, former intelligence officials say they believe Israel would avoid attacks on infrastructure such as hospitals to reduce the impact on the general population.

COVERT OPERATIONS

Israel is believed to have previously carried out a number of covert operations inside Iran, including the assassination of several of its senior nuclear scientists.

Such operations could be carried out both inside and outside Iran.

DIPLOMACY

In addition to military and intelligence strikes against Iran, Israel is stepping up diplomatic efforts to isolate Tehran, including by extending sanctions. Foreign Minister Israel Katz has also renewed pressure on European countries to join the United States in declaring Iran's Revolutionary Guards to be declared a terror organization.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie, editing by Timothy Heritage)
The number of Minnesotans completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) this year dropped significantly, alarming advocates who are now urging the governor to provide more resources to help students determine their college costs.

"Without urgent intervention, we risk a catastrophic decline in college enrollment, with far-reaching implications for our state's future workforce and economic prosperity," the leaders of eight groups promoting college access wrote in a letter sent to Gov. Tim Walz on Monday.

The FAFSA is a form used to determine how much state, federal and private aid students can receive to help cover their college costs. The U.S. Department of Education attempted to streamline the form and update its formulas this year, but the rollout has been mired in delays and tech glitches. That means many families are still unsure how much they'd have to pay to attend next fall, and some colleges have pushed back their traditional May 1 decision deadlines.

More than 225,000 Minnesotans fill out the FAFSA in a typical year. Many officials closely watch the number of students filling out the form for the first time as a way to get early predictions of next year's freshmen enrollment.

Both advocates and higher education leaders say the number of first-time applicants has dropped between 20% and 30% compared to this same time last year. It's hard to be more specific in part because the U.S. Department of Education tracks that information based on the student's current high school and obscures the data in locations where fewer than five students have completed the form. About 30,000 first-time Minnesota applicants had completed the form as of April 2023.

"I would say that this is an unprecedented situation," said Isaiah Allen, senior director of external relations for College Possible Minnesota. "We're really in a tough, tough spot that has long-term consequences."

Allen noted that many colleges were just starting to rebound from enrollment declines that happened at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many campuses moved to virtual classes to limit the spread of the virus.

The letter to the governor was signed by leaders of College Possible Minnesota, Achieve Twin Cities, the National College Attainment Network, North Star Prosperity, COPAL MN, Minnesota Voice, LeadMN and the undergraduate student government at the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus. It asks the governor to use $500,000 of the state's $3.7 billion surplus to boost efforts to help students complete the form and to "convene an emergency response meeting" with state education leaders and college leaders to talk about how they can collaborate.

In an interview, Mike Dean, executive director of North Star Prosperity and former executive director of community college student group LeadMN, said the organizations hope to use the money in two ways: to provide students with one-on-one help troubleshooting their FAFSA problems and doing outreach to encourage students to fill out the form.

The request is coming late in the legislative session, as key budget deadlines loom.

"I think it creates a challenging road, but we are facing what I will predict is going to be an enrollment crisis this fall," Dean said. "We can either invest now to try to minimize that negative impact, or it could be a full-fledged crisis."

The governor's office said Tuesday that it was just hearing about the request for money.

"We welcome input from these organizations and value their partnership," Walz's office said in a statement. "The Minnesota Office of Higher Education already convenes regular meetings on the issue and is working to provide FAFSA support for students."

Keith Hovis, spokesperson for the Office of Higher Education, said leaders there aren't yet taking a position on the funding request, noting that they would need more detail and there would be a "very tight turnaround for how that money would be implemented as well." But, he said, leaders there are "welcoming additional collaboration and working together, as we have with all of these groups."

"There's definitely a need to get the word out to help families to know that they should finish the FAFSA," Hovis said.
Community members march for peace on Southwest Side after child killed, 10 others injured in Chicago weekend shooting

CHICAGO  Neighbors and friends gathered Monday to console the family of 9-year-old Ariana Molina, who died after a gunman opened fire on a family gathering on the citys Southwest Side on Saturday night, leaving 10 others, including three children, injured.

Two young boys were among the 11 victims, all members of a single family, and were said Monday night to still be fighting for their lives.

Loved ones say the distraught mother of the murdered 9-year-old is still recovering after getting shot in the shoulder. Her husband, Arianas father, was shot in the foot.

The family had hoped to escape the violence that they say has ravaged their neighborhood, but it didnt come soon enough.

Man missing for several days last seen in North Lawndale

The devastated family is now demanding justice for Saturdays brutal killing of an innocent child.

The slain girls father, Jose Molina, and loved ones were inconsolable, despite the best efforts of friends, neighbors and supporters Monday who gathered at the scene of the crime in the Back of the Yards community.

More than 100 people came Monday to honor Ariana and support her family.

I appreciate everyone coming, Jose Molina said. But it wont bring my daughter back.

Molina said his wife could soon be released from the hospital, but the outcomes for the others, including two young nephews, are not so certain.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in a written statement over the weekend denounced what he described as a heinous and cowardly act of wanton violence thats left the city mourning.

Pritzker appoints new Illinois Prisoner Review Board Executive Director after controversy surrounding release of man accused of killing child

Father David Kelly, a Catholic Priest, joined hundreds of other faith leaders and community organizers in a march for peace in Back of the Yards on Monday.

Marchers said they are hoping to draw attention to the tremendous need in the community to escape violence and find peace.

These are communities that have been impacted by generational poverty, and so thats what happens when things start to crumble and fall apart, Kelly said.

On Monday, community members also said theyre fed up with gun violence and asked the city for help.

We need a camera on this corner, community member Keith Kysel said. Not saying that cameras stop everything, but sometimes they may deter some things, or at least get more evidence that (authorities) need.

Its just sad that an event like this has to happen.

Silvia Galvan also lost a child to gun violence and was there Monday to support Arianas family.

I just hate that another mother has to go through this, Galvan said. Our lives are changed forever. Theres nothing we can do to fix this, nothing we can do to bring our children back.

Witnesses told police that they saw a black sedan roll up to the Molina home, as the extended family celebrated a Catholic confirmation, before someone inside opened fire.

Chicago police say an investigation into the deadly shooting is ongoing. Theres a $2,000 cash reward for any information that can lead to an arrest.

Police have said they believe the shooting was targeted and appears to be gang-related.

However, the family denies that claim, saying it had no affiliations with gangs.

It was not supposed to happen, man, Jose Molina said. They should, first, see who theyre shooting at. Why would they come and shoot where you see all the little kids?

If theyve got something against any one of us, why didnt they come to us?

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been started by family members of the victims to help alleviate their financial burdens.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Fake priest preyed on churches across US in string of robberies, California cops say

A man posing as a priest and wanted by authorities across the country on accusations of robbing churches has been arrested in California, officials said.

Malin Rostas, 45, of New York, was arrested by deputies April 10 shortly after attempting to burglarize a Moreno Valley church, according to an April 11 news release from the Riverside County Sheriffs Office.

Authorities said the black sedan Rostas was driving matched the description of a vehicle associated with several reported burglaries.

Rostas was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Centr on an outstanding felony warrant in Pennsylvania, the sheriffs office said.

He is accused of stealing $15,500 in cash from a home in Adams County in May 2022, WGAL reported.

Rostas ruse involved him posing as a Catholic priest named Father Martin in order to gain access to offices and rectories from which he would steal money or valuables, according to the Diocese of Sacramento.

According to church officials, Rostas, who used the alias Moyse Lingurar when he wasnt referring to himself as Father Martin, did his homework in order to convince the clergy of his identity.

He was able to convince staff members that he was a priest by researching the targeted parish and learning the names of priests and other church personnel.

Authorities suspect Rostas is responsible for stealing $900 from a church in Queens, New York, $500 from a church in Houston and more than $1,700 from a church in Oregon, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Additional charges will be filed for the attempted burglary in Moreno Valley, officials said.

McClatchy News was unable to locate attorney information for Rostas.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with additional information is asked to contact Moreno Valley Sheriffs Station at (951) 486-6700 or their local law enforcement agency.

Moreno Valley is about a 70-mile drive east of Los Angeles.

18-year-old US Marine steals over $500,000 from jewelry stores, Texas cops say

Paramedic stole 132 times from Home Depot in less than a year, Pennsylvania police say

Office manager stole $8.5M and splurged on shopping sprees, plastic surgery, feds say
Chinese counterfeit stamps are undermining Britains social fabric, the Post Office has warned as it increased pressure on Royal Mail to scrap fines for fake stamps.

A senior director said the scourge of Chinese criminals printing fake stamps had undermined one of the great institutions, adding it was part of the fabric of our society to be able to buy a legitimate letter.

They joined a growing number of MPs putting pressure on Royal Mail to reconsider the unfair 5 fines for recipients who collect post which has been deemed to be sent with a counterfeit stamp, saying it was deeply distressing that innocent victims were having to pay.

It comes after an investigation by The Telegraph found China is flooding Britain with counterfeit stamps  with suppliers offering to produce up to one million fake Royal Mail stamps a week and deliver them to Britain within days.

Neill OSullivan, Post Office managing director for parcels and mails, told The Telegraph: It is a scourge that people are counterfeiting these online or through other channels.

This is one of the great institutions, its something that people value and its part of the fabric of our society to be able to buy a legitimate stamp and post a letter. For that to be undermined is really quite sad.

Mr OSullivan added it was very distressing that particularly vulnerable people would be charged by Royal Mail, [a rule] which they impose.

Yesterday senior MPs called on Royal Mail to stop the fines, which increased last October from 2.50 to 5, as it investigates issues with new barcoded stamps. A spate of customers claim they have been wrongly surcharged.

The Liberal Democrats said it was ridiculous customers were being caught up in Royal Mails mess and having to pay unfair fines. Former Post Office minister Paul Scully also called for the fines to be stopped while Royal Mail investigates the issue.

Royal Mail has so far rejected calls to stop the fines, saying the surcharge was part of the reason there has been a 90pc reduction in counterfeit stamps.

However there is growing discontent in Westminster about the handling of Royal Mails investigation.

A letter sent by Postal Affairs minister Kevin Hollinrake, and seen by The Telegraph, has called on Royal Mails chief executive to redouble efforts and hold those responsible properly accountable.

Mr Hollinrake, who sent the letter on Friday, said MPs were demanding answers and urged boss Martin Seidenberg to share updates on how the investigation was progressing.

He wrote: When we met recently, I highlighted that I am very concerned about the impact of counterfeit stamps on consumers across the country. I welcome the assurances you gave me in that meeting about the steps being taken by Royal Mail to investigate and tackle this issue and the subsequent updates your team have shared with my officials.

Despite this, I have been alarmed to read further press coverage in recent days about large volumes of counterfeit stamps entering circulation and the resulting detriment and costs to customers. Id strongly urge that you redouble your efforts to investigate the source of these stamps, prevent their sale and hold those responsible properly accountable.

Rightly, there is significant interest from my Parliamentary colleagues in tackling the scourge of these counterfeiters, so I would welcome any updates you are able to provide so that I can also update them.

Mr Hollinrake added he was happy to facilitate discussions with other parts of government, as well as setting up a conversation with UK Border Force after Royal Mail accused officers of not doing enough to stop counterfeit stamps entering Britain.

While Royal Mail insists its processes are secure, a senior executive revealed last weekend that the postal services machines are not always able to scan new barcodes correctly, meaning some genuine stamps have been mistakenly labelled as suspicious, although final decisions are always made by a human expert.

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Mr OSullivan said it was Royal Mails problem to solve and that postmasters continue to be trusted pillars of the community and the public should remain confident buying stamps from the Post Office.

He said: We speak frequently, we cooperate and we try to make sure when there are any holes we will look after them and fix them together if necessary, but this one is entirely in their hands.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: The issue of counterfeit stamps is one that postal services around the world have been tackling for many years. In the UK, the combination of new barcoded stamps with added security features, the surcharge and Royal Mail actively working with law enforcement authorities has led to a 90pc reduction in counterfeit stamps.

We want our customers to buy stamps with confidence and always recommend that customers only purchase stamps from Post Offices and other reputable high street retailers, and not to buy stamps online  unless from the official Royal Mail shop.

Have you been affected by Royal Mail counterfeit stamps? Email money@telegraph.co.uk

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 17, 2024 - 14:06 | All, World

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a virtual meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on Tuesday, the Pentagon said, as their countries seek to promote communication and prevent geopolitical rivalry from veering into conflict, accidentally or otherwise.

It is the first time since November 2022 that Austin has held talks with his Chinese counterpart. The U.S. defense chief and Dong, who took office in December, discussed the situations in the South China Sea and around the Taiwan Strait, as well as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and North Korea's weapons development program, according to the Pentagon.

The video teleconference took place following an agreement between President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at a mid-November summit near San Francisco to reopen direct military-to-military talks at several levels.

Earlier this month in Hawaii, the U.S. and Chinese militaries held talks on air and maritime operational safety for the first time since 2021.

High-level military communication channels had been closed since Beijing shut them down to protest a visit to Taiwan made in 2022 by then-U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and often engages in shows of force by sending warships and fighter jets near the self-ruled democratic island.

The reopening of talks at Austin's level was also complicated by the fact that Dong's predecessor Li Shangfu was subject to U.S. sanctions, which China had called an obstacle to direct communication between him and the secretary. Li was ousted in October, possibly over corruption, after being in the post for less than a year.

During Tuesday's online meeting with Dong, Austin "underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea," the Pentagon said.

While reaffirming that Washington is upholding its "one-China policy," under which it recognizes Beijing as the sole legal government of China, Austin said peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is important, according to the Pentagon.

Dong stressed the Taiwan issue is at the "core of China's core interests," vowing that the Chinese military will never let any "Taiwan independence" separatist activities or external support for them go unchecked, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry.

On the South China Sea, Dong urged Washington to respect Beijing's territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests in the area, and take concrete actions to safeguard regional peace and the stability of the two countries' military relations, the ministry said.

As part of efforts to reduce tensions, the United States and China have also held a series of meetings in nondefense areas since the November summit.

Following a recent trip to China by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to visit the Asian country in the near future.

On Tuesday in Washington, Yellen convened a meeting of U.S.-China economic and financial working groups to discuss "balanced growth."

She told the meeting that the two countries have made progress on areas of common interest through their discussions to date, including efforts to ensure financial stability, combat money laundering and deal with climate change.

Related coverage:

U.S., Australia, Britain eye defense tech cooperation with Japan

Biden, Xi confirm need for enhanced dialogue despite differences
ST. LOUIS  The family of Ben Polson, a St. Louis city firefighter who tragically died in 2022 while fighting a fire, has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of his safety equipment. The lawsuit claims that there was a critical failure in the equipment that contributed to his death.

Polson died after a burning home collapsed on him, and he became trapped under the rubble. According to court documents, Polson ran out of oxygen while he was trapped. The lawsuit alleges that his breathing equipment, manufactured by 3M and its subsidiary, was supposed to emit an alarm to alert other firefighters when he stopped moving. However, the lawsuit claims this alarm never sounded.

New details emerge after deadly standoff in Tower Grove South

The family is now seeking accountability from the manufacturers, asserting that the equipment failed to operate as needed during the critical moments of the fire.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Pregnant teen, man shot at family gathering at park, Atlanta police say

A pregnant teen was shot during a family gathering on Monday night, according to Atlanta police.

Atlanta police told Channel 2 Action News that around 11 p.m. a call came in from Compton Drive in Atlanta.

An investigation determined that a car drove by the gathering and started shooting, resulting in a 17-year-old pregnant teen and a 51-year-old man both getting hit.

Officers said the 51-year-old was shot multiple times and the teen was shot once.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Both victims are stable, according to police.

Its unclear exactly what led up to this shooting.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Family of Miss Teen Allegedly Run Over by Police Cruiser: 'Kadarius Is at Peace. But Were Not'

Kadarius Smith, 17, died March 21. The local Mississippi police department his family holds responsible for his death has not turned over dashcam footage

Courtesy of Ben Crump Law Kadarius Smith

Patrick Smith wants to know what exactly happened in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 21.

He knows only what a witness has reported: His 17-year-old son, Kadarius Smith, was walking home with friends in the small Mississippi town of Leland, when a police officer in a cruiser allegedly began chasing the teenager, fatally running him over from behind.

I wont get to see my child walk across that stage next year, Patrick said of the high school junior. I wont ever have a grandchild because he was the last Smith. They took that from me.

At a press conference live-streamed from New Zion Baptist Church in Leland, Miss., Tuesday, April 16, Kadarius family called for transparency in the case, pleading that Leland police release the dashcam footage of the incident.

Instagram/attorneycrump KayChia Calvert (left, holding headshot of her deceased son, Kadarius Smith) stands alongside civil rights lawyer Ben Crump (speaking at podium).

Related: Miss. Teen Was Chased, Fatally Hit By Police Car on Walk Home, Family Says, as They Plead for Body-Camera Video

This road to justice starts with transparency, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who represents the family, said at the press conference, surrounded by Kadarius family and friends holding posters reading: Justice for Kadarius Smith.

Smiths mother, KayChia Calvert  who has said she saw tire marks across her childs back  held a photograph of her son as Crump spoke.

We dont have all the answers, but we know that he was running from the police, that he committed no crime  that anybody has been able to speak of  and that he was inexplicably run over by the police officer, Crump said, adding: We understand that there is dashcam video that the police have that shows us exactly what happened. We dont have to speculate or guess, we can get to the truth.

Instagram/attorneycrump Kadarius Smith's father, Patrick Smith, speaks at a press conference Tuesday, April 16, less than a month after his son's death.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The name and race of the officer has not yet been released.

In the weeks immediately following Kadarius death, the officer was placed on administrative leave, pending an independent investigation, Edward J. Bogen, Jr., an attorney who represents the Leland Police Department, previously told PEOPLE.

In March, Boten said the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation were investigating the case.

Courtesy of Ben Crump Law Kadarius Smith

PEOPLE reached out to highway patrol Captain Johnny Poulos inquiring about the result of the investigation, which Bogen previously suggested would be concluded after the Easter holiday. Poulos did not respond in time for publication.

Bogen  who did not respond by phone or email Tuesday  previously told PEOPLE in an interview that Crump had misrepresented the series of events leading to the teenagers death.

The allegation that he was simply walking home with friends  thats just not true, Bogen said, though he declined to provide details, citing the ongoing investigation.

Google Maps Leland Police Department

At Tuesdays press conference, Kadarius uncle, Marcus, recalled getting the 3:00 a.m. call about Kadarius being hit by a police car.

He enjoyed his family, he enjoyed traveling, he enjoyed life: the very thing that was taken away from him, Marcus said, urging police reform through his tears.

Kadarius is at peace, he said. But were not.

Kadarius godmother, Gloria Jordan, said that both she and Kadarius mother have worked in law enforcement.

This hurts my heart, Jordan said, referencing her badge, and adding: His name matters. Show us what happened, tell us what happened.

Ben Crump Law Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump (at podium), surrounded by Kadarius Smith's mother (left, in the red glasses) and other supporters at a press conference outside New Zion Baptist Church in Leland, Miss., April 16, 2024.

Kadarius death  which occurred near Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Huddleston Street in Leland, less than a two-hour drive from the states capital of Jackson  follows a recent string of police brutality cases in Mississippi, including a racially-motivated attack by six White former law enforcement officers who called themselves the Goon Squad.

Crump has represented the families of other Black teenagers who died in high-profile in incidents across the country, including Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Martin Lee Anderson.

If this was their child, what would they do? Crump asked, referencing the police. We dont need a justice system for Black America and White America, we need one justice system for the United States of America.



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Read the original article on People.
Inside Look is a Modesto Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.

Fiscalini Farmstead, located on Kiernan Avenue outside of Modesto, has gone through a lot of changes over the 110 years its been around.

However, to help retain the essence of the past, the family has turned to the tradition of farmsteading  making a variety of cheeses straight from the milk produced on the farm.

Cheese production, which started at Fiscalini in 2000, is a great source of pride for the fourth-generation owners Brian Fiscalini and his sister, Laura Genasci.

We own the cheese company together and then we kind of look at ourselves as three types of businesses: the dairy, the cheese plant and then we have a sustainability project as well, said Genasci. So thats also very important to us.

Genasci allowed the Modesto Bee an inside look at its cheese factory, which just produced its newest flavor, Balsamic Onion.

The factory is separated by rooms  each with its own function, temperature, humidity and funk.

Operations manager Alex Borgo demonstrates the cheese packaging machine at Fiscalini Farmstead in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Head Cheesemaker Alex Borgo donned the necessary smock, hairnet and booties to enter the building. He explained that he, like the Fiscalinis, is also a fourth-generation dairy producer. Originally working for his own familys cheese company in Toronto, Canada, Borgo moved to California in 2007.

They became corporate, but I wanted to get back to like the family-style of cheesemaking, said Borgo. The Fiscalinis reached out to me... so I moved here five and a half years ago and joined them. Also, I was kind of sick of the snow in Canada.

Borgo explained how milk from about 100 yards away is processed into award-winning cheese that can be found on the shelves of local grocery stores in Modesto.

First, about 3,000 gallons of milk are brought in to be pasteurized. Or, sometimes, it is not. Some of Fiscalinis cheeses are made from raw milk, which requires a different aging process.

Jorge Godinez, left, and Leo Casas, right, separate the curds and whey at the start of the cheese making process at Fiscalini Farmstead in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

The milk then sits in a high-humidity room inside of vats, which are agitated. Once the pH levels are at the perfect level, the whey (the liquid) is separated from the curds (the solid).

The curds are then formed into stacks and placed on top of each other so that extra whey will be drained out by gravity. Spare whey is then redistributed to the feed given to its cows.

Jorge Godinez separates the curds as the whey is drained off at the start of the cheese making process at Fiscalini Farmstead in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Next, the curd blocks can be flavored. This is where Fiscalinis habanero, truffle, craft beer and purple moon  the latter being a wine-infused variation  begin to develop their signature tastes. Almost all of Fiscalinis cheeses are cheddar or a variation thereof. The companys newest flavor, balsamic onion, is the first new flavor theyve developed in four years. The last being its truffle cheddar.

Once flavored, theyre pressed into 60-pound wheels which are aged anywhere between 60 days and 14 months. Cheese made from pasteurized milk is federally required to be aged 60 days. However, Fiscalinis raw milk cheeses are aged up to 14 months.

Aging cheese at Fiscalini Farmstead in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

After aging, the cheese is sliced and then packaged. The farm now uses something called a Form Fill Seal Machine. The process is in its name.

Not even a couple of years ago, we were doing everything by hand. We were putting each piece into a bag, then sealing each bag, and labeling it by hand, said Borgo. We went from like eight pieces per minute to cant go fast enough. The machine can package 80 pieces per minute. Once packaged, the cheese is shipped to its customers, including local grocery stores.

Balsamic onion cheddar cheese at Fiscalini Farmstead in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Farm to table and a changing industry

Fiscalini sat in a chair in his office and watched over a set of computer screens that monitored the dairys robotic milkers. On the screens were boxes, each providing data from the machines.

Each one of those little boxes represents one robot, so theres 20 boxes there, said Fiscalini. Of course, like everything else today, there is an app that we can use to also monitor individual cows, robots, all of the (key performance indicators) or all of the pertinent information that we need to make decisions.

The grounds were first used for dairy in 1914. It now sits on the precipice of its past, the traditions and methods of generations. What used to be done by farmhands can now be done with robotic automation and software. Cow management, once also done by farmhands, is now done through an app.

Methane produced by the farms manure is now digested and converted to electricity to offset electrical costs on the farm and help reduce its carbon footprint. The farm that started over a century ago is now a certified 21st-century facility.

In the previous method of milking, two groups of 27 cows would be taken into a milking parlor to be manually prepared and have milking machines physically attached to their udders by employees.

With its new automated system, it can now milk groups of anywhere from 120 to 240 of its approximately 1,200 milking-ready cows. This is done on the animals own accord. Motivated by feed, the cows patiently wait in line for a machine to be sanitized, coupled to their udders and then milk them. This happens 24 hours a day, according to Fiscalini.

Each cow used to be milked exactly three times a day. Now some cows get milked five times a day and others get milked twice a day. Its up to the cows to decide how much they want to be milked.

Cows line up at the robotic milking station at Fiscalini Farmstead in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Were on her schedule now, said Fiscalini

Its pretty remarkable. I mean, I would love to be able to interview my great-grandfather and my grandfather... and just hear what they would think of todays dairy farm, said Fiscalini. I mean, they were milking cows by hand, this is only a couple of generations ago. And now were turning the cow poop into vehicle fuel. I dont think either one of those men would have ever thought that that was something we were capable of.

The farm-to-table approach is something Fiscalini hopes to preserve, particularly in an age where the dairy industry faces mergers, acquisitions and ever-evolving technology. Currently, 20% of milk produced by Fiscalinis cows is used for cheese, the other 80% is sold to Nestles condensed milk plant in Modesto.

Fiscalini said he worries about the food system in the United States, particularly American production of commodity cheap food, adding that it was a much better story when someone goes to a local grocery store and can buy locally made food.

Sure, its not easy. We do not have huge economies of scale, because we are a small family business, said Fiscalini. But, were going to stay true to our values and if that means that sometime in the future were not able to compete, Id rather not be in business than not stay committed to our values.

Operations manager Alex Borgo shows the aging room at Fiscalini Farmstead in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Balsamic onion cheddar cheese from Modestos Fiscalini Farmstead.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Its National Work Zone Awareness Week and transportation agencies are spreading the word about the importance of moving over when you see work being done.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said 113 workers have been killed while out on the road in work zones; 65-year-old David Youngers tragic death marked the 110th in April 2016.

Tennessee driving laws: Lesser-known rules every driver should know

David Younger (Courtesy: Sarah Chavarria)

My sister had known. She had seen that there was a wreck and she said she had a gut feeling, tried to reach my dad, and he didnt answer, said Sarah Chavarria, David Youngers daughter. When he was tragically killed while working for TDOT, was it fate? Was it coincidence? He was TDOTs 110th, and thats what he gave of himself all the time. He gave 110% to everyone.

Younger, a husband and father of two, was changing a tire on the side of I-40 in Hickman County just past Dickson when he was hit and killed by a semi. The milling and paving crew supervisor was one of three TDOT workers killed in a span of less than nine months that year. Eight years later, Chavarria said his legacy still lives on.

PREVIOUS: 28 drivers have crashed into TDOT crews so far this year

He was a dad; he was a husband; he was a grandfather; he was a Christian man. He loved TDOT so much, he even went back and got his GED just so he could work at TDOT.

David Younger (Courtesy: Sarah Chavarria)

Youngers death highlights the risk emergency roadside crews face every single day.

In 2017, TDOT launched the Work with Us  Move Over, Slow Down safety campaign to help bring awareness to the importance of safety in work zones all year long, but its a message officials are still working to drive home today amid continued reports on the disturbing number of work zone crashes.

So far this year, there have already been 29 incidents where drivers crashed into equipment and vehicles. Last year in Tennessee, 22 people died in work zone crashes. That number is inclusive of resident drivers.

It makes me frustrated to see those people that dont move over; it makes me frustrated to see cops that dont give tickets for the move over law, said Chavarria. Thats the biggest point. If you hit that person, youre not only changing their life, their families lives and anybody that interacts with them.

Tennessee Department of Transportation officials released a statement on Monday, April 15, that reads in part:

We engineer our roads to be as safe as possible, but theres no amount of engineering that can change driver behavior.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

This years National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week theme is work zones are temporary, your actions behind the wheel can last forever. Its a statement Chavarria hopes drivers will remember so other families wont have to unknowingly say goodbye to their loved ones for the last time when they head off to work.

David Younger (Courtesy: Sarah Chavarria)

He would always leave. When he would finish, saying just remember I love you, or ditto. Ditto is what we would always say, because sometimes he would say, I love you, and Id just say, Ditto, back, and he knew that that meant I love you, said Chavarria.





For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Reality Check is a Telegraph series digging deeper into key issues and focusing on accountability. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email mynews@macon.com.

The family of a child who was allegedly physically abused at a daycare center on Robins Air Force Base is suing the U.S. government, according to court records.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court Monday, alleges two workers at the daycare center, Zhanay Kiana Flynn and Antanesha Mone Fritz, struck a minor in the face; caused the minor children to fight with and strike one another; sprayed the minor children about the head and face with cleaning solution; seizing, shaking and threatening to strike the minor children; stepped on and applied weight to the legs of the minor children, and more.

It also says Latona Mae Lambert, the director and administrator of the daycare, repeatedly failed to report multiple incidents and claims of alleged child abuse in the facility.

The lawsuit alleges the incidents occurred in 2021.

The lawsuit alleges the U.S government failed to remove the assailants; to monitor surveillance; to document prior concerns and reports of ongoing child abuse; to take reasonable steps to make itself aware of the ongoing abuse being perpetrated on its premises; knowingly violating its own policies, protocols, and procedures which were designed in whole or in part to prevent or deter child abuse of the kind suffered by plaintiffs in its daycare.

The family sued after submitting a claim in March 2023 with the Air Force about the alleged abuse. Those claims were denied months later, according to the lawsuit.

The Air Force declined to comment on ongoing legal matters.

However, we can say that properly caring for our Airmen and their families is of utmost importance, a Robins Air Force Base spokesperson said in a statement to The Telegraph. Our Airmen should have confidence in the care provided at our Child Development Center. We have fully supported this investigation and will continue to support the legal process. We have also reviewed our processes to ensure the appropriate measures are in place to safeguard our children.

The family is seeking a trial, a judgment for the general damages and other relief deemed necessary by the court.

Flynn, Fritz and Lambert face criminal charges over the incidents, according to local court records. Flynn and Fritz were charged with second-degree cruelty to children. Lambert was charged with being an accessory after the fact, making false statements and failure to report child abuse. They were charged in 2022. They have all pleaded not guilty, with Lamberts case going to trial this week.

Lamberts attorney, Jennifer Curry, filed a motion to dismiss the case, alleging that a superseding indictment filed against Lambert was vague and could jeopardize her trial. Her request was denied.

The three accused of the offenses are not defendants in the lawsuit, despite being named in the case. The anonymous family is only suing the U.S. government.

The family and the victim filed the lawsuit anonymously through attorneys Ashley Cameron and Dustin Hamilton of Dozier Law Firm.

A lawsuit only represents one side of a legal argument. Attorneys for the United States havent yet filed a legal reply, and no actions have been taken in court regarding the accusations.
A collection of mementos, including footprints and handprints, were provided by a hospital in Richmond, Virginia, to Kelly Shannon of Alabama after she had to terminate a pregnancy because of fatal anomalies. (Courtesy of Kelly Shannon)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Editors note: This is the fourth installment of an occasional States Newsroom series called When and Where: Abortion Access in America, profiling individuals who have needed abortion care in the U.S. before and after Dobbs. The first installment can be found here, the second installment is here, and the third is here.

Kelly Shannon was grieving a pregnancy she would need to terminate because of multiple fetal anomalies when she got the call that Alabama doctors wouldnt approve an abortion procedure despite exceptions in the law. That meant she would have to leave the state.

Shannon, 36, was about 16 weeks along in January 2023 when genetic testing  and confirmation from an amniocentesis  showed her fetus likely had Trisomy 21, better known as Down syndrome. It didnt take long for the doctor to determine the fetus likely wouldnt survive to term. There was fluid buildup in the head and body, evidence of a heart defect, and a tumor on the abdomen that was roughly one-third the size of its entire body.

There was so much decision-making and processing, and youre still feeling the baby kick the whole time, Shannon said. And every time she would kick, I was just sitting there like, Im so sorry. I wish I got to be your mom, but I dont get to be your mom.

Three years before the U.S. Supreme Court issued the Dobbs decision in June 2022 and returned the ability to regulate abortion to the states, Alabama had already passed an abortion ban. Gov. Kay Ivey said at the time she signed the bill that even though it was likely unenforceable since abortion was still legal nationally, it was a signal to the courts to overturn Roe v. Wade. A group of physicians challenged the Alabama law in court and received a preliminary injunction that had barred its enforcement for years. But when Dobbs took effect, the injunction was lifted. Doctors are now subject to felony charges with punishment of up to life in prison.

Kelly Shannon, 36, had to leave Alabama and drive 730 miles to Richmond, Virginia, in 2023 to terminate a pregnancy after her fetus was diagnosed with severe abnormalities, including a large tumor. (Courtesy of Kelly Shannon)

Alabama is one of few states with an abortion ban at any stage of pregnancy that also contains an exception for lethal fetal anomalies. In the law, its defined as a condition from which the fetus would die after birth or shortly thereafter, or be stillborn. There are also exceptions for performing an abortion to save a pregnant patients life or preserve their health. However, according to the latest WeCount report of abortions performed since Dobbs, Alabama has recorded zero abortion procedures. Activists have argued that exceptions in abortion bans are meaningless because there is too much fear and uncertainty about what circumstances will qualify for an exception.

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality, and more often occurs when the pregnant person is over the age of 35. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infants with Down syndrome and a heart defect are five times more likely to die in their first year of life than those without.

Each abnormality on its own would possibly have been manageable, Shannon said, but the maternal-fetal medicine specialist told her the combination meant she would likely either miscarry at some point during the pregnancy or her daughters life would be short and punctuated by multiple surgeries. Shannon and her husband made the difficult decision at that point to terminate.

That made the decision easier because it was like, well now if I know Im going to lose her regardless, I can lose her on a controlled timeline, protect my health, start the grieving process, get healthy and then still be able to have another child, she said.

Shannon filled out paperwork and made a termination appointment pending approval from the other maternal-fetal medicine specialists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her doctor felt confident that given the severity of the anomalies, the abortion would be allowed.

I dont think I wouldve taken that risk on me

A few days later, in the car on her way to meet her husband and toddler at a local dog park, the doctor called back.

I knew why she was calling me. I knew that was the day the (second) committee was supposed to meet and shed be calling me with their decision, Shannon said.

Shannon scheduled the Jan. 24 termination date, made arrangements to take leave from work, and had decided on cremation. But with one phone call, all the decisions shed made had to change.

The termination had easily been approved by the first committee, and it seemed like the higher-level committee would sign off too. But in a halting manner, the doctor explained the committee had decided since each condition by itself was survivable, it didnt meet the criteria for termination. She told Shannon it was the hardest phone call shed made in her professional career.

The only way the committee might approve the request was if the fetus also developed a condition called hydrops fetalis, an excessive buildup of fluid that is often fatal. Shannon said that put her in a strange place of having some kind of hope that her pregnancy was even worse than originally thought. But she wasnt upset with the doctors themselves.

I mostly just felt sorry for them, even at the time, she said. As angry as I was that I wasnt going to get to handle my pregnancy and my termination in the way that made the most sense to me  if I had been in their shoes and thought well, is this one case worth my license and jail time and prosecution? Her lifes not in danger, her babys probably going to die. I dont think I wouldve taken that risk on me.

The manager for public relations at the University of Alabama at Birmingham said no one was available to speak with States Newsroom for this story.

She had one more ultrasound at 17 weeks, where her providers checked for hydrops, but there was no presence of it. As the pregnancy had progressed further since the last ultrasound, multiple holes between the chambers of the fetuss heart were clearly visible, and the tumor had grown 0.7 centimeters. Despite the increased severity of those problems, without hydrops she still had to go out of state.

A scheduling error meant Shannon had to wait two more weeks before she could get an appointment at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia  an 11-hour drive. Rather than bring her husband and toddler along for the ordeal, Shannons parents accompanied her. It was the first night shed ever spent away from her toddler.

She chose to be induced for the procedure. After a long day of waiting, Shannon gave birth a few minutes before midnight and got to hold her daughter.

I kept her with me until about 2 or 3 in the morning, she said.

The logistics of what to do with the remains became more complicated since she was now more than 700 miles away from home and wouldnt be able to visit a burial site in Virginia the way she could have in Alabama. She opted to have her daughter buried with other babies that had died because of miscarriage, termination, or other premature causes.

Baby boy born in mid-March

In mid-March, Shannon gave birth to a healthy baby boy who was a surprise pregnancy. She had been aiming for her next pregnancy to happen over the summer, when she wasnt teaching.

When I found out I was pregnant, I just started crying. Instead of being excited, the trauma came back, she said. And I felt like, I want to be excited and happy, but Im not there yet because I dont know if we get to keep this one yet either.

She said she wants her story to make a difference, in hopes that another person doesnt have to go through the same pain.

I get angry whenever I see people with the choose life bumper stickers and license plates, because theyre not thinking about me. Theyre not recognizing that its not a black and white issue, its nothing but shades of gray when youre dealing with pregnancy, particularly high-risk pregnancy, Shannon said. I am a married, white, straight, Christian, grew-up-in-the-church woman who was attempting to grow her family within the bounds of marriage, and I just keep thinking, if anybody is going to be able to change a mind about this issue, shouldnt it be me?

The post Fatal anomaly exception didnt spare Alabama mom who needed an abortion appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Will Gov. Bill Lee's voucher proposal make it to a final vote?

Its chances look increasingly grim after yet another day without a significant committee vote on the measure.

The Senate Finance Ways and Means Committee, which had been scheduled to take up the bill Monday, was bumped to Tuesday after the committee's preceding meeting was delayed by nearly two hours, around the time Senate leaders were seen leaving Lees office Monday.

On Tuesday, the finance committees in both the House and Senate passed versions of the state budget that includes $144 million to initiate a voucher program, whether or not legislation actually establishing it is ultimately adopted.

"Our assumption is that bill is still alive," Senate Finance Committee Chair Bo Watson, R-Hixson, told committee members Tuesday. "The governor's education program is funded in the governor's budget and continues to be funded in the budget."

Senate Bill 503/House Bill 1183 was on the calendar for the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, but Watson bumped the legislation to the end of the calendar "as conversations continue." Watson later adjourned the committee without taking up the bill, saying the committee has "done all of its business."

Members of the House Finance Subcommittee also approved a budget that includes $144 million for the program  a notable departure from the House's nearly $400 million Education Freedom proposal, which reallocated significant funding for public schools toward teacher health benefits and facilities maintenance.

"That money is there," House Finance Committee Chair Patsy Hazlewood, R-Signal Mountain, said. "If the program is worked out, the commitment would be to not expend more than that. If for some reason it doesnt work out, then again, those dollars will still be set aside and they'll be there to be used next year or to be used to close out budgets."

The bill remains on the House Finance Subcommittee on Wednesday, but there's no indication the Senate and House have made progress towards a deal.

If lawmakers adjourn for the year without taking up the proposal, the legislation will be dead, as a new General Assembly will be sworn in after elections this fall. The governor could call the legislature back for a special legislative session to take up the matter, though doing so would likely not be welcomed, as it would call lawmakers off the campaign trail.

Republican leaders have repeatedly signaled optimism in recent weeks, but the bill has been delayed in committees for nearly a month, with little indication the two chambers had inched closer to a compromise on some of the major sticking points of the massively differing bills.

The Tennessee Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported Monday the voucher proposal was dead. No one has indicated any significant progress has been made on the proposal, and the mood among Republicans in the Capitol on Monday was less than optimistic as suggestions of the bill's demise spread while both chambers were in session. But House negotiators publicly insisted the conversations were ongoing on Monday evening.

"It's the governor's bill, and until you hear from the governor that it is not moving forward, then the assumption is it's going forward," said House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, after the House session Monday.

Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives Cameron Sexton gives support to Gov. Bill Lees proposal at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.

"We are still negotiating with the Senate," Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, told The Tennessean in a text message just after the Senate adjourned Monday.

Lee's office did not respond to a Tennessean request for comment on the issue.

House and Senate Democrats shared both approval and skepticism that the effort would be completely shuttered this session.

"I'll believe it when I hear sine die and the gavel bangs the session close," Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville, wrote in a social media post. "We need to keep the fight against vouchers until the Legislature adjourns for the year!"

House and Senate leadership have negotiated for weeks in an effort to close a vast gap in policy and funding for the governor's highest priority bill  but so far with no success.

The House version seeks to make sweeping reforms to public school testing requirements, teacher and principal performance assessments, and increase the states contribution to teacher health benefits  in addition to establishing the $144 million voucher program.

Related: Inside the web of special interest groups pushing for expanded Tennessee school vouchers

Senators want to require students who participate in the voucher program to participate in achievement testing, and allow out-of-county public school enrollment. Lee has pushed for establishing a voucher program without testing requirements.

For several weeks, Democrats have said that the bill is "on the ropes," or expressed skepticism that their Republican colleagues had the votes to pass the bill.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee school vouchers: Bill's fate hangs in the balance
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco after the container ship lost power and crashed into a support pylon - AFP

The FBI has opened a criminal inquiry into the collapse of a Baltimore bridge in March when a ship crashed into a bridge support, it said on Monday, as local officials confirmed the recovery of a fourth body from the incident.

FBI agents boarded the cargo ship Dali as part of investigations into the crash, an FBI spokesman said.

The spokesman said that there was no other public information available and that the bureau would have no further comment.

The body of a fourth victim was recovered after divers spotted what they believed to be a missing construction vehicle, inside which they found the body, the Key Bridge Unified Command said.

Details of the victims identity were not made public at the request of their family.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco in the early morning of March 26, killing six men who were working on the span at the time, after the container ship lost power and crashed into a support pylon. The bodies of two victims are still missing.

The investigation into the collapse will focus in part on whether Dalis crew left port knowing the freighter had serious problems with its systems, The Washington Post reported.

Safety investigators have recovered the ships black box recorder, which provides data on its position, speed, heading, radar and bridge audio and radio communications, as well as alarms.

On Monday, the city of Baltimore said that it had hired two law firms as it considered litigation against the owner, charterer and operator of the ship. The registered owner of the Singapore-flagged ship is Grace Ocean Pte. Synergy Marine Group managed the ship and Maersk chartered the vessel.

US National Transportation Safety Board investigators have interviewed key cargo ship personnel as part of their probe - Peter Knudson/NTSB

Last week, the head of the US National Transportation Safety Board separately told Congress that its investigators had interviewed personnel on the ship as part of its probe.

Work to clear the wreckage and restore traffic through the Baltimore ports shipping channel continues.

Replacing the bridge is expected to take years, but authorities have opened two temporary channels to allow some shallow-draft vessels to move around the stricken container vessel.

Two weeks ago, the US Army Corps of Engineers said that it expected to open a new channel to the port of Baltimore by the end of April.

When the crash occurred, Dali was leaving Baltimore en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a crew of 21, plus two pilots on board to guide it out of the port.

The same ship was involved in an incident in the port of Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016, when it hit a quay as it tried to exit a North Sea container terminal.

An inspection in June carried out in San Antonio, Chile, found that the vessel had propulsion and auxiliary machinery deficiencies, according to data on the Equasis website, which provides information on ships.

According to Singapores Maritime and Port Authority, the vessel passed foreign port inspections in June and September.

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Lump the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in with those wanting to know more about what caused the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore last month.

According to a Monday report from The Washington Post, the bureau has opened a criminal investigation into the March 26 incident, in which the 985-foot Maersk-chartered container ship Dali briefly lost power, veered off course and crashed into one of the bridges pillars, collapsing the structure entirely.

More from Sourcing Journal

Various reports that followed indicate that the inquiry involves whether the crew knew the ship had potential mechanical problems ahead of the crash. The probe will also examine the events that led up to when the vessel left the Port of Baltimore.

One such Associated Press report Monday said that when the ship was docked in the port, alarms went off on some of its refrigerated containers, an indicator of an inconsistent power supply.

The FBI is present aboard the cargo ship Dali conducting court authorized law enforcement activity, the agency said in a statement Monday, without confirming any details about the investigation.

On Monday, a fourth body was recovered from the collapse site in the Patapsco River. The body was discovered trapped inside a construction vehicle, according to the Unified Command group in charge of recovery. Six construction workers are believed to be dead, with two other victims still missing.

Authorities did not release the persons identity at the request of family.

Cleanup of the site wreckage is ongoing, with more than 1,000 tons of steel having been removed from the river.

The Port of Baltimore may reopen for full access by the end of May, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is currently shooting to open a limited-access shipping channel by the end of April. Unified Command has already established two temporary, alternate channels for vessels involved in clearing debris.

Replacing the bridge itself is expected to take years.

As the cleanup and investigation both endure, other ports are seemingly handling the diverted cargo with no interruption.

New rail services are already moving containers between the ports of Baltimore and NY/NJ to assist shippers disrupted by the closure, said Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos. Two weeks post the incident, there have been no significant reports of regional road or port congestion as a result of the rerouting. East Coast ocean freight rates have decreased since the port closure in Baltimore, likewise suggesting that regional container traffic has continued to flow.

On Monday, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey revealed that while its dockworkers typically take 60 to 65 percent of cargo off the boat at its terminals before the vessel travels elsewhere, that range has increased to 70 to 75 percent of total capacity.

The FBIs investigation would run in parallel to the one opened by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which aims to prevent future accidents.

Investigators from the agency have recovered the Dalis black box recorder, which provides data on its position, speed, heading, radar, and bridge audio and radio communications, as well as alarms.

The NTSB is seeking an explanation for why the vessel lost power while approaching the bridge, according to chair Jennifer Homendy. The agency is examining the cargo ships electrical power system, and having called upon engine manufacturer Hyundai to help download data from the engine room related to the power system.

The opening of a criminal investigation means the Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation, which is investigating in parallel to the NTSB, will pause evidence collection, but it will still be able to analyze evidence it has already gathered to inform safety efforts like new regulations or inspection campaigns.

Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott said the city is taking legal steps to proactively and aggressively address the impact the Key Bridge collapse has had on residents, including the families of the victims, business owners and longshoremen and other port workers.

Stating that the tragedy has resulted in both a devastating loss of life, as well as significant economic hardship to local businesses and workers, Scott revealed that the city hired a law firm to take legal action.

In particular, Baltimore plans to hold all entities related to the vessel accountable for the Key Bridge tragedy, including owner Grace Ocean Private Limited, charterer Maersk, manufacturer Hyundai and the boats operator Synergy Marine Pte. Ltd., as well as other potentially liable third parties.

Grace Ocean and Synergy filed a court petition soon after the collapse seeking to limit their legal liabilitya routine procedure for cases litigated under U.S. maritime law. Their joint filing seeks to cap the companies liability at roughly $43.7 million.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2024 - 13:44 | All, Japan

Japan's trade watchdog plans to instruct Google LLC to reform its business practices after finding that it may have imposed unfair restrictions in its search advertising agreement with Yahoo Japan, sources close to the case said Tuesday.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission believes the practices by the U.S. search giant could further undermine competition in the advertising market, the sources said. Yahoo Japan, now LY Corp., has said it had no choice but to accept Google's request because it receives ad distribution technology from Google.

Google has submitted to the trade commission a plan to voluntarily improve its practices, according to the sources. If the commission approves the plan, the company will be exempted from facing fines or other punitive measures imposed under the antimonopoly law.

The two firms entered a tie-up in around 2010 enabling Yahoo to use Google's search advertising technology, which displays online ads linked to searched keywords.

But Google later demanded that Yahoo stop providing search-linked advertising to the portal sites of its business partners, according to the sources.

Related coverage:

Google faces antitrust probe in Japan for pushing search default

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The Yuma East Wetlands. Photo via U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

In the 20 years since rehabilitation efforts began in the Yuma East Wetlands, the riparian habitat has gone from a dangerous illegal dumping site overrun with invasive plants to a place where people can safely access the Colorado River as native plants, birds, bugs and wildlife thrive.

And at the beginning of April, the Department of the Interior announced it was awarding $5 million to protect and maintain Yuma East Wetlands. And another Arizona project, Topock Marsh, is receiving $20 million for restoration.

Protecting these wetlands is important to the local communities as well as to the greater health of the lower basin of the Colorado River, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton said in a press release.

According to the department, funding comes from the Biden administrations Investing in America Agenda, which includes efforts to address the ongoing drought and strengthen water security across the Southwest.

Building on our significant milestones this year to protect the Colorado River System, we are continuing to bring every tool and resource to bear to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System and increase water efficiency across the West, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Michael Brian said in a press release.

Through Investing in America, Brain said that the Department of the Interior has historic new resources that can help Western communities withstand severe drought conditions, restore ecosystems, and build a sustainable future.

The Yuma East Wetlands is a model for wetlands restoration and conservation, said U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva in a written statement. This investment by the Biden administration is critical for maintaining this vital ecosystem and its abundance of biodiversity.

The Yuma East Wetlands is 380 acres of restored riparian habitat, two-thirds of which are on the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation.

Brian Golding, director of economic development for the Fort Yuma Quechen Tribe, said the partnership started in 2004 to rehabilitate the Yuma East Wetlands. The tribe joined with the City of Yuma, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the National Yuma Heritage Crossing Area to restore the land.

Golding said the tribe commits some of its allocation of the Arizona Colorado River water to irrigation of the restored area.

He said the tribe entered the partnership for many reasons, but the main objective was to reestablish the tribes and surrounding communitys physical connection to the river.

Golding said that re-establishing that physical connection helps the tribe reconnect to its spiritual, cultural and recreational practices on the river.

Before the partners stepped in, Golding said the area was unmanaged and dangerous because of the illegal dumping site. Invasive plant species were overrunning the natural habitat.

He said the overall condition of the area was unsafe, which prevented everyone from accessing and enjoying the river. However, that all changed once the partnership was established. Goldings said they were able to clear the area and turn it into what it is today.

People can now walk through the restored areas and visit the river access points to enter the river channel on their boats, kayaks, tubes or boards.

Golding said that since theyve restored the area, they have seen an influx of birds, bugs, wildlife and native plant life.

The return of native plant life has been beneficial to the tribe, he said, because it has helped with their cultural production by allowing them to harvest mesquite beans, willow poles, cattails and cottonwood roots.

All these different things are important to our cultural practice (and) the production of cultural items important to the tribe, Golding said.

The infrastructure established for the area has helped recreate the marshland-like conditions around the river channel that existed before dams were built along the Colorado River.

The infrastructure allows them to raise the elevation of the surface water to as much as 12 feet, he said, and that helps maintain the marsh-like condition of the area.

However, all the infrastructure was developed about 20 years ago, and the $5 million slated for the project from the Department of Interior will help update the old infrastructure.

The National Yuma Crossing Heritage Center manages the Yuma East Wetlands. Executive Director Cathy Douglas said the funding will help replace much of the infrastructure that has reached its life expectancy.

Improvements will include designing and installing a new system to move water around the wetlands, replacing diesel-fueled pumps with electrical pumps, extending concrete canals and bringing electrical power to the conservation area to allow for technology updates.

Through historic resources provided through President Bidens Investing in America Agenda, we have the opportunity to invest in projects like these to combat the impacts of long-term drought for current and future generations, Touton said.

Douglas said the center has known that improvements needed to be made to the infrastructure, but it was always a question of where they would get the funding.

When the Department of Interior announced the funding, Douglas said it was a significant amount that would help them make the improvements.

It was very appreciated and a big weight off our shoulders, she added.

The other Arizona wetland site to receive funding from the Department of Interior this month is the Toprock Marsh in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.

According to the Department of Interior, the 4,000-acre Topock Marsh will receive $20 million. The funding will be used to install two new screw pumps, replace a failing concrete canal with three miles of pipeline, design and build a new water control structure, and bring in electrical power for the pumps to increase the efficiency of the marshs water delivery system.

The Topock Marsh provides habitat to the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, the department stated and is home to the only Northern Mexican Garter Snake population identified on the lower Colorado River.

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The post Fed cash for Yuma East Wetlands preservation applauded by Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
Mexican kingpin Joaquin Archivaldo "El Chapo" Guzman Loera had his request for phone calls and visits with his young daughters denied by a federal judge, who wrote in the motion that the Bureau of Prisons is now "solely responsible" for the lonely drug lord's conditions.

"This Court has no power to alter the conditions that the Bureau of Prisons has imposed," the judge wrote in the motion filed on April 10 in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of New York. Calls and visits in effect while Guzman was on trial were superseded once he was convicted, the judge wrote. The court had previously authorized two telephone calls per month.

Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman is escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican navy marines at a navy hanger. / Credit: STR/LatinContent via Getty Images

Guzman, once the world's most notorious cartel leader who was called by prosecutors a "ruthless and bloodthirsty leader," wrote in a March 20 letter asking the judge for visits with his wife and his two daughters. He said he hasn't had calls with his daughters for seven months and lawyers "have decided to punish me by not letting me talk to my daughters. To this day they have not told me if they will no longer give me calls with my girls," he wrote.

He asked the judge to let his wife Emma Coronel Aispuro visit. Coronel, a former beauty queen and dual U.S.-Mexico citizen, was sentenced to 36 months in prison and four years of supervised release following her 2021 arrest for helping run his multi-million dollar drug cartel.

In this file photo taken on Feb. 12, 2019 Emma Coronel Aispuro,(C) wife of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman leaves from the US Federal Courthouse after a verdict was announced at the trial for Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman in Brooklyn, New York. / Credit: KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images

He would like her to "bring my daughters to visit me, since my daughters can only visit me when they are on school break, since they are studying in Mexico." He asked for intervention from the judge in the letter for the "unprecedented discrimination against me."

Guzman is serving a life sentence in a Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, which houses numerous high-profile inmates. He was convicted in 2019 of charges including drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons-related offenses. Since starting his sentence in the isolated prison, known as the "Alcatraz of the Rockies," "El Chapo" has petitioned for numerous ways to make his life on the inside more bearable.

The Sinaloa cartel founder sent an "SOS" through his lawyers last year to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for help due to alleged "psychological torment" he says he is suffering in a U.S. prison. He previously asked the judge to let his wife and his then 9-year-old twin daughters visit him in prison.

Prosecutors have said thousands of people died or were ordered killed because of the Sinaloa Cartel.

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U.S. District Judge Janis Jack has presided over a federal lawsuit against Texas' troubled foster care system for more than a decade.

A day after a federal judge ordered Texas to pay $100,000 daily in fines for failing to comply with court-ordered fixes to its foster care system, the state on Tuesday asked the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the ruling.

U.S. District Judge Janis Jack ordered the fines Monday evening for the state's repeated failures to timely and fully investigate allegations of abuse in the foster care system, holding a Texas official in contempt of court for a third time in the 13-year-old case.

Fine payments  $50,000 daily for each of two orders the court found the state is flouting  will go to a trust fund benefiting children in the state's permanent care.

In her scathing, 427-page ruling Monday, Jack listed dozens of instances in which errors or delays in investigations left children to go without treatment for physical and sexual abuse and allowed their providers to continue problematic behavior unfettered.

She detailed the story of one child with intellectual disabilities whose caretaker punched her in the face, fracturing her jaw in two places, in April 2022, months after an adult resident of the same facility reported the staff member for physical abuse.

Court monitors found that the incident "could have been prevented" had the Health and Human Services Commission complied with Jack's 2018 orders requiring the state agency to complete investigations in a timely manner.

Jack noted that the same child and numerous other residents in the state's permanent care had repeatedly reported abuse and neglect at the state-certified residential facility, C3 Christian Academy, over several months.

The facility lost its certification to operate through the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program, a state Medicaid program for the provision of services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, in 2023.

"Staff 6 broke Child Cs jaw nearly one year after she was tasered, seven months after she was locked in the bedroom, and five months after her outcry of sexual abuse by a staff member who was subsequently incarcerated for sexually abusing his stepdaughter," Jack, of the Southern District of Texas, wrote in her latest court order.

The order comes in response to a motion for contempt that the plaintiffs  two national child welfare advocacy groups  filed in April 2023 and which the court heard in early December. Those groups, Children's Rights and A Better Childhood, are suing the state on behalf of all children in Texas' permanent care.

In Monday's ruling, Jack excoriated the defendants, who include Gov. Greg Abbott and agency heads, for noncompliance and negligence, writing that the state has a "history of failing to comply with remedial orders and (a) lack of commitment to remedying the remaining problems."

Jack also lambasted the state for a litany of other problems with its foster care system. The court found that the system puts children at undue risk of violence and sexual abuse, allows overuse of psychotropic medications, and overloads caseworkers, among other issues.

Jack's ruling also presented more than 100 pages of evidence showing that children who are without placement  lodged by the state in hotels, offices and other locations  continue to "suffer grievous harms," including child-on-child assault, self-harm, sex trafficking and death amid "shockingly poor" physical conditions.

Abbott's office did not immediately respond to an American-Statesman request for comment Tuesday.

Monday's order did not grant the plaintiff's contempt motion relating to issues such as psychotropic medication use and high caseloads for caseworkers, but the judge could consider them at a later date.

Jack also put a pin in the plaintiffs' motion for partial receivership, which would put certain aspects of the foster care system under the administration of third-party child welfare experts.

Paul Yetter, a Houston-based attorney who has represented the plaintiffs since the case was filed, described the decision as "measured" Monday evening.

"The judges ruling is measured but urgent, given the shocking evidence," Yetter told the Statesman in an email. "Innocent children are suffering every day. After all these years, when will state leadership get serious about fixing this disaster?"

From 2021: Foster care crisis worsens, with more children sleeping in offices, hotels, churches

On May 8, 2017, Grace Kelsoe, a case manager at Helping Hand Home for Children, visited the home of a foster care parent. Kelsoe, who had worked as a case manager for three years, said it's hard to find a more vulnerable population than kids in the foster care system. "It's kind of a basic human right to live with their parents, and they don't, and that's for a good reason, but we have to protect them," she said.

Texas foster care system to remain under court's watch

The fines put the blame squarely on the state Health and Human Services Commission's leaders for failing to protect children who had reported abuse, neglect or exploitation.

The agency handles investigations into complaints involving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who reside in care facilities, a small subset of whom are in the states permanent care.

According to the ruling, HHS Commmissioner Cecile Ernst Young, a 2020 appointee of the governor, failed to establish that she has substantially complied or made good faith efforts to comply with two court orders from 2018 requiring prompt and complete investigations.

The commission did not answer the Statesman's questions Tuesday about how it would pay the fines and how long it estimates it will take to comply with the orders.

"HHSC is reviewing the 427-page order and its attachments," commission spokesperson Tiffany Young wrote in an email to the Statesman.

While the Department of Family and Protective Services is also a defendant in the lawsuit, Jack found that department's commissioner had made efforts to improve deficiencies in investigations as per her orders. Family and Protective Services handles the majority of foster care investigations.

The state's foster care system has been under court supervision for years as a result of the lawsuit, first filed in 2011 against former Gov. Rick Perry.

Jack, who was appointed in 1993 by then-President Bill Clinton, appointed court monitors to keep tabs on the state's compliance. She has held the state in contempt three times, including in 2019 and 2020. The state previously paid $150,000 in fines after Jack found that it violated orders requiring homes with six or more children to be under adult supervision at all times.

Jack indicated her exasperation with the state's battles to fight her past rulings, noting that the conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals wrote that it seems painfully obvious that high error rates in abuse investigations ... place children at a substantial risk of serious harm" in a ruling partially upholding her 2018 orders.

Her unusually long order released Monday  which includes the word "fail" 286 times across its 427 pages  suggested Texas' foster care system will continue to be under court supervision for several more years.

"The Court is aware that this Order is of extraordinary length due to the fact (of the) intensive nature of these findings and the Courts opinion that the stories of these children need to be told," Jack wrote in a footnote.

A compliance hearing is scheduled for June 26.

The full order from the Southern District of Texas is below.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Editor's note: This story previously misidentified the first name of the plaintiffs' attorney. The story has been updated to reflect that his name is Paul Yetter.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas fined $100K per day by federal judge in foster care abuse case
Members of a cleanup crew dismantle tents at a homeless encampment along San Vicente Boulevard outside the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs campus in Los Angeles in 2021. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

A federal judge has found that Los Angeles city officials altered evidence to support the city's defense against allegations that it illegally seized and destroyed homeless people's property.

Warning that the city will likely face sanctions following a forensic examination, U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer wrote in an order that the city had not only "altered, modified, and created documents relevant to Plaintiff's claims" but had also failed to produce legitimately requested documents.

"Suffice it to say that the Citys credibility has been damaged significantly," she wrote.

According to court filings, records documenting what was taken during cleanups and the legal authorization for the seizure were altered or created up to two years after the cleanup occurred and in some instances just days before they were turned over to the plaintiffs.

In some records, the word "bulky items" was replaced by "health hazards" or "contaminated," after Fischer had ruled the city's law prohibiting bulky items unconstitutional.

In a court filing, Shayla R. Myers, an attorney with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles who is representing the eight plaintiffs, described the changes as so significant "they rise to the level of fraud on the court."

"In our view this isnt just about altering or creating evidence, its about misleading the court and the public about the existence of safeguards to ensure the city isnt illegally throwing away unhoused peoples belongings," Myers said in an interview.

"They argue that they have processes in place to ensure they arent violating unhoused peoples rights. ... And those are the very documents that the court found to be altered or fabricated."

Read more: Are L.A.'s anti-camping laws failing? We went to 25 sites to find the truth

A spokesman for the Los Angeles city attorney declined to answer The Times' questions about the case, saying the office does not comment on pending litigation. The alleged doctoring occurred during Mayor Eric Garcetti's administration, Myers said, although delays in producing documents have continued since Karen Bass became mayor.

The plaintiffs, seven homeless people and the group Ktown for All, allege that the city violated their rights by destroying their belongings in camp cleanups in 2018 and 2019. Among the items taken, they allege, were tents, chairs, work supplies, a laptop computer, a chest containing clothes and hygiene goods, a dog kennel, medications and personal identification.

The five-year-old lawsuit alleges that the city's practice of seizing and disposing of property violates the 4th Amendment's protection against illegal search and seizure and the 14th Amendment's guarantee of due process.

It describes property used by lead plaintiff Janet Garcia for her work as a domestic cleaner being seized and destroyed when she was not present. Other plaintiffs weren't given time to collect personal items before they were seized, it alleges.

Ktown for All, a group that advocates for and assists homeless people, was harmed by having to expend resources replenishing the seized items, it alleges.

The plaintiffs seek compensation for the destroyed property and pain and suffering as well as a declaration that the city's policies and practices violate the California and U.S. constitutions.

Early in the case, Fischer issued a preliminary injunction barring the city from enforcing the municipal code that prohibits bulky items. Because of that ruling, the plaintiffs would have essentially already won their case involving any property taken under the bulky item law, but would have retained a defense for items taken under a health standard, Myers said.

Fischer subsequently held the city in contempt after the plaintiff's attorney introduced evidence that city workers continued to post signs in some locations prohibiting bulky items.

Since then the case has dragged on over disputes about the accuracy of the city's records.

According to court filings, the city responded to the discovery request for the documents by converting printouts of the original Microsoft Word documents into PDFs. The process eliminated the date stamps that recorded when the originals were created and last modified.

When the original of one of those records was attached to an email the plaintiffs obtained in discovery, Myers found that it had been extensively revised before the conversion to PDF.

After Myers presented evidence of the altered documents in a 2022 hearing, Fischer took the unusual step of appointing a neutral third-party forensic examiner to determine if the city had "spoliated" records, a legal term meaning intentionally or negligently altering or destroying.

The examiner's preliminary report said he obtained some of the original documents but was unable to obtain others. Manually comparing originals with the PDFs, Myers' team found more than 100 revisions in some documents. Among them, bulky was changed to "ADA violation," a reference to the Americans With Disabilities Act, and Property left behind by encampment was changed to Contaminated Items Surrendered or Left Behind by Resident.

In February, Fischer issued a finding that the city had altered records and sharply rebuked the city's arguments that the revisions were insignificant.

"The Citys contention that material changes to documents such as the reason for seizing and destroying personal property  sometimes to match the Citys litigation position  are 'administrative' is also untenable," she wrote.

"The Citys conduct cannot be excused as 'imperfect document management;' ... its 'explanation' for its admitted spoliation is unconvincing to say the least."

In a follow-up order on April 1, she found that "the full extent of the city's spoliation has not yet been determined" and set an April 8 deadline for the city to turn over all relevant documents to the forensic examiner.

"Any delays by the City will not be tolerated," she wrote.

Fischer said she would deem any relevant records that the city fails to produce as "spoliated."

The city turned over a Google drive, which is being evaluated, but no additional documents, Myers said.

Myers said she has not determined what sanctions to propose and will do so after the forensic examination is complete, in a month or two.

A trial, stayed for the forensic examination, has still not been set.

"This case would have been resolved years ago but for the need for the court to investigate the citys conduct, delaying a public reckoning about the legality of these sweeps," Myers said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A federal judge has scheduled a trial May 13 in a lawsuit over people being dropped from Floridas Medicaid program after the end of a federal public-health emergency that was declared in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Jacksonville-based U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard issued an order Friday scheduling the trial, according to a court docket.

Attorneys for Medicaid beneficiaries filed a potential class-action lawsuit in August, alleging that the state was not properly informing people before dropping them from the health-care program.

Read: Deputy arrested, sheriff says murdered tow truck driver may be linked to carjacking victims death

They filed an amended version of the lawsuit in January.

The lawsuit is rooted in last springs end of the federal public-health emergency.

Read: Orange County deputy accused of calling detective to obtain information about carjacking, kidnapping

Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal and state governments, and Washington agreed to pick up more of the tab for the program as part of the emergency.

But in exchange for the extra money, states had to agree that they wouldnt drop people from the Medicaid rolls during the emergency.

Floridas program grew from about 3.8 million beneficiaries in January 2020 to nearly 5.78 million in April 2023.

Read: Madeline Sotos biological father says he was blindsided by her death, seeks closure

At least in part, the increase stemmed from the program being unable to drop people who otherwise might not qualify because of their income levels.

After the end of the public-health emergency, the state has used what is known as an eligibility redetermination process.

That process led to hundreds of thousands of people being dropped from the program. As of February, enrollment was about 4.8 million, according to data posted on the state Agency for Health Care Administration website.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  The Louisiana State Hazard Mitigation Plan that is effective from March 21 to March 20, 2029, was recently approved by FEMA.

State Hazard Mitigation plans are required by FEMA to qualify states to receive federal aid and grants, according to a news release from the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Having a strong state hazard mitigation plan is critical to help Louisiana communities prepare and recover from disasters, Louisianas State Hazard Mitigation Officer Jeffrey Giering said. Partnerships with these universities are critical to our success and enable us to move the states emergency preparedness plan forward.

After researchers from LaHouse conducted a natural hazards risk assessment for extreme weather hazards that affect Louisiana, it was found that potential losses from natural hazards could reach $5 billion per year by 2050, according to a news release.

Earth Day 2024: Check out these celebrations, events in, near Baton Rouge

Our 2024 risk assessment allows us to look holistically at how different natural hazards affect different parts of the state, Giering said. Understanding the $5 billion annual risk is a key step in comprehensively reducing our risk in ways that are significant and equitable.

The Center for Hazards Assessment, Response & Technology at The University of New Orleans, one of the groups that helped develop the plan, supports the update with an emphasis on the following sections:

The planning process.

State mitigation capabilities.

The overall mitigation strategy.

Local coordination and capacity building.

Mitigation in action across the state.

Plan, review, evaluation and implementation.

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UNO-CHART also updated the Statewide Community Rating System Strategy and intends to update the current Statewide Repetitive Loss strategy through the next year, according to a news release.

The next step of statewide planning is to share information about natural hazard risk and ways to limit this risk throughout Louisiana, GOHSEP officials said. Parishes will be updating parish-level hazard mitigation plans.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
Fiend who punched 9-year-old girl at Grand Central in provoked attack says he hit her because he was thirsty: prosecutors

The brute accused of punching a 9-year-old girl at Grand Central Terminal allegedly told police he launched the unprovoked attack because he was thirsty, prosecutors said Monday.

The bizarre motive for Jean Carlos Zarzuelas alleged Saturday assault was revealed by prosecutors during his arraignment during which he was ordered held on $100,000 bail  after being cut loose earlier this month following a similar attack.

I hit the girl in the face because I was thirsty, Zarzuela, 30, allegedly told a detective, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Shara Safer said during the arraignment. Maybe I hit her in the face by accident.

Jean Carlo Zarzuela was arrested Sunday and appeared in court on Monday. G.N.Miller/NYPost

When requesting bail, Safer referenced a separate but similar case involving Zarzuela where he allegedly punched a woman multiple times on April 4 that left her with a bloody nose and eye swollen shut.

Bail was set on this case on April 4th. However, the People and the police were not able to secure the paperwork to meet the 170.70 burden and the defendant was released on his own recognizance on April 9th, Safer said in reference to a clause where prosecutors can show good cause to keep a defendant in custody beyond five days on misdemeanor charges.

In the April 4 case, Zarzuela was arraigned on assault, reckless endangerment and harassment charges.

The defendant is before us today, six days after his release, because he again punched a stranger, a 9-year-old stranger, in the face in Grand Central, Safer said.

The man allegedly carried out two assaults in Grand Central this month. Paul Martinka

The little girl was taken to NYU Langone-Tisch Hospital following Saturdays assault, sources previously said.

He was also accused of attempting to assault another person during the alleged outburst, according to a criminal complaint.

Hes facing two counts of third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree attempted assault and second-degree harassment.

Before his two cases this month, Zarzuela had a history of other arrests and was placed on supervised release tied to a case a year ago, Safer said in court.

He failed to appear at his next court date and a bench warrant was issued. The defendant returned involuntarily to court nearly a year later when he was arrested again for punching a stranger in the face, Safer said in reference to the April 4 assault.

The suspect was held on $100,000 bail. NYPD

Manhattan Judge Melissa Lewis said on Monday the case was bail eligible based on the harm-to-harm theory that Safer offered in which two victims were assaulted separately by the same alleged perp.

Zarzuela wore the same grimy white sweatshirt in court he was seen in on Sunday following his arrest.

Judge Lewis also ordered a psychiatric exam for the defendant.

He is due back in court on April 19.
Republican attorneys general in at least four states have abused their oversight authorities to demand the private medical records of transgender minors and adults as part of a broader effort to restrict access to gender-affirming health care nationwide, according to a Senate Finance Committee report released Tuesday.

Investigations launched by Attorneys General Ken Paxton of Texas, Todd Rokita of Indiana, Jonathan Skrmetti of Tennessee and Andrew Bailey of Missouri into seekers and providers of transition-related care demand a host of invasive items such as lists of individuals referred for care and unredacted physical and mental health records, according to a report by the committees majority Democratic staff.

Framed as civil investigations seeking to determine if there has been misuse of Medicaid funds (Tennessee) or violations of consumer protection laws (Indiana and Missouri), these campaigns investigate medical providers on their provision of transgender medical care, the report states, adding that the investigations are motivated by ideological and political goals.

The Hill has reached out to the GOP attorney general offices for comment.

The office for the Tennessee attorney general said its investigation targeted health care providers, not patients.

Our Civil Medicaid Fraud Unit began investigating after watching a video in which a VUMC doctor described how she manipulated billing codes to avoid insurance coverage limitations, wrote Tennessee AG spokesperson Amy Lannom Wilhite. There is no political exception to our fraud laws, and we will continue to investigate as the evidence demands, regardless of a doctors ideology.

Gender-affirming health care for transgender minors is already banned in Texas, Indiana, Tennessee and Missouri under a slate of laws passed in 2023 that restrict access to puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery. Twenty other states have also heavily restricted or banned the treatments for minors and certain adults.

Tuesdays report argues that the four attorneys general have gone even further than banning care statewide by using their oversight authorities to investigate transgender medical care across the United States.

In February, PFLAG National, a nonprofit LGBTQ advocacy group, sued Paxton after his office demanded the organization hand over information related to its support of transgender children receiving gender-affirming medical care. Paxtons office said the request pertained to allegations of misrepresentations of transgender health care in violation of a state law protecting against false or misleading business practices.

Paxton is facing a similar lawsuit from Seattle Childrens Hospital, which sued the attorney generals office in December after it was sent a subpoena demanding patient records of Texas residents who had received gender-affirming care. Paxton in November issued a similar demand to QueerMed, a telemedicine clinic based in Georgia.

The attorneys general of Missouri and Indiana have similarly cited consumer protection laws to justify investigations into transgender clinics. A short-lived emergency rule issued by Bailey, the Missouri attorney general, last year claimed gender-affirming treatments were already banned in the state under an existing law governing unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable business practices.

In Tennessee, the attorney generals office has sent at least three civil investigative demands to Vanderbilt University Medical Centers transgender health clinic over allegations of Medicaid fraud. TennCare, Tennessees Medicaid program, explicitly excludes gender-affirming health care.

Attorneys General are weaponizing their oversight authorities for their own political gain, at the expense of LGBTQIA+ people and their families, Tuesdays report states. Further, by implicating the Medicaid program, a cornerstone public insurance program for low-income Americans, these efforts undermine the integrity of public health care.

Including Tennessee, at least 13 states prohibit the use of Medicaid for gender-affirming care.

In a statement, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said the four attorneys general in the report are misusing their authority to terrorize transgender teens.

Its shameful that law-enforcement officials are choosing to persecute teens trying to live their lives, just to score points with far-right activists, he said. Wyden also criticized Vanderbilt University Medical Centers decision to hand over patient records to the attorney general, calling the move an utter betrayal.

After issuing the report, Wyden and other Democrats in a letter to health care industry trade groups called on hospitals and health care providers to protect patients private medical records from abusive legal demands by state attorneys general.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2024 - 21:21 | All, World

The Group of Seven foreign ministers are set to condemn "in the strongest possible terms" the expanding military cooperation between Russia and North Korea at their meeting later this week, a diplomatic source said Tuesday.

The source cited a draft communique to be issued on the final day of the three-day talks from Wednesday on the Italian island of Capri, with the ministers also criticizing Iran for "dangerously increasing" regional tensions by providing arms and related material for pro-Iranian actors.

The G7 governments are making final arrangements toward adopting the document, taking into account the aftermath of Iran's missile and drone attacks on Israel over the weekend that have further intensified tensions in the Middle East, the source said.

The G7 foreign ministerial gathering comes as concerns grow that the alleged North Korean weapon transfers to Russia, in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, could help the Russian forces in its prolonged war in Ukraine that began in February 2022.

In the communique, the ministers will demand that North Korea's ballistic missile exports to Russia be immediately stopped, while reaffirming their "steadfast support" for Ukraine in a show of G7 unity, according to the source.

The G7 is expected to renew its commitment to strengthen Ukraine's cyber defenses, with the ministers warning that new technologies including artificial intelligence could be used as a "tool" to undermine democracy, the source said.

The draft document also underscores the negative impacts stemming from the Russian invasion, such as food insecurity in Africa and disruption of global energy supplies, according to the source.

As for China, the G7 nations will say that they are "seriously concerned" about the situation in the East and South China seas, the source said, in an apparent criticism of Beijing's maritime assertiveness.

Meanwhile, the ministers will call on China to maintain dialogue and work together with G7 members, seeing the Asian power as a "key interlocutor" in dealing with global challenges such as climate change, according to the source.

The statement will also stress the importance of an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and condemn the Palestinian militant group's surprise attack on Oct. 7, while refraining from directly criticizing Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, according to the source.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will take part in the upcoming G7 meeting to be chaired by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is also expected to join, according to the source.

The G7 comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the European Union.

Related coverage:

North Korean missiles fired by Russia "low" quality: Ukraine official

G7 leaders vow support for Ukraine on 2nd anniversary of Russian invasion

North Korean missile found in Ukraine used European, U.S.-made parts
Berlin-based finmid  one of the many startups building embedded fintech solutions, in its case targeting marketplaces that want to provide their own payment and financing options  has raised 23 million ($24.7 million) in a Series A round to further build out its product and enter new markets. The round values the company at 100 million ($107 million), post money.

Marketplaces  typically two-sided businesses that bring together retailers or other third-party providers with customers to buy their products or services  are very classic targets for embedded finance companies, not least because they host a lot of transaction activity already, so it makes sense for them to build in more functionality around that to improve their own margins.

Players like Airwallex, Rapyd, Kriya, and many more are among those building for that opportunity. But finmid believes it has the potential to lock in more business specifically in its home region. Small and medium-sized businesses in Europe typically look to banks to borrow money. The rise of fintech has opened the door to SMBs accessing more, varied sources of financing than ever before, and an increasing number are doing so.

The startup believes that it makes more sense for SMBs to access capital via business partners than via a bank or neobank, and they will do so. "In an ideal scenario, you don't have to get out of that context," finmids co-founder, Max Schertel, told TechCrunch in an interview.

It also makes sense for marketplaces to offer these services itself: A captive audience of customers and the customers of their customers means they are sitting on a trove of data that can help produce, for example, more personalized financing offers.

As one example of how that works, Schertel said that food delivery brand Wolt uses finmid's tech to offer cash advances to some of its restaurant partners directly inside its app. Unlike a bank, Wolt has access to the restaurants' sales history, and finmid helps it leverage that data to decide who will see a pre-approved financing offer.

finmid financing offer - Wolt

Image Credits: finmid

The working capital doesn't come from Wolt, but from finmid's financing partners. Both finmid and the platform earn a percentage of every transaction. "We have banking relationships with a lot of the large banks," Schertel said.

For a platform like Wolt, embedding finmid is a way to make life easier for restaurants while generating additional revenue without much additional effort. That's a fairly straightforward value proposition, as long as partners are willing to give the startups API a go.

In its early days, finmid's pitch wasn't an easy sell to VCs, Schertel said. Embedded finance may get a lot of hype, but it is still an approach that requires signing on partners to get any results. That takes patience that not all VCs will have.

However, finmid managed to find investors who have stuck around since it started during the pandemic, and have helped the company raise 35 million in equity funding to date. Before this new Series A, the company raised 2 million in pre-seed and 10 million in seed funding, finmid's other co-founder, Alexander Talkanitsa, told TechCrunch.

That support seems to be paying off. According to Schertel, once you are running on a platform like Wolt, "success really compounds."

"I like [my] job today a lot better than I did a year ago," he joked.

Schertel and Talkanitsa met at challenger bank N26, whose founder, Max Tayenthal, is now one of their investors alongside VC firms Blossom Capital and Earlybird VC.

The co-founders learned a crucial lesson at N26: Financial infrastructure leaves no space for mistakes. "You have to invest a lot in reliability," Schertel said.

Finmid has an API that connects several data points from the platform and can also plug in other sources of information on the prospective borrower, like a bank would do.

To make the user experience more fluid, finmid can let its clients display pre-approved capital offers that end users can decide to take or not.

The company also offers a product called B2B Payments that allows partners to finance trading between their users. Marketplaces such as FruPro (for fruits and vegetables), VonWood (for timber), and Vanilla Steel (for metal) use this product.

The new money will go toward hiring, and Schertel said the startup is looking for people with deep experience in specific areas, especially finance.

The company is also looking to expand into other countries. First on the list is Italy, but there are no plans to open an office there, Schertel said. Talkanitsa spends half his time in Vienna, and finmid has an office in Berlin.
OFALLON, Mo.  A three-alarm fire at an OFallon apartment building forced dozens of residents out of their homes on Tuesday. Luckily, all of the residents made it out safely, and firefighters rescued several pets.

Residents said they dont know what to expect when they are allowed to go inside their apartments at The Enclave at Winghaven.

You know, we have to find a place to live now. It could have been worse. I dont know what to think yet because I dont know how bad it is, Tony Scharf said.

Scharf said a neighbor texted him at work, letting him know their building was on fire.

The whole roof was on fire; they had the ladder trucks spraying the roof, he said.

Video from Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX helicopter showed flames coming from the roof of Winghaven Building 6.

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Firefighters believe the fire began outside and quickly spread to the attic.

So, its got attic ventilation all the way through the thing and once it gets up in the attic, it pretty much runs all the way to a fire wall, Wentzville Fire Chief Steve Mosher said.

Mosher said they received the 911 call just before 11 a.m. He said the apartment building has 24 units in it. Firefighters went door-to-door, notifying people in the building.

The chief said another concern was the number of pets inside the building.

I tried to run straight up and just get my dog out. They obviously stopped me, Scharf said.

Firefighters said they brought out at least four pets, including Scharfs dog and his neighbors cats.

She was beside herself because, obviously, worse up where she is and she has two cats, Scharf said. Youre thinking the worst but they were able to get into her apartment and also get her cats out too. So I guess it could have been worse.

Red Cross was called to the scene to help residents.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
In our Kaleidoscope newsletter, we cover race, culture and equity in Charlotte and showcase a multitude of people and experiences that make the Queen City special. Subscribe for free. Story idea? Lvernonsparks@charlotteobserver.com

Almost every other day, it seems, were hearing news of someone having a building named for them.

But at the UNC Charlotte, adding this Charlotte bankers name  Donta Wilson  to a residence hall is truly unique.

Its partly because Wilson is the first African American alumnus in the schools history to receive this honor.

Last week, the UNC Charlotte community officially named the Donta L. Wilson Residence Hall, which spans some 147,000 square feet and will be home to some 700 first-year students.

Notable enough, but there is so much more to this story. The UNC Charlotte alum is ubiquitous and has done yeomans work in his community to earn this honor, especially with his H.O.P.E.  helping other people excel  mantra.

DEI UNDER ATTACK?: Find out where it's happening and where it isn't.

In addition to sitting on the universitys Board of Trustees, Wilson is an executive at Truist Financial Corporation and is the chief consumer and small business banking officer.

Donta L. Wilson, an alumnus and Truist banker speaking during an UNCC ceremony naming a residence hall in his honor, now called Wilson Hall. Amy Hart/University of North Carolina, Charlotte

He created the Wilson Believe Fund, which helps to make college more accessible for first-generation students majoring in business and education. Nearly 40% of UNC Charlotte undergraduates identify as first-generation to attend college, according to the university.

Its a reality close to Wilsons heart.

The Charlotte Observer caught up with Wilson for a Q&A to learn more about his journey to help others. (Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity).

When did you find out this was happening?

I found out during the summer of 2022. It happened during what I thought to be a routine check-in with the Chancellor, but to my surprise, it was much more. It was a surreal moment for me. My initial reaction was surprise and gratitude. Ive had the honor of being engaged with UNC Charlotte for several years now, and Im keenly aware of the criteria one must meet in order to receive an honorary naming. Its a very thoughtful process.

In what ways was your experience at UNC Charlotte similar to some of the young people who may be slated to stay at the dorm named for you?

My family experienced the challenges that so many families face of sending a first-generation student off to college. We didnt have experiences or examples of how to best fund the college experience or make living arrangements. You learn quickly that its not just about getting to college, but also getting through college. We had to navigate all of that as a family for the first time, and we can relate to the questions, anxieties, and concerns of those who are on that journey.

Thats why Im so thankful and proud of the job that UNCC does to ensure every student who wants to be a 49er has the resources and support to make that process easier and successful. Im also thankful that I have the opportunity to help remove some of the financial stress by providing the Wilson Believe Fund. In addition, Im so excited that many of these first-generation students will be able to stay at a facility in which they will create lifelong friendships and memories.

Your first-year experience is so important as it relates to continuing your education. Im hopeful that Wilson Hall will be a warm experience  a journey catalyst for students  and a major reason why students decide to return to school to finish their education.

What experiences did you take from UNC Charlotte that helped to forge a successful career in banking? What led to your interest in the finance industry?

From a very young age, I knew I wanted to work in finance. A family event exposed me to the importance of sound financial knowledge and my education at Charlotte cultivated my passion to help others achieve financial happiness. Beyond the education I received, it helped me begin to exercise my personal purpose in life which is to be a dealer of H.O.P.E.

It started with creating opportunities for me to develop leadership skills while in college, such as leading my college fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, as we tutored local elementary kids between classes. It led to opportunities that I didnt realize at the time would change my life. That includes a directed study/internship with Truist thats resulted in a more than 25-year career.

UNC Charlotte was really a place where I learned how to activate community purpose and begin activating my work purpose. 

Tell us more about this mantra  H.O.P.E. helping other people excel  which you identified as your personal purpose in life, what it meant to you when you first conceived and what it means to you today?

Helping other people excel is about providing a pathway for others to go further and go faster, sharing with them the resources and platforms you have so they can be successful. I believe life is about what you give more than what you receive. My goal is to be a net giver in this life, and at the core of what I desire to give is H.O.P.E. Hope is the key to igniting someones dreams or helping them be resilient during a tough time. Without hope, faith does not have an assignment. I often think about the great Jackie Robinson and how its not just about getting to the major league; its about unlocking the doors so others can play at an elevated level, too.

Best advice you ever received?

It was from my grandfather, who said, For the very visionary and impactful differences that one can make in this world, often odds are one in a million, so just be the one. Over the years in every capacity that Ive been able to serve, Ive always remembered that I can be the one  the one to inspire, the one to make a difference, and the one to create positive change thats so needed in our world today.

What do you think are the greatest challenges facing youth coming from the working poor (children of bus drivers, janitors, school teachers, firefighters, factory workers, etc.)? And what can society do to help them, or what can they do to help themselves?

Throughout my life, Ive learned one of the greatest determining factors for ones opportunity for success is our ZIP code. That one thing can make all the difference in the resources we have available to us to reach our full potential. Often, success is limited by having poor options, not by poor choices.

By reaching out to these at-potential youth and exposing them to opportunities they wouldnt otherwise have had, were empowering them to be in a position to positively change the trajectory of their and their familys life. All it takes is for someone to care and make that connection to say, Here  let me help you with this. You will be positively surprised to watch these amazing young people rise to the occasion and blossom regardless of their starting position.
First lady Jill Biden to speak at Grand Rapids luncheon

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  First lady Jill Biden is set to visit Grand Rapids later this month.

She will speak at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundations annual First Ladies Luncheon on April 26. The foundation says Biden will be the events first keynote speaker who is a sitting first lady.

Previous events have featured Rosalynn Carter, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barbara Bush and Laura Bush, organizers say.

This years luncheon will run from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids. To learn more or get a ticket, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Five most dramatic moments from first day of Trump's hush money trial

Former President Donald Trumps hush money trial kicked off Monday, where he faces 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.

The historical trial began with jury selection, where a pool of more than 500 potential jurors will be peppered with questions to determine if they can fairly weigh in on the charges.

The case revolves around payments made by Trumps former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, to former pornographic actor Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. The $130,000 payment was to allegedly quiet her claims of an alleged extramarital affair she had with Trump in 2006.

Trump has denied the affair and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

LIVE UPDATES: TRUMP'S HUSH MONEY PAYMENT GETS UNDERWAY AS JURY SELECTION BEGINS

Former US President Donald Trump at Manhattan criminal court in New York, US, on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Prosecutors say reimbursements from the Trump Organization to Cohen were falsely recorded as legal expenses. Falsifying business records is a misdemeanor, and prosecutors are working to prove that Trump falsified records with an intent to commit or conceal a second crime, which is a felony.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The trial overall is anticipated to last at least six weeks.

The first day was action-packed, including Trump sounding off that the case was "political persecution."

Trump was seen leaving Trump Tower early Monday morning, heading to Manhattan Criminal Court where he addressed the press and railed against the case and its charges.

"Nothing like this has ever happened before," Trump said at the courthouse Monday ahead of the trial officially beginning. "This is political persecution ... it's a case that should have never been brought."

"This is an assault on America and that's why I'm very proud to be here," he added.

Former US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media at Manhattan criminal court in New York, US, on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Trump has repeatedly slammed the trial and charges, including in Pennsylvania on Saturday, where he held his last scheduled campaign rally ahead of the trial officially beginning.

"I will be forced to sit fully gagged. Im not allowed to talk. They want to take away my constitutional right to talk," Trump said in Pennsylvania.

"Im proud to do it for you," he continued, calling the trial a "communist show trial," which he claims is orchestrated by the Biden administration. "Have a good time watching."

FIVE KEY QUESTIONS ON HOW START OF TRUMP'S FIRST CRIMINAL TRIAL WILL IMPACT PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

The district attorney's office argued Monday that Trump has violated a gag order three times in social media posts and should pay $1,000 for each violation.

Presiding Judge Juan Merchan had imposed a gag order on Trump earlier this month that prevents him from making public statements about witnesses and their anticipated testimony in the trial.

"The defendant is aware of the April 1 order . We know that from various posts he had made," said prosecutor Christopher Conroy before Merchan's ruling.

"We think it is important for the court to remind Mr. Trump is a criminal defendant," Conroy added.

Trump's legal team pushed back that the 45th president was defending himself from "salacious, repeated, vehement attacks by these witnesses."

POTENTIAL TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL JURORS BEING ASKED 42 QUESTIONS

Merchan announced he will hear arguments on whether Trump violated the order on April 23, before making a decision on the matter. The defense team has until April 19 to file a written response to the prosecutors' claims Trump violated the gag order.

Merchan doubled down Monday on his previous decision that the jury not be shown the infamous "Access Hollywood" tape, which surfaced ahead of the 2016 election and shows Trump boasting to host Billy Bush that he could kiss and grope women due to his star power.

Former President Donald Trump exits Trump Tower in New York City, Monday, April 15, 2024.

TRUMP CALLS HUSH MONEY TRIAL 'ASSAULT ON AMERICA' AS CASE OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass urged the court to include evidence surrounding the video, which he said is an "admission of sexual assault" and "living proof that the defendant wasnt all talk."

"That is more than just comments of a sexual nature," Steinglass said, adding that when the video surfaced in 2016, it threw Trump's presidential campaign into a "tailspin."

Merchan had previously denied the prosecution from showing the tape to jurors, saying in March, "it is not necessary that the tape itself be introduced into evidence or that it be played for the jury."

Trump's attorney said the video is prejudicial and should not be aired to the jurors.

"The people will get everything they need to prove the charges in this case from what your honor has already ruled," attorney Todd Blanche said.

Prosecutors can introduce Trump's exact words from the video, as well as an email related to the tape, but Merchan said the video itself cannot be shown to jurors.

9 QUESTIONS ABOUT TRUMP TRIAL, ANSWERED

The trial in Lower Manhattan, which will not be televised from the courtroom, attracted a massive media presence on Monday.

Video footage shot outside the courtroom shows a long line of journalists staged in front of cameras along at least one block in the Big Apple.

Trump's trial marks the first time a former president will stand trial on criminal charges. The hush money case is also the first of four criminal cases Trump is expected to face this year while juggling the campaign trail as the presumptive Republican Party's presidential nominee.

Merchan on Monday told Trump it was "too early" for him to decide whether he can attend the high school graduation of his son, Barron Trump, next month, which sparked criticism from Trump as he departed the courthouse.

"Amazing things happened today. As you know, my son is graduating from high school, and it looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son who has worked very, very hard," Trump said while leaving the courthouse.

"He's a great student, very proud of the fact that he did so well and was looking forward for years to have graduation with his mother and father there. It looks like the judge isn't going to allow me to escape this scam. It's a scam trial," he continued.

Trump's defense team had asked the judge for a few scheduling exceptions, including a few days over Passover, as well as his son's high school graduation on May 17.

"It really depends on if we are on time and where we are in the trial," Merchan said Monday.

Trump, in his remarks leaving the courthouse, also railed that he will not be permitted to travel to Washington, D.C., next week, when the Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding whether Trump is immune from prosecution in Special Counsel Jack Smiths election interference case.

"In addition, as you know, next Thursday, we're before the United States Supreme Court in a very big hearing on immunity. And this is something that we've been waiting for a long time. And the judge, of course, is not going to allow us, he is a very conflicted judge, and he's not going to allow us to go to that," he said.

The hush money case will resume Tuesday morning with continued jury selection.

Fox News Digital's Brianna Herlihy and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.





Original article source: Five most dramatic moments from first day of Trump's hush money trial
FIRST ON FOX: Then-Vice President Biden boasted about his Harvard-educated niece previously studying Chinese and living in China while delivering a speech in 2011 touting "a rising China" being "a positive, positive development, not only for China but for America"

Biden gave a shout-out to Casey Owens, who was concluding her stint as a special assistant for the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue at the Treasury Department, while delivering remarks to the opening session of the group, according to an email chain that was reviewed by Fox News Digital.

Owens, the daughter of Bidens sister, emailed then-Vice President Bidens "Auks" alias email address in May 2011, thanking him for the "memorable day" and said it was "very, very humbling" watching him speak.

"And your remarks. That was really something else, Uncle Joe. What a way to exit the Treasury," Owens said, according to an email from Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop. "I'm simply happy to be close to you, and I just wanted to say thank you for including me."

SCATHING DETAILS REVEAL WHY BIDEN APPEARS 'SILENT' ON CHINA'S ROLE IN FENTANYL CRISIS: BOOK

President Biden's niece emailed him in 2011 while he was serving as vice president to lavish him with praise after China speech.

In addition to the email from Owens to the elder Biden, a transcript from Bidens speech was included in the email chain, highlighting what Biden thought about a "rising China."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"We cannot claim the same number of Americans in China, but our 100,000 Strong Initiative will dramatically increase the number of young Americans living and studying in China," Biden said. "As a matter of fact, my niece who -- excuse me, as we say in the Senate, a point a personal privilege -- who graduated from Harvard not too long ago, works for Secretary Geithner, she did exactly what we hope another 100,000 will do: She studied Chinese and went and lived in China and is now devoted to making sure the relationship gets better and better and better."

"As a young member of a Foreign Relations Committee, I wrote and I said and I believed then what I believe now: That a rising China is a positive, positive development, not only for China but for America and the world writ large," he added.

The "100,000 Strong Initiative" that Biden mentioned refers to the goal then-President Obama set near the beginning of his administration in hopes of "sending 100,000 American students to China in the next 4 years to learn Mandarin, to experience Chinese culture, and to learn about the hospitality of the Chinese people, while they serve as ambassadors for the United States in China."

HUNTER BIDEN WAS PAID $100K THROUGH JOINT-VENTURE WITH CHINESE ENERGY FIRM, EX-ASSOCIATE TESTIFIED

President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event at Pullman Yards on March 9, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in May 2010 she was "pleased to sign" an agreement with State Councilor Liu Yandong, who has held some of the highest positions in the CCP.

Fox News Digital previously reported on how Yandong would meet with representatives from the Congressional Black Caucus and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) a few years later and announced student scholarships.

"Our U.S.-China relationship must extend beyond the halls of government to our homes, our businesses, and our schools," Clinton continued. "And these exchanges really offer the opportunity for people to connect and collaborate, and they remind us of how much we have in common."

During Owens tenure at Treasury, she repeatedly emailed Hunter Biden and his now-former business partner Eric Schwerin about China Investment Corporation (CIC), Chinas largest sovereign wealth fund, Fox News Digital previously reported. A former business associate confirmed to Fox News Digital on Monday that Owens was "definitely a resource" Hunter used and that a CIC meeting did occur.

On April 12, 2010, Owens emailed Hunter and Schwerin a schedule from her Treasury email address, highlighting a CIC investment conference that took place a couple of weeks earlier.

On April 12, 2010, Casey Owens emailed Hunter Biden and Eric Schwerin a schedule from a CIC investment conference.

"FYI on recent CIC investment conference at a resort in Sanya, on Hainan Island, over the weekend of March 27-28," Owens wrote.

HUNTER BIDEN PAID JOE BIDEN FROM ACCOUNT FOR BIZ THAT RECEIVED PAYMENTS FROM CHINA: COMER

A Thornton Group press release dated that same day  April 12, 2010  said the companys chairman, James Bulger, and Hunter visited Beijing just three days earlier and met with CIC Chief Investment Officer Gao Xiqing, among others, according to the Republican Senate report released in September 2020.

A feature article about Owens published months later by the Tower Hill Bulletin said she and her team had traveled to Beijing in May 2010 with a U.S. delegation led by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

A photo of Owens in the article showed her receiving a "small jade vase as a birthday gift" from Chinas then-vice minister of finance, Zhu Guangyao. According to the Ministry of Finance website, its primary function is to implement the decisions and policies of the Chinese Communist Party in the area of public finance.

The Bulletin article said Owens team and Zhu "worked very closely during the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue."

Weeks after returning from Beijing, Owens emailed Schwerin a Bloomberg News article about CIC, titled, "Chinas CIC May Post Record Year for 2009 as Markets Recover," which Schwerin then forwarded to Hunter on July 23, 2010.

Owens, who now goes by Castello, left the Treasury in July 2011 and is currently an executive at Starbucks, according to her LinkedIn profile .

Owens isnt the only member of her immediate family with ties to China. Fox News Digital previously reported on how her dad, John "Jack" Owens, pleaded for Hunter to help him secure a business license to expand his telemedicine company in China, saying it needed to be "secured very quickly."

The elder Owens emailed Hunter on May 9, 2014, informing him that his companies, MediGuide America and MediGuide Insurance Services International (MISI), reached a "serious stage" in negotiations with a China-based insurance company, but said he wont be able to "seal this deal" without a "Chinese Business License."

"Time pressures are very tight, plus the fact that we do not yet have one has caused a slight credibility bump in the company's mind. This all translates into a need for a Business License, and one secured very quickly," Owens wrote. "While this might seem to be a mundane task, I have come to understand that matters such as a Business License can end up taking an inordinate amount of time.....time we just do not have."

BIDEN'S CHINA STRATEGY 'DETRIMENTAL' AS 'INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM IS BREAKING DOWN,' EXPERTS SAY

Owens continued by saying he would be "most appreciative of any help." Hunter Biden replied less than a hour later and said, "Working on it-back to you ASAP." The younger Biden then forwarded Owens email to Thornton Group Chairman James Bulger, the nephew of mobster Whitey Bulger and co-founder of the Thornton Group.

He also sent it to Michael Lin, a Taiwanese-American businessman who has worked with the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF), a nonprofit that has been partnered since 2015 with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, a propaganda group that pushes Chinese Communist Party (CCP) messaging. Lin and Bulger both arranged Hunter Biden's first business trip to China in April 2010, the Washington Free Beacon reported.

Hunter Biden, center, and his attorneys Abbe Lowell, right, and Kevin Morris, left, leave the House Oversight and Accountability Committee markup titled "Resolution Recommending That The House Of Representatives Find Robert Hunter Biden In Contempt Of Congress," in Rayburn Building on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

HUNTER BIDEN'S ART DEALER SAID HE WANTED TO BE THE 'LEAD GUY IN CHINA' IN 2015

"See email below. It's from my Uncle Jack. Is there a way we can help him expedite this? Time is of the essence here," Hunter Biden wrote.

Bulger responded the next morning and said he would discuss with Lin how they can "help." Three days later, Bulger sent an email to Hunter saying, "Me and Michael had a call with Jack this morning I think we have a solution for hi[s] China problem."

"Michael and Ran are researching the regs and laws right now but our Thornton WOFE will likely be ok for Jacks company to use," Bulger continued, likely referring to the wholly foreign-owned enterprise of the Thornton Group, the company Bulger and Lin co-founded.

A few days later, Bulger sent an email to Owens and Lin, and copied Hunter Biden, asking Owens to "give us until Monday to review a few more laws and regulations in Beijing."

"I may have you answer a few question[s] on Monday so we can get specific with the appropriate authority's in China," Bulger wrote.

It is unclear whether Bulger and Lin were able to successfully secure a business license for Owens or whether Thorntons "WOFE" sufficed for Chinas laws. However, MediGuides website says it has come to "an agreement with AnyHealth Shanghai."

"MediGuide and Any Health intend to expand MediGuides business in China under the name of MediGuide China," the website reads. "AnyHealth Shanghai will be legally representing MediGuide International LLC in China. " It is unclear if AnyHealth Shanghai is the same company referenced in the emails.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and Owens for comment but did not receive a response.

Fox News' Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.





Original article source: FLASHBACK: Biden made revealing comment about niece's Obama admin role while praising 'rising China'
Flawed work to close city schools will hurt Columbus for years to come. It must be fixed.

Vladimir Kogan is a professor of political science at the Ohio State University.

Later this spring, the Columbus school board will have to make tough decisions involving closure of district school buildings. This is long overdue  after hemorrhaging enrollment for years, the district is desperately in need of right-sizing.

But doing school consolidation the right way means prioritizing student learning.

Unfortunately, early indications suggest that many other fiscal and political considerations seem to be driving the process, and there is substantial risk that current closure efforts will cause students  already suffering from pandemic learning disruption  to fall further behind.

Columbus City Schools has too many buildings

First, some background: Before last Novembers school levy election, the district released a vague financial analysis comparing Columbus to other similar school districts and suggesting we were spending too much maintaining too many buildings that are too old.

However, the analysis did not identify the peer districts, making the numbers difficult to verify.

More: Columbus school board names 28 to task force to help decide school closings, consolidations

Fortunately, similar data are publicly available from the federal government, and they underline the magnitude of the disconnect between the number of students Columbus currently serves and how many schools it operates.

Compared to districts of similar enrollment, educating students of comparable racial diversity and economic disadvantage, Columbus operates nearly 80 percent more schools than its peers.

For example, while Columbus has more than 110 school buildings, St. Lucie in Florida operates just 52, despite serving roughly the same number of students. The Killeen Independent School District in Texas, which also educates about 44,000 students, has 54 schools.

Even San Francisco  a system long known for fiscal profligacy and adult political dysfunction  operates fewer schools while serving 5,000 more students than Columbus.

So saying that Columbus desperately needs to reduce its physical footprint is an understatement.

But deciding which buildings to shutter is the key, and here the current process is fundamentally flawed.

School closing process inadequate, dangerous

Under the school boards policy on school closure, the first factor that is supposed to drive closure decisions is the efficacy of educational program at a building.

Oddly, however, academic outcomes are completely absent from the list of criteria that the districts Facilities Task Force has decided to prioritize.

And the reality is far worse.

One of the factors that puts a school higher on the closure list is having a greater share of students transferring in  attending the building despite living outside of its attendance boundary. Yet, as an analysis by my OSU colleague Prof. Sara Watson has shown, the transfer-in rate is a significant and positive predictor of academic achievement, especially for middle and high schools.

The reason that families seek out these schools, despite living in other parts of the city, is because of their strong academic programming. Under the current closure process, high achievement is perversely considered a demerit that increases a schools risk of closure.

If the current criteria are allowed to dictate the final closure decisions, there is a high risk that student learning will suffer.

Bad standards are being used to determine school closures

Sadly, it seems district leaders are far less interested in academics than other issues.

A major motivation seems to be dramatically cutting back the districts school choice program  to avoid current state fines for failing to transport students and to get out of having to provide transportation to charter and private school students.

And a renewed focus on neighborhood schools, with students limited to attending buildings close to their home, also seems to be designed to increase student numbers in under-enrolled buildings to keep them out of charter schools hands.

Vladimir Kogan, a professor and director of undergraduate studies at the Ohio State University Department of Political Science

A return to a neighborhood school model would be a disaster for Columbus students. Neighborhood schools when neighborhood are highly segregated in terms of both race and income, as they are in Columbus, means schools that are highly segregated. It means the districts most disadvantaged students getting its least experienced, lowest-quality school teachers. It means a worse education, not a better one.

The current school consolidation efforts will have profound impact on our community for decades to come. Its not too late to fix the school districts flawed approach.

Vladimir Kogan is a professor of political science at the Ohio State University. His research focuses on state and local politics and policy.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Misguided Columbus school building closing process will hurt kids
Bah bahpink sheep?

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has come after Free People for its Stand Out, Never Still campaignand its use of wool in products it sells.

More from Sourcing Journal

The Urban Outfitters-owned brand released brightly colored activewear items under its Free People Movement line, complemented by a video for the campaign. The video features a sheep dyed pink to stand out from the rest of the flock, where all the sheep don their regular white fleeces. The pink sheep later leads a pack of runners wearing Free Peoples latest collection, featuring bright oranges, pinks and more.

PETA was less than enamored with the clipand with Free Peoples use of Tilly, the sheep which it dyed pink and called its first four-legged brand ambassador. The animal rights organization ripped into Free People and its parent company in a letter last week.

With this gratuitous use of an animal, Free People contradicts its purported message of individuality and empowerment. Dyeing a sheep pink just to produce advertisements for your brand says, Its fashionable to manipulate animals bodies for profit! Jacqui Sadashige, manager of corporate responsibility, wrote in the letter.

Free Peoples website notes that, The American Humane Society (AHS) has found that production for the Stand Out, Never Still campaign met the standards for No Animals Were Harmed certification.

Nonetheless, the letter goes on to allege that using live animals on a production set endangers both humans and animals. But it seems PETAs outrage focuses less on Tilly herself and more on what she seems to represent to the organization, which is vehemently against using animal products in fashion and apparel items.

Moira Colley, director of media relations for PETA, said Free Peoples use of wool is a deeper issue for the organization.

Dyeing a sheeps wool pink and calling her a brand ambassador mocks the sheep who suffer and die to make clothing. Free People is exploiting an animals body for an ad and sending the heartless message that its OK to manipulate and exploit animals bodies for profit. This is the same callous mindset that underlies the wool industry that Free People supports, which tortures, mutilates and kills sheep, she told Sourcing Journal.

PETA has called on Free People to remove its Stand Out, Never Still campaign and to stop using wool and wool-adjacent products in the letter.

Urban Outfitters brands have been standing still far too long, clinging to animal-derived fibers when cruelty-free vegan fibers are readily available. Its time to step into the future of fashion and go 100 percent vegan. Its time for Urban Outfitters to stand for animals not against them, Sadashige wrote.

Free People ditched its use of angora in 2016, but it still uses wool, leather and other animal-based materials in some of its products. Colley said the brand should consider following in the footsteps of other brands like Gap, Abercrombie and American Eagle, which  have been embracing high-performing vegan fabrics that are the perfect combination of cruelty-free and sustainable, including organic cotton, bamboo and hemp, linen, sustainably sourced Tencel and more.

Urban did not return Sourcing Journals request for comment.
In November, Florida voters will get the chance to vote on an amendment to the state constitution which would protect the right to an abortion.

The amendment will need at least 60% support to pass but is already getting a no from Floridas senior senator.

Im not voting for that amendment, said Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) in an interview with Eyewitness News.

Read: Women who had abortions voice their concerns with Floridas new abortion ban

Rubio, who in his time in the US Senate has introduced several bills to restrict abortion, is a long-time pro-life advocate, who in 2022, co-sponsored a bill that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy nationwide.

On April 1, the Florida Supreme Court approved the language of a proposed amendment that would ensure the right to an abortion in the state constitution up to the point of fetal viability.

Read: Sen. Rick Scott softens his abortion position after Florida Supreme Court ruling

Supporters of the proposed amendment point to Floridas 6-week ban on abortion, which is set to go into effect in May, as too restrictive.

My fundamental challenge, and thats at the core of it, is, I believe that the right from which all of the rights emanate is the right to live, the right of a human being to live and that that right to live when it comes to abortion is in conflict with a womans right to choose, and so we have to choose in public policy what do we prioritize? The right to live or the right to choose in those circumstances. And its a tough choice for a lot of people, and I understand it. But for me, Im going to be on the side of life, said Rubio.

Read: Which states could have abortion on the ballot in 2024?

In explaining his stance, Rubio highlighted the need for states and the federal government to support mothers both before and after they give birth.

If youre going to be pro-life like I am, you have an obligation to ensure that we dont just stop and we say, okay, youre not having the abortion, but that we are supportive of women who decide to bring children into the world and not abort them, says Rubio. Thats a key part of this.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2024 - 19:12 | World, All

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Beijing on Tuesday, emphasized the "huge potential" for win-win cooperation between the world's second- and third-largest economies and urged vigilance against the rise of protectionism, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

The Chinese leader stressed the importance of adopting "an objective and dialectical view on the issue of capacity through a market and global perspective," the ministry said, referring to Western nations' concerns over Beijing's overproduction of items, including electric vehicles.

Xi claimed China's exports of EVs, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products have enriched global supply, eased inflationary pressure and made an important contribution to the worldwide response to climate change and low-carbon transition, the ministry said.

Noting that the supply chains of China and Germany are "deeply intertwined" and their markets are "highly interdependent," Xi sought cooperation not only in traditional areas such as automobiles, but also in emerging sectors, including green transition, digitization and artificial intelligence, the ministry added.

Some European countries and the United States have raised concerns over the Chinese government's support of its EVs and other green industries, alleging that it has led to reduced product prices.

The European Union is probing Beijing's subsidies for EVs exported to the region, potentially leading to countervailing tariffs.

The mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation is not a "risk" but a guarantee for the stability of their relations and an opportunity for the future, Xi was quoted as saying.

His comments came as some Western nations, including Germany, have pursued a policy of "de-risking" from China to reduce dependence on the Asian economy.

Scholz expressed opposition to protectionism and his country's willingness to promote sound EU-China ties as an important member of the regional bloc, the ministry said.

The German leader called for closer cooperation with China on climate protection, saying Beijing and Berlin "have a responsibility to protect global public goods." He also advocated a rules-based trading system, according to German news agency dpa.

The two leaders discussed Russia's war in Ukraine, with Xi calling for an international peace conference recognized by both Moscow and Kyiv and "ensures the equal participation of all parties." The president said China will maintain close communication with Germany on this matter, the ministry said.

Beijing has been boosting ties with Moscow in recent years, and its Russia-bound exports of dual-use goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes have triggered concerns among Western nations.

Xi and Scholz also talked about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and shared the view that it is important to prevent escalation and further deterioration of the situation, the Chinese ministry said.

The German chancellor later held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

On a three-day visit to China through Tuesday with a business delegation, the chancellor stopped in Chongqing and Shanghai before traveling to the capital. He last visited the Asian country in November 2022.

Related coverage:

Japan vows to promote strategic, mutually beneficial ties with China

China's Xi tells ex-Taiwan leader both sides are inseparable

China's Xi meets with Russian minister to prepare for Putin visit
Florida and Arizona are set to become case studies on how much the issue of abortion can help Democratic candidates.

Florida advocates are trying to avoid tying their ballot measure to politics out of fear it will sink their effort.

But backers of Arizonas amendment, which hasnt yet been officially certified, are taking the opposite tack.

When Floridas Supreme Court ruled earlier this month there was no constitutional right to an abortion, but then separately allowed an abortion amendment onto the ballot in November, Democrats in the state and in Washington, D.C., saw an opportunity.

The state has become a bastion of conservative politics in recent years, but two seemingly dueling abortion rulings suddenly put it on President Bidens radar.

Hours after the Supreme Courts decisions, the Biden campaign issued a memo calling Florida winnable. The next day, the campaign launched a series of ads highlighting former President Trump bragging about his role in overturning Roe v. Wade.

Florida Democrats also want to use abortion to boost former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) in what is expected to be an uphill battle to oust incumbent Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.). Powells campaign said the rulings are a gamechanger.

But ballot measures in Florida need to be approved by 60 percent of voters to pass, and there are almost 900,000 more registered Republican voters than Democrats.

Sponsors of the abortion ballot initiative would rather keep the focus on the issues. Floridians Protecting Freedom, the coalition that leads the campaign, is letting locals speak for themselves.

The reality is that this is truly a nonpartisan issue, said Lauren Brenzel, campaign director for the Yes on 4 initiative.

The group has focused its message on patients and providers and the impact the upcoming six-week abortion ban will have on the health care of women in the state. That same message will continue to be hammered home for the next six months until voters go to the polls in November.

I think that when were talking about a six-week abortion ban about to be enacted in May, that should be the center of the story, not on what the voter turnout is going to look like for any one political party, Brenzel said. For us, its never been about a certain electorate turning out, its about giving Floridians the chance to have their voice heard outside of politicians.

The stakes in Florida are incredibly high for the initiatives supporters, as the looming six-week abortion ban is likely to reverberate across the entire country.

There were 84,000 abortions performed in Florida last year, including thousands for women who needed to travel from out of state, according to state data. Come May 1, almost all of those women will need to find somewhere else to go.

But Democrats also see how high the political stakes are, which is why they are actively trying to harness outrage over the rulings and turn it into Democratic votes.

Florida has become notably more Republican in recent elections, but two ballot measures  abortion and marijuana  are going to drive a lot of people that may be nontraditional voters to vote, and that  makes Florida particularly unpredictable this time around, said Kevin Wagner, a political science professor and associate dean at Florida Atlantic University.

State Democratic lawmakers acknowledge a balancing act is needed between supporting the amendment and other candidates on the ballot.

State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (D) said in a recent call with reporters that 35 percent of people who signed petitions in support of the measure were Republicans.

And while Democrats continue to link the potential election of Trump and congressional Republicans to nationwide abortion bans, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried emphasized that the party isnt explicitly trying to tie itself to the ballot measure.

Obviously theres a separate campaign that is going on, and that is the Amendment 4, Fried said. The coalition is broad, and that is where we are going to come into play is to make sure that were providing information, that were providing different types of access points for people to get that information. But it is two separate campaigns, she said.

Across the country in Arizona, supporters of a ballot initiative to protect abortion are gladly leaning into national political attention.

The state Supreme Court dropped a political bombshell last week when it said it would reinstate a near-total abortion ban written in 1864. The ruling left Arizonans with a choice: the Civil War-era ban or a ballot measure that would make abortion protected until fetal viability, which many doctors say is around 22 to 24 weeks.

The measures backers said they have enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, but they wont be certified until later this summer.

Cheryl Bruce, campaign manager for the Arizonans for Abortion Access campaign, said bipartisan outrage over the ruling has been a positive sign, and she isnt worried about Democrats alienating Republicans by politicizing the ballot measure.

I think its always helpful to have support and to have people amplify your message, Bruce said. We believe that abortion access is a fundamental right and that it deserves to be protected. And so, you know, we are always happy to see when any politicians from any piece of the political lens are supportive of this issue, but at the end of the day, I think  politicians and judges cannot be trusted with this decision.

Unlike Florida, however, the path to a ballot measure is more straightforward in Arizona. It only needs a simple majority of voters to approve it, and there is no Supreme Court review.

Arizona is a key swing state thats been trending Democratic in recent years, and theres no significant party voter registration advantage like in Florida. While Republicans hold a majority in the Legislature, the governor, attorney general and secretary of state are Democrats.

Samara Klar, a professor at the University of Arizona School of Government and Public Policy, said when abortion is on the ballot, it drives supporters to vote more than opponents. And across the state theres been broad opposition to the 1864 law.

Were not really seeing a lot of polarization on the issue of abortion, Klar said. Two-thirds of Arizona voters oppose abortion bans of any time. Obviously, its a winning issue for the Democrats in a lot of ways. And the idea that it could be on the ballot in November is probably going to be a benefit for Democratic candidates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
At the beginning of April, Joe Bidens campaign manager made a bold proclamation: the state of Florida was winnable for the president in 2024.

Julie Chavez Rodriguezs claim raised eyebrows for a few reasons: for one, the former president and Bidens opponent, Donald Trump, is now a permanent resident of the Sunshine State. Then theres the voter deficit  between 2020 and 2022, the number of voters registered as Democrats in Florida dropped by 331,810. Over that same period, the number of Republican voter registrations in the state increased slightly. Currently, Republicans hold an advantage among active registered voters to the tune of 892,034 registrations.

The resulting electoral drubbings were predictable. After the state chose Trump over Hillary Clinton by just over 100,000 votes in 2016, voters backed him by a margin of more than 300,000 four years later. The same trend bolstered Ron DeSantis, the states governor who had squeaked into office in 2018 by just over 30,000 votes: he won re-election in 2022 by a staggering margin of 1.5 million.

To put it simply: Democrats in the state of Florida, over the past four years, have dug their way into an incredible hole  and they havent found their way out.

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, won re-election by 20 points in 2022 after a narrow victory four years prior (AP)

Enter 2024. The political landscape has shifted once again. Trump now faces 88 felony charges. DeSantis has slinked back to the state after an embarrassing rout in the presidential primary. And Floridas Democratic Party finds itself under the new leadership of Nikki Fried, who has launched a Take Back Florida campaign  a bold effort to reverse Floridas unmistakably reddening politics and keep it within the realm of battleground swing states.

Formerly the states commissioner of agriculture, 46-year-old Fried became chair of the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) in 2023. A year prior, she had run unsuccessfully against Charlie Crist, a former governor, in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. Crist went on to be smoked by DeSantis that November, losing by 20 percentage points.

The task in front of the new chair is immense. The state remains a laboratory for Trumpian conservative policy, as DeSantis pursues an agenda against longstanding corporate neighbours like Disney and welcomes new restrictions on liberal content in school libraries that advocates have described derisively as book bans. For years, the state has also been a destination for conservative-leaning retirees, a steady stream of new GOP voters.

Under Frieds leadership, the FDP is not giving up quietly. Just last year, Democrats were able to win an upset in the Jacksonville mayoral race, flipping a Republican seat. But they have a long, long way to go.

There are signs, though, of clear opportunities for Democrats to take the fight to their political rivals. The most obvious example is the states two abortion bans  one currently in place, which bans the practice at 15 weeks, and another six-week ban, which is set to take effect soon. The states Supreme Court handed both sides a victory this month when it ruled that both the states abortion bans could remain in place, while simultaneously allowing a ballot measure aimed at rolling them back to go ahead. If activists have their way, voters will see reproductive freedom directly on the ballot this year.

The political strength of the issue is obvious. A rejection of Glenn Youngkins proposed 15-week ban in Virginia was credited with Democrats sweeping legislative elections in the state last year. And last week, Donald Trump signalled a clear retreat on the topic when he backed away from proposals for a national abortion ban and indicated that a near-total ban in Arizona had gone too far . Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake, running for Arizonas open seat, joined him in doing so  even despite her past endorsement of the law.

Kari Lake, GOP US Senate candidate in Arizona, with her supporters after speaking during a rally she hosted at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport on 12 June 2023 (Getty Images)

In states across the country, similar ballot measures have ended in victories for the left. The question is now: Can the rest of Frieds party capitalize off of this? Does it really make Florida winnable for Biden?

Fried sure seems to think so. This is a new day for Florida Democrats, she tells The Independent. We feel that we are in the right position.

They wont get a chance at knocking off the governor this year, but congressional seats are up for grabs  as is the US Senate seat held by Rick Scott, who is running for a second term. Scott, having failed to oust Mitch McConnell as leader of the Senate Republican Party, is facing a much closer race than his allies would like to see. A loss in Florida would effectively evaporate the GOPs chances of taking the Senate this fall. And Democrats argue that Biden needs a stronger Democratic majority in the upper chamber, should their party have any chance of passing legislation  including a codification of abortion rights  into law.

Senator Rick Scott, a Republican, is up for re-election in 2024. Democrats see his seat as a possible opportunity to expand their Senate majority (AP)

Fried is bullish about both her state partys chances and the support she is seeing from officials at the DNC. The Biden campaign is staffing up across the state, having announced a leadership team for the state at the end of March. The campaigns state director met with Fried last week to lay out issues, including reproductive rights, that will be central to the partys plank in the state for 2024. To quote the chair, Sunshine State Democrats will be focused this year on the three As: affordability, accountability and abortion.

At the same time, Fried is realistic about what in many cases seem to be the partys self-inflicted wounds.

I have been very upfront and honest about this conversation, she says. The Democratic Party has not done its job in the last two decades, has not done the voter registration that has been necessary over the last few cycles, has not gone to every part of our state, [and] only concentrated on blue counties and not the rest of the demographics of our state. And when I came in as chair, I said: That is over. We are going back to the basics.

That means campaigning in every single county, and making sure Democrats arent retreating from rural areas as the party has in countless other states.

It also means, this year, sharing the personal horror stories associated with bans on abortion rights and the curtailing of reproductive freedoms. The Biden campaign has made it clear that it will seek to tell deeply personal anecdotes that display the realities of conservative abortion bans and the real medical consequences some women are facing because of those policies.

A broadside was launched to that effect earlier this week with the release of a campaign ad by the Biden team highlighting the experience of a woman in Texas who suffered a devastating infection  which endangered her fertility  because doctors could not provide her with abortion care.

This is a painful story that so many families around America now know too well: Amanda was denied the medical care she needed, and it nearly took her life.



More than 1 in 3 women in America now lives under an abortion ban, with more on the way.



Donald Trump did this. pic.twitter.com/2vH8EdzIw8  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 8, 2024

Expect a lot more of these stories as we get closer to November. With the six-week ban set to take effect in Florida, many women will be barred from seeking reproductive care before they even know they are pregnant.

Yesterday he bragged about overturning Roe v Wade, Bidens Florida director Jasmine Burney-Clark told reporters on a press call last Tuesday. He is proudly the person responsible for ending Roe, and ripping away health care for women across the country. Women across this state are living a nightmare and hes celebrating.

These are going to be difficult and painful stories, state Representative Anna Eskamani added during the same call. Democrats, she said, will educate the public on what it means when you ban abortion at six weeks; what [it means] when you have a 24-hour mandatory delay.

According to Fried, the road ahead is simple, though not necessarily easy. Democrats, she says, need to make their presence known in every corner of the state and hold Republicans to account for the flood of conservative legislation and policies that have swallowed the state.

To win the fight on reproductive rights specifically, Fried said Democrats need to not just point to how unpopular abortion bans are among the populace during the election cycle  they need to link those bans directly to the Republicans who supported them. A unified Democratic message, she says, needs to make sure that we are making that very distinct link.

Republicans are projecting confidence, at least in public. Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican congressman and ally of Mr Trumps, spoke to The Independent on Wednesday and argued both that America would become more opposed to abortion over time, and that his political rivals were mounting a single-issue campaign in his state. Ms Fried rejected both of those assertions on Thursday.

She went on to predict that her party would be able to win back sizable gains in 2024 with a unified message about Republican policies and the record of the incumbent president. That could be tough: Mr Biden remains underwater in Florida, with a recent Emerson College poll putting him 15 points behind his 2020 rival. His approval rating is in the 30s, while as many as six in ten voters disapprove of his job performance.

There are signs of hope, however: another March poll shows the incumbent only narrowly trailing Mr Trump among independents in the state. And of course, Mr Biden continues to lead his opponent on the financial front, something made all the more relevant by the burden presented by the ex-presidents legal battles.

All eyes are back on Florida, Ms Fried said on Thursday. We think that because of all of the moments that were in at this time  were going to be able to not only be competitive but to be able to flip a lot more seats in a lot more areas than people would have expected.

Florida continues to present a steep uphill battle for Mr Biden. But its quite possible that Democrats could find reasons to celebrate down-ballot even if Mr Biden cant beat out Donald Trump at the top of the ticket. The backlash against Republicans over abortion may just be the impetus for such a resurgence.

The question for the chair and other Democrats in Florida then becomes whether they can effectively make the case for a full rejection of the Trump-DeSantis school of conservatism, and begin a real reversal of the losses their party has endured over the past six years. A key part of that will be fighting the GOPs growing advantage among hispanic voters in the state, who now favor Mr Trump to Mr Biden by single digits.

According to Ms Fried, the partys real advantage this year comes down to message discipline.

We are united on our message, which Democrats historically are bad at. We are united on our message, said Ms Fried. Were going across the state making sure that theres not a single area that youre not going to feel the presence of the Democratic Party and our candidates.

She added to The Independent: You know, Im a football nerd. [If youre going] into the fourth quarter, you know that if your team is down and you cant change the trajectory of the fourth quarter, the momentum stays in the other direction. But if youre able to bring that energy, and the excitement, and the renewed hope and faith, miracles happen.
Florida will become the second state to stop local governments from requiring heat protection for outdoor workers after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 433.

The law, which DeSantis signed last week, goes into effect on July 1 and establishes multiple restrictions for city and county governments, including the ability to set heat exposure requirements not already required under state or federal law.

Republican Rep. Tiffany Esposito of Fort Myers, who sponsored the House version of the bill, told reporters that her husband has worked in South Floridas construction sector for two decades and that she knows the industry takes worker safety seriously.

"This is very much a people-centric bill, Esposito said. If we want to talk about Floridians thriving, they do that by having good job opportunities. And if you want to talk about health and wellness, and you want to talk about how we can make sure that all Floridians are healthy, you do that by making sure that they have a good job. And in order to provide good jobs, we need to not put businesses out of business."

Around two million people in Florida work in outdoor jobs, from construction to agriculture, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. On average, the state's summer can reach up to 95 degrees, with the humidity and blazing sun making it feel well over 100 at times.

What is HB 433?

House Bill 433, referred to as the Employment Regulations Bill, says it seeks to "prohibit political subdivisions (city and county governments) from maintaining a minimum wage other than a state or federal minimum wage; prohibit political subdivisions from controlling, affecting, or awarding preferences based on the wages or employment benefits of entities doing business with the political subdivision; revise and provide applicability."

Regarding heat exposure protections, the bill's summary details it will prohibit political subdivisions from:

Requiring an employer, including an employer contracting with the political subdivision, to meet or provide heat exposure requirements not otherwise required under state or federal law.

Giving preference, or considering or seeking information, in a competitive solicitation to an employer based on the employer's heat exposure requirements.

The bill's analysis dives deeper into the decision to regulate heat exposure protections, saying the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed the best practices over the years. It adds that recognizing that preventing heat-related illnesses "requires education and close collaboration between employers and employees."

"Whereas local governments have started to adopt their own workplace heat exposure requirements, some of which apply only to specific industries, which ignore the individual responsibility of an employee to follow relevant guidelines and to protect himself or herself from heat-related illnesses, and rely on fines and penalties assessed on employers to fund the enforcement of such requirements," according to the bill.

Baltimore bridge collapse: Authorities recover fourth body from Key Bridge wreckage

What are Florida's statewide heat exposure protections?

Construction workers work in the heat of the midday sun in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Sept 14, 2021.

Despite outlining in its summary that counties and cities would have to adopt the state's stances on heat exposure protection, Florida does not have any statewide standard. However, the bill's text heavily supports OSHA's guidelines regarding the subject.

Florida is under federal OSHA jurisdiction, which covers most private-sector workers within the state. State and local government workers are not covered by federal OSHA.

OSHA has a general duty clause" that requires employers to provide workplaces free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. That includes heat-related hazards that are likely to cause death or serious bodily harm.

Global event: Coral bleaching caused by warming oceans reaches alarming globe milestone, scientists say

What does HB 433 mean for workers in Florida cities and counties?

Overall, the legislation would make any local heat protection measures "void and prohibited," within all 67 Florida counties.

In Miami-Dade County, this legislation would kill the county's proposal to require 10-minute breaks in the shade every two hours for any outdoor construction or farm workers. After negotiating for years, county commissioners had the item on their agenda up until the law was signed.

In a Friday press conference, DeSantis addressed the bill, saying "there was a lot of concern out of one county, Miami-Dade.

"And I don't think it was an issue in any other part of the state," he said. "I think they were pursuing something that was going to cause a lot of problems down there."

Luigi Guadarrama, political director of the Sierra Club Florida, said in a statement that the new law is the latest example of DeSantis failing the states environment, economy and workers.

Instead of addressing the skyrocketing crisis of protecting our workforce, the governor chose to abandon millions of hard-working Floridians and leave our state more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Guadarrama said. He has consistently ignored the real issues affecting Florida's families to appease his donors and large corporations.

How many heat-related deaths does Florida have a year?

Prince Ferguson cools off in the shade and drinks water after batting practice at Pompey Park on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Delray Beach, Florida.

From 2010 to 2020, the University of Florida recorded 215 heat-related deaths occurred in Florida, with the number of yearly deaths varying between 10 and 28.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, average annual heat-related deaths have risen 95% from 2010 to 2022, with about 1,200 people in the U.S. dying every year from them.

Florida is projected to experience more days of extreme heat this summer (when temperatures are at least 95 degrees), compared to averages over the last 30 years, according to the Florida Climate Center at Florida State University.

What other state ended local heat protection ordinances?

Texas halted the ability of city and county governments to mandate protections for outside workers last year with House Bill 2127.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill on June 13 and it went into effect on Sept. 1. The law ended safeguards like the city of Austin's 2010 ordinance mandating construction sites offer rest and water breaks for at least 10 minutes every four hours and the city of Dallas' similar ordinance in 2015.

San Antonio was considering a similar measure ahead of HB 2127's approval.

What states have heat protections in place?

Cleverson Gomez sweats through his shirt as he shovels dirt in Surprise, Arizona on July 26, 2023, when temperatures for the day hit 116 degrees. Arizona is among the states that experience extreme heat but do not have statewide heat protections for its outdoor workers.

Only five states offer statewide heat protections, with California being the first after four farm workers died of heat stroke in 2005.

The following states require employers to provide shade and water amidst soaring temperatures:

California

Colorado

Minnesota

Oregon

Washington

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Heat protections for outdoor workers banned in Florida with new law
A Florida prosecutor who was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for refusing to enforce state laws on abortion is running for re-election, he announced Tuesday.

DeSantis suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren (D) in 2022 for neglect of duty after the prosecutor refused to enforce bans on abortion and transgender surgery. Now, the ousted prosecutor is hoping to take back his job amid ongoing legal battles over his removal.

In 2020, you reelected me to serve as your state attorney because you believed in my vision, and it worked. Crime went down 30 percent with the dangerous criminals off the street, and together with law enforcement and community partners, we made Hillsborough the safest large county in Florida, he said in his announcement video.

But on August 4, 2022, Ron DeSantis, threw out your vote. He illegally forced me from office under armed guard, he added.

He will be running against State Attorney Susan Lopez (R), who was appointed to the role after Warren was suspended.

But our fight is not over. My unelected replacement was handpicked, based on one qualification: her blind allegiance to Ron DeSantis. Today, Im running for election as state attorney to serve the people, all of the people, of Hillsborough County, he said.

The Tampa Bay Times reported that Warren announced in January he would not be running against Lopez amid the ongoing court case. In an interview with the newspaper, Warren pointed to a recent favorable ruling in his case as one of the reasons he changed his mind.

Warren filed a lawsuit against DeSantis citing violation of his First Amendment rights after he was suspended from his role. An appeals court earlier this year gave new hope to Warren after a federal judge tossed Warrens lawsuit.

The three-judge appeals panel instead sent the case back and ordered the judge to reweigh his ruling because some of the activities he was suspended for were protected.

Ryan Smith, a senior strategist for Lopezs campaign, took aim at Warren when reached for comment by the Hill about his reelection campaign.

Andrew Warren is an ultra-liberal ideologue who cares more about pleasing the far-left activists and donors that have powered his political career than he does about victims of crimes in Hillsborough County. State Attorney Suzy Lopez is a career prosecutor with a proven track-record of getting violent criminals off our streets and delivering justice for victims and their families, Warren said.

The contrast is clear, its liberal politician Andrew Warren vs. hard-nosed career prosecutor Suzy Lopez. Without question, Hillsborough residents are Safer with Suzy, he added.

The Hill has reached out to DeSantiss office for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Florida State Trooper was injured on Monday in a car crash on I-75 allegedly involving former U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, a Republican who represented North Carolina for one term.

A 2021 Mercedes rear-ended the Florida Highway Patrol Dodge Charger in a construction zone in Collier County, FHP said in a statement. The state trooper sustained minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital, according to FHP.

The agency didnt identify Cawthorn as the driver, but a passerby posted video on X Monday afternoon of the crash, showing what appeared to be the controversial, right-wing firebrand in his wheelchair on the side of the highway, near the crashed Mercedes. The details shared by the woman matched details from FHP, which said the crash happened at about 4:30 p.m. in a construction zone on the highway.

The poster wrote that the driver of the Mercedes had been driving aggressively and tailgating her relentlessly just minutes before rear-ending the state trooper. She noted that while she did not witness the crash, she saw the officer getting out of his vehicle holding his neck.

I spoke to the cop to see if he was OK as he was quite stunned & kept reaching for his neck, the poster wrote.

The driver of the Mercedes was identified by FHP as a 28-year-old male from Cape Coral, matching Cawthorns age and place of residence. The man wore a uniquely patterned and colorful shirt that Cawthorn has previously worn, according to postings shared by the former congressman on his social media accounts.

The driver was cited for violating Floridas Move Over Law, which requires drivers to move over a lane or slow down substantially for stopped emergency vehicles. The penalty for such a violation is a fine ranging anywhere from $60 to $158.

An accident report has not yet been made available, and likely wont be released for days.

Cawthorn could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday morning.

Who is Madison Cawthorn?

Cawthorn, who served in the U.S. House representing a district in western North Carolina, lost a reelection bid when he was defeated by a Republican primary challenger in 2022.

That loss to former state Sen. Chuck Edwards came amid several legal and political scandals that had plagued Cawthorns campaign.

In March 2022, Cawthorn was pulled over for driving left of the centerline, and was charged with driving with a revoked license. The charge was later dismissed, TV station WLOS reported.

The following month, Cawthorn was cited for having a loaded gun at a TSA checkpoint at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Cawthorn pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a fine, the Charlotte Observer reported. He was previously caught trying to go through security with a gun at Asheville Regional Airport in February 2021.

Cawthorn also faced scrutiny after the Washington Examiner published a story in April 2022, reporting that the first-term congressman could be implicated in insider trading over a cryptocurrency he had promoted. The reporting led fellow Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis to call on the House Ethics Committee to investigate Cawthorn. The committee found evidence that Cawthorn had violated House ethics rules and fined him, McClatchy reported.

Cawthorn was seriously injured a decade ago in a car crash near Daytona Beach while traveling back to North Carolina from a spring break trip to Florida. That accident left him partially paralyzed.
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Forest Heights Police Department said an officer was involved in a shooting Monday evening.

The shooting happened in the 200 block of Oxon Hill Road around 5:30 p.m.

There, several Forest Heights officers stopped a car that was linked to a suspect who was wanted for assault out of a nearby jurisdiction. They asked the suspect to step out of the car but they refused. Eventually the person did get out but they were armed with a knife.

(Tosin Fakile/DC News Now)

(Tosin Fakile/DC News Now)

Police said during the encounter, an officer shot the suspect.

FBI launches criminal investigation into Key Bridge collapse

The suspect was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses told DC News Now that they heard about six gunshots being fired.

The Prince Georges County Police Department was asked to oversee the investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
At a long-awaited civil trial in Virginia, a former Iraqi detainee described being tortured by the U.S. military and civilian contractors at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, while a retired major general testified that his investigation into the detention site found widespread abuse.

The case of Al Shimari et al v. CACI Premier Technology, first filed in 2008, finally went to trial this week at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., with Tuesday seeing the first day of witness testimony.

Plaintiffs in the case seek to win compensation from CACI, a technology company and contractor for the U.S. military that had employed civilian interrogators in the early 2000s. The U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003 amid the war on terrorism and completed a withdrawal in 2011.

The plaintiffs accuse CACI contractors of responsibility for the torture and abuse of detainees at the prison in Iraq in the early 2000s.

Asaad Hamza Hanfoosh Al-Zubae testified that he was first detained by U.S. forces on Nov. 1, 2003, and interrogated four times at Abu Ghraib, where he was held for two months before being transferred.

Al-Zubae, who spoke through a translator during the trial, said he was held in a cell and at one point was deprived of a mattress, blankets and even his clothes, leaving him entirely naked for three days inside the cellroom.

I couldnt sleep, he said. It was very cold.  My feet were swollen, I was crying, screaming, and nothing was provided.

Al-Zubae claimed that guards placed a hood over his head and took him to the interrogations, which sometimes took place in a cold and windy location outdoors.

When he was interrogated, he said there were civilians carrying out the interrogation process, and they at one point threatened to rape his wife and harm his children.

He also testified he was hit against a wall and twice mistreated by combat dogs, who bit him on his arms and legs.

I was in fear, crying, screaming, he said at trial, saying he was handcuffed to a cell door while the dogs barked at him.

Al-Zubae said he saw other detainees being mistreated, including naked prisoners piled on top of each other.

The plaintiff legal team at the trial showed photos of a pile of naked prisoners forced to clump together and of dogs intimidating detainees.

The former detainee said he still suffers mentally and physically from his time at Abu Ghraib.

My arm is still swollen, he said. I go through nightmares [and ] my interaction with my family is hard.  I start screaming and breaking stuff.

The defense team for CACI questioned Al-Zubaes testimony and how he could be sure whether civilians or soldiers were torturing him. They also questioned if military guards acted on their own accord without instruction from a contractor.

Al-Zubae said he understood the interrogators spoke with the guards before the interrogations, though he often had a hood over his head and has never identified anyone except for the guards directly around his cell. He was unaware of what CACI was at the time of his detention.

Abu Ghraib, also called the Baghdad Central Confinement Facility, shut down in 2014 after years of accusations about the torture and abuse within its walls.

It has become a familiar name for those outraged by the U.S. militarys detention practices during the war on terror, along with the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, which has released hundreds of prisoners over the years but still holds 34 detainees today.

The accusations of torture and abuse at Abu Ghraib became a scandal in 2004 after photos and videos of the alleged abuse were circulated. The U.S. military reviewed the prison site and found there was mistreatment there.

Retired Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, who was in charge of an investigation that began in January 2004 into Abu Ghraib, testified on Tuesday that he found the claims from Al-Zubae and other detainees to be credible.

Abu Ghraib, which was overseen by the 800th Military Police Brigade, the 320th Military Police Battalion and the 372nd Military Police Company, was managed poorly, Taguba testified, with poor communication and coordination and little oversight.

Taguba found that civilian contractors were not properly supervised at the detention site. His report at the time found numerous incidents of blatant, wanton criminal abuses, including the punching and kicking of prisoners and threats with 9mm pistols.

Prisoners were also beaten with broom handles and chairs, threatened with rape, arranged in sexually explicit positions and photographed while they were naked, according to the report. Dogs were also used to frighten them.

Taguba testified that guards were abusing and mistreating the prisoners.

They were not following proper procedure, he said, adding it was a sad situation of having seen videos and photographs tantamount to illegal operations.

In the lawsuit against CACI, Al-Zubae is joined by two other plaintiffs, Suhail Najim Abdullah Al Shimari and Salah Hasan Nusaif Al-Ejaili.

All three Iraqi civilians, who were eventually released without ever being charged with a crime, are represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights.

Most of the worst alleged abuses at Abu Ghraib occurred from October to December 2003.

Ivan Frederick, a former military police officer and army reserve staff sergeant, was among 11 officers convicted and court-martialed for their role in the Abu Ghraib scandal.

Frederick testified in a video deposition shown at the trial that he worked at the facility, including the hard site, a secure place for high-level targets. He oversaw a small team of military police along with around 1,000 prisoners.

He said civilian interrogators asked military police at Abu Ghraib, including a CACI official known as Steven Stefanowicz, or Big Steve as his nickname, to soften up detainees before interrogation.

Treat them a little more harshly, he described what the interrogators would say, or withdraw food.

Military police would strip the clothes from prisoners, force them into stress positions or play loud music for disruption. Some detainees were also forced to wear female clothes, including womens underwear.

Frederick said at the time, the U.S. was trying to find the bodies of five Americans.

We were led to believe we were doing the right thing, he said. We were led to believe we were saving America.

While Frederick could not recall specific instructions from civilian interrogators in most instances, he did testify that one civilian contractor asked him to use pressure points on an individual.

Under cross-examination from the defense team, Frederick said some of the practices captured in infamous photos that leaked out of Abu Ghraib  including those of detainees stripped naked and forced to form a pyramid  were not carried out at the direction of civilian contractors.

Two additional former military police guards also testified in 2013 depositions that they had worked with civilian contractors to torture prisoners or that the contractors were present at the time of the abuse.

This story was updated at 7:13 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Angel Alba worked at Malibu Creek State Park, shown, for more than a decade. He's suing California State Parks for discrimination, harassment and retaliation. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

A former California State Parks employee is seeking roughly $4 million in a lawsuit alleging the agency discriminated against him for his Mexican heritage, prevented him from moving up in the ranks and failed to accommodate a disability, describing the case as a wake-up call for entrenched racism among some top brass.

Angel Alba, a former maintenance supervisor and worker at several state parks in Malibu, filed the suit in 2018 in Los Angeles County Superior Court against the agency and his former boss, Lynette Brody, after more than a decade of contentious workplace issues, according to court documents.

Closing arguments for the roughly four-week trial concluded Monday, and the jury is expected to begin deliberations today.

"It was demoralizing," Alba, 48, said this month. "There's a group of individuals in the department who perpetuate this culture of discrimination, and this is in the L.A. area, [which] is the most diverse area of the state  yet this is happening."

Brody, he alleged, called him an "arrogant Mexican," among other disparaging remarks.

Asked by a Times reporter about Albas claims, Brody said, "I believe they're very exaggerated." She was superintendent of California State Parks' Malibu sector when she retired in 2016.

"Its so after-the-fact; Ive been retired for almost 8 years," she said during a break in the trial last week. "For him to seek me out specifically is pretty difficult."

The dispute dates to around 2007, when Alba filed a complaint alleging racial discrimination and retaliation, as well as sexual harassment of his wife, according to Alba and the civil suit. An investigation substantiated most of his allegations, documents show, finding that his then-supervisor (who was not Brody) made a disparaging comment about Latinos. But the hostile treatment continued, Alba and his family allege.

According to the complaint, Alba was denied promotions several times despite being qualified.

According to court proceedings, Alba suffered several back injuries dating to 2006 and in 2021 developed anxiety so severe that a mental health professional advised him not return to work for several weeks. He alleges that his disability was not accommodated, and his attorney said Alba was asked to perform work he should not have been doing with his condition.

During closing arguments, Michelle Logan-Stern of the California Department of Justice, who is defending State Parks and Brody, laid out a counter-narrative in which Alba came up short at work and tried to undermine his bosses. She told the jury they had to decide if managers took the actions they did "because of his disability? Or was it because of his race? Or was it because of his conduct?"

According to Logan-Stern's argument, Alba attributed discriminatory language to Brody only after he got into "serious trouble" at a July 2015 meeting. According to Logan-Stern, who cited witness testimony, Alba reacted to Brody announcing workplace changes at the meeting with expletives and told her, "I will make you pay."

Albas version of the incident, according to court documents, is that Brody decided to maliciously move him to a new work location without warning, stripping him of the projects he was handling.

"They would laugh at him, belittle him in meetings," Michael Anderson, Albas attorney, said during closing arguments, adding that they called the July 2015 meeting "for the purpose of basically denigrating him in front of his superiors."

Following the incident, Anderson said, Alba went to the emergency room, believing he was having a heart attack. He was diagnosed with a severe anxiety attack, according to the attorney.

About three years ago, Alba resigned from State Parks, leaving housing that had been provided by the state along the coast.

The move disrupted his daughter's education and led to Alba and his wife living in separate homes.

Alba now works at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, where, he said, the culture is better.

A spokesperson for California State Parks said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

Anderson asked the jury to award Alba no less than $300,000 for each of the 12 years he was subjected to the alleged discrimination, harassment and retaliation, amounting to $3.6 million. Additionally, he asked for lost income of nearly $319,000, based partially on what he would have made if hed been elevated to higher-paying positions, and roughly $19,000 to cover periods of medical leave.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The first of Donald Trumps four criminal trials is finally underway in Manhattan. This trial, on campaign-finance charges related to Trump's alleged "hush money" payments to Stormy Daniels, is truly historic, marking the first time in American history that a current or former president has been tried for criminal offenses.

A guilty verdict in combination with the outcomes of his three other pending trials in Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C., will clearly have an impact on how many Americans vote in the upcoming presidential election. The potential consequences should not be underestimated, given that current polls show a statistical dead heat between Trump and President Biden.

In an evocative preview published by the Economist, the hush money trial is described as a "meld of genres":

The solemnity of the first prosecution of a former president, who also happens to be running again, will nod to tragedy. Really, though, this is a seedy burlesque, with a bit of farce. The case is about sex, money and blackmail. Mr. Trumps former lawyer and fixer, who will testify against him, once described the conduct at issue as the filth and muck of politics.... Every trial is part theatre. This one, slated to run for six to eight weeks (beginning with jury selection), will be a sell-out.

Trumps criminal trials are historic in other ways as well: They seem to echo the lessons of one of the most dreadful chapters in modern history. In 1923, Adolf Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison for an attempted coup (known as the Beer Hall Putsch) against the state government of Bavaria. He served less than one year, using the time to write the first volume of "Mein Kampf." After his release, of course, Hitler continued his rise to power, becoming the de facto dictator of Germany less than 10 years later.

Donald Trump has already attempted one coup, and the American people were fortunate that it failed. He has never disavowed the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and, not unlike Hitler, continues to threaten violence (including imprisonment and execution for treason) against anyone and everyone who oppose him and the MAGA movement.

If Trump is actually sent to prison, the MAGA movement will likely be blunted, if not broken. American democracy and the might then be able to avoid the fate that befell Germany 90 or so years ago.

Miles Taylor served as chief of staff in the Department of Homeland Security during Trump's first term. He spoke out early about Trump's unfitness for office, as author of the 2018 New York Times Anonymous editorial. Since then, Taylor has written two books, A Warning and Blowback: A Warning to Save Democracy from Trumps Revenge. His new paperback edition of Blowback has just been published, incorporating an argument that Trump's second administration will be far more competent and formidable in its assault on American democracy and the rule of law than the first one was.

In the second half of our conversation, Taylor cautions that the existential danger to American democracy posed by Trump, the MAGA movement, and todays Republican Party will continue well past Election Day 2024. The American people still have the power and agency to defeat those forces, Taylor says, but only if they shake off complacency and apathy and act to defend democracy and freedom  not just at the ballot box but throughout our society.

This is the second installment of a two-part conversation.

How do you assess Donald Trump and his MAGA movements danger to the safety and future of the country and our pluralistic democracy?

Look, Im still a conservative. This isnt about a Republican coming to the White House. I dont even think Trump is a real Republican. Its about a man whos said he wants to use government as a tool of revenge  and to advance his own self-interest. That sort of intent  sitting atop the spy agencies and military apparatus of the government  writes its own horror story.

How do we locate Donald Trump and the American authoritarian movement as part of a larger global movement to end democracy, which also includes Vladimir Putin, Viktor Orban, and other malign actors?

They are one and the same  reactions to populism. This is where Ill say that the culprits here arent actually the autocrats themselves. Its us. Were choosing to empower these people. We can choose not to. The choice we make will define us.

Why do you think the news media and political elites haven't made the global dimension of this threat to our democracy much clearer?

Attacks on Western democracy from within were not on my bingo card post-9/11. I fear the wayward ex-president will get his way eventually in trying to chip away at the community of democracies. He neednt win back the White House to execute his vision. Trump has done something more insidious. By co-opting the Republican Party, he has reprogrammed a generation of devotees with his anti-constitutional and anti-democratic views. Copycats will try to fulfill his unfinished plans well beyond his lifespan, an undertaking made possible because GOP leaders have anesthetized their consciences and normalized Trump-like conduct for a decade.

If Trump is defeated this November, will the danger of right-wing political violence decrease? Many experts are concerned that a defeat on Election Day will only amplify the danger from Trump and his followers.

Ill put it simply. Whether Trump wins or loses, the risk of political violence is high. If he loses, it will likely be far worse than Jan. 6. If he wins, I fear there will be a violent reaction around the country from the far left  a reaction that Trump will use to justify a crackdown. Thus, the spiral will begin. Theres no magic wand that can prevent this. We just need to show restraint, urge our neighbors to do the same and condemn political extremism.

Looking back, do you have any regrets about your time in the administration and how you chose to speak out? What do you know now that you wish you knew then?

Six years ago, I sounded an alarm that the sitting president was acting in a way that was amoral and reckless behind the scenes and that his own staff thought he posed a grave threat to the country. Many people dismissed me and believed Trumps accusation that I was being disloyal.

Five years ago, I wrote a book about the deeper extent of instability inside the White House and why re-electing Trump could be catastrophic. Many people dismissed me and believed Trumps claim that it was a make-believe book of deep state lies.

Four years ago, during the 2020 campaign, I said that if Trump lost, he would try to stay in office, a situation that could end tragically. Many people dismissed me and believed the claims of Trumps acolytes that hed do the right thing when the time came.

Three years ago, I assembled GOP dissenters to warn that Trumpism maintained a viselike grip on the party and that the anti-constitutional wing would overtake it completely if preventive action wasnt taken. Many people dismissed me and said the GOP would move on from Trump.

Two years ago, I predicted that Trump would run again for the presidency and would likely lead the GOP field. Many people dismissed me and said Trump would be taken out by the courts first.

Last year, I released this book to explain in precise detail what would happen if Trump or another MAGA figure retook the White House, including the specific ways they would weaponize American government against their foes.

My goal here isnt to prove that Im prescient. Nor do I think I should be applauded because predictions about a dangerous man and his mob-like movement keep coming to fruition. What Ive been saying for years about deeper threats to the American experiment should have been painfully obvious to almost anyone whos paying attention. Yet far too many Americans are imperiling the future once more by ignoring the clanging and rattling truth that could cause the entire country to come undone.

What do you think will happen next? Where are we in the story of the Trumpocene?

First, I say in the book that Americas survival as the United States is not inevitable, but its demise will become a certainty if we continue down our current path. No free system of government can survive the willful ignorance of its people. But I'm not a fatalist; if I were, I wouldnt have written this book or spent my life trying to protect our country. In fact, I am an optimist about the trajectory of free societies like our own. A democracy is a living thing. Like most living things, it will fight for its survival by exhausting all available possibilities for persistence, though a spirited effort might not be visible until its in mortal danger. That hour will be upon us soon.

Second, I note that America can survive the century if we renegotiate our social contract. By that I mean we should examine the underpinnings of our polity together  from the actual ways we vote and mechanisms for spurring political competition to the very Constitution that binds us. Although it may seem impracticable, a renegotiation will look more appealing in the decades ahead of us, more so, I suspect, in the face of genuine hardship. A people so divided cannot continue forward without addressing their divisions openly; otherwise, they should peaceably separate, or spiral toward a violent end.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Thankfully, we are blessed by nature with a say in the matter. Destiny is manifested by decision. So what happens next will depend on our collective willpower as a country and our resolve to eschew the dread of indecision. On that point I feel hopeful, because every guiding milestone weve placed on humankinds trail has been put there by choice. And we can do so once again at a moment of our choosing.

What can the American people do to stop the bureaucrats, advisers and others who will try to orchestrate the Trump dictatorship if he wins this election?

The choice is ours, as it has always been. The founders saw America as an experiment, dependent entirely on our conscious efforts to sustain it and not on preordainment. Some readers will lament these grim forecasts while they loiter in the shadows, contorting logic to justify to themselves why their silence is an exception to the need for all Americans to admit the seriousness of our situation. To those readers I say: I dont judge you. Ive been you. Ive made excuses for staying quiet. But companionship wont save you from the consequences.

Fewer citizens will make the harder choice. Those who do will start defying their political tribes by calling for civility; they will resist intimidation and reject the moral equivalency crawling into our political discourse; they will put country over party by advocating for system-wide reforms to make our democracy more representative of all views and less prone to upheaval; and they will openly evangelize  through trial and error  the small rituals of civic faith that can restore a democracy. If this is you, then I believe you are Americas last, best hope.
Disgraced former Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar has been allowed to delay the start date for his 13-year prison term, citing confidential medical information, according to recent court filings.

The 55-year-old former head of the council's Planning and Land Use Committee was sentenced in January for his role in a sprawling federal corruption case that involved him taking cash payouts and other bribes while in office. He was ordered to surrender to federal authorities April 30.

But in federal court filings this week, Huizar requested that his surrender date be pushed to Aug. 30. The application, filed under seal, did not publicly disclose reasons for the request. However, a separate motion to seal the application asked for secrecy because the application "contains private medical information," Huizar's attorney Cuahtemoc Ortega, a federal public defender, wrote in court papers.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge John F. Walter found that "good cause" was shown in the request and approved the four-month delay for Huizar's surrender date.

Read more: Former L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar sentenced to 13 years in prison in corruption case

The motions said prosecutors did not oppose the request or object to it being filed under seal. A spokesperson for the Central District of California's U.S. attorney's office declined to comment on the request.

In addition to his 13-year sentence, Huizar was ordered in January to pay nearly $444,000 in restitution to the city of Los Angeles and nearly $39,000 to the Internal Revenue Service.

Prosecutors accused Huizar of monetizing his elected position through "pay to play" schemes, securing more than $1.5 million in cash bribes, gambling chips, luxury hotel stays, political contributions, prostitute services, expensive meals and other financial benefits from developers with projects in his downtown district.

Before his sentencing, Huizar apologized for his crimes in a letter to the judge, saying he had already paid a huge price: losing his reputation and his ability to provide for his family, as well as harming his childrens future and mental health.

His case capped a sweeping investigation into L.A. corruption that began in 2015 and entangled a number of City Hall figures  though Walter called Huizar "the sole and powerful driving force" during his sentencing.

Staff writers Dakota Smith and David Zahniser contributed to this report.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Ulviyya Shahin

The Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or TITR) holds significant importance for Kyrgyzstan, the country's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Kairat Osmonaliev, told Kyrgyz media, Azernews reports.

"The topic of the Middle Corridor is currently under active discussion. Essentially, it revives the operation of the old classical Silk Road, which originally passed through Central Asian countries, including the Caucasus. We are continuously working on this issue, including maximising multimodal transportation along the corridor," the ambassador said.

He noted that Baku is now becoming a regional logistics hub, with the Baku Alat International Sea Trade Port and the Baku Hovsan International Sea Trade Port. According to him, discussions are currently underway for cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and both ports.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe.
GREGG COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  A former East Texas elementary school teacher pleaded guilty on Monday to four counts of injury to a child causing bodily injury.

Smith County cold case victim identified, sheriff to hold briefing

Cecilia Gregg, who reportedly had been working with the district since 2009, was charged with four counts for allegedly striking students with her hand.

In July 2022, six former J.L. Everhart employees were indicted for charges related to the mistreatment of elementary students:

Paula Hawkins Dixon, 58

Cassandra Renee James, 48

Linda Kaye Brown Lister, 61

Priscilla Johnson, 56

Cecilia Gregg, 57

Cynthia Telley, 56

Cecilia Gregg mugshot, Courtesy of Gregg County

Johnson was indicted for causing bodily injury to a child by striking [them] with a shoe. Dixon was indicted on three separate felony injury to a child charges. James and Lister were each indicted for endangering a child. Talley was indicted on seven counts of causing bodily injury to a child.

Longview ISD released a statement in 2022 addressing the allegations.

Woman gets 15 years in prison for meth possession

District officials first reported concern to the authorities in October when evidence of student mistreatment surfaced, according to the release. The District immediately removed the offending employees, contacted the parents, and began an open and active line of communication with the Longview Police Department and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Gregg, Dixon and Talley were reportedly released from employment, from the district in October 2021. James and Lister resigned in lieu of termination. Johnson, a teacher who frequented the classroom, resigned.

The district reached a $2.5 million settlement with 10 families of the children who were reportedly abused at the elementary school.

Social media posts, messages lead to arrest of East Texas man for child pornography

According to a release from two East Texas attorneys, from at least August 2019 to October 2021, 10 children with special needs had been abused and discriminated by teachers and administrators at J.L. Everhart Elementary.

In October 2023, Paula Dixon pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison for multiple counts of injury to a child. According to her indictment, Dixon reportedly forced children against a wall, struck them with a stick and pushed a child with the knee of Defendant and by sitting on [the child.]

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Former Marine sentenced to 9 years in prison in firebombing of California Planned Parenthood clinic

A former marine who used a Molotov cocktail to firebomb a Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa, California, was sentenced to nine years in prison Monday, according to the Justice Department.

Chance Brannon  along with his co-defendant Tibet Ergul  attacked the Planned Parenthood clinic and conspired to plot attacks with Ergul and co-defendant Xavier Batten, including a potential attack on a power grid, in furtherance of a race war, the Justice Department said in a news release. Brannon was an active-duty member of the Marines when the attack took place in March 2022.

The defendants assault on the Costa Mesa Clinic was designed to terrorize patients seeking reproductive healthcare and the people who provide it. Such violence has no place in the national discourse on reproductive health, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said in the release.

Brannon, 24, pleaded guilty in November 2023 to one count of conspiracy, one count of malicious destruction of property by fire and explosives, one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device, and one count of intentionally damaging a reproductive health services facility in violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, the release said.

In addition to the nine-year sentence, Brannon was also ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution, the release said.

CNN has reached out to Brannons attorney for comment.

Brannons deep-rooted hatred and extremist views inspired him to target individuals or groups who did not conform to his neo-Nazi worldview and, in one case, led him to carry out a violent attack which could have killed innocent people, Acting Assistant Director in Charge Mehtab Syed of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office said in a statement.

Ergul, 22, and Batten, 21, pleaded guilty to their charges related to the case earlier this year and will be sentenced on May 15 and May 30, respectively, the release said. CNN has reached out to their attorneys for comment.

Brannon first considered attacking other targets like the San Diego office for the Anti-Defamation League, but he decided on the Planned Parenthood clinic to scare pregnant women, deter doctors and staff from providing abortion services, and encourage similar violent acts, according to the release.

He and Ergul planned a second attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic in June 2022 following the overturning of Roe v. Wade that month but abandoned the plan because of law enforcement in the area, the Justice Department said.

The Planned Parenthood in Costa Mesa provides reproductive health services, including abortion-related services, and was forced to cancel dozens of appointments after the incident. No one was injured in the attack, Planned Parenthood said at the time.

The National Abortion Federation, a professional association for abortion providers, reported a sharp increase in violence at abortion clinics in 2022.

Prosecutors allege that Brannon was motivated by neo-Nazi ideology and discussed cleans[ing] the US of particular ethnic groups, according to the release. Brannon in 2022 kept plans for an attack on a Southern California Edison substation in a thumb drive disguised as a military-style necklace bearing the motto for the Marine Corps, according to the release.

There were 25 actual physical attacks in 2022 reported on power facilities across the US and one report of sabotage, according to statistics available from the Department of Energy, CNN reported last year. The FBI warned in a 2022 bulletin of threats by extremist groups to create civil disorder and inspire further violence.

During the summer of 2023, Brannon and Ergul also researched how to attack Dodger Stadium during an LGBTQ+ pride event using a remote-detonated device but were arrested two days before it was set to take place, according to court documents cited by the Justice Department. Days before being arrested, Brannon had also begun planning to rob Jewish people living in the Hollywood Hills, according to the release.

CNNs Holmes Lybrand, Aaron Cooper and John Miller contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A federal judge has sentenced a former Marine to nine years in prison for the 2022 firebombing of a Planned Parenthood clinic, which was carried out while he was on active duty.

Chance Brannon, 24, of San Juan Capistrano, California, was stationed at Camp Pendleton at the time of the firebombing, according to a justice department release. He has been in federal custody since his arrest in June 2023. In addition to the attack on the clinic, Brannon plotted attacks on a power grid, Dodger Stadium and home invasions of Jewish residences in Los Angeles.

Brannon pleaded guilty in November 2023 to one count of conspiracy, one count of malicious destruction of property by fire and explosives, one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device and one count of intentionally damaging a reproductive health services facility in violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

Brannons deep-rooted hatred and extremist views inspired him to target individuals or groups who did not conform to his neo-Nazi worldview and, in one case, led him to carry out a violent attack which could have killed innocent people, said Acting Assistant Director in Charge Mehtab Syed of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.

Man who pretended to be Marine while in prison sentenced to 3 years

FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents arrested Brannon and Tibet Ergul, of Irvine, in June 2023 for his part in the conspiracy and clinic attack. A third co-defendant, Xavier Batten, of Brooksville, Florida. Batten and Ergul also pleaded guilty to charges connected to the clinic attack and other plans. Both are scheduled for sentencing in May.

Clinic security video recorded images of two people in hooded sweatshirts and face masks approaching the building and hurling a Molotov cocktail at the front of the Costa Mesa clinic at around 1 a.m. March 13, 2022, according to court documents.

The fire spread up a wall and across the ceiling above the clinics entrance but responding firefighters prevented it from spreading further.

Two months later, in May 2022, Brannon tutored Batten on how to get away with a similar attack. Batten was also involved in planning for other attacks.

This is a glorious victory, Brannon told an unnamed individual following the attack in text messsages, according to court documents. But now more than ever we must pray and act because women who were indecisive before may decide to get one before the Court rules / Hail Christ 88.

The term 88 is coded language for Heil Hitler, according to court documents.

On numerous occasions, Brannon made remarks to friends and fellow Marines condoning violence and rape against women.

One Marine recalled [Brannon] making comments about killing women who had abortions, observing that [Brannon] did not laugh when making those comments, according to court documents.

Agents interviewed fellow Marines who said that Brannon would say things like, All jews deserve to die; Jews control show business; Hitler didnt finish the job; and Jews manipulate the Black community.

Marine colleagues and supervisors described Brannon as lazy, aloof, and disinterested in working the mission.

Shortly before his arrest, Brannon told a friend During the last year of my contract I was on the verge of, like, actively sabotaging operations as much as possible, according to court documents.

Following the June 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned the Roe v. Wade case, which recognized a constitutional right to abortion, Brannon and Ergul planned a second attack on another Planned Parenthood clinic, but didnt go through with it when they saw police near that clinic, according to court documents.

Throughout 2022 Brannon and Ergul discussed igniting a race war by attacking an electrical substation in Orange County. On a thumb drive that was disguised as a military-style necklace with the motto of the Marine Corps, Brannon kept a file with an operation plan and a gear list for targeting the substation.

Brannon owned several items on the list, including a rifle with the Total [N-word] Death written in Cyrillic and a recording of the 2019 mosque shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand in which a white supremacist murdered 51 people and injured 40 others, according to court documents.

In early summer 2023, before their arrests, Brannon and Ergul researched how to attack Dodger Stadium on a night that the facility was celebrating LGBTQI+ pride, including using a remotely detonated device.

Agents arrested the pair two days before the event.

In the days leading up to his arrest, Brannon began planning with an unnamed individual to rob Jewish residents of the Hollywood Hills. When arrested Brannon possessed a short-barreled rifle with two suppressors that were not registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

Brannon had also called two foreign adversaries, not named in court documents, in the hopes he could offer himself as a mole to provide them with U.S. intelligence.
A former Marine who firebombed a Planned Parenthood clinic in Orange County, Calif., in 2022 was sentenced Monday to nine years in prison.

Chance Brannon, whom prosecutors described as a neo-Nazi, was serving as an active duty Marine when he lobbed a Molotov cocktail at the Costa Mesa clinic in March 2022, damaging the building.

Prosecutors also alleged that Brannon planned multiple other attacks on public places, including one on the Orange County power grid in furtherance of a race war, an attack at Dodger Stadium during an LGBTQ+ Pride Night celebration, and the home invasions of Jewish homes in the Los Angeles area.

He pleaded guilty last fall to conspiracy, malicious destruction of property and explosives possession.

Brannons deep-rooted hatred and extremist views inspired him to target individuals or groups who did not conform to his neo-Nazi worldview and, in one case, led him to carry out a violent attack which could have killed innocent people, FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director Mehtab Syed said in a statement. Im proud of the hard work and collaboration by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, whose members built this case and apprehended Brannon before additional acts of domestic terrorism could be carried out, as well as the hard work by prosecutors and agents leading to todays sentencing.

According to investigators, Brannon frequently used slurs for minority groups and discussed cleans[ing] the country.

In the weeks leading up to his November 2023 arrest, Brannon allegedly texted a friend, Can we just be done with elections and have the race war already and complained that [p]eople will never do anything if everyone keeps waiting for [a race war] to start on its own.

Two men who planned the attacks with Brannon, Xavier Batten and Tibet Ergul, also pleaded guilty to charges and have sentencing hearings scheduled next month.

The Justice Department does not tolerate the use of violence to intimidate and endanger, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. This prosecution and todays sentence hold the defendant accountable for placing lives at risk by launching a brazen attack with an explosive device against a health care facility.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A former massage therapist will spend five years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing two women and an 11-year-old girl at his massage studio.

Benjamin Lance Bowers, 39, admitted to sexually assaulting a woman at a business in Hillsboro in 2021 and another woman in a Beaverton studio in 2022. He also admitted to sexually assaulting a child he knew around this time.

Photos: Car goes over cliff, into Skamania County river

Bowers pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse, second-degree sexual abuse and attempted first-degree sexual abuse on Thursday, April 11.

In addition to his sentence, he will need to register as a sex offender and receive treatment. He is also banned from becoming a licensed massage therapist again.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, who served as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, said at the Dole Institute in Lawrence that Congress should give Ukraine the military resources necessary to defeat Russia on the battlefield or risk future conflicts initiated by Russia. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Dole Institute's YouTube channel)

Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, who served as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, said at the Dole Institute in Lawrence that Congress should give Ukraine the military resources necessary to defeat Russia on the battlefield or risk future conflicts initiated by Russia. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Dole Institute video)

LAWRENCE  Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove viewed the U.S. Houses movement toward votes on military, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine amid a grueling war with Russia as an opportunity for the United States to clearly define intentions in a region marked for domination by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Breedlove, a four-star general who served as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, said Ukraine was in an incredibly tough place right now with strained military resources after a decade of combat against a powerful invader. He said Putin grossly misjudged Ukrainian capabilities and Russia has absorbed staggering casualties in fighting that offered flashes of the trench-warfare and artillery-bombardment quagmire of World War I.

He said the desire to avoid a wider war in other non-NATO countries in Europe or a tactical nuclear conflict remained at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy. But, he said, necessary caution shouldnt prevent a forthright statement of purpose from leaders of the country responsible for delivering half the foreign aid to Ukraine since Russia took another bite of Ukrainian territory in the February 2022 invasion.

The most important thing we could give Ukraine right now doesnt cost a dime, Breedlove said last week at the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. It really is an expression of our commitment to what their future is. We owe them to publicly acknowledge, a declarative policy, about what we intend to do for Ukraine in a war against a world superpower.

He said Congress could choose to end financial support and leave Ukraine to fight on before complete subjugation by Russia. The general said the United States and other Western powers could maintain the status quo, which was to keep Ukraine viable through imposition of economic sanctions and delivery of enough military aid for a war of attrition likely to end with a settlement conceding substantial territory to Russia.

Breedloves preference was a third option: Deliver to Ukraine the military resources required to halt Putins advance and drive Russia out of the country. At some point, he said, resolve must be found to block Putins quest to restore a Warsaw Pact-type buffer between Russia and NATO.

We are 10 years into an illegal, immoral and inhumane war, Breedlove said. It was built at purpose and started at purpose for Mr. Putin, who wants to change the structure of Eastern Europe. Ukraine is the first step. He will not stop at Ukraine. We are at a point where were going to have to make a decision about how we react to Mr. Putin.

In terms of Ukraine, war with Russia began in 2014 when Russia occupied and annexed Crimea from Ukraine and backed pro-Russian separatists in Donbas. Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched in February 2022.

I believe, given the right equipment, Ukraine could expel Russia from their lands, the general said. Then, we would have to deal with a defeated Putin and a defeated Russia. There is no zero-risk way ahead. We need to be intellectually honest and say, We dont have a crystal ball. The answer, I think, is not to capitulate.

On Monday, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he planned to advance, perhaps this week, legislation outlining aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other allies. Its not clear whether a measure allocating funding to Ukraine could pass in the House given opposition by conservative Republicans. The U.S. Senate approved an assistance package endorsed by President Joe Biden, but it hasnt been advanced by House GOP leadership.

The four-person Kansas delegation in the U.S. House initially supported military, economic and humanitarian aid for Ukraine in wake of the 2022 invasion.

Since then, Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids has voted in favor of two subsequent Ukraine spending bills. U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann and Ron Estes, both Republicans, voted against those aid packages. U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Republican, voted for the first supplemental bill in 2022 but not the most recent assistance package for Ukraine in 2023.

In addition, Mann supported three amendments to a 2023 appropriations bill that would have blocked or conditioned U.S. financial support for Ukraine. Estes backed one of those amendments, while Davids and LaTurner opposed all three. None of those amendments passed the U.S. House.

The organization Republicans for Ukraine, which is part of Defending Democracy Together, issued a report card based on six congressional votes regarding U.S. assistance to Ukraine. Estes and Mann received grades of F from the organization, while LaTurner rated a D grade. As a Democrat, Davids wasnt included in the grade-card report.

The post Former NATO commander: Congress needs to give Ukraine military tools to defeat Russia appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP)  The Forsyth County Sheriffs Office and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools officials are investigating a video posted on social media that reportedly shows a teacher being assaulted, according to a WS/FCS spokesperson.

This behavior will not be tolerated, WS/FCS Superintendent Tricia McManus said. At no time is it acceptable for students to put their hands on a teacher in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. My focus now is on making sure that our teacher is taken care of and has the support needed to navigate through the lasting effects of this incident.

The video is believed to have been filmed inside a Parkland High School classroom.

Utah school board member who questioned a students gender loses party nomination for reelection

This Sheriffs Office is aware and like many of you, we have seen the video that has made its way around our community today, said FCSO Bobbie Kimbrough. Because it involves a juvenile we have not and will not discuss the particulars of this incident, but we will work collaboratively with those parties involved to determine the best course of action. At this point, we are praying for wholeness of the teacher involved and healing for our students who witnessed this deployable act.

PHS Principal Noel Kenner shared the following statement:

Hello Parkland Families, this is Noel Keener, Principal at Parkland High School. I am calling to let you know that earlier today our administration was made aware of a disturbing video of an inappropriate and unsettling interaction between a student and a teacher being circulated on social media. Our administration has started an investigation immediately in conjunction with our law enforcement partners at the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office. The student involved in the video will face disciplinary action in accordance with district policies and procedures.The student may also face criminal charges. Please know this video is not reflective of our expectations of students at Parkland High School. We are working with district staff to address this immediately and ensure behavior like this is not tolerated in our school and district. We always appreciate you making us aware anytime there is something that concerns you. When you see a concerning social media post or text, please remember to report it, not repost or reshare it. We ask that you remind students about the consequences that can come from circulating or sharing inappropriate videos. We take all such matters seriously and thank you for your patience, partnership, and understanding. If you have any questions, please let me know. PHS Principal Noel Keener

Student information and disciplinary information is federally protected and cannot be released by school officials.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The remains of a fourth person killed in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland last month were recovered on Monday, according to authorities.

The body was found trapped inside a missing construction vehicle, the unified command group in charge of recovery said. The victim was transported to the medical examiners office and identified, but their name was not immediately released at the request of the family.

Of the eight construction workers sent into the Patapsco River in the early hours of March 26 when the cargo ship Dali slammed into the bridge as they worked to repair potholes, six were killed. Recovery crews pulled two bodies out of the river a day after the collapse, and a third body was found on April 5. They were identified as Maynor Suazo Sandoval, 38; Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, 26; and Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35.

The bodies of the two final workers remain missing three weeks after the disaster.

Our hearts continue to break for the loved ones of these victims, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said in a Monday night statement. Our entire city remains with them, joining them in mourning and in healing now that one more of their loved ones has been brought home. For those still waiting, we join them in their hope and grief that they will have the same closure soon.

As we continue to recover those who have perished, may we never forget them, their loved ones, and the commitment they made to work in a profession that bettered the lives of so many Marylanders across the state, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) added in his own statement.

Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., the superintendent of the Maryland State Police, promised that law enforcement would use every available resource to continue the recovery operation.

State police officers were among those who responded to the scene on Monday after salvage crews discovered the submerged vehicle, officials said. Also responding were FBI agents, bolstering a federal presence at the site that had taken on new meaning hours earlier, when investigators boarded the Dali. The Washington Post reported shortly after that the FBI had opened a criminal investigation into the matter.

The federal probe is at least partly focused on whether the crew knew the 985-foot cargo ship had serious system problems when it left port the morning of the collapse, two U.S. officials told the Post.

The National Transportation Safety Board previously launched a separate inquiry into the collision. A preliminary report from the agency is expected in early May, a spokeswoman said on Monday.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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BALTIMORE - A fourth body was recovered Sunday from inside a submerged vehicle at the site of the Key Bridge collapse, according to the Unified Command.

The victim has not been identified at the request of the family.

One of the missing construction vehicles was located in the river, and inside was a person who had been trapped.

A cargo ship, the Dali, crashed into the Key Bridge around 1:30 a.m. on March 26, knocking eight construction workers into the Patapsco River. They were repairing potholes on the bridge.

Two construction workers were rescued, and now four have been recovered. Two remain missing and are presumed dead.

Prayers for Key Bridge victims

"Maryland continues to pray for the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy. They have our thoughts, our hearts, and our support," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. "We hope that everyone will respect the request of the family for privacy during this difficult time. As we continue to recover those who have perished, may we never forget them, their loved ones, and the commitment they made to work in a profession that bettered the lives of so many Marylanders across the state."

Crews previously recovered the bodies of 35-year-old Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, 35-year-old Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, and 26-year-old Dorlian Castillo Cabrera.

"Our hearts continue to break for the loved ones of these victims," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. "Our entire city remains with them, joining them in mourning and in healing now that one more of their loved ones has been brought home. For those still waiting, we join them in their hope and grief that they will have the same closure soon. As I have said from the very first moment, we will continue to do everything in our power to support these families, and provide whatever they need to persevere through this unthinkable tragedy."

Massive crane lifts Key Bridge debris to Sparrows Point

WJZ got a closer view of the salvage operation in Sparrows Point on Monday where pieces of the Key Bridge are being taken for disposal.

The biggest piece of debris so far is a span that weighs more than 400 tons.

BALTIMORE, MD -APRIL 15: Cranes work to remove sections of the Key Bridge that are blocking the Chanel into the Port of Baltimore. The FBI has opened a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the Key Bridge after it was struck by the Dali. Officials board the boat on April 15, 2024. / Credit: Jonathan Newton/for The Washington Post via Getty Images

The massive Chesapeake 1,000 crane lifted it to Sparrows Point over the weekend.

"This is our processing yard where all the materials that are removed from the river are brought by barge and crane, very large pieces of material," said James Harkness, the chief engineer working for the Maryland Transportation Authority. "When they brought it in yesterday, they had to cut it in half because it was about 90 feet tall."

Cutting Key Bridge down to size

Welders cut the pieces into an even more manageable size. Crews are also using hydraulic shears.

Responders said every effort is being made to recycle the steel.

The government requires every big shipincluding the Dalito have a designated responder in case a disaster like this happens. In this case, that job was assigned to Resolve Marine.

"Immediately when this happened, we were activated and had people on scene within hours," Resolve Marine CEO Joseph Farrell said.

What's the Dali's damage?

Resolve Marine CEO Joseph Farrell said when the Key Bridge collapsed onto the Dali, it severed the bow of the ship "pretty good."

"When the bridge came down it severed the bow, the front of the ship, pretty goodso a lot of the systems were cut. Wiring to the bow thruster has been severed," Ferrell said.

Farrell said the Dali currently has power. His crew is trying to get the bow thruster working again. It makes the ship easier to maneuver once they remove enough containers to move the ship.

Farrell said they have removed 40 containers, and he believes getting 140 in total off the ship may be enough.

He said the work will not interfere with the FBI and NTSB investigations and credits the Unified Command with keeping everything organized.

"There's a lot of clarity exactly as to where our role is, and we work with every agency. It allows everybody to plug into that and not step on each other's toes," he said.

"There's a lot of debris. There's rebar. There's concrete"

Divers remain in the water daily, and visibility is often next to zero in the muddy Patapsco.

"There's a lot of debris. There's rebar. There's concrete. For a first dive, we don't know what dangers are down there, so we have to be very methodical and slow with that. We have something called an umbilical which feeds the diver's air supply to the diver's helmet," said Robyn Bianchi with DonJon Marine.

This weekend she told WJZ that divers are mindful that several victims have yet to be recovered. Shortly after that interview, responders recovered the fourth victim from the water.

"As we mourn the lives lost and continue the recovery operation, we recognize each missing individual is someone's beloved friend or family member," said Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, "Along with all of our allied law enforcement partners, we pledge to exhaust the physical and technical aspects of their training while deploying every available resource possible."

Cargo unloaded at TradePoint Atlantic

Nearby at TradePoint Atlanticthe only place near the Port of Baltimore where larger ships can currently dockcargo is getting unloaded including many new cars. That keeps jobs in Baltimore.

"We're actually able to make sure this cargo stays in Baltimore because there are other ports that are interested in helping, but that also means that cargo could go permanently to a different port, so we are thankful to be able to help with some of that redirected cargo," said Kristin King of TradePoint Atlantic.

Baltimore City to sue cargo ship's owner

Baltimore City is taking legal action against entities it deems responsible for the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and the FBI has opened an investigation into the disaster.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott on Monday announced the city partnered with two high-profile trial law firms to take legal action against those responsible for the tragedy, including the ship's owner, charterer, operator, manufacturer and other parties.

The mayor said the effort is to mitigate the immediate and long-term harm caused to Baltimore's residents, like the families of the victims, workers in the Port of Baltimore, and those who used the bridge every day. It is not clear how much in damages the city seeks.

"We are continuing to do everything in our power to support everyone impacted here and will continue to recognize the human impact this event has had," the mayor said in a statement. "Part of that work needs to be seeking recourse from those who may potentially be responsible, and with the ship's owner filing a petition to limit its liability mere days after the incident, we need to act equally as quickly to protect the City's interests."

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KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2024 - 08:01 | All, World

A New York court opened an unprecedented criminal trial of a former U.S. president on Monday as Donald Trump faced the first of the four cases in which he has been indicted.

The trial, expected to last one to two months before a jury reaches a verdict, concerns an alleged coverup of hush money paid on his behalf to a porn star ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Trump is set to be nominated as the Republican presidential candidate for the November election at the party's national convention in July, and has insisted all the indictments are groundless.

"This is political persecution," Trump told reporters before entering the courtroom Monday.

During the session, the judge explained the trial procedures and the court began the multiple-day process of selecting a 12-member jury.

Trump, 77, was indicted in March last year for having his lawyer pay $130,000 to the porn star Stormy Daniels, with whom he was believed to have had an affair, as hush money before the 2016 election and falsifying the disbursement as legal fees in business records.

Prosecutors said the actions constituted a bid to conceal information that could have affected his chances in the election.

The former U.S. president has also been indicted over accusations of mishandling classified documents at his residence in Florida as well as in two cases related to attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss -- a federal case over actions that led to the fatal Capitol riot in January 2021, and another in Georgia for efforts to undermine that state's election processes.

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The body of a fourth victim in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last month has been recovered, officials said Monday.

The body was discovered trapped inside a construction vehicle, according to the unified command group in charge of recovery. Authorities did not release the persons identity at the request of family.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott lauded the teams and agencies that assisted in recovering the victim in a statement. He said his government will continue do everything it can to help the victims families persevere through this unthinkable tragedy.

I am grateful for the work of the salvage teams for their effort to recover the fourth victim, as well as the MD State Police, MD Transit Authority Policy, and the FBI who responded to help bring closure for this family, he said.

Cargo ship Dali is seen after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge (Steve Helber / AP file)

Our hearts continue to break for the loved ones of these victims," Scott continued. "Our entire city remains with them, joining them in mourning and in healing now that one more of their loved ones has been brought home. For those still waiting, we join them in their hope and grief that they will have the same closure soon.

The body of a third victim, Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, 38, was recovered earlier this month.

Suazo-Sandoval, whom the unified command described in a statement as a construction worker, was one of six people believed dead in the collapse after a cargo ship struck a bridge support on March 26.

Two other victims were recovered from a vehicle in the water on March 27. They were identified as Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, who was from Guatemala and lived in Dundalk, Maryland; and Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, who was from Mexico and lived in Baltimore, authorities said.

Earlier Monday, two senior law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation told NBC News that the FBI has opened a criminal investigation into the cargo ship that slammed into the bridge.

The sources said some of the inquiry involves whether the crew previously knew the ship had potential mechanical problems. It will also examine the events that led up to when the vessel left the port, the sources said.

Federal agents boarded the 985-foot Dali early Monday with search warrants. Agents were on board conducting court authorized law enforcement activity, the Baltimore office of the FBI confirmed Monday.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A fourth body has been recovered from the underwater wreckage of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge, authorities announced Monday, as the FBI and private attorneys continue to investigate why a container ship crashed into and demolished the bridge last month.

The body was found trapped inside a submerged construction vehicle during efforts to clear debris from the channel. The individual was identified Monday but their name is being withheld from the public at the familys request, the Maryland Joint Information Center, which is coordinating response and recovery efforts, said in a statement.

Two victims do remain unaccounted for. There is no guarantee that the remaining two will be found, so compassion for and support for the families of the missing is our main focus when potential victims of the collapse are found, a representative for the emergency response center said in an email to HuffPost Tuesday.

A cargo ship is seen stuck under pieces of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after its collision on March 26. via Associated Press

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott and fellow government officials on Monday expressed their condolences to the victims friends and family and reaffirmed their pledge to provide whatever aid is needed to them.

Our hearts continue to break for the loved ones of these victims, Scott said in a statement. As I have said from the very first moment, we will continue to do everything in our power to support these families, and provide whatever they need to persevere through this unthinkable tragedy.

News of the fourth corpses recovery came the same day that both the FBI and attorneys for victims families announced their own independent investigations into the March 26 accident.

The city of Baltimore also said Monday that it has hired two law firms as it considers litigation against the owner, charterer and operator of the container ship that crashed into the bridge. The collision caused the deaths of six construction workers, who were sent plunging into the river below.

What does justice look like? attorney L. Chris Stewart, whose Atlanta-based law firm is one of two representing some of the bridge collapses victims, said at a press conference Monday. We dont know the answer, because what is the value of the six lives that have been destroyed?

Stewart said the construction workers were in their cars, taking a break from their jobs repairing potholes, when the bridge beneath them gave way.

Construction worker Julio Cervantes Suarez, who Stewarts firm is representing, plunged into the river but managed to escape his vehicle and survive because the windows rolled down manually, Stewart said.

You can image how frightening that is, he said of Suarez, who he said couldnt swim but was able to hang on to some debris in the water.

Stewart said his firm is also representing the families of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Jose Mynor Lopez, who did not survive the incident.

They died while pursuing the American dream, but this was all preventable, and that is why weve been brought in to investigate, Stewart said. The thing thats getting lost right now is the voice of the victims. These peoples lives mattered.

The container ship, the Dali, was carrying cargo to Sri Lanka when it lost power before colliding with the bridge, authorities said. A source with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Monday that the ship had experienced electrical issues before it left the nearby port, however, triggering alarms on the ships refrigerated containers.

Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to open a temporary channel in the river later this month to allow more commercial traffic to resume. The ports main channel is expected to open in May.

More than 1,000 tons of steel have been removed from the waterway so far, the AP reported Monday, citing salvage crews.

Related...
France decides to invite Russia to anniversary of Allied landings in Normandy

French radio station Europe 1, citing sources, has stated that France would invite Russia to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June, which opened the second front in World War II.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Europe 1

Details: The French radio station stated that Russia would be present in Normandy at the beginning of June if Moscow accepts Paris's invitation.

Europe 1 noted that the invitation would be sent to the Russian diplomatic representatives in France.

It is still unclear who will represent Russia in this case, as the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

Background:

The Soviet Union did not directly participate in the Allied landing on 6 June 1944 as part of the anti-Hitler coalition in Normandy.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Putin could be invited to attend the G20 summit in Brazil if the member states reach a consensus.

Blinken's statement echoes recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, who said that inviting Putin to the summit would require the agreement of all other members.

Vladimir Putin skipped last year's G20 summit in the capital of India, avoiding possible political censure and any risk of arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant.

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France says Russia will be invited to anniversary of Normandy landings, but not Putin

Organisers in France have confirmed that representatives of Russia will be invited to celebrations on 6 June to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy. However, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin will not be invited.

Source: Le Figaro with reference to the organisers of the commemorative events, Mission Liberation, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The organisers said that Putin has not been invited because of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.

"Given the circumstances [Russia's war against Ukraine  ed.], Putin will not be invited. Russia, however, will be invited to be represented because of its role and sacrifices among the Soviet peoples, as well as its contribution to the victory in 1945," the organisers said.

Background:

There had been media reports that France would invite representatives of the Russian authorities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June.

The radio station Europe 1 reported that the invitation would be sent to the Russian diplomatic mission in France.

As is known, the USSR was not directly involved in the landing of the anti-Hitler coalition allies in Normandy on 6 June 1944.

Earlier, US State Secretary Antony Blinken said it was possible that Putin might receive an invitation to the G20s upcoming summit in Brazil if its member states reached a consensus.

Blinken's statement echoes recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, who said that inviting Putin to the summit would require the consent of all the other members of the group.

Vladimir Putin skipped last year's G20 summit in the Indian capital, avoiding possible political censure and any risk of arrest under the International Criminal Court warrant.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Do you need some documents shredded? Theres a free paper shredding event happening this weekend.

The Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada is hosting its 12th annual Secure Your ID event on Saturday, April 20. The event will be hosted from 9 a.m. to noon or until the truck fills up, whichever comes first.

It will be held at the BBB of Southern Nevada office located at 6040 South Jones Boulevard.

The BBB will accept up to 4 banker-sized boxes for free, with each additional box costing $10. According to BBB, this event will be for paper only, no electronics, trash, biohazard material, X-rays, binder clips, binders, etc., will be accepted.

The BBB will not dispose of boxes, the contents will be empty and the box will be returned.

Those who bring paper to be shredded will not be allowed to stay to watch the shredding process, as it could cause traffic backups.

The BBB asks that all participants remain in their vehicles and pop their trunks open so workers can remove the paperwork.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Fresno lawmaker wants to fortify tortillas with folic acid to help Latino babies | Opinion

More than 25 years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required the makers of breads, cereals, pasta and rice products to fortify their goods with folic acid, a type of B vitamin.

The reason was simple: Folic acid is critical to the healthy formation of the brain and spinal cord in babies developing in the womb.

But left out of the mandate was masa, a type of ground corn that is a staple of Latinos. Masa is used to make tortillas, for example.

As a result, Latino communities are at a higher risk than others for having babies born with partially developed brains or skulls, which is usually fatal, or spina bifida, an opening along the spine that can cause paralysis.

Now a Fresno Democratic lawmaker wants to require that masa also be fortified with folic acid.

Opinion

Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula is sponsoring AB 1830, and fellow San Joaquin Valley lawmakers should lend their backing to ensure this common-sense measure gets approved.

Threat of defects to babies

The kind of problems created by a lack of folic acid are known as neural tube defects. After the FDA passed its regulation in 1998, the occurrence of such defects declined by 35%, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

But masa was left out of the regulated products. The FDA attempted a remedy in 2016 when it approved voluntary folic-acid fortification in corn masa flour. But Arambula notes that because the policy is voluntary, only 10% of masa products get fortified.

A fact sheet by Arambula says that neural tube defects occur early in fetal development. So even if a pregnant woman starts taking prenatal vitamins after getting pregnant, it may be too late to head off defects.

Mandatory fortification of masa will right this wrong and prevent new mothers and parents from losing children to NTDs, Arambula, an emergency room physician, says in the fact sheet.

Daily consumption of folic acid decreases the risk of neural tube defects by half.

Food is the best way that we can get folic acid into our communities before theyre pregnant, Arambula told the online news site CalMatters. Oftentimes the prenatal vitamins that we give to pregnant people are too late.

The brain and spine start forming within the first four weeks of gestation, when many women may not even know theyre pregnant.

CalMatters staff writer Ana B. Ibarra reported that between 2017 and 2019, the latest years for which state data is available, about 28% of Latinas reported taking folic acid the month before becoming pregnant. That compared to 46% of white women, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Women on Medi-Cal are also less likely to take folic acid before pregnancy, Ibarra reported. She added that women in the San Joaquin Valley and in the far northern part of the state were also less likely to take folic acid than pregnant women living elsewhere in the state.

Backing folic acid

Among the groups supporting Arambulas bill are the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California and the March of Dimes.

The requirements Arambulas bill would make are not onerous: Producers would add 0.7 milligrams of folic acid to every pound of masa, and then include the addition on the product nutrition label.

But failing to fortify a masa product would be considered a crime under Californias Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law.

Thats as it should be. Companies that make wheat cereals and breads, pastas and rice products already add folic acid. Expanding the requirements to include corn masa is logical and necessary. The proper health of infants, particularly those in the Hispanic community, is at stake.

The California Legislature often gets criticized for pushing unnecessary or job-killing bills. AB 1830 is not that. It is a straightforward attempt to eliminate a gap in federal protections. The Legislature should back it, and Gov. Newsom should sign it.

As a bonus, complying with Californias law could influence the makers of tortillas, corn chips and other such goods across the nation. That would be a win for even more babies.
(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp.s just-announced partnership with Abu Dhabis G42 followed behind-the-scenes negotiations between the US government and the Middle Eastern firm, which agreed to divest from China and pivot to American technology.

Most Read from Bloomberg

G42, a holding company focused on artificial intelligence, held talks with the US Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security and came to an understanding last year, according to people familiar with the discussions. Under the arrangement, G42 agreed to pare back its presence in China or face potentially punitive measures from Washington, they said.

The talks were part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to rein in Chinas technological prowess and line up support around the world. G42 is backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, an influential member of Abu Dhabis ruling family, and looks to become an AI superpower in the Middle East.

G42 Chief Executive Officer Peng Xiao told Bloomberg News in February that the firm would divest from China, but the details behind that decision werent public. According to the people familiar with the talks, US officials  led by BIS, with the blessing of the National Security Council  approached the UAE last summer and told executives they would have to choose between the US or China.

The BIS negotiations involved Xiao, Sheikh Tahnoon, UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, and veteran Paul Hastings lawyer Marty Edelman, who serves as G42s general counsel.

A representative for BIS declined to comment. In a statement, a G42 spokesman said that the divestment decision stemmed from a desire to partner with the most sophisticated AI technology companies in the world  the ones in the US and, in some cases, Europe.

Geopolitical factors affect every international business, including ours, the spokesman said. The chance to work with Microsoft and its partner OpenAI were authentic economic and technological transformative opportunities for us. Clearly these opportunities required a movement away from Chinese relationships, equipment and services, and we are in the process of making that transition in a verifiable way.

In exchange for the Chinese divestment, G42 was assured that it would have continued access to US technology that powers AI applications, one of the people said. That includes chips from Nvidia Corp. But the agreement came at considerable cost to G42, according to one of the people, because it had to remove some Chinese technology from its systems.

The divestment plan also helped lay the groundwork for Microsoft to invest $1.5 billion in G42  an agreement announced Tuesday. As part of that pact, Microsoft President Brad Smith will join the board of G42, which will use the software makers Azure cloud for its AI applications. The agreement, which builds on an existing partnership, was reached after consultation with the UAE and US governments.

G42, the largest AI company in the UAE, came under scrutiny from Congress in recent months, with a key lawmaker calling for sanctions over its ties to blacklisted Chinese businesses Huawei Technologies Co. and Beijing Genomics Institute. The firm categorically denied that it had connections to the Chinese government and their military industrial complex.

Read More: US Lawmaker Urges Probe of UAE Firm G42s Ties to China

The deal with the Biden administration followed warnings from the State Department and elsewhere that putting G42 on an export blacklist would be catastrophic for the US-UAE relationship. The firm, which aims to apply AI to everything from medicine to space exploration, is a prized asset of Sheikh Tahnoon. The G42 spokesman said that US officials didnt threaten sanctions during the talks.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo visited the UAE in March to discuss G42s progress in shifting away from China, among other topics, according to some of the people.

Its the latest example of Washingtons increased focus on AI and semiconductor ambitions in the Middle East, where Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are both vying to become major tech hubs.

The Commerce Department expanded export controls last year on semiconductor technology. It now requires a license for the sale of advanced chips and tools to countries that officials worry China could use as intermediaries to skirt US controls, including several in the Middle East. Wealth funds from that region have also drawn scrutiny from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States over their ties to Beijing.

But the region is also a favorite among American companies and executives, including Microsoft and OpenAIs Sam Altman, which are bolstering their Middle Eastern presence as sovereign wealth funds pour billions into cutting-edge technology.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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One year after a 1-year-old died in south Georgia, investigators have now ruled her death a homicide.

Melanie Alvisuras died on Feb. 16, 2023 in Albany. Police were told that the 1-year-old and her siblings were playing at her babysitters house when she was pushed to the ground.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Based on the initial investigation, police said her death appeared to be accidental. However, new autopsy results show it was not.

A medical examiner determined that Alvisuras died by intentional blunt force trauma to her head and skull. Based on the new evidence, police obtained warrants for the babysitter.

Police arrested 32-year-old Heidi Nolasco Garcia and charged her with murder on April 11. Records show that she remains in custody at the Dougherty County Jail.

Channel 2 Action News has reached out for Garcias booking photo.

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IN OTHER NEWS
Gag order hearing in murder case of former Decatur officer moved up

DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT)  A judge has granted a second motion to move the gag order hearing in a murder case against a former Decatur police officer.

Mac Bailey Marquette is facing a murder charge for the Sept. 29 on-duty shooting of Stephen Perkins outside of Perkins home. A temporary gag order in the case was issued March 22 and a hearing on whether to make the gag order permanent was originally set for Monday, April 8.

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Then, at the request of the City of Decatur who said several officers subpoenaed for the hearing would be out of town that week, Morgan County Circuit Judge Charles Elliott reset the hearing for May 20.

Marquettes attorney filed a motion this week saying theyll be attending a conference out of state on that date and requested the hearing be continued again.

Elliot granted that motion Tuesday, setting the hearing for Friday, May 17  moving it up three days.

The gag order bars out-of-court public discussions of the case or releases of information by the parties involved, including attorneys on all sides.

Morgan County District Attorney Scott Anderson has subpoenaed about 18 witnesses for the hearing.

 Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App

Last week, after that gag order was issued, the conservative Alabama website 1819 News released what appears to be Marquettes body camera footage from the night of the Perkins shooting. The website says its video that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) provided to the Morgan County DAs Office in the Marquette investigation, but it is not clear how they got access to the video.

News 19 doesnt own the rights to the video and has not aired it. News 19s parent company Nexstar requires its stations to obtain permission from the videos original owner in order to air it.

You can see all of our prior reporting on Marquettes case and the death of Stephen Perkins on this page.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Attorney General Merrick Garland told lawmakers on Tuesday he has "complete confidence" in President Joe Biden's mental fitness for office, despite findings by special counsel Robert Hur whose report issued in February included embarrassing and disputed characterizations about the president's memory and age.

"If you're asking me about my own observations as a member of the National Security Council and a member of the president's Cabinet, I have complete confidence in the president," Garland said during a House Appropriations hearing.

"I have watched him expertly guide meetings of staff and Cabinet members on issues of foreign affairs and military strategy and policy in the incredibly complex world in which we now face and in which he has been decisive -- decisive in instructions to the staff and the subject in making the decisions necessary to protect the country," Garland added.

The attorney general had faced criticism from some Democrats for not pushing back before against Hur's descriptions of Biden's memory in a report that scrutinized the president's handling of classified records while he was out of office.

"We conclude that no criminal charges are warranted in this matter" as the "evidence does not establish Mr. Biden's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt," Hur's report stated.

Nonetheless, throughout that report, Hur painted a dim picture of the president -- one that his political opponents immediately seized on -- as sometimes struggling with memory issues and not able to remember when he finished his term as vice president or when his son Beau died.

Biden, his aides and attorneys forcefully rejected that assessment.

MORE: A closer look at the Biden special counsel report: Do the headlines match the evidence?

PHOTO: President Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland arrive for a ceremony to honor the 2021-2022 Medal of Valor recipients in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 17, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

"How in the hell dare he raise that?" the president told reporters in a defiant press conference after the report's release, continuing: "I don't need anyone to remind me when he [Beau] passed away or that he passed away."

Under questioning from lawmakers in March, Hur defended how he described Biden's memory, insisting that "my assessment in the report about the relevance of the president's memory was necessary and accurate and fair. I did not sanitize my explanation."

Garland told reporters last month that the suggestion that he could censor or dilute Hur's report was "absurd," reasoning it would most certainly cause greater controversy than simply releasing Hur's report as he had promised previously.

He declined at the time to comment directly on whether he personally believed Hur's detailed descriptions of Biden's mental acuity were appropriate to include.

His response on Tuesday was his most extensive personal defense of Biden since the report's release, even as he told lawmakers he wasn't seeking to comment on the report directly.

"With respect to domestic policy discussions, these are intricate, complicated questions that he has guided all of us through in order to reach results that are helpful and important and beneficial to the American people," Garland said. "I could not have more confidence in the president."

Garland defends Biden's mental fitness after special counsel Hur criticized his memory originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By Keita Nakamura, KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2024 - 18:43 | All, Japan, World

Japan pledged to pursue strategic and mutually beneficial relations with China in its annual foreign policy report released Tuesday, even as the two countries remain at odds over various issues, while recognizing the importance of dialogue.

The 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook said Japan will promote a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" with China, using the wording last seen in the 2019 report, although the neighboring country poses "an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge."

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to build the strategic and mutually beneficial relations at their meeting in San Francisco in November last year.

Tensions remain between the two Asian powers over matters such as the Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean since last August.

Rivalry between Japan's close ally the United States and China has also intensified over the Chinese military's provocative activities near Taiwan, a self-ruled island that Beijing sees as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

The report also mentioned "serious concerns" over China's "attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo" and "a series of dangerous acts" in the South China Sea as well as the importance of accelerating trilateral collaboration among Japan, the United States and the Philippines to deal with them.

Beijing expressed its "firm opposition" to the Japanese document, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian saying it contains "cliches of smearing and accusing China, exaggerating the so-called China threat and unreasonably interfering in internal affairs" of the country.

China urges Japan to "correct its wrongdoing, stop stoking bloc confrontation" and work toward the goal of building a constructive and stable Sino-Japanese relationship that meets the requirements of the new era, Lin said at a press conference.

As for South Korea, the bluebook described it as an "important neighboring country" that Japan should cooperate with "as a partner to address various issues of the international community."

"Given the grave security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan and South Korea's close cooperation is needed now more than ever," it said.

Tokyo last called Seoul a partner in the 2010 version, a Foreign Ministry official told reporters, reflecting a significant improvement in bilateral ties since South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol took office in 2022.

The two Asian countries have also been strengthening three-way security cooperation with the United States in response to North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile programs, which the policy paper said pose "serious and imminent threats" to Japan's security.

Japan and South Korea, however, have been at odds over a pair of Seoul-controlled, Tokyo-claimed islets in the Sea of Japan.

In the bluebook, the remote islets, called Takeshima in Japanese and Dokdo in Korean, were referred to as an "inherent territory" of Japan.

The South Korean government lodged a protest against what it says is Japan's "repeated unfair territorial claims" and urged Tokyo to withdraw it immediately.

In response, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference, "We objected (to the protest) as unacceptable based on our consistent stance."

On North Korea, the document said Tokyo "cannot afford to waste" any time in solving the long-standing problem of Pyongyang's past abductions of Japanese nationals as the victims' families continue to age, mentioning Kishida's aim to realize an early summit with its leader Kim Jong Un.

On Russia, the report underscored wariness about its move to boost relations with not only China but North Korea, particular concerning North Korean weapons transfers that could worsen the situation in Ukraine as it resists Russian invasion.

To enhance deterrence, it is essential to collaborate with like-minded nations and construct "multilayered networks" that center around the Japan-U.S. alliance, such as those involving Australia, India and NATO members, it added.

Related coverage:

Japan's SDF begins Tomahawk missile training for FY 2025 deployment

Japan PM conveys "future-oriented" messages in state visit to U.S.

Japan, U.S., South Korea hold maritime exercise in East China Sea
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Federal officials announced a settlement with a Gastonia hotel this week over an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint.

Federal officials say they investigated a complaint against Express Inn and Suites LLC (Express Inn) at 1601 Bessemer City Road. The complaint alleged the hotel violated the ADA by refusing to provide a room to a visually impaired individual based on speculation about the individuals capabilities.

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of public accommodation, including hotels and other places of lodging, are prohibited from discriminating based on disability.

According to the agreement, the Express Inn owners will provide employee training, update its policies, practices, and procedures to comply with the ADA, and provide monetary relief for the impacted individual.

The ADA requires that hotels provide access to individuals with disabilities. A hotel cannot impose or apply eligibility criteria that screen out or tend to screen out an individual with a disability from full and equal enjoyment of any goods, services, or accommodations.

Upon learning of the complaint, the Express Inn cooperated with the investigation and subsequently agreed to remedy its past conduct.

According to the Department of Justice website, the maximum civil penalty for a first violation under title III can range from $55,000 to $75,000; for a subsequent violation of the ADA, the new maximum is $150,000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Gaza war demonstrators shut-down the expressway to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Monday afternoon, as Port of Seattle police moved in and made 46 arrests. Protest organizers targeted April 15, saying "Our taxes are funding genocide." Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Transportation

April 15 (UPI) -- Hundreds of protesters blocked traffic in cities throughout the United States on Monday, to protest Israel's war in Gaza.

Demonstrators, carrying signs that said "Stop the world for Gaza," shut down San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge for five hours during the morning commute, while protesters blocked traffic heading into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport during the afternoon.

New York City police officers arrested protesters who stopped traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge. And 40 people were arrested at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport after blocking traffic to the airport with signs that said "Stop sending bombs."

"O'Hare International Airport is one of the largest in the country, and there will be NO business as usual while the United States green-lights the genocide of Palestinians," the group Chicago Dissenters wrote Monday in a post on X, showing them linked across the expressway.

BREAKING: Organizers are blockading the road entering O'Hare Airport in Chicago NO business as usual while the US green lights the genocide of Palestinians pic.twitter.com/IdScPLaNdp Dissenters (@wearedissenters) April 15, 2024

In San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge was shut down during the morning commute, starting at about 7:30 a.m. local time until about 12:15 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol, adding more protests in Oakland shut down another major freeway.

"The California Highway Patrol has been actively engaged in the de-escalation of multiple ongoing protests in the Bay Area this morning, including on the Golden Gate Bridge," the CHP said in a post on Facebook.

"Officers responded to each location and determined protesters had utilized various devices intended to impede law enforcement's ability to remove protesters, including 55-gallon drums filled with concrete," according to the CHP. Officers were able to remove the devices from the Golden Gate Bridge and Interstate 880 in Oakland and "take those involved into custody."

During the afternoon commute in Seattle, Washington State Department of Transportation cameras picked up several vehicles blocking the expressway to the airport, forcing traffic to backup and desperate travelers to abandon their cars to make their flights.

Port of Seattle police moved in quickly to tow protesters' vehicles. Officers made 46 arrests as protesters locked their arms together in a formation called "sleeping dragon."

Demonstrators said they targeted Monday, which is Tax Day, as part of a "global call for an economic blockade" to Israel's ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

"Our government continues to use our tax money to fund the genocide we are witnessing on our screens," they said in a post.
General Shapovalov appointed as new head of Southern Operational Command

Brigadier General Hennadii Shapovalov has been appointed as a new commander of the Southern Operational Command's forces, the command said on April 16.

Shapovalov is replacing the command's previous chief, Andrii Kovalchuk, who was appointed as the head of the Odesa Military Academy last week.

The change took place against the backdrop of broader personnel shifts in Ukraine's military and political leadership.

Ukraine's Ground Forces commander, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk, presented Shapovalov with his new command during a ceremony on April 16.

Born in 1978 in Kirovohrad Oblast, Shapovalov graduated with honors from the Military Institute of Tank Troops in Kharkiv in 2000 and from the Command and Staff Institute of Troops (Forces) Employment at the National Defense University in 2012. He also graduated from the U.S. Army War College, an educational institution for senior U.S. military officers.

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Shapovalov has previously commanded the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in 2022.

Pavliuk thanked Shapovalov's predecessor, General Kovalchuk, for his service and emphasized his past achievements as the chief of the Southern Operational Command.

The Ground Forces' spokesperson told the Kyiv Independent about the reassignment of Kovalchuk, as well as of the Eastern Operational Command's chief, Serhii Litvinov, on April 11.

Earlier this week, General Volodymyr Shvediuk was appointed as the new commander of the Ukrainian military's Western Operational Command.

Read also: Intense fighting, lack of resources leave wounded soldiers on their own

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A video surveillance image taken on Jan. 7, 2021, shows former Coffee County Republican Party chair Cathy Latham, bottom right, welcoming forensic computer analysts with Atlanta-based SullivanStrickler to the county elections office. Screenshot from Coffee County video

This Georgia Recorder story was updated at April 16 at 7:26 a.m.

An election security analyst with ties to an alleged breach of the Coffee County voting system is now being investigated by the Georgia Secretary of States office for recently claiming that he also examined voting equipment in Macon-Bibb County.

According to March 11 sworn testimony filed with the U.S. Supreme Court forensic analyst Benjamin Cotton mentions Bibb County among the several locations across the nation where he forensically examined components of the Dominion Voting System that have been used in statewide elections in Georgia since 2020.

The electronic voting systems in Georgia and several other battleground states have become the target of right-wing activists who sought to gather evidence that compromised Dominions ballot tabulators, servers and touchscreen ballot marking devices resulted in the 2020 presidential election being stolen from Donald Trump.

In a March 28 letter to the State Election Board, Marilyn Marks, executive director for the Coalition for Good Governance and senior election security advisor for Free Speech For People, urged election officials to immediately begin investigating Cottons claim about Bibb County voting equipment.

Marks said it is important that the board initiate an independent investigation into Bibb, especially since the Secretary of State failed to properly investigate a major breach in Coffee following the 2020 presidential election.

Coffees breach was part of an alleged coordinated effort by allies of Donald Trump to illegally access voting equipment in several states.

We respectfully encourage the SEB to independently conduct its own investigation into the alleged voting system breach in Bibb County given the failure of the Secretary of State to detect and investigate the voting system breach in Coffee County, the letter reads.

Mr. Cottons sworn statement that he had access to the Dominion Voting system components from Bibb County is credible enough to warrant immediate investigation given that he had accurately stated in a previous declaration that he had obtained and analyzed the software taken from Coffee County, Georgia before that software breach was publicly known, the letter states.

If the Dominion voting system components in Bibb County are reasonably suspected of having been compromised, they should be immediately isolated and replaced before voting preparations begin for the primary elections, the letter continues.

State Election Board Chairman John Fervier said members will not comment on the allegation while the Secretary of States office investigation is underway.

Once the investigation has been completed, then the SEB will be in a position to hear the facts of the case and make a determination as to what actions, if any, might be necessary, said Fervier, who was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp in January as election board chairman.

An attorney for Cotton said that the extent of his access to Bibb voting machines was an examination of a backup voting database that was obtained through an open records request.

The Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections also issued a statement denying that its election equipment has been illegally accessed.

The Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections issued a statement last week denying that Cotton or anyone else had illegally accessed its voting machines.

The election board said it didnt become aware of Cottons allegations until testifying his sworn deposition last month that he had forensically examined components of Dominion systems in Bibb as well as in Arizona, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Macon-Bibb election supervisor Tom Gillon said that only state elections board employees of Elections employees and property authorized Dominion Voting System staff and Georgia secretary of state SOS representatives have been allowed access to the countys voting system.

We have had Open Records Requests for certain reports and files in the past but have only supplied those that have been authorized by the SOS office, Gillon wrote in an email on Monday. None of those requests seem to have come from Mr. Cotton or his company, but that would be hard to track if it was requested by someone on his behalf.



In a recent email exchange with a secretary of state investigator, Cottons attorney Kurt Olsen wrote that Cotton did not access confidential information, but only reviewed Bibb Countys backup election database that was provided by the county under an open records request.

Olsens response came after state investigator Charlene McGowan questioned Cottons claim that the only information he had analyzed from Bibb came from publicly available records. Cotton only mentions Bibb County once in his Supreme Court deposition, and doesnt explain how or when he was able to access the equipment or to what extent he was able to examine the system.

Your client previously signed a sworn declaration stating that he had forensically examined voting equipment in Coffee County, Georgianot Bibb County. Our investigators reached out to you for an explanation for this discrepancy and were told that Mr. Cotton reviewed information he received from Bibb County in response to a FOIA request, McGowan wrote. However, this is contradictory to his sworn testimony that he forensically examined [voting system] components.

Olsen wrote last month that his client hasnt made contradictory statements about what election information was available to him from Bibb.

The Bibb County backup election database, which is public data, is precisely what Mr. Cotton forensically examined. An election database is a component of the election system, Olsen said in an email. There is no discrepancy in Mr. Cottons sworn testimony.

Cottons comments about Bibb came from testimony given in support of the petition filed by former Arizona gubernatorial secretary of state candidates, who are asking the Supreme Court to overturn their 2022 election losses based on allegations the Maricopa County scanners used to tabulate votes were susceptible to hackers.

The Georgia Republican Party and Arizona Republican Party have also filed a brief in support of having the U.S. Supreme Court take up the Arizona plaintiffs case ahead of the Nov. 5 election. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and a federal court judge have dismissed the plaintiffs claims as frivolous and based on conjecture.

Judge Amy Totenberg of the United States of the Northern District of Georgia is expected to rule on a longstanding lawsuit filed by the Coalition For Good Governance and several other plaintiffs are contend the states electronic voting system is vulnerable to breaches caused by outsiders gaiting unauthorized access and other cybersecurity threats that could be used to manipulate Georgias elections.

The plaintiffs are asking Totenberg to declare the electronic ballot marking devices as unconstitutional and to replace them with some variation of paper ballots.

Cotton, the founder of the digital forensics company CyFIR, and Doug Logan, the CEO of the Florida-based firm, were both connected to a Coffee County voting breach that occurred in the weeks following the 2020 election. The breach led to charges filed in the Fulton County 2020 election interference case against a former attorney for Donald Trump, a former local election supervisor, an-ex Coffee GOP leader and an Atlanta bail bondsman for allegedly allowing a team of computer science experts access to confidential voting equipment.

Logan and Cotton later provided analysis of Dominion voting equipment by the Arizona Senate to conduct the partisan audit of the 2020 Maricopa County election. The two men were among multiple people investigated in Michigan on allegations of participating in an orchestrated plan to gain unauthorized access to several voting tabulators in early 2021.

The case would result in criminal charges being filed against an ex- Michigan Republican lawmaker and a former GOP candidate for attorney general, however Cotton and Logan avoided any criminal charges after a special prosecutor said that some of the defendants deceived local election clerks and forensic experts who analyzed the equipment.

The post Georgia election officials probe claims of Bibb County voting machine security breach appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
A Georgia police officer has been arrested and charged with stealing and selling a speed gun, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The GBI said on March 13, Milner police asked the GBI to investigate a theft after a LIDAR system was documented as missing from the department.

A GBI investigation concluded that Officer Jerald Frank Rafferzeder of Forsyth stole two speed guns from the department and sold one of them for $800.

Rafferzeder was arrested Monday and is being charged with theft by taking and violating an oath of office.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Rafferzeder was booked into the Lamar County Sheriffs Office.

The GBI is continuing to investigate this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Protesters with a poster gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to protest against "the Russian law" similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)

TBILISI, Georgia (AP)  Police in the capital of Georgia on Tuesday unleashed tear gas to break up a large demonstration outside the country's parliament to protest a proposed law that would require media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.

Opponents say the proposal would obstruct Georgia's long-sought prospects of joining the European Union and denounce it as the Russian law because of similar legislation used by Moscow to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin.

The parliament debated the bill, but put off voting on its first reading until Wednesday.

News reports said some demonstrators were arrested in the clash with police, but no figures were immediately available.

The bill is nearly identical to a proposal that the governing party was pressured to withdraw last year after large street protests.

The law says non-commercial organizations and news media that receive 20% or more of their funding from overseas would have to register as pursuing the interests of a foreign power  the only change in wording from the draft law withdrawn last year, which said that relevant groups must register as agents of foreign influence.

Georgias President Salome Zourabichvili would veto the law if it is passed by parliament, her parliamentary representative Girogi Mskhiladze has previously said.

But that veto might not be long-lasting as Zourabichvilis term ends this year and under Georgias constitution changes, the next president will be named by an electoral college that includes all members of parliament.
During his visit to China, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about peace in Ukraine as it is fighting against Russia.

Source: DW, as reported by European Pravda

Details: During conversations with China's leader, the German chancellor stated that Russia's actions hurt the entire international order by violating the UN Charter's fundamental principle of inviolability of sovereign borders.

Quote: "I would like to discuss with you how we can contribute more to achieving a just peace in Ukraine," Scholz said.

At the same time, a statement issued after the leaders' meeting stated that China is neither a party nor a player in the "Ukrainian crisis", and that Beijing "promotes peace negotiations in its own way", Tagesschau reports.

The PRC has stated that it will support the international peace conference in Switzerland if the Russian Federation and Ukraine participate.

The day before, Scholz condemned China for backing Russia, which is waging an aggressive war against Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in China on Sunday 14 April with a three-day visit, hoping to persuade Xi to influence Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin and assist in putting a stop to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Janet Yellen, US Secretary of the Treasury, indicated that she had "difficult conversations" about Ukraine during her four-day visit to China.

Media reports indicated that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in communications with his counterparts in the EU and NATO, stated that China was assisting Russia "at a concerning scale," providing tools and technology.

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock gives a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi at the Federal Foreign Office. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is travelling to Israel later Tuesday following the major Iranian attack on the country.

"Nobody should add fuel to the fire now," she said at a meeting with her Jordanian counterpart Ayman al-Safadi in Berlin.

This applies above all to Iran and its proxies in the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or the Houthi in Yemen, Baerbock said.

With regard to Israel, she said that anyone who doubted that the country could defend itself against massive missile attacks had miscalculated.

"Israel's defenses are strong and successful. And Israel's allies stand firmly by its side, ready to act when it matters," Baerbock said.

Everyone must work together to contribute to de-escalation for the entire region, she added.

Al-Safadi said of his country's defense against Iranian drones and missiles attacking Israel: "We do not want Jordan to be endangered any more. This is a clear message that we are sending to everyone" - to Iran, but also to Israel. Jordan lies between the two countries.

Fears of a conflagration in the Middle East are growing following the major Iranian attack on Saturday, in which hundreds of drones and missiles were fired towards Israel. The aerial assault was largely repelled.

Iran presented the attack as a retaliatory strike for Israel's killing of high-ranking Iranian officers in Syria.

Two Iranian advisors and five members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were said to have been killed in the strike on the consulate building in Damascus on April 1.

Israel's military leadership says it does not intend to leave the Iranian attack unanswered. Netanyahu has threatened retaliation, but said it would be done "wisely" in order to make Iran "nervous."

Baerbock will hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Israel Katz and minister-without-portfolio Benny Gantz on Wednesday, according to a spokeswoman for the German Foreign Office.

From Wednesday evening she will take part in the meeting of G7 foreign ministers on the Italian island of Capri.

Baerbock made it clear on Monday that she is counting on Israel to comply with international law in the event of a response.

"The right to self-defence means defending against an attack. Retaliation is not a category under international law," the Green politician said when asked whether Israel had the right to retaliate.

This is Baerbock's seventh trip to Israel since the attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant organization Hamas and other groups on October 7.
German Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs Nancy Faeser speaks during a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of Romania Marian Catalin Predoiu. Soeren Stache/dpa

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has praised Romania's efforts toward European solidarity on asylum issues as part of its bid to fully join the Schengen zone.

"I would like to express my gratitude for the good cooperation in this area," the minister said after talks with her Romanian counterpart, Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu, in Bucharest on Tuesday.

Germany is supporting Romania and Bulgaria, where Faeser visited the border with Turkey on Monday, in their endeavours to fully join the Schengen zone, Europe's free movement area.

Since March 31, both states have removed air and sea border controls. However, Austria has so far prevented the introduction of Schengen rules at land borders with its veto.

Predoiu said he hopes that this issue can be resolved this year.

Bulgaria and Romania's recent progress in protecting the EU's external borders is said to have already led to smuggling gangs increasingly looking for alternative routes and now demanding more money for smuggling people through one of the two countries.

The increasing number of arrivals of smugglers' boats on Cyprus and Crete is currently a cause for concern for the interior ministers of the EU member states.

Additional refugee movements are to be expected, particularly in view of the escalation in the Middle East and the economic crisis in Egypt and Lebanon. According to the UN Refugee Agency, the asylum seekers who arrived in Italy in the first two months of this year came from Bangladesh, Syria, Tunisia and Egypt.

According to the European border protection agency Frontex, just under 5,500 unauthorized arrivals were detected on the so-called Western Balkans route in the first three months of this year, 64% fewer than in the same period last year.

German Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs Nancy Faeser presents Alfred Simonis, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania, with a match ball for the European Football Championship 2024 in the parliament building. Soeren Stache/dpa

German Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs Nancy Faeser meets with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of Romania Marian Catalin Predoiu. Soeren Stache/dpa
German Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection Steffi Lemke sits in her office in the ministry during an interview with the German press agency (dpa). Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke plans to travel to Ottawa on Saturday for UN talks on a global plastic pollution treaty, her ministry announced in Berlin on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Lemke is to hold talks with her Canadian counterpart Steven Guilbeault ahead of the fourth session of the UN's intergovernmental negotiating committee on the issue. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is to open the conference on Monday.

The UN talks are aimed at a fresh attempt at a legally binding international treaty on reducing plastic waste, including in the marine environment, to be agreed by the end of his year.

Binding rules on the entire life cycle of plastic products are planned, including the manufacturing process. Moves towards a circular economy for plastics are also to play a role.

At the third session in Kenya in the autumn, the 170 participating countries failed to reach an agreement.

Lemke is to be at the negotiating table in Canada and will participate in a meeting at the ministerial level.

On Tuesday, Lemke signed a German-Chinese plan of action in Beijing on closer cooperation on curbing waste and conserving resources. On Wednesday, she is to attend an Our Ocean Conference in Athens.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2024 - 12:18 | All, Japan

Official campaigning for three House of Representatives by-elections began in Japan on Tuesday, with the races to serve as crucial tests of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's leadership as he seeks to ride out a political funds scandal that has rocked his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Up for grabs in the votes on April 28 are seats in three electoral districts in Tokyo as well as in Shimane and Nagasaki prefectures, all of which were held by the LDP before becoming vacant.

Facing headwinds following the scandal that exposed massive undeclared funds distributed among its lawmakers, the LDP has decided not to field candidates in the Tokyo No. 15 and Nagasaki No. 3 districts, focusing instead on defending the seat in the Shimane No. 1 district of the western prefecture, considered a conservative stronghold.

In Shimane's capital of Matsue, Yuko Obuchi, the LDP's election campaign chief, said, "We will push ahead with political and party reforms with tireless determination to restore public trust."

In Tokyo, Kenta Izumi, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, told Kyodo News his party "must not lose" the three polls.

Failure to secure even one victory could further erode Kishida's standing in the LDP and prompt the party to advocate for a more popular leader. Such a move would deal a blow to Kishida as he seeks to be re-elected as LDP leader in September and continue as prime minister.

The Shimane by-election, which followed the death of former lower house speaker and LDP heavyweight Hiroyuki Hosoda in November, is a battle between the LDP and CDPJ.

The LDP's local branch is bracing for a tough race following the funds scandal, as Hosoda belonged to the largest LDP faction formerly led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The faction has been accused of failing to report hundreds of millions of yen from fundraising parties for years and creating slush funds.

The by-election in Tokyo's Koto Ward was called due to a separate scandal involving former LDP lawmaker Mito Kakizawa, who was found guilty of a campaign finance offense related to the ward's mayoral election in April last year.

A total of nine candidates, including those endorsed by several opposition parties and political groups, have thrown their hats into the ring in Koto.

Hirotada Ototake, a high-profile Japanese writer born without arms and legs, is hoping to claim the Koto seat, having secured the backing of a group linked to a regional party founded by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and the opposition Democratic Party for the People.

The LDP initially sought to support Ototake but abandoned the effort when the candidate rebuffed the party.

The Nagasaki poll is being contested by candidates fielded by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Japan Innovation Party, another opposition party.

The LDP struggled to find a candidate to run in the election in the prefecture in southwestern Japan after Yaichi Tanigawa, who faced a summary indictment over the political funds scandal, resigned as a lower house member in January.

Related coverage:

Japan PM Kishida Cabinet's support rate rises to 23.8%: Kyodo poll

FOCUS: Kishida's U.S. trip may raise odds of Japan going to polls in June

Leader of biggest LDP faction seeks review of funds scandal penalty
The Rheinmetall AG logo can be seen on the facade of an administration building. Henning Kaiser/dpa

The German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall plans to build a new plant in Lithuania for the production of 155-millimetre artillery shells.

The German defence contractor and the government of the Baltic EU and NATO member state signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday in the presence of the Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, Economy Minister Ausrine Armonaite, and Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas. Details of the deal were not disclosed.

Armonaite said Rheinmetall's investment will be the largest in the Lithuanian defence sector to date, and one of the largest in the country's history.

"This will boost our industry, our economy and the security of our region," she said at the ceremony, which was broadcast live on Lithuanian television. "We are ready to continue working with the company to ensure that this success story moves forward quickly."

Talks on an investment agreement are expected to begin soon, she added.

Defence Minister Kasciunas emphasized that the production of ammunition in the country was one of the lessons of the war in Ukraine. "Independence from global supply chains and production here in Lithuania are an integral part of national security and defence," he said.

Rheinmetall confirmed plans to build an artillery production plant in Lithuania in mid-March at its annual press conference for 2023. An armoured brigade of the German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr, is also to be permanently stationed in the Baltic state in future.

Rheinmetall has been operating a maintenance centre in Lithuania together with the defence company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) since the summer of 2022.

Armoured vehicles of the NATO combat units stationed in the Baltic states and the Leopard 2 main battle tanks handed over by Germany to Ukraine are maintained there.
At the start of his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for close cooperation between the two countries.

"Together we can breathe more stability and security into the world," said Xi, according to an official translation.

"As long as we stick to the principles of mutual respect, seeking common ground despite differences and learning from each other, bilateral relations can continue to develop stably."

Xi said that a "new era of turbulence and upheaval" had begun, in which the risks for all of humanity would increase.

"To resolve these issues, it is essential that co-operation between the major powers gains the upper hand."

Scholz addressed the Ukraine war, climate protection and economic cooperation in his brief statement at the beginning of the talks. He emphasised that Russia's war against Ukraine and the country's nuclear arsenal would have a significant negative impact on security in Europe.

"They directly affect our core interests. Indirectly, they damage the entire international order, because they violate a principle of the United Nations Charter, the principle of the inviolability of state borders."

"I would like to discuss with you today how we can contribute more to a just peace in Ukraine."

Scholz called for closer cooperation with China on climate protection.

"Both of our countries have a responsibility to protect global public goods," Scholz said. He also advocated a rules-based trading system, as embodied by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) welcomes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the State Guest House. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) welcomes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the State Guest House. Michael Kappeler/dpa
On the final day of a three-day trip to China, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing to discuss economic cooperation and geopolitical flashpoints, with a focus on the Russian war in Ukraine.

After more than three hours of talks, Xi appealed to all parties in the war to contribute to easing tensions "instead of pouring oil on the fire."

China is neither a party nor a participant in the Ukraine crisis, said Xi, who has friendly relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, the Chinese leader did not promise Scholz that he would attend the peace summit in Switzerland planned for June. He would only support such an international conference if it was accepted by both Russia and Ukraine, according to an official statement.

Russia has rejected an invitation to the conference.

China, a nuclear power with a population of 1.4 billion, is considered Russia's most important ally, but has so far made little use of its influence on the conflict.

At the beginning of the talks, Scholz had urgently drawn Xi's attention to the devastating effects of the war.

"Indirectly, they damage the entire international order, because they violate a principle of the United Nations Charter: the principle of the inviolability of state borders," the German leader said.

"The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia's armament have a very significant negative impact on security in Europe."

The West accuses China of supplying Russia with goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, thereby supporting the Russian war economy.

Scholz and Xi spoke for a total of three hours and 20 minutes - an unusually long time. They first spoke for an hour in a large group, followed by a 45-minute tea ceremony in private and finally a meal.

With this in mind, Xi is said to have used a parable alluding to the resolution initiatives in the Ukraine war: Everyone should sit at the table, but no one should be on the menu.

Scholz and Xi once again agreed that no nuclear weapons should be used.

This commitment by Xi was the great success of the chancellor's inaugural visit in November 2022. There was initially no sign of any comparable agreement on Tuesday.

Xi spoke of a "new era of turbulence and upheaval," in which the risks for all of humanity would increase, according to an official translation.

"To resolve these issues, it is essential that co-operation between the major powers gains the upper hand," Xi said.

Scholz and Xi emphasized that, despite differences, they wanted to expand economic cooperation. "We do not want to decouple from China," Scholz emphasized several times.

The Chinese leader urgently warned against economic protection measures. Germany and China both depended on industry and supported free trade, Xi said, according to the official statement.

"With this in mind, both sides should be wary of the rise of protectionism." The European Commission is currently investigating whether the sale of Chinese electric cars in Europe is being improperly subsidized. Xi's statements are probably aimed at this.

Later on Tuesday, Scholz also spoke at length with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

The two spoke about "fair competitive conditions," equal market access, the protection of intellectual property and the need for a reliable legal framework, the chancellor said.

Li defended China's green energy subsidies against accusations of unfair competition. "Regarding people who say that the dominance of China's renewable energy industry and so on has come about through subsidies, I think this view does not correspond to reality," Li said on Tuesday evening in Beijing after his meeting with Scholz.

Industrial subsidies are common practice around the world, including in Europe and the United States, Li added.

Tensions over subsidized Chinese export goods on foreign markets and industrial overcapacity have been a major concern of Europe and the US.

They say Beijing's state investment keeps prices artificially low, which puts their domestic firms at a disadvantage.

Berlin and Beijing also struck an agreement to cooperate on autonomous driving. German State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Franziska Brantner, and Transport Minister Volker Wissing signed a declaration of intent with the Chinese side in Beijing on Tuesday.

The two countries also intend to intensify their work on resource efficiency and creating a circular economy in the next five years, as per an agreement signed by Scholz and Environment Minister Steffi Lemke on Tuesday.

Scholz began his trip to China, the chancellor's second since taking office in 2021, with a visit to Chongqing, the world's largest city, followed by a stop in Shanghai where he met representatives from German businesses and the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad in Shanghai to discuss the problems companies are facing in China.

Some of the 5,000 or so German companies that are operating in China have complained about facing disadvantages compared to their Chinese competitors, more difficult market access and legal uncertainties.

The German chancellor is accompanied by a dozen chief executives, among them the bosses of car manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as well as the chemical company BASF. Volkswagen, Europe's largest car manufacturer, is not represented this time.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz takes part in a press meeting after the talks in the Great Hall of the People. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Winding up a three-day trip to China, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held talks with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss economic cooperation and geopolitical flashpoints, with a focus on the war in Ukraine.

After more than three hours of talks, Xi appealed to all parties in the war to contribute to easing tensions "instead of pouring oil on the fire."

China is neither a party nor a participant in the Ukraine crisis, said Xi, who has friendly relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In an initial statement, China indicated it would support an international peace conference only if it was accepted by Russia and Ukraine. But Putin has already rejected the Swiss initiative and was also not invited.

The Chinese side later clarified that this and other conferences were still under discussion. Whether China will participate in the conference, to which some 100 countries have been invited in June, remains open.

The Swiss aim to get pro-Russian countries to participate, China in particular, given its nuclear power status and economic weight. The success of the conference thus depends for the Swiss on Chinese participation.

At the beginning of the talks, Scholz drew Xi's attention to the devastating effects of the war.

"Indirectly, they are damaging the entire international order, because they have violated a principle of the UN Charter: the principle of the inviolability of state borders," the German leader said.

"The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia's armament have a very significant negative impact on security in Europe," he added.

The West accuses China of supplying Russia with goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, thereby supporting the Russian war economy.

Scholz and Xi first spoke for an hour in a large group, followed by a 45-minute tea ceremony in private and finally a meal. The meeting was seen as unusually long.

Xi is reported to have used a parable alluding to the peace initiatives in the Ukraine war: Everyone should sit at the table, but no one should be on the menu.

Scholz and Xi once again agreed that no nuclear weapons should be used.

This commitment by Xi was the great success of the chancellor's inaugural visit in November 2022. There was initially no sign of any comparable agreement on Tuesday.

Xi spoke of a "new era of turbulence and upheaval," in which the risks for all of humanity would increase, according to an official translation.

"To resolve these issues, it is essential that cooperation between the major powers gains the upper hand," Xi said.

Scholz and Xi emphasized that, despite differences, they wanted to expand economic cooperation. "We do not want to decouple from China," Scholz emphasized several times.

The Chinese leader urgently warned against economic protection measures. Germany and China both depended on industry and supported free trade, Xi said, according to the official statement.

"With this in mind, both sides should be wary of the rise of protectionism." The European Commission is currently investigating whether the sale of Chinese electric cars in Europe is being improperly subsidized. Xi's statements were interpreted as aimed at this.

Scholz also spoke later at length with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

The two spoke about "fair competitive conditions," equal market access, the protection of intellectual property and the need for a reliable legal framework, the chancellor said.

Li defended China's green energy subsidies against accusations of unfair competition. "Regarding people who say that the dominance of China's renewable energy industry and so on has come about through subsidies, I think this view does not correspond to reality," Li said after his meeting with Scholz.

Industrial subsidies are common practice around the world, including in Europe and the United States, Li added.

Tensions over subsidized Chinese export goods on foreign markets and industrial overcapacity have been a major concern in the EU and the US.

Beijing's state investment keeps prices artificially low, placing EU and US firms at a disadvantage.

Berlin and Beijing also struck an agreement to cooperate on autonomous driving. German State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Franziska Brantner, and Transport Minister Volker Wissing signed a declaration of intent with the Chinese side in Beijing on Tuesday.

The two countries also intend to intensify their work on resource efficiency and creating a circular economy in the next five years, as per an agreement signed by Scholz and Environment Minister Steffi Lemke on Tuesday.

Scholz began his trip to China, the chancellor's second since taking office in 2021, with a visit to Chongqing, the world's largest city, followed by a stop in Shanghai where he met representatives from German businesses and the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad in Shanghai to discuss the problems companies are facing in China.

Some of the 5,000 or so German companies that are operating in China have complained about facing disadvantages compared to their Chinese competitors, more difficult market access and legal uncertainties.

The German chancellor is accompanied by a dozen chief executives, among them the bosses of car manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as well as the chemical company BASF. Volkswagen, Europe's largest car manufacturer, is not represented this time.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) welcomes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the State Guest House. Michael Kappeler/dpa
On the final day of a three-day trip to China, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing to discuss economic cooperation and geopolitical flashpoints.

In a brief statement before their meeting, Scholz addressed the Ukraine war, climate protection and trade ties.

Scholz said he would emphasize to Xi, who has friendly relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, that Moscow's war against Ukraine negatively impacts not only Europe, but the world.

The West accuses China of supplying Russia with goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, thereby supporting the Russian war economy.

"The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia's armament have a very significant negative impact on security in Europe," he said to Xi.

The effects of the war "directly" affect core European interests, said Scholz.

"Indirectly, they damage the entire international order, because they violate a principle of the United Nations Charter: the principle of the inviolability of state borders."

"I would like to discuss with you today how we can contribute more to a just peace in Ukraine," Scholz said.

He also called for called for closer cooperation with China on climate protection.

"Both of our countries have a responsibility to protect global public goods," Scholz said.

He also advocated a rules-based trading system, as embodied by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Xi called for close cooperation between the two countries.

"Together we can breathe more stability and security into the world," said Xi, according to an official translation.

"As long as we stick to the principles of mutual respect, seeking common ground despite differences and learning from each other, bilateral relations can continue to develop stably."

Xi said that a "new era of turbulence and upheaval" had begun, in which the risks for all of humanity would increase.

"To resolve these issues, it is essential that co-operation between the major powers gains the upper hand."

Scholz, who is also planning to meet Chinese premier Li Qiang, is also expected to bring up the simmering Taiwan conflict.

There are fears that China will attack Taiwan, which it regards as its own territory. The Chinese leadership has repeatedly threatened an invasion.

Scholz said he will warn Xi against providing military support for Russia. China is considered Moscow's most important ally and suspected of supplying the country with goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, potentially strengthening Russia in its ongoing war on Ukraine.

Scholz began his trip to China, the chancellor's second since taking office in 2021, with a visit to Chongqing, the world's largest city, followed by a stop in Shanghai where he met representatives from German businesses and the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad in Shanghai to discuss the problems companies are facing in China.

Some of the 5,000 or so German companies that are operating in China have complained about facing disadvantages compared to their Chinese competitors, more difficult market access and legal uncertainties.

China's reception of Scholz and several business leaders from Europe's largest economy comes as the EU mulls punitive tariffs to protect the bloc's manufacturers from more affordable imported Chinese electric cars.

The German chancellor is accompanied by a dozen chief executives, among them the bosses of car manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as well as the chemical company BASF. Volkswagen, Europe's largest car manufacturer, is not represented this time.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) welcomes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the State Guest House. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the State Guest House. Michael Kappeler/dpa
A Ghost Lake in California Has Disappeared for the Fifth Time Since 1890

Considered the largest body of freshwater west of the Mississippi River in the early 1800s, Tulare Lake disappeared after it was drained to irrigate farmland.

The lake has reappeared multiple times over the last century-plus, earning it the ghost lake moniker.

Tulare Lake filled once again in 2023, but has since disappeared.

Dont call the 2023 resurgence of Lake Tulare a flood event. That lake has a history that long predates modern Californian farmingeven if current water and farming practices have turned it into a ghost lake.

As ghosts tend to do, this one has disappeared once again.

Tulare Lake in the San Joaquin Valley, known as Paashi by the indigenous Tachi Yokut tribe, was considered the largest body of freshwater west of the Mississippi River in the early 1800s. That all changed when land privatization helped drain the lake to make way for farming. The lake has tried to reemerge multiple times since, giving it the nickname of a ghost lake. Its latest attempt came in the spring of 2023, when rainstorms coupled with the runoff from the Sierras helped fill the lake.

Some called it flooding, but others say it was simply a lake returning.

Most of the news coverage about this time talked about it as catastrophic flooding, Vivian Underhill, a former researcher fellow at Northeastern University, said in a statement to the schools news division. And I dont want to disregard the personal and property losses that people experienced, but what was not talked about so much is that it wasnt only an experience of loss, it was also an experience of resurgence.

That resurgence is lost again, and Tulare Lake has dissipated once more. Theres no lake anymore, Doug Verboon, Kings County Supervisor and farmer, told the San Francisco Chronicle. Theres some wet ground but nothing major.

What 2023 showed scientists is that Tulare Lake isnt going to remain a historical asterisk. The lake has staying power, as much as modern-day farming and water usage allows. This landscape has always been one of lakes and wetlands, Underhill said, and our current irrigated agriculture is just a century-long blip in this larger geologic history.

NASA explains that the San Joaquin Valley sits like a bowl at the base of the southern Sierra. Near the middle of that bowl is what was once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. The Sarah Mooney Museum said that the lake could grow over 690 square miles in wet yearsat times stretching as much as 100 miles long and 30 miles wide.

When the lake was in full force, a steamship could carry supplies from the Bakersfield area up to Fresno and then to San Francisco, covering 300 miles on waterways. Those ancestral lakes connecting bodies of water are just that: ancestral. Fresno was even once a lakeside town.

Subsequent damming and diverting of rivers for agriculture and other uses allowed the lakebed to be turned into farms. The museum states that the last discharge from the lake into the San Joaquin River was in 1878, which we can mark as the final turning point in the lakes demise.

The first time the lake fully disappeared was 1890. Now the valley is crisscrossed by hundreds of irrigation canals, Underhill said, all of which were originally built to take that lake water and put it onto irrigated fields.

The lake returned four times between 1890 and 2023. It happened twice in the 1930s, once in the 1960s, and once in 1983. The spring 2023 storms helped speed the filling of the lake along, and got an additional assist from the meltwater flowing from the unusually large snowpack on the southern Sierra. The return of the lakeeven for a brief timeinvited back wetland birds, including burrowing owls. Something that continues to amaze me, Underhill said, [the birds] know how to find the lake again. Its like theyre always looking for it.

The 2023 event gave the Tulare Lake staying power, and many thought would last well into 2024. But, sadly, it didnt. Now looking for Tulare Lake is like searching for a ghost.

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When Beatriz Castro drives a van around the neighborhood to pick up students, parents recognize her. They call and text to let her know where they see children miss the school bus.

Castro is not a bus driver. Shes a liaison for Fort Miller Middle School, one of the five community schools that Fresno Unified School District set up last year with a $7.1 million grant from the state. Starting with a washer and dryer to assist students and families who couldnt afford laundry, the program continued to explore the possibilities.

Now, it has a Chevrolet suburban vehicle to pick up students who are late for the school bus and send kids to attend off-campus activities; it runs a weekly food pantry to distribute produce and clothes; it brings in counselors and implements peer programs to support those who experience hardships; it holds family day and holiday events to engage parents and the community. All efforts are aimed at removing barriers for children to attend school and enjoy learning, and it is working.

When I tell them about the car and the fact that theres someone willing to pick them up, you could see the light on their faces by knowing that we care enough that we will drive literally to their front door, honk and give them a ride. said Castro.

Fort Miller Middle School Community School coordinator Xee Xiong shows the programs Chevrolet Suburban vehicle, which gives the school flexibility in transporting teachers and students for various activities, while at the Fresno school on Friday, March 8, 2024. CRAIG KOHLRUSS/ckohlruss@fresnobee.com

Fort Miller receives students from eight feeder elementary schools, said Principal Abraham Olivares. It could take two hours for some kids to walk to school, and they might need to walk through miles of canal routes, hazardous neighborhoods and cross the railroad tracks.

These are kids that want to be at school, whether its because for social reasons, for food, for safety, they want to come to school, and theyre reaching out and saying they need a ride otherwise they wouldnt have that opportunity, said Castro. So we get that alert.

Fort Miller petitioned the school board and received the van in the fall semester. They developed a system to make the best use of it: Staff manage calls and texts from parents and students every morning, and direct the requests to the person who is on shift to drive the van. Because the vehicle has seven seats, it runs back and forth multiple times a day. Castro said sometimes students call her and say they have a group of three and start walking together. She would tell them to stop at a spot and the van would come to pick them up. Its also common for kids in the car to recognize their peers walking on the way and ask her to stop and get those students on board.

The van has significantly decreased chronic absenteeism, Olivares told The Fresno Bee. This year, Fort Miller has increased average daily attendance by 1.7% so far compared to last school year. District wide, attendance also is better by 1.3%, as of February compared to last school year, according to the presentation in Februarys school board workshop. Since the pandemic, the district and individual schools have been working to attract students back to the classroom.

To promote schooling, Fort Miller organized several meetings at the beginning of building the community school model to listen to families and community members and to identify the needs, one of which was food insecurity. So Fort Miller begged from vendors and organizations and turned a spare room at Fort Miller into a food pantry.

Fort Miller Middle School Community School coordinator Xee Xiong radios the office while standing in front of bins of donated cabbages during the Fresno schools Food Pantry & Clothing Closet event at the Fresno school on Friday, March 8, 2024. CRAIG KOHLRUSS/ckohlruss@fresnobee.com

After months of outreach, the pantry is packed with food. The cabinets are filled with canned foods and cereals. Clothes hang on several racks in a corner, and there are large boxes with bagged food, produce, and drinks. Every Monday, volunteers come in to unload and stock up the storage bins, and when the food pantry operates on Fridays by noon, participants were already lined up outside the room for 30 minutes, said Xee Xiong, coordinator for the community school at Fort MIller.

In a month, we serve about 2,000 families, she added. Imagine ten people walk around here and they are trying to look through their stuff, its all packed.

During the week, the room serves as counseling space. Fort Miller uses a portion of the state funding to pay for a restorative practice counselor in response to families concerns about safety, school fights and other trauma.

The community schools program strives to become financially self-sufficient, said Eric Calderon-Phangrath, a teacher who has worked for years to find resources for students. The state program allocates approximately $280,000 annually to each site and the funding would last for five years, but the food pantry largely relies on donations from vendors and community partners, which reached 63 and keeps expanding, he said.

The resources and events are open to the entire community, said Olivares.

We are building the relationship with our patrons, making sure we are reaching out to them and people are getting to know us better as a person, not just a teacher and staff, so they feel more comfortable and are able to come in more often, said Olivares. Those relationships really help support students, too.

For the next steps, staff from Fort Miller said they are always looking for more donations and establishing partnerships with diverse groups, so that the school can host more events to engage students and offer various opportunities to prepare them for higher education and future careers. The school also hopes to expand the space for more facilities.

Naila Sightler, right, a Fort Miller Middle School seventh grade transfer student, packs up food during the Schools Community School Food Pantry & Clothing Closet event at the Fresno school on Friday, March 8, 2024. CRAIG KOHLRUSS/ckohlruss@fresnobee.com

For Fresno Unified, it is looking to build 14 more community schools. The proposal is pending for the state grant but Trustee Andy Levine said the board is optimistic.

The grant decision should come in early May, with expansion beginning this fall, said the district in an email. The proposed 14 schools are Middle: Tehipite, Gaston, and Tioga; and Elementary: Jackson, Jefferson, Calwa, King, Lincoln, Columbia, Kirk, Addams, Robinson, Heaton, and Ayer.
As we wait for this spring and summers cicadapocalypse, when trillions will emerge across the Southern and Midwestern United States, some of the bugs may face a predicament that sounds straight out of science fiction . A sexually transmitted fungal pathogen exclusive to these periodical insects called Massospora cicadina can control them like a puppet master. It causes the infected cicadas to act hypersexual and infect other bugs before they eventually die.

Abdomens pierced open by a fungus

Massospora cicadina can affect both broods of periodical cicadas set to emerge in the coming weeks and months. Brood XIII the Northern Illinois Broodwill emerge for the first time since 2007 and stretches across parts of Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and northern Illinois. Some of Brood XIX the Great Southern Broodwill overlap with Brood XIII. The Great Southern Brood last emerged in 2011 and is primarily located in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, George, North Carolina, South Carolina, and southern Illinois.

When they emerge, the cicadas molt into adults . Within a week to 10 days, this fungus opens up the backs of their abdomens. Scientists are still not sure when in their life cycle cicadas can initially become infected with Massospora cicadina, but the prevailing hypothesis is that they are infected on their way up from the ground.

[Related: This parasite deploys mucus slime balls to make zombie ants. ]

According to West Virginia University mycologist Matt Kasson , the infected cicadas look like they have a gumdrop thats gotten wet and dropped in chalk dust, on them.

If you look at a fungus infected cicada, youll see that basically, the backside of the body has been replaced by this chalky white fungal plug, Kasson tells PopSci. Now, if you or I had our abdomens pierced open by a fungus or a third of our body was replaced by some parasite, we probably wouldnt feel well. We probably wouldnt attempt to mate. We would just feel awful, lay down, and die.

An infected Brood X 17-year cicada collected in Woodbridge, Virginia in 2021. CREDIT: Matt Kasson.

However, infected cicadas continue to fly around as if nothing is wrong with them even as their genitalia have been consumed by a fungus. They can do this because the fungus has sent them into a period of prolonged wakefulnessa time of increased stamina .

A hypothesis for that prolonged wakefulness is that the fungus is producing an amphetamine called cathinone , says Kasson. Kasson says it is similar to one of the synthetic stimulants commonly found in illegal bath salts that were banned because of the aggressiveness that [they] would cause.

A quiet fungal puppet master

It makes the cicadas act hypersexualized, where males will continue to try to unsuccessfully mate with females and also mimic female behaviors to attract other males to mate with them. This then doubles the number of cicadas that will eventually become infected and is why it can be considered sexually transmitted.

Massospora cicadinas ability to keep the host alive long to maximize the number of cicadas infected makes it a biotroph. It does not work like the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungus that takes over ants and makes them act like zombies or the fictional fungi from the television show and video game The Last of Us that pops out in a dramatic fashion.

[Related: The Cicadapocalypse is nigh. 7 cicada facts to know before it hits .]

It's a trick of the fungus and its like a puppet master, says Kasson. It's pulling the strings to maximize its own survival.

Infection rates can reach 20 percent of a cicada if the environmental conditions are perfect, but some older studies suggest that it affects about five percent of cicadas in a given brood.

Optimizing its genome

Massospora cicadina was first discovered in the mid to late 1800s . Since periodical cicadas only emerge every 13 or 17 years, studying this fungus is difficult. It also cant be cultured on a petri dish, so mycologists have a limited window to study them and are still not really sure where it comes from.

In 2016, Brood V emerged near Kassons office in West Virginia and some of his graduate students suggested they look for signs of this fungus. They were able to sequence parts of its genome to see what makes it special. What they found was the largest genome ever sequenced for a fungus at about 1.5 billion bases.

A periodical cicada infected with the fungal pathogen Massospora cicadina. CREDIT: Matt Kasson.

Its about 20 times bigger than the average human genome and it's mostly filled with these repetitive sequences called transposable elements, says Kasson.

They indicate that Massospora cicadina has essentially spent millions of years optimizing its genome right alongside the cicada. The fungus and insect appear to have coevolved so that it can manipulate its host in a specific way to not kill it, but ensure its own survival. According to Kasson, their data on this coevolution hasnt been published yet, but shows some interesting evolutionary dynamics.

What we see is a pattern where basically cicadas evolved in parallel to the fungus all together, says Kasson.

Massospora cicadina is not transmissible to humans, but it would be smart to avoid eating any cicadas that have the white, chalky plugs on their abdomens. The infected bugs will not come with any sort of high or buzz, but do have several toxins that could be dangerous if eaten.

We found 1,000 other chemical compounds, some of which are known mycotoxins, says Kasson. So proceed with caution if you're thinking about consuming one of these cicada fungi.
After Irans massive drone and missile attack on Israel Saturday, President Biden reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, You got a win. Take the win . Most of the weapons, the first Iran had ever fired on Israel from its own territory, were successfully intercepted.

From its own territory is a very loaded qualifier. It speaks to both the complexity and the stupidity of the situation.

Iran has been attacking Israel for decades, but not from its own soil. Instead, Iran has given Hamas and Hezbollah weapons, training and other support to do its dirty work from Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

Read more: Goldberg: The latest sign that Republicans are abandoning even their most deeply held principles

Indeed, its clarifying to think of Hamas and Hezbollah as Iranian drones in human form. If your neighbor hired and equipped agents to throw Molotov cocktails into your home and worse, you probably wouldnt think it was a particularly meaningful distinction that they didnt do so from his property. And if you prevented the Molotov cocktails from doing much damage with the help of other neighbors, you might not regard Take the win as the soundest advice.

Geopolitical deterrence is often a stupidity agreed on with sophistication. Thats because perception  of strength, resolve and so on  is an essential part of statecraft.

Iran felt it had to retaliate following an Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria this month. Among those killed in that attack was Gen. Ali Reza Zahdi, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard leader who may have played a key role in the  planning and execution  of Hamas Oct. 7 attack.

Read more: Goldberg: This is what's wrong with the rush to accuse Israel of committing genocide in Gaza

Thats part of the stupidity of deterrence doctrine. Every rung on the escalatory ladder may be treated by one side or the other as the beginning or end of hostilities. (Thats partly why so many enemies of Israel started calling for a cease-fire before Israel had even responded to Oct. 7.)

Even before the Iranian attack hit Saturday, Irans U.N. delegation announced,  The matter can be deemed concluded . But from Israels perspective, firing some 300 drones and ballistic missiles at its territory cant go unanswered. Deterrence demands that Iran understand such aggression has consequences.

Biden disagrees. Because America and other allies helped Israel intercept the drones and missiles, he believes, Israel should stand down and take the win. Our aim is to de-escalate regional tensions , a senior Biden official told the Washington Post. Its a reasonable desire but, for Israel, not necessarily a reasonable request.

Whats clearly unreasonable are the demands for restraint from opponents of U.S. military aid for Israel. Insisting that Israel shouldnt retaliate because its U.S.-funded defense systems successfully blocked an attack is logically and morally incompatible with calling for an end to American aid. Without those defenses, thousands of Israelis might have died, and Israel would have no choice but to respond offensively, which could ignite the regional war everybody wants to avoid.

But the real problem isnt with the perception of Israels willingness to defend itself. Its with Bidens  and Americas  willingness to deter our adversaries.

After Oct. 7, Biden had a one-word message for Iran and other bad actors seeking to take advantage of the situation:  Dont . Iran ignored that advice Saturday. But it also ignored it months earlier, when Hezbollah, Hamas and the Iranian-backed Houthis attacked Israel and Western shipping.

Moreover, regional and geopolitical instability didnt start on Oct. 7. Bidens early abandonment of the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan arguably started this cascade of uncertainty. Vladimir Putin may have seen it as a sign of Western weakness contributing to his decision to invade Ukraine.

Bidens subsequent vow to provide Ukraine with whatever it takes, as long as it takes to defend itself was realized too haltingly. Now, thanks to Republican opposition in Congress, it could be a dead letter.

Domestic politics have severely undermined the perception that America is a reliable ally. The war in Gaza is unpopular with the base of the presidents party, prompting his near-constant rhetorical undermining of Israel. And even as Ukraines front with Russia is buckling, the administration has told Kyiv that it shouldnt attack Russian oil installations for fear of inflated oil prices in an election year.

Its almost as if Bidens Dont doctrine gives allies just enough support to lose slowly.

@JonahDispatch

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Over a dozen Republican attorneys general are warning a major U.S. bank against alleged practices of "de-banking" certain customers because of their religious or political views.

In a letter obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, along with 14 of his Republican colleagues told Bank of America CEO Brian T. Moynihan that the company "appears to be conditioning access to its services on customers having the banks preferred religious or political views."

"Your discriminatory behavior is a serious threat to free speech and religious freedom, is potentially illegal, and is causing political and regulatory backlash," the letter sent Monday states. "Your bank needs to be transparent with and assure us, its shareholders, and others that it will not continue to de-bank customers for their speech or religious exercise," the AGs wrote.

Media relations representative, Bill Halldin, denied the claims in a statement saying, "Religious beliefs are not a factor in any account-closing decision."

CHRISTIAN NONPROFIT CLAIMS IT WAS 'DEBANKED' BY BANK OF AMERICA OVER ITS RELIGIOUS VIEWS

"We are proud to provide banking services to non-profit organizations affiliated with diverse faith communities throughout the United States," he said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The AGs claim that Bank of America has previously denied services to gun manufacturers, distributors, and sellers, fossil-fuel producers, contractors for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and private prisons and related services.

NIGEL FARAGE ON HIS EFFORTS TO EXPOSE 'DE-BANKING'

The letter cites recent news reports that the bank cooperated with the FBI and U.S. Treasury to profile conservative and religious Americans as potential domestic terrorists.

"Bank of Americas practice of canceling the bank accounts of conservatives and even turning over information about customers purchases to federal law enforcement undermines free speech, religious freedom, and the right to privacy," Kobach told Fox News Digital.

"Its discriminatory and likely illegal. As state attorneys general, we will vigorously defend the constitutional rights of all Americans when they are threatened by big business."

WATCHDOG GROUP ACCUSES BANK OF AMERICA CEO OF USING BANK AS POLITICAL CLUB AGAINST AMERICANS

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.

"Those agencies outrageously used innocuous informationsuch as whether someone shopped at outdoor stores, supported Trump, purchased religious texts, had conservative views on COVID-19 or immigration, or associated with groups like Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Research Council, and the Ruth Institute, which champion mainstream views on free speech, religious freedom, and lifeto tar ordinary Americans as potential domestic terrorists," the letter states.

The letter also cites a report from the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Weaponization of the Federal Government which found that Bank of America "willingly participated in financial surveillance" and voluntarily shared confidential customer information without a warrant and without notifying its customers.

"We are deeply concerned that Bank of America is willing to cooperate in the infringement of its customers constitutional and privacy rights to help federal law enforcement surveil and target millions of conservative Americans, many of whom live in our states," the letter states.

But Bank of America said that it "followed all applicable laws in our interactions with the Trump Administrations Treasury Department and law enforcement. "

"These interactions began when the Trump Administrations Treasury Department urgently gathered major banks and law enforcement on Jan. 15, 2021 and shared information regarding potential criminal activity that could disrupt the upcoming inauguration. We have cooperated with the committee as they evaluate whether the laws we complied with should be changed," the company said.

Bank of America is second-largest bank in the country and have nearly 15% of all domestic deposits.

The AGs wrote that "as attorneys general of our respective states, we take great interest in protecting a culture of free speech within our borders," noting that Bank of America is the second-largest bank in the country and have nearly 15% of all domestic deposits.

"You appear to be using this power to punish conservative and religious customers by handing their data over to federal law enforcement and even canceling their accounts. This not only undermines free speech and religious freedom, but also is potentially illegal and could lead to investigations, litigation, regulation, and political backlash," they wrote.

The group of AGs, which include Mississippi, Idaho, Iowa, Alabama, Utah, Texas, Montana, Virginia, Arkansas, South Carolina, South Dakota, Indiana, Missouri and Nebraska, asked that within 30 days of receipt, the bank provides them with a written report about their account-cancellation policies and practices, particularly regarding "risk tolerance," "reputational risk," "hate," "intolerance," and similar terms, and whether Bank of America considers a customers speech or religious exercise  or public perception or other groups perception of them  as a component of those policies.

They also asked that the bank update its terms of service to state that it does not discriminate against customers for their religious or political views or speech, and support shareholder proposals protecting religious and political diversity.





Original article source: GOP AGs put a major US bank on notice for alleged 'de-banking' of conservatives
An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows cleaners removing illegal fishing net at a port of Taihu Lake, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

A villager works at a crayfish breeding pond in Xulou Village of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a view of the Taihu Lake near Jinting Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Yan Jielong, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, shows Biluochun, one of the top tea varieties in China and the speciality of Suzhou, at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Chen Ting, a homestay manager, trims pot plants at her homestay near Taihu Lake at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Chen started her homestay business after resigning her work as a bank employee in 2018. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows staff members of an ecological police service team patrolling on Taihu Lake, Wuxing District of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows tourists visiting a resort near Taihu Lake in Wuxing District of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

A tourist poses for photos in Yigao Village of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Tourists have a rest in Yigao Village of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows cleaners removing illegal fishing net at a port of Taihu Lake, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Visitors walk into a cafe in Yigao Village, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Chen Ting, a homestay manager, works at her homestay near Taihu Lake at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Chen started her homestay business after resigning her work as a bank employee in 2018. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2024 shows tourists appreciating cherry blossoms at the Yuantouzhu scenic spot of the Taihu Lake in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Yan Jielong, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, teaches his apprentice the skills of dark tea making at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Former fisherman Shen Xuerong (L) and his wife Shen Yanyan work at their agritainment resort in Jinting Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a view of a homestay near Taihu Lake at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Chen Ting, a homestay manager, works at her homestay near Taihu Lake at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Chen started her homestay business after resigning her work as a bank employee in 2018. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows a view of the Taihu Lake near Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Li Huiling (L), a homestay manager, drinks tea with a customer at her homestay transformed from pig-sheep pens and woodhouses in Miaodou Village, Zhili Town, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Tourists visit an exhibition showing the irrigation system of Taihu Lake in Yigao Village, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Cleaners collect wastes along the bank of Taihu Lake, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Local urban management and law enforcement team members inspect along the Taihu Lake bank in Wuxing District of Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a view of the Taihu Lake near Jinting Town of Wuzhong District, Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows staff members of local water authority collecting floating objects on Taihu Lake in Wuzhong District of Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Villagers work in an orchard in Xulou Village of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows a view of the Taihu Lake near Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a view of the Yigao New Village for relocated former fishermen in Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a wetland restoration project of Taihu Lake near Jinting Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Chen Ting (R), a homestay manager, feeds fish at her homestay near Taihu Lake at Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2024. Chen started her homestay business after resigning her work as a bank employee in 2018. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
FIRST ON FOX: Republican Sens. Roger Marshall of Kansas and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee will look to force votes on two different versions of a stand-alone Israel aid measure in the Senate on Monday night.

Following Iran's drone attack on Israel over the weekend, the two Republicans are planning to ask for unanimous consent to force votes on both Israel aid bills  one that is for $14.3 billion and includes cuts to Biden's $80 billion expansion of the Internal Revenue Service under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)  and another for $17.6 billion that does not include a mechanism to pay for it. The former will be led by Marshall while Blackburn tries to force a vote on the latter.

In prepared remarks, Marshall is expected to tell his fellow senators: "Time and time again, I see members, even the Democrat Majority Leader this weekend, say he stands with Israel."

JOHNSON TO PITCH HOUSE GOP ON ISRAEL, UKRAINE AID PLANS IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING

Sens. Roger Marshall and Marsha Blackburn will try to force votes on stand-alone Israel aid measures on Monday night.

With his unanimous consent to vote on the stand-alone Israel bill, Marshall said in a prepared statement, "My message today to my colleagues is that actions speak louder than words. We are tired of hearing the pro-Israel lip service while you simultaneously block every effort to help Israel in its time of need. History will not forget this; let's do the right thing."

"Democrats say they support Israel, but their actions since October 7 to repeatedly block urgent stand-alone aid have told a different story," Blackburn told Fox News Digital in a statement.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Senator Marshall and I will once again request the Senate swiftly and unanimously give Israel the resources they need to continue their fight against terrorism. In light of Irans historic attack this weekend, I hope our Democratic colleagues will put politics aside and join us in support of our Jewish friends."

REPUBLICANS PRESSURE BIDEN DOJ TO PROBE ACTIVISTS CALLING FOR 'DEATH TO AMERICA'

A Democrat senator is likely to object to the request, as the caucus has maintained its desire to tie Israel aid to Ukraine aid.

Marshall previously tried to force a vote on the same measure late last year, but his request for unanimous consent was objected to by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who argued on the chamber floor, "Ukraine can no more afford a delay than our allies in Israel."

HOUSE TEES UP 17 BILLS RELATED TO IRAN/ISRAEL FOR THIS WEEK

The bill for aid to Israel only, and not Ukraine or Taiwan, passed the House last year by a largely party-line vote of 226 to 196. Two Republicans defected from their conference, while 12 Democrats voted with Republicans. The measure's IRS funding cut was a particularly controversial point of the bill, as it took funds allocated within Biden's much-touted IRA law. While Republicans said the additional money for the IRS would mean auditing more Americans, Democrats said it would instead prevent wealthy individuals from getting away with not paying taxes.

Speaker Mike Johnson is holding firm to his position on needing border security measures in exchange for Ukraine aid.

The White House renewed its threat on Monday to veto aid to Israel that was not tied to other foreign aid. At a White House press briefing, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, "We will not accept a stand-alone."

"Stand-alone would actually not help Israel and Ukraine," she said.

National security communications spokesperson John Kirby reiterated the White House's opposition at the same briefing, telling reporters, "We are opposed to a stand-alone bill that would just work on Israel."

Marshall and Blackburn each voted against the $95.3 billion supplemental foreign aid package that included Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan in February. Arguing against the aid, Marshall told his colleagues that voting against the measure was putting U.S. "national security first by securing the border first."

"Up here in D.C., my friends across the aisle, the White House, they continue to put Ukraine funding as their priority," he said.





Original article source: GOP senators plan to force votes on stand-alone Israel aid in wake of Iran attack
As each election cycle seems to come with bigger consequences than the next, its no surprise each in turn is dubbed the most important election to date.

Which is why its notable that the Republican Party has fielded a slate of such questionable candidates in recent cyclesones The New Abnormal co-host Danielle Moodie said would be catastrophic for American democracy as we know it.

Every election we have known over the last several cycles is the most important election because of the kinds of candidates that the Republican party are putting up are extraordinarily detrimental, catastrophic to our democracy, Moodie said.

She is joined on this weeks episode by founding board member of the Center for Common Ground, Andrea Miller, who stressed the importance of the Black vote in the South for Democrats in this election.

Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.

Miller said Black voters in this election are a crucial demographic that could swing the results, especially in Southern states. She added that to help combat misinformation her organization, among other things, works on early outreach.

We also make sure that voters know when they can vote, where they can vote, the date, and times that its open.

The Dirty Little Gun Secret Behind MAGA Worlds Migrant Hysteria

Plus! Drew Harwell, a technology reporter at The Washington Post, joins co-host Andy Levy to detail how many small investors continue to have faith in Trump Mediaowner of the former presidents social media platform, Truth Socialand its dear leader, despite the companys rapidly plummeting share price.

This is basically a website, Harwell says of Truth Social, describing it as a very small social media platform thats used by basically exclusively Trump supporters. Its audience is very small, it has 36 employees, and yet the executives that are in this company, many of whom are again, Trump supporters, have been kind of rewarded with these very lavish salaries.

Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

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An aerial photo taken Monday, April 15, 2024, shows damage from a tornado that struck West Feliciana Parish on April 10, 2024.

An aerial photo taken Monday, April 15, 2024, shows damage from a tornado that struck West Feliciana Parish on April 10, 2024. (Louisiana governor's office photo)

Gov. Jeff Landry has signed an emergency declaration Tuesday for the severe storms that struck Louisiana last week. The declaration permits the use of state resources to assist with the recovery process in affected parishes.

The state will provide debris removal assistance and provide emergency protective measurers in Pointe Coupee, St. Landry and West Feliciana parishes and the city of Slidell. State shelter assistance is also available for affected Slidell residents.

Landry spent Monday touring Slidell and West Feliciana where tornadoes struck.

The post Gov. Landry declares emergency for storm-damaged areas appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
The Senate chamber in the Maine State House empties as lawmakers gather to caucus on remaining bills. (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

Gov. Janet Mills is opposed to her emergency storm relief bill being used as a vehicle to fund other initiatives. However, the majority of the Senate thinks its a good idea, leaving the House to decide whether to advance the proposition.

This is another 11th hour, multimillion-dollar amendment crafted outside of the budget process, behind closed doors, without public input, and without the consultation of me, Mills wrote in a statement on Tuesday. It entangles more than $100 million of unrelated, ongoing spending with my storm relief bill, which is exactly what I wanted to avoid when I introduced it as a standalone bill months ago.

As previously reported by Maine Morning Star, Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Oxford) introduced a heavily amended version of the bill, LD 2225, on Friday night that maintains funding as proposed by Mills to rebuild infrastructure damaged by storms this winter but attaches funding for a multitude of other issues already being considered in separate bills this session, notably mental health and nursing homes.

The budget passed by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee on Monday includes some funding for these issues, specifically $19.6 million for mental and public health and $26 million to support nursing homes. However, it leaves out some bills aimed to address these issues that advocates argue are critical to fill gaps and that have passed the House and Senate.

The Senate voted 20-13 on Friday night in favor of the amended version. On Monday, Bennett amended the bill further, adjusting the section about education support staff to raise their minimum wage rates, though the rates are still slightly below those proposed in LD 974. After being reconsidered Monday, the proposal received slightly stronger support, with a vote of 23-11 in favor.

Disaster relief needs to be funded but we have crises in mental health and long-term care that are not adequately being tended to, Bennett told Maine Morning Star on Tuesday. I couldnt disagree with the governor more strongly.

Mills wrote that funding the amendment would force lawmakers to cut programs next year, including the states ability to continue to share the total cost of funding public education from K-12 at 55%, which is included in the budget as passed by the Appropriations Committee.

We need to get serious, Mills wrote. Time is running out for the legislative session. The Legislature needs to pass a clean storm relief bill and pass the supplemental budget approved by the Appropriations Committee yesterday.

Statutory adjournment is Wednesday. However, the Legislature has yet to pass a budget or cast votes on a number of other bills.

Before the committee closed the budget Monday, it struck the emergency preamble, which allows the budget to pass with a simple majority rather than requiring the support of two-thirds of legislators.

This essentially means it wont need Republican support to pass. The amended version of LD 2225 from Bennett, who is a part of the Republican minority on the budget committee, is also an attempt to get some of the minoritys plan funded.

Bennett said he also introduced the amendment because of fear that some of these bills not included in the budget would languish on the appropriations table.

After passing both chambers, bills with fiscal notes not accounted for in the budget can be sent to what is referred to as the appropriations table to be funded with the remaining unappropriated money. The Appropriations Committee has the discretion to pass a bill as is, amend it to change its cost or kill it outright.

The text of the budget as passed by the Appropriations Committee is expected to be available Tuesday, but the amount left for the table was not clear by the time this article was published.

On the Senate floor Monday night, Sen. Nicole Grohoski (D-Hancock) said the inconsistencies LD 2225 as amended has with the majority budget can be worked out and that she is proud to support the amendment because she thinks it sends all the right messages to all the right people.

A bill has many reasons for being, Grohoski said. It may be that it becomes an enacted law in the end, or it may just be that it shines light on a problem. It may be that its an opportunity for the public to come and speak about an issue that they need to be heard about, or it may be that its sending a message to the other chamber, to the chief executive or to the people that we represent.

In addition to Mills, Pat Keliher, commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, has urged the Legislature to not pass the amended version.

While the Senate is playing politics with the governors bill to rebuild Maines devastated coastal infrastructure, it is Maine fishermen, seafood dealers, aquaculturists, coastal towns, and dock owners who are paying the price and struggling to stay above water, Keliher said on Tuesday. The damage from this winters storms has put them at enormous economic risk and this amendment only adds last-minute, unrelated spending that should be addressed elsewhere.

Mills said House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) was not consulted in crafting the amendment, but Bennett said he consulted with the Speaker personally. Talbot Ross did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.

LD 2225 awaits consideration in the House, as of 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The post Gov. Mills opposes lawmaker additions to her emergency storm relief bill appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a package of education reforms in Jacksonville on Tuesday morning.

The bill covers turnaround schools, book challenges, and more.

Theres also some changes to help students pursue careers in the military and ensure students pursuing higher education are allowed to work their way through school. DeSantis argued all of these reforms together will continue pushing Floridas education system forward.

DeSantis signed HB 1285 into law at Jacksonville Classical Academy. If a districts turnaround plan fails, the new law will expedite converting failing traditional public schools into charter schools.

It also limits book challenges to just one a month for residents of a school district who dont have a child in the local school system to crack down on serial and frivolous challenges.

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The legislation also requires traditional public and charter schools to offer 11th and 12th-grade students the opportunity to take the ASVAB Test and consult with a military recruiter.

It also encourages school districts to offer dual enrollment so students can earn college credit in high school and prohibits universities from disallowing students from working through school.

DeSantis argued the changes will help improve Floridas educational standing and make college more affordable for Florida students.

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So, all in all thats a lot stuff for one piece of legislation. I think its going to be very positive and were just gonna continue to lead the way, DeSantis said.

While DeSantis was signing the new law making it easier for charters to take over failing traditional public schools, the Duval School Board was meeting to discuss the possibility of shuttering several traditional public schools in the district due to declining enrollment rates mostly lost to charters and private schools.

Coming up tonight on Action News Jax, Jake Stofan tell you what the Governor had to say when he asked DeSantis how he envisions the future of traditional public schools here in Florida.

Read: School bus hit by gunfire with kids on board, police looking for suspects

Read: A very qualified pool: DCPS Superintendent search yields at least 16 candidates

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Grand Duke of Luxembourg Says He Plans to Abdicate the ThroneBut Wont Say When

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, the small European nations head of state, says he plans to abdicate the countrys thronebut wont say when.

The Grand Duke said it was obvious that he intends to retire at some point in a Tuesday interview with French publication La Libre, saying that he made the decision in consultation with his family, including his eldest son and heir apparent, the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume.

All this is planned in family consultation he told La Libre. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective.

The Grand Duke said he plans to happily hand the throne over to Guillaume when the time eventually comes.

There are plans, it will happen, he said.

When he was asked if he had picked a date for the abdication he said, yes, but I wont tell you that!

Did Denmarks Queen Margrethe II Abdicate to Save Her Sons Marriage?

Grand Duke Henri has been ruling the tiny, land-locked country since 2000, when his own father abdicated his seat. On Tuesday he celebrated his 69th birthday during a state visit to Belgium, a country headed by his first cousin King Phillipe.

I am a happy man. But I could not choose my destiny, the leader said.

Henri is just the latest European royal to consider abdicationthe most high profile being Denmarks Queen Margrethe, who decided late last year to give up her own countrys throne and hand the reins over to her son, Crown Prince Frederik.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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At the 2016 Republican National Convention, when I told Donald Trumps God whisperer Paula White that he referred to her as his pastor, she said she was his spiritual advisor  as if that were some sort of get out of jail free card for her. And yet White worked hard in our conversation to convince me that the foul-mouthed person on the campaign trail was godly.

Then came her turn to speak at the convention. Most of the seats were empty when White took the stage , which says a lot about the interest attendees had in the words of Trumps spiritual advisor.

It was as if their minds were already made up.

This was after Trump referred to a book of the Bible as Two Corinthians in a speech at Liberty University, the private Christian college where Jerry Falwell Jr. was president before a sex scandal forced him to resign later that year. This was after Trump mocked a journalists disability. This was after he came down the escalator at Trump Tower and kicked off his campaign by bashing Mexico and Latinos before offering and some, I assume, are good people. Trump had shown what kind of person he was, and somehow still had evangelical Christians support.

Read more: Granderson: Republican hate for LGBTQ+ people fueled Mike Johnson's rise to be House speaker

But he must have feared there would be some limit to their capacity for cognitive dissonance, because he did not want evangelical voters to find out about his 2006 affair with Stormy Daniels. He paid her money to stay quiet days before the election. I dont know if thats what White spiritually advised him to do, but she went on to serve Trump at the White House, so she must have made peace with the deceit.

The reason Trump is on trial in New York isnt because of President Biden or Democrats. Its because he wanted to deceive a crucial bloc of voters and in doing so is accused of falsely claiming the hush payment as legal services on business documents. And he is accused of falsifying documents in connection with other crimes.

In other words, its not a witch hunt. Its repercussions.

Now it appears its House Speaker Mike Johnsons turn to find some sort of balance between his personal faith and his professional interest. The joint news conference between Trump and Johnson on Friday will most likely help Johnson keep his job  which was murky after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called his leadership into question  but it does nothing to erase the fact hes aligned with a thrice-married adulterer who mocked Jimmy Carter the day after Rosalynn Carter, his wife of 77 years, entered hospice.

Read more: Granderson: What Katie Britt's misleading, melodramatic speech revealed about the Republican Party

The image of Johnson standing at the lectern  as Trump stood behind him like a jack-o'-lantern the day after Halloween  was frightening. Unnerving. It was not a show of strength; it was another sign of how far some white evangelicals are willing to drag their faith through the mud just to be next to power.

Christians believe in a thing called grace, and Lord knows Ive benefited from a lot of it in life. But Trump doesnt express remorse for his affair with Daniels or the hush money spent to trick his Christian supporters. He has been found liable for sexual abuse . He's bragged about grabbing women by their private parts and kissing them without consent.

The fact that Trump could be forgiven is irrelevant if he hasnt changed or stopped his abuses or given any indication of regret. What we have in Trump is not a story of redemption but a clear account of who he really is and always has been.

In February during a rally, he said this about his opponent Nikki Haley : Wheres your husband? Oh, hes away. Hes away. What happened to her husband? What happened to her husband? Where is he? Hes gone!

It was no secret: Haleys husband was deployed overseas with the South Carolina National Guard, something she discussed openly at campaign events. Trump knew what happened to her husband. But he just gambled that some in his audience didnt know and that he could score cheap political points by smearing a service member.

You dont have to act surprised. Thats the kind of person Trump has always been, regardless of whether he had a God whisperer on staff. This is the kind of person Johnson cozied up to last week in a desperate grab at keeping his job.

Im not sure what the former presidents current spiritual advisor is whispering in his ear these days, but by now its clear he doesnt need to listen to get reelected.

@LZGranderson

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  Greenville police arrested a man and charged him in an incident where he was seen placing his phone under a womans skirt and recording.

Greenville Police Department Public Information Officer Kristen Hunter told WNCTs Erin Jenkins the incident happened Monday morning. Officials at the Target at 3040 Evans Street were called around 10:45 a.m. The woman said initially she observed a man who she believed was following her around the store.

She watched the man, who police identified as Thomas Ryan Elliott, 21, and began recording him as he placed his phone on the floor, under a woman who was wearing a skirt and squatting to look at items on a shelf.

The woman who recorded the incident continued recording as she approached Elliott. She alerted store security, who then alerted police. Elliott was then arrested and charged with felony secret peeping.

The womans video has since been posted to social media.

On Tuesday, Pitt County Schools released a statement after it was learned Elliott was once a volunteer at Eastern Elementary School in Greenville. It read:

Pitt County Schools was made aware of a charge filed by the Greenville Police Department on April 15, 2024, against an individual arising from an incident at Target. We can confirm that the individual was a volunteer at Eastern Elementary School.



We are disturbed and deeply concerned by video footage of the individual that has been shared on social media and news outlets, and based on the footage, the individual will not be returning to our campuses as a volunteer or hired as an employee.



Prior to being granted access to our campuses, volunteers and visitors are screened through Raptor, a program that determines if individuals are listed in sex offender databases. If any individual is flagged in Raptor, they are not granted access to our campuses.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Sudanese children suffering from malnutrition are treated at an MSF clinic in Metche Camp, Chad, near the Sudanese border, Saturday, April 6, 2024. Many people here fled the fighting in Sudan's vast western region of Darfur, where attacks by the Arab-dominated Rapid Support Forces on ethnic African civilians have revived memories of genocide. The United Nations says close to 9 million people have fled their homes. | Patricia Simon

April 15 marks a grim milestone  and I dont mean Tax Day. It marks the day that one year ago, two power-hungry Sudanese generals took their factions to war.

The two sides, who previously worked together to unseat longtime Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir, could not come to an agreement on who should be in power. The Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the rebel paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, led by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, are responsible for tens of thousands of deaths, and of displacing 8.5 million Sudanese, including 2 million children under age 5.

Twenty-five million people are in need of humanitarian aid and nearly 18 million are facing acute levels of hunger, with 5 million on the brink of famine. United Nations agencies warn that in the coming weeks and months, more than 220,000 Sudanese children could die of starvation. By the end of the year, that number could rise to 700,000, a toll that could rival that of the Ethiopian famine of the 1980s, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The country is on the verge of total collapse. Hospitals and health services barely function, if they exist at all. Banks struggle to access their servers at the central bank, making it difficult for many citizens and businesses to draw from savings or obtain cash. Over the past two months, much of the country has been in a near-total telecommunications blackout that has paralyzed money-transfer apps. The capital city is rubble, irrigation canals and agricultural fields have been destroyed, humanitarian food aid is being hijacked by rival forces and prices of staples like wheat and corn have tripled in the last year. Sexual violence is rampant.

Dr. Christos Christou, international president of Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), said last week that Sudan is one of the worst crises the world has seen in decades. The international aid community is notably absent, Christou said, adding that often, MSF is the only aid organization working in an area. Further, he said that this level of international neglect is shocking. He called on UN member states to use their influence and initiate a rapid scale-up of the humanitarian response to the crisis in Sudan and to increase funding.

As the worlds attention focuses on crises in Ukraine and Israel, Sudan has largely been overlooked. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in an interview with NPR that as communities barrel toward famine, as cholera and measles spread, as violence continues to claim countless lives, the world has largely remained silent.

People prepare food in a Khartoum neighborhood on June 16, 2023. Sudan has been torn by war for a year now, torn by fighting between the military and the notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Last month, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield penned an op-ed for The New York Times on The Unforgivable Silence on Sudan. She wrote that civil war has once again turned Sudan into a living hell. But even after aid groups designated the countrys humanitarian crisis to be among the worlds worst, little attention or help has gone to the Sudanese people. She concluded her piece with this: Through the sounds of gunfire and shelling, the people of Sudan have heard our silence. They ask why they have been forsaken; why they have been forgotten.

For one year, the people of Sudan have been neglected and ignored as they bore the brunt of violent clashes between the warring parties, said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty Internationals regional director for East and Southern Africa, in a statement. Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to end violations, protect civilians, provide sufficient humanitarian aid, or hold the perpetrators of war crimes to account.

At a conference in Paris on Monday, donors from around the world pledged more than $2.13 billion in aid for Sudan and neighboring countries, about half of what humanitarian agencies said they needed this year. In Paris, the EU pledged 350 million euros, while France and Germany, the co-sponsors, committed 110 million euros and 244 million euros respectively, reports Reuters. The United States pledged $147 million and Britain $110 million. The gathering, co-hosted by the governments of France, Germany and the European Union, also called for an end to the fighting.

However, there is currently no end in sight.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A small group of protestors hit the streets in the Cooper-Young community, upset about a new law impacting immigrants in Tennessee.

Judge says release of teen in officer shooting appropriate

Members of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refuge Rights Coalition held a march along Cooper Street. Theyre against a bill signed by Governor Bill Lee requiring police to report any illegal immigrants.

The new law takes effect July 1. The governor says it will help keep the state safe.

Memphis Police worked to disperse the crowd, telling them through louspeakers that if they did not leave that they would be arrested. This is a police emergency, the message said in Spanish and English.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, held phone talks on Monday regarding the regional situation in the Middle East as well as China-Saudi Arabia ties.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China appreciates Saudi Arabia's emphasis on resolving issues through diplomatic means, and that China is willing to work together with Saudi Arabia to avoid further escalation of confrontation in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia is an important partner of China in the Middle East, said Wang, adding that China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Saudi Arabia, follow through on the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, continuously deepen political mutual trust, and promote bilateral relations to higher levels.

For his part, Faisal said that Saudi Arabia, deeply concerned about the current escalating situation in the Middle East, hopes that the situation will return to the normal track as soon as possible.

Noting that Saudi Arabia highly expects China to play an active and important role in this regard, Faisal said the Saudi side is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, start the implementation of the two-state solution, and help achieve stability in the Middle East at an early date.

Saudi Arabia fully trusts China, and is willing to push for the sustainable development of bilateral cooperation, he added. 
KENT, Ohio (WJW)  Hundreds of Kent State University students and others protested outside the student center as a controversial speaker visited campus Tuesday evening.

Kyle Rittenhouse spoke to Kent State Universitys Turning Point USA Chapter about the importance of the Second Amendment.

TPUSA is a conservative student group that sponsored the appearance.

I know there are some people in the crowd who dont like me, but thats fine. We have the right to peacefully protest, Rittenhouse said. I think young women, young men have the right to protect themselves, have the right to own firearms and its a constitutional infringement for them to say you cant carry a gun on campus.

Student brings fake gun to local middle school

In 2020, Rittenhouse was accused of killing two men and wounding a third during protests in Wisconsin. The protests were over police shooting a Black man.

Rittenhouse pleaded self-defense and was acquitted on all charges.

The Associated Press called the case a flashpoint in the nations debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice.

I knew it would be polarizing. To get people interested, it would have to be, Brady Seymour, the president of the Kent State chapter of Turning Point USA, previously told FOX 8. At first, the reactions were positive. However, ever since we posted the flyer, its been pretty much negative.

A protest was scheduled for 3:30 p.m., ahead of Rittenhouses appearance on campus. The protest was organized by Ohio Student Association, Spanish and Latine Student Association, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Black United Students.

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The groups said in a press release, Kyle Rittenhouses presence as a guest speaker not only disrespects the legacy of bloodshed endured by protesters on Kent States campus but also embodies a deeply disturbing ideology of white supremacism, which students across Ohio find intolerable and a threat to our safety.

Senior Ally Greco created an online petition calling on the university to reconsider hosting Rittenhouse on campus.

He has a lot of discourse around him and most of the discourse is negative because of his violent past, said Greco.

Kent State released the following statement to FOX 8:

At Kent State University, we are driven by our core values, which include kindness and respect and freedom of speech. We cannot ban speech because it would go against a core value and because of well-established laws governing free speech on public university campuses. Upholding the First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful assembly for all, the university has a long history of allowing peaceful dialogue from all points of view, including those whom some may feel are offering different and/or sometimes controversial opinions. Consistent with our core values, we encourage open dialogue and respectful civil discourse in an inclusive environment.

The safety of our community is the priority of Kent States Department of Public Safety, Police Services. Police Services is aware, monitors and assesses the safety of our community during campus events and responds accordingly.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Gun business owners used funds meant to aid Ukraine to go shopping, feds say

A couple who own an online gun store based in Utah never delivered hundreds of thousands of dollars in purchases, including some meant for Ukraine, federal authorities say.

John Earl Donaldson, 31, and Carlie Elizabeth Winters, 29, of Saratoga Springs, face charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, the U.S. Attorneys Office for Utah said in an April 15 news release.

They are accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $600,000 from customers through Urban Armz, which claimed to have a store in St. George, Utah, but did not, prosecutors said.

In addition, the website falsely claimed that company clients included the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, according to an indictment filed in federal court.

The couple spent a December 2021 payment of $90,000 for 300,000 rounds of ammunition on shopping, credit card payments and other expenses, prosecutors said.

In April 2022, a customer paid Urban Armz $300,000 for body armor for Ukraine first responders in war zones, but the store never delivered the armor, federal officials said.

A June 2022 payment of $217,000 raised by Ukrainian Americans to buy night-vision goggles and other gear for Ukraine also was misspent, prosecutors said.

A federal grand jury indicted Donaldson and Winters on April 9, prosecutors said.

Ex-wife pays hitman with diamond ring to kill woman living with ex-husband, feds say

Passenger kept groping woman on flight, quickly left once plane landed, feds say

Cops smear rape survivor, share assault details after she criticizes NYPD, suit says
A 41-year-old man from Los Angeles has been identified as the gunman who opened fire from the roof of a Marina del Rey apartment complex over the weekend, terrifying residents, who were forced to shelter in place, many in their bathrooms for three hours.

According to a Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments release, deputies from the Marina del Rey station responded to a call regarding gunshots from inside the apartment complex, located in the 4100 block of Via Marina, around 10:15 p.m. Saturday night.

Deputies established a containment of the location and requested additional resources, LASD said. An LASD air unit observed a male suspect on the rooffiring rounds from a rifle.

Additional resources were called in, including SWAT teams with four Bearcat armored vehicles, as people on the street were forced to take cover behind parked vehicles.

Gunman who opened fire atop SoCal apartments identified

Witnesses told KTLA that during the incident as many as 100 rounds were fired from the buildings roof.

There would be like 20 minutes of silence, Jeff Rubin, who was hiding with his wife in their apartments bathroom, said. Then another round of gunshots and that went on for three hours.

His wife, Elizabeth Amos, said that during the horrifying ordeal it was almost more reassuring to hear the gunfire because at least they knew where the gunman was instead of a silence that meant he could have been anywhere in the apartment complex.

The suspect, Victoryloc Nguyen, was finally arrested at around 1 a.m. April 14, a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department stated.

Gunman who opened fire atop SoCal apartments identified

A photograph of the scene released by LASD reportedly shows the weapons the man left behind, including what appears to be two rifles, a handgun and some tactical gear.

So far, authorities have not provided a motive for the shooting.

Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.

Violence erupts as novelty shop in Southern California robbed at gunpoint

The 41-year-old was booked on charges related to the shooting. His bail was set at $2 million. Nguyen is scheduled to appear in court on April 16.

Anyone with information about this incident or the suspect is urged to contact LASDs Marina del Rey Station at 310-482-6000. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at L.A. Crime Stoppers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Some of Haitis best known media personalities and journalists appealed for help Tuesday amid ongoing attacks by armed gangs that have shut down the international airport, paralyzed the capital and increasingly poses risks for those trying to cover the news.

In a joint appeal, 90 Haiti journalists and the group Reporters Without Borders called on the international community and the countrys newly created transitional presidential council to help protect Haitian journalists amid the crisis thats forcing many to either practice self-censorship, abandon the profession or flee the country.

Since 2022, at least six journalists have been murdered in retaliation for their work. The killings made Haiti the worlds third-worst offender on the list of countries where the murders of journalists go unpunished, behind Syria and Somalia, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists 2023 Impunity Index.

Journalists are being forced to work in a climate of almost total lawlessness, the committee said last fall, before the current violent uprising. Since Feb. 29, when armed gangs began tightening their grip on the capital, leading to the deaths of more than 1,500 people since the beginning of the year, journalists find themselves increasingly targeted.

We Haitian journalists live in daily fear of being attacked, of being kidnapped, of being murdered, the journalists said in a statement.

Attacks on the press have long been a problem in Haiti, where the slaying of the countrys most famous journalist, Jean Leopold Dominique, remains unsolved 24 years after he was gunned down outside of his Port-au-Prince radio station in 2000. Such attacks have increased in recent years, and a number of journalists have fled the country, settling in Miami and elsewhere.

As the crisis in Haiti grows, so too have the risks for reporters. A number of journalists have been injured while attempting to report on the armed clashes between the various gangs and the police. During their work, they are often subjected to abuses, the journalists said, with complete impunity, in the absence of the rule of law.

Local media organizations and the Committee to Protect Journalists both track reports of journalists kidnapped, killed and injured, including several incidents in February before armed gangs launched their united attack against key government institutions

During anti-government protests in early February that preceded the latest attacks, at least five journalists were injured,. including freelancer Jean Marc Jean, who according to local media reports was struck in the face by a tear gas canister fired by a Haiti National Police officer.

Most of the journalists who have signed the statement on Reporters Without Borders website are based in Port-au-Prince. At least one, investigative journalist Roberson Alphonse, is in the United States after he was forced to flee Haiti after surviving an October 2022 assassination attempt when his vehicle was sprayed with bullets as he headed to work.

Alphonse works for Le Nouvelliste, Haitis oldest daily, and its radio station, Magik 9. The papers editor-in-chief, Frantz Duval, along with other notable staffers is among those who have signed the plea.

While its difficult to assess how many journalists have fled Haiti or been forced to abandon the profession in recent years, there are documented incidents of attacks, injuries and kidnappings.

The safety conditions of our work have deteriorated so much that continuing our mission becomes an act of daily heroism, the journalists said.

Jacques Desrosiers, secretary general of the Association of Haitian Journalists, said he personally is aware of fellow journalists who have had to relocate from their homes several times because of threats, and of others currently living in encampments, part of the more than 360,000 Haitians who have been forced to flee their homes over the last three years due to the violence.

Just like the population, there are a lot of journalists who are also in need of assistance, Desrosiers said,

Journalists need a fund that can provide financial assistance to help colleagues, he added. They also need protective equipment. All of these are part of ongoing discussions.

Armed groups today control more than 80% of Haitis capital, leaving not just regular Haitians at risk but those whose job it is to report whats happening. The widespread security crisis has also left reporters without access to training and financial stability as outlets find themselves struggling to pay their staffers.

Defending the right to information and supporting local media ecosystems should be at the core of international cooperation crisis response strategies, Artur Romeu, director of Reporters Without Borders Latin America bureau, told the Miami Herald. Local journalists have an absolute key role to play in this situation. RSF is strengthening its ties with local organizations to map main priorities for journalists in the field in the immediate future and provide direct support to the Haitian media.

In a statement on Reporters Without Borders website, Romeu notes that the historic challenges that media in Haiti face is being compounded by the impact of violence that has reached an unprecedented level in recent months.

The world needs to know what is happening in Haiti, the organization said. For this, Haiti needs independent, reliable and diverse journalism, and an environment in which media professionals can work in complete safety.

William ONeill, the United Nations independent expert on human rights for Haiti, said the concerns of journalists merits serious attention. ONeill was recently in Geneva where he highlighted the ongoing challenges facing journalists, human rights defenders and others in Haiti, where 5.5 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.

On both my recent trips to Haiti I have met with Haitian journalists and they have told me of the dangers and threats they face. Women journalists in particular described vicious online attacks, ONeill said. In addition to the grave challenges to the profession caused by rampant gang violence, journalists told me how they struggle to make a living given the weak economy and financial struggles all media face in Haiti. Without independent journalism, Haitis efforts to escape this spiraling violence is at even greater risk of failing.
Amidst a $20 million budget shortfall, New Hanover County is working with New Hanover County Schools to save some of the positions that could have been cut in the next fiscal year.

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners is considering possible funding that could keep 76 positions that were proposed to be cut as a result of New Hanover County Schools' $20 million budget shortfall.

The budget shortfall is a result of COVID-19 relief money running out, lower state and federal funds due to lower enrollment and prior use of fund balance, according to the county.

The shortfall originally was expected to result in a cut of about 280 positions, and the school district administration delivered a plan to the county that would reduce 170 of those positions by June 30 and save $10 million. That would leave 110 positions still needing to be cut.

Around 80-90 of the positions that are being cut by June 30 are already vacant, according to County Manager Chris Coudriet.

More: New Hanover County school district restricts spending ahead of potential budget cuts

Chief Financial Officer for the county Eric Credle said that in addition to the $96 million start level funding that the county would supply, the county would add approximately $7.6 million to the budget. This would help keep 76 of the 110 positions in the district.

Heres a look at the positions that an increase in local funds could help keep.

15 classroom teachers

6 teachers for academically or intellectually gifted students

8 enhancement teachers

47 teacher assistants

About $5.5 million of the $7.6 million in local funds would also go toward keeping positions and local employee mandated raises and benefits.

The other $2.1 million of the $7.6 million will go toward contracting for nurses and mental health therapists to keep a nurse in every school and a mental health therapist available for students in every school.

A New Hanover County Schools teacher attends the Invest in New Hanover County Students Rally in March. Her sign reads, "Special Ed matters! The arts matter! Staff and students matter!!"

More: New Hanover community leaders, students speak out against school district's funding shortfall

The school district still has about $11.4 million of capital funds remaining from prior years that Credle said the district plans to use for projects over the summer. Staff recommended no capital allocation for the next fiscal year.

County staff also recommended a $269 increase per student allocation amount for funding based on average daily membership.

The five of us up here as well as staff has been monitoring, looking at what the community has been sending to us and explaining what their concerns are, Commissioner Dane Scalise said. Those are also our concerns.

Commissioner Jonathan Barfield Jr. noted that the commissioners and county staff have no authority over what the New Hanover County Board of Education and administrative staff do with the countys funds.

Its important that people understand that we, as an elected body, have no authority over another elected body, Barfield said.

The New Hanover County Board of Education will meet for a budget work session at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Board of Education Center.

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners will continue to meet to discuss the budget. The budget for fiscal year 2025 will be adopted on June 17 and go into effect July 1.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: New Hanover County considers budget increase for school district
The speed limit near Hattiesburg schools is 15 mph during times when students may be arriving or departing. A pilot program that is starting April 22, 2024, is aimed at using camera-assisted radar to encourage motorists to slow down in school zones.

After weeks of community meetings where Hattiesburg residents could voice their opinions and concerns about using cameras to supplement police activities, city officials are rolling out a pilot program to test whether camera-assisted radar can encourage motorists to slow down in school zones.

In March, Hattiesburg City Council voted unanimously to launch the pilot program at two schools, which if successful, will be added at schools citywide when the next school year begins in the fall.

The pilot program will begin Monday at two schools, Woodley Elementary and Grace Christian. Hardy Street near 21st Avenue will be the test site for Woodley, and West Seventh Street near Grace Christian will be the location for that school.

The radar units will capture the speed and record the license plates of vehicles as they pass through the designated areas. The owners of the vehicles determined to be speeding will be sent citations.

Police officers in the designated zones will operate the devices, but because they don't have to pull over motorists, they can tag more speeders.

We have fielded enough complaints and I have seen enough close calls with people not caring or not paying attention as they drive in active school zones, Mayor Toby Barker said in a news release. The goal of this technology effort is to help change behavior. Additionally, the pilot program will allow us to work out any logistical issues and provide the police department with data that can provide for expansion of the program in other areas if successful.

Public Safety: Will drones, laser-focused video cameras become the new wave of law enforcement in Hattiesburg?

Hattiesburg officials contracted with Intellisafe on March 19, 2024, to use camera-assisted radar to catch more motorists speeding in school zones. The radar unit is operated by a Hattiesburg Police officer during posted hours.

The pilot program is expected to run through the end of the school year. After reviewing data and how the program is rolled out, Hattiesburg police will work with the mayors office to see how it can be expanded to other school zones beginning in August, according to a news release.

We are proud to join other departments across the country in the use of technology to assist officers in their roles of protecting and serving our residents  especially our youngest and most vulnerable, Hattiesburg Police Chief Hardy Sims said in the release. Too often, motorists ignore the warnings, crossing guards and multiple signs and lights as they drive through school zones. Its not OK. This technology will not only help us crack down on those speeding violations but will help us drive home the importance of driving safely in and around school zones.

The camera-assisted radar technology was among several measures considered by city officials. Other technologies were considered during the community meetings

One idea the city introduced during the public forums was using drones as first responders, which could improve emergency response times for police and fire calls and possibly de-escalate situations before they get out of control or get closer to a fire to give visuals before firefighters enter a burning building.

In addition to drones, the city is looking at using radar and camera equipment to take pictures of all vehicles and license plates to determine whether the vehicles are insured. Uninsured motorists would be sent a citation and given options to pay the fine, go to court or go through a diversion program. Insurance would have to be purchased in any case.

Barker said in February that slowing motorists in school zones was a priority.

With any potential initiative, we give the public ample opportunity to weigh in," Barker said. "We did that with the Technology for First Responders conversation, and we appreciate everyone who offered input. That feedback helped shape this first phase we are launching.

The camera-assisted radar program is implemented through technology provided by a third-party contract with Intellisafe, approved by City Council on March 19.

Motorists who are sent citations will have an opportunity to complete a diversion program to be eligible for a reduced fine. Fines collected from the citations will be used to pay for the third-party service agreement and provide revenue for the city and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

For more information, call Barker's office at 601-545-4501.

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Hattiesburg police to use camera-assisted radar at schools
Brandy Heatherly, the city of Hendersonville's communications coordinator, thought of an April Fool's social media post with the Hendersonville Fire Department that she knew would get a lot of laughs  it never occurred to her that it would also get her a statewide award.

Hendersonville firefighters pretend they are fighting a fire with pool noodles in an April Fool's social media post on April 1, 2023. The post was the idea of Brandy Heatherly, who won "Best Use of Humor" at the NC3C communicators conference in Concord.

At the NC3C North Carolina City and County Communicators Conference held April 10-12 in Concord, Heatherly said she was anxiously awaiting in her seat when they announced the winner for "Best Use of Humor," and the announcement came as a pleasant surprise.

"Ill be honest, my heart was racing, and I couldn't wipe the grin off my face when they announced, City of Hendersonville. It was an honor to represent my hometown on a state level," she told the Times-News on April 14.

Every year before April 1, members of the Hendersonville Communications Department think of April Fool's Day pranks. For 2023, Heatherly hatched up the scheme of firefighters using swimming pool noodles instead of fire hoses.

City of Hendersonville Communications Coordinator Brandy Heatherly poses with her NC3C communicators conference "Best of Humor" award she won for her April Fool's social media post where firefighters were using pool noodles instead of hoses to put out fires.

Government communications might not always be associated with humor, but here at the Hendersonville Communications Department, we like to have fun with our community outreach if possible. So, when April 2023 rolled around, I pitched a quirky idea to the Hendersonville Fire Department. To my surprise, Fire Chief D.J. Miller and an entire crew were on board," she said.

Heatherly said firefighters went as far as rigging up a water hose inside the noodles and acting like a building was on fire for the social media posts.

The Facebook post alone had 50 shares and several positive comments.

"Id like to give a huge shoutout to my manager Allison (Justus) for always encouraging creativity, Fire Chief Miller for approving my April Fools Day idea and the fantastic team at the Hendersonville Fire Department," Heatherly said. "They took a silly concept  swapping fire hoses for pool noodles  and really ran with it.

Hendersonville firefighters pretend they are fighting a fire with pool noodles in an April Fool's social media post on April 1, 2023. The post was the idea of Brandy Heatherly, who won "Best Use of Humor" at the NC3C communicators conference in Concord.

"My job was reminding them to act serious while taking photos, which was no easy feat with pool noodles. Working alongside our firefighters is always a pleasure. They're not just first responders, they've got a great sense of humor, too."

More: WNC city voted among 10 Best Small Towns in the South: Here's why

More: Find out the new addition to Hendersonville's Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Heatherly's pool noodles idea earns top award at NC3C conference
South Carolina is a state of contained, unshared intimacies, Pat Conroy once wrote. It is a state of crosscurrents, passwords, secret handshakes, but it rewards the lifelong curiosity of both natives and strangers alike.

I rejoiced at Conroys description of South Carolina this month as I, a stranger to author and state, strolled along the verdant Greenville River Walk with my AirPods in, listening as he narrated his 2010 memoir, My Reading Life.

His words gave me hope. They brimmed with a kindness and candor all too rare these days. Conroy, who died in 2016, sounded every bit as alive to me that afternoon as the greenery, creatures and people surrounding me and competing for my attention. I am innately curious. Ive long sought to find uncommon understanding and to share discoveries with my own readers.

Who am I and why should you care? Im your new South Carolina opinion editor, a neighbor, a convener of ideas, and more likely than not, a magnet for criticism. As long as its not cruel, Ill welcome it, along with your thoughts and suggestions, as we begin to build this opinion section into a beacon of light  not heat, theres enough of that  and a welcoming place for conversation. Ill be based in Columbia but writing about the whole state and receptive to local voices throughout South Carolina.

We are visitors everywhere we go. Conroys candor again. His words are beautiful and true, and Im proof. Im a sojourner who once walked 100,353 steps in a single day to see if he could do it. I was born in Germany, got engaged in England, met my wifes father in Mexico, where he lived. My wife and I have been married nearly 19 years, long enough to gain two daughters and lose both our fathers. Ive called Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, California and now South Carolina home. Ive practiced journalism in four of those states for 30 years, 23 in San Diego, the last eight as an editorial and opinion director who fell in love with opinion journalism, who came to understand that civil, honest  and yes, opinionated  conversations can be a path forward for our deeply divided society. I mostly tried to tell people what to think about, not what to think, although I did that, too, while publishing other peoples opinions. I believe there is no such thing as small towns, only small minds, which are everywhere until information expands them.

In South Carolina, I hope to discuss issues that divide us and that bring us together. Well start by interviewing political candidates before the June 11 primary elections. Our interviews will be made public, and our endorsements will come after careful consideration. Our aim will be to allow you to judge both the candidates and me as the stranger asking them so many questions. Well talk and listen, listen and talk, and before long I wont be a stranger to you. Ill be someone you can count on to stand up and call it like he sees it, to listen when told hes wrong, to learn, and, sometimes, to see it differently amid our ongoing conversation.

Conroy once wrote, Great words, arranged with cunning and artistry, could change the perceived world for some readers. I cant promise my words will be as good as his, but I will try to inform, entertain and challenge you, and I want you to hold me accountable. I hope we can talk the talk and walk the walk together, and maybe even shift some of our perceptions, if not change the world itself.

Im no Conroy, of course. He left an indelible mark on literature, South Carolina and the South itself, by shining a light on its characters and complexities, its humanity and horrors, its intimacies and secrets. Conroy accomplished the ultimate goal of any writer: to matter while here and be missed when gone. Im too new for that goal, but I have another: to foster community conversation that is at once civil, inclusive, based on experience and expertise and rooted in fact  something that can influence and improve our lives and help us leave this place we all call home better than we found it.

Send me 200-word letters to the editor here, 650-word guest essays here and email here. Say hi on X anytime.






BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, held phone talks on Monday regarding the tensions between Israel and Iran.

Amir-Abdollahian briefed Wang on Iran's position on the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, saying that the UN Security Council did not make a necessary response to this attack, and that Iran has the right to self-defense in response to the violation of its sovereignty.

Noting that the current regional situation is very sensitive, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is willing to exercise restraint and has no intention of further escalating the situation.

The Iranian side calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supports China's active efforts to push for a ceasefire, restore regional peace and strengthen cooperation among regional countries, Amir-Abdollahian said, adding that Iran is willing to work with China for further development of Iran-China cooperation.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China strongly condemns and firmly opposes the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, regarding it as a serious violation of international law and unacceptable.

China has noted Iran's statement that its action taken was limited and was an act of self-defense in response to the attack against the Iranian consulate in Syria, Wang said.

China appreciates Iran's stress on not targeting regional and neighboring countries as well as its reiteration on continuously pursuing a good-neighborly and friendly policy, he said.

It is believed that Iran can handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil while safeguarding its own sovereignty and dignity, he added.

Wang said that the current situation is a spillover effect of the escalating conflict in Gaza. The pressing task now is to implement Security Council Resolution 2728 as soon as possible, achieve a ceasefire and end the fighting in Gaza, effectively protect civilians and prevent further aggravation of the humanitarian disaster, he said.

China is willing to maintain communication with the Iranian side and jointly push for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue, Wang said.

China and Iran are comprehensive strategic partners, and China is willing to steadily advance practical cooperation with Iran in various fields for a greater development of bilateral relations, Wang said. 
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  One Triad-based organization is working to show high school students HBCUs across the country. The Motivational Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to expose students to different pathways of higher education.

We focus on students in highly impacted schools. We do a lot of advocacy work for HBCUs, and we connect those students from our highly impacted high schools across the country to HBCUs in an effort to increase student enrollment at HBCUs, Founder Blake Odum said.

Triad nonprofit program helps teens discuss race

The Motivation Foundation was founded in 2010 in Flint, Michigan, by Blake Odum. It started as a single college tour during a spring break when Odum was 19. He recalls he and a group of friends renting two vans and driving themselves to Atlanta, Georgia.

We went to Atlanta to the battle of the bands. We toured Clark and Spelman and Morehouse and just had a phenomenal time.  The students said we have to make this an annual thing. Everybody should experience this, and we have been going strong ever since, Odum said.

When Odum relocated to the Triad a few years later, he continued his work, creating partnerships with local organizations and Guilford County Schools. In 2023, the Motivational Foundation announced partnerships with Page High School and Dudley High School to offer multi-day HBCU campus visits to their students.

Im passionate about my work for HBCUs because Im very big into the opportunities that HBCUs create for students of color, Odum said. Black and brown students who graduate from highly impacted schools who attend HBCUs increase their chance of college graduation by over 13 times.

14 years and an official 501(c)(3) designation later, Odum is leading multiple tours a year for high school students in Michigan and North Carolina. In March 2024, 150 Black and brown students made their way to D.C., Virginia, and back to North Carolina to tour some of the top HBCUs in the country.

I want to be the person to this next generation that I needed when I was in high school, Odum said. We want to be a household name. When you talk about going to college, if youre a Black student, and youre matriculating through an inner city school, and youre talking about going to college and an HBCU, I want you to be able to identify the motivational foundation as a vehicle to help get you there.

Odum says the goal in three to five years is to have up to 28 micro tours a year and expand to school districts across the country.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Hillary Clinton and Kelly Clarkson joined in denouncing the Arizona Supreme Courts recent abortion ruling when Clinton appeared on Mondays edition of The Kelly Clarkson Show.

The court ruled last week that Arizona could enforce a law from 1864  before Arizona was a state or women had the right to vote  that bans abortion except in cases where the pregnant persons life is threatened.

Did you ever think in your lifetime that we would see that happen? Clarkson asked Clinton. Its just insane to me, the thinking that went on in 1864  its a very different world, we know a lot more now, that were going backwards.

It is horrifying in every way, Clinton said. I feared it would happen, but I hoped it wouldnt happen, and now here we are in the middle of this very difficult period for women in about half the states in our country who cannot get the care that they need, and the old law in Arizona is without exceptions, and the danger to womens lives as well as our right to make our own decisions about our bodies and ourselves is so profound.

Hillary Clinton & Kelly Clarkson React To Arizona Supreme Court Abortion Ruling www.youtube.com

And theres another element to it which I find so troubling, the former presidential candidate continued. There is a kind of cruelty to it. No exceptions for rape, incest  I mean, really?

And you dont realize how hard it is, Clarkson said. The fact that you would take that away from someone [in a situation] that can literally kill them? The fact that theyre raped  by their family member? Its just like insane to me.

The two then discussed voter apathy, agreeing that it led to this outcome  Donald Trump won the presidency over Clinton in 2016, then appointed three conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices, resulting in the overturning of Roe v. Wade and allowing states to impose and enforce such draconian laws as Arizonas.

What Im hearing from everyone, Clarkson said, is that theyre just exhausted and they feel so powerless, and even if I do vote, what does it matter?

Clinton recommended that people vote in whatever way is going to make life better for the maximum number of people.  Whatever you care about, voting is your superpower, and it may not seem like it, but it really is. And thats what were trying to say in this musical that Im helping to produce, called Suffs, about how women got the right to vote.

Suffs is on Broadway now.
Watch a previous NBC4 report on the lawsuit against Hilliard schools in the video player above.

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH)  Several central Ohio parents suing Hilliard City Schools allege a student suffering from severe emotional trauma was pressured by teachers to adopt a new name and identity as the opposite sex.

Nine Hilliard parents say school officials treated the child as the opposite sex without parental consent after diagnosing the student with gender dysphoria, according to the filing in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Ohio. The complaint claims the district deceived the students parents, while the childs condition spiraled out of control and led to a suicide attempt.

The districts acts were reckless because district officials are not qualified  and are specifically denied entitlement to  make diagnoses and treatment decisions for somebody elses child, the parents second amended complaint filed on April 1 argues. Such acts will inevitably lead to harm.

Ohio passes rules banning gender transition surgery for minors

While referring to the student as an opposite-sex name in school, teachers referred to the child in the presence of their parents with pronouns consistent with their biological sex, meaning the sex listed on the students birth certificate. The parents only learned the district treated [the student] for gender dysphoria when a school secretary sent the child a postcard, the filing claims.

In a response to the complaint filed by the district on April 15, Hilliard City Schools denied nearly all of the parents claims and said the alleged damages, if any, were proximately caused by the sole or contributory or comparative negligence of the plaintiffs. The district acted reasonably, in good faith, upon advice of counsel, in accordance with law and/or in the exercise of their statutory duties and responsibilities, the response says.

In a statement to NBC4, Hillard schools argued the substance of the complaint remains the same as the original version of the parents suit filed in January of 2023, and said its position has not change. The district reiterated its motion to dismiss remains applicable, and they await the ruling on this matter.

Hilliard schools said at the time of the original filing that the complaint consisted of thread-bare assertions, innuendo, rumor, and spurious legal conclusions. Hilliard Superintendent David Stewart said the filing was filled with misstatements of fact and mischaracterizations.

Still, the parents are seeking damages and are asking the court to deem the districts policies unconstitutional. The group says, through professional therapy and counseling, that the student and their parents now understand the childs problems were not gender dysphoria.

Former Delaware daycare operator faces a judge on 17 child abuse charges

This students alleged experience is one of several reasons the parents said they are concerned the district is hiding their childs gender dysphoria from them, the complaint states. The group asks in the filing whether the district could affirmatively deceive parents if said parent is not a safe person because they dont support the LGBTQ+ community.

Support for [LGBTQ+] youth or issues is a matter of personal opinion, the parents state. Thus, a district officials opinion of whether a parent is a safe person could arise from judgments related to a parents constitutionally-protected practices, such as practicing certain religions, expressing certain political views.

The suit also renews calls on the court to stop district teachers from wearing LGBTQ-supportive badges that read Im Here with a Pride flag design on the front, a request made in the parents original complaint against the district.

Teachers were given permission to continue wearing the badges in 2022 after some parents expressed concern over a code on the back that could lead to websites inappropriate for children. School officials said in January of last year they discussed the possibility of students accessing inappropriate material, and agreed that the codes should be covered so that they would not be visible. The district said at the time it was not aware of any student accessing the QR code or materials.

Any teacher who chose to wear one of the badges clearly understood that the resources at the link were intended for adults, not students, Stewart said in a statement in 2022. The resources are provided for teachers personal growth and professional development.

Ohio Supreme Court asks for name of officer who killed TaKiya Young

The April filing also raises the issue of surveys allegedly given to students, asking which pronouns they prefer at school and which pronouns students prefer the teacher use when speaking to parents, a second renewed claim that was made in the original 2023 filing. However, school officials said the survey was not a practice of the district. Stewart said he made clear to administrators that the district does not support surveying students on this topic or in this context.

Another claim made in the first filing said school officials were allowing activist teachers to facilitate conversations on sexual orientation and gender identity with children as young as 6 years old without parental consent. The complaint had said teachers were taking specific actions to hide these conversations, calling the situation a recipe for indoctrination and child abuse.

However, this language was removed from the parents most recent filing. At the time, the district said making broad-brush accusations such as those in this lawsuit detract from the districts mission and the educational efforts of our dedicated staff and teachers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Once operational Hinkley Point C's water intake pipes are predicted to kill up to 46 tonnes of fish a year - Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images

A nature reserve is to be flooded by the developer of the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant at a cost of 50m to compensate for the death of fish in its cooling pipes.

An 840 acre swathe of land along the Parrett estuary in Somerset will be transformed into salt marsh as a habitat for marine life to replace fish sucked in by the new power stations cooling ducts.

The area affected  part of the Somerset levels, where Saxon king Alfred the Great is said to have hidden from the Vikings  includes farmers fields used for grazing, as well as a nature reserve.

EDF, the French company building Hinkley Point, will create a new nature reserve nearby to replace the land being lost. The overall changes are expected to cost it 50m.

The massive water intakes used to suck water from the Bristol Channel to cool Hinkley Point Cs reactors are expected to kill up to 46 tonnes of fish a year when the plant opens in 2031.

EDF also explored installing an acoustic fish deterrent, effectively a loud noise to ward away animals, but concluded this would cause more harm than it prevented.

Chris Fayers, the companys head of environment at Hinkley, said: An acoustic fish deterrent would use 280 speakers to make noise louder than a jumbo jet 24-hours a day for 60 years with unknown impacts on other species like porpoises, seals, whales.

It offers a very small potential benefit to protected fish species and would also risk the safety of divers in the fast-flowing tides of the Bristol Channel. New natural habitat is a better solution.

EDF said it was working with Natural England, the Environment Agency, and other conservation bodies to develop the new natural habitats.

It plans to take out compulsory purchase orders to acquire the land and then destroy its protective dykes so that saltwater can flood in, according to planning documents.

Dozens of farmers around Pawlett Hams, north of Bridgwater in Somerset, have been told their grazing land is likely to become salt marsh. One said: Its an existential threat to farmers livelihoods.

EDF has told local people: We are proposing to create 340 hectares of salt marsh habitat.

Salt marsh supports fish populations by providing breeding and feeding grounds whilst also helping to develop local populations of birds, plants, marine mammals, and reptiles.

Because nature reserves are protected, EDF must also find a second swathe of farmland that can be rewilded.

Will Barnard, chair of the Pawlett Parish Council, who also works as an environmental land manager on some of the affected land, said no-one was happy with the scheme.

He said: The land is partly nature reserve and partly rough grazing for a mix of local farmers. One of them has a herd of cattle that provides milk for the local area and beef for local outlets which we would lose if the land goes. All the farmerss livelihoods are at stake and they are very concerned.

EDF won the contract to build Hinkley Point C just over a decade ago. Costs were estimated at 18bn and it was meant to open in 2025. Costs have since risen to 46bn, equivalent to 700 for everyone in the UK, with an earliest start date of 2031.

EDF is responsible for all the costs but has blamed the UK for some of them, claiming they were linked to design changes imposed by UK regulators  including the latest demand for two nature reserves.

Some at EDF are very unhappy at the extra costs and complexity imposed by the scheme. A study by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), showed that the Hinkley water intakes would kill 18-46 tonnes of fish a year  less than the annual catch of one small fishing vessel.

EDF has designed the water intake to include a fish recovery and return system so that fish sucked into the pipes can escape.

The measures imposed on EDF are much tougher than on earlier power stations  many of which also used cooling water from the Bristol Channel.

Mr Fayers said: Power stations have been taking cooling water from the Bristol Channel for decades with no significant impact on fish populations. Hinkley Point C will be the first power station in the area to have any fish protection measures in place.

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Hispanic Democrats are throwing their weight behind Rep. Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), the first-term lawmaker who occupies the House seat once held by his father, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who is under indictment for corruption.

The younger Menendez, a former commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, was elected to the House in 2022 after the retirement of former Rep. Albio Sires (D), as part of the Congressional Hispanic Caucuss (CHC) largest first-term class ever.

Menendez now faces a serious primary challenge from Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla amid fallout over his fathers legal woes.

Yet CHC members see Menendez as a valuable colleague with subject-matter expertise, and as the new political standard-bearer for New Jerseys 2 million Latinos.

As the only Latino currently representing New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Rob Menendez has fought tirelessly for the Latino community. He is a proven leader on the issues that matter most to our community, like making life more affordable, lowering prescription drug prices and ensuring that health care remains affordable and accessible, protecting reproductive freedom and much more, said Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), who chairs Bold PAC, the CHCs campaign arm.

CHC members are eager to keep the groups numbers up and growing  in 2022, Menendez joined the CHC along with eight other freshmen members from districts in nine different states.

Two House CHC members, Democratic Reps. Grace Napolitano (Calif.) and Tony Cardenas (Calif.), are retiring from Congress at the end of this term; a third, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a former Bold PAC chair, is leaving his seat to run for Senate.

The CHCs Senate  and New Jersey  footprint will be taking a hit from the likely retirement of the senior Menendez.

Sen. Menendez is not currently running for reelection in the Democratic primary but has said he will consider running as a Democratic independent in the general election if hes able to shake off his federal indictments by the summer.

The scandal over those indictments threw New Jersey politics off kilter, creating a power vacuum in the space occupied by a man whos been in elected office since 1986 and is arguably the states most prominent Democratic politician.

For the younger Menendez, his fathers scandals attracted stiff opposition in the form of Bhalla and businessman Kyle Jasey, who launched his political career in a long-shot Senate bid against the elder Menendez.

Bhalla has gained traction in his campaign, posting strong fundraising numbers, ending 2023 with about $900,000 cash on hand, compared to Menendezs $700,000.

Federal Election Commission reports posted late Monday show Menendez took the fundraising lead in the first quarter of 2024, ending March with nearly $1.2 million cash on hand to Bhallas $900,000.

Polls are notoriously erratic for House races, but at least one super PAC-commissioned poll reported by the New Jersey Globe showed Bhalla leading earlier this month. Another poll from February showed Menendez with a double-digit lead.

Menendezs CHC colleagues are keen to keep him onboard, particularly because hes built a reputation as a straight-talker who can deliver a punch across the aisle.

Rob is uniquely positioned to defend working families against Extreme MAGA Republicans constant attacks on health care, immigration, and our basic rights. He is a strong voice and staunch advocate for the people of New Jersey and thats why Im proud to support him in his reelection, said Rep. Pete Aguilar (Calif.), who as Democratic Caucus chair is currently the highest-ranking Latino in the House.

Menendez has also shown a knack for inserting himself in key issues for the CHC.

Rob is a co-chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Immigration Task Force and Ive been proud to fight side by side with Rob on one of the most critical issues facing our community, said CHC Chair Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-Calif.).

As a member of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, he cosponsored the Womens Health Protection Act, which would enshrine the principles of Roe v. Wade into law and protect the rights of women all over the country. He will be a leader who is not afraid to stand up to Republicans and who will advocate for a high quality of life for all.

And Menendez has been able to parlay his previous experience in transportation policy into collegial goodwill.

Rob has advocated to improve transportation and infrastructure across New Jerseys 8th District, including through the Gateway Program  the nations largest critical infrastructure project, which recently received $6.9 billion from the U.S. Department of Transportation, because he knows how much working families rely on quality transportation, said Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.).

Updated at 11:05 a.m. EDT.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As Paris celebrated five years of recovery since its Notre Dame Cathedral erupted into flames, Copenhagen experienced its own blaze of tragedy at a historic building. The Danish city's old stock exchange building, which dates back to the 17th century, erupted into flames on Tuesday in what onlookers could only describe as a tragedy.

"This is our Notre Dame," a local craftsman told Danish TV, according to CBS News partner BBC.

This photograph shows flames engulfing the Copenhagen's Stock Exchange building, in Copenhagen, on April 16, 2024. / Credit: IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

The cause of the fire, which started around 7:30 a.m. local time, is not yet known and no casualties have been reported, but the flames have ravaged the historic building and several nearby streets have been closed, local media reported. The old stock exchange, otherwise known as Brsen, dates back to 1625 and is one of Copenhagen's oldest buildings, the website maintained by Danish Tourist Offices says.

Included in the damage is the building's iconic spire, which legends say protects the building "against enemy attacks and fires," according to the tourism site. The spire, which was designed in the shape of entwined dragons' tails, stood at 184 feet tall.

"The Old Stock Exchange has many times been mysteriously spared from damage when fires have broken out in neighbouring (sic) buildings," the site says. "Christiansborg Palace (the present-day Danish Parliament) has burnt down on several occasions, and even recently in 1990, a fire broke out in the Proviantgaarden in Slotsholmsgade (Slotholm Street). On this occasion, as before, the Old Stock Exchange survived unscathed."

Plumes of smoke billow from the historic Boersen stock exchange building which is on fire in central Copenhagen, Denmark on April 16, 2024. The building, one of the oldest in the Danish capital, was undergoing renovation work when in the morning it caught fire, whose cause was yet unknown. The building was erected in the 1620s as a commercial building by King Christian IV and is located next to the Danish parliament. / Credit: EMIL HELMS/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

But on Tuesday, it fell. Video from the Associated Press shows the spire crashing down. The AP said the fire is believed to have started in the building's copper roof, much of which collapsed before the flames spread to other areas of the building. The roof was originally made of lead, but that material was removed during the 1658 Swedish siege to be used for musket balls. The copper was applied in 1883 and was in the process of being replaced with 100% recycled copper, the Danish Chamber of Commerce says. Scaffolding was present on much of the building's roof when the fire erupted.



"This morning, we woke up to a sad sight, as smoke over the roofs of Copenhagen gave evidence of the destructive fire at Brsen," Frederik X, the king of Denmark, said in a statement on Tuesday. "An important part of our architectural cultural heritage was and continues to be in flames."

He said Brsen has remained a "distinctive landmark of Copenhagen" for generations.

"Until today, we have considered the historic building as a beautiful symbol of our capital and a structure that we, as a nation, have been proud of."

People react to a fire in the historic Boersen building in central Copenhagen, Denmark, on April 16, 2024. / Credit: IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

Morten Langager, director of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, said first responders are working to save "everything that can be saved," the office said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The Associated Press captured video of people rushing to save paintings from the building.

"This is a national treasure," Elisabeth Moltke told AFP. "A lot of Danish paintings, originals are in there. I've been in there several times and it's a magnificent building so it makes me feel very emotional."

Chamber of Commerce employee Carsten Lundberg told AFP that they're "lost for words."

"It's a 400-year-old building that has survived all the other fires that burned Copenhagen down to the ground," they said. "It's a dreadful loss."

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Chamberlain speaking to a crowd on his arrival at Heston Airport from Munich, where he had met Hitler, Mussolini, and Deladier to settle the question of the Czecho-Slovak dispute. Credit - George RinhartCorbis via Getty Images

In mid-February, Ukrainian forces were forced to withdraw from Avdiivka, signaling the first major Russian victory since the capture of Bakhmut in May 2023. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has finally agreed to put a bill on the floor that would provide aid to Ukraine. But his fellow Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has threatened to introduce a motion to vacateto oust Johnson from the speakershipif he does so.

An increasingly pro-Russian Republican party, egged on by former President Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson, shows stronger support for the autocratic Vladimir Putin than for the embattled Zelensky, fighting to save his country from Russias rapacious aggression. Republican Senator J.D. Vance has strenuously opposed further aid to Ukraine, arguing that Ukraine should negotiate with Putin to end the warand that it should be willing to give up some of its territory to do so. Trump himself has said that he would consider letting Russia take Ukrainian territory as part of a deal to end the war there. Zelensky, understandably, has long rejected the idea of ceding territory for peace with Russia. And it seems unlikely that Putin, who denies Ukraines right to exist as a nation separate from Russia, would be satisfied for long with a negotiated deal that leaves much of Ukraine intact and independent.

Indeed, history suggests that autocrats are seldom satisfied with concessions designed to assuage them. Politicians have long touted the disgraceful appeasement of Hitler at Munich in 1938 as evidence that one must not negotiate with dictators, whose demands are insatiable. Zelensky must look back at that 1938 betrayal of Czechoslovakia president Edvard Benes at the hands of his French and British allies with considerable trepidation.

Read More: Ukraines Future Hangs by a (European) Thread

In the wake of World War I, the Treaty of Versailles had ceded territory called the Sudetenland, a region where German speakers predominated, to the newly formed country of Czechoslovakia. German citizens resented the cession of this land with its three million Germans, and over the course of the 1930s, Hitler became increasingly aggressive in demanding its return to his Third Reich.

By 1938, Hitler had already expanded the German Empire to include Austria. This left Czechoslovakia surrounded by German territory on three sides and vulnerable to German encroachment.

Like Putins alleged concerns for ethnic Russians living in Ukraine, Hitler turned his attention to advocating for the rights and protection of Sudeten Germans under Czech control, instructing the leader of Nazi-allied Sudeten German Party Konrad Henlein to make wildly sweeping demands for German autonomy there. Contemporary sources suggest that while Sudeten Germans had long supported policies that would improve their position and guarantee their rights within the Czechoslovak republic, significant numbers opposed annexation to Nazi Germany. But Hitlers demands were strategic; the Czech governments refusal could then be used to justify a German invasion of Czech territory.

As Hitler continued to harangue the Czechs over the summer of 1938, British and French officials pressured Czech prime minister Benes to make concessions to Hitler. Benes, like Zelensky, said that his army would fight the Germans rather than hand over Czech territory as British negotiators were suggesting.

The French, formal allies of the Czechs, suggested to British prime minister Neville Chamberlain that an explicit commitment in support of Czechoslovakia would be the best way to deter Hitler. But Chamberlain refused. His response to French prime minister Edouard Daladier was that he did not believe that Hitler wanted to destroy Czechoslovakiabut that if he did, he did not see how it could be prevented. The British government had no intention of coming to Czechoslovakias defense, and the French were unwilling to take on Germany without British support. Both Chamberlain and Daladier advised Benes to accept Germanys demands for separate German status within the Czech state.

Read More: The Crisis in Ukraine Has Disturbing Echoes of the 1930s

Despite the Czech governments capitulation that September to demands for German autonomy and self-governance in Sudetenland, Hitler refused to be appeased. He began making plans to invade the entire country, making it clear that his real goal was incorporating Sudetenland into Germany. Firmly committed to peace at all costs, Chamberlain and Daladier negotiated separately with Hitler and agreed to support the German annexation of Sudetenland. They met with Hitler and his Italian ally Benito Mussolini in Munich on Sept. 28 to finalize the deal and signed an accord agreeing that Czechoslovakia would cede Sudetenland to Germany immediately.

Neither Benes nor any representatives of the Czech government were invited to the conference, nor were they consulted. They had no choice but to acquiesce, since neither the French nor the British would provide military assistance. The Czechs lost the key to their security as Germany completed its occupation of Sudetenland in early October, absorbing about a third of Czechoslovakia's population and its most important industrial sites. In return, Hitler had promised to spare the rest of Czechoslovakia, claiming piously that he had no more territorial demands to make in Europe.

Chamberlain returned to England with the Munich agreement in hand and told a cheering crowd that he had achieved peace with honor and peace for our timea statement that has not aged well.

Even in the short run, appeasement at Municha term with terrible connotations todaywas a failure. It convinced Hitler that western nations would not stand up to his designs. On March 15, 1939, German tanks rolled into Prague, putting an end to Czechoslovak independence, and confirming that Hitlers ambitions went far beyond restoring Germans to the Third Reich. The people of Czechoslovakia, citizens of a democratic republic for over 20 years, now faced Nazi occupation and rule, with devastating consequences to come. Hitlers next move was clear to anyone who could read a map: Poland was now in the crosshairs. German citizens in the Polish corridor, another legacy of World War I, would provide the excuse to attack Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, launching World War II in Europe.

Chamberlain had believed that German grievances were justified, and that Hitlers designs on Czech territory were limited to those rightfully part of the German Empiremuch as some members of the Republican party seem to believe that Putins demands on Ukrainian territory are limited and reasonable. And while J.D. Vance self-righteously claims that maybe, just to throw a crazy idea out there, not every conflict is the Second World War, the parallels are too obvious to ignore.

Unlike Benes, Zelensky has been able to hold out against the Russians for two years with strong support from the United States and European allies, who understood that failing this, Putins aggression against Ukraine would not be his last. Poland is already in his sights; the Polish government reacted with alarm to Putins statement that the western territories of present-day Poland are a gift from Stalin to the Poles, and his vague threats that Poland may find its independence at risk if it pursues unfriendly policies.

Appeasement of Hitler didnt work, and appeasement of Putin threatens the safety not only of Europe but of the world beyond. The GOP appeasement caucus might want to think about what future generations are going to say about them; history has not looked kindly upon the western leaders who sold out Czechoslovakia and, in the name of peace, fueled a much broader war. The United States should not assume that a rapacious dictator can be satisfied by concessions; nor should it trade away the rights of sovereign citizens who will pay the price if the world fails to act.

Christine Adams, a former American Council for Learned Societies and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation fellow at the Newberry Library, is professor of history at St. Marys College of Maryland and author of The Creation of the French Royal Mistress with Tracy Adams.

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.

Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com.
Authorities on Tuesday released images of a black SUV that reportedly ran over a tent on a sidewalk Sunday evening and seriously injured three people in Sacramentos River District.

The vehicle suspected in Sundays hit-and-run was described as a 2007 to 2014 black Chevrolet Tahoe with custom wheels, according to an item posted on the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers website.

The Crime Stoppers program partners with law enforcement agencies including the Sacramento Police Department, which continued to investigate the hit-and-run. The three victims suffered major blunt force trauma injuries, according to Crime Stoppers.

The victims were taken by ambulance to a hospital, where one of them was listed in critical condition with significant injuries, police said Sunday night. The other two victims were listed in critical but stable condition.

On Tuesday, police officials said they were not aware of any change in the victims conditions. The Police Department said it did not have any updates to release on the ongoing investigation.

About 5:20 p.m. Sunday, the three victims were inside the tent positioned on the east sidewalk of Dos Rios Street, just north of North B Street.

Nearby cameras captured the black SUV turn north from North 12th Street onto Dos Rios, according to Crime Stoppers. The SUV then moved onto the sidewalk and over the occupied tent.

The black SUV then drove away before police officers arrived. Authorities believe the suspected vehicle has damage to its front end, passenger side and passenger side headlight.

Investigators asked anyone with information about this hit-and-run or the whereabouts of the suspect vehicle to call Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357.
Sixty-six volunteer fire departments are receiving millions in new personal protective equipment, such as turnout gear. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Gov. Eric Holcomb on Tuesday announced $10 million in new personal protective equipment (PPE) for volunteer firefighters across Indiana.

Most Indiana communities are served by volunteer fire departments, operating on shoestring budgets with dilapidated equipment, a press release said. Some wear protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) that may be more than a decade old.

Here is a map of the volunteer fire departments receiving personal protective equipment. (Indiana Department of Homeland Security)

Through Gov. Holcombs 2023 Next Level Agenda, $17.7 million was allocated to firefighters for PPE and new training facilities for volunteer stations across Indiana. This investment marks the first time the Indiana General Assembly has dedicated funds specifically to firefighters. The only other funding source for firefighters is tax revenue from the sale of fireworks in Indiana.

While most people run from dangerous situations, firefighters run toward them to serve their community, Holcomb said. This investment is long overdue in our state. Nothing could be more important than for these brave men and women to be both properly suited and trained. Its how we can best serve them as they serve us.

The $10 million will purchase 940 complete sets of PPE and SCBA, benefiting 66 fire departments across every Indiana fire district. The selection process addressed the poorest volunteer departments first and those with the oldest equipment.

I travel extensively across the state, and Im shocked sometimes at the rags that some of these men and women are wearing on fire scenes. They run into burning buildings and are supposed to feel protected, said Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones. The volunteer fire service is the backbone of Indiana fire protection. This investment is long overdue, and we will be working hard to find additional funding to enhance safety even more in the years to come.

The funds are administered by the Indiana Fire and Public Safety Academy, led by the Indiana State Fire Marshal and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The vendor, MES Inc., will work directly with individual firefighters to measure and fit the equipment before delivery.

IDHS accepted submissions for several months in 2023 to determine the highest need departments. Here is a list of the departments that received gear.

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HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD)  Police in Holland say they arrested a man who broke into a home and tried to assault the woman inside early Tuesday.

Dominique Asher Hawkins was arraigned later Tuesday on charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree home invasion and resisting and obstructing an officer.

Police say a woman called 911 around 2:20 a.m., reporting she heard someone in her home on W. 24th Street near Michigan Avenue.

When officers got there, one shined a light into the house and saw a man. He tried to run away, but there was another officer on the side of the house where he came out. There was a short foot chase and the officers caught him.

Police say the victim told them that the man tried to sexually assault her. She said she didnt know him.

Hawkins bond was set at $250,000 at arraignment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Many business leaders have hailed the consolidated recovery momentum of China's economy as China's GDP expands 5.3 pct year on year in Q1. #GLOBALink





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A home invasion in Newport Beach ends with an apparent suicide

An aerial view of Newport Beach home where two people were shot. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

For the record:

10:16 a.m. April 17, 2024: Correction: An earlier version of the story stated there were four suspects in the home invasion. There were two suspects.



An early morning home invasion Tuesday in Newport Beach ended with one alleged intruder being shot and another dying from what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Newport Beach police say the victims and suspects in the incident have a prior connection but gave no further details.

At 4:45 a.m., police responded to a 911 call of a possible home invasion near Newport Coast Drive and Pelican Hill Road North. The home appeared to be at the end of Vista Luci, a cul-de-sac, KABC-TV reported.

A few minutes into the emergency call, the caller said one of the residents inside the home shot a suspect, according to a police report.

During a brief on-scene news conference, police confirmed that the homeowner shot at one of the two suspects, KTLA-TV reported.

Read more: Westminster home invasion robbers escape after short police pursuit

The injured suspect and another suspect fled the house.

When police arrived, they found one suspect lying in the street with a handgun and apparent gunshot wounds, according to police.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital. Police did not disclose his condition.

The other suspect was discovered in bushes near the home with what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police released no other information and said an investigation is continuing.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  After nearly a decade of preparations, the $90 million restoration project at Hotel Cleveland is almost complete.

Management gave FOX 8 a behind-the-scenes tour of the hotel in February.















Now, hotel officials say theyre planning for a grand opening in early June.

The hotel, standing at 24 Public Square in Downtown Cleveland, has 491 guest rooms, 30 meeting spaces and the largest Marriott ballroom in the state of Ohio (22,590 square feet), according to a press release.

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It will also include two restaurants: Maker, which according to hotel management is destined to quickly become the citys hottest spot for lunch, happy hours or dinner, and Mowreys, which gives a nod to the original 1800s tavern at the property.

Both of the restaurants will have a soft opening the week of April 21.

Restoration started at the hotel November of 2022. The building has taken many names throughout the years, including Cleveland Renaissance Hotel and Sheraton Cleveland, but management decided to bring back the hotels original name.

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Beyond being restored to its former glory, the project will move Hotel Cleveland into the future with the contemporary refinements this important historic building and its guests deserve, the release said.

Hotel Cleveland, an Autograph Collection hotel by Marriott, will let guests earn Marriott Bonvoy points during their stay, according to the press release.

You can follow along to more updates on Hotel Cleveland at their website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives William McFarland (L) and Acting Clerk of the House Kevin McCumber lead 11 House Republican impeachment managers as they deliver the Articles of Impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate through the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

April 16 (UPI) -- The House of Representatives sent articles of impeachment to the Senate on Tuesday in an effort to remove Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the U.S. border.

House Speaker Mike Johnson forwarded the articles of impeachment after a one-week delay, CNN and ABC News reported.

The House in February voted 214-213 to impeach Mayorkas and charged him with willfully refusing to comply with federal law to enforce the nation's borders and a breach of public trust.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the Senate will expedite the impeachment proceedings.

Schumer said the Senate will swear in jurors on Wednesday and Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray, D-Wash., will preside over the impeachment proceedings and Senate vote.

Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas testifies during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing on the Department of Homeland Security's fiscal year 2025 budget request at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. The House on Tuesday forwarded articles of impeachment to remove Mayorkas for his handling of the nation's borders. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Schumer accused the House GOP of an "abuse of process" and using impeachment to "settle a policy disagreement" regarding the Biden administration's handling of the U.S. border and the recent influx of migrants.

"This would set an awful precedent for Congress," Schumer said. "Every time there's a policy disagreement in the House, they send it over here to tie the Senate in knots and do an impeachment trial?"

Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives William McFarland (L) and Acting Clerk of the House Kevin McCumber lead 11 House Republican impeachment managers as they deliver the Articles of Impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate through the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

GOP members told The Hill they expect Schumer to hold a vote Wednesday to dismiss the impeachment charges or appoint a special committee to address the matter.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, previously said Schumer "doesn't want to hold the Mayorkas impeachment trial because it will show how bad the crisis truly is."

Sen. John Kennedy, R. La., said Schumer and Senate Democrats would prefer to ignore the matter while the "border crisis is bringing death, drugs, violence, chaos, criminals and mayhem into American neighborhoods."
WASHINGTON  The Republican-led House delivered its articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate, setting the stage for the swearing in of senators as jurors in a trial on Wednesday.

But the proceedings likely wont get very far: Democrats are expected to offer a motion to dismiss the case on the ground that its baseless and doesnt rise to the constitutional standard of high crimes and misdemeanors, a view that even some Republicans share.

And with other pressing matters before the upper chamber, including a looming Friday deadline for reauthorization of top national intelligence programs and possible votes on U.S. aid to Israel and Ukraine, many senators would like to move on from the Mayorkas trial as quickly as possible.

On Tuesday, 11 House impeachment managers carried an impeachment charge against Mayorkas in a ceremonial procession across the Capitol building and hand-delivered it to clerks on the well of the Senate.

U.S. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), and Mark Green (R-TN) and other impeachment managers carry the articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas into the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill on April 16, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Andrew Harnik via Getty Images

Standing before the Senate, Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), the lead impeachment manager, read the article aloud accusing Mayorkas of willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and a breach of public trust over his handling of the influx of migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Democrats, meanwhile, flatly rejected the impeachment push as a partisan stunt intended to damage President Joe Bidens standing ahead of the November election. The charges, they argued, are a matter of policy dispute with the Biden administrations execution of immigration laws and not high crimes as outlined in the constitution.

Impeachment should never be used to settle a policy disagreement. That would set a horrible precedent for the Congress, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), vowing to address the charges expeditiously.

Its not clear yet how Democrats intend to dispense with the case. Any senator may offer a motion to dismiss or table the trial, requiring a simple majority of votes to succeed. During former President Donald Trumps 2021 impeachment trial, Republicans offered a motion to dismiss the charges of inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, but it was rejected with bipartisan support.

Several Republicans who have been critical of the House impeachment effort of Mayorkas could join with Democrats in voting to prevent his ouster, including Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, and Mitt Romney of Utah.

He has done a terrible job, but hes following the direction of the president and has not met the constitutional test of a high crime or misdemeanor, Romney told HuffPost last week.

But Romney on Tuesday said he would like to see some sort of debate, on either the Senate floor or in committee at a later date, before voting on a motion to table the trial.

Doing so, he added, would protect the process of impeachment and make sure that we dont begin wiping aside articles of impeachment that come from the House.

Democratic leaders seemed amenable to reaching an agreement on a period of debate on the articles before the Senate votes to table the trial, likely as early as Wednesday, when the proceedings are set to formally begin.

This weeks impeachment proceedings against a top government official are the third the Senate has taken up in the last five years. Democrats twice impeached Trump under his tenure, in 2019 and 2021, but he was acquitted both times.

Related...
Potentially breaking a months-long deadlock, House Republicans have a plan to move military assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in the wake of this weekends massive attempted strike on Israel by Iran.

The plan, while sounding simple, may be difficult to pull off: have separate votes on aid for each of the countries, as well as another catch-all bill with other provisions, such as forcing social media app TikTok in the U.S. to be divested from its Chinese owner and requiring Ukraine to repay some of its aid.

There are precipitating events around the globe that were all watching very carefully, and we know that the world is watching us, to see how we react, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters after a meeting of House Republicans in the U.S. Capitol basement early Monday night.

We will vote on each of these measures separately in four different pieces, he said.

But with interparty politics between Republicans and Democrats in the House and intraparty politics within the GOP conference itself between Johnson and his detractors, the plan may not be as straightforward as it sounds.

First, it would mean the House is not going to vote on the $95.5 billion bill the Senate passed with 70 votes once negotiations over a bipartisan border bill collapsed in February. That bill, which wraps together aid for all three countries, has been the one Democrats have said for some time is the only one the House should consider.

The only path forward is an up-or-down vote on the bipartisan, comprehensive national security bill, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters last week. The White House has also pushed for a vote on the Senate bill as the quickest way to get aid passed.

If Johnson wants to bring the bills to the floor so they can be passed with a simple majority  in contrast with bills hes recently brought that needed a two-thirds supermajority for passage  he would need for the House to pass a rule for debate. But those have been difficult to get passed lately with strictly Republican votes as Johnson works with only two votes to spare on his side.

It remains to be seen if GOP leaders could get a rule passed using only Republican votes, especially because so many House Republicans have said they will oppose any effort to aid Ukraine by refilling U.S. stocks of weapons that have been sent to the country, which allows old weapons in storage to be donated to Ukraine as it fights Russias invasion.

Its unlikely Republicans would seek help from Democrats to pass a rule, but if they did, Democrats would likely seek concessions that could make the bills less palatable to the GOP.

On top of those concerns, the most vocal Ukraine aid critic, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), has threatened to try to oust Johnson if he tries to pass an aid bill.

Our voters are ADAMANTLY AGAINST funding a single penny to Ukraine!!! she posted on social media Monday. And basically any foreign war. They are just done. Focus on Americans for a change!!! Its tax day for heavens sakes!!

Johnson said allowing the individual issues to be voted on, with amendments offered on the floor, was the fairest way to break a deadlock that, with Ukraine, has existed since Sept. 30, when Republicans jettisoned a much smaller aid package as part of a stopgap spending measure and basically dared Democrats to put it back in and thus cause a government shutdown. Democrats acquiesced.

I will talk with Hakeem Jeffries, my Democratic counterpart in the House, and I suspect they will respect this process as well. But if we put it on a rule and we let all members vote their conscience, its equally fair to everybody in the House, Johnson said.

Even if all the measures pass, it was also unclear in what form they would go to the Senate. GOP leaders could set up the process so the four issues are voted on separately and then bundled in a single bill to be sent to the Senate, upping pressure on that chamber to accept the votes on all four measures.

But Johnson said a decision on that had not been made yet, though he favored sending the four bills to the Senate individually.

As for the possibility of an ouster attempt, like the one that took out his predecessor as speaker, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), Johnson said he was unconcerned.

Were having to govern here, and were going to do our job, he said.

Related...
House Republicans are looking for a reset on government funding following the chaotic  and prolonged  spending process over the last year, adding to the pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who already faces an uphill climb to achieve many of the conferences goals.

The push for a clean slate on 2025 spending comes shortly after the House wrapped up fiscal 2024 appropriations, which required four funding stopgaps, brought Washington to the brink of several shutdown cliffs and led to the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

But as Republicans look to cut spending and avoid a year-end omnibus, hurdles are emerging: deep divisions throughout the conference, an ever-narrowing majority and the pressures of an election year.

Its gonna be extraordinarily difficult, newly minted House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told reporters Monday when pressed on the challenges in hashing out annual funding bills for fiscal 2025, adding that every day were closer to the election, the more reluctant Congress is to doing that.

In some ways, the looming battle over government funding for fiscal 2025 mirrors the previous years debate: leadership looking to move bills through regular order and hard-liners pushing for deep spending cuts, all while grappling with the challenges of an ultra-thin majority.

But this year, the election is poised to put increased pressure on the appropriations process. Some lawmakers will look to score political points in the Capitol that could translate to winning voters on the campaign trail, while others hold back on any action to see who the next White House occupant will be.

Those dynamics are fueling the expectation among lawmakers that, despite the early posturing, nothing of substance will come to fruition on spending ahead of November, a dynamic even top appropriators are acknowledging.

Things are highly politicized. Each side is looking to make issues and score points as opposed to pass legislation, Cole told The Hill in an interview earlier this month. Its just the nature of the beast.

But theres also, to be fair to everybody, consideration for Well, maybe we should wait till the American people make a big decision, he continued. And theres a lot on the line.

Hard-line Republicans, meanwhile, are already vowing to make a full-court press on the appropriations process for fiscal 2025 after chalking being disappointed in the fiscal 2024 outcome.

Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), the chair of the House Freedom Caucus, said that effort will begin immediately.

The 24 fiscal year is obviously coming to a close tomorrow. You begin to battle immediately for the 25 fiscal year, Good told reporters in March.

Very disappointed with what played out with the last years budget, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the conservative group, said last week. I hate it came up on suspension, nothing got cut; we basically took the Schumer-Pelosi playbook and went with it. So well definitely gonna have to have a lot more severe cuts than we had this time.

Cole  who was unanimously recommended to be the new spending chief by the House GOP Steering Committee  said he would prefer Congress finish its annual funding work by the usual shutdown deadline in late September. But he also acknowledged that, with the upcoming elections, Congress is headed for a stopgap in September to prevent a funding lapse, kicking any spending battle until after voters head to the polls.

Cole, in that case, said the appropriations process would land in the hands of the victors.

The winners, basically, make the decision as to what are you gonna finish out by the end of the calendar year [or youre] going to go to the next year? he said.

Johnson, however, is looking to expedite that process to prevent chaos and delays.

Days before winning the Speakers gavel in October, Johnson laid out a vigorous schedule to complete the fiscal 2025 appropriations process on time. By the end of April, his goal is to have consensus in the conference about 2025 budget levels and pass a budget resolution. By the close of July, he wants the House to wrap up consideration of fiscal 2025 spending bills.

Amping up pressure, the Louisiana Republican said the House should not break for August recess if it has not passed all 12 appropriations bills.

But that timeline will likely be delayed as Congress stares down a lengthy to-do list between now and the fall.

At the top of that agenda is passing legislation to assist Israel and Ukraine. Foreign aid has stalled in the House for months, despite impassioned pleas from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to assist the U.S.s embattled allies.

In an interview with The Hill earlier this month, Cole said the most important thing the House GOP majority can do at this point is to get its spending bills through the committee, noting that nothings gonna happen till that happens.

His goal this summer is to get all 12 annual government funding bills through the full committee as rapidly as possible.

Obviously, we dont decide when theyll go to the floor, he added. Thats a leadership decision, and its a tricky decision. It was tricky last year, its gonna be trickier this year, just given even now a margin that we have.

Last months passage of the fiscal 2024 government funding bills capped off a bruising months-long process for House Republicans, as divides among various factions of the conference on spending and thorny policy areas such as abortion dominated attention during the summer, leading up to a historic ouster of the partys leader, and thereafter.

And now, Johnson faces the same threat to his gavel as his predecessor, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) threatening to force a vote on ousting the Speaker.

Greene filed a motion to vacate  the same tool used to remove McCarthy  against Johnson last month, but has not yet said when she plans to force a vote on the measure.

The move came as the House passed a sprawling $1.2 trillion package funding swaths of the government for the remainder of the fiscal year.

While many in the conference have dismissed the threat, it marks one of the latest examples of growing frustration with Johnson in the partys right flank.

For months, conservatives have criticized GOP leadership and, at times, staged revolts on the floor over concessions made in bipartisan funding talks.

While Republicans did not achieve in the bipartisan spending packages the significantly lower funding levels they pushed for in their initial partisan spending plans, the party has boasted decreases to nondefense programs, as well as investments secured for defense programs, the border and veterans.

Cole said he doesnt expect the party to stray too far from from the top-line number negotiated as part of bipartisan spending limits deal last year. However, he suggested there could be some slack to be gained in future talks with Democrats, as the budget caps deal has been met with fierce opposition from conservatives demanding steep funding cuts.

Speaker Johnson showed hes able to get actually a few more concessions even than McCarthy got, so there may be some wiggle room, Cole said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The House of Representatives passed a series of Iran-related bills on Monday evening with wide bipartisan support, a response to the attack on Saturday evening by Iranian forces against targets in Israel.

Among the legislation passed on Monday were bills aimed at expanding sanctions over Chinese firms that do business with Irans petroleum sector and provisions to direct US representatives at the IMF to oppose financial assistance to Iran. Another bill directed the president to submit reports to Congress on Iranian holdings and assets in the United States financial system.

The bills were passed under suspension of the rules with just a handful of lawmakers in opposition. It was an expected outcome, as none of the legislation dealt with issues seen as controversial or requiring greater politicking  such as military aid to Israel, or the USs interaction with agencies delivering aid in Gaza. It also followed a major Iranian strike over the weekend against Israeli targets that was largely countered by Israeli and US air defences.

Mondays spate of legislation was largely a continuation of the status quo in Washington  support for ramping up nonmilitary pressure against Irans government, while the Biden administration and the presidents allies in the Democratic Party push publicly against calls from conservatives for a direct military strike against Iranian facilities and/or capabilities. The White House repeated several times over the weekend that the US is not seeking military conflict with Iran; President Biden himself reportedly urged Israels Benjamin Netanyahu against retaliatory action in a phone call. More importantly, on that same call, the president is reported to have told Mr Netanyahu that the US would not support such a military action.

Conservatives continue to insist that the USs refusal to use military force against Iran serves as an effective non-deterrent, and have called for the president to take more drastic action.

Meanwhile, Mondays vote in the House precedes the chamber taking further action in the week ahead. The House is expected to introduce more legislation targeting Iran over the coming days, including a resolution set to be unveiled at a bipartisan presser on Tuesday regarding Irans support of militia groups and proxy battles across the Middle East.

I have just spoken with the @HouseGOP conference on my plan to address national security supplemental legislation on the growing security crises.



This week, we will consider separate bills with a structured and germane amendment process to:



Fund our ally Israel

Support  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 15, 2024

The House has yet to take up supplemental funding legislation for Israel and Ukraine passed by the Senate in February. Instead, Speaker Mike Johnson told Republicans at their conference meeting on Monday that he would split the legislation into multiple parts, allowing both the portions dealing with Israel and Ukraines militaries to stand alone.

Mr Johnsons course puts him back in conflict with the Senate, where the GOP minority has urged him to bring the supplemental to the floor without changes. The increasingly desperate situation faced by Ukraines military has been laid at the speakers feet as he battles conservatives in his own party who are seeking a chance to kill that part of the legislation.
NANJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A plane loaded with 54.6 tonnes of cross-border e-commerce goods on Tuesday departed from Wuxi City in east China's Jiangsu Province, bound for Mexico City.

The departure marked the launch of the first direct all-cargo air route linking Jiangsu with Latin America.

The service is operated by MasAir and will run three times each week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

At this time, cargo exported via the route will consist mainly of cross-border e-commerce goods, and imported goods will consist mainly of auto parts.

The route will inject new vitality into the development of Wuxi's cross-border e-commerce, as well as that of the entire Yangtze River Delta region, according to Wuxi Customs official Li Yufeng. 
Republican House impeachment managers walk back across the Capitol after delivering the articles of impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate.

Republican House impeachment managers walk back across the Capitol after delivering the articles of impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

House Republicans on Tuesday formally presented articles of impeachment against Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, to the Senate, part of the partys attempt to force an election-year showdown with the Biden administration over immigration and border security.

In a ceremonial procession, 11 House Republican impeachment managers carried the two articles of impeachment across the rotunda of the US Capitol, where they informed the Senate they were prepared, for the first time in American history, to prosecute a sitting cabinet secretary for willful and systemic refusal to enforce border policies and a breach of public trust.

Constitutional scholars, including conservative legal experts, have said the Republicans impeachment case is deeply flawed and fails to meet the high bar of high crimes and misdemeanors outlined in the constitution.

Democrats, who control the Senate, have made clear their intention to quickly dispense with the articles, arguing that the politically charged proceedings amount to little more than a policy dispute with the administration. A two-thirds majority is needed to win an conviction in the Senate, an impossible threshold if all of the Democrats are united in favor of dismissing the charges against Mayorkas, who retains the support of Joe Biden.

Related: As a US diplomat, I helped circumvent Trumps Muslim ban  then realised I was part of the problem | Josef Burton

In February, House Republicans bypassed skepticism within their own ranks and unified Democratic opposition to approve by a one-vote margin two articles of impeachment against the secretary, who they have made the face of the Biden administrations struggle to control record migration at the US-Mexico border.

Impeachment should never be used to settle a policy disagreement, the Democratic majority leader, Chuck Schumer, said on Tuesday, adding: Talk about awful precedents. This would set an awful precedent for Congress.

Schumer has said the Senate would convene on Wednesday as a court of impeachment and senators will be sworn in as jurors. Patty Murray, the Senate president pro tempore, a Democrat of Washington, presided over the chamber as the House homeland security chair, Mark Green of Tennessee, read the charges aloud.

Schumer said he hoped to deal with the matter as expeditiously as possible. But Republicans are pressuring Democrats to hold a full trial.

We must hold those who engineered this crisis to full account, the House speaker, Mike Johnson, said in a statement on Monday after signing the articles of impeachment. Pursuant to the constitution, the House demands a trial.

Johnson initially delayed the delivery of the articles to focus on funding legislation to avert a government shutdown. Then the transmission was delayed again after Senate Republicans asked for more time to strategize ways to ensure a Senate trial.

In remarks on Tuesday, Senator Mitch McConnell charged that it would be beneath the Senates dignity to shrug off our clear responsibility and not give thorough consideration to the charges against Mayorkas.

I will strenuously oppose any effort to table the articles of impeachment and avoid looking the Biden administrations border crisis squarely in the face, the Senate minority leader said.

Mayorkas, the first Latino and first immigrant to lead the agency, has forcefully defended himself throughout the process, writing in a January letter to House Republicans: Your false accusations do not rattle me.

Hours before the articles were delivered to the Senate, Mayorkas was on Capitol Hill, pressing Congress to provide his agency with more resources to enforce border policies and to pass legislation updating the nations outdated immigration laws.

Our immigration system, however, is fundamentally broken, he told members of the House homeland security committee on Tuesday morning. Only Congress can fix it. Congress has not updated our immigration enforcement laws since 1996  28 years ago. And, only Congress can deliver on our need for more border patrol agents, asylum officers and immigration judges, facilities and technology.

Republicans seized on the opportunity to assail Mayorkas, blaming him for the humanitarian crisis at the countrys southern border.

The open border is the number one issue across America in poll after poll and that is exactly why this committee impeached you, said Marjorie Taylor Greene, the far-right Georgia congresswoman, one of 11 House Republicans tapped to serve as an impeachment manager.

Several Republican senators have expressed deep skepticism about the Houses impeachment effort, former secretaries of homeland security as well as conservative legal scholars have denounced the Republicans case against Mayorkas as deeply flawed and warned that it threatens to undermine one of Congresss most powerful tools for removing officials guilty of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

A group of Republican senators are contemplating ways to slow-walk the process, suggesting they will deliver lengthy speeches and raise time-consuming procedural inquiries to keep the attention on immigration, one of Bidens greatest political vulnerabilities.

Americans broadly disapprove of the presidents handling of the border, now a top concern for many voters. Ahead of the 2024 election, Republicans have assailed Biden over the border while Donald Trump, the partys likely presidential nominee, has again put immigration at the center of his campaign.

An attempt to pass a bipartisan border bill  negotiated by Mayorkas and touted as the most conservative piece of immigration legislation in decades  was derailed by Republicans at the behest of Trump, who did not want Biden to notch a victory on an issue that plays to the former presidents political advantage.

Biden has also asked Congress to approve requests for more border patrol agents and immigration court judges, but Republicans have refused, saying Biden should use his executive authority to stem the flow of migrants. Biden has said he is mulling a far-reaching executive action that would dramatically reduce the number of asylum seekers who can cross the southern border.
Republicans sent their articles of impeachment for Joe Bidens director of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, to the Senate on Tuesday, an end to a series of delays and political games as well as the beginning of the end for the impeachment itself.

Members of the House including Marjorie Taylor Greene who were selected as impeachment managers for the DHS chiefs upcoming Senate trial assembled in a small procession and delivered the articles to the Senate.

The impeachment effort will not result in a conviction in the Senate; Democrats have rejected the effort as a political stunt and noted that Republicans did not lay out specific high crimes of which Mr Mayorkas is supposedly guilty  the standard for impeachment.

Instead, the impeachment effort hinges on two articles: one accusing Mr Mayoraks of wilfully disregarding the law by supposedly not enforcing US immigration law, and a second accusing him of abusing the public trust. The impeachment crusade failed to pick up a single Democratic vote in the House; it is expected to do even worse in the Senate, where some Republicans may end up voting against it.

Mr Mayorkas would only be removed from office with the vote of two-thirds of the Senate. Democrats currently control the chamber by a slim margin.

WATCH: House impeachment managers deliver articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the U.S. Senate. pic.twitter.com/dNCsJ3Qgeu  CSPAN (@cspan) April 16, 2024

The DHS chiefs impeachment is thought by some Democrats to be a smokescreen to cover up the GOPs failure to unify around an impeachment of President Joe Biden. That effort is now wholly stalled, with Republicans showing no signs of picking up enough votes for articles of impeachment to pass the House of Representatives and the president this week declining to testify to the committee handling the matter.

Republicans continue to insist that what theyve uncovered proves the existence of links between the president and his sons overseas business efforts, but as of yet the GOP has yet to produce a single document or witness to directly corroborate that claim. Several witnesses called by the committee have directly refuted it.

Border security remains a top issue in Washington even if the impeachment of Mr Mayorkas is doomed to fail in the Senate. Reports have indicated that the president and some of his allies in Congress are warming to the idea of executive action to address illegal crossings at the border, which numbered more than 130,000 in March.

In the Senate, a bipartisan working group produced a framework for legislation to address border security that would have given Mr Biden authority to temporarily freeze the US asylum program, but the deal fell apart after House Republicans (led by calls from Donald Trump) declared it dead on arrival in the House.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  House Republicans are racing to slap Iran with additional sanctions following its unprecedented attack against Israel.

Michigan Congressman Bill Huizenga says he wants to cut off all money flowing from the U.S. and the World Bank into Iran.

Frankly I think theyve demonstrated that theyre using to for nefarious purposes, says Huizenga.

His No U.S. Financing to Iran Act is among a series of bills being rushed to the House floor for a vote this week.

Huizenga expects it to pass with sweeping bipartisan support.

Illinois Democratic Congressman Brad Schneider who recently visited Israel calls more sanctions a no brainer, but he also argues getting military aid to Israel is just as important.



Its estimated that the defense of one night of attack on Saturday night was upwards of a billion dollars, Rep. Schneider said.



The White House and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell are calling on House Republicans to stop blocking a multi-billion dollar aid package that includes money for Israel.



Anyone taking the challenges we face seriously knows that these unmet needs are absolutely urgent, said McConnell.

Iowa Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Jane Miller-Meeks argues its the Senate that needs to act. She says House Republicans have passed two bills to send aid directly to Israel.

The White House is refusing to take up standalone Israel aid bill.



Following an emergency call with G-7 leaders the administration says it, too, is considering new sanctions against Iran,

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says aid vote could come this week

House Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson says he is not resigning, despite growing threats from within his own party to oust him.



In response to Irans missile attack against Israel, Johnson now says the House must act to quickly get aid to U.S. allies.



Instead of taking up the Senates already passed multi-billion dollar foreign aid package, hes proposing votes on four bills: one each for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and the 4th bill a Republican catch all.



Were in unprecedented times, were in dangerous times says Johnson.



Johnsons most conservative members say they have been betrayed.

Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie says if Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene follows through on her effort to remove the Speaker, hes all in.

Most House Republicans do not support a motion to vacate.



The last thing the country needs is to throw a speaker out, even though I disagree with what hes done, hes an honest man, said Ralph Norman (R-S.C.).

Last time conservative lawmakers voted to remove their speaker the House came to a standstill for 22 days.

I cant support that, said Rep Troy Nehls (R-Texas.), You have to have a solution, so who?



So far, Democrats are not rushing to Johnsons rescue.



Its up to Speaker Johnson to deliver votes, said Rep. Pete Aguilar (R-Calif.)



Aguilar said his party is open to any plan that moves quickly and mirrors the Senates foreign aid package passed two months ago.



We stand willing to work with anyone who wants to deliver on that help and support, said Aguilar.



Johnson hopes to schedule votes on the bills by the end of the week.



For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
New Hybrid PAC looks to help naturalized citizens, Muslim candidates run for federal office

A newly formed progressive hybrid Political Action Committee (PAC) is looking to support Muslim candidates and naturalized citizens who want to run for federal office.

The group, dubbed Cavalry PAC, was filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) last Monday.

The group is headed by former Democratic Congressional candidate Kara Eastman and progressive media personality Cenk Uygur. It is set to launch on Tuesday, Eastman told The Hill.

Uygur, The Young Turks host, ended his long-shot Democratic presidential bid in early March. Since he was born in Turkey, he is not eligible to become president because of the Constitutions Natural Born Citizen Clause. During his five-month White House bid, he started a legal battle to get ballot access.

He sued in South Carolina federal court after not being included in the Palmetto State presidential primary ballot. The Democratic Party pointed to the Constitution when arguing why Uygur was left off.

The new PAC will continue the constitutional dogfight.

Were also going to continue the litigation that we started because the idea behind his [Uygurs] campaign was fighting full equality for naturalized citizens, which we still believe the 14th Amendment grants, Eastman said.

We did not have the resources to be able to do that through the campaign, or the time really  thats one of the main goals for this, she continued. So we want to pay off the legal bills, but then, just as importantly, if not, more importantly, move it forward with the potential of even suing in other states.

The group will spend half of the donation on the ongoing litigation, according to the PACs website.

Eastman, who twice failed to unseat Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) in Nebraskas 2nd District, most recently worked as Uygurs campaign manager.

She said the other half of funds will go toward supporting outsider candidates in grassroots elections, so helping Muslim candidates, helping naturalized citizens who want to run for office, maybe not right now for president but maybe down the line.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Winchcombe meteorite, which fell to the ground in Gloucestershire in the U.K. after blazing a trail through the night sky on Feb. 28, 2021 , came from an asteroid that had been heavily altered by water as well as smashed apart and reformed multiple times.

That's the conclusion of a detailed analysis of the meteorite, fragments of which were found scattered in fields near the village of Winchcombe, and even on one family's driveway. It was the first meteorite fall in the U.K. to be retrieved since 1991. Thanks to the U.K. Fireball Alliance's network of video cameras watching the sky, as well as eyewitness reports, scientists were able to triangulate the approximate area in which the meteorite had fallen.

The next day, search teams were on-site. They were able to quickly retrieve fragments of the meteorite, in some cases within hours of landfall and before Earth's atmosphere had been able to chemically alter the space rock in any serious way (although some of the fragments did exhibit terrestrial contamination, including from table salt ). A total of 602 grams (21.2 ounces) worth of material was collected in total.

Related: 'Interstellar meteor' vibrations actually caused by a truck, study suggests

Despite its fire-forward journey, the Winchcombe meteorite fragments are as pristine as one could hope for. Contained within the meteorite's composition is its secret history that scientists can tease out with sophisticated transmission electron microscopy and techniques such as electron backscatter diffraction, time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and atom probe tomography.

These are all methods normally brought to bear on precious material ferried to Earth by asteroid sample-return missions; the fact that scientists could employ these sensitive tools to Winchcombe piece is all thanks to how well-kept the samples are .

"This level of analysis of the Winchcombe meteorite is virtually unprecedented for materials that weren't directly returned to Earth from space missions, like moon rocks from the Apollo program or samples from the Ryugu asteroid collected by the Hayabusa 2 probe," said Leon Hicks of the University of Leicester in a statement.

The investigation showed that the fragments were made of a breccia, which is where individual chunks of rock are cemented together (not literally with cement used to build houses, but by a mixture known as a cataclastic mix). The Winchcombe meteorite is classified as a CM carbonaceous chondrite, which is a carbon-rich and stony rock. The analysis, which probed the fragments at the nanometer scale, found that the Winchcombe breccia was formed from eight different types of CM chondrite, which are the most common variation of carbonaceous chondrite.

"We were fascinated to uncover just how fragmented the breccia was within the Winchcombe sample we analyzed," said Luke Daly of the University of Glasgow, who led the research. "If you imagine the Winchcombe meteorite as a jigsaw, what we saw in the analysis was as if each of the jigsaw pieces themselves had also been cut into smaller pieces and then jumbled in a bag filled with fragments of seven other jigsaws."

This suggests that the Winchcombe meteorites parent asteroid had been smashed apart and reformed multiple times, presumably following collisions with other asteroids early in the solar system 's history.

Moreover, the meteorite fragments also indicate clear evidence of having been chemically altered by liquid water before getting smashed apart. In some cases, grains altered by water were found right next to unaltered grains, so quite jumbled had the breccia become. There were also unexpectedly high abundances of carbonate materials such as aragonite, calcite and dolomite. These are carbon-based minerals, and the implication is that Winchcombe's parent asteroid once possessed a large amount of carbon-dioxide ice. Some event, perhaps a collision, melted this ice and allowed it to chemically alter the rock to form the carbonates. This could also explain puzzling carbonate-rich veins found on the surface of the asteroid Bennu by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission.

"It gives us a clearer idea of how it must have been battered by impacts and reformed again and again over the course of its lifetime since it swirled together out of the solar nebula, billions of years ago," concluded Daly.

Related Stories:

 Meteorite that crashed onto UK driveway contains the building blocks of life

 Earth's water might have come from ancient space rocks, meteorite discovery suggests

 Meteorites from Asteroid 2024 Bx1, which just hit Earth, may be super-rare space rocks

These findings are not the first discoveries to be made about the Winchcombe meteorite, however. Earlier this year it was revealed by several groups of scientists that advanced electron microscopy had found amino acids and nucleobases within the meteorite. Although these molecules are not directly involved in life as we know it, they are precursors to more complex amino acids that are known as biologically useful.

The presence of water on the Winchcombe meteorite's parent asteroid could also aid in the understanding of where Earths water came from. The leading theory is that it was brought to Earth by impacts, but were they impacts of comets or asteroids? Carbonaceous chondrites seem the most likely source, potentially making the water-altered Winchcombe samples a key piece of evidence if future research can reveal more about whether the deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio in the asteroid's water matches that of Earth's water.

The research was published on April 16 in the journal Meteoritics and Planetary Science.
Iconic Papaya King to be replaced by 17-story luxury high-rise as locals decry disgusting change in neighborhood

An old school Upper East Side building that housed Anthony Bourdains favorite Big Apple hot dog stand will be bulldozed to make way for luxury condos  leaving longtime residents red hot.

Locals and passersby got frank with The Post on Monday over news that Papaya Kings modest, single-story building at 86th Street and Third Avenue would be replaced with a 17-story tower.

It completely changes the fabric of the neighborhood. Im a native New Yorker born and bred, said 69-year-old Nancy Dreyfuss, who remembered having her first hot dog at the spot when she was about seven years old.

Papaya King, which Bourdain described as the apex of the art of hotdog making, closed last year while a planned new location for the stand across the street closed before it ever even opened its doors.

Papaya King operated out of the 86th and 3rd Avenue location for nearly 100 years after opening there in 1932. James Messerschmidt

Now its original site will be razed for 25 luxury units, and the neon-gilded smiley-faced facade of Papaya King will be replaced by a lobby and mixed retail space, records show.

For some the news is the latest sign that the character of the neighborhood is being chipped away  as it moves further away from its roots as an immigrant enclave full of German and Austrian restaurants and shops.

You have all these fancy buildings with very fancy people, who dont shop in the mom and pop shops, who only want the fancy Lululemons and Sephoras, and a lot of the mom and pop shops have closed, Dreyfuss said.

Theyre building them taller and taller and theyre blocking out the sun, she went on. Poor Papaya King couldnt survive. They never made it over the street, they were supposed to move but they didnt.

Papaya King first opened in 1932 and operated out of the 86th Street location for 91 years. It closed its doors in 2023 after its landlord sold the property in 2021 for $21 million.

The tiny shop offered famously good deals on their hotdogs and tropical drinks out of its tiny Upper East Side shop. J.C.Rice

J.C.Rice

Queens developer ZD Jasper then bought the building for about $29 million with air rights in 2023, according to the Real Deal. The developer did not respond to request for comment about their high-rise plans.

Papaya King had promised to move across the street  even stripping out much of its old interior and rebuilding the modest shop in the new location  but following a dispute with the new landlord over kitchen infrastructure the deal fell through by early 2024, according to Eater.

It remains unclear whether the beloved shop will reopen in a different spot.

In the meantime, hot dog lovers remain bereft of their favorite fix.

Lifelong New Yorker Nancy Dreyfuss, 62, had her first hot dog at Papaya King when she was about seven years old. James Messerschmidt

Papaya King had plans to move across the street to a new location, but a dispute with that landlord ended the project. James Messerschmidt

I was just talking to my cousin on the phone, saying How is it Papaya King has shut down in Manhattan? said 48-year-old Hoboken construction worker Jean-Paul OIivieri as he ate lunch from a Chick-fil-A down the block..

If Papaya King was still open I would have had a hotdog for lunch, not Chick-fil-A, 100%, he said.

Lifelong Upper East Sider Brian Jansen, 67  who first went to Papaya King when he was younger than 10  called the replacement of Papaya Dog with luxury apartments a disgrace.

Were good for condos around here. We need more Papaya Kings. Any locally owned or independently operated business would be beneficial, but you can see thats not the case here, he said.

The area is going towards the high-rise and going towards an elimination of the middle class, he said.

Now theyre lined with the Gap, Old Navy and Wholefoods.
Six months into the Israel-Hamas conflict, the conduct and ethics of some Israel Defense Forces members have increasingly come under the microscope.

Incidents ranging from pranks to potentially criminal acts are being exposed to the world, often by videos soldiers themselves have posted online, according to critics and Israeli officials.

In many pictures and videos that have circulated since the conflict began, and which were reposted by pro-Palestinian activists to millions of followers, IDF soldiers are seen blowing up buildings in Gaza while in combat, waving womens underwear like flags and rifling through the possessions of Gazans with gleeful expressions.

MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates

Younis Tirawi, a Palestinian activist, says hes seen thousands of videos of IDF soldiers reportedly behaving improperly. "You can see all the soldiers liking their posts," Tirawi told ABC News. "

PHOTO: A Palestinian man rides a bicycle past a damaged vehicle where employees from the World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, Apr. 2, 2024. (Ahmed Zakot/Reuters)

The images and videos have been condemned by activists, and military ethics experts say some of the incidents captured on video and photos show serious violations. Israeli soldiers are prohibited from bringing phones and filming military activities in Gaza.

"The pictures [and] the videos I saw were taken by the soldiers. So it's not fabricated and they are wrong. Their activities there are wrong," said Asa Kasher, a professor at Tel Aviv University and the lead author of the IDF's code of ethics.

Oren Ziv, an Israeli journalist who was the first to report on the videos inside Israel, told ABC News the posts were emblematic of a worrying trend in Israeli society and its military.

The loss of any moral compass and seeing the Palestinians as human beings in generalit is a long process for dozens of years," he said.

"Of course, after Oct. 7, I think it's very hard to the general Israeli public and for sure the soldiers on the front to see them as human beings and also to make the differentiation between Hamas and the people who committed the massacre on Oct. 7, and then civilians who live in Gaza," Ziv added.

U.S. officials expressed outrage after seven World Central Kitchen aid workers were killed on April 2 by Israeli air strikes.

"This week's horrific attack on the World Central Kitchen was not the first such incident. It must be the last," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said following the attack.

Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the IDF, told ABC News that he was aware of the videos posted by soldiers but maintained the army is committed to adhering to its code of ethics.

PHOTO: IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari speaks with ABC News' Matt Gutman. (ABC News)

"This is the army of the people. And we follow the core, the values and the international law. Those that made the video, [and] not just a video about braggingwill be [met] with a punishment, a severe punishment," he said.

A group of Israeli soldiers is seen kneeling in what was a Gaza neighborhood before setting off explosives in a video filmed by an IDF soldier that was verified by ABC News.

The soldier said he was destroying 21 homes to commemorate the death of 21 Israeli soldiers in a Hamas ambush in January.

When asked about the video, the IDF said in a statement that it examines events of this kind as well as reports of videos uploaded to social networks and handles them with command and disciplinary measures.

Acts of vengeance and collective punishment are prohibited under international law, according to Professor Kasher.

PHOTO: Asa Kasher speaks with ABC News. (ABC News)

Kasher told ABC News that he was disturbed by other alleged incidents by IDF members, including one in the West Bank where a soldier was filmed reciting a Jewish prayer through the speakers of a mosque that the soldiers raided.

The IDF said it removed the soldiers from duty who were seen in that video.

In another video that went viral, IDF reservist Leroi Taljaar was seen jokingly saying "everything is fine" while on duty in Gaza before IDF soldiers detonated an explosive.

Taljaar, a South African citizen, told ABC News that the video was "a joke."

"And, I definitely wouldn't put a video up of where I knew that there was innocent civilians being killed," he said. "Me and my friends went through a very, very difficult time while we were there. And our way of getting over that difficulty was making dark comedy. Maybe it wasn't at the right time, at the right place."

Taljaar said that the IDF has not spoken to him about the incident; however, South Africa has now said it would prosecute dual-national soldiers like him if they tried to return to the country.

Taljaar said he wasn't concerned about the repercussions.

PHOTO: IDF reservist Leroi Taljaar speaks with ABC News. (ABC News)

"Let's first sort out the problems inside our country before we look to problems of other countries," he said. " [The South African government is] looking for problems in places where they can't really do anything anyway."

The incidents aren't limited to the rank-and-file members of the IDF.

MORE: Chef Jose Andres says Israel is committing 'war against humanity' in exclusive 'This Week' interview

ABC News verified a video showing a drone missile on an empty Gazan college building. The strike was ordered by a general who wasn't authorized to do so, according to officials.

Video of the strike on the Palestinian Institution of Higher Learning was posted by a soldier -- which is against IDF policy.

Israeli officials allege the building was used by Hamas as a weapons depo and said that the general who ordered the unauthorized strike was reprimanded.

PHOTO: Israeli soldiers look at destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip as they stand near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Apr. 9, 2024. (Leo Correa/AP)

Although tensions are high because of the violence of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which was also filmed and shared on social media, Israeli forces must adhere to their code of conduct, Amos Yadlin, former head of intelligence for the IDF told ABC News.

"It's against the rules of engagement and against the ethics of the IDF, and the IDF commanders have a duty to make it not happen and to make the discipline," he said.

IDF's conduct, ethics under scrutiny following soldiers' social media posts originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- When foreign leaders plan visits to China, the destination of their first choice is not always the nation's capital, Beijing.

It might seem surprising at first glance, given Beijing's status as the political heart of China. However, it is understandable if the purpose of their visit, its political or cultural symbolic meanings, or the message they aim to convey are taken into account.

CHONGQING

The booming megacity of Chongqing in southwest China is famed for its mountainous terrain and fire-breathing hotpot. The Yangtze River winds its way through the city, painting a mesmerizing panorama.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Chongqing on Sunday morning to kick off his packed three-day visit. He then traveled to Shanghai on Monday and is scheduled to conclude his visit in Beijing on Tuesday.

The various fields in which China and Germany enjoy promising cooperation are believed to have played a major role in determining his itinerary.

As an economic engine in the inland region, Chongqing has a strong industrial base and has reshaped its industrial landscape through innovation.

Accompanied by a large delegation of ministers and business executives, Scholz visited Sino-German joint venture Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. and experienced the assembly of hydrogen fuel cell power modules.

He is impressed by the cooperation between German and Chinese enterprises in the field of hydrogen technology, and Germany is willing to continue to deepen friendly exchanges with China and push bilateral cooperation to a new level.

Chongqing has been actively expanding its capacity in hydrogen production, creating remarkable potential for bilateral cooperation in the area.

In December 2023, a major hydrogen supply center for vehicles in southwest China went operational in Chongqing.

As Germany faces challenges with its green energy push, it is expected that German automakers will take advantage of the visit to deepen collaboration with their Chinese peers, which have become leading global players in new energy vehicles, said Sun Yanhong, a senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Additionally, Chongqing serves as a pivotal hub for China-Europe freight trains. Observers said that Scholz's visit paves the way for future bilateral cooperation in infrastructure.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the inauguration of the China-Europe freight train services in the German city of Duisburg.

Soren Link, mayor of Duisburg, said that the demand for logistics between China and Europe is still high, and Duisburg is willing to maintain and strengthen ties with China while endeavoring to foster greater connectivity between the two sides.

GUANGZHOU

Political and economic considerations also play a major role in foreign leaders' selection of cities, as exemplified by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's China trip earlier this month.

She commenced her journey in the southern city of Guangzhou, and then visited Beijing amid ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. economic and high-tech restrictions against China and the issue of production capacity.

According to Huo Jianguo, a vice chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies in Beijing, Yellen's decision to choose Guangzhou as her first stop indicates the "pragmatic" nature of the visit that focuses on commercial issues and businesses.

"Choosing Guangzhou as the first stop appears to be downplaying the official tone ... Yellen was more pragmatic during this trip and willing to have contacts with companies so as to create a more relaxed atmosphere," Huo said.

Yellen's Guangzhou trip drew widespread attention both within China and worldwide.

"Yellen's visit to China sent a positive signal, showing that China and the U.S. are willing to communicate," Huo said.

China, the world's third-largest country by territory with a population of over 1.4 billion and a rich history, is home to a myriad of vibrant cities.

From the political center of Beijing to the financial hub of Shanghai, the trade port of Guangzhou and the inland municipality of Chongqing, each city offers its unique characteristics.

By immersing themselves in different Chinese cities, foreign leaders can get firsthand experiences and develop a more comprehensive understanding of China's multifaceted geographical, economic and cultural landscape, thereby enabling them to refine their policy decisions and improve relations with China. 
Illegal migrant convicted of child rape arrested after district court ignored detainer request

Illegal migrant convicted of child rape arrested after district court ignored detainer request

An illegal immigrant from Brazil charged with child rape was recently arrested after a Massachusetts District Court ignored a detainer request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and let him back into the community.

Per Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston, Border Patrol Arizona arrested the Brazilian illegal immigrant in July 2021 then released him into custody.

ICE Boston arrests an illegal immigrant from Brazil who is charged with child rape.

The illegal alien was arrested in Massachusetts for child rape last December, but Milford District Court ignored a detainer request from ICE and released the migrant into the community on $5,000 bail without notice in late January.

TEXAS GOV. ABBOTT BLASTS HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS OVER BORDER CRISIS: BUNCH OF LIES

Deportation officers from ERO Boston arrested the 20-year-old on March 28 near his residence in Lowell, Massachusetts.

"This Brazilian noncitizen is accused of sexually abusing a Massachusetts minor," said ICE Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons in a statement. "Every second he spends roaming free in our communities, he represents a potential threat to the children of our communities. The men and women of ICE Boston will always prioritize public safety by protecting the residents of New England from egregious noncitizen offenders."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital has reached out to Milford District Court for comment.





Original article source: Illegal migrant convicted of child rape arrested after district court ignored detainer request
Military retirees and some spouses or dependents whose next-generation Department of Defense identification cards have an "INDEF" expiration date continue to face problems using their IDs to traverse Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at U.S. airports.

And a potential solution under consideration at TSA -- that the agency drops the IDs, known as USIDs, as acceptable forms of identification when stricter travel requirements are implemented next year -- is sure to irritate those who like using their military IDs instead of a state driver's license or passport for travel.

Nearly a dozen military retirees have contacted Military.com in the past two years with concerns that their ID cards marked INDEF, meaning they have an indefinite expiration date, don't work with TSA screening technology in airports across the country.

Read Next: Pentagon's Second Review of Abbey Gate Attack Finds Troops Didn't See Bomber Before the Explosion

Former service members have run into the issue at Chicago O'Hare International, Seattle-Tacoma International, Orlando International, Tampa International, San Diego International and elsewhere.

According to TSA press secretary R. Carter Langston, the problem centers around USIDs that lack an expiration date. The "INDEF" designation cannot be read by the TSA's Credential Authentication Technology. When the CAT unit does not detect an expiration date, the CAT screen will display an "EXPIRED" alert, according to Langston.

The TSA officer is supposed to ask for another acceptable form of ID that can be read by the CAT unit, Langston said. If the passenger does not have another acceptable form of ID, the officer "will conduct manual inspection of the DoD ID presented as these IDs are currently acceptable forms of ID," Langston said in a statement.

The issue is largely a matter of inconvenience, since many people travel with a driver's license, passport or other form of identification.

But for DoD ID card holders, it could become a major problem beginning May 7, 2025, when all travelers and visitors to the U.S. will be required to have a passport, a state-verified REAL ID or another form of identification designated as acceptable by TSA.

Since the REAL ID Act of 2005 was passed, Defense Department IDs holders have been told their IDs are compliant and acceptable in lieu of a REAL ID and many have not bothered to get a REAL ID compatible state identification card.

They may need to or begin traveling with a passport, because given the ongoing issues, TSA is considering dropping DoD IDs from their list of accepted identification before the REAL ID requirement goes into effect, according to a source with knowledge of ongoing discussions between TSA and the Defense Department.

The Defense Department did not respond to a request for comment on the proposal, and Langston said he would not "confirm or deny discussions that are pre-decisional in nature."

But the proposal does not sit well among some former service members who spent decades serving their country and take pride in carrying a military ID.

"You can get on any military base in the country, but you can't get on an airplane with a military ID card? I don't agree with that at all," said a military retiree based in Washington state who requested that his name not be used to protect how he learned of the proposal.

The source added that the decision is not final and discussions were ongoing.

The Defense Department updated the new IDs, known as USID, for active-duty family members, military retirees and their dependents, reservists and Medal of Honor recipients in 2020, the first upgrade to the cards since 1993.

The USID cards look similar to Common Access Cards, which are issued to active-duty personnel, but they don't have a built-in chip. They were created to have durable lamination, full-color photos and enhanced security features to make them less able to counterfeit or misuse.

When the USIDs were introduced, TSA's scanning system was unable to read their barcodes. That issue largely was fixed in 2022 with a software update, and DoD ID cards work for most individuals whose cards have an expiration date.

But the problem continues for IDs with the "INDEF" date. And retirees aren't happy about it.

"It's been my assumption all along [that I could fly with a DoD ID card]," said the Washington-based retired officer. "I had an old ID until just a couple of months ago, and it worked just fine."

Related: Defense Department Expands ID Card Renewals by Mail to US-Based Retirees, Dependents
This week the worlds biggest democratic election kicks off in India, as almost 970 million voters decide whether to give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a third term. The election will last six weeks after a campaign that has sprawled across India  and into the United States as well.

Modis supporters credit him with putting India on the global stage and turning it into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. His critics, however, say Modi has fanned a wave of Hindu nationalism, cracked down on opponents, stifled press freedom and stoked religious tensions with Muslims and other minority groups.

In the weeks leading up to the election, which begins Friday, the overseas arm of Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has enlisted members of the Indian diaspora in the U.S. to campaign on his behalf, either by phone calling friends and family in India or by traveling to India themselves.

Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party-USA campaign event (Nathan Howard / Reuters)

More than 60 Modi supporters turned up to an event at the Potomac Community Center in Maryland last month, many of them wearing scarves of saffron, a color associated with Hindu nationalism.

At the event, leaders of the Overseas Friends of BJP listed what they saw as Modis achievements since taking office in 2014: developments in infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, technology and education and, more recently, the inauguration of a grand Hindu temple on a contested holy site.

Attendees were urged to use these as talking points to nudge friends and family in India to vote for Modi, and many stood ready to help.

Especially when they see me, that Im from [the] United States, it carries a weight, said Kanwaljit Soni, OFBJPs coordinator for the Sikh community, who was planning to travel to India to campaign ahead of the election, which runs from April 19 to June 1.

Its a familiar routine for him. During the last election, in 2019, he said, he spent three weeks in India traveling from village to village to encourage people to vote for the BJP.

I will be going to where my roots are in the different states, he said.

Aware of the gargantuan task of defeating Modi, the fractured opposition has tried to consolidate into a single coalition by fielding a single candidate against the BJP. But many candidates have already switched to the BJP or backed out of the coalition.

Its no longer party versus party. Its a person against a person, and there is no other credible person with a national stature like Modi, said Sanjoy Chakravorty, a professor of geography, urban studies and global studies at Temple University in Philadelphia and the author of The Truth About Us: The Politics of Information From Manu to Modi.

The opposition has been further constrained by what it says are strong-arm tactics by Modi and his government. Dozens of opposition politicians have been jailed or are under investigation, and there were protests last month when Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, was arrested in connection with corruption allegations that he denies.

Last month, Modis government froze the bank accounts of the main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, in a tax dispute. The party said the move was politically motivated and hindered its ability to campaign.

Modi has said that Indias democracy remains robust and that there is absolutely no discrimination. His government says the Congress party fears a historic defeat and that its accounts were frozen because it failed to file tax returns for past donations.

The Congress party has also tried to mobilize support among Indian Americans with rallies across the U.S., arguing that India cannot afford a third Modi term.

Democracy is under an existential crisis in India right now and people are afraid to speak out, said George Abraham, vice president of the Indian Overseas Congress.

But it is hard to compete with Modi, who experts say has built the narrative of being a great leader, his face appearing everywhere in India from outdoor displays to vaccination certificates. That has extended abroad to the Indian diaspora in the U.S., which has never been more passionate about politics at home.

Modis state visit to Washington last year drew a few hundred protesters, but thousands of South Asians also flooded the citys landmarks, either to support him or just to revel in the historic moment.

Its the convergence of the whole nation into a person, Chakravorty said.

Adapa Prasad, president of Overseas Friends of BJP, said the group aimed to reach almost 50,000 members of the Indian diaspora in the U.S., with the goal of helping Modi and the BJP secure a landslide victory.

And Maryland was just the first stop.

The group planned to hold pre-election rallies in 20 U.S. cities, modeled after Modis Chai Pe Charcha, or discussions over tea  televised programs in which he discusses various issues with citizens and top leaders.

There are an estimated 4.4 million people of Indian origin living in the U.S., making them the largest Asian American group, according to the Census Bureau. While many are U.S. citizens, barring them from voting in Indian elections, they may still have family links in India.

For those unable to travel to India, there is also the option of campaigning by phone, Prasad said.

People who are sympathetic to BJP will call their relatives in India and urge them to vote, he said.

India Prepares For First Phase Of General Elections (Abhishek Chinnappa / Getty Images)

India has a multiparty parliamentary system in which the candidate who receives the most votes in their home constituency wins. The party with the biggest share of candidates in the Legislature gets to pick the prime minister. Even though Modis party received 37% of the votes in 2019, it won 303 out of the 543 seats.

Flanked by almost a dozen party flags, supporters in Maryland chanted Victory of Mother India and, This time, above 400 in Hindi, referring to the BJPs goal of securing more than 400 seats.

Calling Modi a sensible leader, Peeyush Uniyal, who is originally from the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand and now lives in Ellicott City, Maryland, said that especially from the development point of view, I think it becomes a no-brainer.

He dismissed concerns about the rise of Hindu nationalism as overblown.

Virginia resident Upasana Dhankhar said it was her first time venturing into politics. Its the consistency of leadership, said Dhankhar, a former professor of Indian history.

She moved to the U.S. in 2019, the same year Modi revoked the Indian Constitutions Article 370, which granted semiautonomous status to Kashmir, Indias only Muslim-majority region. The widely criticized move in the disputed territory was followed by the arrival of thousands of troops and a six-month communications blackout.

Resolving the Kashmir problem was a big thing, Dhankhar said, mirroring an argument from a PowerPoint slide titled Article 370 SCRAPPED.

The BJPs campaign in the U.S. was another way of revving up Modis global fanbase, Chakravorty said.

The entire civilization is on the rise, he said, and they want to be part of it.

CORRECTION (April 16, 2024, 1:55 p.m. ET): Because of an editing error, the headline on a previous version of this article misstated Narendra Modis position. He is prime minister, not president.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
An Indiana deputy has died after coming into contact with power lines, according to the sheriff's office he worked for

Hendricks County Sheriff's Office, Indiana Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar, who died Tuesday, April 16 after he was injured by power lines

Deputy Fred Fislar of the Hendricks County Sheriffs Office in Indiana died early Tuesday, April 16, after he was electrocuted while responding to a car crash

The driver of the car involved in the crash reportedly struck a utility pole, leaving electrical wires hanging low

Fislar, who spent more than two years with the HCSO, leaves behind a wife and two children according to Sheriff Jack Sadler

An Indiana deputy sheriff has died after coming into contact with power lines, according to the Hendricks County Sheriffs Office.

Deputy Fred Fislar was critically injured on Monday, April 15, while responding to a single-vehicle crash near Plainfield, Ind., late that evening, according to a statement read by Sheriff Jack Sadler at a press conference shared by NBC affiliate WTHR.

Fislar was investigating a crash scene at State Road 267 and County Road 300 South when he came in contact with live wires and was electrocuted, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

The sheriffs office said a driver had struck a utility pole, leaving electrical wires hanging low by the car, according to the Kansas City Star and WTHR.

Related: Fourth Body Found Nearly 3 Weeks After Baltimore Bridge Collapse

A motorist saw the deputy down at 11:57 p.m. local time, and used his radio to notify dispatch of the situation, Sadler explained at the press conference.

Fislar was transported to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition after sustaining injuries from coming into contact with the power lines, he added.

Despite all life-saving measures, Sadler said, Fislar died just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16.

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It is a sad day for the Hendricks County Sheriffs Office and community today, the sheriff told reporters.

Fislar had worked for the Hendricks County Sheriffs Office for more than two years prior to his death. He leaves behind a wife and two children, according to the sheriff.

Authorities said Fislar previously served as a Marine before joining the HCSO in 2021, per the Star.

Related: Pilot Seemingly Unbuckled Seatbelt Before Falling from Experimental Plane and Hitting Tail, Causing Fatal Crash

Were going to ask the community for prayers for Deputy Fislars family, our family and our community during this difficult time, Sadler said Tuesday.

Police escorted Fislars body to the Marion County Coroners Office, where he was watched until he could be transported to the Hendricks County Coroners Office, according to FOX affiliate WXIN.

Rick Snyder, president of the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police, said, An officer or Hendricks County Sheriffs Deputy will stand and stay with Deputy Fislar from now until the time he is laid to rest.

The driver of the car that hit the utility pole was also transported to Eskenazi Hospital with serious injuries, said Deputy Chief Joe Aldridge, according to WTHR. Their current condition is unclear.



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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  The Virginia Beach City Workers Union came together Tuesday night to call on city leaders to pass a resolution in support of collective bargaining for public workers in the city.

They picketed outside of Virginia Beach City Hall before a meeting of city council, who are expected to vote on the matter on April 30.

The union cited a recently conducted poll of 576 random voters across Virginia Beachs 10 districts that showed voters in Virginia Beach support collective bargaining for city employees, with 60.6% in favor to 20.3% against. The poll was funded by the Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association and Virginia Beach Professional Fire & EMS.

Members of the Virginia Beach City Workers Union picket outside Virginia Beach City Hall on April 16, 2024 (WAVY image)

With collective bargaining we can level the playing field and have a voice. City workers have never had a voice, added Virginia Beach City Workers Union Chair Terry Green. The majority is with us.

VB City Council to vote on collective bargaining

If approved, city workers would be able to negotiate through a union for things like better pay and working conditions. It comes as the citys seen staffing issues across its departments, particularly in fire/EMS.

Advocates say collective bargaining is needed to help increase retention, give workers a seat at the table and bring Virginia Beachs pay back to among the highest in the region. Critics, though, say theyre concerned about the costs leading to higher taxes and potential layoffs for workers in the future.

A Virginia Beach library worker holds up a sign during the Virginia Beach City Workers Union picket on April 16, 2024 (WAVY image)

Virginia Beach City Council discussed the matter for over an hour Tuesday at their work session. Some members seem to have made up their mind, while others say theyre still looking through the data and pros and cons.

The video above is from Tuesdays Virginia Beach City Council work session. They discussed the subject of collective bargaining for more than an hour. A vote on the matter is scheduled for April 30.

Im concerned that were going to go so far that we cant bring it back in, said Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson, whos been critical of collective bargaining. Id rather see us take baby steps,

Wilson also said on Tuesday that she spoke to Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, whose city rejected collective bargaining in 2023 in favor of the meet and confer negotiation method that Virginia Beach uses, and that he told her he had been concerned that collective bargaining could bankrupt [Norfolk.]

Thats kind of a scary thought. Especially at a time weve got so many needs in this city. Were looking at how to save some money so we can get roads built, our schools done, flooding projects 

City Councilmember David Hutcheson, a former city fire chief, spoke in favor of collective bargaining. He says savings from the retention of employees whod otherwise leaving could pay for the roughly $1 million estimated annual cost for implementing collective bargaining.

He believes meeting every three to five years for a contract with workers would also lead to less work for the city, and its normally not some outrageous amount of money when new contracts are finalized.

Weve talked about the step plan [that the city implemented a few years ago]  and how it was $30 million one time. Thats because we were behind.

Councilman Chris Taylor said he still believes there hasnt been enough public input on collective bargaining before a vote and said he wants clearer data. He likened differing information received on firefighter pay to comparing apples and kiwis.

There is disparity amongst the workforce  go talk to a public utilities worker, Taylor added. Find out if theyre happy working here. The answer I get 8 out of 10 times is yes Im happy but Id like to get paid more. Yes the step plan was good  but.'

Councilwoman Amelia Ross-Hammond said she was still reviewing the pros and cons of the matter and said she wants to make sure the city has some protections if it approves collective bargaining.

Meanwhile Councilwoman Sabrina Wooten said shes been supportive of collective bargaining and said its important to recognize city workers.

When I think about collective bargaining to make sure Im considering they do the work, Wooten said.

She also suggested the city get more input from Portsmouth, which became the first in Hampton Roads to approve collective bargaining.

Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson added we have to make certain that if we do go forward weve got it right. Because I think once we go forward with this theres no going back.

Check with WAVY.com for more updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
LANSING, Kan.  The Kansas Department of Corrections is investigating after an inmate died at the Lansing Correctional Facility Monday.

According to KDOC, 44-year-old Robert Edwin Blanchette, was found unresponsive in his cell. Staff and a medical team attempted life-saving measures but were unable to revive him.

Pedestrian killed after being struck near I-70 and Sterling Ave.

Blanchette was serving a life sentence for convictions of first-degree murder and kidnapping in Reno County, Kansas.

KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating per protocol.

This is the second death of an inmate at Lansing prison in less than a month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
(Bloomberg) -- Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has opposed NATO expansion and condemned military aid to Ukraine as a deeply immoral path to prolonging the war with Russia. Now he wants to take the reins of government in Wednesdays election.

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The head of state plunged into the contest last month to thwart the ambitions of his arch-rival, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, for a third term in office. Milanovics claims of corruption surrounding the administration and his penchant for lobbing insults at his political enemies has won him steady public backing.

The unexpected bid for the Adriatic states premiership threw open the contest and set off a constitutional standoff after the countrys top court ruled that the bid is irreconcilable with Milanovics duties as head of state  unless he resigns the post.

Should he gain a majority, the dynamic could shift Croatia, the European Unions most recent member since accession in 2013, into the fold of nations including Hungary under Viktor Orban thats defied the blocs consensus on Kyiv. Slovakia this month elected a president allied with the countrys Russia-friendly prime minister, Robert Fico, tightening the premiers grip on power.

Milanovic, 57, a Social Democratic prime minister from 2011 to 2016, has attacked his opponents with increasingly vitriolic rhetoric. Plenkovic, 54, is a protector of crime and corruption, hes said, and a flaming badger. After the Constitutional Court in Zagreb pushed back on his premiership bid, he hectored the justices as prostitutes and illiterate mobsters.

The invective has earned him a following. Elected president in 2020, he consistently tops the list of the countrys most popular politicians.

Milanovic is popular because he cast himself as an attacker against the elite, which is a paradox for someone who was premier and is now president, said Zarko Puhovski, political science professor at the University of Zagreb. His inflammatory, often vulgar language resonates with people who are tired of wooden political statements.

Russias Orbit

The move has stymied Plenkovic, a conservative who had bet on an easier path to victory after he steered Croatia into the euro area and the EUs visa-free travel area. Hes warned that a Milanovic government would tear Croatia away from the EU mainstream and send it into Moscows orbit.

Milanovic, with his irresponsible and unprincipled politics, is pushing Croatia and the Croatian people into a Russian world, Plenkovic said at a rally of his Croatian Democratic Union, or HDZ, in the coastal city of Split on Friday.

Polls show that both leaders would fall well short of a majority, forcing them to cobble together a coalition. HDZ would win 60 seats in the 151-seat national assembly, or Sabor, while the Social Democrats would take 41, according to an Ipsos survey released by Nova TV late Sunday.

A right-wing nationalist party, Homeland Movement, is projected to win 15 seats. Mozemo, a left-wing grouping, would take 11, while Bridge, a centrist party, would get nine, the poll showed.

Croatia under Plenkovic has been a reliable partner for EU allies, but his tenure has been dogged by accusations of graft among HDZ officials. Seven ministers left the cabinet during the premiers first term over a string of corruption cases, with several in various stages of investigation and indictment.

Those allegations have fueled Milanovics effort. The day that he himself set the April 17 election date last month, the president announced that opportunity has knocked on my door  and said he would run.

A Coup

The volley prompted questions about its constitutionality, with the top court ruling that the sitting head of state  who nominates the prime minister  cant campaign, run on a party list or present himself as a candidate. Milanovic responded defiantly, saying his ultimate goal remained to lead the government  and took aim at the court.

This is a coup  theyre trying to obstruct the will of Croatian voters, Milanovic told a crowd on March 18 in Vela Luka, a fishing village on the Adriatic coast. I will be the prime minister, but I wont tell those illiterate mobsters how I intend to do it.

Milanovic, who has said he would resign the presidency only after the election  and wouldnt formally nominate himself for the premiership, has largely been in campaign mode since.

I know he sounds crazy, but at least hes authentic, said Davor Stipancevic, a 52-year-old retiree, as he said sipping coffee in central Zagreb. I cannot bring myself to vote for the other side, they are too corrupted.

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TUSKEGEE, Ala. (WRBL)  A two-vehicle crash involving a young child on Interstate 85 North near the Macon County Rest Stop is being investigated as a possible road rage incident.

Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson says one person was ejected in the crash and had to be flown to a hospital. The sheriff says a young child was rescued from a crashed vehicle and is expected to recover.

Sheriff Brunson says it appears the two drivers knew one another and were coming from the Tuskegee area when they got onto Interstate 85. Brunson says one gun was recovered from the scene, but it does not appear any shots were fired before the two vehicles collided.

The crash happened at approximately 11:34 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16. Traffic came to a grinding halt as both northbound lanes of Interstate 85 near the 43-mile marker in Macon County were blocked.

Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division are on scene investigating and will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
University of Iowa pharmacy students volunteered at SafeNetRx April 13, 2024. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

It was business as usual for the SafeNetRx staff working on a recent Saturday morning, sifting through boxes and totes of medication packets, inhalers and medical supplies donated by long-term care centers and clinics. They checked the integrity of the packaging, verified the dosage and expiration, removed any identifying information and filed it away to eventually be sent to a patient in need.

For the three University of Iowa pharmacy students volunteering at the nonprofit for the day, the act of making medicine that would have otherwise been thrown out available for use by those who need it but cant afford it showed them how they can help their patients now and in the future.

I think it kind of is an eye-opener, and sort of makes you think more about underserved populations and what goes into helping them, UI student and pharmacy technician Ellise Wykert said.

SafeNetRx is a Grimes-based nonprofit that takes drug donations from across the country and provides them to pharmacies and clinics in Iowa for patients at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. Staff and volunteers at the organization check to ensure any medications that will be sent out are properly labeled and packaged, and any unusable drugs are safely disposed of.

According to SafeNetRx, more than $121 million worth of medications have been donated and around 141,000 underserved patients have received medication through the nonprofit.

SafeNetRx CEO Jon Rosmann said the nonprofit relies heavily on volunteers to help input the medications, and through partnerships with universities like the UI and Drake University, students will come in for a day or longer to help out.

Its critical to include students in this work, he said, because it both teaches them that SafeNetRx is here for if their patients need it and shows them that if they cant access the nonprofit, they can maybe help start one up somewhere else.

We have so many students that have either done a rotation here, or they might have worked here, they came here through an event with Drake or the University of Iowa, and years later, they will contact us and say, Hey, can you help us with this? Rosmann said. So it does have a very powerful impact.

(Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Drake University pharmacy student Elizabeth Mensing has seen the impact she and other students have made on the organizations work spread into the community first-hand. At the community pharmacy she works at when shes not interning at the nonprofit, Mensing said a patient was showing her medication he received for free through SafeNetRx, and it was one she had processed herself.

I love the idea of actually making an impact, Mensing said. I also work at a community pharmacy here in town, it doesnt feel as impactful as what I do here.

Each of the UI students volunteering at SafeNetRx work in community pharmacies as well, and know just how high the costs of some medications are. University of Iowa student Gabrielle Marty said this issue was one of the reasons she decided to pursue pharmacy, in order to help. None of them, however, had heard of the nonprofit or knew that resources like it were available.

Now that they know about it, the students plan to go back to the UI and tell others in order to spread the word. They agreed that SafeNetRx is one solution to helping people who cant afford it receive their meds, but it wont be able to really solve the problem of high drug costs, and it needs more support to expand and reach more people.

All these meds could be so useful, but they dont have the manpower to be able to keep up with the demand for it, UI pharmacy student Caitlyn Nuehring said.

Rossman said he would like to expand the nonprofit to other states for providing medication, but with no federal standards for drug donations, the 41 states with enabling legislation to allow the creation of organizations like SafeNetRx each have different requirements. Right now the focus is on creating partnerships with people in Nebraska, Vermont and Illinois in the hopes of eventually creating a national drug donation system.

SafeNetRx is one of the organizations University of Iowa Health Care partners with to help lower barriers to medication for its patients. Wenda Ostrem, a UI Health Care pharmacist financial counselor and UI graduate, said the health care system utilizes the nonprofits drug repository for patients who need a short-term supply of medication until their insurance kicks in or they get the funds to pay for them.

Ostrem and her team of five pharmacists and six social workers are available to UI Health Care patients who have expressed concerns about being able to afford their medicine. The team will work with the patient to find resources to lower or eliminate the cost of their medication, from grants to discounts to donated drugs like those from SafeNetRx.

In the 20 years since the UIHC Medication Assistance Center was created and Ostrem came into her position, the number of patients utilizing the service has increased slightly year-over year while the total amount saved has risen drastically. Ostrem said a decade ago the center saved patients just under $8 million in one fiscal year, but in the 2022-23 fiscal year, it saved more than $69 million.

This is mostly due to increasing costs of medication, Ostrem said, but as prices have gone up more resources have become available to try and combat them. The most rewarding part of her job is helping patients access the medicine they need without having to mortgage their house or go without food and other necessities. One of the most frustrating things, however, is knowing that some patients decide to not fill prescriptions due to cost without trying to get help.

Ostrem said one of the things she hates to see is patients assuming that they wont be able to take the medication they need after seeing its price. With the organizations and funds targeting this very issue, those who need help affording their meds have avenues to receiving treatment that will help them become and remain healthy.

If you get something prescribed and you cant afford it, just dont automatically assume that youre never going to be able to take that medication, Ostrem said. Reach out to somebody, reach back out to your provider, talk to your pharmacist, and hopefully somebody will work with you to use one of these resources to lower your costs.

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Fatime Letifova

There has never been an international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan; it is just an administrative border; therefore, delimitation and demarcation of borders are necessary.

Vasilis Maragos, the head of the delegation of the European Union (EU) in Armenia, said this in an interview with an Armenian source.

According to him, the EU actively participates in the peace process.

"Brussels is committed to the principle of peaceful settlement of all disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan. First of all, the border between the two countries needs to be delimited."
HAIKOU, April 16 (Xinhua) -- At the ongoing fourth China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, cutting-edge technology products such as sleep aid devices, massage chairs with customized solutions and AI-assisted home sensors have attracted numerous visitors interested in experiencing and learning more about smart home innovations.

Themed "Share Open Opportunities, Co-create a Better Life," the expo has a special exhibition hall for digital consumption and professional services, which covers a number of sectors including smart homes, with many of the displayed products being unveiled for the first time.

Despite the hustle and bustle in the exhibition hall, visitor Duan Huimin found comfort as he reclined on a sofa, quickly drifting into sleep next to a device inside a small cabin. "I felt very sleepy after going in, and I slept very well," Duan said after a nap.

Li Jingming, assistant to chairman of the Air Nutri Solution Inc. based in Vancouver, Canada, explained that the device called Quietaid Machine applies the technology of charge particle wave to help teenagers relieve study-related stress and aid their sleep.

China's government work report said the country will develop new types of consumption, launch policies to promote digital, environmentally-friendly and health-related consumption, and foster new areas of consumption growth such as smart homes.

At the entrance of the exhibition hall, many visitors were queuing to experience a massage chair. Once seated, the chair's integrated technology swiftly displayed heart rate, breathing frequency and stress parameter on a tablet computer in less than a minute.

"Based on the AI-monitored results, our massage chair will recommend a massage mode that suits you," Zhou Manni, assistant brand manager of OSIM China, said.

At the booth of China's tech giant Huawei, an AI-assisted sensor is on display that is capable of monitoring the status of elderly individuals at home.

"If the elderly stumbles or falls off the bed, the device will promptly send an alarm call to a designated phone number of a family member," said Shao Yang, president of Smart Space Product Line, Huawei Consumer Business Group.

At the expo, relevant government departments of Hainan and several companies and institutes signed strategic cooperation agreements in whole-house intelligence.

Meanwhile, in response to a year-long program aimed at stimulating consumption initiated by the Ministry of Commerce, Hainan started a campaign on trade-ins of home appliances across the island, with the launch ceremony held at the expo.

According to Gu Gang, vice governor of the province, in the era of leapfrog AI development, embracing intelligence is imperative.

"We aim to generate more market development opportunities for entrepreneurs and hope to take the lead in creating a series of exemplary intelligent houses in residential buildings during the building of the free trade port," Gu said. 
Iran able to 'handle situation' and spare Middle East more tension, China's foreign minister says

FILE PHOTO: An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said it believed Iran could "handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil" while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity, referring to an attack on Iran's embassy in Syria and its retaliatory strike over the weekend.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian via a phone call on Monday that China appreciated Iran's emphasis on not targeting regional and neighbouring countries, according to the official Xinhua news agency on Tuesday.

Wang also said he noted Iran had described its actions as limited and carried out in self-defence. China strongly condemns and resolutely opposed the embassy attack, and calls the incident "unacceptable", Wang said.

After briefing Wang on Iran's position, Amir-Abdollahian told Wang that Iran is aware of the regional tensions, is willing to exercise restraint and has no intention of further escalations.

Tensions are high in the Middle East as Israeli military has pledged response to Iran's attack, and several countries called for restraint. Since the Saturday night missile attack, numerous countries have summoned the Iranian ambassadors.

Wang also spoke with Saudi Arabia's foreign minister the same day, Xinhua said, stating that China is willing to work with Riyadh to avoid further escalation in the Middle East.

Foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said that Saudi Arabia "highly expects" China to play an active and important role in that regard, and that his country is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.

Since the war in Gaza began in October, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

Faisal said Saudi Arabia "fully trusts" China, and is willing to push for the sustainable development of bilateral cooperation, according to Xinhua.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Gerry Doyle)
Moments after Iran launched an attack on Israel, around 400 pro-Palestinian protesters in Chicago broke out in chants of Hands off Iran! The head of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nations largest Muslim civil rights organization, claimed Iran is responding in self-defense.

And the young pro-Palestinian group IfNotNow called both Iran and Israel authoritarian governments that were putting citizens in danger, adding that further escalation only serves these warmongering, corrupt politicians' interests.

In the immediate aftermath of Irans attack on Israel, the positions of progressive and pro-Palestinian groups are only hardening and further widening the rift between the activist base and moderates in the Democratic Party just seven months before the election. The response from the pro-Palestinian left suggests the latest flashpoint in the conflict is doing little to reorient the debate at home.

Yet for all the activist rage directed at Israel, most elected Democrats were overwhelmingly supportive of Israel in the face of Iranian attacks.

While Israel faced a global rebuke after the recent killings of World Central Kitchen aid workers  including from President Joe Biden  the largely unsuccessful Iran drone strikes has the potential to undermine any political gains the left has made in pressuring Israel to halt military operations.



Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, chair of the California Democratic Partys Progressive Caucus, over the weekend criticized establishment party leaders for prioritizing lives based on skin color, accusing them of showing more concern for the plight of white Jews over that of brown Palestinians.

It shouldnt be a one-sided thing. Really, be empathetic toward all lives, she added.

Since the attack by the militant group Hamas on Israel in October  and Israels resulting offensive in the Gaza Strip  the Democratic Party has been riven by escalating tensions over the war. For months, especially on college campuses, liberal activists have protested the Israeli governments support for settlement expansion in the West Bank and, as the war unfolded, Israels offensive in Gaza.

The calls became especially pitched after the Israeli airstrike that killed aid workers in Gaza, including an American, earlier this month and continued into Monday when pro-Palestinian protesters stopped traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge.



According to a POLITICO-Morning Consult poll published on Sunday, based on data collected before the Iranian strike on Israel, fully one-third of Democratic voters felt Biden was not tough enough on Israel. Twenty-two percent of Democrats said theyre more sympathetic toward Palestinians in the conflict than Israelis.

The drone strikes on Israel on Saturday night dont appear to have changed the larger dynamic and the divide is continuing to play out in Democratic races across the nation.

New York progressive Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who is facing a staunchly pro-Israel challenger, on Sunday condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus warmongering and called for further de-escalation of violence while his opponent, George Latimer, the Westchester County executive, called for unity with Israel.

With reports that Iran has launched drone attacks on Israel, it is important that the US stand with our ally and all the people of Israel, Latimer posted on X.

Shortly after the attack, Latimer joined several other moderate lawmakers in the region  Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams among them  who issued messages of unequivocal support for Israel.

Rep. Barbara Lee, a California progressive who began calling for a cease-fire immediately after Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, condemned both Iran and Israel for their escalating actions, a reference to Israels previous strike that killed Iranian commanders at the countrys embassy in Syria.

We must resist the US becoming embroiled in another costly conflict abroad, but rather lead toward peace and security in the region, Lee posted on social media.

Establishment Democratic leaders across California, however, were quick over the weekend to condemn Irans attack on Israel. In recent months, though, mainstream Democratic officials in California, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have warmed up to supporting calls for cease-fire in Israels war with Hamas, albeit with conditions, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens.

New York State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs downplayed the fissure during an interview on Sunday, saying that the partys positions are more aligned with Biden and others in leadership.

Both parties have their more extreme factions, and those factions, I believe, dont dictate the overall governing policy of, at least, the Democratic Party, he said.

In Chicago, however, hundreds gathered in downtown on Saturday for a day-long conference focused on organizing and fundraising ahead of the Democratic National Convention scheduled for August. While many at the event were focused on supporting abortion and immigrant rights as well as labor issues, the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict was one of the main focuses of the gathering. Hundreds cheered for support of Iran after it launched drone attacks against Israel.

We dont want the U.S. government to spend any more resources causing and escalating wars in the Middle East, said Kobi Guillory, a spokesperson for the group, Coalition to March on the DNC.

Nihad Awad, CAIRs executive director and co-founder, also urged the Biden administration to reject what he called Israels transparent attempt to distract from the Israel-Hamas war thats killed 33,000 people in Gaza and warned that the president will lose support of American Muslim and Arab communities  and even a growing movement of Jewish Americans and others, including young people.

But at the same time, Republicans will likely continue to use the rift within the party over Israel to paint Democrats as extreme, much like they did during the widespread protests in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police several years ago.

GOP Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on CNN Sunday, for example, called demonstrators who were cheering Irans attack over the weekend antisemitic, anti-Israel, and pro-terrorist.

They are not peace activists. Peace activists do not cheer massive attacks against other countries, which is what they were doing yesterday.

Emily Ngo and Brittany Gibson contributed to this story.
Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Monday that Irans failed attack on Israel over the weekend was "pretty telling" about Tehrans weapons capabilities.

A reporter had asked Ryder what lessons the U.S. learned from the attack and what they said about the capabilities of Iran and those of the U.S.

Ryder said the U.S. had "learned a lot from this," but declined to go into specifics.

"Im sure you can appreciate Im not going to be in a position to do an after-action report from the podium today, other than to say its pretty telling that Iran launched over 300 air threats, and, as I highlighted, 99% of those were knocked down," he said. "So, it is demonstrative of that close coordination and synchronization between the United States and coalition partners when it comes to addressing air defense threats in the region."

Irans attack on Israel late Saturday involved hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. It included 110 medium range ballistic missiles, over 30 land attack cruise missiles, and more than 150 drones, per the Pentagon. Ryder said both land and sea aircraft were involved in the attack.

Only seven ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base. Israeli and U.S. forces shot down the rest with help from the British and the French.

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ISRAEL WEIGHS OPTIONS AFTER IRAN'S BRAZEN ATTACK; UN MEETS

The attack was widely expected as Iran had been warning for days of retaliation after an airstrike on its Syrian consulate earlier this month killed a dozen people, including a top commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iranian pro-government supporters hold a giant Palestine flag at Palestine Square in Tehran, on April 14, 2024, in a celebration of the early morning Iran's IRGC attack on Israel.

The attack marked the first time Iran had launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of hostilities, going back to the countrys 1979 Islamic Revolution. Tensions between the two countries have been at all-time highs in recent months, following the Oct. 7 attack in which Hamas militants stormed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking hundreds of hostages.

Ryder would not say whether Israel had informed Washington about potential plans for retaliation, though Israels War Cabinet met Monday to discuss the situation.

Ryder said Iran had not given a heads-up about the attack, though Turkish, Jordanian, and Iraqi officials have disputed this.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Irans failed attack on Israel is pretty telling about Tehrans capabilities, DOD says
Iran says any action against its interests will get a severe response

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran will respond to any action against its interests, President Ebrahim Raisi said on Tuesday, according to the Iranian Student News Agency, a day after Israel warned it will respond to Tehran's weekend drone and missile attack.

"We categorically declare that the smallest action against Iranian interests will certainly be met with a severe, widespread and painful response against any perpetrator," Raisi told the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

Israel's military Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, said on Monday that Iran's attack on Israel - which was a retaliation after the April 1 bombing of the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus - warranted a response.

Iran's deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani told state TV on Monday night that Tehran's counteroffensive following any Israeli retaliation would be "a matter of seconds as Iran will not wait for another 12 days to respond".

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian president, during a meeting in Moscow last year - Sputnik/Reuters

Irans president has told Vladimir Putin that Tehrans strikes on Israel were limited and it wanted to avoid further escalation, in what was the allies first phone call since Sundays missile and drone attack.

The Russian president spoke to Ebrahim Raisi, his Iranian counterpart, on Tuesday, with the Kremlin saying Russia hoped all sides would show reasonable restraint and prevent a new round of confrontation fraught with catastrophic consequences for the entire region.

Earlier on Tuesday, Wang Yi, Chinas foreign minister, said Beijing believed Iran could handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil. Mr Yi said China had noted Irans claim that its action taken was limited and was an act of self-defence.

The regime in Tehran is expecting a retaliation to the unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israeli territory.

The Israeli war cabinet has been debating how to respond to the attack, and has agreed that the retaliation should be strategic but painful, a source familiar with the discussions told The Telegraph.

The war cabinet is still determined to respond to the 350 missiles and drones fired from Iran, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon, but disagreement remains over when the attack should take place and in what form.

Israel's war cabinet, chaired by Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd left), meeting to discuss the drone attack launched by Iran - Anadolu

Although Israel had previously warned that any country launching an attack on its territory would be hit in reply, the cabinet is now considering striking targets outside Irans borders, the source said.

Israel is content to let anxiety about its retaliation bubble away in Iran, according to the source.

Another source told The Telegraph that Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, the war cabinet ministers, pushed for an immediate military response as the Iranian attack was under way, but were voted down by other members of the war cabinet.

The source also said the war cabinet was in agreement about the need for a strong response.

With regional tensions high after Irans attack, an Israeli strike killed a Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, the Israeli military said. Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging near-daily cross-border fire since Oct 7.

The Israeli military said its aircraft struck and eliminated Ismail Yusef Baz, the commander of Hezbollahs coastal sector, adding he was killed in the Ain Baal area.

As part of his position, Ismail was involved in the promotion and planning of rocket and anti-tank missile launches toward Israel from the coastal area of Lebanon. In addition, during the war, he organised and planned a number of terror attacks against Israel, the army said.

Mr Gantz said he spoke to senior American officials about the need to impose sanctions on Iran, adding: Iran is a global and regional problem, and also a threat to Israel.

Therefore the world should act against it militarily and impose sanctions on it in order to stop its aggression.

Daniel Hagari, the Israel Defense Forces spokesman, said Israel cant stand still from this kind of aggression, Iran will not get [off] scot-free with this aggression. We will respond in our time, in our place, in the way that we will choose.

Iran, meanwhile, said it was not seeking further regional escalation but would respond to an Israeli attack within seconds.

There will not be a 12 or 13-day gap between a Zionist regime move and Irans powerful response any more. The Zionists must now reckon in seconds, not hours, Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy foreign minister, said on Tuesday.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
JERUSALEM  With all eyes focused on a brewing high-intensity war between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the state of Tehrans illicit nuclear weapons program has come under the microscope.

Irans sprawling aerial attack, with over 300 suicide drones and missiles, on Israel has raised pressing new questions about the Islamic Republics capability to fire a nuclear weapon at the Jewish state. For Israel, as the countrys former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said, Iran with an atomic weapon would mean a "nuclear Holocaust" for the Jewish state.

On Sunday, after rejecting calls that the Biden administration was too soft on Tehran, the White House National Security Communication spokesperson, John Kirby told Fox News' Shannon Bream that "Iran is so much dramatically closer to a potential nuclear weapon capability than they were before Mr. Trump was elected."

David Albright, a physicist who is the founder and president of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital that "Iran would need a year or more to build a semi-reliable warhead for a ballistic missile and about two years to reconstitute the Amad Plan so as to be able to serially produce reliable warheads for ballistic missiles, i.e., have a fully developed nuclear weapons production complex."

Iran's regime pursued an atomic weapons program code named the Amad Plan from the late 1990s to early 2003.

SEVERAL COUNTRIES COME TO ISRAELS AID TO STOP IRAN BARRAGE

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In February, Reuters exclusively reported that Iran had enriched uranium well beyond the need for commercial nuclear use. The IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told Reuters that while the pace of uranium enrichment had slowed slightly since the end of last year, Iran was still enriching at an elevated rate of around 7 kg of uranium per month to 60% purity.

Commenting on the presidential blame game, Albright said, "Neither Trump nor Biden did well dealing with Irans nuclear program. Biden has done worse due to his policy of avoidance and his fear of taking any steps that could create a crisis. This risk-averse strategy has utterly failed to stop Irans progress on its nuclear program and left the West far weaker to fashion a policy to stop Irans progress either diplomatically or militarily."

Albright warned that "Iran can make a crude nuclear explosive in about six months, able to be tested underground or delivered by truck, ship or cargo plane. This accomplishment would be enough to establish Iran as a nuclear weapons power."

Fox News Digital revealed last year that European intelligence reports showed Iran continued to work on the construction of a nuclear weapon.

When asked about Irans regime firing a nuclear missile at Israel, Albright said, "The recent attack would not be a good way to cover an attack with a nuclear weapon. But it shows that to have confidence in getting one nuclear weapon to target, Iran would need to fire several, if not many, nuclear-tipped missiles."

He cautioned that "A sneak attack with a nuclear weapon, more like a terrorist attack, using highly trusted proxies and transport to Israel via land or sea, may have more chance of success in the next few years."

BIDEN CALLING FOR G7 MEETING IN RESPONSE TO IRAN'S 'BRAZEN' ATTACK

With President Biden urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to not retaliate against Iran, the Jewish state is facing one of the most existential security questions since the rebirth of the nation in 1948.

Israeli war planners believe they need to reestablish deterrence against the Iranian regime.

Albright said, "It is critical to stop Iran from deciding to build nuclear weapons. The best short-term strategy is to make sure Iran understands that any movement to build nuclear weapons will be met with a rapid, large-scale military strike by Israel, backed by the United States, followed by additional strikes against its infrastructure if Iran moves to rebuild its nuclear weapons capabilities."

The White House has ruled out participation in military strikes against what the State Department recently told Fox News Digital is the worlds worst international state-sponsor of terrorism, Irans regime.

Begin said the world "powers have failed" to stop Irans drive to build a nuclear weapon device.

Benny Begin, a veteran former Israeli lawmaker with expertise in Irans nuclear weapons program, told Fox News Digital that "Iran has already reached a status of a nuclear threshold state  if left unhindered, it will produce a bomb within a year or two after the order is given. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi has recently announced that Iran has amassed enough highly enriched uranium that would suffice for the production of several nuclear bombs. It should be noted that Iran's professional discourse is very open about it."

WORLD LEADERS COLLECTIVELY CONDEMN IRAN'S 'RECKLESS' ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL: 'WE SUPPORT ISRAEL'

Begin, who held cabinet member status in a previous Netanyahu administration, said the world "powers have failed" to stop Irans drive to build a nuclear weapon device.

The United States and other world powers reached an atomic accord with Iran called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. The agreement merely imposed temporary restrictions on Irans nuclear program and the uranium enrichment process that is a pre-condition for building an atomic bomb.

An Iranian military truck carries surface-to-air missiles past a portrait of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a parade on April 18, 2018, in Tehran.

Devastating U.S., EU and U.N. energy and missile sanctions were imposed on Iran to compel the regime to agree to concessions. In 2018, former President Trump withdrew from the JCPOA because, he argued, it did not stop Irans nuclear weapons ambitions and global terrorism. Trumps re-imposition of sanctions on Iran would be termed his administrations "maximum pressure" campaign.

Begin said "the maximum pressure policy was a good idea, and was actually implemented before 2015, with this or another degree of success. The problem was that the parties to the agreement did not react to Iran's reaction to the renewed sanctions. Apart from IAEA reports and hollow warnings, Iran took the opportunity, broke the agreement and enriched uranium in an unprecedented quantity and pace."

When questioned about Irans swarming drone and missile attacks on Israel, Begin said that "when a regime decides to launch a nuclear warhead (most probably on a ballistic missile warhead) against its enemy, it must be certain that it will reach its target. Reports since yesterday speak about a high percentage of failed launches of those missile types that Iran was trying to launch against Israel. So, in a peculiar way, this is an important (though negative) lesson they can draw from the attack. Another lesson would be the ability of Israel and its allies to thwart such attacks away from Israel."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei views Iranian nuclear achievements.

Jason Brodsky, the policy director of the U.S.-based United Against a Nuclear Iran, told Fox News Digital, "After the Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, Iran only took an incremental and modest expansion of its nuclear program. But after the Biden administration took office, it grew dramatically, especially enriching to 60%. Irans risk tolerance increased under the Biden administration because of its perceived desperation for diplomacy. That has resulted in failed negotiations and an adrift Iran policy."

He said the "U.S. should support the E3 [Britain, France and Germany] triggering the snapback sanctions mechanism at the U.N. Security Council and participate in a joint military action with Israel against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran. This would build deterrence against Tehran which has been dangerously eroded over years."

The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital press query.

Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: Iran's attack on Israel shines spotlight on Tehran's advancing nuclear weapons program
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has once again warned Israel against mounting a military counterattack following Iran's recent air assault on Israel.

During a telephone call with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Raisi warned that "the slightest action" by Israel against Iran's national interests "will have extensive and painful consequences." Details of the call were published on the web portal of Iran's presidential office.

Iran has recently warned Israel several times of a military response to its large-scale attack, in which hundreds of drones and missiles were fired towards Israel on Saturday night.

The Iranian response to any further Israeli action would be "at least 10 times more drastic" than the first attack, the country's Security Council said in a press release.

So far, Iran has chosen the least severe form of punishment for Israel, the Council said in its press statement. Israel's military leadership has said that Israel does not intend to leave Saturday's large-scale Iranian attack unanswered.
A view of a crater in a road, following an Iranian ballistic missile strike. Israel Defense Forces/ZUMA Press Wire Service/dpa

Israel's foreign minister has launched what he called a "diplomatic offensive" against Iran following the major Iranian attack on Israel.

"This morning I sent letters to 32 countries and spoke with dozens of foreign ministers and leading figures around the world," Israel Katz wrote on Tuesday on the X platform, formerly Twitter.

He called for sanctions to be imposed on Iran's missile programme and for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to be declared a terrorist organization. Katz believes these measures would help slow down and weaken Tehran.

"Iran must be stopped now - before it is too late," he wrote.

Katz wrote that Israel's diplomatic campaign against Iran should be flanked by a military response to Tehran's attack with more than 300 missiles, cruise missiles and drones. Israel and allied defences intercepted almost all of the incoming fire.

Israel's military leadership has signalled that it does not intend to leave the major Iranian attack on Saturday night unanswered.

Iran said it was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria that killed two Iranian generals and five officers.
People pass destroyed buildings in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843.

The ministry said in a press statement that 46 people were killed and 110 others injured in five Israeli raids during the past 24 hours.

This brings the total death toll to 33,843 and injuries to 76,575 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023.

The statement noted that some victims remained under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of civil defense and ambulance crews.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that a missile launching pad and dozens of "terrorist" infrastructure, including tunnels and military buildings of Hamas were hit in Israel's aerial and artillery strikes in the central Gaza Strip.

The IDF's 162nd Division also killed Hamas fighters in a "precise raid" in central Gaza on Tuesday, the Jerusalem Post reported, citing the Israel Defence Forces.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. 

People pass destroyed buildings in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People walk past destroyed buildings in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A man walks past a destroyed building in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People pass destroyed buildings in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People walk past destroyed buildings in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People pass destroyed buildings in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People mourn for victims killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

People grieve over victims killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

A man mourns for victims killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

A woman grieves over victims killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

A woman grieves over victims killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on April 16, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Tuesday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,843. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)
(Bloomberg) -- Israel is vowing to retaliate against Iran for its weekend drone and missile attack, the first strike on the Jewish state from Iranian soil and which brought into the open a years-long shadow war. As the US and Europe urge restraint, Israel is weighing its choices.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the country will respond, but hasnt given any details about how or when. His government says a failure to act would signal weakness and encourage further attacks by its arch-enemy.

Here are some options:

A strike on Irans nuclear facilities

This would be among the riskiest and most aggressive of the choices, and could force Iran to lash out at Israel again, potentially triggering a regional war the US, Europe and Arab states are so keen to avoid.

Israel, which bombed an Iraqi reactor in 1981 and a Syrian atomic site in 2007, has long considered Irans nuclear program a threat to its existence. Most of Tehrans nuclear facilities  which Iran says are for peaceful purposes but Israel says are for building bombs  are hidden deep underground, making them hard to reach. In the view of many strategists, Israel would require US help.

Mark Dubowitz, head of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a US research group with a hawkish view on Iran, disagrees and says Israel can do it alone. Theyve been striking targets inside Iran for years, he said.

Another target could be Irans Bonab Atomic Research Center, the closest site to Israel and 500 kilometers (310 miles) south of Azerbaijan, an Israeli ally. While its one of Irans less important nuclear facilities, hitting it would send a strong signal about Israels military capabilities.

Strikes or cyberattacks on military infrastructure in Iran

Israel could target Iranian military facilities or other important infrastructure within the Islamic Republic, either via a direct strike or a cyberattack. That would send a message of deterrence by hitting Iranian soil while minimizing casualties, according to Sima Shine, who formerly headed the Mossad intelligence agencys research division.

Israel has for years been blamed for cyberattacks on both civilian and military sites in Iran  as well as assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists and other intelligence operations  but has never claimed responsibility.

Any missile or drone strike on Iranian soil, no matter the target, would be major for Israel. But it wouldnt necessarily be the first attack in Iran by Israel. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israeli forces destroyed a drone base in Iran in 2022 under his orders.

Hitting Iranian proxies in the Middle East

Israel could also choose to strike some of Irans proxy militias such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or the Houthis in Yemen. There are also groups in Iraq and Syria. These are funded by Tehran and target Israel on its behalf.

Israel has exchanged daily fire with Hezbollah since the war against Hamas began in Gaza in October. And its fended off missiles and drones from the Houthis, who have also attacked Israeli-linked ships around the Red Sea. Still, the fighting has been kept below the threshold of all-out war.

In addition, Iran has its own military personnel embedded with those groups, many of them belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Israel could choose to target them specifically, as Iran said it did on April 1 when two IRGC generals were killed by a strike on Tehrans embassy compound in Damascus. Iran said its attack on Israel over the weekend was a legitimate response to that incident.

Focus on Gaza

Some urge Israel to focus on its six-month-old war in Gaza and destroying Hamas, including in the city of Rafah where the Israeli government says around 8,000 of the groups fighters are lodged.

Defeating Hamas, which receives training and funding from Iran, would mark a victory for Israel against Iran, said Yossi Kuperwasser, a former research head of military intelligence. This entire war, from day one, is a war against Iran, he said. We have to finish the job in Gaza in order to cause much damage to the Iranian axis.

--With assistance from Nick Wadhams and Jonathan Tirone.

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Israel pushes for new sanctions on Iran, urges countries to declare Revolutionary Guard a terror group

Israel pushes for new sanctions on Iran, urges countries to declare Revolutionary Guard a terror group

Israel's foreign minister on Tuesday said he is calling for additional sanctions on Iran in response to the missile and drone attack that targeted Israel over the weekend.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he sent letters to 32 countries urging them to impose new sanctions on the Iranian missile project and declare the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization.

"Alongside the military response to the firing of the missiles and the UAVs, I am leading a diplomatic offensive against Iran," Katz posted on X.

He said additional sanctions would "stop and weaken Iran."

BIDEN'S DOVISH POSTURE TOWARD IRAN EMBOLDENED TEHRAN IN ITS ATTACK ON ISRAEL: EXPERTS

"We must stop Iran now, before it will be too late."

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Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday in response to a deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month that left 12 dead, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps. Israel did not claim responsibility for the strike.

An Israeli military spokesman said 99% of Iran's drones and missiles were intercepted. There were no deaths reported after Israel's air defense systems and the intervention of its allies, including the U.S., shot down Iranian drones and missiles.

The direct attack on Israel by Iran has increased concerns that Israel's war on Hamas and violence in Gaza is spreading into a wider regional conflict.

BIDEN CALLING FOR G7 MEETING IN RESPONSE TO IRAN'S 'BRAZEN' ATTACK

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024.

Israeli military chief of staff Herzi Halevi said on Monday that "this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response" but gave no details.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani told state TV on Monday night that Tehran would swiftly respond to Israeli retaliation, and that Iran "will not wait for another 12 days to respond," according to Reuters.

President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend and reportedly told him that the U.S. will not participate in any Israeli counter-offensive against Iran, U.S. officials said on Sunday.

"We believe Israel has freedom of action to protect itself and defend itself, in Syria or elsewhere... That's a long-standing policy and that remains, but no we would not envision ourselves participating in such a thing," one senior U.S. administration official told Reuters.

HOW CAN ISRAEL RESPOND TO IRANS BRAZEN ATTACK?

Israel is calling for new sanctions against Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei's regime after it launched a rocket attack on the Jewish state.

On the diplomatic front, the Group of Seven major democracies are already working on a package of coordinated measures against Iran, according to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told ABC's "This Week" program on Sunday that the U.S. will continue to support Israel's right to defend itself, but does not want war with Iran.

"And as the president has said many times, we don't seek a wider war in the region. We don't seek a war with Iran. And I think I will leave it at that," Kirby said.

Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace and Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: Israel pushes for new sanctions on Iran, urges countries to declare Revolutionary Guard a terror group
FILE PHOTO: Israeli transportation minister Israel Katz attends the cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's foreign minister said on Tuesday he was urging countries to place sanctions on Iran's missile programme and proscribe its Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation after Iran's first-ever direct attack on Israel.

"Alongside the military response to the firing of missiles and drones, I am leading a diplomatic attack against Iran," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a social media post.

Katz said he sent letters to 32 countries and spoke with numerous counterparts, calling on them to "place sanctions on Iran's missile project and declare the Revolutionary Guard a terror organisation, as a way to stop and weaken Iran."

"We must stop Iran now, before it will be too late."

Israel has said it would respond to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack, amid calls for restraint by allies anxious to avoid an escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

The Group of Seven major democracies were already working on a package of coordinated measures against Iran, according to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Michael Perry)
Israel says it will retaliate against Iran. These are the risks that could pose to Israel

FILE - A battery of Israel's Iron Dome defense missile system, deployed to intercept rockets, sits in Ashkelon, southern Israel, Aug. 7, 2022. Israel is vowing to retaliate against Iran, risking further expanding the shadow war between the two foes into a direct conflict after an Iranian attack over the weekend sent hundreds of drones and missiles toward Israel. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel is vowing to retaliate against Iran, risking further expanding the shadow war between the two foes into a direct conflict after an Iranian attack over the weekend sent hundreds of drones and missiles toward Israel.

Israeli officials have not said how or when they might strike. But as countries around the world urge Israel to show restraint and the threat of a multi-front war mounts, its clear that a direct Israeli attack on Iranian soil would lead to major fallout.

Iran says it carried out the strike to avenge an Israeli airstrike that killed two Iranian generals in Syria on April 1. It has pledged a much tougher response to any Israeli counterattack attack on its soil.

With Israel focused on its war against Hamas in Gaza, and already battling Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon every day, the U.S. has urged Israel to show restraint.

U.S. officials say President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. will not participate in any offensive action against Iran, and the president made very clear to Netanyahu that we do have to think carefully and strategically about the risks of escalation.

Israels war cabinet has spent the last two days debating their next move. Here are some considerations key to their decision.

INCREASING ISRAELI ISOLATION

Israels successful air defense Saturday night  conducted in tandem with the U.S., Britain, France and Jordan  bought the country a brief moment of international support and sympathy after months of mounting international isolation over the Gaza war. The six-month offensive has killed nearly 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe.

A coalition of international partners helped Israel defend itself effectively. Israels military says 99% of the weapons were intercepted, with few reaching Israeli airspace. The attack caused only minor damage and wounded one person: a 7-year-old girl.

This coalition worked under the leadership of the U.S. Central Command, which oversees American forces in the region. It works closely with Israel and moderate Arab countries to form a unified front against Iran.

Jordan, a country whose population is predominantly pro-Palestinian, joined the effort, despite being at odds with Israel over the war in Gaza, calling its participation self-defense.

It also appears likely that help may have come from regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia, which does not have official relations with Israel. A map released by Israel shows many of the Iranian missiles flying through Saudi airspace.

Israel has been careful not to identify its Arab partners, but an Israeli air force official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the mission, said Israeli warplanes needed to fly east of Israel to shoot down missiles.

Yoel Guzansky, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, a Tel Aviv think tank, said Israel would be risking this goodwill if it acts alone.

Israel can take advantage of this and buy itself a lot of credit right now, if it does not launch a massive retaliatory attack," he said. "But if it does attack, a lot of credit is lost.

The tacit support of Arab states does not mean they would assist Israel in a counterattack on Iran. Any air or missile response other than ballistic missiles  which would arc over neighboring countries airspace rather than through it  would require overflights of surrounding countries, which technically would require Israel obtain permission from those Arab neighbors, said Daniel Byman, a senior fellow with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

With Saudi Arabia and Jordan, theres kind of a route and access questions, in terms of whether they would grant Israel overflight clearance.

From Irans point of view, that would be seen as a hostile act, Byman said. And even though these countries dont like Iran, theyre not terribly eager to be seen on the side of Israel doing that.

FEARS OF A MULTI-FRONT WAR

A major retaliatory strike on Iranian soil risks sparking a full-scale regional war, so any response must be carefully calculated.

A direct strike on Iranian soil would almost certainly result in a brutal counterattack and risk prompting Hezbollah to launch further attacks. The Iranian-backed Lebanese group has a far more powerful arsenal than Hamas, but has so far shown hesitancy about engaging in an all-out war.

Some 60,000 citizens in northern Israel already have been forced to evacuate their homes due to ongoing exchanges with Hezbollah. Heavier fighting would likely force them to spend even more time away from home.

A direct conflict would also further stretch Israel's military, remove its focus from Gaza and hamper Israels war-wearied economy.

Any major attack on Iranian soil could also undermine shaky U.S. support for the war.

Two U.S. officials said Israel has not yet told the U.S. how it intends to respond. But the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe diplomatic discussions, said Israel has signaled that whatever it does will be designed to prevent a worsening of the already tense regional security situation. That could point to a more limited action, such as a strike on Iranian proxies across the region or a cyber attack on Iran.

Tamar Hermann, a polling expert at the Israel Democracy Institute, says most Israelis are in favor of some sort of military response as long as it is coordinated with regional allies, including the United States.

If it is done with no consultation and no agreement with allies  support will be much smaller, Hermann said.

MILITARY CAPACITY

Israels army is vastly superior to others in the region. It possesses a range of high-tech weaponry, including F35 fighter planes that can launch long-range munitions. Experts say it has the ability to directly strike Iran or its proxies in the region.

Fabian Hinz, a weapons expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the Iranian air force is not even remotely comparable. He said the force is composed of a collection of planes from the 1980s and 90s, with some dating back to the reign of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi who ruled the country until 1979.

The extent of the Islamic republics air defense system is less known, he said. Many of Irans missile sites and nuclear installations are deep underground, making them difficult to hit, Hindz added. Israel might also need the agreement of Gulf Arab countries to use their airspace  something that is not guaranteed.

I dont think its going to be a full-scale Israeli attack against many targets all over Iran," said Raz Zimmt, another senior researcher at Israel's INSS. "It will probably be limited against one or two, perhaps inside Iran.

___

Associated Press reporters Matthew Lee and Ellen Knickmeyer contributed from Washington D.C.
No matter how you look at it, the first direct attack by Iran against Israel was a victory for the Jewish state.

And the United States. And Britain and France. And an utter humiliation for Tehran.

Yet many are still understandably nervous that it could lead to a wider war.

In launching more than 300 drones and missiles over the weekend, the Iranians showed the world that Israels military technology is far superior to theirs. Iran no longer seems quite so threatening, and Israel seems more than capable of defending itself.

UNIQUE BIPARTISAN SOLIDARITY AFTER IRAN ATTACK ON ISRAEL: CAROLINE DOWNEY

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on April 14.

Even as the media spotlight shifted yesterday to Donald Trumps first criminal trial  with round-the-clock reports on arguments over admissible evidence and a gag order, and jury selection  the Middle East loomed large as a potential powder keg.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

For decades, Iran has fought a shadow war against Israel through its proxies. Without its support of the Hamas terrorists, there would have been no barbaric slaughter of Israelis on Oct. 7, or the unthinkable seizure of civilian hostages. Without its backing of Hezbollah, rockets would not have rained down from southern Lebanon, including during Irans latest assault. The same goes for Yemen.

The reason for the direct attack, as Iran sees it, was retaliation. Israel had killed three top Iranian commanders in a strike against its consulate in Syria. Irans leaders vowed to strike back.

Now they had no idea how effective Israels Iron Dome and Arrow missile defense systems would be at stopping their assault. Many Israelis could have been killed, which would have inflamed the region further.

My own view is that Irans goal was to save face and inflict only limited damage. The minor incursion against an Israeli military base strongly suggests that.

And while there were dozens of injuries, including the hospitalization of a young Bedouin Arab girl, the lack of fatalities also helped things from boiling over.

IS OUR FIERCELY TRIBAL POLITICS JUST A DISTORTION OF REALITY?

After all, 99% of Irans incoming weapons were destroyed outside Israeli airspace, and some failed on their own.

Whats more, Iran clearly telegraphed the timing  so precisely that Biden knew when to return from Rehoboth to the White House  and declared its response over while some projectiles were still in the air.

This was a big win for President Biden, who vowed an "iron-clad" defense of Israel, but after a congratulatory call to Bibi Netanyahu, word quickly leaked to the press that the president was urging the prime minister not to retaliate.

"Take the win" was one of the phrases attributed to Biden. Another was "slow things down."

Which leaves Netanyahu with a monumental choice.

Iranian pro-government supporters shout anti-Israel slogans at Palestine Square in Tehran on April 14 in a celebration of Iran's IRGC attack on Israel.

He could blow off Bidens warnings and retaliate against Iran, which, especially if there are casualties, could lead to further rounds of airstrikes that could easily turn into a wider war. (Israel says it will "exact a price.")

Or Netanyahu could do nothing and allow things to settle down  which would run the risk of allowing the Iranians to pay no price for a sustained attack that had many frightened Israelis spending all night in bomb shelters.

And there is an additional layer of questions involving Bibis self-interest. The longer the war goes on, the longer it protects him from possible ouster and potential charges. Israeli streets were filled with anti-Bibi protesters angry with his attempt to neuter the Supreme Court. That quieted down during the war, though there have been some demonstrations since, so Netanyahu may just view a gradual escalation as his insurance policy.

There is no question that the massive death toll and widespread hunger in Gaza have hurt Israel in the court of world opinion. It has hurt the Biden administration at home as well, particularly as Netanyahu has ignored the presidents calls for restraint and more civilian aid, especially regarding the coming invasion of heavily populated Rafah.

MORNING MAYHEM AS ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS DISRUPT THOUSANDS' COMMUTE

But the brazen Iranian attack has been a gift to Israel by showing the world that the Mideasts only democracy has come under sustained assault by one of its Arab enemies. And it has brought America and Israel closer together, despite previous tensions, as the administration has delivered on its promise to race to the Jewish states defense with warplanes and ships.

One final consideration is whether the aerial assault has transformed the atmosphere on Capitol Hill. The months-long failure to provide further aid to Israel because of petty partisan politics looks all the more pathetic in light of the Iranian fusillade.

Iranians celebrate on a street in Tehran after the IRGC attack on Israel.

Both sides bear some responsibility, but its the House Republicans who carry the heaviest burden because of Speaker Mike Johnsons refusal to allow a vote on aid to Israel. A compromise effort collapsed when Donald Trump objected to a military aid bill that also would have beefed up border security, though to what extent is debatable.

Does anyone really doubt that if Johnson put an Israel bill on the floor today, it would pass overwhelmingly?

The speaker, after meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, told Fox News that he wants to bring an Israel measure to the floor this week. He also hinted that he would like to include aid to Ukraine  a decidedly less popular move within the Republican caucus  with Trump saying it could take the form of a loan rather than an outright grant.

In exchange, Johnson wants to see a relaxation of Biden's energy policy  which would help a potential project in his Louisiana district  a pork-barrel trade that seems a small price to pay.

There are many cross-pressures, many tensions, many moving parts, but its time for Congress to get something done after an unconscionable delay.





Original article source: Israels success, Irans failure and the chances of igniting the Mideast powder keg
The Biden administration says there should be consequences for Iran, after the Iranian missile and drone attack on Israel over the weekend.

Going forward, we will be working to further isolate Iran internationally and increase economic and other forms of pressure, White House National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby said.

The U.S. has already put hundreds of sanctions on Iran since President Biden took office, according to State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller. He says the U.S. will continue to enforce those.

But I dont have any specific measures to announce today, Miller said.

Kirby says its important the House pass legislation that would give billions of dollars in more military aid to Israel. A bill has already passed the Senate but has stalled in the House.

Passing that bill is the fastest and surest way to get Israel the aid it needs, Kirby said.

After an intense weekend, President Joe Biden is trying to shore up international support for Israel.

The President spent hours in the situation room closely monitoring the latest developments in the Middle East, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre says President Biden spoke with the Israeli Prime Minister Saturday night. He also convened leaders of the Group of Seven countries to condemn Iran and prevent further escalation.

The United States is committed to Israels security, President Biden said.

While meeting at the White House with the Prime Minister of Iraq, President Biden said the U.S. is committed to preventing the conflict from spreading and to a cease-fire that would require the release of hostages.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Israeli ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor at an event to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Israeli embassy in Berlin. Hannes P Albert/dpa

Following the recent Iranian attack on Israel, the Israeli ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, announced a counterattack on Iranian military facilities.

Israel would not attack civilian targets, although Tehran's attacks had certainly been aimed at civilian targets, Prosor told German broadcaster Welt TV on Tuesday.

The Israeli response would be "against these military facilities of the mullahs and the ayatollahs," Prosor said, speaking in German.

But he added that Israel would have to react. It is important for the region that this deterrence "is very clear."

While he emphasized Israel's determination to respond, Prosor declined to provide details. "When, where and how  that's something for our war cabinet to decide," he said.

He called on Israel's allies to show understanding for the Israeli position and to impose stricter sanctions on Iran.

While Israel listened to its friends, it had to react to Iran's unprovoked attack with more than 300 missiles aimed at killing Israeli civilians, he said.

Iran fired more than 300 rockets, cruise missiles and drones at Israel at the weekend. Israel and allied defences intercepted almost all of the incoming fire.

Iran said it was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria that killed two Iranian generals and five officers.
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant addresses the annual Conference of Presidents at the MoD Headquarters in Tel Aviv. Shachar Yurman/GPO/dpa

Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant discussed further action in Rafah on Monday with representatives of his ministry and the Israeli COGAT authority which oversees contacts with the Palestinians and aid.

They focused on the evacuation of civilians from Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip and the expansion of food and medicine deliveries, according to the government press office.

More than a million people have fled to Rafah from attacks throughout the densely populated strip and there are growing concerns that Israel's planned offensive in Rafah could lead to mass civilian casualties.

Before Iran unleashed its attack on Israel last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had set a date for an offensive in Rafah, though Gallant contradicted this shortly afterwards.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with the Emir of Qatar and called for increased cooperation between Muslim countries in view of the war in Gaza, his office said.

These countries must increase their efforts to stop Israel's "brutal attacks" in the Gaza Strip and to hold the country accountable for "crimes against humanity," according to a statement from the presidential office.

Erdogan told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani it was crucial to exert a restraining influence on Israel and to act with common sense in order to prevent the spread of tensions in the region.

Relations between Israel and Turkey massively deteriorated after the start of the Gaza war following the massacre by the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas in Israel in October. Erdogan has harshly criticized Israel's military action in Gaza, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of committing a "massacre," charges Israel rejects.

The Turkish government maintains links with Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. Unlike some European countries and the United States, Turkey does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.

In the attack by Hamas and other Palestinian militants on the Israeli border area on October 7, more than 1,200 people were killed and around 200 people were abducted to the Gaza Strip.

More than 33,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the outbreak of war on October 7, according to health officials in the Hamas-led region.
Mourners react next to the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, in Rafah

Mourners react next to the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, in Rafah

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli tanks pushed back into parts of the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday which they had left weeks ago, while warplanes conducted air strikes on Rafah, the Palestinians' last refuge in the south of the territory, killing and wounding several people, medics and residents said.

Residents reported an internet outage in the areas of Beit Hanoun and Jabalia in northern Gaza. Tanks advanced into Beit Hanoun and surrounded some schools where displaced families have taken refuge, said the residents and media outlets of the militant Palestinian group Hamas.

"Occupation soldiers ordered all families inside the schools and the nearby houses where the tanks had advanced to evacuate. The soldiers detained many men," one resident of northern Gaza told Reuters via a chat app.

Beit Hanoun, home to 60,000 people, was one of the first areas targeted by Israel's ground offensive in Gaza last October. Heavy bombardment turned most of Beit Hanoun, once known as 'the basket of fruit' because of its orchards, into a ghost town comprising piles of rubble.

Many families who had returned to Beit Hanoun and Jabalia in recent weeks after Israeli forces withdrew, began moving out again on Tuesday because of the new raid, some residents said.

Palestinian health officials said an Israeli strike had killed four people and wounded several others in Rafah, where over half of Gaza's 2.3 million people are sheltering and bracing for a planned Israeli ground offensive into the city, which borders Egypt.

Just before midnight, an Israeli airstrike hit a house in Rafah and killed seven people, including children, and wounded several others, Palestinian health officials said. There was no immediate Israeli comment.

Palestinian health officials and Hamas media said an Israeli airstrike had also killed 11 Palestinians, including children, in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

"My brothers were sitting by the door, my brother was injured, and his cousin too, and I lost my son, I do not have a house, nor a husband, nor anything anymore," said Wafaa Issa al-Nouri, whose son Mohammad and husband were killed in the strike.

"He was playing by the door, we didn't do anything, I swear we didn't do anything," she said.

The Hamas-run interior ministry also said an Israeli air strike had hit a police car in the Tuffah district of Gaza City, killing seven police officers.

GUNMEN TARGETED

After six months of fighting, there is still no sign of any breakthrough in U.S.-backed talks led by Qatar and Egypt to clinch a ceasefire deal in Gaza, as Israel and Hamas stick to their mutually irreconcilable conditions.

The Israeli military said its forces continued to operate in the central Gaza Strip and that they had killed several gunmen who attempted to attack them.

"Furthermore, over the past day, IDF fighter jets and aircraft destroyed a missile launcher along with dozens of terrorist infrastructure, terror tunnels, and military compounds where armed Hamas terrorists were located," it added.

In Al-Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, residents said Israeli planes had bombed and destroyed four multi-storey residential buildings on Tuesday.

Israel is still imposing "unlawful" restrictions on humanitarian relief for Gaza, the U.N. human rights office said on Tuesday, despite assertions from Israel and others that barriers have eased.

The amount of aid now entering Gaza is disputed, with Israel and Washington saying aid flows have risen in recent days but U.N. agencies say it is still far below bare minimum levels.

Israel is under international pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, especially northern areas where famine is expected by May, according to the United Nations.

Israel's military said it had facilitated the entry of 126 trucks into northern Gaza late on Monday from the south.

It also said it was working in collaboration with the World Food Program (WFP) to facilitate the opening of two more bakeries in northern Gaza after the first began operations on Monday with WFP help.

The Palestinian health ministry said more than 33,000 Palestinians have so far been killed by Israeli fire since Oct. 7, including 46 in the past 24 hours.

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after militants of the Hamas group that has been running the territory attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages according to Israeli tallies.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by Ari RabinovitchEditing by Gareth Jones and Deepa Babington)
Visitors look at products from Malaysia at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 16, 2024. Lasting from April 13 to 18, the expo themed "Share Open Opportunities, Co-create a Better Life" attracts many enterprises from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Visitors look at products from Vietnam at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 16, 2024. Lasting from April 13 to 18, the expo themed "Share Open Opportunities, Co-create a Better Life" attracts many enterprises from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Visitors look at products from Thailand at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 16, 2024. Lasting from April 13 to 18, the expo themed "Share Open Opportunities, Co-create a Better Life" attracts many enterprises from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Visitors taste food from Belarus at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 16, 2024. Lasting from April 13 to 18, the expo themed "Share Open Opportunities, Co-create a Better Life" attracts many enterprises from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Visitors look at products from Syria at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 16, 2024. Lasting from April 13 to 18, the expo themed "Share Open Opportunities, Co-create a Better Life" attracts many enterprises from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Visitors look at products from Indonesia at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 16, 2024. Lasting from April 13 to 18, the expo themed "Share Open Opportunities, Co-create a Better Life" attracts many enterprises from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Photo collage of armed female Ukrainian soldiers in a file, positioned as if stepping out of a voluntary conscription document. In the background, there are scattered rifle bullets.

As global tensions ratchet up defensive preparations, countries are beginning to reconsider whether conscripting only men into their armed forces will be enough.

Ukraine should get rid of its "old-fashioned mentality" and start conscripting women into the army, the country's military adviser on gender issues has said.

There are already about 65,000 women serving as volunteers in Ukraine's armed forces  an increase of about 40% on the year before Russia's invasion, but that represents a smaller percentage (7.3%) of female participation than most Nato states. But in the face of increasing Russian bombardment, dwindling supplies and heavy Ukrainian losses, "it is only right that women serve too", Oksana Grigorieva told The Times .

Last month Denmark announced plans to become the 10th country to extend military conscription to women, in response to Russia's growing aggression on Nato's eastern front. "We do not rearm because we want war. We are rearming because we want to avoid it," said Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The government wants "full equality between the sexes", she added.

What are attitudes towards conscripting women?

Military conscription, commonly known as the draft, means the government requires citizens to serve in the armed forces for a set period of time.

Throughout history, conscription has predominantly targeted men, reflecting traditional gender roles, perceptions of physical strength and military duty. This has often excluded women, though they serve voluntarily in many armed forces around the world.

But as preoccupation grows with both gender equality and global insecurity, the picture is changing. The vast majority of the UK public (72%) now believe that women should be conscripted in the event of a draft, according to the latest YouGov poll in January. About 42% of respondents thought women should serve on the same basis as men, while 30% thought there should be some restrictions on the roles women could perform.

Ira Shevchenko, who has volunteered in the Ukrainian military since 2021, told The Times that women should be conscripted on the grounds of gender equality. "Equal rights goes hand-in-hand with equal responsibilities," she said.

The US does not have mandatory military conscription for either men or women in peacetime. It does, however, require men to register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of turning 18, in case conscription is brought back.

Efforts to include women in this have been gaining traction in recent years, since the Defense Department opened up all military roles to women. Men's rights group have challenged the male-only military registration, and in 2019 a Texas federal judge ruled that it was unconstitutional.

Where are women conscripted?

In Ukraine, "an indication of a possible female draft" came last October, said The Times, when women with medical degrees were required to register with recruitment offices.

"Our northern neighbour isnt simply going to disappear," said Grigorieva. "For hundreds of years they have repeatedly attacked us. Like Israel, we have to be prepared for this and that means training up both men and women to be ready for war."

In Israel, female conscription has been in place since the country was established in 1948. All 18-year-olds must serve for up to two years, and about 40% of those drafted are women.

Danish women could already volunteer for military service, and in 2023 they made up about a quarter of the armed forces, according to Politico . But Denmark's defence department said it was forced to rethink its conscription model amid growing concerns over Russian aggression and Europe's lack of preparation.

"Unfortunately, the security policy situation in Europe has become more and more serious," said defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen. A more robust conscription system is "absolutely crucial", The Guardian reported.

Denmark was the third European country in Europe to introduce female conscription, after Norway in 2015 and Sweden in 2017  also over security concerns. But Norway and Sweden are still the only two countries in the world where men and women are conscripted under the same formal conditions.

North Korea has the longest mandatory female military involvement in the world, although not all women are conscripted. It is believed to have introduced mandatory service for women between the ages of 17 and 20, until the age of 23, in 2015. Some estimate that the active-duty North Korean military is 30% women, South Korean General I-B Chun said in a speech at Policy Exchange in 2018.
ROME (Reuters) - The northern Italian city of Turin has banned outdoor smoking unless other people are at least five metres away, in what Mayor Stefano Lo Russo called a "common sense" decision.

"It is about respecting those who do not smoke, and in some ways also about promoting a culture of respect," Lo Russo, who is from the centre-left Democratic Party, told a local radio station on Tuesday.

Those who flout the regulation risk a 100-euro ($106) fine.

The ban covers cigarettes, cigars, pipes, heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes, according to a resolution approved by the city council on Monday.

It says people may smoke closer to others "with their explicit consent", while it bans open-air smoking outright in the presence of children and pregnant women.

Turin is not the first major Italian city to restrict outdoor smoking. In 2021, Milan prohibited it at bus stops, taxi ranks, stadiums, parks and cemeteries.

However, the anti-smoking laws tend not to be enforced strictly. In Milan, only seven fines were issued in the first four months of their application, Corriere della Sera daily reported at the time. ($1 = 0.9404 euros)

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Keith Weir)
Dr. Pearl Ponce, an Ithaca native, was selected to oversee national documents of immense historical value.

Ponce was recently named director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Dallas, where shell lead the planning, directing, and administration of the librarys programming and activities starting June 2, according to a statement.

The Bush Library is one of 15 in the Presidential Library system operated by the National Archives and Records Administration, representing former presidents Herbert Hoover through Donald J. Trump.

Ithaca College Professor of history, Dr. Pearl Ponce, who was recently appointed to oversee the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Dallas, Texas.

The presidential libraries provide an important framework to better understand the complexities of our democracy and the decisions that shape our nation, said United States Archivist, Colleen Shogan, as she announced Ponces appointment in a statement. With her deep knowledge of the presidency and foreign relations, and her passion for American democracy, she will be an excellent steward for the George W. Bush Library and a strong voice for archival research and public engagement.

What will Ponce leave behind at Ithaca College?

Ponce is currently a professor of history at Ithaca College.

Ponce said while she will miss her students and colleagues at Ithaca College, this role will give her the unique opportunity she was seeking to engage with the public, while merging perfectly with her interests.

According to a statement from the administration, Presidential Libraries and Museums are repositories for each administration's papers and records and preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire.

At Ithaca College, Ponce has served as chair of the Department of History, helping to lead it through the disruption created by the COVID-19 pandemic. She has taught courses in United States history and has conducted published research on the presidency, governance and democracy, the exercise of federal power, and the territorial system.

She is the author of "To Govern the Devil in Hell: The Political Crisis in Territorial Kansas and the editor of Kansas's War: The Civil War in Documents.

Her latest project, "A Strange System of Terrorism: Federal Power and the Fraying of Democracy in Utah, Washington, and Kansas Territories in the 1850s, reportedly showcases the breadth of her research.

Ithaca College Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Melanie Stein congratulated Ponce, noting that she is remarkably well-suited to this position.

She is a respected scholar of American history with a deep understanding of the mission of presidential libraries and of the critical need to preserve archival material and make it accessible, said Stein, in a statement.

This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Dr. Pearl Ponce named director of George W. Bush Presidential Library
The second "doomsday cult" murder trial entered its second week Monday. Chad Daybell is charged with the murders of his former wife and "JJ" Vallow (L) and Tylee Ryan, the two children of his current wife, Lori Vallow. File Photo courtesy of the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children

April 15 (UPI) -- A jail phone call recorded was played Monday for jurors, during the third day of testimony in Chad Daybell's triple murder trial in Boise, Idaho, shortly before the remains of his wife's 7-year-old son were found buried on his property.

The three-minute phone call between Daybell, 55, and Lori Vallow Daybell from June 9, 2020, featured at least a half-dozen "I love you's" as officers searched the property for the remains of her children. Daybell had called Vallow, who is serving a life sentence for the deaths of her two children and Daybell's wife, to provide an update.

"They're searching the property," Daybell told Vallow.

"What do you want me to do? Pray?" Vallow asked.

"Yeah, pray," Daybell responded. "I love you so much."

Officers found the body of Vallow's 7-year-old son Joshua "JJ" Vallow later that day near a pond and eventually located the remains of 16-year-old Tylee Ryan near a fire pit on the property.

Daybell is charged in their deaths, as well as in the death of his former wife, Tammy Daybell, in 2019. Prosecutors claim he killed them in what was described as a doomsday cult. Prosecutors also allege Daybell murdered for "sex, money and power" and saw the children and spouses as "obstacles."

Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow were both charged in the murders in 2021. Vallow was convicted last July and sentenced to life in prison. Daybell could face the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder and other charges.

During Monday's testimony, Rexburg Det. Eric Wheeler told the court he was responsible for security during the 2020 search and saw Daybell move his vehicle to a spot where he had a better view of the pond area.

"He sat in his vehicle and was on his phone for quite some time -- just sat there in his vehicle," Wheeler said, adding that Daybell drove over to his daughter Emma's home where he spent approximately 90 minutes before driving away in a hurry.

"Hurry and go stop him," Wheeler said investigators told him. Wheeler testified he stopped Daybell, put him in handcuffs and told him that JJ's remains had been found.

According to Wheeler's testimony, Daybell's daughter Emma approached the car crying as he told her how to access his bank account, saying "I'm sorry. I'm not coming back."

Wheeler also testified Monday that law enforcement found a portion of a skull, flesh and other bones melted in a bucket. He said only JJ and Tylee were found on the property.

Fremont County Lt. Joe Powell told the court Monday about the morning Daybell's wife Tammy died on Oct. 19, 2019. Powell said he followed Chad Daybell to notify him of his wife's death and discovered he was with Lori Vallow. Vallow's children had already been reported missing.

Powell testified that he requested Tammy Daybell's medical records because her death had been unattended. While the cause of death was listed as a cardiac event and pulmonary edema, Powell testified that Chad Daybell said his wife had a coughing fit and vomited, went to sleep and died.

While Chad Daybell did not want an autopsy done on Tammy Daybell, Powell testified Monday that the decision to exhume was made because "all deaths surrounding Lori Vallow were a factor."
Jails around Wisconsin forgo in-person visits for video calls. How is this affecting those incarcerated?

Stacie Bryant, with grandson Milo, video chats with her son, Tyler, from her dining room on Feb. 8 in Hobart. Tyler is serving 90 days at Oconto County Jail

HOBART  From her dining room table on an evening in February, Stacie Bryant logged onto her tablet to see her son for the first time in nearly four weeks.

Tyler Bryant, 23, is currently serving 90 days at Oconto County Jail for violating his probation.

Holding Tyler's 15-month-old son, Milo, Stacie Bryant gave her son a smile and asked how he was doing. Tyler filled her in on his schedule, recent happenings and when he would get clippers to shave his facial hair.

"I missed seeing him," Stacie Bryant said after the video call. "He was coming over here almost every day."

Virtual visitation, for many families of people in jail, is a helpful tool for its flexibility and accessibility. But as it is becoming commonplace, more and more jails in Wisconsin are making video visits the only option, entirely eliminating traditional in-person visits.

The Post-Crescent contacted every jail in the state to gather information about their visitation policies. An analysis of the data found 46 out of the state's 72 jails  about 64%  have no option for people to do visits with friends and family in person, instead only offering contact through a video screen. And more jail administrators plan to follow this trend, with many stating that the pandemic expedited their decision to go all-virtual.

While video visitation has its benefits, formerly incarcerated people, experts and people who have visited friends and family in jail say the inability to be within physical proximity of loved ones takes a toll on mental health.

The American Bar Association's standards state that video visitation should not be a replacement for in-person visits with people confined for more than 30 days  around the average length of stay in a county jail.

But depending on court proceedings, people can be held in jail for years. In Brown County Jail, the longest stay of a recent prisoner was close to seven years  from May 2016 to February 2023, according to Brown County Jail Administrator Heidi Michel.

And unlike in prisons, most people in jail are there for a crime for which they have not been convicted.

Jennifer Verderami, a housing advocate with ESTHER, an interfaith social justice organization that is the Fox Valley affiliate of WISDOM, said it's more challenging to assess the emotions of a person through a video screen than when sitting across from them  even through a glass partition.

Her first experience with video visits was when the pandemic struck while she was incarcerated at Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center, a minimum-security women's prison in Racine County.

There's a different quality even when there's a partition separating you, knowing there's only inches between you and your loved one," she said.

Stacie Bryant video chats Feb. 8 with her son, Tyler, from her dining room in Oneida. Tyler is serving a 90-day probation hold at Oconto County Jail.

Video visits lack physical support, formerly incarcerated people say

Visitation is extremely important for the mental health of people who are incarcerated, particularly those serving lengthy sentences. According to the DOC's website, "research shows maintaining strong family ties can have a positive impact on an offender's success in completing treatment and other programs during incarceration, as well as their chances for success after they are released."

In-person contact visitation, where incarcerated people are allowed to talk to, play games with and hug their loved ones is offered in most of Wisconsin's prisons. But in county jails, where state statutes include fewer guidelines for how visitation should take place, non-contact visits are the norm, either behind a glass partition or by video.

Still, people who have been on both ends say there is a difference between a visit through a glass divider and a visit through a computer screen.

"You can sense the proximity. On a video screen, that does not exist," said Roy Rogers, who was incarcerated for 28 years until his parole in 2021.

Since his release, Rogers has become an advocate for jail and prison reform, working as a pre-entry liaison for The Community and serving on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Justice Initiative.

"With the divider behind a window thing, at least you can see the full human expression  you know, the nuances of emotion that you cannot catch through a video visit," he said.

Wanda Bertram, a communication strategist at the Prison Policy Initiative, a national nonprofit criminal justice think tank, said it's also harder for loved ones to assess the health and well-being of a prisoner through a video screen, as opposed to sitting a few feet away.

"Families have found that this really diminishes the quality of connection that they're able to get," she said.

A spokesperson for the company that owns Securus Technologies, the video visitation system used at Brown County Jail and a dozen other Wisconsin jails, said the video service "acts as a supplement for in person-visits" but is not intended to replace them.

Despite this, most jails in Wisconsin that have eliminated in-person visiting options have no plans to bring that option back, various county jail administrators said.

Meanwhile, some jails around the country have entirely eliminated the infrastructure needed for in-person jail visits after adding video visits. In Brown County, for example, Michel said the jail switched to all-virtual visits because there were no in-person visitation booths included in a jail renovation project.

Video visits can be expensive and low quality

Wisconsin jails offer video visits free to people who use the jail's on-site video kiosks. But those who choose to visit through a remote device are charged a fee.

Prices differ based on what company the jail contracts with. For example, remote visits with jails that use Securus range from $5.95 to $12.95 for a 20-minute remote visit, according to the spokesperson for Aventiv, the parent company of Securus. In Brown County Jail, visits are on the lowest end of that price range. Other telecommunications companies charge by the minute. In Outagamie County Jail, which uses ViaPath Technologies, a remote video visit costs 25 cents a minute.

Tyler Bryant served time at both Brown County Jail and Oconto County Jail. The Bryants said the two jails' visitation services were a night-and-day difference.

The first time Tyler's girlfriend used Brown County Jail's free on-site video kiosks to visit Tyler, she had issues logging on and could not find anyone around to help her.

When she came back to try again another day, she was able to get the video to work, but the quality on both ends was poor, Tyler Bryant said.

"That sucks. You can't even see the background  like, it's all pixelated," he said. "They completely blur everything out, unless you're two inches away, and then you can see like half of the face."

That was with Securus. Video visits at Oconto County Jail, which uses the company CIDNET, were much clearer, Stacie Bryant said.

Securus and CIDNET are the two most widely utilized video visitation systems in Wisconsin's jails. A handful of others systems are also common, including ViaPath, the system in place at Outagamie County Jail.

Autumn Cross, a Combined Locks resident who visited a friend in Outagamie County Jail about once a week for three months before he went to prison, said the remote video calls she did often had blurry video, delayed audio and unreliable connection.

"Video visits always have a lot of the connection issues where you can't hear them, or they can't hear you," Cross said. "It's not always guaranteed that you're going to have your video visit, because you can get disconnected and then sometimes you're not able to call back."

For Verderami, who served nearly five years in prison before her release last year, video visitation was free, due to the pandemic. But the visits were emotionally challenging, particularly those with her teenage son or her grandchildren.

"It actually got to the point where I didn't want to even do the video visits anymore because it made me so sad," she said.

Verderami said if video visits were not free and her only access to video visits was by paying, she would not have had any visits during that time.

Proponents say virtual jail visitation offers flexibility and savings for families

Many jails that only offer virtual visitation point to its benefits, like the flexibility to visit from home and increased opportunities for visits.

Outagamie County Jail switched to virtual visitation in 2020 and never went back. Jail Administrator Dave Kiesner said the jail had already been planning to transition to video visits only, but the pandemic expedited that process.

People in jail "have much more ability to see and talk to people now with this new system than they've had before," Kiesner said. "When we had in-house visits, it was just twice a week. ... It was like on a Tuesday at 10 o'clock and maybe a Saturday at 4 o'clock, and that was only time you could come visit. Now you can set up for whatever works for you at home."

Many county jails in the state also say video visits reduce the risk of contraband getting into the jail. However, it's not clear if there is data to back this up. Kiesner said Outagamie County Jail does not track contraband incidents specifically tied to visitation.

Michel, the administrator at Brown County Jail, said video visitation is beneficial for people who live too far to regularly visit with loved ones. By paying $7.50 for a 20-minute visit from home, they can save money on gas and time.

But for about a quarter of Wisconsin's jails, it doesn't need to be one or the other.

Lt. Brad McCoy of the Waushara County Sheriff's Office said that when Waushara County Jail added a video visit option in 2023, it did not eliminate its in-person option. McCoy said he does not think a video call has the same impact on a prisoner's mental health as actually seeing a loved one in-person  even behind a glass partition.

"I still see benefits in having in-person visits," he said.

And 16 other Wisconsin jails, including Madison's Dane County Jail, offer both types of visitation.

"We still like to do the in-person, because its in-person. Its different than looking through a camera at someone," said Lt. Gary Vandivier of the Dane County Sheriff's Office.

Jails sometimes have incentives to eliminate in-person visiting options

The Prison Policy Initiative has published multiple studies about telecommunications-related issues in jails and prisons across the country. Betram said their research found that jails have financial motivations to eliminate in-person visitation.

For one, video visitation requires fewer staff members to supervise, a major benefit for jails with a shortage of staff.

Additionally, Bertram said that in many contracts between video providers and jails, the county receives either a lump sum payment or a percentage of the total revenue from video calls.

Both Brown County Jail and Outagamie County Jail receive a commission from telecommunications services. However, Michel said that in Brown County, none of the profit made off of video visitation goes to the county; it goes into an "inmate welfare account," which is used to fund items and programs for people in jail, like new mattresses or the county's canteen ministry program.

"This is not a product that jails and prisons have necessarily gone hunting for. It's something that the companies, which tend to already have relationships with jails and prisons by providing phone calls or other services like that, will advertise pretty aggressively," Bertram said.

Bertram said some of these contracts have in the past stipulated that county jails must eliminate or restrict the in-person visiting option. She said she has seen those stipulations less often in recent years. Neither Brown County Jail's nor Outagamie County Jail's most recent contracts give requirements for jails on in-person visits.

According to a 2015 report from the Prison Policy Initiative, Securus was the only company of those studied that explicitly required jails to stop offering an in-person visitation option. But the spokesperson for Aventiv, the parent company of Securus, told the Post-Crescent that Securus "never impose(s) any prohibition on in-person visits."

No other telecommunications companies in Wisconsin jails  including ViaPath, CIDNET, ICSolutions, Reliance Telephone or Turnkey Corrections  responded to questions about their contracts' visitation guidelines.

The transition to video visits as the norm is a fairly recent shift in Wisconsin; most county jails began implementing the new technology just in the last few years. Four in the state, however  including Milwaukee County Jail  stopped video visit services as early as 2003 and 2004.

Rogers said he believes the transition to video visitation in jails is another step of what he sees as decreasing outside contact in Wisconsin's jails and prisons in recent years.

As another example, he pointed to the Department of Correction's switch in 2021 to providing people in prison with photocopies of mail rather than the original papers  a move intended to decrease drugs sneaking into prisons.

"The smell and the scent of the envelope to come from moms or a girlfriend, they'll never be able to smell that anymore, you know? Just to see, your kid drew this picture, and you know, it's smelling like jelly, or those Jolly Ranchers that he likes, you know, and some of that got on the envelope or the letter. You'll never be able to experience that again in Wisconsin (prisons)," he said.

For people in jails and prisons, Rogers said, any connection to their support system is essential for rehabilitation and a future reintegration into society. He said he worries about a total shift to video visits in jails.

"When you're in a county jail, for the most part, if you turn out to not be found innocent of what you've been held for, the last memory you will have of touching and holding your loved one will be that moment before you were arrested," he said. "And, like, even though you're sitting in that county jail and you're innocent until you're proven guilty, you've already been deprived of your human relationship, and you have not been convicted of a crime."

Green Bay Press-Gazette reporter Danielle DuClos contributed to this report.

Kelli Arseneau can be reached at 920-213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: In-person jail visits in Wisconsin give way to video visits
Criminal defense attorney Bill Brennans story about jury selection in a previous trial of former President Donald Trumps business had CNNs Jake Tapper laughing on Monday.

During a discussion on how Trumps legal team could get a fair jury for the presumptive GOP nominees hush money trial in largely Democratic New York, Brennan recalled the time a prospective juror declared her hatred for Trump at the Trump Organizations 2022 criminal tax fraud trial in which Brennan represented Trumps company.

Ive been picking juries for about 35 years and the woman in her mid-40s of Irish extraction looked a good prospect for the jury, Brennan told Tapper.

She spoke with a brogue, she worked in an Irish pub and in our questionnaire, questions 29 and 30 said, Do you have any strong feelings about the former president and if so, would they affect your ability to be fair? he recalled.

The woman checked those answers.

So, Brennan asked if her feelings toward Trump were positive or negative.

Brennan then jumped into an Irish accent to replay her response.

Oh, I despise that man, she said.

Brennan asked her not to sugarcoat things and speak your mind.

Oh, speak me mind? I hate him, she replied, Brennan recalled in the accent.

Tapper kept laughing at the story.

Former Trump criminal defense attorney Bill Brennan says hes worried about people getting on the jury who have ulterior motives and are looking to settle a score against Trump. pic.twitter.com/BFiDzJDUcm  Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) April 16, 2024

I was floored, Brennan told Tapper of the exchange.

The woman eventually made it to the second round of questioning because she claimed she could put her hatred of Trump to the side when instructed by the judge, said Brennan.

It was in stark contrast to other potential jurors who may have some type of ulterior motive to get on that case to settle a score and so therefore dont answer the questions as rigorously as they should, he added.

Related...
Eyes are on Manhattan this week as jury selection in Donald Trumps first criminal trial gets underway. But if youre also interested in the fate of Trumps federal election interference case in Washington, D.C., then youll want to follow an appeal being argued at the Supreme Court on Tuesday as well.

Thats the case of alleged Jan. 6 rioter Joseph Fischer. He was charged with, among other things, obstructing an official proceeding. Its a charge that's been widely used against people who disrupted the congressional certification of Joe Bidens 2020 presidential win. Its also among the charges Trump himself faces in the federal election interference case, so how the justices interpret it in Fischers case could affect Trumps prosecution, too.

Fischer says the government went too far in charging him under the federal obstruction law that, he argues, is meant for evidence tampering. But even though both he and the former president are charged under that same statute, a Supreme Court win for Fischer wouldnt necessarily knock out Trumps obstruction charges.

At least special counsel Jack Smith doesnt think so. In his high court brief ahead of the April 25 immunity hearing in Donald Trump v. United States, Smith argues that Trumps obstruction charges would survive even Fischers interpretation. On that point, the special counsel cited the alleged Trump-backed scheme to use fraudulent slates of electors at the joint session of Congress. So even where their charges overlap, Trump is in a different legal position from rioters.

Of course, well first see if Fischer wins his Supreme Court case, and then well look at the rulings rationale to see how it applies to Trumps case. It may have limited impact and, even then, only on some of Trumps charges. Thats because the former president faces four counts in his Washington indictment, two of which are obstruction-related.

The justices will likely rule by late June in Fischers case, the same unofficial deadline for a ruling in Trumps immunity appeal. So if Trumps Washington case actually goes to trial  a questionable prospect due to the high courts decision to take up his immunity bid in the first place  then it can be tried with the justices impending interpretation of the obstruction law in mind. Both Trump and Fischer have pleaded not guilty.

Regardless of the implications of Fischer's appeal for Trump, it will be significant for other Jan. 6 rioter-type cases generally. It could bolster or upend scores of such prosecutions.

Yet, when it comes to Trumps federal election interference case, the forthcoming Fischer ruling is yet another potential headache for Smith in his attempt to try the presumptive GOP nominee before the November presidential election. A win for Trump would put him back in the same office that the whole alleged election interference scheme was intended to keep him in. And the office would give him the power to quash the very case that seeks to hold him accountable for that effort.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for weekly updates on the top legal stories, including news from the Supreme Court, the Donald Trump cases and more.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Jane Fonda knows what it feels like to worry about the future.

In an exclusive interview with USC Annenberg Media, the Oscar-winning actor and activist, 86, reflected on her six-decade-long career and her efforts to address the climate crisis.

That work, she said, helped lift her out of darkness.

Maybe five or six years ago, I was really despondent about the climate situation. I was doing stuff, but I knew I could do a lot more given that I have a platform, Fonda said. It was hard for me to even get out of bed, I was so depressed. Then I started Fire Drill Fridays and the minute I started my activism full-on, the depression lifted.

Being an activist helps keep her hopeful, she said, despite acknowledging were living in a very dangerous time right now.

I think that the most dangerous threat facing us is the climate crisis, because if we dont confront it in time its going to be very hard to achieve democracy, equality, anything that we want in a stable society, she said. When I decided to devote myself to the climate crisis issue full-time, it was to try to alert people of whats coming. We have about six years to reduce our fossil fuel emissions.

Fonda is taken away in ziptie handcuffs as she is arrested during a climate crisis protest at the US Capitol in October 2019. - John Lamparski/Getty Images

Fondas work as an activist began in earnest back in the 1970s, when her mentor, a Black attorney, offered her some words of wisdom.

I said to him, I think Im going to not be an actor anymore because its too hard for me when Im working with people who are in a very different situation in the world, she recalled. He said to me, Fonda, the movement has a lot of organizers. We dont have movie stars. We need movie stars. You should not only keep doing what youre doing but you got to pay more attention, own it. Own your career, make it work for you as an activist.

Thats just what she did, thriving as both an activist and as an actress in beloved films, including 9 to 5, Coming Home and The China Syndrome.

Now Fonda wants others to catch fire for doing good as well.

While I have the opportunity, with every ounce of my being, I want to say to the young people that will read this: please vote and vote with climate in your heart. People are worried about climate, but they dont bring that into the voting booth with them, she told the publication. We have to confront this in order to have a livable future. Its your future, Ill be dead.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
January 6 rioters want the Supreme Court to let them off the hook from obstruction charge

The Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday from a former Pennsylvania police officer who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in a case that could undermine federal charges against more than 350 rioters.

The courts decision could also have significant ramifications for former President Donald Trump, who was charged with the same criminal offense.

Special counsel Jack Smith charged Trump with violating a federal law enacted in 2002 that prohibits people from obstructing an official proceeding. Prosecutors filed that same charge against hundreds of rioters, such as the so-called QAnon Shaman, who climbed the Senate chambers dais in horned headdress, and the leader of the Oath Keepers, who had championed a bloody civil war in the weeks before the riot.

The charge can add up to 20 years to a prison sentence.

Now, the Supreme Court will consider whether the prosecutors interpretation of the law can be used against the rioters and whether the convictions already secured will stick.

Trump would almost certainly use a decision against the government to fuel criticism he has directed at prosecutors as he has tried to reframe the January 6 attack on the Capitol as a beautiful day.

And that means the stakes are high not only for Trump and the January 6 defendants but also the Justice Department.

Any finding that the Justice Department has been charging improperly in any of these cases would be very politically damaging, said Claire Finkelstein, a professor of law and philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. This is a case in which we want our system as a whole to speak with a single voice and weigh in on the side of rule of law.

Trump takes over Supreme Courts docket

The high court will hear arguments in Fischer v. US on the second day of Trumps trial in New York on separate state charges that he falsified business records to hide the reimbursement of hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. (Trump has pleaded not guilty in that case, and he has tried to brand all the criminal charges against him as motivated by politics.)

The charge at issue in the Supreme Court case stems from a law Congress enacted in response to a series of corporate accounting scandals, including the 2001 Enron debacle. That law makes it a felony to corruptly alter, destroy or mutilate a record with the intent of making it unavailable for use in an official proceeding, or to otherwise obstruct, influence, or impede such a proceeding.

Prosecutors say the charge should apply to the January 6 cases because the plain meaning of the words obstruct an official proceeding should cover the attack that interrupted Congress counting of ballots to certify President Joe Bidens win in the 2020 election.

Critics counter that the law was intended to prevent evidence tampering before a trial or investigation.

Though Trump is not a party in the case, the appeal has indirectly thrust him onto the Supreme Courts docket for the third time this election year. In March, the justices unanimously ruled that the former president would appear on the ballot in Colorado despite claims he violated the 14th Amendments insurrectionist ban because of his actions on January 6.

Next week the court will hear arguments on Trumps explosive claim that he is entitled to immunity from the special counsels federal election subversion case, including the obstruction charge.

Stinging reminder at stake for prosecutors

Joseph Fischer, a former Pennsylvania police officer who brought the case to the Supreme Court, told the justices that by the time he arrived at the Capitol on January 6, Congress had already recessed. His lawyers said Fischer spent less than four minutes inside the building and that he advanced fewer than 25 feet.

Prosecutors paint a different picture. They say Fischer warned his police chief by text that the day might get violent. He texted that protestors should drag Democrats into the street and have a mob trial. Fischer captured a video on his own cell phone in which he can be heard yelling charge! before he ran into the Capitol, prosecutors say.

A grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against Fischer weeks after the attack that included charges of civil disorder; assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers as well as the obstruction charge. The case before the Supreme Court involves only that last charge.

The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit combined Fischers case with two others and ruled that the charge could be used against January 6 defendants  siding with 14 of 15 district court judges who ruled the same way. All three defendants appealed to the Supreme Court, but the justices granted only Fischers case. The other two are pending and will likely be summarily resolved after Fischer.

Yet the political ramifications are potentially enormous.

Exactly how much impact the courts ruling may have on other January 6 cases is unclear. Most defendants who were convicted of the obstruction charge and sentenced to prison were also convicted of additional felony or misdemeanor charges, according to a CNN analysis. The average sentence in those cases was just over four years, the analysis shows  far less than the 20-year maximum the obstruction count carries.

A Fischer win would not be a revolutionary blow to the DOJs Capitol riot cases, but would be a stinging reminder that improbably broad interpretations of criminal statutes will not be tolerated, said Nicholas Smith, who represented the defendants before the DC Circuit.

Trump would almost certainly use a win for Fischer to try to further undermine the Justice Department. Depending on how the court rules, he might also attempt to have that charge thrown out in his own case.

The special counsel appears eager to head that argument off.

In a filing last week at the Supreme Court in Trumps immunity case, Smith argued the obstruction charge should stick against Trump even if Fischer wins. In a footnote, Smith pointed out that Trumps charge is based on the fake slate of electors he attempted to have submitted to Congress.

The Trump charges probably survive almost no matter what the court does in Fischer, said Randall Eliason, a former federal prosecutor and George Washington University law professor.

Progressive groups have called on Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from cases involving January 6 because his wife, conservative activist Ginni Thomas, acknowledged she attended Trumps rally at the White House before the attack. Text messages reviewed by a congressional committee also showed that Ginni Thomas repeatedly texted senior officials inside the White House after the election to offer her support.

Thomas has largely ignored those requests.

Also central to the case: An undersized grouper

Fischer relies heavily on a 2015 precedent from a deeply fractured Supreme Court that centered on a commercial fisherman who was caught with undersized red grouper on his boat. The fisherman had ordered the offending fish to be tossed overboard before authorities could confirm he had violated federal fishing regulations.

The fisherman was convicted of a related crime that prohibits people from altering or destroying any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to obstruct an investigation. The government argued the fish fell within the definition of tangible object.

But a 5-4 majority of the Supreme Court that included Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the leader of the courts liberal wing at the time, and Justice Samuel Alito, a stalwart conservative, disagreed. Viewed in context, a plurality of the court reasoned, a tangible object included items used to record or preserve information, like a document  not a fish.

Fischer told the Supreme Court that context and history of the law at issue in the January 6 prosecutions is just as clear. It was meant to apply, his attorneys argue, to efforts to tamper with evidence, not to charge people involved in a riot.

But that interpretation has drawn considerable pushback from the government and some outside experts. The way the law at issue in the January 6 charges is written is different from how it looks in the earlier case.

The section on obstruction is more separated, which the Justice Department argues suggests Congress intended to lay down a broad prohibition on disrupting congressional proceedings.

Eliason thinks the earlier decision about the undersized fish will probably ultimately work to the governments benefit. Among those who joined the dissent in the fisherman case was the late Justice Antonin Scalia, a leader of the widely accepted notion of interpreting the law based on its words rather than its legislative history or other factors.

If theyre being consistent, at least two out of the three Trump justices ought to vote against Fischers positions, Eliason said. The ambiguity is not there. Its a broad statute, but its not unclear.

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ISTANBUL, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police arrested 36 suspects on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt in 2016, local media reported.

According to the state-run Anadolu agency, police conducted simultaneous operations targeting 45 suspects across the western province of Izmir, with 36 of them apprehended so far.

Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau revealed that among the wanted suspects, 27 were shopkeepers, and 18 others were "hiding in cell houses," according to the report.

The suspects are believed to be affiliated with the Gulen movement, a network led by the U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, and blamed by the Turkish government for orchestrating the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, resulting in the deaths of at least 250 people.

The agency added that authorities also confiscated cash totaling 65,400 U.S. dollars, gold coins, gold bracelets, and several digital items.

Following the 2016 coup attempt, the Turkish government initiated a widespread crackdown on individuals suspected of having ties to the movement. 
JK Rowling: It is baseless and disgusting to claim I am a Holocaust denier

False allegation stems from JK Rowling challenging claims transgender people were a priority target of the Nazis - JOHN PHILLIPS/GETTY IMAGES

JK Rowling has accused transgender rights activists of sinking to a new low by making baseless and disgusting claims she is a Holocaust denier.

The Harry Potter author issued a statement on Tuesday pointing to her record of supporting the Jewish community and speaking out against anti-Semitism.

It came after Rivkah Brown, an editor at the Left-wing Novara Media news outlet, apologised to Rowling for accusing her of Holocaust denial, an allegation the journalist admitted had been false and offensive.

Hundreds of social media users then repeated the claim that Rowling was a Holocaust denier, after speculating that Brown had only retracted her statement because of the threat of legal action.

The false allegation stems from Rowling challenging claims on X, formerly Twitter, that transgender people were a priority target of the Nazis during the Holocaust.

While Im used to the gross distraction techniques used by the more extreme faction of trans activism, the claim that I am a Holocaust denier is baseless and disgusting, Rowling said.

I have always been a staunch supporter of the Jewish community and have spoken out consistently and repeatedly against anti-Semitism.

She added: Im familiar with such activists assertions that transgender people have been uniquely persecuted and oppressed throughout history, but claims that trans people were the first targets of the Nazis  a claim I refuted on X, and which led to these accusations  and that I uphold [Nazi] ideology around gender is a new low.

Rivkah Brown, an editor at the Left-wing Novara Media news outlet, apologised to Rowling - twitter.com/rivkahbrown

Earlier this year, the LGBT news outlet Pink News published an article in which it claimed the persecution of trans people by the Nazis was devastating and that it still echoes down the ages.

However, the article named just five alleged transgender victims of the Holocaust, only one of whom, who was also persecuted for homosexuality, died in a concentration camp.

Two others survived the war, one committed suicide and the fate of the fifth is unknown.

Rowling had last month questioned a claim made by one social media user who said: The Nazis burnt books on trans healthcare and research, why are you so desperate to uphold their ideology around gender?

She replied: I just how. How did you type this out and press send without thinking I should maybe check my source for this, because it mightve just been a fever dream.

Trans activists often accuse gender-critical women of being influenced by far-Right ideology or of having links to neo-Nazis.

Thinly veiled parody of Rowling

Police Scotland has faced criticism for inventing a fictional scenario for a hate crime event in which a gender-critical campaigner called Jo, whom it was claimed was a thinly veiled parody of Rowling, called for trans people to be sent to gas chambers.

The national force has not denied that the character, who was described as having a large social media following, was modelled on the writer, who is called Jo by her friends.

Womens groups accused Police Scotland of reinforcing false tropes that gender-critical people wish to kill trans people and backing bizarre claims that trans people are victims of a modern-day genocide.

Previously, Rowling had raised the prospect of taking legal action against Brown, telling her she would be delighted to meet you in court, Rivkah, to discuss Holocaust denial.

The author has called for those claiming the Nazis specifically targeted trans people, as distinct from gay people, to supply evidence to back up their claims.

Brown, who is a commissioning editor and reporter, said: On 13 March I tweeted that JK Rowling is a Holocaust denier.

That allegation was false and offensive. I have deleted it and apologise to JK Rowling.

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Need a job? City of Wichita has 293 positions open

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  The City of Wichita is hosting a career fair from 1- 4 p.m. on Monday, April 22, at the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, 2021 N. Amidon, Suite 1100.

Applications will be accepted for all job openings, and staff will be on hand from the following departments to answer questions:

Airport Police and Fire

Fire

Information Technology

MAPD (Metropolitan Area Planning Department)

Municipal Court

Park & Recreation

Police

Public Works & Utilities

Wichita Transit

OSBI: Missing Kansas women dead; 4 facing charges

The City has 293 open positions across its departments, including multiple seasonal opportunities. To learn more and apply for a job, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Mayor Brandon Johnsons request for another $70 million to maintain the citys migrant response advanced in the City Council Monday.

The plan passed the Budget and Government Operations Committee in a 20-to-8 vote following contentious debate over the continued costly effort to care for the citys recent migrants arrivals, including thousands of asylum-seekers who fled crisis in Venezuela. The outcome puts the proposal up for a full City Council vote set for Wednesday.

I will be a yes on this today because I know we need the funding, said Ald. Nicole Lee, 11th. But there has to be more transparency. People need to understand how these funds are being spent.

City budget director Annette Guzman told aldermen the projected needs were estimated by modeling how many immigrants will come to Chicago in coming months. The Johnson administration does not expect to ask for more migrant-earmarked money this year, she said.

Guzman warned aldermen of the costs of not passing the funding package. Without a dedicated funding stream to make expensive projects such as Chicagos 18 operating migrant shelters possible, the migrants who come to the city could instead end up stretching other city resources, including hospitals and the Fire Department, she said. Many could be forced to live in parks or again turn to police stations for housing, she added.

If we dont do anything, something is going to bust, Vice Mayor Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th, said. I know we have to do something to contain the situation.

Chicago has already budgeted $150 million to be spent on the migrant response this year. But the amount is not enough to sustain the basic housing, food and case management services the city has provided the nearly 40,000 migrants who have arrived via bus and plane, many sent by Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott, since August 2022, Johnson said.

In February, Illinois and Cook County leaders pledged they will spend $250 million to fund the continued migrant response, leaving a $70 million gap to reach the projected $320 million needed. At the time, Johnson bristled at reports he had agreed to fill that gap, saying there are a number of matters that need to be worked through.

However, the mayor moved to secure that money last week. His administration pitched aldermen on the idea in a series of small briefings. At Mondays hearing, some council members criticized how the mayor went about asking for it.

The $70 million from the city will come from previous city surpluses that have not been allocated yet, similar to a budgetary trick former Mayor Lori Lightfoot introduced for a migrant appropriation item during her last weeks in office.

Some aldermen criticized Johnsons administration for not using those funds on other crises. Ald. Chris Taliaferro, 29th, said the city should instead spend the money to help West Side residents repair homes damaged in flooding last summer.

We are forgetting about the residents that actually live here, Taliaferro said. When we have forgotten about the family that lives here, it becomes very difficult for me to support another $70 million going somewhere else.

Ald. David Moore, 17th, argued the money could instead be spent to fight gun violence, citing three shootings and two shooting deaths that occurred in his ward over the weekend. Past mayoral administrations have asked aldermen how to better help their neighborhoods, Moore said, but that has yet to happen in this administration.

We cant keep asking and asking and no one can point to anything. Thats a sign of total, blatant disrespect, Moore said.

Aldermen opposed to and supportive of the funding plan agreed wholeheartedly on one point: that the federal government has failed to meaningfully support Chicagos migrant response. The city and state were given $19 million in new congressionally-approved funding Friday, an allotment Ald. Marty Quinn, 13th, called a drop in the bucket and wholly inadequate.

In recent months, the number of migrants residing in Chicago shelters has sharply dropped from 14,900 in late December to around 9,200. Meanwhile, the city has ramped up efforts to lower and spread the cost of the migrant response, including by opening a new shelter alongside the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Zakat Foundation earlier this month.

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to hold separate votes this week on new assistance packages for Israel and Ukraine, aiming to assemble fragile coalitions to support both embattled allies.

This move seeks to overcome Republican resistance to aid Kyiv and address the recent missile and drone attack by Iran on Israel. By capitalizing on the sense of urgency among many U.S. lawmakers to stand with Israel following the attack, Speaker Johnson aims to gauge the resolve of ultraconservative factions in blocking aid to Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.

Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has threatened to trigger a vote to remove the speaker if any assistance to Ukraine is considered in the House.

On April 15, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a briefing that "we will not accept a standalone" Israel aid bill. "A standalone would actually not help Israel and Ukraine. It would actually delay ... the needed aid," Jean-Pierre noted, calling for the House to pass the Senate's $95 billion Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan aid bill.

The United States' delay in providing assistance to Ukraine has directly affected the battlefield, leading to the loss of the crucial front-line city of Avdiivka. With the situation escalating on the eastern front and Russian assaults intensifying on energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the failure of the U.S. Congress to approve military aid could result in Ukraine losing the war.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that U.S. President Joe Biden and congressional leaders reached a "consensus" on April 14 regarding the urgent need for Congress to swiftly provide aid to Israel and Ukraine. Schumer expressed his optimism that actions would be taken this week to assist both nations, as he mentioned during a press conference in New York.

Read also: Zelensky: Allies can defend Ukraine in the same way as they protected Israel

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Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., unveiled a plan for moving foreign aid through the House of Representatives during a closed-door meeting with Republican lawmakers on Monday.

The Republican leader had been under pressure to act on Israel and Ukraine funding as the situation in both conflicts grows more dire, while also navigating fraught divisions in the House GOP conference over conditions for giving aid overseas.

Under Johnsons tentative plan, aid for Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel would all be considered as separate bills, according to two lawmakers present at the meeting. A fourth bill would combine miscellaneous national security priorities, including the Houses recently passed bill that could pave the way to a TikTok ban and the REPO Act, a bipartisan measure to liquefy seized Russian assets and send that money to Ukraine.

Johnson indicated to reporters after the meeting that he anticipates a vote on the bills by Friday.

JOHNSON TO PITCH HOUSE GOP ON ISRAEL, UKRAINE AID PLANS IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING

"We won't be voting on the Senate supplemental in its current form, but we will vote on each of these measures separately in four different pieces. We will vote on the Israel aid, on the aid to Ukraine, on the aid to the Indo-Pacific, and then another measure that has our national security priorities included in [it] that has some of the things with regard to the loan-lease option and the REPO Act and some other sanctions on Iran and other measures that we've been talking about here for quite some time," he said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Johnson added that the bills, the text of which is expected early on Tuesday, will allow for members to offer amendments.

He said later that he expects the funding levels to be "roughly the same" as the Senates $95 billion bipartisan supplemental aid package, which included money for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and humanitarian causes like Gaza.

REPUBLICANS PRESSURE BIDEN DOJ TO PROBE ACTIVISTS CALLING FOR 'DEATH TO AMERICA'

Breaking apart the Senates supplemental package was an idea backed by a significant share of House Republicans. However, it also appears to be a move aimed at appeasing fiscal hawks on Johnsons right flank who otherwise would have likely attempted to block the bills from getting to the floor.

The two GOP lawmakers who shared details of the plan with Fox News Digital said there was more support for the plan in the room than opposition.

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on April 14, 2024.

"I think it's a good plan. I don't know that I'll support every single subject bill, but this is the way the House should work," Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told Fox News Digital after the meeting.

Mace added that several members, including herself, urged Johnson to include some border security measures, which do not appear to be part of the latest proposal.

Meanwhile, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., did not say if he'd support the measures but told reporters, "I think any time you separate these out to single subject bills, I think that's a good strategy."

But others, including members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, signaled they were still skeptical.

HOUSE TEES UP 17 BILLS RELATED TO IRAN/ISRAEL FOR THIS WEEK

Both Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good, R-Va., and its policy chair, Chip Roy, R-Texas, suggested they were not optimistic that border security measures would ultimately be part of the deal, despite their demands.

"I think that the border security component will come from the members," Good told Fox News Digital.

Good was also dissatisfied that the funding bills would not be offset by spending cuts elsewhere, as was the case with Johnsons original $14 billion stand-alone Israel aid bill that passed the House in November.

House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good signaled he was skeptical of Johnson's plan.

"We ought not to be borrowing to do any of these, and so some of us will absolutely make amendments to pay for this," he said.

And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who has threatened to oust Johnson over his handling of government spending and foreign aid, trashed the plan after the meeting.

"I just think it's the wrong direction to go. Our border is the No. 1 policy issue that voters care about all across the country. And the Senate has not taken up  our border package that we sent over there; they're just demanding that the House vote to fund Ukraine, vote to fund Taiwan and send more money to Israel, claiming that our military is running out of ammunition," Greene said.

"Well, you want to know something? If these people in there cared about our military, why don't we do a separate bill to fund and rebuild our military with ammunition and supplies without having to fund a foreign war to do that?"





Original article source: Johnson unveils plan to fund Israel, Ukraine in closed-door House GOP meeting
JSO: Two suspects arrested in crossfire shooting that hit school bus with kids on board

The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office has announced two arrests made in the shooting of a school bus with children onboard.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Action News Jax brought you the story on Monday when that school bus was hit by gunfire in the Hogans Creek area on Dr. Roy Baker Street. One bullet hole was found in the drivers window with at least 30 kids on the bus at the time.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Thankfully, JSO said none of the kids or the driver were physically hurt.

During an initial investigation by detectives with JSOs Robbery/Violent Crimes Unit, multiple people at a nearby apartment complex were involved in a verbal argument. JSO said this led to an exchange of gunfire resulting in the school bus being struck.

RELATED: School bus hit by gunfire, no one on board injured, bus not targeted, Jacksonville police say

During a canvassing of the area, several shell casings were found.

JSO said that the investigation led them to two people involved in the shooting.

As a result of the actions taken by detectives, two persons of interest were quickly identified as being involved in the shooting incident, JSO said in a statement. Nailah Doles, female, 23, and Jayden Mobley, male, 17, were located and interviewed about their roles in the incident.

After being interviewed both Doles and Mobley were arrested for attempted murder.

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The judge presiding over the Karen Read murder trial said Tuesday that shell allow an argument from the defense that someone else killed John OKeefe on a snowy night in Canton in January 2022.

Karen Read murder trial: A guide to the key players you need to know

Before jury selection began, Judge Beverly Cannone said that she wouldnt exclude Reads attorneys from using a third-party culprit defense during the trial as long as its developed through witness statements and evidence. That third-party defense wont be allowed during initial statements.

NEW: Judge will allow defense to put forth 3rd party culprit argument during trial as long as it developedthrough witness statements and evidence.

3rd party is not allowed during initial statements.  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 16, 2024

Cannone then gave a brief explanation of the case to the jury pool after about 90 prospective jurors filtered into the Norfolk Superior Court courtroom. The defense and prosecution then introduced themselves to the potential jurors.

Cannone then read expected witness lists for the prosecution and defense, which included a combined total of more than 160 names.

Karen Read murder trial: List of more than 160 witnesses prosecution, defense could call

When jury selection ultimately began, the majority of prospective jurors raised their hands when asked if they had heard or talked about the Read case.

About 10-15 people in the jury pool claimed to already have a bias one way or the other. Roughly 20-25 others raised cards indicating they had already formed an opinion about the case.

Four jurors were seated Tuesday with the goal of having a total of 16 jurors for the trial. Another group of 90 new potential jurors are expected to show up to court Wednesday to begin the process all over again.

The jury started filling out a questionnaire about the trial shortly before 11 a.m. and were sent home for the night at 3 p.m.

Wrapping up the 1st day of jury selection and the ruling on 3rd party defense in the Karen Read case on #Boston25 at 6.  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 16, 2024

Read is charged with running down John OKeefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in the town of Canton on Jan. 29, 2022.

Reads defense has argued that she is being framed and that OKeefe was beaten and attacked by a dog inside the home of another Boston police officer.

Criminal defense attorney Peter Elikann told Boston 25 News that finding an impartial jury could be a challenge.

The trial is expected to last between 6 and 7 weeks.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Ukraine's High Council of Justice opened a disciplinary case regarding the conduct of Vsevolod Kniaziev, the former head of the Supreme Court suspected of corruption, the council's press service said on April 16.

Kniaziev was detained and dismissed from his position in May 2023 after he was charged with accepting a $2.7 million bribe to rule in favor of Ukrainian billionaire Kostyantyn Zhevago.

He was released from detention after paying Hr 18 million bail (around $450,000) in January but remains suspended from administering justice until the verdict or the closure of the case.

The High Council of Justice's statement referred to a different case connected to Kniaziev. In December 2023, the judge was found guilty by a court in Kyiv of illegally accepting a gift after it was revealed he was renting an apartment in an elite neighborhood in the capital for Hr 1,000 ($25) a month.

The disciplinary case was opened based on complaints received by the council, including from the National Agency on Corruption Prevention.

"The First Disciplinary Chamber of the High Council of Justice believes that the circumstances described in the complaints carry signs of disciplinary misconduct" on Knaiziev's part, the statement read.

Read also: Ukraines judicial reform relaunch shows mixed results so far

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NANNING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- At a cement ore field in the southern Chinese city of Baise, a fleet of trucks laden with limestones shuttled back and forth. A close look revealed that they're driverless.

Those electrically driven trucks are equipped with multiple sensors like LiDAR, millimeter wave radar and vision cameras. Enabled with 5G tech and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, they are controlled by an intelligent console and run automatically throughout the mine lot.

The cement plant under China Resources Group exemplified the traditional industry upgrading of the manufacturing powerhouse, driven by emerging digital and smart technology.

By the end of 2023, China had built 421 national-level demonstration factories featuring intelligent manufacturing and over 10,000 local digital workshops and smart factories.

China has unveiled an action plan to promote industrial equipment upgrades. By 2027, the penetration rate of digital research and development (R&D) and design tools in major enterprises will exceed 90 percent, and over 75 percent of their key production processes will be digitally controlled.

In 2023, the cement plant in Baise adopted a whole-mine unpiloted transport system developed by Waytous, a Beijing-based intelligent mining tech provider incubated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The unmanned project was the first of its kind built in one go in China.

The ore blending in traditional cement plants mainly relies on human experience. It's a process of mixing ores of different grades after they're extracted to ensure the quality standards required.

However, the traditional scheduling dependent on manual labor is time-consuming and not optimal. It tends to result in low vehicle utilization rates and more wasted ores.

Now, the plant uses digital twin and 3D modeling technology to produce a virtual simulation model of an ore body with a reserve of 71 million tonnes.

The AI algorithm has been employed to construct a digital model that can automatically generate optimal plans for the combinations of mining locations and mining volume.

The digital upgrading has brought a 105 percent increase in labor productivity, a 56 percent reduction in unplanned equipment downtime, a 25 percent increase in quality stability and a 24 percent reduction in carbon emissions, said Sun Zhen, general manager of the plant.

At the site, the whole process including cement mining, grinding and delivery has been digitalized and intelligently controlled.

"The system can be automatically tuned in the background running process, so that it can run in a more economical and stable state," said Luo Ling, an engineer sitting before a screen in the centralized smart control center.

In December, the cement plant was selected as an "Advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Lighthouse" or "lighthouse factory" by the World Economic Forum. 
The jury was sent home early Tuesday after a witness for the prosecution admitted that she watched a livestream of the capital murder trial of Jerry Don Elders on Monday, after she was admonished not to.

The witness, Joshua police Detective Lee Sosebee, gave her testimony to just the judge, attorneys and those sitting in the gallery in Johnson Countys 413th District Court after the jury was sent home. She spoke about how she was out on patrol when the call came in that someone had broken through the back gate of the police station, into the parking lot, and that a body had been dumped there.

When she arrived, Sosebee saw medics attempting to save the woman, later identified as 60-year-old Robin Waddell, and saw her purse and another unidentified black object on the ground. She told the court she then spoke to witnesses and took a statement.

The detective also said she saw another officer clean the blood off the surface of the parking lot, a piece of information the defense mentioned in opening statements Monday.

Visiting Judge Lee Gabriel, who is presiding over the trial, will make a decision Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. as to whether the Sosebee is allowed to testify. Attorneys for the defense objected to her speaking because she broke the rules laid out by the judge, who asked lawyers from both sides to send any case law to her to review Tuesday night.

Elders is accused of carjacking and killing Waddell after he shot and wounded Burleson police Officer Joshua Lott in 2021. The trial could last two weeks or more. If the jury finds the defendant guilty of capital murder, he could face a death sentence or life in prison without parole.

Today's top stories:

 Doctor guilty of injecting drugs in IV bags, causing death

 Fort Worth leaders learn what it takes to be a firefighter

 Fort Worth police officer fired over excessive force in shooting

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The Donald Trump hush money trial moves on to Day Two, as 12 jurors will be selected from hundreds of New Yorkers. However, the process could extend beyond this week as many jurors were already dismissed from the case.

This is just the beginning as 100 jurors will be brought in at a time to be vetted for this historic case involving the former president.

Its a scam. Its a political witch hunt, said Trump.

Former president Donald Trump appeared at the courthouse in New Yorks criminal court as his hush money case involving adult film star Stormy Daniels is set to face prosecution.

Were not gonna be giving a fair trial, said Trump.

Hundreds of New Yorkers were brought in to possibly decide the fate of a former U.S. president, but dozens have already been dismissed as they told the judge they cannot be impartial. New York City Attorney Arthur Aidala says this will be a long process.

Its going to be hard to come up with a fair and impartial jury because so many people know about this case and have preconceived notions, said Aidala.

The vetting continues as potential jurors will be questioned on a variety of topics to determine if they are fit for the trial. A panel of 12 jurors and six alternates will be selected.

Outside the courthouse, protesters both for and against the former president shouted and chanted.

Inside, the judge denied a request from Trump to attend Supreme Court arguments next week on presidential immunity.

The judge of course is not going to allow us. Hes a very conflicted judge, said Trump.

There will be a hearing next week on whether Trump should be held in contempt for violating a gag order that prohibited him from talking about witnesses in this case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story reflected fewer applicants. The school district released the names of additional applicants for the superintendent position midday Tuesday.

The do-over search for candidates to be the Duval County school systems next superintendent netted 21 would-be successors with experience ranging from big-district operations to big-money investing.

How much any of them match what School Board members are looking for will become clearer next week, when they're scheduled to meet to trim the herd into a list of semifinalists.

The applications far outnumbered the 10 logged in a canceled first run of the superintendent search in October, drawing job bids from veteran administrators s well as upstarts with lofty hopes.

Jacksonville is my city, and my hearts desire is for every student to succeed, wrote Michelle Nixon, a charter school teacher who tossed her name into the hat despite little experience in the administrative work needed to run the countrys 20th-largest school system.

Florida School Boards Association CEO Andrea Messina (right) talked about options for a superintendent search during a Duval County School Board workshop in June..

Opinion: Mark Woods: Another superintendent search in Duval County. Who would want this job?

Board members have repeatedly praised the work Superintendent Dana Kriznar has done since stepping into the job on a temporary basis when Diana Greene retired last summer.

But Kriznar, a Jacksonville-area teacher and administrator since 1986, is herself approaching retirement age and the board wanted to find a new superintendent from a pool of deep qualifications.

Who applied to be superintendent?

Sito Narcisse, shown in a 2018 photo, was one of six semifinalists that year when the Duval County School Board sought a superintendent. He applied again this year.

One candidate this year, Sito Narcisse, was a semifinalist for the superintendents job in 2018, when the board picked Greene instead.

He was second in charge of the 88,000-student Metro Nashville school system at that time, and in the ensuing years became superintendent of the 41,000-student school system in East Baton Rouge, La., a job he left in January. A Haitian immigrant who grew up in the New York area, he has also held important roles for school systems in places including Washington, D.C. and several Maryland suburbs.

Last big change: Duval school board hires new superintendent

Christopher Bernier, who applied this month days before resigning as superintendent of the Lee County school system around Fort Myers, was chief of staff for the Clark County, Nevada, district in Las Vegas before then and until 2019 was associate superintendent for Orange County schools around Orlando.

I recommend Dr. Bernier as a candidate for superintendent without reservation, former Orange County Superintendent Barbara Jenkins wrote in a reference letter praising his passion for student success, combined with his intellect and work ethic.

Former Lee County schools Superintendent Christopher Bernier was among the six applicants to become Duval Cunty's next superintendent.

His resume lists state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz under personal references. Whether he'll still be looking for a job isn't clear, thogh, because this week the Washoe County, Nevada, school district named him a finalist to run schools around Reno.

Other candidates with experience in big districts include include the deputy superintendent for Portland Ore., Cheryl Proctor, and Broward County's deputy superintendent for teaching, Howard Hepburn. Hepburn applied for the job the day before he was chosen to be Broward County's superintendent, and by Thursday, a list of applicants on the school district's website had been updated to say he had withdrawn.

Others are less obvious contenders but lifelong educators or small-town superintendents exploring the path to big school districts.

One, Corwin Robinson, is a former Louisiana school principal who was previously administrator for an 80,000-student Nashville district and past superintendent for a small district in Lake County, Tenn. Robinson applied in October and again when the call for candidates went out a second time last month.

Corwin Robinson, a former superintendent in Lake County, Tenn., was among six people who applied to be Duval County's next schools superintendent.

His background was somewhat of a question mark but we felt that we could stretch that and say the individual did meet the qualifications because in Nashville, that district has 80,000 students and he was the discipline coordinator there, Bill Vogel, a retired Florida superintendent who has worked on the Duval County candidate search for the Florida School Boards Association, told the board in October.

Ponte Vedra Beach resident Andrew Stenwall has never taught or run a school, but proposed using his background in investing and management to "create an environemnt of continuous improvement."

Among other candidates for the superintendents post were:

Ronnie Dotson, an 11-year superintendent of the few-thousand student district in Carter County, Kentucky. His application says the district scored in the fifth percentile of Kentucky schools when he took the job, and topped the 95th percentile when he left in 2022.

Carlos Perez Jr., a former schools administrator in Sotuh Florida and New York running an education reform nonprofit in Miami Beach;

Sylvia Mitchell, a Texas schools administrator who previously oversaw charter schools in the IDEA charter network and was a charter school principal at locations including Arlington.

The School Board has scheduled interviews with finalists May 13-14 and a meeting to choose the next superintendent May 23. That person is expected to start working around July 1.

Because of a reporter's error, an earlier version of this story incorrectly described Sito Narcisse as a finalist for the Duval County superintendent's job in 2018.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: After slow start, Duval schools superintendent search gets 21 applicants
This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox.

More jurors were excused than asked to stick around for more questions on the first day of former President Donald Trumps criminal hush-money trial. The second day found seven out of the 18 that will eventually be chosen, including alternates. Its a sign of just how hard its going to be to find a jury in the deep-blue corner of Manhattan where the defendant is the presumptive GOP nominee for the White House and a local tabloid gossip subject going back decades.

That doesnt mean the defense attorneys, prosecutors, and Judge Juan Merchan stopped trying while the defendant alternately snoozed and scowled, sulked and social-mediad himself as a political prisoner in fundraising pitches. I JUST STORMED OUT OF BIDENS KANGAROO COURT! the ex-President wrote on Monday. (In reality he did no such thing.)

Legal experts warned even before the history-making day began that the process of picking a jury would not be an easy onebut it is possible. This is not the time to rush, and the lawyers seemed to appreciate that.

To get there, the lawyers are sifting through the large jury pool, with about 500 candidates called for the first day of culling. With remarkable candor, 50 of the 96 brought into the courtroom on Monday told Merchan that there was no way they could possibly be impartial or fair toward Trump, who is accused of paying $130,000 in Trump Organization money to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to keep her quiet about an alleged tryst from years prior, and then falsifying the linked business records. (Trump has pleaded not guilty.) Two other potential jurors were allowed to leave the dingy Lower Manhattan courtroom: a man who said his child was scheduled to marry in the potential trial window, and another who changed her mind from the first round of questions about impartiality and reversed herself.

I just couldnt do it, one potential juror was overheard saying outside the courtroom on Monday. Just picking the jury could take multiple days.

The New Yorkers time and again on the first day of the first of four criminal trials looming over Trump said the quiet part aloud: almost no one is neutral to this norm-bending, history-making, celebrity-soaked figure. Even those who professed an ability to start with a blank opinion still were likely to have their 42-question survey scrutinized carefully by both teams of lawyers in what could be the only criminal trial to return a verdict on Trump before voters render theirs at the ballot box this November.

This is not an opening step to get wrong. The defendants profile only complicates the chase of a jury that would render a verdict that, either way, will make history and alter the nations future by clearing or condemning the first former Presidentand presumptive presidential nomineeto face a criminal trial. Theres a high chance that at least some elements of their verdict would face appeals.

Polls show a divided America, with about half of respondents saying Trump was guilty of falsifying the business records at issue in the New York case. A YouGov poll from early April revealed a partisan division that follows the other contours of our politics. A plurality of 48% of adults agreed that Trump fudged business records and 26% said they were not sure and another 26% said they disagreed. But along party lines, 87% of Democrats believed Trump was guilty, while just 14% of Republicans agreed. A New York Times/Sienna College poll from roughly the same sampling window matched those numbers; 46% of the likely voters this fall believe Trump should be found guilty, while 37% say he should not. Again, it really depends on politics: 82% of those planning to vote for President Joe Biden this fall said Trump should be found guilty, while 77% of likely Trump voters thought the opposite.

Views on the trials potential impact in November were equally divided. A March Quinnipiac poll found 55% of all voters said a conviction wouldnt matter and 12% said theyd be more likely to vote for him. Just 29% of all voters said it would have a negative effect on their vote.

But among Republicans, the hardened support isnt at risk of going flimsy. A majority 62% of Trump supporters said it would make zero difference and 26% said theyd work harder to get him back to the White House. Just 10% said a conviction could ding their enthusiasm.

Perhaps most damning to keep in mind during jury selection: only 3% of Americans told YouGov they didnt have an opinion of Trump. (For comparison, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus dont-know number 34%. March Madness breakout star Caitlin Clarks number is 59%.)

All of which is to say this: this may be one of the toughest juries to impanel in a very long time.

The right to a fair jury extends to everyone in the civilian U.S. justice system. High-profile defendants like Trump make the stakes even higher. It is possible that it might be close to impossible to find a truly impartial jury, but that doesnt mean the lawyers and judge arent going to try their best. Theyre weeding out the obvious disqualifiers like membership in QAnon or employment by the Trump business orbit, and extending to whether candidates had read books or listened to podcasts that were critical of Trump.

Jury selection is merely the first step of this process, which is expected to keep Trump at the defendants table and off the campaign trail for around six weeks. Trump lost an early motion seeking to be elsewhere during the proceedings, when he asked to attend his sons high school graduation on a Friday next month.

I was looking forward to that graduation with his mother and father there, and it looks like the judge does not allow me to escape this scam, Trump said outside the courtroom Monday.

This whittling-down process is going to take a little while. To be fair, it should; no one wants to have to redo this trial based on appeals over sins committed in Act One. But Trump's singular celebrity and envelope-pushing grandstanding stand to make it more difficult to find truly willing and impartial jurors. And for a defendant who has tried every delay tactic at his disposal, that may be precisely the point. We had better find comfortable chairs as we watch this unfold.

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Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Supreme Court justices pose for their group portrait at the Supreme Court in Washington

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas returned to the bench on Tuesday, a day after he missed arguments in two cases with no explanation offered by the court.

Thomas, 75, is the oldest and longest-serving member of the court and is part of its 6-3 conservative majority. He was appointed to the top U.S. judicial body in 1991 by Republican President George H.W. Bush.

Chief Justice John Roberts on Monday noted that Thomas would not appear on the bench for the arguments but gave no reason for the absence. Roberts said Thomas would "participate fully" in the cases by using the written legal briefs and the transcripts of the arguments.

A court spokesperson did not provide additional information on Monday's absence.

The court often gives a reason for a justice's absence, including illness.

The court on Tuesday was hearing a high-profile dispute - a Pennsylvania man's bid to avoid an obstruction charge related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol - a case with possible implications for the federal prosecution of Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss.

Thomas previously missed arguments in March 2022 when he was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms and diagnosed with an infection.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York and John Kruzel in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham)
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Violence against children is on the minds of leaders in Kansas City.

Monday afternoon, city leaders spoke at Hibbs Park, near E. 59th Street and Jackson Avenue, where a childrens memorial will go up, honoring anyone who died younger than 18 due to violence, from 2001 to 2024.

This memorial serves as a beacon of resilience and unity providing a space for reflection, healing, and renewal, Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw said during Mondays news conference.

Anyone can suggest a name between now and May 15 for two granite memorial columns that will go up at the park, honoring children that have been lost due to violence.

Affidavits detail alleged plot targeting 2 Kansas women

May 15 was the birthday of a little girl found murdered and dumped in the woods across the street from the original Hibbs Park in 2001. Her identity was a mystery for years. The community named her Precious Doe until she was eventually identified as Erica Green.

Long time Civil Rights leader, former Mayor Pro Tem, and AdHoc Group Against Crime Founding Member Alvin Brooks says for our young people, it is the worst of times.

The Kansas City Police Departments Daily Homicide Analysis shows six people 17 or younger have been killed in the city this year alone.

Although Erica was not killed with a gun, but gun violence is the leading cause of death among our young people, Brooks said during the news conference. So, I raise the question, if not now, when?

Precious Does brother Larry Sanders and her two nephews came in from Oklahoma for Mondays news conference. The three of them all had on Oklahoma City Thunder uninforms.

I just want to say thank you to everybody here. Also, I want to say thank you for also just continuing to remember her and the other childrens lives as well, Sanders said. I continue to use that to motivate me every day to do better for me, myself, and the other people around me, and I also wanted to say thank you all, so god bless every one of you. Like I said, this is hard for me, so, I cant really speak too much, so thank you all.

View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4

The news conference comes five days after a girl was shot and killed near E. 33rd Street and Flora Avenue. The victims name is Kourtney Freeman. The news conference also happened the same day KC Mothers in Charge held a vigil outside the Freeman home.

I think about an 11-year-old who lost her life just this past week, Mayor Quinton Lucas said during the news conference Monday, talking about Freeman.

If youre interested in submitting a name to the memorial that will go up at Hibbs Park, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Olathe Republican Sen. Rob Olson said he supported Gov. Laura Kellys tax reduction proposal because it spread sales, income and property tax reduction benefits to the middle class.

Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, expressed disappointment in GOP leaders who said fixing long wait times for Kansas with disabilities would be a priority during the 2024 legislative session. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Republican lawmakers vowed to be laser-focused this session toward helping Kansans with disabilities receive state services but came up short of a disability rights groups recommendations  even as they funded an opera house and a mission to the southwest border.

Finalized by lawmakers April 5, the state budget blueprint sets aside $45.8 million, including $17.8 million from the state general fund, to fund services for 1,000 Kansans who are currently on the states waiting lists, divided between people with intellectual and physical disabilities and those who have physical disabilities, and would be available for fiscal year 2025. The amount is double that proposed by the governor, but still short of an advocacy groups recommended funding.

Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, said he was disappointed by budget priorities. Olson pointed to an $1 million provision for restoration of an opera house in Manhattan, as an example of spending that should be curtailed until the wait times are fixed.

These kids need that money, Olson said in an April 5 debate. They need to be a priority. They havent been in this building for a long time. We help take care of them, but we dont get enough removed off the list. I would like to see us make a plan for the next three or four years to knock that list down to nothing.  We havent really made an effort to knock that list down. And were making a big effort to get this opera house done. That embarrasses me.

Also included in the budget bill was a $2 million allocation set aside for an pregnancy compassion awareness program to encourage women to give birth, and another $15.7 million to finance the deployment of state resources to help with Texas border control efforts.

The disability wait times have become one of the more-debated issues this legislative session as numbers reach a crisis level.

The latest data shows 7,661 Kansans currently waiting for services, with 5,279 people on the intellectual and developmental disabilities waitlist and 2,382 people on the physical disability waitlist. The budget bill would place into law a provision forbidding the combined waiting lists from exceeding 6,800 people.

Kansans who need help can wait more than 10 years for crucial services, such as in-home care. The Kansas Reflector previously examined how these long wait times hurt thousands of disabled Kansans and their families through a series of stories.

If enrollment trends continue along the same lines as last year, when 561 new people enrolled in the intellectual disability waitlist, the proposed funding wouldnt be enough to stop the list from growing.

In September, House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson released a statement promising to address the waiting lists.

Republicans are laser focused on eliminating Medicaid waiting lists to ensure the truly needy get the services they so desperately need, Hawkins and Masterson said in their statement.

During a news conference on their legislative plans before the session, the two again said the waitlists needed to be addressed.

Weve got 6,000 on the waiting list right now, and certainly before anything else happens, that needs to be taken care of, Hawkins said. Those are people who have been on the list for years.

We want to make sure everyone has the ability to get off the list, Masterson added.

The Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, along with the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, recommended reducing the waitlists by 20% in fiscal year 2025. To do so, lawmakers would need to allocate enough funding to get 1,100 people off the intellectual and developmental disability waivers as well as 500 off of the physical disability waiver waitlist.

The waitlists for the Intellectual/Developmental Disability and the Physical Disability Home & Community Based Services Medicaid Waiver programs have reached a crisis point, reads the councils statement. Since KanCare launched in 2013, the IDD and PD Waitlists have gone from bad to worse to utterly out of control in Kansas.

Sen. Rick Billinger, GOP chairman of a Senate committee, and one of the lawmakers tasked with shaping budget allocations, said he agreed with Olson, but said there was only so much available.

Billinger said the Legislature would look at addressing the lists again next year.

We should have zero on the waitlist, Billinger said. Zero, thats where it needs to be. Ill guarantee you, Ill do everything I can to take care of these kids. Theres only so much available there, but we need to do better.

The state funding blueprint has been sent to the governors desk, where Gov. Laura Kelly will decide whether to approve or veto allocations in the $25 billion budget bill.

The post Kansas GOP leaders fail to deliver enough funding to reduce disability waiting lists appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday said her gut sense is that tax cuts passed recently by the Legislature are too expensive, but that she hasnt made a final decision about a veto.

The package is estimated to cost approximately $635 million in state revenue during its first year and about $460 million in the following years. The Democratic governor has said she wants to limit costs to around $425 million annually.

Kelly told reporters on Tuesday the proposal had not yet reached her desk, but suggested the tax plan would prove too expensive and therefore unsustainable.

I think what I said when it got passed, though, is that its a little out of the ballpark, she said. Its too expensive, so I really need to take a look at that and have some serious conversations with my budget people.

The governor added that she is waiting on new state revenue projections before making a final decision. Those estimates are expected to come later this week.

That would be helpful obviously to see what the projections are, Kelly said. We had been riding high and beating the estimates all the time, but in the last 7 or 8 months, weve seen a downturn.

Based on the estimates, were still in great shape, but we need to see if thats a trend that estimates are going to be lower to feed into that sense that the package is too expensive and unsustainable, Kelly continued.

The tax proposal passed in the Senate 24-9 and in the House 119-0 earlier this month. Lawmakers passed the plan one day after a tax package with both the Senate and Kellys backing failed in the House. That package would have kept a three-bracket income tax, while the new proposal institutes a two-tier income tax bracket.

The legislation before Kelly would tax the top bracket a 5.55% tax income rate and 5.15% for the bottom bracket, with $23,000 taxable annual income serving as the dividing line between the two rates. For married couples, that dividing line would be $46,000.

The proposal would raise the personal exemption allowance amount so that each dependent would qualify for an additional $2,320, while raising the allowance from $2,250 for all taxpayers to $18,320 for married couples and $9,160 for all other taxpayers

If Kelly vetoes the plan, House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, said he would not advise House Democrats to vote to sustain her veto unless they present a better alternative that is able to gain Republican support.

This plan does more than any other plan weve looked at this year. Thats been my position all along. Relief should be directed at the people who need it the most, not at the people who need it the least, Miller said.

I dont know that theres anything out there that would be better than this one, he added.

The package would also expedite the elimination of the states food sales tax by six months  ending the taxation by July 1  eliminate income taxation on Social Security benefits and lower the mill levy for schools from 20 to 19.5 mills.

Miller said he was happy with the plan Republicans and Democrats compromised on, and said, unlike the governor, he was not concerned about the packages fiscal note.

The people looking for tax relief have waited long enough, Miller said. We have, in my opinion, healthy balances both now and after we implement this plan.

Good Lord, theres $1.7 billion sitting in a rainy day fund that didnt exist just a few years ago. So in addition to being in a good state year to year, weve got that money put away in case we over refund. Thats not a hazard Im too concerned about.

Kelly this session also vetoed a single-rate income tax pushed heavily by Republicans, who were unable to override her veto. Lawmakers will return to Topeka on April 25 for veto session.
Karen Read murder trial: A guide to the key players you need to know

Karen Read murder trial: A guide to the key players you need to know

The high-profile Karen Read murder case went to trial earlier this month when jury selection began in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham.

Opening statements were delivered in late April with the prosecution and defense addressing jurors. Now, witness testimony is well underway.

Everything you need to know ahead of the Karen Read murder trial

Read is charged with running down John OKeefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in the town of Canton on Jan. 29, 2022. Reads defense has argued that she is being framed and that OKeefe was beaten and attacked by a dog inside the home of another Boston police officer.

A buffer zone that includes metal barricades and orange traffic drums has been set up for Reads trial and no one is allowed to demonstrate with signs within 200 feet of the courthouse.

More than 160 combined witnesses could be called by the prosecution and defense.

The trial is expected to last between 6 and 8 weeks.

Heres a guide to the key players you need to know as the trial gets underway:

Karen Read (suspect)

Read, 44, of Mansfield, is accused of running down OKeefe in reverse with her SUV after a night of drinking. The state is using Reads cracked right taillight as evidence.

Read has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a collision in connection with OKeefes death.

Reads lawyers claim she is being framed in a massive cover-up, and that feds have been investigating the probe into OKeefes death.

Karen Read, 41, of Mansfield, Mass., is charged with manslaughter in the Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, death of Boston police Officer John OKeefe. O'Keefe, 46, was off duty at the time of his death.

FILE - Karen Read sits in court during jury selection for her murder trial at Norfolk County Superior Court, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. Read's trial is scheduled to begin Monday, April 29. (David McGlynn//New York Post via AP, Pool,File)

Karen Read, left, leaves Norfolk Superior Court with her attorney Alan Jackson, right, after the opening day of her trial, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by intentionally driving her SUV into him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Karen Read, right, is flanked by Massachusetts State Police while leaving Norfolk Superior Court after the opening day of her trial, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by intentionally driving her SUV into him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Karen Read leaves Norfolk Superior Court after the opening day of her trial, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by intentionally driving her SUV into him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

FILE - Karen Read, of Mansfield, Mass., center, departs Norfolk Superior Court following a day of jury selection, April 17, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. Read's trial is scheduled to begin Monday, April 29. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Karen Read leaves Norfolk Superior Court after the opening day of her trial, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by intentionally driving her SUV into him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Karen Read, facing a murder charge in the death of an off-duty Boston police officer, was ordered held on $100,000 bail.

High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer

High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer

High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer

High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer

High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer

Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe

Karen Read is arraigned in Stoughton District court accused of manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston Police officer John O'Keefe

John OKeefe (victim)

The body of OKeefe, 46, was discovered during a snowstorm outside a Canton home on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022.

According to the Norfolk District Attorneys Office, he was taken to the Good Samaritan Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead hours later.

An autopsy lists his cause of death as blunt impact injuries of the head and hypothermia.

OKeefe had been raising his niece and nephew in Canton after their parents passed away.

Boston police officials said OKeefe was a 16-year veteran of the force who had served in multiple capacities.

Brian Albert (witness)

OKeefes body was discovered during a snowstorm outside the Canton home of another Boston police officer named Brian Albert.

Its alleged that Albert went to great lengths to dispose of critical evidence by making sure, Chloe, his family dog of seven years, simply disappeared.

Albert and his relatives told investigators that OKeefe never came inside the party, and they never saw him. Some of the party attendees are witnesses for the prosecution.

Greg Henning, an attorney for Albert, said in March that his client does not object to releasing his phone records because he has nothing to hide.

Henning also revealed that he spoke with the US Attorneys Office for Massachusetts and was given permission to tell the court that Albert is not the target of a federal investigation.

In bodycam footage from Reads arrest in June 2022, she is heard telling an officer, Youre aware Brian and Colin Albert beat up him (OKeefe)? Were all in on the same joke, right? My taillight was cracked, and Johns face was pulverized.

Jennifer McCabe (witness)

An FBI analysis of a phone belonging to Alberts sister-in-law, Jennifer McCabe, determined she searched hos long to die in cold at 2:27 a.m., hours before she called 911 to report that OKeefes body had been found outside Alberts home, Reads attorneys have alleged.

Lawyers for Read also described one of the responding state troopers as having a longstanding close familial relationship with the McCabes and Alberts.

OKeefes niece confirmed Read telling McCabe on the phone that she last saw OKeefe at a bar on the night of his death, according to prior court proceedings.

Read, McCabe and another witness ended up looking for OKeefe and finding him near Alberts home.

McCabe said Read had shown her a cracked right rear taillight on her vehicle before they left to search for OKeefe.

Michael Proctor (lead detective)

Proctor, a Massachusetts State Police detective, was the lead investigator in the Read case.

The Massachusetts State Police Internal Affairs Unit is investigating Proctor for a potential violation of department policy.

Reads defense has argued that Proctor was not truthful with his relationship with people he has identified as witnesses in the case.

According to the defense, Proctor admitted this to a federal grand jury.

The defense also says text messages analyzed in the federal investigation revealed that one of the other witnesses offered to buy Proctor a gift when the case against Read was over.

Proctors attorney has said his client is cooperating fully with the investigation and remains steadfast in the integrity of the work he performed investigating the death of Mr. John OKeefe.

Brian Higgins

Higgins, an ATF agent, coaxed OKeefe to the Albert house and later destroyed his phone, Reads defense team has alleged.

A federal investigation found Albert and Higgins spoke by phone at 2:22 a.m., about 3 and a half hours before OKeefes body was discovered, Reads defense has further alleged.

An attorney for Higgins previously said federal authorities were not targeting him.

Other key players to know

Beverly J. Cannone is the judge who presides over the Read trial.

Alan Jackson, a former prosecutor and Assistant Head Deputy for the Major Crimes Division at the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office, is one of two of Reads lawyers.

David Yannetti, a former assistant district attorney in Middlesex County, is Reads second attorney.

Adam Lally, an assistant district attorney in Norfolk County, is the states lead prosecutor in the Read case.

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DEDHAM  Supporters of Karen Read hoping to get a seat inside the courtroom at Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham on the first day of her second-degree murder trial on Tuesday knew they would not be allowed inside if they wore clothing or any other shows of explicit support for the 43-year-old Mansfield woman, so instead they said it with pink.

"It's her favorite color from what I've heard," said Tina Saggio, of Hopedale, who was among the dozens of pink-clad people who showed up early Tuesday to both get in line for a chance to get in while also showing their support to passers-by if they could only get as far as the sidewalk.

Saggio said she has attended the multiple hearings in the complicated court case for the past year.

Karen Read arrives at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham for the start of jury selection in her murder trial on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

""I've been here in the cold and in the rain," she said. "I'm here because this innocent woman is going to trial. This could be any one of us."

The first day of Read's second-degree murder trial on Tuesday, when jury selection begins, drew the same outpouring of support for the 44-year-old Mansfield woman as her case has since her 2022 arrest on charges she backed into her boyfriend while drunk and left him to die outside a Canton home in a blizzard.

It also brought dozens of local and national news outlets to Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham, where the jury selection was set to begin on April 16 after the date was pushed back a month to give lawyers for both sides time to review thousands of pages of evidence, expert opinions that have often contradicted each other, motions and filings, as well as information from an ongoing federal probe into the case.

Read's trial is expected to continue for several weeks.

Supporters of Karen Read line the streets outside Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, staying 200 feet away as ordered by the trial judge, as jury selection starts in the Mansfield woman's murder trial on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Meanwhile, just down the road, outside the 200-foot buffer zone established for protesters by the judge, Karen Read supporters carry their signs proclaiming Read's innocence while soliciting  and receiving  multiple supportive honks from the cars driving by. One said simply said "John O'Keefe" and another resembled a Massachusetts license plate with the word "Framed" on it.

A sign posted to a utility pole, presumably at the 200-foot mark, reminds people of the judge's order in the protesters' own way: "Restricted area: No free speech beyond this point."

What are the charges against Karen Read?

Read has been charged with second degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, 46-year-old Braintree native and Boston police officer John O'Keefe, after his body was found in the driveway outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston police officer on Jan 29, 2022.

She was arrested shortly after and indicted on the charge in Norfolk County Superior Court in June 2022.

Her indictment also included charges of motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a collision causing injury and death.

What Karen Read's supporters are saying

Prosecutors say Read backed into O'Keefe with her SUV as she was leaving the home. She drove back to Canton several hours later after she said she was unable to reach him by phone.

Her defense team has since alleged that they believer O'Keefe went into the home after Read drove off and got into a fight with people inside. They said wounds on O'Keefe's body suggest he was also attacked by a dog in the house.

A state trooper watches spectators until they can enter the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham for the start of jury selection in the murder trial of Karen Read on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

The defense claims O'Keefe was subsequently placed in the driveway in the frigid weather to cover up what had happened. Her supporters allege a coordinated effort to hide the crime by local law enforcement, some of whom have direct ties to some people in the house that night.

'Turtleboy' and his impact on the the 'Free Karen Read' movement

Aiden Kearney, who operates a news blog under the moniker of Turtleboy, brought attention to the case through an ongoing series of posts that he said points to the validity of the cover up.

Aidan Kearney, the blogger behind the "Turtleboy" website, waits to see if her can get a seat in the courtroom as jury selection begins in the Karen Read murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Kearney, who is facing over a dozen witness intimidation charges connected to the case, was jailed for 60 days for violating his conditions of release after an ex-girlfriend, who is also a likely witness in the case against him, said he shoved her at her home after charges had been brought against him.

Many of Read's supporters, such as Saggio, credit Kearney for bringing what they believe to be credible accusations and evidence to light in the case.

What are the rules for Karen Read demonstrators?

The state had pushed to create a 500-foot buffer zone around the courthouse to keep the demonstrators from impeding or intimidating people involved in the case as they come and go from the building throughout the course of the trial.

Judge Judge Beverly Cannone approved a no-protest zone of 200 feet.

Under her orders, supporters within the 200 feet are not allowed to use megaphones but are allowed to carry signs and wear buttons and clothing expressing their feelings towards the case and the people and officials involved in it.

Supporters of Karen Read line the streets outside Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, staying 200 feet away as ordered by the trial judge, as jury selection starts in the Mansfield woman's murder trial on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

That is not the case inside the courtroom, however, where Cannone said such expressions would not be allowed, which is where the pink clothing comes in. Law enforcement members are also banned from wearing their uniforms.

Different theories on how John O'Keefe died

Read and O'Keefe had been drinking heavily at a bar before she dropped him off at the Fairview Lane Home in Canton, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors say Read backed into O'Keefe with her SUV as she was leaving the home. She drove back to Canton several hours later after she said she was unable to reach him by phone.

Her defense team has since alleged that they believer O'Keefe went into the home after Read drove off and got into a fight with people inside. They said wounds on O'Keefe's body suggest he was also attacked by a dog in the house.

The defense claims O'Keefe was subsequently placed in the driveway in the frigid weather to cover up what had happened.

Prosecutors said an examination of O'Keefe's body did not find any canine DNA.

Dueling evidence on whether Karen Read hit O'Keefe

According to prosecutors, evidence in the case includes pieces of the cracked taillight from Read's SUV found by Massachusetts State Police. The prosecution also said that the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory found O'Keefe's DNA on that broken taillight and pieces of red plastic consistent with Read's taillight on O'Keefe's clothing.

Prosecutors have also said human hair found on the back of Read's SUV is being tested.

Read's lawyers said a DNA expert they hired said hair on Read's taillight was not human, They also claim a federal probe into the case contradicts the state's claims related to the broken taillight.

The prosecution said it is still waiting on mitochondrial DNA testing of a hair sample found on the back of Read's SUV.

Is Karen Read being held?

While protestors have formed a "Free Karen Read movement," Read remains free on $80,000 bail.

Her bail had been set at $50,000 when she was first arrested and was set at $100,000 following her initial arraignment in February 2022. Judge Cannone reduced that amount to $80,000 shortly after.

Her lawyers made an unsuccessful bid this past September to drop the bail entirely and remain free on personal recognizance pending the outcome of the case.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Karen Read protesters out in full force as trial begins
by Yoo Seungki

SEOUL, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Memory has vividly lived among the bereaved families for one of South Korea's deadliest maritime disasters that killed 304 people, most of them high school students on a school trip to the southern resort island of Jeju.

"We can never forget the day. Crying out and sighing, we had to watch the sight of taking 304 lives of our children and citizens who could have been saved," Kim Jong-gi, father of the deceased high school student Kim Soo-jin, told foreign correspondents in Seoul on Monday, a day before the 10th anniversary of the Sewol ferry tragedy.

On April 16, 2014, the 6,825-ton passenger ferry Sewol sank off the southwestern coast near Jindo island, leaving trauma among the general public and triggering nationwide mourning for the victims.

"I feel very sorry for my daughter as she had only 18 short years to live ... I have managed to live with my memory of my daughter when she was younger and my imagination of how she would have been if she was to live her life until now," Kim said.

The bereaved families have endured a long painful time of 10 years with their memory of children and the empathy from neighbors, continuing to ask questions of why the ferry sank and why the victims were not rescued.

"We have been able to survive the past 10 years because of the support from citizens who watched the Sewol ferry disaster by themselves," said Kim Soon-gil, mother of the deceased student Jin Yun-hee.

"The bereaved families with the same pain have managed to hold out by crying and laughing together and recalling our children together," Kim noted.

Park Jeong-hwa, mother of the deceased student Cho Eun-jung, reminisced about the days when her daughter was dreaming of becoming a pharmacist, sharing her imagination that her daughter would have grown up as a beautiful lady if she were alive now.

"I miss and remember my daughter the most when I watch from behind the appearance of mothers and daughters shopping together and going to the market with their hands held," Park said with a light smile for her imagination and a tearful eye for the longing for her daughter.

Special investigation committees and prosecutors investigated and reinvestigated the cause of the deadly disaster, but the bereaved families still believed that it remained a long way to go for the truth behind the tragedy.

"Not everything that the victims desperately want to know has been disclosed. Even the cause of the sinking hasn't been clarified yet," said Kim, father of the deceased student Soo-jin.

The bereaved families demanded that further investigations should be conducted amid the full disclosure of relevant information about the ferry sinking, calling on the parliament to enact a law that allows victims to participate in an investigative body whenever disasters occur.

"The demand from our citizens is clear. The state should acknowledge its wrongdoings and make a formal apology," Park Seung-ryul, co-representative of the April 16 Coalition on the Sewol Ferry Disaster, said.

"The bereaved families and citizens remember the wrongdoings of the state. We hope that the power of the memory will continue to grow and expand," Park noted.

"I believe that memory is the power to change the future and is the greatest weapon of the socially disadvantaged who own nothing," said Lee Tae-ho, standing executive committee chairman of the April 16 Coalition on the Sewol Ferry Disaster.

Lee added that the committee's most popular slogan is "Memory is powerful." 
Katharine Birbalsingh is known as 'Britain's strictest head teacher' - Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph

Katharine Birbalsingh has questioned the level of legal aid awarded to a Muslim pupil who lost a court battle over her schools prayer ban.

Ms Birbalsingh, known as Britains strictest head teacher, won a legal challenge brought by the pupil, who claimed the prayer restrictions at Michaela Community School in Brent, north-west London, were discriminatory.

The High Court ruled that the prayer ban was lawful and justified as a proportionate means of achieving the legitimate aims of the school.

Commenting on the judgment, Ms Birbalsingh said: Can it be right for a family to receive 150,000 of taxpayer-funded legal aid to bring a case like this?

A spokesman for lawyers supporting the pupil said the legal aid costs were a fraction of the sum quoted by Ms Birbalsingh.

Senior Tory MPs also criticised the use of legal aid to fund the pupils claim.

Legal aid is not there to fund lawfare

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the MP for North East Somerset, said: Legal aid is there to protect people who couldnt otherwise get proper representation for cases that must have a seriousness threshold.

This is particularly important for people charged with criminal offences and for those involved in civil litigation where they are at risk of some obvious wrong.

Legal aid is not there to fund politics by legal means, legal aid is not there to fund lawfare. If people want to fight political battles in the courts, they should fund them themselves.

Sir John Hayes, chairman of the Common Sense Group of backbench Tory MPs, said the legal aid funding for the case was an outrage.

Legal aid is the system of public funding used to help meet the costs of legal advice and representation in court.

It is administered by the Legal Aid Agency, part of the Ministry of Justice.

Judicial review cases are typically considered to be in scope of civil legal aid services.

Applications are considered on an individual basis, and cases must be deemed to have the potential to produce a benefit for the individual, a member of the individuals family or the environment.

The agency will also consider the likelihood of the success of a case and the financial eligibility of the claimant. Ministers do not see legal aid applications and have no power to either approve or block them.

Other controversial cases that have received legal aid include almost 250,000 awarded to Shamima Begum, the former Islamic State bride.

Michaela introduced the prayer ban in March last year after around 30 pupils began praying in the yard.

Lawyers for the school said pupils seen praying outside contributed to a concerted campaign on social media over the schools approach to religion.

The court heard the school was targeted with death threats, abuse, false allegations of Islamophobia and a bomb hoax.

Michaela is known for its strict ethos and outstanding results - but last year was targeted with death threats and abuse - Guy Corbishley/Alamy Live News

In a ruling handed down on Tuesday, Mr Justice Linden, said the prayer ritual policy at Michaela did not interfere with the freedom of the pupil who brought the case to manifest her religious beliefs.

Following the ruling, Rishi Sunaks official spokesman said head teachers were best placed to take decisions on what is permitted in their school on these matters, including in relation to whether and how to accommodate prayer.

Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, said: Todays judgment backs an outstanding school that is delivering a world-class education to children from all faiths in some of Londons most deprived areas.

A victory against activists trying to subvert public institutions

Kemi Badenoch, the Equalities minister, said: This ruling is a victory against activists trying to subvert our public institutions.

No pupil has the right to impose their views on an entire school community in this way.

The Equality Act is a shield, not a sword, and teachers must not be threatened into submission.

The Church of England said it believed school heads were best placed to address issues locally and would uphold their right to do so.

Nigel Genders, the churchs chief education officer, said: This case does not appear to be about banning prayer in schools but relates to day-to-day decisions of a particular school in its own circumstances.

We agree that heads and governing bodies of individual schools are best placed to address these issues locally and would uphold their right to do so.

The pupil said in a statement issued by law firm Simpson Millar after the ruling that the school was very well run and generally very good at managing everything but felt that I did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban.

Her mother said: My daughters impassioned stance compelled me to support her and I stand firm in that decision.

Her courage in pursuing this matter fills me with pride and Im confident shes gained invaluable lessons from the experience.

Dan Rosenberg, a lawyer at Simpson Millar who represented the pupil, said: Obviously, the result was not a result that our client wanted but given the strength of her feelings, she did not feel it was right to merely accept the situation without seeking to challenge it.

I respect our clients mother for supporting her in this.

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KC pharmacist who diluted drugs to be released from prison. Victims want more charges

A Kansas City pharmacist convicted of diluting prescription drugs will be released to a halfway house in June, and families are calling for him to be charged with murder.

Robert Courtney was convicted of diluting patients medications to treat cancer, AIDS and more. Authorities estimated that his scheme could have touched 4,200 patients.

The 71-year-old was sentenced in federal court in December 2002 to a maximum of 30 years, according to court records. Bureau of Prisons records show Courtney is incarcerated at the federal prison in Littleton, Colorado.

According to a letter sent to victims and their families, Courtney will be released June 20 to a halfway house in Springfield. He will remain there until his release on May 2, 2026.

Attorney Michael Ketchmark, who represented 275 families in wrongful death lawsuits against Courtney, said in a phone interview Monday that his phone has been lit up all day with Robert Courtneys victims.

The raw pain and emotion is overwhelming, he said.

Ketchmark noted that Courtney has not been charged by the state for murder, which does not have a statute of limitations.

In my opinion, he is one of the most prolific serial killers, Ketchmark said. He diluted chemotherapy drugs that people need when theyre fighting for their life and he took away their hope and he took away the life of his victims.

Ketchmark called on the Jackson County Prosecutors Office to bring charges.

Its our hope that that will happen. Theres plenty of justice still to be delivered to this man. He should never walk free again.

Mike Mansur, a spokesman for the prosecutors office, said they just recently heard of Courtneys upcoming release which concerns us, but declined to comment further.

Attorneys for Courtney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

During an investigation that began in mid-2001, Courtney admitted to diluting 72 different medications over nearly a decade. Most were cancer treatment drugs, but others could have been used to treat AIDS, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and other diseases.

Courtneys insurance company agreed to pay $35 million to victims, and two pharmaceutical makers paid $71 million in settlements.

In 2020, Courtney requested an early release or compassionate release in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those motions provoked backlash from victims as well as elected officials and were ultimately denied.
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff reaffirmed U.S. support for Israels security during an appearance in Kansas City on Tuesday, as he acknowledged the Jewish community faces a rising tide of antisemitism.

Emhoffs trip to Kansas City to speak to a conference on combating antisemitism came during a fraught moment for Jews in America and worldwide amid rising incidents of antisemitism following Hamass Oct. 7 assault on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza. Over the weekend, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel.

Israel this weekend faced an unprecedented attack in Israel  on Israel. President Biden and Vice President Harris made clear that the United States commitment to Israels security is ironclad, Emhoff said. The United States will continue to help Israel defend itself.

Antisemitic incidents in Missouri rose from 30 in 2022 to 125 in 2023, according to data tracked by the Anti-Defamation League and released on Tuesday. The spike was the largest percentage increase among any state with more than 100 incidents, according to the ADL, with 62% of incidents taking place after Oct. 7.

Emhoff, the first Jewish spouse of an American president or vice president, has made combating antisemitism a priority as second gentleman. He nodded to the ADLs new report, saying that of course since Oct. 7 its even worse.

It validates what we all know, what were all seeing. And I think the numbers are even worse  thats just what gets reported, Emhoff said. So the mission that we had before Oct. 7 and the work that Ive been doing as part of the administration will continue. Its taken on more importance and its not going to stop.

Emhoff spoke at Rockhurst University, participating in a keynote discussion during a regional summit on combating antisemitism hosted by JCRB | AJC Kansas City, a Jewish community organization that fights antisemitism.

The summit took place just days after the 10th anniversary of the Overland Park Jewish Community Center shooting. On April 13, 2014, an Aurora, Missouri, man shot and killed three people  two at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and one at the Jewish retirement community Village Shalom.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, right, spoke at a conference in Kansas City on fighting antisemitism.

Johnson County Commission Chair Mike Kelly said its important to take the opportunity to receive education about antisemitism. I think as our community continues to grow, we continue to become more diverse, we need to utilize the resources that are available and today is a good recognition of that, Kelly said.

Emhoffs focus on antisemitism predates the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, but it has taken on a new urgency in recent months. At a White House gathering of Jewish community leaders immediately after the attack, Emhoff said many of us feel a deep fear that these attacks will unfortunately and already have led to a rise in hate and antisemitism.

The new Anti-Defamation League data shows a national rise in antisemitic incidents. The ADL tracked more than 5,200 incidents after Oct. 7, more than the total number of incidents in all of 2022.

In a video message, Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, called for vigilance against antisemitism.

It must be challenged rather than allowed to fester in the shadows waiting to emerge and cause devastating harm, Moran said.

Some Jewish leaders and organizations have faced criticism in the wake of Oct. 7 that they conflate antisemitism with opposition to the Israeli government. While Emhoff spoke at Rockhurst, Jewish Voice for Peace-Kansas City held a Peoples Symposium on Antisemitism elsewhere on campus to highlight what it calls a U.S.-backed Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

The Associated Press has reported that some 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, roughly two-thirds women and children. The numbers come from Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. During the Oct. 7 assault, Hamas fighters killed about 1,200 and took about 250 hostages; about 130 hostages remain inside Gaza.

The Biden administration has increased pressure on Israel in recent weeks to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza and it has warned against mounting offensive operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where many Palestinians have fled. Biden has faced protests calling for a ceasefire and to stop providing weapons to Israel.

In a closing speech, Gavriela Geller, executive director of the JCRB | AJC Kansas City, said that while anyone may disagree with a countrys military strategy and the decisions a government makes, do not let anyone tell you the only way to express these feelings or engage critically on this issue is to align yourself with ideologies of Jew hatred.

Look, this conference is not about Israeli policy. But neither can we pretend the fate of the Jewish people isnt tied to the fate of Israel, a country the size of New Jersey in which half the worlds Jews live, Geller said.

The reality is the way people talk about Israel has a direct effect on how safe my community is. It impacts the lived experiences of your Jewish neighbors here.

Asked during keynote conversation what gives him hope, Emhoff emphasized the importance of taking joy in being Jewish.

As horrible as this moment is that were in, it has brought this Jewish community together, Emhoff said. I hear from so many people who say they feel so much more connected to the faith and so much more connected to each other.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) on Tuesday threw his support behind Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), arguing House Republicans need to stop bickering, as the Speaker faces ouster threats over recent policy decisions.

Instead of bickering amongst themselves and handing Democrats control of the House, Republicans should do their damn job and vote on the important issues facing our nation, Kemp wrote Tuesday on the social platform X. Enough is enough. I support @SpeakerJohnson.

Kemp made the remarks in a response to a post from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who emerged on Tuesday as the first Republican to publicly back Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) motion to vacate Johnson from the Speakership.

Massies announcement came less than 24 hours after Johnson revealed his plan to move foreign aid through the House, pushing for four separate bills to cover aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other national security priorities.

In a shift from his previous stance, Johnson did not include border security provisions despite months of demands from House GOP members that any aid for Ukraine be linked with border legislation.

Explaining his decision to back the motion, Massie cited Johnsons plan to put Ukraine aid on the floor, along with his handling of government funding and the reauthorization of the United Statess warrantless surveillance authority.

Neither Massie nor Greene has yet to say when they might trigger a motion to vacate resolution. With the GOPs razor-thin majority, Johnson would likely need support from Democrats to keep the gavel. Some Democrats said in recent weeks they would help save Johnson if he brought Ukraine aid to the floor.

Multiple GOP lawmakers on Tuesday lambasted the effort to oust the Speaker and argued any effort will not be successful should it come to the floor.

As I said last week, you have a loose affiliated collation government at this point, youre not going to get a majority of votes for any new person, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) said. And for that reason, I dont think that folks are going to go through with it at this point.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who vied for the Speakers gavel last fall, said the GOP conference does not need the motion to vacate.

We dont want that. We shouldnt go through that again, he told reporters and quite frankly, want to continue to try to move the needle on governing and delivering for the people that sent us here, he told The Hill. Its a total waste of time and absolute ridiculous concept.

The intraparty divisions come just months after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was booted from the top role in the chamber over his handling of government funding and other policy disagreements. The GOP infighting that followed caused the House to go without a permanent Speaker for nearly three weeks.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As Kyle Rittenhouse took the stage Tuesday evening to talk about gun rights and the night he shot and killed two people in 2020, hundreds of protesters lined the streets and sidewalks outside Kent State University's student center in opposition to his presence.

While he argued that students should be allowed to carry guns into classrooms, some protesters said guns had no place on college campuses.

Kyle Rittenhouse speaks to the nearly full auditorium at Kent State University's student center on Tuesday.

Despite the differences among the two sides, they agreed on one thing: the nation's governing bodies and college campuses are not doing enough to protect their students.

Leaving early: Watch Kyle Rittenhouse storm out of University of Memphis event amid questions

For Rittenhouse, safety means carrying firearms. For those like Kent State student Aimee Flores, safety is about protecting people without guns.

Turning Point USA, a conservative student group, invited Rittenhouse to speak at the university.

Rittenhouse made headlines when he shot three protesters, killing two, at a Black Lives Matter rally in Wisconsin in 2020. He was charged and acquitted during a 2021 trial.

Rittenhouse talks about 2020, argues for guns on campus

Kyle Rittenhouse speaks to the nearly full auditorium at Kent State University's student center on Tuesday.

Talking to a crowd of over 300 people, Rittenhouse largely spoke about his experience the night of Aug. 24, 2020, when he shot and killed two men. He said he acted in self defense when both men attacked him as he provided first aid, scrubbed graffiti off a Kenosha business and protected the business.

Without his rifle to defend himself from a crowd he described as rioters who wanted to kill him, he said he would be dead.

"Imagine being 17 years old and being chased by an angry mob," he said. "It was terrifying."

Rittenhouse said people around the country need to defend themselves if they find themselves accosted, arguing that students should be able to carry firearms on campus to protect themselves.

"Young women are targets of sexual assault and kidnapping; these women aren't allowed to protect themselves," he said. "The university doesn't care. The politicians don't care."

Lauren Depasquale, a Kent State student, agreed with Rittenhouse after his speech.

"As a female, to have [Rittenhouse] speak to our struggles on campus, it's validating," she said. "I certainly would carry a gun if I could."

Her father, David Depasquale, took her to see Rittenhouse with her boyfriend, James Schmitt. They both said they would encourage her to carry a gun on campus for her safety.

Kent State currently prohibits "the possession, storage, or use of a deadly weapon by students, staff, faculty, third parties doing business with the university, and visitors is prohibited inside any university building, facility, or vehicle, that is owned, operated or leased by the university," according to its website.

Long lines, protesters seen outside Rittenhouse event

Hundreds gathered outside of Kent State Universitys student center for the event. Many were waiting in a long line down the sidewalk with tickets to hear him speak, while others gathered on the other side of the building with signs objecting his presence on campus.

Siblings Nolan and Josie Gillihan of Cuyahoga Falls said they were curious to hear Rittenhouses perspective on the Black Lives Matter rally in Wisconsin and how it compares to the medias coverage.

It's interesting to see him here, said Nolan. Obviously, we werent there in Kenosha or any of that when it happened. So definitely the insight of what happened and everything like that and to hear his story, thats why Im here.

Kent State University senior Lauren Goggins said she attended the event to take up space that fans of Rittenhouse were vying for. Goggins is a member of the Akron NACCP and Black United Students, a student-based political organization at Kent State.

You know the saying, 'Common sense isnt that common?'" she said. Apparently in higher education, education is not that common. Because when you're on campus with so many resources and history of Black students and students of color, it's just sad and disheartening to see people be willingly ignorant and not seek out the resources that we have.

Many of those in opposition to his visit were confused as to why Rittenhouse was permitted to speak at a campus given Kent States history of May 4, 1970, when members of the Ohio National Guard openly shot at students during a protest of the Vietnam War and killed four.

One of those in opposition was Kent State student Jadon Chidestar, who was on the side of the student center primarily inhabited by protesters.

I don't understand exactly what he's accomplishing by getting there, especially since he was kicked out of the last university he went to, he said, referring to Rittenhouse's visit to University of Memphis last month, when he left the stage after his views on racism were questioned. It just seems like a fool's errand. What you could be doing here you could probably be doing [at] literally any other place with probably less hate for doing so. I think its not very smart in probably a few ways.

Student organizations speak out against Rittenhouse, KSU administrators

After Kyle Rittenhouse's speech, protesters and those in attendance continued in lively and civil discussions on Kent State's Risman Plaza.

Kent State students called on university administrators to stand with them at a press conference just hours before Rittenhouse took the stage.

For Dimaya Mayfield and other Black students who do not feel safe at the university, Rittenhouse's presence on campus added to that feeling of insecurity.

Nearly 97% of Black students said they were "extremely uncomfortable with his presence," said Mayfield, citing a report from Black United Students.

Dimaya Mayfield speaks at the press conference Tuesday to oppose Kyle Rittenhouse's speech at Kent State University. "The education and wellbeing of Black individuals is not being valued," she says.

"The current climate of college campuses is making it harder for Black students to feel safe," she said. "The education and wellbeing of Black individuals is not being valued."

Paul Prediger, formerly known as Gaige Grosskreutz, the man who survived being shot by Rittenhouse, spoke at the press conference in one of his first appearances since changing his name in 2022.

"Kyle Rittenhouse has taken every moment to gloat and make light of taking life," Prediger said. "I stand with the students of Kent State University who have had enough."

Paul Prediger, who was shot by Kyle Rittenhouse in 2020, speaks to the crowd at Oscar Ritchie Hall during an event Tuesday to oppose Rittenhouse's appearance at Kent State University.

Aciano Rosales said he was scared not just because Rittenhouse was on campus but also because of an ongoing culture of discrimination against Black, brown and trans students.

"My identity like this has been completely and utterly politicized," he said.

Many of those who spoke were part of multiple student organizations. Mayfield identified with the Black United Students and Ohio Student Association. Others present included organizations Spanish and Latine Student Association and United Students Against Sweatshops.

Aciano Rosales, 19, speaks during a joint press conference opposing Kyle Rittenhouse's speech Tuesday at Kent State University.

Petition opposed to Rittenhouse gets 3,000 signatures

A Change.org petition created by Kent students opposed to the speaking event had over 3,600 signatures.

The Rittenhouse event, the petition explained, is at odds with Kent State's history with the National Guard shootings.

"The decision to host an individual associated with such violence is not only insensitive to our community's past but also threatens to further divide us in these already tense times," the petition reads.

The petition urged Kent State University and Turning Point USA to reconsider the event.

Who is Kyle Rittenhouse?

Rittenhouse gained notoriety at the age of 17 when he shot and killed two demonstrators and injured a third in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as they protested the shooting of a Black man by a white police officer.

Acquittal: Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty on all counts of homicide, reckless endangerment

He arrived in the city with a semiautomatic rifle bought for him by a friend. At 17, he was too young to legally buy it. Rittenhouse claimed he came from Illinois to Kenosha to protect local businesses and serve as a medic.

After the deadly shooting, he faced five felony charges, including two counts of first-degree intentional homicide. Arguing self-defense in his trial, Rittenhouse was acquitted in 2021.

Kent State University responds to student backlash

Preventing Rittenhouse from speaking at Kent State would go against its core values of kindness, respect and freedom of speech, the university explained in a news release.

"We cannot ban speech because it would go against a core value and because of well-established laws governing free speech on public university campuses," the news release read. "Upholding the First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful assembly for all, the university has a long history of allowing peaceful dialogue from all points of view, including those whom some may feel are offering different and/or sometimes controversial opinions"

The university encouraged its students to engage in an open and respectful dialogue.

"The safety of our community is the priority of Kent States Department of Public Safety, Police Services," KSU said. "Police Services is aware, monitors and assesses the safety of our community during campus events and responds accordingly."

Rittenhouse ushered off stage in Memphis

Rittenhouse has become a divisive figure, so when the University of Memphis' Turning Point USA chapter invited him to speak in March, he was met with stiff opposition.

Crowds of protesters lined the sidewalks and streets outside the venue, singing and chanting in opposition to the event.

After 30 minutes on stage, his appearance was short after being questioned by attendees. He was ushered off stage without a word to the audience, the Tennessean reported.

What is Turning Point USA?

The Kent chapter of Turning Point USA invited Rittenhouse to speak at their college campus.

Turning Point USA is a conservative nonprofit that advocates for conservative politics in schools ranging from high school to college and university campuses, according to the TPUSA website.

They often bring in speakers like Rittenhouse to talk about conservative talking points, sometimes sparking backlash.

Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kyle Rittenhouse gives speech at Kent State University after protests
Its not often that the the Republican-led Kentucky legislature doesnt pass a priority piece of legislation addressing a hot-button issue among conservatives.

But thats just what happened with Senate Bill 6, which was aimed at restricting diversity, equity and inclusion  referred to as DEI  offices at public colleges and universities across the commonwealth.

After failing to give it veto-proof passage two weeks ago, the Kentucky Senate once again did not vote on the bill in the legislatures final day.

Having already passed the deadline to fend off a governors veto, the bill would likely not have passed the scrutiny of Gov. Andy Beshear. At least that was the read of the GOP Senate caucus, according to Senate President Robert Stivers.

It was a question not of whether to do something for DEI, it was a question of what to do. Between the realities of the timing and that the governor could control anything, members felt like it was best to wait and try to work through the process, said Stivers, a Manchester Republican .

Beshear, a Democrat, has repeatedly affirmed his support for diversity, calling anti-DEI bills a political bogeyman and signaling he would veto any measure limiting diversity, equity and inclusion that reached his desk.

The final version of Senate Bill 6 would have prohibited public higher education institutions from allocating resources to fund DEI offices and individual staff positions if they were in any way charged with implementing or promoting DEI outside the context of academic courses and classroom instruction.

The bill repeatedly referred to DEI practices as discriminatory concepts.

It was amended in the House, adding much of Rep. Jennifer Deckers House Bill 9 and ditching parts of Wilsons original version.

Wilsons initial Senate Bill 6 didnt call for dismantling DEI offices, but it proposed a prohibition on discriminatory concepts in non-classroom settings, such as training sessions and orientations. Those concepts included race scapegoating, a belief that some individuals are inherently privileged, and any suggestion that Americans are not created equal.

Though Senate Bill 6 took up most of the oxygen in the debate, one bill with serious implications on the states DEI landscape passed the Senate without much discussion.

Senate Bill 191, which dealt with the states performance-based funding model for higher education, got a House floor amendment to exclude any race-based metrics from being used in the model.

This comports with a recent opinion from Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman. Coleman called the current model, which includes the number of degrees earned by minority and low-income students as one of many metrics for success and subsequent funding, unconstitutional.

This bill did not receive significant discussion in the Senate when it first passed unanimously. However, Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, was one of two senators to change his yes vote to a no later.

When asked about the issue of DEI in general, Stivers said that popular perceptions of the legislature are sometimes unfair.

I know some people (dont) like to report this, but I think this caucus has has been very good about being race neutral, Stivers said. What we seek, and what some people dont want to portray us as, is treat everybody fairly.
The 2024 Kentucky General Assembly adjourned on Monday without advancing any anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

The state Senate and House of Representatives ended their last session without passing any of the proposed bills targeting the queer community. While several bills advanced past committees, with some even advancing to the other legislative body, none became law.

These included House Bill 47, which would have weakening local LGBTQ+ Fairness Ordinances across the state, Senate Bill 147, which would have restricted drag performances, and Senate Bill 239, a "conscience" clause for medical workers to deny care to patients based on moral objections.

Chris Hartman, Executive Director of state LGBTQ+ advocacy organization the Fairness Campaign, noted that Kentucky now joins other states across the South  including Florida, Georgia, and West Virginia  where nearly every single anti-LGBTQ+ measure introduced in these statehouses was defeated this year."

Today marks a massive victory in the fight against worsening hostility toward LGBTQ Kentuckians," he said in a statement. "Over the last few months, thousands across the commonwealth stood fiercely in defense of their LGBTQ friends, family and neighbors, and made it clear to lawmakers: enough is enough. The vast majority of Kentuckians support fairness and equality for all, and for the first time in years, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle spoke to that sentiment."

More than 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced across the U.S. in 2023, and 80 were passed into law. In 2024, 484 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced and 20 have passed into law, according to the American Civil Liberties Union . There are currently 175 bills advancing, and 167 bills that have been defeated.

Trey Grayson, a former two-term Republican Secretary of State in Kentucky who now lobbies for LGBTQ+ supportive business coalition Kentucky Competes, added that "its clear that the anti-LGBTQ+ agenda is starting to fail, both in Kentucky and across the country."

"Its my hope that our leaders continue on this path of rejecting extremism, advancing equality, and focusing on legislation that will improve the health, well-being, and livelihood of all Kentucky families," he said.


Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Department of Justice on Capitol Hill in September 2023. On Tuesday, Massie became the second House Republican to join in Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership position. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

April 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie on Tuesday became the second House Republican to join in Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson.

On Tuesday, Massie, a Kentucky Republican, during a closed-door meeting of a GOP conference of House members, said he will publicly back Greene's motion to vacate in the effort to remove Johnson from the speakership.

"The motion is going to get called, OK? Does anybody doubt that? The motion will get called," Massie said after Tuesday's conference meeting with his congressional colleagues.

But it remains unclear when a vote may be triggered on Greene's resolution to vacate Johnson's chair in the 435-member legislative body.

"And then he's gonna lose more votes than Kevin McCarthy. And I have told him this in private, like weeks ago," Massie said Tuesday on the threat to remove Johnson.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks during a press conference after a weekly House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol, March 2024. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

It is likely that Johnson will need the support of House Democrats -- if it gets put up for a floor vote -- to keep his job in order to avoid the chaos of last October that saw the ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Johnson's eventual election as a relative "dark horse" for the position.

Some Democrats have indicated their willingness to help Johnson keep the speakership under certain pretexts or conditions, including aid for Ukraine.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (L) chats with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. (R), before President Joe Biden's 2024 State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress on March 7. Greene is taking steps to remove Johnson from the speakership. File Pool Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI

The House controlled by the Louisiana Republican can only afford the loss of two GOP lawmakers on a party-line vote. But that will lower to one after Wisconsin Republican Mike Gallagher leaves the House later in the week.

Massie told reporters Tuesday that his decision to side with Greene was precipitated -- among other reasons including over the House' recent FISA reauthorization -- because of the speaker's Monday announcement the day prior that the narrowly held Republican House will vote this week on two separate aid packages for Israel and Ukraine, in response to what Johnson called "precipitating events around the globe."

He also called on Johnson to resign from his post, to which the speaker called "absurd," according to sources inside the closed-door meeting.

Two Pennsylvania Republicans seemed conflicted on the situation after the meeting amid no clear indicator as to who would replace Johnson should the effort to remove him be successful.

Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., who briefly put his name up for speaker during last October's election won by Johnson, called Greene's motion "dead wrong." And when proded if he will join the effort to oust Johnson, Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa. and the former chair of the former House Freedom Caucus chair, noted how he hasn't "said anything about it."

But Perry added that "there's always an alternative" to Johnson as speaker within the House GOP ranks. And he also reiterated Massie's concern over Johnson's willingness to join Democrats in providing foreign aid, saying "I don't think it helps."

On Tuesday, Johnson's fellow Republican lawmaker from Louisiana, Garrett Graves, said he believes Greene's resolution would fail if placed on the floor for a vote," saying "It's not in our interest to do it."

He noted the "painful scars" of the last speakership imbroglio that lasted weeks and that it is still "fresh in people's minds" and could be "a major disincentive for folks to actually pull the trigger on a motion to vacate."

"You have a loose affiliated coalition government at this point, you're not going to get a majority of votes for any new person," he told reporters.

"And for that reason, I don't think that folks are going to go through with it at this point," he said.

Ohio Republican Jim Jordan -- House Freedom Caucus co-founder who also was up for speaker in the race with Johnson -- dismissed calls to take out Johnson over foreign aid packages, calling it "a bad idea."

"We don't need that, no way. We don't want that," he said. "We shouldn't go through that again."
The Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort on February 27, 2024. Photo by Arden Barnes

FRANKFORT  As the dust settled on the General Assemblys 2024 session, Republican and Democratic lawmakers began gearing up for a fierce fight on a constitutional amendment to allow public dollars to go to private schools.

The amendment will be on the ballot this November.

Putting the question to voters had been a GOP priority heading into the session. Democrats consistently opposed the idea in floor debates and committees.

On Tuesday, both sides turned their attention to the amendment, previewing arguments Kentuckians will be hearing this election season.

Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer speaks at a podium flanked by fellow Republican senators. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Senate Republican Floor Leader Damon Thayer, who is not seeking reelection, said he plans to be very vocal on convincing Kentucky voters to pass the measure, which will be known as Amendment 2. In a press conference with other GOP Senate leaders, Thayer, of Georgetown, said the school choice amendment was among the Republican accomplishments he was most proud of this session, which ended Monday.

I think it has a very good chance to pass but Im also not naive, Thayer said. There will be a lot of money spent to try to defeat it, but we think that there are going to be groups coming into Kentucky and groups from Kentucky who are going to be investing heavily in media and grassroots to pass Amendment 2 this fall.

Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said he believed charter schools and public schools can live together and actually thrive together.

The constitutional amendment, which was known as House Bill 2 during the legislative session, is the Republican supermajoritys answer to courts striking down charter school legislation in the past. The Kentucky Constitution bars using tax dollars to fund any but the states common schools (or public schools), and courts citing the Constitution have struck down the General Assemblys attempts to steer tax dollars into private or charter schools.

I think it would answer the question once and for all, and I know that several people voted for the school choice amendment to settle that question: What do the people of Kentucky want? Stivers said.

Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Colmon Elridge, middle, speaks to media with Senate Minority Floor Leader Gerald Neal, right, and House Minority Caucus Leader Cherlynn Stevenson. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Since it requires a ballot vote, the legislation for the constitutional amendment was not subject to a gubernatorial veto. Nevertheless, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has vowed to oppose the constitutional amendment  and leaders in the Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) plan to follow suit.

Democrats also held a press conference Tuesday to talk about the legislative session. KDP Chairman Colmon Elridge called Amendment 2 shameful and pointed to other recent GOP-backed amendments that failed at the polls, like a constitutional amendment to clarify that there is no right to an abortion in the Kentucky Constitution. Kentucky voters defeated that amendment in 2022.

Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson, of Lexington, said Democrats must respond loud and clear in November that public taxpayer dollars do not belong in private schools. She predicted the amendment will fail.

Public schools are the largest employer in most of our states counties and are a vital source of income for our families, Stevenson said. Draining them of funds would amount to financial catastrophe and create an unnecessary strain on local economies.

Amendment 2 will appear on ballots with another constitutional amendment that will likely drive Republicans to the polls  a measure to clarify that noncitizens of the United States cannot vote in any local or state elections in Kentucky.

The post Kentucky Republicans and Democrats prepare to face off on school choice amendment appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
ANKARA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police have detained a suspect who was internationally sought under the Interpol Red Notice, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Tuesday.

Kazakh national Nurlan Zharimbetov was captured during an operation in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul, Yerlikaya said on social media platform X, without specifying the time of the operation.

The suspect was wanted at the international level for fraud and two separate theft crimes, he said.

The operation was jointly carried out by the national and provincial anti-organized crime institutions, he added.

"No matter what size, no matter how they are sought, we will not allow international organized crime organizations and drug traffickers to disturb the peace of our people. We will bring them all to justice one by one," Yerlikaya said. 
Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, told reporters the Senate vetted appointees to be sure they weren't out to retaliate against Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Rich Storm. (LRC Public Information)

The four Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission appointments the Senate confirmed are:

Jeff Raymer of Morgantown, representing the 2nd Commission District, filing a vacancy.

Matthew Rhodes of Prospect, representing the 3rd Commission District, filling a vacancy.

Charles Chuck Meade of Staffordsville, representing the 7th Commission District, replacing Paul Horn.

Walter Robinson of Russell Springs, representing the 9th Commission District, replacing Karl Clinard.

FRANKFORT  The GOP-dominated Kentucky Senate confirmed nearly all of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshears appointments to a board governing the states wildlife management department following pushback from sportsmens groups over the Senate failing to do so in past years.

Senators in the final hours of this years legislative session Monday confirmed four of the five appointments made by Beshear this year to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission, a nine-member board made up of volunteer hunters and anglers overseeing the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR).

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, told reporters Monday evening the Senate decided to confirm the four appointments after lots of discussion, lots of review, lots of research  and that a priority for the Senate was protecting Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Rich Storm, the departments chief executive.

There was a comfort level that this would not be some type of retaliatory appointment to get rid of commissioner Storm.

Theres been a lot of friction between the governor and the commissioner, Stivers said. We think the commissioner has done a really good job in fish and wildlife.

Gary Greene of Greenup was the only Beshear appointee not confirmed by the Senate.

Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, had sponsored a resolution to confirm Greene, which the Senate did not vote on.

Stivers said he believed Greenes social media comments about particular members of the state Senate led to Greene not getting confirmed.

Greene in a Lantern interview said he hadnt made any political posts on social media since he was appointed by Beshear in January. But he said he was active on social media last year supporting Beshears reelection, which he believed shouldnt be a consideration of whether to confirm his appointment.

The bottom line is: whats that got to do with my ability to sit there and make a rational decision to run fish and wildlife? Just because I dont bow and kiss the ring of the Republican Party, Greene said.

Greene said he spoke with Beshear for about 20 minutes in his office when he was appointed, and Storm never came up in that discussion. Greene was also appointed by former Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear to the commission in 2015, only to also not be confirmed by the Senate then.

The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) spends most of its life pecking the forest floor for food and is a highly revered game bird, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. (KDFWR photo)

The commission, by state law, is supposed to be bipartisan with not more than five of the same political party sitting on the nine-member board.

He said he was disappointed with not being confirmed. He said he wanted to help protect and promote small game in Kentucky, particularly the ruffed grouse.

I feel like Ive let a lot of people down who supported me, Greene said.

The commission, by state law, is supposed to be bipartisan with not more than five of the same political party sitting on the nine-member board.

Edwin Nighbert, the president of the League of Kentucky Sportsmen representing thousands of hunters across the state, has been one of several critics of the Senate not confirming past commission appointments. Nighbert told the Lantern he was glad the Senate decided to confirm most of Beshears appointments.

Edwin Nighbert (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)

Thats what the sportsmen wanted, Nighbert said. We can get back to doing the business and the commission do what the commissions mission is, and that is to make the department accountable across the board.

Senate refusals to confirm appointments had left the nine-member board with three vacancies, which will now be down to one vacancy after Mondays confirmation votes.

The process for appointing commission members begins in district nominating meetings of Kentuckians who hold a hunting or fishing license. The governor then appoints a commission member from the top-five vote getters at the district meetings. Finally, the Senate has to confirm that appointment.

Leadership of groups representing sportsmen and wildlife conservationists have previously accused senators of weaponizing the Senate confirmation process against the voices and votes of sportsmen, saying they have refused to confirm commission appointments for partisan political reasons, including the Senates desire to protect Storm who has clashed with the Beshear administration over a number of issues. The board has the power to hire, and potentially fire, a KDFWR commissioner.

Beshears administration and the KDFWR have fought over the length of Storms contract as commissioner  at one point stopping Storms paychecks due to the dispute  and over executive branch oversight of how the KDFWR implements procurement and conservation easements.

Beshear in March urged the Senate to confirm his commission appointments, urging the Senate to stop protecting leadership of what I think is the most corrupt part of state government. When asked what he thought was corrupt about the KDFWR, Beshear during a press conference that same month pointed to a special examination of the department by a former Republican state auditor in late 2018 criticizing practices and spending at the department, along with how Storm was controversially hired as commissioner in early 2019.

If leadership in an organization only answers to you on a board, youve got to be an active board. You got to make sure things are running right, Beshear said in the press conference.

A review by the Lantern of Greenes public Facebook posts shows he had asked people to call senators in support of his appointment to make sure the 8th commission district isnt left vacant, leaving hunters and anglers without their rightful representation. Greene also wrote posts in the past three years, before he was appointed by Beshear, criticizing the Senate for refusing to confirm past commission appointments.

Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson. (LRC Public Information)

Webb, the senator who sponsored Greenes confirmation resolution, in an interview said she was aggrieved Greene wasnt confirmed believing he didnt get a chance to talk about his social media use with senators, ideally in a public committee hearing. In past years, senators have brought forth some, but not all, commission appointments to a committee hearing to ask questions of appointments before a potential confirmation vote.

Webb said she had a floor speech ready in case the Senate again rejected most of Beshears commission appointments. She said she plans to work on improving the confirmation process in an effort to avoid vacancies on the KDFWR board.

Webb said she was relieved the Senate confirmed most of the the appointments.

If we would have left that much of Kentuckys population of sportsmen go without representation, I was to going to go a little nuts, Webb said. I want the sportsmen to maintain a vote, maintain a voice in this, but I want everybody to do their due diligence thats involved in the process and do it in a timely fashion to prevent vacancies.

Webb was a vocal opponent against a Senate bill that didnt become law which would have stripped Beshear of his power to appoint commission members and given it to Republican Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell.

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Korean War hero Ralph Puckett Jr. will lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol later this month in recognition of his valor and the sacrifice of all troops who served in the conflict, House and Senate leaders announced on Tuesday.

In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that Puckett, a retired Army colonel, will be given the rare honor on April 29.

The extraordinary valor of Col. Ralph Puckett, Jr. represents the best of the 1.7 million Americans who left home to fight for freedom in the Korean War, they said in a joint statement. He demonstrated tireless sacrifice for our country and his fellow rangers and is an exceptional model for service members and civilians alike.

Puckett, 97, was the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War. He received the honor in 2021, more than 70 years after his heroism overseas. He died earlier this month.

The last surviving Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War has died

At that time, he was a young lieutenant in 1950 who led 51 Army Rangers and nine Korean soldiers across frozen rice paddies to seize a key hill overlooking the Chongchon River. Army officials said Puckett repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire over nearly a day of fighting, first to commandeer a tank to provide cover for his men, then several more times to draw fire away from the positions they were trying to defend.

Puckett was wounded several times by shrapnel and small arms fire. At one point, he ordered his men to leave him behind and retreat to a safer area. They managed to evacuate him before American artillery fire destroyed their overrun positions on the hill.

In addition to the militarys highest honor, Puckett earned a Distinguished Service Cross for actions during the Vietnam War and two Silver Stars. He served for 22 years.

Only six other Americans have laid in honor in the Capitol Rotunda. The last was Hershel Woody Williams, the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient, after his death in summer 2022. Thirty-four others have lain in state there.

Capitol officials have not yet announced any plans for public visitation for the event.
Kremlin comments on decision to exclude Putin from 80th anniversary of Normandy landings

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, says Russia has not been informed regarding an invitation to France for a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy.

Source: Peskov in a comment to Russian media outlet RBC, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to Putin's spokesman, "no one has officially told us" about the decision to invite Russia but not the Russian leader himself.

Quote from Peskov: "Although they should have no worries on that score. The main holiday is Victory Day in Moscow on 9 May."

There had been earlier media reports that France would invite Russian officials to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings on 6 June.

Mission Liberation, the planners of the commemorative events, later confirmed that they would invite Russia, but not Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

It is worth noting that the USSR did not directly participate in the Allies' landing in Normandy on 6 June 1944 as part of the anti-Hitlerite coalition.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin reacted coolly on Tuesday to French President Emmanuel Macron's call for a truce in international conflicts during the Paris Olympics, saying Ukraine might use it as an opportunity to regroup and rearm.

Suspending armed conflicts under an "Olympic truce" is a longstanding tradition, and Macron said in an interview on Monday that he would work towards achieving one when Paris hosts the Summer Games from July 26 to Aug. 11.

Asked about this, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that both President Vladimir Putin and the Russian military had "noticed that, as a rule, the Kyiv regime uses such ideas, such initiatives to try to regroup, to try to rearm, and so on and so forth".

He did not cite any specific instance when Ukraine had behaved in that way. The war has raged since Feb. 24, 2022, when Putin launched what he called a "special military operation" in Ukraine, and there has been no truce during that period.

Peskov did not go as far as ruling out an Olympic truce, but said no one had yet made any official steps in that regard.

The front lines in Ukraine have not shifted dramatically since late 2022, but Russia has regained the initiative since capturing the town of Avdiivka in February. Ukrainian forces are running low on ammunition as military aid remains held up in the U.S. Congress, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Russia may launch a major offensive in late spring or summer.

In his interview with French media, Macron said France would "do everything" to bring about a truce in the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, and that he would engage Chinese President Xi Jinping on the issue.

"It is an opportunity on which I will try to involve many of our partners. The Chinese president is coming to Paris in a few weeks, I will ask him to help me," he said.

Peskov, in reply to a separate question about China, said Beijing's position on the Ukraine conflict was "very balanced and constructive".

China, which has not condemned Moscow's invasion and has substantially boosted trade with Russia since the start of the war, put forward a peace initiative last year consisting of a set of general principles that did not include specifics on how to bring the conflict to an end.

(Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
April 15 (UPI) -- The Department of Labor on Monday said it cited a Florida company for its lack of preparedness to prevent heat-related illness after a heatstroke killed a 26-year-old worker from Mexico in September 2023.

McNeill Labor Management Inc. -- a company that provides contract laborers for agricultural markets throughout the United States -- was cited in the investigation by the federal Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which found that the unidentified Mexican national had died from heat-related injuries while working in an open sugar cane field.

An OSHA investigation found that he had experienced symptoms consistent with a heat-related illness and soon after collapsed.

The heat index reportedly had reached 97 degrees Fahrenheit in Palm Beach County, where the man, who was legally visiting the United States on the federal H-2A program for temporary or seasonal non-immigrant workers under a Biden administration pledge to "expand lawful pathways as an alternative to irregular migration," had later died.

The Labor Department says the migrant worker's death could have been avoided had the Belle Glade, Fla.-based McNeill labor management company taken the effort to implement heat-related safety rules to protect workers.

An OSHA official said had McNeill -- which faces a possible $27,655 penalty and is contesting the investigation -- "made sure its workers were given time to acclimate to working in brutally high temperatures with required rest breaks, the worker might not have suffered a fatal injury."

The sugar cane farm field was roughly an hour west of West Palm Beach, 20 minutes from the closest road and 22 miles from the hospital to which the worker was transported and later died, according to a release by the Labor Department.

"This young man's life ended on his first day on the job because his employer did not fulfill its duty to protect employees from heat exposure, a known and increasingly dangerous hazard," OSHA's Fort Lauderdale-based Area Director Condell Eastmond, said.

As average temperatures rise across the globe, the Labor Department said heat illness is a growing safety and health concern for workers both indoor and outdoor. A European Union-backed report said 2023 was the hottest year on record mind ongoing symptoms related to climate change.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that environmental heat exposure had claimed the lives of 56 workers in 2020 and 36 in 2021 a year later. From 2010 to 2020, Florida recorded 215 deaths directly related to heat, according to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Monday's OSHA announcement came days after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that prevents local governments from enacting their own policies to protect outdoor workers in all 67 Florida counties.

The state House Bill 433 signed by DeSantis -- which passed Florida's Senate in March 2024 and goes into effect July 1 -- restricts local government power by ensuring they are unable to force companies to "meet or provide heat exposure requirements beyond those required by law."

A recent years-long effort by Miami-Dade County would have required a 10-minute break for workers in a shaded space every two hours for outdoor workers. The bill signed by the former Republican presidential candidate would make such a requirement void.

At a press conference, DeSantis pointed to the Miami-Dade effort specifically, saying "there was a lot of concern" about it from some lawmakers.

"And I don't think it was an issue in any other part of the state," the governor had said. "I think they were pursuing something that was gonna cause a lot of problems down there, so I think a lot of the members of the Dade delegation created that just to steer clear of those problems."
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GP shortages could be shortening patients lives, research suggests.

The national study of practices in England found that those in areas with more family doctors, and a better chance of seeing the same GP, had higher life expectancy.

The findings, published in the British Journal of General Practice, examined patient life expectancy between 2015 and 2019, ahead of the pandemic.

Since then, life expectancy has fallen.

Meanwhile, waiting times for GPs have worsened, with one in 20 people waiting four weeks to see a doctor, amid a shortage of about 5,000 GPs.

Researchers from the University of Leicester examined all practices in England with at least 750 patients and data on life expectancy.

Those living in areas with more full-time qualified GPs were likely to have longer life expectancy, as were those where practices had more continuity of care.

The study found the availability of same-day appointments had a positive impact on male life expectancy.

Researchers said: The number of GPs, continuity of care, and access in England are declining, and it is worrying that these features of general practice were positively associated with life expectancy.

The study analysed life expectancy data in the National General Practice Profiles system using 16 models, including population characteristics relating to deprivation, ethnicity and the number of patients on the diabetes register, NHS payments per registered patient, and the percentage of those seen on the same day.

Other factors linked to longer life expectancy included practices which were better funded and having higher level of vaccination uptake.

The findings indicated that deprivation and geography were powerful predictors of life expectancy.

Having higher numbers of other staff, such as nurses, was linked to lower life expectancy.

Researchers said this reflected the fact poorer areas were more likely to rely more on practice nurses.

Office for National Statistics data published in January covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland show estimated life expectancy at birth has fallen in most local areas, with most of the fall blamed on the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2020 to 2022, the average was 78.6 years for males and 82.6 years for females, down by 38 weeks and 23 weeks respectively when compared with 2017 to 2019.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne said 'continuity of care allows us to build trusting relationships with our patients' - JUSTIN GRAINGE/GRAINGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: This timely study highlights factors which front-line GPs have witnessed for years: continuity of care is closely linked to patient health, and areas with higher deprivation generally have lower life expectancy.

We know that continuity of care is beneficial and highly valued by our patients, particularly those with complex health needs. It allows us to build trusting relationships with our patients and gain a greater holistic picture of their overall health. But we simply dont have enough GPs to deliver the care that all patients deserve, and the impact of this is much more acute in more deprived areas.

She said the average GP is now responsible for 264 more patients than was the case six years ago, with an average of 2,298 on their books.

An NHS spokesman said: Continuity of care with a GP or health professional familiar with a persons care is really important, which is why the GP contract regulations are being amended to explicitly require practices to consider continuity of care when a patient contacts their practice.

While the NHS Long Workforce Plan commits to increasing the number of GP training places by 50 per cent to support general practice teams to provide continuity of care for those who need it most, including older people or those with complex health needs.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: We are committed to narrowing the gap in healthy life expectancy by 2030 and to increasing healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035. Our upcoming major conditions strategy will help us do this, by tackling the key drivers of ill-health in England.

Continuity of care is important. Thats why all patients are assigned a named GP and practices must try and facilitate reasonable requests from patients to see a particular doctor or healthcare professional.

There are nearly 2,800 more GPs working in England than in 2019 and our primary care recovery plan is backed by 240 million to support practices to improve access. Last year the NHS delivered 50 million more GP appointments than five years ago and the NHS first ever long-term workforce plan will continue to improve services by increasing GP training places by 50 per cent

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LAFAYETTE, Ind.  After completing renovations to the Veterans Memorial Parkway Walmart in Lafayette, the company unveiled a new mural displayed inside the far eastside entrance to the store. Among the images depicted in the mural were a man, a woman, the Tippecanoe County Courthouse and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

The problem? The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist isn't located in Lafayette, Indiana  it's located in Lafayette, Louisiana.

In addition to the incorrect church depicted in the mural, the name "Colombian Park" is also painted across the top among several butterflies  except that's not how the Lafayette landmark park is spelled, but rather Columbian Park.

A recent mural unveiled inside the Walmart located on Veterans Memorial Parkway in Lafayette depicted a historic church located in Lafayette, LA. A media relations representative for the company said Walmart is aware of the errors in the mural and the are planning to take it down.

Brian Little, global communications director for Walmart Corp. Affairs, said in a statement, "Were aware of the error in the mural that was installed at the Lafayette store, and it is being removed. The mural program is intended to highlight the culture of the local community, and we are engaging the artist to ensure the artwork is corrected."

Tetia Lee, chief executive officer for The Arts Federation (TAF) in Lafayette, (Indiana), said while she loves that Walmart is including art in their personalization of each store as they undergo renovations, a headache like this could have been avoided had the company worked with local entities like The Arts Federation, who oversaw large, local mural projects like the "Wabash Walls."

"I love that they are encouraging the arts, but it would have been so much better for them had they engaged with our community and engage with the resources we have," Lee said. "I understand many Walmart stores are in places where there maybe isn't a public arts council or a big arts scene, but this could have been one way to put a genuine touch, or a face of the community, on their company."

When TAF fields a request for a mural, Lee explained the organization will field requests from hundreds of applicants with community leaders and stakeholders having a say in who is selected for the project based on their concept submissions and resumes.

"We have some artists who are really great about wanting to research and personalize it to the community, and, of course, as a community we always see the mock-up that the artist has put together," Lee said. "Had Walmart or the artist on this project done any of this, these mistakes could have been caught earlier. I dig their style, but they could have made sure they were correct in which Lafayette they were portraying."

The mural won't be difficult to remove from the store's wall, as it was printed on a wrap and installed on the wall similar to the traffic signal boxes project TAF orchestrated in West Lafayette, where artists' work were printed onto the traffic signal boxes seen around the city. For anyone who sees the southside Walmart's mural in person before it is removed, Lee said they'll notice it is a little blurry.

Standing from afar, or passing by the mural quickly, Lee explained, most patrons wouldn't notice the visual quality, but getting up close to the mural is a different story.

"The artist likely designed the piece digitally and sent the file to whoever was the recipient, but they are to size the image to the wall's size before it is sent to a print shop," she said. "It wasn't designed at a high enough resolution though, and that's why when you get up close to it you see how pixelated it is. That's why I think contacting professionals in this sector is important.

Lee said TAF has years of experience in assisting with the administration of programs similar to Walmart's mural efforts and would have been happy to assist with this had they been contacted, but she knows this isn't the first time one of its store's murals has depicted an incorrect landmark within its city. One of the most recent examples came from a Hazel Green, Alabama, store, where a mural placed inside the city's Walmart depicted a building from Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

"I don't go into a Walmart store and assume I know how to manage it," Lee said. "If they would have just reached out to someone or our organization, we could have helped them with this and made sure that this didn't happen, and probably in this case save them some money."

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Walmart will remove 'local' mural after wrong Lafayette is depicted
LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM)  A Lancaster man has been sentenced to 3-6 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a fatal 2021 hit-and-run crash.

The Lancaster County District Attorneys office says on Oct. 29, 2021, Rodolfo Paradas was driving a white work van when he struck 66-year-old Dr. Steven Killough in the N. Prince and W. Chestnut Streets crosswalk.

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The District Attorneys office says Paradas moved Killough out of the roadway before leaving the scene. Killough died as a result of his injuries two weeks later.

Video from the scene showed the video and police were able to track down Paradas, who the District Attorneys office says did not have a valid license. Paradas had also had a license revoked in Massachusetts.

Lawsuit brews over Pennsylvania Farm Show milkshake name

Paradas pleaded guilty to charges of accidents involving death or personal injury, accidents involving death while not licensed, and three summary charges.

Because you got scared and left the scene, that makes this the correct charge, Judge Merrill Spahn said. If you stayed it likely wouldve been a traffic citation. The flaw you had that evening was driving, you shouldnt have been driving.

Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Blazier read a statement from the victims daughter during sentencing.

This case is multifaceted, Blazier said. There is a family here suffering with the loss of a loved one. We also have this defendant who suffered their own tragedy.

The District Attorneys office says Paradas appeared in court on a gurney after being paralyzed from the waist down after falling from a roof shortly after the hit and run.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
HANOI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The State Bank of Vietnam will resume gold bar bidding after 11 years, Vietnam News Agency reported Tuesday.

The move aims to increase the supply of gold to the market, promptly and immediately settle the high difference in domestic and international gold prices, said the central bank.

Twenty-six units, including commercial banks and gold businesses have set up a gold bar trading relationship with the central bank. Of which, 15 have been eligible for bidding. The type of gold offered for bidding is SJC gold bars.

Vietnam held the first gold bidding session on March 28, 2013. During 76 bidding sessions organized in 2013, about 1,819,900 out of the 1,932,000 taels of gold bullion were sold.

Amid the sharp rise of gold prices in Vietnam, which has widened the gap with the global prices, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the State Bank of Vietnam to put in place measures and tools in a timely and effective way to regulate the gold market in line with regulations.

Vietnam's gold bullion price reached an all-time high of 85.5 million Vietnamese dong (33,800 U.S. dollars) on Monday, local media reported. 
Ruth Ray Jackson, who has served as Langston Universitys interim president since last July, received the permanent post on Monday from the OSU/A&M Board of Regents, which govern the states only historically Black college or university.

As president, Jackson replaces Kent Smith Jr., who retired after the 2022-23 academic year. Smith had spent 11 years as the president of the university, located in the Logan County community of Langston. Jackson is the 17th president of Langston University, which opened in 1897, a decade before Oklahoma became a state.

Regent Billy Taylor chaired the boards presidential search committee and said the eight-month national search attracted an impressive pool of candidates.

"Dr. Jackson's appointment underscores her exceptional leadership and vision for our institution, said Joe Hall, the chair of the OSU/A&M Board of Regents. During her tenure as interim president, Dr. Jackson maintained continuity and stability and managed to build momentum. Her unwavering commitment to Langston's mission and her ability to navigate critical transitions have been commendable. We are confident that under her guidance, Langston University will excel."

Jackson began working at Langston in 2014 as the universitys dean and a professor in its School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. She later became Langstons vice president for academic affairs before being named as interim president.

Before arriving at Langston, Jackson spent 11 years at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, where she worked as a faculty member, graduate program director and department chair. Jackson also has previous experience as a high school English teacher, assistant principal and principal at the secondary level.

"I am honored to lead Langston University into its next chapter," Jackson said. "I love this university and believe in its faculty, staff, students and alumni. Our mission must be focused on empowering students, celebrating student success and contributing to the betterment of Oklahoma and beyond. Together, we will build upon Langston's legacy and create a future where excellence knows no bounds."

In addition to the universitys primary campus in Langston, it has satellite campuses in Oklahoma City and Tulsa and offers an accredited nursing program in Ardmore on the Murray State College campus in that Carter County town.

Langston is one of five schools overseen by the OSU/A&M Board of Regents, a list that also includes Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Connors State College and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ruth Ray Jackson named Langston University president
The last days of Queen Elizabeth  as told by Liz Truss

At their meeting in Balmoral, the Queen had advised Liz Truss to 'pace yourself'. 'Maybe I should have listened,' reflects the former PM

Liz Trusss memoir has revealed extraordinary new details about the Queens final days, and about her own first 48 hours as prime minister.

From a fog-interrupted journey to Balmoral to meet the late monarch to addressing a grief-stricken public after her death, heres how events unfolded, in the former prime ministers own words.

The long journey to Aberdeen

Truss recalls being impatient to get going as she awaited a meeting with the Queen in Scotland, at which the 48-year-old would be officially confirmed as Boris Johnsons successor.

Bad weather added to the tension, with thick fog forcing the Royal Air Force jet carrying her north from London to delay landing and circle over Aberdeen instead.

Plans had been made. I knew what needed to be done, but the weather was against us, Truss writes.

All I could see were the heavy clouds beneath us as we circled over Scotland. Thick fog had rolled in around the airport in Aberdeen, preventing planes from landing, so for the moment I was stranded in mid-air  the delay was frustrating.

Describing herself as a woman in a hurry, Truss says her mind was already turning over the in-tray awaiting her as PM.

But before all that, I had an appointment with Her Majesty the Queen, and we were now at risk of being late or not getting there at all.

At last, a gap in the clouds appeared, and the pilot managed to get us down on the ground. Another bumpy landing.

Truss arrives at Balmoral

After touching down in Scotland, Truss was forced to adapt plans for onward travel to Balmoral on account of the fog.

The decision was made to abandon a quick helicopter transfer in favour of a safer, albeit slower, one-hour 15-minute drive to the royal residence.

On arrival in Aberdeen, the plan was for me, my husband Hugh and my principal private secretary Nick Catsaras to transfer to a helicopter for a short flight to Balmoral Castle, she writes.

The fog made this impossible so instead we set out by road, adding yet more time to our journey.

Truss is greeted by the Queen's Equerry Lieutenant Colonel Tom White, left, and her private secretary Sir Edward Young as she arrives at Balmoral - Andrew Milligan

Upon arrival at Balmoral, Truss was welcomed by the Queens private secretary Edward Young and shown inside. Then, alone, I was shown into Her Majestys drawing room.

The greatest honour

Truss recounts being told in advance that the Queen had made a special effort to be standing to greet me as she entered the drawing room.

She gave no hint of discomfort. She was as resolute, determined and charming as ever.

Although Id seen her at various Privy Council meetings and events, this was only my second one-on-one audience with her. On the previous occasion, after I had been removed from a different job in the government, she had remarked that being a woman in politics was tough.

Queen Elizabeth stands to welcome Liz Truss - Jane Barlow/PA Wire

In full command

Describing her meeting with the 96-year-old monarch, Truss writes that the Queen appeared to have grown frailer over the previous year but remained determined to carry out her constitutional duty of appointing the Prime Minister in person.

After I had accepted Her Majestys invitation to form a new government, we spent around twenty minutes discussing politics. She was completely attuned to everything that was happening, as well as being typically sharp and witty.

Parting advice

The Queen warned the incoming PM to ready herself for the demands of the job, suggesting occupying 10 Downing Street was incredibly ageing.

She also gave me two words of advice: Pace yourself. Maybe I should have listened.

A moment of levity

After the formalities were concluded, the Queen invited Trusss husband into the drawing room for a brief, informal chat.

The monarchs sense of humour and renowned people skills were on full display.

Hugh joined us for a few minutes. She asked about our daughters and made some jokey observations about our new living quarters at Downing Street.

Last words

Truss recalls the Queen telling her she looked forward to our speaking again next week before she left Balmoral to return to Westminster.

I had no idea this meeting would be both our last and her final formal engagement as monarch, she writes.

The first indication

Just over 24 hours after her meeting with the Queen, Truss was told the monarch would not be available to swear her new ministerial team in as she had been advised to rest instead.

Having appointed my new Cabinet, my new ministers were set to be formally sworn into office, with the Queen joining remotely by video link from Balmoral.

As we assembled in the Cabinet Office just before 6pm for the meeting, word reached us that Her Majesty would not be available, as she had been advised to rest.

At this point the machine kicked into action.

My black mourning dress was fetched from my house in Greenwich. Frantic phone calls took place with Buckingham Palace. I started to think about what on earth I was going to say if the unthinkable happened.

The morning of the Queens death

The new prime minister was given an update on the Queens health the following morning.

There were ongoing concerns for Her Majestys health and contingency plans were starting to be stepped up, but with no further comment from the palace and no clear idea how quickly things would develop, we had to press ahead with the days business, Truss writes.

She attended Parliament for a debate shortly before midday, describing the chamber as full of the usual political squabbling.

I was set to speak about my governments plans to tackle energy prices, though I had begun to think about a completely different speech that it would be my duty to give. Not long after I sat down following my speech, Nadhim Zahawi, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, entered the Chamber and came to sit next to me.

I had spoken to him earlier about his role in coordinating some of the necessary arrangements if and when Operation London Bridge [the protocol to be implemented upon the Queens death] kicked in, so this was clearly not a good sign.

Truss recounts being told by Zahawi that things were very grave indeed, with Buckingham Palace primed to issue a statement announcing the Queen was under medical supervision and her doctors were concerned for the monarchs health.

Up to this moment, I had believed concerns might mount over a period of days and weeks, a drama unfolding in slow motion, but I now realised with dread that the news could come in a matter of hours. Members of the Royal family were rushing to Balmoral, and the media had recognised the significance of that. I left the House of Commons and headed back to Downing Street.

Profound sadness

Hours later, Trusss administration received the solemn news that the Queen had died.

Despite the preparations that had taken place over the previous twenty-four hours, the confirmation came as a profound shock, she writes.

After the frenzy of the [Conservative] leadership election and on only my second full day as Prime Minister, it seemed utterly unreal. Amid profound sadness, I found myself thinking: Why me? Why now?

Addressing the nation

Describing the extraordinary circumstances in which she found herself shortly after assuming office, Truss admits to having been a long way from her comfort zone in the immediate aftermath of the Queens death.

Leading the nation in mourning after the death of our beloved monarch of seventy years was not something I had ever expected to do. I had come into office determined to focus on the British economy, which was heading for a downturn, and to take the tough decisions necessary to stimulate growth and put the country back on the right track. These were challenges I instinctively relished.

But coping with the death of the Queen was something altogether different. I had experienced a fair amount of state ceremony and protocol during my time in politics, but in truth, it was a long way from my natural comfort zone.

Some Prime Ministers might have been better suited to the soaring rhetoric and performative statesmanship necessary in this historic moment, but I just felt a profound sense of sadness. Queen Elizabeth II had been a constant in the lives of British people for seventy years. There were few in the country who could remember a time without her.

At 6.30pm, the news of the Queens passing was publically announced to the world. Shortly afterwards, Truss appeared outside 10 Downing Street to deliver an address to the nation.

Liz Truss makes a statement outside Downing Street about the Queen's death on Thursday September 8 2022 - Alberto Pezzali/AP

My statement tried to express the sense of loss I knew the whole country and the world were feeling. Queen Elizabeth II was, I said, the rock on which modern Britain was built. I expressed how much of an inspiration Her Majesty had been to me, as she had been to so many who grew up knowing no other monarch.

Finally, I urged the whole country to give its loyalty and goodwill to our new sovereign, King Charles III. I ended with words that had not been heard in public for over seventy years: God save the King.

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A Democrat who filed a bill to add exceptions for rape and incest to Kentuckys strict abortion law unsuccessfully tried to get his bill heard Monday by accusing Republican leadership of violating the Senate rules.

Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville, filed whats known as a discharge petition Friday, the second-to-last-day of the session, because one of his bills, Senate Bill 99, never received a committee assignment.

This inaction, Yates told senators Monday, was a violation of the Senate rules, which requires bills to be assigned to a committee within five days of being filed.

I would ask you to follow the rules, Yates said on the Senate floor Monday. This is a very important precedent. I would ask you to follow the rules. As a member of the minority, we depend on those rules. The rules is what makes this legislative body tick.

Less than a week into the General Assemblys regular session in January, Yates filed SB 99, also known as Hadleys Law, to add exceptions for rape, incest and nonviable pregnancies to Kentuckys near-total abortion ban.

Named for Hadley Duvall, a college senior who was raped and impregnated by her stepfather at age 12, Yates bill would broaden the statewide ban that currently only allows for abortion in cases of medical emergencies that threaten a pregnant persons life.

Survivors of rape and incest who get pregnant cannot legally get abortions in Kentucky under the current law, and neither can women whose pregnancies are diagnosed with fetal anomalies incompatible with life, often referred to as nonviable.

But Yates bill, filed three months ago, never received a committee assignment. Its a move, he said, that is a violation of the Senate Rules, pushing him on Friday to file a discharge petition in an attempt to get the bill heard on the Senate floor on the final day of session.

We have one of the most extreme abortion bans in the entire country, Yates said last week. This bill would create very limited exceptions to Kentuckys complete abortion ban: to allow some level of choice for survivors of rape and incest and nonviable pregnancies for women with serious health complications.

Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer called Yates actions a political stunt on the last day of the legislative session.

Not once during this session did (Yates) ever ask the committee on committees, which hes a member of, to assign the bill, Thayer said Monday, with hours left in the session.

Minority Whip Yates bill is one of only two, out of 382 total bills filed in the Senate this session, that has yet to receive a committee assignment.

Only one other Senate bill did not receive a Senate committee assignment by the end of the session: the C.R.O.W.N. Act from Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, which would have outlawed discrimination on the basis of a hairstyle historically associated with a persons race.

This runs afoul of Senate Rules and the Kentucky Constitution, Yates said in a news conference Thursday afternoon and in a phone call with the Herald-Leader Friday morning.

Rule 48 of the Senate Rules makes clear that all bills must be assigned to a committee within five days of being introduced. Hadleys Law has not been assigned to committee for more than three months. Its common for bills, especially those filed by the minority party, not to receive a committee hearing.

But it is unusual for a bill not to receive a committee assignment in the Senate.

Nonetheless, Senate President Pro Tempore David Givens, R-Greensburg, ruled against Yates motion.

Yates promptly appealed, but his appeal was voted down, 27-8, with Republicans Adrienne Southworth of Lawrenceburg and Chris McDaniel of Taylor Mill siding with Democrats.

Southworth said it was a matter of following the rules, and the rules, black and white, say a bill must be assigned a committee within five days of being filed, and a body must give a discharge petition a hearing the day after said petition was filed.

Im not sure how weve lost track of the English language, but these rules have been written clear enough to me, Southworth said. Are we going to follow our rules or not?

A rejection of Yates discharge petition means the General Assembly will end another regular session without weighing in on whether to add exceptions to Kentuckys near-total abortion ban, two years after the medical procedure was first banned.

Two bills adding exceptions were filed this session: The first from Yates and the second  House Bill 711  from Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville. It was never heard in committee.

Others sought to reinstate broader abortion access, like three bills filed by Rep. Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington, to repeal the trigger law banning abortion except in medical emergencies and codify protections for women who travel out of state to get an abortion. None were given a committee hearing.

Beyond the violation of Senate rules, Yates said he wanted to highlight how wrong and cruel Kentuckys restrictive abortion bans are.

As the Herald-Leader previously reported, Kentuckys existing abortion laws have forced pregnant women who need medically-recommended terminations  like those carrying a fetus with anencephaly, where the fetal brain and skull do not fully develop  to seek care in other states where its legal.

Unless a pregnancy conceived from rape threatens a womans health, women like Duvall are also unable to legally get an abortion in Kentucky.

We can go on with the shock and awe of these horrific cases, but they are real cases, Yates said.

These people are real, and its actually wrong for the state of Kentucky to take away any level of choice over what happens next with their bodies.
Latvia to send first batch of drones to Ukraine as part of drone coalition

Riga will deliver its first batch of drones to Ukraine within the framework of the Latvian-led drone coalition, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina told reporters on April 16, Delfi reported.

Drone warfare is a significant part of Ukraine's war with Russia. As Ukraine enters its third year of war amid weapons shortages and uncertainties over Western aid, Russia has intensified drone and missile strikes against civilian targets and critical infrastructure.

Latvia's Defense Minister Andris Spruds said that this batch will be Latvia's first important contribution to the drone coalition. Silina said earlier this month that Riga would soon deliver 1 million euros ($1.1 million) worth of drones to Ukraine.

Ukrainian and Latvian defense ministers announced this year that Latvia would lead a coalition of more than 20 countries to send "thousands" of drones to Ukraine. The coalition, now co-led with the United Kingdom, includes Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia, and Denmark.

Latvia plans to allocate at least 10 million euros ($10.6 million) per year for the development of the drone coalition.

Earlier this week, Ukraine's Defense Ministry announced that Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada agreed to supply Ukraine with drones, while Lithuania will allocate additional funds for first-person view (FPV) drone production.

Ukraine is also working to scale up domestic production, aiming to produce 1 million drones in 2024.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia destroyed Kyiv Oblast power plant after Ukraine ran out of air defense missiles, Zelensky says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A map of the proposed offshore wind port on Sears Island in Searsport, Maine. (AnnMarie Hilton/ Maine Morning Star)

A sand dune in Penobscot Bay has left the Maine Legislature divided on a bill thats needed to continue the permitting process for the states desired location for an offshore wind port.

In February, Gov. Janet Mills announced that Sears Island in Searsport is the preferred site for a designated port to support the states budding offshore wind industry because of what she described as its economic and environmental opportunities. The state owns the land, but it is protected under the Natural Resources Protection Act, which prohibits new or expanded structures on coastal sand dunes.

Because of that, Rep. Gerry Runte (D-York) brought forward a bill on Mills behalf that would authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to grant an exception for the site, allowing permitting for the port to proceed, so long as all other applicable permitting and licensing criteria are met. Essentially, LD 2266 ensures that Sears Island can continue to be part of the consideration process for where to place an offshore wind port, despite the presence of a sand dune that could be disrupted.

Passing LD 2266 does not ensure that a port would be developed on Sears Island, but rejecting it would close a door that we might very much need open, said Kathleen Meil, senior director of policy and partnerships for Maine Conservation Voters.

In the House of Representatives, the bill failed to gain enough support with a 65-80 vote that split both parties. Discussion on the House floor focused on a particular sand dune on Sears Island that could be damaged by building the offshore wind port. Critics worried about the destruction of the dune as well as the precedent it would set, while others saw the impact on the dune as a necessary albeit unfortunate step toward achieving the greater environmental benefits offshore wind may bring.

Sen. Stacy Brenner (D-Cumberland) said Maine is at an inflection point with an opportunity to decide to participate in the economic development opportunity available, adding that we leave federal money, thousands of jobs and countless business opportunities on the table by not moving forward with the development of a port in Maine.

The bill passed in the Senate with a 21-13 vote that split both parties. Democrats were largely in favor of the bill, but they were joined by three Republicans. Three Democrats opposed the bill, including Sen. Ben Chipman (D-Cumberland) who said hes not convinced the development cant happen on Mack Point, an alternative option for the port site.

With the Senates approval Monday night, the bill will go back to the House to see if the two chambers can come to an agreement.

Tale of two dunes

Rep. Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach) said she supports offshore wind as a means to reach Maines climate goals, but she also supports protecting precious sand dunes, so she voted against the bill.

And Rep. Jan Dodge (D-Belfast) said she feared future implications for other dunes along the coast of Maine if the state sets a precedent at Sears Island of bypassing dune protection regulations.

Francis Eanes, executive director of the Maine Labor Climate Council, appreciates the rhetoric from the environmental community that sand dunes are important for protecting coastal communities and ecosystems from erosion and storm intense storm damage, but he said when it comes to this particular sand dune, not so much.

I think theres a tale of two sand dunes happening here, he said.

The broader principle of protecting dunes is important, Eanes said, but we need to distinguish between broad principles and greater climate goals, especially for a dune that may not be as critical as others.

As James Gillway, the town manager for Searsport, sees it, this particular dune is a mess that mother nature has deposited because of our intervention.

He shared that in his testimony to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, where he also explained that the dune was formed after a causeway and jetty were installed. The jetty in particular is trapping sand that would have been on the sandbar between the island and the mainland.

I would describe it more as a dangerous debris pile of trash and wood with sand mixed in, he wrote to the committee. He ended by telling them that he believes it needs to be cleaned up and removed.

The effort to develop Sears Island has also generated attention from other area residents.

Some residents are thankful for the prospect of new jobs since Searsport and the surrounding region has faced economic challenges in the past decade after a paper mill closed and took more than 500 jobs with it. Others have protested the port in an effort to protect the island.

Residents are expected to bring their concerns to the town selectboard Tuesday night. More than 100 residents signed a petition that will be submitted to the board in support of the port, according to a news release from Eanes. However, Citizens to Protect Sears Island will be asking the board to urge Mills to make Mack Point the preferred site for the port, according to a news release the grassroots organization sent Tuesday.

House split on Sears Island development

During the House debate, Runte reminded his colleagues that two-thirds of Sears Island is in a permanent easement and would remain untouched by the port, which will be built on the other third outside of the protected area.

Other lawmakers also spoke in support of the proposal.

The bill is not a green light for construction on Sears Island, said Rep. William Bridgeo (D-Augusta). But, he added, It does open the door to an extensive study and permitting process that might lead to that development.

Rep. Dick Campbell (R-Orrington) was one of nine House Republicans who supported the bill. He said he feared that Mack Point would require dredging that could create even worse impacts on the environment.

Calling Sears Island a local treasure in her district, Rep. Reagan Paul (R-Winterport) said she saw Mack Point as the better option. She voted in opposition to the bill after saying that its not a vote against offshore wind, but a vote to protect Sears Island.

Rep. Aaron Dana, who represents the Passamaquoddy Tribe, stood in opposition to offshore wind as a whole, expressing worries about disruptions to marine ecosystems. Specific to the bill at hand, Dana said the industrialization of Sears Island desecrates sacred tribal land on the island.

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The post Lawmakers at a crossroads over potential development of Sears Island for offshore wind port appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
The Iowa State Capitol on Feb. 13, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Lawmakers have been able to act on many of Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican legislative leaders top priority issues this session, but there are still several bills  and budgets  left to consider before adjournment.

Tuesday marks the 100th day of the 2024 legislative session, the end goal date for lawmakers to conclude business for the year. While session can  and often does  extend beyond this stop date, it marks the end of per diem expenses being paid for legislators. From Tuesday on, lawmakers will have to pay for costs like mileage, lodging and certain meals related to their time at the Capitol.

Legislators are hoping to finish session soon, as many of the highest-profile measures discussed this session, like changes to Iowas Area Education Agencies and increasing teacher pay, making illegal immigration a state crime and adding new reporting requirements on foreign farmland ownership have all been signed into law.

But before lawmakers head home, they must pass appropriations bills funding the state government for the upcoming year. On Monday, House lawmakers met and approved the Education Appropriations budget in a subcommittee meeting, as well as budget bills including Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice Systems and Judicial Branch and Administration and Regulation by the full Appropriations Committee.

There are also several policy bills that Republican legislators have said they hope to pass before adjournment. House Speaker Pat Grassley told reporters last week that leaders from the House and Senate have been making a lot of progress in meetings to discuss budget targets and other remaining bills.

Weve had some good conversations between the House and the Senate, Grassley said. Our budget chairs are kind of working behind the scenes to see where some of those differences would be before we settled on specific budget targets.

Spending differences

Theres a difference of roughly $82 million between the House and Senate budget targets released in March, with the House proposing a $8.955 billion state budget target for Fiscal Year 2025 and the Senate seeking a $8.872 billion target.

House Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Gary Mohr said in March that many of these differences were due to funding requests made by representatives for local programs and services.

There are also still several policy bills yet to be finalized  and in some cases, yet to be discussed on the floor in either chamber. One of the largest measures outstanding is legislation to speed up individual income tax cuts and implement a flat income tax:

Income tax changes

In late February, the Senate Ways and Means Committee approved Senate File 2398, Reynolds proposal to lower the states individual income tax rate  currently, with the highest income bracket rate of 5.7%  to a flat rate of 3.65% in 2024 retroactively, with an additional cut to 3.5% in 2025. The bill, nor any other proposals building off the 2022 income tax cuts, have moved in the weeks since.

While progress has stalled, Grassley said in April that lawmakers still intend to take action on income taxes in the 2024 session.

I think, feel confident well be able to achieve speeding up the tax cut before we head home, Grassley said. While nothing has been settled on the final version of the bill, he added, I feel pretty confident that well be able to find resolution.

Some lawmakers are advocating for a different means to cutting to Iowas income taxes than what was proposed by the governor  and creating a path toward completely eliminating the tax.

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, and Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, the respective House and Senate chairs of the Ways and Means committees, introduced a proposal earlier in the session to drop the income tax rate to a flat 3.775% in 2026 and another decrease to 3.65% by 2027.

The legislation also creates a system for gradually lowering the states income tax rate using money from Iowas Taxpayer Relief Fund, creating a trust using a one-time $2.6 billion transfer from the fund and putting 5% of that money to individual income tax reductions each year.

The legislation, Senate Study Bill 3141 and its House companion, have not been considered by subcommittees. However, these measures are still eligible for consideration  exempt from the funnel deadlines as a tax bill  and could be included as amendments in other legislation, like budget bills or the governors income tax bill.

Boards and commissions

Among the top policy issues remaining is the governors plan to cut or merge Iowas system of boards and commissions. The Senate passed Senate File 2385 in a 30-14 vote earlier in April, a bill that closely follows the governors and Iowa Boards and Commissions Review Committees recommendations with some changes. The original plan would have cut 111 of Iowas 256 existing boards and commissions  43% of the existing panels in Iowa, while the Senate version eliminates 74 boards and commissions and merges nine current boards into three new bodies.

The House had advanced House File 2574, an event more confined version, cutting or merging 49 panels in February. But the House is now considering the Senate version of the bill to approve or amend.

Many of the changes in both versions of the bill include cutting or restructuring the panels overseeing professional licensing of different industries, as well as those looking into issues impacting marginalized communities in Iowa. The language approved by the Iowa Senate would eliminate the commissions on the Status of African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders, Persons with Disabilities and Women, as well as the Commission of Native American Affairs.

On Friday, Iowa-Nebraska National Association for the Advancement of Colored People launched a campaign urging their members to contact House lawmakers to make changes to the bill or to vote down the bill.

Betty Andrews, state area president for the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP, said on a call to action meeting Friday that she felt like Im fighting for my life. She said the changes proposed to Iowas Civil Rights Commission would remove critical components of government engagement and accountability granted to the commission by the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965.

For us to go back from 2024 to 1965 is problematic, Andrews said.

The Senate version of the legislation proposed shifting the commission to an advisory role. The bill would give the commissions current duties and powers to the Iowa Office of Civil Rights and the Civil Rights Commission director, such as the ability to investigate and address complaints on issues such as workplace violations of the Civil Rights Act.

Instead of being commissioners that the director reports to, these commissioners become advisors to the director, Andrews said. With the director having the power to ignore their requests or their comments, or even prevent those comments from being shared with the legislature for (recommending) legislation, or with the governor for action.

Andrews and other NAACP advocates met with lawmakers at the Capitol to discuss the legislation Monday, urging Republican legislators to consider amending the bill. She said some lawmakers who supported the measure said the bill is a means to make government more efficient, as well as trying to make it better for diverse voices in Iowa.

And the question becomes, how can it be better if youre removing them from the table? she said.

Andrews said the assessment done by the Boards and Commissions Review Committee in 2023 was not a sufficient basis to make the changes proposed in the legislation. The information gathered did not consider the the effectiveness of the model of state panels, she said, and said that ideally, lawmakers would instead pursue a study committee to take a deeper look at the work being done by these bodies.

In addition to problems with changes to the Civil Rights Commission, Andrews said the proposals to eliminate commissions of specific marginalized groups, like those on the status of African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders and Persons with Disabilities would lead to those communities being reduced to a monolith, with each community being represented by one person on the Human Rights Board.

Each of those communities is important, and each of those have a voice, Andrews said. Their voices are different  within the communities, theyre different. And so, when they reduce these (commissions) to one representative per community, they are actually silencing voices. And in order for Iowa to be a welcoming state, we really need to consider how we involve our citizens in the process, how we involve representation from our citizenry in the process.

Boy Scouts settlement

The Senate moved quickly to advance Senate File 2431 through the committee process, approving it unanimously in April 10 to send to the House for consideration.

That speed is because of theres a time limit on the issue at hand. The bill contains a narrow exemption on the states statute of limitations for filing child sexual abuse lawsuits, specifically for claims against the bankruptcy state of a congressionally chartered organization. This exemption would allow former Boy Scouts in Iowa to participate in the national Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy settlement that involves more than 82,000 men nationwide who said they were sexually abused while in the organization as children by troop leaders.

Child sexual abuse survivors in this settlement have the ability to recover funds through the Scouting Settlement Trust. But Iowans involved could receive less money from these settlements, as payouts are determined in part using their states statute of limitations on child sexual abuse claims. Attorneys involved in the settlement say that Iowa has until April 19 to change its state law on the statute of limitations, or that Iowa victims will receive less compensation than those in other states.

Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, said in a committee meeting on the bill that he and other legislators were working to ensure that it makes it to the governors desk before April 19.

This needs to be signed as quickly as possible to give the Iowa Boy Scouts that were offended the opportunity to come to some sort of justice, he said. Its not going to, you know, change their past, but at least we can do something positive for them at this point.

The bill has not yet been taken up or assigned a subcommittee in the House. Grassley said on Thursday that House Republicans are having conversations on the bill, but that there were some concerns about the significant change it would make to Iowas current statute of limitations.

Current Iowa law requires that child sexual assault victims file a lawsuit by age 19, or within four years of coming to the understanding of their abuse in childhood resulting in injuries and suffering. Grassley said that he is having discussions with members of the Judiciary Committee and others to see what impact, or future implications, the legislation could have on existing law.

This is a much bigger deal than I think its being perceived to be, Grassley said. And I would say, probably everyone would say from all sides  its a big deal. But changing this is a fundamental change the way we do things, the way weve typically done things now when it comes to statute limitations. So I dont think this is something we can just rush through. That being said, I understand the clock is ticking as well.

Eminent domain

While a Senate subcommittee unanimously approved a bill that would give landowners more opportunities to challenge eminent domain requests from carbon dioxide pipeline companies earlier in April, there has not been further action on the bill.

House File 2664 gives landowners the ability to seek judicial review of requests made earlier in the states pipeline permit process, as well as the ability to challenge decisions made by state regulators. These actions have the potential to impede the process of pipeline construction without having to cover costs related to the pipeline companies financial losses due to delays.

Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, said he supports the bill, but that it would likely be amended before reaching the Senate floor to include changes such as limiting litigation so that pipeline projects could not be obstructed indefinitely in court, and so that the measure would only apply to carbon dioxide pipelines, instead of all hazardous liquid pipelines as is currently covered by the legislation.

Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum said in a news conference Thursday that Democrats have not heard from Senate Republicans on whether there are plans to continue advancing the bill, despite multiple requests for updates.

Were still waiting to see if the Senate Republicans are even going to actually bring this bill to the floor, but I will say that we have heard loud and clear that Iowans want us to address eminent domain.

The post As lawmakers seek to end session, some priority bills still lack consensus appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  Presidential election denial. COVID-19 conspiracy theories. Palm Beach County Commissioners perhaps have heard and seen it all.

Still, commissioners attention turned to what could be done to curb hate speech on April 2, after a group of people at a meeting spoke one by one at a lectern  making disparaging remarks about Jewish people, and two of them invoking Adolf Hitler.

It was shocking but unfortunately I guess not surprising that people would come out from underneath their rocks and spread their hate, Commissioner Gregg Weiss said during a meeting on Tuesday.

Weiss said that even though what was said on April 2 did not violate the First Amendment, it did not mean it was not disgusting.

Hate speech is protected under the First Amendment, County Attorney Denise Coffman said during the Tuesday meeting. But I think sometimes the board has a decision to make in their heart and their conscience, and sometimes we make stands because thats the right thing to do.

Current county rules state matters by the public should be germane to county business, but during the meeting, Coffman said the board could be allowed in the future to cut people off, midsentence, if they begin talking about something not within the scope of the boards authority.

Were going to beef up the rules a little bit and focus on the fact that we only want people to talk about things that are relevant to the Board of County Commissioners, Coffman said.

A more robust discussion is still needed in order to tie the idea down, she said, before rules are enacted.

If somebody makes a comment about being unhappy with the resolution of the board, thats clearly within the scope of the board, she said. But at that point, if they continue to make political statements or statements that are unrelated to the business of the board, you can cut them off if its unrelated to us, but we must be consistent, everyone gets treated the same.

She added: The conscience of the board is such that were willing to take a little bit more risk than is strictly conservative, which, you know, attorneys always want to be the most conservative people in the room when it comes to risk.

But sometimes laws dont change unless theyre challenged.

The county should try to clearly define its rules surrounding speech, said Howard Wasserman, a Florida International University law professor who specializes in First Amendment law, among other topics.

They may need some precision, and they may have some trouble finding the precision, in their definition of what pertains to the business of the county, said Wasserman, who isnt involved in the countys discussions. But I think they can get past that.

A lot of other local governments are discussing an implementation of rules similar to what Palm Beach County is doing, Wasserman said.

The meetings have become so unruly, he said, adding: And so I think its happening more and more in the current political environment.

Already, city officials in Delray Beach are following suit in response to what was said during the April 2 county meeting.

During a Delray Beach City Commission meeting on April 9, Deputy Vice-Mayor Rob Long proposed the city proactively amend its rules to prevent or at the least mitigate opportunities for anyone to use the citys chambers as a platform to broadcast hate speech.

The goal, he said, would be to give newly elected Mayor Tom Carney tools to shut down hate speech and remove those who are saying it at City Hall. Freedom of speech is not an unfettered right, particularly if its threatening, inciting or defamatory, Long said.

Wasserman said a government has the ability to limit the scope of speech to certain topics, such as only about county business, as Palm Beach County is trying to do, as long as its done in a viewpoint-neutral manner.

For example, if a member of the public stepped forward and began speaking about the Israel-Hamas war, something the county is not involved in, the commissioners couldnt allow one person to speak favorably about Israel but then prohibit another person from criticizing Israel, he said. Both people would need to be cut off for the rule to be enforced fairly.

This authority is because the space to which people can come forward and speak at the meetings is not what would be considered a wide-open public forum. Rather, it is a designated public forum, a space the government has opened up for speech by the public. The governing body behind a designated public forum is allowed to limit dialogue to certain speakers or topics, Wasserman said.

This differs from public forums such as a public sidewalk where anyone could come forward and peacefully protest.

The county could say, for example, only county residents can speak at this public meeting, he said. You couldnt do that at a park.

_____
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A former Conway Medical Center nurse is accusing the hospital and two of its employees of sharing her extraordinarily personal health information with people who were not authorized to see it, according to a lawsuit obtained by News13.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in Horry County Common Pleas Court by a woman only identified as Jane Doe. It names Conway Medical Center, its director of health information management and the womans former nursing supervisor.

The woman began working at CMC as a registered nurse in April 2016, according to the lawsuit. On Nov. 17, 2017, she went to the hospitals emergency department after experiencing severe skin-related issues.

Three days later, she was admitted for observation related to additional skin issues and an altered mental state that medical professionals believed to be related to her starting a medication she was prescribed to treat her skin infection, the suit said. She was taken off the prescription and her altered mental state was quickly resolved.

However, during the womans hospital stay, CMC physicians and staff negatively characterized her reaction as a potential psychiatric episode, using inflammatory descriptions of her throughout volumes of notations in her medical chart, the lawsuit alleges, calling the characterization of the mental condition so negative and embarrassing and extraordinarily personal and embarrassing.

The woman was discharged from the hospital on Nov. 22, 2017, according to the lawsuit. A few weeks later on Dec. 15, she was asked to sign a medical records release form sent by an attorney representing the father of her child in a custody dispute in Horry County. The court had previously temporarily granted her custody of her son in June 2017.

Months later, in March 2018, the court had reversed its previous decision and awarded primary custody to the childs father, according to the lawsuit, basing its decision in part on information contained in medical records that she was asked to sign in December 2017.

After the decision, the woman met with CMCs director of health information management and requested an audit trail of her electronic health record because the timing of the medical records request was very proximate to her hospital visits, the lawsuit said. She met with the director on March 22.

The director sent the woman her audit trail, which showed who had accessed her medical records from Oct. 10, 2017 up to March 22, 2018, according to the lawsuit. The director represented that nothing was out of the ordinary regarding unauthorized access and that the report came back clean.

The woman relied upon the clean report, which, unbeknownst to her at the time, had allegedly been fraudulently altered by the director to conceal numerous instances of unauthorized access by CMC employees, the lawsuit said. She was not aware it had been altered until April 2023. She resigned from her job in May 2018.

The South Carolina Court of Appeals in 2023 upheld the Family Courts decision to award primary custody to the father of the womans child, according to the lawsuit. Shortly after the decision, she requested an up-to-date audit trail of her CMC records, but oddly it only included information from Dec. 12, 2017 until March 29, 2023.

The director told the woman that the audit trail information prior to Dec. 12 was no longer available, though the lawsuit alleges when further pressed about it, the director claimed they were only allowed to provide her with the information from Dec. 12 to the present and said he would need to speak to CMCs attorney about releasing records prior to that date.

The woman became highly suspicious of the directors inconsistent and contradictory statements, and contacted CMCs chief financial officer, who was believed to be the directors supervisor, according to the lawsuit. She was provided with the audit trail report the next day, which showed who accessed her CMC medical records prior to Dec. 12, 2017.

After reviewing the report, the woman noticed entries indicating that her nursing supervisor had accessed her records on Dec. 8, 2017, even though she was in no way involved in her treatment or care and was not authorized to see it, the lawsuit alleges. That information was not included in the original audit report the director sent to the woman.

When she first requested her audit trail in March 2018, the director realized that the womans nursing supervisor had improperly accessed her records and allegedly removed the entries that showed the supervisors involvement, according to the lawsuit. She was unaware of this until April 2023 after requesting another audit report from the directors supervisor.

Upon information and belief, the director was either directed to remove the entries from the 2018 audit report Doe received or did so with the knowledge of CMCs corporate leadership, the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit accuses CMC, the director and nursing supervisor of negligence, gross negligence and negligent/reckless inflection of emotional distress. It also accuses CMC and the nursing supervisor of invasion of privacy.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount in damages and requests a jury trial.

News13 reached out to CMC Tuesday morning, which said it had no comment.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Local villagers take a train of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 4 to sell their home-grown vegetables and fruits to the urbanites in southwest China's Chongqing, March 27, 2024. TO GO WITH "Feature: For all some opposition, subway line in Chongqing keeps open to all" (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

CHONGQING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Since it was opened to traffic in June 2022, the Rail Transit Line 4 of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has undertaken a different mission from its counterparts. Its first passengers every day are a bevy of villagers from its departure station, who come all the way to sell their home-grown vegetables to the urbanites.

At about 5:30 a.m. every morning, one hour before the first train of the line, the elevators in the Shichuan Station start operating, welcoming the regulars from Shichuan Township. Virtually every one of the local villagers carried a basket on their back, filled with various vegetables. The beads of moisture on the leaves tell exactly how the vegetables had been just picked from the farmland.

Because of such a signature scene, the subway line is also nicknamed the "pack basket line" by many Chongqing citizens.

"Before the rail transit service was launched, we could hardly sell our vegetables to the urban area because it took us to transfer buses twice or three times to get there--at least two hours in one single trip," Zhen Fanping, a 69-year-old villager from Shichuan, recalled. However, now we can directly take the subway to the destinations in the city proper, helping save more than one hour of the trip," he added.

For him and his fellow villagers, the convenience brought by the subway line is something of an advantage. Their home-grown vegetables can be sold at a higher price in urban areas. For instance, garlic is usually sold at 10 yuan (about 1.4 U.S. dollars) for every kilogram in the city proper, compared with merely 8 yuan per kilogram in Shichuan. Also, according to Zhen, their vegetables are sold out much more quickly in urban areas.

Nevertheless, the pack basket line has been under fire recently. Some netizens hold the view that these baskets occupy too much space on the already crowded subway train, which may disturb other passengers and even damage public facilities. Therefore, many have asked the subway authorities to ban passengers from carrying pack baskets and other large items during morning and evening rush hours.

Hearing these complaints, Chongqing Rail Transit Group, the line's operator, replied that the purpose of rail transit services is to put people in the first place and serve their livelihood. "As long as the items that our passengers carry conform to the laws and rail transit regulations, we won't do any interference," says the group's statement.

The city's subway authorities have long supported the diligent villagers, evidenced by multiple tailored services targeting vegetable vendors.

"The 'special' passengers appeared quite unexpectedly, so we felt flustered at first. As we gradually found that most of the vegetable growers were senior citizens in their 60s and 70s, we began to admire their diligence and resilience and made up our minds to have more patience and care for them during our operation," explained Ling Xiang, head of the Shichuan Station.

"People over 65 can take the subway train for free, and even our train broadcast is now announced in the local dialect, which is much more familiar to these elderly, instead of ordinary Mandarin on other lines," Ling said.

"We have also arranged some staff members to be stationed beside the elevators, entrances, and security checkpoints, always stay ready to reach out a helping hand for them," Ling added.

Their understanding and considerate services have also received a hurrah from the villagers.

Zhou Zhifang, 66, always carefully cleans the dust and dirt that falls from her vegetable basket before she gets off the train.

"While we take the subway, the staff is seen everywhere, poised to help us. We should not bother them more and do our own part as we can," said Zhou, adding that she and her friends have all learned the rail transit regulations word by word to better obey the rules.

There were once some similar disputes in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. Some doubted Hangzhou Public Library's decision to be open to vagrant visitors.

The reply of the library's head then went viral online and was also frequently quoted by netizens during the recent Chongqing rail transit debate: "I don't have the right to prohibit them from entering the library to read books, but you have the right to leave."

Wang Meng, associate professor of the College of State Governance, Southwest University, said that Chongqing's pack basket line embodies the city's inclusiveness and fine governance philosophy. Its reply also shows our urban governance nowadays is shifting from serving the majority to caring for specific vulnerable groups, while our public service is changing from common and basic services to distinguished and fine ones.

"The thoughtfulness and caring underlined in our urban governance also epitomize China's rate of maturation in terms of its urban society," Wang added. "Such heartwarming practices can shore up the sense of belonging and involvement of the specific groups towards the urban area, as well as make other citizens learn about the positive changes of the city themselves." 

Local villagers line up to take a train of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 4 to sell their home-grown vegetables and fruits to the urbanites in southwest China's Chongqing, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)
A new lawsuit claims a Cincinnati police officer started a romantic relationship with a Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services worker and gained access to confidential juvenile records about his ex-wife's new boyfriend.

Holly Hooven and Brendon Taylor are suing Officer Jesse Hooven and former JFS worker Madison Paul as well as the city, the county and JFS. The lawsuit was filed Monday in federal court in Cincinnati.

The lawsuit states that Jesse Hooven and Paul conspired to illegally access, use and disseminate confidential records that said Taylor had been sexually abused as a child. The suit also argues the city, the county and the social service agency endorsed their conduct by failing to take proper action.

Both the Citizen Complaint Authority and internal investigations at the Cincinnati Police Department looked into the incident. The police found that Jesse Hooven did not violate departmental policy, but the complaint authority disagreed.

Officials at the city of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, the Cincinnati Police Department, and Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services did not comment on the accusations, each saying their organizations do not comment on pending litigation.

A custody dispute

Holly Hooven and Jesse Hooven were married in 2015 and divorced in 2019, the suit states, and they share two children, ages 7 and 5.

Holly Hooven said her ex-husband had fought her over custody of their children. She said he also defamed her and pressured the children's teachers and her neighbors to contact him about her activities.

The lawsuit states Jesse Hooven wanted leverage to use against his ex in this custody dispute.

Officer starts relationship with JFS worker

According to the Cincinnati police internal investigation, Jesse Hooven and Paul met in March 2023 and started dating.

"Within a day of meeting and speaking in their personal time, Officer Hooven began talking about his ex-wife, Ms. Hooven, and her new boyfriend, Mr. Taylor," the investigation report states.

When investigators interviewed Paul, she said Jesse Hooven asked her to search the Ohio Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System about Brendon Taylor.

Jesse Hooven told the investigators that Paul did it on her own and that he didn't prompt her. He also said he did not receive any documents

Paul said she didn't recall exactly what she learned from the databases but did remember saying, "Taylor did not have a concerning history," the report says.

However, Jesse Hooven later texted his ex-wife about Taylor's childhood sexual abuse, questioning whether his children should be around Taylor.

This prompted Holly Hooven and Taylor to report him to the Citizen Complaint Authority. Holly Hooven believed that her ex had improperly used a law enforcement database, but Jesse Hooven admitted he had gotten the information from a "JFS worker" named "Madison," according to the text message reproduced in the lawsuit.

Two investigations

According to the Cincinnati police internal investigation, Jesse Hooven admitted to the relationship with Paul and to receiving the information about Taylor. He also admitted to texting that information to his ex-wife.

The internal investigators said they could not determine whether Jesse Hooven asked for restricted information, so they could not determine whether he acted unethically.

"Ms. Paul told (investigators) that Officer Hooven used his position as a police officer to cultivate a relationship with her to later gain information," the report says. "Officer Hooven told (investigators) he did not solicit the restricted information."

A ruling of "not sustained" was approved by Chief Teresa Theetge on this charge.

The lawsuit states that disseminating that information alone is a violation of Taylor's rights.

The investigation report also states that Hooven did not try to look up Taylor in any law enforcement databases he had access to. Theetge approved a ruling of "exonerated" on this charge.

In contrast to the police investigation, the Citizen Complaint Authority sustained a charge of misconduct against Officer Hooven.

The authority's report said his further dissemination of confidential records was unacceptable and his actions were not consistent with CPD policy, procedure or training."

What happened

According to the lawsuit, Jesse Hooven did not face a suspension as a result of this situation. The Enquirer has requested his personnel file, which would document any other types of discipline, but had not received it on Tuesday.

Paul was given an eight-day suspension without pay, the lawsuit states, but JFS took no further action. In October, she resigned from her position there.

The Citizen Complaint Authority report states Paul "felt as though she had been manipulated by Officer Hooven to obtain the information and when she ended the relationship, Officer Hooven 'threw it in his ex-wifes face.' She expressed remorse in her interview and was apologetic toward Mr. Taylor."

The investigation reports state the relationship between Jesse Hooven and Paul ended when Paul learned he had a live-in girlfriend.

What's next

The lawsuit states Holly Hooven and Taylor are seeking damages for emotional distress and psychological injuries. It states their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Susan Dlott. Hearings in the case have not yet been scheduled.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lawsuit: Officer sought juvenile records about ex-wife's new boyfriend
DENVER (KDVR)  A federal civil lawsuit filed Sunday in Denver alleges that a company providing medical and mental health care to inmates is responsible for a womans death in the El Paso County Jail.

According to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, an 18-year-old woman died by suicide inside the jail after Wellpath, a company that provides mental and physical health care to jail inmates, callously ignored the almost constant pleas for help from the inmate and repeatedly removed her from suicide watch.

Douglas, El Paso counties sue over Colorado law that block ICE cooperation

That woman, Dezaree Archuleta, died from suicide on June 9, 2022. Her family gathered outside the federal courthouse in Denver on Monday to announce the lawsuit.

She deserved a chance at life, Shelly Romero, Archuletas mother, said at a press conference on Monday. She was 18 years old. She deserved some kind of chance, so any kind of justice  thats what were looking for.

The family of Dezaree Archuleta gathered outside the federal courthouse in Denver

Archuleta was originally booked into the jail on May 17, 2022. The lawsuit alleges near-daily discussions of Archuletas poor mental health, including her reports to officials that she was having suicidal ideations and command auditory hallucinations and exhibiting several incidents of self-harming behavior.

The lawsuit alleges this allowed her to engage in repeated and horrific acts of self-harm throughout her incarceration.

The lawsuit states that Archuleta had 16 incidents where she expressed suicidal thoughts and feelings. It also says the 18-year-old asked to speak with a psychiatrist and resume her medication, but that request was denied. Instead, a Wellpath official allegedly told Archuleta that the psychiatrist was impossible to reach by phone, so her psychotropic medications would not be filled while she was an inmate.

Instead of providing Ms. Archuleta the help she so desperately needed and repeatedly requested, (the official) callously handed her a few pamphlets and told her to use her coping skills, the lawsuit states. He did not place her back on to suicide watch in order to keep her safe. Mere hours after (the official) ignored her cries for help, Ms. Archuleta engaged in another act of serious self-harm by punching herself in the face until she bled.

Owners of funeral home where 190 decaying bodies found charged with COVID fraud

The lawsuit alleges that Wellpath bargained with the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center to ensure it would not be required to fill all positions for psychiatrists and psychiatric mid-levels because of its intention to purposefully understaff the CJC.

Wellpath contracts with numerous jails and prisons in the U.S. According to the lawsuit, before a company merger with Wellpath, Correct Care Solutions was facing 1,400 federal lawsuits. The lawsuit states that Wellpath and its predecessor companies were sued between 2014 and 2019 for causing more than 70 deaths.

Since Archuletas death, the El Paso County CJC has terminated its contract with Wellpath.

The suit is seeking a $1 million settlement for Archuletas estate. FOX31 reached out to Wellpath about the lawsuit but had not heard back as of late Monday afternoon.



If you are thinking of hurting or killing yourself:

Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Please get help immediately.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
A left-wing dark money group funded by billionaire George Soros will provide bail and legal support for the anti-Israel activists arrested after blocking major roads and highways nationwide this week, according to an online fundraiser.

The traffic-snarling stunts, which took place in several major cities Monday, were said by protesters to be a response to the United States' continued support for Israel during its war with Hamas terrorists.

The demonstrations were largely organized by A15 Action, a recently created group that said it would "coordinate a multi-city economic blockade on April 15 in solidarity with Palestine."

Under the group's "resources" section on its website, users are pointed to a "bail and legal defense fund" hosted by ActBlue, the leading fundraising platform for Democratic campaigns and groups nationwide.

ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS UNLAWFUL TACTICS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL WARNS

The anti-Israel demonstrations that took place Monday were largely organized by A15 Action, a newly created group that worked to "coordinate a multi-city economic blockade on April 15 in solidarity with Palestine."

The contributions "will benefit Community Justice Exchange," a project of the Soros-funded Tides Center, according to the fundraising page.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Donate here to support community members who are criminalized in the U.S. for their solidarity with Palestine," a fundraising page, which was first reported by The Washington Free Beacon, states. "Should the actions of the state result in the need for it, these funds will be used for bail, legal defense, and support for defendants."

The Community Justice Exchange has a self-described mission to provide "money bail, court fees and fines" to "community-based organizations across the country that are experimenting with bottom-up interventions that contest the current operation and function of the criminal legal and immigration detention systems."

It was revealed last November that the Soros-backed Open Society Policy Center had given $13.7 million, through the Tides Center, to groups that have reportedly expressed support for Hamas or justified attacks on Israel, with a total of $15 million donated since 2016.

Hundreds of anti-Israel agitators stopped traffic and created havoc, sending Americans scrambling on Monday in major U.S. cities like San Francisco, New York City, Chicago and Philadelphia.

Traffic on both lanes of California's Golden Gate Bridge was shut down Monday, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) told Fox News Digital, as images emerged showing anti-Israel agitators holding banners with messages like "Stop the world for Gaza" and "End the siege on Gaza now!"

CHP said 38 people were arrested for involvement in the Golden Gate Bridge demonstration and later warned that tactics used by the "unlawful" protesters there and along Interstate-880 in Oakland "will not be tolerated."

Traffic is shown stopped on the Golden Gate Bridge due to an anti-Israel protest Monday, April 15, 2024.

Some demonstrators in California attached themselves to 55-gallon drums filled with concrete.

ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS SHUT DOWN TRAFFIC, DISRUPT CITIES ALL ACROSS US IN DEMAND FOR GAZA CEASEFIRE

In New York City, nearly 300 protesters gathered outside the New York Stock Exchange Monday morning.

Protesters were heard chanting "free, free Palestine," "Palestine will never die," "from Wall Street to Palestine  intifada" and "Israel bombs. USA pays. How many kids did you kill today?"

Many of the protesters were also carrying watermelon balloons, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.

Demonstrators also took to the Brooklyn Bridge, where police quickly intervened in an attempt to prevent the protest from growing in size.

In Chicago, protesters blocked traffic to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, causing delays that lasted several hours after the protest was broken up by police. Chicago Police told Fox News 40 people were arrested and that charges are pending.

Anti-Israel agitators also gathered outside Philadelphia's City Hall, drawing a noticeable police presence. The protesters there blocked the intersection at Market Street and Schuylkill Avenue in Center City.

NBC 10 Philadelphia later reported police "arrested 41 people while Pennsylvania State Police arrested 27 for a total of 68 arrests."

Anti-Israel agitators gathered outside of Philadelphia's City Hall Monday morning, drawing a noticeable police presence.

Protesters also flooded downtown Miami and downtown Tampa, calling for a cease-fire in the ongoing war in Gaza.

In Texas, a group of protesters also demonstrated outside the Valero headquarters in San Antonio to express their opposition to Israeli military action in Gaza.

The protests continued into Monday evening, with pro-Israel agitators taking to Washington's Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, shutting down traffic along the expressway.

Fox News' Stepheny Price and Greg Norman contributed to this report.





Original article source: Left-wing dark money group funds bail, legal support for anti-Israel agitators blocking traffic
Legal experts said the Biden administration was "on the ropes" in Tuesdays oral arguments at the Supreme Court in a case questioning whether a Jan. 6 rioter can be charged with a federal "obstruction" crime, which carries implications for former President Trump.

On Tuesday, Jeffrey Green, lawyer for Joseph Fischer  who is one of more than 300 people charged by the Justice Department with "obstruction of an official proceeding" in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol  argued that the federal statute shouldnt apply and that it had only ever been applied to evidence-tampering cases.

The Justice Department argued that Fischers actions were a "deliberate attempt" to stop a joint session of Congress directly from certifying the 2020 election, thus qualifying their use of the statute that criminalizes behavior that "otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do" and carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

But legal experts told Fox News Digital that the governments argument started to "fall apart" after questioning from the justices.

SUPREME COURT TO DEBATE 'SLEEPER' CASE THAT COULD AFFECT TRUMP FEDERAL PROSECUTION

Jonathan Turley, a practicing criminal defense attorney and professor at George Washington University, praised Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar as one of "the best appellate litigators" but said she appeared "clearly on the ropes" and "made some uncharacteristic concessions" on Tuesday.

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At one point, Justice Neil Gorsuch questioned whether, under the governments argument, heckling at the State of the Union address or the recent incident of Rep. Jaamal Bowman, D-N.Y., pulling a fire alarm and diverting a House vote would constitute "obstruction."

"There are multiple elements of the [statute] that I think might not be satisfied by those hypotheticals," Prelogar replied, adding that obstruction requires "meaningful interference" and "corrupt intent."

SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH HITS BACK AT JUDGE FOR 'FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED LEGAL PREMISE' IN TRUMP DOCUMENTS CASE

"Gorsuch laid bare the problems for the government's argument," Turley said. "This is where the government's arguments seem to fall apart in that."

"When pressed  Prelogar started to introduce contextual standards and said that these would just not be strong cases. And that was not the way to go, in my opinion."

Carrie Severino, former clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas and president of the Judicial Crisis Network, noted that the government "had a hard time explaining how this wasn't going to be such a broad, open door that it could allow a lot of behavior that we clearly understand to be protected First Amendment speech  peaceful protests, etc.  to get swept in the way that they're charging it."

"Theres not a First Amendment right to trespass or to block things. But I think you do have to worry about  this is an incredibly draconian type of response that could be applied to things that we absolutely wouldn't believe should be subjected to a 20-year prison sentence," she said.

Former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich told Fox News Digital that the government "shouldnt be trying out untested or novel theories in high-profile cases."

TRUMP TRIALS: HERES WHERE EACH CASE AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT AND PRESUMPTIVE GOP NOMINEE STANDS

"Im a big believer in the rule of lenity. That basically means criminal statutes should be construed narrowly, and when in doubt, you err on the side of the individual and not just throw stuff against the wall," he said.

Chief Justice John Roberts pressed Prelogar about an opinion issued in 2019 by the DOJs Office of Legal Counsel (OLC)  an office that serves as a legal adviser to the department and other executive agencies  which said the obstruction statute should be viewed narrowly and contradicts DOJs position in Tuesdays case.

Prelogar said that opinion was never "formally" adopted, but she couldnt say what the DOJs process is for formerly accepting an OLC paper.

"It was not a good moment or a good look for the government," Turley said.

"There were a lot of shrugs coming from the government in this oral argument. I mean, time and time again, when pushed to the wall, the government would simply shrug off the contradiction. That's not going to work with these justices," Turley added.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts

Turley said that should the justices decide the case in favor of the Jan. 6 defendant, it could mean that Special Counsel Jack Smith drops the two obstruction counts against Trump.

"The obstruction counts allowed Smith to frame the president's remarks in a conspiracy to obstruct and prevent the counting of votes. The elimination of those counts makes the narrative more challenging for Smith because those two counts were emblematic of his narrative," Turley said.

"That is, they specifically alleged an effort to obstruct the proceeding. Those two counts amplified that aspect of the government's theory."

A decision in the case, Fischer v. United States, is expected in early summer.





Original article source: Legal experts say Biden admin's legal theory in Jan 6 prosecution 'on the ropes' after Supreme Court argument
An attorney for the Legal Marijuana Now Party asked the state Supreme Court on Tuesday to preserve its status as a major political party in Minnesota, describing new legal requirements to maintain that status as burdensome and raising questions about whether they violate the party's constitutional rights.

Legal Marijuana Now is fighting to continue as a major political party in Minnesota in the 2024 election, after the state DFL Party filed a petition with the court in February arguing LMN failed to comply with state law when filing its certification for major party status with the Secretary of State.

Under a DFL-led law change passed last spring, parties must submit a list of dates and locations of every convention held in 2022 in all congressional districts and in at least 45 county or legislative districts in order to maintain their major party status.

The law also requires them to have a local chair and party officers as needed in each of Minnesota's eight congressional districts and at least 45 county or legislative districts. The DFL's petition says the Legal Marijuana Now Party didn't meet either requirement, among others.

"There's an administrative burden in complying with whatever way the government wants to do it," said Erick Kardaal, an attorney for the Legal Marijuana Now Party, adding that it interferes with a party's internal business. "If they don't do it the government's way, they get decertified as a major political party."

The Minnesota Secretary of State's Office initially rejected Legal Marijuana Now's major party status certification for failing to meet these requirements, but then approved it after the party said it held 76 conventions all on the same day.

A district court judge recently sided with the DFL, finding that the Legal Marijuana Now Party did not establish committees or meet leadership requirements under law. They also didn't conduct "any convention for Minnesota's eight congressional districts and at least 45 Minnesota state legislative districts or counties."

Judge Edward Wahl recommended Minnesota's Secretary of State should "take all appropriate actions necessary to reflect that the Legal Marijuana Now Party is not a major political party in Minnesota" ahead of elections this summer and fall.

Some of the requirements have been in statute for years, but changes made last session required political parties to report those to the Secretary of State's office in order to maintain major party status in the state. The DFL argues only their party and the Republican Party of Minnesota met those requirements.

"The burden is not severe," argued attorney David Zoll on behalf of the DFL Party. "They could have brought themselves into compliance, and bringing themselves into compliance with that structure would not affect their ability to select their leaders, to choose candidates, to set their platform, to advance their goals, to choose their membership or communicate with voters, all of the things that are protected by the First Amendment."

Supreme Court justices questioned all the parties on whether the requirements were burdensome.

"It does strike me that the statutory scheme is awfully detailed and awfully invasive, am I right or wrong about that?" asked Associate Justice G. Barry Anderson.

The DFL defended the law as needed to show that a party has broad support across the state and deserves major party status and all the benefits that come with it, including automatic ballot access, protections for the party's name and qualification for public campaign subsidies.

Previously, a party could achieve major party status by maintaining a party organization and having at least one statewide candidate on the general election ballot who received at least 5% of the vote. Democrats raised the threshold to 8% of the vote in elections starting this fall.

Kaardal said the previous requirements have passed constitutional muster, as would increasing that threshold to 8% of the vote, but the new requirements are "directly regulating internal party affairs."

"The implications of your decision are very important because the state Legislature is watching," Kaardal said. "Is this a path that we want to go down? Do we want more of these regulations regulating the internal affairs of major political parties, minor political parties ... because that's where we're going if we don't have a strong bright line."

Democrats have been critical of the marijuana party, alleging that Republicans recruited candidates to run under their party banner in past elections, siphoning enough votes from their candidates to hand Republicans victory in key races.

Attorney Jon Woodruff, an assistant attorney general representing the Secretary of State's office, said if the DFL's petition prevails, the Legal Marijuana Now Party could still have access to the ballot on the upcoming election as a third party in the state.

He asked the court to rule before May 15 to give state local election administrators enough time to understand their requirements for the state's August primary and November general elections.
In responses ranging from disinterested to comatose, Republican leadership registered little concern about the demise of HB 509 last night.





Could it be that the sponsors were unable to generate sufficient enthusiasm/votes in the Senate to justify calling the damnable thing? Or could it be that a bipartisan public expressed its opposition with such vehemence that lawmakers admitted their error in judgment and retreated?

To paraphrase Lexington Herald Leader reporter Austin Horn, both things can be true.

Following Senate adjournment, Floor Leader Damon Thayer told Lexington Herald Leader Frankfort Bureau Chief Tessa Duvall, and other reporters, there just wasnt any energy in the (Republican) caucus to get it done.

Hardly anybody brought it up to me. I think maybe one person over the weekend brought it up, but thats it.

And with the charm, wit, and statement for the obvious that has endeared him to few  and that even fewer will miss  he added, I think thats an issue that probably isnt going away.

Thayer noted that he had urged (sponsor Rep. John) Hodgson to work with the sponsors of the various floor amendments to HB 509 to come up with a better version of the bill before the start of next years session in January.

Hodgson would be better advised to discuss any new proposal with stakeholders and experts who know a bit more about the open records law and how, in reality, it works. He should avoid the legislative echo chamber of lawmakers who know or care so little about the open records law  or who feign ignorance of the law to advance specious and half-baked arguments in favor of open records legislation that reflects the peoples will.

Communicated in what, we imagine, was his typically dyspeptic manner, Senate President Robert Stivers said he was personally in favor of the bill and also anticipated it would be up for discussion during the interim.

Someone should suggest to the president that consultation and collaboration extending beyond those who have demonstrated nothing but contempt for the Kentucky open records law may be appropriate in the interim.

It was, after all, Thayer who in 2018 introduced an amendment aimed at excluding from the definition of public record documents concerning public business held on private devices and cell phones. And it was Stivers who backed his play.





Lawmakers may have been, with few exceptions, unable to work up much enthusiasm for the topic, but Kentuckians did not suffer from this malaise. As Kentuckys legislative director for conservation advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, Liam Gallagher, emphasized in testimony to the Senate State and Local Government Committee  the fact that we are here with the Kentucky Press Association should raise alarm bells.

Gallagher characterized HB 509 as a specious attempt to strengthen the states open records law that would inevitably lead to less transparency and possibly open the door to evasion of records management and records disclosure obligations. Even the truncated version of the bill that subsequently emerged from committee by a slim margin  after a hastily adopted committee sub was unadopted in committee  demonstrates the point.

After adjournment, Sen. Gex Williams, the lone Republican to vote no on HB 509 in committee, suggested that big changes need to have eyes on [them] over a period of time. Additionally, he recognized the efforts of opponents of the bill in securing its defeat. Public scrutiny of the bill had a great deal of influence on its demise, he told reporters.

The sponsor of HB 509, Rep. Hodgson, lamented that we did not proactively address the electronic communication issue this session.

The need for this legislation will likely become more evident over the next year, he said. We need to clearly define the balance between public disclosure and personal privacy.

Hodgsons observations are interesting given the fact that the courts have thus far done nothing more than restore the status quo in open records analysis after Attorney General Daniel Cameron went completely off the rails in a 2021 open records decision. It was Cameron who repudiated nearly five decades of interpretation holding that it is the nature and purpose of the record, not the place it is kept, that determines its status as a public record subject to the open records law. But for radical reinterpretation of the open records law by Cameron and recently by his successor  the legal landscape would be unchanged.

The bill of goods sold to, or being sold by, Rep. Hodgson and supporters of this bill brought Kentucky to a new level of crazy, with public employees purportedly jealously guarding their personal cellphone and job seekers allegedly fleeing the jurisdiction. Kentucky entered this bizarro world of open records analysis based on claims of a hitherto unimagined tension between the publics right to know and personal privacy rights.

The fight that lies ahead is one aimed at persuading lawmakers that their facts are fiction. Lawmakers should also be reminded that in this moment of political polarization, they flew to close to the sun, running into a rare slice of common ground: distrust of the motives of government officials, and resistance to a plan that would allow them to operate with less scrutiny.

Coordinating efforts to defeat the near certain return of some variant of HB 509 should commence almost immediately. Our lodestar should be Avoiding public scrutiny is neither bold nor conservative; it is weak and reactionary.

However nefarious the backroom horse trading may have been that lead to the decision not to call HB 509, we who fought it are entitled to savor the victory  even the appearance of victory  of the people of Kentucky over legally sanctioned government secrecy. As I wrote earlier, the power of the people was on display. People from all walks of life  left, right, Democrat, Republican, poor, rich, across the spectrum  came together to talk about the importance of our right to know.




To the editor: UC Berkeley School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky invited his third-year students to dinner at his home, a gesture of kindness and caring that isn't typical in graduate schools. ("'Please leave!' A Jewish UC Berkeley dean confronts pro-Palestinian activist at his home," April 10)

The dean, known for his advocacy of free speech, was then "thanked" by a small contingent of pro-Palestinian law students, disrupting the party with their smuggled-in microphone and speaker. This had been preceded by the posting of antisemitic signs around the law school saying, "No dinner with Zionist Chem while Gaza starves."

When Chemerinsky and his wife, UC Berkeley law professor Catherine Fisk, tried to get the protesting students to leave, they said that their free-speech rights were being ignored. However, the constitutional law class I was in clearly taught us that the free speech guaranteed by the 1st Amendment applied to acts of Congress, not to antisemitic disruptions at a private home.

Chemerinsky's and Fisk's offer to host students, their measured response in asking the protesters to leave their home and Chemerinsky's well-written public response clearly show what mensches they are.

Ken Goldman, Beverly Hills

..

To the editor: Speaking as the mother of a recent UC Berkeley law student who graduated in the top 10% of her class, I want to express my shock and outrage at the behavior of Fisk, who physically confronted the student, an act that was thankfully caught on video.

There is never a reason for any teacher to put their hands on a student who is simply exercising their right to speak. In my opinion, as a "consumer" of Berkeley Law's very expensive services, Fisk showed deplorably poor judgment, causing me to question the value of my investment in this university.

Grabbing a third-year graduating law student from behind to stop her speaking at a university-sponsored dinner event to honor graduating law students? Did this have to do with the fact that the hijab-wearing female student was offering a blessing in Arabic? Would she have grabbed my blond, blue-eyed daughter, had she offered a blessing in English?

The fact that this physical aggression toward a Muslim student occurred during the religious day of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, adds to the insult.

Eileen White Read, Santa Barbara

..

To the editor: Far be it for me to argue constitutional law with Chemerinsky, but he may be on shaky ground here when he says that the 1st Amendment does not apply to dinner at his home.

The event in question was clearly a law school activity (rather than a simple private dinner), organized by Chemerinsky in his capacity as law school dean (rather than as a private citizen), and funded by the university itself.

Rather than considering calling in the police, perhaps a better strategy would have been to call in Larry David: The entire sorry spectacle, complete with rude behavior, shouting and (especially) the struggle over the microphone would seem to have the makings of a new "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode.

Mark Fisher, Irvine

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Protesters shout during a demonstration against the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs. Wade at the Arizona state Capitol in Phoenix on June 24, 2022. (Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)

To the editor: Regarding the abortion debate, I'd like to see personal choice foes follow their own logic. ("As a pregnant law professor in Arizona, I fear the abortion ban," Opinion, April 11)

They say that abortion access is a matter of states' rights because the people of Texas or Arizona have different opinions than the people of California. However, it's also true that within Texas, the people of Austin feel differently than the people of another city, so shouldn't abortion laws be governed by cities, not states?

Taking it further, some neighborhoods in Austin feel differently than others, so shouldn't each neighborhood make its own abortion rules?

The final step in the logic path is that each person in each neighborhood has a different viewpoint, so shouldnt we have  drum roll  personal choice?

Jay Lynch, Pittsburgh

..

To the editor: I know that I am in the minority, but I consider abortion to be the murder of babies.

An embryo is the first stage of life. If the embryo survives, a human being is born. If there's no embryo, there will be no human being.

The only acceptable reason for having an abortion is if it concerns the health of the mother or the future child. If people want to engage in sexual activity without becoming pregnant, there are safeguards available.

Michael Gesas, Beverly Hills

..

To the editor: Reading Caitlin Millat's reaction to the Arizona Supreme Courts ruling on a totally obsolete 1864 statute banning abortion caused more of a "lump in my throat" than anything I've every read or heard in my life.

The totally abominable injustice of men making decisions on women's reproductive rights is way beyond stultifying. Men have no idea what women go through; that also goes for Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., who wrote the decision overturning Roe vs. Wade in 2022.

Richard Parr, Santa Monica

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Letters to the Editor: Trump lies all the time. Biden has lied before. There's a difference

To the editor: Buried more than 20 paragraphs into your article on the presidential candidates' instances of dishonesty and mistakes, there is a statement by Joe Biden that is propped up as a lie that justifies this comparison to Donald Trump.

President Biden's "lie"? That he visited ground zero in New York the day after 9/11, when he actually went nine days later.

Contrasting this misstatement with the torrent of lies and malicious fabrications that flow nonstop from former President Trump, and having a print headline that says, "Candidates' lies, errors pile up," does a significant disservice to readers.

Such far-stretched comparisons only serve to further normalize Trump's weaponization of distorted facts and pure make-believe as legitimate political discourse.

As a 40-year subscriber to this publication, I implore you to maintain higher standards. Our democracy and collective future depend on the voters' ability to distinguish between the firehose of lies and somewhat harmless misstatements. The differences between the two are in no way comparable.

Mark Van Leeuwen, Newhall

..

To the editor: Trump's unbeatable record of lies makes one wonder why the media continue to report on him as if anything he says could possibly be true.

One recent example: When the Arizona Supreme Court turned back the clock to 1864 for women, and there was a huge outcry in protest, Trump made it seem as if he was in favor of leaving abortion laws up to each state. Over and over again the media reported him saying this, even though it is clear he has no problem telling lies without any moral compass or care of the consequences.

Hopefully enough voters will be so fed up with all of his lies that he will not get a second term as president.

Mary Carlson, Mission Viejo

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SIR  Those calling for Israel to respond with restraint to the latest attack on its territory should reflect on the fact that many non-democratic regimes, like playground bullies, interpret restraint as both weakness and an opportunity for further aggression.



The democratic West forced Ukraine to restrain its response in 2014, after Russia annexed Crimea, and continues to restrain it today. Do we really think fundamentalist Iran is more enlightened than Russia?



Deborah Tompkinson

Maidenhead, Berkshire

SIR  Charles Moore (Comment, April 16) writes that the Wests advice to Israel is not to retaliate because that leads to escalation, and so Tehran will notice, and be emboldened, which in turn means that Iran will naturally escalate.

Israel cannot stand back and allow this to happen.



Murray Surtees

Southern River, Western Australia

SIR  It is vital that Iran is prevented from getting nuclear weapons because its leaders are irrational enough to use them.

Israel now has the perfect excuse to go after Irans nuclear facilities in retaliation. It must be extremely tempting.



Bob Shacklock

Onchan, Isle of Man

SIR  In defiance of what is common sense to most of us, Foreign Office mandarins will have placed before the Government a list of superficially plausible reasons, no doubt beautifully articulated, why the nefarious and vicious Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) should not be proscribed by the UK as a terrorist organisation.



Common sense has been an infrequent visitor to King Charles Street in recent years. It seems the same might now be said of Downing Street.



Terry Smith

London NW11

SIR  I listened carefully to the Iran and Israel statement and questions in the House of Commons on Monday. Twice the Prime Minister claimed that the IRGC has been sanctioned in its entirety.



Yet David Jones, the Conservative MP for Clwyd West, asserted that members of the IRGC can be seen dining out in restaurants in west London quite regularly.



Surely they cannot both be correct.



Keith Phair

Felixstowe, Suffolk

SIR  Recent events have again demonstrated the vital importance of air power.



Israel and Western security were protected by the judicious use of an integrated air-defence system to repel Iranian attacks.

We are living through a very dangerous time. We need to invest and prepare now.



Gp Capt Bob Evans (retd)

Cardiff



Ulez errors

SIR  I have an almost antique silver Mazda with an unusual number plate that has been identified by the Ulez system.



It turns out that a black Audi is being mistaken for my vehicle. I wonder if others are having this problem, resulting in their cars being charged even though they are still in the garage.



Hugh Blanchard

Bromley, Kent

SIR  Charles Coopers letter (Orwellian Ulez threats, April 16) illustrates how inept the system is.



My son received a penalty charge. The details and registration number of his vehicle, a 2003 Ford Mondeo, were correct. However, the vehicle in the accompanying photograph  the proof  was clearly different, possibly a Nissan SUV and certainly not my sons car (which had never been within 100 miles of London).



As in Mr Coopers case, Transport for London would not accept this. He had to photograph his vehicle and send copies to the Ulez agents before they accepted they were wrong and withdrew the penalty. Who controls such an obviously flawed operation?



Arthur Bayley

Tyldesley, Lancashire

SIR  I am reminded of the action TfL took against me over Congestion Charge fines  which I had in fact paid  involving Northampton court threats, bailiff visits and so on.



I counter-claimed compensation for the distress caused and won thousands of pounds. I did this on my own, with no solicitor. My advice is to go for it.



John Wallace

London SW18



The ban wagon

SIR  I have just listened to Professor Sir Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, justifying the smoking ban because people can get addicted from an early age. The same applies to alcohol, so will the Government seek to ban that next?



Jonathan Yardley

Wolverhampton

SIR  Eliminating cigarette smoke in Britain will only see its replacement by the pungent smell of cannabis, which seems to pervade every high street.



I do wish those who want tobacco banned in this country would do the same to clear our streets of the illegal use of drugs.



Brian Thorne

Shillingstone, Dorset



Safely received

SIR  After leaving the Wrens in 1948, my aunt became an announcer for the British Overseas Airways Corporation at London Airport.



She had to go through six weeks of training to learn how to announce clearly. This involved eradicating her typical upper-class accent (Letters, April 16) and adopting a certain pitch. Every six months she was sent on a refresher course.



The BBC voice was invented to allow everyone to hear and understand what was being said. The enunciation of vowels was important for the hard-of-hearing, for example. The newsreaders were also originally trained to keep their voices deadpan, not inflecting emotion, so as to avoid any suggestion of bias.



Received Pronunciation, it is thought, started around 1800, with the advent of the public schools and then the railways, and is supposedly the Mayfair dialect. Before that all classes spoke with regional dialects, and even those would vary from village to village.



Timothy Morgan-Owen

Melbourne, Derbyshire

Insurance hikes

SIR  The recent surge in home and motor insurance (Letters, April 16) comes soon after providers were forced to stop offering lower premiums to new customers. Clearly, when the opportunity to shop around existed, it focused the companies minds on renewal costs.



Now they effectively have a captive market, so can charge what they want. So much for market controls by government.



Alan Phillips

Brighton, East Sussex

SIR  Readers wondering why so little is being done about spiralling UK car insurance prices should not forget that the Government has a stake in the process via the Insurance Premium Tax, which is added to all premiums. It started at 2.5 per cent in 1994 but is now 12 per cent and raises more than 7 billion a year  about the same as is raised by inheritance tax.



Bernard Kerrison

Boca Grande, Florida, United States

SIR  The company I was with quoted me 1,027 to renew my car insurance, up from 487. When I looked online, I managed to get two quotes for just over 500. Naturally, I went for the lower of the two, which seems to give me exactly the same cover as my previous policy.



Mary King

Farnham, Surrey

Ruinous weddings

SIR  I was married in 1961, when I was 22, and when hen nights did not really exist. I was very privileged, however: we had a beautiful service in the lovely old village church, followed by a champagne and canape reception in a marquee on the family lawn. My new husband and I then set off on our honeymoon. It was perfect and the memories sustain me still, now that I have been alone for eight months after 62 happy years with him.



Meanwhile, my granddaughter has gone to a European capital city for a hen weekend, the cost of which she can ill afford. Her partner is also in a European capital city for the stag do, and the wedding is to be held in yet another European capital. None of these cities has any particular meaning for the couple getting married.



I simply cannot understand a prospective bridal couple expecting friends to spend this sort of money. If they are determined to have this experience, they should pay for their guests as well. I just hope they are not also expecting a present.



Patricia Canneva

Epping, Essex

To debate, or not to debate, that is the question

A mosaic on Stoke Public Free Library, designed by Charles Lynam and opened in 1878 - John Keates /Alamy

SIR  Oliver Kamms attack on the London Library for hosting a discussion about a book he seemingly hasnt read or understood (Much ado about library event suggesting Shakespeare was female, report, April 14) can only help stir up some of the anti-intellectual sentiment he says he is so concerned about.



This book, already a set text on a Harvard history course called historical controversies, is a well-researched exploration of the history of Shakespeare doubt and its suppression.



In his complaint to the library, Mr Kamm scoffs at the idea that this subject is taboo, while demonstrating the taboo in action by arguing that the debate is wildly inappropriate. If established ideas can be so dangerously threatened by a book, might I suggest there is something here worth further exploration? Perhaps in a panel event with the author?



Dr Ros Barber

Goldsmiths, University of London

London SE14

SIR  There are many fine actors with disabilities who should have been considered for the role of Richard III (Theatre boss gets the hump over role of Richard III going to able-bodied actors, report, April 16). A non-disabled person will never be able to portray a disability adequately because they cannot know what being disabled feels like.



Shame on the Globe for not making the effort to have Richard III properly portrayed.



Sarah Leggat

Hollingbourne, Kent



The barriers that stood in the path to university

SIR  Pamela Taor (Letters, April 12) observes that she was able to receive a local authority grant to study medicine, to which there was an income-based parental contribution, unless one was a mature student who had paid tax and National Insurance for three years or more.



But in 1958, about 4 per cent of school-leavers went to university: by 1980 it was 8 per cent, and by 1990 15 per cent.

At that time many more people had O-levels than degrees. Grades have been inflated so much that today one would have to know a lot more about a graduate to determine calibre.



Previous generations either left school through choice at the minimum leaving age and trained on the job or, especially in the case of girls, were made to leave. Once one gets beyond the privately educated, a girl stood a better chance of getting to Oxford if her father was a teacher, or the parents feared she may not find a husband as a result of being too intelligent. And a much higher proportion of girls who did get to university dropped out to get married before taking their degree.



Jacqueline Castles

London W2

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Students attend a job fair in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The surveyed urban unemployment rate on average in China stood at 5.2 percent in the first quarter of 2024, down 0.3 percentage points from the same period last year, official data showed on Tuesday.

In March, the surveyed urban unemployment rate in the country came in at 5.2 percent, down 0.1 percentage points from the month before as well as March 2023, indicating a generally stable employment situation, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

As of the end of March, the total number of rural migrant workers grew 2.2 percent year on year to 185.88 million.

Tuesday's data also showed that China's gross domestic product grew 5.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of the year. 
Donald Armstrong, the Liberty City man shot multiple times by a Miami police officer during a mental breakdown last month, no longer will face charges that he assaulted a police officer.

On Tuesday, the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office said it will not pursue the charge of aggravated assault of a law enforcement against Armstrong. Instead, he will face a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest without violence, but in a lesser county court, prosecutors said.

On March 19, Armstrong was arrested and charged after he recovered from his gunshot wounds. Nearly a month later he still remains in jail, records show.

READ MORE: He didnt assault anybody. Man shot by Miami cops amid mental health crisis charged

Its a partial victory, but Im still disappointed that the state decided to proceed with a misdemeanor charge, Larry Handfield, Armstrongs attorney, told the Miami Herald.

Handfield said the resisting arrest without violence charge was inappropriate  and that Armstrong didnt deserve to be locked up or shot six times.

Miami police officer opened fire on him

On the day of the March 7 shooting, Armstrongs mother called police pleading for help saying her son, 47, was suffering a mental health crisis. A standoff ensued as Armstrong stood on the porch of his mothers home in the Model City neighborhood near Liberty City facing at least a half dozen officers with guns drawn.

In an effort to subdue him, police shot him twice with a Taser. As he fell forward off the porch toward the officers, captured on video, Miami Police Officer Kassandra Mercado opened fire. She hit him six times, according to Armstrongs attorneys Benjamin Crump and Handfield.

Police have not said how many times Armstrong was struck or why none of the other officers at the scene fired. The shooting is being investigated.

Mercado has been administratively reassigned. She normally patrols Model City.

For Handfield, police must do a better job when responding to calls related to mental health crises. But despite the legal win, Armstrong will remain in jail until his next hearing on May 22 due to a probation violation charge associated with his arrest.
CANTON, Ohio (WJW)  Braylen Smallwood and Treizion Allen entered the Stark County courtroom of Judge Kristin Farmer, having pleaded guilty on Friday to multiple charges including aggravated murder.

The charges arise from an incident on June 29 last year which police and the county prosecutor have described as an ambush on two detectives who were investigating an unrelated incident on 12th Street in Canton.

Student brings fake gun to local middle school

At least 14 shots were fired, one of them grazing one of the detectives.

Both of them addressed Smallwood and Allen in a courtroom overflowing with other officers who were there to show support on Tuesday.

They decided they were willing to end the lives of two people and take them from their friends and families. I thank God every day that nobody was seriously injured. I thank God that their planned intention of killing us failed and they failed, said Matthew Thomas.

Myself and other detectives have listened to hundreds of jail calls placed by these two since their initial incarceration in June of last year. They have continued to show no remorse for their actions. Mr. Smallwood has expressed he feels we should apologize to him and Mr. Allen has called himself a celebrity and bragged about his standing in the county jail to multiple women and fellow gang members, even going so far as creating t-shirts with his wanted picture from the initial news articles. An example needs to be set that these actions are not OK, he added.

Im going to use my time to thank the men and women who worked hard on this case. I want to thank the people who showed up and who laced up. I am forever grateful and to the people who think shooting at the police is OK and condone violence against the police, let it be a reminder that you are wrong. said Detective Mike Herrera.

Both of the detectives as well as the court agreed to a previously negotiated sentence of 20 years for each of the defendants.

But both Smallwood and Allen had family members speak on their behalf asking the court for some mercy.

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First off, I want to apologize to the detectives on behalf of my son. This situation could have played out in so many ways. Officers could have got hurt, my son could have got hurt, said Brandy Smallwood, Braylens mother.

He was at the wrong place at the wrong time and I apologize. It was a tragic mistake, but I know that he didnt purposely do it, she told the court.

Smallwoods attorney, Gina Kuhlman, showed the court photos of her client when he graduated from high school and with his newborn daughter two years ago.

Hes being described as trying to murder cops. I dont believe that this young man had any idea these were police officers. They were unmarked cars, did not announce themselves as police officers, did not look like police officers. They looked like gang thugs, Kuhlman told the court.

I believe with all my heart he didnt mean to attempt to kill anybody. He didnt wake up that morning and, Im going to go kill a cop. He didnt wake up that morning and say, Im going to kill anybody, but he made a horrible, horrible choice to pick up that gun and shoot, she added.

Allens Aunt, Tamara Robinson, questioned the fairness of the sentence to which both men agreed.

If these two young men were white instead of Black, would the sentence be the same? Let us all ponder on that, however we all know the answer is no, said Robinson

Both Smallwood and Allen also spoke, each apologizing to the two detectives.

On that day, June 29, I didnt know it was officers pulling up on us that day. We were on our way to a funeral. We didnt wake up thinking hopefully we run into these two people or hopefully we run into any type of cops, said Allen.

We were on our way to a funeral, the first time leaving the house that whole day. Never had the intention of causing no harm to nobody, he said, telling the court that in previous encounters with officers there was no aggression towards them on his behalf.

I just want to make it known that we did not know that those two were the unmarked vehicle, were the officers. I want to apologize to them because I really feel like we (did not know there were) officers in that vehicle, said Smallwood.

Me and co-defendant were both in fear for our lives. We didnt know who it was in that unmarked vehicle. My firearm is in my name, so I was just in fear of my life and I just took action but I do want to apologize to the officers, he concluded.

Judge Farmer, however, accepted the agreed sentence on charges that also included firearms specifications, criminal gang specifications and additional charges of felonious assault, tampering with evidence and charges against Allen that included having weapons under disability.

The court finds that this case reflects an increasing concern in this community that is criminal gang activity that seeks to undermine the sanctity of the principles of law and order upon which this country was built, said Judge Farmer before officially passing sentence.

The sentence in this case must not only reflect the communitys intolerance to such conduct, but must serve to deter others from engaging in it, she added.

County Prosecutor Kyle Stone, who told FOX 8 he knows both of the families, called the sentence fair.

One of the things that when I was elected to office, fairness, he told FOX 8 following the sentencing

Thats one thing that I dont tolerate is unfairness and lopsidedness. Especially as an African American male, especially as the elected county prosecutor, it has been a priority to me to ensure that we are consistent across the board with what we are expecting and asking the court to impose when the facts and circumstances are similar, said Stone

Not only is there a zero tolerance for gun violence, but you cant ambush the police whether you knew it or didnt know it. Thats unacceptable and so hopefully it serves notice that there are consequences to your actions and you must be willing to take responsibility, Stone added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Liz Truss has said she would like to see the United Nations abolished, claiming she did not see a purpose for the organisation.

The former prime minister, who served as foreign secretary under Boris Johnson, accused the UN of playing a damaging role in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

She also questioned Chinese and Russian membership of the UN Security Council, a group of 15 countries that has struggled to reach agreement on North Korea and Syria in recent years.

Ms Truss told the BBCs Newscast podcast: I cant see a purpose for the UN as it stands. At present it has been very ineffective at dealing with international situations, in fact positively damaging, for example, on Israel.

Asked whether she wanted to abolish the UN, she replied: I do recommend abolishing quite a lot of things in my book. Im not a UN fan. I think the best use it has is actually as a meeting point for governments.

But certainly the UN Security Council, as its currently constituted with both China and Russia on, is not keeping the world safe  I much more support alliances of like-minded countries like Nato.

Last month, the UN Security Council passed a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza that was not contingent on the release of more than 100 Israeli hostages by Hamas terrorists.

Israel Katz, the Israeli foreign minister, said his country would not abide by the resolution, while Barbara Woodward, the UKs ambassador to the UN, said Britain would have preferred for the motion to explicitly condemn Hamas.

In an interview to promote her book Ten Years to Save the West, the MP for South West Norfolk called for China to be denied access to trading markets and suggested anybody who wished to do business with Beijing should be seen as a pariah.

What I believe is we are far too free and easy in the way we trade with China, she said. What I saw in government was too many people who were concerned with the short-term economic benefits of trade with China rather than the very serious long-term costs.

Reflecting on her time as foreign secretary, she also claimed both the Foreign Office and the US harboured too much scepticism towards Israel.

Everyones entitled to an opinion, but its more that its within the advice and the culture of the organisation that its very rare that youll get strongly pro-Israel advice, she said.

I think the US at the moment is often very critical of Israel, who are in an incredibly difficult position. They face the appalling atrocities that we saw in October and in my view they have to be allowed to get on with dealing with the real problems they face on their doorstep.

There is a scepticism about Israel  Every single department I worked in had biases in particular directions, and the Foreign Office was no exception.

In autumn 2022, Ms Truss resigned amid untenable pressure from Conservative MPs after only 49 days as prime minister following a mini-Budget that spooked the gilts market and saw public borrowing costs soar.

Her premiership saw the Tories fall more than 20 points behind Labour in the opinion polls, a deficit from which the party has struggled to recover, but on Tuesday she insisted that she had been alone in setting out a plan for economic growth.

I went in there with a genuine view of what needs to be improved, she said. I havent heard anyone else come up with an alternative view to stop the British economy stagnating.

Ms Truss was also asked about the Daily Stars live stream of a lettuce, pitting the rate of its decay against the demise of her government, with the lettuce ultimately outlasting her administration.

She responded: This is just pathetic, you know, points scoring. This is the kind of thing that obsesses what I describe as the London elite. Its what do other people think of me, whats Britains international standing ...

Id put forward perfectly rational policies that I won a leadership election on. What happened is that I was undermined by organisations like the Bank of England.

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Youll sit there and be quiet, Tarrant County judge tells commissioner during exchange

Tempers flared Tuesday between County Judge Tim OHare and commissioner Alisa Simmons over a contract between the judge and a political consultant.

OHare said the $5,000 contract with political consultant Noah Betz would replace a soon to be vacated communications position in his office.

Betz is the principal of Bluestone Creatives, a Metroplex-based political marketing, communications and design firm. He also serves as executive director of Huffines Liberty Foundation, a think-tank that describes itself as advancing liberty and prosperity across Texas.

Before leading the foundation and Bluestone, Betz worked as a campaign consultant for candidates and organizations. Betz served on Republican Attorney General Ken Paxtons re-election team and oversaw marketing and communications for Republican state Sen. Don Huffines.

The argument between OHare and Simmons came after six people spoke to oppose the contract. The speakers cited Betzs conservative political record, calling it an ethical violation and misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Simmons then shared her own concerns with the contract.

That prompted Simmons and OHare to bicker about their X accounts being political.

At the peak of the argument OHare lashed out at Simmons and said, Im the one talking now, so youll sit there and be quiet and listen to me talk.

Dont tell me when and when not to talk, Simmons responded. This is my court too.

The contract passed with a 3-2 vote along party lines, with Simmons and fellow Democrat Roy Brooks voting against the contract.

OHare downplayed the the concerns brought up in public comment.

I would never do anything illegal, I would never put myself and my freedom in jeopardy, OHare said. I have a wife and children. Some of this stuff is just simply nonsense and repeated talking points over and over.

Republican Commissioner Manny Ramirez said he thought the contract was efficient and that OHare was doing more with less by opting to contract with Betz instead of hiring a full time employee to fill the role.

At the close of the public portion of the meeting, Kennedy Jones, pastor of Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church in Arlington, condemned OHares behavior toward Simmons.

Jones described OHares outburst as demeaning and offensive.

Those words hearken back to a time when women could not vote, to a time when they were virtually owned by their husband, Jones said. Those words came with a sting and a bite that was offensive, not just to the commissioner, but to everyone thats sitting in this room.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Law enforcement across the state are also mourning the deaths of two officers killed Sunday in the line of duty  a Syracuse police officer and an Onondaga County sheriffs deputy.

Praying for Syracuse officers, the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association posted on X, formerly known as Twitter on Sunday night.

This tragedy especially hits home for a Niagara County Sheriffs deputy who was an officer in Syracuse who knew one of the officers who was killed.

Certainly, were all mourning the loss and the tragedy that occurred yesterday, anytime you see law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, its shocking, said Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti.

When you see something like this happen, where two officers, an officer and a deputy, are shot and killed it certainly resonates with my people here.

CBS to re-air Billy Joel special that was cut short

According to the Officer Down Memorial page, 38 police officers have been killed this year in New York state, most of them in car crashes, followed by shooting deaths. The Niagara County Sheriff once again is criticizing bail reform.

Ill keep it real simple, you can start punishing criminals again in New York state is what you can do to make it stop, Filicetti said.

The tragedy also resonates with community groups that help police and their families, like Op Overwatch based in Lockport. The organization provides a proactive, holistic approach to trauma.

What we do is we try to serve and care for the whole officer, we do that through benevolence work, we do that through outreach, we do that through training, trauma training and theres our faith-based portion of it, said David Budz, director of Op Overwatch. Budz is also the pastor of The Center Church and is a former FBI agent.

The group has wellness teams that meet with police departments. Budz says early intervention during a crisis is crucial.

Your first thing is to care for your officers to care for those who are on scene, those guys and what they saw. Infant death and death of a fellow officer are the hardest things when it comes to the effects of trauma, Budz said.

Op Overwatch posted on Facebook: We pray.We pray in sorrow, asking for peace. We pray in anger, asking for leadership to do something for the most violently oppressed profession in the USA.

Sheriff Filicetti says he plans to travel to Syracuse for any funeral arrangements.

Latest Local News

Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Joe Metcalfe was 15 when he resolved to launch a terror attack in the UK. Shut in his bedroom in his family home, drinking vodka and smoking cannabis, he had become embroiled in the online world of neo-Nazis working to trigger an international race war.

The acne-afflicted teenager was referred to the Prevent counter-terrorism programme by his school in 2021 after teachers became concerned about his extreme views and behaviour. But instead of moving away from violence, he tried to manipulate an ideological mentor into believing he was changing his views while secretly plotting a horrific attack.

He is part of a growing phenomenon of teenage terror offenders in Britain, with 2023 seeing a new record of 42 under-18s arrested for crimes including sharing terrorist propaganda and encouraging attacks.

Joe Metcalfe was convicted of plotting a terror attack on a mosque - Crown Prosecution Service/PA Wire

In the most recent case, a 16-year-old from Cowes on the Isle of Wight was jailed for seven years this week. Like Metcalfe, that teenager  who cannot be named for legal reasons  was 15 at the time of the offences and had been radicalised online, but he became obsessed with jihadists instead of neo-Nazis.

The boy, from a secular white British family, converted to Islam in late 2021 was described by a judge as an isolated and troubled young man who looked for the fellowship and comfort of a religious faith. Instead, he ended up following a warped and corrupted form of Islam after inept searches for information on social media led him to extremist groups. One of his tutors noticed a photograph of Osama bin Laden was the background picture on his phone.

The teenager initially researched the Isle of Wight music festival as a potential target, before planning to murder people he believed had insulted his new religion, while spreading graphic Isis propaganda celebrating beheadings and international terror attacks.

Even if I do get caught, Im 15  they will just tell me off and put me on some prevention course, trust me, he bragged online after an Instagram user warned against sharing the gory videos.

Kingston Crown Court heard that the boy had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was five, and later had his childhood shattered by the death of his father. He told a psychiatrist, who assessed that he had impaired social skills and difficulty expressing himself, that he had no friends and had a bad time at school.

The number of teenage terror offenders has jumped by a third year-on-year, and means that one in five terror suspects arrested in the UK is now legally considered a child  a figure counter-terror police have called truly shocking.

While a child has not yet successfully launched a terror attack in the UK, fears about the real-world threat they could pose were realised in Australia on Monday.

A teenage boy is accused of stabbing a bishop and a priest during an alleged terror attack at a Sydney church, with police saying his comments suggested a religious motive. A third of the children convicted of terror offences in Britain since 2016 were preparing acts of terrorism, either by attempting to join Isis abroad or planning attacks on home soil.

An attack on a priest from the live stream at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Sydney on Monday

Dr Gina Vale, a University of Southampton criminologist who co-authored a report on Britains teenage terrorists in November, says the startling combination of social isolation, neurodivergence and adverse childhood experiences are not an exception but the rule among under-18s found guilty of terror offences.

Teenagers are forming their identity, and uncertainty about belonging and disillusionment is common, she says.

When they are gaining access to extremist materials that are far too easy to access online, grievances and frustrations can then develop into ideological causes, which is the problem.

Another common factor among teenage terror offenders is gender  of the more than 40 under-18s convicted of terror offences since 2016, only one was a girl.

Safaa Boular, then 17, planned a UK terror attack in 2017 alongside her sister and mother, in Britains first all-female terror cell. She had been romanced by a male Isis fighter, who was directing her actions online before he was killed in a US drone strike.

Safaa Boular, who was found guilty of plotting to carry out terrorist acts in 2017 when she was 17 - Reuters

Several male offenders have been misogynists obsessed with sexual violence, and some young neo-Nazi terrorists have also been prosecuted for child sex offences.

Metcalfes targets were two mosques in Keighley, near Bradford, where he planned to massacre worshipping Muslims while disguised as a police officer  with the plan only stopped after he crashed a stolen car during a reconnaissance mission.

But, while being prosecuted for his terror plot, he was also convicted of raping and abusing his 15-year-old girlfriend. He enjoyed manipulating her into saying and communicating racist things and making Nazi salutes, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told his sentencing hearing.

Metcalfes parents were in an abusive relationship and his mother moved out during the period he was committing the terror offences. The judge said his father will provide little effective guidance at the moment.

Vale and her colleagues are charting all child terror prosecutions in Britain through the Child Innocence Project, with the startling data showing distinct waves of activity.

Between 2016 and 2018, all convicted terror offenders under the age of 18 were inspired by Isis or al-Qaeda, but they were then overtaken by a wave of neo-Nazis inspired by National Action, a far-Right group now proscribed as a terror body, and its spin-off organisations.

Children driven by extreme Right-wing ideologies formed the majority of cases until 2022, when young jihadists inspired by Isis started to make a regular reappearance in the courts.

Were now seeing a more sustained terrorist or extremist activism from under-18s from across the ideological spectrum, Vale says. We have a new generation that is engaging with extremism in a new phase.

The dangers facing children were exacerbated during the Covid pandemic, when counter-terror police quickly warned of a perfect storm of people spending more time isolated and online, and with fewer of the protective factors that schooling, friends and family can provide, while extremist groups of all kinds were using the pandemic to further hateful narratives.

Officers are concerned about the rising number of children in their caseload, and are calling for parents and guardians to pay close attention to what they are viewing and sharing online.

Richard Smith, the acting senior national coordinator for UK Counter Terrorism Policing, says: Whilst our role is to stop anyone  no matter their age  committing terrorism offences or planning to cause harm to the public, it is truly shocking that almost one in every five of our arrests involves a young person.

Jonathan Hall KC, the UKs Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, says that tech giants do not have the resources in place to properly moderate billions of posts and messages, and that parents should take more of a role in policing their childrens online activities.

Theres going to be no perfect legal or technical solution to this, so its got to be a social solution about limiting childrens ability to have access to whatever they want, Hall says.

The expectation of what we allow our children to access has to change. We wouldnt allow a stranger into a childs bedroom, but we allow a phone in their bedroom that allows them to connect to the worst sort of strangers.

Such is the demand on security services that Hall has called for the Government to create alternatives to conventional criminal prosecution for low-risk children who have committed offences by looking at or sharing material online.

New court-imposed injunctions would see teenagers arrested and jailed if they broke strict conditions, including mandatory ideological mentoring, and how they browse, communicate and interact with other people online.

Hall warns that currently there is almost no long-term effect of prosecuting children for lower-level terror offences that do not garner significant jail sentences. He says authorities are finding it particularly difficult to judge the risk that young terror offenders may pose, and that recent cases showed that even where a teenager may not be planning violence themselves, they are capable of inspiring it abroad.

In 2021, the UKs youngest known terror offender was spared jail after recruiting for a neo-Nazi group at the age of just 13, and disseminating manuals on making explosives, guns and weapons. He had been charged with founding and overseeing a British cell of neo-Nazi terrorist group Feuerkrieg Division, which was led at the time by an Estonian boy who was just 13 himself.

Paul Dunleavy, jailed in November 2018, was also a member of Feuerkrieg Division

Some children have been consuming vast amounts of terrorist material, using peer-to-peer sharing to access banned Isis videos and manuals, as well as far Right manifestos and neo-Nazi books, videos and propaganda. Vale says the process often starts when initially harmless research on current events leads young people down online rabbit holes.

Once you start looking for certain content, for example the Ukraine war or the Mediterranean refugee crisis, its very easy to start getting on to platforms that are espousing a very different narrative and leading into more and more extreme ideas, she adds.

There is a lot of extremist propaganda thats focused on a teenage audience, particularly among the extreme Right-wing.

The disturbing trend is not expected to subside in the near future, with todays digitally native children expected to continue out-manoeuvring authorities attempts at limiting access to online material.

Hall expects more isolated and unhappy teenagers to be seen in Britains courts, warning that while many have been driven to the internet as a source of comfort  its also the source of terrorist information and inspiration.

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A London court rules against a Muslim girl who wanted to pray at a school known for strict rules

Exterior view of the 'Michaela Community School' in Brent, north west London, England, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. A Muslim student who wanted to pray during lunchtime has lost a court fight against a strict London school that had banned prayer on campus. A High Court judge said Tuesday that the female student had accepted when she enrolled in the school that she would be subject to religious restrictions. (Lucy North/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP)  A Muslim student who wanted to pray during lunchtime lost a court fight Tuesday against a strict London school that had banned prayer on campus.

A High Court judge said the female student had accepted when she enrolled in the school that she would be subject to religious restrictions.

She knew that the school is secular and her own evidence is that her mother wished her to go there because it was known to be strict," Justice Thomas Linden wrote in an 83-page ruling. Long before the prayer ritual policy was introduced, she and her friends believed that prayer was not permitted at school and she therefore made up for missed prayers when she got home.

The fight was over a rule put in place last year by the Michaela Community School after a small group of students who began praying in the schoolyard caused divisions at the school that spread to the community and led to a bomb threat. A Black teacher, who had confronted the praying students, was accused of disgusting, Islamophobic behavior and subjected to racist abuse in an online petition.

The high-performing secular school in the Wembley area imposes a rigid set of rules and discipline on its diverse body of students, half of whom are Muslim.

The Muslim girl, with her mother's help, sued the school for the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society.

The girl, who cannot be named by court order, said she wanted to pray over lunch break during a period of fall and winter when the height of the sun requires performing one of Islam's five daily prayer rituals at that time of day. She sued the school over the policy, claiming it violated her religious freedom and the European Convention on Human Rights.

The school argued that any interference the ban had on the girl's religious rights was justified because the prayer ritual conflicted with its strict rules and it was impractical to accommodate other students who wanted to pray. The school noted that Islam allows the prayer to be performed later in the day and said the student could transfer to a school that allowed prayer.

The judge said the larger purpose of the ban on prayer  to promote the school's ethos of integrating pupils from different faiths, cultures and ethnic backgrounds while minimizing social distinctions  outweighed its adverse impact on Muslim students.

Headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh, who calls herself Britains strictest headmistress, said the ruling was a victory for all schools.

A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves," she said in a statement. Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they have decided they dont like something at the school.

The student and her mother said through their lawyers that they were upset with the ruling.

Even though I lost, I still feel that I did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban," the girl said. I tried my best and was true to myself and my religion.
Lord Cameron has warned the European Court of Human Rights that it is planting the seeds of its own destruction by overreaching.

In some of his most outspoken comments about the court, the Foreign Secretary said it had overreached itself last week in its ruling that Governments have a duty to protect people from climate change.

However, he maintained that the Government had no plans to leave the court or the Council of Europe amid a growing clamour from Tory MPs for such a move.

Asked about the UKs future relations with the Strasbourg court in the Lords, Lord Cameron said: There are occasions, in my view, when this court overreaches itself and we saw one last week with respect to climate change, where it took a judgment against Switzerland.

And I think its dangerous when these courts overreach themselves, because ultimately were going to solve climate change through political will, through legislation in this House and the Commons, by the actions we take as politicians, by the arguments we put to the electorate  and so I do think theres a danger of overreach.

He added: These organisations are important, they do good work, but if they overreach they plant the seeds of their own destruction.

No plans to leave Convention

It echoes comments by Rishi Sunak at the weekend when he hit out at the complete overreach of the illegitimate ruling by the Strasbourg court that imposed a duty on Governments to achieve net zero.

In the first judgment of its kind, the court ruled that the human rights of a group of elderly Swiss women had been violated by the failure of their government to act quickly enough to tackle climate change. The ruling also applies to the UK.

Earlier this month, Mr Sunak raised the possibility of the UK leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if the Strasbourg court continued to block his delayed plans to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda. He said controlling immigration is more important than membership of the convention.

However, Lord Cameron said the Government has no plans to leave the ECHR or the Council of Europe, because it sees no inconsistency between its policies and membership.

The former prime minister recalled a Strasbourg court ruling during his premiership proposing that prisoners should be given the right to vote.

He said he believed Parliament should decide on such issues, and that repeated demands to give them the vote led to moments of extreme frustration.

Bravermans call to leave ECHR

In the past two days, Liz Truss, the former prime minister, and Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, have called for the UK to quit the ECHR.

On Tuesday Ms Braverman urged Rishi Sunak to quit the ECHR now  or risk losing the chance to do so for a decade.

She told the National Conservatism conference in Brussels that leaving the ECHR was not just the right and necessary thing to do but also the politically expedient option for the Government.

She said it would put pressure on Labour who would have to campaign on a platform of reversing the process instead of taking back control.

It would also show the Conservative Party to be principled as delaying it to make such a commitment in a manifesto or later would appear an act of desperation, she said.

Any attempt to include a plan for ECHR withdrawal in a losing Conservative party manifesto would likely set the cause back a generation, she warned.

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A federal appellate court this week refused to throw out a ban on housing incarcerated youth at Angola. (Photo credit: Jarvis DeBerry/Louisiana Illuminator)

A Louisiana Senate committee unanimously advanced a bill that would remove nitrogen gas asphyxiation from the approved list of execution methods.

The controversial method, which has only been used once, was added as an approved method during a special session on crime earlier this year. Louisiana law also allows for lethal injection and electrocution to be used in executions.

The bill, Senate Bill 430 by Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews, D-Monroe, advanced without objection from the Senate Committee on Judiciary B . Three committee members, Sens. Chair Mike Reese, R-Leesville, Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, and Jean-Paul Coussan, R-Lafayette, had voted for the bill to add nitrogen gas earlier this year.

Alabama became the first state to execute someone via nitrogen hypoxia in January. Kenneth Eugene Smith faced the death penalty for a 1988 murder. Since he was executed, multiple states have looked to add the method.

Through nitrogen hypoxia, a mask is affixed to the condemned persons face. Pure nitrogen gas is pumped through, causing the individual to die from a lack of oxygen.

Jackson-Andrews bill is supported by the Jews Against Gassing Coalition, an organization of Jewish Louisiana residents who oppose the use of gas for state-sanctioned deaths.

Several members of the group testified in favor of the proposal, noting the similarity between nitrogen gas asphyxiation and the gassing of Jews during the Holocaust.

We do not suggest comparisons to the atrocities of Nazi Germany under which millions of our relatives were murdered, Aaron Bloch, a representative of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, said. Still, we cannot imagine it possible that Jewish communities anywhere could stand by while prisoners are executed in our names using any variation of that mechanism.

Jackson-Andrews bill will next be considered by the Senate.

The post Louisiana might remove nitrogen gas as an execution option appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Elnur Enveroglu

Are the ideas about the so-called Armenian genocide true or false?

These ideas are still viewed with suspicion, even in Armenia.

For many years, Armenians have tried to show themselves as the most helpless and miserable people in sight of the world community by forging various stories and tragedies in order to draw attention and care to themselves in the geographical areas they migrated to. However, the real fact is that Armenians first migrated to Van and Erzurum provinces of Turkiye in mass and later to Azerbaijani lands, where they constantly committed riots and massacres.

The forced removal of more than a hundred thousand Azerbaijanis in Yerevan and the mass killing of the rest is a separate historical fact.

Armenian politicians, diplomats, journalists, and social media users share several photos or videos depicting the so-called Armenian genocide. Of these photos, the photo "Crucified Women" attracts more attention, according to reliable sources.

Thus, Armenians share this photo as a confirmation of the so-called "genocide."

The story dates back to 1915, and the alleged crucifixion of young women was carried out by the Ottoman Empire.

Recall that the years 191516 coincided with a period when the Ottoman state was weakening. At that time, the Ottoman army was expelled from the holy land, that is, from Mecca, and as a result, the leadership of Saudi Arabia formed an alliance with Great Britain.

In addition, the territories of the Ottoman state in the Balkans began to shrink. The old kingdom, which had lost the potential to fight back or conquer the territory, had neither the time nor the technical capabilities to kill a group of Armenians or commit genocide.

This period was actually an opportunity for Armenians to confirm their existence in these territories. Everyone remembers well that when Sultan Abdulhamid Khan was dethroned, some of those who surrounded him were Armenian revolutionaries.

If we look back a bit, it can be shown as a historical fact that Armenians caused uprisings and sabotage in the Tokat and Merzifon areas of Turkiye. The most violent of such provocations took place in 1892, and as a result, the provocateurs were silenced by Abdul Hamid Khan's Hamidiyya Regiment. However, the Armenians did not stay calm and continued the provocations inside the country and even attempted coups by creating cooperation with secret agents and groups of espionage coming to the country from abroad.

As for how Armenians came to the territory of Turkiye, there is a separate historical fact about it. However, everyone knows that Armenians have historically followed a policy of expansion by purposefully entering the territories of Turkiye (then Ottoman State) and Azerbaijan, causing provocations and usurping lands.

The capital city of today's Armenia is actually known as the city of Erivan, which is the historical territory of Azerbaijan. Until then, Armenians did not have a capital or ancient cities. Armenia, which claimed to establish a state over Turkish lands until the fall of the Ottoman state, later took refuge in Soviet Bolshevism due to the failure of these attacks. Thus, Armenians started to make an inrush to the east of Turkiye with their mischief.

Today, as before, Armenians are adept at exaggerating small incidents and faking so-called genocide stories. The Armenian lobby, which later tried to call the 2023 anti-terrorist operation a genocide, did not slow down its propaganda machine in this direction. However, unlike previous histories, Armenian lies, which could not overcome the technological realities of today, were stillborn. A state that calls a group of people who left Garabakh with their own volition and are still alive dead is trying to spread the story of the so-called genocide to the countries of the world by giving the status of martyrs to a group of bandits in 1915. The Armenian authorities should conduct a little deeper investigation. Because in fictional history, there may be more nuances that will raise doubts.
NAIROBI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The dream of a green, resilient, and inclusive future for Africa is within reach once governments harness the ingenuity of grassroots women and girls to boost action on the escalating climate crisis, senior UN officials said Tuesday at a forum in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

Mehjabeen Alarakhia, the UN Women's regional advisor on women's economic empowerment for East and Southern Africa, stressed the critical role of women in boosting the continent's ability to withstand climatic shocks.

While acknowledging that climate change has disproportionately impacted Africa's rural women and girls, Alarakhia said they could also be tapped to implement resilient measures, including natural resources conservation.

"Climate change threatens the livelihoods of African women and girls, intensifying their health risks and inability to access clean water. But women's input should be at the heart of climate response," Alarakhia said.

Convened by UN Women, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the three-day forum, which runs from April 16 to 18, will discuss the critical role of gender-responsive climate policies in advancing Africa's green agenda.

Delegates from more than 30 African countries, drawn from governments, civil society, academia, and indigenous communities, are attending the conference to chart a new gender-inclusive and green future pathway for Africa.

Alarakhia emphasized the need for climate-proof sectors that are critical to the survival and well-being of Africa's grassroots, including agriculture, water, health, forestry, and energy.

William Otieno, the UNFCCC regional lead for East and Southern Africa, observed that empowering African women and girls will be key to achieving the continents' desired outcomes during global climate negotiations.

According to Otieno, gender inclusivity should inform national and regional processes geared toward a just and sustainable transition in a continent reeling from a host of climate disasters.

Evelyn Koech, the team leader of Environment and Resilience at UNDP Kenya, said African countries required gender-inclusive policies in order to tame the devastating impacts of climate change, including floods, droughts, forced displacement, and resource-based conflicts, taking a heavier toll on women.

Koech added that for the continent to transition to a more resilient and green future, governments should integrate gender parity in climate finance and efforts to achieve net-zero targets. 
An internet accessibility program that provides low-cost connections for 23 million American households will run out of money by the end of April, unless Congress takes action in the next few weeks.

The Affordable Connectivity Program launched in 2021, offering low-income recipients between $30-$75 a month off their monthly internet bill. In turn, many internet providers nationwide offer deeper discounts to recipients, leading to many families receiving completely free service.

According to the White House, one in every six families relies on the program to stay connected, including more than 358,000 Washington households.

Nearly half of those households are military families, about a quarter of them are seniors, said Jon Donenberg, the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council. Affordable, reliable high-speed internet is really an essential part of life in the 21st century. Its a requirement for Americans to effectively participate in school, to do their jobs, often access health care  especially in rural areas  and to stay connected to their loved ones.

Adrienne McClintock is among the millions who have come to depend on the Affordable Connectivity Program to stay in touch. The Illinois resident and her fiance have received free high-speed internet since qualifying for the program more than two years ago.

Ive applied for food stamps, Ive applied for disability, she said. He can apply for jobs, he can get the phone call about jobs.

McClintock also described how having internet access at home has led to better healthcare. Instead of having to take her laptop to a library and request a private room for telehealth appointments, shes been able to meet with her doctors virtually from her home.

She received a letter earlier this year, explaining the program was coming to an end. Since then, shes been bracing herself to once again become disconnected from her friends, healthcare providers, and loved ones.

Having to go back to the same behaviors we had when we were homeless, thats a really hard hit emotionally.

The Affordable Connectivity Program stopped accepting new recipients in February, as the money set aside by the federal government began to dry up. But the push to save the program began months earlier.

In October, the Biden Administration sent Congress a $6 billion request to keep it funded through the end of 2024. In January, both Democrats and Republicans co-sponsored the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act in both the House and the Senate. Now, with weeks to go until funding expires, neither chamber has taken it up for a vote.

Recipients will continue to receive their full discounts for the month of April, with smaller benefits (between $14-$35) for the month of May. In June, its expected that many of the 23 million American households who rely on the program will discontinue internet service.
Lueders man is accused of 2 counts of Criminal Attempt of Capital Murder to officer or fireman

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A Lueders man was arrested Monday, accused of the attempted murder of a peace officer or fireman.

Johnnie Leon Barnett, 77, of Lueders was arrested Monday afternoon by Taylor and Jones counties authorities on two Shackelford County charges of Criminal Attempt Capital Murder of a Peace Officer or Fireman.

Shackelford County Sheriff Ed Miller told KTAB/KRBC Barnett attempted to run him over as he was standing outside of his vehicle on Wednesday, March 27. The suspect hit the sheriffs vehicle just before hitting another deputys vehicle head-on.

Sheriff Miller detailed that nobody was injured in this incident. Barnett was taken to a hospital where he stayed until his arrest by Jones and Taylor counties on Monday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Currently lung transplant rejection is monitored through tests of lung function, blood tests, X-rays and lung biopsies and is often not identified until the rejection is quite advanced - TONPOR KASA/ISTOCKPHOTO

Lung transplant patients are to be given skin patches from their donor in the hope it could cut organ rejection rates by half.

The trial by Oxford University and NHS Blood and Transplant will investigate whether the patches can be used as an early warning system to identify lung rejection.

Experts said that skin rejects earlier than other organs and can be easily seen.

Rejection may show as a rash on the donated skin patch, often before the body has started to reject the lungs. If such a rash is noticed, a tiny biopsy from the skin will be taken, as a step to confirm the presence of rejection.

If the trial is a success, experts believe it could reduce rejection rates by up to 50 per cent.

Spotting problems early means medics can give personalised preventive treatment.

Immunosuppressants are currently given to all patients after a transplant to dampen down the bodys immune system to stop it attacking the foreign organ.

Reducing the risk

The skin patches could mean that such medications can be reduced in patients who are doing well  reducing the risk of other major risks including cancer.

Under the research, which has just started, more than 150 patients will be recruited to the 2 million Sentinel trial over three years.

About 100 lung transplants are carried out in the UK annually, but rejection rates are high  between 20 and 30 per cent in the first year.

Within five years of such transplant, about 55 per cent of patients are alive.

Currently, rejection is monitored through tests of lung function, blood tests, X-rays and lung biopsies. However, using these methods it is difficult to identify rejection until it is quite advanced.

The study follows success in a similar trial for patients who received intestinal transplants. Researchers found that skin displayed a visible rash between one and 10 days before the transplant was rejected.

Lower rate of rejection

Those given skin flaps which were tracked had a far lower rate of organ rejection.

The latest trial is being run by the surgical trials unit at Oxford University in collaboration with NHS Blood and Transplant.

The transplants will be carried out by the lung transplants teams at specialist cardiothoracic centres across England.

Patients involved in the trial will receive a skin patch from the forearm of the organ donor, measuring at 10cm (about 4in) by 3cm, which will be transplanted onto the under-surface of the patients forearm by a plastic surgeon at the same time as the lung transplant.

Adam Alderson, 44, from Wensleydale, received a skin graft as a part of a multi-organ transplant in 2015, which helped identify signs of rejection.

Biggest fears

Rejection is one of an organ recipients biggest fears, he said.

Being able to quickly and easily identify if any rejection is occurring is an incredible thing to be able to do, so if the trial is successful and it can potentially work for a large number of transplant recipients, it could be groundbreaking.

My abdominal wall graft has shown rejection three times, allowing it to be quickly treated.

Its a really comforting thing to have  I feel safer knowing that I have a tool available to tell if something is going wrong before it becomes too serious. Its almost like an oil warning light on your car.

Helen Roper, 43, from Oxford, has cystic fibrosis, has previously been on the transplant list and faces a potential lung transplant.

She said: As somebody who faces the very real prospect of a possible lung transplant in my future, the idea that I could potentially be able to identify any rejection early, just by looking at a patch of skin on my arm, is extremely encouraging and helps to alleviate some fears. The Sentinel trial could be a huge development for future lung transplant recipients and I look forward to hearing the outcome of the study.

Peace of mind

Fiona Ballantyne is on the waiting list for a lung transplant after being diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2019.

The 56-year-old, from Camelon, Falkirk, applied to join the trial and said that if it is a success it would be a momentous moment for transplant recipients.

She added: The opportunity to potentially be able to see if your organ is rejecting just by looking at your arm is huge for those of us who are facing transplants.

Not only because of the fact we could receive treatment earlier than if we didnt have the patch, but also for the peace of mind it would offer, being able to consult the skin patch whenever we feel under the weather.

Henk Giele, chief investigator and associate professor of plastic, reconstructive, transplant and hand surgery at University of Oxford, said: Lungs are prone to rejection because of their exposure to outside air and high propensity to infection.

It is often difficult to know if a reaction is caused by infection or rejection as they look the same at the early stages, but the treatments for each are completely opposite.

Its for this reason that we have focused the Sentinel trial on the lungs  a visible warning system like this is crucial for all transplants, but especially those with higher rejection rates.

Minimise side effects

Andrea Leadsom, the health minister, said: This trial offers hope to lung transplant patients across the country. Early detection of organ rejection means a healthier transplant, giving people greater control of their care and speeding up access to treatment.

We are committed to funding innovative research like this through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which will help us revolutionise transplants, minimise side effects, and ultimately save lives.

Emma Lawson, research lead at NHS Blood and Transplant, said the organisation was honoured to support the trial by matching suitable patients for the retrieval and transplant and via our specialist nurses in organ donation, who will work with the generous donor families to secure the extra consents needed.

The study is being funded by a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health and Care Research partnership.

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A Lynden woman has died in the hospital after succumbing to injuries sustained in a three-vehicle collision almost two weeks earlier on April 1.

Sharon Herringa, 70, was announced deceased at Harborview Medical Center, according to a Washington State Patrol news release on April 13.

Sharon, was the passenger in a vehicle being driven by Randy L. Herringa, 71, whose current condition is unknown. Randy was transported with Sharon to Providence Medical Center in Everett after the collision. Sharon was later transferred to Harborview.

The crash occurred when a different vehicle, driven by Jason R. Lee, 43, hit Herringas vehicle in a head-on collision on I-5 in Snohomish County. Lee was driving on the wrong side of the highway at the time and was also killed in the collision.

After the Herringas vehicle was struck by Lees, their vehicle, a 2012 Subaru Outback, struck a third vehicle with two adults and two children in it. The adult passenger was taken to Providence after the collision and their condition is still unknown.

All occupants of the Subaru and the Honda were wearing seat belts, according to WSP.
First there was Anthony Marrocco, then there was Karen Spranger.

Now, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido is the third elected Macomb County official to be investigated by the county's ethics board to determine if he violated its ethics ordinance, said John Schapka, the county's corporation counsel.

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido

For Marrocco, the former public works commissioner, the complaint in 2016 was for inappropriate use of a county facility  the Chapaton pump station in St. Clair Shores  for the filming of a reelection campaign commercial. For Spranger, the former clerk/register of deeds, the 2017 complaint was for allowing two non-county employees to have access to her county computer.

Lucido has two complaints against him by former Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer. One alleges Lucido allowed a former Sterling Heights City Council candidate to use county property, buildings and offices to create photos for political campaign purposes. The other alleges Lucido used county property, buildings and offices to create a photo of himself for political campaign purposes.

Lucido's attorney, Todd Perkins, said he was confident the ethics board will make the "right decision and dismiss. I have faith in the process."

In documents he submitted to the board, Perkins wrote the complaints are frivolous and "smear tactics" and their timing coincides with the beginning of the election season.

Attorney Todd Perkins, standing, passes out documents during a Macomb County Ethics Board meeting April 16, 2024, in Mount Clemens. He is representing Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido, who has two ethics complaints against him.

One document analyzed digital media activities of county officials, with a focus on campaign websites and social media platforms to "identify potential instances where official duties and campaign activities may intersect, without explicitly asserting violations of the county ethics ordinance."

Brewer said he was pleased the voting members of the board were unanimous to investigate, adding: "it's pretty clear, I think there were violations here."

Board Chairperson Dorie Vazquez-Nolan recused herself from Tuesday's vote, citing a conflict. She is executive director of Care House, the Macomb County Child Advocacy Center. After the meeting, she said of Lucido: "We work pretty closely developing child abuse cases."

After Brewer, of Clinton Township, lodged his first complaint in February, Lucido, a Republican, told the Free Press: "It's all untrue. Every bit of his allegations, all untrue."

He said Brewer, who contributed to the campaign of Christine Hines, a Democrat running for county prosecutor, was making political attacks on him. Lucido is seeking reelection this year.

Former Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer speaks to the Macomb County Ethics Board on April 16, 2024, during a meeting in Mount Clemens after he filed two ethics complaints against Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido.

Schapka said the board's investigation could take 60-90 days and, depending on the outcome, could warrant a hearing. If the board finds Lucido violated the county's ethics ordinance, he could be fined up to $500 for each complaint it determined he violated, Schapka said.

Marrocco was fined $125 by the ethics board in 2016 and Spranger was fined $100 by the board in 2017. The board dismissed a second complaint against Spranger as it was similar to the one for which it fined her.

Earlier this month, Brewer filed a third complaint against Lucido, this time with the state. He alleged a campaign finance violation and called Lucido a "serial violator" who "has illegally treated the prosecutor's office as an arm of his reelection campaign."

He alleged Lucido repeatedly emailed county employees "newsletters" from a county email that linked to his campaign (with the person sending the "newsletters" being his office's communications director), that he had an office intern perform political campaign work, and that during at least one county-sponsored and paid-for senior event he gave out bags to attendees that feature his campaign website. Brewer said the state is reviewing his complaint.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

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Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ethics board to investigate complaints against Prosecutor Peter Lucido
On the issue of security aid for U.S. allies abroad, House Speaker Mike Johnson seemed to realize that he was effectively out of time. The Louisiana Republican has spent an excruciating amount of time dithering, exploring possible alternatives, but he recently came to the conclusion that it was time to actually bring some legislation to the House floor for consideration.

With this in mind, as NBC News reported, Johnson last night unveiled a plan to advance foreign aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan in separate bills and move a fourth piece of legislation wrapping other Republican national security priorities together.

Evidently, one of his controversial members was unimpressed. The Wall Street Journal reported:

The Kentucky Republican confirmed the news via social media, writing that he was signing on to Greenes effort, and encouraging Johnson to pre-announce his resignation ... so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker.

Massie also shared the news with his colleagues during a House Republican Conference meeting. Though it was a closed-door gathering, a CNN reporter said the congressman was booed by at least some of his fellow GOP members.

For Greene, this is no doubt welcome news. Its been nearly a month since the right-wing Georgian filed her own motion to oust her partys House speaker, and during that time, a grand total of zero Republicans signed on to her effort.

As of today, however, that number has climbed from zero to one.

To be sure, that might not sound like an especially large number, but the legislative arithmetic remains highly relevant. With one GOP member scheduled to resign later this week, the House Republicans conference will shrink to just 217 members, leaving party leaders with a one-vote margin.

If Greene were to force a motion-to-vacate vote, and she and Massie try to take the speaker's gavel, it would mean Johnson would have to rely on at least some Democratic support to keep his job, which in turn would complicate his future further.

For his part, the incumbent House speaker told reporters that he wouldnt resign, adding, I am not concerned about this. Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
On Friday, with the first day of Donald Trumps first criminal trial looming, the former presidents political operation predictably sent out a fundraising appeal to supporters. The message appeared designed to generate some excitement, with a headline that read, 72 hours until all hell breaks loose.

Three days later, all hell did not break loose. NBC News reported on the developments in the park across the street from the New York City courthouse. Inside the building, the preliminary steps in the former presidents trial got underway, but outside, peculiarity reigned over pedantry.

The Daily Beast published a related report under a headline that read, Trump Wanted to See Crowd Outside Trial. He Got 50 Randos.

The article noted that protestors supporting the presumptive GOP nominee were easily outnumbered by the phalanx of reporters and police. One Trump supporter was quoted saying, I thought more people would be here.

Its likely that the former president did, too.

In fact, circling back to our earlier coverage, as Trumps post-defeat legal woes intensified, his rhetoric about his supporters taking to the streets grew louder. In January 2022, for example, amidst speculation about possible indictments, the Republican said at a rally that if he were to face charges, I hope we are going to have in this country the biggest protests we have ever had.

In September 2022, Trump delivered a related ominous message, saying that if he were indicted, the United States would face problems ... the likes of which perhaps weve never seen.

The vague predictions turned into directives last year. In March 2023, as the former president prepared for an indictment in New York, he turned to his social media platform, writing, PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK! In case that was too subtle, Trump added a few hours later, ITS TIME!!! ... WE JUST CANT ALLOW THIS ANYMORE. ... WE MUST SAVE AMERICA! PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!

Around the same time, the Republican derided talk of peaceful demonstrations, while suggesting that if he were indicted in New York, it might cause potential death [and] destruction that could be catastrophic for our Country.

Though it seemed as if Trump envisioned mass groups of red-capped followers taking to the streets, those calls were largely ignored. Some supporters turned out in Manhattan around the time of his first arrest, but the gatherings were, by any fair measure, underwhelming duds.

After his classified documents scandal led to his second indictment, the former president again called on his followers to rally behind him  Trump wrote, SEE YOU IN MIAMI ON TUESDAY!!! on his social media platform  but the numbers were again small.

Local law enforcement was prepared for crowds of up to 50,000 people. The actual crowd was closer to 500.

Two months later, at a Trump arraignment in Washington, D.C., a handful of his supporters showed up to register their dissatisfaction.

Yesterday, the turnout was, once again, underwhelming. So much for PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!

As for why, exactly, these demonstrations have failed to materialize, there are plenty of competing explanations, starting with the fact that the Justice Departments extensive prosecutions of Jan. 6 rioters have not gone unnoticed among the former presidents most ardent backers.

But Im also reminded of an analysis my MSNBC colleague Zeeshan Aleem wrote last year.

It may have to do with post-Jan. 6 wariness of getting in trouble if a pro-Trump protest spirals out of control, Aleem wrote. Perhaps conspiracy theories about the government laying traps for peaceful protesters scared them out of showing up. Maybe Trump finally has exhausted his base with his constant hysteria. ... Whatever the reasons may be, Trump is looking weak.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Lets make one thing clear right at the outset: I cannot definitively say, with absolute certainty, that Donald Trump fell asleep during the first day of his criminal trial in New York. Theres no video footage of the proceedings, and there were no photographs taken as the jury selection process got underway.

But theres no great mystery as to why this was a major topic of conversation yesterday. NBC News report summarized matters this way:

As MSNBCs on-air coverage from yesterday afternoon made clear, other news organizations presented the public with related observations. A New York Times report, for example, said that the former president appeared to nod off a few times, his mouth going slack and his head drooping onto his chest.

Soon after, a Washington Post report added that Trump closed his eyes and at times appeared to nod off.

Again, I wasnt there. I dont know whether Trump fell asleep. But I do know that this reporting doesnt do the presumptive GOP nominee any favors.

There will be some who will no doubt argue that the underlying question is not relevant. What matters, theyll say, are the substantive takeaways from a historic day and a serious criminal case involving a former American president. Im not unsympathetic to those who downplay the importance of optics stories.

But context matters, too. As Rachel explained during MSNBCs coverage, We are in the middle of a campaign. The age issue is the main thing the Trump campaign wants to use against his opponent  the whole Sleepy Joe thing.

Maddow: The wheels of justice grind slowly. I did not think they would grind so slowly that they would rock the defendant apparently to sleep. pic.twitter.com/FjeMkiRrRP  Acyn (@Acyn) April 15, 2024

Its a timely sequel to a related story from a few months ago. Trump and his allies urged voters to take seriously allegations that President Joe Biden was somehow cognitively impaired. It was against this backdrop that Trump told an audience that Hungarys Viktor Orban is the leader of Turkey, suggested Biden might be responsible for starting World War II, confused Jeb Bush and George W. Bush, mixed up Biden and Barack Obama, repeatedly declared that Hungary borders Russia, and twice confused former Ambassador Nikki Haley with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.

Were these innocent missteps? Perhaps, but when a White House hopeful makes such slip-ups a core part of his campaign message, and then he starts glitching during public events, it stands to reason that the incidents are going to get some attention.

Similarly, when Trump repeatedly calls the incumbent Democrat Sleepy Joe, and focuses endless attention on Bidens age, it stands to reason that the political world will take note when the former president goes to a courtroom and is seen, as an NBC News report put it, with his eyes shut tight.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Madison Cawthorn, accused of rear-ending FHP car, nearly died in crash near Daytona in 2014

Disgraced former Congressman Madison Cawthorn has been accused of tailgating a vehicle and rear-ending a Florida Highway Patrol car on Monday afternoon in Collier County, according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Area residents may recall that 10 years ago, long before his congressional rise and fall, he was involved in a far more serious accident that left him partially paralyzed. Cawthorn was a passenger in that crash on Interstate 4 near DeLand.

#breakingnew Former Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorne who was tailgating me, just rear ended a FL State Trooper Im SHOOK  I was driving on i75S towards Miami in the left lane and this black tinted sports car was tailgating me relentlessly. I accelerated ahead pic.twitter.com/IfS2EUg1oC  Alethea (@Women2Dc) April 15, 2024

Cawthorn, a pro-Trump Republican was elected to North Carolina's 11th Congressional District in 2020. He lost in a 2022 primary and has since moved to Cape Coral on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida.

Lt. Gregory Bueno, a Florida Highway Patrol spokesman, confirmed in an email Tuesday that a 2021 Mercedes rear-ended a patrol car, a Dodge Charger, at 4:30 p.m. on Interstate 75 in Collier County. He did not name the driver and said a report won't be available for about 10 days, but said the Mercedes was driven by a 28-year-old male from Cape Coral.

Cawthorn is 28 and moved to Cape Coral in 2022, according to the Asheville Times Citizen.

In 2015, future Congressman Madison Cawthorn visited with staff, including then-trauma center director Kevin Captain, at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, where he had been airlifted a year earlier.

The FHP trooper sustained minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital, Bueno said. The driver of the Mercedes was cited for a violation of Florida's Move Over Law, which requires motorists to move over a lane when they are approaching a law enforcement vehicle parked on the shoulder of a highway.

Cawthorn's 2014 crash near DeLand

As an 18-year-old high school senior, Cawthorn was a passenger in a car driven by his high school friend, Bradley Ledford. The car crashed into a construction barrier and erupted in flames. Ledford pulled Cawthorn from the car, according to a 2015 News-Journal story. Cawthorn was flown to Halifax Health Medical Center.

Cawthorn needed multiple surgeries for his spine, pelvis, ankle, stomach and appendix, his mother Priscilla Cawthorn told the News-Journal at the time. After his five-week stay in Halifax, he moved to a rehab center in Atlanta.

The Cawthorns revisited Halifax Health for a 30-year celebration of the hospital's Level II trauma center.

Im just so grateful there was a place that was able to save my life, Cawthorn told The News-Journal at the time.

First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach made a condominium available for Cawthorn's parents, while church members helped the family with laundry and grocery shopping. The Daytona Beach Chick-fil-A, a franchise where Cawthorn had worked as a teenager in North Carolina, provided free meals.

I always felt like I belonged here, Cawthorn told the newspaper in 2015.

Predicted his future

The 19-year-old Cawthorn was not shy when talking about his career plans. He had already begun working as a liaison for U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, who later became President Donald Trump's chief of staff.

"I absolutely will run for Congress," he said.

In 2020, he did that, becoming the youngest Republican member of the 117th Congress. He had just turned 25, the minimum age required by the Constitution to serve in the House of Representatives.

However, a string of controversies contributed to his 2022 Republican primary defeat at the hands of Chuck Edwards.

Republican congressman Madison Cawthorn greets supporters in North Carolina on May 17, 2022. He lost a bid for re-election and has since moved to Cape Coral, Florida.

Cawthorn pleaded guilty to attempting to carry a loaded gun through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at the Charlotte, North Carolina, airport. He said he had been invited to orgies where cocaine was being used, an allegation then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said was not backed up by evidence. And the House Ethics committee fined him for improperly promoting a cryptocurrency, Let's Go Brandon, in which he had a financial interest.

And he has a history of legal run-ins related to driving. In 2022, he was charged with driving with a revoked license. He faced the same charge in 2017, but it was dismissed a year later, according to the Asheville Times Citizen, which also reported he had two speeding tickets while he was in Congress.

In 2022, Cawthorn dropped a civil lawsuit he had filed against his friend, Ledford, alleging negligence during the 2014 accident.

Fleeing Chaos in Haiti: Congressman Cory Mills rescues 23 Americans, including Mitch Albom

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Reports: Madison Cawthorn rear-ended Florida Highway Patrol vehicle
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- China has urged the UK to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, and stop harboring and conniving with criminals and rioters that undermine China's national security.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks on Tuesday at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on the wanton slanders against Hong Kong affairs in the so-called six-monthly report by the UK, telling the UK to respect the basic fact that it has been nearly 27 years since Hong Kong returned to China.

"The so-called report issued by the UK disregards and distorts facts, grossly interferes in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and gravely violates the principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations," Lin said.

"China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this," Lin said.

Since the return of Hong Kong, the Chinese government has fully and faithfully implemented the principles of "one country, two systems," Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy, he said.

With the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance formulated and coming into force, a solid barrier for national security has been formed, Lin said.

The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law are better protected, and their sense of happiness and security has been enhanced, Lin said.

Hong Kong has entered its best period for making all-out efforts for economic development, and Hong Kong's position as an international financial, shipping and trading center is more stable with a promising future, he added. 
Kim Hubbard has been an education technician at elementary and middle schools in Oxford County for two decades, and year after year she has seen colleagues leave the profession because the pay is too low. Others, she said, work second or third jobs to make ends meet.

Hubbard and other educators have spent the past year pushing for the Maine Legislature to pass LD 974, a bill that would increase the minimum wage for ed techs and other school support staff.

You expect us to assist in their education as well as to keep your children safe from attacks, report suspected abuse, be kicked, bitten and spit on, cover a classroom when the teacher is absent, and continue our own education to keep our certifications, all while presenting a positive outlook, she told the education and cultural affairs committee. Yet your school districts pay us less than a Walmart shelf-stocker.

L.D. 974, which the House of Representatives passed Wednesday, April 10, would increase the minimum wage for ed techs to $21.23 per hour.

LD 974, which the House of Representatives passed Wednesday, April 10, would increase the minimum wage for ed techs to 150 percent of the states minimum wage, or $21.23 per hour, by the 2025-26 school year. There are about 8,000 ed techs in Maine schools, according to a 2023 report from the Maine Education Association, a union representingteachers and school staff.

The bill includes a requirement to increase the minimum wage for other school support staff to 125 percent of the states minimum wage, or $17.69 per hour.

Data compiled by MEA in March shows that as of the beginning of this school year, dozens of Maine districts offered minimum wages for ed techs and other support staff that did not meet the current state minimum wage of $14.15 per hour, which went into effect Jan. 1.

At least one district, RSU 84 in the Danforth area, has since updated its minimum wage to meet the states minimum, according to the MEA president, Grace Leavitt. Other districts could have done the same, she said.

Still, the pay is quite low.

The discrepancy is most striking for those in positions classified as Ed Tech I, the lowest of three tiers the state uses to categorize education technicians.

Twenty-two of the states 129 districts offered a minimum wage below $14.15 at the start of the school year. None of the states districts currently exceed the proposed minimum of $21.23.

Looking at wages through the new bill, 130 districts dont meet the standard for Ed Tech II jobs, and 116 dont meet the standard for Ed Tech III.

Keeping his memory alive: Familys fund nets $77K in honor of Maine educators lifelong impact

Maine Education Association: Educators leaving due to low wages

Overall, Maines salaries for education support professionals ranked 40th in the nation based on 2022-23 national wage data, Leavitt said.

Another bill before the legislature, LD 1064, would see the minimum salary for teachers rise from $40,000 to $50,000 a year by the 2027-28 school year. Both LD 1064 and LD 974 have been sent to the appropriations committee.

Leavitt said she has seen many educators leave due to low wages.

They reach a point where its just not worth it for them, she told The Maine Monitor.

Schools across the state are facing staff shortages, which the MEA tied to low wages.

The Department of Education is working with several nonprofit organizations to recruit more educators, and has seen a 13.5 percent increase in applicants for ed tech certification this year, according to a department spokesperson.

The MEA report noted that not all certified educators seek jobs at schools, again citing low wages.

Not paying support staff adequately also increases inequities in schools, Leavitt said. Districts that offer good financial incentives draw ed techs and bus drivers, leaving others with shortages. And its the students who suffer, she said.

For example, RSU 13 in the Rockland area had to close its middle school for a day due to the lack of substitutes and ed techs, according to the MEA report.

Kennebunk schools were forced to cancel some bus routes due to driver shortages, and one Friday last year, the school was unable to transport students to their career and technical education center in Sanford, resulting in only 7 of the 25 students from RSU 21 making it to their classes that day.

You cant run your school without them, Leavitt said. They are absolutely essential to do what our students need and deserve. And they shouldnt be paid less than somebody whos working in a fast-food restaurant.

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Not everyone is in favor of pay increases for educators

The Maine School Boards Association and Maine School Superintendents Association oppose both bills, citing the strain increases would put on budgets.

Our members believe Augusta should not be dictating rates of increase for salaries and wages in schools, said Steven Bailey, executive director of the Maine School Management Association, which represents the MSBA and MSSA. That needs to be a local decision.

If the salary increases fall on taxpayers, school budgets may not pass, he said in his testimony.

It would be helpful to have a financial analysis of what each of these bills will cost in the near and long term, he said. We should not commit to a plan without understanding what impact it will have on school budgets in our communities.

The MEA is asking the state to provide additional funding to support wage increases for the first few years, Leavitt said.

Theres no other answer. We need help from the state, she said.

Janet Kuech, an ed tech in Standish, told legislators that she and other education support professionals scramble daily to keep schools running.

Please remember that we wear many hats and shoulder tremendous responsibilities for the young people we interact with, Kuech said. We deserve to earn living wages.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maines education support staff rally for fair wages
Potential buyers try out guns which are displayed on an exhibitors table during the Nations Gun Show on Nov. 18, 2016 at Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Two pieces of gun legislation updating the definition of machine gun and creating a 72-hour waiting period for certain firearm purchases squeaked through the Maine House of Representatives, giving them support in both chambers of the Legislature. The bills were introduced after the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston.

By an ever-so-thin margin, the House of Representatives passed a proposal 74-72 to update Maines definition of machine gun and require that all guns forfeited to law enforcement be destroyed. All House Republicans and a few Democrats voted not to pass the measure.

The Senate passed the bill last week by a 19-15 vote.

LD 2086 updates the definition of machine gun to align with the federal definition in order to limit their use. The bill also prohibits semi-automatic weapons that are turned into machine guns, defined as a firearm that can release multiple projectiles with a single trigger pull.

As with much of the other gun legislation being considered this session, proponents see it as a common sense measure to enhance public safety. Devices that convert legal weapons into machines, such as a bump stock, have no place in civilian hands, said Rep. Vicki Doudera (D-Camden).

Critics on the House floor took issue with the specific language used in the machine gun definition, fearing that it is too broad and could apply to almost any firearm. For example, Rep. Jennifer Poirier (R-Skowhegan) argued the word projectile in the definition is problematic and should be shots instead. Similarly, Rep. Rachel Henderson (R-Rumford) said semi-automatic firearm should be semi-automatic rifle, lest it also apply to handguns.

LD 2086 attempts to ban massive amounts of firearms in Maine under the loose and vague definition of machine guns, Poirier said.

Agreeing that accuracy of language is important, Rep. Adam Lee (D-Auburn) pointed out that the language Republicans raised concerns with has existed in Maine law since 1975. The bill at hand extends the definition to address devices and other modifications that turn legal semi-automatic firearms into machine guns.

As to the other component of LD 2086, Maine law already requires that guns used in homicides and murders must be destroyed. Rep. Amy Kuhn (D-Falmouth) said extending that to all forfeited firearms reduces the likelihood that those firearms will be used in another crime.

Rep. James Thorne (R-Carmel) used a pit bull as an analogy to express his opposition. Some people see the dog breed as dangerous, but he said others like pit bulls, so to kill a pit bull or destroy it because its a pit bull is very similar to this bill.

To Thorne, firearms are a work of art, so he said its awful to see something like this where the disposition is that they get destroyed when someone else could appreciate them and use them in a kind, gentle manner.

Adding a 72-hour waiting period

The House supported a proposed 72-hour waiting period for certain gun purchases with a razor thin margin of 74-73 on Tuesday, dividing Democrats and again getting no support from Republicans. The bill passed the Senate last week with a razor thin margin of 17-16.

Proponents of the bill, LD 2238, say it provides a necessary cooling-off period, especially for people who may be at risk of suicide. Rep. Margaret Craven (D-Lewiston) shared statistics from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention that show there were 178 firearm deaths in Maine in 2021. All but 20 of them were suicides.

Craven said she introduced a similar waiting period bill years ago and still believes today that gun violence is a public health threat.

I need people to hear that this is a suicide prevention bill, but it is also a homicide prevention bill and a mental health crisis support bill, said Rep. Cheryl Golek (D-Harpswell), who shared a story about her neighbor who died from gun violence.

However, some opponents described the bill as purporting to address mental health issues rather than truly addressing Maines insufficient behavioral health system. Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) called it a facade that ignores the festering wound that is mental health here in Maine.

Additionally, critics fear the proposal will be detrimental to gun shows and guided hunting in the state.

The vote on both bills was just an initial vote, however, so the bills will need another vote in each chamber before heading to Gov. Janet Mills desk.

The House also voted 75-68 to enact a multipronged gun safety bill, LD 2224, proposed by Mills, and then the Senate placed it on the special appropriations table.

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The post Maine House narrowly approves 72-hour waiting period, updated machine gun definition appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
Man accused in alleged Evansville killing-for-hire may not return to U.S. for months

EVANSVILLE  A Southern Indiana man arrested in Spain after police say he took part in an alleged Evansville killing-for-hire may not get extradited back to the United States for almost a year.

Thats the estimate Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers received when Samuel Steven Huggler, 27, was arrested in Valencia, Spain in January, she said Monday.

Huggler, formerly of Rockport, was initially charged with murder and a litany of other felonies in 2021 after police claimed he offered Evansville man Daniel Alvey, then 18, $5,000 to kill at least one member of Hugglers family.

According to Alveys social media accounts, the two worked together at a local tree-trimming service.

EPD wrote in the probable cause affidavit that Alvey ultimately shot and killed 18-year-old Olivia Huggler  Samuels sister  and seriously injured two other family members at a home in the 800 block of Kirkwood Drive on Dec. 14, 2021. The family was carrying groceries from the garage when a gunman appeared wearing a camouflage ski mask, police wrote.

A photograph of Samuel Huggler, who stands accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot that led to a 2021 triple shooting in Evansville, in the custody of Spanish police after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.

The case has taken several sharp turns since.

Last May, Alvey was sentenced to 45 years in prison after taking a plea deal on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and two counts of attempted murder: all Level 1 felonies.

But despite being given immunity from further prosecution, he reportedly refused to answer questions about Samuel Huggler as his case wound through the courts, leading to the charges against Huggler being dismissed by former prosecutor Nicholas Hermanns office.

Huggler then decamped for Andorra, a tiny country wedged in the mountains between Spain and France. Andorra is one of several countries with whom the U.S. doesnt have an extradition treaty.

But on Jan. 18 of this year, Moers office decided to refile the charges. And when Huggler slipped over the border into Valencia, Spanish authorities arrested him.

But you wont find Huggler in any local booking records. Nor will the refiling of his charges appear in public court documents, at least for now.

Moers said Monday that the case is sealed for safety reasons. Before Hugglers arrest, they obviously didnt want his warrant to be publicly listed. And as far as his return to the U.S., he is still in Spain undergoing extradition procedures, she said. The estimate I have is about a year to extradite someone.

 I have received correspondence that he would have some type of hearing within 90 days. That was about 45 days or so ago.

According to her obituary, Olivia Huggler loved to sing and play guitar.

Olivia was faithful, loyal and true to everything and everyone, her obituary read. She was strong and gentle. It is difficult to find the perfect words for a life so well-lived.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Man accused in Evansville killing may not return to U.S. for months
Man admits to killing Northampton mom of two. But was it premeditated?

There is no doubt Thadius McGrath killed Samantha Rementer in 2022, but it will be up to a Bucks County judge to decide if it was an accident or premeditated.

On Monday, McGrath, 37, of South Chatham, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to general homicide and related felonies and misdemeanors in the murder of Rementer who was beaten and strangled in front of her 4-year-old daughter.

But he opted to have Bucks County Common Pleas Judge Wallace Bateman Jr. decided if he is guilty of first-degree or third-degree murder. The difference in sentencing is life without parole versus a maximum of 40 years in prison. Bateman could make a decision as early as Tuesday when hearing testimony is expected to wrap.

Samantha Rementer poses with her daughters shortly before she was murdered on June 8, 2022.

More on the murder of mom Massachusetts man held for trial on charges he killed Northampton mom of two

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office presented a half-dozen witnesses, including McGrath's father. Prosecutor Thomas Gannon said McGrath admitted to his father that he strangled Rementer after an argument, telling him, "Dad, I'm going to jail."

The 31-year-old Rementer was found dead in her childrens bedroom in the 2000 block of Clarke Court on June 8, 2022. Her two daughters, then ages 1 and 4, were found unarmed.

The older daughter answered the door for police doing a well-being check wearing only underwear and head-to-toe covered in blood. In police body cam video shown in the court the hysterical girl told police that her mommy and daddy were dead.

Authorities allege after killing Rementer, McGrath called his parents in Massachusetts and confessed; his mother called Bucks Countys 911 center fearing her son was going to harm himself.

In court Monday, the prosecution played the 911 call.

Officials escort defendant Thadius McGrath after his preliminary hearing in which he was accused of the murder of Northampton resident Samantha Remender in 2022, outside District Court 07-2-01 building on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023.

Authorities described McGrath and Rementer as involved in a romantic relationship. McGrath is not the father of the children, but he was a friend of Rementers longtime boyfriend, and the father of the children, who passed away suddenly in 2021, authorities said.

Northampton police officer John Kenney testified that after handing off the older daughter to another officer he went back into the house to see if other were people inside; he found the younger girl in a highchair in the kitchen, and a ton of blood on the walls, floors, furniture and doors of the house.

Rementer was found on a bedroom floor covered with a blanket and what appeared to be a jacket, Kenney testified.

A bloodstained cord to an overturned standing lamp was tied tightly around her neck, the officer testified. An autopsy confirmed strangulation as the cause of death.

In the master bedroom, police found McGrath alive on the floor with a gunshot wound to the face. Two officers who responded to the scene testified that they heard a popping sound shortly before the older daughters unlocked and opened the front door.

A 9-mm semi-automatic handgun that apparently belonged to Rementer's late boyfriend was found near his body.

McGrath survived, but he has permanent head and facial injuries. He wears a protective helmet, lost his right eye, and the right side of his face is severely damaged.

The girl told police that they were supposed to go to the pool and that daddy accidentally shot himself in the face and he was bleeding.

The child also told police that her mom and Tad were arguing before he hit her mother with a lamp and a ladder.

She got blood in her eyes, but it was an accident because she was really on his nerves, the girl said.

In a video recorded forensic interview with a Bucks County Child Advocacy Center interviewer days after the murder, the older child described watching McGrathwho she called "Thad"  repeatedly hit her mother with a stepladder and lamp, and tying the lamp wire around her neck.

"No, please. I have two children," the girl recalled her mother telling McGrath.

When the interviewer asked her what McGrath said in response, the girl said, "I don't care about it."

After he killed Rementer, the girl told police that McGrath put her and her sister in the kitchen. He gave her a cheese stick before leaving the room. Soon after, the girl said she heard a loud sound that she thought was a balloon popping.

"He got blood all over the place even like eyelids like mommy," the girl said.

As the video played family members of Rementer appeared visibly upset and avoided looking at the screen.

McGraths defense attorney Keith Williams pointed out in cross examination that in the videos the girl told police multiple times that McGrath accidentally killed Rementer.

But Gannon countered the girl also told police McGrath also accidentally shot himself in the head.

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at Jciavaglia@gannett.com

.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Friend pleads guilt to murder of Samantha Rementer in Northampton
EASLEY, S.C. (WSPA)  A man was arrested for allegedly setting a brush fire Monday afternoon in Easley.

According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the fire broke out shortly before noon near Dunklin Street in Easley.

Easley Fire Chief Brad Owen said the fire burned eight acres. About 20 homes were evacuated as firefighters battled the flames for seven hours.

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This is rough terrain, so it made it very hard to work in those areas in the conditions that we had, Owen said.

Easley Police officers arrested Seth Brian Bolding Monday afternoon. He was transferred to the Pickens County Detention Center and charged him with third-degree arson.

Today happens to be his birthday, Chief Deputy Chuck James said. What hes told investigators is that he lit the brush on fire to celebrate his birthday, and he was having a small little bonfire that got away.

Bolding is expected to appear in bond court Tuesday.

Brush fire burning behind homes on Dunklin Street and Low Avenue in Easley, S.C., April 15, 2024 (WSPA Photo)

Brush fire burning behind homes on Dunklin Street and Low Avenue in Easley, S.C., April 15, 2024 (WSPA Photo)

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
(KRON)  A San Pablo man was arrested eight months after shooting at a vehicle in El Cerrito, the El Cerrito Police Department announced Monday.

El Cerrito police officers were dispatched to Moeser Lane near San Pablo Avenue for a report of a shooting on Aug. 4, 2023. Officers learned the shooting was at a passing vehicle. Upon arrival, officers located shell casings on the ground. Witnesses told police, the suspect fired several shots and fled the scene. According to police, there was not a victim informed that police of being shot or shot at at the time.

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El Cerrito detectives identified 47-year-old San Pablo resident Walter Martinez as the suspect who shot at the vehicle. Detectives spoke to the victim who was shot on the evening of Aug. 4, 2023.

An arrest and search warrant for Martinezs residence was issued by a Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge.

The El Cerrito Police Department and the San Pablo Police Department SWAT Team served the arrest and search warrant at Martinezs residence in San Pablo on April 15.

Detectives found a firearm and other evidence linking him to the crime, El Cerrito PD said. Martinez was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The man accused of shooting a man dead in front of Jerry Lee Lewis Cafe last month is now facing an elevated charge of first-degree murder, according to the District Attorneys Office.

Quavarre Rogers, 27, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after a Beale Street shooting left 52-year-old Damein Hawkins dead on March 17. Rogers bond was initially set at $750,000.

The charges against Rogers were previously dropped in General Sessions Court on April 10, due to lack of prosecution. The DAs Office says they promptly escalated the matter and presented it to a grand jury the next day, which resulted in an indictment.

DAs Office still looking to prosecute man accused of fatal Beale Street shooting

A warrant was issued for Rogerss arrest, and on Tuesday, he was taken back into custody in Olive Branch, Mississippi.

The initial charge of second-degree murder was elevated to first-degree murder. He is also facing possession of a prohibited weapon charge.

Rogers is now awaiting extradition from Mississippi. His bond is set at $1 million.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Man brings teen relative to US, then rapes and assaults her for years, CA cops say

A man is going to prison after he was accused of raping a relative he brought to the U.S. from El Salvador, California officials said.

The 44-year-old Monterey resident brought his female relative to the U.S. when she was 17, according to a news release by the district attorneys office. McClatchy News is not identifying the suspect to protect the identity of the victim.

In October 2019, the victim was seen running across a lawn with a child, officials said. She told a witness she needed police help, and they went to the station.

The witness acted as her translator, officials said.

She told police that on the night she arrived in the U.S., her relative violently raped her, prosecutors said. She said the assaults continued for several years, according to the district attorneys office.

The victim got pregnant as a result of the assaults, officials said.

She didnt know anyone in this country who could help her, and the man oversaw her phone calls back to El Salvador, officials said.

It wasnt until the man threatened the child that she got help, officials said.

The man was convicted on charges of forcible rape, forcible rape of a child over 14 years and forcible oral copulation of a child over 14 years, officials said.

The man was sentenced to 40 years in prison and must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, officials said.

Monterey is about a 115-mile drive south from San Francisco.

If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom.

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Man charged with murder of KY deputy pleads guilty in separate case out of Kenton County

A man charged with the murder of Scott County Deputy Caleb Conley pleaded guilty to charges related to a separate case out of Northern Kentucky.

Steven Sheanshang, 46, pleaded guilty Monday to charges of burglary and being a persistent felony offender, according to court documents.

The indictment for the Kenton County said Sheanshang entered a home unlawfully to commit a burglary on May 17. Herald-Leader news partner WKYT reported prosecutors will seek a 20-year sentence for these charges. The sentencing is scheduled to take place on June 10.

One week later, Sheanshang was arrested for charges related to the fatal shooting of Conley and injuring another individual in Fayette County while fleeing police.

He also faces charges in Fayette and Scott counties.

Sheangshang is charged in Scott County with murder of a police officer, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, burglary, vehicle theft, wanton endangerment and fleeing police. He was arrested on May 23 after shooting Conley during a traffic stop on I-75 in Georgetown, authorities have said.

The Fayette charges include assault, robbery, felon in possession of a handgun, tampering with physical evidence, fraudulent use of a credit card and theft by unlawful taking. He reportedly committed the crimes in Lexington after the shooting on I-75.

Sheanshangs Scott County case is scheduled for trial in February 2025 and expected to last 20 days, according to court documents. State prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Sheanshang related to the murder charges.

His next court appearance is scheduled for May 9. He is currently incarcerated at the Bourbon County jail, according to court records.
MANILA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Philippine authorities have seized 1.8 tons of methamphetamine drugs, the single-largest haul in the country's history, said Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on Tuesday.

The drugs, valued at 13.3 billion pesos (roughly 233.4 million U.S. dollars), were confiscated on Monday in Batangas province, south of capital Manila.

Police Major Luis De Luna told reporters that police discovered the illegal drugs during a regular inspection at a checkpoint in the province. The driver of the van carrying the drugs has been arrested and is under custody.

"This is the biggest shipment of shabu (the local name of methamphetamine) that we confiscated," Marcos told reporters, vowing to stop drug shipments from entering the country.

Marcos warned the drug traffickers that his government will not relent in its efforts to stamp out illicit drug trade.

Official data shows the Marcos administration has launched 36,803 anti-illegal drugs operations from July 2022 to Dec. 2023, confiscating 13.2 tons of illegal drugs and arresting 49,700 drug suspects. 
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced charges Monday against a man who he says committed two of the most heinous sexual assaults hes ever seen.

Anthony Jones, 29, was arrested Thursday in San Diego on allegations that he brutally attacked and sexually assaulted two women in separate attacks along the canals in Venice earlier this month.

The level of brutality that was engaged in was very reprehensible, Gascon said in a news conference Monday.

The suspect, Anthony Jones, 29, seen walking around the Venice canals area on April 6, 2024.

The charges against Jones included two counts of forcible rape, one count of sexual penetration by use of force, one count of sodomy by use of force, one count of mayhem, one count of torture and one count of attempted murder.

One of the victims, Gascon said, was nearly beaten to death before she was sexually assaulted.

A victim who chose to be identified, Mary Klein, 54, told KTLAs Chris Wolfe from her hospital bed that her assailant attacked her from behind and bashed her face in.

Mary Klein, seen with severe injuries and bruising, speaks to KTLA from her hospital bed on April 12, 2024. (KTLA)

Jones is being held on $3.25 million bail, though Gascon has asked that he be denied bail.

Let me be unequivocally clear, said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. Sexual assault and sex crimes in any form are abhorrent and intolerable  I commend the swift and diligent efforts of the Los Angeles Police Department and DA Gascons office in expeditiously investigating this matter and bringing forth charges.

The charges were announced as Gascon is in the midst of a re-election campaign for the L.A. County D.A. job. Opponents have attacked the progressive for being soft on crime, and without naming names, L.A. City Councilwoman Traci Park alluded to Gascon in her response to Jones crimes.

Transient arrested for attacking 2 women along the Venice Canals

I am sick and tired of living in the middle of a failed social experiment, she said in a news conference. We have all had enough. Enough with the ridiculous soft on crime/defund the police/catch-and-release/ criminals are the victims policies that got us into this mess. Enough!

Horvath noted Monday that Jones didnt have a criminal record in L.A. County. If convicted of these charges, he could receive a life sentence in prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)  A Danville man is facing charges after he allegedly threatened to murder agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Thomas Green, 33, of Danville, Montour County, was indicted Wednesday, April 10, by a grand jury on charges of influencing federal officials by threat and interstate communications with a threat.

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that for years Green called multiple FBI field offices across the country to express his frustrations that the FBI was not investigating the alleged criminal conduct reported by Green.

Man sentenced to 14 years for selling fentanyl and cocaine

Karam says the indictment also alleges that beginning on or around August 18, 2022, Green started calling numerous FBI field offices across the country and threatening to assault and murder FBI agents if they did not investigate the alleged criminal conduct reported by Green.

According to Karam the indictment also alleges that Green called the FBI field office in Miami, Florida, and told personnel that he knew details about the murder of two Miami FBI agents and that can happen again if FBI personnel did not act how Green wanted them to.

Karam added that FBI Special Agents Laura Schwartzenberger and Daniel Alfin, who were members of FBI Miami, were killed while executing a search warrant in 2021.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is ten years in prison, a term of supervised release, and a fine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
When a man was convicted of the 2013 murders of two people on a St. Petersburg houseboat, jurors recommended he die by lethal injection.

But last year, the Florida Supreme Court overturned his sentence and ordered that the case return to trial court for a new penalty trial.

The trial to decide whether he is to be executed began Monday.

Reynaldo Figueroa-Sanabria, wearing a baggy, red jail uniform, was represented by Keith Hammond and Daniel Hernandez. Instead of death, he asked for life in prison and for a trial without a jury.

This means Judge Pat Siracusa will make the final decision about Figueroa-Sanabrias sentence.

Figueroa-Sanabria, 51, was granted a second chance to ask the court to spare his life after Florida justices found a Pinellas judge had misinformed him about his options for representation during the penalty phase of his trial.

Figueroa-Sanabria stabbed John Travlos and Germana Morin to death on Travlos houseboat in the early-morning hours of April 12, 2013. He had worked as a helper for Travlos, waxing and detailing his boat, named Relax-Inn. Over the 13-day trial five years ago, prosecutors argued that Figueroa-Sanabria had murdered the couple to steal their jewelry.

He let himself in through the boats sliding glass door, then forced Travlos at knifepoint to open a safe, where he kept jewelry and gold, prosecutors said. Figueroa-Sanabria killed them both  cutting Morins throat and stabbing Travlos 11 times in the torso.

During testimony Monday, Robert Hodge, a witness who was in frequent contact with Figueroa-Sanabria at the time of the murders, said that Figueroa-Sanabria told him he was getting frustrated with Travlos and Morin because he wasnt getting paid for the work he was doing.

Other witnesses who testified Monday answered questions from prosecutors about where they were the day Travos and Morin were found dead and how they found out. One witness said she noticed the jewelry in question disappeared after the couple were killed.

A mountain of evidence was used to convict Figueroa-Sanabria in 2019, including his DNA found on a roll of duct tape used to bind the couple and Travlos blood that was found on the inside of the van Figueroa-Sanabrias girlfriend drove to pick him up after he called for a ride early that morning.

The criminal case took six years to go to trial. During the penalty phase, Figueroa-Sanabria told Siracusa that he didnt want evidence presented to the jury on his behalf that might weigh against the death penalty, according to the Supreme Court opinion.

Siracusa gave Figueroa-Sanabria two choices  his attorney could present mitigating evidence on his behalf, or he could represent himself. Figueroa-Sanabria chose to represent himself.

The state Supreme Court ruled the judge misrepresented Figueroa-Sanabrias options. The court upheld his conviction, but overturned his death sentence.

Siracusa will decide whether Figueroa-Sanabria will get a life sentence or the death penalty. The trial is expected to last through next week.

Times staff writer Jack Prator contributed to this report.
Editors note: The above video shows KXAN News top morning headlines from Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Holding his mothers hand, 37-year-old Laison Crenshaw walked up to Dell Seton Medical Center seeking mental health treatment on Feb. 21. He was physically healthy, but after the onset of a mental health crisis he asked his mother, Ava Smith, to take him in for help.

Smith left her son at the hospital that evening, thinking the facility would be the safest place for him  not realizing she would never feel his grasp or hear his voice again.

Within hours, Laison would die in handcuffs following a physical altercation with a hospital security guard, according to a death report submitted by police with the University of Texas, where the facility is located.

How a seemingly healthy 37-year-old father died at a hospital within hours of voluntarily walking in for mental health care remains unclear. A statement provided by UT Austin leaves much to be explained. Now, state police are investigating.

KXAN investigates deaths in police custody and what information can be shared

Smith said she wont stop trying to find out exactly what caused her sons death. For years, he was troubled with mental illness, Smith acknowledged.

He tried his best, Smith said. He just wanted a normal life.

Crenshaw was born and raised in Austin, and he graduated from Akins High School, his family said. The family started a Gofundme page to help with the cost of cremation and support.

He was a good father. He had feelings. He had a good heart. He wished his children goodnight, Smith said.

Laison Crenshaw, center, pictured with his sister Dee Dee Johnson, left, and mother, Ava Smith, right. Johnson and Smith say they are searching for answers that could better explain how Crenshaw died in police custody after voluntarily checking in to Dell Seton Medical Center on Feb. 21 for a mental health emergency. (Courtesy Dee Dee Johnson)

Deadly incident

UT police responded to a call for an assault on a private security officer at the hospital at 1:30 a.m., according to a custodial death report submitted to the Office of Attorney General by UT police.

Hospital officials released Laison into UTPD custody on Feb. 22, after he became combative with medical staff and physically engaged with the hospitals privately contracted security personnel, according to a UT Austin statement.

Crenshaw resisted being put in handcuffs, and he was in handcuffs at the time leading up to his death. Crenshaw did not attempt to assault the responding police officers, according to the death report.

UTPD was called to make an arrest based on these events. While the subject was under arrest at the hospital, he stopped breathing. Medical personnel administered life-saving measures, and the arrestee was revived but never regained consciousness, according to UTs statement. On February 27, 2024, the patient was pronounced deceased. The department immediately notified the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and its own chain of command. Texas DPS is currently investigating the matter as required for all in-custody deaths.

UT said the arresting officer has been placed on administrative duties assignments, but it would not release the name of the officer.

Smith said she and her family question how the police and UT have characterized the incident and why the police would resort to arresting a man having a mental health emergency while seeking care in a hospital.

Crenshaws family took photos of him in his hospital bed after the incident, and KXAN viewed them. The images show Crenshaw comatose and on a ventilator; he has a blackened left eye and road-rash type scrapes across the left side of his face.

Beyond the brief descriptions offered by university officials, the facts surrounding the incident are scant. Many details in the custodial death report  like the cause and manner of Crenshaws death  are noted as pending until the autopsy results come back.

Crenshaw was kept alive with a ventilator, but doctors had determined he was brain dead, and he was taken off life support within days.

KXANs request for the autopsy remains pending, and the Travis County Medical Examiners Office said it may not be finished for months.

DPS confirmed it has been investigating the incident.

At the request of the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD), the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas Rangers are leading the investigation into custodial death of Laison Crenshaw that occurred at Dell Seton Medical Center. This is an ongoing investigation and currently there is no additional information, DPS Sergeant Deon Cockrell told KXAN by email.

The Travis County District Attorneys Office confirmed the investigation has now been handed over to them.

The DAs office can confirm that on April 10 our office received the report on this case from the Texas Rangers, said Ismael Martinez, a spokesperson for the DAs office told KXAN. Martinez said his office could provide no further information at this time.

Ascension Seton owns and operates Dell Seton Medical Hospital, according to UT.

A spokesperson for Ascension said: We are fully cooperating with the investigation into this matter. However, due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, we are unable to provide further comment at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
AURORA, Ill.  A woman is recovering and a man is dead on Monday afternoon after a shooting and manhunt in the western suburbs.

Aurora police say it all began after officers were called to the 700 block of Charles Street, just after 7:30 a.m., following reports of a disturbance inside a home in the area.

While officers were making their way to the scene, a 911 caller reported to authorities that there was a man inside the home with a gun.

Felony charges filed against man accused in West Side carjacking, attempted robbery

Shortly after officers arrived on the scene, they heard a gunshot from inside the home. A 43-year-old woman then exited the home, telling officers that she had been shot.

The woman was turned over to first responders who took her to the hospital, where she was listed in serious condition.

More officers were called to the scene, in an effort to secure the perimeter, but police say as they were arriving, the man inside the home fled the scene in a vehicle, unbeknownst to authorities.

Members of the Aurora Special Response Team (SRT) were called to the scene and eventually entered the home, but no one was found inside.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Officers were then able to identify the vehicle that the man fled in and notified law enforcement agencies statewide.

Members of the Grundy County Sheriffs Office later located the mans vehicle around 10:30 a.m. and initiated a traffic stop in the 2100 block of Cottage Road in Wilmington.

After deputies stopped the vehicle, authorities say the man emerged from the car and proceeded to take his own life.

According to officers, there is no threat to the community, as the incident appeared to be a domestic incident.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

Officers say the mans identity will be released to the public following an autopsy on Tuesday.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing and police ask anyone with information to call the Aurora Police Investigations Division at 630-256-5500.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip for Aurora Crime Stoppers online or by calling (630) 892-1000. Tips can be filed anonymously.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Read the full story on Backfire News

Man Does Dukes Of Hazzard Jump In Stolen Truck

Many people have been inspired by the high-flying stunts featured in The Dukes of Hazzard television show. While all those cool jumps over rivers and such sure were entertaining, what a lot of viewers dont know is they were responsible for the destruction of a shocking number of Dodge Chargers. Thats why you shouldnt attempt that sort of thing on your own.

Learn where some of the most famous TV and movie cars are now.

But one man in Spotsylvania County, Virginia did just that in a stolen truck. And while it was an accidental thing, it seems the sheriffs department got a little chuckle out of whats otherwise a serious situation.

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In a press release, Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office says 42-year-old Keith Lee Brinkley stole a Ford pickup truck from the Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center a little before 8 am on April 10. While driving away from the scene of the crime, the guy for whatever reason decided to drive on the shoulder of southbound Patriot Highway right before a bridge.

If we have to explain to you that driving on the shoulder of a road is dangerous, you really shouldnt be driving a vehicle. And everyone knows its extra stupid to do that right as the road is about to go over a bridge.

But Brinkley apparently wasnt supposed to be driving at all since he reportedly had a revoked license and had been cited for driving on it eight times before. Yes, eight times he was caught driving after being banned from public roads.

When he launched the truck off the shoulder and into the Ni River, it apparently looked like The Dukes of Hazzard just with a Ford tuck and without the graceful landing thanks to Hollywood magic.

Somehow, Brinkley wasnt seriously injured in the crash but he is facing a whole string of charges. Hes currently being held in jail with no bond.

Images via Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office/Facebook
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A Florida man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on April 15 for producing child pornography and traveling across state lines to sexually assault a minor in Vancouver, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Forty-two-year-old Samuel Aaron Leonard of New Port Richey, Florida was arrested in Vancouver on July 2, 2020, outside the home of a 14-year-old girl whom he spent months chatting with on social media, posing as a 20-year-old man.

U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle also sentenced Leonard to 20 years of probation following his release.

To damage a life as significantly as you have is far worse than any aggravated assault, Settle said. You have to understand that your victims have a life sentence.

Investigation launched as Lake Oswego man goes missing for four days

Leonard also sent the girl a cell phone, which he had fixed with tracking and surveillance software without the girls knowledge, allowing him to superstitiously monitor her texts and emails, the DOJ said. Leonard then used the phone to have sexual conversations with the 14-year-old and convinced her to send sexually explicit photos.

The girls legal guardians discovered the phone and contacted police in June of 2020. Authorities seized the phone and an undercover officer took over the communication posing as the victim.

By analyzing the phone records, investigators determined that Leonard had traveled from Florida to the Vancouver area by bus and was within a short distance of the girls home. The officer posing as the girl then told Leonard that her guardians had taken her phone and Leonard agreed to replace the phone.

Police surveilled Leonard as he took a newly purchased phone, hid it in a package, and tossed the package over the fence to the girls backyard, the DOJ said. Leonard was arrested shortly afterward.

Gresham man charged with stabbing, killing man experiencing homelessness

A search of Leonards hotel room revealed he had brought various items, which could be used to restrain a person, including 10 sets of flex cuffs, two sets of metal handcuffs, duct tape and electrical tape. Authorities also found sex toys and lubricants inside the room. Upon searching Leonards phone, authorities also found videos of a sexual assault committed against another teenage girl. In the plea agreement, Leonard admitted that he traveled to Oklahoma in 2018 to sexually assault a 16-year-old.

U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman called the case a parents worst nightmare.

A predator lurking online who preys on their child remotely and then travels thousands of miles to further harm a minor child, Gorman said. The investigation revealed that the victim in this case was not the first harmed by Mr. Leonard. This sentence is designed to protect the community from further crimes.

Leonard is also required to register as a sex offender as part of his conviction.

When someone violates children like you have, there will be grave consequences [and] long prison terms, so we can begin to curb the terrible scourge of sexual exploitation of children from our culture, Settle told Leonard at the sentencing.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security, the Vancouver Police Department and the Kalama Police Department.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The man killed by law enforcement at a Minnetonka home last week fired on the Hennepin County deputies with a high-powered rifle after they knocked on the door and identified themselves, state investigators said Tuesday.

Four deputies returned fire late in the morning of April 10 and killed 28-year-old Clint Hoyhtya, who was wearing a protective armor vest, read a synopsis released by the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

Two of the four deputies who shot at Hoyhtya were wounded during the firefight, the BCA said. Christopher Heihn was hit multiple times, was taken to HCMC for treatment and has since been released. Keith McNamara was treated at the scene after being hit by shrapnel.

The BCA said investigators recovered an assault rifle and dozens of cartridge casings from the scene in the 13400 block of E. Crestwood Drive.

"When the deputies knocked on the front door and announced themselves," the BCA statement read, "Hoyhyta started shooting at them with an assault-style rifle. The deputies returned fire and backed away to set up a perimeter."

Heihn, McNamara and the other deputies who opened fire, Tyler Jacob and Steven Tomasko, are all on standard administrative leave as the investigation continues, the BCA said.

The agency said it is reviewing "all available video," including from deputies' body-worn cameras as part of its investigation.

Deputies were serving an arrest warrant when gunfire erupted. Hoyhtya died at the scene. The BCA on Tuesday confirmed what dispatch audio and a law enforcement source also confirmed what the Star Tribune reported last week: Hoyhtya was not the subject of Wednesday's warrant.

"Police shot the wrong guy," Thomas Hoyhtya, the man's father who owns the home, told the Star Tribune last Thursday.

The warrant for the 34-year-old man's arrest is one of at least three that remain active as of Tuesday afternoon, according to court records. Two involve violating domestic abuse no-contact orders and another is for illegal weapons possession.

The most recent was issued one day before the deputies descended on the Minnetonka home, court records show. The Star Tribune is not naming the man because he is not charged in connection with the shooting.

BCA statistics show 47 aggravated assaults against police officers this year through February, similar to the past three years. Last year's statistics show about 950 total assaults on officers, which is more than double 2019s reported numbers.

Since 2021, the BCA has recorded more than 3,500 assaults on police officers. About 70% were simple punches, slaps or kicks, and a quarter were aggravated assaults. At least 140 assaults involved firearms. Police were responding to disturbance calls nearly a third of the time.

Star Tribune staff writer Jeff Hargarten contributed to this report.
Man Plunges to His Death While Climbing Down Exterior of Myrtle Beach Hotel After Shots Fired

Jorge Orellana, 27, fell more than five stories to his death, Sunday, April 14

Google Maps Jorge Orellana fell off the side of Hotel Blue (pictured) in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Sunday, April 14.

Police responded early Sunday morning after several shots were fired

No one was injured by gunfire in the hotel shooting

Following the incident, Jorge Orellana attempted to exit the sixth-floor hotel room through its private balcony

A man attempting to descend the exterior of a building after gunfire erupted in a Myrtle Beach, S.C., hotel room fell more than five stories in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 14, according to police.

Jorge Orellana, 27, died later that morning from massive trauma to his upper body, Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard confirmed to The Myrtle Beach Sun News, MyrtleBeachOnline.com and Hendersonville Times-News.

Orellana was from Hendersonville, N.C.  about a five hour drive from the South Carolina beach community  per the local Hendersonville Times-News.

The Myrtle Beach Police Department said in a press release that officers responded to reports of a disturbance on the sixth floor of Hotel Blue, around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Several shots were fired inside the hotel room following a disturbance, said police, who noted that no one was injured by gunfire.

Police said that the participants of the disturbance tried to leave the hotel room, and: One of the males exited through the balcony and was seen attempting to climb down the rear of the building.

The three-star seaside hotel has private balconies hanging off every room, according to the hotels website.

It is unclear from the police departments brief press release what prompted Orellana to climb onto the balcony.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

PEOPLE reached out to the department to clarify if police were already on the scene at the time that Orellana fell. Police declined to provide additional details to PEOPLE, citing the active investigation.

After climbing out of the building on the sixth floor, Orellana "fell to the ground before reaching the fifth floor, per police.

Orellana was rushed to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center before succumbing to his injuries.

Police confirmed that all of the participants have been identified and that the firearm has been recovered.

It is unclear if anyone was arrested in connection to the incident.



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Read the original article on People.
Man on the run for nearly a year after allegedly gunning down boy, 14, caught in metro Atlanta

A man accused of gunning down a 14-year-old boy has been arrested in Lithonia.

Ian Price, 21, was arrested at a home along S. Deshon Road on Monday by U.S. Marshals.

Price was wanted in connection to the shooting death of Terrion Malone in August 2023, Cleveland.com said.

Police said Malone was found face down along East 105th Street in Cleveland, Ohio after he was shot in the head in the citys Glenville neighborhood.

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The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force discovered through investigative measures that Price fled Ohio and was residing in Georgia, the U.S. Marshals said in a news release.

The senseless violence and killing of juveniles needs to stop, U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said. Our USMS task force will do everything in our authority to bring these violent fugitives to justice, including arresting them over 700 miles away from Cleveland.

Anyone with more information on this shooting is asked to contact investigators at 216-623-5464.

IN OTHER NEWS:
JERUSALEM, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A new survey found that 52 percent of Israelis do not support military retaliation against Iran over the recent attack so that de-escalation could be given a chance, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) said in a statement on Tuesday.

The remaining 48 percent argued that Israel should respond even if it means extending the current round of the conflict.

The survey was conducted on April 14-15 with 1,466 adult respondents consisting of a nationally representative sample of the adult population in Israel.

Iran and allied armed groups launched coordinated drone and missile strikes on Israel late Saturday night in retaliation for a deadly Israeli assault on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1. Israeli authorities have since vowed a decisive response without mentioning how and when.

According to the survey, 28 percent of the participants support military action even if it leads to a larger overall war, 34 percent oppose it, and 38 percent are not sure.

Taking a scenario that the attack will undermine Israel's security alliance with its allies, a significant majority of 74 percent oppose counter-attacking at such a cost, while the remaining 26 percent think Israel should strike back whatsoever.

Also, 56 percent of Israelis believe that Israel should respond positively to political and military demands from its allies to ensure a sustainable defense system over time, while 12 percent disagreed.

According to the survey, 59 percent believe that American aid to Israel against the Iranian attack obliges Israel to coordinate security actions down the road with the United States, while 15 percent disagreed.

Regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas fighting in the Gaza Strip, 44 percent of the Israelis support military action in the Palestinian city of Rafah at the cost of a crisis in Israel's foreign relations and damage to its relations with the United States, while 25 percent disagreed.

Also, 43 percent of the Israelis believe that Israel should rely on its allies in the future settlement of the issue of the day after in Gaza, while 24 percent oppose this. 
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)  An Edwardsville man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the trafficking of fentanyl and cocaine.

Four charged with drug trafficking in Luzerne County

The United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Friday, April 12, that Lamar Brown, 38, of Edwardsville, Luzerne County was sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug trafficking offenses.

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on July 13, 2020, in Luzerne County, Brown was found to be in possession, with intent to distribute, large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, both of which are Schedule II controlled substances.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  A man was convicted of first-degree assault and sentenced to 75 years in prison for three separate sexual assaults in 2022.

On Tuesday, District Attorney Brian Mason with the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office announced that Devin Reese, 36, was convicted of three counts of first-degree assault and three counts of criminal attempt to commit sexual assault.

The convictions stemmed from three assaults.

On April 24, 2022, the DA said Reese arranged to meet a woman who had allegedly advertised sexual services. When Reese arrived at the victims apartment, the DA said he pointed a gun at her. He then assaulted her and threatened to kill her family if she told the police.

Parents of man hit by vehicle on I-25 after being tased sue Larimer County deputy

On May 10, 2022, the DA said Reese arranged a meeting with a woman through her OnlyFans page. Reese went to the womans home and asked if she would get in his car because he felt uncomfortable. Again, the DA said Reese pointed a gun at the victim and assaulted her.

On May 20, 2022, the DA said Reese started a conversation with a woman in the parking lot of a convenience store. However, Reese showed his gun and demanded the woman get in his vehicle. Reese assaulted the woman before telling her to get out of the car.

The DA said that thanks to the bravery of the victims for coming forward and telling their stories, police were able to connect Reese to all three assaults.

This defendant preyed on innocent victims and committed truly unspeakable crimes, said District Attorney Brian Mason. This 75-year prison sentence is more than just for these horrific acts. The bravery of these victims cannot be overstated. I am also thankful for the immense law enforcement efforts that went into this investigation and the diligent work of my Special Victims Unit to ensure justice was served in these crimes.

On April 12, an Adams County district judge sentenced Reese to 75 years in prison, 25 years per victim.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Watch a previous report on the fatal shooting in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A Columbus man could spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to murder in connection with a 2023 North Linden double shooting.

Paul A. Banks, 36, was sentenced Tuesday to at least 18 years with the possibility of life in prison after pleading guilty to murder with a firearm specification and felonious assault charges on Monday.

Nightmare at Downtown office tower has OH Pizza and Brew looking for new home

With his plea, Banks admitted to shooting and killing Ronald Price, 60, just before midnight on Jan. 31, 2023, on the 2800 block of Atwood Terrace. Banks also shot a 37-year-old man in the same incident.

The surviving victim told police that he was inside the home when he heard the shooting. When he went to help Price, Banks shot him, police said.

Banks received a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole in 18 years for the murder charge  15 years plus an additional three years mandatory for a firearm specification. He also received a concurrent four-year sentence for the felonious assault plea. Should Banks be released from prison, he would receive 18 months to three years of post-release control.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Man sentenced for three St. Louis carjackings, one of which was fatal

ST. LOUIS  A man who committed three carjackings in St. Louis City in 2021, one of which was fatal, was sentenced to federal prison on Tuesday.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Carmain Milton, 50, pleaded guilty in January to two counts of carjacking and one count of carjacking resulting in death.

The first carjacking took place on Sept. 21, 2021, in the 4500 block of Pershing Place in the Central West End. Milton stole a womans 1998 Toyota Camry.

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One week later, Milton held up two people in a parking lot at the intersection of Chouteau Avenue and South Sarah Street in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. He stole debit and credit cards, rings, an iPhone, and one of the victims Audi A6.

Later that morning, Milton carjacked a man in the 300 block of North Boyle Avenue in Central West End. Milton took the victims 2004 Honda Element and ran the man over. The victim, Chen-Hsyong Yang, later died of his injuries. He was 72.

Milton was arrested hours later, with a pellet gun in his possession and a wallet from the second carjacking.

A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Milton to 27 years in prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)

(UPDATE: 8:38 p.m., April 16)  Witnesses reported shots being fired Tuesday afternoon in Mertzon.

Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis confirmed to our Midland KMID affiliate that there is a man down in the search for a wanted fugitive but did not yet know if the person shot was the suspect at the center of that search.

This afternoon, the Irion County Sheriffs Office asked Mertzon citizens to avoid the area of First Street between W. Duncan Avenue and West Fayette Ave.

(UPDATE: 12:40 p.m., April 16)  According to Nexstar, the Ector County Sheriffs Office has identified the deceased victim connected to a homicide investigation and active manhunt that started in Odessa, Texas, on Monday.

The sheriffs office has identified the victim as 74-year-old Ronald Wayne Irwin. Irwin was initially believed to have been shot after confronting a man who approached his residence and asked to borrow his phone. However, investigators have also had reason to believe that Irwin was killed after being struck by a vehicle when the man attempted to flee the area.

Investigators are awaiting the results of Irwins autopsy to confirm the cause of death.

Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis has also stated that the suspect has been tentatively identified. However, the mans identity will not be released until law enforcement has received confirmation.

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The search for an individual suspected of murdering a 75-year-old man in Odessa has entered its second day after a multi-county vehicle chase ended in the area surrounding Mertzon on Monday night.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety for the West Texas region, the suspect is still at large in Irion County in the area of RM 2469, near the city of Mertzon. He is considered dangerous, and is described as follows:

White male

Blonde/light-brown hair

Thin build

Last seen wearing blue jeans and brown boots

Armed with a firearm

All available DPS assets are being utilized to assist with the search for the suspect, TxDPS said.

TxDPS has advised the public to remain vigilant and keep their homes and vehicles locked. It also encourages people in the area to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. The Irion County Sheriffs Offices phone number is (325) 835-2551.

The Ector County Sheriffs Office released images taken from a home video device at a residence near where the homicide allegedly happened. The sheriffs office asks anyone who recognizes the male in the photos to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Image provided by the Ector County Sheriffs Office.

Image provided by the Ector County Sheriffs Office.

Image provided by the Ector County Sheriffs Office.

Image provided by the Ector County Sheriffs Office.

Mertzon Mayor Aubrey Stewart issued a statement to residents at 6:33 a.m. on April 16 that law enforcement was still searching for the suspect as of 4:30 a.m. He stated that a grid search will be conducted come daylight, and more law enforcement is expected to arrive as a result.

Stewart advised citizens to stay aware, lock their cars and doors and avoid RM 2469 if possible. He also asked residents to refrain from rubbernecking so as not to impede law enforcement.

According to a Nexstar station in Ector County, Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis stated that a homicide investigation has revealed that the suspect initially stole a vehicle in Lea County, New Mexico, and drove to West Odessa. Once in the city, the suspect allegedly approached a residence in the 5700 block of Greenway Avenue and asked a homeowner if he could borrow a phone. When the homeowners refused, a fight reportedly broke out between one homeowner, 75, and the suspect.

While it was believed at first that the suspect shot the homeowner before fleeing the scene, investigators now have reason to believe that the victim was run over by a vehicle while the suspect was escaping the area. Investigators are currently awaiting results from an autopsy to confirm this information.

Law enforcement began pursuing the suspect at approximately 10:50 a.m. on April 15 when an alleged victim flagged down officers near the intersection of Highway 80 and Faudree Road, claiming they had been shot. The suspect began the chase in a black Ford Mustang  the vehicle originally stolen in New Mexico  before crashing it and carjacking a tan Tahoe. He then crashed the Tahoe in a pasture near Mertzon, where he fled on foot.

This is a developing story. Stick with Concho Valley Homepage for updates as more information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
The Mansfield school board has called a special meeting for 7 a.m. Thursday, when it will consult with its attorney in a closed session regarding the election.

The agenda does not detail the item, but questions about the eligibility of Place 2 candidate Angel Hidalgo have swirled for months. The district approved his application to run in January.

The board will also discuss personnel in the closed session.

Hidalgo, a Spanish instructor at Tarrant County College, is running against Jandel Crutchfield, an associate professor of social work at UT Arlington, in the May 4 election.

Records obtained by the Star-Telegram show school board members and district employees knew for months that Hidalgo might be ineligible.

Some residents have expressed concerns that Hidalgo does not live in the district and is not qualified to run because he has not been registered at the same voting address for over six months  the duration of time required to run for school board. The district said in a statement Friday that it is still reviewing his eligibility.

Records obtained by the Star-Telegram on Friday show board president Courtney Lackey Wilson and school board member Desiree Thomas said in a text exchange on Feb. 7 that Hidalgo was not registered to vote in Tarrant County, weeks before the Feb. 23 deadline to remove him from the ballot.

Additionally, on March 19, a Tarrant County elections administration worker asked the district in an email if it had decided whether to keep Hidalgo on the ballot, weeks after the deadline.

Hidalgo has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Early voting starts April 22.
Maine is the newest frontier for the illicit marijuana trade, with potentially hundreds of suspected unlicensed grow houses operating in the state, a CBS News investigation has found.

It's part of a larger phenomenon nationwide. Thousands of illegal marijuana farms have been cropping up in states like Oklahoma, California and Colorado, according to Raymond Donovan, the former chief of operations for the Drug Enforcement Agency.

"[Maine] is a perfect location to cultivate cannabis and do it in a way that is very discreet," Donovan told CBS News. In part, that's because of the state's proximity to major distribution markets in Boston and New York.

In December, after a six-week investigation, Maine law enforcement raided a home in Machias, a rural town on the southeastern coast, and found a large facility with over 2,600 plants and 100 pounds of processed and packaged marijuana.

"I've been doing this a lot of years, and that was probably the biggest indoor marijuana grow I've ever seen," Police Chief Keith Mercier said. "It was quite an impressive operation."

Machias Police were assisted by DEA, FBI, Homeland Security, the Office of Cannabis Policy, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Washington County Sheriff's Department.

"This is a statewide problem," Mercier said. "The information we have says that there's over 200 (facilities) that are actively working right now."

Maine law enforcement has executed search warrants at at least 34 properties tied to illicit marijuana since last June, and investigations continue.

But the biggest surprise in the proliferation of illegal growing in secluded stretches of Maine may be who's believed to be backing the operations.

"Chinese organized criminal networks that are international by nature are behind some of the biggest black market marijuana trafficking organizations that we've seen to date," Donovan said.

In February, 50 U.S. lawmakers wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding answers about China's role in illicit marijuana nationwide.

"We are deeply concerned with reports from across the country regarding Chinese nationals and organized crime cultivating marijuana on United States farmland," the bipartisan group wrote.

Donovan said the easiest way to spot an illegal marijuana crop is the amount of electricity it uses, which Maine native Steve Robinson, editor of the Maine Wire, has been tracking. Robinson has compiled a database of suspected illegal cannabis cultivators around the state.

"These locations consume huge amounts of electricity," he told CBS News. "In order to accommodate that amount of energy, you need to upgrade your electrical infrastructure  and significantly. We're getting into specialty electrical equipment that is very scarce and hard to come by, especially in the state of Maine."

Mercier says he used one of Robinson's articles as a training tool in what to look for before executing the search warrant at the Machias property.

"Once we subpoenaed the power records from the power company, [it] was pretty hard to explain why somebody anywhere would be using that amount of power," he said.

Mercier said the Machias operation was using four to five times the amount of power that a normal residence would use. Other telltale signs included shuttered windows and complaints from neighbors about pungent smells and suspicious vans coming and going.

During the operation, three men were arrested and charged with unlawful cultivation. Police found a Malaysian passport, a Chinese passport and a Brooklyn driver's license at the scene.

Donovan told CBS News that some of the people working in marijuana grow operations around the country are Chinese nationals who are victims of labor trafficking.

"[They're] brought here under the auspices that they're working under a legit business," he said. "And they're often kept unwillingly in these locations and told what to do to oversee the cultivation of these marijuana plants."

"They were being paid $1,000 a month to work 24/7," Mercier said. "I wasn't left under the impression that any of these gentlemen were in charge of anything. They were just strictly there to maintain the product."

Some of the same criminal groups behind illicit marijuana participate in a far deadlier drug trade, according to Donovan and other law enforcement sources. Donovan said the DEA first connected Chinese organized crime to these illegal weed cultivators by following the fentanyl supply chain.

"We quickly realized that money from selling fentanyl on the streets was going back to Chinese money brokers in Brooklyn and in Queens," he said. "We started investigating many of these brokers [and] observed that they were also trafficking in marijuana."

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, but a majority of Americans now live in states where it's legal. There is a robust market for illicit marijuana  state regulations allow the sale of marijuana, but demand outstrips supply, opening a market for illegal growers.

Donovan fears that less prosecution will encourage organized crime groups trafficking marijuana to infiltrate sparsely populated states.

"If you have a place like Maine where marijuana is legal, there is less scrutiny on marijuana" he said. "It's a recipe for disaster in the sense that they're going to continue to go to these places and cultivate."

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Biden hits campaign trail as Trump's New York trial enters 2nd day
The clock might be ticking on Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's (RLa.) tenure.

Rep. Thomas Massie (RKy.) announced Tuesday that he would support Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (RGa.) attempt to unseat Johnson, meaning that her motion to vacate the speakership could move to the House floor at any time in the coming days. In a post on X, Massie advised Johnson to announce his resignation in order to avoid a messy battle over picking a replacementlike the one that left the House in limbo for weeks last year after Kevin McCarthy was fired from the top job.

In a subsequent post, Massie clarified that his decision to support Johnson's ouster was not due to any single issue. "This camel has a pallet of bricks," he wrote.

Greene initially filed her motion to vacate the speakership last month after the House approved a $1.2 trillion spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. In recent days, Johnson has faced more criticism from his own party after the House narrowly voted down an amendment that would have required law enforcement agencies to seek warrants before using the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 702 database to spy on Americans' electronic communications. He's also facing opposition over plans to have the House vote this week on a $95 billion package that would send military aid to Ukraine and Israel.

In remarks to Reason last year, Massie predicted that whoever replaced McCarthy (whose ouster Massie did not support) would likely steer the House in a direction he did not like. "We're going to get the Schumer-McConnell special," he said at the time, predicting that a divided House would leave Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (RKy.) with the upper hand on key policy clashes.

On Tuesday, Massie reiterated that concern. "We are steering everything toward what Chuck Schumer wants," he said. "If the country likes Chuck Schumer, then the country should like what Speaker Johnson has accomplished in the House."

Johnson has refused to resign."It is, in my view an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion. We're simply here trying to do our job. It is not helpful," Johnson said during a press conference Tuesday.

It's not clear that growing Republican discontent with Johnson will be enough to give him the boot, however. Democrats voted unanimously to oust McCarthy last year, but there are indications that at least some would be willing to save Johnson. Rep. Tom Suozzi (DN.Y.) penned an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal this week urging his fellow Democrats to "support Speaker Johnson" in order to keep military assistance flowing to Ukraine.

What is becoming more clear is the House isn't really operating like a two-party legislature at the moment. Johnson is, effectively, leading an unofficial coalition government that includes the bulk of the nominal Republican caucus and a sizable chunk of the centrist Democrats, a group that includes Suozzi (who won a longtime Republican district in a special election earlier this year). The coalition nature of the House also explains recent votes on the budget package and the FISA reauthorization, both of which passed with a mix of Republican and Democratic votes. A similar outcome would be expected if the Ukraine and Israel military aid bills make it to the floor this week.

The House's "governing majority (the Democrats plus Republicans who vote to pass the spending bills) continues to diverge from the procedural majority (the narrow Republican majority that selected the speaker)," is how a trio of political scientists explained the dynamic in a piece for Politico earlier this month.

If Greene, Massie, and their allies move to oust Johnson this week, it will be a test of the strength of the unofficial coalition that now governs the chamber. This is a fight over the House leadership and the fate of the military aid to Ukraine and Israel, but it's really the next phase in an ongoing struggle to determine how Congress will operate in an era when political parties have been weakened and electoral majorities are slim.

The post Massie's Move To Fire Speaker Mike Johnson Is About More Than Ukraine Spending appeared first on Reason.com.
HONIARA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- As Solomon Islands prepares for Wednesday's joint election, the capital city of Honiara stands on the eve of the vote in a state of quiet anticipation.

The country's citizens prepare to cast their votes in a joint election, encompassing both national and provincial elections.

The campaign period ended at midnight on Monday local time. Campaigns conducted after that are prohibited and are an offense.

A total of 334 candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, vying for seats across the 50 constituencies in the parliamentary elections. Party-affiliated candidates outnumber independent candidates 219 to 115.

In the national parliament, all 50 members are directly elected by plurality vote from single-seat constituencies.

Additionally, 816 candidates are contending for positions in the provincial assemblies and 89 for the Honiara City Council.

As the eve of the elections draws to a close, ballot boxes, symbols of the nation's collective voice, stand sentinel in the respective polling stations, awaiting the dawn of a new day.

At 7 a.m. sharp local time, the polls will open. 
The United Methodist Church losing a quarter of its churches in five years is just the start.

The organization's budget is shrinking, too, as the denomination grapples with the exit of more than 7,600 churches amid divisions over LGBTQ+ rights.

A spending plan being proposed to the upcoming UMC General Conference  the group's top legislative assembly, which meets every four years  is $23.8 million less than the last one and more than $140 million less than the one recommended in 2019, when congregations began leaving.

The proposed budget recommends 17 fewer bishops to prevent one of the denomination's funds from running a deficit. Regional conference staff overseen by the bishops has already faced cuts and a consolidation of administrative duties.

The upcoming UMC General Conference, beginning April 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a long-awaited and unquestionably consequential summit. The international delegation is meeting for a regular session for the first time in eight years, a time in which conservatives led an exodus out of the United Methodist Church following disagreements about theology and church policy, including dealing with LGBTQ+ rights.

The Charlotte gathering will be the first step in a new chapter for the largely Nashville, Tennessee-based UMC, the largest mainline Protestant denomination in the United States. Many United Methodists are optimistic about that future, though they also recognize hardships await on their journey.

Here are key takeaways from the financial fallout.

United Methodist bishops and deacons lead worship at the UMC General Conference in 2016 in Portland, Oregon, which was the last time the denomination's top legislative assembly convened for a regular session. The general conference is set to gather in Charlotte starting April 22, 2024.

Mass exodus: A quarter of Methodist congregations abandon the church as schism grows over LGBTQ+ issues

Disaffiliations disrupt budget estimates

Churches leaving the denomination, or disaffiliating, had the single greatest effect on budget projections, often causing UMC finance officials to revisit and recalculate earlier estimates.

When disaffiliations started in 2019, finance officials were recommending a $493.8 million budget, or a 17% reduction from the $604 million budget approved by the UMC General Conference in 2016. The new budget was set to come before the UMC General Conference at its regular session in 2020, which the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately pushed back to this year.

Both the General Conference delays and steady increase in disaffiliations compounded and by 2022, finance officials were recommending a $373.7 million budget, or a 38% reduction. At that point, total disaffiliations were around 1,800.

By the end of 2023, disaffiliations amounted to more than 7,500 churches. Now, finance officials are recommending a $346.7 million budget, or a 43% reduction.

Regional level faces heat earlier (and unevenly)

So far, the measurable cost to United Methodisms splintering is most noticeable at the regional level.

Funding for United Methodist regional conference operations, including rank-and-file administrative staff (except bishops), originates from church giving. A percentage of that funding then goes to the denominations seven general funds, which comprise the denominations budget and support United Methodist general agencies and other national and international organizations.

United Methodist bishops pray at the UMC General Conference in 2016 in Portland, Oregon, which was the last time the denomination's top legislative assembly convened for a regular session. The general conference is set to gather in Charlotte starting April 22, 2024.

Regional conferences, called annual conferences, in the U.S. are already dealing with the fallout of the splintering.

There are 53 annual conferences in the U.S., at least 25 of which enacted administrative reductions in the past four years, according to an analysis of news reports. Reductions at those 25 annual conferences were often staff or districts  a local grouping of churches within an annual conference  often meaning a reduction in the number of district superintendent staff positions. At least four other annual conferences announced anticipated reductions later this year or next year.

Annual conferences are the first to feel the financial heat because they approve disaffiliations, but not every annual conference felt it the same.

The five annual conferences in Texas saw 42% of total churches disaffiliate and 45% of all churches in Georgias two annual conferences disaffiliated, according to an analysis of data published by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. In contrast, 1% of total churches disaffiliated in the two annual conferences that encompass California.

Conferences that have been affected more by disaffiliation and church closures will see their apportionments decline at a higher rate, said Rick King, chief financial officer for the UMC General Council on Finance & Administration, in a March 1 delegate orientation presentation.

Churches outside the U.S. are so far barred from disaffiliating, though some have left the denomination on their own accord.

Preemptive and future cuts, fewer bishops proposed

Unlike annual conference staff, bishops receive their salaries from one of the denomination's general funds.

That fund, called the episcopal fund, is facing a recommended 15% reduction in the proposed budget to the upcoming UMC General Conference.

The fund will run a deficit in the near future if all bishops are elected, said the Rev. Moses Kumar, general secretary of the UMC General Council on Finance & Administration, in a March 1 delegate orientation presentation. There are currently 71 total bishops worldwide, and the UMC General Council on Finance & Administration is recommending that drop to 54 in the next four years.

Moses Kumar, general secretary of the UMC General Council on Finance and Administration, at the UMC General Conference in 2016 in Portland, Oregon.

A mandatory retirement policy for bishops will help shrink that roster. Meanwhile, many of the bishops who remain will take on additional responsibilities. There are 12 bishops that oversee more than one annual conference, according to the UMC General Council on Finance & Administration. More bishops are expected to do the same in the future.

The budgets other general funds support 10 of 13 United Methodist general agencies that manage denomination business and oversee its ministries. Most of those general agencies face recommended cuts of at least 30% in the proposed budget  including Nashville-based United Methodist Communications, United Methodist Men, UMC General Council on Finance & Administration and the UMC General Board of Higher Education & Ministry.

Many general agencies started cutting costs years ago. Since 2019, seven general agencies cut at least 130 staff, according to an analysis of news reports. Another common move was selling and consolidating office space. Whereas many of the Nashville-based UMC general agencies each had their own office, they all merged into two buildings.

Liam Adams covers religion for The Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at ladams@tennessean.com or on social media @liamsadams.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: UMC general conference 2024: Millions lost in recent budget proposal
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass delivers her second State of the City address at City Hall on Monday. She is asking the private sector to help in the fight against homelessness. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

As she forges ahead with her fight against homelessness, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has gone looking for help in all sorts of places.

She has teamed up with Los Angeles County agencies to bring mental health services to the city's sprawling homeless encampments. She has lobbied Sacramento for more money to build temporary housing. And she has persuaded officials in Washington, D.C. to loosen the rules that determine when a homeless Angeleno becomes eligible for a federally funded apartment.

Now, the mayor is asking L.A.'s wealthiest Angelenos for help. On Monday in her State of the City address, she unveiled a new campaign that asks business leaders, philanthropic organizations and others to donate millions of dollars to an effort to acquire buildings so they can be used as apartments for the city's homeless population.

"We have brought the public sector together," Bass said, speaking to a packed City Council chamber. "And now we must prevail on the humanity and generosity of the private sector."

The pitch comes as Bass is working to break a logjam that has limited the city's ability to move homeless Angelenos out of interim housing, such as hotel and motel rooms, and into apartments that they can afford  while tens of thousands of others still have no shelter at all.

Because L.A. does not have enough affordable housing, many who come off the streets end up living in temporary city facilities for extended periods of time.

Beverly Hills-based investor and philanthropist Stephen J. Cloobeck, who attended the mayor's speech, praised her work on homelessness so far, calling her "a disruptor." Cloobeck said he donated $1 million earlier this year to the new fundraising initiative, known as LA4LA.

"There needs to be a pathway for people to get back into society, and be proud of themselves and add value to our community," he said. "The mayor believes the same."

Bass declared a state of emergency on homelessness in December 2022, on the day she took office. A month later, the region's homeless count found more than 46,000 unhoused people in Los Angeles, an 80% increase since 2015.

In her first city budget, the mayor allocated $1.3 billion for initiatives to address the homelessness crisis. She devoted about a fifth of that money to Inside Safe, her signature program to move unhoused Angelenos out of some of the city's largest and most dangerous encampments.

On Monday, addressing a room full of elected officials, city staffers, business leaders, labor officials and political appointees, Bass also highlighted the city's preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games. And she touted her administration's work in addressing public safety, expanding public transportation and strengthening L.A.s business climate.

The mayor celebrated a drop in homicides last year compared with 2022. She signaled her interest in pursuing an expensive and hotly debated project: the long-delayed upgrade of the citys convention center.

Still, much of her address focused on homelessness.

Bass told the crowd that her office has been challenging the status quo on homelessness  "the crisis on our streets is nothing less than a disaster," she said  and has worked collaboratively with local, state and federal agencies to move people indoors. She touted the work of Inside Safe, which has conducted more than 40 encampment operations since she took office.

"Inside Safe is our proactive rejection of a status quo that left unhoused Angelenos to wait and die outside in encampments until permanent housing was built," Bass said.

By April 12, Inside Safe had moved about 2,600 people indoors from street encampments, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. About half are living in hotels and motels, the agency said.

More than a fourth of the program's participants, or 613 people, have returned to homelessness. Forty-two have been incarcerated and 38 have died, the agency said.

Bass has acknowledged that Inside Safe participants are staying in temporary housing facilities much longer than she originally planned  in some cases for more than a year. Last year, she began working with civic leaders to create LA4LA, which will focus on purchasing or leasing hotels and apartment buildings that can be converted into interim and permanent housing, said Sarah Dusseault, an advisor to Bass on homelessness and other issues.

The initiative has already secured a $3-million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and a $5-million loan from the California Community Foundation, said Dusseault, lead strategist for LA4LA. It will also raise money to lease entire apartment buildings or help finance the construction of new housing.

"LA4LA can be a sea change for Los Angeles," Bass said during her speech Monday, "an unprecedented partnership to confront this emergency, an example of disrupting the status quo to build a new system to save lives."

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who attended the speech, praised Bass for being candid about the resources needed to address the homelessness crisis.

She tells the truth, said Mitchell, whose district stretches from Park La Brea to Carson. As a resident of the city of L.A., I respect that.

The search for outside funds comes as the city faces new financial pressures, triggered in large part by lower-than-expected tax revenues and higher salary costs. The increased spending stems, in part, from a salary agreement negotiated by Bass with the union that represents Los Angeles police officers.

That contract will provide four raises over a four-year period and give officers new retention bonuses to discourage them from leaving for other law enforcement agencies. The deal also hikes officers' starting pay by 13%, taking it up to about $86,000 annually.

On Wednesday, the City Council is scheduled to vote on another package of employee pay hikes negotiated by Bass  this time with thousands of civilian employees. Those agreements are expected to add $1 billion to the annual budget by 2028.

Bass is scheduled to release her latest annual budget on Monday. To free up money to pay for the salary increases, she plans to eliminate hundreds of vacant city jobs.

Those positions, she said during Monday's speech, "do not fill potholes, sweep streets or staff parks."

"Too many of these vacant positions have been there for years and years because of flawed budgeting that does not reflect how departments should actually operate," she said. "So this year, we will eliminate these ghost positions, while we preserve core services."

City Controller Kenneth Mejia has criticized the plan, saying a reduction in unfilled positions will ultimately endanger essential city services. Also, three members of the City Council have criticized the LAPD raises, calling the terms of the new salary agreement financially irresponsible.

Bass, in her speech, defended the new contract with the police union, saying it has led to an increase in applicants seeking to join the Police Department.

Bass is still far from her goal of having an LAPD with 9,500 officers. Last month, the Board of Police Commissioners received a report showing that sworn staffing in the department had fallen below 8,900.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
After voting in February to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the southern border, proceedings are expected to head to the next stage on Tuesday, when the articles of impeachment are transmitted to the Senate.

One thing is clear: This is not going to look like the impeachments we've seen in the last few years since a full-scale trial on the Senate floor is not likely, according to senators and leadership aides -- despite what many House and Senate Republicans want.

The House voted to impeach Mayorkas on Feb. 13 by a vote of 214-213 over what Republicans claimed was his failure to enforce border laws amid what they call a "crisis" of high illegal immigration, allegations the secretary denied as "baseless."

MORE: House to send impeachment articles to Senate next month

DHS has blasted the impeachment efforts.

"Without a shred of evidence or legitimate Constitutional grounds, and despite bipartisan opposition, House Republicans have falsely smeared a dedicated public servant who has spent more than 20 years enforcing our laws and serving our country," DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said in a statement. "Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security will continue working every day to keep Americans safe."

The House had originally planned to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate for consideration last week, but Johnson delayed transmission in part at the urging of Senate Republicans, who hoped a delay would give the Senate more time to prepare and debate the merits of having a trial, which many Republicans want.

PHOTO: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (R) speaks during a joint press conference with Guatemala's President Bernardo Arevalo (not in frame) at the Culture Palace in Guatemala City, on March 21, 2024. (Johan Ordonez/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

Despite that delay, chances of a full-scale Senate trial remain slim. Exactly how the impeachment proceedings will play out is still unclear -- the Senate has the option to either dismiss the trial outright or to require a committee to hear it instead.

Senate Democrats are largely expected to move to dismiss -- or table -- a trial, but that would require every Senate Democrat to vote together to accomplish that, and Republicans will object.

Here's how the proceedings are expected to play out:

House managers walk articles of impeachment to Senate

The next formal steps are expected to get underway at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday.

On Monday, in what's called an "engrossment ceremony," Speaker Mike Johnson signed the articles, calling on the Senate to hold a trial.

PHOTO: Today, I signed the articles of impeachment for Secretary Mayorkas. Tomorrow, they will be delivered to the Senate. (Mike Johnson/X)

On Tuesday, the articles will be ceremoniously walked across the Capitol, led by the House clerk and the House sergeant-at-arms and followed by the House impeachment managers. The articles will go from the House chamber through the Capitol rotunda to the doors of the Senate.

The House impeachment managers are: Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, Reps. Andy Biggs, Ben Cline, Andrew Garbarino, Michael Guest, Harriet Hageman, Clay Higgins, Laurel Lee, August Pfluger and Marjorie Taylor Greene.

The Senate sergeant-at-arms will then announce the House impeachment managers on the floor of the Senate, who -- once received -- will be escorted to the well of the Senate, in front of the dais.

The articles will then be read aloud and, once done, the manager who presents them will say: "The managers request that the Senate take order for the trial, the managers now request leave to withdraw."

Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray, D-Wash., will then announce the Senate will notify the House when it is ready to proceed with the trial.

Murray will preside over the Senate trial. Chief Justice John Roberts is not required to preside because it is not the trial of a sitting president.

The House managers will then make a ceremonial walk back to the House.

Senators sworn in as jurors

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said senators will be sworn in as jurors on Wednesday.

"After the House impeachment managers present the articles of impeachment to the Senate, Senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the next day," Schumer's office said in a statement.

PHOTO: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during a press conference following the weekly Senate democratic caucus luncheons on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 20, 2024. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Reuters, FILE)

Once the Senate is back in session for the trial, the oath is administered to the Senate as a group. The senators rise from their desks and and raise their right hands in unison.

MORE: House Republicans impeach Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas in historic, controversial vote

Murray will then read the oath: "Do you solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, now pending you will do impartial justice according to the constitutions and laws so help you God?"

Senators then come to the dais in groups of four to sign the oath book.

PHOTO: Sen. Patty Murray speaks during a press conference following the weekly Senate democratic caucus luncheons on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 20, 2024. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Reuters, FILE)

Then the sergeant-at-arms will make the proclamation: "Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye, all persons are commanded to keep silent on pain of imprisonment while the House of Representatives is exhibiting to the Senate of the United States an article of impeachment against Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security."

The Senate then begins voting on the organizational rules of the trial.

This is not likely to be a trial like the previous ones; it will not consumer weeks of floor time. However, Senate leaders has been tight-lipped about their precise plans.

How proceedings could play out

One possibility is that the Senate could move very quickly to dispense with the trial. In that scenario, Senate Democrats can make a motion to dismiss -- a move that would take only 51 votes.

If the vote reaches that threshold, the trial would be tabled and that would be the end of the matter. Democrats control 51 seats in the Senate, so if they stick together, they can dismiss the trial without any GOP support if they so choose.

While senators have the authority to vote to dismiss the trial, don't expect most Republicans to agree.

MORE: Former homeland security secretary defends Mayorkas amid impeachment push

In a letter to Schumer on March 28, Johnson, along with the impeachment managers, called upon Schumer to "fulfill your constitutional obligation to hold this trial."

"To table articles of impeachment without ever hearing a single argument or reviewing a piece of evidence would be a violation of our constitutional order and an affront to the American people whom we all serve," they wrote.

Another option is that the Senate votes to send the trial to be heard by a committee.

When someone who is not president of the United States faces trial, the Senate has within its rules the ability to have a special committee of senators hear the whole of the trial instead of the entire Senate.

The committee is called a "trial committee" and it is usually convened via an organizing resolution.

The Senate gets to set its own rules for a trial, so in most impeachment trials, there's a debate over an "organizing resolution" -- a proposed set of rules governing the trial that the Senate must vote to approve. If the Senate were to try to kick this trial to a committee, instructions to do so would likely be in this organizing resolution.

That resolution would be brought up, debated and voted on. If it were approved, the articles would then be kicked to the committee and sent off the Senate floor. Leadership would appoint members (usually six Democrats and six Republicans) to sit on that committee.

House managers would then present their impeachment case to the committee. Lawyers for Mayorkas would have time to present counter arguments.

MORE: DHS Secretary Mayorkas launches internal domestic violent extremism review

The committee would make footage of its hearings available to the public and to senators. At the end of the trial, they would present a full report and recommendation to the whole of the Senate. The whole Senate would then vote on whether or not to convict.

The last impeachment to be heard by a trial committee with the impeachment of federal judge Thomas Porteous in 2010.

A final option is that the Senate holds a full-scale trial.

Sources have signaled to ABC News that there will not be an impeachment trial like the ones we've come to know from impeachment proceedings of former President Donald Trump.

Though it's unlikely that we'd see a weekslong trial on the floor of the Senate, it's still technically possible.

If it does, the Senate would adopt an organizing resolution and then managers would present their arguments.

It would take a two-thirds vote of the Senate to convict Mayorkas.

Mayorkas impeachment trial: What to expect in the Senate originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks before the Homeland Security subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Washington. | Mark Schiefelbein

House GOP impeachment managers are sending articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on Tuesday, and Senate Republicans will be watching Majority Leader Chuck Schumers next move.

House Speaker Mike Johnson signed the articles Monday afternoon, The Hill reported.

Republicans worry that rather than holding a Senate trial on the matter, Schumer will table the articles by a razor-thin majority vote, according to Time magazine. Republicans plan to force votes to thwart Schumers ability to bypass a full trial.

Johnson delayed making the ceremonial trip to deliver impeachment articles last Wednesday at the request of GOP senators who wanted more time to build a case, Fox News reported.

What Republicans are saying about Mayorkas impeachment

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has been one of the most vocal Senate Republicans about Schumers actions on a Mayorkas impeachment trial. Lee approved of Johnsons delay and posted on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, that Schumers actions would be unprecedented and unjustified if he tables the impeachment articles.

The Senate should protect Americans and try Mayorkas, Lee also posted on X. Not the other way around.

Schumers still planning to table the Mayorkas impeachment.



Hes not contesting the facts alleged.



Hes not denying that those facts, if proven, amount to impeachable offenses.



Thats like a court saying I dont feel like dealing with this case.



Unprecedented.



Unjustified.  Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) April 15, 2024

The Senate should protect Americans and try Mayorkas.



Not the other way around.  Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) April 15, 2024

According to Time magazine, Republicans like Lee and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said the first Senate impeachment against former President Donald Trump set a precedent for the legislative body to go forward with a trial.

In addition to Lee and Cruz, 42 other Senate Republicans have signed a letter to Schumer calling for a full Mayorkas impeachment trial. Five Republican senators didnt sign the letter, including Utah Sen. Mitt Romney.

New  44 Senate Republicans sign letter to Schumer calling for full Mayorkas impeachment trial.



GOP senators who did *not* sign the letter:



Cassidy

Collins

Murkowski

Paul

Romneyhttps://t.co/dw3oMtmuTS  Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) April 11, 2024

Whats next in Mayorkas impeachment?

Before impeachment articles are delivered to the Senate, Mayorkas will appear at a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee, Fox News reported.

Senators could be sworn in as jurors Wednesday even though Schumer is expected to quickly try to dismiss the charges, according to The Hill. The impeachment articles accuse Mayorkas of breaching public trust, as well as a willful and systematic refusal to comply with the law related to immigration and border security.

Members of both parties in the Senate expect a procedural motion to dismiss or table the charges against Mayorkas to be offered by Democrats, Roll Call reported.

A 51-49 vote could approve a pretrial motion to dismiss impeachment, according to Ohio Capitol Journal.

The Associated Press laid out how Schumer could get to a 51-49 margin.

Getting to 51 votes would require every single Democrat and the chambers three Independents to vote to dismiss, or potentially fewer if any Republicans join them, the AP reported. So far, no Democrats or Independents have expressed support for moving ahead with an impeachment trial.

If the Senate did move to a trial, it might take weeks for impeachment managers and lawyers representing Mayorkas to make their cases, the AP reported. Senators would be forced to sit in their sears for the duration.

The issue of accountability on illegal border crossings is expected to be a top issue from now to the presidential election in November, according to Time magazine.

Critics of Mayorkas impeachment weigh in

Schumer has criticized House Republicans push for impeachment against Mayorkas, while vowing to move forward expediently, according to Fox News.

The charges Mayorkas faces amount to a policy disagreement, not crimes that would mean impeachment is necessary, Democrats have said, according to the AP.

The Hill called the impeachment approach unusual, while legal experts told Time magazine that the articles are very weak, lack evidence of wrongdoing, and dont rise to the standard set in the Constitution.
The House impeachment managers on Tuesday formally delivered two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, setting up a battle on the Senate floor over whether to hold a full trial in the upper chamber.

It marks the first time since 1876 that the House has sent impeachment charges against a Cabinet official to the Senate, according to the Senate historical office.

Senators received the House managers shortly after 2 p.m. EDT Tuesday while seated at their desks, a rare formality adopted in the upper chamber only for the most serious occasions.

Nearly every seat in the Senate chamber was filled when the 11 House managers walked down the center aisle to read the charges from the well.

Adding to the gravity of the moment, the Senate sergeant at arms commanded all persons to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment while the House prosecutors read the charges and exhibited the impeachment articles.

Senators will be sworn in as jurors at 1 p.m. Wednesday to decide whether to hold a full trial on the Senate floor, something Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has signaled he has no intention of doing.

Schumer warned that holding a trial would set an awful precedent.

We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible. Impeachment should never be used to settle a policy disagreement, he said on the floor.

This would set an awful precedent for Congress. Every time theres a policy [disagreement] in the House, they send it over here and tie the Senate in knots to do an impeachment trial? Thats absurd. Thats an abuse of the process. That is more chaos, he said.

Schumer has said Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-Wash.) will preside over the impeachment proceedings but has declined to say what exactly the Senate will do next.

Senate Republicans say they expect Schumer to offer a motion to dismiss the charges Wednesday afternoon or evening, which would need a simple majority to pass.

But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said tabling the charges before hearing arguments and evidence would defy history and precedent.

I intend to give these charges my full and undivided attention, he said. Of course, that would require that senators actually get the opportunity to hold a trial. And that is exactly what history and precedent dictate.

Never before has the Senate agreed to a motion to table articles of impeachment. Not for an officer of either party. Not once, he said.

He noted that every other time in history the House has sent impeachment articles across the Capitol, the Senate has either held a trial or referred the matter to a special evidentiary committee to review accusations in depth.

Several Senate Democrats facing competitive reelection races, including Sens. Jon Tester (Mont.) and Tammy Baldwin (Wis.) have declined to say how they will vote on a motion to dismiss.

Im going to read the articles, said Tester, who told reporters last week that if the impeachment charges are more than just a political stunt, senators have got to look at it seriously.

If Tester or other Democrats vote against dismissing the charges, it could keep the impeachment debate alive in the Senate for days or weeks.

Several moderate Republicans, including Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Mitt Romney (Utah) have questioned whether the House found clear evidence that Mayorkas committed high crimes and misdemeanors, and they suggested he only carried out the policies of the Biden administration.

But in a significant development Tuesday, Romney said he would vote against a motion to table the matter.

I want to have debate and discussion of the articles of impeachment, whether thats in trial or in committee, he said. I dont think that there should be just a tabling without any process whatsoever.

Senate conservatives say they would view any vote to immediately dismiss the charges as nuking Senate precedent and are vowing to retaliate by raising procedural hurdles against routine Senate business.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), a leading conservative, said he and his colleagues will attempt to raise 15 points of order Wednesday to protest the failure to hold a trial or send impeachment to a special committee to further review it.

The House has charged Mayorkas with repeatedly violating immigration and border security laws and allowing millions of aliens to enter the United States illegally and unlawfully remain in the country.

They have accused him for willfully refusing to comply with the Immigration and Nationality Act, which requires the detention of migrants who are not clearly entitled to be admitted to the country, and instead unlawfully released migrants without establishing mechanisms to require their later appearance at immigration court removal proceedings.

The second article of impeachment charges Mayorkas with making false statements to Congress about the situation at the border and failing to comply with multiple congressional subpoenas.

Impeachment requires demonstrating that an official committed high crimes and misdemeanors, and a number of immigration law experts have said Mayorkas has not violated any statute in carrying out the Biden administrations immigration policies.

A spokesperson for the Homeland Security Department panned the charges as baseless and a waste of time.

Despite warnings from fellow Republicans that this baseless impeachment effort distorts the Constitution, House Republicans continue to ignore the facts and undermine the Constitution by wasting even more time on this sham impeachment in the Senate, said Mia Ehrenberg, a spokesperson for the department.

The House voted mostly along party lines, 214-213, in February to approve two impeachment articles.

Three House Republicans voted against sending the charges to the Senate, and the first attempt to pass the articles of impeachment through the House failed by a vote of 214-216.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A suspect who wielded a large knife to cut at least two Israeli flags before stealing them from doorsteps in east Davis, which police believe may have been a hate crime meant to terrorize residents, is being sought after the incident was captured on video.

Officers from the Davis Police Department said a man armed with a large knife walked up to a home on Friday in the 1500 block of Claremont Drive and sliced through the fabric. The suspect is also accused of taking the flag, police said.

Lt. Dan Beckwith, a spokesman for the department, said investigators obtained footage of the vandal on home surveillance and have only one suspect they are looking for.

Another act of vandalism  which the Davis police are also investigating as a hate crime  happened at a home not far from the first incident, in the 1100 block of L Street, on the same day. The area is right across from Oliver Wendell Homes Junior High School.

A suspect also cut through the flag and stole it, Beckwith said. Officers found a portion of the flag nearby, he said.

Both incidents are being investigated as hate crimes because it is believed the crimes were meant to terrorize the residents of these homes because of actual or perceived religious beliefs, police said in a social media post.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call the Davis Police Department at 530-747-5400 or email policeweb@cityofdavis.org.

Residents living near Pole Line Road, Chestnut Park and L Street were also asked to see if they have surveillance video of the incidents.
DENVER (KDVR)  With a resurgence of measles cases happening across the country, Colorado health officials sent emails and text messages to the families of 75,000 kids ages 4 to 6 whose records show they may be overdue for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

The goal is to increase MMR vaccination rates and prevent an outbreak.

Weve seen more cases of measles already in the U.S. this year than we saw last year, and its only the beginning of the year, State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said. So we know that things have shifted and theres more cases of measles happening right now.

What to do if you miss the deadline to file Colorado taxes, claim TABOR refund

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 121 cases of measles have been confirmed across 18 states since January. That includes an outbreak at a migrant shelter in Chicago.

Plus, an international traveler to Colorado tested positive in December.

Any place where we have pockets of under-vaccination is really where we want to make sure that people have access to the vaccine and these important reminders to get up to date on vaccines, Herlihy said.

Illustration of a text message

The notifications explain that measles is more than just a rash: It is a serious disease that is highly contagious, and health officials hope their message reaches all communities.

We have been working closely with our partners at the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment to ensure that vaccines are available to newcomers here in Colorado, and that includes vaccination efforts in schools, school-based clinics, in shelters as well as lots of opportunities for people to get up to date on vaccines, Herlihy said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Medal of Honor recipient Col. Ralph Pucketts remains will lie in honor later this month at the U.S. Capitol

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  Col. Ralph Puckett will receive one final honor and recognition from the nation he served with distinction before hes laid to rest.

Col. Puckett received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on a Korean battlefield in 1950. It was announced Tuesday that Pucketts remains will lie in honor in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Monday, April 29.

Col. Puckett was the last surviving Korean War Medal of Honor recipient.

The following statement was released by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: The extraordinary valor of Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr. represents the best of the 1.7 million Americans who left home to fight for freedom in the Korean War. He demonstrated tireless sacrifice for our country and his fellow Rangers and is an exceptional model for servicemembers and civilians alike. To recognize Colonel Pucketts remarkable heroism and service, and the contributions of all Korean War veterans, it is our privilege to permit his remains to lie in honor in the Rotunda of the Capitol.

Puckett died on April 8 in his north Columbus home. He was 97.

A celebration of Col. Pucketts life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the National Infantry Museum. The event will include full military honors and will be on the parade field.

A private burial will be held after his ashes are returned from Washington, D.C. His remains will be interred at the Parkhill Cemetery in Columbus.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Editor's note: The article was updated on April 17 with a comment from Nataliia Humeniuk for the Kyiv Independent.

Ukrainian media association Mediarukh called on April 16 for the replacement of Nataliia Humeniuk, the head of the military's Southern Operational Command's press department, for allegedly hindering proper war coverage in Kherson Oblast.

Mediarukh's letter is addressed to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, and Chief of the General Staff Anatolii Barhylevych and carries 100 signatures of journalists and media workers.

The letter said that while Ukrainians and the world can witness Russia's efforts to destroy Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast or Ukrainian troops holding the line in Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, this is not the case for events in Kherson Oblast, that is, in places where Humeniuk oversees the military's work with the media.

"Because there is no Nataliia Humeniuk in the east, but there is in the south," the letter read. The journalists argue that it is often impossible to obtain permission to access relevant places when most needed.

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The signatories argued that not only does this approach hide the faces of Ukrainian defenders in the south, but it also hinders journalists' efforts to cover Russian crimes.

The letter referred not only to the devastation wrought by Russian attacks on Kherson, Beryslav, and other settlements of the region but also to the consequences of the Kakhovka dam breach last summer.

The letter acknowledged that the military has designated certain areas or formations as "red zones," meaning they have stricter rules regarding media access, but said that "the Southern Command's communication department has declared all areas on the Dnipro River and the Black Sea to be 'red zone.'"

Mediarukh's demands to the military included replacing Humeniuk, ensuring media access to relevant parts of Kherson Oblast, revising operation rules of press centers under Humeniuk's command, and "make an effort so that journalists do not have to write another letter regarding the inadmissibility of the leadership of any defense communication structures by Hanna Maliar."

Maliar was dismissed as a deputy defense minister for strategic communications and information policy in September 2023 amid a wider reshuffle at the ministry.

In a comment for the Kyiv Independent, Humeniuk said that there had been no violations of rules on her part and that the "work has always been organized in accordance with operational safety."

"In places where it wasn't possible to give access to civilian journalists, the work has been undertaken by military media groups, press officers, and press services of law enforcement agencies," Humeniuk said.

"There was no obstruction of the coverage of Russian crimes," she added.

Read also: Recent campaigns against journalists raise concerns about press freedom in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Melania Trump, while noticeably absent from many of her husbands campaign events, has reportedly voiced her opposition to his hush money trial that began Monday.

In recent private conversations, Ms Trump called the trial a disgrace and tantamount to election interference, a source close to the Trumps with direct knowledge of her comments told The New York Times. This report comes on day two of Donald Trumps criminal trial in New York City. Ms Trump has not appeared in court with her husband, saying in private discussions it is his problem alone, The New York Times reports.

So far, seven jurors have been selected. Jury selection will continue on Thursday.

Mr Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in an attempt to conceal a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election to silence her about an alleged affair in 2006.

The charges were misdemeanours but have been elevated to felonies because Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg says they violated state and federal election laws.

Donald Trump, seen in this courtroom sketch during day two of his hush money trial in New York City, faces nearly three dozen counts of falsifying business records (AP)

The former president is the first American president to ever stand trial on criminal charges.

Ms Trumps support for her husband is particularly poignant given the subject of the trial. Ms Trump was reportedly furious when allegations first emerged that the then-president paid off an adult film star he had reportedly had an affair with, something he continues to deny. She left him alone in Washington DC and rode in a separate car to his 2018 State of the Union address after hearing the news, The New York Times reports.

Meanwhile, Ms Trump has been largely out of the public eye in recent months, missing the majority of campaign events and milestones, including the watch party for her husbands streak of primary election wins on Super Tuesday. Mr Trump says shell make her return on her own terms.

Melania Trump, pictured above with her husband in a rare appearance at Palm Beach, Florida election fundraiser on 13 April, has reportedly voiced her opposition to the trial (AP)

Shes a private person, a great person, a very confident person, and she loves our country very much. Shell be  at the appropriate time  shell be out there, Mr Trump said during an interview with Meet the Press in September.

Earlier this year, her mother Amalija Knavs passed away at 78. Mr Trump described Knavs as a great and beautiful mother who will be missed by the family.

This is a very sad night for the entire Trump family!!! Mr Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social. Melanias great and beautiful mother, Amalija, has just gone to a beautiful place in the sky. She was an incredible woman, and will be missed far beyond words!

The former first ladys attendance at public events appears to be on the rise, however. Ms Trump attended a general election fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida on Saturday. She is also set to appear at a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser on Saturday for the Log Cabin Republicans, an organisation that labels itself the nations largest Republican organization dedicated to representing LGBT conservatives and allies.
TEHRAN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres exchanged views on Iran's massive retaliatory military operation against Israel on Monday.

In a phone call on Monday night, the two sides also discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry early Tuesday.

Amir-Abdollahian said the Iranian armed forces' operation against the Israeli military was within the framework of the legitimate right to self-defense and international law.

He added that although Iran could carry out an operation with a wider radius, it targeted only those military positions from which Israel had carried out the deadly attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria.

Amir-Abdollahian appreciated Guterres's efforts to provide Palestinians with assistance, stressing that exercising its legitimate right to self-defense was Iran's sole option given the inefficiency of the UN Security Council and its refrainment from condemning the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy.

The foreign minister stressed that the security of West Asia was very important to his nation, but Israel had been killing "innocent" women and children in Gaza while the United States and its Western allies did not stop it.

He expressed gratitude towards Guterres for his positive approach and efforts to end the war against Gaza and send humanitarian aid to the Palestinian coastal enclave as well as visiting twice the southern Gaza city of Rafah, adding Iran would welcome the UN chief's initiative to ensure sustainable security in the region.

With regard to Iran's military operation against Israel, Guterres called on all parties involved in the regional conflicts and disputes to continue exercising restraint.

The UN chief expressed satisfaction with Iran's position to stop further operations against Israel, saying, "We urge Israel not to take any retaliatory action in order to reduce tensions in the region in favor of establishing peace and prevent the spread of violence."

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said in two statements early Sunday that it had launched "tens of missiles and drones" and "successfully hit and destroyed" important military targets belonging to the Israeli army.

The attack was meant to retaliate the Israeli strike on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital city of Damascus on April 1, which killed seven Iranians, including two veteran commanders. 
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Airman Victor Surposa, hailing from Mertzon, Texas, finds himself serving aboard the USS Gerlad R. Ford, stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. A recent graduate of Irion County High School in 2022, Surposa brings with him the skills and values instilled by his upbringing, mirroring those crucial for success in the Navy.

The recent completion of an eight-month deployment marked a significant milestone for the crew, as it represented the inaugural deployment for the Navys newest aircraft carrier. Amidst global tensions, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, including Surposa, extended its mission by 76 days to support Israels right to self-defense during a period of conflict in the region. Operating in the Mediterranean Sea, the strike group engaged in the multinational exercises and vigilance activities, bolstering NATO capabilities and deterring aggression.

Reflecting on his journey, Surposa credits his upbringing and familial support for shaping his path. Growing up I learned the importance of staying true to myself and pursuing my life goals, Surposa reflects. My Tia Beatriz helped me realize the importance of branching out and seizing opportunities. With gratitude towards his family, Surposa acknowledges the pivotal role played by his Tio Elias and Cousin Jesus in his upbringing and development.

As Surposa serves in the Navy, he finds fulfillment in pursing his dreams and contributing to the nations security and prosperity.  Serving in the Navy allows me to follow my dreams, Surposa affirms. Every day, I wake up knowing that Im taking steps towards my life goals. With a commitment to excellence and a deep sense of purpose, Surposa embodies the dedication of sailors who operate tirelessly around the world, ensuring the nations security and promoting global stability.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The favorite to win Mexico's presidential election in June, Claudia Sheinbaum, on Monday outlined a plan to invest $13.57 billion in new energy generation projects through 2030.

The ambitious program plans to increase wind and solar power generation and would modernize five hydroelectric plants. It would represent a significant shift from the policies of current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who since taking office in late 2018 has prioritized strengthening state oil company Pemex over renewables.

"We have to speed up the promotion of renewable energies," Sheinbaum told a group of Mexican businessmen on Monday, where she specified that the new projects would add 13.66 gigawatts to the energy grid.

"We are working on the national energy plan not only through 2030, but to 2050," Sheinbaum said, referring to the deadline set by international agreements on climate change.

If she wins the June 2 election, the former Mexico City mayor will be the nation's first female president and will remain in office until 2030.

Sheinbaum, a close ally of Lopez Obrador, holds a comfortable lead of more than 20 percentage points over her closest challenger, opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez.

The 61-year-old scientist has assured that, if she becomes president, she will carry on her predecessor's legacy, but change course in her approach to energy in prioritizing renewables.

However, Sheinbaum's plan outlined on Monday would also include the construction of gas-burning power plants.

Lopez Obrador has poured government funds into the heavily indebted Pemex during his administration, though the consequences of his "rescue" of the state firm will likely fall to his successor, sources told Reuters.

(Reporting by Diego Ore; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
Miami police arrest seven pro-Palestine protesters who they say were blocking traffic

Police on Monday arrested seven people who they say were blocking the entrance to PortMiami while participating in a pro-Palestine protest in Downtown Miami.

The protesters were arrested on charges of obstructing the roadway, said Miami police spokesman Officer Michael Vega.

There were seven arrests due to the individuals obstructing traffic and refusing to remain at the designated area near the intersection of Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 3 Street, Vega said.

About seven people were detained and lay on the hot sidewalk after blocking the intersection of 3rd Street and northbound Biscayne on Monday, April 15, 2024, in downtown Miami, Florida. Carl Juste/cjuste@miamiherald.com

Police did not immediately release the names of those arrested.

The demonstration, involving about 150 people, was organized by the South Florida Coalition for Palestine. It was part of nationwide protests against Israels campaign against Hamas in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attacks.

A group protesting for ceasefire in support of Gaza marched towards Bayside, passing in front of the Bernar Venets Arcs in Disorder: 3 Arcs x 5 on Monday, April 15, 2024. Seven protesters were arrested on charges of blocking the intersection of 3rd Street and northbound Biscayne.. Carl Juste/cjuste@miamiherald.com

We are seeing Palestinian families being completely wiped out, lacking any access to food, diseases rising, and yet we see them taking care of each other, praying and fighting for their basic material needs, Valentina Jadue, one of the protesters, said in a statement released by the group.

About seven protesters lay down in the intersection of NE 3rd Street and northbound Biscayne Blvd and were later arrested by Miami Police on Monday, April 15, 2024, in downtown Miami, Florida. Carl Juste/cjuste@miamiherald.com

Organizers said they chose Tax Day as the time to conduct the demonstrations. In a statement, they noted it was important that protesters made clear that business cannot go on as usual as we witness Israels unfathomable violence against the Palestinians of Gaza.

We are seeing resistance by the Palestinian people and by the world. People are fed up and cannot bear to watch this genocide continue or have our tax dollars go to funding war and weapons being used to murder Palestinians. This is why we are here today, Jadue added.

In several cities, protesters blocked major traffic arteries, including the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Miami Police officers in riot gear stand near as a group protesting for ceasefire in Gaza in Bayside Monday, April 15, 2024. Police arrested seven protesters accused of blocking the intersection of 3rd Street and northbound Biscayne Boulevard. Carl Juste/cjuste@miamiherald.com

In Florida, however, obstructing the roadway is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Officials across the state have stressed the tactic is not an acceptable for of protest in Florida.

In Florida, anyone who blocks traffic will be immediately arrested, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said in a statement on X following news of the arrests. This includes any act that obstructs the normal flow of traffic, such as standing, approaching, or endangering the safe movement of vehicles or pedestrians.

A group protesting for ceasefire in support of Gaza stopped to unveil a banner as they marched towards Bayside in downtown Miami Monday, April 15, 2024. Carl Juste/cjuste@miamiherald.com

The coalition said in a statement that the people arrested were aggressively dragged and arrested by the police.

The group said demonstrators included Jews, Palestinians, and others from various backgrounds  health care workers, writers, educators, students, abolitionists, racial justice organizers, healers, food justice workers, professors, and social justice activists.
The High Court decision to uphold a head teachers ban on prayer rituals in school is a welcome outbreak of common sense in this increasingly toxic debate. A Muslim pupil had sued Michaela School in north west London claiming the prohibition was discriminatory and a breach of her right to freedom of religion. The court ruled it was neither.

In an 83-page written judgment dismissing the case, Mr Justice Linden said: The claimant at the very least impliedly accepted, when she enrolled at the school, that she would be subject to restrictions on her ability to manifest her religion.

Around half the schools 700 pupils are Muslim and, in March last year, a small number began praying in the schools yard. This was inimical to the inclusive ethos of the school pursued by its head, Katharine Birbalsingh. She has built the school, in a deprived area, into an outstanding, multi-faith institution which has transformed the lives of young people, many of them Muslim.

Yet teachers were facing intimidation and threats while order was being disrupted. The school said the ban was necessary to avoid a culture shift towards segregation between religious groups and intimidation within the group of Muslim pupils.

This entire case has been a travesty, designed to cause a schism rather than bring groups together. Ms Birbalsingh has had to fight this largely on her own, with little support from fellow head teachers and hardly any from the Government. After the verdict, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said she had always been clear that head teachers are best placed to make decisions in their school. That clarity was not obvious.

This official cravenness in the face of campaign organisations, whether they be Islamist or pushing transgender causes, is letting down children. Ms Birbalsingh is loathed on the Left because she is an old-style head teacher who insists on enforcing rules of behaviour and upholding values that a generation or two ago would have been unremarkable.

The court action was another attempt to undermine this approach by those who want to turn our schools into ideological battlegrounds rather than places of learning. Her victory upholds the right of non-religious schools to make their own decisions about whether to set aside time and space for pupils to pray. This was once considered something that the courts should not be involved in. It should be the last time they are.

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Michigan Attorney General charges former Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield with 13 felonies

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced 13 criminal charges against former Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield.

Attorney General Dana Nessel alleges Chatfield used nonprofit funds for personal uses, including paying off credit cards and funding lavish vacations including trips to Universal Studios in Orlando, Las Vegas and the Bahamas.

He is accused of embezzlement by a public official. Nessel said he submitted paperwork for when he went to and from his district and got reimbursement for travel expenses even when he was not traveling.

Lee Chatfield has been charged with the following:

One count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony;

Four counts of Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine;

Three counts of Embezzlement by a Public Officer Over $50, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $5,000 fine;

One count of Conspiracy to Commit Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine and an additional $10,000 fine;

Three counts of Embezzlement, $1,000-$20,000, a felony punishable by 5 years incarceration and/or a $10,000 fine; and

One count of a Felony Violation of the Charitable Trust Act, a felony punishable by 5 years incarceration and/or a $10,000 fine.

Stephanie Chatfield has been charged with one count each of the following:

Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine; and

Conspiracy to Commit Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine and an additional $10,000 fine.

In late December the AG charged Chatfields former Chief of Staff and his wife with multiple felonies.

The charges, which include running a criminal enterprise, conspiracy to run a criminal enterprise, embezzlement and more, stem from Anne and Robert Minard. The couple operated a consulting firm as well as numerous political nonprofits. The AG alleges the couple ran a complex operation to financially exploit those organizations.

Both of them were charged with:

One count of conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony

One count of conspiracy to conduct a criminal conspiracy, a 20-year felony

Three counts of false pretenses, $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, five-year felonies

One count of false pretenses, $20,000 or more but less than $50,000, a 15-year felony

One count embezzlement, $100,000 or more, a 20-year felony

One count of filing a false tax return, a five-year felony

Two counts embezzlement, $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 from non-profit or charitable organization, a 10-year felony

Two counts false pretenses, $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, 5-year felonies

The investigation began after Chatfields former sister-in-law Rebekah Chatfield filed a criminal complaint accusing the former Speaker of the House of sexually assaulting her, beginning when she was a student at the small Christian academy run by Chatfields father, Rusty; and where Lee worked as a teacher.

Her former husband, Aaron Chatfield, provided additional information about abuses of campaign finance laws by the Speakers organizations and funds. Both the sexual assault and campaign finance reports were forwarded to the Michigan State Police for investigation.

Law enforcement searched the couples Bath Township home in February of last year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
As the Gulf region gains growing strategic importance in the tech war between the U.S. and China, Microsoft makes a big move into one of its oil-rich countries.

On Monday evening, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion strategic investment in G42, the Abu Dhabi-based company that has become a major force in the United Arab Emirates' effort to be a global leader in artificial intelligence. The minority stake will give Brad Smith, Microsoft's vice chair and president, a seat on G42's board of directors.

The deal signifies much more than a mere commercial collaboration between two AI titans; it serves as evidence of two countries' strategic positioning amid rising geopolitical tensions.

The funding comes amid U.S. politicians' escalating concerns over G42's ties with China. In January, the bipartisan-select House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo calling for the inclusion of G42 on the Entity List, which would bar the Emirati company from accessing sensitive U.S. technologies.

Such a move would put G42 under the same security concerns umbrella as Huawei, which was placed on the Entity List in 2019 and has since been restricted from acquiring critical U.S. technologies, including high-end chips and certain Android services.

Now, the Microsoft investment appears to be a judgment on which superpower G42 has aligned itself with.

Delicate dance

As the UAE navigates a delicate balance between the U.S. and China, its AI poster child G42 has inevitably become a proxy in the tech rivalry between the two superpowers. Though a long-time economic and military ally of the U.S., the UAE has in recent times diverged from Washington's foreign policy and expanded its partnerships with China, a development that worries Washington.

Last year, the UAE's president Mohamed bin Zayed attended Russias flagship economic forum, which was largely shunned by Western countries in protest of the Ukraine war. The UAE has also increased military cooperation with China, including a plan for their first joint air force training last year.

On the business side, the UAE is attracting a wave of Chinese venture capitalists and entrepreneurs who are increasingly excluded from the U.S. market. Managers of Chinese funds have turned to the UAE and its affluent Middle Eastern neighbors for capital as American limited partners retreat from China. Capitalizing on the UAE's commitment to electrify its economy, China's electric vehicle manufacturers have been aggressively touting plug-in models in the market. Last year, premium EV maker Nio secured $738.5 million investment from an Abu Dhabi-backed fund.

Given the two countries' increasing economic ties, it's no surprise that G42, which is spearheading the UAE's AI development, has also forged ties with Chinese firms. What appears to be commercial relationships, however, have greatly concerned the U.S.

In its letter to Raimondo, the House Select Committee on the CCP noted that G42 maintains relationships with companies like Huawei, Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) and Tencent.

The Committee also highlighted the background of G42's CEO Peng Xiao, who previously held a senior position at a subsidiary of DarkMatter, a company that develops "spyware and surveillance tools that can be used to spy on dissidents, journalists, politicians, and U.S. companies."

Given these alleged Chinese ties, the Committee is concerned that G42 can be a way for Chinese firms to access U.S. technologies that are otherwise under export control. The Committee is in particular wary of its "extensive commercial relationships" with American tech companies including Microsoft, Dell, and OpenAI.

Picking side

The deal between Microsoft and G42 represents an uncommon case involving overt backing from their respective governments. According to the announcement, this "commercial partnership is backed by assurances to the U.S. and UAE governments through a first-of-its-kind binding agreement to apply world-class best practices to ensure the secure, trusted, and responsible development and deployment of AI."

If the deal goes through, it will designate Microsoft as G42's official cloud partner. Under the agreement, the Emirati company's data platform and other key technology infrastructure will migrate to Microsoft Azure, which will power G42's AI product development. G42 already has a partnership with OpenAI that commenced in 2023.

The partnership with Microsoft appears to be part of G42's ongoing effort to pare back its Chinese influence. The firm has divested its China-related portfolio, including TikTok parent ByteDance, and Xiao said late last year that the firm had plans to phase out Chinese hardware, saying "We cannot work with both sides."

What Microsoft gains in return is extensive market access to the region, where its AI business and Azure will be implemented across a range of industries like financial services, healthcare, energy, government and education. The partnership will also see the pair launching a $1 billion fund "for developers to boost AI skills" in the UAE and the broader region.

As tech companies have learned in the past few years, it's become increasingly difficult to avoid picking a camp between the U.S. and China -- whether in terms of technology vendors, users or investors. The developments around G42 demonstrate that even a country like the UAE, which has sought to be a neutral ground between the two rival nations, will ultimately be forced to take a side.

We are excited to announce a $1.5 billion investment from @Microsoft in G42, marking a significant step forward in our journey to lead in #AI innovation globally. pic.twitter.com/XJ0Q4WiZta  G42 (@G42ai) April 16, 2024

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Migrants in limbo may get amnesty instead of being sent to Rwanda

40,000 migrants have arrived since March 7 last year, when the provisions of the Act barring them from claiming asylum took effect - Home Office/PA

Migrants from a cohort of 40,000 people who are stuck in limbo may have to be granted amnesty rather than being sent to Rwanda, a senior Tory MP has warned.

Tim Loughton, a former minister who is a member of the Commons home affairs committee, said the backlog of 40,000 migrants who had entered the UK illegally since the Illegal Migration Act got Royal Assent was too big for them all to be sent to Rwanda.

The 40,000 have arrived since March 7 last year, when the provisions of the Act barring them from claiming asylum took effect.

However, the power in the Act enabling the Home Secretary to detain and deport them to Rwanda has yet to be activated, leaving migrants in limbo without the ability to claim asylum or leave the UK.

Civil servants admitted migrants were in limbo when questioned by Mr Loughton at a hearing of the public accounts committee on Monday, describing their status as pending relocation.

At some stage, the duty to remove will become active, at which point what happens when you cannot remove them because there are not enough places on the planes? said Mr Loughton.

It is difficult to know what they are going to do with them given those circumstances, other than to issue some sort of amnesty, which obviously would not go down at all well.

Civil servants admitted migrants were in limbo when questioned by Tim Loughton, describing their status as 'pending relocation' - Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

Ministers and officials have refused to say how many migrants will be deported to Rwanda, but have insisted the scheme is uncapped.

Leaked Home Office documents at the weekend suggested that the UK and Rwanda had initially agreed on around 30,000 people being deported over the five years of the migration partnership between the two countries.

Other documents have indicated that limits on detention capacity for migrants and the requirements of the legal appeals would mean that around 700 people a month could be processed for deportation.

Speaking at the public accounts committee on Monday, Sir Matthew Rycroft, the top civil servant at the Home Office, denied that the Government had any plans to grant migrants an amnesty, saying it planned to operationalise the Safety of Rwanda Bill as soon as it gained Royal Assent.

The Bill is due to return to the Lords on Tuesday, when it is expected that Labour and crossbench peers will attempt to reinstate amendments defeated by the Commons on Monday.

The Act, combined with a new treaty with Rwanda, aims to get deportation flights off the ground by the spring by declaring the central African state safe and limiting legal challenges after the Supreme Court declared the scheme unlawful and Rwanda unsafe.

Dan Hobbs, the director general for migration and borders at the Home Office, told MPs the migrants would be processed for deportation to Rwanda once the provisions in the Illegal Migration Act were activated.

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Mike Johnson says House will vote on Ukraine and Israel aid this week

House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that plans push on with votes on fresh aid for Israel and Ukraine  after months of delays around sending billions of dollars worth of military aid to Kyiv.

Days after Iran launched a missile and drone attack on Israel, Mr Johnson announced he would try and advance the aid package amid the immense political pressure he has been receiving over how to handle foreign aid, including Republicans who threatened to oust him if he moves forward with gresh funding to help Ukraine defend itself from Russias invasion.

A Senate-approved package $95 billion (76bn)  which includes aid to Ukraine, Israel and involves a number of other foreign policy priorities  has been sitting for weeks, while Ukraine has faced ammunition shortages and intense Russian attacks.

"There are precipitating events around the globe that were all watching very carefully and we know that the world is watching us to see how we react," Mr Johnson said on Monday.

After meeting with other Republican lawmakers on Monday, Mr Johnson said he would prepare a legislative package that mirrors the $95 billion bill, but divided into three separate sections.

Lawmakers will vote separately on a bill to send funds to Israel, another to allocate money for Ukraine and a third voting on aid for Taiwan and other allies.

I have just spoken with the @HouseGOP conference on my plan to address national security supplemental legislation on the growing security crises.



This week, we will consider separate bills with a structured and germane amendment process to:



Fund our ally Israel

Support  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 15, 2024

Mr Johnson added on X that within his plan, he seeks to pass additional measures to counter our adversaries and strengthen our national security.

The initial Senate-passed bill, which received wide bipartisan support, includes roughly $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel.

Democrats have repeatedly called on the speaker to put this package on the floor, but Mr Johnsons plan now seeks to divide up the separate issues.

Every member ultimately will be able to vote their own conscience on all of these matters and everybody have the opportunity to weigh in, Mr Johnson said after the Republican briefing on Monday, according to The Washington Post, who added that the earliest the House could consider the bills is Friday.

I think the final product will be something that everybody can take confidence in because they got to vote their district.

Mr Johnson also has expressed his support for legislation that would require some of the Ukraine funding to be paid back.

GOP Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has threatened to oust Mr Johnson from his speakership, was quick to criticise the plans as she emerged from Mondays briefing.

This is such a scam, and people are done with it, she said, later posting on X on Tuesday that she will be not be voting for the rule on Mr Johnsons plan.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson told CNN that he remains unconcerned about the threats to oust him if he moves forward with Ukraine aid, saying, I dont spend my time worrying about motions to vacate. Were having to govern here, and were going to do our job.

The speaker has also left open the possibility that the bills could be repackaged together, similar to the Senate bill, but this would not fare well with some conservatives.

Arizona Rep Andy Biggs wrote on X that he would not support merging the bills, saying that Israel funding should not be held hostage by Ukraine funding. The American people deserve to know where their senators stand on each funding component.

Other lawmakers have supported Mr Johnsons plans, including Oklahoma Rep Kevin Hern, the chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, which includes the majority of House Republicans, who told reporters that he thinks the speaker is doing the right thing.
SEOUL, April 16 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Tuesday protested at Japan's renewed territorial claims to the disputed islets lying halfway between the two countries, called Dokdo by South Korea and Takeshima by Japan.

South Korean foreign ministry said in a statement that the government strongly protests against the Japanese government, which reiterated its unjust territorial claims to Dokdo through its diplomatic blue paper earlier in the day.

The ministry urged Tokyo to immediately retract its territorial claims as Dokdo is South Korea's indigenous territory in terms of history, geography and international law.

It noted that South Korea makes it clear once again that Japan's unjust claims will have no impact on South Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo, vowing to firmly respond to relevant issues.

Since 2005, Japan has laid territorial claims to the rocky outcroppings every year in its diplomatic blue and defense white papers.

South Korea restored its sovereignty over Dokdo after the Korean Peninsula's liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese colonization. Seoul has since been in effective control of the islets, with a small police detachment deployed.

South Koreans regard Japan's territorial claims to the islets as a denial of colonial history as Dokdo was the very first territory that was forcibly occupied by Imperial Japan. 
House Speaker Mike Johnsons grip on his fractious conference appears to be slipping after he unveiled a plan to bring separate bills funding aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan to the House floora move that has angered some far-right House Republicans.

Johnsons risky plan led a second Republican to call for his resignation on Tuesday. At a weekly conference meeting, Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who opposes funding for Ukraine, said that he plans to co-sponsor a motion to vacate the speaker chair should Johnson move forward with the funding request, joining Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, in calling for Johnsons removal.

Johnson, not even six months into the job, is now facing yet another major test that promises to shape his speakership going forward: Can he move the foreign aid bills and save his job as Speaker at the same time?

I am not resigning and it is in my view an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply trying to do our job, Johnson told reporters on Tuesday. We need steady leadership. We need steady hands on the wheel I regard myself as a wartime Speaker.

For months, Johnson has delayed taking action on the $95 billion national security supplemental passed by the Senate two months ago that would provide military assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. But Iran over the weekend launched an aerial attack on Israel in retaliation for a deadly airstrike on its consulate in Syria, amplifying calls for Congress to respond quickly. And Ukraines military head warned over the weekend that Russia's offensive on the eastern front has escalated "significantly" in recent days.

We always knew this was going to be difficult for a raw speaker, Rep. Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican and chair of the House Appropriations Committee, tells TIME. We don't have unanimity on a lot of issues and, obviously, the majority is so narrow. But I think Johnson is navigating this exceptionally well. I dont see anybody emerging as an alternative to him.

Johnson has split the aid packages into separate bills in an attempt to address Ukraine funding, a divisive issue within his conference, while striving to mollify concerns from his far-right flank over sending large amounts of unchecked aid overseas. But his efforts have encountered some obstacles. He lacks the requisite Republican support to secure passage of the procedural vote, known as a rule, essential for considering the legislation. And some Republicans were displeased with the absence of border security measures in his plan, despite months of the party prioritizing border security discussions.

Sometimes when you're adding things on the wagon, you're pushing them off the other side, Cole says of his colleagues wanting to add border security measures to the bills. Leadership has got to make that calculation.

The four separate bills, which have not yet been unveiled to members, are expected to mirror the $95 billion Senate package that Johnson has sidelinedproviding money for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and other allies. A fourth vote is planned on a separate measure that includes a proposal to use seized Russian assets to help pay for aid to Kyiv and forces a sale or ban of TikTok in the U.S. After all four bills are voted on, Johnson plans to combine the bills that are passed into a single package for the Senate.

Israel funding should not be held hostage by Ukraine funding, Rep. Andy Biggs, an Arizona Republican, wrote on X. I supported the plans Speaker Johnson announced in conference to allow the House to vote on the various aid packages separately. But his since-announced intent to merge them together before sending them to the Senate is wrong.

The prospect of Johnson's ouster, should Greene and Massie proceed, threatens to exacerbate existing divisions within the fractured conference after House Republicans ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year.

Cole says that most Republicans do not want to revisit the two or three months of chaos after McCarthy was booted from his position. Theres not much of an appetite to do that again, he says, emphasizing that he doesnt think a motion to oust Johnson will succeed. I would prefer if people didnt make these threats, but to be fair to them, they're operating under the rule as it exists so they have the right to do that.

After Friday when another Republican is set to resign, Johnson can only afford to lose one Republican vote on the foreign aid bills and a motion to vacatesuggesting that Democrats could be critical to saving the Speakers job. Rep. Pete Aguilar, the Democratic Caucus Chairman from California, said on Tuesday that Democrats do not want to sink any plans that deliver aid to our allies.

White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday that the Biden Administration does not support a stand-alone bill. We dont support a stand alone bill that only funds Israel because Ukraine needs munitions too, Kirby said. But he acknowledged the White House would be open to seeing what Johnson can move through his chamber. Were going to wait and pass judgment after weve had a chance to take a look closer at the Speakers proposal, Kirby continued. The important thing is that our allies like Israel and Ukraine that are under the gun, literally under the gun, get the security assistance they need as quickly as possible. So we want them to move this week.

Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com.
Military: Fall of Chasiv Yar would open Russia's way to 'last strongholds' in Donetsk Oblast

If Russian forces capture besieged Chasiv Yar, it will enable them to launch offensives against other cities of Donetsk Oblast, the Khortytsia Group of Forces' spokesperson, Nazar Voloshyn, told Politico in a comment published on April 16.

Russia ramped up its offensive on Chasiv Yar after capturing Avdiivka, which lies about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southward, and its tempo of advance declined in early March. About 800 people remain in Chasiv Yar, according to local authorities.

"If the Russian occupiers manage to capture this city, they will have the opportunity to launch an offensive on Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk," Voloshyn told Politico.

"These cities are the last stronghold of Donetsk region, which is under the control of Ukraine."

Voloshyn went on to explain that Chasiv Yar is the "dominant height in the region, and its control will allow the Russian invaders" to push forward to other cities of Donetsk Oblast.

According to the spokesperson, the Kremlin wants to see Chasiv Yar captured before May 9  the day when Russia celebrates victory in World War II  for propaganda purposes.

On April 5, Moscow's proxies claimed that Russian troops had entered Chasiv Yar's suburb, but Ukraine's military later refuted that statement.

Read also: Russia prepares for a major offensive in Ukraine, eyes Chasiv Yar

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Military intelligence reports fire at substation in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, outages at military facilities

Military and industrial facilities were cut off from power in Russia's Bryansk Oblast after a fire broke out at an electrical substation overnight on April 16, according to Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR).

While Kyiv did not claim responsibility for the incident, HUR shared a video on Telegram showing a facility on fire at night.

The fire destroyed a transformer at the substation with a power of 100 kilowatts, according to the agency. A military base, a machine-building enterprise, and a military plant that supplies railway equipment were reportedly left without electricity.

"The enemy used these facilities in the genocidal war against Ukraine," HUR's statement read.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

There have been multiple reports since the start of the full-scale invasion about fires and other acts of sabotage within Russia and the Ukrainian territories occupied by Moscow.

Earlier, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) attacked a Russian modernized Nebo-U long-range radar system in Bryansk Oblast, a source at SBU told the Kyiv Independent on April 16.

Read also: Source: Ukrainian forces hit command post in Russian-occupied Crimea

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The 128th Air Refueling Wing, a Wisconsin Air National Guard facility on the east side of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, is in the running for a major upgrade to its aging fleet.

The organization announced April 9 that it was one of 15 military stations in consideration to house the KC-46A Pegasus, a military air refueling aircraft, and replace its current refueling aircraft. A determination is far off, with it being whittled to five eligible locations later this summer and a final selection coming in over a year or two.

If we dont (replace our fleet) now, were going to compete in the future for whatever comes next, but you never want to miss an opportunity, said Col. Charles Merkel, the facilitys commander. I think its critical to modernize both in terms of facilities and in terms of the flying missions.

The 128th Air Refueling Wing participates in missions internationally and domestically, like natural disasters, conflicts in the Middle East and, recently, a group of airmen returned from a deployment in the Indo-Pacific region. In that work, they use an aging fleet of 10 KC-135s aircrafts, which were made between the late 1950s and early 1960s.

To be in the running for the new aircraft, the 128th submitted a range of information to the United States Air Force to make it into consideration and that began in January. It will be weighed on those metrics as the process continues, he said.

The metrics range from the stations performance as a refueling wing to more technical ones, like hangar sizes, runway length and proximity to those they train with. Press materials also noted that the 128th has recently updated its infrastructure, from a new fuel storage facility to a refurbished operations building, as reasons why it was prepared for the new fleet.

The Air Force purchased about 180 of the new aircrafts and has been placing them in rounds and the current round is the final one, Merkel said. That 180 wont replenish all the older aircraft in the country, however, meaning that some stations could lose out  as theres about 400 KC-135s throughout the country, he said.

Were in competition for the last look, Merkel said.

If the Milwaukee base is selected, the KC-46 would replace its current fleet of 10 KC-135s. The new KC-46 would bring eight to the facility and replace the 10 KC-135s, he said. While less, it would not affect the 128ths performance, only requiring more frequent usage of the new aircraft.

The new aircraft would also bring a strong set of benefits, compared to the older, existing ones.

Among those is a substantially higher size and working fuel capacity. The aircraft are measured in pallet positions and the newer aircraft would triple that of the older ones and can carry about 10,000 pounds more fuel.

However, that figure is higher in practice, as the KC-135 carries much less fuel on them to keep those aircraft from being under too much weight stress.

Also, with that age, they require preventative maintenance that can be, at times, expensive. Large portions of the planes have to be deconstructed to check on corrosion and other aspects.

With the KC-135s, theyre not getting any younger. We know at some point, were going to have to switch to a different airframe or a different flying missions, Merkel said. What we dont want is to lose our flying missions in Milwaukee. ... We dont want to lose that capability for Milwaukee to have its own Air National Guard base.

If that were to happen, Merkel said it would be a hit to the local economy, as the facility has about 1,650 jobs.

The local refueling wing has a good chance of making the top five, Merkel said. As the process moves on beyond that, he said he and others based in Milwaukee plan to work with legislative partners to advocate for support.

The final decision is made by the Air Force secretary, Merkel said.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's 128th Air Refueling Wing could get major upgrade
Minnesota farmers welcome spring rain: 'There's nothing like the chemistry of rainwater'

The farmers at SEEDS vegetable farm near Northfield sipped coffee Tuesday morning as they watched dark clouds sail over the fields.

Planting the onions can wait. Another cup of coffee will do.

"As an organic farmer, I'm excited about the rain for our environment and for our watershed," said Becca Rudebusch, who owns SEEDS Farm, on Tuesday. "But rain means rest, too."

There hasn't been much rain-induced rest on farms across Minnesota over the last three seasons. And up until last Thursday's national drought report, 99% of the state had recorded abnormally dry conditions.

A growing sliver of Minnesota  about 13%  slipped out of drought stage last week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For many, Tuesday's soaking of the region's fertile cropland from Worthington to Park Rapids, was a godsend.

"There's nothing like the chemistry of rainwater," Rudebusch said.

Still, a band of severe drought stretches east of Albert Lea over farm fields and bluffs south of I-90 all the way to Wisconsin. Other dry areas hover around the Mississippi Headwaters, running north to the Canadian border.

Rudebusch said she's privileged to rely on irrigation from a deep well during dry years. And while wet, boot-sticking soil prevents field prep, she'll take the moisture.

Many farmers have already taken to the fields after the unofficial start to the corn-planting season on April 10. The state's row-crop farmers have planted 3% of corn and 2% of soybeans. Oats growers are ahead of average, with 17% of their cool-season crop planted. Up in the Red River Valley, rainfall has been sparse. Still, farmers recorded at least 2% of the sugar beet crop in the ground.

Carolyn Olson, who farms organic grain outside Cottonwood in southwestern Minnesota, seeded 350 acres of wheat last week. Last year was dry; her rain gauges collected half the water as a typical year.

"Yields were decent because we got rains right at the right time," Olson said. "But they weren't enough to replenish the soils."

Her good memory recalls last April and May when oscillating rain and snowfall throughout the spring kept farmers on the bench until well into prom season. This last winter also brought a dearth of snowfall.

Crop prices this spring are half of what they were a year ago. Smaller flocks of turkeys  after seasons of culling for avian flu protection  and smaller cattle herds has meant fewer uses for their grain, Olson said.

Agricultural exports also plunged 15% in 2023, according to the Minneapolis Federal Reserve.

"Having rain alleviates a little bit of the stress," Olson said. "But it's not completely taking it away."

This last weekend brought the start of the year to the Minneapolis Farmer's Market, signaling a market for the region's many vegetable farmers.

Yet the ever-changing climate especially impacts smallholder farms that are often working with diverse crops, which require more exacting conditions and cultivation.

From her farm south of Northfield, Rudebusch and her small team sends produce to local markets, cafeterias and the food shelf. While the rains soak the soil, there's miles yet to go this season.

"The other thing rain means is hail," Rudebusch said. "A lot of our infrastructure, such as the high-tunnels, are plastic."

By afternoon, Rudebusch planned to water greenhouse plants and tend to chores. That is, once the clouds dissipated and the coffee was finished.
Legislation advancing at the Capitol could extend new insurance protections to rideshare drivers attacked while driving, although lawmakers haven't resolved the central question of minimum pay.

House and Senate committees have revised the bill to grant drivers new rights if they are hurt on the job.

"Consider the human cost behind the services these drivers provide," said Eid Ali, president of the Minnesota Uber and Lyft Drivers Association. "The nature of their job exposes them to danger."

The revisions are the product of compromise between Uber and Lyft, a drivers organization, legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz' administration. Uber and Lyft already provide insurance for drivers that covers crashes, but drivers' advocates say they face other dangers.

Stephen Cooper, an attorney working with the drivers association, said drivers have frequently been victims of violence, with no cushion from Uber and Lyft if they are hurt.

"Previously, if a driver was shot, beaten, stabbed or robbed, there was no coverage," Cooper said.

The Senate Commerce committee amended the bill Tuesday to add insurance coverage for drivers including disability benefits and survivors' benefits if a driver is a victim of violence on the job.

Joel Carlson, a lobbyist representing Uber, called the insurance amendment "a step forward." He said the Senate language now matches the House bill more closely  and both bills' insurance provisions were close to the task force recommendations agreed to by both the ride-hailing companies, drivers' groups and a group of state lawmakers. A lobbyist representing Lyft said that company also supported the insurance amendment.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis, said he agreed to the amendment as a show of good faith.

During the commerce committee hearing, Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, introduced an amendment that would block any local government unit from setting its own regulations for ride-hailing companies, terming it a "backstop" to keep Uber and Lyft in Minnesota even if the Legislature and governor cannot agree on a bill.

"We would prohibit local units of government from driving out TNCs [transit networking companies] with these unworkable policies," Rasmusson said. His amendment was voted down by Democrats on the committee.

The Minneapolis city council voted in March to set minimum pay rates for drivers, prompting Lyft to say it will leave Minneapolis, and Uber the entire metro when the ordinance takes effect July 1.

GOP legislators have tried unsuccessfully to preempt the Minneapolis ordinance in the House as well. Carlson said Uber preferred to focus on consistent statewide regulations.

Earlier this month, a hearing in the House Judiciary committee looked at letting drivers sue Uber and Lyft if they are hurt on the job, and blocking the companies from requiring drivers to settle disputes in private arbitration, rather than in court.

Rep. Hodan Hassan, DFL-Minneapolis, said during that hearing that Minnesota's laws have not been enough to protect drivers.

"It's very critical when you show up for work, you go home safe to your family," Hassan said. "This is a really hard job, because you are driving your car, you have your back to a stranger in your car, you can't see what they're doing."

Carlson said the companies don't support those measures, because the right to sue and not be in private arbitration are not guaranteed to other independent contractors.

More broadly, negotiators still think they will be able to pass a bill this session. Getting a little more time helped, Hassan said, with the Minneapolis City Council delaying the effective date of their minimum-pay ordinance from May 1 to July 1. But she said negotiators are still looking for "alignment" on a statewide minimum pay rate.

Carlson said earlier this month he believes House negotiators are working in good faith. Lyft lobbyist John Reich agreed.

"We think we can get there," he said.
A missing Clayton County woman was found safe Tuesday and returned to her family.

Officers responded to Shannon Circle in Hampton, Georgia on Monday, April 15 just before midnight.

Dorothy Griffin, 64, left her home Monday morning for a medical appointment in Atlanta.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

She spoke on the phone with the person who reported her missing at about 1 p.m. but never returned home after her appointment.

She was driving a black 2022 Kia Rio with Georgia tag # SEF8861.

FLOCK cameras last spotted her car in Montezuma, Georgia at about 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Police say she has cancer and received treatment that likely caused her to be confused.

Tuesday afternoon, police posted on their Facebook page that Griffin had been safely located and returned to her family.

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Employees of an Omaha accounting firm found Leo, the missing dog, left in a dumpster with his face, paws, and tail covered in duct tape

Nebraska Humane Society Leo the missing dog after he was found covered in duct tape and left in a dumpster (left) and Leo after having the duct tape removed

The Nebraska Humane Society is asking for help finding out who covered a missing dog's face in duct tape and then left the pet in a dumpster.

According to an April 15 Facebook post from the shelter, employees at an Omaha accounting firm found the canine in a dumpster behind the office's building.

An employee at the firm heard sounds coming from the dumpster on April 14, but they weren't comfortable investigating the commotion, per the shelter's post. The next day, the firm's staff opened the dumpster expecting to find a raccoon but found a small dog whose "entire head was wrapped in duct tape" instead.

The Nebraska Humane Society wrote that the employees found the canine with "his front legs and back legs taped together as well, and there was tape wrapped around his tail. He also had food and other debris caked in his fur."

Nebraska Humane Society Leo the dog before employees at the Nebraska Humane Society removed the duct tape covering his fur

According to KETV, the dog's rescuers saved him just in time.

"Luckily, we just kind of came out when we did and found it because as soon as the Humane Society got there, probably about 15 minutes later, the trash man came and emptied it," Kevin Wiederin, a staff member at the accounting firm, told the outlet.

Wiederin added he was "absolutely sickened" by what was done to the innocent dog. "It was it was the most disgusting thing I've ever seen. I can't imagine doing that to another living being, let alone a helpless little dog, and then just throwing it away like trash."

Related: Hallmark Actor Aaron O'Connell Flies Rescue Dog to Her Forever Home Through Pet Charity (Exclusive)

The accounting firm called Animal Control for assistance. Officers carefully collected the duct-taped dog and brought him to the Nebraska Humane Society. The shelter's staff sedated the canine shortly after his arrival, and worked together to methodically remove all the tape covering the furry pup.

"They had to shave him to remove all of the debris," the shelter wrote about what happened next, adding that the dog "perked up and was wagging his tail" after coming out of sedation.

Nebraska Humane Society Leo at the Nebraska Humane Society after having the duct tape removed from his body

The Nebraska Humane Society added, "He has some mild skin irritation but is otherwise healthy and seemed to be in good spirits despite his condition."

Related: Authorities Looking for Owner of Cat with Heart-Shaped Nose Who Was Found Alone in Strawberry Dress

After freeing the dog from all the duct tape adhered to his fur, the shelter's staff scanned the pup for a microchip and found one. The microchip led the Nebraska Humane Society to the dog's owner, Erin Dillon-Pasillas, who had reported the pet missing on April 11.

Dillon-Pasillas told the shelter that her dog, Leo, likely slipped out while she was taking her son to school, and she had been searching for the dog ever since.

Nebraska Humane Society Leo sporting a shorter haircut after having the duct tape covering his face, paws and tail removed

The Nebraska Humane Society wrote on social media that Erin was "incredibly emotional" upon hearing the abuse her dog endured during his short time away. Leo is now back with his family, enjoying the comforts of home.

"He's the sweetest dog! I don't know why anyone would do this," Dillon-Pasillas told KETV.

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According to the shelter, the location where Leo was dumped was isolated and had no security cameras nearby. The Nebraska Humane Society asks anyone who has information on how Leo ended up wrapped in duct tape and dumped after disappearing from his home to call Animal Control at 402-444-7800 ext 1. The Nebraska Humane Society is offering $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest concerning Leo's case.

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Tourists enjoy light decorations near the city wall of Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 2, 2024.(Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)

Ten years on, exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations is becoming increasingly popular, sharing Chinese wisdom and solutions for the common interests of all humankind.

PARIS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- An international symposium on the concept of intercultural exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations was held Monday in the French capital.

The symposium, held at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), discussed the historical dimension of the cultural exchanges along the Silk Roads, as well as intercultural dialogue and mutual learning in the contemporary world.

Chinese books are pictured during Paris Book Festival 2024 in Paris, France, April 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

"Facing risks and challenges in today's world, it is necessary to explore the classics to draw on the wisdom of civilizations, to both inherit and innovate so as to promote development and progress, to communicate and cooperate so as to enhance mutual understanding," Zhang Jianchun, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said in his opening speech.

He recalled that in March 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited UNESCO headquarters for the first time and delivered a speech on promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

This aerial photo taken on Nov. 7, 2023 shows the east and west pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple and the surrounding core area for ancient city conservation in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, at the eastern end of the maritime Silk Road. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Ten years on, exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations is becoming increasingly popular, sharing Chinese wisdom and solutions for the common interests of all humankind, Zhang said. "China stays fully engaged in fruitful cooperation with all parties, including UNESCO, jointly promoting exchanges and dialogue among civilizations."

He called on all parties to actively enact the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, three initiatives put forward by Xi, in order to enhance consensus among civilizations and promote common development.

In his speech, UNESCO Deputy Director-General Qu Xing stressed that no real international community is possible without mutual understanding, knowledge and trust. He called on all parties to build trust.

Doudou Diene, former director of UNESCO's Division of Intercultural Dialogue, said the UN body has been actively promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning with many programs, including the "Silk Roads, Roads of Dialogue" program launched in 1988, which has been a huge success.

A woman reads a Chinese book during Paris Book Festival 2024 in Paris, France, April 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Experts on the panels emphasized how the exchanges of ideas, religions, art, and values have consistently contributed to the enrichment of all civilizations, while also exploring the key challenges of intercultural exchanges and dialogue between civilizations in a globalized, urbanized and digital world.

Some 200 people attended the symposium jointly hosted by China's State Council Information Office, UNESCO and China's National Commission for UNESCO.
The Missouri House this week passed a bill that would create stiffer penalties for people who traffic fentanyl as overdoses and deaths ravage across the country.

The bill, filed by Rep. David Casteel, a High Ridge Republican, would increase the severity of felony charges based on the amount of fentanyl involved. For example, a person who trafficked more than 14 milligrams of fentanyl could face ten to thirty years or life in prison  a Class A felony, the most severe felony classification in Missouri.

Under current law, a person would face a Class A felony if they trafficked 20 milligrams or more.

Casteel, in a statement on Tuesday, touted his bill as a way to combat the nations opioid crisis.

We are sending a clear message that Missouri is committed to protecting our citizens and holding accountable those who seek to profit from the devastation of addiction, he said.

The Missouri House passed the bill on a vote of 108 to 25 on Monday, with 21 Democrats voting present. While supporters of the legislation argue it could help curb fentanyl deaths, opponents say that stiffer criminal penalties could make the opioid crisis worse.

Rep. Deb Lavender, a Manchester Democrat, said Monday that lawmakers should be advocating for drug treatment  not stronger criminal penalties.

We are not advocating treatment. Were not advocating prevention or diversion, said Lavender, who voted against the bill. Were advocating keeping people locked up for longer.

Critics, including some health professionals, have remained skeptical that adding more criminal charges would help stem the rise in fentanyl-related deaths and overdoses. Some have pointed to the nations history of criminalizing users of drugs such as crack cocaine which disproportionately affected marginalized communities.

The drug  50 times more potent than heroin, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration  has ravaged across the country, killing more than 850 people in the Kansas City region since 2018.

The Star has investigated the toll fentanyl has taken on the Kansas City-area since 2018. The series has detailed the trail of destruction this crisis has left behind and many families have said they feel police have denied them justice.

Casteel, in his statement on Tuesday, said the opioid crisis was clearly an epidemic that we need to address.

Weve seen an alarming surge in fatalities associated with these substances, especially among our younger population, he said.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares will participate in a forum for crime victims in Norfolk during National Crime Victims Week.

Established in 1981, National Crime Victims Week is intended to promote the removal of barriers to justice for all victims of crime as well as honor crime victims and survivors. Additionally, National Crime Week is aims to recognize the professionals and volunteers who provide critical services to victims of crime, and raise awareness about crime victims rights and services.

Miyares will be joined by Pastor Calvin A. Durham of the New Hope Church of God in Christ and Shana Turner, local advocate for crime victims.

This event is co-hosted by Voices of Black Mothers United (VBMU), a national group of mothers who have lost loved ones to violence and work to strengthen their communities in honor of the family members they have lost.

The forum takes place Tuesday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. at New Hope Christian Community Center, 3241 Brest Avenue in Norfolk.

Those interested in attending the forum should email shana@hrmask.org to RSVP.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
A report prepared for the Missouri House Ethics Committee found no direct evidence to support that House Speaker Dean Plocher committed an ethical violation in pursuit of an expensive technology contract even as the document painted a portrait of an obstructed investigation.

The report also found that Plocher received nearly $4,000 in government reimbursements for expenses already paid by his campaign. But it had no evidence indicating Plocher did it intentionally.

The Ethics Committee voted 2 to 6 against adopting the report Monday evening in a tense and at-times confusing meeting after its months-long investigation into the top Republican in the Missouri House.

Mondays meeting offered the public its first glimpse into an investigation that has loomed over the Missouri House since October. The committee, which typically reviews complaints against lawmakers in secret, opened the meeting with a motion to adopt the long-awaited report.

Respondents conduct in submitting inaccurate expense forms warrants appropriate action by the House of Representatives, the report said, referring to Plocher. The Respondents actions substantially impair public confidence in the General Assembly.

After each of the committee members silently reviewed the report, Rep. Hannah Kelly, a Mountain Grove Republican, motioned for a vote to approve it. While the motion failed, the vote meant that its findings were released to the public.

After the report became public, Plocher was inside his office in the Missouri Capitol. His staff told reporters that he declined comment.

Kelly, who was facing intense pressure to release the report, told reporters that leaks to the media had raised questions about who was releasing information about the behind-closed-doors investigation.

She said after the meeting that the report shows absolute obstruction to the investigation by Plochers office.

Kellys decision to call for a vote meant that the contents of the report could not be shielded from the public eye as Plocher mounts a campaign for secretary of state.

I dont know what more can be done, Kelly told reporters. It is what it is.

The document included three recommendations: a letter of disapproval against Plocher; a requirement that no lawmakers or staff be retaliated against for assisting the committees investigation; and that Plocher use an accounting professional to handle his expenses.

But the report stopped short of recommending Plochers removal or expulsion from the General Assembly.

Its unclear what the committee will do next after failing to adopt Mondays report. The panel is scheduled to meet two more times this week.

The report confirmed that the committee investigated Plochers push for the House to issue a $800,000 contract for an outside company to manage constituent information. Plocher denied receiving any quid pro quo for his efforts and the committee found no direct evidence to indicate an ethical violation.

The report also found that Plocher, on eight separate occasions, received reimbursements on travel expenses that were already paid by his campaign. He received a total of $3,998 in public funds based on those false forms. But the report indicated that there was no evidence this was a willful or intentional act instead of an oversight.

The document also confirmed that the committee probed Plochers firing of his former chief of staff, Kenny Ross, and alleged threats against Dana Miller, the House chief clerk. It found no direct evidence implicating Plocher in specific threats.

But the document states that several employees provided information to the committee regarding a negative work environment, which may involve threats by one or more individuals.

The final two pages of the report found that Beth Boggs, the special counsel hired to assist the committee, was forced to conclude her investigation without speaking to several witnesses.

The investigators report painted a portrait of obstruction.

I have not encountered more unwilling witnesses in any investigation in my career, she wrote. The level of fear expressed by a number of the potential witnesses is a daunting factor in completing this investigation.

The report detailed how one witness, who was anonymous, feared that her employment was at risk for testifying before the committee. It stated that Rep. Dale Wright, a Farmington Republican who chairs the House Accounts Committee, highly encouraged the witness not to testify.

It also found that Plocher, through his attorney, denied several subpoenas that were requested by the committee. Plocher, as speaker, is in charge of handling subpoenas. The report stated that the inability to compel witnesses caused unnecessary delay and hindered the investigation.

One of the committee members, Rep. Rick Francis, a Perryville Republican, told reporters on Monday that he voted against the report because he wanted more time to discuss its contents.

There was more in the report that I wanted to discuss  whether it should be in or should not be in that report, he said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

The Stars Jonathan Shorman contributed to this story.
Ukraine's bill on mobilization has been submitted to President Volodymyr Zelensky for signature, according to the online portal of Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on April 16.

The bill was passed in its second reading in parliament on April 11 and was signed by the speaker of the parliament on April 15.

The bill on mobilization is a critical component of the Ukrainian political and military leadership's efforts to update the legal framework around conscription in order to ramp up mobilization in 2024.

After an initial, contentious version of the mobilization bill was withdrawn in January, a new, updated version passed the first reading on Feb. 7. Lawmakers have proposed over 4,000 amendments to the bill since then.

Several key provisions of the earlier draft law were eventually passed by the parliament separately, with President Volodymyr Zelensky signing three laws in early April: on the lowering of the conscription age to 25, the introduction of an electronic register for conscripts, and the canceling of the "partially eligible" status.

The final version of the mobilization bill was approved by the parliament's National Security and Defense Committee on April 9.

Of the provisions remaining in the bill, key points include the right of disabled soldiers and those who have returned from captivity to discharge themselves, and the introduction of mandatory medical commission checks for those who previously held the "partially eligible" status.

Other provisions include penalties for those deemed to be dodging the draft, including the potential revoking of consular services and driver's licenses.

The parliament also voted to remove provisions on demobilization, which previously foresaw soldiers having the right to leave the military after 36 months of service, from the bill so that they could be considered separately.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Momnibus bill to lower maternal mortality rates gets revived on last day of session

A bill aimed at lowering Kentuckys soaring maternal mortality and morbidity rates was revived Monday, the final day of the regular session, without a last-minute amendment that had been championed by anti-abortion advocates.

House Bill 10 from Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, dubbed the momnibus bill for its many components pertaining to pregnancy and new moms, carried strong bipartisan support until last month, when a controversial committee substitute was tacked onto the bill.

That amendment proposed requiring healthcare providers to recommend women with nonviable pregnancies consider carrying those pregnancies to term rather than get abortions. But that amendment had been cleaved from the final version.

There was very little discussion on the House floor Monday before lawmakers voted to add Mosers original bill to Senate Bill 74, a bill from Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, to adjust requirements for the statewide child and maternal fatality review team.

Both the House and Senate passed the combined bill on Monday with near unanimous, bipartisan support.

A spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear declined to say Monday afternoon whether the governor will sign the bill into law.

The bill would do the following:

Establish pregnancy as a qualifying life event to be covered by Medicaid. Require Medicaid to cover lactation consultation services and the cost of breastfeeding equipment, maternity and post-partum care telehealth services and participation in an in-home program for treatment of substance use disorder. Allow pregnant women on private insurance the option to buy into temporary insurance to cover pregnancy. Maintain the Kentucky Maternal Psychiatry Access Program under the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, an emergency hotline to allow health care providers expedite referrals for patients needing mental health services.

Maintaining the hotline builds off a five-year $750,000 grant already awarded to the state to do just that.

If providers identify a mental health need for a patient, they can call a hotline and get an immediate referral to connect their patient to mental health services. The bill also would establish the Kentucky maternal and infant health collaborative to review the psychiatry access program annually.

The bill also requires public health department staff working in the home-visit program known as HANDS  health, access, nurturing development services  to offer education on safe sleep and lactation counseling and assistance. The bill would also ask the Cabinet to study Doula programs and their benefit to populations most at risk for poor perinatal outcomes.

Kentuckys maternal mortality rates rank among the highest in the nation. Roughly half of Kentuckys maternal deaths within the first year of pregnancy are addiction-related and preventable, Moser has said. A former nurse, she has presented her bill as a means of expanding resources to populations most at risk.

But the momnibus bill, the product of a bipartisan working group, became divisive in late March when much of House Bill 467, or the Love Them Both Part II Act from Rep. Nancy Tate, R-Brandenburg, was added to Mosers bill as committee substitute.

Under Tates bill, all hospitals, birthing centers, maternal fetal medicine providers and midwives shall provide or make referrals to a perinatal palliative care program, or perinatal palliative care support services if a patients pregnancy is nonviable, and it would be covered by insurance.

A nonviable pregnancy is one in which the fetus is diagnosed with a condition that will lead to its death, either in utero or shortly after birth. In these situations, termination is one of a handful of options considered the standard of care health care providers offer to patients with nonviable pregnancies, as the Herald-Leader has reported.

Tate and her bill language said the point was to offer alternatives to pregnancy termination.

Moser said the point of adding Tates proposal to her bill was just to give the patients and family the option of carrying a nonviable pregnancy to term and the services supporting that decision would be available.

The point wasnt to pressure women one way or the other, she said.

But Democrats decried Tates bill and later the amendment, saying it was means of codifying more anti-abortion language into law in a state that has already banned the procedure. During a committee hearing on Tates bill on March 7 that Moser chairs, three Democrats walked out in protest of the bill. Two weeks later, Tates bill was added as an amendment to Mosers momnibus bill.

Rep. Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington, was one of the Democrats who walked out in protest at that March meeting.

Pleased with the final version of Mosers bill, which no longer included the anti-abortion provisions, Burke said on the House floor Monday she had never been more delighted, proud or excited to vote for any single piece of legislation.

This story may be updated.
For 14 years, a U.N. panel of experts documented evidence of North Koreas nuclear violations and monitored U.N. member states enforcement of sanctions. Now, thanks to Russias veto of the annual reauthorization of that panel, this window into Pyongyangs activity has been closed.

Russias action eliminates an important means to induce international action against North Koreas repeated transgressions. In response, the U.S. must enforce its laws more diligently and lead an international coalition to comprehensively target Pyongyang and its accomplices.

Beginning in 2006, the U.N. Security Council passed 11 resolutions condemning North Korea for its nuclear and missile activity, and imposed sanctions for the regimes violations of previous resolutions. These resolutions not only preclude any North Korean nuclear tests or ballistic missile launches, but require Pyongyang to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

Moscow and Beijing allowed incrementally stronger resolutions after North Koreas repeated nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests, though rejecting stronger text and sanctions proposed by the United States and its allies. Russia and China would implement the new sanctions for a few months before again turning a blind eye to violations occurring on their soil or surrounding waters.

The panel of experts was established in 2009 by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874 as an investigatory body of eight experts that produced biannual reports with extensive data and photographs identifying violations by North Korea and other entities. The reports also highlighted shortcomings in enforcement of required sanctions and made recommendations that the U.N. or member states should undertake to improve the implementation of measures.

During the panels tenure, Russia and China habitually watered down or rejected evidence of North Korean violations to minimize punitive measures against Pyongyang. In recent years, Russia and China became more obstructionist on the U.N. Security Council and more blatantly shielded Pyongyang from any additional resolutions or sanctions.

Moscow and Beijing vetoed all proposals for additional resolutions and new sanctions after North Koreas ICBM launches, including the likely multi-warhead Hwasong-17 and solid-fueled Hwasong-18. Russia and China have also proposed adding sunset clauses to allow existing sanctions against North Korea to expire if they are not unanimously renewed by the U.N. Security Council.

Russias invasion of Ukraine led to a resurgence of ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, which had largely languished after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In July 2022, North Korea supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine by diplomatically recognizing the independence of the Russian-backed separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns September 2023 trip to Russia and summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin was a breakthrough in bilateral relations and confirmed the growing military and diplomatic entente between the two countries.

During the past two years, North Korea provided an estimated 10,000 containers, with potentially over 2 million rounds of artillery ammunition, along with dozens of missiles to Russia, all in violation of U.N. resolutions. Moscow reportedly used the North Korean munitions and weapons in attacks in Ukraine.

It remains unknown what North Korea received in return for its military largesse to Russia. Moscows veto of the panel of experts may be part of a quid pro quo, in addition to financial and economic benefits. Last year, Kim visited several Russian military factories and bases, raising concerns that Moscow may provide high-tech military technology to Pyongyang.

Disbanding the panel of experts makes it harder to monitor North Korea, but not impossible. The United States and its partners have extensive authorities under existing U.N. resolutions and international law to target violators. Regrettably, successive U.S. administrations have refrained from fully enforcing U.S. laws, particularly against Chinese banks and businesses aiding North Korea and committing money laundering crimes in the U.S. financial system.

The U.S. and South Korea recently announced the creation of the bilateral Enhanced Disruption Task Force to disrupt North Koreas illicit financing of its nuclear and missile programs and importing of fuel supplies in excess of U.N.-mandated limits. The long-overdue effort hopefully signals an intent to more vigorously target entities supporting North Koreas banned nuclear and missile programs.

With U.N. action hindered, the United States should take the lead in creating a coalition of likeminded nations to monitor compliance with U.N. resolutions and international law, and then target all entities violating those authorities.

In the past, U.S. officials privately met with foreign government, banking and business officials to provide evidence of violations occurring in those countries or entities. Such efforts should be renewed and expanded.

While the U.S. has the greatest intelligence resources as well as the most encompassing financial system, other nations will need to increase their efforts to coordinate and take punitive action against North Korea, including its growing cybercrimes, which the regime is increasingly using to evade sanctions and fund its military programs.

Bruce Klingner is a senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation think tank. He previously served with the CIA and U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency. From 1996 to 2001, he was the CIAs deputy division chief for Korea.
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)  A Monroe County man was sentenced Monday to torture and illegally exporting weapons to Iraq.

The United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Monday that 55-year-old Ross Roggio of Stroudsburg, Monroe County was sentenced to 70 years in prison for torturing an Estonian Man in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and illegally exporting weapon parts and related services.

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, evidence was presented at trial that showed Roggio arranged for Kurdish soldiers to abduct and detain one of the victims at a military compound where Roggio suffocated the victim with a belt, threatened to cut off one of his fingers, and directed soldiers to continuously beat, choke, tase, and physically and mentally abuse the victim over 39 days.

Police: 2 arrested after shots fired in Scranton

Ross Roggio had his victim abducted and detained at a Kurdish military compound in Iraq, where Roggio and others physically and mentally tortured the victim over the course of 39 days. During that time, Roggio suffocated the victim and directed others to beat, choke, and tase him. Roggios victim worked at a weapons factory in Iraq, where Roggio illegally sent weapons parts and illegally provided services, in violation of export controls laws. Todays sentence, following the second-ever conviction under the federal torture statute, shows that, no matter where such deplorable acts occur, the United States is committed to holding the perpetrators accountable. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, Head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division.

Karam says the victim was an employee at a weapons factory Roggio was developing in the Kurdistan region of Iraq that was intended to make automatic pistols and rifles.

According to U.S. Officials, in connection with the weapons factory project, Roggio exported firearms, parts, and tools without the required permits from the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce, and he also illegally trained foreign employees in the operation, assembly, and manufacturing of M4 automatic rifles.

In May 2023, a federal jury convicted Roggio of 33 counts of torture, conspiracy to commit torture, conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S., smuggling goods, exporting weapons parts and services to Iraq without the approval of the State Department, wire fraud, and other related charges.

Roggio is the second defendant to be convicted of torture since the federal statute went into effect in 1994.

The sentence imposed by the Court demonstrates the seriousness of Ross Roggios crimes and brings some measure of justice for his torture victim. Violence against the dignity and human rights of any victim cannot be tolerated and our office will continue to prioritize and pursue those who would do so in violation of federal law, added U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam.

Anyone with information about human rights violators in the United States is urged to contact law enforcement through the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)or the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or complete the FBI online tip form or the ICE online tip form.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
(KRON)  A Monterey man was sentenced to serve 40 years in state prison for bringing a girl to California from El Salvador and raping her for years, prosecutors said.

Saul Edgardo Cerna, 44, was sentenced by Judge Andrew Liu last week for forcible rape of a child. Cerna was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

The victim is Cernas family member, prosecutors said. When she was 17, the teen came here voluntarily, seeking a better life in America. However, the first night she was here, Cerna violently raped her and continued sexually assaulting her for several years, the Monterey County District Attorneys Office wrote.

The victim, identified as Jane Doe, later became pregnant with Cernas baby. She was isolated in Monterey because she did not know anyone in the U.S. other than her abuser, prosecutors said. Cerna monitored the girls phone calls to El Salvador.

Monterey County man sentenced for selling girl, 14, to rapist

It was only when Cerna made threats against their child that she found the courage to run and seek help, prosecutors wrote.

On October 29, 2019, a concerned citizen saw Jane Doe running across the lawn at Colton Hall in Monterey, carrying a small child in her arms, according to investigators. The citizen helped Jane Doe to a police station and remained there to translate for her.

The case was investigated by Monterey Police Department officers Trevor Howell and Lidio Soriano.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
The mournful sounds of Taps and the keening of a bagpipe helped lay Montgomery County Sheriffs Deputy Jermyius Young to rest Monday afternoon.

Hundreds of mourners stood atop a hill in the Alabama Heritage Cemetery as his last radio call went out over the air, echoing in the distance. The dispatcher called his number, 2202, three times before signaling the end of his watch.

He died April 5, two days after his patrol vehicle crashed while he was answering a call. He was 21.

I loved this young man because he was true, Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, said at his funeral, held at the Church of the Highlands.

Law enforcement officers gather at the graveside during the funeral for Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy Jermyius Young in Montgomery on April 15. Young died from injuries he sustained in a crash while responding to a call.

Hundreds of uniformed law enforcement, fire service, public safety and military personnel attended the service. Area local elected official also were there.

Young was remembered for his big smile and big heart.

He always came to work with a smile. He was the kind of person you wanted working for you, Cunningham said. He was a person dedicated to the job and dedicated to giving back to the community.

Pastor Lee B. Walker Jr. delivers the eulogy during the funeral of Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy Jermyius Young.

Young started working with the sheriffs office at 19, as a correctional officer in the jail. You have to be 21 before you can go to the police academy, and he went as soon as he could. He had been a deputy about six months. He was on his way to assist other deputies when the crash happened.

Young was a soldier, serving as a specialist with the U.S. Army Reserves 206th Transport Co. out of Opelika.

He wanted to make a difference in his life, the sheriff said.

You could see it in him, that smile, Cunningham said. He came in wanting to make a difference. He was dedicated to the community and dedicated to making a difference.

The procession makes its way to the cemetery during the funeral of Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy Jermyius Young in Montgomery.

Youngs miles long funeral procession passed under a large American flag, flying from a Montgomery Fire and Rescue aerial platform truck. It was led by law enforcement and fire units, lights flashing and sirens blaring. Several MFR and local volunteer fire department vehicles lined the route.

Traffic stopped for the cortege, and dozens of people stood outside their vehicles with the hands over their heart.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery deputy Jermyius Young laid to rest with full honors
DHAKA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A head-on collision between a bus and a pickup truck killed 13 people in central Bangladesh on Tuesday, a senior police official said.

The fatal road accident happened at around 7:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) in Bangladesh's central Faridpur district, some 101 km away from the capital Dhaka, Mohammad Morshed Alam, the district's police chief, told Xinhua.

"The bus collided with the pickup truck coming from the opposite direction, killing 11 people on the spot," he said, adding that two were declared dead after being rushed to a hospital.

All the victims were passengers of the pickup truck, he added.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation.

According to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, at least 122 people were killed and 195 others injured in road crashes between April 8 and 14 when Bangladesh celebrated the Eid festival and Bengali New Year. 
About 350 Donald Trump supporters who participated in the 2021 Capitol riot that interrupted congressional certification of Joe Biden's election victory have been charged with obstructing an "official proceeding." So has Trump himself: The August 2023 federal indictment that accuses him of illegally interfering in the 2020 presidential election says he obstructed or attempted to obstruct an official proceeding and conspired with others to do so. On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court considered whether such charges are legally valid in this context, and most justices seemed inclined to think they are not.

The question posed by Fischer v. United States is whether 18 USC 1512(c), an offense created by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, encompasses "acts unrelated to investigations and evidence." Section 1512(c)(1) applies to anyone who "corruptlyalters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the object's integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding." Section 1512(c)(2), the provision used in the Capitol riot cases, applies to anyone who "otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so." Both are felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Joseph Fischer, a former police officer who was charged with obstructing an official proceeding after participating in the Capitol riot, argues that the statute should be understood in light of the financial scandal that prompted it. Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act "in the wake of the large-scale destruction of Enron's financial documents," Fischer's lawyer, Jeffrey Green, noted during oral arguments. "The statute therefore prohibits the impairment of the integrity or availability of information and evidence to be used in a proceeding." Until the Capitol riot cases, he added, Section 512(c) "had never been used to prosecute anything other than evidence tampering."

There was "good reason" for that, Green argued: "This Court has said that otherwise, when used in a criminal statute, means to do similar conduct in a different way. The government would have youdisregard all that and instead convert [Section 512(c)(2)] from a catchall provision into a dragnet." Under that reading, he said, the second subsection renders the first superfluous. That reading is not only illogical, he argued; it is also unnecessary, because "there are a host of felony and misdemeanor crimes that cover the alleged conduct" of the Capitol riot defendants.

Although "many crimes occurred that day," U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar told the justices, "the fundamental wrong committed by many of the rioters, including [Fischer], was a deliberate attempt to stop the joint session of Congress from certifying the results of the election." Fischer "doesn't really argue that his actions fall outside the plain meaning of what it is to obstruct," she said. "His reading hinges on the word otherwise, but that word means in a different manner, not in the same manner." While Section 1512(c)(1) "covers specified acts that obstruct an official proceeding," she argued, Section 1512(c)(2) "covers all other acts that obstruct an official proceeding in a different manner."

Justice Neil Gorsuch noted the potentially sweeping impact of Prelogar's interpretation. "Would a sit-in that disrupts a trial or access to a federal courthouse qualify?" he asked her. "Would a heckler in today's audience qualify or [a heckler] at the State of the Union address? Would pulling a fire alarm before a vote qualify for 20 years in federal prison?"

That last hypothetical sounded like an allusion to Rep. Jamaal Bowman (DN.Y.), who was censured last year for pulling a fire alarm at the Capitol prior to a vote on a spending bill. Bowman, who said he did that by accident, nevertheless pleaded guilty to one count of falsely activating a fire alarm. His sentence, which included a $1,000 fine and a letter of apology to U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, fell far short of the stiff prison term that could apply to obstruction of an official proceeding.

Prelogar responded that Gorsuch's examples might not fit the elements of that crime, which requires "meaningful interference." If "you have some minor disruption or delay or some minimal outburst," she said, "we don't think it falls within" the statute.

Suppose a heckler's outburst forced a court to "reconvene" after order was restored, "the protest outside of a courthouse makes it inaccessible for a period of time," or a vote "has to be rescheduled" because of a false fire alarm, Gorsuch said. "Are those all federal felonies subject to 20 years in prison?"

Not necessarily, Prelogar replied, because "we'd also have to be able to prove that they acted corruptly." She said that would require showing not just that a defendant meant to disrupt a proceeding but that he "had corrupt intent in acting in that way." When it comes to "a peaceful protest, even one that's quite disruptive," she said, "it's not clear to me that the government would be able to show that each of those protesters have corrupt intent." But "if they intend to obstruct and we're able to show that they knew that was wrongful conduct," she added, "then yes, that's a 1512(c)(2) offense."

Justice Samuel Alito, who said the Court needs to understand "the outer reaches of this statute under your interpretation," elaborated on one of Gorsuch's hypotheticals. Suppose that during oral arguments in this very case, he said, "five people get up, one after the other, and they shout either 'Keep the January 6th insurrectionists in jail!' or 'Free the January 6th patriots!' And as a result of this, our police officers have to remove them forcibly from the courtroom. And let's say we have to delay the proceeding for five minutes." In those circumstances, Alito said, "an advocate might lose his or her train of thought and not provide the best argument." Since such a protest arguably "impedes" or "influences" an official proceeding, he wondered, would it fall under Section 1512(c)(2)?

Even if you "look at some of the broader dictionary definitions and adopt a broader understanding" of the requisite conduct, Prelogar said, "there would be the backstop of needing to prove corrupt intent." For example, she said, if someone mistakenly thought he was exercising his right to freedom of speech by shouting during a judicial proceeding, he would not have the necessary "consciousness of wrongdoing." By implication, however, he could be guilty of this felony if he understood that he had no right to behave that way.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett also suggested she was "concerned about the breadth of the government's reading." She wondered whether "it's plausible that Congress would have written a statute" broadly enough to encompass the courtroom disruption that Alito described.

Barrett posed another hypothetical: "What if on January 6th the Capitol itself had not been breached. The protest is going on outside the Capitol: 'Stop the steal, stop the steal.' Police aresaying, 'disperse, disperse,' [because] they're too close to the Capitol. Their goal is to impair, impede, stop the proceeding, stop the counting of votes. Does that violate the statute in your view, under this 'impede' language?" Assuming that "the same thing happened, where Congress had to go into recess and couldn't hold the joint sessionbecause there was such a security risk," Prelogar said, "I think that that probably would be chargeable if we had the intent evidence."

Since this law was enacted, Justice Clarence Thomas noted, "there have been many violent protests that have interfered with proceedings." He wondered whether the government has "applied this provision to other protests."

The Justice Department has "enforced it in a variety of prosecutions that don't focus on evidence tampering," Prelogar said. She mentioned a defendant who "tipped off the subject of an investigation to the grand jury's hearings" and "another case where someone [revealed] the identity of an undercover law enforcement officer." But she could not cite any prior cases involving protests that disrupted an official proceeding. "I can't give you an example of enforcing [this law] in a situation where people have violently stormed a building in order to prevent an official proceeding," she said, because "I'm not aware of that circumstance ever happening prior to January 6th."

Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the Court's unanimous opinion in Bissonnette v. LePage Bakeries, which it issued on Friday, suggested that decision favors Fischer's reading of Section 1512(c), which features "specific terms" followed by "a more general catchall." In that situation, he said, the statutory construction principle ejusdem generis says "the general phrase is controlled and defined by reference to the terms that precede it. The 'otherwise' phrase is more general, and the terms that precede it are 'alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record and document.' And applying the doctrine as [it] was set forth in [Bissonnette], the specific terms 'alters, destroy, and mutilate' carry forward into (2), and the terms 'record, document, or other object' carry forward into (2) as well. And it seems to me that they, as I said, sort of control and define the more general term."

Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the "key word" in dispute is otherwise. He agreed with Roberts that the structure of Section 1512(c) "would seem to trigger ejusdem generis" as a guide to understanding that term. He suggested "it would be odd to have such a broad provision tucked in and connected by the word otherwise."

Kavanaugh also seemed sympathetic to Green's argument that the government has plenty of options for charging the January 6 defendants without relying on this statute. "There are six other counts in the indictment here, which include civil disorder, physical contact with the victim, assault, entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct, disorderly conduct in the Capitol building," he said while questioning Prelogar. "Why aren't those six counts good enough just from the Justice Department's perspective given that they don't have any of the hurdles?"

The other charges "don't fully reflect the culpability of [Fischer's] conduct on January 6th," Prelogar replied. "Those counts do not require that [Fischer] acted corruptly to obstruct an official proceeding.I think it is entirely appropriate for the government to seek to hold [Fischer] accountable for that conduct with that intent."

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wondered if the government's understanding of Section 1512(c)(2) is consistent with the rest of the statute. "You saidthe nexus between

(1) and (2) isthe obstruction of an official proceeding," she told Prelogar. "I guess what I'm concerned about is how you then account for the rest of 1512, where 'official proceeding' comes up over and over again." If "particular acts that one could view as obstructing the official proceeding, like killing or threatening or intimidating witnesses," are covered by Section 1512(c)(2), she said, "I don't understand what happens to the rest of those provisions."

Jackson also seemed to agree with Green that the historical context of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is relevant. "It was in the wake of Enron," she noted. "There was document destruction, and there was nothing as far as I can tell in the enactment history as it was recorded that suggests that Congress was thinking about obstruction more generally. They had this particular problem, and it was destruction of information thatcould have otherwise been used in an official proceeding." Jackson said she was "struggling with leaping from what's happening in (1) in the context in which it was actually enacted to all of obstruction in any form."

While Gorsuch et al. seemed troubled by Prelogar's broad reading of the law, Justice Sonia Sotomayor objected to Green's narrow interpretation. Suppose a theater posts a sign warning that "you'll be kicked out of the theater if you 'photograph or record the actors or otherwise disrupt the performance,'" she said. "If you start yelling, I think no one would question that you can be expected to be kicked out under this policy, even though yelling has nothing to do with photograph[ing] or recording."

Justice Elena Kagan suggested "there are plenty of ways" in which Congress could have made it clear that the law applies "only in the sphere of evidence spoliation." But the statute as written, she said, "doesn't do that."

The post Most Justices Seem Skeptical of Charging Capitol Rioters With Obstructing an Official Proceeding appeared first on Reason.com.
House Speaker Mike Johnson slipped into deeper political peril Tuesday as a second GOP lawmaker backed an effort to oust him over his support for aid to embattled Ukraine.

Rep. Thomas Massie, an archconservative from Kentucky, said he would co-sponsor a measure introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, that could end Johnsons tumultuous speakership after just a few months.

He should pre-announce his resignation ... so we can pick a new Speaker, Massie tweeted.

Its time for a new Speaker, Greene chimed in.

Johnson wasted little time hitting back at the growing right-wing rebellion against his leadership, calling it absurd and vowing he would not step down.

It is not helpful to the cause. It is not helpful to the country. It is not helpful to the House Republicans, Johnson said.

Republicans hold only a five-vote majority in the House, an edge that will be reduced to just four on Friday when Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallaghers resignation becomes effective.

Losing two Republican votes could be enough to prevent Johnson from winning a required vote to keep him in the speaker post if all Democrats were to vote against him.

The House would then be plunged back into chaos with no leader until a majority can unite behind a new speaker.

Massie said he had warned Johnson he would lose more than the eight votes ex-Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., lost last year, ending his own grip on the speakers gavel.

Massie, Greene and some other far-right-wing lawmakers were already fuming over Johnsons cooperation with Democrats to pass a spending deal that averted a government shutdown and a separate move to authorize a warrantless surveillance practice that is considered crucial to national security.

They have vowed not to allow him to move forward with more aid to Ukraine, which desperately needs U.S. assistance to battle a Russian invasion.

Johnson announced Monday that he would permit separate votes on aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in an effort to break a monthslong logjam.

A wide majority of the entire House supports aid for Ukraine, but majority Republicans are split down the middle, with many supporters of former President Donald Trump backing his call to cut off aid to Kyiv.

The Senate passed a bill that combines the aid in a single package. But Johnson has refused to permit a vote on that measure. He instead hopes to push each bill separately.

Greene launched a one-woman effort to oust Johnson last month, but it was effectively stalled while other far-right-wing lawmakers mulled their options.

The push to help Ukraine apparently was the final straw for Massie.

A wild card in the dispute could be Democrats. They could save Johnson by taking the rare step of supporting the Republican speakers effort to bring the aid bills to the floor.

They could also sit out a vote to oust Johnson, effectively permitting him to remain as leader of the House.

A handful of Democrats say they wouldnt rule out bailing out Johnson, but House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-Broooklyn, would almost certainly insist that Johnson make painful concessions before permitting such a move.

_____
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan State University is investigating an alleged hate crime.

According to the university, an aggravated assault happened near the MSU Main Library on Circle Drive on Monday, Apr. 15, 2024.

The university originally said, A group of approximately five suspects assaulted two victims, intentionally selecting the victim(s) because of the perpetrators sexual orientation bias. The university now says it has identified seven suspects and none of them are affiliated with the university.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Additionally, the university says it will submit this case to the Ingham County Prosecutors Office for possible charges once its investigation is complete.

If anyone has any information on this incident, the university is asking you to contact the Michigan State University Police and Public Safety at 517-355-2221.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  The MTA is adding some new electric vehicles to the fleet and taking the opportunity to speak about congestion pricing to fund transit projects.

On Monday, some lawmakers announced a proposal to try and repeal congestion pricing.

MTA officials and commuters had an event planned to unveil new electric vans that will be used for Access-A-Ride, the program that serves riders with disabilities.

Rue Zalia Watkins came to the news conference outside MTA headquarters to talk about the improvements to Access-A-Ride  she also supports congestion pricing.

Brooklyn shop busted over egregious lithium-ion battery conditions: FDNY

One of the problems we have is the trips are long. We are stuck in traffic too often and I think this congestion pricing, along with the new scheduling system, is going to help us, Watkins said.

Accessibility is a major part of congestion pricing funding plans, including elevators at more stations. Electric buses and new subway cars, along with repair and maintenance of the system, are additional key priorities from the funding.

It is a huge pride to be here with this team enhancing the customer service for all our modes; paratransit, buses and our huge investments in subway ridership, which only continues to go up, said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemel Arroyo.

Earlier Monday on Staten Island, a group of lawmakers announced an effort to try and repeal congestion pricing.

The program was created and approved in 2019 as part of the state budget, not as an individual proposal.

Assemblymember Mike Tannousis wants to get people on the record.

It will come down to the residents of the state and of the city putting pressure on their elected officials, Tannousis said.

U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said she will introduce a federal bill to block the U.S. Department of Transportation from acting on any congestion pricing program.

NYC Transit President Richard Davey had a message for opponents of congestion pricing.

They love traffic, I dont know? I get that there are a few folks who still want to get rid of it for their political reasons. But the bottom line is congestion pricing is the law of the land of New York. It was passed by the state five years ago for investments, Davey said.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has been a supporter of congestion pricing. A Democratic state lawmaker would also have to sign on to carry the repeal bill in the legislature.

Several court cases are also pending.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-GA) crusade to politicize the murder of Laken Riley took an absurdist turn on Tuesday when the politician said the young American student wouldve been better off being deported.

Greene directed the strange comment to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who was appearing before the House Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday to testify on the budget.

Greene used the opportunity to speak about what she called the open border which she said was allowing undocumented immigrants into the country. She tried to connect her argument to Laken Riley, the 22-year-old nursing student who police suspect was killed by an undocumented immigrant while out jogging, but even she couldnt keep her hateful tirade straight.

You should have deported her so she could be alive today, Greene said. Her parents wouldve appreciated that.

Greene: Are you familiar with Laken Riley?



Mayorkas: I am



Greene: You shouldve deported her so that she could be alive today. Her parents wouldve appreciated that pic.twitter.com/QBbXpCfBxc  Acyn (@Acyn) April 16, 2024

Last month Rileys father said he was angered that Greene, and other GOP members, had used his daughters death for their own political ends.

Id rather her not be such a political, how you sayit started a storm in our country, Jason Riley told the Today show about his daughters death, and its incited a lot of people.

I think its being used politically to get those votes, he said. It makes me angry. I feel like, you know, theyre just using my daughters name for that. And she was much better than that, and she should be raised up for the person that she is. She was an angel.

On the day of Joe Bidens State of the Union address an immigration bill passed the GOP-led House with 37 Democrats supporting it. If it is signed into law, the Laken Riley Act would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take into custody undocumented immigrants who commit theft-related crimes.

Are you familiar with Laken Riley? was the only question the GOP congresswoman had about the Biden administrations budget requests, the rest was finger-wagging toward an official shed already voted to impeach.

On Tuesday afternoon, House GOP members plan to deliver articles of impeachment for Mayorkas to the Senate, ahead of what is expected to be a brief trial beginning on Wednesday.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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GAYLORD  For Otsego County Undersheriff Matt Muladore, running for sheriff of Antrim County represents a chance to fulfill a dream.

"You can never give up on a dream," said Muladore, who graduated from Ellsworth High School and still lives in the Antrim County community. He began his law enforcement career with the road patrol in Antrim County.

Back when he interviewed for the position in Antrim, he was asked where he pictured himself at the end of his career.

"My goal is to be the sheriff of Antrim County was my answer when I was in my early 20s. I never gave up on that goal over the years. The places that life has taken me have better prepared me to go back to Antrim County," Muladore said.

Last year, longtime Antrim County Sheriff Daniel Bean retired from the department after serving for 15 years. The undersheriff, Kevin Hoch, was named the interim replacement. Hoch and Muladore will face off for the Republican nomination for sheriff in the August primary.

Otsego County Undersheriff Matt Muladore will be facing Antrim County Undersheriff Kevin Hoch for the Republican nomination for Antrim sheriff in the August primary.

Muladore has worked in the Otsego County Sheriff Department since 2010. He began his duties as undersheriff to sheriff Matthew Nowicki in 2013. He believes the experience he has gained in Otsego County has prepared him well for the Antrim County position.

"I have been through a lot here  a tornado and officer-involved shootings. Nobody over there has that type of leadership experience," he said. "I have done well for Otsego County over the years. I have tried to make it a progressive office with Sheriff Nowicki's help. He has been my mentor since the day I got here."

Nowicki not only taught Muladore about law enforcement, he also schooled him in politics "because that is highly involved (in the position). He taught me how to navigate that and do it with dignity and respect. Had I not had him as a mentor, I don't think I would be where I am at today," Muladore said.

Even though he worked in Otsego County, Muladore has maintained close ties to Ellsworth.

"It's where I live and where my kids go to school and I am on the school board," he said.

If he is successful in the August election, Muladore admits it will be hard to leave Otsego County.

"It will be bittersweet if I win because I helped to develop this office along with Sheriff Nowicki. Everybody that works for us I had a hand in their hiring. To leave will be hard and I may shed a tear or two," he said.

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Although Antrim and Otsego counties share a border in Northern Michigan, there are different dynamics in the two counties.

"Here you have a central hub in Gaylord with a lot of chain stores and I-75. But 10 minutes outside of Gaylord, it can be a remote area. Antrim has a lot of villages like Bellaire and Elk Rapids on one side and Mancelona on the other with a huge Torch Lake splitting it up. That means there are a lot of local leaders to stay in contact with," said Muladore.

He acknowledges that losing the election is a possibility but that didn't deter him. Muladore will be doing a lot of door-to-door campaigning and shaking a lot of hands.

"Yes it is hard to put yourself out there and risk rejection. But I am also doing this for my kids. I don't want them to be afraid to try because it may not work out. Trying is a very important life lesson," he said.

 Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Muladore strives to achieve life goal of becoming Antrim County sheriff
A teenager who swerved a van into a group of motorcyclists to scare them hit one so hard he died after flying almost 100 feet through the air, a court heard.

Ryan Willicombe was at the wheel of the van when he hit 19-year-old Sheldon Lewcock head-on, causing him catastrophic fatal injuries.

Prosecutors told the jury Mr Willicombe recognised a youth called Kayden Williams among the group of bikers and that it was known the two did not get on.

Mr Willicombe, who was 17 years old at the time, decided to veer towards the oncoming lane to either frighten, injure, or kill Mr Williams  but hit Mr Lewcock instead, the jury heard.

Prosecutor Philip Evans, opening the case at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, told the jury: The defendant was driving his fathers van along a road in the Tilehurst area of Reading called Pierces Hill when he spotted an oncoming group of boys riding electric motorbikes.

He knew at least one of them in the group: Kayden Williams. What is clear in this case is that the defendant and Kayden Williams did not get along.

The defendant decided to swerve towards the group. In doing that, he clipped Kayden Williams with the wing mirror of the van and went on to hit Sheldon Lewcock head-on.

By the point that he hit Sheldon with his van, Mr Willicombes van was almost if not entirely on the wrong side of the road.

The jury heard that Mr Willicombe caused only superficial injuries to Mr Williams but that Mr Lewcocks were fatal.

Hiding in a cupboard

Mr Evans went on: His body was thrown 30 metres from the point of the collision and Mr Willicombe drove right over the top of the motorbike.

Sheldons injuries were catastrophic and despite medical attention, he died in hospital five days later on Aug 9 2022.

The jury was told Mr Willicombe did not stop his van following the collision and drove instead to the car park of a nearby Co-op food store.

Mr Evans said: The bumper of the van was hanging off and it was there that Mr Willicombe abandoned the van.

He left the area of the Co-op and fled to his grandfathers home in South Wales, where the police tracked him down the next day. They found him hiding in a cupboard.

Mr Willicombe, from Newbury, Berks, denies one count of murder  but the jury heard that he admitted another charge of dangerous driving.

However, the prosecution maintained that Mr Willicombe was using the van as a weapon to try to hit Mr Williams  at least intending to cause grievous bodily harm.

Mr Evans told the jury that they would hear evidence from police officers who spoke to the accused shortly before the fatal incident. The defendant claimed he was being harassed by local drug dealers trying to pressure him into selling drugs for them.

Mr Evans said: On July 22 2022, Ryan Willicombes mother telephoned the police to report threats that had been made about her son.

The police attended and spoke to Ryan Willicombe  a conversation which was recorded on officers body-worn video cameras.

Drugs through Snapchat

Ryan Willicombe told them that people had been trying to recruit him to sell drugs through Snapchat  and that his refusal had resulted in them threatening him.

The court heard that Mr Williams was one of the individuals that Mr Willicombe spoke to the police about. Mr Willicombe admitted using his fathers vehicle to scare his alleged harassers away on at least one occasion.

Mr Evans added: On July 24, Ryan Willicombe told the police that he had used a vehicle to drive at the individuals, who he claims were threatening him, to scare them away.

He said: I would not have actually hit them. I would have probably slammed on the brakes if I had gotten that close.

Lewcocks family, including his mother, Angela, attended the start of the trial, along with Mr Willicombes parents.

Angela Lewcock previously paid tribute to her son, describing him as a beautiful boy whose smile lit up the room.

The trial continues.

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Tables laden with footballs, roller skates, Nerf guns, crafts supplies and more beckoned teens, young children and toddlers with their parents choosing a few toys to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

Can I get a ball? one boy asked a volunteer wearing a hijab.

Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with prayer, special foods, and the giving of charity and gifts to children.

In Columbus, Our Helpers, a Muslim women-led nonprofit group, organized a toy drive and giveaway at the Linden Community Center to celebrate this year. At the event, volunteers distributed more than 800 toys to 150 families.

Zeenat Faizi, 3, looks up at her father as she and sister Zainab, 6, pick out toys Friday at the Our Helpers toy drive at the Linden Comunity Center. Our Helpers is a Muslim women-run organization that been organizing a toy drive during the holy month of Ramadan.

With Columbus having a thriving immigrant-refugee community, with growing Afghan, Palestinian (and other) communities that are reeling due to global conflicts, we really wanted to just bring joy into hundreds of households this year, said the events organizer, Anisa Liban, a Somali American who is Our Helpers board secretary.

The kids seemed overwhelmed with excitement, really. It reminds me of when I was a child and it was Eid, said Hannan Ahmed, a volunteer who is Yemeni British and lives in Dublin, Ohio.

Founded in 2014, Our Helpers provides services related to employment, housing, and language interpretation, CEO Dorothy Hassan said.

Hassan, who converted to Islam in college and spent years living in the Middle East studying Arabic, said that gifts for children are a big part of Eid al-Fitr.

Adam Bouchaib, 2, plays with his new truck during the Our Helpers toy drive. More than 800 toys were given away to needy families, many of them from refugee backgrounds, on Friday at the Linden Community Center.

Our toy event is always in the background, in the shadow of the Christmas toy events that happen around the city. But we are happy that we're changing that narrative, she said.

Our Helpers organized a Ramadan toy giveaway last year with extra Christmas toys donated by Motherful, another nonprofit organization, she said. This year, they held their own drive with donations and volunteers from area mosques, Muslim schools and partners from other faiths.

Volunteer Marti Wukelic, a member of the Whitehall Bexley Rotary Club who lives in Berwick, described herself as spiritual but not religious.

Growing up in Ohio and living much of her adult life in Hawaii, she hadnt interacted with Muslims much until she volunteered with Our Helpers, she said.

Its not about the faith so much, but how we're pretty much the same  good people are good people. People are imperfect, and they all try their best, she said, describing the volunteer experience.

Other volunteers came from Nationwide Childrens Hospital, Sunrise Academy (a Muslim school in Hilliard), Abubakar Assidiq Islamic Center (a mosque in Columbus' Hilltop neighborhood), Almadina Academy (an Islamic school in Columbus) and elsewhere, according to Liban and Hassan.

Hassan said the toy drive is a way to bring a little bit of joy and laughter into the lives of families who are often struggling financially.

When people have to make a decision between celebrating a holiday that celebrates community and paying the bills, then we were signing up for problems. This is our version of community  just sharing. And we have we've just had such an outpouring of love, she said.

Lea Bouchaib, 4, hugs her new stuffed animal during the Our Helpers toy drive at the Linden Community Center on Friday.

Peter Gill covers immigration and new American communities for The Dispatch in partnership with Report for America. You can support work like his with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America here:bit.ly/3fNsGaZ.

pgill@dispatch.com

@pitaarji

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Our Helpers, Muslim women-led organization, organizes Eid toy giveaway
JUBA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) said Tuesday that it has secured 1.4 million U.S. dollars to treat and prevent malnutrition across Sudan and South Sudan.

The WFP said the funding will help more than 35,000 children and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers impacted by conflicts, economic shocks and climate events, almost 29,000 people in Sudan who have been caught up in the war, and almost 6,000 in South Sudan who are impacted by an ongoing humanitarian crisis driven by conflicts and economic and climate crises.

Michael Dunford, WFP regional director for the Eastern Africa region, said the funding from Saudi Arabia comes at a critical time of one year since the conflict in Sudan began and has since spiraled into what may soon be the world's largest hunger crisis.

"With extreme hunger comes malnutrition and we have already started to receive reports of children in Sudan dying of starvation. Support for our nutrition programs is critical to prevent these deaths as well as the long-term impacts of childhood malnutrition," Dunford said in a statement in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

According to the UN agency in Sudan, 4.9 million children under five and pregnant or breastfeeding women are acutely malnourished, representing a 22 percent increase from the previous year. 
A mutated strain of the clade 1 virus has been discovered in Kamituga  a poor and densely packed gold mining town - STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images

A concerning new strain of mpox with pandemic potential has been found in a mining town in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to new research.

The paper  a pre-print which has not yet been peer-reviewed, but is being pored over by global experts  calls for swift action from the international community if another international mpox outbreak is to be averted.

Mpox sparked a global epidemic in 2022, when it spread to more than 100 countries, predominantly affecting gay and bisexual men. But the DRC is struggling to control a much deadlier form of the virus, known as clade 1, which kills up to 10 per cent of those infected.

Last year, the central African country faced an unprecedented outbreak, and that looks set to continue: in the first quarter of 2024 alone, 3,576 people were infected and 264 killed, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Two thirds of cases and 85 per cent of fatalities were among children.

Now a mutated strain of this clade 1 virus has been discovered in Kamituga  a poor and densely packed gold mining town with a highly itinerant population just 170 miles from the Rwandan border  where a sudden and unusual mpox outbreak has raised alarm bells.

Kamituga, which has a highly itinerant population, is just 170 miles from the Rwandan border - David Lewis/REUTERS

Named clade 1b, the virus appears to be better at spreading between people, predominantly via sexual contact, and has mutations that evade detection by some existing tests.

Without intervention, this localised Kamituga outbreak harbors the potential to spread nationally and internationally, say the authors, who tracked 241 suspected and 108 confirmed cases of the new strain.

Given the recent history of mpox outbreaks in DRC, we advocate for swift action by endemic countries and the international community to avert another global mpox outbreak, they wrote.

The outbreak in Kamituga, which is described as having pandemic potential, raises unnerving questions: not only has the virus never been reported in the region before, but  unusually  it is spreading in an urban hub and predominantly infecting adults, especially sex workers.

Were seeing evolutionary changes within the virus thats suggestive of increased human transmission and were seeing the changing demographics in this one specific region of Congo, said Dr Jason Kindrachuk, an associate professor in infectious disease at the University of Manitoba in Canada and co-author of the paper.

This is very important, because its suggestive of a change in the epidemiology [distribution] of the disease, he told the Telegraph.

This is a global issue

New mpox strains are relatively rare. But while clade 1b is still responsible for a very small proportion of cases in the DRC, Dr Kindrachuk added that the discovery is reminiscent of another mutation which appeared in clade 2 mpox in 2017.

It was then that indications of sustained human to human transmission, including through sexual contact, was first detected - but the trend was largely overlooked. Then, the virus exploded internationally in May 2022.

This is an increasing alarm bell for why we need to get vaccines and therapeutics deployed in the DRC, he said. This is not just a Congo-centric issue, this is not just a sub Saharan Africa issue, this is a global issue. As we saw in May 2022, were all interlinked.

The pre-print warns that the local healthcare infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle a large-scale epidemic, and calls for urgent action  including surveillance, contact tracing and targeted vaccinations  to halt the spread of the new stain.

It says there is a substantial risk of outbreak escalation beyond the current area and across borders because the mutations have emerged within a highly mobile population. People, including miners and sex workers, frequently travel to Kamituga for work, including from nearby Rwanda and Burundi.

Miners are among the many people who frequently travel to Kamituga for work, including from nearby Rwanda and Burundi - David Lewis/REUTERS

Mpox has a long history in the DRC, with the first known human case detected in a nine-year-old boy in northwest DRC in 1970. But outbreaks have accelerated in recent years, as the countrys population has swelled and pushed into the rainforest basin.

Researchers say this  plus a fall in immunity as protection from smallpox vaccine has waned  could be driving more spillover events from wildlife, which remains a major route of infection.

Chains of transmission do happen  mpox can spread through contact with the infectious skin lesions and blisters that erupt across a persons body when they contract the disease  but have until recently been limited, especially for clade 1.

The Kamituga outbreak appears to be the largest sustained spread via sexual contact reported in the DRC, though it is not the first time that this has been an detected. Last November, the WHO confirmed this transmission route in Kwango  a province in western DRC some 1,200 miles away from Kamituga.

But the latest paper, which tracked 241 suspected cases reported between October and February, found transmission was primarily linked to sexual contact.

This finding is in line with a smaller investigation into the Kamituga cluster, published as a pre-print in March.

Contradicting the general transmission patterns in the DRC, the average age of those infected was 22, while half of patients were women, and 29 per cent were sex workers.

Some 85 per cent of people had genital lesions, while 10 per cent were bedridden in hospital and two people died.

The sexual transmission piece is a million dollar question, said Dr Kindrachuk. We picked up on it in 2023, but we now need to look at this and say: okay, do we have an alternative route of transmission from what weve historically seen? How long has this been occurring? And have we been missing cases?

He added that, when combined with the mutations, this new transmission route will really complicate efforts to curb mpox transmission. But it is not yet clear whether the clade 1b has the same fatality rates as clade one, especially as it is so far affecting adults more than children.

The paper was discussed by the ministers of health of 12 countries at a meeting convened by the Africa Centres for Disease Control last week.

[We are] seriously concerned about the changing transmission dynamics, high mortality rate and transmissibility of themonkeypox virus, as well as the morbidity, mortality and social and economic impacts, officials said in a statement concluding the conference.

The latest pre-print  which was led by Congoleses scientists in collaboration with experts across Africa, Europe and North America  suggests clade 1b emerged sometime between July and September 2023, after a new spillover from animals.

Its not clear why this happened in Kamituga, but the virus then picked up new mutations as it circulated in people, especially via sexual networks.

[This] is a good example of how we risk having periodic zoonotic infections lead to sustained human to human transmission (much like our H5N1 concern), if not better curtailed and addressed, said Prof Megan Coffee, an infectious disease physician and researcher at Columbia Universitys Mailman School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study.

Over time mutations may better allow for human to human spread, she told the Telegraph. Basically, I would say that although mpox has been pushed back in much of the world, mpox is not over.

But Dr Tom Fletcher, an infectious disease specialist at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, stressed that further studies in larger cohorts are needed to establish whether it is as severe as the original clade one virus.

In terms of increased risk of spread to other countries  as always the best way to prevent this is to enable this to be controlled at source. Ultimately though, if high case counts remain in DRC and extend through Africa, well see more exported cases, he said.

Prof David Heymann, a former WHO executive who worked on the DRCs mpox response in the late 1970s, added: The authors report what appears to be an amplification of human to human transmission of mpox due to contact with lesions among sex workers and their clients.

They also present data that suggests the animal origin of initial infections, reminding us that mpox is endemic in an animal reservoir in nature [which is] yet to be identified. As for any emerging infection with amplified transmission, the final outcome of increased human to human transmission is not at present known, he \told the Telegraph.

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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  A Myrtle Beach-based pool company at the center of a News13 investigation in which numerous Grand Strand property owners are accusing it of fraudulent business practices is also facing multiple civil actions in neighboring North Carolina.

Cascade Custom Pools has two claims of liens against it filed by Siteone Landscape Supply in Brunswick County, North Carolina, county court officials told News13 on Tuesday. There are also two civil cases involving both companies, though News13 has not been able to obtain copies of court records for any of those cases.

At least two lawsuits have been filed against Cascade Custom Pools in South Carolina and are still pending; one was filed on Nov. 17 in Horry County Common Pleas Courts, the other on Jan. 24 in U.S. District Court in Florence.

In the Horry County case, a woman accuses Cascade Custom Pools of several things, including breach of contract, negligence and fraud. The person filed the suit after agreeing to pay Cascade $67,200 for a 12-foot by 22-foot pool on March 27, 2023. The lawsuit claims that foundation issues have plagued the project and says the company has stopped communicating with the resident.

The federal case against Cascade was brought by SCP Distributors LLC. It is asking for Cascade to pay a little more than $320,000 it allegedly owed as part of a business agreement.

In News13s initial report on Thursday, four Grand Strand residents said their dealings with Cascade Custom Pools had cost them a combined $422,000. They accused the company of digging a hole, installing some utilities, plaster or concrete, and then not returning for weeks or months  if ever.

Over the weekend, the company, which had its business license suspended as of April 3, told many of its clients in a letter that the business would be shutting down.

We are currently in the process of closing our business Cascade Custom Pools, but first we want to take care of our existing customer base, the letter said.

Thus far, even as complaints against the company from dozens of families have continued to pour into the News13 newsroom, there do not appear to be any criminal investigations underway.

Robert Kittle, a spokesman for the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office, said:

Thats not something our office would typically handle. It would be handled through civil lawsuits, as is already happening, or criminal breach of trust charges, which would be handled by the local solicitor.

Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson told News13 on Monday that his office did not have any charges against the company or its owner, Christopher Harrington. He said it would be up to law enforcement officials to determine whether there is enough evidence to obtain a warrant for an arrest.

Story continues

News13 has also asked the North Carolina Attorney Generals Office if it is conducting any investigations involving the company but has not heard back.

Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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NASA completed analysis of an object that hit a Florida home in March and determined it was the remains of debris released from the International Space Station two years earlier.

In an update to the agencys website, NASA said the hand-sized chunk of metal came from a pallet of nickel hydride batteries that were jettisoned from the ISS in March 2021 after new lithium-ion batteries arrived to the station.

The debris that hit the home in Naples weighed less than 2 pounds, and was determined to be a stanchion that was part of the support equipment in space used to mount the batteries onto the cargo pallet.

The entire pallet weighed about 5,800 pounds and NASA expected its entirety to burn up on reentry.

In cooperation with the homeowner, NASA obtained the remaining piece that struck the home on March 8 and analyzed it at Kennedy Space Center.

As part of the analysis, NASA completed an assessment of the objects dimensions and features compared to the released hardware and performed a materials analysis, the NASA update reads. Based on the examination, the agency determined the debris to be a stanchion from the NASA flight support equipment used to mount the batteries on the cargo pallet. The object is made of the metal alloy Inconel, weighs 1.6 pounds, is 4 inches in height and 1.6 inches in diameter.

To ensure a similar debris incident doesnt happen in the future, NASA said ISS teams will do a detailed investigation of the jettison and reentry analysis of this event so that it can update future modeling.

NASA specialists use engineering models to estimate how objects heat up and break apart during atmospheric reentry, NASA posted in its update. These models require detailed input parameters and are regularly updated when debris is found to have survived atmospheric reentry to the ground.

Debris from cast-off launch rocket stages and deorbiting hardware remains a threat if it makes it to ground.

NASA remains committed to responsibly operating in low-Earth orbit, and mitigating as much risk as possible to protect people on Earth when space hardware must be released, NASA stated.
Nasa: samples could prove life on Mars  but we cant afford to bring them home

The Perseverance Rover has been drilling into the Martian surface since 2022, collecting rock and dust

Nasa has admitted it cannot afford to bring back Mars samples that could prove life once existed on the red planet.

Since 2022, Nasas Perseverance Rover has been drilling into the Martian surface, collecting rock and dust, some of which has been left in capsules on the surface.

The samples could hold traces of ancient anti-microbial species that would prove that life has evolved somewhere other than on Earth.

The US space agency had originally planned to send a separate rover or helicopter to collect the sample tubes, which would then be fired up to an orbiting spacecraft, and brought back to Earth by 2040.

But this week, Nasa said it could no longer afford the $11 billion return mission and called for new ideas on how to get the samples back more cheaply in the 2030s.

Perseverance collecting samples from the top of Jezero Crater's delta

Mars Sample Return will be one of the most complex missions Nasa has ever undertaken, said Bill Nelson, the Nasa administrator.

The bottom line is an $11 billion budget is too expensive, and a 2040 return date is too far away.

Safely landing and collecting the samples, launching a rocket with the samples off another planet  which has never been done before  and safely transporting the samples more than 33 million miles back to Earth is no small task.

We need to look outside the box to find a way ahead that is both affordable and returns samples in a reasonable timeframe.

Nasa said it was critical to get the samples back more quickly because humans may soon be travelling to Mars, so knowing more about the surface and climate is vital to keeping astronauts safe.

Perseverance has been drilling down at the Jezero Crater, the site of an ancient lake, which experts believe holds the best chance of finding evidence of fossil life.

An image sent by the Perseverance Rover of an ancient river delta in the Jezero Crater - NASA

It was originally planned that Perseverance would leave the samples on the surface for a European Space Agency Sample Fetch Rover to collect and take to the Mars Ascent Vehicle, from where they would be fired into space.

But the mission has run into multiple funding problems and in 2022, the British-built Sample Fetch Rover was scrapped despite already costing the UK 22.7 million.

Engineers at Airbus in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, had spent four years designing the rover when Nasa announced that Perseverance would deliver the samples to the ascent vehicle itself.

If the rover failed, two new helicopters would be sent to collect backup samples left on the surface, Nasa said at the time. But now the revised plan is also in doubt.

Earlier this month, Perseverance collected its 24th sample in the Jezero Crater, where scans of outcrop suggest the rock contains minerals that formed in water and are microcrystalline in structure, giving a greater chance that signs of life could be found inside.

The silica and parts of the carbonate appear microcrystalline, which makes them extremely good at trapping and preserving signs of microbial life that might have once lived in this environment, said Sandra Siljestrom, a Perseverance scientist from the Research Institutes of Sweden in Stockholm.

That makes this sample great for biosignature studies if returned to Earth. Additionally, the sample might be one of the older cores collected so far by Perseverance, and that is important because Mars was at its most habitable early in its history.

Nasa said the mission remained a top priority but warned it could not be accomplished within the planned budget. It is expected that several billion dollars will need to be shaved off the cost.

The space agency said it would be working on a revised plan and also wanted proposals from industry about how to get the samples back sooner and at a lower cost, including making a slimmed-down Mars Ascent Vehicle.

Nicky Fox, associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at Nasa headquarters in Washington, said: Our next steps will position us to bring this transformational mission forward and deliver revolutionary science from Mars  providing critical new insights into the origins and evolution of Mars, our solar system, and life on Earth.

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It was no surprise to me that I wouldnt be welcomed back to Brussels. I first got wind that trouble was brewing on Saturday afternoon, when I received word from the organisers of the National Conservative Conference that political pressure was being put on the venue to cancel the rally.

A new venue was found, but despite best efforts, that option too was closed off. Having one venue cancel I could live with, but two is absolutely outrageous. Yet we hadnt even reached the lowest point. On arrival at the third venue, the mood was tense and we were told by security that the police were on their way to stop people from entering! A warm welcome back indeed.

The excuse given by officials to harass a peaceful political event to guarantee public safety is simply extraordinary. How on Earth could the public be threatened by the speeches of the prime minister of Hungary and leaders of national political parties bidding to win in the upcoming European elections? No, the real threat seems to be ideological: the questioning of Brussels ever closer union. Holding these beliefs appears to have been enough to attempt to shut the conference down.

As the day progressed, we heard of increasingly frantic calls from local officials. Even the caterers who were due to provide lunch were told not to come to the venue. Our friendly Tunisian host feared his business would be ruined. I will in time announce the name of his establishment and advocate that every British tourist in Brussels spends as much money there as they possibly can, in protest at the citys EU-crazy authoritarianism.

The monstrous reaction in Brussels to this conference comes as no surprise to me. I was personally banned from restaurants, pubs and coffee bars in my last few years in this city. But today, the Brussels elite have exhibited their cancel culture on a global stage. In fact, its worse than that. Cancel culture is saying, I do not want to hear your opinion. What happened today is an updated form of Soviet communism. It says that no other view is allowed, that anybody that holds it is, by definition, mad, bad, and dangerous. Its an approach that has, and will always, fail in the end.

Today might well have been my most productive and fruitful day ever in Brussels, even after 20 years as an MEP. I was forever the devil, forever the outsider  but now I can see a growing number are beginning to understand what this globalist project of ever closer union actually represents. It is not just undemocratic, but anti-democratic in its very nature.

These nasty people have done the cause of freedom  and Brexit  an enormous favour.

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NATICK  Workers at a construction site at the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center will receive more than $500,000 in back wages after a New Hampshire-based drywall company was found to be violating labor laws, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Department of Labor recovered a total of $518,446 in back wages for 54 construction employees working on a federally-funded project at the Natick Soldier Systems Center, aka Natick Labs. Workers were contracted by Ecostructive LLC, a Nashua, New Hampshire-based drywall installation company doing business as Ecostructive Pro Builders.

The Labor Department's Wage and Hour division found that Ecostructive Pro Builders violated the Davis-Bacon Act by not paying employees wages or fringe benefits. The division also found that Ecostructive falsified payroll records and did not create and maintain accurate payroll and basic records; failed to pay overtime; and did not allow employees to accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked on or in connection with a federal contract, as federal law requires.

The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick, aka Natick Labs.

'Never felt like I couldnt do it': In 1995, Natick Labs put local female volunteers to the test

The company was the subcontractor for the Natick project. The prime contractor, Waltham-based CTA Construction Manager, LLC, paid back wages to workers as laid out in the case settlement.

Ecostructive Pro Builders has resolved the violations, but is now barred from working on federal contracts for three years.

Representatives from Ecostructive Pro Builders and CTA Construction Manager did not return requests for comment.

Dept. of Labor stresses 'strong enforcement of prevailing wage requirements'

Carlos Matos, district director for the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, said in a prepared statement that the government has "taken a strong stance against the employers failure to provide employees with the prevailing wages and benefits as the laws require."

The Wage and Hour Division will not tolerate any contractors who falsify certified payroll records and will hold them accountable," Matos said. "Strong enforcement of prevailing wage requirements ensures that federal investments result in the creation of good jobs.

In addition, CTA Construction and Ecostructive are being sued by Florida-based Herc Rentals in U.S. District Court for breach of contract. Herc has two branches in Massachusetts: one in Boston and another in Shrewsbury.

According to the suit, Herc Rentals contracted with and provided rental equipment to Ecostructive for use at a federal project at Natick Labs, but was not fully paid. Documents state that Ecostructive was subcontracting under CTA Construction.

In addition, Herc Rentals is also suing Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company because it allegedly failed to make payment under the Miller Act Bond Nationwide provided. The Miller Act requires that prime contractors for the construction, alteration or repair of federal buildings furnish a bond for contracts in excess of $100,000.

According to court filings, Ecostructive has paid Herc about $31,000 of an over $44,000 rental agreement. Herc is asking CTA, Ecostructive and Nationwide to pay the remaining over $13,000.

Herc is represented by Brittany Darcy, of Southborough-based Kenney & Sams. She did not return a request for comment.

Natick Labs is dedicated to researching and developing support systems, including food, clothing, shelters and airdrop systems, for the military.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Workers get $500K in back wages for Natick Labs construction project
National College Decision Day delayed by many colleges, universities due to issue with FAFSA form

National College Decision Day is the deadline most schools set to decide on a college. But many colleges have pushed that deadline back two weeks.

Thats because award letters have been significantly delayed as the Department of Education continues work to resolve ongoing issues with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form.

For many students, the college they choose depends on the amount of financial aid offered to them, as well as grants, scholarships and student loans.

Even some applications submitted early now have to be reprocessed due to problems with applicants tax data.

Many colleges have extended the decision deadline to May 15.

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NATO commander warns critical undersea cables and pipes 'under threat' from Russia and other foes

NATO commander warns critical undersea cables and pipes 'under threat' from Russia and other foes

A NATO commander says sea cables and pipelines holding sensitive materials are vulnerable.

Suspicious activity and instances of damage raise alarms about the potential threats from Russia, he said.

NATO countries are using AI software, sensors, and more to protect vulnerable underwater networks.

Important deep sea cables and pipelines are at risk, warns NATO's Allied Maritime Command's deputy commander Vice Adm. Didier Maleterre.

"It's a security issue for nearly 1 billion NATO-nation civilians. We need to be protected and well supplied by our vital undersea infrastructures," Maleterre told the Guardian on April 16.

NATO allies have detected several instances of suspicious activity around underwater infrastructure within the past few years and the commander noted that the Russians have "developed a lot of hybrid warfare under the sea to disrupt the European economy, through cables, internet cables, pipelines."

Maleterre said that some of Russia's nuclear-powered submarines were built for hybrid warfare purposes, as may have been the case with a Russian sub that caught fire a few years ago. The commander's concerns come amid rising tensions between NATO.

"All of our economy under the sea is under threat," he said.

Last month, as the Ukraine war rages on, Moscow said that it planned to grow the number troops surveilling NATO member states' borders, taking up a similar stance it had during the Cold War.

Amid tensions, NATO countries have been scanning the waters extensively using sensors, satellites, various submarines, and other tools to identify culprits and protect underwater networks.

Maleterre emphasized that these underwater networks are extremely vulnerable to attacks.

"More than 90% of [the] internet is under the sea," he said. "All our links between the US, Canada and Europe are transmitting under the sea, so there are a lot of vulnerabilities."

There have been a number of suspicious incidents involving underwater infrastructure.

In October 2023, an unknown source damaged communication cables and a gas pipeline between Estonia and Finland. In February 2022, police investigators found that human involvement might have been the cause of damage to a Norwegian fiberoptic data cable. A year earlier, a lengthy section of cable disappeared.

One particular incident that garnered significant attention was the damage to the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany in September 2022. Western officials were quick to blame Russia but lacked evidence to prove the country's involvement in the incident. Ukraine has also been a potential suspect.

NATO officials have long expressed concerns about the threats to key infrastructure in the maritime space. In 2017, for instance, the commander of NATO's submarine forces, told The Washington Post that "we are now seeing Russian underwater activity in the vicinity of undersea cables that I don't believe we have ever seen."

He said that "Russia is clearly taking an interest in NATO and NATO nations' undersea infrastructure."

And with the Ukraine war, those concerns have been exacerbated. Last year, NATO's assistant secretary general for intelligence and security told reporters that "there are heightened concerns that Russia may target undersea cables and other critical infrastructure in an effort to disrupt Western life to gain leverage against those nations that are providing security to Ukraine."



Read the original article on Business Insider
Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has financed a record AED10.4 billion ($2.83 billion) of industrial projects since the launch of its strategy in 2021, taking its cumulative impact to the nations industrial GDP to AED4.9 billion ($1.3 billion).

The milestone results were presented at a Board meeting of the bank, the key financial engine of economic development and industrial advancement in the UAE, held this week. The Board meeting was chaired by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chairman of the EDB Board and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.

EDBs three-year performance results showcase transformative progress driven through strategic focus and support for the key priority sectors crucial to the UAEs national development agenda. This included 665% increase in cumulative financing to SMEs reaching a total of AED3.4 billion, as well as a surge of 2,942% in large corporate loans reaching AED5.5 billion in cumulative financing in the three-year period. Financing through the banks Credit Guarantee Scheme with partner commercial banks achieved a remarkable growth in financing, amounting to AED1.4 billion.

18,606 industrial jobs

Results also revealed the banks contribution to the creation of 18,606 industrial jobs in the UAE, reflecting EDBs commitment to propelling job creation and business growth.

These results underscore EDBs substantial impact on the nation's priority economic sectors, reflecting its pivotal role in the UAE's vision for industrial diversification and sustainable growth.

Al Jaber commented: As the key financial engine of economic growth and industrial advancement in the UAE, EDB continues to drive impactful contributions to non-oil GDP in line with the UAE leaderships vision for future economic growth and diversification. The banks outstanding results over the past three years reflect its pivotal role in empowering businesses and enabling key development sectors which reinforce the foundation of a resilient and thriving economy.

Full spectrum of business

He added: EDBs comprehensive financial and non-financial solutions support the full spectrum of businesses within the country, from growing SMEs to well-established corporations, across five priority sectors. EDB's strategic initiatives and robust financing support have significantly advanced our national agenda, resulting in an extraordinary increase in industrial GDP impact, with AED10.4 billion in financing since the launch of the banks ambitious strategy in April 2021.

These efforts are pivotal in empowering over 13,500 companies by 2026, cementing our commitment to fostering a resilient, diversified, and competitive economy."

Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, said: "Building on our achievements in 2023, we continue to strengthen our role as a pivotal force in the countrys economic landscape. Our focus remains on sectors that are crucial for the nation's future development, driving forward innovative and sustainable financing solutions.

Our remarkable achievements in the past three years were driven by a laser focus on driving a robust and diversified economy while ensuring private sector penetration and enhancing our strategic offering from trade finance and working capital solutions to supply chain finance, cash management and FDI attraction.

Progressive force

He added: The milestone achievements and efforts from 2021 to Q1 2024 reflect EDBs role as a progressive force channeling essential financing to support and accelerate the UAE's economic development and diversification mandate. As we move forward, we continue to innovate and elevate our financing solutions to empower more and more businesses.

EDB has a mandate to provide AED30 billion in financing support to 13,500 companies within five sectors  manufacturing, food security, healthcare, technology, and renewables - by 2026.

In line with this, 46% of the banks cumulative financing since the launch of its strategy have empowered the manufacturing sector, reinforcing its crucial role in the UAE's economy. The renewables sector, vital for the UAEs sustainable future, has received 21% of EDBs cumulative financing, a clear indicator of the banks commitment to sustainable development.--TradeArabia News Service
NEW DELHI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 18 Naxals were killed and three members of government forces wounded Tuesday in a fierce gunfight in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said.

The gunfight between Naxals and joint contingents of the police's District Reserve Guard (DRG) and paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) broke out in Chhotebethiya area of Kanker district, about 264 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.

According to the police, the gunfight broke out after contingents of the police cordoned off the area on specific intelligence information suggesting the presence of Naxals.

The top commander, Shankar Rao, was among the 18 Naxals killed by the government forces.

"This afternoon a gunfight broke out between Naxalites and government forces in the forests of Chotebethiya. The contingents of the DRG and BSF initiated a search operation based on intelligence information, following which a fierce gunfight broke out during which 18 Naxals including a top commander were killed," a police official said.

Th police also claimed recovery of huge arms and ammunition from the spot.

The identity of the slain Naxals was being ascertained, the police said.

A local media report said since the beginning of this year, government forces have killed 50 Naxals in different operations. Apart from this, six government force servicemen and 18 civilians were also killed in the Naxal violence.

Currently, Naxals are active across the central and eastern parts of India.

India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh once termed the Naxalite movement as India's "greatest internal security challenge".

The insurgency reportedly has claimed hundreds of lives besides rendering thousands of poor inhabitants homeless. 
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  Commissioned 80 years ago on April 16, the Battleship Wisconsin has been through a lot, from the Pacific Theater to Desert Storm. Many boarded the battleship turned museum Tuesday morning to celebrate the milestone.

Celebrate the Battleship Wisconsins 80th anniversary at Nauticus

For many there, the Wisconsin brought back memories. Veterans who served on the ship sat in the front row, some back on board for the first time since it became an iconic museum.

It helps to reinforce some of the memories that I had, reminds me of the things I totally forgot about in 30+ years, said Retired Marine LtCol, Kent Ralston.

Kent Ralston got a tour of his old general quarter station, remembering what it was like to be on the ship when tomahawk cruise missiles fired away. Old systems from the 1940s were still operating well when he served in the early 1990s.

That was really quite a surreal night, something like Ive never seen or experienced before or since, Ralston recalled.

While talking about her many tours of duty, Vice Adm. John Gumbleton with the U.S. Navy also took time to acknowledge the conflicts going on now  reflecting on what our service members are enduring.

Looking at a radar return with minutes to make a decision that tactical action off for the commanding officer, often 7 to 21 seconds on whether theyre going to launch a missile or not, Gumbleton said. Thats combat. Thats happening today. Our sailors, your sailors are proud to do it.

To commemorate the occasion, veterans put items into a time capsule which will be kept on board for 20 years. The items include a U.S. flag from the ship, a menu from the 1944 commissioning dinner, part of the deck from the 1940s, a commemorative coin, one of the 80th anniversary hats, an engraved sailors lighter, a letter from U.S. Senator Mark Warner and Battleship coffee beans from a local business.

An opening ceremony for the time capsule is planned for the 100th anniversary in 2044.

Check with WAVY.com for more updates.

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Navy expects to miss recruiting goal by more than 6,000 amid worldwide threats from China, Russia

Navy expects to miss recruiting goal by more than 6,000 amid worldwide threats from China, Russia

The U.S. Army and Air Force are expected to reach their most recent recruitment goals, but the Navy seems like it will fall short.

Originally aiming for approximately 40,600 individuals onboarding in the current recruiting year, the U.S. Navy now says it is likely going to end up about 6,700 recruits short.

"We continue to face challenges in the current and forecasted economic environment and tough labor market," Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman, head of Navy personnel, said.

IRAN'S FAILED ATTACK ON ISRAEL 'IS PRETTY TELLING' ABOUT TEHRAN'S CAPABILITIES, DOD SAYS

NAVY Now Hiring sticker near urban housing project, Queens, New York.

He continued, "The Navy continues to explore and evaluate new methods for attracting qualified, motivated and capable applicants."

Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, told Congress last week that the U.S. requires an additional 18,000 sailors for operations at sea, while an additional 4,000 are needed for roles on land.

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The Navy has repeatedly lowered its requirements and removed barriers to access in order to bolster recruitment numbers.

NAVY MAKES SHOCKING AIRCRAFT CARRIER DECISION WHILE CHINA THREAT RISES

Citizens without a high school diploma were made eligible to enlist earlier this year, as long as they got at least 50 out of 99 on the Armed Services Qualification Test.

Approximately six months remain in the recruiting year, but projections suggest there will remain a lack of manpower, resulting in staff shortages both on the waters and on shore.

The U.S. Navy is as crucial as ever internationally as tensions continue to escalate in regions such as the Pacific Ocean and the Middle East.

Members of the U.S. Navy walk in formation at an arrival ceremony with U.S. President Joe Biden and Fumio Kishida, Japan's prime minister, not pictured, during a state visit on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C.

U.S. warships stationed in the Mediterranean have been crucial for continued security operations amid missile launches from Iran and attacks on commercial vessels by the Houthis.

Similarly, a U.S. naval presence in the seas of East Asia has served to deter the People's Republic of China from aggression against the disputed island territory of Taiwan.





Original article source: Navy expects to miss recruiting goal by more than 6,000 amid worldwide threats from China, Russia
Russia, Kazakhstan fight floods as Putin ally says officials should have done better

Russia, Kazakhstan fight floods as Putin ally says officials should have done better

By Tamara Vaal and Lucy Papachristou

PETROPAVLOVSK, Kazakhstan (Reuters) -Kazakhstan's president described floods across the north of the country as a national disaster on Tuesday and ordered his government to free up funds for relief efforts by cutting spending elsewhere.

In Russia, also hit by the worse floods in living memory, a top ally of President Vladimir Putin said regional authorities had fallen short in their forecasting and emergency response.

Water levels in rivers in swathes of Russia's Ural and southwestern Siberian regions, as well as adjacent areas of Kazakhstan, were still rising rapidly, officials said.

The disaster has been caused by the fast melting of large snowfalls amid heavy rain, swelling the tributaries of several of Europe's largest rivers.

The total number of people evacuated from their home, which had stood at 125,000 as of late Monday, rose towards 200,000 as the governor of Russia's Tyumen region told residents of Ishim, a town of 65,000, that they should leave urgently.

"The probability is growing of dams bursting, or water pouring over them," governor Alexander Moor said. "You all know about the danger. Gather your valuables. Immediately drive to safe places, to relatives or evacuation points where we will supply you with all essentials."

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Petropavlovsk, where the local governor said 10,345 people had been evacuated as parts of the city remained under water.

"We are going through tough times. This is a disaster of a national scale," Tokayev told residents. "I think the next 10 days will be critical, but we are already taking measures to rebuild the country and deal with the aftermath of this disaster."

Tokayevs office said that in order to free up money for disaster relief, he had ordered the cabinet to cut all non-essential budget spending and cancel some events, including an economics and international affairs conference in the capital.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which handles some 1% of global oil, said it was working to protect its facilities from floods in Kazakhstan's Atyrau region.

In Russia, Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev said "huge material damage could have been minimised" if regional authorities had paid more attention to forecasting the water levels and responding more effectively.

Some people in the affected areas have also expressed frustration with the authorities.

"I don't want to blame anyone, but if it was known from mid-March that the flood would be severe, why didn't the city and regional administration do anything?" one resident of the Russian city of Orenburg posted on social media.

Others mocked the authorities for carrying out non-urgent renovations on a street in the centre of the city instead of focusing on dams. "Orenburg is drowning, and they are removing tiles," one person wrote.

In Kurgan, some locals singled out regional governor Vadim Shumkov for criticism. "Why is there such a mess going on here?" one resident posted.

But another Kurgan local, who gave his name as Oleg, told Reuters the authorities had done "good work" ahead of the floods to strengthen the dam and evacuate residents.

"I haven't seen such protective measures in my whole time in the city," the 47-year-old said, adding that the floods had not yet reached his neighbourhood and he was staying put for now in his multi-story apartment building.

(Reporting by Tamara Vaal in Petropavlovsk and Lucy Papachristou in London; additional reporting by Olzhas Auyezov in Almaty and Lidia Kelly in Lisbon; editing by Mark Trevelyan, Alexandra Hudson)
NEENAH, Wis. (WFRV)  The Neenah Joint School Districts Board of Education held a special meeting on Monday to announce the appointment of the districts next superintendent.

Officials have named Dr. Steve Harrison the next superintendent of the Neenah Joint School District, following the Board of Educations approval.

New community orchard at Green Bay East High School

Harrison comes to Neenah from the Appleton Area School District, where he has worked since 2015. His official title with the Appleton Area School District was the Assistant Superintendent for Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction.

In many ways, this feels like Im coming home, said Harrison, whose mother, Barb, was a reading specialist at Spring Road Elementary School in Neenah from 1981 to 2003. I spent a lot of time in my moms classroom while growing up, and it fueled my desire to work in education. Its exciting to come back to a district that has given so much to my family. Its really a dream come true.

Harrison will replace Dr. Mary Pfeiffer, who is retiring after 15 years as the Neenah Superintendent. Harrison will begin his duties on July 1.

Steve brings a fresh vision and energy to Neenah, Board of Education president Brian Epley said. His strong background in curriculum and instruction set him apart as a candidate. He also brings an inclusive mindset to build a connected culture across the entire District.

Harrison was an Assistant Principal at Oshkosh West High School for two years and also taught science at Oshkosh North and West High Schools from 2003-13. He began his teaching career as a science teacher at Badger High School in Lake Geneva in 2000. Harrison holds a Ph.D. from Cardinal Stritch University and a Masters Degree from UW-Milwaukee and UW-Oshkosh. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Bacteriology from UW-Madison. Harrison has been an ad-hoc instructor at UW-Oshkosh since 2015.

Im really looking forward to connecting with students, families, and community members to build a foundation of trust and transparency, said Harrison, noting his experience supporting students and staff at all levels of education from early childhood through high school. Neenah is a special place, and its where I want to finish my career in education.

Work Zone Awareness Week promotes safety on Wisconsin roadways

Harrison is the 10th superintendent in the Neenah Joint School District since E.M. Beeman was the inaugural superintendent hired in 1903. The search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates assisted with the process. The firm organized community focus groups and surveys and held a Day in the District for each of the three finalists.

Harrison lives in Winneconne with his wife, Margo. They have four children: Grant (21), Will (19), Dayne (18), and Olivia (11).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Feedback from residents has prompted Palm Beach's council to take another look at a proposed park project funded by an anonymous donor.

The council had voted 3-2 at the March 12 meeting, with members Julie Araskog and Bobbie Lindsay dissenting, to accept a nearly half-million dollar donation and approve the design plans for the parks at 240 and 247 Park Ave.

More: Anonymous donor to foot $461,000 bill for updates at two Palm Beach pocket parks

The work is estimated to cost $461,000, a sum that would be given to Palm Beach by an unnamed person, attorney Maura Ziska told council members during that meeting last month.

However, the council on April 9 voted unanimously to rehear the project after several residents contacted the town to say their words or feelings about the project had been misrepresented.

This rendering by Neivera Williams Design shows the planned upgrades to Palm Beach's pocket park on 247 Park Ave., with money given to the town by an anonymous donor.

The projects will come back before the council at the May 14 meeting.

Councilwoman Julie Araskog requested the rehearing, saying she received calls from some neighbors who were very upset and would have liked to be notified about the proposed work.

The project originally had been on the council's consent agenda at the March meeting. Items on the consent agenda typically are approved without discussion during the meeting.

The item was pulled from the council's consent agenda on March 12 by Mayor Danielle Moore, who said she received a text message from one of the park's neighbors the morning of the meeting saying she had not received notice of the proposal.

This rendering by Neivera Williams Design shows the planned upgrades to Palm Beach's pocket park on 240 Park Ave. Money for the project was donated to the town by an anonymous person.

Town staff confirmed that putting the item on the agenda was considered notice, and that no further notice  such as individual mailed letters to neighbors  was necessary, per the town's code.

While voting to approve the project, council members said they would like to see town staff develop a new system to provide notice to residents about similar plans in the future.

The proposed designs that were granted approval by the council but will be reviewed again in May included sidewalks, benches, a fountain and site walls. The walls would be 3 feet high. One of the parks would house the transformer that will allow for power lines to move underground in that area. The transformer would be shielded from view by a 6-foot-tall clusia hedge.

At the April 9 meeting, Councilman Ted Cooney made the motion to bring the issue back at the next meeting. In responding to Araskog's request, he referred to the discussion from March about providing notice and transparency for residents.

"That was murky, and you know we're always best when we have communicated effectively, and I'm not 100% certain we did, and based on the communication it seems we didn't," Cooney said.

He added that he feels that the plan for the parks is innocuous, but he supported the rehearing out of deference to the neighbors and because it was such a tight vote on something that typically would have passed without much discussion.

Former Council President Maggie Zeidman, speaking and voting just before she stepped down from the council on April 9, thanked the donor for their generosity.

"The anonymous donor should be congratulated and understand that even though people want to weigh in, that it is something that is appreciated and that we as a council are grateful for it, and that was part of the discussion," she said.

Three of the park's neighbors spoke at the April 9 meeting and thanked the council for agreeing to rehear the plans.

Dr. Rhonda Nasser said it was she who sent the text to Moore the morning of the March council meeting to share her concerns that she had not received notice.

At that meeting, Ziska said Nasser had received the plans and confirmed receipt.

Nasser, speaking at the April meeting, said that while she received the plans, she responded to Ziska's email with concerns about why the donation was being made and if it would limit access to the public spaces.

"This all came as a surprise to us," said Patrick McGowan, another of the parks' neighbors.

He received a communication about the plans from Ziska in August of last year, he said. Before responding to her, he talked with neighbors and dog walkers who use the parks every day.

"They were all pretty much in agreement that we enjoy the open space, the green space, the clear visibility, the safety issue and the way it is basically laid out, as all parks in residential neighborhoods on the island are," McGowan said, noting that the parks from Park Avenue north to the inlet have clear lines of sight from the street. "There's no obstructions, there's no walls, there's no places to hide."

Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach park project paid for by anonymous donor sparks concerns
AUSTIN (KXAN)  People who live near Shiloh Drive off of Menchaca Road in south Austin saw what they counted as 11 dead dogs in South Boggy Creek.

Its pretty heartbreaking, said Jason Brooks, who saw the dogs. Im an animal lover. [It] was a hard day for me.

Neighbors said they were horrified when they found almost a dozen dead dogs in the creek. (Courtesy: Jason Brooks)

The Austin Police Department said it is currently conducting an investigation in the vicinity of Shiloh Drive in collaboration with Animal Protection. The department said its in the preliminary stages of the investigation, and it does not have any further information to release at this time.

Brooks said he walks his dogs on the trail next to the creek every day, as do most of his neighbors. Photos he took show some dogs wrapped in trash bags or covered with other garbage.

Yeah just to see them like that, just a complete, a complete disregard for life, Brooks said.

As authorities continue to investigate, they have not yet released information on how the dogs died.

KXAN will update this story when more details about the investigation become available.

According to the SPCA of Texas, the Cruelty of Non-Livestock Animals section of state law prohibits you from intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cruelly treating an animal. This includes torture, failing to provide food or water, killing or seriously injuring an animal and abandoning an animal, among other things.

Prior to 2001, according to the State Bar of Texas, animal cruelty was not considered a felony under Texas law. Now, its punishable by a $10,000 fine and up to two years in jail.

KXAN received the tip about the dogs found in Boggy Creek when viewers reached out to us through our ReportIt portal.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
(FOX40.COM)  The Nevada County Sheriffs Office took a recent seaside trip to Marina del Rey to sharpen their skills with water rescues alongside the United States Coast Guard and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

In a video shared by the sheriffs office on Tuesday, deputies can be seen running a cooperative training mission with a USCG helicopter and a LACFG lifeguard boat.

Tahoe area trail network will connect Truckee to Nevada City

During the training deputies executed rescue operations between the aircraft and the vessel that had them practice simulated airlifts from the boat.

Nevada County Sheriffs Office

Nevada County Sheriffs Office

Nevada County Sheriffs Officevv

Nevada County Sheriffs Officev

The sheriffs office said that operations like these require a high level of precision and coordination between all parties to execute safely, effectively, and timely.

The coordinated training was made possible through the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.

Lou Conter, last survivor of USS Arizona from Pearl Harbor attack, dies at 102

While Nevada County may not have any bodies of water as large as the Pacific Ocean in its boundaries, the sheriffs office can be called to conduct rescues at the numerous lakes and reservoirs within its jurisdiction, along with Lake Tahoe.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
NEWCASTLE, Okla. (KFOR)  A man has been arrested following the death of a child in McClain County.

According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Newcastle Police Department requested the bureaus help on April 11, 2024, regarding a child abuse investigation.

LOCAL NEWS: Court records reveal what led to arrests in disappearance of two missing moms

Hunter Smiley.

The day before, officers responded to a home in Newcastle after receiving a call about an unresponsive 9-month-old baby. The child was quickly taken to a nearby hospital.

Two days later, on April 12, the child passed away. OSBI agents spoke with the childs father, 25-year-old Hunter Smiley, who was there when officers responded.

The OSBI says the information gathered during the investigation led to the arrest of Smiley on April 15 and he was booked into the McClain County Jail on a First-Degree Murder charge.

Officials say the baby was taken to the Office of the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner where the cause and manner of death will be determined.

The investigation is still ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying Gaojing-3 01 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 15, 2024. China on Monday launched a Long March-2D carrier rocket, placing a remote sensing satellite into space.

The rocket blasted off at 12:12 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and sent the Gaojing-3 01 satellite into the preset orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 14, 2024 shows tulip fields in Lisse, the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz takes part in a dialogue with students at Tongji University's Jiading Campus in east China's Shanghai, April 15, 2024. Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and his delegation arrived in Shanghai from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Monday morning.

On Monday, Scholz took part in a dialogue with students at Tongji University's Jiading Campus and visited German company Covestro's Asia-Pacific Innovation Center. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

Models present creations during a fashion show at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 15, 2024. The Expo, which started Saturday and lasts till April 18, is China's only national-level exhibition featuring consumer products and also the largest consumer expo in the Asia-Pacific region. (Xinhua/Li Mengjiao)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows a view of the Taihu Lake near Dongshan Town of Wuzhong District in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas.

The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007.

The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

This photo taken on April 15, 2024 shows a scene of the 135th session of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. The 135th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened Monday in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province.

As of Sunday, approximately 149,000 purchasers from 215 countries and regions had completed pre-registration for the event, marking a notable 17.4 percent increase compared to the previous edition. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

People visit the booth of Bloomage Biotech at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 15, 2024. Lasting from April 13 to 18, the expo themed "Share Open Opportunities, Co-create a Better Life" hosts over 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions, showcasing their novel and upmarket products for global consumers. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Greek actress Mary Mina (front R), playing the role of the High Priestess, lights the flame during the final dress rehearsal of the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on April 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

A video screenshot shows a group of former U.S. President Donald Trump's critics marching by New York County Criminal Court in New York, the United States, on April 15, 2024. Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday appeared in a criminal court in Manhattan, New York City, in the hush money case, making him the first former U.S. president to stand a criminal trial. (Photo by Ding Ye/Xinhua)
Google said Friday that it would start to test limiting some users' access to links from California news outlets. (Peter Morgan / Associated Press)

The News/Media Alliance, a journalism trade organization and advocacy group, on Tuesday asked federal government officials to investigate Google after the tech giant said it would limit links to California news outlets in its search results.

The alliance, which represents publishers in the news and magazine industry, said Google's actions appear "to either be coercive or retaliatory, driven by Google's opposition to a pending legislative measure in Sacramento."

The proposed state measure in question, called the California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA), would require tech companies, including Google, who sell advertising alongside news content to pay news publishers.

In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice, News/Media Alliance Chief Executive Danielle Coffey called on regulators to "investigate whether Google is violating federal law in blocking or impeding their ability to find news that they rely upon for their business, their prosperity, their pleasure, their democracy and, sometimes, their lives."

The Los Angeles Times is a member of the News/Media Alliance.

Google called the claims in the News/Media Alliance's letter "baseless" and the CJPA an "unworkable" bill that hurts "small local publishers to benefit large, out-of-state hedge funds."

We have proposed reasonable alternatives to CJPA that would increase our support for the California news ecosystem and support Californians' access to news," Google said in a statement. "Weve long said CJPA isnt the right approach, and weve taken a responsible and transparent step to prepare for its possible implementation.

The FTC and the Justice Department declined to comment.

Read more: Google says it will reduce some user access to California news sites

Google said Friday that it would start to test limiting some users' access to links from California news outlets and raised concerns in a blog post about the bill, saying it would change its business model.

We have long said that this is the wrong approach to supporting journalism, Jaffer Zaidi, vice president of Googles Global News Partnerships, wrote in a blog post Friday. If passed, CJPA may result in significant changes to the services we can offer Californians and the traffic we can provide to California publishers.

Google would not respond to questions about how many users would be affected by the test, or which California news outlets would be affected.

News organizations in California say they are dealing with declining revenues, in part due to a digital ad market dominated by players like Google, and are struggling to build up their base of digital subscribers. Many news outlets including the L.A. Times, Business Insider and Vice have laid off staff to cut costs.

Read more: Column: L.A.'s ultimate heartbreak industry isnt Hollywood. It's local journalism

Under the bill, news outlets would pay at least 70% of the money gained from the legislation back to their staffs. Smaller outlets could pay a smaller percentage.

Google said it has partnered with more than 7,000 global news publishers through its Google News Initiative, including 6,000 journalists in California, but Zaidi said the company was pausing expansion of that initiative until theres clarity on Californias regulatory environment.

Read more: L.A. Times to lay off at least 115 people in the newsroom

During a news event with visiting Norwegian officials Tuesday in the Bay Area, a reporter asked Gov. Gavin Newsom if he had a response to Google taking down California news links.

How do I best say this? Newsom said. Were in conversations with the company you referenced. Lets leave it at that.

Newsom has not yet taken a position on the California Journalism Preservation Act. Its common for the governor to refrain from publicly sharing his position on a bill before it reaches his desk, though he has made some exceptions. A spokesperson for the governor said Newsom is engaging with lawmakers about the bill.

He is continuing to have constructive conversations on this important subject with the Legislature, said Izzy Gordon, a spokesperson for the governor.

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), who introduced Assembly Bill 886, met with Newsom's staff last week and had a very constructive conversation about AB 886, said Erin Ivie, a spokesperson for Wicks.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Newton dentist has been suspended by the state board after allegations he was impaired on the job.

ALSO READ: Plaza Midwood daycare shut down by state after child neglect allegations

The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners said it took the emergency action against Dr. Paul Jeffrey Lowe over concerns about public health and safety.

The board said it took the action after receiving evidence that Lowe was recently impaired at his dental office. The said it is unsafe for him to practice dentistry at this time.

Lowes license is suspended until the boards investigation is complete.

A sign posted at Lowes dental practice says the office is closed until an undisclosed date.

(WATCH BELOW: Homebuilder Construction Ups license suspended in South Carolina)
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY)  Newport News mayor Phillip Jones will join local leaders on Thursday for a press conference to show support for new federal clean truck standards.

The new clean truck standard, adopted by the EPA, sets stronger emissions standards in the hopes of reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles in the transportation sector in the state of Virginia. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, heavy-duty vehicles, while only making up 10% of the road, generate more than 25% of the total global warming emissions from the transportation sector.

According to Clean Jobs America, Virginia ranks 11th in state with clean energy employment, with 95,643 clean energy jobs reported in 2022, including 7,782 alone in clean vehicle jobs.

The press conference is scheduled for April 18 starting at 10 a.m. at the Newport News Transit Center.

Mayor Phillip Jones, along with Tim Cywinski and Sybil Pappas, will discuss the recent finalization of the clean truck standards for model years 2027 through 2023, as well as urge leaders to defend the new standards.

The full press conference will be available to watch on the Sierra Club Virginia Facebook page here.

Check with WAVY.com for more updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
No jurors selected on first day of Trump's New York criminal trial

Donald Trump, then US President, speaks at the start of a bilateral conversation with Chancellor Merkel after the working session of the NATO summit. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Donald Trump is due to return to court on Tuesday after no jurors were selected on the first day of the former president's criminal hush money trial in New York.

The process of whittling down hundreds of people to 12 jurors and six alternates began on Monday.

Judge Juan Merchan brought in a first batch of 96 potential jurors to the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. More than half were immediately dismissed after saying their personal bias prevented them from being fair to Trump.

Dozens more people will go through a similar process on Tuesday. Those remaining will then face more detailed questioning by the judge and attorneys in the coming days, with the whole exercise lasting as long as two weeks.

When Trump was introduced as the defendant, he turned and stared at the potential jurors. He is required to be in the courtroom all day for the entire length of the trial, which could last another eight weeks after the jurors are picked. The historic proceedings will not be televised.

Trump is the first former president in US history to stand trial on criminal charges. The case stems from payments made to an adult film actress ahead of the 2016 election.

Trump, who leads a sprawling real estate business, is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme involving his former lawyer Michael Cohen to conceal the $130,000 pay-off made to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Daniels said the money was given to keep her quiet about an affair she had with Trump in 2006. He has admitted to paying her on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her "false and extortionist accusations" but denies any sexual encounter.

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, faces a maximum of four years behind bars if convicted.

He is facing three other criminal trials as well several civil lawsuits.

The Republican is set for an election rematch with incumbent President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in November.

Anti-Trump protesters with the activist group Rise & Resist hold signs and banners outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. Jury selection begins on 15 April for People of the State of New York v. Donald Trump, known as the Stormy Daniels hush money case, charging that the former President orchestrated a cover-up of payments to Stephanie Clifford (the adult film actress known as Stormy Daniels,) as a means to interfere with the 2016 presidential election. Gina M Randazzo/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Anti-Trump protesters with the activist group Rise & Resist hold signs and banners outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. Jury selection begins on 15 April for People of the State of New York v. Donald Trump, known as the Stormy Daniels hush money case, charging that the former President orchestrated a cover-up of payments to Stephanie Clifford (the adult film actress known as Stormy Daniels,) as a means to interfere with the 2016 presidential election. Gina M Randazzo/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Arizonas near-total abortion banan 1864 law recently deemed enforceable by the states Supreme Court, though not yet in effectis rightly considered one of the most extreme bans in the United States. It has none of the familiar weeks-based rules; none of the exceptions for rape and incest. And in the past week, its become the latest ban for Republicans to try to distance themselves from on the campaign trail.

Headlines these days are full of Republicans allegedly moderating, downplaying, or otherwise retreating from their staunch opposition to legal abortion. Donald Trump and Senate candidate Kari Lake of Arizona have publicly said the Arizona ban goes too far. These are calculated, hypocritical moves: Lake supported this exact ban when she ran for governor two years ago, and Trumps position on abortion depends on whatever he thinks will do best for Trump. But more importantly, even if Lake and Trump were sincere in their criticism of Arizonas law, that would not make their abortion positions moderate.

As Republican candidates and strategists this election season attempt to discard the appearance of extremism in favor of so-called moderate positions, its worth emphasizing that even these moderate positions were considered extreme not long ago. In the two decades before Roe was overturned, Republicans went from pushing 24-week bans to pushing six-week bans. In Texas, that narrowing took about 15 years. Not only did Republicans succeed in passing such severe restrictions, they made extreme anti-abortion laws the new norm.

To believe in the myth of Republicans abortion moderation is to ignore very recent history. When Trump was president, he committed to sign a 20-week ban if it arrived on his desk. This was at a time when anti-abortion groups were still fighting to enact 20-week and earlier bans in the states, where they would be fought out in the courts for several years to come. If it is indeed true that Trump might favor a 15- or 16-week national ban (as he has suggested both publicly and privately), that would be even more restrictive than what he supported as president. Even by his own record, there is no moderation there.

To believe Republicans have taken more moderate views on anti-abortion laws, we would also have to believe that they hold coherent positions on abortion. They do not, as Trump exemplifies. His acolyte Kari Lake has never held political office, but her gubernatorial campaign in 2022 put her in the national spotlight as one of Trumps MAGA heirs. Even over the course of a single campaign, Lake could not offer a position on abortion that made any sense. In the month of June 2022, Lake said she believed medication used for abortion ought to be illegal. She also said Arizonas 1864 near-total abortion ban, still in a court battle at that time, was a great law that she was thrilled was on the books. Around four months later, Lake was instead claiming that abortion should be rare and legal, and she also said she supported a ban after 15 weeks. Now, with Lake running for Senate, she has said she opposes the Arizona state Supreme Court ruling that the 1864 ban is enforceable.

Trump has been even more successful in racking up headlines of his alleged backtracking. A video the former president posted last week was interpreted by many as dismissing the idea of a national ban, even though he never actually said those words. If you actually listen to Trumps statement on abortion, he doesnt say should be left to the states, wrote Semafors Washington editor Jordan Weissmann. He says will be left to the state[s]. Its just a statement of what the law is. A few days after his non-announcement, when Trump was asked outright if he supported a national ban and answered with one wordNoCNN made it a push alert.

But say we ignore recent history and assume Republicans like Trump and Lake hold coherent positions. The critical plank of the moderation myth is that Republicans believe that abortion laws should be up to the states. This is how they were able to claim that they wanted Roe overturned but did not support a national ban. But as I argued one year ago, at a time when states are enacting total and near-total bans, claiming to be antinational ban but prostate restriction is a distinction without a difference. Even in states where abortion remains legal, some states are rushing to invent more abortion restrictions: In Kansas, where voters rejected a statewide ban through a ballot initiative, this session Republicans succeeded in passing a bill that would require abortion providers to record why each patient is having an abortion and report that to the state. (The governor vetoed this.) Republicans in the Tennessee state Senate joined the emerging trend of inventing and outlawing so-called abortion trafficking, passing a bill with which anyone who helps a minor have an abortion can potentially be criminally charged. Abortion is already nearly completely banned in the state.

Whatever moderating claims Republicans make about leaving abortion to the states, leading conservative groups, such as those who are part of the Heritage Foundationhelmed Project 2025, are openly advocating that Republicans institute a national abortion ban by reviving enforcement of the Comstock Acta national abortion ban that these groups argue is already on the books. If that happened, it would be like the Arizona ban had gone federal, but worse. Trump isnt openly acknowledging this zombie national abortion ban his supporters are arguing that he should enforce. When NPR tried to get him to elaborate his position on using the Comstock Act, Trumps campaign simply refused. They tried to fall back on the nonsense talking points everyone else had dutifully repeated: President Trump supports preserving life but has also made clear that he supports states rights. (An email TNR sent to the Trump campaign asking the same question about the Comstock Act was still unanswered by publication.)

These conservative groups surely realize at this point that there is a media formula working in their favor. Recent history of anti-abortion laws is being shelved. And, as always, election years favor horse-race reporting: The nitty-gritty real-world implementation of abortion bans has taken a back seat to a political narrative in which an abortion ban is measured in how much it helps a candidate. Thus, few bother to ask what exactly enforcement of the laws like what Project 2025 is proposing would entail. Abortion bans are being treated as threats to reproductive freedom only insofar as they are indicators of electoral success or failure. When a candidate appears to shy away from a total ban, only to land on restricting abortion out of existence, to even call this a change in position is a stretch. It is still a willingness to outlaw abortion, the same as it has been for decades, only now hair-split, for the sake of a campaign narrative, into meaninglessness. This is what the real pivot-to-moderation narrative on abortion is about: getting people to stop actually talking about abortion.
Donald Trump has two modes: attack, and pout when the attack doesn't land. But as a criminal defendant for the first time in his life, he is having to acclimate himself to an environment where he cant make or break the rules  and where punishment for the kind of brash defiance that plays well on Truth Social could land him behind bars.

The adjustment process will no doubt be difficult. On Monday, Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the first ever prosecution of a former president, made it abundantly clear to Trump and his legal team that it will be he and the New York criminal justice system calling the shots from here on out.

Particularly striking was an exchange Monday afternoon between Merchan and Trump lawyer Todd Blanche. Prosecutors had drawn attention to Trumps social media posts attacking his former personal attorney Michael Cohen and adult film star Stormy Daniels, the woman whose silence he is accused of illicitly buying off with a $130,000 payment ahead of the 2016 election. Trump, his attorney argued, had fired off the posts in question because they had disparaged him first.

Merchan, who earlier prohibited such attacks on witnesses, instructed Blanche to come back with a written argument as to why Trump shouldnt be held in contempt (prosecutors want the posts deleted and the former president fined).

When you respond, direct me to any portion of the original gag order or the subsequent gag order that says there is an exception to the gag order if Mr. Trump feels he is being attacked, Merchan said, as reported by Business Insider. I dont recall inserting that anywhere in either gag order.

Merchan also several times ruled in Trumps favor, such as barring prosecutors, at least for now, from submitting as evidence as the Access Hollywood tape in which the presumptive Republican presidential nominee boasted of sexually assaulting women.

I think he is no nonsense, Andrew Weissmann, a former federal prosecutor, said of Merchan in a Monday night appearance on MSNBC. He pointed, in particular, to the judges ruling that the defense team must submit, in just 24 hours, the full list of exhibits they intend to present at trial, rejecting pleas for more time by noting that Trumps lawyers had repeatedly found a way to multitask and rapidly filed numerous, lengthy motions before.

What the judge did is [say]... no more games, if you do not produce every piece of evidence you intend to use, its precluded, Weissmann noted. I thought that was a very strong, definitive ruling by the judge. So I think he is going to run a very tight ship. He strikes me as somebody as in the mold of Judge Kaplan, the judge who had the two E. Jean Carroll cases, so I think were going to see a very efficient trial being conducted here.

The E. Jean Carroll cases did not turn out well for the former president, who was twice found to have defamed a woman he had raped. Efficiency is decidedly not the preference of the criminal defendant, whose go-to legal strategy has been to delay and delay again his day in court.

That strategy has worked so far in Florida, where Trumps classified documents case is being overseen by a federal judge that he himself appointed. In New York, by contrast, the judge appears committed to a speedy trial  a fact thats already causing apparent distress.

On Monday, reporters in the Manhattan courtroom witnessed Trump confronting Blanche, his lead attorney, and demanding he push back harder on Merchans 24-hour deadline for that list of exhibits.

Catherine A. Christian, a trial lawyer who previously worked for the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, told MSNBC that the exhibits issue is unlikely to be a major factor in the case. But the apparent quarrel between Trump and his lawyers points to another important question: Can the guy behave himself? And that  throwing tantrums in a courtroom where juror will be present  could have a much greater impact on the verdict, with legal experts noting that Trumps habit of acting out when he doesn't get his way will not play well with those charged with judging his guilt (a fact his own own lawyers have no doubt tried to impart).

Its going to be a long trial for Mr. Blanche because [Trump] is out of control, Christian said. He is one of those clients that you hope to not have because, if hes acting this way now, hes going to do it throughout the trial.
FILE - Pedestrians wear face masks to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in Pyongyang, North Korea, on April 1, 2020. North Korea is putting surveillance cameras in schools and workplaces, and collecting fingerprints, photographs and other biometric information from its citizens in a technology-driven push to monitor its population even more closely, a report said Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Cha Song Ho, File)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea is putting surveillance cameras in schools and workplaces and collecting fingerprints, photographs and other biometric information from its citizens in a technology-driven push to monitor its population even more closely, a report said Tuesday.

The state's growing use of digital surveillance tools, which combine equipment imported from China with domestically developed software, threatens to erase many of the small spaces North Koreans have left to engage in private business activities, access foreign media and secretly criticize their government, the researchers wrote.

But the isolated country's digital ambitions have to contend with poor electricity supplies and low network connectivity. Those challenges, and a history of reliance on human methods of spying on its citizens, mean that digital surveillance isn't yet as pervasive as in China, according to the report, published by the North Korea-focused website 38 North.

The studys findings align with widely held views that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is stepping up efforts to tighten the states control of its citizens and promote loyalty to his regime.

These efforts were boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the North imposed stringent border controls that were maintained for three years before a cautious reopening in 2023.

New laws and recent reports of harsher punishments suggest that the government is cracking down on foreign influence and imported media, likely helped by fences and electronic monitoring systems installed on the border with China during the pandemic.

Having seen that its possible to close the border this tightly, I think they are now keen to keep it that way, said Martyn Williams, an analyst who co-authored the study with Natalia Slavney.

In terms of broader surveillance across the country, the pandemic could have played a part, but I think a much bigger role has been played by the fast-reducing cost of surveillance equipment, Williams said.

The report examined North Korean surveillance technologies through information gained from domestic and international media coverage and publicly announced research at North Korean universities and state organizations. The researchers also said they interviewed 40 North Korean escapees about the surveillance they experienced when they lived in the country and, through unspecified partners, surveyed 100 current North Korean residents in 2023 via phone, text messages and other forms of encrypted communication to ensure their safety.

State media reports show that video surveillance is becoming more common at schools, workplaces and airports. The cameras are mostly sourced from Chinese vendors and range from basic video feeds to more advanced models that include features like face recognition.

Experts have warned that China is exporting the technology that powers its AI-powered surveillance to countries around the world.

North Korean state media reports show that cameras now appear in most schools in the capital, Pyongyang, and other major cities, allowing school staff to remotely monitor whats happening in classrooms by panning and zooming to focus on individual students or teachers.

Cameras are also widespread in factories, government buildings and other workplaces, both to improve security and to prevent theft, while facial recognition systems have been used to record visitors at Pyongyangs Sunan airport since 2019.

North Korea has also been expanding its network of traffic cameras beyond Pyongyang since 2021, installing them at major roads heading into and out of the city, likely for the purpose of automatically recording license plates, the report said.

The government may not yet be fully able to utilize the data it collects, and it currently doesnt have an intensive network of security cameras in streets and residential areas, possibly due to electricity shortages and the large number of security agents already monitoring public life in Pyongyang and elsewhere.

But North Korea does appear to be envisioning a future of more pervasive video surveillance  North Korean universities and research institutions for years have focused on developing technologies related to movement detection and facial and license plate recognition, according to the report.

Meanwhile, the state is also building detailed biometric profiles of its citizens. The latest version of North Korean national identification cards comes in a smartcard format and requires citizens to provide fingerprints, facial photographs and, at least according to one report, to take a blood test.

For North Koreans, the spread of CCTV means even greater surveillance of their lives, especially if the cameras include automatic detection systems. If such cameras become more broadly used, citizens involved in illicit activities would be especially at risk as facial detection could track their movements throughout cities, Williams and Slavney wrote.

At present, North Koreans who get caught in activities such as smuggling or distributing illegally imported goods and foreign content can bribe local security services, but, unlike humans, security cameras cannot be bribed, they said.

Williams said the government will push to expand its surveillance network beyond major cities as infrastructure improves. It still won't be easy to make use of vast amounts of video data, he said, but North Korea can draw lessons from the surveillance state next door.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle is the computing infrastructure to process all of this data in real time. Doing so on a national or even provincial level is not an easy task, if the network is to be truly pervasive and consist of multiple cameras, Williams said. The country would have to build a small data center and ensure a constant supply of power. I think it definitely can be inspired by China, which is a comparatively freer society in general but has a much more Orwellian digital surveillance network.
We are not bad people, sidewalk vendor hopes for a chance as officials vote on ordinance

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Thousands of street vendors play a role in the everyday lives of Las Vegas valley communities. The final stages of implementing a bill backing vendors could make it easier for them.

8 News Now spoke with a sidewalk vendor at a setup of a truck, a table, a tent, and long lines of people waiting for Mexican snacks.

It keeps sidewalk vendors like Marely Rosales quite busy at the park. Her husband works full-time, but it is not enough to support their family.

This is a traditional ice cream from Mexico and all of it is homemade, Rosales said, describing the snacks she sells at the park.

We are just here and whatever happens, happens, Rosales explained when asked if they had permission to set up at the park.

Rosales said she has not been able to obtain a health permit, but said Senate Bill 92 could change that.

SB 92 was passed by the state legislature last year. It paves the way for street vendors to become legalized in Washoe and Clark counties and obtain health permits. However, vendors wont be able to set up just anywhere.

The bill was signed into law by Governor Joe Lombardo. State Senator Fabian Donate championed the law.

As immigrants, we come to this country and we sell food as a way to survive, said Senator Donate.

Right now, there is no ordinance or license in place in county and city jurisdictions for sidewalk vendors. More eyes are on them than ever before, especially in the far northwest.

We seem to see a growing number of vendors out in our area and so our office is receiving a lot of calls, said Las Vegas Councilwoman Nancy Brune.

She said the majority of complaints are not about the usual corn man or fruit cart, which is what SB 92 advocates for.

A lot of our concern is the vendors that are setting up with the grills and lights, said Brune.

Those pop vendors have different requirements.

On the other side, there is Leah OConnor who lives in Skye Canyon and sees the issue.

I would like to see some oversight in terms of how they get set up, she said about sidewalk vendors.

Aside from their different backgrounds, they all want the same thing.

Its a matter of equity, imparity across everyone, said Brune.

And how we can get these folks into better options, OConnor added.

As for Rosales, she hopes that people truly see they are hard-working people.

We are not bad people, we are for following the law, she said.

At the end of the day, they are all working towards a dream for a better life.

Senator Fabian Donate said Clark County will be the first to vote on the ordinance Tuesday during the commissioners meeting. It will create a pathway for vendors to be licensed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Tourists visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province, Cambodia on Feb. 10, 2024. (Photo by Sao Khuth/Xinhua)

Cambodia is renowned for the Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Siem Reap province. Besides, it has a 450-km pristine coastline stretching across four southwestern provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong.

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A Cambodian senior tourism official said the Southeast Asian nation is keen to see more international tourists, especially Chinese ones, stressing that their presence is vital to revitalizing the post-pandemic tourism industry.

Tang Sochetkresna, director of Preah Sihanouk Provincial Department of Tourism, hopes that more foreign tourists will visit the coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, which is one of the top priority tourist destinations in the kingdom.

"I'd like to appeal to the governments of China as well as countries in Europe and ASEAN to encourage airline companies to resume direct flights to Cambodia after their suspension during the pandemic era," he told Xinhua on Sunday.

Contestants race their ox carts in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia, on April 7, 2024. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

Sochetkresna said the kingdom is also eager to see the return of Chinese investors to Preah Sihanouk province.

He said Preah Sihanouk has good physical infrastructure, potential natural resources, an international seaport and an expressway linking with the capital Phnom Penh.

"More importantly, we have beautiful bays and islands, with standardized tourism services for international tourists," he said.

As Cambodia kicked off its four-day traditional New Year on Saturday, Sochetkresna said Preah Sihanouk has organized a variety of celebratory activities such as a Songkran festival, a concert, a trade exhibition, and dancing at the vicinities of pagodas, bays and other tourist resorts.

"During the New Year holiday, we have also prepared to welcome international tourists to Preah Sihanouk by air, greeting them with traditional Trot dance and traditional Chhay Yam dance, or drum dance, at the Sihanouk International Airport," he said.

This undated photo shows sandstone statues unearthed at the Ta Prohm temple restoration site in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)

Seong Chantha, a 35-year-old seller of grilled squid along a bay in Preah Sihanouk province, said tourists are the main source of income for her and other vendors in this coastal province.

"We are keen to see more tourists because they will bring us more income. More tourists will lead to better sales," she told Xinhua on Sunday.

"If more Chinese people come, a lot of jobs will be created for our Cambodian people," she added.

Chantha said currently, security and safety in Preah Sihanouk province are good.

Uy Meyta, a 19-year-old local tourist to Preah Sihanouk province, said Preah Sihanouk has beautiful bays, which are very attractive to both national and international tourists.

"The environment is clean, with no garbage, and food prices are competitive," she told Xinhua. "We want to see more tourists, and I want to tell them that Cambodia has beautiful bays."

Models present gems and jewelry during the 15th edition of Cambodia International Gems and Jewelry Fair in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said last month that the country recorded 5.45 million international tourist arrivals in 2023, generating a gross revenue of 3.08 billion U.S. dollars.

"We hope that the number of international tourists to Cambodia will surpass the pre-pandemic level by 2025," he said.

In the pre-pandemic era, the kingdom registered 6.6 million international tourists in 2019, earning 4.92 billion dollars in revenue, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy.

The kingdom is renowned for the Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Siem Reap province. Besides, it has a 450-km pristine coastline stretching across four southwestern provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong.
A blaze has broken out in Copenhagens historic former stock exchange in Denmarks capital on Tuesday, as its spire was engulfed by flames and collapsed.

The fire began in the morning, starting in the copper roof of the Old Stock Exchange. The 17th century Brsenone of the Danish capitals oldest buildingsis now used as a headquarters for the Danish Chamber of Commerce. We are met with a terrible sight. The Bourse is on fire. Everyone is asked to stay away, the Chamber of Commerce posted on social media platform X.

The blaze has since spread across several floors of the monument and caused its roof to cave in, according to local fire department chief Jakob Vedsted Andersen.

As many as 90 members of the Royal Life Guards, an army unit, have been deployed to cordon off the area surrounding the building, as well as secure valuables, the military has said. There are no reports of injuries or fatalities at this time, and the finance ministry has been evacuated.

The 184 ft. spire had a distinct design in the shape of four intertwined dragons tails, a symbol of protection against enemy attacks and fire, as per tourism websites. The tails twist into a spear with three crowns, representing Denmarks strong ties with Sweden and Norway. The structure had been undergoing renovations and was surrounded by scaffolding at the time of the fire, which limited ease of access for emergency responders.

The buildingwhich dates back to 1625is home to a number of Denmarks valuable art collections, which are worth hundreds of millions of Danish Krones (tens of millions of U.S. dollars). People were seen carrying some of these works of art out of the building. It is frequently used to host dinners and conferences, but it is not open to the public.

Denmarks culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt described the scenes as 400 years of Danish cultural heritage in flames, in a post on X. In a subsequent post, he said it was touching to see employees, emergency workers, and good samaritans working together to rescue its treasures.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the incident as Denmarks own Notre Dame moment, referencing the 2019 structural fire that broke out in the roof of the Paris landmark.

That sentiment was echoed by others. This is our Notre-Dame! This is a national treasure, 45-year-old local resident Elisabeth Moltke, told AFP as she watched the blaze.

The Notre Dame fire marked its fifth anniversary on Monday, and is set to reopen at the end of this year after well-funded restoration efforts.

Danish emergency services have advised people in Copenhagen to keep away from the blaze, avoid driving to the inner city, and seek medical assistance if they experience any breathing difficulties.

Write to Armani Syed at armani.syed@time.com.
National Public Radio has suspended an editor who has repeatedly criticized the outlet in recent days, alleging a left-leaning bias that he says is hurting the organizations journalism.

Uri Berliner, a senior editor who has worked at NPR for more than 20 years, was suspended last week by the company for five days without pay, NPRs media reporter David Folkenflik reported Tuesday.

Berliner published an essay in The Free Press last week arguing those who listen to NPR or read its coverage online are getting the distilled worldview of a very small segment of the U.S. population.

In handing down its punishment, NPR top brass told Berliner he did not secure approval for outside work for other news outlets, as is required of journalists at the outlet, Folkenflik reported.

In a statement to The Hill on Tuesday, an NPR spokesperson said the outlet does not comment on individual personnel matters, including discipline, but noted it expect[s] all of our employees to comply with NPR policies and procedures.

Berliners essay has provided fodder for frequent critics of the outlet who have for years alleged liberal bias at the public broadcaster.

Some of those critics this week highlighted social media posts of Katherine Maher, NPRs CEO, praising Democrats, calling President Trump a racist and promoting progressive ideas.

Maher in a note to staff after Berliners essay published forcefully pushed back on his assertions and defended the outlets standards.

Berliner also criticized Mahers social media posts during an interview with Folkenflik.

Were looking for a leader right now whos going to be unifying and bring more people into the tent and have a broader perspective on, sort of, what America is all about, he told the outlets media reporter. And this seems to be the opposite of that.

Trump knocked NPR leadership for its criticism of the piece, calling for the outlet to be defunded.

Updated at 12:20 p.m. EDT.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NPR has suspended a veteran editor who wrote an essay criticizing the public broadcaster for having what he described as a lack of politically diverse viewpoints.

Uri Berliner, an award-winning business journalist who has worked at the network for 25 years, will be off the job for five days without pay. Berliner acknowledged the suspension Monday in an interview with National Public Radio. He did not respond to The Times' request for comment.

The suspension came after Berliner put a harsh spotlight on NPR with an April 9 opinion piece for the Substack newsletter the Free Press. He said the decline in NPR's audience levels is due to a move toward liberal political advocacy and catering to "a distilled worldview of a very small segment of the U.S. population." The overall thrust of the piece asserted that NPR has "lost America's trust."

An NPR representative said the network "does not comment on individual personnel matters, including discipline. We expect all of our employees to comply with NPR policies and procedures, which for our editorial staff includes the NPR Ethics Handbook."

Read more: Journalist who accused NPR of liberal bias resigns from the network

Berliner was told by management last week that he violated company policy by failing to secure its approval to supply work for other news outlets, according to an NPR news report by media correspondent David Folkenflik. Berliner was informed that he will be fired if he violates that policy again.

Berliner's essay has been seized on by right-wing media outlets that frequently accuse NPR and other mainstream news sources of a liberal bias.

On Monday, conservative activists resurfaced years old social media posts by current NPR Chief Executive Katherine Maher, in which she expressed her disdain for former President Trump. In one 2020 post, she called Trump a racist.

Maher took on her NPR role in January. She previously headed the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia, and has no previous experience in journalism. NPR has said Maher was not in an editorial role at the foundation when she made the social media posts, adding that she "is entitled to free speech as a private citizen."

Berliner's essay said the network began to lose its way after Trump's 2016 election victory.

Read more: Robert MacNeil, the stately journalist who brought news to PBS, dies at 93

"I eagerly voted against Trump twice but felt we were obliged to cover him fairly," Berliner wrote. "But what began as tough, straightforward coverage of a belligerent, truth-impaired president veered toward efforts to damage or topple Trumps presidency."

Berliner said the network overplayed the investigation of Russian collusion with the Trump campaign in the 2016 presidential election. He also said the news operation turned a blind eye to the story of the laptop abandoned by President Biden's son Hunter in October 2020, out of concern that coverage of the matter would help reelect Trump.

Berliner was also critical of NPR's coverage of the Israel-Hamas war and the origins of the COVID-19 virus, as well as the organization's focus on race and identity, which he said "became paramount in nearly every aspect of the workplace."

Edith Chapin, NPR's chief news executive, rejected Berliner's analysis in a memo to staff after his piece was published.

"We're proud to stand behind the exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories," she wrote. "We believe that inclusion  among our staff, with our sourcing, and in our overall coverage  is critical to telling the nuanced stories of this country and our world."





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The NYPD on Monday raided a troubled Jackson Heights block where migrant crooks peddle stolen goods and hookers ply their trade in broad daylight  one day after an expose by The Post.

Cops and city staffers converged on the illicit open-air market shortly after 4:30 p.m., grabbing merchandise sold by illegal vendors at a steep discount on blankets and beach towels laid out on the sidewalk along Roosevelt Avenue near 91st Street.

But the bigger fish slipped through their fingers  as thieves were tipped off by spotters who keep watch on the shady operation, sending the vendors scrambling to pack the goods into waiting SUVs and screeching off mere seconds before police arrived.

We responded today, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said at the scene. Weve been here before, whether it be brothels, illegal bikes, vending now. So, this will be a continuing process. Its gonna take a while but we owe it to the residents of Queens.

Members of the New York City Police Department conducted a raid and confiscated clothing, fruit, shoes and other items from vendors who were selling items on the sidewalk. James Keivom

NYPD raided a troubled Jackson Heights block where migrant crooks peddle stolen goods. James Keivom

Cops and city staffers converged on the illicit open-air market shortly after 4:30 p.m., grabbing merchandise. James Keivom

Chell said police, the sanitation department and other agencies took part in the raid.

The Post reported Sunday that the Queens neighborhood had deteriorated into an illegal migrant shopping district where goods stolen from nearby retailers were sold outside at steep discounts.

Frustrated merchants complained that they see merchandise snatched from their shelves for sale on the sidewalk  but are helpless to do anything about it.

One underground vendor boasted a full display of power tools still bearing tags from a nearby Home Depot.

Meanwhile, sex workers prowl the street from early morning, with madams pointing out potential johns, a a local walk-up serving as a sleazy bordello.

The Post returned on Monday to find that many of the larger crooked vendors had taken the day off  scared off by TV news crews who suddenly appeared.

Periodic drive-by patrols by cops  with the nearest precinct less than five blocks away  also served to put a chill on the illegal goings-on.

When the NYPD raid materialized, sex workers slipped indoors to wait out the cops.

Lookouts alerted some of the thieves before the NYPD swept in. NYPJ

Sex workers patrol a stretch of Jackson Heights from morning until night, part of a lawless open-air market. NYPJ

A sidewalk vendor peddles power tools still stamped with Home Depot labels on the street in Jackson Heights. NYPJ

Jackson Heights retailers say shoplifters raid their stores, and the goods are up for sale at a discount right outside. NYPJ

Kaz Daughtry, the departments spokesman, confirmed there were no arrests made on Monday.

City records show that there have been more than two dozen 311 complaints so far this year about the shady business on the block, including gripes about unsightly conditions and illicit activity.

But locals complain that once the police are gone, its business as usual.

Theyll be back. No question, said Eliot, who works in the neighborhood. The TV cameras and the cops ran them off today, but theyll all be back tonight.

Most of them are standing right there right now, he said, motioning down the block.
A long-running legal fight over New York requiring employers to include abortion coverage in their workers' health insurance plans goes before the state's highest court on Tuesday.

Attorneys are set to argue before the Court of Appeals over a 2017 state regulation that requires plans to cover "medically necessary abortions," except when employers are granted religious exemptions. Several Catholic dioceses, Catholic Charities agencies and other employers who oppose abortion sued to invalidate the rule as a violation of religious freedom under the First Amendment.

The plaintiffs lost their first run through the state court system. But the case is getting a second look after the U.S. Supreme Court demanded it be reconsidered in view of that court's 2021 ruling in a different case involving employers' religious objections.

New York's coverage dispute began long before U.S. abortion politics were reignited by the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe vs. Wade in 2022. But it arrives before the state's top court in the thick of that renewed debate and campaigns for the White House and Congress in which deep divisions over state abortion policies are taking a prominent role.

Elizabeth Skoski from Tarrytown holds a "Stop Prosecuting Abortion" sign during a gathering of abortion-rights concerned citizens in front of Irvington Town Hall, June 24, 2022.

What are the details of abortion case headed to NY Court of Appeals?

The groups that brought the case argue New York limits too narrowly which "religious employers" qualify for exemptions, excluding those that hire or provide services to people who don't practice their religion. They say that effectively compels them to cover a procedure that violates their convictions.

"The mandate plainly burdens the Religious Objectors religious exercise, as it requires them to provide coverage for abortions  an act they consider a grave sin," Michael Costello, the plaintiffs' lead attorney, wrote in the brief to the Court of Appeals.

The state's lawyers argue the court already rebuffed similar objections in 2006, when it ruled against Catholic Charities and others in a lawsuit challenging mandatory contraception coverage in health plans. Nothing in the 2021 Supreme Court ruling requires New York's judges to drop that precedent, the state contends.

Anti-Abortion rights activist rally in front of the US Supreme Court on March 26, 2024, in Washington, DC.

Laura Etlinger, an assistant solicitor general, pointed out in the state's brief that none of the plaintiffs had even applied for an exemption to test if they qualified.

"To the contrary, some plaintiffs  for example, the dioceses, the religious order and the churches  likelysatisfy those criteria," Etlinger wrote. "Others may satisfy the criteria as well."

New York is one of 10 states that require abortion coverage in insurance plans, according to KFF, a health policy organization. Ten other states prohibit private health plans from covering abortion costs, with some exceptions.

What's the history of the case?

The litigation began in 2016 in response to New York including "medically necessary abortions" in its guidelines for health coverage. A second suit followed the next year after the state formalized that policy with a regulation, which added exemptions for religious employers that met certain criteria.

The plaintiffs lost in state Supreme Court and then the Appellate Division, where judges said they were bound by the 2006 contraception ruling. In 2020, the Court of Appeals declined to the hear the case and seemingly brought it to a close.

Expanding access: Walgreens, CVS to begin selling abortion pills. What to know in New York

But the U.S. Supreme Court revived it a year later, at the plaintiffs' request. The federal justices wanted a fresh review in New York in light of their ruling several months earlier in favor of a Catholic-run social services agency in Philadelphia, which sued to defend its refusal to place foster children with same-sex couples.

In response to the order vacating its previous decision, the Appellate Division took a second look at the case and again upheld the insurance regulation in 2022. The plaintiffs then went to the Court of Appeals, which agreed this time to hear the case.

Who brought the case and what comes next?

The groups seeking to overturn the regulation include two Catholic dioceses (Albany and Ogdensburg); Catholic Charities agencies for those and the Brooklyn dioceses; the Sisters of St. Mary, an order of Anglican nuns; a Catholic-run nursing home and retirement community near Albany; a building contractor based in Plattsburgh; a Catholic church in Amherst; a Lutheran Church in Albany; and a Baptist church.

Oral arguments will be made to the Court of Appeals in Albany on Tuesday. The court typically rules on cases in the month after they are argued, so the decision could come in May.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and the USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Abortion coverage in health plans case heard by NY Court of Appeals
A pallet of silvery batteries is seen in space against the blue ocean of Earth, with a white robotic arm to its right.

The mysterious object that crashed through the roof of a Florida home last month did indeed come from the International Space Station (ISS), NASA has confirmed.

That home, in the seaside city of Naples, belongs to Alejandro Otero. Shortly after the March 8 incident, Otero said he thought the offending object was part of a cargo pallet packed with 5,800 pounds (2,630 kilograms) of aging batteries jettisoned from the ISS in March 2021.

And he was right, according to a new NASA analysis of the object, which was performed at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

"Based on the examination, the agency determined the debris to be a stanchion from the NASA flight support equipment used to mount the batteries on the cargo pallet," agency officials wrote in an update today (April 15).

The cylindrical piece of space junk is made of a metallic alloy called Inconel, they added. It weighs 1.6 pounds (0.7 kg) and measures 4 inches (10 centimeters) high by 1.6 inches (4 cm) wide.

Related: 5,800 pounds of batteries tossed off the ISS in 2021 will fall to Earth

closeup of a blackened, metallic cylindrical object held by a purple-gloved hand

The nickel-hydride batteries were dumped after new lithium-ion versions were delivered to the ISS for a power-supply upgrade. The pallet and the batteries were expected to burn up completely in Earth's atmosphere, NASA officials said in today's update  yet that didn't happen, and the agency wants to learn why.

"The International Space Station will perform a detailed investigation of the jettison and reentry analysis to determine the cause of the debris survival and to update modeling and analysis, as needed," NASA officials wrote in today's update.

"NASA specialists use engineering models to estimate how objects heat up and break apart during atmospheric reentry," they added. "These models require detailed input parameters and are regularly updated when debris is found to have survived atmospheric reentry to the ground."

RELATED STORIES:

 Mysterious object that crashed through Florida home was likely space junk from the International Space Station

 Chinese space junk falls to Earth over Southern California, creating spectacular fireball (photos, video)

 Kessler Syndrome and the space debris problem

Otero's experience serves as a reminder that there's a tremendous amount of hardware whizzing over our heads.

According to the European Space Agency, Earth orbit hosts about 36,500 pieces of space junk at least 4 inches (10 cm) wide, and a whopping 130 million objects at least 1 millimeter in diameter. Even these tiny shards pose a danger to satellites and other orbiting assets, given the tremendous speeds at which they travel. For example, at 250 miles (400 kilometers) up  the average altitude of the ISS  orbital velocity is about 17,000 mph (27,400 kph).

And, as has been demonstrated, some of this junk comes crashing back to Earth from time to time. For instance, the 23-ton core stages of China's powerful Long March 5B rocket routinely fall in an uncontrolled fashion a week or so after their launches, to the consternation of the international space community.

NASA's new analysis may have financial consequences for the agency and for Otero, by the way.

"I eagerly await communication from the responsible agencies, as their assistance is crucial in resolving the damages from this deliberate release. But more importantly how in the future to arrange the payload so it will burn in its entirety as it reenters," Otero wrote via X on March 8, shortly after his home was hit.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Two Illinois law enforcement officers helped an Arkansas state trooper apprehend a suspect in early April.

On April 4 at approximately 9:00 a.m., Wayne County law enforcement officers Lieutenant Rennie Cates and Corrections Corporal Dylan Toombs were off-duty and traveling back to Illinois on Interstate 40 near West Memphis, Arkansas.

During their drive, they observed an Arkansas state trooper who had a vehicle at gunpoint that he had just forced off of the road.

Arkansas pastors call for action after block party mass shooting

The trooper did not have backup and the suspect refused to comply, despite the trooper deploying his K-9.

Cates and Toombs ran from their vehicle, identified themselves as off-duty law enforcement and provided assistance. While the trooper retrieved his K-9 partner, Cates and Toombs restrained the suspect and placed him in handcuffs.

The two then escorted the suspect to the troopers squad car and secured him inside.

To show his gratitude the trooper contacted Wayne County Sheriff, Chris Otey, to praise Cates and Toombs. Hed told Otey that when the pair showed up, it was a sight for sore eyes.

Mass shooting at Wynne, AR party kills 1, injures 9 more

In a statement posted on the Wayne County Sheriffs Offices Facebook page, Otey said the following:

I am very proud of Lt. Cates and Cpl. Toombs for their willingness to jump to action even when they are off duty and in another state. They have both been presented with a certificate of commendation for their bravery. Chris Otey, Wayne County Sheriff

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Offensive in Ukraine's east priority' for Russia as it intensifies push on Chasiv Yar

Since March, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said more than once that Ukraine is expecting a major Russian offensive that could start in May or June.

Ukrainian experts and military officials now say it might begin even sooner.

All eyes are currently on the Bakhmut axis as Russian troops gradually inch toward the depleted town of Chasiv Yar, a mere 10 kilometers west of the occupied and largely destroyed Bakhmut.

"Chasiv Yar is located on high ground. If Russia's able to take the city, they may be able to increase their rate of advance,said U.S.-based military expert Rob Lee, a senior fellow in the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Eurasia program.

Ukraine's military recently warned that Russia has set a goal to capture Chasiv Yar before May 9, when Russia celebrates Victory Day, a cult-like holiday marking the country's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on April 13 that the front-line situation had "significantly deteriorated in recent days," as the dry weather enabled Russian armored assaults on the eastern front.

The recent assaults have focused on the Bakhmut, Lyman, and Pokrovsk sectors  spreading from the midpoint of Donetsk Oblast near Russian-occupied Avdiivka to the region's northern part, according to Syrskyi.

Two Ukrainian soldiers discuss an assault plan in Chasiv Yar, Bakhmut region, frontline Ukraine on Nov. 4, 2023. Russia has reportedly bulked up its forces around the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. (Vlada Liberova/Libkos/Getty Images)

As the weather improves somewhat ahead of schedule, Russia is set to intensify its offensive in the east further, but whether it would focus on one specific area or aim to put pressure on multiple fronts is unclear, according to Western and Ukrainian military experts reached by the Kyiv Independent.

Despite Russia's increased push, offensive efforts in the Lyman, Bakhmut, and Pokrovsk areas "focus on immediate operational tasks in each individual direction but lack coordination on a theater-wide scale," according to the Center for Defense Strategies, a non-government Ukrainian think tank.

Read also: Ukrainian soldiers near Kupiansk prepare for potential Russian offensive

"The enemy's command cannot prioritize one operational direction, hence (Russian troops) are active on all fronts, preventing focused support and sustainment efforts," the center said in its April 14 report.

With Ukraine low on ammunition, heavy weapons, and personnel in multiple brigades, and further aid stalled in the U.S., Western and local military experts are careful in their assessments of the outcome of the looming Russian offensive.

Much depends on whether and when the U.S. Congress approves $60 billion in crucial security assistance for Ukraine, and how effectively Kyiv is able to solve its manpower issues.

A view of destruction in the town of Chasiv Yar as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues in the direction of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, on Feb. 27, 2024. While the few civilians remaining in Bakhmut are trying to survive in the basements of apartment buildings and shelters, the Ukrainian army continues its preparations to defend the town. (Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Ukraines parliament passed the updated mobilization bill earlier in April, but how effectively the conscription system  the poor results of which have been felt on the ground with front-line units barely getting fresh recruits to refill heavy losses  will work in practice remains a question.

"(If the U.S. does not pass the security aid package) and Ukraine isn't able to fix the manpower situation, there is a risk that Russia will be able to make even greater advances this summer or in the second half of the year, Lee said.

Other military analysts are also pessimistic about Ukraines battlefield performance for 2024.

"Ukraine will almost certainly continue to lose some ground in some places, but it will be one kilometer here (0.6 miles), five kilometers there (3.1 miles)," Prague-based military analyst at Oryx OSINT Project, Jakub Janovsky said, stressing that much depends on the U.S. Congress and the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November 2024.

Looming offensive

Russia's advance on the Avdiivka axis, which lies roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of occupied Bakhmut, slowed in early March following a decrease in momentum after Moscow captured the city a month prior.

Moscow soon shifted its attention to Chasiv Yar  unleashing a "powerful thrust" toward the heavily ruined town while looking to identify weak spots for a breakthrough.

The hilly town has long been on the receiving end of Russian attacks, with only about 800 of the original 12,000 residents remaining as of March.

With the arrival of dry weather conditions more suitable for equipment maneuvering, Russia is expected to focus on "traditional directions," which include the Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Lyman axes, according to Serhiy Hrabskyi, a retired Ukrainian colonel and military analyst.

"Russian forces are expected to continue exerting intense pressure along the central front line axis, likely preparing for a larger offensive to achieve full control of Donetsk Oblast this summer," Hrabskyi told the Kyiv Independent.

With front-line units suffering from critical manpower and ammunition shortages, Ukrainian soldiers say their goal for 2024 would be to hold on to existing positions and wait for the arrival of the crucial Western aid.

Read also: After 10 years of war, Krasnohorivka in new danger as Russia advances in the east

American military expert Lee said Russias priorities are likely to be advancing in the Bakhmut area and west of occupied Avdiivka, located some 50 kilometers (31 miles) southeast of Pokrovsk  one of the main cities in Donetsk Oblast still under Ukrainian control.

"I think Chasiv Yar and the western Avdiivka/Pokrovsk front are the two priorities, and they likely will remain the priorities this summer, Lee said.

Ukrainian military expert Oleksandr Musiienko, who heads the Kyiv-based National Defense University's Center for Military and Strategic Studies, says there are two likely scenarios for Russia's upcoming campaign.

The first would see Russia continuing to concentrate its troops in Donetsk Oblast to capture the industrial heartland while also launching "diversionary maneuvers" on the northeastern border  in Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts  to distract Ukraine from its main effort, Musiienko said.

This would stretch the already constrained Ukrainian troops across the front line, with Kyiv unable to reinforce hot spots with units needed to defend the northeast.

Another possibility is that Russia could use a "full-fledged group" to attack Kharkiv, but that less likely as it would distract Moscow from its offensive operations in Donetsk Oblast, Musiienko said.

Earlier in March, Russian independent media outlet Meduza, citing anonymous sources including those close to the Kremlin, reported that a large-scale Russian offensive on Kharkiv may happen, though it may require a new round of mobilization.

As the possibility of Russia's renewed attempt to capture Kharkiv makes headlines, Ukrainian officials are attempting to reassure the population that Ukraine's second-largest city is properly defended.

Zelensky has stressed that Kharkiv Oblast is the most fortified region across the front line.

Read also: Intense fighting, lack of resources leave wounded soldiers on their own

But Musiienko is nonetheless convinced that Russia's priority for offensives would be fixed on the east.

Attempting a ground offensive on Kharkiv would require enormous resources, which even Russia would struggle to gather. While Ukrainian soldiers acknowledge Russia's artillery superiority and its ability to constantly deploy a mass number of troops, Moscow struggled to wage costly offensive operations simultaneously on multiple fronts in 2023 and early 2024.

"I don't think Russia is interested in suspending its offensive or reducing its tempo in the east right now," Musiienko said.

Whatever the Russian leadership's goal may be, Moscow is currently heavily attacking Kharkiv to sow panic and "create a picture" that Kharkiv residents are urgently fleeing the city over fears of it being captured, according to Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the Khortytsia grouping operating in the region.

Ukrainian paratroopers wait for transport along the road in Chasiv Yar on Jan. 28, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP via Getty Images)

"(Russian propaganda) wants to create a picture that this offensive is already underway and that Kharkiv is under direct threat," Voloshyn told the Kyiv Independent.

Read also: The Economist: Russian attacks aim to make Kharkiv uninhabitable for civilians

Voloshyn declined to comment on where Russia could launch its next offensive, saying that this information is up to the intelligence to disclose. He said that Russia is currently conducting a rotation of units on the northeastern Kupiansk front and that there haven't been any recent ground attacks in Kharkiv Oblast.

Fears in Kyiv

Ahead of the expected Russian push, Kyiv signaled in a rare display of vulnerability that it is increasingly uncertain about the country's ability to defend itself.

Zelensky warned Western allies in an interview with CBS News that Ukraine needs more help ahead of what is expected to be a major Russian attack.

In late March, Zelensky told the Washington Post that Ukraine has paid its price for Congress' months-long delay in approving a $60 billion security aid package.

"It means we will go back, retreat, step by step, in small steps," Zelensky told the Washington Post.

Ukrainian infantry soldiers of the 23rd Mechanized Brigade wait to head toward the frontline in the Avdiivka direction, in the Donetsk region, on April 3, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images)

The wake-up call came as Ukrainian high-ranking military officers told Politico on condition of anonymity that there is a serious risk of the front line collapsing wherever Russia chooses to concentrate its offensive.

The officers, who served under former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, stressed that Russia could likely "penetrate the front line and to crash it in some parts," given its overwhelming manpower and increasingly intense use of KAB-guided aerial bombs.

"Only Ukrainian grit and resilience, as well as errors by Russian commanders, may now alter the grim dynamics," Politico wrote, citing an anonymous top-ranking military source.

With 2024 looking more dire than ever for Ukraine, it now must focus on ramping up fortification wherever possible. Ukrainian forces have to juggle their limited resources to prepare for what will likely be a tough summer.

Ukrainian military spokespeople told the Kyiv Independent that an increased concentration of Russian troops or an intensifying offensive had not been observed yet.

But this can all quickly change, similar to when Russia abruptly began what many Ukrainian soldiers described as the largest-ever frontal assault on Avdiivka in the fall of 2023.

Read also: Ukrainian soldiers recall retreat from Avdiivka  on foot, leaving their wounded behind

The D.C.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its April 3 report that Russia may intensify mechanized ground assaults in late March and early April "to take advantage of Ukrainian material shortages before the arrival of expected Western security assistance."

The analysis coincided with a warning by the top U.S. Commander in Europe General Christopher Cavoli that Russia's current five-to-one artillery advantage could reach 10-to-one in the coming weeks.

Military vehicles are seen on a road at sunset on the fields nearby Chasiv Yar battlefield as fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian troops continues on the second year anniversary of the war in Donbas, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2024. (Narciso Contreras/Anadolu via Getty Images)

"If one side can shoot and the other side can't shoot back, the side that can't shoot back loses. So the stakes are very high," Cavoli told Congress on April 10.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has been actively derailing the attempt to pass the U.S. foreign aid package, which includes about $60 billion for Ukraine.

The scarcity of Western military aid is so dire that Kyiv officials agree that defeat may be inevitable if the situation doesn't change.

"It is necessary to specifically tell Congress that if Congress does not help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war," Zelensky said during an April 7 video meeting.

Read also: Russia intensifies attacks on Kharkiv, draining Ukraines air defense and civilian morale

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  After an investigation and review by the 4th Judicial District Attorneys (DA) Office, the use of deadly force by officers in the shooting death of 37-year-old Benjamin Annaboli in the parking lot of a Colorado Springs hotel in August 2023 has been ruled justified.

The incident occurred at around 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 12, 2023, after U.S. Marshals tracked down Annaboli at the Days Inn on Aeroplaza Drive near East Fountain Boulevard. According to the DAs Office, Annaboli was wanted for a parole violation out of Idaho, as well as for a separate Felony Menacing incident with deputies in Jefferson County, Colorado.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: CSPD releases briefing of Aeroplaza Drive officer-involved shooting

The DAs Office said U.S. Marshals were aware that Annaboli had a criminal history including robbery, assault, and drug possession. Due to this history, and with the knowledge that Annaboli was likely armed and motivated to escape capture, containment was established by Marshals with the help of the Colorado Springs Police Departments (CSPD) Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU).

According to the facts of the investigation, which were corroborated using officer body-worn camera footage, hotel surveillance, and drove footage captured during the incident, once officers blocked Annabolis car and announced themselves, Annaboli retrieved two guns from his car and ran from officers. Once he reached the north side of the hotel, he was confronted by CSPD Officer Brian Kelly and K9 Zev.

According to the DAs review, Officer Kelley announced himself and his K9 and ordered Annaboli to stop, however, Annaboli turned and ran back toward the entrance of the hotel, where a U.S. Marshal was stationed to protect people inside the hotel. K9 Zev was released and latched on to Annabolis backside, the DAs Office said. Once contacted by K9 Zev, Annaboli lost hold of one of his guns but managed to aim the one in his right hand at TEU Officer Matthew Waters.

Aeroplaza Drive officer involved shooting drone footage, courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department

Aeroplaza Drive officer involved shooting drone footage, courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department

Aeroplaza Drive officer involved shooting body cam footage, courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department

Upon realizing that neither of them had a clear shot to safely avoid the U.S. Marshal, Officer Kelly and Officer Waters both repositioned to ensure no other officers or bystanders would be in danger. Once repositioned, both fired their weapons at Annaboli, hitting and incapacitating him.

Officers provided medical aid to Annaboli immediately before transporting him to the hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

On Monday, April 15, the DAs Office released its findings after reviewing the case.

This was a homicide, but the use of deadly physical force by Officer Brian Kelly and Officer Matthew Waters was justified, the DAs Office ruled.

The DAs Office said the use of force was justified because officers on the scene feared for their own lives and the lives of innocent community members, and non-lethal methods of stopping Annaboli, including K9 Zev, had failed. Additionally, officers did not fire until it was clear that Annaboli was still attempting to aim a weapon at an officer after being contacted by the K9.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
CHICAGO  Authorities in Chicago are asking for help from the public in the search for two people who police say robbed a man at a South Side Red Line station.

Chicago police say the robbery unfolded just before 4 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, at the 63rd Station in the 220 block of West 63rd Street in Englewood.

According to police, the two individuals, who are believed to be a man and a woman, approached the victim and forcibly took his phone and money from his pockets.

Chicago police provided photos captured by CTA security cameras of two people who officers believe are responsible for a robbery at a South Side Red Line Station.

Chicago police provided photos captured by CTA security cameras of two people who officers believe are responsible for a robbery at a South Side Red Line Station.

Chicago police provided photos captured by CTA security cameras of two people who officers believe are responsible for a robbery at a South Side Red Line Station.

Police provided photos captured by security cameras of the two people who officers believe are responsible for the robbery.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

Officers say the man is believed to be between 20 and 25 years of age, stands between 5-foot-10 and 6 feet tall, and weighs between 160 and 180 pounds. He was spotted wearing a tan hoodie, a green camouflage jacket, and dark pants.

Police say the woman is also believed to be between 20 and 25 years of age and weighs between 160 and 188 pounds. Police say she had long red dreadlocks and was spotted wearing a black stocking hat, a white sweater, and black pants.

Police advise the public to remain aware of their surroundings and stay free from distractions. According to officers, anyone who is confronted by an assailant should try to remain calm.

Authorities warn the public never to pursue a fleeing assailant and instead work to remember any unique physical characteristics of the offenders.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Police say those who fall victim or witness a crime should call 911 immediately and provide authorities with a detailed description of the offenders.

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to contact CPD Mass Transit Detectives at 312-745-4443 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help detectives in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with a German economic delegation accompanying German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on a visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met in Beijing on Tuesday with a German economic delegation accompanying German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on a visit to China, with the two sides exchanging views on deepening China-Germany economic and trade cooperation, as well as other issues.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Germany are important economic and trade partners for each other, and bilateral cooperation has maintained a sound momentum and has huge potential.

"As the Chinese economy continues to make steady progress, we will make greater efforts to attract foreign investment and foster a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment. We welcome German companies to expand their investment in China," He said.

Franziska Brantner, head of the German economic delegation, said that she is optimistic about the prospects of China's economy and is willing to continuously deepen Germany-China economic and trade cooperation to promote mutual benefit and win-win results. 
Rudy Giuliani on Tuesday joined the chorus of critics falsely claiming the New York judge presiding over Donald Trumps criminal hush-money trial wont let the former president attend his sons graduation, insisting Juan Merchan is not a judge in the tradition of Anglo-American jurists.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Giuliani slammed Merchan after Trump claimed the judge would not allow him to attend Barron Trumps high school graduation in May.

By refusing to allow Donald J. Trump to attend his son Barrons graduationsomething even guilty defendants would be allowed to dohe goes beyond the usual NYC judge selected by Democrat county bosses and is now making entirely political decisions, Giuliani wrote.

A spokesperson for Giuliani insisted that any implication that the former mayors Anglo-American remark about the Colombian-born judge is racist is an absurd attempt to smear the mayor.

He is obviously referring to Anglo-American common law, which refers to a type of law based on court decisions instead of written laws (IE: statutes), Ted Goodman told The Daily Beast. Its based on the English legal system and is used in many countries, including the United States. The mayor worked for the Columbian government for five years and has received numerous awards from Columbian leaders.

On Monday, Merchan ruled that Trump would not be excused from his criminal trial to attend Supreme Court argumentsbut he did not rule on whether he would have to miss the graduation in West Palm Beach. It really depends on how were doing on time and where we are in the trial, Merchan reportedly said in court Monday about the request, later adding that if the trial proceeds as planned, hes willing to adjourn early that day.

Perfect Storm: A Sleep Expert Analyzes Trumps Trial Nap

The possible prohibition immediately spurred outrage online from Trump supporters, other conservatives, and his two other sons. In his tweet, Giuliani claimed that Judge Merchan and his family have displayed a sick obsessive, hatred for Trump, which explains his consistently unfair, unconstitutional and illegal decisions.

He is just proving that the NYC so-called court system is part of a one-party political dictatorship. It is a disgrace and embarrassment to all New Yorkers and all fair minded Americans, Giuliani added. It should be thoroughly investigated (excluding members of the complicit bar association) and completely reformed. (Remember what the Knapp Commission did for the NYPD).

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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LAKE ARIEL, Pa.  As the late-March sky turned from pitch black to a dappled purple, Tony Milidantri and a group of long-retired veterans filed into the wooden booths at Loris Corner Kitchen to sip coffee and chat about the issues facing the country.

It's something they've done every morning for years, and these days, Milidantri, 81, and the other regulars have a lot to talk about. A former union electrician, Milidantri commuted into New York City every day for decades to bring light to the citys skyscrapers. He took pride in the work and made enough money to build a house for him and his wife on a small lake near the nearby Poconos.

But now, Milidantri, once a union-blue Democrat, worries that rising costs are preventing others from finding the same opportunities. Its among the reasons he plans to support former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Anthony Milidantri, a retired electrician and former union-blue Democrat, says he plans to vote for former President Donald Trump this year.

They've changed tremendously, Milidantri said of the Democratic Party, which he left around 2016. They used to help people, now it doesn't seem that way.

President Joe Biden's path to holding the White House could hinge on his ability to win back blue-collar former Democratic voters like Milidantri who live in Pennsylvanias 8th Congressional District. Situated in the northeastern corner of the state, the area is expected to serve as the perfect barometer to test the mood of disillusioned swing voters  particularly in post-industrial parts of the country.

Trump actually won the Pennsylvania congressional district during the 2020 election even though it also returned a longtime Democratic member to the U.S. House during the 2022 midterms. Only two other congressional districts  Ohios 9th District, spanning from the Indiana border to the tip of Lake Erie, and Maines 2nd District, which encompasses the states northern territory  experienced the same trend with their incumbent Democrats.

The finicky politics of all three districts also reflect their common identity as once-prosperous industrial hubs whose economies have declined as manufacturing jobs have moved abroad.

Both major party candidates have put a heavy focus on winning over similar voters in the last few weeks. Trump held a weekend rally in Pennsylvania, and Biden campaigned in his hometown of Scranton on Tuesday highlighting his economic, middle class and tax policies.

The contest for working-class voters

In 2016, Trump wooed working-class voters in areas like Pennsylvanias 8th District with a message centered around economic grievances and a pledge to make America great again. He also tapped into their anger toward politicians, who many believed had left them in the dust-bin of a quickly globalizing society. And it worked.

Former Democratic-leaning counties overwhelmingly voted for Trump, helping the reality TV celebrity and New York businessman go on to an upset White House victory in his first political campaign. Notably, Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clintons margin of victory in dark blue counties dwindled from the levels former President Barack Obama achieved when he won in 2008 and 2012.

Luzerne County, an area with a strong union presence in the southwestern tip of Pennsylvanias 8th District, voted for Obama in 2012 by a margin of about five points. Trump won it in 2016 by almost 20. In the New Jersey border county of Monroe, Clinton won by less than one percent compared to Obamas 14-point 2012 victory.

Thomas Shubilla, chair of the Luzerne County Democratic Party, attributed Clintons 2016 loss in Pennsylvanias 8th District partially to an assumption that Democrats would automatically win union voters and partially to a lack of campaigning in the area.

Shubilla argued that it wasnt so much that Democrats had failed unions, but that they had failed to voice why Democrats are the union candidates.

Defiance, a city near Toledo is part of Ohio's 9th Congressional District. Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, won reelection in 2022 despite that the newly re-drawn district leans Republican.

In 2020, Biden leaned into that message  targeting working-class voters by touting his own blue-collar roots and by running on a moderate message. In front of his childhood home in Scranton, Biden unveiled an economic plan designed around building up American manufacturing by using government investments to stimulate the infrastructure, energy and health care industries.

Ben Toll, a professor at Wilkes University, argues that Pennsylvanias 8th District reflected the political dynamics that engulfed suburban and blue-collar swing areas  and it could again in 2024.

Biden didnt win the district, where he lived for the first 10 years of his life. But he built on Clintons lead in Democratic strongholds, like Scranton, and shrunk Trumps margins in the districts more rural communities.

But where Biden merely needed to hold the margins in these areas to win states like Pennsylvania in 2020, Toll suggested that the incumbent Democratic president might have a more difficult time this year.

The mood of the country is still not supportive of Biden's presidency, he said. The suburbs are going to be less likely to break as decisively for him as they did in 2020  and that means he needs to win the places that he can win, that maybe other, more progressive Democrats can't.

Democrats' strategies in Trump-won districts

The strategies of Democratic representatives whove managed to win over conservative voters in working-class areas have done so by almost exclusively campaigning on infrastructure and jobs-related bills theyve passed.

The three Trump-won 2020 districts that House Democrats won re-election to during the 2022 midterms remain competitive, with the Cook Political Report labelling all three as toss-ups in 2024.

Even so, the approaches Democratic lawmakers have used to connect with voters in these districts may provide a roadmap for Biden to navigate similarly tricky areas in 2024.

Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright has served Pennsylvanias 8th District since 2013 and has hung on despite Trumps popularity with the area's constituency, partially because of his focus on passing district-specific funding projects.

Gerald Ephault, a 76-year-old resident of the district and self-described conservative Democrat, said that where Biden was doing a good job, Cartwright was doing an excellent job for the region.

He's bringing in money, and he's supporting our Department of Defense industries. He's supporting infrastructure, Ephault said. In particular, he noted Cartwrights efforts to restore passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City, a measure that was passed under Bidens 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.

The railroad helped Scranton flourish in the 19th and 20th centuries as garment factories relocated to the area from New York City, while local iron and coal were transported to other parts of the east coast.But Scranton hasn't been connected via passenger service since 1970. Amtrak estimated the new corridor will have an $84 million yearly economic impact on the region when it is up and running.

Biden has sought to connect his broader policy initiatives to local projects like the railroad. When he visited Scranton in 2021 to drum up support for his infrastructure proposal, he emphasized its impact on Pennsylvania.

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur from Ohio's 9th Congressional District, is the longest-serving woman in Congress.

The president has also appeared recently with longtime Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who has held Ohios 9th Congressional District, in the northwest corner of the state, since 1983. At the heart of Kapturs district sits the union town of Toledo  a former industrial powerhouse at the edge of Lake Erie.

As Ohio has shifted from purple to red over the last decade, Kaptur has remained a dominant force in its politics. Her district became redder during Ohios 2022 mapmaking process, but a Republican challenger who reportedly misrepresented his military record and Kapturs ability to reach independent voters helped her win reelection that year.

Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, credits her electoral victories to her efforts in building and maintaining the industries in her district.

I could point to 1,000 things  voting for the automotive industry, not against it, voting for the steel industry, not against it, Kaptur, 77, said. People remember, they remember.

She and Biden visited the picket line when United Auto Workers held a strike last year against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.

Tony Totty, president of UAW Local 14 in Toledo, says some members of his union support former President Donald Trump, but he thinks they will back Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur in November.

UAW Local 14 President Tony Totty said some members support Trump, but he cant see them backing Kapturs 2024 opponent, Republican state Rep. Derrick Merrin, who supported anti-union legislation in the statehouse.

Totty also credited Kaptur with securing federal funding for an electric vehicle center in Toledo, which will train students and current mechanics on the new technology to head off worker shortages as the auto industry evolves from producing gas to electric-powered vehicles.

You won't agree with her 100% of the time, but she is effective, Totty said.

Republicans say they feel good about Merrins chances against Kaptur this year, but acknowledge her influence in the district.

I think the worst mistake Republicans can make is underestimating Marcy Kaptur, said Caleb Stidham, chair of the Erie County Republican Party. Shes a fierce competitor. Shes been around for 40 years for a reason. She knows how to campaign.

John Weaner, an 89-year-old Republican and retired lawyer in Defiance, feels the same way. Weaner has never voted for Kaptur, but conceded that shes a good public servant  albeit one he thinks has been in office too long.

Shes tough to beat, Weaner said. Shes been in there a long time, and shes done a good job.

Defiance resident John Weaner says he doesn't support U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, but says 'she's done a good job.'

Why national races matter in local politics

One of the reasons these representatives have found success, Tim Hellwig, a political science professor at the University of Buffalo, argued, is their focus on district-specific issues. But in 2024, that could be a more difficult formula for Biden and Democrats to replicate.

In off-year elections like 2022, politics is more local, Hellwig said. But in presidential years, especially when you do have two very, very, very different candidates  it's more stylistic.

He argued that Democrats shouldnt get too excited that these districts are going to keep shifting their ways.

While Maine is a Democratic-leaning state, it's northern, conservative-leaning 2nd District poses a particular threat to Biden in 2024. The state is one of just two in the U.S. that awards an electoral vote to the candidate who wins in each of its Congressional District. That means, that even if Biden wins the state of Maine, Trump could walk away with an electoral vote from the 2nd District. That's what happened in 2020, when Trump won the area by 7 points.

Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, who has served the 2nd District since 2018, also won that year.

But when it comes to navigating the more conservative voters in his area, Golden, 41, told USA TODAY that he doesn't have a strategy that can be replicated.

It's just in my blood, Golden, who has lived in the area for most of his life, said. At the end of the day, it's just the majority of the voters in this district recognize me as someone who gets them,"

Golden briefly left the district in 2002, after enlisting in the Marine Corps and serving combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He later attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and went on to work for Republican Sen. Susan Collins before launching his own campaign for office.

Golden's local persona has helped him attract the support of typically Republican voters, like Jerry Bernatchez. The 61-year-old from Auburn, Maine voted for Trump in 2020 but supported Golden during the 2022 midterms because of the congressman's down to earth andtypical Mainer style.

This November, Bernatchez plans to vote for Golden again. But when it comes to the presidential race, hes not keen on either major party candidate.

None of the above, thats basically my take on it, the self-described independent said about the choice between Biden and Trump. Maybe myself. I know how to spell my name.

If Biden and national Democrats want to win back voters similar to Bernatchez, Golden suggested they need to spend more time talking with and understanding them.

The party is just a little out of touch with working-class communities, Golden said. It's a long distance from, you know, your childhood growing up to 30- or 40-plus years of public service.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Biden's battle for blue-collar voters: These districts may hold clues
Oklahoma legislators grapple with rule changes Education Department may not have right to make

A pair of Democratic senators grilled the Oklahoma State Department of Educations legislative lobbyist with questions about the state Board of Educations rule-making authority during a meeting of the state Senates Administrative Rules Committee on Monday morning.

But except for the chairman, Sen. Michael Bergstrom, R-Adair, Republicans on the committee mostly remained silent concerning the 21 proposed rules with which Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, expressed concerns. Only two others  Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, and Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville  asked any questions about the proposed education rules, and both seemed supportive of the education boards stance.

No votes were conducted in the meeting, which Bergstrom said was held to discuss concerns committee members had with rules proposed by several agencies. However, all other agencies of state government combined to have only six rules on the meeting agenda, leading Bergstrom to quip, Obviously, this has been the State Department of Education show.

Before agency rules become law, they must be approved by the Legislature  which means committee and floor votes in both the Senate and House of Representatives  and signed by the governor.

The Board of Education doesnt have carte blanche to be able to make law, Brooks said after the meeting. Thats the responsibility, the constitutional responsibility, of the Legislature.

We have an obligation to the citizens of Oklahoma to be transparent and accountable, and neither was accomplished today. I hope future discussions will be more informative and better serve our constituents.

The Ryan Walters factor

For most agency boards, rulemaking can be a tedious, yet often routine, process, but under state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters leadership, the state Board of Educations rulemaking process has been anything but, with passage of rules often drawing criticism across party lines and even resulting in a lawsuit in one case.

In February, the education board passed a slew of rules regarding school accreditation, prayer in schools, teacher behavior, training of local school board members and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) procedures in Oklahoma schools, among other topics. Those rules, and others adopted by the board since the most recent legislative session, are up for review. Democrats claim the rules are null and void.

Brooks and Boren emphasized, as they questioned lobbyist Lindsey McSparrin about the rules, that they believe the Legislature must specifically direct the education board (or any executive agency) to create rules about a subject. They often cited an opinion from state Attorney General Gentner Drummond  sought last year by Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore  in making that claim. In the opinion  which has the force of law in absence of a court ruling  Drummond wrote that no state agency has the authority to create administrative rules without the Legislature first enacting a related law.

The education board, however, is using a portion of Oklahoma's Administrative Procedures Act that says the board can adopt policies and make rules for the operation of the public school system in the state to claim it has broad authority to create rules, even without the Legislature directing it to do so.

Agency spokesman Dan Isett issued a statement soon after the hearing that reaffirmed that stance.

There could not be a more clear discussion right now regarding the future of our state. Democrats want to promote DEI, p*rn, and indoctrination of our kids vs. individual parents who want basic common sense values in our schools, Isett said in the statement. Democrats took aim at the Oklahoma Constitution, well-established precedent, and the clear will of Oklahomans today. Democrats will stop at nothing to try to regain control of our kids education, and on behalf of Oklahoma students, our families in Oklahoma will never give in to their demands.

McSparrin often cited the agencys belief it has broad powers when answering questions, once telling Brooks, If you have authority to make the rule, then we have the authority to amend the rule. At times, she declined to answer questions in the moment, instead telling Brooks, Boren or Bergstrom that shed need to check with people at the Education Department for answers. Bergstrom said McSparrin would need to provide written response to unanswered questions to all committee members, to which she agreed.

No state board or department participation

At one point, Boren called McSparrin unqualified to answer a question concerning a legal issue with a rule, saying it would be best for an attorney to speak on the topic. Bergstrom chided Boren and allowed McSparrin to answer the question.

Currently, the Education Department has no in-house attorneys employed, as four lawyers formerly on its legal staff have left since the beginning of March, part of a string of departures from the agency that totals 65 employees since July and more than 130 since Walters took office.

McSparrin said Jason Reese  once an attorney for the state House and Gov. Kevin Stitt, and now in private practice  is serving as the agencys interim general counsel. Reese is not listed on the agencys website as holding that role, nor was he in the committee meeting room Monday.

Reese is separately representing the agency, the board and Walters as they defend a lawsuit brought by Edmond Public Schools in the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The Board of Education has its own contracted attorney, Cara Nicklas, who also works for a private firm. Nicklas also was not present in the meeting room.

Brooks said the Education Department has overstepped its authority in creating rules.

This is definitely a Board of Education that are activists and that are trying to be able to push the limits and really step over the line as far as what constitutional responsibilities (are) for each branch of government. The fact (is) that policy is made by the Legislature, and the Board of Education is an executive agency under the governor. Theyre not there to be able to make policy.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ryan Walters' proposed rule changes raise scrutiny from lawmakers
Ukraine registers almost 37,000 people who are considered missing, including children, other civilians, and military personnel, Ukraine's Chief Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on April 16.

Kyiv has also verified about 1,700 people who were illegally detained by Russia, and only 147 have been brought home, Lubinets said during an event in Kyiv called "Civilians in Russia's illegal detention: Joint steps of the authorities and the civil society for their release."

These last two figures likely did not include children, as the Children of War database lists over 19,500 deported or displaced children and 388 children who have been rescued from Russian captivity.

Moscow has been abducting civilians since the start of its aggression in 2014, and the situation only escalated after the start of the full-scale invasion eight years later, the ombudsman noted, adding that the real number of missing persons can be much higher.

Lubinets stressed that his office is doing everything it can to return the missing and abducted civilians.

"Based on an initiative of our office, Ukraine has established an international platform for the release of civilians illegally detained by Russia," he said.

Russia's war of aggression has taken a staggering toll on Ukraine's civilian population. The U.N. said last week it records almost 11,000 civilians killed and over 20,500 injured. The real number is likely higher, as Russia prevents international monitoring in the occupied areas that suffered the heaviest destruction, like Mariupol.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
One of the oldest-known meteor showers will streak above Idaho this week. What to know

Its been just over a week since the solar eclipse provided Americans with one celestial eclipse, but dont stop looking at the skies yet  another is on the way.

Fortunately, this celestial event doesnt require glasses and is viewable over multiple days: the Lyrid meteor shower.

Even better, while this months solar eclipse was only a partial eclipse in Boise, Idahoans will be able to watch the Lyrids in their full glory.

Heres what to know about the Lyrid meteor shower and when to catch it.

What is the Lyrid meteor shower?

The Lyrid meteor shower is one of the oldest known meteor showers, according to NASA. The Chinese first observed it in 687 BC, meaning humans have been aware of it for about 2,700 years.

The meteors in this shower are known to be fast and bright, with generally about 10-20 viewable per hour.

They originate from Comet Thatcher, a comet that orbits around the sun every 415.5 years, according to NASA. Every year, the Earth passes through the debris trail left behind by Comet Thatcher, causing bits of debris to collide with our atmosphere and appear as bright flashes in the sky.

The showers radiantwhere the meteors appear to come from in the night skyis near the constellation Lyra, which is why the showers name is derived from it. Lyra is a smaller constellation but can easily be found by looking for the star Vega, the fifth-brightest star in our sky and the second brightest in the Northern Hemisphere.

The easiest way to find Vega is to look directly overhead, according to EarthSky, and to locate the brightest star closest to the zenith, which is the spot right above you. Vega rises above the horizon at around 9:45 p.m., which is when youll start being able to the meteor shower, but chances to see a meteor will increase into the morning hours.

NASA recommends looking for the meteors slightly away from the zenith. This is because the meteors spotted around the zenith will be short-lived, while meteors further away typically last longer and look more spectacular.

When are the Lyrids viewable in Boise?

Youre in luck if you want to catch the Lyrids as soon as possible. The Lyrid meteor shower is viewable from April 15 to 29, according to NASA, meaning they started shooting across the Idaho sky in the early hours of Monday morning.

The best time to spot the Lyrids is shortly before midnight and through the early morning hours. While the meteor shower usually only produces 10-20 meteors per hour, some years have been particularly active and treated stargazers to up to 100 meteors per hour at its peak.

The meteor shower will peak in the early hours of April 23. Unfortunately, that also coincides with a nearly full moon, with about 96% of the moon illuminated, according to Time and Date. This means more light pollution and a less likely chance of viewing meteors.

Where can you watch the meteors near Boise?

The website Light Pollution Map shows where exactly you can escape light pollution, but here are some other options close to Boise:

Camels Back Park - The top of the hill at Camels Back Park allows you to put the light pollution behind you and look out toward the Boise Mountains.

Dedication Point - Pull-off area near Celebration Park south of Boise with zero light pollution.

Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve - An area of land in Sun Valley where no lights are allowed.

The next chance to watch a significant meteor shower in Boise will be the Perseids from July 14 to Sept. 1, with the peak coming Aug. 11-12.
One person injured in car accident in Mercer County

MONTCALM, WV (WVNS)  A minor was injured in a car accident in Mercer County on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

According to the West Virginia State Police, a car accident occurred on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 on Lorton Lick Road in the Montcalm area of Mercer County. They also reported one minor was injured in the accident.

What to do at a broken traffic light

The extent of the persons injuries are unknown at this time.

Further details about the accident and responding agencies were not released.

Stick with 59News for updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
One taken to hospital after lawn mower hit by vehicle

MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  Officials with HEMSI say a man was taken to the hospital Tuesday after being hit by a car while riding a lawn mower.

HEMSI Spokesperson Don Webster said the incident happened in the 1700 block of Bobo Section Road around 1:09 p.m.

Webster said one man was taken to Huntsville Hospital after the lawn mower he was riding was hit by a vehicle. He said the man is in stable condition. Webster could not say what led to the crash.

The HEMSI Spokesperson said the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is investigating the incident.

This is a developing story and News 19 will provide updates as they become available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Only two hate crime reports out of 7,000 pursued by police under new law

The advertising campaign for the new legislation has been criticised as misleading - JEFF J MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGES

Only two out of more than 7,000 alleged hate crimes reported to police under Scotlands new laws that outlaw the stirring up of hatred are being pursued.

While Police Scotland identified 240 offences in the first week of Humza Yousafs hate crime laws coming into force, only nine of these were being investigated as stirring up offences. The rest related to aggravators for existing crimes.

It has now emerged that all but two of the nine investigations have been dismissed as hate crimes by Police Scotland.

The two cases that are still being investigated relate to an allegation of Rangers football fans singing The Billy Boys, a sectarian song, in Glasgow city centre before the Old Firm match on April 7, and anti-Semitic graffiti daubed in Buchanan Street, Glasgow, before a pro-Israel gathering on April 4.

Police Scotland officers are being given unnecessary work, according to critics - ISTOCKEDITORIAL

The force released new statistics on Tuesday showing that the number of online hate crime reports it received had fallen from 7,152 in the first week of the laws coming into force to 1,832 between April 8 and April 14.

Of the latest reports, 213 were assessed as hate crimes, though of the 445 hate crimes recorded in total since April 1, only six are being currently pursued as cases of stirring up hatred against newly protected groups.

As well as creating the new stirring up offences, the legislation consolidated existing laws relating to aggravators, whereby an offender can be given a tougher sentence if it is shown their actions in committing a crime were motivated by prejudice against a protected group.

Massive overtime bill for Police Scotland

In the verbal training, officers are basically been told that if it wasnt a crime before April 1 then it isnt a crime now, a Police Scotland insider said.

But the force is going to be left with a massive overtime bill due to the need to investigate all of these reports. Its a complete mess and front-line police officers are being told something completely different to the public.

The fact is that Rangers fans singing The Billy Boys and offensive graffiti is unfortunately par for the course in Scotland and both could easily have been dealt with under existing legislation.

Senior legal figures have accused Mr Yousafs administration of botching the introduction of the laws with misleading messaging to the public, which critics say suggested that all instances of hate had been criminalised.

Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, has defended his legislation and blamed the far Right for a flood of nuisance complaints - JEFF J MITCHELL/PA

A 400,000 Scottish government advertising drive was launched promoting the laws with the slogan hate hurts, which claimed words could cause wounds that never heal.

However, the threshold for the new stirring up offences, which carry sentences of up to seven years in jail, require that a behaviour is proven to be threatening or abusive, and is intended to stir up hatred.

Lord Hope, one of Scotlands most senior legal figures, who was previously the countrys most senior judge, has accused SNP ministers of virtue signalling with the new law. He claimed its very provocative title gave a misleading impression about its scope, and that aspects of it were unworkable.

On Tuesday, Mr Yousaf blamed the far-Right for the chaos that had engulfed the new law and a deluge of vexatious complaints police have been forced to deal with.

Many of the complaints were about the First Minister himself, over a speech on race he gave at Holyrood in 2020, at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Such was the volume of complaints against Mr Yousaf that Police Scotland staff were issued with a script to recite in defence of the SNP leader.

A number of bad faith actors

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Yousaf said: Youve had a number of bad faith actors you had a leader of the far-Right for example encouraging vexatious complaints. Thankfully those vexatious complaints have dropped down quite considerably.

Russell Findlay, the justice spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said Police Scotland had been bombarded with almost 9,000 complaints because of the new laws.

He said the legislation threatens free speech and attacked SNP spin and misinformation which he said had been designed to give the misleading impression Scotland was suffering from a hate epidemic.

Police officers are paying the price for this absolute shambles, he added. They already feel unsafe and unable to do their jobs. Yet the SNP is now ordering these exhausted police officers to police our speech.

A Police Scotland spokesman said reports of graffiti on Buchanan Street on April 4, and chanting in Howard Street, Glasgow, on April 7, were being investigated under the new hate crime legislation and that inquiries are ongoing.

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OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL)  The Opelika Police Department is seeking the publics help in locating 36-year-old Rhonda Michelle Larimore, who has been reported missing. Responding to a welfare check on April 15, 2024, in the 1000 Block of Burrow Circle, officers were informed by Larimores mother she had not been in contact with her daughter since March 26, 2024.

Rhonda Michelle Larimore is described as a white female, approximately 5-foot-4, with brown hair. She may be experiencing cognitive issues affecting her behavior. She may be driving a white Kia Optima with Alabama license plate number 3538BJ5, last spotted on April 10, 2024.

Anyone with information regarding Rhonda Michelle Larimores whereabouts is urged to contact the Opelika Police Department at (334) 705-5200 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Tips can also be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App. You can remain anonymous.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Editors Note: Frida Ghitis, a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a world affairs columnist. She is a weekly opinion contributor to CNN, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post and a columnist for World Politics Review. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. View more opinion on CNN.

It was a night when the world stood on edge. Irans rulers decided to rip off the cover behind which they have spent decades attacking Israel and others indirectly, and instead of using one of their proxy militias they made the move themselves, openly, launching more than 300 projectiles  cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, explosive-laden drones  toward Israel, the country they have repeatedly vowed to destroy.

Frida Ghitis - Tanya Malott

The next chapter of this conflict is still being written, but already the event has left us with important lessons and looming questions.

1. If Israels defensive shield had failed, thousands of Israelis could have been killed, and the world today would find itself in a major regional war.

Its impossible to overstate just how cataclysmic the Islamic Republics weekend attack could have become. The indelible image of Iranian missiles intercepted over Jerusalem, exploding above the golden cupula of the Dome of the Rock, over al-Aqsa Mosque and the Temple Mount  the site of the biblical Temple in Jerusalem  as well as other landmarks tracing the life and death of Jesus, stood as a warning of the intensity of what Iran might have unleashed.

Miraculously, by a feat of military technology bolstered by coordination with friends and allies, Israel was able to repel the massive attack. The only reported injury on the ground was a young Arab Israeli girl hit by falling shrapnel.

Anyone who claims Iran was only seeking to inflict a symbolic show of force is ignoring the facts. Iran could have killed thousands of civilians. If it had, the world would look very different today; a major regional conflagration would likely be raging now with worldwide reverberations.

Iran justified its attack as a response to an April 1 strike against an annex to its embassy in Damascus, which killed top commanders of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Israel denied the building was a diplomatic facility and has not acknowledged carrying out the hit, but US officials believe it did. The Quds Force commanders have been working with Iran-allied Hezbollah, which has been shelling Israel since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched an attack from Gaza. Thousands remain displaced as the attack made parts of Israel unlivable.

Tehrans hypocritical indignation at what it frames as a violation of its diplomatic protections brings to mind the many occasions when Tehrans proxies have massacred civilians, blowing up American and Israeli embassies as they did in Beirut and Buenos Aires. (Iran denies involvement.)

2. What if Irans missiles and drones had carried nuclear material?

Its the stuff of nightmares. Watching the skies over Israel  and before that over Jordan, Iraq and Iran  streak with flying objects laden with explosives, it was impossible to ignore that Iran is close to its long-sought nuclear weapons capability. (It denies it wants nuclear weapons.) Iran could build a nuclear weapon in short order, but even before a bomb is ready, even before it builds one or buys it from, say, North Korea, it could use nuclear material inside a conventional weapon. Shooting it down would bring radioactive material to the ground.

This is an inescapable reality that reminds us why a country that has built a network of proxy militias, that oppresses its own people and even hunts them down in exile, is not just a threat to the freedom of Iranians and the survival and stability of its neighbors. Its a challenge for the entire world.

3. The unimaginable is not a theory. It can happen. It does.

Israel and Iran have fought a shadow war for decades. The notion that one day Iran would launch a direct attack against Israel may have seemed like a distant possibility: something that was bound to happen, but only at some elusive future date. The same was true of Hamas, a terrorist group that seized control of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thought he could appease Hamas and preserve quiet in Gaza and safety for Israelis living in the south. Others worried that one day Hamas would attack with full force. Many have worried that Iran will one day attack with full force. October 7 and April 14 are reminders that the unimaginable, the barely-imaginable, can and does happen.

4. The war in Gaza is about more than Gaza, about more than a Palestinian state.

In the midst of the calamity that has befallen the people on both sides of the Israel-Gaza border and in light of the immense human suffering  more than 1,200 Israelis killed, hostages taken by Hamas and still held in Gaza and tens of thousands killed in Gaza including women and children  its easy to overlook the larger forces at play in the Israel-Hamas war. The Middle East is in the throes of a regional conflict, a major geopolitical battle in which Iran is a major player  the major player. Iran has made it possible for Hamas to build up its arsenal. Iran all but created Hezbollah, now the dominant force in Lebanon. Iran exerts enormous influence in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. And it views not only Israel but many of its Arab neighbors as rivals and foes.

5. Israel is not isolated; Iran is.

Iran does have its satellites and proxies, and it has become a weapons supplier to Russia in its war against Ukraine. But the night Iran attacked Israel it revealed its own isolation. Israelis are basking in the rare and reassuring discovery that much of the world does support them, at least at this moment.

As the missiles took aim at Israel, a grand coalition mobilized. The verbal backing spanned the globe. From Argentina to Japan world leaders condemned Iran. An emergency virtual meeting of the G7 expressed full solidarity and support to Israel and its people, condemning Iran in the strongest terms. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned Irans actions.

More importantly, Israel received military and tactical backing. Even though Israel shot down the overwhelming majority of the projectiles, the United States, France and the UK helped shoot down some of the hundreds of drones headed for Israel. More significantly, Jordan acknowledged that it, too, seeing its airspace violated, intercepted Iranian drones.

There are multiple reports that other Arab countries also participated. The Wall Street Journal reported that several countries agreed to pass intelligence and radar tracking information and, in some cases, supplied their own forces to help. Saudi Arabia  Irans longtime rival  and the United Arab Emirates agreed to supply intelligence, according to the report.

In addition, the US was able to work out of its bases in Qatar and northern Iraq to counter Irans attack.

The question now is how Israel responds. Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet formed after the Hamas attack, said Israel will exact a price from Iran in a way and time that suits us.

Biden wants Israel to take the win, and move on. The most far-right members of Netanyahus coalition, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who are not in the war cabinet, want more drastic action. In the US, former National Security Advisor John Bolton told CNN that this is an opportunity for Israel to destroy Irans nuclear weapons program, which is the existential threat Israel faces.

This is, however, another opportunity for Israel, a chance to rebuild some of the ties that have become frayed during the devastating war with Hamas.

The Iranian attack has revealed that Israel does have friends, including some in very important places: across the Middle East. The Islamic Republic just reminded the entire Middle East, the entire world, that it can upend expectations and launch a reckless, potentially catastrophic attack.

Israel should use the moment to fortify its links with Arab neighbors who despise and distrust Iran. That could go a long way in protecting the entire region against Iran, but also in carving a path forward that includes a stable Gaza, one that is not in the hands of one of Irans extremist proxies, opening the possibility to more stability and, just maybe, lasting peace.

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KABUL, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Two children lost their lives and three others were injured in the blasts of unexploded ordnances left over from past wars in two provinces of Afghanistan, local officials said Tuesday.

One child was killed and two others were injured after two unexploded ordnances separately exploded in Spin Boldak and Arghistan districts of southern Kandahar province, Spokesman for provincial police Mullah Asadullah Jamshidi said.

The third incident of its kind happened after an innocent youngster found a device in Baharak district, northern Badakhshan province, and began playing with it, but the device exploded, killing the child on the spot and injuring his grandfather who accompanied the ill-fated teenager, spokesperson for provincial police Ehsanullah Kamgar said.

Afghanistan reportedly is one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world as the unexploded devices and mines have been left over from more than four decades of wars and civil strife in the past. 
As Donald Trump begins the first of his felony trials, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu showed us what it means to remain a viable Republican this year.

In a painful and humiliating interview with ABC News George Stephanopoulos, Sununu was repeatedly forced to describe exactly what he was willing to overlook with his endorsement of Trump.

It was particularly noteworthy because Sununu, a popular four-term governor, has been a sharp critic of the former president, variously calling him crazy and an a------ who was neither a real Republican" nor a genuine conservative. Days after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, he declared that Trumps rhetoric and actions contributed to the insurrection.

In the primary, Sununu endorsed and campaigned for Nikki Haley but had said that, eventually, he would endorse the GOP nominee, which presumably meant he would be OK if it were Trump after all.

On Sunday, we saw what that Faustian bargain means.

By degrees, Trump has demanded that Republicans commit to ever more absurd positions and defend ever more egregious conduct. Not just Trumps locker room talk of grabbing women but the actual finding by a federal judge that he was liable for sexually abusing and then defaming E. Jean Carroll. Not just his unhinged lying but also the alleged stolen documents, the threats against judges, the hush money for porn stars, a purported massive financial fraud, and, of course, his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Which brings us to Sununus self-debasing interview. During the interview with Stephanopoulos, the governor admitted again that Trump had absolutely contributed to the attempted violent overthrow of the government. But he said he would support him anyway, repeatedly citing polls that showed support for Trump. The host pressed him again, and Sununu made clear that he was putting party over country.

Asked about his concerns over the attack on the Capitol, Sununu said he could still support Trump because hes doing well in the polls, citing a bogus statistic, then noted that he was a Republican. For me, its not about him as much as it is having a Republican administration  Republican secretaries, Republican rules... Sununu then brushed off Trumps other felony charges as reality television and politics. Stephanopoulos asked if he would still support Trump if hes convicted in the classified documents and hush money trials. Yeah, Sununu said, again citing bogus poll numbers. Me and 51% of America.

By any measure, it was an embarrassing episode for Sununu. But heres the point: Its not just Sununu. This is whats in store for the entire Republican Party.

In 2024, any Republican who backs Trump will be in the same position as Sununu. Every Republican at every level  up and down the ballot  will have to defend what Peter Wehner calls Trumps kaleidoscopic corruption. All of it. Again and again.

On Sunday, Sununu merely held up a mirror for an entire party to see what it has become.

Sign up for MSNBCs new How to Win 2024 newsletter and get election insights like this delivered to your inbox weekly.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Editors Note: Latika Bourke is an Australian author and journalist based in the UK. She is the former international reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Her book, From India with Love, was published in 2015. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. Read more CNN Opinion.

When news broke of a stabbing, and mass killing, at a Sydney shopping mall in which a baby was attacked, right-wing commentators overseas were quick to falsely diagnose the motive.

Latika Bourke - Louis Douvis

Another day. Another terror attack by another Islamist terrorist. Six dead, others seriously injured, including a baby, tweeted the British right-wing commentator Julia Hartley-Brewer.

But Hartley-Brewer was wrong. And she later acknowledged the post was incorrect.

The motive was not Islamist but an everyday threat for women: gendered violence.

It was obvious said the New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb, that now-deceased attacker Joel Cauchi, a diagnosed schizophrenic according to his family, had a specific kind of victim in mind when he entered the beach suburb of Bondis busy Westfield shopping center on Saturday.

The videos (of the attack) speak for themselves dont they? Webb told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Its obvious to me, its obvious to detectives, that that seems to be an area of interest, that the offender had focussed on women and avoided the men.

Five of the (six) deceased are women and the majority of victims in hospital are also women, she said.

Webb added that police didnt know what was in the mind of Cauchi when he launched his attack.

Detectives will certainly be trawling through his online activity to see if he belonged to any hate groups that operate in the darkest corners of the web.

Emergency service workers gather near Bondi Junction after multiple people were stabbed inside the Westfield shopping centre in Sydney on April 13. - Steven Saphore/AAP/Reuters

Cauchis father Andrew Cauchi  who appeared devastated  believes his monster son may have deliberately set out to kill women, he told Australian media.

Because he wanted a girlfriend, and he has no social skills, and he was frustrated out of his brain, added the visibly distraught father.

Like Cauchis father, the nation is also traumatised. Multiple people, including a new mother, slaughtered in daylight in an affluent suburb is something Australians read about in the news when it happens in other countries.

Rarely does it occur in their backyard. When it did in 1996 after the Port Arthur Massacre when a lone gunman killed 35 people, then-prime minister John Howard, a Conservative leader, acted - with bipartisan support that has remained rock solid ever since.

He enacted strict gun control laws and initiated a massive buyback scheme. He had to stare down political opposition from his own supporters at the time, but his tough stance has been vindicated by the lack of mass shootings ever since.

But restricting public access to weapons with the capability of mass lethality cannot stop hateful ideologies mixing with other noxious ingredients including radicalization and mental health issues.

This includes misogyny.

Australian women live with some of the most sexist attitudes in the world, according to research presented to the London-based Global Institute for Womens Leadership, chaired by Australias former and only female prime minister, Julia Gillard.

According to Our Watch, Australias leading national violence prevention organisation which provided me with the following statistics, two in five women have experienced violence since the age of 15, but it is far more likely  35% versus 11%  to be at the hands of someone they know, rather than a complete stranger.

This is partly why the Bondi attack was so shocking.

Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly told me that while the motivating factors in Saturdays attack were complex and still not determined, the case showed why addressing sexist attitudes was critical to womens safety.

While we cannot speak directly about the causes or motives for this specific incident, we know that more broadly, evidence does not point to mental illness being a driver of violence against women, she said.

The evidence consistently shows that the underlying causes of violence directed toward women are rigid gender stereotypes, sexism and disrespect.

The sad reality is that when men hold unequal and sexist views about women, women are not safe.

The city was rocked again by a second and shockingly violent attack on Monday night, when a teenager stabbed worshippers, including Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel giving mass at the Assyrian Orthodox Christ The Good Shepherd Church.

Unlike Cauchis deadly rampage, the church attack was declared a terrorist act.

Roman Quaedvlieg, who worked in Australian law enforcement for decades, including on counterterrorism, told me the motivations behind the types of attacks witnessed in Sydney in the space of just a few days were often driven by a complex set of factors.

These can be rooted in deep-seated emotional or psychological causes and are often accompanied by mental ill-health, and/or substance abuse, he said.

Lone actor terrorists in non-conflict areas like Australia usually are young males with emotional or psychological vulnerabilities, who are often social misfits as a result of those vulnerabilities, he added.

A livestream of the service appeared to show Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel being attacked. - Australian Jewish Association via X

Quaedvlieg said technology meant that the path to radicalisation was so swift, it could go unnoticed.

I do believe that the evolution of technology, online connectivity, and the proliferation of video images, particularly when they lionize violence, does inspire, embolden, normalise and instruct those who have a disposition to extremism and violence, he said.

He added that the motivations for attacks didnt need to be the same for them to inspire other radicals.

Considering the attacks occurred in the same city, the short span of time between the attacks and the wide publicity dedicated to the Bondi Junction attack, it is possible that the Wakeley attacker was either motivated to seek similar notoriety, or the Bondi Junction attack gave him confidence to act on an intent he had previously harboured, he said.

But one commonality between the two males was their history with knives.

Joel Cauchi had a fixation with blades and kept a collection of them, his father told the newspaper The Australian.

And the 16-year-old boy arrested for the church attack was charged with possessing a knife, in November last year, according to the ABC.

The ABC also reported that the boy used a switchblade, an illegal weapon in Australia. His attack inside the church did not kill anyone.

Imagine if theyd been obsessed with guns.

If he had been living in the United States, might Cauchi have been able to slaughter many many more women because of that countrys much easier access to assault rifle-style semi-automatic firearms?

Because of technology, the ability for self-radicalization  whatever the combination of motivating factors  is speedier now than in the days when Howard had the foresight to ban weapons capable of causing mass casualties in seconds.

Australia is rocked by the tragedy. Mums and Dads will be holding their children a little tighter this week.

The twin attacks are horrifying, distressing and shocking but partly why it is so especially shocking is that unlike the US where mass shootings sadly never feel out of the headlines for long, violence in Australia at the scale witnessed these past few days has been rare.

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UPDATE (April 18, 2024 11:10 p.m. E.T.): A source confirmed to NBC News on Thursday night that Israel had carried out some sort of operation in Iran. The U.S. was warned but did not participate. The move is sure to heighten tensions in the region.

Israel is now potentially facing war on two fronts. The countrys invasion of Gaza, a response to the Oct. 7 assault by Hamas militants, is now in its sixth month. Now theres every reason to anticipate a reaction to Irans weekend attack that directed more than 300 drones and missiles toward Israel.

Many will argue that, of course, Israel must respond  with force and finality  but focusing on the most immediate cycle of action and reaction ignores the far bigger dilemma gripping Israel, Iran and, by extension, the United States: What does anyone gain by allowing violence to escalate in the Middle East? Is shaking up the way things have been  the status quo  worth it in a region known as a tinderbox?

Israel has always had its right to exist questioned, immediately after the Balfour Declaration drew the first boundaries in 1917  and later after the United Nations established the state of Israel in 1947. Its rapid military advancement since then has been prompted by national survival. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus contribution to Israels foreign relations policy has been to challenge Irans nuclear program and call out the terrorist networks Iran supports throughout the Middle East.

In 2015, Netanyahu bypassed President Obama and made his case straight to Congress, in search of allies who would pursue regime change in Iran. An unpopular leader in a country where national security is the No. 1 voting issue, Netanyahu benefits by keeping Israel embroiled in wars; the focus on outside enemies is the glue keeping his threadbare coalition together.

Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, which ousted the pro-Israel, pro-U.S. Shah of Iran and brought Death to America chants into living rooms across the United States, the regime in Iran has also benefited internally from focusing its publics attention on external threats. As successive international sanctions have crippled Irans economy, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard stays laser-focused on where it can undermine and disrupt the interests of its enemies  and where it can also provoke other countries into costly escalation.

Irans provocations have cost lives across the Middle East, but this is not new. Israel and Iran have long used other countries land and other countries populations to conduct a shadow war against one another. Those conflicts have included Iranian proxies arming militants in Gaza and Lebanon, and Israel killing Irans scientists and military leaders when they travel.

Israel killed Iranian officials in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, and Iran warned the region that it would launch counterstrikes. Those counterstrikes would not just be a threat against Israeli civilians, but serve as a test of the United States ability to defend Israel with weapons systems. By firing missiles and sending drones over the weekend, Iran put itself in direct conflict with Israel, the one thing that both countries had avoided in the past.

Prior to Irans attack, the Biden administration had recently warned Netanyahu that his choices during his countrys the invasion of Gaza have made Israels position in the world more precarious; the deaths of so many Palestinian children and noncombatants has made it difficult for the state of Israel to maintain sympathy as the victim, as it had on Oct. 7. In fact, Irans attack proved Israels power. The Iron Dome system intercepted nearly all of the missiles directed at Israel.

World leaders are scrambling to prevent the conflagration from spreading. Though the Biden administration has made it clear that the United States will not engage in a direct conflict pitting Israel against Iran, Netanyahu, who leads a military the U.S. helps fund, retains the right to make his own choices about when and how to use the weapons and military aid provided by the United States. And Netanyahu, a leader who has repeatedly ignored American officials calls to restraint, now has the power to respond to Iran and put American troops at risk throughout the Middle East.

We reserve the right to do everything in our power, and we will do everything in our power to defend this country, Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said. Israels military chief vowed, Iran will face consequences for its actions.

Thats why the focus is now on Netanyahus war Cabinet meetings and his decisions. Regime change and war with Iran has its ardent supporters in the United States, most notably in former national security adviser and U.N. Ambassador John Bolton. But for a generation of voters who were raised against the backdrop of Americas failures in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is zero appetite for opening a new war front with Iran. Diplomats and leaders from around the world are on the phones around the clock, trying to pour cold water on a hot situation  urging restraint while readying their own resources should Israel make a move toward war.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Editors Note: Norman Eisen is a CNN legal analyst and editor of Trying Trump: A Guide to His First Election Interference Criminal Trial. He served as counsel to the House Judiciary Committee for the first impeachment and trial of Donald Trump. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Judge Juan Merchan began the long-awaited Manhattan criminal trial of former President Donald Trump on Monday by interviewing prospective jurors. Debate has been raging about every aspect of this historic trial  including what to call it. It is the first of four expected criminal trials involving Trump, and the only one in American history to feature a former president as the defendant.

Norman Eisen - CNN

Although it has long been referred to as the hush money case, the judges first substantive words to the jury made clear that is wrong. We should call it an election interference trial going forward.

When the judge described the case to prospective jurors, he said. The allegations are in substance, that Donald Trump falsified business records to conceal an agreement with others to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election. (Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied all wrongdoing in the cases against him.)

Merchans point: The core issue in the trial that began Monday is not the payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in October 2016 to conceal her claimed affair with Trump (he denies the affair took place). The core issue is why Trump made them.

Paying hush money by itself is not a crime. The crime alleged in this case is felony document falsification, as the judge detailed. That requires intent to conceal, aid or commit another crime. Here, the prosecution alleges that the intent was to violate federal campaign finance laws and also the state statute prohibiting the unlawful influence of an election  i.e., election interference.

That point was also cleverly hammered home during the first half of Mondays proceedings. The morning was devoted to resolving the remaining legal disputes before the trial can begin, mostly about what evidence could be used. Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass skillfully advanced the election interference theory by structuring his evidentiary points in chronological order within that frame.

Steinglass began with issues relating to the alleged August 2015 Trump Tower meeting where Trump, his former fixer Michael Cohen and David Pecker, former chairman and CEO of American Media, which publishes the National Enquirer, allegedly agreed to benefit Trumps campaign through a catch and kill scheme of buying salacious stories and then burying them to diminish their ability to taint Trumps presidential campaign.

Steinglass then raised legal issues that hit the other key moments as the alleged scheme unfolded throughout 2015 and 2016, ending on the two crucial players in the payoff: Daniels and Cohen. It was a virtuoso summary of what we can expect at trial.

Of course, its one thing, as the judge also explained, for the DA to make those allegations. Its another thing to prove them, and District Attorney Alvin Bragg must now do that. Trump, as the judge reminded the prospective jurors, is innocent until proven guilty and the case against him must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Trump says he is innocent and will by all indications vigorously contest the proceedings.

But we need to be accurate about what the accusation is that will now be the subject of that contestation. In a new book, I contend that given the indictment and the likely proof, using the hush money label distracts from the main point of the case and diminishes its seriousness. Eminent experts increasingly agree, including one of our nations leading constitutional scholars and other prominent legal commentators.

The essence of the charges here, therefore, are as significant in their own way as the ones concerning election interference in the 2020 campaign that have gotten more attention, a federal case brought by special prosecutor Jack Smith and a Georgia case brought by Fulton County DA Fani Willis.

Trumps alleged 2020 attempt to overthrow our government distorts perceptions of how serious the charges related to the 2016 election are. We cant allow the extreme nature of Trumps later behavior to change the benchmark for what is a serious alleged offense. The Manhattan case meets that standard  and then some.

Election interference skeptics contend the charges here are for document falsification by the Trump organization in 2017, after the 2016 election concluded, to hide what happened the year before from being revealed. How can we call this an election interference trial, they ask, if the election was already over when the 34 alleged document falsification crimes occurred?

These questions misunderstand that the payment to Daniels was itself allegedly illegal under federal and state law, and was plainly intended to influence the 2016 election. Cohen, as an individual, was limited by law to $2,700 in contributions to the campaign. Yet he transferred $130,000 to benefit the campaign, allegedly at Trumps direction.

That is why Cohen pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance violations (in addition to other offenses), for which he was incarcerated. And no one can seriously dispute that the reason he and Trump allegedly hatched the scheme was to deprive voters of information that could have changed the outcome of an extremely close election.

The legitimacy of American governance rests upon the honesty of our elections. When information is withheld from voters, as Bragg alleges happened here, that undermines democracy. Calling this trial a mere hush money case risks minimizing whats at stake. It is an election interference one and we should say so.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Oregon OSHA has cited and fined Coffin Butte Landfill, owned by Republic Services, following investigations into worker complaints that they are exposed to dangerous conditions on the job.

The current and former employees of the landfill north of Corvallis have been taking their concerns around air and water quality and exposure to dangerous waste to OR-OSHA and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, as well as to company officials, for more than six months.

OR-OSHA recently completed two investigations into the complaints, and cited the company for three "serious" violations and one "other than serious" violation.

The violations include not evaluating employee respiratory hazards, not providing proper safety training, not ensuring floors are dry and not preventing fall hazards.

OR-OSHA fined Coffin Butte $180 for each violation, for a total of $720. It has set deadlines for landfill managers to correct the first two violations.

The state agency recommended Coffin Butte address additional hazards workers complained about, warning that the company could be cited and fined for the items in future inspections.

OR-OSHA opened a third inspection concerning the site on March 28, OR-OSHA spokesman Aaron Corvin said.

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Workers say some of the concerns theyve raised also could impact the landfill's neighbors. Some of those neighbors have asked the state to investigate, as has Beyond Toxics, a Eugene-based environmental group that works on solid waste issues.

Safety costs money. Thats simply something the company is not going to do and hasnt done for us, former Coffin Butte employee and union steward Robert Orton said. I am, all of us are, continually in an unsafe environment.

Orton first talked with the Statesman Journal in early February. He said he was fired March 11, a week after he took his complaints to commissioners in Benton County, where the landfill is located.

In a written response to the Statesman Journal's questions, Phoenix-based Republic Services said it "places the highest priority on worker safety."

Despite being provided with the OR-OSHA citations, a company spokesperson repeatedly said there were only three violations.

"...two of the three were quickly corrected while OSHA was on site. The third, related to training, has also been addressed," the company wrote.

Complaints come as Oregon considers updating Coffin Butte Landfill's air qualify permit

The complaints and investigations come as Republic Services  the second-largest waste disposal company in the U.S.  is expected to soon apply for a significant expansion of the landfill, currently permitted for 178 acres.

They also come as DEQ considers whether to update the landfills air quality permit, which expired a decade ago. The landfill has been allowed to continue operating under its previous permit because the company filed a timely renewal application with DEQ in 2014.

The landfills future is important to Marion County residents.

Marion County garbage ratepayers paid to build the privately operated Covanta municipal waste incinerator in Brooks, where at least 125,000 tons of the countys garbage is burned each year.

Coffin Butte takes even more waste from Marion County. In 2022, the last year for which figures are available, the landfill took 197,191 tons of municipal solid waste from Marion County, more than from any other county the landfill serves. And it took an additional 25,290 tons of ash from the Covanta incinerator.

That compares with 46,488 tons from Benton County, 42,585 tons from Polk County, to the north, and 4,855 tons from Lane County, to the south.

Coffin Butte workers share documentation they say is evidence of safety and environmental violations

Landfill workers provided the Statesman Journal with email exchanges they have had with Republic Services and with officials at DEQ and OR-OSHA discussing their concerns.

Those concerns include exposure to fugitive emissions and methane leaks, leachate mismanagement, and exposure to medical waste and other dangerous waste.

The workers also provided the state agencies and the Statesman Journal with photos and videos they say document those issues.

Landfill employees say fugitive emissions are not controlled

The photos and videos provided to DEQ and OR-OSHA show plumes of dust engulfing the site as materials are dumped into the landfill.

One of the substances shown in the photos is labeled Sorbacal, a lime and mineral product meant to capture micro-pollutants from factory emissions systems.

The workers say the used, contaminated Sorbacal came from Hollingsworth & Vose, a Corvallis glass fiber manufacturer.

In March, emails provided to the Statesman Journal show, DEQ Air Quality Division Administrator Ali Mirzakhalili told Beyond Toxics that Hollingsworth & Vose is now paying to have that waste disposed of in the asbestos section of the landfill.

DEQ spokesman Dylan Darling said said DEQ did not direct the landfill to make that change.

Coffin Butte Landfill mechanics say they are exposed to fugitive emissions.

Workers say the other substance in the photos was ash from the Covanta municipal waste incinerator.

You have workers up there who arent even in a cab, Orton said. You have Labor Ready (temporary) individuals. You have a multitude of people getting exposed to this.

Beyond Toxics said its possible the materials also could drift into nearby neighborhoods.

We are particularly concerned about the treatment of fly ash from Covanta. We dont know the contents of the trucks, but if this were ash, that is a whole lot of toxic particles becoming airborne, Mason Leavitt, of Beyond Toxics, told the Statesman Journal.

How often does it happen? Well, if its not raining you can catch it on any given day, Orton said.

Emails between the workers and DEQ show that DEQ contacted Coffin Butte about the complaint.

That looks like caused by an improper unloading process, DEQ environmental engineer Hugh Gao wrote to Republic Services environmental manager Ian McNab.

I understand that some truck drivers are commercial haulers, not your landfills employees," Gao wrote. "However, we believe that your landfill is responsible to provide a guidance and/or procedure for people (included your customers) to conduct activities at your property that fulfills requirement of the (solid waste) permit.

McNab later told Gao that what appeared to be dust in the photos actually was smoke from a fire to the north of the landfill. DEQ closed its inquiry, Darling said.

DEQ has received complaints about Coffin Butte Landfill, including a complaint in October 2023 about potential dust emissions. DEQ has not confirmed violations at Coffin Butte Landfill based on recent complaints, Darling said.

Republic Services officials did not respond to the Statesman Journals question about fugitive emissions complaints.

Workers document what they say is leaking methane at Coffin Butte

Coffin Butte workers also say they worry they are breathing hazardous levels of methane.

Last October, the Statesman Journal reported that a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency inspection found the landfill was leaking methane at levels that exceed state and federal limits and what the landfill had publicly reported.

Landfills are among the nations largest sources of methane, a greenhouse gas thats more potent than carbon dioxide and a major contributor to climate change, according to the EPA.

The inspection report noted there were so many exceedances that the inspector ran out of marking flags. In some cases, levels were so high instruments could not measure them. And multiple exceedances were measured several feet in the air, indicating substantial landfill gas plumes, according to the report.

Coffin Butte workers say they are not protected from airborne emissions while working in the landfill.

EPA environmental scientist Daniel Heins also expressed concerns in the report about Republic Services monitoring procedures.

In its monitoring reports, the company reported finding a total of six methane exceedances. Some reports had zero exceedances.

That compares with the 61 exceedances the EPA inspector found, with 26 exceedances at gas collection wells that Republic should have specifically been monitoring on a quarterly basis," Heins wrote.

Orton, the former union steward, emailed Coffin Butte officials on Jan. 23, raising concerns about the methane leaks impacting worker health.

"Is the air here safe to breathe? Are employees being kept safe?" Orton wrote.

In a Jan. 26 email response to Orton, landfill manager Bret Davis noted that EPA did not cite the company following the inspection but that Republic Services had "since taken corrective action as recommended by EPA.

Company officials did not respond to the Statesman Journals question about what the EPA had recommended the company do.

But EPA spokesman Bill Dunbar said EPA would not have asked the company to do anything yet because the case is still open.

Thats weird, he said about the companys statement. We dont lay out any requirements for a facility until were working on a settlement.

Typically, following an inspection with findings, EPA will file a complaint, which is a legal document that starts the settlement process, he said. Requirements eventually would be detailed in a compliance agreement and final order.

Coffin Butte Landfill pictured on Oct. 18, 2023. An EPA investigation found the landfill is emitting dangerous levels of methane.

Republic Services officials told the Statesman Journal the problems have been fixed.

During EPAs June 2022 inspection, Coffin Butte was in the early stages of a weeks-long construction project to install six new vertical gas collection wells and nine new horizontal collection wells, the company wrote.

This work temporarily increased surface exceedances, which was noted by the EPA. In response, we completed the ongoing gas collection enhancement project and adjusted soil cover.

But employees say problems remain.

Weve seen the carcasses of cats that have laid down next to a (methane collection) well because its warm and died from methane, Orton told the Statesman Journal.

A week before he was fired, Orton provided a video to Benton County commissioners showing what he said is methane bubbling out of the ground on the working face of the landfill.

Coffin Butte must obtain the county's approval to expand. The county denied the company's expansion application two years ago. County officials have said they expect to receive a new application soon.

Commissioners did not respond to the Statesman Journal's inquiry about whether they would respond to the employee complaints.

Workers also allege Coffin Butte is mismanaging leachate

The workers say theyve also reached out to DEQ about several concerns they have with the landfills management of leachate, or water that runs through or comes from waste, picking up contaminants.

First, they say, they are required to pressure wash equipment, which picks up garbage, on bare ground rather than a liner. And their shop, which also is not on a liner, often floods. That water picks up grease, oil and other contaminants as it continues running downhill.

Theres a big stain on the wall where the leachate has stained the rock, said Troy Paull, who worked at the landfill for seven years before leaving last fall. "We know it went down there because you can see it on the wall."

Coffin Butte Landfill in October 2023.

Orton sent the Statesman Journal a video he says shows the mechanic shop and grounds covered in garbage and dirty water, and another that he says shows new gravel covering the area after the company cleaned it up prior to an inspection.

The workers said the water ends up in containment ponds in a quarry controlled by Knife River, which supplies construction materials across 14 states.

Knife River is blasting and removing rock from the hillside where Coffin Butte plans to expand.

"Knife River is committed to careful stewardship of our environment," company spokesperson Jay Frank said. "We are unaware of any introduction of leachate into our Coffin Butte Quarry."

The landfill workers say Republic Services pumps water from the quarry into trucks, which is then sprayed on muddy or dusty roads to clean the roads.

As the trucks come out of the quarry, theyre completely covering the road in dust that ends up as muck. You can almost slide off the road sometimes, said Joel Geier, who has lived near the landfill for three decades.

So, they send this water truck out every now and then to wash off the road. That means the contaminated water is actually being spread around the public roads in our neighborhood, Geier said.

Republic Services officials denied those allegations.

Equipment is only cleaned at the cell where we are actively depositing waste, they said. Any residual water that comes off the equipment goes into the cell, where it becomes leachate, which is then hauled away in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations.

Company officials also said the truck that sprays roadways to control dust only carries potable water from the city of Adair.

Landfill workers' allegations of exposure to dangerous waste

Coffin Butte workers say they are exposed to medical waste such as needles, feces, animal carcasses, toxic chemicals and more.

The mechanics do repairs and maintenance on heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, compactors and wheel-loaders, that are used to move and compact waste in the landfill.

The workers say in order to do those repairs, they often have to lie down under the equipment, exposing their entire body to whatever is in the landfill.

Coffin Butte Landfill mechanics say they must lie down in waste to repair equipment.

They would like the company to provide protective equipment and a decontamination site, or at least a convenient handwashing station.

The nearest running water is better than a quarter of a mile away, Orton said.

Republic Services officials told the Statesman Journal it is not standard practice to lie down in the pit to fix equipment.

If equipment needs to be repaired, it is towed to an area where it can be done so safely, they wrote.

They also said that, in addition to permanent facilities on site, there is a handwashing station on the landfills working face, or the working surface where garbage is deposited.

Employees are never more than five minutes away from a handwashing station, they said.

Oregon OSHA investigation confirms some complaints about landfill operations

OR-OSHA launched its inspection into the landfill on Oct. 24, 2023. It issued citations on Feb. 22 and on March 28.

OR-OSHA cited Coffin Butte for not evaluating respiratory hazards for employees working in and around the landfill. The state ordered Coffin Butte to correct the violation by April 29.

"Employees were exposed to materials, such as methane and Sorbacal, while working in and around the landfill and at the top of the pit, and the employer did not conduct air monitoring to determine their exposure," the citation reads.

As part of its investigation, OR-OSHA conducted monitoring for methane, but said the results had too many errors to be used.

OR-OSHA cited Coffin Butte for not providing proper safety training.

"For employees working in and around the pit, and had exposure to potentially infectious materials, their bloodborne pathogen training was provided by a member of management, not a knowledgeable bloodborne pathogens trainer," the citation reads.

The company had until April 15 to correct the violation.

OR-OSHA also cited Coffin Butte for not ensuring the floor of the shop was clean and dry. The citation did not the address worker concerns about contaminated water running out of the shop. The company fixed the issue during the inspection.

And it cited the company for not properly securing acetylene and oxygen cylinders to ensure they could not fall. The company fixed the issue during the inspection.

OR-OSHA also issued the company "hazard letters" warning the company to take corrective measures to ensure compliance with the law.

Among those recommendations:

Obtain objective exposure monitoring to ensure employees are not exposed to hazardous air contaminants or excessive air particulates. The particulate in the air from the disposal of Sorbacal in the main pit could be hazardous to your employees, the letter reads. You need to evaluate their exposure under various working conditions and use that data to develop solutions to mitigate the hazard.

Determine whether employees should wear respiratory protection, and, if so, follow all state respiratory protection standards.

Use proper material handling for Sorbacal and other materials that generate dust or powder. The procedures described for this process and the video material reviewed of employees disposing of the Sorbacal waste show that excessive amounts of dust are released while totes are being dropped into the main pit. When machinery drives over these totes, additional material is disturbed, the letter reads. This process needs to be assessed for the potential to contain asbestos as well as the inhalable and total respirable dusts that employees are exposed to.

Improve handwashing facilities. The letter noted that using hand sanitizer, which was provided to employees, is not adequate where there are concerns of chemical exposure. While handwashing facilities were offered at the upper shop area, employees working at/around/in the pit did not have access to handwashing facilities in a manner that would prevent cross-contamination in vehicles while accessing the facilities, the letter reads.

DEQ has received 45 complaints about Coffin Butte Landfill over the past year, Darling said. Most were about air-quality issues.

DEQ has not taken any formal enforcement actions against Coffin Butte in the past year. But that doesn't mean it hasn't taken more informal actions, Darling said.

"We take every complaint seriously. We have looked into each," he said.

DEQ makes announced and unannounced inspections at Coffin Butte, Darling said. DEQ last inspected the landfill under its air quality permit on July 7, 2022, and under its solid waste permit on Nov. 8. 2023.

Landfill mechanics on strike at Coffin Butte Landfill in October 2023 in Benton County, north of Corvallis. They returned to work on Nov. 13.

Coffin Butte mechanics' contract negotiations include safety concerns

Coffin Buttes seven mechanics went on strike on Sept. 11, 2023, picketing in front of the landfill every day for two months.

Contract negotiations centered on pay and insurance contributions, as well as safety concerns.

The mechanics returned to work on Nov. 13, but still are negotiating with the company.

On Jan. 5, Republic Services sent employees an email saying it was implementing a new workplace recording policy that prohibits taking photos or videos of confidential business information, or of company contractors.

It's not right for these employees to risk their health just by doing their job. We all owe the workers at Coffin Butte our respect and appreciation for their eye witness accounts of the dangerous operational practices at this landfill, said Lisa Arkin, executive director of Beyond Toxics.

While they are on the frontlines of exposure to toxic dust and methane gases, these hazardous exposures are also taking a toll on human health and the environment for the surrounding communities, Arkin said.

Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Coffin Butte Landfill given citations after worker complaints
New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission requests investigation after receiving photos of mayor, Jeffrey Vappie dining together

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  The Metropolitan Crime Commission is requesting the New Orleans Police Departments Public Integrity Bureau to investigate after receiving photos of Jeffrey Vappie and Mayor LaToya Cantrell eating at a French Quarter restaurant.

In a letter from MCC President Rafael Goyeneche addressed to NOPD PIB Deputy Chief Keith Sanchez, its alleged that Vappie and Cantrell were seen eating on the balcony of a St. Peter Street restaurant on Sunday, April 7, with wine glasses on the table.

Man catches giant catfish at The Fly in New Orleans

The letter states that Vappie, Cantrells executive protection unit member, was reportedly on duty during the weekend the photos were taken. However, Goyeneche states, It is unclear if Officer Vappie was performing any executive protection duties and, if so, whether he consumed any alcohol.

In response to the photos, the MCC is requesting the NOPD PIB investigate whether Vappie was complying with the NOPDs policies and procedures on the weekend the photos were taken.

New Orleans police investigate triple shooting in Mid-City

In the investigation, the MCC is requesting the following questions to be answered:

Was it consistent with Executive Protection Unit training and protocols for Officer Vappie to dine with his protectee on the balcony of a restaurant?

Was Officer Vappie on duty at the time the picture was taken on April 7th?

If so, did Officer Vappie have permission from his supervisor to dine at Tableau with Mayor

Cantrell?

Did Officer Vappie consume alcohol while at Tableau on April 7th?

Who paid for the meal?

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Over 1,000 pounds of meth seized in Chicago

CHICAGO  A shipment containing over 1,000 pounds of meth was seized by U.S. Customs in Chicago, Chicago Public Affairs said.

According to a press release, CBP officers and narcotic detection dogs detained 26 boxes and 1,117 pounds of unknown powders concealed in bags on April 11.

Testing done by CBP Laboratories and Scientific Services identified cocaine and meth were found in the powder bags.

Officers say the shipment arrived from Shenzhen, China and was heading to Wood Dale, IL.

Tiffany Henyards top lieutenant indicted

Transnational criminals exploit dependencies and addictions to sell their illicit goods. Our officers are trained to identify shipments that contain these potentially dangerous substances and will continue to work to keep private citizens and their families safe, LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations at the Chicago Field House said.

The shipment was turned to Homeland Security Investigations and reports are pending.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
FIRST ON FOX: Dozens of members of the House of Representatives have signed onto a resolution condemning Irans "brutal" regime after Tehran launched a missile attack against Israel over the weekend.

The bipartisan measure is being led by Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, and co-sponsored by 141 House lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats.

"Decades of a tyrannical regime in Tehran  destabilizing the Middle East and intentionally spreading chaos throughout the region  has culminated in Irans direct attack on our greatest ally, Israel," Weber told Fox News Digital.

HOUSE TEES UP 17 BILLS RELATED TO IRAN/ISRAEL FOR THIS WEEK

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers is condemning Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei's regime after it launched a rocket attack on Israel.

"The rogue regime needs to be overthrown immediately. Now, more than ever, the United States must support the freedom-loving citizens of Iran who have spent decades trying to eject these murderers from power in Tehran. Today, we condemn the godless mullahs who epitomize the head of the snake of war and terror in the Middle East."

The resolution accuses Iran of having "contributed to terrorism and regional instability" in the Middle East in the wake of Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, according to legislative text previewed by Fox News Digital.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

It also affirms U.S. support for Iranian citizens who have demonstrated against the fundamentalist Islamic government by recognizing "the rights of the Iranian people and their struggle to establish a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran."

HOW CAN ISRAEL RESPOND TO IRANS BRAZEN ATTACK?

The resolution is led by GOP Rep. Randy Weber of Texas

At least one member of the House GOPs top leadership ranks, Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is backing the bill.

Iran launched a barrage of airstrikes against Israel over the weekend  99% of which were intercepted  after accusing Israel of attacking its diplomatic facilities in Damascus, killing at least seven officials, including a top commander of Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps.

No direct injuries or deaths were reported, but the move marks a significant escalation in the region as the first attack launched at Israel from Iranian soil.

EXILED CROWN PRINCE OF IRAN DEMANDS REGIME CHANGE AFTER ISRAEL ATTACK: THIS ISN'T OUR WAR, ITS KHAMENEI'S'

Smoke rises after what the Iranian media said was an Israeli strike on a building close to the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria on April 1, 2024.

Irans retaliatory strikes were condemned by leaders in the U.S. and abroad as disproportionate and brazen.

The country's regime has been accused of financing Hamas, the Palestinian terror group whose militants invaded Israel on Oct. 7 last year in a surprise attack that killed more than 1,000 people. Iran's government has also backed Houthi rebels in Yemen  the militant group that has been attacking western ships in the Red Sea.





Original article source: Over 140 House lawmakers condemn 'brutal' Iranian regime after Israel strike
326 traitors and 793 collaborators were convicted in Ukraine in 2023. In total, only 30% of all the treason and collaboration cases pending were heard by the courts. Thats 7% less than in 2022.

Source: Ukrainian movement CHESNO, which analysed data on the website of the Ukrainian judiciary

Details: According to the data that the journalists analysed, Ukrainian courts heard 1,921 cases of treason and 2,724 cases of collaborationist activity in 2023  nearly double the figures for 2022.

Quote: "Out of the 1,921 treason cases heard in 2023, only 19 suspects pleaded guilty (1%). Thats nine more cases than in 2022. 117 suspects accused of collaborationist activity pleaded guilty (4%). In total, judges dismissed 34 cases out of 1,386."

Details: The journalists noted that in 2018-2021, only 10 suspects accused of treason pleaded guilty out of 243 proceedings. 60% of the cases considered during that period were dismissed.

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Property owners who are flying a Confederate flag over Interstate-85 in Spartanburg County suffered a setback in the latest development of their lawsuit against the county.

On Feb. 20, Judge Mark Hayes II ruled that a previously disputed notice issued by the county that said the flagpole violated permit requirements from the countys Unified Land Management Ordinance was actually correct. Further, Hayes ruled the Spartanburg County Board of Zoning Appeals erred in arbitrarily overturning the prior decision by the county, which would have brought the flag down.

The lawsuit was filed on Nov. 29, 2022, by the Adam Washington Bellenger Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 68 organization. It alleged that Spartanburg Countys requirement that the group needed a permit for the flagpole and subsequent citation issued to the SVC Camp for permit violations was unconstitutional under South Carolina law.

The SCV Camp appealed Hayes decision at the beginning of March, but Hayes doubled down on April 5. In a written order, Hayes said that after careful consideration of arguments by all parties, he was unable to find that the SCV Camp raised any facts or legal principles that were overlooked previously.

This Court has examined its prior order and can find no error of law or fact not appropriately considered as asserted in (SCV Camps) motion or brief, Hayes said.

Hayes asked Spartanburg Countys lawyer to prepare a formal order denying the SCV Camps motion.

The 30x50 foot flag has been flying on the Teaberry Road property overlooking I-85, near Business I-85 and Highway 221, since Oct. 22, 2022. Approximately 80,400 cars pass by it every day, according to SCDOT data. One week after it was raised, county officials said the flagpole was in violation of a land-use ordinance.

As of April 15, the flag was still flying.

Previously: Spartanburg County waiting on courts to decide fate of Confederate flag flying along I-85

A Confederate flag is still flying on the morning of April 15, 2024 near Interstate 85 at the exit 78 which is the Hwy 221 Chesnee exit in Spartanburg County.

History of lawsuit involving Confederate group, Spartanburg County and Board of Zoning Appeals

According to the violation notice signed by a county Planning and Development zoning inspector, the land parcel had no principal, or primary, use of land, such as a business or residence. Because the lot was vacant, having no principal use, the accessory use of the flagpole was in noncompliance, the county contended.

If a home or business were to be located there and obtain a permit "for a principal use of the property," then it would comply with the ordinance, County Councilman David Britt said on Nov. 3, 2022.

The initial notice of violation was dated Oct. 21, 2022, the day before the Confederate flag was raised. The SCV Camp was given until Nov. 10, 2022, to either remove the flag or obtain a permit for principal use of the land and lower it to 30 feet.

When the SCV camp removed the Confederate flag and replaced it with the South Carolina state flag shortly thereafter, county officials maintained the 150-foot pole was still in violation regardless of what flag was flying.

"It doesn't matter if it's the American flag or the flag of Sweden," Britt said.

More: Spartanburg County: Pole with SC flag that replaced Confederate on I-85 still in violation

The countys notice of violation also said that the flagpole should be lowered to 30 feet.

The SCV neither obtained a permit nor lowered the flagpole. Instead, on Nov. 29, 2022, the group filed a lawsuit against the county.

On Jan. 31 of last year, the Board of Zoning Appeals voted 5-3 to overturn the Planning Department's notice that the flagpole was in violation because a permit was not obtained before erecting it.

In the lawsuit against the county, the SCV Camp asserted that permits were not mentioned in the 1999 land use ordinance. The Camp also argued the flagpole was an acceptable height since it was erected prior to Sept. 27, 2022, when the County's Performance Zoning Ordinance limited the height of flagpoles to 30 feet.

The case moved to circuit civil court on March 30, 2023 after the county filed a notice appealing the Boards decision.

Five months since being raised, the Confederate flag is still flying high atop a 120-foot flagpole along Interstate 85 in Spartanburg County as a lawsuit works its way through the courts.

More: Free speech at heart of lawsuit against Spartanburg County over Confederate flag

Contention over Confederate flags message

Opponents of the flag, including County Councilman Monier Abusaft, the lone Black member of the council, said it sends an unwelcoming message.

"Constituents care about how it reflects on their community," Abusaft said, the Herald-Journal previously reported in September of last year.

Spartanburg County Councilman Monier Abusaft, right, said he supports the right of Sons of Confederate Veterans to fly a Confederate flag, but he said the group -- like everyone else -- must obey the county's ordinances.

Michael Brown, president of the Spartanburg NAACP chapter, called the flag an "eyesore," and said it should come down.

The SCV Camp has disagreed. In the same Sept. 2023 article, Greenville attorney Robert K. Merting said flying the flag is a way to honor soldiers of South Carolina who fought and died during the Civil War and other wars.

"We, of course, support free speech and will continue to defend our Constitutional right to fly flags of our choice," Merting said on behalf of the SCV Camp.

Sons of Confederate Veterans attorney Robert Merting said the Confederate flag and other flags are being raised to honor South Carolinians who fought and died in wars.

Spartanburg County spokesperson Scottie Kay Blackwell told the Herald-Journal Monday evening the county could not comment on pending litigation.

Chalmers Rogland covers public safety for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal and USA Today Network. Reach him via email at crogland@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Owner of Confederate flag flying over I-85 suffers setback in court
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday upgraded its forecast of global growth in 2024 to 3.2 percent, 0.1 percentage points higher than its projection in January, according to its newly released World Economic Outlook. 
Editor's note: The article was updated with additional information from PACE.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) voted unanimously on April 16 in support of a resolution calling for seizing frozen Russian assets and using them for a new fund for Ukraine's reconstruction.

Ukraine's Western partners and other allies froze around $300 billion in Russian assets at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, with roughly two-thirds held at the Belgium-based financial services company Euroclear.

While some partners, like the U.S., have been pushing for funneling these funds directly to Kyiv, European countries have been more hesitant, fearing economic and legal pitfalls. The EU is instead working on a plan to use the profits generated by the frozen assets to fund defense assistance for Ukraine.

PACE said that "the aggressor State, the Russian Federation, had the obligation to provide full compensation for the damage, loss and injury caused by its wrongful acts, including the destruction of infrastructure, loss of life and economic hardships," in accordance with the principles of international law.

Addressing the assembly, Ukraine's parliament chair, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said: "The civilizational gap that separates us and Russia is gigantic. And in its depth, any illusions about this aggressive, hateful, and unlawful creature disappear."

"The time has come for frank and truthful assessments. It is time for quick action and decisions. It is time for responsible leadership. It is time to choose a resolute, united resistance to the Russian terror."

The resolution called specifically for using the frozen assets to support Kyiv's reconstruction efforts. According to the World Bank's estimates, Ukraine's reconstruction will cost $486 billion over a 10-year period.

Read also: Opinion: Answering your burning questions on Russias frozen assets

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
At a session on 16 April, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) supported a resolution calling for frozen Russian assets to be seized and used for Ukraines benefit.

Source: European Pravda

Details: According to the PACE news service, the assembly unanimously adopted a resolution calling for frozen Russian state assets to be transferred to a new fund for Ukraine's reconstruction.

PACEs Political Affairs Committee approved the draft resolution at the end of January. It was reported at the time that the resolution proposed that the Council of Europe should take the lead with regard to the seizure of Russian state assets and their use for the reconstruction of Ukraine and establish an international compensation mechanism under Council of Europe auspices.

The mechanism would involve setting up an international trust fund into which frozen Russian assets from Council of Europe member and non-member states would be deposited.

The resolution also proposed the establishment of an impartial and effective claims commission, operating under recognised judicial norms, to consider applications from Ukraine and other entities (individuals and legal entities) affected by the Russian aggression.

The Committee urged Council of Europe member and non-member states holding frozen Russian assets to actively cooperate in transferring these assets to such a mechanism, which has the support of the EU, the US and the G7.

How the Register of Damage Caused by Russia's Aggression will work

The draft resolution became a component of the compensation mechanism which was agreed on in principle at the Council of Europe summit in Reykjavik in the summer of 2023. As part of this plan, a register of losses from Russian aggression has already been established, and it began accepting applications on 2 April.

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A painting of Winston Churchill by an artist whose work he hated is up for auction

A member of staff from Sotheby's poses for the media with a portrait of the iconic former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, painted by Graham Sutherland in 1954, at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, England, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. The portrait will be sold at auction on June 6 with an estimated price of 500-800,000 pounds sterling (US621, 000-1,000,000). Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace on Nov. 30, 1874. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

LONDON (AP)  A portrait of Winston Churchill by an artist whose work the British leader loathed went on display Tuesday at Churchills birthplace ahead of an auction in June.

The painting by modernist artist Graham Sutherland was made in preparation for a larger portrait that Churchill hated and which was later destroyed  an episode recounted in the TV series The Crown.

The surviving oil-on-canvas study shows Churchills head in profile against a dark background. It is expected to sell for between 500,000 pounds and 800,000 pounds ($622,000 and $995,000) at Sothebys in London on June 6.

Sutherland was commissioned by the Houses of Parliament to paint Churchill to mark his 80th birthday in 1954. The full-length portrait was unveiled in Parliament that year, with Churchill calling it, with a smirk, a remarkable example of modern art.

Churchill is said to have complained that the painting makes me look half-witted, which I aint. It was delivered to his home and never seen again. The Churchill family disclosed years later that it had been destroyed.

Its fate was recreated with poetic license in an episode of The Crown in which Churchills wife, Clementine, watches the painting go up in flames.

Andre Zlattinger, Sothebys head of modern British and Irish art, said that in the surviving study, Churchill is caught in a moment of absent-minded thoughtfulness, and together with the backstory of its creation, it gives the impression of a man truly concerned with his image.

Sothebys put the picture on public display inside the room where Churchill was born 150 years ago at Blenheim Palace, a country mansion 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of London. Visitors can see it there until Sunday. It will go on show at Sothebys offices in New York May 3-16 and London May 25-June 5.
A group of parents who sued Hilliard City Schools in January 2023 to prohibit discussions of sexual matters with students and to keep teachers from wearing badges showing support for LGBTQ+ students updated their complaint this month to claim the district coerced a female student to identify as male.

In the amended complaint filed in federal court in Columbus, a parent who filed the initial suit said teachers convinced a biologically female student, who was in the eighth and ninth grade, to identify as a male and use male pronouns.

"The teachers convinced (the student) she was a boy in a girl's body and pressured the child to adopt a new name and identify as the opposite sex," the lawsuit says.

The Hilliard City Schools Central Office. A group of parents have filed an amended lawsuit against the district, accusing it of coercing a female student to identify as male.

The parent said teachers used the student's female name and pronouns in front of the student's parents and the parents were not informed of the district's belief the student had gender dysphoria until a postcard using the male name and pronouns was sent to the student's home.

The parent said in the lawsuit that after learning of their child's status, their condition spiraled out of control and led to a suicide attempt at the school, the lawsuit says. The suit claims the district's actions drove the student to take the self-harming actions.

The amended complaint does not identify which school the student attended or when the suicide attempt occurred. The district said in a response filed Monday that the claim made by the parents is outside the statute of limitations.

This is the second time since the lawsuit was initially filed that the group of parents filed an amended complaint. With the initial lawsuit and the first amended complaint, the school district had filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit due to a lack of a valid legal claim. The amended complaints have been filed before a ruling on those motions, forcing them to be refiled by the district.

Superintendent David Stewart previously denounced the lawsuit, saying it was filled with "misstatements of fact and mischaracterizations. In a response to the most recent amended complaint, the district reiterated its request to have the lawsuit dismissed.

Board President Beth Murdoch said during a packed board meeting in February of 2023 that the entire school board stood behind Stewart's statement. Several board members spoke out in defense of the district saying the lawsuit attempted to skew public perception of how the district supports its LGBTQ+ students.

"The misinformation and mischaracterizations they are spreading are not only misleading, but harmful," board member Kara Crowley said at the time of the plaintiffs who filed the suit. "Our schools are wonderful. Our teachers are incredible  and I stand with all of our students without exception."

bbruner@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Parents accuse Hilliard schools for forcing girl to identify as boy
This article was originally published in Utah News Dispatch.

The mother of Alyssa Alhadeff, a student who was killed in her English class during the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, stood before a room full of lawmakers and state officials on Wednesday.

Lori Alhadeff held a portrait of her daughter in her arms as she applauded Utah for becoming the sixth state to pass Alyssas Law, legislation mandating silent panic alarms in classrooms that are directly linked to law enforcement.

We are taking momentous steps forward in safeguarding our childrens well-being, Alhadeff said, adding the bill represents our collective commitment to providing a secure learning environment for every child in Utah.

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Anti-school shooting bill

The 2024 Utah Legislature last month passed HB84, and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed it into law on March 12. The sweeping school safety and security bill includes not only Alyssas Law, but also creates a set of uniform, minimum safety standards all Utah schools must adhere to. It designates armed school employees as guardians, requires threat reporting if employees are aware of a particular safety concern, and links the states SafeUT Crisis Line to Utahs intelligence database.

To enact HB84, the Utah Legislature approved $100 million one-time money and $2.1 million in ongoing funding.

To highlight HB84  along with seven other bills packaged together as legislation that will benefit Utahs future generations  Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson ceremoniously signed the bills on Wednesday at the University of Utahs Bennion Center.

HB84s sponsor, Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden, said his bill is meant to address a reality in the U.S. that isnt going away for us. School shootings, he said, are not a tragedy that we can pretend isnt happening.

He thanked the parents of the Parkland, Florida shooting victims for helping craft Utahs legislation and ensuring when our kids go to school, all theyre worried about is learning rather than catastrophic violence.

That isnt something that they should have to worry about. But it is something that we do, Wilcox said. It is a responsibility of parents, the schools, of the adults who can do a lot more to prepare and make sure that they dont have to worry about it.

Henderson stood in for Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who originally was expected to attend the signing but was unable to due to a family emergency. His wife, first lady Abby Cox, underwent spinal surgery on Wednesday to remove degenerative discs in her neck after weeks of debilitating pain, according to the governors office.

Henderson applauded HB84 and other bills aimed at improving opportunities for Utahs youth and parents.

We are a family friendly state, Henderson said. We care about our children, our educators, our education system. We care about the future. And this is an opportunity that we put our money where our mouth is.

Related

For Many Teachers, Gun Lockdowns and School Shooting Fears Are Now Inescapable

Legislation to benefit future generations

The full list of bills Henderson ceremoniously signed included:

SB205 provides $1.5 million to provide instruction on child sexual abuse and human trafficking. It was supported by the nonprofit The Policy Project, which hopes it will help reduce sexual abuse.

HB75 allows a state employee to use parental leave for a variety of reasons, including time for a child or an incapacitated adult with whom the employee is assuming a parental role, including foster care. It also allows a state employee to use postpartum recovery leave to recover from a childbirth that occurs at 20 weeks or greater and provides flexibility so they dont have to use the leave in a single continuous period of time.

HB105 uses $8.4 million in one-time state money to increase the amount of funding available to teachers for classroom supplies. It provides $500 to go to elementary school classroom teachers and $250 to go to middle and high school teachers specifically for classroom supplies.

HB192 mandates school districts to develop paid leave policies for parental and postpartum recovery. It requires a minimum of three weeks off for someone adopting, becoming a foster parent, a grandparent taking custody, or a spouse of someone giving birth, as well as requiring six weeks of paid postpartum leave for Utahns who give birth.

HB221 uses $8.4 million to give stipends of $6,000 to support educators while theyre full-time student teachers.

HB272 raises legal standards in child custody cases with the intention of protecting kids from abusive parents. It was named Oms Law after Leah Moses 16-year-old son, Om Moses Gandhi, who was murdered by Moses ex-husband.

HB84 uses over $100 million in one-time money and $2.1 million in ongoing funding to increase safety and security in schools. SB206 uses $3.3 million to create a pilot project called the One Utah Service Fellowship Program, which provides stipends and scholarships to young adults who participate in a year of community service, according to the University of Utah. Participants would receive an hourly stipend and a $7,400 scholarship in exchange for 1,700 hours of service with an approved partner organization.

Utah News Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Utah News Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor McKenzie Romero for questions: info@utahnewsdispatch.com. Follow Utah News Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Several Wichitans are searching for a place to live after their apartment went up in flames Monday morning. Investigators said it was started by a cigarette.

Park Meadows apartment fire damage on April 15, 2024 (KSN Photo)

Park Meadows apartment fire damage on April 15, 2024 (KSN Photo)

Park Meadows apartment fire damage on April 15, 2024 (KSN Photo)

Park Meadows apartment fire damage on April 15, 2024 (KSN Photo)

Park Meadows apartment fire damage on April 15, 2024 (KSN Photo)

Jennifer Vu said her boyfriend woke up to get water when he realized they were in trouble.

The window outside was completely orange. He opened the door, he saw all the flames, he shut it, he like pulled me out of bed, said Vu.

She said it was a scramble to get out alive.

There were people that had to jump out of windows with their kids, and that was really scary. I was in shock, I literally couldnt even run, I was tumbling down the stairs, said Vu.

Mobile home total loss after fire west of Wichita

Eleven people were hurt, and five of them were rushed to the hospital. A neighbor said when she saw what was happening, she called 911 right away.

It was very fearful, and if it was fearful for me from across there, I know that they were extremely scared, said Shawn Bryant.

Hours after the call, Bryant, reunited with a neighbor, thankful she was okay.

Looking at the damage, I honestly didnt think they were coming out, but to see that they did it, its a blessing to me, said Bryant.

Another neighbor is trying to help people affected get back on their feet. She said she knows the damage a fire can do first hand.

Your memories are burnt out, including all of your belongings. Youre just praying that someone out there listening can help, said Jereferol McGrew.

The American Red Cross is assisting in giving out supplies as well as looking to rehome victims.

Many residents said theyre grateful to be alive.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
PECOS, N.M. (KRQE)  Earth Day is a chance to celebrate and help the planet. Communities around New Mexico are hosting events, and Pecos Canyon State Park is inviting residents to help clean the Pecos River and nearby roadway.

The event is set for Saturday, April 20 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Participants should meet at Our Lady of Guadalupe Abbey (16 Guadalupe Ln., Pecos, NM 87552).

Earth Day festival coming to Albuquerque on April 21

Participants can sign up at this link. The event is supported by the Upper Pecos Watershed Association, Pecos Business Association, and the Santa Fe National Forest.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Pedestrian hit, thrown into oncoming lanes of I-70 in KC hit-and-run crash

Police arrested a driver near Kansas City International Airport after a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian along Interstate 70 on Kansas Citys East Side, a police spokesperson said.

The pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment, said Officer Alayna Gonzalez with the Kansas City Police Department.

The crash occurred about 8:15 p.m. Monday on I-70 near Sterling Avenue in Kansas City.

According to the preliminary investigation, the pedestrian was on the westbound lanes of I-70 when a driver in a vehicle struck him. The force of the crash threw the pedestrian into the eastbound lanes of I-70.

The driver failed to stop and continued west on I-70. Gonzalez said police located a vehicle of interest near Interstate 29 and Northwest Cookingham Drive, which is near KCI. Police arrested the driver.
HONG KONG, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong recorded over 11.23 million visitor arrivals in the first quarter this year, a 1.5-fold increase year-on-year and a 5-percent quarter-on-quarter hike, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced on Tuesday, citing preliminary statistics.

The figure reflects that the number of tourists registered a steady growth, the HKTB said.

There were some 3.4 million tourist arrivals in March, up 40 percent from the previous year. Among them, more than 2.46 million were from the Chinese mainland, a year-on-year increase of 25.4 percent. Non-mainland visits exceeded 930,000, up 92.1 percent year-on-year, it added.

The Tourism Board also announced that starting from May, it will regularly launch fireworks displays or drone performances at sea in conjunction with festivals or big events. The first drone performance will decorate the night sky over the Victoria Harbour on May 11, wooing more visitors. 
Rishi Sunak met Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, at No 10 Downing Street this month - TOLGA AKMEN/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

Peers have blocked Rishi Sunaks flagship Rwanda deportation scheme for a third time, piling pressure on ministers to offer a concession.

The House of Lords backed four amendments to the Safety of Rwanda Bill on Tuesday to send it back to the Commons and further delay efforts by the Prime Minister to begin flights to the east African country this spring.

Ministers will now have to decide whether to offer any concessions, particularly on a demand by peers for Afghans who worked with the UK military or Government overseas to be exempted from removal to Rwanda.

The amendment enacting the Afghan exemption and put forward by Lord Browne, the former Labour defence secretary, secured the biggest majority  of 57  as peers backed it by 275 votes to 218.

A plane was ready to take asylum seekers to Rwanda in June 2022 from Boscombe Down air base in Wiltshire but was halted by an Appeal Court decision - FINNBARR WEBSTER/GETTY IMAGES

Three former chiefs of the defence staff as well as a former chief of the general staff and a former chief of the naval staff, warned the Prime Minister that failure to exempt the Afghans would be a dereliction of our moral duty.

In a letter to The Telegraph, the group of 13 senior military figures warned that any brave men and women who have fought alongside our Armed Forces or served the UK Government overseas must be exempt from removal to Rwanda.

The Lords voted as it emerged on Tuesday that AirTanker, an aviation company that provides a fleet of 14 airbuses to the RAF to fuel and transport the military, is being lined up to transport migrants to Rwanda, potentially plugging a major gap in the Governments plans.

The Bill, and its allied new treaty with Rwanda, aims to answer the criticisms by the Supreme Court that the African state is unsafe for migrants deported from the UK.

Demand for independent monitoring

Measures have been introduced by Rwanda to prevent asylum seekers being sent back to face persecution in their home states, the courts biggest concern.

However, peers are demanding that Rwanda should not be treated as a safe country until an independent monitoring body has verified protections in the treaty are fully implemented and remain in place.

This was backed by 266 votes to 227, a majority of 39.

The amendment, by Lord Hope, a former head of the Scottish judiciary, has significant support within the Lords, particularly among senior crossbenchers who have been critical to inflicting defeats on the Government.

Two other amendments requiring the Bill to have due regard to international and domestic law and to restore the jurisdiction of UK courts garnered small majorities of 25 and 17, respectively.

Migrants picked up from a small boat in the Channel are helped ashore at Dungeness - BEN STANSALL/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Lord Stewart, for the Government, warned that the amendments undermine the fundamental purpose of the Bill  to deter migrants from crossing the Channel and stop the boats.

That deterrent will only work when there is an end to the spurious legal challenges that seek to do nothing more than frustrate their removal and prevent us from having control of who can stay in the UK, he said.

Ministers have so far resisted offering any concessions apart from a minor proposal for an annual report on the impact of the Bill on victims of modern slavery and trafficking.

However, Labour sources warned that the Lords could block the Bills progress again on Wednesday if there were no concessions.

MPs are expected to vote down the amendments before the Bill returns to the Lords.

One source said: If the Government digs in then, given the fact that some of these majorities are holding up, there will be an appetite to bring forward a narrower amendment.

Stephen Kinnock, the shadow immigration minister, said: It beggars belief that the Prime Minister could send Afghans who served alongside British troops to Rwanda.

Today the Lords have voted yet again to try to stop this from happening. Tonight, Luke Pollard [the shadow armed forces minister] and I have written to ministers urging them to do the right thing.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: The Prime Ministers message to parliamentarians across both houses hasnt changed. We need to act to save lives and thats what this Bill will help us to do.

Meanwhile, a senior Tory MP has warned migrants from a cohort of 40,000 stuck in limbo may have to be granted amnesty rather than sent to Rwanda.

Tim Loughton, a former minister, and a member of the Commons home affairs committee, said the backlog of 40,000 migrants who had entered the UK illegally since the Illegal Migration Act gained royal assent was too big for them all to be sent to Rwanda.

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Pensacola man accused of firing shots into car at convenience store

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG)  A local man is accused of firing shots into a car at a Pensacola convenience store, according to the Escambia County Sheriffs Office.

Rarely-seen species of concern captured on West Virginia trail cam

ECSO deputies on Saturday reportedly responded to Rockys Food Mart on West Detroit Boulevard for a shots-fired disturbance.

INCIDENT LOCATION:

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Upon arrival, deputies were told that a gold Ford Taurus had followed a black Honda Civic into the Rockys Food Mart parking lot, an ECSO Facebook post said. After an exchange of words, the driver of the Honda walked away from the driver of the Ford and into Rockys Food Mart.

At that time, the suspect retrieved a firearm and shot into the unoccupied Honda. He then fled the scene.

Thomas Wiessner, 22, is seen handcuffed in an Escambia County Sheriffs Office patrol vehicle in Pensacola, Florida. (Source: Escambia County Sheriffs Office)

Mobile Catholic priest arrested, archdiocese confirms

Investigators identified 22-year-old Thomas Wiessner as the suspect. He gave authorities a Pensacola address, according to the Escambia County jail log.

Wiessner was located shortly after and arrested for felony criminal mischief, discharging a firearm in public, and possession of a firearm while committing a felony, the post said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
By Idrees Ali and Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held calls on Monday with counterparts in the Middle East and Europe, expressing support for Israel after attacks from Iran but also stressing regional stability to prevent conflict from spreading, the Pentagon said.

Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles on Saturday in a retaliatory strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. Most of the drones and missiles were downed before reaching Israeli territory.

The U.S. was not informed by Iran in advance about its attack on Israel and Washington did not seek a conflict with Tehran, the Pentagon said.

Israel faced pressure from allies to show restraint and avoid an escalation of regional conflict as it considered how to respond to Iran's barrage. Israel's military chief of staff said the country would respond to the Iranian attack.

Austin held separate calls on Monday with Bahrain's crown prince and prime minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa as well as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah. In those calls, he condemned Iran's attacks and said Washington did not seek an escalation of the conflict, according to the Pentagon.

Austin told his counterparts that "while the United States does not seek escalation, we will continue to defend Israel and U.S. personnel," the Pentagon said. In the call with Gallant, according to the Pentagon, he expressed support for Israel's defense and "reaffirmed the strategic goal of regional stability."

"Whether or not Israel decides to retaliate against Iran is something for Israel to decide," a Pentagon spokesperson told reporters earlier on Monday.

The Israel-Iran tensions have heightened concerns that violence rooted in the Gaza war is spreading further in the region. Since the start of the war in Gaza on Oct. 7, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Leslie Adler and Lincoln Feast.)
FILE - Poll workers sort out ballots at the Kenosha Municipal building on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. A lawsuit in Wisconsin argues that voters with disabilities should be able to cast their ballots electronically and that failing to provide that option for the upcoming Tuesday, Aug. 13, primary and November 2024 presidential election is discriminatory and unconstitutional. The lawsuit filed Tuesday, April 16, seeks to require that electronic absentee voting be an option for people with disabilities in Wisconsin, just as it is for military and overseas voters. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File)

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin voters with disabilities should be able to cast their ballots electronically and failure to provide that option for the upcoming Aug. 13 primary and November presidential election is discriminatory and unconstitutional, a lawsuit filed Tuesday in the battleground state alleges.

The lawsuit seeks to require that electronic absentee voting be an option for people with disabilities, just as it is for military and overseas voters. Under current Wisconsin law, people with disabilities are treated unequally and face real and considerable hurdles to participating in absentee voting," the lawsuit argues.

Absentee ballots, including who can return them and where, have been a political flashpoint in swing state Wisconsin, where four of the past six presidential elections have been decided by less than a percentage point. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments next month in a case seeking to overturn a previous ruling banning absentee ballot drop boxes.

A federal court sided with disability rights activists in 2022 and said the Voting Rights Act applies to Wisconsin voters who require assistance with mailing or delivering their absentee ballot because of a disability. The ruling overturned a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that said only the voter can return their ballot in person or place it in the mail.

The new case was filed against the Wisconsin Elections Commission in Dane County Circuit Court by four voters, Disability Rights Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters. Riley Vetterkind, a spokesperson for the elections commission, declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Voters with disabilities must have the ability to vote electronically in order for Wisconsin to comply with a variety of state and federal laws related to accommodation and equal-access, the lawsuit argues. Electronic voting will also ensure that people with disabilities are treated the same as other voters, the lawsuit contends.

The lawsuit states that because absentee voting for most in Wisconsin is by paper ballot, many people with disabilities are unable to cast their votes without assistance. They could vote in private if electronic voting were an option, the lawsuit argues.

This unconstitutional defect in Wisconsins absentee ballot system is well-known yet remains unaddressed, the lawsuit alleges.

The individuals who brought the lawsuit are Donald Natzke, of Shorewood, and Michael Christopher, of Madison, both of whom are blind; Stacy Ellingen, of Oshkosh, who has cerebral palsy; and Tyler Engel, of Madison, who has spinal muscular atrophy. All four of them are unable to vote absentee privately and independently, the lawsuit argues.

The lawsuit alleges that not providing electronic absentee voting for people with disabilities violates the state and federal constitutions, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the federal Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits all organizations that receive federal financial assistance from discriminating on the basis of disability.

People with disabilities make up about one-fourth of the U.S. adult population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They have been ensnared in battles over access to the polls as many Republican-led states have passed restrictive voting laws in recent years, including over limits on what assistance a voter can receive and whether someone else can return a voters mailed ballot.
The House of Commons will shortly debate the Second Reading of one of the more bizarre measures ever put before the legislature. MPs are to have a free vote on whether to reduce smoking through a progressive increase in the legal age for purchasing tobacco, with the aim of eradicating the habit within a generation.

The idea was floated by Rishi Sunak in his party conference speech last year and seeks to emulate a similar plan proposed by Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand. However, when her Labour party lost power, the legislation was repealed by the incoming centre-Right National government.

Nonetheless, here it is a Conservative administration that is pursuing this cause. The legal age at which people can buy tobacco will rise annually from the age of 18. Disposable vapes will also be banned outright, while reusable ones will be limited to four flavours. Anyone currently aged 15 or younger will be prohibited from ever being able to buy cigarettes.

This is a very non-Conservative, anti-freedom move that Mr Sunak said was justified by the health benefits. The problem with that argument is that there are other health-threatening items whose sale could also be banned, such as junk foods, fizzy drinks and alcohol.

There will be perverse consequences. After a while, it will be legal for one adult in a household to buy tobacco but not another, the antithesis of equality under the law.

Mr Sunak seemingly sees this measure as part of his legacy. But rather than removing the state from peoples lives, it marks yet another extension of its writ. Labour, of course, is all for it, which should give Conservatives pause for thought.

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GARFIELD COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  As officials continue monitoring the massive crack at the Panguitch Lake Dam, PETA offered to fix the issue  for an ad placement encouraging residents to go vegan.

PETA sent a letter Monday to Allen Hernie, president of the West Panguitch Irrigation and Reservoir Company, offering to contribute to the considerable costs of fixing the crack  if the company agrees to place a PETA advertisement on the dam.

NHL executive committee approves Arizona Coyotes move to Utah

ABC4.com reached out to the West Panguitch Irrigation and Reservoir Company for comment, but has yet to hear back.

PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said the animal rights organization is eager to shore up the dam and the health of Panguitch residents with this win-win offer, as, according to Newkirk, going vegan can lower risks of cancer, heart disease, and other deadly illnesses.

In the letter to Henrie, Newkirk said PETA has more than 9 million members and supporters globally, including thousands in Utah.

Well contribute to the cost of repairing the Panguitch Lake Dam if youll allow us to place an eye-catching public interest message on it reading, Give a dam about your health. Go vegan, Newark offered in the letter.

The letter states that every person who goes vegan after seeing our ad would prevent nearly 200 animals a year from suffering on factory farms.

I hope youll agree that our offer holds water, the letter states. Wed be happy to provide delicious vegan snacks for everyone to enjoy at the ads unveiling.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released information about its final rule setting drinking water standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on April 10. The EPA rule finalized the Microliters of 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) for both perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment grant program gave the City of Grand Junction funding to test its local water for the past two years. They reported no findings of those chemicals.

Ute Water and Clifton Water Systems also reported negligible levels of PFAS as did most western Colorado counties with two exceptions. Garfield and La Plata County PFAS levels were low on Colorado Public Health and Environment maps except around the towns of Silt, Rifle and Parachute where a higher potential for PFAS contamination in the groundwater was noted.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Philippines' Marcos says 'not one person died' as police make huge drug bust, in dig at predecessor

In this handout photo provided by the Batangas Public Information Office, Philippine President. Ferdinand Jr., third from left, talks to reporters as he visits Alitagtag town in Batangas province, Philippines on Tuesday April 16, 2024. Marcos Jr said Tuesday police seized the largest haul of methamphetamine in the country in years without anybody killed, in a subtle criticism of his predecessor's notoriously deadly crackdown on illegal drugs. (Batangas Public Information Office via AP)

MANILA, Philippines (AP)  Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Tuesday police seized the largest haul of methamphetamine in the country in years without anybody being killed, in a subtle criticism of his predecessors notoriously deadly crackdown on illegal drugs.

Police seized nearly 1,630 kilograms (1.8 tons) of methamphetamine Monday from a van and arrested its driver at a checkpoint in Alitagtag town in Batangas province south of Manila. Intelligence operations were underway to arrest other suspects, officials said without elaborating.

Locally known as shabu, the powerful stimulant had a street value of more than 13 billion pesos ($228 million), officials said.

"This is the biggest shipment of shabu that weve seized, but not one person died. No shots were fired and nobody was injured because we operated slowly, Marcos told reporters in Alitagtag, where he presented the boxloads of seized drugs to the press.

"This should be the approach in the drug war for me and the most important objective is to stop the smuggling of illegal drugs into the Philippines, Marcos said, adding that the newly seized drugs came from outside the country.

Marcos, who took office in mid-2022, has vowed to continue the crackdown on illegal drugs launched by his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, but said it would be done differently and focus more on rehabilitating drug addicts.

Under Duterte, more than 6,000 mostly poor suspected drug dealers were killed in reported clashes with law enforcers. The widespread killings alarmed Western governments, including the United States, and sparked an ongoing International Criminal Court investigation as a possible crime against humanity.

Police say there have been considerably fewer killings of drug suspects under Marcos, but human rights groups have expressed alarm over the continued killings and asked Marcos to cooperate with the ICC in investigating the killings that took place when Duterte was president and a longtime mayor of southern Davao city.

As president, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICCs founding treaty in 2019 after the court launched a preliminary examination into thousands of killings under his anti-drugs crackdown.

Critics said then that Dutertes move was an attempt to evade accountability. The ICC prosecutor, however, said the court still has jurisdiction over alleged crimes while the Philippines was still a member of the ICC, a court of last resort for crimes that countries are unwilling or unable to prosecute themselves.

Marcos told Manila-based foreign correspondents on Monday that his relationship with Duterte is complicated. The brash-speaking Duterte has openly accused Marcos of being a weak leader and of using cocaine in the past, an allegation that the current president has repeatedly denied.

Marcoss vice president is Dutertes daughter, Sara, and they were elected in 2022 with landslide victories.

Marcos renewed his stance that he would not bring the Philippines back to the ICC. When asked if he would hand over Duterte if the ICC decides to issue a warrant for his arrest in the future, Marcos said he would not.
In the latest random violence spree, a woman in Philadelphia is accused of stabbing three people, including a 1-year-old boy who was sitting in his stroller.



Philadelphia police said 29-year-old Takeira Hester took to the streets of the city this past weekend armed with a kitchen knife. First, she stabbed a 24-year-old woman in the chest Saturday morning. After fleeing that scene, she approached two twin boys sitting in their double stroller in Center City. Police said Hester stabbed one of the boys, once in each arm before being chased down by the toddlers father.

Police said Hester left a black backpack on the ground which led police to identify her as their suspect. She was taken into custody Saturday afternoon.

Read more from NBC News:

The case alleges three assaults, he said, declining to elaborate. It looked like this female just rushed up to them, nothing was said, completely random, tried to stab both children but got one child in each arm, Police Capt. Frank Banford said at a news conference. Contents of the bag led police to the woman they initially identified as a person of interest, Banford said. It also contained a coat police believe the attacker wore in the first stabbing Saturday, he said.

Luckily, the baby was stabilized at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, according to police. Investigators are still trying to discover the potential motive for the stabbings, but police said they appeared to be at random. However, Hesters record suggests she had a violent behavior pattern prior to this.

The report says Hester had an active warrant for an aggravated assault charge from New York at the time of her arrest. Shes now facing charges in Pennsylvania for attempted murder and aggravated assault.

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WASHINGTON, April 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a plan Monday evening to advance U.S. foreign aid in his chamber by proposing four separate bills, among which two would address the aid for Israel and Ukraine, respectively.

According to the plan, which Johnson announced after huddling with the House GOP conference in a closed-door meeting, four individual bills will be presented on the House floor and voted separately as soon as this week.

One bill will provide funding for Israel, another will fund Ukraine's conflict with Russia, a third will support U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, and an unspecified fourth bill aims to "counter our adversaries and strengthen our national security," Johnson said in a post on X.

The announcement marked the first concrete indication that the House speaker would try to find a path forward after resisting for months a Senate-passed 95-billion-U.S.-dollar bill. This bill approved a sweeping supplemental budget request from President Joe Biden's administration, combining aid for Israel, Ukraine, and other allies.

"We won't be voting on the Senate supplemental in its current form, but we will vote on each of these measures separately in four different pieces," Johnson told reporters as he emerged from the meeting, adding that an amendment process will be allowed for the bills.

As far as timing is concerned, the Louisiana Republican said he expected the text of the bills to be finalized as soon as Tuesday. If that is the case, the floor vote could happen Friday at the earliest, Johnson said.

What was notably missed out in the four measures, though, was a policy overhaul to address what Republicans considered a crisis on the U.S. southern border. Resolving the broken immigration system was Johnson's main reason for delaying a vote on the Senate-approved bill.

Such a move is nothing short of a gamble for Johnson, not only because it would be nearly impossible for the four bills to pass with a simple majority, given the historically slim majority Republicans now hold in the chamber, but also because it could potentially result in the speaker being ousted by a vote called for by GOP congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. She threatened to deprive Johnson of his speakership should he allow any more money for Ukraine.

Greene said on Monday that she had not decided on when to trigger the process to vacate the speaker's seat. Nonetheless, she called Johnson's plan a "scam" and "another wrong direction."

"He's definitely not going to be speaker next Congress," Greene said, adding it was "to be determined" if he would even finish out this term.

Earlier in the day, the White House announced its opposition to a stand-alone bill from Republicans that provides aid only to Israel, doubling down on pressure for Johnson to pass the supplemental as it is.

"We are opposed to a stand-alone bill that would just work on Israel, as we've seen proposed. We would oppose a stand-alone bill, yes," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters at the White House's first briefing after Israel became the target of a large-scale retaliatory attack by Iran over the weekend.

"Time is not on anyone's side here in either case," Kirby said of Israel and Ukraine. "So (House Republicans) need to move quickly on this. And the best way to get that aid into the hands of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and into the hands of the Ukrainian soldiers is to pass that bipartisan bill that the Senate passed."

Johnson told reporters that he and his GOP colleagues discussed at the end of the meeting whether to merge the four bills into a single package and send it to the Senate. While the decision is yet to be made, the speaker said his "personal preference is to do it individually." 
A neighborhood and a nearby elementary school were evacuated Monday morning after a vehicle crashed into a gas main in Phoenix.

Phoenix Fire Department issued an evacuation for a half-mile radius around the situation near 27th and Northern avenues. Washington Elementary School, located within blocks of the reported incident, was evacuated out of an "abundance of caution," Phoenix Fire Capt. Shaun DuBois said.

The school was evacuated to nearby Palo Verde Middle School where families could pick up their children, Washington Elementary administrators said in a statement Monday.

"Those kids are safe and everyone is being taken care of," DuBois said.

Phoenix and Glendale hazardous materials specialists evacuated buildings, laid hose lines and donned protective equipment, fire officials said at the scene. The gas main was on the northwest corner of the intersection, according to fire officials.

"This is a high-pressure gas line. So it does require some diligence, some time, some effort to safely shut this off," DuBois said.

Firefighters and road crews block Northern Avenue just off Interstate 17 in Phoenix on April 15, 2024, after a car crashed into a gas main, causing an evacuation of the nearby area.

There were no injuries to report as a result of the gas main leak, DuBois said. As a result of the vehicle collision, two patients were taken to the hospital in stable condition. Further details were not immediately available.

"The leak from the ruptured gain main has been secured at this time," Phoenix fire officials posted around 1:45 p.m. on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The road closure will continue to remain in place as crews will be working in the area indefinitely."

At around 2:45 p.m., authorities reopened west and eastbound Northern Avenue, but 27th Avenue remained closed in the area immediately north of Northern.

Crews were likely to be working into the evening as heavy machinery such as a backhoe and industrial vacuum truck were at the scene still surrounded by dozens of police and firefighters.

The scene of a three vehicle crash that caused a gas main to leak at the intersection of 27th and Northern Avenues on Monday.

Hazardous materials teams from Phoenix and Glendale have metered buildings in the surrounding area and have not found any detectable levels of gas, Phoenix Fire also posted on X.

Pam Kistner's house is only blocks away from where a vehicle hit the gas line. "When this happened there wasn't any sirens, it was just a matter of authorities coming in and taping everything off and they rerouted all the traffic, and anyone outside they told to go inside," said Kistner.

"There was an accident like maybe three vehicles, and there was a pickup truck right where the gas line was and first I heard the noise of the impact and then a really loud forceful rushing noise for more than an hour, I was worried because there weren't any helicopters or nothing."

"I just started closing all my windows and doors and hoping for the best and now it's really, really quiet," said Kistner.

Sonya Burciaga lived in the area near the evacuation and had her commute drastically extended due to the road closures.

"It's impacted me having to walk a longer distance, way more of a pain," said Burciaga.

Glendale hit-and-run: Suspect in hit-and-run that left a teen hospitalized turns himself in

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Fire Department evacuates neighborhood, school for gas leak
New Hampshires nearly 1,340 physician assistants, the provider many patients see during a medical appointment, would no longer have to have a signed collaborative agreement with a physician for their entire career under a bill that is headed to the state Senate over the objections of the New Hampshire Medical Society.

The bills sponsors said House Bill 1222, which has passed the House, is a health care workforce bill brought in response to two primary complaints from physician assistants: Some said they are being charged $1,000 a month for a document they argue does not change how they practice. Others testified theyve lost jobs when new physicians arrive at their practice and refuse to sign agreements.

Some physicians assistants said they are being charged $1,000 a month for a document they argue does not change how they practice. Others testified theyve lost jobs when new physicians arrive at their practice and refuse to sign agreements.

It will make it possible for there to be more physician assistants in New Hampshire because they wont be driven away due to a bureaucratic requirement which provides no clinical value, said Rep. Jess Edwards, an Auburn Republican, who co-sponsored the bill.

Some physicians and the New Hampshire Medical Society have said dropping the collaborative agreement would endanger patients. Dr. Maria Boylan, president of the society, said its physicians respect the role physician assistants play but are also mindful that their training prepares them to practice collaboratively with a physician, not independently.

We do not allow medical students to practice medicine right out of medical school, instead they have to train in a residency program for three to five years under strict supervision of attending physicians and then have to take a board exam in their respected specialty, said Boylan in an email. This proposed legislation sets a much lower, unsafe bar for the independent practice of PAs than is set for physicians.

Edwards had hoped to eliminate the collaborative agreement. In a compromise with the bills opponents, he and co-sponsor Rep. David Rochefort, a Littleton Republican, agreed to require collaborative agreements in limited circumstances. It would apply only to physician assistants with fewer than 8,000 hours of clinical practice whose office or health care system does not include at least one physician doing similar work.

Edwards said physician assistants would still be required to consult with their practices health care teams whether or not there is a collaborative agreement. They would also remain under the authority of the state Board of Medicine, which investigates complaints, he said.

The compromise doesnt resolve the New Hampshire Medical Societys concerns, Boylan said.

The collaborative agreement language in statute today delineates clear guardrails and responsibilities of both physicians and PAs when collaborating and determining the scope of practice of a PA, Boylan said. The  amended version strips away those vital guardrails, creating unnecessary and dangerous holes in our state law.

Boylan said physician assistants scope of practice is defined by their relationships to their collaborating physicians, and their expertise and training grows while working and gaining experience under the guidance of a physician. She said nothing in HB 1222 would set limits on a physician assistants scope of practice in place of the collaborative agreement.

In persuading the House to pass the bill, Edwards and Rochefort argued that nurse practitioners, who similarly provide care to patients, can practice without a written agreement, yet both must have a masters degree and complete clinical hours under supervision.

We have an opportunity to fix and rectify this incongruence (between nurse practitioners and physician assistants) and accord our mid-level providers the respect they deserve as the professionals that they are, Rochefort told House members before they passed the bill last month on a voice vote.

Some of have disputed the similarity in training programs for physician assistants and nurse practitioners, saying while both must have advanced degrees, both are not trained to practice independently.

Nearly 50 people submitted testimony to House members ahead of the vote, all but 16 of them in support of the bill.

Sarah Leslie, of Deerfield, a physician assistant for 14 years, said she has never met or worked with the physician who signed her collaborative agreement.

Its a farce to say that removing the legal tether (of a collaborative agreement) is unsafe for patients, Leslie wrote. No one in medicine practices independently. We all rely on other providers, other specialties, other health care members to provide the care that we do.  To say that removing the legal tether somehow means that PAs would behave differently and wouldnt reach out with their questions or concerns is outrageous.

Dr. Gregory Kaupp disagreed in his written testimony.

Physician assistants have very limited medical training compared to the rigorous years of training physicians complete, Kaupp wrote. Expanding the scope of practice for PAs is not in the best interest of the people of NH. At a minimum it will dilute the level of care received in NH and at worst it is unsafe and will put patients into potentially dangerous medical situations with under-qualified providers. Patients in NH still deserve and should expect to receive care from a board certified doctor, with physician assistants continuing to play an important supporting role.

This story was originally published by the New Hampshire Bulletin.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Bill seeks to free NH physicians assistants from doctor agreement
Soldiers beards divide opinion as Welsh Guards parade them at the Palace

The Army stressed that beards must be neat and decision was not 'a free-for-all' - X/ WELSH GUARDS

It is a somewhat prickly debate that is continuing to divide opinion.

As the Army finally ended its 100-year-old ban on serving soldiers sporting beards, members of the Welsh Guards appeared on duty at Buckingham Palace proudly displaying an array of neatly trimmed facial hair.

The beards were posted to the Welsh Guards account on X, formerly Twitter, with the caption: The beards have arrived! Like it or lump it, the beards are here!

 The Beards Have Arrived! 



Like it or lump it, the beards are here! Members of Number 2 Company proudly took up their posts on Kings Guard this morning, marching from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace.#WelshGuards #TheBeardsHaveArrived pic.twitter.com/kkPfpKLlQp  Welsh Guards (@Official_1WG) April 15, 2024

The decision was signed off by the King, as commander in chief of the Army, last month.

But royal approval does not equate to public support.

One former soldier was appalled at the very sight of facial hair on parade.

Robert Clark, who served in the Army for 15 years, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, suggested the new look was horrendous.

I spoke to friends in the Grenadier Guards, they couldnt believe it, he said.

You dont have the uniformity of everyone looking the same, which is the whole point of uniform and being regimented and disciplined. Even the drill sergeant was sporting a beard, which turned a lot of heads.

They said it looks horrendous, the lack of uniformity, the lack of a regimented singular look. Its quite shocking to see.

The Welsh Guards posted their beards on social media - WELSH GUARDS/TWITTER

Colonel Richard Kemp, who commanded troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Balkans, and Northern Ireland, agreed that appearance is everything when it comes to the Guards.

In many ways the whole purpose of the guard is to look uniform, to look very similar, to look smart, he said.

I think that with some wearing beards, some not wearing beards, its surprising for many people.

Its almost like next you will be having long hair

Col Kemp warned that the relaxation of the rules might prove a slippery slope.

Its almost like maybe the next day youll be having long hair, he added. I dont think its a great move personally but this is the modern world so I suppose things change. What can you do?

Im sure they are just as effective as fighting men with or without beards.

Among the throngs of tourists outside Buckingham Palace, there was a little more support for the bearded soldiers.

Its perfectly fine and I wouldnt have noticed, Jakob Hauter, 36, from Hamburg, said.

It is probably a bit archaic to have banned them and I think that some of these things can be a bit over the top. But I have nothing against tradition, nothing against nice traditional uniforms or things that the tourists like.

If they want to wear beards, let them wear beards.

All soldiers who want to wear beards must grow them in line with precise regulations - WELSH GUARDS/X

Waqar Haider, 32, a civil engineer from Islamabad, Pakistan, added: I think it is a good thing if they are trimming. A little off here, a little off there.

You have to properly maintain it to be well-dressed. Now they look like Prince Harry.

The Duke of Sussex, who served in the Army for 10 years, would almost certainly be a fan.

His own beard has been the subject of much debate, even proving a bone of contention with his brother, the Prince of Wales.

William was said to have been livid that Harry was allowed to sport a beard on his wedding day, having ordered him to shave it off.

The fraternal argument continued in person, on the phone, for more than a week.

Harry accused his brother of being competitive because Queen Elizabeth II had ordered him to remove a beard he grew during a military assignment in 2008, but allowed Harry to keep his bristles.

In his memoir, Spare, the Duke revealed that he gave his elder brother a quick history lesson with the help of Google  showing images of Royal ancestors who were bearded and uniformed, such as Edward VII and George V.

Late Queen was not a fan of facial hair

Elizabeth II was famously never a fan of facial hair  and apparently ordered her husband to shave the beard he grew during a solo tour around the Commonwealth in 1965.

When Prince Philip returned on the Royal Yacht Britannia, his wife played a prank on him by arranging for everyone in the royal entourage  herself included  to put on fake whiskers just before he walked in.

The bearded soldiers in the Army may have had to wait until the King ascended the throne to get the green light to sport facial hair but the rules are strict.

Beards must be neat and are subject to review. Only a full set beard is allowed, while the length must be between 2.5mm and 25.5mm (one inch) and trimmed off the cheekbones and neck. There must be no patchy or uneven growth and no exaggerated colours, the policy states.

An Army spokesman said: After an extensive review of our policy on personal appearance, the Chief of the General Staff last month directed that officers and soldiers may grow beards as long as they meet the required standards of grooming and appearance.

We appreciate that change is often divisive and that not everyone will be in favour of the revised policy.

However, our consultations showed clearly that the majority of our serving personnel and veterans were in favour of the change. We listened to our people.

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A plane leaving Kansas City was hit by lightning mid-flight. How often does that happen?

Can a plane get hit by lightning while in the air?

Kansas City got the answer firsthand on Tuesday, as an American Airlines plane had to make an emergency landing after reportedly being struck.

American Airlines flight 3661 left Kansas City International Airport at 5:36 a.m. to OHare International Airport in Chicago. The plane was hit by lightning in the air about 50 minutes later, according to an American Airlines spokesperson.

The plane turned around and landed safely at KCI. The plane was able to taxi to the gate under where American Airlines maintenance team was able to inspect it for damage. When it is suspected that a plane was hit by lightning, there is a mandatory inspection for damage.

The airline said the plane had 42 passengers on board when it was struck by lightning, and no injuries were reported.

Its not often a plane is struck by lightning, but how often does it happen?

How often are planes hit by lightning?

The plane that was hit by lightning in Kansas City might be the only one that was struck this year, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service says that commercial airplanes are hit by lightning an average of one or two times a year. Most airplanes are struck by lightning when flying through clouds. Pilots will avoid flying in thunderstorms to prevent being struck by lightning.

Airplanes face an increased risk of being struck when they climb and descent, usually when the plane is between 5,000-15,000 feet, Fox Weather said.

Airplanes act as a lightning rod and often initiate the lightning strike. The bolt will hit one point of the plane, like the nose and travel throughout until it finds the exit, like the wing tip, aerospace company Airbus said in a blog post.

Can planes withstand lightning strikes?

All large aircraft are designed to withstand lighting strikes without suffering significant damage, Airbus said. However, many planes, like small private and experimental aircraft, are not required to be designed for protection from lightning, the weather service said.

The aircraft structure is designed to conduct the electrical current induced by a lightning strike, Airbus said. For composite fuselages or components, integrated conductive metallic foils and metallic strips are used to ensure this.

The last confirmed commercial plane crash in the U.S. directly attributed to lightning occurred in 1967, when lightning caused a catastrophic fuel tank explosion, according to the popular science magazine Scientific American.
The Little Pee Dee Rivers winding path carries it through peaceful, wildlife-filled swamps as it flows between busy Interstate 95 and bustling Myrtle Beach on South Carolinas northern coast.

Its in an area that for years has stayed relatively free of heavy development like that found along the Grand Strand. But a proposed freeway that would link I-95 to Myrtle Beach threatens to disrupt the Little Pee Dee River and pollute the dark, tea-colored water that makes it special, environmentalists say.

American Rivers, a national environmental organization, has named the Little Pee Dee one of the nations 10 most endangered rivers because of plans for Interstate 73, a new highway supported by an array of business and political leaders.

A coalition of environmental groups and Native American leaders say the report points out the threat that they have worried about for years.

The Little Pee Dee River is not just a body of water; its a vital lifeline to our ecosystem, our heritage, and our future, according to a statement from Debra Buffkin, executive director of Winyah Rivers Alliance. As stewards of this precious resource, we must take a stand to ensure its preservation. Development, particularly the proposed construction of I-73, threatens the integrity of this river and the delicate balance of its ecosystem.

Her alliance, as well as the Coastal Conservation League and the Waccamaw Indian people, joined American Rivers in criticizing the road and its threat to the Little Pee Dee.

Interstate 73 has been championed by Myrtle Beach leaders as a way to more easily bring tourists to the Grand Strand, and a key way to evacuate them in the case of a hurricane. Leaders have been pushing for a spur from I-95 since the 1980s.

Through years of efforts by highway boosters, the interstate has obtained most of the permits needed to begin work, including one of the biggest, a wetlands permit in 2017. But the road has not been built because money for the $2 billion project is lacking. At this point, state highway officials are working to obtain rights of way from landowners.

Environmentalists hope that by highlighting what they say is a threat to the Little Pee Dee, state leaders will look for other ways to bring tourists to Myrtle Beach, instead of funding I-73. The freeway would cross the Little Pee Dee and extensive wetlands areas.

One plan, pushed for more than a decade by environmental groups, is to upgrade an existing road system through Marion and Horry counties, rather than build a new freeway through virgin areas. Upgrading and widening the S.C. 38-U.S. 501 corridor near Marion could be done for about $150 million.

There is no need for a new interstate, said Becky Ryon, the north coast office director for the Coastal Conservation League. Improving existing roads would deliver similar economic and transportation benefits at a fraction of the cost of building I-73, without devastating our environment and communities.

State leaders, including U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Seneca Republican, and Gov. Henry McMaster, have championed the need for Interstate 73. Graham has called construction of the interstate one of the most game-changing infrastructure projects in our state.

Interstate 73 would cross through eastern South Carolina. Funding the proposed road remains an issue.

McMaster had supported $300 million for the freeway, calling it a critical project. But his office said he did not propose funding in this years governors budget because backing had cooled in the Myrtle Beach area.

Governor McMaster continues to support the expansion of I-73, but support among county and local leaders has dissipated, spokesman Brandon Charochak said in a statement provided to The State. Until there is stronger support from local officials, he will not recommend funding.

Leaders in Horry County are now looking at a local transportation sales tax plan that would generate $450 million toward the project. The plan could be put to voters in November.

At one point, I-73 was targeted to run from Michigan to the South Carolina coast. It was to include two phases in South Carolina: one above I-95 and one below it. The focus in recent years has been on the section below I-95. That segment would connect with S.C. 22 just west of Myrtle Beach.

A new interstate is expected to chew up hundreds of acres of wetlands, including those along the scenic Little Pee Dee River. The area, home to an array of plants, animals and natural resources, is one of the states most scenic, but is in the path of a road the tourism leaders and politicans say is needed to boost the states economy. Gerry Melendez/gmelendez@thestate.com

We must remain vocal in opposition to funding this interstate and urge Horry County voters to oppose the sales tax, the American Rivers report said., calling the interstate unnecessary.

The Little Pee Dee River begins in eastern North Carolina before crossing into South Carolinas Pee Dee region. The river travels about 118 miles to its confluence with the Great Pee Dee River, which flows to Georgetown south of Myrtle Beach. Parts of the Little Pee Dee have been designated a state scenic river by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.

Research has shown that as many as 400 different types of land and aquatic animals live in the area of the Little Pee Dee. Black Bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, barred owls and red-shouldered hawks are among the species found along the Little Pee Dee, The State has previously reported.

Even though it has been named an endangered river, the Little Pee Dee still enjoys relatively clean water quality.

All told, about 300 acres of wetlands would be degraded or destroyed by the road project, as well as 13 streams, according to the American Rivers report. The report also said flood water generated by a project such as I-73 could soak communities with sewage-tinged runoff and toxic chemicals. Some small communities in the area have been prone to severe flooding in recent years as the earths climate changes.

American Rivers is a national environmental organization that advocates for river protection. The group, which has staff members in the Carolinas, puts out a list of endangered rivers every year to highlight threats to sensitive waterways.

This years report lists the Little Pee Dee as the fifth most endangered in the country. The top four most threatened rivers are in New Mexico, Mississippi, Tennessee and Arizona, according to the report.

Past American Rivers reports have highlighted other South Carolina waterways considered endangered, including the Edisto River, which is threatened by megafarms that take billions of gallons of water, and the Catawba-Wateree river system, which was deemed to have been under siege by growth and drought.

An eastern barn owl looks through some branches in the Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve. The area is home to an array of wildlife including black bears, ducks, bobcats, minks, white-tailed deer, bald eagles and hawks. The proposed Interstate 73 would pass through the area. Gerry Melendez/gmelendez@thestate.com
(Bloomberg) -- Poland plans to join a project to develop a European-wide air defense system to deter potential drone and missile attacks, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Speaking at a news conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Warsaw on Monday, Tusk said Irans recent attack has confirmed that its very important to have a system akin to Israels Iron Dome air defense.

There is no reason for Europe not to develop its own shield against rockets and drones, Tusk said. It doesnt take much imagination to understand that we may be in the danger zone as well.

Tusk said Denmark has backed his plans to join the so-called European Sky Shield Initiative, which currently includes 21 countries. He also urged to speed up preparation for air defense investments, given the fact that the same Iranian drones are used by Russia to attack Ukraine.

Iran and Russia act as allies, Tusk told reporters. The same Iranian drones that attack Ukrainian suburbs have been used to attack Israel.

Russia has been aided in its invasion of Ukraine with military supplies from North Korea and Iran, leaving Kyiv at its most fragile moment in over two years of war.

--With assistance from Sanne Wass.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Montgomery County police said officers arrested two women who were running a sex trafficking and prostitution network at massage parlors in Kensington, Laurel and Anne Arundel County.

The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCDP) said that it first learned about possible prostitution and sex trafficking in a Kensington spa in October of 2023.

Police then launched an investigation into the Elegant Spa in the 10500 block of Metropolitan Ave. During those six months, police saw people  mostly men  entering and leaving Elegant Spa daily.

Police said that people admitted to illicit sexual activity in exchange for U.S. currency that occurred inside the business. MCDP also said that an employee had tried bribing a Health and Human Services inspector to avoid the spa getting shut down.

Virginia remembers those killed at Virginia Tech on 17th anniversary of mass shooting

On March 6, officials arrested and charged 34-year-old Chang Liu, of Columbia, Maryland with multiple counts of sex trafficking and prostitution.

Police also arrested and charged 50-year-old Yinlian Wu of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with attempted bribery of an HHS inspector and multiple counts of prostitution.

Police obtained items, money and a car as evidence.

Liu and Wu were released on bail.

Officials believe there might be more victims and encourage those who used to work at the massage parlors to come forward. You can reach police at 240-773-5958.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Police are searching for four men they say are responsible for trying to rob a man in Hickory Hill.

The incident took place early Sunday morning near a shopping center on Winchester Road. Police say it all started with a parking space and ended with gunshots, luckily no one got hurt.

Surveillance video shows a man waiting for a parking space just before 3:00 a.m. Thats when he spotted a Nissan Sentra about to pull out.

Repeat offender caught with illegal weapon in Frayser

While he waited for the car to leave, four men got out of the Sentra and attempted to rob the man, the police report says.

According to police, the victim told the thieves he didnt have anything, but the suspects pulled a gun with a glock switch and tried to steal the victims watch.

When he tried to take off, the suspects fired shots. The victim was able to get away unharmed, but his car was struck and his his front tire popped.

After the incident, the suspects can be seen driving out of the shopping plaza.

Unfortunately for Hickory Hill residents, crimes like this are not unique.

On New Years Day, three victims were robbed at gunpoint in the same parking lot.

Police looking for man who robbed fast food restaurants

One of the victims was pistol-whipped and had their belongings taken.

A lot of the young people these days, they dont have any job, they dont have any directions, shopper Andre Adjahoe said. Its like [when] we talk about the Kia boys that are stealing Kias and all this type of stuff, its real bad. Its getting real bad out here. Times are not getting any better, but my response is that I wish they would just stop. I really need them to stop because its not good.

Police are still searching for the men responsible for the shooting and ask that if anyone has information, they call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, held phone talks on Monday regarding the regional situation in the Middle East as well as China-Saudi Arabia ties.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China firmly opposes the attack on the Iranian consulate building in Syria's capital, Damascus, which is a serious violation of international law.

China has noticed Iran's emphasis that its counterattack does not target any neighboring country and that it is willing to continuously pursue a good-neighborly policy, Wang added.

The current situation entails a choice between deterioration and a return to normalcy, Wang noted.

Wang said China appreciates Saudi Arabia's emphasis on resolving issues through diplomatic means, adding that China is willing to work together with Saudi Arabia to avoid further escalation of confrontation.

This round of escalation is the latest manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict, Wang noted, adding that the top priority now is to strictly implement UN Security Council Resolution 2728, immediately realize an unconditional and lasting ceasefire, effectively protect civilians, and ensure humanitarian assistance.

The Palestinian people have long been unable to realize their legitimate national rights, which constitutes the most enduring injustice in modern times, and is the root cause of the Palestinian-Israeli issue, as well as the core of the Middle East issue, Wang said.

The issue should be solved by implementing the two-state solution as soon as possible, establishing an independent Palestinian state, restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, and realizing the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel, Wang said.

The international community should take more active actions to support Palestine in becoming a full member of the United Nations, promote the convening of a larger-scale, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference, and develop a timetable and roadmap for the implementation of the two-state solution, Wang said, noting that China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Saudi Arabia and make joint efforts to this end.

Saudi Arabia is an important partner of China in the Middle East, said Wang, adding that China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Saudi Arabia, follow through on the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, continuously deepen political mutual trust, and promote bilateral relations to higher levels.

For his part, Faisal said Saudi Arabia and China hold highly consistent positions on the current situation in the Middle East, noting that both countries stand for resolving differences through dialogue and are committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.

Faisal said that Saudi Arabia, deeply concerned about the current escalating situation in the Middle East, hopes that the situation will return to the normal track as soon as possible.

Noting that Saudi Arabia highly expects China to play an active and important role in this regard, Faisal said the Saudi side is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, start the implementation of the two-state solution, and help achieve stability in the Middle East at an early date.

Saudi Arabia fully trusts China, and is willing to push for the sustainable development of bilateral cooperation, he added. 
Police looking for motorcyclist who reportedly passed stopped school buses in Miami Twp.

Police are asking for the publics help in identifying a motorcyclist in Miami Township.

>>4 injured, 2 critically, after crash in Kettering

The Miami Township Police Department posted dash camera video on social media.

It showed a motorcyclist riding in a neighborhood and then going into a park.

Officers responded to the area of Flowerstone Drive and Verdi Drive on reports of a motorcyclist repeatedly passing stopped school buses as children were being dropped off, the department said. When officers located the vehicle, it refused to stop eventually driving into Miami View Park.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Foley at 937-296-2558 with any information.




The Orlando Police Department is searching for a missing teen who ran away after school on Monday.

Police believe JaNaiah Jackson did not get on the school bus at 3:15 p.m.

She may be in the St. Augustine area, according to Orlando police.

Her mother reported Jacksons disappearance to law enforcement on Monday.

Read: Deputy arrested, sheriff says murdered tow truck driver may be linked to carjacking victims death

Jackson was last seen wearing black sweatpants, a black hoodie, and black and white shoes.

Officials said she has a medical condition that requires her to take medication.

If you have any information, contact the Orlando Police Department at 321-235-5300.

(1/2) On April 15, 2024, Janaiah Jackson's mother reported her missing to the police. It is believed that she ran away instead of getting on a school bus yesterday at approximately 3:15 p.m. She may be in the St. Augustine area. pic.twitter.com/5PHuS99Fxs  Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) April 16, 2024

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

PROVO, Utah (ABC4)  Police are looking for two people who allegedly fled from authorities and crashed their vehicle, landing on top of two cars on the lawn of a Provo home.

Just after midnight on April 7, video captured a vehicle flying through the air, flipping several times and landing on top of two parked cars. Witnesses filmed two people jumping out of the totaled vehicle and running away.

PREVIOUS STORY: Provo witnesses catch an intense crash, suspect escape on video

Two suspects allegedly involved in a police chase fled the scene unharmed after their vehicle flipped several times and landed on top of two cars in Provo. (Courtesy of Lexi Nelson)

Police say the incident occurred after they attempted to stop the vehicle for driver license and moving violations and the driver fled. While they have identified the suspects, they are asking the public for help locating them.

Amairany Axel Alvarado, 29, was allegedly driving the vehicle during the incident. Police say she is approximately 5 feet 2 inches and 125 pounds with long dark brown hair.

Provo police are searching for Amairany Axel Alvarado, 29, after she allegedly fled from police and crashed a vehicle. (Credit: Provo Police Department)

Provo police are searching for Alejandro Andres Demery, 32, as there are several active warrants out for his arrest. (Credit: Provo Police Department)

The police also released the information of the passenger, Alejandro Andres Demery, 32, however, he is not a suspect in this specific case. Police say they released his information because he is a wanted felon who is currently being sought by the U.S. Marshals Service.

The incident left two other vehicles and the porch of a home damaged. While we dont know the condition of the suspects, no one else was injured in the crash.

Alvarado could face several charges including fleeing or eluding officers, criminal mischief, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash and driving on a denied license.

If you have information that could aid in locating Alvarado and Demery, email Lt. Laursen at tlaursen@provo.org or call 801-852-7308.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The Gastonia Police Department released an image on Tuesday in connection to an accidental shooting inside a local Chuck E. Cheese.

Authorities said theyre seeking to identify the man shown on the left side of the photo. They said the man accidentally fired his gun from his pocket inside the Chuck E. Cheese shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday, April 14. No injuries were reported in the shooting.

Detectives want to talk to these two people seen in security footage, Gastonia Police said on Tuesday. Detectives are hoping to clear up the circumstances of how this event happened.

Man accidentally fires gun at Gastonia Chuck E. Cheese, police say

A spokesperson with Chuck E. Cheese released the following statement this week:

We are aware of the incident that occurred on Sunday, April 14 in Gastonia, North Carolina where a guest accidentally discharged a firearm that was in his jacket, as he was leaving the location with his family. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. The store manager on the site acted quickly, followed our proper safety procedures and contained the incident until law enforcement officers arrived. The local police are investigating the matter and any further questions should be addressed to them. At Chuck E. Cheese, the safety and well-being of our guests and their families are our top priority. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming environment in all our locations. This includes enforcing our strict no-firearms policy, which is clearly displayed at all our entries. CHUCK E. CHEESE SPOKESPERSON

Anyone with information is asked to call the Gastonia Police Department at 704-866-6702.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Polish farmers did not allow any Ukrainian lorries to cross on three routes on 15 April

Polish farmers continue to block lorry traffic on three border crossings with Ukraine  at the Yahodyn, Rava-Ruska, and Uhryniv checkpoints. On 15 April, they did not let any lorries pass towards Poland.

Source: Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, in an interview with Ukrinform and Ukrainska Pravda

Details: Demchenko said that protesters did not allow lorries to pass into Ukraine through the Uhryniv checkpoint.

Through Yahodyn checkpoint, protesters allow an extremely small number of lorries to exit Poland daily. Over the past day, there were 70 such lorries, despite it being the largest infrastructure route for crossing the border by freight vehicles, capable of passing approximately 1,400 lorries in both directions.

As of the morning of 16 April, approximately 600 lorries were waiting in queues at these three blocked points on the territory of Poland.

Passenger cars and buses are freely crossing the border in each direction; movement for this transport category is not restricted on the Polish side of the border.

Queues also persist at previously unblocked crossing points Krakovets and Shehyni  900 and 450 lorries, respectively. However, according to the capacity of each checkpoint, there is intensive traffic in both directions on these routes, said Demchenko.

In response to clarifying questions from Ukrainska Pravda, the spokesperson noted that at the Yahodyn and Rava-Ruska checkpoints, Ukrainian lorries have consistently had zero crossings for some time.

Demchenko said that Polish protesters are changing their approach regarding the Uhryniv checkpoint: either they do not allow lorries to pass at all, or they allow only a few lorries to cross the border.

As of 12:00 from the beginning of the day on 16 April, five lorries passed into Ukraine and zero into Poland through the Uhyniv checkpoint.

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Polish farmers have ceased obstructing the Dohobyczow-Uhryniv checkpoint.

Source: Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda

Quote: "On Tuesday at 13:50 Kyiv time, demonstrators in Poland stopped obstructing the passage of lorries through the Dohobyczow-Uhryniv checkpoint, as reported by the Republic of Poland's Border Guard.

Registration and movement of lorries across the border in both directions resumed as normal."

Details: According to Demchenko, 100 lorries are scheduled to depart Ukraine through this checkpoint, while an additional 30 lorries (with a gross weight of up to 7.5 tonnes) are awaiting registration in Poland.

Drivers and hauliers are asked to consider this information while arranging international transportation.

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Polish farmers protesting at the Polish-Ukrainian border have lifted their blockade at the Uhryniv-Dolhobychuv crossing point, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service announced on April 16.

Polish farmers began blocking trucks at several border crossings in February in protest of Ukrainian agricultural imports and the EU's Green Deal.

"According to information received from the Border Guard of the Republic of Poland on April 16 at 1:50 p.m. Kyiv time, the participants of the action on the territory of Poland stopped blocking the movement of cargo vehicles in front of the Uhryniv-Dolhobychuv checkpoint," Andrii Demchenko, a spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Guard Service, told Ukrainska Pravda.

The ongoing blockade has led to deteriorating relations between Kyiv and Warsaw. Protestors spilled Ukrainian grain on several occasions, sparking outrage in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal arrived in Poland on March 28 to meet with his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, and discuss agricultural trade between the two countries.

The two officials agreed to search for "mutually satisfactory solutions," such as a verification and control system for trade in agricultural goods.

Earlier this month, Poland and Ukraine established a Council for Cooperation to deal with bilateral Polish-Ukrainian relations and aid Ukraine's reconstruction.

Despite ongoing protests over agricultural policies, Poland has donated some $3.2 billion in military aid to the Ukrainian military and hosted around 1 million Ukrainian refugees since the outbreak of the full-scale war.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Polish President Duda says he may meet Trump in New York

U.S. President Trump and Poland's President Duda hold joint news conference at the White House in Washington

WARSAW (Reuters) -Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Tuesday he may meet Donald Trump during a visit to New York this week, as European leaders prepare for the possibility of the Republican's return to the White House.

A Trump campaign official confirmed a meeting would take place. The two will meet on Wednesday evening at Trump Tower in Manhattan, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Nationalist Duda, whose term in office expires in 2025, was one of Trump's preferred international partners during his presidency. The Polish president's top aide has said they remain in contact.

"If there is such a possibility, because it also depends on the schedule, I will also meet socially with... Donald Trump," Duda told reporters before boarding his plane.

Tabloid Fakt and news portal WP.pl both earlier cited sources as saying that an informal meeting would take place on a visit to New York during which Duda is scheduled to meet United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Trump, who went on trial in New York over a hush money payment on Monday, is in a tight race with U.S. President Joe Biden ahead of the November presidential election.

Many European leaders have long been nervous that another Trump presidency would mean waning U.S. support for Poland's neighbour Ukraine and the NATO military alliance.

Poland is a staunch ally of Ukraine and both Duda and liberal Prime Minister Donald Tusk have urged United States lawmakers to approve $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine.

While Tusk and Duda are bitterly divided over a host of domestic issues, they are united on the importance of continued support for Ukraine.

"If he actually meets (with Trump), we would expect him to firmly raise the issue of clearly siding with the West and Europe in the Ukrainian-Russian conflict," Tusk told reporters on Tuesday.

He said his foreign minister would also brief Duda on the importance of speeding up the delivery of American weapons to Poland.

Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, met Trump in March, saying afterwards that Trump told him he would not give money to help Ukraine fight Russia if he wins the U.S. presidency again.

Tusk said he had the impression that almost everyone in Poland understood that a Trump victory would be to the detriment of "the security of Poland, Europe and the future of NATO".

(Reporting by Alan Charlish, Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, Anna Koper and Pawel Florkiewicz; Additional reporting by Timothy Reid and Steve Holland in Washington; Editing by Ros Russell, Alexandra Hudson)
A person injured in a drone attack from Lebanon is transferred to a medical center in Safed, northern Israel, on April 16, 2024. Two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Lebanon carrying explosives exploded in northern Israel on Tuesday, lightly injuring three people, Israeli authorities said, amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and its allies. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Lebanon carrying explosives exploded in northern Israel on Tuesday, lightly injuring three people, Israeli authorities said, amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and its allies.

The Israeli military said in a statement that the armed drones crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory and exploded in the area of Beit Hillel in the Galilee.

Three people sustained light injuries, Israel's state-owned Kan reported.

The drones did not trigger air raid sirens, and the military said the incident was under review. 

An ambulance carring a person injured in a drone attack from Lebanon arrives at a medical center in Safed, northern Israel, on April 16, 2024. Two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Lebanon carrying explosives exploded in northern Israel on Tuesday, lightly injuring three people, Israeli authorities said, amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and its allies. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)

A person injured in a drone attack from Lebanon is transferred to a medical center in Safed, northern Israel, on April 16, 2024. Two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Lebanon carrying explosives exploded in northern Israel on Tuesday, lightly injuring three people, Israeli authorities said, amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and its allies. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)

An ambulance carring a person injured in a drone attack from Lebanon arrives at a medical center in Safed, northern Israel, on April 16, 2024. Two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Lebanon carrying explosives exploded in northern Israel on Tuesday, lightly injuring three people, Israeli authorities said, amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and its allies. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)
Editors note: This op-ed was written in response to One rural county has helped keep lights on across NC. Now it needs the states help, (April 2 Opinion).

North Carolina state Rep. Ray Jeffers and Person County Commissioner Gordon Powell say Person County leads the way as an energy generator for the state. They claim their constituents want the states help in furthering Duke Energys plans to expand methane gas production in the region.

But we believe they are glazing over the real environmental harms of Duke Energys plan and are greenwashing reality.

Person County is overloaded and overburdened by the energy needs of our state and by Duke Energys refusal to adequately invest in energy efficiency and the renewable technologies that would save us all money.

Jeff Hammarquist

Ociane Canadas

Powell knows as well as anyone how strongly our community opposes the expansion of methane gas projects in Person County. As chairman of the Person County Board of Commissioners, he presided over a public hearing last December where the county board approved the rezoning of rural areas to authorize industrial construction of a natural gas storage facility. This was despite hours of unanimous public testimony where we, as members of Down Home North Carolina, turned out with over 400 of our neighbors in the bitter cold to show our opposition.

Powell and the county board approved the facility without even the faintest trace of actual interest for our concerns and fears, leading residents to file a lawsuit challenging the decision.

The existing Roxboro coal plant has poisoned our community for decades, is outdated and should be transitioned into a cleaner energy. State representative Jeffers knows this history well, having served on the county board, where he worked to force Duke to clean up its coal ash spills. But taking one dirty fossil fuel pollution source and swapping it for another is not a solution  its a Band-Aid.

Duke Energys plan to replace its Roxboro plant with two natural gas-fueled plants by 2035 is not about making cleaner energy for North Carolina or creating better jobs for Person County residents like us. Its about a guaranteed 10% return on capital investments for Duke Energy. Every dollar Duke spends on new methane gas infrastructure is passed on to citizens with a built-in cushion to assure Dukes profit margins.

Those of us who call Person County home will pay on the front end in the form of rate hikes, and on the back end in the hidden costs of pollution on our health, property values and community well-being.

Dukes heavy reliance on methane gas to the exclusion of truly clean and carbon free technology is a false solution that locks us into a future dependent on volatile, polluting fossil fuels. We could have the jobs Duke promises, affordable projects and a cleaner environment by investing in established solar and battery storage capabilities, rather than dirty gas and unproven and distant hydrogen technology.

In their op-ed, Jeffers and Powell got one thing right: we need support in the Person County. Our community has been clear that we want the county to play a leading role in North Carolinas transition to clean energy. Elected officials like Jeffers and Powell, and the NC Utilities Commission, should listen first to those of us who live here about what we want and need, not to Duke Energy.

The Person County community should be part of the discussion and the solution, and elected officials who claim to speak for their constituents have an obligation to honestly represent us. In an election year, voters across North Carolina will be asking: Who will our elected officials put first? Will it be us?

Jeff Hammarquist and Ociane Canadas are residents of Person County and members of the Person County Chapter of Down Home NC.
Pope Francis came out strongly against gender theory and sex-reassignment efforts in a hard-hitting document released last week. Meant to coincide with last Decembers 75th anniversary of the U.N.s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the popes declaration lists the effects of modern gender theory alongside abortion, euthanasia, and even war, as one of the most dire threats to human dignity at play in the world today.

With Dignitas Infinita, or Infinite Dignity, the Vatican issued a strident critique concerning threats to the dignity of the human person, reiterating the Catholic Churchs opposition to abortion and euthanasia, and reinforcing its position that the death penalty cannot be morally prescribed in todays world, as well as the popes position on the treatment of migrants. The document even attempts, in some parts, to take a more pastoraland some might argue, conciliatoryapproach to LGBT rights, a difficult circle to square, given that the church is unlikely to alter its position against same-sex marriage or relationships any time soon.

But Pope Francis drew a bold line against gender theory, excoriating the trend of providing body- or mind-altering treatments, particularly to minors, to alleviate gender dysphoria. He decried the practice of changing the human body based on a subjective determination of personal truth rather than respecting each individuals body as a marvelous gift from God.

Left-leaning Catholics may have hoped for a less declarative position on gender theory; after all, the Vatican just last year affirmed that transgender individualseven those who have been through a sex-change processmay serve as Catholic godparents. And back in December, in a confusing document that laid bare cultural and liturgical rifts between Western Catholics and those in Africa and Asia, the popes chief theologian suggested that while same-sex relationships themselves could not be blessed, persons in those relationships could receive blessings individually and at the same time.

But it makes sense for Pope Francis to clarify the churchs position during a culturally turbulent age. Sex and gender, and from there, marriage, are an integral part of the churchs teaching on the dignity of the human person. As individual thoughts of Goddescendants of Adam and Eve, the original man and woman, created in the image of GodCatholics believe we are not the work of chance as God Himself makes no mistakes. We are created to be precisely who we areand that includes our biological sex, as well as how we experience our gender in a more cultural sense.

Marriage, it follows, is then more than just a physical and emotional union, but a necessarily mystical and spiritual onethe union of two unique individual thoughts of God, ordained to participate with God in the process of creation, that is, making children.

When Catholics speak of the dignity of the human person, were often talking about bioethics. Abortion is an affront to dignity because of its assault on a human person; fetal stem cell research, assisted reproduction technology, and surrogacy are similarly problematic because of the moralityor amoralityinvolved in viewing human life as a consumer product.

In Dignitas Infinita, though, Pope Francis isnt interested in whats ethical. He wants to communicate whats simply impossible.

Regarding gender theory, whose scientific coherence is the subject of considerable debate among experts, the Church recalls that human life in all its dimensions, both physical and spiritual, is a gift from God, Pope Francis says. The gift is to be accepted with gratitude and placed at the service of the good. Desiring a personal self-determination, as gender theory prescribes, apart from this fundamental truth that human life is a gift, amounts to a concession to the age-old temptation to make oneself God, entering into competition with the true God of love revealed to us in the Gospel.

The debate, the pope says, risks denying the greatest possible difference that exists between living beings: sexual difference, and puts human dignity itself at risk. Gender theory, he notes, identifies dignity with an isolated and individualistic freedom that claims to impose particular subjective desires and propensities as rights to be guaranteed and funded by the community.

Who you believe you are, therefore, is not who you are. Who you are is who God made you. Our inherent human dignity is a product of our creation, not a product of our own understanding of what makes us feel right or correct. Our truth, is not the Truth.

Pope Francis idea here is decidedly countercultural. So often we are told to live our truth, express our trutha common theme among religious authors like Rachel Hollis and Glennon Doyle, as well as a mantra for pop culture figures like Oprah Winfreyas if our subjective beliefs and feelings take priority over the immutable and the axiomatic and the divine.

It follows, he goes on to say, that any sex-change intervention, as a rule, risks threatening the unique dignity the person has received from the moment of conception. The body is the living context in which the interiority of the soul unfolds and manifests itself.

The dignity of the human person, then, is the dignity of the whole person: not simply the soul, but the body as well. This is the body that God has given you as a person, and the body cannot be changed to align with a persons will.

Gender theory, it appears the pope concludes, is an all-out subjectivist assault on our very nature as humans and a dangerous front in a larger war on objective truth and on an objective view of what constitutes a human right, particularly given that gender transitions and confirmations are now routinely referred to as transgender rights and human rights by groups like Human Rights Watch.

He considers it such a danger to humanity the pope puts it alongside not just abortion and euthanasiathe two most typical issues paired with the churchs exhortations on human dignitybut also alongside sex trafficking, the mistreatment of migrants, and war.

A person need not be Catholic, or an adherent of papal doctrine, to see that what Pope Francis notes in the abstract appears to be coming to fruition, almost in real time.

Notably, the popes exhortation debuted the same week as a multifaceted review of gender-based care for children in the United Kingdom, which called into question a culture of secrecy and ideology surrounding how gender dysphoria and other related concerns are handled by the U.K.s National Health Service. The report was conducted by Dr. Hilary Cass, a widely respected British pediatrician and former president of the Royal Academy of Pediatrics and Child Health.

The Cass Review found that minors, especially minors starting puberty, were repeatedly let down by adult providers charged with treating them for both mental and physical ailments. Doctors and health care providers, Cass found, had cultivated a culture of secrecy that treated children first and asked questions later, without a complete understanding of how puberty blockers and other treatments would impact these same children in the long term.

In addition, Cass found a culture of intimidation and fear, as doctors who objected to the new treatments cowered from colleagues and silenced themselves in the face of providers who valued ideology over evidence and safety.

Cass findings underscore the popes prediction of a religion of the individual, with gender ideology among its sacred dogma, and vulnerable children and families struggling with these critical issues among its sacrifices. The consequences in the U.K. are so dire that former government officials told the BBC they believe a no holds barred investigation is in order.

The Cass Review seems to suggest that the U.K. will follow in the footsteps of Denmark and other European countries in dropping support for gender affirmation and confirmation therapies. Denmark, which was once a leader in offering treatments for children with gender dysphoria, has since greatly limited its support for providing children and young teens with hormone therapy.

The Vatican plans to extrapolate on the issue of gender theory further, and indications are that Pope Francis may be speaking more pointedly on the issue in the next several months, as the Vatican has commissioned global studies on the subject. As with other issues of human dignity, hes uniquely positioned to offer a critical viewpoint, as the head of a church that stands nearly alone among major Christian denominations in both its longstandingand unlikely to shiftdogma on the matter, and its unflappable commitment to human dignity.

Read more at The Dispatch

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A Powell man convicted for his role in storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is expected to be released from federal prison in early May while the U.S. Supreme Court determines whether the law he was convicted under is legally sound.

Alexander Sheppard, 24, had been serving a 19-month federal prison sentence after he was found guilty in January 2023 of multiple charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding. Sheppard was one of the first people to storm past police lines at the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection.

USA TODAY reported Tuesday that Sheppard will be released on May 2, according to an order filed by U.S. District Judge John Bates.

The obstruction charge for which Sheppard was convicted and sentenced is currently being challenged with the Supreme Court. Oral arguments in the case were heard by the nine justices on Tuesday, but a decision is not expected for several months.

A screenshot of Alexander Sheppard, 23, of Powell, recording a video of himself in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 is included in court documents.

About one-quarter of the more than 1,300 people charged by the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection were charged with obstruction for disrupting Congress' certification of Joe Biden's electoral college victory over Donald Trump in the November 2020 general election.

Why is Alexander Sheppard being given an early release?

The New York Times reported Tuesday that Sheppard was one of about 10 defendants who had been sentenced under the statute who are expected to be released from prison while the Supreme Court case is pending. The release is for defendants who were sentenced only on the obstruction charge.

The defendants who are released, including Sheppard, could be sent back to federal prison depending on what the Supreme Court rules.

While Sheppard was convicted of multiple charges, the prison sentence he is serving was given on the obstruction charge with sentences on the other crimes ordered to run concurrently, or at the same time, as the obstruction sentence.

Had Sheppard been given the primary prison sentence on one of the other charges, an early release would not be considered because of the pending Supreme Court case, The New York Times reported.

What did Alexander Sheppard do on Jan. 6, 2021?

According to federal prosecutors, Sheppard recorded celebratory videos of himself inside the Capitol building, saying "We just shut down Congress."

Sheppard also took video of fleeing members of Congress, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia said, and watched as other rioters smashed windows of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's lobby doors. Sheppard left the Capitol after witnessing Ashli Babbit get shot while trying to climb through a broken window.

The pending Supreme Court case was filed by another defendant charged in connection with Jan. 6 who is seeking to overturn his conviction. The case could have wide-reaching implications for many of the charged insurrectionists.

Former President Donald Trump is facing two obstruction charges as part of a federal indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. However, Trump faces additional charges that would remain even if the obstruction charges were to be dismissed.

bbruner@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Jan. 6 rioter release as Supreme Court weighs obstruction charges
This weekends crowd for Black Springs Break in Biloxi was smaller than the last several years and less violence was reported.

Councilman Paul Tisdale, who represents the area of Biloxi where spring break is held, said the weekend was So much better this year, under the citys new special event regulations.

He estimated the crowds were a third of what they were in the past. The pedestrian tape along the sidewalks seemed to funnel people to crosswalks rather than seeing them dash across the four-lane highway at multiple points, he said.

One resident who lives near the beach told him it was the safest she felt during any of the big special events held in Biloxi.

Parking was a challenge and police were stationed at the entrances to neighborhoods that have only one way in and out to make sure people didnt park there and block access. Several vehicles were towed in the area.

This was the first year Biloxis new event ordinances were in effect after one person was shot and killed during the event last year, and five more were shot and injured in Biloxi, including a Biloxi Police officer.

Biloxi Police Department is compiling a report on this years three-day event and Chief John Miller will release details on Tuesday.

Spring breakers walk along Highway 90 during Black Spring Break in Biloxi on April 13. Pedestrian tape was used along the sidewalks to guide people to crosswalks.

One shot at pop-up party

The pop-up parties Miller said he was concerned about became a problem for Gulfport Police, who were called to Martin Luther King Boulevard on Saturday night and found a teen from Georgia with an apparent gunshot wound to his arm.

The 15-year-old was very uncooperative with investigators, said Gulfport Police Lt. Jason DuCre, and it was unclear what happened during a pop-up party in the area.

When we got there everyone scattered and drove away, he said.

We dont know if there is a shooter, DuCre said, or if the teen injured himself.

He didnt have a gun, DuCre said, but the teen was wanted in Georgia for another gun crime.

He was released to a family member shortly after being brought to the hospital.

We had several random pop-up parties, DuCre said. The parties are advertised on social media and those who sign up are texted a location.

The motorcycle club on Old Pass Road in Gulfport was one of those sites. Underage kids were there past curfew when police responded and shut it down, he said.

Too many rules?

Spring breakers said they understood the need for regulations, but objected to the lack of parking and being told to turn down the music.

Yunni Bun, a spring breaker from Atlanta, sat by the beach with her friends.

Its a slow start and I think the city of Biloxi is doing the best to try to keep their community safe, but once you get a bunch of young people in the sun for some fun its a force to be reckoned with, you cant stop people coming together, she said.

Spring breakers take photos during Black Spring Break in Biloxi on Saturday, April 13, 2024

John Lewis drove to Biloxi from Lake Charles, Louisiana, and said he was upset with the lack of parking and the large police presence.

Im not ever coming back, he said.

What about next year?

The organizers of Black Spring Break did not respond to a request for information about the weekend.

Rep. Jeffrey Hulum III, D-Gulfport, sent out a media statement about interactions between spring breakers and police.

On one hand, the images and first hand accounts from this weekend are unacceptable and provide a poor representation of what our community has to offer, he said.

The spring break organizers, community stakeholders and law enforcement must work together in order to make this annual spring break week a fair, safe and welcome experience for everyone, Hulum said.

Spring breakers dance next to Biloxi Beach during Black Spring Break in Biloxi on Saturday, April 13, 2024

The lack of parking wasnt a city issue, but the problem of the organizers, said Jerry Creel, Biloxi community development director. His department oversees the special events committee and he said Monday morning,I havent had any complaint calls.

The promoters of spring break told the special events official that someone else was handling parking for the event. Creel said it cant be two separate groups, not working together, but instead one organizer needs to address all the issues.

I think the promoter will study the ordinances a little closer, Tisdale said, then work with the special events committee and meet the deadlines before next years event.

Other groups planning festivals and parades in Biloxi also should start working with the committee to meet the regulations well before their events, he said.

Sun Herald photojournalist Hannah Ruhoff contributed to this article.

Spring breakers relax next to Biloxi Beach during Black Spring Break on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
A prayer ban imposed at Katharine Birbalsinghs school is lawful, a High Court judge has ruled.

Michaela Community School in Brent, north-west London, defended a legal challenge from a Muslim pupil who claimed the schools ban on prayer rituals was discriminatory.

The prayer ritual policy did not interfere with the pupils freedom to manifest her religious beliefs, according to the ruling, which was handed down on Tuesday.

The pupil had chosen the school knowing of its strict regime and could have chosen a different school that would have allowed her to pray at lunchtime, the ruling found.

In his written ruling, Mr Justice Linden said the prayer policy was a proportionate means of achieving the legitimate aims of the school and was therefore justified.

He found that the disadvantage to Muslim pupils was outweighed by the aims that it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.

However, the judge upheld the pupils challenge to a decision to temporarily exclude her from the school after allegations by fellow pupils about comments she had made.

He said the pupil ought to have been asked for her version of events before the head teacher excluded her.

The secular school introduced the prayer ban last March after up to 30 pupils began praying in the yard.

Ms Birbalsingh, the schools founder, who has been described Britains strictest headteacher, has defended the policy, saying it was wrong to separate children according to religion or race.

Lawyers for the school previously said pupils praying outside contributed to a concerted campaign on social media over the schools secular approach to religion.

A High Court heard in January that the school was targeted with death threats, abuse, false allegations of Islamophobia, and a bomb hoax.

Lawyers for the school also said its actions came after a number of children had been told that they were bad Muslims for not praying and had begun to pray.

A pupil, who cannot be named, took legal action against the school, claiming its stance on prayer, one of the five pillars of Islam, was the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society.

Michaela Community School introduced the prayer ban last March after up to 30 pupils began praying in the yard - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

The pupils lawyers previously said the prayer ban unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom, adding that it made her feel like somebody saying they dont feel like I properly belong here.

The court was told the pupil, referred to only as TTT, was making a modest request to be allowed to pray for around five minutes at lunch time, on dates when faith rules required it, but not during lessons.

Michaela, a free school founded in 2014, has around 700 pupils, around half of whom are Muslim. The school was ranked top in the country last year for Progress 8, a measure of how much a secondary school has helped pupils improve since primary school.

Its strict rules include silence in corridors, pupils ending every interaction with teachers with sir or miss and a tracking system whereby pupils must pay constant attention during lessons.

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The Michaela Community School in north London has successfully defended a High Court challenge over its ban on prayer rituals.

Following the ruling, Katharine Birbalsingh, the schools headteacher who has been commonly described as Britains strictest, made a statement.

Here is her response in full:

A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves. The courts decision is therefore a victory for all schools. Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they have decided they dont like something at the school.

At Michaela, we positively embrace small-c conservative values which millions of people, including so many of our families and pupils, also value. Those values enable extraordinary academic progress.

But they also promote a way of living, where gratitude, agency and personal responsibility, refusal of identity-politics victimhood, love of country, hard work, kindness, a duty towards others, self-sacrifice for the betterment of the whole, are fundamental to who we are.

Multiculturalism works at Michaela not because weve emptied the identity space of the school in order to accommodate difference, but because we have a clear identity which anyone can sign up to, if they are willing to compromise.

Michaela is a school that works miracles in Londons inner city, achieving on average nearly two-and-a-half grades higher at GCSE, with the best Progress 8 score for two years running, out of all of the 4,000 secondary schools across the country.

But our families choose Michaela not just because of the extraordinary learning and access to social mobility that we provide. They choose Michaela because they recognise that our traditional values create a school environment that is a joy to be in.

Our children are happy and are friends with each other across racial and religious divides. Our 800 visitors a year can attest to this. All anyone needs to do to see this for themselves is sign up on our website for a visit.

Since 2011, detractors have railed against our rules

Ever since the idea of Michaela began in 2011, our detractors have railed against our strict rules and traditional values.

Their patronising, paternalist, we know whats best for you progressive thinking goes like this: ethnic minority families cannot possibly know what they want and have chosen and continue to choose for their children.

Those choices must be made for them. We need to have the honesty to call that out. A deep-seated progressivist racism fuels the condescending belief that ethnic minorities cannot think and choose for themselves. It is what has allowed a particular kind of bullying identity politics to take such a grip of our country.

More than 40 per cent of our pupils are siblings. In 2014, 30 per cent of our intake was Muslim. It is now 50 per cent. We are over-subscribed. If our families did not like the school, they would not repeatedly choose to send their children to Michaela.

At the two welcome events that all parents must attend before sending their child to Michaela, I run through everything that makes Michaela different to other schools: constant supervision, family lunch, silent corridors, no prayer room, easy ways to get detention, strict uniform etc.

If parents do not like what Michaela is, they do not need to send their children to us.

Can it be right for a family to receive 150,000 of taxpayer-funded legal aid to bring a case like this?

The judge is clear that the childs statements were not written by her alone. Indeed, this mum intends to send her second child to Michaela, starting in September. At the same time, this mum has sent a letter to our lawyers suggesting that she may take us to court yet again over another issue at the school she doesnt like, presumably once again at the taxpayers expense.

People of all religions tell me that Michaela is more Christian, more Catholic, more Islamic, more Jewish, or more Hindu than schools they have seen elsewhere.

The reason for this is because our robust yet respectful secularism is allied to those traditional values which all religions share. We all believe in the Michaela Way.

In institutions where secularism has come to mean an absence of belief, often identity politics fills the vacuum. Every community is catered for in a way which emphasises differences between people and can unwittingly encourage victimhood.

I watched a black teacher be racially abused

Ours is very much a strong belief in small-c conservative values where we all move towards a shared goal, rejecting victimhood, together. In our ever-more diverse society we at Michaela stand for those values which save us from the worst of the divisiveness which identity politics engenders.

Last year, we watched our Muslim pupils put under pressure by a tiny number of others to fast, to pray, to drop out of the choir, to wear a hijab.

I watched one of my black teachers racially abused and intimidated, another teacher who had her personal home nearly broken into, and another with a brick thrown through her window.

I have a duty of care to protect all of our pupils but also to my staff. There is a false narrative that some try to paint about Muslims being an oppressed minority at our school. They are, in fact, the largest group. Those who are most at risk are other minorities and Muslim children who are less observant.

What does it mean to be the headmistress in a school which tries to uphold our shared British values when different constituencies within our diverse society want different, sometimes opposing things, in the name of their religious commitments?

It means offering what unites us  those shared values I list above  and then asking everyone to compromise for the sake of that shared communal project.

To the Jehovah Witnesses: We teach Macbeth as a GCSE text, even though it has witches in it. To the Muslims: We dont have a prayer room. To the Christians: We will offer revision classes on Sundays. To the Hindus: The plates will have been touched by eggs.

We are always clear about this: our restrictive building, strict ethos and desire to see multiculturalism succeed mean that self-sacrifice is required. Parents, knowing this, have the freedom to make informed choices. This is who we are.

We expect all religions to make sacrifices

At Michaela, we expect all religions and all races to make the necessary sacrifices to enable our school to thrive. The vast majority do so without complaint. We make the sacrifice of eating vegetarian food at lunch to enable us to break bread with each other across racial and religious divides.

For those of you who take a dim view of Muslims or multiculturalism, I would urge you to remember our hundreds of Muslim families who love our school.

When we were in court, we fought to retain the media ban  because the threat of harm and the danger of violence were clearly very real. The member of the press in the courtroom who showed me the most compassion was Muslim.

It is more of a challenge for a multicultural school to succeed. One need only look at the schools that top the Progress 8 chart: the vast majority are faith schools of one religion.

Schools that are secular and multicultural must be allowed the same right that religious schools have: the right to unity, the right to reject division, the right to not have the black group, the Hindu group, the Muslim group, the LGBT group etc.

Everyone is welcome in our community but our community isnt an empty space  it has its own identity which we invite everyone to belong to. So we sing God Save The King because our country and our flag unite us.

Ethnic minorities should be able to identify as British. If we are saying that being an ethnic minority AND being British are incompatible, then as a nation we are in deep trouble.

At Michaela, we want our children to live lives of dignity, whether they end up poor or rich later in life. In 2024, we tend to believe that a school is successful according to its exam results alone: the better the results, the better the well-paying job.

But a life of meaning is not about being rich. At Michaela we believe that purpose and moral character matter, that there is such a thing as moral truth. Without moral truth, all you have is evolutionary biology in a brutal world where there is no obligation for the strong to help the weak.

When we tell our kids to be top of the pyramid, our goal for them isnt to be the richest or the most famous or even the cleverest. It is to be someone who lives a life of moral worth shaped by self-sacrifice, filled with gratitude for what they have, and doing all they can to help those who have not.

For 25 years I have been in school at 6.45am, working 12 to 15-hour days, always with mainly brown and black kids from the inner city.

Our detractors narrative that I hate children, that I hate Muslim children, despite more and more Muslim families choosing our school over the years and my own grandmother being Muslim, is clearly nonsensical. I could easily do something less stressful and earn more money or seek promotion elsewhere.

But I have chosen to stay with the Michaela project for 13-plus years and I continue to fight to defend our way of life.

Why? Because I believe in something bigger than myself.

Michaela stands for values that provide us with a way of living through the good times and the bad, whether we are rich or poor, with GCSE grade nines or grade fours, whether we are white or black, tall or short. At Michaela we cherish and embrace these values for ALL of our pupils, whatever their race, whatever their religion.

Strength and honour. God save the King.

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Katharine Birbalsingh is the headteacher of Michaela Community School - Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph

Katharine Birbalsingh has said a High Court ruling that a prayer ban is lawful is a victory for all schools.

Ms Birbalsingh, who is described as Britains strictest headteacher, said she introduced the prayer ban in March last year against a backdrop of events including violence, intimidation and appalling racial harassment of our teachers.

Commenting on Tuesdays judgement, she said: A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves.

The courts decision is therefore a victory for all schools. Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they have decided they dont like something at the school.

Michaela Community School, in Brent, north-west London, was ranked top in the country last year for Progress 8, a measure of how much a secondary school has helped pupils improve since primary school.

Its strict rules include silence in corridors, pupils ending every interaction with teachers with sir or miss and a tracking system whereby pupils must pay constant attention during lessons.

01:53 PM BST

Thats all for today

Thanks for following our live coverage. Here is a brief summary of todays events:

Mr Justice Linden ruled a prayer ban at Michaela Community School, in Brent, north-west London, to be lawful

Katharine Birbalsingh, the headteacher at the free school, said the High Court ruling was a victory for all schools

The mother of the pupil who brought the legal challenge said she was profoundly dismayed by the cases outcome

The judge said the ban did not amount to an interference with the pupils right to religious freedom

Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary, called the ruling a victory against activists trying to subvert public institutions

01:44 PM BST

Ruling is a victory over those trying to subvert public institutions, says Badenoch

Kemi Badenoch has called the prayer ban ruling a victory against activists who are trying to subvert public institutions.

Responding to Katharine Birbalsinghs statement on social media, which was posted after Mr Justice Lindens judgement on Tuesday, the Business Secretary said: This ruling is a victory against activists trying to subvert our public institutions. No pupil has the right to impose their views on an entire school community in this way.

The Equality Act is a shield, not a sword and teachers must not be threatened into submission.

She added: Many want to smear the Michaela school because it is an extraordinary tale of academic success and proves the Conservatives free school programme gave families a genuine choice, raised standards and provided opportunity  in one of the most deprived areas of London.

This ruling is a victory against activists trying to subvert our public institutions.



No pupil has the right to impose their views on an entire school community in this way. The Equality Act is a shield, not a sword and teachers must not be threatened into submission. (1/2) https://t.co/0AeKDHi3BU  Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) April 16, 2024

01:03 PM BST

Prayer ban restored good relations within school

Mr Justice Linden said evidence showed that since the prayer rituals ban was introduced good relations within the school community have been restored.

Speaking about the pupil who brought the case, the judge said: I do not doubt that she has strong feelings, but she says that they are based on the whole of the events which have led to this claim... and on her views that she has been treated differently because she is a Muslim, that she is the victim of discrimination, and that she has effectively been told that she does not properly belong here, none of which is in fact the case.

12:42 PM BST

Judges rules prayer ban not an inteference to religious freedom

In his ruling, Mr Justice Linden said the ban on prayer rituals on the schools premises was not an interference with the pupils right to religious freedom.

He said the student had at the very least impliedly accepted that she would be subject to restrictions on her ability to manifest her religion when joining the secular school.

The judge said the pupil could also perform Qada prayers - permitted by Islam to make up for missing prayers earlier in the day - to mitigate the failure to pray within the allotted window.

He accepted the prayer policy caused the pupil a detriment, but concluded it was a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, adding that the school was justified in deciding that there were practical difficulties in allowing indoor Muslim prayer during the school day.

12:28 PM BST

Telegraph readers weigh in on High Court judgement

12:10 PM BST

Have confidence in making decisions for your school, Education Secretary tells teachers

Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, told headteachers to have confidence in making decisions for their school in the wake of the ruling.

She said: The Michaela Community School is an outstanding school with a history in excelling in its outcomes for all pupils, many of whom are from some of the most disadvantaged parts of London.

The government has always been clear that heads are best placed to take decisions on what is permitted in their school on these matters, to balance the rights of all with the ethos of the school community  including in relation to whether and how to accommodate prayer. This judgment confirms this.

This should give all school leaders confidence in making the right decision for their school, while prioritising tolerance and respect between those of different faiths and none.

11:50 AM BST

Pupil who brought challenge very disappointed

The pupil who brought the legal challenge said in a statement provided by law firm Simpson Millar: I am obviously very disappointed that the judge did not agree with me.

As is set out in the judgment, I do not agree that it would be too hard for the school to accommodate pupils who wished to pray in the lunch break.

The school is very well run and generally very good at managing everything. The school doesnt wish to allow pupils to pray, has chosen a different path and the judge has found in their favour.

Even though I lost, I still feel that I did the right thing in seeking to challenge the ban. I tried my best and was true to myself and my religion.

Being involved in this case has not been easy for me ... The teachers are very good here and I hope to do the best that I can. I am also grateful for the understanding that my non-Muslim friends at school have shown as to the issues that affect us.

11:48 AM BST

Pupils mother profoundly dismayed by outcome

The pupils mother said she was profoundly dismayed by the cases outcome.

In a comment issued by law firm Simpson Millar, she said: The case was rooted in the understanding that prayer isnt just a desirable act for us - its an essential element that shapes our lives as Muslims.

In our faith, prayer holds undeniable importance, guiding us through each challenge with strength and faith.

She added: My daughters impassioned stance compelled me to support her and I stand firm in that decision.

Her courage in pursuing this matter fills me with pride and Im confident shes gained invaluable lessons from the experience.

11:36 AM BST

Need for social cohesion outweighed disadvantage of prayer ban

Mr Justice Linden said there was a a rational connection between the aim of promoting the team ethos of the school, inclusivity, social cohesion etc and the prayer ritual policy.

He said: The disadvantage to Muslim pupils at the school caused by the prayer ritual policy is in my view outweighed by the aims which it seeks to promote in the interests of the school community as a whole, including Muslim pupils.

11:29 AM BST

Education Secretary backs High Court decision

Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, has backed the High Court decison that a prayer ban at Katharine Birbalsinghs school is lawful.

She said: I have always been clear that headteachers are best placed to make decisions in their school.

Michaela is an outstanding school and I hope this judgment gives all school leaders the confidence to make the right decisions for their pupils.

11:19 AM BST

Verdict a victory for all schools

The judgement that a prayer ban at Michaela Community School is lawful has been hailed a victory for all schools .

Katharine Birbalsingh, the headteacher of Michaela Community School, said: A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves.

The courts decision is therefore a victory for all schools.

Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they have decided they dont like something at the school.

My statement regarding the verdict on our ban of prayer rituals at Michaela. pic.twitter.com/88UMC5UYXq  Katharine Birbalsingh (@Miss_Snuffy) April 16, 2024

11:07 AM BST

Challenge against temporary exclusion upheld

Mr Justice Linden upheld the students challenge to a decision to temporarily exclude her from the school in a written judgement.

11:01 AM BST

High Court rules ban lawful

In an 83-page judgment dismissing the students case, Mr Justice Linden said: It seems to me that this is a case ... where the claimant at the very least impliedly accepted, when she enrolled at the school, that she would be subject to restrictions on her ability to manifest her religion.

She knew that the school is secular and her own evidence is that her mother wished her to go there because it was known to be strict.

She herself says that, long before the prayer ritual policy was introduced, she and her friends believed that prayer was not permitted at school and she therefore made up for missed prayers when she got home.

10:29 AM BST

Katharine Birbalsingh defence of prayer ban

Katharine Birbalsingh posted a defence of her schools ban on prayer rituals on social media.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, she said:

10:14 AM BST

What are the unique practices at Britains strictest school

Michaelas practices and its ultra-strict enforcement of behaviour rules include:

Children cannot choose where they sit during lunch but are allocated to tables of six depending on their year and form. They first stand behind their chairs and chant poetry from memory with teachers then setting mandatory topic of conversation

Pupils must end every interaction with teachers with Sir or Miss

Pupils must pay constant attention to the teacher during lessons

Students move around the schools narrow corridors in single file and in silence and can only acknowledge staff

Groups of more than four pupils are not allowed, including when in the school yard

10:02 AM BST

Who is Britains strictest headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh

Katharine Birbalsingh, the headteacher of Michaela Community School, is at the centre of a legal challenge after she decided to ban prayer rituals at the secondary school.

Ms Birbalsingh has attracted a lot of media attention over the years for her outspoken views on education and woke culture.

In 2010, she made a damning speech on the state of Englands schools at the Conservative Party conference where she said standards had been so dumbed down that even the teachers know it and the education system was broken as it keeps poor children poor.

A few weeks after her speech to delegates at the Tory conference, Ms Birbalsingh left her post as deputy headteacher of St Michael and All Angels Church of England Academy in south London.

In 2014, she founded Michaela Community School  a free school which has been dubbed the strictest in the country.

09:55 AM BST

What has happened so far?

A high-achieving north London school, previously dubbed Britains strictest, is to find out whether a Muslim student has won a challenge against its ban on prayer rituals.

The pupil, who cannot be named, took legal action against Michaela Community School in Brent, claiming that the policy was discriminatory and uniquely affects her faith due to its ritualised nature.

She alleged that the schools stance on prayer, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, was the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society, a judge was told.

The case against the free school was heard at the High Court in London in January.

Mr Justice Linden is due to issue his written ruling over the case today.

09:53 AM BST

Good morning and welcome

Good morning and welcome to The Telegraphs live coverage of the High Court ruling over a prayer ban that has been imposed at a school.

A Muslim pupil has taken legal action against Katharine Birbalsinghs Michaela Community School in Brent, north-west London, following the ban on prayer rituals.

Follow this blog for the latest updates.

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Women who experienced any of five major adverse pregnancy outcomes had elevated mortality risks for decades, a new study found. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News

Women who experience common complications during a pregnancy could face heightened odds for early death for decades to come, new research shows.

In the largest such study to date, "women who experienced any of five major adverse pregnancy outcomes had increased mortality risks that remained elevated more than 40 years later," said a team led by Dr. Casey Crump, of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston.

The team published its findings Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

According to Crump's group, "pregnancy has been considered a 'natural stress test' that may yield valuable information for understanding [women's] future health risks."

Indeed, conditions that raise the odds for complications in a pregnancy -- smoking, obesity, diabetes and heart disease -- can raise overall health risks.

In the new study, the Texas team analyzed data on over 2 million Swedish women who delivered single babies between 1973 and 2015. They then tracked the women's health through 2023, when these women averaged 52 years of age.

The team found that a diagnosis of gestational diabetes (diabetes arising while pregnant) raised a woman's odds of dying over the study period by 52%, compared to women without a history of this complication.

Similarly, premature delivery was linked to a 41% higher odds for early death, the study found, and delivering an underweight baby was tied to a 30% rise in risk.

Preeclampsia -- a dangerous spike in blood pressure during a pregnancy -- was also tied to a 13% rise in the odds for an early death, the researchers reported.

All of these risks "remained elevated even 30 to 46 years after delivery," Crump's group noted.

The findings could be important to many women, since "nearly 30% of all women experience an adverse pregnancy outcome during their reproductive years," the study authors said.

Pregnancy complications appeared to raise the risk of early death from multiple causes.

For example, having any of the complications raised a woman's odds for cardiovascular death anywhere from 1.5- to 2.5-fold, compared to women without such histories, the study found.

Among women who delivered prematurely or delivered underweight babies, risks for death from diabetes or respiratory illnesses more than doubled, and the odds for death from cancer rose by up to 20%.

Having more than one type of complication during a pregnancy raised risks even higher.

Women with two or three such complications saw their odds for an early death rise by 56% and 84%, respectively, compared to women whose pregnancies were healthy, the researchers said.

All of this means that primary care doctors should be informed of any pregnancy issues their patients encounter. That way, these women might then receive "early preventive actions" that could cut their odds for illness and lengthen their lives, the researchers said.

More information

Find out more about maintaining a healthy pregnancy at the March of Dimes.

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Miracle Allen rubs her stomach as she relaxes before meeting with the midwife at Sisters in Birth, a Jackson, Miss., clinic that serves pregnant women, Dec. 17, 2021. The clinic utilizes an integrative and holistic approach to women's healthcare by providing comprehensive services including primary care, midwifery care, home healthcare, childbirth education as well as doula support. | Rogelio V. Solis

The body undergoes many changes when a woman becomes pregnant. Now, scientists are studying the long-term effects pregnancy has on the human body.

Recently, scientists have found that a mothers cells age biologically by months to years compared to women who were not pregnant, according to a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

How scientists figured out that women age during pregnancy

The Washington Post explains that scientists behind the study analyzed specific DNA markers related to epigenetics in the blood of pregnant women, using artificial intelligence algorithms that could examine the patterns of specialized chemical markers found on the outside of some genes. By studying the epigenetic markers, AI is able to calculate how old a cell is, which is known as biological age.

According to Scientific American, biological age (when the body reflects physiological stress it has gone through) is different from chronological age (how many times weve gone around the sun). Biological age is often used to predict certain health problems like dementia.

Our body has the ability to change its age when it goes through certain life events, such as trauma, illness or stress, according to National Geographic, because the body is redirecting energy and resources to cope with the events.

So how much do women age during pregnancy?

The study found that women who were pregnant at least once in their lives had an older biological age than their peers who had never been pregnant, per Time.

Depending on the woman, pregnancies can cause around four months to a year of faster aging. Women who were pregnant more than once aged five months faster than women who had fewer pregnancies.

Per The Washington Post, expecting mothers at full term could have cells that appear two years older than before.

Calen Ryan, an associate research scientist at Columbia Aging Center, told The Guardian, Our findings suggest that pregnancy speeds up biological ageing, and that these effects are apparent in young, high-fertility women.

But that aging is supposedly reversed after childbirth

Some studies suggest that this biological aging can be reversed. One study published in the journal Cell Metabolism found that the biological age is reversed as soon as three months after childbirth, with the DNA markers showing evidence of reverting to a more youthful state, per The Washington Post. Some women who breastfed their babies had cells that were younger than before pregnancy by as much as eight years.

But there is some hesitancy with this conclusion. Kieran J. ODonnell, an assistant professor at the Yale Child Study Center and Yale School of Medicine, commented on this study and said that their team didnt measure the biological age of participants before their pregnancies, so a rejuvenation effect cant be officially confirmed, according to Scientific American. More research would be needed.
Spinneys 1961 Holding, an operator of premium grocery retail supermarkets under the Spinneys, Waitrose and Al Fair brands has announced its intention to proceed with an initial public offering (IPO) and to list its ordinary shares for trading on the DFM in Dubai.

The company will issue 900,000,000 shares each with a nominal value of AED0.01 in the offering, representing 25% of the companys total issued share capital, it said.

All shares to be offered are existing shares held by Al Seer Group as the selling shareholder who reserves the right to amend the size of the offering at any time prior to the end of the subscription period at its sole discretion, subject to applicable laws and the approval of the Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA), it said.

The Offering will be made available to UAE retail investors and other investors as part of the UAE Retail Offering or First Tranche as well as to Professional Investors outside the United States, including the UAE, as part of the Qualified Investor Offering or Second Tranche.

The subscription period will open on April 23 and end on April 29 for UAE Retail Investors and on April 30 for Professional Investors.

The Offer Price will be determined through a book building process.

Admission of shares to trading on DFM is expected to take place in May 2024.

Captial structure

The share capital of the company, as at the date of the listing, has been set at AED36 million divided into 3,600,000,000 shares paid-in-full, with the nominal value of each Share being AED0.01.

Following the offering, and starting from the fiscal year 2024, the company intends to pay dividends on a semi-annual basis in April and October of each year, with the first payment targeted for October 2024, in respect of H1 2024.

For the fiscal year 2024 and the years thereafter, the company will endeavour to maintain a dividend pay-out ratio of 70% of annual distributable profits, after tax.

Ali Saeed Juma Al Bwardy, Founder and Chairman of Spinneys, commented: Having begun our story in Dubai in the early 1960s, we are proud to be taking another significant step in our journey. Spinneys is a long-standing brand with a strong heritage in the UAE and a commitment to quality, evolving over the decades to become one of the countrys leading premium fresh-focused food retailers. Ours is a brand with huge ambition, positioned to flourish in the GCCs most attractive and fast-growing markets. Our IPO represents an opportunity for investors to be part of our next stage of growth and we are excited to embark on a new chapter, bringing our fresh opportunity to a wider shareholder base.

Sunil Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Spinneys, said: Over the years, we have expanded our business to operate one of the leading premium brands across 75 locations in the UAE and Oman, focused on high-quality fresh food and exceptional customer service. Spinneys has a presence in some of the most vibrant, fast-growing and resilient countries in the region and we aim to continue to capitalise on supportive macroeconomic tailwinds. We have a proven track record for growth, driven by the expansion of our store network, increasing online penetration, a growing private label offering, and a vertically integrated supply chain, resulting in robust financial performance with a track record of like-for-like growth and strong margins. We have much to be excited about this year as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Spinneys brand in the region, with plans to enter the thriving Saudi market, where we see immense potential for our business. As our group grows, our purpose remains unchanged: to nourish and inspire our communities to live better lives, day-by-day. -TradeArabia News Service
This photo taken on April 15, 2024 shows an exterior view of Fuzhou Jasmine Culture Experience Hall in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province.

China's Fujian province is a significant contributor to tea production. In recent years, the tea industry of Fujian has been exploring development by cultivating tea culture, accelerating industrialization and utilizing high-tech.

Currently the harvest season has come for Fuding White Tea, Wuyi Rock Tea and Anxi Tieguanyin Tea in Fujian. The Fujian tea industry is accelerating its collaboration with cultural tourism and catering and promoting new products of tea beverages and tea snacks which have been regaining popularity among the youth as China Chic goods. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Fang Qi (C), a folk culture expert, delivers a lecture at a tea house in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

This photo taken on April 9, 2024 shows innovative tea beverages in Fuding, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

This photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows cuisines made of Fuding White Tea in Fuding, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Customers try tea beverages at Bailin ancient street in Fuding, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Tourists try jasmine tea at Fuzhou Jasmine Culture Experience Hall in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows a view of a white tea valley, where tourism activities have been introduced, in Daping Village, Diantou Township of Fuding City, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Students visit a tea cultural promotion base with their teacher in Jiayang She Ethnic Township of Fuding City, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

This photo taken on April 9, 2024 shows an exterior view of tea houses at Bailin ancient street in Fuding, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Customers try tea beverages at Bailin ancient street in Fuding, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

This photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows a tea culture exhibition in Daping Village, Diantou Township of Fuding City, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows a view of a white tea valley, where tourism activities have been introduced, in Daping Village, Diantou Township of Fuding City, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

A worker makes tea beverages at ITEAMO tea space in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Customers try tea beverages at ITEAMO tea space in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

An inheritor of intangible cultural heritage introduces techniques of making jasmine tea at Fuzhou Jasmine Culture Experience Hall in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

A hiker takes a rest and enjoys tea at Baiyun cave of Gushan scenic spot in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Citizens enjoy tea by the lakeside at Jin'an Lake Park in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

A foreign student (L) experiences tea-making art at Shangxiahang traditional block in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

This photo taken on April 14, 2024 shows a view of ITEAMO tea space in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province.(Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Lin Zhenchuan, an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, appraises white tea at a tea company in Fuding, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Citizens enjoy leisure time by a cultural wall inscribed with "tea gathering" at Jin'an Lake Park in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Hikers take a rest and enjoy tea at Baiyun cave of Gushan scenic spot in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Hikers take a rest and enjoy tea at Baiyun cave of Gushan scenic spot in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Hikers take a rest and enjoy tea at Baiyun cave of Gushan scenic spot in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Citizens enjoy tea at Baiyun cave of Gushan scenic spot in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
President Biden will meet with steelworkers in downtown Pittsburgh during visit, per report

President Joe Biden will be visiting downtown Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

The White House has not made details of his visit public, but Bloomberg News is reporting the president will talk to steelworkers in Pittsburgh. Bloomberg reports Biden will stop at the United Steelworkers Headquarters along the Boulevard of the Allies.

We couldn't be more excited for @POTUS to visit Pittsburgh today! pic.twitter.com/6vqHm2o0Zs  United Steelworkers #EverybodysUnion (@steelworkers) April 17, 2024

United Steelworkers posted on social media, saying We couldnt be more excited for @POTUS to visit Pittsburgh Today! with a photo welcoming the president.

Channel 11 will have crews at the airport and downtown to cover the presidents visit.

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Prince Harry has lost an initial bid to appeal a High Court ruling over his security in the U.K.

On Monday, a High Court judge rejected his request to appeal an earlier ruling upholding a government panels decision to limit his access to publicly funded security. The Duke of Sussex lost his taxpayer-funded personal protective security after he gave up his status as a working member of the royal family in 2020.

The legal battle started more than four years ago, when the younger son of King Charles III claimed that he and his family were endangered when visiting his home country because of hostility toward him and his wife, Meghan Markle. The 39-year-old pointed out that the couple had been faced with ruthless hounding by the U.K. news media.

MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY PONDER POLITICS, DARE TO 'VOICE OPINIONS' ON WORLD STAGE: EXPERT

Prince Harry argued that he and his family still need an armed security detail because of hostility directed toward him and his wife Meghan Markle on social media and relentless hounding by the news media.

In response, a government lawyer said Harry had been treated fairly and was still provided protection on some of his visits. The lawyer cited a security detail that guarded the prince in June 2021, when he was chased by photographers after attending an event with seriously ill children in west London.

The committee considered the wider impact that the "tragic death" of his mother, the late Princess Diana, had on the nation, and in making its decision, gave greater weight to the "likely significant public upset were a successful attack" on her son to happen, attorney James Eadie said.

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The glamorous mother of Harry and his older brother Prince William died in 1997 at age 36 in Paris. At the time, she was being chased by paparazzi.

In February, High Court Judge Peter Lane ruled that the panels decision, which provides for "bespoke" security on an as-needed basis, was not unlawful, irrational or unjustified.

"Insofar as the case-by-case approach may otherwise have caused difficulties, they have not been shown to be such as to overcome the high hurdle so as to render the decision-making irrational," Lane wrote in his 51-page ruling.

The panel decision was made by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee. The group is made up of members of the royal family staff, the Metropolitan Police, as well as several government offices.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020. They now reside in California.

In most cases, U.K. plaintiffs do not have an automatic right to appeal, and they must seek permission from the original court before doing so.

The High Court said Monday it had rejected Harrys initial bid for permission to appeal. However, he can now seek permission directly from the Court of Appeal.

A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

Markle, a former American actress, became the Duchess of Sussex when she married the British prince in 2018. They stepped down as working royals in 2020, citing what they described as unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media. The couple now resides in California.

Meghan Markle starred in the legal drama "Suits" before she became the Duchess of Sussex in 2018.

Harrys lawyers previously said the prince was reluctant to bring the couples children, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2, to the U.K. because it is not safe.

Harry argued his private security team in the U.S. does not have adequate jurisdiction abroad or access to U.K. intelligence information. His lawyers also said that removing his full royal security was unreasonable because Harry was not allowed to make "informed representations beforehand."

The British government said the committees decision was reasonable, and it is not possible to pay privately for police protection.

According to reports, Prince Harry is heading back to London on May 8 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

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Page Six reported that the prince is headed to London next month and is scheduled to speak at a special service marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St. Pauls Cathedral on May 8. A spokesperson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

Modeled after the Warrior Games in the United States, Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 as a Paralympic-style event designed to inspire military veterans around the world as they work to overcome battlefield injuries. Harry was a former captain in the British Army.

The outlet reported that the Invictus Games were created when the royal was patron of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. It was the charitable organization shared by the royal brothers and Williams wife, Kate Middleton.





Original article source: Prince Harry loses 1st appeal bid in court battle over UK security protection
William, Prince of Wales

Prince William is set to return to his royal duties for the first time since his wife, Kate Middleton, publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis.

William, 41, took a step back from his role while he and Kate's three childrenPrince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5were home from school on spring break. He's also reportedly been helping Kate, 42, as she continues treatment.

With the children's term starting up again on Wednesday, April 17, the prince is scheduled to return to workjust as sources said he would around the same time Kate announced her health battle, telling People that William would go back to his royal duties "in a balanced, measured way, tempered by the needs of Kate and his family."

Related: Prince William Breaks Social Media Silence to Share Personal Message Amid Kate Middleton's Cancer Battle

On Thursday, April 18, William will speak about the work of community and environmental organizations in southwest London and Surrey, his office at Kensington Palace confirmed to the outlet. He's planned to begin in Sunbury-on-Thames to see how a food distribution charity called Surplus to Supper delivers, sorts and re-packages unused food to community groups.

The prince is then scheduled to visit a youth center in West London, which receives regular deliveries of surplus food and distributes it to those in need.

William's upcoming visits coincide with King Charles' recent moves to promote green initiatives with a sprawling solar panel installation on his Sandringham Estate, which he said is part of "the Estate's ongoing commitment to sustainability and promoting environmental practices."

The planned visits also come about a month after his wife bravely shut down conspiracy theories and spoke publicly about her diagnosis and treatment plan.

Next: Kate Middleton Breaks Royal Tradition With Sweet Gesture Amid Cancer Battle
Editors Note: This article has been updated to clarify Jones is starting in the 2024-2025 school year and not this April.

TOPEKA (KSNT)  Seaman High School is welcoming in a new principal for the next school year.

Seaman School District announced in a press release on April 16 that Brad Jones will serve as the new principal for the high school starting July 29, 2024. He brings with him more than 20 years of experience in education and a passion for positive school culture.

Jones will be focusing on staff retention and development in his role as principal. In the past, he has successfully put in place initiatives to reduce staff turnover rates and increase job satisfaction. He places additional emphasis on collaboration, inclusivity and empowerment in the workplace.

I am genuinely excited for the opportunity to lead Seaman High School as its next High School Principal and to contribute to its continued growth and success, Jones said. I am eager to bring my passion for educational leadership, my dedication to building a positive culture, and my commitment to staff retention to the Viking community.

Severe weather damage reports come in for northeast Kansas

We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Brad Jones as Seaman High Schools new Principal, said Superintendent Brad Willson. His blend of life experiences shows his commitment and dedication to serve and I am confident Mr. Jones will undoubtedly enhance the success for all students and staff with integrity, enthusiasm and excellence.

The current principal for Seaman High School, Dr. Laura Lyons, put in her resignation in March. She was named the principal of the school in April 2021.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked San Franciscos Golden Gate Bridge and other major Bay Area roadways on Monday, as well as closing down Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, part of a worldwide set of demonstrations pushing for a ceasefire and an end to US military support for Israels war effort in Gaza.

About 60 activists blockaded the southbound span of the iconic bridge around 7.30am, snarling rush hour traffic headed into San Francisco for hours.

The action, where demonstrators unfolded banners with slogans like Stop the world for Gaza, prompted the California Highway Patrol to issue a Sig-alert and close northbound lanes as well as pedestrian sidewalks and bike paths on the bridge, according to NBC Bay Area.

By Monday afternoon, the entire bridge was reopened, and about 60 people had been arrested, KRON 4 reports.

Across the bay, activists also held up traffic along multiple points of Interstate 880 in Oakland. Some of the demonstrators reportedly chained themselves to concrete barrels weighing in excess of 300 pounds, and police were filmed cutting them loose with bolt cutters.

Meanwhile, even more dramatic scenes played out in New York that afternoon.

Hundreds of marchers walked from Manhattan onto the road across the Brooklyn Bridge, waving flags, beating drums, and lighting off flares.

Police corraled most of the demonstrators off the roadway and made multiple arrests.

Activists later gathered in downtown Brooklyn and continued to demonstrate.

The protest actions were part of a global campaign called A15, which saw demonstrations in cities across the world like Athens, Belfast, Sydney, and Barcelona.

In Philadelphia, activists took over a section of Market Street and others protested outside of the headquarters of Day & Zimmerman a firm supplies munitions to governments like Israel.

The A15 campaign seeks to implement a "worldwide economic blockade in solidarity with Palestine and calling for an arms embargo and an end to US tax payer funding for Israel.

The US is Israels key international ally and military supporter, providing nearly $4bn a year in mostly military aid.

As of March, the US had approved over 100 military sales to Israel since the invasion of Gaza.

More than 33,000 Palestinians and 1,100 Israelis have been killed in the conflict since Hamass 7 October surprise attack, the majority on both sides being civilians.

In January, Oxfam warned that Israel was killing an estimated 250 Palestinians a day, the highest ever rate of death in a 21st century war.

It is unimaginable that the international community is watching the deadliest rate of conflict of the 21st century unfold, while continuously blocking calls for a ceasefire, Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfams Middle East Director, said in a statement at the time.

On Saturday, Hamas rejected an Israeli ceasefire proposal, arguing Israel hadnt acceded to demands like a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal from Gaza, the return of displaced people, and increased aid.

Israel, meanwhile, seeks the return of all Hamas hostages, and says it will not stop fighting until the groups military force is destroyed.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators shut down the Golden Gate Bridge and some of the USs biggest airports and major highways.

Traffic in the San Francisco Bay Area was snarled for hours as demonstrators shut down all vehicle, pedestrian and bike traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge and chained themselves to 55-gallon drums filled with cement across Interstate 880 in Oakland.

About 20 protesters were arrested at the demonstration on the bridge and traffic resumed shortly after noon on Monday, according to the California Highway Patrol. The agency said officers made arrests at two points on the interstate, including one spot where roughly 300 protesters refused orders to disperse.

Attempting to block or shut down a freeway or state highway to protest is unlawful, dangerous, and prevents motorists from safely reaching their destinations, the highways agency said in a statement.

San Francisco: protesters stop traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge

Further north on the west coast in Eugene, Oregon, protesters blocked Interstate 5, shutting down traffic on the major highway for about 45 minutes. The Washington State Department of Transportation said a demonstration near Seattle closed the main road to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Social media posts showed people holding a banner and waving Palestinian flags while standing on the highway, which reopened about three hours later.

Protests also took place in Oakland and Los Angeles.

Oakland, California: Protesters block traffic on Interstate 880 - Bronta Wittpenn

Los Angeles: Demonstrators hold a 'strike for Gaza' protest - ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

On the other side of the country, protesters marching into Brooklyn blocked Manhattan-bound traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge. New York Police made numerous arrests, saying 150 protesters were initially involved in the march at around 3.15pm, but that number quickly grew. The bridge was fully reopened by 5 pm.

New York: a protester with a green pro-Palestinian headband is arrested on Wall Street - Syndi Pilar/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

There was also disruption in Chicago where protesters linked arms and blocked lanes of Interstate 190 leading into OHare International Airport at 7am. The demonstration was part of a global economic blockade to free Palestine, according to Rifqa Falaneh, one of the organisers.

Protesters say they chose OHare partly because it is one of the busiest airports in the country. They called for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.

Chicago: a protester is taken into custody - Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images

Anti-war protesters have demonstrated in Chicago nearly every day since Hamass October 7 attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 people. Israeli warplanes and ground troops have since conducted a military campaign in Gaza. That offensive has killed more than 33,700 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but claims women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

OHare airport warned travellers on X, formerly known as Twitter, to take alternative forms of transport with car travel substantially delayed this morning due to protest activity.

Some travellers stuck in traffic left their cars and walked the final leg to the airport along the freeway, trailing their luggage behind them.

Among them was Madeline Hannan from suburban Chicago. She was headed to OHare for a work trip to Florida when her and her husbands car ended up stalled for 20 minutes. They both got out and ran and speed walked more than a mile. She said she only just made it to the gate on time.

This was an inconvenience, she said. But in the grand scheme of things going on overseas, its a minor inconvenience.

While individual travellers may have been affected, operations at the airport appeared near normal with delays of under 15 minutes, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. Inbound traffic toward OHare resumed at around 9 am.

Dozens of protesters were arrested in Chicago, according to protest organisers. Chicago police said that multiple people were taken into custody after a protest where people obstructed traffic, but they did not have a detailed count.

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Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt traffic at Golden Gate Bridge, OHare airport and other sites across US

More than 250 people were arrested or taken into custody across the US Monday as pro-Palestinian protesters blocked roads and one of the countrys most famous bridges.

In places from San Francisco and Seattle to Chicago and the East Coast cities of Miami and New York, demonstrators disrupted traffic  including during rush hour  and blocked travelers from getting to major airports to protest the US supporting Israel in the war in Gaza.

On Monday, President Joe Biden, while addressing Irans attack on Israel over the weekend, said he remains focused on Israels security, reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, freeing the hostages taken by Hamas and preventing the conflict from spreading.

Dozens of protesters blocked rush-hour traffic on the iconic Golden Gate Bridge on Monday morning.

Protesters held signs, including one that read, Stop the world for Gaza. Some protesters chained themselves to vehicles on the bridge, authorities said. The bridge didnt fully reopen for several hours.

Demonstrators also blocked vehicle flow in two other places in the Bay Area, some attaching themselves to drums filled with concrete and rebar, which officials said slowed efforts to reopen roads.

It was an orchestrated event that they put forth, California Highway Patrol Chief Don Goodbrand said. They blocked three separate locations on freeways. They prevented law enforcement, paramedics, ambulances from getting to their points of destination.

More than 30 people were arrested, according to the highway patrol.

In Oregon, 52 people were arrested after scores of l aw enforcement officers responded to a protest that blocked lanes of Interstate 5 near Eugene.

Oregon State Police said six vehicles were towed from the scene.

Airline passengers walk around protests to make flights

Demonstrators prevent traffic from using the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near Eugene, Oregon. - Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard/USA Today

Roads to two major US airports also became the scene of protests. In Chicago and Seattle, people trying to catch their flights ended up getting out of vehicles and walking to their terminals.

According to CNN affiliate WLS, protesters stopped traffic from moving on a road to Terminal 1 at Chicagos OHare airport during the morning rush.

Enough is enough. The US government has given us no choice but to disrupt business as usual, demonstrator Simone Tucker told WLS.

About 40 people were taken into custody, Chicago police said.

In Seattle, protesters appeared to block the road leading to the Seattle-Tacoma airport with several vehicles and demonstrators held a sign reading: Our taxes are funding genocide.

Demonstrators in downtown Miami call for a ceasefire in Gaza. - Carl Juste/Miami Herald/AP

KOMO, a CNN affiliate, reported: Some passengers could be seen walking past the protest, rolling their bags down the road as they try and catch their flights.

More than 40 people were arrested, an airport spokesperson said.

In Miami, at least two groups of protesters could be seen on opposite sides of a busy street holding Palestinian flags. Police reported seven arrests.

In New York, dozens of people gathered on Wall Street, carrying flags and holding signs. There was also a protest near the Brooklyn Bridge. While some people were arrested, New York police didnt provide a specific number.

Police in Philadelphia made 68 arrests, a spokesperson for the police department told CNN.

Police lead a man in handcuffs away from a protest near the New York Stock Exchange. - Spencer Platt/Getty Images

US has provided military aid to Israel

Hamas fighters launched a bloody attack on Israel from Gaza on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage. Since Israel declared war on Hamas, more than 33,000 people have been killed in Gaza and more than 76,000 have been injured, according to the health ministry in the besieged enclave.

The US has provided support and military aid to Israel following Hamas attack, though divisions between the two countries leaders have appeared over mounting civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Heres how to help humanitarian efforts in Gaza and Israel.

CNNs Cindy Von Quednow and Brammhi Balarajan contributed to this report.

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CHICAGO  Pro-Palestinian protestors took to the streets of Downtown Chicago on Monday afternoon, shutting down a road in the area as they called for an end to the war in Gaza.

Protestors blocked and flooded a portion of West Adams Street before the group encountered a large number of police officers who prevented them from crossing South Clark Street.

The group then turned around and marched back down Adams Street, headed toward South La Salle Street, where they met another line of officers.

Hundreds of protestors

Hundreds of protestors

Hundreds of protestors

Chicago police said at least 14 people were taken into custody at that protest.

The demonstration comes only hours after 40 protesters were taken into custody after another group shut down all lanes of outbound Interstate I-190, causing significant delays for drivers headed toward OHare International Airport.

For more coverage of the Israel and Hamas Conflict, click here

The war in Gaza, which is now approaching its seventh month, has had a devastating impact on the warn-torn country.

The Associated Press reports that some 300,000 who remained in northern Gaza are now on the brink of famine, after ongoing aid restrictions by Israel.

Healthcare workers push American Medical Association to call for Gaza ceasefire during rally in Chicago

Mondays protest was held two days after Iran launched an attack on Israel in retaliation for a strike on a consular building in Syria, which is widely blamed on Israel.

Authorities in Israel later said that 99% of the weapons were brought down without causing any significant damage and the United States assisted Israel in bringing down many of the drones and missiles.

Saturdays attack was the first time Iran has launched an assault on Israel.

Traffic to OHare resumes after protest shuts down OB I-190

Officials in the U.S. continue their efforts to prevent an escalation across the Middle East as tensions in the region rise following the attack.

On Monday, world leaders echoed similar calls, urging restraint in an effort to avoid further violence.

The Associated Press and WGNs Andrew Smith contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
The University of Southern California has announced that its 2024 valedictorian will no longer give an address at next months commencement ceremony due to security concerns amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Asna Tabassum, a fourth-year biomedical engineering student from Chino Hills, California, was set to give a speech at the ceremony on 10 May.

However, on Monday USC announced that discussion related to the section of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor. This had resulted in substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement a news release said.

Valedictorian is the academic title conferred upon the highest-ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution, typically based on the highest grade point average.

As well as her stellar academic record, Ms Tabassum was noted for having engaged in multiple community outreach and non-profit organisations during her time at USC, including helping to send medical supplies to Turkey, Syria and Ukraine.

In her social media bio, she also includes a link to a pro-Palestinian website. She describes herself as a first-generation South Asian-American Muslim.

The news release from USC stated that the intensity of feelings surrounding the ongoing war, sparked by the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel had escalated to the point of creating security risk at the upcoming commencement ceremony.

Unfortunately, over the past several days, discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor, the release stated.

The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement. We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses.

It continued: As always, and particularly when tensions are running so high across the world, we must prioritize the safety of our community.

We are resolute in our commitment to maintain and prioritize the existing safety and well-being of our USC community during the coming weeks, and allowing those attending commencement to focus on the celebration our graduates deserve.

USC added that tradition must give way to safety and that it had been decided that Ms Tabassum would not be giving a speech at the ceremony.

To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement. The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period, the statement added.

USCs decision has been met with outrage from advocacy groups, including CAIR Greater Los Angeles, who said it empowers voices of hate and violated the universitys obligation to protect its students

In a statement released via the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations, Ms Tabassum said she felt profoundly disappointed and abandoned by USC  my home of four years.

I am honored to have been selected as USC Class of 2024 Valedictorian. Although this should have been a time of celebration for my family, friends, professors, and classmates, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all, she said.

This campaign to prevent me from addressing my peers at commencement has evidently accomplished its goal I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the University is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice.

I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own universitymy home for four yearshas abandoned me.
(FOX40.COM)  The placement of sexually violent predator William Stephenson in Placer County is up in the air once again as the tribal lands location proposed in March is no longer an option, according to the Placer County District Attorneys Office.

During a check-in at the Placer County Superior Court on March 25, the Department of State Hospitals stated they were looking at a property close to tribal lands and would be in communication with the tribal community.

Two people rescued from American River after kayak flips

In a social media post on Monday, the DAs Office shared that the Department of State Hospitals said the address that had previously identified as a placement for Stephenson was no longer viable.

DHS did not provide a reason for no longer seeing the property as a viable location for Stephenson and said they have no other potential properties in mind for Stephenson, according to the DAs office.

On March 27, the United Auburn Indian Community expressed their displeasure and concern with the intended placement of Stephenson near tribal lands.

The placement of a sexually violent predator near tribal lands is irresponsible and could be a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our tribal members, Gene Whitehouse, Chairman of the United Auburn Indian Community wrote in a news release. We call for immediate action and ask authorities to reconsider their decision to place SVP Stephenson near our Indian lands.

Southern California man fraud suspect in Placer County

Two-days after the UAICs statement opposing the placement, Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo voiced his equal displeasure of the proposed placement and his backing of the UAICs position.

Our government firmly recognizes the rights of the Indigenous people of Placer County, Woo wrote in his statement. I believe this placement location ignores those rights and disregards our tribes legitimate concerns.

With the DSH expressing they have run out of options for Stephensons placement, his lawyer will seek a motion to have him released as a transient, according to the DAs office.

At 11 a.m. on June 3, the Placer County Superior Court will be holding another status conference in Department 32.

The conversation around Stephensons placement began in January 2022 when a Placer County judge approved his conditional release. At that time the Department of State Hospitals was tasked with finding him housing.

In July 2023, a Placer County judge announced the release of Stephenson into Placer County as a transient. The DSH would be responsible for finding a property, such as a trailer.

Stephenson has a history of sex crimes dating back to the 90s. Although he was set to be released months ago, state officials have not been able to find suitable housing and the Placer County community has been fighting his release there.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
TEHRAN/WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments related to Iran's massive drone and missile attack against Israel:

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres exchanged views on Iran's massive retaliatory military operation against Israel on Monday.

In a phone call on Monday night, the two sides also discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry early Tuesday.

Amir-Abdollahian said the Iranian armed forces' operation against the Israeli military was within the framework of the legitimate right to self-defense and international law.

The UN chief expressed satisfaction with Iran's position to stop further operations against Israel, saying, "We urge Israel not to take any retaliatory action in order to reduce tensions in the region in favor of establishing peace and prevent the spread of violence."

- - - -

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday urged the United Nations to take more measures to defuse tensions in the Middle East, and reiterated his call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

At his daily press conference, Lopez Obrador also urged Israel to avoid responding to the recent retaliatory attack launched by Iran on its territory.

"Let things remain as they are ... if not, it would escalate the conflict," the president told reporters at the National Palace in Mexico City.

- - - -

The Qatari emir on Monday stressed the need to reduce escalation in the region in a call with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani stressed the need to reduce all forms of escalation and avoid expanding the conflict in the region, reported the Qatar News Agency.

During the call made by the Qatari emir, the two sides stressed "the necessity of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories to reach a permanent and final solution to the Palestinian cause that achieves a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region," it said.

- - - -

U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated his country's commitment to Israel's security on Monday, underscoring as well the need to contain the conflict from further spreading.

"The United States is committed to Israel's security. We're committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading beyond what it already has," Biden said as he sat side-by-side with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in the Oval Office of the White House.

The Biden administration has been trying to prevent a wider regional war that the Iranian attack and a potential Israeli military response would otherwise lead to.

- - - -

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, held phone talks on Monday regarding the tensions between Israel and Iran.

Amir-Abdollahian briefed Wang on Iran's position on the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, saying that the UN Security Council did not make a necessary response to this attack, and that Iran has the right to self-defense in response to the violation of its sovereignty.

Noting that the current regional situation is very sensitive, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is willing to exercise restraint and has no intention of further escalating the situation.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China strongly condemns and firmly opposes the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, regarding it as a serious violation of international law and unacceptable.

China has noted Iran's statement that its action taken was limited and was an act of self-defense in response to the attack against the Iranian consulate in Syria, Wang said.

China appreciates Iran's stress on not targeting regional and neighboring countries as well as its reiteration on continuously pursuing a good-neighborly and friendly policy, he said. 
Prosecutor's Office: 15 people suffer concussion after Russian attack on Beryslav in Kherson Oblast

A total of 15 civilians suffered concussions after a Russian airstrike on the city of Beryslav in Kherson Oblast on April 16, the Kherson Oblast Prosecutor's Office reported based on preliminary data.

Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the west bank of the Dnipro River in the fall 2022 counteroffensive.

Russian troops were pushed to the river's east bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths as well as large-scale destruction of homes and infrastructure.

Russia attacked Beryslav at around 11:30 a.m. local time, damaging residential buildings, shops, a pharmacy etc., the Prosecutor's Office wrote on Facebook.

People who suffered from concussion as a result of the explosion of a guided aerial bomb received medical treatment at the site, according to the report.

Over the past day, a total of two people, including a child, were injured in Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast, regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

Read also: Ukrainian survivor of Russian torture files legal complaint in Argentina

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
NEW YORK  Several protesters stormed within inches of Mayor Eric Adams as he delivered a speech Tuesday to a roomful of community activists on the Upper East Side.

The incident occurred in the middle of Adams remarks at a breakfast hosted by the Association for a Better New York and ended with a security detail pushing protesters off the stage and escorting them from the venue.

The protesters strode to the stage, walked up the steps to the left of the mayor and, once on stage, began railing about Adams treatment of tenants in the city.

When are you going to stand up for working New Yorkers? one of them shouted as security pushed him out the door.

Its not rare that demonstrators protest the mayor at events listed on his public schedule. What set Tuesday mornings incident apart was how easily they got close to Adams.

The protesters did not have tickets to the event, according to representatives with the Association for a Better New York. A spokesman for Adams said they used counterfeit badges to gain entrance to the Park Avenue venue and that the incident is being looked into.

The venue had no metal detectors at the doors.

After the protesters rushed toward the mayor, a security team swooped into action, pushing the protesters down the steps and removing them from the venue.

It was not immediately clear exactly what security precautions had been in place or if anyone was arrested. An NYPD spokesperson said four people involved in the disruption have been taken into custody, but that charges are still pending.

During a press conference held later in the day, the mayor said there was no security breach.

It was not a security breach, he said, referring to his security team. They know that theres one thing the mayor can do, the mayor can handle himself.

He added that hes instructed his security team to not guard him too closely.

I tell my detail members: Do not crowd me, I dont want you in the room, I want to walk by myself, stay on the peripheral, do not keep New Yorkers from coming near me,' he said. It is challenging for them. I am a security persons nightmare.

Adams half-hour speech was geared at boosting the citys post-COVID recovery. During it, Adams touted real estate development, his response to the migrant crisis and his administrations approach to addressing crime. Immediately after his speech, he sat for a Q and A where he played down the disruption.

Adams recalled how, years ago, he overheard a classmate he disliked saying he hated the sound of people popping gum.

So I waited until the finals, and I sat down behind him and I started popping gum, he said, laughing. I felt so bad that I confessed to him.

Youd be surprised how many people wake up every day just to disrupt you, he continued. They dont like their own lives so they want to disrupt your life. And you have to realize to yourself: Pray for them. All those folks were doing, they were popping gum. I gotta stay focused on the final so I can get that A.

_____

(New York Daily News staff writers Chris Sommerfeldt and Thomas Tracy contributed to this story.)
The Georgia Public Service Commission voted Tuesday to approve a plan by Georgia Power that would let them expand their fossil fuel use and increase battery storage capacity. While the vote happened, the decision was not unanimous. Four of five commissioners approved the plan.

While the commission did approve an expansion on how much it can increase, via installations, it was only approved to own and operate half of what it had requested. Georgia Power asked for approval to get 1,000 megawatts of capacity for its battery storage, and PSC only approved 500.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Instead, the commission is requiring Georgia Power to solicit bids for the remaining 500 MW requested, which would then need to be approved by PSC.

The PSC did approve a request to let Georgia Power purchase electricity from Mississippi Powers coal-fired power plant, with the trade-off that it has to use an expected increase in revenue to lower monthly bills for residential customers.

TRENDING STORIES:

The fifth commissioner, Bubba McDonald, abstained from the vote simply voting present rather than yea or nay after an amendment he introduced to wait until after the 2024 presidential election failed to pass.

McDonalds amendment cited an unclear energy policy as it relates to fossil fuels, depending on who is president in 2025.

After the vote, Commissioner Fitz Johnson made a statement telling the power company that he, and Georgia residents, were concerned about future costs.

Our ratepayers cannot continue to see rate hikes. That message needs to go back loud and clear. I want you to understand that to continue to help those in need, but the overall rate base, the overall ratepayers are tired OK, and I know its a delicate balance, Georgia is doing, you know its the No. 1 state to do business, theres a reason for that, Governor Kemp and his staff have done a great job of bringing economic development here, we need to continue to see that, thats all, it benefits us all, but the ratepayers are weary, I want you to make sure you to understand that with 2025 coming up that this commissioner is very concerned about the rate hikes, Johnson said.

Following the vote, Georiga WAND, a nonprofit focused on environmental justice, said the approval meant increased rates and pollution for Georgia residents.

Georgia Powers 2023 Integrated Resource Plan Update hearings concluded today, promising another round of rate increases and the continued reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation. Through a settlement reached earlier this month, it was established that the result of this IRP hearing process would be an approval of ongoing dependence on fossil fuels like coal and oil as well as methane as a primary fuel source with the approval of combustion turbines (CTs) at Plant Yates, and the reduction of solar capacity by the utility, despite Georgia Powers initial proposal for including more solar, Georgia WAND said in a statement.

For a full breakdown of the agreement between Georgia Power and the Georgia Public Service Commission, the documents are available from the PSC Docket online.

In response to Channel 2 Action News, Georgia Powers CFO provided the following response:

At Georgia Power, our customers are at the center of everything we do, and we are unwavering in our commitment to provide them with clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, said Aaron Abramovitz, chief financial officer for Georgia Power. The stipulated agreement benefits all customers, and approval of this agreement will preserve and protect the reliability and quality of electric service our customers expect and supports the continued economic development of our state  all while placing downward pressure on rates for all customers.

A statement from the company following the vote said The 2023 IRP Update is projected to provide over $500 million of net benefit for customers for 2026 through 2028, with the expectation that retail rate would be pushed lower during the companys next rate case filing.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Pueblo police are looking for a 19-year-old homicide suspect as they continue their investigation into the April 7 shooting death of a 27-year-old Pueblo man.

Detectives are searching for Gabriel Joseph Santiago in connection with the death of Dominic Aaron Adams, who died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds in the 1000 Block of Elm Street on April 7, according to the Pueblo County Coroner's Office. Adams died at the scene of the shooting, according to a social media post by the coroner's office.

Police have obtained a first-degree murder warrant for Santiago, who is described as a Hispanic male, 6-foot-4, with brown hair and eyes. He may be driving a 2017 black Hyundai Accent with Colorado license plate CTDR27, according to police.

Adams' death is the 11th homicide of 2024 in the city of Pueblo.

Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact Pueblo police dispatch at 719-553-2502, or Detective Jose Medina at 719-320-6006. To remain anonymous, contact Pueblo Crime Stoppers at 719-542-7867 or pueblocrimestoppers.com. Information that leads to a felony arrest could earn a cash reward for the tipster.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

More public safety news: Pueblo Police investigating 11th homicide of 2024 after man found dead on Elm Street

Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo police searching for 19-year-old man suspected of homicide
Russian President Vladimir Putin joined international calls for cool heads in the Middle East as tensions remain high following Irans unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend.

"Vladimir Putin expressed hope that all sides would show reasonable restraint and prevent a new round of confrontation fraught with catastrophic consequences for the entire region," the Kremlin said in a readout of a call with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, according to a translation by The Moscow Times.

"Ebrahim Raisi noted that Iran's actions were forced and limited in nature: At the same time, he stressed Tehran's disinterest in further escalation of tensions," the Kremlin added. "Both sides stated that the root cause of the current events in the Middle East is the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict."

"In this regard, the principled approaches of Russia and Iran in favor of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, easing the difficult humanitarian situation, and creating conditions for a political and diplomatic settlement of the crisis were confirmed," the Kremlin concluded, adding that the call discussed "in detail" the airstrike on Irans consulate in Damascus.

ISRAEL PUSHES FOR NEW SANCTIONS ON IRAN, URGES COUNTRIES TO DECLARE REVOLUTIONARY GUARD A TERROR GROUP

On Saturday night, Iran launched hundreds of drones and a mixture of cruise and ballistic missiles in retaliation for strikes against its diplomatic mission, or, as other reports claim, an adjoining Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) compound in Damascus.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, meets with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran, Iran July 19, 2022.

The strike killed seven IRGC members, including Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, the senior commander of the forces since the assassination of Gen. Qasem Soleimani in 2020.

Israel never took credit for the strike, but other countries, including the United States, attributed the attack to the Jewish state.

IRAN'S ATTACK ON ISRAEL SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON TEHRAN'S ADVANCING NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly wanted to retaliate directly, but he changed his plans after President Biden told him to "take the win" and stressed the U.S. would not support any direct response to Irans strike. Instead, Israel struck Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon.

However, Israel continued to stress a desire and intent to retaliate against Iran, with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant telling U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday that Israel had no choice but to respond.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Gen. Herzi Halevi added on Monday that "Israel is considering next steps" and that "the launch of so many missiles and drones to Israeli territory will be answered with retaliation," Axios reported.

JOHNSON UNVEILS PLAN TO FUND ISRAEL, UKRAINE IN CLOSED-DOOR HOUSE GOP MEETING

The insistence on retaliation, despite pressure from Israels closest and arguably most vital ally to do otherwise, continues to worry the international community.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, left, and Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant give a joint press conference in Tel Aviv on Dec. 18, 2023.

"The Middle East is on the brink," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a Security Council meeting called on Sunday in response to the strikes. "The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate."

Biden has continued to increase his pursuit of a ceasefire deal, telling Iraqs prime minister that the U.S. is "committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading beyond what it already has."

"The United States is committed to Israels security," the president said, according to a readout of the phone call. White House national security communications spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that the president is "certainly not looking for a war with Iran, and I am confident that Prime Minister Netanyahu is aware of the presidents concerns."

Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: Putin shared surprising advice with Iranian counterpart following unprecedented attack on Israel
Following Tehran's missile attack on Israel, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on all sides in the Middle East conflict to exercise restraint in a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi.

In the conversation, Putin expressed his hope that there would not be another round of confrontation, the Kremlin press service reported on Tuesday.

An escalation could have catastrophic consequences for the entire region, he said. Russia has not explicitly condemned Iran's missile attack on Israel.

Iran had fired more than 300 rockets, cruise missiles and drones at Israel at the weekend. Israel and allied defences intercepted almost all of the incoming fire.

Iran said it was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria that killed two Iranian generals and five officers.
FILE PHOTO: A model of a missile is seen during a celebration following the IRGC attack on Israel, in Tehran

By Guy Faulconbridge and Parisa Hafezi

MOSCOW/DUBAI (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday urged all sides in the Middle East to refrain from action that would trigger a new confrontation which he warned would be fraught with catastrophic consequences for the region, the Kremlin said.

Putin, who has forged much closer ties with the Islamic Republic since sending troops into Ukraine in 2022, spoke to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi by phone about what the Kremlin called "retaliatory measures taken by Iran."

Iran launched drones and missiles at Israel late on Saturday in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate on April 1 that killed seven officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two senior commanders.

Putin, in his first publicly aired comments on Iran's attack, said the root cause of the current instability in the Middle East was the unresolved conflict between Palestinians and Israel.

"Vladimir Putin expressed hope that all sides would show reasonable restraint and prevent a new round of confrontation fraught with catastrophic consequences for the entire region," the Kremlin said.

"Ebrahim Raisi noted that Iran's actions were forced and limited in nature," the Kremlin said. "At the same time, he stressed Tehran's disinterest in further escalation of tensions."

Tehran gave a slightly different readout of the call, with state media quoting Raisi as declaring that Iran would respond more severely, extensively, and painfully than ever to any action against Iran's interests.

Iranian state media quoted Putin as characterising Tehran's response to Israel as the best way to punish the aggressor and a manifestation of the wisdom of Iran's leaders.

Russia, which has forged close ties both with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Arab leaders such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has repeatedly scolded the West for ignoring the need for an independent Palestinian state within 1967 borders.

"Both sides stated that the root cause of the current events in the Middle East is the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict," the Kremlin said of the call with Raisi.

"In this regard, the principled approaches of Russia and Iran in favour of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, easing the difficult humanitarian situation, and creating conditions for a political and diplomatic settlement of the crisis were confirmed."

Putin, who in 2022 visited Khamenei, congratulated Raisi and all Muslims on the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Top U.S. generals say the growing partnerships between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea pose one of the most dangerous challenges to the United States in the past four decades.

Iran has provided Russia with a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and drones that Moscow has used in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Jonathan Oatis)
U.S. Democratic representatives hold a meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington

CAIRO (Reuters) -The Qatari embassy in the U.S. expressed surprise on Tuesday at comments made by a U.S. Democratic congressman regarding the Gaza hostage crisis and his threat to "reevaluate" the U.S. relationship with Qatar.

Congressman Steny Hoyer said on Monday that Qatar, which along with Egypt is mediating negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, should tell Hamas there will be "repercussions" if the militant Palestinian group "continues to block progress towards releasing the hostages and establishing a temporary ceasefire".

"Consequences ought to include cutting off funding to Hamas or refusing to grant Hamas' leaders refuge in Doha. If Qatar fails to apply this pressure, the United States must reevaluate its relationship with Qatar," Hoyer said in a statement.

In response, Qatar said Hoyer's comments were not "constructive".

"Qatar is only a mediator - we do not control Israel or Hamas. Israel and Hamas are entirely responsible for reaching an agreement," the embassy statement said.

"Of course, recent progress has been slow, and Congressman Hoyer is not alone in his frustration. But blaming and threatening is not constructive," it said.

Qatar is a major non-NATO ally, the statement added, and presently hosts 10,000 U.S. troops and the largest U.S. military presence in the Middle East.

The embassy statement also dismissed Hoyer's suggestion that Hamas should not be in Qatar.

"It is certainly tempting to do as he suggests and walk away from seemingly intransigent parties... but it is useful to remember that Qatar's mediation role exists only because we were asked by the U.S. in 2012 to play this role since, regrettably, Israel and Hamas refuse to speak to each other directly," it said.

Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages during an Oct. 7 incursion into southern Israel, according to Israeli tallies. An estimated 129 hostages remain in Gaza and negotiators have spoken of some 40 being freed in the first stage of a possible deal with Hamas.

The Oct. 7 killing spree by Hamas triggered Israel's ground and aerial offensive in Gaza which Palestinian officials say has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 33,000 Palestinians.

(Reporting by Muhammad Al Gebaly, Pesha Magid, Adam MakaryEditing by Gareth Jones)
PHNOM PENH, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's bicycle export fell 43 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2024, said a General Department of Customs and Excise's report on Tuesday.

The Southeast Asian country exported bicycles, including electric bicycles, worth 96.9 million U.S. dollars during the January-March period this year, a decrease of 43 percent from 170 million dollars over the same period 2023.

Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State and spokesperson Penn Sovicheat said the made-in-Cambodia bicycles had been shipped mainly to European countries, the United States, Britain and Canada, among others.

"The drop was due to global economic slowdown and uncertainties that had resulted in a plunge in purchase orders," he told Xinhua.

Sovicheat said bicycles are one of Cambodia's major manufacturing products for exports after garments, footwears, and travel goods.

There are currently five bicycle factories in the kingdom, all of them are located in special economic zones in Svay Rieng Province's Bavet City on the border with Vietnam. 
CANYON  Nearly 43 acres of ranchland recently given to West Texas A&M University will facilitate the construction of a new feedlot and further expands WTs footprint on the ranchlands east of Canyon.

Brothers Mike and Gary Kuhlman made a land legacy gift of 42.84 acres of property adjacent to the Nance Ranchs west property line. The gifted land, valued at $425,000, will serve as the location for a new WT Research Feedlot and Education Center, a news release stated.

Working with the WTAMU Foundation, we have created a way for donors to make gifts of property for educational use and asset-generating income, said WT President Walter V. Wendler in the release. Many Panhandle residents want to help WT, and their greatest asset is the vast amounts of land which have been in some families for generations. We can accept such gifts to help the donors help WT and further fulfill the vision of serving and being responsive to the Panhandle region.

Brothers Mike and Gary Kuhlman have made a land legacy gift of 42.84 acres of property adjacent to the Nance Ranchs east property line which will allow West Texas A&M University to build a new research feedlot facility.

WT said fundraising is ongoing for the research feedlot, an estimated $8 to $10 million project. Support has been provided by the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and many industry partners, said Dr. Kevin Pond, dean of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.

This land legacy give comes at the perfect time, Pond said. It is ideal for the location of the new research feedlot due to its slope and proximity to the Nance Ranch and the WT campus. This gift, along with other generous gifts, will help us build a state-of-the-art research feedlot and education center, providing our students with rich educational and research opportunities and making a positive impact on the feedlot industry.

WT said the annual economic impact of beef and dairy cattle in the Texas Panhandle exceeds $20 billion.

The Kuhlman brothers are descended from a line of Randall County pioneers who settled here in the early 1900s. Their father, Herbert F. Kuhlman, worked the land, and both brothers raise cattle on the family property; theyll maintain a portion of their land to continue to do so. The Kuhlmans, including Mikes wife Donna and Garys wife Debbie, are active supporters and have donated to the Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences for more than 20 years, largely through establishing endowed scholarships for beef cattle, rodeo and leadership.

The existing WT feedlot, located on Nance Road east of Canyon, has 72 soil-surfaced pens that house 10 to 12 animals each, with 150 to 180 square feet of pen space and 10 to 12 inches of bunk space per animal. WT said this provides a scale model of pen and bunk space representative of the larger commercial feedlot pens in the region.

A new research feedlot, which will be constructed south of the existing one, will include an educational center with a classroom and small auditorium; 90 10-head pens; 40 70-head pens; state-of-the-art technology for monitoring and feed manufacture and delivery; and a top-of-theline animal-processing facility.

Approximately $1.5 million for the project has been raised thus far, according to WT.

Mike and Gary are steadfast supporters who understand the importance of this gift and the new research feedlot, said David Schaeffer, president of the WTAMU Foundation. We are so grateful for their foresight and generosity.

The Nance Ranch, located about seven miles east of Canyon, consists of 2,393 acres including the headquarters. Given to WT in 1971, it is used as a working laboratory for WTs animal science program as well as the Semi-Arid Agricultural Systems Institute and the plant and soil science program, providing numerous research and teaching opportunities for faculty and students. The Gerdsen family made a land legacy gift of the Gerdsen Family Centennial Ranch in 2021. The 1,772-acre ranch sits on land near the Nance Ranch and offers more opportunities for hands-on learning experiences.

The planned feedlot is part of an effort to enhance educational opportunities in agriculture at WT through the Center for Advancing Food Animal Production in the Panhandle (CAFAP) and through the Feedlot Research Group, which offers opportunities for applied research in animal health and epidemiology; environmental science; meat science; and ruminant nutrition and management.

Through CAFAP, students can specialize in animal health, animal care, animal nutrition and preand post-harvest food science/food safety. A $6 million state allocation announced in June 2023 provided more resources for CAFAP, enabling expansions in research for the food animal industry, in the use of water in animal production and other high-impact areas, through a combination of personnel from WT; Veterinary Education, Research and Outreach, or VERO; Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension; and the Charles W. Graham DVM Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. VERO is the veterinarian training program housed at both WT and Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center of Amarillo announced in May 2022 that it would move to the northeast corner of WTs campus, thanks to $30 million in funding from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Construction is slated to begin sometime this year.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Ranchland gift to be used for new WT Research Feedlot
Low-income urban residents get rats and pigeons. But when the wealthy move in, they get species like rabbits and flying squirrels.

As gentrification displaces lower-income people from American neighborhoods, the animal populations in the areas theyre leaving behind are shifting toward local species less typically associated with city environments, a new study has found.

The findings, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), shed new light on the complex impacts that human demographics exert on the wildlife of American cities.

In particular, the researchers focused on what happens as neighborhoods gentrify  or experience an influx of whiter, wealthier and more educated inhabitants.

The study draws from the rich tradition of urban ecology, which seeks to understand how the structure of cities  which are home to 56 percent of the worlds people  influences the growing populations of wild plants and animals that live within them.

One focus of that research is the linked effects that human development policies can have on people and animals alike, lead author Mason Fidino, an ecologist at the Urban Wildlife Institute of Chicagos Lincoln Park Zoo, told The Hill.

The extent to which those policies can push minority communities out of places where theyve been living for decades and also shift mammal communities is absolutely astounding, Fidino said.

At the end of the day, there are some aspects of nature that are chronically inaccessible to millions of Americans, he added.

The implementation of development policies leads to rising property values and more expensive rents, often pricing out neighborhoods original residents in what can become a cascade of complete demographic transition  as has occurred in many now-trendy zones of cities like Los Angeles, New York or Chicago that were once bastions of middle- and working-class minority communities.

At the same time, gentrification has led to more investment in parks and greenspaces, in many cities giving rise to dramatic shifts in mammal populations that in some cases have driven the creation of new and distinctive habitats in the heart of those urban landscapes.

That change comes with a bitter irony for those priced out, Fidino noted. The people that have been moved out of those areas dont get those environmental benefits that may come along with them.

In many cities, this transition has led to an environmental inequality that parallels the social kind: Americans moving into once low-income neighborhoods are far more likely than the areas original inhabitants to catch a sudden glimpse of an interesting mammal.

By contrast, lower-income residents would have been more likely to spot a species that is highly adapted to life in the urban jungle, like a rat or pigeon.

Fidino emphasized that the problem wasnt just that lower-income people were seeing less interesting animals.

I dont necessarily want to say that if you live next to a raccoon, youre benefiting from that, he said.

But if you live in a species-rich area, youre having the opportunity to have positive interactions  and the potential for those interactions is something that people are being excluded from.

Even for those who dont love coyotes, armadillos or possums  or who just dont want to live next to them  the change in the community of wild mammals in a neighborhood points to larger transitions and more troubling inequities when it comes to access to nature.

A robust line of study over the past decade has established that access to nature makes people healthier both mentally and physically. For example, a 2017 study in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that access to green spaces significantly improved the mental health  and reduced the stress  of those living nearby.

The clinical benefits are notable. A February study in PNAS found that Texas communities with more access to green space had lower rates of people seeking treatment for mental health concerns  even once researchers controlled for socioeconomic status.

But these benefits are not shared equally. In what is sometimes called the luxury effect, urban animal biodiversity across the developed world tends to correspond to wealth  an idea that holds even in the middle of relatively dense cities. (For example, a 2011 study found that in Phoenix wild birds were more common in richer areas of the city.)

That inequality isnt an accident. It in large part stems from racist land-use and zoning practices, according to a 2020 paper in the journal Science by Christopher Schell, one of the coauthors on Fidinos PNAS paper.

Schell and his fellow researchers found that neighborhoods with histories of segregation or redlining  a discriminatory housing practice that included a lack of loans or municipal spending on green space in certain areas  still have significantly less biodiversity than wealthier, whiter neighborhoods.

In a striking metric of the long shadow of American discrimination, Schells team found that the evolution of urban animals was at the time of their research largely driven by factors rooted in racism. Animals in lower-income areas tended to have greater levels of inbreeding  a result of more cramped habitats with less tree cover and connections to other population groups  and more exposure to heat and pollution.

Because structural inequalities form the foundation of city infrastructure, the paper found, inequality among humans defines the ecological setting and evolutionary trajectories for all urban organisms.

To Fidino, Schells research suggested a new line of investigation. Over the past two decades, a return of investment and development to once-neglected neighborhoods has meant a significant increase in spending on restoring parks, planting trees and converting power and sewer easements into publicly accessible greenspaces.

That trend  sometimes called green gentrification  tended to raise property values, helping to price out many neighborhoods original inhabitants. That led to an obvious question: What had those changes done to local animal populations, and what might that say about the changing dynamics of how nature functions in American cities?

This required a staggeringly complicated analysis. The PNAS study is based on a vast and diverse array of data: nearly 200,000 days of camera trap surveillance, taken over three years across almost 1,000 sites in 23 U.S. cities each with a unique mammal population, pattern of urban development and interaction between the two.

Putting the study together required many different steps. The dozens of researchers involved in the project had to come up with a scientifically rigorous definition of gentrification that could apply across nearly two-dozen cities; build out and parse the data from a national network of camera traps; and create a mathematical framework that could sift the broader signal out of all that noise.

The team looked at terrestrial mammals for two reasons. First because unlike birds, they have to move on foot directly through the city, which makes them particularly responsive to changes in ground cover.

Second, the Lincoln Park Zoos Urban Wildlife Information Network  a national network of camera traps, which triggered when animals walked in front of them  had begun to yield significant data on the mammals found in parks and green spaces across the country.

Finally, the presence of mammals was indicative of many of the same features that make landscapes congenial to people. Since mammals must get all their needs met by the natural features in a neighborhood, their prevalence in an area can demonstrate how good those features are at providing shade, shelter, clean water and food  which also appeal to people, but can be hard to study directly.

Across the U.S., mid-sized predators like coyotes and racoons, for example, tend to be more likely to colonize and stick around wealthy white neighborhoods, according to a 2016 study in Animal Conservation  the kind of trend that Fidino suggested indicates those areas also have food for such animals.

If you have a predator living in the area, you already know that theres prey, right? he said.

We couldnt go out and survey all the different yards across 25 different cities  but we can use these patterns that were observing in mammal communities and relate them back to changes in the landscape.

One finding came as little surprise. The biggest element linked to mammal prevalence in American neighborhoods was not whether the area was gentrifying, but the extent to which it was covered in impervious surfaces like asphalt and concrete.

A heavily gentrified neighborhood with a lot of impervious cover still had far lower mammal biodiversity than a nongentrified neighborhood with a lot of green space  although gentrification did moderate the still-negative impacts of a lot of asphalt and concrete.

Other findings were more striking. Across most of the U.S., gentrification correlated to what biologists call alpha diversity, or healthier populations of the same animals found elsewhere in the region.

But in a few cities  largely on the West Coast  gentrification instead correlated to what biologists call beta diversity, a different species mix being found in green spaces than in the surrounding areas.

Why? Everyone has their pet theory, Fidino said. Maybe East Coast cities are centuries older, so their wildlife has been made more homogenous by centuries of pressure from European settlement. Maybe they are denser, so mammal species have a harder time finding their way across the concrete from the isolated park ecosystems in which theyre trapped, even if those parks are more welcoming than they used to be.

But Fidino cautioned against leaning too hard on those explanations.

In experimental science, the practice of coming up with stories to explain patterns in the data after the fact is called HARKing, for hypothesizing after the results are known  which leaves researchers at risk of being seduced by an intuitive-seeming explanation that they havent actually tested.

The findings also point to another big question: Is it possible to have the habitat-restoring benefits of green gentrification without the accompanying displacement of human residents?

Its a thorny problem, Fidino said, because investment in green spaces  a neighborhood amenity whose presence drives up rents, home prices and property taxes  is so tied to the processes by which gentrification happens.

Creating more green spaces is normally viewed as an economic development strategy, right? And thats kind of the thing that needs to be combated for the most part, Fidino said.

But thats difficult, because how do you disentangle urban green space development from Western capitalism? Thats what would need to happen for this to be much more equitable: for cities to view urban green space as a human right, versus the way that its typically done now.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Candi Lukat, seen speaking in January at a school district event, resigned in March 2024 as treasurer of Ravenna City Schools.

The Ravenna City Schools Board of Education has launched its search for a new treasurer for the school district.

The board has contracted with Finding Leaders and the Educational Services Center of Northeast Ohio. The Ohio School Boards Association also recently made a pitch to the district.

Candi Lukat, treasurer of the Ravenna district since 2021, resigned in March.

Dr. Laura Hebert, superintendent of the district, said the Educational Service Center will underwrite the search cost. The closing date for the job posting is May 3.

"The district has worked with the ESC and Finding Leaders in the past," Hebert said. "While the OSBA presentation was thorough, when compared with the ESC, the package was similar in nature. And the ESC will conduct the search at no cost to the district."

Finding leaders, a school search firm, helped the district find Hebert in 2021, and its treasurer in 2018 and 2016.

Until a new treasurer is hired, Sherry Tyson and Ryan Pendleton are overseeing the district's financial operations through a contract with the ESC and Northcoast Shared Services Alliance. Tyson is a retired treasurer from Youngstown City Schools, and Pendleton is the former treasurer for Akron Public Schools and is also contracted with the North Coast Alliance.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna Schools' search for new treasurer won't cost district
A well-known defense attorney is accused of faking a seizure and assaulting a police officer after allegedly attacking her office employee, according to court documents.

Mary Leazer Rogers was arrested on Monday. According to her arrest sheet, around noon that day, officers were called to Euclid Avenue, where a woman told them Rogers had punched her in the head. The victim said Rogers hit the right side of her face and nose five times, scratching her and drawing blood.

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Officers saw the injuries on the victims face and saw blood on one of Rogers nails, which supported the victims allegations.

The victim told police that Rogers had gotten upset with her about a clients case. The client had been at the office earlier but he had left before officers arrived.

An attorney is accused of assaulting a police officer and faking a seizure after attacking her office employee, according to court documents. Mary Rogers was arrested on Monday.

The victim told police that Rogers had accused her of having a personal relationship with the client. She also alleged Rogers wanted to have a sexual relationship with her, but she told police she refused to engage with Rogers. She said Rogers got upset with her and began arguing with her and cursing at her, which led to the assault, the arrest sheet says.

Police arrested Rogers for simple assault. While they were taking her to the patrol car, authorities said Rogers kicked one officer in the lower leg. She then spit in another officers face once she got to the patrol car, police said.

Authorities said Rogers, growing combative, refused to sit inside the patrol car when asked and laid on her stomach across the backseat while in handcuffs. Officers opened the back door to try to reposition her, but she forced her way out of the car and onto the ground, police said.

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Officers said Rogers was screaming and cursing the whole time, and people came out of their offices to see what was going on.

Police said it was then that Rogers had what they believed was a seizure. They said later, Rogers admitted to medical staff at the hospital she had faked it.

Rogers is also accused of spitting on a paramedics head while she was being loaded into the ambulance.

Rogers was arrested for simple assault, assault on government officials, and malicious conduct by prisoner.

Rogers has represented numerous defendants charged with murder, robbery, DWI, and other crimes. They include Michael Withers, a murder suspect who was released from jail repeatedly before his his bond was eventually revoked.

According to court records, Rogers is still listed as Withers attorney. She has represented him since October 2021.

According to her website, Rogers is from Charlotte and attended North Mecklenburg High School. She graduated from Davidson College in 1992 and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995. Before she was a defense attorney, Rogers was a prosecutor in the Mecklenburg County District Attorneys office for several years.

ALSO READ: CMPD officer accused of stealing from arrestee

On Tuesday, clients showed up to Rogers office in Dilworth expecting to meet with her, but nobody was there. They were stunned when Channel 9s Hunter Saenz told them about the allegations against Rogers.

Rang the doorbell, knocked at the door, called the phone, nobody there, said client Danielle Devito.

Devito was more than disappointed to hear about the allegations and was frustrated after her family took the day off and drove from Union County, with no warning that no one would be at the office.

Now, shes wondering how Rogers personal case could impact her relatives case.

Its not anything I want representing my family member, Devito said.

As far as what impact the case could have on Rogers ability to practice law, or her current cases, Saenz learned the bar could take action if a complaint is made. However, that could take a while knowing these are only allegations right now.

Rogers shared a statement about her arrest, saying she was remorseful.

Mrs. Rogers is remorseful and deeply saddened with the circumstances surrounding her arrest on Monday, it reads in part. Regardless of the specific facts and circumstances that resulted in law enforcement being contacted, Mrs. Rogers acknowledges the incident does not reflect well on her personally or the legal profession generally. There will be a time and place for the facts to be sorted out in a court of law. Finally, we express gratitude to the many family members, current and former clients, professional colleagues, and friends that have reached out to express support and encouragement.

(WATCH BELOW: Jury selection starts for man with gun seen on video assaulting woman in Walmart)




After several difficult years, the Army and Air Force say they are on track to meet their recruiting goals this year, reversing previous shortfalls using a swath of new programs and policy changes. But the Navy, while improving, expects once again to fall short.

The mixed results reflect the ongoing challenges for the U.S. military as it struggles to attract recruits in a tight job market, where companies are willing to pay more and provide good benefits without the demands of service and warfighting. And even those who are meeting their goals say they are still finding it difficult to attract the dwindling number of young people who can meet the militarys physical, mental and moral standards.

With half a year to go in the recruiting year, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said she is optimistic about hitting the 55,000 enlistment goal and getting an additional 5,000 recruits for the delayed entry pool that would come in during the next year or so.

Right now we are 5,000 contracts ahead of where we were compared to this time last year, Wormuth said in an interview with The Associated Press. I dont want to set expectations too high right now, but Im feeling good.

For the Army, it is a bright spot in what has been a long slog of low numbers and lengthy deliberations on how to reverse the momentum.

Last fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, the Navy, Army and Air Force all failed to meet their recruitment goals. The Marine Corps and the tiny Space Force have consistently hit their targets, although the Marines have struggled a bit. The previous fiscal year, the Army fell 15,000 short of its enlistment goal of 60,000, and the other services had to dig into the pools of delayed entry candidates in order to meet their recruiting numbers.

Now, with six months of recruiting under their belts  including the historically meager winter months  the Air Force and Army are optimistic theyll meet their goals.

A key success, said Wormuth, has been the Armys future soldier prep course, which has graduated about 17,000 soldiers since it was started in August 2022, including about 5,300 so far in this current fiscal year. The prep course, which is now at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Moore, Georgia, gives lower-performing recruits up to 90 days of academic or fitness instruction to help them meet military standards and go on to basic training.

Not only are the graduation rates very high, but the number of graduates from the program who then are selected for leadership roles when theyre in basic training or who do particularly well in basic is notable, said Wormuth, adding that 34% of the leadership posts in basic training are filled by soldiers who attended the prep course.

We still have six months to go, so I dont want to be overconfident, said Wormuth. But recruiting was high in February and March, usually the most difficult months. Now were starting to move into the spring and summer months, which are the traditionally better recruiting months.

The Air Force is also upbeat, after making a number of policy changes, relaxing tattoo rules, boosting bonuses and expanding efforts to recruit lawful permanent residents. The service missed its active-duty recruiting mission of more than 26,800 last year by about 3,000 airmen, but has exceeded its goal so far this year. Buoyed by the progress, the Air Force has just increased its active-duty enlistment target for the year to 27,100, a boost of about 1,200.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein, who heads the Air Forces recruiting, said while hes cautiously optimistic about making their goal, we cannot take our foot off the gas. He said the service needs to keep looking at policy changes and other adjustments.

Navy leaders, however, say that while theyre doing better than last year, they expect to miss their recruiting goal of about 40,600 by roughly 6,700.

We continue to face challenges in the current and forecasted economic environment and tough labor market, said Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman, head of Navy personnel. The Navy continues to explore and evaluate new methods for attracting qualified, motivated and capable applicants.

The Navy has started its own recruit prep course, and earlier this year began to enlist people who didnt graduate from high school or get a GED, as long as they score 50 or above (out of 99) on the Armed Services Qualification Test. It was the second time in about a year that the Navy opened the door to lower-performing recruits. In December 2022 it started recruiting a larger number of sailors who scored very low on the test.

Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, made clear last week that the recruiting challenges are having a direct impact on the Navys maritime mission. She told Congress that the Navy is about 18,000 short of the number of sailors needed for operations at sea, and about 4,000 short for shore-based jobs.

The bulk of those would be filled by incoming recruits, and the shortfall comes as Navy ships in the Middle East are under persistent pressure, countering attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

The Marine Corps, meanwhile, hasnt missed its enlistment goal, but did have to tap into its pool of delayed entry recruits in order to meet the target two years ago.

We continue to make mission without ever diminishing our standards, Gen. Eric Smith, commandant of the Marine Corps, flatly told Congress earlier this month. The Corps is on pace to meet this years goal of 31,100, including active duty and reserves.

The other services have begun to duplicate what has been a longstanding Marine program  the use of high-performing service members and up-and-coming commanders to serve as recruiters.

Army leaders have begun an extensive reorganization of its recruiting force, creating a professional job classification and doing reviews to weed out recruiters who arent doing well and would be better off in another job. And the service is finding other perks that work.

For example, about 25% of new recruits are opting to choose their first duty station, according to Gen. Randy George, chief of staff of the Army. Until recently recruits did not have that option. The key, said Wormuth, is figuring out which incentives work.

Right now, she said, the Army is trying to juggle both the short-term enlistment goals and the long-term changes in how the service recruits.

The biggest challenge is maintaining our focus on making this years mission, keeping all of the wheels turning that we already have set in motion while at the same time building out the more transformational work that were doing, said Wormuth. Were building the plane while it flies.
A woman displays a city-provided debit card she receives monthly through a trial program in Stockton, Calif., in 2019. That year, Stockton launched a basic income experiment that has set off a major expansion of such programs across the country. Research has shown basic income programs can boost employment and health, but GOP lawmakers in some states are pushing back on the concept of free cash. (Rich Pedroncelli/The Associated Press)

This story originally appeared on Stateline.

South Dakota state Sen. John Wiik likes to think of himself as a lookout of sorts  keeping an eye on new laws, programs and ideas brewing across the states.

I dont bring a ton of legislation, said Wiik, a Republican. The main thing I like to do is try and stay ahead of trends and try and prevent bad things from coming into our state.

This session, that meant sponsoring successful legislation banning cities or counties from creating basic income programs, which provide direct, regular cash payments to low-income residents to help alleviate poverty.

While Wiik isnt aware of any local governments publicly floating the idea in South Dakota, he describes such programs as bureaucrats trying to hand out checks to make sure that your party registration matches whoever signed the checks for the rest of your life.

The economic gut punch of the pandemic and related assistance efforts such as the expanded child tax credit popularized the idea of directly handing cash to people in need. Advocates say the programs can be administered more efficiently than traditional government assistance programs, and research suggests they increase not only financial stability but also mental and physical health.

Still, Wiik and other Republicans argue handing out no-strings-attached cash disincentivizes work  and having fewer workers available is especially worrisome in a state with the nations second-lowest unemployment rate.

South Dakota is among at least six states where GOP officials have looked to ban basic income programs.

The basic income concept has been around for decades, but a 2019 experiment in Stockton, California, set off a major expansion. There, 125 individuals received $500 per month with no strings attached for two years. Independent researchers found the program improved financial stability and health, but concluded that the pandemic dampened those effects.

GOP lawmakers like Wiik fear that even experimental programs could set a dangerous precedent.

What did Ronald Reagan say, The closest thing to eternal life on this planet is a government program? Wiik said. So, if you get people addicted to just getting a check from the government, its going to be really hard to take that away.

The debate over basic income programs is likely to intensify as blue state lawmakers seek to expand pilot programs. Minnesota, for example, could become the nations first to fund a statewide program. But elected officials in red states are working to thwart such efforts  not only by fighting statewide efforts but also by preventing local communities from starting their own basic income programs.

Democratic governors in Arizona and Wisconsin recently vetoed Republican legislation banning basic income programs.

Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Harris County to block a pilot program that would provide $500 per month to 1,900 low-income people in the states largest county, home to Houston.

Paxton, a Republican, argued the program is illegal because it violates a state constitutional provision that says local governments cannot grant public money to individuals.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, a Democrat, called Paxtons move nothing more than an attack on local government and an attempt to make headlines.

Meanwhile, several blue states are pushing to expand these programs.

Washington state lawmakers debated a statewide basic income bill during this years short session. And Minnesota lawmakers are debating whether to spend $100 million to roll out one of the nations first statewide pilot programs.

Were definitely seeing that shift from pilot to policy, said Sukhi Samra, the director of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, which formed after the Stockton experiment.

So far, that organization has helped launch about 60 pilot programs across the country that will provide $250 million in unconditional aid, she said.

This is an effective policy that helps our families, and this can radically change the way that we address poverty in this country.

 Sukhi Samra, director of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income

Despite pushback in some states, Samra said recent polling commissioned by the group shows broad support of basic income programs. And the programs have shown success in supplementing  not replacing  social safety net programs, she said.

The extra cash gives recipients freedom of choice. People can fix a flat tire, cover school supplies or celebrate a childs birthday for the first time.

Theres no social safety net program that allows you to do that. she said.   This is an effective policy that helps our families, and this can radically change the way that we address poverty in this country.

Basic income experiments

The proliferation of basic income projects has been closely studied by researchers.

Though many feared that free cash would dissuade people from working, that hasnt been the case, said Sara Kimberlin, the executive director and senior research scholar at Stanford Universitys Center on Poverty and Inequality.

Stanfords Basic Income Lab has tracked more than 150 basic income pilots across the country. Generally, those offer $500 or $1,000 per month over a short period.

There isnt anywhere in the United States where you can live off of $500 a month, she said. At the same time, $500 a month really makes a tremendous difference for someone who is living really close to the edge.

Kimberlin said the research on basic income programs has so far been promising, though its unclear how long the benefits may persist once programs conclude. Still, she said, plenty of research shows how critical economic stability in childhood is to stability in adulthood  something both the basic income programs and the pandemic-era child tax credit can address.

Over the past five years, basic income experiments have varied across the country.

Last year, California launched the nations first state-funded pilot programs targeting former foster youth.

In Colorado, the Denver Basic Income Project aimed to help homeless individuals. After early successes, the Denver City Council awarded funding late last year to extend that program, which provides up to $1,000 per month to hundreds of participants.

A 2021 pilot launched in Cambridge, Massachusetts, provided $500 a month over 18 months to 130 single caregivers. Research from the University of Pennsylvania found the Cambridge program increased employment, the ability to cover a $400 emergency expense, and food and housing security among participants.

Children in participating families were more likely to enroll in Advanced Placement courses, earned higher grades and had reduced absenteeism.

It was really reaffirming to hear that when families are not stressed out, they are able to actually do much better, said Geeta Pradhan, president of the Cambridge Community Foundation, which worked on the project.

Pradhan said basic income programs are part of a national trend in trust-based philanthropy, which empowers individuals rather than imposing top-down solutions to fight poverty.

There is something that I think it does to peoples sense of empowerment, a sense of agency, the freedom that you feel, she said. I think that theres some very important aspects of humanity that are built into these programs.

While the pilot concluded, the Cambridge City Council committed $22 million in federal pandemic aid toward a second round of funding. Now, nearly 2,000 families earning at or below 250% of the federal poverty level are receiving $500 monthly payments, said Sumbul Siddiqui, a city council member.

Siddiqui, a Democrat, pushed for the original pilot when she was mayor during the pandemic. While she said the program has proven successful, its unclear whether the city can find a sustainable source of funding to keep it going long term.

States look to expand pilots

Tomas Vargas Jr. was among the 125 people who benefited from the Stockton, California, basic income program that launched in 2019.

At the time, he heard plenty of criticism from people who said beneficiaries would blow their funds on drugs and alcohol or quit their jobs.

Off of $500 a month, which amazed me, said Vargas, who worked part time at UPS.

A man and a woman posing with their children.

Tomas Vargas Jr. was among the 125 people who participated in the 2019 basic income experiment in Stockton, Calif. Vargas, pictured here with his family, said the $500 a month allowed him to be a better father and take off time to pursue a better career. (Courtesy of Tomas Vargas Jr.)

But he said the cash gave him breathing room. He had felt stuck at his job, but the extra money gave him the freedom to take time off to interview for better jobs.

Unlike other social service programs like food stamps, he didnt have to worry about losing out if his income went up incrementally. The cash allowed him to be a better father, he said, as well as improved his confidence and mental health.

The experience prompted him to get into the nonprofit sector. Financially stable, he now works at Mayors for a Guaranteed Income.

The person I was five years ago is not the person that I am now, he said.

Washington state Sen. Claire Wilson, a Democrat, said basic income is a proactive way to disrupt the status quo maintained by other anti-poverty efforts.

I have a belief that our systems in our country have never been put in place to get people out of them, she said. They kept people right where they are.

Wilson chairs the Human Services Committee, which considered a basic income bill this session that would have created a pilot program to offer 7,500 people a monthly amount equivalent to the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in their area.

The basic income bill didnt progress during Washingtons short legislative session this year, but Wilson said lawmakers would reconsider the idea next year. While she champions the concept, she said theres a lot of work to be done convincing skeptics.

In Minnesota, where lawmakers are considering a $100 million statewide basic income pilot program, some Republicans balked at the concept of free cash and its cost to taxpayers.

Just the cost alone should be a concern, Republican state Rep. Jon Koznick said during a committee meeting this month.

State Rep. Athena Hollins, a Democrat who sponsored the legislation, acknowledged the hefty request, but said backers would support a scaled-down version and thought it was really important to get this conversation started.

Much of the conversation in committee centered on local programs in cities such as Minneapolis and St. Paul. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, a Democrat, told lawmakers the citys 2020 pilot saw groundbreaking results.

After scraping by for years, some families were able to put money into savings for the first time, he said. Families experienced less anxiety and depression. And the pilot disproved the disparaging tropes from critics about people living in poverty, the mayor said.

Carter told lawmakers that the complex issue of economic insecurity demands statewide solutions.

I am well aware that the policy were proposing today is a departure from what were all used to, he said. In fact, thats one of my favorite things about it.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter.

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In 2002, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County was granted self-autonomy in an attempt to free the board of conflicting interests that come with serving the wider county government.

The decision was approved by the DuPage County Board in 1994 and the State of Illinois in 1996, making it, at the time, the only Forest Preserve District in the state to have its own board of commissioners and elections.

Recently, Mike Manzo, an Oak Brook Village Board Trustee, drafted a referendum to be presented to the County Board, rolling back its 1994 decision, to bring the forest preserve district back under county control.

The Forest Preserve does not need to be a separate level of government, Manzo said in an interview with the Pioneer Press. What the referendum is asking is to go back to the way it was, so we can deal with the [county] commissioners who are much more responsive than commissioners in the Forest Preserve right now.

The Village of Oak Brook has been a hotbed of conflict with the Forest Preserve District over the last couple of years; in 2020 the district approved the removal of the Graue Mill Dam near the Graue Mill and Museum, a National Historic Landmark of the Forest Preserve restored to operating conditions in 1934.

According to Forest Preserve officials, the decision to remove the dam was made to improve water quality and biodiversity along the Salt Creek stream; the decision was met with ire from the Graue Mill Museum staff and board members, and of the Fullersburg Historic Foundation, who believe removing the dam would stop the water flow used to help turn the large outdoor mill wheel.

The dam removal is part of the Forest Preserves greater Salt Creek Restoration plan which began in 2020, led by DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup, a non-profit formed in 2007 to monitor water quality and wildlife around the stream.

Part of the Salt Creek Restoration involves the removal of invasive plant life including non-native trees which the forest preserves plans say will be replaced with native oak and hickory trees.

I personally believe too many large trees were taken out, Linda Painter, a commissioner on the forest preserve board, said in an interview. According to Painter, what and how many trees to remove was made by the Forest Preserves Department of Natural Resources.

More recently, the Forest Preserve staff decided to stop taking in baby raccoons for rehabilitation.

Weve had a lot of residents in front of us upset with the Forest Preserve with their plans to start euthanizing baby raccoons that are brought into the Willowbrook [Wildlife] Center, theyve been treating these animals for the last how many years, and now theyre gonna not be doing that anymore, DuPage County Commissioner Brian Krajewski said.

The center could rehab up to 50 raccoons at a time, but the concerns over the spread of diseases, extensive time to fully mature, and a pension for eating Blandings turtle eggs led staff to make their judgment, Painter said.

Throughout all of this, some community members have felt left out of the decision-making process.

I think theres just a lot of strain throughout DuPage County of issues that the Forest Preserve doesnt seem to be listening to their constituents, Krajewski said.

In February 2023, a bridge near Waterfall Glenn was washed away, eight months later the Forest Preserve fixed the bridge without permits causing issues with nearby Argonne National Laboratory.

They knew darn well they had to get a permit and then they just ignored the rules and just went and put a bridge in, Krajewski said.

Whether the forest preserve district could or should be rolled back into the wider county government is up to the legislators in Springfield or DuPage County voters should the referendum ever come to a vote.

As of publication, the referendum has not been introduced to the County Board.

When reached for comment, Forest Preserve District Board President Daniel Hebreard said he was unaware of the referendum draft.

One of the reasons for this referendum is because the residents of DuPage County do not appreciate the strong arm Chicago style political tactics from the new forest preserve board, Manzo said.
The Israeli humanitarian tech aid nonprofit SmartAid has provided thousands of tents to civilians in Gaza in partnership with an American relief group since January, which its founder revealed exclusively to eJewishPhilanthropy.



We have helped build three refugee camps; it is thousands of tents, Shachar Zahavi, founding director of SmartAid, told eJP. We have experience in war-torn areas for decades this is a whole different ball game.



Working with partners whose logistics infrastructures are spread across the Gaza Strip, Egypt and Jordan, SmartAid has purchased tents through Egypt and brought them to the crossing on the Egyptian border, where the IDF has inspected, vetted and approved every shipment. The tents have then been delivered to their partners on the ground for distribution to civilians, Zahavi said. He refrained from identifying his partners in order to protect them and the civilians receiving the aid from Hamas retribution.



Since the IDFs accidental killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers earlier this month, Zahavi said he felt it necessary to come out openly about the work SmartAid has been doing to let the world know that Israelis and Jews are also involved in helping with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.



We have been doing this quietly for months, he said. I want [people critical of Israel] to know that we are an international humanitarian aid organization, and yes we are Israeli and yes we are helping our [own] people and yes we are helping [people whom many Israelis perceive as our enemies]. This is exactly what Israel did when civil war broke out in Syria and the (injured) civilians came to Israels borders. That is what Jews do. There is never a simple answer or solution.



Zahavi said he believes that his organization is the only Israeli nonprofit currently operating in Gaza. eJP could not immediately verify the claim.



The strike on the World Central Kitchen staff has also prompted a number of Jewish groups to step up their humanitarian efforts on behalf of Gazans, notably the New Israel Fund, which recently launched a Passover-themed fundraising campaign to combat food insecurity in Gaza.



He said the organization is constantly reevaluating how it conducts its work in Gaza to assure the aid does not get into the hands of Hamas, and has coordinated its aid delivery with the Israel Defense Forces and Defense Ministrys Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which provided them with the names of trusted American charities with whom to cooperate.



We make sure we do not get involved in anything that might by mistake get into Hamas hands. We spoke to the IDF. We did all due diligence to make sure that we are looking at what the types of needs there are, and if Hamas might take it away from civilians, Zahavi said. There is always an internal debate about what we can do to add another percentage of certainty that [our aid] reaches civilians, specifically kids.





Trucks carrying tents for Palestinians in Gaza from the Israeli relief group SmartAid.

Trucks carrying tents for Palestinians in Gaza from the Israeli relief group SmartAid. The efforts are being funded by a donation of an initial $200,000 from donors from abroad specifically for this project, he said. Due to the sensitivity of the issue, the donors asked to remain anonymous.



Since the strike, Zahavi said that SmartAid has also been in discussions with its partners about the growing food needs in Gaza, if it can help with distribution, with partners in the US in the waiting with hundreds of tons of food prepared to be shipped to SmartAID for distribution if given the approval.



Zahavi said that the decision to operate in Gaza came about over a series of conversations between SmartAid, longtime colleagues from international aid groups and different SmartAid Jewish and non-Jewish donors about whether to consider helping Gaza children.



Some of our donors discussed with us that we are also a humanitarian charity and we have helped all over the world, and that we need to consider this, said Zahavi. It is something that is obvious but because it is in our country and because it is our people it is a lot harder to digest. It took a while but eventually we (came to the conclusion) that we are an aid organization and we are helping around the world in 40 countries. This is another conflict which hit straight in our backyard and so what are we going to do about it?



Zahavi acknowledged the moral complexity of an Israeli organization  one that has helped the Israeli victims of the Oct. 7 attacks and the war  providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza.



As Jews, we totally demand the release of the hostages, totally demand that Hamas be held fully accountable for what it did. I had close friends who were massacred on Oct. 7 and I know people who are still [captive] in Gaza. I am not doing this lightly, he said. But there is also the Jewish side of us, the Holocaust side of us, the humane side of us. How are we going to live with everything going on [in Gaza]? he said.



Everyone is saying we are against Hamas, not against children, but for me saying it wasnt enough. I felt we had to do something, I know there are a lot of groups and individuals around the world in the Jewish community who are against this and I totally understand, he said, noting that SmartAid also continues to provide aid to survivors of the Oct. 7 attacks, evacuated Israeli communities and Israeli farmers along the Gaza border.





Forklifts unloading tents for Palestinians in Gaza from the Israeli relief group SmartAid.

Forklifts unloading tents for Palestinians in Gaza from the Israeli relief group SmartAid. Coming from a family with very few members who survived the Holocaust, Zahavi said he takes his humanitarian aid work seriously, combining the need to do what is right with the desire to show the world that as an Israeli he actually does what Israel says.



I am doing what people are saying, said Zahavi. If you just Google (you can find) thousands of articles about the Israeli government saying they are supporting aid for civilians, but are against Hamas. We are taking the words and making it into action.




Report sees increase in attacks on journalists in Germany in 2023

A photojournalist wears a patch with the text "Press" on his jacket at a demonstration to identify himself as a journalist to police and demonstrators. There were more attacks on journalists in Germany in 2023 than in the previous year, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) has found. Markus Scholz/dpa

There were more attacks on journalists in Germany in 2023 than in the previous year, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) has found.

After 56 cases in 2022, 69 cases of physical attacks on journalists were recorded last year, the non-profit organization announced on Tuesday in its annual long-term analysis.

The capital Berlin had the most cases, with 25. The eastern state of Saxony had the most recorded attacks in the previous year.

Demonstrations are the most dangerous environment for Germany's media workers, the analysis found, with 77% of the known cases associated with protests. Of the 53 cases, 40% were recorded at pro-Palestinian gatherings.

It was pointed out in the previous analysis that the lack of anonymity could pose a security problem for journalists in their local area.

The German Newspaper Publishers and Digital Publishers Association (BDZV) has been involved in the study for several years.

BDZV Managing Director Sigrun Albert said that some of the local journalists under threat had also been the target of attacks in previous years.

The organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) recently published its own figures, which suggest there's actually been a decline in the number of attacks on Germany's media workers, down from 103 in 2022 to 41 in 2023.
LOS ANGELES, April 16 (Xinhua) -- NASA is seeking innovative designs to return valuable samples from Mars to Earth, the agency said on Monday.

Mars Sample Return has been a long-term goal of international planetary exploration for the past two decades.

NASA's Perseverance rover has been collecting samples for later collection and return to Earth since it landed on Mars in 2021.

The current mission design will return samples in 2040, according to NASA. To achieve the ambitious goal of returning the key samples to Earth earlier and at a lower cost, the agency is asking the NASA community to work together to develop a revised plan that leverages innovation and proven technology.

NASA said it soon will solicit architecture proposals from industry that could return samples in the 2030s, and lowers cost, risk, and mission complexity.

"Safely landing and collecting the samples, launching a rocket with the samples off another planet - which has never been done before - and safely transporting the samples more than 33 million miles back to Earth is no small task," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

"We need to look outside the box to find a way ahead that is both affordable and returns samples in a reasonable timeframe," he said. 
Back in 2020, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton took to The New York Times to demand that U.S. soldiers be deployed against protesters. Now he's again calling for a violent response to protests, but this time by vigilantes.

I encourage people who get stuck behind the pro-Hamas mobs blocking traffic: take matters into your own hands to get them out of the way, Cotton wrote Monday evening on X, where he has over 500,000 followers. It's time to put an end to this nonsense.

After Cotton's post garnered critical attention, he posted a video the next morning showing a man dragging protesters blocking traffic in San Francisco from the street to the curb, writing: "How it should be done."

As in 2020, Cotton is using the platform available to him to inflame  to pour "gasoline on the fire," as the News Guild of New York, a union representing many Times journalists, phrased it following his Op-Ed.

Amid the war in Gaza and protests over U.S. support for Israel, Cotton is again offering incitement.

The danger is real. While Cottons instructions are open to interpretation, there is a history of drivers violently assaulting protesters who block traffic. For example, in 2017, Heather D. Heyer was killed at a rally in Charlottesville, Va., by a white supremacist who intentionally slammed into her while she was in the street.
A host of Republican-led states are urging Congress to reject two Democrat-sponsored bills aimed at bolstering diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) introduced the Federal Government Equity Improvement Act and the Equity in Agency Planning Act last month as attempts to limit DEI programs continue to spread around the country.

The two bills would push federal agencies to enact policies focused on providing equal opportunity for all, including people of color, women, rural communities and individuals with disabilities.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey argued in a Tuesday letter to Congress that the proposed bills are divisive.

Morrisey addressed the letter to Raskin, who serves as ranking member for the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and James Comer (R-Ky.), committee chair.

We should focus on the things that unite us, not on the things that divide us; DEI fosters discrimination, Morrisey said.

Lawmakers should instead recommit to building an all-inclusive system of government built on merit and fairness  not inappropriate balance-shifting policies, targets, and preferences, he added.

DEI has become a hot-button topic over the last few years. Though advocates say DEI policies and programs help close systemic barriers that keep marginalized and minority communities from accessing opportunities in the workforce, education and government programs, Republicans have argued such policies are divisive and unfairly promote or prioritize certain groups of people.

More than 30 states have introduced or passed more than 100 bills to restrict or regulate DEI initiatives. The latest blow to DEI came when the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion was dissolved last month.

It should be obvious that tracking targeted demographics of persons engaged with the federal government and then using that data to favor some persons over others is the very definition of discrimination, the letter said.

It harkens back to the sort of quotas and other exclusionary policies that have been deemed discriminatory for decades, including morally repugnant laws of an earlier time. No wonder so many of our States have affirmatively outlawed these policies in the public and private spheres.

Nineteen states have signed on to Morriseys letter, which argues that the two Democratic bills would write into law troubling forms of discrimination.

By excluding some and preferring others, DEI also threatens to shrink talent pools, bidder pools, and beneficiary pools  driving costs up for the government, hurting productivity, and limiting the reach and success of government programs, the letter reads.

The attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Utah also signed onto the letter.

The Hill has reached out to Pressley and Raskin for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
This artist sketch depicts Salah Al-Ejaili, foreground right with glasses, a former Al-Jazeera journalist, before the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Al-Ejaili, a former detainee at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, has described to jurors the type of abuse that is reminiscent of the scandal that erupted there 20 years ago: beatings, being stripped naked and threatened with dogs, stress positions meant to induce exhaustion and pain. (Dana Verkouteren via AP)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP)  An Army general who investigated the abuse of prisoners 20 years ago at Iraq's infamous Abu Ghraib prison testified Tuesday that a civilian contractor instructed prison guards to soften up detainees for interrogations.

The retired general, Antonio Taguba, told jurors that the contractor, Steven Stefanowicz, even tried to intimidate the general as he investigated the Abu Ghraib abuses.

He would lean on the table staring me down. He did not answer questions directly, Taguba said. He was trying to intimidate me.

Taguba's testimony was the strongest evidence yet that civilian employees of the Virginia-based military contractor CACI played a role in the abuse of Abu Ghraib inmates.

Three former inmates at the prison are suing CACI in federal court in Alexandria, alleging that the company contributed to the tortuous treatment they suffered. The trial, delayed by more than 15 years of legal wrangling, is the first time that Abu Ghraib inmates have been able to bring a civil case in front of a U.S. jury.

The lawsuit alleges that CACI is liable for the three plaintiffs' mistreatment because the company provided civilian interrogators to the Army who were assigned to Abu Ghraib and conspired with the military police who were serving as prison guards to torture the inmates.

In a report Taguba completed in 2004, he recommended that Stefanowicz be fired, reprimanded and lose his security clearance for allowing and/or instructing military police to engage in illegal and abusive tactics.

He clearly knew his instructions equated to physical abuse, Taguba's report concluded.

In testimony Tuesday, Taguba said he personally questioned Stefanowicz for about an hour as part of his investigation.

He was a very coy type of personality, Taguba said of Stefanowicz, often referred to as Big Steve by Abu Ghraib personnel.

Taguba said his investigation was focused on military police, and his probe of civilian interrogators' role was limited. But he felt obligated to delve into it, he said, because he received credible testimony from the military police that the civilians were playing an important role in what occurred.

The MPs told Taguba that they weren't getting clear instructions from within their own military chain of command, and that Stefanowicz and other civilian personnel ended up filling the void. Taguba said the military chain of command was unclear, and that various commanders were not cooperating with each other, all of which contributed to a chaotic atmosphere at the prison.

Taguba said he was several weeks into his investigation before he even understood that civilians were carrying out interrogations at Abu Ghraib. He said he and his staff heard multiple references to CACI but initially misunderstood them, believing that people were saying khaki instead.

On cross-examination, Taguba acknowledged the limits of his investigation. A second report, completed by Maj. Gen. George Fay, looked more directly at the role of military intelligence and civilian contractors at Abu Ghraib.

Taguba also acknowledged that his report contained several errors, including misidentifying a CACI employee as an employee of another contractor, and another civilian contractor as a CACI employee.

CACI's lawyers emphasized that Stefanowicz was never assigned to interrogate any of the three plaintiffs in the case.

As Taguba testified about Stefanowicz, a lawyer asked him if he was indeed intimidated by the CACI contractor.

Not on your life, Taguba responded.

The jury also heard Tuesday from one of the three plaintiffs in the case, Asaad Hamza Zubae, who testified remotely from Iraq through an Arabic interpreter. Zuba'e said he was kept naked, threatened with dogs, and forced to masturbate in front of prison guards.

CACI's lawyers questioned his claims. Among other things, they questioned how he could have been threatened with dogs when government reports showed dogs had not yet been sent to Iraq at the time he said it happened.
LARGO, Fla. (WFLA)  The Largo Police Department is mourning the death of one of its beloved retired K-9s, Murphy.

The police department announced the sad passing of Murphy on Sunday. The faithful K-9 worked for the department alongside his handler, Office Pat Newbill, for nine years.

WATCH: Close encounter between massive alligator and bicyclist in Florida

The Largo Police Department is saddened to inform you that Retired K-9 Murphy has passed away. Our thoughts are with Officer Newbill, his family, and all those who knew and loved K-9 Murphy.

During Murphys career, he had more than 100 arrests and detained more than 650 suspects. He also represented the Largo Police Department in Americas Top Dog competition.

Rest in peace, K-9 Murphy. You will be remembered.  LPD wrote on Facebook.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Ukraine and Russia negotiated for two months on a deal to ensure the safety of merchant shipping in the Black Sea and reached agreement on a text in March, but Kyiv pulled out of the talks "at the last minute," Reuters reported on April 16, citing four unnamed people familiar with the matter.

The talks were mediated by Turkey after being pushed by the U.N., the sources told Reuters.

In July 2023, Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, effectively collapsing the deal. The agreement, brokered by Turkey and the UN in July 2022, played a crucial role in mitigating a global surge in food prices partially caused by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine by allowing Kyiv to export its agricultural products via the Black Sea despite the ongoing invasion.

Immediately after the collapse of the deal, Russia started targeted attacks on ports in southern Ukraine.

The text of the draft agreement, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, said that Ukraine and Russia would reportedly provide security guarantees to merchant ships in the Black Sea, pledging not to strike, seize or search them if they are either empty or had declared non-military cargo.

"These guarantees do not apply to warships, civilian vessels carrying military goods (with the exception of maritime transportation agreed upon by the Parties within the framework of international missions)," the agreement said.

Although Kyiv did not officially sign the document, Ukraine gave its consent for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to announce it on March 30, the sources told Reuters.

Read also: Explainer: Whats up with the grain deal and Russia?



"At the very last minute, Ukraine suddenly pulled out, and the deal was scuttled," one of the sources said, which was confirmed by three other news agency's sources.

The sources said to Reuters they did not know the reasons for Ukraine's alleged decision.

Ukrainian officials did not comment on these reports.

As Russia canceled the grain deal in July 2023, Kyiv opened a new corridor the following month. Initially envisioned as a humanitarian corridor to allow the departure of ships stranded there since the start of the full-scale war, it has since grown into a full-blown trade route.

As of early April, over 36 million metric tons of goods have been reportedly shipped through it since its opening in August 2023.

The route doesnt lead directly through international waters to the Bosphorus Strait but hugs the coastlines of Ukraine and NATO members Romania and Bulgaria, allowing ships to bypass the effective blockade imposed by Moscow.

In late February, President Volodymyr Zelensky told in an interview with CNN that Ukraine would be unable to defend a Black Sea shipping corridor without new U.S. military aid.

Read also: Timothy Ash: Solutions need to be found for grain exports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Most PMs memoirs are a multi-volume snoozefest. Liz Truss has published the first in history that could be accurately described as a romp.

Having served just 49 days in No10  she notes that she was evicted before her furniture could be delivered  Truss details with speed and good humour the cock-ups and back-stabbing that destroyed her mini-budget and pushed her from office. Its one of those farces in which the very set collapses; and the hero, so un-self-aware shes practically an innocent, brushes the dust from her shoulders and says, I did nothing wrong!

The author describes her usual style as full frontal. The audio book should have a Yakety Sax soundtrack. For all the laughs, however (Dominic Raab, when vacating his Chevening residence, left behind protein drinks in the fridge with Raab written on them), theres much for historians to pick over. If you think Truss was simply a libertarian nutter then the only lesson is that she should never have been elected Tory leader. If, like me, you think she was fundamentally right  that Britain is getting poorer because weve forgotten how to generate wealth  then how and why she failed demands some serious thought. There were bigger forces at play than mere eccentricity.

The Truss Thesis is that Left-wing ideas birthed in the 1960s have become the values of the establishment  from civil servants to businessmen, charities to teachers  with the result that whoever is in government, the same ideology remains in power. Detailing her pre-PM career via agriculture, education, justice and trade, she demonstrates how wacky educational theories (no to facts, yes to feelings) have been baked in, alongside environmental policies that ballooned the cost of expanding one of her local roads to provide a bat bridge (to her knowledge, no bat has ever used it).

Liz Truss's Ten Years to Save the West reads like a romp - Shutterstock

The Tories have failed to push back against this nonsense because many of their MPs believe in it, as demonstrated by their reluctance to tear-up our regulatory framework after Brexit. Trusss colleagues were inclined to retain EU rules, including a Meursing table of commodity codes that lists 504 different classifications of biscuit.

The eagle-eyed will spot a contradiction on spending: I always wanted to save money, writes Liz, yet when at justice she argued for more investment in prisons and at the foreign office rushed to prevent the sale of an attractive embassy in Tokyo. (The whole exercise in selling off the family silver was driven by the Treasurys pettifogging attitude.) Indeed, Rishi Sunaks strongest argument against Truss is that she is the fake conservative, willing to unbalance the books and blow up the economy in an orgy of unfunded tax cuts  unleashing a wild budget in September 2022 that was opposed by those loony-lefties at the Bank of England and the IMF.

But whether Trussonomics was sound or not isnt the interesting point. Its that she stood no chance of implementing even a relatively mild fiscal reform because of the sheer power of the administrative state and its influence on the markets and the wider polity. Truss had certainly not anticipated how ruthless they would be in pushing back by all means at their disposal. The men in grey suits who once ensured that socialism was unimaginable in Britain now exist to do the same for conservatism, and Karl Marx will be amused to learn that it was the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, who ultimately told Truss she had to resign  explaining that my going was now the price the markets wanted.

It was a coup. One of the most pro-capitalist governments in memory was thus ended by a cabal of capitalists, which suggests that capitalism hasnt got much of a future.

Liz Truss with Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, who told her she had to resign - AFP

The job of prime minister comes across as near-impossible, down to the bare essentials. Truss had to do her own hair and makeup (which probably took up half the day). There was no on-site doctor to care for her health. And the inhabitant of No 10 is kept awake by the Horse Guards clock that chimes every quarter hour. This might seem trivial, but Ten Years to Save the West  a brilliantly presumptive title from someone who spent 10 minutes in office  makes the powerful point that a modern PM is treated like a President but has nothing like the kind of institutional support for the office that we would expect in a presidential system.

Apparently her husband, Hugh, predicted that her time in office would end in tears, and helpfully reminded her of it when she quit. Yet for all the laughter at Truss, I truly admire her ability to rise above it, roll up those gorgeous Chanel sleeves and return to making the argument for freedom. If anything, humiliation has bolstered her ego.

Ten Years to Save the West is published by Biteback at 20. To order your copy for 16.99, call 0808 196 6794 or visit Telegraph Books

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Speaker Mike Johnsons weakened position inside the House GOP conference has sparked delicate internal discussions about who could potentially replace him if he cant hang on to the job  whether its in this Congress or the next one, according to interviews with over a dozen Republican lawmakers and aides.

While no one is looking to challenge the Louisiana Republican outright and few are even interested in taking the reins of the chaotic and razor-thin majority, theres a widespread belief that there could be another leadership shakeup in the future  and some Republicans are quietly positioning themselves for such a scenario.

Among the GOP lawmakers whose moves are being watched closely: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, who unsuccessfully ran for the speakership in October.

Emmer, the No. 3 Republican, has taken steps to not only repair his relationship with Donald Trump  who helped to quickly derail his speakership bid last year  but also to work behind the scenes to win over House Republicans once skeptical of the Minnesota Republican, sources said. That includes voting last week for a House Freedom Caucus-backed amendment to a foreign surveillance law. Emmer was the only member of GOP leadership to support the provision, which ultimately failed. And Emmer also traveled to Pennsylvania over the weekend to attend a roundtable and reception with Trump ahead of his rally in the state, multiple sources told CNN.

Tom was very well praised by the president.  He was very pleased to see the whip there, Rep. Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania, who was also in attendance, told CNN. A lot of people were happy to see the whip there.

Asked about Trump burying the hatchet with Emmer and recently endorsing him, Meuser said: I handed it to Trump for doing that.

In recent days, proxies close to Emmer have also reached out to some Republicans to gauge his standing inside the conference, according to three sources, including a GOP leadership aide. Neither Emmer nor his office have been making any calls on his behalf, and Emmer has made clear he is firmly against a motion to vacate the speakers chair. Still, sources believe Emmer is working to improve his stock inside both the House GOP and MAGA world, and keeping his options open for the future.

Theyre testing the waters, the GOP leadership aide told CNN.

Another potential contender who sources believe could run for the top job in the next Congress: House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, who also mounted an unsuccessful bid for speaker last year. Jordan has publicly backed Johnson and wants him to keep his job. But the Ohio Republican is still beloved by conservatives, and sources believe he could have a strong case to lead the conference next year  especially if Trump is back in the White House.

Others who could be waiting in the wings: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who also previously ran for speaker, and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, a top Trump ally.

But working to Johnsons advantage, at least in this Congress: the GOPs inability to get behind a successor, as well as Democrats signaling theyd be willing to save him if a motion to vacate were to come to the floor.

Still, the quiet maneuvering inside the House GOP conference shows a level of uncertainty among Republicans about the long-term political future of Johnson, who unexpectedly came into the job after the unprecedented ouster of their last speaker, Kevin McCarthy.

And those conversations could soon intensify, particularly after GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky announced Tuesday he was signing on to the motion to vacate led by GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia  a precarious development for Johnson in a shrinking majority. The speaker will not be able to lose more than one Republican on party-line votes.

It keeps bubbling around, one GOP lawmaker said of the quiet discussions about a potential Johnson successor.

Some Republicans are now privately  and in some cases, publicly  questioning whether Johnson will be able to hang on to his post next Congress, especially if he needs Democrats to bail him out this year. Theres ample uncertainty about what the mood will be next year, which could depend on the election results in November.

Hes definitely not going to be speaker next Congress if were lucky enough to have a majority. I think that is a widely held belief throughout the Congress, Greene told CNN.

But in terms of what happens during the remainder of this session, Greene was less definitive: That is to be determined.

For his part, Johnson insisted he would not need Democratic support to hold onto his gavel, telling reporters they would work this out.

But he also referred to himself as a wartime speaker  a recognition of the embattled role he finds himself in  and warned Republicans that a motion to vacate is not helpful to the cause.

I am not resigning. And it is in my view an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our jobs, he told reporters Tuesday. We need steady leadership. We need steady hands on the wheel.

Emmer courts Trump world

After Emmers speakership bid was derailed at the hands of Trump in just hours  with the former president slamming Emmer as a RINO, an acronym for Republican in name only  the Minnesota Republican recognized he needed to repair their frayed relationship to preserve his political future, according to sources close to him.

As part of his effort to curry favor with the former president, Emmer endorsed Trump ahead of the Iowa caucuses in January, which sources say Trump relished in and marked a key turning point in their relationship.

Trump soon returned the favor, endorsing Emmer for reelection in April and calling the congressman fantastic. One month earlier, Emmer hosted a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, where sources say Trump praised his leadership. Trump also tapped Emmer to serve as Minnesota state chair of his 2024 campaign, in another sign of their improved ties.

Sources say Emmer has also been attempting to make inroads with key conservative hardliners in the House, talking to members of the House Freedom Caucus constantly on the floor and showing support for issues they care deeply about.

And Emmer has also ramped up his fundraising, which could be another selling point for any future leadership bid. Emmers team touted that he raised $7.2 million for GOP candidates and incumbents in the first quarter of the year  a record for the Minnesota Republican.

For his part, Emmer has expressed support for Johnson amid threats to his speakership, even as he has shown some distance from all the drama. When asked Tuesday if he was frustrated by the threats, Emmer said: My job is to count votes, make sure our people are getting the information they need, we are going to get stuff done.

Pressed on why its important for Johnson to keep his job, Emmer said: Again, we are going to be focused on the things we have in front of us this week, we have some great bills on the floor tonight and tomorrow, we are waiting to see text on the supplemental.

GOP finger pointing underway

Meanwhile, Johnson has been making his own moves to shore up support from Trump to counter Greene, one of Trumps most vocal congressional allies.

Johnson trekked down to Mar-a-Lago last week to deliver a joint press conference on so-called election integrity, which was Johnsons idea, as CNN previously reported. And as the Louisiana Republican pitches his conference on foreign aid legislation, he also has been working to keep Trump in the loop on his plans, sources said.

During the press conference, Johnson got some key backup from the former president.

I stand with the speaker, said Trump, who also called the continued threat of a motion to vacate unfortunate.

Asked Tuesday if he would protect Johnson, Trump said, Well, well see what happens with that, adding, I think hes a very good person.

Sources say Trump is not interested in another messy speaker fight, worried it could undermine Republicans ahead of November. And a large swath of the House GOP conference agrees.

Republicans descended into a round of angry finger pointing Tuesday after Greenes effort to oust Johnson grew by one.

Rep. Marc Molinaro, a swing district New York Republican, told CNN that the push to vacate Johnson was an absolutely ridiculous concept, adding, The concept of another motion to vacate is an utter waste of time, and frankly a distraction from really important business. It hopefully has no ability to move forward.

Another GOP lawmaker told CNN that Republicans should accept the hand they have been dealt: We have Johnson and we did it to ourselves. Every decision we as a conference make should be in the best interest of getting the White House back in 2024. Period!

And the scars still run deep from the protracted speakership fight following McCarthys ousting, which exposed internal divisions and left the House paralyzed for three weeks.

Louisiana GOP Rep. Garret Graves warned against the idea of ousting Johnson without another speaker candidate waiting in the wings.

I dont think that the threat is really real at this point, just because you dont have an alternative. We saw what happened last fall, whenever this all went down. Theres not an alternative, Graves said. I dont think that folks are going to go through it at this point.

Jordan also insisted that Republicans needed to fall in line behind Johnson, telling CNN of threats to oust the speaker, We dont need that. No way, no way. We dont want that. We shouldnt go through that again.

Morgan Rimmer and Haley Talbot contributed to this report.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, has repeatedly insisted she does not oppose vaccinesthough she continues to sow doubt about at least some of them.

In a post to X on Tuesday, the Silicon Valley lawyer opined about the devastating reality of Modernas mRNA jab. It is not a safe vaccine, and must be recalled immediately. Many people are suffering who took it, she wrote.

She added a picture of herself and her boyfriend, reformed Wall Street guy Jacob Strumwasser, and the caption, One of us took 3 doses of the Moderna mRNA vaccine, and the other did not. Guess who?

Strumwasser was wearing a T-shirt that read, At least my tin foil hat wont give me myocarditisa reference to inflammation of the heart that is a very rare side effect of the mRNA vaccine.

Jacob, I love you and your ridiculous shirts, she wrote.

Despite being widely shared in certain online circles, Shanahans vaccine skepticism is not based in science, Amesh Adalja, a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, told The Daily Beast.

There's no basis to recall the Moderna COVID vaccine, he said. If anything, it should be in the hall of fame of vaccines as part of a vaccine effort that would have been thought of as miraculous in years past.

Donald Trump Makes Bizarre Pitch for RFK Jr. in New Video

As for myocarditis, Adalja said that cases are concentrated in teenage boys and young adult males, and are more likely to occur following the second vaccine dose. The likelihood of occurrence can be reduced by spacing out vaccines, he said, and even if myocarditis does occur, cases have been relatively mild, not life threatening.

Most important, he continued, the COVID-19 virus itself is more likely to cause myocarditis than the vaccines are, making the cost-benefit analysis in favor of vaccination even more obvious.

Overall, he concluded, side effects are very, very minor and pale in comparison to the benefit that the vaccine provides.

Kennedy has boosted similar conspiracies in the past and once drew heat for comparing COVID lockdowns to life in Nazi Germany. Shanahan, who was previously married to Google billionaire Sergey Brin, helped bankroll Kennedys 2024 Super Bowl ad and is expected to boost his campaigns financial prospects.

A spokesperson for the campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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What is Rishi Sunaks smoking ban and who will it affect?

Rishi Sunak said future generations would be able to grow up 'smoke-free' - DARREN STAPLES/AFP

Rishi Sunaks flagship smoking ban passed its first hurdle in the Commons on Tuesday, despite nearly half of Tory MPs failing to support the legislation.

Labour MPs helped push through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would bar anyone born after 2009 from buying cigarettes.

A total of 165 Conservatives either abstained or voted against the legislation, while 180 Tories supported it. Across the House, 383 voted for the ban and 67 opposed it.

The Prime Minister is understood to see the policy as a major part of his legacy ahead of the next general election, which is expected later this year.

Here, The Telegraph takes an in-depth look at Mr Sunaks plans.

What will the new smoking ban involve?

Under the plans set out by the Government, the legal age of purchase for cigarettes will rise annually from the age of 18 to long beyond pension age in an attempt to make smoking obsolete.

Smoking would not be criminalised, with the phased approach meaning that anybody who can legally buy cigarettes now would not be stopped from doing so in the future.

By 2043, only those aged 35 or over would be able to buy cigarettes legally, while shopkeepers would be able to request ID from those seeking to purchase tobacco.

The legislation also includes a ban on disposable vapes and new restrictions on flavours, with only four flavours of vape set to be allowed.

Some charities, such as Cancer Research UK, have backed the plans - Karl Black / Alamy Live News/www.alamy.com

What has Rishi Sunak said about the ban?

Announcing the plans at the Conservative Party Conference in October, Mr Sunak told delegates it would mean that a 14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette and that they, and their generation, can grow up smoke-free.

He cited a 30 per cent drop in smoking among under-18s when the smoking age was raised to 18 and noted that it placed huge pressures on the NHS and costs our country 17 billion a year.

Mr Sunak said: We have a chance to cut cancer deaths by a quarter, significantly ease those pressures and protect our children, and we should take it. This is not a values judgment on people who smoke.

I dont believe it would be fair to take away the rights of anyone to smoke who currently does so, and the vote on this in Parliament will be a free vote, as the bar on smoking in public places was and raising the smoking age to 18 was.

Do Conservative MPs support the proposals?

A total of 165 Conservatives either abstained or voted against the legislation on Tuesday. Specifically, 59 Tories opposed it.

Kemi Badenoch, who is widely seen as a Tory leadership hopeful, voted against the Bill, citing that legally competent adults should not be treated differently.

I do not support the approach this Bill is taking and so will be voting against it, she tweeted.

We should not treat legally competent adults differently in this way, where people born a day apart will have permanently different rights. Among other reasons it will create difficulties with enforcement. This burden will fall not on the state but on private businesses.

Liz Truss, the former prime minister, also voted against the Bill. I think the whole idea that we can protect adults from themselves is hugely problematic and it effectively infantilises people, she said.

People want to make their own decisions about what they eat and what they drink and how they enjoy themselves.

Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick also voted against the Bill, while Penny Mordaunt and Priti Patel abstained.

Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, floated a similar ban almost a year before Mr Sunaks announcement.

He has vowed to come down like a ton of bricks on the vaping industry if Labour wins the next general election.

What will the punishment be for breaking the smoking law?

A fixed penalty notice regime will be introduced by Clause 24 of the Bill, giving authorities the option to issue an immediate on-the-spot fine rather than pursuing a prosecution in the courts.

Trading Standards officers would issue fines to anyone selling vaping products to under-18s or selling cigarettes to people born on or after Jan 1 2009  affecting all of Generation Alpha. These fines could be as high as 2,500.

Who will be punished?

Businesses and individuals alike could be punished for breaching the smoking ban.

For underage sales, either the shop worker responsible for the sale or the business itself could receive a fine.

Anyone buying or attempting to buy a cigarette on behalf of someone too young to buy one themselves would be liable to receive a fixed penalty notice.

If 28 days pass after the fine is issued and it has not been paid, authorities could proceed to prosecute individuals or businesses in the courts at any point in the following six months.

How much money will businesses lose?

While it remains to be seen how far newsagents and convenience stores will find themselves out of pocket, the only other smoking ban to be introduced in an advanced economy does provide a cautionary tale.

New Zealand introduced a similar smoking ban to Mr Sunaks under Jacinda Ardern, its former prime minister, but the measure proved short-lived, with the new government scrapping the legislation at the end of last year.

Owners of newsagents and corner shops in New Zealand said they lost revenue even with subsidies from its government.

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BAGHDAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Five Islamic State (IS) militants were killed on Tuesday in airstrikes in central Iraq, the Iraqi military said.

Based on intelligence reports, Iraqi warplanes carried out two airstrikes on IS hideouts in the eastern part of Salahuddin province, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.

The statement said that a force of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service was sent to the scene to search the bombed hideouts and found the bodies of five IS militants, weapons, mobile phones, and some logistical equipment.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. 
Last week, celebrity chef David Chang and his company Momofuku were at the center of a very viral (and very heated) PR dispute when it was reported that the brand sent cease-and-desist letters to several AAPI-owned condiment brands.

Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images

The controversial move marked the beginning of Momofuku's attempt to trademark "chili crunch," a spicy and savory chili oil-based condiment that's become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years. Although the condiment is closely tied to chili crisp (which has origins in China), many brands, including Chang's, opt for the chili crunch verbiage on product packaging  including Homiah and MiLa, two of the brands on the receiving end of these cease-and-desist orders.

Ross Yoder

Here's the quickest recap if you're not up to speed on last week's events: After the trademark war went viral, it didn't take long for backlash to set in. Across social media, commenters called out Chang and Momofuku for "bullying" other condiment brands (several of which were one- or two-person operations) into ceasing the use of "chili crunch" to describe their products.

Chang was called everything from a "trademark bully" to a "culinary colonizer" and was even accused of attempting to "whitewash" the condiment aisle. As evidenced by social media comments, many consumers called for a boycott of Momofuku Goods products, and several small Asian markets and stores pledged to no longer purchase goods from the brand as a direct result of the company's decision.

For the full scoop on what happened, you can read our post on the situation from last week  but no matter which way you slice it, Momofuku's aspirational trademark endeavor landed the company in a major PR crisis.

On Friday, Chang's very popular podcast The Dave Chang Show released a special 20-minute episode in which Chang was joined by the company's CEO, Marguerite Zabar Mariscal, to discuss the whole chili crunch debacle.

Variety / Variety via Getty Images

It opens with Chang admitting that the episode is "not your normal podcast" and will instead "address the debate that's been playing out over the past few days over social media."

Most of the apology is handled in the first few minutes. Chang explains that when Momofuku first put their chili crunch product on the market in 2020, they intentionally chose crunch to avoid overlap with chili crisps. "What we're learning this week, and in a painful way learning, is that the terms crunch and crisp are essentially the same thing in Mandarin," he says. "In holding the term crunch as a trademark, Momofuku can be seen as trying to own a piece of Chinese culture and heritage, which is exactly the opposite of what we wanted to achieve."

Xiu Huo / Getty Images

He states that he wants to accomplish three things: "I want to apologize to everyone in the AAPI community who's been hurt or feels like I've marginalized them...that's the last thing, literally the last thing I wanted to happen," he says. He also mentions his desire to go through the "timeline of how we got here in 2024" and commits to explaining how the company will rectify the situation moving forward.

These are the main points that Chang and Mariscal hit over the course of those 20 minutes.

And remember: Momofuku doesn't yet own the "chili crunch" trademark, as they only filed their application with the USPTO in March of this year. They do, however, own the "chile crunch" (with an "e") mark as a result of a 2023 legal settlement with the company Chile Colonial  which becomes necessary context a little later on.

1. As previously mentioned, Momofuku's decision to call their product chili crunch was because their product wouldn't be "authentically Chinese" like Lao Gan Ma's, the first (and still one of the most popular) purveyors of chili crisp in the US. Instead, Chang wanted to create a new chili sauce by combining chili crisp with other known chili sauces, like salsa macha, salsa seca, and Momofuku's Ssam sauce. He says that they landed on "crunch" because he "likes alliteration"  and the sauce itself was "crunchy."

"Had I known that chili crunch was a tautology, basically the same as chili crisp, we would've never named it chili crunch. I would've come up with something else," he explains.

2. Mariscal claims that the cease-and-desists sent out over the "past year" were to both small companies and companies "larger than Momofuku"  seemingly speaking to the swirling narrative that they cherry-picked small brands without the financial means to enter a complicated legal battle. Later in the episode, Chang admits that the other companies pulling in more revenue and doing bigger business than Momofuku "sorta pissed [him] off."

3. Chang says that his instinct was to "get rid of the [trademark]" when he learned of the backlash last week, hoping to deem the term "generic" instead. In other words, ensuring that no company could ever trademark the term. But he then claims that genericizing "chile crunch" would be impossible with current trademark law  and that doing so would just put the term up for grabs for a company larger than them (he explicitly references Trader Joe's) to trademark and take ownership of.

4. According to both Chang and Mariscal, they're investigating options for moving forward, but they've decided they'll be "doing nothing" with their trademark. "We're not going to enforce the trademark, we're not going to police the trademark, and by doing so, it's possible it becomes a generic term and nobody can own it," Chang adds.

Mariscal states that the risk of another larger company coming along and taking the mark from them as a result of Momofuku not defending the mark is "a risk [they're] willing to take."

However, it still isn't clear if they have formal plans to withdraw their current USPTO application for the "chili crunch" mark.

5. Last but very much not least: After Momofuku's chili crunch first launched, they actually received a cease-and-desist from Chile Colonial, a small company that started selling a Mexican-inspired "chile crunch" (with an "e") in 2008. CEO Marguerite Mariscal explains that instead of changing Momofuku's chili crunch to another name, they "worked with [the business owner] to actually purchase the mark so [they] could continue using the chili crunch name that [they'd] come up with back in 2020." In turn, they gave Chile Colonial a "perpetual license" to continue to use their newly transferred chile crunch mark.

We got in touch with Chile Colonial owner Susie Hojel, who confirmed this information in a statement to BuzzFeed. Hojel also touched on the Trader Joe's of it all, claiming that she sent a cease-and-desist to the company in 2020, which caused them to change their popular "chili onion crunch" to "crunchy chili onion." In turn, this gave Chile Colonial the incontestable right to the trademark, which led Momofuku to purchase the "chile crunch" trademark from Hojel for an undisclosed amount.

Hojel told BuzzFeed that "Momofuku now owns the trademark, and in [her] opinion, has the right to protect it."

Outside of the podcast, the Trader Joe's element has become surprisingly central to the dispute in the past few days. Recent Instagram comments from Homiah, one of the initial brands to be sent a cease-and-desist from Momofuku, seemingly contradict Chang's narrative that the grocery chain could swoop in to nab a "chile" or "chili crunch" trademark should either become available. In a comment to an Instagram user, Homiah alleges that Trader Joes actually opposed the "chile crunch" trademark back in 2020 "on the grounds of genericism." (In other words, when they were initially hit with a cease-and-desist from Chile Colonial, they thought the term was too generic for anyone to trademark in the first place.)

BuzzFeed reached out to Trader Joe's for confirmation but did not hear back at the time of publishing. Homiah Foods / Instagram / Getty Images / Via instagram.com

The comment is just one element of a larger statement that Homiah posted on Instagram in the wake of Changs podcast episode, and it presents an entirely different understanding of the trademarking process as a whole. "I disagree with Momofuku's position that it needs to continue to own these marks," they said, claiming that if Momofuku officially retired their trademarks, "nobody [could] claim exclusive rights to these terms, even if others try to register them as trademarks."

"It's very unlikely that a new trademark for a descriptive trademark like this can go through currently, hence the reason Momofuku was likely eager to acquire the trademark from Chile Colonial that was approved a decade ago when USPTO was more lax," they said in a comment. "In fact, a majority of IP lawyers think it seems quite likely the chili crunch trademark that Momofuku applied for on March 29 will be refused by USPTO on the ground of descriptiveness."

Homiah Foods / Instagram / Getty Images / Via instagram.com

This discrepancy between Homiah and Momofuku speaks to just how subjective the world of trademarks and intellectual property is. An interview Bon Appetit conducted with IP lawyer Hamutal Lieberman last week touched on many of the subjectivities at play with this trademark application, from the "e" vs. "i" argument to why the chili crisp brand Fly By Jing lost out on a similar application for "Sichuan chili crisp" in 2019. As a result, it's evident that no two lawyers and no two individuals at the USPTO office have identical perspectives. Trademark law is notoriously complicated  which makes disputes such as this one difficult to objectively weigh in on from the outside.

As of now, the podcast appears to be the only format that David Chang and Momofuku's public apology has taken. Momofuku hasn't yet posted a formal apology on its socials, and comments on any new Instagram posts from Chang still appear to be turned off. Either way, over on X (aka Twitter), the podcast-focused damage control appears to have quelled some of the backlash, with several users commending Chang and Momofuku's decision to back down on defending the trademark. It's a palpable shift from sentiments before the podcast episode aired, which leaned incredibly critical of Chang and Momofuku's decision to trademark.

But in comments on Homiah's Instagram statement, several people expressed that the apology was too little too late and that they'd already done irreparable damage to their own brand. Some called for "action items, not words," seemingly nodding to Momofuku's "do nothing" approach to enforcing their current trademark.

Getty Images / Instagram / Via instagram.com

We reached out to Momofuku to ask why they've decided to move forward by not defending their trademark instead of withdrawing their application for "chili crunch" and dropping the "chile crunch" mark  since, according to Chang's podcast, the first option will almost certainly yield similar results to the latter in time. A spokesperson declined to comment, but we'll let you know if there are any further updates.

If you have any thoughts on the chili crunch controversy, chime in in the comments below.
Robbed of their childhood by trauma, these kids get help instead of juvenile detention

Grace, 15, remembers when a judge called her a junkie.

Her lawyer and probation officer told her to keep quiet in the courtroom at the Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center last July, but she couldnt.

I didnt have a reason to do the drugs, but it was all I knew, Grace told the judge.

That month, she had been charged with a misdemeanor for evading police. She was later tested for drugs and had narcotic painkillers and alcohol in her system. The path that led her to that point began long before her arrest.

She said she was raped when she was 13. Later that year, she overdosed and was sent to a mental hospital. While there, she spent more time working to get out then to get better, she said. She adopted the coping mechanisms of the other patients, meaning she smoked and abused alcohol. She had nothing to look forward to in life and lost herself, she said.

In her mind, she wasnt a junkie. She didnt love using drugs  she used them to suppress her pain.

We dont realize we have potential because of how bad weve been hurt, Grace said. We dont believe in ourselves, and we dont believe were capable of more because of how the world has treated us.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is only identifying Grace and other young people quoted in this story by their first names because of their age. Grace is one of hundreds of juveniles with traumatic experiences in Tarrant County who come in contact with juvenile justice services every year. Some are referred to the Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. of Tarrant County, which provides alternatives to detention and state incarceration by providing counseling, mentors and community service, helping to reduce the number of repeat offenders.

Alternative to detention or jail

Youth Advocate Programs is a national nonprofit located in 35 states and Washington, D.C., providing trauma-informed services that reduce the nations over-reliance on youth incarceration, residential care, and group home foster placements. The program offers juvenile justice services, child welfare services, reunification programs, summer school, after-school programs, behavioral health services, and Santa Fe Youth Services, which address substance abuse and anger management.

Tarrant Countys program focuses on juvenile justice and has had a contract with Tarrant County Juvenile Services since 1992. It receives referrals from District Court judges, who handle child welfare and juvenile delinquency cases, or from probation officers. Participants spend two to four months and seven hours minimum a week in the program gaining skills and connections, and once they complete the program they finish the remaining time of their probation.

The program serves juveniles from low-level nonviolent offenders, such as those charged with burglary, to higher-level offenders, such as those charged with aggravated assault. The program is an alternative to incarceration and the youth detention facility, keeping young people safely in their communities.

The Tarrant County program had over 270 referrals last year and averages 200 referrals a year.

Alex Alvear began working with the Youth Advocate Programs in 2016 and worked his way up to the executive director position in December 2023. His wife said he is an example of what the program stands for. He grew up in a single family home with little support, which delayed his graduation from high school. He graduated at 20 years old after a teacher, who never gave up on him, encouraged him along the way.

When finishing his bachelors degree in criminal justice at UT Arlington, a professor suggested he apply to the Youth Advocate Programs, where he has been in ever since.

I wanted to be that person for somebody else, Alvear said. Another youth thats probably going through the same thing as me or just needs that little bit of support or encouragement, or showing that somebody cared.

The program focuses on the three Es: economics, education and emotional. The program provides job readiness skills, like learning how to interview and dress, and offers a service that gives participants paid employment training with community partners. Participants can ask for tutors, transportation assistance to school, and wellness checks on their families.

The program offers substance abuse help, volunteer opportunities, and chances to have fun with activities like going to a Dallas Mavericks or Texas Rangers game.

Research by John Jay College of Criminal Justice , located in New York City, found 86 percent of the programs youth justice participants remain arrest-free, and six to 12 months after completing the program nearly 90 percent of youth served still lived in their communities with less than 5 percent of participants in detention and jail.

Jeremy, 16, is in his second stint in the Youth Advocate Programs. He first came because of an aggravated assault charge, and he is back after stealing a car with friends. He was put on probation and says this time around he wants to stay focused.

Youth Advocate Programs participant Jeremy, 16, right, and his advocate, VJ Smith, left, listen to criminal defense attorney MarQuetta A. Clayton during a meeting in April. The program provides counseling, mentorship and training as an alternative to detention to children in the juvenile justice system. Special to the Star-Telegram/Bob Booth

Growing up, Jeremy saw the men in his family belong to gangs. His father went to prison, and his mother went to jail. When he was 6, Jeremy and some of his brothers and sisters were separated, and he went to live with his stepfathers mother in Butler Place, a public housing complex. He and the four younger siblings who went with him slept on the floor with a thin blanket, were treated unfairly and received the bare minimum in care, love and support, he said.

He would sit alone outside on the stairs and stare into the distance to gather himself. Jeremy said he became quiet and heartless.

After a year, his grandmother picked him and his brother up, and they lived on the east side of Fort Worth. They would walk to the south side and steal from houses with his older cousins when he was just 8 years old. It continued as he got older, when he stole electronics and whatever he wanted from stores.

Today, he is thankful to be in the program, to have an advocate, and be around other young people going through the same challenges as him. He has clear goals, such as getting a job, staying in school, and taking care of his family. Even when he has felt life is meaningless, the program has shaped him to want the best for himself.

I want to be something instead of what the world sees me as, Jeremy said.

Childhood trauma

Stephen Phillippi is chair of Behavioral & Community Health Sciences at the LSU School of Public Health. He says children of color are disproportionately in contact with the juvenile justice system in comparison to their white counterparts. Even while the number of referrals or arrests may decrease, children of color are still affected at higher rates in many systems, from the child welfare system, to school discipline, or contact with law enforcement.

The Tarrant County Disproportionate Minority Contact Report from 2015-2019 notes that the previous two reports, for 2009-2013 and 2011-2015, showed African American and Hispanic youth were consistently over-represented in the number of overall referrals or those processed within the juvenile justice system through arrests, detention, and petitions, a court document stating a minor committed a unlawful act, in the Tarrant County Juvenile Services.

Between 2015-19 African American and Hispanic youth were referred or petitioned at a significantly higher rate than white youth in the Tarrant County Juvenile Services . In all years reflected in the report, except for 2017, African American and Hispanic youth were arrested at a significantly higher rate than white youth. In all five years, African American juveniles were detained at a significantly higher rate than white youth. Hispanic youth were detained at a significantly higher rate than white youth in 2015 and 2016 but showed no difference in 2017-2019.

African Americans in 2016-2019 were significantly less likely to be diverted, or removed from the juvenile justice processing, than Caucasian youth, according to the report.

Phillippi said children in the juvenile justice system have generally experienced more trauma than the average child. Theyve been traumatized by physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or witnessed violence in their home or neighborhood.

Phillippi says trauma changes the way we react to the world around us and how our brain responds. People become hyper vigilant, reactive, or become indifferent to the consequences of their actions. For children who have experienced trauma, the world becomes unsafe, as everything that is happening to them is outside their control, he said. Children abuse controlled substances to check out of the world, and thoughts of suicide may increase, he said.

Theyre trying to cope, and they dont have a lot of life experience to try and cope and figure it out, Phillippi said. Particularly if they dont have role models that show them how to cope through these horrible devastating events in their life.

Mentors provide support

Grace and Jeremy sit quietly in a room as they listen to a Youth Advocate Programs instructor on a Wednesday.

On the whiteboard, the words Emotional Intelligence are spelled out in red permanent marker. Underneath, it says, Who do you want to be rich for? The room has nine teenagers in it from a variety of neighborhoods in Fort Worth who are seeking a second, third, or fourth chance to fulfill their probation requirements.

Jeremy, dressed in a white shirt, dark blue sweatpants, and white Nike Air Force 1 shoes, raises his hand and says he wants to be rich for his family. Grace, who is wearing a sky blue Champion sweatshirt and jeans, says she would give the money to her mother and donate the rest.

The instructor, V.J. Smith, keeps it simple. Everyone wants to be rich but rich doesnt always mean money, Smith said

Smith has been an advocate in the program for the last five months and works with Jeremy.

Advocates serve as mentors and provide a support network for participants in the program. They connect participants with job opportunities, tutors, and provide emotional support.

Smith has taken Jeremy to meet business professionals, to the library and to sporting events. He has worked with children and families for over 20 years as the former national director of MAD DADS (Men Against Destruction, Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder), a nonprofit that connects communities with resources.

Ask a young person in the program why they are angry, upset, and defiant toward the world and they will be able to tell you a series of events that led them to that place, Smith said. But they have not been educated on dealing with trauma or grief, so its up to the advocates and others in their lives to teach them.

Youre going to be a part of this program, and theyre going to be some men and women who care enough about you, to want to see you do better, they want to see you change, to want to see your life transform, to want to see you in a better place, Smith said. And if you allow them, not only will your life be different, but your goals will be different, your ambition will be different.

Tyisha Heath has been an advocate for 14 years and previously volunteered to help children at the Boys and Girls Club.

Youth Advocate Programs participant Grace, 16, shows some phone photos to her advocate, Tyisha Heath, during a meeting in April. Advocates serve as mentors and provide support to children in the program. Bob Booth/Special to the Star-Telegram

Heath is Graces advocate and tells her and other participants she is available 24/7 for them. She helps them with coping skills and with how to regulate their emotions in different situations. She also teaches classes for the program that focus on stress, anger management and hygiene.

The classes Heath and Smith teach help participants because they are among their peers with similar backgrounds in an environment where they are comfortable to express themselves without judgment.

Heath says to dispose of children by putting them in detention centers or jails for their mistakes is not the way to help them. They need a loving, caring, and nurturing community to guide them, she said.

Some of these kids have been robbed of their childhood, Heath said. They havent really been able to experience a healthy childhood. Theyve been forced to grow up quick, and theyre doing things and operating out of trauma.

Giving traumatized children a voice

Alvear, the program director, says he has been told by supporters that his program is Tarrant Countys best kept secret, and he envisions the program being more visible. He wants to connect participants with more community worksites to provide them with employment opportunities and expose them more to the community by introducing them to city council members or going to local college events.

He wants to make sure participants are positive and contributing members of their communities and society.

I want to give my kids a voice, Alvear said. I feel it is important that we are able to hear from the youth, so every opportunity that I get for my youth to speak or be a part of something, Im gonna expose them to that.

Grace, while still in the program, was arrested again in March for violating her probation and is working to get adjusted again to life and school.

Advocate VJ Smith, (clockwise from left) participant Jeremy, 16, advocate Tyisha Heath, participant Grace, 16, and criminal defense attorney MarQuetta A. Clayton visit during a Youth Advocate Programs meeting in Fort Worth Texas, Wednesday Apr 03, 2024. The program has a staff of 22 that currently serve more than 65 participants. (Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Booth) Bob Booth/Bob Booth

She hopes to return to the program. Grace said she didnt care about school, or the people who loved her. She was living to die, she said. The Youth Advocate Programs allowed her to be herself, express her emotions, and speak about her pain without judgment and punishment.

Its just everything is all bottled up in my mind so you tend to explode and go off on people and dont have a voice, Grace said. So being here has given me a voice, and its helped me learn boundaries. I never knew about boundaries, and I never had any guidance.

After spending a year searching for a job, Jeremy was able to land a position at his apartment complex working with the maintenance crew. He attends program events and classes to improve himself because he doesnt want to feel the judgment of delinquency in peoples eyes anymore.

Im trying to do something good. Im just trying. Jeremy said. So give us a chance. Were trying, we are doing our best.

Even as these children in the juvenile justice system grow and make progress they make mistakes, but that doesnt mean we should give up on them, Phillippi says.

Phillippi emphasizes that the community should care about youth in the juvenile justice system because they need mentors and people who believe in them. We must look deeper and see the traumatic events they have been victims of, he said. Finally, it must be understood that they are teenagers who need development and will come back to their homes, schools, and communities, which must be ready to support them.

These kids have been victims of lots of stuff in life, to get them to this place where they are, Phillippi said. It doesnt give them an excuse to do their delinquent behavior but it certainly says somewhere along the way, somebody missed the opportunity to intervene and lessen the trauma and toxic stress in this kids life.
No surprise here, where cloud cover dimmed the magnificence of the recent eclipse, but Syracuse and Buffalo experienced a greater tourism boost than most other major cities in or near the path of totality, according to a recent Bloomberg analysis.

The financial news company said in a Wednesday report that Rochester experienced a 16% year-over-year increase in spending at hotels and restaurants for the period from April 5 through Eclipse Day, more than the U.S. average change of 13.7% and greater than more southerly destinations.

But Rochesters increase was not the 28% jump experienced in Syracuse to the east or the 32% experienced in Buffalo to the west, revealed Bloombergs further analysis of SpendTrend data from Fiserv, which captures all card-based transactions at millions of merchant locations nationwide.

Rochester indeed was in the path of totality  where the moon completely darkened the sun  making it one of the best possible places to view the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Tens of thousands of visitors were expected to descend upon Rochester for the big event.

Joseph and Jessica Krouch walk down Broad Street to the eclipse events in Rochester with their children, Matthew, 12 and Madison, 6. The family is from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. They decided to come to Rochester because Madison is interested in space and Matthew had played hockey here so they were familiar with the area.

However, residents throughout the Rochester area know only too well what cloud cover did to their Eclipse Day. Anticipated throngs of people never quite materialized, diminishing hopes of the $10 million to $12 million economic impact that Visit Rochester was estimating for the city.

Day trippers and other eclipse fans chose different destinations, and Bloomberg's analysis said Syracuse and Buffalo experienced bigger boosts likely because of their relative proximity to New York City and other East Coast "population centers."

According to Bloombergs look at weekend activity at hotels, restaurants and other hospitality destinations, Rochester experienced a 31% increase in tourism-related foot traffic, compared to the approximately 50% upticks experienced in Syracuse and Buffalo. Rochester, though, once again fared better than some southern cities like Memphis, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Dallas.

University of Rochester student Lucy Liu takes a photo of the clouds just as the Eclipse passed peak totality at the University of Rochester in Rochester on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Rochester lost to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, in foot traffic increases, although New York and Ohio towns saw some of the largest increases.

Ohio was a popular destination in the days before the eclipse, with Cleveland seeing a particular boost in spending and foot traffic, perhaps thanks in part to a Cleveland Guardians game that coincided with the eclipse, the Bloomberg report said.

Throughout the area, there were large but manageable crowds, said Emily Lauer, a spokesperson for Destination Cleveland. Our weather forecast improved about 36 hours before the eclipse, and visitors who had originally planned to view the eclipse in other areas drove to Cleveland for the best chance of experiencing this incredible event.

Traffic data from TomTom, included in the Bloomberg report, also showed that citywide congestion was better in Rochester than in places that experienced spikes like Syracuse, Cincinnati and St. Louis. Rochester's Eclipse Day traffic pattern for April 8 resembled a small butte hiding behind a couple of mountains, whereas spikes in the congested cities resembled steeples.

All cities reviewed showed a clear reduction in congestion at the point of peak totality, according to TomTom's analysis.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Solar eclipse in Rochester NY brings fewer visitors than anticipated
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita pushes back against the Indiana Department of Health on not releasing abortion reports. (Screenshot of Facebook Live event)

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita last week solicited the public to sue the Indiana Department of Health. I know that sounds odd, and it should sound that way, because the IDOH is Rokitas client.

When an agency is sued, its customary for the attorney general to provide legal resources for its defense. Apparently not anymore. Not only should we expect Rokita to refuse to defend the IDOH if it gets sued over its handling of terminated pregnancy reports, but the AG is actively encouraging someone to file the suit. Again, against his own client.

Words cant describe how unlawyerly that is. Its a foundational violation of his oath.

To listen to a podcast version of this column, go here.

He accused the agency and Indiana Public Access Counselor, Luke Britt, of collusion for keeping terminated pregnancy reports, or TPRs, from public view. It appears that Rokita has appointed himself the abortion czar of the state and wants to use these medical records in his search for violators of the states new ban. This isnt the reason the data is collected, and the data is viewed by the agency and Britt as medical records protected by the provider-patient relationship.

Ironically, Rokita manipulated the Medical Licensing Board into sanctioning Dr. Caitlin Bernard for disclosing information about a 10-year-old rape victim who needed an abortion in 2022. He was mad she shared such a vivid example of how bans are bad. Then he worked overtime to find an angle, and importantly, a politically friendly venue, to settle his score with her.

His legal claim: Dr. Bernard shared too much information. Now, Rokita wants to share more.

This time, his angle is to get someone to sue the state, again, his client, so that a judge can instruct the agency to change its policies. And hes not waiting for the public to come up with that idea on its own. Hes overtly asking for someone, anyone, to get the ball rolling. On Thursday, during a Facebook Live event, he presented his non-binding opinion on the matter, saying: You have a right to sue the state of Indiana. Thats the bottom line. You have a right to these documents, and no unelected bureaucrat can tell you otherwise.

Not just abortion

Aah, there it is! Because Rokita is elected to something, he seems to believe that empowers him to do, well, apparently anything. This broad, magical authority he believes he has, isnt new either.

The Eyes on Education witch hunt, excuse me, tip line, was announced in February. Remember that one?

As detailed by WFYI, Rokitas office set up a portal that aims to compile and display complaints about potentially inappropriate material in schools that are real examples of socialist indoctrination from classrooms across the state, along with the purported material. The goal here was to fight the evil practice of indoctrination that the AG wants Hoosiers to believe is going on in our schools. Examples he touts on his website include a gender support plan, a race and gender based college fair, and my favorite, a presentation instructing kids on how to become emotionally independent of parents.

Like the soliciting of complaints about TPRs, what the AG is doing in this area is from the same playbook. Hes trying to create discord, animosity and strife in hopes of exercising some authority that his office actually does possess. Its a strategy for him to heroically save the citizenry from a government that he and his followers believe has run amok.

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Again though, that government is his client.

This is the fundamental problem with Rokitas entire approach to his current job. Protocol, decorum and precedent over the years would instruct any attorney general to avoid doing these things. Not until someone occupies the office with absolute disregard for historic demeanor does the citizenry begin to fully understand how the office can be weaponized. That too is ironic.

Rokita has reduced the position to a tribunal of mean tweets, a forum for Festivus, if you will, that can be used to sue or harass anyone, or anything, at any time. Even his own client. He is the second consecutive Republican elected to the office whose law license has been jeopardized for being such a horrible lawyer. He needs to keep that license, if he wants to keep owning his enemies.

Eventually, the Indiana General Assembly is going to have to define the job better. Rokita, and his immediate predecessor, Curtis Hill, have made a mockery of the position that reduces it to nothing more than a political noise machine.

For generations, the Indiana Attorney General had been a trusted public servant. That trust has been taken advantage of twice in a row now. Hoosiers should defend itself from the trend.

The post Rokitas unlawyerly approach reduces office of attorney general to pesky noise maker appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
WASHINGTON D.C. (ABC4)  Republican Sen. Mitt Romney and three other U.S. Senate colleagues submitted a bipartisan letter to congressional leadership this week on their ideas on how to mitigate the national security risks of artificial intelligence.

Romney, along with U.S. senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Angus S. King, Jr. (D-Maine), are asking Congress to consider four potential ways to oversee AI in the U.S. The letter can also be read at the bottom of this post in its entirety.

In the letter, the senators point out that while AI has the power to transform Americans quality of life for the better, it also introduces a broad spectrum of risks that could be harmful to the American public.

Even as we focus on the tremendous benefits, experts have warned that AI could perpetuate disinformation, fraud, bias, and privacy concerns, the letter states. Others have voiced concerns that AI could pose threats to election integrity and the future of the workforce.

The senators offered four potential options for federal oversight:

An interagency coordinating body: A body modeled on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. This body would coordinate regulatory oversight among several existing agencies.

Department of Commerce: Commerce could leverage the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Bureau of Industry and Security to carry out oversight.

Department of Energy: DoE has expertise in high-performance computing and oversees the U.S. National Laboratories. Additionally, DoE has deep experience in handling restricted data, classified information, and national security issues.

A new agency: Creating a new agency could be the answer since new risks may not fall within existing agency jurisdictions.

Regardless of where these authorities reside, the oversight entity should be comprised of: (1) subject matter experts, who could be detailed from relevant federal entities that have experience handling issues such as biosecurity, chemical security, cybersecurity, and nuclear security, and (2) skilled AI scientists and engineers, states the letter. The oversight entity would also be tasked to study and report to Congress on unforeseen challenges and new risks to ensure that this framework remains appropriate as technology advances.

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U.S. workers who have abortions must be provided with accommodations like time off and flexible breaks under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), according to a final rule released Monday.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the rule said employers must provide the same accommodations to workers who have limitations related to  pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

That means that if an employee asks for time off to recover from an abortion, employers must grant it.

An employer is not required to seek supporting documentation when an employee asks for a reasonable accommodation and should only do so when it is reasonable under the circumstances, the agency said.

The EEOC is in charge of implementing the law, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support at the end of 2022. The agency drew criticism from some Republicans and other conservatives for including abortion in its draft language last year; the final rule leaves that provision unchanged.

The PWFA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for workers with limitations relating to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions unless the accommodation would result in an undue hardship for the employer. The rules only apply to employers with at least 15 employees.

The final rule correctly takes a comprehensive view of pregnancy and related medical conditionsensuring the law will provide protections to more women who need them, said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.).

In the rule, the EEOC explained that the law is a workplace anti-discrimination law, and doesnt affect whether and under what circumstances an abortion should be permitted.

The law does not require any employee to haveor not to havean abortion, does not require taxpayers to pay for any abortions, and does not compel health care providers to provide any abortions. The PWFA also cannot be used to require an employer-sponsored health plan to pay for or cover any particular item, procedure, or treatment, including an abortion, the agency said.

The agency said it received about 100,000 public comments on the rule, and about half called on commissioners to exclude abortion from being included.

The EEOC said it had received 54,000 comments urging the commission to exclude abortion from its definition of medical condition related to pregnancy, but it also received 40,000 comments supporting its inclusion.

The type of accommodation that most likely will be sought under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act regarding an abortion is time off to attend a medical appointment or for recovery, and it doesnt have to be paid.

Very few employers have actually faced a situation in which an employee is expressly requesting leave for an abortion, the agency noted, but all accommodations remain subject to applicable exceptions and defenses, including those based on religion and undue hardship.

Still, Republican lawmakers and anti-abortion activists denounced the EEOCs inclusion of abortion in the final rule.

Abortion is not a medical condition related to pregnancy; it is the opposite, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), chairwoman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, said in a statement. The PWFA does not apply to abortions. The term abortion is not once mentioned in the law. Instead of following congressional intent, the Biden administration is using the regulatory process to advance radical policy goals.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the lead Republican cosponsor of the PWFA, said it defies common sense that the administration included abortion as a condition covered under the law.

The Biden administration must enforce the law as passed by Congress, not how they wish it were passed. The decision to disregard the legislative process to promote a political agenda is shocking and illegal, Cassidy said in statement.

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FILE PHOTO: Cars drive past the headquarters of the Federal Security Service (FSB) in central Moscow

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's FSB security service said on Tuesday it had detained a man it said had tried to kill an ex-employee of Ukraine's main security service in Moscow last week with a car bomb on Kyiv's orders.

A powerful explosion ripped through a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado belonging to Vasily Prozorov, a former Lieutenant-Colonel in Ukraine's SBU security service, on April 12, leaving Prozorov with wounds to his legs and arms.

Prozorov, who now lives in Russia, had told Russian state news agency RIA how he used his SBU position in Ukraine to pass sensitive information to Russian intelligence agencies from 2014 onwards for ideological reasons.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on Tuesday.

In a statement, the FSB said it had detained an unnamed Russian man who it said had worked as an agent for the SBU and had planted the car bomb.

It said the man, who was shown on state media with his face blurred out confessing to the crime, had been charged with attempted murder and the illegal possession of explosives.

Investigators were looking to see if they could also charge him with state treason and terrorism, crimes that can carry a life sentence, the statement said.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Russian forces struck 13 communities in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast in 35 separate attacks throughout the day, the regional administration reported on April 16. At least 218 explosions were reported in Sumy Oblast over the past 24 hours.

The communities of Myropillia, Yunakivka, Bilopillia, Vorozhba, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Krolevets, Shalyhyne, Esman, Shostka, Seredyna-Buda, Znob-Novhorodske and Yampil were targeted. One civilian was injured in the Yampil community following Russia's airstrike.

Throughout the day, Russia assailed the border communities with mortar, artillery, grenade launcher, missile, and drone attacks. The community of Krasnopillia, with a pre-war population of about 7,700 residents, also saw at least 23 mines dropped, according to the Sumy Oblast Military Administration.

The town of Bilopillia, home to about 16,000 residents before the full-scale invasion, experienced the most intense attacks, with over 70 explosions recorded in the area. The community is located eight kilometers south and 25 kilometers west of the Ukraine-Russia border.

On April 15, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service repelled an attack by Russian saboteurs in the region. Ukrainian border guards fired on the Russian reconnaissance group as it was attempting to break into Sumy Oblast, the State Border Guard Service said on Telegram.

Sumy Oblast borders Russia's Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts. Russian attacks against the region have become increasingly destructive in recent weeks, killing and injuring civilians.

Read also: Russia prepares for a major offensive in Ukraine, eyes Chasiv Yar

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ANKARA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye sent Tuesday its ninth ship to the Gaza Strip carrying 3,774 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including food, baby supplies, sleeping bags, and gluten-free products.

The humanitarian ship, prepared by the Turkish Red Crescent, departed from the southern port of Mersin, according to the Turkish NGO.

"Our aids are not one-time or short-term. Our aid will continue until all the needs in Gaza are over. They are continuous aids," said Turkish Red Crescent President Fatma Meric Yilmaz at the send-off ceremony.

The vessel will reach Egypt's Al-Arish port, the closest port to Gaza, after a 40-hour sea voyage.

Turkiye had sent humanitarian supplies in 13 planes and eight ships after the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out last October.

Israel launched a large-scale military offensive against Hamas in Gaza in response to a deadly surprise attack by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct. 7 last year, in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 others were taken hostage.

The Israeli onslaught has so far led to more than 33,700 deaths and more than 76,000 injuries, as well as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave. 
Russia loses 920 soldiers and 9 tanks over past day

Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Russia has lost another 920 soldiers, nine tanks and 13 armoured combat vehicles over the past 24 hours.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 16 April 2024 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

455,340 (+920) military personnel;

7,189 (+9) tanks;

13,809 (+13) armoured combat vehicles;

11,609 (+16) artillery systems;

1,046 (+0) multiple-launch rocket systems;

759 (+1) air defence systems;

347 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;

325 (+0) helicopters;

9,277 (+11) strategic and tactical UAVs;

2,092 (+0) cruise missiles;

26 (+0) ships and boats;

1 (+0) submarines;

15,563 (+53) vehicles and tankers;

1,908 (+0) special vehicles and other equipment.

The information is being confirmed.

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The drone attacks against the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) on April 7 and 9 were part of a "well-planned false flag operation by the Russian Federation," Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya said at a U.N. Security Council meeting on April 15.

The ZNPP reportedly suffered at least three direct strikes on April 7 and another drone attack at the plant's nearby training center on April 9. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called the strikes a "major escalation" in nuclear danger.

The Security Council convened on April 15 to discuss safety and security at the Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility. The plant has been occupied by Russian forces since March 2022.

During the meeting, Kyslytsya said blame for the attacks and increased risks at the facility lies wit the Russian invasion and occupation.

"What happened at the ZNPP on 7th and 9th of April 2024 and thereafter was a well-planned false flag operation by the Russian Federation," he said.

Kyslytsya accused Russia of launching a disinformation and propaganda campaign aimed at justifying Moscow's illegal occupation of the nuclear plant.

"We categorically reject the insane allegations that Ukraine may cause nuclear disaster," he said.

Read also: WSJ: Putin wants to restart Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Russia has claimed that Ukrainian drones carried out the April attacks on the ZNPP, an accusation Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) denies. HUR described the latest strike as "Russia's provocation."

Kyslytsya dismissed the idea that Ukrainian forces were responsible for the strikes, pointing out that Russia's allegations involve "low-power close-range FVP-drones" breaching the plant's heavy defenses.

While the IAEA announced on April 13 that all six of the plant's reactors had been moved into a state of cold shutdown, agency chief Rafael Mariano Grossi warned the Security Council that the potential for a disaster is still high.

"We are getting dangerously close to a nuclear accident," he said.

Grossi did not attribute blame for the strikes against the ZNPP to either Russia or Ukraine, but called for an immediate end to the "reckless attacks."

"We cannot sit by and watch as the final weight tips the finely balanced scale," he said.

Kyslytsya said that full liberation of the plant remains "the only way to remove all threats to nuclear safety and security."

Read also: Locals near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant brace for potential disaster: It would be the end of us

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Russian attacks against Ukraine killed three people and injured eight over the past day, regional authorities said on April 16.

Russia targeted a total of 13 Ukrainian oblasts  Chernihiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Luhansk, Odesa, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Donetsk oblasts. Casualties were reported in the latter three regions.

In Kharkiv Oblast, Russian troops attacked an educational institution with a guided aerial bomb in the village of Lukiantsi, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

Two men, aged 63 and 65, were reportedly killed, while two other men, aged 38 and 65, and two women, aged 63 and 66, were injured from the attack, the governor said.

A Russian attack on the city of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk Oblast killed one person and injured two other, regional Governor Vadym Filashkin said.

Russian troops also reportedly attacked the Bakhmut, Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk districts, damaging 11 buildings, including three high-rise buildings, an infrastructure facility and an administrative building.

Russian attacks damaged nine houses, critical infrastructure, postal office, and warehouse in Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. A total of two people, including a child, were injured over the past day, he said.

Overnight on April 16, Ukrainian air defense units reportedly intercepted all nine Russian drones over Kherson, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. No casualties were reported.

Read also: They mourned loss of their apartment. Then, Russia destroyed their whole city

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The Russian show was cancelled on the eve of its premiere. Photo: the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia.

A ballet show featuring leading dancers from Russias Bolshoi Theatre (Grand Theatre) was cancelled a day before its premiere in South Korea. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that the consecutive cancellation of Russian performances was achieved through the efforts of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Korea, with the support of the Ukrainian community.

Source: Reuters, citing a shows organiser on Monday, 15 April

Details: This follows the cancellation of ballet performances in Seoul in March featuring the Russian prima ballerina of Ukrainian descent, Svetlana Zakharova, who is an active supporter of Vladimir Putin.

At that time, it was reported that the show, titled Modanse, in which Zakharova performed the lead role, depicted scenes from the life of French designer Coco Chanel. The performances were scheduled for 17-21 April at the Seoul Arts Center.

Zakharova portrays Chanel's role in the Modanse show.

Photo: The Modanse Performance

After the cancellation of the show with Zakharova, another Russian touring show remained: the Bolshoi Theatre Gala Concert, which was scheduled for 16-18 April and was supposed to take place at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

Initially, these performances featured 12 principal dancers from the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. However, the programme was later modified to reduce the number of Russian performers. And on the eve of the show, it was announced that the concert was cancelled altogether.

The Russian Embassy in South Korea reacted to the concerts' cancellation by saying, "We cannot fail to notice that South Korea is currently demonstrating a certain trend in its approach to cooperation with Russia, particularly in the cultural sphere."

In turn, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that this was made possible through the efforts of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Korea, with the support of the Ukrainian community and international partners.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to the cancellation of Russian shows in Seoul as another step towards Russia's international isolation in the cultural sphere. "There should be no place for Russian cultural propaganda on international platforms, and Russian ballerinas should not perform on the stages of world theatres," the ministry added.

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(Bloomberg) -- Russias seaborne crude exports soared to an 11-month high in the second week of April with flows from all major ports near peak levels.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Last weeks jump propelled total weekly flows to the highest since May 2023, for a level that has been exceeded only twice since the start of 2022, vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show. The less volatile four-week average also rose sharply, climbing to the highest since early June.

Weekly shipments were well above a target for this month thats part of the OPEC+ alliances broader effort to curb supplies and support prices.

Cargoes from Primorsk, Ust-Luga, Novorossiysk and Kozmino were close to historical highs. Primorsk on the Baltic handled 10 tankers in three of the past four weeks, possibly reflecting a diversion to exports of crude that would have been processed at refineries hit by Ukrainian drones. The port hasnt handled more than 11 tankers in a week in data back to the start of 2022. Refining rates are languishing near an 11-month low as repairs continue.

The jump in flows, combined with higher Urals crude prices, boosted Moscows oil earnings. The gross value of crude exports rose to $2.15 billion in the seven days to April 14 from $1.82 billion previously. Four-week average income added about $170 million to $1.92 billion a week.

Separately, four-week average shipments to Asia continued to climb, following a similar pattern to that seen at the same time last year. Then, shipments to Asia  predominantly China and India  peaked at 3.6 million barrels a day in the four weeks to May 14, before dropping by about 1 million barrels a day over the following three months.

The backlog of Russias Sokol crude that built up after being turned away by Indian refiners has now almost disappeared. About 9.1 million barrels, half of the total, have been delivered to refineries in China. Another 7 million barrels are finding their way back to India. Two cargoes have been delivered to Pakistan.

That leaves just 1.4 million barrels still to show a destination, with another 700,000 barrels in a tanker thats been anchored off Indias east coast since the start of April. All of the Sokol cargoes loaded since mid-February headed directly to China.

Flows by Destination

Russias seaborne crude flows in the week to April 14 surged by 560,000 barrels a day to 3.95 million, reaching the highest since May 2023. The less volatile four-week average also soared, up by about 250,000 barrels a day to 3.66 million, to the highest since June.

Weekly shipments were about 365,000 barrels a day higher than the average seen in May and June, or about 490,000 barrels a day above Russias April target, which is part of the OPEC+ alliances broader effort to curb supplies and support prices. The four-week average was about 200,000 barrels a day above the target.

Russia said it would cut crude exports during April by 121,000 barrels a day from their average May-June level as part of the wider OPEC+ initiative, as Moscow shifts more of the burden onto production targets, which are preferred by other members of the group. Seaborne shipments in the first three months of the year exceeded Russias target level by just 16,000 barrels a day.

All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and the Baltics Ust-Luga and are not subject to European Union sanctions or a price cap.

The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export grade. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies.

Observed shipments to Russias Asian customers, including those showing no final destination, rose to 3.34 million barrels a day in the four weeks to April 14, up from 3.09 million in the previous four-week period, to the highest since June 2023.

About 1.36 million barrels a day of crude was loaded onto tankers heading to China. The Asian nations seaborne imports are boosted by about 800,000 barrels a day of crude delivered from Russia by pipeline, either directly, or via Kazakhstan.

Flows on ships signaling destinations in India averaged about 1.53 million barrels a day.

Both the Chinese and Indian figures will rise as the discharge ports become clear for vessels that are not currently showing final destinations.

The equivalent of about 365,000 barrels a day was on vessels signaling Port Said or Suez in Egypt. Those voyages typically end at ports in India or China and show up in the chart below as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent.

The Other Unknown volumes, running at about 80,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to April 14, are those on tankers showing no clear destination. Most of those cargoes originate from Russias western ports and go on to transit the Suez Canal, but some could end up in Turkey. Others could be moved from one vessel to another, with most such transfers now taking place in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Greece, or more recently off Sohar in Oman.

Europe and Turkey

Russias seaborne crude exports to European countries have ceased.

With flows to Bulgaria halted at the end of last year, Turkey is now the only short-haul market for shipments from Russias western ports.

Exports to Turkey were stable at 323,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to April 14, down from 400,000 barrels a day in the period to March 31.

Vessel-tracking data are cross-checked against port agent reports as well as flows and ship movements reported by other information providers including Kpler and Vortexa Ltd.

Export Value

Following the abolition of export duty on Russian crude, we have begun to track the gross value of seaborne crude exports, using Argus Media price data and our own tanker tracking.

The gross value of Russias crude exports soared to $2.15 billion in the seven days to April 14 from $1.82 billion in the period to April 7. Four-week average income was also up, rising by about $170 million to $1.92 billion a week. The four-week average is still below its peak of $2.17 billion a week, reached in the period to June 19, 2022. The highest it reached last year was $2 billion a week in the period to Oct. 22.

During the first four weeks after the Group of Seven nations price cap on Russian crude exports came into effect in early December 2022, the value of seaborne flows fell to a low of $930 million a week, but soon recovered.

The chart above shows a gross value of Russias seaborne oil exports on a weekly and four-week average basis. The value is calculated by multiplying the average weekly crude price from Argus Media Group by the weekly export flow from each port. For shipments from the Baltic and Arctic ports we use the Urals FOB Primorsk dated, London close, midpoint price. For shipments from the Black Sea we use the Urals Med Aframax FOB Novorossiysk dated, London close, midpoint price. For Pacific shipments we use the ESPO blend FOB Kozmino prompt, Singapore close, midpoint price.

Export duty was abolished at the end of 2023 as part of Russias long-running tax reform plans.

Ships Leaving Russian Ports

The following table shows the number of ships leaving each export terminal.

A total of 36 tankers loaded 27.6 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to April 14, vessel-tracking data and port agent reports show. That was up by about 3.9 million barrels from the previous week and the highest weekly total since May 2023.

All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. No cargoes of KEBCO were loaded during the week.

NOTES

Note: This story forms part of a weekly series tracking shipments of crude from Russian export terminals and the gross value of those flows. Weeks run from Monday to Sunday. The next update will be on Tuesday, April 23.

Note: All figures exclude cargoes owned by Kazakhstans KazTransOil JSC, which transit Russia and are shipped from Novorossiysk and Ust-Luga as KEBCO grade crude.

If you are reading this story on the Bloomberg terminal, click here for a link to a PDF file of four-week average flows from Russia to key destinations.

--With assistance from Sherry Su.

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Russian spies detected among refugees from Ukraine in Romania

Romanias Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) has reported that Russian spies have entered the country amongst Ukrainian refugees.

Source: a report by CSAT covered by Digi24 and European Pravda

Details: According to the report, the alleged spies entered Romania as Ukrainian refugees.

The spies' mission was to gather information related to defence and security. There have also been attempts to obtain critical information about Romania's assistance to Ukraine.

The Russian assets were also looking for information on military exercises in Romania and the personnel stationed there.

The report also includes examples of disinformation tactics targeting the Romanian army and its officials.

CSAT has identified numerous vulnerabilities that Romania has been subject to as a result of this espionage operation. These include escalations in military incidents, cyber-strikes by Russia, and sabotage of aid shipments to Ukraine.

G4 Media, which has also evaluated the report, said "the Russian Federation was the main political and military participant involved in all security issues in the region".

According to the report, Russia continues to create significant military threats in order to maintain and strengthen its influence over Black Sea states and realise its geopolitical ambitions.

It was reported in late March that Supo, the Finnish security police, believes that Russia remains the most serious threat to the country's national security.

Meanwhile in Austria, a meeting of the National Security Council was convened in response to the detention of Egisto Ott, a former employee of the now-defunct Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism (BVT), on suspicion of espionage.

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KHARTOUM, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The year-long conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in the disruption of formal education for more than 90 percent of the country's 19 million school-age children, according to the latest estimates from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

"Sudan now has one of the worst education crises in the world," UNICEF said in its latest report on Sunday. "The ongoing disruption to education will result in a generational crisis for Sudan."

On the one hand, the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan has led to a massive destruction in the education establishment.

According to official statistics of Sudan's Ministry of Higher Education, the war has caused over 100 public and private universities to close, and destroyed a large number of universities and higher institutions.

In a recent press statement, Sudanese Minister of Education Mahmoud Siral-Khatim Al-Houri revealed that 40 percent of the educational institutions in Khartoum State, where the war erupted, have been destroyed and sabotaged.

Observers believed 75 percent of the educational institutions in Sudan have been destroyed.

In addition to infrastructure destruction, the war has killed and displaced the country's teachers and students.

At least 10 percent of the university's teaching staff are now displaced outside Sudan, said Al-Hafiz Khamis Ismail, spokesman of Zalingei University, in Zalingei, the capital city of Central Darfur State.

"The war also had a psychological impact on the students and their families because of the violence and looting they were exposed to," Assistant Professor at the Nile Valley University in Khartoum, Elham Sharif Daoud, told Xinhua.

According to Ahmed Omer Khojali, a journalist in the field of education, the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan has had a disastrous impact on education generally, and would seriously harm the future of an entire generation of students, as the three "fundamental pillars" in education were damaged by the war.

First, a number of educational establishments have been transformed into military barracks or shelters amid the conflict.

Second, "the conditions of teachers has also worsened, as the war has interrupted their salaries and even taken some of their lives," he said, adding that students, another critical element in education, were forced to flee to states neighboring Khartoum, or to seek refuge in other countries.

Despite wide recognition of an imperative resumption of study, experts believe there are a number of obstacles to overcome, and alternative solutions are needed.

"Innovative solutions must be found, including remote education, or moving universities to some neighboring countries," Ismail said.

For Daoud, she urged the Ministry of Education to devise modern means to resume education.

She referred to the experience of the University of Khartoum, which completed its students' courses online and held exams at the safe states by using the state universities as examination centers, calling for promoting such practices.

Moreover, she stressed the need to establish modern information centers in the universities to make online study feasible, and called for solving the problem of network and power disruption.

According to unofficial estimates, there are about 714,000 higher education students, and about 136 public and private universities and higher institutions in the country.

Since the conflict between the SAF and the RSF broke out on April 15, 2023, 14,790 fatalities have been recorded, while the number of people displaced inside and outside of Sudan has reached 8.2 million, a report by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs showed Sunday. 
Chaos erupted in the Georgian parliament on Monday when opposition leader Aleko Elisashvili took a running head start and slammed his fist into another lawmaker during a debate on a controversial new foreign influence bill.

The punch then spiraled into an all-out brawl between politicians over the controversial bill, which would require organizations with over 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence. Critics in Georgia have compared it to laws in Russia that Moscow has used to tamp down on dissent.

While politicians brawled inside parliament, another hectic scene unfolded outside, with thousands of demonstrations taking to the streets in protest of the law chanting Russians! Russians!

We must shove this law up their asses, Elisashvili said after punching Mamuka Mdinaradze, the leader of the ruling party Georgian Dream. Fuck them there is no time for politeness, they are dragging us into Russia.

Already, authorities are using pepper spray and tear gas against protesters, one Georgian democracy activist who had just left the protests told The Daily Beast. The protests were ongoing late into Tuesday evening, Georgian activist Ketevan Chachava, the deputy executive director at the Tbilisi-based Center for Development and Democracy (CDD), told The Daily Beast. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed it used pepper spray on protesters. 11 people were detained in the protests, according to the authorities.

Tina Bokuchava, a leader of the opposition party the United National Movement, demanded lawmakers from the ruling party withdraw the proposal immediately. Recall this law, once and for all! There is no place in Georgia for a Russian law. Europe is the choice of the Georgian people, Bokuchava reportedly said.

Ketevan Chachava

Despite the protests, the Georgian parliament moved forward with further deliberations about the bill on Tuesday, with civil society leaders calling for further protests. The parliament announced it was using heightened security measures at the yellow level on Tuesday in advance of the controversial debatean effort to prevent visitors from disrupting the proceedings.

The clash over the bill is emblematic of a broader struggle in Georgia over the future of the country, its lean to the west, and Russian influence. Just in December the European Union gave Georgia candidate status, and although its a step toward the west, Georgias future in the EU is still fragile.

Although the Georgian Dream party had dropped the campaign for the bill months after protestswhich saw authorities use tear gas and water cannons against demonstratorsthe ruling party unexpectedly reintroduced the influence bill earlier this month.

This is a deeply troubling moment for Georgias aspirations for joining the European Union, Chachava told The Daily Beast.

Its truly disheartening to witness the reintroduction of this law just one year after Georgian society rallied against it. This legislation not only threatens the freedom of independent media and civil society but also undermines our country's aspirations for European integration, Chachava said.

The law poses a significant threat to transparency and democracy in Georgia. It is imperative that we stand united against such regressive measures and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the principles of democracy, human rights, and European values."

Critics and supporters of the law both accused one another of aligning with Russian interests on Tuesday. In one statement, Maka Botchorishvili, a Georgian Dream MP, accused critics of looking to revolutionary scenarios to push Georgia to the West while also claiming the protesters were serving Russian interests.

Ketevan Chachava

Red Flags

The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, claimed the push for the bill was part of a broader Russian destabilization operation in Georgia.

Insistence of the authorities to push through this law against the will of the population and despite partners' protest is a direct provocationa Russian strategy of destabilization, Zourabichvili said Tuesday.

The EU has said the foreign agent bill is incompatible with the EUs values. The United Nations has warned that the bill, if passed, would jeopardize non-governmental organizations with funding from abroad and damage Georgias democratic path and freedom of expression. The U.S. State Department warned last week that it was deeply concerned about the bill, noting that the bill would derail Georgia from its European path.

Georgia, which declared independence in 1991, has long had a tense relationship with Russia. Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and expanded its military footprint in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The United States has been calling on Russia ever since to reverse its recognition of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Georgian Dream has for years accused the west and the opposition of working to overthrow the government. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, it has increasingly echoed Kremlin narratives and anti-West rhetoric.

Western leaders doubled down on their opposition to the bill Tuesday. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, warned Georgians to not derail that dream on Tuesday.

Georgia's destination is Europe, Landsbergis said on social media. Don't derail that dream.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

A total of 50 combat clashes have occurred on the front line over the past 24 hours. In total, the Russians launched 2 missile strikes and 43 airstrikes and fired 39 times from multiple-launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 16 April

Details: On the Kupiansk front, the Russians did not conduct any assault operations.

On the Lyman front, the Russians attacked Ukrainian positions six times near Terny, Torske and Hryhorivka (Donetsk Oblast) and Serebrianka Forest (Luhansk Oblast).

On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 12 attacks near Verkhnokamianske, Vyimka, Bilohorivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske and Klishchiivka (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians, backed up by air support, tried to improve their tactical positions.

On the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian defenders repelled nine attacks near Ocheretyne, Novokalynove, Berdychi, Semenivka and Netailove (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians, backed up by air support, tried to drive Ukrainian troops from their footholds.

On the Novopavlivka front, Ukraines Defence Forces are continuing to hold the Russians back near Krasnohorivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians made 14 attempts to break through the Ukrainian defences.

On the Orikhiv front, the Russians attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders three times near Staromaiorske (Donetsk Oblast) and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia Oblast).

On the Kherson front, Russian forces continued to attempt to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left (east) bank of the Dnipro River. Over the past day, they have launched five unsuccessful attacks near Krynky (Kherson Oblast).

Quote: "Over the past day, Ukraine's Air Force has hit five areas where Russian military personnel were concentrated and one Russian command post.

Ukraine's Rocket Forces and Artillery struck one area where Russian military personnel were concentrated."

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Rye and North Hampton are slated to share more than $20 million to help address damage caused by coastal flooding along Route 1A.

Nationally, The Federal PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program awarded $829.6 million to 80 recipients to fund projects that address the climate crisis by improving the resilience of the surface transportation system. The awards are located across 37 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and include seven tribal projects.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation will receive $20,258,400 to reconstruct coastal erosion protections along three miles of Route 1A between North Hampton and Rye, according to the grant award.

An area of Route 1A in Rye was closed March 11, 2024, for heavy machinery to work with embankments that were worn away by the ocean causing flooding.

"The improvements (are) expected to significantly reduce road closures and roadway clean-up in coastal communities vulnerable to the increasing intensity and frequency of coastal storms as well as rising sea levels," according to a prepared statement from the NHDOT.

According to the NHDOT project plan, the work will be done through five construction contracts, addressing 14 revetment stone barriers and sea walls, over a five-year period. The project notes that Route 1A is a critical travel corridor, part of the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant emergency evacuation route.

The first project will be a section of wall/revetments at the Rye/North Hampton town line in the area of Fox Hill Point and Rye Ledge.

"The intent is to mitigate wave overtopping impacts, improve stability and reduce post storm cleanups," according to the project narrative.

Michael Tully, North Hampton town administrator, said he is thrilled. He has a unique and long-standing understanding of the flooding and road erosion issues his town faces. Before assuming his current position, Tully was 20-plus year member of the town Fire Department, retiring as chief in 2020.

"Coastal erosion, the destruction of the shale piles has always been a problem here," said Tully. "We have pushed for resiliency programs for years, talked about this for years. I have been a big proponent for the creation of better coastal systems because whenever we have these big storms, we are putting money back into a system that is not working. I think our board will be very happy about this money."

An area of Route 1A in Rye was closed March 11, 2024 for heavy machinery to work with embankments that were worn away by the ocean causing flooding.

Rye Town Administrator Matthew Scruton is also no stranger to coastal erosion and the need to close down Route 1A when a storm washes across the road.

On Monday night the town was set to hold a public meeting with the NHDOT to talk about the problem of eroding sea walls and how they fit into the state's 10-year plans. Jennifer Lane, spokesperson for NHDOT said the project would be among the topics for discussion at that meeting.

"The town of Rye strongly supports the New Hampshire Department of Transportation's planned improvements to our seawalls, which serve as our primary coastal defense against the sea," said Scruton in a prepared statement. "The town submitted a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg last year, urging him to approve NHDOT's grant request for reconstructing the seawall along Route 1A in North Hampton and Rye. The recent coastal storms and flooding in January further emphasized the urgency of this project as they inflicted heavy damage on the Town of Rye, racking up over $500,000 in anticipated costs to the town for repairs to public infrastructure and equipment, along with labor expenses."

A section of the Rye revetment and wall to be addressed by a $20 million project grant

Scruton said Route 1A is a critical artery for both local and regional transportation.

"It provides essential access to our state's beaches, playing a key role in the economic well-being of the seacoast region and our local communities," he said. "Unfortunately, it's also highly susceptible to storm surges, high tides, waves, and flooding. We must address the issue of rising sea levels to protect our coastal communities. Investing in the proposed NHDOT projects is an investment in our future coastal resilience, ensuring we can withstand these storms and emerging challenges."

Scruton said the town is grateful for NHDOT's comprehensive planning for these seawall improvements.

Coastal flooding closed several parts of Route 1A in Rye and North Hampton on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. Here, at Rye Harbor, a dingy floats up along the road.

"We also extend our appreciation to everyone who has advocated for this crucial project," said Scruton. He said letters of support for the project were sent by Gov. Chris Sununu, Sen. Maggie Hassan, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Congressman Chris Pappas, state Sen. Denise Ricciardi and state Sen. David Watters, the town of North Hampton, and the town of Rye.

The Rockingham Planning Commission has a page dedicated to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which can be seen at: therpc.org/transportation/tip.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rye, North Hampton get $20M to repair Rt. 1A coastal flood damage
Reality Check is a Sacramento Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email realitycheck@sacbee.com.

A surgeon and owner of five Sacramento-area pain management clinics that see about 5,000 patients a month is suing the Medical Board of California, which placed his medical license on three years of probation.

Dr. Kayvan Haddadan is asking a Sacramento Superior Court judge to overturn the medical boards extreme discipline against him, according to a filed petition for writ of administrative mandate.

In the legal action filed by Sacramento-based attorneys Brian Taylor and Ian McGlone on behalf of Haddadan, the attorneys argue that the ordered probation is based on two separate alleged simple acts of negligence; one that occurred over 10 years ago and another nearly nine years ago.

Haddadan, a pain management physician, is the president and medical director of Advanced Pain Diagnostic & Solutions, which he founded in 2012. The interventional pain management practice has clinics in Sacramento, Roseville, Davis, Folsom and Yuba City, with a surgery center in Rocklin.

Haddadan said the purpose of the state medical board is to keep patients safe. But he believes its discipline on him is unwarranted and can cause significant harm to his business.

Theyre making a big deal of almost nothing, Haddadan said Monday in a phone interview with The Sacramento Bee. Their intention is to get the physician in trouble.

Last Wednesday, Judge Jennifer Rockwell granted Haddadans request to suspend the medical boards discipline order of probation pending further review and judgment by the court on the surgeons petition seeking a reversal. The case will return to court July 22 for further proceedings.

On March 4, the Medical Board of California revoked Haddadans medical license but suspended that revocation pending successful completion of three years of probation. His medical practice would be allowed to continue during probation. The boards discipline order went into effect April 3, before the Superior Court suspended that discipline last week.

The medical board hearing that led to Haddadans discipline was focused on two patients. One was 33-year-old woman with a history of chronic multiple joint problems, and the other was 49-year-old man with a long-standing history of knee and back pain, according to a Jan. 3 summary of the allegations and the hearing written by Administrative Law Judge Timothy Aspinwall.

Woman with chronic joint problems

The woman was previously diagnosed with osteoarthritis of both knees and hips, and she complained of whole-body pain for the three previous years. She had been prescribed methadone and diazepam. Haddadan agreed to take over her medical treatment and first saw the patient for chronic pain management on April 1, 2013.

Haddadan prescribed methadone and Valium, discussing with her in detail the treatment plan and explaining the risks and benefits of long-term opioid treatment for chronic pain. He saw her in his office each month with limited exceptions through at least 2020. He used point-of-care urine drug tests to monitor her compliance with her treatment plan, confirming those test results at an independent laboratory as needed.

A urine drug test on May 14, 2015, found nonprescribed methamphetamine in her system, according to Aspinwalls written summary. In his clinical record, Haddadan wrote: explained the treatment plan and patient nods for understanding. I am going to refill the medication without any additional refill. I will see the patient back in one month to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment...

An independent lab test eight days later confirmed the presence of meth in her system. That May 22, 2015, lab test result report is included in the patients clinical records, but Haddadan did not separately record the test results in his clinical notes. His notes in subsequent office visits do not indicate that he spoke to her about either test that showed meth in her system.

On Oct. 22, 2015, Haddadan saw the patient in his office for a physical examination and medication management. Haddadan noted in his clinical record that a urine drug test at his office showed the patient was compliant with her medication regimen, including methadone, Xanax and Norco, according to the administrative law judge.

In his summary, Aspinwall wrote that Haddadans testimony that he did confront the patient about her positive meth test results was not convincing, and the evidence is clear the physician did not adequately note or address those test results that constitutes a departure from the standard of care; not an extreme departure by exercising only scant care as was alleged.

The administrative law judge noted that Haddadan continued to provide care for the patient by keeping her close and practicing harm reduction.

Man with knee and back pain

On March 20, 2014, Haddadan first saw a man with knee and back pain in his clinic following a referral from another treating physician. The following month, Haddadan prescribed pain medications including methadone for the man with complaints of persistent knee and back pain.

Haddadan testified that the patient was already on a high dose of 70 milligrams of methadone in March 2014, and he reduced the prescription to 60 milligrams. Haddadan said he still sees this patient, who is now on 20 milligrams of methadone per day.

Haddadan continued to treat the man nearly on a monthly basis through 2020, which included 60 to 70 milligrams of methadone per day during most if not all that time. The patients records do not reflect that Haddadan either ordered or reviewed an electrocardiogram (also known as an EKG test) for this patient, according to Aspinwall.

Haddadan testified that the patient told him his primary care physician had done an EKG test, and the test result was normal. He also said the patient did not have any irregular cardiac symptoms that would suggest a EKG was necessary, according to Aspinwall.

The administrative law judge determined that Haddadan committed a simple departure from the standard of care by failing to order an EKG test or review a recent EKG test of the patient when he began treating him with methadone.

California prosecutors

Haddadans attorneys argue in filed court documents that the medical boards discipline is based on two separate alleged simple acts of negligence, one that occurred over 10 years ago and another nearly nine years ago. Taylor and McGlone also argue that the two unrelated acts did not result in any patient harm, and they are not the type of repeated acts of negligence to support the discipline.

The accusation of failing to order an EKG test was filed March 11, 2022, nearly eight years after he began treating him with methadone. The physicians attorneys argued that the alleged conduct did not occur within seven years after the act, in accordance with the medical boards code.

Haddadan told The Bee that the basis for the boards discipline was as trivial as that could be, but the consequences to his medical practice can be far-reaching.

He said the probation can cause insurance companies to cancel contracts with his practice, because the fact hes being monitored could have some thinking: He may not be a good doctor.

And thats completely the opposite what it is.

The physician also said harming his business could reduce the adequate access to pain management treatment in the region.

Theyre putting my reputation in danger, Haddadan said of the discipline.

The California Attorney Generals Office is arguing against Haddadan in Sacramento Superior Court, asking the judge to uphold the state medical boards discipline order.

In an opposition document filed April 9, Deputy Attorney General Megan OCarroll wrote that Haddadans request to suspend the discipline order minimizes the risk he posed to his patients, and makes assertions that are not supported by the record or the evidence.

OCarroll argued that case law has established that, in license discipline, repeated negligent acts require only there be two separate acts of negligence; they dont need to be related or form a pattern. Haddadan continued to treat the patient with methadone through at least May 2020 without ordering an EKG, which is well within the boards statutory period, the state prosecutor argued.

OCarroll said whether either of these two patients were harmed is irrelevant because the medical boards role is to prevent harm to patients in the future.

Here, (Haddadan) was negligent in his care, the Board concluded that (Haddadan) has the potential to harm future patients, OCarroll argued in the court document. The Boards goal is to prevent harm to patients, not wait for it to occur.

With the goal of protecting the public, the medical board adopted a penalty for Haddadan in accordance with the lower range of acceptable consequences under its disciplinary guidelines, state prosecutors argued.

This discipline would require Haddadan to serve three years of probation, take a medical record-keeping and prescribing practices course and have an objective physician in his same field review a portion of his charts four times a year, according to the Attorney Generals Office. State prosecutors said the goals is to confirm for the medical board that Haddadan is practicing medicine safely.

The state prosecutor argues that Haddadan has not shown a willingness to accept potential criticism of his practice or to consider whether additional training and monitoring would even be beneficial for his patients.

If he were to succeed on this petition, the worst that would have occurred would be that he obtained additional professional education and had the insight of another colleague in his field having reviewed his patient charts for a few months, OCarroll wrote in her opposition document.

It is difficult to see how this could be considered irreparable harm.
James Baird, 53, who has delivered more than 30 carsnb with his wife, Karen, and daughter Betsy in Ukrainian city of Ostroh

Fed-up Londoners are driving their own cars to Ukraine amid accusations that Sadiq Khan is dragging his heels on the official Ulez scrappage donation scheme.

Mr Khan said in February that he would allow cars handed in under the London Ulez scrappage scheme to be donated to Ukraine, following intense public pressure.

Yet volunteers, who had been donating cars to Ukraine from before Mr Khan set up Transport for Londons official scheme, claim they have been left with no choice but to take matters into their own hands.

They accuse the charity running Mr Khans scheme of failing to clearly communicate with them and causing delays to the scheme.

It comes after Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, suggested earlier this year that Mr Khan was blocking the exports after initially having claimed a legal barrier existed when the idea was first put to him.

A number of volunteers have spoken to The Telegraph about problems with British-Ukrainian Aid (BUA), the charity Mr Khan appointed in February to partner with TfL to donate non-Ulez-compliant cars to the Eastern European country.

Londoners who hand their cars in under the Ulez scrappage scheme not only receive 2,000 towards a Ulez-compliant replacement but can also tick a box to say they want their old vehicle donated to Ukraine.

BUA receives lists of these donated cars, picks them up, and sends them to Ukraine whenever medical and humanitarian organisations request them.

Yet James Baird, 53, a farmer from Littlehampton who is involved in separate, pre-existing efforts to donate British cars to Ukraine, said he was reaching the end of his tether with Sadiq Khans scheme.

He claims the responses he gets to messages sent to BUA are infrequent and, he says, often do not contain enough information to organise deliveries of donated cars.

No proper process

Mr Baird accused BUA of having no proper process in place for coordinating donated cars and organising deliveries to Ukraine.

I actually suspect theres something going on behind these closed doors that I dont understand, he said, because the scheme is not designed, not being administered, in a way that it can function.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan's chosen charity for cars to the war zone is British-Ukrainian Aid - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Adding that he plans to drive a privately donated car to Ukraine by himself next week rather than continue trying to get a response from BUA, Mr Baird said: Ive sent more than 30 vehicles over there now.

And were passionate about getting them to medics who need them, and they could do with them yesterday.

And so we do feel a sense of urgency and responsibility.

The BUA scheme was intended to add an official stamp of approval to the existing donation networks set up by British and Ukrainian volunteers.

Requests for cars come through a variety of formal and informal means, sources have said, including by text messages between Ukrainian medics and their British contacts.

The latter then organise drivers and export paperwork, and arrange rendezvous points for Ukrainians who collect the vehicles.

Sometimes those who are seeking the vehicles are military medical personnel who need permission to leave the front line, sources said.

Chris Pool, a former lawyer and co-founder of Liberty Trucks Ukraine, which has delivered more than 350 trucks and ambulances from the UK, said these informal donation networks are well-established.

Mr Pool claimed that BUA appears to him to be excluding volunteers with existing networks from its own attempts to help Ukraine.

There are independent UK volunteer groups who, for over two years, have been buying vehicles in the UK and donating them to the army, medics and charities in Ukraine  over 1,500 between us.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper has suggested in the past that Sadiq Khan was blocking the scheme - ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Live News

The original proposal was to leverage the existing operations and networks of these groups to implement a scheme quickly and at scale, avoiding a top-heavy bureaucratic and centralised approach.

He claimed: TfL elected to work exclusively with one charity, and that charity decided to run a centralised process, excluding these volunteer groups.

Overly cautious

He added that BUA, a registered charity, has been overly cautious in how it engages with volunteers so far.

Richard Lofthouse, a volunteer with the Car for Ukraine campaign who was one of the leading voices calling for the Ulez scrappage scheme to send serviceable cars to Ukraine, echoed Mr Bairds concerns.

He said he thinks Mr Khans scheme is risky because its sole partner, BUA, is not delivering enough cars.

TfL should sign a mirror contract with a second charity to open it up a bit and push through more vehicles more quickly. I suggested it to them ages ago, he said.

A TfL spokesman said its scheme is intended to supplement, rather than replace, existing volunteer donation networks, adding that UK charities cannot donate vehicles for military use.

We chose British Aid to Ukraine (BUA) as a trusted intermediary following a recommendation from the Ukrainian Embassy based on similar initiatives the charity has worked on, said the spokesman.

BUA has already processed a number of vehicles for which successful applications have been made through the scrappage scheme and they will shortly be delivered in bulk.

Part of the process involves ensuring that the vehicles are matched with suitable recipients in Ukraine.

Sadiq Khans representatives and British-Ukrainian Aid were contacted for comment.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A weekend attack in Australia that left six people dead hit close to home for a Denver man. His father was killed 28 years ago in that countrys most notorious mass shooting in history.

It devastated me. My father was my hero, said Major Nesan Kistan, divisional commander of The Salvation Army in Denver.

Memorial in Highlands Ranch planned for teenage high school shooting hero

His father, Tony Kistan, was one of 35 people killed in April 1996 when a gunman walked into a tourist town cafe in Tasmania and opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle.

Someone was shooting people, and so (my father) grabbed my mother out of the cafe, threw her outside, and then re-entered the cafe. And as he re-entered the cafe he made a beeline for (gunman) Martin Bryant, and in his attempt to disarm him, lost his own life, Kistan said.

It was Australias largest massacre carried out by a single person. And it led to near-immediate changes in gun laws and gun buyback programs that took 650,000 firearms off the streets. Murder and suicide rates plummeted.

I dont believe theres any significant mass shootings after that, Kistan said.

It also led to forgiveness on Kistans part, something he tries to practice daily  even toward the man who killed his father.

We actually made attempts to meet with Martin Bryant. In fact, we gave (him) a Bible. We were unable to visit him because he was in maximum security, Kistan said.

Semiautomatic firearm ban passes Colorados House, heads to Senate

As Colorado marks 25 years this week since the Columbine High School massacre was carried out in Littleton, Kistan hopes what he learned all those years ago can give comfort to grieving families here at home.

Do not let bitterness consume your soul or heart or spirit. Find that space. Ask God to help you to come to that place where he can bring a holistic healing that helps you to forgive and make your way back in life, Kistan said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
GAZA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army has sent tanks to the northern Gazan city of Beit Hanoun and ordered residents to evacuate, the Hamas-run government media office said Tuesday.

The office said in a statement that Israeli bulldozers and tanks advanced toward shelter centers in the city and the Israeli army surrounded a school housing hundreds of displaced people.

The Israeli army set up a field investigation center behind the school and demanded everyone inside to leave under threat of weapons, the statement said, adding all families in Beit Hanoun were forced to evacuate, and several young men were arrested.

"The new crime was committed under the cover of intense aerial and artillery bombardment and heavy gunfire," the statement said, adding that military vehicles were still present east of Jabalia and Beit Hanoun.

The statement urged the international community to hold the Israeli army accountable for displacing residents from their homes, despite their insistence on remaining there amidst inhumane conditions.

So far, Israel has not issued a response to the statement.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. 
IDENTIFIED: SAPD looking for identity of suspect involved in assault

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  (Update 4:51 p.m., April 16) The San Angelo Police Department shared that the individual has been identified.

(Original 3:45 p.m., April 16) The San Angelo Police Department is asking for the publics help in identifying a male subject.

According to a post made on social media, the man in the photographs was allegedly involved in an assault that took place on April 7, 2024.

Those with any information on the mans identity are asked to contact Detective Hill at (325) 657-4264 and reference Case number 2024-0004080.

SAPD looking for the identity of a suspect thought to be involved in an assault. Image courtesy of the San Angelo Police Department.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
In late March, City Manager Jay Melder pledged to members of the Savannah Downtown Neighborhood Association to propose an ordinance aimed at reducing amplified sound from trolleys. On Thursday, Savannah City Council discussed a few potential elements of a future ordinance, namely the use of directional speakers or in-ear technology to reduce sound.

Melder is now expected to draft an ordinance, which he said could be ready in two to four weeks. Members of council were generally supportive of tackling the issue, which is now moving toward consensus on a solution after collaboration between the city, trolley companies and neighborhood leaders.

The elements discussed Thursday were generally received well by members of city council and are the result of collaboration between the city, industry stakeholders and members of the Downtown Neighborhood Association.

I think it went very well because the city manager, and the people within the city who are involved in tourism, listened to what the DNA had to say," said DNA board member Marysue McCarthy.

Directional speakers leading as preferred method to reduce amplification

The likely solution will be the directional speakers, which are designed to keep amplification directed inside the trolley. The method has long been preferred by some trolley companies, and Old Town Trolley retrofitted one of its vehicles to pilot the technology.

The speakers have since been tested and demonstrated on three different occasions for officials and neighborhood members, who have said the technology appears to successfully reduce amplification. David McDonald, president of DNA, submitted a quote of support for Melder's presentation to council.

We had about 20 people join board members to see if the speakers would be viable. The consensus seemed to be that the installation of these speakers significantly reduced the volume of noise coming from inside the trolley, McDonald said in the quote included in the presentation.

Also workshopped by council was a potential implementation timeline for whichever technology members approve. The idea Melder put before council was to require compliance from 50% of a company's registered fleet within 12 months, and 100% of the registered fleet within 18 months.

The compliance timeline may be one element that is further fleshed out as a draft ordinance moves forward. Charlie Brazil, now COO of Historic Tours of America, which is Old Town Trolley's parent company, said the workshop was "constructive," but added there needs to be more "due diligence" on speaker implementation before committing to timelines.

For one, the speakers Old Town Trolley has piloted are custom made for their vehicles. They also have a price tag of about $10,000 to $12,000.

"I need to do a lot more due diligence, and I think everybody should before we fix ourselves on a particular timeframe," Brazil said.

Evan Lasseter is the city and council government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah council poised to tackle trolley sound ordinance in coming weeks
By scapegoating US institutions to justify spying, Rocha is still helping Cuban regime | Opinion

Dont believe the spy.

Guilty-pleading Victor Manuel Rocha, sentenced in Miami to a mere 15 years in prison, is still helping the 65-year-old Cuban dictatorship.

Hes still stoking the fires of the United States right wing to weaken this country.

Only now  in the same way he played the part of supporting Donald Trumps 2016 candidacy and being an asset to Cuban exiles as a former U.S. ambassador who championed the cause of a democratic Cuba  Rocha is dipping into U.S. culture wars to smear a prestigious American institution.

Instead of owning his shame for betraying the adopted homeland where his life became a rags-to-riches story, the Colombian-born, Harlem-raised ex-diplomat is using Yale University as scapegoat for his decades of spying crimes.

At a time when prestigious universities are under political scrutiny  and a divisive presidential election is taking place with Trump again on the Republican ticket  Rocha is blaming the private Ivy League school founded in 1710 in New Haven, Connecticut, for his alleged radicalization.

During my formative years in college, I was heavily influenced by the radical politics of the day, Rocha, 73, told U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom Friday. My deep commitment at that time to radical social change in the region led me to the eventual betrayal of my oath of loyalty to the United States during my two decades in the State Department.

If anything, this is a statement that signals to Cuba: Here I am, your faithful servant. Rescue me.

READ MORE: Convicted ex-U.S. diplomat says radical politics at Yale turned him into Cuban spy

Guess who went to Yale, too?

What gall, and how stupid does he think some of us university-trained Americans are?

Theres not a spit of truth in saying that attending a liberal university radicalizes you into becoming a soldier for the extreme left  much less one who covertly works for a regime 90 miles from Florida whose allies are enemies of the United States and democracy: Russia, Iran, China.

Rocha is the exception, not the rule.

Case in point: Right-wing extremist Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also went to liberal Yale and to Harvard University Law School, and is trying to turn Florida public schools, from grade school to college, into bastions of ultra-Christian conservatism for political benefit.

By Rochas logic, DeSantis would be a raging Democrat, blue through and through. Or, at least, a reasonable Republican conservative, with hands-off, small-government in mind, instead of inserting government into personal life decisions and leading the Florida GOP to autocratic dominance.

Hes not alone. In fact, some accuse Yale of producing radical elite conservatives.

READ MORE: Its no coincidence that the alleged Cuba spy peddled Trump and right-wing politics | Opinion

A liberal education

A liberal education, however, isnt supposed to radicalize but challenge students to become critical thinkers, a necessary trait to develop in a democracy where one citizen, one vote decisions shape this country. Critical thinkers, in theory, dont blindly follow political norms.

They learn to engage in deep research and to analyze history, people and choices.

Every generation experiences campus activism that reflects the world we live in. Its part of the college experience. But even those radicalized can change.

Humans dont remain stagnant throughout their lives, not physiologically nor intellectually.

Plenty of Cubans and Latin American leftists have evolved in their thinking since Fidel Castro rose to power in 1959 and trends point to less support, not more, for the Cuban regime led by Miguel Diaz-Canel, with the aged Castro-styled communist gang as supporting cast.

Cubans today grapple with what a post-Castro Cuba should look like. A sector of the left, recently exiled, has changed so much that theyre now far-right pro-Trump.

What Rocha supported  and was pledging to still support when he thought he was talking to a Cuba handler, not an FBI agent  wasnt a noble revolution seeking social justice.

He was working for leaders who, like Rocha in Miami, live the good life.

Dictators retain wealth in political isolation  playing spy games.
Scholz says he asked Xi to 'put pressure on Russia' to end invasion

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on April 16 that he has Chinese President Xi Jinping to "put pressure" on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine, as "China's word carries weight in Russia."

Scholz met with Xi in Beijing on April 16 as part of a three-day visit to China. Scholz said before the meeting that he planned to discuss "how we can contribute more to a just peace in Ukraine."

The German chancellor said he asked Xi to "put pressure on Russia to ensure that Putin finally abandons his insane campaign, withdraws his troops, and ends this terrible war."

The two leaders also agreed to "coordinate intensively and positively on promoting the hosting of a high-level conference in Switzerland and future international peace conferences," Scholz said, referring to the upcoming global peace summit in Lucerne.

Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua said Xi and Scholz had an "in-depth exchange of views," and Xi proposed four principles to resolve the war.

These principles included refraining "from selfish gains," working to "cool down the situation and not add fuel to the fire," creating "conditions for the restoration of peace," and reducing "the negative impact on the world economy."

Beijing has also maintained close ties with Moscow since February 2022. Ukraine and Europe have diplomatic channels with China open and repeatedly urged Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to help end the war.

Washington expressed concern to its allies about China's support for Russia on April 9, which led the Chinese Foreign Ministry to declare that Beijing and Moscow have the right to continue "normal cooperation."

Read also: Macron says he hopes for Olympic truce

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping told the German chancellor that a surge in clean-technology exports from the Asian nation has helped the world tackle inflation, pushing back against European and US pressure to rein in the countrys powerhouse industries.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Xis comments to Olaf Scholz during talks Tuesday in Beijing suggest China may not be swayed in any meaningful way by the German leaders push for a reduction in what Western officials see as excess manufacturing capacity.

Tensions between China and the European Union and US are mounting over trade, leading to threats of new barriers to hundreds of billions of dollars in commerce. The EU has launched probes into Chinese subsidies for electric vehicles and support for windparks, and is poised to begin an inquiry into the procurement of medical devices.

Read More: EU Goes on China Trade Offensive After Getting Played

Chinas export of electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar products have enriched supplies to the global market and eased inflationary pressure, as well as made a great contribution for global efforts to tackle climate change and green transition, Xi told Scholz, according to Chinese state television.

He said China and Germany should look at the question objectively and address it from a market perspective. He also warned against protectionism.

Scholz is on the final leg of his four-day trip to his nations main trading partner, his second visit to China as chancellor. He also held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday, having earlier warned Chinese officials to address overcapacity and treat foreign firms more equitably.

At the start of their meeting, Scholz told Li that German companies want to increase investments in China but better framework conditions are needed.

With this we mean equal market access and fair conditions for competition, the protection of intellectual property and a reliable judicial system, he told his Chinese counterpart. We want to work on concrete improvements on those areas.

Li pushed back against the notion that China has skewed the market in favor of its companies unfairly and argued that state support is compliant with WTO rules.

Industrial subsidies are a common practice in the world, and many countries have much more subsidies than China, he said, according to an official German government transcript of his remarks. Adequate overcapacity serves to ensure full competition and the survival of the fittest.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimated in a March report that Chinese companies will invest $469 billion in producing surplus clean energy equipment over the next three years. Chinese production of batteries and solar panels is set to be double global demand over the next two to three years, BNEF said.

The has US brought a series of trade cases against China for dumping solar panels that Washington says benefit from unfair subsidies.

Earlier, during an appearance with Xi, Scholz asserted that both China and Germany are trading nations that benefit greatly from membership in the World Trade Organization.

We are committed to strengthening the rules for global trade and developing them further together with the other WTO members, he added.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on a visit to China this month that the vast output of Chinas factories had become a global problem. The US wont take anything off the table, including the possibility of additional tariffs, to stem the flood of Chinese goods, she told CNN over the weekend.

Beijing has dismissed charges that the rapid growth of its EV industry was due to government subsidies as groundless, instead pointing to its innovation prowess.

Read More: EU Set to Launch China Probe on Medical Device Procurement

While Scholz has been careful to stay on good terms with his hosts, he has been more assertive about his nations worries than his predecessor, Angela Merkel, who prioritized business interests.

Scholz told an audience of university students on Monday in Shanghai that competition must be fair. He added that he would like to see no dumping and no overproduction, and that copyrights should be respected.

The criticisms aimed at China come as Xi leans on his nations massive manufacturing industry to reinvigorate economic growth that has faced headwinds from an unfolding property crisis, deflationary pressures and lackluster consumer demand.

China reported data on Tuesday that showed economic growth beat expectations in the first quarter as the industrial sector powered forward, although a tail-off in March activity signaled more support may be needed to sustain that momentum.

During a discussion about Russias war on Ukraine, Xi reiterated Chinas established position to Scholz.

According to a report by state news agency Xinhua, he emphasized that in order to prevent the conflict from spiraling out of control, all parties should work together to restore peace as soon as possible.

Xi also told Scholz that all nations should sit at the negotiating table and no country should be on the menu of any other, according to a person familiar with the discussion.

The German delegation viewed this as a sign that China is taking Europes concerns over Russias war against Ukraine seriously, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential talks.

Xi earlier touted the importance of China-Germany ties as the world faces increasingly more challenges and risks. He said the two nations should join hands to inject more certainties internationally.

--With assistance from Ben Holland, Jing Li, Iain Rogers, Tom Hancock and Simon Casey.

(Updates with comments from Chinese premier in 10th paragraph)

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on April 16, and said before the meeting that he planned to discuss "how we can contribute more to a just peace in Ukraine."

Russia's invasion of Ukraine was one of "many topics to discuss," Scholz said on X before the meeting, which came on the last day of his three-day visit to China.

Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua said Xi and Scholz had an "in-depth exchange of views," and Xi proposed four principles to resolve the war.

These principles included refraining "from selfish gains," working to "cool down the situation and not add fuel to the fire," creating "conditions for the restoration of peace," and reducing "the negative impact on the world economy."

According to Deutsche Welle, Scholz's team described the talks as "good" but did not provide further details.

Xi has not condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine and has repeatedly abstained from voting on UN resolutions on the war, but Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi claimed in March that China is a "force for peace."

Beijing has also maintained close ties with Moscow since February 2022. Ukraine and Europe have diplomatic channels with China open and repeatedly urged Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to help end the war.

Washington expressed concern to its allies about China's support for Russia on April 9, which led the Chinese Foreign Ministry to declare that Beijing and Moscow have the right to continue "normal cooperation."

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Deploying jets to protect Ukraine would lead to escalation, UK foreign secretary says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BOSTON  New Jersey first responder Alexander Smith stood against a damask-covered wall lined with 17th-century French paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts. Dressed in a tuxedo, he had come here to thank the Harvard Law students and faculty who supported him in his fight to keep a beard for religious reasons.

Smith, a devout Christian, works as an air mask technician for the Atlantic City, New Jersey, fire department, fitting masks and refilling air tanks for the firefighters. Hes also a pastor in his community and a police and fire department chaplain. In these roles, he believes he has a biblical obligation to keep a beard. But the city denied his request for a religious accommodation, citing overwhelming safety concerns, even though Smith said the beard would not interfere with his job.

Smiths hope began to wane, he said. I wasnt sure which direction to turn, if I should continue to fight or throw in a towel and give up the fight.

But then he heard from two organizations: the First Liberty Institute, a Texas-based nonprofit defending religious liberty, and Harvard Law Schools Religious Freedom Clinic, a pro bono student program that offers representation and counsel to members of minority faiths on various religious liberty issues. The hope that was seemingly lost was restored, Smith told the audience of religious freedom scholars, advocates and students who gathered April 11 in the museum gallery for a gala recognizing the work of Harvards Religious Freedom Clinic.

A recent movement

Smiths case is a fitting example of the ethos of the Harvard clinic, which is committed to bridge-building and helping students learn what it means to serve and assist the needy and  provide access to justice, said Josh McDaniel, the clinics director and an alum of Brigham Young University and UCLA Law School. Religious freedom for all is essential to human dignity and flourishing, and it is imperative that we find ways to build bridges of understanding around the idea of religious freedom.

While legal clinics have been around for some time  Harvard has 38 dedicated to various kinds of law  clinics dedicated to religious liberty are a recent development. The first clinic to specialize in clients in religious freedom cases, pioneered at Stanford in 2013, was followed by others at Notre Dame, Texas, Yale and Pepperdine universities, among others. Harvards clinic launched via Zoom in the fall of 2020, with just a handful of students scattered across the country.

Three years later, its now a 5-person shop that along with many more students has filed more than 20 amicus, or friend of the court, briefs and has four direct-representation cases in litigation or about to be filed, according to McDaniel. The group filed a brief defending the Western Apaches fighting to preserve their sacred land in Arizona, another in support of an Orthodox Jewish community that wants to meet on property thats been sitting vacant for years, and one supporting a prisoner on death row who asked to pray with his pastor during his execution. In partnership with the ACLU of Nebraska, the clinic argued to protect Lakota religious beliefs of Native American school children regarding hair cutting.

One can say its starting to look like a religious liberty clinic movement around the country, said McDaniel, who clerked for two federal judges prior to his role at Harvard.

Religious freedom scholars and advocates gathered on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to celebrate the work of Harvard Law Schools Religious Liberty Clinic.

McDaniels sense of his lifes calling began to take shape early in his career. As an appellate litigator in California, his first case involved a small African American Baptist church. One day, after the oral argument, McDaniel, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his Jewish colleague joined members of the Baptist church on the courthouse steps in a prayer circle. After that ecumenical experience, I sought out every religious freedom case I could find, he told Deseret News. So when the opportunity arose to help start a religious freedom program at Harvard, he pursued it.

Last week, for the first time in person since its founding, Harvards religious liberty community celebrated its work with an all-day symposium on religious liberty followed by a gala. Rabbi Eli Goodman, the founder of the Chabad of the Beaches in Long Beach, Long Island, and the clinics client, offered an invocation, praising the groups work to defend fundamental freedoms that form the bedrock of our society. Nury Turkel, commissioner of the U.S. Commission of International Religious Freedom and the first U.S.-educated Uyghur American lawyer, spoke about the threats of digital authoritarianism on democracy and religious freedom.

Turkel knows what persecution looks like firsthand  since coming to the United States in 1995, due to Chinese sanctions, he said he hasnt seen his mother since his law school graduation and he couldnt return home to attend his fathers funeral.

Why Harvard?

But how did a religious liberty program come to flourish at secular institutions like Harvard, or Stanford for that matter? Ruth Okediji, a Harvard law professor and a Christian, posed the question during her conversation with two judges during the gala at the Museum of Fine Arts, noting This is not Notre Dame, it is not Catholic (University), its not even BYU.

Religious liberty is actually under a lot of assaults, said John Bush, a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and a Harvard Law alumni. Maybe thats the reason its perceived as a need. In an increasingly diverse and pluralistic society, the need has never been greater. Its perceived now as more of a need than when you have a more homogenous society, where everyone just went to the same place of worship, Bush said. It was taken for granted at that point.

Thomas Griffith, a retired judge who served on the D.C. Circuit and teaches a class each year at Harvard, noticed that Harvard Law School has become an increasingly welcoming place for conversations about faith. Last year, for instance, Harvard Law School hosted the Faith and Veritas conference, a gathering of Harvards Christian alumni, featuring Robert George, Mary Ann Glendon, David French and others. When I tell my friends about it, they are gobsmacked  they cant believe you pulled that off, Griffith said to Okediji, who played a key role in organizing the conference.

Its incumbent upon believers, Griffith said, to protect religious liberty and show that religion is an act of reconciliation, especially amid debates about the purpose of religious liberty and growing secularization. Griffith, a fellow of the Wheatley Institute at BYU, invoked the divine origins of our rights as stated in the Declaration of Independence. Weve been endowed by our creator with rights and the rights that recognize human dignity, he said. I cant think of any right thats more important than the right to worship the creator.

Representing the whole person

For lawyers, regardless of their beliefs, respecting and recognizing the faith of their clients is key to their work. It can be off-putting and disheartening when a lawyer dismisses his clients faith or urges them to put it aside, said Okediji. As lawyers we represent the whole person  and if that whole person comes with faith, we have to have humility to honor and to recognize thats a part of who they are, she said.

Griffith cautioned young lawyers against becoming bulldog litigators who lose sight of humanity in pursuit of winning. As I see it, the legal system is one of the highest expressions of our sense of dignity, he said. Its those lawyers who respect the dignity of the person who tend to succeed, he said.

A good lawyer builds community even when theyre litigating a case, Griffith said. I think a lawyer is doing her best possible work when shes using law to reinforce the community, to bring together those things that were separated into one community, he said.

Amid todays unforgiving culture, religion creates room for forgiveness, Bush said, and this allows people to change. But judges need to separate personal forgiveness from judicial decision-making and upholding the consequences of wrongdoing, he added. Griffith echoed the judges duty to put aside personal feelings regarding a case. When you put that robe on, its Caesar all the way down  you are an agent of the state, you are administering justice the way American people have told you to administer justice.

Religious liberty cases often offer students a new lens through which to examine their own religion, McDaniel told the audience. He recalled defending a Muslim prisoner, who asked for accommodation for Ramadan, to allow him to adjust his meal schedule to accommodate the fast. The jail refused to grant the request. The prisoner opted for saving his meals on a piece of paper until he was ready to break his fast.

For two students who worked on that case  one Muslim, another a Christian  the case was a transformative experience, McDaniel said. The Muslim student helped deliver a copy of the Quran to the prisoner, reconnecting with his own faith. The Christian student, who had never planned to represent prisoners before coming to law school, came to see his advocacy for the Muslim prisoner as a Christian mission. He realized that actually what Im doing as a lawyer is teaching me what it means to be a Christian, McDaniel said.

The support of Harvards clinic has enabled Alexander Smith to continue to fight the good fight, he said. In April, the First Liberty and Harvard Religious Freedom Clinic filed a brief in a federal appeals court arguing that Smith should be allowed to have a religious beard, especially since it doesnt interfere with his job of fitting masks on his colleagues. His prayer at the conclusion of the night resounded across the marble-accented gallery: He invoked the need for courage, wisdom, empathy and humility to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every individual.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday accused House Republicans of impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over policy disagreements, warning that it sets an awful precedent for Congress.

Impeachment should never be used to settle a policy disagreement. Talk about awful precedence  this would set an awful precedent for Congress, Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Every time theres a policy disagreement in the House, they send it over here to tie the Senate in knots to do an impeachment trial? Thats absurd. Thats an abuse of the process, he said.

Schumer announced to colleagues that the House impeachment managers will deliver the two charges against Mayorkas to the Senate on Tuesday afternoon and asked them to be seated at their desks to formally accept the articles.

He said senators will be sworn in as jurors Wednesday and Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-Wash.) will preside over the chamber while it processes the articles of impeachment, but he didnt provide much detail about the path forward.

We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible, he said, reiterating a line he has used repeatedly when asked how the Senate will handle the charges.

Republicans say they expect Schumer to hold a vote to immediately dismiss the impeachment charges sometime Wednesday to skip a trial on the floor, or to refer the matter to a special committee.

A motion to dismiss would need only a simple majority to pass. Several Democrats facing tough reelections or representing swing states, such as Sens. Jon Tester (Mont.), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), have declined to say how they would vote.

And several moderate Republicans, including Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Mitt Romney (Utah), have questioned whether House prosecutors have produced compelling evidence that Mayorkas committed any crime.

Collins, Murkowski and Romney did not sign a letter backed by 43 other GOP senators calling on Schumer to hold a full trial.

The articles accusing Mayorkas of willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and breach of public trust have been pending since the House approved the punishment in a 214-213 vote in February.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said Tuesday the impeachment charges must be taken seriously.

The Senate will be called for just the 19th time in our history to rule on the impeachment of a senior official of our government, he noted.

He pointed out that Customs and Border Protection has recorded more than 7.5 million illegal crossings since President Biden took office in January 2021.

The House managers will make the case for Secretary Mayorkass role in neglecting and exacerbating that crisis, he said. I intend to give these charge my full and undivided attention.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
YANGON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Six people, including a child, were injured in a bomb attack in Southern Myanmar's Tanintharyi Region, according to the release of the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council late Tuesday.

It happened around 4 p.m. local time on Tuesday, which was carried out by terrorists, the information team said.

A bomb was dropped onto Pulau Township general hospital in Tanintharyi Region, landing on the pediatric ward.

The injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at the hospital, and efforts to find and charge the terrorists responsible for the attack are ongoing, the information team said. 
Scott Peterson defense drops motion to seal in bid for new trial after prosecutors note files mostly public

Scott Peterson defense drops motion to seal in bid for new trial after prosecutors note files mostly public

Scott Peterson, the convicted wife killer who has maintained his innocence since before his arrest in 2004, returned to court Tuesday to withdraw a motion to seal a document in the case after prosecutors told the court most of the information is already public.

A California jury found Peterson guilty in 2004 of the murders of his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner.

At issue were the identities of some witnesses whose names have already come out in the nearly 20 years since Peterson's conviction. However, other witnesses' identities have not even been divulged to prosecutors.

The 20-minute hearing was largely uneventful ahead of another one next month expected to delve into DNA evidence that the defense believes could clear Peterson's name.

SCOTT PETERSON, KILLER OF PREGNANT WIFE, SPORTS NEW LOOK IN COURT IN LATEST BID FOR FREEDOM

Scott Peterson, convicted of the murders of his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son Conor in 2005, appears remotely for an appeal hearing on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Peterson's latest attempt to overturn his conviction has attracted the support of the Los Angeles Innocence Project.

The 51-year-old appeared remotely from Ione, California's Mule Creek State Prison wearing a blue collared shirt. He only spoke in response to the judge when she asked if he could hear her and when asked if he consented to appearing remotely.

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He is seeking a new trial with help from the Los Angeles Innocence Project, which picked up his case in January.

Key evidence against Scott Peterson:

Peterson was having an affair with a woman named Amber Frey, who testified against him and cooperated with law enforcement

Frey told police in April 2003 that Peterson told her his wife was dead a month before she actually went missing

In recorded calls, he told her he didn't want to be a father and was considering a vasectomy, according to court documents

Peterson, who lived in Modesto at the time of the murders, told police he was fishing in Berkeley the day his wife disappeared

Her remains and the remains of their son Conner were discovered in the San Francisco Bay

Prosecutors maintained the Medina burglary, across the street from the Peterson home, happened on Dec. 26, after Laci Peterson was already missing

Peterson had bleached his hair blonde and was carrying $10,000 cash and his brother's passport near the Mexico border when he was arrested after Frey came forward

After a trial that attracted nationwide attention, California fertilizer salesman Scott Peterson, 32, was found guilty on November 12, 2004 in the Christmas Eve 2002 murder of his pregnant wife Laci. A photo from a program card from a memorial service for Laci Peterson and her unborn son is shown in this May 4, 2003 file photo. REUTERS/Lou Dematteis LD/MR

TIMELINE: THE LACI PETERSON CASE

A California court initially sentenced Peterson to death for the murders, and while the sentence was later overturned, his appeal for a new trial failed in the past.

Lawyers for the Los Angeles Innocence Project are seeking new DNA testing on a hammer linked to a burglary across the street from the Peterson family home as well as a stained mattress found in a burned-out van parked less than a mile away.

Peterson and his supporters have long focused on suspects who allegedly burglarized the Medina family house across the street from his home, alleging they could have killed his wife.

Judge Elizabeth Hill oversees a hearing for convicted wife killer Scott Peterson's latest appeal attempt on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

While Peterson has previously raised issues of juror misconduct and the potential that the burglars could have abducted and killed his wife, the new appeal hinges on conducting new DNA testing on the mattress with present-day technology.

Additional hearings on DNA evidence and discovery have been scheduled for May 29 and July 15.

His stint in state prison began in March 2005.





Original article source: Scott Peterson defense drops motion to seal in bid for new trial after prosecutors note files mostly public
A Scottish health minister gave an admirably succinct and unambiguous answer in response to the question of whether her government intended to close the countrys only specialist child gender clinic.

No, said Maree Todd MSP.

Nor will the Scottish Government impose an immediate ban on prescribing puberty blockers on children, despite the findings of the Cass Review into child gender services in England. The minister appeared to rule out wholesale changes to child gender services north of the border, suggesting that many parts of the report for NHS England did not apply to Scotland.

I am comfortable that clinicians in Scotland are practising to a very high standard. So we will learn what we can from the Cass Review but clinical practice in Scotland is very good, said Todd, who might as well have added unlike in England.

Almost 100 children aged 16 or under were referred to endocrinologists for possible puberty blocker prescriptions by the Sandyford clinic in Glasgow between 2016 and 2023, the youngest of which was just nine.

It would be easy to pin the blame for the SNPs devotion to trans ideology on their parliamentary agreement with the Scottish Greens, Scotlands very own pronoun overlords. It was this agreement that led to Holyroods attempt to reform gender recognition north of the border to allow anyone to legally change their gender whether or not they suffered from gender dysphoria. The reform, had it not been ultimately blocked by the UK government, would even have applied to children aged 16 and 17.

However, the reach and influence of trans ideology has captured more than the Scottish Greens upon whom the SNP depend for an overall majority at Holyrood. Scottish Labour and the Liberal Democrats wholeheartedly supported the Gender Recognition Reform Act, and in the wake of the Cass Review have had precious little to say about whether they would embrace its findings should they find themselves in government after the next devolved elections.

Nevertheless, for the time being, the Greens stand ready to walk out of the Scottish Government should SNP ministers start to unpick any of the inroads trans ideology has made across Scottish civic society. An example of this reach was a policy in Ayrshire and Arran Health Board area, drawn up with the input of trans activists, stating that women who complained about the presence of male-bodied trans women in female-only wards could be removed, comparing them with racists and homophobes.

Todd has refused to confirm that such groups and individuals will continue to have a formal role in drawing up such policies but insisted that involving those with lived experience was good practice.

The Scottish Greens wouldnt have it any other way. For them, the mantra that trans women are women is as near Holy Writ as its possible to be, and the Cass Reviews conclusion that a childhood diagnosis of gender dysphoria is not predictive of a lasting trans identity comes close to blasphemy.

The willingness of politicians to embrace trans ideology has resulted in thousands of children across the UK being subjected to unjustifiable  and sometimes irreversible  interventions on the basis of a grotesque political philosophy. In England, that harm has at last been recognised, even by the politicians on the Left who were previously enthusiastic advocates.

But in Scotland, children will continue to be used as pawns in a politically motivated agenda. Doctors will continue to be allowed to apply a dangerous flexibility to the medical ethic of Do no harm. Such was always the promise and the threat of devolution, that parts of the UK could choose to follow different policies from those pursued at the centre. And it is devolution that places an even greater responsibility on local politicians. The safety and health of our young people should be the only factor that ministers should consider when shaping policy.

Yet SNP ministers have already taken a stand against the Cass Review, and from the outside, it certainly looks as though they have done so in order to placate their Green partners. In doing so, they have surrendered to the ideological, non-scientific prejudices of the trans lobby rather than prioritising the health and safety of Scotlands children, and betrayed the very people they claim to serve and represent.

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Speaker Mike Johnsons decision to move forward with long-stalled Ukraine aid has spurred a MAGA revolt, with Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky joining forces with Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to call for his removal at a closed-door GOP conference on Tuesday, Politico reported.

Amid rising frustrations among conservatives with the speakers proposed aid package, Massie became the first Republican to openly embrace Greenes effort to force a vote on Johnson's ouster sometime in the near future.

Other far-right Republicans say they are open to the idea. Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry, for example, said he is willing to consider Johnsons ouster if the supplemental passes by the end of the week. Perry said that, within the GOP ranks, theres always an alternative.

But many Republicans also fear a repeat of the Kevin McCarthy saga, when another far-right rebellion cost a House Speaker their job.

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who has been proposed by some members of the far-right Freedom Caucus as a potential alternative to Johnson, said he does not support ousting the current speaker over his foreign aid package. We don't need that, no way. We don't want that. We shouldn't go through that again. That's a bad idea, Jordan said.

You are not going to get a majority of votes for any new person, added Rep. Garret Graves, a close ally of former Speaker McCarthy.

Those seeking to remove Johnson will ever better odds come Friday, when the GOP caucus loses Rep. Mike Gallagher to an early retirement, further reducing its narrow majority. At that point, Johnson  who has boasted of support from former President Donald Trump  might have to lean on Democrats to save his job.

During a press conference Tuesday after the GOP conference, Johnson batted down any questions about his ouster, calling the idea that he would resign an absurd notion.

Privately, however, Republicans are expressing concern that there will be another embarrassing fight for control over the GOP caucus.

"Folks are very discouraged," one GOP member of Congress told Politico's Olivia Beavers. "We are screwed."
A Washington man was sentenced to 99 years in prison for the poisoning murder of a prominent gay surgeon in Alaska on April 9, according to a statement from the State of Alaska Department of Law.

Jordan Joplin, 38, was found guilty last year of first-degree murder and first-degree robbery in the case of his lover Dr. Eric Garcia at the surgeons home in Ketchikan on or around March 17, 2017.

Joplin previously worked as an adult film star. He was known as Zack on Sean Cody, Logan Cruise on Men.com and Bromo, and Rob Stonebridge on Randy Blue.

An autopsy showed Garcia, 58, died from a lethal dose of morphine, methadone, diazepam, and lorazepam. Also on March 17, Joplin took delivery of three shipping containers at the surgeons home, which he filled with over two tons of Garcias items and shipped to his own residence in Washington.

Prosecutors claimed Joplin targeted Garcia and manipulated his emotions as part of a plan to kill and rob the popular and kind-hearted local surgeon, going so far as to schedule delivery of the shipping containers and plan the murder well in advance.

Judge Michael Woverton described the crime as brazen and craven and said the people of Alaska demanded the imposition of a severe sentence. He directly admonished Joplin for the senseless nature of the crime.

You had access to Dr. Garcias wealth, Wolverton said, according to Alaska Public Media. He wasnt withholding.

Joplin told authorities he traveled to meet Garcia at his Ketchikan home on March 15 and returned to his own home in Washington on March 17. He called Ketchikan police on March 18 to report Garcia missing, saying the surgeon was supposed to meet him in Washington but had never arrived. On March 27, Joplin returned to Ketchikan and requested a welfare check on Garcia at his home.

Police noted at the time Joplin was driving Garcias truck and used Garcias keys both to the truck and the house.

The alarm on the home was already disabled and police found Garcias lifeless body. Following last weeks sentencing, police revealed in a statement that video footage dated March 17 and later recovered on Joplins phone showed Garcia struggling to breathe while in the same clothing and position as he was later found dead.

Police quickly discovered a significant amount of personal belongings were missing from Garcias home, including electronics, a valuable collection of coins, watches and jewelry valued over $50,000, and a collection of liquor valued at over $320,000. They later learned Joplin loaded these items onto the shipping containers on March 17 before using Garcias truck to drive to the airport. Banking records also show Joplin stole more than $30,000 in transfers from Garcias accounts from March 16 to March 30.

Garcia was remembered as a skilled surgeon and loving person with little time for himself. His brother, Saul Garcia, recalled at the sentencing hearing how he was approached by a group of Spanish-speaking workers while dining recently at a local restaurant. The workers told Saul his brother provided medicine to the community when they couldnt afford it.

They recounted how comfortable they felt to have access to a Spanish-speaking medical professional, that related to their culture, Saul recalled. They were worried about the future of their medical care, as they didnt feel comfortable speaking English.

When allowed to speak, Joplin remained defiant, having his attorney Lars Johnson read a prepared statement.

Mr. Joplin has asked me to note that he acknowledges Dr. Garcias death and the effect it had on the family and Dr. Garcias friends and the community of Ketchikan and that he maintains his innocence of the crime, Johnson read to the court.
WASHINGTON  House Speaker Mike Johnson is drawing closer to peril after another conservative hardliner publicly came out in support of forcibly removing the Republican leader from his job.

Shortly after unveiling a plan to deliver foreign aid to key U.S. allies, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., forcibly came out against the House speaker's proposal in a closed-door conference meeting on Tuesday morning, announcing he would support an existing effort to oust Johnson.

Massie, along with conservative rabble-rouser Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., are calling on Johnson to step down from the top post. If he doesn't, they are threatening to call up a vote on the House floor that could supplant the speaker and send the chamber into another leadership vacuum. In the last year, Johnson took the job, putting him second in line of succession for the presidency, after a handful of Republican rebels last fall voted to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the role.

There's no shortage of people, that could replace Johnson, Massie said, rebuking the speaker as some guy nobody in America ever heard of.

Massies support for what is known as a motion to vacate  a procedural vote to remove the speaker  puts Johnsons job in jeopardy, as Republicans control the House with a razor-thin majority and conservative ire continues to grow at the embattled speaker.

Johnson at a weekly leadership news conference, was defiant and said he will not resign.

It is in my view an absurd notion someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our job, Johnson said. I regard myself as a wartime speaker and in a literal sense. I knew that when I took the gavel. I didnt anticipate this would be an easy path.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to the press following a House Conference meeting to discuss Iran's attack on Israel at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

After one GOP lawmaker resigns from the lower chamber this Friday, Republicans will have just a one-vote margin on party lines in the House. That means Greene and Massie alone could oust Johnson if all Democrats join them to remove the speaker as they did last year.

Democrats this time however, could rescue Johnson from right-wing fury depending on how Johnson presents foreign aid to allies including Ukraine and Israel.

Massie wants the world to burn, I wont stand by and watch. I have a bucket of water, Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, coming out against a motion to vacate.

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., the chair of the House Democratic Caucus, wouldn't say on Tuesday whether his party would vote to help save Johnson's job but noted he's not "itching" to nominate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for speaker again and go through another leadership crisis. The focus right now, Aguilar added during a press conference, is passing foreign aid.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Second lawmaker calls to oust speaker, putting Johnson's job in peril
Tensions rise in Australia after a bishop and priest are wounded in a knife attack in a church

A police forensic officer works at a crime scene at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in suburban Wakely in western Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Australian police say a knife attack in Sydney that wounded a bishop and a priest during a church service as horrified worshippers watched online and in person, and sparked a riot was an act of terrorism. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

SYDNEY (AP)  A teenager has been accused of wounding a Christian bishop and a priest during a church service in the second high-profile knife attack to rock Sydney in recent days, leaving communities on edge, leaders calling for calm and a besieged church urging against retaliation.

The 16-year-old was overpowered by the shocked congregation at Christ the Good Shepherd Church after he allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and the Rev. Isaac Royel during a service on Monday night that was being streamed online.

Police have not commented on reports that the boys fingers were severed by parishioners in the Orthodox Assyrian church in suburban Wakeley, but confirmed his hand injuries were severe.

Video of the attack spread quickly on social media and an angry mob converged on the church demanding vengeance. They hurled bricks, bottles and fence boards at police, who temporarily barricaded the boy inside the church for his own safety. Many in the crowd chanted an eye for an eye and bring him out.

Several people including police officers required hospital treatment following the hourslong riot.

The church said in a statement on Tuesday it "denounced retaliation of any kind. Police stood guard around mosques in parts of Sydney on Tuesday after reports that text messages were circulating urging the Assyrian Christian community to retaliate against Muslims.

Sydney's Lakemba Mosque, Australia's largest, has hired additional private security for the next week after receiving fire bomb threats on Monday night.

Police and community leaders said public anxiety had been heightened by a lone assailants knife attack in a Sydney shopping mall on Saturday that killed five women and a male security guard who attempted to intervene. The 40-year-old assailant, Joel Cauchi, had a history of mental illness and trouble with women and a fascination with knives. He was shot dead by police.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged the public not to take the law into their own hands.

We understand the distress and concerns that are there in the community, particularly after the tragic event at Bondi Junction on Saturday, Albanese told reporters, referring to the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall.

"But it is not acceptable to impede police and injure police doing their duty or to damage police vehicles in a way that we saw last night," Albanese added.

News South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb on Tuesday declared the church attack a terrorist incident, but not the shopping mall rampage.

The declaration gives police expanded powers to stop and search people, premises and vehicles without a warrant.

Webb said the teen's comments and actions pointed to a religious motive for the attack. She didnt detail the wording of the comments that led her to believe he had been religiously motivated.

Ten Network television reported the boy had told churchgoers who restrained him, in Arabic: If they didn't insult my Prophet, I wouldn't have come here.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said state police were urging social media platforms to shut down accounts posting misinformation that incited violence since Monday's stabbing.

New South Wales Police and community leaders have been battling misinformation spreading around the web inciting community members to rush to particular religious facilities and mosques and churches on the hint or the rumor of some kind of violent activity taking place, Minns told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

It's very difficult to maintain community cohesion when outright lies are spread within the community inciting the worst fears of particularly young people, Minns added.

The teen suspect was in hospital on Tuesday under police guard. He has yet to be charged.

Webb said he had been known to police, but was not on a terror watch list. He had been convicted in January for a range of offenses including possession of a switchblade knife, being armed with a weapon with an intention to commit an indictable offense, stalking, intimidation and damaging property, ABC reported.

A Sydney court released him on a good behavior bond, ABC reported.

The boy used a switchblade, which is an illegal weapon in Australia, in Mondays attack, ABC reported.

Juvenile offenders cannot be publicly identified in New South Wales.

The church in a message on social media said the bishop and priest were in stable condition and asked for peoples prayers. The church said in a statement on Tuesday the 53-year-old Iraq-born bishops condition was improving.

Emmanuel has a strong social media following and is outspoken on a range of issues. He proselytizes to both Jews and Muslims and is critical of liberal Christian denominations. He also speaks out on global political issues and laments the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.

The bishop, described in local media as a sometimes divisive figure on issues such as COVID-19 restrictions, was in the national news last year over comments about gender.

___

McGuirk reported from Melbourne, Australia.
WASHINGTON  A second House Republican said he will support an effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from power over his handling of foreign aid for Ukraine and other issues.

Rep. Thomas Massie, of Kentucky, who is a member of Johnson's own Rules Committee, said he informed the speaker directly in a closed-door meeting of House Republicans on Tuesday that he is co-sponsoring a resolution offered by far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to remove Johnson, R-La., from the top job.

Side by side of Mike Johnson and Thomas Massie (Getty Images)

"He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP speaker," Massie wrote on X, referring to former GOP Speaker John Boehner, who resigned in the middle of his term in 2015 while facing a similar conservative rebellion from Massie and others.

In addition to objections over Ukraine aid, Massie also faulted Johnson for pushing through a massive government funding package this year and passing a bill to renew a controversial intelligence spying tool last week.

"He's going for the trifecta, the Triple Crown," Massie.

"There are people riding him like a horse here. They don't care if the horse collapses," Massie added. "I do because it's going to throw our conference into turmoil."

Johnson told rank-and-file House Republicans in the room that he wont resign, Massie said, a point he reiterated to reporters.

I am not resigning. And it is in my view an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our jobs, Johnson said after the private meeting. It is not helpful to the country. It does not help the House Republicans advance our agenda which is in the best interest of the American people here: a secure border, sound governance  and its not helpful to the unity that we have in the body.

He added: I am not concerned about this. I am going to do my job.

With the GOP majority hanging by a thread, Johnson can afford only two GOP defections if Greene files her motion as "privileged," forcing a floor vote to vacate the speaker's chair. To successfully remove him, at least three Republicans  and all Democrats  would then need to vote for the motion to vacate.

Some Democrats, however, have said they would vote to save Johnson to prevent the House from spiraling out of control, similar to what happened last fall after conservatives toppled then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, ushering in three weeks of chaos and ultimately paving the way for Johnson's ascent.

"Massie wants the world to burn, I won't stand by and watch. I have a bucket of water," Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., wrote on X.

Its unclear how many Republicans might rally behind overthrowing Johnson, seven months before the presidential election. Other conservatives, including Reps. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Troy Nehls, R-Texas, have said they dont support a motion to vacate.

We dont need that. No way, no way! said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the founding chairman of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus and Judiciary Committee chairman who is a Johnson mentor and ally.

Many MAGA Republicans are taking their cues from their partys presumptive nominee, former President Donald Trump, who appeared with Johnson at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Friday and signaled his support for him.

I stand with the speaker, Trump told reporters when he was asked about Greenes efforts, adding that he gets along great with both Greene and Johnson.

Its not an easy situation for any speaker. I think hes doing a very good job. Hes doing about as good as youre going to do.

One moderate Republican facing a tough re-election bid this fall, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., called Greene and Massie's efforts "idiotic."

It "does not serve the purpose of advancing the issues that these folks want," he said, "and it, in fact, undermines the majority and it undermines our ability to deal with these important issues."

Another vulnerable New York Republican, Rep. Marc Molinaro, called it "an utter waste of time and frankly a distraction from really important business.

Asked whether Johnson was in trouble, Molinaro replied: No.

This week's conservative rebellion comes as Johnson attempts to move stalled foreign aid for U.S. allies including Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan through the House. Far-right members, including Greene, are demanding that Johnson and his leadership team focus their attention and resources on shoring up security of the southern border with Mexico.

Massie's support for Johnson's ouster is significant in another regard. Members of the Rules Committee, known on Capitol Hill as the "speaker's committee," are appointed by the speaker and typically carry out the speaker's wishes. Massie, however, was put on the influential panel by McCarthy last year, and Johnson has had to bypass the Rules Committee on a number of occasions to get critical legislation to the floor.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A second Republican has joined Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in the threat to fire House Speaker Mike Johnson of Shreveport as he lays out a plan to provide funding to allies Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine this week and likely needs the Democrats' help to make it happen,

Republican Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie announced Tuesday in a post on his X account that he has co-sponsored Greene's motion to vacate that she filed last month against Johnson.

"I just told Mike Johnson in conference that I'm co-sponsoring the Motion to Vacate that was introduced by @RepMTG," Massie said in his post. "He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker."

Massie's threat comes just days after former President Donald Trump tried to give the speaker cover to quell any rebellion from the ultra conservative right faction that ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year, leading to weeks of chaos in the House before Johnson was elected.

Johnson and Trump met at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Friday, where Trump said, I stand with the speaker; weve had a very good relationship."

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to the press following a House Conference meeting to discuss Iran's attack on Israel at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

Massie announced his intention during a GOP conference meeting, where Massie was booed by some of his Republican colleagues, according to sources in the meeting.

During a news conference Tuesday, Johnson said he considers himself "a wartime speaker" and emphasized, "I am not resigning. I didn't think this would be an easy path."

Louisiana holds the top two posts in the House with Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who stands with Johnson and said, "History will judge us based on how we respond to moments like this."

Johnson outlined his plan to fund the U.S. allies to his colleague in the GOP conference and in a post on X:

"I have just spoken with the @HouseGOP conference on my plan to address national security supplemental legislation on the growing security crises," Johnson said in his post. "This week, we will consider separate bills with a structured and germane amendment process to: fund our ally Israel; support Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression; strengthen our allies in the Indo-Pacific; Pass additional measures to counter our adversaries and strengthen our national security."

Calls for aid to U.S. allies escalated last week after Iran attacked Israel with a missile launch.

"As Israel faces this vicious attack from Iran, America must show our full resolve to stand with our critical ally," Johnson said Friday. "The world must be assured: Israel is not alone."

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: House Speaker Mike Johnson of Shreveport faces new GOP threat to job
The Security Service of Ukraine has targeted a Russian Nebo-U long-range radar system in Bryansk Oblast, which monitored the sky up to 700 km deep into Ukraine.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU)

Details: The Ukrainians destroyed a modernised Nebo-U system, which helped the Russians detect Ukrainian strike assets and supported bombers attacking Ukrainian border areas with guided aerial bombs.

A UP source says seven kamikaze-type drones hit the US$100 million radar system.

SSU sources confirmed that the system is no longer operational and has "likely turned into a colander".

Now, the Russians have fewer capabilities to detect airborne targets along the northern border of Ukraine.

This is the second Nebo-U system destroyed by the SSU's 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence. The first was destroyed in Belgorod Oblast of the Russian Federation.

Recently, a Kasta-2E2 radar system near temporarily occupied Berdiansk was also destroyed.

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GENEVA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office expressed serious concern on Tuesday about the increasing violence in the West Bank and called on Israeli security forces to cease their support for settler assaults on Palestinians in the occupied territory without delay.

During the ongoing Gaza conflict, the UN Human Rights Office has decried that Palestinians in the West Bank have been "subjected to waves of attacks by hundreds of Israeli settlers, often accompanied or supported by Israeli security forces."

"The Israeli security forces must immediately end their active participation in and support for settler attacks on Palestinians," UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said in Geneva.

The recent violence was sparked by the killing of a 14-year-old Israeli boy last weekend, in what authorities said was an anti-Israel attack. Shamdasani pointed out that following the killing, "four Palestinians, including a child, were killed and Palestinian property was destroyed in revenge attacks."

"Israeli authorities must instead prevent further attacks, including by bringing those responsible to account," the spokesperson said.

Shamdasani described the escalating violence in the West Bank as "a matter of grave concern."

She emphasized that "those reasonably suspected of criminal acts, including murder or other unlawful killings, must be brought to justice through a judicial process that complies with international human rights standards, following a prompt, impartial, independent, effective and transparent investigation." 
See Paris Hilton in Sacramento to advocate for youths placed in state treatment facilities

Paris Hilton, the hotel heiress, media star and advocate for youth, visited Sacramento on Monday to highlight Senate Bill 1043, the Accountability in Childrens Treatment Act.

Teaming up with California state Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), Hilton said the bill aims to protect youth placed in residential treatment facilities by the state.

I know firsthand the horrors that happen behind closed of youth residential facilities, Hilton said at a news conference. ...Its a nightmare that no child should ever have to endure.

While in custody at one of the facilities when she was a teen, Hilton was subjected to isolation and denied even the most basic rights, she said.

ACT aims for more transparency for youth treatment facilities licensed by the California Department of Social Services by requiring information on the use of restraints and seclusion rooms to be accessible to the public on an online dashboard, according to a news release.
Sen. Bob Menendez may plan to blame his wife for actions that led to a federal bribery case against him, a newly unsealed court filing suggests.

The senators legal team plans to try to show the absence of any improper intent on Senator Menendezs part by demonstrating the ways in which his wife, Nadine Menendez, withheld information from Sen. Menendez or otherwise led him to believe that nothing unlawful was taking place.

In a mid-March legal filing, Menendezs legal team tried to keep those exact words under seal because they believed having that defense strategy public would taint the jury pool. But a reporter at NBC New York and then a coalition of media organizations, including POLITICO, fought to make those sentences public. On Tuesday, federal judge Sidney Stein ordered their release.

Previously, Menendezs legal team said having this particular defense strategy public threatens to bias the jury pool and, consequently, to interfere with Senator Menendezs and his wifes right to a fair trial.

The language it sought to redact came in part of a larger 50-page legal filing that argued the senator and his wife should have separate trials. Menendezs attorneys said spousal privilege  which prevents one spouse from being forced to testify against another and allows one spouse to prevent the other from testifying  would complicate his defense against the federal charges.

Last week, his wife was granted a separate trial, after she asked for a delay citing a serious medical condition that federal prosecutors and the judge took seriously. The senators trial is expected to begin on May 6 in Manhattan along with two co-defendants Wael Hana and Fred Daibes. The senator faces corruption charges alleging he accepted gold bars, wads of cash and gifts to act as an unregistered foreign agent, interfere in state and federal prosecutions and help Hanas Halal certification business keep a lucrative exclusive contract with the Egyptian government.



But that trial date seems a bit uncertain. Now prosecutors are seeking a delay because of issues involving an attorney for one of the other defendants. Judge Stein plans to hear arguments about that delay on Wednesday morning.

Nadine Menendezs trial is set for later this summer.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WFXR)  U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have introduced the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act to enact a series of gun violence prevention measures federally. The bill includes a provision to mandate reporting of lost and stolen guns, prevent children from accessing guns, and implement a one-handgun-a-month policy

Warner and Kaine introduced this effort on April 16. This day marks 17 years since a gunman opened fire at two locations at Virginia Tech killing 32 people and leaving 17 others injured.

The incident is the deadliest mass shooting in Virginia history and is also one of the deadliest school shootings in the United States.

We Remember: Virginia Tech hosts 2024 Day of Remembrance 17 years after mass shooting

17 years ago, 32 people tragically lost their lives at Virginia Tech. I was Virginias governor at the time, and I remember that day like it was yesterdaygrieving with families, friends, and the Hokie community. Sadly, far too many communities throughout the United States know the pain of horrific gun violence, said Kaine. Im proud of the steps the Commonwealth has taken in recent years to help keep Virginians safe, which is why Im introducing this bill to build on our progress by implementing those commonsense measures on the national level. We must do more to ensure everyone can go to school, work, their place of worship, a grocery store, or a concert without the terror of gun violence.

This is not Sen. Warner and Kaines first effort to reduce gun violence across the Commonwealth.

In 2020, they helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which included improving background checks, strengthening safeguards for victims of domestic violence, and incentivizing states to implement their own Extreme Rish Protection Orders.

LPD identifies victim in deadly Main Street shooting

The Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2024 would continue to build on the Commonwealths framework to reduce gun violence from 2020 and Lucias Law, which takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Sen. Warner and Kaine say the bill would follow the following provisions:

One-Handgun-a-Month: Limits purchases of handguns to one per month to curtail the stockpiling and trafficking of firearms, promoting domestic and international security.

Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms: Requires gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms to the appropriate state or local law enforcement agency within 48 hours. State and local law enforcement agencies would be directed to report data collected to the FBIs National Crime Information Center.

Preventing Firearm Access to Minors: Promotes responsible gun ownership and safe storage practices by holding individuals liable for leaving a loaded, unsecured gun in the presence of a minor. This will prevent the most common cause of accidental shooting deaths among children.

Protection Order Prohibitions: Strengthens safeguards for victims of domestic violence by closing the boyfriend loophole, which currently allows abusive non-spousal partners to possess firearms, and expands firearm laws to prohibit persons convicted of stalking or subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing firearms.

Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Establishes a federal extreme risk protection order process to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a high risk of harming themselves or others and incentivizes states to implement their own extreme risk protection laws and court protocols.

Lucias Law: Establishes criminal liability for a caregiver who gives a child in their care access to a firearm when they are aware that the child poses a risk of violence to themselves or others.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Nearly every Democrat in a battleground Senate race raised more than their Republican opponents in the first quarter of this year.

The fundraising edge spanned the country and across different kinds of candidates. Democratic incumbents in Nevada, Ohio, Montana, and Pennsylvania; candidates in open races in Michigan, Maryland and Arizona; and challengers running against GOP incumbents in Texas and Florida all brought in more money than their Republican counterparts.

Battle-tested Senate Democrats strong fundraising is a testament to the support they have earned from voters and grassroots supporters, Tommy Garcia, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a statement. While each day brings new revelations about Republican Senate candidates lies, baggage and disqualifying flaws, Senate Democrats are building winning campaigns and communicating with voters about how they are fighting for the priorities of hard working Americans.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) faces the toughest reelection battle of his life in a state that Donald Trump carried by a significant margin in 2020. He raised $6.4 million in March alone. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

Of course, Democrats are set to have a hard time holding on to their narrow majority in the U.S. Senate regardless of their fundraising hauls. The party can afford to lose only one seat, and the map this cycle is unforgiving for them. Sen. Joe Manchins retirement has effectively signed his deep-red state of West Virginia away to the GOP. And Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Jon Tester in Montana are running for reelection in states that former President Donald Trump won in 2020, and Trump will again be on the ballot this fall.

Whats more, Republicans have prioritized self-funding candidates, who are capable of ratcheting up spending on a moments notice. In Wisconsin, the one state where an incumbent Democrat got out-raised, the culprit was Republican self-funder Eric Hovde.

And Republican finance billionaire Ken Griffin has seeded a $10 million super PAC in support of Former Gov. Larry Hogans bid in Maryland.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee, Senate Republicans campaign arm, declined to comment for this story.

Here is a breakdown of the numbers in the 10 states:

Ohio: Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) raised $6.4 million in March alone, giving him $16 million in cash on hand (the term for funds left over after expenses). Republican businessman Bernie Moreno, who won his contentious primary in March, raised $1.1 million over the same period, including $300,000 he lent the campaign, bringing his cash total to $1.8 million.

Nevada: Sen. Jacky Rosen (D) raised $5 million in in the first quarter, leaving her with $13.2 million in cash on hand. Her leading Republican challenger, former Army Capt. Sam Brown, raised $2.4 million, with $2.3 million in cash on hand.

Montana: Sen. Jon Tester (D) raised $8 million in Q1, leaving him with $12.6 million in cash on hand. Republican Tim Sheehy, an aerospace entrepreneur and former Navy SEAL, raised $3 million, with $1.9 million left in cash on hand.

Pennsylvania: Sen. Bob Casey (D) raised $5.7 million in Q1, bringing his war chest to $11.9 million. Caseys Republican challenger, former hedge fund manager Dave McCormick, raised $5.4 million, of which $1 million was self-funded. McCormick, who is capable of self-funding, had $6.2 million in cash on hand as of the end of March.

Wisconsin: Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) raised $5.4 million in Q1, bringing her cash on hand to $10.2 million. Republican challenger Eric Hovde, a real estate developer, raised $9 million, of which $8 million was self-funded. He had $5.3 million in cash on hand.

Arizona: Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinemas retirement has created an open race between Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, and Republican Kari Lake, a former TV newscaster and gubernatorial candidate. Gallego raised $7.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, bringing his cash-on-hand total to $9.6 million. Lake raised $3.6 million over that period and had $2.5 million in cash at the end of March.

Michigan: Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenows retirement has created an open race in which Rep. Elissa Slotkin is the leading Democratic contender and former Rep. Mike Rogers is the top Republican candidate. Slotkin raised $4.4 million in the first quarter of the year, bringing her cash-on-hand total to $8.6 million. Rogers raised $1 million over that period and had $1.4 million in cash on hand.

Maryland: The race to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D) in a solid Democratic state would not ordinarily be competitive. It is still a very unlikely pickup for Republicans, but the entrance of former Gov. Larry Hogan into the field could at least force Democrats to spend serious money. Hogan raised a respectable $1.9 million in less than two months of running, leaving him with $1.5 million in cash on hand. With an extra month, Hogans two main Democratic rivals outdid him in the first quarter of the year. Angela Alsobrooks, the executive of Prince Georges County, raised $2.1 million and had $3.2 million in cash on hand. And Rep. David Trone (D), a multimillionaire liquor retailer, raised $18.7 million, of which only $200,000 was not self-funded. He had less than $1 million left over at the end of March.

Texas: Democratic Rep. Colin Allreds campaign against Sen. Ted Cruz (R) is widely seen as a long shot. But he will have at least some cash to get his message out. Allred raised $6.5 million from mid-February to the end of March, compared with Cruzs $4.6 million. And while Cruz has $9.3 million in cash on hand, Allred has $10.5 million.

Florida: Former Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powells run against Sen. Rick Scott (R) is likewise a very tough battle. She did have a better fundraising quarter than Scott, however, having raised $3.5 million to Scotts $2.2 million. Scott has a cash-on-hand edge, though, with $3.8 million to Mucarsel-Powells $2.8 million. But Scott, a wealthy hospital founder, is capable of self-funding if the race gets tighter.

Related...
Senate Democrats have unveiled a $79 million advertising plan to boost their chances of keeping the majority in the upper chamber after November.

Democrats are headed toward Election Day with a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate as hopeful Republicans look to retake it. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) plans to spend more than $79 million in television, digital and radio advertising starting in nine states, according to a committee aide.

Senate Republicans roster of unvetted, unpopular candidates bring disqualifying personal flaws and toxic policy positions to their races  when general election voters learn about them theyll see why they should be nowhere near the U.S. Senate, DSCC Executive Director Christie Roberts said in a statement to The Hill.

This advertising campaign will make the choice in each Senate race clear, enables the DSCC to communicate with voters in the most effective way and ensures we protect Democrats Senate majority, Roberts added.

The aide said that the committees independent expenditure will make its initial television, digital and radio reservations in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. Michigan will have more than $11 million in television reservations, Wisconsin will have $10 million and Pennsylvania will have $8 million.

The committee will also put $2 million into radio reservations in Montana. Additional states may be added to the reservations as the election cycle continues, the aide said.

Politico first reported on the advertising plans on Tuesday.

Democrats need to defend 23 seats in Novembers election, including in red states where former President Trump is expected to clinch victories in. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced he would be retiring from the upper chamber last year, setting up a steeply uphill battle for Democrats in the state.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Will the Senate reject an impeachment trial for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas? What to know.

WASHINGTON  The House will send articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on Tuesday, but don't expect a full trial in the upper chamber.

Democrats are expected to promptly dismiss or set aside the proceedings. They've criticized their Republican colleagues for voting to impeach Mayorkas at all, accusing them of misusing a powerful tool over a policy dispute about the country's immigration system.

"As I've said repeatedly, impeachment should never be used to settle a policy disagreement," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Monday. "That would set a horrible precedent for the Congress."

Senate Republicans, most of whom have repeatedly called for a full impeachment trial in their chamber, plan to make it as challenging as possible for Democrats to derail the impeachment push. However, they're unlikely to have the votes to force a trial.

They argue it would be a historic misstep to dismiss the proceedings before they even begin, pointing out that nearly all of the 21 people who have been impeached by the House underwent a trial, with the exception of one who resigned before the trial could start.

"In the face of the disaster that mounts daily at our southern border, and in communities across America, the House of Representatives has formally accused Alejandro Mayorkas of demeaning his office," 43 Republican senators wrote in a letter to Schumer Thursday. "The American people deserve to hear the evidence through a Senate trial in the Court of Impeachment."

The House had planned to send the articles last Thursday, but pushed to Tuesday to allow Senate Republicans more time to hammer their Democratic colleagues over the expected dismissal.

Here's what you need to know about the impeachment effort in the Senate.

Alejandro Mayorkas, Director of the Department of Homeland Security, testifies about the department's budget for fiscal year 2025 in Washington on Apr 16, 2024.

Why did the House impeach Mayorkas?

The Republican-led House voted to impeach Mayorkas in February by a count of 214-213, making him the second cabinet secretary in American history to be impeached (the first was nearly 150 years ago.) No Democrats supported the effort, and a few Republicans also voted against it.

House Republicans alleged Mayorkas violated the Constitution by deliberately refusing to enforce border security laws.

The impeachment inquiry in the House "demonstrated beyond any doubt that Secretary Mayorkas has willfully and systemically refused to comply with the laws of the United States, and breached the public trust," said House Homeland Security Committee Chair Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., earlier this year.

House Republican impeachment managers including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) walk through National Statuary Hall delivering the article of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, President Joe Biden's top border security official, at the Capitol, April 16, 2024.

But Democrats, some Republicans and constitutional law experts have contended that the GOP-led effort uses the impeachment process  typically reserved for conduct considered high crimes and misdemeanors  to settle a policy disagreement about how to address the nation's immigration system. They've accused many Republican lawmakers of effectively weakening a powerful congressional tool.

"We've taken impeachment and we've made it a social media issue as opposed to a Constitutional one," Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., told reporters shortly after announcing he would leave Congress early. "This place just keeps going down, and I don't need to spend my time here."

The debate has come amid surging migration to the southern border, with many people fleeing dangerous conditions and economic uncertainty in central and South America and seeking refuge in the United States.

Immigration has become a major issue in the presidential election this fall. In January, immigration was the top problem cited by American voters in a Gallup poll. A February survey from the Pew Research Center found 80% of Americans feel the government is doing a bad job handling the number of migrants at the border.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) holds a press conference following a House GOP caucus meeting at the U.S Capitol on April 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Republicans in the House of Representatives held a closed door meeting as they prepare to deliver the Articles of Impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

What will happen this week in the impeachment effort?

House Speaker Mike Johnson signed the articles of impeachment on Monday, beginning the process of transferring the articles to the Senate.

On Tuesday afternoon, the House impeachment managers will walk the articles across the Capitol building to the Senate. They include Green, Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Ben Cline, R-Va., Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., Michael Guest, R-Miss., Clay Higgins, R-La. Laurel Lee, R-Fla., August Pfluger, R-Texas, and Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo.

On Wednesday, the articles will be read out loud in Senate, and each senator will be sworn in as a juror in the trial. Then, the Senate will take the first steps in determining how to handle the trial.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during a press conference following the Senate vote early Tuesday morning passing a $95 billion emergency defense spending bill, including $60 billion for Ukraine, on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024.

Will the Senate hold an impeachment trial?

Schumer has not publicly said exactly how Democrats plan to handle the impeachment articles, but they are expected to table or dismiss them.

That only requires a majority vote, which Democrats seemingly have.

But Senate Republicans  spurred on by a group of ultraconservatives incensed about Democrats' push to not hold a full trial  plan to make it as painful as possible for the majority by dragging out proceedings and, if possible, demanding multiple votes on conservative priorities in exchange for speeding it up.

"If you're so confident that the charges against Secretary Mayorkas are baseless, then why not hold a trial?" Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said on the floor last week. "This is exactly what it looks like when someone is aware that there is a problem and wants to sweep the problem under the rug... You can't hide this."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to expect in Alejandro Mayorkas impeachment proceedings
Traffic cameras in Iowa, like those on Interstate Highway 235, would be required to go through a permitting process through the state Department of Transportation to prove they are needed under the legislation. (Photo by Perry Beeman/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

A bill regulating  but not banning  traffic camera use by local law enforcement was sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds by the Senate with bipartisan support Monday.

House File 2681 passed 46-1 Monday, with Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, voting against he measure. The bill gives the Iowa Department of Transportation oversight of how Iowa cities and counties implement automatic traffic enforcement (ATE) systems, like traffic cameras. Iowa local governments and law enforcement would be required to submit explanations as to why a traffic camera is needed at a specified location, including information on the number and severity of accidents, driving speeds and other potential public safety issues in the area.

Along with the camera permitting system, the bill also sets other rules and guidelines around traffic camera use, including prohibitions on localities with fewer than 20,000 residents using mobile traffic camera technologies to issue tickets and speeding tickets for violations that are not more than 10 miles per hour more than the speed limit. The bill would require warning signs to be posted between 500 and 1,000 feet before a camera. Local governments would also be required to use the funds that are collected for transportation infrastructure improvements and police and fire departments operational costs.

Sen. Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, said the bill has been a long time coming. Lawmakers have considered restrictions on traffic cameras in previous years, but those bills failed to advance, as did a measure proposed earlier this year by Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, to completely ban local governments from using traffic cameras.

Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, thanked Klimesh for bringing forward the current legislation that brings the concept of regulation to the issue, and takes a more moderate stance on the use of ATE systems by requiring oversight while also acknowledging the legitimate need for these systems.

We were in such a tie-down of ban or no ban that this came to make sense, Bisignano said. There is a need for automated traffic cameras, especially in the urban areas, where we have those  (Interstate Highway) 235.  But the fact is, is we also have to put law enforcement on that freeway, and thats dangerous, as you can see. That would be the worst thing that I think you could be assigned to be a traffic enforcement on I-235.

In House debate on the bill, Republican lawmakers expressed interest in taking further action to restrict traffic cameras  but said that the legislation represents immediate action on an issue causing problems for some Iowans.

Klimesh echoed these statements, saying that the bill, if signed by Reynolds, will allow cities and counties that have a legitimate need to continue using traffic cameras while addressing problems with the technology being misused for revenue generation.

I think weve set out a very robust regulatory framework that will allow, and actually require, cities and municipalities to prove concept, to prove out that they need to have these traffic cameras in these locations, Klimesh said.

The post Senate sends bill on traffic camera regulation, DOT oversight to governor appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
An arrest warrant was issued last week for a man accused of leading state police at Rockview on a pursuit that exceeded 100 mph, ramming a police cruiser, nearly hitting a trooper and driving through a farm field.

Its one of three times in the past six years that Kalvin J. Showalter, 31, of Union County, has been accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in central Pennsylvania.

A defense lawyer was not listed and a voicemail left Tuesday for Showalter was not immediately returned.

Showalter was driving 105 mph when troopers attempted to stop him about 2 a.m. April 6 along state Route 45 in rural Gregg Township, police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause made available to the Centre Daily Times on Tuesday.

Rather than stop, police wrote that Showalter led them on a nearly three-mile pursuit that included him driving 90 mph in a 35 mph zone. He also drove a 2003 Dodge Ram pickup through a farm field, which caused an estimated $250 in damage.

Troopers exited their vehicle and told Showalter to stop, but he accelerated in reverse, nearly hit a trooper and crashed into a cruiser, police wrote. It caused upward of $7,000 in damage.

He escaped after he drove through a narrow opening, police wrote.

Two days later, state police at Milton said Showalter used the same pickup to lead troopers on a high-speed, four-mile pursuit in Union County. He evaded that set of troopers when ladders and tools from his trailer flung onto and blocked the road, police wrote.

His truck was found stuck in the woods about a mile away, police wrote. Troopers have not found him as of Tuesday.

Showalter is white, 6 feet tall, weighs about 180 pounds and has brown hair. A state police spokesman told the CDT he did not have a photo of Showalter. He encouraged anyone with information to call 814-355-7545.

Showalter pleaded guilty to one felony for a similar 2018 pursuit in Union County. He was sentenced to 30 days of house arrest and 90 days of electronic monitoring as part of his three years of probation.

The pair of outstanding allegations charged Showalter with six felonies, including counts of aggravated assault, fleeing and criminal mischief. He was also charged with three misdemeanors and 16 summary traffic violations.
Shannen Doherty says she's decluttering amid her Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Experts say it's a good way to regain control.

Shannen Doherty says she's decluttering amid her Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Experts say it's a good way to regain control.

Shannen Doherty, who has stage 4 breast cancer, is selling her possessions to fund quality time with her mom.

Experts say what Doherty is doing is typical of people facing a serious medical diagnosis.

However, they should also plan for things in the future, since their prognosis can improve.

Shannen Doherty, the actor best known for her role in "Beverly Hills, 90210," has stage 4 cancer. She's getting rid of her material possessions so she can focus on spending time with her mother.

On an episode of her podcast, "Let's Be Clear With Shannen Doherty," released on April 1, the actor said she wants to sell off some of her stuff so her mother doesn't have to worry about dealing with it if she dies.

"The cancer, for me, has really made me take stock of my life and shift my priorities, and my priority at the moment is my mom," Doherty, 53, said on the podcast. "I don't want her to have four storage units filled with furniture because I have a furniture obsession."

She also said she hopes to use that money to travel with her mom without dipping into her savings. A representative for Doherty declined to provide additional comment for this story.

Doherty is one of several Hollywood stars who have used their public platforms to discuss the ways they're managing a cancer diagnosis.

In 2014, for example, Michael Douglas said at a film festival panel that being diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2010 taught him to appreciate his family more, per The Mirror.

More recently, during an appearance on the British breakfast program "Lorraine" in March, Scottish comedian Janey Godley told host Lorraine Kelly that she  like Doherty  was also decluttering amid the recurrence of her ovarian cancer.

"I'm getting rid of a lot of clothes, I'm getting rid of a lot of old stuff, the charity shop loves me," Godley said. "I'm paring everything down and getting everything ready so when I do go, it's not such a big trauma."

Taking stock of life

Doherty was first diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and has spoken about her journey with the disease repeatedly on several public platforms, including on a "Good Morning America" episode in 2020. Her comments about getting rid of physical belongings came on the heels of new research that shows the rate of young people being diagnosed with cancer has risen sharply in the past 30 years.

And while researchers don't know why the rate is increasing, Doherty's move to declutter her life is typical of  and often helpful for  people who are facing a serious medical diagnosis, two experts told Business Insider.

Dr. Jeffrey Peppercorn, a breast cancer medical oncologist and the director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Supportive Care and Survivorship Program, told BI he advises his patients to focus on the things in life that are most important to them amid the uncertainty of their prognosis.

"Stage four breast cancer is not curable, but it is treatable, meaning that we can control the disease and prevent it from getting worse, often for years," he said.

"So 'decluttering' your life, whether that means material possessions that you don't need, closets you have ignored for years, or things that you get stressed over that really aren't important, can be helpful," he said.

It's common for people to realize that certain material possessions aren't that important anymore, Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and the author of "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," told BI.

"Someone might get rid of their tools as they realize they won't be restoring that antique car they dreamed about, or they might sell their boat as they no longer imagine a life on the lake where they go fishing," Morin said.

How decluttering can help

"People with a serious illness often have little control over what's going on. But one thing they can control is their material possessions," Morin said. "Selling things, sorting through items, and getting rid of stuff they no longer need may help them feel more in control over something."

Getting rid of stuff might help someone feel like they're relieving their families from that burden, too, Morin added.

However, it's important to note that things can continue to improve, Peppercorn said.

"I would not want every patient that is newly diagnosed with stage four breast cancer to sell all of their possessions, because they may well find they are still alive and doing well four, five, or even 10 years or more in the future," Peppercorn said.

Because of that, he advises his patients to plan for the future, too.

People with serious or terminal illnesses might find it helpful to set goals or create a bucket list, Morin said: "As their priorities shift, they may find there are certain things they really want to accomplish  perhaps without the same fears they might have once had."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sheriff: Man critical after argument between neighbors leads to shooting in Cape Canaveral

Brevard County deputies are investigating a shooting in Cape Canaveral that sent a man to the hospital with life-threatening injuries Tuesday afternoon.

 WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

Deputies responded to Orange Ave. at approximately 3:30 p.m. Tuesday for reports of a man who had been shot.

The man was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, according to the sheriffs office.

READ: Deputy arrested, sheriff says murdered tow truck driver may be linked to carjacking victims death

Deputies say their preliminary investigation at the scene determined the shooting happened during an argument between neighbors that then escalated.

See a map below:

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None of the people involved have been identified by the sheriffs office and no arrests have been made.

Agents from the sheriffs office Homicide and Crime Scene Units have started the process of interviewing potential witnesses and gathering evidence to unravel the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, but say theres no danger to the public.

READ: Classes canceled at Brevard County middle school due to power outage, loss of air conditioning

Theyre still asking anyone with information on the case to contact their Canaveral precincts General Crimes Unit at 321-633-7162, or through Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.

Crimeline callers are able to remain anonymous, and could become eligible for a reward if the information they provide leads to a felony arrest.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC), a COP28 legacy, has assumed the role of host and secretariat of the Africa Green Investment Initiative (AGII), UAEs $4.5 billion finance plan aiming to unlock Africas green energy potential.

Currently, investment in African renewables represents only 2% of the global total, falling short of the estimated $60 billion a year needed by 2030.

Launched at the Africa Climate Summit (ACS), under the UAEs Etihad 7 programme, AGII brings together private, public and development capital from UAEs climate champions including Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Masdar, AMEA Power, and Etihad Credit Insurance, with Africa50 as the strategic partner.

Global convener

GCFC acts a global convener, bringing together key stakeholders from governments, financial institutions, philanthropic organisations and the private sector to scale up investment and address key barriers hindering investment flows to climate solutions.

Building on AGII launched at COP28 by William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, GCFC supports African countries in their green industrialisation efforts to offer accelerated end-to-end green growth solutions, catalysing economic green growth on the continent.

GCFC actively supports green growth by fostering financial innovation for climate solutions, delivering market intelligence to lower perceived risks and improve decision making, mobilising additional capital to move project pipelines, and accelerating project development through technical assistance and capacity building. By tackling these challenges, and with support from additional partners, GCFC and AGII aim to empower stakeholders across Africa and drive a sustainable future for the continent.

Areas of focus

GCFC and AGII collaboration includes the following areas of focus:

Project Pipeline Acceleration: The partnership aims to advance the development and approval of projects submitted by AGII partners and other key stakeholders.

Capacity Building: Joint efforts will focus on building the capacity of both public and private sector players in Africa and the UAE.

Innovation and Problem-Solving: GCFC and AGII will collaborate to develop innovative climate finance solutions to address systemic challenges that have hindered green project expansion in Africa.

Market Intelligence & Analysis: In collaboration with other institutions, the partnership will generate market intelligence to guide effective on-the-ground action.

Mercedes Vela Monserrate, CEO of the GCFC said: GCFC takes a significant step towards unlocking Africa's green potential by hosting and acting as the secretariat of the AGII. By working together with our founding members, we can leverage a robust ecosystem that catalyses finance to supports innovative green projects, empowers stakeholders, and fosters a sustainable future for Africa.

Mobilise capital

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: Todays announcement will mobilise capital and increase the adoption of clean renewable energy across Africa, helping to accelerate social and economic development for millions of people across the continent.

As the largest pure-play renewable energy company in Africa, we have committed an additional $2 billion of equity as part of the Africa Green Investment Initiative and aim to mobilise a further $8 billion through project finance and our Infinity Power platform, targeting the delivery of 10 GW of clean energy capacity in Africa by 2030.

Alain Ebobisse, Chief Executive Officer of Africa50, said: As a strategic partner of the Africa Green Investment Initiative, Africa50 is leveraging its project development and fund management expertise to scale up investments and deploy capital into transformational green projects.

We have a robust pipeline of bankable infrastructure projects that can support the continents dual imperative of decarbonising its industrialisation, while accelerating its socio-economic development. We look forward to working closely with GCFC and all partners, to drive innovative models and further unlock much-needed climate finance, which will help fast-track the continents energy transition.--TradeArabia News Service
TEHRAN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday exchanged views on Iran's massive retaliatory military operation against Israel.

In a phone call, Raisi praised Russia for its "principled and constructive" position on Iran's "legitimate defense" against the Israeli "act of aggression" on the consular section of its embassy in Damascus, Syria, according to a statement from the Iranian president's office.

He said Israel's action was a flagrant violation of international laws, including the Vienna Conventions, and constituted a serious threat to global peace.

Raisi noted that it is because of the destructive role of the United States and some Western countries and the inaction and inefficiency of some international organizations in dealing with this Israeli "aggressive act" that Iran carried out a defensive response based on Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Raisi appreciated Russia's diplomatic efforts to foil the "conspiracies" of the U.S. and some Western countries at the UN Security Council, urging these countries to stop supporting Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people to achieve regional stability and security.

Putin, for his part, condemned Israel's act against Iran's diplomatic premises, considering the Iranian retaliation a punishment for the "aggressor" in "the best way."

The Russian president also strongly criticized the behavior of the U.S. and some Western countries in creating tension in West Asia.

In the phone talks, the two sides also discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, security, energy, science and technology, and transportation areas and called for accelerating the implementation of previously signed bilateral agreements, according to the statement.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said in two separate statements early Sunday that it had launched a combined missile and drone attack against Israel and "successfully hit and destroyed" important Israeli military targets.

The attack was in response to an Israeli strike against Iran's consulate in Syria, which killed seven Iranians, including two veteran commanders. 
The horrific saga of a South Florida woman carjacked at gunpoint in Winter Springs last week and later found dead took a bizarre turn Monday when Seminole authorities linked the case to the recent arrest of an Orange County deputy and the brutal death of a tow truck driver, who was shot at least 100 times.

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said Monday that investigators are still searching for the people involved in the April 11 carjacking of Katherine Guerrero De Aguasvivas, 31, of Homestead. Her body was found late Thursday in Osceola County, inside the scorched remains of the white Dodge Durango she was driving when an armed, masked man kidnapped her in broad daylight at a busy intersection.

But one, unexpected arrest was announced Monday: that of Orange County Deputy Francisco Estrella, 33, who apparently leaked confidential information about the carjacking case and its key players to De Aguasvivas husband, Miguel. Neither Estrella nor Miguel Aguasvivas is thought to be linked to the carjacking itself, but Estrella faces multiple charges related to the leaks. He bonded out of jail and has been suspended without pay while his case proceeds in court.

When you look at this thing, its right out of a television show, Lemma said.

Lemma also revealed an earlier chapter in the twisted tale, which commenced on March 19 when a green, 2002 Acura sedan  the very same vehicle later used in the carjacking of Katherine Guerrero De Aguasvivas  was towed from an Orlando apartment complex for being illegally parked. The car lacked a tag or ownership title. It is not clear how the car made its way from that towing incident into the hands of the suspects.

But on April 10, the green Acura or a car matching its description showed up again, Lemma said, leaving the scene of the shooting of tow truck driver Juan Luis Citron Garcia on the 9600 block of 8th Avenue near the Orlando International Airport. Cintron Garcia was found surrounded by 100 casings, many of them 10mm ammunition.

A day later, De Aguasvivas was kidnapped at gunpoint at the intersection of East Lake Drive and Tuskawilla Road in Winter Springs. She had driven early that day from Homestead, reportedly to visit family in the area.

Law enforcement officials have said they believe the green Acura followed the Durango purposely, though they have not publicly speculated why, or said for how long it followed the SUV.

Then on April 13, the green Acura was found illegally parked again, and was towed from an Orange County apartment complex. Investigators with Orange County Sheriffs Office took possession of the vehicle after linking its identification number to when the car was previously towed, according to Lemma.

We still have incredibly dangerous people out in the streets, Lemma said during the afternoon press conference. They should be perceived as armed and dangerous.

Law enforcement officials are even more perplexed about the role of one of their own in the case.

According to an affidavit, Estrella twice called the lead Seminole detective on the carjacking case, using the alias Francisco Archuela. Estrella apparently decided to become involved because his wife was a childhood friend of Miguel Aguasvivas.

Estrella recorded the conversations with the detective and sent them to Miguel Aguasvivas along with a photograph from the detectives drivers license profile.

Suspecting something was not right, the detective confirmed Estrellas true identity by checking the phone extension from which Archuela was calling. That led to the Orange County Sheriffs Office, who hired him in 2022. A search of Miguel Aguasvivas phone  which he allowed  revealed the recordings and the photograph, and deputies obtained a warrant for Estrellas arrest.

If he didnt release the phone, I dont know if we would ever know this, Lemma said.

Estrella turned himself in to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility and was charged with illegal interception of communications, illegal disclosure of communications, disclosure of confidential criminal justice information, among other crimes.

In a statement, Sheriff John Mina said his deputy was accused of very serious allegations.

It is completely unacceptable for any law enforcement officer to misuse the power and authority of their job, said Mina said. At the Orange County Sheriffs Office, we hold our deputies to the highest ethical standards, and we will not tolerate anyone breaking the law within our ranks.

Lemma told reporters the deputys actions had no effect on his agencys investigation but questioned Aguasvivas motivation to get the information.

Before his wife was kidnapped, Lemma said she called Aguasvivas to tell him she was being followed. Aguasvivas told her not to leave the car but did not report the pursuit nor her disappearance to authorities.

Though Aguasvivas is not considered a suspect or a person of interest, Lemma said he found it strange that Aguasvivas did not call 911 if he believed his wife was in danger.

I think that theres a lot of blanks that he can help fill in about the circumstances involving this particular crime and, now, potentially other crimes, Lemma said.
With New York's ban on puppy, kitten and rabbit sales in pet shops inching closer, some New Jersey lawmakers are working to stop the market from flooding into New Jersey and end what they call a cruel practice.

New York's ban was signed in 2022 and goes into effect in December.

State Sens. Brian Stack and Raj Mukherji, both D-Hudson and Assemblywomen Shama A. Haider, D-Bergen and Luanne M. Peterpaul, D-Monmouth introduced legislation that will prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet shops, "effectively cutting off the cruel puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline," they said in a news release.

The lawmakers say recent public records obtained by the Humane Society of the United States are evidence of the urgent need for their legislation to move forward. They say the records "show that thousands of weeks-old puppies have been trucked to New Jersey pet stores from massive Midwest puppy mills that keep dogs in conditions no New Jerseyan would knowingly support."

The Humane Society of the United States is assisting the Johnston County Sheriffs Office in the rescue of dozens of dogs and puppies from a rural property as part of an alleged cruelty situation at two puppy mills in Milburn, Okla on Monday, March 11, 2024.

They say further that at least three stores bought puppies from a puppy mill that racked up over 120 federal Animal Welfare Act violations and stores regularly bought from mills with hundreds of dogs, filthy conditions and stacked, wire cages, some of which "have been cited by federal or state agencies for emaciated dogs, dead puppies, excessive feces and dogs with severe dental issues, open wounds, fleas and lice, injuries and signs of heat distress."

More: He was bitten and starving. But a Marlboro woman trained this pit bull to help NJ veteran

Im proud to sponsor A4051, which acknowledges that selling commercially bred, weeks old puppies like mere products on a shelf is outdated and unacceptable," Haider said.

The lawmakers say that the Humane Pet Store Bill (S2511/A4051) also would:

Shield consumers from misleading sales tactics, sick puppy sales, disease outbreaks and predatory puppy loans.

Require 17 puppy stores to phase out the sale of commercially raised puppies and transition to the model most pet stores already follow, which is focused on products, services and hosting adoption events.

Drive the pet market towards more humane sources like shelters, rescues and responsible breeders.

Codify into state law what has already been enacted in 145 New Jersey communities.

The lawmakers say that the legislation has "widespread support" from animal welfare organizations, humane pet stores, veterinarians and cities and counties across the state, noting that there are 48 pet stores that support the bill, compared with only 17 in the state that sell puppies.

"I am in support of A4051, which will help stop the cycle of animal cruelty perpetuated by puppy mills and retailers looking to make a profit at the expense of vulnerable animals and families. ... Lets support the vast majority of pet stores in our state that dont engage in puppy mill sales, and the adoption agencies and responsible breeders who provide a humane source for pets," Peterpaul said in the news release.

New Jersey pet shops selling puppies, kittens and bunnies raised in shockingly cruel conditions is simply against the values of our pet-loving state. Im proud to sponsor S2511 to give companion animals the protections they deserve, protect consumers and ensure that the few stores currently selling puppies transition to a more humane business model," said Stack and Mukherji in the release.

Meet Gus: Deals newest firefighter is a rescued dog

Brian Hackett, director of government and community relations for Associated Humane Societies said the bill comes at a time when shelters across the country are facing a capacity crisis and are struggling.

"When our shelters receive sick and behaviorally challenged pets people bought from pet stores, we bear all the costs, while the retail puppy outlets make thousands in profits pushing cruelly bred puppies from mills onto unsuspecting consumers," he said.

New York, Maryland, Maine, Illinois, Oregon, Washington, California and nearly 500 localities across the United States have enacted humane pet store laws, according to the release, and Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Michigan have legislation pending.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ lawmakers support Humane Pet Store bill that targets puppy mills
I shot down drones over Israel and was back in my office sending emails by 4pm

An Israeli reservist fighter pilot said it was like Top Gun meets Star Wars as he described how he shot down Iranian missiles and was back at work in his office before the end of the day.

The pilot, identified as Major G, said that taking to the skies to defend Israel from more than 350 missiles and drones was the most complex mission of my life.

It really was a different thing with hundreds of those UAVs and missiles in the air getting intercepted around you, like Top Gun meets Star Wars, endless explosions and interceptions going on around you, he told The Telegraph.

It was the most complicated mission Ive done in 20 years in the air force, knowing that if there is a missed target, maybe it blows up in Israel, he said.

We flew in an amazing coalition with the US, UK and other forces and on the one hand it was a very aggressive attack co-ordinated by Iran, one which maybe we havent seen in modern warfare, but youre seeing absolute defence in action.

A drone is launched in an undisclosed area in Iran during the attack on Israel - Tasnim News Agancy/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

The US, UK, France and Jordan all helped Israel thwart the onslaught, with RAF Typhoons shooting down several targets and helping allied pilots track others as they sped towards Israel.

Iran claims the barrage was a response to a suspected Israeli air strike earlier this month on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed a top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander and several other officers. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack amidst a years-long shadow war between the two countries.

With more than 3,000 hours of flying time, Major G was well-prepared for night missions. But hunting low-flying cruise missiles puts pilots in serious danger.

Its always harder to find and take down these targets in the night. Theyre flying really low and so you fly low too but youre unable to see the ground, he said.

You rely on sensors, but at some points its really close. Youre seeing street lights or other things on the ground very close to you and its a very uncomfortable feeling. But were well trained for that and weve proven this time that we know how to get the job done.

Major G was at home with his wife and children when the call came to scramble.

They are already familiar with the situation when you get the call and grab the bag thats always ready in the closet and you leave at a moments notice. It happens every now and then, but nothing as extreme as last Saturday.

An Iranian ballistic missile which the IDF claims was retrieved from the Dead Sea after Iran launched its attack - Amir Cohen/REUTERS

A lawyer by day, by 4pm Sunday, the reservist was back in the office shooting off emails as opposed to shooting down missiles. Like the others in his squadron, who are the likes of engineers and teachers, it is a complex double life they lead. I took a shower, went to sleep for a few hours, woke up, had a great breakfast and went back to work, he said, back at the office by 4pm.

Its a complicated transition but you learn how to do it as you go by. One minute youre shooting down drones somewhere in the Middle East, risking your life, barely making it, with this huge responsibility on missions important for the entire country and people, then you go back to your day-to-day chores, you get the kids ready for school, take them to daycare, people harass you at work with their tasks which are important, but you have to get used to that diving in and out of that operational world, he said.

In the last six months of war, triggered by Hamass attack on Israel on Oct 7, there have been many aerial missions but none as significant  or dangerous  as this.

Here it was a whole battlefield, you see the ballistic missiles in the sky getting blown up, the fireballs as a target gets blown up, youre flying low altitude at night, then when you fire your own missile blowing up that target right on your nose, thats a pretty incredible frame to look at, he recalled.

Missiles are blown up in the sky - Ronen Zvulun/REUTERS

Its dark so you cant see a lot but its in your radar lock. Its very noisy as the missile flies out and you see it burn in the sky. It takes a second and a half until it hits and its like slow motion and you focus on making sure it hits the target. You see a huge fireball and you try to sidestep it so you dont hit it.

Major G and his wingman shot down two targets and in formation with his squadron shot a combination of drones and cruise missiles.

He said this mission was about being the hunters. Its not the situation where you get fired at as well which weve also dealt with. The main risk wasnt losing the planes but missing the targets and having that hit in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, or another strategic target in Israel. There is no second chance. We couldnt say for sure wed get all of them but happily we did.

The outcome exceeded expectations, he told The Telegraph. Intercepting cruise missiles or UAVs flying at low altitude at night is probably one of the most challenging missions you can try to accomplish.

It requires finding them which is very challenging but getting into position is very hard, without hitting the ground, hitting other planes, without risking your own plane. Im not sure other air forces couldve performed that. Youre really taking yourself to the edge.

Now a national hero, he says his work is simply very important for Israel in general. And this mission was different from all others.

I came back home early in the morning Sunday and typically you cant talk about what youve done but this was all over the news and I saw the pride in my wifes eyes. She felt safer than the night before so knowing you make a difference in peoples lives and make them safer in their own homes is the reason we do this.

It could have ended very differently. These missiles and UAVs, ballistics, flying into Israel were meant to come here. Some had half a ton of explosives. You could see where they were headed and how they were travelling. These werent aiming to hit outside the border.

As the world awaits what comes next, he admits he is very happy Im not the one who has to take the decision though he is on standby at all times. We are all hoping for a peaceful solution in the end.

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Singapore's outgoing prime minister will stay on as senior minister, his successor says

FILE - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gestures during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following a bilateral meeting at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Australia on March 5, 2024. Lee will relinquish his office on May 15 and hand the post to his deputy Lawrence Wong, his office said Monday, April 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair, File)

SINGAPORE (AP)  Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will stay on in the government as senior minister after he steps down next month, his successor said Tuesday.

Lee, 72, announced Monday that he will end his 20-year rule and hand over to his deputy Lawrence Wong on May 15.

Lee is the eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapores first prime minister who built the resource-poor city-state into one of the worlds richest nations during 31 years in office.

Wong will be Singapore's fourth leader since independence in 1965. The transition has been carefully crafted in the wealthy city-state known for its tight government control, media censorship and use of oppressive laws against dissidents.

Wong, who is also finance minister, credited Lee for Singapore's strong economic growth and said he was glad that he agreed to stay on as senior minister. former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong had also served as senior ministers after stepping down.

Wong said the Cabinet will remain largely unchanged, at least until the next general elections due late next year.

For this moment, though, there should not be any major changes because our system works on the basis of continuity and progressive change, he told a news conference. The bigger changes to the cabinet lineup will likely happen only after the next general election.

Wong said he will focus on tackling immediate concerns around jobs, rising cost of living and taking care of vulnerable groups. Another priority is to recruit new candidates for elections as part of progressive change, he said.

We have many challenges to tackle, but also many opportunities to chart a new way forward for ourselves and our nation. So work with me and my team. Let us write a new chapter for the Singapore story, Wong said.

Wong came to prominence while helping to coordinate Singapores fight against COVID-19. The People's Action Party, one of the worlds longest-serving, retained its supermajority with 83 out of 93 parliamentary seats in 2020 general elections. But that was its worst performance after losing some seats as support slipped.
Tiffany Machel Adams, 54, was reportedly a member of "God's Misfits," which authorities allege is an anti-government religious group

GoFundMe (2) Veronica Butler (left), Jilian Kelley

Tiffany Machel Adams is reportedly a member of "God's misfits," an anti-government religious group, and a former local GOP chair, per reports

Adams was allegedly in a custody battle with Veronica Butler, the mother of her son's children, per authorities

Butler was scheduled to be granted unsupervised visitation with her children before she disappeared, investigators say

A grandmother and former politician who was among four arrested in connection with the murder of two Kansas women was allegedly in a bitter custody battle with one of the victims, according to authorities.

Tiffany Machel Adams, 54, of Keys, Okla., has been charged with several offenses, including murder, in connection with the killings of Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley, who disappeared under suspicious circumstances on March 30, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said on Saturday.

Authorities launched an investigation when the car in which the women were traveling was found abandoned on the side of the road, Texas County Sheriff's Department said at the time.

On March 30, deputies responded to the site of the abandoned car and found some things that just werent adding up, prompting them to notify OSBI, Sheriff Matt Boley said at a press conference on Monday.

Hunter McKee of OSBI confirmed at Mondays press conference, which was live-streamed by KFDA, that there was significant physical evidence at the scene of disappearance that indicated foul play.

On Saturday, Adams was arrested alongside her boyfriend Tad Bert Cullum, 43, Cole Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44, per the OSBI statement. All four have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.

Plea and attorney information were not available for the four suspects in online records as of Tuesday.

On Sunday, authorities discovered two bodies in rural Texas County in connection with the arrests but did not disclose the names of the victims, according to an OSBI statement.

Related: 4 Arrested After Bodies Found in Connection with Disappearance of 2 Women in Oklahoma

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation/Facebook Cole Earl Twombly (L) Tifany Machel Adams (R)

During their investigation, authorities say they learned Adams, grandmother to Butlers children, was allegedly embroiled in a bitter custody battle with the victim, the Des Moines Register, FOX 25 and WRHN reported.



Authorities said Adams is the mother of Butlers former romantic partner, per the outlets.



Adams allegedly told police she spoke with Butler in the morning on March 30, when Butler was scheduled to pick up the children from her, the Des Moines Register, FOX 25 and WRHN reported, citing a probable cause affidavit. Police say that according to Adams, Butler told her she would not be able to make the pickup.

But when Butler did not return home that day, her family members grew concerned and notified police after they located her vehicle, per the affidavit, the outlets reported.

At a hearing scheduled for April 17, Butler was reportedly expected to be granted unsupervised visitation of the children, her lawyer told OSBI, per FOX 25 and the Des Moines Register.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation/Facebook Cora Twombly (L) Tad Bert Cullum (R)

Related: Preacher's Wife and Her Friend Go Missing in 'Suspicious Disappearance,' Okla. Police Say

Adams' son, the father of Butler's child, himself claimed that his mother would often keep his children away from him, the affidavit alleges, the Des Moines Register reported. Investigators say they reviewed recordings where Adams' son allegedly claimed that Adams and Callum had made death threats in connection with the custody issue, per affidavit, the outlet reports.

Adams is a former Cimarron County GOP chair, according to Republican leaders, the Des Moines Register reported.

The investigation revealed that all four suspects belonged to an anti-government religious group called "God's Misfits" and would meet regularly, per the affidavit, the Des Moines Register and FOX 25 reported. (The Facebook page for "God's Misfits" has made several posts denouncing the alleged crimes and refuting claims by police they are anti-government).

A teenager identified as a relative of Cora Twombly's allegedly told investigators that Cora said she and her husband Earl were headed out for a "mission" the day before the women went missing, per the affidavit, the Des Moines Register reported.

The teen allegedly said she was tasked with cleaning the couple's truck after they returned, and was told Butler and Kelley may have been put in a well, per the affidavit, the outlet reported.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The teen also allegedly claimed the four suspects, and another man who has not been arrested, have been plotting the killing since February and one point decided to throw an anvil through Butler's windshield while driving, making it look like an accident because anvils regularly fall off of work vehicles, the affidavit alleges, the Des Moines Register reported.



Families of Butler and Kelley have set up GoFundMe fundraisers for the victims.



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Read the original article on People.
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Two women were arrested by SLED Thursday for failure to report abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult at Pee Dee Regional Center in Florence, according to arrest warrants.

Adria Denise Davis, 52, of Columbia and Tominka Tunisia Grant, 44, of Blythewood are both accused of not protecting a vulnerable resident who was being physically assaulted, warrants show.

Davis and Grant formerly worked at Pee Dee Regional Center on National Cemtery Road. Davis was a facility administrator and Grant was a residential director.

Both had knowledge that a resident was bitten by another resident, and knowingly and willfully neglected the victim by not taking actions to maintain the health and safety of the victim or protect the victim from further physical assaults from the other resident after assuring the victims guardian that safeguards would be put into place, warrant shows.

Warrants state that the victim suffered numerous physical injuries over a period of time from June 2023 to January 2024. The allegations were gathered through interviews, documents, and information provided by SLED.

* * *

Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylors work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
By Jan Lopatka and Gabriela Baczynska

(Reuters) - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Tuesday refused to implement the European Union's new migration system in his country, a sign that tensions around the matter are set to remain high despite a reform sealed after years of talks.

Approved last week by the European Parliament, the bloc's new migration pact promises to shorten security and asylum procedures and increase returns to reduce unwanted immigration from the Middle East and Africa, a high priority for the EU.

After eight years of feuds between the bloc's 27 member states, the pact lays out a delicate balance of rights and obligations between arrival countries such as Italy and rich destinations such as Germany.

Billed by the EU as a major win addressing concerns among citizens ahead of European Parliament elections in June, it allows countries unwilling to host any of the mostly Muslim new arrivals to pay instead.

"We are saying unequivocally that you cannot order a country that it must accept, in the Slovak case, up to 300 migrants you know nothing about, or pay 20,000 euros per each," Fico told a press conference after visiting the foreign ministry.

"That is not solidarity, that is dictate," said Fico, adding that his Smer-SSD party and Slovakia's ruling coalition would vote against related laws in the national parliament.

To enter into force for the entire EU, the agreement must still be rubber-stamped by member countries that would then have two years to implement it.

The package is expected to win the necessary majority when EU countries vote on it, something an official said was now expected in early May though a final date had yet to be set.

The EU - a wealthy bloc of some 450 million inhabitants - has been seeking to reduce irregular immigration since more than a million people, mostly Syrian refugees, arrived across the Mediterranean in 2015.

Fewer than 48,000 people got in so far this year, according to U.N. data.

WARSAW, BUDAPEST, BRATISLAVA

Fico's comments come after Poland also rejected the rules for sharing out between EU states the task of hosting refugees and migrants arriving outside of regular border crossings.

Hungary was also against, a government spokesman said last week, adding Budapest considered the system "not workable".

"It's doomed to fail," Zoltan Kovacs told journalists.

Warsaw, Bratislava and Budapest are far short of votes to sink the deal on their own.

Member states that violate shared laws can be sued by the bloc's executive European Commission and eventually be fined by the top EU court, the European Court of Justice. All three countries have lost migration cases there before.

Since taking power in Slovakia for the fourth time, Fico has spoken out against some EU policies, including on Russia's war in Ukraine, as well as seeking to engage more with China.

At the same time, his changes to the judiciary at home have raised concern over damaging democracy in Slovakia, something that could hurt the flow of EU funds to the country of nearly 5.5 million people in the bloc's east.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague, Gabriela Baczynska and Nette Noestlinger in Brussels; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Small gift cards can be a key tool to stop stimulant addiction, but stigma stands in the way

Clyde Davis battled a methamphetamine and heroin addiction for over nine years. He tried various treatment programs, but none worked for him before he reached his insurance maximum and was forced to discharge.

I was trying to die; just putting myself through torture because I didnt feel like I deserved to live and be happy, Davis said.

Then three years ago, he became one of the first participants in a new contingency management program at the Rimrock Foundation, Montanas oldest nonprofit addiction treatment center.

Contingency management uses positive reinforcement as a behavioral treatment for stimulant addiction. People are rewarded with small-value gift cards or vouchers for submitting urine drug tests negative for stimulants.

Decades of research show that it is the most effective treatment for stimulant addiction, but it has not been widely implemented due to policy barriers and stigma.

The program changed the game for Davis. He said that the rewards and counseling gave him hope and made him more willing to accept help.

I was able to get myself some clothes, something to eat, he said. It really motivated me to want to keep showing up and keep having clean [drug tests].

Davis graduated from the 12-week program successfully and has abstained from drugs ever since. He now works as a rehabilitation technologist at the Rimrock Foundation, alongside the people who he says helped save his life.

I am living a life that I never thought I would ever dream of living. Its beautiful, he said.

Stimulants are a class of drugs that speed up the bodys systems and can lead to increased alertness, energy and feelings of euphoria. These drugs can be very addicting because they flood the brain with dopamine, hijacking reward pathways, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Prescription stimulants are used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Other stimulants, like methamphetamine and cocaine, are considered drugs of abuse, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. Misuse of these drugs is associated with agitation, hostility, panic, aggression, and suicidal or homicidal tendencies.

Illegal stimulants, like methamphetamine and cocaine, are playing an increasingly large role in the national overdose crisis. Experts have called it the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic. While the first wave of opioid overdose deaths was driven by prescription opioids, the second wave by heroin, the third wave by synthetic opioids, this fourth wave is characterized by extremely potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl and concurrent stimulant use.

Illegal stimulants, like methamphetamine and cocaine, are playing an increasingly large role in the national overdose crisis. - Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that overdose deaths in the United States involving cocaine increased by more than 5-fold, and overdose deaths involving methamphetamine increased by more than 14-fold between 2011 and 2021. In 2021, more than 106,000 people died of a drug overdose in the United States  and over half of those deaths involved a stimulant.

Michael McDonell, professor of community and behavioral health at the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, said that the increasing potency of stimulants is one factor contributing to the uptick in stimulant-involved overdose deaths. Another factor is the increasing concurrent use of stimulants and opioids, he said. Some people purposefully mix the two to use the upper effect of the stimulant to offset the fatigue caused by opioids, while others inadvertently end up taking stimulants contaminated with opioids.

In many cases the supply is so mixed that people dont even know what they are using, McDonell wrote in an email.

Given the danger of deadly overdose from this mixed supply, effective treatments for both opioid and stimulant addiction are necessary and urgent, he added.

While there are medication-based therapies like methadone and buprenorphine approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for opioid addiction, no such treatments exist for stimulant addiction.

What were finding in our program is that a lot of our patients, while theyre finding success in recovery from opioid use disorder, the concurrent stimulant use disorder is causing a lot of problems and really getting in the way of the treatment, said Katie Chiasson-Downs, lead clinician for addiction services at West Virginia University.

How contingency management works

Contingency management is the most effective behavioral treatment for stimulant addiction, but it remains underutilized, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Were in the midst of a crisis of fatal overdose in the United States. Its largely driven by opioids, but its also driven by stimulant use disorder, said Dominick DePhilippis, deputy national mental health director for substance use disorders in the Veterans Health Administration. Theres a moral imperative to make this very effective treatment available to patients. It can save lives.

Contingency management encourages abstinence using positive reinforcement. The approach has proven highly effective in multiple clinical trials at keeping people addicted to stimulants in treatment and reducing their drug use in both the short-term and the long-term.

Program structures vary, but most are 12 weeks long and require participants to submit two urine drug tests over the course of a week  this schedule is based on the two-to-three-day detection window for stimulants, DePhilippis said. When a participant submits a negative urine drug test, they receive a reward in the form of a voucher or gift card ranging in value from $5 to $25. The rewards have restrictions on them so participants cannot purchase firearms, alcohol, other drugs, or anything related to gambling, he added.

Clyde Davis struggled with a meth and heroin addiction for nine years before enrolling in a contingency management program that helped turn his life around. - Courtesy Clyde Davis

Clyde Davis is now three years sober and works as a rehabilitation technologist, helping others recover from addiction. - Courtesy Clyde Davis

Often programs will escalate the amount of the reward to encourage consistent behavior, DePhilippis said. For example, the first two negative drug tests will be rewarded with $5, the next two with $6.25 and so on. If participants submit a positive urine drug test after a streak of negative ones, the value of the reward resets back to the starting amount.

Consistency is critical to recovery, DePhilippis said. When someones brain is chronically exposed to stimulants, their reward centers become dysfunctional to the point where they can no longer derive pleasure from everyday activities such as being with loved ones or eating a good meal. However, research has shown that the brain can heal if it is given time away from the drugs.

Contingency management is like a scaffold we place on the brain to allow the brain to heal so that in the long run, when we withdraw the incentives, the naturally occurring incentives that come from recovery can maintain the behavior, DePhilippis said.

DePhilippis has been running the Veterans Health Administrations contingency management program for stimulant addiction since 2011  the largest implementation of the approach to date. He said the program has treated over 6,800 participants and the outcomes are comparable to what is found in research. Of the over 88,000 urine drug tests submitted, more than 92% have tested negative for the target drug, he said.

You can take this treatment from bench to bedside. It translates effectively in a complex healthcare organization, DePhilippis said.

Contingency management has been shown to reduce complications of substance use and promote better health outcomes, including better heart health and a reduction in high-risk sexual behaviors in people who use drugs, according to an HHS report. It is also associated with positive social outcomes, such as improvements in employment and in family and social relationships.

I dont want to feel sick like that anymore

Matt Cottrell was in his last year of high school in West Virginia when he started abusing prescription opioid pills. Things spiraled from there  for the next 22 years, he struggled with an opioid and methamphetamine addiction.

Its a bigger struggle than anybody would ever imagine, he said. Its one thing I would never wish on any human being, not even my worst enemy.

Cottrell, who is now 41 years old, entered a comprehensive opioid addiction treatment program at West Virginia University run by Chiasson-Downs in the spring of 2022 that utilized the contingency management approach. He successfully graduated from the program, and this spring marks his second year abstinent from drugs.

The contingency management program makes you feel good, it actually gives you hope, he said. It makes you feel like theres somebody out there wanting to see you succeed instead of fail.

He said that the program gave him a sense of self-efficacy and helped him realize that he could do something good with his life if he tried. He used the rewards he got for negative urine drug tests to buy gas so he could drive to and from the treatment center and to buy snacks at work.

Gradually, the naturally occurring rewards of recovery became clear to him and motivated him to stay sober even after the program was over.

Its a better life being able to go to work and function, he said. I dont want to feel sick like that anymore.

Nowadays, Cottrell spends his time working at a lumber yard and fixing up cars  hes currently working on restoring a Ford Bronco. He said these activities give him a newfound sense of purpose.

Barriers to implementation

While contingency management was life-changing for both Cottrell and Davis, the treatment is not a perfect solution for everyone struggling with a stimulant addiction, Chiasson-Downs said.

I see it as a tool in the bigger toolbox, she said. Theres the therapy component, the peer support component, the contingency management component. We want patients recovery to be well-rounded so we as a treatment system need to be well-rounded.

Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, echoed this sentiment and said that combining contingency management with other approaches, such as community reinforcement programs, can improve outcomes in the long run.

Contingency management has been criticized for being a short-term solution that does not lead to long-term recovery, Volkow said. While there are studies that show that it is does effectively lower drug use for up to one year, more research is needed to evaluate and improve the long-term efficacy of the approach. She also said that more research is needed to develop medication-assisted therapies for stimulant addiction.

As there are currently no medications approved to treat stimulant addiction, contingency management remains the most effect intervention, but it faces some challenges to implementation due to stigma and policy barriers, McDonell said.

The approach has received some pushback due to moral concerns about paying people for refraining from harmful, and in some cases, illegal activity, DePhilippis said. Although these criticisms are in good faith, he said, they are misguided.

In contingency management, we are reinforcing a behavior that is in the patients best interest, he said.

McDonell said that the stigma tends to fade once people learn more about the approach and witness its benefits.

Implementation of contingency management also faces policy and funding challenges, McDonell said. Under current government fraud and abuse laws, a contingency management reward could be considered an illegal kickback: an incentive for a user to enter a program that the operator is compensated for on the basis of enrollment. While these laws are important for preventing fraud, they should be revised to exempt contingency management which is an evidence-based health intervention, he added.

Another barrier is the $75 annual limit per client that HHS imposes on grant recipients, McDonell said. This limit is well below the scientifically established value of incentives required for effective contingency management (closer to $599 or more over 12 weeks), he said.

DePhilippis added that the $75 limit is problematic because it may miscast contingency management as an ineffective treatment, when in fact it is the implementation that is wrong.

Its like giving an effective medication, but at an ineffective clinical dose, he said.

Dr. Yngvild Olsen, director of the federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, said at the 2024 Rx and Illicit Drug Summit that SAMHSA is aware that the grant limit is subtherapeutic and the matter of increasing it is under review.

In the meantime, certain states like California, Washington, Montana and Delaware have gained approval to use federal funds to pay for contingency management as a Medicaid benefit and to evaluate its effectiveness at scale. California launched a state-wide pilot in 2023 that aims to implement the approach at 166 sites across 24 counties.

Contingency management may have its challenges in implementation, but its effectiveness is unquestionable, DePhilippis said. The need for it is unquestionable.

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Smoking ban UK: What does the new bill do as MPs vote to ban tobacco for generation alpha?

MPs have voted to pass a landmark smoking bill which the government says will create the UKs first smokefree generation.

First announced in the Kings speech last November, the controversial bill passed through Commons on Tuesday (April 16) as Labour threw their weight behind it. It was not without opposition.

56 Tory MPs voted against Rishi Sunaks bill, while a further to 106 either abstained or were absent. However, members had been given a free vote by the government, meaning they have not been told which way to vote. This softens the blow for Mr Sunak in against this backbench rebellion.

The new bill has been backed by many medical bodies and health charities as a positive step in tackling the UKs biggest preventable killer.

Health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins said: Too many people know someone whose life has been tragically cut short or irreversibly changed because of smoking.

Which despite significant progress remains the UKs biggest preventable killer.

This Bill will save thousands of lives, ease the strain on our NHS, and improve the UKs productivity.

Does the new bill ban smoking for everyone?

The bill prevents anyone born after 1 January 2009 from purchasing tobacco products, ever. This would mean children aged 15 today  in Generation Alpha  will never be able to buy a pack of cigarettes.

Professor Steve Turner, president of the Royal College for Paediatrics and Child Health, has backed the bill, citing the benefits for young people.

By stopping children and young people from becoming addicted to nicotine and tobacco we decrease their chances of developing preventable diseases later in life, and will protect children from the harms of nicotine addiction, he said.

However, opponents of the bill argue the smoking ban denies young people the right to make their own decisions when they reach adulthood.

Simon Clark, director of the Forest smokers rights group told The Independent: The generational smoking ban will infantilise future generations of adults. When you are 18 you are legally an adult and should be treated like one.

At 18 you can drive a car, join the army, possess a credit card, purchase alcohol and vote, so you also be allowed to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products.

This is not about protecting children. The legal age of sale is already 18 so if you want to stop children smoking the answer is to crack down on illicit sellers, not adults who choose to smoke.

Will the smoking ban affect vaping?

The ban on purchasing tobacco products will not be extended to vaping products, the government has confirmed.

However, the bill will bring some new restrictions to vaping products by restricting the flavours available and regulating packaging. These measures aim to make vaping less appealing to children.

While vaping can play a useful role in helping adult smokers to quit, non-smokers and children should never vape, says a spokesperson for the Department of Health.

The long-term health impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine contained within them can be highly addictive.

Why are some MPs voting against the bill?

The smoking bill has been criticised by some Conservative politicians as illiberal, coming with the risk of creating a two-tier system where older adults can buy tobacco and while younger adults cant.

Former Tory prime ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson are amongst those who have spoken out against the bill, while MP Simon Clarke has criticised the optics.

I think, it actually risks making smoking cooler. It certainly risks creating a black market and it also risks creating a unmanageable challenge for the authorities, he said.

The smoking ban marks a world first, putting the UKs anti-smoking legislation amongst some of the strictest anywhere. New Zealands new government recently dropped plans for a similar policy following political pressure.

Englands chief medical officer Chris Whitty has advised the government to ignore smoking proponents and lobbyists, telling BBC Radio 4s Today:

The majority, the great majority, of smokers wish they had never started, but they become addicted at an early age and then theyre trapped and their choice has been taken away by that addiction.

This is one of the reasons why the argument that if youre pro-choice, youre in favour of cigarettes is so surprising, because this is a product which is designed to take your choice away from you.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg collected a cool $850,000 in donations after indicting former President Donald Trump last March  with powerful Democrats and left-leaning labor unions cheering on the prosecution with their wallets, records show.

In the most recent campaign filing period, Braggs re-election campaign received $481,203 in donations from July 12, 2023 through Jan. 12  $100,000 more than the $374,785 raised during the prior six month period.

The political action committee of state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie  a Bronx Democrat who has been criticized for championing soft-on-crime policies such as the cashless bail law  gave $1,000, records show.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs re-election campaign has collected $850,000 in donations since he indicted former President Donald Trump. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

Democratic-allied unions also showered Braggs campaign with donations: including $15,000 from the New York Hotel Trades Council; $5,000 apiece from the United Federation of Teachers and Local 32BJ representing building workers; $2,500 from the Bricklayers and Allied Craft workers; and $1,500 from the NYS Nurses Association, according to campaign records filed with the state Board of Elections.

A first-term incumbent, Bragg, a Democrat, is up for re-election next year. He had a cash balance of $833,819 in his campaign kitty, a haul first reported by Newsweek on Monday.

Most of Braggs contributions came from New York residents, mainly well-heeled donors who reside in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Mega-Democratic Party donor Lisa Minsky-Primus, a New York doctor and philanthropist who runs a foundation looking to protect democracy, donated $25,000 to Bragg last September.

Bragg also scored with wealthy financiers. Richard Cashin, the chairman of One Equity Partners, the private equity investment unit of JP Morgan Chase, donated $25,000 to the DAs reelection bid, while investment banker Ronald Blaylock, founder of GenNx360 Capital Partners, gave $10,000, records show.

Trump in court for the firs day of his New York hush money trial on April 15, 2024. ANGELA WEISS/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Democratic political insiders said Bragg has been low-key and not going out of his way to raise campaign dough off his prosecution of Trump, unlike state Attorney General Letitia James and others.

But they also note that Bragg and his campaign treasury have benefitted anyway because the case  accusing Trump of falsifying business records to hide s hush money payment to ex-porn star Stormy Daniels  has raised his profile.

Follow The Posts live blog for the latest updates on Donald Trumps hush money trial

There are others who have used the Trump indictments to raise money. Bragg has not done that, said Democratic campaign consultant Chris Coffey.

Having said that, the Trump trial has Bragg raised his profile. Im sure that gave him a boost in donations, added Coffey.

Bragg is up for re-election next year. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

Democratic strategist Eric Koch noted the fact that about 70% of Braggs donations came from New York, showing that even as someone who is on the national stage hes also got a lot of local support.

He said Bragg has handled the drama of the Trump case incredibly well.

But former Republican Sen. Al DAmato said the decision to prosecute a former president in what he and other critics consider a flimsy case speaks volumes.

Bragg is now known as the DA in the country who is taking on Trump. Hes doing all he can to get publicity for bringing the case, said DAmato.

Hes solidifying his political base in New York by going after Trump. The whole thing is political. Its absolutely ridiculous.

Braggs campaign insisted it did not do any serious fundraising until June of last year, and did not promote the Trump case.

A campaign rep on Monday said Bragg is focusing on his job.

New Yorkers are embracing Alvin Braggs comprehensive agenda to keep Manhattan safe that includes working with law enforcement to target those driving violent crime and increasing gun prosecutions by more than 20%, said the DAs campaign spokesman Richard Fife.

He said Bragg has rolled out new mental health programs to prevent crime and get people the help they need and created a special division to help survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, while connecting young people with jobs and programs.

These plans are getting results: as the New York Post reported this week, New York City has seen a 15% dip in killings in the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, said Fife.
NEW DELHI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 29 Naxals, including a top commander, were killed and three members of government forces wounded Tuesday in a fierce gunfight in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said.

The gunfight between Naxals and joint contingents of the police's District Reserve Guard (DRG) and paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) broke out in Chhotebethiya area of Kanker district, about 264 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.

According to the police, the gunfight broke out after the contingents of the police cordoned off the forest area on specific intelligence information suggesting the presence of the Naxals.

"The Naxal death toll in today's gunfight has risen to 29," a police official said. "The slain Naxals include a senior commander - Shankar Rao, who had a bounty of 2.5 million Indian rupees on his head."

The police official said they recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition from the spot, including AK-47, INSAS and LMG rifles.

While fighting these Naxals, three government forces personnel, two BSF men and a policeman, were also wounded and they have been removed to the hospital, the police said, adding the injured were in a stable condition.

Tuesday's killings are seen as a massive setback to the Naxals in the state ahead of India's general elections, which are scheduled to begin from April 19 to June 1 in seven staggered phases.

Naxals usually call for boycotting elections in their dominated areas.

Reports said since the beginning of this year, government forces have killed 50 Naxals in different operations. Apart from this, six government forces personnel and 18 civilians were also killed in the Naxal violence.

Currently, Naxals are active across the central and eastern parts of India.

India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh once termed the Naxalite movement as India's "greatest internal security challenge".

The insurgency reportedly has claimed hundreds of lives besides rendering thousands of poor inhabitants homeless. 
Nicholas Smith has worked as a direct support professional (DSP) for more than 25 years. His role is to help people with intellectual disabilities in Pennsylvania for the organization SPIN.

I believe that this is my calling, Smith told our Washington News Bureau. Im proud. I love the work I do.

But like so many other long-term care workers, Smith has felt the burden of the industrys severe staff shortages.

I am working 60 to 75 hours a work week. So, I give up time with family, said Smith. Something has to give though. Right now, youre seeing across the nation shortages.

Read: Its exceedingly frustrating: $30B in federal aid for seniors go unused each year

Smith shared his experiences with members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging Tuesday as they looked into ways to tackle the long-term care worker crisis.

Lawmakers pointed to a recent survey that revealed around 92 percent of nursing homes and nearly 70 percent of assisted living facilities reported significant worker shortages.

This week, Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced a bill that would invest new funding to help increase pay and benefits for long-term care workers. Its called the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act.

Read: House delivers Mayorkas impeachment articles to the Senate

Caseys office said the median hourly wage for all direct care professionals was $15.43 in 2022 and said one in eight live in poverty.

We have to make these jobs more attractive. That means higher compensation for sure. It means better benefits and treating these individuals like the professionals that we would want taking care of our mother or our father, Casey told our Washington News Bureau. The federal government for too long, for generations now, has failed to invest in those workers. Weve got to do it if were going to have the best long-term care in the world.

But getting Republican support may not be easy. The GOP Ranking Member cautioned against too much federal government involvement.

Read: Heavy smoke from 2 prescribed burns covers parts of Seminole County

We need innovation at the state and local levels to meet this increased demand. We dont need really a lot more from the federal government, said Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) during his opening remarks.

Braun said he instead supports a proposal that allows federal Pell grants to be used for high-quality, short-term job training, including for long-term care, and another measure that reviews grant programs for nurses with the goal of creating more pathways into the workforce.

Caregivers like Smith, meanwhile, say its essential for lawmakers to make helping the long-term care industry a priority.

Right now, we have to definitely try to recruit to get more people into the field, said Smith.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) attacked a Russian modernized Nebo-U long-range radar system in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, a source at SBU told the Kyiv Independent on April 16.

The Nebo-U system was reportedly capable of monitoring the sky 700 kilometers deep into Ukraine, which helped Russian troops detect Ukrainian weapons and support fighter jets dropping guided aerial bombs. The complex has an estimated price tag of around $100 million.

It was hit with seven kamikaze drones and "is no longer operational," the source told the Kyiv Independent.

"Thanks to the destruction of this radar, the enemy has fewer opportunities to detect air targets along Ukraine's northern border," the source said.

"Russians' radar blindness will help our troops to conduct reconnaissance, launch drones and use army aviation in this area more efficiently."

This is the second Nebo-U system reportedly destroyed by Ukraine. The first one was targeted in Belgorod Oblast in Russia, according to SBU.

Other high-value Russian targets recently struck by Ukraine include the Russian Kasta-2E2 radar system, which was reportedly destroyed near occupied Berdiansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Read also: Source: Ukraine hits Russias Engels air base. Can it change how Russia attacks?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Bloomberg) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to listen to peoples voices more closely and improve the lives of the needy in his first public comments since his conservative party suffered a stinging defeat in parliamentary elections last week.

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We must humbly accept the public sentiment expressed through the general election, Yoon said Tuesday after the vote that left him in a weakened position for the remaining three years of his term. Hell face greater opposition to his agenda that includes investor-friendly policies.

We will communicate more and listen to public opinion with a more humble and flexible attitude, he said at a cabinet meeting. His conservative People Power Party bloc took 108 seats in the 300-seat unicameral parliament known as the National Assembly, while the progressive opposition bloc led by the Democratic Party increased its representation to 192 seats. But the opposition did not reach the threshold of 200 seats needed to override a presidential veto.

Yoon has pledged to overhaul his government. His prime minister, chief of staff and many senior secretaries submitted their resignations after the setback at the polls. Yonhap News and other local media said Yoon is looking for replacements as part of his commitment to change course after the election that was the only national referendum during his single, five-year term in office.

Yoon also said he will try to advance structural reform for labor, education, pension systems and the medical field as he seeks to cooperate more closely with parliament. Yoon had faced criticism before the vote of not seeking compromise on key policies.

Yoon said the country must be firmly prepared for any possible impact on South Koreas security and possible North Korean provocations in case Middle East tension intensifies. Kim Jong Uns regime tested an intermediate-range about a week before the vote, but did not engage in any large-scale military activity after that.

Read more: North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Ahead of Souths Vote

Yoon has few options to push legislation through a parliament dominated by the opposition that has enough power to halt filibusters. With a continued majority, the DP-bloc can halt PPP policy priorities that include fiscal restraint, reducing regulations on businesses, taking on labor unions and cutting taxes on real estate transactions.

The vote also took place as a prolonged walkout by trainee doctors upset over plans from Yoons government to increase medical school seats clouded the race. Polls indicated the public was growing tired of the labor dispute even though it sided with the administrations plan to add more doctors.

--With assistance from Seyoon Kim.

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Southern California cities crack down on purchase of alcohol for minors

Four people were arrested in an operation conducted in two Southern California cities last week to stop adults from purchasing alcohol for minors, police said Tuesday.

Operation Shoulder Tap, which targets the adults, was conducted by police in Claremont and Upland on April 12.

The Claremont Police Department described how the operation works in a news release announcing the arrests on Tuesday.

A minor under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy them alcohol, the news release stated.

The minor is also instructed to tell the adult that they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol themselves, police said.

If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the underage person, they can be arrested

and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor, the news release stated.

The four suspects arrested in the operation were not identified but police said the penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

We conduct these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth, said

ABC Director Joseph McCullough. By preventing underage drinking we can

increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUIs.

The news release cited the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in stating that roughly 25% of fatal crashes involve underage drinking.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The Chicago Plan Commission will vote Thursday on whether to approve the demolition of several century-old Southwest Side warehouses considered significant by historic preservationists, and replace them with a single, $44 million modern distribution facility.

The developer, Atlanta-based IDI Logistics, says the project will create hundreds of construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs once the 246,000-square-foot building is fully operational.

The properties, located between Pulaski Road and Keeler Avenue along West Ogden Avenue on the border of the North Lawndale and Little Village neighborhoods, were selected earlier this year by Preservation Chicago as among Chicagos most endangered historic structures.

Its really unfortunate that its gotten this far, said Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago.

The 15.5-acre site, bought by the developer for more than $16 million in late 2022, includes the Western Felt Works at 4115 W. Ogden Ave., a 1916 Prairie School-style structure, and a pair of buildings one block west designed in 1918 by noted architect Alfred Alschuler for Turner Manufacturing Co.

Alschuler also designed the London Guarantee Building, now LondonHouse Chicago, a 1920s-era skyscraper on the south side of the Chicago River at the Michigan Avenue Bridge, and the KAM Isaiah Israel synagogue in the South Sides Kenwood neighborhood. Miller said it would be a shame to let developers replace Alschulers industrial work with a blocks-long building that will essentially be a blank wall.

If we allow the city to become a bunch of big box warehouses, what kind of city is that? he asked. Soon it will look like Anywhere, U.S.A., and thats a danger we need to focus on.

IDI Logistics plans to demolish the existing structures and create a single story, 36-foot warehouse distribution building stretching from Pulaski Road to Keeler Avenue, along with 26 loading docks and 271 parking spaces, according to a document it filed with the Chicago Plan Commission.

Renderings show the developer will include trees and an ornamental fence on Ogden Avenue, along with colored designs on its walls. The company has not yet signed up any tenants.

A company spokesperson declined to comment on the proposal. Chicago Department of Planning and Development Deputy Commissioner Peter Strazzabosco said the department does not comment on proposals prior to commission meetings so as not to influence votes. IDI Logistics plan will also need approval from the full City Council.

The buildings are not officially designated landmarks, but Susan Turner Jones, great-granddaughter of August Turner, who emigrated from Russia in the 19th century and founded Turner Manufacturing Co., said her family once employed more than 500 people at the site, which played a key part in making North Lawndale a manufacturing powerhouse.

It was magnificent in its heyday, she said. And there is a beauty to these brick buildings, they are a window into a Chicago that maybe is being destroyed without people realizing it.

Turner Jones worked at the plant in the 1960s when it was one of the nations largest providers of affordable home decorations. But her father died in 1971, and the firm was soon bought by a large multinational company. A collection of small manufacturers and service providers later occupied the three- and four-story buildings.

If IDI Logistics breaks ground, it would likely be one of the few major warehouse projects underway in Chicago. The amount of warehouse space under construction in the metro area at the end of 2023 declined by more than 50% compared with 2022, a sign that the record-breaking post-pandemic boom is over, according to a Colliers report. Logistics Property Co.s 571,000-square-foot, multistory warehouse at 1237 W. Division St. is the only large Chicago development under construction.

Baltazar Enriquez, president of the Little Village Community Council, said hes torn about the proposal from IDI Logistics. He wants to see more jobs created for the Little Village and North Lawndale neighborhoods, but recognizes the value of preserving Chicagos historic architecture and worries a massive truck depot will bring more pollution to an area where residents already suffer from high rates of asthma and other respiratory ailments.

You name it, weve got it and thats why we are fighting for clean air and more clean spaces, he said. We are going to need more information before we decide whether to support this.

Preservation Chicago either wants the development located elsewhere, or for IDI Logistics to incorporate the existing buildings historic facades into the new warehouse, suggestions already shot down by the developer, Miller said.

Turner Jones said she hopes the buildings can once again host small manufacturers who provide jobs requiring more skill, and paying higher wages, than distribution warehouses, but admits that will take a lot of work.

These are older buildings, and there is a lot of wear and tear, so someone would have to come in with a modern vision.
After six grueling months, the U.S. House of Representatives may finally be preparing to vote on a new aid package for Ukraine.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said on April 16 that following new rounds of talks with House Republicans, he planned to advance three separate aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other U.S. allies.

A fourth bill, set to focus on domestic policies in an attempt to appease hard-right Republicans who oppose further aid to Kyiv, will be voted together with the aid bills.

Johnson told reporters following the meeting that he hoped the bills texts would be released on April 16 and a vote could take place as soon as this week. The speaker also said that he may look to unify the bills into one package before sending them to the Senate.

Read also: White House: Johnsons Ukraine, Israel proposal appears to cover desired aid, more details needed

Iran's attack on Israel on April 14 has added pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson to pass further aid after a $95 billion aid package for allies passed in the Senate in February has languished. Meanwhile, Russia has taken advantage of Ukraines growing battlefield ammunition shortages, taking the city of Avdiivka in February.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said last month that Ukraine needs more help ahead of what is expected to be a major Russian offensive in May or June. Ukraine will lose the war without crucial aid, he said.

The aid package to Ukraine and other U.S. partners and allies was first introduced in October 2023. At the time, the White House submitted a new foreign supplemental aid request to Congress. The proposed aid was meant for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other countries.

Ukraine sympathizers carry placards and fly a Ukrainian flag outside the U.S. Capitol building as the Senate works through the weekend on a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine and Israel in Washington, DC on Feb. 11, 2024. (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

In response, Republican members of the House of Representatives and Senate stated that the foreign aid package could not be passed without discussions on U.S. border security and national security reform.

For months, Republicans and Democrats debated the legislation in both chambers of Congress. By December 2023, Republican members of Congress had decided to remove border security from the bill, and it sat for several weeks as U.S. elected officials went on a three-week winter recess.

The aid package was finally passed in the Senate in February 2024 with strong bipartisan support, where 70 out of 100 Senate members voted for it.

It remains unclear whether Johnsons new strategy will manage to garner enough support to get aid to Ukraine and other countries waiting on it.

Russia's gamble

The political squabbles in passing further aid have been costly. As the House deliberates on the foreign aid package, civilians and soldiers alike continue to die in Ukraine.

Delays in the new foreign supplemental aid package have also altered the battlefield, and matters are only set to worsen in these areas if the foreign aid is delayed.

Mykhailo Gonchar, president of the Center for Global Studies, believes Russia will take a new gamble as Ukrainian forces are running critically low on ammunition.

"(The Russians) are preparing to shoot (at) Kharkiv," he said. "The use of anti-aircraft guns is becoming increasingly widespread. Russia is taking advantage" of the situation that new Ukraine aid is stalled in the House.

Given these developments, officials believe Russia is taking this into account when preparing for a new spring offensive.

As a result, discussions on the new foreign supplemental aid package in the House of Representatives have become more pressing. Supporters of Ukraine in the House and Senate have recently urged Speaker Johnson to bring the legislation to a vote.

"Ukraine has broad bipartisan support in the House of Representatives," stated Doug Klain, a policy analyst at Razom for Ukraine, a U.S.-based non-profit humanitarian aid and advocacy organization.

According to Klain, the "preferred option for members of Congress and advocates for Ukraine is that a bill be introduced into the House by the Speaker of the House."

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) leaves the West Wing of the White House after meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) at the White House in Washington, DC on Feb. 27, 2024. (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

There are other ways in which the legislation could be introduced if the bills don't make it to the House floor for a vote. One way is through a discharge petition. This process allows the House to vote on a bill, bypassing the speaker.

A simple majority within the House of Representatives is needed for the discharge petition to be successful. A simple majority is required for the motion to succeed. There are 435 members in the House, meaning only 218 members are needed for a discharge petition to work. The process, however, is very uncommon.

"One risk of forcing the discharge petition is that it could turn Republican leadership against aid for Ukraine," Klain added. "The motion would bypass the standard way of introducing legislation within the House as it goes around Speaker Johnson."

Critics of Ukraine aid argue that the United States has already sent enough money to aid Ukraine. Others have questioned the importance of the aid.

Meanwhile, a majority of the funding for the bill is set to assist with American stockpiles and secure American jobs.

Foreign aid, domestic jobs

At least 31 U.S. states are "producing weapons systems for Ukraine with the aid Congress has (previously) approved, the Washington Post reported. Many of these states have at least two assembly lines producing weapons.

Passing further aid to Ukraine would help replenish U.S. stockpiles with weapons that the U.S. has been sending to Ukraine over the past two years.

This has ranged from High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), and Stryker armored personnel carriers to Abrams tanks, stinger and anti-aircraft missiles, Javelins, and mortar systems.

The Associated Press reported that roughly one-third of the proposed $60 billion aid package would be used to replenish U.S. stockpiles.

Proponents of aid to Ukraine have also pointed to the fact that the bill would help job growth in the U.S.

A shell inspector uses a flashlight to look for flaws inside the cylinders before the nose of the shell is added in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Feb. 01, 2023. Each shell is inspected at least 14 times during the production process. Production of 155mm shells (projectile bombs) at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant has been steady as the U.S. commitment to the war in Ukraine ramps up. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

A Ukrainian soldier prepares 155mm artillery shells in his fighting position as Ukrainian Army conduct operation to target trenches of Russian forces through the Donetsk Oblast amid Russia and Ukraine war in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on Aug. 6, 2023. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

According to the Aerospace Industries Association, the aerospace and defense industry in the United States employs nearly 2 million Americans. The industry is one of the country's largest employers.

Meanwhile, there has also been a surge in revenue for defense contractors in the U.S.

Portions of aid to Ukraine are being allocated to dozens of American states. Over thirty U.S. states across the country directly benefit from the procurement provisions. According to a chart published by Politico, payments to these states range from a few million dollars to well over a billion dollars.

States such as Oregon, New Mexico, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Maryland will earn millions of dollars from the production of munitions and tactical vehicle procurement.

Other states, such as California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and New York will earn well over half a billion dollars for these programs. The states that will gain the most from the Ukraine aid are Arizona, Michigan, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania. At least 71 American cities across the country will directly benefit from the passage of the new aid bill to Ukraine.

155mm artillery shells that are ready to be shipped are stored at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania on April 12, 2023 . (Hannah Beier/Getty Images)

The newly proposed Ukraine assistance will also increase the industrial base and military complex in Republican-leaning states in the Midwest and South, areas where numerous members of the House of Representatives oppose the aid.

"There is a strong argument to be made that aid for Ukraine is an America-first package," argued Andrew D'Anieri, a resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center.

"The bill would strengthen the U.S. industrial base and bring jobs to Americans," he added. "The Ukraine aid bill would help America develop the military capacity to deter further military aggression from China, Russia, and Iran."

Roughly one-third of the proposed new aid to Ukraine (about $20 billion of the proposed $60 billion) would be used to replenish U.S. stockpiles and defense industry employment.

Ukraine's needs

Nearly $14 billion of the proposed aid will allow the Ukraine to purchase weapons and munitions from other countries needed to arm themselves to fight off Russias war.

Another $15 billion will be used for "military training and intelligence sharing." To date, Ukraine has conducted dozens of training exercises with NATO to enhance its defense capabilities and modernize its military forces.

Outside of this $29 billion for Ukrainian defense, another $8 billion will go toward Ukrainian government assistance. The aid will help the Ukrainian government continue to function and conduct day-to-day operations.

Ukraine sympathizers fly a Ukrainian flag outside as the Senate works through the weekend on a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine and Israel at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on Feb. 11, 2024. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

Due to the war, Ukraine has been spending over 30% of its gross domestic product on military expenditures. The aid from the United States will allow the Ukrainian government to allocate resources to other government necessities and programs. Similarly, $1.6 billion of the proposed new aid bill will go toward Ukraine's private sector.

The remaining portion of the proposed $60 billion aid bill will go to assist Ukrainians who have been displaced by the war.

To date, one-fourth of Ukraine's total population has become displaced due to Russia's unprovoked full-scale invasion. Millions have fled the Russian-occupied territories in southern and eastern Ukraine.

Read also: Why some far-right Republicans are hell bent on ending further aid to Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) pushed back on the growing ouster effort against him Tuesday, calling it absurd and not helpful.

The comment came shortly after Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) announced he would co-sponsor Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) motion to vacate resolution, becoming the first lawmaker to publicly back the Georgia Republicans measure.

It is, in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our jobs, Johnson said at a press conference in the Capitol. It is not helpful to the cause, it is not helpful to the country, it does not help the House Republicans advance our agenda which is in the best interest of the American people here  a secure border, sound governance  and its not helpful to the unity that we have in the body.

I am not concerned about this. I am going to do my job, and I think thats what the American people expect of us, he later added.

The Speaker also said he would not resign from the Speakership after Massie called on him to do so during a closed-door conference meeting Tuesday morning.

I am not resigning, he told reporters.

Massie told his colleagues in a closed-door GOP conference meeting Tuesday morning that he would sign on to Greenes motion-to-vacate resolution as a co-sponsor, less than 24 hours after Johnson rolled out the outline of his plan to consider foreign aid.

Under the proposal, the House would hold votes on three separate bills to send aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, in addition to a fourth measure that includes other national security priorities.

In a twist, however, the legislation will not include border security  a change from Johnsons previous stance that any support for Kyiv must be paired with legislation to address the situation at the southern border  sparking opposition among Republicans.

After the private GOP huddle, Massie criticized Johnsons handling of government funding and reauthorizing the U.S.s warrantless surveillance authority, and took a swipe at his plan to stage a vote on Ukraine aid.

Theres only one person right now who could stop us from going into what happened last fall, and thats Mike Johnson, Massie said, referring to the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October.

Hes cleaning the barn, thats obvious, he continued. He had three things to do: He wanted to do an omnibus that broke all the spending records, he wanted to do FISA without warrants, now he wants to do Ukraine. Those are the three things. There are people riding him like a horse here; they dont care when the horse collapses  I do, because its gonna throw our conference into turmoil.

Neither Greene nor Massie have said when a vote on Johnsons ouster could come to the floor. And so far, the two Republicans are the only ones publicly backing the effort.

Some hardline conservatives declined to comment on the motion-to-vacate gambit after Massies announcement. But a large number of Republicans were quick to criticize the ouster push.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said the conference does not need the motion to vacate.

We dont want that. We shouldnt go through that again, he added, calling it a total waste of time and absolute ridiculous concept.

Johnson on Tuesday likened his current position to being a wartime Speaker.

We are in unprecedented times, okay. Were in dangerous times, as has been articulated here, around the world and here at home. We need steady leadership, we need steady hands at the wheel, Johnson said. I regard myself as a wartime Speaker, I mean, in a literal sense we are. I knew that when I took the gavel, I didnt anticipate that this would be an easy path.

He also called for unity as Republicans look to notch wins in the November elections.

We need to win back the Republican majority in the Senate and we need to restore Donald J. Trump to the White House as our nominee. I believe all those things will happen, but we have to have a united front and we have to have our members work together. And well be working today to do that very thing, he said.

Miranda Nazzaro contributed. Updated at 12:31 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., declared that it was the U.S.s "biblical admonition" to help and support Israel during a Monday night speech.

The House GOP leader was addressing an emergency meeting of Christians United For Israel, convened after Irans weekend missile attack on the Middle East American ally.

"I'm going to state something that you all know  at this critical moment, the United States must show unwavering strength and support for IsraelWe have to make certain that the entire world understands that Israel is not alone and God is going to bless the nation that blesses Israel," Johnson said. "We understand that that's our role. It's also our biblical admonition. This is something that's an article of faith for us. It also happens to be great foreign policy."

JOHNSON TO PITCH HOUSE GOP ON ISRAEL, UKRAINE AID PLANS IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING

Speaker Mike Johnson said the U.S. must support Israel in a Monday night speech where he also praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

He spent much of his 15-minute address also laying into President Biden and other top Democrats who have been critical of Israel in its response to Hamas Oct. 7 attack. In particular, he singled out Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for calling for new elections in Israel.

"They're trying to dictate strategy, then they're trying to demand a change of leadership while Israel is in a battle for its very existence," Johnson said. "Its breathtaking."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

REPUBLICANS PRESSURE BIDEN DOJ TO PROBE ACTIVISTS CALLING FOR 'DEATH TO AMERICA'

He also criticized Bidens foreign policy with respect to Iran, including reports the administration extended a sanctions waiver last month to pump more cash into its shaky economy. The waivers were first granted in November 2018.

"It's unconscionable. I can't make sense of it. And I've talked to the White House about this. I do not understand the policy. You can't make sense of it," Johnson said.

The speaker also said he confronted Schumer by phone after he called for new Israeli elections last month.

HOUSE TEES UP 17 BILLS RELATED TO IRAN/ISRAEL FOR THIS WEEK

He also attacked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for criticizing Netanyahu

"I called the senator and I said, What are you doing?" Johnson said. "What if I came out and made a statement and called for a regime change in Ukraineyour hair would be on fire."

It came just after Johnson unveiled a new plan to fund Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan in a closed-door meeting with the House GOP conference.

Under his proposal the House would hold separate votes on each funding priority sometime at the end of this week, likely Friday, he told reporters after the meeting.





Original article source: Speaker Johnson says its U.S.s biblical admonition to help Israel
ABIDJAN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire's government is developing a law aimed at regulating all actions on climate change in the country, according to Ivorian Press Agency.

The Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition is drafting the text, "which takes into account the opinion of all stakeholders in the matter at the national level," said Yao Marcel, the director of International Cooperation and Funding Mobilization at the ministry, on Monday in Abidjan.

The draft is practically finalized and will be introduced this year for adoption by the Council of Ministers before going to the Parliament.

Once adopted, the law will set up a national inter-ministerial commission and a national climate agency, to "coordinate all climate action at the national level in order to pool efforts and make the results sustainable," according to Yao.

The adoption of regulatory and legislative texts will mark an important step in efforts to achieve national climate objectives. It also demonstrates the country's concrete commitment to a sustainable future, said the Ivorian authorities. 
(Bloomberg) -- House Speaker Mike Johnsons job is in new peril as a second Republican said he would join an effort to depose the Republican leader following his proposal to fund aid to Ukraine and Israel.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie said he told colleagues in a closed-door meeting that he supports hardliner Marjorie Taylor Greenes move to oust Johnson from the speakership.

Massie, a critic of both Israel and Ukraine aid, confirmed to reporters as he left the meeting that he made the overthrow threat and called on the speaker to resign.

I am not resigning, Johnson retorted, brushing aside the threat in comments to reporters. I am not concerned about this. I am doing my job.

Read More: Israel, Ukraine Aid to Receive US House Votes This Week

Johnson just received a vote on confidence Friday from the Republican partys dominant figure, former President Donald Trump, who offered a public show of support in a joint appearance at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump criticized threats of ousting the speaker as unfortunate.

Greene, a Georgia Republican, said Monday night she hasnt decided whether to proceed with an overthrow attempt.

It only takes a simple majority of House members present and voting to remove a speaker. Because of recent departures from the House  and a razor-thin majority  just three Republicans joining unified Democrats could oust Johnson.

Small Majority

A small majority makes it very difficult to govern but theres not anything you can do, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said of the ouster threat.

Moderate Republicans emerging from the party meeting Tuesday condemned Massies move while several hardliners in the Freedom Caucus said they wouldnt join the ouster effort.

I wouldnt put the country through that, said ultraconservative Ralph Norman.

The fractious Republican majority plunged into a bitter, weeks-long succession battle in October after a rump group deposed Johnsons predecessor, Kevin McCarthy.

At least one Democrat, Jared Moskowitz, said Tuesday that he would vote to protect Johnson.

Massie wants the world to burn, Moskowitz said on X, the social media platform. I wont stand by and watch. I have a bucket of water.

Johnson announced plans late Monday to hold separate votes this week on new aid to Israel and Ukraine, in an attempt to assemble fragile coalitions to speed weaponry to both besieged allies.

The move could end a months-long Republican blockade on help for Kyiv while also responding quickly to Irans missile and drone attack in Israel over the weekend.

Johnson and Scalise said they were weighing adding border security to the mix of foreign aid bills given the demands by members of the conference.

Democratic leaders wouldnt say Tuesday whether they would rescue Johnson from an overthrow. They said they are fighting to make sure the Johnson plan has all the funding in the Senate-passed bill, including humanitarian aid.

(Updates with new detail starting in third paragraph)

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House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Monday that the House will vote this week on two separate aid packages for Israel and Ukraine, in response to "precipitating events around the globe." Two additional packages will strengthen allies in the Indo-Pacific and U.S. national security, by banning TikTok. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

April 15 (UPI) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson announced late Monday that the House will vote this week on two separate aid packages for Israel and Ukraine, in response to "precipitating events around the globe."

Following months of delays, Johnson announced the plan, which includes a total of four packages, during a closed-door House GOP conference meeting Monday night.

"I have just spoken with the House GOP conference on my plan to address national security supplemental legislation on the growing security crises," Johnson wrote Monday in a post on X.

"This week, we will consider separate bills with a structured and germane amendment process to fund our ally Israel, support Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression, strengthen our allies in the Indo-Pacific and pass additional measures to counter our adversaries and strengthen our national security," Johnson added.

The packages come days after Iran launched a drone attack against Israel and amid Israel's ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza as well as Russia's war in Ukraine.

"There are precipitating events around the globe that we're all watching very carefully," Johnson told reporters after the meeting. "And we know that the world is watching us to see how we react."

"We have terrorists and tyrants and terrible leaders around the world like [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and Xi [Jinping, the president of China,] and in Iran, and they're watching to see if America will stand up for its allies and in our own interest around the globe."

The four bills would move under one procedural rule that would allow for an amendment process. The fourth national security bill would include a TikTok ban, a provision to allow the United States to use seized Russian assets to help Ukraine, a lend-lease act for military aid, convertible loans for humanitarian relief and new sanctions on Iran following weekend strikes on Israel.

The plan could face some Republican opposition because it does not include any border provisions, according to Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla.

"The American people have made it as clear as they possibly could ... that we better secure our border before we spend more money in Ukraine. They are getting ready to fly off the cliff," said Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C.

Johnson is fighting his own battle to retain his role as House Speaker, as a number of colleagues have threatened a vote to oust him.

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia was quick to criticize Johnson's plan.

"I am firmly against the plan as it stands right now," Greene told reporters Monday, adding that she had "not decided on that yet," when asked whether she would force a vote on the motion to vacate.

"A lot of conservatives are very upset about how this is going down," Greene added. "He's literally broken his promise."

Some Democrats expressed anger that Johnson would not hold a vote on the $95 billion supplemental aid bill the Senate passed in February.

"They just can't bring themselves to do the right thing, the obvious thing, put the damn Senate bill on the floor," said. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif.

"This is one of the most critical votes that we'll take, so I'm very open to whatever it takes to get this done," added Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio.

Johnson told reporters the text of the four bills would be released early Tuesday to give lawmakers 72 hours to examine them before being asked to vote.

"We're discussing whether they would be merged together in one package that's sent to the Senate, or if it goes over as individual measures," Johnson said. "My personal preference is to do it individually, but we'll let the body decide. We'll have further discussion on that in the morning."
The squatters in Gordon Ramsay's London restaurant are likely to get kicked out, but the process is a pain, lawyers say

The squatters in Gordon Ramsay's London restaurant are likely to get kicked out, but the process is a pain, lawyers say

Gordon Ramsay's hotel-restaurant in London, the York & Albany, was taken over by squatters.

The occupiers turned it into a community space, but eviction proceedings appear to have started.

UK laws make commercial property squatting a civil matter, resulting in costly legal proceedings.

Gordon Ramsay is having a kitchen nightmare.

Last week, London's Metropolitan Police were made aware of a group of squatters who had taken over his York & Albany hotel-restaurant in Camden, a pricey borough of London.

It's unclear when they entered the property, which was temporarily closed while the celebrity chef finalized a new lease, according to reports.

But the group was clearly occupying the space by the weekend, and made it clear they had no intention of leaving.

Renaming the site "Camden Art Cafe," the group pasted a notice on the building citing a legal provision that  for the time being at least  appears to make it impossible for anyone, including Ramsay, to kick them out.

A legal notice taped to the outside of York & Albany, Gordon Ramsay's restaurant and hotel in Camden, London, on April 15, 2024, as squatters occupy it. Grace Dean/Business Insider

In 2012, the UK made squatting a criminal offense  as long as it happens on residential property.

But on commercial properties, squatting remains a civil matter. This means police can't simply evict squatters from places like York & Albany  in fact, any attempt to do so without other grounds is itself against the law.

The Met Police earlier told BI that the matter was "a civil matter and so police did not attend as an emergency call out." It also said it was "in the process of identifying if any subsequent offences have occurred."

Getting commercial squatters out is no simple matter, and involves a convoluted procedure  generally costing thousands of dollars in legal bills, legal experts told BI.

"It's not an ideal situation  that seems to go without saying," Niall Helferty, a solicitor at Kuits Solicitors, said.

Property owners have to take the matter to court, applying for a possession order. There are multiple hoops to jump through in an often-clogged London court system, though courts do tend to prioritize matters like this, Helferty said.

Asked what the squatters might be able to do in response, Andrew Whitehead, a partner at Stephensons Solicitors, told BI that "if there's no tenancy agreements and if they've effectively broken in and refuse to leave, it would appear that there's no rights for them to be at the property at all."

Even so, getting them out won't come cheap.

Both solicitors roughly estimated Ramsay's potential legal costs at between $6,000 and $12,000, depending on the billing rates of his legal team.

As well as direct legal costs, commercial squatting also presents other concerns for property owners, including loss of income.

York & Albany wasn't in operation  it is on the market for a reported $16 million, following a legal battle between Ramsay and the building's freeholder. So Ramsay isn't facing any loss of business at the site.

But property owners, and business owners like Ramsay, will be wondering "what damage is being done internally," Helferty said.

Representatives for Ramsay did not respond to BI's requests for comment.

Squatters with a message

Gordon Ramsay isn't exactly known for his gentle, patient side  he's built an empire partly on his gruff attitude.

Even so, it can't be comfortable being made the focal point of an anti-gentrification campaign.

In an interview with The Independent, all of the squatters went by the pseudonym of "Gordon"  but their ire seems just as broadly directed at wealth inequality in London than at Ramsay himself.

The borough where the restaurant is located, according to the group's statement, has "one of the biggest wealth disparities in London." A Camden Council report from 2015 said that while a quarter of its residents live on the equivalent of $25,000 or less, the average house price is about $780,000.

The squatter group did not respond to multiple interview requests, but when BI's Grace Dean visited on Monday, she found a quietly humming space where people got on with painting and chatting about the local community.

According to The Independent, members of the group were whipping up pasta and lattes when its reporter visited, and were keeping a strict cleaning rota.

Neighbors told the paper that the group "haven't been too loud," with some expressing support for their cause.

On Tuesday, the squatters updated their Instagram account to say that legal papers had been served to them, and that the cafe was on hold.

It's unclear exactly what stage the legal process has reached. But Helferty said it's likely that a court hearing has now been scheduled, meaning that time could be ticking for them.

Regardless of how long they get to stay, the group has gathered plenty of attention, and probably caused Ramsay more than a few headaches.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mr White's restaurant never reopened after being closed for repairs - Paul Grover/The Telegraph

Marco Pierre Whites former Leicester Square restaurant has been secured by police after hundreds of squatters moved in, The Telegraph understands.

As many as 400 squatters are said to have taken over the former site of Mr Whites in Londons West End some time last week.

The Metropolitan Police has now secured the five-floor building and there was no sign of squatters on Tuesday.

Fellow chef Gordon Ramsays 13 million pub near Regents Park has also been taken over by squatters.

Mr Whites, a steak and pizza restaurant opened by Marco Pierre White in 2021, closed at the start of 2024.

Ellen Leyco, manager of Jollibee, a Filipino fast-food restaurant next door, said that up to 400 people had been living on all floors of the building.

She reported the issue to Westminster City Council after rubbish and waste started appearing at the back entrance of the building.

Marco Pierre White's company runs nearly 30 restaurants in the UK - Julian Simmonds

She said: The council regularly visits us. When they were here last week I told them they need to look into Mr Whites because it is causing us some trouble.

The council came back today and told me I was correct as they found 400 people there.

They said they were occupying all the floors and they were illegal. Many are homeless and they are leaving a mess out the back.

A council spokesman confirmed that the issue had been flagged to the Met.

Heavy metal locks have appeared on the front doors of the building and the windows have been covered with curtains and sheets of paper.

The force has not commented.

Mr Whites representatives were also approached.

Room for 300 customers

Before it closed Mr Whites appeared to be thriving in the heart of London.

The menu featured 20 cuts of steak, 15 plates of pasta and 8.50 bowls of Caesar salads and there was room for 300 customers across two floors.

Framed photographs of Mr White, 62, who was Britains first three Michelin-starred chef, hung on the walls.

His company Black & White Hospitality, which runs nearly 30 restaurants in the UK, had refurbished the building for 1.5 million.

At the start of 2024, customers were told by email that the restaurant would be shut for two weeks to undergo maintenance work but it never reopened.

Black & White Hospitality gave no reason for the closure and customers with bookings were said to have arrived to find the restaurant closed. Within three months squatters had arrived.

Gordon Ramsay, a former protege of Mr White, has been blighted with similar issues.

At least five men and one woman are understood to be squatting in the Grade II-listed York & Albany pub and hotel he owns in Camden, north London.

Squatters held press conference

The squatters held a press conference on Saturday to say they planned to use the building to run a soup kitchen for the homeless. But they posted on Instagram on Tuesday that the soup kitchen was cancelled because they had been served with legal papers.

Mr Ramsays representatives have been contacted for comment.

Another London pub owner said squatting in pubs was on the rise and blamed soft policing under Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor.

Howard Thacker saw squatters take over his pub, the Rugby Tavern near Clerkenwell, for eight weeks from April 2023.

He was finally able to regain control after starting legal proceedings but incurred costs of 100,000 in damages and lost revenue.

He told The Telegraph: It seems to be on the rise. The police say if they cant prove theyve broken in then its a civil matter and they cant do anything.

They [squatters] have traditionally chosen empty warehouses and buildings but clearly they have realised now that pubs and hotels are a lot more comfortable.

It feels a bit like its part of lawless London. Anything less than a major crime doesnt seem to matter to the police.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
A St. Paul proposal would allow cannabis businesses throughout the city's commercial corridors, though retailers would be prohibited within 300 feet of a school.

Cities across Minnesota are mulling where to allow dispensaries and other businesses ahead of the state's legal marijuana market launch next year. St. Paul planners were among the first to release their official pitch for how to integrate the 16 types of cannabis licenses created by the state into city zoning code.

The state allows cities to ban cannabis businesses within 1,000 feet of a school and 500 feet of day cares, residential treatment facilities and parks. But in St. Paul, those maximum distance requirements would restrict cannabis businesses in more than half of the city's retail parcels, according to city planners.

"We wanted to create an environment where these businesses could be established, but also have some protections in the zoning," senior planner Tony Johnson said in a presentation to the Planning Commission last week.

Under staff's recommendation, cannabis retailers, cultivators and product manufacturers with up to 15,000 square feet would be allowed in most commercial corridors, while larger businesses would be limited to areas zoned for greenhouse and industrial uses.

Staff compared their proposed rules for cannabis cultivators to those for craft brewers. Small breweries with taprooms are allowed in traditional neighborhood districts, but larger producers are restricted to industrial areas.

Johnson said staff researched 29 cities that previously legalized cannabis to inform their recommendations. The 300-foot buffer around school would align with the city's rule for liquor stores and would not apply to downtown.

Some members of the Planning Commission expressed concerns that the proposal does not do enough to keep young people from obtaining cannabis. Staff's memo said potential negative impacts can be limited by other local and state ordinances, including the city's public smoking restrictions and the state ban on outdoor advertising.

"To treat them like liquor stores, I think, makes sense," said Jason Tarasek, a Minnesota cannabis attorney with Vicente LLP. "I think we'll see that this is nothing to be afraid of  that none of these highly-regulated businesses have any interest in selling to children and risking a license that is going to potentially be worth millions of dollars."

The cannabis industry is leery of local governments after some Minnesota cities restricted lower-potency hemp sales, said Carol Moss, an attorney who represents Minnesota cannabis businesses. Some of Moss' clients don't want to sign leases on commercial space until they can be assured that the zoning will let them operate, she said.

"Some cities like St. Paul and Minneapolis, they have not been adversarial to these businesses yet," she said. "What I have seen is the more conservative politically the city is, the more adversarial they are to this industry."

The St. Paul Planning Commission will hold a June 7 public hearing on the proposed changes, with the goal of having final rules approved by the City Council in August. Minneapolis is also aiming to adopt regulations this summer so that potential businesses can start exploring locations, senior city planner Sara Roman said.

As in St. Paul, city staff are looking to integrate the new cannabis licenses into Minneapolis' existing zoning code.

Kyle Hartnett, assistant research manager for the League of Minnesota Cities, said many local governments are waiting for guidance from the state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), which was directed by the Legislature to establish a model zoning ordinance for cities.

"I think the big thing that I've been stressing to cities is just start thinking about where they might want these kind of businesses and where they might fit within their communities," Hartnett said.

Once the state starts distributing licenses, local governments will also be required to register cannabis businesses and check that retailers are complying with the law.
Aftermath of a knife attack at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church, in Sydney

By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel who was stabbed during a church service live streamed from Sydney on Monday is a social media star with followers around the world, but the bearded clergyman is also a divisive preacher.

Dressed in dark robes, clutching a large cross and sporting a bushy grey beard under a black cowl, Emmanuel's sermons from the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church range from homilies on the Bible to fiery criticisms of homosexuality, COVID vaccinations, Islam and U.S. President Joe Biden's election.

The 53-year-old bishop, who has a popular youth following on TikTok and was awarded by YouTube in 2023 for hitting 100,000 subscribers, has been a target for criticism, hate and online trolling.

On Monday night a male teenager stabbed him and other worshippers with a knife during a sermon at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church in western Sydney.

Footage posted online showed the attacker criticising Emmanuel's comments about Islam while pinned to the ground by the congregation. Police said on Tuesday it was a terrorist attack motivated by suspected religious extremism.

In some sermons posted online and shared widely, Emmanuel questions parts of Islamic theology, although in others he stresses his love for the Muslim community and how he regularly prays for them. In a recent post he expressed support for Palestinians in Gaza.

"He's not saying your religion is rubbish, he's just proving them wrong and very well articulated to the point where it gets under their skin ... the only way you can bring him down is through physical violence," said Manuka, 20, a local resident who follows Emmanuel on TikTok.

In other sermons Emmanuel took aim at the secular world, casting doubt on Biden's election, attacking his support for gay rights and urging Trump to stay true to God and resist the influence of Freemasons.

Emmanuel's popularity peaked during the COVID pandemic because his sermons were online, according to Mary Anoya, 17, whose family attends his church. She, like the other students at her high school, prefer to watch his sermons on TikTok.

"I think everyone follows him on TikTok," said Anoya on Tuesday outside the church.

"Ever since he started to become famous his words just got twisted. I grew up knowing who he was, I know what type of person he is and it's all just taken out of context."

Residents who spoke with Reuters said the violent outrage that followed the attack on Emmanuel, which saw an angry crowd throw rocks and bricks at police, reflected fears about religious persecution by many in the community which is popular with Christians from Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Lebanon, some of whom fled their homeland because of their faith.

"We've been persecuted for generations," said Chris, who asked for his last name not to be used for fear of retribution.

"Enough is enough, a priest can't be touched. I'm not speaking about retaliation but the Australian government must play a role so no persecution is tolerated."

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Additional reporting by Stella Qiu; Editing by Praveen Menon and Michael Perry)
Abdoulaye Bathily (Front), Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, briefs the Security Council on the situation in Libya at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 16, 2024. The UN envoy on Tuesday emphasized the urgency for Libyan leaders to prioritize the country's needs over personal ambitions amid a fraught political standoff. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A UN envoy on Tuesday emphasized the urgency for Libyan leaders to prioritize the country's needs over personal ambitions amid a fraught political standoff.

During an address to the Security Council, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, expressed frustration with the ongoing political deadlock in Libya, marked by "stubborn resistance, unreasonable expectations and indifference."

Bathily highlighted the significant challenges faced by UN-led initiatives aimed at mediating Libya's political crisis since late 2022.

He noted the collective resistance among national and regional figures against engaging "in earnest" and their reluctance to hold timely elections.

Bathily remarked on the concerning tendency of influential figures to place personal gains before the broader welfare of Libya, stating, "With a deep sense of disappointment, it is disheartening to witness individuals in positions of power putting their personal interests above the needs of their country."

He called for a shift in focus towards a political settlement through dialogue and compromise, emphasizing the importance of not letting "the aspirations of 2.8 million registered Libyan voters be overshadowed by the narrow interests of a few."

Entrenched stances among Libya's key political players continue to hinder progress, said the envoy.

Despite extensive discussions, their fixed preconditions for negotiations significantly obstruct political advancements. A recent trilateral meeting in Cairo between some leaders did not yield clarity or consensus, further complicating the situation.

Bathily also shed light on Libya's deteriorating economic conditions, warning of a looming liquidity crisis and underlining the public's growing frustration over economic instability.

He urged Libyan authorities to address both the symptoms and root causes of harmful economic practices promptly.

The security landscape in Libya remains precarious, with ongoing concerns about the heavy presence of armed actors in key cities, posing significant risks to civilians. Bathily underscored the potential regional ramifications, suggesting that escalating tensions could worsen instability across the Sahel. 
Melissa Lucio was convicted and sentenced to death in 2008 for the murder of her her 2-year-old daughter, Mariah Alvarez. Credit: Courtesy of Melissa Lucio's attorneys

A district judge who previously presided over a womans capital murder case recommended last week that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturn Melissa Lucio's 2008 conviction after a district attorneys office admitted that prosecutors withheld evidence from her defense.

Decades after a jury sentenced Lucio to death for the murder of her 2-year-old daughter, the Cameron County district attorney and Lucios legal team cosigned court filings that found key evidence, which included interviews with Lucios other children, was suppressed by prosecutors at the time of the case.

For more than 15 years Lucio has lived in the Patrick O'Daniel Unit, where women on death row are housed, since she was charged in the death of her daughter, Mariah Alvarez, who died in the hospital after she was found unresponsive in the bedroom where she had been sleeping. Bruises, scratches and what seemed to be a bite mark on her body led police investigators to believe Mariah was killed. Her death was later determined to be caused by blunt-force head injury.

The prosecutors case centered around an ambiguous confession, in which police obtained after hours of interrogation, that Lucio had abused her daughter. Lucio has since recanted that admission.

Five of Lucios children who were interviewed immediately after the young girls death told a Child Protective Services investigator that their mother was not abusive toward them or Mariah, according to court filings. One of her children told the investigator that they witnessed Mariah fall down the flight of stairs in their Harlingen apartment and corroborated Lucios account of her daughters injuries and declining health in the days after the incident.

But prosecutors did not share those interviews in full with the defense during the trial, which Lucios lawyers and the Cameron County district attorney now say was a violation of her constitutional due process rights. The two parties said in a statement earlier this month that the withholding of evidence entitles Lucio to relief from her death sentence.

Two years ago, a bipartisan group of lawmakers pushed Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz to halt Lucios execution during a legislative hearing. Saenz, who was not in office when Lucio was convicted, initially stated he would not intervene, but eventually said he would withdraw a request for an execution date if the criminal appeals court did not act.

I'm so glad that we did what we did two years ago to step up and  let's not mince words  to stop the state from murdering Melissa Lucio, Rep. Jeff Leach, a Plano Republican who has advocated for Lucio, told The Texas Tribune.

More than half of the Texas House asked the states parole board to stop the execution in 2022 due to the substantive doubts surrounding her case.

Weeks after the 2022 hearing, the Court of Criminal Appeals halted the execution two days before it was scheduled. The court sent Lucio's case back to the Cameron County court to consider several questions.

The following year, Saenz and Vanessa Potkin, Lucios lawyer, together submitted findings of fact and conclusions of law to the trial court, providing proof prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense.

On Friday, State District Judge Arturo Nelson signed the court filings, recommending the Court of Criminal Appeals overturn Lucios conviction and death sentence.

Nelson had previously presided over Lucios case. During the 2008 trial, Nelson refused to allow a social worker and psychologist to testify for Lucios innocence defense at trial. Her advocates argued that the absence of this crucial testimony could explain why Lucio might falsely confess as a longtime victim of sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Leach said the criminal justice system failed Lucio, from the initial interrogation to the prosecution. He added there is still work that needs to be done to make this right as long as Lucio is on death row.

Jordan Steiker, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said it's exceptionally rare for the prosecution and defense to agree on findings of fact that prosecutorial misconduct occurred during a trial.

Lucios case, which Steiker described as a combination of bad forensic evidence and the withholding of exculpatory evidence, is one of those rare examples of a district attorneys office acknowledging an error in court.

When the defense doesnt have access to the same evidence as prosecutors, there isnt a level playing field, Steiker said. This is known as a Brady violation.

Its not clear when the Court of Criminal Appeals will consider the state district judges recommendation. Lucio does not have a scheduled execution date, but remains incarcerated. Texas has executed one person in 2024.

We hope and pray the Court of Criminal Appeals will agree with the District Attorney, the defense, and Judge Nelson and our mother can come home to her family, several of Lucios children said in the statement on Monday. Its been 17 years that we have been without her. We love her and miss her and cant wait to hug her.

Disclosure: University of Texas at Austin has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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Florida is about to make it harder to challenge books in schools.

A new law  signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday  will limit the number of books that can be challenged by people without children in a school district, a move the governor said will help reduce the number of frivolous challenges across the state.

Currently, any Floridian can challenge however many books they want. Starting July 1, the new law will cap the number of book challenges residents without kids in school can file to one per month, though no penalties are outlined in the law. Because those residents pay taxes, DeSantis says they should still be able to object to books even if they dont have kids in school.

I wouldnt say that someone who doesnt have kids in school has no interest. I mean these are important institutions in our community, DeSantis said at a press conference in Jacksonville on Tuesday. The cap, he added, is necessary because the state does not want to create a cottage industry of people that are just trying to use this to advance themselves or advance a false political narrative.

In addition to the changes in state law, the DeSantis administration on Wednesday will consider a rule that would penalize Florida school principals if the state determines they illegally prevented students from looking at library books in their schools. The punishment would include revoking or suspending their educators certificate.

The rule is broadly written, but if approved, school principals could be punished if their schools or school personnel prevent students from accessing any material used in a classroom, library or reading list unless they have reviewed the material and determined it violate state law.

The changes come as Florida has become a hot spot for book challenges, leading the nation in the number of books that schools have pulled from their shelves, according to data collected by the group PEN America between July 2022 and July 2023.

The surge in book challenges came after DeSantis backed legislation that made it easier to challenge books in Florida and state education officials told local school officials to err on the side of caution when selecting books for school libraries in order to comply with that law.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar said the new law and proposed rule will do little to address the book challenge issue in Florida, saying DeSantis has long empowered fringe groups that have led the charge in challenging books in schools.

This rule does nothing to fix the vague language that caused the issue in the first place, no matter how much the Governor and Commissioner Manny Diaz try to shift blame, Spar said. Schools, teachers and media specialists have long been asking for guidance on this issue and once again, instead of providing students what they need, Floridas elected and appointed officials decide to play the blame game instead of taking responsibility.

Now, DeSantis is saying the intent of the law has been abused and says that the number of book challenges should be very rare.

Lets stop playing games with all of this, DeSantis said.

According to PEN America, at least 1,400 titles have been pulled from Florida public schools.

State officials have lower numbers. Between July 2022 and July 2023, state officials say there were 1,218 objections to books that resulted in the removal of 286 books. More than half of those objections came from two school districts, Clay and Escambia.

Some of the titles that have been removed from circulation in some grades include encyclopedias, dictionaries, Toni Morrisons first book The Bluest Eye, and the poem The Hill We Climb, which was recited by poet Amanda Gorman at the Jan. 20, 2021, inauguration of President Joe Biden.

DeSantis criticized efforts to challenge classical books, saying the state law is not intended to do that.

If somebody is challenging a book that has been in schools a long time, no that is going to fail, DeSantis said about what he expects the new law will do. I think this goes a long way to dealing with some of the bad faith actors.
State orders wife to remove Cherry Grove angel statue. Could it be saved? What we know

A popular Cherry Grove community marker will soon have to be taken down.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has told the family who put up an angel statue located at the point in Cherry Grove in North Myrtle Beach that it has to be removed by the end of April, said Jerri Ross Hayes, who helped place the angel. The angel has been there since August 2023.

It was put there to memorialize Andy Hayes, a Vietnam Marine veteran and a man who loved the ocean and Myrtle Beach. Jerri Ross Hayes, his wife, said the family spread his ashes in that location and put the angel up a month after he passed in July.

There was another angel statue in the area, but it was unrelated to the statue put up for Andy Hayes. That statue, known as the Angel of Hope, disappeared from the Cherry Grover point area in 2022 after surviving at least three hurricanes.

In the seven months that Andys Angel statue has been up, its gained so much attention that SCDHEC is worried it could harm the dunes, Jerri Ross Hayes said. Many people come to the statue and leave peace offerings such as shells and pine cones. SCDHEC is worried about the impact of the foot traffic on the dunes.

The statue is located on a walking path next to the dunes, said Maye Hayes Jepson, Andys sister.

The Sun News called and emailed SCDHEC about the angel statue but had not heard back at time of publication. Jepson sent a copy of the letter to The Sun News which said that any alteration to a critical area and any non-water dependent structure installation must be authorized by SCDHEC before the activity.

The family asked the city of North Myrtle Beach if there are other places where the statue could be placed. The city said Tuesday that it was looking into the situation.

A Facebook group dedicated to the angel has over 400 members who post pictures of the angel. Many people in the group are sad about the angel being taken down. People commented about how they come to see the angel whenever they go to the point.

Jerri and Andy Hayes at Inlet Point Villas. The angel statue was put up as a memorial to Andy

The angel lost its head in December due to vandalism. Jerri Ross Hayes said many people offered to pay to fix the statue, but the family declined, instead choosing to keep it headless as a symbol of humanity.

Were all broken and this angel is broken, Jerri Ross Hayes said. My husband was not a perfect man and none of us are perfect.

SCDHEC told the Hayes family that they cannot put it elsewhere on the beach, so they will take it down. Jerri Ross Hayes said shes disappointed but understands. She will miss this spot that became a place to grieve for many.

If it cant be changed, I think it has served its purpose, Jerri Ross Hayes said.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  It was one of the darkest days in Charlottes history when a 5-alarm fire engulfed a SouthPark apartment complex under construction, trapping two workers inside. Ruben Holmes and Demonte Sherill lost their lives; the fire almost took more.

We almost lost eight to 10 firefighters that day when they called for Mayday when they got trapped, said North Carolina State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor. Luckily, they were able to get out due to their equipment and their training.

Now, because of that destructive and deadly fire, changes are on the way.

What are we going to do? Taylor said. How can we make these buildings safer during construction? Because, we had the Raleigh fire and then, of course, we had the Charlotte fire.

The State Fire Marshals Office plans to adopt the most recent National Fire Protection Association standards, which was released in 2022, before the SouthPark fire. North Carolina adopts changes to the state fire code every six years.

In North Carolina, were always a few years behind the national standards, Taylor said.

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SouthPark Fire News

The standards target fire safety, specifically, at wood-framed sites, many of which youll see in and around Charlotte. One change will require property owners to designate a Fire Prevention Program Manager for the site. That person will be responsible for maintaining a fire safety plan.

They can go up really quickly, so this daily inspection is going to allow them to identify fire safety as the building is going up, to ensure that it has the appropriate fire protection systems, be it standpipes for firefighters to connect to get water on the upper floors, or the appropriate number of egress (or exits) for people to get out as the building goes up, said Robin Zevotek, an engineer for the National Fire Protection Association.

Two construction workers died from the fire, Demonte Sherill and Ruben Holmes.

The prior version did not have that daily inspection requirement.

Construction workers Sherill and Holmes died trapped on the sixth floor, unable to find the only exit, which was an estimated 463 feet away.

A persons life is the most important and trying to make it safe for living conditions and for the ability to escape in case of a fire.

The changes are expected to be implemented in January 2025. Thats the same year the NFPA releases its next updated round of standards.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
State regulators approved on April 16 Georgia Power plans to build three gas and oil turbines at Plant Yates in Coweta County. Several clean energy groups are outspoken about the company's plans to bring in new fossil fuel generators that would be expensive to build and pose an environmental risk. Grant Blankenship/Georgia Public Broadcasting

The Georgia Public Service Commission has approved Georgia Powers controversial updated plans to significantly expand its generation capacity by investing in a heavier reliance on fossil fuels and adding more renewable energy over the next several years.

In a 4-1 vote on Tuesday, state regulators approved Georgia Powers latest plans to build natural gas or oil-burning generators and solar battery energy facilities in an effort to meet increasing demands from data centers and other large industrial users in the next decade. Regulators were warned by several clean energy groups against allowing Georgia Power to build three fossil fuel burning units at Plant Yates located in Coweta County.

The PSC approved plans that allow Georgia Power to bypass the normal construction bidding process at Yates in order to quickly construct units designed to produce electricity for another 40 years. Georgia Power officials also say the company it will not seek to recover from its customers any construction costs overruns, unless its caused by events beyond the companys reasonable control, such as natural disasters.

Bryan Jacob, Solar Program Director at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said that the failure of Georgia Power and PSC to provide more clean energy options will mean that customers will be squeezed when fuel prices spike.

Last year, the average Georgia Power residential customers bill increased by $15.90 per month for the states largest electricity supplier to offset unrecovered fuel costs and to cover new fuel expenses over the next two years.

Georgia Power customers bills have gone up four times since the beginning of last year  with two more increases already approved for the next eight months Jacob said in a statement. But that fuel cost adjustment was the largest increase of them all.

Fossil gas prices may be low now, and that may have lulled the staff and/or commission into a state of complacency, Jacob said. But rest assured, fossil gas prices are volatile and they WILL go up again.

Officials from Georgia Power and the PSC have praised the latest agreement as a way to minimize the financial burden on residential customers while also providing enough resources for the utility to continue providing reliable electricity to several million customers.

Georgia Power is projecting the updated plans will save the typical residential customer about $2.89 on their monthly bills from 2026 to 2028.

At Georgia Power, our customers are at the center of everything we do, and we are unwavering in our commitment to provide them with clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Aaron Abramovitz, Chief Financial Officer for Georgia Power, said in a news release. The stipulated agreement benefits all customers, and approval of this agreement will preserve and protect the reliability and quality of electric service our customers expect and support the continued economic development of our state  all while placing downward pressure on rates for all customers.

The debate over Georgia Powers utility rates has intensified over the last several years as customers faced hikes in electric base rates and paid for soaring fuel costs, coal ash cleanup and construction overages at Plant Vogtle. The average Georgia Power residential bill will jump a total of $44 a month over two years, including $16 to pay for spikes in methane gas and coal costs.

The PSC approved Georgia Powers updated resource plan by a 4-1 vote. The plan is typically updated every three years, but the timetable for this years proposal came less than two years after the PSC considered the companys most recent resource plan.

Commissioner Lauren Bubba McDonald cast the lone vote against Georgia Powers updated plans.

Commissioner Fitz Johnson said Tuesday that in an off-cycle year, it is uncommon for Georgia Power to amend its integrated plan. Johnson, who would need to win an election in 2025 to keep his seat, also conveyed a message to Georgia Power officials that ratepayers cannot continue to be burdened with rate increases.

That message needs to go back loud and clear, Johnson said.

Georgia Power also is planning to bring online more renewable energy with the addition of a 500 megawatt solar facility with battery storage by the end of 2026 and plans to build another 500 megawatts of solar battery storage by early 2027.

The company wants to extend purchasing agreements for a natural gas-fired generator in Pace, Florida and to continue buying 750 megawatts of electricity from Mississippi Power, a Southern Company subsidiary. Southern Company is also the owner of Georgia Power.

Georgia Power has agreed not to collect any additional fees from ratepayers until 2026 on excess electricity it purchases.

Southern Environmental Law Center attorney Jennifer Whitfield, who represented Georgia Interfaith Power and Light in the proceedings, said Georgia Power rate payers will be responsible for the bulk of the expected $3 billion investment needed to complete the projects approved on Tuesday. Plant Yates is expected to account for half the total cost.

Analysis from SELC found that Georgia Power could likely meet realistic demands in growth by relying more on renewable energy sources like solar.

(Yates) units will have a 46-year life span, potentially locking in Georgias reliance on fossil fuels for decades, Whitfield said. The agreement also includes buying energy from Georgia Powers sister company Mississippi Power, a move that will delay the retirement of Plant Daniel, a coal-burning power plant.

The post State utility regulators approve Georgia Power plan to use fossil fuels to power data centers appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
FIRST ON FOX: A group of top Senate Republican leaders is urging President Biden to block oil sanctions relief for the Venezuelan government, an authoritarian regime which continues to oppress its opponents.

The seven lawmakers, led by Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, sent a letter to the president Friday, calling on him to cancel the so-called General License 44, which is set to come up for renewal later this week. They argued that Venezuela's government has failed to meet key requirements related to ensuring fair elections that it agreed to when the Biden administration issued the six-month license last year.

"History has proven time and time again that appeasing dictators does not work. We strongly urge you to reinstate and fully enforce all U.S. sanctions on the [Nicolas] Maduro regime," they wrote. "We must not cede American leverage by lifting U.S. sanctions while the Maduro government deliberately disregards its obligations."

"If the U.S. fails to take a credible stance on ensuring free and fair elections are held in Venezuela, the prospects of a democratic Venezuela will continue to diminish, which will further embolden authoritarian aggressors such as the Peoples Republic of China, Iran, and Russia," the lawmakers continued.

CALIFORNIA'S GREEN AGENDA IS TARGETING EVERY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, DESPITE WIDE OPPOSITION

In October, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signed an agreement with the nation's opposition leaders, agreeing to freer elections as part of a deal in which the U.S. Treasury Department eased sanctions on the South American country's key oil sector.

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However, the Maduro regime almost immediately began taking actions in apparent violation of the deal, cracking down on the opposition and imprisoning political opponents ahead of Venezuela's upcoming presidential election slated for July 2024. The State Department said in October it would not renew the General License 44 absent progress by the Venezuelan government.

BIDEN ADMIN CANCELS PLAN TO REFILL EMERGENCY OIL RESERVE AMID HIGH PRICES

The October agreement broadly authorized oil and gas transactions with Venezuela and came a year after the Biden administration granted a separate license for California-based energy firm Chevron to continue drilling in Venezuela. According to federal data, U.S. oil imports from Venezuela have spiked from zero barrels in December 2022 to nearly 5 million barrels in January.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks at a hearing on Feb. 3, 2021.

In 2019, the Trump administration imposed heavy sanctions on the nation's oil industry after a dispute arose between Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido over the 2018 presidential election. Those sanctions led to a precipitous fall off in U.S. imports of Venezuelan oil.

In a statement on Tuesday to Fox News Digital, Sullivan, who serves as the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Readiness and Management Support Subcommittee, expressed deep concern with Biden  both potentially for maintaining sanctions relief for Venezuela and recent actions his administration has taken to curb domestic production.

WHITE HOUSE PROHIBITING OFFICIAL TRAVEL TO FOSSIL FUEL CONFERENCES, INTERNAL MEMO SHOWS

"Joe Biden needs to wake the hell up and stop appeasing dictators and the eco-colonialists  fast," he said. "The world is on fire and Biden is still focused on appeasing his most far-left radical supporters at the expense of Americas national security."

Sullivan noted that the Department of the Interior is expected to soon finalize regulations blocking off 13 million acres of land across the National Petroleum Reserve, an area in North Slope Borough, Alaska, set aside by Congress for resource development. Bloomberg reported last week the agency is expected to finalize those rules this week.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is expected to finalize a plan to block off half of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska from future drilling projects.

"The NPR-A is one of the worlds most prolific oil basins and Biden wants to lock up more than half of it. Literally, during the same week, his administration is expected to renew their lifted oil sanctions for the Maduro dictatorship in Venezuela," Sullivan said.

"Alaska, more than any other state, has taken the brunt of this administrations failed energy policy," he continued. "This rule, once finalized, is on track to be the 61st action by his administration targeting Alaska. Like many others, it ignores the laws on the books and has been done without real consultation of impacted Alaska Native communities."

ALASKAN NATIVE AMERICANS UNLEASH ON BIDEN ADMIN'S CLIMATE AGENDA: 'COMMUNITIES AND CULTURE ARE AT RISK'

Oil pipelines stretch across the landscape outside Nuiqsut, Alaska, where ConocoPhillips operates the Alpine Field on May 28, 2019.

Calls placed to The White House were not returned at press time.

Joining Sullivan in penning the letter to Biden were Republican Sens. James Risch of Idaho, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska and Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida.





Original article source: 'Stop appeasing dictators': GOP senators demand Biden impose oil sanctions on Venezuela
DUBAI (Reuters) -Dubai International Airport (DXB) was temporarily diverting arriving flights on Tuesday evening until weather conditions improve, it said on Tuesday, adding that departures will continue to operate.

Operations at DXB were suspended for 25 minutes earlier in the day because of a storm.

(Reporting by Nayera Abdallah and Clauda TaniosEditing by David Goodman)
Jessica Mora moved to Hialeah two years ago with her husband and her daughter to a two-bedroom apartment in Pura Vida, one of the citys newest developments on Okeechobee Road.

The monthly rent for Moras unit initially stood at $2,150. However, upon lease renewal, a major $700 increase catapulted the rent to $2,850  a sharp blow to her already-strained finances.

As the year drew to a close in 2023, Mora faced the added turmoil of separation from her husband, further destabilizing her financial footing. Left grappling with the aftermath, she found herself in urgent negotiations with building management to pay the rent.

Yet, just two months later, in January 2024, the buildings legal team initiated eviction proceedings  a daunting escalation in Moras struggle to maintain a roof over her head.

An el Nuevo Herald analysis of public records from Miami-Dade court shows that Hialeahs three largest and most modern buildings, Pura Vida, Shoma Village and Manor Hialeah, together have filed a total of 165 complaints for residential eviction within the last 20 months.

South Florida is unlivable. We are just surviving in Hialeah, said Mora, a 36-year-old Venezuelan.

A decade ago, she embarked on her journey of immigration, making her first home in Homestead, where she nurtured her young daughter through her early years. When circumstances evolved, the family moved to Doral, but soon that too became untenable. Mora had to move again to a city she believed offered affordability, such as Hialeah.

Now, she is considering returning to Homestead, where her daughters paternal grandparents live. She might even leave South Florida, with her sights set on Jacksonville.

As a result of the lawsuit, she is paying each months rent in court while waiting anxiously for her lease to end on May 31. Her case is not the only one.

These buildings, marketed as luxury apartments, offer uncommon amenities in Hialeah, including swimming pools, gyms, conference rooms, and barbecue areas.

But this housing boom has precipitated a surge in rental prices, with rates ranging from $2,050 for a studio unit to $3,765 for a three-bedroom apartment. This stark reality stands in contrast to the economic landscape of Hialeah, where predominantly working-class residents take home an average family income of about $49,000 annually.

Shoma Villages pool, a two-tower eight-story structure with 304 rental units on Hialeah Drive

These expansive urban complexes are not only increasing rental rates within their confines but also exerting pressure on surrounding areas, despite being comparatively modest properties. This phenomenon is reshaping the financial landscape for a majority of residents.

Local politicians have consistently justified Hialeahs urban transformation, citing the need to cater to a demographic shift of young professionals who had previously sought more contemporary living options akin to those found in Miami.

However, can the existing community afford these escalating rents?

Hialeah struggling with affordability

Public records show that Manor Hialeah, the newest property, made up of 642 units and located in the Amelia district, has evicted 16 families of the 45 complaints in eight months, an average of two tenants per month.

Alex Smith lived there but preferred to move to an old building in North Miami.

It is extremely expensive to live in Hialeah, he said. Although there are many amenities, the price of an apartment is ridiculous. We are not in South Beach.

Manor Hialeah, one of the largest and newest complexes in the city of Hialeah

Meanwhile, in Shoma Village, a two-tower structure with 304 units, 13 families have been evicted. The property, located on Hialeah Drive, has filed 70 eviction complaints.

In the case of Pura Vida, the 260-unit building where the Venezuelan mother lives, 50 eviction cases have been filed in court. Nineteen evictions have been completed in 17 months, which represents 38% of the total complaints at the building, according to records.

The Pura Vida property manager is doing everything possible to remove the people who are here. Many have already been evicted, Mora argued.

After saying they would respond by email, Pura Vidas property manager did not answer el Nuevo Heralds questions.

Reached by phone, managers at Manor Hialeah and Shoma Village said they had no comment on the eviction lawsuits at their properties.

One of Pura Vidas developers, Michael Wohl, a principal of Coral Rock Development Group, told el Nuevo Herald that he was very surprised to hear Moras statements and assured that as a member of the Affordable Housing Committee in Hialeah, he is working to find a solution to the crisis.

In Wohls opinion, an alternative would be to build mixed-use housing, a portion at market price and another at a price accessible to workers.

Serial evictions, a pressure strategy

According to data from The Eviction Lab, a housing research group at Princeton University, there have been more than 3,188 eviction lawsuits in Hialeah between 2020 and mid-2023.

Juan Pablo Garnham, spokesperson for The Eviction Lab, told el Nuevo Herald that in the southern United States, particularly in Florida, there is a trend of serial evictions.

Many landlords do not use eviction lawsuits to recover rent money, but rather it is a strategy to pressure tenants to leave by filing a lawsuit against the same family or individual several times in a year, Garnham said.

The data analyzed from Miami-Dade civil court show that each of the three new developments in Hialeah repeatedly sued the same tenant.

Shoma Village has sued 20 tenants on more than one occasion, including three times in one year, making up a total of 44 of the 70 complaints it has filed to date.

Pura Vida sued seven people multiple times, for a total of 24 of the 50 lawsuits in court, while Manor Hialeah filed a total of 17 complaints against six tenants, out of the 45 cases in court.

Most of the complaints for the three properties were dismissed after the tenants paid their debts. However, public data show that more than 30% of these complaints ended in eviction or vacancies before the order was issued.

Mayor Esteban Bovo Jr. warned that the government cannot intervene and stop these evictions, but he estimated that if real estate instability continues, at some point it will have to correct itself.

If you have a building with empty units, because the price you are asking is too high, and it has been proven because they have had to remove people, sooner or later the owner of the building will have to correct it, Bovo said in an interview with el Nuevo Herald.

Long-term impact of eviction

The fear of eviction following a formal complaint can have profound physical and psychological repercussions on individuals grappling with the economic pressure of meeting housing expenses, according to a study conducted by The Eviction Lab in December 2023.

The center has found a relationship between eviction and health and even premature death.

If paying too much rent can increase your chances of dying prematurely, an eviction can be a fatal blow, states the report, titled Rising rents and evictions linked to premature death.

The analysis revealed that merely facing the threat of eviction, even if it didnt in an actual eviction, was correlated with a significant 19% surge in mortality rates.

Receiving an eviction sentence was associated with a 40% increased risk of death, the report explains.

Nelsy Nunez de Mora, a 56-year-old resident of Hialeah, has endured firsthand the toll of housing instability. She recounts how her health has deteriorated under the shadow of eviction looming over her familys three-bedroom unit at Pura Vida.

Our ordeal began with a court summons merely five days after a missed payment. With my husbands job loss and my own health constraints preventing me from working, our situation grew dire, Nunez lamented. Living with her husband, youngest daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren, the burden of an eviction threat weighed heavily upon them.

They moved into their unit in 2022 and paid $2,300 in monthly rent. Then the rent surged to $3,160 per month.

The managers cold ultimatum  Pay up or leave  offers no solace. Breaking the lease would impose a hefty two-month penalty, she said, her voice tinged with resignation.

Compounding their distress, Nunez battles fibromyalgia, and she has had multiple ischemic strokes.

The toll is evident  seizures, debilitating weakness, and loss of mobility plague my left side. Each day brings new blackouts, all fueled by the relentless stress, she confided.

In 2018, her family fled Venezuela due to political persecution against Nunezs husband, Carlos Mora. Once prosperous merchants, they are now thrust into a world of uncertainty in Hialeah.

These dozens of cases filed in court will impact these families even if they reach an agreement with their landlords avoiding eviction. The public records on the eviction proceedings will make it much more difficult to find housing in the future, experts predict.

The case will always appear on the eviction record, but it will show that it has been dismissed, although only some will search the file to find out the verdict, explained Jeffrey M. Hearne, director of litigation at Legal Services of Greater Miami, an organization that provides free legal services.
LORAIN, Ohio (WJW)  Police were called after a student brought a fake gun to a local middle school on Monday.

According to Lorain City Schools Superintendant Jeff Graham, the district worked closely with the Lorain Police Department and visited the home of the student accused of bringing the gun to Southview Middle School.

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Graham said officials met with the students family and said everyone was very cooperative.

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The school will react in a manner that is consistent with our policies and past practice, said Graham.

The fake gun was taken as evidence to the Lorain Police Department, said officials.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
People fleeing from Sudan are pictured at a bus station in Aswan, Egypt, on April 25, 2023. Displaced by the civil war in Sudan a year ago, asylum-seeking Sudanese citizens have been trying to rebuild their lives in neighboring Egypt, but the task is by no means easy. (Photo by Radwan Abu Elmagd/Xinhua)

CAIRO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Sami Mahmoud, a Sudanese obstetrician and gynecologist, lived a comfortable life in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, before the outbreak of the armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, 2023.

With a big house, three cars, four household helpers, and everything, Mahmoud said his wife "was living like a queen in Sudan."

However, their fate took a dramatic turn after the conflict. After over 60 hours of bus trips, the family of seven members made it to Egypt with 10 pieces of luggage.

"Now, my wife is like a handyman for the family," Mahmoud told Xinhua near his rented apartment in Easy Life Compound in New Cairo, east of the Egyptian capital Cairo.

Displaced by the civil war in Sudan a year ago, asylum-seeking Sudanese citizens have been trying to rebuild their lives in neighboring Egypt, but the task is by no means easy.

"We could not withdraw any deposit from the banks before we left, so we started over in this apartment with money from better-off friends and relatives in other countries," Mahmoud said, recalling the gloomy days in the new home upon their arrival.

Life began to improve after he resumed his cooperation with the Chinese medical device provider Mindray. In Sudan, he had been offering consultancy services and providing training for young doctors through the partnership for several years.

Retaining the job in Egypt, which provided him with income to support his family, Mahmoud expressed confidence that "life will be back on the right track."

Since the outbreak of the conflict a year ago, more than 500,000 Sudanese have fled to Egypt, according to figures released by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March.

Despite the challenges they face, Sudanese refugees in Egypt have formed resilient bonds, with those who are more financially secure providing assistance to those in need.

Having served two terms as secretary-general of the Sudanese Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society and currently holding the position of president-elect of the African Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mahmoud has reached some 1,000 Sudanese doctors residing in Egypt. Many of these doctors are unable to practice as they lack Egyptian licenses.

"Thanks to the sponsorship of Mindray and our Egyptian counterparts, we had a successful seminar last year where we updated our knowledge in the medical industry," Mahmoud said.

The 53-year-old doctor also coordinates support groups, where they can share information about affordable rental apartments, accessible schools, job opportunities, etc.

"Sometimes, we provide financial support to the most needy, as relief from charitable organizations is very limited. We also offer free health services at bazaars organized by Sudanese communities," he said.

To help their peers, 38-year-old Sudanese refugee Maysoun Abdel-Salam and her husband are working hard to keep the Future Generation Center for Education (FGCE) operational.

With a three-storey building in Giza province near Cairo as its base, the FGCE, founded in 2017, offers education to about 350 students aged from two to 20, many of whom are newcomers from war-torn Sudan.

"The pressure increased significantly after the influx of refugees, exacerbating our problems of insufficient school materials, teachers, and funding since the opening of the center," Abdel-Salam said. "Now, with the soaring prices of rent and food in Egypt, the situation has become even more difficult."

However, although Abdel-Salam and her husband had seriously thought about leaving for a place of lower cost, they finally decided to stay for the sake of other refugees. She said they did what they always asked the students to do: "to work really hard and carry on." 

People carrying their luggage are pictured after crossing the Argeen land port from Sudan into Egypt on April 27, 2023. Displaced by the civil war in Sudan a year ago, asylum-seeking Sudanese citizens have been trying to rebuild their lives in neighboring Egypt, but the task is by no means easy. (Photo by Radwan Abu Elmagd/Xinhua)

Sami Mahmoud, a Sudanese obstetrician and gynecologist, receives an interview with Xinhua in Cairo, Egypt, on April 5, 2024. Displaced by the civil war in Sudan a year ago, asylum-seeking Sudanese citizens have been trying to rebuild their lives in neighboring Egypt, but the task is by no means easy. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)
CONCORD, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A student died in the hospital after accessing a gun in their parents vehicle in the parking lot of a Concord school Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

According to the Concord Police Department, on Tuesday, April 16, officers were called to Valor Preparatory Academys Upper School located along Ruben Linker Road NW to help the schools private security officer with a meeting between a student, their parent, and school administrators.

The Concord Police officer arrived at the school at 12:19 p.m. and the meeting ended around 12:45 p.m. Authorities said following the meeting, the parent and student left the school and walked to their vehicle together.

1-year-old baby boy injured in NE Charlotte shooting: CMPD

The parent then went back into the school to retrieve an item. Authorities said during this time, the student accessed a handgun that was inside the vehicle. When the parent returned, the student was suffering from injuries sustained in an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Additional emergency responders were called to the scene at 12:47 p.m. The student was transferred to Atrium Health Cabarrus and later pronounced deceased, police said.

An official from Valor told Queen City News that the school will have some level of additional counsel available to students who need it this week. The Upper School holds grades 7-12.

Queen City News has reached out to Concord Police for more information in regards to how the student was able to access the handgun in the vehicle and who the handgun belongs to.

This is a developing story; check back for updates

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The Concord Police Department said a student shot and killed themselves outside their school on Tuesday.

Officers said they were called to Valor Preparatory Academy on Ruben Link Road Northwest around 12:15 p.m. They said the student and a parent were meeting with school administrators.

ALSO READ: Man falls to death from Myrtle Beach hotel balcony trying to escape shooting

Investigators said the student and parent went to their vehicle, but the parent went back in the school to retrieve something. Police said that was when the student got a gun from inside the car and shot themselves. They died at the hospital.

Police arent releasing any more information out of respect for the family.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, call 988. Its the suicide and crisis lifeline, and you can call or text 24 hours a day.

(WATCH BELOW: 2 killed in separate shootings over the weekend in Salisbury, police say)
Students learn about race cars at NHRA Youth and Education Services program at K.I.D.

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Over 350 high school students were at the Kansas International Dragway learning about race cars on Monday.

It was all for the NHRA Youth and Education Services program, which focuses on STEM.

You can stay in a Cold War-era Atlas Missile silo Airbnb in Kansas

Students also spoke with colleges and companies to see what opportunities there are beyond high school.

Basically, it takes the things they learn in the classroom and shows them the math that they hate doing, how it works in the real world, said Kenny Ault, the general manager at Kansas International Dragway.

For more information about the NHRA Youth and Education Services program, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Yesterday marked one year since the war in Sudan started. There, Iranian manufactured drones fielded in the last few months have been turning things round for the army against the Rapid Security Force militias. Drones have also been used extensively by Tehrans Houthi proxies in Yemen, attacking international shipping in the Red Sea.

In Ukraine, Shahed drones have been used in their thousands by Putins forces, especially to target civilian population centres and critical infrastructure. Many people have been killed and huge damage inflicted on Ukraines food and energy sectors by attacking grain silos and power plants. In 2019, drones were used by Iran or one of its proxies to attack Saudi oil installations. They have also been used in multiple attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria.

Combat drones have been with us now for several years, but the remarkable increase in Iranian production and export over the last two years is altering the impact of asymmetric warfare by giving far greater potency than previously imagined to a much wider range of state and non-state actors. They are highly flexible and can be launched from a wide range of platforms including trucks, shipping containers and vessels. They can be readily disassembled and re-assembled and easily transported and concealed. As the Russians have frequently done in Ukraine, drones can be deployed in swarms to overwhelm air defences.

The most dramatic attack to date using Iranian drones came, of course, this weekend. Repelling that bombardment is estimated to have cost up to 1.5 billion dollars, a significant amount of which must have been expended on downing the drones. This illustrates one of the most pressing problems facing our national defences today.

Both attack and reconnaissance drones, which also endanger deployed forces as shown in Sudan, can be very cheap, as little as $2,000. Even the Shahed drones which have been used extensively in Ukraine and in the attack against Israel, can deliver large explosive charges with great precision at ranges of around 2,000 miles, at a cost of only $20,000-$50,000. Some of the missiles that have been used to intercept these drones can cost upwards of a million dollars a shot and sometimes much more. In broad terms, the earlier on the flight path they can be knocked out of the sky, the better the chances of preventing them from hitting the target, but the higher the price tag.

Irans drone production and export, as well as Russias use of drones and other missiles in Ukraine has given a long overdue wake-up call to Western countries who are now applying greater focus and resources to counter-drone technology as well as missile defence. Israel, under the most immediate threat for many years, has long been leading the way. It expects to field Iron Beam, a laser interceptor for drones and missiles, in the near future. It is the first weapon of its kind anywhere in the world. It will be a game-changer, bringing down the cost of interceptions.

Britain is also developing a laser interceptor called DragonFire, expected to enter service in five to ten years. The US, Russia, China and India are also working on such systems. Despite the promise of lasers, however, they cannot at present replace kinetic air defence missiles entirely. They are short-range only, probably not much more than 10 miles, and degraded by atmospheric conditions such as rain and fog.

Until technology can be developed to dramatically reduce the disproportionate cost of neutralising drones, air defence systems can still only be seen as a partial response. Offensive action to destroy production facilities, storage centres, transit routes and launch sites will remain paramount, just as it was in 1944 when Germany launched the first attack drones, the V1 rockets or Doodlebugs, against Britain.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Tardigrades were first discovered in the Eighteenth Century and are known to survive in some of Earths most inhospitable environments.

Microscopic tardigrades have fascinated scientists for their incredible toughness since they were first discovered back in 1773 . They can sense when its time to go dormant and enter a tun state under harsh conditions. Tardigrades can even withstand dangerous levels of radiation and a surprising mechanism in the DNA may be why. The process to repair DNA goes into overtime when exposed to the deadly radiation to fix the damaged DNA. The findings are described in a study published April 12 in the journal Current Biology .

What we saw surprised us, study co-author and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill biologist Bob Goldstein said in a statement. The tardigrades are doing something we hadnt expected.

Among the many dangers of excessive radiation exposure is its ability to damage DNA . In humans, the DNA damage from excessive radiation is linked to diseases including various cancers and cardiovascular disease . Tardigrade aka water bears can withstand an incredible amount of radiation. In 1963 , researchers first discovered that they can survive 1,400 times more intense radiation than humans are known to live through. Now, scientists are getting a glimpse into how their bodies correct the radiation damage in DNA.

[Related: What you need to know about the tardigrade cannon .]

In this new study, a team at UNC Chapel Hill used lab methods developed over the past 25 years to identify the internal genetic mechanisms tardigrades use to survive radiation exposure. They looked at a species of tardigrade called Hypsibius exemplaris that are not immune to DNA damage from radiation. Instead, they can repair this type of extensive damage. When they are exposed to radiation, tardigrade cells harness the power of hundreds of genes to create new proteins used to repair DNA. These proteins then ramp up the level of DNA repair to levels study co-author and biologist Courtney Clark-Hachtel called ridiculous.

These animals are mounting an incredible response to radiation, and that seems to be a secret to their extreme survival abilities, Clark-Hachtel said in a statement . What we are learning about how tardigrades overcome radiation stress can lead to new ideas about how we might try to protect other animals and microorganisms from damaging radiation.

[Related: Weve seen how tardigrades walk, and its mesmerizing .]

As the UNC-Chapel Hill scientists completed the work, a team from France found similar results in their experiments. Museum of Natural History Paris researchers Jean-Paul Concordet and Anne de Cian and their colleagues found that while gamma rays shattered the DNA of the tardigrades, it didnt kill them. They also discovered a new tardigrade protein called TRD1 that protects DNA. When it is put into human cells, the protein seems to help them withstand the damage. Concordet told The New York Times that TRD1 may grab onto the chromosomes and keep them in their correct shape, even as the chromosome strands start to fray. Understanding proteins like these can potentially lead to new treatments for cancer and other medical disorders where DNA is damaged.

Any tricks they use we might benefit from, said Concordet . Concordets findings were published as a reviewed preprint in the journal eLife in January.
Supreme Court allows enforcement of Idaho ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors

WASHINGTON  A divided Supreme Court on Monday allowed Idaho to mostly enforce a law that bans gender-affirming health care for transgender teenagers.

Granting an emergency request filed by Idaho officials, the court said the law enacted, which was last year, could go into effect statewide but cannot be applied against the two plaintiffs who challenged it.

The court's three liberal justices objected to the decision, saying the law should have remained blocked in full.

U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Winmill ruled in December that the state could not enforce the law while litigation continues. The state has appealed to the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has yet to rule.

The law, like measures enacted by other states, prevents the use of what Winmill called generally accepted medical treatment for transgender minors, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgical procedures.

Officials subsequently turned to the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, saying that the injunction was too broad and that the law should be blocked only for the two plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch, in an opinion explaining his vote to allow the law to be enforced, said the lower court had gone much further than needed in putting the entire law on hold. He noted, for example, that Winmill blocked a provision that barred surgery even though no party before the court had sought access to those surgeries.

The Supreme Court's intervention should be viewed as a "welcome development," Gorsuch said.

In a dissenting opinion, liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said that the case presents numerous reasons for exercising restraint but that instead, the court had decided to step in and was guilty of "micromanaging" the lower courts.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs, two transgender teens, said it was necessary that the judge blocked the entire law because if it went into effect, it might imperil all gender-affirming health care in the state.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which represents the teens, said in a statement that the decision was an "awful result for transgender youth and their families across the state" that "allows the state to shut down the care that thousands of families rely on while sowing further confusion and disruption."

Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, a Republican, said in a statement that the state had a duty to protect children from "life-altering drugs and procedures."

He said minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria "deserve love, support, and medical care rooted in biological reality."

The plaintiffs, named in court papers only as Pam Poe and Jane Doe, say the law, called the Vulnerable Child Protection Act, among other things violates the Constitution's 14th Amendment by discriminating on the basis of sex.

Poe is a 16-year-old transgender girl who has been prescribed puberty blockers. Doe is a 17-year-old transgender girl who was also prescribed puberty blockers and has begun hormone therapy.

Both say medical treatment has improved their mental health.

More than 20 states have enacted similar bans, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ rights think tank.

The Supreme Court is likely to weigh in on the broader legal question in the future as challenges to the laws make their way through the court system.

In the coming weeks, appeals concerning similar laws in Tennessee and Kentucky will be up for consideration by the justices.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Supreme Court granted a request by Idahos attorney general on Monday to lift a lower courts temporary injunction preventing the state from enforcing its felony ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

The justices granted Idaho Attorney General Raul Labradors (R) request to narrow a December district court order blocking the states ban in its entirety, allowing the law to be enforced against individuals other than the two transgender teenagers challenging it in court.

Idaho last year became the second state, after Alabama, to make providing gender-affirming health care to minors a felony, punishable by up to a decade in prison and $5,000 in fines.

U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill blocked Idahos law, known as the Vulnerable Child Protection Act, in December. He wrote in his order that gender-affirming medical care is safe, effective, and medically necessary for some adolescents when it is provided in accordance with guidelines set by organizations such as the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and the Endocrine Society.

Labrador appealed Winmills decision in January, but a three-judge panel for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied it in a one-sentence order. The same three-judge panel denied Labradors second appeal for the full 9th Circuit to reconsider the injunction.

In February, Labrador asked the Supreme Court to take emergency action allowing Idaho to enforce the law, arguing that district courts cannot prevent states from enforcing laws against individuals that are not directly involved in litigation.

The Supreme Court on Monday said it agreed.

Ordinarily, injunctions like these may go no further than necessary to provide interim relief to the parties. In this case, however, the district court went much further, prohibiting a State from enforcing any aspect of its duly enacted law against anyone, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote Monday.

The courts three liberal justices dissented, arguing the law should have remained blocked in full.

Labrador in an emailed statement did not explicitly respond to Mondays ruling but said the state has a duty to protect and support all children.

Ive witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of drugs and procedures used on children with gender dysphoria, he said. And its a preventable tragedy.

Gender-affirming health care for transgender minors and adults is considered medically necessary and often lifesaving by major medical organizations including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the ACLU of Idaho, which are representing the plaintiffs, called Mondays ruling an awful result for transgender youth and their families across the state.

Todays ruling allows the state to shut down the care that thousands of families rely on while sowing further confusion and disruption, the groups said in a statement. Nonetheless, todays result only leaves us all the more determined to defeat this law in the courts entirely, making Idaho a safer state to raise every family.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared divided over whether the federal government had properly charged hundreds of alleged Jan. 6 rioters with felony obstruction, with several justices voicing concern that prosecutors' broad interpretation of a financial crimes law could be weaponized against political protests.

The high-stakes case, brought by a former Pennsylvania police officer facing charges for his alleged conduct at the Capitol in 2021, could upend the convictions and sentences of more than 300 defendants -- and could also potentially invalidate two of the four charges against former President Donald Trump brought by special counsel Jack Smith.

At issue in the case of Fischer v. United States is whether the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, enacted in the wake of the Enron scandal to prevent the destruction of evidence in financial crimes, can be used against alleged participants in the events of Jan. 6, 2021, which disrupted congressional certification of electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election.

PHOTO: The US Supreme Court in Washington on June 29, 2023. (Shawn Thew/EPA via Shutterstock, FILE)

MORE: 3 years later, Jan. 6 by the numbers: More than 1,200 charged, more than 460 imprisoned for role in Capitol attack

The statute makes it a crime to "alter, destroy, mutilate or conceal a record, document or other object" in an effort to impair an investigation. But it also includes a catch-all provision for conduct that "otherwise obstructs, influences or impedes any official proceeding."

Joseph Fischer's defense attorney Jeffrey Green argued the provision should not apply to his client.

"Attempting to stop a vote count or something like that is a very different act than actually changing a document or altering a document or creating a fake new document," Green told the court on Tuesday. The law is "about a direct effect ... on evidence that's to be used in a proceeding."

Biden administration Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar said the text of the statute couldn't be clearer and that Congress intended it to be expansive.

"The case as it comes to this court presents a straightforward question of statutory interpretation: Did [the] petitioner obstruct, influence or impede the joint session of Congress?" Prelogar told the justices. "The answer is equally straightforward. Yes, he obstructed that official proceeding."

The high court's three liberal justices appeared, at times, to lean toward a plain reading of the statute that would allow most, if not all, of the charges to stand.

"There's a good case that this provision -- everybody knew it was going to be superfluous because it was a provision that was meant to function as a backstop" to catch conduct that Congress did not explicitly enumerate, Justice Elena Kagan said.

But members of the court's conservative majority seemed more skeptical, focusing on the lack of prosecutions under the same law for matters unrelated to financial or documentary crimes. Chief Justice John Roberts indicated the obstruction language in the law must be considered in context.

A "general phrase is controlled and defined by reference to the terms that precede it," Roberts said of the court's precedent, nodding to references about documents and records.

"What happened on January 6 was very, very serious. But we need to find out what are the outer reaches of this statute under your interpretation," Justice Samuel Alito told Prelogar.

What if "all the bridges from Virginia were blocked, and members [of Congress] from Virginia who needed to appear at a hearing couldn't get there or were delayed in getting there? Would that be a violation of this provision?" Alito asked.

"It sounds to me like that wouldn't satisfy the 'proceeding' element," Prelogar said.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett raised similar concerns, wondering if protestors had not breached the Capitol but still had a goal of impairing or stopping the proceeding by making their voices heard. "Does that violate the statute in your view under this impede language?" she asked.

PHOTO: FILE - Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jose Luis Magana/AP, FILE)

MORE: Some Jan. 6 rioters received improper sentence enhancements, appeals court rules

Joseph Fischer was a participant in the "Save America" rally on Jan. 6 who faces prosecution for allegedly being part of the crowd that entered the Capitol as Congress was attempting to certify the 2020 election results.

The statute carries a 20-year maximum sentence, though most Jan. 6 defendants have received far more lenient penalties in addition to being charged with other, related crimes.

The court could uphold lower court rulings that affirmed the government's broad interpretation of the law, or it could narrow the obstruction statute in some way or otherwise make clear it doesn't apply to the circumstances of Jan. 6.

A decision in the case is expected by the end of June.

Supreme Court appears divided on case that could upend felony charges against Jan. 6 rioters, Trump originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
YAOUNDE, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon and the United Nations on Tuesday launched a humanitarian aid plan to address the urgent needs of 2.3 million of the most vulnerable people in the Central African country, the UN said on Tuesday.

The plan requires some 371.4 million U.S. dollars, down from 407.3 million dollars last year, in funding to help those suffering from violence, national disasters, climate shocks, and disease outbreaks.

Women and children make up 77 percent of those in need of humanitarian assistance in the country, according to the UN.

"A renewed commitment from the entire humanitarian community and donors is urgent to meet vital humanitarian needs," UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Cameroon Coulibaly Siaka said during the launch of the plan in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon.

Cameroon is facing prolonged armed conflict in the Far North Region, where the terror group Boko Haram continues to attack soldiers and civilians, and in the country's Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest, where a separatist insurgency is deteriorating. The country is also hosting many refugees from Nigeria and the Central African Republic. 
Insurrectionists loyal to President Trump storm the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (John Minchillo / Associated Press)

The Supreme Court cast doubt Tuesday on the legality of obstruction charges lodged against some 300 rioters arrested for breaking into the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The court's conservatives questioned whether the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which was aimed at corporate accounting fraud, can be used more broadly to prosecute those who obstruct "any official proceeding," including Congress' 2021 certification of President Biden's election victory.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Neil M. Gorsuch noted that the law made it a crime to destroy or conceal documents to impair an "official proceeding," but they voiced doubt over extending it to any disruptions of a proceeding.

"Would a sit-in that disrupts a trial qualify?" Gorsuch asked. "Would a heckler in today's audience qualify? Would pulling a fire alarm before a vote qualify for 20 years in prison?"

While the court's three liberals appeared to agree with prosecutors that law can be read broadly, the six conservatives sounded skeptical.

A ruling that limits the obstruction law could also undercut the prosecution of former President Trump. Two of the four criminal charges against him are based on the obstruction law.

Special counsel Jack Smith, however, has said the charges against Trump rest on stronger grounds because Trump allegedly schemed to submit false slates of electors to Congress.

Trump's case did not figure in Tuesday's argument. Next week, justices will hear Trump's claim that he is immune from criminal charges that arose from his "official acts" as president.

The court's ruling in Fischer vs. United States could also deal a blow to other Jan. 6 prosecutions, though it would not prevent the punishing of those who broke into the Capitol on the day Congress was due to certify President Biden's victory in the 2020 election.

More than 1,200 of the rioters were arrested for their actions. Most were charged with assaulting the police officers who were on duty or with disorderly and disruptive conduct. Some were also charged with carrying dangerous or deadly weapons.

The FBI delved into the backgrounds and motives of those who came to the Capitol. Based on those investigations, about 330 of the rioters were also charged with seeking to obstruct an official proceeding.

One of those was Joseph Fischer, an off-duty Pennsylvania police officer, who said on social media that he expected the attack on the Capitol "might get violent" but that it was needed "to send a message that we the people hold the real power."

When Fischer was arrested, he was charged with six counts of assault and disruption as well as a seventh charge of obstruction, a felony charge which could send him to prison for several years.

A federal judge rejected the obstruction charge in his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals restored it in a 2-1 decision.



The Supreme Court agreed to hear his appeal.

Most of the justices describe themselves as "textualists" who decide cases based on the words of the laws. But in this case, like many others, the words can be read differently.

The Sarbanes-Oxley law was adopted after the collapse of energy firm Enron in an accounting scandal that also took down the Arthur Andersen accounting firm.

Congress wanted to make clear that shredding documents could be prosecuted as a crime.

At issue was how to interpret two clauses in the law. It says it's a crime if someone "corruptly alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the object's integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so."

U.S. Solicitor Gen. Elizabeth Prelogar said the prosecutions rely on a "straightforward application" of the law as written.

"A violent mob stormed the United States Capitol and disrupted the peaceful transition of power," she said. "In plain English, the fundamental wrong committed by many of the rioters, including [Fischer], was a deliberate attempt to stop the joint session of Congress from certifying the results of the election. That is, they obstructed Congress's work in that official proceeding."

But she had barely finished her opening before the chief justice said he saw it differently.

Roberts said the justices have often said that the words of the law are read based on the full text. "The general phrase is controlled and defined by reference to the terms that precede it," he told her.

That means the law is about concealing documents and records. "You can't look at it as if it's standing alone" as a general provision applying to disruptions of official proceedings, he said.

The court's conservatives have often taken a skeptical view of prosecutions that rely on a broad reading of a criminal statute.

Justice Clarence Thomas, who was back on the bench after a one-day absence, pressed Prelogar on whether the government had used the law against other "violent protests."

"There have been many violent protests that interfered with proceedings," he said. "Has the government applied this provision to other protests in the past?"

Prelogar said she did not have a ready example of "enforcing it in a situation where people have violently stormed a building in order to prevent an official proceeding. That's because I'm not aware of that circumstance ever happening prior to Jan. 6," she said.

The justices are likely to hand down a ruling in the case in late June.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Supreme Court Conservatives Appear Skeptical Of The Law Used To Charge Hundreds Of Jan. 6 Insurrectionists

The Supreme Court appeared incredibly skeptical of how a law has been used to charge hundreds of participants in the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, in arguments on Tuesday.

The case came to the court from a challenge brought by Joseph Fischer, who was among the mob that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. Among other charges, he was accused of violating a provision in a 2002 accounting reform law that prohibits anyone who corruptly  obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so.

But in his challenge, Fischer argued that the law was not meant to apply to situations like the Jan. 6 insurrection. The Department of Justice has already charged at least 330 participants in the attack, including former President Donald Trump, with violating this provision.

If the court rules in favor of Fischer, it would likely lead to the dismissal of this charge from his case, as well as its dismissal for hundreds of other defendants  including Trump. That charge against Trump was brought by special counsel Jack Smith as part of a four-count indictment for alleged crimes committed in pursuit of overturning the 2020 election.

During arguments, the courts conservative justices appeared hostile to the use of this provision in the context of Jan. 6, suggesting that the governments interpretation of the provision was overly broad. Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson also seemed to question whether the governments theory about how to apply this provision could criminalize other activity, like protests and disturbances, that were not as violent or disruptive as the insurrection.

The arguments hinged on how to interpret the provision, officially known as 1512(c)(2), of the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Passed in the wake of the Enron and Arthur Andersen accounting scandals, the law sought to close numerous loopholes and gaps in obstruction codes that protected the destruction or alteration of documents, particularly regarding financial fraud.

The Department of Justice has charged more than 300 people with obstructing an official proceeding for their actions during the Jan. 6 insurrection. Kent Nishimura via Getty Images

Lower courts have been divided on how to interpret the use of the word otherwise that separated the provision in question from the provision that preceded it. The full text of the law shows this separation (emphasis added):

(c) Whoever corruptly (1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the objects integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or (2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.

The question before the Supreme Court is whether the word otherwise meant in a similar manner  as a district court judge who initially dismissed the charge against Fischer found  or in a different manner  as a divided appeals court later ruled.

If otherwise means in a similar manner, then the provision used to charge the Jan. 6 defendants would combine with the preceding provisions reference to records, documents or other objects.

This reading would lead to the dismissal of Fischers charge, as he was not attempting to alter, destroy, mutilate or conceal a document when he invaded the Capitol and allegedly assaulted a police officer, his lawyer, Jeffery Green, argued.

The courts conservative justices appeared to favor this reading of the statute, although they spent much of their time discussing hypothetical applications of the law.

Using an array of examples involving liberals or leftists engaging in activity that was disruptive of official proceedings, the conservative justices pressed Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, arguing on behalf of the government, on the limits of the Justice Departments use of 1512(c)(2).

There have been many violent protests that have interfered with proceedings. Has the government applied this provision to other protests in the past? Justice Clarence Thomas, whose wife, Ginni Thomas, attended the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6 that precipitated the insurrection, asked.

Justice Neil Gorsuch asked if the law applied to a person pulling a fire alarm prior to a congressional vote, alluding to Rep. Jamaal Bowmans (D-N.Y.) similar action in September last year. What if five protestors interrupted Supreme Court arguments and caused a delay, Justice Samuel Alito wondered, alluding to a 2015 incident where campaign finance reform activists shouted protests during arguments. Or could the law apply to protestors blocking bridges  as antiwar protestors did in San Francisco on Monday  from Virginia to Washington in order to stop lawmakers from getting to a particular vote, Alito asked.

"There have been many violent protests that have interfered with proceedings," Justice Clarence Thomas (right) said. His wife, Ginni Thomas (left), attended the rally that precipitated the Jan. 6 insurrection. MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images

Prelogar rebutted these hypotheticals by arguing that the government is required to show that a person acted with corrupt intent and with a necessary connection to a specific proceeding in order to bring such charges. She added that charges would not be brought for minimal disturbances, especially where a person could not be shown to be acting with criminal intent.

Jackson also addressed the fear of an overly broad use of the statute, saying that she was struggling with leaping from the document focus of 1512(c)(1) to the broad interpretation by the government of 1512(c)(2) encompassing all obstruction in any form.

Jackson appeared to seek a middle ground by positing that the court could limit the scope of the provision in question without leading to the dismissal of charges against Jan. 6 participants. Since the insurrectionists were seeking to delay, impede and possibly steal or destroy the electoral vote certificates, wouldnt a document-related interpretation of the statute allow many of these prosecutions to go forward, Jackson asked.

Yes, these would likely be viable charges, Prelogar said.

Jackson was not alone in raising the question of whether all charges would be void if the court reached a more limited decision that partially sided with Fischer. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a conservative, also raised this question early in arguments.

Lets imagine that we do agree with you, Barrett said to Fischers lawyer, Green. On remand, do you imagine that the government could take a shot at proving that your client actually did try to interfere with  or obstruct evidence because he was trying to obstruct the arrival of the certificates  arriving to the vice presidents desk for counting?

Green disagreed with this theory.

This statute prohibits operation on specific evidence in some way, shape or form, Green said. Attempting to stop a vote count or something like that is a very different act than actually changing a document, altering a document or creating a fake new document.

By the end of arguments, it appeared that the justices would, in some fashion, side with Fischer and restrict the governments use of 1512(c)(2) in the Jan. 6 prosecutions. The only question is how they would do so.

A narrower ruling following Jackson and Barretts lead could preserve a possible pathway for the government to continue some prosecutions, so long as it can prove intent to impede the certificates. A broader ruling, as the other conservatives seemed to be looking for, would likely lead to the dismissal of hundreds of charges brought against insurrectionists  including Trump.

The court will rule on the case by June 30.

Related...
Supreme Court to consider whether local governments can make it a crime to sleep outside if no inside space is available

On April 22, 2024, the Supreme Court will hear a case that could radically change how cities respond to the growing problem of homelessness. It also could significantly worsen the nations racial justice gap.

City of Grants Pass v. Johnson began when a small city in Oregon with just one homeless shelter began enforcing a local anti-camping law against people sleeping in public using a blanket or any other rudimentary protection against the elements  even if they had nowhere else to go. The court must now decide whether it is unconstitutional to punish homeless people for doing in public things that are necessary to survive, such as sleeping, when there is no option to do these acts in private.

The case raises important questions about the scope of the Constitutions cruel and unusual punishment clause and the limits of cities power to punish involuntary conduct. As a specialist in poverty law, civil rights and access to justice who has litigated many cases in this area, I know that homelessness in the U.S. is a function of poverty, not criminality, and is strongly correlated with racial inequality. In my view, if cities get a green light to continue criminalizing inevitable behaviors, these disparities can only increase.

A national crisis

Homelessness in the United States is a massive problem. The number of people without homes held steady during the COVID-19 pandemic largely because of eviction moratoriums and the temporary availability of expanded public benefits, but it has risen sharply since 2022.

The latest data from the federal governments annual Point-in-Time homeless count found 653,000 people homeless across the U.S. on a single night in 2023  a 12% increase from 2022 and the highest number reported since the counts began in 2007. Of the people counted, nearly 300,000 were living on the street or in parks, rather than indoors in temporary shelters or safe havens.

The survey also shows that all homelessness is not the same. About 22% of homeless people are deemed chronically homeless, meaning they are without shelter for a year or more, while most experience a temporary or episodic lack of shelter. A 2021 study found that 53% of homeless shelter residents and nearly half of unsheltered people were employed.

Scholars and policymakers have spent many years analyzing the causes of homelessness. They include wage stagnation, shrinking public benefits, inadequate treatment for mental illness and addiction, and the politics of siting affordable housing. There is little disagreement, however, that the simple mismatch between the vast need for affordable housing and the limited supply is a central cause.

Homelessness and race

Like poverty, homelessness in the U.S. is not race-neutral. Black Americans represent 13% of the population but comprise 21% of people living in poverty and 37% of people experiencing homelessness.

The largest percentage increase in homelessness for any racial group in 2023 was 40% among Asians and Asian-Americans. The largest numerical increase was among people identifying as what the Department of Housing and Urban Development calls Latin(a)(o)(x), with nearly 40,000 more homeless in 2023 than in 2022.

This disproportionality means that criminalizing homelessness likewise has a disparate racial effect. A 2020 study in Austin, Texas, showed that Black homeless people were 10 times more likely than white homeless people to be cited by police for camping on public property.

According to a recent report from the Southern Poverty Law Center, 1 in 8 Atlanta city jail bookings in 2022 were of people experiencing homelessness. The criminalization of homelessness has roots in historical use of vagrancy and loitering laws against Black Americans dating back to the 19th century.

Crackdowns on the homeless

Increasing homelessness, especially its visible manifestations such as tent encampments, has frustrated city residents, businesses and policymakers across the U.S. and led to an increase in crackdowns against homeless people. Reports from the National Homelessness Law Center in 2019 and 2021 have tallied hundreds of laws restricting camping, sleeping, sitting, lying down, panhandling and loitering in public.

Just since 2022, Texas, Tennessee and Missouri have passed statewide bans on camping on public property, with Tennessee making it a felony.

Georgia has enacted a law requiring localities to enforce public camping bans. Even some cities led by Democrats, including San Diego and Portland, Oregon, have established tougher anti-camping regulations.

Under presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the federal government has asserted that criminal sanctions are rarely useful. Instead it has emphasized alternatives, such as supportive services, specialty courts and coordinated systems of care, along with increased housing supply.

Some cities have had striking success with these measures. But not all communities are on board.

Members of a local park watch group demonstrate against homeless encampments in Grants Pass, Ore., March 20, 2024. AP Photo/Jenny Kane

The Grants Pass case

Grants Pass v. Johnson culminates years of struggle over how far cities can go to discourage homeless people from residing within their borders, and whether or when criminal sanctions for actions such as sleeping in public are permissible.

In a 2019 case, Martin v. City of Boise, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Eighth Amendments cruel and unusual punishment clause forbids criminalizing sleeping in public when a person has no private place to sleep. The decision was based on a 1962 Supreme Court case, Robinson v. California, which held that it is unconstitutional to criminalize being a drug addict. Robinson and a subsequent case, Powell v. Texas, have come to stand for distinguishing between status, which cannot constitutionally be punished, and conduct, which can.

In the Grants Pass ruling, the 9th Circuit went one step further than it had in the Boise case and held that the Constitution also banned criminalizing the act of public sleeping with rudimentary protection from the elements. The decision was contentious: Judges disagreed over whether the anti-camping ban regulated conduct or the status of being homeless, which inevitably leads to sleeping outside when there is no alternative.

Grants Pass is urging the Supreme Court to abandon the Robinson precedent and its progeny as moribund and misguided. It argues that the Eighth Amendment forbids only certain cruel methods of punishment, which do not include fines and jail terms.

The homeless plaintiffs argue that they do not challenge reasonable regulation of the time and place of outdoor sleeping, the citys ability to limit the size or location of homeless groups or encampments, or the legitimacy of punishing those who insist on remaining in public when shelter is available. But they argue that broad anti-camping laws inflict overly harsh punishments for wholly innocent, universally unavoidable behavior and that punishing people for simply existing outside without access to shelter will not reduce this activity.

They contend that criminalizing sleeping in public when there is no alternative violates the Eighth Amendment in three ways: by criminalizing the status of homelessness, by imposing disproportionate punishment on innocent and unavoidable acts, and by imposing punishment without a legitimate deterrent or rehabilitative goal.

The case has attracted dozens of amicus briefs, including from numerous cities and counties that support Grants Pass. They assert that the 9th Circuits recent decisions have worsened homelessness, stymied law enforcement and left jurisdictions without clear guidelines for preserving public order and safety.

On the other hand, the states of Maryland, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York and Vermont filed a brief urging the Court to uphold the 9th Circuits ruling, arguing that local governments retain ample tools to address homelessness and that criminalizing tends to worsen rather than alleviate the problem.

A brief from 165 former local elected officials agrees. Service providers, social scientists and professional organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association filed briefs noting that criminalization increases barriers to education, employment and eventual recovery; erodes community trust; and can force people back into abusive situations. They also highlight research showing the effectiveness of a nonpunitive housing first model.

A race to the bottom?

The current Supreme Court is generally extremely sympathetic to law enforcement, but even its conservative members may balk at allowing a city to criminalize inevitable acts by homeless people. Doing so could spark competition among cities to create the most punitive regime in hopes of effectively banishing homeless residents.

Still, at least some justices may sympathize with the citys argument that upholding the 9th Circuits ruling logically would immunize numerous other purportedly involuntary acts from prosecution, such as drug use by addicts, public intoxication by alcoholics, and possession of child pornography by pedophiles. However the court rules, this case will likely affect the health and welfare of thousands of people experiencing homelessness in cities across the U.S.

This article has been updated to reflect that Texas has made camping on public property a misdemeanor and Tennessee has made it a felony.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Clare Pastore, University of Southern California

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Clare Pastore is a former Senior Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, which is one of the ACLU offices included in the organization's amicus brief in the case supporting the homeless litigants in city of Grants Pass v. Johnson. Her employment with the ACLU ended in 2007, years before this case was filed.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared willing to scrap a felony charge brought against hundreds of people who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

The charge  that some defendants obstructed an official proceeding when the mass of people in the Capitol forced Congress to evacuate and delay its proceedings for around seven hours  is from a 2002 law written after accounting scandals at major U.S. corporations in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Three men charged for their role in the attack on the Capitol have argued that the law was not intended to be used when people physically disrupt Congress. Instead, they argue, its limited to the destruction of records and documents, because the provision was written in response to an Enron auditors decision to destroy potentially incriminating documents about the companys widespread fraud.

The six conservative justices on Tuesday appeared open to the argument that the government had misused the statute when it applied it to some of the rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. Several justices expressed concern that the provision could be used to prosecute smaller acts of protest against the government.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump appointee, said the key was how much Congress intended the clause to cover when it used the word otherwise. He asked why the government needed the charge when it was often able to bring other indictments against Jan. 6 defendants.

Obviously, petitioner committed other crimes that weve charged and that were seeking to hold him accountable for, said Elizabeth B. Prelogar, the Solicitor General. But one of the distinct strands of harm, one of the root problems with petitioners conduct, is that he knew about that proceeding, he said in advance of Jan. 6 that he was prepared to storm the Capitol, prepared to use violence, he wanted to intimidate Congress. He said they cant vote if they cant breathe.

But the liberal justices grilled Jeffrey T. Green, the attorney for Fischer, on his narrow argument of when the charge should be brought, saying Congress intended to cover any gaps in the statute that could be exploited. Justice Elena Kagan, an Obama appointee, said Congress specifically created the charge as a backstop.

Green said the backstop was only intended to catch crimes that were not specifically spelled out in the first part of the statute, like falsely creating a court document. He said the governments use of the charge is too far reaching.

The government wants to unleash a 20 year maximum penalty on potential peaceful protests, Green said. That in and of itself is a bad idea because its going to chill protected activities. People are going to worry about the kinds of protests they engage in, even if theyre peaceful, because the government has this kind of weapon.

The decision, expected to come in late June, could have significant implications. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 353 of the 1,387 Capitol riot defendants have been charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

At least 119 of them have been both convicted and sentenced, including William Chrestman from Kansas. And three others who traveled from Kansas and Missouri to Washington have been convicted and are awaiting their sentence.

Already, the Supreme Courts decision to hear the case is affecting other Jan. 6 cases. Some judges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia have delayed sentencing Jan. 6 defendants until after the Supreme Court issues a ruling. One Missouri defendant, Nicholas Kennedy, opted to have a stipulated trial for an obstruction charge in the hopes that the Supreme Court will overturn the charge and he can appeal the judges ruling.

The case has been working its way through the courts since March 2022, when District Court Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, dismissed the governments obstruction charge against Garret Miller. He said the charge only applied if the defendant took some action with respect to a document, record, or other object in order to corruptly obstruct, impede or influence an official proceeding, citing that interpretation as closest to the original legislative intent of Congress.

Nichols also dismissed the obstruction counts against two other Capitol riot defendants, Joseph Fischer and Edward Lang.

A three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, all appointed by Democratic presidents, reversed the District Court opinion, saying the text was unambiguous in that it extended beyond the destruction of records. The three defendants then appealed that decision to the Supreme Court.

The case, called Fischer v. United States, comes a week ahead of arguments over whether former President Donald Trump has immunity from legal arguments that he broke the law in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election, because he was serving as president at the time.

Trump has come to increasingly embrace his supporters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. At some of his campaign rallies, Trump has played a version of the national anthem sung by Jan. 6 defendants who are held in a D.C. jail ahead of their trials. Trump, and some Republicans, have taken to calling the defendants patriots, political prisoners and hostages.

The former president said on his Truth Social account last month that one of his first acts if re-elected would be to Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!

Former Missouri Sen. John Danforth filed an amicus brief in the case with several former elected officials and judges, which argued that the 2002 law should apply to the Capitol riot cases because it specifically applies to anyone who otherwise obstructs an official proceeding. It also says the courts have a strong incentive to punish the people who stormed the Capitol that day.

I think January 6 matters, Danforth told The Star in an interview. I think January 6 was a major event in American history. I think that January 6 was not just an attack on a building, it was an attack of the peaceful transfer of power and something that is absolutely essential to our country.

Roger Roots, one of the attorneys representing Blue Springs defendant John George Todd, said the obstruction statute has nothing to do with the actions of those on Jan. 6. Todd is awaiting a May 10 sentencing after a jury found him guilty in February of six charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding.

The statute was plainly intended by Congress to apply to the most serious instances of obstruction of a proceedings ability to evaluate evidence or come to proper findings, Roots said in an email to The Star. That might mean submitting fraudulent information, fabricating documents or bribing witnesses.

The statute was not intended to punish peoples political advocacy at the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Capitol is one of Americas largest public buildings and is designed to facilitate political dialogue and protest, he said.

Several Kansas and Missouri defendants are among those whose cases could be impacted if the Supreme Court overturns the D.C. Circuit decision. Nine in those two states were charged with obstruction of an official proceeding.

The charges against four of them were dismissed as part of their plea agreements. Four others were convicted on the obstruction and other charges: Todd; Kennedy, of Sikeston; Matthew Loganbill, of Versailles; and Chrestman, of Olathe.

The other defendant, William Pope, of Topeka, has a jury trial scheduled for July 22.

Chrestman is the only one to be sentenced so far. Todds sentencing is set for May 10, and Kennedys is Aug. 28. Loganbills sentencing has been delayed until after the Fischer decision comes down.

Chrestman, a member of the far-right Proud Boys Kansas City chapter, was arrested Feb. 11, 2021, and faced multiple felony charges. He was indicted Feb. 26, 2021, along with Ryan Ashlock, Louis Enrique Colon, Christopher Kuehne and Arizona siblings Cory and Felicia Konold for conspiring to breach the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Prosecutors said Chrestman, an Army veteran, threatened to assault a federal law enforcement officer and carried a wooden ax handle while in the Capitol building and on the grounds. He could be seen on numerous videos alongside other Proud Boys during the insurrection, dressed in tactical gear, leading chants and wielding the ax handle inside the Capitol.

William Billy Chrestman of Olathe is seen here (in separate photos) at the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Chrestman was held without bond in the D.C. jail. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 16 to obstruction of an official proceeding and threatening a federal officer and was sentenced on Jan. 12, 2024, to 55 months in prison, three years of supervised release and $2,000 restitution. He was given credit for the nearly three years of time already served. Prison records show he is being held at the Federal Correctional Institution in Texarkana, Texas, and has a release date of Jan. 7, 2025.

Loganbill, a firearms trainer, was arrested March 29, 2021, on one count of obstruction of an official proceeding and four misdemeanor counts. At the time of his arrest, he was the owner of a Lake of the Ozarks-area gun store called Tooth and Nail Armory.

Matthew Loganbill

Video and photos of Loganbill taken inside the Capitol showed him refusing to obey law enforcement commands, court records said. They also showed Loganbill wearing a gas mask and helmet, and prosecutors said he arrived at the Capitol dressed for war. Investigators said he told them he initially brought the gear because he was fearful Antifa was going to infiltrate the protest, then wore those items after police deployed tear gas.

On Nov. 16, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson conducted a bench trial and found him guilty on all charges.

Kennedy was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 23, 2021, on felony charges of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding, along with four misdemeanors. A second superseding indictment handed down in February added a felony charge of tampering with records, documents or other objects.

Nicholas Kennedy

According to court testimony, Kennedy met up with several Kansas City-area Proud Boys in downtown Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6,and was among the first group to breach the police barriers on the Capitols west side.

Once inside, Kennedy was nearby when Vice President Mike Pence was evacuated from the Senate chamber and was part of a crowd pushing to get through a barricaded door into the House chamber. Kennedy wiped his iPhone clean after learning that federal authorities were seeking information about people who entered the Capitol that day.

Kennedy pleaded guilty April 3 to one count of civil disorder and one count of tampering with records, documents or other objects. He also was found guilty by a judge of obstruction of an official proceeding based on an agreed set of facts between the government and Kennedys attorneys.

Todd was charged on May 3, 2022, with four misdemeanor counts after he was allegedly captured on video making threatening remarks to police officers and illegally remaining within the building.

Body-worn camera footage obtained from the Metropolitan Police Department showed Todd yelling at law enforcement authorities. At one point inside the rotunda, while near a law enforcement officer, Todd yelled, I swear to God, Ill hip toss your ass into the f------ crowd, mother ------! court documents said.

John George Todd III of Blue Springs is seen on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

His case was originally scheduled to go to trial Nov. 14, 2022. But after he was granted more time to prepare, a grand jury indicted him on felony counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers that inflicted bodily harm and obstruction of an official proceeding in addition to the four misdemeanor counts.

Todds jury trial began on Jan. 29. After a weeklong trial and three days of deliberations, he was found guilty on all six counts. Records show he is being held in the D.C. Jail until his sentencing.

Pope was arrested Feb. 12, 2021, and faces two felonies  civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding  and several misdemeanors. Among the allegations is that he tried to force open a door inside then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office suite.

In August 2022, a federal judge ruled that Pope would be allowed to represent himself in his case. Since then, he has been fighting for access to U.S. Capitol Police security videos from Jan. 6 that he says include footage of undercover Metropolitan Police officers inciting protesters to breach the Capitol on Jan. 6.

William Pope, of Topeka, was among the crowd near The Ellipse in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, where he attended former President Trumps speech at the Stop the Steal rally.

On Sunday, Pope filed a motion to continue his trial from the July 22 date. Among his arguments for doing so, he said, was that there is a strong possibility that the Supreme Court ruling will alter the outcome of my case.

If the Fischer decision is handed down at the end of June and the court rules that the obstruction charge is inappropriate in Capitol riot cases, Pope said, he would have to file a last-minute motion to dismiss the obstruction charge against him while also preparing for his trial.

I will also take very different strategic approaches to my defense, depending on the Supreme Courts ruling, including which witnesses I call to testify, he said.

In addition, Pope said in Sundays filing, if the Supreme Court rejects the governments use of the obstruction charge in Jan. 6 cases, prosecutors may be more open to engaging in a more reasonable discussion about pretrial resolution.

But if that happens, he said, I will need time to hear and consider their position.
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has suffered another legal setback  this time from the Supreme Court, which rejected his request to hear an appeal over the FBIs seizure of his cellphone.

In September 2022, FBI agents approached Lindell at a Hardees drive-thru in Minnesota and confiscated his phone as part of an investigation into possible voting machine tampering in Colorado in 2020. (Lindell was not charged in the case.)

At the time, Lindell accused the FBI of being weaponized against him and said that he was running five companies using his phone and did not have a computer.

He has been trying to get that phone back ever since.

In late 2022, a U.S. District Court judge rejected Lindells attempt to have the phone returned. A federal appeals court upheld that ruling last year, writing that the seizure of the phone  which Lindell acknowledged had been backed up five days before it was confiscated  does not give rise to a constitutional claim, let alone a showing of a callous disregard for his constitutional rights.

Lindell then petitioned the Supreme Court, which on Monday denied the request.

The refusal is the latest in a string of court losses for Lindell. Last month, MyPillow was evicted from its warehouse in Minnesota after falling behind on rent, and a federal judge recently ordered Lindell to pay $5 million to someone who took him up on his challenge and debunked his election interference claim. He is also facing separate defamation lawsuits from voting machine companies Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems.

In October, Lindell told NBC News that he was broke and could no longer afford to pay the attorneys defending him in those lawsuits, along with a defamation lawsuit brought by a former Dominion employee.

Weve lost everything, every dime, he said.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
(WHTM)  Pennsylvania Representative Lloyd Smucker (R-11) is among three current and former U.S. Congressmen whose petition against fines imposed for failing to complete security screenings was rejected by the Supreme Court on Monday.

The Hill first reported when Smucker became the sixth U.S. House member to be fined $5,000 for violating the security protocols in May 2021.

According to the Capitol Police report, Smuckers fine stems from May 19, 2021, when he entered the House Chamber without being screened by an officer or walking through the metal detector, despite officers efforts to get his attention.

It wasnt until he voted that officers say they were able to get Smuckers attention and he went back through the metal detector.

PAST COVERAGE: Report: Lloyd Smucker fined $5,000 for violating Congress security protocols

The metal detectors were installed outside the House chamber after the January 6 insurrection and have since been removed.

Smucker appealed the fines along with Rep. Andrew Clyde, (R-Georgia) and former Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas).

In their 75-page petition to the court, the lawmakers called the fines massive and claimed that the security measures prevented them from voting on matters in the House.

In February 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a rule requiring the House Sergeant at Arms to impose massive fines ($5,000 for the first offense, $10,000 for subsequent offenses) against Members who failed to complete security screenings, and requiring the Houses Chief Administrative Officer to deduct those fines from the salaries of Members who did not pay the fines before the Members ever received their salaries. Petitioners Members of Congress at the timewere all fined. Many Members were denied the ability to vote on matters before the House while they waited to pass through the required security measures.

The three Republicans had appealed their fines to the House Ethics Committee saying the fines and screenings were being selectively enforced against only Republicans.

abc27 has reached out to Smuckers office for comment.

Smucker is the representative for Pennsylvanias 11th Congressional District, which includes Lancaster County and parts of southern York County. He has served in the House since 2017.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
The Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday regarding a challenge to federal laws that have allowed the Justice Department to charge hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters with obstruction of an official proceeding. The courts decision could reduce the sentences of many Jan. 6 defendants  and grant a major boon to former President Donald Trump in his own federal election subversion case.

The case in question is Fischer v. United States. Joseph Fischer was charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, assaulting a police officer, and disorderly conduct for his actions in the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob stormed the grounds and delayed lawmakers efforts to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. In March 2022, Trump-appointed D.C. District Court Judge Carl Nichols dismissed the obstruction charges against Fischer and two other Jan. 6 defendants.

Nichols argued that the definition of obstruction of an official proceeding, created by Congress in the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act in response to the Enron scandal, had been incorrectly interpreted and applied by the Justice Department against the defendants, asserting the law is about evidence tampering and doesnt cover the events of Jan. 6. The law allows prison sentences of up to 20 years for people who are convicted of corruptly obstructing an official proceeding. Nichols ruling was reversed by the D.C. Court of Appeals last April, and Fischer petitioned the Supreme Court to review the case.

The high courts decision could have major implications for Trump. As part of the Justice Departments ongoing election subversion case against the former president, Trump was charged in August for obstructing an official proceeding as well as conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.

Should the Supreme Court side with Fischer, two of the four charges leveled against Trump over his actions on Jan. 6 could be dismissed  or at least open an avenue for the former president to level his own challenge. Trump already received boosts from justices when they rejected blue states efforts to keep him off their ballots for having incited the Jan. 6 insurrection, as well as when they agreed to hear his claims to having immunity for acts committed as president in perpetuity  a move that likely delayed his election subversion trial until after Election Day in November.

During Tuesdays oral arguments, the courts conservative justices  three of them Trump appointees  pushed back heavily against the Justice Departments arguments.

Justice Neil Gorsuch questioned whether the DOJ would level similar charges against sit-in that disrupts a trial or access to a federal courthouse. He asked whether a heckler in todays audience [would] qualify or at the State of the Union address? Would pulling a fire alarm before a vote qualify for 20 years in federal prison?

The last item appeared to be a thinly veiled reference to Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) pulling the fire alarm in a congressional office building as lawmakers were getting ready to vote on a government spending bill.

At one point, Justice Samuel Alito Jr. suggested that the DOJs interpretation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act might be so broad that it may infringe on the First Amendment rights of run-of-the-mill protesters.

For all the protests that have occurred in this court, the Justice Department has not charged any serious offenses, Alito incorrectly claimed. The Supreme Court actually has some of the harshest penalties for protesters within Washington, D.C., and in the past, justices have advocated for stiff, stiff sentences for disrupting their court. Protesters at the court can expect to spend the night at the D.C. jail, and in some instances have been charged with disrupting a judicial proceeding.

The Supreme Court is so strict about protests that gatherings are legally prohibited on the grounds of the court  and conservatives previously called for activists to be arrested for protesting outside the justices homes.

Many of the hypotheticals presented by the justices centered around the limitations of the application of the law, and scenarios in which its misuse could violate First Amendment protections. The justices also engaged in a hefty amount of whataboutism regarding right-wing pet peeves, including questions regarding whether pro-Palestian protesters who blocked the Golden Gate Bridge earlier this week could be charged with similar offenses.

Notably, the Golden Gate protesters were not protesting a specific government event or rioting inside the U.S. Capitol.

The courts concern over the First Amendment rights of protesters is a little ironic considering that on Monday, the court declined to intervene in Doe v. McKesson, a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that would subject protest organizers to massive financial  and potentially criminal  liability for any violence or illegal acts committed by event attendees.

The court made clear that the First Amendment bars the use of an objective standard like negligence for punishing speech, and it read [NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware Co.] and other incitement cases as demanding a showing of intent, wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor in a statement about their decision not to take up the case.

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The scope of a federal obstruction law used against scores of Jan. 6 rioters  and former President Trump  drew scrutiny from the Supreme Court on Tuesday, a signal that the justices may be wary of the Justice Departments far-reaching prosecution of the Capitol attack.

Joseph Fischer, a former police officer accused of storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, challenged the law in an effort to eliminate one of several counts he faces: obstruction of an official proceeding.

The law, Section 1512(c)(2), makes it a crime to corruptly obstruct, impede or interfere with official inquiries and investigations by Congress and carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Jeffrey Green, who represented Fischer, argued Tuesday that law was created to more narrowly address acts that affect the integrity or availability of evidence  not acts that get in the way of an official proceeding without affecting any evidence.

However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) contended that Fischers reading imposed an atextual limit on the type of conduct that can be prosecuted under the charge, suggesting that Congress meant for the statute to serve as a classic catchall for acts not including the destruction of records, documents or other objects.

The charge itself is more than two decades old, enacted in 2002 after the Enron scandal, where top executives at the energy company were imprisoned for fraud and other offenses after the company went bankrupt.

Since the Capitol riot, more than 1,300 people have faced charges for their role in the attack  some 353 of whom were accused of obstructing Congresss official count of Electoral College votes that day. The vote certification is the final step of the presidential election process, where in 2020, President Bidens win over Trump was formalized.

But Fischer and a slew of other Jan. 6 defendants say the charge has been improperly applied to rioters who descended on the Capitol that day.

The high courts conservative justices pressed the Justice Department on whether the charge has ever been used to prosecute actions aside from the Capitol attack. U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar said the DOJ has used the statute in prosecutions involving actions that exposed the existence of a grand jury or an undercover law enforcement officer.

Justice Neil Gorsuch raised hypothetical situations like a heckler in the high courts audience causing a disruption to arguments or the pulling of a fire alarm before votes in Congress, asking if theyd qualify for prosecution under the law.

Prelogar purported that if the Justice Department could prove the individual who engaged in those acts did so corruptly and with intent, then those instances would meet the statutes requirements.

But the solicitor general also zeroed in on the Capitol attack and why the charge maintains importance in those prosecutions.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh inquired as to why Fischers other six Jan. 6-related charges arent good enough. Prelogar replied that Fischers root conduct revolved around Congresss certification of the 2020 presidential election and his desire to stop it.

The Justice Department should be able to hold Fischer accountable for that conduct, she said.

The justices also probed the specific language of the statute, sticking on the term otherwise that separates the first part of Section 1512(c), which is focused on the destruction of records, from the second part, which references any act that otherwise obstructs, influences or impedes any official proceeding.

While the Justice Department argued that the latter was meant to encompass any leftover conduct, Fischer claims the law was meant to focus on actual evidence.

If attempting to influence a congressional committee by itself is a crime, we might as well convert all of Washingtons office buildings into prisons, Fischers lawyer, Frederick Ulrich, wrote in his petition to the high court.

An unlikely ally in his assessment was at one point Biden, who, as a senator, referred to the subsection as making it a crime for document shredding. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols cited Bidens remark in his ruling tossing out another Jan. 6 defendants obstruction charge after finding it did not cover his conduct.

The same judge dismissed the charge in Fischers case, though the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed the judges decisions in both cases.

The D.C. Circuit  and more than a dozen other Washington District Court judges  aligned with the Justice Departments view of the law.

Several members of the extremist Proud Boys and Oath Keepers groups faced the charge and were convicted, including the leaders of each group, Enrique Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes. Dozens of other defendants with less serious cases have pleaded guilty to the charge or been convicted at trial.

But perhaps most notable is Trump himself, who faces the charge in his federal election interference case being prosecuted in Washington, D.C. Trumps case did not come up during arguments, but if the Supreme Court sides with the rioters, it would undermine those charges in his and rioters cases.

Trumps D.C. federal case is indefinitely paused as the Supreme Court weighs his presidential immunity challenge, which is scheduled for oral arguments before the high court next week.

The former president is currently on trial in Manhattan over his role in a hush money deal ahead of the 2016 election, and the judge in that case said Monday that Trump cant attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court instead of his criminal trial.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Capitol rioters could obtain reduced prison sentences depending if the U.S. Supreme Court decides that federal prosecutors should not have charged defendants under a certain federal law in connection to disrupting the certification of 2020 election results.

Three Sacramento-area defendants have been convicted on the felony charge at the center of the arguments, obstructing an official proceeding.

One of the Sacramento-area rioters is also serving time for impeding police officers on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of former President Donald Trumps supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and forced Congress to evacuate and delay proceedings for about six hours.

The Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, likely wont release a decision until late June. But conservative justices on Tuesday seemed skeptical of the prosecutors use of the obstruction charge which, before being applied in Jan. 6 cases, was mainly used for tampering with business records.

More than 350 of the 1,387 Capitol riot defendants have been charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

A ruling that says prosecutors used an overly broad interpretation of the statute could lead to new trials or lighter sentences for some defendants, including the three from the Sacramento area:

 Jorge Aaron Riley, who was among the first to enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, was sentenced in September 2023 to 18 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding last year and did not appeal his conviction or sentence, in accordance with his plea agreement.

A federal judge also ordered him to pay a $100 fine and $2,000 in restitution to the Architect of the Capitol. The Sacramento Army veteran has a release date in December, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

However, if the Supreme Court rules in favor of Mr. Fischer, then Jorges conviction is invalid and we will ask the District Court in Washington to overturn it, which I expect he will do, Tim Zandel, a longtime Sacramento defense attorney who represented Riley, wrote in an email to The Bee.

Every defendant convicted of violating (this section of the federal law), including Jorge, is likely to benefit from a Supreme Court decision that the statute does not reach acts of Congress that are not related to investigations or evidence.

I continue to think that Jorge is a very good man who acted, consistent with his heart-felt beliefs, based on what he thought was best for the people of the U.S. He harmed nobody, Zindel said. He went to the Capitol as a protestor, encouraged to protest by then-President Trump.

 Sean Michael McHugh, who used bear spray on police officers and encouraged rioters onward with a megaphone, was sentenced to 78 months  6 years  in prison, a federal judge decided in September 2023. McHugh, 37, will also have three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and $2,000 in restitution to the Architect of the Capitol.

McHugh, a construction worker from Auburn, has a release date in December 2026, according to BOP.

He has appealed. The federal defender listed for his appeal did not respond to an email for comment on Monday.

McHugh was convicted in April 2023 of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers using a dangerous weapon and obstruction of an official proceeding. He was held in custody since May 27, 2021, with some of that time served offsetting his prison sentence.

 Tommy Frederick Allan, who scaled the Capitol on a rope and stole an American flag and documents from the Senate chamber, was sentenced in December 2022 to 21 months in prison and three years probation. A federal judge also ordered him to pay a $100 fine and $2,000 to the Architect of the Capitol.

Allan, 56, is expected to be released from prison in June, according to BOP. He had pleaded guilty in August 2022 to obstructing an official proceeding and waived his right to appeal.

A federal defender for him didnt respond to an email seeking comment.

What is the law around obstructing an official proceeding?

The charge of obstructing an official proceeding became law through the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that was written to target major U.S. accounting and corporate scandals.

The charge, which is under section 1512(c) of federal code, reads: whoever corruptly  (1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the objects integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or (2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.

This law was written in response to the Enron scandal, in which Enrons auditing firm destroyed potentially incriminating documents about widespread fraud within the energy company. That statute carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

What is the case the Supreme Court heard?

The case, Fischer v. United States, got its start in March 2022 when a district court judge dismissed federal obstruction charges against three Jan. 6 defendants, including Joseph W. Fischer, a former police officer. Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, said the charge only applied if the defendant took action against a document, record, or other object to impede an official proceeding.

A three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, all appointed by Democratic presidents, in a 2-1 decision reversed the the district courts opinion, saying the text broadened past the destruction of records. The defendants appealed that decision to the Supreme Court.

A lawyer for Fischer argued the law narrowly applies to the destruction of records, documents or other objects. It does not apply to physically disrupting Congress, the attorney Jeffrey T. Green argued.

Meanwhile U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar, on behalf of the government, said that the question and answer of this case was simple: Did people obstruct an official proceeding?

Yes, she said. Prelogar said that the legal team for the Jan. 6 defendants was trying to limit the scope of the statute to evidence tampering by combining two adjacent parts of it.

The outcome could have broad ramifications. Some judges have delayed sentencing Jan. 6 defendants until after the Supreme Court issues a ruling. And, if the court sides with Fischer, the ruling could erase two charges against Trump in the federal case that accuses him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election.

Next week, the Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether Trump is immune from criminal charges related to the 2020 election because he was president at the time.

Trump has embraced supporters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, writing on Truth Social last month that one of his first acts if re-elected would be to Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of an Army combat veteran who sued the Department of Veterans Affairs over his eligibility for education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill and Post 9/11 GI Bill.

In a 7-2 decision, the court sided with James Rudisill, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq who argued that he was eligible for up to 48 months of education benefits under the programs, which he had enrolled in while serving two separate stints in the Army.

In the opinion, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said that a reading of the laws indicated that Rudisill was entitled to benefits under both programs and shouldn't have been limited to the time requirements of each individual program.

Read Next: 'Indefinite' Defense Department IDs Inconvenience Air Travelers, May Be Dropped As Acceptable Identification

"Rudisill earned two separate entitlements to educational benefits, one per the Montgomery GI Bill and the other per the Post-9/11 GI Bill, by serving in the military for nearly eight years over three separate periods," Jackson wrote. "The bottom line is this: Veterans who separately accrue benefits under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills are entitled to both benefits."

Rudisill served in the Army first as an enlisted soldier and later as an Army officer, using 25 of 36 months of his Montgomery GI Bill eligibility as a soldier to attend college, then returning to the Army and signing up for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which he never used as an officer while on active duty.

When he left the Army as a captain, he applied to Yale Divinity School, with the intention of becoming an Episcopal priest and returning to the Army as a chaplain. He planned to pay for the school with Post-9/11 benefits, believing he had 23 months remaining of additional education benefits. But the Department of Veterans Affairs said he only had 11 months of eligibility under the program.

In the case, Rudisill argued that a Korean War-era law allowed veterans to use benefits from a combination of programs for up to 48 months. The federal government argued that a veteran eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill who later was eligible for the more generous Post-9/11 GI Bill when it was introduced were to make a decision on which to use and, in doing so, agreed to combine the two programs for 36 months of eligibility, the maximum allowed under each separately.

Rudisill's attorneys have said the decision could affect roughly 1.7 million veterans. According to The Associated Press, however, the VA has disputed that number, noting that the lawyers have not identified any other similar cases.

In a statement released through his attorneys, Rudisill said the case was a "fight ... for all military veterans who, like me, were denied what they were promised after their service to our country."

"It has been humbling to represent the veterans' community, and I am so grateful for my legal team and the court's decision here," said Rudisill, who now works for the FBI.

Following the announcement, a spokesman for the Department of Veterans Affairs said the VA was reviewing the decision.

"As always, we are committed to helping veterans get the world-class education they've earned so they can continue successful careers after leaving the military," VA press secretary Terrence Hayes said in a release. "The GI Bill is the backbone of veteran education, and we at VA are proud to help hundreds of thousands of veterans each year go to school with minimal out-of-pocket costs for tuition, housing, books, supplies and more."

According to statute, service members aren't allowed to use GI Bill programs concurrently -- they must use one or the other. But in the decade after Sept. 11, 2001, millions of service members were eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill when the Post-9/11 GI Bill was introduced, an extended period of overlap, and Congress allowed those who served after 9/11 but before the law passed to opt into the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Jackson said in the opinion, however, that the law limits exceeding the entitlement but swapping options but does not exhaust the requirement.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote his own concurring opinion while Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented.

Attorneys from the firm Troutman Pepper, including Timothy McHugh, who worked on the case as a first-year associate, and David DePippo with Dominion Energy argued the case in November. In a statement Tuesday, they said the decision was a career highlight.

"Today is momentous for millions of veterans, and we are relieved by the court's decision," DePippo said in a statement. "The case stretched for the better part of a decade, but we are proud of the lasting effects it will have for our country's deserving military veterans."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify Timothy McHugh's involvement in the case. McHugh originally was with Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP.

Related: Army's Premier Education Benefits May Be on Chopping Block, with Tuition Assistance Cuts Being Considered, Too
SINGAPORE, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will take on the role of senior minister in the new cabinet, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong told local media Tuesday.

Lawrence Wong also noted that he expects existing cabinet members to remain in their current portfolios despite some marginal adjustments.

Lee Hsien Loong announced Monday that he will hand over power to his successor Lawrence Wong on May 15. 
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of a veteran who unsuccessfully tried to use both his Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill benefits, saying that Veterans Affairs officials erred in limiting his education support.

The 7-2 decision could have far-reaching impact on student veterans who use up their VA benefits but still wish to continue degree programs. Lawyers for the plaintiff have estimated as many as 1.7 million veterans nationwide could benefit from the ruling, but federal officials have estimated the number to be less than 30,000 individuals.

The case has been closely watched by veterans advocates for nearly nine years because of its potential ramifications. VA pays out more than $8 billion in education payments annually, and the Supreme Court ruling could boost that figure even higher.

The legal fight centered on Jim Rudisill, a 43-year-old Army veteran who was wounded in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq in 2005. Rudisill used all of his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits shortly thereafter, but later wanted to tap into his unused Montgomery GI Bill benefits to attend Yale Divinity School as part of the process to become an Army chaplain.

One vets GI Bill fight could win benefits for millions of other students

When VA officials denied that move, Rudisill sued, claiming they were unfairly limiting his options. Writing for the majority, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson called the governments denial nonsensical and reversed lower court rulings supporting VAs position.

Most veterans attending college today with federal financial support use the Post-9/11 GI Bill program, a generous benefit passed in 2008 that awards eligible veterans 36 months of tuition payouts, housing stipends and other financial assistance.

The Montgomery GI Bill program was the predecessor to that benefit, and is being phased out by the department. It offers far less money, but still can provide several thousands of dollars annually to veterans for tuition costs if they paid into the program at the start of their military service.

Currently, VA officials make students give up eligibility for the Montgomery GI Bill program when they register to begin using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. That means that once their education benefits from that program are exhausted, they cannot receive more tuition support from the other program.

But Rudisills attorneys argued that the limit is unfair and unfounded in federal law. Jackson agreed with that stance in her opinion.

If service members serve for long enough, they may be entitled to both [education benefits], Jackson wrote. But such service members cannot receive disbursements from both entitlement programs at the same time, nor may they receive any combination of benefits for longer than 48 months.

Thats because separate federal rules cap any government higher education payouts at 48 months, and prohibit using such benefits concurrently. Therefore, even if veterans qualify for both programs, they can only use them both in very limited circumstances.

But in Rudisills case, a majority of justices said that he should have been able to access about 10 months of Montgomery GI Bill benefits to attend Yale.

In his dissent, Justice Clarence Thomas said Rudisill clearly forfeited his remaining Montgomery GI Bill support when he opted for the more generous Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, making his case moot.

The full decision is available on the Supreme Courts website.
Last week, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would greatly expand warrantless surveillance. Critics worry the legislation could empower the government to spy on journalists and compromise their confidential sources with ease  a concerning prospect that could feel far more troublesome if Donald Trump gets elected president again.

The legislation, which would reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, includes a provision that would broaden the types of businesses that agencies can compel to help the government spy without a warrant. A Biden administration fact sheet says the provision is crucial to allow intelligence agencies to collect intelligence on significant foreign threats, and to prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting changes in technology. The fact sheet says the change closes a dangerous loophole, and calls it a carefully crafted and narrowly tailored fix.

But experts say the provision is extremely broad  and that it could potentially allow agencies to enlist office landlords, security guards, and cleaning crews as spies, without a warrant, and demand they help the government tap into communications equipment to facilitate data collection.

The exception for warrantless surveillance was supposed to be narrow, and not as broad as where a FISA warrant is required, and now the government wants to make sure more and more content is available using 702 process, Marc Zwillinger, a FISA expert and lawyer on national security issues, tells Rolling Stone. Its like wanting the easy mode for all things, which is especially troublesome if non-communication providers who have never needed to pay attention to this process are getting directives for the first time.

The change could have significant ramifications for media outlets, big and small, as many newsrooms journalists are often in regular contact with foreign sources who have foreign intelligence information. Journalists, of course, have a professional and ethical obligation to protect confidential sources.

Under the new language, if the government cannot get what they want by going to your email provider or telecommunications provider, they could go to the landlord of your building, where your office is, and say, I know that people in these offices sometimes talk to someone foreign that we are targeting, please give us access to the communication infrastructure in your building where Rolling Stones outgoing communications might be found, says Zwillinger. Previously, this would have required a warrant from the FISA court approving both the targeting and the assistance. Now, in theory, it can be done under 702.

Zwillinger is not the only expert sounding the alarm about this provision. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued a statement calling the House bill one of the most dramatic and terrifying expansions of government surveillance authority in history.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Wydens counterpart, tells Rolling Stone in a statement that the House surveillance reauthorization fails to include any meaningful reforms to the program and includes virtually no safeguards to prevent, and in fact potentially expands pathways for, unwarranted surveillance on Americans. He adds, To protect our civil rights and liberties and the freedom of the press, I will continue to speak out against the dangers of a national surveillance state and push my colleagues to take strong action to safeguard these freedoms.

Seth Stern, director of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, warns Rolling Stone that the House bill would let intelligence agencies commandeer countless American businesses and individuals to spy on journalists and their sources on the governments behalf.

Although Section 702 is supposed to be limited to foreign targets, U.S. citizens communications are swept up in the warrantless surveillance program  and are often queried without good reason, critics say.

Trump appeared to weigh in against the Section 702 reauthorization last week, claiming that FISA was illegally used against me and many others. However, if the bill passes and Trump were to win the election, the former president would enjoy expansive new powers that could aid a second MAGA administration as he and his allies work to target their political enemies, including in the media.

Indeed, both in public and behind closed doors, Trump and some of his closest loyalists keep saying that that is precisely what they hope and plan to do, should he defeat President Joe Biden this year.

We will go out and find the conspirators  not just in government, but in the media. Yes, were going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections, former Trump administration official Kash Patel, who is widely expected to get a senior role if Trump returns to the White House, said on fellow former Trump official Steve Bannons podcast late last year. (Patel, Bannon, and of course Trump have all aggressively pushed anti-democratic lies about the 2020 election, which Trump decisively lost, being stolen.)

At Trumps rallies, the ex-president and presumptive 2024 GOP nominee has trotted out a recurring laugh-line about sending journalists to prison  so that they can get raped and tortured into giving up confidential information about their sources. You tell the reporter, Who is it?  and if the reporter doesnt want to tell you, its bye bye. The reporter goes to jail, Trump said at an Ohio rally in 2022. When the reporter learns hes going to be married to a certain prisoner whos extremely strong, tough, and mean, he will say: You know, I think Im going to give you the information.

As Rolling Stone reported in 2022, the former president has privately solicited ideas from attorneys and some of his other close GOP allies on how a fully Trumpified Department of Justice could go about jailing certain reporters for (supposedly) breaking national security laws. [Trump] said other countries do it  the implication being: Well, why not here? a source, who was present at one such gathering, recounted at the time.

The House surveillance bill could provide a potential Trump administration with a new weapon to crack down on the media.

An amendment added to the bill, with bipartisan support, would change the definition of a covered electronic communication service provider under FISA to include any other service provider who has access to equipment that is being or may be used to transmit or store wire or electronic communications.

In effect, this could mean expanding the definition to include any service providers, besides those whom it specifically exempts, such as community facilities, hotels, apartment buildings, and restaurants. All that would be required is that those service providers have access to electronic communications equipment or wires that an agency believes may show communications with a foreigner with foreign intelligence information.

Zwillinger, the national security lawyer, says its important to consider the surveillance legislation in the context of Trump, or another figure like him, potentially serving as commander in chief.

If somebody tells you, were going to exercise this power responsibly, that doesnt mean the next person will, he says. So you have to worry about the statutes in light of a different type of executive. Its simply not enough for this government to reassure the public that theyre not going to use this process in this more expansive way. The law has to be worried about the Donald Trumps of the world who may try to use it in the most expansive way against their enemies.

The surveillance legislation could get a Senate vote as early as Wednesday. The Section 702 program is set to lapse on Friday.

Its imperative for the Senate to clean up this mess, says Stern, the Freedom of the Press Foundation official. Sources dont talk to journalists when journalists cant protect their confidentiality. That means the public is less informed, and democracy suffers. If the Senate passes this horrifying expansion of the governments surveillance authority, thats exactly what will happen.

Sean Vitka, policy director at Demand Progress, says that with the specter of another Trump administration, we need to see clearly the ways this would be wielded to go after political opponents, the press, and countless others  all of which could be done with devastating effect but no court approval.

Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-Fla.), who voted against the House surveillance bill, tells Rolling Stone that while he believes Biden will win this year, we have to legislate with an eye towards who comes after President Biden  and that person could very well be like Donald Trump, since he is the Republican Party right now.

That is a scary thing to me, says Frost. I live in a state where the government uses tools at its disposal to oppress minorities and target political enemies. So, on Capitol Hill, we should always legislate in a way that takes into account that people and presidents could easily get elected soon who would abuse powers. That is one of the reasons why I couldnt support the bill with the 702 change.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone
Suspect accused of attacking man with hammer pleads not guilty to charges

NEW PHILADELPHIA  A Dover man accused of attacking another man with a hammer on Feb. 20 has entered not guilty pleas to two felony charges.

Kenton L. George, 47, of 330 W. Slingluff Ave., Dover, entered his pleas during a video arraignment before Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Michael Ernest on Friday. He is charged with attempted murder, a first-degree felony, and felonious assault, a second-degree felony.

More on case: Dover resident indicted on attempted murder charge, accused of attacking man with hammer

Judge Ernest continued George's $10,000 bond, set by New Philadelphia Municipal Court. George is currently being held in the Tuscarawas County Jail.

A telephone pre-trial conference has been scheduled for May 6.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Dover man enters not guilty plea in hammer attack case
Investigators in Long Beach continue to search for the gunman in a fatal shooting that left a 30-year-old man dead Sunday night, authorities announced Monday.

The deadly shooting unfolded just before 9 p.m. in the 1600 block of Gaviota Avenue, between East 16th and East 17th streets, according to a news release from the Long Beach Police Department.

At the scene, police located the victim, later identified as Long Beach resident Martinez Gonzalez, who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body.

Paramedics with the Long Beach Fire Department arrived and rushed the 30-year-old to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Suspect in fatal SoCal shooting remains at large

The preliminary investigation determined that an unknown male suspect approached Gonzalez on foot and shot him before fleeing the area before police arrived. Authorities said they believe the victim was interacting the suspect prior to the shooting, though the motive for the incident not currently known.

As homicide detectives worked to clear the scene, officers spotted a possible suspect vehicle. When the vehicle failed to yield to police, a pursuit was initiated.

The possible suspect stopped his vehicle near the 1700 block of Pacific Coast Highway and fled the scene on foot, authorities said. Officers established a perimeter around the area and activated the SWAT Team.

Suspect in fatal SoCal shooting remains at large

That suspect was eventually located, arrested on an unrelated no-bail warrant and booked at the Long Beach City Jail.

Gunman who opened fire atop Southern California apartment complex identified

His involvement in in the murder, if any, remains under investigation, the release noted.

Anyone with information about this homicide is urged to contact LBPD Homicide Detective Sean Magee or Juan Carlos Reyes at 562-570-7244. Those wishing to remain anonymous can use the L.A. Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at L.A. Crime Stoppers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Suspect in murder of woman near Hyde Park has fled UK, police believe

Kamonnan Thiamphanit, who was known as Angela to her friends, was 27 when she died - Met Police

The suspect in the murder of a property developer in a 4 million building near Hyde Park is believed to have fled the country, police have revealed.

Kamonnan Thiamphanit, who was known as Angela to her friends, was found dead at the Airbnb property she was renting in Bayswater, central London, last week.

The 27-year-old, who had dual Chinese-Hong Kong and Thai nationality, had suffered multiple stab wounds, the opening of her inquest was told.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, the senior investigating officer in the investigation, also said police believed her attacker was known to her.

Det Ch Insp Foxwell told Westminster Coroners Court: Angela, which is what she was known as whilst in the UK, had been renting out 6 Stanhope Place as an Airbnb property.

We believe that the person who attacked her was known to her.

At some point ... she was attacked, which caused her death. We have a named individual we are looking for at this moment.

However, when asked by Senior Coroner Prof Fiona Wilcox whether anyone was to be imminently charged with Ms Thiamphanits murder, Det Ch Insp Foxwell revealed that the suspect had fled the country.

She said: I think it unlikely anyone will be imminently charged. We are requesting with the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] whether we have sufficient evidence to extradite someone from outside the UK, so I think it unlikely.

Prof Wilcox granted permission for Ms Thiamphanits body to be released to her family.

She added that Ms Thiamphanit  whose identity was confirmed via police fingerprint screening  was born in Thailand, was single and worked in property management.

Sympathies to family

Prof Wilcox said: I understand this young woman was found at her home address and that she died as a result of multiple sharp force injuries.

Ms Thiamphanit was a single woman who worked in property management and lived at 6 Stanhope Place, London.

It seems its possible for me to release Angelas body back to her family, seeing as its unlikely I will get a request for a second post-mortem examination from a defendant.

I am going to open this investigation and adjourn it in order for you to carry out your full investigation.

I would just like to pass my sympathies to Ms Thiamphanits family.

Police at the murder scene earlier this month - SWNS

Investigators launched a murder investigation after Ms Thiamphanit was found dead last week at the Grade II-listed property, which is just a stones throw from Hyde Park and Marble Arch.

Tony Blair, the former prime minister, owns a home in nearby Connaught Square, as does television presenter Claudia Winkleman. However, it is believed Mr Blair no longer lives in the property.

Multiple neighbours said they had heard several high-pitched screams on Sunday April 7, when calls concerning Ms Thiamphanits welfare were made by her friends to police at 7.05pm and 9.34pm.

The Met Police has referred itself to the police watchdog, as it was more than 13 hours later that officers visited the house at 8.30am on Monday April 8.

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Sheriff's deputies take into custody a man suspected of opening fire from the roof of a Marina del Rey apartment building Saturday night. (OnScene.TV)

A man suspected of spraying gunfire from atop a Marina del Rey apartment complex over the weekend was identified Monday by authorities.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department identified the suspect as 41-year-old Victoryloc Nguyen, who remains jailed in lieu of $2-million bail.

No one was injured in the Saturday night shooting in the 4100 block of Via Marina, according to a written statement from the Sheriffs Department.

The incident began at 10:15 p.m. when deputies from the Marina del Rey sheriff's station responded to reports of gunshots from inside the apartment complex.

Later, a sheriffs helicopter observed a male suspect on the roof of the location, firing rounds from a rifle, the statement read.

The shooting prompted deputies from other nearby stations to respond to the location, and armored SWAT-style vehicles were dispatched.

Videos posted on social media show a man shooting from the balcony of an apartment who can be heard saying: I can shoot a car right now and no one would give a s. In other videos, bystanders shelter at home or take cover while gunfire can be heard in the background.

Witnesses told KTLA that as many as 100 rounds were fired from the building. Jeff Rubin, who was hiding with his wife in their apartments bathroom, said there were at least 20 minutes of silence.

Then another round of gunshots and that went on for three hours, he told the news station.

A pair of photographs of the scene released by the sheriff's SWAT unit show two rifles, a handgun and tactical gear lying on the ground after the suspect's arrest early Sunday.

#LASD SEB SWAT operation for a heavily armed active shooter suspect in Marina Del Rey has concluded. Suspect in custody. Investigation ongoing, Neighborhood safe. pic.twitter.com/oNqk8GBoJy  SEB (@SEBLASD) April 14, 2024

City News Service reported that the suspect was a self-employed chef who specializes in organic traditional Vietnamese cuisine and might have been live-streaming the shooting.

Authorities said the motive for the shooting was not known. Nguyen is due in court Tuesday.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Suspended prosecutor Andrew Warren now says he will run for re-election in Hillsborough County

Screenshot of Andrew Warren's campaign video released on April 16, 2024

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Ousted Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren announced Tuesday morning that he will run for re-election to his former job, where he will likely face off against sitting State Attorney Susan Lopez, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in August 2022 to replace him.

DeSantis suspended Warren, a Democrat, for alleged neglect of duty and incompetence after he signed a pledge not to prosecute alleged crimes arising from abortion or transgender care.

Warren challenged his suspension in federal court. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that DeSantis had violated the First Amendment in removing Warren because of political differences and anticipated political benefit to the governor  but said he lacked power to reinstate him. However, a federal appeals court ruled in January that Hinkle should reconsider that decision.

In 2020, you reelected me to serve as your state attorney, because you believed in my vision, and it worked, Warren says in a video his campaign released Tuesday morning announcing that he will run again.

Crime went down 30%. We kept dangerous criminals off the street and together with law enforcement and community partners we made Hillsborough the safest large county in Florida. But on Aug. 4, 2022, Ron DeSantis threw out your vote. He illegally forced me from office under armed guard.

DeSantis removal of Warren was stunning at the time, but it was followed nearly a year later with a suspension of another progressively minded Florida state attorney in Democrat Monique Worrell from Floridas Ninth Judicial Circuit, representing Orange and Osceola Counties. Worrell has also filed a reinstatement lawsuit with the Florida Supreme Court, claiming her suspension was unconstitutional. She has also announced that she is running for reelection.

Reversal

Although Warren has fought to win his job back through the courts, in January of this year he seemingly dropped plans of running again for the seat, saying he didnt trust DeSantis not to suspend him again if he were successful.

But two days after he made that announcement, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ordered Judge Hinkle to reconsider his decision that he could not reinstate Warren.

We conclude that the district court erred in two ways: first, in concluding that the First Amendment did not protect Warrens support of a sentence in the advocacy statement about prosecuting abortion cases, and second, in concluding that the First Amendment did not preclude DeSantis from suspending Warren to gain political benefit from bringing down a reform prosecutor, wrote Judge Jill Pryor, one of the judges on the panel.

Warren, a native of Gainesville, had been a federal prosecutor working in Washington, D.C., before he came to Tampa to run against 16-year Republican incumbent Mark Ober in Hillsborough County in 2016. He defeated Ober by less than one percentage point. He then came back and defeated Republican challenger Mike Perotti by more than six points in 2020.

But that was when Hillsborough had many more Democratic Party registered voters than it now has. As the Phoenix reported last week, Republicans are now within a percentage point of parity with the Democrats in terms of voter registration in county.

Lopez has raised more than $470,000 in her combined campaign accounts, while Warren has yet to do any fundraising (he did set up a campaign account last fall but had not been raising any money).

The Lopez campaign came out swinging after hearing about Warrens entry back into the race.

Andrew Warren is an ultra-liberal ideologue who cares more about pleasing the far-left activists and donors that have powered his political career than he does about victims of crimes in Hillsborough County, said Ryan Smith, a senior strategist with the Lopez campaign. State Attorney Suzy Lopez is a career prosecutor with a proven track-record of getting violent criminals off our streets and delivering justice for victims and their families. Sheriff Chad Chronister and law enforcement across Tampa Bay endorsed her because they know that Hillsborough is Safer with Suzy.

A fighter

As of now, there is one other candidate in the race: Democrat Elizabeth Martinez Strauss.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried hailed Warrens decision to run in a press release.

Andrew Warren is a fighter, and Hillsboroughs only duly elected State Attorney. We welcome his decision to run for re-election and stay in the fight to return as Hillsborough State Attorney. That decision is now rightfully in the hands of voters, not Ron DeSantis, she said.

For years, Andrew has challenged Ron DeSantiss illegal and unconstitutional suspension and joins former State Attorney Monique Worrell, who was also unjustly removed by Ron DeSantis in seeking re-election. State Attorney Worrell was targeted and removed by Ron DeSantis in 2023 in a politically motivated stunt to score points on the debate stage during his failed presidential campaign, Fried said.

Update: This story has been changed to add comment from the Suzy Lopez campaign.

The post Suspended prosecutor Andrew Warren now says he will run for re-election in Hillsborough County appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren will be running for his old position once again.

The twice-elected state attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit was suspended in August 2022 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said Warren was neglecting his duty. During a press conference about the suspension, DeSantis cited Warrens use of prosecutorial discretion and letters the state attorney signed where he pledged not to prosecute those seeking abortions or gender affirming care.

Suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren wins appeal, hopes to get case expedited

He illegally forced me from office under armed guard, Warren said in his campaign announcement.

The suspended state attorney condemned the decision multiple times, accusing DeSantis of defying the will of the people who voted for him.

In January, Warren said he would not be seeking re-election due to fears that DeSantis would suspend him again, but just days after the announcement, he won an appeal on the matter.

According to a Tuesday release, Warren will be appearing on the November 2024 general election ballot, going against DeSantis appointee Suzy Lopez.

Im running to protect our values, for a womans right to choose, for a fair and just system, andabove allfor freedom and democracy, Warren said. Im running to do whats right. Its what Ive always done, as a former federal prosecutor, as a father, and as your State Attorney.

In that same breath, he began attacking his future opponent.

My unelected replacement was handpicked based on one qualification, her blind allegiance to Ron DeSantis, Warren said.

Lopez refuted that claim Tuesday saying the reason she is state attorney is because she believes in the letter of the law.

Im here because I believe in our rule of law, and I believe in enforcing our laws to keep our communities safe, she said. I dont believe in experimenting with the laws and picking and choosing the cases we prosecute in this office.

We follow the law and we hold offenders accountable, she continued.

The Florida Democratic Party praised Warrens bid for re-election  saying who serves as the state attorney for Hillsborough County should be decided by the voters, not the governor.

Andrew Warren is a fighter, and Hillsboroughs only duly elected State Attorney, FDP Chair Nikki Fried said. We welcome his decision to run for re-election and stay in the fight to return as Hillsborough State Attorney. That decision is now rightfully in the hands of voters, not Ron DeSantis.

The Republican Party of Florida however, still stands with the governors decision.

I think the governor did the right thing in suspending him, said Florida GOP chair Evan Power. If youre not going to do the job and enforce the laws, you shouldnt be the state attorney.

Were going to be happy to explain to the public that he didnt do the job, and now hes running to not do the job again, Power continued. You have a state attorney who is doing the job and enforcing the law, and she is the right choice to move forward.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Police cordon off the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall after a stabbing incident in Sydney on April 13, 2024. Credit - David GrayAFP/Getty Images

Up until last week, I mostly thought of Bondi Junction as a place to wait for a bus. As the closest train-station hub to Bondi Beach and Sydney's fancy eastern suburbs, it's where I and other commuters would switch to buses to get our fix of beaches and high-end real estate. The Bondi Junction Westfield, as the mall is officially known, is a popular spot to meet, eat, catch a movie, and just hang out, while figuring out where the frick the right bus leaves from.

Now I have a far different association with the mall.

I, like so many people, was horrified by the news I woke up to on April 13. A man had gone on a stabbing rampage, killing six people. I was born in Sydney and have relatives who have had stores or jobs in the mall. It was startlingly close to home. But underneath my alarm as I searched online for information was a quiet sense of hope; I knew it was unlikely that the mentally ill assailant would have a gun. I mourn the senseless loss of six humansa male security guard and five women, one of them a new mother. But, as a three-decade resident of the U.S., I knew it could have been so much worse.

In 1996, a tormented and nefarious man opened fire at an outdoor cafe in Tasmania, Australia, killing 35 people and wounding 24. It was for many years the worst mass-shooting in history anywhere in the world. The (very conservative) leader of the country at the time, Prime Minister John Howard, introduced new regulations on guns, including a gun buyback and a bunch more hoops that people had to jump through to get and keep a firearm, especially a handgun or an assault-style weapon.

There were big protests, but Australia has continued to modify those laws over the years, with the end result being that in the almost exactly 28 years since the Port Arthur massacre there has been just one incident in which a shooter killed more than four strangers in Australia. According to recent research, there are 3.5 million registered guns in Australia, vastly more than in 1996. But the proportion of Australians who own guns has fallen by almost 50%, meaning more guns are in the hands of fewerand, the data suggests, more responsiblepeople.

Read More: What It's Like To Own Guns in Australia

In contrast, in the United States, just in the last four years, just in places people go to shop or hang out? Twenty-three dead in a Walmart in El Paso, Texas; 18 dead at a bowling alley and then bar in Lewiston, Maine; 11 dead in a ballroom in Monterey Park, Calif.; 10 dead in a supermarket in Buffalo, N.Y.; and 10 dead in a supermarket in Boulder, Colo. And that's not even counting the schools.

If the 40-year-old man in Bondi Junction, or the youth who stabbed people at a Sydney church later in the week, had had firearms, how many more people would have died? A knife is a terrifying weapon, but you have to get close and be stronger than your victim to use it. In the videos of the Bondi Junction attack, you can see people warding off the killer, one of them using the flat end of a bollard to keep him trapped on an escalator for a while, another just turning to face him and squaring up before the attacker veers off in another direction. There's no scenario in which furniture or fists best a firearm.

You could argue that a gun is much less stealthy than a knife and therefore people would have had more warning. But there's never enough warning for bulletsthey're too fast, too efficient, too easy to deploy. There wouldn't have been enough time for shopkeepers to usher visitors into the backrooms of their stores, and there would have been fright and chaos and people running the wrong way because bullets move more swiftly than thought.

Read More: A New Guns Ruling Could Make Families Less Safe

In the end the assailant was taken down by a lone police officer with, yes, a gun. There was no need to wait for the SWAT team, no panicked law enforcement officers trying to figure out what they were dealing with, no suiting up in high-tech Kevlar before going in. Bystanders told the officer where the knife-wielder was, she found him, he raised his knife at her, and she shot him.

When I discuss gun violence with the Americans I love but do not agree with, they like to tell me that the problem is not guns, it's mental illness. And, yes, mental illness can sometimes be the cause of violence. The U.S. should be doing a much better job helping folks whose mental health is in crisis. But guns weaponize mental illness and escalate the tragedy. The Bondi Junction attacker's father says he tried to keep knives away from his son. And as history has proved, devastatingly often, it's hard to keep any readily available weapon away from those determined to hurt. But making guns harder to get can, and in Bondi Junction did, save lives.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
TOKYO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Two burned human corpses were found Tuesday in a riverbed in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, and police are probing the case as suspected incident of corpse abandonment, local media reported.

The bodies were found in a mountainous area dotted with houses, some 10 km from the town center of Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture. The identities and genders are not yet known, Kyodo News reported, citing the local police.

According to the prefectural police, a passerby saw "there are what appear to be mannequins on fire" at around 6:50 a.m. local time and reported the incident to the local forestry cooperative.

The forestry cooperative's official called the police, who then arrived on the scene and confirmed they were human bodies.

Tochigi Prefectural Police suspected the pair were the victims of a crime and were investigating the case on suspicion of abandonment of corpses, with a plan to assign about 80 investigators to the case. 
The Supreme Courts conservative majority indicated Tuesday that it may toss out a charge prosecutors have lodged against hundreds of people who took part in the January 6, 2021, riot on the US Capitol, a decision that could force the Justice Department to reopen some of those cases.

During over 90 minutes of arguments, most justices signaled concern with how the Justice Department is using the law enacted by Congress more than two decades ago in response to the Enron accounting scandal. Critics claimed the felony charge, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years, was intended to prevent evidence tampering  not an insurrection in support of a president who lost reelection.

The courts decision, expected by July, could have significant ramifications for some 350 people who were charged with obstructing an official proceeding for their part in the Capitol attack  including more than 100 people who have already been convicted and received prison sentences.

The high courts ruling could also affect the federal election subversion criminal case pending against former President Donald Trump, who was also charged with the obstruction crime.

Heres what to know about Tuesdays oral arguments:

Traumatic day boiled down to technical argument

The appeal was brought by a former Pennsylvania police officer, Joseph Fischer, who was charged with multiple crimes for pushing his way into the Capitol after attending Trumps rally outside the White House on January 6. Fischers attorney told the justices that prosecutors overstepped by charging his client with what critics previously framed as an anti-shredding law.

Mostly absent from oral arguments Tuesday was recognition of the traumatic and deadly turn of events that took place just across the street from the Supreme Court three years ago after Trump ginned up a crowd with false claims of fraud and encouraged them to march on the Capitol and fight like hell.

Instead, the discussion turned largely on a technical and legalistic debate about the meaning of the words in the law  in particular the word otherwise.

That 2002 law makes it a felony to corruptly alter, destroy or mutilate a record with the intent of making it unavailable for use in an official proceeding, or to otherwise obstruct, influence, or impede such a proceeding. Fischer argued that, taken together, the law was geared toward prohibiting records destruction. But the Justice Department said it swept far more broadly than that, encompassing a wider range of actions  including physical intrusion  that would obstruct a proceeding.

The key word is otherwise, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, often a critical vote in high-profile cases, said at one point as he quizzed Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar. It would be odd to have such a broad provision tucked in and connected by the word otherwise.

That position seemed to draw attention from Chief Justice John Roberts as well, who at one point sharply pushed back on the government for trying to separate the evidence portion of the law from a provision dealing with obstruction.

You cant just tack it on and say, Look at it as if its standing alone, Roberts said. Because its not.

Occasionally, Prelogar sought to remind the justices of the details of the case at hand. In one especially pointed response to a question from Kavanaugh about the other charges the DOJ can use in Capitol riot prosecutions, Prelogar argued that Fischer, in advance of the attack, had expressed an intent to storm the Capitol and use violence if necessary to disrupt the vote.

He said, they cant vote if they cant breathe, Prelogar argued, referring to Fischers texts from before January 6. And then he went to the Capitol on January 6, with that intent in mind, and took action  including assaulting a law enforcement officer  that did impede the ability of the officers to regain control of the Capitol and let Congress finish its work.

Conservatives ask about left-wing protests

There was a heavy dose of whataboutism from the conservative justices, who repeatedly brought up left-wing protests while pressing both sides about exactly which conduct they believed would  and wouldnt  be covered by the felony obstruction law.

Justice Neil Gorsuch posed several hypotheticals to Prelogar, asking if prosecutors could use the law to charge someone who participated in a sit-in that disrupted a trial at a federal courthouse or who was caught pulling a fire alarm before a vote in Congress.

He didnt mention Rep. Jamaal Bowman by name, but the allusion to the New York Democrat was clear: He pulled the fire alarm shortly before a critical vote on a government funding bill in September. Bowman later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense and was censured by the House.

Justice Samuel Alito brought up the disruptions at the Golden Gate Bridge that occurred Monday. Pro-Palestinian protesters, angry about Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, blocked rush-hour traffic, leading to more than 30 arrests.

What if something similar to that happened all around the Capitol so that  all the bridges from Virginia were blocked and members from Virginia who needed to appear at a hearing couldnt get there, or were delayed in getting there? Alito asked. Would that be a violation of this provision?

Prelogar differentiated those cases by pointing out that January 6 was a far more aggressive and multi-pronged assault, with direct aims to shut down a specific proceeding. She said many of the January 6 rioters violently breached multiple police lines, brought tactical gear and weapons, and made explicit threats before arriving in DC.

Liberals appear united against rioter on textualist grounds

The Supreme Courts three liberals appeared to be lined up in favor of the Justice Departments position that the federal obstruction law is broad enough to include the rioters conduct on January 6.

The law, Justice Elena Kagan said, could have been written by Congress to limit its prohibition to evidence tampering. But, she stressed, it doesnt do that.

Kagan and Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson pressed Fischers attorney, Jeffrey Green, on the plain text of the law  embracing a conservative notion of textualism, or reading the law for its plain meaning without considering legislative history and other factors.

Jackson noted that the language in the statute does not use the term evidence but rather uses the term official proceeding, which is defined as including a congressional proceeding.

Trump looms in the background

Though Trump is not a party in the case, the appeal indirectly thrust him onto the Supreme Courts docket for the third time this election year. In March, the justices unanimously ruled that the former president should appear on the ballot in Colorado despite claims he violated the 14th Amendments insurrectionist ban because of his actions on January 6.

Special counsel Jack Smith has charged Trump with the same obstruction crime prosecutors filed against Fischer and more than 350 others involved in the attack. The former president and presumptive GOP nominee would almost certainly use a win for Fischer to try to further undermine the Justice Departments prosecution of the January 6 defendants.

How much Fischers case would spill over to Trumps is open for debate. Smith has argued that the obstruction charge against Trump is based on the fake slate of electors the former president attempted to have submitted to Congress, not the riot itself. Unless the court rules broadly in a way that undermines the charge entirely, the case against Trump may still stick even if Fischer wins his case.

Clarence Thomas was back in court

Justice Clarence Thomas was absent from oral arguments on Monday, with the court refusing to explain his absence. He was back on Tuesday for a case that critics say he shouldnt be involved in at all.

The Fischer case has prompted some liberal critics of the court to demand that Thomas recuse himself. Thats because Thomas wife, Ginni Thomas, attended Trumps incendiary rally on January 6 and plotted with Trump allies on ways to keep him in power after he lost the election.

Thomas has ignored the requests to recuse and posed a number of questions that challenged both sides in the case.

There have been many violent protests that have interfered with proceedings, Thomas asked Prelogar, pressing on a theme he returned to repeatedly during the arguments. Has the government applied this provision to other protests in the past?

Prelogar said the Justice Department has applied the law more broadly than in evidence tampering cases but acknowledged it has not been used previously against a situation where people have violently stormed a building. But that, she said, was based on the unusual nature of the Capitol attack itself.

Im not aware, she said, of that circumstance ever happening prior to January 6.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
BEREA, Ohio (WJW)  Orange barrel season is upon us.

This week, National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, Ohio Turnpike administrators are making drivers aware of where construction work is happening over the nine-month construction season.

Men who ambushed local officers headed to prison

Drivers are encouraged to:

Follow other cars from a safe distance

Follow the reduced speed limits in work zones

Avoid distractions

Pay attention to signs

Be ready to slow down or stop

About $254 million in improvements are planned for the 241-mile toll road this year, most of which is new work starting this year. More than half of that money for roadway and bridge projects, including 92 miles of pavement resurfacing and work on 26 bridges.

To limit delays for travelers on the Ohio Turnpike, we strive to maintain two lanes of traffic in all three lane sections of the turnpike during peak travel times, Chris Matta, Ohio Turnpike Commission deputy executive director and chief engineer, is quoted in a news release. Some single lane work zones will be necessary but will occur mostly during off-peak travel times or at night.

Heres a list of construction projects happening in Northern Ohio this year:

Erie County

Three bridge decks are expected to be replaced.

The mainline bridge over Skadden Road/state Route 99 at mile marker 111.2 will be re-decked from April to November. Motorists should expect two lanes of traffic.

The overhead bridges at Township Road 102, at mile marker 107.5, and Mudbrook Road/state Route 13, at mile marker 119.3, will be closed. A detour will be in place. Construction is expected to continue into 2025.

Lorain County

Three bridge decks are expected to be removed and replaced.

The on-ramp to Interstate 80 East at Toll Plaza 152 (North Olmsted-Cleveland) is slated to close from April 17 to sometime in August for bridge work on the eastbound side at mile marker 152.1.

The off-ramp from the turnpike to Lorain Road/state Route 10 will remain open. Motorists heading east can take a detour from Lorain Road north to Interstate 480 East to Interstate 71 South to Toll Plaza 161 (Strongsville-Cleveland).

Work will run from April to November at the mainline bridge at mile marker 152.3 eastbound that goes over Lorain Road. Motorists can expect to have two lanes during the project.

The Bagley Road bridge that runs above the turnpike at mile marker 152.9 is expected to be closed from April 29 through sometime in October. Motorists should follow the detour signs.

Read more about work happening in Lorain County this year on the Ohio Turnpike website.

World-record coyote turns out to be protected species

Mahoning County

Work happening this year at the Eastgate Toll Plaza at mile marker 239 includes a bridge replacement, mainline resurfacing and the completion of pavement work.

Replacement of the overhead bridge at Boardman-Canfield Road/U.S. Route 224 at mile marker 227.6 is expected to continue into next year, and traffic will be maintained. Replacement will happen in phases.

All lanes in both directions are set for resurfacing from mile marker 230 to mile marker 236 between May and November. Traffic will go down to one lane, but not during peak driving hours.

Motorists can expect more improvements at the toll plaza this year, including the construction of open road tolling lanes for westbound traffic.

Summit and Portage counties

Bridge work over Tinkers Creek at mile marker 185.6 continues through the year and will pick back up in 2025 and 2026. Expect two lanes of traffic in the area.

Elsewhere in Portage County, concrete bridge decks are set for replacement over state Route 43 at mile marker 188.2 and over Bryant Road/Township Road 236 at mile marker 202.8.

A deck overlay is planned for the turnpike bridge at North Main Street, at mile marker 203.7, to repair the concrete surface as part of its ongoing rehabilitation. Expect two lanes of traffic while the project continues from April to November.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
A Michigan woman won $500,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket after a tarot card reading indicated she would soon receive a large sum of money. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

April 16 (UPI) -- A Michigan woman said a tarot card reading correctly predicted she would win a $500,000 lottery prize later that same day.

The 59-year-old Genesee County woman told Michigan Lottery officials she was on her way to the tarot card reading when she stopped at the BP gas station on West Thompson Road in Fenton to buy some scratch-off tickets.

"During my tarot reading, I was told money would be coming into my life very soon. I tried to think of ways this might happen, but I didn't even think about the lottery tickets in my purse," the player recalled.

"Later that night I scratched the tickets. I saw the star symbol and thought: 'Well at least I won my money back,' assuming it would be a $10 win. Much to my surprise, I revealed a prize of $500,000! I tried to remain calm, but I knew right then and there this had just changed my life," she said.

The woman's prize came from a 50X Wild Time scratch-off ticket.

The winner said her plans for the prize money include paying off her car, taking a cruise with a friend and investing the remainder.
TCAPs have started. Here's how Memphis schools have prepared and what parents should know

On Friday morning at Hawkins Mills Elementary, third-grade students played Jeopardy in their English Language Arts class. In many ways, it was a standard version of the famous game show. Questions were displayed on a blue screen, and correct answers were worth 100 to 500 points.

But unlike most Jeopardy rounds, it was focused on test-taking tips, and the four categories reflected this theme:

Before a test

Multiple Choice Strategies

Test Strategies

Mental/Physical Preparation

When a student was called on, he picked multiple choice strategies for 100, and read the question:

If you finish your test with time to spare, you should turn it in. True or false?

Amanda Johnson, an ELA teacher at Hawkins Mills Elementary, leads "TCAP" jeopardy in her classroom.

He said true, and the teacher, Amanda Johnson, gently corrected him. If someone had time to spare, she explained, they should double-check their answers.

Johnsons Jeopardy game was a final form of preparation for her class before a major evaluation. On Monday, students throughout the state started taking the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) tests. And for most students and teachers  as well as district leaders  its the most consequential test of the year.

Why are the TCAP tests important?

Third through fifth graders are taking TCAP tests from April 15 to 30, while sixth through twelfth graders are set to take them from April 15 to May 3. Students take the assessments in a variety of subjects, and the stakes are high.

TCAP scores measure not just the academic growth and performance of students, but the growth and performances of their schools and school districts. They play a major role in determining the letter grades schools receive from the Tennessee Department of Education, and the designations their districts receive.

Kimberly Martin, a math teacher at Hawkins Mills Elementary, instructs a small group in her class.

In some cases, they can even determine whether a student is held back or able to move on to the next grade.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools has seen its overall TCAP scores rise for two consecutive years. When compared to 2022, the percentage of third-to-twelfth-grade students who met or exceeded expectations in 2023 increased in 10 out of 11 categories. Students showed improvement in math and science across every grade level, and the English Language Arts proficiency rate  which already surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2022  increased again last year.

Still, MSCS TCAP scores remain significantly behind state averages, and district leaders want them to continue rising. Third-grade literacy has been a particularly high-profile area of focus, and for good reason.

The retention law

In 2023, a statewide law focused on third-grade reading rates took effect. It stipulated that third graders who didnt earn a proficient score on the ELA portion of TCAP tests would be held back if interventive measures werent taken.

Students who earn an approaching score  the category just beneath proficiency  had to attend summer classes and show 5% improvement on a posttest to move forward. If they didnt meet that mark, they could still go to the fourth grade, but they would be expected to receive year-round tutoring. And students who earned a below score  the bottom category  had to attend summer school and agree to year-round tutoring to move on to fourth grade.

More: Cheerleaders, hard hats and a birthday: Inside Marie Feagins' first week as MSCS superintendent

Last year, 23.5% of third graders in MSCS and 40% of third graders in Tennessee scored proficiently, which meant that roughly 44,000 of the states third graders were at risk of being retained. Ultimately, just 898 third graders were held back, thanks to the tutoring options and other exemptions.

But the hope is that the number of third graders earning a proficient mark on the literacy section continues to rise, and the goal, this school year, is for 29% of the district's third graders to reach proficiency in ELA. By 2030, MSCS wants that percentage to be 52%, and it has looked to boost student results through strategies like high-dosage tutoring.

Throughout the year, improving TCAP scores has been a major focus. And this is evident at Hawkins Mills.

Hawkins Mills' success

Located in Frayser, Hawkins Mills was floundering just a few years ago.

After the COVID-19 pandemic upended the learning process, its TCAP scores plummeted, and in the 2020-21 academic year, only 4% of its third-through-fifth grade students earned proficient scores on the standardized tests. Hawkins Mills was on the states priority list, which included consistently low-performing schools that scored among the bottom 5% on the state's standardized tests or had low graduation rates.

The new MSCS superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins laughs during an interviewing session from elementary students during a tour on Thursday, April 04, 2024 at Kate Bond Elementary located at 2727 Kate Bond Road in Memphis, Tenn.

But since then, Hawkins Mills fortunes have changed. Its TCAP scores improved, with the number of students earning proficient scores rising to about 11% in 2021-22, and jumping to 21% last year. No longer on the priority list, it has instead been named a reward school by the state for two years in a row, thanks to its sterling levels of academic improvement.

Now, Hawkins Mills has set its sights on again raising its overall proficiency rates, this time to about 30%. The hope is for the specific third-grade ELA rate to also grow to 30% or 31%. Last year, the rate for third-grade ELA students at Hawkins Mills was about 27%.

If some third graders do end up having to attend summer classes or be held back, the news wont necessarily come as a shock. Teachers at Hawkins Mills explain the law to parents and keep them abreast of their childrens performances in a variety of ways throughout the year.

More: New MSCS superintendent says school closures 'highly likely.' What else she said after first week

If the case does happen, where a student is retained for whatever reason, I'm pretty sure that's a conversation that we are already prepared for because we understand how the data is looking, principal Claude Wilson told members of the media Friday. When [students] have been trending in a certain direction, [parents] understand that.

The students, too, are updated on how theyre doing throughout the year, and how they could perform on TCAP tests  which motivates them to continue getting better.

We, as teachers, look at the data. But I want the students to see it, so they can know where they are, so they can know where they need to be, Johnson said. I also let them know the law. I flat out tell you, If you do this, the way I tell you to do it, then you're going to pass a third grade. But if you do not, you will be retained, and I don't want it.' So, I kind of motivate them all the time. And that motivation pushes them. They try to be better every time.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: TCAP tests have started in Memphis. Here's what to know about them
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch airspace was almost completely closed for nearly three hours late on Monday and early on Tuesday due to a technical outage of air traffic control systems, local authorities said.

The outage occurred at 11 p.m. local time (2100 GMT) on Monday and was resolved almost three hours later, Air Traffic Control Netherlands said.

During that time very limited air traffic was handled in Dutch airspace, while flights were diverted to other airports in the region.

The air traffic control authorities said they were investigating the outage, and gave no further details on the cause.

"We are aware of the unpleasant consequences this has for passengers, airlines, and the airport. Further investigation is being conducted into the cause of the malfunction that occurred," they said in a statement.

The outage mainly hit traffic to and from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, one of Europe's busiest hubs, although the number of flights affected was limited because the problems occurred at night.

(Reporting by Bart Meijer; Editing by Jamie Freed)
The number of teens shot in Cincinnati during the first quarter of this year has fallen 50% compared to last year, according to Cincinnati police data.

Last year, a record number of teens between ages 13 and 17 were shot in Cincinnati, an average of more than one a week.

Between Jan. 1 and March 31 this year, 7 teens were shot in the city, one of whom was killed. During the same period last year, 14 teens were shot in the city, three of whom were killed.

Compared to the first three months of last year, there have been half the number of teens shot in Cincinnati this year. Data provided by the Cincinnati Police Department.

Following a series of attacks in Downtown in January, the Cincinnati Police Department Chief Teresa Theetge rallied the leaders of Cincinnati Public Schools, juvenile court, the Metro bus system and others to address youth violence.

Activist Iris Roley, who has been consulting for the city, brought together youth-focused organizations to meet with teens in person around Government Square as the students traveled home from school.

Even with the improvements, police spokesman Jonathan Cunningham said Wednesday the work isn't slowing down.

"The numbers are trending down," Cunningham said. "However, we are going to continue to work with our partners. We can't do this alone."

He said connecting teens with the resources they need is a top priority. He said the department also wants to continue communicating with families about the importance of knowing where youth are and what they're up to.

"This will remain a heavy focus for us, especially when we're going into the summer months," Cunningham said. "At the end of the day, the children are our future and we have to protect them."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Teen shootings in Cincinnati down 50% compared to last year
Authorities with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department are investigating a deadly shooting that claimed the life of a teenage boy Monday in South Los Angeles.

The fatal incident, according to a LASD news release, unfolded just before 4 p.m. in the 10800 block of Western Avenue, near the intersection of West 108th Street on the border of L.A.s Westmont and Gramercy Park neighborhoods.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they witnessed a large group of juveniles dispersing. The teen was found lying on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, LASD said in an update.

Teenage boy shot dead in South Los Angeles

Footage of the scene captured by Sky5 showed a heavy presence of police, along with crews from the L.A. County Fire Department at the intersection. The area was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape, including the parking lot of a 7-Eleven store.

There are several schools in the area, though its unknown if the teen was a student at any of them.

Teenage boy shot dead in South Los Angeles

Investigators say there were multiple fights that occurred prior to the shooting, and that a person of interest was detained.

So far, authorities have not released any information on the victim.

Gunman who opened fire atop Southern California apartment complex identified

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or submit tips online at L.A. Crime Stoppers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
ISLAMABAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia need to work closely to expedite the first phase of Saudi investments in Pakistan under a new arrangement.

According to a statement issued from the Prime Minister's Office, Sharif held a meeting with a Saudi delegation led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and discussed matters of mutual interest.

The prime minister said both countries had always stood together at all times and underscored the significance accorded by Pakistan to its longstanding fraternal, economic and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia.

Sharif said the visit of the Saudi delegation is a manifestation of the strong commitment of both countries to strengthening bilateral relations focused on mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

He briefed the Saudi delegation about the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and its initiatives to promote investment in Pakistan by establishing cooperation of all institutions.

The statement added that the Saudi Foreign Minister said that Saudi Arabia attached high importance to its strong and close ties with Pakistan.

Later in the day, the delegation called on Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at the President's House. During the meeting, both sides reiterated their resolve to build a strong partnership and further promote economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Zardari acknowledged that the two countries enjoyed a long-standing relationship, with Pakistan looking to transform existing ties into a long-term strategic and economic partnership, the President's Office said. 
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has once again warned Israel against mounting a military counter-attack following Iran's recent air assault on Israel.

During a telephone call with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Raisi warned that "the slightest action" by Israel against Iran's national interests "will have extensive and painful consequences." Details of the call were published on the web portal of Iran's presidential office on Tuesday.

Iran has recently warned Israel several times not to launch a military response to its large-scale attack, in which hundreds of drones and missiles were fired towards Israel on Saturday night.

The Iranian response to any further Israeli action would be "at least 10 times more drastic" than the first attack, the country's Security Council said in a press release.

In a telephone conversation with Raisi, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on all sides in the Middle East conflict to exercise restraint.

Putin expressed his hope that there would not be another round of confrontation, the Kremlin press service reported on Tuesday.

An escalation could have catastrophic consequences for the entire region, he said. Russia has not explicitly condemned Iran's missile attack on Israel.

Iran fired more than 300 rockets, cruise missiles and drones at Israel at the weekend. Israel and allied defences intercepted almost all of the incoming fire.

Iran said it was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria that killed two Iranian generals and five officers.

So far, Iran has chosen the least severe form of punishment for Israel, the Iranian Security Council said in its press statement on Tuesday.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz launched what he called a "diplomatic offensive" against Iran following the attack. "This morning I sent letters to 32 countries and spoke with dozens of foreign ministers and leading figures around the world," Katz wrote on Tuesday on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

He called for sanctions to be imposed on Iran's missile programme and for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to be declared a terrorist organization. Katz believes these measures would help slow down and weaken Tehran.

"Iran must be stopped now - before it is too late," he wrote.

Katz wrote that Israel's diplomatic campaign against Iran should be flanked by a military response to Tehran's attack.

Israel's military leadership has signalled that it does not intend to let the attack go unanswered.

Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor said the counter-attack would be on Iranian military facilities.

Israel will not attack civilian targets, although Tehran's attacks had certainly been aimed at civilian targets, Prosor told German broadcaster Welt TV on Tuesday.

The Israeli response would be "against these military facilities of the mullahs and the ayatollahs," Prosor said in German.

But he added that Israel would have to react. It is important for the region that this deterrence "is very clear."

While he emphasized Israel's determination to respond, Prosor declined to provide details. "When, where and how: That's something for our war Cabinet to decide," he said.

He called on Israel's allies to show understanding for the Israeli position and to impose stricter sanctions on Iran.

While Israel listened to its friends, it had to react to Iran's unprovoked attack with more than 300 missiles aimed at killing Israeli civilians, he said.
Education advocates in Tennessee are eagerly watching the current debate over the INSPIRE Act in Mississippi. Thats because we passed similarly consequential funding reform for K-12 education in 2022.

The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act, our new funding formula, reimagined how we align funding to student characteristics while also offering new flexibility to districts to invest resources according to their students needs.

Legislators in Tennessee, much like those in the Mississippi House of Representatives today, took the courageous step to pass a substantial reform of the states school funding formula. We at the Education Trust  Tennessee endorsed TISA, and launched Southerners for Fair School Funding to support advocates across the region to address inadequate and unfair school funding in their states. We believe the INSPIRE act is cause for celebration.

Gini Pupo-Walker

There is a lot to celebrate in House Bill 1453, called Investing in the Needs of Students to Prioritize, Impact, and Reform Education (INSPIRE) which proposes a transparent funding system that ensures students are the main characters in this next chapter in Mississippis education story. This new student-centered formula is grounded in several key questions that focus our attention on the most important considerations: Who are our students? What individual needs do they have in order to be successful? What will it cost to educate all students well?

INSPIRE, as a student weighted formula, begins with a clear dollar amount for every student and increases that amount with weights, or percentage boosts, for students in particular categories. These students include those from low-income homes or communities, children with disabilities, those learning English, or who live and learn in rural or small districts, among others. The calculations and weights in INSPIRE are ambitious and track with trends seen in model formulas in other states.

Mississippi, like Tennessee, is not the place it was 30 years ago. We have evolved, and the realities of our states require us to modernize our school funding just as we have our classroom instruction to meet the demands of todays workforce. Tennessees prior funding formula, the Basic Education Program, had a lot in common with Mississippis Adequate Education Program (MAEP). Both are vestiges of the past, crafted to avoid lawsuits, while tying the hands of districts with complex and opaque calculations of classroom and instructional ratios that are tied to teacher salaries, funding for a limited list of programs that may not be what districts need most, and capping the ability of local communities to contribute to the formula.

The crux of MAEPs challenge is that it bases important calculations for district funding on actual teacher salaries in each district, sending more dollars to areas like Madison that can pay teachers higher wages due to a higher tax base. In contrast, districts in the Delta, who may not be able to afford expensive salary supplements, will receive less money with this antiquated and arbitrary formula, through no fault of their own. We evaluated MAEP earlier this year, noting the need for a significant overhaul.

Under MAEP, the base per-student cost is limited to what is spent each year for general education students in C-rated schools, rather than tailoring the amount to what is actually needed in classrooms across Mississippi. MAEPs calculation is based on generic and historical spending levels that are disconnected from the reality of who attends our schools. In contrast, INSPIRE calls for a commission of educators to provide input on the financial resources necessary to adequately fund schools. We salute Mississippis effort to draw on the expertise of educators to inform a modernized formula tailored to student needs.

Designing an ambitious new funding formula will naturally draw challenges and concerns, and that was the case in Tennessee. But centering and quantifying the unique learning needs of students in state funding should not be controversial if done transparently. Mississippis legislative leaders must assuage the concerns of the colleagues and stakeholders and assure them that INSPIRE is not a mechanism for vouchers, but a way to support students in public schools across the state. Most states with weighted student funding systems  including Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, and large states like New York and California  have no vouchers at all. Nationally, funding formula reform is not tied to vouchers, which is an important distinction that, once acknowledged, can allow us to fairly evaluate funding proposals like INSPIRE in the absence of fear of eroding support for our public schools.

Ultimately, the INSPIRE Act is an important step forward for Mississippi. It levels the playing field for districts that serve your highest needs students and empowers educators to weigh in on how the state funds schools. It provides transparency, consistency, and financial flexibility, empowering districts to serve students according to their needs. And importantly, it eliminates some of the stealthiest inequities found in MAEP that reward districts for their wealth instead of prioritizing the costs associated with teaching rural students, those learning with a disability or living in concentrated poverty.

Tennessee is rooting on legislative leaders in Mississippi and urging your Senators to embrace this historic opportunity, ask the hard questions, and ensure that INSPIRE delivers on its promise to students and schools. This is a winning proposition for the students of Mississippi, and ultimately, they must be our North Star.

Gini Pupo-Walker is the executive director of the Education Trust  Tennessee.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Tennessee education advocates eying INSPIRE Act debate in Mississippi
I was expelled from the Tennessee legislature for advocating for gun control. They still dont get it

Editors Note: Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson is a Democrat and former community activist in Memphis. The views expressed here are his own. Read more opinion on CN

Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation on Tuesday allowing teachers and school personnel to carry guns in the classroom. The bill now heads to Republican Gov. Bill Lee, but will become law with or without his signature unless he vetoes it.

Justin J. Pearson - Ken Cedeno/Sipa USA/AP

The measure is the latest proof that  a full year after the devastating mass shooting at The Covenant High School in Nashville that killed six people  our states political leaders are no closer to providing meaningful, viable solutions to address our states tragic gun violence problem.

Guns are still the leading cause of death in children and teens in America, and Tennessee continues to be plagued by one of the highest rates of violence perpetrated with firearms in the country. The Republican supermajority that controls our states General Assembly, tragically, have reneged on their responsibility to pass meaningful gun safety legislation.

If Republicans have failed to make inroads in combating senseless gun violence, it cannot be because they are unaware of the seriousness of the problem. The magnitude of our gun violence problem was made clear to residents of Tennessee and the entire nation last March after a shooter armed with a weapon of war carried out the massacre at The Covenant School. Among the dead were three children, 9-year-olds Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus and William Kinney.

Heres what Republican lawmakers could do instead of passing measures that would introduce even more guns into our public spaces, and now potentially our classrooms: They could listen to some of the parents who have been appalled at the idea that the adults to whom they have entrusted their childrens care at school every day might be carrying loaded guns.

One such mom, Beth Gebhard, whose son attended The Covenant School told me after the shooting that quick action by her sons teacher might have saved his life that day, as well as the lives of all of the other children in the class. But its not because the teacher confronted the shooter with a gun. Far from it.

My son was in a second-grade classroom close to where the children were slain. The children heard the intensely loud, repeated shots, Beth told me.

I know the primary reason hes still alive is that his teacher  under extreme duress  was able to follow her training to lock the classroom door, pull down the shades, shepherd the children to the safe corner of the room and be there with them, helping them to follow her breathing and to stay silent so the Nashville police officers could do their work.

Beth knows that guns belong in the hands of trained professionals who are best equipped to meet the threat posed by a gunman. Putting firearms into the hands of classroom teachers and administrators every day is simply asking for more heartache and tragedy.

Heres some more wisdom that Tennessee lawmakers could glean from parents: Immediately following The Covenant School massacre, grieving parents lined the streets and the entrance to the Tennessee State House, demanding common sense gun safety laws.

Students walked out of schools across Nashville and Memphis making similar demands. Weve seen a groundswell of similar protests in recent days, as parents and students raise their voices in opposition to the measure being considered in the House that could put guns in the hands of their teachers. The protests continued right through to Tuesdays vote: After it was taken, people in the room could be heard chanting, Blood on your hands.

Similar sentiments have echoed across the country. A strong majority of Americans favor stricter gun safety laws in the US, according to a Gallup poll, and a similar majority of teachers believe arming them would make schools less safe, according to research by the Rand Corporation. In Tennessee, a wide majority  about three-quarters of registered voters  want red flag laws, according to polling last year from Vanderbilt University.

There is one more group that Tennessee lawmakers should consult with before passing a measure that could make our gun violence problem even worse: The members of the law enforcement community who are directly tasked with keeping schools safe.

The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) also opposes arming teachers, and their research data aligns with the fears of teachers and school staff. Among other warnings, NASRO reports that a law enforcement officer could mistake an armed teacher for an assailant and that discharging weapons in a school is an extremely risky action that could result in wounding or killing innocent children and staff.

Their data also indicate that an armed teacher is more likely to interfere with first responders actions than to stop a school shooter. Besides all of the data indicating the dangers of arming teachers, the training outlined in the proposed bill is insufficient to prepare teachers to safely carry and operate a weapon in the event of a mass shooting.

Unfortunately, rather than heeding wise counsel on the subject of reducing gun violence, our legislature has frequently resorted to reactive and even anti-democratic tactics.

Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones, Rep. Gloria Johnson and I responded to the pleas of our constituents and the mourners outside and inside the State House last year, joining them in peaceful protest against a conservative majority that refused to listen.

However, on that day and every day since, the majority party lawmakers appear to answer to a different constituency  the Tennessee Firearms Association and the National Rifle Association. And they responded to our efforts to represent the grieving people of Tennessee by expelling Jones and me  two Black men  from our duly elected offices.

Although our municipal governments promptly reinstated us and our constituents voted us back into office, the supermajority in the Tennessee State House is still trying to silence us. Despite the retribution politics that dominate the Republican agenda, we refuse to be silent. We will not sit still and be quiet while our children and communities are ravaged by gun violence.

Arming teachers increases the likelihood of shootings in schools, increases the chance that students will have access to guns and erodes trust in educators. A teacher with a handgun is unable to stop a shooter with a military-style weapon, and teachers arent able to respond in the ways trained law enforcement agents can. Adverse impacts  including fatal outcomes  will disproportionately fall on already marginalized populations such as disabled and Black students.

According to the national teachers union the American Federation of Teachers, more than three in four teachers oppose putting guns in the hands of educators and school staff, stating that schools would be more dangerous if staff were armed. Most parents, as well as students, oppose arming teachers.

Arming teachers is not the answer to school shootings  its a dangerous next step in the gun lobbys guns everywhere agenda. We need to vote these reckless politicians out and elect lawmakers who will fight for the common sense, research-backed gun safety laws that Tennesseans deserve, says Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action, the anti-gun violence group founded after another horrific school mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in December 2012.

As parents tell me time and again, guns in classrooms simply are not the answer. Can you imagine what would have happened if my sons teacher left the classroom with a handgun to confront the shooter with military-grade weapons? Beth asked me. Not only would she have been killed, but she would have left terrified 8-year-olds alone  many likely crying and some following her  alerting the shooter to their presence. I have no doubt my son wouldnt have survived.

Arming teachers does not create the school environment we want or need. Students deserve better. They deserve nurturing and care in a trusting and productive educational environment where they can thrive.

This moment requires our highest reasoning and the best of our efforts. It requires elected officials to do everything we can to end the gun violence epidemic plaguing our communities, our state and our nation. But the bill approved by our state legislature is a red herring that not only prevents us from dealing with the problem of gun safety and fear in schools, but also puts our kids and teachers in more danger.

We need what a vast majority of Tennessee voters and voters nationwide want: common sense gun legislation. These include those articulated by Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows and Mothers Over Murder, who are calling for more counseling for children, closing gun-buying loopholes, mandating stronger background checks and passing safer storage laws.

We must do right by our children and our communities. We can only do that by listening to them, rather than to those who profit from gun violence.

Editors Note: This piece was updated to note final approval of the measure by lawmakers in Tennessee.

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Tesla has ended discounts on inventory across its electric vehicle lineup -- even as sales for EVs have flagged -- as part of a larger and vague plan by CEO Elon Musk to "streamline the whole Tesla sales and delivery system."

"It has become complex and inefficient," Musk wrote in a post on X, the social media company he owns, in response to another user's comment.

Musk's announcement on X comes a day after thousands of Tesla employees lost their jobs. The layoffs, which will affect more than 10% of staff or about 14,000 people, were caused by poor financial performance, one source told TechCrunch.

One of Tesla's delivery workers who was cut this week and spoke to TechCrunch on the condition of anonymity said their location was "short staffed" but still lost multiple employees. Tesla appears to have also eliminated most job listings -- save a handful of postings related to its Manufacturing Development Program -- from its North America careers page, suggesting a hiring freeze.

Rohan Patel, formerly Tesla's VP of Public Policy and Business Development, told TechCrunch he also left the company Monday because of "[b]ig overall changes" at the company. Patel was one of two high-profile executives to leave Tesla this week, alongside Drew Baglino, formerly Tesla's SVP of Powertrain and Energy.

The decision to end discounts across its lineup in the United States, including the Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X, is a bit of a whiplash moment for Tesla. The company raised prices for most of 2022. The following year, Tesla started regularly dropping prices on all its vehicles, with some models seeing a nearly 20% drop, a practice that has continued this year. In April, Tesla dropped the price of many long-range and performance Model Ys by $5,000 and rear-wheel drive versions by more than $7,000.

It also follows last week's announcement that Tesla would drop the monthly subscription cost of its Supervised Full Self-Driving software, Tesla's advanced driver assistance system, to $99 per month, down from $199 per month.

While the price-cutting of 2023 may have helped Tesla sell a record 1.8 million vehicles, the automaker's margins have shrunk. And in the first quarter of 2024, Tesla's delivery numbers fell year-over-year. The automaker also built more cars than it shipped, a trend that has continued in seven of the last eight quarters, which might indicate an area where Tesla will renew its focus this year.

In January, Tesla did warn sales growth could be "notably lower" in 2024 compared to previous years as it prepares to launch a new vehicle platform -- the $25,000 EV that appears to have been scrapped in favor of launching a robotaxi by August.

It's not clear how removing discounts on Tesla vehicles fits into the automaker's new strategy to streamline sales and delivery. Tesla could not be reached for comment.

Tesla has received a lot of credit for its direct-sales model, which circumvents the traditional dealer setup (and took many years and legal fights to accomplish). But beyond the initial purchase, Tesla has almost always been making changes to its sales and delivery strategy.

In late 2018, Musk said that Tesla bought an undisclosed number of trucking companies in order to ship increasing numbers of Model 3 sedans. In early 2019, Musk abruptly announced that Tesla would close many of its retail stores and lay off workers to achieve the savings required to provide [the Model 3] and be financially sustainable. Less than two months later, the company reversed course. More recently, Tesla announced in late 2022 that its typical end-of-quarter scramble to make and ship as many cars as possible was proving increasingly difficult. Tesla said it was going to smooth out that process  but more than a year later, its still dealing with these quarterly bottlenecks.
Can Texans drive home with legal weed bought in California? How about flying it in?

Several states allow for recreational marijuana use, but Texas is not one of them.

The Lone Star State does allow for medicinal marijuana use, but only in certain instances. People diagnosed with cancer, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder and more, all qualify.

In total, 24 states across the U.S. have legalized recreational marijuana and 38 states have allowed medicinal use.

But with several states only a few hours drive from Dallas-Fort Worth, what happens if someone crosses state lines with marijuana in their possession? Heres what to know about Texas marijuana laws:

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WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY ABOUT MARIJUANA IN TEXAS?

The possession, growing, selling, distribution and use of recreational marijuana is illegal in Texas.

State law is tough on marijuana offenses. Fines can run in the thousands, plus years in jail. Heres how the penalties shake out for marijuana possession:

2 ounces or less  Class B misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $2,000 and up to 180 days incarcerated.

2-4 ounces  Class A misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $4,000 and up to one year incarcerated.

4 ounces to 5 pounds  State jail felony with a maximum fine of $10,000 and 180 days to 2 years incarcerated.

5 to 50 pounds  3rd degree felony with a maximum fine of $10,000 and two to 10 years incarcerated.

50 to 2,000 pounds  2nd degree felony with a maximum fine of $10,000 and two to 20 years incarcerated.

2,000 pounds or more  1st degree felony with a maximum fine of $50,000 five to 99 years incarcerated.

The penalties for selling marijuana are:

7 grams or less for no remuneration  Class B misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $2,000 and up to 180 days incarcerated.

7 grams or less  Class A misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $4,000 and up to a year incarcerated.

7 grams to 5 pounds  State jail felony with a maximum fine of $10,000 and 180 days to two years incarcerated.

5 to 50 pounds  2nd degree felony with a maximum fine of $10,000 and two to 20 years incarcerated.

50 to 2,000 pounds  1st degree felony with a maximum fine of $10,000 and five to 99 years incarcerated.

2,000 pounds or more  Enhanced 1st degree felony with a maximum fine of $100,000 and 10 to 99 years incarcerated.

The Texas Department of Public Safety operates an online registry of physicians who prescribe low-grade cannabis to people with epilepsy, cancer, autism and other conditions. Finding a physician to prescribe low-THC can be found by searching the DPS website.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CROSS TEXAS STATE LINES WITH POT?

Texas law is pretty clear: It is illegal to possess recreational marijuana regardless of where it was purchased.

If you purchased marijuana while in Colorado and then traveled to Texas with the substance, you have broken the law. It doesnt matter if the marijuana was purchased legally, as soon as it crosses Texas state lines its considered contraband.

Its not only a marijuana possession charge youll have to worry about, you could be charged with drug trafficking which is a federal crime, according to Westfall Sellers law firm.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOURE CAUGHT WITH WEED IN A TEXAS AIRPORT?

The Transportation Security Administration are not looking for drugs when they screen fliers, but if they find marijuana or other drugs, they will refer the matter to law enforcement.

TSAs screening procedures are focused on security to detect potential threats to aircraft and passengers. While TSA officers are screening for weapons or other harmful items and they find an illegal substance, it will be reported to local law enforcement, according to the TSA.

CAN TEXANS LEGALLY PURCHASE POT IN OTHER STATES?

Yes, Texas residents can purchase both legal recreational and medical marijuana in other states.

Just like alcohol, anyone purchasing recreational marijuana in Colorado or New Mexico have to be at least 21 years old. For medical marijuana in Oklahoma or Louisiana, you need a medical marijuana card.

CAN YOU CONSUME MARIJUANA AND THEN TRAVEL BACK TO TEXAS?

Yes, but only if youre not driving and dont have any marijuana in your possession.

Under Texas Penal Code chapter 49, driving while intoxicated is not only limited to alcohol but drugs as well. A DWI charge is a class B misdemeanor in Texas and could carry a fine up to $2,000, up to 180 days in jail and loss of a driver license for up to a year.
FILE - Esperanza Trevino, Melissa Lucio's mother, pleas to the public as she is surrounded by family and friends on the steps of the Cameron County Courthouse Administrative entrance in Brownsville, Texas, Feb. 7, 2022, that her daughter is innocent and was wrongfully sentenced to death for the murder of Lucio's 2-year-old daughter. A judge has recommended that the conviction and death sentence of Lucio, a Texas woman whose execution was delayed in 2022 amid growing doubts she fatally beat her 2-year-old daughter, should be overturned amid findings that evidence in her murder trial was suppressed. (Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald via AP, File)

HOUSTON (AP)  A judge has recommended that the conviction and death sentence of Melissa Lucio, a Texas woman whose execution was delayed in 2022 amid growing doubts she fatally beat her 2-year-old daughter, should be overturned amid findings that evidence in her murder trial was suppressed.

Senior State District Judge Arturo Nelson on Friday approved an agreement between prosecutors and Lucios attorneys that found the suppressed evidence, including witness statements from Lucios children and a report by Child Protective Services, would have corroborated Lucios defense that her daughter Mariah died of a head injury sustained in an accidental fall down a steep staircase two days before her death.

She would not have been convicted in light of the suppressed evidence, according to the 33-page agreement between the office of Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz and Lucios attorneys.

Nelsons recommendation has been sent to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which will make the final decision on whether Lucios conviction and death sentence are overturned. There was no timetable for a ruling by the appeals court. Lucios case has become a cause celebre among people, including Kim Kardashian.

We hope and pray the Court of Criminal Appeals will agree with the District Attorney, the defense, and Judge Nelson and our mother can come home to her family. Its been 17 years that we have been without her. We love her and miss her and cant wait to hug her, Lucios children said in a statement Monday.

The agreement on findings in Lucios case had remained in limbo for 16 months before another judge, Gabriela Garcia. On April 5, Lucios lawyers and Saenz had issued a joint public statement in which they discussed that the findings were still under review by Garcia.

On April 10, Missy Medary, the presiding judge for the Fifth Administrative Judicial Region in South Texas, assigned Nelson to address the pending findings in the case. Nelson, who is a retired judge and had presided over Lucios 2008 trial, approved the findings two days later.

Garcia's court had requested that Nelson be assigned to address the pending findings and conclusions as he was the trial judge in the case and has direct knowledge of the trial, Emily Jirovec, an administrative assistant with the Fifth Administrative Judicial Region, said in an email Tuesday.

Lucio, 55, had been set for lethal injection in April 2022 for the 2007 death of her daughter in Harlingen, a city of about 71,000 in Texas southern tip. But the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halted her lethal injection two days before her scheduled execution so Lucios claims that new evidence would exonerate her could be reviewed.

Before the agreed findings approved by Nelson, prosecutors had long maintained Mariah was the victim of abuse and noted her body was covered in bruises.

Lucios case has garnered support from Kardashian and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Democratic state Rep. Joe Moody.

Melissa Lucio has been in jail for more than a decade and a half, which is an unimaginable injustice, but one that can at least be undone, Moody said in a post Tuesday on the social platform X.

___

Follow Juan A. Lozano: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
A Texas judge last week recommended the conviction and sentence of a mother on death row be overturned, finding prosecutors withheld key evidence that could have prevented her from being found guilty in the 2007 death of her 2-year-old daughter.

The evidence  namely a Child Protective Services report and interviews with inmate Melissa Lucios surviving children  would have corroborated the defenses theory at trial, according to a filing submitted by her attorneys and prosecutors and signed by the judge on Friday: Lucios toddler, Mariah Alvarez, died because of injuries sustained in an accidental fall down stairs and not from abuse at the hands of her mother, as the state claimed.

The case now returns to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which two years ago halted Lucios execution two days before it was set to be carried out, sending her claims back to the trial court in Cameron County for review. The appeals court has the authority to overturn Lucios conviction, and its unclear when it might make a decision.

Lucios case garnered widespread support in recent years, particularly ahead of her scheduled execution. Kim Kardashian  the celebrity and entrepreneur who has championed a number of death row inmates cases  as well as a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers called for mercy on Lucios behalf, as did five members of her jury.

At least 197 people sentenced to death in the United States since 1973 have been exonerated, 16 of them in Texas, according to the non-profit Death Penalty Information Center.

The recommendation in Lucios case by Judge Arturo Nelson  who presided over her capital murder trial  comes more than a year after Lucios attorneys and the Cameron County District Attorneys Office submitted a filing of agreed-upon facts and conclusions in the case, including an acknowledgement the state withheld evidence favorable to Lucio. Both sides agreed she was entitled to relief, they said this month in a joint statement.

On Friday, Nelson signed that filing, indicating his agreement with its conclusions and finding Lucio had met her burden of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, that she would not have been convicted in light of the suppressed evidence.

We are grateful to our mothers legal team for their hard work to bring the truth to light and to D.A. (Luis) Saenz for taking another look at our mothers case and recognizing that she did not receive a fair trial and her conviction should be overturned, two of Lucios sons, Bobby Alvarez and John Lucio, and her daughter-in-law Michelle Lucio said in a statement provided by Melissa Lucios attorneys.

We hope and pray the Court of Criminal Appeals will agree with the District Attorney, the defense, and Judge Nelson and our mother can come home to her family, their statement said. Its been 17 years that we have been without her. We love her and miss her and cant wait to hug her.

Melissa Lucio and five of her children pose in this undated photo. - Lucio family photo

Reasonable probability trial outcome would be different

Then a toddler, Mariah died February 17, 2007, two days after, Lucio contends, she fell down a set of steep stairs outside the familys apartment, potentially causing a traumatic head injury that caused her death. Prosecutors, meanwhile, argued Lucio was an abusive mother responsible for her daughters injuries, in part citing a purported confession she gave authorities the night of Mariahs death.

Lucios attorneys have denied she ever confessed, arguing her statement was coerced during an aggressive interrogation and Lucio was susceptible to coercion because of her history as a lifelong survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence.

The key evidence now at issue stems from Child Protective Services interviews with five of Lucios other children in the hours after Mariah died and statements two of the older children  one a teenager, the other 20  gave police.

According to the filing of agreed-upon facts and conclusions by defense attorneys and the district attorneys office, several of Lucios children denied to Child Protective Services that their mother was abusive and said she had never hit them or Mariah. At least one of them witnessed Mariahs fall down the stairs.

Additionally, two of Lucios oldest daughters provided sworn statements to police, corroborating details about Mariahs declining health and their mothers mounting concern in the days before she died.

Both Lucios attorneys and prosecutors agreed, however, that this evidence, was not disclosed to her trial lawyers  a so-called Brady violation. If the evidence had been shared, the filing notes, Lucios attorneys would have been able to present it as evidence that Mariah had fallen and challenge testimony that suggested Lucio was lying. The withholding of evidence also prevented Lucios attorneys from being able to fully investigate the true cause of Mariahs death, the filing says.

Ultimately, if the evidence had been disclosed to Lucios lawyers and presented to the jury, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of the trial would have been different, the filing signed by the judge concludes.

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A Texas landowner can sue the state for flood damage to his property, U.S. Supreme Court rules

An abandoned car sits in floodwaters in a residential neighborhood in Beaumont in 2017, 11 days days after Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas Coast. A property owner sued Texas for damages to his property in nearby Chambers County following changes to Interstate 10. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune.

LUFKIN  A Texas landowner may seek compensation from the state for damages to his property east of Houston, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday.

Richie DeVillier, a landowner in Chambers County, sued the state in 2020 after his land repeatedly flooded following changes Texas made to Interstate 10. The original lawsuit argued DeVillier had a right to damages under state law and the U.S. Constitution's Fifth Amendment, which prohibits governments from taking private property for public use without compensation.

Texas officials moved the case to federal courts, then sought to dismiss it, suggested it was not a Fifth Amendment issue. Lower courts disagreed prompting the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case.

Aaron Lloyd Nielson of the Texas Attorney Generals Office said at oral arguments on Jan. 16 that the state would accept the case if it were updated to reflect only state law.

The Supreme Court determined Texas ought to consider the case under state law, which would permit DeVillier to pursue compensation.

And, although Texas asserted that proceeding under the state-law cause of action would require an amendment to the complaint, it also assured the Court that it would not oppose any attempt by DeVillier and the other petitioners to seek one, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the opinion.

DeVilliers lawsuit was representative of 120 other property owners who also faced significant damage during Hurricane Harvey as a result of the barrier.

[U.S. Supreme Court hears Texas case that could change how states compensate landowners for their property]

A lawyer for DeVillier celebrated the ruling and suggested it could have broad implications for the property owners.

Its great for our clients, and great  frankly  for the citizens of Texas, said Dan Charest, of Burns Charest in Dallas.

Charest brought the original lawsuit forward on behalf of DeVillier in 2020 and attended the arguments before the Supreme Court in January. At the very beginning of the case, Charest said he and his team joked it would make its way to the highest court and would end in a win  which is what happened, he said.

Texas arguments in January that the issue should be handled by state law were different from those made earlier in the case, when the state argued to have the case remanded to the federal level. This concession and further validation by the U.S. Supreme Court opens the door for any Texan whose property is damaged by the state to pursue relief in state courts, Charest said.

The limitation on the ruling, though, is that the Supreme Court did not affirmatively state that, that the federal constitution as its own power provides a cause of action, Charest said.

This means that while this ruling affects Texans and possibly other states with remediation under state law, it does not address whether landowners in states without similar laws can sue on the federal level. This is an issue that will have to be decided at another time, Charest said.

Attorney General Ken Paxton also claimed victory in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

For as long as Texas has been Texas, it has recognized that property rights are crucial to a free society," Paxton said. "Under the U.S. Constitution, such claims should be pursued under state law unless Congress has said otherwise. Im pleased the Supreme Court agreed with us unanimously that citizens should sue under Texas law.

Charest said Paxtons belief that the Supreme Court decision is a win for his team is demonstrably false. Charest said he would have gladly amended the original lawsuit to under state law had the states suggested that in the first place.

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Texas man faces 90 months in prison after being convicted of robbery of US property

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  A Texas man was sentenced to 90 months after being accused of robbery.

In a release from the United States Department of Justice, Tarek Sonnier, 26, of Fresno, was sentenced after being convicted of robbery of United States property.

On Oct. 6, 2021, a USPS mail carrier was delivering mail when they saw Sonnier hiding behind a tree near the USPS vehicle with a letter in hand. The carrier asked if Sonnier had to mail something. As Sonnier got closer to the carrier, he sprayed the carrier with pepper spray and snatched the USPS keys. The keys included a set of USPS Promaster truck keys and a USPS Arrow key. The release states Sonnier and an accomplice fled the scene in a silver Camaro.

According to the DOJ, a surveillance camera across the street saw the robbery and was able to catch the silver Camaro with damage to the rear passenger side driving past before spotting Sonnier walking down the sidewalk and waiting by the tree.

Baton Rouge man pleads guilty in connection to Dollar General store robberies

United States Attorney Ronald Gathe Jr. said on Oct. 7, 2021, officers with the Baton Rouge Police Department conducted a traffic stop that matched the description as the one connected to the robbery. The driver was identified as Sonnier. On Oct. 8, BRPD performed a search warrant on the silver Camaro and found USPS truck keys, stolen U.S. mail, checks, money orders, and bottles of Wite-Out and Heet. Wite-Out and Heet are associated with altering checks, according to the release.

Along with the 90-month sentence, Sonnier was ordered to serve three years of supervised release.

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U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, right, listens as President Joe Biden receives a briefing from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, USCIS and ICE during a visit to Brownsville on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune

WASHINGTON  U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, August Pfluger, R-San Angelo, and nine other Republican impeachment managers presented the articles of impeachment Tuesday against U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate, urging Democrats to give the secretary a full trial.

We did our job in the House, and I pray that [Senate Majority Chuck] Schumer will do his job in the Senate as he is required to do under the Constitution, McCaul said during a news conference with other managers and several senators after delivering the articles to the upper chamber.

The House voted to impeach the secretary on Feb. 13 over charges of refusing to enforce the law and breach of public trust. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, introduced those articles late last year.

Democrats in Congress and the Biden administration have blasted Mayorkas impeachment as a specious abuse of a constitutional measure reserved for the most egregious offenses. The Senate requires a two third vote to convict Mayorkas  an exceedingly slim possibility considering Democrats hold the majority.

Schumer said senators would be sworn in as jurors Wednesday afternoon. Schumer has previously indicated he would try to make the trial a quick affair.

We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible, Schumer said on the Senate floor Tuesday morning. Impeachment should never be used to settle a policy disagreement. Talk about awful precedence

McCaul and Pfluger both sit on the House Homeland Security Committee, which has jurisdiction over Mayorkas department. McCaul was chair of the committee from 2013 to 2019. He served as a federal prosecutor with the Justice Department before being elected to Congress.

The other managers include Greene, House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green of Tennessee, Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ben Cline of Virginia, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Clay Higgins of Louisiana and Laurel Lee of Florida.

If Democrats quickly dismiss the articles of impeachment, the impeachment managers will have few procedural options to force a longer trial, McCaul acknowledged. He added that the managers would stress that a trial is a constitutional requirement of the Senate.

U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, said she saw the impeachment managers cross the Capitol toward the Senate chamber, calling it unceremonious and subdued compared to her experience as an impeachment manager in the trial for former president Donald Trump. She said its hard to compare the two because the impeachment of Mayorkas is a sham, and Trumps impeachment proceedings had validity.

I can't even believe that they would want to serve as impeachment managers when you know that its all just a sham, Garcia said of the Texas Republicans whom House Speaker Mike Johnson tapped to serve as impeachment managers.

The Senate will determine the rules of the trial, which will dictate much of the managers strategy in prosecuting Mayorkas. McCaul said he would prefer to have witnesses speak, including the families of victims of fentanyl poisoning.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, was among the senators who joined impeachment managers during Tuesdays news conference. Cruz accused Schumer of trying to bypass the trial to protect vulnerable Democrats up for reelection this year. He pointed out Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, who will have to defend his seat representing a conservative state in November. Cruz accused Tester of fleeing the chamber as the impeachment managers entered the chamber.

The stakes of this impeachment are not some technical violation of law but rather an enormous and growing threat to the lives and safety of millions of Americans, Cruz said. Tomorrow were going to see Chuck Schumer throw out 200 years of history and ignore the Constitution. Why? Because he does not want these managers to present the evidence of the people dying because of their policies.

Cruz said Tester left the chamber "because apparently it was too frightening to hear the managers simply read the facts of the people who were dying because of the policies he supports."

Tester's office said he was present in the chamber and was reviewing the articles of impeachment. Tester could be seen leaving his desk when the impeachment managers were in the chamber.

House Republicans had pushed for impeaching Mayorkas for a year as they expressed their frustration with the state of the southern border. Republicans routinely used Mayorkas appearances before the House, including during hearings nominally on issues unrelated to the border, to blast the administrations border policy.

U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Sherman, introduced a different set of articles of impeachment against Mayorkas early last year. U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, was a vocal supporter of Greenes effort, helping House Republican leadership curry support with moderates.

Both of Texas senators, John Cornyn and Cruz, have previously expressed support for ousting Mayorkas. They were among 43 Senate Republicans who wrote to Schumer earlier this month demanding a full trial.

Since 2021, Secretary Mayorkas has abdicated control of Americas borders to a magnitude unparalleled in our Nations history, the senators wrote. Absent Secretary Mayorkas immediate resignation, this impeachment should remain faithful to Senatorial precedent.

Mayorkas has repeatedly rebuffed Republican calls to resign.

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STOCKHOLM, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out at a 400-year-old stock exchange building in the Danish capital of Copenhagen on Monday, sending its characteristic twisted spire tumbling to the ground.

The fire broke out just before 8 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), according to the Copenhagen Police, and no injuries had been reported by lunchtime.

However, the building, "Borsen," is home to a precious art collection, and TV footage from Danish TV 2 News showed people carrying paintings out of the building to save them from the flames.

Dating back to 1625, Borsen now houses the Danish Chamber of Commerce, and the collapsed spire shaped as intertwined dragons' tails was under renovation when the fire started.

"It was our Notre Dame," Henrik Grage, a stonemason, told TV 2 News, referring to the fire that destroyed large parts of the Paris landmark almost to the day five years ago.

"It is a tragic day, not just for Copenhagen but also for Denmark," Grage told TV 2 News. 
As the USS George Washington reeled from a spate of suicides two years ago, Navy leaders reacted with anger and denial while discussing news coverage of the deaths and whether to promote the sailors posthumously, according to emails obtained by NBC News.

After five sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier died by suicide within a year, including three in one week in April 2022, some of the ships commanders dismissed claims about poor living and working conditions, and at least one of them admitted to having a weak grasp of the mental health issues that plagued his sailors, the messages show.

I myself, have an extremely limited understanding of mental health issues and have a very hard time understanding why, William Mathis, the executive officer, wrote in one of the roughly 130 emails the Navy recently provided, nearly two years after NBC News filed a Freedom of Information Act request.

US aircraft carrier USS George Washington (USS George H.W. Bush via Getty Images)

At the time, several sailors said their struggles were directly related to a culture in which seeking help was not met with the necessary resources, as well as the unbearable state of the ship while it was docked and undergoing a lengthy overhaul in Virginia.The deaths sparked investigations, prompted visits from the Navys most powerful officials and led to the relocation of more than 280 sailors.

For at least one sailors family, the years have done little to heal wounds.

Its still fresh, and it seems like they swept it under the carpet and moved on, said John Sandor, whose 19-year-old son, Xavier, had long complained about the George Washington before taking his own life on the ship.

A string of tragedies

Mikail Sharp, 23, died by suicide on April 9, 2022, at a family gender-reveal party in Portsmouth, Virginia. He had gotten married in the last year and had been promoted days prior, according to his family and the findings of a Navy investigation.

After Natasha Huffman, 24, ended her life the next day, the Navy began discussing whether the two should be promoted posthumously.

They appeared eligible for such advancements, a Navy program manager wrote to the ships leaders on April 12, 2022. Under the Navys guidelines, any sailor who dies in the line of duty and meets certain eligibility requirements can be posthumously advanced.

Brent Gaut, the ships commanding officer, appeared supportive of the promotions and said he would deliver a decision shortly.

Image: Mikail Rayshawn Sharp (U.S. Navy via Natalie Jefferson)

On the morning of April 15, 2022, Mathis, who began his role as Gauts second-in-command two months earlier, emailed behavioral health care doctors on his team to see if the Navy could have done anything to prevent Sharp and Huffmans deaths. I am not trying to point fingers at anyone else, Mathis wrote. Hoping to learn something to take forward.

Gaut, Mathis and Christopher Zeigler, the third-in-command, were starting to see more and more gripes about lack of access to mental healthcare, Mathis wrote to the physicians, as he set up a meeting to discuss the issue.

It seems to me that we probably have a lack of supply to meet the demand, he said. I need a better understanding here as well.

Natasha Huffman. (via Facebook)

That night, while working his usual 12-hour shift on the ship, Xavier Sandor stepped inside a bathroom and told his parents in a text message that being home was the only thing that made him happy, according to his father. He asked to be buried near his high school friend before taking his life.His mother read the message first and let out a painful howl. His father raced down the hall of their Shelton, Connecticut, home, which Xavier had walked through that morning.

By the time the Sandors arrived at the Riverside Regional Medical Center in Virginia, where Xavier was taken, he was gone. John Sandor, 51, fell to the floor in anguish.

The doctor got on his knees with me and said he did everything he could, he said.

In Tennessee, where he was on leave, Gaut, who is now 53, had a mini panic attack, he said in an email. His deputy sent out a mass email to department heads, alerting them to the third death of a freshman sailor in six days.

I know most of you are already aware, but I regret to inform you all that we had another apparent suicide last night, Mathis wrote.

Call all of our folks and give them a verbal hug, he continued. Let our Sailors know that we had another tragic event last night and remind them that they are loved and that there are resources available if people are struggling.

Two days later, Mathis, now 46, questioned the posthumous promotions.

I am now in the anger phase of grief so I realize that is affecting my judgement, he wrote. But I am not seeing how a Sailor committing suicide should warrant a posthumous advancement.

Gaut, Mathis and Zeigler directed comments to the Navy. A Navy official said the emails are a "snapshot and do not fully represent the level of care and support" the commanders took to immediately help their crew.

The official said the correspondence "reflects a period of time in which Navy leadership were working to provide council, guidance and comfort to the crew."

Of the three sailors who died that week in April, Huffman was posthumously promoted, the Navy said. Sharp was not eligible because he had recently advanced, and Sandor had not taken the advancement test that would have made him eligible, according to the Navy.

Facing the public, missed red flags

The next week, as the deaths made national headlines, the ships leaders began to brainstorm how to share the news.

Gaut asked a public affairs officer to start thinking about a Facebook post that would tell families what happened and the way forward, but the idea was quickly shut down.

There is nothing we can say other than what has been said, the press officer wrote. A social post will only attract negative attention.

The public affairs team sent Gaut a draft of talking points to consider when addressing the sailors. Mathis reviewed the memo, which confirmed five deaths by suicide since December 2021.

I thought briefly that maybe we should discuss data up to 12 months ago but I changed my mind and thought we should just focus on the 910 months you have been in command, he wrote to Gaut.

A Navy investigation released publicly in December 2022 determined that Sharp and Huffmans deaths were not related to life onboard the ship, but Xavier Sandors was. A separate investigation found that the shipyard lacked sufficient parking, transportation and access to food and housing.

Ten days after Xaviers death, Gaut remained adamant that the suicides were not related to the ships conditions. He wrote to a colleague that he was staying off social media because he knew this was not a quality of life issue.

A month after the deaths, Zeigler still dismissed claims about problems on the ship when a local pizzeria owner wrote the leaders with an offer to send 420 free pies, one to each of the sailors believed to be living onboard.

The issues we have arent because of the exaggerated media stories of our living conditions so just want to make that perfectly clear before we move forward, Zeigler, now 50, wrote.

Xavier Hunter Sandor. (Courtesy John Sandor)

From 2017 to 2023, the George Washington was docked at the Newport News Shipyard in Virginia, where it underwent significant repairs and upgrades. While most of the roughly 2,700 sailors went home after their shifts, hundreds who lived out of state or didnt have off-site housing stayed on the vessel, where several sailors said there was constant construction noise and a lack of hot water and electricity.

For three months, Xavier, who was over 6-feet tall, lived in his Toyota Corolla and made 16-hour round trips back home when he could to escape the George Washington, his father said. Those drives usually happened every other weekend.

Hed crash for most of the two days and then drive back, John Sandor said.

Shortly before his death, Xavier skipped a meeting with Zeigler to go home. It was a punishable offense, but the ships leaders failed to properly document the infraction, which would have given them a reason to temporarily take away his firearm and potentially see that he was struggling to adapt to shipyard life, investigators said.

In the three days before he died, Xavier got a maximum of about 14 hours of total sleep, which likely affected his decision-making ability, according to the investigation.

His father said he will blame himself forever for not seeing the red flags, but he blames his sons commanders for missing them, too.

He shouldnt have been armed, John Sandor said. My son should have never been put in that situation.

Xavier Hunter Sandor with his father, John Sandor. (Courtesy John Sandor)

Nine sailors died by suicide during the roughly six years the George Washington was docked in Virginia, Navy spokesperson Sandra Gall said.After the spate of deaths in April, the Navy gave the sailors more mental health resources, including psychologists, social workers and chaplains. Before, there had been only one psychologist on the ship.

Leaders also amplified communication efforts, hosted morale-boosting events and provided shuttles to ease parking woes, Gall said.

"Navy leadership remains fully engaged with the crew to ensure their health and well-being, and to ensure a climate of trust that encourages Sailors to ask for help and provide quality of service feedback," Gall said.

Today, the Sandors sit and mention Xaviers name as much as they can. They no longer host holidays in their home, which theyve filled with photos of the young sailor and where they display the folded American flag they were given at his funeral.

Xaviers goldendoodle puppy, Grace, still waits on his bed every day, anticipating his return, John Sandor said.

It totally changed our lives, he said, and its miserable without him.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(KRON)  A woman was arrested after giving police false identification and stealing from a business, according to the Colma Police Department.

Colma police officers were conducting a passing check of a business on Colma Boulevard around 8:44 p.m. on April 9.

Officers activated their emergency overhead lights once they witnessed a loss prevention officer attempting to detain a woman for stealing items. The woman fled back into the store to evade police, however, the officer caught up to the suspect and detained her.

Suspected thief bear hugs man before throwing punches in Colma

According to police, the suspect stole approximately $349.46 worth of merchandise.

As the suspect was being arrested, the officer asked if she had any form of identification, to which the suspect said she did not. The officers asked the suspect for her date of birth and name. Police said the name the suspect provided did not align with the DMV picture officers saw.

The officer located several credit cards in the suspects wallet with a different name, according to police. The officers asked the suspect if the credit cards belonged to her and she denied it.

Colma dispatch was able to confirm the name of the credit cards was the suspects actual name. The suspect was identified as 35-year-old San Francisco resident Tammy Dang.

According to the police investigation, Dang had an out-of-county, felony warrant for her arrest.

Tammy Dang was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail for petty theft, giving false identification to a peace officer and her felony warrant.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
NEW YORK  A small crowd of a few dozen flag-waving Donald Trump supporters mixed with a smattering of anti-Trump protesters outside Manhattan Supreme Court as the historic first criminal trial of a former U.S. president kicked off Monday.

Andrew Giuliani, son of former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, stood among the fans of his uncle figure and repeated Trumps familiar refrain that the hush money case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is nothing more than election interference.

Trump has been charged with 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and others in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election.

This is the first time in the history of America that you have the leading presidential candidate being politically prosecuted by a political opponent, Giuliani Jr. said. And its very scary if we think about the future of our constitutional republic.

The more opportunities that people have to actually see just how much he is being politically persecuted, I think it helps him, Giuliani added.

On the other side of the political spectrum was Marc Leavitt, a lawyer and political satirist who stood on a bench in Collect Pond Park playing the National Anthem and Yankee Doodle on the flute.

The 70-year-old described Trump as a scourge on our democratic system while holding a sign that read: Trump is a narcissist liar who thrives on violence but is only a coward draft dodger who grabs other peoples money. The Truth: Trump lost.

Today is a great day for the rule of law. Its a great day for a trial. Its a great day for democracy, Leavitt said. No man or woman is above the law, certainly not our former embarrassment-in-chief.

Dion Cini, 55, a Sheepshead Bay resident who runs a website selling Trump-related merchandise, said the former president has the 2024 election in the bag as long as the Democrats dont cheat as much as they did last time.

They just overshot, Cini said of the justice system and Trumps several criminal indictments. They should have done one indictment, maybe two indictments. But I mean, how obvious can you get?

Asked why there wasnt a better turnout for Trump outside the courthouse, Cini replied: Theyre afraid of the FBI.

_____
Third suspect arrested for shooting outside Murfreesboro Pike bar that killed armed security guard

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The third and final suspect wanted in connection with a deadly shooting outside a Murfreesboro Pike bar that killed an armed security guard has been arrested.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said 18-year-old Tyler Phan was arrested and booked at Juvenile Court on charges of criminal homicide and three counts of vehicle burglary. Phan was booked at Juvenile Court due to him being 17 years old at the time of the shooting.

PREVIOUS: Armed security guard dead following shooting along Murfreesboro Pike

In the early morning hours of Sunday, March 17, police said three people, identified as Phan, 19-year-old Isaiah Moore, and 18-year-old Quinton Sullivan, were breaking into cars in the parking lot of Illuzion Bar & Lounge. Security guard Maurice Thomas Jr., 33, reportedly approached the suspects and was shot multiple times before being taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he died.

Isaiah Moore (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Quinton Sullivan (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Tyler Phan (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Surveillance footage showed the suspects drive off in a maroon Chevrolet Cruze, which was subsequently connected to Moore, according to investigators.

Police said detectives found three burglarized vehicles in the parking lot. Those vehicles were impounded so evidence specialists could process them.

God works in mysterious ways: Mother learns son killed in shooting now has baby on the way

Moore was arrested Tuesday, March 19 at a relatives apartment on British Woods Drive. He has been charged with criminal homicide and three counts of vehicle burglary.

Sullivan was arrested Friday, March 22 and was also charged with criminal homicide and three counts of vehicle burglary.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Thousands of customers were left without power after a storm system and windy conditions blew through the Kansas City area Tuesday.

Evergy spokesman Shane Batchelder said in an email to The Star that after morning outages, crews were able to make great progress on restoring power, but another round of weather in the afternoon caused additional outages.

Across the utilitys full service area in both Kansas and Missouri, about 19,000 customers were without power as of 3 p.m., with a peak of 16,000 total customers seeing outages Tuesday in the metro area, he said.

We expect most customers currently out of power to be restored by the end of the day, while some outages requiring pole replacements may take a little longer, he said. Our men and women will continue to work as safely and quickly as possible to restore service to those impacted. We continue to monitor the storm as it continues to impact parts of our area. We appreciate the patience of our customers while crews work.

Around 3 p.m., the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department said its headquarters would be closed for the rest of the day because of a power outage.

This does not impact our communications center or officer response to calls for service, the department said in a social media post.

The peak wind gust reported at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport in Kansas City Tuesday reached 53 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Other max gust reports around the metro saw winds reach above 30 mph.
The Georgian parliament postponed the vote on the first reading of the controversial foreign agents bill to April 17 amid mass protests, local media reported on April 16.

According to officials, the April 16 parliamentary session was supposed to end at 9 p.m. local time. Since the debates on the bill had not finished, the vote had to be pushed to the following day.

The bill, first introduced in 2023 by the ruling Georgian Dream party, would require organizations that receive foreign funding to be labeled as such. Widespread demonstrations broke out in protest of the proposed law, and it was eventually abandoned in March 2023.

The bill became popularly known in Georgia as the "Russian law" for its resemblance to similar legislation passed in Russia. Moscow's "foreign agents" registry has been widely used to target and silence groups and individuals who are critical of the government, including independent journalists, activists, and NGOs.

The Georgian Dream party recently reintroduced the legislation in parliament, renaming it a bill on the "transparency of foreign influence."

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The decision sparked mass protests in the country's capital of Tbilisi, with thousands of protestors chanting "No to Russian law" outside the parliament building.

Even within the parliamentary session, debate over the bill has remained tense. Mamuka Mdinaradze, the leader of Georgian Dream's parliament faction and a key force behind the bill, was punched in the face by opposition MP Aleko Elisashvili while speaking from the dispatch box during an early discussion of the revived bill.

Georgian police reportedly began using tear gas to break up the demonstrations outside parliament during the late hours of April 16, reportedly leading to several injuries and arrests. The official number of those detained is not yet confirmed.

Pawel Herczynski, the EU's ambassador to Georgia, said earlier this week that the foreign agents bill is "incompatible" with European values.

The European Commission offered Georgia candidate status to the EU in November 2023. It is widely believed that the foreign agents law will hurt Georgia's chances of entering the bloc, if passed.

Read also: Ruling party in Georgia will again try to pass foreign agents law withdrawn following protests in 2023

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A jury found three local men guilty of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and psilocybin in federal court Monday.

Prosecutors alleged that one of the men, Courtney Conley, 35, of Virginia Beach, effectively led a criminal organization that trafficked drugs from the West Coast to Virginia. The group operated several pop-up stores in apartments and short-term rental units around Hampton Roads to distribute the drugs between January 2020 and November 2022.

Conley was convicted of possessing/brandishing/discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, continuing criminal enterprise and several possession and distribution charges.

Two other men, Kyron Speller, 29, of Norfolk and Javaid Reed, 27, of Chesapeake were also found guilty of possession and distribution crimes. Reed was convicted of possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime as well.

A fourth man, Terrance Alexander, was also charged in the case, though the jury acquitted him on all counts.

The trial came almost two years after a pair of men were killed in a shooting while attempting to rob the group in a Chesapeake apartment. Though no murder or manslaughter charges were included, the gun charges relate to that incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Three nonpartisan climate solutions that receive conservative support: 'Don't think we agree on anything? Think again...'

Eyebrows always rise when I tell people I'm a conservative environmentalist, but the reality is that there are many of us.

In 2019, 82% of 18- to 35-year-olds polled by the American Conservation Coalition (ACC) indicated that climate change is important to them, including 77% of right-leaning and 90% of independent respondents.

Many rural, conservative Americans whose hometowns are among regenerative farms, sustainable agriculture, and land conservancies see caring for the environment as a natural way of life. Further, some of the most climate-friendly states, including Indiana, New Hampshire, and Georgia, boast some of the highest rates of pollution reductions in the country and are led by Republican governors.

I've made it my mission to alleviate people's fears about the notion of a climate catastrophe so that conversations about climate can become less focused on reactive rhetoric and more on productive solutions.

Don't think we agree on anything? Think again. Here are three solutions with widespread bipartisan support  that could make a big difference.

Reducing food waste

Did you know that reducing food waste is the fastest way to lower carbon pollution right now?

A whopping 6% to 8% of global carbon emissions come from food waste. In comparison, passenger vehicles (which hold far more of our focus) emit nearly the equivalent, at 10.8%. In essence, tackling food waste would nearly equate to the impact of moving to zero-emissions passenger vehicles.

The largest contributor to food waste  about 37%  happens at home. Fortunately, there are things we can do to make a big difference, from shopping and cooking smarter, to freezing or sharing leftovers, to composting.

The 28% of food waste that occurs in restaurants, school cafeterias, and grocery stores could also be curbed by practices such as limiting self-serve buffets and participating in food recovery programs and soup kitchens. As consumers, we can also choose to shop at grocery stores that have committed to reducing food waste and are transparent about their progress.

Geothermal: The dark horse of clean energy

This little-talked-about energy works by harnessing the heat originating at the Earth's core as hot water flows up through porous rock, picking up heat energy that turns into steam along the way. If you've ever seen a geyser erupt or taken a soak in a hot spring, you've experienced this naturally occurring phenomenon.

The amount of available geothermal energy beneath our feet is estimated to amount to 50,000 times more than the global total of oil and gas combined. That's a whole lotta heat right below our feet!

The benefits of geothermal energy production are obvious. Heat flowing from the Earth's core is continually replenished by the natural decay of radioactive elements, so it is the definition of renewable and 100% domestically sourced. Unlike solar and wind farms, geothermal plants can run 24/7 and are not dependent on weather conditions. Geothermal plants also use far less land and water than coal, wind, and solar stations and create no greenhouse gases.

Although geothermal energy has (for the most part) managed to stay a politically neutral topic in the climate change conversation thus far, it's most likely a matter of time before political divisiveness asks people to pick sides. As young innovators, thinkers, and voters, it's up to us to learn more about new technologies like geothermal and, in turn, help educate others on their benefits and drawbacks.

Helping oil and gas communities transition to the clean economy

In October 2022, along with two other members of the ACC team, I decided to visit Midland, Texas, where much of our country's oil and gas comes from.

As some Midland residents expressed to me, oil and gas workers feel vilified by the same people that their industry has ushered toward prosperity over the past century. They acknowledged the need for cleaner energy and expressed their desire to be a voice at the table; instead, they feel completely shut out of the climate policy conversation. It's no wonder we could feel the community's visceral prickliness at having environmentalists on their turf. I knew enough to recognize that this response was nothing personal, but rather a measure of how far leadership still has to go to build a spirit of collaboration with the so-called "enemy."

One way we can continue to bridge the gap between climate action and the fossil fuel industry is through creative incentives such as monetizing carbon, an idea economists and private companies have grappled with for years. Nori is a unique startup that combines climate action with cryptocurrency to create the world's first blockchain-based marketplace for carbon removal. Buyers are encouraged to first calculate their individual or business's carbon footprint to decide how much to invest. One NRT ("Nori Carbon Removal Tonne") token purchased represents 1 metric ton of CO2 removed and stored for a minimum of 10 years.

We can also help oil and gas workers apply their skills and infrastructure toward cleaner energy solutions like geothermal, which has a 1-1 job ratio for existing fossil fuel workers, and build renewables on oil and gas lands (part of a bipartisan congressional proposal currently under debate).

P.S.: Conservatives don't totally hate the IRA

While not perfect, the IRA, which included a $369 billion investment in climate and energy policies, marked the largest investment in U.S. history to fight climate change. The Act intends to reduce emissions by 40% by the year 2050 and provides countless grants, direct subsidies, and tax breaks for projects and businesses in clean energy, manufacturing, and innovation.

Additionally, the IRA is expected to create 67,000 new jobs  and over $32 billion of new investment  in traditionally conservative, rural areas. While these communities have been (understandably) hesitant to embrace the IRA due to its partisan aura, the implementation will be a massive long-term win for communities that desperately need one.

The greatest potential of incentive programs (like the IRA) lies in their ability to drive down costs of new clean energy technologies  and encourage widespread adoption for people of all income brackets.

This type of government support has also given private investors more confidence in climate techrelated businesses, meaning venture capital dollars will flow more freely into the green energy space. The IRA also includes better standards and labeling requirements for products declaring a pro-climate impact, adding transparency to consumer decision-making.

Benji Backer is the author of The Conservative Environmentalist: Common Sense Solutions for a Sustainable Future and the founder of the American Conservation Coalition (ACC), the largest right-of-center environmental organization.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The Tijuana River Watershed has been designated as one of the top ten most endangered rivers in the U.S. by an environmental nonprofit over the sewage crisis that has crippled southern San Diego County for decades.

The designation comes from the 2024 edition of American Rivers annual Americas Most Endangered Rivers report, released on Tuesday. The Tijuana River was the ninth river included in the report due to the ongoing health and safety risks posed by pollution in the waterway.

According to the report, the yearly transboundary flows measure upwards of 35 to 50 million gallons per day, between sewage from Tijuana, untreated wastewater from a failing plant, and toxic industrial waste poured from factories.

Port of San Diego declares emergency due to Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis

For over a century, toxic waste and raw sewage have flowed into the Tijuana River Watershed and out into the Pacific Ocean, sickening people and wildlife, the report reads, pointing to instances of respiratory and skin conditions that have developed from exposure to the pollution.

Decades of mismanagement and under-investment in wastewater infrastructure have led to egregious and long-running Clean Water Act violations, it continues. This is a grave public health crisis and an environmental justice emergency.

Earlier this month, the International Boundary and Water Commission announced they would be receiving triple its typical annual funding, allowing them to make dire upgrades to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment plant  one of the facilities contributing to the crisis.

In a statement, U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas (D-San Diego), who helped lead the delegation to secure the funding, said the designation from American Rivers reaffirms what our communities already know too well  toxic pollution is flowing into the Tijuana River every day and we need the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant to be expanded as quickly as possible.

75 acres of land next to El Capitan County Preserve now protected

For too long, sewage in the Tijuana River Valley has harmed public health, our local economies, and our ecosystems, he continued. Were continuing to push for additional resources and to make sure the country of Mexico does its part as well. Our work is far from over.

Surfrider Foundation and Un Mar de Colores partnered with American Rivers to place the Tijuana River on the report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
TikToker Expresses Her Shock After Seeing One Of The NYC 'Punchers' Back On The Street

Following a string of incidents in New York City of women being randomly punched as they walked down the street, one TikTok creator had an important message to share.

The creator who goes by ProducHER_nyc on the app shared a few videos recently after she spotted one of the men accused of punching a woman on the street. And now, she's speaking out in the hopes of helping other women in the city.

TikTok Creator ProducHER Spotted Skaboky Stora Walking Around Brooklyn Recently

TikTok | Producher_nyc

After spotting the man who was arrested for punching an influencer in the face last month, ProducHER took to TikTok to share an important message in the hopes of warning other women in the city.

Skaboky Stora of Brooklyn was arrested in connection to the attack of at least one woman, influencer Halley Kate. But shortly after his arrest, he's been spotted out and about in the city, to ProducHER's shock.

"I was not only shocked and a little nervous for myself, which is why I went on TikTok to inform women. The last time we saw him, he was being arrested, so to see him back on the street is truly shocking," ProducHER told The Blast exclusively.

"I don't know much about the law, but the only reason they would let someone out is if they don't have enough evidence. Maybe he wasn't the one punching women in the face, but he has recorded himself on multiple occasions harassing women in general."

Skaboky Stora Was Arrested After Punching Halley Kate

TikTok | Halley Kate

Not long after influencer Halley reported being punched in the face to police, Stora was arrested.

In a video update, Halley shared that NYPD got surveillance footage from stores near where the scene of the crime occurred and Stora was arrested two days after the attack.

After originally revealing what happened to her in a viral TikTok video, many other women also reported being assaulted while walking down the street. While it's unclear if Stora punched any of the other women, Halley encourages anyone who was punched to report it to police immediately.

"I remembered barely anything and the police were still able to narrow it down," she continued. "That's the last and final update of this situation. Hopefully, girls out there stay safe."

See the video here.

ProducHER Shared A Video To Warn Other Women In NYC To Stay Alert

The TikTok creator shared that she saw Stora "walking up and down Nostrand Avenue talking to himself." She then warned women walking around New York City to "be careful."

Many viewers of her video were thankful for the warning.

"That dude is not right! Thanks for the warning," one viewer wrote in the comments. Another added, "Oh he out? I'm glad you told us."

Some people even shared that they also saw him walking around the city.

"I just saw him today on the 5 train," one person wrote. Another said, "I saw him today on Flatbush."

While Many Were Appreciative Of The Warning, There Was Some Unnecessary Negativity

In an update video, she shared the reason she decided to warn women that Stora is walking around Brooklyn as well as her confusion over people arguing in the comment section.

"I literally made that video to make sure that the women in my neighborhood were safe, and to just be on alert because I saw this guy," she said in her video.

"And then a lot of you guys are arguing with me about this guy not punching black women, he didn't assault black women, but if you went on his TikTok, you saw that's all he did. It's not on TikTok anymore, but that's all he did was get on TikTok to harass women."

While many viewers were appreciative of ProducHER sharing her information and warning, some people ran in a different direction.

"I was shocked that people were arguing in my comments. This goes to show you the internet is a very wild place," she told The Blast.

"You think you're doing good, but someone can see it as wrong and begin to bully you or other people in my comments. It was weird and almost made me second-guess my choice to post. I was very grateful to have all the positive comments and DM's from people."

ProducHER Wants To Remind Women To Stay Alert And Aware Of Their Surroundings

TikTok | ProducHER_nyc

ProducHER was born and raised in New York and has always been told to stay aware of her surroundings, and now she's reminding others the same.

"I advise women to take the ear pods out or keep one in and turn them down so you can hear what's going on," she said. "Don't walk with your head down, which you shouldn't be doing anyway because you have to look when you're walking, but just be very aware because you never know when taking public transit or even walking nowadays."

She's also thankful for the reach TikTok has allowed in getting the word out about the dangers of not being alert and aware in public. With a possible TikTok ban looming, it's something on all creators' minds about how news will travel if the ban actually happens.

"At first, I didn't really care about the possible ban of TikTok because I did feel like we already have so many platforms. But what I have seen from TikTok is that the algorithm is so all over the place; you can reach anybody," she told The Blast.

"That's what I like about TikTok because you can truly have a bigger reach. And stay informed on things not on the news."
Red Sea Global and Warner Bros. Discovery have entered into a collaboration to bring forth a narrative that sheds light on the importance of combating climate change's impact on coral reefs.

The collaboration will be showcased in the upcoming film, Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals, which is set to air on Discovery Channel and discovery+ via stc/Jawwy tv on Earth Day April 22, 2024.

Red Sea Global is the developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and Amaala. It aims to demonstrate how environmental stewardship is integral to tourism development.

Part of this is cultivating global awareness regarding the vital contribution of coral reefs in sustaining the planet's ecosystem. A first exclusive look of the film was shown during a side event to COP28 in Dubai, hosted by Red Sea Global.

Produced by Bafta winning production company Park Village and Directed by Emmy & BAFTA award nominated British Director, Ian Derry, Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals follows the extraordinary journey of Salma Shaker, a skilled Saudi Arabian free diver, as she delves into the groundbreaking work conducted by scientists at Red Sea Global and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

The story transcends borders, including a captivating visit to the reefs in Mexico. The narrative, told through Salma's eyes, strikes a delicate balance between accessibility and emotional impact, making it a moving exploration of the challenges faced by coral reefs globally.

At the heart of the film is the focus on the undiscovered reefs along Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline. Red Sea Global aims to unravel the mysteries of this untapped territory, showcasing its unique biodiversity and the integral role it plays in supporting the global ecosystem.

The narrative will delve into the potential benefits of coral research in the Red Sea for ecosystems worldwide.

"At Red Sea Global, we are inspired by nature and led by science. Our destinations, the first of which opened to guests last year, are home to some of the most stunning corals anywhere in the world, said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global.

They are also among the most resilient, but even Red Sea coral is not invincible. Our scientists are using innovative techniques to protect, nourish, and restore our corals, while also transferring knowledge to support coral reefs worldwide.

In Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals, we aim to spotlight the beauty and vulnerability of these underwater wonders and emphasize the importance of global collaboration in preserving our oceans."

Kerrie McEvoy, Director, Head of Factual Channels, Discovery Networks EMEA at Warner Bros Discovery, said: "We are immensely proud to announce our partnership with Red Sea Global in presenting Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals which will air on Earth Day. Warner Bros. Discovery is committed to leveraging the power of storytelling to not only entertain but also inspire change and this film is a perfect example of how we can do that."

Edina Constantinescu, Senior Director Marketing EMEA & International, Social Good- Discovery Networks at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: Social good is an important priority for us at Warner Bros. Discovery and we aim to be at the forefront of raising awareness upon social and environmental issues our world faces constantly.

Our brands give us the possibility to reach millions of people across the world and Im so proud that Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals will air on Discovery Channel across the US, Europe, Turkey, The Middle East, Africa and Asia to cast the spotlight on the importance of protecting our reefs.

 We want our viewers to understand that they can make a difference in the world and be part of the solution in tackling environmental and climate issues and I hope this film will inspire our audiences to do something extra for a better tomorrow.

The project will leverage contributions from a diverse cast of experts to provide context on the current state of reefs worldwide, their significance in the global ecosystem, the challenges they face internationally, and the ongoing efforts to address these challenges head-on.

The anticipated air date is on Discovery channel and discovery+ via stc/Jawwy tv which will be on Earth Day, April 22, 2024 at 9pm KSA time.  TradeArabia News Service
MOSCOW, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the latest escalation in the Middle East and called on all parties to show restraint during a telephone call with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Tuesday.

Putin expressed his hope that all sides would show reasonable restraint and prevent further confrontation, the Kremlin said in a statement.

Raisi has in turned emphasized that Iran's actions had been "forced and limited in nature," and confirmed that the country is disinterested in further escalating tensions.

Both leaders agreed that the underlying cause of the heightened tensions in the Middle East is the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

"The principled approaches of Russia and Iran were confirmed in favor of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip," which would ease the dire humanitarian situation and pave the way for a diplomatic settlement of the crisis, the Kremlin said.

Iran and allied armed groups launched coordinated drone and missile strikes on Israel late Saturday night in retaliation for a deadly assault on the Iranian consulate in Syria about two weeks ago. The escalation has further heightened fears of a wider regional conflict. 
A day after encouraging members of the public to take matters into their own hands to deal with peaceful protesters, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) is doubling down on his endorsement of mob violence.

The Arkansas Republican shared a video on X on Tuesday morning of climate protesters who were blocking a road in France being grabbed and tossed on the side of the road by angry drivers. How it should be done, he captioned the video.

How it should be done:



pic.twitter.com/xrLT8RQ8Mk  Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) April 16, 2024

Cotton was apparently unfazed by backlash he received over comments made a day earlier, when he said protesters who blocked part of the Golden Gate Bridge wouldve been tossed off the bridge if it had happened in Arkansas.

I encourage people who get stuck behind the pro-Hamas mobs blocking traffic: take matters into your own hands to get them out of the way. Its time to put an end to this nonsense, he wrote on X about protesters criticizing the U.S. response to the Israel-Hamas war.

Cotton, who famously penned an op-ed in 2020 calling for troops to be deployed to crush nationwide protests, also suggested in comments to Fox News that protesters blocking the road should have their hands glued  to a car or the pavement, noting that itd be probably pretty painful to have their skin ripped off.

MSNBCs Joe Scarborough was among those to express disgust at Cottons comments, saying, Here we have a guy, Tom Cotton, that went to Harvard, undergrad and law school, served in the military, who is talking about throwing people off the Golden Gate Bridge, ripping their skin off. We had a United States senator go on a network, national network, suggesting that Americans rip skin off of peoples hands because theyre aggravated and take matters into their own hands.

While some commenters cheered Cottons latest endorsement of vigilante violence on, many others reminded him that what hes pushing for is actually assault in the eyes of the law.

Heres a United States Senator, advocate of assault and battery. Nice Tom, one person wrote.

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Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton is facing backlash for a post on X that appears to encourage people to carry out violence against pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Since Israel initiated its bombardment of Gaza, following a Hamas-led terrorist attack on Oct. 7, Cotton has had no qualms airing his illiberal bigotry on the subject. The senator has advocated for Israel to bounce the rubble in Gaza, endorsing an indiscriminate bombing campaign by suggesting "anything that happens in Gaza is the responsibility of Hamas." And hes called for foreign nationals to be deported from the United States if they protest Israels assault on Gaza, which has garnered worldwide criticism.

Cottons disturbing rhetoric about the conflict continued with a post on X Monday night in which he encourages people stuck behind pro-Hamas mobs blocking traffic to take matters into your own hands to get them out of the way. The senator said its time to put an end to this nonsense.

I encourage people who get stuck behind the pro-Hamas mobs blocking traffic: take matters into your own hands to get them out of the way.



It's time to put an end to this nonsense.  Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) April 16, 2024

The statement was met with backlash for its apparent encouragement of violence against protesters. Yet, in a statement to NBC News on Tuesday, Cotton doubled down on the tweet, affirming his belief that people should physically move pro-Palestinian demonstrators if they happen to be blocking traffic.

Absolutely, I support people, if theyre blocked by traffic, by pro-Hamas vigilantes in the street, they should get out of their cars, they should move them to the side of the road, and they should let traffic continue, Cotton said.

NBC News also reported that Asked whether he was calling for violence against protesters, Cotton said he wasnt. And while its good that the senator cleared that up, its a bit mysterious to me how a driver physically removes a protester who does not want to move except with violence?

And as NBC News notes, Cotton's tweets were posted around the same time that he appeared on Fox News to suggest that protesters who demonstrate on bridges should fear being thrown over the side if they were to block traffic in his home state of Arkansas.

In recent years, conservative governors and legislators in states like Oklahoma and Iowa have passed laws that shield people from punishment if they hit demonstrators with their cars. Cottons posts are of a piece with a movement that has sought to justify  and even glorify  violence against liberal activists and other people seen as enemies to the conservative cause.

Cotton has arguably become the GOPs most outspoken congressperson on the topic of meting out punishment to protesters. In 2020, The New York Times published a controversial op-ed written by Cotton that called for then-President Donald Trump to deploy the military to quell racial justice protests that summer.

Civilian crackdowns seem to be his ... thing.

For that reason, I think of Cotton as a mouthpiece for the conservative movements violent fantasies. No Republican lawmaker in Washington has been more forthright in laying out a vision for how private citizens and government can work hand-in-hand to attack and intimidate those who oppose their agenda.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
I have become increasingly concerned that Britains judiciary has become a self-perpetuating oligarchy. Here is a group of similarly-minded people from similar backgrounds who have a particular worldview and are resolute in protecting their own interests. Then there is the fact that we are saddled with an increasingly Left-wing legal establishment that has successfully tied British governments up in knots through judicial reviews, challenging policies on welfare and immigration and indeed the entire Brexit process.

Courts and lawyers had been accruing power during the 1980s and 1990s through the judicial review process  and the EUs promotion of statute law over common law only added to the problem. But it was Tony Blair who made a bad state of affairs a whole lot worse. The policies he pursued as prime minister have made it considerably harder for elected politicians to get things done and put far more power in the hands of the unelected.

Until 2005, the Lord Chancellor held a special constitutional position not only as a Cabinet minister but also as the head of the judiciary and Speaker of the House of Lords. These were historic duties dating back to before Magna Carta.

In other words, he (and until my appointment as Lord Chancellor, it always had been a man) was a very powerful figure, playing a role in the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government. He sat in the Lords and was a practising judge, with many of his responsibilities involving the direct administration of the judicial system and the selection of judges. The independent judiciary maintained the common law principles of the rule of law. Ultimately, they were subordinate to the executive in Parliament.

The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 changed this by denuding the Lord Chancellor of much of this power. One of the justifications for this act of constitutional vandalism was a desire to fit in with the rights-based philosophy of continental Europe. The UKs ratifying of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in 1951 ultimately gave rise to individual petitions being accepted in the UK. This created an alternative source of power to the sovereign Parliament. Blair then incorporated the ECHR into British law in 1998 through the Human Rights Act.

In removing the power of the executive to appoint senior judges, the Blair government created a new judicial appointments quango, and a Supreme Court in place of the Law Lords. The Lord Chancellor would still have to swear an oath to protect the independence of the judiciary, but all the associated powers were handed to the administrative bureaucracy. The net impact was to make the judiciary more of a self-appointing oligarchy and reduce levels of accountability.

As we have seen in everything from welfare policy to immigration to legal aid, this has made it harder for governments to deliver policies the public had voted for. The legacy legislation from the Blair and Brown administrations that we have failed to repeal  including the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act  have tied up the government in yet more red tape and given more powers to the courts and lawyers. All this means a key part of the apparatus of the government has become further removed from any sense of accountability.

We see the consequences of this most clearly in the case of illegal immigration. Time and time again, attempts to get tough on migration have been thwarted when lawyers have been able to take on immigrants cases, paid for through taxpayer-funded legal aid, usually after citing some article or other from the ECHR.

I am all for the UK asserting its sovereignty and leaving the convention, but I dont believe that alone will solve the problem. We will not be able to fully sort out our borders until we have reformed the appointments and governance process of the judiciary.

It is vital that we restore democratic accountability to the judicial system in the UK. This means the abolition of the Supreme Court, dismantling the Judicial Appointments Commission, and restoring the Law Lords. The Lord Chancellors full role should be reinstated, including being head of the judiciary in England and Wales.

These constitutional arrangements were tried, tested and successful for centuries. Hopefully, in time, the experience of the last couple of decades, following Blairs trashing of our precious judicial system, will come to be seen as a temporary aberration.

Liz Trusss book Ten Years to Save the West: Lessons from the only conservative in the room (Biteback Publishing 20) is out now

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President Bidens National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan faced renewed scrutiny on social media this weekend for a 2023 comment claiming the Middle East was "quiet" after Iran launched the first-ever direct attack on Israel.

"What we said is [we] want to depressurize, de-escalate and ultimately integrate the Middle East region," Sullivan said at The Atlantic Festival on Sept. 29.

"The war in Yemen is in its 19th month of truce. For now, the Iranian attacks against U.S. forces have stopped. Our presence in Iraq is stable. I emphasize for now because all of that can change and the Middle East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades," he added.

Since that comment was made, Hamas launched a deadly terrorist attack against Israel killing over 1,000 people, and over the weekend, Iran launched its first-ever direct attack on Israel in the form of hundreds of drones and missiles.

BIDEN CRITICIZES NETANYAHU OVER ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR, SAYS ISRAELI LEADER MAKING A 'MISTAKE'

Sullivans comment drew strong criticism from social media users.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"This is who is running Biden's foreign policy," the Republican National Committee posted on X.

"Hard to believe, but this was 6 months ago," Middle East Institute Senior Fellow Charles Lister posted on X .

HOW THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR DIVIDED AND INFLAMED NEWSROOMS IN 2023

"Jake Sullivan has been attached to some of our biggest foreign disasters, including Benghazi," journalist Sharyl Attkisson posted on X . "Who knows why he continues to achieve high positions making more mistakes."

"Bidens Administration: Full of liars!" Fox News Contributor Leo Terrell posted on X.

Former U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant, author and commentator Tony Schaffer posted on X that Sullivan is a "moron extraordinaire" who is promoting a "utopian fantasy."

Fox News Digital reached out to the National Security Council for comment but did not receive a response.

SULLIVAN RIPS REPORTER'S QUESTION ON BIDEN SWEARING AS ASKING 'WHEN DID YOU STOP BEATING YOUR SPOUSE?'

Sullivan has been at the center of several controversies in recent years, many of which have been brought up by conservatives on social media in light of his Middle East comments, including the Biden administrations chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In the days following the Biden administrations withdrawal from Afghanistan, Sullivan and the State Department were criticized for being unable to say exactly how many Americans had been left behind.

In 2021, the top oversight Republican in Congress called for the removal of Sullivan from his position due to his position at the "epicenter" of failed foreign policy decisions over the last 10 years, including the Benghazi terror attack that killed three American contractors and a U.S. ambassador.

Sullivan served as former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons deputy chief of staff and policy adviser at the State Department during the 2012 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya.

"From Benghazi to the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, Jake Sullivan has been at the epicenter of the worst foreign policy crises and decisions over the past decade," Ranking Member on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., told Fox News Digital at the time. "Given this administrations tendency to create self-inflicted crises, its no surprise Jake Sullivan has been given a top post at the Biden White House."





Original article source: Top Biden adviser ripped after Middle East claim resurfaces amid Iran attack: 'Moron extraordinaire'
A leading Republican senator is demanding the U.S. cancel the visa reportedly given to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian to attend a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting this week after Irans unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend.

"As the host country of the United Nations, the United States has historically granted visas to diplomats from both allies and adversaries: However, the United States holds the authority to deny visas to diplomats for security, terrorism, or foreign policy reasons," Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., wrote in a letter submitted to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"I strongly believe that denying Iranian Foreign Minister Amirabdollahians entry to the United States is necessary and consistent with the precedent set by President Obama and President Trump," Lankford stressed.

"Not only does Amirabdollahian have irrefutable ties to Hamas terrorists who are currently holding 133 hostages, including five Americans, but Irans irresponsible strikes and continued threats have jeopardized Israels security," he wrote. "I urge the administration to take swift action and deny Amirabdollahians entry to the United States."

BIDEN'S MORAL EQUIVALENCY BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS WILL RESULT IN FAILURE - AGAIN

Lankford noted that this week marks the anniversary of Hezbollah's bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon - which killed 63 people, including 52 Lebanese and American Embassy employees - saying, "Hosting a senior member of the IRGC on the 41st anniversary of Hezbollahs terrorist attack would be an insult to the victims and their families."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

A U.N. diplomatic source confirmed to Fox News Digital that the Iranian foreign minister would attend the meeting, even as the State Department and United Nations continued to dodge questions about his visa.

Hossein Amirabdollahian, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran speaks during 39th Plenary Meeting of General Assembly (10th Emergency Special Session) at UN Headquarters in New York.

"Visa records are confidential as a matter of law," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a briefing on Tuesday, saying he could not speak to any individual cases.

"We do take our obligation as the host nation of the United Nations quite seriously, and that includes allowing diplomats from other countries  even countries with whom we have significant disagreements  to attend U.N. meetings and U.N. functions," Miller said.

AZERBAIJAN URGES TOP UN COURT TO THROW OUT ARMENIA'S ACCUSATIONS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

Miller noted the U.S. does "have the ability to restrict and, in fact, severely restrict the movements of certain diplomats while theyre in New York for legitimate U.N. meetings."

"Should the foreign minister of Iran attend this meeting at the United Nations, I would not expect to see him at very many locations outside the United Nations," Miller added. He clarified that the foreign minister is not in the U.S. yet, and he said he could not speak to what restrictions Amirabdollahian would face during his potential visit.

Iranian pro-government supporters hold a giant Palestine flag at Palestine Square in Tehran, on April 14, 2024, in a celebration of the early morning Iran's IRGC attack on Israel.

"I would not expect to see him snapping selfies from the top of the Empire State Building, should he travel to New York to attend this meeting," Miller quipped, dodging more specific questions.

Miller called Irans attack a "clearly escalatory" action that requires consistent efforts to reduce tensions in the region and "maintain as much calm as possible."

US ENVOY TO UN URGES RUSSIA, CHINA TO HALT SUPPORT FOR NORTH KOREA'S WEAPON PROGRAMS

Palestinian Hamas terrorists are seen during a military show in the Bani Suheila district on July 20, 2017 in Gaza City, Gaza.

Iran on Saturday night launched hundreds of drones and a mixture of cruise and ballistic missiles in retaliation for strike against its diplomatic mission in Damascus, or, as some reports have stated, an IRGC compound next to the mission. Israel never took credit for the strike, but other countries, including the United States, attributed the attack to the Jewish state.

Arabian Peninsula news outlet Amwaj Media first reported on Amirabdollahians plan to travel New York City for the Apr. 18 U.N. Security Council meeting, which will focus on Palestinians. The report also claimed that Tehran may agree to pull back from further action if Washington can broker a ceasefire deal for Gaza.

The State Department, in a separate response to Fox News Digital, reiterated the U.S. obligations under the U.N. Headquarters agreement but noted it did so "irrespective of our continued concerns about Irans destabilizing activities and support for terrorism."

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told Fox News Digital that "it is important that all member states be able to have a place to meet and discuss global problems."

"The Secretary-General does not have the authority to regulate which individuals are chosen by member states," Dujarric added. "That being said, the Secretary-General has been extremely clear in his condemnation of the Iranian missile strikes against Israel."

The Iranian Mission to the United Nations did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.





Original article source: Top Republican demands Biden admin block Iranian foreign minister's visit to UN: 'an insult' to victims
Donald Trumps campaign is deploying his top surrogates, including potential vice presidential picks, to span the airwaves in what they are characterizing as a full-fledged media defense of the former president, as he confronts a historic criminal trial in New York City, his advisers told CNN.

In recent days, the Trump campaign has circulated a document of talking points, obtained by CNN, to his allies, as well as directly booked surrogates on television as part of its effort to have the former presidents top allies blanketing the airwaves, as one senior Trump adviser described it.

Trump has told his advisers that he wants as much media coverage of his court appearances as possible  including having his supporters defend him on TV, sources familiar with the conversations told CNN.

The campaigns strategy of having Trumps surrogates maximize media coverage isnt new: Its the same approach his team used in the aftermath of each of his indictments. A new element playing out behind the scenes, however, is the timing of this media defense campaign.

Not only is the proceeding taking place at a time when his team is uncertain of how the trial and the salacious details of the case will play with general election voters, but it also comes as Trump is weighing potential running mates  making this period a tryout of sorts for his vice presidential contenders.

Some of Trumps prospective VP picks are taking their own initiative, without urging from the former presidents campaign, to defend him, according to sources familiar with their tactics.

The stakes are very high not just for the president personally and politically but also for his surrogates. They have to know  and Im sure they all do  that everything you say is going to be noticed not just by the president but by his closest advisors as well, said Gregg Keller, a Republican strategist. Its not just going to be a situation where maybe you say something sub-optimal and it gets lost in the mix or doesnt get noticed. Thats not how things operate in Trump World. They know and hear about everything.

Another veteran Republican strategist, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said, Really, the assignment is nominally go defend Trump on TV. The assignment is actually go show that youre a really, really effective communicator so Trump believes he has in you an ally and a surrogate thats going to be compelling.

Already, at least four potential Trump VP contenders have appeared on TV or made statements on social media undercutting the credibility of the case and players within it, or falsely claimed election interference.

On CNN Monday morning, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum called the case a sham trial run by a politically motivated district attorney and claimed: If this was brought against anybody other than President Trump, this would have been a misdemeanor.

Burgum also suggested that the criminal trials unprecedented nature has been blown out of proportion. Whats unprecedented, whats historic, is the fact the lawfare thats going on where the two-tier justice system is trying to take something thats basically a boring business filing case and turn it into the trial of the century, and Americans can see right through it, he said.

Putting the general election in focus, Burgum also said the American people want to see Trump debate President Joe Biden on stage, as the Trump campaign last week called on the Commission on Presidential Debates to move up the debate schedule and add more debates.

Burgum has kept in regular touch with Trump officials and spoke with them as recently as the Sunday before his interview, according to a Republican with knowledge of those talks.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, the House Republican conference chair, highlighted how she led a criminal referral in November 2023 demanding Attorney General Merrick Garland immediately investigate Trumps former personal attorney Michael Cohen for lying to Congress during a February 2019 deposition.

The DOJ still refuses to charge the disgraced, disbarred attorney who admitted his guilt. Now, Soros-funded Alvin Bragg is relying on disgraced Michael Cohen as his key witness in his sham case. The double standard of justice is clear, Stefanik posted on X. She also called presiding Judge Juan Merchan corrupt and called the case a show trial, claiming election interference.

Moments later, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance posted of the Manhattan district attorney: What Alvin Bragg is doing to President Trump is a disgrace to the rule of law and the opposite of Justice. Its also election interference.

Rather than mentioning the trial specifically, Sen. Tim Scott painted with a broader brush.

What the radical Left is doing is not just election interference, its election engineering. They will try everything (and fail) to stop Donald J. Trump, the South Carolina Republican posted on X.

While Trump told entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy that he will not be chosen as his running mate, according to a source familiar with the conversation, he is being considered for a Cabinet position. Bloomberg was first to report on the conversation, which the source said occurred at Mar-a-Lago in the first week of March.

Monday morning, Ramaswamy posted a nearly 3-minute video on X direct-to-camera arguing that Braggs case demonstrates a bastardization of our legal system.

You have Alvin Bragg, a Manhattan DA who was elected on the promise of going after Donald Trump. For what crime, we have no idea, just the idea that they had to go after Donald Trump, Ramaswamy said. I think Trump is going to prevail. But most importantly, I hope we move beyond this phase of our history, where you have one political party that thinks it can use the legal system to prosecute its opponents.

The talking points

Much of the commentary being shared by Trumps surrogates reference the themes highlighted in talking points circulated by the former presidents campaign.

The document, labeled The Biden Trial, Talking Points, parrots the same language the former president has used to attack the case.

It urges Trump surrogates to paint the trial as a full-frontal assault on American Democracy and the Constitution and a witch hunt designed by the Biden campaign to hurt the former presidents 2024 White House bid  despite it being a state case brought by Manhattans top prosecutor.

It also directs supporters not to refer to the case as a hush money case, instead labeling it as being entries in the companys records, and claiming Trump did not control the books.

The talking points dedicate an entire page to attacking Bragg, and a separate section to discrediting Cohen, Trumps former fixer who is expected to serve as a lead witness in prosecutors arguments. The document emphasizes Cohens 2018 guilty plea to campaign finance violations and paints him as someone with a personal vendetta against the former president.

Sprinkled throughout the document is an emphasis on Trumps innocence, claiming that President Trump did nothing wrong, his position has never wavered.

And twice, the same line, which acknowledges Trump could potentially be convicted, appears  claiming that Trump faces no realistic threat of jail, even with a wrongful guilty verdict from the jury.

The talking points also say Trump will never stop fighting for the American people  rather than as a means of self-preservation  something surrogates emphasize in underscoring how they believe he will prevail and efforts against him will fail.

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The fortunes of Andy Street will be seen as a bellwether for the Conservatives' fortunes in the general election later this year - OLI SCARFF/AFP

The Conservative mayor of the West Midlands is 14 points behind his Labour rival just weeks before the May 2 mayoral election, a new poll has found.

In a fresh blow to Rishi Sunak shortly before the local elections, Andy Street is polling at 28 per cent, compared to 42 per cent for Richard Parker, his Labour rival.

The Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll found that Elaine Williams, the Reform UK candidate, is third on 13 per cent.

The fortunes of Mr Street, elected the first West Midlands mayor in 2017, will be seen as a bellwether for Conservative fortunes in the general election this year.

Mr Street and Ben Houchen, the Tory Tees Valley mayor, will provide an early indication of Mr Sunaks chances of holding onto voters in key battlegrounds.

Losing one or both risks a significant backlash from backbenchers, as MPs could see that a change in direction for the party is needed to avoid total electoral wipeout.

The poor polling for Mr Street comes despite his attempts to distance himself from the Conservative Party in Westminster and rely on what he has described as Brand Andy.

Nationally, he is still polling ahead of the Conservative Party, which has been consistently around 20 percentage points behind Labour.

He has spoken out against the party on such key issues as the fate of the northern leg of HS2, which Mr Sunak announced would be scrapped at the Conservative Party conference last October.

Mr Street led the Tory backlash against the decision and even considered quitting the party before deciding to stay, saying: By walking away you dont actually achieve anything for the people who elected me to do a job.

The former John Lewis director will go up against Mr Parker, a former partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers who advised on the creation of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Philip van Scheltinga,the director of research at Redfield & Wilton, said that despite Mr Street being a well liked politician, he was struggling against the backdrop of a national party struggling in the polls.

Our poll finds Andy Street overperforming the Conservative Party, but the partys brand is so damaged that even strong independently-minded candidates like him are being put in a losing position, he said.

Street is well liked, but Westminster and Sunak are seen as primarily responsible for the state of things. Voters are therefore reluctant to send a message of positive feedback to Sunak and the Conservatives in Parliament through a vote for Street.

If Street comes back from this losing position, it will be because he will have found a way to turn out Conservative-minded voters who have few reasons to vote Conservative at this moment.

A poll shortly before Mr Streets re-election in 2021 put him nine percentage points ahead of Liam Byrne, his Labour rival.

He went on to beat Mr Bryne by that margin in the first round of voting in 2021, winning the mayoralty by eight points once votes had been reallocated in the second round.

Nadine Dorries, the former Cabinet minister, said of the poll: It doesnt matter what you say or do, you cant beat the swing. Thank you Rishi Sunak for all you have done for the Conservative Party.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
STOCKHOLM, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Denmark will close its embassy in Iraq, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.

The Baghdad embassy was opened in 2020 to support the Danish involvement in the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) and has now completed its key task following the end of the Danish command over NMI two years ago and the departure of most Danish military personnel earlier this year, the ministry said in a press release.

It said the embassy will be closed as of May 31. 
An out-of-town visitor has tested positive for measles in Cincinnati, our news partners at WCPO reports.

According to the Cincinnati Health Department (CHD), the person flew from Chicago to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) on April 10.

>> Bag full of kittens dumped in Ohio parking lot

This individual visited Mortons Steakhouse on Vine Street to get takeout and took a Lyft to the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati around 9 p.m.

Health officials said those at the steakhouse around 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., as well as the staff, guests, or visitors at the Hyatt Regency on W. Fifth Street around 9 p.m., may have been exposed, WCPO reported.

CHD said those exposed should isolate. Those individuals should also call their doctors to get tested if they have the following symptoms:

High fever

Cough

Runny nose

Watery eyes

Rash (3-5 days after other symptoms started)

Health officials said those exposed should not go to the emergency room or urgent care to get tested.
Trial canceled for former Crawford County deputy accused of excessive force

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The trial for a former Crawford County deputy accused of excessive force has been canceled, according to court documents.

Levi White was set to start his trial on May 6 along with codefendant Zachary King after he initially pleaded not guilty but it was canceled during a pretrial conference on Tuesday.

White and King are accused of allegedly using excessive force while arresting a man in Mulberry in 2022.

Former Crawford County deputy pleads guilty to use of excessive force

The deputies and a Mulberry police officer were seen in a viral video posted to social media beating a man while handcuffing him.

They were suspended and later fired.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging White and King with federal civil rights offenses for using excessive force on the man.

White has a change of plea hearing set for April 19 at 10 a.m., according to an order.

King pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of deprivation of rights under the color of law, which is punishable by up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Jury selection began Monday morning in the murder trial against a self-described sovereign citizen.

Neely Raye Pesognellie Petrie Blanchard is charged with first-degree murder with a firearm in the shooting death of 50-year-old Christopher Hallett in November 2020. Law enforcement officials believe the motive for the shooting was that Blanchard thought Hallett could reunite her with her children after they were taken away by state officials. Blanchard has been locked up in the county jail since her 2020 arrest.

Local attorney Jack Maro told the court in a hearing held last month that the 37-year-old Pensacola woman had fired him. Blanchard's request for more time to get a lawyer was denied by the judge, who told her and the prosecution that the trial will move forward. From arguments made in court hearings, Blanchard plans to use temporary insanity as a defense at trial.

Neely Petrie-Blanchard

Here's what happened in court:

Judge: Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon.

What is sovereign citizen? According to the dictionary, a sovereign citizen is defined as "a member of a political movement of people who oppose taxation, question the legitimacy of government, and believe that they are not subject to the law."

What's QAnon? From a January 2021 BBC report, it states QAnon "is a wide-ranging, completely unfounded theory that says that President Trump is waging a secret war against elite Satan-worshipping pedophiles in government, business and the media."

How many people were in court for jury selection? 36.

A jury box at the Marion County Judicial Center

Who were some of the people among the 36? A retired police officer, a high school test coordinator, a retired military service member, a college graduate, a chef and a nurse.

Who are the lawyers? Assistant State Attorneys Amy Berndt and Toby Hunt. Blanchard is representing herself. Though she's been in jail, Blanchard was allowed to wear clothing and not handcuffed or shackled while in court.

Was anyone in court for Blanchard? Yes, her mother and sister.

Assistant State Attorney Amy Berndt

What questions were potential jurors were asked? The prosecution asked potential jurors where they work, if they live with anyone, their occupation, their feelings about Blanchard representing herself, their feelings of temporary insanity, and if they had ever heard the terms "sovereign citizen" or "QAnon." Blanchard asked potential jurors who they voted for in the last presidential election, if they voted for Donald Trump, if anyone or their family members had served in the military, if anyone had heard of the term "oxymoron" or its relation to sovereign citizen, whether or not the mainstream news tells the truth, if anyone had ever served in the judicial, legislative or executive branches, if they were an American citizen and, if not, where they are from.

Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt with a witness at trial.

Several times prosecutors objected to Blanchard's line of questions and the judge told Blanchard she had to remain on task and ask questions to see whether or not they could be fair and partial to her case.

What happened after questioning from both sides? The judge told the potential jurors to step outside so the prosecution and the defense could make their selections. Both sides settled with 12 jurors, with two alternates. The rest were sent downstairs for further instructions.

Was that the end? No. One alternate, a man, was excused because both sides agreed he shouldn't be on the jury after questioning him. He told the judge while he was outside that he looked up "QAnon" because he wanted to know what it meant. Blanchard wanted two alternates, but the judge and the prosecution agreed one is sufficient.

Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon

What happened next? The judge told jurors what to expect during the trial, their instructions and dismissed them for the day.

When does the trial start and end? The trial is expected to begin Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. and conclude sometime Friday.

What happened after jury selection? The judge heard motions from the state and the defense. Blanchard wanted her shackles and handcuffs removed so she could feel free and focus on her arguments. The judge, in agreement with bailiffs, said Blanchard's handcuffs could be removed, but left her shackles on.

In court: Ocala courts: The latest on three juveniles charged with the murders of three teens

Blanchard had three motions denied by the judge. One was to suppress testimony about her telling a person believed to be a spiritual advisor about the shooting. The prosecution argued, as far as they knew, the individual doesn't identify themselves as a spiritual advisor. Blanchard also knew she was being recorded. The other motions were about her being insane and documents about her children's custody case. The judge denied both, citing documents introduced by Blanchard don't support her arguments. At one point during her presentation, Blanchard cried, telling the court that's why she's here.

 Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Pensacola woman charged with murder in Marion County trial to begin
OTTAWA  Donald Trump threatened to abandon any NATO ally country that does not spend at least 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense. Now the traditionally laggard Canada government is starting to pay up, just as polling suggests the former president's threats are moving public attitudes in a country where military preparedness has traditionally ranked low among voter concerns.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to deliver Canadas largest defense spending increase in seven years in the federal budget to be released Tuesday  but will still fall far short of meeting the countrys NATO commitments.

The increase follows decades of anemic spending thats drawn criticism from successive U.S. administrations, yet critics warn Canada will still deliver too little, too late.

Ottawa will ramp up its defense spending with an C$8.1 billion-cash injection, moving it from 1.38 to 1.76 percent of GDP by 2029-30  missing the 2-percent target over the next five years and with the bulk of the spending taking place after Canadas next election.

The planned increase is a small piece of todays budget, expected to focus on new domestic spending aimed at shoring up the governments standing with key political constituencies, such as a suite of new supports for young voters struggling to find affordable housing.

The Trump factor

The spending plan nonetheless marks a notable turn for the Trudeau government. Just last year, the Washington Post published secret U.S Defense Department documents alleging that Trudeau told NATO allies that Canada wont ever meet the alliance goal. The Pentagons assessment noted that Canadas widespread military deficiencies were harming ties with security partners and allies but that the situation was not likely to change without a shift in public opinion.

That shift now appears to have arrived in the wake of threats by Trump to turn his back on NATO members failing to meet their spending commitments.

It's the Trump factor that's moving it, said Shachi Kurl, pollster at the Angus Reid Institute who has quizzed Canadians on their attitudes.



When asked whether they would support increasing military spending to 2 percent, more Canadians said they would if Trump made good on his threats to not defend underspending allies.

With that Trump factor, you see that number [support for increased defense spending] goes from 53 percent to past 60 percent. So, Canadians are under no illusions this time around in 2024 that when Trump says something, he probably means it.

Polls from last fall and early this year found support rising for boosting defense, but Canadians are also concerned about government overspending in general.

The Biden administration appears to be cutting Ottawa some slack for once again missing the formal NATO target, and the Trudeau government is signaling to Canadians it can sell its allies on the cash increase as enough.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen praised the spending plans when they were previewed in a defense policy review unveiled last week, hailing it as real progress and a substantial down payment on the pledge.

But former U.S. NATO reps are rebuking the Trudeau government for short-changing the alliance yet again.

Kurt Volker, U.S. ambassador to NATO under George W. Bush, called it a big mistake on Canadas part.

There is a war going on. The world wants the U.S. to help deal with it. But if others arent even paying 2 percent of GDP on defense to do their share, it is going to be hard to persuade the U.S. to do even more in order to cover for Canada  and that would lead to a failure for all of us.

Ivo Daalder, who was U.S. NATO ambassador from the Obama era, said what allied nations agreed to was a floor, not a ceiling, meant to be met in 2024, not 2030.

What Ottawa proposes will neither provide Canada with the military means it needs in a dangerous world nor satisfy any of its NATO allies, he told POLITICO. It just wont do.

Conservatives call for more

The budget plan, expected to be swiftly approved by Canadas Parliament, comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Liberals are trailing in the polls by double digits behind Pierre Poilievres Conservative Party, putting Trudeau on track to a sweeping defeat in the next federal election, which must take place by the end of next year.

Although defense spending wasnt any better under Conservatives when they held power from 2006 to 2015, Canadas failure to meet the 2 percent target has now become a rallying cry for Conservatives who want to see a more muscular Canadian military.

Long-time Conservative Sen. Claude Carignan told POLITICO Canadas failure to keep pace with NATO commitments is embarrassing when he travels for diplomacy, pointing to a recent meeting in Brussels where European colleagues rebuked Canadas sputtering defense funding.

We need to invest more in our army, in our capacity, he said. We need to respect our obligations.

Defense spending is the price for being taken seriously in the world now, Conservative member of Parliament Adam Chambers told a crowd at a Public Policy Forum conference in Toronto last week.



Canadas former parliamentary budget watchdog, Kevin Page, who now heads the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy in Ottawa, says its more doable now than it has been for decades.

It's not like we cant do it, the independent analyst tells POLITICO. It's hard to make the case that we can't move towards 2 percent because we're fiscally constrained.

Canada has the fiscal capacity  even if it makes for tricky budget politics.

Particularly, when you look at other countries that have higher debt, higher budgetary balances, and they're meeting their NATO targets or they're just spending more as a percentage of GDP than Canada, Page said. We've seen under this government that it's possible to add percentage points to the program spending base without too much fallout.

As they prepare for Julys NATO summit in Washington, the Trudeau Liberals are gambling that theyll get credit from allies merely for showing some progress.

Defense Minister Bill Blair told POLITICO Canada is committed to going to 2 percent and is finally on the right path to get there, vowing to reach it once Ottawa decides on key procurement questions, such as what kind of new submarines it wants.

I could have just said in this document, we're going to book some money to eventually spend it on submarines, he said. We made a responsible decision.

But critics question whether the government can make good on its announcement. The last defense policy update from seven years ago outlined how the military would fix its recruitment woes, which remain a major problem to this day. Blair himself has likened the armed forces personnel crisis to a death spiral.

And finding the moneys just the first step. When it comes to getting it out the door and through the procurement process, thats a whole other challenge.

Pressed in a recent media briefing on whether the government could even spend 2 percent right now if it tried, a defense official said Canada would need to build towards that.

It takes a while to invest in and build military capabilities.

The problem is its taken this long already.

We have under-invested for decades, and we're at the point where that's essentially all catching up with us because we've got ships that are 30 years old and airplanes that are in their 40s, said David Perry, president of the Canada Global Affairs Institute think-tank.

Matt Berg contributed to this report.
Trump And His Allies Whine Hes Being Treated Like Every Other Defendant On Trial

Former President Donald Trump and his allies raged after jury selection began Monday in his trial over a hush money payment made to an adult film star, sharing broad claims that he was being mistreated by being subject to the same rules as every standard criminal defendant before him.

Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, shared courtroom instructions on Monday, telling Trump that he expects him to be present every day of the trial, which could stretch to eight weeks. He warned the former president that any disruptions could result in his exclusion from the court but that any failure to show up when required could bring a warrant for his arrest.

If you disrupt the proceedings in any way, the law permits the court to exclude you from court, commit you to jail and continue the trial in your absence, the judge said.

Trumps attorneys had asked for two exclusions to those rules: A recess on May 17, so the former president could attend the high school graduation of his youngest son, Barron. He also asked to be able to attend the U.S. Supreme Court arguments next week as the justices consider his broad claims of presidential immunity, which he hopes will result in the dismissal of some of the cases against him.

Merchan said he would not yet rule on a recess for Barron Trumps graduation until he could determine whether the trial was running on schedule but said he could not attend the Supreme Court hearing as he had other obligations.

Hes required to be here, the judge said Monday. Hes not required to be in the Supreme Court.

Despite those standard procedures, Merchans decision sparked immediate consternation from Trump and his allies.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), the chair of the House GOP conference, called Merchan corrupt and said his order amounted to total election interference.

BREAKING: Corrupt Judge Merchan, a Biden donor whose family member has profited off this case & who illegally gagged President Trump just said "If you do not show up, there will be an arrest."



A 6-8 week show trial... Total election interference.



RT if you agree!#SaveAmerica  Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) April 15, 2024

Trump continued his social media attacks against the proceedings, which will take place as he campaigns for presidency.

Who will explain for me, to my wonderful son, Barron, who is a GREAT Student at a fantastic School, that his Dad will likely not be allowed to attend his Graduation Ceremony, something that we have been talking about for years, because a seriously Conflicted and Corrupt New York State Judge wants me in Criminal Court, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: "That I can't go to my son's graduation, or that I can't go to the United States Supreme Court. That I'm not in Georgia or Florida or North Carolina campaigning like I should be... This is about election interference." pic.twitter.com/SSfWxMUu7d  Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) April 15, 2024

He went on to lament that he wont be able to appear at the Supreme Court for what he called a historic argument in front of the justices, saying the decision showed great disdain and disrespect for our Nations Highest Court.

Oral arguments before the court are subject to strict rules, and only a partys attorneys are allowed to speak.

Trumps eldest son had a terse response after Merchan wouldnt immediately give his father a pass to attend Barrons graduation.

Pure evil, Donald Trump Jr. wrote on X.

Related...
The jurors havent even been selected yet. The trial really hasnt even started. But as Donald Trumps first day in criminal court wrapped up on Monday, the former president already seemed to be losing.

New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan displayed little patience for, as he insisted on calling him, Mr. Trump. That the judge is already over the former presidents antics is abundantly clear. And as Trumps lawyers repeatedly tried to push the bounds of the trials restrictions, it became increasingly evident that the judge isnt going to extend the former president the latitude he seeksand is accustomed to expectingfor a trial that could extend past two months.

No, Trump cant skip court to attend his historic showdown at the Supreme Court next week.

Yes, if he plays hooky, hell spend the next few weeks in a New York City jail and be tried in absentia.

No, his lawyers cant have an extra day to file paperwork that they should have filed two months ago.

And will he be able to attend his little Barron Trumps high school graduation next month? Maybe, but dont count on it.

Trumps Hardest Fight May Be Staying Awake in Court

It didnt help that Trumps lead defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, tried to squeeze out a day for his client to miss court next week, letting it slip that Trumpwho oscillated between stone-faced scowls and dozing off in court on Mondayreally, truly didn't seem to want to be present.

We arent even even supposed to be here, Blanche said in the last few minutes of the day, only to have the judge in front of him snap to attention.

Merchan shot back: Because he'd rather be campaigning?

What he meant, Blanche clarified, was that the GOP presidential candidate is opposed to having this historic trial in the middle of an election year. But Merchan was having none of it. He warned the Trump team that hed already chucked aside those complaintsand that they shouldnt be brought up again.

What was supposed to be the start of a contentious and drawn-out jury selection Monday was instead dominated by prosecutors and defense lawyers duking it out over unresolved legal issues in the trial of the century.

Lawyers on both sides spent the entire morningand some of the afternoongetting a sense of what to expect from the judge for the next few weeks, as Trump is forced to largely put his ongoing campaign on hold and appear four days a week on the 15th floor of the Manhattan criminal courthouse.

Just like the three Trump trials that have happened during the past yearall within a single New York City blockthis proceeding was marked with more attempted delay games, as well as stern warnings about Trump's incessant and violent political rhetoric.

Unlike the other trials, however, this one is for Trumps freedom.

By the end of the day, more than 50 potential jurors were excused from service for admitting they couldnt impartially consider whether the most divisive politician in modern history broke the law when he paid the porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about their decade-old one-night stand during the closing days of his 2016 presidential campaign. Only a half-dozen potential jurors were able to get through answering out loud the 42 questions meant to screen them.

Trumps Criminal Trial Begins With Vitriol and 42 Questions

The official estimate on the trials duration has always been six to eight weeks. But if the first day is any indication, this trialofficially about falsifying business paperworkcould stretch on far past two months.

The judge quickly came to the same conclusion, cautioning the lawyers that his initial plan to recess on Wednesdays might be scrapped after all. And one New Yorker, who appeared keen on serving as a juror at first, was excused by the judge when the man mentioned that he would have to fly out to Seattle in early June to attend his daughters wedding. Merchan congratulated him and let him go on his way.

This is, after all, a criminal trial of historic proportions, and it will take time to get through a lengthy witness list thats as filled with political celebrities as it is long.

Soon after some 92 potential jurors filed into the courtroom and were sworn in, Justice Merchan read for the first time the more than 42 names on the witness list.

Every prominent member of Trump's family will likely show up in court at some point in the next two months, including his sons Don Jr. and Eric, his daughter and son-in-law Ivanka and Jared Kushner, and even his wife Melania.

Then there are the current and former MAGA associates, like Steve Bannon, Rudy Giuliani, Michael Cohen, and Kellyanne Conway. Media executives David Pecker and Dylan Howard might explain how they used their conservative National Enquirer to conduct catch-and-kill operations, silencing two women who sold their Trump affair stories, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.

Jurors are also bound to hear from former Trump Organization accountants Allen Weisselberg and Jeff McConney, who keep getting punished in court for cooking the books. This time, they will be asked what they did to repay Cohen $420,000 for drafting a non-disclosure agreement.

Its a high-stakes battle that will draw hundreds of journalists from around the world, with a line of reporters snaking around the courthouse halls every morning to witness whether Trump will ultimately face prison time on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to engage in a cover up.

It explains why Merchan was so quick to dismiss Trumps request to skip out next Thursday to attend his fateful day at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., where justices will decide whether a former president can claim total immunity on all kinds of criminal charges stemming from his activities while at the White House.

Having your day at the Supreme Court is a big deal, Merchan said. But facing trial in New York County is also a big deal.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Donald Trumps campaign is circulating a document of talking points to allies on how to spin his New York hush-money trial.

Offering an array of one-liners, the document obtained by The Daily Beast refers to the trial as a bogus case, a weak case, and not a hush money case.

The Trump talking points also repeatedly refer to the case as the Biden Trial, though the former presidents team later notes the case began with former Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance before President Joe Biden took office, with current DA Alvin Bragg later taking it to court after Vance passed on it.

The Biden Trial is a show trial in the truest sense of the term, the document reads. A six-week trial in the media capital of the world, where the only realistic consequence of a conviction is a talking point for the Biden campaign.

Unfortunately for the Trump campaign, six weeks is on the shorter and more improbable end of the spectrum when it comes to how long the trial may last. He could end up in court for over two months, as The Daily Beast reported earlier on Tuesday.

While Trump is under a gag order prohibiting him from commenting on potential witnesses or others involved in the case, his surrogates and allies are not. And many plan on staunchly defending him online and on networks throughout the trial.

The document mentions New York Judge Juan Merchan no fewer than nine times in five pages.

Judge Merchan has issued an oppressive gag order in this case that limits [sic.] Presidents ability to defend himself against phony and false charges, the memo states. Further, this gag order is an assault on the First Amendment of the Constitution.

The team also complains that Trump will only have Wednesdays offwhen Judge Merchan handles other casescalling it a very odd ruling that is designed to interfere in the presidential election and keep President Trump off the campaign trail.

The campaign did not return a request for comment.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 15: Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears ahead of the start of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024 in New York City. Former President Donald Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by Jeenah Moon-Pool/Getty Images)

The former president is leaning into deeply offensive, racist tropes while not giving a fk about how so many Black and brown men have been unfairly treated by the system, said Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.

Defense attorneys representing Donald Trump in the historic hush money criminal trial in New York City are reportedly seeking young Black male jurors who they believe could be persuaded to acquit the former president.

As the New York Times reported on Sunday, the Republican presidential candidates lawyers are hoping to spot sympathizers and will focus on younger Black men and white working-class men.

Critics told theGrio the Trump defense teams strategy will likely not yield the results they hope for, as the real estate mogul and star of The Apprentice turned commander-in-chief has built a career on denigrating Black men.

I wish them luck, said Svante Myrick, president of People For the American Way, a progressive advocacy group.

The former mayor of Ithaca, New York, told theGrio that while young Black men may be open-minded to hearing if a prosecution is unfair, they are also discerning.



Trump is currently on trial for allegedly issuing $130,000 in hush money payments before the 2016 presidential election to conceal an affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels. He also is accused of being linked to hush money payments made to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who could be called as a witness. The trial marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president is standing trial in a criminal case.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the first Black man to lead the prosecutors office, hit Trump with 34 felony charges. Bragg accused the former president of concealing crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election. If convicted, Trump could face up to four years in prison.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought the charges against former President Donald Trump, who has lashed out against the first Black prosecutor to lead that office. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Though Trumps defense team reportedly believes young Black men could be their best shot at securing a jury that would acquit him or result in a hung jury, pundits are pulling out the receipts on Trumps history and how he treated Black men throughout his business and political career.

Not only did Trump rise to political power while leading a racist birther conspiracy about Americas first Black president, Barack Obama, Trump infamously bought a full-page newspaper ad in 1989 calling for the death penalty against the Central Park Five, a group of Black and brown teens accused of the rape and assault of a white female jogger.

I want to hate these muggers and murderers  and I always will, Trump wrote in the ad that bemoaned the roving bands of wild criminals on New York Citys streets.

It now turns out they were completely innocent, said Myrick, who acknowledged the racial and historical context as to why Black people, and Black men specifically, are suspicious of the criminal justice system.

Their radars are always up because theyve had a lot of experience with biased prosecutors, he explained.

Michael Blake, a former New York assemblyman and longtime Democratic operative, told theGrio that while any Black person would have some level of attentiveness around the criminal justice system, Trump has repeatedly shown venom toward Black men.

Donald Trumps argument is that young Black men should be sympathetic when he is spending his time attacking a Black man, Blake said of Trumps attacks on Bragg, including calling him a thug and racist.

Anthony Coley, a legal analyst and former Department of Justice official, said of Braggs handling of the case: Even in the face of all these political attacks, hes got his head down and hes doing the work.



However, when it comes to the Trump defenses supposed strategy of seeking out young Black male jurors, Coley said hes not buying it, telling theGrio, This feels more like a campaign talking point than a viable strategy.

He added that whenever people hear or see something that Donald Trump is doing, we should ask ourselves, is this for the court of public opinion, or is this for the court of law?



Coley said the focus on Black men feels more like his public talking point as he tries to peel away even a handful of marginal votes, and thats all he needs in this 2024 election.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, an advisory board member for the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign, said Trump is leaning into deeply offensive, racist tropes while not giving a fk about how so many Black and brown men have been unfairly treated by the system.

Former President Donald Trump, holding a pair of his signature sneakers during a February appearance in Philadelphia, is in the jury-selection phase of his hush money trial in New York. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trumps real estate company has long been accused of racial discrimination in the housing system. In 1972, a Trump employee admitted that his boss told him he was not allowed to rent to Black tenants. After two years of fighting a DOJ lawsuit, the billionaire settled the federal racial discrimination case without admitting fault.

Kenyatta, who represents Philadelphia, said the twice-impeached former president does not actually want to solve for injustices that Black men endure in the legal system. He just thinks that he can con every person he comes into contact with, he argued. Hes never been concerned about whether or not the system is fair. Hes always been concerned about whether or not he can get the system to throw out all the rules every other person has to live by.



The 33-year-old lawmaker said the 2020 presidential election, in which Trump refused to accept the results and falsely claimed there was voter fraud, is a case study of Trumps refusal to adhere to the law.



You saw him lose an election and believe that he didnt have to abide by the rules that every other president who has lost has had to abide by, said Kenyatta.

Former U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y., said voters deserve way better than Trump, who he said incited a violent insurrection and continues to cozy up to Nazis.

Jones, now the Democratic nominee for his former 17th Congressional District seat, said the start of Trumps first of four criminal cases represents a sad day for the American people.

Frankly, its an embarrassment that he is the Republican nominee for president and that my opponent Mike Lawler, who claims to believe in law and order when the defendants are Black and brown or low-income, is supporting Trumps bid to return to the White House, said Jones.

Trump, who will be required to appear in court through the weeks-long trial in Manhattan, is expected to use the television cameras to paint himself as a victim of a corrupt system led by his 2024 opponent, President Joe Biden.



The reality is were here because a grand jury believes the facts  its really pretty straightforward, noted Blake, the former New York assemblyman.

You can say a lot when people dont see the details, but I think itd be pretty clear when the details come out that, once again, Donald Trump is a liar.

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The post Trump, who denigrated Black men, eyes young Black men as jurors in sex scandal trial appeared first on TheGrio.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday visited a Manhattan bodega where a worker killed a man in what officials argued was a case of self-defense.

Trump stopped by the Sanaa Convenience Store on 139th Street and Broadway after the second day of his hush money trial in Lower Manhattan wrapped up Tuesday evening.

Trump met with bodega workers to discuss what they say is rising crime impacting their businesses. Trump vowed to bring resources to combat crime if he wins the 2024 presidential election.

Well work with the mayor and well work with the governor and well bring in a lot of federal money, but we have to straighten our New York, Trump said.

More potential jurors dismissed as Trumps hush money trial conducts 1st full day of jury selection

Jury selection continued Tuesday afternoon in the case regarding alleged payments made ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump is required to be in court four days a week, and the trial could last up to eight weeks.

Trump is the first former president to stand trial in a criminal case.

Trumps post-trial pit-stop was related to his 2024 presidential run. He met with bodega owner Maad Ahmed, President of the Bodega Association Francisco Marte, Fine Fare Foods owner Carlos Collado, and Gavin Wax, the president of the New York Young Republican Club. The group discussed crime and inflation.

Political analyst Basil Smikle told PIX11 that Trumps visit could be his way of trying to resonate with voters in the community.

This sort of very localized campaigning is always very valuable. Not everybodys good at it, but hes hoping that this tends to wrest some of the narrative away from Democrats about why hes on trial to say I am being persecuted and Im doing this for you, which has been his larger campaign messages to bigger audiences. Now he wants to take it to smaller audiences closer to their homes, Smikle said.

The circumstances surrounding the Hamilton Heights bodega stabbing sparked public outcry in 2022.

The violence started on July 1, 2022, when bodega employee Jose Alba got into an argument with a woman at his store, police said at the time. The womans boyfriend entered the store, got behind the counter, and pushed Alba before the bodega worker stabbed the boyfriend  Austin Simon, 37  multiple times, according to the NYPD and a criminal complaint.

Alba was initially charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon, but Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg later dismissed the murder charge.

Mayor Eric Adams, along with many local residents, defended the bodega worker.

This hard-working New Yorker was doing his job and someone aggressively went behind the counter to attack him, Adams said at the time. I support hard-working, innocent people [who] are doing their job.

Braggs office suggested Alba had acted in self-defense.

Following an investigation, the People have determined that we cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was not justified in his use of deadly physical force, wrote Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sigall in a 2022 motion to dismiss the charge.

Trump has been openly critical of Bragg and his policies, calling him a thug and degenerate psychopath.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered local news for years. She has been with PIX11 since 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

Come For Jury Selection, Stay For Contempt Proceedings

Before jury selection even began in the first-ever criminal trial of a former president, prosecutors sought to hold Donald Trump in contempt of court for violating the gag order imposed on him in the hush-money case.

On social media in the days before trial, Trump continued to attack witnesses in the case, including key witness Michael Cohen, Trumps former fixer.

Prosecutors want Trump sanctioned $3,000 for the violation and warned that further violations could send him to jail for the duration of the trial.

The trial judge said he would enter a show cause order as to why Trump should not be held in contempt and set arguments on the matter for April 23. The contempt proceeding will happen in parallel with the trial.

The range of sanctions for contempt is pretty broad, and I would expect a graduated scale of increasing punishments for each violation, rather than hauling Trump off to jail right away. I know. But thats how it typically works.

Our Man On The Scene

The logistics of being the sole trial reporter for a small news outlet like TPM are hairy. Josh Kovensky has been up at 5 a.m. ET that last two days and in line at the courthouse by 6 a.m. In each instance he got in, but only barely, due to limited seating while jury selection is underway.

As long as he gets in, well be bringing you his coverage:

This Could Take A While

Between taking Wednesdays off, the upcoming Passover holiday, and other schedule constraints, April may be taken up by jury selection, and prosecutors may not begin their case in chief until May. Its hard to predict, but that gives you some sense of the pacing of the trial.

A Quick Dip Into The Trivial

Did Trump fall asleep in court? So reported Maggie Haberman.

Did that make Trump mad at Maggie? You bet it did.

Does any of this matter? Not really.

But it was a good windup for Chris Hayes to knock a softball out of the park:

Hayes: I mean, I feel like if you call your opponent sleepy Joe, you have one job. pic.twitter.com/4DMDDlxfFT  Acyn (@Acyn) April 15, 2024

Cry Harder

The wailing from Donald Trump and his team after Day 1 of the trial mostly involved performative outrage that Donald Trump is being treated like a criminal defendant, which manifested itself in the form of extreme umbrage that Trump must be present in court.

The high dudgeon was reminiscent of every other white collar trial in the last few decades, when affluent (usually white) defendants first encounter the criminal justice system and are outraged, OUTRAGED, that people are treated like this. Yep, every damn day in every courthouse in America.

SCOTUS Takes Up Major Jan. 6 Case Today

Oral arguments are scheduled this morning before the Supreme Court in Fischer v. United States. The NYTs Adam Liptak describes the stakes:

The question the justices will consider is whether a provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, enacted in the wake of the collapse of the energy giant Enron, covers the conduct of a former police officer, Joseph W. Fischer, who participated in the Capitol assault, on Jan. 6, 2021. The law figures in two of the federal charges against Mr. Trump in his election subversion case, and more than 350 people who stormed the Capitol have been prosecuted under it. If the Supreme Court sides with Mr. Fischer and says the statute does not cover what he is accused of having done, Mr. Trump is almost certain to contend that it does not apply to his conduct, either.

Dont Let Russian Election Interference Go Down The Memory Hole

David Corn tries to rescue us from the limits of memory and the onslaught of historical revisionism:

Russia attacked in 2016. It tried again in 2020. Isnt it evident Putinwho is one for twowill take another stab at this in 2024? Especially now that much more is at stake. This election will likely determine whether the United States continues supporting Ukraines fight against Russias brutal and illegal invasion. With Trump and other Republicans opposing such assistance, how could Putin not try once more to give him a secret boost?

Worth your time.

Now Every Losing GOP Candidate Blames Election Fraud

TPMs Khaya Himmelman on the metastasis of wild, conspiracy-fueled election fraud claims being raised by losing GOP candidates all the way down to dogcatcher. Okay, maybe not dogcatcher. Yet.

Quote Of The Day

Im fairly concerned and its definitely a gut check moment for people who have been pro-life for a very long time. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, on elected Republicans freaking out over the political landscape in a post-Dobbs world.

2024 Ephemera

FL-Sen : Sen. Rick Scott (R), without a hint of irony, tells voters to forget about his support last year for a six-week abortion ban because now hes completely onboard with a 15-week ban.

Abortion will be on the ballot in about a dozen states in November.

President Biden kicks off three days of campaign events in Pennsylvania.

The Latest In Lecterngate!

AP:

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders  office potentially violated state laws on purchasing, state property and government records when it purchased a $19,000 lectern for the Republican governor thats prompted nationwide attention, an audit requested by lawmakers said Monday. Legislative auditors referred the findings in the long-awaited audit of the lectern to local prosecutors and the attorney general, and lawmakers planned to hold a hearing Tuesday on the report. The report cited several potential legal violations, including paying for the lectern before it was delivered and the handling of records regarding the purchase.

Potential Movement On The Hill For Ukraine Aid

It seems like a long shot and it might cost Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) his speakership, but he finally plans to bring Ukraine aid to a vote as early as the end of this week.

His tactic, such as it is, consists of bringing aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan up in three separate bills along with a fourth bill full of Republican goodies. Then the whole thing will in theory be sent to the Senate as one bill for it to pass.

The idea seems to be that the bill full of goodies will placate the hard right in his conference, which is opposed to Ukraine aid and threatening to remove him as speaker if he pushes it through. But its already showing signs of not placating them.

Whats Wrong With Me? Why Cant I Feel?

Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know!
LJUBLJANA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia and Spain have voiced their support for the recognition of the State of Palestine when the time is right, saying they hope the recognition will help end the armed conflict in Gaza.

Slovenian Prime Ministers Robert Golob and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez declared the position at a joint press conference after their meeting here on Tuesday.

Golob said that the recognition of Palestine would be a step towards easing the suffering of civilians in Gaza, but added "that is not the only step and will not be enough by itself."

For his part, Sanchez said that to prevent escalation of conflict in Gaza, "we can choose a path of international recognition (of Palestine) and diplomacy."

The visit follows a similar joint statement signed by prime ministers of Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and Malta in late March, according to which the countries stand ready to recognize the State of Palestine when "the circumstances are right."

Slovenia, an incumbent non-permanent member of the United Nations' Security Council, said last week that it will support the membership of Palestine in the UN during a Security Council vote later this week. 
Former President Donald Trump falsely claimed Monday that Conflicted and Corrupt New York State Judge Juan Merchan intends to prevent him from attending his son Barron's high school graduation ceremony.

Merchan, who is presiding over Trump's criminal trial in Manhattan, actually suggested that the Republican candidate could attend his son's May 17 graduation, provided that the case is on track.

It really depends on how were doing on time and where we are in the trial," Merchan said Monday, as the Associated Press reported.

But Trump did not let the facts get in the way of a rant on TruthSocial, where on Monday evening he bemoaned his unfair treatment. In a 172-word complaint, Trump resorted to name-calling and lamented the fake and bogus Biden Case." The former president anchored his outrage by appealing to his followers pathos, asking how they would explain the predicament to his 18-year-old son, who is a GREAT Student at a fantastic school.

Trump's misleading claims were echoed by his other son, Donald Trump Jr., who likewise stoked right-wing outrage. "Pure evil," the younger Trump posted on X. Eric Trump also chimed in, calling Merchan truly heartless in not letting a father attend his sons graduation.

Like any other criminal defendant, Trump could face arrest should he miss or disrupt the court proceedings, as Merchan reminded him on Monday. The former president is accused of falsifying business records to cover up a hush payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Daniels alleges that she had an affair with Trump in 2006, a few months after Barron was born to his wife, Melania.
Trump is seething about missing Barrons graduation. Heres what the judge actually said

Jury selection in Donald Trumps criminal trial has only been going on for one day but already the former president is telling supporters falsehoods about the judges rulings.

On Monday afternoon, Mr Trump seethed on Truth Social that Judge Juan Merchan had prohibited him from attending his youngest son, Barron Trumps, high school graduation in May because he must attend his criminal trial that day.

Before jury selection got under way, Mr Trumps lawyer, Todd Blanche, asked Judge Juan Merchan if the court could adjourn on 17 May so that he could attend it.

Judge Merchan said he would not rule at this time on the matter but noted that if the trial was running behind schedule he would not be able to accommodate his request.

In New York, criminal defendants must attend trial unless they apply for a waiver, which Mr Trump has not done.

Despite no firm ruling on the matter, Mr Trump instantly claimed that the judge was stopping him from attending his sons graduation.

Who will explain for me, to my wonderful son, Barron, who is a GREAT Student at a fantastic School, that his Dad will likely not be allowed to attend his Graduation Ceremony, something that we have been talking about for years, because a seriously Conflicted and Corrupt New York State Judge wants me in Criminal Court on a bogus Biden Case which, according to virtually all Legal Scholars and Pundits, has no merit, and should NEVER have been brought, Mr Trump wrote.

Mr Trump purported that the judge made an unfair ruling preventing him from attending his sons graduation (Truth Social)

The former presidents allies, including his other son, Donald Trump Jr, also made similar false remarks.

Donald Trump Jr reposted a video compilation made by right-wing online personality Jack Posobiec calling Judge Merchans non-existent decision pure evil.

Judge Merchan is truly heartless in not letting a father attend his sons graduation, Eric Trump also chimed in.

Senate candidate Kari Lake called the judge corrupt, heartless and cruel, while Utah senator Mike Lee wrote that it was deliberately cruel.

Despite the right-wing outrage, Judge Merchan has not made a firm decision on the matter as to whether or not to allow Mr Trump to miss a day of his criminal trial.

The only decision the judge has made is that the former president cannot miss the trial to attend the Supreme Courts oral arguments for his immunity appeal. Judge Merchan warned the former president that if he misses a day of his trial without permission he could be jailed.

Mr Trump, who successfully delayed the New York criminal trial by 30 days, has often used rulings in cases and trials to gain sympathy from his supporters  frequently in the form of monetary donations.

Former US president Donald Trump attends a hearing in New York City on a criminal case linked to a hush money payment (REUTERS)

Based upon online reports, Mr Trump attended the high school graduation of his daughter, Ivanka Trump, the high school graduation of his son, Eric Trump, and the high school graduation of his daughter, Tiffany Trump. However, it is unclear of Mr Trump attended the high school graduation of his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.
Donald Trump attends the second day of his trial on Tuesday.

Donald Trump attends the second day of his trial on Tuesday. Photograph: Justin Lane/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump met a stern rebuke on Tuesday from the jurist presiding over his criminal hush-money trial, with the judge warning: I wont have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom.

Trumps apparent misbehavior did not derail the trials progress; seven jurors were picked by days end.

Judge Juan Merchans comment came shortly after jury selection resumed after lunch. Trumps team had found video on one possible jurors social media that appeared to show a street celebration over his loss in the 2020 election.

She was called in to answer questions about it, and when she left, Merchan directly addressed Trumps lawyers. Your client was audible, Merchan said, noting that she was just 12ft from him.

It was audible. He was gesturing and he was speaking in the direction of the juror, Merchan said, insisting he would not accept such behavior.

I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom, Merchan admonished. Take a minute to speak to your client.

Merchans warning to Trump marked a sharp diversion from what was otherwise a relatively routine jury selection process.

Trump had arrived at the Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday morning for the second day of jury selection in his historical criminal trial involving hush-money payments to a porn star.

When Trump walked into court around 9.30am, the ex-president winked at a court security officer and took his seat at the defense table. His longtime aide Jason Miller was seated at the back of the courtroom, according to a pool report.

On Monday afternoon, of the 96 potential jurors who were asked if they would have trouble being impartial, 50 raised their hands and were excused  further evidence of the challenge facing the judge, Juan Merchan, of finding 12 jurors and six alternates who do not have strong biases either for or against Trump.

The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, brought the case against the former president over payments purportedly aimed at keeping secret his alleged affairs with the adult film star Stormy Daniels and the Playboy model Karen McDougall. Prosecutors said Trump schemed to keep these alleged liaisons hidden from American voters so he would not suffer in the 2016 presidential election.

The trial is unfolding amid a presidential contest in which Trump is all but guaranteed to be the Republican nominee facing Joe Biden in November.

Braggs office contends that Trump, whom a grand jury indicted in spring 2023 on 34 counts of falsifying business records, was part of an alleged catch-and-kill scheme from August 2015 until December 2017, with his then attorney, Michael Cohen.

Trumps criminal hush-money trial: what to know

Trumps former consigliere, who in 2018 admitted to federal charges for his involvement in that particular hush-money scheme, wired $130,000 to Danielss then attorney less than two weeks before the election. Cohen funneled these funds via a shell company.

After Trump won the presidential election, he repaid Cohen with a smattering of monthly checks, initially from the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust, which was set up in New York to hold the presidents companys assets during the 2016 presidency.

The company, however, framed the payments as legal expenses, which prosecutors say indicate that Trump was liable for making false business records with intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime  specifically, violating campaign finance laws in an effort to influence the outcome of the US election.

The papers in prosecutors contempt motion against Trump were publicly available on Tuesday. They argued on Monday in court that he violated Merchans gag order against attacking witnesses. Judge Merchan has convened a hearing on the motion for 23 April.

When selection resumed on Tuesday another prospective juror was excused after citing his Texas upbringing. While he said he did not lean in any particular political direction, growing up, a bunch of family [and] friends [were] Republicans meaning it was probably going to be hard for me to be impartial.

I appreciate your candor, Merchan replied. Im going to have to excuse you at this time.

Another prospective juror said he had read three of Trumps books, prompting a rare smile from Trump.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass later asked prospects who had yet to be dismissed about their impartiality.

This case has nothing to do with your personal politics, he said. Its not a referendum on the Trump presidency or a popularity contest or indication of who youre going to vote for in November. We dont care.

This case is about whether this man broke the law.

Directly after court, Trump visited a New York bodega in his first campaign appearance since his hush-money trial began, making the presumptive GOP nominee the first former president in US history to stand criminal trial.

Trump will be confined to the courtroom on most days, dramatically limiting his movements and his ability to campaign, fundraise and make calls. Aides have been planning rallies and other political events on weekends and Wednesdays, the one weekday when court is not supposed to be in session. Plans also include local appearances Trump can make after court recesses each day.

Trump stopped by the Sanaa Convenient Store, a tiny bodega that sells chips, soda and other snacks. Trump aides said the former president and presumptive GOP nominee chose the store because it has been the site of a violent attack on an employee although the case was resolved nearly two years ago when the charges were dismissed.

His local campaign stop in Harlem allows him to make a serious play at winning his native state despite its heavily Democratic lean.

They want law and order ... every week theyre being robbed, Trump said of businesses in New York, as he tried to compare his prosecution with the state of New York streets. You know where the crime is? Its in the bodegas.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  As expected, North Carolina is heating up as a battleground for the 2024 Presidential Election.

Less than three weeks ago, President Joe Biden was in the state, and this coming weekend, former President Donald Trump will hold a rally at the coast.

A news release from the Trump campaign said the former president, who is the likely Republican nominee, will speak in Wilmington on Saturday, April 20.

Trump will also hold a campaign rally in which he will deliver his remarks, the announcement said.

The event is free and is planned for 7 p.m. Saturday. Doors for the event open at 3 p.m. that day.

As with some events, Trumps rally will be held at an airport to allow quick access by the former president.

Those wishing to attend can click here to seek tickets to the event at the Aero Center Wilmington at 1830 Flightline Road.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
Trump holding campaign rally in North Carolina this weekend. What to know

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit North Carolina this weekend, six days after his criminal trial began in New York City.

Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, is scheduled to hold a campaign rally Saturday at Aero Center Wilmington.

Doors open at 3 p.m., and Trump is set to give remarks at 7 p.m.

How to go to Trump rally in NC

Tickets to attend the rally can be obtained at donaldjtrump.com/events. There is a maximum of two tickets per mobile phone number.
NEW YORK  Former President Trump became the first former commander in chief to stand trial on criminal charges Monday, but it got off to a sluggish start with even Trump himself appearing to nod off at times.

For hours, the parties battled over a series of pending legal issues, keeping the hundreds of prospective jurors waiting until mid-afternoon as Judge Juan Merchan mulled what evidence can be admitted and whether Trump violated his gag order.

Trump appeared detached at times, staring straight ahead and drooping his head. He struggled to stay awake and sat motionless for periods of time, his arms crossed, though it was unclear if he fell asleep, sparking a debate among the press corps.

As the arguments dragged on, Merchan appeared to get frustrated with the pace, telling the lawyers to work it out so the proceedings could move ahead.

The laborious process of selecting the 12 New Yorkers who will decide a verdict in the historic case didnt begin until after just 2:30 p.m., when the first 96 prospective jurors were sworn in after going through security and entering the dingy courtroom.

Once inside, some craned their necks to get a view of the former president at the counsel table. Some prospective jurors sat next to two of Trumps political aides, Jason Miller and Margo Martin, who were on their phones.

Many prospective jurors quickly wanted out; more than half of the initial group said they couldnt be fair and impartial, and at least nine more were excused after saying they couldnt serve for other reasons.

I just couldnt do it, one woman was heard saying in the hallway after being excused from the courtroom.

The court has imposed extensive measures to shield the jurors identities from the press and the public. Lawyers on both sides will receive the identities in a written list, but they cannot photograph or copy it, the judge said. Video feeds in an overflow room at the courthouse cut out when jurors moved throughout the room.

It marked the official start of a historic proceeding, where Trump will defend himself against New York charges connected to a hush money deal with an adult film actress ahead of the 2016 election. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records; he pleaded not guilty.

On Friday, Trumps campaign sent out a fundraising email that read in part, 72 hours until all hell breaks loose! invoking similar language to Trumps posts in the lead-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

But outside the Manhattan courthouse, where it was a sunny day with temperatures in the high 70s, the scene was much calmer than Trumps arraignment last year. Only a few dozen protesters showed up, surrounded by a heavy security presence and a swarm of media.

Ariel Kohane, 53, was one of those few dozen pro-Trump protesters. He said he believed the trial was a farce and Manhattan wasnt a fair venue, but hes holding out hope that Trump still wont be convicted.

If were gonna have one or two fair-minded jurors, impartial, who can just look at the facts only, then theyll do the right thing and acquit him, said Kohane, wearing a Jews for Trump shirt.

If they can put the politics aside with all your emotions aside, but its going to be very, very hard to get a fair trial here.

Inside the courthouse, it was business as usual on other floors. A steady stream of defendants wearing handcuffs were ushered into the building throughout the day, seemingly unaware that the first criminal trial of a former president was taking place 14 floors above them.

In the morning, Trump entered the courtroom flanked by his defense team, hunching his shoulders but lifting his chin and donning a stern face. He strode past nine rows of wooden benches on each side of the courtroom, then empty, to take his seat at the defense table.

No cameras are allowed inside the courtroom, and Trump often declined to answer questions while passing by reporters stationed in the hallway just outside.

But at the end of the day, Trump did take the opportunity in front of the cameras to rail against the judge and the case.

Its a scam. Its a political witch hunt. It continues, and it continues forever. And were not going to be given a fair trial, the former president said.

Earlier in the day, prosecutors took aim at Trumps public statements, accusing him of violating a gag order imposed by the judge.

Assistant District Attorney Chris Conroy said that three recent Truth Social posts by the former president were in violation of Merchans order, which barred Trump from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and the judges family.

Several individuals expected to serve as key witnesses in the trial were named in the posts, including Trumps ex-fixer, Michael Cohen; adult film actress Stormy Daniels; and Mark Pomerantz, an ex-Manhattan prosecutor who once oversaw the investigation into the former president.

The former president called Cohen a disgraced attorney and felonprosecuted for lying and suggested Pomerantz should be prosecuted for his terrible acts in and out of the D.A.s Office.

He shared a statement Daniels made denying an affair with Trump  which she later recanted, though his post made no mention of that  and he called both Daniels and Cohen sleazebags.

Conroy asked that Trump be fined $1,000 each for the three posts and be reminded he could be jailed if he continues to violate the gag order. Prosecutors also suggested a fourth post, made Monday minutes after Trump arrived at the courthouse, could also violate the order.

However, Blanche insisted that the posts in question are not in violation of the gag order.

He is responding to salacious, repeated, vehement attacks by these witnesses, Blanche said.

Merchan did not immediately rule on the request but set a hearing date for April 23.

The morning was also filled with a laundry list of outstanding legal issues.

The judge declined to allow prosecutors to play the actual 2005 Access Hollywood tape at trial, in which Trump is heard describing grabbing women sexually without their permission, and he said prosecutors cant tell jurors about several accusations Trump committed sexual assault.

However, the state can admit Trumps online attacks against Cohen as evidence  if defense attorneys seek to undermine Cohens credibility.

The door is open the minute the defense says Michael Cohen is a liar, Merchan said.

Merchan granted prosecutors request to introduce additional evidence about the alleged arrangement Trump had with the National Enquirer, which led to the hush money payments at the heart of the case.

And finally, the judge declined to recuse himself from the case  again.

Jury selection will resume Tuesday morning.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trump struggled through the opening day of his New York criminal trial on Monday as the jury selection process formally got under way in Manhattan in the first criminal trial of a current or former US president.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in trying to cover up hush-money payments to an adult film star that influenced the 2016 election.

Trump himself did little during his time in the courtroom of the New York supreme court judge Juan Merchan. But the eventual proceeding showed the momentous nature of the case and highlighted Trumps divisiveness.

Here are the takeaways of day one of People v Donald Trump:

Seating jury could take weeks

Legal experts widely expected that seating a jury in the Trump case  12 jurors and six alternates  was going to be a difficult and lengthy process as Trumps lawyers and prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorneys office.

But moving through the first 100 or so potential jurors showed just how tricky the voir dire process could be: more than half of the group told the judge they could not be impartial and were excused immediately.

The voir dire process involves each potential juror reading their responses to a 42-point questionnaire and the judge reading out to the jurors the people who might serve as witnesses or otherwise come up at trial.

The potential jurors reactions toward Trump were varied. One man smiled when he saw Trump. Another woman giggled and put her hand over her mouth, looking at the person seated next to her with raised eyebrows. And one of the potential jurors, who was excused, said leaving the courtroom: I just couldnt do it.

Trumps lawyers are looking for a so-called holdout juror who could be partial to Trump and not convict on any of the counts  and thereby hang the jury for a mistrial.

The process also appeared to tire out Trump. Before the jury selection began in the afternoon, Trump often appeared to nod off.

Trump was stuck with judge despite delay tactics

Trump tried one more time before jury selection began to have the judge recuse himself from presiding in the case, claiming Merchan had conflicts of interest and had shown indications of bias that meant he could not be fair.

The judge addressed two of Trumps main complaints  and dismissed them summarily.

In the first instance, the judge rejected Trumps complaints about an interview he did with the Associated Press because he did not talk about Trumps case, meaning the judges statements did not reasonably or logically reflect bias.

And in the second instance, the judge said a podcast interview his daughter did in 2019, in which he said he disliked politicians using Twitter, similarly did not reflect bias against any party.

Prosecutors score two additional wins

The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, had some partial wins on Monday morning, after Merchan allowed them to admit into evidence materials that would bolster their case that Trumps falsification of records was to influence the 2016 election.

The judge had previously ruled that prosecutors could not use as evidence the actual tape of Trumps infamous Access Hollywood tape, as well as a video of Trump referencing the Access Hollywood tape in a deposition in an unrelated case.

But Merchan allowed prosecutors to admit into evidence the full transcript of the Access Hollywood tape, which means the infamous Trump quote that he could assault women and grab them by the pussy can be read to the jury at trial.

The judge also allowed prosecutors to use an email chain in which the former Trump aide Hope Hicks forwarded the transcript to another former Trump aide, Kellyanne Conway, asking if the tape was Trumps voice. Conway then asked the ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen who was doing damage control.

Trump could yet be held in contempt

Trump left the courtroom after the first day of his criminal trial with another cloud hanging over his head: whether he will be found in contempt for violating a gag order that prohibited from assailing potential trial witnesses.

The former president was recently hit with an expanded gag order after he went after the judges daughter, alleging that her work doing campaign work for Democratic political candidates meant the judge was conflicted.

But prosecutors asked Merchan to impose a $3,000 fine on Trump for attacking two potential trial witnesses  Stormy Daniels, the adult film star at the centre of the criminal case, and his ex-lawyer Cohen  and warning him that future violations could result in jail.

The matter was scheduled for arguments at a 23 April hearing. Merchan promised to address the alleged gag order violations but said he did not want to get into it on Monday because they had several hundred potential jurors waiting.
Donald Trump was defiant and frustrated as he walked out of his first day on trial in New York. It was also the first day any former President had ever been on trial in 246 years of American history. But Trump didnt dwell on the historic significance of the moment.

Instead he launched a litany of complaints and excuses. He called the hush-money case a scam and a witch hunt and lit into Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the trial, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the charges.

Trump faces 34 counts of fraudulently entering business transactions in order to cover up payments he made to a porn star to buy her silence in the weeks leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Trump says he didnt have an affair with the adult film actress Stormy Daniels and pleaded not guilty in the case.

Weve got a real problem with this judge, Trump said after court adjourned on Monday, wearing his iconic wide red tie and an American flag pin stuck in his jacket lapel. Weve got a real problem with a lot of things having to do with this trial including the DA, because you go right outside and people are being mugged and killed all day long and hes sitting here all day long with about 10 or 12 prosecutors over nothing, over nothing.

Supporters of former President Donald Trump outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse for the start of first-ever criminal trial against a former president of the United States. Victor J. Blue for TIME

A week before, Judge Merchan had expanded a gag order on Trump, saying he couldnt criticize the judges family or jurors or court officials. But Merchan and Bragg were still fair game for Trumps critiques. And, on day one at trial, Trump took advantage.

Read More: Your Questions About Trumps Hush-Money Trial, Answered

As jury selection began, Trump took issue with the strict schedule of being a criminal defendant thats going to keep him in a courthouse in Manhattan, away from the campaign trail and other commitments, likely for more than a month. Trump complained that Merchan would not agree to let him skip the proceedings next week during the Supreme Courts oral arguments about whether presidential immunity protects him from federal charges brought by special counsel Jack Smith, in one of the three other criminal cases proceeding against him. Trump said he would miss his son Barrons high school graduation if Merchan didnt give him permission to be absent in the coming weeks.

But that wasnt all. Trump also said that being in court for the next few weeks would keep him off the campaign trail and out of key states he needs to win in Novembers presidential election. I cant go to my sons graduation, and I cant go to the United States Supreme Court, or Im not in Georgia, or Florida or North Carolina campaigning, like I should be, its perfect for the radical left Democrats. Thats what they wantits about election interference, thats what its about, Trump said. He didnt take any questions from reporters and turned around and walked down the hall with his entourage.

Opponents of former president Donald Trump protest on the first day of his trial in New York City on Monday, April 15, 2024. Victor J. Blue for TIME

Trump had sat for most of the day inside the stuffy courtroom, as his lawyers sparred with prosecutors over how the trial should run, and the makeup of jurors on the panel that will decide Trumps fate. Some of the initial decisions on Monday didnt go Trumps way. Not only did Merchan say Trump cant go to the Supreme Court next week and deny Trumps request that he recuse himself, the judge also decided Playboy model Karen McDougal, who also claims to have had an affair with Trump, can testify in the case and that the prosecution can introduce as evidence National Enquirer articles from 2016 critical of Trumps opponents, as a way to show a pattern of how the publication had been allegedly helping Trump by buying rights to negative stories and squelching them.

One ruling that went in Trumps favor was when the judge decided that prosecutors cant play the footage from the Access Hollywood tape of Trump describing grabbing womens genitals. But prosecutors can tell jurors what Trump said.

Outside the courthouse, a crowd of about 100 people milled around under the thin tree canopy of Collect Pond Park. One man had been playing the flute on a bench since early morning. A few people were there to cheer on Trumps prosecution. Others came by to soak in the historic moment. But most were there to show their support for Trump. One man wore a black T-shirt printed with Trumps scowling mug shot that read, Never Surrender! Overhead flew a flag that read, Keep America Trump 2028.

Read More: In Hush-Money Trial, Trumps Election Is at Stake

Ariel Kohane, 53, wanted to be at the courthouse on Monday to show my unwavering love and support for President Trump. Kohane, who wore a Jews for Trump T-shirt, predicted that Trumps prosecutions would gin up more support for him and backfire on the Democrats.

Standing nearby, Lou Valentino, 27, thinks Trump is being unfairly tried and has been targeted because hes running for President. A lot of the people you see out here are frustrated people, or people that have been supporting Trump for a long time, or people like me that just started supporting him not too long ago, Valentino says.

A few had come to show they welcomed Trump being put on trial. Nadine Seiler, 58, traveled 250 miles from Waldorf, Maryland to protest against Trump. She arrived outside the courthouse at 6:30 am, expecting to see throngs of people supporting his indictment and was surprised to find the crowd of anti-Trump protestors swell to just over a dozen by the afternoon.

Sieler says shes disappointed by what she perceives as a general lack of concern over Trump and his potential return to office. She thinks people have become more apathetic in recent years. When democracy goes away and we are not able to protest, we're going to be like, How did this happen? she says. I feel that the reason why Trump is allowed to get away with what he does is because people are not participating in the process.

Whether Trump likes it or not, hell have to participate in his trial for many more weeks to come.

Write to Simmone Shah at simmone.shah@time.com.
Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.

MORE: Donald Trump is on trial in New York. Here's what to know about the historic case

Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

MORE: Who is Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing Trump's New York criminal trial?

Jury selection could take up to two weeks, with the entire trial expected to last between six and eight weeks.





Latest Developments





Apr 16, 4:23 PM

Judge swears in 2nd group of 96 prospective jurors



With six seats filled on the jury that will determine the outcome of Donald Trump's first criminal trial, a new group of 96 New Yorkers was ushered into the courtroom and sworn in as prospective jurors.

Many of them craned their necks to get a look at the defendant.

"Ma'am, ma'am, put your cellphone away," a court security officer told one woman who tried to pull out her phone after spotting Trump.

One man and woman were seen whispering feverishly to one another.

After members of the group were sworn in, Judge Merchan told them he was sending them home for the day.

"I know that you've been sitting around all day, waiting for something to happen, and I want you to know that that wasn't lost on us," Merchan said, telling them the proceedings would start right away when they return Thursday morning following Wednesday's day off.

Before the new panel was brought in, the judge asked Trump's defense team to confirm that the social media posts it's been digging up are all are public. Trump attorney Todd Blanche confirmed they were.





Apr 16, 4:01 PM

Judge suggests arguments could begin early next week

After selecting and swearing in the first six jurors, Judge Juan Merchan asked them to return on Monday unless they hear otherwise from the court -- suggesting that opening statements could happen as soon as early next week.



The judge, however, cautioned that seating the remaining jurors may not happen by then.



"We don't know exactly how long that will last," Merchan said.





Apr 16, 3:55 PM

6 jurors now seated



Judge Juan Merchan has now seated and sworn in six jurors to sit in judgment of former President Trump, after each side used several preemptory strikes and other prospective jurors were stricken over politically-charged social media posts.

"You are the first six jurors selected for this trial," Merchan said.

Juror No. 1, the foreperson, is a man born in Ireland who works in sales and lives in West Harlem.

Juror No. 2 is an oncology nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering who lives on the Upper East Side.

Juror No. 3 is an attorney who lives in Chelsea.

Juror No. 4 is an IT consultant who lives on the Lower East Side and is originally from Puerto Rico.

Juror No. 5 is a charter school teacher from Harlem.

Juror No. 6 is a software employee who works for Disney and lives in Chelsea.





Apr 16, 3:42 PM

First 3 jurors seated



Three jurors from the first batch of 96 prospects have been selected for the jury.

After the defense raised a series of motions to remove jurors for cause, citing their social media posts, Judge Juan Merchan formally approved three jurors:

- an Irish-born salesman;

- an oncology nurse; and

- an attorney who lives in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

The selections came after Judge Merchan blocked one other motion from the defense to strike a juror for cause and granted another.

The juror Merchan agreed to remove was an Upper West Side bookseller who recently re-posted an AI video to social media mocking Trump, which included a fake Trump saying, "I'm dumb as f---."

"I thought it would be funny," the juror said.

The government then used three of its ten preemptory strikes and the defense used four.





Apr 16, 3:18 PM

Judge removes juror whose post said 'lock him up'

After declining to strike a potential juror for her Facebook content, Judge Merchan granted a defense motion to strike another juror for a social media post.



"Good news!!" the post read. "Trump lost his court battle on his unlawful travel ban!!!"



If the post ended there, Judge Merchan said, he would allow him to remain in contention. But the post didn't stop there.



"Get him out and lock him up," the post continued.



Those post shows the prospective juror expressing "the desire that Trump be locked up," Merchan said. "Everyone knows that if Mr. Trump" is found guilty, he could face prison time.



"I don't think I can allow this juror to remain," the judge said, before agreeing to strike the juror.





Apr 16, 3:06 PM

Judge declines defense's motion to remove juror

Judge Merchan declined to strike for cause the prospective juror who posted what the defense called "hostile" Facebook videos, explaining that he believed the juror when she told the court that she would follow the facts of the case.



"I don't want a juror on this panel who lies to us. I don't want a juror on this panel who misleads us," he said. "And for this reason, I did want to hear from the juror."



Ultimately, Merchan found her assurances to be honest.



"I was able to see her demeanor, I was able to hear her voice," he said. "That juror looked me right in the eye, and when she said she could be fair and impartial, she meant it."



"I find her to be credible," Merchan concluded, before denying the defense motion to remove her from the jury.





Apr 16, 3:03 PM

Judge scolds Trump for 'muttering' at prospective juror



As jury selection resumed for the afternoon session, Judge Juan Merchan scolded former President Trump over his audible "muttering" while a prospective juror was speaking.

"Your client was audibly muttering something," the judge told Trump's attorneys. "He was speaking in the direction of the juror. I will not tolerate that. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. I want to make that crystal clear. Take a minute and speak to your client."

The interaction occurred after Trump's defense attorney sought to immediately strike potential jurors for cause based on social media posts that he said contradicted their assertions of fairness.

"There's a number of the jurors that we have social media posts for very much contrary to the answers that they gave," defense attorney Todd Blanche said.

Blanche pointed to a woman who he said has a "series of extraordinarily hostile Facebook posts."

One of the posts read, "So I've been in the middle of the ocean for the last few weeks. What's going on?"

Another post included a video of people celebrating near Manhattan's 96th Street and the words, "Full-on dance party at 96 Street."

PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump attends jury selection with his attorneys Todd Blanche (L) and Emil Bove on the second day of his trial at Manhattan Criminal Court, Apr. 16, 2024, in New York City. (Curtis Means/Pool via Reuters)

Judge Merchan seemed baffled. "Show me the bias," the judge said. "I'm trying to understand. How does this call into question what the juror said when that juror was answering questions?"





Blanche insisted the post, a day after the 2020 election, was a celebration of Trump's loss.





"This is ridiculous," prosecutor Josh Steinglass said.





The judge determined "there are enough questions here" to allow the defense to question the woman about her posts.





"I think I went to the car to alternate-side parking or something like that and there were people dancing in the street," the woman said, adding that it reminded her of the pandemic-era cheer for health workers.





"I understand that bias exists," the woman said. "The job of the juror is to understand the facts of the trial."





When the woman left the room, that's when the judge scolded Trump.





Apr 16, 2:55 PM

Jury selection resumes after break



Former President Trump is back at the defense table as court resumes after the lunch break.

While on break, Trump shared on his social media platform a newspaper opinion piece calling his former attorney Michael Cohen a "serial perjurer" and a "legal thug."

The former president, who is under a limited gag order prohibiting him from targeting witnesses in the case, did not add any comment of his own.





Apr 16, 1:24 PM

'Feelings are not facts,' prospective juror says

Defense attorney Todd Blanche finished questioning the first group of potential jurors, including asking them to think about their social media usage and whether it affects their opinion of Trump.



Blanche asked a man born in Mexico who became a U.S. citizen when Trump was president if that would color his jury experience.



"I think the media and the opinions of my Facebook friends are inconsequential to this trial," the man said. "Feelings are not facts."



A woman who had said she had been living in a WiFi-free lake house for much of February and March said she didn't know much about the case, but she knew about Trump's policies. She said she had "very little agreement policy-wise" with Trump, but told Blanche she "didn't sleep last night" because she was thinking so hard about fairness and impartiality.



"You want your client to have a fair shake. I will do my level-headed best to make sure that happens," she said.



This part of the day clearly interested Trump. He turned his body in the direction of the jury box, shifting his gaze from his lawyer to the people who may sit in judgment of him.



Judge Juan Merchan subsequently recessed the court for a lunch break.





Apr 16, 1:14 PM

Prospective jurors asked how they see Trump

What do you make of Trump?



In answering that question from attorneys, prospective jurors are painting a portrait of the man seated at the defendant's table -- complete with his complexities and his merits.



"President Trump speaks his mind," said one juror, a young black woman who teaches at a charter school. "And I'd rather that than someone who's in office who you don't know what they're thinking."

PHOTO: Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass questions potential jurors as former President Trump and defense lawyer Todd Blanche listen, during the jury selection of his trial in Manhattan state court in New York City, April 16, 2024 in this courtroom sketch. (Jane Rosenberg/Reuters)

"He walks into a room, and he sets people off -- one way or another," the juror said. "I find that really interesting. Really -- this one guy can do all of this. 'Wow' -- that's what I think."



Trump smirked when another prospective juror said, "He stirs the pot."



"He speaks his mind," she said. "You can't judge him because he speaks his mind."

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
Trump Jurors Have Nothing on These Wacky Excuses to Dodge Jury Duty

Its the eye-roll inducing excuse every judge has heard: I simply cant be fair. Except with Donald Trump, it might be true.

The first day of Trumps criminal trial in Manhattan ran straight into that near-impossible challenge: finding a group of New Yorkers who could give a tabloid target and one of the most controversial presidents in recent history a fair hearing.

Of the 96 potential jurors brought into the courtroom Monday afternoon for screening, around half were immediately dismissed when they indicated to Judge Juan Merchan thatsurprise, surprisethey would be simply unable to remain impartial in a trial involving Trump. Another two were later dismissed, with one woman concluding under questioning that she, too, couldnt be fair, while a man said the trial might end up clashing with his kids wedding, according to The New York Times.

Jake Tapper Cracks Up Over Impression of Jury Candidate Who Hated Trump

I just couldnt do it, one prospective juror, seemingly overwhelmed with the drama of it all, was reportedly heard saying outside the courtroom.

Fair enough.

Jurors on other cases have offered up far more outlandish or scandalous excuses they couldnt do their civic duty. Here are some of the weirdest.

Im friends with a serial killer

But really, who isnt these days? Jury selection for a trial in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2010 veered off a cliff when the judge got that extremely unsettling answer to a routine screening question.

Has anyone you know ever been convicted of a crime? Judge John Sutula asked the pool of jurors, according to The Plain Dealer. One of them replied: I had a close friend in high school who killed 17 people.

The courtroom was understandably stunned by the answerand then it got even crazier. When asked who the juror was talking about, he answered: Jeffrey Dahmer.

Oh, that guy. The Jeffrey Dahmer who brutally killed 17 people between the late 70s and early 90s, dismembering and even eating his victims.

The prospective juror was John Derf Backderfa cartoonist who wrote a graphic novel, My Friend Dahmer, based on his adolescent experiences with the boy who would grow up to be one of Americas most famous serial killers.

Backderf was dismissed from the jury list. Shocker.

I am the judge in this case

When Keith Cutler received an official summons for jury service in 2019, he was a little bit surprisedbecause he was the judge presiding over the case.

You might think he was quickly scrubbed from the list but, according to Cutlers telling, he was not so lucky.

Cutler, the resident judge of Winchester and Salisbury in southern England, later explained the farce in Salisbury Crown Court.

I told the Jury Central Summoning Bureau that I thought I would be inappropriate seeing [as] I happened to be the judge and knew all the papers, Cutler said, according to the BBC. They wrote back to me, they picked up on the fact I was the judge but said your appeal for refusal has been rejected but you could apply to the resident judge but I told them I am the resident judge.

He added that they eventually let him off when he spoke to someone at the bureau on the phone. Typical.

I need to see my sugar daddy

One potential juror went viral in 2022 for telling a judgewith a straight facethat she simply could not leave her sugar daddy high and dry.

The woman, identified by WPLG as Mrs. Bristol, included the excuse among several reasons why she would not be able to serve on the jury in the sentencing stage of the trial of Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz.

I need to figure out something, Bristol told Broward County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer at the time. I have my sugar daddy that I see every day.

Im sorry? Scherer replied. My sugar daddy, Bristol repeated.

She later insisted in an interview that she wasnt trying to dodge jury duty. If I do this case for six months, I have a hardship that means my sugar daddy cant support me, she said, claiming she would lose $8,000 a month if she was busy with the case.

Bristol was excused.

I just really hate cryptocurrencies

The collapse of Sam Bankman-Frieds cryptocurrency exchange FTX sent shockwaves through the markets and scared some people off the prospect of piling their money into the crypto world for good.

Some prospective jurors at the former billionaires subsequent fraud trial last year had already made up their minds about the whole world of crypto. One explained to U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan that he wouldnt be able to remain unbiased because both he and his twin brother had suffered substantial financial losses after making crypto investments, according to Business Insider.

I did lose a lot, the potential juror, who was dismissed, told Kaplan. My twin brother invested even more and it did finally ruin him.

Im an El Chapo stan

Multiple potential jurors were excused from the 2018 drug trafficking trial of Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquin El Chapo Guzmandirectly tied to the deaths of dozenson the grounds that they feared for their lives.

Reasonable? Oh, I guess.

But some dismissals were more unusual.

One man who described himself as a Michael Jackson impersonator was dismissed after prosecutors argued that his job made him too easily recognizable for the proceedings in which jurors would remain anonymous for their safety.

Another man was shown the door for an even stranger reason.

On the second day of selection, a court security officer informed the judge that one potential juror had asked if he could get Guzmans autograph. One of Guzmans lawyers, Jeffrey Lichtman, initially said the man should be allowed to stay on the case, arguing: I have the autograph of Charles Manson, and the two leaders of Hamas, and obviously I'm not a big fan of them.

When asked by the judge why he wanted Guzmans autograph, the juror answered: Im a bit of a fan. He was then removed from the proceedings.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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People walk past a light art installation during the "Lumiere: The Art of Light" exhibition in Toronto, Canada, on April 15, 2024. Featuring 17 light installations created by local artists, the outdoor light-based art exhibition is held here from March 12 to April 20. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A light art installation is seen during the "Lumiere: The Art of Light" exhibition in Toronto, Canada, on April 15, 2024. Featuring 17 light installations created by local artists, the outdoor light-based art exhibition is held here from March 12 to April 20. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People look at a light art installation during the "Lumiere: The Art of Light" exhibition in Toronto, Canada, on April 15, 2024. Featuring 17 light installations created by local artists, the outdoor light-based art exhibition is held here from March 12 to April 20. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A man takes photos of a light art installation during the "Lumiere: The Art of Light" exhibition in Toronto, Canada, on April 15, 2024. Featuring 17 light installations created by local artists, the outdoor light-based art exhibition is held here from March 12 to April 20. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A light art installation is seen during the "Lumiere: The Art of Light" exhibition in Toronto, Canada, on April 15, 2024. Featuring 17 light installations created by local artists, the outdoor light-based art exhibition is held here from March 12 to April 20. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A pet cat sitting on a person's shoulder looks at a light art installation during the "Lumiere: The Art of Light" exhibition in Toronto, Canada, April 15, 2024. Featuring 17 light installations created by local artists, the outdoor light-based art exhibition is held here from March 12 to April 20. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Former President Donald Trump sits inside Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday, the second day of jury selection in his hush money trial. (Mary Altaffer/Reuters)

The jury in Donald Trumps hush money trial was finalized Friday in Manhattan with six alternate jurors picked to join the panel of 12 that will ultimately decide the former president's fate. Opening arguments will begin Monday.

 Heres how jury selection worked

Prospective jurors  18 at a time  were called into the courtroom, where Judge Juan Merchan read a summary of the charges against Trump and asked them if they felt they can be fair and impartial. The would-be jurors were also asked if they had any scheduling conflicts that would prevent them from attending every day of the trial, which could last more than six weeks.

Each prospective juror was then given a questionnaire with 42 questions that were negotiated and agreed upon by the prosecution and defense ahead of time.

 Heres that questionnaire

This embedded content is not available in your region.

 Who got dismissed

Those who said they cant be fair and impartial or had scheduling conflicts were immediately dismissed. Those that remained were then questioned individually by lawyers for the prosecution and defense.

Both sides were allowed to reject up to 10 prospective jurors without reason. The attorneys were also able to argue why they believed a would-be juror could not be fair and impartial. Merchan had the final say. Trump lashed out at the process in a post on Truth Social, saying he was under the impression the defense had "unlimited" strikes when picking the jury.

Trumps lawyers repeatedly argued that the jury pool in the heavily Democratic city where Trump grew up had been tainted by publicity surrounding the case. Prosecutors countered that would-be jurors could know about the case  they just needed to keep an open mind.

 What the lawyers  and public  know about the jury

Trump sits beside his lawyer Todd Blanche inside Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday in this courtroom sketch. (Christine Cornell/Pool via Reuters)

Both sides know the names of the jurors, but only lawyers for both the prosecution and defense will have access to their addresses.

Trump  who has been admonished by Merchan for attacking prosecutors and court staffers on social media  is allowed to have their names but not their addresses. And he's not allowed to reveal the jurors identities to the public.

The public may never know the names of the jurors. Last month, Merchan granted a request by the prosecution to shield them to avoid possible harassment.

And earlier this week, Merchan pleaded with members of the media covering the trial not to publish any personal information about them after dismissing a seated juror who complained that aspects of her identity were publicly revealed.

There's a reason this is an anonymous jury," he said.
Donald Trump had a strange claim at the end of the first day of his hush-money trial: He said that the judge had barred him from attending his sons high school graduation next month.

It looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son whos worked very, very hard and he is a great student, Trump told reporters outside of Manhattan district court Monday. It looks like the judge isnt going to allow me to escape this scam. Its a scam trial.

Trump: We had some amazing things happen today. As you know, my son is graduating from high school. It looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son who's worked very, very hard and he is a great student. pic.twitter.com/XKqHAnWxwa  Acyn (@Acyn) April 15, 2024

Trumps legal team had filed a motion requesting the former president be allowed to attend the graduation ceremony. Judge Juan Merchan declined to decide the issue on Monday, saying it depends on if everything is running on schedule.

But the thing is, if Trump cant go, then he has no one to blame but himself. Trumps legal strategy has been to delay, delay, delay in order to keep the rulings in his many legal cases as late as possible, hopefully past the November election. But now that strategy may backfire on himbut in his personal life.

Its an unexpected development in the legal saga of the former president who, in addition to his Manhattan hush-money trial, is on trial in Florida for mishandling classified documents; in Washington, D.C., for attempting to overthrow the election; and in Fulton County, Georgia, for interfering in that states election.

Hell be required to be in court for every session of his New York trialwhich is standard procedure for criminal trials but beyond the pale to Trump and his Republican supportersand hell only be able to be on the campaign trail every weekend, evening, and Wednesday as long as the case continues. If he misses a day in court, he could even face prison time.

The former president had to know that dragging each case out would eventually cause a scheduling issue between his presidential campaign and his personal life. Its unprecedented for a former president to face criminal charges, let alone while they are campaigning for reelection, so this is probably not the end of any new, weird developments. In the end, though, if Trump is still in court by the time Election Day comes around in November, it could be bad for his chances of returning to the White House.
Trump "looks furious" after judge chides him for muttering during jury selection

Former President Donald Trumps old antics  his whining, pouting and muttering  are making an appearance in Manhattan this week.

In court Tuesday, Trump was reprimanded by Judge Juan Merchan while his lawyer was questioning a potential juror during the selection process. Trump was audibly saying something and gesturing in front of the jury, the BBC reported.

I wont tolerate that, Merchan said in court. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. I want to make that crystal clear.

Merchan advised Trumps lawyer, Todd Blanche, to make sure his client understood.

After Blanche gave the defendant his required talking-to, The New York Times reported that Trump looks furious.

Such behavior, going forward, could be incredibly costly for Trump now that he's facing trial over allegations he falsified business records to cover up an alleged affair with an adult film star.

Unlike in the court of public opinion, where Trumps bluster and bullying may help win supporters and cause some to cower, when court is in session, the rules of evidence and procedure kick in, Ryan Brescia, an associate dean at Albany Law School, wrote this week in The Daily Beast. "The same tactics that might give Trump some public relations wins do not really work in court. In fact, they often backfire.
Lawyers for former President Trump are using social media posts made by prospective jurors and their spouses to attempt to excuse them from the jury pool in his hush money trial.

The lawyers played videos in court in Manhattan Tuesday, using the social media posts as a signal the jurors may hold anti-Trump sentiments and thus cannot be fair and impartial during a trial.

One juror Trumps lawyers sought to dismiss had a video posted to her Facebook that captured celebrations in upper Manhattan following the declaration of President Biden capturing the 2020 election.

The juror said the celebrations she captured were reminiscent of the cheers for health care workers that erupted in the evenings during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, according to a pool report.

However, she said that  regardless of my thoughts about anyone or anything the job of a juror is to understand the facts of a trial and to be the judge of those facts. The judge did not dismiss her after she insisted she could still be an impartial juror.

Yesterday people walked out because they thought they couldnt, she added. I dont believe that about myself at all. The judge thanked her, and she walked back up the aisle and out of the courtroom.

A second juror, however, was excused for cause for a social media post that celebrated Trumps legal loss over a travel ban enacted while he was president.

Good news!! Trump lost his court battle on his unlawful travel ban!!!, the juror wrote, according to the pool. Get him out, and lock him up.

This is a person who has expressed the desirethat Mr. Trump be locked up, Merchan said, adding that if Trump is found guilty he faces a potential jail sentence, according to the pool.

The juror was asked by the DAs office if he still believed Trump should be locked up, in which the man answered no. Trump then craned his neck toward the juror and flashed him a smirk, according to pool reporters.

Social media posts made by a potential jurors husband drew the scrutiny of Trumps lawyers.

Blanche pointed to social media a post showing a character from The Simpsons with Trumps head in its hands, a post depicting Trump and former President Obama that, per the judge, referenced Orange is the New Black and a post showing The Avengers unite against Trump.

Steinglass suggested that the posts, made in 2016 by the jurors husband, were humor. But Merchan joked that its not very good humor.

The judge declined further inquiry, noting that the posts did not involve the juror and were made more than eight years ago. He said if this is the worst thing youre able to find about this juror, it instills confidence in her ability to be fair and impartial.

Zach Schonfeld contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Trump makes one last presidential immunity argument to the U.S. Supreme Court

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump on Monday, April 15, 2024, made their case to the U.S. Supreme Court for his claims of presidential immunity. In this photo, Trump looks on during a campaign event on Dec. 19, 2023 in Waterloo, Iowa. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Hours after Donald Trump sat in a New York courtroom and became the first former president in U.S. history to be a defendant in a criminal trial Monday, his attorneys filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court renewing his claim of absolute presidential immunity in another criminal case against him.

In a reply brief responding to Justice Department special counsel Jack Smiths argument last week that former presidents should not be immune from criminal prosecution, Trumps attorneys, led by D. John Sauer of St. Louis, repeated their claim that the framers of the Constitution intended presidents to be immune from prosecution unless they were first impeached and removed from office.

Smith argued last week that because impeachment was inherently political, former presidents must be legally accountable under a separate, apolitical process in courts. Calling Trumps argument a radical departure from democracy, Smith said the absolute immunity standard would place the president above the law.

Impeachment was insufficient on its own, Smith said, because a president may escape conviction in the U.S. Senate simply because of the partisan makeup of that chamber.

But Trumps attorneys said Monday that Smiths argument missed the point of impeachment as a check and balance on executive power. The process is intended to be political, and difficult to achieve, they wrote.

That is the point, they wrote. The Framers required a nationwide political consensus  reflected in a two-thirds vote of the Senate  before authorizing the potentially Republic-shattering act of prosecuting a President for his official acts.

The Supreme Court case is part of a pretrial effort by Trumps attorneys to dismiss a federal criminal case accusing him of pressuring state officials, the Justice Department and then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the 2020 election results, then allowing a mob of supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol.

Trump, who is again the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has claimed absolute immunity from prosecution for his role, saying it was part of his official duties to guard against election fraud.

Trump and his allies brought dozens of suits alleging election fraud, but presented no evidence that fraud had virtually any impact on the 2020 results.

Trump won acquittal in a 2021 Senate trial for the same actions hes accused of in the underlying federal criminal case when only seven of the 50 GOP senators at the time voted with all Democrats for conviction. Two-thirds of the Senate must vote to impeach.

Malfeasance may go unpunished

The framers of the Constitution wanted a strong executive and were willing to trade some criminal accountability of the president to gain it, Trumps attorneys wrote Monday. The system of impeachment was part of that goal, they said.

When the Framers erected the formidable hurdle of impeachment and conviction, they assumed the risk that some Presidential misfeasance might go unpunished, they wrote.

Presidents are subject to common prosecution for private acts, Trumps attorneys wrote, but can only be prosecuted for official acts through impeachment.

Trump has long contended his actions on and leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, seeking to block the certification of his election loss in November 2020 should be considered official acts.

Trumps legal team also said Monday that federal criminal courts, with judges appointed and confirmed by the elected branches of government, were not apolitical alternatives to impeachment, as Smith suggested.

They referred to three other criminal charges the former president faces, which they said were hyper-politicized.

In light of not one, but four, hyper-politicized prosecutions pending against President Trump  in addition to politically motivated civil cases  this argument cannot be taken seriously, they wrote.

The brief came on the first day of the first criminal case against Trump to go to trial. That case, in New York state, alleges Trump falsified business records to hide hush money payments made to an adult film star during his first run for the White House in 2016.

He is also accused in Georgia state court of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results in that state.

And a federal grand jury in South Florida indicted him for mishandling and storing in unsecured areas classified documents from his time in office.

Trump has sought to employ the criminal allegations to his political advantage, using them to reinforce his message that he is being targeted by a corrupt system.

Oral arguments soon

The Trump teams reply brief was the last from either party before oral arguments, scheduled for April 25.

Trump will not be at the Supreme Court for the arguments, as he will be expected at his trial in New York. Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing that case, denied Trumps requested absence that day to attend the Supreme Court hearing, according to reports.

The case arrived at the Supreme Court after the trial judge in the case, Tanya Chutkan, a federal judge for the District of Columbia, in December rejected Trumps motion to dismiss the charges under the presidential immunity argument.

Trump appealed that ruling, but a unanimous federal appeals court upheld Chutkans decision in February.

The trial has been on hold while the appeal on the immunity claim is pending.

The post Trump makes one last presidential immunity argument to the U.S. Supreme Court appeared first on Michigan Advance.
(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump will meet Polish President Andrzej Duda for a dinner at Trump Tower in New York on Wednesday, according to people familiar with the arrangements.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The meeting will take place on the first day of Dudas week-long trip to the US and Canada. The dinner with Trump isnt mentioned in the official schedule of the trip, which includes meetings with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Polish president confirmed the meeting to reporters shortly before his flight on Tuesday, but said it was agreed tentatively and everything will come down to schedules.

Duda will be the second leader from the European Unions eastern member states to meet with the presumptive Republican presidential nominee this year. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last month in a meeting that was criticized by President Joe Biden. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron also met with Trump recently.

Polands president has long boasted about his ties with Trump that go back to his first term in office, which overlapped with Trumps presidency. On Tuesday, Duda said they know each other well and called the former US president a friend.

Duda famously asked Trump during a White House visit in 2018 to set up a permanent US military base, offering to call it Fort Trump. The relationship has put him at odds with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who warned on Tuesday that Trumps potential return to the White House would be detrimental to European security and the future of NATO.

The meeting comes as Speaker Mike Johnson plans separate US House votes this week on new aid to Israel and Ukraine, which could end a months-long Republican blockade on a $60 billion package for Kyiv.

Trump alarmed allies with his remarks earlier this year, where he appeared to suggest that he would encourage Russia to attack countries that didnt meet the alliances defense spending obligations.

Almost every appearance of President Trump clearly shows his rather anti-Ukrainian sentiment and pro-Russian attitude, Tusk told reporters, saying he would encourage the president to raise the issue of unequivocal support for the Western world, democracy and Europe in the Ukrainian-Russian conflict during his meeting with Trump.

(Updates with comments from Duda in the third paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
NEW YORK  Donald Trump is putting New York City on trial.

In his first campaign event since jury selection got underway in the highly anticipated case against him, the former president eviscerated as crime-ridden the city where his fate will be decided.

Trump visited a Harlem bodega following his second day in court in a criminal hush money case. The store was the site of a 2022 fatal stabbing, which the perpetrator described as self defense against an unprovoked attack in a case that inflamed conservatives.

The appearance signaled an effort by Trump to go on the offensive after two days besieged in court, while kneecapping Alvin Bragg, the Democratic prosecutor trying his case. Unfolding on the sidelines of the trial, the brief remarks served as the opening of the weeks-long, courtroom-constricted phase of Trumps campaign  a relentless critique of Democrats handling of crime to counter public focus on his own criminal cases.

Its Alvin Braggs fault. Alvin Bragg does nothing; he goes after guys like Trump who did nothing wrong, Trump told reporters gathered outside the store. There are hundreds of murderers all over the city. They know who they are, and they dont pick them up. They go after Trump.

He used the opportunity to similarly go after the influx of migrants into New York City, seeking to pit them against Black and Latino residents and going so far as to predict he would win New York  an unlikely outcome, as no Republican presidential candidate has carried the state in 30 years.



Anticipating the attack on his record, Braggs office tweeted NYPD statistics showing a 39 percent drop in shootings and a 23 percent drop in murders over the past year in Manhattan.

Trump, flanked by Bodega and Small Business Group member Carlos Collado and the bodegas owner, Maad Ahmed, called his trial rigged and said of the judge overseeing his case, Theres never been a judge so conflicted as this.

The presumptive GOP presidential nominee spent much of Tuesday in court, before the trip to the bodega where clerk Jose Alba fatally stabbed a customer who was attacking him in a case that captured the attention of Republicans nationally. Alba was initially charged with murder, but Bragg later dropped the charges.

This matter was resolved nearly two years ago, and the charges were dismissed after a thorough investigation, Bragg spokesperson Doug Cohen said. DA Braggs top priority remains combating violent crime and the office has worked hand in hand with the NYPD to drive down overall crime in Manhattan, including double digit decreases in homicides and shootings since he took office.

Trumps visit put him on Braggs turf  the neighborhood that raised the top prosecutor, after two days in a courtroom where he is being tried on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.



Trumps campaign permitted several dozen supporters to pack into a space near the bodega, where they cheered him loudly, chanted, Four more years! and sang, The Star-Spangled Banner. He greeted them warmly before heading into the store for a few minutes.

Beyond the police barricades, hundreds of New Yorkers crowded to watch the spectacle. And while some appeared to support Trump, others booed him. Just after his motorcade took off, a group arrived with a sense of humor and a banner advertising, Trump dildos on sale now.

The incident highlighted the complications of running for president while on trial.

The drama unfolding in the Manhattan courtroom and the trials demands on the former presidents schedule are not welcome by the candidate or his campaign, which has sought repeatedly to delay the trial. But Trump has decided to make the most of it, using it to underscore his claims that the justice system is unfairly rigged against him and that he is the victim of political persecution.



Trump's campaign has also worked closely with his allies to make sure they are blanketing the airwaves with talking points that tie the trial to President Joe Biden. Surrogates have been asked to call this the "Biden trials," a phrase the former president has used himself as he railed against the proceedings on Truth Social.

On the social media site on Tuesday, Trump wrote, MY TRIAL IS AN ASSAULT ON AMERICA!

Democrats, readily on the defensive over crime and border security, have sought to play up their electoral advantage on abortion  tying Republicans and Trump, specifically, to what have proven to be unpopular restrictions since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Trumps appearance Tuesday also served as a preview of the way he is likely to campaign for the duration of the proceedings. On Trump's days off from the trial  Wednesday, when the judge attends to other business, and the weekends  he plans to attend fundraisers and continue campaigning. This weekend he will attend a fundraiser and rally in North Carolina. And like he did on Tuesday, he is expected to have unannounced stops in the New York area to talk about immigration and crime.

On Tuesday, he told reporters he will do rallies all over the place during the trial.



Despite Trumps claims of increased crime in New York City, NYPD statistics show overall crime fell 1 percentage point from 2022 to 2023. However, recent high-profile incidents of violence have garnered attention, including a brawl between migrants and police officers in Times Square and the fatal shooting of Jonathan Diller, a New York City police officer shot on duty. Trump attended his wake in late March.

In mid-March, New York Governor Kathy Hochul deployed National Guard and state police troopers to the citys subway system amid a string of crimes that received national attention and added to the perception of disorder on public trains.

Meanwhile Biden is taking his campaign to the swing state of Pennsylvania this week with stops in Pittsburgh, Scranton and Philadelphia. And while the Democratic president told reporters in the Oval Office he is not paying attention to Trumps trial  and his campaign has yet to officially weigh in  his team sent a statement Monday with not-so-veiled references to the courtroom drama in New York.

A campaign press release referenced Stormy abortion coverage, and claims the Trump campaign is fast asleep, a nod to both the porn actor Trump is accused of paying and reports that Trump dozed off at one point during jury selection.

One Manhattan Congress member lashed out at Trumps visit Tuesday night.

Donald Trump didn't do his homework, Rep. Adriano Expaillat wrote on X. My district is progressive and my constituents are honest hard working New Yorkers who don't have time for Trump's division, hate, and chaos. Trump has no place in my district.

CORRECTION: This report has been corrected to reflect Bragg's role in Alba's case.
Allies of former President Donald Trump, who are reportedly on his vice presidential shortlist, rushed to his defense Monday on the first day of his historic hush money criminal trial in New York, claiming that the charges against him are politically motivated.

Trump last year was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment he made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump has maintained his innocence, baselessly claiming that the case is an effort by Democratic prosecutors to block his White House bid.

And those Republicans, who are reportedly being considered by Trump to join the ticket, are eager to be seen taking his side.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who endorsed the former president after he ended his own White House bid, claimed the case shows Democrats will do anything to stop Trump from winning in November.

What the radical Left is doing is not just election interference, its election engineering, Scott wrote. They will try everything (and fail) to stop Donald J. Trump.

What the radical Left is doing is not just election interference, its election engineering.



They will try everything (and fail) to stop Donald J. Trump.  Tim Scott (@votetimscott) April 15, 2024

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-Ark.) who once served as White House press secretary in Trumps administration, dismissed the entire case as a witch hunt.

The only reason New York Democrats launched the witch hunt against President Trump is because they know they can't beat him at the ballot box.  Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) April 15, 2024

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said the trial will backfire against the Democrats, calling Trumps prosecutions stupid, and adding that Americans will take note of the fact that Trump would have a hard time campaigning as he has to appear in court for the duration of the trial.

This is nothing more than a political axe to grind from the radical left and Joe Biden, Donalds told NewsNation. I think that him not being able to do as many rallies, people are going to understand that part.

However, Trump has not hesitated to take the campaign with him to the Manhattan courthouse where the trial is taking place as he spoke to the cameras before and after the proceedings.

Meanwhile, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) fired off several posts blasting the prosecutor in the case, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and Judge Juan Merchan who is overseeing the trial, calling him corrupt and claiming his family has profited off the case.

Merchan on Monday denied yet another motion by Trumps lawyers to recuse himself from the trial over past comments he made, including that he did not like politicians using Twitter.

BREAKING: Corrupt Judge Merchan, a Biden donor whose family member has profited off this case & who illegally gagged President Trump just said "If you do not show up, there will be an arrest."



A 6-8 week show trial... Total election interference.



RT if you agree!#SaveAmerica  Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) April 15, 2024

J.D. Vance, who has signaled he would be open to an invitation by Trump to be his running mate if the position were offered to him, attacked Bragg, claiming the charges he brought against Trump are illegitimate.

What Alvin Bragg is doing to President Trump is a disgrace to the rule of law and the opposite of Justice, Vance said.

What Alvin Bragg is doing to President Trump is a disgrace to the rule of law and the opposite of Justice.



It's also election interference. https://t.co/r93hxTW5Uk  J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) April 15, 2024

Ahead of the trials start, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) told CNN that criminal charges would have never been filed in this case if Trump were not the defendant in question.

This is an unprecedented attack on a candidate during a political year, Burgum said. If this was any other business person in America this would not be a trial, and it wouldnt be on the front page.

Joined @CNN to say this sham trial is an unprecedented attack on @realdonaldtrump in an election year.



The American people deserve to see a debate on the issues, not election interference lawfare. Biden should debate, not hide behind a political persecution trial. pic.twitter.com/IdVX6d3iWm  Doug Burgum (Text "DOUG" to 70177) (@DougBurgum) April 15, 2024

Kari Lake, who is the favorite to win the Republican Partys primary for outgoing Sen. Kirsten Synemas (I) seat in Arizona, took issue specifically with the judge for not immediately greenlighting a motion by Trump to get an exception to appearing in court in order to attend his sons high school graduation on May 17.

Judge Merchan said he would not yet rule on a recess on that day until he could determine whether the trial was going to be on schedule.

All the hard work our kids put into graduating, & President Trump is being robbed of getting to experience his sons High School graduation ceremony, Lake said. This corrupt judge is heartless & cruel.

I am heartbroken for President Trump & Barron.



All the hard work our kids put into graduating, & President Trump is being robbed of getting to experience his sons High School graduation ceremony.



This corrupt judge is heartless & cruel.



We The People will send a message in pic.twitter.com/jdAjrVKqkE  Kari Lake (@KariLake) April 15, 2024

Still, Trumps selection process is in the early stages, according to a New York Times report published Sunday, and the former president is also placing weight on how a potential running mate could help his fundraising operation.

Related...
Congressman Jim Jordan wanted revenge on behalf of Donald Trump against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for bringing the election interference charges against Trump for which hes now standing trial in Manhattan.



Jordan threatened Bragg with oversight: dragging him before his committee repeatedly, threatening him with contempt of Congress, putting a right-wing target on Braggs back by publicizing him to draw sharpshooters from as far as Wyoming or Idaho, and the possibility of going to jail if he didnt answer Jordans questions right. He, James Comer, and Bryan Steilthree chairmen of three different committeeswrote to Bragg in March 2023:

By July 2019 ... federal prosecutors determined that no additional people would be charged alongside [Michael] Cohen.... [Y]our apparent decision to pursue criminal charges where federal authorities declined to do so requires oversight.

They were furious that Bragg would prosecute Trump for a crime that the Department of Justice had already decided and announced that it wasnt going to pursue.

But why didnt Bill Barrs Department of Justice proceed after it had already put Michael Cohen in prison for a year for delivering the check to Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet, at least until after the election, and then lying about it? Why didnt Barrs DOJ go after the guy who allegedly ordered the check written, the guy whod had sex with Daniels, the guy whose run for the presidency was in the balance?



Why didnt the Department of Justice at least investigate (it has a policy against prosecuting a sitting president) the crime it put Cohen in prison for but was possibly directed by, paid for, and also committed by Donald Trump?

For one possible answer lets turn to Geoffrey Berman, the lifelong Republican and U.S. attorney appointed by Trump to run the prosecutors office at the Southern District of New York. He wrote the book Holding the Line, published in September 2022, about his experiences.

In it, he came right out and accused Barr of killing the federal investigation into Trumps role of directing and covering up that conspiracy to influence the 2016 election. Had Barr not done that, Trump could have been prosecuted in January 2021, right after he left office. And Jim Jordan couldnt complain that Alvin Bragg was pushing a case the feds had decided wasnt worth it.

As The Washington Post noted when the book came out:

He [Berman] says Barr stifled campaign finance investigations emanating from the Cohen case and even floated seeking a reversal of Cohens convictionjust like Barr would later do with another Trump ally, Michael Flynn. (Barr also intervened in the case of another Trump ally, Roger Stone, to seek a lighter sentence than career prosecutors wanted.)

This is why Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg felt he had to pick up the case, if the crime was to be exposed and prosecuted.



After all, this crime literally turned the 2016 election to Trump. Without it, polling shows and political scientists argue, Hillary Clinton would likely have been our president for at least four years.



But Barr put an end to Bermans investigation, according to Berman. The DOJ pretended to be investigating Trump for another few months, then quietly announced it wasnt going to continue the investigation. The news media responded with a shrug of the shoulders, and America forgot that Trump had allegedly been at the center of Cohens crime.

In 2023, The New York Times reported that Main Justice wouldnt prosecute because Cohen wouldnt testify to earlier crimes, which was a standard to which the Southern District usually held cooperating witnesses, and because Trump mightve been ignorant of the law. The decision not to pursue the case, the Times reported, was made by prosecutors in New York and not by Barr.

Incomplete testimony and ignorance of the law have rarely stopped prosecutors in the past from pursuing a case as clear as this one appears to be (Trump signed the check, and Cohen had a recording of their conversation, after all), but the story stuck.

In contrast, Berman wrote:



While Cohen had pleaded guilty, our office continued to pursue investigations related to other possible campaign finance violations [including by Trump]. When Barr took over in February 2019, he not only tried to kill the ongoing investigations butincrediblysuggested that Cohens conviction on campaign finance charges be reversed. Barr summoned Rob Khuzami in late February to challenge the basis of Cohens plea as well as the reasoning behind pursuing similar campaign finance charges against other individuals [including Trump].

If the above is true, it wouldnt be Barrs only time subverting justice while heading the Justice Department, according to Berman, who says Barr ordered John Kerry investigated for possible prosecution for violating the Logan Act (like Trump is doing now!) by engaging in foreign policy when not in office.

Most people know that when special counsel Robert Muellers investigation was completeddocumenting 10 prosecutable cases of Donald Trump personally engaging in criminal obstruction of justice and witness tampering to prevent the Mueller report investigators from getting to the bottom of Trumps 2016 connections to RussiaBarr buried the report for weeks.

And it doesnt stop there. Just last month, The New York Times revealed how Barr apparently inserted himself into a Justice Department criminal investigation of a billion-dollar corporation for allegedly corruptly hiding its income offshore to avoid paying its fair share of taxes.

Bragg and his attorneys are racing the clock to get the voters a verdict before November. But according to Berman, this all could have been settled one way or the other long ago.
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen said Tuesday that she expects the United States to impose new sanctions on Iran "in the coming days."

"I fully expect that we will take additional sanctions action against Iran in the coming days," Yellen told reporters at a press conference just ahead of the unveiling of this year's Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Yellen's remarks came days after Iran attacked Israel with a barrage of missiles and drones, marking an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East that she said has already caused economic spillovers negatively impacting some countries in the region.

Yellen said she won't preview specific sanctions measures at this point in time, adding that the sanctions will be imposed in coordination with U.S. allies.

On Sunday, a senior Biden administration official said at a press call that part of the discussion among the Group of Seven (G7) leaders during a video-conference that day touched upon "a coordinated effort on some sanctions measures" against Iran.

The official added without elaboration that the leaders also explored ways to overcome "some hurdles" that are still in existence with regard to the G7's policy on Iran. 
Prosecutors in Donald Trumps hush money case have been blocked from telling the jury that his alleged affair with a Playboy model took place while his wife, Melania, was pregnant.

They claim that Mr Trump  the first US president to stand criminal trial  had an affair lasting 10 months with Karen McDougal between 2006 and 2007. For some of that time, Mrs Trump was pregnant with the couples youngest son, Barron.

The former presidents trial began on Monday in New York, and over the next six weeks will put his sex life and alleged infidelities under the microscope.

Mr Trump is charged with falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, with whom he allegedly had an affair a few months after Barron was born.

The charge is normally classed as a misdemeanour in the state, but prosecutors claim it should be elevated to a felony because he did so in order to influence the result of the 2016 election.

Donald Trump is charged with falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels - Jane Rosenberg/REUTERS

Juan Merchan, the New York judge presiding over the trial, on Monday ruled that prosecutors could provide evidence of the alleged affair with Ms McDougal.

However, he clarified that they could not mention the fact that Mrs Trump was pregnant at the time, saying: At this moment the prejudicial value excuses the probative value.

Joshua Steinglass, prosecuting, argued the alleged affair was relevant because it showed how Mr Trump behaved when alleged infidelities threatened his presidential run.

[The] fact this occurred while Melania was pregnant and after the birth of his son speaks directly to the extent to which the defendant believes the story could be damaging to his campaign, he said.

Mr Steinglass added that they had no intention of describing sexual acts or locales where the affair took place.

Todd Blanche, acting for the defence, claimed Ms McDougals allegations were salacious with no value and would push the jury against his client. The risk of unfair prejudice is through the roof, he said.

Justice Merchan also ruled that Ms McDougal would be able to give testimony as lawyers battled over what evidence would be admissible.

Ms McDougal, who is 24 years Mr Trumps junior, claimed she embarked on an affair with him shortly before his 60th birthday. They first met at the Playboy mansion while he was filming his Celebrity Apprentice show, she has claimed.

At one point, Justice Merchan scolded Mr Trump as his legal team questioned a potential juror on what they called extraordinarily hostile Facebook posts celebrating his election loss in 2020.

He said the former president had been muttering while the woman stood nearby, and directed Mr Blanche to speak to his client about his behaviour.

I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom, he warned, and refused to dismiss the juror. Mr Trump is reported to have looked on furiously.

However, Justice Merchan struck off another prospective juror who once suggested on social media that Mr Trump should be lock[ed] up. He noted that Mr Trump could face a prison sentence if found guilty.

Melania furious when reports surfaced

Mrs Trump was furious when reports surfaced in 2018 about her husbands alleged affair with Ms Daniels, according to the New York Times.

She is apparently angered by the trial and refers to the proceedings as a disgrace. Her office has been approached for comment.

On his second day in court, Mr Trump complained that he should be campaigning in battleground states instead of being stuck in court for weeks, and blamed some accountant I didnt know for the alleged falsification of business records.

US President Joe Biden, Mr Trumps rival in Novembers election, has begun a three-day tour of Pennsylvania, where he released an advert about his upbringing in Scranton and is expected to launch a new tax plan for the middle class.

I should be right now in Pennsylvania, Florida, in many other states  North Carolina, Georgia, Mr Trump said outside Manhattan Criminal Court. This is all coming from the Biden White House.

Instead, the Republican sat through hours of jury selection, occasionally appearing to fall asleep or rest his eyes as he leaned back in his chair.

While he stayed largely expressionless throughout the proceedings, he gave an approving smile and nod when one potential juror said they had read his 1987 bestseller, The Art of the Deal.

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By Luc Cohen, Jack Queen and Andy Sullivan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The first seven jurors were selected on Tuesday to serve on Donald Trump's hush-money criminal trial, as the selection process continues to choose a panel of 12 members and six alternates who can be fair to the former U.S. president.

The judge also warned lawyers that he would not tolerate any efforts to intimidate prospective jurors after saying Trump, the Republican candidate for president in the Nov. 5 election, was audibly muttering while one of the possible members of the panel was questioned.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. Daniels says she had a sexual encounter with Trump about a decade beforehand.

Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies an encounter took place. He has called the case, brought by Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a partisan "witch hunt" meant to interfere with his campaign to unseat Democratic President Joe Biden.

The hush money case is one of four criminal prosecutions Trump faces, which also stem from trying to overturn his 2020 loss and alleged mishandling of classified information. He has also pleaded not guilty to those charges, though the other three cases may not go to trial before the election.

The seven jurors selected on Tuesday included a man originally from Ireland who enjoys doing "anything outdoorsy" and watches both MSNBC and Fox News, a woman who works as an oncology nurse and enjoys taking her dog to the park, and a corporate lawyer who said he does not follow the news that closely.

During questioning by Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche earlier on Tuesday, the nurse said she did not have a strong opinion about Trump.

But, she said, "No one is above the law."

Jury selection began on Monday, and is set to resume on Thursday after a day off on Wednesday. Justice Juan Merchan said opening statements could take place next Monday but warned that could be delayed.

TRUMP WANTS 'A FAIR SHAKE'

The process so far has highlighted the challenges of choosing a group of impartial jurors from heavily Democratic Manhattan.

More than half the initial pool of 96 jurors called were dismissed on Monday after saying they did not believe they could be fair.

In questioning some who remained on Tuesday, Blanche said he did not care about jurors' politics but wanted to get a sense of whether they could be fair to Trump as an individual.

"It's extraordinarily important to President Trump that we know that we're going to get a fair shake," the attorney said.

The jurors are anonymous except to Trump and lawyers for both sides.

Several prospective jurors said they did not have strong opinions about Trump, or said their opinions were not relevant to the case.

"If we were sitting in a bar, I'd be happy to tell you," said one jury candidate, a man who works at a bookstore and enjoys going to Broadway shows. "But, in this room, what I feel about President Trump is not important."

Merchan ultimately dismissed the juror.

In questioning jurors earlier on Tuesday, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass said the case was not a referendum on Trump's presidency.

"This case is really not about whether you like Donald Trump," Steinglass said. "This case is about the rule of law and whether Donald Trump broke it."

'I WON'T TOLERATE THAT'

With jurors outside the courtroom, Merchan told lawyers for both sides that Trump had been audibly muttering and gesturing while one prospective juror was being questioned. The judge told Trump lawyer Blanche to speak to his client about his behavior.

"I won't tolerate that," the judge said. "I will not have any jurors intimidated in the courtroom."

Trump has routinely tested judges' tolerance during his recent legal woes, and is currently subject to a gag order imposed by Merchan. It bars Trump from making statements about witnesses, court staff and family members that are meant to interfere with the case.

On Monday, prosecutors asked Merchan to fine Trump $1,000 for each of three social media posts this month that criticized Daniels and Michael Cohen, Trump's former fixer who is expected to be a prominent witness in the trial.

Blanche said the former president was only responding to their criticism of him.

Merchan said he will consider the fines on April 23.

(This story has been refiled to add the title and first name of the judge in paragraph 9)

(Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jack Queen; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis and Lisa Shumaker)
Former President Trump's opposition to a strict abortion ban in Arizona has put him at odds with pro-life and Christian activists, who represent a voter base key to his presidential election effort.

Last week, the Trump presidential campaign released a statement saying that states should decide how to regulate abortion. Days later, that position was tested when the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that an 1864 law banning abortion without exception for rape or incest should be enforced.

Trump, who claims to be the most pro-life president in U.S. history, said the court's decision "went too far" and urged lawmakers to "ACT IMMEDIATELY, to remedy what has happened." He said that "ideally" anti-abortion laws must contain exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. In other comments, he expressed confidence that the Arizona law will be "straightened out."

That message was ill-received by Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director turned pro-life activist, who leads the group "And Then There Were None."

TRUMP SAYS ARIZONA PRO-LIFE LAW WENT TOO FAR AS BIDEN CAMP CLAIMS POLICY U-TURN

CEO of "And Then There Were None" Abby Johnson speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in a hotel in Mexico City, Mexico Nov. 19, 2022. Johnson told Fox News Digital in an interview that former President Donald Trump risks alienating pro-life voters by opposing state bans on abortion without exceptions for rape or incest.

"What I heard was that [Trump] is a person that does not believe in banning abortion," Johnson told Fox News Digital in an interview. She said there was a conflict between Trump's position that states should decide for themselves and his statement that Arizona went "too far."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"So, here was a state that said we're going to ban abortion. And now he says, 'well, no, I don't want you to,'" Johnson said. "That tells me he doesn't want to ban it at the federal level. But he also doesn't believe the states should have a right to ban it at the state level."

It was a disappointing development for Johnson, who spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention in support of Trump's re-election. In her speech, she said Trump "has done more for the unborn than any other president." She pointed to several of his accomplishments, including reinstating the Mexico City policy  critics call it the "global gag rule"  which blocks U.S. federal funding for non-governmental organizations that support abortion services, as well as appointing the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, making state abortion restrictions possible.

Indeed, Trump takes credit for his pro-life record regularly on the campaign trail. But he has also repeatedly criticized fellow Republicans for taking a hard-line stance on the issue, blaming candidates who did not allow for exceptions in cases of rape, incest and when the life of the pregnant person is at risk, for the GOP's setbacks in the 2022 midterm elections.

"A lot of politicians who are pro-life do not know how to discuss this topic, and they lose their election. We had a lot of election losses because of this, because they didnt know to discuss it. They had no idea," he said last year at a leadership summit of the Concerned Women of America.

The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

TRUMP SAYS ABORTION SHOULD BE DECIDED BY THE STATES, 'WILL OF THE PEOPLE'

Former US President Donald Trump during a campaign event in Green Bay, Wisconsin, US, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Trump released a statement on abortion rights on April 8, saying that states should be free to decide their own abortion restrictions.

The pro-life cause has also suffered a handful of defeats on ballot initiatives that enshrined abortion rights protections even in red states like Ohio and Kansas. Similar initiatives in Arizona and Florida, among other states, are expected to drive up turnout in the November election.

William Wolfe, a former Trump official who served in the State and Defense Departments, said those defeats show that "the culture in America still loves abortion, or deeply misunderstands what is happening in an abortion."

Wolfe is the executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership (CBL), a newly-founded nonprofit that exists to revitalize the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), America's largest Christian protestant denomination. Though the group does not endorse or support political candidates, it released a statement last week that praised Trump for his pro-life record in the White House, but urged him "to forsake the advice of compromising political consultants" as he engages with pro-life voters in his third campaign for the White House.

Demonstrators during a Women's March rally in Phoenix, Arizona, US, on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. Pro-choice groups condemned a state Supreme Court decision that said an 1864 law banning most abortions could be enforced.

In an interview, Wolfe described the Arizona abortion ban as "a great law" and encouraged Trump to make an "unapologetic moral argument" about how abortion "ends innocent life" and "should be recognized as murder."

"Evangelicals and Southern Baptists are eager to support candidates who show unflinching courage and make moral arguments against the civilizational suicide that is abortion. I would encourage everybody to stand strong on this issue and run to it and not away from it, because we know that human life is valuable and should be protected from the moment of fertilization until the natural death," he said.

ARIZONA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS NEAR-TOTAL ABORTION BAN

Walker Wildmon, vice president and spokesman of the American Family Association, said the Arizona Supreme Court ruling was a valid ruling that recognizes the pro-life position, that life begins at conception and should be protected until natural death.

While giving Trump credit for his record, Wildmon said the former president's most recent statements are "out of line with his party and the entire pro-life movement."

"Just as slavery was a stain on our country, abortion is also a stain on our country. So in our view, since we believe that every life begins at conception, any abortion is too many abortions," he said.

Wildmon warned that Trump risks alienating a significant number of Evangelical Christian voters by attempting to appeal to independents or suburban women by watering-down his pro-life stance.

"The reality is that wiggling or squirming on the abortion issue isn't going to pick him up many voters," he said. "It will really suppress the Evangelical Christian vote. There's already Evangelical Christians out there, a large voting bloc in the Republican Party, that have some concerns about President Trump and how he handles things and his self-control."

He added that Trump "really needs to be moving to the right on this issue" to consolidate his supporters ahead of a general election showdown with President Biden.

BILL MAHER SKEWERS TRUMP, GOP'S SHIFT ON ABORTION: SO KILLING BABIES IS OK IN SOME STATES?'

While Republicans triangulate their position on the issue, Democrats have attempted to portray Trump as the man singularly responsible for stripping away women's rights.

"Here in Arizona, they have turned the clock back more than a century on womens rights and freedoms. The overturning of Roe was a seismic event. And this ban in Arizona is one of the biggest aftershocks yet," Vice President Kamala Harris said at a campaign event in Tuscon on Friday.

She called Trump "the architect of this health care crisis" and argued a second Trump term would mean "more bans, more suffering, less freedom."

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs gives a brief speech prior to President Joe Biden's remarks at the Tempe Center for the Arts on Sept. 28, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. Hobbs has called on the Arizona legislature to repeal the 1864 ban.

Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote, said Trump appears mindful that far-reaching laws that restrict abortion access could make his re-election difficult. He and the other pro-life activists interviewed for this story emphasized that Trump remains the best alternative to President Biden for pro-life voters in the upcoming election.

"Trump may hold the position that, under the circumstances, states shouldn't go that far. And he's certainly entitled to that position. I believe he's wrong on that, but that's a far-cry from Joe Biden, who is saying he's willing to impose a nationwide abortion at any stage, for any reason, paid-for-by-taxpayers regime on the country," Burch told Fox News Digital.

Still, Johnson said that many pro-life activists she's met with have told her Trump has lost their votes with his criticisms of the Arizona law and Florida's six-week abortion ban. "It doesn't mean that they're going to go cast their vote for Biden, but they are not going to vote for Trump" she told Fox News Digital.

"I think that just saying that you're pro-life is not going to be good enough anymore for some pro-life voters," Johnson added. "And so while I think there's a lot of people who are waiting to see, and I'm one of those people who are waiting to see if Trump is going to right this ship, I think that he does need to be very careful with how he moves forward between now and the election."

Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.





Original article source: Trump risks losing key voter base with opposition to Arizona abortion law, pro-lifers say
A jury will decide whether Donald Trump is guilty of faking business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star.

But the fact is that Trump is currently paying hush money to someone elseperfectly legally.

That person is his longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, who signed a $2 million separation agreement with the Trump Organization as he began a five-month jail term for tax evasion in January 2023.

The agreement called for eight payments between March 31, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2024. Five have been made, so Trump is still on the hook for three more.

In return, Weisselberg agreed not to induce, encourage, instigate, aid, abet or otherwise cause any other person entity to bring or file a complaint, charge, lawsuit or other proceeding against Trump or anyone associated with his company.

In other words, just like Stormy Daniels did, he promised to keep his mouth shut.

Ex-Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg Is Going to Jail Again

He stuck to that when he was asked during the Trump Organizations civil bank-fraud case how Trump came to claim his penthouse is nearly three times its actual size. Weisselberg said he had no ideaand ended up charged with felony perjury and sentenced last week to a second five-month jail term.

The 74-year-old Weisselberg remained hushed in an 11-by-13 foot cell in the West Facility at Rikers Island yesterday morning as Trump set off from the 11,000-square-foot penthouse he tried to pass off in loan negotiations as a mere 31,000 square feet.

Trump descended from a residence that is on the 58th floor of Trump Towernot the 68th, as he has claimedand arrived by motorcade for the start of jury selection.

Trump himself had ducked jury service for nearly a decade until August 2015, when he was running for president against Hillary Clinton. His then-fixer Michael Cohen insisted at the time that the only reason he failed to respond to six jury duty summonses over nine years was because they had been sent to an address on Central Park South instead of Trump Tower.

When he did arrive for the long-delayed civic duty, it was in a black limousine. He waited in line with the other prospective jurors for just a few moments before just stepping to the front. There was grumbling as a court officer escorted him over to a seat.

The jury assembly supervisor announced that everyone had to wait at least a full day. Those who were not picked by 4 p.m. would be excused until they received another summons.

No one gets special treatment, the supervisor said.

In this sense anyway, that seemed to be true. Trump had to wait until the end of the day. And as people grew accustomed to his presence and he became less the center of attention, he seemed to turn into a bag of cement with no apparent inner life.

While he was definitely the center of attention at Mondays jury selection at his own trial, Trump did not seem terribly engaged. Several reporters saw him appear to briefly nod off.

Donald Trump arrives back to Trump Tower after the first day of his trial. Adam Gray/AFP via Getty

An old-school retired NYPD detective suggested aloud that this was the sleep of the guilty that can overcome the accused when they have no way to fight the charges against them. Or maybe he was simply exhausted by the strain of being the first former president to be tried for a crime.

Trump did appear fully awake when the prosecution complained that he had violated a gag order barring him from making public comments about figures in the trial. Trump has had difficulty adhering to such orders and at times seems almost determined to talk himself into becoming Weisselbergs bunkmate.

He might get there, a senior city corrections official suggested to The Daily Beast.

Not yet, though. Trump returned home Monday evening to the 31,000-square-foot penthouse that is really 11,000 square feet on the 68th floor that is really the 58th floor.

Allen Weisselberg, meanwhile, cooled his heels in that tiny Rikers cell, awaiting the next installment of his hush money.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Trump and His Team Are Already Lying About What Happened in Court

Donald Trumps first criminal trial promises to be one of the most heavily reported legal affairs in American history, but the former president and his defense team already think they can get away with lying about whats happening in the courtroom.

After leaving court on Monday following the first day of jury selection, Trump repeatedly claimed that Judge Juan Merchan had barred him from attending the high school graduation ceremony of his youngest son, Barron Trump, in May.

It looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son, Trump told reporters as he exited court on Monday.

Trump: We had some amazing things happen today. As you know, my son is graduating from high school. It looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son who's worked very, very hard and he is a great student. pic.twitter.com/XKqHAnWxwa  Acyn (@Acyn) April 15, 2024

The former president later wrote on Truth Social that Merchan had prohibited [me] from attending my son Barrons High School Graduation.

Who will explain for me, to my wonderful son, Barron, who is a GREAT Student at a fantastic School, that his Dad will likely not be allowed to attend his Graduation Ceremony, something that we have been talking about for years, because a seriously Conflicted and Corrupt New York State Judge wants me in Criminal Court on a bogus Biden Case, Trump wrote in a separate post, adding, The Judge, Juan Merchan, is preventing me from proudly attending my sons Graduation. Seems very unfair, doesnt it?

Merchan has not prevented Trump from attending his sons graduation. In fact, when asked if Trump could be excused from court on Friday to attend the event, the judge stated that it was too early to rule on the matter but that if the trial proceeded as planned, he would be open to excusing the defendant. He did, however, bar Trump from skipping trial dates to attend oral arguments on his bid to establish widespread presidential immunity from criminal prosecution, which are scheduled for next week.

As per usual, the actual events that took place in court have had little bearing on how Trumps supporters reacted to his claims. Trumps attorney, Alina Habba, repeated the accusation that Merchan barred Trump from attending the graduation during an appearance on Fox News Hannity. Habba also boosted false claims that Merchan had effectively banned observant Jews from serving on the former presidents jury.

Habba: Youre not even allowing a father attend his son's graduation? And lets not forget Passover. Ok? Observing Jews have a right to go and and and pray to who they want pic.twitter.com/sUsXRCb0Xs  Acyn (@Acyn) April 16, 2024

Trumps elder sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., called Merchan truly heartless and pure evil for allegedly preventing their father from attending the graduation. The false claim was heavily promoted by several other right-wing media figures, including Pizzagate conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec, clickbait influencer Benny Johnson, and Fox News Greg Gutfeld, who claimed Merchan had threatened Trump with arrest if he attended the graduation.

Judge Merchan yesterday: I haven't decided whether we'll suspend court for your son's graduation, but I'm willing to if we're on track



Fox last night: The judge in Trump's case said he'd arrest Trump if he went to his son's graduation pic.twitter.com/zJPVVn0fft  Lis Power (@LisPower1) April 16, 2024

Merchan made no such threat regarding Barrons commencement. He did, however, read Trump his Parker Warning  which advises defendants of their rights and responsibilities within a criminal trial. Trump was required to affirm that he understood he could be subject to arrest if he was overly disruptive in court, or failed to appear at the trial absent an authorization from the judge.

If you do not show up, there will be an arrest, Merchan said.

Trump is theoretically barred from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, and jurors involved in the case via a gag order implemented by Merchan after the former president repeatedly attacked the judge and his family in retaliation for not getting his way in pretrial motions.

This conflicted, Trump Hating Judge wont let me respond to people that are on TV lying and spewing hate all day long, Trump wrote Tuesday morning on Truth Social. I want to speak, or at least be able to respond. Election Interference! RIGGED, UNCONSTITUTIONAL TRIAL! Take off the Gag Order!!!

But for all his complaining about being silenced, the former president seems to be as loud as ever.

More from Rolling Stone

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears ahead of the start of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024 in New York City. Former President Donald Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Jabin Botsford-Pool/Getty Images)

NEW YORK  The trial of former President Donald Trump kicked off Monday in a lower Manhattan courtroom, marking the first time in U.S. history that an ex-president has been tried on criminal charges.

Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, appeared in the state of New York courtroom, where he is charged with falsifying business records to conceal a sex scandal involving a porn star.

The case, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, is one of four state and federal indictments the former president is facing. But because of delays in the other cases, it may be the only one that goes to trial before the November election, significantly boosting its potential political impact.

Jury selection began Monday afternoon, and is expected to last around two weeks.

But before potential jurors were brought in to the courtroom, Justice Juan Merchan announced rulings on several motions.

There is no agenda here. We want to follow the law. We want justice to be done.

 Justice Juan Merchan

Merchan said he would reject a motion from Trumps defense team which cited alleged conflicts of interest involving the judges family and asked him to step down from the case.

But Merchan said he would not allow the prosecution to introduce evidence about allegations that Trump committed sexual assaults, calling the claims rumors.

Braggs team wanted jurors to hear the claims, made in the leadup to the 2016 election, to bolster their case that Trump schemed to hide evidence of an affair, because he was worried about losing support from women voters.

Marc Leavitt, an anti-Trump demonstrator, plays patriotic songs on the flute outside Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on April 15, 2024, as the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump begins inside. (Zachary Roth/States Newsroom)

Merchan also said he would not allow the jury to hear the Access Hollywood tape, but that prosecutors could introduce into evidence comments made by Trump and caught on the tape. In the recording, which emerged shortly before the 2016 election, Trump brags about grabbing womens genitals, adding: When youre a star, they let you do it.

Prosecutors asked Merchan Monday to fine Trump for violating an April 1 gag order imposed by the judge. In recent social media posts, Trump attacked Michael Cohen, his former fixer, and the porn star Stormy Daniels.

Merchan said he would hear arguments April 23 on that issue.

Cohen, a former lawyer who has fallen out with Trump, is expected to be a key witness in the case, and Daniels also may testify. Defense lawyers have not yet said whether Trump will testify in his own defense.

Payments to Daniels

At the center of the case are payments totaling $130,000 to Daniels, made by Cohen in the closing weeks of the 2016 election campaign. Cohen admitted in his plea deal the payments were aimed at buying Daniels silence about an affair she says she had with Trump a decade earlier.

Trump faces 34 felony counts, and he could face a maximum of four years in prison if convicted. But Merchan also could sentence him to probation without prison time.

Legal experts have noted a major challenge facing Bragg: In New York state, falsifying business records on its own is a misdemeanor, not a felony. But it becomes a felony if the falsification was done to conceal another crime.

Bragg alleges that Trump intended to conceal state and federal campaign finance violations. The payments, prosecutors allege, were illegal and unreported donations to Trumps campaign, because if Daniels story became public, it could have damaged Trumps image when voters went to the polls.

Bragg also alleges that Trump intended to conceal a tax crime stemming from how Cohen was reimbursed for the payments to Daniels.

Prosecutors dont need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump committed these alleged underlying crimes. But they do need to show that Trump intended to conceal them  something defense lawyers are expected to strongly contest.

Political effect

The most important impact of any Trump conviction could be political. Most polling averages currently give Trump a very slim lead over President Joe Biden. But there is some evidence that if Trump were to be convicted of a felony, a small but significant slice of the electorate would be less likely to support him.

A pro-Trump demonstrator who gave his name as Hungry Santa outside Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024. (Zachary Roth/States Newsroom)

Though the charges in the case may seem simultaneously salacious and dry  prosecutors will present reams of sometimes arcane corporate documents  democracy advocates say it in fact involves important principles, and centers on a scheme to undermine a fair election.

This is not a case solely about hush money payments, Norm Eisen, a legal analyst and prominent Trump critic who was Democratic co-counsel for the U.S. House Judiciary Committee during Trumps first impeachment, told reporters Thursday. Its about Trumps alleged actions to hide information from voters to cover up election interference.

In a small park outside the Manhattan Criminal Court, Trump supporters gathered Monday to affirm their loyalty to the former president, and to lambaste the trial  as Trump himself has frequently done  as a politically motivated witch hunt.

Whats happening in that courtroom is a total sham, said Steve Merczynski, of New York City, who wore a hand-embroidered scarf declaring MAGA again.

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This is all run by the Biden criminal administration, Merczynski added. (There is no evidence that the Biden administration influenced the prosecution.)

Another Trump supporter, Dion Cini, said he didnt want to judge Trumps personal life.

Ive been to Thailand three times, said Cini, a New Yorker who was once banned from Disney World for holding a Trump 2020 flag on Splash Mountain. What do you think I do in Thailand, just sit in a chair? No, I go out and have fun and meet women. Thats what we do as men.

Among the few anti-Trump demonstrators was Marc Leavitt, who stood on a park bench as he played the national anthem and other patriotic songs on a flute.

I think the rule of law should proceed appropriately, and thats whats happening today, said Leavitt. And thats a very good thing for America.

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The post Trump on trial: Former president faces criminal charges of falsifying business records appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Trump trial: Jury selection to resume after possible jurors excused for saying they could not be impartial

Trump trial: Jury selection to resume after possible jurors excused for saying they could not be impartial

The second day of jury selection in former President Trumps Manhattan criminal trial is expected to begin Tuesday after half of prospective jurors were excused Monday for saying they could not be impartial toward the presumptive Republican nominee.

Court is expected to begin again for the second day of Trumps trial at 9:30 a.m. and will resume with jury selection.

The trial comes after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged the former president with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree related to alleged hush money payments made before the 2016 presidential election.

HUSH MONEY TRIAL JUDGE TEES UP RULING ON WHETHER TRUMP VIOLATED GAG ORDER, SHOULD PAY THOUSANDS

Former President Trump is shown in a Manhattan courtroom on April 15, 2024.

Trump pleaded not guilty to all counts last year.

"Its a scam. Its a political witch hunt," Trump said after court adjourned Monday.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Prospective jurors were asked to answer 42 questions from a questionnaire that reviews the individuals work history, political affiliation and what media they chose to watch and listen to.

TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL BEGINS IN NEW YORK CITY WITH JURY SELECTION

But more than 50 of the original 96 prospective jurors were excused almost immediately for admitting they could not serve as impartial jurors. Several were excused due to other issues.

New York Judge Juan Merchan is presiding over the trial, despite Trumps request to have him recuse himself due to his alleged hostility toward the former president and due to his daughters work with Democrat politicians.

Merchan, from the bench on Monday, said there was "no basis" for him to recuse himself.

The judge later addressed the former president directly, telling him that he has a right to be present at the trial each day to assist in his defense.

Merchan warned the former president that if he disrupts proceedings in any way, he would be held in contempt and could be removed from the court. Merchan also said that if Trump is required to appear and fails to do so, a warrant would be issued for his arrest.

Trump did not verbally respond but nodded in agreement with the judge.

The trial is expected to last for approximately six weeks. The court will not meet on Wednesdays and will not meet on Monday, April 29.

After jurors were excused for the day, Merchan rejected a defense request that Trump be excused from the trial next Thursday to attend arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Former President Trump appears with his legal team at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on April 15, 2024.

9 QUESTIONS ABOUT TRUMP TRIAL, ANSWERED

The high court is hearing arguments on April 25 on the issue of presidential immunity and on whether Trump is immune from prosecution in Special Counsel Jack Smiths election interference case.

"Arguing before the Supreme Court is a big deal, and I can certainly appreciate why your client would want to be there, but a trial in New York Supreme Court  is also a big deal," Merchan said, rebuffing Trump lawyer Todd Blanches request.

Merchan added, "I will see him here next week."

Trump also requested to attend the high school graduation ceremony for his son, Barron Trump, on May 17. Merchan has not yet decided on whether the former president can be present to celebrate his son.

"It looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son who's worked very, very hard," Trump said after court adjourned Monday. "He's a great student, and he's very proud of the fact that he did so well and was looking forward for years to have graduation with his mother and father there. And it looks like the judge isn't going to allow me to escape this scam; it's a scam trial."

Former President Trump addresses the media outside court in Manhattan on April 15, 2024.

Meanwhile, Merchan had imposed a gag order on Trump last month due to his "prior extrajudicial statements." Merchan said they established "a sufficient risk to the administration of justice."

Merchan ordered that Trump cannot make or direct others to make public statements about witnesses concerning their potential participation or about counsel in the case  other than Bragg  or about court staff, DA staff or family members of staff.

Merchan also ordered that Trump cannot make or direct others to make public statements about any prospective juror or chosen juror.

POTENTIAL TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL JURORS BEING ASKED 42 QUESTIONS

In court Monday, prosecutors from Braggs office argued that Trump had violated his gag order on three separate occasions on social media. Prosecutors said Trump should be fined $3,000 for the three alleged violations of the gag order  $1,000 for each violation.

"The defendant is aware of the April 1 order. We know that from various posts he had made," said prosecutor Christopher Conroy.

"We think it is important for the court to remind Mr. Trump is a criminal defendant," Conroy added, flagging that Trump might have again violated the gag order Monday morning while attending court.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg

TRUMP CALLS HUSH MONEY TRIAL 'ASSAULT ON AMERICA' AS CASE OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF

Blanche argued that the three posts highlighted by prosecutors did not violate the gag order.

"He is responding to salacious, repeated, vehement attacks by these witnesses," Blanche said.

Merchan said he will hear arguments on whether Trump violated the gag order on April 23 at 9:30 a.m.

Bragg, last April, charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. The charges are related to alleged hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Former President Trump leaves Trump Tower in New York City on April 15, 2024.

The DA alleged that Trump "repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election."

TRUMP PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO 34 FELONY COUNTS OF FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS LINKED TO 2016 HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS

According to New York state law, a charge of falsifying business records in the first degree alleges that the defendant committed a crime of falsifying business records with the intent to defraud. The intent to defraud would be an intent to commit another crime.

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In 2019, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York investigated the matter and opted not to charge Trump related to the alleged payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

The Federal Election Commission also tossed its investigation into the matter in 2021.

Fox News' Grace Taggart contributed to this report.





Original article source: Trump trial: Jury selection to resume after possible jurors excused for saying they could not be impartial
Trump trial update: Trump rebuked by judge for speaking during jury selection  and 7 jurors are seated

This is Yahoo News' succinct update on the criminal and civil cases against former President Donald Trump. Here are the latest developments:

 What happened today

On Tuesday, the second day of former President Donald Trumps hush money trial, Judge Juan Merchan rebuked defense lawyers after Trump was heard muttering his disapproval of an answer given by a potential juror in the case. I wont tolerate that, Merchan told Trump lawyer Todd Blanche. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. The proceedings moved swiftly, however, with seven jurors being sworn in and Merchan signaling that opening arguments could begin on Monday.

 Tell me more

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass began his questioning with a simple observation: Let's start with the obvious: The defendant in this case is both a former president and current candidate for that office.

He told the jurors who had made it through a preliminary round of questioning that the trial was not a referendum on President Trump.

This case is about whether this man broke the law, he continued. Did he falsify business records to cover up an agreement to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election?

Todd Blanche, one of Trumps lawyers, began his questioning of potential jurors by saying the trial was extraordinarily serious and that it was important that Trump get a fair shake.

Blanche sought to disqualify several jurors because of their activity on social media. He questioned one woman about a video posted to Facebook on Election Day 2020 that showed people reacting to Bidens victory. The woman said it captured what seemed like a celebratory moment in New York City. Merchan ruled that posting the video did not disqualify her from serving on the jury, to which Trump reacted with gestures and commentary.

That earned Trump his rebuke from the judge, who told Blanche to speak to his client.

Yes, your honor, Blanche responded, while Trump looked on angrily.

Merchan did dismiss some jurors based on their social media activity, however.

In all, Trumps lawyers used six of the 10 challenges they were allowed to dismiss prospective jurors without giving a reason. Prosecutors also used six of theirs.

After he left the courtroom, Trump called Merchan a conflicted judge and added, "We're having a hard time with the New York state system.

Court does not meet on Wednesdays, so jury selection continues on Thursday, with five more jurors and six alternates needing to be sworn in before opening arguments in the historic trial can get underway.

 The background

 Trump's trials and legal cases
Former U.S. President Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records continues in New York

By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Trade Organization's chief said on Tuesday that U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump's proposal to impose a 10% import tariff would prompt retaliation from partners, resulting in a "lose-lose" situation that could upend the trading system.

"If this is done, it is obviously not helpful to WTO rules. I think it will result most likely in a tit-for-tat approach. Other members will also look to levy these sorts of charges in return; that's what I think," said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Okonjo-Iweala was responding to a question about the impact of the proposal by Trump, a Republican, to slap a 10% tariff on all imports were he to defeat Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 U.S. election.

"And then I think we will have a little bit of a free-for-all which would upend the stability and predictability of trade," she added, saying she hoped it would not happen.

Okonjo-Iweala, whose campaign to be WTO chief was opposed by the U.S. in 2020 under Trump, was speaking at an event at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington to mark the global trade watchdog's 30th anniversary.

It was the first time she publicly commented on the impact of another Trump presidency on trade.

During his four-year term, Trump regularly criticised the organisation's work and blocked appointments of judges to its top appeals bench which remains paralysed four years later.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Madeline Chambers and Jonathan Oatis)
Former President Trump's plan for Ukraine aid to be granted as a loan could be the determining factor that pushes a supplemental aid package across the finish line in Congress.

Several congressional aides on both sides of the aisle noted potential support for Trump's idea for assistance to the country  which is in an ongoing war with Russia  in the form of a zero-interest loan with an unlimited lifespan. The likelihood of support for such a measure is especially high if it is determined to be the only way to pass an aid package to Ukraine and Israel.

US MILITARY SHOOTS DOWN 'DOZENS' OF IRANIAN DRONES FIRED AT ISRAEL AS JEWISH STATE AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM EXCELS

Former President Trump's Ukraine loan idea could be what unifies Democrats and Republicans in the Senate as they look to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

In the wake of a massive Iranian drone attack on Israel over the weekend, a renewed sense of urgency was placed on lobbying attempts for aid in Congress, which were already underway.

JOHNSON TO PITCH HOUSE GOP ON ISRAEL, UKRAINE AID PLANS IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING

The Senate passed a $95.3 billion foreign aid package that included Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in February. Despite passing the upper chamber, it managed to split the Republican conference, several of whom had been critical of continued aid to Ukraine. A number of Republican senators were also unhappy that the package didn't address the southern border crisis.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seeking more aid for his country.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has yet to bring the supplemental package to the House floor for a vote, despite many House Republicans having urged him to do so. The package would likely pass, but with significant Republican opposition.

With a path forward on foreign aid still unclear, House Republican leaders are set to meet Monday evening to discuss potential ways to address both Israel and Ukraine.

FRANCE, GERMANY URGE CITIZENS TO LEAVE IRAN, CANCEL FLIGHTS AMID INCREASED RISK OF MILITARY ESCALATION

According to several Democrat congressional aides, the attack on Iran isn't likely to make Senate Democrats more amenable to a standalone bill for Israel. This is partially because Ukraine aid would have more difficulty passing without being tied to Israel. One Democrat aide even suggested that standalone Israel aid would face trouble passing without the allotment for Ukraine.

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on April 14, 2024.

What the attack on Israel at the hands of Iran is more likely to prompt from Democrats is an even harder push for the House to take up the Senate-passed supplemental bill, per one congressional aide.

While Senate Democrats still prefer the supplemental bill and believe it is the fastest way to get aid to Israel, they aren't completely opposed to other ways of obtaining it.

BIDEN TO HOST IRAQ'S LEADER AFTER IRAN'S ATTACK ON ISRAEL SPURS CHAOS ACROSS MIDDLE EAST

Two aides told Fox News Digital that numerous Senate Democrats are open to advancing a package that combines aid for Ukraine and Israel, with the provision that assistance to Ukraine is extended as a loan, aligning with Trump's proposal.

capitol hill

This is especially true if it presents a faster opportunity to get aid to both countries.

Republicans are similarly interested in the idea of the aid as a loan, per two GOP aides.

A Senate Republican aide indicated that the appetite for the supplemental package, which was passed but severely divided Republicans, likely remains the same. Instead, the recent attack on Israel renewed the desire to pass Israel aid apart from Ukraine and Taiwan, which Democrats have largely rejected.





Original article source: Trump's loan proposal for Ukraine aid may be common ground for comprehensive foreign aid package
Donald Trump  now a former president on trial  has sought to turn his legal peril into a boost for his presidential campaign, animating his supporters and attempting to sow doubt about the motives of his opponents.

But facing 34 counts of felony charges, Trump argued on the historic first day of his New York hush money trial that he is the victim of a criminal justice system weaponized against him.

He called it an assault on the nation. And as the presumptive Republican nominee for president, he repeatedly attacked the prosecution for waging "election interference."

It is why Im very proud to be here, Trump said.

Trump intends to be involved at every level to the extent possible, from court conferences to the jury selection process, his defense attorney Todd Blanche said.

President Trump wants to be present at everything, Blanche said.

For much of the day, Trump was seated at the defense table flanked by his attorneys. At times, his voice could be heard in the back of the courtroom, though not what he was saying. At other moments, Trump shut his eyes  drawing speculation about whether he was still awake or just lost in thought.

Here is what happened during Monday's proceedings:

Jury selection

About 500 New Yorkers arrived for Day 1 of Trumps criminal trial over hush money payments for a process that will take days  and could take weeks  as the court works to weed out jurors who could be swayed by strong biases or stealth jurors who may be hiding theirs.

Questions like Are you, or have you ever been a member of groups like the Oath Keepers, or 3 percenters? referring to another far-right group, are used to narrow the pool. Other questions, say about a prospective jurors hobbies or educational background, are a less overtly political way to gauge a juror's potential fairness.

By the time the judge presiding over the case, Juan Merchan, said he was ready to begin jury selection, about 200 Manhattanites were in the courthouse waiting to find out whether they would be selected.

Trump was seated at the defense table as the first batch of 96 jurors was brought into the courtroom, filling the pews behind him. Their names and those of any other prospective jurors must be kept secret  except to the defense and the prosecution.

Speaking to his lawyer, Trump gestured with his hands as Merchan discussed the handling of jury pool names. The defense and the prosecution each received copies of the potential jurors' names, which Merchan has said cannot in any way be duplicated and must be returned to the court. They also received copies of juror numbers.

It can be an intimidating process. More than half of prospective jurors from the first batch of 96  at least 50  were excused after they said they could not be fair and impartial. Nine more were excused when Merchan asked them whether there were other reasons for which they could not serve.

Half of the remaining pool of about 34 were called to start voir dire, in which they would be queried by both parties, including about their media consumption habits. Trump appeared to track the process closely, reading along as it got underway.

Witnesses

Trump allegedly told his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen to send porn star Stormy Daniels hush money during his run for president in 2016, a claim that is at the center of the charges in this case. Prosecutors say that was part of a scheme to suppress negative stories about Trump in the lead-up to Election Day, which they argue should be charged as election interference.

Trump has denied the charges, but prosecutors say that he is going after those he claims are attacking him, including key witnesses in the case  and that he has made that a tactic.

The defendant himself has publicly embraced the public strategy of going after his perceived enemies, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said.

Defending Trump, Blanche said he is the one facing attack by witnesses against him.

He is responding to salacious, repeated, vehement attacks by these witnesses, Blanche said.

Inside the courtroom, large monitors showed a closed-circuit feed of the judge and the defense and prosecution tables.

In court, Merchan read through a list of possible witnesses, name-checking members of Trumps family, including his children Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump; his wife, Melania; and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Merchan named longtime associates of Trump, such as Kellyanne Conway, Dan Scavino and Rudy Giuliani; his bodyguard Keith Schiller; and White House aides John McEntee, Hope Hicks and Madeleine Westerhout.

The risk of jail time

Trump, who must be in the courtroom for every day of the trial, has decried the case as a persecution like never before, and on Monday, standing outside the courtroom, he argued that it constitutes an attack on a political opponent.

Merchan warned Trump that he risks jail time if he disrupts the trial, which would continue in his absence. Already, prosecutors are seeking to impose thousands of dollars in fines for three alleged violations of a gag order, including Monday mornings.

If Trump fails to show up, a warrant could be issued for his arrest, an obligation that his campaign lambasted as Banana Republic tactics.

It is a case that should never have been brought, Trump said.

The trial could drag on for weeks, rerouting to New York a presidential campaign that otherwise could be making overtures to voters in some of the states Trump will need to win in November.

He resumed his criticism as the day came to a close, airing among his grievances a ruling by Merchan barring him from attending arguments at the Supreme Court about the question of whether he is entitled to presidential immunity, which he has raised in another of his criminal cases.

This is about election interference, Trump said outside the courtroom.

He lashed out on social media, as well, posting articles on Truth Social that denounced the case as politically driven and reposting support from a variety of defenders.

As in his other cases, Trump did not shy away from leveraging his latest legal entanglement for a campaign boost.

A fundraising text message went out at the same time, thundering that he would never surrender. Trumps fundraising has surged during moments of potential legal peril, delivering him much-needed financial and messaging boosts as he navigates the challenges of another White House run.

On the first day of his trial, Trump made the court case his pitch.

I JUST STORMED OUT OF COURT! he hammered in the message. They think Im finished but ILL NEVER SURRENDER.

Admissible or not?

As prosecutors played evidence to the court that Trumps lawyers argued should not be admissible, Trump, seated at the defense table, watched along on a monitor. That included an excerpt from Trumps deposition in the E. Jean Carroll case in which he defended his lewd comments on an "Access Hollywood" tape that surfaced in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, as well as remarks from at a campaign rally late in that election cycle, when he showed concern over what he said were false accusations.

Jurors should know Trumps exact words, prosecutors argued. They also displayed tweets they said were evidence of Trumps pressure campaign on Cohen not to cooperate with prosecutors.

Merchan reinforced a ruling that the "Access Hollywood" could not be played to the jury  though it could be discussed  and barred prosecutors from introducing the deposition video about it.

When prosecutors asked to introduce evidence about allegations of Trumps coordination with the National Enquirer to catch and kill stories potentially devastating to his 2016 campaign, Trumps attorney dismissed the request as a sideshow. Merchan ruled that the evidence would be admissible.

In a win for the defense, Merchan denied prosecutors request to bring in other allegations against Trump of sexual assault. Complete hearsay, he called them.

Merchan gave Trump a 24-hour deadline to enter final exhibits into evidence. You have 24 hours, he ordered. "Whatever you dont identify in the next 24 hours, you will be precluded from using.

What's next?

Merchan said he would wait to hear arguments next week about whether Trump violated his gag order by posting social media comments about witnesses in the case.

Last week, Trump said he would "absolutely" testify in the trial, and Tuesday, Merchan will conduct a hearing designed to ensure that the decision is well-informed. Known as a Sandoval hearing, it will delve into what could come up under cross-examination when Trump is on the witness stand.

Merchan rejected a request that Trump be excused April 25 to attend the Supreme Court arguments about the immunity claim.

In another of his cases, Trump has argued that he should be able to push back two filing deadlines on the basis that his attorneys will be overloaded with the New York trial over the coming six weeks. The request shows how the trial has become the latest opportunity for Trump's team to stall forward momentum on the legal charges against him.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Trump's trial: A 'freak show' on the outside and solemn on the inside

Inside a courthouse nestled between Tribeca and Chinatown on Monday morning, former President Donald Trump's lawyers argued with the district attorney's office over procedures for a hush-money case that could send an ex-commander in chief to prison for the first time in American history.

New York state Judge Juan Merchan advised lawyers that he was getting a little annoyed by the "minutiae." With a pool of 500 prospective jurors waiting, he wanted to get started with the process of picking 12.

Merchan also delivered Trump his "Parker warnings," among them that he could be jailed for contempt if he is absent without leave at any point during the trial. Trump, betraying little emotion, said he understood.

Outside, in a sun-filled park across the street, peculiarity reigned over pedantry.

A smattering of pro-Trump demonstrators  some wearing costumes, others carrying signs, one temporarily lowering the top of her dinosaur-themed one-piece before writhing on the ground in performative ecstasy  lent their support to Trump, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee.

The presence of high-profile gawkers accentuated the carnival-like nature of the gathering: "The Daily Show's" Jordan Klepper, former Republican gubernatorial candidate Andrew Giuliani and filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi, a daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

"I never miss a freak show," said the younger Pelosi, a longtime resident of nearby Greenwich Village.

The unlikely tandem of Klepper and Giuliani provided a clear window into a series of truths about this trial: The charges are at once the least consequential of those pending against Trump and as fundamental to democracy as the question of whether special treatment  either targeting or protection  can be avoided in the case of such a powerful figure.

Sensing an opportunity, Giuliani, the son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, agreed to talk on camera with Klepper, a master of man-on-the-street interviews that leave the subjects looking foolish. After all, the coin of the realm in Trump's domain is defending the big guy in tough, televised interviews.

But the younger Giuliani, a Trump White House official in his own right, was worried enough about the outcome  and aware enough of the art of video editing  that he asked an associate to make his own recording of the full interview.

Additional cameras seldom provide additional protection, and this case was no exception. Pelosi couldnt help but watch the scene unfold.

Klepper wasn't interested in the high-stakes trial inside. Many Democrats are more exercised about the other charges Trump faces  he has been indicted in federal and Georgia courts for efforts to overturn the 2020 election and in another federal court over allegations that he illegally retained classified documents.

What Klepper wanted to know  with Giuliani amounting to a stand-in for his father  was whether Trump's rhetoric would lead to violence. Trump recently said in a fundraising email that "all hell" would break loose at his trial. Before the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, Trump told supporters that "if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore.

Giuliani noted that the crowd outside the courthouse was definitively peaceful. Then, he went further.

"I was in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, as well," he said. "I was with President Trump. I remember him talking about peacefully protesting."

That was the gotcha moment Klepper was waiting for.

"Some people were talking about peaceful protest," Klepper said. "Some people also on Jan. 6 were talking about trial by combat. Do you know anybody who was talking about that?"

It was Rudy Giuliani who had called for "trial by combat" at the Trump rally preceding the sacking of the Capitol. His son declined to identify him. The interview turned more, well, combative after that.

"Oh, funny guy," Andrew Giuliani said with disdain. "Lets get a brain in there."

Almost lost in the exchange was the message Giuliani wanted to deliver: that Democrats are trying to take Trump "off the campaign trail," which amounts to "the death of our constitutional republic."

Like most satire, Klepper's interview was revealing.

It was a reminder that the hush money trial has much less to do with whether Trump is fit to serve as president than the election interference and classified documents cases  even though it carries with it the grave potential consequence of a major-party nominee's being convicted of a crime during the stretch run of a presidential campaign.

Trump's critics argue that his push to silence porn actress Stormy Daniels amounts to an illegal benefit to his own 2016 campaign. He shouldn't be above the law, they contend, just as his allies argue he has been unjustly targeted for political purposes.

The spur-of-the-moment on-camera exchange between Giuliani and Klepper, two figures deeply engaged with American politics, also reflected and underscored the degree to which the right and left talk past each other.

Neither suggested that the trial is important because it will determine whether Trump committed crimes.

Klepper tried to sidestep that question. Giuliani used the trial as a foil for the argument that Trump is being persecuted.

It could be easy to forget, amid the onlookers, that the jurors will render a decision as simple and prosaic as whether one man broke the law by falsifying documents and as consequential as whether a former president, and current candidate, should be held accountable.

Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett, who wasn't at the trial, said the political landscape may not change based on the outcome.

"At the end of the day, I'm not sure this trial about a transaction from 2016 will have a superseding effect on what voters want for policy and a vision for the future of the country," he said.

Outside the first day of the trial smacked of a Ringling Bros. production. Inside the courtroom, just across Centre Street, the solemn nature of the work ahead was evident.

When the first group of 96 prospective jurors passed through metal detectors and into the courtroom around 2:30 p.m., filling every available seat, Trump twisted his neck to take a look. He later stood and turned to acknowledge them when he was named as the defendant.

At times during the lengthy proceedings, he suggested uninterest or exhaustion by closing his eyes.

Most of the jurors sat quietly and expressionless. Merchan emphasized his desire to shield their identities from the public, going so far as to warn the rival legal teams not to reproduce lists of their names. More than half of them were dismissed when they raised their hands to say they couldnt be impartial in the trial.

One dismissed prospective juror was overheard in a hallway saying, "I just couldn't do it."

Finding 12 adults with no particular feelings about Donald J. Trump and with the will to sit through a multiweek trial is no easy feat. That process will continue inside Merchan's court. For the rest of the world, the "freak show" rolls along on the outside.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Tuesday evening news briefing: Police shut down conservative conference while Farage was on stage

Good evening. Police officers in Brussels moved to shut down a conservative conference with immediate effect while Nigel Farage was on stage.



Elsewhere, Liz Truss has claimed that Rishi Sunaks flagship plan to ban smoking effectively infantilises people, as she joined a Tory revolt against it.

Police shut down conservative conference while Farage was on stage

Officers entered the venue hosting National Conservatism to serve a court order that demanded the conference be ended on the grounds it endangered public safety. The police document suggested speeches by speakers including Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman could lead to public disorder or display racist and homophobic views.

Sunaks smoking ban infantilises people, Liz Truss claims

MPs are debating the Governments proposals in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which includes a progressive ban on smoking and would outlaw disposable vapes. The Bill will be put to a free vote tonight, which means Cabinet members and ordinary Tory MPs can vote against Mr Sunaks plan without facing any disciplinary action. You can watch the live debate here.

Prayer ban at Katharine Birbalsinghs school is lawful, High Court rules

A High Court judge has ruled a prayer ban imposed at Katharine Birbalsinghs school is lawful. Michaela Community School in Brent, north-west London, has defended a legal challenge from a Muslim pupil, who claimed the schools ban on prayer rituals was discriminatory.

Evening Briefing: Todays essential headlines

Horizon IT inquiry | Sir Tony Blairs Labour government told the Post Office to pay its bosses generous bonuses, the inquiry has heard.

Watch: Spire of Copenhagens historic stock exchange collapses as building burns

A major fire broke out at Copenhagens old stock exchange on Tuesday morning, collapsing the twirled spire that was once an integral part of the Danish capitals skyline. Click here to see more footage of the blaze.

Comment and analysis

Feature of the day

The secret to the perfect holiday in the Lake District

From Wordsworth to Wainwright, explore the UKs most-visited National Park with our insider guide.

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Business news: Hunt warned not to exploit quirk that could deliver 12bn tax cut

Jeremy Hunt has the headroom to cut national insurance contributions by another 2p in a potential pre-election boost to workers.



Live markets news: FTSE suffers worst plunge in over a year amid global sell-off

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Sport briefing: Todays essential headlines

If you want to receive twice-daily briefings like this by email, sign up to the Front Page newsletter here. For two-minute audio updates, try The Briefing - on podcasts and smart speakers.

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Tusk: Denmark and Poland are not considering any scenarios other than preserving integral independent Ukraine

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, after meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, has said that their countries plan to help Ukraine actively and do not consider any other scenarios than those in which Ukraine will remain an independent state.

Source: RMF24 reported that Tusk said this after a meeting with his Danish counterpart in Poland, as European Pravda writes

Details: Tusk said that Frederiksen and he share identical views on European security and support for Ukraine.

Quote: "We will work together now and in the future for a united, clear and honest EU position on the war in Ukraine. We will be among those who help and mobilise others to help Ukraine. Denmark and Poland rule out any scenario other than one in which Ukraine preserves its territorial integrity and independence," Donald Tusk said.

Tusk reiterated that Denmark and Poland are members of several coalitions to supply weapons to Ukraine within the Ramstein format, including artillery, armoured vehicles, unmanned systems and cyber security.

He noted that, in general, the EU is now "in a better moral and ethical shape" than it was a few years ago, meaning that European states are really ready to help Ukraine and Germany, which once flatly refused to provide weapons, is giving Ukraine additional Patriots.

Quote: "It's not just a symbolic gesture; it's a new approach... European leaders of allied countries say they are ready to spend more and more," said Donald.

Quote: "The EU has proved to be much more effective than some other players in the world when it comes to numbers," the Polish prime minister said, "and this trend should be maintained.

At the briefing, he also said that he and the Danish prime minister had talked about creating a common European system of sky protection in case of war.

Background: On Monday, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives introduced a new bill to help Ukraine, separate from Israel's, in which part of the aid is proposed to be provided on credit.

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Tusk: Poland must improve air defences to be 'as secure as Israel'

Poland aims to improve its air defences until it is "as secure as Israel," Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in Warsaw on Tuesday, following a cabinet meeting on national security.

Tusk noted that Israel had intercepted almost all missiles and drones fired at it by Iran over the weekend, while Ukraine, Poland's neighbour to the south, is only able to intercept a third of Russian missiles.

"Our task today consists in using every system for the defence of Polish airspace to make Poland as secure as Israel," he said. The conclusion to be drawn was that airspace had to be controlled to improve Poland's security, he said.

Tusk added that Poland was interested in joining the German "European Sky Shield" initiative, which would include several European countries acquiring Germany's Iris-T missiles with the aim of securing European airspace.

Poland has been a staunch military ally of Ukraine in its attempt to fight off the Russian invasion over the past two years. It is also an important hub for Western arms deliveries to Ukraine. Poland is thus seen by Russia as a potential enemy.

Germany has provided Ukraine with Iris-T missile systems and has pledged further deliveries.
OTTAWA, Kan.  The Franklin County Attorneys Office has charged two men following a chase and shots being fired at law enforcement last week on Interstate 35.

Carlos Montano-Diaz, 43, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is charged with unlawful distribution of methamphetamine and fleeing from police. No bond has been set at this time.

Formal charges are still pending in Johnson County against Montano-Diaz for the shooting. A case alleging aggravated assault and felony interference with law enforcement has been forwarded to the Johnson County District Attorneys Office for review.

Affidavits detail alleged plot targeting 2 Kansas women

Frank Rinderknecht Jr., 55, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is charged with unlawful distribution of methamphetamine and speeding. Hes being held on a $500,000 cash bond.

According to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office, deputies attempted to stop someone for speeding on I-35, near Utah Road on Tuesday, April 9. While talking with the people inside the vehicle, deputies became suspicious of drug possession and/or use.

The driver of the vehicle, Rinderknecht, was removed from the vehicle for questioning. When deputies returned to the vehicle to question the passenger, Montano-Diaz, he locked the doors and moved to the drivers seat and drove away.

Rinderknecht was detained at the scene.

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Deputies began chasing the suspect vehicle north on I-35. During the chase, Montano-Diaz allegedly fired a handgun at deputies on at least two occasions, according to the sheriffs office.

Montano-Diaz then lost control of the vehicle and crashed on I-35 near Moonlight Road in Gardner. He then ran into a wooded area before being taken into custody.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Two decades after Abu Ghraib scandal, three detainees get their day in US court

A civil trial against a US defense contractor accused of engaging in and directing abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq began Monday in Alexandria, Virginia, two decades after revelations of horrific torture first surfaced.

The trial started with testimony from one of the Iraqi men, who said he was beaten, interrogated and left bound and naked for hours on end at the infamous site. The proceeding marks the first time these Abu Ghraib survivors are able to bring their claims of torture to a US jury.

I wished to die, Salah Al-Ejaili, one of the three plaintiffs in the case, told the jury Monday, recounting the fear and terror he felt during the 40 days he was held in Abu Ghraib.

Al-Ejaili and two other Iraqi men are suing military contract company CACI, who they say was in charge of the interrogations at Abu Ghraib, a US Army detention center for captured Iraqis. The discovery of graphic photos depicting guards abusing detainees sparked global outrage in 2004.

CACI has denied wrongdoing.

Al-Ejaili, a freelance journalist who now lives in Sweden after seeking asylum there, detailed how individuals at the prison tortured him before interrogation sessions in November and December 2003.

The people at the prison, who Al-Ejaili described as wearing military and civilian clothing, would place a black bag over his head, force him to strip naked and bound his hands to a wall for long stretches in a cold, empty room.

He detailed the humiliation, beatings and psychological torture he endured under the blinding lights and loud music of the prison, where sleep was nearly impossible.

At one point during his detainment and torture, Al-Ejaili testified that he vomited black bile, with his stomach feeling as if it wanted to come out. A member of the US military ordered him to mop up the vomit with his own red prison uniform, he said.

We would hear the screams of the detainees, during interrogation sessions, Al-Ejaili testified.

During opening statements, John OConnor, an attorney for CACI, placed the blame for the torture at Abu Ghraib on a handful of bad apples who were US military police.

Those sadistic individuals, OConnor said, have already been tried and  in some cases  sentenced to prison after being court-martialed.

Theres no question that abuse happened, OConnor said, adding that there was no evidence CACI employees harmed the three plaintiffs and that the US military was responsible for the management of the prison, not CACI.

CACI was hired by the US military because they were dreadfully short on interrogators OConnor said, telling the jury that CACI was a respectable company.

Baher Azmy, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said CACI interrogators instructed and participated in the abuse and that while the jury could not clean the stain Abu Ghraib has left on the country, they could provide some justice.

The civil trial is expected to last two weeks and is set to feature testimony  over video conference  from the other two plaintiffs who still live in Iraq, as well as members of the US military convicted for their role in the abuse at Abu Ghraib.

US District Judge Leonie Brinkema is presiding over the case.

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Two men injured by tractor-trailer crash on I-81N in Wythe County

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  The Virginia State Police(VSP) says one man has been seriously injured in an accident involving two tractor-trailers on Interstate 81 North on April 15 in Wythe County.

VSP says around 9:50 p.m. on Monday, a tractor-trailer driven by 29-year-old Ricky G. Hammond of Phoenix, Arizona was partially parked in the emergency lane and the northbound lane of I-81. A second tractor-trailer driven by 34-year-old Khamid Eshkobilov, of Brooklyn, New York, then collided with Hammonds truck, causing it to slam into the guardrail. Both vehicles then ignited into flames.

Driver hospitalized after ejecting from car during rollover crash in Campbell County

Ricky Hammond suffered minor injuries and was charged with improper stopping on a highway.

Khamid Eshkobilov suffered serious injuries.

Police say both drivers were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The investigation into the crash is still ongoing. WFXR News will update you with more information as it becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Two people killed in crash involving a car and minivan, South Carolina cops say

Two people were killed Sunday when a car and minivan crashed on a major interstate, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

The two-vehicle collision happened at about 9:40 a.m. on a stretch of Interstate 95 running through Colleton County, said Lance Cpl. Lena Butler.

Both a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan and a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu sedan were driving north on I-95, according to Butler. Near the 54 mile marker the car collided with the minivan, Butler said.

The Chevy then ran off the right side of I-95 where it hit a ditch and flipped over before crashing into a tree, according to Butler.

Both the driver and a passenger in the Chevy died at the scene, Butler said.

The Colleton County Coroners Office has not publicly identified the occupants of the Chevy.

There were also two people in the Chrysler minivan, but neither was hurt, according to Butler. No other injuries were reported.

There was no word if anyone involved in the crash was wearing a seat belt.

Information about what caused the original collision between the vehicles was not available, but the wreck continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.

Through Sunday, 242 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 999 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least six people have died in Colleton County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were 16 deaths reported in the county in 2023, DPS reported.
"Tears were running down my face," El-Fadel Arbab told CBS News of his joyous reunion with his wife and two young sons. "I just wanted to cry from all the happiness."

After 332 anxious days brought on by the war that has now raged in Sudan for a year, the Sudanese-American's worry, work, and wait to reunite with his family finally came to an end.

One day in late March, Arbab waited in the arrivals hall at Boston's Logan International Airport, holding a poster decorated with red hearts and yellow smiley faces he'd cut out himself. In English and Arabic were the phrases: "We love you!" and "We are happy you are here!"

The security doors opened, and 3-year-old Ehab and 7-year-old Eyad, both sporting blue suits and ties, entered the United States for the first time. Zienab Abaker, in a peach-colored head covering, smiled and hugged her husband.

El-Fadel Arbab greets his wife Zienab Abaker and their two sons, 3-year-old Ehab and 7-year-old Eyad, at Boston's Logan International Airport, in late March 2024, after they arrived from Saudi Arabia. / Credit: Courtesy of El-Fadel Arbab

A nightmare, followed by "a dream come true"

Arbab's family fled Sudan's embattled capital city of Khartoum with a United Nations convoy just two weeks after war broke out. They made it to the Port of Sudan, on the country's east coast, joining millions of others trying to escape the bloodshed as rival military and paramilitary commanders battled for power over the country.

A U.S. Navy ship ferried Abaker and her boys, along with 300 other refugees, east across the Red Sea to the Port of Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia. But by then, her husband Arbab, working in Portland, Maine, had lost contact with his family.

"No WiFi. No phone. We were researching if any news or anything," he said.

Then, last spring, he saw a photograph of his wife and boys featured in an article on CBSNews.com, part of a series of reports as our team sailed from Jeddah to Port Sudan and then back again on a Saudi naval ship ferrying refugees. The image, taken by a Reuters photographer, showed Abaker and the boys undergoing screening by a U.S. soldier at Port Sudan. It was proof they had safely made it to the coast, at least.

"I was just in tears," he said. "It was like a dream come true."

U.S. nationals arrive for evacuation from the port, amid ongoing clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army, in Port Sudan, Sudan, April 30, 2023. Zienab Abaker is seen at the table in yellow, with her sons next to her. / Credit: STRINGER/REUTERS

He expected his wife and sons to arrive within weeks, so he quickly rented a two-bedroom apartment and furnished it with donations from the community where he's lived for the past two decades.

But his family's journey had just begun. They made it to Saudi Arabia, but that's where they got stuck.

While Arbab's sons are U.S. citizens by birth, his wife is not. The family had submitted all the necessary paperwork for her to get a visa to enter the U.S. before the war broke out, but it had not yet been issued.

Arbab jumped through U.S. immigration hurdle after hurdle, brandishing the photograph of his family at Port Sudan to officials at the State Department in the U.S. and embassy officials in Saudi Arabia, while also working three jobs to support his family 6,000 miles away and to pay for the new apartment in Maine.

Meanwhile, Abaker was stuck living in a hotel, taking care of her sons alone, not permitted to leave, and in constant fear of being arrested and deported back to Sudan. The younger boy, traumatized by the conflict he'd escaped, stayed up at night and slept during the day.

"She is strong and patient," said Arbab, "but had no room for happiness."

Finally, there was reason to smile.

"The only happiness was when she received her passport. They say you get the visa and you're going to the United States and your husband. Then she felt like she could be happy," he recalled.

El-Fadel Arbab and Zienab Abaker stand outside their home in Maine with their children after being reunited almost a year after Abaker fled the raging civil war in their native Sudan, but then got stuck in Saudi Arabia waiting for a U.S. visa. / Credit: Courtesy of El-Fadel Arbab

Arbab said his family were the first Sudanese nationals to make it out of their limbo in Saudi Arabia and reach the U.S., for which he's extremely grateful. But he added that "dozens and dozens" of people remain stuck in similar circumstances.

War traps millions in an "apocalyptic catastrophe"

There has been no sign of the vicious conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group easing since it erupted on April 15, 2023. Before turning against each other, the rival generals who led those well-armed groups staged a coup together against a fragile transitional government that had been trying to steer Sudan toward democracy.

Since they fell out, their war has killed 14,000 men, women and children, according to the United Nations. More than 8.2 million people have been displaced from their homes, with those who've been able fleeing abroad, and countless others seeking any respite they can find in a country with little access to food, running water or health care.

"Khartoum has collapsed into a warzone for the past year and millions of Sudanese remain trapped there, essentially blockaded," Alan Boswell, Horn of Africa project director at the International Crisis Group think tank told CBS News.

"Millions of Sudanese are barreling into famine and could starve to death this year," he said, calling it "the sort of apocalyptic catastrophe that seems something only for the history books."

On Monday, the grim one-year anniversary of Sudan's war, France hosted an international conference to raise money for the war-torn country from Western and Gulf nations.

Aid shortfall as the world focuses "on the new thing"

Boswell, speaking to CBS News from the sidelines of the conference, said the humanitarian mission was about ensuring both funding and security for Sudan  both of which he stressed were severely lacking. While the U.N. estimates that $2.7 billion is required urgently to assist the people of Sudan, only $166 million has been received so far  a mere 6% of the total.

"Ideally, there would be an announcement of hundreds of millions of dollars more that have been committed for humanitarian relief in Sudan. But a big part of the problem has been the Sudanese army side of the war essentially blocking food relief into areas they don't control, which is much of the country."

/ Credit: Yasin Demirci/Anadolu/Getty

Late Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the conference had seen an additional $2.1 billion of assistance pledged to Sudan, but he gave no breakdown of who the donors were, or any timeline on when the money might actually start to help on the ground.

Arbab told CBS News from his home in Portland that, from what he could tell, "as long as there are more wars starting somewhere," powerful Western governments will simply continue to "focus on the new thing and forget about the old one."

"It did not go unnoticed that the only time the world really focused on the Sudan war was in getting its own citizens evacuated," agreed Boswell. "Then interest in the Sudan war rapidly dissipated."

But he warned that "the conflict might not stay inside Sudan," noting that the African nation is surrounded by other fragile states, many of them also gripped by conflict, "and there's quite a large risk of the instability spreading."

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Landscape on the Faroe Islands with cliffs blue ocean and green grass ()

After PCSing to Germany a few years ago, my husband revealed to me that his number one travel wish list destination was a place called the Faroe Islands. My first thought was, what are the Faroe Islands? Little did I know how much I, too, would fall in love with this beautiful area!

Where are the Faroe Islands?

The best way to describe their location is to say they are between the British Isles and Iceland. It feels like an undiscovered travel spot, but it has been gaining more and more attention in the past few years.

The Faroe Islands are an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark: Danish Krone is used there (not euros), and you will only need standard EU power adapters.

Why visit?

The Faroe Islands are full of beautiful landscapes! If you love the green countryside of Ireland and Scotland, then youll adore the Faroe Islands.

Sheep on Faroe Islands (Kristen Thoennes)

Another reason to visit is to check out the wide variety of sheep that live on the islands. There are about 70 different kinds! Sheep outnumber people on the Faroe Islands. You are bound to see many while driving, hiking and exploring. One breed called the Faroese sheep, can be seen in a variety of colors like grey, chestnut, black or a mix. They are believed to have come to the Faroe Islands by way of Norse settlers during the Viking age. Over time, other breeds were imported from Iceland and Scotland. The Faroese have a proverb that translates to wool is Faroese gold. It was once the local currency. Grab a wool sweater, beanie, or yarn to take home to remember your time here.

If you are a James Bond fan, visit the Faroe Islands to pay respects at his grave on Kalsoy Island. My husband and I took a guided hike up the mountain. We are not 007 fans, but the hike is worth it for the views!

The Faroe Islands are largely connected by roads through tunnels, three of which are underwater. Did you know that the Faroe Islands are home to the worlds first undersea roundabout? Between the 18 islands that make up the Faroe Islands, there are 20 tunnels with more than 10 planned for construction.

The myths and legends of the Faroe Islands, much like those in Ireland and Scotland, are magical and intriguing. One of the enchanting myths is about the Seal Woman. The Faroese believe that seals were once people who have died. Once a year, they come on shore and shed their skins to become human again. One time on this night, a man fell in love with one of the seal women and snatched her seal skin so that she would remain a woman. They get married and have children, but one day she discovers her seal skin and returns to the ocean. While visiting the islands, take the opportunity to learn about the Seal Woman and the Nykur of Srvagsvatn their many myths and legends.

How to get there?

We flew with a stop in Bergen, Norway. Driving in the Faroe Islands is easy and the best way to get around to all or most of the sights, so be sure to rent a car from the airport.

Church in Faroe Islands ()

Where to stay?

There are many Airbnb accommodations to choose from. We selected one on a sheep farm in Rituvik with a gorgeous view. As guests, we were allowed to wander through the fields with the sheep for an up close and personal experience that is unique and wonderful.

When to visit?

We visited at the end of the tourist season in September. Visiting during the height of the tourist season (June through August) is recommended to make the most of your time and have the full list of activities at your disposal. Make sure to allow some downtime to drive around, make stops, and enjoy the quiet and amazing scenery.

Ready to go?

The Faroe Islands maintains a fantastic website to help you select accommodations, book tours, and learn more about what to expect on your visit to their beautiful country. Add this one to your travel wish list. You will not regret it!
U.S. House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green of Tennessee, foreground, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and their fellow Republican impeachment managers walk back through the U.S. Capitol Rotunda after transmitting articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the U.S. Senate on April 16, 2024.

U.S. House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green of Tennessee, foreground, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and their fellow Republican impeachment managers walk back through the U.S. Capitol Rotunda after transmitting articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the U.S. Senate on April 16, 2024. The managers proceeded through the Capitol to inform the Senate they are prepared to prosecute Mayorkas for willful and systemic refusal to enforce border policies and a breach of public trust. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Eleven U.S. House Republicans serving as impeachment managers delivered two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.

The ceremonial delivery of the articles of impeachment, which charge Mayorkas with a willful and systemic refusal to comply with federal immigration law and breaking the public trust, is an escalation in a years-long clash between congressional Republicans and the Biden administration over its handling of immigration. The issue has taken center stage in the leadup to Novembers elections.

Senate Democrats have indicated that they plan to move quickly to dismiss the impeachment process.

We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor Tuesday. Impeachment should never be used to settle a policy disagreement.

Schumer, a New York Democrat, can make a motion to dismiss or table the articles, which would succeed with a simple majority. Democrats and independents who vote with them for the purposes of organizing the chamber hold a 51-49 majority.

The partisan makeup of the Senate and the two-thirds majority needed for conviction mean its unlikely that Mayorkas would be convicted and removed from his role.

Push for trial

However, Republicans are still pushing for a trial.

We expect and we demand that all 100 senators listen to the arguments of the House impeachment managers, House Speaker Mike Johnson said during a Tuesday press conference. If Sen. Schumer cares at all about the suffering of Americans and the disaster that Mayorkas has wrought at the border, then he will hold a full and public trial.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky made similar remarks.

It would be beneath the Senates dignity to shrug off our clear responsibility and fail to give the charges well hear today the thorough consideration they deserve, McConnell said on the Senate floor Tuesday.

Washington state Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, who is presiding over the proceedings, announced that the Senate will inform the House when senators are ready to proceed with a trial.

The Senate Sergeant of Arms introduced the impeachment managers: Mark Green of Tennessee, Michael McCaul of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ben Cline of Virginia, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Laurel Lee of Florida, August Pfluger of Texas and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

Green of Tennessee, lead impeachment manager and chair of the Homeland Security Committee that handled impeachment proceedings for Mayorkas, read the two articles of impeachment to senators after delivering them Tuesday afternoon.

The impeachment managers then went back to the House.

The Senate has a responsibility to conduct a full trial, hear the evidence, and render a verdict, Green said in a statement after delivering the articles of impeachment. Refusing to do so would mark the first time the Senate has refused to hold an impeachment trial when it had the opportunity to do so.

Schumer said that senators would be sworn in as jurors Wednesday at 1 p.m. Eastern.

If a trial proceeds, it will be the first time that a sitting Cabinet member has gone through an impeachment trial. The last Cabinet official who was impeached, William Belknap in 1876, resigned before the House and Senate could vote to impeach him and remove him from his post as secretary of War.

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Impeachment articles

Mere hours before House impeachment managers ceremoniously walked over the two articles of impeachment to the Senate, Mayorkas appeared before the same committee that moved forward with his impeachment  Homeland Security. At the morning hearing, Mayorkas answered questions about the budget request for his department for fiscal 2025.

During the hearing, questions about the impeachment arose.

Republicans grilled Mayorkas on migration at the southern border, while Democrats said that the move to impeach Mayorkas fell short of the high crimes and misdemeanors threshold needed for impeachment and was more about policy differences between Republicans and the White House.

The same committee advanced the articles of impeachment in January. It took House Republicans two attempts to vote to approve the articles of impeachment on the House floor.

The first article of impeachment cites sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act that Republicans say Mayorkas did not follow. The article accuses Mayorkas of failing to follow detention and removal requirements under the law, ignoring the requirement for expedited removals and abusing the administrations humanitarian parole authority.

The White House has had parole authority since the 1950s, and the Biden administration has created temporary protections for certain nationals from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela and other countries to allow them to temporarily work and reside in the country.

The second article of impeachment argues that Mayorkas breached public trust by making several statements in congressional testimony that Republicans argue are false. Specifically Mayorkas told lawmakers that the southern border is secure.

Conservative unrest

Johnson said that impeaching Mayorkas is a focus for House Republicans.

Johnson is also facing a challenge to remove him from his role as speaker, with one of the impeachment managers, Greene of Georgia, leading the effort.

The Georgia Republican released a scathing five-page letter on April 9 that threatened to oust Johnson from his role and made the case to her Republican colleagues to support his removal. Greene also filed a motion to vacate in late March, but has not forced a vote on it.

Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie joined Greenes cause Tuesday, giving his support to removing Johnson as speaker.

Johnson tried to quell the dissent in the hard-right faction of his party with a show of unity with presumed Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, last week. During that visit, Johnson promoted an unreleased bill related to noncitizens voting in federal elections.

Greene, who first introduced articles of impeachment in September, months before the House Homeland Security Committee began impeachment proceedings, has a for a long time pursued the impeachment of Mayorkas.

Johnson originally planned for the impeachment managers to deliver the articles of impeachment last week, but delayed at the request of Senate Republicans.

Those Senate Republicans requested a delay in order to avoid the start of an impeachment trial on the same day that senators were scheduled to dash out of Washington and head home.

You dont want members trying to get out of town so quickly that they are influenced by the jet fumes, Utahs Sen. Mike Lee said last week.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post U.S. House Republicans deliver impeachment articles against DHS Chief Mayorkas appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
U.S. House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green of Tennessee (foreground), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and their fellow Republican impeachment managers walk back through the U.S. Capitol Rotunda after transmitting articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the U.S. Senate on April 16, 2024. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Eleven U.S. House Republicans serving as impeachment managers delivered two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.

The ceremonial delivery of the articles of impeachment, which charge Mayorkas with a willful and systemic refusal to comply with federal immigration law and breaking the public trust, is an escalation in a years-long clash between congressional Republicans and the Biden administration over its handling of immigration. The issue has taken center stage in the leadup to Novembers elections.

Senate Democrats have indicated that they plan to move quickly to dismiss the impeachment process.

We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor Tuesday. Impeachment should never be used to settle a policy disagreement.

Schumer, a New York Democrat, can make a motion to dismiss or table the articles, which would succeed with a simple majority. Democrats and independents who vote with them for the purposes of organizing the chamber hold a 51-49 majority.

The partisan makeup of the Senate and the two-thirds majority needed for conviction mean its unlikely that Mayorkas would be convicted and removed from his role.

Push for trial

However, Republicans are still pushing for a trial.

We expect and we demand that all 100 senators listen to the arguments of the House impeachment managers, House Speaker Mike Johnson said during a Tuesday press conference. If Sen. Schumer cares at all about the suffering of Americans and the disaster that Mayorkas has wrought at the border, then he will hold a full and public trial.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky made similar remarks.

It would be beneath the Senates dignity to shrug off our clear responsibility and fail to give the charges well hear today the thorough consideration they deserve, McConnell said on the Senate floor Tuesday.

Washington state Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, who is presiding over the proceedings, announced that the Senate will inform the House when senators are ready to proceed with a trial.

The Senate Sergeant of Arms introduced the impeachment managers: Mark Green of Tennessee, Michael McCaul of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ben Cline of Virginia, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Laurel Lee of Florida, August Pfluger of Texas and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

Green of Tennessee, lead impeachment manager and chair of the Homeland Security Committee that handled impeachment proceedings for Mayorkas, read the two articles of impeachment to senators after delivering them Tuesday afternoon.

The impeachment managers then went back to the House.

The Senate has a responsibility to conduct a full trial, hear the evidence, and render a verdict, Green said in a statement after delivering the articles of impeachment. Refusing to do so would mark the first time the Senate has refused to hold an impeachment trial when it had the opportunity to do so.

Schumer said senators would be sworn in as jurors Wednesday at 1 p.m. Eastern.

If a trial proceeds, it will be the first time that a sitting Cabinet member has gone through an impeachment trial. The last Cabinet official who was impeached, William Belknap in 1876, resigned before the House and Senate could vote to impeach him and remove him from his post as secretary of War.

Impeachment articles

Mere hours before House impeachment managers ceremoniously walked over the two articles of impeachment to the Senate, Mayorkas appeared before the same committee that moved forward with his impeachment  Homeland Security. At the morning hearing, Mayorkas answered questions about the budget request for his department for fiscal 2025.

During the hearing, questions about the impeachment arose.

Republicans grilled Mayorkas on migration at the southern border, while Democrats said the move to impeach Mayorkas fell short of the high crimes and misdemeanors threshold needed for impeachment and was more about policy differences between Republicans and the White House.

The same committee advanced the articles of impeachment in January. It took House Republicans two attempts to vote to approve the articles of impeachment on the House floor.

The first article of impeachment cites sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act that Republicans say Mayorkas did not follow. The article accuses Mayorkas of failing to follow detention and removal requirements under the law, ignoring the requirement for expedited removals and abusing the administrations humanitarian parole authority.

The White House has had parole authority since the 1950s, and the Biden administration has created temporary protections for certain nationals from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela and other countries to allow them to temporarily work and reside in the country.

The second article of impeachment argues that Mayorkas breached public trust by making several statements in congressional testimony that Republicans argue are false. Specifically Mayorkas told lawmakers that the southern border is secure.

Conservative unrest

Johnson said impeaching Mayorkas is a focus for House Republicans.

Johnson is also facing a challenge to remove him from his role as speaker, with one of the impeachment managers, Greene of Georgia, leading the effort.

The Georgia Republican released a scathing five-page letter on April 9 that threatened to oust Johnson from his role and made the case to her Republican colleagues to support his removal. Greene also filed a motion to vacate in late March, but has not forced a vote on it.

Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie joined Greenes cause Tuesday, giving his support to removing Johnson as speaker.

Johnson tried to quell the dissent in the hard-right faction of his party with a show of unity with presumed Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, last week. During that visit, Johnson promoted an unreleased bill related to noncitizens voting in federal elections.

Greene, who first introduced articles of impeachment in September, months before the House Homeland Security Committee began impeachment proceedings, has a for a long time pursued the impeachment of Mayorkas.

Johnson originally planned for the impeachment managers to deliver the articles of impeachment last week, but delayed at the request of Senate Republicans.

Those Senate Republicans requested a delay in order to avoid the start of an impeachment trial on the same day that senators were scheduled to dash out of Washington and head home.

You dont want members trying to get out of town so quickly that they are influenced by the jet fumes, Utahs Sen. Mike Lee said last week.

The post U.S. House Republicans deliver impeachment articles against DHS Chief Mayorkas appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Stubbed out cigarette butts on December 7, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Credit - Mike KempGetty Images

The U.K. House of Commons voted Tuesday to advance the Tobacco and Vapes Bill that would make it illegal for anyone born in 2009 or beyond to buy tobacco and add restrictions to vaping. Legislators voted in favor of the bill in a 383- to-67 vote.

The bill would amount to an effective lifetime ban on smoking for those under the age of 15 and has now moved forward from its second reading to the committee stage.

This isnt about freedom to choose, it's about freedom [from] addiction, said Minister Andrea Leadsom during the debate Tuesday.

The bill was backed by Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has referred to tobacco as the single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability, and death. Around two-thirds of smokers start to smoke before the age of 18, and there are an estimated 90,000 regular smokers aged 11 to 15, according to Public Health England, which has a goal of creating a tobacco-free generation by 2025.

The bill garnered support from lawmakers from both the opposition Labour and ruling Conservative party, though some Tories broke rank with Sunak. Former Prime Ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson had both opposed the bill, with Johnson describing it as nuts and Truss calling it profoundly unconservative.

I think it actually risks making smoking cooler. It certainly risks creating a black market and it also risks creating an unmanageable challenge for the authorities, Conservative lawmaker Simon Clarke told BBC radio before the vote.

Health officials say that because of tobaccos addictive nature, preventing young people from picking up the habit could save millions of lives. Smoking kills and causes harm at all stages of life from stillbirths, asthma in children, stroke, cancer to heart attacks and dementia, Public Health Minister Andrea Leadsom said in a statement. This bill, if passed, will have a substantial impactpreventing disease, disability and premature deaths long into the future.

Tobacco causes approximately 75,000 preventable deaths per year in the U.K and over 500,000 hospital admissions.

Victoria Atkins, the U.K.s secretary of state for health and social care, told the House of Commons that the bill was intended to prevent people from ever getting addicted to tobacco products in the first place. The premise behind this is to stop the start, said Atkins on Tuesday. It is the only product that if consumed as the manufacturer intends, will kill two-thirds of its long term users.

She also emphasized that the bill is not meant to demonize people who smoke, and will not prevent people who are already smoking from being able to purchase tobacco products. It will not affect current smokers rights or entitlements in any way, she said.

Nevertheless, some parliament members were concerned about the practical implications of such a ban. When I look at this ban I question whether its going to work, said Conservative MP Jake Berry. Berry cited data showing that more young people in the U.K. have tried marijuana than tobacco, despite only marijuana being banned. If bans worked, no child would have ever tried cannabis, he said.

Under the legislation, officers would get new powers to issue fines to shops selling tobacco or vapes to children. The legislation also involves new restrictions on the sale of vapes to make them less appealing to children. One in five children in the U.K. has tried vaping despite it being illegal for under-18s, according to U.K. government data.

Read More: How Juul Hooked Kids and Ignited a Public Health Crisis

If the bill passes, the U.K. will have the worlds only generational smoking ban, and one of the strictest anti-smoking laws. The legislation was inspired by a similar law in New Zealand that passed in December 2022 but was scrapped in February this year after a new government led by the conservative Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was sworn in.

At the time, the New Zealand legislation was the worlds first generational smoking ban.

Smokers in the U.K. cost their government approximately 14.7 billion ($18.3 billion) between health care costs and other social services compared to the 10 billion ($12.5 billion) it collects in tobacco specific taxes, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Some ministers voiced Tuesday their belief that future generations would thank them and ask why the smoking ban was not implemented sooner. We need to have the guts to create the first smoke-free generation across the United Kingdom, said Leadsom.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
People walk past posters of hostages kidnapped in the October 7 attack by Hamas, in Tel Aviv

GENEVA (Reuters) - A U.N.-mandated commission of inquiry that probes violations of international human rights law on Tuesday accused Israel of obstructing its efforts to collect evidence from the victims of the attack by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

"So far as the government of Israel is concerned, we have not only seen a lack of cooperation, but active obstruction of our efforts to receive evidence from Israeli witnesses and victims to the events that occurred in southern Israel," said Chris Sidoti, one of three members of a commission of inquiry into abuses committed in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

"We have contact with many, but we would like to have contact with more."

Sidoti appealed to the government of Israel, as well as victims and witnesses of the attack, to aid the commission in conducting its probe.

In response to Sidoti's comments, the Israeli diplomatic mission in Geneva said it had been carrying out its own investigation into the crimes, and that representatives of the United Nations and other institutions had been to Israel and met with survivors and victims.

Victims would "never get any justice or the dignified treatment they deserve from the Commission of Inquiry and its members", it said, describing the commission as having "a track record of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel statements".

Israel began its campaign against Hamas after the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

The U.N. commission of inquiry, set up in 2021 by the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, is mandated to collect evidence and identify perpetrators of international crimes.

The evidence gathered by such U.N. bodies has formed the basis for war crimes prosecutions and the International Criminal Court.

Earlier this month, the Commission was mandated to probe two additional lines of inquiry: violent settlers and settler groups, and arms transfer to Israel. Those findings will be presented at the U.N. Human Rights Council in June next year.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by)
U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: I am not resigning

Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep Thomas Massie speaks with reporters inside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky called on U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to resign during a closed-door meeting of GOP lawmakers on Tuesday, throwing more uncertainty into that chamber just months before the November elections.

Massie told reporters after the meeting and just before a Johnson press conference he believed the votes exist to remove Johnson as speaker when a vote is called. He didnt say when that would happen or who he thinks could secure the votes needed to become speaker.

The motion will get called, Massie said, referring to a floor vote on Johnson. And then hes going to lose more votes than Kevin McCarthy. And I have told him this in private, like weeks ago.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who was unanimously elected to the leadership post in October after a small group of GOP lawmakers ousted former Speaker McCarthy, rejected Massies call to quit, as did several Republicans.

I am not resigning. And it is, in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion, Johnson said Were simply here trying to do our job.

Removing Jonson from the leadership position less than six months into his tenure comes shortly after the House passed two government funding packages on broadly bipartisan votes in March and just as the House prepares to vote on emergency aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan later this week.

Israel is engaged in a war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and was attacked by Iran over the weekend, while Ukraine continues to defend itself from a Russian invasion.

Johnson, speaking at a press conference during which he only took one question, said removing him as speaker would throw a wrench into a chamber that needs steady hands at the wheel to address domestic and global issues.

Look, I regard myself as a wartime speaker. I mean, in a literal sense, Johnson said. I knew that when I took the gavel. I didnt anticipate that this would be an easy path.

Johnson repeated comments from former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who he said posted on his social media that this is the hardest challenge thats faced a speaker probably in the history of the country.

He said, arguably, maybe comparable to the Civil War, but maybe worse, Johnson said, referring to the period between 1861 and 1865 when Southern states seceded from the United States in an attempt to preserve slavery of Black people. The death toll from the war is estimated at 620,000.

Johnson then spoke about the narrow margin that GOP leaders have in the House, which currently holds 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats.

A single-vote margin at a difficult time when the nation is terribly divided, Johnson said. The way we get through that is we show unity and we explain how we have answers to all these great challenges.

Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president this fall, is on trial in a New York state criminal courtroom facing charges of falsifying business records. Trump would oppose President Joe Biden this fall in what has been so far a bitter campaign.

Johnson appeared with Trump at Floridas Mar-a-Lago on Friday and appeared to get the backing of the former president, possibly insulating him from efforts to remove him as speaker.

Greene motion to vacate

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate the speaker post in March, just before the House left on a two-week break.

Unlike the motion to vacate that Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz filed against McCarthy last fall, this one was not intended to be privileged, meaning that it didnt force a vote within two days. Greene has not said when she may push for a floor vote.

Massie said that Johnsons actions as speaker, including advancing bipartisan bills that have been able to move through the Democratically controlled Senate and garner Bidens signature, are key reasons he wants to remove him from power.

Massie said that Johnson should publicly announce that he would resign once the conference decides on a successor, or that he should announce a future date for his resignation. That would allow the House GOP Conference to have a smooth transition without the weeks of stalemate and drama that marked the that followed the ousting of McCarthy.

Border security demands from GOP

South Carolina GOP Rep. Ralph Norman said following the House Republican meeting that he respects Massie, but disagrees with his actions.

The last thing this country needs is to throw a speaker out, even though I disagree with what hes done, Norman said. I wouldnt put the country through that, so Im against that.

Numerous House Republican lawmakers in the meeting, Norman said, made it clear to Johnson that something must be done to address border security.

Louisiana Republican Rep. Garret Graves said following the meeting he doesnt believe a floor vote on the motion to vacate Johnson from the speakers office is imminent.

I dont think that the threat is really real at this point just because you dont have an alternative, Graves said. You have a loosely affiliated coalition government at this point. Youre not going to get a majority of votes for any new person. And for that reason, I dont think theyre going to go through with it at this point.

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican, said hes not too worried about Speaker Johnson, despite Massies calls for resignation.

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The post U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: I am not resigning appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: I am not resigning

Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep Thomas Massie speaks with reporters inside the U.S. Capitol on April 16, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky called on U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to resign during a closed-door meeting of GOP lawmakers on Tuesday, throwing more uncertainty into that chamber just months before the November elections.

Massie told reporters after the meeting and just before a Johnson press conference he believed the votes exist to remove Johnson as speaker when a vote is called. He didnt say when that would happen or who he thinks could secure the votes needed to become speaker.

The motion will get called, Massie said, referring to a floor vote on Johnson. And then hes going to lose more votes than Kevin McCarthy. And I have told him this in private, like weeks ago.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who was unanimously elected to the leadership post in October after a small group of GOP lawmakers ousted former Speaker McCarthy, rejected Massies call to quit, as did several Republicans.

I am not resigning. And it is, in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion, Johnson said Were simply here trying to do our job.

Removing Johnson from the leadership position less than six months into his tenure comes shortly after the House passed two government funding packages on broadly bipartisan votes in March and just as the House prepares to vote on emergency aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan later this week.

Israel is engaged in a war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and was attacked by Iran over the weekend, while Ukraine continues to defend itself from a Russian invasion.

Johnson, speaking at a press conference during which he only took one question, said removing him as speaker would throw a wrench into a chamber that needs steady hands at the wheel to address domestic and global issues.

Look, I regard myself as a wartime speaker. I mean, in a literal sense, Johnson said. I knew that when I took the gavel. I didnt anticipate that this would be an easy path.

Johnson repeated comments from former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who he said posted on his social media that this is the hardest challenge thats faced a speaker probably in the history of the country.

He said, arguably, maybe comparable to the Civil War, but maybe worse, Johnson said, referring to the period between 1861 and 1865 when Southern states seceded from the United States in an attempt to preserve slavery of Black people. The death toll from the war is estimated at 620,000.

Johnson then spoke about the narrow margin that GOP leaders have in the House, which currently holds 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats.

A single-vote margin at a difficult time when the nation is terribly divided, Johnson said. The way we get through that is we show unity and we explain how we have answers to all these great challenges.

Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president this fall, is on trial in a New York state criminal courtroom facing charges of falsifying business records. Trump would oppose President Joe Biden this fall in what has been so far a bitter campaign.

Johnson appeared with Trump at Floridas Mar-a-Lago on Friday and appeared to get the backing of the former president, possibly insulating him from efforts to remove him as speaker.

Greene motion to vacate

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate the speaker post in March, just before the House left on a two-week break.

Unlike the motion to vacate that Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz filed against McCarthy last fall, this one was not intended to be privileged, meaning that it didnt force a vote within two days. Greene has not said when she may push for a floor vote.

Massie said Johnsons actions as speaker, including advancing bipartisan bills that have been able to move through the Democratically controlled Senate and garner Bidens signature, are key reasons he wants to remove him from power.

Massie said Johnson should publicly announce that he would resign once the conference decides on a successor, or that he should announce a future date for his resignation. That would allow the House GOP Conference to have a smooth transition without the weeks of stalemate and drama that followed the ousting of McCarthy.

Border security demands from GOP

South Carolina GOP Rep. Ralph Norman said following the House Republican meeting that he respects Massie, but disagrees with his actions.

The last thing this country needs is to throw a speaker out, even though I disagree with what hes done, Norman said. I wouldnt put the country through that, so Im against that.

Numerous House Republican lawmakers in the meeting, Norman said, made it clear to Johnson that something must be done to address border security.

Louisiana Republican Rep. Garret Graves said following the meeting he doesnt believe a floor vote on the motion to vacate Johnson from the speakers office is imminent.

I dont think that the threat is really real at this point just because you dont have an alternative, Graves said. You have a loosely affiliated coalition government at this point. Youre not going to get a majority of votes for any new person. And for that reason, I dont think theyre going to go through with it at this point.

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican, said hes not too worried about Speaker Johnson, despite Massies calls for resignation.

The post U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: I am not resigning appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: I am not resigning

Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep Thomas Massie speaks with reporters inside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep Thomas Massie speaks with reporters inside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky called on U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to resign during a closed-door meeting of GOP lawmakers on Tuesday, throwing more uncertainty into that chamber just months before the November elections.

Massie told reporters after the meeting and just before a Johnson press conference he believed the votes exist to remove Johnson as speaker when a vote is called. He didnt say when that would happen or who he thinks could secure the votes needed to become speaker.

The motion will get called, Massie said, referring to a floor vote on Johnson. And then hes going to lose more votes than Kevin McCarthy. And I have told him this in private, like weeks ago.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who was unanimously elected to the leadership post in October after a small group of GOP lawmakers ousted former Speaker McCarthy, rejected Massies call to quit, as did several Republicans.

I am not resigning. And it is, in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion, Johnson said Were simply here trying to do our job.

Removing Johnson from the leadership position less than six months into his tenure comes shortly after the House passed two government funding packages on broadly bipartisan votes in March and just as the House prepares to vote on emergency aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan later this week.

Israel is engaged in a war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and was attacked by Iran over the weekend, while Ukraine continues to defend itself from a Russian invasion.

Johnson, speaking at a press conference during which he only took one question, said removing him as speaker would throw a wrench into a chamber that needs steady hands at the wheel to address domestic and global issues.

Look, I regard myself as a wartime speaker. I mean, in a literal sense, Johnson said. I knew that when I took the gavel. I didnt anticipate that this would be an easy path.

Johnson repeated comments from former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who he said posted on his social media that this is the hardest challenge thats faced a speaker probably in the history of the country.

He said, arguably, maybe comparable to the Civil War, but maybe worse, Johnson said, referring to the period between 1861 and 1865 when Southern states seceded from the United States in an attempt to preserve slavery of Black people. The death toll from the war is estimated at 620,000.

Johnson then spoke about the narrow margin that GOP leaders have in the House, which currently holds 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats.

A single-vote margin at a difficult time when the nation is terribly divided, Johnson said. The way we get through that is we show unity and we explain how we have answers to all these great challenges.

Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president this fall, is on trial in a New York state criminal courtroom facing charges of falsifying business records. Trump would oppose President Joe Biden this fall in what has been so far a bitter campaign.

Johnson appeared with Trump at Floridas Mar-a-Lago on Friday and appeared to get the backing of the former president, possibly insulating him from efforts to remove him as speaker.

Greene motion to vacate

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate the speaker post in March, just before the House left on a two-week break.

Unlike the motion to vacate that Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz filed against McCarthy last fall, this one was not intended to be privileged, meaning that it didnt force a vote within two days. Greene has not said when she may push for a floor vote.

Massie said that Johnsons actions as speaker, including advancing bipartisan bills that have been able to move through the Democratically controlled Senate and garner Bidens signature, are key reasons he wants to remove him from power.

Massie said that Johnson should publicly announce that he would resign once the conference decides on a successor, or that he should announce a future date for his resignation. That would allow the House GOP Conference to have a smooth transition without the weeks of stalemate and drama that marked the ousting of McCarthy.

Border security demands from GOP

South Carolina GOP Rep. Ralph Norman said following the House Republican meeting that he respects Massie, but disagrees with his actions.

The last thing this country needs is to throw a speaker out, even though I disagree with what hes done, Norman said. I wouldnt put the country through that, so Im against that.

Numerous House Republican lawmakers in the meeting, Norman said, made it clear to Johnson that something must be done to address border security.

(Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Louisiana Republican Rep. Garret Graves said following the meeting he doesnt believe a floor vote on the motion to vacate Johnson from the speakers office is imminent.

I dont think that the threat is really real at this point just because you dont have an alternative, Graves said. You have a loosely affiliated coalition government at this point. Youre not going to get a majority of votes for any new person. And for that reason, I dont think theyre going to go through with it at this point.

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican, said hes not too worried about Speaker Johnson, despite Massies calls for resignation.

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The post U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: I am not resigning appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: I am not resigning

Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep Thomas Massie speaks with reporters inside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky called on U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to resign during a closed-door meeting of GOP lawmakers on Tuesday, throwing more uncertainty into that chamber just months before the November elections.

Massie told reporters after the meeting and just before a Johnson press conference he believed the votes exist to remove Johnson as speaker when a vote is called. He didnt say when that would happen or who he thinks could secure the votes needed to become speaker.

The motion will get called, Massie said, referring to a floor vote on Johnson. And then hes going to lose more votes than Kevin McCarthy. And I have told him this in private, like weeks ago.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who was unanimously elected to the leadership post in October after a small group of GOP lawmakers ousted former Speaker McCarthy, rejected Massies call to quit, as did several Republicans.

I am not resigning. And it is, in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion, Johnson said Were simply here trying to do our job.

Removing Johnson from the leadership position less than six months into his tenure comes shortly after the House passed two government funding packages on broadly bipartisan votes in March and just as the House prepares to vote on emergency aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan later this week.

Israel is engaged in a war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and was attacked by Iran over the weekend, while Ukraine continues to defend itself from a Russian invasion.

Johnson, speaking at a press conference during which he only took one question, said removing him as speaker would throw a wrench into a chamber that needs steady hands at the wheel to address domestic and global issues.

Look, I regard myself as a wartime speaker. I mean, in a literal sense, Johnson said. I knew that when I took the gavel. I didnt anticipate that this would be an easy path.

Johnson repeated comments from former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who he said posted on his social media that this is the hardest challenge thats faced a speaker probably in the history of the country.

He said, arguably, maybe comparable to the Civil War, but maybe worse, Johnson said, referring to the period between 1861 and 1865 when Southern states seceded from the United States in an attempt to preserve slavery of Black people. The death toll from the war is estimated at 620,000.

Johnson then spoke about the narrow margin that GOP leaders have in the House, which currently holds 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats.

A single-vote margin at a difficult time when the nation is terribly divided, Johnson said. The way we get through that is we show unity and we explain how we have answers to all these great challenges.

Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president this fall, is on trial in a New York state criminal courtroom facing charges of falsifying business records. Trump would oppose President Joe Biden this fall in what has been so far a bitter campaign.

Johnson appeared with Trump at Floridas Mar-a-Lago on Friday and appeared to get the backing of the former president, possibly insulating him from efforts to remove him as speaker.

Greene motion to vacate

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate the speaker post in March, just before the House left on a two-week break.

Unlike the motion to vacate that Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz filed against McCarthy last fall, this one was not intended to be privileged, meaning that it didnt force a vote within two days. Greene has not said when she may push for a floor vote.

Massie said that Johnsons actions as speaker, including advancing bipartisan bills that have been able to move through the Democratically controlled Senate and garner Bidens signature, are key reasons he wants to remove him from power.

Massie said that Johnson should publicly announce that he would resign once the conference decides on a successor, or that he should announce a future date for his resignation. That would allow the House GOP Conference to have a smooth transition without the weeks of stalemate and drama that marked the ousting of McCarthy.

Border security demands from GOP

South Carolina GOP Rep. Ralph Norman said following the House Republican meeting that he respects Massie, but disagrees with his actions.

The last thing this country needs is to throw a speaker out, even though I disagree with what hes done, Norman said. I wouldnt put the country through that, so Im against that.

Numerous House Republican lawmakers in the meeting, Norman said, made it clear to Johnson that something must be done to address border security.

Louisiana Republican Rep. Garret Graves said following the meeting he doesnt believe a floor vote on the motion to vacate Johnson from the speakers office is imminent.

I dont think that the threat is really real at this point just because you dont have an alternative, Graves said. You have a loosely affiliated coalition government at this point. Youre not going to get a majority of votes for any new person. And for that reason, I dont think theyre going to go through with it at this point.

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican, said hes not too worried about Speaker Johnson, despite Massies calls for resignation.

The post U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: I am not resigning appeared first on Michigan Advance.
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, and his challenger in the GOP runoff, Brandon Herrera. The runoff is May 28. Credit: The Texas Tribune

WASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, raised more than twice what Republican primary challenger Brandon Herrera raised in this years first quarter.

In both campaigns, the candidates attracted more donations from out of state than in Texas  a sign of the national attention in the competition between an internet cultural conservative and a centrist Republican incumbent.

Gonzales campaign raised over $949,000 from the start of the year until March 31. He has so far raised well over $3.7 million this cycle and reported having over $1.5 million in cash on hand by the end of March.

About 56% of the over 5,000 reported donations to Gonzales campaign this cycle have been from out of state and include large-number figures from corporate interests. The campaign arms of energy, agriculture and telecommunication companies have all donated the maximum permissible amount for political action committees, as has the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Herrera, meanwhile, has raised over $401,000 in the first quarter with over $1.2 million raised so far this cycle. He finished March with just over $302,000 in cash on hand.

A far larger percentage of Herreras funds come from small dollar donations, and about two-thirds of his 479 contributions to his campaign have been from out-of-state donors this cycle. Herrera often uses his YouTube channel to encourage donations to his effort. His YouTube channel has over 3.3 million subscribers across the country.

Herrera has faced criticisms from Gonzales camp that he and his support are not really based in the district. Herrera voted in North Carolina for most of his life. Herrera retorts that he has lived in San Antonio for years.

Nobody knows TX-23 better and nobody works harder than Tony Gonzales. Week in and week out Tony Gonzales fights for Texas and delivers results, said Evan Albertson, a spokesperson for Gonzales campaign. Brandon Herrera, on the other hand, spends his time trashing Donald Trump and his family, mocking Governor Abbott, and joking about veteran suicide,  referring to comments Herrera has made on podcast appearances and his YouTube channel.

This cycle is the first in the 23rd Congressional District since the Texas Republican Party censured Gonzales over policy positions it deemed ideologically out of line. Gonzales faced four primary challengers who all came for Gonzales with a more hardline right-wing platform. Gonzales was unable to stave off a runoff, coming only 5 percentage points away from securing the nomination in last months primary election. Herrera secured just under 25% of the vote.

It is Gonzales most competitive election since he was first elected to Congress in 2020, when the district boundaries were more competitive in the general election. Gonzales easily secured his partys nomination with 78% of the vote in his 2022 primary.

Herrera made a name for himself as a provocative YouTuber focusing on guns. He has blasted Gonzales for his support of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a major gun safety law that passed in the wake of the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde. The district includes Uvalde, and the gun safety bill brought millions in federal grants to Uvalde.

The runoff election is May 28. The winner will face off against Democrat Santos Limon in November, though the district leans Republican.

Carla Astudillo contributed to this report.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival, happening in downtown Austin Sept. 5-7. Get your TribFest tickets before May 1 and save big!
U.S. Senate to hold hearing today over USPS delays at metro Atlanta distribution center

The United States Senate will hold a hearing in the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday regarding oversight of the U.S. Postal Service.

Channel 2 Action News has been reporting for months about customers frustrations in metro Atlanta, particularly with a distribution center in Palmetto.

There have been repeated calls for oversight of USPS from members of the U.S. House and Senate to both correct issues causing the delays and bring accountability.

On Tuesday morning, the U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will be in the hot seat.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Both democrat senators, republican representative Barry Loudermilk and most of Georgias congressional delegation have signed onto letters demanding answers from the DeJoy.

In recent months, Channel 2 Action News has spoken with frustrated customers who mailed important letters or packages, only to see them not get delivered on team.

Its poor planning, its bad management, USPS customer Tenisha Tidwell told Channel 2 Action News.

The Senate Hearing on Capitol Hill starts at 10 a.m. and we will have a full report on Channel 2 Action News At Noon.

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$1.7 Million Gets You A Shoebox In Silicon Valley

In many markets, $1.7 million would be enough to buy a luxurious mansion, but in Cupertino, California, it's only enough to purchase a 384-square-foot home.

Homes worth $5 million overlook the one-bedroom, one-bath home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Silicon Valley. The average Cupertino home value is about $3 million, up 10.7% over the past year. A home listed for sale typically is put under contract in about nine days, according to Zillow.

"Enhancing its appeal, the property boasts close proximity to major commute routes, making it ideal for professionals seeking easy access to Silicon Valley's tech hubs," according to the listing on Zillow.

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The price tag may seem high for such a small abode, but six offers have been made on the property.

"It's time to bring out the old cliche', which just happens to be the truth  it's location, location, location," Bay East Association of Realtors Spokesperson David Stark told ABC 7.

Despite its high price tag, it's still the least expensive single-family home on the market in Cupertino, real estate agent Faviola Perez told the San Francisco Standard.

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Want to Create a Passive Income Stream? These High-Yield Real Estate Notes Might Be Your Holy Grail

"The area is so highly sought after," Perez said. "Somebody has just got to be willing to roll up their sleeves a little bit to unlock the whole value of that property."

The 7,841-square-foot lot is likely more alluring than the house that sits on it.

"There's one thing that we don't make anymore, and that's dirt," Stark said. "Residential real estate, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, is unique. It's unique because there are so few choices for buyers these days because sellers really like to live here."

Maxwell Dukelow, a Silicon Valley buyers' agent, said an investor or builder could build a 3,200- to 3,600-square-foot home on the lot and flip it for up to $5 million.

"This home has a lot of interest because of the lot size and the neighborhood," Dukelow told ABC 7. "Cupertino is really well known for its school district and great schools, so it drives up the cost of housing in this area."

But rising property prices, increased competition and a tightening housing market have detracted from the appeal flipping houses once had. Last year, gross profits from typical home flips nationwide declined to $66,000, down from $70,100 in 2022, according to real estate data provider ATTOM's 2023 U.S. Home Flipping report.

Story continues

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This article $1.7 Million Gets You A Shoebox In Silicon Valley originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
The U.S. Supreme Court won't weigh in on a photographer's lawsuit against the Des Moines Police Department.

Ted Nieters, a freelance photographer, was pepper-sprayed, tackled and arrested while taking pictures of a group of protesters on June 2, 2020, near the Iowa Capitol. His failure to disperse charge was later dropped, and he sued the department and arresting officer Brandon Holtan for unlawful seizure, excessive force and retaliation.

A federal district judge ruled for the city in 2022, finding Holtan had "arguable probable cause" for the arrest and was thus entitled to immunity. But a federal appellate court in October revived the case, finding Holtan was not entitled to immunity on Nieters' false arrest and excessive force claims.

Ted Nieters, a freelance photographer, is arrested as protesters march around downtown on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 in Des Moines.

That ruling put the case back on track toward trial but in February the city appealed the case again, this time to the U.S. Supreme Court. In its brief to the court, the city argued the lower appellate court's decision "eviscerated probable cause standards by placing an impossible burden on law enforcement" and disregarded prior Supreme Court holdings that police can only be held liable if the illegality of their actions is established, "with a high level of specificity," by prior caselaw.

Previously: In massive George Floyd protest lawsuit, Iowa judge rules police made questionable arrests

The Supreme Court receives thousands of appeals each year but agrees to hear only about 1% of them. Nieters, represented by attorney Gina Messamer, did not file a reply brief with the court, which nonetheless denied the city's petition Monday without comment. The denial puts the case back on track toward trial, which currently is scheduled for August.

Des Moines has recently gotten adverse rulings in several cases arising from the 2020 George Floyd protests. A judge last month denied police immunity in a lawsuit from a former assistant attorney general who lived downtown, and the city agreed to settle another suit for $150,000 in December after a jury found officers who pepper-sprayed a woman violated her rights.

William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines' 2020 protest lawsuit appeal rejected by U.S. Supreme Court
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Arkansas medical researchers have received a grant to help them develop treatment for children with a rare anomaly.

The National Institute of Health has awarded $3.2 million to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Arkansas Childrens Research Institute to develop new treatments for children with lymphatic malformations.

Researchers say experimental drug at UAMS sees cancer disappear in afflicted patient

A lymphatic malformation occurs when abnormal lymph vessels form clumps or channels, causing swelling around the head and neck. Although it is not cancerous, researchers say it can cause breathing or feeding problems for children.

Arkansas Childrens pediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgeon Dr. Graham Strub, who is also an associate professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at UAMS, will lead the research team. A spokesperson said Strub and members of his laboratory have been collecting tissue and blood from lymphatic malformation patients with the goal of developing new treatments to reverse their growth and development.

New UAMS program provides patients with treatment at home

Strub and his team will collaborate with UAMS Professor of Radiation Oncology Dr. Robert Griffin to study how microRNAs, which are small molecules that silence the expression of specific genes, can reverse this abnormal gene expression.

Current treatments for lymphatic malformations have many limitations and often require multiple interventions over a long period of time, Strub said. The development of transdermal microRNA therapeutics that silence the genes responsible for lymphatic malformation growth could significantly improve the quality of life of these children.

Arkansas Childrens plans record expansion, construction in Little Rock and Springdale

Officials said that the funding would allow the study to continue for five years.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Uber Driver, 61, Allegedly Shot Dead by 81-Year-Old Man Who Believed He Was Being Scammed

William Brock has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting and killing Loletha Hall outside his house in Ohio on March 25

Lo-Letha Toland-Hall/Facebook; Clark County Sheriff's Office Loletha Hall (left); William Brock

A 61-year-old Uber driver in Ohio was allegedly shot and killed by an 81-year-old man who was under the false belief that she was involved in an effort to scam him.

On March 25, William Brock called the Clark County Sheriffs Office and reported that he had shot a woman, according to an affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.

Brock allegedly told authorities that a male on the phone threatened him and his family, and when Loletha Hall, an Uber driver, arrived at his home, he thought she was going to harm him.

However, upon investigation, authorities determined that Hall was not associated with the male on the phone nor was she a threat to Brock. On April 10, Brock was arrested and charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty, according to court docs, and his bond was set at $200,000.

Hall, who was shot several times, according to the criminal complaint, was transported to a local hospital where she died from her injuries.

Clark County Sheriff's Office William Brock

When authorities arrived at Brocks home in South Charleston, Ohio, they found Hall suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and he had suffered injuries to his head and ear, according to local outlet NBC4i. Hall was unarmed when Brock shot her, per authorities.

Lt. Kristopher Shultz of the Clark County Sheriff's Office told NBC News that Brock had received a scam call earlier that day from a person purporting to be someone from our courts who informed him a family member was incarcerated and that he had a bond of a significant amount of money.

The calls turned from 'I'm an officer in the court' to 'We have this subject hostage, this is a ransom demand,  Shultz told the outlet.

A ride was then requested by the scam caller, or someone associated, on the Uber app, sending Hall to Brocks home, per NBC News.

Upon her arrival, she did not have any idea, Schultz said, according to the outlet. Brock confronted her, asking who she was working with, took her cell phone and blockaded her exit. Hall was shot three times, Schultz said, and allegedly only after the third time did he then make contact with authorities to report the incident."



Lo-Letha Toland-Hall/Facebook Loletha Hall

An Uber spokesperson tells PEOPLE in a statement, "This is a horrific tragedy and our hearts continue to be with Lolethas loved ones as they grieve. We have been in contact with law enforcement and remain committed to supporting their investigation."

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

According to an obituary for Hall, she was a Columbus, Ohio native who had been living in Charlotte, N.C., before moving back home in 2023. She was described as an incredible cook, and had retired from work at the Regional Income Tax Agency.

She is survived by her 33-year-old son, Mario.

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Read the original article on People.
UK Defence Intelligence comments on Ukrainian capabilities and Russian defence after explosions in Tatarstan in early April

UK Defence Intelligence believes that Ukraine's strike on the Shahed UAV production facility in Tatarstan proves Ukraine's ability to carry out such strikes, and that Russia is concerned about it.

Source: the UK MOD's review of the Russian-Ukrainian war of 16 April, European Pravda reports

Details: The intelligence service shared its thoughts on the episode from 2 April, when the facility in Tatarstan was hit. It is located about 800 miles (over 1,000 km) from the border with Ukraine.

"The facility has been operating since July 2023 and is known to construct Iranian SHAHED style drones which Russia utilise to launch attacks against Ukraine. The regional head of Tatarstan subsequently said in a statement that 'no one will protect us but ourselves'," the review recalls.

The intelligence notes that this case confirms Ukraine's ability to strike deep in the Russian rear, bypass the air defence system and find objects associated with the Russian military machine.

"The comments from the head of the Tatarstan region highly likely demonstrate a fear around such attacks. It is likely that Russian MOD are struggling to protect such facilities and are likely content to balance the risk to sites staffed by civilians in favour of maintaining their focus on the frontline where Ukrainian UAV tactics, and frequency of attacks, continue to cause problems for Russian forces," the review notes.

Background:

In a review on 15 April, UK Defence Intelligence reported that Russia is trying to recruit foreigners into its army to avoid domestic mobilisation.

The reviews also drew attention to new laws in Russia, apparently aimed at reducing discontent in the families of its military.

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MILAN  Ukraines requests for more long-range air defense systems to repel Russian attacks highlight a weak spot in the production capabilities of Kyivs allies, according to analysts.

As Russian forces have ramped up attacks on Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure in recent weeks, calls for defense systems have grown increasingly desperate, leading Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to tell Western leaders, in a late-March interview with Politico: Give us the damn Patriots.

He was referring to the suite of sensors, launchers and interceptors, made by Raytheon-RTX of the United States, that has formed the backbone of U.S. and allied air-defense architectures for decades.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy doubled down on the request shortly thereafter, articulating a concrete need. I can say that to cover Ukraine completely in the future, it is preferable to have 25 Patriot systems, with 6-8 batteries each, Zelenskyy was quoted as saying by the Ukrainian online new website Kyiv Independent.

The figure caught some defense experts by surprise.

This is a huge number  the United States only has 15 Patriot battalions. There is no way that Ukraine will have 25, Mark F. Cancian, senior adviser at the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Defense News.

In a recent interview with Defense News, Tom Laliberty, Raytheons president of land and air defense systems said that the company is currently able to produce 12 Patriot fire units per year.

That pace means it would take years to cover Ukrainian demands alone, and thats not counting the manufacturers commitments to make systems for the rest of the global Patriot customer base.

Still, there may be some slack in diverting new production hardware or, in the case of Germany, cobbling together an additional system from parts in the maintenance cycle.

Berlin announced on April 13 that the government would donate one fire unit in addition to two previously delivered.

Other Patriot users, like the Netherlands, believe they have already reached the bottom of the barrel, saying that giving away any more would leave them exposed and break troops training cycles on the equipment.

According to analyst Cancian, Patriot systems ordered by Switzerland could be in play for Ukraine.

The U.S. State Department approved the sale of five fire units and related equipment to the Alpine nations for an estimated cost of $2.2 billion. According to Laliberty, Raytheon is in the process of producing the equipment.

There are mechanisms by which the U.S. can give some contracts priority over others  thus, it would be possible for Ukraine to get in line in front of Switzerland and in the current circumstances there is a high likelihood of that happening, Cancian said.

Still, approvals would be needed from all sides, he added.

For the Swiss, the question of giving priority to Ukraine is academic, according to a spokesman for Armasuisse, the countrys defense-acquisition agency.

There have been no such requests, and we do not comment on hypothetical questions, the spokesman said in response to a Defense News query. Armasuisse has concluded an agreement with the U.S. government on the acquisition of Patriot systems. The delivery is planned from 2027 onwards.
Ukraine will send a request to the North Atlantic Alliance to convene a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council to discuss the issue of strengthening Ukraine's air defence.

Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address on 16 April, European Pravda reports

Details: The Ukrainian president once again referred to the discussions on how the United States and other Western allies had joined in repelling Iran's attack on Israel with missiles and drones.

Quote: "Over the past two days, we've heard all sorts of things. [Such as] Different conflicts  here in Europe and in the Middle East  different threat levels, different airspace, although the Shahed drones and ballistic missiles are the same. [They said] That the threats of escalation are different," Zelenskyy listed.

He stressed that in all cases, the issue is about equally valuable human lives, which must be "protected at the same level from terror".

"Ukraine will request a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council to discuss the protection of the skies, the supply of air defence, relevant systems and missiles," the Ukrainian president said, without giving any more details.

Background:

Previously, following the meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Zelenskyy said that Western powers could help Ukraine defend itself against Russian attacks in the same way they helped Israel against Iranian strikes.

The White House stated that the United States refused to take any combat role in the war in Ukraine, so it will not shoot down Iranian drones launched by Russia, as it did with allies last weekend in Israel.

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Ukraine war latest: Russia destroyed Kyiv Oblast power plant after Ukraine ran out of air defense missiles, Zelensky says

Key developments on April 16:

Zelensky: Russia destroyed key power plant near Kyiv since Ukraine 'ran out of missiles' for its defense

Source: Ukraine strikes Russian modernized long-range radar system in Bryansk Oblast

Bloomberg: Russia does not have capability to launch offensive on Kharkiv

Zelensky signs mobilization bill

Scholz says he asked Xi to 'put pressure on Russia' to end invasion

Russian forces destroyed the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant (TPP) in Kyiv Oblast because Ukraine had run out of missiles to defend it during an attack, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with PBS NewsHour published on April 16.

The Trypillia TPP was completely destroyed in a Russian strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure on April 11, leading to the 100% loss of Centrenergo's generating capacity.

Russia launched 11 missiles in the direction of the plant, according to Zelensky. Ukraine was able to shoot down the first seven, and four "destroyed Trypillia."

"Why? Because there were zero missiles. We ran out of all the missiles that protected the Trypillia TPP," the president said.

The plant is located less than 30 kilometers south of Kyiv and was the main power supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts.

Ukraine's capital city is understood to be the best-protected from Russian mass missile and drone attacks, but stocks of air defense are low across the country as U.S. military aid funding for Ukraine continues to be held up in Congress.

In the meantime, Russia has stepped up targeted attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, overwhelming local air defenses and destroying some of Ukraine's largest coal-fired power stations.

On April 13, amid a renewed diplomatic effort from Kyiv to receive more air defense systems, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the immediate delivery of an additional Patriot battery to Ukraine.

On the front line, Russia is firing shells at a ratio of around 10:1 to those of Ukraine, Zelensky said in the same PBS interview.

"You have to be much stronger than your enemy, that's what I am talking about. Today, (a ratio of) artillery shells is 1 to 10. Can we stand with this? No, we cannot. (Ratio of) aircraft is 1 to 30. How can we fight?" the president said.

"We do not ask for any special weapons. No one asks for 500 or 300 planes. By the way, Russia uses 300 planes only on Ukraine's territory," Zelensky added.

Read also: PACE adopts resolution calling for transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine

Source: Ukraine strikes Russian modernized long-range radar system in Bryansk Oblast

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) attacked a Russian modernized Nebo-U long-range radar system in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, a source at SBU told the Kyiv Independent on April 16.

The Nebo-U system was reportedly capable of monitoring the sky 700 kilometers deep into Ukraine, which helped Russian troops detect Ukrainian weapons and support fighter jets dropping guided aerial bombs. The complex has an estimated price tag of around $100 million.

It was hit with seven kamikaze drones and "is no longer operational," the source told the Kyiv Independent.

"Thanks to the destruction of this radar, the enemy has fewer opportunities to detect air targets along Ukraine's northern border," the source said.

"Russians' radar blindness will help our troops to conduct reconnaissance, launch drones and use army aviation in this area more efficiently."

This is the second Nebo-U system reportedly destroyed by Ukraine. The first one was targeted in Belgorod Oblast in Russia, according to SBU.

Other high-value Russian targets recently struck by Ukraine include the Russian Kasta-2E2 radar system, which was reportedly destroyed near occupied Berdiansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Read also: Military intelligence reports fire at substation in Russias Bryansk Oblast, outages at military facilities

Bloomberg: Russia does not have capability to launch offensive on Kharkiv

Western officials do not believe that Russia has the capability to launch a new attack on Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv "without a major replenishment of Russian troops," Bloomberg reported on April 16.

Russia has recently intensified attacks against Kharkiv, which had a population of 1.4 million in 2021, with the use of missiles, glide bombs, and drones, destroying energy infrastructure and killing civilians.

Russian forces failed to take Kharkiv in the first weeks of the full-scale invasion, despite the fact the city lies less than 30 kilometers from the Russian border.

In late March, President Volodymyr Zelensky said another major Russian offensive may come at the end of May or in June.

The Financial Times then reported on April 13 that Russia might plan to attack Kharkiv as part of a wider offensive.

Zelensky has said that "Kharkiv is protected" and Ukraine's military intelligence said earlier in April that news of a potential attack on Kharkiv "part of a Russian psychological operation," adding that there were no signs of Moscow preparing new attack formations to carry out a ground offensive.

"While Russia may be short of the manpower," Moscow is making a "coordinated effort to cut off supplies and create conditions that make the city uninhabitable, Bloomberg said, citing officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"The damage is extensive enough, and the attacks so unrelenting, that authorities will struggle to restore capacity before the cold sets in next winter," Bloomberg said.

Read also: Ukrainian survivor of Russian torture files legal complaint in Argentina

Zelensky signs mobilization bill

Ukraine's bill on mobilization has been signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the online portal of Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on April 16.

The bill was passed in its second reading in parliament on April 11 and was signed by the speaker of the parliament on April 15. The bill was submitted for presidential signature earlier on April 16.

The bill on mobilization is a critical component of the Ukrainian political and military leadership's efforts to update the legal framework around conscription in order to ramp up mobilization in 2024.

After an initial, contentious version of the mobilization bill was withdrawn in January, a new, updated version passed the first reading on Feb. 7. Lawmakers have proposed over 4,000 amendments to the bill since then.

Several key provisions of the earlier draft law were eventually passed by the parliament separately, with President Volodymyr Zelensky signing three laws in early April: on the lowering of the conscription age to 25, the introduction of an electronic register for conscripts, and the canceling of the "partially eligible" status.

The final version of the mobilization bill was approved by the parliament's National Security and Defense Committee on April 9.

Of the provisions remaining in the bill, key points include the right of disabled soldiers and those who have returned from captivity to discharge themselves, and the introduction of mandatory medical commission checks for those who previously held the "partially eligible" status.

Other provisions include penalties for those deemed to be dodging the draft, including the potential revoking of consular services and driver's licenses.

The parliament also voted to remove provisions on demobilization, which previously foresaw soldiers having the right to leave the military after 36 months of service, from the bill so that they could be considered separately.

Read also: General Shapovalov appointed as new head of Southern Operational Command

Scholz says he asked Xi to 'put pressure on Russia' to end invasion

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on April 16 that he has asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to "put pressure" on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine, as "China's word carries weight in Russia."

Scholz met with Xi in Beijing on April 16 as part of a three-day visit to China. Scholz said before the meeting that he planned to discuss "how we can contribute more to a just peace in Ukraine."

The German chancellor said he asked Xi to "put pressure on Russia to ensure that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin finally abandons his insane campaign, withdraws his troops, and ends this terrible war."

The two leaders also agreed to "coordinate intensively and positively on promoting the hosting of a high-level conference in Switzerland and future international peace conferences," Scholz said, referring to the upcoming global peace summit in Lucerne.

Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua said Xi and Scholz had an "in-depth exchange of views," and Xi proposed four principles to resolve the war.

These principles included refraining "from selfish gains," working to "cool down the situation and not add fuel to the fire," creating "conditions for the restoration of peace," and reducing "the negative impact on the world economy."

Beijing has also maintained close ties with Moscow since February 2022. Ukraine and Europe have diplomatic channels with China open and repeatedly urged Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to help end the war.

Washington expressed concern to its allies about China's support for Russia on April 9, which led the Chinese Foreign Ministry to declare that Beijing and Moscow have the right to continue "normal cooperation."

Read also: Scholz, Xi meet in Beijing, discuss peace in Ukraine

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The mention of $120 million will perk up most peoples ears.

Thats the figure tucked into an item on Fridays agenda of the Wichita County Commissioners Court meeting.

A lawyer for Solvent Energy Inc. wants to talk to the panel about plans for a $120,000,000 Reynolds Park Storage Project in Wichita County.

Wichita County commissioners will hear Friday about plans for a $120 million battery energy storage system proposed for a location in the county

Wichita County Judge Jim Johnson said he knows nothing about the company or what they will have to say.

I have no idea. They have not talked to me, Johnson said.

Companies often approach local governing bodies because they need permits or want incentives, such as tax breaks.

Ron Kitchens, president of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, says he knows nothing of the company, either.

Solvent did not return messages from TRN Tuesday, but the companys website provides a little information.

The company apparently entered the U.S. market in 2021 and intends to provide power to the Energy Reliability Council of Texas, regulator of the states utility grid.

The website says Solvent Energy offers utility-scale solar and energy storage hybrid projects and standalone BESS projects under contract and in various stages of development.

BESS stands for Battery Energy Storage Systems, which store energy from solar and wind power for release when its needed.

The website lists three solar and BESS sites and 12 stand-alone BESS sites in Texas, including the Wichita County location. None appear to be constructed yet.

The Reynold Park Storage Project is listed as 12 acres in Wichita County near an existing electrical substation. An accompanying video shows a stretch of two-lane road and photos depict a substation, but the exact location is not specified.

The company also lists projects in Archer and Throckmorton counties.

Solvent is listed on its website as a Delaware corporation and appears to be a subsidiary of JC Mont Fort, a Swiss corporation with a stated mission to Promote, Develop and Harness green energy across the globe.

More: City Council adopts revised water, drought plan

More: Wichita Falls got new police officers from the 77th Police Academy

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Is a $120-million green energy plant headed for Wichita County?
Following information regarding the checks in the 67th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Right Sector Ukrainian Volunteer Corps, the Ground Forces announced that they had chosen to convert the brigade into a military unit.

Source: Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Quote: "The assault battalion of the 67th Separate Mechanised Brigade shall be separated into its own assault military formation.

Such reorganisations are common and aim to improve the overall combat readiness and effectiveness of Ukraine's defence forces. The quantity and extent of such measures are not disclosed to prevent the enemy from becoming aware of our soldiers' objectives and future activities."

Details: The Ground Forces emphasised that during martial law, they would refrain from "any comments on decisions aimed at increasing the combat effectiveness of troops and more effective conduct of hostilities."

Ukraine's Ground Forces also stated that they are implementing adjustments to organisational structures and reorganising the Armed Forces of Ukraine "taking into account the results of combat missions, the analysis of the actions taken". They also want to strengthen the defence.

The Ground Forces also stated that "the loss of positions by one of our units and the exposure of the flanks of other brigades and battalions cost us human lives, and the change in the situation is not in favour of the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

Background:

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russia is concentrating efforts to break through the Ukrainian defence west of Bakhmut, seize the settlement of Chasiv Yar and create conditions for further advancement to the Kramatorsk agglomeration.

After losing some positions on the Chasiv Yar front in Donetsk Oblast, where heavy fighting has been ongoing since the beginning of 2024, the 67th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Right Sector Ukrainian Volunteer Corps is being investigated and the military personnel who served as the brigades backbone are being transferred to other units.

On 4-5 April, the Russian army attempted, unsuccessfully, to establish a foothold on the outskirts of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast. As of 5 April, the city remains under Ukrainian control.

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Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) Human Rights Commissioner, assesses the updated law on mobilisation positively.

Source: Lubinets at a briefing, as reported by Ukrinform

Quote: "In my opinion, the bill, which was adopted under current circumstances in Ukraine, is the best option we could hope for. All important remarks which I had sent to the profile committee as the Commissioner were taken into account."

Details: Lubinets noted that it was important to remember that very heavy fighting is ongoing in the combat zone at the moment, and the soldiers participating in it should be able to go on vacation, and this requires more Ukrainians serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Quote: "The why I see it, now the procedure is as democratic as possible, without coercion. All persons liable for military service must undergo this procedure, specifically the verification of their personal information in the register, and after that those who do not adhere to legal norms will be subject to action of these democratic principles of our state. Conscription centres will inform the National Police of Ukraine, and only the latter is authorised to initiate a criminal or administrative proceeding against the persons who do not adhere to the law."

Background:

On 11 April, the Verkhovna Rada passed in full the bill on issues of mobilisation, military registration and military service. The adoption of the legislative act was supported by 283 MPs.

On Tuesday 16 April, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law on improving certain issues of mobilisation, military registration and military service. Soon it will be published in the official parliamentary journal Holos Ukrainy (Voice of Ukraine), and a month after that the law will come into force.

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Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner reveals how many Ukrainians are missing under special circumstances

Photo: the Office of Dmytro Lubinets, Human Rights Commissioner of Verkhovna Rada on Facebook

Almost 37,000 people are considered missing under special circumstances, including children, civilians and soldiers.

Source: the Office of Dmytro Lubinets, Human Rights Commissioner of Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament)

Details: Lubinets reported that Russia has been kidnapping civilians since 2014 but the situation has gotten much worse after the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

At the moment almost 37,000 Ukrainians are considered missing under special circumstances, including children, civilians and soldiers. In addition to this, Ukraine identified about 1,700 people who had been illegally detained by Russia.

As of now the Ukrainian authorities have only managed to bring 147 civilian captives back.

"At the same time we are doing everything within our power to get the issue of liberating the captive civilians off the ground. Specifically, the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner is working on it, and it is also point 4 of the Peace Formula.

Moreover, under the initiative of our institution, Ukraine has created the International Platform for Liberating the Civilians Illegally Detained by Russia," Dmytro Lubinets stated.

He added that Ukraine was working to open a humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of civilians. In particular, such negotiations were held with Turkiye.

Initiating the process of criminal prosecution of top leadership of Russia for kidnapping civilians is also being considered.

Background:

There are sick and vulnerable social groups among the civilians held captive by Russia. Three representatives of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) were also captured by Russia.

The National Police of Ukraine reported that over 50,000 Ukrainians are missing under special circumstances.

The family of missing Ukrainians are urged to turn to the Human Rights Commissioner for help.

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(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday for his diplomatic efforts in Beijing to resolve Kyiv's 25-month-old war with Russia and said China could play a role in securing peace.

Ukraine has deployed considerable effort to secure the backing of China, which has close ties with Russia, for a peace summit due to take place in Switzerland in June. Russia is not invited to the gathering and has dismissed any such meeting as meaningless without Moscow's participation.

Scholz spent more than three hours on Tuesday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and said he asked him "to exert pressure on Russia so that (President Vladimir) Putin finally calls off his insane campaign, withdraws his troops and ends this terrible war".

But Xi appeared to dismiss the meeting in Switzerland, saying efforts towards a peaceful resolution should be recognised by both sides and include equal participation by all parties.

"I would like to specially thank Olaf, the Chancellor of Germany, for his leadership and appropriate international communication," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

"For the signals we have heard from Beijing. China can indeed help restore a just peace for Ukraine and stability in international relations."

Zelenskiy said the meeting in Switzerland "offers a real chance for all of us to ensure that the U.N. Charter and its goals and principles truly come into effect."

Chinese representatives have attended at least one of the preparatory meetings for the Swiss gathering.

A senior Chinese envoy, Li Hui, special representative for Eurasian affairs, met senior officials in both Moscow and Kyiv. But while in Moscow, he said it was impossible to discuss a Ukraine settlement without Moscow's participation.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleskandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Ukrainian citizen files first ever criminal complaint in Argentinian court concerning his torture in Russian-occupied territories

A Ukrainian citizen, whose name has not been disclosed, has filed the first ever lawsuit with the Federal Court of Argentina regarding the torture he experienced in the Russian-occupied territory of Ukraine.

Source: The Reckoning Project; Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL); Reuters

Quote from the PIJL: "On April 15th, The Reckoning Project (TRP), an initiative of Ukrainian and international reporters and lawyers to document war crimes, together with the victim, a Ukrainian citizen, present in person in Buenos Aires, submitted a criminal complaint to the Argentine Federal Judiciary. The case concerns the torture of a Ukrainian civilian by Russians in one of the cities they occupied."

Details: In this filing, Mr M. (whose name has been withheld for security reasons) has requested the Federal Court to investigate the torture inflicted on him by Russian officials and persons associated with them who tortured him and assisted in the torture, some of whom have been identified and others who are unnamed.

Mr M. said that he was electrocuted after being detained by Russian occupation forces in a Russian-controlled Ukrainian city.

Reuters reported that the complaint says electric cables were attached to the mans ear and finger to pass a shock through his body. He and others were held in cells 10 metres squared, with 12-20 people per cell, the complaint alleges.

"His evidence was corroborated by findings of international organizations, including the United Nations, that documented similar instances of torture upon other individuals in the same facility. Mr Ms torture was materially assisted by the presence and operation of Russian-linked entities and those in charge therein," the PIJL said.

Reuters reported that the complaint shows that Mr M. accuses one named person, two identified by their call signs or military insignia, and others who are unnamed of using electrocution and unlawful imprisonment as forms of torture in mid to late 2022.

"I was detained at work. Then they tortured me. They used electric shocks [...] It was incredibly painful, so I lost consciousness. I was lucky to survive. Many people are still there," Mr M. told Reuters in an interview in a Buenos Aires apartment ahead of the filing.

The Russian Ministry of Defence declined to comment.

Quote from the PIJL: "The Constitution of Argentina allows its courts, on the basis of universal jurisdiction, to try international crimes, including crimes against humanity and war crimes, irrespective of where they took place. Over the years, Argentina has taken a leading role in the fight against impunity both domestically and internationally, including by opening investigations under the principle of universal jurisdiction arising from different country contexts. Its judiciary has delivered landmark cases on the crime of torture. Therefore, The Reckoning Project team decided to file the complaint in Argentina."

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A Ukrainian citizen named Volodymyr has recollected, in an interview for Slidstvo.Info, how the Russians held him captive for more than a year in three locations  in a torture chamber in Kherson, in temporarily occupied Crimea, and in a penal colony and pre-trial detention centre in Russia.

Source: Slidstvo.info, a team of independent professional journalists

Details: After he was detained in Kherson, Volodymyr said, the Russians put chains on him and stretched out his body in the shape of a star. His interrogation was accompanied by physical violence, threats and tasering.

The Russian forces began to torture Volodymyr during his first interrogation.

Quote: "They used forceps or some kind of medieval finger cutters, as far as I could understand  they squeezed my genitals with them and threatened to cut them off. They threatened, using criminal slang, to sexually assault me in an unnatural way with a baton."

Details: Volodymyr also noted that the corrections officers in Russia constantly threatened him with sexual violence. Threats like this were commonplace.

After a month of detention in the Kherson torture chamber, Volodymyr was transferred along with several other people to a so-called "showcase camp" in Sevastopol (in temporarily occupied Crimea). There, they removed a cast that had been put on him in the Kherson torture chamber, which had not once been adjusted during the month of detention.

Two days later, the Kherson detainees were flown to the Russian Federation and placed in a pre-trial detention centre in the city of Borisoglebsk, Voronezh Oblast.

Quote: "Any movement outside the cells was accompanied by beatings and tasering, and you could not walk standing up straight  youd always have to be in a dolphin position: head down, hands up."

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The government will be able to provide a one-time payment of UAH 70,000 (about US$1,800) to military personnel and police officers executing combat tasks on the line of contact, which will be covered by taxes and domestic government bonds.

Source: Danylo Hetmantsev, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy

Details: Responding to a discussion on whether the government will have enough funds to make such payments, Hetmantsev explained how they will acquire the funds.

Quote: "First of all, at the expense of taxes, which we all shall all pay in readiness and understanding and at the rate required by our military. As much as needed. Second, because of domestic debt, there is more room for movement in terms of attracting resources, particularly banks," said the head of the committee.

At the same time, Hetmantsev commented on ideas that have gained popularity in social media, specifically the redistribution of budget funds intended to support the work of the national 24/7 newscast to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the reduction of the state apparatus to reduce the cost of lawmakers salaries.

"I will say this, last year under a general fund of the state budget, the maintenance of troops cost UAH 5 billion a day (about US$126 million). You can count yourselves how many days of the war we can fund, trying to save a few billions of hryvnias on ephemeral state expenditures. Yes, these are significant amounts as well but suggesting these funds as a solution is utter nonsense," Hetmantsev added.

He stressed that Ukraine should avoid funding at the expense of creating more money anyway.

Background:

The Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian Parliament) voted for a resolution obliging the government to develop a mechanism for an additional one-time payment of UAH 70,000 (about US$1,800) to soldiers performing combat tasks at the forefront, for every 30 days at the line of contact, Russian territory, and temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved a resolution authorising the one-time payment of UAH 70,000 (about US$1,800) to the personnel performing military operations on the line of contact, enemy territory, and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine for a total of 30 days.

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Ukrainian military say capture of Chasiv Yar will make it easier for Russia to attack other cities in Donetsk Oblast

If the Russians succeed in capturing Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast, they will be able to launch an offensive against other cities in the oblast, such as Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.

Source: Politico with reference to Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group of Forces

Quote: "This is the dominant height in the region, and control over it will allow the Russian invaders, if they achieve it, to significantly simplify the advance in the direction of Kostiantynivka and the direction of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk."

"These cities are the last stronghold of Donetsk Oblast, which is under the control of Ukraine."

Details: Voloshyn added that the Kremlin had ordered its forces to capture Chasiv Yar by 9 May, as Russian military propaganda desperately needs a major victory on the battlefield.

He also said that despite the constant attacks, the Russians are unlikely to achieve their goal. At the same time, he stressed that Kyiv needs Western air defence systems, F-16 fighter jets and other weapons to change the situation on the battlefield.

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This article takes a look at the 20 worst places to retire in Canada. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on retiring to Canada, you may go to 5 Worst Places to Retire in Canada.

Retirement Realities: Surprises, Worries, and Canadian Dreams

According to NBC News, 2023 was expected to be hit with a recession. Instead, it surprised everyone when it curbed inflation instead, and even delivered economic growth that was better than expected. Of course, the investors are happy. However, they arent the only group of people that are. Retirement account holders are another group of people that have been gaining from favorable markets, as noted by the results revealed by a Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) survey. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC)'s Retirement and Personal Wealth Solutions, along with its Bank of America Institute, have revealed their fourth quarter 2023 Participant Pulse. The report indicates that average 401(k) account balances rose 15% to $86,280 in 2023, up from $75,045 at the end of 2022. While participants have been contributing more to their plans, the value of investments has also increased, thereby increasing balances.

We were encouraged to see more plan participants taking positive actions in their accounts in the fourth quarter. These insights offer signs that people are prioritizing their retirement savings, with more employees increasing their contribution rates and fewer taking hardship distributions. - Lorna Sabbia, Head of Retirement and Personal Wealth Solutions at Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC).

While average account balances may be up, they are nowhere near what the average retiree needs saved for a comfortable retirement here in the US. According to a survey from The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW), Americans believe they need at least $1.8 million to retire comfortably. Meanwhile, the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances reveals that the average retirement savings for all families is a mere $333,940. For reasons like these, F&G Annuities & Life, Inc. (NYSE:FG) notes that 50% of pre-retirees and retirement Americans are considering delaying, or even coming out of, retirement.

Financial worries are the top reason Americans are thinking of doing so, notes F&G Annuities & Life, Inc. (NYSE:FG). Those nearing retirement believe they don't have enough saved. Yet many others are worried about how inflation is going to shake things up in the future, and there's also the dreaded depletion of the Social Security trust fund, expected to happen in the year 2033.

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"Amid inflation, changing workforce dynamics post-COVID, and overall generational shifts, Americans are rethinking retirement and extending their time working or, for some retirees, unretiring altogether. -Chris Blunt, President & CEO of F&G Annuities & Life, Inc. (NYSE:FG).

Even though Americans may not have enough to retire comfortably here in the US or any other dream destination, that doesn't mean they don't have the heart to. One such destination for many retirees is Canada. According to a study by Bank of Montreal (NYSE: BMO) Financial Group, Canadians think they need $1.7 million to retire, up from $1.4 million in 2020. The numbers aren't much different from what Americans believe they need for retirement in the US, which is why retiring to this part of the world isn't quite impossible.

Nevertheless, both Americans and Canadians have similar hopes and fears when it comes to retirement savings. The Retirement Study by Bank of Montreal (NYSE: BMO) reveals how Canadians are concerned about inflation and rising prices, and also how its going to impact their financial situation and their retirement goals.

"While the anticipated headwinds in 2023 will understandably prompt concerns about how inflation and interest rates will affect our finances, Canadians remain resilient and are taking proactive measures to protect and invest in their retirement nest egg. -Nicole Ow, Head, Retail Investments, Bank of Montreal (NYSE: BMO).

Financials aside, many prospective retirees often wonder if it is worth retiring in Canada. The answer is a resounding yes. Thanks to its universal healthcare, good quality of life, and diverse culture, retirees are probably going to enjoy their time in the country. However, one thing they need to make sure is that they consider relocating to some of the best places to retire in Canada. Some of these best places include Victoria and Vancouver in British Columbia, Quebec City in Quebec, and even Calgary in Alberta.

With that said, lets check out all the worst places to retire in Canada to steer clear of:

20 Worst Places to Retire in Canada

Copyright: blaze986 / 123RF Stock Photo

Methodology

To compile the list of worst places to retire in Canada, we used several sources and expat forums such as Money Sense, Daily Hive, and Savvy New Canadians, amongst others. A consensus approach was used to select the worst places, with one point awarded to a place each time it was recommended by a source. Scores were summed up and places were ranked according to our "Insider Monkey Score" in ascending order from the lowest to the highest scores.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

Here are the worst places to retire in Canada:

20. Sarnia, Ontario

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Home to many industrial complexes, Sarnia lands on our list of worst places to retire in Canada because of its poor air quality. Global News shared a news report last year that revealed how living in certain parts of Sarnia is bad because it poses an increased risk of cancer, particularly leukemia, due to exposure to air pollution.

19. Thompson, Manitoba

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Thompson may be a diverse place to live, but its also one of the most dangerous ones. This city in north-central Manitoba, Canada lands up as a worst retirement destination because of its violence.

18. Winnipeg, Manitoba

Insider Monkey Score: 5

Next up on our list of worst places to retire in Canada is Winnipeg. If you ask the residents, theyd say it is because of the poor healthcare. A poll conducted by Angus Reid Institute reveals how 77% of Manitobans state that the healthcare in the province is poor. Staffing shortages and longer wait times are two reasons for the bad state of affairs.

17. Thunder Bay, Ontario

Insider Monkey Score: 6

One of the worst cities to retire in Ontario is Thunder Bay. Reporting an estimated 775.2 offenses per 100,000, the city is a bad choice, especially for seniors. Other reasons for avoiding Thunder Bay are its harsh weather and difficult job market, which means seniors may have a hard time finding work if they choose to.

16. Prince Rupert, British Columbia

Insider Monkey Score: 7

Similar to many other British Columbia communities, Prince Rupert isnt ready to house a large senior population. Its not the cleanest place on our list, there isnt much to do here. Many residents are also thinking about leaving the community amidst growing health concerns, reports Nelson Star.

15. Regina, Saskatchewan

Insider Monkey Score: 8

If this was a list of places to retire on a fixed income, Regina would have made it to our list of the most affordable places to retire for seniors. However, the reason Regina makes it to our list of worst places is its weather.

14. North Battleford, Saskatchewan

Insider Monkey Score: 9

Retirees may be attracted to North Battleford because of its affordability, but residents say its bad because of its crime problem. People there call it Crime City, which means seniors are better off relocating elsewhere.

13. Lethbridge, Alberta

Insider Monkey Score: 9

Lethbridge lands up on our list because the locals say there isnt much to do here. Also, the wind tends to get pretty bad, so its less likely that youre going to enjoy the outdoors. Lethbridge is also infamous for its crime.

12. Hamilton, Ontario

Insider Monkey Score: 10

Hamilton in Ontario faces a problem with air pollution, making it a bad place to live for seniors. According to CBC, breathing the air in parts of Hamilton is like smoking a cigarette a day.

11. Moncton, New Brunswick

Insider Monkey Score: 11

Moncton is another place that has landed on our list of worst places to retire in Canada because of its notoriety for crime. The CCI reports 1,085.3 offences per 100,000 people.

10. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Insider Monkey Score: 13

Similar to Moncton, Saskatoon also has a bad reputation and is deemed a dangerous place for retirement.

9. Kelowna, British Columbia

Insider Monkey Score: 14

While not an entirely bad place to live, Kelowna lands on our list of worst places to retire in Canada because its becoming unaffordable for seniors. Property values and living costs are on the rise here, which means seniors on fixed incomes should steer clear of such areas. According to Houseful, the median price of a home in Kelowna is $854,230. The crime is pretty bad, too.

8. Abbotsford-Mission, British Columbia

Insider Monkey Score: 15

Next our list of worst places to retire in Canada is Abbotsford-Mission, BC. According to the CCI, this district has recorded 818.4 offenses per 100,000 people.

7. Timmins, Ontario

Insider Monkey Score: 16

Boasting much to do, one might be wondering why Timmins is one of the worst places to retire in Canada. The major reason for Timmins's bad reputation is because it is one of the most dangerous places one can choose to retire to.

6. Campbell River, British Columbia

Insider Monkey Score: 17

Downtown, the homelessness situation has been getting worse than ever. You cant go out for walks, and its better to stick to the main roads during the day. Considering the social situation here, its better to avoid living here altogether.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Worst Places to Retire in Canada. Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: none. 20 Worst Places to Retire in Canada is originally published on Insider Monkey.
A number of Ukrainian journalists are demanding that the country's military leadership replace Natalia Humeniuk, the head of the Joint Coordination Press Centre of the Operational Command Pivden (South). The reporters say she forbids covering Russian war crimes and does not allow them to film the defenders of Kherson Oblast.

Source: the journalists' statement on IMI website

Details: The statement was sent to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Minister of Defence Rustem Umierov and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Anatolii Barhylevych.

Quote: "We are convinced that the person who manages the Operational Command Pivden (South) communications during the war must be able to interact adequately and professionally with the media, understand the extreme importance of covering events from the contact line, the need to document and draw attention to the crimes of the Russians and in no case impose unjustified restrictions that impede the work of journalists."

Details: The media also demand that journalists be allowed access to the districts of Kherson and neighbouring territories where key events are taking place, taking into account the requirements of Order No. 73 of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Quote: "These territories were blocked by Natalia Humeniuk for an unreasonably long time, which led to disastrous information consequences for Ukraine."

"The most outrageous case was the ban on entry to flooded towns and villages in Kherson Oblast on the day of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant destruction  the world media was packed with references to the testimony of Russian propaganda media outlets, as there was almost no information from us.

Later, Humeniuk forbade us to record the suffering of Ukrainians in some villages where water disappeared due to the HPP explosion, and forbade us to film the bottom of the reservoir, which had dried up."

Details: The journalists note that, unlike in other areas, there is no access to hospitals and stabilisation centres in Kherson Oblast where injured defenders and civilians are treated.

Ukrainska Pravda quotes the journalists' demands:

"We demand:

that Natalia Humeniuk be replaced with a more competent person, which would not allow her to be involved in any communications management. We are convinced that the person who manages the communications of the Operational Command Pivden (South) during the war must be able to adequately and professionally interact with the media, understand the extreme importance of covering events from the contact line, the need to document and draw attention to the crimes of the Russians, and in no case impose unjustified restrictions that impede the work of journalists.

that access of journalists to the districts of Kherson and neighbouring territories where key events are taking place be allowed, taking into account the requirements of Order No. 73 of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These territories were unjustifiably blocked by Natalia Humeniuk for a long time, which led to disastrous information consequences for Ukraine.

the existing rules of operation of the press centres of the Operational Command Pivden and the combined newly created Tavriia Operational Strategic Group of Forces (formerly known as Odesa and Tavriia) be reviewed, as their work could have been affected by the recent appointment of Natalia Humeniuk. It is important to review the existing rules and procedures for the work of the press services of the military formations to avoid cases of excessive and unjustified control and restrictions that impede the coverage and documentation of events of great importance to Ukraine.

Please make every effort to ensure that journalists do not have to write another letter regarding the unacceptability of Hanna Malyar (former Deputy Defence Minister  ed.) heading any communication structures of the Defence Forces. Individuals in key communications positions must have the proper skills and reputation to perform their duties as required, especially in times of war".

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A Ukrainian man has filed a criminal complaint to Argentina's Federal Judiciary against the Russian occupying forces who tortured him, The Reckoning Project (TRP), an international NGO that works to bring war crime cases to court, announced on April 16.

Argentina's constitution allows for trials on "international crimes, including crimes against humanity and war crimes, irrespective of where they took place," on the basis of universal jurisdiction, TRP said in a press release.

The man, who is identified as Mr M for security reasons, filed the torture complaint on April 15 in Buenos Aires.

Though this case is the first time a Ukrainian torture complaint has been filed in Argentina, Mr M said that he is "one of so many cases."

As of March 2024, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office collected pretrial information on over 128,000 victims of war crimes.

Mr M noted that he has brought Ukraine's "pain and suffering to the international scene, to a country that is not unfamiliar with that type of pain and suffering."

Argentina was ruled by a military junta that led a campaign of terror against left-wing opponents and suspected dissidents between 1976 and 1983, known as the "Dirty War."

Read also: Destroy, in Whole or in Part

As many as 30,000 people were killed by the authorities in this period, thousands of whom went missing after being detained.

TRP noted that in recent years, "Argentina has taken a leading role in the fight against impunity both domestically and internationally, including by opening investigations under the principle of universal jurisdiction arising from different country contexts."

Nataliya Gumenyuk, a Ukrainian journalist and CEO of the Public Interest Journalism Lab, accompanied the surivor to Argentina for the filing of the complaint.

"For us Ukrainians, the Argentinian experience of trials is both a call for international support in upholding the rule of law and a hope that justice is possible," Gumenyuk said.

According to Reuters, which has seen the complaint, Russian forces held Mr M in a detention center in Ukraine's occupied south.

"The man accuses one named person, two identified by their call signs or military insignia, and others who are unnamed of using electrocution and unlawful imprisonment as forms of torture in mid to late 2022," Reuters said.

The court in Argentina will now decide if it will accept the complaint, a process that could take months, Reuters said.

Read also: Inside a prison where Russia tortured Ukrainian POWs. Investigation by the Kyiv Independent

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A University of Louisiana at Lafayette instructor was one of three people found dead in a residence in a homicide that occurred Friday night, Lafayette Police Department said in a news release.

The victims were identified by authorities as Eric Green, who was an adjunct psychology instructor at ULL, Brandon Touchet and Elizabeth Reames, all of Lafayette.

Police received a call in reference to a welfare concern in the 700 block of South College Road, the release said. Officers arrived at the residence and attempted to make contact with the individual. Upon entry to the residence, three dead bodies were found.

Lafayette Police work a crime scene on 700 block of S. College Road.

All three bodies were found shot inside Reames apartment, the release said.

A suspect, Chad Credeur of Duson, has been arrested and charged with first degree murder. Credeur was a mutual friends of all three victims, according to police. At the time of Credeurs arrest in Jeff Davis Parish, he had all three victims identification and some personal belongings in his possession.

The investigation is still ongoing, and a motive has not been identified. Credeur is currently being held in Jeff Davis Parish for charges unrelated to this case.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Three victims found dead in a Lafayette residence identified by LPD
UN calls on Israel to end support of settler attacks on West Bank

FILE PHOTO: Mourners attend the funeral of Palestinian Yazan Ishtayeh who was killed in an Israeli raid, near Nablus

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights office on Tuesday called on Israel to halt its support of attacks by settlers in the occupied West Bank, which has seen an uptick of raids by Israel since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack.

The call came a day after Israeli settlers shot dead two Palestinians in the West Bank on Monday, after Israeli forces killed a Palestinian teenager during a military raid.

"Israel, as the occupying power, must take all measures in its power to restore, and ensure, as far as possible, public order and safety in the occupied West Bank," said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"This obligation includes protecting Palestinians from settler attacks, and ending unlawful use of force against Palestinians by the Israeli Security Forces."

She added: "The Israeli Security Forces must immediately end their active participation in and support for settler attacks on Palestinians."

Violence in the West Bank was already on the rise before Israel's assault on Gaza, which was triggered by an Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. It has escalated since, with stepped-up Israeli military raids, settler violence and Palestinian street attacks.

Shamdasani described the escalating violence in the West Bank as "a matter of grave concern."

In addition to more than 33,000 Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza, according to Hamas-run authorities, the Palestinian Health Ministry says at least 466 people in the West Bank have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -A United Nations Security Council committee considering an application by the Palestinian Authority to become a full U.N. member "was unable to make a unanimous recommendation" on whether it met the criteria, according to the committee report seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

The Palestinian Authority is still expected to push the 15-member Security Council to vote - as early as Thursday - on a draft resolution recommending it become a full member of the world body, diplomats said. Security Council member Algeria circulated a draft text late on Tuesday.

Such membership would effectively recognize a Palestinian state. The Palestinians are currently a non-member observer state, a de facto recognition of statehood that was granted by the 193-member U.N. General Assembly in 2012.

But an application to become a full U.N. member needs to be approved by the Security Council, where Israel ally the United States can block it, and then at least two-thirds of the General Assembly.

The United States said earlier this month that establishing an independent Palestinian state should happen through direct negotiations between the parties and not at the United Nations.

The U.N. Security Council has long endorsed a vision of two states living side by side within secure and recognized borders. Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, all territory captured by Israel in 1967.

Little progress has been made on achieving Palestinian statehood since the signing of the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the early 1990s.

The Palestinian push for full U.N. membership comes six months into a war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza, and as Israel is expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The Security Council committee on the admission of new members - made up of all 15 council members - agreed to its report on Tuesday after meeting twice last week to discuss the Palestinian application.

"Regarding the issue of whether the application met all the criteria for membership ... the Committee was unable to make a unanimous recommendation to the Security Council," the report said, adding that "differing views were expressed."

U.N. membership is open to "peace-loving states" that accept the obligations in the founding U.N. Charter and are able and willing to carry them out.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Christopher Cushing)
UN envoy says of the threat to coral reefs: 'Are we faced with a colossal ecosystem tragedy? Yes'

FILE - Bleached coral is visible at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, off the coast of Galveston, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico, Sept. 16, 2023. The world is not doing enough to protect coral reefs  vital marine ecosystems that protect biodiversity, produce some of the oxygen we breathe, slow erosion and sustain underwater life  the United Nations special envoy for the ocean said Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

ATHENS, Greece (AP)  The world is not doing enough to protect coral reefs, the United Nations special envoy for the ocean said Tuesday in defense of the marine ecosystems that protect biodiversity, sustain underwater life and produce some of the oxygen we breathe.

In an interview with The Associated Press on the sidelines of an international ocean conference in Greece, Peter Thomson suggested that all significant coral reefs should be included in marine protected areas under what is known as the 30x30 initiative  a plan to designate 30% of the worlds land and ocean areas as protected areas by 2030.

Top reef scientists on Monday announced that coral reefs are experiencing global bleaching for the fourth time  and the second time in just 10 years  as a result of warming oceans amid human-caused climate change.

Bleaching occurs when stressed coral, which are invertebrates, expel the algae that provide their food and give them their vibrant colors. Although the coral can recover, severe and prolonged bleaching can kill it.

Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and International Coral Reef Initiative said on Monday that coral bleaching across at least 53 countries, territories or local economies has been confirmed since February 2023.

Although much is being done to protect coral reefs around the world, the prime cause driving events such as global bleaching is the burning of fossil fuels, which leads to greenhouse gas emissions and warming oceans, Thomson said.

Is enough being done? The answer is definitely not," he said. "And the done factor is the transition away from burning fossil fuels.

Thomson said he believes some more resilient coral will survive, and noted efforts to preserve coral in facilities such as aquariums. But are we faced with a colossal ecosystem tragedy? Yes, definitely. And we cant escape that, he said. The fourth mass bleaching is just  a harbinger of whats coming.

Sometimes described as underwater rain forests, coral reefs support a quarter of marine species and form crucial barriers that protect coastlines from the full force of storms. They also provide billions of dollars in revenue from tourism, fishing and other commerce.

Thomson said that including significant reefs in the 30x30 initiative would be a feasible way of increasing their protection. Extending them the safeguards afforded to marine protected areas would be very valuable for the preservation of the reefs, he said.

You cant have a healthy planet without a healthy ocean. And the oceans health is currently measurably in decline, Thomson said.

Thomson, an ambassador from Fiji who was appointed as the U.N. secretary-generals special envoy for the ocean in 2017, vowed to continue the fight.

You cant condemn your grandchildren to a world with no coral, to a world on fire, he said. Thats not the world were going to give our grandchildren.
At a meeting of the UN Security Council, representatives of the EU, the US and Ukraine have blamed the incidents at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) on Russia, which has occupied the nuclear facility.

Source: Ukrinform

Details: The Russian Federation bears full responsibility for the nuclear safety risks it creates at the seized Zaporizhzhia NPP, as noted in a statement by the European Union, Ukraine and other European countries read out at a meeting of the UN Security Council by EU Permanent Representative to the UN Stavros Lambrinidis.

The EU Permanent Representative recalled that it was the first time that a country that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council illegally seized a nuclear power plant of one of its neighbours.

Robert Wood, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN, said that the control of the Russian occupation forces over the Zaporizhzhia NPP, as well as the operation of the power plant by unqualified personnel, increase the safety risks to a large nuclear facility in Ukraine.

Serhii Kyslytsia, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, said that the Russian Federation is trying to blame Ukraine for the attacks on ZNPP, hoping to remove the issue of plant liberation from the agenda.

Quote from Kyslytsia: "The only root cause of all nuclear safety risks is Russia's unprovoked and unjustified aggressive war against Ukraine."

More details: What happened at ZNPP on 7 and 9 April 2024 and afterwards was a well-planned false flag operation by the Russian Federation, he explained. He said that the attack was aimed at shifting the focus away from the aforementioned root cause and the only way to eliminate all threats to nuclear safety and security, namely the liberation of the plant.

Kyslytsia said that Moscow wants to "feed the world the version that nuclear reactors, the protection of which was designed to withstand the strongest attacks, were attacked by low-powered short-range drones", which are designed to hit infantry and small vehicles at a distance of several kilometres.

The increasing militarisation of the station and the surrounding occupied territories remains part of Russia's military strategy, he said. Moscow uses them as a cover for artillery strikes on the territories and settlements on the other side of Dnipro, the permanent representative said.

Recently, new footage of Russian soldiers and military equipment in the corridors of the power units has appeared on social media, he added.

Among the violations committed by Russia are the installation of anti-personnel mines around the perimeter of the plant, blocking access to the facility for legitimate management and personnel, disconnecting automated data transmission from the radiation monitoring system, and failing to ensure timely and complete maintenance.

Kyslytsia said that Ukraine categorically rejects the "crazy accusations" that it could cause a nuclear disaster.

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Chinese, Saudi FMs hold phone talks on Middle East's regional situation, bilateral ties

Xinhua) 08:43, April 16, 2024

BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, held phone talks on Monday regarding the regional situation in the Middle East as well as China-Saudi Arabia ties.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China appreciates Saudi Arabia's emphasis on resolving issues through diplomatic means, and that China is willing to work together with Saudi Arabia to avoid further escalation of confrontation in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia is an important partner of China in the Middle East, said Wang, adding that China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Saudi Arabia, follow through on the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, continuously deepen political mutual trust, and promote bilateral relations to higher levels.

For his part, Faisal said that Saudi Arabia, deeply concerned about the current escalating situation in the Middle East, hopes that the situation will return to the normal track as soon as possible.

Noting that Saudi Arabia highly expects China to play an active and important role in this regard, Faisal said the Saudi side is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, start the implementation of the two-state solution, and help achieve stability in the Middle East at an early date.

Saudi Arabia fully trusts China, and is willing to push for the sustainable development of bilateral cooperation, he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The MEBAA Show, the regions leading business aviation platform, will return to Dubai this year with a refreshed agenda packed with new concepts.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the 10th edition of the MEBAA Show will take place from December 10 to 12 at Dubai World Central (DWC), Dubai Airshow Site.

The global business jet market continues to grow and is predicted to increase from $42.14 billion in 2022 to $62.66 billion in 2030. The Middle East and Africa region will be a key contributor to this growth.

The private jet charter market is projected to expand from $566.46 million to $943.39 million between 2024 and 2029, and business aviation traffic in the Middle East is set to witness a 10% year-on-year increase.

While persistence of the Covid-19 pandemic during 2022 helped fuel growth, the prominence of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI)  particularly in large economies such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia  and growing aviation emission rules continue to influence the market.

Ali Alnaqbi, Founding and Executive Chairman of the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), commented: The business aviation industry continues to see strong demand and as a result we are witnessing substantial investment in market infrastructure and ancillary products and services, along with the addition of new aircraft. The MEBAA Show aims to be a leader in the development of our industry, demonstrating innovation across the sector and gathering leading minds to uncover new pathways. We are delighted to be bringing local, regional and international stakeholders from across the business and private aviation landscape to Dubai, ready to chart the way forward and collectively shape the future of our industry.

A number of international companies have already signed up and confirmed their attendance for the MEBAA Show 2024, including Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Bombardier, Embraer, Empire Aviation, DC Aviation, Vista and Saudia Private.

The show will gather industry leaders to gain market insights, uncover future trends and address some of the most pressing challenges facing the industry. Key themes include sustainability in business aviation, exploration of emerging technologies, market trends, future of flight, managing supply chain challenges, the role of start-ups in private aviation and enhancing the customer experience, among others.

The successful BizAv Talks will return for a second year, featuring an extended programme to enable even more conversations on the pressing topics defining the industry, alongside the returning Operators Program, a valuable networking platform for business matchmaking and knowledge exchange. 2024 will also see the launch of BizAv Social. Held on the evening of day two, it will bring the industry together and facilitate networking in a fun and relaxed social environment, making it a must-attend event for industry professionals.

New for this year, VISTA at the MEBAA Show will be an extension of the successful startup hub launched during the Dubai Airshow 2021. Offering a brand-new platform for global startups to showcase their innovations and network with the business aviation industry, the hub will feature technologies ranging from crypto and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to sustainability, among others. Further new and expanded features include a Next Gen Leaders forum, with a full day programme curated for students, and an Advanced Air Mobility pavilion to display the latest eVTOLs entering the market.

By attending The MEBAA Show, organisations will have the chance to meet industry experts including leaders from OEMs, Brokers, Operators, Trip Support, Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) sectors and Completions, among others. As the only event of its kind in the Middle East that combines a trade show and aircraft display on the same site, attendees will also witness a spectacular line-up of private jets and luxury showcases from world-class exhibitors. -TradeArabia News Service




Image source: Getty Images

Costco is a popular warehouse club because shopping there allows many people to keep more money in their bank accounts by taking advantage of the deals on offer. But, joining Costco and shopping there regularly is not for everyone. While it can be a boon for the personal finances of some households, it could be a detriment to others if not used correctly.

You should watch for these three big signs that you shouldn't shop at Costco. If you spot any of them, it may be a better idea not to sign up for a membership to the popular warehouse club.

1. You regularly save a ton of money on household items using manufacturer coupons

You can get inexpensive items from grocery stores and drug stores if you combine manufacturer coupons and store coupons. Unfortunately, this technique does not work at Costco.

The problem is, Costco does not accept manufacturer coupons. While it offers its own deals, you can't combine them and stack coupons and sales as you would be able to do at other stores you might shop at. You may actually end up with bigger credit card bills if you start shopping at Costco since you'll lose the chance to put your coupon-shopping skills to use.

2. You don't have much storage room at home

Costco, like most warehouse clubs, offers good deals because you can buy items in bulk. You typically can't just buy a roll or two of paper towels or a small box of cereal -- you need to purchase a jumbo size.

And if you don't happen to have room for 12 individually wrapped paper towel rolls in your home, along with many other large products you'd have to buy to make your membership worth it, then shopping at Costco doesn't make any sense.

3. You prefer to buy mostly off-brand items

Costco offers its own store-brand products, which are sold under the Kirkland Signature name. However, there are only around 350 Kirkland-brand products on Costco store shelves. That isn't very many, especially when you consider that Walmart offers more than 29,000 products under its Great Value label.

The rest of Costco's deals come from smaller markups on name-brand items. But, those name-brand items, even at a discount, may be more expensive than generics from other companies. Walmart's Great Value Honey Nut O's Oat Breakfast Cereal, for example, comes in at $0.153 per ounce, while Costco's Cheerios are $0.25 per ounce.

If you're a fan of store brand or generic items, you would be better off shopping at other stores that offer better selection rather than shopping at Costco and spending more to get name-brand products you don't really want or need.

Story continues

If you spot any of these three signs, you should most likely pass on a Costco membership. Shopping there probably wouldn't provide you with enough savings to justify the $60 annual starting membership price. Instead of wasting money on a membership fee, you can keep going with your current system of buying generic, using coupons, or only buying the number of items you can comfortably (and neatly) store in your home.

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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Christy Bieber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

3 Signs You Absolutely Shouldn't Shop at Costco was originally published by The Motley Fool
An uneasy alliance of Arab states helped defend Israel from Iran. Their resolve may soon be tested.

BEIRUT  Since Irans unprecedented retaliatory attack against Israel was thwarted over the weekend with the help of the U.S. and its Middle Eastern allies, the Biden administration has crowed that the coalition averted a regional war.

An Israeli response, however, would test the durability of an informal coalition of awkward bedfellows, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, whose recent cooperation against Iran has the potential to be damaging on the home front, analysts say.

Those Arab countries are in a very critical situation, said Oraib Al Rantawi, director of the Al Quds Center for Political Studies, a think tank based in Jordans capital, Amman. There is no easy position to take for all of them, especially Jordan, which for geopolitical reasons has found itself trapped between two troublemakers  Iran and Israel.

After Irans barrage of more than 300 missiles and drones did limited damage, as many of them were shot down by American, British, Israeli and Jordanian forces, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Monday on MSNBCs Morning Joe that the coordinated operation was an extraordinary military success that sent a strong message about where Israel is in the region versus where Iran is in the region, which is increasingly isolated.

Jordan's council of ministers said the armed forces intercepted 'flying objects' which breached its airspace. (Ahmad Shoura / AFP - Getty Images)

But there was no such boasting from Americas partners in the Middle East, where even acknowledgment of the weekends events was muted.

One sighting of their difficult domestic messaging came Monday, when Jordans foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, told state television that the country would defend itself against any threat to its sovereignty and airspace, including from Israel.

The comments, echoed in foreign media interviews, were among the few public statements Jordanian officials have made about the countrys role.

Iran said the salvo was retaliation for an attack on the Iranian consular building in the Syrian capital, Damascus, which killed two senior commanders and five advisers from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, for which it is widely believed to be responsible.

Israel may test Jordans commitment in a matter of hours depending on whether and how it decides to respond.

Among the three Arab states that participated in Israels defense, Jordan is the only one that shares a border with Israel and the only one that took part in the air operation to destroy the drones.

In a measure of the Middle Easts new realignment, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates shared intelligence about Iranian plans with the U.S. after they were briefed on them to safeguard their airspace, as first reported on Monday by The Wall Street Journal.

Jordan's King Abdullah meets with U.S. President Biden at the White House in Washington (Kevin Lamarque / Reuters)

While the UAE normalized its diplomatic relations with Israel four years ago, Saudi Arabia was on the verge of doing so before the negotiations were derailed by Hamas Oct. 7 attacks, which Israeli officials say killed 1,200 people.

Both of the monied Gulf monarchies are heavily reliant on Western states, said Tahani Mustafa, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, a Belgium-based think tank. Saudi Arabia wants a U.S. security pact, he said. Until that alliance is kind of fixed, Saudi will try to do all it can to remain in the U.S. good books.

Jordans participation signaled a kind of volte-face for a state that has been unsparing in its criticism of Israels six-month military campaign in the Gaza Strip. It was the first country to withdraw its ambassador from Israel, it has repeatedly called for a cease-fire, and it has taken the lead on delivering aid into the besieged enclave.

Rather than signal a newfound affection for its neighbor, Jordans participation in the operation shows its wholesale reliance on American and Israeli diplomatic and economic support, said Rantawi of the Al Quds Center for Political Studies.

People protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza, in Amman (Alaa Al Sukhni / Reuters)

Even though Palestinian refugees are about half of the population, Jordan became the second Arab country to recognize Israel in 1994. Its reliance on the wider West goes even deeper: Jordans landscape is dotted with American, French and British military bases, and its economy is largely propped up by humanitarian and military aid.

Jordans government also signed a 2021 defense agreement that essentially gives the American military free use of its land and airspace.

I dont think theyll have much choice than to go wherever the tide takes them, said Mustafa of the International Crisis Group. Its ultimately not up to them.

Jordan is also eager to parry calls from right-wing Israeli lawmakers to take in more Palestinian refugees  part of a long-standing push to effectively turn Jordan into a de facto Palestinian state, she said.

But Jordans participation in the American coalition could still stand in the way of the governments desire to close the yawning gap between public policy and public opinion, Rantawi said, citing Jordanians relentless criticism of Israels war in Gaza.

So far, the messaging has appeared to work in all three countries. Tensions between the largely Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE on one side and Iran, which is majority Shia, on the other have dominated the Middle East for decades.

There has been a narrative going on for years that Iran is trying to destabilize Jordan, said Ghaith al-Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a former official in the Palestinian Authority.

The ball is now very much in Israels court. Were Israel to launch a tit-for-tat strike on Iran, it would risk further alienating public opinion among its hard-won Middle East partners, Omari said.

Things can become very messy if the Israelis try to retaliate over Jordanian airspace, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
People listen as organizers speak at the IBEW Local 175 hall on Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Volkswagen workers are trying to join the United Auto Workers union. SETH HERALD for HuffPost

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.  Roughly 4,000 Volkswagen workers here will decide this week on whether to form a union at their assembly plant. Their votes will shape more than just the future of their jobs  they could mark a turning point for both the United Auto Workers and the auto industry in the South.



The election begins Wednesday and runs through Friday. The union previously lost two factorywide elections at the facility, including a stinging 833 to 776 defeat in 2019. Zachary Costello quietly supported that organizing effort. This time hes made his feelings known to anyone who will listen, throwing himself into the campaign as a member of the organizing committee.

I dont want to narrowly lose again. This time, Im not sitting on the sideline, said Costello, 34. To me it feels like the most important thing Ive ever been a part of, to the point where it doesnt even feel real.

Volkswagen worker Zachary Costello quietly supported the union in the past. This time he grew much more vocal: "I don't want to narrowly lose again." SETH HERALD for HuffPost

The UAW already represents Ford and General Motors workers at auto plants in the South, but for decades the union has struggled to organize foreign-owned transplant automakers in the region, where union membership tends to be low and politicians are generally hostile to labor groups.

As a result, the UAW has lost membership as a share of the industry, forcing the union into a more defensive posture in the places where it represents autoworkers  primarily Midwestern plants run by Ford, GM and Jeep parent company Stellantis. Meanwhile, much of the electric-vehicle boom is expected to take place down South, making the unions inroads there all the more important.

There are reasons to think this election at Volkswagen of America will be different than previous failed attempts.

The UAW is coming off a headline-grabbing strike last year against the Big Three automakers that resulted in significant wage gains and further chipped away at a two-tiered system pitting newer hires against veterans. Its fiery new president, Shawn Fain, has struck fear in the heart of corporate boardrooms and overshadowed the corruption scandals under previous UAW leaders.

And autoworkers have been rapidly signing union cards not just at Volkswagen but at Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai plants in Alabama  organizing efforts that a Chattanooga victory could turbocharge.

But Volkswagen workers arent so concerned with the UAWs fortunes; theyre wondering whether union representation will improve their jobs. Costello said that hes been pleasantly surprised by union support from co-workers he assumed would be antis.

It put me in my place because I thought I knew people and I didnt, he said. But from other workers he still hears the same arguments from 2019: The union is corrupt, the union is a bunch of outsiders, the union will cost them their jobs.

Meanwhile, some politicians, like GOP Gov. Bill Lee, have tried to tip the scales against the union. Echoing the fear-mongering from Tennessee Republicans during previous UAW campaigns, Lee recently warned that unionizing the Chattanooga plant would be a big mistake.

Weve seen plants close that made the decision to go union, he said balefully. So I hope thats not what happens here.

In 2014, state lawmakers threatened to take away tax subsidies if the plant went union.

A woman takes a UAW yard sign at a local union hall in Chattanooga. SETH HERALD for HuffPost

One of the unions challenges is that Volkswagen has always paid decently for the area. The company says the average plant employee will earn above $60,000 this year. Production workers start out near $23 per hour and top out above $32, which beats being a picker at the Amazon warehouse a mile down the road. But the contracts that the UAW just won will push top rates well beyond that figure at U.S. automakers plants, climbing to nearly $43 for production workers at Ford by 2028.

In interviews, several Volkswagen workers who support the UAW drive said that the job can be grueling for the pay. One of the top grievances is time off: Workers said that they routinely burn through their paid leave during plant shutdowns for retooling and maintenance; otherwise they wouldnt get paychecks. They also complained of repetitive-motion injuries and a pressure to ignore aches and pains as they move SUVs, including Volkswagens electric ID.4, off the line.

The safety and the consideration for ergonomics and peoples sanity just kind of takes a back seat to the production, Costello said.

Volkswagen said through a spokesperson that it had recently increased emergency paid time off based on employee feedback. The company also defended its safety record, saying it was proud of the world-class production environment we have created in Chattanooga.

We take safety very seriously in the plant and our injury rates are significantly below the industry average, the company said.

Costello said that he still experiences back pain from the way he twisted his body over and over handling seat belts in a previous job at the plant. Hes been telling co-workers that even if their wages are better than at other jobs theyve had, they should still expect more.

We should not be living on subsistence. We should not just be proud that we can afford an apartment and put food on the table, he said. We should be thriving. What kind of bleak existence do we live in where its greedy to want more than to just survive?

Union supporters spent the final days and weeks of the campaign trying to rally support among co-workers. SETH HERALD for HuffPost

Fear Ruled The Day

During its earlier organizing efforts in Chattanooga, the UAW was hobbled by the concessions it had made to help stabilize the Big Three in the wake of the Great Recession. The givebacks narrowed the compensation gap between union and nonunion auto plants, leaving workers at places like Volkswagen to rightfully wonder what the benefits of union membership would be. A federal corruption investigation that led to several guilty pleas by union officials didnt help.

But the unions image has changed dramatically in the past year. As part of a consent decree with the Justice Department following the corruption probe, UAW members cast ballots in a direct election for union leaders in 2023, rather than having them chosen through an opaque delegate system that critics long said was rigged. The reformer Fain harnessed a rank-and-file thirst for change and defeated the establishment candidate, laying the groundwork for the Big Three strike.

News of the walkouts in September had an immediate effect inside the Volkswagen plant, according to Yolanda Peoples, a union supporter and assembly worker who was around for the two earlier, failed organizing efforts. Plenty of workers like Peoples had been pushing for a union all along, but the public contract battle  with Fain literally tossing Fords offer in the trash can  made some workers reconsider their expectations for the job.

A lot of people there didnt really know about the UAW, Peoples said. But the strikers were people that do the same thing that you do every day, and theyre standing up against these big corporations, getting what they feel as though they deserve. ... It made it look possible. The exposure was wonderful for us at the plant, she said.

Fain spoke about the battle with U.S. automakers in terms of class struggle, deeming the contract victory a turning point in the class war that has been raging in this country for the past 40 years.

Volkswagen employee Isaac Meadows said the company pushes workers hard inside the plant, as if they're "robots." "It's not unreasonable for us to ask for more," he said. SETH HERALD for HuffPost

Volkswagen union supporter Isaac Meadows has moderated that message for the Chattanooga audience. He noted that a lot of workers are grateful for their jobs and dont want an adversarial relationship with the company. But just about everybody has something that they want changed, whether its more paid leave, a higher top pay rate or some kind of recourse against discipline that can impact bonuses.

We do great work for the company. The company is making a lot of money off of our work. Its not unreasonable for us to ask for more, said Meadows, who moved from Nevada a year and a half ago intent on getting a job at the factory. Thats been my message. Its a little tamer than Shawn.

He added: The car is the only important thing in that plant. ... The job itself is very fun, but they push really, really hard. Were not robots, but they push us like were robots.

In 2014, Volkswagen seemed to almost welcome the union because the company sought to create a German-style works council, which many legal experts thought necessitated a union to be legal. But the company and the UAW faced extraordinary pressure from Republican politicians looking to keep a union out as part of their business-friendly, right-to-work pitch to employers. Just 6% of Tennessee workers are union members, compared with 10% across the U.S.

Tennessees then-Sen. Bob Corker, a Republican, said publicly that the plant would get a new SUV production line if workers rejected the UAW, while state legislators said that Volkswagens tax incentives could disappear with a union victory. In 2019 Volkswagen invited Lee, the governor, to give a speech at the plant discouraging unionization and urging workers to keep a direct relationship with the company.

Lee has publicly opposed the union drive once again, but the political interference seems more muted this time.

A letter of community support for the union campaign. SETH HERALD for HuffPost

Unions in general are very popular at the moment, and nearly 60% of U.S. adults supported the Big Three strikers even though the work stoppage would squeeze car and truck inventories. Chattanoogas GOP congressman, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, recently told HuffPost that hed stayed out of it this time.

I have never really been pro-union, Fleischmann said, but this is something that Im going to let the workers decide.

Workers said in interviews that some supervisors have made their anti-union positions clear, but for the most part the company has not been pressuring them to vote against the union and hasnt been forcing workers to attend anti-union meetings. (Volkswagen said that supervisors hold daily meetings but are staying neutral and fact oriented.) Peoples said workers are less receptive to arguments that a union will cost the plant production, noting how much both Volkswagen and the government have invested in the plant since its 2009 groundbreaking.

Troy Hunt, a longtime union backer, said that fear ruled the day in the earlier organizing efforts. This time hes seen co-workers more open with their support and managers less aggressive with their opposition. He attributed the companys cautious stance in part to the Volkswagen Group works council in Europe throwing its backing behind the campaign. The councils president noted that the Chattanooga facility was an outlier globally at Volkswagen for not having employee representation.

I think the company has been leaned on ... to appear neutral, Hunt said. I know supervisors who truly are neutral. I know some supervisors who are not. But the company, right now, I believe theyre trying to appease those in Germany that are watching.

Volkswagen said it hopes every worker will review the relevant facts before voting. We respect our employees right to decide this important issue through a democratic process, the company said in a statement.

A group calling itself Still No UAW has been placing signs near the factory urging workers to vote no. A visit to the groups website pulls up the image of a social media post from Donald Trumps Truth Social platform in which the former president called Fain a Weapon of Mass Destruction on Auto Workers. The site highlights the UAWs support of President Joe Biden and its political spending to help Democrats. The group didnt respond to interview requests submitted through the site.

Assembly worker Patricia McFarland said that shes been putting out union T-shirts on a chair inside the plant, and some workers have left anti-union messages beside them. McFarland had worked in union auto plants in Michigan before moving to Tennessee two years ago. She said its been difficult speaking to many of her co-workers, particularly the younger ones, about whether they should unionize.

One kid said to me that hes really big into cars, and if we get a union, the prices of cars are going to go up to where nobody can afford to buy them, McFarland said. A lot of these kids  theyre happy with the money that they get.

McFarland has been supporting the union effort primarily because of the work pace. She said supervisors expect her to accept aches and pains just because Im older.

They work you to death, she said. Im 56 years old and I have never worked this hard in my entire life.

Volkswagen employee Patricia McFarland said she's 56 years old and never worked so hard in her life. SETH HERALD for HuffPost

The UAW Bump

Several nonunion manufacturers boosted pay following last years strikes, likely to help discourage unionization. Fain has called these raises the UAW bump. (At a Senate hearing, the union leader said it stands for U Are Welcome.) At Volkswagen, the year-end pay hike was 11%  as it turns out, the same immediate raise that UAW members received. Volkswagen said the increase was the result of its regular annual compensation review.

The company also slashed the time it takes to reach top pay after the UAW won a similar concession from the Big Three, demonstrating how the union can still set industrywide standards.

But organizing the likes of Volkswagen, Mercedes, Toyota and Hyundai would increase the unions bargaining power across the sector, including in Detroit. Ford, GM and Stellantis like to point to their higher labor costs relative to the foreign automakers and the nonunion, Texas-based Tesla. So the UAWs power will always be limited as long as the Big Threes competitors remain nonunion, said Art Wheaton, an expert in labor negotiations at Cornell University.

This is a big deal, since you need to increase market share of the number of plants that are unionized to give you more leverage, he said. Really the UAW needs to have more than just the Detroit Three organized if they want to have the same sort of impact to lift wages and benefits.

Workers will cast votes in the union election through Friday, April 19, with a ballot count expected that night. SETH HERALD for HuffPost

Peoples, the assembly worker, turned into a union leader in part because her father had worked in General Motors Doraville, Georgia, assembly plant outside Atlanta, a UAW-represented facility that closed in 2008. She doesnt feel that Volkswagens 401(k) plan is preparing her for retirement in the way her fathers pension did for him.

Peoples said that union supporters like herself learned a lot from the earlier, failed efforts. This time shes tried to focus on explaining to others what negotiating a contract might look like, or what union representatives could do for them inside the plant, instead of just telling them, Vote yes, vote yes, she said. And this time they arent knocking on workers doors, which many found intrusive. Thats one of the biggest things that people hated, she said.

In 2019, when the union ended up losing by just 57 votes, Peoples felt as though the campaign had been rushed. She feels optimistic this week because shes convinced that union supporters slowed down and put in the necessary work. Shell know for sure once the ballot count gets underway Friday night.

This time we took our time. We educated a lot of people, Peoples said.  And thats one of the reasons why I feel as though its different this time.
Nurses at two Ascension Via Christi hospitals in Wichita worked their first day with a union contract Tuesday.

They say it only happened after the recent threat of a third strike was slid under the doors of managers who wouldnt meet with them face to face.

I believe that Ascension really drug their feet and I think their goal in that was to discourage us nurses and it did not. It just made us stronger, made us push harder and they realized at one point that we were not letting up, said Marvin Ruckle, a registered nurse in the St. Joseph neonatal intensive care unit and member of the bargaining team.

In an emailed statement, an Ascension spokesperson said: These contracts respect the needs of our registered nurses and create a solid foundation for a collaborative and respectful working relationship.We thank our nurses for voting to accept these fair and equitable contracts and are eager to move forward together as we continue to fulfill our Mission of caring for all and improving the health of the communities we are privileged to serve.

St. Joseph nurses voted in March 2023, a few months after St. Francis voted, in favor of joining the National Nurses Organizing Commission, an affiliate of the National Nurses United.

Nurses said they wanted to improve working conditions for them and safety for their patients.

The two hospitals have roughly 1,000 nurses.

Among the union member nurses, 96% percent at St. Francis and all of them at St. Joseph voted Sunday and Monday to ratify the contract, which started Tuesday and runs through April 2026.

The vote followed meetings last Tuesday and Wednesday between the bargaining teams at both hospitals and administrators, who had not met with nurses from both hospitals at the same time up until that point, Ruckle said.

That was a huge, huge turn of events for us, he said.

Those negotiations happened after nurses threatened a third strike a few weeks before that, nurses said.

A National Nurses United spokesperson said the contract would be available to the public once it had been through a fine-toothed combing and getting it to a printer to make copies for all the nurses, which could take up to a couple months.

But here are the highlights that nurses said are in the contract:

Increased pay: Every nurse will see a pay increase and the average will be just over 14% over two years; some nurses will receive over 50%. Lisa Watson, a registered nurse in the medical ICUintensive care unit at St. Francis and member of the bargaining team, said this will help with retaining and attracting new nurses. Kansas has more than 20,000 active licenses than the number of nurses practicing in Kansas, according to the most-recently available statistics.

We have raised the bar through all the hospitals throughout Wichita and our surrounding areas, said Shelly Rader, a registered nurse at St. Francis emergency room who is on the bargaining team. So we believe with us raising the bar, this is going to incentive the nurses to come to the hospital, to want to work, because they will be under the understand that with this contract, they will be able to have a voice.

Accountability to nurses: The establishment of two committees that will get reports from Ascension, showing things like nursing staffing levels and whether cameras in the parking lot are working.

Now they have to provide that to us, Watson said. Were going to see that big picture and they are going to have to provide us stuff they never provided us before, which is great because we can hold them accountable now.

Staffing ratios: There will also now be specific ratios of patients to nurses in units throughout the hospitals. Those ratios, nurses said, were standards Ascension reported but didnt adhere to.

Those ratios include: 2-to-1 patients to nurses in the ICU, 5-to-1 in medical surgical unit and 4-to-1 in the emergency room.

Rader said the ratio at St. Francis emergency room was close to 11-to-1 on Monday night.

The higher levels, nurses say, are dangerous for them and for patients.

Restrictions on floating nurses: Nurses said before the contract, Ascension would rotate nurses specialized in one unit to ones they had no experience in. That practice is restricted in the new contract. Nurses can be floated to another unit that is comparable to the one they are usually assigned. Nurses said the old practice was dangerous for themselves and patients.

Nurses said there are still things they want to see changed, but the contract is a step in the right direction.

This is what the nurses wanted ... we went to the bargaining table with every single nurse, every single department in mind, Watson said. We know that its not perfect, and we know theres a lot of places for improvements, but this is the first contract and we can only move up from here.

We are going to beat Ascension: Hundreds of Wichita nurses hold one-day strike

Ascension nurses in Wichita announce second strike amid contract negotiations
A Butches slices a piece of Beef. European food trade unions called for better working conditions for workers in the bloc's meat sector during a conference held in Berlin on Tuesday. Oliver Berg/dpa

European food trade unions called for better working conditions for workers in the bloc's meat sector during a conference held in Berlin on Tuesday.

The European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism (EFFAT) is proposing an EU directive for employment contracts in the sector, along with increased checks.

"The working conditions in the meat sector have stained the European labour market. Regardless of its profitability, a sector cannot truly thrive if built on exploitation and social dumping," EFFAT General Secretary Kristjan Bragason said.

These issues could no longer be tackled at national level, and an EU legal framework was required to prevent companies shifting jobs between countries, he said. There was a shortage of workers, but the solution was not to recruit abroad, but improved working conditions, he said.

The pandemic brought about change in Germany. When workers in meat-packing plants were infected on a large scale, it emerged that many were foreign contract workers, living and working under poor conditions. Legislation was enacted banning subcontracting in the sector.

Guido Zeitler, head of Germany's NGG food and hospitality union, said it had taken years before the "exploitative structures of the German meat industry" had finally been banned. "This was a milestone, which we now want to achieve together for Europe," he said.

Companies now employed the workers directly, and no longer through subcontractors, and concerns about jobs being shifted abroad had turned out to be largely unjustified, Zeitler said.
Unique, adult-only happy hour in Sacramento lets you hang with zoo animals

If Sacramentos happy hour scene is getting predictable, maybe an evening surrounded by zoo animals will spice things up.

On Thursday, the Sacramento Zoo at 3930 W Land Park Drive in Land Park will host its first happy hour of the year with music, food and drinks.

Dance and groove to a fun mix of live music from local favorites, the zoo wrote on Monday via newsletter to subscribers. Get the group together, dance the night away, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the zoo at night.

Northern California party band Cover Me Badd will take the zoos stage in April with a mix of hip-hop, 80s rock, 70s funk, 2000s tunes, country and current jams.

Northern Californias Jessica Malone Band and high energy ensemble Fast Times Band are also slated for the spring.

How much are tickets?

Nonrefundable tickets are limited, according to the zoos website, priced at $25 each ($20 for zoo members).

Bundled tickets to all three events are $60 ($45 for zoo members).

When is happy hour?

The social is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Sacramento Zoo.

Dont miss this unique, adult-only evening, the zoo said.

The next events are scheduled for the same time on May 16 and June 13.

Whats on the menu?

Eventgoers can choose from a variety of pub food and drinks for a separate fee on the night of the event, the zoo said.

Also on the list will be wine, beer, canned cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages.

Are kids allowed?

No.

IDs will be checked at the door and no one under 21 will be admitted the zoo said.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
UnitedHealth to take up to $1.6 billion hit this year from Change hack

By Sriparna Roy and Leroy Leo

(Reuters) -UnitedHealth Group said on Tuesday it expects the hack of its Change Healthcare unit to cost the company up to $1.6 billion this year but maintained its 2024 earnings forecast, suggesting a less severe impact of the cyberattack than many on Wall Street had feared.

Despite the massive disruptions, the healthcare conglomerate beat estimates for first-quarter earnings as medical costs dropped from higher rates hit late last year, sending its shares up 5.3%. Through Monday's close, United shares had fallen nearly 15% since it disclosed the ransomware attack on Feb. 21.

UnitedHealth's upbeat results drove up the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Tuesday. Shares of some rival health insurers including Elevance, CVS Health and Humana were also up, with Humana climbing more than 2%.

The hack at Change, a provider of healthcare billing and data systems and a key node in the U.S. healthcare system, disrupted payments to doctors and healthcare facilities nationwide for a month while taking a harsh toll on community health centers that serve more than 30 million poor and uninsured patients.

The health insurer relaxed, or removed, prior authorization processes for some claims following the hack, stoking concerns of an increase in medical costs. Executives said on Tuesday that these have recently been reinstated.

There were also delays in claim submissions as medical care providers, unable to access the Change system, struggled with paperwork.

"Weve made substantial progress and we will not rest until care providers connectivity needs are met," UnitedHealth Chief Executive Andrew Witty said on a conference call to discuss results.

UnitedHealth has so far provided advance funding worth more than $6 billion to certain healthcare providers. While several of its major services have resumed operations, many more continue to reel from the impact of the outage.

Change's pharmacy claims and payment management businesses are 80% functional, and the company will bring more products online in the coming weeks, according to Roger Connor, CEO of UnitedHealth's OptumInsight unit, which runs Change. The company believes Change will return to its baseline performance next year.

Connor said he is confident Change can bring back customers who had to go to rivals because of the outage.

'NOT AS SEVERE'

The company said it had already booked $872 million in costs related to the data breach in the quarter, most of it as one-time items.

Still, UnitedHealth backed its 2024 adjusted profit forecast of $27.50 to $28 per share. Disruptions from the hack are expected to impact profit by $1.15 to $1.35 per share this year, the company said.

"The impact of the hack is not severe as expected, especially seeing that they maintained their adjusted earnings outlook for the year despite the business disruption," said Gerrit Smit, head of global equity management at investment firm Stonehage Fleming, which held more than 90,000 UnitedHealth shares as of the end of last year.

Morningstar analyst Julie Utterback said demand for medical care trends were in line with management's expectations, which should be a relief to industry investors who have been concerned about those elevated costs.

UnitedHealth reported a rise in medical care ratio - the percentage of premiums spent on medical care - to 84.3% from 82.2% a year earlier. The company's fourth-quarter ratio was 85%, which it had blamed in part on older Americans seeking respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines and receiving additional medical services.

UnitedHealth has yet to disclose the amount of personal data that was breached in the hack. It must report that information within 60 days as required by federal law.

For the quarter, UnitedHealth reported a profit of $7.16 per share, excluding a hit of 25 cents from business disruptions caused by the data breach, compared with the analysts' estimates of $6.61 per share, according to LSEG.

The company recorded a net loss of $1.53 per share due also to a $7 billion charge related to the sale of its Brazil unit, Amil.

(Reporting by Leroy Leo and Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru, Additional reporting by Michael Erman in New Jersey; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Bill Berkrot)
By Steve Gorman, Julia Harte and Kanishka Singh

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -The University of Southern California, citing safety concerns and passions around the latest Middle East conflict, has canceled its valedictorian speech from a Muslim student who said she was being silenced by anti-Palestinian hatred for her views on human rights.

USC Provost Andrew Guzman said in a statement on Monday that the decision to scrub the traditional valedictorian address at next month's graduation had "nothing to do with freedom of speech" and was simply aimed at protecting campus security.

The valedictorian, biomedical engineering major Asna Tabassum, in her own statement challenged the university's rationale, questioning "whether USC's decision to revoke my invitation to speak is made solely on the basis of safety."

Guzman's statement did not refer to Tabassum by name, or specify what about her speech, background or political views had raised concerns. Nor did it detail any particular threats.

The provost referred more broadly to how "discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian had taken on an alarming tenor" in recent days.

"The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement," he wrote.

As a consequence, "we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement," Guzman wrote, adding, "tradition must give way to safety." The Los Angeles Times reported the decision was a first for USC.

Public safety officials and civil rights advocates have reported a rise in hate crimes against Muslims, Jews, Arabs and Palestinians in the United States, along with heightened tensions on college campuses related to the Israel-Gaza war, since the conflict erupted on Oct. 7.

According to Tabassum, who described herself as a "first-generation South Asian-American Muslim," USC officials refused in an April 14 meeting with her to share details of the university's security assessment.

USC, renowned for an intercollegiate athletic program whose football and other teams are known as the Trojans, did not respond to Reuters' request for further comment.

'CAVING TO FEAR'

Tabassum said she also was told USC possessed the ability "to take appropriate safety measures for my valedictory speech" but opted not to because a tougher security posture was "not what the university wants to 'present as an image.'"

Instead, Tabassum said USC was "caving to fear and rewarding hatred," which she said was being directed by "anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices" targeting her "because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all."

Neither Tabassum nor USC made explicit mention of the Israel-Gaza war.

Trojans for Israel, a USC-based group, and We Are Tov (Hebrew for "good"), a group advocating support for Israel and Jews in collegiate life, had called for Tabassum's removal as commencement speaker earlier this month, saying she had espoused antisemitic views in the past.

Local media reported both groups had mounted opposition to Tabassum based on her social media profile, including an Instagram account with a link directing users to a slideshow about "what's happening in Palestine and how to help." It advocated for "one Palestinian state" and "the complete abolishment of the state of Israel."

Tabassum told an NBC News affiliate that she posted the link five years earlier and did not author the slideshow.

In her statement, Tabassum said her undergraduate minor studies in genocide resistance had shown her the danger of allowing "cries for equality and human dignity" to be deliberately conflated with "expressions of hatred."

"Due to widespread fear, I was hoping to use my commencement speech to inspire my classmates with a message of hope," she wrote.

Sonya Meyerson-Knox, spokesperson for the Jewish anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace, said the USC episode was part of a larger pattern on U.S. college campuses of students being censured as anti-Jewish for criticizing Israel's government or for expressing support for Palestinian rights.

"Holding the government of Israel accountable for committing grave human rights violations and war crimes and possible genocide has nothing to do with antisemitism," she said.

Other Jewish groups have countered that anti-Zionist rhetoric - sometimes marked by calls for Israel's destruction or right to exist - frequently feeds overt forms of anti-Jewish hatred.

Tabassum was chosen valedictorian from nearly 100 applicants - submitted from among the more than 200 graduating seniors - who qualified for the honor based on their grade-point-averages, according to USC.

The university had not asked for an advanced copy of Tabassum's address before withdrawing her invitation to speak, and she had not even begun working on her speech, said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations, an advocacy group that circulated her statement.

The council launched an online campaign calling for USC to reinstate Tabassum's invitation to speak.

The May 10 commencement exercises, honoring this year's class of 19,000-plus graduates, is expected to draw 65,000 people to the downtown Los Angeles campus of USC, long regarded as one of California's most prestigious private universities.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles, Julia Harte in New York and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Christopher Cushing)
A Miami County doctor arrested in connection to an FBI investigation near Troy and in Downtown Dayton appeared in federal court on Tuesday.

>> PHOTOS: FBI conducting court-authorized investigations in Troy, downtown Dayton

Steven Werlings case has moved from Miami County court to federal court, which is where he had a detention hearing on Tuesday. His lawyers are trying to get him out of jail, but federal prosecutors said what they found at his house means its safer if he stays behind bars.

As News Center 7 previously reported, the search warrant carried out by the FBI and Miami County Sheriffs deputies at his home near Troy shut down a neighborhood for two days earlier this month. Court records indicate investigators found explosive components and devices at his home.

As we reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, we had the only reporter in court on Tuesday. Our cameras were not allowed in federal court, but Werlings attorney told us last week that the doctor was not involved with any groups or dangerous activity. He claimed Werling just liked to collect guns and tinker and tool them.

Prosecutors believe Werling is dangerous. In court on Tuesday, they showed a federal magistrate judge 16 pictures which they claim showed an unregistered silencer Werling possesses which was illegal. They also claimed he had components to build more silencers.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Doctor facing federal weapons charge after explosives found during FBI investigations

Prosecutors also showed the judge pictures of ball bearings and powdered substances. They also showed syringes recovered with nails wrapped around them which they said Werling called art, but they maintained that the combination is often used in improvised explosive devices.

Werlings lawyers claimed everything found in his home was defensive in nature and that hes never made any threats or been accused of any crimes until now. They said the reporting of what was found has raised illegitimate fear.

The judge was expected to make a decision today on whether Werling should remain in jail, but that did not happen. She asked Werlings lawyer to send her a brief of Wednesday about whether unregistered silencers should be considered a crime of violence. After that, she will decide if hell remain jailed until trial or be allowed to possibly post bail.
UN's Turk says more must be done to end 'horrific' crisis in Gaza

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Tuerk, poses for a picture. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk is calling for fresh efforts by "all states with influence" to ease the "horrific" conditions in Gaza and the West Bank. Christiane Oelrich/dpa

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk is calling for fresh efforts by "all states with influence" to ease the "horrific" conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.

"Resolving the catastrophic situation of civilians in Gaza must remain a priority," Turk's spokeswoman said, while also adding that violence in the West Bank is a matter of "grave concern."

Israel continues to obstruct the import and distribution of aid supplies in the Gaza Strip, which is a violation of international law, the statement said.

Turk demanded the release of the hostages taken from Israel in October 2023, a ceasefire in Gaza, and unfettered access for all humanitarian aid workers in order to alleviate the plight of the civilian population in the Palestinian territory.

The UN Human Rights Office had received reports that the Israeli military had attacked at least eight mosques last week during the celebrations marking the end of Ramadan.

"Places of worship are protected under the laws of war," Turk's spokeswoman said in the statement.

In the occupied West Bank, Palestinians are coming under frequent attack by mobs of Israeli settlers, who are often supported by the military.

After the killing of a 14-year-old Israeli boy from a settler family, four Palestinians, including a child, were killed in acts of revenge.

"Israel, as the occupying power, must take all measures in its power to restore, and ensure, as far as possible, public order and safety in the occupied West Bank," the statement said.
US airlines did better with mobility devices in 2023: Here's how each performed

U.S. airlines got a little bit better with mobility devices in 2023. The 10 major carriers transported 835,327 wheelchairs and other aids last year, and there were 11,527 reports of damage, according to the Department of Transportation. Thats a rate of 1.38 devices damaged per 100 carried, down from 1.41 per 100 in 2022.

USA TODAY covered incidents of mobility device damage by airlines throughout 2023, and a recurring theme in the reporting was that when wheelchairs or other mobility devices are damaged in transit, its akin to broken legs for the person who uses the device.

The DOT tracks these incidents and released full-year numbers in February. The data showed a slight improvement in wheelchair handling across the industry, but for advocates and regulators, its still not enough.

Any number greater than zero is not an acceptable number, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg previously told USA TODAY. This not only affects your trip, it affects your life.

Airlines improved slightly in their handling of mobility devices in 2023 compared to 2022.

How many mobility devices did the major US airlines mishandle last year?

Heres are the rankings:

Allegiant Air carried 21,926 mobility devices in 2023, and there were 82 reports of mishandling  a rate of 0.37 per 100. Delta Air Lines and its regional partners carried 189,263 mobility devices in 2023, and there were 1,292 reports of mishandling  a rate of 0.68 per 100. United Airlines and its regional partners carried 152,549 mobility devices in 2023, and there were 1,761 reports of mishandling  a rate of 1.15 per 100. Hawaiian Airlines carried 12,270 mobility devices in 2023, and there were 148 reports of mishandling  a rate of 1.21 per 100. JetBlue carried 29,965 mobility devices in 2023, and there were 482 reports of mishandling  a rate of 1.61 per 100. Southwest Airlines carried 212,721 mobility devices in 2023, and there were 3,460 reports of mishandling  a rate of 1.63 per 100. American Airlines and its regional partners carried 146,061 mobility devices in 2023, and there were 2,589 reports of mishandling  a rate of 1.77 per 100. Alaska Airlines and its regional partners carried 30,918 mobility devices in 2023, and there were 568 reports of mishandling  a rate of 1.84 per 100. Frontier Airlines carried 28,125 mobility devices in 2023, and there were 528 reports of mishandling  a rate of 1.88 per 100. Spirit Airlines carried 11,529 mobility devices in 2023, and there were 617 reports of mishandling  a rate of 5.35 per 100.

Frontier Airlines did not provide comments about their performance. Still, Delta, United, Hawaiian, JetBlue, American, Alaska and Southwest all emphasized that they understand the importance of mobility devices to the travelers who rely on them and pointed out various investments and improvements they have made toward accessibility in recent years.

Spirit Airlines, which had notably worse performance than its competitors, said it aims to improve but did not outline specific steps it was taking.

We are committed to safely transporting our guests and their mobility devices, and we are looking into this to ensure that the level of service being provided consistently meets our standards, a statement from the airline said.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How did airlines handle mobility devices in 2023? Here are the numbers




Image source: Getty Images

It's hardly a secret that being a parent has the potential to be a very expensive prospect. And while I love my kids immeasurably, there are times when I can't help but bemoan their impact on our household budget.

Thankfully, though, some of the expenses I incur as a parent aren't as painful as they might otherwise be thanks to my Costco membership. Here are a few ways that membership makes it possible for me to save money on the items I'm constantly buying for my kids or because of my kids.

1. I'm able to reap savings on laundry detergent

As a mom of kids who all happen to play sports, laundry is a constant thing in my house. It's not unheard of for me to do five to six loads a week, and that doesn't include sheets and towels.

As such, I go through a lot of laundry detergent. So it's helpful to be able to buy it at low cost.

Sometimes, what I'll do is buy whatever brand Costco has on sale. Otherwise, I find that Costco's Kirkland Signature detergent is a great deal.

The online price for a 194-fluid ounce container is $19.99, or $0.14 per ounce. But Costco's in-store prices are pretty much always cheaper, so usually, I spend less. And I find that buying bulk detergent at Costco is less expensive than buying it in bulk at my local supermarket.

2. I can buy paper towels at a low price point

As a parent, I'm constantly cleaning up spills. At this point, it's something I'm resigned to, because even when they're trying to be helpful, my kids often end up leaving me with a mess.

Case in point: My 9-year-old recently started making her own lunch, which is a good thing. The skill she's yet to master, though, is scooping the jelly for her sandwiches onto bread slices without leaving a sticky pile of it on the counter.

Because of this, paper towels are a mainstay on my shopping list. But I find that Costco helps me save money on them.

When it comes to paper towels, I'm particularly loyal to Bounty. And I find that the price at Costco is generally cheaper than what my local grocery store has available. Plus, because paper towels are non-perishable, I can stock up on Bounty when Costco has it discounted for extra savings.

3. I can consistently replenish my supply of snacks without breaking the bank

My kids have a tendency to be picky eaters, so they don't always consume that much food at dinnertime. That's OK, though, because they make up for it in the form of snack consumption.

The moment my kids get home from school, they're begging for a snack. And that's on top of the snack they take to school.

Story continues

On weekends, the snack requests are even more frequent. And when their friends come over, those requests are multiplied by however many kids have invaded my home.

Clearly, I can't afford to fall down in the snack department. Not only do my kids want to snack frequently, but they insist on variety.

But Costco makes that easy. I can buy cases of chips, popcorn, and crackers at a much lower cost than what I'd pay at the supermarket. Also, some of Costco's bulk chip offerings come in a variety pack, which helps me avoid the "this again?" complaints that tend to arise when my kids decide they're bored of an item they once loved.

If you're a parent, consider a Costco membership

My Costco membership definitely saves me money as a parent. If you're a parent who's struggling to keep up with your expenses, it pays to see if a Costco membership might do the same for you.

A basic Costco membership costs $60 a year. One thing it pays to do is tag along with a friend or family member to Costco, check out the inventory, jot down prices for the items you normally buy, and then compare those to what your area supermarkets charge.

Let's say you do the math and determine that shopping at Costco twice a month will save you $20 each month. That's a savings of $240 per year. So even when you subtract the $60 a membership costs, you end up a winner.

Remember, too, that Costco will allow you to cancel your membership at any time for a refund if you're not satisfied with it. So joining is a pretty low-risk proposition. And you may find that being able to load up on bulk purchases saves you time -- something parents don't tend to have a lot of to spare.

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3 Ways My Costco Membership Saves Me Money as a Parent was originally published by The Motley Fool
Americas God of War is now many decades old. The US Army cant replace it

The abandoned 'Crusader' prototype self-propelled gun. It was supposed to be capable of firing up to eight shells on different trajectories so that they would all strike a single target at the same time - US Army/Getty

Forget the tank, the fighter jet and even the drone. Artillery is the most important weapon on the modern battlefield, just as it was 100, 200 or even 300 years ago. It was not for nothing that Stalin dubbed artillery the God of War.

So its extremely problematic that the worlds leading army, the US Army, cant manage to develop a new howitzer. Trying and failing three times in a generation to acquire new heavy artillery, the Army is stuck with upgraded versions of the same howitzers its been using for 61 years.

The latest artillery debacle was alarming if not terribly surprising. On March 8, Doug Bush  the Armys top weapons-buyer  told reporters the service had ended testing of a new, farther-firing howitzer.

We concluded the prototyping activity last fall, Bush said of the Extended-Range Cannon Artillery, a new model of the existing M-109 tracked howitzer with a super-long barrel. Unfortunately, [it was] not successful enough to go straight into production.

Canceling the ERCA howitzer leaves the Army without an in-development howitzer to replace its existing 800 or so M-109s, which the service fielded starting in 1963 and has upgraded several times.

Its a familiar if uncomfortable position for American artillery gunners to be in as they observe, from afar, thousands of Russian and Ukrainian howitzers blasting away all along the 600-mile front line of Russias 26-month wider war on Ukraine. Its these howitzers that consistently inflict the heaviest casualties in that grinding war.

The Army first tried replacing its M-109s back in the 1990s. The service developed a super-heavy, highly-automated tracked howitzer it called the Crusader. The Crusader weighed 43 tons, compared to the M-109s 28 tons, but its gun fired a standard shell 25 miles versus the M-109s 19 miles.

The Pentagon cancelled the Crusader in 2002, citing its weight and cost. The new plan, after the Crusaders demise, was to develop a new tracked howitzer as part of the Armys ambitious Future Combat Systems, a family of lightweight robotic and semi-robotic combat vehicles connected via a high-tech radio data network.

FCS was an iconic debacle that consumed billions of development dollars, never really worked in the real world and was conceptually flawed even when it did work. The proliferation of drones and radio-jammers argued for heavier vehicles, not lighter ones  and ones that could fight while electronically isolated.

FCS collapsed in 2009, taking with it the second new howitzer design in just 10 years. Stung twice in a decade, the Army took what officials may have considered a cautious approach to designing a third new howitzer.

The service took the latest upgrade of the M-109 and, among other enhancements, replaced its 23-foot barrel with a 30-foot barrel. With its new barrel, the Extended Range Cannon Artillery could lob a shell a staggering 46 miles. An ERCA battery could potentially target enemy forces without risking return fire by enemy howitzers.

But the cautious approach didnt work, either. In testing the new howitzer starting in 2020, the Army discovered that the longer barrel was also a more fragile barrel. The Army expects a howitzer barrel to last for thousands of rounds, so that gunners can blast away without risking an accidental explosion. The ERCAs longer gun didnt meet the durability standard.

So its back to the drawing board for an army that should be on the cutting edge of artillery technology, but instead finds itself decades behind. Even the cash-strapped Ukrainian army has newer and farther-firing European-made howitzers.

The Americans might just follow the Ukrainians lead, and solicit ideas  or even a direct sale  from the worlds leading howitzer-makers including Swedish firm Bofors, now part of the once-British multinational BAE Systems, and South Korean firm Hanwha. While importing artillery would be embarrassing for the planets richest army, it might also be the only way to re-equip American batteries.

If theres any comfort to be found in the Armys artillery debacle, its that US gunners dont solely depend on their aging M-109s. They also operate hundreds of tracked and wheeled rocket and missile launchers.

The main wheeled launcher, the famed High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System  aka Himars  is widely considered one of the best artillery systems in the world. Speeding from firing position to firing position, a HIMARS battery can send Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) precision missiles as far as 57 miles away while also dodging return rocket fire. Alternatively the box holding six GMLRS missiles can be swapped for one holding a single long-ranging Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) weapon, able to strike a target 190 miles off  though only obsolete, short-ranged versions of this have been supplied to Ukraine.

But the best armies operate a mix of howitzers and rockets  and for a good reason. The howitzers fire lots of smaller rounds, closer and faster. The launchers fire fewer and bigger rounds, farther but slower. If the Americans cant finally acquire a new howitzer after three decades of trying, they risk losing that close and fast firepower.

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US Attorney General Garland says Biden has 'no impairment'

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden disembarks from Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base, in Dover

By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland defended President Joe Biden's mental fitness on Tuesday, telling lawmakers on a House of Representatives panel that he has expertly handled both foreign and domestic matters.

"The president has no impairment," Garland told a House appropriations subcommittee.

"I have watched him expertly guide meetings of staff and of cabinet members on issues of foreign affairs and military strategy and policy," he added, saying Biden has been decisive in making decisions to protect the country.

"I have complete confidence in the president," Garland added.

Tuesday marked the first time the attorney general has publicly offered his own observations about the mental fitness of Biden, who at age 81 is the oldest U.S. president to hold office.

Opinion polls show Biden's age is a top concern for voters as he campaigns for a second term in the Nov. 5 presidential election against Republican Donald Trump, 77.

The issue of mental competency has become a major topic in this year's presidential campaign, as Biden and Trump are the two oldest men respectively to have been elected president.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll in September found 77% of respondents said they agreed with a statement that Biden was too old to work in government, while 56% said the same of Trump.

A February report by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Hur suggested the president suffered memory losses, which the White House has strongly disputed.

Garland on Tuesday declined to comment specifically on Hur's observations about Biden's memory in the report.

However, he volunteered his own observations about Biden, based on his experience as a cabinet member and member of the National Security Council.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Andy Sullivan; and Jonathan Oatis)
FILE PHOTO: A used needle sits on the ground in a park in Lawrence

By Michael Martina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -China is directly subsidizing production of illicit fentanyl precursors for sale abroad and fueling the U.S. opioid crisis, a U.S. congressional committee said on Tuesday, releasing findings from an investigation it said unveiled Beijing's incentives for the deadly chemicals.

China continues to provide subsidies in the form of value-added tax rebates to its companies that manufacture fentanyl analogues, precursors and other synthetic narcotics, so long as they sell them outside of China, the House of Representatives' select committee on China said in a report.

"The PRC (People's Republic of China) scheduled all fentanyl analogues as controlled substances in 2019, meaning that it currently subsidizes the export of drugs that are illegal under both U.S. and PRC law," the report said, adding that some of the substances "have no known legal use worldwide."

The report cited data from the Chinese government's State Taxation Administration website, which listed certain chemicals for rebates up to 13%. It additionally currently subsidizes two fentanyl precursors used by drug cartels - NPP and ANPP, it said.

According to the Chinese government website, the subsidies remain in place as of April, the report said.

China's embassy in Washington said China was sincere in drug control cooperation with U.S. authorities and had a special campaign underway to control fentanyl and precursor chemicals and crack down on illegal smuggling, manufacturing, and trafficking activities.

"It is very clear that there is no fentanyl problem in China, and the fentanyl crisis in the United States is not caused by the Chinese side, and blindly blaming China cannot solve the U.S.' own problem," embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in an email.

The U.S. State Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Mike Gallagher, the Republican chair of the bipartisan select committee, told a hearing on the issue on Tuesday that China's incentives suggest Beijing wants more fentanyl entering the U.S.

"It wants the chaos and devastation that has resulted from this epidemic," Gallagher said.

Fentanyl is a leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States. The U.S. has said that China is the primary source of the precursor chemicals synthesized into fentanyl by drug cartels in Mexico. Mexico's government also has asked China to do more to control shipments of fentanyl.

China denies the allegation, and says the U.S. government must do more to reduce domestic demand.

The U.S. and China launched a joint counter-narcotics working group in January, following an agreement between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in November to work to curb fentanyl production and export.

U.S. officials have described the initial talks as substantive, but have said much more needs to be done to stem the flow of the chemicals.

The committee also said in its report that it found no evidence of new criminal enforcement actions by Beijing.

Ray Donovan, a former senior Drug Enforcement Administration official, told the hearing that the November agreement had not changed China's support for the illicit chemical industry's supply to the Western hemisphere.

"We need to apply more pressure," Donovan said.

(Reporting by Michael Martina; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
By Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with China's defense minister on Tuesday, the first engagement the two have had in more than a year as the two countries seek to restore military ties.

The phone call comes as U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have sought to manage tensions; the two leaders last year resumed direct military talks.

In a readout after the call, the Pentagon said Austin "underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea."

An escalating diplomatic dispute and recent maritime run-ins between China and the Philippines, a U.S. treaty ally, have made the highly strategic South China Sea a potential flashpoint between Washington and Beijing.

China and U.S. should explore ways to "get along" and "gradually accumulate mutual trust" by building a "non-conflict, non-confrontation", pragmatic and cooperative relationship between their militaries, the Chinese defense ministry cited its minister as saying during the phone call.

Minister Dong Jun said the U.S. should recognize China's position on South China Sea, and respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests there.

He also stressed that the Taiwan issue is "core of China's core interests."

The Pentagon said the two also discussed Russia's war in Ukraine, North Korea, and Washington's commitment to the so-called one China policy.

Austin last spoke with his Chinese counterpart in 2022, when he met China's defense minister at the time, Wei Fenghe, on the sidelines of a gathering of Southeast Asian countries in Cambodia.

Before the November meeting between Biden and Xi, relations between the superpowers had become increasingly acrimonious, with friction over issues from Taiwan to China's military activity in the South China Sea.

In October, the U.S. military said Chinese military aircraft had carried out risky or reckless maneuvers close to U.S. aircraft nearly 200 times since 2021.

Since then, the United States' top military general has spoken with his Chinese counterpart.

This month, U.S. military officials met their Chinese counterparts for meetings in Hawaii focused on how the two countries can operate safely.

U.S. military officials have long sought to maintain open lines of communication with their Chinese counterparts to mitigate the risk of potential flare-ups or deal with any accidents.

"Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and the PRC," the Pentagon said, using an acronym for the People's Republic of China.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Susan Heavey, Franklin Paul, Jonathan Oatis and Gerry Doyle)
By Hyunsu Yim

PANMUNJOM, South Korea (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations urged Russia and China on Tuesday to reverse course, and stop rewarding North Korea's bad behaviour and shielding it from sanctions evading activities over its weapons programs.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the remarks during a visit to the Demilitarized Zone, a heavily fortified border between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war.

Her trip to South Korea came after Russia rejected the annual renewal of the multinational panel of experts that has over the past 15 years monitored the implementation of U.N. sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Moscow's veto and China's abstention only "empowers" North Korea's efforts to sidestep international sanctions and "shields" it from accountability, Thomas-Greenfield said.

"Hiding the truth does not change it. Rewarding bad behaviour only encourages it," she told reporters. "We urge Russia and China to reverse course and once again to urge Pyongyang to choose diplomacy and come to the negotiating table to commit to constructive dialogue."

Washington will work with South Korea, Japan and other partners at the Security Council to look at "some creative ways, some out-of-the-box thinking" to continue monitoring sanctions enforcement and other work carried out by the panel, Thomas-Greenfield said.

Later in Seoul, she met with a group of young North Korean defectors, lauding their escape to the South as "courageous, inspiring."

"One of my priorities is to raise the profile of human rights violations in the DPRK, to raise the profile and amplify your voices as escapees," she told them, referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Thomas-Greenfield arrived on Sunday and met President Yoon Suk Yeol and Seoul's foreign and defence ministers on Monday to discuss ways to deter North Korea's weapons programs and promote human rights in the reclusive state.

She will also travel to Japan, where she is expected to meet family members of Japanese citizens who were abducted in the early 2000s by North Korea, and visit Nagasaki, which was hit by a U.S. nuclear bomb in 1945, until Saturday.

Both South Korea and Japan are U.S. allies and members of the Security Council.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Additional reporting and writing by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Gerry Doyle)
The United States imposed restrictions on 12 Belarusian firms and 10 individuals in a new round of sanctions announced April 15, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

The U.S. has previously sanctioned Belarus in response to dictator Alexander Lukashenko's abuses of power and the regime's support of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The latest sanctions package targets entities that profit from Russia's war in Ukraine, including a state-owned machine tool building company, a radio communications firm, and a software development company.

The new sanctions also target companies and individuals that cooperate with Peleng, a Belarusian state-owned enterprise (SOE) that supplies fire-control systems for Russian tanks. The U.S. first sanctioned Peleng in December 2021, and the new restrictions apply to a Chinese intermediary of Peleng and several Belarusian nationals.

The penalties also extend to the Black Shield Company, a weapons company that has acquired arms from the sanctioned Belarusian defense firm Kidma Tech OJSC.

"We will continue to leverage our broad suite of tools to target Belarus's extensive illicit facilitation networks and hold the regime accountable for its complicity in, and profiteering from, Russia's unjust war in Ukraine," said Brian E. Nelson, the department's under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

Read also: Lukashenko, Putin hold 4-hour meeting in Moscow

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Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Irish Continental Group's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

A total of 7 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership

Insiders have bought recently

Every investor in Irish Continental Group plc (LON:ICGC) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. With 39% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Irish Continental Group, beginning with the chart below.

View our latest analysis for Irish Continental Group

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Irish Continental Group?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Irish Continental Group. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Irish Continental Group, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

It would appear that 6.1% of Irish Continental Group shares are controlled by hedge funds. That's interesting, because hedge funds can be quite active and activist. Many look for medium term catalysts that will drive the share price higher. The company's CEO Eamonn Rothwell is the largest shareholder with 19% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 10% and 6.1%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

On further inspection, we found that more than half the company's shares are owned by the top 7 shareholders, suggesting that the interests of the larger shareholders are balanced out to an extent by the smaller ones.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There is a little analyst coverage of the stock, but not much. So there is room for it to gain more coverage.

Story continues

Insider Ownership Of Irish Continental Group

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Irish Continental Group plc. Insiders own UK139m worth of shares in the UK723m company. This may suggest that the founders still own a lot of shares. You can click here to see if they have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 35% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Irish Continental Group. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Irish Continental Group .

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
US House to vote on Israel and Ukraine aid bills

Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to the press following a House conference meeting to discuss Iran's attack on Israel - Getty Images

The Speaker of the US House of Representatives said he would hold a vote on aid for Ukraine and Israel, in a move that could resolve a months-long logjam in Congress.

Mike Johnson, who is facing a rebellion from hardline Republicans over his willingness to hold a vote on support for Ukraine, said he would bring a package before the House this week.

However, he said the package would differ from the $95bn (76bn) supplemental proposed by Joe Biden, which has already been agreed by the Senate.

As he left a closed-door meeting of Republicans on Capitol Hill on Monday night, Mr Johnson said he would hold four separate votes in the House, allowing congressmen to vote to support some countries and not others.

I have just spoken with the @HouseGOP conference on my plan to address national security supplemental legislation on the growing security crises.



This week, we will consider separate bills with a structured and germane amendment process to:



Fund our ally Israel

Support  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 15, 2024

One vote will focus on US aid for Ukraine, which has stalled in recent months after Congress refused to renew Mr Bidens mandate to send American munitions to Kyiv.

A second will deal with support for Israel, which had been attached to the Ukraine funding in the White Houses own supplemental package.

Congress is under increasing pressure to continue its support for Israel since Iran launched an unprecedented attack on military targets there on Saturday.

A third vote could authorise support for Taiwan, where the Biden administration has said it is concerned about Chinese military buildup, and other allies.

A fourth will address other measures that are popular with Republicans and had been mooted as a way to sweeten the package for its critics.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Johnson said the overall concept of his plan was the same as Mr Bidens package.

Its the same places that the funding would be sent, and youll see the Houses take on it, he said.

The plan could resolve a congressional holdup in foreign military aid that began in October, when Mr Bidens first supplemental plan was rejected.

The US president requires the continued support of Congress to send Ukraine and other countries weapons from American military stockpiles.

However, some Republicans have signalled they will not vote for a compromise package between the GOP-controlled House and the White House.

Mr Johnson is already facing a rebellion from some Republican representatives, led by the hardline conservative Marjorie Taylor Greene. Some have called for him to be ousted from the Speakers chair, just months after Kevin McCarthy was removed by a similar rebellion in October.

Mr Biden and his officials have warned that without further aid, Ukraine will lose its war against Russia.

Officers of the special police force White Angel talk with women during the evacuation of residents from the village of Ocheretyne in the Donetsk region - AFP

Gen Christopher Cavoli, the head of the US European Command, said last week that Ukraine is currently outgunned by Russia by five munitions to one.

The Russians fire five times as many artillery shells at the Ukrainians than the Ukrainians are able to fire back, he told Congress.

That will immediately go to 10 to one in a matter of weeks. Were not talking about months. Were not talking hypothetically.

Last week, David Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, visited Washington to urge sceptical Republicans to back a Ukraine aid package.

Future generations may look back at us and say, did we do enough when this country was invaded by a dictator trying to redraw boundaries by force? he said in a joint press conference with Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State.

Did we learn the lessons from history? And did we do enough?

Mr Johnsons decision for the House to vote on a different formulation of the package to the House means its passage through the Democrat-controlled Senate is not secured.

Both Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, and Mitch McConnell, the minority leader, had urged Mr Johnson to leave the package as it was agreed by the Senate.

Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for this years election, has opposed more aid to Ukraine and promised to end the war in one day if he is reelected.

His supporters in Congress have led the charge against Mr Johnson, and argue the US government should be more concerned with domestic problems than foreign wars.

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The US is losing access to its bases in Niger  heres why thats a big deal

The United States was forced to stop its military operations in March 2024 in Niger  a landlocked, western African country in the Sahara desert. Niger may not immediately seem like a key ally for the U.S., but it served as a crucial staging ground for the U.S. military to carry out work and respond to terrorism in the region.

U.S. representatives are currently trying to negotiate a deal to maintain some sort of military presence in Niger. But, for now, Nigers new ruling junta has declared that the U.S. military presence is a violation of Nigers constitution. The fate of the U.S. presence, including two military drone bases, remains uncertain.

In July 2023, Nigers military successfully conducted a coup d'etat and overthrew the democratically elected government. Military leaders arrested President Mohamed Bazoum and announced an end to the constitution and the government. The coup plotters set up their own government, a military junta called the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, to run the country  even as the president still refuses to resign.

Niger is a former French colony and up until recently was home to 1,500 French troops, who mostly all left by December 2023. When the military junta expelled the French troops, it initially allowed the U.S. to continue to operate the base. Yet in March 2024, it ordered the U.S. to leave.

Though approximately 1,000 U.S. troops remain in Niger, the prospects for the U.S. maintaining its current presence and reactivating the drone bases do not look promising. Aside from the military junta, thousands of Nigeriens have participated in large-scale protests calling for the U.S. military to leave.

As a further complication, Russian military personnel arrived in Niger in April 2024 to train Nigerien forces. They delivered military equipment and stated that they planned to build an air defense system in Niger. This deployment is part of the increased military cooperation with Russia that Niger is pursuing.

As experts in U.S. military deployments, we think it is clear that the loss of these bases creates problems for U.S. regional interests in Africa and cedes ground to Russia and China. This places the U.S. in a disadvantageous position for creating political influence in Africa.

A U.S. military drone is seen at a French military base in Niamey, Niger, in December 2019. Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Why the US has military bases in Niger

The U.S. has a military presence in several African countries.

In Niger, the U.S. has had two military bases, called Air Base 101 and Air Base 201, and first started drone operations in 2013.

While Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, its geographic location and natural resources have increased its importance to global powers. Specifically, Nigers location gives the U.S. ability to engage in counterterrorism throughout much of West Africa.

There has been increased political insurgency and violence in this region of Africa in the past several years. Drones from Air Base 201 have increasingly monitored and collected intelligence on the Islamic State and al-Qaida. The U.S. monitors activity in the Lake Chad Basin that includes Nigers neighboring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria.

The impact of the Niger base loss

Since Nigers military coup, the country has become increasingly isolated from others. The French and U.S. governments have reduced aid to Niger, and the European Union and Nigeria have all instituted economic sanctions.

In response, Nigers ruling junta has strengthened military cooperation with Russia and Iran.

If U.S. forces are removed from Niger entirely, this may also provide opportunities for China to increase its influence there. In recent years, China has been one of Nigers top trading partners. In 2022, China took in approximately 9% of Nigers exports and accounted for 22% of Nigers imports.

The U.S. accounts for a relatively small share of Nigers total trade.

A Nigerien soldier stands guard as supporters of the military coup gather at a demonstration outside Niger and French air bases in Niamey, Niger, on Aug. 7, 2023. AFP via Getty Images

Why the US is building military bases in Africa

The U.S., China and Russia have all created a growing military footprint in Africa over the past two decades.

Before 2001, U.S. aid to Africa was focused on goals such as eradicating HIV/AIDS and creating more educational opportunities for children.

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the U.S. and the subsequent war on terrorism, the U.S. continued to carry out health and other work in Africa but also increased its military footprint there. President George W. Bushs administration tried to eradicate al-Qaida affiliates and other extremist movements in Africa and elsewhere. African countries that were the targets of al-Qaida terrorism also saw an increase in the proportion of U.S. military aid they received.

In 2007, the U.S. Department of Defense unified its work in Africa by creating a new command called Africa Command, or AFRICOM. Under AFRICOM, the U.S. military has trained, advised and assisted the militaries of other African countries and has also tried to combat militant groups such as Boko Haram.

China established its first permanent foreign military base in Djibouti in 2017. It is now reportedly trying to get another in Equatorial Guinea. Beyond military bases, China has poured billions of dollars into economic development across Africa through its Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to develop new trade routes for China.

The U.S. has also worked with China to fight piracy off the Horn of Africa and promote stability in international shipping lanes.

Russia, meanwhile, had used the Wagner Group, a state-funded private military organization, to provide military assistance and negotiate new economic deals with African leaders. After a failed Wagner Group mutiny and the death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group in Africa was rebranded as Africa Corps and continues much of this work in Africa.

These countries interest in building new military bases in Africa is rooted in their desire to promote their interests and secure access to commercial and security resources.

An unclear path ahead

The U.S. is now looking for alternatives to its lost drone bases in Niger, but there are few options in the region that are both allies with the U.S. and do not have a military government. While the U.S. has historically worked with and can influence nations where the military also runs the government, in the post-Cold War period the U.S. generally aligns itself with democratic countries.

In addition, as U.S. rivals such as China and Russia gain influence in the region, it may become more expensive for the U.S. to set up new military bases in Africa. Research shows that when host states can choose between major powers to cooperate with, it requires more economic incentives to gain their favor. This means that it is not clear to what extent the U.S. can maintain a presence in western and central Africa.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Michael A. Allen, Boise State University; Carla Martinez Machain, University at Buffalo, and Michael E. Flynn, Kansas State University

Read more:



Michael A. Allen has previously received funding from the Department of Defense's Minerva Initiative.

Carla Martinez Machain has previously received funding from the Department of Defense's Minerva Initiative.

Michael E. Flynn has previously received funding from the Minerva Research Initiative, the Department of Defense, and the Army Research Office. The views expressed here are the authors' only and do not represent the views of any outside funder.
The US Navy has fired off nearly $1 billion in weapons fighting threats from Iran and the Houthis

US naval forces in the Middle East have been involved in shooting down malign threats for months.

The cost of munition expenditure during this time is approaching $1 billion, the Navy secretary said.

He said it's urgent that Congress passes additional funding to help replenish munition stocks.

The US Navy has fired nearly $1 billion in missiles to counter threats from Iran and its proxy forces over the past six months, the sea service's top civilian official revealed on Tuesday.

The disclosure underscores the depth  and the growing financial cost  of US naval involvement in the Middle East.

Since October, American warships and aircraft operating in the Red Sea have shot down scores of Houthi missiles and drones, and carried out preemptive strikes against the militants directly in Yemen.

More recently, over the weekend, American warships operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles during Tehran's unprecedented attack on Israel.

"We have actually countered over 130 direct attacks on US Navy ships and merchant ships," Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense budget hearing for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney transits the Suez Canal on Nov. 26. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Lau

Del Toro told lawmakers that "the munitions that are critical to these counterstrikes are extremely important" to the Navy and said the service is nearing $1 billion worth of munitions that need to be replenished. It was not immediately clear if the presented figure included the weekend interceptions.

The various munitions that the Navy has used to intercept threats in the air and also conduct preemptive strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are not cheap, and because these engagements have occurred regularly over the past six months, the costs add up. A Standard Missile-2 interceptor, for instance, is estimated to cost around $2 million.

The massive national security supplemental package which has been at the center of months of concerns over the future of US military aid to Ukraine includes $2.4 billion in funding to address the Navy's fight in the Red Sea, including the depletion of munitions.

The big supplemental package has already been passed by the Senate but it continues to be blocked by House Republicans, despite significant pressure from the Biden administration  and even from US partners overseas, including Ukraine  to push it through.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower conducts flight operations in response to the Houthis in the Red Sea. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kaitlin Watt

Del Toro said "it's critical for Congress to pass the supplemental this week so that we can actually get the additional resources to be able to supplement those munitions that will be critical moving forward."

Navy warships and fighter jets have been tasked for months with defending key international shipping routes off the coast of Yemen, in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, from relentless Houthi attacks. Beyond intercepting missiles and drones in the air, American forces have often hammered the militant forces in Yemen before they're able to get their weapons in the air.

The Pentagon's Red Sea operations, however, have raised questions about sustainability, as the Houthis show no sign of letting up their attacks. Even over the weekend, amid Iran's attack on Israel, US forces continued to engage the militants.

Iran's attack, meanwhile, raises new concerns about sustainability, as US forces  including the Navy  were tasked with defeating dozens of threats in the air. The massive aerial barrage has prompted Israel to promise its own retaliation, sparking fears that the Middle East could spiral into even more violence.

Read the original article on Business Insider
US Navy warships shot down Iranian missiles with a weapon they've never used in combat before

US Navy warships fired SM-3s to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles last weekend.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro confirmed the use of the SM-3 during a Tuesday hearing.

It's the first time that the exo-atmospheric interceptor has been used in combat.

US Navy warships used an SM-3 missile interceptor for the first time in combat over the weekend while defending Israel from an unprecedented Iranian attack.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said American forces fired the Standard Missile 3, or SM-3, to engage Iranian ballistic missiles that were fired as part of the massive barrage, which included more than 300 missiles and drones launched from Tehran and its proxies.

"We've been firing SM-2s, we've been firing SM-6s, and just over the weekend, SM-3s, to actually counter the ballistic missile threat that's come from Iran," Del Toro said at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on Tuesday.

US officials previously said that two destroyers, the USS Arleigh Burke and USS Carney, operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea had engaged and destroyed at least four Iranian ballistic missiles, although it was not immediately clear how the warships shot down the threats.

A developmental Standard Missile-3, designed to intercept short- to medium-ranged ballistic-missile threats, is launched from the Pearl Harbor-based Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie. Photo by API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

USNI News, citing unnamed defense officials, first reported on Monday that the two ships fired between four and seven SM-3s to intercept the missiles. Del Toro's comments to lawmakers appear to be the Navy's first public acknowledgement of the SM-3 employment.

The SM-3 is an element of the Navy's advanced Aegis Combat System and uses a kinetic kill vehicle to hit and destroy short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the midcourse phase of flight. The SM-3 has the capacity for exo-atmospheric intercepts, meaning it can eliminate targets beyond Earth's atmosphere, unlike the Navy's other air-defense capabilities. These are difficult missions because of the high mid-course speed and the need to target the re-entry vehicle and not the separated booster.

"SM-3s are unique due to being the only Standard Missile designed to operate in the vacuum of space," the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank notes in its Missile Defense Project.

There are multiple SM-3 variants, which can be fired from a Navy warship's vertical-launching system, and the Block I interceptors were first fielded nearly 20 years ago. Despite dozens of tests over the past two decades, the SM-3 had not been used in combat until now.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) gets in formation during a ship maneuvering exercise with the Finnish Navy Hamina-class missile boat FNS Hamina (80) and the Swedish Navy ship HMS Kullen (M74), July 15, 2022. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Almagissel Schuring

The SM-3 wasn't the only exo-atmospheric weapon to be called into action over the weekend.

Israel's Arrow 3 missile-defense system, which can also eliminate enemy threats in space, was used to shoot down many of the 120 ballistic missiles that Iran lobbed at Israel on Saturday. Arrow 3 and its predecessor, Arrow 2, make up the top echelon of the country's sophisticated air-defense network.

Israeli officials have said that 99% of the threats fired by Iran and its proxies  which included one-way attack drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles  were intercepted by Israel's military and its partner forces in the Middle East.

US Central Command said American forces, specifically, destroyed more than 80 drones and at least six ballistic missiles.

CENTCOM said in a Sunday statement that "Iran's continued unprecedented, malign, and reckless behavior endangers regional stability and the safety of U.S. and coalition forces."

Correction: April 17, 2024  An earlier version of this story included a photo with a caption that misidentified the name of a ship. The incorrect caption was provided by the source, the Navy, and the photo has been removed from the story.

Read the original article on Business Insider
US official says IPR infringement still main concern in China

Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Vidal visits China

Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Vidal visits China

By Bernard Orr and Ethan Wang

BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director Kathi Vidal said on Tuesday that intellectual property rights (IPR) continue to be a main concern for U.S. businesses in China, and they face significant challenges with infringement.

"Whether it's insufficient deterrence for infringement, challenges to pharmaceutical related patents, or the misappropriation of trade secrets, intellectual property rights protection and enforcement remain a key issue of concern in the U.S.-China bilateral relationship," Vidal said at an event with attendees from the U.S. business community and legal fields in Beijing.

Vidal said the issue harms U.S. firms and workers, and that it is a concern not just held by U.S. companies, but by other nations as well.

She called recent policy shifts, including reduced transparency across the board, "troubling".

"What we've heard is that we need to create a fair, non discriminatory, and transparent IP environment for all."

In a recent blog post addressing the issue, Vidal said U.S. businesses operating in China regularly cite insufficient protection and enforcement of IP as a top concern, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has placed China on its "priority watch" list for over a decade, detailing a long list of IP concerns reported by U.S. businesses operating in China.

"We continue to work with our (Chinese) counterparts on higher penalties for infringement. We've seen that most recently and some of the laws that have been passed, but we heard today that although there is the availability of higher penalties, you're not seeing that play out in action yet," Vidal said.

On Monday, she met with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, where she said the United States attaches importance to the development of intellectual property cooperation with China, and is willing to strengthen dialogue, according to Chinese state media.

Ding said China wants to expand practical cooperation with the United States on intellectual property rights, address each other's concerns, and foster a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment.

(Reporting by Bernard Orr and Ethan Wang; Additonal reporting by Xiaoyu Yin; Editing by Jason Neely and Mark Potter)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testifies before Senate Committee on Armed Services during a hearing on Department of Defense Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2025 and the Future Years Defense Program on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 9, 2024. Austin has spoken with Chinas national defense minister in the latest in a series of U.S. steps to improve communications with the Chinese military and reduce unsafe and aggressive incidents in the Indo-Pacific. It is the first time Austin has talked to Adm. Dong Jun. And it's the first time he has spoken at length with any Chinese counterpart since November 2022. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with China's national defense minister Tuesday morning, in the latest in a series of U.S. steps to improve communications with the Chinese military and reduce unsafe and aggressive incidents in the Indo-Pacific.

It was the first time Austin has talked to Adm. Dong Jun and the first time he has spoken at length with any Chinese counterpart since November 2022. The call, which lasted a bit more than an hour, comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to China this month for talks.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said that Austin emphasized the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and the People's Republic of China. And he underscored the importance of respect for freedom of navigation on the seas, especially in the South China Sea.

Washington and Beijing have been working to expand communications and ease escalating tensions. Military-to-military contact stalled in August 2022, when Beijing suspended all such communication after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

The thaw in relations between the two world powers got a kick-start last November when President Joe Biden and Chinas President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. About a month later, Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with his Chinese counterpart in a video call  in the first senior military-to-military contact since the Pelosi visit.

Austin's call with Dong has been widely anticipated, but the admiral was only appointed to the defense job in December. Previous defense minister Wei Fenghe turned down a Pentagon request to speak with Austin last year after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon that had floated across the country. Austin had previously met with Wei in 2022 on the sidelines of a defense conference in Cambodia.

Defense officials are concerned about unsafe and unprofessional incidents involving the U.S. and Chinese militaries in the Pacific.

Pelosi's visit sparked a surge in military maneuvers by China. Beijing dispatched warships and aircraft across the median line in the Taiwan Strait, claiming the de facto boundary did not exist, fired missiles over Taiwan itself, and challenged established norms by firing missiles into Japans exclusive economic zone.

During the following two years, U.S. military officials repeatedly objected to a range of unsafe intercepts by Chinese aircraft in the Pacific and other dangerous incidents. Some of those confrontations have ebbed a bit, but the U.S. has been concerned about aggressive behavior by Chinese vessels against Philippine ships in the South China Sea.

Ryder said that Austin in his conversation with Dong also discussed Russias war in Ukraine, concerns about North Korea and the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

A senior defense official told reporters that Austin's call on Tuesday gives the U.S. the opportunity to prevent ongoing competition with China from veering into conflict. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide a preview of the call, said the U.S. hasn't seen any unsafe or unprofessional intercepts of American aircraft since last November, but China's coercive behavior toward Philippines' ships risks escalation.

U.S. and Chinese defense officials met earlier this month in Hawaii to discuss aggressive ship and aircraft incidents between the two militaries in the Pacific region. The two-day China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meeting included about 18 military and civilian personnel from each side and it was the first time since 2019 that it was held in person. There was a virtual meeting in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
US to query Israel about 6-year-old's killing in Gaza, State Dept says

By Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department will ask Israel for more information about the January death of 6-year-old Palestinian Hind Rajab in Gaza, spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday, calling for a full investigation into the matter after a Washington Post report cast doubt on Israel's earlier explanation.

The terrified girl trapped in a car in Gaza with her dead family had begged for help in a phone call to rescuers, in which gunfire could be heard as she described Israeli forces drawing near.

Relatives found her body 12 days later along with those of her aunt, uncle and their three children in their car near an ambulance and two dead ambulance workers who had tried to save her.

The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that an investigation had found Israeli armored vehicles were present in the area, contrary to the Israeli Defense Forces' claim that a preliminary investigation had found its forces were not within firing range of the car in which she was trapped.

"We're going to go back to the government of Israel and ask them for further information," Miller said at a press briefing, calling Hind Rajab's death "an unspeakable tragedy, something that never should have occurred and never should occur."

"We would still welcome a full investigation into this matter and how it occurred in the first place," Miller added.

Israel's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

U.S. officials have said they are reviewing incidents of civilian harm in Israel's six-month-old war in Gaza as part of processes meant to ensure U.S.-provided weapons are not used in breaches of international humanitarian law.

Miller said in Hind Rajab's case, rather than the United States conducting its own review, it had asked Israel what its own investigation had found.

"That's what we'll be going back to them to do with the new details that were raised by the Washington Post," Miller said.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis; Editing by Sandra Maler)
El Paso will once again see a round of ambitious community projects thanks to an infusion of $19 million in federal funds.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar recently announced 15 projects included in a package of appropriations bills aimed at everything from improving water services, providing better housing for service members and expanding food assistance services.

The community project funding process is a reworked version of the earlier earmarks, which Escobar said were often misused by members of Congress. The new process, revamped for greater transparency, allows organizations and local governments from communities across the country to apply for funding.

A graphic shows how $19 million in federal community project funding will be spent across 15 projects in El Paso and surrounding areas. The funding was secured by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, as part of an appropriations package passed earlier this year.

"It is highly competitive," Escobar, D-El Paso, said during a news conference Friday, April 5. "There is obviously a lot of need in the community and it is really difficult to make some of these decisions, picking one project over another, because they are all so worthy ... "

And while Escobar lauded the funding as a win for El Paso, she noted the uphill battle she and other congressional Democrats faced in securing funding for their communities.

"When House Democrats were in the majority, we used to divide the pot of money evenly ... regardless of who represented that community in Congress," she said. "Unfortunately, we're in the minority now and our Republican colleagues have decided to do it differently and have awarded their communities far greater funding than what we have been allowed to provide our own communities."

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, speaks during a news conference Friday, April 5, 2024, in Downtown El Paso to announce $19 million in federal funding for 15 different projects across El Paso and the surrounding area.

"I'm excited that the day we regain the majority we can begin to restore equity and parity, so that all American communities alike, regardless of who represents them in Congress, can have the ability to access these badly-needed funds."

Many of the funding recipients were on hand for Escobar's news conference at the Blue Flame Building in Downtown El Paso, where they took turns at once praising Escobar and detailing the projects they have in the offing.

City to receive $500,000 to establish Business One-Stop Shop

Among those on hand to discuss their projects was Mirella Craigo, assistant director of small business assistance for the city International and Economic Development Department.

The city is slated to receive $500,000 to acquire a new facility to house the Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) program, which Craigo said would be a boon for small businesses that make up a large part of El Paso's economy.

Mirella Craigo, assistant director of small business assistance with the city International and Economic Development Department, discusses the $500,000 allocated for a Business One-Stop Shop in El Paso during a news conference Friday, April 5, 2024.

"Eight-five percent of our business here in El Paso are small, but yet they have a very tremendous impact in our community" she said. "They're not just the backbone of our economy, they are the lifeblood of our community. They drive job creation and contribute to the vibrancy and fabric of our El Paso landscape."

Craigo recalled how many small businesses had difficulty accessing resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, which spurned the city to act. Over the last four years, she said, her office has been meeting with community partners to bolster support for small businesses.

"Launching this Business One-Stop Shop, which is something that we're incredibly excited about and very proud to announce, will really help our businesses thrive," she said. "It will help them be resilient and continue to grow."

"Our vision for the Business One-Stop Shop (is) being the corner store for small businesses in El Paso, fostering entrepreneurship, and an ecosystem that empowers local businesses," Craigo continued. "And with this appropriation, launching at the airport, showcasing that we are open for business."

Sun Metro to receive $720,000 for micro-transit program

The city is also on track to receive $720,000 to increase offerings at Sun Metro with a micro-transit program. The funding will go toward purchasing a small fleet of micro-transit vehicles, as well as the related infrastructure and accessories.

"Sun Metro transports 20,000 individuals a day, to and from their destination," said city Mass Transit Director Anthony DeKeyzer. "This grant here is going to help us do that."

City Mass Transit Director Anthony DeKeyzer discusses the $720,000 headed for Sun Metro to establish a micro-transit program Friday, April 5, 2024. The funding is part of $19 million in federal community project funding secured by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar

"It's going to help us with our initiative of 'Sun Metro Rising,'" he continued. "We are going to implement a micro-transit piece to that 'Sun Metro Rising.' It's going to help us transport those 20,000 people to and from their destination, to get to the doctor, to get to the hospital, to get to work. It's going to help and touch 20,000 people every single day."

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank to receive $800,000 to expand service

The El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank will receive a boost of $800,000 to establish a distribution center in historically underserved areas in West El Paso County.

"For the food bank, what this means is that we will be able to better serve the West Side of our community," said El Pasoans Fighting Hunger CEO Susan Goodell. "Think about Vinton, think about Anthony, Canutillo, Westway, and the West Side of El Paso that have been underserved since the pandemic."

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank CEO Susan Goodell discusses the $800,000 in federal funding her organization will use to expand services in underserved portions of West El Paso during a news conference Friday, April 5, 2024.

The food bank had a West Side facility on Doniphan that had to be closed after the pandemic. The federal funds now on the way, Goodell said, would allow the food bank to begin amending the roughly 15 acres it owns along the Canutillo-El Paso border and "build a facility capable of restoring that food that (the food bank provided during COVID ... "

That service gap means the food bank has been moving millions of pounds of food to vulnerable families using multiple trucks.

"For the first time in years we will be able to do this from a facility, and adequately do this job," Goodell said.

What other projects were funded?

By far the largest allocation went to Fort Bliss, which will receive $7.2 million to provide better housing for service members, but a multitude of other projects also received funding.

Following is a list of the other 11 projects receiving community project funding:

$850,000 for the construction of a ground water storage tank at Nuevo Hueco Tanks

$500,000 to service pipelines in the Gateway West-Sparks Water Project

$959,752 to upgrade and expand the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant in Anthony

$959,752 for the final design and construction of an arsenic treatment plant in Anthony

$963,000 for aerospace digital engineering research in collaboration with El Paso manufacturers

$975,000 for the creation of a flood warning system in El Paso County

$550,000 to purchase rural utility vehicles to remove illegally dumped waste

$1.05 million to rehabilitate six buildings in Socorro's historic Rio Vista Farm

$850,000 to develop the Terminal Bridge Reconstruction Project at the El Paso International Airport

$963,000 to purchase license plate recognition cameras to be placed in high-traffic areas

$1.4 million to replace an aging generator and add power storage at University Medical Center.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso to see infusion of $19M in federal funding for 15 projects
Key Insights

Insiders appear to have a vested interest in Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers' growth, as seen by their sizeable ownership

The top 2 shareholders own 51% of the company

Past performance of a company along with ownership data serve to give a strong idea about prospects for a business

If you want to know who really controls Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers Limited (JSE:CAT), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. With 46% stake, individual insiders possess the maximum shares in the company. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

With such a notable stake in the company, insiders would be highly incentivised to make value accretive decisions.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers, beginning with the chart below.

See our latest analysis for Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers' earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers. The company's CEO Terrence Moolman is the largest shareholder with 46% of shares outstanding. With 4.9% and 1.1% of the shares outstanding respectively, Ninety One UK Limited and Investec Wealth & Investment Management (Pty) Ltd are the second and third largest shareholders.

To make our study more interesting, we found that the top 2 shareholders have a majority ownership in the company, meaning that they are powerful enough to influence the decisions of the company.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. As far as we can tell there isn't analyst coverage of the company, so it is probably flying under the radar.

Story continues

Insider Ownership Of Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers Limited. Insiders own R1.7b worth of shares in the R3.6b company. This may suggest that the founders still own a lot of shares. You can click here to see if they have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 44% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers .

Of course this may not be the best stock to buy. Therefore, you may wish to see our free collection of interesting prospects boasting favorable financials.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
US-Russia collaboration has long endured in space. The Ukraine war could ruin it.

US-Russia collaboration has long endured in space. The Ukraine war could ruin it.

The International Space Station has long been a symbol of international cooperation.

Astronauts and cosmonauts from the US and Russia work closely together on the ISS.

But amid increasing tensions over Ukraine, the cooperation is under pressure.

Since the end of the Cold War, the International Space Station (ISS) has been a symbol of international cooperation.

Teams from the US, Russia, Europe, China, and Japan have for the past three decades lived and worked together on the Earth-orbiting station, collecting valuable scientific data in joint research projects.

Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson previously told Business Insider that crews don't dwell on politics, and their unique view of the world separates them from Earth-bound conflicts.

"People are used to leaving the politics and the religion behind because, when you're in space, you become part of a space culture where my life depends on you and your life depends on me," she said.

On Earth, however, tensions between the US and Russia are at their worst point since the Cold War.

The US is supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion, and Russia's President Vladimir Putin has menaced the West with the prospect of nuclear war in response. The areas where the countries can find common ground are dwindling.

An uneasy relationship

Right now, there are four US astronauts, three Chinese astronauts, and three Russian cosmonauts on the ISS.

In recent years, political tensions have been threatening the precarious agreement that underpins the ISS, with some Russian cosmonauts using the station for a propaganda stunt, and the Kremlin threatening to pull out of the ISS completely.

In 2022, Russia announced that it would withdraw from the ISS in 2024 to build its own space station, but it later deferred its exit until 2028.

If Russia acts on its threats, it could spell the end of the ISS, as Russian space technology expertise is vital for keeping it in orbit.

Amid the geopolitical jostling, the US and Russia are joined in an increasingly tense partnership to keep the ISS going despite being at loggerheads on almost every other front.

"They are metaphorically, practically, and legally codependent, even if some members of each side would prefer them not to be," Jill Stuart of Imperial College London told BI

Fears over conflict on Earth threatening the space station have even made it to Hollywood with a space thriller, "ISS," released in January.

A still from the "ISS" movie. Bleecker Street/YouTube

The movie follows Russian and American astronauts who are on a space mission when a nuclear war breaks out. Their respective countries order them to take control of the space station.

Politics makes its way to space

The creation of the ISS was announced by former US President Ronald Reagan, who in 1984 asked NASA to create a "permanently manned space station" that other countries would be invited to contribute to.

By 1988, 15 nations had agreed to participate in the project, then known as Space Station Freedom. Representatives from the US, Japan, Canada, and nine members of the European Space Agency (ESA) signed the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to consent to its construction.

After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, President Bill Clinton invited newly-formed Russia to join the project, which changed its name to the ISS in 1993.

The crew of Soyuz 11. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Soviets had long-standing expertise in aerospace technology, having launched the world's first space station, "Salyut," in 1971.

Ever since officially joining, Russia has worked extremely closely with the US on the ISS. Crew from both countries were part of the first monthlong expedition in 2000.

Terry Virts of NASA and Anton Shkaplerov of Roscomos pose on October 8, 2015 in Milan, Italy. Pier Marco Tacca via Getty Images

But the ISS, for so long a place symbolizing the unity between nations, has begun to fall prey to political divisions as the era of post-Cold War optimism gave way to renewed conflict.

In July 2022, Russian cosmonauts on the ISS unveiled a flag of the Luhansk region in Ukraine. The region has recently been occupied by Russia's invading military, and the picture was seen as a show of support for Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

It was an outrageous provocation at a site where political differences were supposed to matter less than the common pursuit of truth, said critics.

"I am incredibly disappointed to see cosmonauts and Roscosmos using the International Space Station as a platform to promote their illegal and immoral war, where civilians are being killed every day," Terry Virts, a US astronaut and commander of the ISS in 2015, said at the time.

Russian cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev, Denis Matveev and Sergey Korsakov pose with a flag of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic on the International Space Station, in this picture released July 4, 2022. Roscosmos/Reuters

But Virts told BI that Russia's economic difficulties mean that, for the time being, its provocations are unlikely to be a prelude to fully withdrawing from the ISS.

"It is the only viable civilian space activity for them in the near term," he said.

Russia is channeling huge amounts of money into its Ukraine campaign, with military spending accounting for 6% of GDP last year. It leaves little left over for a huge and ambitious project such as building a space station.

"Their economy has been transitioned to a war footing and they will not have the money to begin any new space exploration initiatives in the foreseeable future," said Virts.

US reliance on Russia

Under the ISS agreement, every nation taking part helps fund it. Russia and the US, as the world's space exploration superpowers, take the largest share of responsibility for maintaining the ship.

The ISS's habitable modules, where the astronauts live and work, are jointly owned by the US and Russia and physically connected.

Pilot Michael Barratt, commander Matthew Dominick, Russian cosmonaut and mission specialist Alexander Grebenkin, and mission specialist Jeanette Epps in March 2024 before a six-month ISS mission. Anadolu/Getty Images

Stuart, of Imperial College, said that the way the station is built enforces cooperation between nations that find little else to agree about.

"Although strong words have been used on both sides since the conflict in Ukraine, in reality, the agencies involved in the stationas well as the hardware of the station itselfare interdependent in a way that has so far ensured a stable, if tense, continuation of operation," said Stuart.

"Over the past decades of operation, other political tensions between the US and Russia have led to questions about the future of the ISS, but it has always weathered the storm," said Stuart.

The future of the ISS, if Russia does act on its threats and withdraws, appears bleak. It would be difficult to get the ISS to even move without Russian help, said Virts. And transporting astronauts to the station would be more difficult, as under the ISS agreement, Russia flies international teams from its Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Verts said that while the US would likely be able to find other ways of transporting its astronauts to the station if Russia withdraws its use of its "Soyuz" capsules, the section of the station maintained by Russia include its thrusters, or the engines used to move the spacecraft.

"We do have to cooperate for the basic operation of the station," he said.

One possible solution could come in the form of equipment or financial assistance from Elon Musk's SpaceX. The private space company is thought to be worth between $125 and $140 billion.

Musk wrote a social media post in February 2022 that alluded to the company saving ISS from an "uncontrolled deorbit" after the head of Russia's space agency warned it could crash into the US or Europe if ties were cut over the conflict in Ukraine, The Independent reported.

Meanwhile, CNBC reported in August that the European Space Agency was considering using the organization's launchers over Russia's "Soyuz" capsules.

A new space race

While the US and Russia continue their tense collaborations on the ISS, in other parts of space, competition is intensifying.

China is rapidly becoming a major power in space, challenging the US and Russia's dominance of space exploration and technology. China has completed several unmanned Moon landings, has its own space station, and has developed a sophisticated commercial and military satellite program.

Great power competition in space is nothing new. After all, the first space race was fuelled by the geopolitical rivalry between the US and Soviet Russia.

But the era of cooperation and unity symbolized by the ISS could soon come to feel like something from the past, say experts. For Stuart, the future will likely be defined instead by intensifying rivalry.

"Countries have long used space activity to demonstrate their prestige, and this will continue into the foreseeable futureleading to inevitable competition and even conflict," said Stuart.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The US says it won't shoot down drones over Ukraine, despite doing the same to protect Israel

The US helped shoot down Iranian drones and missiles fired at Israel over the weekend.

Ukraine's president said the response showed what could be done to protect his own country.

But the White House said it wouldn't do the same for Ukraine, calling it a "different threat picture."

The White House said on Monday that it would not shoot down drones for Ukraine, despite having done so for Israel over the weekend.

Israel said that Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles at it on Saturday night. The US, UK, France, and Jordan said they helped to stop the barrage, including through the use of aircraft.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby was asked in a media briefing if the US could also help to shoot down drones over Ukraine.

Kirby responded: "I knew this question was coming too. Look, different conflicts. Different conflicts, different airspace, different threat picture."

He said that President Joe Biden "has been clear since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, the United States is not gonna be involved in that conflict in a combat role, and we haven't."

Ukrainian military personnel display a downed Russian drone during a press conference. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Russia has been firing drones and missiles across Ukraine as part of its full-scale invasion, often hitting and destroying energy infrastructure, as well as residential buildings, and killing civilians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the response to Iran's aerial attack on Israel "demonstrated how truly effective unity in defending against terror can be when it is based on sufficient political will."

"Together, they prevented terror from prevailing," he added. "And they are working together, and in coordination with others, to prevent further escalation."

Zelenskyy said that similar actions should be taken to protect Ukraine.

Many of Ukraine's allies, including the US, have said they are trying to help without escalating the conflict with Russia. But some world leaders have rebuffed this, saying Russia will escalate the war either way.

Zelenskyy said the response to the attack on Israel also showed that NATO members can protect non-member states, and could protect Ukraine, which is not part of the military alliance, in the same way.

"Israel is not a NATO member, so no action, such as triggering Article 5, was required," he said, referring to the alliance's collective defense clause.

"No one was dragged into the war," Zelenskyy added. "They simply contributed to the protection of human life."

A woman stands next to a destroyed house in Lyman, Donetsk region in Ukraine, in April 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Zelenskyy went on to say that "European skies could have received the same level of protection long ago if Ukraine had received similar full support from its partners in intercepting drones and missiles."

Ukraine is running critically low on air defense missiles, which means Russia's attacks are more likely to get through.

Republicans in Congress have stalled further aid for Ukraine over the past six months, preventing any new supplies coming from the US.

Kirby said the US had previously given Ukraine "the tools that they need to help defend their space. And unfortunately, we can't do that right now, because we don't have the National Security Supplemental funding that they so desperately need."

Experts previously told BI that Ukrainian shortages would likely allow Russia's air force to fly freely, which could have effects so devastating that it could bring about a quick end to the war.

Read the original article on Business Insider
FILE PHOTO: Capitol Dome is seen from the inside of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington

By Patricia Zengerle and David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Democrats said on Tuesday they would wait to decide how to respond to a proposal from the Republican-led House of Representatives to consider national security assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan separately, rather than as one bill.

More than two months after the Senate approved a $95 billion package of security assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and other U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday that the House would consider the aid this week, but would do so as separate pieces of legislation.

The proposal fueled uncertainty about the long-awaited aid package, particularly for Ukraine, given fierce opposition toward from some far-right Republicans, who have threatened to oust Johnson if he allows a House vote on assistance for Kyiv.

Democrats in the House and Senate - and the White House - said they would look at Johnson's proposals, even as they stressed that the best and quickest strategy would be for the House to pass the legislation approved by the Senate in February.

Johnson's plan was endorsed on Tuesday by the leaders of the House Appropriations, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees, and the chairperson of the defense appropriations subcommittee.

"We dont have time to spare when it comes to our national security. We need to pass this aid package this week," Representatives Tom Cole, Mike Rogers, Michael McCaul, Mike Turner and Ken Calvert said in a joint statement.

Turner and Representative Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the intelligence panel, said separately in a statement after a classified briefing that Ukraine's situation on the ground was critical and aid must be passed now.

Consideration of separate bills could add weeks to the timeline for the aid to become law, as it must pass the House and then go back for a vote in the Senate, before it can be sent to the White House for Democratic President Joe Biden's signature.

"I am reserving judgment on what will come out of the House until we see more about the substance of the proposal and the process by which the proposal will proceed," Senator Chuck Schumer said as the Senate opened.

"Hopefully, we will get details of the speaker's proposal later today. Again, time is of the essence," Schumer said.

Representative Pete Aguilar, a member of the House Democratic leadership, told a press conference he would wait for the substance of the bill before drawing any conclusions.

"We don't want to sink any plan that delivers aid to our allies," he said.

TEXT, TIMELINE STILL TO COME

The text of the bills was not released - it was expected as soon as late Tuesday - but there would be separate measures providing assistance to Ukraine as it fights a Russian invasion, Israel after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and a weekend air assault by Iran, and partners in the Indo-Pacific as they face an increasingly aggressive China.

It also was not clear which country's assistance the House would consider first. Republicans have tried repeatedly to push through aid for Israel without anything for Ukraine, an approach Democrats have rejected.

The White House has also opposed standalone aid for Israel.

When asked whether the White House would support the four separate bills, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said the administration was awaiting more information.

"It does appear at first blush that the speaker's proposal will, in fact, help us get aid to Ukraine, aid to Israel and needed resources to the Indo-Pacific for a wide range of contingencies there. We just want to get more detail," he told reporters.

Johnson told Fox News on Tuesday that the fourth bill would include additional sanctions on Russia and Iran as well as the "REPO Act," a provision regarding the seizure of Russian assets to help Ukraine.

Ukraine backers have been pushing Johnson to allow a vote on supplemental funding since last year. But Johnson had given a variety of reasons to delay, including the need to focus taxpayer dollars on domestic issues.

Many hard-right Republicans, especially those closely allied with former President Donald Trump, who is challenging Biden in the November presidential election, fiercely oppose sending billions more dollars to Ukraine.

At least two far-right Republicans have threatened to seek Johnson's removal as speaker if he allows a vote on assistance for Ukraine. Johnson said he would not resign.

It was not clear whether he would be removed in case of a hard-right rebellion, as some Democrats have said they would vote to save Johnson's job to prevent chaos in the House. Last year, conservatives ousted then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and it took three weeks before Johnson was elected.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, additional reporting by Makini Brice, David Morgan, Moira Warburton and Rami Ayyub; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Deepa Babington)
US Senate waiting for details of Johnson's proposal on aid for Ukraine and Israel

Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democratic majority in the US Senate, has said he will consider a proposal put forward by Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, concerning splitting aid for Ukraine and other US allies into separate bills.

Source: Schumer, cited by Reuters, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Schumer indicated that he would reserve judgment on Johnsons bills "until we see more about the substance of the proposal and the process by which the proposal will proceed".

"Hopefully, we will get details of the speaker's proposal later today. Again, time is of the essence," Schumer said.

Background:

The approval of over US$60 billion of aid for Ukraine by the US Congress has been blocked by Republicans in the House of Representatives for months now.

Earlier Mike Johnson published his plan of adoption of the aid, which would involve separate votes on aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and national security priorities.

The plan has been criticised by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who believes that splitting the aid package for Ukraine and Israel in the US Congress would demonstrate indifference to the deaths of Ukrainians and be a sign of "pure politics".

Zelenskyy added that unless the US Congress votes to send Ukraine over US$60 billion of aid, Ukraine has no chance of winning the war with Russia.

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US Supreme Court leans toward Jan. 6 rioter in obstruction case, with Trump implications

By John Kruzel and Andrew Chung

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices on Tuesday signaled skepticism toward an obstruction charge brought by the Justice Department against a Pennsylvania man in the 2021 Capitol attack - a case with possible implications for the prosecution of Donald Trump for trying to overturn his 2020 election loss.

The justices heard arguments in Joseph Fischer's appeal of a lower court's ruling rejecting his attempt to escape a federal charge of corruptly obstructing an official proceeding - the congressional certification of President Joe Biden's victory over Trump that the rioters sought to prevent on Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump, the Republican candidate challenging the Democratic president in the Nov. 5 U.S. election, faces the same charge in a criminal case brought against him last year by Special Counsel Jack Smith.

The conservative justices, who form a 6-3 majority, expressed concerns about the decision by federal prosecutors to apply to Fischer's case an obstruction provision in the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act, a law passed after the accounting fraud scandal at now-defunct energy company Enron. They grilled U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar about the law's sweep, how it should be interpreted and whether the charge was necessary given the range of other criminal counts brought against Jan. 6 defendants.

Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch appeared wary that a broad reading of the law could encroach on non-violent protests, emphasizing the maximum penalty of 20 years in prison under the obstruction charge.

"Would a sit-in that disrupts a trial, or access to a federal courthouse, qualify?" Gorsuch asked Prelogar. "Would a heckler in today's (Supreme Court) audience qualify, or at the State of the Union address?"

Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts seemed inclined to view the law narrowly, suggesting it might apply only to defendants who alter or destroy evidence - an interpretation that Fischer has asked the court to embrace.

Fischer is accused of charging at police guarding a Capitol entrance during the attack. Fischer, at the time a member of the North Cornwall Township police in Pennsylvania, got inside and pressed up against an officer's riot shield as police attempted to clear rioters, according to prosecutors. He remained in the Capitol for four minutes before police pushed him out.

Jeffrey Green, a lawyer for Fischer, said prosecutors had misapplied the "Enron-driven evidence-tampering statute" to his client's case.

"Attempting to stop a vote count or something like that is a very different act than actually changing a document or altering a document," Green told the justices.

Liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan challenged Green's narrow view of the law, suggesting that lawmakers had aimed to craft an expansive statute.

"They wanted to cover every base," Sotomayor told Green.

'INTIMIDATE CONGRESS'

Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked Prelogar why the other charges filed against Fischer, including assault and disorderly and disruptive conduct, were not "good enough" for prosecutors.

Other charges do not fully capture the fact that Fischer "wanted to intimidate Congress," Prelogar responded.

Prelogar pointed to a text message that Fischer sent, according to prosecutors, prior to the Capitol assault in which he said of Democratic lawmakers: "Can't vote if they can't breathe..lol."

"He went to the Capitol on January 6th with that intent in mind and took action," Prelogar said, adding that Fischer's conduct had impeded the ability of law enforcement officers "to regain control of the Capitol and let Congress finish its work in that session."

Jan. 6 defendants convicted of obstruction have received far lesser sentences than the 20-year maximum.

About 350 of the roughly 1,400 people charged in the Capitol attack have been charged with obstruction. A Supreme Court ruling dismissing the charge against Fischer would likely prompt them to seek re-sentencing, withdraw their guilty pleas or request new trials, though many would face additional hurdles.

Such a ruling also could make it more complicated - but not impossible - to make Trump's obstruction-related charges stick, according to experts.

In August 2023, Smith brought four federal criminal counts against Trump: conspiring to defraud the United States, corruptly obstructing an official proceeding and conspiring to do so, and conspiring against the right of Americans to vote. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on April 25 in Trump's assertion of presidential immunity from prosecution in the case.

Smith has separately charged Trump in a case involving the retention of classified documents after leaving office.

Fischer is awaiting trial on six other criminal counts, including assaulting or impeding officers and civil disorder, while he challenges his obstruction charge.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, dismissed Fischer's obstruction charge, ruling it applies only to defendants who tampered with evidence. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed that decision, prompting Fischer's appeal.

The Supreme Court's ruling is expected by the end of June.

(Reporting by John Kruzel and Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham)
FILE PHOTO: A view of a damaged area at a location given as Nevatim Airbase

FILE PHOTO: A view of a damaged area at a location given as Nevatim Airbase

(Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is preparing fresh sanctions on Iran in response to Iran's attack on Israel, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing a copy of her remarks.

"Treasury will not hesitate to work with our allies to use our sanctions authority to continue disrupting the Iranian regime's malign and destabilizing activity," Yellen is prepared to say Tuesday, as per the Axios report.

"The attack by Iran and its proxies underscores the importance of Treasury's work to use our economic tools to counter Iran's malign activity," she will further say, Axios reported.

Yellen said previously that Iran's actions threatened stability in the Middle East and could cause economic spillovers, adding that the U.S. would use sanctions and work with allies.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; editing by Andrew Heavens and Jason Neely)
Ivan Pantic / iStock.com

Shopping at Costco can save you money on everything from food and electronics to vacation packages and home services. But you could end up losing money or having personal information misused if you fall for the many scams that target members of the popular warehouse chain. Whether its an email, text, website or online ad, you must be cautious about what you respond to.

Here are six Costco scams to recognize.

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1. Imposter Costco Websites

Whether you clicked a link or found it on the search results, you might land on a website that closely resembles Costcos and advertises special sales. But if you check the URL, youll see something other than Costco.com. Rather than placing an order on such scam sites and potentially losing money, navigate directly to Costco.com to shop on Costcos website.

2. Giveaway and Special Offer Scams

Some scammers send emails or texts or post social media ads directing you to take a Costco survey or enter a sweepstakes. They often claim youll win a gift card, TV, loyalty award or some mystery prize. However, Costcos website cautions that these offers are scams, and a close look could verify that the sender or website isnt the retailer. Dont respond or give any information.

3. Fake Costco Membership Emails

Fake Costco member emails come from scammers who might want your login information. You may be prompted to click a link to renew your membership, redeem a reward, confirm an order or view special Costco deals. The sender could have an unusual email address or trick you with a spoofed Costco address. The safest move is to check your Costco account for any updates and ignore suspicious requests.

4. Overcharge Reimbursement Scams

If you get a text that Costco wants to reimburse you for an overcharged amount, youre dealing with another popular scam. The text often refers to a receipt and has a link that might request your banking details. You wouldnt receive this kind of notification from Costco since overcharges should be automatically reimbursed. Ignore the text and call Costco about any concerns.

5. Package Delivery Scams

The scammer actually claims to be the United States Postal Service rather than Costco with this scheme. It can involve a text or email about an issue delivering a Costco package, which you might have not even ordered. It could ask you to log in to a fake Costco website to update your address, which results in the scammer having your account details. Your orders status on the warehouse chains real website would indicate any real issues, so check there if in doubt about any communications you receive regarding deliveries.

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6. Costco Job Scams

Fake jobs are popular scams that trick Costco shoppers. You might get a job interview email advertising an unusually high hourly rate for a Costco role. Another scheme impersonates the human resources department and offers you a job if you pay money first. Dont fall for these since Costcos website states you wont receive unsolicited employment offers or be charged a fee to get a job.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Scams That Target Costco Members: Heres How To Avoid Them
University of Southern California canceled the commencement address of valedictorian Asna Tabassum on Monday in the wake of complaints and petitions accusing the biomedical engineering senior of antisemitism.

Provost Andrew T. Guzman announced the schools decision in a community-wide notice on Monday, writing, When tensions are running so high across the world, we must prioritize the safety of our community and that the decision is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation  including the expectations of federal regulators  that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe.

Guzman said that discussion relating to Tabassums social media presence  which in addition to linking to a Free Palestine website in her Instagram bio has been accused by USC student group Trojans for Israel of being that of a student who openly traffics antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric  has reached an alarming tenor on and off campus.

The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement, he wrote. We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses.

Tabassum responded to the facultys decision on Monday, saying in a statement obtained by TheWrap that anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all.

This campaign to prevent me from addressing my peers at commencement has evidently accomplished its goal  I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice, she continued. I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own university  my home for four years  has abandoned me.

The pro-Muslim group CAIR-LA also denounced USCs cowardly decision to block its valedictorians speech on Monday. The dishonest and defamatory attacks on Asna are nothing more than thinly-veiled manifestations of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism, which have been weaponized against college students across the country who speak up for human rights  and for Palestinian humanity, CAIR LA executive director Hussam Ayloush said in a statement.

A petition calling on the university to rescind Tabassums valedictorian status began circulating after she was given the title earlier this month. The petition criticized the Muslim student, saying that her appearance would cast an ugly scar on the university and pointing to her Instagram bio link calling Zionists racist-settlers.

Read USC provost Guzmans letter in full below:

Dear USC community,

At this time of year, all talk about commencement should focus on the tremendous accomplishments of our 19,000-plus graduates, their friends, their families, and the staff and faculty who have been such a critical part of their journeys. As I walk around our campuses, theres a palpable sense of excitement as soon-to-be-grads happily pose for pictures with friends in all their favorite sites. At the same time, we all recognize the strife, turbulence, and pain being experienced within our own community, and on so many other campuses and places around the world.

The main stage commencement at USC draws 65,000 people to the University Park Campus. As at all universities, this is the most exciting week and most important academic event of the year. We seek to produce a ceremony that unites our community and celebrates the hard work and achievements of graduates from all our schools and programs. Because of USCs size and scale, commencement week is also the most challenging time of the year for our Department of Public Safety (DPS) personnel, who work tirelessly and effectively to keep our campuses the safe places that they are.

The Office of the Provost is involved in commencement in many ways, including the selection of our undergraduate valedictorian. Unfortunately, over the past several days, discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor. The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement. We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses.

As always, and particularly when tensions are running so high across the world, we must prioritize the safety of our community. And as we do every year, we have been monitoring our commencement security needs based on all the information we have and the facts on the ground. Our DPS and expert campus safety team are uniquely prepared to evaluate potential threats, and we have consulted with them about the current situation, taking into account everything we know about our reality, as well as the unprecedented risks we are seeing at other campuses and across the world. We are resolute in our commitment to maintain and prioritize the existing safety and well-being of our USC community during the coming weeks, and allowing those attending commencement to focus on the celebration our graduates deserve.

After careful consideration, we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement. While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety. This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation  including the expectations of federal regulators  that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe. It applies the same values and criteria that we have used in the past to guide our actions. In no way does it diminish the remarkable academic achievements of any student considered or selected for valedictorian. To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement. The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.

Many have asked about the process for selecting the valedictorian. As has been true throughout USCs history, the provosts office managed the process. The first step was the appointment of faculty members to the Valedictorian and Salutatorian Selection Committee. This year the committee evaluated nearly 100 applications submitted from among the more than 200 graduating seniors who qualified for consideration based on their GPAs. The committee assessed each application based on various criteria  which did not include social media presence  and made a recommendation to me. Based on these faculty recommendations, I made the final decision.

This summer, I will work with the faculty to reconsider how best to recognize and celebrate the incredible achievements of our most outstanding undergraduate students. Many large universities like USC, for example, have moved away from selecting a single valedictorian from the many who are qualified, in favor of more inclusive processes and traditions.

At a time when there is so much discord in the world around us, it has never been more important for us to come together as a community, embrace our Unifying Values, and celebrate our individual and collective achievements. Commencement will be an opportunity for us to do just that, and President Folt and I very much look forward to seeing and celebrating with you there.

Sincerely,

Andrew T. Guzman

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

The post USC Cancels Valedictorians Commencement Address Amid Accusations of Antisemitism appeared first on TheWrap.
The University of Southern California has canceled a student valedictorian's commencement speech out of safety concerns concerning her pro-Palestinian views.

"After careful consideration, we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement," Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew T. Guzman said in a letter to students on Monday. "While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety."

USC said the decision was based on potential threats regarding the selection of the valedictorian.

The student, Asna Tabassum, is a first-generation South Asian-American Muslim who majored in biomedical engineering and minored in resistance to genocide, according to a statement published through the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Tabassum was open about her pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel views on social media.

PHOTO: The University Village area of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. (Reed Saxon/AP)

The discussion around her selection took on an "alarming tenor," according to Guzman.

"The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement," Guzman said.

Tabassum criticized the university for canceling her speech, saying in a statement that she learned through her studies that "ordinary people are capable of unspeakable acts of violence when they are taught hate fueled by fear."

"And due to widespread fear, I was hoping to use my commencement speech to inspire my classmates with a message of hope," Tabassum said. She added that by canceling her speech, "USC is only caving to fear and rewarding hatred."

Tabassum was criticized by some on social media for a website linked on her social media profile that calls Zionism a "racist settler-colonial ideology that advocates for a Jewish ethnostate built on Palestinian land."

The site later continues, "One Palestinian state would mean Palestinian liberation, and the complete abolishment of the state of Israel. This way is the only way towards justice; both Arabs and Jews can live together without an ideology that specifically advocates for the ethnic cleansing of one of them. Palestinians would be allowed to return home, and millions of Palestinians would not have to live under occupation and apartheid."

Tensions have been high on college campuses since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, in which Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, after which the Israeli military began its bombardment of the Gaza Strip in what Israeli forces say was to address the Hamas threat.

MORE: Free speech debate intensifies after controversial hearing with university presidents

In the Gaza Strip, at least 33,000 people have been killed and more than 76,000 others have been wounded by Israeli forces since Oct. 7, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.

In Israel, at least 1,200 people have been killed and 6,900 others have been injured by Hamas and other Palestinian militants since Oct. 7, according to Israeli officials.

"This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation  including the expectations of federal regulators  that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe," Guzman said.

MORE: The Israel-Hamas war is a hot-button issue. How K-12 schools are addressing it.

USC -- which expects a crowd of 65,000 for the commencement festivities on May 10 -- said the focus of the ceremony should be "on the tremendous accomplishments of our 19,000-plus graduates, their friends, their families, and the staff and faculty who have been such a critical part of their journeys."

USC cancels valedictorian's speech amid Palestinian support, student says school 'caving to fear and rewarding hatred' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The University of Southern California has canceled its Class of 2024 valedictorians speech due to safety issues after pro-Israel groups accused her of being antisemitic.

Asna Tabassum was scheduled to speak at the commencement but has since been told that USC will not allow her to do so due to safety concerns.

Tabassum released a personal statement through The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

I am honored to have been selected as USC Class of 2024 Valedictorian. Although this should have been a time of celebration for my family, friends, professors, and classmates, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all.

I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own universitymy home for four yearshas abandoned me, Tabassum wrote.

An Instagram account with the handle @Israelwarroom shared a post on April 9 featuring Tabassum and accusing her of sharing and liking anti-Israel views on her social media profile, which they equate to antisemitism.

However, the university says Tabassums speech isnt being canceled due to her political and personal views but because of concern for her well-being after receiving backlash from pro-Israel groups.

After careful consideration, we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement, USC said in a statement. While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safetyThe issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.

The school added that it has allowed for open discussions and differing viewpoints to be a flashpoint for conversations on the campus during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, our campuses have been open for numerous expressions of free speech by students and student groups, including rallies and demonstrations that run the entire spectrum of social and political opinion.

Rabbi Dov Wagner, director of the Chabad Jewish Student Center at USC, told KTLA that he believes the university solved one problem but created another.

I think the way it was presented as a security concern creates the impression -and is being reported in many places around the county- as if threats were being made by Jewish students, said Wagner, who says that is not the case.

USC would not share information about any specific threats or safety concerns.

CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush isnt satisfied with USCs response and, in a statement, reprimanded the school for its decision.

USC cannot hide its cowardly decision behind a disingenuous concern for security. Asna is an incredibly accomplished student whose academic and extracurricular accomplishments made her the ideal and historic recipient of this years valedictorians honor, Ayloush wrote. The university can, should, and must ensure a safe environment for graduation rather than taking the unprecedented step of canceling a valedictorians speech.

There has been at least one incident at USC since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began last October. A USC professor was also banned for his comments about the conflict but was reinstated a short time later.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The University of Southern California (USC) faces backlash from the countrys largest Muslim civil rights group after the school announced on Monday that its valedictorian will not be allowed to speak at her commencement.

Asna Tabassum, a first-generation South Asian-American Muslim biomedical engineering major, with a minor in genocide studies, was told by USC officials that the university would not accommodate her valedictory speech, after unprecedented threats were levied towards her and the institution.

In an email to students and faculty explaining the decision, USC Provost Andrew Guzman said discussion over her appointment took on an alarming tenor, and had escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement.

After careful consideration, we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement, Guzman wrote, adding that tradition must give way to safety.

To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free speech entitlement to speak at a commencement. The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period, the email said.

Before the announcement, Tabassums social media presence had been the subject of some on-campus scrutiny, because she included a link on her Instagram page which said one Palestinian state would require the complete abolishment of the state of Israel, and described Zionism as a racist settler-colonial ideology.

On Saturday, a Zionist campus organization called Trojans for Israel, denounced Tabassums selection as valedictorian, calling the language in the materials antisemitic bigotry. Several other campus organizations called for the university to reconsider her selection. She told NBC Los Angeles that she had posted the link five years ago, and the university said her social media presence was not a factor in their decision making.

Tabassum responded to the decision in a statement released by the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR), writing that she had serious doubts about whether the universitys decision was made solely on the basis of safety.

She wrote that she had been subjected to a campaign of racist hatred from anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim voices, to prevent her from speaking at the universitys commencement, but had not been made aware of the details of those threats.

Tabassum wrote that she was told that the university had the resources to protect her, but would not do so because it was not in line with what USC wants to present as an image.

I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own universitymy home for four yearshas abandoned me, she wrote. She added that the university was caving to fear and rewarding hatred.

The director of the Los Angeles office of the CAIR, Hussam Ayloush, condemned the universitys decision to revoke her valedictory speech, and called for USC to reverse its decision.

USC cannot hide its cowardly decision behind a disingenuous concern for security, said Ayloush.

The decision empowers voices of hate and censorship, violates USCs obligation to protect its students and sends a terrible signal to both Muslim students at USC and all students who dare to express support for Palestinian humanity, he added.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Earlier this month, the University of Southern California announced that Asna Tabassum would be the Class of 2024s valedictorian, with a 3.98 GPA and in recognition of her community service and leadership skills. She is graduating with a major in biomedical engineering and a minor in resistance to genocide.

But on Monday, USC canceled the speech.

In an announcement dated Monday, Provost Andrew Guzman said the intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement.

After careful consideration, we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement. While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety, he wrote. This decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement. The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.

The school did not elaborate further. Reached for comment, the provosts office directed HuffPost to Guzmans statement.

Tabassum, in an interview with HuffPost, questioned the universitys reasoning and told HuffPost she felt disappointed and let down by USC.

I am surprised that my own university  my home for four years  has abandoned me, she said.

In a statement published on Monday, Tabassum said that she was not aware of any specific threats against her or the university, and that during a meeting last Sunday, administrators told her that the University had the resources to take appropriate safety measures for my valedictory speech, but that they would not be doing so since increased security protections is not what the University wants to present as an image.

Security and safety is also my concern. Thats consistent with my commitment to human equality and human rights. I dont think that theyre mutually exclusive at all, Tabassum told HuffPost. She noted that notable figures including former President Barack Obama, rap star Travis Scott and right-wing speaker Milo Yiannopoulos have all been able to visit campus grounds.

The university has created many safety measures, and created room for many more speakers, who are more controversial and more significant than I am, said Tabassum. Im the valedictorian. Im someone who the university has chosen to represent its students. When it comes to actually believing if the university is making this decision about safety, I have to consider it in the lens of the university making the decisions to protect others who have come onto campus but not protecting me.

A slew of universities have struggled to address students protests of the bombing campaign by Israeli forces in Gaza that has killed more than 33,000. In the last few months, schools have dealt with rising cases of antisemitism and Islamophobia, the deactivation of student-activist groups, suspension of staff, cases of doxxing and harassment and even reports of physical violence.

This week, Columbia Universitys president is set to testify at a congressional hearing about campus safety, four months after a similar hearing resulted in the resignation of two Ivy League presidents. And the Department of Education launched a series of investigations last November into several universities where students have reported antisemitic or Islamophobic incidents.

Tabassum said she was denied a chance to let others see someone like her give a high-profile speech  a South Asian hijab-wearing Muslim, someone representative of communities and of the masses of people who never saw the institution made for them, she told HuffPost. I wanted to offer the hope that ... we can succeed [at] institutions like USC.

But after having her invitation canceled, Tabassum said those hopes fell flat.

How can we protect the expression of human rights and protect that expression for the sake of all communities, and not just those that I might most represent? she asked.

According to USCs Annenberg Media, some students and alumni said Tabassums social media activity  which includes a link to a pro-Palestinian page  was antisemitic. Guzman, however, wrote that this decision was made based on various criteria  which did not include social media presence.

Since the universitys decision, Tabassum said shes been overwhelmed by messages of both support and hate. People from her elementary school who she hasnt spoken to in a decade reached out. Others have taken to Instagram to speculate about her ethnic background and her political views, and to applauded the universitys decision to revoke her invitation.

Rep. Omar (D-Minn.), one of the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress, called the move shameful in an X post on Tuesday.

Tabassum earned her spot after years of hard work and academic excellence. Bigotry towards minority students cant be normalized, she wrote.

The university said it will not be selecting a replacement for Tabassum at the main graduation ceremony, which was scheduled for May 10. Approximately 65,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony for the schools roughly 19,000 graduates, according to Annenberg Media.

I was hoping to use my commencement speech to inspire my classmates with a message of hope, Tabassum wrote in her statement. By canceling my speech, USC is only caving to fear and rewarding hatred.

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Nathan Edberg has been missing for more years than the time he and his family had together.

Weve lived longer without him than with him. That was a hard milestone to cross, his mother, Jackie Edberg, said Monday, the day after the 25th anniversary of his disappearance.

Edberg was 21 when he was last seen at a bar in White Bear Lake on April 14, 1999, and his vehicle was found abandoned in Vadnais Heights.

Our investigators havent stopped looking for him, the Ramsey County sheriffs office said in a post Monday on Facebook. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension also brought attention to his case on social media on Sunday.

Jackie Edberg said it took her a long time, but shes come to the difficult conclusion that her oldest child is likely deceased; he would have contacted her if he could.

That his body was never found makes her feel more than likely he was a victim of a crime, she said.  He just seems to have vanished.

On the night of his disappearance, Edbergs pickup truck was found in a ditch near Interstates 694 and 35 with its lights off and doors locked. Nothing was recovered from the scene that appeared out of place  it just appeared as a car in a ditch, said Miles Kensler, a Ramsey County sheriffs office crime scene/cold case investigator, on Monday.

Kensler hasnt been able to find evidence to determine if Edberg met with foul play, if he left on his own, or if he passed away somehow where we werent able to locate him, he said.

Investigator still asking for tips

There have been no confirmed sightings or attempted communication from Edberg, investigators say.

This case has always been open and active and weve been looking at it, said Kensler, whos been assigned to the case for the past eight years.  I feel like Im missing that one puzzle piece of information and that once I get it, everythings going to make sense.

Kensler is asking anyone, even if they talked to law enforcement previously, or even if you dont think its an important thing but it sticks out in your memory, please contact law enforcement and let us know. The sheriffs office can be reached at 651-266-7320.

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There was initially a helicopter search, foot searches with a large amount of staff and a canine cadaver search, Kensler said of what happened before he took over the case.

In his time, Kensler said hes coordinated two canine cadaver searches, conducted two organized visual searches, and carried out two metal detecting searches, but they all came up empty.

His regular drive to work takes him by the area, so Im thinking about the case every day, Kensler said.

Jackie Edberg calls Kensler to check in once a month to see if he has any updates.

I have children of my own and you look at your kids and you think to yourself, What would you do if you were in that situation?' Kensler said. I want to be able to solve this for her.

Wallet, pager left behind

Edberg was temporarily living with his cousin in St. Paul and stopped by his moms house in Vadnais Heights, where he grew up, the day he was last seen.

Im very, very grateful that I was able to talk with Nathan, hug him, say, I love you, honey,' and hear him say it back, Jackie Edberg said.

He went to Decoys Grill and Bar at U.S. 61 and Fourth Street in White Bear Lake, which has since closed. Edberg previously worked at the restaurant, so he knew the staff, his mother said.

The last confirmed sighting of Edberg was when he left the bar. Investigators dont know for certain if Edberg was driving.

Its hard to know how the vehicle ended up in the ditch, but two of the tires were flat, Kensler said. I imagine the ditch was probably wet, and it was one of those situations where you get in and you cant get out.

Edbergs pager was in his vehicle and Kensler tried to download information from it, but there hadnt been any pages in the last couple of months before he disappeared  the investigator thinks the pager wasnt active.

Edbergs wallet was found at the bar and it appeared he forgot it, Kensler said.

Law enforcement collected fingerprints from the wallet, with the presumption that most of them are Edbergs, and theyve run them through an FBI database in the event that authorities came into contact with him since, but they havent had a match.

Gods will

When Edberg disappeared, it was traumatic and trying for a long time, said Jackie Edberg, who has three other children.

Time has marched on. Nathan Edbergs youngest sister, for example, was 8 at the time and is now a 33-year-old veterinarian.

We dont have a grave site to go to, we dont have a conclusion to know exactly how one remembers this anniversary, Jackie Edberg said.  I think it took my family a long time to consider the idea that he is deceased because he was a charming, personable, good kid that loved his family. I just dont think hed walk away and not contact us.

He was facing difficult times  his girlfriend broke up with him, he wasnt working and his parents had separated  but Jackie Edberg doesnt believe Nathan would have hurt himself. He had an appointment scheduled for the following week with a therapist and was talking about going back to college in the fall, thinking about studying law enforcement.

The only thing I can do is is realize that this is Gods will and that every life will have adversity, Jackie Edberg said. This life is just a path to get to the next life. I have to believe that theres a plan, Gods plan.  It gives me comfort because if you believe in heaven, if you believe in an afterlife, then I believe I will see and be with my son again.

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An abundance of gases, including carbon and oxygen, are being stripped away from Venus' atmosphere , according to flyby data from Europe's BepiColombo space probe. This data was obtained as the Mercury-bound spacecraft flew past Venus, and could shed new light on the leaky atmosphere of our planetary neighbor. Down the line, the findings could help scientists catalog the makeup of Venus' fragile magnetic environment as well.

Unlike Earth , a planet with an intrinsic magnetic field that protects its atmosphere from escaping into the depths of space , Venus does not possess its own, stable magnetic field. That is because its cooler interior cannot slosh around molten material, a swirling necessary to create and sustain a magnetic field. Rather, sunlight battering on the amber-hued orb charges up its atmospheric atoms , which then create electric currents that produce an unstable, sunlight-dependent magnetosphere .

In August 2021, BepiColombo flew through this weak, comet -shaped magnetosphere for 90 minutes to slow down and adjust its course while heading toward its ultimate target, Mercury . Scientists analyzing data from the spacecraft's fleeting visit, however, found some valuable Venusian information. Charged particles, or ions, appeared to be escaping the planet due to sunlight accelerating molecules in the atmosphere to extremely high speeds. Those speeds were high enough, in fact, that the ions even escaped the planet's gravity and flowed out into space.

Related: Europe's BepiColombo spacecraft zooms within 150 miles of Mercury in close flyby

"These are heavy ions that are usually slow moving, so we are still trying to understand the mechanisms that are at play," Lina Hadid, a researcher at the Plasma Physics Laboratory in France who led the new analysis, said in a statement .

Venus' thick, hellish atmosphere is dominated by carbon dioxide, but also holds fewer amounts of nitrogen and other trace gases. Scientists previously knew tiny amounts of oxygen lofted in Venus' night-side and, last November, a different team of researchers detected the molecule on the planet's day-side too. The latter team further concluded that Venus' oxygen concentration drops in tandem with decreasing solar radiation.

Investigating the loss of these molecules and their escape mechanisms "is crucial to understand how the planet's atmosphere has evolved and how it has lost all its water," study co-author Dominique Delcourt, who is also a researcher at the Plasma Physics Laboratory, said in the same statement.

 Venus facts: Everything you need to know about the 2nd planet from the sun

 Between Venus' atmospheric currents, a layer of reactive oxygen

 Here's every successful Venus mission humanity has ever launched

BepiColombo is nearing the end of its seven-year journey and is expected to reach Mercury in late 2025. Meanwhile, a fleet of robotic visitors are scheduled to visit Venus in the coming decade. Europe's Envision spacecraft aims to launch in 2031 while NASA's DAVINCI, originally slated for a 2029 launch, was delayed to 2031 .

The resurrected VERITAS mission is now scheduled to launch no earlier than 2031 as well, although team members are still advocating for an earlier launch in November 2029.

This research is described in a paper published Friday (April 12) in the journal Nature Astronomy.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Its graduation season, and one company is getting involved by offering college graduates and job seekers free headshots on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, April 16, the Verizon store on 2274 S 1300 E in Salt Lake City is opening its doors to anyone in need of a new professional photo. There will be a professional photographer at the store from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

READ NEXT: More than 900K Utahns to participate in this years Great Utah ShakeOut  are you joining?

Verizon said the photos can be used on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and other marketing materials.

If you are not able to make it to the event, there are other ways to get a free headshot, especially as a student. Universities often host events and networking activities where students can get a headshot picture taken or have resources at the career center on campus.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
By Mathieu Rosemain and Sudip Kar-Gupta

PARIS (Reuters) - Amundi, Europe's largest asset manager, said on Tuesday it was making its biggest foray into the United States by selling its U.S. arm to Victory Capital in exchange for a 26% stake in the U.S. company.

Amundi's U.S. arm currently manages $104 billion - less than 5% of the group's 2 trillion euros ($2.1 trillion) in assets - and the deal is aimed at giving the Paris-based manager more access to clients in the world's largest financial market.

The tie-up involves 15-year exclusive distribution deals that will enable Amundi to sell its non-U.S. fund products to U.S. clients via Victory, while the latter will be able to sell to more clients in the United States and use Amundi's distribution networks to access customers in Europe and Asia.

"It's the biggest deal we've ever done in the United States," Amundi CEO Valerie Baudson told reporters on a call.

The 26% stake would make the French asset manager Victory's biggest shareholder, ahead of the U.S. company's employees, which own about 20%. The deal does not involve a cash payment.

Victory manages $175 billion in total client assets and has a market value of about $2.7 billion.

Shares in Amundi were down 1.7% at 0744 GMT, outperforming sharper falls across European markets on Tuesday.

"We believe this partnership reinforces Amundis position in the US, as well as its leadership position among the biggest global asset managers," JP Morgan analysts said in a research note.

Amundi said in a presentation to investors the group and Victory had identified around $100 million in annual cost savings before tax within two years of completing the deal.

The combined entity would generate annual revenues of about $1.2 billion and adjusted net income of about $400 million before synergies, Amundi said.

The JP Morgan analysts estimate the deal would boost Amundi earnings per share by about 5% by 2026.

"The proposed transaction with Victory Capital is a unique opportunity to strengthen our presence in the U.S., while becoming a strategic shareholder in a reputable U.S.-based asset management firm with an excellent track record of growth," Amundi's Baudson said in a statement.

Amundi will have representatives on the board of Victory, which traces its history back to 1894 and is based in San Antonio, Texas.

About half of the combined Amundi-Victory assets would be in equities, followed by 25% in fixed income and 25% in multi-asset, the JP Morgan analysts said.

($1 = 0.9421 euros)

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Mathieu Rosemain; Additional reporting by Augustin Turpin; Editing by Louise Heavens and Mark Potter)
Veterans are to have their sweeping views of south London blocked by a 20-storey building, under plans proposed by a millionaire New Labour donor.

Waterloo Central, a new high-rise tower next to London Waterloo rail station, would be situated just 15 metres away from the Union Jack Club (UJC), which provides hospitality and accommodation for serving and former rank-and-file members of the Armed Forces.

The new development is the brainchild of Robert Bourne, 73, who financially backed Sir Tony Blair and previously threw a birthday party for Lord Mandelson, the veteran Labour politician.

The tower is on the brink of becoming a reality, with the Labour-run Lambeth Council expected to approve the planning application within days after the Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and the Michael Gove, the secretary of state, refused to block it.

Hundreds of military families have complained that it would blight the landscape for UJC, a charity founded in 1904 to provide those below commissioned rank with a retreat in the capital. It is claimed that the building would block sunlight for 60 of the 261 rooms at the club and ruin some of its views beyond the capital.

Our people have been to the darkest places and deserve light

Garrison Sergeant Major Vern Stokes, who helped organise the Kings Coronation, said that the war heroes who visited the club do not deserve to exist in the shadows.

Service-separated families visit for a safe environment, war widow[er]s to find comfort, the wounded, sick and injured for support and the veterans for camaraderie, he told Lambeths planning committee in October.

Our people have been to the darkest places and deserve light.

He accused the authority of taking a step backwards and a retraction from the Armed Forces Covenant it signed in November 2013, ensuring that their sacrifice of a normal family life was rewarded by society.

The Union Jack Club, founded in 1904, provides hospitality and accommodation for serving and former rank-and-file members of the armed forces

More than 2,500 people, mainly from among UJCs 45,000 members, have written to the council objecting to the plans, while 28 have written in support.

The neighbouring Grade II*-listed Old Vic theatre has declined to object, despite raising an objection over a smaller nearby proposed building in 2021.

Shane Cooper, from Nottingham, who was in the Royal Army Medical Corps for 12 years, told The Telegraph: This is totally appalling, to build such a structure next to a place where those still and retired from serving their country come to rest, relax and recover is a great insult to them and those who have gone before them.

Impossible to develop in London without some impact

Lambeth Council, which would gain 14 million in financial obligations and levies from the development, moved a resolution to grant planning permission in October.

With councillors expected to give it the green light within days, the charity is considering crowdfunding for a judicial review as its last remaining option.

At the heart of the row, UJC says, is that the building does not have a right to light if it is classed as a hotel, but does if it is classed as a residence.

Grandseal Ltd, the applicant, is owned by Mr Bourne and Bourne Capital, which has owned the 73 million plot of land for two decades, and is run by his 32-year-old son Benjamin.

Phil Botes, development director of Bourne Capital, told MailOnline it was impossible to develop in an urban location without any impact, which has been mitigated by the substantial amendments made during the course of our engagement with the UJC.

Lambeth Council said its planning committee very carefully considered all concerns.

A spokesman added: The proposal for this brownfield site would create an estimated additional 1,900 new jobs by providing high-quality office floorspace, including provision for affordable workspace, which will benefit the Waterloo area and London more broadly.

As a result of this scheme, more than 1.25 million would also go into improving parks and open spaces in the area, 500,000 towards step-free Tube station access and training opportunities for local schools and colleges.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Vice President Kamala Harris made a stop in Las Vegas on Monday. Its her fourth visit to the state this year and twelfth since being sworn in as the first female vice president of the United States.

During a White House event, Vice President Harris held a moderated town hall about the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that passed in 2022. The act expanded mental health services and expanded background checks on gun sellers and buyers under 21.

She also talked about visiting with UNLV students who were present during the shooting on campus in early December of last year and what she believes can be done to help reduce gun violence.

President Kamala Harris makes campaign stop in Las Vegas (KLAS)

Vice President Kamala Harris made a campaign stop in Las Vegas on Monday. Its her fourth visit to the state this year and twelfth since being sworn in as the first female vice president of the United States. (KLAS)

Im in favor of the second amendment and I believe we need an assault weapons bans, we need universal background checks, we need red flag laws, she said during her speech.

At a second event, hosted by the Biden for President campaign, Harris also promoted a Nevada ballot measure that would ensure abortion access in the state constitution. If enough signatures are gathered  Nevadans will get to vote on the issue in Novembers general election.

She put forward her case for voters on how her campaign would fight for womens right to get an abortion. She blamed former Republican President Donald Trump for the recent Arizona Supreme Court decision that upholds a near-total ban on abortion from an 1864 law.

Freedom is fundamental to the promise of America We know that the strength of our nation has been a function of many things, including our commitment to the expansion of rights, but for the first time in a very long time, we are seeing a full-on intent to restrict rights, to take rights., Vice President Kamala Harris said. Lets be clear: There is a direct track between what we have seen in states like Arizona, what the people of Nevada are fighting for and who the previous president was. Lets not forget, Donald Trump made clear his intention to select three members of the United States Supreme Court so that they would overturn the protections of Roe v Wade. What we are seeing in these states that we are talking about are Trump abortion bans.

The vice president returned to Los Angeles on Monday night.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
OKLAHOMA CITY  Jay educator Jennifer Goldner and Vinita senior Brooklyn Lierle will be honored at the 38th annual Academic Awards Celebration.

Jay teacher takes home Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence honor

Sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, the ceremony is set for 5 p.m. on May 4 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Norman.

This event showcases the incredible impact of Oklahomas public schools and the dedicated people who work to make them exceptional, said Elizabeth Inbody, executive director. The Academic Awards Celebration is an inspiring, unforgettable event, and we encourage everyone to attend.

The ceremony will honor five educators as Medal for Excellence recipients, 100 public school seniors as Academic All-State honorees and three Oklahoma public school foundations as winners of the Outstanding Program Awards.

Lierle is one of 100 high school seniors selected to this years Academic All-State class. She will receive a $1,500 award, a medallion and an honor cord. Goldner will be honored with the Medal for Excellence. She will receive $5,000 and an etched glass Roots and Wings sculpture.

Brooklyn Lierle

Lierle is a National Merit finalist, Vinita class valedictorian and a 2023 Oklahoma Girls State Delegate. She serves as president of the Student Council and Vinita FFA along with being secretary of the schools National Honors Society chapter and academic bowl team captain. She serves her community through church programs and nonprofits like the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Bank. Lierle plans to study political science and pre-law at the University of Tulsa.

Jennifer Goldner

Goldner, a fifth-grade science teacher at Jay Upper Elementary School has taught in the Jay School District since 1998.

Goldner attended the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy and Advanced Space Academy, and she studied aboard the Oregon II as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Teacher at Sea. From 2014 to 2017, Goldner gave presentations across the country as the United States Honeywell Space Academy Ambassador. Shes now a consultant for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in support of the Teacher at Sea Program.

Goldner has trained teachers in Ecuador and Belize, and shes instructed educators in the Great Expectations professional development program for more than 20 years.

Other Medal for Excellence winners include:

Jill Andrews, Claremore High School English language arts teacher

Kevin Hime, Lawton Public Schools superintendent

Dr. Sapna Das-Bradoo, Northeastern State University Broken Arrow biology professor and interim chair of the Department of Natural Sciences

Dr. Greg Burge, University of Oklahoma economics professor and department chair.

The Outstanding Program Awards winners are Edmond Public Schools Foundation for its Student Ambassador Program, the Cheyenne Education Foundation for its Honors Night, and the Foundation for Tulsa Schools for its support of the Healthy Thriving Schools Initiative.. Each program receives a plaque and a monetary award of $1,000.

The event will be broadcast on OETA at 3 p.m. May 18 and 10 a.m. May 19.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
VINTON, Va. (WFXR)  Vinton Police say a man has been shot and killed and a woman was stabbed in an incident that occurred on Washington Ave in Vinton on April 8.

Details remain limited; however, VPD says around 4:21 a.m. on Monday, officers arrived at the 800 block of Washington Ave after reports of a disturbance. On the scene, a man was found suffering from a gunshot wound, and a woman was found with a stab wound.

Both victims were taken to a local area hospital for emergency treatment.

The male victim has been identified as Terrence Burton. He later died from his injuries.

LPD identifies victim in deadly Main Street shooting

The woman has currently not been identified. She has been treated for her injuries and was later released.

Through investigation, 44-year-old Shane Stager from Hardy has been identified as a primary suspect in the incident. He has been arrested and charged with the following:

Malicious Wounding

Possession of a Firearm by a Non-Violent Felon

Vinton Police say the investigation is still ongoing; however, no further information will be released. It is believed this was an isolated incident and there is no further danger to the public. If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Detective B. D. Charlton at 540-283-7035.

WFXR News will update you with more information as it becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Virginia remembers those killed at Virginia Tech on 17th anniversary of mass shooting

BLACKSBURG, Va. (DC News Now)  Tuesday marked 17 years since 32 people died in a mass shooting on the campus of Virginia Tech.

It was April 16, 2007 that a student opened fire at the school, killing 27 students and five faculty members. Additionally, several other people were hurt in the shooting. The student responsible for it died by suicide.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin ordered that American and state flags on state and local government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor and memory of the 32 Hokies who lost their lives 17 years ago at Virginia Tech.

Virginia bill allowing localities to require consent from property owners before towing was signed into law

Virginia Tech shared a statement on the X platform which read:

Today, were honoring the lives of the 32 Hokies who were tragically taken from their loved ones and the Virginia Tech community on April 16, 2007. On the 2024 Day of Remembrance, we reflect on the tremendous promise each of them embodied for our world. #VTWeRemember.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Left to right: House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector); Attorney Shomari Figures (Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector); Former state Sen. Dick Brewbaker, R-Pike Road (courtesy of Dick Brewbaker); Attorney Caroleene Dobson (courtesy of Caroleene Dobson)

Voters in Alabamas 2nd Congressional District go to the polls Tuesday to select major-party candidates for the November general election.

In the Democratic runoff, House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, will face attorney Shomari Figures of Mobile.

In the GOP race, former state Senator Dick Brewbaker, R-Pike Road and attorney Caroleene Dobson will seek their partys nomination.

The four candidates emerged from a crowded field of 18 candidates  11 Democrats and seven Republicans  in their March primaries. Figures got 24,980 (43.4%) votes in the March 5 Democratic primary, while runner-up Daniels had 12,879 votes (22.4%) in the certified election results. Republican primary front runner Brewbaker garnered 22,589 votes (37%) in the primary, while runner-up Dobson received 15,102 votes (24.8%) in the certified election results.

The district, drawn to give Black voters the opportunity to elect two U.S. House representatives, is expected to lean Democratic in November. Daniels and Figures are both Black. If either man wins the general election in November, it will be the first time in Alabamas 200-year history that the state sent two Black representatives to the U.S. House at the same time. Republicans have maintained that the district is competitive and can be won with the right messaging.

When do polls open?

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Where do I find my polling place?

The Alabama Secretary of States website allows you to check voter registration and the location of your polling place. You can find it here.

What do I need to vote?

Voters must present a valid photo ID before voting. Valid forms of ID include:

Alabama drivers license (not expired or expired less than 60 days)

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency digital drivers license

Alabama Non-Driver ID (not expired or expired less than 60 days)

Alabama Photo Voter ID card

State-issued ID (Alabama or any other state)

Federal-issued ID

U.S. Passport

Employee ID from the federal government; state of Alabama; county; municipality, board or other entity of Alabama

Student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states (including colleges, universities, postgraduate technical and professional schools)

Digital student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states (including colleges, universities, postgraduate technical and professional schools)

Military ID

Tribal ID

Where is the district located?

The 2nd Congressional District runs from Mobile County through the southern Black Belt and to the Georgia border. The district includes the following counties: parts of Mobile and Clarke, Washington, Monroe, Conecuh, Butler, Crenshaw, Troy, Montgomery, Bullock, Macon, Russell and Barbour.

How did the seat become vacant?

The district emerged out of a lawsuit over congressional maps approved by the Alabama Legislature in 2021.

Plaintiffs argued in a federal lawsuit that the Legislatures map unconstitutionally packed Black voters into a single district, making it harder for them to meaningfully participate in the political process. A federal court in 2022 agreed, citing the racial polarization in voting in Alabama, where white voters tend to support Republicans and Black voters tend to support Democrats.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal of the ruling last June. The Alabama Legislature last summer drew a new map, but the federal court rejected it, saying it did not follow their instructions. The court had a third party draw a new map that it approved last October. It created a new 7th Congressional District in west Alabama that is majority-Black, and a new 2nd Congressional District that is near-majority Black.

The new 2nd Congressional District has a Black Voting Age Population (BVAP) of 49%.

Does the seat have a partisan lean?

The new district is likely Democratic, but Republican candidates have maintained the district is competitive. Under the new congressional lines, President Biden would have won the district in 2020 by 12 points, according to the Cook Political Report.

What issues dominate the race?

For Democrats, health care was a central issue in the race. Daniels and Figures prioritized Medicaid expansion and reproductive rights. Both candidates said they support codifying Roe v. Wade at a federal level.

Figures said he can use his background in federal government to leverage federal resources for health care if Alabama wont expand Medicaid. Daniels highlighted his legislative track record and proposals for attracting physicians to underserved areas to address health care disparities.

Education was also prominent in the race, with both candidates advocating for comprehensive approaches to early childhood education and workforce development. Both candidates also expressed support for LGBTQ+ rights and environmental initiatives.

The Republicans focused on national security, economic prosperity, and social values. Brewbaker and Dobson each addressed concerns related to international relations, border security and immigration, as well as issues such as agriculture and energy independence.

Brewbaker criticized what he saw as a lack of moral clarity in the current administrations approach to conflicts in the Middle East and advocated for robust measures to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Dobson centered on issues such as supporting food producers, achieving energy independence, and addressing concerns related to immigration.

Both Republican candidates praised the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling, which overturned 1973s Roe v. Wade and ended federal protections for abortion. Brewbaker said he supports the Supreme Court decision to bring the abortion issue to the state level, and that he would be cautious of a national ban. Dobson declined to say whether shed support a national ban, but said that its a states rights issue and praised Alabamas near-total ban on abortions.

What happens after today?

The winner from each party will become the party nominee and will face each other in the November 5 general election.

Will the results alter control of the U.S. House of Representatives?

Possibly. Republicans currently control the lower chamber with a thin majority, holding 218 seats. Democrats currently hold 213 seats, with four vacant seats. Republicans only need eight of the 22 seats considered toss-ups by the Cook Political Report to maintain control of the House.

Democratic Candidates

A man speaking into a microphone

Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, speaks at an announcement of a Working for Alabama legislative package at the Alabama State Capitol on March 21, 2024. The package is intended to increase Alabamas low workforce participation rate. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Anthony Daniels

Age: 41

Residence: Huntsville

Occupation: Business owner; former teacher

Education: B.S., Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Alabama A&M University, 2005; M.S., Special Education, Alabama A&M University, 2010.

Party: Democratic

Previous political experience/campaign: Alabama House of Representatives, 2014-present; Alabama House Minority Leader, 2017-present.

Fundraising: Through March 27, Daniels had raised $457,306 and spent $416,550.

Profile: Anthony Daniels focuses on economic development

Shomari Figures

A man with his arms folded and smiling at the camera

Shomari Figures, an attorney and Democratic candidate for Alabamas 2nd Congressional District, poses for a portrait in Montgomery, Alabama on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector)

Age: 38

Residence: Mobile

Occupation: Lawyer

Education: B.A., Criminal Justice and History, University of Alabama, 2006; J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 2010.

Party: Democratic

Previous Political Experience/Campaign: First time candidate

Fundraising: Through March 27, Figures raised $387,498 and spent $338,836. A group called Protect Progress spent $1.7 million in support of his campaign.

Profile: Shomari Figures wants to build up communities

Republican Candidates Age: 63 Residence: Pike Road Occupation: President, Brewbaker Motors Education: B.S., Economics and U.S. History, Vanderbilt University, 1983. Party: Republican Previous political experience/campaign: Alabama House of Representatives, 2002-2006; Alabama Senate, 2010-2018. Fundraising: Brewbaker raised $1.76 million and spent $1.7 million through March 27. Profile: Dick Brewbaker looks to border, foreign aid in GOP runoff Age: 37 Residence: Montgomery Occupation: Real estate attorney Education: A.B., History and Literature, Harvard College, 2009; J.D., Baylor University School of Law, 2012. Party: Republican Previous political experience/campaign: First-time political candidate. Fundraising: Dobson raised $1.2 million and spent $1.1 million through March 27. Profile: Caroleene Dobson emphasizes agriculture, energy independence

Dick Brewbaker

Portrait of former Sen. Dick Brewbaker

Caroleene Dobson

Woman stands on front porch arms crossed, looking past. the camera

The post A voters guide to the Alabama 2nd Congressional District runoffs appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
In this image provided by the Figures for Congress campaign, Shomari Figures poses for a photo. Voters in a new Alabama congressional district at the center of an ongoing legal and political dispute will return to the polls Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to select the nominees in a U.S. House contest. Figures and Anthony Daniels, the state House Minority Leader, will compete for the Democratic nomination in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District after neither candidate received the vote majority needed in the March 5 primary to avoid Tuesday's runoff. (Terri Baskin/Figures for Congress via AP, File)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Alabama voters decided primary runoffs on Tuesday for the state's newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District, setting up a potentially historic November race that could play a part in the battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Shomari Figures, a former top aide to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, defeated state House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels to win the Democratic nomination. Attorney and political newcomer Caroleene Dobson defeated former state Sen. Dick Brewbaker to win the Republican nomination. Dobson and Figures will face off in November in the closely watched general election.

Democrats are aiming to flip the seat after the district was redrawn by a federal court to boost the voting power of Black residents. If Figures is elected, it will be the first time in history that Alabama, which is about 27% Black, has two Black members in its congressional delegation.

Im enormously grateful for the confidence and the trust and the faith that the voters of this newly drawn district have placed in me to represent the Democratic Party in November," Figures said as he addressed supporters Tuesday night. That is something that I do not take lightly.

Figures, an attorney, also served as an aide to former President Barrack Obama, serving as domestic director of the Presidential Personnel Office. He is the son of two prominent Alabama legislators: longtime state Sen. Vivian Davis Figures and the late Senate President Pro Tem Michael Figures. He moved home to Mobile from Washington D.C. to run for the congressional seat.

The non-partisan Cook Political Report rated the district as likely Democrat, meaning that it favors the Democratic candidate in November but isnt considered a sure thing. Republicans believe they will be competitive in November and have a chance to keep the seat under GOP control.

Dobson, a real estate attorney and member of the Alabama Forestry Commission, harnessed support in rural areas to defeat Brewbaker, who had led in the March 5 primary. Dobson was raised in Monroe County and lived and practiced law in Texas before returning to Alabama and joining the Maynard Nexsen law firm in 2019.

Thank you to each and every Republican voter in the Second District of Alabama. I am humbled by your outpouring of support and eagerness to join us in fighting for Alabama families," Dobson said in a written statement. Because you believed in me and in my vision for our district, we are one step closer to saving our country.

The new district came after a lengthy court battle in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Black Alabamians who had challenged the state's existing congressional districts.

Federal judges approved new district lines in October after ruling that Alabamas previous map  which had only one majority-Black district out of seven  was racially gerrymandered to limit the influence of the states Black voters. The three-judge panel said Alabama should have a second district where Black voters make up a substantial portion of the voting age population and have a reasonable opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice.

Following tonights runoff election, Alabama voters now stand on the cusp of making history in November, when Black Alabamians could  for the first time  elect two members of Congress who truly reflect their political desires," former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, said.

The new district spans the width of the state and includes Montgomery, parts of Mobile and rural counties in the states Black Belt.
More money: Republicans confirmed yesterday that House Speaker Mike Johnson (RLa.) plans to attempt to pass four separate bills to provide funding to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan and to address other national security priorities, which include banning TikTok in the U.S. (or forcing divestiture) and selling off seized Russian oligarch assets.

"It's far from certain that Johnson would have the votes to bring the bills to the floor, given the procedural hurdles of Republicans' narrow majority that have vexed the speaker for months," reports Politico. "Johnson would need near-unanimous support from his own conference to bring the whole package of bills up for passage, a procedure known as a rules vote, plus prior approval from a Rules Committee stacked with conservatives who may resist based on Ukraine aid."

The timing for the Israel funding seems directly linked to Iran's attack this past weekend, which alliesincluding U.S. forceshelped swat away, minimizing the damage. And Ukrainian President Volydmyr Zelenskyy says his country will lose the war against the Russians unless Americans come to their aidand soon. (Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has been told by Biden administration officials that he must stop attacking Russian oil refineries, as this will invite worse retaliation, not to mention higher prices across the globe.)

But Johnson seems to have forgotten that just weeks ago, securing the southern border was a necessary prerequisite for shoring up support for foreign aid; House Republicans have not changed their tunes, so it's not clear why this time would be different.

"I think the Senate should have to take a vote on our border security legislation before we are just giving a blank check," said Rep. Matt Gaetz (RFla.).

On one hand, it's a good thing the right-wing flank of the House is interested in pumping the brakes on spending; on the other, it's a shame it's not coming from a place of actual principle. What the House, under Johnson, can actually pass remains to be seen.

Supreme Court permits ban on transitioning treatments for kids: On Monday, the Supreme Court sided with Idaho state officials who had asked the justices to lift an injunction as appeals percolate through the courts.

"The law, which Republican Gov. Brad Little signed in April 2023, sought to ban medical professionals from providing gender affirming care, including transition surgeries, puberty blockers or hormone therapy for those under 18," reports Politico. "Doctors could face up to 10 years in prison for providing such services under the law."

The main issue the justices focused on when issuing this decision was not medical care for transitioning minors, but rather universal injunctions, or "when a single judge issues a sweeping decision that applies beyond those directly involved in the dispute," per The New York Times.

Justice Neil Gorsuch said that universal injunction "meant Idaho could not enforce its prohibition against surgeries to remove or alter children's genitals, even though no party before the court had sought access to those surgeries or demonstrated that Idaho's prohibition of them offended federal law." In the past few years, Gorsuch noted, lower courts had overstepped by attempting "to govern an entire state or even the whole nation from their courtrooms."

Scenes from New York: Papaya King, a city institution that first opened its doors in 1932, closed its doors last year due to the landlord selling the building. Now, news has surfaced that the storefront will be replaced by luxury apartment buildings. "We're good for condos around here. We need more Papaya Kings. Any locally owned or independently operated business would be beneficial, but you can see that's not the case here," one longtime Upper East Sider told The New York Post. But anyone who pays market-rate New York rent knows that's not really the case; we're not good on condos, and developers clearly think there's a market for the units they're building or else they wouldn't do it. Still, I mourn the death of cheap, good food. Good thing there are a few dupes.

QUICK HITS

1/ The Cass Review explains, in detail, why we need to trust systematic reviews over both doctors' anecdotal evidence and low-quality standards published by professional associations. The CBC responds by publishing an article that cites professional associations and is dominated  Jesse Singal (@jessesingal) April 15, 2024

What do Ukrainians think of the U.S.'s defense of Israel against Iranian missiles and drones?

Finance guru Ramit Sethi defends occupational licensing. Bad take!

You see that haircut of yours? It looks nice. The government ensures that your hair stylist is licensed and uses proper hygiene practices https://t.co/ww0BxCRLIT pic.twitter.com/BSSMq15j4F  Ramit Sethi (@ramit) April 15, 2024

The post War: An Opportunity for Spending? appeared first on Reason.com.
HANOI (Reuters) -Apple Inc wants to boost its investment in Vietnam, state media quoted the U.S. tech giant's CEO Tim Cook as saying in Hanoi on Tuesday, a day after the U.S. company said it wanted to increase spending on suppliers in the Southeast Asian nation.

Vietnam is already a key manufacturing hub for Apple and Cook was speaking while meeting Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, state media reported.

Vietnam will set up a working group to support Apple's investment, Chinh told Cook during the meeting, according to state media.

"Today, Apple announced it will increase spending on suppliers in Vietnam, along with new progress in an initiative to support clean water for local schools," the company said in a statement released on Monday on its website.

Its spending has already reached some 400 trillion dong ($15.84 billion) and has created some 200,000 jobs, the statement added.

Apple did not respond to a request for additional comments about its spending.

Cook arrived in Hanoi on Monday for the two-day visit during which he met suppliers, students, content creators and users of Apple products.

Apple manufactures iPads, AirPods and Apple Watches in Vietnam and suppliers for MacBooks are also investing in the Southeast Asian country.

The company had 25 suppliers in Vietnam as of 2022, according to its latest suppliers list, the same as in the previous year and up from 21 in 2020. These suppliers include Foxconn, GoerTek, Luxshare, Intel, Samsung Electronics and Compal.

Suppliers to its main vendors, such as Foxconn, are also moving or planning to move to Vietnam, and some are shifting some activities out of China, amid U.S.-China tensions, according to several industry sources who declined to name the companies as the moves were still confidential.

While meeting Cook, Chinh said that Vietnam was seeking support from Apple to develop renewable energy as well as in high-quality human resource training, VTV said in a report.

Apple's latest announcement came days after activists urged the company to take action on Vietnam's detention of climate experts.

($1 = 25,260 dong)

(Reporting by Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Miral Fahmy)
WATCH: Coast Guard helicopter crew pulls pregnant woman from Disney cruise ship in Atlantic

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew is being commended for their work in helping a pregnant woman on a cruise ship in the Atlantic get to the medical care she required.

 WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

According to the Coast Guard, watchstanders in their San Juan sector received a request for medevac assistance Monday morning from the crew of the Disney Fantasy, which was positioned in the Atlantic Ocean, 260 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

The request was for a 35-year-old pregnant U.S. citizen who was experiencing health complications and required a higher level of medical care onshore, according to the Coast Guard.

READ: Baldwin Park to get apartments using Live Local Act

The watchstanders then coordinated the medevac arrangements, directing a Jayhawk helicopter from the Coast Guard Air Station in Borinquen and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from the Coast Guard Air Station in Miami to rendezvous with the cruise ship.

Once they arrived, the Jayhawk aircrew deployed a rescue swimmer onto the desk, who then prepared a basket to safely lift the woman onto the helicopter along with a doctor from the cruise ship.

READ: Our biggest need: New affordable housing complex in the works for Orlando; see who qualifies

The Coast Guard aircrew took the woman to Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, where emergency medical personnel waited to take her to a local hospital.

Our crew was able to quickly, safely, and efficiently execute a long-range MEDEVAC for the patient to receive the higher level of care she required, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Todd Stephens said about the rescue. This case demonstrates the value of good crew resource management and the capabilities of our Jayhawk helicopter.

READ: Justice served: Orlando man who fled country to avoid trial for DUI crash found guilty years later

The Coast Guard also commended the actions of the Disney Fantasy crew in helping to get their passenger the care they needed.

We are glad everything came together to help this passenger, Coast Guard Sector San Juan Operations Unit Leader Ensign Michael Riccio said. The competency displayed by the Disney Fantasy crew and the Coast Guard personnel and units involved made all the difference.

See photos from the rescue below:

A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Borinquen worked with the Disney Fantasy cruise ship crew during the medevac a pregnant woman passenger with health complications, April 15, 2024, approximately 180 miles northwest Puerto Rico. The medevac patient was a 35-year-old, U.S. citizen, who was transported to the Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico to receive higher level of medical care.

According to the Coast Guard, watchstanders in their San Juan sector received a request for medevac assistance Monday morning from the crew of the Disney Fantasy, which was positioned in the Atlantic Ocean, 260 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

The watchstanders coordinated the medevac arrangements, directing a Jayhawk helicopter from the Coast Guard Air Station in Borinquen and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from the Coast Guard Air Station in Miami to rendezvous with the cruise ship.

Once they arrived, the Jayhawk aircrew deployed a rescue swimmer onto the deck, who then prepared a basket to safely lift the woman onto the helicopter along with a doctor from the cruise ship.

Once they arrived, the Jayhawk aircrew deployed a rescue swimmer onto the deck, who then prepared a basket to safely lift the woman onto the helicopter along with a doctor from the cruise ship.

The Jayhawk crew safety lifted the woman and a doctor from the cruise ship onto the helicopter.

A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Borinquen worked with the Disney Fantasy cruise ship crew during the medevac a pregnant woman passenger with health complications, April 15, 2024, approximately 180 miles northwest Puerto Rico. The medevac patient was a 35-year-old, U.S. citizen, who was transported to the Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico to receive higher level of medical care.

A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew conducted a medevac for a Disney Fantasy cruise ship passenger, Monday, in the Atlantic Ocean 180 miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Borinquen worked with the Disney Fantasy cruise ship crew during the medevac a pregnant woman passenger with health complications, April 15, 2024, approximately 180 miles northwest Puerto Rico. The medevac patient was a 35-year-old, U.S. citizen, who was transported to the Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico to receive higher level of medical care.

A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Borinquen worked with the Disney Fantasy cruise ship crew during the medevac a pregnant woman passenger with health complications, April 15, 2024, approximately 180 miles northwest Puerto Rico. The medevac patient was a 35-year-old, U.S. citizen, who was transported to the Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico to receive higher level of medical care.

A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew conducted a medevac for a Disney Fantasy cruise ship passenger, Monday, in the Atlantic Ocean 180 miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
April 16 (UPI) -- The captain of a charter fishing boat in Australia "got a little fright" when a net tossed from the vessel ensnared an unexpectedly large catch -- a crocodile.

Fairdinkum Fishing Charters posted a video to Facebook showing the croc being hauled up when its teeth got caught on the net in the Bolhe River, near Townsville, Queensland.

"Pretty much instantly I felt something really big in there and as I was pulling it up, I started to get glimpses and then realized that it was a crocodile," company owner David Leigh told Yahoo News.

Leigh said the net was released to allow the crocodile to escape, but the situation became more complicated when he realized the reptile's front teeth were caught on the net.

The video shows the boat's crew cutting through the net as the crocodile thrashes and is eventually able to return to the water and swim away.

Leigh said he "got a little fright" from the incident.

"I've been fishing all my life and I've never experienced it before, and I've never seen it happen before either," he said.
TBILISI, Georgia (AP)  Lawmakers in Georgias legislature scuffled on Monday as the parliament debated a divisive new law dubbed the foreign agent bill. Hours later, hundreds of people protested against the legislation outside the parliament in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.

The draft  proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party  calls for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.

Space junk that crashed through Florida familys roof came from ISS, NASA confirms

Opponents of the measure denounce it as the Russian law because of similar legislation used by Moscow to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin.

Video shared online shows the leader of the Georgian Dream lawmakers, Mamuka Mdinaradze, being punched in the face while speaking by an opposition lawmaker who rushed up to the podium. Several other lawmakers from opposing sides then join in the brawl, scuffling and wrestling with each other.

The bill is nearly identical to a proposal that the governing party was pressured to withdraw a year ago after large street protests. On Monday, protesters sang patriotic songs and shouted slaves outside the parliament, suggesting the house was bending to pressure from Russia.

Those who oppose the measure say passing the law would obstruct Georgias aim of joining the European Union, which last year granted the country long-desired candidate status.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze had a meeting Monday with the American, British and EU ambassadors to discuss the bill, the government said.

Donald Trump roasted by Democrats for appearing to fall asleep in court

The law says non-commercial organizations and news media that receive 20% or more of their funding from overseas would have to register as pursuing the interests of a foreign power  the only change in wording from the draft law withdrawn last year, which said that relevant groups must register as agents of foreign influence.

Georgias President Salome Zourabichvili would veto the law if it is passed by parliament, her parliamentary representative Girogi Mskhiladze has previously said.

But that veto might not be long-lasting as Zourabichvilis term ends this year and under Georgias constitution changes, the next president will be named by an electoral college that includes all members of parliament.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
April 16 (UPI) -- Residents of a Texas city have reported multiple sightings in recent days of an unusual and very non-native animal: a lemur.

The ring-tailed lemur was spotted Monday at Mickey's Bar and Grill in Aransas Pass, but it continued to evade all capture attempts.

Spencer Bell said he spotted the lemur on his docked boat April 1.

"I though I had some cats on my boat, which is normal," Bell told KIII-TV. "I saw some ears sticking up so I got out of the truck and by that time he had jumped up on the deck and I said, 'That's not a cat!"'

Bell posted about his sighting on Facebook and included a photo, but he said he had a hard time convincing other locals that his post was genuine due to the unfortunate date.

"Everybody thought it was an April Fools' joke; it sort of blew up," Bell said.

Bell said he was contacted by someone who knows the owner of the Madagascar-native primate, and learned that two lemurs had originally escaped while the owner was out of town.

"He left them with someone and they escaped," Bell said. "Once they showed up to my place, I wanted to keep them around to make it easier for him when he returned."

Bell said he left out food for the animals and they remained in the area for a time, but moved on after a storm.

He said one of the lemurs is believed to have died while on the loose, but the other is still wandering Aransas Pass.

Bell said he has been in contact with Ringtail Ranch Lemur Rescue in Lubbock, which has offered to give the animal a new permanent home if it can be captured.

Aransas Pass police said they are aware of the lemur's presence in the city. Capt. Troy Poe said the exotic animals are not legal to keep as pets in the city.
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL)  A man was arrested after attacking a woman who then held him at knife-point and called police, according to authorities.

The Washington County, Tennessee Sheriffs Office arrested Christopher Blacksten, 32, of Jonesborough, on Saturday and charged him with aggravated domestic assault.

According to the sheriffs office, deputies responded around 10:30 p.m. to a home on Woodridge Road. The victim told deputies that during an argument with Blacksten, she retreated to a bathroom and locked two doors to get away from him.

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Blacksten broke through both doors and strangled the victim until she passed out, according to the sheriffs office.

The victim fought back and ultimately got away from Blacksten before getting a knife from the kitchen, holding him at knife-point, and calling 911, according to the sheriffs office.

The victim had red marks around her neck and the doors showed signs of forced entry, making the victims statement of events consistent with the scene, the sheriffs office said in a release.

Blacksten was booked into the Washington County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
David Taylor - Getty Images

A well-known exotic car mechanic was arrested in Arizona earlier this month after allegedly attempting to sell a Ferrari Daytona and Ferrari 512BB that he did not rightfully own, police said in court documents.

Donnie Callaway was booked in the Lower Buckeye Jail in Maricopa County on charges of theft, trafficking stolen property, forgery, and fraud on April 1.

In the public eye, Callaway appeared to live a life that most mechanics can only dream of. A quick visit to his Instagram page would be enough to make any gearhead drool. He was working on the rarest, most exquisite, vintage Italian exotics ever created. His work appeared to take him all over the world. He rubbed elbows with some of the biggest car collectors in the world. He was featured on the Jay Leno's Garage YouTube series and even mentioned previously on Road & Track. However, aside from being a mechanical talent, his recent legal battles raise questions.

The April 1 arrest for allegedly selling a Daytona and 512 BB that Callaway didnt own comes with a host of serious charges, but they are not the only legal troubles that he is facing.

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Callaway was accused of unfair business practices, title forgery, and auto theft in a lawsuit filed against him in August 2023 by Arthur Teerlynck. The suit seeks restitution of a 1973 Ferrari Daytona, a 1961 Maserati 3500 Spyder Vignale, a 1986 Ferrari 328, and a 1995 Rolls-Royce Flying Spur. This lawsuit claims that Callaway did not have the license legally required to work as an automotive repair mechanic and that he wrongfully assumed control over the plaintiffs vehicles and was trying to hide them. It goes on to allege that Callaway sabotaged a Ferrari Testarossa in the plaintiff's garage, causing the engine to fail, and then bragged about it on social media. A court hearing on that case is scheduled for May 14.

According to a probable cause statement filed by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) following his April arrest, Callaway originally came into possession of Teerlynck's Ferrari Daytona and Ferrari 512BB as a sort of broker, receiving the pair from the initial purchase dealership in California and convincing Teerlynck to have close to $1 million of engine and paint work done. Following a confrontation by Teerlynck over the lack of progress, police say Callaway then fraudulently convinced a shipping company that he was the owner of the vehicles and managed to take possession of the titles to each vehicle in 2020.

Story continues

"Fast forward to March 2023, Don files for a mechanic lien on the Ferrari's [sic] in California without Arthur's knowledge even though Arthur has paid for all the invoices agreed upon," police said in a court document. "Don then sells the Maserati from under Arthur without his consent to someone out of Pennsylvania and the next day Don purchases a plane and registers it in his name."

After an official complaint from Teerlynck and two attempted sales of the Ferrari bodies had gone bad, detectives with the Vehicle Theft Task Force of the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Los Angeles County Sheriff's began investigating Callaway, according to the probable cause statement. Following a records check on the VINs of both Ferraris, the statement says the classics were officially listed as stolen on February 9, 2024. Detectives with the Arizona DPS were notified that Callaway would be traveling to Arizona and made an arrest in a Wells Fargo Bank before executing a search warrant of Callaway's storage unit, where the engines and other parts of the Ferraris were kept.

"He fraudulently possessed stolen vehicles and then trafficked them to another state and sold the stolen vehicles," police said in the court filing. "When that was not enough, he then used the duplicate titles to make [the interested buyer] believe that he was the owner of the cars and got money from him and then went another buyer attempted to sell the same cars again to someone else fraudulently."

In the civil suit proceedings, Callaway's lawyers denied the allegations and argued that a number of the lawsthe Automotive Repair Act and Vehicle Codes 9262 and 11735 which he is accused of violating don't apply to matters between two private parties. Similarly, Callaway's lawyers claim that the agreements between Teerlynck and Callaway were oral, meaning these contracts were governed by a two-year statute of limitations. With the original agreements being made in early 2019 and the latest payments by Teerlynck coming in early 2021, Callaway's lawyers claim that the filing of the August 2023 complaint was too late to be valid.

Currently, Callaway is being held on a $400,000 cash bond for his April 1 arrest. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for April 17. Court documents list Callaway as a flight risk to California. The initial pretrial conference is set for June 4. The trial is set for August 14.

The lawyers representing Callaway in his criminal and civil proceedings both declined to comment to R&T.



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Where Is Grant Amato Now? All About the Convicted Murderer at the Center of Ctrl+Alt+Desire

Prosecutors argued that Grant Amato's obsession with a model drove him to kill his family

Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service/Getty Grant Amato at a bond hearing in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Florida on March 27, 2019.

Grant Amato spiraled after he started sending money to a cam model  an obsession that eventually turned into murder.

The killer, whose case is at the center of the new Paramount+ true crime docuseries Ctrl+Alt+Desire, shot his father Chad, mother Margaret and brother Cody after he was prohibited from contacting a model named Silvie whom he met through a pornographic website.

After losing his job, Grant began spending hours of his time and hundreds of dollars a day on videos, photos and messages from Silvie, eventually stealing money from his family to be able to afford the interactions.

Related: The Best True Crime Documentaries to Stream Now

After a stint in a rehabilitation facility for porn and internet addiction did not stop Grant from trying to contact Silvie, his family banned him from speaking with her and cut him off financially.

They also asked Grant to leave their home but he eventually returned to kill his mom, dad and brother. After the manhunt to find Grant, he stood trial and was sentenced to life in prison.

From the crime to the resulting trial, here's everything to know about Grant Amato and where he is now.

Who is Grant Amato?

Seminole County Sheriff's Office/AP Grant Amato.

Grant grew up in Chuluota, Fla., with his brother Cody, mother Margaret and father Chad; he also had an older half-brother named Jason who didn't live with the family. Grant was especially close with Cody; they grew up going to school and weightlifting together. As adults, they traveled to Japan and studied nursing at the University of Central Florida.

Cody eventually graduated from the nurse anesthetist program, but Grant withdrew from his studies and became a nurse at AdventHealth Orlando. Grant's career ended quickly: He got fired after he was suspected to be stealing prescription medications from the hospital where he worked, as well as improperly administering medications to patients.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, prosecutors claimed that after losing his job, Grant became depressed and isolated. He began live-streaming and gaming, as well as frequenting pornographic websites. He subsequently became obsessed with a Bulgarian live cam model named Silviya "Silvie" Ventsislavova.

Who is Silvie?

CBS/Paramount+ Micah Spayer as Grant Amato in 'CTRL+ALT+DESIRE'.

In order to keep talking with Silvie, Grant lavished the cam model with money and gifts, including sex toys and lingerie.

"It wasn't my intention to keep talking to this woman, but it just sort of happened," he told investigators in footage obtained by Killer Cases. Grant added that he believed he and Silvie had an "emotional connection."

Grant's parasocial relationship with Silvie was an expensive one, and he spent not just his own money, but also funds that he stole from his family  more than $200,000, according to investigators  to get videos, photos and interactions from Silvie online. He did so under the guise of wanting to promote his Twitch channel, a platform to stream video games.

When Grant's family found out about his obsession with Silvie and that he was stealing their money, they initially were more concerned about his welfare than their funds: Grant went to stay with his aunt Donna Amato, the Orlando Sentinel reported, and he soon began stealing money from her.

Chad and Margaret convinced Donna not to press charges against Grant and, in December 2018, picked him up from her home and brought him to a voluntary rehabilitation clinic for pornography and internet addiction.

When Grant left rehab early in January 2019, Chad and Margaret gave Grant a written ultimatum: if he wanted to keep living at home, he had to get a job during the day, go to therapy and pay for his own cellphone and debts. Grant was also prohibited from contacting Silvie.

Instead of following these rules, he used his mother's cellphone to message the model. When Chad found out on Jan. 24, 2019, per the Orlando Sentinel, he ordered Grant to leave their home.

What did Grant Amato do?

Amato Family/Paramount+ 'CTRL+ALT+DESIRE'.

The day after Chad kicked Grant out of the house, Cody didn't show up to work so his co-worker called the police and asked them to check on the Amatos at home. Sheriff's deputies arrived at 9:17 a.m., per The Florida Times-Union, where they found Margaret slumped dead at her computer, Cody dead on the floor of a storage room and Chad dead on the kitchen floor. All three had been shot "execution style," according to investigators.

Grant's 1996 Honda Accord was missing from the home so the police put out a bulletin for the car and found him the next day at a hotel in Orlando. He agreed to speak with investigators and showed little to no emotion while saying he didn't know what happened to his family. Later, when confronted with images of their bodies, Grant outright denied involvement with their murders.

Detectives weren't convinced, and days later, they arrested Grant, who was charged with three counts of first-degree murder for the slayings. WESH TV reported that prosecutors accused Grant of staging the murder scene to look like his brother Cody murdered his parents and then died by suicide.

Records indicated that after Cody, Chad and Margaret's bodies were discovered, one of the family credit cards was used to purchase $600 of tokens for access to Silvie. Per The Lakeland Ledger, prosecutors also alleged that after killing Chad, Grant used his father's fingerprint to access his online banking app.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that Grant also attempted to cash in on his parents' life insurance policy, but was denied at the time due to his suspected connection to their deaths. Grant was found guilty on all counts on July 31, 2019.

What was Grant Amato's sentence?

CBS/Paramount+ 'CTRL+ALT+DESIRE'.

Prosecutors pushed for Grant to get the death penalty, but the testimony of Grant's surviving brother, Jason, may have convinced the jury to spare his life.

"One of the biggest things I miss is being able to talk to my mom. It's been 208 days," Jason said at a sentencing hearing, his voice breaking (via Killer Cases). "Though they are gone, I want everyone to know that Chad, Cody and Margaret were amazing people."

The defense asked if Jason still loved Grant and he said yes. The jury ruled on Aug. 12, 2019, sentencing Grant to three lifelong prison sentences without the possibility of parole  one for each of his victims.

"I considered it a huge victory," defense attorney Jeffrey Leukel said in Killer Cases. "I've never been around a defendant with such a lack of emotion when so much is on the line and it's your life. There was no breakdown crying, there was no turning [or] hugging me because I saved his life. It was just standing there, straight-faced, no emotion."

Where is Grant Amato now?

Colin Archdeacon/Paramount+ Grant Amato in 'CTRL+ALT+DESIRE'.

Grant is serving his life sentences at Tomoka Correctional Institution in Daytona Beach, Fla.

In August 2019, he filed to appeal his convictions and life sentences, the Orlando Sentinel reported. An appellate court affirmed the original decision in May 2021, denying Grant's appeal.

Nearly three years later, Grant's crimes and resulting trial were the focus of Paramount+'s true crime series Ctrl+Alt+Desire.



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President Biden declined to appear before House impeachment investigators, writing in a Monday letter through an attorney that the investigation is over.

Though brief, the letter tears into the impeachment investigation being led in part by House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), which has yet to uncover any wrongdoing by President Biden.

Your Committees purported impeachment inquiry has succeeded only in turning up abundant evidence that, in fact, the President has done nothing wrong. Yet rather than acknowledge this reality, your March 28, 2024, letter contains the same litany of false allegations that have been repeatedly debunked and refuted by the very witnesses you have called before your Committee and the many documents you have obtained, Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president, wrote in a letter to Comer obtained by The Hill

Your insistence on peddling these false and unsupported allegations despite ample evidence to the contrary makes one thing about your investigation abundantly clear: The facts do not matter to you.

CNN first reported Saubers response.

Comers March letter to President Biden contained numerous dubious claims in an effort to connect the president to various family members business dealings.

It also showcased Comers reliance on a line of inquiry related to President Bidens work as vice president in Ukraine. Authorities recently arrested a former FBI informant indicted for lying to the bureau in fabricating allegations that Biden accepted a bribe in connection with his work there.

Sauber further pointed to discussions by Comer and other Republicans to make criminal referrals from their investigation rather than pursue charges through impeachment, noting the chair also floated the pivot in a fundraising email.

As our Office has demonstrated, and you acknowledged in a recent fundraising email, your impeachment investigation is over, Sauber wrote.

The impeachment has taken a back seat in the House in recent weeks, as the chamber prioritizes other deadlines and as support has fizzled among the GOP conference.

GOP colleagues have become more open in recent weeks in questioning whether Comer and the other investigators have gathered enough evidence to build a case against President Biden.

Democrats, meanwhile, have pressed Comer to name a crime President Biden could be accused of.

The letter comes the evening before the date Comer suggested President Biden testify, though the chair had yet to schedule a hearing.

The apple doesnt fall far from the tree in the Biden family. Like his son, Hunter Biden, President Biden is refusing to testify in public about the Bidens corrupt influence peddling, Comer said in a statement, nodding to Hunter Bidens declination to appear at a hearing after testifying behind closed doors.

Comer went on to suggest that President Biden was not being truthful about the extent he interacted with his sons business associates, listing off a number of names he wished to ask the president about. The list includes Mykola Zlochevsky, the head of Ukrainian energy company Burimsa and the figure the now-indicted former FBI informant accused of bribing the Biden family.

It is unfortunate President Biden is unwilling to answer questions before the American people and refuses to answer the very simple, straightforward questions we included in the invitation. Why is it so difficult for the White House to answer those questions? Comer said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As a former Mint user, I had to find a new budgeting app not too long ago. Intuit, parent company of Mint, shut down the service in March 2024, and prompted users to transition to its other financial app, Credit Karma. However, after testing Credit Karma myself, I found it to be a poor Mint replacement  that meant I needed to branch out and look elsewhere for a trusted app to track all of my financial accounts, monitor my credit score, follow a monthly spending plan and set goals like building a rainy-day fund and paying down my mortgage faster. I tried out Mint's top competitors in the hopes that I'd be able to find a new budgeting app that could handle all of my financial needs. Hopefully my journey can help you find the best budgeting app for you and your money as well.

How we tested

Before I dove in and started testing out budgeting apps, I had to do some research. To find a list of apps to try out, I consulted trusty ol Google (and even trustier Reddit); read reviews of popular apps on the App Store; and also asked friends and colleagues what budget tracking apps they might be using for money management. Some of the apps I found were free and these, of course, show loads of ads (excuse me, offers) to stay in business. But most of the available apps require paid subscriptions, with prices typically topping out around $100 a year, or $15 a month. (Spoiler: My top pick is cheaper than that.)

All of the services I chose to test needed to do several things: import all of your account data into one place; offer budgeting tools; and track your spending, net worth and credit score. Except where noted, all of these apps are available for iOS, Android and on the web.

Once I had my shortlist of six apps, I got to work setting them up. For the sake of thoroughly testing these apps, I made a point of adding every account to every budgeting app, no matter how small or immaterial the balance. What ensued was a veritable Groundhog Day of two-factor authentication. Just hours of entering passwords and one-time passcodes, for the same banks half a dozen times over. Hopefully, you only have to do this once.

Best budgeting apps of 2024

Quicken The best budgeting app overall Quicken Simplifi No pun intended, but what I like about Quicken Simplifi is its simplicity. Whereas other budgeting apps try to distinguish themselves with dark themes and customizable emoji, Simplifi has a clean user interface, with a landing page that you just keep scrolling through to get a detailed overview of all your stats. These include your top-line balances; net worth; recent spending; upcoming recurring payments; a snapshot of your spending plan; top spending categories; achievements; and any watchlists youve set up. You can also set up savings goals elsewhere in the app. I also appreciate how it offers neat, almost playful visualizations without ever looking cluttered. I felt at home in the mobile and web dashboards after a day or so, which is faster than I adapted to some competing services (Im looking at you, YNAB and Monarch). Getting set up with Simplifi was mostly painless. I was particularly impressed at how easily it connected to Fidelity; not all budget trackers do, for whatever reason. This is also one of the only services I tested that gives you the option of inviting a spouse or financial advisor to co-manage your account. One thing I would add to my initial assessment of the app, having used it for a few months now: I wish Simplifi offered Zillow integration for easily tracking your home value (or at least a rough estimate of it). Various competitors including Monarch Money and Copilot Money work with Zillow, so clearly there's a Zillow API available for use. As it stands, Simplifi users must add real estate manually like any other asset. In practice, Simplifi miscategorized some of my expenses, but nothing out of the ordinary compared to any of these budget trackers. As youre reviewing transactions, you can also mark if youre expecting a refund, which is a unique feature among the services I tested. Simplifi also estimated my regular income better than some other apps I tested. Most of all, I appreciated the option of being able to categorize some, but not all, purchases from a merchant as recurring. For instance, I can add my two Amazon subscribe-and-saves as recurring payments, without having to create a broad-strokes rule for every Amazon purchase. The budgeting feature is also self-explanatory. Just check that your regular income is accurate and be sure to set up recurring payments, making note of which are bills and which are subscriptions. This is important because Simplifi shows you your total take-home income as well as an income after bills figure. That number includes, well, bills but not discretionary subscriptions. From there, you can add spending targets by category in the planned spending bucket. Planned spending can also include one-time expenditures, not just monthly budgets. When you create a budget, Simplifi will suggest a number based on a six-month average. Not dealbreakers, but two things to keep in mind as you get started: Simplifi is notable in that you cant set up an account through Apple or Google. There is also no option for a free trial, though Quicken promises a 30-day money back guarantee. Pros Easy-to-use app with a gentle learning curve

Does a good job detecting recurring income and bills

Less expensive than the competition

Lets you share app access with a spouse or financial advisor

Handy refund tracker Cons No free trial

You can't create an account using your Apple or Google ID

No Zillow integration $48 a year at Quicken

Monarch Money Runner up - best budgeting app overall Monarch Money Monarch Money grew on me. My first impression of the budgeting app, which was founded by a former Mint product manager, was that it's more difficult to use than others on this list, including Simplifi, NerdWallet and Copilot. And it is. Editing expense categories, adding recurring transactions and creating rules, for example, is a little more complicated than it needs to be, especially in the mobile app. (My advice: Use the web app for fine-tuning details.) Monarch also didnt get my income right; I had to edit it. Once youre set up, though, Monarch offers an impressive level of granularity. In the budgets section, you can see a bona fide balance sheet showing budgets and actuals for each category. You'll also find a forecast, for the year or by month. And recurring expenses can be set not just by merchant, but other parameters as well. For instance, while most Amazon purchases might be marked as shopping, those for the amounts of $54.18 or $34.18 are definitely baby supplies, and can be automatically marked as such each time, not to mention programmed as recurring payments. Weirdly, though, theres no way to mark certain recurring payments as bills, specifically. Not long after I first published this story in December 2023, Monarch introduced a detailed reporting section where you can create on-demand graphs based on things like accounts, categories and tags. That feature is available just on the web version of the app for now. As part of this same update, Monarch added support for an aggregator that makes it possible to automatically update the value of your car. This, combined with the existing Zillow integration for tracking your home value, makes it easy to quickly add a non-liquid asset like a vehicle or real estate, and have it show up in your net worth graph. The mobile app is mostly self-explanatory. The main dashboard shows your net worth; your four most recent transactions; a month-over-month spending comparison; income month-to-date; upcoming bills; an investments snapshot; a list of any goals youve set; and, finally, a link to your month-in-review. That month-in-review is more detailed than most, delving into cash flow; top income and expense categories; cash flow trends; changes to your net worth, assets and liabilities; plus asset and liability breakdowns. In February 2024, Monarch expanded on the net worth graph, so that if you click on the Accounts tab you can see how your net worth changed over different periods of time, including one month, three months, six months, a year or all time. On the main screen, youll also find tabs for accounts, transactions, cash flow, budget and recurring. Like many of the other apps featured here, Monarch can auto-detect recurring expenses and income, even if it gets the category wrong. (They all do to an extent.) Expense categories are marked by emoji, which you can customize if youre so inclined. Monarch Money uses a combination of networks to connect with banks, including Plaid, MX and Finicity, a competing network owned by Mastercard. (I have a quick explainer on Plaid, the industry standard in this space, toward the end of this guide.) As part of an update in late December, Monarch has also made it easier to connect through those other two networks, if for some reason Plaid fails. Similar to NerdWallet, I found myself completing two-factor authentication every time I wanted to get past the Plaid screen to add another account. Notably, Monarch is the only other app I tested that allows you to grant access to someone else in your family  likely a spouse or financial advisor. Additionally, Monarch just added the ability to track Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Savings accounts, thanks to new functionality brought with the iOS 17.4 update. It's not the only one either; currently, Copilot and YNAB have also added similar functionality that will be available to anyone with the latest versions of their respective apps on a device running iOS 17.4. Instead of manually uploading statements, the new functionality allows apps like Monarch's to automatically pull in transactions and balance history. That should make it easier to account for spending on Apple cards and accounts throughout the month. Monarch also recently launched investment transactions in beta. It also says bill tracking and an overhauled goals system are coming soon. Monarch hasn't provided a timeline for that last one, except to say that the improved goals feature is coming in early 2024. Pros Lots of detail and opportunities for customization

Helpful goals feature

You can grant account access to other people

Chrome extension for importing from Mint

Month-in-review recap is more thorough than most

Car value syncing

Zillow integration Cons Steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers

The mobile app feels restricted and less intuitive than the web version

Doesnt seem to distinguish between bills and other recurring expenses

Some bugginess on mobile around creating rules for expense categories $50 a year at Monarch Money

NerdWallet The best free budgeting app NerdWallet You may know NerdWallet as a site that offers a mix of personal finance news, explainers and guides. I see it often when I google a financial term I dont know and sure enough, its one of the sites Im most likely to click on. As it happens, NerdWallet also has the distinction of offering one of the only free budgeting apps I tested. In fact, there is no paid version; nothing is locked behind a paywall. The main catch: There are ads everywhere. Even with the inescapable credit card offers, NerdWallet has a clean, easy-to-understand user interface, which includes both a web and a mobile app. The key metrics that it highlights most prominently are your cash flow, net worth and credit score. I particularly enjoyed the weekly insights, which delve into things like where you spent the most money or how much you paid in fees  and how that compares to the previous month. Because this is NerdWallet, an encyclopedia of financial info, you get some particularly specific category options when setting up your accounts (think: a Roth or non-Roth IRA). As a budgeting app, NerdWallet is more than serviceable, if a bit basic. Like other apps I tested, you can set up recurring bills. Importantly, it follows the popular 50/30/20 budgeting rule, which has you putting 50% of your budget toward things you need, 30% toward things you want, and the remaining 20% into savings or debt repayments. If this works for you, great  just know that you cant customize your budget to the same degree as some competing apps. You cant currently create custom spending categories, though a note inside the dashboard section of the app says youll be able to customize them in the future. You also cant move items from the wants column to needs or vice versa but In the future, you'll be able to move specific transactions to actively manage what falls into each group. A NerdWallet spokesperson declined to provide an ETA, though. Lastly, its worth noting that NerdWallet had one of the most onerous setup processes of any app I tested. I dont think this is a dealbreaker, as youll only have to do it once and, hopefully, you arent setting up six or seven apps in tandem as I was. What made NerdWallets onboarding especially tedious is that every time I wanted to add an account, I had to go through a two-factor authentication process to even get past the Plaid splash screen, and thats not including the 2FA I had set up at each of my banks. This is a security policy on NerdWallets end, not Plaids, a Plaid spokesperson says. Precisely because NerdWallet is one of the only budget trackers to offer credit score monitoring, it also needs more of your personal info during setup, including your birthday, address, phone number and the last four digits of your social security number. Its the same with Credit Karma, which also does credit score monitoring. Related to the setup process, I found that NerdWallet was less adept than other apps at automatically detecting my regular income. In my case, it counted a large one-time wire transfer as income, at which point my only other option was to enter my income manually (which is slightly annoying because I would have needed my pay stub handy to double-check my take-home pay). Pros Free

Easy to use

Helpful weekly insights

NerdWallet has a deep well of helpful financial explainers and guides

One of the few options that offers credit score monitoring Cons Ads everywhere

No customization for spending categories

Less adept at detecting regular income

One of the more tedious setup processes Free at NerdWallet

Copilot Money The best up-and-comer Copilot Money Copilot Money might be the best-looking budgeting app I tested. It also has the distinction of being exclusive to iOS and Macs  at least for now. Andres Ugarte, the companys CEO, has publicly promised that Android and web apps are coming in 2024 (more likely the second half of the year, Ugarte tells me). But until it follows through, I cant recommend Copilot for most people with so many good competitors out there. There are other features that Copilot is missing, which Ill get into. But it is promising, and one to keep an eye on. Its just a fast, efficient, well designed app, and Android users will be in for a treat when theyll finally be able to download it. It makes good use of colors, emoji and graphs to help you understand at a glance how youre doing on everything from your budgets to your investment performance to your credit card debt over time. In particular, Copilot does a better job than almost any other app of visualizing your recurring monthly expenses. Behind those punchy colors and cutesy emoji, though, is some sophisticated performance. Copilots AI-powered Intelligence gets smarter as you go at categorizing your expenses. (You can also add your own categories, complete with your choice of emoji.) Its not perfect. Copilot miscategorized some purchases (they all do), but it makes it easier to edit than most. On top of that, the internal search feature is very fast; it starts whittling down results in your transaction history as soon as you begin typing. Copilot is also unique in offering Amazon and Venmo integrations, allowing you to see transaction details. With Amazon, this requires just signing into your Amazon account via an in-app browser. For Venmo, you have to set up fwd@copilot.money as a forwarding address and then create a filter, wherein emails from venmo@venmo.com are automatically forwarded to fwd@copilot.money. Like Monarch Money, you can also add any property you own and track its value through Zillow, which is integrated with the app. While the app is heavily automated, I still appreciate that Copilot marks new transactions for review. Its a good way to both weed out fraudulent charges, and also be somewhat intentional about your spending habits. Like Monarch Money, Copilot updated its app to make it easier to connect to banks through networks other than Plaid. As part of the same update, Copilot said it has improved its connections to both American Express and Fidelity which, again, can be a bugbear for some budget tracking apps. In an even more recent update, Copilot added a Mint import option, which other budgeting apps have begun to offer as well. Because the app is relatively new (it launched in early 2020), the company is still catching up to the competition on some table-stakes features. Ugarte told me that his team is almost done building out a detailed cash flow section, which could launch before the end of 2023, but more likely in early 2024. On its website, Copilot also promises a raft of AI-powered features that build on its current Intelligence platform, the one that powers its smart expense categorization. These include smart financial goals, natural language search, a chat interface, forecasting and benchmarking. That benchmarking, Ugarte tells me, is meant to give people a sense of how theyre doing compared to other Copilot users, on both spending and investment performance. Most of these features should arrive in the new year. Copilot does a couple interesting things for new customers that distinguish it from the competition. Theres a demo mode that feels like a game simulator; no need to add your own accounts. The company is also offering two free months with RIPMINT  a more generous introductory offer than most. When it finally does come time to pony up, the $7.92 monthly plan is cheaper than some competing apps, although the $95-a-year-option is in the same ballpark. Pros Slick UI

Standalone Mac app

Lower monthly price than some competing apps

Does a good job visualizing recurring expenses

Optional Amazon, Venmo and Zillow integration

To review section is handy Cons No web or Android app yet

Miscategorized more expenses than our top pick

Lots of otherwise common features are still in development Two months free at Copilot Money

YNAB Honorable mention YNAB YNAB is, by its own admission, different from anything youve tried before. The app, whose name is short for You Need a Budget, promotes a so-called zero-based budgeting system, which forces you to assign a purpose for every dollar you earn. A frequently used analogy is to put each dollar in an envelope; you can always move money from one envelope to another in a pinch. These envelopes can include rent and utilities, along with unforeseen expenses like holiday gifts and the inevitable car repair. The idea is that if you budget a certain amount for the unknowns each month, they wont feel like theyre sneaking up on you. Importantly, YNAB is only concerned with the money you have in your accounts now. The app does not ask you to provide your take-home income or set up recurring income payments (although there is a way to do this). The money you will make later in the month through your salaried job is not relevant, because YNAB does not engage in forecasting. The app is harder to learn than any other here, and it requires more ongoing effort from the user. And YNAB knows that. Inside both the mobile and web apps are links to videos and other tutorials. Although I never quite got comfortable with the user interface, I did come to appreciate YNABs insistence on intentionality. Forcing users to draft a new budget each month and to review each transaction is not necessarily a bad thing. As YNAB says on its website, Sure, youve got pie charts showing that you spent an obscene amount of money in restaurants  but youve still spent an obscene amount of money in restaurants. I can see this approach being useful for people who dont tend to have a lot of cash in reserve at a given time, or who have spending habits they want to correct (to riff off of YNABs own example, ordering Seamless four times a week). My colleague Valentina Palladino, knowing I was working on this guide, penned a respectful rebuttal, explaining why shes been using YNAB for years. Perhaps, like her, you have major savings goals you want to achieve, whether its paying for a wedding or buying a house. I suggest you give her column a read. For me, though, YNABs approach feels like overkill. Pros Particularly strong emphasis on budgeting

Unique zero-dollar approach to financial planning that some people swear by Cons Steep learning curve

Harder to use certain features on the mobile app than on the web $99 a year or $14.99 a month at YNAB

PocketGuard Honorable mention PocketGuard PocketGuard is one of the only reputable free budget trackers I found in my research. Just know its far more restricted at the free tier than NerdWallet. In my testing, I was prompted to pay after I attempted to link more than two bank accounts. So much for free, unless you keep things simple with one cash account and one credit card. When it comes time to upgrade to PocketGuard Plus, you have three options: pay $7.99 a month, $34.99 a year or $79.99 for a one-time lifetime license. That lifetime option is actually one of the few unique selling points for me: Im sure some people will appreciate paying once and never having to, uh, budget for it again. From the main screen, youll see tabs for accounts, insights, transactions and the Plan, which is where you see recurring payments stacked on top of what looks like a budget. The main overview screen shows you your net worth, total assets and debts; net income and total spending for the month; upcoming bills; a handy reminder of when your next paycheck lands; any debt payoff plan you have; and any goals. Like some other apps, including Quicken Simplifi, PocketGuard promotes an after bills approach, where you enter all of your recurring bills, and then PocketGuard shows you whats left, and thats what youre supposed to be budgeting: your disposable income. Obviously, other apps have a different philosophy: take into account all of your post-tax income and use it to pay the bills, purchase things you want and maybe even save a little. But in PocketGuard, its the in your pocket number thats most prominent. To PocketGuards credit, it does a good job visualizing which bills are upcoming and which ones youve already paid. PocketGuard has also publicly committed to adding some popular features in early 2024. These include rollover budgeting in January 2024, categorization rules in February and shared household access in March. Although PocketGuards UI is easy enough to understand, it lacks polish. The accounts tab is a little busy, and doesnt show totals for categories like cash or investments. Seemingly small details like weirdly phrased or punctuated copy occasionally make the app feel janky. More than once, it prompted me to update the app when no updates were available. The web version, meanwhile, feels like the mobile app blown up to a larger format and doesnt take advantage of the extra screen real estate. Of note, although PocketGuard does work with Plaid, its primary bank-connecting platform is actually Finicity. Setting up my accounts through Finicity was mostly a straightforward process. I did encounter one hiccup: Finicity would not connect to my SoFi account. I was able to do it through Plaid, but PocketGuard doesnt make it easy to access Plaid in the app. The only way, as far as I can tell, is to knowingly search for the name of a bank that isnt available through Finicity, at which point you get the option to try Plaid instead. Like I said: the experience can be janky. Pros One of the only budget trackers with a free plan

You can avoid an ongoing subscription fee by opting for a one-time lifetime license

Less expensive than most competitors

Helpful upcoming bills view in the app Cons The free version is so restricted that the free label feels misleading; the user experience feels less polished than some competing apps

The web app doesnt take advantage of the larger screen space on desktop $7.99 a month or $34.99 a year at PocketGuard

FAQs

What is Plaid and how does it work?

Each of the apps I tested uses the same underlying network, called Plaid, to pull in financial data, so its worth explaining what it is and how it works. Plaid was founded as a fintech startup in 2013 and is today the industry standard in connecting banks with third-party apps. Plaid works with over 12,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada and Europe. Additionally, more than 8,000 third-party apps and services rely on Plaid, the company claims.

To be clear, you dont need a dedicated Plaid app to use it; the technology is baked into a wide array of apps, including all of the budgeting apps listed in this guide. Once you find the add an account option in whichever one youre using, youll see a menu of commonly used banks. Theres also a search field you can use to look yours up directly. Once you find yours, youll be prompted to enter your login credentials. If you have two-factor authentication set up, youll need to enter a one-time passcode as well.

As the middleman, Plaid is a passthrough for information that may include your account balances, transaction history, account type and routing or account number. Plaid uses encryption, and says it has a policy of not selling or renting customer data to other companies. However, I would not be doing my job if I didnt note that in 2022 Plaid was forced to pay $58 million to consumers in a class action suit for collecting more financial data than was needed. As part of the settlement, Plaid was compelled to change some of its business practices.

In a statement provided to Engadget, a Plaid spokesperson said the company continues to deny the allegations underpinning the lawsuit and that the crux of the non-financial terms in the settlement are focused on us accelerating workstreams already underway related to giving people more transparency into Plaids role in connecting their accounts, and ensuring that our workstreams around data minimization remain on track.

Why did Mint shut down?

When parent company Intuit announced in December 2023 that it would shut down Mint, it did not provide a reason why it made the decision to do so. It did say that Mint's millions of users would be funneled over to its other finance app, Credit Karma. "Credit Karma is thrilled to invite all Minters to continue their financial journey on Credit Karma, where they will have access to Credit Karmas suite of features, products, tools and services, including some of Mints most popular features," Mint wrote on its product blog. In our testing, we found that Credit Karma isn't an exact replacement for Mint  so if you're still looking for a Mint alternative, you have some decent options.

What about Rocket Money?

Rocket Money is another free financial app that tracks spending and supports things like balance alerts and account linking. If you pay for the premium tier, the service can also help you cancel unwanted subscriptions. We did not test it for this guide, but we'll consider it in future updates.
The White House informed House Oversight Chair James Comer that President Joe Biden will not accept his invitation to testify in a committee impeachment inquiry hearing, according to a letter obtained first by CNN, further insulting the Republican-led effort.

Your impeachment investigation is over, Special Counsel to the President Richard Sauber wrote to Comer on Monday. We decline your invitation for President Biden to testify.

In the letter, Sauber said that the president has done nothing wrong and accused Comer of peddling false and unsupported allegations.

In a statement to CNN, Comer criticized Biden for declining to testify publicly and called on the president to answer questions that accompanied the hearing invitation. Comers statement did not address whether he plans to take any further steps now that Biden has declined.

It is unfortunate President Biden is unwilling to answer questions before the American people and refuses to answer the very simple, straightforward questions we included in the invitation, Comer said in the statement.

House Republicans have not uncovered evidence of wrongdoing by the president and currently do not have the votes in the House to impeach him given their narrow, divided majority. As a result, the impeachment inquiry appears stalled as Republicans lack consensus on how or when to end their investigation.

Comer had invited Biden to testify at a hearing this week but had not formally scheduled that hearing.

Comer has single-handedly spearheaded the effort to invite the president to testify before his committee, sources said. The invitation to appear before Comers committee was not co-signed by House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan or House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, who are leading the inquiry with Comer and have signed onto several letters with him. Comer gave House Speaker Mike Johnsons team a heads up he would be inviting Biden, but Johnson wasnt involved in the decision, a source familiar with the discussions told CNN.

The invitation to the president was seen, even among some Republicans, as a last-ditch effort to restart momentum on an investigation that after dozens of witness interviews and hundreds of thousands of bank records, has failed to uncover evidence of wrongdoing by Biden.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The White House formally declined an invitation by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., for President Biden to testify in connection to his son Hunters business dealings.

"As our Office has demonstrated, and you acknowledged in a recent fundraising email, your impeachment investigation is over," Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president, wrote in a letter to Comer on Monday. "It is past time for the House to focus on the issues that matter to the American people rather than continuing to waste time and taxpayer resources on this partisan charade."

Sauber said the House Oversight Committees impeachment inquiry "has succeeded only in turning up abundant evidence that, in fact, the President has done nothing wrong."

"Yet rather than acknowledge this reality, your March 28, 2024, letter contains the same litany of false allegations that have been repeatedly debunked and refuted by the very witnesses you have called before your Committee and the many documents you have obtained," the special counsel told Comer. "Your insistence on peddling these false and unsupported allegations despite ample evidence to the contrary makes one thing about your investigation abundantly clear: The facts do not matter to you."

BIDEN IMPEACHMENT EFFORT STARTING TO 'LOSE STEAM,' HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY

President Biden declined to testify under oath about his son Hunter's businesses.

The National Review published a full copy of the letter also obtained by The Associated Press and other outlets.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Reacting to President Bidens refusal to testify, Comer issued a blistering statement on his X account, declaring, "The apple doesnt fall far from the tree in the Biden family."

"Like his son, Hunter Biden, President Biden is refusing to testify in public about the Bidens corrupt influence peddling," Comer wrote. "This comes as no surprise since President Biden continues to lie about his relationships with his sons business partners, even denying they exists when his son said under oath during a deposition that they did. It is unfortunate President Biden is unwilling to answer questions before the American people and refuses to answer the very simple, straightforward questions we included in the invitation. Why is it so difficult for the White House to answer those questions? The American people deserve transparency from President Biden, not more lies."

Despite providing testimony behind closed doors, Hunter Biden declined to testify in a public committee alongside former business associates, Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis, regarding alleged "pay-for- influence" schemes to provide access to certain offices in exchange for payments to the Biden family.

Notably, Bobulinski at the committee hearing accused Hunter Biden and his uncle, James Biden, of lying under oath regarding the nature of their dealings with the Chinese conglomerate CEFC.

In a March 28 letter, Comer invited President Biden to "explain, under oath," what involvement he had in the Biden family businesses, claiming the committee "has accounted for over $24 million that has flowed from foreign sources to you, your family and their business associates."

FBI INFORMANT CHARGED WITH GIVING FALSE INFORMATION ABOUT HUNTER BIDEN IN 2020

House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., is leading the impeachment investigation into President Biden over his family's business dealings.

The letter included questions about Bidens interactions with specific foreign business officials.

Comer told President Biden that "you have asserted your pressuring Ukraine in 2015 to fire a government official investigating a company in which your son has a financial interest was wholly in line with U.S. policy."

The committee received bank records showing Hunter Biden was paid $1 million per year for his position on the board of the Ukrainian company Burisma until Joe Biden left office, when Hunters salary "was inexplicably cut in half," Comer wrote. The letter specifically asks if President Biden has interacted with executives at Burisma Holdings, which was at the center of the indictment of a former FBI informant in February who the Justice Department accused of providing false information to the FBI.

Tony Bobulinski, former associate of Hunter Biden, speaks during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

The indictment says the former informant, Alexander Smirnov, claimed that during meetings with Burisma executives, they admitted to hiring Hunter to "protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems," and later that they had specifically paid $5 million for such protection. But the DOJ goes on the claim that those events that Smirnov first reported to the FBI Agent in June 2020 were "fabrications."

Sauber, who was brought on in 2022 to oversee the presidents response to congressional investigations into the Biden family, is leaving the White House early next month to return to the private sector.

To replace him, the White House is elevating his deputy, Rachel Cotton.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: White House deems House impeachment inquiry 'over,' President Biden formally declines to testify
The White House on Tuesday said at first blush Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-La.) proposal for a series of bills to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan addresses the administrations national security requests, but a spokesperson stressed the need for the House to move quickly.

John Kirby, a White House spokesperson on national security issues, told reporters aboard Air Force One that the administration was still waiting to see the details of Johnsons proposal before passing judgment.

The important thing is that our allies like Ukraine and Israel who are under the gun, literally under the gun, get the security assistance they need as soon as possible. So we want them to move this week, Kirby said.

It does appear at first blush that the Speakers proposal will in fact help us get aid to Ukraine, aid to Israel and needed resources to the Indo-Pacific for a wide range of contingencies there. At first blush it looks like that, we just want to get more details, he added.

The White House had a day earlier said it would oppose a stand-alone bill to fund aid to Israel.

Kirby underscored the urgency of the situation for Ukraine as its forces struggle to fend off Russian forces, and for Israel in the aftermath of an Iranian drone and missile attack over the weekend.

President Biden spoke with Johnson late Monday about the proposal, White House officials said.

Johnson on Monday night rolled out his plan for providing national security aid during a closed-door meeting with the House GOP conference.

The plan is first to move a procedural rule governing all four bills  Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan each get their own, with the fourth focusing on national security priorities. Each proposal would then be voted on separately, in contrast to the Senates $95 billion foreign aid legislation that combined the various elements into a single package and passed with bipartisan support.

The fourth national security-related bill, according to Johnson, will include a proposal to help pay for Ukraine aid by seizing Russian assets; a plan to provide some of the aid in the form of loans; and new sanctions on Iran in the wake of Tehrans weekend strikes on Israel.

The strategy sparked immediate backlash from some conservative lawmakers who have demanded that any additional Ukraine aid be accompanied by tougher security on the U.S.-Mexico border. Two House Republicans have publicly backed a motion to vacate against Johnson, potentially threatening his Speakership if he moves forward with the national security bills.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The White House believes that House Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal on a series of foreign aid bills for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan appears "at first blush" to cover the necessary assistance, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on April 16.

This seems to soften an earlier statement by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who said that Joe Biden's administration would "not accept a standalone" Israel aid bill.

U.S. assistance for Ukraine has been effectively blocked for months, leading to the rapidly deteriorating situation on the battlefield. While the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan in February, Johnson said he instead plans to hold a vote on four separate bills in his chamber this week.

"The important thing is that our allies like Ukraine and Israel who are under the gun, literally under the gun, get the security assistance they need as soon as possible. So we want them to move this week," Kirby told reporters on Air Force One, The Hill reported.

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"It does appear at first blush that the speaker's proposal will, in fact, help us get aid to Ukraine, aid to Israel, and needed resources to the Indo-Pacific for a wide range of contingencies there. At first blush it looks like that, we just want to get more details."

Kirby said that "separate is not a deal-breaker" as long as assistance for both Israel and Ukraine are to be considered.

Democratic lawmakers were also cautious about making a clear statement on Johnson's proposed bills before seeing more details.

"I am reserving judgment on what will come out of the House until we see more about the substance of the proposal and the process by which the proposal will proceed," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

If passed in this form, it could postpone the final approval of the Ukraine aid bill for weeks, as it would have to travel back to the Senate for another vote. The situation is further complicated by hardline Republicans, who oppose assistance for Ukraine altogether. There are fears that the party's right flank would seek to oust Johnson if he moves forward with the bill.

The United States' delay in providing assistance to Ukraine has directly affected the battlefield, leading to the loss of the crucial front-line city of Avdiivka.

With the situation escalating on the eastern front and Russian assaults intensifying on energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the failure of the U.S. Congress to approve military aid could result in Ukraine losing the war.

Read also: Johnson plans separate House votes on Israel, Ukraine aid

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The Biden administration is heading into this weeks Senate impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas projecting confidence that the Democratic-controlled chamber will quickly dispose of the matter.

Privately, they arent scrambling either.

White House officials have not reached out to the few moderate Senate Republicans most likely to side with them in the first impeachment of a Cabinet secretary in nearly 150 years.

We speak to the administration from time to time. We havent spoken on that topic, said Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) last week.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said her phone also hasnt rung.

I dont think that they would, she said of a call from the White House. I think that would actually be weird if they did.

Republicans see the Mayorkas impeachment as an indictment of Bidens border policy and a way to highlight a political vulnerability for the administration. The president and his team see it as a distraction, at most.

And the absence of direct outreach to senators such as Romney and Murkowksi  either of whom could provide the added boast of a bipartisan dismissal  underscores their belief that the matter will die quickly in the Senate, and that there will be few if any repercussions for the president. Democrats, for their part, see no reason for the administration to turn the trial into a high-pitched fight.

The unseriousness of it, the politics of it  it just speaks for itself and you can make it worse by trying to convince them of something that's so obvious, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a member of the House Judiciary Committee who was an impeachment manager during Donald Trumps second Senate trial.



On Tuesday, the House impeachment managers walked the two articles across the Capitol and Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) read them on the floor of the Senate. Senators are expected to be sworn in as jurors on Wednesday.

By dismissing the Mayorkas impeachment trial as a sideshow, the administration risks letting Republicans slide on their attempt at political theater. The president had spent weeks accusing the GOP of not being serious about the border despite attacking him relentlessly for it  an accusation that grew out of the collapse of a bipartisan border security deal that Biden was prepared to support. The Mayorkas impeachment represented another opportunity to hammer home that point at a time when polls show most voters continue disapproving of Bidens handling of the border.

But the party is not completely disengaged from the matter. White House lawyers have been coordinating with the Homeland Security Department and Mayorkas team on how to handle a possible impeachment since late summer of 2022, before Republicans took control of the House, according to a person familiar with the conversations granted anonymity to describe private talks. Since then, they have coordinated how to respond to the investigation in weekly meetings between DHS and White House legal, legislative and communication aides.

Throughout the impeachment process, DHS has issued numerous memos , statements and context for reporters, and aides plan to deploy the same strategy during proceedings in the Senate. Aides will continue to push back in real-time this week, highlighting the lack of evidence and noting the secretarys willingness to work across the aisle to reach a compromise on border security.

Secretary Mayorkas spent months helping a bipartisan group of Senators craft a tough but fair bill that would give DHS the tools necessary to meet todays border security challenges, but the same House Republicans playing political games with this impeachment chose to block that bipartisan compromise, DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said in a statement.

But the decision on how to wrap up the Mayorkas impeachment falls on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. There is no sign of any significant number of Democrats jumping aboard the House Republican effort to support conviction, which would require 67 votes. The main question is how long it will take.



Democrats have been coy about how they will deal with the articles. Many senators expect Schumer to quickly dispose of them with a procedural motion before House Republicans can present a full case. As of late Tuesday, leaders were haggling over a dealthat would allow a few hours of Senate floor discussion Wednesday.

If needed, Vice President Kamala Harris can be called in to break a tie on a motion related to the proceedings.

In impeaching Mayorkas, House Republicans were hoping to capitalize on public sentiment  found in numerous polls  that the president is responsible for the major flow of migrants to the southern border. They argue Mayorkas violated immigration laws that required him to detain migrants crossing into the country.

The White House has defended Mayorkas throughout the process. When he was impeached, President Joe Biden chastised House Republicans for their blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship that has targeted an honorable public servant. And in a recent memo, Ian Sams, White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, called it a complete waste of time, baseless, cynical and outrageous and silly all in the first four paragraphs.

But beyond those statements, the Biden administration has largely leaned on outside groups to poke holes in the GOPs case. The groups, led by the Congressional Integrity Project, have continued to paint the effort as a political stunt, using the House Republicans latest delay in sending the articles to emphasize this point.

After pushing back presenting the articles another week, MAGA House Republicans continue to demonstrate that this is nothing but a political stunt and not a legitimate way to address the problems at the border. If the issue was as urgent as MAGA Republicans claim it is, they would have acted immediately to have their MAGA-favorite impeachment managers move the articles forward, Kyle Herrig, executive director of the Congressional Integrity Project, said in a memo last week.



But even those groups said they dont have novel messaging plans around the Senates impeachment trial, further underscoring the efforts to downplay the whole ordeal. They plan to re-up memos and talking points they sent before the delay of the Senate trial. Officials said theyll monitor action on the Hill and release new statements as needed.

No matter how quickly this dismissal goes, its an exoneration and demonstrates how political House Republicans have been throughout this whole process, said Nicole Haley, a spokesperson for the Congressional Integrity Project. Republicans portrayed this as an urgent matter, yet delayed the process because they didnt have any enthusiasm or eagerness to move forward last week, she added.

Even without White House outreach, some moderate Senate Republicans have hinted they will consider acquittal. Both Romney and Murkowski said any case to be made against Mayorkas is political, not grounds for impeachment.

I dont think the constitutional standard has been met of high crime and misdemeanor, Romney said. Mayorkas has followed the policy of the president. And if you dont like that policy, elect a different president.

Murkowski said she didnt see evidence of high crimes, either, and sounds unconvinced she will discover it if she sits through a trial.

Lets get this out of the way. Weve got way too much going. Or we should have too much to do around here, she said. Were going to go through a period of talking and messaging about how awful the president's border policy is  and thats right  but we dont necessarily need an impeachment hearing to do that.

Burgess Everett contributed to this report.
The White House is keeping an open mind about House Speaker Mike Johnsons plan to advance separate bills to fund Ukraine and Israels defence needs as long as both countries needs are addressed.

On Monday, White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby told reporters that President Biden and his administration were opposed to plans for Mr Johnson to put a standalone bill funding Israeli defence needs only on the House floor for a vote this week, despite the need to restock Israeli munitions after Iran fired more than 300 rockets, drones and missiles at Israel over the weekend.

But after Mr Johnson revealed plans to put bills funding both Ukraine and Israel up for a vote in rapid succession this week, it appears the White House is not saying no to the House Speakers plan just yet.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, Mr Kirby told reporters that the Biden administration still objects to a standalone bill for Israel in the absence of any companion measure for Ukraine.

But he said the administration is waiting to hear more about Mr Johnsons plan for separate but simultaneous bills before raising another objection.

it does appear at first blush that the speakers proposals will in fact, help us get aid to Ukraine, aid to Israel, and needed resources to the Indo-Pacific for a wide range of continues even contingencies there, he said. We just want to get more details.

Mr Kirby added that separate is not a deal-breaker as long as both Israel and Ukraine are addressed.

It looks like the Speakers proposal does cover those immediate needs and they are immediate needs. But were waiting to get a little bit more detail before we we say one way or the other, he said.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also told reporters that Mr Biden and Mr Johnson had discussed the Speakers plan in a phone conversation, though she declined to describe the contents of the call in detail.

Were gonna see the details of what he is planning. But weve been really clear. We want to see all of the parts that the President has talked about  getting that really important funding for Ukraine, Israel, Indo-Pacific, obviously that humanitarian aid thats needed right now ... in Gaza. We do not want to see a standalone, we want to see all of these components move forward, she said.

Were going to see the details  whats in writing  the details of the plan, but obviously we want to see what what the speaker has to share, she added.
The administration of US President Joe Biden has expressed its readiness to consider certain funding bills for allies, including Ukraine, which have been prepared by Mike Johnson, Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

Source: John Kirby, the White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, at a briefing on 16 April, European Pravda reports

Details: Kirby reiterated that the Biden administration does not support a separate bill to help Israel alone, because Ukraine also needs munitions.

"The important thing is that the House moves this week to help us get security assistance for Israel, Ukraine, and also for the Indo-Pacific. They need to move this week. And as for the details, well wait and see what the Speaker comes up with. The important thing is that our allies, like Ukraine and Israel, who are under the gun  literally, under the gun  get the security assistance they need as quickly as possible," he added.

A White House official said that the administration's position on Mike Johnson's initiative needs to be carefully considered, but that it does seem to be able to help provide the necessary assistance to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region right now, at a critical time.

Background:

The approval of over US$60 billion of aid for Ukraine by the US Congress has been blocked by Republicans in the House of Representatives for months now.

Earlier Mike Johnson published his plan of adoption of the aid, which would involve separate bills on aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and national security priorities.

The Senate, which voted in favour of a joint aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan back in February, said it was ready to consider the details of Johnson's proposal when they emerge.

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Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated the support from a coalition of state attorneys general Monday in an ongoing professional misconduct complaint against one of his top aides stemming from Texas' legal effort to delay several states' certification of their 2020 presidential election results.

With a motion filed with the Texas Supreme Court on Friday, 18 attorneys general expressed their concern over allowing disciplinary action against Brent Webster, Paxton's first assistant attorney general, to move forward, arguing that the punishment would be a step in violating the discretion of the attorney general's office to pursue legal actions.

Webster, along with Paxton, faces a disciplinary complaint from the Commission for Lawyer Discipline, a standing committee of the State Bar of Texas, based on allegations that the official filed a baseless claim before the U.S. Supreme Court in an attempt to force a delay in certifying presidential election results in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia and Wisconsin.

Writing that its interest in the case is "ensuring that State Attorneys General are permitted to exercise the discretionary authority conferred on them by their State Constitutions without improper interference or distractions," the coalition said the work of Paxton's office is beyond the State Bar commission's purview and is protected by constitutional separation of power.

"Any attempt by the judiciary  or by entities subject to the judiciarys control  to restrict the Attorney Generals discretionary choices interferes with the exercise of the Attorney Generals constitutional authority and violates fundamental separation-of-powers principles," the coalition's amicus brief states.

Responding to the filing Monday, Paxton thanked his Republican counterparts for defending Webster and chastised the State Bar commission, saying it was pursuing the disciplinary cases as acts of political retribution.

"Thank you to my fellow attorneys general for siding with law and order," Paxton posted on the social media platform X. "The State Bar is using a disgraceful tactic: weaponizing politically-motivated lawfare to intimidate elected leaders and their staff from upholding the Constitution when it inconveniences their political agenda."

More: 'An act of resistance': UT Indigenous students to host large powwow off campus amid SB 17

Originating from a series of filings challenging the 2020 presidential election results  which the Supreme Court tossed out as moot  the complaints against Webster and Paxton allege that the state's top attorneys knowingly made false arguments to the court.

"In those pleadings, Webster made several representations that were dishonest, as they were not supported by any charge, indictment, judicial finding, or credible or admissible evidence," the commission's complaint against Paxton's top deputy states.

Paxton received the same rebuke in a similar but separate case, which is under the Texas 5th Circuit Court of Appeals' consideration.

Specifically, the commission has argued in court filings that Paxton and Webster violated several rules of procedure and conduct though "false statements of material fact or law to a tribunal," engaging in conduct "involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation" and bringing a proceeding forward without having a reasonable belief that it is not frivolous.

Attorney General Ken Paxton, awaiting closing arguments before his acquittal in his impeachment trial at the Capitol in September, still has some legal issues to resolve.

However, in their friend-of-the-court brief, the attorneys general wrote that infractions worthy of punishment typically include disobeying the court, abusing the discovery process "or flouting court orders without any plausible legal justification for their actions."

"Such conduct is far afield from the conduct complained of here," wrote the attorneys general for Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.

The Supreme Court, in its finding, can side with Weber, toss out the case and negate a previous court's ruling to allow the proceeding to move forward, or it can allow the complaint to continue, which could lead to a punishment ranging from a reprimand up to disbarment.

Ken Paxton's other legal woes

Outside of the misconduct complaints, Paxton continues to face a whistleblower case against him at the Supreme Court over his firing of four former agency employees who allege that they were wrongfully terminated after approaching the FBI in 2020 to report possible misconduct by Paxton in helping a campaign donor.

That case is ongoing. Paxton has tried again to settle the wrongful termination lawsuit as the whistleblowers have pushed the court to enforce a previously scheduled series of depositions by Paxton and his top aides.

In a separate case in which Paxton was accused of securities fraud, in March he accepted an 18-month pretrial intervention through which he will face no charges if he meets the deal's requirements, including performing 100 hours of community service in Collin County, enrolling in 15 hours of legal ethics training and paying $271,000 in total restitution to investors who put money in a Dallas-area tech startup based on Paxton's solicitations without disclosing that he would profit from their investments.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Ken Paxton deputy gets support from 18 AGs in misconduct complaint
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Folic acid is about to be introduced in corn masa flour as an essential ingredient in California thanks to a new bill proposed by a Fresno-area assemblymember.

Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula, who represents District 31, introduced AB 1830. The bill would add to Section 110531 of the Health and Safety Code, requiring manufacturers to add folic acid to corn masa flour to help prevent severe birth defects.

According to the state legislature, Latino communities face a disproportionately higher risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), which are severe birth defects that occur in early pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Hispanic women are less likely to take folic acid supplements  and folic acid is the only type of folate that has been shown to prevent NTDs.

NTDs include spina bifida (which is an opening along the spine), and anencephaly (which is a missing portion of the brain or skull). Anencephaly is fatal for infants.

According to officials, corn masa flour was omitted from the 1998 mandate by the United States Food and Drug Administration for folic acid fortification of all enriched cereal grain products. Many Central and South American cuisines depend on corn masa flour as a staple.

If passed, the bill would require a manufacturer of corn masa flour to add folic acid at a level not to exceed 0.7 milligrams of folic acid per pound of corn masa flour and to include a declaration of folic acid on the nutrition label following applicable federal law beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

The state legislature argues that mandatory folic acid fortification of corn masa flour can lower the rate of NTDs, saving lives and money.

According to the CDC, all women need 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Health experts say initiating discussions with patients to encourage folic acid supplement intake is important; more information about the benefits of folic acid in women can be found here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Why did King State St. Pete close? And what could come next?

For nearly five years, coffee lovers and beer nerds have flocked to King State in Tampa. But the brands new St. Petersburg location in the COhatch building only lasted about three and a half months before closing.

At the beginning of April, the King State St. Pete Instagram page announced the closure with a post that read simply BRB  short for be right back. Shortly after that, the rest of the content on the social media account disappeared.

Whats going on with the beloved coffee shop and restaurants new location? The Tampa Bay Times chatted with one co-owner to find out.

The future of King State

If King State St. Pete does reopen, it wont be the same as it was when it closed. Instead, owners want to turn it into a late-night bar and eatery that can host events and serve the evening crowd.

Theres bars in St. Pete, and theres so many restaurants in St. Pete, but theres rarely like, really, really good bars with really, really good food, said co-owner Tim McTague.

McTague and his brother-in-law Nate Young first started the King State coffee brand a decade ago, then opened their first location out of a former car wash and garage at 520 E. Floribraska Ave. in Tampa. They were inspired by the third-wave coffee shops they visited in other cities as touring musicians; Young plays drums in alternative/emo group Anberlin and McTague plays guitar in Tampa metal band Underoath.

McTague imagines a spot where people can grab a bite after a night out at the Bends or watching a show at Jannus Live.

The lights need to be lower, the music needs to be louder. An environment for people, rather than just another place to go eat, McTague said. If St. Pete cant be what we want it to be, then we dont want it to be anything for us. And thats really where were at.

Troubles started in Tampa

King State St. Pete was in the works for nearly three years before it soft-opened on Dec. 8, McTague said. Delays in building out the space pushed back the opening for roughly a year and a half.

By the time St. Pete was finally ready to open at 15 Eighth St N., the brand was already struggling with the original Tampa location. As part of the Floribraska Avenue Complete Streets Project, a city initiative to replace old water pipes and improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, the entire road in front of the business was closed off. Many patrons assumed the restaurant was closed, too.

King State posted pleas for support on social media and spoke about the road closure at a Tampa City Council meeting. The construction impact, they told council members, had been more economically devastating than the entire COVID-19 pandemic.

Owners spoke directly with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and the citys head of transportation. While construction is done for now, they hope communication and at least one lane will remain open during the next phase later this year.

You almost need to bat a thousand and shoot bulls-eyes 365 days a year to even make it, McTague said. When you have four to six months of just devastation, so to speak, whether it be access or bulldozers in front of your patio, it just makes a challenging business almost impossible... It was one of the most insane, tense times I think Ive ever had in my life.

What led to the pause in St. Pete

If you come to King State in Tampa when it opens at 8 a.m., youll find a third-wave coffee shop that serves waffles and breakfast plates. If you swing by around lunch, you can order a pizza and a pint of something from their beer program. By nighttime, it transforms into a cocktail bar where you might find a Bucs watch party. All of it has the same rock n roll King State attitude.

When McTague and Young opened their St. Pete location, they brought over their beer, plus new menus for each meal of the day. They were excited to offer breakfast.

It just turns out that theres a reason why theres not a lot of breakfast spots in downtown, McTague said. People are not going out to breakfast.

They scrapped breakfast and leaned into dinner and drinks. But while McTague and Young were busy trying to keep Tampa afloat, St. Petes atmosphere and prices started to drift from the brands values.

Were very approachable. Were kind of a punk attitude on the food and beverage industry, McTague said. (King State St. Pete) almost felt (like) hybrid fine dining, and thats something that we never really wanted. Looking at the approachability of the menu, from a cost basis all the way down to some of the food offerings, we felt like it wasnt King State.

King State Coffee LLC filed for bankruptcy on Feb. 2.

Our head executive chef ended up stepping away during our attempts to reorganize the concept, McTague said. It wasnt the deciding factor amidst other things, just like, OK, how did we get all the way here in a matter of two months?

Young and McTague decided to pause King State St. Pete for a month or two to reimagine the space.

This was not their first foray into St. Petersburg. In May 2022, McTague and Young opened the Brutalist Temple of Beer at the former Flying Boat Brewing Co. space at 1776 11th Ave. N.

The brewery and taproom struggled to find a consistent food partner and footing in the neighborhood, McTague said. They closed the space in October 2023 to focus on distribution. King States beer is now sold in seven states, including every Trader Joes in Florida.

That was just a very easy decision once we realized, like, Oh, all of this can still exist in a much, much more nimble and flexible way, McTague said.

Theyre ready to pivot again in St. Pete. But only if it feels like King State.

We are working with our landlords. Theyre fully aware of the situation. Theyre very supportive and our hope is to kind of reimagine what that concept is in a way that fits that space, McTague said. Were at a very peaceful spot amidst the chaos.
Former president Donald Trump's hush money trial began on Monday, with jury selection underway.

According to reports from the courtroom, while prosecutors have been allowed to bring up evidence of an alleged affair between Trump and Playboy model Karen McDougal, they have been barred from linking it to the period Melania Trump was pregnant with their son Barron.

The Prosecution Claimed Melania Trump's Pregnancy During The 'Affair' Was Vital To The Case

MEGA

The former first lady's pregnancy has been barred from being brought up in court, with Trump's lawyer branding it as a "salacious" detail.

Per the DailyMail, one of the prosecutors, Joshua Steinglass, said in court: "We intend to elicit evidence Karen McDougal was a former Playboy model who claims to have had a romantic and sexual relations with Mr Trump including while Mr Trump's wife Melania was pregnant with their child."

Steinglass further noted that they have "no intention of describing sexual acts or locales" where the alleged incident happened.

However, he stated that the fact it "occurred while Melania was pregnant and after the birth of his son speaks directly to the extent to which the defendant [Trump] believes the story could be damaging to his campaign."

The Defense Argued That Bringing Up Melania's Pregnancy Is 'Salacious With No Value'

MEGA

Trump's lawyers slammed the prosecution's claims that Melania being pregnant during the period of the alleged affair with McDougal was vital to the case.

The former president's lawyer, Todd Blanche, argued that the "only value is to embarrass President Trump."

Blanche then branded the claims "salacious with no value." Seemingly siding with the defense, Judge Marchan stated that the evidence should be allowed in, but they can not bring up "that the defendant's wife was pregnant, and this went on and even after she gave birth."

He added, "At this moment, the prejudicial value excuses the probative value."

What Is Donald Trump's Hush Money Trial About?

MEGA

The historic criminal trial stems from allegations from the prosecution that Trump committed election interference when he allegedly paid $130,000 in hush money to former adult film star Stormy Daniels to hide his affair with her.

They claimed that his actions violated campaign finance law because they were intended to keep valuable information away from US voters right before the 2016 election. The hush money was reportedly paid via Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, and the records were then falsified as legal fees.

The 77-year-old has since denied paying Daniels the money and pleaded not guilty to the 32 charges brought against him. This has remained his stance, despite Daniels going on several interviews alleging that she indeed received the amount from the billionaire mogul to keep mum about their one-night stand.

The Trial Kicked Off On Monday With Jury Selection

MEGA

The billionaire mogul was in court for the first day of his Stormy Daniels trial, where he will be tried on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Trump, dressed in a blue suit and red tie, was seen arriving with his team of lawyers led by Blanche. His campaign adviser, Steven Cheung, also arrived in tow.

Judge Juan Merchan, who previously expanded a gag order placed on Trump, is overseeing the case. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his colleagues Susan Hoffinger, Joshua Steinglass, and Matthew Colangelo are on the prosecution side.

Today's court session centered on the jury selection, the 12-member panel that will determine whether Trump is guilty of the accusations.

During the trial, 96 prospective jurors were reportedly brought in for questioning, and 50 were excused after they admitted to being unable to be impartial in the trial.

Donald Trump Brands Trial An 'Assault On America'

MEGA

Just before heading to his seat in the defense section, Trump spoke briefly to reporters outside the court, going on an angry rant about how the trial is an act of persecution by his political opponents.

"Nobody has ever seen anything like it," Trump said, per The Guardian. "This is political persecution ... it's a case that should have never been brought."

Although the Republican presidential hopeful refrained from naming names, he claimed that the trial is also "an assault on America."

Trump continued, "This is an assault on our country. And it's a country that's failing. It's a country that's run by an incompetent man who's very much involved in this case. This is really an attack on a political opponent. That's all it is. So I'm very honored to be here."
In Reality Check stories, BND journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? newsroom@bnd.com.

Michelle L. Laux was 31 when she was found beaten to death along a rural Clinton County road in 1993. One of the men convicted in her death, Robert Nail, was given an 80-year prison sentence that he began serving in May 1994.

But as part of a new state law that requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to recalculate the credit inmates have earned to reduce their time in prison, Nail, now 50, was released in February, nearly 50 years before the end of his full sentence.

The move upset Clinton County Sheriff Dan Travous, who said in February that Nail failed to receive the punishment he deserved for this unthinkable crime. He also said Nail was able to get years slashed off his sentence for working while incarcerated.

Known as House Bill 3026, the new law went into effect on Jan. 1.

In wake of Travous criticism of the law, the Belleville News-Democrat asked the Illinois Department of Corrections for information about how many persons have been released like Nail. As of March 21, 409 inmates received their early release, according to the latest available statistics.

The Department of Corrections told the BND that about 1,750 convicted individuals had their sentencing credits recalculated under the new law. This means 1,341 other inmates still in custody also received additional credits against their sentences which may eventually lead to an earlier release.

Inmates can earn sentencing credits by completing various programs while in prison, including:

Substance abuse programs

Correctional industry assignments

Educational programs

Work-release programs or activities

Behavior modification programs

Life skills courses

Re-entry planning

A list of the names of the 409 inmates and the counties where they were convicted was not available since the departments tracking system for sentence credit was not set up to break out the persons released solely because of House Bill 3026, the department said.

The release of 409 prisoners would represent 1.37% of the statewide prison population of 29,828 that was listed as of Dec. 31.

The Department of Corrections reports that since 2013, the overall prison population has been steadily dropping. There were 48,653 inmates across the state in 2013.

Inmates serving a term of natural life imprisonment are not eligible to receive sentence credit under House Bill 3026.

Under Illinois law, those ordered to serve prison time can be required to serve 50%, 75%, 85% or 100% of their sentences. The percentages increase based on the severity of the offense, according to the Department of Corrections.

Individuals serving 100% sentencing can participate in programming, education and work, but are not eligible to receive an award of sentence credit, according to the department.

Victim notification

The departments Victim Services Unit provides assistance to crime victims and has updated its web page regarding House Bill 3026.

Please note that the award of additional sentencing credit for qualified individuals may be significant and may advance their release dates, the page states.

The Victim Services Unit as well as the Illinois Prisoner Review Board have registration services that victims and victim advocates can sign up for to get notification if an inmate is scheduled to be released.

The Department of Corrections recommends victims sign up for both services.

Sentencing guidelines

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 3026 last summer after it received overwhelming support by lawmakers. It passed 113-0 in the House and the Senate approved it 53-1.

Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, cast the lone dissenting vote.

Chesney, who represents a district near Rockford in northern Illinois, said he has opposed nearly all types of sentencing credit.

I see that differently than all of the Democrats and even members of my own party as it relates to sentencing guidelines and the terms that these convicted offenders have to serve, Chesney said. We need to be a state in the country of law and order and in an effort to maintain that, you have to have consequences for criminal behavior.

If youre unwilling to put consequences behind criminal behavior, youre going to have more criminal behavior.

House Bill 3026 was praised by the Alliance for Safety and Justice, which says it aims to replace over-incarceration with more effective public safety solutions rooted in crime prevention, community health, rehabilitation and support for crime victims.

The nonprofit organization said in a statement the bill would help to reduce recidivism and stop cycles of violence in Illinois.

Providing incentives for people to be prepared for life after prison is a proven approach to improving outcomes and making communities safer, the statement said. After completing rehabilitation programs, returning citizens are less likely to return to prison and more likely to be productive citizens.
Every year, Ohio students take standardized tests that are analyzed by districts and the state alike to assess student progress. Accuracy is key in order to plan for schools' futures and meet student needs.

Now, some school districts say the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is refusing to correct several data errors on recent school report cards. Because education data relies on previous reporting to show progress, districts say these mistakes will have lasting impact.

2023 state report cards: Cincinnati Public Schools does not meet state standards

More: How did your district do on Ohio state report cards? Here's how to read the results

Springboro Community City School District, for example, overlooked more than 800 students in kindergarten through second grade who were all on track to meet state standards in early literacy last spring. Administrators said they noticed the error when the 2022-23 report cards were released in September and have been back and forth with state officials ever since to correct the data. This miscount is reflected in the district's report card, which incorrectly shows fewer than 60% of Springboro kindergartners were on track last year.

In reality, more than 91% of the district's kindergartners were on track in early literacy, Springboro Superintendent Carrie Hester said.

"Our report card data will now continue to be affected over the next 2-3 years," Hester wrote in an April letter to parents and families.

School districts self-report data to the state for use in the state's annual report cards.

State testing and subsequent school report cards have been controversial for years. Some school leaders say the state's evaluation system unfairly punishes urban and minority students and districts. At the very least, many superintendents in the region agree that state data isn't useful by the time it's made available to districts, The Enquirer found in a 2022 survey. Schools have their own tests that show in real time how students are progressing so they can meet kids' needs.

Still, state report cards are the best way to compare district to district data. Which is why Springboro's miscount hurts, Hester said.

If the district's early literacy data had been reported accurately, Springboro would have earned five out of five stars in this category, instead of three stars  making them one of only nine school districts in the state to receive five stars in every category.

Instead, Springboro's inaccurate results remain on its online report card with a watermark that reads: "Misreported data have impacted this district's Overall Rating and Early Literacy Component. Please contact the district for more information."

Districts self-report data, but some districts saw no flagging for errors

Districts self-report data to the state, said Lacey Snoke, spokesperson for the state department.

The state has a formal data collection, data appeals, data review, certification and watermark process for the sake of consistency and fairness across school districts.

"It is each district's responsibility to submit its data accurately and review the data during the review and appeals windows," Snoke said. Appeals are typically over the summer, when school staffing is sparse.

But the state's software isn't foolproof, said Scott Marshall, Springboro communications coordinator. And the part of the state's initial review process that should alert districts to general data errors or omissions was turned off last year, which is why Marshall said Springboro missed the appeal window.

"Why would the ODE software allow us to submit this data in the first place?" Marshall said. "If you've ever incorrectly typed your password or credit card number when purchasing something online, you'll get a message notifying you of an error. Our district never received such a message at any point through the data verification process."

Mount Healthy City Schools accidentally didn't submit a section of its early literacy numbers for the 2021-22 school year, which skewed its data. Jana Wolfe, the district's assistant superintendent for curriculum and technology, admits that was a district mistake and not on the state. But she said it was still "devastating" when the district recognized the error and missed the deadline to fix it.

"We actually are doing a lot with literacy," Wolfe said. "We're one of the few districts that has been doing the science of reading for seven years. We started it before Gov. (Mike) DeWine started his push to go statewide."

Like Springboro, Wolfe said Mount Healthy Schools never received a general data error alert from the state in 2022 and that's why the district missed the appeal window. Wolfe said the data should be stable for the district's next report card.

Administrators at Indian Hill, too, tried to rectify incorrect data on the district's 2023 report card to no avail. The state denied several of the district's requests to resubmit accurate data.

"Ultimately, inaccurate data results in defective decision making and erroneous future planning," Indian Hill Superintendent Kirk Koennecke said.

Other districts with state data errors

There are 14 Ohio school districts that applied to add watermarks to their 2022-23 report cards indicating data errors, according to the state:

Beaver Local Schools.

Bennett Venture Academy.

Bowling Green City School District.

Indian Hill Exempted Village School District,

Marysville Exempted Village School District.

Northeastern Local Schools.

Ohio Connections Academy, Inc.

Osnaburg Local Schools.

Perkins Local Schools.

Rossford Exempted Village Schools.

Southwest Licking Local.

Springboro Community City Schools.

Stow-Munroe Falls City School District.

United Preparatory Academy East.

Springboro is also aware of seven districts that applied for watermarks last school year:

Lake Local Schools.

Mansfield City Schools.

Mount Healthy City Schools.

Northeastern Local Schools.

Plymouth-Shiloh Local Schools.

Sebring Local Schools.

Washington Local Schools.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio education department won't fix report card errors, districts say
Why Prosecutors in the Rust Shooting Case Rescinded a Lenient Plea Deal They Offered Alec Baldwin Last Year

The actor, who faces 18 months in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter, lost the chance to plead to a misdemeanor and avoid potential time behind bars

John Lamparski/Getty Alec Baldwin in 2023

Alec Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison if hes found guilty of involuntary manslaughter at his July trial for his role in the accidental shooting death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western movie in 2021.

But according to recent court documents filed by the special prosecutors in the case, they offered the actor, 66  who was holding the prop gun that accidentally contained live ammunition when it discharged, killing Hutchins  the chance to plea to a misdemeanor months before a grand jury indicted him on a felony manslaughter charge in January. (Baldwin has insisted he never pulled the trigger and didnt know the gun contained live rounds.)

The offer, which was presented to Baldwins legal team last October, included six months of unsupervised probation, a $500 fine, 24 hours of community service and a firearms safety class.

They are the same terms Rust assistant director Dave Halls accepted in 2023. (Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of the weapons on set, was indicted in 2023 and found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison on April 15.)

But before Baldwin could accept the terms, the prosecutors rescinded their offer.

Courtesy of Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office Alec Baldwin on the set of 'Rust'

Special prosecutors Kari T. Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis outlined what happened in their April 5 response to Baldwins attorneys motion to have his indictment dismissed.

On October 5, 2023, the special prosecutors extended a plea offer to Mr. Baldwin as confidential and privileged plea negotiations and gave Mr. Baldwin until October 27, 2023 to accept the offer or the case would proceed to grand jury, they wrote.

Counsel for the State received no response at all  not even an email from defense counsel stating that they received the offer and would discuss it with their client, they continued.

Related: Everything to Know About the Rust Shooting Case and Alec Baldwin's Upcoming Trial

Nevertheless, they extended the deadline for Baldwin, but then learned that one of Baldwins attorneys provided all the details of the presumed confidential and privileged plea offer to a reporter with NBC News in New York, they wrote. (PEOPLE reached out to NBC News and Baldwin's attorneys for comment, but did not immediately hear back.)

After determining that the reporter did indeed have all the details of the plea offer extended to Mr. Baldwin, undersigned counsel received additional information that Mr. Baldwin and his counsel were working with the media to generate a campaign designed to deflect attention away from any future plea hearing to protect Mr. Baldwins public image, the prosecutors wrote.

Mat Hayward/Getty Halyna Hutchins

They also said they received information Baldwin was considering accepting the plea offer but also intended to file a civil complaint against the State of New Mexico and the former prosecutors in the case, who originally indicted the actor in January 2023 at the same time they also indicted Gutierrez-Reed and Halls.

The original prosecutors resigned from the case in March 2023, a month before Morrissey and Lewis, who took over, announced they were dropping charges against Baldwin citing new information in the case.

They said at the time they reserved the right to recharge Baldwin. After further testing of the gun, experts concluded that summer Baldwin must have pulled the trigger, contrary to what the actor has claimed. With that information, Morrissey and Lewis proceeded with the case against him.

Related: Maximum Sentence for Rust Armorer Should Be a Wake-Up Call for Alec Baldwin Ahead of Trial: Expert (Exclusive)

Morrissey and Lewis claimed Baldwin planned to file the frivolous lawsuit against the State of New Mexico and the former prosecutors on the same day as the possible future plea hearing to direct attention away from it.

Eddie Moore-Pool/Getty Hannah Gutierrez-Reed in court on April 15

The special prosecutors also claimed in the court filing that Baldwin was allegedly pressuring material witnesses in the case against him to submit to interviews for a documentary hes making about Hutchins.

For the prosecutors, that was the final straw. It was at this point that the plea offer was rescinded, and the case was scheduled for grand jury, they wrote.

Baldwin was indicted again in January and heads to trial in July. Mary Marlowe Sommer, the judge who oversaw Gutierrez-Reeds trial and sentenced her to the maximum of 18 months, is also overseeing Baldwins trial.

Legal expert Emily D. Baker, a lawyer and former L.A. Deputy District Attorney, tells PEOPLE Baldwins legal team may ask for another plea deal after seeing Gutierrez-Reeds fate.

"I'll be curious if Baldwin's attorneys want to revive that plea negotiation, says Baker, who is not involved with the case. The defense can always ask. I don't know if the prosecution's inclined to give them a misdemeanor again, but they can ask.



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Read the original article on People.
Why Was The Relationship Between Black Americans and the O.J. Simpson Verdict So Complicated?

The cover of the New York Daily News, 3rd October 1995, the day of the verdict in O J Simpsons trial for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. - Photo: Barbara Alper (Getty Images)

In October 1995, the studio audience of The Oprah Winfrey Show strained their necks to get a better view of the screen.

In mere moments, jurors would hand down a verdict in the trial of O.J. Simpson, who stood accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

By the time you all see this, you will already know the O.J. verdict, says Winfrey, facing away from her audience. But we just like the rest of the country, are waiting to hear it live for the very first time.

The camera flashes to the faces of two women. One Black, one white. Both waiting with bated breath for a decision. We the jury in the above entitled action find the defendant Orenthal James Simpson not guilty of the crime of murder, reads the lead juror.

Immediately, a group of Black women erupt from their seats, cheering on the verdict. Conversely, a scattered group of white women bow and shake their heads in noted silence.

The moment, which has re-emerged as a cultural touchstone in the wake of Simpsons death, has come to represent the racial divide over the verdict: White America was horrified while Black America celebrated.

Its easy to read the over-the-top studio reaction as callousness for the tragically young victims and their families who wept as the verdict was read.

Brown Simpson, 35, allegedly survived harrowing abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, Simpson, before she was brutally murdered in her home. According to the autopsy report, one of her stab wounds was so deep she was nearly decapitated. Goldman, 25, was merely returning a pair of glasses left behind at the restaurant where he was a waiter when his life was cut short. He was stabbed over a dozen times.

Regardless of how terrible the LAPD was at the time, no one credible claims that Goldman or Brown Simpson deserved what happened to them. So, should we understand Black Americans reaction to the verdict as pure callousness to the suffering of Goldman and Brown Simpson and adoration of The Juice, or is it deeper?

Charles Coleman Jr., a civil rights attorney writing for MSNBC, sais the reaction to the Simpson verdict can be primarily understood as a reaction to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Its not hyperbole to say that the heat from embers from the 1992 Los Angeles riots, sparked by the acquittal of the four officers who beat [Rodney King] on almost all charges, could still be felt in the air in 1994 and 1995 when members of the Los Angeles Police Department investigated Simpson and testified during his trial, he wrote. Black Angelenos (and Black people across the nation) believed the LAPD to be the racist enforcement arm of a bigger system that was not only unjust but went out of its way to target Black people.

The fact that LAPD Detective Mark Fuhrman, a key witness, was caught lying about using an anti-Black racial slur further shaped the public discourse that this case was about racist policing, he argues. The Fuhrman tape and the portrait the defense painted of Fuhrman was the prompt to root against the system, even if there was a suspicion that O.J. may have done it and we, in turn, were rooting for a cold-blooded killer, wrote Coleman.

Ta-Neshisi Coates analyzing the case and Black Americas reaction to it for The Atlantic in 2016, came to a similar conclusion. Racism formed the substrate of the defenses case: The notion that the LAPD might frame a black man was completely within the realm of possibility for black people in Los Angeles, wrote Coates.

The abuse that Brown Simpson, in particular suffered, was an afterthought, argues, Coates. Nicole Brown was proof to the world that Simpson, among the millions of black men caught in the maze of American racism, had risen above it, he wrote. What sort of abuseverbal and physicalwas going on behind the mansion gates, almost no one, black or white, guessed. Or much cared.

While Coates contextualizes the reaction to the verdict within its racial context, he doesnt celebrate it. Instead, he warns that unless something changes, were doomed to repeat it.

The problems that moved those crowds of black people to cheer for a murderer remain, he writes. The same anger, the same fear of police remain. The elements that interacted to turn the Simpson trial into a spectacle are still with us, so that today, two decades after Simpson was acquitted, the audience for escapes, in Doctorows words, is even larger.

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Why is a special prosecutor looking into the ex-Richland police chief and Benton sheriff?

A recent report prepared for the city of Richland says its former police chief may have violated the law because she feared a damning report from her previous job was going to be publicly released.

Now a special prosecutor is being appointed and the Yakima Police Department is being asked to look into whether former Chief Brigit Clary, former Richland Detective Jeff Bickford and current Benton County Sheriff Tom Croskrey broke any laws.

Benton County Prosecutor Eric Eisinger confirmed to the Tri-City Herald on Monday that he was asked by Richland police to review the findings of the 135-page report from a Seattle law firm.

Im not making any assertions about whether a crime was committed, Eisinger said. It will be up to the Yakima Police Department and the special prosecutor to determine what course of action is taken.

Eisinger said he previously asked the Washington State Patrol to investigate the issue. They said it would be better to send it to a another agency.

Chief reverses her decision

Richland officials hired the law firm Inslee Best in November 2023 to look into why they did not know that Clary was reportedly about to be fired from her job with the Federal Way Police Department before being hired in Richland.

City officials also wanted to know how the release of that investigation six years later may have been used to pressure her. By then, she was the Richlands police chief.

The Tri-City Herald obtained the report under the Washington Public Records Act.

Richland Police Department is at 871 George Washington Way. Bob Brawdy/Tri-City Herald

Richland hired the firm a month after Clary left on medical leave. And the city didnt receive the report until two months after shed officially retired on Jan. 1, 2024.

The report concluded that Clary made some allegedly improper decisions soon after learning that the Federal Way investigation into claims of her dishonesty and nepotism were going to be released in accordance with the state records law.

The Federal Way investigation had been requested by former Detective Bickford and by attorney Dan Thenell.

Soon after, Clary reversed her position on the potential discipline of a current Richland officer and agreed to allow Bickford, who was reportedly suffering from job-related stress, to have a special concealed gun permit.

Clarys sudden change of position on the two issues cant be explained any other way, Seattle attorney Katherine Weber wrote in her report to the city. However, she didnt include any information on how she thought the internal investigation was used to get Clary to change her mind.

Thenell called the accusation that he made the request to pressure the chief unsupported and untrue.

He told the Herald that he questioned what the purpose of the report really was and why the city didnt do a better job researching Clary before hiring her.

He said it was an open secret that Clary had problems in Federal Way and thats why he asked for a copy of it.

Why didnt the city look into these rumors about what happened in Federal Way? he said. I find it hard to believe that they took no steps ... I think (Richland) is trying to cover for itself.

Richland Police unveiled their new patch which features Days Pay. They B-17 bomber paid for by Hanford workers in 1944. Cameron Probert/Tri-City Herald

Federal Way investigation

At the time, Clary, then a lieutenant, was accused of authorizing overtime in October 2016 for her husband to conduct checks on registered sex offenders. Her husband was also a lieutenant in Federal Way, north of Tacoma..

The Federal Way internal investigation concluded that she violated the rules around her husbands overtime for the program that she supervised. It also found she lied during interviews with investigators about knowing the policy and procedures for administering the grant.

Clary was told on Feb. 17, 2017, that the department administrators were recommending firing her based on the internal investigation.

In the mean time, shed been looking for another job and had found a position in Richland, which was in the process of conducting a pre-employment background check.

Benton County Sheriff Croskrey, then a Richland police lieutenant, conducted Clarys background investigation. When he asked in 2017 to talk to Clarys immediate supervisor, Federal Way police denied the request.

He instead speaks to DC Neal (Deputy Chief Stephan Neal) who reportedly does not mention the IA (Internal Affairs investigation) and gives Chief Clary a glowing recommendation, Weber wrote.

She noted that Clarys Federal Way personnel file does not include a copy of the internal investigation.

Clary also allegedly downplayed to the Richland Police Department the seriousness of the problems she was facing. She claimed that there wasnt a supervisor available, and she hadnt heard anything about what would happen with the investigation.

At the time, Croskrey believed it wouldnt amount to more than a verbal or possibly written warning.

Federal Way officials did not to disclose to Richland or the public the results of Clarys internal investigation. Under state law, when an officer leaves a department, the agency files a document with the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission that shows if the officer was in good standing when they left.

In Clarys case, Federal Way said she was in good standing and checked a box that said she voluntarily resigned and it wasnt in lieu of termination.

Clary began work for Richland in April 2017.

Chief Brigit Clary was hired by the city of Richland in 2017 and became the chief in 2022. City of Richland

Internal investigation requests

Webers report focuses on two public records requests for the Federal Way internal investigation  one on Aug. 8 and the second on Oct. 2.

The first request came from Dan Thenell, the attorney representing a Richland police officer in a disciplinary hearing. The report doesnt share the details of what the officer was accused of doing.

Clary initially proposed suspending the officer for 30 days, remove him from patrol duties and making him agree that the incident would be his last chance to stay with the department. When her proposal was rejected, she was considering firing the officer.

Thenell told the Herald that the allegations were very minor, and that firing the officer would have been draconian to a reasonable person.

That prompted him to submit the request to Federal Way for the chiefs internal investigation on Aug. 8, ahead of the disciplinary hearing, but he said he didnt tell Clary he was doing that.

I had one personal interaction with her and that was at the disciplinary hearing, he said to the Herald. I didnt know what was in those records until I got them from Federal Way.

A second request for the Federal Way investigation came from the former police detective, Jeff Bickford, on Oct. 2, about two weeks after Clary announced her plans to retire.

Bickford had left the department in 2021 after 20 years on the job. Soon after retirement, he filed a state Labor and Industries claim for compensation for stress related to his former law enforcement job.

At that time, he started making requests to get a retired card, which would allow him to get credentials that would let him carry a concealed pistol no matter where he is in the U.S.

The idea behind the law is that former police officers should have the right to protect themselves and others no matter where they are even if they are no longer employed.

To get those credentials, he needed to provide a notice to the Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Then Richland Police Chief John Bruce would have needed to approve it.

But City Attorney Heather Kintzley told Bickford in an email at the time that Washington state law doesnt allow the city to issue a retired card to officers who leave with a mental or stress-related disability.

The disagreement between Richland officials and Bickford turned into a 2-year fight. Webers report says Bickford reached out to other law enforcement officers hed worked with over the years trying to get Richland to sign off on him getting the permit.

After Clary became the chief in 2022, she continued to deny his request and she grew angry about attempts to circumvent that decision, according to Webers report.

Sheriff Croskrey letter

One of the items that concerned Clary was a letter that Sheriff Croskrey wrote on Jan. 31, 2022.

Croskrey gave the letter to Bickford, who then provided it to the state Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Sheriff Tom Croskrey

Croskrey no longer worked for Richland but he said in the letter that Bickford left the Richland department in good standing and had never been denied a special gun permit by the Benton County Sheriffs Office, according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Tri-City Herald.

In her report to the city, Weber called Croskreys letter concerning. She pointed to his assertion that Bickford hadnt been denied the special gun permit.

While it is true that Mr. Bickford had not been denied a retired card by the Benton County Sheriffs Office due to a disqualifying mental health reason, Mr. Bickford was not at any time employed by the BCSO and did not retire from the BCSO, Weber wrote.

Weber said the letter gave the impression Sheriff Croskrey was not transparent or forthcoming with the commission.

Alan Harvey, an attorney speaking for Croskrey, told the Herald this week that the sheriff had no intention of misleading the state agency. He was trying to prompt a conversation.

The sheriff based his letter on a notice from former Chief Bruce, who said that Bickford left the department in good standing.

Harvey said Richlands denial of the gun permit is based on flawed legal analysis using the incorrect law. But state law doesnt allow officers to appeal the citys decisions.

Croskrey hoped that the Criminial Justice Training Commission would reach out to him with any questions before issuing the permit and never asserted that Bickford worked for him, Harvey said.

After learning about the concerns raised in Webers report, Croskrey asked in March 2024 for an investigation by Yakima County Sheriffs Office into his action to make sure he didnt violate any of his own agencys policies. The issue remains under investigation, said Harvey.

About a month after Croskrey gave Bickford the letter, Bickford applied to the state justice training commission for the permit in February 2022. He received the permit in April 2022, according to Webers report.

When Clary learned about the decision she was pissed, extremely offended and outraged, said Weber.

Chief Clary believed that Sheriff Croskrey improperly usurped her authority and that Mr. Bickford did an illegitimate and bad faith end run around her and the department to secure his retired card, Weber said.

Clary and Kitzley sent a letter to the commission saying that Bickford is ineligible for the special permit because of his stress-related disability.

Interim Chief Brigit Clary addresses the media during an evening press briefing held at the Richland Police Department main office following the Fred Meyer shooting early in the day in Richland, WA. Jennifer King/jking@tricityherald.com

Change of heart

Clary was notified by Federal Way in August 2023 that Thenell had requested her internal affairs investigation.

She came into Kintzleys office almost in tears and visibly shaken, said Webers report.

(She) was upset that it was to be released in response to a public records request because it was never supposed to be, according to the report. City attorney Kintzley stated that she told Chief Clary that that was not a permissible arrangement and advised her to speak to the (Richland) city manager about the matter.

The report doesnt say whether Kintzley or Clary ever spoke to Richland City Manager Jon Amundson about the release of the report.

Amundson told the Tri-City Herald in December that the city didnt have access to the Federal Way report until November, even though they were aware an investigation had occurred.

Three days after getting the notification that Federal Way would release the report, Clary changed her mind about disciplining Thenells client.

Without speaking to the city attorney or the human resources director, Clary contacted the police union to offer a one-shift suspension.

The following month on Sept. 12, Richland announced Clary planned to retire at the end of 2023.

Bickford made his own request for Clarys records from Federal Way on Oct. 2.

About 20 days after Bickford filed the request with Federal Way, Clary agreed to recommend to the state commission that he could get the permit, said Webers report.

When Bickford contacted her to thank her, Clary told him in an email she wanted to make sure this happened before I left ... this is my last week in the office.

Other Richland officials only learned about Clarys decision to issue the card when the state agency checked in with them. That prompted the city to start an investigation into what happened to change her mind after two years.

Richland City Hall at 625 Swift Boulevard in Richland. Bob Brawdy/bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

Pressured to change

While Webers report does not say directly that Thenell and Bickford used the Federal Way internal investigation to pressure Clary, Weber concluded the chiefs sudden reversals were an effort to avoid having the report exposed.

In both cases, it appears Clary was notified by Federal Way that the internal investigation was going to be released and she tried to appease the people making the requests, claimed Weber.

Weber believes Clary violated several Richland police standards of conduct, including misusing her authority, giving away department property and committing an act that discredited her department.

As part of her report, Weber suggested the city develop better policies on recommending who can receive a special gun permit and other issues.

After leaving the city of Richland, Clary turned in her law enforcement certification to the state. Her husband, John Clary, retired as chief of the Toppenish Police Department soon after. He also turned in his certification to the state.

The Clarys could not be reached by the Herald about the allegations.
Why you should thank a 911 dispatcher this week

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Several law enforcement agencies are thanking 911 dispatchers this week for National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.

The week takes place from April 14 to April 20, according to npstw.org.

Michigan 911 dispatcher helps deliver baby over the phone  again

The Kent County Sheriffs Office in a Monday social media post said its dispatch center answered close to 400,000 calls for service in 2023, a 4.45% increase from the year prior. In Muskegon County, the Muskegon Central Dispatch says its dispatchers take more than 250,000 calls each year.

Join us in thanking them for their hard work and dedication to keeping our community safe! it shared in a Monday social media post.

Several other West Michigan dispatch centers took time on Monday to thank its dispatchers, including Newaygo County 911 Central Dispatch.

One week out of the year is not enough to recognize the men and women of Newaygo County Central Dispatch, it said in a Sunday social media post. It takes someone special to do this job every day. Always heard but rarely seen, these men and women are committed to serving the residents, visitors, and first responders of Newaygo County. We celebrate them not just this week, but every week of the year. Thank you to our dispatchers for all that you do!

How 911 calls weigh on dispatchers mental health

In Montcalm County, the dispatch center has been decorated for the week with a tropical stay-cation theme. The team will be posting photos from its dress up days this week, it said in a Sunday post.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
What started with two arrests of William Carey athletes recently concluded with the sentencing of the fifth and final suspect.

Marietta, Georgia, resident Aniekeme Etim, 24, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Hattiesburg.

According to court documents, Emmanuel Ineh, then 23, and Toluwani Adebakin, then 25, pleaded guilty to engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activities, collectively sending tens of thousands of illicitly obtained proceeds to fraudsters in Nigeria as part of a larger mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Buckner and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Eichner prosecuted the case. Evidence presented in court between 2018 and 2022 revealed romance scams, money scams and military scams targeting U.S. citizens. The victims would be asked send money to people like Ineh and Adebakin, who then transferred the funds to Africa.

As the case progressed, the FBI charged additional track and field athletes from William Carey, the University of Alabama, Louisiana State University and the University of Florida.

According to information provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of Mississippi, Etim and Adebakin, originally from Nigeria, were track and field athletes at William Carey University. Abire, originally from Nigeria, was a track and field athlete at Louisiana State University. Ekevwo, originally from Nigeria, was a track and field athlete at the University of Florida. Ngoni Chadyiwa, originally from Zimbabwe, was a track and field athlete at William Carey University. Finally, Emmanuel Ineh, originally from Nigeria, was a track and field athlete at William Carey University and the University of Alabama.

None of the convicted athletes had personal contact with the victims, but they were all involved in providing American addresses the scammers used to collect the proffered funds. More than 100 victims sent more than $820,000 to the athletes, who then transferred the money overseas.

Abire pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Ekevwo pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed money transmission business and was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Adebakin pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Chadyiwa pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed money transmission business and was sentenced to three years of probation.

Ineh pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release.

Etim was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay a $74,847.52 fine and $123,116.50 in restitution for her role in the overseas scams. She pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed money transmission business.

Additionally, as part of their sentence, all of the defendants were ordered to pay restitution to the victims from whom they personally received funds. Each of the defendants also remain subject to potential deportation and/or removal.

Mexican man, in country illegally, caught with 100,000 fentanyl pills, MS Coast police say

This MS Coast town is 1 of the Souths best and is on the rise, says Southern Living
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Williamsville man pleaded guilty Monday afternoon after shooting a weapon inside two different locations, hitting and injuring an unknown victim, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office.

Officials say 49-year-old Jeremy A. Griffin shot an unknown female inside her apartment building on the 100 block of Pennsylvania Street in 2022. She then ran into her apartment and he shot at the door multiple times to gain entry, but left when he failed to get in. The victim was taken to ECMC to treat a leg injury.

Griffin proceeded to a clinic on the 200 block of Virginia Street where he allegedly fired a shot into a wall in the lobby. Two security guards were able to subdue him and take his weapon before Buffalo police officers arrived.

Griffin was charged with one count each of first-degree attempted assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree reckless endangerment, and second-degree reckless endangerment.

He faces a maximum of fifteen years in prison when he is sentenced on May 30.

Latest Local News

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Usually, when one insider buys stock, it might not be a monumental event. But when multiple insiders are buying like they did in the case of Big Technologies PLC (LON:BIG), that sends out a positive message to the company's shareholders.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

See our latest analysis for Big Technologies

Big Technologies Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Founder Sara Murray for UK195k worth of shares, at about UK1.95 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher than UK1.52 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels.

Over the last year, we can see that insiders have bought 235.00k shares worth UK440k. But insiders sold 111.00k shares worth UK169k. In the last twelve months there was more buying than selling by Big Technologies insiders. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Are Big Technologies Insiders Buying Or Selling?

We saw insider selling worth UK23k in the last three months. However that only slightly eclipses the UK22k worth of purchases. The net selling is so small that it's hard to draw any conclusions from these recent transactions.

Insider Ownership

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Big Technologies insiders own about UK112m worth of shares (which is 26% of the company). This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

So What Do The Big Technologies Insider Transactions Indicate?

Insider buying and selling have balanced each other out in the last three months, so we can't deduct anything useful from these recent trades. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. It would be great to see more insider buying, but overall it seems like Big Technologies insiders are reasonably well aligned (owning significant chunk of the company's shares) and optimistic for the future. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. To assist with this, we've discovered 1 warning sign that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Big Technologies.

Story continues

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The Kentucky Open Records Act remains intact.

Since its 1976 passage, the transparency law has ensured that all Kentuckians have the right to access the records that give glimpses into the inner workings of their government, from spending decisions to how public employees do their job..

First Amendment advocates said that longstanding power was under threat this legislative session as House Bill 509, sponsored by Rep. John Hodgson, R-Fischerville, threatened to create a loophole that would have allowed government officials to communicate about public business through texts or direct messaging apps without public scrutiny.

Having already passed a Senate committee in late March, the fate of the bill was in the full Senates hands Monday as lawmakers convened for their final day of the 2024 General Assembly.

But the legislature adjourned Monday evening without the Senate giving the controversial bill final passage, leaving the records law unscathed for at least another year.

The people of Kentucky have prevailed, the Kentucky Open Government Coalition posted on social media.

Opponents of the bill included the coalition, conservative group Americans For Prosperity, the Kentucky Press Association and First Amendment attorneys, including Jon Fleischaker, who helped author the records law decades ago.

Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said after adjournment that there just wasnt any energy in the (Republican) caucus to get it done.

Hardly anybody brought it up to me. I think maybe one person over the weekend brought it up, but thats it, the Georgetown Republican said. I think thats an issue that probably isnt going away.

Thayer, who voted in favor of the bill in committee, said hed urge Hodgson to work with the sponsors of the various floor amendments to HB 509 to come up with a better version of the bill before the start of next years session in January.

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said he was personally in favor of the bill and also anticipated it would be up for discussion during the interim.

The only Republican senator to vote against the bill in committee, Gex Williams of Verona, said the bills focus on email alone was not sufficient. Williams filed a floor amendment to attempt to address the bills shortcomings, but said hes happy to work on it through the interim instead.

Thats the sort of thing that has big changes and consequences, and so it needs to have eyes on it over a period of time, Williams said.

Williams also said he believed the public scrutiny of the bill had a great deal of influence on its demise.

Hodgson said it was unfortunate we did not proactively address the electronic communication issue this session.

The need for this legislation will likely become more evident over the next year, he said. We need to clearly define the balance between public disclosure and personal privacy.

Hodgson has said his bill was needed to protect officials from having their personal communications released to the public, but he also admitted he was not aware of any public official in Kentucky who had their personal emails or texts released under the existing records law.

Michael Abate, an attorney for the Kentucky Press Association, has said that was a made-up concern, and the existing law sufficiently protects personal privacy.

Hodgsons bill took several forms over the course of the 60-day General Assembly, some more drastic than others in the limitations placed on public disclosure.

In the version green-lit by the Senate committee and full House, government entities would have been required to provide employees, board members or other officials with government-issued or agency-furnished email accounts for their government work.

Those officials would have been explicitly barred from using any other email account for government work.

If those conditions were met, the agency would have only been required to search for or produce to a requesting party electronic information or documents that are in the official email address or government-owned device.

This, opponents said, would have allowed officials to circumvent the Open Records Act entirely by communicating through other electronic means, such as texts or through apps like Signal or WhatsApp.

Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, never outright said how he would have acted on the bill if it reached his desk, but he repeatedly defended it at his weekly press conferences.
The conservative Supreme Court justices shifted between a series of positions during Tuesdays oral arguments, seemingly probing for a way to at least narrow an obstruction charge that the government has used against over 300 Jan. 6 rioters.

The statute, which forbids obstructing an official proceeding, grew out of the Enron scandal and specifically addresses destruction of evidence. A second, broader clause of the statute, the government argued, applies to the insurrectionists attempts to scuttle Congress certification of the Electoral College vote in 2021.

Government prosecutors argued that the insurrectionists fall under the catchall provision  anyone who otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding. Joseph Fischer, the alleged insurrectionist whose case Tuesdays argument grew out of, countered that its an overbroad read of a statute fundamentally about evidence impairment.

Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch used a range of hypotheticals  pointedly including recognizable conduct by liberals  to demonstrate the supposed breadth of the obstruction statute, and to downplay an argument deployed by the government: the insurrection was a singular moment in American history that does not invite easy comparisons.

What happened on January 6 was very, very serious, and Im not equating this with that, Alito said, before citing Mondays pro-Gaza protest on the Golden Gate bridge and stringing together a hypothetical where a similar protest blocks members of Congress from getting to a vote.

Would pulling a fire alarm before a vote qualify for 20 years in federal prison? Gorsuch asked incredulously, clearly alluding to Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY).

Justice Clarence Thomas, too, tried to handwave away the seriousness of the insurrection, an even more striking position  coupled with his lack of recusal from the case  given his wife Ginni Thomas enthusiastic activism on behalf of Donald Trump as the defeated former president tried to overturn the 2020 election.

There have been many violent protests that have interfered with proceedings, he said to Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, questioning whether the government has applied the anti-obstruction provision to those as well  and implying that its wrongly pulling out a special weapon for this case.

Tuesdays case was one of the first times we heard the conservatives give their perspective on the insurrection, which at times seemed to fall in line with most right-wing politicians  yada yada yada-ing its particular severity and danger, and mentioning the rioters and other, peaceful protesters in the same breath.

Still, the outcome of the anti-obstruction clause case is less easily predictable than other recent arguments, where the conservatives reflexively arrayed against the governments position. But most seemed inclined, at least, to narrow the statute from how the Justice Department wanted to use it.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh did a two-step, both questioning why the other charges brought against this particular alleged insurrectionist arent enough to satisfy the Department of Justices bloodlust, and potentially lessening the blowback by reminding the audience that tossing out the obstruction charge doesnt nullify the whole case against Fischer.

Why arent those six counts good enough from the Justice Departments perspective, given that they dont have any of the hurdles? he asked after ticking off the other charges. He also broke in to point out that the contested charge has the highest maximum penalty of those Fischer faces.

Prelogar responded that the other charges dont fully reflect the culpability of petitioners conduct on January 6, citing a message Fischer sent that members of Congress cant vote if they cant breathe.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett focused their energy on fretting over the breadth of the statute. In an unusual pairing, they were joined in their concerns by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, whose public defender background may make her more inclined to narrowly read statutes used against criminal defendants.

The case will have ramifications beyond Fischers prosecution. A few hundred rioters have also been charged under the statute. And special prosecutor Jack Smith, in the Jan. 6 case against Trump, also grounded two of his charges in the same reading of this anti-obstruction provision.

Perhaps reading the writing on the wall, Smiths already submitted briefs arguing that those charges persist even if the justices decide that the insurrection was not obstruction of an official proceeding, pointing to the fake electors scheme. The attempt to use fraudulent electoral certifications rather than genuine ones even more explicitly hooks into the laws prohibition of document tampering, he wrote.

While its hard to take much comfort in the statements of a results-oriented, right-wing Court, Smith may have found some solace in Tuesdays arguments even amid the hesitancy about the broader reading of the anti-obstruction statute. The justices accepted at face value that it covers messing with physical evidence, possibly charting a path to a Smith win despite a potential DOJ loss.
(WFRV)  Students from eastern Wisconsin completed a seven-week fundraising challenge to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The Student Visionaries of the Year program, a philanthropic initiative focused on leadership development among high school students, raised an impressive $568,251.

The seven-week competition engages students from the Milwaukee metro area, as well as northeast Wisconsin, in a fundraising challenge to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys mission against blood cancers.

This year, the competition has seen participation from 22 teams comprising 43 candidates in a format that allows up to three students to co-lead a team.

The Student Visionaries of the Year come from Milwaukee. Congratulations to team Survive & Thrive, led by Evi Brickman and Willy Art. This dynamic duo raised over $125,457!

The 1st Runners-Up come from Xavier. Team Ring That Bell led by Gianna Heid, Luke Wolske, and Jenna Bunks raised over $102,375!

Local 5s Millaine Wells was proud to serve as emcee for the grand finale celebration.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Two wolves from the Middle Fork Pack are seen on a trail camera on U.S. Fish and Wildlife lands in Wallowa County, Oregon

Two wolves from the Middle Fork Pack are seen on a trail camera on U.S. Fish and Wildlife lands in Wallowa County, Oregon. (Courtesy of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Oregons gray wolf population did not increase last year due in part to a large number of wolves killed by people, causing concern among conservationists and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials.

The latest Annual Wolf Report found the population remained steady at 178 wolves, marking the first time in eight years that their numbers didnt increase. Typically, the population has grown by 6% a year. Among the 36 wolf deaths in 2023, 33 were caused by people. The state sanctioned the killing of 16 wolves following livestock deaths and 12 were killed illegally, the report said.

The amount of poaching and other suspicious deaths is alarming, impacts our conservation goals and could affect our ability to manage wolves in Oregon, Bernadette Graham-Hudson, the agencys wildlife division administrator, said in a news release.

The count is based on wolf tracks and other evidence, including appearance on wilderness cameras, and might be too low, officials said. It also doesnt include the 10 wolves that were transported from Oregon to Colorado in December to help reestablish a wolf population there.

In addition to the steady numbers, the count cited two fewer wolf packs and successful breeding pairs in 2023 than in 2022 due to poaching.

Report wolf deaths to Oregon Fish and Wildlife

The public can report wolf deaths and other information to Oregon Fish and Wildlife by phone at 800-452-7888 or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Donations to ODFs reward fund can be made here.

Gray wolves are listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act in most of central and western Oregon, and four of the illegal killings took place in places where they are federally protected. Seven of the wolves that were illegally killed were poisoned. The state wildlife department, Oregon State Police and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating the poisonings and offering a $50,000 reward for more information on three of them. Other deaths were caused by vehicles, cancer, natural causes or undetermined causes. One was shot by a livestock owner in an act of self defense, according to the report.

Environmentalists criticize state agency

Conservationists criticized Oregons fish and wildlife agency for allowing 16 wolves to be killed in 2023 for what the agency considered to be chronic livestock depredation by wolves. That is more state-sanctioned wolf killings than in any year since record keeping began in 2008, according to Amaroq Weiss, a senior wolf advocate at the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity.

Weiss said in a news release that research shows that allowing for the legal killing of wolves leads to increases in illegal killing.

Conservation groups have repeatedly raised this concern with the state wildlife agency, but they ignored us. Last years population decline is the shameful result, he said.

Spokespersons for the agency said in a release that sanctioning the killing of wolves when non-lethal measures fail to prevent livestock predation is key to long-term wolf conservation because it reduces the burden on livestock owners and encourages them to collaborate with regulators. The state also offers compensation to livestock owners whove lost animals to wolves. The compensation program paid out more than $477,000 to livestock owners in 11 counties in 2023 for their animal losses to wolves, agency officials said.

Most gray wolves in Oregon are in the northeast of the state. Its also where most instances of wolves attacking livestock occur. The number of such attacks in the area rose 27% in 2023 compared to 2022. Statewide, however, the number of livestock killed by wolves fell last year.

Owners with livestock killed by wolves must first implement non-lethal measures to prevent further deaths, such as deploying ground and aerial monitoring and moving cattle outside of their normal pasture areas to avoid conflicts. If these methods fail, owners can seek permission to kill the animals that return to prey on livestock.

Oregons wolves are moving into broader territory and pushing farther west, the report said. Oregons gray wolf population may have reached its ecological limit in the eastern third of the state, according to state biologists, who said packs will probably spread out to the west and south in greater numbers.

The Oregon Capital Chronicle, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and Twitter.

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Woman Charged with Attempted Murder After Two Separate Stabbing Attacks Against a 1-Year-Old Boy and 24-Year-Old Woman

This is somewhat of an oddity, Philadelphia Police Capt. Frank Banford said of the stabbings

Philadelphia Police Takeira Hester

A woman is in police custody after the stabbing of a 1-year-old boy and 24-year-old woman in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 13, per a press release the Philadelphia Police Department shared with PEOPLE.

Takeira Hester was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and "related offenses," per the PPD press release. She was arrested after she allegedly left a backpack at the crime scene, and the contents pointed authorities in her direction.

Hester was formally charged on Sunday, April 14, a district attorney's spokesperson told NBC News.

The 28-year-old allegedly stabbed and attacked the woman and the one-year-old boy in two separate attacks on April 13. The toddlers twin was in the same stroller and was targeted but was unharmed, per NBC News.

The woman was the victim of the first attack, which occurred around 8:30 a.m. on the 1300 block of Chancellor Street. She was stabbed in her chest and left hand. Hester allegedly used a weapon that appeared to be a long kitchen knife, said Police Capt. Frank Banford in a Sunday press conference, and confirmed that the weapon has yet to be recovered.

Four hours later, just after noon, Hester allegedly stabbed the one-year-old boy on the 300 block of South 18th Street outside Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel (BZBI) synagogue. The toddler was in a double stroller with his twin as their parents walked with them on 18th Street.

Related: A Mich. Mom Fled Her Apartment After Getting Stabbed. Now, Her Toddler Daughter Is Missing

Getty Stock image of accident or crime scene cordon tape, police line do not cross.

It looked like this female just rushed up to them, nothing was said, completely random, tried to stab both children but got one child," said Banford. She stabbed the boy in his left forearm, per the PPD press release.

The childs father chased Hester as she ran away from the scene; as she fled, she dropped her black backpack, Banford said in the press conference.

He shared that the contents in the bag led the authorities to find the suspect, adding that a coat believed to be worn by the attack during the first stabbing was found in the bag.

Both the woman and toddler were taken to local hospitals. The woman was transported to Jefferson University Hospital and is in stable condition. The toddler is currently in stable condition at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

Hester was arrested around 7:20 p.m. on Saturday evening.

Related: Calif. Woman Stabbed 4-Year-Old Daughter to Death, Tried to Kill Other Child: Police

It's a complete random act, Capt. Banford said of Hesters alleged assaults. I don't know the mental capacity of this person, trying to research this. If the person of interest has a background, I'm not sure yet. We're still researching that.

This is somewhat of an oddity, said Capt. Banford. For someone to just randomly attack, we see it from time to time, but you know, just be careful and keep your eyes out. This isnt an everyday occurrence.

The Philadelphia Police Department confirms an investigation is underway.

Philadelphia Police Takeira Hester

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The office of the Philadelphia district attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for more information on Monday.

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The infant  known as "Baby Callum"  was found in a woodland in Warrington, England in 1998

Press Association via AP Images Court artist sketch of Joanne Sharkey

A woman has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a baby who was found in a woodland area 26 years ago.

The infant  known as Baby Callum"  was found in Warrington, England in March 1998.

In July 2023 police arrested a man and a woman from Liverpool in relation to the incident, the pair were subsequently released on bail, Cheshire Police said in a press release. Today, Monday 15 April 2024, police rearrested the 54-year-old woman and the Crown Prosecution Service has now authorized Cheshire Police to charge Joanne Sharkey, of West Derby, in Liverpool with murder.

Sharkey appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court on April 16. According to local media outlet the Liverpool Echo, Sharkey spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth. She will appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, April 18.

The man who was arrested as part of the investigation has since been released without charge, per the release.

Press Association via AP Images The area where 'Baby Callum' was discovered in March 1998

Officers are not looking for anyone else in relation to the death, the release added.

Detective Inspector Hannah Friend, of Cheshire Polices major crime review team, said in a statement, I understand that this is an extremely emotional case which has attracted a lot of attention over the past twenty-six years, however I would ask people not to speculate.

Criminal proceedings are now active against Joanne Sharkey, and she has the right to a fair trial, Friend continued. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

Press Association via AP Images The baby boy's funeral procession in Warrington, England

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According to The Guardian, detectives named the baby boy Callum after the Callands area of Warrington where he was found dead as his identity could not be confirmed.

The infant was buried in Warrington Cemetery a few months later, per the outlet, after local residents arranged a burial and funeral service for him.

His headstone, paid for by local residents, was also inscribed with the words, Baby Callum, precious child of God. Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love, from the people of Warrington.



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Read the original article on People.
A woman died in her Sacramento apartment last year due to a broken heater. Her sister is suing

Reality Check is a Sacramento Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email realitycheck@sacbee.com.

The sister of a woman who died of heat stroke in her Sacramento apartment is suing the corporate landlord.

Marione Okiku, 74, died May 22, 2023, in her River Park apartment at 5478 Carlson Drive.

An autopsy confirmed the cause of death, states the coroners report, obtained by The Sacramento Bee through a California Public Records Act request. The furnace was on in the residence and the key to turn it off was broken. She was exposed to high temperatures in the residence.

She was exposed to elevated temperatures for several days, the report states.

Okikus sister, Hazel Castellano, last month filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the landlord in Sacramento Superior Court.

Prior to her death, (Okiku) had repeatedly asked defendants, and each of them, to repair or replace said heater, the lawsuit alleged. Despite numerous requests, defendants failed to take any action to repair or replace the heater, and those negligent acts and omissions were a direct and proximate cause of the death of (Okiku).

The apartment complex is owned by San Jose-based Carlson Drive Apartments LLC. The LLC bought the complex in October 2021 from an El Dorado Hills couple, according to the county assessors office.

According to documents filed with the Secretary of State, the registered agent for the LLC is Humberto Escapini of San Jose, founder of EKHO Capital.

Escapini did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

This is a sad and tragic outcome for the deceased and her family, said Lisa M. Fletcher, attorney for Castellano. It is a generally known medical fact that the elderly are at increased risk for (heat stroke). The deceased was 74 years of age when this fatality occurred. The complaint alleges Ms. Okikus death was due to a defective heater, never repaired by defendants.

Okiku was one of at least five people who died of heat stroke in Sacramento since Jan. 1, 2022. Among them was Michael Hooper, who was homeless and exposed to high temperatures in a park in September 2022. At least nine people have died from hypothermia in the same timeframe after being exposed to cold temperatures, according to coroner records, including at least three who were homeless.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A woman who crashed into a power pole and caused a localized power outage ended up driving her SUV into a canal Tuesday morning in Fresno County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officers say a woman was driving westbound on McKinley Avenue near De Wolf Avenue around 9 a.m. when she crossed over into the opposite lane hit a power pole and knocked down wires.

Investigators say she continued to travel down the road taking out a stop sign and ending up in a dry canal.

According to PG&E, the damage caused a localized power outage which cut off electricity to around 150 customers.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. The identity of the driver was not officially released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Dave Allocca / Starpix / Shutterstock.com

Bill Ackman, billionaire CEO and portfolio manager of Pershing Square Capital Management, has called himself a Warren Buffett devotee, adding that the famed investor has been his unofficial mentor for years.

Check Out: Im a Self-Made Millionaire  5 Stocks You Shouldnt Sell

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Activist hedge fund manager Ackman  an extremely successful investor himself, with a net worth standing at $4.2 billion according to Forbes  has been a long-time admirer of Buffett.

Learn More: 401(k) Growth Potential  Ways to Double Your Savings in 10 Years

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Ackman on Buffetts Long-Term Investing View

During CNBCs Delivering Alpha 2023 conference, Ackman said:

Ive been kind of a Warren Buffett devotee, hes been my unofficial mentor for many years He started out as, what today you would call an activist hedge fund manager, running a series of private partnerships. Over time, he took control of what was best described as a crappy textile company, said Ackman. But the access to the permanency that capital gave him the ability to take [a] long-term view in a world where people in the investment management business generally have to make short-term decisions because their capital can leave.

In turn, Ackman added that his firm also got to that same place, which allowed it to also take a very long-term investing view.  We can buy Google at $94 a share when people are scared and we can own it. And that, I think, is a nice, very fortunate competitive advantage we have.

Buffetts investing philosophy has long included a belief in strong long-term positions, with Investing.com writing: Warren Buffetts investment strategy has remained relatively consistent over the decades, centered around the principle of value investing. This approach involves finding undervalued companies with strong potential for growth and investing in them for the long term. This focus on long-term holdings dovetails perfectly with the thrust of Ackmans remarks above.

As of April 16, Ackmans Pershing Square Capital Management had $16 billion in assets under management and its portfolio is concentrated in just seven companies  including Chipotle, Hilton and Google parent Alphabet  according to Forbes.

Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway released record earnings In February, reporting $37.4 billion full-year operating profit. The conglomerate sat on an all-time high of $167.6 billion in cash and equivalents, as GOBankingRates previously reported.

Story continues

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: This Billionaire Calls Himself a Warren Buffett Devotee: Heres Why
CHICAGO  Clarisa Figueroa, the woman accused in the killing of a pregnant woman whose baby was cut from her womb in 2019, was sentenced Tuesday to 50 years in prison.

Clarisa Figueroa changed her plea to guilty Tuesday, five years after she was charged with the 2019 murders of 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez and her baby boy.

Prosecutors have said Clarisa Figueroa strangled 19-year-old Ochoa-Lopez with a cable on April 23, 2019, after she was lured to the Figueroas home with the promise of free clothing for her unborn child. Ochoa-Lopez was nine months pregnant. Clarisa Figueroa then called 911, saying she had given birth and the child was not breathing.

The child died about two months later.

In court, Tuesday loved ones of Ochoa-Lopez delivered victim impact statements with the help of interpreters.

Her husband wrote that even if Clarisa Figueroa were locked in prison for eternity, it would not be enough for whats been done to his wife and infant son.

The familys pastor, Julie Contreras, also commented on the sentencing.

Today, we say thank you to the Cook County States Attorney, she said. Its time for them to move forward, and again, theres nothing thats ever going to change the reality of the violent actions.

Figueroa was sentenced by the judge to 50 years in prison with credit for 1,799 days already served.

As part of a plea agreement, she was only sentenced on the charge of first-degree murder.

Figueroa had nothing to say in her defense.

Its unclear how this impacts a plea agreement taken by her daughter, Desire Figueroa, she was also charged in this crime and was set to testify against her mother.

The judge says the only reason she took on Tuesdays plea agreement was because this is what the victims family wanted.

Authorities said Clarisa Figueroas adult son died of natural causes, she told her family she was pregnant. They say she plotted for months to acquire a newborn, and that she posted an ultrasound and photos of a room decorated for a baby on her Facebook page. In March 2019, she and Ochoa-Lopez connected on a Facebook page for pregnant women.

Detectives investigating Ochoa-Lopezs disappearance learned that she had gone to the Figueroas home. Two weeks after her disappearance, police found her car parked nearby and were told by Desiree Figueroa that Clarisa Figueroa recently had given birth.

DNA tests later determined the child was not Clarisa Figueroas.

Ochoa-Lopezs body was found in a garbage can outside the home.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
An act of war. Ill just bet you didnt see or hear those words in any coverage over the weekend of Irans aggression from the air on Israel. What else can we call 120 ballistic missiles; 170 armed drones; 30 cruise missiles? Thats what Iran fired at Israel Saturday night. One report I read said the barrage was fired from three countries in addition to Iran: Iraq, Yemen and Syria. How would you feel if you were walking down the street on Saturday night in Chicago or Indianapolis or Phoenix or Seattle, and suddenly you began to hear the sound of explosions, and you looked up and saw streaks of flaming debris from exploded missiles falling to the ground? Would it feel like you were witnessing a war on the city where you live, on your country?

You bet it would, especially when you consider what went into the Iranian attack. Iran knew that Israel has spent the last few decades building its so-called Iron Dome missile defense capability  a complex system of radars and anti-missile missile launchers that encircle its military installations and population centers like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and the cities in Israels north within striking distance of Hezbollah missiles. We can be certain that Iran spent days if not weeks preparing for Saturday nights strike, working out a plan to launch its barrage of drones and missiles to reach targets in Israel in a swarm that might overwhelm Israels anti-missile and anti-aircraft defense system.

Defending against even a few missiles is an incredibly complex task. The missiles and drones must be picked up on radar far enough out from their targets that they can be engaged by anti-missile missiles fired from the ground and from Israeli aircraft stationed along Israels eastern borders. Neither Jordan nor Israel has admitted it openly, but it seems likely that Jordanian airspace was opened to Israeli warplanes defending Israel from the Iranian attack. Jordan admitted on Sunday that it had opened its airspace to allied forces  and Britain and the U.S. announced that their warplanes had shot down multiple drones as they flew toward Israel. Nearly the missiles and drones fired on Sunday were shot down, according to Israel and the Pentagon.

Some of the shootdowns took place over Iraq, Syria and Jordan, according to Pentagon reports on Sunday. The Washington Post reported that two squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagles were deployed to intercept drones headed for Israel. One squadron was based in North Carolina, and the other in the U.K. The Air Force fighters can be used as air-to-air fighters, as bombers, and for what the Pentagon described as deep interdiction. This means U.S. fighters were lingering in airspace in the 1,000 miles between Iran and Israel, backed up by AWACS air defense command-and-control aircraft and aerial refueling tankers supplying fuel to the F-15s to keep them airborne for hours at a time. The Pentagon said on Sunday that U.S. aircraft were involved in shooting down about 70 Iranian drones. Two U.S. destroyers based in the Mediterranean shot down between four and six ballistic missiles, and a U.S. Patriot battery based in Irbil, Iraq, shot down at least one Iranian ballistic missile as it crossed Iraqi airspace on its way toward Israel.

So, many of the drones and missiles Iran aimed at Israel were shot down before they even reached Israel. Still, in the early hours of Sunday morning in Israel, a swarm of ballistic and cruise missiles got through the outer defense ring and had to be engaged by Israels Iron Dome defense. Shooting down a large number of missiles that arrive all at once is an extraordinarily complex undertaking. The ballistic missiles must be picked up and tracked on radars while they are outside the earths atmosphere. As they close in on their targets, other Iron Dome radars begin tracking them, and each missile is assigned by a missile defense control system to individual anti-missile missile launchers which fire at the individual missiles to shoot them down.

Multiple anti-missile missiles can be fired at individual targets, but it is preferable if each incoming ballistic or cruise missile is assigned to a specific anti-missile missile launcher, and a single missile is dedicated to bring down the enemy weapon.

In a swarm attack such as that launched against Israel by Iran, all of this is happening at once  the tracking of ballistic missiles, their assignments as targets for individual Iron Dome anti-missile batteries, and their acquisition by the anti-missile missiles themselves so they can reach their targets and shoot them out of the sky.

On Irans end of the attack is a similar attack scenario, just as complex. The Pentagon has said that Irans attack came from multiple countries, each of which is a different distance from Israel. Ballistic missiles fired from western Iran have about a 12-minute flight time to Israel. Fired from eastern Iran, their flight times would be longer. There are reports that some ballistic missiles were fired from Yemen by Houthi militia, and those missiles would have a still longer flight time. In order for the ballistic missiles to hit their intended targets in Israel in a swarm, dozens of calculations had to be done to determine launch times for individual ballistic missiles, and since cruise missiles take hours, not minutes, to reach their targets, they had to be launched even earlier.

You get the picture. It took nationwide coordination by Irans military, with launchers located in multiple countries, to achieve the swarm attack they made on Israel. The attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, was done by a swarm of more than 300 Japanese fighters, dive bombers, altitude bombers and torpedo bombers. The Japanese planes were launched by six aircraft carriers stationed off the coast of Hawaii and timed to hit multiple targets in and around Pearl Harbor beginning at 7:48 a.m. The attack caught U.S. fighters on the ground and U.S. warships anchored and at dock in Pearl Harbor by surprise. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was the act of war that forced this country into war against Japan and, after the Nazi regime allied itself with Japan, war with Germany as well.

Iran is playing a dangerous game of military chess against the United States and its allies in Europe and the Middle East, including Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. Iran has been supplying Russia with the same kinds of drones it launched against Israel on Saturday night, and has helped Russia build its own manufacturing capability to produce several designs of Shahed drones to use against Ukraine.

North Korea has allied itself with Russia in its war on Ukraine, supplying the Russian military with ammunition for its 152mm howitzers. CNN reported in February that North Koreas arms factories are operating at full capacity to supply Russia with howitzer rounds and multiple launch ground-to-ground rockets. Russia, in return, has agreed to supply North Korea with badly needed food stocks.

There is no evidence that China has joined in supplying arms and ammunition to Russia, but China has been busy elsewhere creating headaches for the U.S. and its Pacific allies, mainly in the South China Sea. China has built military installations by expanding sand spits in order to support air bases and resupply stations for its navy. China is currently involved in a kind of shadow war with the Philippines over control of islands in the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines, leading Manila to offer the U.S. land and maritime facilities to build new American military bases on the islands.

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Eliot Cohen, who holds the Arleigh Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, has an excellent article in the current Atlantic on what he calls the coalition of the malevolent that has emerged between Iran, Russia, China and North Korea. He makes the point that Irans attack Saturday on Israel is the first daylight attack Iran has made from its soil against its main enemy in the Middle East, and links Irans attack to the open violence that China is waging on the Philippines and Russias war of aggression on Ukraine. Its all part of a greater assault on the rules based international order, according to Cohen.

Over the weekend, practically the entire U.S. punditocracy devoted itself to worrying about Israels response to Iran over the coming days and weeks, and whether it will lead to what they call a wider war in the Middle East. Cohen makes the point that there is already a wider war going on in a wider region that includes most of the world except the Americas and Australia, although that country has begun to feel threatened by Chinas moves in the South China Sea, as have Vietnam and Indonesia.

At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a coalition of right-wing America first lunatics were trying to lull this country to sleep with talk about taking care of what goes on within our borders before worrying about whats happening overseas.

Sound familiar? World War III hasnt started yet, but its time to wake up and watch out. That goes double for one of our two political parties that is in lockstep with Mr. America First himself, Donald Trump.
The WSJ says US defending Israel causes envy and irony in Ukraine, as terror must lose everywhere

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has written that the rapid and effective response of the United States and its allies to Iran's strikes on Israel is causing envy and irony in Ukraine, which has been deterring Russia's daily aggression for more than two years and is also asking the world for help every day.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Quote from WSJ: "Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed frustration after the U.S. and its allies swooped in to defend Israel against a massive Iranian attack over the weekend, highlighting the limits of Western support for Kyiv.

Ukrainian cities have been under fire for more than two years from Russian missiles and explosive-laden drones of the same type used in Tehrans attack on Israel."

Details: The WSJ reiterated that the United States and a coalition of Western and Arab partners shot down almost all of the 170 drones, about 120 ballistic missiles and about 30 cruise missiles that Iran fired on 13 April. The response was immediate and all air targets were destroyed before they reached Israeli airspace.

The WSJ noted that Ukrainians have been asking the world for months for greater protection from Russian attacks. This comes as Russian strikes intensify, particularly against the energy sector, and as vital US aid remains stalled in Congress.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after the allies successfully repelled an attack on Israel, emphasised that this example showed "the whole world... how effective unity can be in the protection from terror."

"Terror must lose everywhere and completelynot somewhere more and somewhere less," Zelenskyy stressed.

The WSJ writes that Ukrainian officials refrain from direct public criticism of US policy for fear of appearing ungrateful for Washington's support, but other former and current politicians are less diplomatic.

Former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst said that "there is nothing but American timidity that explains why we don't do that for Ukraine."

He stressed that the American, UK and French forces that defended Israel on Saturday only intercepted Iranian missiles and drones, avoiding any interaction with Iranian forces that could lead to a direct military conflict.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Biden administration said that their approach to Ukraine and Russia is relevant given the risk of escalation.

The WSJ emphasised that in the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States and its NATO allies resisted Ukrainian calls for a no-fly zone, citing logistical difficulties and the risk of direct conflict with the Russian military.

Then, there were concerns about the provision of various types of weapons, particularly long-range missiles, which persist to this day.

"Recent delays in aid from the U.S. have emboldened Russia, which is clawing territory from outgunned and exhausted Ukrainian troops in the east of the country. The U.S. has meanwhile chastised Ukraine for using long-range drones of its own design to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.

Rather than helping Ukraine create the kind of air-defence network Israel has, the West has provided Kyiv with a patchwork of equipment that blunted Russias attacks for many months. But the countrys stockpiles of air-defence interceptors are being depleted by an intensifying campaign of Russian strikes targeting power plants and other civilian infrastructure," WSJ writes.

The WSJ emphasises that the US does not have a defence treaty with Israel that obligates them to assist, but Israel has enjoyed special relations with the US as America's closest partner in the Middle East for decades. The Congressional Research Service states that Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of US foreign aid since World War II.

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine over two years ago, some supporters of Kyiv proposed adopting a Western defence relationship model similar to Israel's, but this concept did not materialise. This was partly because it would entail a certain level of commitment that no major Western state has yet demonstrated.

The WSJ writes that the Biden administration's policy towards Ukraine over the past two years has been shaped by concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin may resort to nuclear weapons or other forms of mass destruction if the US or other NATO members provide Kyiv with means to inflict serious damage on Russian troops or the country itself. Nuclear threats have also emanated from Putin himself.

The WSJ recalls that Iran has advanced its nuclear programme to the point where it could produce enough nuclear fuel for a bomb within a few days, but American officials claim it is not actively pursuing nuclear weapons. Security analysts believe it is far from being used against Israel or US allies, unlike Russia, which possesses the largest nuclear arsenal in the world.

"Biden has been spooked by Putins constant nuclear threats. We behave as if were not a nuclear superpower too," said former US Ambassador Herbst.

Concerns about Russia's reaction have led the US, Germany, and some other NATO members to spend weeks or months deciding on providing lethal systems such as mobile launcher units like HIMARS, ATACMS missiles, and F-16 fighter jets of American production. Delaying aid decisions has reduced their effectiveness, as it has given Russia time to prepare.

Ukraine urgently needs air defence capabilities such as Patriot missile batteries of American production.

Last week, Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had requested seven Patriot batteries. Borrell said Western militaries have about 100 Patriot batteries.

"And still we are not able to provide the seven they are asking desperately for," he said with frustration.

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After declining for years, Californias population is growing again

Tens of thousands of people may still be fleeing California each year, but the Golden States population is finally growing again.

According to Los Angeles Times columnist George Skelton, Californias population has climbed above 39 million for the first time since the summer of 2022, citing preliminary data provided by the state demographer.

Californias population reached a peak of 39.5 million in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, causing upheaval in migration patterns nationwide.

Data show the Golden State lost a net of nearly 700,000 people between April 2020 and July 2022. Many left to work remotely from more affordable parts of the country, and the virus also claimed more than 100,000 lives in California.

These are Californias most expensive neighborhoods for renters

The 2023 Census estimated the states population at 38,965,193 as of last July.

Today, fewer people are able (or allowed) to work 100% remotely, the death rate from COVID-19 has fallen dramatically, and the Biden administration has reversed many Trump-era limits on legal migration.

These forces form the prime reasons for the return to positive population growth, state demographer Walter Schwarm told Skelton in an email.

The data is set to be released on May 1.

Even before the pandemic, Californias historically rapid population growth had begun to level off.

A policy report from Stanford Universitys Institute for Economic Policy Research states that Californias high cost of living has spurred many businesses and residents to leave the state, posing serious consequences for the states job market and fiscal outlook.

The median price of a single-family home in California was $806,490 in February, more than double the national median of $384,500.

The California Department of Finance projects that the states population will reach 40.2 million in 2044 and then decline to 39.6 million by 2060.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
As the first criminal trial for Donald Trump begins, I cant shake the feeling Trump was convinced, in part, he could get away with anything because we told him he could.

I get that Trump is a selfish fabulous who was likely to test the boundaries no matter what. Hes lived his entire adult life that way. Still, we helped create an expectation that men like him should not have mugshots or face criminal trials. Its American tradition.

We taught him a partisan political process would keep him safe, which is one of his primary reasons for running for the presidency this year.

Issac Bailey

Some Americans  in the legal system, media and everyday citizens  either set up or accepted a tradition that presidents are not to face the possibility of prison, or that it would be unseemly if they did.

The fact is, though, Trump is not the first president alleged to have broken the law, but he is the first to be in the defendants chair.

Weve been repeatedly warned that subjecting a president to the criminal legal system could become a threat to democracy  especially a reckless president like Trump  or at best a test of it, even as we claim to believe no man is above the law. Our democracy remained after presidents have been killed or nearly killed in office, or were forced to resign. Its passed plenty of stress tests.

Still, is the president allowed to be indicted, weve asked? Weve had to dig out obscure decades-old memos to prove that presidents can, indeed, be charged with crimes.

Even after journalists compiled an enormous amount of evidence showing alleged illegal activity by Trump, we got a headline like this from noted Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus, who is no Trump apologist or sycophant: Is Georgias case against Trump one case too many?

She raised several concerns, including the appearance of double jeopardy, with Trump being charged at the state and federal level. Its a fair concern. I know men who have been harmed by prosecutors sidestepping the double jeopardy principle. But only related to the presidency has such a violation been raised in a tone suggesting it might threaten democracy itself.

The poor and powerless facing charges is par for the course. Reform might be necessary but their treatment is neither a test of nor threat to democracy. Thats the common thinking weve accepted. Men whove been granted status as the most powerful on the planet, we often agonize before prosecuting despite the legitimacy of the charges, even if we conclude the prosecution should go forward.

Thats odd, given that its commonplace around the world to indict corrupt leaders of democracies.

Three things are happening at once:

 Trump is a threat to democracy because he will do anything to avoid accountability.

 Trumps base will do anything to ensure he doesnt have to be held accountable, no matter how egregious his actions. Nothing that hurts him is legitimate in their eyes, neither indictments based on well-documented evidence nor verified election results showing he lost.

 Trump is benefiting from what all former and sitting presidents have. Its the only group in the country whose legal reckoning is thought of possibly undermining the democracy itself. That reflex goes back generations, was supercharged in the Nixon era, and reaffirmed when Bill Clinton got into trouble.

Precedent was set in the 1970s when Gerald Ford prematurely pardoned Richard Nixon after Watergate and the Department of Justice established a rule that sitting presidents arent to be indicted. In recent years, we doubled down on that precedent  with Trump.

We knew he tried to bribe another country into investigating a political opponent and incited an insurrection. A hyper-partisan political process guaranteed hed walk unscathed because the criminal system wasnt even considered an option.

Thats how we got here. Make no mistake. Its not bad Trump is being held to account. Its bad that those who came before him werent.

Issac Bailey is a McClatchy Opinion writer in North and South Carolina.
New York developer building at Carefree Theatre site in West Palm Beach asks for delay

Rendering of proposed Carefree 6 complex of theaters and residences. Residents in adjacent neighborhoods say the project is too big and overshadows nearby homes.

The developer of the former Carefree Theatre site in West Palm Beach has asked for a delay to a city planning board meeting Tuesday, April 16, where his project was scheduled to be heard for approval before going to the city commission.

Brian Seymour, the attorney who is representing New York real estate developer and part-time Palm Beach resident Charles Cohen in the deal, sent a letter early Monday to the city asking that the meeting be postponed until the board's May 21 meeting.

More: Developer tries again to build on former Carefree Theatre site in West Palm Beach

Seymour said the postponement was requested after a Friday meeting with representatives of the historic El Cid neighborhood Association.

"We believe it is in the best interest of all parties to postpone the case to give our consultants additional time to evaluate the specific requests from the association," Seymour wrote.

Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Carefree development in West Palm Beach requests delay after meeting neighbors
New York Mayor Eric Adams visited the scene outside the Manhattan criminal courthouse, where media outlets and reporters have stationed themselves as Donald Trumps hush money trial takes place inside.

Our city is a fair city, Adams said, in response to a question from CBS News Robert Costa on whether he was confident that Manhattan jurors would be fair to Trump.

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Earlier, a reporter asked Adams about criticism that Trump would not be able to get a fair trial, given the ideological bent of the citys residents.

That is beyond my pay grade, Adams said. I am just here to make sure that if the trial is taking place, that it is done in a very orderly fashion. As you can see, that is what is happening right now. And hats off to the court officers. As you see, this is a very orderly environment, and people should be allowed to participate in the criminal justice system with the level of order that is here right now.

Jury selection continued today, the trials second day, as Trumps attorneys attempted to ferret out signs of bias among the pool. Trump is facing felony charges of falsifying business records, in connection with hush money payments made in advance of the 2016 presidential election.

(WATCH) New York City Mayor Eric Adams on the Donald Trump trial https://t.co/2W1x0dKtxS pic.twitter.com/Ueg4avJ9QZ  Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) April 16, 2024

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A $7 million gift from hedge-fund billionaire Ken Griffin will support the "transformational" restoration of Phipps Ocean Park, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach announced in a release Tuesday.

The gift from Griffin, founder and CEO of the hedge fund Citadel LLC and founder of Citadel Securities, will increase the parks accessibility and appeal as a public space and recreational facility with the restoration of natural ecosystems and the addition of new features, the foundation said.

One of those new features is the Kenneth C. Griffin Coastal Conservancy, which the foundation said will serve as a cornerstone for environmental and cultural education in the region.

"Ken Griffins landmark gift will enable us to breathe new life into a resource that can serve our growing community and create new and exciting ways for every visitor to connect with nature, Preservation Foundation President and CEO Amanda Skier said. His outstanding commitment to supporting public-private partnerships that enhance public spaces and bring people together will significantly advance our efforts to create meaningful connections with historic places in Palm Beach.

The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach is spearheading the $30 million restoration of Phipps Ocean Park, which includes the park redevelopment as well as improvements to the tennis facility and the towns lifeguard station at the top of the dune there.

The foundation will pay for the majority of the project. The town's Recreation Department will pay for the tennis center work, and improvements to the lifeguard station will come from the town's capital improvement fund, the town said.

Redesign plans for the park, which sits just north of the Par 3 golf course in the town's South End, call for restoring and moving the Little Red Schoolhouse to a more visible spot near the base of a 22-foot beach dune. The schoolhouse will anchor the great Great Lawn and wildflower garden to the west. The Garden Club of Palm Beach will collaborate with the Preservation Foundation on the design of the garden.

Miami resident Ken Griffin founded the Citadel hedge fund and Citadel Securities. Griffin owns the largest ocean-to-lake estate in Palm Beach, comprising more than 27 acres of mostly vacant land.

A new feature to the north of the schoolhouse will be an outdoor classroom. Plans also include a Coastal Restoration Center, a nursery and propagation area for native plants that will support healthy beach dune ecosystems within the park and throughout the island.

The parks recreational facilities will be improved with ADA accessible walking paths, spaces for the community to gather, a bespoke playground inspired by native fauna as well as new cabana bathrooms and beach pavilions.

Story continues

In a statement, Griffin said he was pleased to support the Preservation Foundation's "visionary renovation" of Phipps Ocean Park.

A Miami resident, Griffin owns the largest ocean-to-lake estate in Palm Beach by far, comprising more than 27 acres of mostly vacant land.

"This project will elevate the park into a world-class public space and ensure that it remains an important destination in Palm Beach for families and friends to gather," Griffin said.

The Phipps Ocean Park gift is one of several Griffin has given to South Florida organizations in recent months. Griffin gave $50 million to the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center last month, as well as a $50 million gift to the Baptist Health Foundation.

The Preservation Foundation has collaborated closely with the town to develop plans for Phipps Ocean Park, which the town owns. Construction is expected to begin in June and take about 15 months to complete.

A groundbreaking will be held Friday.

For information on the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, visit www.palmbeachpreservation.org/.

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Billionaire Ken Griffin gives $7 million for Palm Beach park redo
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the campaign trail, the White House and Capitol Hill.

In todays edition, senior national political reporter Jonathan Allen looks at the first day of Donald Trump's hush-money trial, inside and outside of the courtroom. Plus, senior political editor Mark Murray breaks down how the public is viewing Trump's legal woes.

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Trumps trial: A freak show on the outside and solemn on the inside

By Jonathan Allen

Inside a courthouse nestled between Tribeca and Chinatown on Monday morning, former President Donald Trumps lawyers argued with the district attorneys office over procedures for a hush-money case that could send an ex-commander in chief to prison for the first time in American history.

Judge Juan Merchan advised lawyers that he was getting a little annoyed by the minutia. With a pool of 500 prospective jurors waiting, he wanted to get started with the process of picking 12.

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The judge also delivered Trump his Parker warnings, including that he could be jailed for contempt if he is absent without leave at any point during the trial. Trump, betraying little emotion, said he understood.

Outside, in a sun-filled park across the street, peculiarity reigned over pedantry.

A smattering of pro-Trump demonstrators  some wearing costumes, others carrying signs, one temporarily lowering the top of her dinosaur-themed one-piece before writhing on the ground in performative ecstasy  lent their support to the presumptive Republican nominee.

The presence of high-profile gawkers accentuated the carnival-like nature of the gathering: The Daily Shows Jordan Klepper, former Republican gubernatorial candidate Andrew Giuliani and filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi, a daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

I never miss a freak show, the younger Pelosi, a longtime resident of nearby Greenwich Village, said.

The unlikely tandem of Klepper and Giuliani provided a clear window into a series of truths about this trial: The charges are at once the least consequential of the set pending against Trump and as fundamental to democracy as the question of whether special treatment  either targeting or protection  can be avoided in the case of such a powerful figure.

At times during the lengthy proceedings, the former president suggested disinterest or exhaustion by closing his eyes.

Most of the jurors sat quiet and expressionless. Merchan emphasized his desire to shield their identities from the public, going so far as to warn the rival legal teams not to reproduce lists of their names. More than half of them were dismissed when they raised their hands to say they could not be impartial in this trial.

One dismissed prospective juror was overheard in a hallway saying, I just couldnt do it.

Finding 12 adults with no particular feelings about Donald J. Trump, and the will to sit through a multi-week trial, is no easy feat. That process will continue inside Merchans court. For the rest of the world, the freak show rolls along on the outside.

Read more 

Where public opinion stands on Trumps trial  for now

Analysis by Mark Murray

Its unclear how the criminal trial into the hush money charges against Trump will ultimately play out, but recent national polling gives us a good idea where voters stand on the matter.

At least for now.

Sizable majorities say the charges against Trump are serious: 64% of voters said the charges that Trump falsified business records concerning the payment of hush money to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election are very or somewhat serious, according to an April Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Yet thats smaller than the share of voters who believed the charges in the other criminal cases are serious  such as trying to overturn the 2020 election results (74%), pressuring Georgia state officials to overturn the 2020 election (72%) and illegally removing classified documents (69%).

A recent New York Times/Siena College poll also found 58% of registered voters saying the hush-money charges are very or somewhat serious, including 30% of self-identified Republicans.

Views about Trumps guilt are divided along party lines: But the same NYT/Siena poll showed a smaller share of voters (46%) believing that Trump should be found guilty in the hush-money case, while 36% said he should be found not guilty; another 18% say they didnt know or refused to answer.

And look at the results by party:

Democrats: 84% guilty, 6% not guilty, 10% didnt know

Republicans: 13% guilty, 71% not guilty, 16% didnt know

Independents: 40% guilty, 35% not guilty, 25% didnt know

Notice how those independents are right down the middle, with a sizable number not having an opinion.

The general election ballot slightly shifts if Trump is found guilty: Finally, the January 2024 national NBC News poll showed a slight shift in the horse race between Trump and President Joe Biden when voters are asked about their opinions *if* Trump is ultimately convicted of a crime.

In the original ballot test, Trump was ahead of Biden by 5 points among registered voters, 47% to 42%, which was within the polls margin of error.

But when voters were asked  on the surveys final question  about their ballot choice if Trump is convicted of a crime, Biden jumped ahead of Trump by 2 points, 45% to 43%.

Thats a 7-point swing.

A caveat about that hypothetical, however: It assumes voters would see a conviction is fair and square. But as we all know, Trump has already spent months trying to cast the prosecution as unfair and politically motivated.

Thats all from The Politics Desk for now. If you have feedback  likes or dislikes  email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com

And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Gen Z is the first age group to grow up with social media  and they might be the most likely to go into debt because of it.

Members of the generation born between 1997 and 2012 have recently been in the news for their transparency with money and showing how theyre trying to achieve their goals. But new data suggests they are also particularly susceptible to influencer marketing and targeted advertising, which have become ubiquitous across social media platforms  and have made purchasing easier with new technology and loan services designed to facilitate spending.

According to a survey released last month by LendingTree, 62% of Gen Z-ers feel pressure to spend money and keep up with people around them  compared with the national average of 32%. Additional data released in March by Credit Karma shows that the average Gen Z-ers credit card debt is more than double that of millennials.

Its a phenomenon called keeping up with the Joneses, and it causes many Americans to feel pressure to spend more and more and more, the LendingTree report says. That spending then leads to overspending, which leads to debt, which can lead to real trouble.

In 2023, the private personal-finance website Bankrate released a survey showing how influential social media can be when it comes to overspending. According to that study, 48% of social media users reported buying something impulsively that they saw advertised online, spending an average of $754 on impulse purchases in the previous year. Such spending habits were even more prevalent among Gen Z, with 60% of respondents ages 18-26 saying theyd impulsively purchased something they saw on social media in the last year.

I do think that within our generation, social media has contributed to over-consumerism and others feeling pressured to buy the nicest and newest things to keep up with trends and popular items, Jacey Insani, a 23-year-old lifestyle creator and New York City resident, told Yahoo News.

According to a 2022 Statista study, Gen Z uses social media more than any other generation, with over half of that population engaging with several platforms daily. From sponsored posts on Instagram to ads before and during YouTube videos, Gen Z is constantly being influenced on their most-frequented platforms.

TikTok has also been on the vanguard of integrating advertisements into regular content. The TikTok Shop allows creators to add links to their videos that go directly to the products theyre selling, encouraging their followers to make purchases with just a few quick taps.

Dana Bodine, vice president of consumer review company TrustPilot, who previously worked in financial technology, or fintech, at Apple and Mastercard, told Yahoo News that the technology that allows you to purchase items directly from social media is deliberately designed to get people to buy things quickly, eliminating the time spent contemplating whether its really something you want or need.

The proliferation of such technology  plus the rise in buy now, pay later services like Klarna and Afterpay  has made it easier than ever for social media users to spend beyond their means.

Tiktok Shop / other social media selling is probably contributing to your overspending problem, Jessie Brady, a personal finance creator, wrote in a caption on TikTok. On top of the fact that they pair that with Klarna, Afterpay to make it as cheap as possible for you per month to pay off the item. And you're literally digging yourself into a hole.

How does buy now, pay later work?

Afterpay and Klarna both allow consumers to stretch out their purchases over four interest-free payments. The services arent supposed to affect credit scores, and spending limits are increased based on the number of on-time payments. Consumers can use these services across industries, to buy a range of products, including clothes and food, and even to book travel.

If users miss a payment, the services promise that their credit scores wont take hits because they dont report to credit bureaus. Instead, an overdue account will be put on hold until purchases are fully paid off.

According to a new Bankrate survey conducted by YouGov and released on April 11, Gen Z is the generation most likely to use these services. Over 50% of Gen Z respondents say they use buy now, pay later services  with 29% of all users admitting to overspending because of the system.

Insani admits to accidentally getting into this exact situation.

Ive learned my mistake with those services and really try not to use them, Insani said. I love shopping with my friends, and its really enticing seeing that something is going to cost cheaper in the moment, but its not worth the anxiety I have to pay that money back.

Afterpay says that it has several precautions to help prevent such situations, like sending out reminders when upcoming payments are close, not providing new customers with large spending limits to start and capping the total late fee for a purchase to no more than 25% of the cost of what was bought. Afterpay also says that as of the last quarter of 2023, the vast majority (98%) of purchases made through its service did not incur late fees, and that 96% of installments were paid on time.

In response to a request for comment, a spokesperson for Klarna directed Yahoo News to a recent joint survey with the companys Wikipink initiative  which sets out to be transparent with its credit and finance information  and The Harris Poll, which found that Klarna users have a 99% payback rate, and 31% of all purchases are paid off early. The survey, which Klarna collaborated on, also showed that the companys late fee and debt collection rates are currently in decline.

Still, Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst for Bankrate, warned that while such services may seem like a better alternative to credit cards for young people, using them to buy things you cant afford can be dangerous.

I think sometimes you can trick yourself into, Oh, its not a $200 purchase anymore, Rossman told Yahoo News in an interview. [Buy now, pay later] may feel more responsible than making minimum credit card payments, but its still debt.
Youth voting organization looks to mobilize voters on Discord using AI chat-bot

Youth voting organization NextGen America is launching an effort to connect with potential voters in the gaming community by utilizing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot.

The new voter registration program aims to engage with the prospective electorate by leveraging the chatbot, dubbed VOTE-E, on Discord, an increasingly popular social platform that allows communities to organize around interests and interact over text chats and voice.

The bot, which users can add to their server, can interact with others through direct messages, provide voting information and help them to register to vote come election time. The bot will also have the ability to point users to polling sites and provide reminders regarding election dates.

Galvanizing the next generation of voters means connecting with them where theyre at, and for so many, thats in online communities, NextGen America President Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez said in a statement.

NextGen Americas Discord programs follow the organizations mobilization pushes in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan and Nevada dedicated to animating younger voters.

NextGen Americas Discord bot VOTE-E is a ground-breaking innovation that is taking youth-vote organizing into the future, Ramirez wrote.

Young people are passionate about issues affecting their communities and are consistently under-resourced and under-organized, he continued, VOTE-E is another means to chip away at this disparity, providing young people with the critical education and resources they need to show up on Election Day via a trusted, accessible platform.

NextGen America registered over 1.3 million young voters since their inception, according to the organization.

Updated: 5:42 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Zelensky: Russia destroyed key power plant near Kyiv since Ukraine 'ran out of missiles' for its defense

Russian forces destroyed the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant (TPP) in Kyiv Oblast because Ukraine had run out of missiles to defend it during an attack, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with PBS NewsHour published on April 16.

The Trypillia TPP was completely destroyed in a Russian strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure on April 11, leading to the 100% loss of Centrenergo's generating capacity.

Russia launched 11 missiles in the direction of the plant, according to Zelensky. Ukraine was able to shoot down the first seven, and four "destroyed Trypillia."

"Why? Because there were zero missiles. We have run out of all the missiles that protected the Trypillia TPP," the president said.

The plant is located less than 30 kilometers south of Kyiv and was the main power supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts.

Ukraine's capital city is understood to be the best-protected from Russian mass missile and drone attacks, but stocks of air defense are low across the country as U.S. military aid funding for Ukraine continues to be held up in Congress.

In the meantime, Russia has stepped up targeted attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, overwhelming local air defenses and destroying some of Ukraine's largest coal-fired power stations.

On April 13, amid a renewed diplomatic effort from Kyiv to receive more air defense systems, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the immediate delivery of an additional Patriot battery to Ukraine.

Read also: Energy company loses 100% of generation capacity after Russia destroys Kyiv Oblast plant

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Russia is firing shells at a ratio of around 10:1 to those of Ukraine and has 30 times more aircraft, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with PBS NewsHour published on April 16.

Ukraine faces an ongoing ammunition shortage, with the country being in dire need of shells and missiles.

Delays in U.S. assistance to Ukraine have already had a direct impact on the battlefield, contributing to the loss of the key front-line city of Avdiivka. Amid the escalating situation on the eastern front, Zelensky said that "Ukraine will lose the war" if the U.S. Congress fails to approve military aid.

As Moscow intensified its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the spring, the shortage of air defense systems in Ukrainian cities and villages is being felt more acutely.

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Zelensky reiterated that without U.S. help, Ukraine "would have no chance of winning" in the war.

"You have to be much stronger than your enemy, that's what I am talking about. Today, (a ratio of) artillery shells is 1 to 10. Can we stand with this? No, we cannot. (Ratio of) aircraft is 1 to 30. How can we fight?" the president said.

"We do not ask for any special weapons. No one asks for 500 or 300 planes. By the way, Russia uses 300 planes only on Ukraine's territory,"Zelensky added.

Kyiv needs to catch up with Russia in the number of shells, reaching a ratio of 10:10 to fully protect the territory currently controlled by Ukraine, according to Zelensky.

Moscow was firing shells at a ratio of around 7:1 to those of Ukraine, Deputy Defense Minister Ivan Havryliuk said in mid-March

Russia is producing close to 250,000 artillery munitions monthly, or around 3 million per year, which is nearly three times as many artillery munitions as the U.S. and Europe can send to Ukraine, CNN reported in March, citing NATO intelligence estimates and unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine's bill on mobilization has been signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the online portal of Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on April 16.

The bill was passed in its second reading in parliament on April 11 and was signed by the speaker of the parliament on April 15. The bill was submitted for presidential signature earlier on April 16.

The bill on mobilization is a critical component of the Ukrainian political and military leadership's efforts to update the legal framework around conscription in order to ramp up mobilization in 2024.

After an initial, contentious version of the mobilization bill was withdrawn in January, a new, updated version passed the first reading on Feb. 7. Lawmakers have proposed over 4,000 amendments to the bill since then.

Several key provisions of the earlier draft law were eventually passed by the parliament separately, with President Volodymyr Zelensky signing three laws in early April: on the lowering of the conscription age to 25, the introduction of an electronic register for conscripts, and the canceling of the "partially eligible" status.

The final version of the mobilization bill was approved by the parliament's National Security and Defense Committee on April 9.

Of the provisions remaining in the bill, key points include the right of disabled soldiers and those who have returned from captivity to discharge themselves, and the introduction of mandatory medical commission checks for those who previously held the "partially eligible" status.

Other provisions include penalties for those deemed to be dodging the draft, including the potential revoking of consular services and driver's licenses.

The parliament also voted to remove provisions on demobilization, which previously foresaw soldiers having the right to leave the military after 36 months of service, from the bill so that they could be considered separately.

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Ukraine will send a request to convene a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council to discuss the defense of Ukrainian skies and supplies of air defense systems, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during his evening address on April 16.

Moscow intensified its aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians this spring, highlighting growing shortages in Ukraine's air defense systems.

"We have heard a lot over the last two days... about different conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, different levels of threat, and different airspace," Zelensky said.

Iran carried out a massive aerial attack on Israel on April 14, launching 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles, according to Israel's Defense Forces (IDF). The U.S., France, and the U.K. helped down Iranian missiles and drones.

The largest drone attack ever is said to have involved Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which Russia has unleashed against Ukraine daily across the country.

"Although the 'Shahed' drones and ballistic missiles are the same Different threats of escalation. But are human lives different, are people's values different?" Zelensky asked.

"No, they are not. We value every life equally. We must do so. We must protect them from terror on the same level."

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Kyiv quickly condemned Tehran's attack, with Zelensky saying that "Ukraine knows very well the horror of similar attacks by Russia" involving the same Iranian drones.

The president then urged Western leaders to defend Ukraine in the same way as they protected Israel.

Russia's recent strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure destroyed several thermal power plants across the country, including the Trypillia plant, the main electricity supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts.

As a result, Kyiv has ramped up calls for more air defense from Western partners. Zelensky said on April 6 that Ukraine needed 25 Patriot air defense systems to cover the country's skies from Russian attacks.

Read also: Deploying jets to protect Ukraine would lead to escalation, UK foreign secretary says

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a meeting during his visit to the Kharkiv region following the devastating Russian attacks. -/Ukrainian presidency/dpa

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Kiev on Tuesday that he would seek to convene a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council to call for improved protection of his country's airspace.

Comparing Ukraine's position with that of Israel, after a mass attack by Iranian missiles and drones was warded off over the weekend, Zelensky said Ukraine would ask to be supplied with air defence and missiles.

Ukrainians had a right to be protected from terrorism, Zelensky said, adding that Kiev was struggling to secure genuine assistance from its allies.

Zelensky paid tribute to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for seeking a solution to the conflict. Speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, Scholz stressed China's significance on the world stage. As a key ally of Russia, Xi is seen as having influence on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"China can really help us restore the just peace for Ukraine and the stability in international relations," Zelensky said. Switzerland is to host a peace summit in mid-June, to which China, but not Russia has been invited.

China has launched its own initiative, which has been greeted with scepticism by Ukraine. It is not yet clear whether Beijing, which is pressing for Moscow to attend the Swiss conference, will attend.

"The summit in Switzerland will give us all a genuine chance to truly implement the UN Charter, its aims and principles," Zelensky said.

Ukraine is insisting that all Russian forces must withdraw from its territory, but Russia has termed this "unrealistic."
Bitcoin Miners Face Pressure in Norway as New Legislation for Data Centers Implemented

Norway has passed new legislation that will impose stricter regulations on data centers operating within the country. The legislation mandates the official registration of all data centers, requiring information about their owners, leaders, and the digital services they provide. Norway becomes the first European nation to establish such a comprehensive framework.

Norway's move to regulate data centers follows the country's concerns over large greenhouse gas emissions associated with crypto mining. Terje Aasland, Norway's Minister of Energy, stated that they are not interested in businesses seeking to exploit Norway for cheap energy extraction. The primary objective of this legislation is to provide politicians with a clearer understanding of data centers in their municipalities. Aasland emphasized that the aim is to regulate the industry and have the ability to reject undesirable projects.

While the legislation is not explicitly targeted at Bitcoin miners, it could potentially lead to increased scrutiny for them. This comes at a time when Bitcoin miners are already preparing for the upcoming halving event, which will reduce block issuance rewards by half, potentially impacting the profitability of mining operations. Currently, numerous Bitcoin mining firms are operating in northern Norway, attracted by the region's low electricity costs. A report from local media outlet Dagsavisen in 2023 revealed that crypto mining firms in this area consume nearly as much electricity as the entire district of Lofoten.

While the government does not have an exact count of the number of Bitcoin mining firms in the country, the new legislation will provide valuable information to support Norway's digitalization plans. Karianne Tung, Norway's Minister of Digitalization and Public Governance, highlighted the significance of data centers that serve beneficial roles, such as storage servers, which are considered crucial for the country's social structure.
Zelenskyy: NATO countries helped protect Israel though it, like Ukraine, is not an Alliance member

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he does not understand why Western NATO allies downed Iranian missiles and drones flying towards Israel, but are afraid to do the same in Ukraine, fearing involving the Alliance in a war with Russia.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with PBS, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy mentioned that Western countries do not provide certain types of weapons to Ukraine and are wary of having their forces present in Ukraine, explaining that they do not want to drag NATO into a war with Russia.

Quote: "I want to ask you a question, is Israel part of NATO or not? Here is the answer. Israel is not a NATO country. The NATO allies, including NATO countries, have been defending Israel. They showed the Iranian forces that Israel was not alone. And this is a lesson."

This is a response to anyone on any continent who says you need to assist Ukraine very carefully so you don't engage NATO countries in the war," he added.

Background:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the Russians managed to destroy the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant (TPP) because Ukraine had completely run out of missiles to defend it due to a lack of assistance from allies.

The UK Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, explained why, unlike in the case of Israel, which London assisted in shooting down Iranian drones last weekend, his country cannot assist Ukraine in shooting down Russian drones.

Cameron stated that bringing NATO forces into direct contact with Russian troops would escalate the crisis.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that splitting the assistance package for Ukraine and Israel in the US Congress will demonstrate indifference to the deaths of Ukrainians and will be a "pure politics" sign.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with PBS, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy was interviewed before House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled his plan to approve foreign assistance in the House, which includes separate votes for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and national security priorities.

Quote: "Well, if the Congress will divide this assistance after everything that happened, will divide into Israeli and Ukrainian, then it means that this is a matter of elections in the United States.

It's a matter of pure politics that now, when the whole world is saying, how could Iran strike Israel? So now we need to support only Israel and forget what is happening in Ukraine. This is pure politics," the president said.

More details: As he added, such a step would mean that "nobody cares how many people are dying in Ukraine every day".

"They only care about their approval ratings. That's what it's all about. They're forgetting that dead people don't care about ratings. If Ukraine falls and there's a war on other NATO member countries, and there will be a war, and then the U.S. soldiers will be defending [NATO states] and dying," Zelenskyy pointed out.

The president also stated that if the US Congress does not vote to provide US$60 billion in support to Ukraine, Ukraine won't win.

He also noted that he did not understand why Western NATO allies downed Iranian missiles and drones flying towards Israel, but they are afraid to do the same in Ukraine, fearing the involvement of the Alliance in a war with Russia.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that if the US Congress fails to vote on military aid for Ukraine, Ukraine will not be able to win the war against Russia.

Source: President Zelenskyy in an interview with PBS, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy was asked how the failure of the US Congress to pass the bill that would provide US$60 billion worth of military assistance to Ukraine would affect the situation on the front in Ukraine.

"I can tell you, frankly, without this support, we will have no chance of winning. You need to be much stronger than your enemy," Zelenskyy replied.

He stressed that Russian forces have a significant advantage over Ukrainian forces in terms of the number of artillery shells at their disposal.

"Today, our artillery shell ratio is 1-10. Can we hold our ground? No. In any case, with these statistics, they will be pushing us back every day. To defend 100 percent of whats in our control, we would need to go from one to comparing numbers, 10-10," Zelenskyy said.

He also said that Russia has "an unlimited number of people and a lot of shells," which Ukraine has to withstand and repel.

"I hope they [the US Congress] are listening to us, and will make a decision in the nearest days or weeks, but not longer," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president also revealed that Russian forces were able to destroy the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant (TPP) because Ukraine had completely run out of missiles to defend it due to a lack of assistance from allies.

He also said he was not sure as to why NATO members shot down Iranian missiles and drones flying at Israel but are not doing the same in Ukraine, fearing the Alliances involvement in a war with Russia.

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Zelenskyy: We have zero missiles left in Trypillia, that's why Russians destroyed thermal power plant

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed that the Russians managed to destroy the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant (TPP) because Ukraine had completely run out of missiles to defend it due to a lack of assistance from allies.

Source: European Pravda, citing Zelenskyy in an interview with PBS

Details: Zelenskyy commented on the joint defence of Israel by its allies who repelled an Iranian attack over the weekend. The president said that Israel alone would not have been able to defend itself against such a massive strike from the Iranian side.

"Many things that, frankly speaking, Ukraine is lacking. But this is a demonstration of allies not on paper, but in the air, not on paper, but on the ground, in action," the president said, adding that Ukraine defends its skies independently.

He emphasised that allies provide Ukraine with various equipment, but "we do have a deficit".

"I will give you one example, a very simple example, the Trypillia TPP. Electricity in Kyiv Oblast depends on it. Eleven missiles were headed towards it. The first seven, we took down. Four destroyed the Trypillia TPP. Why? Because we had zero missiles. We ran out of all missiles," the president said.

Background:

The day before, Zelenskyy, following a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, stated that Western countries could help Ukraine defend against Russian attacks just like they assisted Israel during Iranian strikes.

The White House announced that the United States had declined any combat participation in the war in Ukraine. Therefore, they will not shoot down Iranian-made drones launched by Russia, as they did with allies over the weekend in Israel.

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3 smartphone makers that Apple should be worried about

Apple's share of the global smartphone market shrank nearly 10% in the first quarter of 2024, IDC reported.

While the iPhone maker is still a force to be reckoned with, other rivals are gaining ground.

Here are three of Apple's biggest competitors.

Apple is no longer the undisputed top dog of the smartphone world.

So who are Apple's biggest rivals and the rising threats trying to eat its lunch?

Global shipments of iPhones contracted nearly 10% in the first quarter of the year, according to a recent report from International Data Corporation, a market research firm.

That means Samsung has overtaken Apple in global smartphone shipments.

While Apple customers have been known to show loyalty to the company, the IDC report suggests that may be changing as competition heats up.

Apple has faced flagging demand in China, one of its biggest markets, amid heightened competition from manufacturers like Huawei.

Here are the companies that are gaining ground on Apple  or overtaking it  in the smartphone wars.

Xiaomi's market share exploded.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the latest smartphone by developed by the Chinese brand. Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Xiaomi is a name little known to most Americans, but don't understimate it. The Chinese company is ranked 360th on the Fortune Global 500 list  higher than Netflix, Uber, and, Capital One.

Its most recent offering, the Mi 14, debuted in October to strong demand in China. Xiaomi also makes the Redmi Note series of smartphones.

Though China is its largest market, according to Reuters, Xiaomi is only fifth in market share there, as Vivo, Huawei, Honor and Apple occupy the top four spots. But Xiaomi has established a strong presence outside of China, particularly in India.

Xiaomi does not sell its phones in the US. This is partially due to political concerns, according to IDC researcher Nabila Popal, who told Android Central in 2022 that "after what happened with Huawei," no Chinese tech company "would want to risk investing heavily in a market that can any day can simply 'ban' them."

Xiaomi also sells an electric car, launching the Speed Ultra 7, or SU7, last year  succeeding where Apple threw in the towel.

In the first quarter of 2024, shipments of Xiaomi smartphones grew 33.8%, as the company solidified its spot as the third-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world.

Transsion also had a strong start to the year.

Transsion subsidiary Tecno Mobile produces the Spark 20 Pro + smartphone. Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Transsion is the company behind the Tecno, Itel, and Infinix lines of smartphones. Another Chinese manufacturer that most Americans probably won't have heard of, Transsion does particularly well in Africa, where it is the top seller with its "ultra low-end devices," according to an IDC report.

The company's presence in Africa has been bolstered by the Digital Silk Road, a component of China's Belt-and-Road development initiative, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Its phones have multiple SIM card slots, allowing users to switch coverage easily, and were among the first to support keyboards for African languages, according to CFR.

Transsion's most recent offerings include the Tecno Phantom V, a foldable device reminiscent of Samsung's Galaxy Z.

Samsung is king.

Samsung is known for its Galaxy Fold series of smartphones. Jung Yeong-Je/AFP via Getty Images

Samsung is the most well-known iPhone competitor to North American consumers. Its offerings, including the recent Samsung Galaxy S24, are generally some of the most popular and accessible Android phones.

The South Korean company recently released the Galaxy Z Flip 5, a foldable phone that may have spurred Apple to at least explore a similar option.

Now, Samsung is working toward integrating AI into the Galaxy line.

The company is also notable for its non-smartphone offerings, including appliances and, soon, wearables like the Galaxy smart ring.

Samsung edged past Apple to take the top spot for global smartphone manufacturers, even though its shipments shrank slightly (less than 1%) in the first quarter of 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider
'Air up' company responds in big way to Orange Park student's request, treats class

St. Johns Country Day School sixth-grader Grayson Kalch and his science teacher Tina Sachs post with air up representative Natalia Martinez and water bottles that are part of the company's scent-taste technology. Grayson contacted the company for a science project.

Fascinated by a German start-up's scent-taste technology, a St. Johns Country Day School sixth-grader wrote a letter to the company asking for the co-founder's autographed photo for a class project.

But Lena Jungst of air up  the company spells its name in lower-case letters  was so impressed with student Grayson Kalch's enthusiasm that she sent more than he requested.

The company markets what it calls the worlds first refillable scent-based drinking system "that flavors water through scent alone." Jungst sent Grayson a personalized video message and enough air up bottles and flavor pods for his entire science class. Natalia Martinez, the company's influencer marketing manager, also visited the private Orange Park college preparatory school and explained air up's trademarked technology to the class.

Grayson said he contacted air up because "the brand was innovative and incredibly useful to encourage drinking water." But when Martinez surprised him and his classmates, he was stunned.

St. Johns Country Day School sixth-grader Grayson Kalch, front third from left, fellow science students and teacher Tina Sachs, far left rear, display the air pp water bottles and scent pods they were sent for a class project.

"Utter confusion when I heard Natalia call me out, and then excitement. I felt like Santa Claus," he said. "The visit was nerve-wracking but enjoyable.  I never expected it to happen."

Giving the school products and an in-person visit "exemplifies air up's commitment to fostering curiosity and education in the realm of hydration, health and wellness," according to the company.

'Schools of excellence': Here are 75 Jacksonville-area public schools the state just recognized for success

Founded in 2019, air up developed a system using scented pods to add flavor to water without adding sugar, calories and additives, according to a USA Today report. The company now operates in 14 countries, including the U.S.

Send "Acts of Kindness" submissions to bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: German air up company surprises Orange Park boy and science class
Alfa Romeo changes name of first EV after row with Italian government

The Italian government has forced carmaker Alfa Romeo to change the name of its first EV, the Alfa Romeo Milano, over the company's decision to manufacture the car in Poland instead of Italy. Maxsarotto/dpa

Alfa Romeo is changing the name of its first electric vehicle from "Milano" to "Junior", after legal threats from the Italian government over the company's decision to make the car in Poland.

Alfa Romeo parent company Stellantis announced last week that the EV would be called Alfa Romeo Milano after the city where the Italian carmaker was founded in 1910.

But the country's government then warned that to do so could be against the law, with Industry Minister Adolfo Urso adamant that "a car called Milano must be produced in Italy."

"Despite Alfa Romeo believing that the name met all legal requirements and that there are issues much more important than the name of a new car, Alfa Romeo has decided to change it from 'Milano' to 'Alfa Romeo Junior' in the spirit of promoting mutual understanding," Stellantis said in a statement on Monday.

As Italian as pasta, pizza and Paolo Maldini, Alfa Romeo is one of the car-mad country's most recognisable brands. The Junior is set to be the first Alfa Romeo to be made entirely outside Italy.

Stellantis, a French-Italian conglomerate that owns dozens of household-name car brands, including Fiat, Jeep, Maserati and Opel, is manufacturing Junior at its factory in Tychy, Poland, where production costs less than in Italy, meaning it could potentially offer a cheaper electric car to consumers and better-compete with increasingly-dominant low-cost Chinese EVs.
NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara missed the total solar eclipse, but saw Earth 'moving' below her during spacewalk (photos)

NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara was prepared for her first spacewalk  but not for the view.

O'Hara, along with SpaceX Crew-7 NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, conducted the fourth all-woman spacewalk at the International Space Station (ISS) on Nov. 1, 2023. They spent 6 hours and 42 minutes performing station maintenance, such as replacing a bearing to keep the solar arrays moving.

All went well, O'Hara shared with reporters at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, a success she attributed to hours of training with her spacewalking partner. And, she gushed, being inside a spacesuit was a moving experience.

"Nothing compares to the feeling of stepping outside, of being in your own little spacesuit looking at Earth, just through your helmet bubble," O'Hara told Space.com during livestreamed remarks today (April 15). "It's one thing when you're looking through the window, looking at Earth ... but then suddenly you're just immersed in the environment, and you're hanging there [with] the Earth moving below your feet."

Related: NASA astronauts complete 4th-ever all-female spacewalk outside International Space Station

NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or EMU, spacesuits were designed in the 1970s when the only humans flying to space were male. The spacesuits were thus made in a way that favors larger and stronger bodies, making it more difficult for women (or smaller bodies) to operate in the suit.

The newer generation of spacesuits (of which there are many designs, made by private contractors for the ISS and future Artemis program moon missions) will be more friendly for different body sizes. But, in the meantime, NASA accomplished its first all-female spacewalk with EMUs in October 2019 with Christina Koch and Jessica Meir, and aims to keep going.

Related: Rare all-woman spacewalk this month won't be the last, NASA says

two women astronauts smiling in front of a cupola window. in back is a spacecraft with solar wings, backdropped by earth

Expedition 70 NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli (left) and Loral O'Hara shortly after berthing a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft at the International Space Station on Feb. 16, 2024. (Image credit: NASA)

While O'Hara was one of the lucky few to see Earth through a spacesuit, she missed one rare planetary sight in space by just days: a total solar eclipse that passed over parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico on April 8 and was witnessed by space station astronauts as well.

Though back on Earth by then, O'Hara didn't see totality in person due to a slight delay in landing that pushed back her arrival to JSC from her landing zone in Kazakhstan. Initially she had planned on leaving Houston, under partial eclipse, to watch the totality show elsewhere. Instead, however, she stepped outside JSC to watch the partial eclipse in progress.

the earth with a black shadow over it. the international space station's modules are visible just above

The total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 is visible from the International Space Station as the moon's shadow is over parts of Canada and the United States. (Image credit: NASA)

"I know they got a good show on space station," O'Hara said in response to a Space.com question, adding that she slightly regretted not seeing the eclipse. That said, the sun was evident in other ways during her tenure in space; auroras sparked by high solar activity were a regular sight.

"We got a lot of good auroras during our mission ... that was particularly beautiful, just watching space station kind of flying through the aurora was one of my favorite things."

a ribbon-like aurora over earth

Expedition 70 astronauts on the International Space Station witnessed many auroras due to heightened solar activity, including this one taken over the Atlantic Ocean on March 22, 2024. (Image credit: NASA)

O'Hara, a submersible engineer by training, had a call-back to her earlier days at sea while doing her newer job in space. One of her favorite moments, she said, was receiving a video from a friend's team doing a research cruise in the Pacific Ocean.

The friend "shared a video of a baby octopus hatching on the sea floor there," O'Hara recalled. Later that day, the NASA astronaut found herself flying over the very same water zone from which the video was taken.

"There's just this moment where I'm up in cupola," O'Hara said, referring to the wrap-around window used for ISS berthing and photography. "I'm in space, in this incredible space station that we built. And somewhere down underneath all that water is a baby octopus, going through its first few days of life.

"That's happening all over the planet in a million different ways," she continued. "It's just this recognition about how complex and diverse and beautiful Earth is, and all of the life that supports."

RELATED STORIES:

 NASA astronauts complete 4th-ever all-female spacewalk outside International Space Station

 NASA astronauts recount epic all-woman spacewalk in Washington Post op-ed

 Pioneering women in space: A gallery of astronaut firsts

NASA and Russian federal space agency Roscosmos regularly fly astronauts on board each other's spacecraft for policy reasons; O'Hara's Soyuz spacecraft seat was part of a set of four announced by NASA in mid-2022. (NASA and Roscosmos also like to have a backup type of spacecraft available in case of a glitch.)

O'Hara launched and landed with different Russian-led crew, however, due to ISS staffing requirements. She went to space Sept. 15, 2023 with Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub on board the Soyuz designated MS-24. O'Hara spent six months in space, but left before her Russian cosmonaut colleagues, who remain in space right now for a one-year mission.

O'Hara returned home on MS-24 on April 6, alongside Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy and spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya (the first woman of Belarus to go to space.)

Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya's arrival back on Earth wrapped up their two-week mission that started March 23. They launched alongside NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson, who will spend six months in space, on Soyuz MS-25. The launch of Novitskiy, Vasilevskaya and Dyson was delayed two days due to a battery issue (swiftly resolved) that caused a rare launch pad abort on March 21.
Illustration of a rover and a lander on the surface of mars, with a small helicopter, a rocket and a satellite in the sky above them.

NASA is looking for a new way to get its precious Mars samples back to Earth.

Those samples are being collected by the Perseverance rover in Mars' Jezero Crater, which hosted a lake and a river delta billions of years ago. Getting ahold of the samples is one of NASA's top science goals; studying pristine Red Planet material in well-equipped labs around the world could reveal key insights about Mars  including, perhaps, whether it has ever hosted life, NASA officials say.

The agency has had a Mars sample-return (MSR) architecture in place for some time now, but repeated delays and cost overruns have rendered the original plan impractical, NASA officials announced today (April 15).

"The bottom line is that $11 billion is too expensive, and not returning samples until 2040 is unacceptably too long," NASA chief Bill Nelson said during a call with reporters this afternoon.

Related: NASA's Mars Sample Return in jeopardy after US Senate questions budget

That price tag is the upper-end estimate calculated by an independent review board, which released its findings last September. For perspective: A study from July 2020 estimated the total cost of MSR to be between $2.5 and $3 billion.

A team from within NASA analyzed those September results, determining that the agency won't be able to get Perseverance's samples back to Earth until 2040 with the established architecture. This conclusion cited reasons such as current budget constraints and the desire not to cannibalize other high-priority science efforts, like the Dragonfly drone mission to Saturn's huge moon Titan.

The established architecture, by the way, would have sent a NASA-built lander to Jezero Crater. This lander would have brought with it a rocket called the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) and, potentially, several small retrieval helicopters akin to NASA's pioneering Ingenuity rotorcraft.

The idea was for Perseverance to drive its samples over to the lander, then load them into the MAV. The retrieval choppers may have done some of this loading work as well, especially if Perseverance wasn't in great shape by the time the lander arrived. The MAV would then have launched the samples into Mars orbit, where a spacecraft built by the European Space Agency would have snagged the container and hauled it back toward Earth.

NASA is now seeking a new way forward, however, in an attempt to cut costs and get the samples here sooner. Saving money will aid other agency science projects, and speeding up the timeline could help the agency plan out crewed Mars trips down the line.

"That is unacceptable, [to] wait that long," Nelson said today. "It's the decade of the 2040s that we're going to be landing astronauts on Mars."

a large mars rover sits in a sandy patch of red planet ground, with some of its tire tracks nearby.

RELATED STORIES:

 Perseverance Mars rover stashes final sample, completing Red Planet depot

 Perseverance rover collects Mars samples rich in 'organic matter' for future return to Earth

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The wheels on the new plan (which may retain elements of the old) are already turning. NASA is asking the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California  its lead facility for robotic planetary exploration  and other agency research centers for innovative MSR ideas, Nelson said today.

NASA is also looking to private industry: The agency plans to release a solicitation for new ideas from the commercial sector tomorrow (April 16), Nicky Fox, associate administrator of the agency's Science Mission Directorate, said during today's call.

NASA will hold an industry day on April 22 and accept proposals through May 17, she added. The goal is to have enough information on hand by late fall or early winter to begin charting a new path forward on MSR. "We're opening this up to everyone, because we want to get every new and fresh idea that we can," Nelson said.

It's unclear at this point, of course, what that new path will look like. But Fox previewed some possibilities, such as a smaller and cheaper MAV and a descoped sample-return tally (from 30 of Perseverance's sealed tubes to some unspecified lower number). Fox and Nelson both stressed that MSR remains a high priority for NASA, despite the difficulty of the task  humanity has never launched a rocket from the surface of another planet, after all (though three countries have launched from the moon)  in addition to the problems the project has experienced so far.

"I think it's fair to say that we are committed to retrieving the samples that are there  at least some of those samples," Nelson said. "We are operating from the premise that this is an important national objective."
The smart ring market has been largely dominated by the Oura Ring, but that is set to change with the upcoming launch of the Samsung Galaxy Ring. The ring was first teased at Samsungs Unpacked event in January and later at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February.

The Galaxy Ring is expected to be equipped with various health sensors to help users track their physical fitness and daily activities, all supported by Samsung Health. It is one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year, and here is everything we know about it to date.

Samsung Galaxy Ring: release date

Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Ring at its next Unpacked event, which takes place on July 10 in Paris, France. It is expected to be showcased alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 smartphones.

Since Samsung has already teased the Galaxy Ring numerous times now, we suspect it to fully launch either at or shortly after the July 10 Unpacked.

Samsung Galaxy Ring: price

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Little is known about the pricing for the Galaxy Ring. At least one rumor, however, suggests Samsung isnt planning on undercutting the price of two popular competitors. This suggests the Galaxy Ring will cost around $300 in the U.S., which is the same as the Oura Ring. Other smart rings, like the Ultrahuman Ring Air and RingConn Smart Ring, have similar prices  $349 and $279, respectively.

One area where Samsung could best Oura is that it may not have an attached subscription fee. As a reminder, the Oura Ring has a $6-per-month subscription. Samsung doesnt currently have any subscriptions attached to its Galaxy Watches. Some rumors suggest the Galaxy Ring could change this, but we certainly hope thats not the case.

Samsung Galaxy Ring: design

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Much more about Galaxy Rings design is known since some samples were displayed at MWC. Expect Samsung to sell models in at least three colors: black, silver, and gold, each with a glossy, reflective finish. It previously leaked that Samsung would offer the ring in sizes 5 through 13.

Digital Trends editor Joe Maring expressed his hope that more designs for the Galaxy Ring will be released, including models available in extra finishes and colors. He also noted the absence of an indicator on the rings exterior to help users determine the best way to wear it. At MWC, one couldnt tell whether the Galaxy Ring had this feature.

Samsung Galaxy Ring: health-tracking features

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Based on the latest information, the upcoming Galaxy Ring is poised to offer several features to improve users health and wellness. A new Samsung patent spotted by Wareable seems to indicate that Samsung is seeking to use a generative AI system to implement continuous monitoring of heart rate data and signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Currently, most smartwatches track heart rate data by electrocardiogram scans (ECG), but its not continuous monitoring as the user needs to actively start the scan.

Thats set to change with Samsungs new patent to translate PPG signals to corresponding ECG waveforms. Basically, Samsung is taking continuous data it already collects and using AI to translate it into ECG data. This feature could come not only to the Galaxy Ring but also to older wearables that have ECG capability, like the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 and Galaxy Watch 3.

Among the other features were expecting is the My Vitality Score, which is expected to provide users with a comprehensive snapshot of their overall health based on key health metrics such as sleep, activity, heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV). The score sounds similar to Ouras popular Readiness score, which users have praised for its accuracy and helpfulness.

Sleep tracking info on a Galaxy Watch 6 Joe Maring / Digital Trends

In addition to the My Vitality Score, the Galaxy Ring is also expected to provide sleep-tracking insights to help users understand the quality and duration of their sleep each night. This feature should be handy for people who struggle with sleep issues or want to optimize their sleep habits for better health.

Another exciting feature of the Galaxy Ring is cycle tracking, made possible through Samsungs partnership with Natural Cycles. This feature can help users track their menstrual cycles and fertility, allowing them to understand their bodies better and plan accordingly.

All of this lines up with what we expect out of a smart ring in 2024. Its possible Samsung will have more health/wellness features to share, but at least from where were at right now, it sounds like all of the basics are covered.

Samsung Galaxy Ring: battery life

Ishan Agarwal / X

Samsung has teased that the Galaxy Ring will have a remarkable battery life. Larger sizes are expected to offer long battery life, which is not surprising considering the impressive battery life of the Oura Ring.

In late February, Samsung confirmed in an interview that the Galaxy Ring will get between five and nine days of battery life. Simply put, thats outstanding. The Oura Ring, for example, can go up to four days without needing a charge. If Samsung gets over a week of endurance out of the Galaxy Rings battery life, color us impressed.

Samsung Galaxy Ring: Whats the killer feature?

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

We have yet to learn about any distinctive feature that sets the Galaxy Ring apart from other devices on the market. We hope that Samsung will offer something innovative and unique to make it stand out, especially as the smart ring market grows more and more crowded. With rumors that the new Oura Ring will bring features like measurements for cardiovascular age and cardio capacity, Samsung will have to do more to compete.

Samsung can achieve this in a few ways. Its battery life claims are worth paying attention to. Samsung also has an opportunity to make the Galaxy Ring a more affordable smart ring option, whether through a lower MSRP and/or the lack of a subscription.

We should learn more about the Galaxy Ring on July 10, so stay tuned.
Tech exec predicts AI girlfriends will create $1B business: Comfort at the end of the day

Its only a matter of time before someone builds the next billion-dollar dating app that will pair real-life users with artificial intelligence-created girlfriends, according to a tech executive.

Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout, wrote a blog post on X in which he shared that he met a man in Miami who admitted to me that he spends $10,000/month on AI girlfriends.

I thought he was kidding, Isenberg wrote. But, hes a 24 year old single guy who loves it.

AI-generated virtual girlfriends are on the cusp of becoming a billion-dollar industry, according to a tech executive. Conversation, X/Kimochii Ai

When Isenberg asked him what he loved about it, the Miami man is quoted as saying: Some people play video games, I play with AI girlfriends.

The market cap for Match Group is $9B. Someone will build the AI-version of Match Group and make $1B+.



I met some guy last night in Miami who admitted to me that he spends $10,000/month on "AI girlfriends".



I thought he was kidding. But, he's a 24 year old single guy who loves pic.twitter.com/wqnODwggAI  GREG ISENBERG (@gregisenberg) April 9, 2024

Isenberg said that he was told by the man: I love that I could use voice notes now with my AI girlfriends.

I get to customize my AI girlfriend, the man told Isenberg. Likes, dislikes etc. Its comfort at the end of the day.

The Miami man stated his preference for two websites  Candy.ai and Kupid.ai.

Tech executive Greg Isenberg said he met someone who spends $10,000 a month on his virtual AI girlfriend. Fanvue/Emily Pellegrini

Candy.ai bills itself as the ultimate AI girlfriend experience which offers virtual companions for immersive and personalized chats.

Kupid AI says that it uses AI algorithms to generate virtual and fictional characters  or companions  with whom one can communicate through voice notes.

Its kinda like dating apps. Youre not on only one, the Miami man said.

Isenberg said he was left speechless by the encounter and predicted that someone will build the AI-version of Match Group and make $1B+.

Match Group is the parent company of dating apps such as Tinder, Match.com, Hinge, OkCupid and Plenty of Fish.

AI-generated girlfriends are becoming increasingly popular, according to surveys. Fanvue/Amy Everharrt

Websites like Romance.AI offer up virtual dating partners using technology that can mimic real-life human interactions.

An app such as Romantic AI helps you create the perfect girlfriend with whom you share interests and views. You can talk about everything, get support and feel needed.

Another app, Forever Companion, offers users the opportunity to chat with bots based on popular social media influencers.

Replika, the AI chatbot software, offers users the chance to create their own boyfriend or husband for just a few hundred dollars.

Platforms such as Nomi.ai and Soulmate even encourage erotic role play.

Users can personalize AI chatbots avatar and give it personality traits depending on whether they want a friend, mentor or romantic partner.

The nature of the messages could resemble sexting so any erotic conversation would have to include explicit instructions on what the user would like to happen.

Some one in five Americans say they have chatted flirtatiously with an AI bot. Fanvue/Hailey Lopez

Unlike Replika, which has filters to stop people from using overtly sexual language, Nomi.ai allows users to tailor the AI bot to their preferences by deciding which clothing the avatar wears and how open they are to sexual activity.

Users also have the option of making their chatbots submissive or dominant.

A group of Gen Z TikTok users reported that they were falling for DAN, ChatGPTs alter ego with a flirty macho male voice that some have compared to Christian Grey from Fifty Shades of Grey.

A recent survey from Infobip found that nearly 20% of Americans have flirted with chat bots. Nearly half of them  47.2%  did so out of curiosity while 23.9% said they were lonely and seeking interactions.

Nearly 17% said they were AI-phished  meaning they did not realize they were talking to a chat bot.

The survey also found that 12.2% were seeking sexual chat within a private space.
Jasper Kenzo Sundeen's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com.
BlackRock ETF Flash Crashed in Europe April 5

BlackRock's global ETF listed on the Deutsche Boerse experienced a flash crash earlier this month as liquidity vanished from the market following the report of U.S. jobs data.

The incident saw the $74.4 billion iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (EUNL) briefly fall 5% at 2:30pm Central European Time April 5, moments after the key economic data was published.

EUNLs price jumped back shortly after as market-making activity was resumed on the ETF.

Listings of the largest global equity ETF in Europe on all other exchanges were unaffected.

Deutsche Boerse said it investigated the flash crash after it was reported to its Trading Surveillance Office.

However, the Frankfurt-based exchange told ETF Stream its investigation found no suspicious trading activity, market manipulation or rule infringement.

The preliminary results of our analysis indicates orderly trading activity at this point. We believe that the price fall was triggered by a chain of unfortunate circumstances, a Deutsche Boerse spokesperson said in a statement.

Our current understanding is that the release of economic data led to a significant reduction in market-making activity for a very short period around the time of the release.

It added incoming sell orders triggered multiple stop orders, leading to the price decline.

The exchanges safeguard mechanism then halted trading after it reached its 5% volume control limit on EUNLs overnight closing figure.

Based on our observation, we have already reached out to market participants to discuss potential actions to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future, the spokesperson said.

Price spikes in ETFs can occur following major market announcements when market makers, which provide liquidity and price stability through the creation and redemption process, decide to pause their activity.

Market makers are not mandated to provide liquidity and often do not during periods of extreme volatility when they are unlikely to profit from an arbitrage opportunity.

In this case, US jobs data beat market expectations, resulting in investors dialing back their rate cut hopes, a potentially negative scenario for global equities.

Investors often use limit orders when trading on an exchange, a pricing strategy that sets a maximum or minimum price you are willing to accept when buying and selling a security.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has previously warned that the role of market makers in ETFs requires close monitoring during periods of market stress.

The international policymaker said the role of liquidity providers poses a key risk within ETFs, as only market makers have direct access to ETFs, while authorized participants can step away at any point from providing liquidity.

Story continues

In the U.S., BlackRock has issued the iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH), which has $3.38 billion in assets.

This article originally appeared on etf.com sister publication etfstream at BlackRock world ETF flash crashes on Deutsche Boerse as liquidity vanishes (etfstream.com).





Permalink |  Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved
Bank of America BofA logo on a laptop screen

Bank of America (BofA) reported another quarterly decline in mortgage and home equity production in the first quarter of 2024.

On Tuesday morning, the top-20 U.S. mortgage lender stated it produced a volume of $3.4 billion in first mortgages from January to March, down 12.5% from the $3.9 billion in the previous quarter and the same quarter of 2023.

Loan production in the home equity arena was $1.8 billion in Q1 2024, a decline of 16% from $2.2 billion in the previous quarter and down 27% compared to $2.5 billion in the same period of 2023.

BofAs sequential quarterly production decline follows that of Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase, which also showed volumes under pressure in the first quarter of 2024. Their combined quarterly origination reached $10 billion  and, if this path is maintained, they will be well below the $60 billion originated in 2023, according to Eric Hagen, analyst at BTIG.

Expect independent mortgage banks to continue taking share from the large commercial depositaries, which are still shrinking their footprints in lending and servicing, Hagen said in a report on Tuesday.

Nonbanks Rocket Mortgage, United Wholesale Mortgage, loanDepot, Pennymac, Rithm Capital and Mr. Cooper are expected to report their earnings in the coming weeks.

BofAs mortgage assets

Bank of America had $227.7 billion in outstanding residential mortgages on its books through March 31, 2024, down from $228.9 billion in Q4 2023 and $229.3 billion in the first quarter of 2023.

The home equity portfolio was $25.5 billion at the end of the first quarter, relatively flat compared to $25.7 billion from the previous quarter  and a decline from $26.5 billion a year prior.

Bank of Americas total mortgage-backed securities reached a $49.8 billion fair value as of March 31, 2024, compared to $51.1 billion as of December 31, 2023.

Overall, the bank posted a net income of $6.7 billion from January to March, down from $8.2 billion in the same period last year. Provisions increased to $1.3 billion in Q1 2024, compared to $1.1 billion the previous quarter and $931 million in the first quarter of 2023.

According to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the consumer banking division posted a net income of $2.65 billion in Q1 2024, down from $2.76 billion in the prior quarter.

Chair and CEO Brian Moynihan said in a statement that the banks businesses performed well, reaching 36.9 million consumer checking accounts, with 21 consecutive quarters of net checking account growth.
The number of Filipino guest workers in Hungary grew from 1,100 in 2022 to 6,300 in 2023, an unprecedented increase of more than 5,200, Portfolio reports.

Data from the Central Statistics Office also shows that 2,200 Vietnamese and 1,300 Kyrgyz workers arrived in Hungary in one year.



Simplified regulations cleared the way for the influx of non-EU guest workers last year, Portfolio adds.



In contrast, fewer East European workers opt for Hungary, as the wage advantage is vanishing and they instead seek work in Western Europe.



More than 20,000 Ukrainians work in Hungary but their number declined by more than 3,600 in one year.



In addition, more than 7,000 workers with Slovak and Romanian citizenship are working in Hungary, a number that is falling slightly.



After the Ukrainian, Slovak and Romanian workers, the Far Eastern countries are next on the list, as Hungary hosts 5,900 guest workers from China, 5,400 from Vietnam and 3,100 from India.



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Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Boston Beer Company implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

50% of the business is held by the top 20 shareholders

Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock

A look at the shareholders of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM) can tell us which group is most powerful. We can see that institutions own the lion's share in the company with 63% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

And institutional investors saw their holdings value drop by 5.4% last week. The recent loss, which adds to a one-year loss of 14% for stockholders, may not sit well with this group of investors. Institutions or "liquidity providers" control large sums of money and therefore, these types of investors usually have a lot of influence over stock price movements. As a result, if the decline continues, institutional investors may be pressured to sell Boston Beer Company which might hurt individual investors.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Boston Beer Company.

View our latest analysis for Boston Beer Company

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Boston Beer Company?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

We can see that Boston Beer Company does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Boston Beer Company's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Boston Beer Company. The company's largest shareholder is FMR LLC, with ownership of 8.3%. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 7.9% and 7.7%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 20 shareholders have a combined ownership of 50% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Boston Beer Company

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

We can see that insiders own shares in The Boston Beer Company, Inc.. It is a pretty big company, so it is generally a positive to see some potentially meaningful alignment. In this case, they own around US$193m worth of shares (at current prices). If you would like to explore the question of insider alignment, you can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 31% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Boston Beer Company. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Boston Beer Company better, we need to consider many other factors.

Many find it useful to take an in depth look at how a company has performed in the past. You can access this detailed graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow.

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Alexa is an American visual artist, poet, and educator, based in Budapest since 2019. She is the founder and organizer of the Budapest Poetry Collective.

A member of the Panel Literature Association, she has collaborated on several publications including Panel Magazine and the anthology of short stories, If Were Talking Budapest.



She is co-founder of HEXA, a project dedicated to connecting and sharing personal stories through poetry, including the podcast Just Below the Surface and the zine/performance project Pieces.



In addition to continuing the ongoing events of the Budapest Poetry Collective, Alexa plans to teach art classes from September 2024, using her degree in Art Education and interest in interdisciplinary art to guide others through their personal creative journey.



1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?

I arrived in September of 2019 to live with my now-husband, Duncan Robertson. But my love of Hungary first came from a study-abroad semester at the University of Pecs in 2012. I studied painting and found the place, people, and culture unique and they became dear to me.



2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?

Yes, I lived and taught for one year in Prague before moving to Budapest.



3. What surprised you most about Hungary?

That it is a culture with produce markets like Lehel Piac and the Vasarcsarnok. We dont see lively markets like this in the States. Also that people can be very direct. I wasn't used to it at first, but I've grown to appreciate and even prefer this to general interactions in America.



4. Friends are in Budapest for the weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?

Climb up the busy steps of Gellert Hill around sunset to view Pest from above. Go to Lehel Piac or the Grand Market Hall on Saturday morning for a bustling, chaotic market scene. Get a froccs at Koleves kert (in the summer of course). Go to the National Gallery and then walk around the Castle District. Stroll on Bartok Bela ut to find a nice terrace to occupy. Stop by Massolit Books & Cafe for coffee, cake, and books.



5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?

Rakott kaposzta.



6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?

Cheese



7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?

Pitypang - dandelion. I think it's such a cute word!



8. What do you miss most from home?

The fall festivals in New England, where I'm from.



9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

I wish I had the mind for science. In another life I would have loved to pursue a career in the natural sciences--marine biology, geology, or astronomy.



10. What's a job you would definitely never want?

First responder--fire, ambulance, police. I am no good in high-pressure life-or-death situations.



11. Where did you spend your last vacation?

Istria, a beautiful peninsula in Croatia.



12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?

Someplace north--Iceland?



13. Apart from temptation what can't you resist?

Dessert after any meal.



14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

Choir. I love to sing, especially in groups.



15. Books or films?

Both? Both. Books for a more in-depth reality. Films for their compact, intense experience.



16. Morning person or night person?

Morning.



17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

Education. Everyone should have access to quality public education, especially early in life. I would also love for Higher Education to be free or subsidized in my country so that more people can afford to pursue the degrees they want to better their lives.



18. Buda or Pest?

Pest



19. What would you say is your personal motto?

Think for yourself.



Photo credit: Eszter Nagy
New Delhi: Microsoft on Tuesday announced a $1.5 billion investment in the UAE-based artificial intelligence (AI) technology company, G42. Both companies will also support the establishment of a $1 billion fund for developers.

The investment will strengthen collaboration on bringing the latest Microsoft AI technologies and skilling initiatives to the UAE and other countries around the world. As part of this partnership, Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, will join the G42 Board of Directors, the companies said in a statement. (Also Read: Zomato Introduces Indias First 'Large Order Fleet' For Gathering Up To 50 People)

"This partnership is a testament to the shared values and aspirations for progress, fostering greater cooperation and synergy globally," said H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of G42. (Also Read: India Allows 10,000 Tonnes Of Onion Export To Sri Lanka, UAE)

G42 and Microsoft will also work together to bring advanced AI and digital infrastructure to countries in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. "We will work together not only in the UAE, but to bring AI and digital infrastructure and services to underserved nations," said Smith.

"We will combine world-class technology with world-leading standards for safe, trusted, and responsible AI, in close coordination with the governments of both the UAE and the US," he added.
New Delhi: India has permitted the export of 10,000 tonnes of onions to both Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the National Cooperatives Exports Cooperative, as announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a notification issued late on Monday.

The government has recently permitted an additional 10,000 tonnes of onion exports to the United Arab Emirates, in addition to the previously permitted 24,400 tonnes. The government permitted the export of 50,000 tonnes of onions to Bangladesh in March. This decision brings the total approved amount of onions for export from India to 99,160 tonnes, despite the ban on shipments imposed in December 2023. (Also Read: Banks Must Provide Simple Key Facts Statement To Borrowers On Terms Of Loans: RBI)

The government has prolonged the prohibition on onion exports until new directives are issued. Initially, in early December 2023, India had banned onion exports until March 2024. According to the DGFT notification, onion exports will only be permitted with the approval of the central government, based on requests from other countries. (Also Read: TCS Announces New Delivery Center In Brazil; To Create 1600 Jobs Over Five Years)

However, the central government had made an exception for the export of 'Bangalore rose onion' by waiving the export duty but with a condition. Exporters are required to provide a certificate from the Horticulture Commissioner, Government of Karnataka, confirming the type and quantity of Bangalore Rose Onion intended for export.

In response to increasing onion prices, the central government has been releasing onions from its reserve stock. Previously, the government had planned to keep 3 lakh tonnes of onions as buffer stock for the 2023-24 season, compared to 2.51 lakh tonnes in the previous season of 2022-23.
COMEDK UGET 2024: The Consortium of Medical, Engineering, and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) will open the application correction session for the Undergraduate Common Entrance Test (UGET) 2024 on April 16. Registered candidates can update their information in the COMEDK UGET application form 2024 via the official website, comedk.org. The deadline for modifying applications is April 18 at 4 p.m. COMEDK UGET 2024 will be held on May 12 for admission to engineering, medical, and dental programmes at participating colleges. The exam will be held in two shifts: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

COMEDK UGET 2024: Steps to edit here

Visit the official website, comedk.org.

Click the login tab.

Enter the application sequence number or user ID and password.

Click the login button.

Once logged in, edit the application form.

Review modifications and submit.

Save your modifications and snap a screenshot of the confirmation page.

During the rectification window, candidates can amend numerous elements on their application form, including their father's and mother's names, class, photograph, signature, caste certificate, income certificate, year of birth, gender, category, and sub-category (PwB).
NEW DELHI: In a significant blow to Maoist insurgents, at least 29 Naxalites, including a top commander, were killed in a major anti-Naxal operation launched by the security forces in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district on Tuesday. Earlier, it was reported that 18 Naxals were killed and their bodies were recovered from the encounter site. However, the number of casualties is likely to rise as reports suggested the presence of over 50 Naxals in the area when the encounter took place.

#UPDATE | Bodies of 29 naxals recovered in the ongoing encounter between Police and Naxals in the forest area of the Chhotebethiya police station limits of the Kanker district.#Chhattisgarh  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

Joint Operation By BSF, Chhattisgarh Police

The operation, conducted jointly by the Chhattisgarh Police's District Reserve Guard and the Border Security Force (BSF), unfolded in the forested areas within the Chhotebethiya Police Station limits. The operation was meticulously planned after receiving specific intelligence inputs, indicating the presence of Maoist rebels in the Binagunda area. The BSF, in coordination with the District Reserve Guard, launched the operation to root out the Naxal insurgency.

Chhattisgarh | Bodies of 18 CPI Maoist cadres who have been neutralised during an encounter in Kanker, have been recovered: BSF



7 nos AK series rifles and 3 nos Light Machine guns have been recovered from the place of occurrence. During the EOF, 1 BSF personnel sustained a https://t.co/frdqfG4OxL  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

Fierce Gunfight Underway

Upon encountering the Maoist insurgents, the BSF team faced heavy gunfire, triggering a fierce exchange of bullets from both sides. Despite the intense resistance from the CPI Maoist rebels, the security forces retaliated effectively, resulting in the elimination of 18 insurgents, including the high-ranking Maoist leader Shankar Rao, who reportedly carried a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on his head. However, an official confirmation is awaited in this regard.

#WATCH | "Bodies of 18 naxals recovered from encounter site in Chhotebethiya of Kanker. 3 jawans were injured in the operation. Search operation underway. This can be seen as one of the biggest anti-naxal operations in the area. The operation was launched after information of the pic.twitter.com/7YeUxEzoq5  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

Recovery Of Weapons

The aftermath of the operation saw the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons, including four AK-47 assault rifles, along with seven AK series rifles and three Light Machine Guns (LMGs) seized from the encounter site. The successful neutralization of the insurgents underscores a significant dent in the Maoist arsenal. While the security forces dealt a heavy blow to the Naxalites, two Border Security Force personnel also sustained injuries during the gunfight. Fortunately, one of the injured personnel, who suffered a bullet wound to the leg, is reported to be out of danger, signifying the resilience and valour of the security forces in the face of adversity.

The operation, as of now, remains ongoing as security forces continue to comb the area for any remaining insurgents or potential threats. The sustained efforts of the security forces underscore the resolve to eradicate the menace of Naxalism from the region.

Encounter Days Ahead Of Polls

The timing of the operation, just days before the commencement of polling for the Lok Sabha elections in Chhattisgarh, adds a significant political dimension. With only the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency set to vote in the first phase on April 19, and Kanker scheduled for the second phase on April 26, the encounter underscores the critical role of security in ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections amidst the backdrop of Naxal insurgency in the region.
Making Green Mobility Affordable For Everyone

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ABZO Motors: Leading The Way In Electric Motorcycles

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(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The IDPL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)
New Delhi: In a shocking incident near Red Fort in Delhi, a 36-year-old cab driver, Shakib was brutally murdered as bystanders watched. Shakib was on his way back home after dropping a passenger when his Wagon R collided with an e-rickshaw near Chhatta Rail Crossing. Following the collision, three individuals from the e-rickshaw engaged in a verbal altercation with Shakib, which quickly turned violent. The situation escalated into physical violence that took a fatal turn when one of the assailants shot Shakib, resulting in his immediate demise.

Despite the presence of numerous bystanders, no one intervened as Shakib was allegedly beaten for nearly 20 minutes, according to reports. In the crossfire, 15-year-old Lav Kush, a spectator, sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.

As per reports, both victims were rushed to Lok Nayak Hospital, where authorities were alerted to the incident around 1:50 AM. Delhi Police swiftly responded, launching an investigation into the brutal murder.

According to the police, the incident occurred around midnight, with Shakib's car en route from Korea Pul to Chhatta Rail Crossing. The collision with the e-rickshaw sparked the confrontation that ultimately led to Shakib's untimely death.

Police has launched a probe after filling a murder case and a manhunt is underway to apprehend the perpetrators who fled the scene following the shooting.
New Delhi: Four police officers, among them a former Station House Officer (SHO) of Muradnagar police station, were apprehended on Monday on charges of soliciting a bribe amounting to Rs 2 lakh to close a fake dowry case. The accused officers have been identified as Satish Kumar, the ex-SHO; Lalchand Kannaujia, the case's investigating officer; Bhuvnesh Kumar, the second investigating officer; and head constable Vikash Kumar.

The incident came to light following a complaint filed by Raghupal Singh, a resident of Muzaffarnagar. In 2022, Singhs son, Purshottam, an engineer in the merchant navy, was in discussions for a marriage proposal with a family from Muradnagar. However, the negotiations fell through, leading to the girls family lodging an FIR against Singh and his son under the Dowry Act in April 2022.

The police failed to gather any evidence during the investigation in support of the dowry case, but despite no evidence, Constable Vikash Kumar demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from Raghupal Singh over a phone call to settle the case. Singh alleged that when he attempted to report the matter to superiors, Satish Kumar, Lalchand Kannaujia, and Bhuvnesh Kumar started to threaten him and even suggested fabricating charges against his son.

After getting fed up with the threats and warnings, Singh filed a complaint with the police, and after nearly a year, an FIR has been registered. I possess all the evidence against these officers, Singh added.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for the rural zone, Vivek Yadav, stated that based on preliminary investigations, an FIR has been lodged against the four officers at the Muradnagar police station.

Responding to queries about the delayed FIR, Yadav explained that Singh initially reported an inadequate investigation. Subsequently, an initial probe was conducted, during which Singh disclosed the bribery aspect, supported by audio evidence. Following a general inquiry, Singh filed a formal complaint on Saturday, leading to the registration of an FIR on Sunday.

The DCP further assured that the police are actively investigating the matter.
New Delhi: Mumbai Police has arrested the two accused in connection with the firing outside the residence of Bollywood actor Salman Khan in Bandra West. The crime branch of the Mumbai police apprehended the accused from Gujarat's Bhuj late on Monday night.

"Both the accused, who fled Mumbai after the firing, have been arrested from Gujarat's Bhuj," officials told ANI. The accused will be taken to Mumbai for further investigation, the officials added.

Earlier on Sunday, two unidentified men opened fire outside Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, and fled from the spot. The incident prompted swift action from law enforcement agencies.

According to preliminary investigation, the suspects arrived at the scene on a motorcycle, covering their faces under helmets, indicating a "meticulously planned attack."

They discharged a total of four rounds during the incident, leaving behind a live cartridge at the scene.

Earlier, the Mumbai Crime Branch had summoned two individuals for questioning in connection with the recent firing incident.

Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to Salman over the phone regarding the incident. Shinde also discussed with the Mumbai Police Commissioner and suggested increasing the actor's security.

Since November 2022, Salman Khan's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus due to threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. Khan has also been authorized to carry a personal firearm and has acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection.
Kozhikode: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the electoral bond scheme and said that the he is trying to defend the biggest corruption scandal.

Addressing public at a roadshow in Kozhikode, Rahul Gandhi said, "I don't know if you saw his interview with ANI yesterday. I don't know if you saw his face, his eyes, he was trying to defend the biggest corruption scandal on the planet through which BJP has got thousands of crores of rupees by extorting them from India's businessmen."

In an interview with ANI, PM Modi said the electoral bonds scheme was aimed at curbing black money in elections and said the opposition wants to run away after making allegations. PM Modi said that "everyone will regret it when there is an honest reflection".

The Supreme Court in February this year struck down the electoral bond scheme and said it was unconstitutional. Rahul Gandhi further mentioned that Prime Minister's goal is to distract people from real issues.

"That is why sometimes you will see him doing puja underneath the sea, sometimes he tells the people of India we will bring the Olympics to India. Another time he will say we are going to send one man to the Moon. He never talks about unemployment or price rise. He protects the richest people in the country and forgives their bank loans," he said.

He also alleged that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and BJP are keen on changing the Constitution. "The RSS and the BJP are trying to destroy India's Constitution and change India's Constitution. The Congress party and the INDIA alliance are trying to save the Constitution," he said.

Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi also said that Agnipath scheme is an insult to the Indian Army and it will be abolished if INDIA bloc comes to power after Lok Sabha polls.

"The Agnipath scheme is an insult to the Indian Army and the brave youth who dream of protecting the country. This is not a plan of the Indian Army but a plan made in Narendra Modi's office which has been imposed on the Army...As soon as the Indian government is formed, we will immediately abolish this scheme and re-implement the old permanent recruitment process," Rahul Gandhi posted on X.

Agnipath Yojana is a recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the Armed Forces. The scheme is called Agnipath and the youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers.

The Agnipath scheme provides for recruiting youths between the age bracket of 17-and-a-half years and 21 years for four years, with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.
New Delhi: The Biden administration on Monday reiterated that India holds important strategic importance as a partner to the US and indicated that they anticipate no alteration in the status of this relationship.

During a daily press briefing the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller responded to a question by asserting America's relations with India. He stated, "India is the world's largest democracy, it is an important strategic partner of the United States and I expect that to remain true." Miller expressed his expectation that this would continue to be the case.

Miller found himself at the spot alleging democratic backsliding when confronted with recent publications claiming a decline in democracy in India and the US managing its ties with the nation. The reports surfaced following Miller's remarks regarding the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in excise case and the freezing of the bank account of the Indian National Congress (INC).

#WATCH | On being asked about the United States' relationship with India, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller says, "India is the world's largest democracy, it is an important strategic partner of the United States and I expect that to remain true." pic.twitter.com/nV6nD2owfr  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

Matthew Miller was questioned, why is that the State Department taking a stance on the arrest of Indian opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal while neglecting to do so regarding the arrests of Pakistani opposition leaders?

Replying to the question, Miller declined to classify both cases together and stated that the US hoped for consistent application of the rule of law and human rights for everyone in Pakistan.

US' Previous Comments

After Delhi CM was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Indian external affairs ministry summoned a senior American diplomat to protest the position taken by the US official on Kejriwals arrest. Later, Miller commented on summoning stating that they are monitoring these developments closely.

"We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress party's allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections," Miller added. we encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes for each of these issues," he pointed out

The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted India's confidence in its "robust and independent democratic institutions, labeling the comments made by the US State Department regarding the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as unwarranted. The ministry further stated that any external criticism of India's electoral and legal systems is "entirely unacceptable."
New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Tuesday released a list of candidates for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections and named candidates for 11 parliamentary constituencies including the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to contest polls.

The BSP has fielded Athar Jamal Lari against PM Modi to contest polls from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency. Apart from Lari, the party has fielded Chotelal Gangwar from Barely, Umesh Kumar Singh from Ghazipur and changed its candidate for the Maipuri seat and gave the ticket to Shiv Prasad Yadav.

Uttar Pradesh: BSP announced the names of 11 more candidates for Lok Sabha elections



The Mainpuri Lok Sabha ticket has been changed and given to Shiv Prasad Yadav.



Athar Jamal Lari has been fielded from Varanasi against PM Modi. pic.twitter.com/qSGERi22ik  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 16, 2024

The BSP has opted not to form any alliances for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh. Instead, it is set to contest independently in the state. This decision poses a challenge to the INDI alliance, potentially dividing votes across several seats.

Notably, the Lok Sabha election 2024 in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. Votes polled in the seven phases of the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha election 2024 will be counted on June 4.
New Delhi: Gujarat-based businessman Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife chose to embark on a new spiritual journey by donating their lifetime earnings. The husband and wife donated over Rs 200 crore to adopt monkhood. They together led a procession in Sabarkantha, Gujarat, yesterday after they donated all their belongings.

In a video shared online, the couple wearing royal attire atop a chariot can be seen donating money. In February, the couple orchestrated a remarkable procession by donating their belongings.

VIDEO | Gujarat-based businessman Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife donated their lifetime earnings of over Rs 200 crore to adopt monkhood. The couple led a procession in Sabarkantha, Gujarat, yesterday as they donated all their belongings.



(Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/eWu9IQEZo3  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 16, 2024



Who Is The Billionaire Couple?

The couple belongs from Himmatnagar of Gujarat and both were in the construction business for their livelihood. The couple was inspired by their 16-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter and decided to follow in the footsteps of their children who chose to follow a monkhood two years back in 2022. The family own the construction business in Sabarkantha and Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. The Billionaire Couple were accustomed to luxury life from a young age.



What Diksha In Jainism?

In the context of Jainism, the decision to undergo 'diksha' represents a deeply profound commitment. It marks a pivotal life transition wherein individuals renounce worldly comforts and technological conveniences.
NEW DELHI: Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh on Tuesday delivered the Delhi Chief Minister's new message from Tihar Jail: "My name is Arvind Kejriwal and I am not a terrorist". Singh delivered this message from the AAP supremo following his meeting with Punjab CM Bhagwat Mann on Monday in the Tihar Jail complex. Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Sanjay Singh stated: "Arvind Kejriwal, who worked like a son and a brother for the country and the people of Delhi, has sent a message from jail that 'My name is Arvind Kejriwal and I am not a terrorist'...The three-time elected CM of Delhi is made to meet CM Bhagwant Mann through a glass. It is clear from this that the Prime Minister has a feeling of hatred against Arvind Kejriwal..."

#WATCH | AAP MP Sanjay Singh says "Arvind Kejriwal, who worked like a son and a brother for the country and the people of Delhi, has sent a message from jail that 'My name is Arvind Kejriwal and I am not a terrorist'...The three-time elected CM of Delhi is made to meet CM pic.twitter.com/PC98W6thTJ  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

Sanjay Singh also claimed that efforts are being made 24 hours to demoralise Arvind Kejriwal. This is Arvind Kejriwal, he is made of a different clay... The more you try to break him, the stronger he will come back...Yesterday, CM Bhagwant Mann became emotional during the meeting. This is an emotional matter for all of us but it is a matter of shame for BJP and PM Modi, the AAP MP alleged.

#WATCH | AAP MP Sanjay Singh says "...Efforts are being made 24 hours to demoralize Arvind Kejriwal. This is Arvind Kejriwal, he is made of a different clay... The more you try to break him, the stronger he will come back...Yesterday CM Bhagwant Mann became emotional during the pic.twitter.com/BSDnrzgdxM  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

Delhi Court Extends Kejriwal's Judicial Custody

The Rouse Avenue court on Monday extended the judicial custody of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal till April 23, 2024. The Delhi CM attended the court session via video conferencing. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a plea by Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the agency and his subsequent remand in the excise policy case.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta refused to give an early hearing of the case as sought by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Kejriwal. Kejriwal, who was arrested on the night of March 21, was produced virtually before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Courts on the expiry of his judicial custody.

The Court said it is extending custody until April 23, when judicial custody of the co-accused (BRS leader K Kavitha) is also ending. Earlier, AAP leader Kejriwal approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court judgement that dismissed his plea against arrest by the ED and his subsequent remand in the excise policy case.

On April 9, the High Court dismissed his plea for release from jail and rejected his argument of political vendetta amid the looming Lok Sabha elections. The High Court had said that Kejriwal's absence from nine ED summons over six months undermined any claims of special privilege as Chief Minister, suggesting his arrest was an inevitable consequence of his non-cooperation.

Filing the appeal against the High Court judgement, Kejriwal said that there is no material in the possession of the Enforcement Directorate on the basis of which an inference of guilt can be made under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The arrest was made solely based on the subsequent, contradictory, and highly belated statements of co-accused who have now turned approvers, the appeal stated. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with a money laundering probe relating to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22.
New Delhi: A tragic accident on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday left five people dead and several others injured as a passenger bus veered off a flyover in Jajpur, Odisha. The bus that was en route from Puri to West Bengal, plummeted from the flyover, resulting in the loss of lives and causing injuries to several passengers, officials confirmed. The bus carrying around 50 passengers fell from a flyover on National Highway-16 near Barabati.

Jajpur Superintendent of Police, Vinit Agarwal told ANI, " This unfortunate incident happened with a bus which was going from Puri towards West Bengal, there were around 42 to 43 passengers on the bus." He said that the injured individuals have been directed to SCB Medical College in Cuttack. Agarwal further said that according to the latest updates received, five individuals have lost their lives.

#WATCH | Odisha: 5 people died and many injured after a bus fell from flyover in Jajpur. pic.twitter.com/4riCIzVrvY  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2024

As per Chief District Medical Officer Shibasish Moharana, the injured individuals, numbering 38, have been rushed to Hospital in Cuttack for urgent medical attention. Moharana added that among the injured, one person is in critical condition.

Details surrounding the circumstances leading to the tragic event remain limited, with authorities yet to provide further information.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar and said that the party is "the biggest face of jungle Raj and alleged that the party gave the state nothing but lawlessness and corruption.

Addressing a rally in Bihar's Gaya Pm modi said, "RJD has ruled Bihar for several years but they don't have the guts to discuss the work done by their government. RJD is the biggest face of jungle raj in Bihar...RJD has given only two things to Bihar - jungle raj and Bhrashtachar."

Further escalating his attack on Lalu Yadav-led RJD, Modi alleged that under the opposition's rule kidnapping and ransom became a business in Bihar. "During their reign, kidnapping and ransom became a business in Bihar. Women used to feel unsafe while coming out of their house late at night," he said.

#WATCH | Gaya, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "RJD has ruled Bihar for several years but they don't have the guts to discuss the work done by their government. RJD is the biggest face of jungle raj in Bihar...RJD has given only two things to Bihar - jungle raj aur pic.twitter.com/pR47LqyWLL  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024

PM Slams INDIA Bloc Over Ram Mandir

Attacking the opposition alliance, the Prime Minister said the "Ghamanidya (arrogance) Ghatbandhan" possessed neither the vision nor confidence and they are accepting votes on the basis of work done by state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"'Ghamandia Gathbandhan' has neither vision nor confidence. Even when these people go to ask for votes, they ask for votes on the basis of Nitish ji's works. The whole of Bihar knows why these people take credit for the works of Nitish Ji and the Central government," PM Modi said.

Accusing the leaders of the INDIA bloc of "insulting" Lord Ram by not attending the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya in January this year, the Prime Minister said the former boycotted the ceremony for the appeasement of one particular community.

"Tomorrow is the holy festival of Rama Navami. But, the people of the 'Ghamandia Alliance' also have problems with Ram Temple. Those who once questioned the existence of Lord Ram, are today speaking all kinds of objectionable languages at Ram Mandir. To appease one community, these people even boycotted the Prana Pratishtha programme," he said.

Hitting out apparantly at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his "shakti" remark and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin for his remark on Sanatana Dharma, the Prime Minister said, "The prince of Congress openly says that he will destroy the 'shakti' of Hindu religion. Their other companions call our Sanatan Dharma dengue, malaria."

Further referring to the BJP's manifesto, which was released on Sunday, PM Modi said that it is the first time a party's manifesto is being called a "guarantee card."

"Just two days ago, the BJP released its manifesto. This is the first time that a party's manifesto is being called a guarantee card. For the next five years, Modi's 'guarantee card' has been updated. Three crore houses will be made for the poor, the poor will get free rations for the next five years, those above 70 years of age will receive free treatment up to Rs 5 lakhs; and PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi will be continued. All these are Modi's guarantees," he said.

The BJP released its poll manifesto on Sunday with the tagline "Modi ki Guarantee," with a focus on more development, women's welfare and a roadmap for "Viksit Bharat" (developed India). The manifesto released by the party promised 'One Nation One Election' and "single electoral roll."

Bihar Lok Sabha Chunav 2024

Bihar will witness polling for 40 Lok Sabha seats across all seven phases. In Phase 1, voting will be held in four seats. The state will witness polling on 5 seats each from Phase 2 to Phase 5. In Phases 6 and 7, elections will be held for 8 seats each.
New Delhi: Two individuals involved in the firing incident outside Bollywood star Salman Khan's residence have been remanded to police custody till April 25 by a Mumbai court. Joint police commissioner of the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, Lakhmi Gautam, confirmed at a press briefing that the accused discharged five rounds during the incident. The Police stated that the alleged attackers did the recce of the residence thrice before the incident.

In a media briefing, probing authorities informed that of all five rounds fired one was directed towards the apartment. The attackers changed clothes after crossing a nearby railway track to hide their identity.

The apprehended suspects, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), hailing from Bihar, were captured in Mata No Madh village in Gujarat's Kutch district following their evasion post the Sunday morning shooting at Salman Khan's house in Bandra. They were presented before a magistrate court on Tuesday, with the crime branch seeking a nine-day custody for interrogation to unravel any potential conspiracy and identify the mastermind.

The firing occurred around 5 am on Sunday when the two assailants on a motorcycle fired shots outside the 58-year-old actor's residence in Mumbai's Bandra area. Surveillance technology aided in the tracking of Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta. Fortunately, neither Salman Khan nor his family members sustained injuries during the incident.

Anmol Bishnoi later claimed responsibility for the attack through a Facebook post, warning Salman Khan of further consequences. The police have seized the motorcycle used in the assault and are delving into the motive behind the shooting.
NEW DELHI: Seema Haider, a Pakistani woman who entered India illegally to live with her Indian lover Sachin Meena, finds herself entangled in legal woes once again. Her first husband, Ghulam Haider, who is a Pakistani national, has lodged a petition in the Noida family court, contesting the validity of her marriage to Sachin Meena, according to media reports.

'Seema Haider-Sachin Meena's Marriage Illegal'

Ghulam Haider, residing in Karachi, Pakistan, has initiated legal action through an Indian attorney, challenging Seema's marital status and the religious conversion of their children. According to Haider's lawyer, Momin Malik, Seema failed to obtain a divorce from her first husband before marrying Sachin Meena, rendering their union legally questionable.

Seema Haider-Sachin Meena's Love Story

Seema Haider's journey into this legal quagmire began when she illegally entered India with her four minor children in May of last year. Her relationship with Sachin Meena, forged over the PUBG mobile game, culminated in a purported marriage ceremony in Kathmandu. Despite celebrating their first anniversary recently, the legitimacy of their union is under scrutiny.

Court's Summon For Seema Haider

The Noida family court has summoned Seema Haider to appear on May 27th to address the allegations raised by her first husband. Ansar Burney, a prominent Pakistani lawyer and human rights activist, initially assisted Ghulam Haider in seeking custody of their children. Burney enlisted the services of Indian lawyer Ali Momin, empowering him with the legal authority to represent Haider's interests in Indian courts.

Seema Haider's case has garnered attention beyond national borders, with Burney emphasizing the prohibition of underage religious conversions under international law. Seema, in previous interviews, asserted her conversion to Hinduism and her reluctance to return to Pakistan, claiming her children had also embraced the Hindu faith.

Seema Haider's Viral Video

A video recently went viral on social media showing Seema Haider with a bruised lip and a swollen eye, sparking rumours of domestic abuse by her husband Sachin Meena. However, Seema Haider and her lawyer AP Singh later clarified that the video was fake. In an official statement, AP Singh said the video of Seema Haider was artificially manipulated using AI and was posted on social media by Pakistani YouTubers.

After probing the source of the video, the Noida Police also said that Seema Haider's viral clip is a deepfake and she was not beaten up. Seema Haider also issued a statement clarifying that she is completely safe and there are no problems between her and her husband. She also slammed social media influencers and news channels in Pakistan for sharing this video and spreading misinformation during the holy month of Ramzan.
SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has said that if BJP wins the upcoming parliamentary elections, it might be the last election that the country would witness. The PDP leader said that neither she is interested in becoming the Chief Minister or a Member of Parliament. Mehbooba Mufti kickstarted her election campaign from South Kashmir's Shopian district earlier today.

"I am compelled to stand with you all who want me to become their voice. I want to raise the voice of the oppressed, the voice of all the youth locked in jails. Because I do not know whether there will be any elections after this or not. These elections are necessary today to raise the voice of the oppressed,'' Mufti said.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) launched its election campaign from South Kashmir for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir with a vibrant road show stretching from Tahab Crossing, Circular Road in Pulwama to Sangam in Anantnag on Tuesday.

Mehbooba Mufti and partys youth president Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, who is the party's candidate from the seat, led the rally, which drew hundreds of enthusiastic participants, predominantly of youth and PDP supporters.

Addressing the media after the event, Mehbooba Mufti extended condolences to the families affected by the recent Batwara Srinagar boat capsizing incident. Criticizing the current administration, she lamented the alleged transformation of the Union Territory into an open jail under the BJP-led Lt Governor's regime.

The PDPs election strategy was outlined, with Mufti contesting from the remodelled Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Para entering the fray from Srinagar-Pulwama, and Fayaz Ahmad Mir standing as the candidate from the north Kashmir constituency.

The PDPs decision to contest independently follows a public fallout with the National Conference despite their previous alliance in the INDIA coalition. The upcoming polls, commencing on April 19, will witness prominent contenders including former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and veteran National Conference leader Mian Altaf. Jammu and Kashmirs electoral landscape has undergone significant changes with the states transition to a Union territory.
New Delhi: From ensuring the safety of the country to carrying out rescue operations in natural calamity-hit areas, India's armed forces are purported to help the country. As the general elections draw nearer, the armed forces are once again on the call to help to aid the aim of conducting free and fair elections.

In a bid to facilitate the safe arrival of the polling teams at the booths in the Naxal-hit area, the Indian Air Force's Mi-17 helicopters have been deployed to provide heli-dropping.

Anurag Pandey, Bijapur Collector and Jitendra Yadav, Bijapur SP, assured of a peaceful voting process and safe environment for the election officials and voters. Gadchiroli SP, Neelotpal also informed that 6 IAF helicopters were deployed to heli drop 48 units of EVMs and polling teams in the highly sensitive area.

"Yesterday 6 Mi-17 helicopters of Indian Air Force came to us and from today they have started heli dropping, so today heli dropping of some 48 units is to be done where 48 units of EVMs and polling parties will be sent by helicopter. All these places fall in sensitive and highly sensitive areas," Gadchiroli SP told ANI.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, polling teams leave by helicopter to Naxal-hit areas, in Gadchiroli



Gadchiroli is going for polls in the first phase on 19th April. pic.twitter.com/3tlz7EI5Zm April 16, 2024

Anurag Pandey, Bijapur Collector informed that all the planning has been done under the direction of the Election Commission and the polling officials have been provided with the necessary equipment. Speaking to ANI, Pandey said, "The entire planning has been done under the guidance of the Election Commission and on the instructions of the Election Commission officials of our state. We start sending the teams three days before the polling. From today onwards, polling officials will leave for different areas.... All the election officials have been provided with the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and all the necessary equipment... And will stay in camps and will do their work."

When asked about the challenges of conducting elections in Naxal-hit areas, the Bijapur Collector expressed confidence in the polling team and said that the election officials are filled with enthusiasm. "Election itself is challenging and Bijapur officials are completely ready for this. In the past Vidhan Sabha elections, they did a commendable job. You will see, all our election officials are filled with enthusiasm..."

Anurag Pandey also outlined the facilities for the polling team and said that they will conduct peaceful voting. "All the necessary arrangements are made, all the safety measures are there and we believe that we will conduct a peaceful and successful voting...We have the full support of the police force, Air Force, BSF."

Keeping in mind the summer season, the Bijapur Collector also stated that the polling team at polling booths and camps will have access to doctors, medical, food, refreshments, and ORS packets.

Jitendra Yadav, Bijapur SP while speaking to ANI explained the concept of helicopter dropping during elections and said that they are important for threat areas. He said, "The concept of heli-dropping is in existence due to the ID threats, ambush threats, naxal attacks... We send polling teams directly via helicopters to areas which are threat areas... The internal areas like Palnar, and Pusnar are threat areas."

The SP further said that a secure atmosphere will be created so that people can cast their votes without any fear. "Central armed forces, state armed forces and DRG are all involved and will conduct area dominance searches in various areas. A safe environment will be created in which common people can cast their votes..."

11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh will go to polls in three phases on April 19, April 26 and May 7. Bastar will be the only seat to go to polls in the first phase on April 19.
New Delhi: United States House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday introduced a complex plan for providing aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan during wartime. Johnson announced that the Republican-led House would finally vote this week on aid legislation for Ukraine and Israel, following several months of delays and pressure from the right-wing.

Speaker Johnson posted on X about the next step, This week, we will consider separate bills with a structured and germane amendment process to: Fund our ally Israel, Support Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression, Strengthen our allies in the Indo-Pacific (and) Pass additional measures to counter our adversaries and strengthen our national security, the tweet read.

I have just spoken with the @HouseGOP conference on my plan to address national security supplemental legislation on the growing security crises.



This week, we will consider separate bills with a structured and germane amendment process to:



Fund our ally Israel

Support  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 15, 2024

The Republican Speaker met with other Republican lawmakers on Monday evening to discuss his plan to get the House to agree to the funding package. With some conservatives strongly against helping Ukraine, Johnson aims to streamline the process by having one debate but separate votes on aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other foreign policy measures.

Iran's recent missile and drone attack on Israel has reignited pressure on House Republicans to act on the national security package. This comes after Speaker Johnson spent the last two months contemplating how to navigate political divisions within the House to move the package forward.

As per report by news agency AP, While the House has been slow to take action, conflicts worldwide have intensified. Israel's military leader stated on Monday that they would retaliate against Iran's recent missile strike. On the other side, Ukraine's military leader warned over the weekend that the situation in the eastern part of the country has deteriorated significantly in recent days, as warmer weather has enabled Russian forces to launch a fresh offensive.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden who is currently hosting Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the White House, urged the House to promptly consider the funding package passed by the Senate. He said, " They have to do it now.
NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump made history as the first former US president to stand trial in a criminal case. He faced charges in a New York court concerning allegations of concealing hush-money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The outcome of this trial begs the question: How might a potential conviction affect Trump's aspirations for another presidency?

What's The Hush Money Case?

The trial revolves around a USD 130,000 payment made to Daniels in October 2016, orchestrated by Trump's then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, purportedly to maintain her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. Initially denying involvement, Trump later admitted to reimbursing Cohen, characterizing the transaction as a "simple private transaction." However, Cohen's subsequent guilty plea and testimony suggested that Trump's company mislabeled the payment as a legal expense, prompting prosecutors to allege campaign finance violations.

Charges Against Trump

Trump faces 34 felony charges for falsifying business records, with each charge carrying a maximum sentence of four years' imprisonment under New York law. However, as a first-time offender, Trump is less likely to receive a harsh sentence, with alternatives such as fines, probation, or home confinement being more plausible outcomes. Given his status as a former president and the logistical challenges of incarcerating him, even if convicted, Trump may remain free on bail during the appeals process.

Trump's US Presidency

Despite facing criminal charges, there are no legal barriers preventing Trump from pursuing another presidential bid. The US Constitution outlines minimal eligibility requirements, focusing primarily on age and citizenship. Even if convicted, Trump could theoretically assume the presidency from prison or home confinement if elected.

Efforts to bar Trump from electoral ballots based on criminal convictions may face legal hurdles, as adding additional requirements beyond those specified in the Constitution could be deemed unconstitutional. Trump has often framed legal challenges as part of a broader conspiracy, leveraging them to galvanize his supporters and boost campaign contributions.

However, public perception remains a significant factor. Recent polls indicate that a substantial majority of voters, including a notable portion of Republicans, view the charges against Trump as serious. A conviction could sway voter sentiment, potentially impacting his electoral prospects.
A cargo ship. Getty Images

China's stance in oil markets may be easing aggression between producers, Paul Sankey told CNBC.

"A big part of that is China standing behind the curtain and going, you know, can you please not interrupt our oil supply?"

Meanwhile, the US is voting on whether to apply sanctions between Iran and China, Bloomberg reported.

China's major stake in crude markets could be a soothing factor amid geopolitical tensions, oil expert Paul Sankey suggested in an interview with CNBC.

"It's interesting that the Venezuelan threats against Guyana go nowhere, the Iranian threats just peter out," the Sankey Research founder said. "And I think a big part of that is China standing behind the curtain and going, you know, can you please not interrupt our oil supply? We don't need a problem right here because we ourselves have our own issues."

After all, the country is the world's biggest crude buyer, and a crucial customer of producers sanctioned by the West. That includes Russia and Iran, with whom China has effectively created an alternative oil market, the Atlantic Council said in March.

China's heavy buying of Tehran's crude is how Sankey explained the oil market's muted response after tensions flared up between Iran and Israel this weekend: Brent crude, the international benchmark, actually declined under $90 a barrel through Monday.

"I think the big thing behind all of this is Iran's supply of oil to China. You know, I think that the oil going east is what's key," he said.

According to Reuters, small Chinese refineries take on 90% of Iran's total oil exports.

Echoing a post-weekend analysis from JPMorgan, Sankey agreed that it's not any countries interest to pursue deeper hostilities, and expects some form of sanctions to be applied on Tehran instead.

This already appears underway, with the US House of Representatives voting on whether to expand secondary sanctions against Iran on Monday, Bloomberg reported. The legislation would also target the crude trade Iran has with China.

Meanwhile, tensions between Venezuela and Guyana appear to be ongoing, though few major developments have occurred in the past months. The conflict between the two oil producers emerged in late 2023, when Caracas announced it would annex an oil-rich region belonging to Guyana.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- Silicon Valley chip developer Rivos Inc. raised more than $250 million as it works toward bringing out its first product, underscoring the push for new hardware to meet the needs of artificial intelligence.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Santa Clara, California-based company said Tuesday that Matrix Capital Management is the largest investor in the latest round, with new backers including Intel Capital and Taiwan chip design firm MediaTek Inc. participating.

Rivos is betting on demand from AI users that dont need the costliest and most powerful chips from the likes of Nvidia Corp. to run their services. The company targets customers using data analytics and generative AI, seeking to capitalize on the rising popularity of AI following the advent of ChatGPT.

We can target potentially smaller installations where Nvidia might seem like an overkill from a cost perspective, Rivos co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Puneet Kumar said in an interview. We can go in with a solution that works well enough and can compete quite well.

Rivoss chip uses the open-standard RISC-V, a design competing with Arm Holdings Plc, Kumar said. He declined to give details of its chip structure, timeline for product releases, or the startups valuation.

The company plans to use the fresh funds to pilot produce chips using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.s 3NE process technology, among the most advanced in mass production. TSMCs strategic partner VentureTech Alliance was an existing investor in Rivos and took part in the latest round, along with Walden Catalyst, Dell Technologies Capital, and Koch Disruptive Technologies.

Lip-Bu Tan, the founding chairman of Rivos and early backer, said RISC-V has strong long-term potential especially in data analytics and generative AI applications. Tan, the former chairman and CEO of chip design software company Cadence Design Systems Inc., has been an investor in several key chip startups sold to Amazon.com Inc., Qualcomm Inc., and Intel Corp. He is on the board of Intel.

Kumar was previously part of the team at P.A. Semi Inc., a chip design firm acquired by Apple Inc. as the iPhone maker started to make its own chips. He started Rivos in 2021. Apple sued Rivos in 2022, claiming trade secret theft. Rivos sued back, saying the tech giant forces employees to sign restrictive agreements that prevent them from working elsewhere, stifling up-and-coming companies.

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In February, Apple said it reached an agreement to settle the case, paving the way for the new funding round.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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COLORADO (KXRM)  The numbers are staggering, said Brian Blauser, Supervisory Special Agent for FBI Denvers Financial Crimes Unit, who spoke to FOX21 News on Monday, April 15 about millions of dollars stolen from Coloradans in 2023 by scammers.

Ways scammers targeted Coloradans in 2023

According to FBI Denver, last year scammers stole $187,621,731 from 11,475 Colorado victims, ranking Colorado seventh in the U.S. for complaints per capita. The top three schemes representing the largest losses in 2023, were; investment fraud, business email compromise (BEC), and tech support.

Courtesy: IC3, the table shows Crime Type by Victim Loss from 2023 in Colorado.

Investment Fraud

According to Blauser, the most common type of investment fraud is through cryptocurrency scams, specifically a variant of the Pig Butchering scam.

How does it start?

According to FBI Denver, victims are being approached on social media, dating apps, or discussion forums with an opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency. The victim is then sent a fraudulent link or phone number to set up an investment account, controlled by scammers, who disappear with the money once the victim transfers funds.

They, [being] the bad guys, who control the investment site that youre able to login to, can make whatever numbers they want to show in your account, so they will make it look like youre making an absolute killing on your investments, said Blauser.

How are they stealing so much money?

Blauser warned that when victims become wary, scammers know what to do.

They may even allow [the victim] to withdraw funds, said Blauser. And Ive seen people take out second mortgages [and] deplete their 401K and so it can be very devastating and has been very devastating to a lot of the victims out there.

Scammers will continue to steal from victims, according to Blauser, by telling them they have to pay taxes and fees to get their money.

The bad guys will say, Oh, you have to pay a tax related to this, [or] Oh, your account has been flagged for money laundering and you need to pay X amount of fees to get yourself off the flagging list, said Blauser. And again, they are just getting even more money from you and youll never be able to withdraw anything because theres no availability to do so.

How to avoid becoming a victim:

Blauser said to avoid becoming a victim; be wary about whats being pitched to you, that theres No such thing as a guaranteed return, and if you receive unsolicited text messagesits probably a scam.

Business Email Compromise or BEC

These scams have been around for a while, according to Blauser, but are still wildly successful.

By and large somebodys email credentials are likely being compromised and the bad guys can monitor [the victims] email account, said Blauser, who added that BEC scams often target law firms, title companies, and banks.

How are BEC scams impacting the housing market?

BEC scams are also frequently seen in real estate. Blauser said the scammer will register an email domain that appears to be similar to a victims and will send the would-be buyer an email, which will specify how much they owe and where to send it.

And because they have been able to compromise somebodys email account, they will know almost the exact dollar amount of the down payment, said Blauser.

How to spot the warning signs:

To avoid becoming a victim of a BEC scam, Blauser said to always check email addresses closely, follow up the email with a call to prior contacts, but do not call the phone number listed in the suspicious email, and be careful what youre clicking on especially if you receive an unsolicited email with links included.

Tech Support

A more recent scam, which increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Blauser, is using fake tech support to dupe a victim.

How does it work?

Scammers send an email that appears to be from Amazon or a victims bank, that asks about a recent purchase or wire transfer and whether its legit. The email will provide contact information to the victim, who is prompted to call the number to get things resolved.

So really their whole point in however they are initiating the scam is to get you to contact a phone number that they are in control of, warned Blauser.

What are the other ways scammers can do this?

These scams can also appear as a pop-up on a victims computer that says it has been affected by a virus.

Once the scammer is able to access a victims computer or get them on the phone, a scam dubbed The Phantom Hacker, comes into play. Essentially, the scam is designed to make people believe their financial accounts have been hacked and get them to move their money to an account controlled by the scammers.

Weve seen staggering losses to individuals who have wired their life savings or retirement accounts because they think that their accounts were compromised, said Blauser. And the bad guys are going to get you to wire any funds that you potentially have to a bank account that they control.

How can I protect myself?

To avoid becoming a victim, Blauser said never to call the phone number on a suspicious email but instead, grab your bank statement or look up your Amazon account and contact support from an independently verified source outside of the email. Blauser added, that you should always be very careful with whom you are sharing your personal identifying information.

What are the age groups being impacted most?

According to 2023 data from the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, the group of people most impacted were those 60 years and older, which Blauser said is often the case as they are the ones who have accumulated the most savings throughout their lives, so because of that, they are targeted.

Courtesy: IC3, the table shows scam victims by age group from 2023 in Colorado.

If you believe you are a victim of any of the scams listed above or another financial scam not listed, file a complaint with the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center, via www.ic3.gov. If you feel threatened in any way, contact your local law enforcement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Assessing the Sustainability of CODI's Dividends

Compass Diversified Holdings (NYSE:CODI) recently announced a dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on 2024-04-25, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-04-17. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Compass Diversified Holdings's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Compass Diversified Holdings Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with CODI.

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How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

Compass Diversified Holdings is a diversified business conglomerate based in the United States having two groups: branded consumer business and industrial business. Branded consumer businesses are characterized as those businesses that capitalize on a valuable brand name in their respective market sector. It includes 5.11, Ergobaby, Liberty Safe, and Velocity Outdoor. Industrial businesses are characterized as those businesses that focus on manufacturing and selling particular products and industrial services within a specific market sector. The company has operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia Pacific, and other International areas.

Compass Diversified Holdings's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Compass Diversified Holdings's Dividend History

Compass Diversified Holdings has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2006. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Breaking Down Compass Diversified Holdings's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Compass Diversified Holdings currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 4.36% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 4.36%. This suggests an expectation of the same dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Compass Diversified Holdings's annual dividend growth rate was -11.40%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to -8.00% per year. And over the past decade, Compass Diversified Holdings's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at -2.90%.

Based on Compass Diversified Holdings's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Compass Diversified Holdings stock as of today is approximately 2.87%.

Compass Diversified Holdings's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-12-31, Compass Diversified Holdings's dividend payout ratio is 0.42.

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Compass Diversified Holdings's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Compass Diversified Holdings's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-12-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported net profit in 9 years out of the past 10 years.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Compass Diversified Holdings's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Compass Diversified Holdings's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Compass Diversified Holdings's revenue has increased by approximately 7.60% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 52.5% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Compass Diversified Holdings's earnings increased by approximately -13.30% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 17.29% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 11.00%, which outperforms approximately 55.29% of global competitors.

Conclusion: Evaluating CODI's Dividend Prospects

When considering Compass Diversified Holdings's dividend payments, growth rate, payout ratio, profitability, and growth metrics, investors are presented with a multifaceted view of the company's financial health. While the dividend growth rate has shown a downward trend, the company's solid profitability rank and positive growth metrics may provide some reassurance about the future. The payout ratio indicates a balance between returning income to shareholders and retaining earnings for growth, suggesting a level of prudence in Compass Diversified Holdings's dividend policy. As investors weigh these factors, they must also consider the broader economic conditions and the company's strategic direction to determine the long-term sustainability of its dividends.

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


UnitedHealth Group trounced first-quarter expectations even as costs from a cyberattack to its Change Healthcare business ate into the companys performance.

The health care giant also said Tuesday that care patterns in the years first quarter met its expectations after soaring medical costs at the end of last year surprised Wall Street.

Company shares jumped in midday trading.

UnitedHealth said earlier this year that a ransomware group had gained access to some of the systems of its Change Healthcare business, which provides technology used to submit and process insurance claims. The attack disrupted payment and claims processing around the country, stressing doctors offices and health care systems.

Federal civil rights investigators are looking into whether protected health information was exposed in the attack.

UnitedHealth is still restoring several services from the February attack. It took an $872 million hit from it in the first quarter, but CEO Andrew Witty told analysts on Tuesday that the company expected to bring Change Healthcare back much stronger than it was before.

UnitedHealth also booked a roughly $7 billion charge in the quarter for selling a Brazilian health benefits and care provider it bought more than a decade ago.

Overall the company lost $1.41 billion in the first quarter. Total revenue grew more than 8% to $99.8 billion.

Adjusted earnings totaled $6.91 per share. That excluded the cost from the sale of the Brazilian business and some of expenses tied to the cyberattack.

Analysts expected earnings of $6.61 per share on $99.23 billion in revenue.

UnitedHealth provides health insurance for more than 49 million people in the United States. Its Optum segment also provides care, runs one of the nations largest pharmacy benefits management businesses and offers technology services.

Total costs tied to the cyberattack and recovery amounted to 74 cents per share in the quarter. About two-thirds of that, or 49 cents, was direct response costs that the company excluded from adjusted earnings.

That includes increased medical expenses the company incurred from suspending its pre-approval or prior authorization requirements for some care.

UnitedHealth expects the full impact of the cyberattack will amount to a hit of between $1.15 to $1.35 per share to earnings this year.

The Minnetonka, Minnesota, company on Tuesday also reaffirmed a 2024 earnings forecast it first laid out last fall for adjusted earnings of $27.50 to $28 per share.

Analysts expect earnings of $27.50 per share.

Company shares climbed more than 5% to $469.04 in midday trading Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, of which UnitedHealth is a member, rose slightly.

Jefferies analyst David Windley said in a research note that the positive share reaction was not surprising because the stock had been down partially in anticipation of a guidance cut.
The decisions youre making are going to end with a smoking hole in the ground: Inside the Boeing catastrophe

Ray Goforth had rarely seen one of Boeings experienced flight simulator instructors lose their cool.

It was around 2013, and the American aerospace giant was preparing to close down the simulator facility at its historic home near Seattle and move those machines more than 2,700 miles across the country to Miami. That meant laying off the small crew of veteran instructors  who, it just so happened, had recently joined the labor union SPEEA.

But one instructor, named Willy, was worried about more than his job. He knew that Boeings own engineers would frequently drive over from their offices nearby to test out the quirks of aircraft they were building. Without such easy access, what future problems might be missed?

"These pilots are super calm under pressure," recalls SPEEAs executive director Ray Goforth, who sat in on the negotiations, in an interview with The Independent.

"But [Willy] lost his temper, which was very surprising, and he yelled at them: I dont know how, I dont know why, but the decisions youre making are going to end with a smoking hole in the ground."

That conversation came back to Goforths mind in 2019, when Boeing was forced to suspend production of its 737 Max airliner after two crashes in which flawed manoeuvring software overrode pilots input and ploughed their planes into the Earth, killing a total of 348 people.

"Willy was right," Goforth remembers thinking. "When you start throwing that experience away, you dont know what youre breaking."

A bouquet of flowers is left at the site of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max crash (Getty Images)

Today Boeing is mired in the deepest crisis in its history after a string of serious safety failures that have horrified passengers, grounded numerous planes, and cost tens of billions of dollars.

Once considered the jewel of American manufacturing prowess, the company is under close scrutiny by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and has been forced to eject several executives, including its CEO Dave Calhoun.

In January, an Alaska Airlines flight narrowly avoided disaster when a door plug  that is, a metal panel that replaces an optional exit door  suddenly blew out at 16,000 feet. Though no one was killed, a preliminary investigation found that the door plug appeared to be missing four key bolts.

And on Wednesday, the US Senate will hear testimony from a trio of experts who recently audited Boeings safety culture, as well as a whistleblower who claims that it punished him for reporting his concerns.

To be clear, Boeings simulator layoffs didnt cause those fatal 737 Max crashes. Yet critics say that decision was symptomatic of a corporate culture that has badly degraded the quality of Boeings aircraft through a 20-year regime of cost-cutting and cover-ups.

The cult of shareholder value

The story of Boeings long decline begins with an idea: that the purpose of a corporation is to maximize "shareholder value".

Today this idea is orthodoxy throughout the business world. But in 1970, when the neoclassical economist Milton Friedman declared that increasing profits was a companys "one and only social responsibility", it was considered radical.

The idea gained traction, and by the late Nineties, Americas boardrooms were dominated by the cult of shareholder value. Buccaneering executives such as longtime General Electric chief Jack Welch  known as "Neutron Jack" for his habit of firing the worst ten per cent of his managers every year  were lionized for their relentless focus on delivering dividends to investors (though Welch has since disputed that "shareholder value" was ever his main goal).

"The way a well-run company works is that people and technologies come first; customers are made happy by that; and that ultimately shows up in the share price," says Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace consultant who has been sounding alarms about Boeings corporate strategy for many years. "But the way GE was run [under Welch] was: No, no, you dont need any of that. Its just about the share price."

That, according to multiple journalists who have covered Boeings history in depth, is what the company began to embrace after its 1997 merger with a struggling rival aerospace company called McDonnell Douglas.

Driven by the deregulation of the US airline market under presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, which had eroded their formerly cosy position, Boeings executives were keen to absorb the cost-cutting culture of their longtime rival.

And so it was the smaller firm that ended up dominating its buyer, with McDonnell Douglas executives put in charge of the new merged company. "The joke at Boeing was: McDonnell Douglas used Boeings money to buy Boeing," says Aboulafia.

For Stan Sorscher, a veteran Boeing engineer and later labor union SPEEA staffer who dealt often with company managers and employees, the difference was palpable. For decades Boeing had been led by engineers like him, who respected expertise and were focused on quality above all else.

After the merger, he tells The Independent, executives increasingly disregarded the engineers perspectives, demanding that they work backwards from ill-informed corporate mandates delivered from on high by professional managers with little aviation experience.

A handout picture showing the Alaska Airlines Boeing investigation after a door plug blew out at 16,000ft (NTSB/AFP via Getty Images)

Aboulafia reserves particular scorn for Jim McNerney, Boeings CEO between 2005 and 2015, who reportedly saw technical experience as overrated and frequently troublesome. Under him and his successors, Aboulafia contends that Boeing became "a one-size fits all corporate culture focused on cutting costs and nothing else", so indifferent to quality that it "made McDonnell Douglas seem like Apple."

Meanwhile, Boeing diverted vast sums of cash away from its core business and towards investors. It drastically increased the dividends it paid out for each share, while spending billions of dollars per year on buying back its own stock in order to prop up the price.

According to an analysis by Marie Christine Duggan, an economics professor at Keene College in New Hampshire, the proportion of Boeings free cash flow spent on dividends and buybacks rose from around 23 per cent in 1990 to 66 per cent by 2017. Meanwhile, the proportion spent on new machines and equipment plummeted.

In short, Duggan tells The Independent, Boeings real product had become its share price.

To both Duggan and Aboulafia, this was an audacious piece of corporate siphoning  and not one that could be sustained. If these massive payouts were only made possible by slashing investment in new airplanes, how long would it be until the money ran out?

Indeed, when McNerney stepped down in 2015, Aboulafia warned that Boeing would one day pay a "high price" for his short-termist leadership.

"Ultimately the competitiveness of a jetliner producer depends upon its suppliers and its workforce. Theres nothing else, when you think about it," says Aboulafia now.

"So if you treat both like disposable commodities  if you regard them as something to be broken, [and] squeezed for costs no matter the consequences  then theres going to be trouble down the road."

Outsourcing and alleged union-busting

The first major test of this new management approach was the 787 Dreamliner.

After announcing the aircraft in 2003, Boeings leaders gave engineers a stark challenge: build it for less than 40 per cent of what the Boeing 777 had cost more than a decade beforehand.

To accomplish this, McNerney and his predecessor Harry Stonecipher decided to outsource many of the Dreamliners individual components to other companies, relinquishing some control over design and production in the hope of externalizing the costs of developing and building new aircraft.

That approach might work well for other industries, whose products are less complex and tend to kill fewer people when they fail. For Boeing, it resulted in a plane delivered three years behind schedule and a reported $9bn over-budget, which had to be grounded less than two years after its 2011 debut due to a series of electrical fires caused by malfunctioning batteries.

"It was, I think, without question the worst airplane program in the history of the industry," says Sorscher, who had spent years trying to persuade bosses and financial analysts that Boeings new regime wouldnt work.

To his surprise, however, Boeings bosses were not deterred by these failures. Instead, they doubled down.

In 2011, for example, after Boeings suppliers started enjoying better profit margins than Boeing itself, McNerney demanded that they cut their prices by as much as 15 per cent  an initiative innocuously titled Partnering for Success ("Orwell would have a field day with this s**t," Aboulafia says). Those who refused would be put on a "no-fly list" and barred from further business with Boeing.

The company broke with nearly a century of tradition and said it would assemble its new 787 Dreamliner at a new, non-unionized factory in South Carolina. US labor officials sued the company, alleging that the move was an act of retaliation for past strikes  only to withdraw that accusation in 2011 as part of a settlement.

It was, says Ray Goforth, as if a "poison" was spreading through the company. Experienced test pilots were laid off and replaced by less experienced contractors. Its technical support center, which provides live help to airlines experiencing trouble with Boeing craft, was gutted and re-established in Los Angeles. Even the "field service representatives" embedded at major airports were outsourced, Goforth claims.

Soon, safety problems began to pile up.

In 2014, an Al Jazeera reporter with a hidden camera recorded Dreamliner workers claiming that some of their colleagues were clocking in high on "coke and painkillers and weed". Asked if they would fly on the planes they were building, 10 out of 15 workers said no.

Former Boeing CEO David Calhoun is mobbed by reporters after speaking at the US Senate (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

In 2019, a New York Times investigation found evidence that tools and other random debris  such as loose bolts, metal shavings, pieces of packaging, and even a ladder  were "routinely" left inside of planes, and sometimes inside the engines.

John Barnett, a veteran Boeing quality manager at the Charleston plant, would later testify he had found more than 400 inadequate parts missing from their designated cage, suggesting they had actually been installed into planes illegally and without documentation.

Throughout 2019, 2020, and 2021, the company was repeatedly forced to delay Dreamliner deliveries and spend billions on extra inspections and fixes due to newly-discovered flaws. One airline, Qatar Airways, even refused to accept any Dreamliners not built in Washington state.

Similar problems allegedly plagued the 737 Max program.

Ed Pierson, a former senior manager at Boeing, would later testify to the US House of Representatives that 737 Max workers were overworked and exhausted by excessive overtime, and that he had warned Boeing this could cause safety problems  to no avail.

When Pierson asked his superior to temporarily shut down the plant to address his concerns, the superior allegedly responded: "We cant do that. I cant do that."

Similar issues have since surfaced at Spirit, where the Alaska Airlines plane with the malfunctioning door plug was originally built.

"We have planes all over the world that have issues that nobody has found because of the pressure Spirit has put on employees to get the job done so fast," a local union leader told The Wall Street Journal.

All of this, Goforth argues, also drove away experienced employees and robbed the company of expertise, degrading its ability to notice problems before they became crises.

Shooting the messenger

Some time in the late noughties or early 2010s, Stan Sorscher was attempting to persuade a Boeing executive that the Dreamliner program had serious problems. Managers, Sorscher warned the executive, were not aware of how bad things had become because their employees felt afraid to raise concerns. One worker had voiced doubts about the capabilities of a supplier, only to be rebuffed by their boss.

Immediately the executives assistant jumped up and said: "Whats the name of that supervisor?"

It was, Sorscher alleges, a vivid example of one of Boeings biggest problems: a tendency to "shoot the messenger".

"They could never anticipate anything, and they were always caught flat-footed by some terrible problem that many people in the workplace knew would happen but nobody would say anything about it," Sorscher says. "And that happened over and over and over and over and over again."

In Washington state, most workers were unionized and therefore protected from direct retaliation. Even so, Goforth claims that they often came under "tremendous pressure" not to escalate issues to upper management.

"The phrase thats used with Boeing culture is Thats a career-limiting decision. People understand that if they push too hard on something, theyll find themselves maybe on the layoff list next time theres an economic downturn," he says.

"Boeing has an ethics line, which I never discourage people from using because I dont want someone to turn around and sue the union. But most people who have tried reporting through ethics have had an extremely negative experience, and they never do it again."

In Charleston and elsewhere, the punishments for speaking up were allegedly far harsher. Multiple workers told The New York Times that they were punished for reporting problems, while another told Al Jazeera that he was targeted for insisting on proper documentation.

John Barnett  a 30-year Boeing employee known to friends as Swampy due to his Louisiana roots  was allegedly reprimanded for "using email to express process violations", and said in his whistleblower complaint that he had been repeatedly harassed, humiliated, and demoted for raising concerns (which Boeing denied).

Barnett was found dead inside his truck in a hotel parking lot from a gunshot wound to the head on March 9. He had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against Boeing in the days before his death. Coroners ruled the death a suicide and Boeing said it was saddened to hear of his passing. But Barnetts family told CBS News that they hold Boeing partially responsible for his death, stating that the pressure he was put under after making his whistleblower complaint led to a pronounced decline in his mental state.

An FAA audit would later find dozens of issues in the Max production process.

A worker walks past a Boeing 737-MAX under construction (REUTERS)

Last week, another whistleblower named Sam Salehpour alleged that Boeing had taken "shortcuts" to speed up its production of Dreamliners and Boeing 777s, leading to potential structural flaws. He too said the company had punished him for saying this internally, excluding him from meetings and moving him into a new division.

Boeing declined to comment on that specific claim, saying only that "retaliation is strictly prohibited" at the company. It denied Salehpours claims about plane production, calling them "inaccurate" and saying it was confident in both models.

To Sorscher and Goforth, it seemed that all the old mechanisms that were meant to catch errors were being disassembled piece by piece. The old Boeing culture regarded every little step of the process as a potential weak link; the new one seemed to regard them as potential redundancies to be streamlined.

"Everyone who works at Boeing puts their own families on these airplanes," says Goforth. "I genuinely believe that nobody at the company said This might kill people, but were going to do it. Its a thousand little decisions  Do we really need to do it this way? Maybe we can shorten this?  that accumulate into danger."

Investigations ultimately traced the two 737 Max crashes to a complex cocktail of questionable decisions, made in pursuit of Boeings bottom line. Executives had been unexpectedly bounced into committing to the Max as they scrambled to retain a major customer, resulting in an unwieldy design with a danger of stalling during certain standard test manoeuvres.

A system called MCAS was meant to compensate for this by automatically pushing the nose downward if it sensed a stall. But a series of unanticipated problems during testing led designers to progressively boost the systems power while making it more vulnerable to accidental activation.

And, because Boeing had already promised airlines that the Max would require no extra training compared to the 737, it didnt tell pilots that MCAS even existed  while allegedly rejecting safety features that could have stopped it from malfunctioning.

Hence, the pilots on board Lion Air Flight 610 had no idea what was happening when a broken sensor caused MCAS to activate 26 times in a row. The pilots on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 had read a Boeing bulletin revealing the systems existence, but had no practical experience trying to countermand it when it sent them into a dive.

We are all complicit

None of this happened in a vacuum. For years, following orders from the Republican-controlled Congress of 2003, the FAA allowed Boeing and other companies to "self-certify" their aircraft.

This was necessary, one former official said, because the agency did not have enough inspectors to actually scrutinize them in detail anyway.

Indeed, the FAA signed off on Boeings training guidelines for the 737 Max, which did not mention MCAS. It allowed Boeing to handle most of the testing to certify the Max, and allegedly never properly reviewed Boeings safety documents.

Meanwhile, many senior politicians supported Boeing in its strategy. Nikki Haley, then the governor of South Carolina, publicly opposed unionization efforts among Boeing workers in her state and was later appointed to its board of directors.

Lindsey Graham, the long-serving South Carolina senator, sharply criticised the Obama administrations lawsuit over the North Charleston plant.

For Marie Duggan, the roots of the problem extend even further. The fact that Boeing was incentivized to shower shareholders with benefits while squeezing quality was no accident, she says; that is just how we have allowed financial markets to work.

She cites in particular the legalization of stock buybacks in 1982 under Ronald Reagan, which she believes should be reversed. The problem, though, is that doing this now could cause millions of peoples pensions to drop in value.

"In the USA we are all complicit in wanting the stock market to go up," she says. "And that is particularly true because the social security system does not provide an adequate income to live on for retirement."

She also floats the idea that the US federal government could take a share of ownership in Boeing, just as the European aviation giant Airbus is partly owned by the governments of France, Germany, and Spain.

The Max crashes, and the Alaska Airlines door plug blowout, have pushed the FAA to crack down. Mandatory groundings and inspections of Boeing models have steadily increased, and in February the agency gave Boeing 90 days to come up with a new quality control plan or have its production capped at "unsustainable" levels.

Ironically, however, it may be Boeings customers who have made the biggest difference. "Airline leaders have been frustrated to say the least, and in many respects aghast, at what is going on," John Strickland, a UK-based aviation industry consultant who visited Boeings production line in 2019, tells The Independent.

He cites figures such as Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates, who said in February that Boeing was in the "last chance saloon", and Michael OLeary, boss of the Irish budget airline Ryanair, who demanded in 2022 that Boeing "get their s**t together".

An exterior shot of the Boeing company headquarters in Arlington (Getty Images)

Indeed, Aboulafia credits pressure from airlines with forcing Boeings chief executive David Calhoun to announce his departure at the end of this year.

"If Boeing is saved, itll be saved by a revolt of the market," he says. "You look at what has forced this management change  was it investors seeking returns? Bizarrely, it wasnt. Was it the Pentagon and the US government? Hell no. Ultimately it was the customers saying Yeah, no, enough."

The problem is that airlines cannot simply switch away if Boeing fails to deliver. Its only real competitor is Airbus, whose order book is full for years to come, and the incredibly long timescale of plane manufacturing and ordering means any such change wouldnt happen for up to a decade.

In the meantime, full FAA certification of Boeings latest plane  a new version of the 777X  is at least two years late, while hundreds of 737 Maxes churned out during the 2019 groundings are still sitting in a Washington airfield, waiting to be fixed.

In response to questions from The Independent, a spokesperson for Boeing said it had embarked on a comprehensive program of inspections and safety improvements, including stopping its 737 assembly plant for a day to hold an all-hands safety meeting. In 2019 it set up a confidential reporting channel for employees called Speak Up.

The spokesperson declined to make any Boeing executives available for interview, but pointed to a speech last month by chief financial officer Brian West, who said: "For years, we prioritized the movement of the airplane through the factory over getting it done right, and thats got to change."

Ray Goforth is skeptical: "Ive seen nothing that convinces me the leadership of the company has learned a single lesson. Theyre saying lots of nice words now, but I havent seen anything of substance."

He alleges that, among other things, Boeing is resisting the union SPEEAs demands for a new safety reporting process.

A Boeing spokesperson declined to give details about its position in those negotiations, saying only that the company has offered SPEEA "the same agreement" that it signed with another union.

"We believe it will make a difference in ensuring product safety," the spokesperson said. "This tri-party agreement is modelled after the longstanding and proven Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) which is used in the airlines and elsewhere in Boeing."

Ultimately, Strickland argues, it is Boeings own workers that the company needs to convince, just as much as their customers and passengers.

"Ive been on the factory floor, and seen all the signs they have up about quality and pride in production," he says. "But you could understand if some of the workforce are thinking: Why should we believe it?"

A Boeing spokesperson said: Since January 5th, weve been working to ensure that our employees understand that speaking up about concerns, errors, mistakes and changes that could affect the safety of our products is the single best action that every employee at Boeing can take to improve safety and quality. We are also taking action to ensure our managers understand their role in creating Positive Safety Culture and making sure their employees feel safe to report issues and trust that leaders are listening and taking action. Were also making changes that will simplify and streamline the Speak Up process to ensure it is efficient and thorough in identifying and addressing potential product safety issues.
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

After weeks of intrigue and oddly vague court filings, documents filed at the last minute on Monday night finally revealed what Donald Trump was forced to give up to score a deal with the Knight Specialty Insurance Company.

The documents reveal that the former president was forced to sign away rights to his account at the investment bank Charles Schwabin which he claims to have more than $175 millionjust to keep the New York Attorney General from snatching his properties in recent weeks after a judge ruled that Trump committed bank fraud.

The $175 million bond is collateralized by $175,304,075.95 in cash held in a Charles Schwab account pledged to KSIC, and KSIC has the right to exercise control over that account, the company and Trumps lawyers said in a joint memorandum.

His eldest known son, Don Jr., signed off on the deal on behalf of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust last month, granting Knight a security interest over the brokerage account.

Trump Bonds Cayman Connection Stinks to High Heaven

The insurance company now has a first priority lien and security interest on whatever money is stored in that account. The Trump trust will be required to ensure it contains no less than $175 million in cash or cash equivalents at all times, according to the memorandum.

The Schwab account in question appears to be different from another Schwab account Trump put up as collateral when he secured a $92 million bond through Chubbs Federal Insurance Co. in his federal rape defamation case.

The filings were a response to challenges from the New York attorney generals office, which earlier this month called into question Knights ability to justify the surety of the bond. Defending its financial solvency in the memorandum, the firm characterized itself as a respected, well-capitalized, Delaware-domiciled insurer that has long underwritten surety bonds and other types of insurance placed around the country.

Based in California, Knight is not licensed to issue surety bonds in New York, nor has it obtained a certificate of qualification from the states Department of Financial Services. But company officials have insisted that that doesnt matter.

Knight Specialty Insurance Company is not a New York domestic insurer, and New York surplus lines insurance laws do not regulate the solvency of non-New York excess lines insurers, Amit Shah, Knights president, told CBS News.

Donald Trump Posts $175M Bond in New York Civil Fraud Case

Also at issue is a New York regulation stating that a company cant issue a bond to a single borrower that constitutes more than 10 percent of its capital. Knight had admitted in an April 4 filing that it had only $138 million in surplus, taking it well beyond the states barrier.

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But Shah argued to CBS that Knight maintains over $1 billion in equity, a claim at odds with financial statements filed around the time showing that the firm had just $26 million in cash and bank deposits and $483 million in stocks and bonds.

Adding to the confusion was the fact that Knight initially failed to provide that data, among other errors that caused the New York court clerks to order it to refile its bond posting. At this venture, with so much at stake, to make these kinds of mistakes, its almost unthinkable, an attorney for Michael Cohen told The Daily Beast at the time.

After raising questions about Knights ability to take on the risk, New York Attorney General Letitia James gave the company and Trump 10 days to prove its financial mettle. Had Knight blown its midnight deadline, James could have begun the process of seizing Trumps assets.

But instead, in Mondays court filings, Knight contended that it independently maintains more than $539 million in assets and $138 million in equity and has access to more than $2 billion in assets and $1 billion in equity, of which nearly $1 billion is cash and marketable securities, pursuant to a reinsurance agreement with its parent company, Knight Insurance Company.

Trump Insists Hell be Able to Pay Bond Without Selling Anything

Elsewhere in the filings, the company explained, KSIC also has a standing agreement with its parent company, Knight Insurance Company, Ltd. (KIC), by which KIC reinsures 100% of KSICs risk. The $175 million bond at issue is adequately secured.

The $175 million bond staves off the $464 million civil fraud judgment levied against Trump and his co-defendants while they appeal. A hearing on the bond has tentatively been scheduled for April 22.

Knight is owned by Don Hankey, a Golden State billionaire who made his $7.4 billion fortune through subprime loans. His shady business practices were the target of the Trump administration, whose Justice Department sued his financial company after it found it had illegally repossessed 70 cars belonging to service members.

Hankeys company, Westlake Financial Services, agreed to pay more than $700,000 to settle the matter. Further legal woes brought by the Justice Department in later years would eventually nose its financial penalties north of a million dollars.

Though he donated tens of thousands of dollars to Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and has copped to voting for him, Hankey maintains the bond is just business.

This is what we do at Knight Insurance, and were happy to do this for anyone who needs a bond, he told the Associated Press after Trump posted his bond.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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DOVER  The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2024 Annual Award winners, who will be honored May 9 at the annual gala.

Business of the Year is Jewelry Creations, which first opened its doors in Dover in 1981. Current owners Doug and Kelly Glennon purchased the business seven years ago, but their involvement in the greater Dover community began more than 20 years ago. In addition to serving on boards such as Seacoast Educational Endowment Dover, Profile Bank, Dover Childrens Home, and Saint Mary Academy, the Glennons donate regularly to local organizations and encourage each of their staff members to select a local charity for a donation during New Hampshire Gives week.

Nonprofit of the Year is Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST), which connects people and communities through its fixed-route buses and on-demand paratransit services. Since 1982, COAST has provided more than 16 million rides to workers, older adults, students, and others in the greater Seacoast region, linking them to work, school, medical appointments, shopping, social events, and support services. COAST prides itself on providing customer-focused public transportation with a commitment to safety and service.

Newburyport Bank business development officer Alan Brown, right, presents a check to Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce President Margaret Joyce. Newburyport Bank will serve as the underwriter for the Chamber's Annual Awards Gala, which takes place May 9, 2024.

This years Community Arts Champion is Cliff Blake, who has served as vice chair of the Dover Arts Commission for the past four years. Blake was instrumental in bringing about the installation of a commemorative manhole cover to celebrate the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles creation in Dover and was a key driver for the implementation of Dovers recent Arts and Economic Prosperity Survey. He serves as a Dover Public Library trustee, is a member of the Cochecho Arts Festival Committee, and is an enthusiastic participant with Dover Doers and Dont Trash Dover.

Sean OConnell, a partner with Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., Attorneys at Law, is the 2024 Citizen of the Year. A former GDCC board chair, OConnell is also a past chair of the Childrens Museum of New Hampshire and was instrumental in bringing about the museums move to Dover. He currently serves on the Dover Childrens Home Board of Directors, is a founder and board member for Great Bay Rowing, a member of the University of New Hampshire Alumni Awards Committee, and a former president of the Strafford County Bar Association.

The David K. Bamford Educator of the Year is Beverly Hodsdon, who is an adjunct professor in the Digital Media Communications Program at Great Bay Community College. As a graphic designer with more than 30 years experience, Hodsdon brings real-life projects to the classroom for her students to work on. In 2022 Hodsdon received the Great Bay Community College Presidents Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member. In addition to running her business, Joyce Design Solutions, Hodsdon served as a board member for the Richie McFarland Childrens Center for 16 years.

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How to get tickets for Dover chamber awards

The 2024 Annual Awards Gala will be held May 9 at a GDCC member business, The Red Barn at Outlook Farm in South Berwick, Maine, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $90 each and include a networking reception and full dinner.

This years gala is underwritten by Newburyport Bank.

Newburyport Bank is proud to support the Annual Awards Gala for the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, says Newburyport Bank Business Development Officer Alan Brown, as this is where we join together to celebrate the success of our fellow business and community leaders. These are the folks that keep our community thriving, and it is our pleasure to journey alongside them.

Other sponsors include Cleveland, Waters and Bass, P.A.; First Seacoast Bank; D.F. Richard Energy; Profile Bank; Shaheen & Gordon, P.A.; Wentworth-Douglass Hospital; Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, P.A.; SERVPRO of The Seacoast; and HRCU. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit dovernh.org/awards or call the chamber at 603-742-2218.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Dover chamber announces 2024 Annual Award winners
Two new mixed-use projects in Taylor involve renovating old buildings, including a church built in 1912, to revitalize the downtown area.

One of the developments, Talbot Commons, already has opened a boutique hotel in former Sunday school classrooms at what used to be the First Presbyterian Church at 114 W. Sixth St.

Another development, called the Pharmacy, is renovating a downtown building constructed in 1900 at 219-221 Main St. A coffee shop will be open there in May, a developer said.

Taylor's Economic Development Corporation is giving a $200,000 infrastructure grant to Talbot Commons and a $125,000 infrastructure grant to the Pharmacy, according to a news release from the corporation.

More: Major housing project launches in Hutto not far from Samsung's plant in Taylor

We believe our downtown is an important asset to our community," Betty Day, the chair of the Taylor Economic Development Corporation, said in the release. "We all want to see a vibrant downtown where people can shop, eat, work, and live.

Taylor has a Main Street program that "strives to fill all downtown buildings with businesses and residents by prioritizing historic preservation, cultural experiences, community partnerships, and cultivated growth," according to the city's website.

A rendering of Talbot Commons, a mixed-use project with a boutique hotel in the former First Presbyterian Church in downtown Taylor.

The city has several buildings constructed in the 1800's and early 1900's in its relatively quiet downtown area. Its current population is more than 16,000 but is expected to grow because Samsung is building a $17 billion semiconductor facility in the area. President Biden announced on Monday that up to $6.4 million in grants to the South Korean company to expand chip production in the Austin area.

The Talbot Commons project already has opened its 11-room boutique hotel and is accepting reservations starting May 15, said Doug Moss, a general partner of Talbot Commons LLC. The renovated classrooms at the Talbot Pocket Hotel include reclaimed floors and modern furniture, Moss said.

"None of the 11 rooms are the same," he said. "Some have little porches, some have lots of natural light, some face a courtyard and some have kitchenettes."

A coffee shop will open in part of the project in June, Moss said, and there also will be space for restaurants. Moss said he plans to build a three-story, 17-unit apartment building in the former church's parking lot with rents affordable to people with moderate incomes, including teachers.

More: Samsung to delay mass chip production at massive Taylor facility until 2025, report says

Moss said he also plans to develop 10 additional hotel rooms in a renovated home near the former church.

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Talbot Commons will have outdoor spaces where people can gather, including the boutique hotel's courtyard, which also will be available to future coffee shop customers. The apartments will include a courtyard centered around a large pecan tree.

Talbot Commons, Moss said, is about "improving a sense of place in Taylor and encouraging people to walk and ride bikes and encouraging the community to get together." He said he grew up in Taylor and now is based in Austin.

Ujjal Ghoshtagore (the developer of the Pharmacy project) said he "has a weakness for old buildings." The project is named in honor of the former drugstore, Luhn & Johns, that was in the building constructed in 1900.

A coffee shop and juice place will be open in May on the first floor of the building, he said. A restaurant and a speakeasy will open on the first floor by late 2024, said Ghoshtagore, who is based in California. Retail space also will be available.

The second phase of renovation will include turning the second floor of the building into a boutique hotel, said Ghoshtagore. The first phase cost $5 million and the second phase will be $4 million, he said.

The Pharmacy project in downtown Taylor is being developed inside a building constructed in 1900 at the corner of Second and Main streets.

The building is at the corner of Second and Main streets, which is "basically the gateway to downtown Taylor," said Monica Luxon, the building's broker.

It will have historic touches, including cabinets from the former pharmacy that will be incorporated into the restaurant space, she said. In several years, Ghoshtagore said, he plans to build residential units on top of the building in a way that will preserve its historical appearance.

"I'm intrigued by what could happen in Taylor," he said. "They seem to be mindfully investing in downtown."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Downtown developments in Taylor, including hotels, get grants
The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Alex Boerner photo

At a time when admission officials are struggling to enroll diverse classes of MBA students, Duke Universitys Fuqua School of Business has joined the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management. Fuqua will become the 24th university to join the organization which is devoted to increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in business education.

Fuquas membership, approved by the Consortiums Board of Trustees on April 4, comes in the aftermath of a controversial ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court which made affirmative action in university admissions unlawful. That decision, along with increasing pressure from right-wing state legislators, has made it increasingly difficult for MBA admission officials to recruit, admit, and enroll diverse cohorts into their programs.

In many cases, admission staffers can no longer see whether an applicant is a male or female, or whether a candidate is an underrepresented minority. No less crucial, the general councils office at many universities has told admissions staff that they cannot consider gender or race in their admission decisions or would expose the school to legal liability.

CLASS OF 2025 DAYTIME MBA COHORT: 27% UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES

While the Supreme Court decision has made it more difficult to enroll more diverse classes, Fuquas decision to join the Consortium predates the courts ruling. Weve been having conversations internally for many years, and membership was a goal of mine when I joined Fuqua given my affiliation with them during my time at Georgetown, says Fuqua Associate Dean of Admissions Shari Hubert, who left Georgetown to move to Fuqua in 2017. So we were very excited when the opportunity arose this year to be invited.

In its latest full-time MBA cohort for the Class of 2025, 45% of the 385 incoming students identified as female while 27% were U.S. underrepresented minorities. Some 14% of the class identify as black or African-American. That class, however, was recruited and enrolled before the Supreme Courts decision in June of 2023. Even before the decision, minorities at the leading U.S. MBA programs declined at two-thirds of the Top 30 MBA programs in the U.S.

In a statement, Consortium CEO and Executive Director Peter Aranda praised Fuquas entrance into the organization. For many years, he said, Fuqua and The Consortium have shared a deep commitment in diversity, equity and inclusion. Today, we are thrilled to announce that our institutions will partner to enhance our collective efforts and results on this front. We look forward to working in collaboration with DEanBill Boulding and his team as we continue to advance and accelerate the critical missions of Fuqua and The Consortium.

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Fuqua, whose membership becomes effective on July 1, will begin recruiting its first Consortium class in August of 2024. Fuqua is the first business school to become a Consortium member since the group approved the membership of Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management and Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2022. Kellogg became the groups 23th member, while Stanford was number 22.

These latest three schools join the following members: Columbia Business School, UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business, Yale School of Management, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, UCLA Anderson School of Management, Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business, the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, the University of Washington Foster School of Business, Emory University Goizueta Business School, Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School, and Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business  as well as the original three member schools, Washington University in St. Louis Olin Business School, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Business School.

DONT MISS: MINORITIES AT THE LEADING U.S. MBA PROGRAMS: 2/3 OF THE TOP 30 REPORT DECLINES

The post Duke Fuqua Becomes 24th Member Of The Consortium appeared first on Poets&Quants.
A wind turbine rises up out of the morning mist in a wind farm west of Halle. Jan Woitas/dpa

The European Commission announced investigations last week into Chinese suppliers of wind turbines in Spain, Greece, France, Romania and Bulgaria.

It's the latest move by Brussels targeting suspected Chinese green tech subsidies that could undermine fair competition - from the solar panel industry to a closely watched probe into e-cars.

The European Union's competition chief, Margrethe Vestager, announced the inquiry during a speech at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey in the United States.

"China is for us simultaneously a partner in fighting climate change, an economic competitor, a systemic rival. And the last two dimensions are increasingly converging," Vestager said in her speech.

According to industry lobby group WindEurope, Chinese wind turbines are marketed in Europe for as little as half the price of European-made turbines.

Brussels wants a major increase in renewable energy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But the EU is also concerned about over-reliance on cheaper Chinese technology.

In Spain, for example, the China Three Gorges Group is bidding for two major renewable energy projects, which together represent around 1,500 megawatts (MW). In both bids, the group is competing with some of the big names in European electricity, such as Naturgy, Engie and Verbund.

On Friday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao accused the commission of pursuing "protectionist" actions at the expense of green initiatives by launching investigations into suspected Chinese subsidies.

"We can't understand how the European Commission on the one hand carries the flag for green sustainable development and on the other hand undertakes protectionist operations," Wang said at an Italy-China economic forum in Verona.

Vestager's latest announcement came just days ahead of a high-profile trip to Beijing by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, accompanied by a senior business delegation.

During the visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Scholz on Tuesday that, given their reliance on industry and free trade, Germany and China should both "guard against the rise of protectionism."

FRENCH FINANCE MINISTER: EUROPE NEEDS AN ECONOMIC STRATEGY

Fearful of the impact on their own economies, the EU and the US are keeping a close eye on the extent to which Beijing is providing subsidies.

"Our economies cannot absorb this. It is not only dangerous for our competitiveness. It also jeopardizes our economic security," Vestager said. "We have seen how one-sided dependencies can be used against us. And this is why Europe, and not only the US, is reacting."

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The EU's probe into wind parks comes on the heels of recent criticism from the US over China's excess industrial capacity. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that Washington "will not accept" underpriced Chinese goods flooding the global market.

The US is concerned that subsidization by Beijing is leading to more production than global markets can take in, resulting in a surge of cheap exports in sectors such as solar energy and electric vehicles, stifling the growth of those industries elsewhere.

Last week, the finance ministers of Germany, France and Italy  the three largest eurozone economies  met near Paris for the third trilateral meeting on Europe's economic power and challenges to economic security  including from China.

"Europe must reconnect with economic power, with risk and with innovation, and with the prosperity of our fellow citizens," French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said. He said China and the US "will not give Europe any gifts," and accused both Beijing and Washington of protectionism. "There is not a second to lose" in developing an EU economic strategy, Le Maire said.

ELECTRIC TRAINS IN BULGARIA, SOLAR PANELS IN ROMANIA

The investigation into wind turbines follows earlier EU probes into Chinese subsidies for solar panels, electric cars and trains. It was launched under the new Foreign Subsidies Regulation, designed to prevent foreign subsidies from undermining fair competition within the EU.

The commission opened its first probe under the new law in February, targeting a subsidiary of Chinese rail giant CRRC, which bid for a tender in Bulgaria to supply electric trains. That investigation was closed after the subsidiary withdrew its bid.

A second probe targets Chinese-owned solar panel manufacturers seeking to build and operate a photovoltaic park in Romania, partly financed by the EU. The Chinese companies "may unduly have been advantaged," Vestager said in her Princeton speech.

Under the regulation, a company is required to notify the commission when it bids for public tenders in the EU worth over 250 million ($266 million), and when the company has been received financial contributions of at least 4 million from a non-EU country in the last three years.

INDUSTRY FEARS ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRADE WAR

"In October last year, the European Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation into the import of electrical vehicles from China. If we determine that those electrical cars have been illegally subsidised, we will impose remedies," Vestager said.

According to the commission, Chinese electric cars are normally around 20% cheaper than models built in the EU. The anti-subsidy investigation could lead to the EU imposing punitive tariffs.

Last week, German car manufacturers said they oppose new tariffs on electric cars from China because it could start a trade war. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) called for dialogue to avoid harming the sector's development.

"Anti-subsidy measures, such as additional tariffs, would not solve the challenges for the European and German automotive industry." VDA president Hildegard Muller told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. Punitive tarrifs "could quickly have a negative impact in the event of a trade conflict," she warned.

According to the Center for Automotive Research, an independent international research group, German car manufacturers sell 30% to 40% of their output on the Chinese market. In the event of a trade war, these manufacturers could be the first target of Chinese retaliation.

The commission is planning to make a preliminary announcement by June 5, Welt am Sonntag reported.

The content of this article is based on reporting by AFP, Agerpres, ANSA, dpa, EFE and PAP as part of the European Newsroom (enr) project.
By Foo Yun Chee, Ilona Wissenbach and Giuseppe Fonte

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/ROME (Reuters) - Lufthansa's new remedies on its ITA Airways stake buy are not markedly different from an earlier package rejected by EU antitrust regulators which have also discounted Ryanair as a rival in its scrutiny of the deal, people familiar with the matter said.

The two factors are key to whether the German carrier can secure EU antitrust approval for its 325 million euro ($346 million) bid to acquire a 41% stake in Italian state-owned ITA, the successor to Alitalia.

The airline sector has seen a slew of acquisitions in recent months, with the Lufthansa deal and British Airways owner IAG's bid to buy out Spain's Air Europa the most high-profile ones.

Lufthansa submitted its latest remedies to the European Commission last Thursday, three months after its first offer was dismissed as insufficient. The EU competition enforcer and the airline did not provide details on both occasions.

The first offer included ceding airport slots, traffic rights and planes to a rival, a person familiar with the matter had told Reuters.

The remedies are not much different from what was submitted previously but there is the possibility of tweaks following feedback from the Commission, rivals and customers, the people said. They declined to be identified because the terms of the deal are confidential.

However, failure to address the EU watchdog's concerns about competition on short-haul routes between Italy and Central European countries, as well as on long-haul routes between Italy and the United States, Canada and Japan, and ITA's market power at Milan's main airport could put the deal at risk of an EU veto.

The Commission's decision to exclude Ryanair as a rival to Lufthansa despite the Irish budget carrier's more than 40% market share in Italy also underscores the German airline's uphill battle.

The regulator sees the two airlines servicing different customers and different kinds of airports, the people said.

Lufthansa is also contesting the Commission's position on long-haul flights, with the watchdog only considering direct flights, for example between Rome and New York, while the airline says this should include connecting flights from Italy via the hubs of rival carriers, they said.

The Commission, which will decide on the deal by June 6, and Lufthansa declined to comment.

($1 = 0.9404 euros) (This story has been refiled to add dropped word 'bid' in paragraph 2)

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee by Brussels, Ilona Wissenbach in Frankfurt and Giuseppe Fonte in Rome, additional reporting by Angelo Amante in Rome; editing by David Evans)
As a frequent flier or someone planning to travel more in 2024, selecting the right rewards program for your miles is crucial for maximizing your travel benefits.

Nine airlines operate out of Boise Airport, offering direct flights to 26 locations and the option to fly anywhere in the world from there.

That gives travelers a lot of options. Sometimes, you dont have a choice, depending on the destination, of which airline you fly with. But if you do, what airline offers the best bang for your buck regarding its rewards program?

A new WalletHub study analyzed the pros and cons of the rewards programs offered by the 10 largest airlines in the United States to determine which is best for frequent fliers. Good news, Boise: Seven fly in and out of Boise Airport.

If you want to save money on your travels, heres what to know about the best airline to take out of Boise.

Which airline has the best rewards?

It ultimately depends on how often you travel and which airlines are available to determine your best reward program.

However, WalletHubs study analyzed 21 key metrics of each reward package and found that Alaska Airlines will generally offer the best value for your buck. United Airlines was narrowly behind in second place, but it may be the best option for frequent travelers, which WalletHub considers to be those who spend more than $7,117 annually on flights.

Alaska Mileage Plan and United MileagePlus are 2024s best frequent flyer programs because they save members the most money and generally have the most consumer-friendly policies, WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe stated in a news release.

For example, neither Alaska Mileage Plan nor United MileagePlus has blackout dates, award-ticket cancellation fees, short-notice booking fees, or miles that expire, Happe continued. Plus, both offer retroactive flight credits for up to 12 months and the ability to book flights more than 300 days in advance.

What makes Alaska such a good option?

Frontier Airlines offers the best rewards value of $15.40 for every $100 spent, according to WalletHub, while Alaska Airlines comes in second with $11 reward value for every $100.

Your miles with Alaska will never expire  something only six of the top ten airlines can claim  while Alaska Mileage Plan members will also have preferential treatment when deciding who to bump for overbooked flights.

Alaska additionally allows reward program members to earn and redeem miles with 21 partnership airlines, second only to United Airlines 41 partners.

Heres the complete list of the best rewards programs, according to WalletHub:

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Which airlines fly out of Boise?

Fortunately for Idahoans, seven of the top 10 airlines fly out of Boise Airport. Heres which airlines and where you can fly to directly on each one from Boise:

Alaska Airlines - Burbank, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Portland, Pullman-Moscow, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Spokane United Airlines - Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco Delta Airlines - Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Seattle Hawaiian Airlines - N/A American Airlines - Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix JetBlue - N/A Southwest Airlines - Burbank, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Oakland, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose Frontier Airlines - N/A Spirit Airlines - Las Vegas County Airlines - Minneapolis (summer seasonal service)
A senior editor at Forbes predicts that the stock of Donald Trumps social media company could go to zero, and retail investors who bought it to support the former president could lose big.

If you look at the fundamentals of the company, its poised to go down a lot more, Dan Alexander told CNNs Erin Burnett on Monday. If you look at the number of users this company has, the amount of revenue that it generates, you know, its valuation should be measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars, at the most. Right now, the public markets are valuing it at 3.5 billion.

So that means this stock should fall by at least another 90% before the metrics start to make any amount of sense, he continued.

And for people who are just blindly putting their faith in Trump and in the company, that means that they could stand to lose a lot of money.

Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group, Truth Socials parent company, plummeted by 18% on Monday after the company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it plans to offer more than 20 million additional shares. Mondays drop adds to a string of losses since Truth Socials market debut on March 26.

In an SEC filing last month, Trumps company revealed that it had lost more than $58 million and generated only $4.1 million in revenue last year. An auditor warned in the filing that the figures cause substantial doubt about whether the business can continue.

Analysts have said the share price is overinflated, boosted by small-time investors, given the social media platforms size and revenue.

The Washington Post spoke to some investors following Mondays drop, reporting that many Trump supporters see the investment as a statement of faith in the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.

I know good and well its in Trumps hands, and hes got plans, one investor told the Post. I have no doubt its going to explode sometime.

According to Alexander, If somebodys putting a significant chunk of their life savings into it, they could really get wiped out by the very person who theyre trusting their money to.

He added, I mean, if you look at the companys own filings, you know, theyre saying that its accountants had questions about whether it could continue as a going concern. Theyre saying that bankruptcy is not out of the question eventually, so this thing could go to zero eventually.

See the segment below.

Related...
City skyline

Rejoice! Its AGM season for corporate Britain again  that time of year when our esteemed captains of industry pretend that they are the victims of some gross injustice in which these modern day superheroes are left with barely two pennies to rub together at the end of another gruelling year.

FTSE bosses have never been shy about asking for more money. An entire industry in itself has been created with the sole purpose of seeking to inflate executive pay. Every year an army of lobbyists, pay consultants, remuneration experts and PR lackeys are cajoled into trotting out the same tired arguments in a desperate attempt to ensure their clients earn ever more fantastical sums.

But this time around, the apologists are banging the drum more forcefully than ever: the number of big companies proposing radical pay changes at the top has jumped, according to new research from Deloitte.

Many are trotting out the same feeble argument too, which is essentially this: that FTSE bosses earn less than their overseas counterparts, particularly those in the US, and unless we close the gap there will be some great exodus that threatens Britains status as one of the worlds top economies.

This is total nonsense. Firstly, lets address the idea that UK chief executives are somehow underpaid, though it is frankly absurd that it is even up for debate.

The bosses of Britains blue-chip companies earn life-changing sums, and in a short space of time too. The average annual salary of a FTSE 100 chief is 3.8m, which is more than 100 times the typical pay cheque. At some companies, the disparity is as much as 200 times. Whats more, pay rises at the top of UK plc were 9pc last year, compared with 6pc for the typical employee.

Not only are Britains top bosses extremely well paid, they command more generous increases than your average Joe too. So spare us the sob stories and the confected outrage.

Do they earn less than some senior business figures in the US? In some cases yes, but only in some and only relatively speaking  an important point that gets conveniently missed out by those clamouring for British executives to receive even greater sums.

It is difficult to think of a better example of how out of touch UK boardrooms are than a crusade that attempts to paint the most handsomely paid people in society as the sufferers of some terrible inequality. Except that is, the notion that in order to narrow the gap, the already huge disparity between those at the top and the rest of the workforce has to become even wider as a consequence.

As for the suggestion that there is about to be some great exodus unless shareholders cave into demands for big pay rises, that too needs to be dismissed out of hand.

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There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to support the claim that Britain is losing talent because of perceived stinginess or that its competitiveness is being undermined by disparity with other parts of the world.

Show me one FTSE boss that has eloped because he or she was able to command a higher salary elsewhere. It simply hasnt happened, nor do I believe it will. These are nothing more than idle threats designed to scare investors into caving in.

Chief executive pay increases are justified by a desire to see the UK 'shine', claims AstraZeneca's chairman - KEYSTONE/Georgios Kefalas

In an effort to justify ramping up the pay package of chief executive Pascal Soriot from a whopping 16.9m to an even more stonking 18.7m, AstraZenecas chairman Michel Demare claims that it was driven by a desire to see the country retain and attract successful global industry leaders so that UK-based global companies can continue to shine  but it already does.

There are scores of different nationalities to be found among the upper echelons of the countrys largest companies. Perhaps Demare has forgotten that Soriot is French or that Shell boss Wael Sawan is Lebanese-Canadian? Elsewhere, Unilever chief Hein Schumacher is Dutch; Rio Tintos Jakob Stausholm is Danish; Swede Erik Engstrom is in charge of Relx; Diageo is led by an American  Debra Crew; and Glencore head honcho Gary Nagle is South African. That means nearly three quarters of the 10 biggest names on the London stock exchange are headed by foreigners.

Meanwhile, after Britain, the next best represented country has tended to be the US  a strange aberration if the disparity with America is as much of an issue as Demare and other alarmists insist it is.

Could it be that it is being massively overstated? Or, rather than British bosses being underpaid, perhaps a more accurate conclusion is that those in the US are wildly overpaid? Ah yes, reply the scaremongers, but that wont stop people fleeing to the States if they know they can earn far more.

Again, this is entirely unfounded. Soriots pay grievances stretch back to 2018 when he confessed to finding it annoying that he is not paid as much as his peers. Fast forward to 2024 and Soriot is approaching a decade and a half in charge, so presumably he wasnt that irked. Earnings of 150m to date no doubt soothed the humiliation.

The truth is the higher pay champions will always conjure up some reason for hiking pay even further. In 2021, Demare wanted AstraZeneca shareholders to approve another generous rise for Soriot, partly on the basis of his decision to shell out nearly $40bn on rare disease therapy rival Alexion before the deal had even completed, never mind demonstrated that it was a wise use of such a vast sum of money.

The assertion that pay discrepancies are a factor in the decision of some companies to move their listing to the US is equally bogus. There are lots of reasons why a handful have eloped  remuneration hasnt been cited as a motivation once.

UK boards are trying it on. Investors should stand their ground and call this out for what it is: plain greed.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Key Insights

Genting Malaysia Berhad's significant public companies ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

A total of 2 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership

14% of Genting Malaysia Berhad is held by Institutions

If you want to know who really controls Genting Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:GENM), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are public companies with 49% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

And individual investors on the other hand have a 36% ownership in the company.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Genting Malaysia Berhad.

See our latest analysis for Genting Malaysia Berhad

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Genting Malaysia Berhad?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that Genting Malaysia Berhad does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Genting Malaysia Berhad, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in Genting Malaysia Berhad. Genting Berhad is currently the company's largest shareholder with 49% of shares outstanding. The second and third largest shareholders are AIA Investment Management Private Limited and The Vanguard Group, Inc., with an equal amount of shares to their name at 1.6%.

After doing some more digging, we found that the top 2 shareholders collectively control more than half of the company's shares, implying that they have considerable power to influence the company's decisions.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Story continues

Insider Ownership Of Genting Malaysia Berhad

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Genting Malaysia Berhad in their own names. It's a big company, so even a small proportional interest can create alignment between the board and shareholders. In this case insiders own RM29m worth of shares. Arguably, recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 36% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Genting Malaysia Berhad. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Public Company Ownership

Public companies currently own 49% of Genting Malaysia Berhad stock. It's hard to say for sure but this suggests they have entwined business interests. This might be a strategic stake, so it's worth watching this space for changes in ownership.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Genting Malaysia Berhad (at least 1 which doesn't sit too well with us) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The number of avocados imported into Germany last year amounted to 157,800 tons, marking a quintupling in volume over the past decade, figures released on Tuesday showed. Britta Pedersen/dpa-Zentralbild/ZB

The number of avocados imported into Germany last year amounted to 157,800 tons, marking a quintupling in volume over the past decade, figures released on Tuesday showed.

The value of the imports rose from 68.3 million in 2013 to 484 million ($513 million) in 2023, the Federal Statistical Office said.

Because avocados need a warm climate to grow, they often travel thousands of kilometres before they end up in consumers' shopping baskets in German supermarkets.

The most important country of origin last year was Peru, at 49,200 tons, followed by Colombia at 15,800 tons and Chile at 14,500 tons. This means that half of all the avocados that arrived in Germany came from these South American countries.

Activists point out the impact of the global avocado boom on the environment. These include the clearing of forests to make room for the plantations and the high water consumption.
The Rheinmetall AG logo can be seen on the facade of an administration building. Henning Kaiser/dpa

The German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall plans to build a new plant in Lithuania for the production of 155-millimetre artillery shells.

The German defence contractor and the government of the Baltic EU and NATO member state signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday in the presence of the Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, Economy Minister Ausrine Armonaite, and Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas. Details of the deal were not disclosed.

Armonaite said Rheinmetall's investment will be the largest in the Lithuanian defence sector to date, and one of the largest in the country's history.

"This will boost our industry, our economy and the security of our region," she said at the ceremony, which was broadcast live on Lithuanian television. "We are ready to continue working with the company to ensure that this success story moves forward quickly."

Talks on an investment agreement are expected to begin soon, she added.

Defence Minister Kasciunas emphasized that the production of ammunition in the country was one of the lessons of the war in Ukraine. "Independence from global supply chains and production here in Lithuania are an integral part of national security and defence," he said.

Rheinmetall confirmed plans to build an artillery production plant in Lithuania in mid-March at its annual press conference for 2023. An armoured brigade of the German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr, is also to be permanently stationed in the Baltic state in future.
Gildan Activewear CEO Vince Tyra has identified five priorities to drive growth at the underwear and tees giant, and the first one centers on the supply chain.

We will continue to focus on our supply chain excellence and focus on driving successful execution of our investments and Bangladesh while remaining true to our back to basic principles. in our commitment to innovation and ESG. Im truly energized with whats to come, newly named CEO Vince Tyra said during an investor update on Monday afternoon that outlined his priorities, relying on the three key pillarsgrowth, innovation and ESGpreviously outlined in the Gildan Sustainable Growth (GSG) strategy.

More from Sourcing Journal

We will have a renewed focus on our brands and enhance our commercial capabilities to deliver the best offering to customers across the board. We will further increase our emphasis of serving our retail partners. We will apply a focused approach to growth and international markets to make sure we win, wherever we decide to play. And lastly, we will make people and their development a priority, ensuring that the next generation of leaders has the space and support to grow to their full potential, Tyra said of the remaining four priorities.

Gildan is slated to hold an Investor Day this fall. The timing of Mondays investor update is interesting because the apparel firm is locked in a proxy fight by activist investors led by Browning West. The investment firm and eight other institutional investors control 35 percent of Gildans outstanding shares. They are trying to reconstitute Gildans board at the Annual Shareholders Meeting on May 28, with the aim of firing Tyra and reinstating former CEO Glenn Chamandy once they take control of the board.

Tyra and Gildan have also been met with criticism for lack of details about growth plans after the company posted fourth-quarter earnings results in February. In the midst of the proxy battle, Gildan also put itself up for sale last month. And theres an outside chance Gildan could ink a sale agreement just prior to the May 28 meeting, which could derail Browning Wests proxy plans.

Tyra said in his first three months he has visited Honduras multiple times, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Barbados, our yarn mills in North Carolina and one of our primary distribution centers in the U.S., and he wants to unlock growth potential while also focusing on cost containment and key business fundamentals that we know drive value.

Story continues

First, we will successfully execute the supply chain initiatives that were previously launched that includes delivering on Bangladesh, optimizing production in the Western Hemisphere, and continuing to innovate our processes, Tyra said. These projects cannot be taken for granted. We need to rigorously focus on execution to deliver these projects on time and on budget. Therefore, maintaining availability cost leadership and industry leading margins, is my number one priority.

He said that the company is already diversifying and increasing volume through the first phase of an integrated manufacturing hub in Bangladesh, which is expected to increase capacity by about 350 percent. At the same time, Gildan is also optimizing its yarn spinning assets in the U.S., while adding solar capacity in the Dominican Republic to mitigate political instability in Haiti, Tyra said.

One interesting factoid is that Browning West on April 1 introduced its five-pillar strategy to revamp Gildans operations, which includes setting Bangladesh and Honduras as key hubs. The two plans share similar goals on market share and new programs, growing fleece and ESG. But one difference centers on the investment firms push to improve margins by shifting to high-margin products and lower-cost production in Bangladesh, which Tyras presentation didnt address.

On Mondays call, Tyra also said that Gildan is innovating through improved fabric softness, while revising cuts and fits to match market demands. These innovations allow the company to consolidate share in the open-end fabric products in ringspun and fleece items, he said.

As for its Comfort Colors and American Apparel operations, Tyra said Gildan can do more on the marketing front to increase both businesses, his second priority. The former has the opportunity to expand in new market segments, such as event merchandise or up-market corporate gifting. For the latter, which once had a devoted brand following, the company must update customers on what the brand represents today, while reconnecting American Apparel with its roots, the CEO said.

Tyra called his third priority in growing relationships with retail partners an untapped potential, noting that Gildan has historically been under-indexed in the retail activewear channel. He explained that the collaborative approach allows Gildan to proactively adapt to retailers evolving needs, while at the same time solidify the firms position as the supplier of choice.

We are one of the few apparel manufacturers that can offer a dual sourcing model and service retailers from East Asia for cost competitiveness, as well as from Central America for flexibility and quick turnaround times, he said, adding that Gildans model allows its retail customers to benefit from nearshoring, without sacrificing price competitiveness.

But the CEO also said that the American Apparel owners manufacturing model has been focused on large volume runs with little to no change ups. While that has enabled Gildan to maintain its cost leadership position, some global brands require flexibility, which Gildan can meet through the development of pockets of flexible selling capacity. That shift would allow others to benefit from Gildans expertise and at the same time complement the manufacturers existing large-scale manufacturing model.

Tyra also sees an opportunity to grow Gildans footprint in international markets, his fourth priority. He said the company wont take its eye off the U.S. market, but that it can grow overseas through a very focused targeting on select markets. Noting the fragmentation inherent in some international markets, focused targeting is a move that works provided the Gildans framework is on local needs via select product introductions, tailored pricing and closer customer presence. Thats because the U.S. market operates differently than the rest of the world and one size doesnt fit all, Tyra said.

The final and fifth priority is an ESG goal where Gildan can transition to a more collaborative and inclusive leadership model, he said, adding that the shift will make Gildan the employer of choice in every market it is in. Strong corporate citizenship includes reducing energy and water usage, increasing use of sustainable cotton and recycled materials, and diversity goals, such as a target to achieve 40 percent gender parity at the director level and above by 2027, Tyra said.

Hes also open to the idea of select M&A opportunities down the road, but emphasized thats not an immediate priority. However, Tyra did note that he wants to make sure talent, bandwidth and ability are in place so the company can properly execute when there is an opportunity.

Gildan said in a statement Monday that it can deliver on key financial metrics over the 2025 to 2028 period that forecasted net sales growing at a compound annual growth rate in the mid-single digits range, with adjusted diluted earnings per share growth each year in the high-single to low-double-digit range and annual adjusted operating margin between 18 percent to 21 percent.

Executives on the call said the ranges can be met even with the expectation of Canada implementating a global minimum tax. More than 140 countries have signed onto the tax treaty, which imposes a minimum 15 percent rate on the profits of multinationals.

After Tyras investor update, Browning West attacked the CEOs presentation, saying it was just a copy of the GSG strategy that Chamandy had launched in 2022. While it said that at least the Gildan board is finally reversing its prior, baffling criticism of Mr. Chamandys growth strategy, Browning West once again raised its lack of confidence in Tyras ability to execute. The investment firm has repeatedly alleged that Fruit of the Loom ran into financial challenges when Tyra was running the show.

Browning West also charged that the new financial metrics Tyra and his team noted gave them some ability to reduce operating margins. And it considered Tyras second and third pillars on brand building and international expansion fraught with risk. Sadly, Mr. Tyra appears to be introducing to Gildan the same failed branding strategies that doomed his prior employer, Fruit of the Loom. Mr. Tyras plan also includes a vague strategy to invest in Gildans international business, an area where Mr. Tyra has no previous experience, Browning West said in a statement.

In trying to get votes from investors of the remaining 65 percent of outstanding shares that it does not control, Browning West insists that its plan provides a clear pathway to a $60 share price by the end of 2025 and $100 over the next five years.
Gordon Ramsay's London Pub Taken Over By Squatters Threatening Legal Fury

Squatters have seized control of a London pub belonging to celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and are threatening legal action against anyone attempting to evict them.

Six squatters entered Ramsay's York & Albany hotel and gastropub, which is listed for sale for $16.1 million. They barricaded the windows, secured the door with kitchen appliances and applied adhesive to the locks.

The Sun reported that the gang posted a notice on the door threatening legal action against anyone who tries to kick them out.

"Take notice that we occupy this property and at all times there is at least one person in occupation," the notice states. "That if you attempt to enter by violence or by threatening violence we will prosecute you."

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The warning, signed by "The Occupiers," goes on to state that anyone who attempts to remove them will receive a sentence of up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to $6,225.

"If you want to get us out you will have to issue a claim for possession in the County Court or in the High Court," the notice states.

Ramsay was about to sign the property over to new partners when the squatters took over the building near Regent's Park in central London.

"It's an absolute nightmare for poor Gordon," a source told The Sun. "The pub was temporarily closed whilst he was finalizing a new lease, and during this handover period, a gang of professional squatters somehow bypassed all security and CCTV and got themselves in.

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"They've now boarded themselves in the building and are slowly taking over the place, leaving their crap everywhere and brazenly telling locals this is now their home."

Squatters also have become a problem in the United States, as property crimes have been downgraded as priorities in many cities. A squatter locked a Texas homeowner out of her house, claiming to have a lease after moving to the state with her family, according to an article in USA Today.

A woman returned to her home in Maryland after a vacation to find two squatters in her bed. In addition to living in her house, they sold about $50,000 of her furniture, according to USA Today.

Story continues

At least one state is trying to do something to combat the problem. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation to end the squatters scam and protect homeowners. Under HB 621, property owners can ask law enforcement to remove a squatter from their property if certain conditions are met.

"While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners and punishing criminals looking to game the system," DeSantis said in a press release on his website.

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This article Gordon Ramsay's London Pub Taken Over By Squatters Threatening Legal Fury originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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The H-E-B store in Frisco is looking to hire 250 new employees. A job fair will be held at the Collin College Frisco Campus Conference Center, 9700 Wade Blvd, on Tuesday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All positions  bakery, deli, produce, seafood, market, catering, in-store sales, eStore, checkers, CSA, True Texas BBQ restaurant and more  are open to full- and part-time candidates. Most positions begin at $16 per hour and come with a 10% H-E-B product discount.

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Other job benefits include annual pay reviews, a partner stock plan, and a 401k plan with a 4% company match. The company also offers paid time off and a health, vision and dental plan.

Before attending the job fair, candidates must fill out an application. Visit careers.heb.com or text HEB802 to 81931 to view all open positions and the application.

Construction in the H-E-B Frisco store broke ground last summer. It was part of a North Texas expansion that included four new locations. Heres what the Star-Telegram saw after a recent tour of the popular stores latest offering in Alliance.
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Hanesbrands implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

A total of 9 investors have a majority stake in the company with 50% ownership

Using data from analyst forecasts alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company

A look at the shareholders of Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE:HBI) can tell us which group is most powerful. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 82% to be precise, is institutions. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

And so it follows that institutional investors was the group most impacted after the company's market cap fell to US$1.7b last week after a 8.4% drop in the share price. The recent loss, which adds to a one-year loss of 2.7% for stockholders, may not sit well with this group of investors. Often called market movers", institutions wield significant power in influencing the price dynamics of any stock. Hence, if weakness in Hanesbrands' share price continues, institutional investors may feel compelled to sell the stock, which might not be ideal for individual investors.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Hanesbrands.

See our latest analysis for Hanesbrands

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Hanesbrands?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that Hanesbrands does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Hanesbrands' earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Hanesbrands. BlackRock, Inc. is currently the company's largest shareholder with 16% of shares outstanding. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is the second largest shareholder owning 11% of common stock, and Cooke & Bieler, L.P. holds about 4.9% of the company stock.

Story continues

We did some more digging and found that 9 of the top shareholders account for roughly 50% of the register, implying that along with larger shareholders, there are a few smaller shareholders, thereby balancing out each others interests somewhat.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Hanesbrands

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of Hanesbrands Inc.. Keep in mind that it's a big company, and the insiders own US$8.7m worth of shares. The absolute value might be more important than the proportional share. Arguably, recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 17% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Hanesbrands. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Hanesbrands better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Hanesbrands , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Sen. Josh Hawley outraised his Democratic opponents for U.S. Senate in the first three months of 2024  and dropped more than $73,000 on a car at a Buick and GMC dealership in Troy.

Hawley pulled in $2.5 million between his campaign and his joint fundraising committee and he spent more than $1.3 million in the first three months of the election year.

One of Hawleys higher ticket costs was a vehicle from a car dealership outside of St. Louis. The campaigns filing with the Federal Elections Commission did not disclose the make or model of the vehicle, but on the dealerships website, the price tag is in the range of a GMC Yukon.

Hawleys campaign declined to comment on the car, but it could be an attempt to save money in the long run. Statewide campaigns often put lots of mileage on vehicles and, rather than rent a car for each trip, it could help bring down the cost over the course of a long campaign.

Hawley isnt the first candidate to spend campaign cash on transportation. In the 2022 Republican primary for Senate, former Rep. Billy Long spent around $15,000 a month to rent an RV he called the Billy Bus, which he personalized with a larger-than-life sized image of his face.

There is no competitive Republican primary this time around, but Hawley has more on hand than his Democratic opponents.

Democrat Lucas Kunce, who is easily leading the Democratic field in fundraising, was able to pull in more than $2.2 million in donations in the first three months of the year, which the campaign was quick to call a record haul.

I couldnt be prouder of the historic movement were building here in Missouri, Kunce said in a press release. And Ill never forget who were fighting for  real Missourians.

Both Hawley and Kunce have tailored their arguments to working-class Missourians. Hawley has been trying to help built the populist wing of the Republican Party, mixing a culturally conservative message with support for private sector unions (but not public sector unions). Kunce has also been supportive of unions and has trekked across the state to secure endorsements from as many of the states unions as possible.

Kunce spent more than $1.1 million in the first quarter and has $3.3 million on hand. Thats $3.3 million more than his two Democratic opponents  state Rep. Karla May and activist December Harmon  have raised combined.

May has raised a total of $37,059 over the course of her campaign and has $6,304 on hand. Harmon has raised $14,727 over the course of her campaign and has $1,968 on hand.

Independent candidate Jared Young brought in $62,061 in the first three months of 2024, but $40,000 came from his own bank account. Young, who is also trying to form a new political party in that state called the Better Party, has raised a total $365,377 in his campaign, but with $245,000 of his own money.

Young is still in the process of collecting the signatures necessary to appear on the ballot.
Helvetia Holding (VTX:HELN) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: CHF9.23b (up 12% from FY 2022).

Net income: CHF276.7m (down 35% from FY 2022).

Profit margin: 3.0% (down from 5.1% in FY 2022). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses.

EPS: CHF5.24 (down from CHF8.03 in FY 2022).

HELN Profitability Indicators

Combined ratio: 97.4% (up from 94.3% in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Helvetia Holding Earnings Insights

The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the Non-Life segment contributing a total revenue of CHF7.09b (77% of total revenue). Notably, cost of sales worth CHF7.82b amounted to 85% of total revenue thereby underscoring the impact on earnings. The largest operating expense was General & Administrative costs, amounting to CHF937.5m (83% of total expenses). Explore how HELN's revenue and expenses shape its earnings.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 7.8% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, while revenues in the Insurance industry in Switzerland are expected to remain flat.

Performance of the Swiss Insurance industry.

The company's shares are down 1.5% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

We should say that we've discovered 2 warning signs for Helvetia Holding that you should be aware of before investing here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 15, 2024 / The Shine Hope Company ( TSHC ) - The Shine Hope Company and the International Foundation for Research and Education on Hope aim to address the violence crisis by teaching hope science. Hope is a teachable and learnable skill found to have an inverse relationship to violence. Hopelessness, the antithesis of hope, is the only consistent predictor of violent behaviors and can be prevented through hope activation in our communities.

In the wake of the recent tragedy at the Sydney Mall, where six lives were lost to violence, the pressing question of how to address escalating violence in our society is looming. Across the globe, violence has seen a troubling surge, with a 75% increase in violent crimes between 2021 and 2022, and aggravated assaults doubling since 2021. The staggering toll is furthered evidenced by the fact that nearly 71,000 lives were claimed in the United States by violence-related injuries in 2020 alone.

Researchers found hopelessness as the single most consistent predictor of violent behaviors . Defined by emotional despair and motivational helplessness, hopelessness affects individuals across all demographics. A recent report from Harvard revealed that 47% of Americans under 30 experienced hopelessness lasting several days within a two-week period. Moreover, over 40% of adolescents and 57% of teen girls in the United States reported persistent hopelessness.

The ramifications of hopelessness extend far beyond violence, encompassing a spectrum of risky behaviors among youth (i.e., violence, weapon-carrying on school property, self-harm, unprotected sex, bullying, partner violence, and more). Additionally, a history of violent behavior stands as the sole predictor of gun violence .

Amidst this grim reality, Evidence suggests programs targeting hopelessness can reduce violent behaviors, and that's where hope comes in. Researchers have found hopefulness is related to lower levels of violence and the good news is that hope is teachable .

The Shine Hope Company and the International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression Hope offer evidence-informed courses to teach all populations the skills to increase their hope. Using the Five Keys to Shine Hope framework, which is a mnemonic for Stress Skills, Happiness Habits, Inspired Actions, Nourishing Networks, and Eliminating Challenges, the programming aims to ensure all can recognize the signs of hopelessness and proactively move from hopelessness to hope.

Arlington County police used an innovative approach and taught the Hopeful Minds curriculums in after-school programs. Las Vegas recently licensed the Hopeful Cities programming, making the digital programming available to Las Vegas residents. The evidence-based program is scripted, so anywhere children gather the program is available to be used.

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Dr. Edward Barksdale, Jr. , a pediatric trauma surgeon and the surgeon-in-chief at UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital/University Hospital recently spoke to NPR about his experiences operating on the same kids multiple times due to gunshot wounds. He says, "Most people see gun violence as a public safety issue, but I see it as a public health issue driven by hopelessness." He was a speaker at the International Day of Hope event, and noted that "cultivating Hopeful Minds , creating Hopeful Mindsets , and activating Hopeful Cities are all tangible strategies to decrease violence."

In addition to hope being a strategy that can target violence, extensive research underscores that cultivating hope leads to improved school engagement, attendance, graduation rates, mental health, physical health, higher GPAs, enhanced social relationships, and overall well-being. We need new solutions for violence prevention. The time for hope is now.

About The Shine Hope Company:

The Shine Hope Company empowers individuals by teaching scientifically informed and evidence-based methods to cultivate hope through workplace activations, public health campaigns, educational resources, courses, training, keynotes, and consulting. The Shine Hope Company manages all programming for Shine Hope, Hopeful Minds, Hopeful Cities, and Hopeful Mindsets, and supports the work of iFred to deliver activations to vulnerable populations. Visit www.theshinehopecompany.com to find out more.

About iFred:

iFred, the International Foundation for Research and Education on Hope, a 501(c)3 organization established in 2004, works to shine a positive light on mental health and eliminate stigma through prevention, research, and education. iFred is a pioneer in teaching hope as a learnable skill, and activates Hopeful Cities in areas with a poverty rate of 20% or more, and the Hopeful Minds Programs in school districts where at least 20 percent of the children they serve come from families with incomes below the poverty line. iFred also works in all low and middle-income countries. Learn more at www.ifred.org .

Media Contact:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Anna Termulo Montances

anna@theshinehopecompany.com

734-355-6716

SOURCE: The Shine Hope Company





View the original press release on accesswire.com




Jimmy Lieu dropped everything and moved from his hometown of Portland, Oregon to a place hed never even visited  Columbus, Ohio.

The now 25-year-old moved because he was faced with home prices in the high six figures in his hometown, and he knew he wanted to buy a property he could rent out to try to build wealth.

After a quick Google search, Lieu found that Columbus was a top real estate market with a growing population, still reasonably priced homes compared to other large cities, and a lot of potential growth with companies like Amazon and Intel investing here. So he hit the road.

"It's been one of the best decisions, moving to Columbus," said Lieu, who bought his first house on the city's South Side in 2021.

Jimmy Lieu moved from his hometown of Portland, Oregon, to Columbus three years ago to take advantage of a popular trend called "house hacking," a strategy that involves renting out portions of your primary residence to generate income that is used to offset the cost of your mortgage and other expenses associated with owning a home.

He rents three of his home's four bedrooms out to cover the mortgage, in a practice known as "house hacking."

And he now owns eight properties in central Ohio, including one he lives in, saying the risks he has taken have worked out well.

Related article: Columbus initiative taps Black, female real estate developers to create affordable housing

What is house hacking? Living rent-free

House hacking is a strategy where people rent out part of a property they own and live in the other, with the goal of dramatically reducing or covering their mortgage and other living expenses, said Lieu, a realtor with Swiss Realty, a Columbus agency.

Lieu started by renting out three of the bedrooms in his home for $600 each a month. He lives in the fourth, and the $1,800 per month in rental income he earns more than covers his mortgage.

House hacking has grown in popularity in recent years because it is a way for younger home buyers to afford to purchase property and take advantage of tax incentives associated with home ownership like the mortgage interest tax deduction, said Scott Trench, CEO and president of BiggerPockets, a wealth-building site focused on real estate that features a podcast by the same name.

The concept is centuries old, but the term and practice have been catching on among Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) and millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) as a way to buy property and build wealth.

More than half of millennial and Gen Z buyers view the opportunity to rent out a portion of their home for rental income as very or extremely important, according to a 2023 report by housing market site Zillow. Thats compared to 39% of all home buyers, which is up eight percentage points in the previous two years.

Real estate development: Developers call Columbus proposed zoning code good first step

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The term has "totally entered the cultural zeitgeist," said Alec Santiago, who bought a duplex on Columbus' South Side a few months ago.

His plan to rent out half of it doubled his buying power, said Santiago, 31, who knew he wanted to house hack.

He got interested after listening to the BiggerPockets podcast, doing his own research and seeing friends doing it. He moved from Houston to Columbus because of a job opportunity, as well as opportunities he saw in the housing market  including lower-cost homes and more options when it comes to buying.

The renters who had an existing lease when he bought a property two months ago cover about 40% of his mortgage. But rent prices rise each year, meaning the amount he has to pay is going to get smaller, Lieu said.

House hackers get the benefit of paying down the principal on their mortgage, building equity and may get cash flow from renting parts of their home out, Lieu said.

Either way, it's almost always less expensive than renting an apartment, he said, especially since housing costs are at a record high in Columbus and median rent per month was $1,298 in December, according to Yardi Matrix, a real estate service.

After receiving his doctoral degree and getting a job with Ohio State University a little more a year ago, Santiago felt like he was behind his peers financially and wanted to house hack to increase his net worth more quickly.

"(House hacking) seems like one quick action that has more than one return," he said. "It's nice to take bigger steps and skip a couple of steps."

Who's house hacking in Columbus and why?

Jimmy Lieu moved to Columbus from Oregon in 2021 to take advantage of cheaper home prices. He bought his first house on the South Side in 2021 and immediately started renting three of his home's four bedrooms to cover the mortgage, as part of a growing trend called "house hacking." He is now a real estate agent and investor and owns eight property in central Ohio.

House hacking is most popular among Gen Zers, Lieu said.

"If you're single, you're younger, you have the flexibility to live wherever you want with little to no privacy," Lieu said. "When you have a family and a wife to provide for and have kids, obviously, house hacking is more difficult."

Trench, 33, pointed to the "decade of sacrifice"  a phrase and concept Jaspreet Singh, host of the investing podcast The Minority Mindset Show, coined  to refer to what is needed to retire early. And he said a person can make that "decade of sacrifice" in their 20s, with house hacking playing a role that will pay off dividends in the long run.

"For the last 10 years off and on, I've been housing hacking, living in a place well below my means," he said.

His first house hack didn't have central air or a dryer and he did a lot of the necessary maintenance himself. Trench said he had an older car and used a bike to get around, and mostly cooked at home instead of going out to eat as part of his frugal lifestyle.

"You are giving up something," he said. "You are agreeing to manage tenants, likely doing a lot of work yourself  in pursuit of wealth."

Trench moved into a home this month that he isn't hacking.

"I've been investing in real estate for a long time so one day I could do this and feel reasonably good about it," he said of buying a home just for him and his wife. Trench owns five properties, with a total of 13 units, with a partner in Denver, Colorado. He has lived in three of those homes at one point.

House hacking is also a good way to get into real estate investing and learn how to be a landlord, he said.

That's how Tommy Harr got his start.

The Pickerington native's first real estate investment in Bexley didn't work out.

It wasn't until he took a risk and made a bet on a home in Merion Village that it worked, despite people saying he was crazy to buy in the neighborhood.

Tommy Harr, 29, owns a real estate investing company and tells everyone about house hacking, which he did himself for several years to get his start in investing.

Seven years later, he has his own real estate investing company, Legacy Homes, and helps others learn how to invest as well through an online community called Real Side Real Estate.

After the now-29-year-old made lots of "rookie mistakes" and lost money on his first house flip, Harr fell in love with the BiggerPockets podcast and, subsequently, house hacking and the idea of financial freedom.

"When you're young, before you buy a house, you've got to house hack, you've got to eliminate your housing cost," Harr said. "It's a no-brainer."

Harr said he tells everybody about house hacking. He said helped two of his four younger siblings buy their own homes to hack and his mom, a former teacher, quit her job to work full-time for him as a real estate agent.

Apart from intergenerational transfers of wealth, Trench said house hacking will play a major role in distinguishing between who becomes wealthy and who struggles and falls behind in future generations.

What are the trade-offs with house hacking?

Still, house hacking doesn't come without challenges and trade-offs.

Being a landlord is hard work, and sharing space, even if it is just the walls between a duplex, is a requirement. Lieu said it's important to vet tenants carefully, conduct income and background checks and find the right people to live with you.

Jimmy Lieu, a real estate agent and investor, is among a growing number of millennials and Gen Zers who have found a way to "hack" housing costs, the single most expensive line item in most people's financial budget, by renting out parts of their homes to help pay the mortgage and build wealth.

It's also up to house hackers to mow the lawn, clean the gutters and do property maintenance.

Santiago feels he's grown as a person through being a landlord and being responsible for the quality of someone else's home.

People may also have to buy in less 'desirable' areas or neighborhoods to be able to afford to buy a property, Harr said.

The key ingredient, he said, is being resourceful, working hard to improve your property and relentlessly going after what you want and can afford.

"I got lucky," Harr said. "A lot of it is just betting on yourself."

dking@dispatch.com

@DanaeKing

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gen Z can't afford real estate. How house hacking offers alternative
Jeremy Hunt will insist the UK economy is on the up as he travels to the United States for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings.

The Chancellor will seek to further strengthen UK-US economic ties and stress the importance of standing together with allies at times of instability across the globe.

He will jet to New York on Tuesday, before heading to Washington on Wednesday for two days at the IMF gathering.

In New York, Mr Hunt will meet with leaders from businesses including Bloomberg, Comcast and Blackrock, to promote Britains financial services and creative industries.

Ahead of his trip, the Chancellor said: At times of instability across the globe, we are reminded that we are stronger when we stand together. The US is our most important strategic ally and we are both at the forefront of keeping the world safe.

Our economic relationship sees one trillion dollars (800 billion) invested in one anothers countries and I will be looking to deepen it further during my time in New York.

In Washington, Mr Hunt will reiterate the need to stick to the Governments plan for the economy and highlight the progress being made, the Treasury said.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks Conservatives are languishing in opinion polls (Benjamin Cremel/PA)

Official data, last week, estimated gross domestic product rose 0.1% in February, raising hopes the country was emerging from recession.

But with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak battling an opinion poll deficit and Labour attacking the Government over its economic record, it is unclear whether a gradually improving economy will be enough to boost his partys electoral prospects ahead of the upcoming general election.

The Chancellor said the improving position will allow Britain to better co-operate with allies such as Ukraine and Israel.

He will point to UK action to defend Israel against Irans unprecedented drone and missile attack, with the UK calling for restraint in Tel Avivs response to the strike.

The Chancellor will also underline the UKs support for Ukraine and how Britain is retaining pressure on Moscow via its sanctions regime.

Mr Hunt will push for collaboration on artificial intelligence, global economic security and supply chain resilience in meetings with G7 and G20 partners, as well as with the finance ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US.

He will also call for reform of the international financial system and point to British support for developing countries.

Mr Hunt said: The UKs resilient economy is on the up, and it is from this improving position that we can be the best partner possible to our friends around the world  including standing steadfast with Ukraine in its fight against President Putin and standing up for Israels security.
ASHBURN, Va., April 16, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, I2Pure and Toppen Health are excited to announce a new partnership aimed at forever changing water disinfection. On the foundation of their respective patent-protected and patent-pending technologies, the combination of I2Pures and Toppen Healths approaches to water disinfection will create unmatched capability to filter and deliver clean water for endless applications.

Toppen Health is dedicated to water filtration. Their founder and CEO, Owen Boyd, is a long-time industry leader in water filtration, having invented and commercialized several novel systems currently used for water filtration in more than 75% of dental facilities in North America and Canada. Now at the helm of Toppen Health, Boyd remains committed to improving the availability of clean water around the world.

I2Pure is a healthcare technology company focused on leveraging the natural antimicrobial power of molecular iodine to fight pathogens and reduce infection risks in healthcare and a variety of other market segments. I2Pures iodine technologies can neutralize all known pathogens, whether bacterial, viral, or fungal.

"I2Pure could not be more excited at this new partnership with Toppen Health. With Toppen, we have a partner that shares a common goal of reliably disinfecting water at a volume and cost that is unmatched globally," said Jeff Jochims, I2Pure CEO. "On the strength of our respective patent-protected technologies, together we offer an unequalled capability to reliably disinfect water in a manner that was only theoretical until now. Were excited to have a partner like Toppen Health as we tackle one of our worlds greatest challenges."

"My lifes work has been committed to making clean healthy water available to the world," said Owen Boyd, founder and CEO of Toppen Health. "Ive been intrigued by the potential use of iodines natural antimicrobial capabilities in water disinfection for many years. I2Pure has made that potential a reality. We can now talk about previously unthinkable achievements like eradicating Legionnaires Disease. Our unique filter design will remove pathogens from any water source while continually releasing I2Pures molecular iodine to protect water lines from biofilm. Toppen Health could not be more excited to have this new partner in revolutionizing water disinfection."

Under the terms of their partnership, Toppen Health enjoys a worldwide license to I2Pures iodine technology for use in water disinfection. Toppen Health and I2Pure have already begun joint product development efforts for a new low-cost, high-volume water disinfection system that will create antimicrobial persistence in water and eliminate the need for shocking lines. Product applications include healthcare and dental uses, high-density residential applications such as long-term care and hotel applications, single-family residential use, and broad scale industrial applications. It is expected that initial product formulations will be submitted for regulatory consideration and approval within 2024.

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About I2Pure: I2Pure is a healthcare technology company dedicated to advancing the world of health and biosafety by preventing infections and disease through its patented, non-toxic molecular iodine platform. I2Pures mission is to prevent pathogenic threats to the world. Our technology can be used across virtually every facet of surgical and therapeutic interaction with human or animal tissue to prevent infection. The platform technology can be delivered via solutions, polymers and coatings and can be extended into medical devices, antisepsis, cosmetics, water safety, food safety and preservation, aquaculture and more. For more information about I2Pure, visit https://www.i2pure.com or contact Abigail Moses at Abigail@i2pure.com.

About Toppen Health: Toppen, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aion Therapeutic, is a US-based innovative health and wellness company dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art water filtration solutions. With a focus on innovation, affordability, and sustainability, Toppen's water filtration solutions are designed to meet the diverse needs of consumers, businesses, and industries around the world for access to clean and safe water.

About Aion Therapeutic Inc.: Aion Therapeutic is a forward-thinking business within the health and wellness sector with a diverse portfolio of intellectual property. With a commitment to innovation and transformative solutions, the Company is poised to drive positive change to redefine the boundaries of health and wellness.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416391555/en/

Contacts

Abigail Moses

Abigail@i2pure.com
The silhouette of two oil pumps - stock photo. Olga Rolenko

The IEA downgraded its global oil-demand forecast to 1.2 million barrels a day through the rest of the year.

The group cited weak OECD deliveries, the end of the post-COVID rebound, and the adoption of EVs.

The agency also forecast a slowdown in oil demand for 2025.

Iran's strikes on Israel over the weekend sparked a fresh wave of fears over oil supply disruptions, but the International Energy Agency foresees a global slump in oil demand amid a host of factors set to weigh on the market through the rest of 2024.

The group slashed its forecast by about 100,000 barrels per day to 1.2 million barrels, attributing it to "exceptionally weak OECD deliveries," "the completion of the post-Covid rebound," and an expanding fleet of electric vehicles, according to a report released on Friday.

With the COVID-19 recovery having run its course, the IEA projects a further slowdown in oil demand expansion to 1.1 million barrels a day in 2025, with most non-OPEC countries driving supply growth thanks to output curbs among OPEC members, while OECD states see their oil consumption decline by 60,000 barrels a day in both 2024 and 2025.

The agency's reduced forecast for demand arrives amid simmering tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, which have stirred up concerns of potential supply snags and a further surge in oil prices.

Toril Bosoni, head of the oil industry and markets division at the IEA, said on CNBC's "Street Signs Europe" that the surging sales of electric vehicles, particularly in China, Europe, and the United States, are putting a dent in global oil demand.

"There has been a lot of talk about sales not increasing as much as maybe was expected, but EV sales and increased fuel efficiencies in the car fleet is lowering gasoline demand, at least in advanced economies and particularly in China," she said.

Meanwhile, following Iran's attacks against Israel over the weekend, Wall Street veteran Ed Yardeni predicted an 11% spike in Brent crude prices to $100 a barrel, evoking memories of the 1970s energy crises and the ensuing economic turmoil.

The IEA's Bosoni said there are numerous pain points she's keeping tabs on in today's oil market, which could potentially lead to "significant outages."

"The continued tanker attacks in the Red Sea is of key concern, but also escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, and then we're seeing tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue, with attacks on Russian refineries," she said.

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West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 0.74% to $85.03 per barrel as of Monday 1:30 pm, while Brent was down 0.74% to $89.78 a barrel.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Nikunj Ohri, Shivangi Acharya and Sarita Chaganti Singh

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India has deferred approval of Paytms 500 million rupee ($6 million) investment in its Paytm Payment Services arm in part due to concerns about a Chinese shareholding in the parent company, according to three government officials and a document seen by Reuters.

One 97 Communications, popularly known as Paytm, is already under the scrutiny of India's banking regulator and financial crime-fighting agency after the central bank ordered it to wind down its payments bank in January. The sources indicated this was another reason for the deferral.

Paytm sought government approval last year for the investment it had already made in its newly established payments gateway arm, a necessary step for Paytm Payments Services to receive the payment aggregator licence necessary to accept online payments.

A government panel consisting of representatives of India's home affairs, finance and industries ministries must approve the investment, with input from the foreign office as China-based Antfin (Netherlands) Holdings owns a 9.88% stake in Paytm.

Although the Ministry of Home Affairs approved the investment in January, the foreign ministry rejected it citing "political grounds", according to the officials and the document, so the decision was deferred.

One source said the entity's Chinese ownership has been a concern for the government, which must approve all investments coming from the country or made in companies which have Chinese shareholders.

Since the approval was sought after making the investment, a penalty on Paytm would be imposed, the document showed, without specifying the amount.

"We have received no communication that the investment proposal has been deferred or that a penalty is proposed to be imposed," Paytm told Reuters.

"In the absence of any such information, any notion of the proposal being deferred due to lack of clarity on Chinese holding and a penalty on Paytm is entirely false and misleading," the company said.

India's foreign, home, finance and industries ministries did not reply to emails seeking comment.

There was no indication of how long the decision had been deferred for, nor what may be necessary to secure approval.

Paytm Payment Services' turnover accounted for a quarter of Paytm's consolidated revenue from operations in 2022/23, according to its last annual statement.

While Paytm was already offering online payment services, the need for the payment aggregator licence arose after the regulator asked for the business to be transferred to an independent legal entity - Paytm Payments Services.

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If approval of the investment is withheld, Paytm would have to withdraw the funds from Paytm Payment Services, another of the sources said.

Reuters could not ascertain whether the deferral of the investment approval would mean Paytm Payment Services would need to stop offering online payment services.

($1 = 83.3199 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Nikunj Ohri, Shivangi Acharya & Sarita Chaganti Singh in New Delhi; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
Insiders who bought UK1.37m worth of Superdry plc's (LON:SDRY) stock at an average buy price of UK0.52 over the last year may be disappointed by the recent 19% decrease in the stock. Insiders purchase with the hope of seeing their investments increase in value over time. However, due to recent losses, their initial investment is now only worth UK210.1k, which is not great.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

Check out our latest analysis for Superdry

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Superdry

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Co-Founder Julian Dunkerton bought UK735k worth of shares at a price of UK0.79 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being UK0.08). While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price.

In the last twelve months Superdry insiders were buying shares, but not selling. The average buy price was around UK0.52. This is nice to see since it implies that insiders might see value around current prices. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

Superdry is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Superdry Insiders Bought Stock Recently

Over the last three months, we've seen significant insider buying at Superdry. In total, insiders bought UK360k worth of shares in that time, and we didn't record any sales whatsoever. That shows some optimism about the company's future.

Insider Ownership Of Superdry

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. It appears that Superdry insiders own 37% of the company, worth about UK2.9m. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders.

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So What Does This Data Suggest About Superdry Insiders?

It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchases. We also take confidence from the longer term picture of insider transactions. But we don't feel the same about the fact the company is making losses. When combined with notable insider ownership, these factors suggest Superdry insiders are well aligned, and that they may think the share price is too low. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Superdry. Case in point: We've spotted 5 warning signs for Superdry you should be aware of, and 2 of them are a bit concerning.

But note: Superdry may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Cimpress PLC (NASDAQ:CMPR), a global leader in mass customization, has reported an insider transaction involving Florian Baumgartner, the Executive Vice President and CEO of Vista, a subsidiary of Cimpress. According to a recent SEC Filing, the insider sold 4,432 shares of the company on April 15, 2024.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 25,914 shares and has not made any purchases of the company's stock. This latest transaction continues a trend observed over the past year, where there have been no insider buys but 15 insider sells for Cimpress PLC.

Insider Sell: EVP and CEO of Vista, Florian Baumgartner, Sells 4,432 Shares of Cimpress PLC (CMPR)

On the day of the sale, shares of Cimpress PLC were trading at $92.24, valuing the company at a market cap of $2.437 billion. The price-earnings ratio of the company stands at 59.47, which is above both the industry median of 19.43 and the historical median for the company.

Insider Sell: EVP and CEO of Vista, Florian Baumgartner, Sells 4,432 Shares of Cimpress PLC (CMPR)

The stock's current price also exceeds the GuruFocus Value (GF Value) of $70.64, resulting in a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.31, indicating that Cimpress PLC is modestly overvalued. The GF Value is calculated considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.Cimpress PLC specializes in mass customization, enabling individuals and businesses to make their products and marketing materials uniquely their own through its innovative platforms and technology. The company's portfolio of brands includes VistaPrint, BuildASign, National Pen, and more, serving customers across various markets worldwide.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Mastercard implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

A total of 18 investors have a majority stake in the company with 50% ownership

Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock

A look at the shareholders of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) can tell us which group is most powerful. With 88% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

No shareholder likes losing money on their investments, especially institutional investors who saw their holdings drop 4.0% in value last week. However, the 24% one-year returns may have helped alleviate their overall losses. They should, however, be mindful of further losses in the future.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Mastercard, beginning with the chart below.

See our latest analysis for Mastercard

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Mastercard?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that Mastercard does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Mastercard, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Mastercard is not owned by hedge funds. Our data shows that The MasterCard Foundation, Endowment Arm is the largest shareholder with 10% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 8.1% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 7.2% by the third-largest shareholder.

Looking at the shareholder registry, we can see that 50% of the ownership is controlled by the top 18 shareholders, meaning that no single shareholder has a majority interest in the ownership.

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While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Mastercard

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our information suggests that Mastercard Incorporated insiders own under 1% of the company. It is a very large company, so it would be surprising to see insiders own a large proportion of the company. Though their holding amounts to less than 1%, we can see that board members collectively own US$183m worth of shares (at current prices). Arguably recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 11% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Mastercard. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Mastercard that you should be aware of.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
A diverse portfolio of stocks will always have winners and losers. But if you're going to beat the market overall, you need to have individual stocks that outperform. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) has done well over the last year, with the stock price up 25% beating the market return of 21% (not including dividends). The longer term returns have not been as good, with the stock price only 18% higher than it was three years ago.

While the stock has fallen 3.4% this week, it's worth focusing on the longer term and seeing if the stocks historical returns have been driven by the underlying fundamentals.

Check out our latest analysis for Bank of New York Mellon

In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

Bank of New York Mellon was able to grow EPS by 34% in the last twelve months. It's fair to say that the share price gain of 25% did not keep pace with the EPS growth. Therefore, it seems the market isn't as excited about Bank of New York Mellon as it was before. This could be an opportunity.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

We know that Bank of New York Mellon has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? You could check out this free report showing analyst revenue forecasts.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for Bank of New York Mellon the TSR over the last 1 year was 29%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

A Different Perspective

It's nice to see that Bank of New York Mellon shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 29% over the last year. And that does include the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 6%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Bank of New York Mellon , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

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If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Nanofilm Technologies International is S$1.14 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Nanofilm Technologies International's S$0.66 share price signals that it might be 42% undervalued

Analyst price target for MZH is S$0.70 which is 39% below our fair value estimate

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Nanofilm Technologies International Limited (SGX:MZH) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Nanofilm Technologies International

The Method

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (SGD, Millions) S$18.2m S$19.5m S$26.0m S$31.0m S$35.3m S$39.0m S$42.1m S$44.7m S$46.9m S$48.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 19.11% Est @ 13.99% Est @ 10.41% Est @ 7.90% Est @ 6.15% Est @ 4.92% Est @ 4.06% Present Value (SGD, Millions) Discounted @ 7.0% S$17.0 S$17.0 S$21.2 S$23.6 S$25.2 S$26.0 S$26.2 S$26.0 S$25.5 S$24.8

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = S$232m

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.1%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 7.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = S$49m (1 + 2.1%)  (7.0% 2.1%) = S$1.0b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= S$1.0b ( 1 + 7.0%)10= S$508m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is S$741m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of S$0.7, the company appears quite undervalued at a 42% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Nanofilm Technologies International as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.080. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Nanofilm Technologies International

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Chemicals market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Singaporean market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Nanofilm Technologies International, we've put together three further elements you should explore:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Nanofilm Technologies International that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does MZH's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Singaporean stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
JPM Earnings: A Teachable Moment for Advisors, Clients

What's a financial stock?

The answer used to be easy for financial advisors to understand and explain: these are the shares of a public company that's part of the financial sector, one of 11 that make up the S&P 500.

A generation ago, it was primarily banks and big brokerage firms.

However, as the digital economy has evolved, so has the financial sector. And exchange-traded funds haven't simply been along for the ride, they've allowed advisors to dissect the sector in ways that in decades past would have forced them to resort to taking single-stock risk. Thats no longer the case.

J.P. Morgans stock price was off nearly 6% on Friday afternoon, after the giant banking company and Dow Industrials component released earnings. Since JPM is considered the leader in the financial sector, announces earnings before most other financial stocks do, and is a 10% weighting in the largest financial ETF, the $37 billion Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF (XLF), this should put advisors on alert for what might be coming next.

That makes it timely to get better acquainted with the sub-sectors within financials.

Financial Sector ETFs Without Banks

As is often the case when getting familiar with ETFs, the bigger issue is not lack of choice, but rather an overwhelming number of ways to slice and dice the sector, with multiple providers offering bank-focused ETFs.

As for the other industry-focused funds, the $740 million SPDR S&P Insurance ETF (KIE) focuses on companies in that area of financial services, and is equal weighted, further reducing the impact of one JPM-sized holding.

For those advisors who not only like our industry, but would like to consider an investment of client assets to the public companies in it, the $720 million iShares US Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) is a capitalization-weighted ETF with 38 companies in the businesses of trading, investing, investment banking, and overseeing the major stock and commodity exchanges. In other words, no traditional banking stocks.

Of all the innovations in the financial services business, perhaps the most relatable to clients of advisors is the ease with which routine, everyday financial transactions now occur.

Were at the point where cash is at best optional. For advisors and clients who are curious about exploring how to participate in the potential future growth of the companies driving that continued evolution, even into cryptocurrencies as a means of payment, the often-overlooked Amplify Mobile Payment ETF (IPAY) invests in 40 such firms, from iconic payment facilitators like Visa to new kids on the block(chain) such as Coinbase. Oh, and it owns a 5% position in the company called Block, too.

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Todays financial sector is far more than banks. And while JP Morgan has been a too big to fail type since the days of its eponymous founder, that doesnt mean its stock price cant be dented from time to time. The business of peoples money is now as diffuse as ever, and ETFs are on hand to help advisors customize their access to this sector.





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Key Insights

Lagenda Properties Berhad's estimated fair value is RM1.49 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Lagenda Properties Berhad's RM1.50 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Our fair value estimate is 17% lower than Lagenda Properties Berhad's analyst price target of RM1.80

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Lagenda Properties Berhad (KLSE:LAGENDA) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

View our latest analysis for Lagenda Properties Berhad

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM102.1m RM101.8m RM102.6m RM104.3m RM106.6m RM109.4m RM112.6m RM116.1m RM119.8m RM123.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -1.95% Est @ -0.30% Est @ 0.85% Est @ 1.66% Est @ 2.22% Est @ 2.62% Est @ 2.89% Est @ 3.09% Est @ 3.22% Est @ 3.32% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 11% RM92.0 RM82.6 RM75.1 RM68.8 RM63.3 RM58.6 RM54.3 RM50.4 RM46.9 RM43.7

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM636m

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.5%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 11%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM124m (1 + 3.5%)  (11% 3.5%) = RM1.7b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM1.7b ( 1 + 11%)10= RM608m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM1.2b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM1.5, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Lagenda Properties Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.172. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Lagenda Properties Berhad

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Real Estate market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio.

Threat

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Next Steps:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Lagenda Properties Berhad, we've put together three important aspects you should look at:

Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 1 warning sign for Lagenda Properties Berhad you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does LAGENDA's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Key Insights

Significant control over Malayan Banking Berhad by sovereign wealth funds implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions

The top 2 shareholders own 56% of the company

Institutional ownership in Malayan Banking Berhad is 29%

Every investor in Malayan Banking Berhad (KLSE:MAYBANK) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. With 44% stake, sovereign wealth funds possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Meanwhile, institutions make up 29% of the companys shareholders. Insiders often own a large chunk of younger, smaller, companies while huge companies tend to have institutions as shareholders.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Malayan Banking Berhad.

View our latest analysis for Malayan Banking Berhad

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Malayan Banking Berhad?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that Malayan Banking Berhad does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Malayan Banking Berhad's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Malayan Banking Berhad is not owned by hedge funds. Permodalan Nasional Berhad is currently the largest shareholder, with 44% of shares outstanding. With 12% and 4.6% of the shares outstanding respectively, Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia and Kumpulan Wang Persaraan are the second and third largest shareholders.

A more detailed study of the shareholder registry showed us that 2 of the top shareholders have a considerable amount of ownership in the company, via their 56% stake.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Story continues

Insider Ownership Of Malayan Banking Berhad

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of Malayan Banking Berhad. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own RM29m of stock. In this sort of situation, it can be more interesting to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 26% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Malayan Banking Berhad. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Take risks for example - Malayan Banking Berhad has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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State development officials gave a final approval Tuesday to the biggest development incentive for the $3 billion Future of Health development in Detroit's New Center area, clearing the way for at least two groundbreakings to happen this year.

Members of the quasi-public Michigan Strategic Fund in Lansing voted unanimously in favor of the Transformation Brownfield incentive, which would allow the trio of developers  Henry Ford Health, the Detroit Pistons organization and Michigan State University  to capture up to $232 million in future local and state-level tax revenues over 35 years that are expected to be generated by a $773 million portion of the development.

An aerial view rendering of the proposed development and its multiple components.

The development also expects help from about $55 million in various tax abatements, bringing the total value of its local and state incentives to about $287 million. Earlier estimates put that total figure at $296 million.

Detroit City Council voted 6-3 in late February to approve the brownfield and the tax abatements, amid vocal opposition during public hearings. Council's vote sent the plan to the Michigan Strategic Fund.

The Future of Health development encompasses six projects: a large expansion to Henry Ford Hospital, including a new 21-story hospital tower, 662 new mixed-income apartments, a new collaborative medical research center for MSU and Henry Ford, and a parking deck.

Orange is proposed new housing. Green is the joint Henry Ford-MSU research center. Light blue is the Henry Ford Hospital expansion. Purple is parking.

The largest of the six projects  a $2.2 billion Henry Ford Hospital expansion along West Grand Boulevard  is the one project not seeking incentives or tax breaks. As a nonprofit health system, Henry Ford Health already doesn't pay property tax.

The majority of the development incentives would go toward construction by the Pistons organization of two new apartment buildings and conversion of Henry Ford Health's current corporate headquarters  One Ford Place  into housing.

The first of those housing developments is to get underway sometime in 2025; a Pistons representative said Tuesday that there is no specific start date yet.

More: Detroit City Council to vote on incentives for $3B New Center development

The Pistons organization's rate of return for the housing developments is projected to be between 5% and 6%, according to documents with the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

The specific Pistons-related corporate entity that would develop the housing is called DP Amsterdam LLC, which is owned by a Delaware corporation that, in turn, is owned by Detroit Pistons' owner Tom Gores and "his estate planning vehicles," according to MEDC documents.

Henry Ford Health has said it will begin construction of its hospital expansion this year, starting with demolition of a now-empty office building, 2850 W. Grand Blvd., that once housed offices for Health Alliance Plan, to make way for the new building.

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The health system's specific timeline for that demolition, as well as construction of the hospital expansion, was not immediately available Tuesday. However, a spokesperson said they expect construction to start later this year so that the expansion can be finished and open in 2029.

"The low-impact demolition will be the first physical step in our vision to transform our academic medical campus in Detroit and will start in the coming weeks," the Henry Ford Health spokesperson said. "We will communicate the exact date when the deconstruction will begin soon."

Separately, a groundbreaking is expected next month for the planned Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences Research Center, which would be built at the intersection of Amsterdam Street and Third Avenue. The center could then open in 2027.

Contact JC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on X @jcreindl.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Strategic Fund OKs incentive for $3B New Center development
If new tuition rates are approved this week, the cost of going to Missouri State will increase an average of $400, or 4%, for most students next year.

A proposal calls for the university to set tuition at $290 a credit hour, an $11 increase, for undergraduate students who are from Missouri, which is the largest population enrolled.

The student service fee, set at $606 for students enrolled in at least seven credits a semester, is scheduled to go up to $691, an increase of $85 for the 2024-25 year.

MSU President Clif Smart said the increase is in line with what many other four-year institutions have proposed for the coming year.

Students walk on campus at Missouri State University on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

"We're right where every other university is, doing the same thing," he said. "We've surveyed the competition and they're all in the 3% to 5% range."

He said 60% of the university's operating revenue comes from tuition and fees and the increase is needed to keep up with rising costs and offer employees a pay raise.

"We can't do compensation increases and we can't pay our pension increased payments and the increase in electric bills and all that if we are not keeping up with inflation," Smart said.

The MSU Board of Governors will consider the tuition and fee increases during a special meeting Wednesday.

A special meeting of the university's Board of Governors has been called for 4 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the tuition and fee proposal, among other topics

Under the proposal, tuition will also go up for other groups, including:

Undergraduate students not from Missouri  $621 per credit hour, an increase of $24;

Graduate students from Missouri  $379 per credit hour, an increase of $31;

Graduate students not from Missouri  $756 per credit hour, an increase of $62;

For students living on campus, the combined room and board increase is 3% or less. Parking permits will also go up slightly.

Smart said part of the annual student service fee increase, which covers on-campus student health and wellness center access, will fix the long stagnant Student Computer Usage Fund. "That hadn't gone up in a decade and, as a result, we're deficit spending."

A slate of program and other enrollment fees related to specific areas of study, such as business or agriculture, will also go to the board this week. There will also be annual fees assessed for students engaged in doctoral work through the McQueary College of Health and Human Sciences.

"We look at our college fees every four to six years and so we're trying to catch up," Smart said.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart delivers his final State of the University Address as MSU president on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.

Smart, who will retire July 1, recently met with incoming president Richard "Biff" Williams to go over the revenue and spending changes planned for next year.

He said while the recommended changes came out of his leadership team, there has been good communication with the university's next leader.

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More: Missouri State alumni center at 'front door of campus' to be named for Clif Smart

"He has encouraged us to catch up on everything, get it to the right level. If we've been funding anything with one-time money, let's build it into the budget," Smart said. "Let's much sure our fees are both competitive and generating the revenue to fund the programs."

Smart added: "I want to leave him a really solid, balanced budget."

Due to FAFSA delays, fall enrollment is uncertain

Asked how much the proposed tuition and fee increases will generate, Smart said that money  assuming flat enrollment and a 3% increase in state funding  will generate a $9 million more for the 2024-25 year.

Smart said the additional revenue will help but not leave much left over. "Our 3% compensation increase plus funding faculty promotions and the additional pension cost, that eats up $7.5 million."

Smart acknowledged that "assuming flat enrollment" at this point is a little bit of a leap of faith. He said it is based on past trends and projections but the final numbers are still uncertain given the "FAFSA mess."

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid determines eligibility for federal grants and loans and universities use it as part of awarding financial aid and scholarships.

Students walk on campus at Missouri State University on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Delays and technical errors related to the rollout of the new FAFSA form this year prompted MSU and hundreds of other universities to push back the deadline for submitting the critical form. That, in turn, postponed financial aid award letters and students' willingness to register and enroll.

"We're beginning today sending out financial aid letters that should have gone out the first week of February but hadn't," Smart said Monday.

More: A smooth transition: Missouri State prepares for Biff Williams' presidency July 1

Smart said the FAFSA delay has cast a long shadow over the admissions process for the fall. "Every category is down. Our registrations are down, (housing) deposits are down," he said.

He noted more than a third of MSU students typically receive federal aid, through the need-based Pell Grant and Access Missouri programs. A more accurate projection of fall enrollment is expected to come into focus in the next month.

"Particularly for new students, they're really worried 'Can we afford this?' and they are waiting to see what the financial aid letters look like," Smart said.

"I think it will pick up this month and we ought to know by the May meeting, when we present the draft budget to the board. But, we're all a little nervous about this right now."

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State University's student tuition, fees expected to increase
WASHINGTON  As Democrats aim to compete for at least two Wisconsin battleground House districts in just under seven months, the Republican incumbents in those seats are continuing to bring in the cash.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a freshman Republican in the state's western 3rd Congressional District, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars more than his Democratic challengers, according to campaign finance reports filed Monday. And Rep. Bryan Steil, a Janesville Republican representing the southeastern 1st Congressional District, added to his war chest as he awaits a viable Democratic challenger.

More: Senate candidate Eric Hovde nets $9.1 million, with $8 million from himself, in 1st quarter

More: Tammy Baldwin U.S. Senate campaign reports raising $5.4 million in first quarter

The fight to replace retiring Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher in northeastern Wisconsin, meanwhile, is just getting started.

Here's what to know about fundraising in Wisconsin's House races in the first quarter of 2024:

Derrick Van Orden is a top target for Democrats

Derrick Van Orden

Wisconsin's freshman congressman is a top target for Democrats this cycle.

Van Orden raised $705,319 in the first quarter of the year, Federal Elections Commission reports show, and he had more than $1.9 million in cash on hand heading into April.

Two Democrats are currently battling to face Van Orden in November: small-business owner Rebecca Cooke and Stevens Point State Rep. Katrina Shankland.

Cooke, who placed second in last cycle's Democratic primary for the seat, raised $491,634 and had $807,660 in cash on hand, while Shankland brought in $303,181 and ended the quarter with $357,175 in her war chest.

State Rep. Katrina Shankland, left, and non-profit leader Rebecca Cooke, right, both Democratic candidates for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District.

Bryan Steil awaits a challenger in Wisconsin's 1st District

House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis., questions Architect of the U.S. Capitol Brett Blanton during a committee hearing in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill on February 09, 2023 in Washington, DC. According to an inspector general's report, Blanton is accused of misusing resources, including his official vehicle for personal vacation, and masquerading as an off-duty police officer.

Steil, seeking his fourth term on Capitol Hill, has continued to bring in cash as he awaits a potential challenge from a Democrat who could draw the support of the national party.

The Janesville Republican raised $638,823 in the first quarter of 2024, FEC reports show. And he's headed into the summer with a war chest of just over $4 million.

His current Democratic opponent, Racine County emergency response manager Lorenzo Santos, meanwhile, raised just $12,096 and had $5,199 in cash.

But former Democratic congressman Peter Barca, who represented the district from 1993 to 1995, is considering a campaign to challenge Steil. Barca told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he's been encouraged to run by national Democrats  an indication he could get their financial backing if he decided to run.

Another Democrat, former Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, is also thinking about a run.

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The crowded race to replace Rep. Mike Gallagher

Former state Sen. Roger Roth, left, and state Sen. Andre Jacque, right

Gallagher's announcement in February that he would not seek reelection set an unexpected Republican primary race.

Former state Sen. Roger Roth jumped into the race the same day. And state Sen. Andre Jacque announced his own candidacy in early March. Since then, Roth has held a fundraising edge.

Roth reported raising $381,908 since the start of his campaign and had $376,938 in cash on hand, FEC reports show. Jacque raised $127,044 and loaned himself another $16,000 and ended the quarter with $140,653 in his war chest.

Roth drew donations from GOP megadonors and owners of Uline Inc. Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, former Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels and Franklin businessman Scott Mayer, who recently opted out of a Senate run this year.

Tony Wied addresses supporters on Monday, April 8, 2024, at the Legacy Hotel in Green Bay, Wis. Wied announced his candidacy as a Republican for Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District seat.

Tony Wied, the former owner of a dinosaur-branded gas station chain, joined the primary last week with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. His campaign did not say how much Wied raised in his first week but claimed he had $700,000 in cash on hand.

The lone Democrat in the race, De Pere OB-GYN Kristin Lyerly, launched her campaign earlier this month. A spokeswoman for Lyerly said the Democrat raised $250,000 from more than 6,000 donors in the first week of her campaign.

Dr. Kristin Lyerly addresses supporters during her campaign announcement on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Hinterland Brewery in Ashwaubenon, Wis. Lyerly announced her candidacy for the 8th Congressional District seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin's congressional races. Here's the latest fundraising
L.L. Bean has announced it will lay off workers and reduce the hours of its customer call centers, a response to what the company says is more people shopping online.

Beginning July 15, the outerwear clothing and equipment company plans to change its call center hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., a reduction of four hours a day from the current hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. With the shift changes, the company announced last week that it would be reducing its workforce.

As more of our customers choose self-service and shop through our digital and retail channels, customer contacts have declined over the last four years, the company said in a statement, adding that more than 90% of its customer calls come in from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

"Simply put, L.L. Bean customers shop differently today than in the past and we must adapt," the company said. Unfortunately, this does result in a reduction in staff. Impacting peoples jobs and schedules is never a decision L.L. Bean makes lightly, and we will be offering impacted employees severance, outplacement services and, for those who are eligible, company retiree benefits."

The company said that "these changes are not a reaction to current business conditions or part of a larger workforce reduction, but rather a strategic response to long-term customer trends.

An L.L. Bean store is pictured in Freehold, New Jersey, on Dec. 13, 2022.

How many employees is L.L. Bean planning to lay off?

L.L Bean spokesman Jason Sulham told USA TODAY on Tuesday that the retailer is still working to determine how many employees would be laid off.

We don't have an exact number yet as we are working to manage through severance-eligible voluntary departures and retirements with company benefits, Sulham said. This was just announced internally at the end of last week, so it will be some time before we feel confident in providing numbers.

What states are going to be the most affected by the layoffs?

Sulham said most of L.L. Beans call center employees work remotely outside the company's headquarters in Maine.

Does L.L. Bean plan on closing any stores in 2024?

Though Sulham declined to say whether the outerwear retail store plans to close any stores this year, he said the company does have plans to open more.

We are actually planning on opening four stores this year and continue to invest in retail expansion, bringing the unique L.L. Bean in-person shopping experience to more of our customers, Sulham said.

Best Buy cuts workforce: Including Geek Squad, looks to AI for customer service

Has L.L. Bean laid off employees in the past?

L.L. Bean laid off about 200 people in 2020, and in 2021 it closed a call center in Lewiston, Maine, according to the Portland Press Herald.

Story continues

The company also closed call centers in Bangor, Waterville and Oxford, Maine, according to Mainebiz.

Ahjane Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjane covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com . Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X @forbesfineest.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: L.L. Bean announces layoffs, reduced call center hours
Rae-Ann Birney and Sonia Champlin packed up everything they owned and moved to Nampa in 2019 to pursue their dream of opening a coffee shop. The close friends poured everything they had into the venture, hoping to provide a better life for their families after leaving Las Vegas.

The pair bought a food truck from New Mexico on eBay and a year later opened a mobile coffee truck called The Perking Spot in a large empty parking lot at the corner of Caldwell Boulevard and Karcher Road, behind Sharis.

For a while, business was slow. We sat there every day from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., pulling the truck in and out, running the diesel, just for four customers to stop by, Birney said.

But by 2022, as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions eased, the business had built a regular clientele: Theyre on the go. Theyre going to work. Theyre commuters. Theyre moms in their car hustling to school. Consistency is so important to that business model.

Now, regulations the city of Nampa is imposing threaten that business model, Birney said. In October, they received a letter notifying them that the city planned to enforce local laws governing food trucks and was considering further changes to the status quo.

Vendors on private property affected by city ordinances

Even though The Perking Spot is on private property, and has a lease with the property owner to be there, the coffee truck is at odds with the city, which proposed new regulations that would bar food trucks from parking overnight or connecting to power poles. The coffee truck is powered by a private light pole for which Birney obtained a permit to install.

Birney, Champlin and at least two dozen other food truck owners and supporters waited hours Monday night for the Nampa City Council to move through its various agenda items and onto a public hearing where they could testify about the impact the regulations would have on their businesses. The council planned to vote after on whether to establish a new license for mobile food vendors. Food trucks now fall under a subsection of city ordinances titled peddlers and solicitors.

Before the hearing, which the city attorney reminded the council multiple times that it did not have to conduct, City Clerk Char Tim gave a presentation in which she said food trucks operating from a single site, rather than moving from location to location, are violating city laws.

What were dealing with right now are semipermanent structures that are operating under a mobile food license, Tim said. Theyre not a permanent structure, so therefore they are not required to follow the same regulations as those that are brick and mortar. But they also are not mobile as they are not moving, and therefore they are not in compliance with the mobile food regulations.

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She said the proposed regulations are nearly identical to whats already outlined in the citys laws regulating food trucks  laws that the city only recently began enforcing.

Its going to run everyone out of business, Champlin said at the hearing.

Champlin and Birney took out an $80,000 small-business loan in early 2022 to build a larger 27-foot trailer because things were going well, Birney told the Idaho Statesman by phone. The trailer remains at 1813 Caldwell Blvd., and the truck is now used for events. But the city told The Perking Spot in March to halt the drive-thru portion of its business, which had operated for the last three years. Birney, a single mother of three boys, said she estimates ending the drive-thru will cost them at least half of their business.

Its just been one hurdle after the next, Birney said.

Institute for Justice says restrictions are unconstitutional

The Institute for Justice, a nonprofit law firm that fights what it calls government overreach, has tried to step in. The firm sent a letter to city officials strongly urging them to cease all enforcement of current and future regulations against mobile food vendors who are doing business on private property and complying with all safety precautions outlined in the citys code, said a Thursday news release from the firm.

Erica Smith Ewing, an Institute for Justice attorney, told the Statesman on Monday that it would be unconstitutional for the city to restrict mobile food vendors on private property.

In fact, weve sued several other cities for imposing restrictions on food trucks on private property, Ewing said by phone.

Ewing said the law firm has seen some evidence that suggests the city is moving forward with the regulations to protect restaurants from nearby competition. Cities can act to protect health and safety, she said, but they cant play favorites.

Its not the governments job to be picking winners and losers in the marketplace, she said.

At the Monday hearing, Mayor Debbie Kling interjected to clarify that the regulations were not brought forth because of complaints from brick and mortar restaurants. That really isnt the basis, she said.

But Tim, the city clerk, told the council it appears there are unfair business advantages to owning a food truck over a brick and mortar restaurant. She cited the low cost of a mobile food license. She said the citys goal is to be fair to everyone.

She added that it was unclear where local food trucks were disposing of their grease and gray water, which City Councilman Randy Haverfield persistently asked of every vendor who testified.

Haverfield asked Ryan Chesler, who owns Fly Food Truck with his wife, Jordan, about what type of hood vent their food truck has, what they do for pre-treatment so oil doesnt go back into the sewer, and what kind of holding tank they use for the grease.

Chesler said he changes the food trucks frying oil every 40 hours.

I have the fryers and theyre contained, he said. We have metal, sealed, food-grade containers that lock to keep that contained and strapped in while I drive to my next location. I have a commercial space that I lease over off of Karcher, and I have a bulk container there that twice a year I have Eco of Idaho come in, pump that oil and recycle it.

Are you bringing the taco truck with you?

Tim Cook, the owner of Big Box Outlet Store, a discount store in Nampa, testified in favor of the local food trucks. He said theyre often a late-night option that fills the void when restaurants close for the evening.

He allows food trucks to do business from the parking lot of his store, and they pay him rent.

When my business grew and I had to move to a newer location, most of our customers, many, many, many of them, said Are you bringing the taco truck with you? Cook said. Theres a reason for that.

Chad Hartley, the owner of Stellas Ice Cream, which has several locations in the Treasure Valley as well as a mobile truck, also spoke at the hearing. So did Kevin Mcintosh, who runs the Kilted Kod, a popular food truck that sells fish and chips in the Boise area. Daisy Mendez spoke on behalf of her parents, who own Taco El Tesorito at 1707 Garrity Boulevard.

Several testimonies from the small business owners were followed by cheers from the audience, until Kling reminded attendees that we dont typically allow any applause in a meeting.

After the long public-comment period, the councilors decided to table a decision on the mobile food vendor regulations for a later date and encouraged more feedback from the community.

We want to work with you, City Councilwoman Natalie Jangula said. We want to hear from you guys and I think that we can collaborate and make some good decisions. Were not here to squash you guys by any means. We love our small businesses. Well get it right, we just need your help.

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Shutterstock.com

The next space race is on. Its not a battle to reach the moon but a competition to recruit the best aerospace engineers to create a viable place for humanity in outer space, make space tourism mainstream  and to do it all while earning a profit.

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Aerospace engineers entering the field today, or looking to advance in their careers, have a multitude of options. They can apply at traditional aerospace companies like Boeing or Lockheed, become government employees at NASA, or seek employment and glory at the next generation of aerospace companies, including private firms like Elon Musks SpaceX or Jeff Bezos Blue Origin.

Thanks to the higher profiles of these billionaire-owned companies, traditional aerospace firms and NASA are having difficulty recruiting engineers with the right stuff, so to speak.

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How Much Do Aerospace Engineers Earn?

Generous compensation packages undoubtedly aid in recruiting. Ann Richmond, deputy director of talent services at NASA, admitted to Fortune.com that NASA has little bit of a tougher time competing with private space companies when it comes to salary.

That could be an understatement.

According to Fortune.com, NASA uses the federal governments General Schedule for pay scales, with salaries determined based on the level of degree held, and starting at $54,557 for an engineer with a bachelors degree. If you have a doctorate, your starting salary will top out at $73,038.

Compare that to the median salary of $126,880 per year for aerospace engineers at any level, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.

Private companies have fewer financial constraints when it comes to hiring. SpaceX has listed starting salaries for aerospace engineers ranging from $95,000 up to $115,000. A group engineering manager at SpaceX earns $207,314, according to Comparably.com. The average salary in engineering sits at $136,515, Comparably.com reported.

Engineering positions at Blue Origin are comparable to SpaceX, and potentially a bit higher, based on Glassdoor.com statistics. Propulsion engineers earn between $88,000 and $122,000, with an average salary of $104,000. Software engineers earn up to $139,000.

Levels.fyi reported that the highest paying role at Blue Origin, a program manager, earns $225,106 annually, including compensation in the form of stocks and bonuses.

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Work Hard for Big Rewards

The pressure of working at a private industry space company may not be worth the six-figure salary for many people, though. NASAs Richmond told Fortune.com that many engineers who came to NASA after working in private space industry shared that they felt a little burnout.

NASA and companies like Boeing tout a better work-life balance and robust employee benefits packages as advantages.

We see some very savvy applicants that are really looking at the total compensation package, Richmond told Fortune.com.

Aerospace Recruiting: Reimagined

Even with the robust benefits package NASA can offer as part of the federal government, thats not enough to keep many engineers from pursuing the bigger paycheck and prestige of private space companies.

Bezos and Musk have backgrounds in big tech. Their companies recruit with philosophies and tactics borrowed from Silicon Valley. Rather than exhibiting at job fairs like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, SpaceX and Blue Origin take a more aggressive tactic, observing and pulling from robotics teams and rocket clubs on college campuses in a similar way that scouts recruit potential pro athletes.

Aerospace students covet positions at SpaceX and Blue Origin, recruiters told Fortune.com. But its not just because of the higher salaries with these high-tech companies. Youre doing this cool thing, Griffin Rahn, an aerospace major at Georgia Tech, told Fortune.com.

Twenty years ago, you would not have characterized the space business as fast moving, Daniel Hastings, professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, also told Fortune.com. But that has changed  and with it, the salaries and expectations of professionals in the field.

Its more and more common that we have people moving back and forth between NASA and SpaceX and NASA and Blue Origin, Richmond said.

Learn More: 26 Ways To Make $1,000 Fast  In a Week or Less

Bottom Line: If youre graduating college with an aerospace engineering degree, you have more options than ever before. You can choose a legacy company for robust benefits and a life outside of work, or you can take a chance, cash a larger-than-average paycheck, and play a role in the future of space travel.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: NASA vs. Musk and Bezos: Who Pays Aerospace Engineers More? The Answer May Shock You
YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP)  Nissan expects to mass produce electric vehicles powered by advanced next-generation batteries by early 2029, the company said Tuesday during a media tour of an unfinished pilot plant.

Japan's legacy automakers have fallen behind newer rivals like America's Tesla and China's BYD in the emerging all-electric auto sector.

But Nissan, like other companies, sees a chance to catch up and perhaps leap ahead with a new kind of battery that promises to be more powerful, cheaper, safer and faster to charge than the lithium-ion batteries in use today.

Solid-state batteries, which replace the corrosive liquids found in conventional batteries with solid metals, are widely seen as the next step for EVs, and leading automakers are racing to develop versions that can be mass produced.

Rivals like Volkswagen and Toyota have also announced efforts to produce solid-state EVs, with Toyota setting a date of 2027-28 to begin bringing them to market.

But substantial challenges remain before the technology reaches commercial mass production.

The sprawling facility Nissan showed off Tuesday was still mostly empty, but company officials said it's scheduled to begin operating a pilot production line by March 2025, with commercial production of EVs there set to start in fiscal year 2028, which runs from April 2028 to March 2029.

Once electric vehicles get going, costs will come down compared to the internal combustion engine. They will also be so convenient. For one, you wont ever have to go to a gas stand, Executive Vice President Hideyuki Sakamoto told reporters at a tour of the sprawling facility southwest of Tokyo.

The engineers at Nissan are all working hard to create this new world, said Sakamoto.

Nissan officials offer few details about many aspects of the technology, as well as the amount of investment and global production plans.

They said the company had come up with key, unique materials for the batteries, including a metal form of lithium.

Nissan was an EV pioneer, introducing the all-electric Leaf in 2010. The company said it plans to offer solid-state batteries in a range of models, including pickup trucks.

We are finally in the phase of scaling up on our all-solid-state battery line, said Shunichi Inamijima, corporate vice president.

Our all-solid-state battery technology is a game-changer for making EV sales grow explosively.

___

Yuri Kageyama is on X https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
Assessing the Upcoming Dividend and Historical Performance

The North West Co Inc (NNWWF) recently announced a dividend of $0.39 per share, payable on 2024-04-29, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-04-17. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into The North West Co Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does The North West Co Inc Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Sign with EGBN.

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The North West Co Inc is a Canada-based company that is principally engaged in retail business in underserved rural communities and urban neighborhoods. The company provides food, family apparel, housewares, appliances, and outdoor products, with food products accounting for the majority of the company's revenue. The company also offers services, including post offices, income tax return preparation, money transfers, commercial business sales, and others. Its geographical segment includes Canada and International. It generates maximum revenue from Canada.

The North West Co Inc's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at The North West Co Inc's Dividend History

The North West Co Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2010. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis.

The North West Co Inc has increased its dividend each year since 2013. The stock is thus listed as a dividend achiever, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 11 years. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Breaking Down The North West Co Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, The North West Co Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 4.06% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 4.08%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, The North West Co Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 3.70%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 4.00% per year. And over the past decade, The North West Co Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 3.20%.

Based on The North West Co Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of The North West Co Inc stock as of today is approximately 4.94%.

The North West Co Inc's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2024-01-31, The North West Co Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.58.

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The North West Co Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks The North West Co Inc's profitability 9 out of 10 as of 2024-01-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. The North West Co Inc's growth rank of 9 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and The North West Co Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. The North West Co Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 2.30% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 64.75% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, The North West Co Inc's earnings increased by approximately -1.80% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 72.73% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 10.10%, which underperforms approximately 52.91% of global competitors.

Next Steps

In conclusion, The North West Co Inc's upcoming dividend, alongside its history of consistent dividend growth and a reasonable payout ratio, paints a picture of a reliable income stock. The company's high profitability rank underpins its capacity to sustain dividends. However, the revenue and earnings growth rates suggest that there may be challenges ahead. As such, value investors should weigh the company's stable dividend history against the growth metrics that hint at future performance. Will The North West Co Inc continue to navigate the retail landscape successfully, maintaining its dividend achiever status? Investors will need to monitor the company's growth strategies and market conditions closely. For those seeking to expand their portfolios with dividend-paying stocks, GuruFocus Premium users can explore opportunities using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Voting technology company Smartmatic and the far-right network One America News said Tuesday that they had settled a defamation lawsuit stemming from the outlets lies about the 2020 election.

The case has been resolved pursuant to a confidential agreement, OAN attorney Chip Babcock told CNN.

Both parties declined to share details about the settlement.

The case against OAN was one of a spate of lawsuits filed against right-wing outlets in the aftermath of the election. In the wake of the 2020 presidential contest, pro-Donald Trump outlets spread lies wrongfully suggesting President Joe Biden had not been legitimately elected president.

Smartmatic filed its lawsuit against OAN in 2021, alleging that the right-wing conspiracy network victimized the company and spread lies about its role in the 2020 election to increase viewership and revenue.

The development comes one year after Fox News reached a massive settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, another voting technology company that was similarly smeared in 2020. Fox News paid more than $787 million to end that lawsuit, becoming the largest publicly known defamation settlement in US history.

Smartmatic still has pending lawsuit against Fox News, the smaller conservative channel Newsmax, and several pro-Trump figures who also pushed lies about the election.

OAN has established itself as perhaps the most extreme of the pro-Trump cable news outlets. And its reporters have sometimes crossed the line into right-wing politicking.

The little-watched network has regularly given airtime to baseless conspiracy theories that support Trump, most prominently about the 2020 election.

The channel worked closely with Russian operatives on a propaganda-style documentary during Trumps first impeachment in 2019 over allegations he pressured Ukraine to investigate his political rivals. One of its correspondents, who is also an attorney, even worked with Trumps legal team to subvert the 2020 election results.

OAN settled a defamation suit in September with former Dominion executive Eric Coomer, whose case revealed how the network worked with former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell and others to lie about the election.

DirecTV dropped the far-right network from its lineup in 2022, dealing a significant blow to the outlet, hitting the networks viewership and revenue.

In its lawsuit, Smartmatic alleged OAN hosts and guests made dozens of false claims about the companys role in the 2020 election. Personalities on the network repeatedly said Smartmatic software was used in voting machines in 30 states, including battleground states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. In reality, Smartmatic software was only used in one California county.

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Others on OAN claimed that Smartmatics software was used to switch votes from President Trump to Joe Biden, and said the company was engaged in digital ballot-stuffing to help Biden win. OAN personalities also stretched the truth about Smartmatics past ties to Venezuela to weave a baseless narrative that, Maduro allies were meddling in the latest US election through a company called Smartmatic.

The case was still in the discovery phase when the settlement was reached.

Depositions were scheduled to take place Tuesday, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. The person said depositions were scheduled soon for OAN president Charles Herring and his brother Robert Herring Jr., who is also an OAN executive  but those wont happen now that the case has concluded. Their father Robert Herring Sr., is a wealthy California businessman who founded the network in 2013.

The Herrings were also entangled in a scandal within the lawsuit. Smartmatic claimed in court filings that they may have engaged in criminal activities by obtaining and sharing internal passwords of Smartmatic employees. OAN denied the allegations, and there was never a judicial finding of wrongdoing against the Herrings.

While the Smartmatic case is over, OAN still faces a separate defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion over its promotion of 2020 election lies.

Correction: This story has been updated to accurately state who had been scheduled for depositions in the Smartmatic-OAN case. It was Charles Herring and Robert Herring Jr.

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Oberweis Dairy has notified the state it may lay off 127 workers as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing Friday.

The layoffs would begin at the family-owned North Aurora dairy June 11 because of a plant closure, the notification said.

In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Adam Kraber, president of Oberweis Dairy, said the company had hoped to have an asset purchase agreement with a buyer prior to filing for bankruptcy that would have specified the termination and rehiring of employees. Lacking that, attorneys advised the company to file a WARN notice with the state to cover the possibility of layoffs.

We have been told by counsel a notice is required if its reasonably foreseeable that jobs may be lost, even if there is a possibility or probability that jobs will not be lost, Kraber said. Not issuing the notice prior to filing would likely cause an adverse impact on general unsecured creditors.

Oberweis Dairy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Friday in Chicago after failing to find a buyer to rescue it from financial distress. The century-old dairy, which has been losing money in recent years, owes more than $4 million to its 20 largest unsecured creditors and about $14 million in secured bank debt, according to bankruptcy filings.

The company, known for its old-school bottled milk and ice cream, has 40 stores in Chicago, Indiana, Michigan and St. Louis, grocery distribution and home delivery service. It outsources some manufacturing but has a 27-year-old plant at its North Aurora headquarters.

In its bankruptcy filing, Oberweis Dairy said it had 1,149 employees, of which 933 work part time, mostly in the dairy stores. Its ranks often swell to more than 1,500 employees during the summer months to handle peak demand for ice cream at its stores, Adam Kraber, president of Oberweis Dairy, said in a declaration filed Monday.

Oberweis filed a motion Monday requesting to pay $340,000 in outstanding wages owed to employees. Payroll averaged about $891,000 every two weeks from January through March this year, according to the filing.

None of the employees are represented by a union or subject to a collective bargaining agreement, according to the bankruptcy filing.

The Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requires businesses with 75 or more employees to provide the state with 60 days advance notice of pending plant closures or mass layoffs.

Started in 1915 by Peter Oberweis, an Aurora dairy farmer, the family-owned business grew from a single horse-drawn wagon to a multistate enterprise with $95 million in revenues last year. But Oberweis Dairy has been losing money in recent years due to increasing consumer demand for dairy alternatives such as plant-based milk, as well as improvident capital expenditures, according to the bankruptcy filing.

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After four generations in family hands, Jim Oberweis, a Republican politician and grandson of the company founder, made the decision to sell the dairy last year. Unable to find a buyer, the company filed for bankruptcy protection Friday.

Oberweis, 77, who ran unsuccessfully for Illinois governor, U.S senator and congressman, won a seat as an Illinois state senator in 2013 for the 25th District, where he served as Republican spokesperson for the Labor and Commerce Committee. He left his state Senate seat in 2021.

Oberweis did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

This story has been updated to clarify that the 127 layoffs are a possibility requiring state notification but may not take place.

rchannick@chicagotribune.com
Freddy Salem, 82, has amassed a property empire including a row of buildings in Mount Street, Mayfair, that takes in celebrity restaurant Scotts, the Christian Louboutin shoe store and high end jewellers Pragnell (Press Handout)

A legal dispute over businesses worth hundreds of millions of pounds that has torn apart one of Londons wealthiest but most secretive families has finally reached the High Court.

The Salem family, from Beirut in Lebanon, has been split for decades by a row over who is entitled to the profits from a London-based trading empire that operates mainly in west Africa and includes the rights to BAT cigarette imports in Nigeria.

Moussy Salem, 54, a grandson of the founder of the business, claims his late father and his descendants were wrongly cut out of his share of the proceeds by Moussys uncles Freddy and Beno Salem. The claims are strongly denied by Freddy and Beno. Freddy Salem, 82, has amassed a property empire including a row of buildings in Mount Street, Mayfair, that takes in celebrity restaurant Scotts, the Christian Louboutin shoe store and high end jewellers Pragnell.

He and his wife Muriel have one of Europes most important private collections of modern art, the Crawford Collection, with over 700 works by artists such as Bridget Riley, Damien Hirst and Carla Accardi.

It is housed in their Regents Park mansion with viewing by appointment. The current legal dispute, which began in 2015, came before Deputy Master Bowles sitting at the Rolls Building at the High Court at a private hearing last Friday. Moussys father Raymond, who died in 2002, was one of four brothers.

The brothers father originally ran a money-changing business in Beirut, started in the 1930s, which his offspring joined before branching out in the 1970s into providing finance for textile traders in Nigeria.

Their connections in that country spawned a business supplying cigarettes there. After war broke out in Lebanon, the brothers fled to the UK in 1975 and diversified into property. Despite being based in London, Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana, their companies are owned through a complex array of trusts in offshore tax-free destinations such as Panama and Guernsey.

A first attempt to split the business, in the Nineties, was brokered by billionaire banker Edmond Safra, who died in a bizarre arson attack by one of his nurses at his Monaco penthouse.
SAN ANDREAS, Calif., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) today announced the death of African elephant Lulu at the 2,300-acre ARK 2000 captive wildlife sanctuary in San Andreas, California. She was humanely euthanized on April 9th by the PAWS veterinary team due to degenerative joint disease.

Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

At age 58, Lulu was the oldest African elephant in North America. She also established the record for the longest-lived African elephant in North America. She lived most of her life at the San Francisco Zoo, and her final 19 years at PAWS.

Wild African elephants can live well into their 60s. However, in captive situations their lives are frequently cut short by captivity-induced ailments such as premature arthritis and foot disease. When Lulu arrived at PAWS, she was already older than the median life expectancy for female African elephants in zoos.

"Lulu's age was truly exceptional for an African elephant in captivity, where the stresses and unnatural conditions of their confinement mean that elephants tend to live much shorter lives than do elephants in the wild," said PAWS CEO Chris Draper. "Separation from their wild families, years spent on display in inappropriate conditions, and suffering from physical problems prevalent in captivity, yet almost absent in wild populations, take a heavy toll on captive elephants."

Lulu was born in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). She likely was captured when her mother was killed in a government cull, a traumatic event that Lulu would have witnessed. At two years old, an age at which elephant calves are rarely apart from their mothers, she was sold to be a display animal.

When the San Francisco Zoo decided to no longer exhibit elephants, Lulu came to live at PAWS in 2005. Once there, she had access to wide-open spaces in her large enclosure where she socialized with other elephants and engaged in behaviors natural to an elephant. For the last several years, African elephant Toka had been her close companion.

"We are humbled that the people of San Francisco entrusted Lulu to PAWS for 19 years. We did our very best for her," stated PAWS Co-founder and President Ed Stewart. "Until her health recently took a turn for the worse, Lulu enjoyed climbing to the tops of hills to graze on fresh green grass."

Draper added: "No captive facility can truly meet the needs of elephants, and no one can repair the damage caused by a lifetime of confinement. Lulu's life, and death, serve to remind us how elephants simply do not belong in captivity."

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"Lulu had incredible determination and spirit. We will all miss this truly special and dear elephant" said Stewart. "We thank our loyal supporters for their help which has allowed us to care for Lulu and the other animals at the sanctuary".

PAWS continues to care for six elephants. The sanctuary also rescues and cares for big cats, bears, monkeys, and other wild animals. PAWS is currently celebrating its 40th year of operation.

For more information about PAWS, please visit www.pawsweb.org.

About the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

Founded in 1984, the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) provides lifetime care for captive wild animals rescued or retired from circuses, zoos, and the exotic "pet" trade. PAWS' 2,300-acre ARK 2000 sanctuary, located in San Andreas, California, provides a permanent home to elephants, bears, big cats, monkeys, and other wild animals.

PAWS is a true sanctuary, meaning that it does not buy, sell, trade, or breed animals, take them offsite for exhibition, or allow public contact with them.

PAWS is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, and a founding member of the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator.

Contact: Kim Gardner, 916-539-5305, kimkleingardner@yahoo.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/performing-animal-welfare-society-announces-death-of-lulu--oldest-african-elephant-in-north-america-302113578.html

SOURCE Performing Animal Welfare Society
Piedmont Lithiums plans to build a new $1.2 billion mine and processing plant in Gaston County just took a major step forward.

North Carolina Department of Environmental Qualitys Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources approved Piedmont Lithiums mining permit for the construction and operation of the project, the Belmont-based lithium supply company said Monday.

Carolina Lithium is a critical part of the American electric vehicle supply chain, Piedmont Lithium President and CEO Keith Phillips said in a statement.

LITHIUM LAYOFFS: Why 27% of the workforce was cut

Lithium is used in batteries to power electric vehicles, bikes and personal electronic devices like cell phones. North Carolina is among a few places in the world where lithium mining is possible.

Albemarle Corp., based in Charlotte, also is in the approval process to reopen a lithium mine in Kings Mountain, west of Charlotte.

Piedmont Lithium submitted its proposal in August 2021 for a new lithium mine in the Hephzibah Church Road area on over 1,500 acres east of Cherryville in Gaston County. Thats about 25 miles west of Charlotte.

Piedmont Lithium received approval from North Carolina Department of Environmental Qualitys Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources to build a new mine in Gaston County.

About the Piedmont Lithium project

Carolina Lithium will be a fully integrated mining, spodumene concentrate and lithium hydroxide manufacturing operation, Phillips said. Lithium is extracted from spodumene found in the granite rock called pegmatite.

Piedmont Lithium can now proceed with the county rezoning process.

Construction is expected to begin next year after all required permits, rezoning approvals, and project financing, including the U.S. Department of Energys Loan Programs Office, Phillips said.

Piedmonts open-pit lithium mine, similar to a quarry, will be up to 500 feet deep, with blasting once a day, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. The company expects to hire over 400 employees with an average salary of $82,000.

Piedmont Lithium hurdles

The state approval removes one of many hurdles for Piedmont Lithium.

In February, Piedmont Lithium laid off 27% of its workforce as part of a cost-savings plan, as lithium prices tanked and electric vehicle sales slowed. Piedmont had 60 employees before the layoffs, leaving the company with about 44 workers.

Piedmonts plan also has drawn protests over environmental and health concerns.

Piedmont Lithiums proposed an open-pit lithium mine is east of Cherryville in Gaston County.

More about Piedmont Lithium

Along with Gaston County, Piedmont has joint mining operations with Sayona Mining in Quebec and Atlantic Lithium in Ghana, and another project in Tennessee.

Piedmonts Gaston County mines would be in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt, which supplied most of the worlds lithium from the 1950s to 1980s.

And Piedmont has a contract with Tesla, the largest EV car manufacturer in the world, for its lithium.
Over the past year, many Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) insiders sold a significant stake in the company which may have piqued investors' interest. When analyzing insider transactions, it is usually more valuable to know whether insiders are buying versus knowing if they are selling, as the latter sends an ambiguous message. However, if numerous insiders are selling, shareholders should investigate more.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

View our latest analysis for Elevance Health

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Elevance Health

The Executive VP and President of Commercial & Specialty Health Benefits, Charles Kendrick, made the biggest insider sale in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for US$1.2m worth of shares at a price of US$500 each. So we know that an insider sold shares at around the present share price of US$500. While we don't usually like to see insider selling, it's more concerning if the sales take place at a lower price. In this case, the big sale took place at around the current price, so it's not too bad (but it's still not a positive).

Insiders in Elevance Health didn't buy any shares in the last year. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

I will like Elevance Health better if I see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying.

Insiders At Elevance Health Have Sold Stock Recently

The last quarter saw substantial insider selling of Elevance Health shares. In total, insiders sold US$1.7m worth of shares in that time, and we didn't record any purchases whatsoever. Overall this makes us a bit cautious, but it's not the be all and end all.

Insider Ownership Of Elevance Health

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Elevance Health insiders own about US$168m worth of shares (which is 0.1% of the company). I like to see this level of insider ownership, because it increases the chances that management are thinking about the best interests of shareholders.

So What Do The Elevance Health Insider Transactions Indicate?

Insiders sold stock recently, but they haven't been buying. And even if we look at the last year, we didn't see any purchases. But it is good to see that Elevance Health is growing earnings. It is good to see high insider ownership, but the insider selling leaves us cautious. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. You'd be interested to know, that we found 1 warning sign for Elevance Health and we suggest you have a look.

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If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
There are a few key trends to look for if we want to identify the next multi-bagger. One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. In light of that, when we looked at Teck Guan Perdana Berhad (KLSE:TECGUAN) and its ROCE trend, we weren't exactly thrilled.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. To calculate this metric for Teck Guan Perdana Berhad, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.091 = RM12m  (RM163m - RM33m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to January 2024).

Therefore, Teck Guan Perdana Berhad has an ROCE of 9.1%. In absolute terms, that's a low return, but it's much better than the Food industry average of 7.5%.

View our latest analysis for Teck Guan Perdana Berhad

roce

Historical performance is a great place to start when researching a stock so above you can see the gauge for Teck Guan Perdana Berhad's ROCE against it's prior returns. If you'd like to look at how Teck Guan Perdana Berhad has performed in the past in other metrics, you can view this free graph of Teck Guan Perdana Berhad's past earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What Does the ROCE Trend For Teck Guan Perdana Berhad Tell Us?

In terms of Teck Guan Perdana Berhad's historical ROCE trend, it doesn't exactly demand attention. The company has employed 157% more capital in the last five years, and the returns on that capital have remained stable at 9.1%. Given the company has increased the amount of capital employed, it appears the investments that have been made simply don't provide a high return on capital.

On a side note, Teck Guan Perdana Berhad has done well to reduce current liabilities to 20% of total assets over the last five years. Effectively suppliers now fund less of the business, which can lower some elements of risk.

The Key Takeaway

As we've seen above, Teck Guan Perdana Berhad's returns on capital haven't increased but it is reinvesting in the business. And with the stock having returned a mere 39% in the last five years to shareholders, you could argue that they're aware of these lackluster trends. So if you're looking for a multi-bagger, the underlying trends indicate you may have better chances elsewhere.

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One more thing, we've spotted 3 warning signs facing Teck Guan Perdana Berhad that you might find interesting.

While Teck Guan Perdana Berhad isn't earning the highest return, check out this free list of companies that are earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Buying a home got more expensive in South Carolina overall during the first three months of the year.

The median price of homes in South Carolina was $330,000 in the first quarter of 2024  a 6.5% jump compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from South Carolina Realtors. March alone had a median home price increase of 5.7% year-over-year.

Of all the state housing markets listed by South Carolina Realtors, the Western Upstate had the largest median price increase during the first quarter at 13.4%. The Hilton Head area was the most expensive, with a median price of $528,753 for homes in the first quarter.

Here are the South Carolina housing markets listed from biggest to smallest median price increases during the first quarter of 2024.

Housing market Q1 2023 Q1 2024 % change Western Upstate $257,500 $292,000 13.4% Sumter/Clarendon County $220,000 $242,000 10% Pee Dee $196,950 $214,990 9.2% Hilton Head area $491,965 $528,753 7.5% Aiken $260,145 $277,805 6.8% Spartanburg $268,000 $285,000 6.3% Greater Greenville $297,000 $309,808 4.3% Charleston Trident $394,900 $410,840 4.0% Beaufort $385,000 $400,000 3.9% Coastal Carolinas $314,035 $326,285 3.9% Greater Augusta $260,000 $270,000 3.8% Central Carolina $185,000 $190,000 2.7% Greater Columbia $257,500 $264,000 2.5% Piedmont Regional $365,875 $375,000 2.5% Greenwood $225,250 $228,750 1.6% Cherokee County $221,990 $200,000 -9.9% State totals $310,000 $330,000 6.5%

Home sales

While prices continued to rise, home sales in South Carolina mostly fell during the first quarter of the year, though not drastically. There were 19,052 homes sold in the first quarter, a 1.3% drop from the same period last year, according to South Carolina Realtors data.

The Cherokee County market had the biggest drop in sales at 32.5%. Meanwhile, the Hilton Head area had the largest sales gains at 15.1% with 1,238 homes sold.

Whats happening in the market

Rising prices and falling sales has been an ongoing trend in the state and across the U.S. in recent years because of relatively high demand and low inventory, experts say. Rising mortgage rates over the past couple of years have also made homes more expensive and kept buyers at bay.

According to the latest March report from South Carolina Realtors, for the 12 month period from April 2023 to March 2024, pending sales in the state were down 4.6% overall. The $1 million and above was the price range with the largest pending sales gain, with an increase of 15.6%.
While Treasurer Curtis Loftis avoids a recommendation to be removed from office, behind the scenes, the embattled statewide elected official had to be stopped from publishing potentially compromising financial information.

On April 4, Loftis was planning to publish a 600-page report that included a list of state agency funds, their cash balances, along with account numbers and sub account numbers, said state Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Berkeley, who has been leading an investigation by a Senate Finance Committee panel.

Grooms disclosed the detail Tuesday on the Senate floor while presenting a report of his panels investigation.

The treasurers plan to release the highly sensitive information, calls into question his current judgment and temperament, Grooms said on the floor Tuesday.

Posting the report would have left the state severely vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Two days after a contentious hearing, Loftis notified lawmakers and others of his intentions. The move led to a scurrying around the state house, an emergency meeting among the state senators investigating the existence of a $1.8 billion account, an unplanned executive session of the state Senate, and a phone call between Loftis and Gov. Henry McMaster, who had knee surgery that morning.

McMaster convinced Loftis to stand down.

The state attorney generals office was prepared to file paperwork with the state Supreme Court to stop Loftis from making the move. The chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division also was involved in preventing Loftis from taking action.

During the April 2 contentious hearing in front of a Senate Finance committee panel, Loftis was asked if he was complying with state law, which requires public notice of how much money was in each of the states funds, and the names of banks money is deposited.

Loftis said he was not. He said during the meeting he would post an 80-page report online with those details, but previously shied away from it because he was afraid of potential cyber attacks.

It has never been anticipated that each fund had to be listed, Loftis said during the hearing.

Loftis said it would be an invitation for anyone who wants to hack the state.

You might think somebody in Kiev would be interested to know what account $4.6 billion is in. If you would like this published, senator, we would publish it tonight, Loftis said when saying the report included specific account numbers. It is the architecture of the states treasurers office.

Grooms during his presentation that the subcommittee was not asking Loftis to post the specific report.

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Members of the subcommittee made it clear they were not instructing him to publish such detailed information, Grooms said.

The law is old and the term fund meant accounts in the early 1900s. But the law remains in place.

The General Assembly has never changed a law for me, Loftis said at the hearing. I have asked repeatedly and I have never had a statute, even in other roles that Ive had changed for me.

But instead he intended to publish a more detailed 600-page report and even went as far to ask Department of Administration Executive Director Marcia Adams for a threat assessment if he were to take the action.

We believe the statute requires actually a by agency, by fund reconciliation, which the treasurers office to my understanding is not doing currently, state Sen. Thomas McElveen, D-Sumter, said at the hearing.

In a letter to Grooms on April 4, Loftis sought to clarify his comments at the meeting and wrote he thought the comptroller general and General Assembly had re-interpreted certain statutes and created new and different disclosure obligations.

When I stated in the hearing that the state treasurers office is not in compliance with these reporting requirements, I meant that my office had not yet had the opportunity to change its reporting procedures in accordance with the re-interpretation articulated to me at the hearing, Loftis wrote. We are now working toward devising a secure means of complying with these new disclosure obligations.

The disclosure of these actions take place as a Senate Finance panel has investigated the existence of a $1.8 billion account and why lawmakers werent notified sooner, and why no one knows which agencies or funds the money belongs. The account was created in 2017 when the state switched to a new accounting system. The account was meant as a flow through account and was supposed to have a zero balance at the end of a fiscal year.

But more than $1 billion remained and people in charge managing the states money did not know who was entitled to the cash. Lawmakers did not learn of its existence until last year.

In an interview during a break from the hearing, Grooms said Loftis should have come to lawmakers if there were any problems.

The last year Loftis office did a reconciliation by fund by account was in 2016, and the state did not have any money that was homeless, Grooms said.

The State Treasurers Office reconciles its custodied bank and investment accounts to the General Ledger on a regular basis, according to schedule, the treasurers office posted on its website in response to the hearing. The reconciliations are performed daily, weekly, and/or monthly, depending on the bank or investment account.

Loftis has argued that state auditors and the comptroller general knew about the account for years as well and they could have raised the alarm bells. But Loftis is now being blamed by the members of the Senate.

Lawmakers however did learn about the account until last year when new Comptroller General Brian Gaines, who was appointed last year, brought it to lawmakers attention.
The strength of the New Hampshire economy is built on our investments in and by our small businesses, community members, and state government. Together, we have built a strong and resilient state where people want to live, raise their families, and retire. To continue the success of our states economy, we need to continue to grow to meet the needs of our constituents.

NH Sen. Cindy Rosenwald

In understanding the importance of investing New Hampshire dollars in New Hampshires economy, I introduced SB 553 this year, a bill that requires funds held by the public deposit investment pool (PDIP) to be invested or deposited in New Hampshire. The public deposit investment pool was created by the state to give municipalities an option to invest their cash reserves, and it has proven to be a significant economic driver over the years. The fund was worth $200 million just a few years ago, but since then, it has grown to over $600 million. These funds are primarily municipal reserves, and they are currently invested in financial institutions entirely in other states and countries.

With SB 553, we take this economic stimulus machine further by requiring those funds be invested or deposited in financial institutions with a physical presence in New Hampshire. This means those millions of municipal dollars will increase the amount of money for lending to small businesses by approximately $200 million, create thousands of new jobs, increase household wealth, and grow the states GDP.

Another positive aspect of this bill is the requirement that all investments be secured and collateralized. This means the over $600 million of public cash reserves will be well protected, which should be the top priority.

This investment in New Hampshires economy will  in a conservative estimate  double the return New Hampshires municipalities will earn on their cash reserves. Thats because, with the economic stimulus this bill provides, property tax receipts, rooms and meals tax collections, business taxes and real estate transfer taxes will all grow.

A study conducted last year by Polecon Research estimates that by increasing the investments in our local businesses, we will create 2,000 new jobs. Good-paying jobs are what Granite Staters need as they continue to face higher costs of living. With an increase in New Hampshire banks' available funds for lending, Granite Staters will have a larger pool to access personal mortgages, auto loans, and other consumer credit options, allowing them to grow and improve their lives.

Counterpoint: Selig: Bankers have the NH Public Deposit Investment Pool in their sights

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Ultimately, SB 553 is a secure way to invest communities funds in a way that will have incredible benefits for our state and residents. Its quite simply an economic stimulus package that will benefit individuals and businesses.

SB 553 is a significant financial step forward for our business community and Granite Staters. It has the strong support of New Hampshires business community. The bill has already received unanimous support in the Senate and has now made its way over to the House. As my colleagues in the other chamber review this legislation, I hope they join the Senate in supporting this change to the PDIP. Investing in our New Hampshire residents and businesses is where we find the most success as a state, and sending SB 553 to the Governor will show that the Legislature believes in building a prosperous future for New Hampshire.

Cindy Rosenwald of Nashua is the Senate Deputy Democratic Leader.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rosenwald: Let's put New Hampshire funds to work in New Hampshire
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL)  Seven downtown Elizabethton businesses received Downtown Improvement Grants (DIG) to help them renovate the outside of their buildings.

The City of Elizabethton received the DIG grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Elizabethton received twice as much funding as it received last year with a total of $300,000 for 2024.

Property owners will pay for the renovations, then theyll be reimbursed 75% of the costs.

Assistant City Manager Logan Engle said the applications were competitive with nearly 20 properties applying, but seven businesses were chosen.

Building 520  520 East Elk Avenue

Brandt and Robbins Law Offices  711 & 713 East Elk Avenue

Crossroads Craft Works  411 East Doe Avenue

Watauga Property Group  625 East Elk Avenue (the old post office that preceded the library)

August Muse / Appalachian Irish Dance  518 East Elk Avenue

Roots  705 East Elk (Old Best Portraits Building  future business)

United Way / Mamies Place  544 & 546 East Elk Avenue

Those seven applications involve a variety of different things, from exterior painting, to window replacements, to facade renovations, Engle said. A lot of different things are encompassed with these upgrades that these property owners are going to complete.

David Robbins, owner and president of Brandt & Robbins P.C., said hes glad to get the grant in Elizabethton where he started practicing law 15 years ago.

When I acquired the building back in January, that was right at the front of the agenda, was trying to see if we could get some money to restore that [property], especially being right across from the covered bridge, Robbins said. It was just the place that we wanted to go ahead and make improvements and kind of change the face of downtown.

The Brandt & Robbins location in downtown Elizabethton will be a satellite office to its headquarters in Johnson City.

Were talking about doing a brick facade thats going to look more like the original, with larger windows, Robbins said. And were actually going to add an awning though, and the awning is supposed to protect some of the facade and some of the windows. And just gives it a stylized look too.

Robbins said hes excited to serve the residents in Elizabethton and Carter County and be an addition to the legal community.

Engle said the city is excited to see the renovations and how they will enhance the overall look and growth of downtown.

Were really excited not only to see what theyll do with their buildings, the aesthetic improvements that it will make to downtown, but also the economic improvements it will make to downtown, Engle said. Making their buildings more attractive to tenants if theyre currently vacant or enhancing, the aesthetic for a existing business in their building.

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Engle said these property owners are not only investing in their own buildings but the community as well.

Were seeing more and more people, whether thats from within the region or in our own community or from beyond, through tourism efforts come to downtown Elizabethton, Engle said. And so thats really exciting for us. And so we hope that the impact that these past grants, current grantees will see will just enhance that and continue to grow our community.

Engle said for some projects, bids are being placed then renovations can start. She said they believe theyll see work begin this summer. All projects must be completed by June 2025.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Seven Group Holdings fair value estimate is AU$57.45

Seven Group Holdings is estimated to be 31% undervalued based on current share price of AU$39.36

The AU$38.59 analyst price target for SVW is 33% less than our estimate of fair value

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Seven Group Holdings Limited (ASX:SVW) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Seven Group Holdings

The Calculation

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$804.5m AU$882.0m AU$993.5m AU$1.28b AU$1.35b AU$1.41b AU$1.46b AU$1.50b AU$1.54b AU$1.58b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 4.12% Est @ 3.53% Est @ 3.12% Est @ 2.83% Est @ 2.63% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 7.9% AU$745 AU$757 AU$790 AU$943 AU$922 AU$890 AU$853 AU$816 AU$777 AU$739

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$8.2b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.2%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.9%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$1.6b (1 + 2.2%)  (7.9% 2.2%) = AU$28b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$28b ( 1 + 7.9%)10= AU$13b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is AU$21b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$39.4, the company appears quite good value at a 31% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Seven Group Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.252. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Seven Group Holdings

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Trade Distributors market.

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the Australian market.

Moving On:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Seven Group Holdings, we've put together three relevant items you should consider:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Seven Group Holdings you should know about. Future Earnings: How does SVW's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Companies are more intrigued than ever by Mexican manufacturing prospects. Mexico unseated China as the top exporter to the U.S. for the first time in 2023 after a multi-year climb. During a similar time period, the Laredo, Texas and Tucson, Arizona markets have skyrocketed in popularity.

Mexico is expected to continue to win business  and grab headlines  as the well-documented and ongoing nearshoring trend continues. In fact, foreign domestic investment in Mexico hit a record high over the past two years.

Getting Started in Mexico

It will take several years to see the full impact of manufacturing investments in Mexico, according to Lance Dixon, Werners Senior Vice President of Mexico, Canada and Temperature-Controlled divisions. That is because building facilities from the ground up is inevitably a complex and time-consuming process.

That said, manufacturers with facilities already in Mexico have flexed up their operations with relative speed. In some cases, this can be as simple as adding an additional shift to an existing operation. Dixon has seen many of his customers take this route.

Finding the Right Logistics Partner for Cross-Border

With trade between the U.S. and Mexico heating up, more and more shippers are evaluating their options when it comes to cross-border logistics partners.

While many logistics companies offer some level of cross-border services, the complexity of moving freight efficiently between Mexico and the U.S. demands an experienced and innovative partner.

Cross-border is very complex, Dixon said. It is unique compared to domestic freight in the U.S., and it brings a whole new set of challenges.

Those challenges can include managing paperwork, understanding applicable taxes and duties and navigating differing regulations between the companies. When logistics partners are not adept or experienced at solving those issues, it can lead to frustration and costly delays.

The Power of Experience with Cross-Border

Werner has reputable expertise when it comes to cross-border, which allows it to make quick decisions without compromising quality. The company also uses its experience to navigate customer issues with finesse, due in large part to the its established relations with other players in the space, including Mexican careers.

Dixon urged shippers to seek out this level of experience  along with the capacity to flex up as volumes grow  as they continue to assess their cross-border options. As exports from Mexico continue to climb, these relationships will prove more important than ever.

The Werner Difference

Werner has been moving freight between Mexico and the U.S. for 25 years, growing from a dry van operation with one office and three associates to the powerhouse it is today. As of March 2024, the company boasts four offices, 150 associates, two owned terminals and four other drop yards between Texas and California. Its offerings have grown to include reefer, pure brokerage solutions, power only solutions, intermodal services and transloading.

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This powerful evolution positions Werner as one of the most experienced cross-border partners working in the space today.

We dont practice any longer. Were experts, Dixon said. We know what we are doing.

Learn more about Werners cross-border expertise today.

The post Shippers must seek out experienced cross-border providers during Mexican market boom appeared first on FreightWaves.
Single moms are living together and it could help the economy  this TikToker wishes shed joined a mommune

Having a child is one of the most expensive committments a person can undertake. And, for a one-parent household, this price tag may now be too high to get by.

Kimber, who goes by @saintiriswellness on TikTok, is a single mother in Salem, Oregon, who explained her situation in one of her videos. Kimber said that, nine years ago, she used to pay $1,300 a month for rent and $500 a month on groceries.

I could make it work, the 41-year-old said in her viral video. I could still spend time with my kids; I ran my own business.

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Since 2020, however, Kimber said that her expenses have doubled. Her rent skyrocketed to $2,600 a month and groceries are $1,000 a month at minimum.

I cant, for the freaking life of me, figure out how to make this work, she said in her video. I always could before.

The Brookings Institute estimated it now costs an additional $26,011 to raise a child to the age of 17; which brought the total up from $284,594 in 2017 to $310,605 in 2022  and thats for a middle-income, two-partner household.

To survive in this economy, single mothers are creating their own solutions.

The rise of communal living

Kimber mentioned in her video that shes thinking about moving back in with her parents, who live in Arkansas, so she wouldnt have to pay rent.

But this isnt feasible for everyone, so single moms are looking at alternatives.

I kinda feel like we should start moving in together, one commenter wrote. A large rental house with 2-3 single moms sounds so much easier to manage.

USA Today and Parade reported that these mommunes are a real thing, increasing in popularity amongst single moms.

It essentially allows single moms to live together, split expenses, share parenting tasks and divide up household chores.

This means that single moms not only have less stress, but also more time to earn money. A Women and Gender Studies professor told Parade that many single moms fail to receive promotions because they dont have the extra time to dedicate to work.

Kimber herself struggled with this. She said that her previous corporate job required too many hours for a single mom. But she needed it for health insurance because her son was diagnosed with cancer. In August, she was laid off.

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A mommune would have likely helped Kimber during this time; shed even mentioned wanting to join one on her Instagram. She would have been able to rely on the other single moms to help watch her kids while she went on job interviews, as well as felt less stress about not having an income because she was splitting her living expenses.

Read more: Generating 'passive income' through real estate is the biggest myth in investing but here's one surefire way to do it without breaking the bank

How mommunes help the economy

Kimber isnt alone in her struggle. Single mothers have the highest poverty rates amongst families, according to a research paper from Columbia University and the U.S. Census Bureau.

In July 2021, the federal government expanded the eligibility (and amount) for the monthly child tax credit, according to NPR. Roughly 35 million families received between $250 to $300 a month for each child.

The credits seemed to not just help parents, but the entire economy. In 2021, the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM)  which measures poverty rates in the U.S.  was at a historic low at 7.8%, according to the Census Bureau. The SPM child poverty rate fell by 46%, another historic low.

But in December 2021, NPR reported that Congress abruptly discontinued the expanded child tax credit. This had a huge impact on parents, especially as the Consumer Price Index increased by 5.5%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics records.

As a mother of four in Durham, North Carolina, told NPR: To lose that money, especially when the price of everything has skyrocketed... I just feel really abandoned by this country.

The 2022 SPM showed how not having that expanded child tax credit hurt the entire economy: the SPM poverty rate shot up to 12.4%, a huge increase from 2021  and was the first increase since 2010.

It particularly affected the SPM child poverty rate, which doubled from 5.2% in 2021 to 12.4% in 2022. Though the discontinued tax credits arent entirely to blame, they certainly didnt help parents who had to contend with the rising increase in general cost of living.

This isnt just bad for individuals, but for the entire economy. UNICEF said that high child poverty rates often means many kids dont develop into adults with commercial skills for the workforce. Even if they do, they often end up earning lower wages.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
PRINCETON, N.J., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SOSV , a multi-stage deep tech venture investor, today announced the close of its $306 million SOSV V fund, the firm's largest fund to date.

SOSV logo

SOSV V will focus on deep tech startups in human and planetary health, with an emphasis on the intertwined imperatives of decarbonization and re-industrializationpart of the fund's mandate to "reinvent the means of production"even as SOSV continues to pioneer investments in health ranging from therapeutics to medical devices.

"As the first check in deep tech, SOSV represents the start of the journey for hundreds of deep tech founders," said Sean O'Sullivan, SOSV's founding and managing general partner. "We appreciate the dedication of many of the world's leading family offices and corporations in backing SOSV V, enabling the creation of the most transformational climate change and human health startups on the planet. And, by partnering with later stage funds, every $100 million that we invest brings another $2 billion in follow-on capital into these companies. This new fund will enable an enormous amount of positive change for humanity."

SOSV invests starting at pre-seed, when companies join its HAX and IndieBio development programs, and continues through series seed, A, and later stages, resulting in about 200 investments per year. SOSV operates startup program facilities in New York City, Newark, and San Francisco and graduates about 80 startups a year.

SOSV tracks top portfolio startups in its annual Climate Tech 100 and Human Health 100 lists, which include standout climate companies such as NotCo (AI platform to design plant-based foods); Prolific Machines (optogenetic biomanufacturing); Unspun (3D weaving technology to decarbonize fashion); Neptune Robotics (hull-cleaning robots to reduce maritime emissions); and Zymochem (bio-based materials to decarbonize everyday products), and health companies such as Ten63 (AI and physics-driven drug discovery platform); Prellis (3D-printed lymph nodes for drug discovery); and Flow Neuroscience (depression-treating headset).

The limited partners in SOSV V include corporates, sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, and private family offices around the world.

SOSV's HAX and IndieBio programs are widely recognized for launching startups that are primed for institutional, early stage investors. Active deep tech co-investors in SOSV portfolio companies welcomed the SOSV V news.

"The fight against climate-driven privation, societal disruption, and loss of life is an existential fight to preserve resilience and defend abundance for all," said Matt Ocko and Zachary Bogue, DCVC co-founders and managing partners. "We partner with SOSV in their Decarbonization Consortium not only because they are fellow deep-tech investors, but also because they are determined like us to find every possible way to decarbonize without deprivation. SOSV V will bring power and expertise to this fight."

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"At Khosla Ventures, we often begin our work at Seed and Series A, partnering with great teams trying to solve big, important problems with unique, transformative technologies," said Alex Morgan, partner at Khosla Ventures. "We really enjoy working with SOSV, including their HAX and IndieBio programs, and we're pleased that SOSV has closed its Fund V. We have joined together to support several exciting companies addressing human health, climate, and foodincluding Opentrons, Flow Neuroscience, Prellis, Oobli, and Vertical Oceansand expect to work on more in the future."

SOSV has invested over $30 million in facilities and equipment to help deep tech founders develop and de-risk their technologies. In the past 18 months, SOSV has opened two new spacesIndieBio New York at 7 Penn Plaza and HAX in Newark, NJwith $25M in grants each from Empire State Development (ESD) and New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), and also relocated and expanded the IndieBio San Francisco location.

Together, the new locations offer founders 80,000 square feet of working space equipped with BSL 1 & 2 wet labs, chemistry labs, mechanical and electrical engineering labs, machine shops, industrial grade 3D printers, and more. Eight Ph.Ds and numerous support staff, as well as offshore design, sourcing, and engineering teams in Pune and Shenzhen, work side-by-side with founders.

To address its climate and health mission, SOSV calls on the best minds around the world, and the portfolio displays diversity and achievement unrivaled in venture. The firm's founders represent 75 nationalities and operate in 40 countries. 44% of its founders have PhDs earned at 70 universities around the world. And 33% of SOSV's startups have at least one female founder.

One of the earliest founders SOSV backed is HAX alum Chiu Chau, co-founder of the unicorn Opentrons, a highly successful lab automation robotics company. He is now back at HAX with a new startup, OpenShelf, a robotic inventory system for healthcare. "Back in 2014, SOSV's pre-seed check and HAX's Shenzhen program were absolutely critical for me and my co-founders to launch Opentrons," said Chiu. "I never dreamed that ten years later I'd be building my new robotics company at this new HAX office in Newark, but I would not want to be anywhere else."

About SOSV

SOSV is a multi-stage venture investor focused on "human and planetary health" that aims to be the First Check in Deep Tech. It operates the startup development programs IndieBio , with facilities in New York City and San Francisco, and HAX , which is headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, with a satellite office in Tokyo. The SOSV ecosystem spans the globe, with 800+ startups operating in 40 countries. SOSV is the most active deep tech venture investor, ranking highly on the leaderboards for climate and health categories. SOSV's top 100 climate tech companies have a valuation of $11.69 billion with $3.77 billion raised, and top 100 health startups have a valuation of $6.67 billion with $1.4 billion raised. SOSV produces highly-attended VC-founder matchups for the climate and health venture ecosystems, and also produces the annual SOSV Climate Tech Summit .

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sosv-closes-306m-deep-tech-fund-for-human-and-planetary-health-302117896.html

SOURCE SOSV
Six years ago Tahjere Lewis tasted the sauce his aunt made, and he knew:

We need to turn this into a business.

This month, Aunt Carols Sauce hit 70 Food Lion stores in the Hampton Roads area, including in Carrollton, Poquoson and Williamsburg.

The tomato-based sauce comes in mild and spicy and is used as a marinade and dipping sauce for meats, vegetables, and seafood such as shrimp, oysters and crabs.

In a phone interview, Lewis, of Hampton, described Aunt Carols as sitting between a cocktail sauce and a barbecue sauce.

He grew up in Hampton using his aunts sauce  never butter  on his blue crabs. In June 2018, he recalled, he asked her where he could buy it. She told him she made it. He reacted in wonderment and promised to turn her sauce into a business after he graduated from college.

That October, his aunt  Carol Ann Morgan Scott  died of breast cancer.

A year later, Lewis, then a sophomore at Virginia Tech, re-created her sauce, or a version very, very close to it. Family, friends and students loved it. Aunt Carols Sauce was born and Lewis sold about 4,000 bottles in two years.

The young entrepreneur, with a college degree and some business experience, approached Food Lion about stocking his sauce. The company agreed. Customers can find 12-ounce bottles in the local section, and online.

Lewis kept his promise.

Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com; on X, @gibsonrekaya
By Max A. Cherney

(Reuters) - Chip startup Rivos said on Tuesday it raised $250 million in a funding round that will enable it to manufacture its first server chip geared for artificial intelligence.

Nvidia's combination of chips and CUDA software dominates the market for AI-related computing, and Nvidia gobbled up more than 80% market share of AI chips in 2023. But a host of startups and chip giants have started to launch competing products, such as Intel's Gaudi 3 and Meta's inference chip - both unveiled last week.

Rivos is tight-lipped about the specifics of the product, but has disclosed that its plans include designing chips based on the RISC-V architecture, which is an open source alternative to the architectures made by Arm, Intel and Advanced Micro Devices. Instruction set architectures such as RISC-V are the building blocks of semiconductor designs, and using the open source alternative means Rivos does not have to pay a license fee to Arm.

"RISC-V doesn't have a (large) software ecosystem, so I decided to form a company and then build software-defined hardware - just like what CUDA did with Nvidia," said Lip-Bu Tan, founding managing partner at Walden Catalyst, one of Rivos' investors.

Santa Clara, California-based Rivos is in the process of designing a server chip that combines a central processing unit and AI accelerator component that will be optimized for large language models and data analytics. The company began with the software necessary to compile computer code to allow the chip to run a program and designed the processor around the software.

"Usually the chip companies do it the other way: build the silicon, and then build the software on top," CEO Puneet Kumar told Reuters in an interview. "We decided, as a company that we should first look at software."

Matrix Capital Management was the largest investor in the funding round that also included investments from Intel, MediaTek and Dell Technologies.

(Reporting by Max A. Cherney in San Francisco; Editing by Leslie Adler)
(Bloomberg) -- Blackstone Inc. Chief Executive Officer Steve Schwarzman said the artificial intelligence boom is threatening to overload power grids in the industrial world as more and more data centers are built.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Theres a land rush underway to build centers that provide the infrastructure for AI, Schwarzman said at the the Asia Pacific Financial and Innovation Symposium in Melbourne on Tuesday.

This is like something Ive never seen, Schwarzman said via webcast. The amount of money being invested in this area is breathtaking. Its happening now all over the world.

Blackstone, which in 2021 acquired data center operator QTS in a $10 billion deal, is itself bankrolling the development of massive structures across the US that will handle crucial computing needs. Schwarzman said the vast amount of power these centers use presented an investment opportunity.

Different states in the US are starting to run out of electricity, the co-founder and chairman of the worlds largest alternative asset manager said. That lack of capacity in the electric grids in the industrial world with AI and EVs is creating enormous investment opportunities.

Schwarzman said QTS has been extremely successful.

Youll be able to create 20% returns building these data centers with 30 year contracts, he said. This is pretty amazing.

Schwarzman also warned about AI, saying almost everyone he knows is concerned about what might go wrong with the technology, and that it was the first time hes seen business people rooting for regulation.

Its not for your children or grandchildren, its going to happen on your watch, Schwarzman said. The people who are scared of the technology, really are the people inventing it.

Schwarzman said he was recently talking to Chinese President Xi Jinping who said there needs to be a global standard, because it doesnt work when some countries have rules and others dont.

(Updates and adds comment throughout)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Andrew Kelly/Reuters

US stocks fell on Monday as investors worried about an escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict.

The risk-off nature of Monday's market action sent the 10-Year Treasury yield to its highest level of 2024.

March retail sales data surged 0.7%, more than double consensus estimates of 0.3%.

US stocks reversed their Monday morning gains and finished the day considerably lower as investors worried about a potential escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict.

Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, but its defense system, in coordination with its allies, intercepted nearly all of the projectiles.

"Iranian officials have said that this concludes the response and markets are hoping that the situation will de-escalate from here. However, this situation is by no means over and the back-and-forth headlines have continued throughout the day," NYSE market strategist Michael Reinking said.

A source told NBC News that a retaliatory attack by Israel against Iran could be "imminent." Allies of Israel have cautioned the country from further escalating the conflict.

Separately, retail sales surged in March, growing 0.7%, more than double consensus estimates of 0.3%. The combination of solid retail sales data and the risk-off nature of the Israel-Iran conflict sent the 10-year Treasury yield to its highest level of 2024 and its highest level since November.

Here's where US indexes stood at the 4 p.m. closing bell on Monday:

Here's what else happened today:

In commodities, bonds, and crypto:

West Texas Intermediate crude oil dropped 0.19% to $85.50 a barrel. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 0.27% to $90.21 a barrel.

Gold jumped 1.04% to $2,398.80 per ounce.

The 10-year Treasury yield climbed 9 basis points to 4.62%.

Bitcoin declined by 3.43% to $63,506.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Sylvania Platinum is UK0.54 based on Dividend Discount Model

Current share price of UK0.69 suggests Sylvania Platinum is potentially 29% overvalued

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Sylvania Platinum Limited (LON:SLP) by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Sylvania Platinum

What's The Estimated Valuation?

As Sylvania Platinum operates in the metals and mining sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. We use the Gordon Growth Model, which assumes dividend will grow into perpetuity at a rate that can be sustained. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.6%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.9%. Relative to the current share price of UK0.7, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= US$0.04 / (7.9%  1.6%)

= UK0.5

dcf

Important Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Sylvania Platinum as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.357. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

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SWOT Analysis for Sylvania Platinum

Strength

Currently debt free.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the British market.

Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings and cashflows.

Moving On:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Why is the intrinsic value lower than the current share price? For Sylvania Platinum, we've put together three essential factors you should consider:

Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 2 warning signs for Sylvania Platinum you should be aware of, and 1 of them is potentially serious. Future Earnings: How does SLP's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
If it seems like youre not getting a tax refund like you used to, youre not alone.

The share of taxpayers who get money back at tax time is slowly and, a little mysteriously, shrinking. At the same time, the number of people having to cut a check to the government has been rising.

The number of refunds so far this year is down by 3.3 percent, according to the latest IRS statistics that came out before Monday's filing deadline. It was down last year too, and the year before that.

While no one is exactly sure why, some point to changes in the way people work. Others suspect it has to do with the way the government calculates how much in tax should be withheld from peoples paychecks. And the reversal of fortune could have consequences for how and whether people comply with tax laws.

We want to make sure that people are, in fact, filing, said Bob Kerr, a former longtime IRS official, now a Washington-based tax practitioner. And there are a whole bunch of people who do it because it pays to do it.

I think this is really going to be a problem.

Before the pandemic, about three-quarters of filers typically got refunds. Now about 65 percent do. The IRS distributed fewer refunds last year  105 million  than it did in 2010, despite collecting 20 million more returns.

Refund dollar amounts are holding fairly steady. For those whove gotten one this year, the average payment is $3,011, up $133 from last year.

Some say the drop in the number of refunds going out the door is a good thing because getting one is tantamount to giving the government an interest-free loan by overpaying your taxes earlier in the year.

But refunds are touchy politically and economically.

People use them as a sort of forced savings, they interpret them as a barometer of how well theyre faring under the tax system and they look forward to big payments at tax time.

For some, its the largest single payment they receive all year.

Some tax vets wonder what a decline in refunds will mean for tax compliance.

Surely some people file because they feel its their duty, and others because they are afraid of the IRS. But the promise of a four-figure payment is a key way the tax agency, not to mention the tax prep industry, lures people to do their taxes.

Two of every three taxpayers that are going to file by tonights deadline are actually owed a refund  and so its in your interest to get your taxes done, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in an interview Monday with CNBC. Were going to pay you.

Suddenly owing the IRS can be an especially rude awakening in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, when refunds surged as the government doled out hundreds of billions of dollars in assistance.



Story continues

Its also a big change from the pre-pandemic years, when the number of people getting repaid at tax time was extremely predictable.

For years, the share of filers receiving payments hovered around 75 percent, with people typically getting about $2,800. That climbed during the pandemic, thanks to things like a temporary boost in the Child Tax Credit, before recently sinking to levels not seen in at least 15 years.

Meanwhile, the number of people owing at tax time has been surging. Nearly 40 million people had balances due last year, up by a third from the pre-pandemic years.

All of that also makes the IRSs job harder because it means there are more people to chase down if they haven't paid or paid enough.

It stresses the tax system  the IRS has got a lot more tax debtors, said Jim Buttonow, a CPA in Summerfield, North Carolina.

The decline has left many tax vets scratching their heads.

It may be because more people are earning income that isnt subject to the tax-withholding system, where employers automatically take tax payments out of peoples paychecks before they receive them.

There are a lot more people working as Uber drivers, renting homes through Airbnb, delivering food through DoorDash and other parts of the so-called gig economy whose earnings aren't subject to withholding.

Theyre supposed to instead be making quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS  and if they havent, theyll be in a for a nasty surprise when they file.

That eats up a refund almost instantaneously, said Buttonow.

Same goes for people trading stocks and cryptocurrencies. The market has been way up, which means more people with capital gains  who may not even know what estimated tax payments are.

The number of filers charged penalties for failing to pay estimated taxes jumped last year to 13 million, a one-third increase compared to the year before the pandemic, IRS statistics show. More than four million of them made less than $75,000.

Some also point to the withholding system itself, which the Trump administration revamped in the wake of its 2017 tax cuts. As part of that law, Congress threw out the old system of personal exemptions  and, with it, the familiar concept of withholding allowances, such as claiming a dependent child.

It was replaced with a new system designed with an eye towards reducing refunds.

We were trying to make it more accurate, said Dave Kautter, a former top tax official who worked on the issue.

The new method is a less blunt approach towards withholding that takes into account more information about peoples individual circumstances.



Its also a lot more confusing, requiring people to essentially do a mini-tax return to estimate their withholding.

The IRS has posted an online calculator to help people navigate it, but practitioners say it has befuddled many taxpayers, if theyve even realized there is a new withholding system  another reason why people may be surprised this tax season.

It was intended to be far more accurate, but it is admittedly daunting, said Pete Isberg, a vice president at the payroll processor ADP.

The IRS and consumer advocates had made it a priority to get withholding closer to actual liability, which is arguably contrary to most taxpayers preferences for significant tax refunds.
TechnipFMC plc FTI has clinched a substantial contract in Guyanas Stabroek Block from Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM affiliate ExxonMobil Guyana Limited in a significant development for the offshore oil and gas industry. This contract, valued between $500 million and $1 billion, marks a milestone for both parties involved. The project, known as the Whiptail project, highlights the growing significance of the Guyana basin in global energy production.

Contract Details

TechnipFMC, a leading provider of integrated project management and subsea solutions, will play a key role in the Whiptail project. The scope of the contract includes the supply of subsea production systems, including 48 subsea trees and associated tooling, as well as 12 manifolds and associated controls and tie-in equipment. This comprehensive package highlights TechnipFMC's expertise in delivering advanced subsea solutions tailored to the specific needs of offshore projects.

Commentary From TechnipFMC

TechnipFMC's president, Jonathan Landes, expressed confidence in the project's success, highlighting the company's commitment to delivering high-quality solutions. He mentioned that XOM will use its Subsea 2.0 systems, providing schedule certainty, and highlighting TechnipFMC's innovative technologies and engineering capabilities for efficient project execution.

Strategic Partnership

The contract with XOM further solidifies TechnipFMC's longstanding partnership with the energy giant. With a track record of successful collaborations dating back to 2017, TechnipFMC has been a key player in supporting XOM's ambitious exploration and production activities in the region. The Whiptail project represents the latest chapter in this partnership, signaling continued growth and cooperation between the two entities.

Local Impact

Beyond its technical achievements, the Whiptail project is set to have a positive impact on the local economy in Guyana. TechnipFMC currently employs nearly 140 Guyanese workers, with plans to expand its workforce to support the project's execution. This commitment to local hiring and training underscores TechnipFMC's dedication to fostering sustainable development and capacity-building in the communities where it operates.

Outlook

As the energy landscape continues to grow, projects like Whiptail are emblematic of the industry's ongoing transformation. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and fostering strategic partnerships, companies like FTI and XOM are driving innovation and unlocking new opportunities in previously untapped regions. The successful execution of the Whiptail project will not only contribute to the global energy supply but also serve as a testament to the ingenuity and collaboration of the teams involved.

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Conclusion

TechnipFMC's award of the Whiptail project contract represents a significant achievement in the offshore oil and gas sector. With its commitment to excellence, innovation and sustainability, TechnipFMC is poised to deliver value to its clients and stakeholders while supporting economic growth and development in Guyana.

Zacks Rank and Key Picks

Currently, FTI and XOM carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each.

Investors interested in the energy sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like Murphy USA Inc. MUSA and Archrock Inc. AROC, each sporting a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Murphy USA is valued at approximately $8.58 billion. In the past year, the companys shares have surged 52.8%.

MUSA markets retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise, operating retail stores under the brands Murphy USA, Murphy Express and QuickChek.

Archrock is valued at $3.15 billion. The company currently pays a dividend of 66 cents per share, or 3.28%, on an annual basis.

AROC, together with its subsidiaries, works as an energy infrastructure company in the United States. The company operates under two segments  Contract Operations and Aftermarket Services.

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CENTAURI-6 Satellite. Photo Credit: Terran Orbital.

TURIN, Italy, April 16, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tyvak International SRL ("Tyvak International"), a Torino, Italy-based subsidiary of Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) and a leading European provider of nano and microsatellites, announced the successful launch of Fleet Space Technologies Centauri-6 satellite, which was developed in collaboration with Tyvak International.

The satellite was launched aboard the pioneering SpaceX Bandwagon-1 mission on Sunday, April 7th from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center, Florida at 23:16 UTC.

"We are thrilled with the successful deployment of our Centauri-6, a testament to the strong collaboration between Tyvak International and Fleet Space Technologies," said Fabio Nichele, Chief Executive Officer of Tyvak International. "This mission showcases not only our expertise in miniaturization and advanced satellite manufacturing, but also builds upon Terran Orbital's pioneering heritage in building small satellites. We're excited to see the impact this constellation will have across various industries."

The addition of Centauri-6 to Fleet Spaces pioneering satellite constellation will play a vital role in servicing global demand for the companys end-to-end mineral exploration solution, ExoSphere and build its capacity to deliver advanced SATCOM capabilities with microsatellite architectures. It joins the ranks of Centauri-3 (launched in March 2021), Centauri-4 (in June 2021), and Centauri-5 (in May 2022), laying the groundwork for Fleet Spaces expanding satellite constellation. These satellites harness cutting-edge technologies to pioneer revolutionary satellite-enabled solutions for global clients.

Centauri-6, built upon Tyvak International's sophisticated avionics platform, features a unique IoT payload developed by Fleet Space, further showcasing the efficiency and scalability of modern satellite manufacturing methods. Fleet Space's payload, manufactured using advanced techniques such as 3D printing, signifies a streamlined approach to prototyping, demonstrating a path to efficient and agile mass-scale satellite manufacturing in the future.

Fleet Spaces satellite constellation is unlocking new capabilities across the space exploration, defense, and mineral discovery landscapes. From enabling the Fleet Spaces Exosphere technology to deliver 3D subsurface models for exploration customers in days to delivering advanced SATCOM capabilities with highly efficient connectivity, this satellite constellation is unlocking unprecedented capabilities worldwide.

Story continues

About Tyvak International

Tyvak International SRL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Terran Orbital Corporation, is a leading European nano and microsatellite provider, based in Torino, Italy. A front runner in miniaturization and specialized in execution and delivery, Tyvak International is the Prime contractor of the European Space Agency for the Milani mission, coordinating a team of 12 entities, universities, research centers, and enterprises in Italy and across all of Europe. Learn more at www.tyvak.eu.

About Fleet Space Technologies

Fleet Space Technologies is Australias leading space exploration company revolutionizing critical mineral discovery, space technologies, and defense with its satellite-enabled solutions and seismic array technology (Exosphere by Fleet). Headquartered at the national center of Australias space industry in Adelaide, Fleet has expanded its global footprint to the US, Canada, Chile, and Luxembourg with over 120+ employees, representing 37 nationalities, worldwide. In 2023, Fleet Space was named "Australias Fastest Growing Company" by the Australian Financial Review. Learn more at www.fleetspace.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416539735/en/

Contacts

Juliana Johnson

Public Relations

pr@terranorbital.com

+1 949-508-6404
Chinese, Iranian FMs hold phone talks on Israel-Iran tensions

Xinhua) 08:47, April 16, 2024

BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, held phone talks on Monday regarding the tensions between Israel and Iran.

Amir-Abdollahian briefed Wang on Iran's position on the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, saying that the UN Security Council did not make a necessary response to this attack, and that Iran has the right to self-defense in response to the violation of its sovereignty.

Noting that the current regional situation is very sensitive, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is willing to exercise restraint and has no intention of further escalating the situation.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China strongly condemns and firmly opposes the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, regarding it as a serious violation of international law and unacceptable.

China has noted Iran's statement that its action taken was limited and was an act of self-defense in response to the attack against the Iranian consulate in Syria, Wang said.

China appreciates Iran's stress on not targeting regional and neighboring countries as well as its reiteration on continuously pursuing a good-neighborly and friendly policy, he said.

It is believed that Iran can handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil while safeguarding its own sovereignty and dignity, he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Stabbing of Assyrian Bishop in Sydney Treated As Terrorist Act

(BBC) -- Australian police have declared Monday's stabbing at a church in Sydney a "terrorist act".

A 15-year-old boy was arrested after a bishop and several churchgoers were stabbed during the sermon.

The incident happened in the evening at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley.

At least four people were stabbed but police say none of their injuries were life-threatening. The incident triggered unrest.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the church, clashing with police - two of whom were injured.

Twenty police vehicles were damaged - with 10 left unusable.

Chief commissioner Karen Webb said those involved in the riots would be hunted by police, describing the actions as "unacceptable".

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said: "I convened a meeting of faith leaders representing major religious organisations across Western Sydney.

"And their message to their communities was universal and identical, and that is that they deplore violence in all forms that they have faith in the New South Wales police to undertake their investigation.

"They call for peace amongst all communities in Sydney, and most importantly, that people remain calm during this obviously distressing period."

Paramedics had to retreat for cover in the church and were "holed up" there for more than three hours.
Three Chinese Citizens Killed After Windstorm Pulled Them Out Of Closed Windows In New Housing Development. Is Public Corruption To Blame?

Four people were killed when a powerful storm swept through Nanchang in China's Jiangxi province and damaged over 5,000 homes. Three of the victims were killed when the high winds sucked them through the closed windows of their new apartments. Another 1,600 people were evacuated, and the winds, estimated to be near hurricane strength, ripped air conditioning units out of windows and knocked down over 2,000 trees.

Questions About Building Quality

Although the storm packed a punch, the extreme damage it did to brand-new buildings led many observers to question the quality of their construction and whether corruption played a role in allowing the homes to come online in the first place. Aside from the destruction that led to the three fatalities, the storm ripped stainless steel fixtures from interior walls and dislodged entire building frames.

It's extreme damage for a storm that checked in with winds just below Category 1 hurricane strength and angry citizens speculate that developer Wei Meng Group may have used substandard materials to build their many projects in Nanchang, according to Vision Times. Even before the storm, residents of Wei Meng developments complained about load-bearing walls with cracks and balconies that shook during high winds.

Don't Miss:

A Real Estate Developer With A Troubled Past

Wei Meng Group has already been the target of a successful anti-corruption probe and trial that led to the company's founder Li Mengpeng being imprisoned on bribery charges, according to Vision Times. That case, which was only part of a highly publicized government crackdown on corruption in China's real estate industry, uncovered a longstanding culture of cronyism and kickbacks that are plaguing the entire industry.

The corruption stems in part from the high levels of control the local and central governments exert over private industry in China, including real estate. This leads to a situation where the most expedient way to get a project greenlit is to garner the support of a political apparatchik with clout in the regional and central government.

Trending

Want To Grow Your Wealth Passively? These High-Yield Real Estate Notes Might Be Your Holy Grail

Once developers obtain this support, their benefactors can get all kinds of rules changed or eased to keep projects on track, including things like raising maximum occupancy limits, lowering material quality standards or expediting occupancy permits over the objections of local building and safety officials. Naturally, the developers pay a fee for these services, and most people would refer to that fee as a bribe.

Story continues

The Downside Of Real Estate Corruption

This type of corruption and collusion between private developers and government officials has become accepted as part of doing business in China. In many ways, the ease with which developers could leverage government officials to help them obtain loans, building permits and other considerations is one of the primary reasons for China's real estate boom.

The Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago studied China's private industry boom and concluded, "Private firms succeed in China by obtaining a special deal from a local political leader, which allows them to either break the formal rules or obtain favorable access to resources. This practice is common in countries with poor formal institutions, and China is no different."

It's not entirely clear that the disaster at the Wei Meng Group development in Nanchang is a by-product of that corruption, but people have begun examining all of Wei Meng Group's Nanchang building permits. Whatever those investigations turn up, this incident is another black eye for a Chinese real estate industry that already seems like it's under siege from all sides.

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This article Three Chinese Citizens Killed After Windstorm Pulled Them Out Of Closed Windows In New Housing Development. Is Public Corruption To Blame? originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Fans across the globe are cold to play their part in helping the company meet its 1 million scoops goal

BURLINGTON, Vt., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- That's right, it's finally here! For ice cream fans around the world, today is anything but a normal Tuesday  it's the day that Ben & Jerry's honors its annual tradition of giving out free scoops to all. Jump in line as many times as you'd like  no, seriously! Get a scoop of your go-to flavor, try a new favorite (or two). You don't have to choose  that's the beauty of Free Cone Day. Ben & Jerry's needs fans to be extra committed this year as it looks to give out at least 1 million scoops, a company record. It's the ice cream maker's way of saying a huge thank you to its loyal fans.

Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day is here! Get a scoop of your go-to flavor, try a new favorite (or two). You dont have to choose  that's the beauty of Free Cone Day.

Ben & Jerry's Flavor Gurus have been hard at work to serve up your next favorite scoop. This year, the company added a bunch of new, delicious flavors for ice cream aficionados to try. Curious about Non-Dairy options? Give the company's new, creamy oat base formula a whirl  now in classics like Non-Dairy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and also recently debuted Non-Dairy Strawberry Cheezecake (the graham cracker swirl is *chef's kiss*).

Maybe you're looking for a sweet and salty moment  Ben & Jerry's' new Impretzively Fudged flavor is perfect to satisfy snacky cravings. And, peanut butter fans rejoice  the new PB S'more flavor is guaranteed to hit the spot.

Or perhaps you're on the hunt for something refreshing to ring in spring  hello, warm weather is back! Try the brand-new Scoop Shop exclusive flavor, Mango, which is a fresh take on a smooth, nostalgic treat, with swirling mango ice cream and sweet cream ice cream. It's happiness in a cone. Longtime fans know that indulgent flavors are the ice cream maker's jam, but this simple combo was too good to pass up!

If you don't know the story behind Free Cone Day, here are the footnotes  1979, first Vermont winter, fledgling ice cream shop, a Ben and a Jerry. The company's cofounders knew it wasn't possible without the fans, so Free Cone Day was born as an annual day of gratitude  and 45 years later, Ben & Jerry's is still going strong, serving up chunky, funky flavors all across the U.S. and 35 countries globally.

To find your nearest participating Scoop Shop, visit https://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/free-cone-day. To learn more about Ben & Jerry's history, flavors, mission or values, go to https://www.benjerry.com.

About Ben & Jerry's

Ben & Jerry's is an aspiring social justice company that believes in a greater calling than simply making and selling the world's best ice cream. The company produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and Non-Dairy/vegan desserts using high-quality ingredients and lots of big chunks and swirls. As a Certified B Corp, Ben & Jerry's incorporates its vision of Linked Prosperity into its business practices via values-led sourcing initiatives when purchasing ingredients. Ben & Jerry's is distributed in over 35 countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchised Scoop Shops, and via on-demand delivery services. Ben & Jerry's, a Vermont corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, a fair financial return, and addressing issues of social, racial, and environmental injustice around the globe. The Ben & Jerry's Foundation, guided by Ben & Jerry's employees, granted $5.1 MM in 2023 to support progressive, justice-focused grassroots organizing around the country. For up-to-date information visit benjerry.com.

Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day is today and fans can jump in line as many times as they want for a free scoop.

Ben & Jerry's (PRNewsFoto/Ben & Jerry's)

Cision

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SOURCE Ben & Jerry's
Former President Donald Trumps money machine ramped up in the first quarter of 2024, with the Republican National Committee raking in millions from a new joint fundraising arrangement.

Trumps own joint fundraising committee separately reported raising $65 million, a total nearly double its 2023 pace that will nonetheless still leave him well behind President Joe Biden in the money race.

Together, the filings submitted to the Federal Election Commission late Monday reflect how large Republican donors have consolidated around Trump and the RNC after he secured the partys nomination earlier this year. Trump advisers concede they will have less money than Biden, who has established a formidable fundraising apparatus. But they insist they will have enough to compete.

Over the first three months of the year, Trumps Save America Joint Fundraising Committee, which has been the primary fundraising vehicle for his presidential bid, reported transferring $33.8 million to his campaign, including $14.7 million in March that had not been previously reported. Trumps campaign will file its own report later this week for March, but the joint committee usually accounts for nearly all of its cash flow.



The joint fundraising committee also burned through $21 million on fundraising expenses over three months, which reduced what it had left to send to Trumps campaign. Expenses included $7.2 million in fundraising fees paid to the Virginia-based firm Active Engagement, as well as $3.2 million spent on direct mail and $2 million on merchant fees.

The joint committee also raises money for Trumps Save America leadership PAC, although it did not report any transfers to that group in the first quarter.

But the former presidents initial team-up with the Republican National Committee raked in big bucks, with a new joint fundraising committee, Trump 47 Committee, raising $23 million.

The committees fundraising was driven by large donors, many of whom are familiar Republican donors but had not given to the RNC yet this cycle. Eighteen donors gave at least $800,000 to the joint committee, accounting for 62 percent of its fundraising. Among those who maxed out were Robert Bigelow, the Nevada real estate magnate who formerly backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) and former Trump administration official Linda McMahon. The list also includes hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer, who was a prominent supporter of Trumps 2016 campaign. The former president has been working of late to cultivate the backing of Mercer and his daughter, Rebekah.

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Only $6,600 that any donor gives to the joint fundraising committee can go to Trumps campaign. So the big checks also meant big funds headed to the RNC, which can accept far more from large donors. Trump 47 Committee reported transferring $10.3 million to the RNC in the last few days of March, a major boost from the group that had raised just $10.6 million from all sources the month prior.



Under its joint fundraising formula, Trump 47 Committee is also set to send money to Trumps leadership PAC, Save America, and a range of state Republican parties, though it reported no such transfers in March.

The new reports include all activity through March 31. But many Trump-aligned groups, including the former presidents official campaign, are on a different filing schedule and arent required to disclose their activity for the month of March until Saturday.

Trump has been intensifying his courtship of major donors and has been regularly dialing up givers who have remained on the sidelines. Earlier this month, he held a fundraiser at the home of billionaire investor John Paulson that his campaign said raised more than $50 million. Last week, he traveled to Atlanta to hold another fundraising event.

Trumps campaign last month executed a hostile takeover of the RNC, which had trailed its Democratic counterpart in fundraising. As part of the restructuring, the Trump team is moving the RNC fundraising apparatus from Washington to West Palm Beach, Florida, where the campaign is based.
Want to know how Donald Trumps presidential campaign is going? Theres a ticker symbol for that.

Trumps new company, Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT), has become a kind of tracking stock for the fate of the former presidents political career. DJT, as the company is known, is supposed to be an alternative media enterprise reflecting conservative viewpoints. But as much as anything, its a binary bet on Trump himself and his 2024 presidential bid.

Both ventures  Trump the company and Trump the candidate  are slogging through low points. Trump is now mired in the first of four criminal trials on his docket, with jury selection underway in a Manhattan courtroom. The case will determine if Trump illegally falsified business records in 2016 when making a hush money payment to cover up an extramarital fling with the porn star Stormy Daniels.

Trump voters may scoff at the charges, but the trial can still damage Trump. New York law requires him to attend, which means less politicking on the campaign trail. The boisterous Trump must sit largely captive as others do the talking, his usual rants reduced to end-of-day pronouncements or overnight posts on his Truth Social platform. The optics are poor, with Trump typically slouched over a table, scowling at the judge. On the first day, the man who derides President Biden as Sleepy Joe reportedly nodded off.

The trial could last for six to eight weeks, which is a long time for a presidential candidate to sit on the sidelines. Trumps legal problems havent hurt his popularity with core supporters, but every day in a hostile public environment he cant control is a chance for Trump to alienate swing voters who will decide the election in November. The one upside for Trump is that cameras cant film the proceedings, allowing him to deny any embarrassing developments and email his supporters fantastical accounts of his exploits in court.

Trumps media company reflects the candidates personal doldrums. The stock popped in late March when it went public via a merger with a special-purpose entity. But market enthusiasm faded quickly, with the stock now down 65% from its peak a mere three weeks into trading. Trump owns 57.6% of the shares, which means the value of his stake has dropped from $5.3 billion to around $1.8 billion.

The Truth Social account for former President Donald Trump is seen on a mobile device, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The more investors learn about Trumps company, the less they like it. The first batch of negative news came when the company posted its financials for 2023, revealing it lost $58 million on a paltry $4 million in revenue. Then the firm announced plans to issue new shares, diluting the value of existing shares. On April 16, the company said it would roll out a streaming platform, and the stock fell further.

Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on Twitter, or sign up for his newsletter.

Some DJT shareholders are Trump fans who bought in not as a principled investment but as a way of supporting their man. The Washington Post recently profiled a few of them, including some who feel anxious as they lose money and others who have faith that Trump has a big move up his sleeve. Media titan Barry Diller called such investors dopes.

Everybody has known for months, arguably years, that Trump faces a legal gauntlet and could even end up in jail. Trump Media & Technology Group itself acknowledges that its principals legal woes could imperil the company. An adverse outcome in one or more of the legal proceedings could negatively affect TMTG, a company SEC filing said. Investors who believe in Trumps mythic invincibility are learning that markets can make mortals out of anybody.

Is a turnaround possible? Sure. Trump could prevail in the Manhattan trial and claim vindication. It looks as if none of the other three criminal cases will go to trial before the election, so an acquittal in Manhattan would leave Trump able to campaign as a free man.

September will be a key month for Trump Media & Technology. Thats when Trump and other insiders will be able to sell their shares. If Trump unloads, the stock would probably decline further, with markets tanking it as a sign that Trump lacks confidence in his own operation. If he holds, there would be less reason to panic.

Then comes what may be the most important date on the companys calendar: Election Day 2024. If Trump wins the presidency for a second time, its bullish for the stock, assuming Trump continues to post on Truth Social. What is now a fringe social media site could become a sort of quasi-government mouthpiece, with everybody orbiting Trump World forced to join.

If Trump loses, it could doom the company. As a 78-year-old two-time loser to Biden, Trumps political career would be over. Hed stay on the scene as the godfather of the Republican Party for as long as he could, but there would be no imperative to follow his posts or activities. The company exists to promote Trump himself and seems likely to wither if, or when, he fades from prominence.

Polls show Trump and Biden in a tight race, with Biden picking up a bit of steam recently. By the fall, youll probably be able to tell whos ahead in the polls by looking at DJTs stock price. Maybe that will be better for the company than having to prove its mettle as a business.

Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @rickjnewman.

Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices.

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United Airlines said Tuesday that it lost $124 million in the first quarter, which it blamed on a three-week grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 9s after a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines Max jetliner in January.

United indicated it would receive far fewer new planes from Boeing this year than it expected, and it has begun leasing Airbus jets to fill out its fleet.

Financial results released by the airline pointed to continued strength in demand for air travel, especially within the United States and across the Atlantic. United forecast better-than-expected profit in the second quarter.

Shares of United rose 5% in after-hours trading.

The airline had its own difficulties in the first three months of the year. Its CEO reassured travelers that United is safe despite a series of events that included a piece of aluminum skin falling off one plane, a tire dropping off another during takeoff, and an engine fire. The Federal Aviation Administration stepped up its oversight of the carrier.

United was hobbled during most of January by the temporary loss of its 79 Max 9 aircraft. The airline was forced to cancel hundreds of flights and switch planes on many others.

United said the grounding cost it $200 million  enough to turn a small profit into a loss for the quarter.

Alaska, the only other U.S. carrier using the Max 9, has reported getting $160 million in "initial compensation from Boeing for the grounding. A United official declined to discuss negotiations with the aircraft maker.

Boeings difficulty in producing and delivering Max jets means that United now expects to receive 61 of them this year, down about two-thirds from a few months ago. United has already asked its pilots to volunteer for unpaid time off next month and could extend that request into the fall because of a shortage of planes.

Investigations into the blowout on the Alaska jet are expected to further delay Boeings launch of a new, larger model, the Max 10, which United had ordered. Instead, United said it will lease 35 Airbus jets that will show up in 2026 and 2027. United has also asked Boeing for Max 9s in place of some of the Max 10s it ordered.

Weve adjusted our fleet plan to better reflect the reality of what the manufacturers are able to deliver," CEO Scott Kirby said.

Chicago-based United Airlines Holdings said that excluding special items it lost 15 cents per share. Analysts on average expected a loss of 58 cents per share, according to a FactSet survey.

Revenue rose nearly 10%, to $12.54 billion, beating the Wall Street forecast of $12.45 billion.

United forecast that it will earn between $3.75 and $4.25 per share in the second quarter, which would top analysts' average prediction of $3.73 per share.
The former Outback Steakhouse in Okemos is slated to be razed and replaced with a car wash.

OKEMOS  A former Outback Steakhouse that's been vacant since January 2022 will be demolished to make way for a new business.

The 9,542-square-foot restaurant at 4880 Marsh Road in Meridian Township, operated for 15 years before closing. The building is expected to be demolished to make way for a Tidal Wave Auto Spa.

Meridian Township's Planning Commission approved a special use permit for the car wash in March 2023, said Tim Schmitt, the township's community planning and development director.

According to township records, the 3,690-square-foot drive-thru car wash will include a single-lane tunnel, two pay stations, and 28 vacuum stations. It will be fully automated, Schmitt said.

It's unclear when the current building will be demolished or when construction of the car wash will start.

Messages left for New Potato Creek Holding, the company that requested the special use permit from the township, weren't returned.

Tidal Wave Auto Spa didn't immediately respond to a message and email regarding the planned location.

Schmitt said those involved in the development are working on "final site issues. They should start construction, hopefully soon here."

Township staff are in the process of attempting to schedule a pre-construction meeting with those involved now, he said.

The Georgia-based Tidal Wave Auto Spa chain includes 250 locations in more than 30 states, according to its website.

The location planned for Okemos would be one of the company's first in Michigan. Another is listed as "opening soon" in Petoskey, on Tidal Wave Auto Spa's website.

READ MORE:

Burlington store moving west to new storefront in Delta Township

The Goat Marketplace & Bistro closed in the Lansing Mall. Now, a partner is suing

Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ .

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Vacant Outback Steakhouse in Okemos to be demolished to make way for new business
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Deutsche Telekom implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

A total of 7 investors have a majority stake in the company with 50% ownership

Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock

Every investor in Deutsche Telekom AG (ETR:DTE) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 44% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

As a result, institutional investors endured the highest losses last week after market cap fell by 4.6b. This set of investors may especially be concerned about the current loss, which adds to a one-year loss of 2.1% for shareholders. Often called market movers", institutions wield significant power in influencing the price dynamics of any stock. As a result, if the decline continues, institutional investors may be pressured to sell Deutsche Telekom which might hurt individual investors.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Deutsche Telekom.

Check out our latest analysis for Deutsche Telekom

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Deutsche Telekom?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

Deutsche Telekom already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Deutsche Telekom, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Deutsche Telekom is not owned by hedge funds. KfW, Asset Management Arm is currently the largest shareholder, with 17% of shares outstanding. Germany is the second largest shareholder owning 14% of common stock, and Softbank Group Capital Limited holds about 9.1% of the company stock.

On further inspection, we found that more than half the company's shares are owned by the top 7 shareholders, suggesting that the interests of the larger shareholders are balanced out to an extent by the smaller ones.

Story continues

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Deutsche Telekom

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our data cannot confirm that board members are holding shares personally. It is unusual not to have at least some personal holdings by board members, so our data might be flawed. A good next step would be to check how much the CEO is paid.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 33% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Equity Ownership

With a stake of 9.1%, private equity firms could influence the Deutsche Telekom board. Some investors might be encouraged by this, since private equity are sometimes able to encourage strategies that help the market see the value in the company. Alternatively, those holders might be exiting the investment after taking it public.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Deutsche Telekom better, we need to consider many other factors. Be aware that Deutsche Telekom is showing 3 warning signs in our investment analysis , you should know about...

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  What exactly were dissenting West Shore School District board members talking about when they futilely tried to convince the majority last week to delay a decision to fire the districts longtime law firm and hire a new lawyer?

That wasnt clear then, because they were referring to contracts that werent yet public, but abc27 News obtained the contracts (shown in full below) and asked one of the dissenting board members to elaborate on the hesitations she expressed Thursday night.

stockleaderDownload

tucker-arensbergDownload

At the meeting, Abby Tierney  one of four board members (two Democrats and two Republicans) who voted not to suspend a district process and quickly hire a lawyer they hadnt met  alluded to fewer protections, in her judgment, for the district under the agreement with the new firm than existed under the agreement with the former firm.

The two agreements show similar hourly rates for lawyers. But Tierney said other provisions mean the new agreement, with the firm Tucker Arensberg, could make the deal considerably more expensive than the former agreement with the firm Stock and Leader.

Tierney and other critics said the districts new solicitor, Kevin Hall, lacked experience representing school districts similar to the experience the former solicitor, Brooke Say, had.

At the meeting, Tierney said the new agreement didnt protect against duplicate billing in case a more experienced education lawyer has to assist or guide Hall.

After abc27 News obtained the two documents for comparison, she noted the differences she was referencing:

The April 13, 2023, Stock and Leader agreement specifically said: Unless there is a particular benefit to the client, or unless previously approved by the client, we do not charge for duplicate time, that is, time spent by more than one attorney when conferring among ourselves; the April 11, 2024, Tucker Arensberg agreement does not appear to include a similar provision.

The Stock and Leader agreement says we minimize travel whenever possible; the Tucker Arensberg agreement does not say that, even though Tierney said such an assurance is now more important  not less  because the Tucker Arensberg lawyers listed as education law specialists are based in Pittsburgh, not Harrisburg. (She noted the district switched to Stock and Leader more than a decade ago partly to minimize travel expenses; the districts former lawyers were based in Philadelphia.)

The Stock and Leader agreement says: We do not charge for computerized research, and we do not charge for telephone expense or facsimile transmissions; the Tucker Arensberg agreement lists among charges it will bill for: telephone, Lexis, Westlaw. (Lexis and Westlaw are computer legal research services.)

At Thursdays meeting, four board members joined Heidi Thomas, the board president, in approving the Tucker Arensberg contract 5-4 after Tierney pleaded with them to at least seek to renegotiate the agreement  in order to get the same assurances the former agreement provided  before approving it.

abc27 News contacted but did not receive responses Monday from Thomas, Hall and the four board members who joined Thomas in approving the new contract: Kelly Brent, the board vice president, and David Brinton, Brenda Cox and Mandy Davis.

Among the questions abc27 News asked: Who would represent the district if critics follow through on threats to sue district board members for possibly violation of Pennsylvanias Sunshine Act by deciding privately to suspend the districts rules and hire Hall? (Hall  the new solicitor  could be a witness in any case alleging the board met secretly with him, meaning he wouldnt be able to represent the district.)

I certainly dont want any bad results to come the districts way, but that is my fear, Tierney said. When its obvious that theres been a voting determination made before people walk into a meeting, thats where problems arise. Ive never seen anything like that before.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) beat on the top and bottom lines, but investors are more focused on elevated expenses and charge-offs of bad loans that exceeded expectations. Shares are trading off slightly, down about 3% as of 12:30 p.m. ET.

Credit cards felt a pinch

Bank of America earned $0.83 per share in the first quarter on sales of $25.82 billion, surpassing the Wall Street consensus estimate for a $0.77 per share profit on sales of $25.46 billion. Revenue was down 2% year over year as higher investment banking and trading revenues were unable to offset lower net interest income.

Revenue in the consumer banking segment was down 5%, and average deposits were down 7% but remain well above pre-pandemic levels. The bank added 245,000 new checking accounts in the quarter and saw strong gains in its global wealth management, banking, and markets divisions.

"We reported a strong quarter as our businesses performed well, adding clients and deepening relationships," CEO Brian Moynihan said in a statement. "Continued strong earnings and strong expense management both position our company to continue to drive our market leading positions across our businesses."

However, there was some indication of continued economic uncertainty. Charge-offs for bad loans totaled $1.5 billion, up 26% from the final three months of 2023 and significantly above the $1.26 billion analysts had expected.

Is Bank of America stock a buy on its post-earnings dip?

Bank officials attributed the weaker-than-expected charge-off number to an increase in credit card issues they said was more of a hangover from the final three months of 2023, stating that the number is flattening out.

Bank of America also dealt with one-time issues in the quarter, including a $700 million special assessment from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. that all large banks are paying to offset last year's regional bank failures.

All in all, Bank of America is showing resilience through what has been a turbulent economic environment. Investors looking for exposure to large national banking franchises should keep Bank of America in mind.

Should you invest $1,000 in Bank of America right now?

Before you buy stock in Bank of America, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Bank of America wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $526,933!*

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

Story continues

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Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Lou Whiteman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bank of America. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Why Bank of America Stock Is Under Pressure Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
There's apparently trouble on the Eastern front for global banking conglomerate HSBC (NYSE: HSBC), and investors are clearly concerned. On news of layoffs in two major Asian markets, they traded out of the company's stock, to the point where the bank's U.S.-listed shares lost more than 2% of their value.

Pink slips coming?

HSBC is in the process of laying off a clutch of workers in its investment-banking operations in two of the continent's financial hubs, Hong Kong and Singapore, according to reporting from Reuters. Citing three unidentified "people with knowledge of the matter," the news agency said the affected workers are mainly associates and vice presidents at the sprawling international bank.

If the report is accurate, HSBC wouldn't be the first to reduce its investment banking workforce in Asia, nor is it likely to be the last. The mainland China and Hong Kong stock markets have both been struggling, largely due to structural issues in the Chinese economy. When markets are in the doldrums, investment banks tend to cut headcounts.

HSBC didn't directly address the reporting in the Reuters story. An unnamed spokesperson from the bank told the news agency that, "The size of our workforce will fluctuate in any given year."

Not a secure job these days

While the news isn't all that encouraging, it doesn't come as a great surprise -- likely a reason why HSBC shares weren't punished harder on Tuesday. China and the markets around it have been struggling for some time, and it was inevitable that investment banks would take a hit from this. We can expect more employee-roll reductions if the gloom about Asian markets persists.

Should you invest $1,000 in HSBC Holdings right now?

Before you buy stock in HSBC Holdings, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and HSBC Holdings wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $526,933!*

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

See the 10 stocks 

*Stock Advisor returns as of April 15, 2024

HSBC Holdings is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends HSBC Holdings. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Why HSBC Stock Got Rocked Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
Shares of Medical Properties Trust (NYSE: MPW) soared 18.8% on Monday after the healthcare facilities-focused real estate investment trust (REIT) announced a major asset sale.

Medical Properties Trust announces a huge Utah deal

Late Friday, the company said it had sold its interests in five Utah hospitals to a newly formed joint venture with an investment fund for $886 million. Medical Properties Trust has retained a roughly 25% interest in the joint venture, while the fund purchased a 75% stake. The joint venture also placed new non-recourse secured financing simultaneous with the closing of the sale, giving Medical Properties Trust $190 million of additional cash. Altogether, the deal generates roughly $1.1 billion of total cash proceeds to Medical Properties Trust.

What's next for Medical Properties Trust investors?

Medical Properties Trust said the proceeds will be primarily used to reduce outstanding debt, including payment in full of its $300 million Australian term loan due this year and repayment of borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

The news came only a few days after Medical Properties Trust announced the sale of five facilities in California and New Jersey to Prime Healthcare for $350 million. Less than three weeks ago, Medical Properties Trust also rallied after its single largest tenant, beleaguered hospital operator Steward Health Care, announced a separate deal to divest its nationwide physician network to a subsidiary of UnitedHealth. Steward Health owed Medical Properties Trust a total of $50 million in unpaid rent as of the end of 2023.

In the end, investors are rightly celebrating as Medical Properties Trust works to selectively divest assets and clean up its balance sheet. Considering this beaten-down stock's dividend payout currently yields around 12.7% annually, it might well prove to be a solid value for those investors willing to bet it will be able to restore the business to a more steady state in the coming quarters.

Should you invest $1,000 in Medical Properties Trust right now?

Before you buy stock in Medical Properties Trust, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Medical Properties Trust wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

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Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

Story continues

See the 10 stocks 

*Stock Advisor returns as of April 15, 2024

Steve Symington has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Why Medical Properties Trust Stock Popped Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
Theres a new leader heading up Chicagos business recruitment efforts.

Philip Clement, whose resume includes stints as global chief marketing officer for Johnson Controls and Aon, was named Tuesday as president and CEO of World Business Chicago, the citys public-private economic development arm.

In his new role, Clement will be in charge of pitching Chicago as a destination for corporate relocation and expansion, a competitive arena that has seen the city score some victories, but lose some big names in recent years.

With his extensive experience and deep understanding of both local and global economic landscapes, Philip brings a unique perspective that will undoubtedly propel World Business Chicago forward, Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a news release. His commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and diversity will ensure that our citys economic development efforts are equitable and impactful for all Chicagoans.

The city has been looking to fill the position since the announced resignation in December of Michael Fassnacht after four years as CEO of World Business Chicago. The former advertising executive left in February to become chief growth officer for Clayco, a real estate development and construction company.

Newly named board member Eric Sedler, the Chicago-based co-founder and managing partner of public relations firm Avoq, has been interim CEO since Fassnachts departure.

Clement, 58, who earned an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, has had a diverse career spanning brand management, consulting, technology and entrepreneurship. Most recently he was global chief marketing officer at Johnson Controls in Milwaukee, a building technology company with 100,000 employees in more than 150 countries and nearly $27 billion in annual revenue last year.

Previously, he was the London-based global chief marketing officer for more than a dozen years at insurance giant Aon. Clement has also run his own consultancy and investment firms.

A New Trier High School alumnus who studied film at the University of Southern California, Clement is a longtime board member at both the Goodman Theatre and Cinema/Chicago, the nonprofit organization behind the Chicago International Film Festival.

Founded as a private enterprise in 1999 by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club, World Business Chicago sought to attract companies and industries to the city. It merged the following year with the taxpayer-funded Chicago Partnership for Economic Development.

The organization expanded during former Mayor Rahm Emanuels administration as part of his agenda to increase Chicagos standing as an international business center. Under Fassnacht, World Business Chicago upped its marketing game, creating provocative campaigns targeting Sun Belts states with more restrictive social policies.

Story continues

The city nonetheless suffered some big-name corporate relocations in recent years, including billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, who announced in June 2022 he was moving the headquarters of his investment firm, Citadel, from Chicago to Miami. Others to exit the Chicago market during Fassnachts tenure included Boeing and Caterpillar.

Fassnacht announced his exit from World Business Chicago eight months into the Johnson administration amid broader concerns the new mayor was not as pro-business as his predecessors.

The city provides about 20% of World Business Chicagos $10 million annual budget, with much of the rest coming from private corporate donations. Fassnacht earned more than $480,000 as CEO in 2022, according to the organizations Form 990 filed with the Internal Revenue Service.

I am excited to work collaboratively with Mayor Johnson, Vice Chair Charles Smith, the board of directors, and the entire team to build on the regions strengths and create new and equitable opportunities for businesses and residents alike, Clement said in the news release.

Meanwhile, theres still a vacancy at the top of Choose Chicago, the citys tourism agency, after CEO Lynn Osmond stepped down unexpectedly in January.

The Choose Chicago board will be hiring a search firm to help find her successor, with input from the mayor and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, agency spokesperson Cynthia McCafferty said Tuesday.

Candidate interviews are expected to take place in the summer and fall, with the new CEO announcement targeted for the fourth quarter, McCafferty said.

Board member Rich Gamble will continue to serve as interim CEO while the search is ongoing.

rchannick@chicagotribune.com
By Christian Kraemer

BERLIN (Reuters) - The danger of a global recession has largely been averted but growth will be meagre, German government sources said, referring to International Monetary Fund forecasts that will be published later on Tuesday.

"The global economy is growing, but it is not growing very dynamically. In other places, like here, it is not growing at all," one of the sources said.

Structural reforms are therefore necessary, they added.

"In the medium term, global growth prospects are also unsatisfactorily low," a source said.

This week's IMF spring meeting in Washington DC is taking place in difficult times, recently exacerbated by the Iranian attack on Israel.

On the margins of the meeting, the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors will hold two meetings, each focussing on a single topic.

On Wednesday evening, they will discuss climate financing, followed by a meeting on Thursday morning on strengthening international development banks.

A communique is not planned, the sources said.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel called for the IMF to refocus on its core tasks, in a jointly written guest op-ed published in Germany's Handelsblatt on Tuesday.

"Financing a development policy agenda is not the IMF's original task and should rather be left to institutions such as the World Bank," wrote Lindner and Nagel ahead of the spring meetings.

(Reporting by Christian Kraemer, Writing by Maria Martinez and Miranda Murray, Editing by Rachel More)
If youre looking to buy a home for the first time, Kansas City might be one of your top destinations.

An April report by real estate marketplace Zillow listed Kansas City as one of the 10 best markets for first-time home buyers in the United States for 2024. The city ranked ninth on the report.

Majid Ghavami, a ReeceNichols real estate agent who works extensively with first-time home buyers in Kansas City, said the most affordable areas for first-time home buyers right now are Waldo, Midtown and some parts of Johnson County

We are very affordable for what you get. On both sides of the state line, you have a lot of amenities like great parks, Ghavami said. The schools on the Kansas side are a big draw. And were not too big of a city, so youre not dealing with crazy traffic.

The average cost of a house in the Waldo neighborhood is $220,183, according to Zillow. In midtown Kansas City, the average cost of a house is $259,942

A previous report by Zillow said that home buyers across the country needed to earn more than $106,000 a year to comfortably afford a home. Thats up 80% since 2020, or around $47,000 more than they needed to earn four years ago.

How did Kansas City rank on Zillows report?

Zillow used these metrics to determine the best markets for first-time buyers:

Rent affordability, which is defined by the share of median household income spent on rent.

The share of available inventory on Zillow that the median household can comfortably afford. This means spending no more than 30% of income on the estimated monthly mortgage cost.

The ratio of affordable for-sale inventory to renter households.

The share of households aged 29-43. More households of similar age means a higher score in Zillows ranking.

Heres how Kansas City fared in those metrics:

Affordable listings as a percent of total for-sale inventory: 51%

Percentage of median household income spent on rent: 21%

Affordable listings to renter household ratio: 2.2 per 100 renters

Home buying age households as a share of total households: 27%

St. Louis was ranked the best market for first-time homebuyers on Zillows report. Detroit, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Austin, Texas; Pittsburgh, San Antonio and Birmingham, Alabama all ranked above Kansas City.

How much do you need to earn to buy a home in Kansas City?

Kansas Citians need to earn $92,896 to buy a home in the city, according to Zillows February report. This is $40,742 more than what residents needed in 2020.

You would need to make a monthly mortgage payment of $1,846 to afford a home in Kansas City, Zillow reported.

Story continues

If you made that salary, by yourself or with someone else who was buying a home with you, it would take 7.2 years to save for a 10% down payment on a Kansas City home that costs $289,290, which Zillow says is the citys typical cost for a house.

Heres the median annual income for residents in the Kansas City area, according to the U.S. Census:

Wyandotte County: $57,771

Jackson County: $65,169

Clay County: $82,264

Platte County: $92,543

Johnson County: $103,644

The rising income requirements are part of the reason, Zillow said, that 21% of buyers reported co-buying with a friend or relative in 2023.
Students from Cedar Bluffs Public Schools will get a chance to take part in the democratic process firsthand on Wednesday, April 17, when Cedar Bluffs High School hosts a state legislative forum with six District 23 candidates.

CBPS Superintendent Harlan Ptomey said three students  Maddie Thomas, Carter Neubert and Emmy Shanahan  will be the moderators for the candidate forum, which is expected to have all six candidates for Nebraskas unicameral legislative District 23.

Ptomey said Dennis C. Fujan, Alan Zavodny, Jacob A. Wolff, Jared Storm, Allie French and Larissa Schultz have all confirmed their attendance for the forum, which is scheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, inside the old gym at Cedar Bluffs High School.

All six said they should be here, so we should have a good crowd. Our kids have been working the last couple of months designing questions and learning more about the process and getting really excited about having this political forum, Ptomey said.

Students have been working the last couple of months working on the questions, kind of the whole layout and set up and how were going to run the meeting and how were going to do the questions, how the audience members will be able to ask questions and how we filter those, he said. So we make sure that theyre unbiased and are directed at all candidates, not just one.

Ptomey said the student-developed and managed forum was the brainchild of high school government teacher Greg Brousek, who has been with the school for more than two decades.

Greg is our high school civics teacher and hes kind of going be overseeing the student moderators, but the students will be asking the questions, Ptomey said. We do have a school board legislative committee as well that we work on legislation topics together. That was Grant Fitzgerald and Tim Shanahan (among others).

Ptomey said he expects about 100 attendees to the forum. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for seating and the forum is expected to begin by 7 p.m.

Were going to do an exit poll and everything so kids can see how the exit poll works. This is the first time we really had an open (legislative) seat, you know, because (the incumbent) has been on for the last eight years, he said. We have panel seating for the students. There are three of them, the student moderators. It is actually (being hosted in) the old gym, our old varsity gym, because we dont have bleachers in the ... new gym at all yet. Were going to videotape it and have a live stream.
A years-ago prank by a sibling led to a clarifying moment for University of Colorado Boulder student Caleb Hatch.

One time, my sibling grabbed my insulin pump and started running around the room, said Hatch, who lives with Type I diabetes.

It made me realize how much better my life was because of that small piece of technology. It was the moment that fueled my desire to pursue innovation and to pursue research in order to help communities and improve peoples lives.

That desire has motivated Hatch to complete three years of college by age 19, participate in a humanitarian project in Nepal, and earn recognition as a National Merit finalist.

Hatchs latest honor comes from the national nonprofit Operation Homefront, which recently named him 2024 Military Child of the Year for the National Guard.

That was a real surprise, Hatch said following an award reception in Washington, D.C. Its hasnt quite sunk in yet.

A Colorado Springs-based organization dedicated to supporting military families, Operation Homefront recognizes seven young standouts each year, from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and National Guard.

Caleb is the son of National Guard Col. Shawn Hatch and Army veteran Marie Hatch.

There are a lot of transitions involved in being a military kid, and they take a number of forms, he said. Theres the obvious one  that we move around a lot. But my dad has been deployed multiple times, which involves changes in the family dynamics.

That can be really difficult at times, but I also saw it as a great opportunity. It added a lot to my journey. Im really appreciative how it has shaped my journey and my passion for what I want to pursue.

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Hatch, whose family has traveled to several states during Shawns career, was immediately drawn to the educational opportunities he found at Coronado High School and then at The Classical Academy after a transfer.

Ive never seen so many opportunities in my life, he said. There were so many things for me to explore at Coronado; I was so excited. And then I learned that I could actually go to (Pikes Peak State College), tuition-free!

Caleb currently serves in a variety of capacities with the CU Boulder chapter of Engineers Without Borders. As part of the chapter, Caleb was on a team that implemented a spring source protection and water distribution system in a community in rural Nepal.

The great thing about science is that it can be used to improve the human condition, he said. Thats my long-term goal: To use research and innovation to make peoples lives better.

Hatch is on pace to graduate from CU Boulder next year, after which he intends to pursue a doctoral degree in physics, he said.

I want to continue to do research to develop technologies that improve lives  the way that little insulin pump has improved my life, he said.

Hatch and the other Military Child of the Year honorees each received a $10,000 award, a laptop computer and other donated prizes, according to Operation Homefront officials. Hatch said the Washington, D.C., gala was an opportunity to interact with teens who understand the unique experience of living in an active-duty military family.

(The award) is such a huge honor and privilege, but really, the biggest thing for me has been getting to interact with the other recipients, he said. Theyre so resilient, and yet so determined to serve their communities. I really admire them.

Operation Homefronts Military Child of the Year program is currently in its 16th year, officials said.

Being Military Child of the Year is a great opportunity for me to represent my community, Hatch said. I hope I do it justice.
The Air Force Academy has two more Truman Scholars among its ranks.

Cadets 2nd Class Kelsey Monaghan-Bergson and Sophia Stewart were named by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation Board of Trustees on April 12.

The juniors from the academys Class of 2025 are among 60 Truman Scholars selected from 709 applicants nominated by 285 colleges, universities or a military service academy. The cadets are the only scholars named who attend a military service academy.

The academy is one of six nominating institutions with multiple Truman Scholars awarded this year.

The foundation selects Truman Scholars from finalists who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector, and academic excellence. Each Truman Scholar receives funding for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and special internship and fellowship opportunities within the federal government.

We are thrilled to have two cadets selected as Truman Scholars this year. Kelsey and Sophia are true agents of change; they are devoted to the betterment of their communities and passionate about making a difference in the world, said Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre, Air Force Academy faculty dean, in a press release.

These awards reflect not only the cadets hard work, but the mentorship of faculty and staff across the academy who supported and propelled Kelsey and Sophias efforts. We are so proud of our Truman Scholars and cant wait to see their impact!

The cadets are the 25th and 26th Truman Scholars from the academy; the first was former Maj. John Carr, Class of 1994.

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Monaghan-Bergson is pursuing a major in behavioral sciences and a minor in diversity and inclusion and plans to pursue a graduate degree in social innovation with a concentration in neurodiversity studies. The Tacoma, Wash., native hopes to serve as an Air Force information operations officer and continue her neurodiversity efforts following her post-graduate program.

This is by no means a solitary endeavor; it is a reflection of the community that has dedicated unwavering support and mentorship toward my growth and passions, said Monaghan-Bergson in the news release. I would especially like to thank the department of behavioral sciences and Leadership and CyberWorx  they are only a glimpse of the village that has raised me and helped me reach closer to my goals as a developing public servant. Im absolutely ecstatic about this pursuit, certain that it is just the beginning.

Stewart is a double major in political science and foreign area studies who plans to pursue a masters degree in data analytics and policy. The Woodstock, Ga., native hopes to serve as an Air Force Office of Special Investigations agent following her post-graduate program.

Im so grateful for this opportunity, but nothing is ever earned alone. I owe a deep thanks to my friends, faculty, and mentors at the academy for supporting me through this process, Stewart said in the release.

The most exciting aspect of this scholarship is the community; Ive looked up to my Truman Scholar faculty and former cadets since I arrived at the academy. Its an honor to be accepted into this community and to continue to learn from, and to be inspired by, those who have gone before me.
PENROSE  A chapter in the saga of the Return to Nature Funeral Home case is closing as demolition of the building that housed nearly 200 decomposing bodies began Tuesday morning.

Impacted loved ones, law enforcement, Fremont County and El Paso County Coroners Office personnel and officials with the Environmental Protection Agency came together on the Penrose property just off Colorado 115 to grieve and seek closure. The gathering came just two days after the funeral home owners, Jon and Carie Hallford, returned to jail, this time facing federal fraud charges stemming from the gruesome discovery last October.

The beginning of the demolition today hopefully marks a day of closure and the continued healing for all the victims associated with this horrific event, Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller said.

Just before 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, EPA officials signaled the operator of a CAT excavator to begin the demolition process. Those in attendance stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the metal barricades surrounding the property, watching as machinery made first contact with the building that held the remains of 189 people who were meant to be put to rest.

You want to say the word relieving, but is it really? Its a bittersweet moment, said Samantha Naranjo, who is pro-demolition of the Penrose facility.

I want it (the demolition) to be a step moving further from this place of horror, and I feel it's a step in the right direction, Naranjo said.

The remains of Naranjos grandmother, Dorothy Tardiff, were discovered inside the Penrose facility in October.

This is my first time here. Its weird seeing this building," Naranjo said. "My grandmother should have never been in this building to begin with so, theres a lot of feelings on it.

According to EPA spokesperson Katherine Jenkins, crews are working to have the building completely taken down in the next few days, as breaking down and hauling the materials to the Otero County landfill is anticipated to be the longest aspect of the process.

So what they're going to do (Tuesday) is peel away the roof and see what the insulation is underneath. Depending on the type of insulation, more water may be needed for dust suppression, Jenkins said.

They would like to get the building done in the next few days, and then we'll start loading  thats the part that takes the longest.

As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, a Gazette photographer on the scene reported half of the Penrose building to be demolished.

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In addressing those in attendance, Keller confirmed 17 sets of remains discovered inside the Penrose facility have not yet been identified.

Keller said the Coroners Office will continue to work with DNA in pursuit of identifying the remaining individuals and bringing closure to impacted families.

Keri Wirick-Pollakoff, who used Return to Natures services in August 2022 following the death of her father, Ernest "Skip" Wirick, is among those hoping the Coroner Offices work with DNA will bring her family closure.

She said her father has not yet been identified by the Coroners Office.

Not knowing is the hardest thing; I cant begin to describe the feeling, Wirick-Pollakoff said.

I figured the 17 they have left, no one has contacted us for DNA and I took that as he probably isnt one of them, but they (Fremont County) told me they havent reached out to anyone yet, so theres hope, and more waiting, Wirick-Pollakoff said.

Having hope helps.

The Hallford returned to jail Sunday, facing 16 additional federal felony charges along with the 260 criminal charges  including improper storage of 189 bodies, abuse of a corpse, money laundering, forgery and theft  in a lengthy, layered legal process thats already underway in El Paso County.

According to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office, the Hallfords were released into FBI custody Monday morning and promptly whisked to Denver to face multi-count federal charges that broadly characterized their crimes as a scheme to defraud customers.

Judge Scott Varholak granted the U.S. Assistant Attorney Tim Neff's request for a three-day continuance of the arraignment hearing, telling the judge he planned to argue the Hallfords should remain in custody while they await trial, based on their track record.

"There are grounds to believe they present a flight risk," Neff said.

The Hallfords will be back in federal court Monday.

The Hallfords are scheduled to appear in court in Colorado Springs for an arraignment hearing on June 6. A jury trial is tentatively set for October.
The family of an 18-year-old who died by suicide in the El Paso County jail filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday against the former health care provider for the jail.

Dezaree Archuleta's mother, Shelly Romero, said Monday on the steps of a courthouse in Denver that she wanted to see justice for her daughter, who deserved a chance at life.

"She was very caring  loved her family with everything that she had," Romero said. Romero was accompanied by her daughters Ciarra Romero, Shayla Romero and daughter-in-law Araceli Romero.

Archuleta died by suicide in the jail on June 9, 2022, after asking to see a psychiatrist and several egregious acts of self harm, according to the lawsuit. She was one of 11 people to die in the jail in 2022.

The suit against Wellpath, a national company, and individual employees seeks policy changes and training to prevent further deaths, among other damages. El Paso County replaced Wellpath as its healthcare provider with VitalCore in January.

"This lawsuit is filed to send a message to Wellpath and other private medical providers across the country that putting profits over people is unacceptable  that looking for high revenue, rather than providing high quality health care, is reprehensible and we will do everything in our power to hold them accountable in this instance," said Andrew McNulty, an attorney for the family.

The El Paso County Board of Commissioners voted in February to settle potential lawsuits over Archuleta's death for $1 million.

The recently filed case described the severe nature of Archuleta's mental health symptoms.

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At one point during the 23 days she spent in the jail before her death, she gouged her thighs 30 times with a screw. She also punched herself in the face until she bled.

An employee for Wellpath repeatedly removed Archuleta from suicide watch, at one point handing her pamphlets and telling her to use her coping skills, the case states. The employee was a licensed marriage and family therapist working for Wellpath.

She was also not provided access to a psychiatrist or medications that she requested, McNulty said.

She died an hour after reporting thoughts of suicide and visual and auditory hallucination, the case said. She hanged herself from a metal grate in her cell.

It was so clear Archuleta needed to be on suicide watch, the case said, El Paso County deputies questioned the decision making of the Wellpath employees.

El Paso County jail has made changes since Archuleta's death and the impassioned public outcry for change that followed. The jail also made changes to address the steep rise in inmate against inmate violence.

As part of those changes, the jail removed grates, like the one Archuleta used, with woven mesh, the Gazette reported previously.

Romero said she hoped the jail was getting better, but does not trust anything that has to do with them.
Colorado Springs police on Monday released the name of a man who was stabbed to death in an area near the intersection of Airport Road and South Academy Boulevard.

The El Paso County Coroner identified the victim as Frank Mason, 65, of Colorado Springs. Alexander Brown, 32, was arrested Sunday without incident and booked into the El Paso County jail on suspicion of first-degree murder.

Officers found Mason suffering from multiple stab wounds around 11 a.m. Sunday when they arrived to the 3600 block of Dundee Place. He died at the scene.

Brown and Mason were neighbors, according to police.
There is only so much political oxygen. Around here, attention is currently consumed by the final weeks of the legislative session, along with the perpetual oxygen-sucking machines that go by names like Trump, Boebert, and Williams.
People walk past an unconscious homeless man lying on the ledge of a business on South Broadway on Tuesday in Denver.
A landscaping crew works outside the Fiona apartments at Pikes Peak and Wahsatch avenues in downtown Colorado Springs. The 321-unit apartment complex is one of several multifamily projects opening in downtown.
The idea to use Navajo for secure communications came from Philip Johnston, the son of a missionary to the Navajos and one of the few non-Navajos who spoke their language fluently. Reared on the Navajo reservation, Johnston was a World War I veteran who knew of the militarys search for a code that would withstand all attempts to decipher it. He also knew that Native American languages, notably Choctaw, had been used in World War I to encode messages. Johnston believed Navajo answered the military requirement for an undecipherable code because it is an unwritten language of extreme complexity. Its syntax and tonal qualities, not to mention dialects, make it unintelligible to anyone without extensive exposure and training. It has no alphabet or symbols and is spoken only on the Navajo lands of the American Southwest. One estimate indicates that fewer than 30 non-Navajos, none of them Japanese, could understand the language at the outbreak of World War II.



Early in 1942, Johnston met with Major General Clayton B. Vogel, the commanding general of Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet, and his staff to convince them of the Navajo languages value as code. Johnston staged tests under simulated combat conditions, demonstrating that Navajos could encode, transmit and decode a three-line English message in 20 seconds. Machines of the time required 30 minutes to perform the same job. Convinced, Vogel recommended to the Commandant of the Marine Corps that the Marines recruit 200 Navajos.





The author most likely mentions the fact that Navajo has no alphabet or symbols in order to



A. emphasize how difficult it is to decipher Navajo language

B. suggest a potential drawback of the use of Navajo for secure communications

C. explain why so few non-Navajos can speak the language

D. highlight the differences between Navajo and other Native American languages

E. suggest that Johnstons ambitions were impractical





The passage is primarily concerned with



A. examining the complexity of a language

B. profiling someones search for a solution to a problem

C. analyzing the benefits and drawbacks of an approach

D. explaining why a certain strategy was adopted

E. dissecting the origins of a certain methodology

The author most likely mentions the fact that Navajo has no alphabet or symbols in order toA. emphasize how difficult it is to decipher Navajo languageB. suggest a potential drawback of the use of Navajo for secure communicationsC. explain why so few non-Navajos can speak the languageD. highlight the differences between Navajo and other Native American languagesE. suggest that Johnstons ambitions were impracticalThe passage is primarily concerned withA. examining the complexity of a languageB. profiling someones search for a solution to a problemC. analyzing the benefits and drawbacks of an approachD. explaining why a certain strategy was adoptedE. dissecting the origins of a certain methodology
(Guam Visitors Bureau)

Although residents of Guam know Tumon as the tourism sector, filled with luxury shopping, dining, and hotels piercing the sky, its also home to sites that hold rich and impactful histories like many other villages on Guam. A few of these sites can be found by deviating from the asphalt, removing your shoes and taking some sandy footsteps down Tumon Bay, a roughly two mile stretch of white, powdery shores.

On the southernmost point of the bay, Ypao Beach Park is the first stop on the walk through history. The large property, scattered about with pavilions and playgrounds, is perfect for a weekend barbecue and holds the occasional concert on its sloping lawns. But the parks history is that of a more somber nature: it sits on the site of an ancient Chamorro burial ground, which are common in the Tumon area. Additionally, the U.S. Navy established the area as a leper colony in the early 1900s until the lepers were banished off the island shortly after. Today, the park is full of life and plays host to some of Guams largest annual events including the Guam Micronesia Island Fair, the Japan Autumn Festival, and the KoKo Road Race. Ypao Beach Park is also home to the weekly Tumon Night Market.

Take to the sand and a few hundred footsteps will have you stumbling upon World War II-era pillboxes. The defensive outposts were set up as sentry posts to protect the shores against would-be American invaders. In these pillboxes, a bend at the knee takes you back nearly 80 years, and a look through the gunnery embrasures conjures images of American colors on the horizon, embodying the Chamorro peoples hope for liberation. Travel back to today and the pillboxes become a young ones hideaway or a photo shoot waiting to happen.

Continue strolling and youll find yourself at the northernmost tip of Tumon Bay at Gun Beach, so named for the 20-centimeter Japanese defense gun nestled in the crook of a cliff. Just a few hundred feet from a popular beach bar and sand volleyball courts, the gun now seems oddly out of place, but serves as a humbling reminder of the kind of occupation the beach once had.

A historic tour of Tumon would be incomplete without visiting a memorial to what would be one of the most defining moments in Chamorro culture. Leaving the Gun Beach area and going back to the black top for a short drive will bring you to the Padre San Vitores Shrine. The statue seizes upon a moment from the year 1672, when Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores was killed for baptizing a Chamorro chiefs daughter without his consent. The incident ignited a war with the Spanish and almost resulted in total extinction of the Chamorro people. Christianity spread regardless, and along with the architecture and inflections on language, Catholicism serves as the most apparent reminder of Spanish influence on Guam.

These sites and sights from a walk in Tumon Bay are just a few ways you can Love History on Guam.
A Helena native, Carroll College graduate and aspiring family medicine clinician visited Kenya to gain experience in her field and see a different perspective on medical privilege.

Jenna Starke, 26, visited the African country as a part of the "Global Health Clinical Elective" through the University of Washington's WWAMI medical program.

Her two-month visit had its positive and negative moments, but overall Starke said she was grateful for the experience and the program.

While in Kenya, she rotated through the Naivasha County Referral Hospital, a government-funded hospital, working in medicine wards, pediatric wards, labor and delivery, a tuberculosis clinic and its HIV clinic.

One of the positive moments she remembered while in the hospital was the welcoming clinicians and patients because she wanted to know them and they wanted to know her.

She said unfortunately death is normal due to a lack of resources, so clinicians became used to it.

Although, the negative moment during her trip was death, she experienced different diseases that are not common in the United States.

Starke said outside of the medical practices, she was able to have fun on her weekends off by exploring western Kenya.

She learned about the culture in the communities along with making chipati, an unleavened flatbread commonly eaten in Kenya.

She played rugby, went on hikes and safaris, went camping and explored national parks.

This was her fourth global health experience since entering the medical field. She had been to Mongolia, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador prior to Kenya.

This was her last rotation in medical school since she will graduate in May and begin her residency in Greeley, Colorado, pursuing full-spectrum family medicine.

Starke said she gained more of an understanding of underserved medical communities in the world and has researched ways to decolonize medicine by empowering local clinicians so those communities do not have to rely on clinicians from privileged areas of the world.

She realized she wanted to be in family medicine because she knew it was a more engaging field in medicine on a personal level.

She has always enjoyed getting to know people's stories and said that is what most of medicine is about.

She recalled was a positive moment that influenced her to pursue family medicine even more.

Starke said about two years ago she was helping a patient when her preceptor came in and spent about an hour speaking and listening to the patient, who complained about abdominal pain.

The doctor and Starke figured out the patient had internal family issues that could have added to the abdominal pain and Starke said, "family medicine is for me."

She said she hopes to be the type of clinician that is there for her patients, not just on a medical level, but on a personal level.

Most of her medical training was done in Montana and she plans on coming back to the state to help underserved communities because she feels a sense of home here.
To a full crowd Tuesday, YWCA Helena revived its annual awards event, now called "Empowered," aimed at recognizing the achievements of women in the greater Helena Area.

Formerly known as "Salute to Women," this reimagined event held at the Helena Civic Center spotlighted women's leadership advocacy and excellence across various fields.

"We are thrilled to bring back this centralized celebration of women's accomplishments," Jen Gursky, executive director at YWCA Helena, said in a news release. "Empowered aims to spotlight the remarkable achievements of women in our community across diverse sectors and age groups."

Last week, five women were presented in person with awards in several categories, including Woman of the Year, Pathmaker, Innovator, Woman of the Future and She Speaks Power.

Recipients include:

Kelly Cresswell, executive director of Reach Higher Montana, was nominated for Maria Dean Woman of the Year for her unwavering commitment to empowering women in her community and across the state.

Laura Clark, CEO of Opportunity Bank of Montana, received the Pathmaker Award for her groundbreaking contributions to the financial industry and dedication to empowering other women.

Callie Aschim, president and CEO of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, received the Innovator Award for her innovative approach to driving positive change in the business community.

Kayla Morris, supervisor of Community-Based Services at St. Peter's Health, received the Woman of the Future Award for her outstanding leadership and dedication to addressing community needs.

Akilah Deernose, executive director of ACLU of Montana, was presented with the She Speaks Power Award for her tireless advocacy for social and racial justice.

"Breaking down barriers comes first with recognizing that there are still barriers present that block opportunities for women, said Gursky. "Its important to then identify what changes we would like to see to advance the work of equality and equity. And thats our hope as YWCA Helena pivots into a stronger work around."

The YWCA Helena is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Through various programs and initiatives, the organization strives to create a more inclusive and equitable community for women and their families.
DECATUR  Two more derelict former school buildings will soon meet the wrecking ball on the taxpayers' dime.

The Decatur City Council on Monday unanimously approved a nearly $1.7 million contract with Villa Grove-based Ezell Excavating for the demolition of the former Durfee School at Jasper Street and Grand Avenue and Centennial/Coppenbarger School at 1500 E. Condit St.

The former is owned by Faith Fellowship Christian Church and the latter by the city, which purchased it for $813 at a tax auction last year after its previous owner failed to pay three years of property taxes.

Demolitions are not uncommon in the city's urban core, where several neighborhoods have become blighted as a result of properties falling into disrepair due to, among other factors, neglect from their private, often out-of-town owners.

There were, in fact, more than 100 structures demolished by the city in 2023, with many of them leveled for less than the $20,000 threshold to trigger the need for city council approval.

But, these two are the latest in a stretch of large, asbestos-ridden structures where demolition costs have carried a much larger price tag, leading to frustration and a search among city staff and council members for solutions to hold building owners more accountable.

"We're an old town," said Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe. "We've got old buildings, old factories, old warehouses. Where does it end? I mean, why are the taxpayers of Decatur stuck with every stinking one of these?"

"This is wrong," she said. "It is wrong for a church to assume a building it can't manage and then stick it to us. It's wrong."

Council members were equally frustrated with the predicament they were in, acknowledging that the buildings  now considered dangerous public hazards dragging down surrounding property values while holding back neighborhood revitalization  had to come down. But they lamented that the city is once again figuratively holding the bag.

"So I think we have no option, in my opinion, to proceed tonight with the bid and bring these down," said Councilman Dennis Cooper. "But we've got to find another way to hold owners liable on the onset when they're purchasing these properties."

Wayne Dunning, pastor of Faith Fellowship, told Herald & Review earlier this week that the small congregation did not have the funds to bring the structure up to code. They moved to a smaller building at 2701 E. Faries Parkway in 2020.

The building is old and it's waving the white flag," Dunning said of the old school building in 2020, according to Herald & Review archives. He said that the building, which the church had purchased from the school district for $1,000, always presented a challenge due to its large size.

On Monday, Dunning said that the church had been trying to sell their old building for some time, but the three or four "nibbles" they had never came through. About six weeks ago, the church and city came to an agreement paving the way for its demolition.

City Manager Scot Wrighton said the votes were "difficult pills" to swallow, but that "no one else is going to take care of these of these properties."

The vote came just two weeks after the council approved a nearly $250,000 contract for asbestos abatement of a pair of privately-owned buildings that used to house the YWCA at the southeast corner of North Main and Eldorado.

The city will eventually be on the hook for demolition costs associated with that building, which has been vacant and in a state of disrepair for decades.

And last year, nearly $1 million was spent on the abatement and demolition of the former Woodrow Wilson Junior High School building, 1140 W. Sunset Ave., with the city splitting the cost with and eventually deeding the land to Decatur Public Schools.

City officials say they pursue all legal remedies to compel property owners to pay up to repair or demolish their structures. This includes taking them to court after a demolition to recover the costs associated or at least the difference between cleanup costs and the property's value.

However, with property owners often without the means to pay up or the properties owned by limited liability companies with no other assets, the city is often left with only the land.

Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth told the council that the former Durfee site, located along the Jasper Street coordinator, could fetch $250,000, far less than the more than $800,000 price tag of demolition.

The Centennial/Coppenbarger, on the other hand, "probably has no commercial value," Kindseth said.

Some steps have been taken recently to prevent the degradation of old school buildings, with the Decatur Public Schools implementing a policy of either tearing down its former buildings or selling them to owners that post bonds to ensure that demolition costs are covered if later found necessary.

And in February, the council approved an ordinance requiring banks to register properties placed into foreclosure while property owners of buildings where there's evidence of "derelict vacancy"  overgrown weeds, disconnected utilities, accumulation of trash, for example  would also have to register.

But Wrighton said the city could find other ways to be more aggressive with code enforcement earlier, such as by requiring city businesses to obtain a general business license. This would allow more regular inspections of commercial buildings.

Still, there will likely be more demolitions of this ilk in the future than not as the city seeks to keep up with the spread of blight through the urban core.

Kindseth said "these should be the last two school buildings" the city will have to demolish for some time, but there are likely a number of larger industrial and commercial buildings that will need to come down in the next few years.

The only other school building in question is the former Garfield School, 1077 W. Grand Ave., which the city is seeking to rehabilitate, expand and convert into 63 affordable apartments for people 55 and over who are living independently.

If that plan, which is contingent on receiving state tax credits, does not come to fruition, the city and school district have an intergovernmental agreement in place that would have them split the costs of demolition. The city-owned property would then be transferred back to the school district.

Some of the funds to cover the demolitions will come from the city's special projects reserve, which is about a $2 million pot of excess cash that was previously earmarked for economic development incentives. Though the council voted 6-1 to amend the ordinance to maximize the use of remaining federal American Rescue Plan funds for the expense.

The city has budgeted about $3 million ARPA funds for demolitions this year. The goal was to complete about 200 mostly residential demolitions this year.

However, a significant diversion of ARPA funds for those two large demos could come at the expense of others, with Kindseth saying that "essentially at some point later in the year we will have to stop the residential demolitions."

Wrighton, however, said that "there is some room to accommodate" the council's request.

The lone vote against using ARPA funds was Councilman David Horn, calling the potential movement of dollars away from other demos "outrageous."

In other news, the council authorized the issuance of nearly $37 million in bonds for water infrastructure projects. This would include what is essentially a refinancing of $31.5 million worth of bonds issued in 2014 and 2015 as well as the issuance of $5.3 million new bonds for work at the South Water Treatment Plant.

Wrighton said lower interest rates make now the time to refinance those earlier bonds, estimating that the city could save between $1.2 million and $1.8 million in interest in doing so.

The council also approved two agreements with Decatur-based G&H Marine:

A $122,000 contract to install a fully-roofed boat dock with four boat slips and lifts for use by the city of Decatur. It will replace the existing Lake Services dock, which is 16 years-old and, according to the city, reached the end of its useful life.

A fuel system lease that will allow G&H to operate and maintain the city's fuel system at the Nelson Park Marina. In addition to taking over gas sales, the Decatur-based dock builder put the convenience store inside the marina building, which the city has leased from the park district since 1934. The council voted earlier this year to grant the company a liquor license allowing for on-premise sales.

Valerie Wells contributed to this report.

 Class is in: These former Decatur school buildings are still in use Brush College School Jones School Lakeview High School Roosevelt Jr. High Salem School Spencer School St. James School
Google is -- for better or for worse -- the front page of the internet. The nearly $2 trillion company controls more than 90% of the online search market and is so ubiquitous that the companys name is often used as a verb.

But never has it so openly and transparently used its size and market dominance to try to directly influence a public policy debate than now.

Last year, California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, a Democrat from Oakland, stood up to the largest internet company in the world and fought for California journalism by introducing the California Journalism Preservation Act (AB 886). Members of the Assembly supported her, passing the California Journalism Preservation Act, or CJPA, on an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 55-6.

Last week, as the legislation has awaited action in the Senate, Google punched back. The internet search monopoly throttled traffic to California news sites in an attempt to threaten, intimidate and cajole California publications and lawmakers into dropping their support for the CJPA. This undemocratic attack on journalism was an attempt to silence the voices of local news providers. We will not be silenced.

Quote box Googles strong-arm maneuver to throttle traffic to news sites wont work. Google is not above the law.

The fight over the California Journalism Preservation Act is not just a fight for local news survival in California, but a fight for democracy.

The simple fact is that Googles growth and dominance has come at the expense of local news and other businesses, which must play by their rules or risk obsolescence. Newsrooms across this state and country are shrinking, and local newspapers are closing. In fact, 2,500 newspapers have closed their doors since 2004. Around the country, more than two newspapers close every week.

The shift in the way news is consumed in the last 20 years has led to a media landscape where many get their news on social media. These same platforms would sooner promote mis- and disinformation and put their users and democracy at risk than pay publishers of quality journalism fairly for use of their content.

The CJPA is a commonsense piece of legislation that requires Google to pay publishers and broadcasters for the use of the news outlets content. Publishers would be required to spend 70% of any funds collected as a result of these payments on journalism jobs.

The bill has only improved since overwhelmingly passing the California Assembly last year. Wicks has agreed to language that would base payouts on the number of journalists a paper employs and set aside a portion of funds for small, local papers. Wicks understands that when local journalism thrives, democracy thrives.

Googles strong-arm maneuver to throttle traffic to news sites wont work. We will not allow local newsrooms to be censored, silenced and threatened -- even by one of the largest companies on the planet. Google is not above the law.

Local news providers will not bow down to threats, and we will continue to advocate for sensible legislation that can revitalize our independent news media. Our resolve to protect journalism and preserve democracy has never been stronger.
" " For enslaved people like these photographed on the plantation of Dr. William F. Gaines, Hanover County, Virginia, just before the Civil War, insurrection was one of the only paths they had to freedom. Library of Congress

For most Americans, Jan. 6 was once an ordinary, ho-hum day.

That changed in 2021 when millions of television viewers watched thousands of Trump supporters assault the U.S. Capitol in their violent attempt to stop Joe Biden's presidential victory.

Advertisement

Legislators fled for their lives as the mob shattered windows and vandalized congressional offices.

While those images and subsequent congressional investigation and report are part of the collective memory, a debate still rages over what exactly to call what happened that day. Was it a rally comprising American patriots or, as many Republicans refer to the day's events, "legitimate political discourse"?

Or was it an insurrection, as most observers have called the Jan. 6 attack?
Viettel Solutions, representing Vietnamese telecommunications company Viettel, signed a memorandum of understanding with Singaporean telecommunications company Singtel to plan and develop the Vietnam  Singapore Cable System submarine cable system (VTS), directly connecting Vietnam and Singapore.

The MoU states both parties intend to develop the submarine cable system connecting Vietnam to Singapore (VTS cable) with a configuration of 8 fibre pairs (8FP), using advanced wavelength division multiplexing technology available today.

The main trunk landing stations will be in Vietnam (managed by Viettel) and Singapore (managed by Singtel).

Scheduled to be operational in Q2 2027, the VTS cable is expected to have branch landing stations in Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Singtel claimed the VTS would be the shortest cable directly connecting Vietnam to Singapore.

The deployment of this cable system is aligned with Vietnams strategy for developing its international optical cable system under the Development Strategy of Vietnams International Optical Cable System by 2030, vision to 2035, by the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC).

According to this strategy, by 2030, Vietnam needs to increase its total number of submarine cables to a minimum of 15 systems with a total capacity of at least 334Tbps.

At least two of these submarine cable systems founded by Vietnam must be in operation, with priority given to short routes directly connecting to major Digital Hubs in Asia. The submarine cable systems shall be deployed evenly in three directions: to the North of the East Sea, the South of the East Sea, and the Southern Sea areas, Singtel said in a statement.

When operated, the cable will add hundreds of Tbps to Viettels total international connectivity capacity, providing capacity, opening up a new connection direction to the South, and enhancing the redundancy and security of Viettels international connection infrastructure, Singtel said.

Viettel Solutions general director Nguyen Manh Ho said the VTS submarine cable project affirms Viettels pioneering role in building and developing digital infrastructure in Vietnam.

At the signing ceremony, Singtel vice president, digital infrastructure and services Ooi Seng Keat said, The construction of the VTS cable will support this increasing demand for higher bandwidth and lower-latency connectivity.

Recently, Viettel announced its investment in the Asia Direct Cable (ADC), acquiring connections to all three largest IP Hubs in Asia (Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore). Viettel owns the landing station of this cable in Quy Nhon, connecting to the two main IP Hubs in Asia (Hong Kong and Singapore). It also owns the landing station of this cable in Da Nang.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 15 April 2024.
RMIT University has unveiled a new dedicated space for learners participating in the Apple Foundation Program at the university.

The new learning space dedicated to the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT is now open to teach technology skills for jobs of the future, with the million-dollar space, designed by architecture firm Hinge, featuring a sustainable building design, enabled with the latest Apple technology.

Over four weeks, the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT introduces students to the Swift and Xcode programming languages, using Mac and iPhone to design and prototype an original app for the Apple iOS ecosystem.

RMIT says the program allows for a transition into technology from other career paths, opening pathways for mature-aged students and learners from non-STEM backgrounds and enables study to be combined with ongoing employment in a sustainable way.

The university notes that the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT Learning Space will support the expansion of the free four-week program, coinciding with the first of four new intakes across 2024.

The Apple Foundation Program at RMIT model is one of many initiatives that addresses the recommendations from the Australian Universities Accord, offering a flexible and responsive learning pathway for underrepresented groups, notes RMIT.

Professor Ian Burnett, Deputy Vice Chancellor STEM College and Vice-President RMIT University, officially launched the new space.

We are proud to be opening this new learning space for the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT, and to be expanding the program in 2024, said Burnett.

"This program supports The Accords call to address the gaps and disadvantages in the national tertiary education and skills system. The future of work requires more opportunities for lifelong learning, and this program offers reskilling and upskilling for under-represented groups in the technology sector.

RMIT says that from undergraduates studying engineering, health sciences, marketing, and more, to adult learners and working professionals, Apple Foundation Program participants come together to learn the language of technology and acquire highly transferable skills to bolster their future careers.

Susan Prescott, Apples vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, Enterprise and Education Marketing, said Apple and RMIT shared a passion to equip students with the essential skills to succeed in the booming app economy.

"Since our partnership began in 2017, hundreds of RMIT students from diverse backgrounds have refined their real-world problem solving abilities, and gained proficiency in design and app development using Swift, igniting creativity and unlocking new pathways to jobs, she said.

We are thrilled that RMIT is deepening its support of the Apple Foundation Program through a new dedicated facility and expanding its iOS courses to prepare even more graduates for careers in app development.

Apple Foundation Program at RMIT graduate, Mason Cao, says the course inspired him to discover career pathways hed never previously considered.

Ive always thought of app development as something incredibly challenging, but it turned out to be much easier with help from mentors in the Apple Foundation Program," Cao said.

"Getting to immerse myself in such a dynamic and creative environment has increased my confidence and empowered me to take on even bigger challenges like pursuing app development full-time.

"I believe the goal of technology should be to embrace new changes and advancements, while also making sure it is accessible to everyone. The Apple Foundation Program at RMIT aligns with those values perfectly.
An aerial drone photo taken on June 3, 2023 shows the Dalian International Conference Center, venue of the 2024 Summer Davos, in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.



Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth."

The event will gather over 1,500 high-level leaders from business, government, civil society and international organizations, as well as prominent entrepreneurs, innovators and academics to generate collective insights and deployable solutions.

Six major topics will be discussed during the meeting: a new global economy; China and the world; entrepreneurship in the age of AI; new frontiers for industries; investing in people; and connecting climate, nature and energy.
The chief executive of an embattled Gildan Activewear Inc. unveiled Monday its plan for sustainable growth that features a focus on supply chain efficiencies and global market share gains.

The basic apparel manufacturer provided that preliminary first-quarter net sales are expected to come in at $695 million, or down about 1% year over year.

Gildan, based in Montreal, has more than 500 jobs at its yarn-production plant in Mocksville and also has other North Carolina facilities in Clarkton, Eden, Mayodan, Salisbury and Sanford. The company has more than 43,000 employees globally.

The effectiveness of chief executive Vince Tyra and Gildans board of directors are being challenged by investor groups representing about 35% of its ownership.

The groups, being led by Browning West LP, wants to reinstate fired chief executive Glenn Chamandy and remove eight board members, including board Chairman Donald Berg. The board said Chamandy had left the company after 20 years as chief executive. Chamandy claims he was terminated without cause.

The board plans to hold its annual and special shareholder meetings on May 28.

However, the board confirmed media speculation on March 19 that an unidentified buyer sent a confidential non-binding expression of interest to purchase the apparel manufacturer. Multiple media reports, including The Globe & Mail and Reuters, say the offering company is private-equity group Sycamore Partners, which specializes in retail, consumer and distribution-related investments.

Tyra cited five main growth goals in his presentation.

Successfully execute supply chain initiatives to maintain availability, cost leadership and industry leading margins;

Leverage Gildans brands and develop distinct commercial capabilities to accelerate growth and strengthen the companys market position;

Deepen Gildans relationships with existing and prospective retail partners, strengthening the companys position as the supplier of choice;

Complement Gildans strong North American market position with renewed focus on select international markets to drive growth; and

Empower and build world-class talent and leadership to ensure long term resilience of Gildans business.

These priorities reflect feedback received from shareholders and their desire for us to continue sustainably growing Gildan, Tyra said.

As we continue to execute on the key components of the Gildan Sustainable Growth strategy, my first few months as CEO have confirmed my belief that Gildans core fundamentals are strong and that we are in a great position to unlock further potential and launch the next phase of our growth.

Tyra projected net sales growth at a compound annual growth rate in the mid-single digits range, as well as annual adjusted diluted earnings per share in the high-single to low double-digit range.

Gildan reaffirmed its fiscal 2024 guidance of revenue to be flat to up low-single digits, and adjusted diluted earnings in the range of $2.92 to $3.07.

Browning West response

Browning West responded to Tyras presentation by calling it a second-rate version of the strategy developed by Chamandy.

It contains underwhelming margin guidance, speculative spending, weak capital allocation and no long-term earnings per share or stock price targets, the company said.

On April 1, Browning West submitted its supercharge vision for revenue and market share growth that is projected to increase Gildans share price to more than $60 by the end of 2025 and more than $100 within the next five years.

The five pillars are: gain market share in fashion-basics category by lowering unit costs; gain market share in high-growth fleece category; gain share in private-label apparel by targeting new product wins; enhance capital allocation and structure; and introduce aspirational compensation plan tied to value creation.

Browning West projects more than doubling annual earnings per share from $2.57 in 2023 to $3.80 in 2025 and $6.02 in 2028.

Gildans 52-week share price range is $26.98 to $38.87.

Browning Wests slate is releasing its operating plan now so that shareholders can understand the companys strong standalone prospects under our slates leadership relative to an outcome that likely undervalues the company under the current board of directors reactionary sale process, Browning West said in a statement.

Browning West proposes Gildan put more emphasis on private label production to grow its market share with customers such as Walmart, Fanatics, Nike, Target, Costco and Amazon. The proposal said Gildan has a $2 billion private-label opportunity, compared with $3.2 billion altogether in fiscal 2023.

The proposal says Gildan can return 67% of its current market capitalization to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks over the next five years. The return was $3.8 billion in fiscal 2023.

It projected dedicating 68% of capital allocations going to share buybacks in 2024 to 2028, along with 18% to capital investments and 14% to dividends.
A federal judge has rejected a 70-year-old Nebraska man's plea to be released from custody pending his possible extradition to Germany to be tried for a 1978 killing.

Tommy "Tom" Molina's attorney had sought review of the magistrate judge's order certifying him for extradition and committing him to custody pending a decision by the United States Secretary of State.

"Mr. Molina's efforts to poke holes in the evidence supporting the charge miss the big picture: It's possible that Mr. Molina is innocent of this crime, but if so he's extremely unlucky," Senior U.S. District Judge John Gerrard wrote in an order last week.

He said the circumstantial evidence summarized in now-retired Magistrate Judge Cheryl Zwart's memorandum and order would be a "series of remarkable coincidences were they unrelated to Mr. Molina's involvement in the killing."

Gerrard said the arguments Molina's attorney makes might persuade the German court that the prosecution hasn't met its burden to prove him guilty, but probable cause is the standard here.

And, he said, that had been met.

At a hearing in August, Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Packard went through the evidence German investigators have that they say points to Molina as the one who killed Cornelia Humpfer on April 20, 1978, in Schweinfurt, where he was stationed at the time as a U.S. Army soldier.

She was found the next morning with 14 stab wounds.

Among other things, Packard described recent DNA testing in the cold case that he said tied Molina's DNA to the victim's stockings and statements he'd allegedly made to his ex-wife that he had been having an affair with the woman and that she had threatened to expose it.

Molina's attorney, Federal Public Defender Toni Leija-Wilson, said Molina's DNA had been tested previously and not found to be a match and his alleged admissions were just stories Molina made up while drinking.

He maintains his innocence.

Leija-Wilson raised five "special circumstances" that she argued warranted his release on bail: medical conditions, the financial support he provides for his family, the bailability of the offense in Germany, his lack of a criminal record and the anticipated length of the proceedings.

In his order, Gerrard said only two really were in play: medical conditions and the length of the proceedings.

He said that while Molina does seem to have a number of health issues, they don't appear to be life-threatening or beyond the capacity of federal authorities to manage while he's in custody.

And while unusual delay in the process can be a special circumstance, there's nothing to indicate that happened here, the judge said.

He said it wasn't like delays in a politically sensitive case involving escapees from a British prison in Northern Ireland, or in the case of a former Peruvian military officer seeking asylum after he was charged with crimes arising out of conflict with a revolutionary group.

Certification next will go to the Secretary of State for a final decision on whether to surrender him to German authorities.

Top Journal Star photos for April 2024
This photo, taken on April 14, 2024, shows a view of the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue for the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo, in Haikou, south China's Hainan province. [Photo by Wang Yiming/China.org.cn]



Thousands of investors, brand representatives and businesspeople are flocking to Haikou, located in south China's island province of Hainan, for the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), which is currently in full swing until April 18.

This year's expo has attracted 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions, showcasing the island's meteoric rise as an offshore duty-free hub.

Despite only introducing its offshore duty-free policy in 2011, Hainan is on the cusp of overtaking South Korea as the world's premier duty-free market. The island now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Hong Kong and Milan as the most sought-after destination for Chinese consumers looking to indulge in luxury purchases, according to international auditing firm KPMG.

China Duty Free Group (CDFG), the dominant player in Hainan's duty-free market, is participating in the expo with a sprawling 600-square-meter exhibition booth. Besides taking part in the expo, CDFG is also holding events at its Haikou shopping complex, the world's largest duty-free shopping mall. The company, a pioneer in Hainan's duty-free industry since opening its first store on the island in 2011, has experienced explosive growth that parallels Hainan's rapid development as a duty-free haven. The company now operates five of Hainan's 11 duty-free malls.

A few years ago, as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the global duty-free sector, Hainan's market bucked the trend. In 2020, the annual offshore duty-free shopping quota increased to 100,000 yuan per person, attracting consumers to the island for luxury shopping while international borders remained closed. This resulted in a 127% spike in duty-free sales from the previous year, according to Xinhua Silkroad, a Belt and Road portal under Xinhua News Agency.

Despite concerns that Hainan's duty-free allure would wane as shoppers returned to traditional destinations like South Korea post-reopening, the island's duty-free growth has shown no sign of slowing. In 2023, duty-free spending surged by 25% year on year, with the first quarter alone seeing a staggering 60% increase in duty-free purchases over the Spring Festival holiday, totaling a record $346 million, according to Haikou Customs.

Since their introduction in 2011, these duty-free policies have significantly boosted the local economy, with tourism revenue expected to quadruple this year alone.

Beyond Hainan's picturesque beaches and climate, the most important factors to its success are ongoing strategic planning and policy support. Both the provincial authorities and China's central government have consistently optimized and released new policies to bolster the island's duty-free industry. Recent enhancements, such as a streamlined pick-up process for duty-free purchases and zero-tariff lists covering imported luxury items, have made the island even more attractive to investors and consumers.

The duty-free policies and related trade liberalization have attracted substantial foreign investment. According to local authorities, the number of newly established foreign-funded enterprises has grown by an impressive 65% annually since 2018, reaching a total of 6,543 businesses.

Hainan continues to invest in its duty-free transformation, retail upgrades and enhanced tourism offerings. By 2025, the tropical province will achieving independent customs operations, providing global traders benefits such as zero tariffs and other preferential policies facilitating imports and exports.
The University of Nebraska and Google are teaming up to offer noncredit programs in fields like cybersecurity, data analytics and business intelligence for students, alumni and Nebraskans at large.

Under the new partnership, announced by interim NU President Chris Kabourek on Tuesday, Nebraskans will be able to earn Google Career Certificates in fields vital to the state's future workforce.

"This is an incredible opportunity not only for our students to supplement their degrees with additional credentials, but for all Nebraskans to gain new skills and move up in their careers without having to uproot their families or jobs," Kabourek said.

NU students, alumni and others can now pre-register for the Google Career Certificates programs slated to begin later this year. To date, more than 250,000 Americans have completed a Google certificate.

Each of the courses available through NU  one cycle begins in August, another in December, the third in April 2025  are open to 2,500 people on a first-come, first-served basis.

The programs, developed and administered by Google experts in conjunction with employers, prepare learners for entry-level roles over the course of 3-6 months.

NU is offering Google Career Certificates in IT support, digital marketing and e-commerce, project management and user experience design, while advanced certificates will be available in IT automation with Python, advanced data analytics and business intelligence.

The courses will be available through the university's existing platform for non-credit and professional development courses, NU Advance.

The cost of the courses in the first year is $20 per enrollment. Other universities that have also partnered with Google Career Certificates, including Purdue University, offer courses for $39 per month.

The certificates, also known as microcredentials or badges, signal the acquisition of certain skills to employers and have grown in popularity in recent years as institutions of higher learning have sought to meet the demands of a changing workforce.

A 2022 report by the nonprofit Credential Engine found that nearly 1.1 million unique educational credentials exist in the U.S., which was a nearly threefold increase from a 2018 count.

Microcredential programs allow younger students to dip their toes into the water of certain fields, developing some skills as they consider whether or not to pursue a full degree.

They also allow individuals currently in the workforce to "upskill" themselves by taking courses at their own pace, signaling to their employers they are serious about their professional development.

Or, they allow those with a high school diploma or an equivalency award the opportunity to demonstrate their talents to potential employers without enrolling in college.

According to a survey conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Universities last year, 68% of employers indicated they would prefer to hire a college graduate who also had a microcredential, while 13% said they preferred to hire college graduates without a microcredential.

Lisa Gevelber, founder of Grow with Google, said the microcredentials available through Google Career Certificates' partnership with NU would benefit the state as a whole.

"We're committed to investing in Nebraskans to ensure that they have the tech and other job ready skills to enter the workforce and reach their full economic potential," Gevelber said.

Kabourek said the new educational opportunities will further a goal shared by the NU Board of Regents and Nebraska Legislature that 70% of Nebraskans earn some kind of postsecondary credential.

Kabourek, a native of David City, said he believes the Google Career Certificate program will help open the door for other Nebraskans to find "quality, affordable educational opportunities no matter where they live or what their personal circumstances are."

"Anytime we can find a way to bring more education directly to our students and Nebraskans, it's a win," he said. "This is one more way the University of Nebraska is working to meet the needs of our citizens and address the urgent workforce challenges facing our state."

Top Journal Star photos for April 2024
1. Yes. This is expected to be a high-turnout election. Its better to vote early and avoid the crowds.

2. Yes. The period is nearly two weeks long, so it should be easy to find a convenient time to vote.

3. No. Its better to wait until Election Day, just in case any last-minute information comes out.

4. No. Its more exciting to vote on Election Day, and its also more traditional.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say at this point. Ill make a decision as the election gets closer.

Vote

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Italian exhibitors expect to tap into Chinese market via Hainan expo

Xinhua) 08:50, April 16, 2024

This photo taken on April 13, 2024 shows an art work of Italian jewelry brand Russo Cammei at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

HAIKOU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- At the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce pavilion, Marco Russo, CEO of Italian jewelry brand Russo Cammei, was immersed in receiving customers and negotiating deals.

Hailing from Naples, Italy, Marco represents the fourth generation of a family legacy spanning over a century dedicated to crafting artisanal handmade jewelry. He tries to blend the tradition of cameo artistry with the innovative flair of contemporary designs.

This marks Marco's third voyage to the China International Consumer Products Expo in south China's island province of Hainan. Armed with over 300 pieces of jewelry including some new collections first shown to Chinese consumers, Marco is fueled by a grand ambition -- to further penetrate the vast Chinese market.

"Hainan expo is growing up year by year, and getting more and more customers," he said. "It means that there is a great opportunity for us."

Marco's optimism is buoyed by China's immense consumer base and their penchant for Italian craftsmanship. With an established business partner in Shanghai, he eagerly anticipates fostering deeper collaboration and forging new partnerships.

"Hainan could be a very important platform for the future because it will become an important free trade port," he said, noting that the Chinese government attaches great importance to Hainan and he hopes to expand the market in this province.

Enrico Peruffo, CEO of the Italian jewelry company Fratelli Bovo, talks to a customer at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Huimin)

Enrico Peruffo, CEO of the Italian jewelry company Fratelli Bovo, participating in the Hainan expo for the first time, expressed his positive impression of the event.

"The organization and the layout are good, and the quality of goods is good," he said, emphasizing its significance as a platform for gathering market feedback and gauging the potential of products.

"We have established the Western market like Europe and the United States, and now we are approaching the Chinese market," he said.

The adjacent Italian Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), hosted a jewelry exhibition featuring 17 selected Italian brands, drawing considerable attention from visitors.

Massimiliano Tremiterra, trade commissioner of ITA office in southern China's Guangzhou City, said the Hainan expo is a gateway for foreign companies to access the Chinese market.

"Italian products are very strong in some sectors like fashion, jewelry, and food. Hainan is really a place where all these products are requested, so I think Italian companies can find a very nice opportunity here," he said.

The fourth China International Consumer Products Expo, which started Saturday and lasts till April 18, is China's only national-level exhibition featuring consumer products and also the largest consumer expo in the Asia-Pacific region.

This year it has the biggest scale ever, attracting a record number of brands with an indoor exhibition area of 128,000 square meters.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)




The opening ceremony of the 2024 National Security Education Day is held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in south China's Hong Kong, April 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Monday kicked off the opening ceremony of the 2024 National Security Education Day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.



This year marks the 10th anniversary of the promulgation of a holistic approach to national security, also the theme of this year's event, which saw the participation of more than 1,400 people from across Hong Kong.

Xia Baolong, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, addressed the opening ceremony via video link.

He noted that earlier on March 19, the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the HKSAR unanimously passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. It was a milestone event in the practice of "one country, two systems," marking that Hong Kong has forged a strong legal shield to safeguard national security, Xia said.

At the new starting point, it has become the greatest consensus and expectation of Hong Kong society to build a better Hong Kong, promote Hong Kong's shift from stability to prosperity, and enable the general public to live a better life, he said.

To shift from stability to prosperity, Xia said it is necessary to keep in mind the bottom line of national security to escort Hong Kong's quality development; it is necessary to further strengthen the "one country, two systems" and give full play to the fundamental role of "one country, two systems" in safeguarding Hong Kong's prosperity and stability; it is necessary to consolidate and give full play to Hong Kong's unique status and strengths to reinforce Hong Kong's golden brand.

It is also necessary to better integrate Hong Kong into the overall development of the country, inject strong momentum into Hong Kong, and provide greater business opportunities; it is necessary to actively adapt to the new situation and new challenges, demonstrate new responsibilities, and achieve a new leap in Hong Kong through actions, innovation and creation, he added, voicing hope for new legends of Hong Kong's development.

The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which took effect on March 23, consolidated the security guarantee for Hong Kong, so that Hong Kong can proceed at full speed to achieve economic development and ensure people's well-being, said John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR.

Hong Kong will make new progress and contribute to national rejuvenation, he said.

Early Monday, the Security Bureau of the HKSAR government and the disciplined services it oversees jointly held a flag-raising ceremony at the Hong Kong Police College to mark the National Security Education Day.
The La Crosse School Board unanimously agreed Monday to place a $53 million facilities referendum on Nov. 5 ballots.

The board selected an option that explicitly outlines its plan to close Hintgen Elementary and combine it into an expanded State Road Elementary School. A majority of the funds from the referendum will go toward the demolition of the Hogan Administrative Center and construction of a new elementary at the site to combine Emerson and Spence schools, a proposal featured in both options.

I think option two is the better language because it includes the specificity what we talked about and that we agreed upon in our last meeting, said board member Trevor Sprague. I think that in the interest of clarity for the voters and understanding that this is what were putting forward, what we think is a good plan to go forward and make an investment in our district. I think we need to be as clear about that as possible.

The referendum decision follows the La Crosse school boards decision last month to consolidate Emerson and Spence elementary schools in a new building and close Hintgen Elementary School while creating an add-on to State Road Elementary.

Board member Deb Suchla expressed concern the proposal would not address all of the districts needs and said she still had unanswered questions.

I feel like were rushing to make a decision versus making the right decision, Suchla said. Were still cutting positions, whether we do this consolidation or not. So lets pause, lets look and get all the right answers.

Other board members argued prolonging a decision would be more harmful to the district.

By moving forward now with what we have decided up to this point, allows us time to get all of those questions answered and prepared to get the community aligned with the project and to vote yes in November, said board member Katie Berkedal. I have a lot of questions, too. But Im confident that we will have answers for them. And we will be prepared to present this to the community soon. I think if we backtrack all of that, thats going to delay a lot of things and could put us in a position where we are cutting programs early as we wait for a solution.

This was the final school board meeting for president Annie Baumann, and members Jeff Jackson and Brad Quarberg.

New board members will officially take their seats at the boards reorganizational meeting on Monday, April 22.
Life is like a balloon; you must put something into it to get the best possible results.  American astronomer William Cranch Bond (1789-1859)

Like a lot of balloons. More than 75,000 of them to be exact.

And a dedicated group of creative, civic-minded people from as near as Williams Bay, Walworth County and Wisconsin and as far afield as Canada and across the breadth of the United States have gathered together in Williams Bay to put life into a lot balloons, hoping to get the best possible results in support of a good cause.

A Santa Cause, that is.

Were thrilled to bring the magic of Follow the Yellow Brick Road to life at this years Balloon Adventure, said Kimberly Voller, executive director of Santa Cause, a Williams Bay-based nonprofit organization best known for its fundraising Christmas Tree Festival, held in conjunction with Lake Geneva Cruise Lines Santa Cruise holiday season night excursions on Geneva Lake. This event will provide lasting memories and the opportunity for guests to experience all the Lake Geneva area has to offer. This event is sure to impress visitors of all ages as balloon artists create larger-than-life balloon recreations of iconic scenes and characters filled with vibrant colors and playful details. The stunning designs will provide the perfect backdrop for families, friends, and loved ones to capture one-of-a-kind photos of the experience.

Williams Bay-based charitable nonprofit organization Santa Cause and Lake Geneva-based Wisconsin Balloon Decor, the latter billed as Wisconsins Premier Balloonery, have teamed to stage the 2024 Balloon Adventure fundraiser at nautical-themed, rustic luxe The Boat Showroom event space at Pier 290/Gage Marine, 1 Liechty Dr. in Williams Bay.

The 10-day charitable fundraiser, overseen by Santa Cause, kicked off April 11 and runs daily through this Sunday, April 21.

Its a happy place, Voller said of Balloon Adventure. How can you come in here and not be happy with all the balloons? Its a roomfull of joy.

Voller said Balloon Adventure, open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., is expected to draw thousands of attendees to Williams Bay over its 10-day run and become an annual March shoulder season tourism and fundraising event.

Proceeds from the 2024 Balloon Adventure will benefit two local charities in Walworth County  The Tree House Child and Family Center, W4063 County Hwy. NN in Elkhorn, and Covenant Harbor, 1724 W. Main St. in Lake Geneva.

Dedicated to the belief that all children are entitled to a life free of violence, abuse and neglect, nonprofit Tree House Child and Family Center provides child abuse awareness, prevention, and education, as well as training programs. to the people of Walworth County.

Owned and operated by the Central Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, nonprofit Covenant Harbor provides Christian camps and retreats for guests from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin from its 52-acre camp on the north shore of Geneva Lake.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

The 2024 Balloon Adventure, a truly immersive experience centered around the iconic theme Follow the Yellow Brick Road, transports attendees to the enchanting magical Land of Oz, familiar to generations of fans of the classic 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer fantasy adventure motion picture The Wizard of Oz.

Walking the iconic Yellow Brick Road at The Boat Showroom, visitors pass from black-and-white to color through a movie theater-themed entrance and enter the colorful Land of Oz, featuring balloon creations of Dorothy Gales no place like home Kansas farmhouse, the shining Emerald City, the whimsical Land of Oz, and the familiar cast of beloved Wizard of Oz characters including Dorothy Gale and her canine companion Toto, as well as Dorothys newfound Oz friends including the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion.

Based on a conceptual idea by Santa Causes Voller, and designed and planned over the past six months by Wisconsin Balloon Decor owner Sara Mayer, a former art teacher, the Oz-themed Balloon Adventure installation at Pier 290/Gage Marine in Williams Bay is the 3-day handiwork of 14 professional balloon artists drawn from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Alabama, Florida, New Jersey, Utah and Canada. Collectively, the gathered balloon artists have more than 200 years of professional experience.

The question was can we pull this off, recalled Meyer, the 8-year owner of Wisconsin Balloon Decor. I said yes and Kimberly said yes. Were the first town to do something on this scale. I dont know anyone whos had a job on this scale to bring this many people in. A big thank you to Gage for trusting in us and believing in us and giving us this opportunity.

I loved it, said Meyer of Vollers Wizard of Oz-themed concept for this years Balloon Adventure. Its super fun, because everythings recognizable. Its an easy story to tell. But its hard to make anything out of balloons, so making recognizable characters was kind of a big challenge.

For her part, Meyer was pleased with the final execution of the design, which fills the 250-person event venue in an exchanting wonderland of color and grand spectacle.

Im really proud, Meyer said. It turned out exactly how I hoped ... Santa Cause was great. They gave us so much freedom with concept of design. And the staff at Gage has been incredible, helping us and being so accommodating.

Meyer said Balloon Adventure promises to offer an amazing experience for attendees.

It will be more balloons than theyve ever seen all at once, she said. Its probably the first time people will see balloon art. Its not balloons on a string. Its bringing in talented artists to do what theyre really good at, coming together with these different techniques to create a different world. I think the longer theyre here, the more theyll see. Theyll see everything at once and then theyll see something they missed and then something else they missed. Theres little hidden things everywhere.

The Balloon Adventure is sponsored by Gage Marine, Pier 290, the City of Lake Geneva Tourism Commission, Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva, Yunker Innovative Visual Solutions, Discover Williams Bay, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, and LakeLikeALocal.com.

Gage Marine Corp. President and CEO Bill Gage, Jr. said The Balloon Adventure installation inside The Boat Showroom event space at Gage Marines flagship headquarters in Williams Bay went way beyond his expectations and hit it out of the park, calling the balloon art installation something special.

We saw the amount of money and awareness that could be driven to charities, Gage said of his support of the event, sponsored in part by Gage Marine/Pier 290. Weve had a long belief in that, dating back to starting Santa Cause, and having been able to donate close to a million dollars in six years ... We are looking to bring awareness to local charities, particularly those serving children. There are so many needs out there ... These events have multiple facets to them. Obviously, we want to raise money for the charity, but the charities also need awareness, many of them ... And were also able to help the hospitality industry around here ... in the shoulder season to make it a win-win-win. For our business, we serve our customers, our colleagues and our community, and for a business like ours its incumbent upon us to help be a leader in that ... Its about having fun, enjoying your community and helping everyone get better ... Im really proud of Kimberly, what Wisconsin Balloon Decor has done, and we look forward to working with them and being a part of it going forward.

Stephanie Klett, president and CEO of Visit Lake Geneva, was impressed by The Balloon Adventure.

This is so cool, Klett said as she toured The Balloon Adventure, snapping multiple pictures with her smart phone. Wow, this is amazing. Holy cow. Oh my gosh, I love it. Wow! Its exactly what I thought it would be  fantastic, colorful, joyful, fun. This is going to be a tremendous visitor attraction, especially for people with kids. Its really neat what theyre offering ... Theres nothing like it in the state. What Sara Meyer and Kimberly Voller have done is something thats never been done in the country before and it was done first here in Williams Bay. How cool is that?

Among those making the magic happen at the 2024 Balloon Adventure is veteran 48-year global balloon artisan and balloon rigger Gary Ledbetter, of Montgomery, Ala., who was in Williams Bay to assist with Balloon Adventure before jetting off to Budapest, Hungary, one of more than 20 countries where hes plied his artistic trade, including balloon work on three Guiness Book of World Records builds, including the worlds largest balloon city and the worlds largest balloon zoo.

For me, this is one of the funnest builds Ive done, Ledbetter said of The Balloon Adventure. I enjoy working with the people. Theyre all professionals. They all do a good job. They all pitch in to help. I love that. I love the creativity  its very eye-opening to see what you can do with balloons. Theyve put a lot of work into this ... Saras done a phenomenal job putting this together  having the right people, the right place, and then trusting the people you have to do what they do. And thats not an easy task.

For Ledbetter, the ultimate reward of being a balloon artisan is seeing the reaction of the guests.

Im fortunate to be able to do what I do, he said. Im sure youve heard the saying find a job you love and youll never work a day in your life. This is that job. And I dont think many people can say they really love their job ... Seeing the people, the kids, as they go through, the expressions on their faces, you dont get that at any other job. Coupled with the fact that were raising money for a charity, its a win-win-win situation for everybody.

Ticketing

The 2024 Balloon Adventure at The Boat Showroom events center at Pier 290/Gage Marine in Williams Bay runs through this Sunday, April 24.

General admission tickets, $20 per person, are available for purchase in one-hour time slots, with new tickets becoming available every half-hour.

The 2024 Balloon Adventure also offers a variety of special offers.

Beyond the general admission, dont miss out on the exclusive experiences that are available throughout the 10-day event, Voller said. Enjoy the magic of Oz after dark at a Wicked Night Out, gather your girlfriends for a fun Ladies Night in Oz, or create memories with your little ones with an After School Munchkin Special. Once visitors to Oz are inside Pier 290s private event space, The Boat Showroom, they can enjoy the bar with fun beverages for both adults and children. Pier 290 is also offering onsite dining with themed menu specials before or after the adventure. Plus, kids eat free every day during the 2024 Balloon Adventure. Out-of-town guests can extend their stay at one of the many local hotels to fully explore all the area of Lake Geneva has to offer, including scenic views, charming shops and restaurants.

Pier 290 is open seven days a week during The Balloon Adventure for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

Exclusive upcoming special experiences are as follows:

Adult Night  Wicked Night Out: $30/person. Experience an adults-only Balloon Adventure after dark on Friday, April 19 with signature drinks and dinner at PIER 290 before or after (sold separately).

Ladies Night in Oz: $30/person. Join the fun on Wednesday, April 17 for magical photo opportunities and 50% off drinks at the bar in the Balloon Adventure and Pier 290.

After School Munchkin Special: $20/adult, $14/child. Held on Thursday, April 18, this after-school special features a guest appearance and is perfect for families.

For group tours and school excursions, contact Susan at 262-248-6206 Ext. 312 or susan@glcl.net, or Kimberly at kvoller@santacauses.org.

Follow the Balloon Adventure on social media for updates and ticket information at https://www.facebook.com/theballoonadventure and https://www.instagram.com/balloonadventurewi.

More information is also available online at https://santacauses.org/balloonadventure.

Looking ahead

Event organizers, Meyer said, are already looking ahead to next years Balloon Adventure at The Boat Showroom at Pier 290/Gage Marine.

Mark your calendars for the nautical balloon adventure, Voyage Into the Deep Sea, scheduled for March 6-16, 2025.

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You are here: China

China's national security organs have commended and awarded 86 individuals for their contributions to safeguarding national security, an official statement said on Monday.

The awardees had reported clues and circumstances suspected of endangering national security to related authorities through online channels or offered tip-offs in person and had assisted in following up, said the statement.

They have played an indispensable role in spotting, preventing, combating, and punishing activities endangering national security and safeguarding China's national sovereignty, security, and development interests, it said.

China observes National Security Education Day on April 15.
The number of Indian migrants entering the U.S. without legal permission has grown in recent years.

In the past, Indian migrants interested in the U.S. crossed using the border with Mexico. But as the U.S. government has paid more attention to the southern border, migrants are trying to enter from the north.

New information shows more Indians than ever trying to cross using the border with Canada.

Just five years ago, in 2019, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) said it encountered 16,000 Indian migrants at all borders. An encounter is defined as an apprehension or expulsion.

But in 2023, CBP found 97,000 Indian migrants and 30,000 were at the northern border. The numbers do not include the period between last October and February when 14,000 Indians were encountered along Canadas border with the U.S.

The increase is being described as a migration rush. The CBP said there were 190,000 encounters of all nationalities at the Canadian border last year. That number is six times bigger than in 2021.

A spokesperson for the Indian Embassy told VOA that Indian officials are working with the U.S. government to facilitate legal mobility and to (slow down) illegal immigration and human trafficking.

Chirag Patel is an immigration lawyer in Maryland who deals with Indian asylum cases. Patel and other experts say the flow of asylum seekers will continue up to the U.S. presidential election in November. Patel noted, People are trying to get a lot of things in before November, but also obviously before January.

The increase in the number of Indian migrants is only one example of how unauthorized migration into the United States is changing.

Theyre coming from all over the globe, said Muzaffar Chisti, a researcher at the Migration Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.

Pew Research Center estimates from 2021 identify Indians as the third-largest group of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. That is the most of any country outside of the Western Hemisphere.

Devesh Kapur is a professor of Asian Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He said most of the migrants come to the U.S. for better jobs.

Very few of these are professionals, he said, noting that they are mostly uneducated young people. Although they are not well educated, Kapur added, some come from families with money. After all, he noted, very poor people cannot pay to get on an airplane headed to Canada.

But if they want to get into the U.S., they often have no choice but to enter illegally. Student visas are hard to get, and immigrant visas can often take 20 years to process.

Some people attempt to enter the U.S. through Central America, what is called the donkey route. But others find it safer to try to enter through Canada.

The Canadian government is aiming to restrict the number of student visas it offers to Indians. But Canada is still seen as an easy place to enter North America.

Shinder Purewal teaches at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia. He said: Its easier to get a visa to Canada than to Pakistan. Purewal said: More and more people are entering Canada, so they can just go straight to the U.S.

Canadas immigration agency said, in a statement, that it is observing the effects of its visa policy on countries that require visas and those that do not.

The migrants also look to established Indian communities in the U.S. for help. U.S. investigators recently uncovered a smuggling network that brought migrants from Gujarat state in India to work for Gujarati businesses in Chicago.

Pawan Dhingra teaches at Amherst College in Massachusetts. Dhingra said, People who comehave a connection to the country. If it was just escaping India, they could go anywhere in the world.

There is still a safety risk for any border crossing, however. In January 2022, an Indian family of four froze to death near the border in the Canadian province of Manitoba. About one year ago, the bodies of eight migrants, including four Indians, were recovered from the St. Lawrence River.

Maureen Silcoff is an immigration lawyer who works with refugees in Canada. She said the risks migrants take show how difficult their lives are in India. People do not come for a thrilling adventure, she said, adding: They try to alleviatehardships by relocating to another country.

Im Dan Friedell.

Masood Farivar wrote this story for VOA. Aline Barros contributed. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English.

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

encounter v. (legal) to officially detain and/or expel a non-U.S. person who is not legally in the U.S.

apprehension n. (legal) the act of officially stopping a person suspected of a crime

facilitate v. to make something easier

human trafficking n. the criminal activity of moving people across borders of jurisdictions for money or illegal purposes

unauthorized adj. something that is not lawful or accepted officially

thrilling adj. very exciting and interesting

alleviate v. to make easier or less heavy

relocate v. to go from one place to another usually for a long period of time

We want to hear from you. Do you know about any people choosing to enter the U.S. via Canada? Have you heard about their experiences?
A new study has found that 41 percent of cancer drugs receiving accelerated government approval do not improve survival or quality of life.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDAs) accelerated approval program aims to get new drugs to patients as quickly as possible. But the effectiveness of the drugs differs.

The program was created in 1992 to speed up the approval of HIV drugs. Today, about 85 percent of accelerated approvals go to cancer drugs.

The program helps the FDA collect data on early results of approved drugs. In exchange, drug companies are expected to use the data to do additional testing. They are to produce better evidence before drugs receive normal approval.

The new study suggests most cancer drugs given accelerated approval do not improve or extend patients lives within five years.

Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel is a cancer specialist and bioethicist at the University of Pennsylvania. He was not involved in the research.

Emanuel told The Associated Press (AP) he thinks five years should be enough time to examine the effectiveness of new drugs. Thousands of people are getting those drugs. That seems a mistake if we dont know whether they work or not," he added.

It is up to the FDA or the drug company to withdraw drugs that do not perform well. Sometimes the FDA decides that less clear evidence is good enough to give full approval.

The new study found that between 2013 and 2017, 46 cancer drugs were given accelerated approval. Of those, 63 percent were moved to normal approval. Forty-three percent demonstrated a good medical result in tests.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It was also discussed at the recent meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in San Diego, California.

Dr. Edward Cliff of Harvard Medical School was a co-writer of the study. He told the AP it is unclear how much cancer patients understand about drugs with accelerated approval. We raise the question: Is that uncertainty being conveyed to patients? he said.

Drugs that received accelerated approval may be the only chance for patients with rare or advanced cancers, said Dr. Jennifer Litton. She is with the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Litton, who was not involved with the study, said it is important for doctors to carefully explain the evidence.

It might be shrinking of tumor. It might be how long the tumor stays stable, Litton said. You can provide the data you have, but you shouldnt overpromise.

Congress recently changed the program to give the FDA more power and to simplify the process of withdrawing drugs when companies do not meet their commitments.

The changes permit the FDA to withdraw approval for a drug approved under accelerated approval, when appropriate, more quickly, said FDA spokesperson Cherie Duvall-Jones. The agency can now require that confirmatory tests be started when the agency gives the first approval. This can speed up the process of confirming how effective a drug is, Duvall-Jones said.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English.

Quiz - Study Finds Many New Cancer Drugs Show Limited Success Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

__________________________________________

Words in This Story

accelerate  v. speed up the process of something

bioethicist  n. someone who studies questions of right or wrong relating to new discoveries and methods in biology and medicine

convey  v. to express a thought, feeling or idea so that it is understood by other people

advanced adj. having developed for a long time or to a high degree

tumor  n. a mass of diseased cells that might become a lump or cause sickness

stable  adj. firmly fixed or not likely to move or change

commitment  n. a promise of firm decision to do something

appropriate  adj. suitable or right for a particular situation
The first criminal trial of a former American president opened Monday in New York City. Donald J. Trump faces 34 charges of falsifying business records. Trump also is considered the likely Republican Party nominee for president in Novembers general elections in the United States.

Jury selection is the first step in the trial process. Over the coming days, the defense and the prosecution will consider possible jury candidates. The final group will number 12 jurors and six possible substitutes, or alternates.

Trump is accused of hiding a $130,000 payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels just ahead of the 2016 election. Prosecutors say the money was provided in exchange for her silence about a reported sexual interaction between them years earlier.

The indictment also alleges that model and actor Karen McDougal had a months-long relationship with Trump while he was married. She says a newspaper publisher paid $150,000 for the rights to her story but did not publish it, reportedly at Trumps request.

The charges also involve a payment to a Trump Tower employee. The doorman reported to know of a child Trump had fathered outside his marriage.

Trump has denied all of the charges and any involvement in sexual relationships outside his marriage. That includes the charge that he directed his one-time political adviser, Michael Cohen, to make the payment to Daniels. Cohen says he made the payment and Trump paid him back during the first year of his presidency in 2017. The monthly payments to Cohen were recorded in Trumps business records as legal expenses.

Falsifying a companys records is a misdemeanor crime. But doing so in connection with other wrongdoing is a more serious felony crime. Trump is accused of falsifying records to keep information from the public that could have affected the 2016 election results.

Each of the charges carries the possibility of a four-year prison term.

The New York case is one of four criminal indictments Trump is facing, 88 charges in all. Trump has denied all of them.

Two of the other indictments accuse Trump of trying to illegally overturn his 2020 election loss. The third says he illegally took hundreds of highly secret national security documents to his Florida home when his presidential term ended, and then refused to return them.

No trial dates have been set in the other cases. Pre-trial hearings and legal arguments have delayed the process. Trump has looked to push the start dates until after the election in November. If he wins office, he could seek to have the federal charges dismissed.

Im Anna Mateo.

Ken Bredemeier wrote this story for Voice of America. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English.

______________________________________________

Words in This Story

selection  n. the act of choosing something or someone from a group

indictment  n. an official written statement charging a person with a crime

misdemeanor  n. a crime that is not very serious : a crime that is less serious than a felony

felony  n. a serious crime
Conservative MP Harvey Proctor has appeared in court charged with indecency.

Mr Proctor, who represents Billericay in Essex, said nothing to waiting journalists at Bow Street Magistrates Court in central London.

In court, the MP was accused of committing three acts of gross indecency with one male and one act of gross indecency with another  both teenagers.

All the offences are alleged to have taken place between June and August last year.

Bachelor Mr Proctor, 40, was remanded on bail until next month after his lawyer, Sir David Napley, asked the court for more time to prepare his case.

There are various other inquires to be made and various evidence I am anxious to obtain, Sir David said.

The Billericay MP has denied all the allegations against him.

Lurid allegations surrounding Mr Proctors sex life surfaced last September when allegations appeared in a Sunday newspaper claiming he had organised gay spanking sessions with boys in his London flat.

Since he was charged eight days ago members of Mr Proctors constituency party have been demanding a meeting to discuss his future as their MP.

He has already survived two attempts to oust him over the allegations.

Mr Proctor also sits on the executive of the right-wing Monday Club and has expressed controversial views on immigration.

Courtesy BBC New

In context

Harvey Proctor resigned as MP for Billericay shortly before his trial in May 1987.

He pleaded guilty and was fined a total of 1,450.

The following year, with financial backing from former colleagues, including Michael Heseltine and Jeffrey Archer, he opened two shops selling luxury shirts.

In 1992 Mr Proctor and Neil Hamilton, then a government minister, were assaulted by two men on a gay bashing expedition.

Mr Hamiltons nose was broken in the attack in Mr Proctors shop in Richmond-on-Thames.

In 2000 Harvey Proctors stores were forced into liquidation after legal action by Customs and Excise over an unpaid VAT bill.
London-based model Alexsandrah has a twin, but not in the way youd expect: Her counterpart is made of pixels instead of flesh and blood.

The virtual twin was generated by artificial intelligence and has already appeared as a stand-in for the real-life Alexsandrah in a photo shoot. Alexsandrah, who goes by her first name professionally, in turn receives credit and compensation whenever the AI version of herself gets used  just like a human model.

Alexsandrah says she and her alter-ego mirror each other even down to the baby hairs. And it is yet another example of how AI is transforming creative industries  and the way humans may or may not be compensated.

Proponents say the growing use of AI in fashion modeling showcases diversity in all shapes and sizes, allowing consumers to make more tailored purchase decisions that in turn reduces fashion waste from product returns. And digital modeling saves money for companies and creates opportunities for people who want to work with the technology.

But critics raise concerns that digital models may push human models  and other professionals like makeup artists and photographers  out of a job. Unsuspecting consumers could also be fooled into thinking AI models are real, and companies could claim credit for fulfilling diversity commitments without employing actual humans.

Fashion is exclusive, with limited opportunities for people of color to break in, said Sara Ziff, a former fashion model and founder of the Model Alliance, a nonprofit aiming to advance workers rights in the fashion industry. I think the use of AI to distort racial representation and marginalize actual models of color reveals this troubling gap between the industrys declared intentions and their real actions.

In March 2023, iconic denim brand Levi Strauss & Co. announced that it would be testing AI-generated models produced by Amsterdam-based company Lalaland.ai to add a wider range of body types and underrepresented demographics on its website. But after receiving widespread backlash, Levi clarified that it was not pulling back on its plans for live photo shoots, the use of live models or its commitment to working with diverse models.

We do not see this (AI) pilot as a means to advance diversity or as a substitute for the real action that must be taken to deliver on our diversity, equity and inclusion goals and it should not have been portrayed as such, Levi said in its statement at the time.

The company last month said that it has no plans to scale the AI program.

The Associated Press reached out to several other retailers to ask whether they use AI fashion models. Target, Kohls and fast-fashion giant Shein declined to comment; Temu did not respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, spokespeople for Nieman Marcus, H&M, Walmart and Macys said their respective companies do not use AI models, although Walmart clarified that suppliers may have a different approach to photography they provide for their products but we dont have that information.

Nonetheless, companies that generate AI models are finding a demand for the technology, including Lalaland.ai, which was co-founded by Michael Musandu after he was feeling frustrated by the absence of clothing models who looked like him. CLAIRE SAVAGE, CHICAGO, MDT/AP
Big Bang member Daesung will be embarking on a solo tour in Asia and Macau is among the stops. Kang Dae-sung, or Daesung, as well as D-Lite (his Japanese stage name), is a member of the group Big Bang. They debuted in 2006 and have since become one of the most influential K-pop groups, helping spread the Korean Wave internationally. His concert in Macau is scheduled for June 29 with the venue yet to be confirmed. Daesung will also visit Taipei and Bangkok as part of his tour.

Related
Another two citizens have submitted letters to the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC), alleging that the housing prices per square foot in 2019 were unreasonably high with an increase of over 70% compared to the previous period.

They assert the legislation violated housing laws and are urging the CCAC to investigate.

One person, surnamed Zhang, and another citizen both applied for mortgage housing in 2019, and they have individually lodged complaints with the corruption watchdog.

Zhang argues that the governments announcement of the 2019 mortgage housing prices came too late, resulting in the calculation of an income limit for applicants at MOP19,270, which she considers unreasonable. She is requesting a CCAC investigation to safeguard the rights and interests of applicants.

In a separate incident, some residents who applied for the 2019 affordable housing competition sent a similar letter to CCAC recently.

They believe the MOP3,300 per square meter price is unreasonable and does not account for purchasers ability to pay. In that letter, signatories expressed hope CCAC would investigate potential mismanagement by the government administration.

The price hikes for affordable housing have already prompted Macau lawmaker Ron Lam to deliver a petition on the issue to Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng. Lam represented a group of affordable housing buyers unhappy with increased costs.

The latest complaint questions whether the more than 70% price rise from the prior period violates housing laws. Zhang is requesting CCAC scrutinize the matter to safeguard applicants rights and interests.

The corruption watchdog has not yet responded to the allegations or commented on potential next steps. However, as citizens voice their concerns over alleged violations of housing laws and potential mismanagement, the calls for investigations are intensifying.

The government and relevant authorities will face increasing pressure to address these grievances and take appropriate action to restore public confidence in the housing sector. Staff Reporter
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for fair competition in trade relations with China while warning about dumping and overproduction as he spoke to students in Shanghai yesterday.

Scholz is visiting China against the background of looming EU tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and other trade-related tensions. The two countries are also split over how to handle Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The one thing that must always be clear is that competition must be fair, Scholz told students at Tongji University in Shanghai, according to German news agency dpa.

Of course we would like our companies to have no restrictions, but conversely we behave exactly how we are demanding here, he said, adding there must be no dumping or overproduction.

The European Union is mulling tariffs to protect its producers against cheaper Chinese electrical vehicle imports, which some fear will flood the European market.

The head of Germanys auto industry association, the VDA, expressed opposition to such tariffs ahead of Scholzs visit. Hildegard Muller told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper in comments published Saturday the tariffs would not help the European and German auto industries and instead could quickly have a negative effect in a trade conflict.

Current business with China secures a large number of jobs here in Germany, Muller said.

Scholz made comparisons to reservations years ago when Japanese and Korean automakers entered the German market.

There was great agitation in the newspapers: Now the Japanese cars will come and clean up  nonsense, he told the Tongji University students. He said there are German cars in China that were made with Chinese manufacturers, and at some point there would also be Chinese cars in Germany and Europe.

Scholz began his three-day China trip on Sunday in the industrial hub of Chongqing, where he and his delegation of ministers and business executives visited a partially German-funded company and other sites in the vast city, which is a production base for Chinas auto and other industries.

He is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang today in Beijing before returning to Berlin later in the day.

Scholz is expected to question Xi about Chinas support for Russias economy two years into Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Prior to his arrival, the German leader posted on social platform X that he had discussed the massive Russian air attacks on civilian energy infrastructure with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, and declared that Berlin would stand unbreakably by Ukraines side.

China has refused to criticize Russias aggression. Beijing maintains trade relations with Moscow, and the two nations carry out joint military drills. A U.S. intelligence report last week found China has increased equipment sales to Russia to help in its war effort against Ukraine.

Berlin is also worried about a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

Scholz told students in Shanghai that borders must not be moved by force.

We should not be afraid of our neighbors, he said, emphasizing the importance of international institutions such as the World Trade Organization.

Despite the political and trade frictions, China was Germanys top trading partner for the eighth straight year in 2023, with 254.1 billion euros ($271 billion) in goods and services exchanged between the sides, slightly more than what Germany traded with the U.S. but a 15.5% contraction from the year before.

This is Scholzs second trip to China since he became chancellor in late 2021. His previous visit was in November 2022 and essentially was a one-day trip because of the strict COVID restrictions still in place at the time.

It is his first visit since the German government last year presented its China strategy, which met with criticism from Beijing. Premier Li and a delegation of senior officials visited Berlin in June. MDT/AP
Former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou urged Taiwans leader-elect to pragmatically respond to the diplomatic gesture made by President Xi Jinping and to recognize the one-China principle, South China Morning Post reported yesterday.

During a meeting in Beijing, last week, Ma highlighted the need for the forthcoming Taiwanese leader, William Lai Ching-te, to appreciate Xis approach and avoid advocating for independence. Lai, a member of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, secured the top job in January and is set to assume office soon.

The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese. There is no dispute that cannot be resolved, there is no problem that cannot be discussed, and no force can separate us, Xi told Ma at the meeting held last Wednesday.

In a social media statement yesterday, Ma advocated for adherence to the Republic of Chinas Constitution, which endorses the one-China policy, emphasizing that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are not distinct nations. This constitution was instituted in 1947 by the Kuomintang following their relocation to Taiwan after their defeat in the Chinese civil war by the Communist forces.

Tsai Ing-wen, the current leader from the DPP, has consistently rejected the one-China policies throughout her tenure, which began in 2016. She maintains that Taiwan is sovereign. Her term will conclude on May 20, and her successor, Lai, has already faced criticism from Beijing, labeling him as a provocateur and staunch separatist.

Beijing views Taiwan as a part of its territory, potentially reclaiming it even through force. While most international actors, including the United States, do not formally recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, they oppose any forceful annexation.

Mas post yesterday further implored Lai to commit to not pursuing Taiwanese independence and to re-engage with Beijing under the 1992 consensus, which ambiguously acknowledges one China but allows for differing interpretations by each side. This framework aims to facilitate dignified and equitable exchanges between the two entities.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday that he will step down on May 15 after two decades at the helm, and hand power to his deputy Lawrence Wong.

Lee, 72, will formally advise the city-states president to appoint Wong, who is currently deputy prime minister and finance minister, to succeed him, his office said in a brief statement. Wong, who has the unanimous support of lawmakers in the long-ruling Peoples Action Party, will be sworn in at the national palace later the same day, it said.

Lee has served as prime minister and head of the PAP since August 2004.

Lee announced last November that he would retire this year and has already named Wong as his designated successor. Lee originally planned to step down before turning 70, but those plans were shelved because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For any country, a leadership transition is a significant moment. Lawrence and the 4G (fourth-generation) team have worked hard to gain the peoples trust, notably during the pandemic, Lee said in a Facebook post yesterday. I ask all Singaporeans to give Lawrence and his team your full support, and work with them to create a brighter future for Singapore.

Lee has said there is no reason to delay the political transition and that passing the baton to Wong before national elections due next year will allow the 51-year-old politician to win his own mandate and take the country forward.

Wong came to prominence while helping to coordinate Singapores fight against COVID-19. He will be the city-states fourth leader since its independence in 1965.

PAP, one of the worlds longest-serving parties, retained its super majority with 83 out of 93 parliamentary seats in 2020 general elections. But that was its worst performance after losing some seats and support slipped.

Lee is the eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew, who became Singapores first prime minister and built the resource-poor city-state into one of the worlds richest nations during 31 years in office. But Singapore has also been criticized for its tight government control, media censorship and use of oppressive laws and civil lawsuits against dissidents. MDT/AP
Australian police are examining why a lone assailant who stabbed six people to death in a busy Sydney shopping mall and injured more than a dozen others targeted women while avoiding men, a police commissioner said yesterday. The killers father blamed his sons frustration at not having a girlfriend.

Police shot and killed the homeless assailant, Joel Cauchi, during his knife attack in the Westfield Bondi Junction mall on Saturday near world-famous Bondi Beach.

Police have ruled out terrorism and said the 40-year-old had a history of mental illness.

New South Wales state Police Commissioner Karen Webb said detectives would question Cauchis family in a bid to determine his motive. CCTV footage from the mall showed Cauchi targeted women with the 30 centimeter knife.

The videos speak for themselves, dont they? And thats certainly a line of inquiry for us, Webb said.

Its obvious to me, its obvious to detectives that that seems to be an area of interest: that the offender had focused on women and avoided the men, Webb added.

The attackers father, Andrew Cauchi, said he knew why his son, who suffered from schizophrenia, had targeted women.

Because he wanted a girlfriend and hes got no social skills and he was frustrated out of his brain, the visibly distraught 76-year-old told reporters outside his home in Toowoomba in Queensland state, an 870-kilometer drive across the New South Wales border from Sydney.

Hes my son, and Im loving a monster. To you, hes a monster. To me, he was a very sick boy. Believe me, he was a very sick boy, the father added.

The only male killed was Faraz Tahir, a Pakistani refugee who worked at the mall as a security guard. Tahir had not been armed.

Webb said most of the 12 victims who survived their wounds were also women.

The evidence will be provided to a coroner to report on the circumstances of the deaths.

Webb expected the coroner would also address the question of whether security guards at the mall, which is one of Australias largest, should be armed.

The families of two victims based overseas had been advised of their deaths, police said. Those victims are Tahir, 30, from Pakistan, and Yixuan Cheng, 27, from China. Also killed were Jade Young, 47; Dawn Singleton, 25; Pikria Darchia, 55; and Ashlee Good, 38.

Eight victims who survived their injuries remained in hospitals yesterday, including Goods 9-month-old daughter. The babys condition improved overnight Sunday from critical to serious, health authorities said.

The conditions of the other seven ranged from critical to stable.

Andrew Cauchi said his son had a fascination with knives. The father took five U.S. military combat knives from his son while they were both living in the Toowoomba family home last year for fear they would be used for violence.

The father said his son had become angry and called police, accusing the father of theft. The knives were given to a friend for safekeeping.

I told the police my son had schizophrenia and Im worried for myself, Andrew Cauchi said.

I said to my mate, Why do I feel Im going to be killed in my own house by my own son with a U.S. combat knife? he added.

The killers mother, Michele Cauchi, said his rampage was the absolute worst nightmare of any parent of a mentally ill child.

Flags on government buildings around Australia flew at half-staff yesterday as a day of national mourning was declared to honor the victims. A black ribbon appeared on the sails of the Sydney Opera House yesterday night as part of a light display.

Police had given control of the seven-story crime scene back to the mall operators on Sunday night, but a decision has yet to be announced on when it will reopen for business.

The police officer who has been credited with saving many lives by shooting Cauchi dead, Insp. Amy Scott, will be interviewed by detectives today. ROD McGUIRK, MELBOURNE, MDT/AP
 Flash

U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated his country's commitment to Israel's security on Monday, underscoring as well the need to contain the conflict from further spreading.

"The United States is committed to Israel's security. We're committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading beyond what it already has," Biden said as he sat side-by-side with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in the Oval Office of the White House.

These were Biden's first public remarks since Iran launched a large-scale retaliatory attack against Israel on Saturday, in which most of the missiles and drones used were intercepted -- mainly by Israeli and U.S. forces.

The Biden administration has been trying to prevent a wider regional war that the Iranian attack and a potential Israeli military response would otherwise lead to.

"We're also committed to the security of our personnel and partners in the region, including Iraq," Biden said.

"The partnership between Iraq and the United States is critical," he added.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting yesterday [Macau time] to discuss Irans attack on Israel. The meeting ended without any action by the council.

Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. Now is the time for maximum restraint.

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan told the council: Last night, the world witnessed an unprecedented escalation that serves as the clearest proof for what happens when warnings arent heeded. Israel is not the boy who cried wolf.

Iranian Ambassador Saeid Iravani said: Irans operation was entirely in the exercise of Irans inherent right to self-defense. This concluded action was necessary and proportionate.

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood said after the meeting ended, There has to be a Security Council response to what happened last night.

The Israeli military says children can return to school after lifting a series of restrictions on public activities that were imposed ahead of Sundays Iranian missile strike.

The militarys Home Front command late Saturday canceled school and limited the size of public gatherings as a safety precaution ahead of the missile attack.
The country in which China has gained most influence in the South Pacific, Solomon Islands, goes to the polls tomorrow in an election that could shape the regions future.

Current Prime Minister Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who switched the Solomons allegiance from Taiwan to Beijing and ignited fears of China gaining a naval foothold in the South Pacific, is seeking an unprecedented second consecutive term at the governments helm.

Even if Sogavare fails, observers suspect China will be backing more than one pro-Beijing candidate in the murky contest for the Solomons top job in an effort to cement Beijings growing influence.

There are also fears the electoral process could again ignite violence in a restive nation riven with inter-island and ethnic tensions, a perceived lack of sharing of resources, widespread poverty and high youth unemployment.

HOW DO ELECTIONS IN SOLOMONS WORK?

Voters from among 700,000 people spread over the more than 900 islands that comprise the Solomon Islands will elect 50 lawmakers from 334 candidates. Only 21 candidates are women and none of them is currently in office. The only two women in the current parliament wont contest the election.

The 50 newly elected lawmakers then decide which of them will become prime minister. No political party ever wins the 26-seat majority needed to form a government in a system derived from the former British colonial masters Westminster system.

The eve of the election is known as Devils Night when candidates and their campaign teams are notorious for resorting to underhand means to skew results in their favor such as by buying votes. That can take the form of paying voters transport costs to get home to electoral districts where theyre registered to vote, offers of cash for the promise of a vote or paying influential local leaders to voice support.

Ballots are supposed to be cast in secret but there is apparently enough doubt about the integrity of the system to sustain the practice of vote buying and discourage voters from reneging on their promises to vote for the candidates who paid them.

After the election, lawmakers form camps around hotels in the capital Honiara where horse trading takes place to persuade a majority to back various candidates for prime minister. Ministerial posts are offered as inducements. Foreign business figures from the mining, logging, retail and tourism industries also take part in negotiations, fueling concerns lawmakers might put personal gain ahead of constituents interests.

Sogavare was sworn in three weeks after the 2019 election date.

WHO IS THE INCUMBENT PRIME MINISTER?

Sogavare has been made prime minister four times and hopes to become the first prime minister to gain a second consecutive term in the Solomons 12th parliament since independence in 1978.

The 69-year-old karate blackbelt has been variously described as intelligent, self-serving, a nationalist and mercurial.

The former bureaucrat first came to power in 2000 when he replaced Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufaalu who had been kidnapped by a rebel militia and resigned from office in exchange for his freedom. Sogavare remained in power for 17 months before he was replaced in the 2001 election.

Riots following the 2006 election, which were fueled by allegations of Chinese interference and resentment against Chinese business people, led to Prime Minister Snyder Rinis resignation after a week in office and Sogavares second 18-month stint as government leader.

Sogavares third stint started at the 2014 election but he was ousted by lawmakers three years later with a no-confidence vote.

BACKGROUND TO THE 2024 ELECTION

Sogavares rule since the 2019 election has been his longest stretch in power and his five-year administration has been transformative.

He swung the Solomons from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019, five months after taking power and shocked the United States and its allies by signing a security pact with Beijing in 2022.

While the agreed upon document has not been made public, a leaked draft would involve China in maintaining civic order through the deployment of armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces.

Sogavare delayed the election, which was due last year, through an act of parliament because he argued the country couldnt afford to hold the poll and host the regional Pacific Games in the same year.

His critics called he called he move a power grab. Sogavare accused Australia of an assault on our parliamentary democracy for offering to carry the cost of the election so that it could go ahead as scheduled in 2023.

He may also have China to thank for his continued leadership, with Australian Broadcasting Corp. reporting that Chinese interests provided more than $3 million to bribe lawmakers to support Sogavare against a no-confidence motion in parliament in 2021. Sogavares government denied the report.

Sogavares latest term has also been marred by COVID-19 and rioting that led to the return of Australian peacekeepers in 2001.

Sogavares election sparked riots in Honiara in early 2019 over legal questions hanging over his eligibility to become prime minister. More severe riots resulted in arson and looting in Honiara in November 2021 after his leadership survived the no-confidence motion.

In later 2021, Sogavare invited Australian police to help restore order under a 2017 bilateral security treaty that provides a legal basis for the deployment of Australia police, troops and associated civilians in the event of a major security challenge. ROD McGUIRK, MELBOURNE, MDT/AP
Irans unprecedented attack on Israel early Sunday marked a change in approach for Tehran, which had relied on proxies across the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October. All eyes are now on whether Israel chooses to take further military action, while Washington seeks diplomatic measures instead to ease regional tensions.

Iran says the attack was in response to an airstrike widely blamed on Israel that destroyed what Iran says were consular offices in Syria and killed two generals with its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard earlier this month.

Israel said almost all the over 300 drones and missiles launched overnight by Iran were shot down by its anti-missile defense system, backed by the U.S. and Britain. The sole reported casualty was a wounded girl in southern Israel, and a missile struck an Israeli airbase, causing light damage.

Still, the chief of Irans Revolutionary Guard called the operation successful.

Iran has managed to strike a balance between retaliating publicly for the strike in Damascus and avoiding provoking further Israeli military action at least initially, which could lead to a much wider conflict, said Mona Yacoubian, vice president of the Middle East and North Africa center at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Both (Iran and Israel) are able at this point to claim victory and step down off the precipice, particularly since there were no Israeli civilians killed, Yacoubian said.

The world was still waiting, however, for the result of an Israeli War Cabinet meeting on Sunday. Israeli hard-liners have pushed for a response, but others have suggested restraint, saying Israel should focus on strengthening budding ties with Arab partners.

We will build a regional coalition and collect the price from Iran, in the way and at the time that suits us, said Benny Gantz, a member of the War Cabinet.

Analysts say Iran sent a message that it would be willing to escalate and change its rules of engagement in its shadow war with Israel.

Its a warning shot, saying that if Israel breaks the rules, there are consequences, said Magnus Ranstorp, strategic adviser at the Swedish Defense University.

Irans attack has further stoked fears of the war in Gaza causing regional havoc.

But Iran maintains that it does not seek all-out war across the region. Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that Iran has no intention of continuing defensive operations at this point unless it is attacked.

Iran stressed that it targeted Israeli facilities involved in the Damascus attack, not civilians or economic areas.

After Israel began its offensive in Gaza against Hamas, Iran-backed groups were involved militarily while Tehran sat on the sidelines. Lebanons Hezbollah group fired rockets into northern Israel. Yemens Houthi rebels attacked Western ships on the Red Sea. An umbrella group of Iran-backed Iraqi militias attacked U.S. military positions in Iraq and Syria.

Now, Tehran is willing to up the ante without relying on proxies, said the director of the Carnegie Middle East Center, Maha Yahya.

Still, Iran only went so far.

They gave enough warning that this was coming, and I think they knew that they (the drones and missiles) would be brought down before they reached Israeli territory, Yahya said.

She also noted that the recent mounting pressure on Israel over its conduct in Gaza has now shifted to deescalating regional tensions instead.

Yacoubian says Washington has a critical role to play in avoiding further escalations.

Israel taking further military action does not seem popular among its allies including the United States, said Eldad Shavit, who heads the Israel-U.S. Research Program at Israeli think tank the Institute for National Security Studies.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told NBC that President Joe Biden does not want an escalation in the regional conflict or a wider war with Iran, and is working on the diplomatic side of this personally.

Urgent meetings of the G7  the informal gathering of industrialized countries that includes the United States, United Kingdom, and France  and the U.N. Security Council were being yesterday.

G7 meeting participants in a statement unanimously condemned Irans attack, saying we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives. KAREEM CHEHAYEB, BEIRUT, MDT/AP
* Upbeat forecast

 Macau GDP is expected to reach MOP92 billion in first quarter, reflecting a significant year-on-year increase of 19%, the economic association has forecast

* One Account | ID renewal: Simplification is not that simple

* Public Housing | Govt increases units for senior residents

* A non-resident male, 60, has been detained under suspicion of unlawfully entering a hotel room and stealing money from occupants while they sleep

* Talents: Macau receives over 1,100 applications in less than a year

* Ma Ying-jeou urges Taiwans next leader to consider Xis diplomatic gesture

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Tuesday, April 16, 2024  edition no. 4463
JOBS await Filipino workers in Romania following reaffirmation of bilateral ties between the two countries amid observance of the Philippines-Romania Friendship Week, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

In a statement, DMW officer in charge Hans Leo Cacdac said Romania looks forward to hiring more Filipino workers as demand for labor workers in the former satellite state of the Soviet Union is high.

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The strong partnership between the Philippines and Romania in upholding safe and fair labor migration practices and the stories of dedication, perseverance, and resilience of our OFWs in Romania was shown during the PhilippinesRomania Friendship Week, Cacdac said.

Meanwhile, Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines Raduta Dana Matache expressed gratitude to the DMW for the hospitality and emphasized that better job opportunities await Filipino workers in her country.

Filipinos in Romania have adapted very well, and they are happy. Their disposable income is higher than that of other European countries because the cost of living is much lower. We look forward to welcoming more Filipino workers to respond to the high demand for labor in Romania, Matache said.

There are 2,000 Filipino temporary migrants in Romania, most working in factories, automotive and production lines, or domestic housekeeping.

The DMW and its Romanian counterparts are now exploring labor cooperation to recruit OFWs including IT workers, truck drivers, factory workers, and caregivers.
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Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz takes part in a dialogue with students at Tongji University's Jiading Campus in east China's Shanghai, April 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz said that he saw China's recent development changes and Germany-China cooperation are of vital importance to the world's future, on Monday during his third visit to Shanghai Municipality.

During his short stay in Shanghai, Scholz spoke with students at Tongji University, visited German-funded enterprise Covestro's Asia-Pacific innovation center, and took a walk along the Bund. His previous visits to Shanghai took place in 2011 and 2015.

At Tongji University's Jiading Campus, Scholz held a dialogue with nearly 160 students, covering such topics as Germany-China youth exchanges, sustainable development, smart cities and artificial intelligence. He said he appreciated the university's achievements in international talent training and sci-tech innovation, noting that the institution serves as a bridge for Germany-China cooperation in the field of higher education.

He said that the global population could exceed 10 billion in the next 30 years, and countries around the world need to make greater efforts to face the many associated challenges. He noted that Germany-China cooperation is not only relevant to the two countries -- it is related to the future of the world. He added that Germany and China need to expand cooperation in fields such as climate change, renewable energy development, trade and investment, and the research and development of innovative technology.

This June, the Berliner Philharmoniker will visit Shanghai. Scholz learned that all the over 6,000 tickets for the German orchestra's four concerts had been sold out in five minutes, when being released a week before his visit. He said this reflects the new changes in China's consumer market, and German companies should take these changes into consideration and pay attention to them.

Scholz arrived in Chongqing Municipality on Sunday to kick off his three-day official visit to China. He left Shanghai for Beijing on Monday evening.
THE Philippines and the United States will hold next week what they described as the most expansive Balikatan military exercises in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), among other areas, with more than a dozen countries serving as observers in the largest bilateral exercises.

The US Embassy in the Philippines said at least 16,000 troops from the Philippines and the US will show their joint forces before observers from Brunei Darussalam, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

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For the first time, troops from the French Navy will also join the drills, along with contingents from the Australian Defence Force.

The exercises, called Balikatan or shoulder to shoulder, will be held from April 22 to May 10.

During the war games, participating troops will execute a range of complex missions across domains, including maritime security, sensing and targeting, air and missile defense, dynamic missile strikes, cyber defense, and information operations, the embassy said.

The Philippine Navy, the US Navy, and the French Navy will also conduct a Multilateral Maritime Exercise in the Philippines exclusive economic zone, the West Philippine Sea that is claimed by China to be part of its territorial waters.

Each year, we work closely with AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) senior leaders to make Balikatan more challenging. This year, weve increased the scope, scale, and complexity across all domains, said Lt. Gen. William Jurney, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces in the Pacific.

Were building military readiness across the full range of combined and joint operations. Its our most expansive Balikatan yet, he added.

This years Balikatan, which is on its 39th iteration, was organized into three main exercises.

The field training exercise features four combined joint all-domain operations, which include the following: exercises in protecting key terrain in Luzon and Palawan in support of territorial defense; rapidly moving long range, precision strike capabilities and using them in targeting simulated threats; tracking simulated air threats and targeting them with multiple air and missile defense systems; and integrating multilateral air and land platforms to increase awareness of the maritime security situation.

The embassy statement said the exercise forces will be concluded by targeting simulated enemy forces and sinking an enemy ship.

The command-and-control exercise includes the following: a cyber defense exercise to strengthen bilateral defense capabilities that protect critical military and civilian information infrastructure; a staff planning exercise to increase bilateral planning proficiency by developing the plan for next years iteration of Balikatan; and the inaugural information warfare exercise where Philippine and U.S. forces engaged in a week-long war game on April 1 to synchronize capabilities and advance both nations information operations skills.

The AFP and the US civil-military operations task force have been conducting humanitarian civic assistance activities at five locations in the western and northern Philippines since late March, with projects expected to be completed by the end of the Balikatan 2024.

Balikatan is more than an exercise; its a tangible demonstration of our shared commitment to each other. It matters for regional peace, it matters for regional stability, Jurney said.

When we increase our mutual response and defense capabilities, we strengthen our ability to promote regional security and protect our shared interests, he stressed.
THE trilateral summit in Washington, DC among the United States, the Philippines and Japan raises the bulletin board as the three are determined to conduct more naval training and exercises in what is seen as a potential flashpoint in the South China Sea.

This, as the Philippines, which has had maritime run-ins with China in the formers 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, is dead set on asserting its sovereign rights in the South China, particularly the West Philippine Sea.

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The three allies, which recently conducted a joint patrol with Australia in the West Philippine Sea, are ready with the point and shoot method, controls to accurately and intentionally move their vessels in tight quarters.

The countries also plan to hold a maritime training activity around Japan in 2025.

Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, who has accused China of escalation of its harassment of the Philippines, a treaty ally of the United States, underlined Manilas determination to assert our sovereign rights, especially within our exclusive economic zone.

We share Manalos hope the White House meeting would allow Manila and Washington to better coordinate their responses on the diplomatic and defense as well as well as security fronts.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin himself said Washington stood with Manila against what he described as coercion as he underscored US commitment to its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines was ironclad.

Were working in lockstep  to strengthen interoperability between our forces, to expand our operational coordination and to stand up to coercion in the South China Sea, Austin said.

His statement followed the introduction of a bipartisan bill by two prominent US senators to provide Manila with $2.5 billion over five years, funding needed to modernize the US allys long-neglected armed forces.

At the Pentagon later last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the developing US-Philippines alliance was not a response to any particular threat, but rather an evolution of the relationship to continue to defend international rules and law in the region.

China, which has been harassing Filipino vessels on humanitarian missions within the countrys exclusive economic zone, has been waving its mythical nine-dash line that takes in about 90 percent of the South China Sea to assert its claim to sovereignty over nearly all of the strategic waterway.

It has also deployed hundreds of coast guard vessels in patrols against rival claimants.

The United States, an ally for nearly 80 years, has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines and has repeatedly made clear it would protect its ally if Manilas coast guard or armed forces came under attack anywhere in the South China Sea.

Encounters have become more frequent in the past year as Beijing presses its claims and Manila continues its fishing and resupply activities for Philippine military personnel at two contested shoals which China claims are illegal intrusions.
Lucian Simmons of Sothebys gave his swan song talk on the company in Martinsville before he takes on a role at the Metropolitan Museum of Art starting in May.

At the time of the talk, Simmons was the vice chairman and worldwide head of Sothebys Restitution Department and Senior Specialist, Global Fine Arts, Sothebys New York. But this appearance was his last in that role as he was set to begin a new position at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York shortly after.

Once there, he will lead the recently created internal provenance research team.

So, this is my swan song and Im really happy to be here, Simmons said.

Simmons career began largely in law, though he has been involved with art since the age of 17 when he helped manage a private art collection for an American billionaire, before he returned to a more traditional law career as a barrister, solicitor, divorce attorney and contested family litigation for 14 years prior to working at Sothebys.

Sothebys, founded in 1744, is one of the worlds largest brokers of fine and decorative art, jewelry and collectibles. Simmons has worked on restitution and provenance issues since 1997 and has been involved in the resolution of claims to art works worth in excess of $1 billion.

During his talk at Piedmont Arts, Simmons discussed what exactly Sothebys does, specifically in relation to his role in restitution at the company.

We sell tens of thousands of objects every year, he said. They come from a variety of sources including private individuals, estates, institutions and governments. Simmons said Sothebys job is to sell them for the highest price, but they look to avoid selling their customers problem.

This could come in the form of stolen items or something that will bring bad publicity. For example, artwork that was displaced in World War II by Nazis as in France alone 36,000 pieces were stolen between 1940 and 1944, he said.

My teams job is to screen everything that comes in for sale to try and make sure it wasnt looted during this period, Simmons added.

His talk also included some highlights of specific sales and customer interactions over the years.

One of his stories revolved around what he called a little painting by Isidor Kaufmann, one of the leading artists in Vienna, Austria at the end of the 19th century who specialized in scenes of showgirls and religious Jewish scenes.

It came to Sothebys via a woman in Switzerland and features a scene of the inside of a synagogue in what is now the southern Czech Republic. It had been missing since World War II and with little other information available, Simmons and his team set out to discover what they could on the paintings history since.

From labels on the back of the painting, they were able to tell that the painting had been exhibited in the International Art Exhibition in Vienna right at the beginning of the 19th century.

From a name on another label from the painting, Simmons was able to make different inquiries that led to him discovering that the painting was given as a gift to a border guard for securing the safety of Moriz von Kuffner and his family just before the Nazis arrived in Austria.

We were able to tell this story and the picture that we thought would sell for 40 or 60 thousand dollars, which is a lot of money, but it sold for 500 thousand dollars, Simmons said. Partly on the basis for this very amazing story of salvation.

Simmons told a few other stories of different projects, saying that a large portion of his job is bringing people together.

Another part of my job is actually working with the buyers to recover works of art for Jewish families and the heirs of Jewish families, he added. One of which involved a painting that was owned by Ilse Hesselberger, a Jewish socialite from Munich who bought the painting and others with her own money.

Her daughter left Berlin in 1936 and warned her mother that she should leave as well, but she didnt try to leave until later on. When that time came, she made a deal to finance a transit in exchange for a spot in it. She was the first person on that transit to be executed.

The amazing thing for me is that we were able to resurrect this masterpiece, but we were also able to tell the world who Ilse Hesselberger had been, Simmons said. The buyer would end up purchasing the piece for almost $9 million because of Hesselbergers story, with the proceeds going to benefit Holocaust survivors in New York City.

Thats why the storytelling is important and thats why, I at least, do what we do, he said.
The next time you have a suspicious-looking mole on your back, your dermatologist may be able to skip the scalpel and instead scan the spot with a noninvasive virtual biopsy to determine whether it contains any cancerous cells. Similarly, surgeons trying to determine whether they have removed all of a breast tumor may eventually rely on an image captured during surgery rather than wait for a pathologist to process the excised tissue.

Stanford Medicine researchers have developed a method that uses lasers to penetrate tissue and create a high-resolution, three-dimensional reconstruction of the cells it contains. From this virtual reconstruction, they can make cross-sectional images that mimic those generated by a standard biopsy, in which a sample of tissue is sliced into thin layers and placed on a slide to be examined under a microscope.

The new method, published April 10 in Science Advances, could be used to noninvasively scan the skin for unhealthy cells as well as provide rapid results on biopsies taken elsewhere in the body. It could also provide more information than current diagnostic approaches.

Weve not only created something that can replace the current gold-standard pathology slides for diagnosing many conditions, but we actually improved the resolution of these scans so much that we start to pick up information that would be extremely hard to see otherwise, said Adam de la Zerda, PhD, an associate professor of structural biology and the senior author of the article describing the method.
Nigeria has become the first country to roll out a meningitis vaccine, known as Men5CV, recommended by the World Health Organization.

The vaccine, which protects against five strains of the meningococcus bacteria, provides broader protection than the current vaccine used in much of Africa, which is only effective against a single strain.

Nigeria is one of the worlds most affected countries by meningitis. It aims to vaccinate 1 million people aged 1-29.

Meningitis is a serious infection that leads to the inflammation of the membranes (meninges) that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Bacterial meningitis is the most serious, can also result in septicemia (blood poisoning), and can seriously disable or kill within 24 hours those that contract it.

Meningitis is an old and deadly foe, but this new vaccine holds the potential to change the trajectory of the disease, preventing future outbreaks and saving many lives, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Nigerias rollout brings us one step closer to our goal to eliminate meningitis by 2030, he said.
Kihara Level 4 Hospital near Nairobi, Kenya, witnesses a stark scene with most labor ward beds unoccupied amidst a doctor strike stretching for a month. Medical services, including essential procedures like Caesarean sections, are halted due to the absence of medical personnel. Consequently, public hospitals sit eerily quiet, prompting patients to seek care in expensive private facilities or delay treatment, exacerbating chronic illnesses and, tragically, leading to loss of life.

The strike, driven by doctors grievances over pay disparities and the failure to employ trainee doctors, underscores systemic issues within Kenyas healthcare sector. While acknowledging the inconvenience caused, medical professionals argue that demanding better working conditions and resources is essential for sustainable quality healthcare.

President William Ruto urges doctors to return to work and accept the governments offer, stressing fiscal responsibility. However, ordinary citizens, witnessing firsthand the dire consequences of the strike, express frustration and grief, with some sharing heart-wrenching stories of loss.

Patients like Lucy Bright Mbugua, whose infant requires constant care at Kenyatta National Hospital, endure financial strain and emotional turmoil amid reduced medical staff and limited resources. As clinical officers also join the strike, pressure mounts on the government to address healthcare workers grievances and restore normalcy to hospitals.

Despite negotiations and court interventions, a wide gap persists between doctors demands and the governments offers, prolonging the stalemate. Hope lingers for a swift resolution to alleviate the suffering of patients and their families, as religious figures, opposition leaders, and citizens alike call for renewed negotiations and the resumption of hospital operations.
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Africa is experiencing unprecedented growth in terms of both population and economic transformation.

As witnessed during the pandemic, there is an increasing critical mass of expertise and ability for health innovation contributing to the global health agenda.

These factors, and the rising burden of both neglected tropical diseases and noncommunicable diseases, present an opportunity to strengthen and expand clinical research and trials throughout Africa.

"Pharma must prioritize uninterrupted health care access by investing in sustainable local capacity, collaboration, and alignment with Africa's public health needs," said Caxton Murira, of the Science for Africa Foundation.

According to Clinicaltrials.gov, Africa accounts for around 4% of global clinical studies. Although reports are sometimes classified as "African" in scope, randomized clinical trials are rarely continent-wide, and many nations are not represented in even one study.

Drug discovery is also inconsistently matched with public health needs, which limits African-led health innovation.

If vaccines, drugs, and medical devices are to work better, they need to be tested on groups of people who have the same epidemiological and demographic traits as the people who will be receiving the treatment.

In recent years, Africa has increased its efforts to be conducive for vaccine development. However, more work is needed to increase Africa's part of vaccine development from its present worldwide proportion of 0.1%.

The inequity can be attributed to several interrelated challenges. They include unpredictable regulatory environments, duplication of efforts because of poor stakeholder coordination, and ecosystem challenges like limited infrastructure, unharmonized regulations, poor market access, a limited policy landscape, insufficient funding.

The Pan African Clinical Trials Registry and the Clinical Trials Community have extensively documented these characteristics.

Why capacity development is critical

Africa-led health research and sustained capacity building in clinical research and trials are essential to tackling Africa's specific health care challenges.

Building a critical mass of expertise through training, infrastructure development, access to technological, and long-term funding, are key components for increasing participation in clinical research and trials. This contributes significantly to the discovery and development of effective and customized vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

Existing strengths and capacities should be leveraged through equitable partnerships to ensure adequate resource allocation and utilization for positive impact.

COVID-19 underscored the need for a continent-wide, multisectoral, multi-stakeholder approach to achieve desired results. This served as a long-term example of how to cooperate during emergencies. Many lives were saved through initiatives that utilized industry cooperation as part of a coordinated response.

Among Africa's multisectoral initiatives is the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) initiative, which collaborates with pharmaceutical companies to advance vaccine development and manufacturing through technology transfer, intellectual property support, trade, and policy advocacy.

There is also The H3D Foundation, which partnered with the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) to advance drug research and development in Africa, as well as the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation, which strengthens bilateral initiatives to manufacture pharmaceuticals locally, including a partnership between BioNTech and Senegal's Pasteur Institute to produce COVID-19 vaccines.

The role of pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical industry has learned that considerable progress requires increasing collaboration and the establishment of well-defined priorities in Africa and other underrepresented regions.

The pharmaceutical business models revolve around the creation of profitable new drugs to prevent and treat existing and emerging diseases to boost company value. This may not always align with patients' desire to receive uninterrupted and affordable access to health care.

Africa as a continent remains an important market for medicines and medical equipment from major pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers in the higher income countries. Businesses are starting to facilitate the transfer of funds, knowledge, and technology to establish long-term local capability.

Africa's pharmaceutical sector has more than tripled, from US$19 billion in 2012 to $66 billion by 2022, making it the world's fastest-growing market, according to a UN report. With projected growth in the industry, there is the opportunity to create millions of employment and improve the lives of African residents and their families.

Institutions such as the Africa Centers for Disease Control and the African Medicines Agency have been mandated to coordinate with industry players to create an equitable framework to drive the delivery of new products for the African patient. This will require strong commitment from key stakeholders, regulatory oversight, and stakeholder cooperation. It will also require a strong coordination framework.

The Science for Africa Foundation recently announced a new project through its Clinical Research and Trials Community program. The initiative will promote collaboration for clinical research capacity in Africa. It also encourages active industry participation through initiatives such as the Clinical Trials Community Africa Network to enable visibility of clinical trial capacity in Africa and access to clinical trial networks and epidemiological data.

The growth of the pharmaceutical industry in Africa has shown pharma's ability to drive innovation and global health through collaboration. Pharma must prioritize uninterrupted health care access by investing in sustainable local capacity, collaboration, and alignment with Africa's public health needs.

Provided by SciDev.Net
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The study, published in Science Advances, sheds light on the mechanisms underlying numerical ability, a cognitive ability fundamental to mathematical aptitude, according to Professor Yung of City University of Hong Kong. Credit: City University of Hong Kong

A discovery that appears to confirm the existence of discrete number sense in rats has been announced by a joint research team from City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

The findings offer a crucial animal model for investigating the neural basis of numerical ability and disability in humans, the Hong Kong-based researchers say.

This innovative study deployed a numerical learning task, brain manipulation techniques and AI modeling to tackle an ongoing debate about whether rats can count, says Professor Yung Wing-ho, Chair Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at CityUHK, who collaborated with CUHK scientists at the Faculty of Medicine.

Their study, published in Science Advances, sheds light on the mechanisms underlying numerical ability, a cognitive ability fundamental to mathematical aptitude, which is a hallmark of human intelligence. The article is titled "Disparate processing of numerosity and associated continuous magnitudes in rats".

Professor Yung, also Associate Dean of the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences at CityUHK, said the research team set out to minimize the influence of continuous magnitudes in numerical tests and conducted a meticulous quantitative analysis in the study to determine the respective contributions of numbers and magnitudes.

The team developed an algorithm to generate stimuli that enable animals to focus only on numbers and minimize other distracting factors.

"This will help us better understand how animals perceive and quantify numbers," Professor Yung explains.

The team found that rats without any previous knowledge of numbers could develop a sense of numbers when trained with sounds representing two or three numbers. Despite the influence of continuous magnitudes, the rats consistently focused on the number of sounds when making choices for food rewards.

In addition, the study helps dissect the relationship between magnitude and numerosity processing. The researchers discovered that when they blocked a specific part of the rats' brains, called the posterior parietal cortex, the rats' ability to understand numbers was affected but not their sense of magnitude. "This suggests that the brain has a specific area for dealing with numbers," Professor Yung continues.

The study not only solves a long-standing mystery about how brains handle numbers but also offers new insights into studying the specific neural circuits involved in number processing in animals and how genes are associated with mathematical ability. The findings from neural network modeling could have practical applications in the field of AI.

More information: Tuo Liang et al, Disparate processing of numerosity and associated continuous magnitudes in rats, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj2566 Journal information: Science Advances
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New research from King's College London has found that spaces with a diverse range of natural features are associated with stronger improvements in our mental well-being compared to spaces with less natural diversity.

Published in Scientific Reports, this citizen science study used the smartphone application Urban Mind to collect real-time reports on mental well-being and natural diversity from nearly 2,000 participants.

Researchers found that environments with a larger number of natural features, such as trees, birds, plants and waterways, were associated with greater mental well-being than environments with fewer features, and that these benefits can last for up to eight hours.

Further analysis found that nearly a quarter of the positive impact of nature on mental health could be explained by the diversity of features present. These findings highlight that policies and practices that support richness of nature and species are beneficial both for environment and for public mental health.

Lead author Ryan Hammoud, Research Assistant at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, said, "To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the mental health impact of everyday encounters with different levels of natural diversity in real-life contexts. Our results highlight that by protecting and promoting natural diversity we can maximize the benefits of nature for mental well-being.

"In practice, this means moving away from heavily curated monocultural pockets and parks of mown grass, which are typically associated with low biodiversity, towards spaces which mirror the biodiversity of natural ecosystems. By showing how natural diversity boosts our mental well-being, we provide a compelling basis for how to create greener and healthier urban spaces."

The study took place between April 2018 and September 2023, with 1,998 participants completing over 41,000 assessments. Each participant was asked to complete three assessments per day over a period of 14 days, entering information about their environment and answering a series of questions about their mental health. Natural diversity was defined by how many out of four natural featurestrees, plants, birds and waterwere present within the participant's surrounding environment.

Data were collected using the Urban Mind app, developed by King's College London, landscape architects J&L Gibbons and arts foundation Nomad Projects.

Senior author Andrea Mechelli, Professor of Early Intervention in Mental Health at the IoPPN, said, "In the context of climate change, we are witnessing a rapid decline in biodiversity in the UK as well as globally.

"Our results suggest that biodiversity is critical not only for the health of our natural environments but also for the mental well-being of the people who live in these environments. It is time to recognize that biodiversity brings co-benefits for planetary and human health and needs to be considered vital infrastructure within our cities."

"Smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment reveals an incremental association between natural diversity and mental well-being" by Hammoud, R. et al. is published in Scientific Reports.

More information: Smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment reveals an incremental association between natural diversity and mental wellbeing', Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55940-7 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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A video screenshot shows former U.S. President Donald Trump arriving at New York County Criminal Court in New York, the United States, on April 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday appeared in a criminal court in Manhattan, New York City, in the hush money case, making him the first former U.S. president to stand a criminal trial.

Trump arrived at the court in Lower Manhattan around 9 a.m. with a heavy presence of security guards, press representatives as well as activists from different political camps.

Trump descended from his motorcade and talked to the press briefly before entering the courtroom.

"The trial is a political persecution... It's an assault on America... it's a country that's failing," said Trump.

The case should never have been brought, said Trump, who also complained about the gag order imposed on him.

Trump's lawyers made at least three tries in the previous week in order to delay the trial but the requests were denied by judges.

Facing 34 felony counts on falsifying business records in a bid to hide hush money payment of 130,000 U.S. dollars to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, Trump is expected to be present at the court very often as the trial goes on.

The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks as jury selection kicked off on Monday, according to a release by New York State Unified Court System.

Carrying flags and banners, a number of Trump supporters and critics went to Collect Pond Park in front of the court building, and they even traded barbs.

"Our legal system is corrupt, and I'm here to stand with Trump because he's much more honorable than our court system," said Steve Merczynski, a New Yorker, who supports Trump by marketing themed hammocks and hammock chairs.

Merczynski said the U.S. judicial system is partisan and the problem makes people don't trust the system, noting that he expected Trump to be found guilty as the vast majority of the jury in New York City are Democrats.

"The justice system is on trial... I think if Trump is found guilty, it shows we don't have a fair system here, because this case should not have been brought. If he's found not guilty, or if there's a hung jury, I have faith in the system that at least some people know of the baloney that this case is a mistake," he said.

For Marc Leavitt, nevertheless, "this is a beautiful day for a trial and for the rule of law."

"I believe strongly in democracy. No man or woman is above the law. Everyone has the right to be proven innocent or guilty," said Leavitt, who wore a placard criticising Trump.

A group of protesters marched by the court building in the morning and carried a big banner which read "No one is above the law."

Leavitt said he believes Trump would get a fair trial in the hush money case and the Republican Party could have chosen a much more worthy candidate in the upcoming presidential election, but he also believes that Trump is guilty of subverting democracy and a "former embarrassment in chief and a scourge on our democracy."

Trump, the Republican Party's presumptive presidential nominee in the 2024 U.S. general election, is facing four criminal indictments, and a conviction in one criminal trial would dampen his presidential campaign, analysts say.
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UnitedHealth Group spent about $872 million during the first quarter responding to the cyberattack at its Change Healthcare division and expects that full-year costs could reach $1.6 billion.

The numbers, released Tuesday in the health care giant's first quarter financial results, provide the fullest accounting so far of financial impacts from the hack, which forced UnitedHealth Group to shut down a widely used claims processing system to contain the threat.

The majority of cyberattack expenses were excluded from the company's calculation of first quarter adjusted earnings, which came in significantly better than expected. Following the earnings release, the Minnetonka-based company's stock price rose more than 5% in early trading.

"This was an unprecedented attack, by a malicious actor, on the U.S. health system," chief executive Andrew Witty said during a call with investors. "The attack disrupted the ability of care providers to file claims and be paid for their work. We've moved quickly to fill this gap."

UnitedHealth Group says it has now provided more than $6 billion in advance funding and interest-free loans to health care providers that have struggled to bill for their services due to the system outage. Health care providers are among those who have filed about two dozen lawsuits against UnitedHealth Group over effects from the cyberattack.

During the first quarter, UnitedHealth Group incurred about $593 million in direct-response costs, including spending to start restoring the Change Healthcare system as well as temporary suspension of some care management rules, such as prior authorizations, to provide financial relief for health care providers.

The company also posted about $279 million in expenses from business disruptions, meaning lost revenue plus the expense of maintaining operations at Change Healthcare so they eventually can be re-launched, said John Rex, the company's chief financial officer.

Expenses for the direct response as well as the disruption to ongoing business are extending beyond the first quarter, as UnitedHealth Group continues to report progress on restoring IT systems.

Witty told investors he thought it was "important for the country" that UnitedHealth Group acquired Change Healthcare in 2022.

"Without UnitedHealth Group owning Change Healthcare, this attack would likely still have happened and it would have left Change Healthcare, I think, extremely challenged to come back," Witty said. "Because it was part of UnitedHealth Group, we've been able to bring it backwe're going to bring it back much stronger than it was before."

Adjusted earnings for the first quarter came in at $6.91 per share, better than the $6.62 per share analysts expected. The company maintained its adjusted net earnings outlook for the year of $27.50 to $28 per share.

Adjusted earnings exclude the cost of direct-response measures related to the cyberattack, but the figures include business disruption expenses.

The cost of direct responses for the full year could range from $1 billion to $1.15 billion, the company said, while business disruption costs could range from $350 million to $450 million.

For the three-month period between January and March, UnitedHealth Group posted a loss of $1.4 billion on $99.8 billion of revenue, due primarily to the previously announced divestiture of its large hospital and clinic business in Brazil. The company said in December it expected to lose about $7 billion on the sale due in part to foreign currency translation losses.

At the outset of Tuesday's call with investors, Witty said the company now employs about 400,000 peoplea figure that's down roughly 10% from the 440,000 listed as the 2023 year-end headcount in a recent regulatory filing. A company spokesman said the Brazil divestiture was part of the decline, but not the only factor.

UnitedHealth Group runs UnitedHealthcare, which is one of the nation's largest health insurers. At the end of March, just over 49 million people in the U.S. had coverage through the insurance division.

Across the country, there have been signs this year of an uptick in health care costs for insurers due to higher medical service use by patients. In November, UnitedHealthcare projected higher medical costs this year and the first quarter numbers on care spending fell within those expectations, the company said.

Seasonal costs related to respiratory illnesses at the end of last year subsided in the first quarter, Kevin Fischbeck, an analyst with BofA Securities, wrote in a note to investors.

"(UnitedHealth Group) expects to continue to be prudent on this for the next few quarters but largely believes that it is back to close to normal on claims submission and payment," Fischbeck wrote. "Finally, in response to the increase in trend last year, (UnitedHealth) has heightened its vigilance on any indications that utilization is starting to change, so it has confidence in its current view on trend."

2024 StarTribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Pediatrician Patricia Braun and her team saw roughly 100 children at a community health clinic on a Monday. They gave flu shots and treatments for illnesses like ear infections. But Braun also did something most primary care doctors don't. She peered inside mouths searching for cavities or she brushed fluoride varnish on their teeth.

"We're seeing more oral disease than the general population. There is a bigger need," Braun said of the patients she treats at Bernard F. Gipson Eastside Family Health Center, which is part of Denver Health, the largest safety-net hospital in Colorado, serving low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents.

Braun is part of a trend across the United States to integrate oral health into medical checkups for children, pregnant women, and others who cannot afford or do not have easy access to dentists. With federal and private funding, these programs have expanded in the past 10 years, but they face socioeconomic barriers, workforce shortages, and the challenge of dealing with the needs of new immigrants.

With a grant Braun and her colleagues have helped train 250 primary care providers in oral health in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona. Similar projects are wrapping up in Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, and New York. Beyond assessment, education, and preventive care, primary care providers refer patients to on- or off-site dentists, or work with embedded dental hygienists as part of their practice.

"Federally qualified health centers have a long history of co-locating dental services within their systems," Braun said. "We're taking that next step where care is not just co-located, meaning, say, we're upstairs and dental is downstairs, but we're integrated so that it becomes part of the same visit for the patient."

Having doctors, nurses, and physician assistants who assess oral health, make referrals, and apply fluoride at community health centers is critical for the many children who lack access to dental care, said Tara Callaghan, director of operations for the Montana Primary Care Association, which represents 14 federally qualified health centers and five Urban Indian organizations.

"Providing these services during medical visits increases the frequency of fluoride application," Callaghan said, and "improves parents' knowledge of caring for their child's teeth." But obstacles remain.

Because of Montana's large geographic area and small population, recruiting dental professionals is difficult, Callaghan said. Fifty of the state's 56 counties are designated dental shortage areas and some counties don't have a single dentist who takes Medicaid, she added. Montana ranks near the bottom for residents having access to fluoridated water, which can prevent cavities and strengthen teeth.

Pediatric dental specialists, in particular, are scarce in rural areas, with families sometimes driving hours to neighboring counties for care, she said.

Embedding dental hygienists with medical doctors is one way to reach patients in a single medical visit.

Valerie Cuzella, a registered dental hygienist, works closely with Braun and others at Denver Health, which serves nearly half of the city's children and has embedded hygienists in five of its clinics that see children.

State regulations vary on which services hygienists can provide without supervision from a dentist. In Colorado, Cuzella can, among other things, independently perform X-rays and apply silver diamine fluoride, a tool to harden teeth and slow decay. She does all this in a cozy corner office.

Braun and Cuzella work so closely that they often finish each other's sentences. Throughout the day they text each other, taking advantage of brief lulls when Cuzella can pop into an exam room to check for gum disease or demonstrate good brushing habits. Braun herself takes similar opportunities to assess oral health during her exams, and both focus on educating parents.

Medical and dental care have traditionally been siloed. "Schools are getting better at interprofessional collaboration and education, but by and large we train separately, we practice separately," said Katy Battani, a registered dental hygienist and assistant professor at Georgetown University.

Battani is trying to bridge the divide by helping community health centers in nine statesincluding California, Texas, and Marylandintegrate dental care into prenatal visits for pregnant women. Pregnancy creates opportunities to improve oral health because some women gain dental coverage with Medicaid and see providers at least once a month, Battani said.

In Denver, housing instability, language barriers, lack of transportation, and the "astronomical cost" of dentistry without insurance make dental care inaccessible for many children, the migrant community, and seniors, said Sung Cho, a dentist who oversees the dental program at STRIDE Community Health Center, serving the Denver metro area.

STRIDE tries to overcome these barriers by offering interpretation services and a sliding pay scale for those without insurance. That includes people like Celinda Ochoa, 35, of Wheat Ridge, who waited at STRIDE Community Health Center while her 15-year-old son, Alexander, had his teeth cleaned. He was flagged for dental care during a past medical checkup and now he and his three siblings regularly see a dentist and hygienist at STRIDE.

One of Ochoa's children has Medicaid dental coverage, but her three others are uninsured, and they couldn't otherwise afford dental care, said Ochoa. STRIDE offers an exam, X-rays, and cleaning for $60 for the uninsured.

In the past year, Cho has seen an influx of migrants and refugees who have never seen a dentist before and need extensive care. Medical exams for refugees at STRIDE increased to 1,700 in 2023 from 1,300 in 2022, said Ryn Moravec, STRIDE's director of development. She estimates the program has seen 800 to 1,000 new immigrants in 2024.

Even with growing needs, Cho said the Medicaid "unwinding"the process underway to reexamine post-pandemic eligibility for the government program that provides health coverage for people with low incomes and disabilitieshas created financial uncertainty. He said he worries about meeting the upfront costs of new staff and of replacing aging dental equipment.

At STRIDE's Wheat Ridge clinic, two hygienists float between dental and pediatrics as part of the medical-dental integration. Yet Cho said he needs more hygienists at other locations to keep up with demand. The pandemic created bottlenecks of need that are only now being slowly cleared, particularly because few dentists take Medicaid. If they do accept it, they often limit the number of Medicaid patients they'll take, said Moravec. Ideally, STRIDE could hire two hygienists and three dental assistants, Moravec said.

In 2022, Colorado enacted a law to alleviate workforce shortages by allowing dental therapists midlevel providers who do preventive and restorative careto practice. But Colorado does not have any schools to train or accredit them.

Before age 3, children are scheduled to see a pediatrician for 12 well visits, a metric that medical and dental integration capitalizes on, particularly for at-risk children. As part of Braun's program in the Rocky Mountain region, providers have applied more than 17,000 fluoride varnishes and increased the percentage of children aged 3 and younger who received preventive oral health care to 78% from 33% in its first 2 years.

Callaghan, at the Montana Primary Care Association, witnesses that on the ground at community health centers in Montana. "It's about leveraging the fact that kids see their medical provider for a well-child visit much more often and before they see their dental providerif they have one."

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Geographical distribution and epidemiological incidence of tularemia cases at municipality level in Norrbotten County over 11 y between 2011 and 2021 (n = 243). Credit: Clinical Infectious Diseases (2024). DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciae098

A new study at Umea University in collaboration with Sunderby Hospital in Norrbotten County supports the recommendation to use ciprofloxacin for treatment of tularemia. It also identifies a need for more awareness about the disease among health care workers and the public to start effective antibiotic treatment early. The study is published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

"In our study, we saw that 15% of study participants required retreatment even after appropriate antibiotics, especially those who had a longer duration between contracting tularemia and the start of correct antibiotic treatment. A few patients with persistently swollen lymph nodes despite antibiotics needed surgery to drain them, often with a prolonged healing process," says Dr. Martin Plymoth, MD, who is affiliated with the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umea University and first author of the study.

Tularemia is an infectious disease that can manifest in several different ways: hard-to-heal wounds, swollen lymph nodes, fever, eye inflammation, pneumonia and bacteremia. On average, around 300500 cases are reported annually throughout the country, and northern Sweden is disproportionately more affected. Fluctuations in cases vary largely between years, and so do the geographical areas that are affected.

In Sweden, the spread of infection occurs mostly during the summer. Contact with infected animals (especially voles and hares) and contaminated water can lead to infection, although mosquitoes are suspected to be the main vector of infection in Sweden. Tularemia can also present as pneumonia through inhalation of bacteria.

Tularemia is treated with antibiotics, but due to the rarity of the disease, large scale studies comparing antibiotic treatments have not been possible to conduct. Antibiotics commonly used to treat skin and soft tissue infections and pneumonia are known to be ineffective against tularemia. In combination with the many ways the disease can manifest itself, this can lead to extended delays in time to diagnosis and correct antibiotic treatment.

In this study, the research team from Umea University and Sunderby Hospital, in Lulea, Sweden, examined individuals in Norrbotten County who had tularemia during the period 2011 to 2021. During these years, Norrbotten experienced the second (2015) and third (2019) largest outbreaks of tularemia in Sweden. Most cases were reported in the area around Lulea and Boden, while the highest prevalence was found in the municipalities of Boden and Arjeplog.

The researchers identified 830 cases of tularemia during this period, just over half of whom participated in the study by answering a questionnaire and underwent a review of their medical records.

"We identified ulceroglandular tularemia, i.e., hard-to-heal wounds on the arms, legs, or neck/face with swollen lymph nodes as the most common form of the disease," says principal investigator Tomas Gustafsson, attending physician in infectious diseases medicine at Sunderby Hospital and researcher at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umea University.

"Pneumonic tularemia was also common and was often initially mistaken for pneumonia caused by other bacteria or even cancer. Tularemia was common in all age groups among both men and women, but was most prevalent in the group 40 to 60 years of age."

Most cases were diagnosed in primary care centers around the county. 15% of patients were admitted to hospital, but serious infections were uncommon, and no fatalities were reported. Although serological blood tests are available for tularemia, these can be negative up to two weeks after onset of symptoms. Alternatively, so-called PCR tests can be done on wound swabs.

A high level of clinical suspicion is therefore needed by health care professionals. Antibiotics that are known to be ineffective against tularemia were prescribed to about 20% of patients initially because the physician suspected another disease; the proportion was even higher outside the epidemic years 2012, 2015 and 2019.

The researchers saw that individuals who had a longer time between contracting tularemia and appropriate antibiotic treatment tended to be re-treated more often, but that individuals who received the antibiotic ciprofloxacin tended to have less need for re-treatment.

The results support the recommendation to use ciprofloxacin as first-line treatment for tularemia and identify a need for increased awareness of tularemia among health care professionals and the general public to be able to commence effective antibiotic treatment early.

However, the retrospective study design is not ideal to make recommendations regarding antibiotic treatment, length of treatment, and need for surgical interventions, according to the researchers. To answer this, they would have to carry out a randomized controlled trial which tests different treatment options against each other.

"In future research, we also hope to be able to develop diagnostic scoring systems using clinical signs such as swollen lymph nodes and laboratory values such as white blood cells, which could give physicians an early indication of the likelihood of tularemia as opposed to other diseases. Based on this, clinical tools could be developed to help health care professionals identify tularemia cases early and start appropriate treatment," says Martin Plymoth.

"Perhaps the time is ripe to conduct a randomized clinical trial of different treatment options for tularemia in which case, we would need to conduct it in collaboration with several different centers in northern Sweden given the unpredictable and unusual nature of the infection," says Tomas Gustafsson.

More information: Martin Plymoth et al, Targeting Tularemia: Clinical, Laboratory, and Treatment Outcomes From an 11-year Retrospective Observational Cohort in Northern Sweden, Clinical Infectious Diseases (2024). DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciae098 Journal information: Clinical Infectious Diseases
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The spectrum of technologies for clinical decision support, classified as device or non-device for regulatory purposes. Credit: Nature Reviews Cancer (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00685-8. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41568-024-00685-8

AI models are set to transform future cancer care by providing personalized diagnoses and treatment options. The emergence of Generalist Medical Artificial Intelligence (GMAI) models poses a significant challenge to current regulatory frameworks.

In a commentary published in the journal Nature Reviews Cancer, Stephen Gilbert and Jakob N. Kather, both professors at the EKFZ for Digital Health at TU Dresden, discuss how the regulation of these models could be handled in the future. Policy-makers will have to decide whether to radically adapt current frameworks, block generalist approaches, or force them onto narrow tracks.

Current artificial intelligence (AI) models for cancer treatment are trained and approved only for specific intended purposes. GMAI models, in contrast, can handle a wide range of medical data including different types of images and text. For example, for a patient with colorectal cancer, a single GMAI model could interpret endoscopy videos, pathology slides and electronic health record (EHR) data. Hence, such multi-purpose or generalist models represent a paradigm shift away from narrow AI models.

Regulatory bodies face a dilemma in adapting to these new models because current regulations are designed for applications with a defined and fixed purpose, specific set of clinical indications and target population. Adaptation or extension after approval is not possible without going through quality management and regulatory, administrative processes again.

GMAI models, with their adaptability and predictive potential even without specific training examplesso called zero shot reasoningtherefore pose challenges for validation and reliability assessment. Currently, they are excluded by all international frameworks.

The authors point out that existing regulatory frameworks are not well suited to handle GMAI models due to their characteristics. "If these regulations remain unchanged, a possible solution could be hybrid approaches. GMAIs could be approved as medical devices and then the range of allowed clinical prompts could be restricted," says Prof. Stephen Gilbert, Professor of Medical Device Regulatory Science at TU Dresden.

"But this approach is to force models with potential to intelligential address new questions and multimodal data onto narrow tracks through rules written when these technologies were not anticipated. Specific decisions should be made on how to proceed with these technologies and not to exclude their ability to address questions they were not specifically designed for. New technologies sometimes call for new regulatory paradigms," says Prof. Gilbert.

The researchers argue that it will be impossible to prevent patients and medical experts from using generic models or unapproved medical decision support systems. Therefore, it would be crucial to maintain the central role of physicians and enable them as empowered information interpreters.

The researchers propose a flexible regulatory approach that accommodates the unique characteristics of GMAI models while ensuring patient safety and supporting physician decision-making. They point out that a rigid regulatory framework could hinder progress in AI-driven health care, and call for a nuanced approach that balances innovation with patient welfare.

More information: Stephen Gilbert & Jakob Nikolas Kather, Guardrails for the use of generalist AI in cancer care, Nature Reviews Cancer (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00685-8. www.nature.com/articles/s41568-024-00685-8 Journal information: Nature Reviews Cancer
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Credit: Kampus Production from Pexels

Care home residents receive much better care when they enjoy "family" bonds with staffbut staff must be empowered to create these bonds, new research has found.

The study, led by the University of Leeds, found that when care home staffing is stable and consistent and numbers are sufficient, workers have the capacity to develop "familial" relationships with residents and can deliver quality, personalized care.

The work, titled "Understanding the Staffing Relationship to Quality in care homes: the StaRQ mixed-methods study," is published in Health and Social Care Delivery Research.

Lead researcher Karen Spilsbury, Professor of Nursing at the University of Leeds School of Healthcare, said, "Understanding how to meet the needs and preferences of the thousands of people living in care homes is a societal priority. It is vital that we know how to use the workforce resources in care homes to promote quality and effective working."

Quality of care and quality of life varies significantly for the 441,479 people living in care homes in the UK. Previous research into the reasons for this has not provided robust explanations.

The study team speculated that staffing and ways of working were key influences on quality. Working with managers, residents, families, and care home staff from a range of care homes in England, the researchers set out to find out how and why staffing in care homes affects the quality of life and care of the residents.

The team analyzed research journal articles, care home and care organization data to look at what it is about staffing that influences quality. They analyzed reports and ratings of homes from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulator, and networks between staff in homes.

According to the results, staffing considerations that might improve quality include not swapping managers too much; having sufficient and consistent staff for family-like relationships in homes and putting residents' needs first; supporting staff and giving them freedom to act, and key staff leading by example.

The research also showed that where more care was provided by registered nurses, there were fewer incidents such as falls with fractures, urinary tract infections and medication errors.

However, simply increasing nursing input was unlikely to be a cost-effective way of reducing adverse incidents in care homes. The study found that although there might be savings to the wider health care system in reduced treatment costs, any savings would be wiped out by the high additional costs of employing more nurses.

The study also found:

Care homes with a manager in-post in the 12 months prior to a CQC inspection were more likely to be rated as good or outstanding

Higher staff-to-bed ratios were associated with a greater chance of a good or outstanding CQC inspection score

Having experienced care staff, that is, staff in post for 5 years, was likely to improve quality, as measured by CQC ratings, and staffing consistency was important for organizing care and work

Larger homes were less likely to be rated positively: but team size (not home size) may be a useful lever for promoting quality, i.e. small groups of linked residents and staff (515 residents per staff member based on level of resident dependency) promoted familiarity, communication and a family-like environment for cultivating relationships

Use of agency nurses to cover for staff sickness or unfilled vacancies was not associated with more falls, infections, or pressure ulcers, but was associated with more medication errors

The report is the latest publication by NICHE-Leeds, a research partnership between the University's School of Healthcare and care home providers which develops research projects from ideas generated by care home staff, families and residents.

It is the first study in the UK which has worked with a large care organization to provide novel evidence on relationships between nurse staffing and care quality in English care homes over time.

Professor Spilsbury, who is also NICHE-Leeds's Academic Director, added, "Staffing in care homes matters and needs to be valued. It needs to be stable, skilled and competent, to realize the benefits of person-focused organization of care, and enhanced teamworking. Our study shows that leadership, reward and recognition of staff, and a shared philosophy of care are key to improving quality as experienced by residents."

More information: Understanding the Staffing Relationship to Quality in care homes: the StaRQ mixed-methods study, Health and Social Care Delivery Research (2024).
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Spending too much time online to the point of compulsion and the neglect of other necessary activities, plus not sleeping or exercising enough, are linked to a heightened risk of both truancy and school absence due to illness among teens, finds research published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

Teenage girls seem to be more vulnerable than teenage boys to excessive internet use, but getting the recommended quota of shut eye and exercise and having a trusting relationship with parents all seem to be protective, the findings indicate.

Although differences in how excessive internet use is assessed and categorized can make it difficult to quantify, digital media may be a factor tempting teens to stay home from school, and may also hinder learning through lack of sleep, suggest the researchers.

To try and gauge what impact excessive internet use might have on school attendance and what, if any, mitigating factors there might be, the researchers used data from the School Health Promotion study, a national biennial survey conducted in Finland and managed by the Institute for Health and Welfare.

They focused on 86,270 year 8 and 9 pupils aged 14 to 16. The teens were specifically asked about their relationship with their parents in terms of how often they shared concerns with them (often to fairly rarely), as well as how long they slept every night, and how many days of the week they had been on the move for at least an hour.

Excessive internet use was assessed using a validated (Excessive Internet Use; EIU) scale consisting of 5 components indicating compulsion; neglect of family, friends, and study; anxiety if not online; and failure to eat or sleep because of being online.

Respondents were asked to estimate how often they experienced each of these, scoring them from 1 ("never") to 4 ("very often") to provide an overall average.

And they provided information on how many times during the most recent school year they had played truant and/or had been absent due to illness, ranging from "not at all" through to "daily or almost daily."

The EIU scale average score was just under 2; and just over 2% (1881) of participants scored the maximum of 4. Girls spent more time online than boys: they were 96% more likely to fall into the excessive internet use category than boys (79%), possibly because they tend to use social media more than boys, suggest the researchers.

On average, the teens slept 8 hours on school nights, and 9 hours on weekend nights. But more than a third (35%) clocked up fewer than 8 hours on school nights, and 11% slept fewer than 8 hours at the weekend.

Participants reported physical activity for at least an hour on 4 days of the preceding week and vigorous physical activity for 23 hours a week. But a third reported low levels of physical activityfewer than 3 days a week. Boys were more likely than girls to report no, or daily, physical activity.

Overall, 34% of respondents reported high rates of school absence. Boys reported more truancy than girls, who reported more medically explained absences than boys.

Older age was associated with a greater likelihood of truancy. But spending an excessive amount of time online was associated with an increased risk of both truancy (38% heightened risk) and medically explained school absences (24% heightened risk).

Good parental relations, longer nightly weekday sleep, and physical activity all emerged as significantly protective, with more of each factor associated with a steadily decreasing risk of both truancy and school absences due to illness.

Being able to talk about concerns with parents was most strongly associated with the lowest risk of either type of school absence. Teens who often felt able to share troubling issues with their parents were 59% less likely to play truant and 39% less likely to be absent from school due to illness.

This is an observational study, and as such, no firm conclusions can be drawn about causal factors, and the researchers acknowledge that the School Health Promotion study didn't include information on the type of internet use teens engaged in.

"Despite the limitations, our results have important implications for promotion of health and educational attainment," suggest the researchers.

"Our results are relevant for professionals organizing and working in school health and well-being services, especially when professionals meet students whose school absences raise concern," they add.

More information: Associations of excessive internet use, sleep duration and physical activity with school absences: a cross-sectional, population-based study of adolescents in years 8 and 9, Archives of Disease in Childhood (2024). DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-326331 Journal information: Archives of Disease in Childhood
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

When the FDA recently convened a committee of advisers to assess a cardiac device made by Abbott, the agency didn't disclose that most of them had received payments from the company or conducted research it had fundedinformation readily available in a federal database.

One member of the FDA advisory committee was linked to hundreds of payments from Abbott totaling almost $200,000, according to a database maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services. Another was connected to 100 payments totaling about $100,000 and conducted research supported by about $50,000 from Abbott. A third member of the committee worked on research supported by more than $180,000 from the company.

The government database, called "Open Payments," records financial relationships between doctors and certain other health care providers and the makers of drugs and medical devices. KFF Health News found records of Abbott payments associated with 10 of the 14 voting members of the FDA advisory panel, which was weighing clinical evidence for a heart device called TriClip G4 System. The money, paid from 2016 through 2022the most recent year for which the database shows paymentsadds up to about $650,000.

The panel voted almost unanimously that the benefits of the device outweigh its risks. Abbott announced on April 2 that the FDA had approved TriClip, which is designed to treat leakage from the heart's tricuspid valve.

The Abbott payments illustrate the reach of medical industry money and the limits of transparency at the FDA. They also shed light on how the agency weighs relationships between people who serve on its advisory panels and the makers of drugs and medical devices that those committees review as part of the regulatory approval process.

The payments do not reflect wrongdoing on the part of the agency, its outside experts, or the device manufacturer. The database does not show that any of the payments were related directly to the TriClip device.

But some familiar with the process, including people who have served on FDA advisory committees, said the payments should have been disclosed at the Feb. 13 meetingif not as a regulatory requirement, then in the interest of transparency, because the money might call into question committee members' objectivity.

"This is a problem," Joel Perlmutter, a former FDA advisory committee member and a professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, said by email. "They should or must disclose this due to bias."

The Open Payments database records several kinds of payments from drug and device makers. One category, called "associated research funding," supports research in which a physician is named a principal investigator in the database. Another category, called "general payments," includes consulting fees, travel expenses and meals connected to physicians in the database. The money can flow from manufacturers to third parties, such as hospitals, universities, or other corporate entities, but the database explicitly connects doctors by name to the payments.

At the public meeting to consider the TriClip device, an FDA official announced that committee members had been screened for potential financial conflicts of interest and found in compliance with government requirements.

FDA spokesperson Audra Harrison said by email that the agency doesn't comment on matters related to individual advisory committee members.

"The FDA followed all appropriate procedures and regulations in vetting these panel members and stands firmly by the integrity of the disclosure and vetting processes in place," she said. "This includes ensuring advisory committee members do not have, or have the appearance of, a conflict of interest."

Abbott "has no influence over who is selected to participate in FDA advisory committees," a spokesperson for the company, Brent Tippen, said in a statement.

Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research, a think tank, said the FDA shouldn't have allowed recipients of funding from Abbott in recent years to sit in judgment of the Abbott product. The agency takes too narrow a view of what should be disqualifying, she said.

One committee member was Craig Selzman, chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Utah. The Open Payments database connects to Selzman about $181,000 in associated research funding from Abbott to the University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics.

Asked in an interview if a reasonable person could question the impartiality of committee members based on the Abbott payments, Selzman said, "People from the outside looking in would probably say yes."

He noted that Abbott's money went to the university, not to him personally. Participating in industry-funded clinical trials benefits doctors professionally, he said. He added, "There's probably a better way to provide transparency."

The FDA has a history of appointing people to advisory committees who had relationships with manufacturers of the products under review. For example, in 2020, the doctor who chaired an FDA advisory committee reviewing Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine had been a Pfizer consultant.

Appearance issues

FDA advisory committee candidates, selected to provide expert advice on often complicated drug and device applications, must complete a confidential disclosure report that asks about current and past financial interests as well as "anything that would give an 'appearance' of a conflict."

The FDA has discretion to decide whether someone with an "appearance issue" can serve on a panel, according to a guidance document posted on the agency's website. Relationships more than a year in the past generally don't give rise to appearance problems, according to the document, unless they suggest close ties to a company or involvement with the product under review. The main question is whether financial interests would cause a reasonable person to question the member's impartiality, the document says.

The FDA draws a distinction between appearance issues and financial conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest occur when someone chosen to serve on an advisory committee has financial interests that "may be impacted" by their work on the committee, an FDA explainer says.

If the FDA finds a conflict of interest but still wants the applicant on a panel, it can issue a public waiver. None of the panelists voting on TriClip received a waiver.

The FDA's approach to disclosure contrasts with rules for conferences at which doctors earn credit for continuing medical education. For example, for a recent conference in Boston on technology for treatment of heart failure, including TriClip, the group holding the meeting directed speakers to include in their slide presentations disclosures going back 24 months.

Those disclosuresnaming companies from which speakers had received consulting fees, grant support, travel expenses, and the likealso appeared on the conference website.

'Unbridled enthusiasm'

The FDA has designated TriClip a "breakthrough" device with "the potential to provide more effective treatment or diagnosis of a life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating disease" compared with current treatments, an agency official, Megan Naber, told the advisory committee.

Naber said that for breakthrough devices, the "totality of data must still provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness" but the FDA "may be willing to accept greater uncertainty" about the balance of risks and benefits.

In a briefing paper for the advisory committee, FDA staff pointed out findings from a clinical trial that didn't reflect well on TriClip. For example, patients treated with TriClip had "numerically higher" mortality and heart failure hospitalization rates during the 12 months after the procedure compared with a control group, according to the report. Tippen, the Abbott spokesperson, didn't respond to a request for comment on those findings.

The committee voted 14-0 that TriClip was safe for its intended use. The panel voted 122 that the device was effective, and it voted 131 that the benefits of TriClip outweighed the risks.

The committee member to whom the database attributes the most money from Abbott, Paul Hauptman, cast one of the votes against the device on effectiveness and the sole vote against the device on the bottom-line question of its risks versus benefits.

Hauptman said during the meeting that the question of safety was "very, very clear" but added, "I just felt the need to pull back a little bit on unbridled enthusiasm." Who will benefit from the device, he said, "needs better definition."

Hauptman, dean of the University of Nevada-Reno School of Medicine, is connected to 268 general payments from Abbott totaling about $197,000 in the Open Payments database. Some payments are listed as going to an entity called Keswick Cardiovascular.

Hauptman said in an email that he followed FDA guidance and added, "My impartiality speaks for itself based on my vote and critical comments."

Some committee members voted in favor of the device despite concerns.

Marc Katz, chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina, is linked to 77 general payments totaling about $53,000 from Abbott and worked on research supported by about $10,000 from the company, according to Open Payments.

"I voted yes for safety, no for effectiveness, but then caved and voted yes for the benefits outweighing the risks," he said in the meeting.

In an email, he said of his Abbott payments: "All was disclosed and reviewed by the FDA." He said that he "can be impartial" and that he "openly expressed  concerns about the treatment."

Mitchell Krucoff, a professor at Duke University School of Medicine, is connected to 100 general payments totaling about $105,000. Some went to a third party, HPIC Consulting. He also worked on research supported by about $51,000 from Abbott, according to Open Payments.

He said during the meeting that he voted in favor of the device on all three questions and added that doctors have "a lot to learn" once it's on the market. For instance: By using the device to treat patients now, "do we set people up for catastrophes later?"

In an email, Krucoff said he completed a "very thorough conflict of interest screening by FDA for this panel," which focused not only on Abbott but also on "any work done/payments received from any other manufacturer with devices in this space."

John Hirshfeld Jr., an emeritus professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, is linked by the database to six general payments from Abbott totaling $6,000. Two of the payments linked to him went to a nonprofit, the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, according to the database. He voted yes on all three questions about TriClip but said at the meeting that he "would have liked to have seen more rigorous data to support efficacy."

In an email, Hirshfeld said he disclosed the payments to the FDA. The agency did not deem him to have a conflict because he had no stake in Abbott's success and his involvement with the company had ended, he said. Through the conflict-of-interest screening process, he said, he had been excluded from prior advisory panels.

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Methods Summary. (A) Macrophage Stage and Neutrophil Stage. (B) All treatments with M-CM consisted of freshly isolated neutrophils being exposed to 20% cRPMI, 20% M-CM from unstimulated hMDMs, 20% M-CM from Mtb-stimulated hMDMs, and 20% M-CM from LPS-stimulated hMDMs. Credit: International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052898

Tuberculosis is the biggest infectious killer in the world, causing 1.2 million deaths every year. In common with other pneumonia types, tuberculosis can destroy the human lung as a result of excessive inflammation.

One of the greatest drivers of this excessive inflammation is an immune cell called the neutrophil, which paradoxically plays an important protective role during early infection. However, like a double-edged sword, overactive neutrophils can cause lung tissue damage in established tuberculosis disease. Researchers wanted to know more about how tuberculosis infection drives this damage.

Using cell models of infection, the researchers from the Trinity team at St James's Hospital examined the cross-talk between two lung immune cells: the macrophage and the neutrophil. These cells contrive to cause lung disease in the setting of tuberculosis.

The group found that macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis, could directly activate neutrophils, heighten their metabolism, and lead to the production of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (or NETs). NETs are known to drive type 1 interferons, the proteins that are harbingers of severe tuberculosis disease. These events also detain the damaging neutrophil cells in the lung where further insult can occur.

The paper, "Human macrophages activate bystander neutrophils' metabolism and effector functions when challenged with mycobacterium tuberculosis," is published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

By dissecting out these pathways of human disease, the group has improved our understanding of how we might target inflammatory neutrophils in lung disease. Simple measures like administering steroids to tuberculosis patients might diminish destructive neutrophil activity, and spare the lung.

This work provides scientific plausibility for using anti-neutrophil directed therapies in tuberculosis treatment alongside antibiotics. As the rate of antibiotic resistant tuberculosis infections are constantly increasing, finding alternative ways to treat patients is now vitally important.

Ph.D. student Dearbhla Murphy, lead author of the paper said, "We're really excited about this work as it shows the importance of investigating how macrophages and neutrophils interact and the significance of this interaction during tuberculosis infection. Studying how neutrophils are influenced by other cells can help us identify druggable targets to help develop new therapies for tuberculosis. This is especially important as the number of antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis cases are rising every year and novel therapies are desperately needed to overcome this."

Professor Joseph Keane, Clinical Medicine, Trinity College Dublin and St James's Hospital, said, "Targeting the neutrophil is one of the hottest topics in tuberculosis research. This mechanistic research encourages the development of therapies that will limit lung damage in this important infection."

More information: Dearbhla M. Murphy et al, Human Macrophages Activate Bystander Neutrophils' Metabolism and Effector Functions When Challenged with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052898 Journal information: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
This new smartwatch from TechLife is the device of choice for any hobby and lifestyle EVERYONE HAS different hobbies and lifestyles. Whether...
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at a press encounter to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for a global push for a cease-fire in Sudan, one year into the military conflict between two military factions.

"The only path out of this horror is a political solution. At this critical moment, in addition to global support for aid, we need a concerted global push for a cease-fire in Sudan followed by a comprehensive peace process," he told a press encounter to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Coordinated international efforts will be essential to amplify joint action. This push for peace also means continuing work on Sudan's democratic transition, by supporting and empowering civilians, including women's rights groups, young people and others, he said.

"I will not relent in my calls for all parties to silence the guns, and meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a peaceful and secure future," said Guterres.

What is happening is more than a conflict between two warring parties. It is a war being waged on the Sudanese people. It is a war on the many thousands of civilians who have been killed, and tens of thousands maimed.

It is a war on the 18 million people facing acute hunger, and the communities now staring down the terrifying threat of famine in the months ahead. It is a war on villages, homes, hospitals, schools and vital systems that have been reduced to rubble in conflict hotspots. And it is a war on human rights and international humanitarian law, he said.

Indiscriminate attacks that are killing, injuring and terrorizing civilians could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Aid convoys have been targeted. Humanitarian personnel and warehouses have been attacked. Women and girls are subject to rampant sexual violence, he said.

Meanwhile, the impact of the conflict is spilling across borders. Over 8 million people have fled their homes in search of safety -- 1.8 million to neighboring countries. Some 25 million people -- half of Sudan's population -- need lifesaving assistance, he added.

The latest reports of escalating hostilities in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, are a fresh cause for deep alarm, warned Guterres.

Over the weekend, RSF-affiliated militias attacked and burnt villages west of the city, leading to widespread new displacement and fears of a takeover of El Fasher's only water source nearby, he said.

"Let me be clear. Any attack on El Fasher would be devastating for civilians and could lead to full-blown intercommunal conflict across Darfur. It would also upend aid operations in an area already on the brink of famine since El Fasher has always been a critical UN humanitarian hub," he said.

The Sudanese people desperately need the support and generosity of the international community to help them through this nightmare. While a high-level pledging event for the Sudan crisis is being held in Paris, the humanitarian response plan for Sudan worth 2.7 billion U.S. dollars was only 6 percent funded before the conference. And the 1.4-billion-dollar regional refugee response plan for the Sudan crisis was only 7 percent funded, he said.
A man was arrested at a Missoula motel on suspicion of aiding sex trafficking over the weekend.

Brian I. Ward, 66, is facing two felony sex trafficking charges. Ward, a Wyoming resident, is at the Missoula jail on $25,000 bail. He hasnt entered a plea to the charges.

On Friday, Missoula police officers were dispatched to a motel on Expo Parkway. A 911 call from motel staff reported two guests were possibly involved in sex trafficking. Motel staff noticed a fair amount of foot traffic in and out of the room rented by an older white man, suspected to be Ward, and a younger woman, according to Missoula County charging documents.

Surveillance footage showed four different men going into the room at different times. In each instance, Ward was seen leaving the room and sitting in his car while the men stayed in the room. The woman was never seen leaving the room.

Law enforcement identified Ward through his license plate and information from Wyoming authorities. A search warrant on the room returned items consistent with sex trafficking, including portable electronic devices, sexual paraphernalia and forms of U.S. currency, charging documents stated.

Staff said they searched the database of the motel company, and Ward was flagged as a trafficking suspect at a motel location in Michigan.

Officers took Ward and the woman with him to separate locations for interviews.

The woman with Ward reported she didnt believe she was a human trafficking victim, according to charging documents. An advocate from the YWCA also responded.

The woman reported that she and Ward arrived in Missoula on Wednesday, April 10, and had met each other in Billings. She said the two had been to Missoula together previously, and he had also taken her to North Dakota, according to the case affidavit.

Ward was vague at first when officers asked him about how he and the woman met, according to charging documents, but eventually told officers they met in Billings about a year ago via an ad for paid sex.

Theyve known each other since, Ward reportedly stated, and he drives her from city to city where they stay a few days before leaving because the woman doesnt have a valid drivers license. The two were in Missoula for three days, he said, and Bozeman and Dickinson, North Dakota prior to that. Ward paid for hotel rooms, and the woman would reimburse him. According to court documents, Ward benefited financially from the hotel rooms and said the woman wouldnt be able to engage in sex work.

Whitney Bennett, public information officer for the Missoula Police Department, said the departments investigation is still ongoing.
Quaker Meadows Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently highlighted two members who are military veterans. The April program, What is it Like for Women in the Military, was presented by Cace Siddons, formerly U.S. Army; and Nina Ramseur Rexrode, formerly U.S. Air Force. Sgt. Siddons served during peacetime in Washington, D.C. as a programmer analyst, and Lt. Col. Rexrode served in peacetime Germany and later as a flight nurse during the Noriega conflict in Panama where she experienced combat nursing. One of DARs goals is to support veterans and active military personnel. Members are descended from ancestors who fought for and/or helped the cause of American independence in the Revolutionary War. Anyone interested in more information may call Pat Wells at 919 698-8098.
In honor of Earth Day 2024, Muscatine County Energy Champions hopes to use pop art as part of a larger presentation to encourage residents to reflect on the importance of clean water.

On Monday, April 22 at 6 p.m. in room 304 at Musser Public Library, the Muscatine County Energy District and League of Women Voters of Muscatine County will be hosting a new exhibit as part of their Earth Day Celebration.

The featured artist and guest speaker of this pop art project is Christine A. Curry of Studio Tew Productions, with her project featuring a large inflatable Save Mississippi River pop can measuring nearly 4x8, 3x7 display panels, and a video component. Alongside the art, input from local conservation farmers is also used throughout the exhibit, providing both facts and ideas for potential solutions.

With her fictional brand, Currys Pure Iowa Sparkling Stream Water, Curry hopes that residents take note of how Iowas water quality isnt as good or as clean as it should be, thus being inspired to take action and work towards a cleaner Mississippi and cleaner water within the state overall.

Clean water needs to be a top priority for both public health and recreation, Curry said in a public statement. It is my aspiration to create and ignite a larger movement of awareness with action on behalf of cleaner water.

Jon Koch, Director of Water and Resource Recovery Facility for the City of Muscatine, will also speak during the event about the work currently being done throughout Muscatine County to improve its water quality.

Additionally, this event will be the first time that Muscatine County Energy Champions will be recognized by the Muscatine County Energy District, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development of energy solutions specific to the needs of Muscatine County. The group will highlight several other Energy Champion projects and achievements such as the Wilton Solar Array and the GPC Musser Solar Field.

Those who wish to participate in this event are asked to R.S.V.P. as soon as possible. This can be done online at muscatinecountyenergydistrict.org/contact-us.

Close Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Read the State Fire Marshal Report for the St. Anthony's Hospital fire Read the details of the April 4, 1949, fire at St. Anthony's Hospital as they appear in the report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal from the the Illinois Digital Archives. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949. Report of the Illinois State Fire Marshal on the St. Anthony's Hospital fire at Effingham, Illinois, April 4, 1949.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, held phone talks on Monday regarding the regional situation in the Middle East as well as China-Saudi Arabia ties.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China appreciates Saudi Arabia's emphasis on resolving issues through diplomatic means, and that China is willing to work together with Saudi Arabia to avoid further escalation of confrontation in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia is an important partner of China in the Middle East, said Wang, adding that China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Saudi Arabia, follow through on the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, continuously deepen political mutual trust, and promote bilateral relations to higher levels.

For his part, Faisal said that Saudi Arabia, deeply concerned about the current escalating situation in the Middle East, hopes that the situation will return to the normal track as soon as possible.

Noting that Saudi Arabia highly expects China to play an active and important role in this regard, Faisal said the Saudi side is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, start the implementation of the two-state solution, and help achieve stability in the Middle East at an early date.

Saudi Arabia fully trusts China, and is willing to push for the sustainable development of bilateral cooperation, he added.




On Monday, a Shanzu court charged a blogger with obtaining money to pull down an article alleging that two individuals defrauded Kilifi Governor Gideon Mungaro of Kes.150 million.

According to the investigation, Stephen Sanga Barrawah, 32, approached Francis Ngala Karabu, the complainant, posing as a local journalist with a dossier alleging that Karabu conspired with Loise Makena to defraud the Kilifi county government of the amount through garbage collection.

The accused then allegedly demanded Kes. 150,000 from Karabu, threatening to publish the alleged dossier if not paid. However, they later negotiated via video conference and settled on Kes. 80,000.

The funds were transferred to the accuseds Mpesa account in two installments of Kes.60,000 and Kes.20,000, respectively.

Investigations also established that the suspect allegedly demanded an additional Kes.60,000 from Karabu by claiming to have the ability to remove a publication from the social media platform Newsline that mentioned the complainant.

The prosecution sought orders to amend the charge sheet to include a similar charge of obtaining money by pretense, which the court granted.

Before Senior Resident Magistrate Robert Mbogo, the blogger pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a Kes. 100,000 bond with a surety of the same amount. Alternatively, he could pay a cash bail of Kes.20,000.

The court directed that the amended charge sheet be presented in court on May 5, 2024, when the case will be heard.
Kimilili Member of Parliament (MP) Didmus Barasa opines that the Kenya Kwanza government should dominate Kenyas politics for the next 50 years.

Barasa advocates for the President William Ruto-led coalition to maintain its hold on the nations leadership for half a century, drawing parallels to South Africas African National Congress and Tanzanias Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

On Monday, Barasa explained that this can be achieved without abolishing the cap on the presidential term limit. He said after President Rutos expected 10-year rule, all his successors should come from Kenya Kwanza.

We can achieve that purpose by not necessarily removing the cap on the term limit but ensuring the presidents who will come after His Excellency Samoei Ruto will pick up from the progress that Ruto will have made from that time, he told K24 TV.

Barasas suggestion comes barely a week after Kenyan industrialist Narendra Raval proposed that Ruto should lead the country for at least two and a half decades.

The Founder and Chair of the Devki Group of Companies described Ruto as a passionate leader who will bring change to Kenya.

I have no words to say but to thank him. He loves us so much, he loves this country. God give him 100 years of life, I wish that we have this president for 25 yearsmahali ingine iko miaka mingi sana, if we have him hii inchi itabadilika sana, the billionaire tycoon said.
Often, the information people learn or assume about the law is inaccurate. Without knowing the real truth, understanding these laws can be challenging.

Some laws are complicated, with lots of rules and exceptions. Because they're so complex, it's easy to misunderstand or oversimplify them. And, they can also change over time. What might have been accurate a few years ago could be outdated now.

Laws also vary a lot depending on where you are. Something that's legal in one country, state, or city might be illegal in another. This can create misunderstandings, especially when people assume that laws are the same everywhere.

Maison Law, an award-winning accident and injury law firm in California, is here to set the record straight. In this article, we'll clear up some of the most common myths surrounding personal injury laws in California, helping you to understand the truth and how it affects you.

Myth 1: You Can File a Personal Injury Lawsuit at Any Time

Many believe you can start a lawsuit whenever you want after an injury. This isn't true. In California, you only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after you get hurt. This is called the "statute of limitations." If you wait too long, you can lose your chance to sue.

Myth 2: All Personal Injury Cases Go to Trial

It's a common thought that if you file a personal injury lawsuit, you'll end up in court. But that's not always the case. In fact, 95% of personal injury cases are settled outside of court. This means the people involved come to an agreement, avoiding the unpredictability and public exposure of a trial.

Myth 3: Minor Injuries Don't Warrant a Lawsuit

When someone else is at fault for your accident, you are every bit as legally entitled to recover financially for a minor injury as you are for a major one.

Some people think you shouldn't bother with a lawsuit if you only got a little hurt. But unless you have a clear medical report from a physician, you are never truly okay. You never know what might be going on in your body. It is possible that after the accident, you might experience some discomfort or symptoms. So unless you know you have truly healed from the accident, talk to a personal injury lawyer to understand your options.

Myth 4: Social Media Posts Don't Affect Your Case

Posting on the internet comes with a responsibility. Insurance companies and lawyers are allowed to look at your social media and check if you have posted something that contradicts your injury claims, which might harm your case. Therefore, its always best to be cautious at all times.

Myth 5: You Don't Need a Lawyer for Personal Injury Claims

Some think they can handle personal injury claims on their own. While you can, it's usually not a good idea. These laws can be complex. A skilled personal injury lawyer in California can help you advocate for your rights, negotiate a settlement, file a lawsuit, and make sure you get the most compensation available.

Making Informed Decisions with Maison Law

If you're ever in an accident, knowing the facts about these myths will help you make more informed decisions. To reach Maison Law for a free, confidential consultation, visit their website here: maisonlaw.com.

Always remember, stay informed, know your rights, and never hesitate to call for help.

This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Please consult a lawyer for legal advice.

Lee Enterprises newsroom and editorial were not involved in the creation of this content.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, held phone talks on Monday regarding the tensions between Israel and Iran.

Amir-Abdollahian briefed Wang on Iran's position on the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, saying that the UN Security Council did not make a necessary response to this attack, and that Iran has the right to self-defense in response to the violation of its sovereignty.

Noting that the current regional situation is very sensitive, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is willing to exercise restraint and has no intention of further escalating the situation.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China strongly condemns and firmly opposes the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, regarding it as a serious violation of international law and unacceptable.

China has noted Iran's statement that its action taken was limited and was an act of self-defense in response to the attack against the Iranian consulate in Syria, Wang said.

China appreciates Iran's stress on not targeting regional and neighboring countries as well as its reiteration on continuously pursuing a good-neighborly and friendly policy, he said.

It is believed that Iran can handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil while safeguarding its own sovereignty and dignity, he added.
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China urges the United States to immediately stop its cyberattacks against China and stop smearing China, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and the 360 Digital Security Group jointly published a report titled "Volt Typhoon: A Conspiratorial Swindling Campaign Targets with U.S. Congress and Taxpayers Conducted by U.S. Intelligence Community" on April 15.

Lin made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on the report and repeated U.S. accusations that the Chinese government supported Volt Typhoon's cyberattacks.

"According to the report, 'Volt Typhoon' is actually a ransomware cybercriminal group that calls itself the 'Dark Power' and is not sponsored by any state or region," said Lin.

Lin added that there are signs that in order to receive more congressional budgetary spending and government contracts, the U.S. intelligence community and cybersecurity companies have been secretly collaborating to piece together false evidence and spread disinformation about so-called Chinese government's support for cyberattacks against the United States.

"It's no secret that the United States is the world's largest source of cyberattacks and the biggest threat to cybersecurity," Lin said.

Some in the United States have been using origin-tracing of cyberattacks as a tool to hit and frame China, claiming that the United States is the victim while it's the other way round, and politicizing cybersecurity issues, Lin said, adding that their actions seriously harm China's lawful rights and interests.

"China urges the United States to immediately stop its cyberattacks against China and stop smearing China," he said.
Ask Carla Freeman her vision of what the Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry is on its way to becoming and the answer is short but powerful: An intellectual center of gravity at Emory.

In the year since being named director of the Fox Center, Freeman  the Goodrich C. White Professor of Womens, Gender and Sexuality Studies  has been making good on her promise to formulate new partnerships and develop innovative ways to foster deep intellectual engagement across the university.

She is also bringing design changes to established programs such as the Undergraduate Humanities Honors Fellows, which annually supports up to 12 students completing honors projects in a humanities or humanistic social science field. The goal is to demonstrate to students the breadth of the humanities and strengthen their writing and presentation skills while fostering interdisciplinary exchange and mentorship.

Small improvements now, broader changes later

Typically offered in spring, the Undergraduate Fellows program will move to fall in 2024-25 to give our students a fuller experience as members of the Fox Center academic community and to allow more meaningful mentoring with our faculty, graduate students and postdocs, says Freeman.

In the coming academic year, Freeman is instituting another new feature: a theme for the centers work  Democracy: Past, Present, Future. Those who applied to the Undergraduate Fellows program by the April 8 deadline were encouraged to suggest theses that engage this topic, which Freeman formulated in consultation with other Emory faculty to interrogate how the humanities can examine and understand democracy in a time of intensified political unrest.

Shifting the Undergraduate Fellows program to fall did not stop Freeman from making enhancements this semester, starting with a one-credit seminar she is teaching with Shiv Sharma, a doctoral student in Womens, Gender and Sexuality Studies.

The seminar provides a supportive structure for undergraduate students to work toward completing their thesis while immersing themselves in the intellectual, creative and professional environment of the humanities  something students experience all around them at the Fox Center.

Students provide meaningful feedback to one anothers projects and explore a wide range of disciplinary approaches, methodologies and epistemologies as they write their theses.

Freeman also was keen to open the centers doors, wanting undergraduates to have immersive humanities experiences, including a trip to the Michael C. Carlos Museum and participation in the Ellmann Lectures. When the seminar shifts to the fall, these experiences will expand to include theater and museum visits off campus as well.

A cascade of creative ideas

Freeman would be the first to say she has not done this alone.

When I put a call out for help in rethinking the seminar design, the response was overwhelming. All the graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, despite the pressures of writing and being on the job market, stepped up and proposed novel ways of engaging the undergraduates, says Freeman.

Sharma collaborated in defining its new design. Key to its success, he says, is our belief that learning to engage with a range of intellectual formations is at the heart of humanities today.

Beyond selecting students representing diverse fields  such as art history, music, philosophy, anthropology, creative writing, English and neuroscience  the program enables Undergraduate Fellows to think with each other, ask productive questions and find connections, says Sharma.

The seminar also gives them a chance to connect with senior faculty and other scholars at the Fox Center, and it empowers them to envision what their professional life may look like beyond college, he adds.

In one seminar session, a panel of postdocs and graduate students created a snapshot of life after college, sharing wisdom about professional relationships  how to choose mentors and request recommendation letters. The panel also defined pathways to publication, strategies for building a robust profile for graduate school portfolios and taking steps toward academic careers.

Hailing from Stanford Universitys art history program, Lora Webb is the Fox Centers Two-Year Postdoctoral Fellow. She advised this semesters students on the benefits of a writing group. With the longer runway of time in the program that the fall fellowship will afford, Webb hopes that writing groups will become firmly established, culminating in the Fox Undergraduate Fellows Colloquium when all students present their theses prior to graduation.

I discovered how productive writing groups can be later in graduate school, and I can only imagine how beneficial it would have been to have developed strategies of accountability earlier. Further, by sharing early and often, it pushes writers to develop their ideas in audience-friendly ways and ameliorates some of the anxiety that comes with submitting a piece of writing to a professor, Webb says.

What mentorship can mean

The collaboration of Haley Jones 24PhD, the Fox Center Dissertation Completion Fellow, and Jacob Gibbs 24C, an Undergraduate Research Fellow, demonstrates what makes scholarship pursued in community valuable and why the Fox Center is a hub for that very thing.

Though Jones and Gibbs had started working together before Gibbs became an Undergraduate Fellow, their intellectual journey deepened at the Fox Center.

Jones is an Emory art history student whose work investigates the period 200020 in the European and North American auction market, specifically regarding how authenticity and value are derived for historical or classical arts of Africa. She has found that these auctions center the engagements of European and North American artists, collectors and dealers with African art while decentering African artistic agency.

One aspect of the work involved extracting quantitative data from the catalogs. Jones put out a call for undergraduate research assistants. Gibbs, a history/art history major and economics minor, answered the call.

A scholarly team forms through love of African art

Jacob began the process with no interest or knowledge of African art, the African art market or digital humanities. He picked everything up quickly, did great work and made significant contributions, Jones notes.

The son of physicians, with a sister headed to medical school, Gibbs was set on forging his own path, conducting research in the humanities.

He arrived at Emory interested in law and history.

I did not, he acknowledges, take art history seriously separate from the larger discipline of history until taking Contemporary Art of Europe and North America with professor Lisa Lee in the first semester of my first year.

Through that spark, Gibbs became deeply interested in the questions driving Jones.

Why are some works valued for tens of millions when works that look similar are valued in the low ten-thousands? I quickly learned that the higher-valued works were marketed as having a relationship to a European painter or a European modernist movement. That caught my attention, he says.

Gibbs completed his work with Jones and went abroad in his junior year, where he worked at a museum in Florence, Italy. His interest in African art ticked up again when Susan Elizabeth Gagliardi, associate professor of art history, made him aware of the William Rubin Kota, which in 2015 sold for 5.5, then the third-highest price for a work of African art.

Now its selling price is the 10th highest because the market is getting inflated, says Gibbs. These higher valuations are bringing attention to African art and increasing what African artists can earn. But they are not profiting off these works. I am still disturbed at the profiteering on the part of American and European market players and auctioneers, he says.

Sharing a Fox Center residency

Gibbs wanted to explore the valuation of African art in his own right and so began an honors thesis and applied to the Undergraduate Fellows program, knowing that Jones was at the Fox Center as well. Their shared academic interest has blossomed into a friendship that Gibbs knows will outlast their time at Emory.

I was able to nurture in Jacob what has become a genuine and strong interest in this material. I have met with him several times this semester to talk about his thesis research and helped prepare him for his defense. He will go on to do great things, Jones says.

Those great things will start with studying art law at Columbia Law School, where Gibbs was recently accepted.

Of the schools I applied to, they were the only one with a class on the art market, says Gibbs, who is also excited about being based in New York City, a home to great art. I dont know if I will leave there doing textbook art law. I definitely will do something related to copyright and intellectual property, ending up in the art world eventually, Gibbs pledges.

As solid a team as Gibbs and Jones are, both acknowledge the larger support network at the Fox Center that has strengthened their effectiveness as humanities scholars.

Gibbs relishes being stimulated by such smart people at the Fox, and Jones concurs: I have had a sense here of not just professional but personal support. I look forward to coming here; it is friendly and relaxed. Everyone is interested in and supportive of each others work.

A place everyone thought they knew, a tour no one will forget

Just as she promised, Freeman has shooed everyone out the door to experience the humanities in other places. The Undergraduate Fellows attended this years Ellmann Lectures, and a tour Jones organized of the Carlos Museum received rave reviews.

At Emory since 2017, Jones knows the collection well and had led many students through it.

For this outing, she came up with a life-cycles theme, which she defines as objects that have content dealing with life cycles or objects that had an interesting life cycle in their use, collection or display.

Conceived as a tour primarily for the Undergraduate Fellows, many of the faculty and postdoctoral fellows were also eager participants.

The visit was scheduled during what Gibbs defined as crunch time for my writing. As a result, he says, I went more to support Haley than to learn. That was my first mistake, not realizing what she could teach me, indeed all of us. She came up with a fascinating theme. I am jealous of students who will take her classes; she is such a great teacher.

Sharma, too, was impressed by what he learned.

This tour prompted us to think through critical issues underlying the collection, interpretation and exhibition of works of art in museums, with particular attention to challenges involved with displaying works of art from diverse cultures. This made the scholarship and debates within art history that I had read about feel alive and important in a very palpable way, he notes.

Stay tuned

Later in April, at the colloquium, the center will celebrate and showcase the completed theses of the Undergraduate Fellows.

There is more work ahead and with new programming, outreach and collaboration, I have no doubt that the Fox Center will become an even more visible and vibrant hub for the arts and humanities, says Freeman.

Spotlight on two Undergraduate Fellows

For a fuller look at the breadth of research undertaken by the students in this semesters program, see the fellows page.
A month before applying to Emory University, Kennedy Pete had never heard of the school.

Now shes a senior in Emory College of Arts and Sciences, double majoring in human health and sociology and eyeing a career in the maternal and child public health field, likely paired with a law degree.

But none of the experiences Pete has had at Emory  or the work shes done to help build an on-campus community for Native students  would have come to fruition without the College Horizons program, which she attended in high school.

Acquiring the confidence to apply

From Oak Springs, Arizona, but raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Pete is Dine (Navajo). She is Todikozhi (Salt Water Clan), born for Dibezhini (Black Sheep Clan). While she attended Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland, she was the only Native American student. As a rising high school junior, Pete attended the College Horizons program at Rochester University in June 2018.

The gathering is a pre-college program for Native American high school students that helps them through the college selection and admissions process. Activities focus on college-preparatory skills such as building resumes, writing, networking and conducting mock interviews, along with making students aware of schools that could be a good fit or have an existing, supportive Native community. Pete also remembers it as one of the first times shed been able to connect with Native students her own age.

As I went through this program, they really built my confidence up and allowed me to explore and reflect on the skills I can bring to the forefront of my application, Pete says.

Then, senior year, Petes college counselor suggested that Emory might be a good fit thanks to her interest in the public health and health care fields.

My counselor gave me the rundown of the programs and Rollins [School of Public Health], and once I saw the campus, I fell in love with that and was drawn to the decorated faculty here, too, Pete says. I felt like there were a lot of resources for all the different careers in public health, even the ones I hadnt realized existed. Emory moved its way to the top very quickly.

The confidence she gained during the College Horizons program has continued to pay dividends as Pete has found her path at Emory.

Gaining hands-on experience

While she entered Emory already drawn to health care fields, Pete became increasingly interested in maternal and child health after interning at the Indian Health Service the summer between her sophomore and junior years. There, she worked on a Patient Journey Mapping project, primarily analyzing the experiences of women who suffered from postpartum hemorrhage over the previous five years to better understand how factors in their journey of care may have contributed to their health outcomes.

Pete also researched the state of maternal health in Native American/Alaska Native communities to inform the basis of the mapping project.

After working so intensely on this project and learning more about the disproportionate rates of maternal and infant mortality that Native American and Alaskan Native communities experience, I felt that this area of public health was something I was incredibly passionate about and wanted to learn as much I could to continue to work to improve health outcomes in Native communities, she says.

I also found myself seeking to identify and understand the systemic barriers that may contribute to these adverse health outcomes, as well as how we can improve systems of care in a way that respects the diversity of tribal communities and the unique challenges each of them face.

Her burgeoning interest in law school came later.

My involvement with the National Congress of American Indians as a co-vice president of their Youth Commission has opened my eyes to work in the advocacy and government policy realm regarding issues facing Indian Country, especially issues that heavily impact Native youth, Pete says. Specifically, Petes interests are in child welfare, mental health, educational preparation, substance use disorders, and environment and resource protection.

Thanks to this experience, Pete has learned more about working in government and congressional spaces and has seen how a background in law and policy could be useful for work protecting the rights and sovereignty of tribal nations.

Building community with Native students

In the time between Petes first and last years at Emory, shes been an integral part of building a more visible  and vocal  Native community here.

When I first got to Emory, I was the only Native student I knew of in my year, she remembers. I felt hesitant and I didnt know where to look. There wasnt a community yet, but Beth Michel reached out to me about a group of Native students trying to develop this hub for Native and allied students, faculty, staff and alumni, and I jumped on that.

Michel [12PH (Tohono Oodham)] serves as senior associate director at Emorys newly established Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies. I met Kennedy by Zoom in August 2020. I was excited to learn that Kennedy chose Emory, Michel says. As the co-president for the Native American Student Association (NASA) on campus, her contributions will continue to have a positive impact for future classes.

Petes work with NASA and the Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative (NAISI) is focused on creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for Indigenous students  a nuanced endeavor.

One aspect of community is providing an environment where students can easily find resources and solidarity. Regarding NASA, Pete says, For students in the group, we want to give them an environment where they can come to us as resources who have been at Emory for three or four years.  I dont want any other Native students to feel like theyre the only ones and to have that affect their experience.

In addition to working on logistics and resources, opportunities to relax and bond are priceless, too.

Having fun events  such as attending Georgia Swarm games to cheer on the Thompson brothers, accomplished Native athletes  for us to bond and talk about our experiences and successes, and celebrating that among ourselves and with faculty who are involved in supporting us, is vital, she says.

Meanwhile, NAISI focuses more on long-term goals. That committee of faculty, staff and students works to plan larger events, develop resources and put more emphasis on hiring Native professors and creating more connections with Native organizations, including other schools and nonprofits.

We are looking ahead to the Native community at Emory in five, 10 or 15 years, and we want [the community] to be growing, Pete says.

Michel credits Pete as an integral part of moving that vision forward.

I am so proud of Kennedy and it's been an honor to serve as one of her mentors during her time at Emory College. She has distinguished herself not only as a campus leader but a good relative, Michel says.

In our Tribal communities, being a good relative is providing support across generations to help others understand our sovereign nations and our concerns, Michel adds. She walks in spaces that Emory likely has never had representation in before, like the White House Tribal Youth Forum. She is carrying forward the vision that began with Klamath Henry 19C. The wealth of knowledge she's brought to our campus continues to transform spaces to ensure more Native and Indigenous students can thrive at Emory.

Working with the university

Emorys Muscogee teach-ins are one such longer-term goal and important event. Pete has served the Muscogee community during the 2022 and 2023 teach-ins as a volunteer and attendee.

Attending the first Muscogee Teach-In in 2022 was one of the most moving moments I have experienced at Emory, especially being a Native student who had not had similar events like this held on campus previously, Pete says. She points to the broad attendance  including non-Native Emory students, faculty and staff  as part of that impact.

The teach-ins began following Emorys 2021 Land Acknowledgment Statement, which recognized the Muscogee (Creek) people who lived, worked, produced knowledge on, and nurtured the land where Emorys Oxford and Atlanta campuses are now located.

Being able to learn from Muscogee tribal leaders about their histories and teachings on their traditional homelands represented more than just a moment of community building at a singular point in time, Pete says, but rather a promise and commitment by Emory as an institution to continue to create an environment where Native voices are heard, prioritized and a focal point of future community building.

Emory is already building on that promise with the Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies, launched in fall 2023. The center is supported by a $2.4 million Mellon Foundation grant awarded to Emory University and the College of the Muscogee Nation.

As part of NASA, Pete was involved with the centers launch, including opportunities to listen to faculty candidates presentations, ask questions and provide feedback.

These chances to give feedback throughout the process are incredibly important to making sure that the Native student bodys voice is taken into consideration when these candidates will be working in the area of Indigenous Studies and have an immense impact on how Native students are represented and supported, she says.

As Pete explains, these events and initiatives arent exclusive to Native or Indigenous students and faculty. Theyre relevant to all corners of the Emory community.

To any student at Emory, professors and faculty, I want them to know that everyone is welcome at these events and [can access] the resources we provide on our website or speakers that we host, Pete says, asking community members to spread the word about events, even if they cant attend.

You dont need to know everything. You can come as you are, and being there is a sign of support.

Photos courtesy Kennedy Pete and Beth Michel.
SIU Carbondale School of Aviation names new director

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Chien-tsung Lu, an associate professor in the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology at Purdue University, will be the new director in Southern Illinois University Carbondales School of Aviation. The appointment is effective July 1.

Robert D. Morgan, dean of SIU Carbondales College of Health and Human Sciences, said Lu brings myriad experiences in several areas to SIUs nationally recognized aviation program. Lu will come to SIU Carbondale as a full professor.

As we conducted a national search, I was very impressed with Dr. Lus commitment to student success, administrative experience that includes international collaborations and a very strong research record that will enhance our School of Aviation, Morgan said.

Lu has been with Purdue University since 2008 and previously was with the University of Central Missouri. Lus experience includes serving as professor and dean at Nanshan Aeronautical College in Longkou, Yantai, China; chairman of Qingdao Airlines in China and with Nanshan Jet Co. Ltd. in Hong Kong, and as a member of the Virgin Australia Airlines board of directors in Brisbane. He is the U.S. coordinator for international training for safety inspectors and emergency response officers with the Civil Aviation Management Institute, Civil Aviation Administration of China.

I am excited to collaborate closely with the respected colleagues at the School of Aviation and Dean Morgan to advance the proud tradition of the Saluki family, Lu said. We will focus on driving excellence in research, student services, interdisciplinary collaborations, high-quality curriculum and community engagement while embracing the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Lu brings a wealth of expertise in aviation safety, system risk management and airline operations, cultivated through years of dedicated research and practical endeavors. His scholarly contributions encompass a wide array of refereed journal articles, conference proceedings, books and presentations. Recognizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, he has been instrumental in advancing aviation safety practices by conducting workshops and delivering training sessions.

Lu said he encourages collaboration among experts across departments, organizations and universities to drive research projects and develop grant proposals. He added that he is committed to advancing higher education in international aviation fields.

Lu earned a doctorate from the University of Nebraska with an aviation administration concentration and his masters degree in aviation safety from the University of Central Missouri. He earned a bachelors degree in applied mathematics from National Chung-Hsing University in Taiwan.

The SIU School of Aviation offers multiple degree programs in aviation technologies, aviation management and aviation flight programs in a state-of-the-industry facility to more than 600 students.

(Editors note: Lus first name is pronounced Jane-Zone.)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], April 15: Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh, has praised Keshav Bharadwaj's Bhojpuri story collection 'Redlight' as a credible depiction of human suffering in British colonial countries. He expressed his happiness with the storytelling in Bhojpuri. This story collection is garnering strong support from Bhojpuri and Hindi-speaking audiences on online platforms. The number of Bhojpuri speakers worldwide exceeds 200 million, with over 60 million in India alone. It is hoped that this story collection will achieve new levels of popularity among Bhojpuri and Hindi-speaking audiences worldwide. 'Redlight' serves as a historical testament to human tragedy. The author has spread all the colours of human existence in this short but poignant story. The main character of the story sees 'Mulago Hospital' at Kampala's famous jam-packed red light as a place of faith, sacrifice, and dedication towards the freedom fighters. The hero of the story, who has received police training, keeps turning his attention to the inconsistencies in the African society, far away from India, while simultaneously connecting it with the values and culture of Indian society. He also gets excited after finding the company of non-resident Indians and the ancient Ganesh temple near his residence. He also sees the beautiful blend of tradition and modernity, dazzling nightclubs, and people dying from malaria that has been otherwise eradicated. The hero's favourite subject is the exploration of the universal social elements of India and Uganda. The story also introduces us to the powerful campaign of Burma's famous Prime Minister U Shaw against British rule during the Second World War and the poignant story of his being made a prisoner of war. In the middle of the story, the hero's daily stop at the traffic red light to watch the hustle and bustle of the local goods market set up at the crossroads, just like in India, becomes his favourite way of life. While the enjoyment of the youthful appearance of the attractive young woman from Kampala, burdened by the basket of juicy mangoes at the red light, reflects the innate desire of the male element, the inquiring about her health and the regret over the habit of haggling over the price of the basket of mangoes is the manifestation of the noblest form of human values. Through his story, Keshav made 'Mulago Hospital' a subject of historical importance which became a metaphor in world fiction. This hospital is like the famous 'cemetery' of Paris, filled with the graves of world-famous thinkers, philosophers, and agitators along with the dictators of the French Revolution. During the Second World War, forty-seven prisoners of war brought from Malta by the British oppressive power were kept in 'Bambo Barracks' in Uganda, where they fell victim to malaria and ultimately sacrificed their lives at 'Mulago Hospital'. The 'Red Light' story, through the medium of the hospital, forces people from India to Africa to remember the sacrifices of their ancestors who were freedom fighters and have a sense of devotion towards them. Apart from this, in the story Golki Frame Ke Chashma, all the old things of Bettiah city revolve like a cinema reel. The reason behind the establishment of Maharani Janaki Kunwar College has been depicted wonderfully. George Orwell, Prakash Jha, and Manoj Bajpayee have also been depicted in the same story in a flow of emotions. Even now the people of that city are not aware of this. While reading it, it felt as if the literature of an established author was being read. Faisla and Khilona are beautifully woven together depicting women's power. There is a frank and unmatched description of Prayag in Kalpavas. Every person who belongs to that era must read this book. He will definitely consider himself a character in this book. Every story in this book is good, and lively, about me-you-village-home- city. Such non-fiction prose has been written in Bhojpuri after a long time. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The report 'India Employment Outlook 2030: Navigating Sectoral Trends and Competencies' by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) forecasts a 22 per cent increase in overall employment and a decline in unemployment by 97 basis points by the year 2028. Notably, the service sector is expected to lead this surge in job creation, with every unit rise in services output contributing to a 0.12 percent increase in employment. The report sheds light on the future of India's job market, particularly emphasizing the role of the service sector which plays an important role in driving employment growth as the nation inches closer to its US USD 5 trillion economic milestone. Highlighting specific sectors within the service industry, the report identifies ten high-opportunity sub-sectors poised for rapid growth. These include digital services, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, consumer retail, e-commerce, renewable energy, global capability centers, and MSME and startup ecosystems. Moreover, the report underscores the avenues the burgeoning service sector offers for women's employment. It advocates prioritizing investment in women's skilling, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship to capitalize on these opportunities and foster inclusive economic growth. However, the outlook for India's manufacturing sector appears less optimistic, despite initiatives like Make in India and growing imports from the US. Employment in this sector is observed to have declined, attributed to technological advancements and increased automation. To address this challenge, the report suggests transitioning towards industrial value chains associated with the service sector to rejuvenate employment opportunities. Nilanjan Ghosh, a Director at ORF and one of the report's authors emphasized the importance of policymakers and public sector schemes partnering closely with other stakeholders to identify employability and skilling gaps. He stressed the need to upgrade curricula and skills to ensure India's talent pool is industry-ready. He said, "Policymakers and public sector schemes could partner more closely with other stakeholders to identify employability and skilling gaps. The next step would be to upgrade curricula and skills to make India's talent pool more industry-ready." Furthermore, Ghosh highlighted the crucial role of entrepreneurship in driving future employment growth. He emphasized the potential of a new class of entrepreneurs to stimulate job creation, expand India's startup ecosystem, spur innovation, and promote youth participation. Gender sensitivity and inclusivity in future workplaces were also emphasized. Ghosh said, "A new class of entrepreneurs could stimulate job creation, expand India's startup ecosystem, spur innovation, and promote youth participation. But we also need to ensure that the workplaces of the future are gender-sensitive and inclusive." (ANI)